DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR OCTOBER
CORONAVIRUS PRAYER
God our Father, we come to You in our need, to ask Your protection against the COVID-19 that has disturbed and even claimed lives.
We pray that You guide the people tasked to find cures for this disease and to stem its transmission.
Protect the medical experts that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion.
We pray for those afflicted. May they be restored to health soon.
Protect those who care for them.
Grant eternal rest to those who have died.
Give us the grace in this trying time to work for the good of all and to help those in need.
We implore You to stop the spread of this virus and to save us from our fears.
Grant all these through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
We fly to Your protection, oh Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petition in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, Oh glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Our Lady, health of the sick, pray for us.
St. Peter Apostle, pray for us.
Entrance Antiphon
To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.
1st Reading (Is 45:1,4-6)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he has taken by his right hand to subdue nations before him and strip the loins of kings, to force gateways before him that their gates be closed no more: ‘It is for the sake of my servant Jacob, of Israel my chosen one, that I have called you by your name, conferring a title though you do not know me. I am the Lord, unrivalled; there is no other God besides me. Though you do not know me, I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that, apart from me, all is nothing.’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Give the Lord glory and honour.
2nd Reading (1 Thes 1:1-5)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians.
From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction.
The word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Shine on the world like bright stars; you are offering it the word of life. Alleluia!
Gospel (Mt 22:15-21)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, to say, ‘Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, ‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’ They handed him a denarius, and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they replied. He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Behold the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.
Next Week’s Readings
Ex 22:20-26; 1 Thess 1:5-10; Mt 22:34-40
PARISH NEWS
29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 2020
(Reflection by Fr. Vincent John CMI)
This Sunday’s Gospel is taken from Matthew where Jesus was asked a question related to the tax payment of his time to trap him. Jesus gave them a very wise and prudent answer, and reminded them of a life beyond earthly kingdoms. Here Jesus speaks of one’s dual citizenship: citizenship to an earthly kingdom and a heavenly kingdom, citizenship which ends with a physical death and the one which continues even after death. To answer the Herodians’ tricky question, Jesus uses a coin of earthly kingdom which they themselves had with them, and a heavenly obligation they had by their very existence.
Jesus, in the gospel, tells the Pharisees, to fulfil their heavenly and earthly obligations. In this story we see a peculiar element. Usually, Pharisees and Herodians were not on good terms. Herodians supported Herod’s right to tax while Pharisees opposed it. But here, to trap Jesus, these two groups came together. We need to remember that it is very hard to see two opposing groups coming together to do some good works, rather, they may work together to do evil. Belonging to God, we are created and called to be in His image. We are called to give to God what belongs to God while giving due respect and honour to our earthly legal powers and laws as loyal citizens. God deserves our worship, praise, adoration and gratitude.
We need to appreciate what God has given us. We are invited to look at our own lives, find the things we have received from God, and then we need to express our gratitude. It starts from our very life itself. It is God who selected our life which is a gift, not a chance or accidental one. God gave us His image, his divine grace, soul, talents, skills, protection, health, healing, strength, knowledge and nurtured us up to this level, leading us through different situations. He also allows limitations so we do not stray away and lose grace. Now, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to preserve our gifts and blessings and share it with others with all our soul, mind, spirit, heart and strength. This is the way we give to God the things that are God’s.
Balancing our lives is essential as we are living in this world. We cannot ignore this world, the country we live in, and the culture we share. As Jesus said, no power comes to man unless it is given by God. When a situation of selecting one over the other occurs, we need to select God over earthly powers. Throughout Christian history we see hundreds of people who faithfully selected the heavenly kingdom over earthly power and became martyrs. We see the great example of Thomas More. He selected God’s law against the King’s law and sacrificed his own life for that. God has given us the law of love, faith and charity to become citizens of the kingdom of light. We give to God the things that are God’s only when we combine these three elements in our personal life, family life and social life. One without the other is incomplete. Let us always choose the kingdom of light so that when we appear before the Lord God, we will proudly give him back what he gave us. It is not a one-time selection but continuous process. But always Jesus stands before us offering His support with extended hands.
May God bless you.
LIVE STREAMING OF DAILY MASS FROM OUR CHURCH
Masses are Monday to Friday 8:30am, Saturday 9:00am and Sunday 10:30am.
Our church is live streaming daily Mass
Via Facebook Page https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/
Via Zoom. ZOOM link https://zoom.us/j/93990476817
Meeting ID: 9399 047 6817.
Parishioners can now dial in via mobile phone or landline to participate in our daily Masses on ZOOM.
Landline – Dial 0011 618 6119 3900
Mobile – Dial +618 6119 3900
Once you connect you will be requested to put in the meeting ID: 9399 047 6817##.
Sunday 10.30 am Mass is also be available on Youtube, link as follows https://youtu.be/QVZXgoYOwMQ
PARISH OFFICE
The Parish Office is closed, however staff will be working from home on Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. You can still contact us on the office phone 9749 4300 or send in your enquiries/prayer requests by email to stpeters@westnet.com.au or hopperscrossing@cam.org.au.
TO KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED WITH PARISH NEWS
Parish website at http://stpeterapostlemission.org.au
Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/
Weekly Bulletin – kindly send your email address to stpeters@westnet.com.au to have a copy of our bulletin emailed to you every Friday.
ONLINE CHILDREN’S LITURGY
St Peters Young Adults Online Children’s Liturgy for children aged 5 – 8 years will be held this Sunday 18th October 2020 from 11:30am to 12:30pm. The sessions are held fortnightly. Children pray together, read and listen to the Gospel and are supported to grow in their faith through sharing and activities. We welcome you and your family to take part! Parents are required to register their children before attending. To enrol your child in this program, please email the Parish office at hopperscrossing@cam.or.au or call on 9749 4300 (Tues/Thursday/Friday 9:00am – 3:30pm) and we will send you an enrolment form to register your child, which is to be completed and returned. Our parish ensures that child e-safety is maintained as we follow the child safety guidelines recommended by the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a program for anyone interested in becoming a Catholic and receiving the Sacraments. Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 7:00pm on Zoom. Meeting ID 937 5345 2162. Passcode: 624286. If you or anyone you know is interested, you are welcome to join. Please contact Francis Thomas on 0401 787 372 or francispthomas@hotmail.com or Evelyn Stowers on 0499 416 158.
ZOOM LINKS TO WEEKLY SERVICES
St. Anthony’s Novena
Every Tuesday at 7:00pm, followed by Rosary
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82338237597?pwd=dlZyKzFCOERFNDBDMCs5cDBkUnFOdz09
Meeting ID: 823 3823 7597, Password: 524250
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Novena
Every Wednesday at 7:00pm, followed by Rosary
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83632685197?pwd=Y0FaL21LeXI2L2pWRnJlYlFmWmNTZz09
Meeting ID: 836 3268 5197 Password: novena
St. Peter's Charismatic Prayer Community KNK
Every Saturday at 3:00pm – Divine Mercy & Praise & Worship
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7414862105?pwd=NlVwaXUyS3hVSlFzZ0pNOG1MT29Ldz09
Meeting ID: 741 486 2105, Password: 023368
Bible Study Ministry
Every Monday from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Focus on Gospel of John, Chapter 15,
Please note new Meeting link and information below https://zoom.us/j/91984220776?pwd=M1RzcWMwbWk0Tm43MEZ6cEZnditldz09
Meeting ID: 91984220776 Password: 899140
EQUALITY FOR FAITH PETITION
An online petition has been created to address the inequality towards places of worship and people of faith in the Victorian government's 'Roadmap for Reopening’. The petition can be found on: https://www.equalityforfaith.com.au/. We are not asking for special treatment - just equal treatment. We ask you to please sign and distribute the petition to people you know and encourage them to do the same. Thank you – Your support on this important issue is needed to make a change!
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH
A third collection is normally taken up for World Mission Sunday, however due to the Coronavirus, we are unable to do this. Catholic Mission continue to help people in Cambodia, Myanmar, India and Ghana. However, this has been made very difficult with the cancellation in Melbourne of the June/July Propagation of the Faith appeal. If you would like to make a donation to Catholic Mission to help them continue their outreach to people for whom the missionary outreach changes lives, this can be done using a mobile phone. The process is to send the word “GIVE” to the number: 0488 854 436. This prompts an immediate reply which provides a link to a platform to make a donation. More information visit www.catholicmission.org.au.
ONLINE SAFETY FOR GRANDPARENTS & CARERS
The eSafety Commissioner has recently published a free e-book resource 'Online safety for grandparents and carers' which provides advice about online safety issues that children and young people may experience. This resource provides “key advice about online safety issues that can affect children and young people”, including practical tips to help grandparents and carers to talk about these issues with children and young people and manage them. Helpful topics include: setting up devices safely; managing time online; preventing unsafe contact from strangers as well as a guide to some of the most popular sites and apps. Grandparents and carers can order a hard copy or download and view the resource online: https://www.esafety.gov.au/seniors/online-safety-grandparents-carers.
LEADING A MISSIONARY PARISH
A reminder that the second session to the Leading A Missionary Parish online event will be held on Thursday, 29th October, 7:30pm – 9:30pm. Sessions are free. Register at www.trybooking.com/BKDAZ. Zoom link sent upon registration.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Irene Jones, Marina Jansz, Kathleen Smith, Frank Forbes, Djoanna Josue, Hilda D’Souza Fr. Charles McBride PE, Carlota Oyales, Astyn Delani, Wilma Pimenta, Msgr Anthony Kevin Toms PE, Celine D’Souza, Zito D’Cruz, Brian Holmes, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Glen Maple, Sylvester Surrao, Joseph Spiteri, Mona D’Silva, Peter D’Lima and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Jean Cameron, Gordon Newman, Denis Webber, Monique Hoaster, Wilfredo Villareal, Rolando Navarro, Francis Goonting, Anne Deluca, Hellen Bonnici, Filippo Sciglitano, Anthony Hanford, James Barwick, Gerry Akein, Carmelina Costanzo, Alki Christopoulos, Charlotte Mary, Teresita Grisancich, Paul Burton, Aloysius Silva, Shirley Poppen, Norma Medina, Florine Fernandes, Christine Hall, Esther Uwase, Steven Smith, Terese San and all who are ill in our Parish.