DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR MARCH
Year of St. Joseph – 8 Dec 2020 to 8 Dec 2021
Glorious St. Joseph, faithful guardian of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Heart of Jesus, all the help and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death and the special favour we now implore (name your request).
Guardian of the word Incarnate and Chaste Spouse of the Virgin Mary, we are animated with confidence that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
Amen.
Entrance Antiphon
Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy!
1st Reading (Is 50:4-7)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
The Lord has given me a disciple’s tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle. The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
2nd Reading (Phil 2 :6-11)
A reading from the letter to the Philippians.
His state was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
Christ became obedient for us even to death, dying on the cross. Therefore God raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
Gospel (Mk 14:1-15:47)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.
Due to the length of the gospel, we are unable to provide a printed version this week. Instead, we offer a Reflection for Palm Sunday taken from a synopsis of Pope Francis’ Homily for Palm Sunday 2020.
In his homily, Pope Francis sought to encourage his global audience of countless millions who were following this unique celebration by television, radio or social media. Drawing on the Gospel account of Jesus’ passion and crucifixion, he recalled that Jesus “descended into the abyss of our most bitter sufferings, culminating in betrayal and abandonment,” and said that from this experience Jesus’s message to us today is this: “Do not be afraid, you are not alone. I experienced all your desolation in order to be ever close to you.”
“Today, in the tragedy of a pandemic, in the face of the many false securities that have now crumbled,” Pope Francis said, “in the face of so many hopes betrayed, in the sense of abandonment that weighs upon our hearts, Jesus says to each one of us: ‘Courage, open your heart to my love. You will feel the consolation of God who sustains you’.” He told the small congregation in the basilica of some thirty persons standing at a distance from each other and the larger global audience that Jesus had “served us even to the point of being betrayed and abandoned,” and that, “we were put in this world to love him and our neighbours. Everything else passes away, only this remains.”
Pope Francis added that “the tragedy we are experiencing summons us to take seriously the things that are serious, and not to be caught up in those that matter less; to rediscover that life is of no use if not used to serve others. For life is measured by love.” He continued: So, in these holy days, in our homes, let us stand before the Crucified One, the fullest measure of God’s love for us, and before the God who serves us to the point of giving his life, and let us ask for the grace to live in order to serve. May we reach out to those who are suffering and those most in need. May we not be concerned about what we lack, but what good we can do for others.
At this point, Pope Francis turned to young people worldwide. He recalled that for the past 35 years Palm Sunday had been dedicated to them in memory of the fact that young people had welcomed Jesus on his entry to Jerusalem. “Dear friends, look at the real heroes who come to light in these days,” he said. “They are not famous, rich and successful people; rather, they are those who are giving themselves in order to serve others. Feel called yourselves to put your lives on the line. Do not be afraid to devote your life to God and to others.”
PARISH NEWS
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ends Sunday 4th April 2021. Please remember to turn your Clocks back 1 hour at 3:00am to 2:00am.
HOLY WEEK / EASTER / DIVINE MERCY TIMETABLE
| HOLY THURSDAY, 1 APRIL – NO MORNING MASS) 7:30pm – Mass followed by Vigil until 11:00pm |
| GOOD FRIDAY, 2 APRIL 10:00am – Stations of the Cross 3:00pm – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion followed by Divine Mercy Novena |
| HOLY SATURDAY 3 APRIL – NO MORNING MASS) 8:30am – Divine Mercy Novena 7:30pm – Easter Vigil Mass 8:30am to 10:30am – Confessions |
| EASTER SUNDAY 4 APRIL – NO 5:00PM MASS) 8:30am, 10:30am – Masses 1:15pm – Spanish Mass. |
| DIVINE MERCY NOVENA 2 April – Good Friday (After 3:00pm Service) 3 April – Holy Saturday (8:30am) 4 – 9 April (Sunday to Friday) – After 8:30am Mass 10 April (Saturday) – After 9:00am Mass |
| DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, 11 APRIL 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm – Normal Weekend Masses 2:00pm – Exposition, Adoration, Confessions 3:00pm – Divine Mercy Chaplet followed by Mass |
| CONFESSIONS Saturdays – After 9:00am Mass Wednesdays – After 7:00pm Mass Holy Saturday – 8:30am to 10:30am |
!! IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ !!
BOOKINGS FOR HOLY WEEK & EASTER SUNDAY
Trybooking link for Weekend and Holy week services https://www.trybooking.com/BNKFG. Bookings for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday are SOLD OUT. A reminder that those who have booked via Trybooking are guaranteed a seat in the church & hall (300 seating capacity). Please have your booking receipt with you as proof of booking. Those who have missed out on bookings will have to use the QR code on arrival. However, this will be standing room only in the undercover area at the rear of the church. If you come early but do not have a booking and are using the QR code, you will be directed to the undercover area. These steps have been taken to try and accommodate as many people as we can for our Holy Week services. Doors open 1 hour before start of services. Please come early. Doors shut as soon as services begin. We thank you for your cooperation.
READINGS FOR EASTER TRIDUUM
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HOLY THURSDAY 1st Reading Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Resp. Psalm Ps 115:12-13, 15-18 2nd Reading 1 Cor 11:23-26 Gospel Acclamation Jn13:34 Gospel Jn 13:1-15 |
GOOD FRIDAY 1st Reading Is 52:13-53:12 Resp. Psalm Ps 30:2,6,12-13,15-17,25 2nd Reading Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Gospel Acclamation Phil 2:8-9 Gospel Jn 18:1-19:42 |
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EASTER VIGIL 1st Reading Resp Psalm 2nd Reading Resp. Psalm 3rd Reading Canticle Mass of Easter Night 1st Reading Resp Psalm Gospel Year B |
EASTER SUNDAY 1st Reading Resp. Psalm 2nd Reading Gospel Acclamation Gospel |
LIVESTREAMING OF HOLY THURSDAY & GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES
For those who are unable to attend, there will be livestreaming of Holy Thursday and Good Friday services via our parish youtube channel. Links as follows for Holy Thursday mass https://youtu.be/lGW6fC85aUA and Good Friday 3pm service https://youtu.be/MYOT9-srxk4
PRAYERS FOR DEACON CHARLES
Deacon Charles has recently been diagnosed with a condition which requires medical treatment and has taken leave of absence for one month from all parish activities. Kindly keep Deacon Charles and his family in your prayers during this time. Thank you.
MASS OF HOLY OILS (CHRISM MASS) TUESDAY 30 MAR, 7:30PM
This special Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Peter Comensoli and concelebrated with Priests and Deacons from the Archdiocese. At this Mass the Oils of the Sick, Oils of Catechumens and Chrism are blessed. The Mass manifests the communion of Priests with their Bishop.
GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION
There will only be one collection on Good Friday with all proceeds assisting missionary work in the Holy Land and providing assistance to parishes, schools, orphanages and medical centres throughout the Holy Land. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| Sundays |
9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools. 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays. 6:15pm – Young Adults (18 -29 years) meet in Community Centre every week. 6:15pm – School of Discipleship meet in St. Peter’s Church Hall. |
| Mondays | 7:00pm to 9:00pm – Bible Study (St. Peters & St. James). 1st, 3rd & 5th Mondays at St. James’ Church. |
| Wednesdays |
7:00pm Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena. 7:00pm to 8:30pm RCIA in Theatrette |
| Fridays in Lent | 7:00pm Stations of the Cross followed by Mass. |
| 1st Fridays | 7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration |
| Saturdays | 2:30pm to 4:00pm – St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Community Praise & Worship held in church. Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/BODRD |
| Baptisms | 12 noon – Baptisms held 1st & 3rd Sundays. Baptism Preparation Meeting held on the 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm in Church. |
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Brian Connor, P.G. Joseph, Miguel Mauna, Carmen Desira, Margaret Palakkal, Wilmyr Sevilla, Otila Wright, Nelson Dayrit, Marie Adam, Dayan Thumma, Asuncion Evangelista, Doreen Eddison, Mick Gastin, Faye McNerney, Gilbert Norris, Mitran Nettur, Mickey Lyngdoh, Eulalia Rulona, Andres Lucio, Oscar Cruz, Eduardo Leal Mateo, Gliceria Tacata, Milton D’Souza, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Fr. Edward D’Souza, Godwin Arandez, Mathilda Lariche, Cecilia Fernandes, Palatty Kuriakkose, Gwenda Henry, Jim Costa, Joseph Korah, Maria Tin and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Dcn. Charles English, 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, Norma Medina, Christine Hall, Esther Uwase, Steven Smith, Calum Jones, John Murray, Andrew Crowley, Vincent Margaret, Anne Marie Toole, Liss Corado, Helen Smith, Yvonne Norris, Shirley Linehan, James D’Silva, Jack Davies, Mila Africano, Albert Wankhar, Tracey Foss, Leelamma Joseph, Dale D’Souza, Shiranthi Cramer, Melissa Bear and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 4 Apr 2021
| Kevin McLoughlin / Tini & Barrie Hope |
Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday Readers – 3/4 Apr 2021
| 7:30pm | C. Skinner / F. Thomas / B. Steinhauer G. Sharman |
| 8:30am | M. Nelthropp / D. Hankins |
| 10:30am | C. Peters / C. Skinner |
| 5:00pm | NO MASS |
Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 3/4 Apr 2021
| 7:30pm | S. Martis / E. Stowers / J. Poppen / G. Linning/ M. Maple / 2 Volunteers |
| 8:30am | H. Durski / K. Fernandes / E. Angeles / G. Linning |
| 10:30am | E. Mills / R. Johnson / M. Peters / Volunteer |
| 5:00pm | NO MASS |
Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday Music Ministry – 3/4 Apr 2021
| 7:30pm | Renato & Michelle De la Pena |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena Choir |
| 10:30am | Samoan choir |
| 5:00pm | NO MASS |