Maria Maple – Page 2 – St Peter Apostle Mission Parish

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Maria MapleFebruary 10, 2024February 12, 2024

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR FEBRUARY
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
Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.

1^st Reading (Lev 13:1-2,44-46 )
A reading from the book of Leviticus.
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘If a swelling or scab or shiny spot appears on a man’s skin, a case of leprosy of the skin is to be suspected. The man must be taken to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests who are his sons. ‘The man is leprous: he is unclean. The priest must declare him unclean; he is suffering from leprosy of the head. A man infected with leprosy must wear his clothing torn and his hair disordered; he must shield his upper lip and cry, “Unclean, unclean.” As long as the disease lasts he must be unclean; and therefore he must live apart: he must live outside the camp.’
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

2^nd Reading (1 Cor 10:31-11:1)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all, do it for the glory of God. Never do anything offensive to anyone – to Jews or Greeks or to the Church of God; just as I try to be helpful to everyone at all times, not anxious for my own advantage but for the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved. Take me for your model, as I take Christ.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. A great prophet has appeared among us, God has visited his people. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mk 1:40-45)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
They ate and had their fill, and what they craved the Lord gave them; they were not disappointed in what they craved.

Next Week’s Readings
Gen 9:8-15; 1 Pet 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15

PARISH NEWS

WEEKLY PARISH DATES

SUNDAY
10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1^st and 3^rd Sundays - Resumes February 2024.
After 5:00pm Mass in Hall – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2^nd and 4^th Sundays. Resumes 11th February 2024.
6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meeting.

MONDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm – Bible Study on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 826 5359 2389 Passcode: Bible.
Contact Clive 0490814452 or Francis 0401787372. Resumes 12 Feb 2024.

TUESDAY
7:00pm - Online Zoom Rosary - Meeting ID: 893 5477 8556. Passcode: rosary7:00pm.
7:00pm - RCIA Meeting in Theatrette/zoom. 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 - Resumes February 2024.
1.30pm to 4:00pm - Healing Mass on 1^st Saturday of the month. Next Healing Mass on Saturday 10th February 2024.

BAPTISM
12 noon – Baptisms held 1^st & 3^rd Sundays.
Baptism Preparation Meeting held on 1^st Monday of the month at 7:00pm. Next Baptism Preparation Meeting Mon 4th March 2024 at 7:00pm in Church.

ASH WEDNESDAY – 14^TH FEBRUARY 2024
Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, which is a penitential season of prayer, self-denial and helping others. It is also an obligatory day of fast and abstinence. Masses, including the distribution of Ashes, will be as follows: 7:00am, 8:30am, 10:00am (School Mass) and 7:00pm.

CAR PARKING
Dear Parishioners, when you come to church, please do not park in the drop off and pick up lanes during school hours. Thank you.
Please also note that the undercover area is now open for parking on weekends.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT
Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday at 7:00pm followed by Mass. This will commence Friday 16^th February.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN ATTENDING NON-CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Dear Parents, please note the enrolment procedure for the Sunday school Sacramental Program has changed.
There will be an Enrolment / Information session on Thursday 22^nd February at 7:30pm in Church.
Attendance is mandatory if you want to register your child for the Sacramental program.
Please bring your child’s Baptism Certificate with you.
Payment to be made on the day. Fees are mentioned below.
Sunday School – $50 per family
Sacramental fee – $50 per child.
Reconciliation – No Fee.
Enquiries, please email Sharon: snaps0910@gmail.com

READERS AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS AVAILABILITY FORMS
As the next Roster from March to May 2024 will include the Easter Ceremonies, please complete the Availability Forms which have been emailed (copies are also available in the Hall) and return them to the Parish Office NO LATER THAN SUNDAY 11^TH FEBRUARY 2024. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

“SAVE THE DATE” – LENTEN REFLECTION BY MARIA FORDE A Lenten reflection session will be held on Thursday 29^th Feb 2024 at 7:00pm in the church. More details to follow.

TOUR OF THE NEW ST PETER’S PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING
Parishioners are invited to take a tour of the New School Building on Sunday 25^th February after the 10:30am mass.

PROJECT COMPASSION
Please take home a Project Compassion box or set of donation envelopes which are available in the Hall and Foyer, to support Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help support vulnerable people around the world, now and for all future generations. With your support, Caritas Australia has supported vulnerable communities around the world to tackle poverty, food security, education, water and sanitation and disaster risk reduction to build a better future for all. Donate through Project Compassion donation boxes and envelopes, visit caritas.org.au/project-compassion or call 1800 024 413.

ARCHBISHOP COMENSOLI ON HOW TO ENTER INTO THE YEAR OF PRAYER
To prepare for the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has called for a Year of Prayer, a time of ‘rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world’. The jubilee year begins on 24 December 2024 and extends until 6 January 2026. Archbishop Comensoli, who was recently in Rome, has recorded a special message for the local church of Melbourne in which he suggests three simple prayers to help us enter into this time of preparation, which can be found at
https://melbournecatholic.org/news/three-ways-to-enter-into-the-year-of-prayer-archbishop-comensoli

ASHES TO EASTER’: LENTEN CONCERT-REFLECTION with Peter Kearney. Wednesday 28th February, 7:30pm. At St. James the Apostle Church, 336 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing North. Free admission. A beautiful Lenten reflection … prayerful and spiritual ... a worthwhile part of our Lenten journey.

LENT 2024 WITH THE CATHOLIC GUY, BRUCE DOWNES
Lent is a time when we can grow closer to God and prepare our hearts for the true meaning of Easter. Be inspired. Be refreshed. Be renewed! For 40 days you will receive a short, practical, and inspiring video in your inbox every morning to help you make this Lenten journey more powerful and prayerful. This program is FREE and you can sign up here:https://BruceDownes.org/Lent. For more information go to BruceDownes.org.

IMPORTANT LENTEN INFORMATION
(For more detailed information, please check the flyer on the notice board in the hall).
Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are days of Fasting and Abstinence from meat.
On all other Fridays, except solemnities, the law of the common practice of penance is fulfilled by performing any one of the following:
PRAY – example Mass attendance, family prayer, visit to a church or chapel, reading the Bible, making the Stations of the Cross, praying the Rosary or in other ways.
SELF-DENIAL – for example not eating meat, not eating sweets or dessert, giving up entertainment to spend time with the family, limiting food and drink so as to give to the poor of one’s own country or elsewhere, or in other ways. PROJECT COMPASSION is a major means of expressing our self-denial in Australia.
HELPING OTHERS - for example, special attention to someone who is poor, sick, elderly, lonely or over-burdened, or in other ways.

All who have completed their 18th year and have not yet begun their 60^th year are bound to fast. All who have completed their 14^th year are bound to abstain.
Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This must be fulfilled between Ash Wednesday 14 Feb 24 and Trinity Sunday 26 May 24 unless for a good reason it is fulfilled at another time during the year.
The wonderful gift of the Lord’s merciful love is offered in a special way in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Lent is a most appropriate time to receive this Sacrament. All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Arnelo Del Mundo, June Rodrigues, Charles Fernandes, Xavier Fernandes, Phyllis Quinless, Claude Lopez, Amparo Battad, Cecilia Lim, Tony Kozhaya, Yvonne Dragwidge, Aileen Andrade, Archelle Attard, Paul Rakavalis, Guido Benevento, Enid Gibb, Unti Capistrano, Norma Hales, Lindsay Coates, Stefano Merli, Nohad Hindy, Arnel Cura, Ramon Dayao, Angelo Rodricks and all who have died in disasters all over the world.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Betty Roberts, Arturo Bacani, Carlos Fernandes, Arturo Santos, Elizabeth Angeles, Dennis Blythe, Thomas Cannard, Vincenzo Trantino and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, Stephen Beaton, John O’Regan, Mavis D’Cruz, Atima Chakraborty, Adrian McGill, Michael Mariadas, Edna Sanchez, Elizabeth de Guzman, Elinor Hillock, Kimberly Baraza, Noemi Monge, Carmen Chiparra, Carmen De Cruz, Monica Jawn Lu, Teresita Grisancich, Alberta Parrocho, Michelle Clayburn, Cara, Richi Cadampog, Lolita Delos Santos, Meanne Leonardo & Kelvin Mateo, Anthony Desilva, Rolando Baldelomar, Mark Duggan, Ann Koek and all who are ill in our Parish.

ROSTERS

Money Counters – 18 Feb 24

Lerna Vasquez / Teresita Grisancich / Luzviminda De La Cruz

Roster for Readers – 17/18 Feb 24

6:00pm	David Roga
8:30am	Rosemary Hibbert
10:30am	Lionel D’Cruz
5:00pm	Youth Mass

Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 17/18 Feb 24

6:00pm	J. Roga / K. Pham / P&S Albuquerque
8:30am	K. Fernandes / N&N Gooneratne / M. Marip
10:30am	L. Ortega / S. Delos Reyes / E. Mills / Volunteer
5:00pm	Youth Mass

Music Ministry – 17/18 Feb 24

6:00pm	Mater Dolorosa
8:30am	St. Philomena
10:30am	FilOz
5:00pm	Youth Mass

1^st Reading Lev 13:1-2,44-46

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Maria MapleFebruary 3, 2024February 3, 2024

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR FEBRUARY
PRAYER FOR PEACE

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury … pardon
Where there is doubt … faith
Where there is despair … hope
Where there is darkness …light
Where there is sadness … joy
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than be comforted
To understand rather than to be understood
To love than to be loved
For it is by giving that one receives
By forgiving that one is forgiven
And by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
Amen

Entrance Antiphon
O come, let us worship God and bow low before the God who made us, for he is the Lord our God.

1^st Reading (Job 7:1-4, 6-7)
A reading from the prophet Job.
Job began to speak: Is not man’s life on earth nothing more than pressed service, his time no better than hired drudgery? Like the slave, sighing for the shade, or the workman with no thought but his wages, months of delusion I have assigned to me, nothing for my own but nights of grief. Lying in bed I wonder, ‘When will it be day?’ Risen I think, ‘How slowly evening comes!’ Restlessly I fret till twilight falls. Swifter than a weaver’s shuttle my days have passed, and vanished, leaving no hope behind. Remember that my life is but a breath, and that my eyes will never again see joy.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted.

2^nd Reading (1 Cor 9 :16-19, 22-23)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
I do not boast of preaching the gospel, since it is a duty which has been laid on me; I should be punished if I did not preach it! If I had chosen this work myself, I might have been paid for it, but as I have not, it is a responsibility which has been put into my hands. Do you know what my reward is? It is this: in my preaching, to be able to offer the Good News free, and not insist on the rights which the gospel gives me. So though I am not a slave of any man I have made myself the slave of everyone so as to win as many as I could. For the weak I made myself weak. I made myself all things to all men in order to save some at any cost; and I still do this, for the sake of the gospel, to have a share in its blessing.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. He bore our sickness, and endured our suffering. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mk 1:29-39)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was. In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, his wonders for the children of men, for he satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry he fills with good things.

Next Week’s Readings
Lev 13:1-2,44-46; 1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Mk 1:40-45

Feasts of the Week
Mon, 5 Feb -St. Agatha
Tue, 6 Feb - St. Paul Miki & companions
Sat, 10 Feb - St. Scholastica

PARISH NEWS

WEEKLY PARISH DATES

SUNDAY
10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1^st and 3^rd Sundays - Resumes February 2024.
After 5:00pm Mass in Theatrette – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2^nd and 4^th Sundays.
6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meet 1^st and 3^rd Sundays.

MONDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm – Bible Study on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 826 5359 2389 Passcode: Bible.
Contact Clive 0490814452 or Francis 0401787372. Resumes 12 Feb 2024.

WEDNESDAY
7:00pm - Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena.

1ST FRIDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration

BAPTISM
12 noon – Baptisms held 1^st & 3^rd Sundays.
Baptism Preparation Meeting held on 1^st Monday of the month at 7:00pm. Next Baptism Preparation Meeting Mon 5th February 2024 at 7:00pm in Church.

WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church community Dawson Linning, Ariana Cardillo & Evie Cardillo who are to be baptised this Sunday. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of Parents, Godparents, family and friends, we pray that these children will lead lives full of happiness, faith and love.

The next BAPTISM PREPARATION Meeting will be held on Monday, 5^th February at 7:00pm in Church.

SENIORS SHARED LUNCH – WEDNESDAY 7^TH FEBRUARY 2024
We welcome seniors over 65 to a monthly shared lunch, cuppa and chat on the first Wednesday of each month. Our next shared lunch will be on Wednesday 7^th February, from 11:30am to 1:30pm in the Community Centre. Please bring a plate of food to share. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate provided. Contact Margaret Craigie on 0456 914 652 for further details.

PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS
Dear Parishioners, when you come to church, please do not park in the drop off and pick up lanes during school hours. Thank you.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT
Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday at 7:00pm followed by Mass. This will commence Friday 16^th February.

READERS AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS - AVAILABILITY FORMS
As the next Roster from March to May 2024 will include the Easter Ceremonies, please complete the Availability Forms which have been emailed (copies are also available in the Hall) and return them to the Parish Office NO LATER THAN SUNDAY 11^TH FEBRUARY 2024. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

ARCHBISHOP COMENSOLI ON HOW TO ENTER INTO THE YEAR OF PRAYERTo prepare for the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has called for a Year of Prayer, a time of ‘rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world’. The jubilee year begins on 24 December 2024 and extends until 6 January 2026. Archbishop Comensoli, who was recently in Rome, has recorded a special message for the local church of Melbourne in which he suggests three simple prayers to help us enter into this time of preparation, which can be found at https://melbournecatholic.org/news/three-ways-to-enter-into-the-year-of-prayer-archbishop-comensoli

THREE WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE WORD OF GOD ANEW IN 2024
Every celebration of Word of God Sunday (observed in Australia on the first Sunday of February) is an opportunity to reflect on what room we make in our lives for the Bible. To take a look at three ways to enrich our experience of the Word of God in 2024 click on the link below.
https://melbournecatholic.org/news/three-ways-to-experience-the-word-of-god-anew-in-2024

'ASHES TO EASTER’: LENTEN CONCERT-REFLECTION with Peter Kearney. Wednesday 28th February, 7:30pm. At St. James the Apostle Church, 336 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing North. Free admission. A beautiful Lenten reflection … prayerful and spiritual ... a worthwhile part of our Lenten journey.

Our fourth grader celebrated his birthday on crutches, so he couldn’t carry the cupcakes into school without help. I asked our sixth-grader, Noah, to help his brother carry them in. “I could,” he said, “but I’d prefer not to.” Spotting a teaching moment, my husband asked Noah, “What would Jesus do?” Noah answered, “Jesus would heal him so he could carry his own cupcakes.”

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Phyllis Quinless, Claude Lopez, Amparo Battad, Cecilia Lim, Tony Kozhaya, Yvonne Dragwidge, Aileen Andrade, Archelle Attard, Paul Rakavalis, Guido Benevento, Enid Gibb, Unti Capistrano, Norma Hales, Lindsay Coates, Stefano Merli, Nohad Hindy, Arnel Cura, Ramon Dayao, Angelo Rodricks and all who have died in disasters all over the world.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Trevor D’Souza, Brian Smith, Neneng Austria, Murial Rodrigo, Veera Bayer, Baby Emma Winkler, Guillermo Mozo, Gloria & Felix Cardente, Gieno Perone, Purificacion Umali, Reynaldo Natividad, Celine Baby and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

ROSTERS

Money Counters – 11 Feb 24

John Allen / Jules & Neeta Pereira

Roster for Readers – 10/11 Feb 24

6:00pm	Davy Fernandes
8:30am	Catherine Graham
10:30am	Savita D’Souza
5:00pm	Jerilee Cardoz

Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 10/11 Feb 24

6:00pm	M. Maple / S. Martis / H. Durski / J. Tramontana
8:30am	M. Nelthropp / S. Vaz / S. Joseph / P. Simonides
10:30am	F. Caruana / S. Colla / M&C Peters
5:00pm	C. Skinner / E. Angeles / A. Koek / Volunteer

Music Ministry – 10/11 Feb 24

6:00pm	Footsteps
8:30am	St. Philomena
10:30am	Youth Band
5:00pm	Shepherds of Christ

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Maria MapleJanuary 27, 2024

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JANUARY
Prayer for All Mankind

Father of all, as we begin the New Year let your peace, mercy and kindness be experienced by all people that they may come to know and love you, the one true God, their Lord and their Father.
Make yourself known to those who do not know you; may those who seek you find you.
Of your compassion, may every sorrow be comforted, every need supplied, every evil averted, every wrong righted, every hope realised.
Amen.

Entrance Antiphon
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.

1^st Reading (Deut 18:15-20)
A reading from the book of Deuteronomy.
Moses said to the people: ‘Your God will raise up for you a prophet like myself, from among yourselves, from your own brothers; to him you must listen. This is what you yourselves asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the Assembly. “Do not let me hear again” you said “the voice of the Lord my God, nor look any longer on this great fire, or I shall die”; and the Lord said to me, “All they have spoken is well said. I will raise up a prophet like yourself for them from their own brothers; I will put my words into his mouth and he shall tell them all I command him. The man who does not listen to my words that he speaks in my name, shall be held answerable to me for it. But the prophet who presumes to say in my name a thing I have not commanded him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.”’
The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm
If today you hear his voice harden not your hearts.

2^nd Reading (1 Cor 7:32-35)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
I would like to see you free from all worry. An unmarried man can devote himself to the Lord’s affairs, all he need worry about is pleasing the Lord; but a married man has to bother about the world’s affairs and devote himself to pleasing his wife: he is torn two ways. In the same way an unmarried woman, like a young girl, can devote herself to the Lord’s affairs; all she need worry about is being holy in body and spirit. The married woman, on the other hand, has to worry about the world’s affairs and devote herself to pleasing her husband. I say this only to help you, not to put a halter round your necks, but simply to make sure that everything is as it should be, and that you give your undivided attention to the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. A people in darkness have seen a great light: a radiant dawn shines on those lost in death. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mk 1:21-28)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.
Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came Jesus went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority. In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.

Next Week’s Readings
Job 7:1-4, 6-7; 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk 1:29-39

Feasts of the Week
Wed, 31 Jan - St. John Bosco Wed,
Fri, 2 Feb - Presentation of the Lord

PARISH NEWS

WEEKLY PARISH DATES

SUNDAY
9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools - Resumes February 2024.
10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1^st and 3^rd Sundays - Resumes February 2024.
After 5:00pm Mass in Theatrette – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2^nd and 4^th Sundays - Resumes February 2024.
6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meet 1^st and 3^rd Sundays - Resumes February 2024.

MONDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm – Bible Study on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 826 5359 2389 Passcode: Bible.
Contact Clive 0490814452 or Francis 0401787372. Resumes 12 Feb 2024.

TUESDAY
7:00pm - Online Zoom Rosary - Meeting ID: 893 5477 8556. Passcode: rosary7:00pm - Resumes February 2024.
7:00pm - RCIA Meeting in Theatrette/zoom. 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

The next BAPTISM PREPARATION Meeting will be held on Monday, 5^th February at 7:00pm in Church.

FEAST OF STO NINO (INFANT JESUS)
All are invited to join in the celebration of the Feast of Sto Nino on Sunday 28^th January 2024 from 11.30am at our parish. Procession starts at 11.45am to be followed by Mass at 12 noon.

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD (also known as CANDLEMAS), FRIDAY 2^nd FEBRUARY, 8:30AM & 7:00PM MASSES
A special 'Blessing of Candles' will be given at the 8:30am and 7:00pm Masses. Everyone is invited to bring their own candles and place them on the table near the Sanctuary before the start of Mass. These blessed candles serve as a symbol of Jesus Christ, who referred to Himself as the Light of the World.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT
Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday at 7:00pm followed by Mass. This will commence Friday 16^th February.

FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE – How Collections Work
1^st Collection – Church expenses like utility bills, salaries, liturgical needs, sacramental, formation initiatives, pastoral and evangelisation programs.
2^nd Collection – Support the living expenses of the clergy, the Archbishop, priests in remote and financially burdened parishes, sick and retired clergy.
If you wish to set up a pledge, please contact Lorena Ford at hopperscrossing.bookkeeper@cam.org.au.
Parishioners if you are not registered in the parish, we encourage you to register and support the parish. Kindly fill in the parish registration form available next to the sacristy and return to the priest after mass or email the parish office hopperscrossing@cam.org.au and we will send the parish registration form to you.

ORDER OF MALTA LOURDES DAY MASS – SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2024
For some years now, the Order of Malta has organised an annual Lourdes Day Mass to provide an opportunity to pray for the sick and infirm particularly for those who would not otherwise have the possibility of visiting Lourdes. The Mass will take place again on Saturday, 10^th February at 10.30am at St Patrick’s Cathedral, with Archbishop Peter A Comensoli as the principal celebrant. For further information, please contact: Sauro Antonelli AM on 0411 250 288.

A woman walks into a church and starts praying the Rosary. After a string of Hail Marys, she hears the voice of Jesus. “Agnes,” he said to the woman. “I am here. What is it you want to ask for”?
The woman ignores him and continues her Rosary and her Hail Marys.
“Arise, for I have come to you,” Jesus stepped closer and opened his arms.
The woman continues to ignore him and pray her Rosary.
“Agnes, I say to you, I am with you.”
Finally, Agnes looks up. “Be quiet! I’m talking to your mother!”

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Cecilia Lim, Yvonne Dragwidge, Aileen Andrade, Archelle Attard, Paul Rakavalis, Guido Benevento, Enid Gibb, Unti Capistrano, Norma Hales, Lindsay Coates, Stefano Merli, Nohad Hindy, Arnel Cura, Ramon Dayao, Angelo Rodricks, P Davies, Anthony Tabut, Eduarda Pagaran, P M Philipose, Manuel Becerra, Maria Callelero, Hazel D’Costa, Olga Mendis, Lina Feliciano, Benny Bautista, Msgr Gerard Diamond PE, Najla Chamie, Angel Toncic, and all who have died in disasters all over the world.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Kevin Waters, Stan Walkden, Rita Dubowik, Vincent D’Rozario, Tony Catania, Emeterio Cahoy Sr, Bienvenido Angeles, Lily Soares, Jean Norman, Gerardo Almonacid, Krisyuz Mariano, Dominador Mateo Sr, Nellie Mateo, Bienvenido Opolentisima Sr, Bienvenido Opolentisima Jr, Mark Opolentisima, Sebastiana Menina, Teodora Hongoy, Monica Angeles, Pedro Angeles, Virginia Mariano, Rodrigo Mariano Sr., Maria Hoa, Thomas Tri, Cathy Duggan, Barbara Gradkowska and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, John O’Regan, Mavis D’Cruz, Atima Chakraborty, Adrian McGill, Michael Mariadas, Edna Sanchez, Elizabeth de Guzman, Elinor Hillock, Manish Pal, Kimberly Baraza, Noemi Monge, Carmen Chiparra, Carmen De Cruz, Monica Jawn Lu, Teresita Grisancich, Alberta Parrocho, Michelle Clayburn, Cara, Richi Cadampog, Lolita Delos Santos, Meanne Leonardo & Kelvin Mateo and all who are ill in our Parish.

ROSTERS

Money Counters – 4 Feb 24

Tini & Barrie Hope

Roster for Readers – 3/4 Feb 24

6:00pm	Adele Vesty
8:30am	Kitty Stuttard
10:30am	Maria Naufahu
5:00pm	Valerian D’Souza

Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion -
3/4 Feb 24

6:00pm	G. Aldcroft / K. Pham / G. Linning / S. Fernando
8:30am	K. Fernandes / G. Sharman / C. D’Souza / I. D’Lima
10:30am	E. Mills / B. Fernandes / G. Schembri / Volunteer
5:00pm	Sunitha D’S / R. Albuquerque / E. Angeles / A. Koek

Music Ministry – 3/4 Feb 24

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

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Maria MapleJanuary 20, 2024January 20, 2024

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JANUARY
Australia Day Prayer

We bless you, God of the universe, for this land,
For its contrasts of landscape and climate,
For its abundance of wealth and opportunity.
We bless you for our history, with all its struggle in adversity,
Its courage and hope.
Give us in our diversity tolerance and respect for each other
And a passionate commitment to justice for all.
Bless us so that we might be a blessing to others.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Entrance Antiphon
O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.

1^st Reading (Jon 3:1-5,10)
A reading from the prophet Jonah.
The word of the Lord was addressed to Jonah: ‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.’ Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare: it took three days to cross it. Jonah went on into the city, making a day’s journey. He preached in these words, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’ And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour. And God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Teach me your ways, O Lord.

2^nd Reading (1 Cor 7:29-31)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers: our time is growing short. Those who have wives should live as though they had none, and those who mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for; those who are enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about; those whose life is buying things should live as though they had nothing of their own; and those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. The kingdom of God is near: believe the Good News! Alleluia!

Gospel (Mk1:14-20)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.

Next Week’s Readings
Deut 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28

Feasts of the Week
Wed, 24 Jan - St. Francis De Sales
Thu, 25 Jan - Conversion of St. Paul

PARISH NEWS

WEEKLY PARISH DATES

MONDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm – Bible Study on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 826 5359 2389 Passcode: Bible.
Contact Clive 0490814452 or Francis 0401787372. Resumes 12 Feb 2024.

WEDNESDAY
7:00pm - Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena.

1ST FRIDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration

WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church community Nathaniel Baloco & Zander Baloco who are to be baptised this Sunday. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of Parents, Godparents, family and friends, we pray that these children will lead lives full of happiness, faith and love.

AUSTRALIA DAY FRIDAY 26^TH JANUARY
Australia Day Service and singing of National Anthem at 8:30am Mass

The next BAPTISM PREPARATION Meeting will be held on Monday, 5^th February at 7:00pm in Church.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT
Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday at 7:00pm followed by Mass. This will commence Friday 16^th February.

SACRED SHRINES TO VISIT IN MELBOURNE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
The holidays are a great time to slow down and refresh ourselves. There are a number of sacred shrines around Melbourne that can help us do just this. In case you missed it, during World Youth Day 2023 the Archdiocese of Melbourne office suggested a number of local sites you might want to visit as a ‘stay-at-home’ pilgrim. If you didn’t get to them then, why not add them to your list of ‘places to visit in 2024’ (or better still, during the holidays!)?
Shrines to visit are as follows:

Our Lady of Ta’Pinu Shrine, Bacchus Marsh
National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle Park
National Shrine of St Therese of Lisieux, Kew
Shrine of St Anthony, Hawthorn,
St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne

For more details refer to:
https://melbournecatholic.org/news/shrines-to-visit-in-melbourne-for-stay-at-home-pilgrims-this-wyd

ORDER OF MALTA LOURDES DAY MASS - SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2024
For some years now, the Order of Malta has organised an annual Lourdes Day Mass to provide an opportunity to pray for the sick and infirm particularly for those who would not otherwise have the possibility of visiting Lourdes. The Mass will take place again on Saturday, 10^th February at 10.30am at St Patrick’s Cathedral, with Archbishop Peter A Comensoli as the principal celebrant. For further information, please contact: Sauro Antonelli AM on 0411 250 288.

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Yvonne Dragwidge, Aileen Andrade, Archelle Attard, Paul Rakavalis, Guido Benevento, Enid Gibb, Unti Capistrano, Norma Hales, Lindsay Coates, Stefano Merli, Nohad Hindy, Arnel Cura, Ramon Dayao, Angelo Rodricks, P Davies, Anthony Tabut, Eduarda Pagaran, P M Philipose, Manuel Becerra, Maria Callelero, Hazel D’Costa, Olga Mendis, Lina Feliciano, Benny Bautista, Msgr Gerard Diamond PE, Najla Chamie, Angel Toncic, and all who have died in disasters all over the world.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Phyllis Mills, Josephine Buttigieg, Joseph Mintoff, Mary Joseph, Joseph Alburo, Robert Balachandran, and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, Mavis D’Cruz, Atima Chakraborty, Adrian McGill, Michael Mariadas, Edna Sanchez, Elizabeth de Guzman, Elinor Hillock, Manish Pal, Kimberly Baraza, Noemi Monge, Carmen Chiparra, Carmen De Cruz, Monica Jawn Lu, Teresita Grisancich, Alberta Parrocho, Michelle Clayburn, Cara, and all who are ill in our Parish.

ROSTERS

Money Counters – 28 Jan 24

K. Stuttard / E. Lewis / B. D’Souza / R. Hibbert

Roster for Readers – 27/28 Jan 24

6:00pm	Sharon Albuquerque
8:30am	KSC Reader
10:30am	Rosemary Hibbert
5:00pm	Sherwin Simangan

Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
27/28 Jan 24

6:00pm	S. Martis / S. Joseph / Sophia D / H. Durski
8:30am	KSC Minister / R. Johnson / K. English / Paul F.
10:30am	M&C Peters / A. Koek / Volunteer
5:00pm	E. Angeles / I. Simangan / M. Marip / Volunteer

Music Ministry – 27/28 Jan 24

6:00pm	St. Cecilia
8:30am	St. Philomena
10:30am	Domini Chorum
5:00pm	KNK

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Maria MapleJanuary 13, 2024January 13, 2024

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JANUARY
New Year Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide, and our Comforter.
Be our Strength, Courage, and our Sanctifier.
May this New Year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally,
A time for growing in virtue and goodness.
Come Holy Spirit, be with us always.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Entrance Antiphon
All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High.

1^st Reading (1 Sam 3:3-10, 19)
A reading from the first book of Samuel.
Samuel was lying in the sanctuary of the Lord where the ark of God was when the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ He answered, ‘Here I am.’ Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli said, ‘I did not call. Go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down. Once again the Lord called. ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ He replied, ‘I did not call you, my son; go back and lie down.’ Samuel had as yet no knowledge of the Lord and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Once again the Lord called, the third time. He got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli then understood that it was the Lord who was calling the boy, and he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if someone calls say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord then came and stood by, calling as he had done before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him and let no word of his fall to the ground.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

2^nd Reading (1 Cor 6:13-15,17-20)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
The body is not meant for fornication; it is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. God who raised the Lord from the dead, will by his power raise us up too. You know, surely, that your bodies are members making up the body of Christ; anyone who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Keep away from fornication. All the other sins are committed outside the body; but to fornicate is to sin against your own body. Your body, you know, is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property; you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace. Alleluia!

Gospel (Jn 1:35-42)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. John.
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour. One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.

Next Week’s Readings
Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20

Feasts of the Week
Wed, 17 Jan - St. Anthony, Abbot

PARISH NEWS

WEEKLY PARISH DATES

MONDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm – Bible Study on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 826 5359 2389 Passcode: Bible.
Contact Clive 0490814452 or Francis 0401787372. Resumes 12 Feb 2024.

WEDNESDAY
7:00pm - Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena.

1ST FRIDAY
7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration

DIVINE AUSTRALIA HALF DAY RETREAT – SATURDAY 20^TH JANUARY
“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God” - Rom 10:17
Come and join us for a half day retreat on Saturday 20^th January, 12:30pm to 4:30pm. The retreat will be led by Rev. Dr. Antony Parankimalil VC.

AUSTRALIA DAY FRIDAY 26^TH JANUARY
Australia Day Service and singing of National Anthem at 8:30am Mass

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD (also know as CANDLEMAS), FRIDAY 2^nd FEBRUARY, 8:30AM & 7:00PM MASSES
A special 'Blessing of Candles' will be given at the 8:30am and 7:00pm Masses. Everyone is invited to bring their own candles and place them on the table near the Sanctuary before the start of Mass. These blessed candles serve as a symbol of Jesus Christ, who referred to Himself as the Light of the World.

POPE FRANCIS PRAYER INTENTION FOR JANUARY 2024
For the gift of diversity in the Church Let us pray that the Holy Spirit help us recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.

Our Lady of Ta’Pinu Shrine, Bacchus Marsh
National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle Park
National Shrine of St Therese of Lisieux, Kew
Shrine of St Anthony, Hawthorn,
St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne 🙏

For more details refer to:
https://melbournecatholic.org/news/shrines-to-visit-in-melbourne-for-stay-at-home-pilgrims-this-wyd

WHAT HAPPENED AT MELBOURNE’S 1973 EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS?
Last year marked 50 years since Melbourne hosted one of the world’s biggest ever Catholic events, attracting global media attention and respected international figures (some of whom are now saints!).
It was the summer of 1973 when our city hosted the 40th International Eucharistic Congress. Who was there? What happened? And why was it significant? In case you missed it, here is a look at some highlights of this historic Congress.
Read the full story at:
https://melbournecatholic.org/news/what-happened-at-melbournes-eucharistic-congress

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Norma Hales, Lindsay Coates, Stefano Merli, Nohad Hindy, Arnel Cura, Ramon Dayao, Angelo Rodricks, P Davies, Anthony Tabut, Eduarda Pagaran, P M Philipose, Manuel Becerra, Maria Callelero, Hazel D’Costa, Olga Mendis, Lina Feliciano, Benny Bautista, Msgr Gerard Diamond PE, Najla Chamie, Angel Toncic and all who have died in disasters all over the world.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Lena Surrao, Stan Walkden, Angela Walkden, Pedro Lopez, Robert Lopez, Cecilia Tacata, Elvira De Torres, Mark Serrao, Dolores Pineda, Jeanne Duhau, Albert De Sousa, Beatriz Salting, William D’Sa, Carmelo Ravaneschi, Diane Cameron, Joey Teuma, Sam Borg, Gavina Angeles, Pedro Angeles, Omar Sulong, John Alexander and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

ROSTERS

Money Counters – 21 Jan 24

Bill Coghlan / Paul Mulquiney / George Socrates

Roster for Readers – 20/21 Jan 24

6:00pm	Jeslin Shaji
8:30am	Francis Thomas
10:30am	Sunil Vaz
5:00pm	Youth Mass

Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 20/21 Jan 24

6:00pm	S. Fernando / J. Tramontana / K. Pham / G. Linning
8:30am	R. Albuquerque / R. Hibbert / M. Nelthropp / Vol
10:30am	S. Delos Reyes / L. Ortega / E. Mills / Volunteer
5:00pm	Youth Mass

Music Ministry – 20/21 Jan 24

6:00pm	Mater Dolorosa
8:30am	St. Philomena
10:30am	FilOz
5:00pm	Youth Mass

The Epiphany of the Lord 2024

Maria MapleJanuary 6, 2024

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JANUARY
New Year Prayer

Entrance Antiphon
Behold, the Lord, the Mighty One, has come; and kingship is in his grasp, and power and dominion.

1^st Reading (Is 60:1-6)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
Arise, shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you, though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples. Above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears. The nations come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness. Lift up your eyes and look round: all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons from far away and daughters being tenderly carried. At this sight you will grow radiant, your heart throbbing and full; since the riches of the sea will flow to you; the wealth of the nations come to you; camels in throngs will cover you, and dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; everyone in Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense and singing the praise of the Lord. The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

2^nd Reading (Eph 3:2-3, 5-6)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Christ Jesus, through the gospel. The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! We have seen his star in the East; and have come to adore the Lord. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mt 2:1-12)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child’, he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.’
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
We have seen his star in the East; and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.

Next Week’s Readings
1 Sam 3:3-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42

Feasts of the Week
Monday, 8 Jan - The Baptism of the Lord

PARISH NEWS

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURE
The Parish Office is closed for the Christmas break and will reopen on Tuesday, 9 January. Normal bulletins will resume on 14 January, along with names for Death Anniversaries, Recently Deceased and Sick List.

DIVINE AUSTRALIA HALF DAY RETREAT – SATURDAY 20^TH JANUARY
“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God” Rom 10:17
Come and join us for a half day retreat on Saturday 20^th January, 12:30pm to 4:30pm. The retreat will be led by Rev. Dr. Antony Parankimalil VC.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph 2023

Maria MapleDecember 30, 2023December 30, 2023

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR DECEMBER
Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love; to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth, make us more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph graciously hear our prayer. Amen.

Entrance Antiphon
The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger.

1^st Reading (Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
The word of the Lord was spoken to Abram in a vision, ‘Have no fear Abram, I am your shield; your reward will be very great’. ‘My Lord,’ Abram replied ‘what do you intend to give me? I go childless…’ Then Abram said, ‘See, you have given me no descendants; some man of my household will be my heir’. And then this word of the Lord was spoken to him, ‘He shall not be your heir; your heir shall be of your own flesh and blood’. Then taking him outside he said, ‘Look up to heaven and count the stars if you can. Such will be your descendants’ he told him. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who counted this as making him justified. The Lord dealt kindly with Sarah as he had said, and did what he had promised her. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the time God had promised. Abraham named the son born to him Isaac, the son to whom Sarah had given birth.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

2^nd Reading (Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews.
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him and his descendants, and that he set out without knowing where he was going. It was equally by faith that Sarah, in spite of being past the age, was made able to conceive, because she believed that he who had made the promise would be faithful to it. Because of this, there came from one man, and one who was already as good as dead himself, more descendants than could be counted, as many as the stars of heaven or the grains of sand on the seashore. It was by faith that Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He offered to sacrifice his only son even though the promises had been made to him and he had been told: It is through Isaac that your name will be carried on. He was confident that God had the power even to raise the dead; and so, figuratively speaking, he was given back Isaac from the dead.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. In the past God spoke to our fathers through the prophets; now he speaks to us through his Son. Alleluia!

Gospel (Lk 2:22-40)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’ As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ There was a prophetess also, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom and God’s favour was with him.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us.

Next Week’s Readings
Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3,5-6; Mt 2:1-12

Feasts of the Week
Mon, 1 Jan - Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Tue, 2 Jan - Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory

PARISH NEWS

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURE
The Parish Office will close for the Christmas break starting Saturday 23 Dec and returning Tuesday, 9 January. Bulletin for 7 January will be a single sheet with mass readings. Normal bulletins will resume on 14 January, along with names for Death Anniversaries, Recently Deceased and Sick List.

NEW YEAR'S DAY MASS - FEAST MARY MOTHER OF GOD – MONDAY 1^ST JANUARY 2024, 9:00AM
Since New Year's Day is a Public Holiday, kindly note that Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am.

4th Sunday of Advent 2023

Maria MapleDecember 23, 2023December 23, 2023

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Almighty and Ever living God,
We pray for all who are homeless or without food this Christmas; for refugees forced to flee their own land through poverty or persecution; for the sick and the housebound; for the lonely, and for all who are in want of any kind.
May we share from our plenty with those in need.
Your love was made visible in the birth of your Son at Bethlehem. By the power of your Holy Spirit may our Christmas celebrations deepen our faith in the same Lord who has risen from the dead and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
Amen.

Entrance Antiphon
Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.

1^st Reading (2 Sam 7:1-5,8-12,14,16)
A reading from the second book of Samuel.
Once David had settled into his house and the Lord had given him rest from all the enemies surrounding him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘Look, I am living in a house of cedar while the ark of God dwells in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go and do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.’ But that very night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus the Lord speaks: Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader of my people Israel; I have been with you on all your expeditions; I have cut off all your enemies before you. I will give you fame as great as the fame of the greatest on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel; I will plant them there and they shall dwell in that place and never be disturbed again; nor shall the wicked continue to oppress them as they did, in the days when I appointed judges over my people Israel; I will give them rest from all their enemies. The Lord will make you great; the Lord will make you a House. And when your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
For ever, I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

2^nd Reading (Rom 16:25-27)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.
Glory to him who is able to give you the strength to live according to the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith. This is only what scripture has predicted, and it is all part of the way the eternal God wants things to be. He alone is wisdom; give glory therefore to him through Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. I am the servant of the Lord: may his will for me be done. Alleluia!

Gospel (Lk 1:26-38)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke.
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.

Next Week’s Readings
Gen 15:1-6,21:1-3; Heb 11:8,11-12,17-19;
Lk 2:22-40

Feasts of the Week
Mon, 25 Dec - The Nativity of the Lord
Tue, 26 Dec - St. Stephen
Wed, 27 Dec - St. John
Thu, 28 Dec - The Holy Innocents

PARISH NEWS

2023 CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR TIMETABLE

Sat 23 Dec	5:00am 9:00am 6:00pm	Dawn Mass Novena with Archbishop Comensoli Saturday Morning Mass 4^th Wk Advent Vigil Mass
Sun 24 Dec	8:30/10:30am No 5:00pm Mass	4^th Wk Advent Weekend Masses
Sun 24 Dec Christmas Eve	6:00pm 6:30pm	Carols followed by Family Mass
Sun 24 Dec	9:00pm 9:30pm	Carols followed by Vigil Mass
Sun 24 Dec	11:30pm 12:00am	Carols followed by Midnight Mass
Mon 25 Dec Christmas Day	8:30/10:30am 1:15pm	Carols ½ hour before Mass Spanish Mass
Mon 25 Dec	*Christmas Day* *No 5:00pm Mass*
Tue 26 Dec	8:30am	Weekday Mass
Sat 30 Dec	9:00am	Thanksgiving Mass followed by Holy Hour of Thanksgiving for 2023
Sat 30 Dec	6:00pm	Saturday Vigil Mass
Sun 31 Dec	8:30am 10:30am 5:00pm	Sunday Masses
Mon 1 Jan	9:00am	New Year’s Day Mass

READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES
Christmas Eve – 6:30pm & 9:30pm
Is 62:1-5;   Acts 13:16-17, 22-25;   Mt 1:18-25
Christmas Midnight Mass
Is 9:1-7;   Titus 2:11-14;   Lk 2:1-14
Christmas Day
Is 52:7-10;   Heb 1:1-6;   Jn 1:1-18

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING
From Fr. Vincent John & Fr. Simeon Anthony

May the blessings of Christmas be with you
May the Christ child light your way
May God’s holy angels guide you
And keep you safe each day.
May the blessing of the Lord
Be with you and your family
As you celebrate the coming of
Our Saviour Jesus Christ.

NEW TABERNACLE
Our church was gifted with a new Tabernacle on the occasion of our Parish Golden Jubilee last year, by a family who wishes to remain anonymous. Thank you very much for this kind gesture. May God bless you. The new Tabernacle was installed and blessed on Saturday 16^th December before the 6:00pm Mass.

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURE
The Parish Office will close for the Christmas break starting Saturday 23 December and returning Tuesday, 9 January. Bulletins for 31 December and 7 January will be single sheets with mass readings. Normal bulletins will resume on 14 January, along with names for Death Anniversaries, Recently Deceased and Sick List. We take this opportunity to wish all our parishioners a holy, safe & blessed Christmas. May the Christ Child shower his blessings on you this Christmas and all through 2024.

CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES are placed in the pews and at the back of the church. Kindly use these for your Christmas offerings.

FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS – THURSDAY 28^TH DECEMBER, 8:30AM MASS
A special Blessing will be given to all babies and children at this Mass in memory of the young children of Bethlehem, put to death by Herod who sought to kill Jesus. These innocent victims bear witness to Christ, to a world which would not receive Him

THANKSGIVING MASS FOR 2023 FOLLOWED BY HOLY HOUR - SATURDAY 30^TH DECEMBER, 9:00AM
Although this year may have been very challenging for many, we still give thanks to our Lord for the many blessings and graces received throughout 2023. Please join us for the 9:00am Mass followed by a Holy Hour of Thanksgiving including Exposition, Praise & Worship, Divine Mercy Chaplet, quiet reflection/prayer time and concluding with Benediction. All welcome.

NEW YEAR'S DAY MASS - FEAST MARY MOTHER OF GOD - MONDAY 1^ST JANUARY 2024, 9:00AM
Since New Year's Day is a Public Holiday, kindly note that Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am.

THE MEMBERS OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL thank all the families in our parish for kindly donating food items for the Christmas hampers and presents for children. Thank you to St Peter’s Primary School families and teachers for generously donating food items and presents for children. The hampers have been prepared and delivered to 133 needy families in our area. Thank you for your generosity, may God bless you all.

ADVENT APPEAL FOR UKRAINE
In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Archbishop Comensoli has launched an Advent Appeal for Ukraine. After 643 days of continued conflict, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced. The need for humanitarian aid remains high, especially as winter approaches. Funds raised will go towards providing aid and practical assistance to those who have been displaced and who are without basic supplies, especially the sick and the elderly. Appeal cards are available in the pews and at the back of the church. Thank you for your generosity. For more information about the Appeal or to donate online, please visit the Archdiocese website www.melbournecatholic.org/adventappeal.

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Br Christian Moe FSC, Hendro Amedo, Maria Galela, Paulina Gutas, Sara Pereira, Jean Raynal, Rogelio Lising, Loretta D’Cruz, Russell D’Souza, Cao Pho HL Trinh Hon, Walter Castellino, Andres Mejia, Aurora Tayao, Rev. Gerard Dowling, Francis de Rozario, and all who have died in disasters all over the world.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Noel Rego, Baby Shania Albuquerque, Bernard Cassin, Florence Thomas, Irawan Tansil, Elly Gosal, Hendra Theodoros, Shiane Josal, Raynaldi & Winoya Theodoros, Pedro & Dante Lopez, Gliceria, Rebecca & Cecilia Tacata, Eduardo Medina, Epifanio Delos Santos, Fr Manuel Delos Santos, Joseph Nguyen, Esperanza & John Blake, Diana Fernandez, Basilio Angeles and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, Mavis D’Cruz, Atima Chakraborty, Adrian McGill, Lindsay Coates, Jenna Murnane, Vittorio di Palma, Pat Murray, Elizabeth de Guzman, Amelia Pamparo, Daniel Quintanilla, Tony Faranda, Kelly de la Rosa, John O’Regan, Teresita Grisancich, Delice Prior, Monica Jawn Lu, Robyn Leszczynski, Hazel D’Costa, Manuel Becerra, P Davies, Jonas Dumadag, Najla Chamie, Michael Mariadas, Angel Toncic, Edna Sanchez, Braden Leong, Anthony Padilla, Elinor Hillock and all who are ill in our Parish.

ROSTERS

Money Counters – 27 Dec 23

L. Vasquez / T. Grisancich / L. De La Cruz

Roster for Readers – 24/25 Dec 23

6:30pm	Sharon D’Silva
9:30pm	Jerilee Cardoz
Midnight	Savita D’Souza
8:30am	Volunteer
10:30am	Davy Fernandez
5:00pm	NO MASS

Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 24/25 Dec 23

6:30pm	Sharon A. / Michelle N. /R. Johnson / G. Aldcroft /M. Maple / A. Vesty / D. Hankins / H. Durski
9:30pm	B. Fernandes / S. Martis / P. Fitzgerald / 5 X Volunteers
Midnight	S. Graham / 7 X Volunteers
8:30am	G. Linning / E. Angeles / N&N Gooneratne / P. Simonides /3 X Vols
10:30am	E. Mills / 8 X Volunteers
5:00pm	NO MASS

Music Ministry – 24/25 Dec 23

6:30pm	Young Adults
9:30pm	Footsteps
Midnight	Youth Band/Eagles Wings
8:30am	St. Philomena
10:30am	Tongan Choir
5:00pm	NO MASS

Money Counters – 2 Jan 24 (Tuesday)

K. Stuttard / E. Lewis / B. D’Souza / R. Hibbert

Roster for Readers – 30/31 Dec 23

6:00pm	Davy Fernandez
8:30am	Michelle Nelthropp
10:30am	Lionel D’Cruz
5:00pm	Mary Marip

Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 30/31 Dec 23

6:00pm	H. Durski / Sharon A. / S. Martis / G. Aldcroft
8:30am	Karen F. / Pauline S. / I. D’Lima / S. Graham
10:30am	S. Vaz / E. Mills / R. Hibbert / Volunteer
5:00pm	E. Angeles / A. Koek / 2 X Volunteers

Music Ministry – 30/31 Dec 23

6:00pm	Footsteps
8:30am	St. Philomena
10:30am	Filiorum Dei
5:00pm	Youth Band

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Maria MapleDecember 16, 2023

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR DECEMBER
PRAYER FOR ADVENT

Father in heaven, the day draws near when the glory of your Son will make radiant the night of the waiting world. May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy which moves the hearts of those who seek Him. May the darkness not blind us to the vision of wisdom which fills the minds of those who find Him. May we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. This Advent we pray for peace: peace in the world, peace in our homes and peace in our hearts. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Entrance Antiphon
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.

1^st Reading (Is 61:1-2,10-11)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken; to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord. ‘I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in the cloak of integrity, like a bridegroom wearing his wreath, like a bride adorned in her jewels. ‘For as the earth makes fresh things grow, as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the Lord make both integrity and praise spring up in the sight of the nations.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
My soul rejoices in my God.

2^nd Reading (1 Thess 5:16-24)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians.
Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus. Never try to suppress the Spirit or treat the gift of prophecy with contempt; think before you do anything – hold on to what is good and avoid every form of evil. May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept safe and blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called you and he will not fail you. The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia!

Gospel (Jn 1:6-8,19-28)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’ Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.

Next Week’s Readings
2 Sam 7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

PARISH NEWS

2023 CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR TIMETABLE

16 - 24 Dec	5:00am	Dawn Mass Novena
Thu 21 Dec	7:00pm	RECONCILIATION RITE I at St. Peter’s
Sat 23 Dec	5:00am 9:00am 6:00pm	Dawn Mass Novena with Archbishop Comensoli Saturday Morning Mass 4^th Wk Advent Vigil Mass
Sun 24 Dec	8:30/10:30am No 5:00pm Mass	4^th Wk Advent Weekend Masses
Sun 24 Dec Christmas Eve	6:00pm 6:30pm	Carols followed by Family Mass
Sun 24 Dec	9:00pm 9:30pm	Carols followed by Vigil Mass
Sun 24 Dec	11:30pm 12:00am	Carols followed by Midnight Mass
Mon 25 Dec Christmas Day	8:30/10:30am 1:15pm	Carols ½ hour before Mass Spanish Mass
Mon 25 Dec	*Christmas Day – No 5:00pm Mass*
Tue 26 Dec	8:30am	Weekday Mass
Sat 30 Dec	9:00am	Thanksgiving Mass followed by Holy Hour of Thanksgiving for 2023
Sat 30 Dec	6:00pm	Saturday Vigil Mass
Sun 31 Dec	8:30am 10:30am 5:00pm	Sunday Masses
Mon 1 Jan	9:00am	New Year’s Day Mass

WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church community Vivienee Alelis, Robert Mackenzie and Roman Matulino who are to be baptised this Sunday. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of Parents, Godparents, family and friends, we pray that these children will lead lives full of happiness, faith and love.

DAWN MASS NOVENA – SIMBANG GABI
We invite you to the 28^th year of the 9-Days Dawn Mass Novena celebrated at St. Peters, starting on Saturday 16^th Dec and finishing on Sunday 24^th Dec 2023. Masses at 5:00am daily. Our parish prayer group organises this by coordinating with our parishioners, other Ministries in our parish, prayer group benefactors and others from neighbouring parishes who attend the Dawn Mass Novena every year. Their generosity provides a festive breakfast for everyone who attends the Dawn Mass. If any of you would like to be a part of this breakfast by either providing food or wish to donate towards it, please contact the parish office on 97494300 or email hopperscrossing@cam.org.au. Thank you. Please note that Archbishop Peter Comensoli will be the Principal Celebrant at the Mass on Saturday 23 December.

ADVENT RECONCILIATION RITE I - THURSDAY 21ST DECEMBER 7PM
Please join us for our Rite I Reconciliation on Thursday 21st December at 7:00pm in our Church. There will be multiple Priests available to hear confession. This is a great way to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus our Saviour into our hearts this Christmas. All are welcome!

CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASS - SUNDAY 24TH DECEMBER 6:30PM, CAROLS 6:00PM
All children are invited to dress up as a Nativity character e.g. angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph etc. for this family Mass. Please have the children ready and waiting in the hall by 5:45pm so they can process into Church for the start of the Carols at 6:00pm sharp.

THE PIETY STORE has a stock of WORD OF GOD 2024, Columban Calendars $10, Christmas cards, and other religious items and jewellery. Come and have a browse. A great opportunity for some Christmas shopping.

ROSTERS FOR READERS AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS for the months from Dec 2023 to Feb 2024 have been emailed. Please contact the parish office if you have not received your copy or need a hard copy. Rosters for Communion to the Sick (Thursday) and Piety Stall are on the glass table in the church hall, kindly collect your copy.

SENIORS CHRISTMAS LUNCH
A merry time was had by all at the Seniors Christmas Lunch. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the decorations, food preparation, service, music and clean-up.

CAR PARK AND SCHOOL BUILDING
Thank you to everyone for their patience during the construction of the new school building. This magnificent building will hopefully be completed by the end of December. You will be pleased to know that the car park on the basketball court can be used from 16^thDecember 2023.

ADVENT APPEAL FOR UKRAINE
In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Archbishop Comensoli has launched an Advent Appeal for Ukraine. After 643 days of continued conflict, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced. The number of causalities on the frontline and among civilians continues to climb and the need for humanitarian aid remains high, especially as winter approaches. Funds raised will go towards providing aid and practical assistance to those who have been displaced and who are without basic supplies, especially the sick and the elderly. Appeal cards are available in the pews and at the back of the church. Thank you for your generosity.

NEW YEAR'S DAY MASS - FEAST MARY MOTHER OF GOD - MONDAY 1^ST JANUARY 2024, 9:00AM
Since New Year's Day is a Public Holiday, kindly note that Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am.

COMPLETION OF THE PEWS
The work on the pews has been completed, thank you to all the parishioners who have donated to the cost of refurbishing the pews and a special thanks to Mario Martella and his helpers Vito Logiusto & Joe Dalli for the many hours of work in restoring the pews. Thank you to all the volunteers that have helped with moving the pews to the community centre and back to the church. God bless you and your families.

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Sara Pereira, Jean Raynal, Rogelio Lising, Loretta D’Cruz, Russell D’Souza, Cao Pho HL Trinh Hon, Walter Castellino, Andres Mejia, Aurora Tayao, Rev. Gerard Dowling, Francis de Rozario, Joanna Tan, Remedios Santos, Mariazinha Fernandes, AnaLinda Bergenholtz, Furta Vella, Tae Yoon Jin, Charlie Sollis, Emmanuel Cardona and all who have died in disasters all over the world.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Arturo Apostoli, Magherita Apostoli, Frank Apostoli, Vita Sammartino, Joan Mogford, Olga Baxy, Salvatore Martelli, Quiter Sanchez, Nelfa Sanchez, Wanda Sanchez, Angelo Toncic, Josipa Toncic, Juliana Toncic, Sime Ukota, Kristina Ukota, Olga Hrvatin, Corazon Dayao, Roberto Dayao, Basilio Angeles, Paily Joseph, Michael D’Cunha, Clementine D’Cunha, Edith Platel and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

ROSTERS

Counters – 27 Dec 23 (Wednesday)

L. Vasquez / T. Grisancich / L. De La Cruz

Roster for Readers – 23/24 Dec 23

6:00pm	Sharon D’Silva
8:30am	KSC Reader
10:30am	Rosemary Hibbert
5:00pm	NO 5:00PM MASS

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 23/24 Dec 23

6:00pm	N. Golaw / G. Linning / G. Surrao / K. Pham
8:30am	KSC Minister / P. Simonides / R. Johnson / Paul F.
10:30am	C&M Peters / A. Koek / G. Schembri
5:00pm	NO 5:00PM MASS

Music Ministry – 23/24 Dec 23

6:00pm	Footsteps
8:30am	St. Philomena
10:30am	Domini Chorum
5:00pm	NO 5:00PM MASS

2nd Sunday of Advent 2023

Maria MapleDecember 9, 2023December 9, 2023

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR DECEMBER
PRAYER FOR ADVENT

Entrance Antiphon
O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.

1^st Reading (Is 40:1-5,9-11)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
‘Console my people, console them’ says your God. ‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for, that she has received from the hand of the Lord double punishment for her crimes.’ A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord. Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, let every cliff become a plain, and the ridges a valley; then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion. Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem. Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God.’ Here is the Lord coming with power, his arm subduing all things to him. The prize of his victory is with him, his trophies all go before him. He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation.

2^nd Reading (2 Pet 3:8-14 )
A reading from the second letter of St. Peter.
There is one thing, my friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, ‘a day’ can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises, as anybody else might be called slow; but he is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then with a roar the sky will vanish, the elements will catch fire and fall apart, the earth and all that it contains will be burnt up. Since everything is coming to an end like this, you should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mk 1:1-8)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way. A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. and so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, ‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.

Next Week’s Readings
Is 61:1-2, 10-11; 1 Thess 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Feasts of the Week
Wed, 13 Dec - St. Lucy
Thu, 14 Dec - St. John of the Cross

PARISH NEWS

2023 CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR TIMETABLE

16 - 24 Dec	5:00am	Dawn Mass Novena
Thu 21 Dec	7:00pm	RECONCILIATION RITE I at St. Peter’s
Sat 23 Dec	5:00am 9:00am 6:00pm	Dawn Mass Novena with Archbishop Comensoli Saturday Morning Mass 4^th Wk Advent Vigil Mass
Sun 24 Dec	8:30/10:30am No 5:00pm Mass	4^th Wk Advent Weekend Masses
Sun 24 Dec Christmas Eve	6:00pm 6:30pm	Carols followed by Family Mass
Sun 24 Dec	9:00pm 9:30pm	Carols followed by Vigil Mass
Sun 24 Dec	11:30pm 12:00am	Carols followed by Midnight Mass
Mon 25 Dec Christmas Day	8:30/10:30am 1:15pm	Carols ½ hour before Mass Spanish Mass
Mon 25 Dec	*Christmas Day – No 5:00pm Mass*
Tue 26 Dec	8:30am	Weekday Mass
Sat 30 Dec	9:00am	Thanksgiving Mass followed by Holy Hour of Thanksgiving for 2023
Sat 30 Dec	6:00pm	Saturday Vigil Mass
Sun 31 Dec	8:30am 10:30am 5:00pm	Sunday Masses
Mon 1 Jan	9:00am	New Year’s Day Mass

MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION
There will be a special collection at all Masses this weekend for the Melbourne Overseas Mission. We thank you for your generosity.

SENIORS SHARED LUNCH WEDNESDAY – 13^TH DECEMBER
The last Seniors shared lunch for the year will be a festive lunch for Christmas, held in the Community Centre on Wednesday 13^th December from 11:30am to 2:00pm. Lunch will be provided, so please just bring Christmas Cheer and a small gift ($10) to exchange (KK). Please RSVP to Margaret Craigie on 0456914652.

ST. PETER'S YEAR 6 GRADUATION MASS - THURSDAY 14^TH DECEMBER
We congratulate all the Year 6 students who will be celebrating their Graduation this Thursday night. We wish them many blessings and pray that our Lord Jesus will guide them throughout Secondary School and beyond.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL GIVING TREE
Items for the giving tree to be placed under tree by Sunday 10^th December. Thank you for your generosity. Enquiries Kitty 0433710310.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT THE CATHEDRAL, SUNDAY 17 DEC 2023, 3:00PM TO 4:15PM
Come along for a family concert of traditional and modern Christmas carols at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The performance includes plenty of audience participation, a children’s segment and ‘special guest’ appearance. Tickets cost $30 for Adults, $25 Concession. Children 15 and under FREE. Tickets can be purchased via cash or card at the door or in advance at St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne 2023 Concert Series Tickets, St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne | TryBooking Australia or https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/772036

RITE OF ACCEPTANCE FOR CATECHUMEN – SUNDAY 10^TH DEC 8:30AM MASS
The Rite of Acceptance into the order of Catechumens is the first step an enquirer into the Catholic faith makes in preparation for receiving baptism next Easter. This Sunday at the 8:30am mass, Jasmine Dawson and Khun Banya will be accepted as Catechumens by Fr. Vincent. Let us welcome Jasmine and Khun into our church congregation

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Rogelio Lising, Loretta D’Cruz, Russell D’Souza, Cao Pho HL Trinh Hon, Walter Castellino, Andres Mejia, Aurora Tayao, Rev. Gerard Dowling, Francis de Rozario, Joanna Tan, Remedios Santos, Mariazinha Fernandes, AnaLinda Bergenholtz, Furta Vella, Tae Yoon Jin, Charlie Sollis, Emmanuel Cardona, Renato Manalilli, Fr. Phero Nguyen Van Tuong, Jim Smith, Edna Clayton, Pawlu Labu Manau Gam, Precila D’Silva, Ramani Kumanayake, and all who have died in disasters all over the world.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Judith D’Cruz, Marion Bartolo, Peter Paul Fernando, Remedios Llagas, Maria Carvalho, Madan Vekic, Basilio Angeles and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, Mavis D’Cruz, Atima Chakraborty, Adrian McGill, Lindsay Coates, Jenna Murnane, Vittorio di Palma, Pat Murray, Elizabeth de Guzman, Amelia Pamparo, Daniel Quintanilla, Tony Faranda, Kelly de la Rosa, John O’Regan, Teresita Grisancich, Delice Prior, Monica Jawn Lu, Robyn Leszczynski, Hazel D’Costa, Manuel Becerra, P Davies, Jonas Dumadag, Michael Mariadas and all who are ill in our Parish.

ROSTERS

Counters – 17 Dec 23

Pravin Albuquerque / Clarence D’Souza / Grace Sharman

Roster for Readers – 16/17 Dec 23

6:00pm	Jeslin Shaji
8:30am	Catherine Graham
10:30am	Sunil Vaz
5:00pm	Youth Mass

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 16/17 Dec 23

6:00pm	S. Fernando / Josie T. / B. Fernandes / Praful A.
8:30am	Karen F. / M. Nelthropp / R. Hibbert / Romayne A.
10:30am	S. Delos Reyes / E. Mills / L. Ortega / Volunteer
5:00pm	Youth Mass

Music Ministry – 16/17 Dec 23

6:00pm	Mater Dolorosa
8:30am	St. Philomena
10:30am	FilOz
5:00pm	Youth Mass