First Sunday of Lent March 1 2020 —Year A

The Spirit of God

The Spirit of God tells us that we should fast, because it will awaken us to our own poverty

and to the many millions of people who do not have enough to eat.

The Spirit of God calls us in the season of Lent to renew our baptismal promise

to live a Christian life of faith, hope and love.

The Spirit of God reminds us that we are responsible for everyone, everywhere,

until the end of time.

The Spirit of God challenges us to live a life of forgiveness,

for this is the only way to be set free from the overwhelming power of sin.

The Spirit of God whispers in our hearts that wealth and appearance,

background and prestige are not important - everyone is worthwhile, lovable

and to be cherished simply because they are alive.

The Spirit of God embraces the sick and the handicapped, for people who are deeply aware of their limitations

are often the people who are most alive.

The Spirit of God believes that the great spirit of life is not quenched in death,

but is transformed into a new and deeper life.

Communion Reflections—Donal Neary SJ

“St John’s Parish community, committed to the Victorian Child Safe Standards & acknowledges that Child Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility”

St. John’s Parish Mitcham 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132

(Postal: P.O. Box 95, Mitcham 3132) Email: Mitcham@cam.org.au

Website: www.stjohnsmitcham.com.au

Phone: 03 94016366 Fax No. 03 9872 4316

PARISH LEADERSHIP TEAM MISSION STATEMENT To lead and empower the people of our parish to work independently and use their skills

and gifts to grow the life of our faith community now and into the future.

St. John's Memorial Garden Plaques for this pastoral project may be ordered at any time for any deceased person who either was a parishioner at St John’s or who was buried from St John’s Church. The forms are in the Newsstands. These forms now include the Interment of Ashes at St. John's. The completed forms can be handed into the Parish Office.

Normal Weekend Mass Times at St. John’s Saturday Vigil, 6pm, then 8.30am, 9.45am, 11.15am, 5pm 9.30am St James Vermont

Parish Priest

Fr Dispin John Supported by Fr Michael A Kelly, CSsR Pastoral Associate: Maree O’Keefe (Tuesday-Friday Sunday am ) Parish Office Visitation and Communion to the Sick & Housebound: Office hours: Co-ordinator: Cath Brindle—0423 065 825 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Ph: 94016366

Bereavement Ministry: Monika Bredhauer Parish Secretaries: Martine Giles (Monday-Wednesday & Friday) Elisa Kelesidis (Tuesday—Friday) Schools RE for Government Schools:

St John’s School, 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, 9874 1575 Andrew Puls 0407 352 706 Principal: Mrs Verona Gridley St. James School, 51 Centre Road, Vermont, 9874 1830 Principal: Mr David Mutimer

Services: St Vincent de Paul Shop 2/82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood 9870 9124 - St Vincent de Paul Furniture Pick-Ups 1800 621 349 House of Books (house next door to the Church) 9874 2389 - St Vincent de Paul Welfare Assistance 1800 305 330

AMONGST OUR PARISH FAMILY We welcome into the Parish Family through the sacrament of Baptism Oscar Jacob Buzza, Gabriella Maria Manfre, Henry John Sharples, Ethan Bert Cronin. We ask for the grace and peace Eternal Life for Ken Frank, Ted Naylor and for those whose memories are sacred to us at this time, Peter Gibbons, Jim Egan.

Parish Information

Weekday Masses this week in our Parish Monday (Church Closed) Tuesday 10am Mass

Wednesday 10am Mass Thursday (Church Closed) Friday No 9am Mass (SJV) 10am Mass Saturday 9.30am Reconciliation

Scripture Readings for week Mon: Leviticus 19:1-2 11-18 Matthew 25:31-46 Tues: Isaiah 55:10-11 Matthew 6:7-15 Wed: Jonah 3:1-10 Luke 11:29-32 Thurs: Esther 14:1 3-5 12-14 Matthew 7:7-12 Fri: Ezekiel 18:21-28 Matthew 5:20-26 Sat: Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Matthew 5:43-48 Sun: Second Sunday of Lent Genesis 12:1-4 2 Timothy 1:8-10 Matthew 17:1-9

Inspiration for the coming week from the Compassion and Friendship Group

The Cross appears lighter when carried with Jesus

“A Daily Cuppa—Sue & Leo Kane”

March 7 / 8 St Johns St. John’s St John’s St. John’s St John’s St James

Team B 6pm 8.30am 9.45am 11.15am 5pm 9.30am

C’Tator G Rodrigues K Thorneycroft D Ranjit T Black B Kearney Lector S Rodrigues C Anderson V Burnie C Black M Day P Stewart Eucharist P Bateman R Smith P Taggart T Welch T Rhynehart M Gartland C Pearson G Smith V Menon N Flores P Wallace G Gartland M Perkins D Hancock S Harrison T Fernandes S Solomons B Meehan K Callinan-Moore J Kiekebosch R Hangan No Children’s Liturgy at St James due to the Long Weekend Laptop J Sexton M Truong G Campbell C Andrade D Indra

Welcome Desk C Nicolas B Francis M Davison

TRAVELLING ROSARY

The Travelling Rosary will be held at the home of Nola Rush from Sunday 1 March—Friday 6 March. If you are planning to attend, please contact Nola on 9874 7873 to confirm time.

Faith Formation 2020

Catholic Social Teaching—What Can I Do About it here and now?

PROJECT COMPASSION 2020

Shirley, 36, is an indigenous Manide woman living in a remote province in the Philippines. She is a mother of four and the sole breadwinner of the family, as her husband is sick.

Shirley was struggling to support her family and keep their children in school. She faced regular discrimination and disadvantage, limiting her family’s access to food, education, employment and healthcare.

With Caritas Australia’s support, Shirley trained to become an indigenous health worker. She has learnt to supplement her income and is able to feed her family. The program has also empowered Shirley to send her children to school.

Indigenous minorities in the Philippines are amongst the most vulnerable people globally. Today, you can help people like Shirley, and her children gain confidence and respect within their community. Let’s Go Further, Together.

World Day of Prayer—Pray for Zimbabwe—Friday 6th March 2020 at Blackburn North/Nunawading Uniting Church, 355-357 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading at 10am Moring Tea followed by 10.30am Service. Everyone Welcome!

Good Friday March of Witness

The March of Witness is about a faith community gathering on Good Friday to remember the journey of our Lord. This has been a real march of witness for over 60 years of community spirit of faith witnessing and daring to show in public what we believe. This is a great way to connect with other Christian denominations that come together to recognise the person that we worship Jesus Christ.

Over the last 16 years Mary & Ed Perkins have done an outstanding

job running and organising this on the day, however, it is now time for someone else to take over this role and carry this forward for the benefit of our faith community.

We are looking for someone with faith, courage and willingness to help people celebrate their faith on this important day. Unfortunately if there is no one to take on this role it might be a sad end to such a great tradition.

Please contact Fr Dispin/Maree O’Keefe/Parish Office 94016366 if you feel you might like to volunteer your time to help co-ordinate this important witness in our faith journey. Thank you

FAITH AND FRIENDSHIP: JOURNEYING THROUGH LENT

Tuesday evenings of Lent 7.30pm-9pm to be held in the Narthex (entrance) St John’s Church Mitcham

(please note changed venue for 2020)

Featuring Maeve Louise Heaney’s Lenten program: Light from Within

Come along! Join in our parish journey towards Easter. All Welcome—attend any or all sessions

stay for supper if you wish. All Enquiries: Jenny Kearney 0412 379 357 or

Maree O’Keefe 9401 6366

MARCH CALENDAR

Sun 1 First Sunday of Lent - Children’s Mass 11.15am Mass Tues 3 - Parish Management Group & Religious Education Coordinators Meeting 11am-1pm followed by lunch - Lenten Discussion Group 7.30pm Narthex - Music Ministry practice 7.30pm Wed 4 - Parish Office Meeting (POM) 10.30am - Child Safeguarding Committee Mtg 11.30am - Liturgy Team Meeting 5pm Thurs 5 - PD for School Staff Fri 6 - PD for School Staff Sun 8 Second Sunday of Lent Mon 9 Labour Day Parish Office Closed - Christian Meditation 7.30pm Tues 10 - Mitcham Catholic Solo Support Group 1.30pm - Parish Office Meeting Room - Lenten Discussion Group 7.30pm Narthex - Music Ministry practice 7.30pm Thurs 12 - First Eucharist Parent Information Night 7pm Coghlan Centre Sun 15 Third Sunday of Lent Tues 17 St Patrick’s Day - Lenten Discussion Group 7.30pm Narthex - Music Ministry practice 7.30pm Wed 18 - POM 10.30am - Parish Leadership Team Meeting 7pm Thurs 19 - First Reconciliation 6.30pm & 7.30pm Sat 21 - First Eucharist Commitment Ceremony & Mass Book Presentation 6pm Mass Sun 22 Fourth Sunday of Lent - First Eucharist Commitment Ceremony & Mass Book Presentation 9.45am Mass Mon 23 - Christian Meditation 7.30pm Tues 24 - Lenten Discussion Group 7.30pm Narthex - Music Ministry practice 7.30pm Fri 27 - Term 1 Ends Sun 29 Fifth Sunday of Lent - Baptism Anointing & Stole Presentation 9.45am - Plenary Council Gathering 2pm Mon 30 - Compassion & Friendship Group 10.30am Tues 31 - Parish Penitential Celebration 7pm

Could all “LifeBoat” raffle tickets be returned either to Maureen Campbell on 0409 894 328 or to the Parish Office as soon as possible. Many thanks for your generous support.

In accordance with Archdiocesan Guidelines and Victorian State Legislation it is now mandatory for all parish volunteers (with exception of those under the age of 18 years) to have a current Working with Children Check. Please know that this is not a personal reflection of our volunteers but rather a legal requirement by the State Government. If anyone is having difficulty in processing this check Elisa and Martine in the parish office are more than willing to help out just give them a call to organise a suitable time 94016366.

Many thanks for your continued support and co-operation.

Fr Dispin

Social & Other

ST VINCENT DE PAUL—MARCH Coffee, tea bags, pasta sauce, tins of fruit. Please leave donations in the tub at the Piety Stall in the Narthex.

Conference Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7.30pm. Enquiries Ross Hancock 0419 117 343

ONLY FOOD ITEMS & small household cleaning & toiletry items are to be placed in the box beside the Piety Stall counter. All other items should be placed in the St Vincent de Paul Bin at the Basketball courts.

ST JOHN'S SENIORS

Last week the Seniors went to Williamstown for the day. Weather was perfect, the Gardens were lovely, lunch great and the sun came out on river side of Williamstown. A great day all round. Next trip is to Blue Lotus Watergardens on 25th March, cost $40, bookings will be taken after 10th March on 9874 0809.

CHILD SAFETY As part of our Child Safety Programme, all visitors to St John’s for parish activities (excluding Masses) during school hours,

are required to check in at the Parish Office.

An invitation to all

St John’s Men

Come along to a Breakfast in the Lyons Room starting at 7.30am on Sunday 15

March. Meet fellow parishioners and have something warm to eat and drink. Well worth the effort. Enquiries: Robert Vecci on 0449 941 433 or veccirobert@gmail.com

The House of Books is now open for business please come & visit and see our newly refurbished “House of Books”.

Opening hours are: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm Saturday 10am-1pm.

STEWARDSHIP ENVELOPES

The next set of Stewardship Envelopes are available in the Narthex. Thank you for your

continued support. Please save us the increased cost of mailing your set out by remembering to pick up your set on your way out! Thank you

“I was...in prison and you came to see me” Matthew 25:35-36

ANNUAL EASTER BISCUIT BAKE

Prison Fellow Australia needs 86,000 biscuits to provide every Victorian prison inmate with 10 home-made biscuits and a card explaining the meaning of Easter.

Volunteers distribute the biscuits in every Victorian prison in Holy Week. By baking biscuits for this appeal, you will be present to the prisoners, sharing God’s love in this very simple act.

* We need the biscuits by Monday 23 March * No nuts or peanut butter * Biscuits to be in sealed disposable containers eg ice-cream containers etc * Ingredients clearly listed on top of container * No limits on quantities as biscuits will be repacked in quantities of 10 * Invite families and friends to participate

We had an amazing response to this appeal last year, thanks to many generous parishioners. Please drop the biscuits off at St John’s Parish Office Enquiries about this or becoming a PFA volunteer: Barry Kearney 0412379253 or ring PFA in Doncaster 98481224 www.prisonfellowship.org.au

St Vincent de Paul Society—Mitcham Conference—Report on activities for the half year July—Dec for the 2019/20 Year Period July-Dec. Number of home visits 136 Adults assisted 189 Children assisted 105 Assistance provided: Christmas hampers delivered 89 Bread runs 25 Supermarket vouchers $7,590 Food Purchased for Christmas Hampers $1,637 Transport $1,270 Whitegoods purchased Nil Bills paid (utilities, accom, edu) $2,988 Donated food (Parish plus Foodbank) $5,035 Other (Medical, etc) $185 Value of Vinnies Cards (for purchases at Vinnies Stores) $1,725 Donations received: Cash Donations received (incl Christmas & Winter Appeal, Candles, etc) $6,155 House of Books $9,000 Magistrates Court $5,000 Whitehorse Community Chest $5,000 Fete Bric a Brac $2,200 St John’s Card Making Group $1,100

On behalf of the Mitcham Conference I would like to thank all who have supported the conference with food donations and Christmas presents and those who gave cash donations. The response to the Christmas Gift Appeal was very generous. In addition we would also like to thank the House of Books, St John’s Card Making Group and the Whitehorse Community Chest for their continued support of the Conference. We could not operate at the level which we do without the help of the Parish. Whilst our income for this period is well in excess of the expenditure, this is offset by the typical Jan-June expenditure as there is minimal income during this period. In addition to the above assistance we have also been able to deliver multiple items of furniture to the people we assist, with this being sourced from the Eastern Emergency Relief Network. Ross Hancock—Conference President