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5th Sunday of Lent 2023

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DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR MARCH Prayer for Lent

Merciful God, You called us forth from the dust of the earth; you claimed us for Christ in the waters of Baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes and bless our journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth. May our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts. All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus, for in his Cross we proclaim your love forever.   Amen.

Entrance Antiphon
Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength.

1st Reading (Ezek 37:12-14)
A reading from the prophet Ezekiel.
The Lord says this: I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people. And I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live, and I shall resettle you on your own soil; and you will know that I, the Lord, have said and done this – it is the Lord who speaks.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

2nd Reading (Rom 8:8-11)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.
People who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God. Your interests, however, are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him. Though your body may be dead it is because of sin, but if Christ is in you then your spirit is life itself because you have been justified; and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will not die for ever.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Gospel (Jn 11:1-45)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
The sisters sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man you love is ill.’ On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified.’ Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he heard that Lazarus was ill he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judaea.’ On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already. When Martha heard that Jesus had come she went to meet him. Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘If you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that, even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you.’ ‘Your brother’ said Jesus to her ‘will rise again.’ Martha said, ‘I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she said ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the   Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.’ Jesus said in great distress, with a sigh that came straight from the heart, ‘Where have you put him?’ They said, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept; and the Jews said, ‘See how much he loved him!’ But there were some who remarked, ‘He opened the eyes of the blind man, could he not have prevented this man’s death?’ Still sighing, Jesus reached the tomb: it was a cave with a stone to close the opening. Jesus said, ‘Take the stone away.’ Martha said to him, ‘Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day.’ Jesus replied, ‘Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said: ‘Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I knew indeed that you always hear me, but I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me.’ When he had said this, he cried in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, here! Come out!’ The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with bands of stuff and a cloth round his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, let him go free.’ Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.
The Word of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
Everyone who lives and believes in me will not die for ever, says the Lord.

Next Week’s Readings
Is 50:4-7;  Phil 2:6-11;   Mt 26:14 – 27:66

PARISH NEWS

WEEKLY PARISH DATES

SUNDAY
9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools.
10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays.
After 5:00pm Mass – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2nd and 4th Sundays.
6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meet 1st and 3rd Sundays.
MONDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm - Bible Study sessions. Zoom. Meeting ID: 826 5359 2389 Passcode: Bible
Contact Clive 0490814452 or Francis 0401787372
TUESDAY
7:00pm - Online Zoom Rosary - Meeting ID: 893 5477 8556. Passcode: rosary7:00pm
7:00pm - RCIA Meeting in Theatrette. Contact Francis Thomas 0401787372 or Dario Carreno 0438525148.
WEDNESDAY
7:00pm - Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena.
1ST FRIDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration
SATURDAY
2:30pm to 4:00pm - St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Community Praise & Worship in Church.
1.30pm to 4:00pm - Healing Mass on 1st Saturday of the month. Next Healing Mass on Saturday 1st April 2023.
BAPTISM
12 noon – Baptisms held 1st & 3rd Sundays.
Baptism Preparation Meeting held on 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm. Next Baptism Preparation Meeting Mon 3rd April 2023 at 7:00pm in Church.

FIAT – A WEEKEND OF PRAYER
As part of Fiat, our parish will hold an afternoon of prayer to be conducted by our St Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Group on Saturday 25th March from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. This will include Adoration, Benediction and Lectio Divina with the theme of the Annunciation conducted by Fr. Vincent.

BLESSING FOR ALL PREGNANT MOTHERS AND THEIR UNBORN BABIES - WEEKEND OF 25/26 MARCH
To mark the Feast of the Annunciation celebrated on Sat 25th March, Father will give a special blessing to all pregnant mothers and their unborn babies at the conclusion of all Masses on the weekend of 25/26 March.

READERS FOR PALM SUNDAY, HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY, EASTER VIGIL MASSES
Please collect your readings from the Sacristy. Thank you.

LENTEN SERVICES IN OUR PARISH

  • STATIONS OF THE CROSS held at 7:00pm every Friday during Lent followed by Mass.
  • LENT RITE I RECONCILIATIONS – THURSDAY 30TH MARCH 7:00PM
    Please join us for our Lenten Reconciliations on Thursday 30th March at 7:00pm. Multiple priests will be available to hear confessions. This is a great opportunity to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. All invited.

MASS OF THE HOLY OILS (CHRISM M1ASS) - SAT 1ST APRIL 10:00AM, ST. PATRICK'S CATHERDRAL
All are invited to attend this special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Comensoli and concelebrated with Priests and Deacons from the Archdiocese. At this Mass, the Oil of the Sick, the Oils of Catechumens and the Chrism are blessed. This Mass manifests the communion of the Priests with their Bishop in a leadership of service. Kindly note that due to the timing of this Chrism Mass the usual Saturday morning Mass at 9:00am is cancelled.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY – 16TH APRIL, COMMENCING AT 2:00PM
To celebrate this beautiful Feast, there will be Exposition, Adoration and Confession commencing at 2:00pm. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 3:00pm (the hour of Mercy), followed by Mass. Principal Celebrant will be Aux. Bishop Martin Ashe. Please note that the 5:00pm Sunday Mass will be celebrated as usual.

SCHOOL OF DISCIPLESHIP – 2023
The 2023 session of the School of Discipleship will commence from Sunday 23 April at 6:15 pm at St Peter’s Community Centre. This is a faith outreach program aimed to teach members more about our Catholic faith with three purposes – to learn it, live it and share it. The school has been successfully running for the last 7 consecutive years in Hoppers Crossing and members have testified to growing both spiritually and personally. All are welcome to join. Enquiries please call Anita Dsouza on 0411 77 2320 or pick up a brochure from the Narthex. There are limits seats. Please register at https://bit.ly/3EFg96N.

VACANCY
The Parish is looking for a qualified person, preferably someone local, to repair and polish the church pews. Please contact the parish office on 9749 4300 if you are interested.

PALM SUNDAY PASSION PLAY
The Annual Melbourne Passion Play re-enacts the journey of Jesus Christ’s life; triumphs, trials, devotion and betrayal. The Play, in its 24th year, is performed at the Holy Cross Centre in Templestowe, where the natural surroundings form part of the theatrical scenery as the audience moves in Christ’s footsteps. The Play’s management is offering free bus transport to and from the Play. To secure your free bus trip, register your name asap at Queen of Peace Parish Office on 93696877. A $10.00 refundable deposit is required to book your seat so the trip to and from the Play is free. Entry to the Play is also free. Be quick as there is a limit on the number of passengers. The bus will depart St Mary’s Parish Church in Railway Street, Altona at 11:45AM and Queen of Peace Church in Everingham Road, Altona Meadows at 12:00PM on Palm Sunday (2nd April 2023).

LENTEN/EASTER TIMETABLE

RECONCILIATION RITE I
Thursday, 30 March, 7:00pm in Church
PALM SUNDAY, 1/2 APRIL
Sat 1 April - NO MORNING 9:00AM MASS
Sat 1 April - Normal 6:00pm Vigil Mass
Sun 2 April - Normal Weekend Masses at 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm
HOLY THURSDAY, 6 APRIL
7:30pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper including Washing of the Feet and Vigil until 11:00pm (NO Morning Mass)
GOOD FRIDAY, 7 APRIL
10:00am – Stations of the Cross
  3:00pm – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion followed by Divine Mercy Novena
HOLY SATURDAY, 8 APRIL
8:30am to 9:30am Confessions
NO 9:00am Morning Mass 7:30pm – Easter Vigil Mass
EASTER SUNDAY, 9 APRIL
8:30am & 10:30am Masses
N0 5:00PM MASS ON EASTER SUNDAY
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA TIMETABLE
Good Friday, 7 April – After 3:00pm Service
Holy Saturday, 8 April – 7:10pm (before Easter Vigil Mass)
Sunday 9 April – 8:10am (before 8:30am Mass)
Monday 10 April to Friday 14 April – After 8:30am Mass
Saturday 15 April  – After 9:00am Mass
DIVINE MERCY FEAST, SUNDAY, 16 APRIL
8:30am, 10:30am 5:00pm – Normal Sunday Masses
2:00pm – Exposition, Adoration, Confession
3:00pm – Divine Mercy Chaplet followed by Mass
CONFESSIONS
Every Saturday – After   9:00am Mass (except Sat 1st April)
Every Wednesday – 6:30pm Holy Saturday – 8:30am to 9:30am

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Melvin Ramshaw, Jean Skinner, Lourdes Labrador, Paustin Sebastiampillai, Paul Nguyen, Natividad Jiminez, Arul Raj, Elizabeth Egan, David McClure, Thresiamma Paluvelil, John Allen, Tony Arrigo, Elvina D’Souza, Lily Soares, Robert Balan, Roy Madeloso, Nucia Feraro, Elizabeth Angeles, Restituto Mamerto, Trevor D'Souza, Ivor Fernandes, Arturo Bacani, Carmelita McLean, Emanuel Martinelli, Muriel Rodrigo, Ben D’Rozario, Daisy Irani, and all who have died in the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Phillip Jones, Godwin Arandez, Gwen Henry Cris Arigadas, Gregorio Gestopa, Otila Wright, Joseph Kora, Mrs. Denis Pereira, David Pillai, Kuriakkose Palatty, Michael Pillai, Connie Cernaz and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Sean Donaldson, Wilfredo Villareal, Helen Kelly, Gordon Newman, Thais Long, Vincent Margaret, Franklin Quintanilla, Jean Cameron, Vivienne Gantar, Magda Symons, Lindsay Coates, Violet Lawrence, Tae Yoon Jim, Jeffrey Dalton, Maureen Wilson, Sandra Farrelly, Joaquin Romero, Annette O’Brien, Cecilia Lazum Htu Bu, Alster Firth, Gayle Ryan, Robert Martinez, Nina Costa, Johnny Gregory, Draga Ve Kic, Dale D’Souza, Jean Barry, Nhuong Nguyen, Christie Raj and all who are ill in our Parish.

ROSTERS

Counters – 2 Apr 23

Tini & Barrie Hope / Toni Alexander

Roster for Readers – 1/2 Apr 23

  6:00pm B. Steinhauer / D. Fernandes
J. Poppen / Fr. Vincent / Valerian D’S
  8:30am K. Stuttard / C. Graham
D. Hankins / Fr. Vincent / F. Thomas
10:30am M. Naufahu / L. Vasquez
Savita D’S / Fr. Vincent / A. Vesty
  5:00pm J. Cardoz / C. Skinner
J. Cardoz / Fr. Vincent / J. Cardoz

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 1/2 Apr 23

  6:00pm Michelle/Shiran/Halina/Josie/Gina/Maria M./Stanley/
Kathy
  8:30am Pauline/Rayleen/Karen/Paul/Rosemary/
Nalin/Nimala/Grace Sh.
10:30am Ann K./Evelyn/Dawn/Bernadina/Grace Sch/2 Vols
  5:00pm 6 X Volunteers

Music Ministry – 1/2 Apr 23

  6:00pm Eagles Wings
  8:30am St. Philomena
10:30am Tongan Community
  5:00pm FilOz