67-77 Exford Road, Melton South 3338 . P .O. Box 2152

Ph: 9747 9692, Fax: 9746 0422 Email: meltonsouth@cam.org.au

Parish Homepage: stanthonysmeltonsouth.wordpress.com (includes Padua News)

Office Hours: Wed & Fri. 8.30am—4.30pm Friday 8.30 - 4.00pm

4th Sunday in Lent, Year C 10th March 2013

Let us pray that by growing in love this Lenten Season we may bring the peace of Christ to our world

St. Anthony’s Parish Primary School Wilson Road, Melton South 3338 Phone: 9743 1401 School Secretary: Mrs. Marthese Pace Email: principal@sameltonsth.catholic.edu.au Website: www.sameltonsth.catholic.edu.au

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33

Leader: TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD. All: TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD. I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES, HIS PRAISE ALWAYS ON MY LIPS; IN THE LORD MY SOUL SHALL MAKE ITS BOAST. THE HUMBLE SHALL HEAR AND BE GLAD GLORIFY THE LORD WITH ME. TOGETHER LET US PRAISE HIS NAME. I SOUGHT THE LORD AND HE ANSWERED ME; FROM ALL MY TERRORS HE SET ME FREE. LOOK TOWARDS HIM AND BE RADIANT; LET YOUR FACES NOT BE ABASHED. THIS POOR MAN CALLED; THE LORD HEARD HIM AND RESCUED HIM FROM ALL HIS DISTRESS. ALL: TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD. Gospel Acclamation: PRAISE AND HONOUR TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST! I WILL RISE AND GO TO MY FATHER AND TELL HIM: FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN AND AGAINST YOU. PRAISE AND HONOUR TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Catholic Regional College - Melton (Years 7-12) Principal: Mr Mark Sheahan Contact: 9743 6522 Catholic Regional College - Sydenham (Years 11- 12) Principal: Mr Brendan Watson Contact: 9361 0000

WEEKDAY MASS & DEVOTION TIMES

Tuesday morning: 9.15am Tuesday evening: 6.30pm Mass and Novena Wednesday morning: 9.15am

Thursday morning: 9.15am Friday morning: 9.15am Friday evening: 6.00pm Adoration, Benediction and

Stations of the Cross

WEEKEND MASS & DEVOTION TIMES Saturday Vigil Mass 5.30pm Sunday 8.30am & 10.30am

INDIVIDUAL RECONCILIATION Friday evening 6.00 - 6.50pm during Adoration. Saturday 4.45pm

BAPTISM

Baptism Preparation Meeting: 6.30-8.00pm in the Church Thursday 21st March for Baptisms 7th & 21st April See details on Parish Homepage as listed above and download forms. Fill them out and bring them to the Baptism Preparation Meeting for your chosen date along with a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate. Both parents are required to attend these meetings. Contact Father Fabian or

the Parish Office if you have any questions. Phone 9747 9692.

Adult Preparation for the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation through the R.C.I.A. Program. See Father Fabian or the

Parish Office.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Sue Alexander 9743 7281 Godwin Barton 9747 9493 Stephen Fernandes 9743 5331 Natalie Howard 0410 478 046 Mila Little 9743 7783 Rose Ma’ae 0431 386 473 Marthese Mercieca 0421 378 691 Maria Micallef 9746 9685

Carmen Vella 9743 4378 Ex-Officio: Fr Fabian Smith P.P., & Damien Schuster

Parish Priest: Fr Fabian Antony Smith Parish Secretary: Mrs. Lesley Morffew

St. Anthony’s School Principal: Mr. Damien Schuster

THIS WEEKENDS HYMNS -

Book 1, No. 30 5.30 Vigil Mass Book 1, No. 185 Hymns will be Book 2, No. 52 announced. Book 2, No. 16

Please remember to put your Hymnals back after use.

Thank you to all who donated to the CRC Kenya Trip. The group raised $1144.10. Your donations go towards supplementing the trips expenses and playground equipment at Brother Beausang’s school. DON’T FORGET THERE IS A SOCIAL CLUB SAUSAGE SIZZLE THIS WEEKEND AFTER THE 10.30 MASS. ALL WELCOME

NEWS FROM THE WORSHIP QUADRANT NEXT WEEK 5th Sunday in Lent —Year C 16th & 17th March 2013 Readers Special Ministers 5.30 Judy Van Hoos Doris Bonello, George Bonello, Mary Dodemaide and Eddie Massa. 8.30 John Brewis Lois Brewis, Michael Higgins and Bill Disco. 10.30 Kristina Scerri Elaine Hope and Gerard Coughlan.

1st Reading: Is 43:16-21; 2nd Reading: Phil 3:8-14; Gospel: Jn 8:1-11

MASS COORDINATORS / COMMENTATORS 5.30pm - Stephen Fernandes and Rohini Selvanayagam 16th & 17th March 8.30am - Marie Wytkamp and Lina Calleja. 10.30am - Dolores Turcsan and Godwin Barton.

PIETY STALL VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS WEEKEND: 9th & 10th March 5.30pm Mass: Priscilla Bastian 8.30am Mass: Dolores Turcsan 10.30am Mass: Anne Peramuna.

PIETY STALL VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND 16th & 17th March 5.30pm Mass: Marthese Merciea 8.30am Mass: Edwina La Rose 10.30am Mass: Carmen DeBrincat.

CLEANING ROSTER : Friday 15th March: Margaret Williams and Kratochvil Family.

YEAR OF GRACE PRAYER

Gracious God, You have blessed this ancient land with many gifts, especially its people. We thank you for the Year of Grace a time to start afresh from Christ.

You invite us to contemplate the face of Jesus your Son, that we may experience a new wave of grace, and that the light of Christ may burn more brightly in our lives.

Attune our hearts and minds to the presence of your Holy Spirit, that our church may be transformed, our relationships be healed, and our nation grow in compassion and justice.

With the intercession of St. Mary MacKillop, who showed us new ways of living the Gospel, we make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

NEWS FROM THE FAITH FORMATION QUADRANT

Meditation Wednesday 7.00pm in the MacKillop Room Divine Mercy Divine Mercy Sunday 7th April, 2013. Fatima Statue Sandra & Melwyn D’Souza 0418 171 568

LENTEN ADORATION, BENEDICTION AND STATIONS OF THE CROSS. On Friday evenings during Lent starting at 6.00pm there will be: Adoration 6.00pm -6.50pm, (There is an opportunity for Individual

Reconciliation at this time.) Benediction 6.50pm -7.00pm Stations of the Cross 7.00pm

LENTEN TALKS

Father Fabian will be conducting Lenten Talks on Sunday evenings at 6.00pm during Lent in the church. All welcome.

HOURS OF GRACE: JESUS YOUTH teams around Australia are promoting and hosting Around the Clock Eucharistic Adoration as part of the Year of Grace and Year of Faith covering different parishes across 9 cities in Australia. Please see the poster at the rear of the church for

details.

YEAR OF GRACE / YEAR OF FAITH:

Thought for the week

God’s abundance is again portrayed in the image of the great feast - the kingdom of heaven is open both to the righteous and to the sinner who repents. The boundless forgiveness of God and the loving welcome for the penitent are at the core of today’s parable. Recall a moment in your life when you experienced something of either the father’s joy at reconciliation, the change of heart of the younger son or the jealousy and resentment of the elder son. Reach out to someone with an invitation, a gesture or a word of forgiveness.

PALMS FOR PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday is fast approaching so we once again are needing Palms. If anyone has any Palms could you please

contact Father Fabian 0403 435 471 or Godwin Barton 0425 734 449.

THIS WEEKEND’S SATURDAY VIGIL MASS IS A SPECIAL MASS: The Parish will be joining

Godfrey and Vilma Pinto and their family in celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary.

Godfrey and Vilma will be renewing their vows at this special mass. Congratulations!

Limited edition, commemorative supplement on Pope Benedict in this issue of KAIROS Look out for the 3 March edition of Kairos in parishes this weekend or call the Communications Office on 9926 5758. It includes a complimentary, commemorative magazine and poster on the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI. To sub-scribe: kairos@cam.org.au More info: 9926 5758

NEWS FROM THE PASTORAL CARE QUADRANT We pray for the death anniversary of: Charlie Calleja, Maria Favalloro and Joseph Micallef.

Please pray for the Sick: Frank Consiglio, Lynne Dwyer, Victor Dimech, Therese Hall, Albert Nicholls, Vicki & Bill Vassallo,

Alex Venasilao, Gloria Cruz, Ian Nowak, Michael Saunders, Consiglia Bonnici, Anna Persiano, Patricia Coulson, Rose Marslen

and all those who have requested our prayers.

NEWS FROM THE SERVICE / COMMUNITY QUADRANT

EASTER PARTY - A FUNDRAISER FOR ST. ANTHONY’S CHURCH Sunday 31st March 6pm till late at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall Come join us for an Easter Party! Bingo & Raffle Tickets on Sales. Prizes to be won. DJ Crunk & DJ Cliff will keep you dancing. They will be supported with live music from Lloyd. Cost: Adults $12 Children 5-10years $6 Children under 5years Free (no seat) For tickets contact: Diane & Chris 0431 557 344; Jude & Erica 0433 968 448; Lloyd 0425 778 629 or Godwin 0425 734 449 There will be food on sale

PRIME TIMERS NEWS: NEXT OUTING - Tuesday the 26th March is a Lawn Bowls Day at Melton Bowling Club, Reserve Road, Melton. Meet at 10.30 at St. Anthony’s or you may wish to go straight there. Bowling starts at 11.00am. BYO Lunch. Tea coffee supplied. Cost is a $5 Green Fee.

FROM THE PARISH OFFICE COLLECTIONS: Presbytery Offering: Thanksgiving: (includes Direct Debit & Credit Cards) 3/3/2013 $ 704.00 $ 2304.23

Coming Events This weekend - Social Club Sausage Sizzle after 10.30 mass.

18th March - St. Patrick’s Day 19th March - Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Blessed Virgin Mary. Parish Novena starts 7.00pm after mass until June 11th. 21st March - Baptism Preparation Night. 6.30pm in the Church. 23rd March - Cuppa Weekend. 24th March - Palm Sunday (Start of Holy Week) 26th March - Chrism Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral 11.00am. All welcome as no 9.15am morning mass at St. Anthony’s. 26th March - 1st Rite of Reconciliation 7.00pm after 6.30pm mass. Novena will follow.

MacKillop Young Adult Community (MacYAC)- Talk & Walk about St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Join the MacKillop Young Adult Community, begin with a talk at St Francis Pastoral Centre (Cnr Elizabeth & Lonsdale Street) about our first Australian Saint. Walk around significant sites in the life of Melbourne born St Mary Of The Cross MacKillop, end-ing at Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, East Melbourne with Wine & Cheese. When : Saturday, 16th March @ 2pm

Bookings are essential. RSVP : macyac@sosj.org.au or Sr Rita 0419 299 065

ALL PARISH VOLUNTEERS PLEASE NOTE - WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS The Archdiocese of Melbourne has put in place a policy that all volunteers who may come in contact with children

during their work need to have a current Working With Children Card. Parishioners who are Readers, Commentators and Eucharist Ministers only are exempt from this process, but if you volunteer for any other duty

you will need to apply for a card, or alternatively, if you already have one, the Parish Office will need to sight it and

take a photocopy for our records. It is free to apply for volunteers and you may either get a form from the Parish

Office or from any Post Office. Many thanks from Lesley Morffew, Parish Secretary.

ST. ANTHONY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL 2014 PREP ENROLMENTS Prep enrolments open 12th March, 2013. OPEN DAYS: Wednesday 13th March 9.30am - 1.00pm Wednesday 22nd May 9.30am - 1.00pm - Information Evening from 7.30pm. To view the school webpage go to www.sameltonsth.catholic.edu.au

Great Spanish mystic St Teresa of Avila speaks of the

soul as a castle. In its centre dwells the Holy One who

is drawing us to himself. We experience this drawing as

a longing for God. We begin the interior journey when

we turn our back on mortal sin and face inwards

towards the God who is drawing us. We then begin the

practice of prayer. However, we find ourselves

fluctuating for we are not yet determined to avoid

occasions of sin. With perseverance through trials and

distractions, helped by those who share the journey

with us, especially a spiritual director, we gradually

come to a deeper self-knowledge and to a firm

commitment to do God‟s will. We grow to accept

ourselves as we really are, that is to say, as God sees

us. This calls for growth in detachment and humility.

The Third Dwelling Places (or „Mansions‟) have been

called the „triumph of human effort in the search for

God‟. Many do not go further. St Teresa encourages us

to respond to God when he invites us into the Fourth

Dwelling Places and the experience of contemplation.

What is contemplation?

Contemplation can be defined as „a loving communion

with reality in which the heart is awake and attentive

and the mind rests in knowing‟. Authors distinguish

four kinds of contemplation. There is aesthetic

contemplation: the delight we have when we are

experiencing beauty and sense that we are one with it.

There is intellectual contemplation: the delight we

experience through insight. There is a special form of

intellectual contemplation which we call theological:

the delight we experience in accepting the truths of

faith and enjoying the light which they radiate. And,

finally, there is supernatural or infused contemplation.

It is called supernatural because it is not something we

can achieve by our own desire, however determined.

God and God alone is its source. It is that special

graced delight we experience in God himself, rather

than in some truth about God (theological

contemplation), or as God is discovered in the beauty

of creation (aesthetic contemplation).

In supernatural contemplation, God is experienced,

not as an object, but as a subject. For we experience

ourselves as being one in a communion of love with

the source of our being.

St Teresa‟s spiritual adviser St John of the Cross

speaks of this contemplation in his Spiritual Canticle:

0 spring, like crystal! If only, on your silvered-over face,

you would suddenly form the eyes I have desired, which

I bear sketched deep within my heart. (Stanza 12)

St John is aware of the importance of the silver-

plating of dogma which gives expression to the

Church‟s teaching concerning revelation. The formulas

which express in words the truths revealed by God are

not empty; they clothe the substance of divine truth

which is revealed in them. If we submit humbly to

dogma, grace can lead us to penetrate the mystery it

expresses.

In his commentary on Stanza 12, St John writes:

„Faith gives us God, but covered with the silver of faith.

Yet it does not for this reason fail to give him to us

truly. Were someone to give us a gold vase plated with

silver, he would not fail to give a gold vase merely

because it is silver-plated. The truths of faith are called

“eyes” because of the remarkable presence of the

Beloved which the soul experiences.‟

When we speak of contemplation, our attention is

not on the insights given in contemplation, important

though these are. Nor is our attention on the

accompanying psychosomatic phenomena, however

impressive these might be. Our attention is on God

and so on the transforming union effected by love. In

contemplation we are purified, illumined and united to

God in love. We are transformed into love by the all-

consuming fire.

St Teresa describes the movement from

meditation to contemplation with the help of a simile:

„Troughs are filled with water in different ways. The

water enters one trough from far away through many

aqueducts and the use of much ingenuity. This is

comparable to meditation. For we obtain them

through thoughts, assisting ourselves. The other trough

is filled from the spring which is God himself, who,

when it pleases him to grant some supernatural

favour, produces delight in the very interior part of

ourselves. This delight fills everything, overflowing all

the dwelling places and faculties and reaching the

body. It begins in God and ends in ourselves. This is

not something we can imagine for ourselves, and no

matter how hard we strive, we cannot acquire it‟ (The

Interior Castle).

Three signs of the gift of contemplation

The movement from meditation to contemplative

prayer is typically a time of difficulty and confusion.

Old methods no longer work. God is drawing us into

the mysterious regions of the divine. It is here, more

than ever, that we need the sure guidance of the

recognised masters of the spiritual life.

The first indication that we are, indeed, being

drawn by God into contemplation, is that we can no

longer meditate the way we used to. There is no longer

any pleasure in doing so, but only dryness.

While we can see, we continue to walk by the light

of common sense and reason. Now God is drawing us

beyond the limits of imagination, memory and

understanding. In this divine realm we are blind. God is

asking us to let him guide us. Listen to St John:

„However much the soul may try, it cannot purify

itself by its own effort so effectively to be in the least

prepared for the perfect union of love with God, unless

God takes it and purifies it in that dark fire.‟

The second indication is that, while we no longer

find pleasure in meditating, we also find no pleasure in

focusing on anything else apart from God. The lack of

pleasure in other things indicates that our dryness

does not come from the infidelity of chasing after

other pleasures.

The third indication is the presence of a deep

desire to be in loving, attentive communion with God.

St John writes: „The third and surest sign is that we

take pleasure in being alone and wait with loving

attentiveness upon God, without making any particular

meditation, in inward peace and quiet and rest.‟

The forms of Prayer: Contemplation

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