No. 34 TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 23 August 2020

Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Parish St Bernadette’s Church

89 Bond St, Ivanhoe

Mother of God Church

56 Wilfred Rd, Ivanhoe East

Mary Immaculate Church

4 Waverley Ave, Ivanhoe

St Bernadette’s Primary School Principal: Kathryn Lowe 53 Stanley St, Ivanhoe West 3079 Phone: 9499 3914

I V A N H O E P A R I S H P R I M A R Y

Mary Immaculate Primary School Principal: Veronica Antrim 9 Rockbeare Grove, Ivanhoe 3079 Phone: 9497 1827

Our Exile - a chance to review and rebuild “I never thought I would see this in my lifetime.” How many peo-ple would be saying something like this, especially in Victoria at this difficult time. COVID-19 and government measures to prevent its spread have turned our lives upside down.

Some people have lost their jobs, others are struggling to pay their bills, people living alone and residents in nursing homes are isolated and schools are closed. We have experienced, and some of us are still experiencing massive dislocation in our lives.

The bible calls this experience “exile”. It means that we feel dislo-cated, isolated, and don’t belong — yet we are still living in our own land. We experience a kind of crisis of faith. I don’t mean that only in a religious way. True, for some people, what we are going through makes them question God: have we been forgotten or abandoned by God? But there is another crisis: we can’t have or do the things that gave us security and a feeling of wellbeing.

I mean things like the continuous availability of consumer goods, the freedom to go out when and wherever we wanted, to social-ize and be entertained. There is also a crisis of faith in our institu-tions. Churches have lost credibility over the years, and now peo-ple are becoming disillusioned with government. We also have questions about the future. What will the “new normal” be like? Will I still have a job or a house? What about government debt?

The experience of exile in the bible did not mean the end of the Jewish people. Five or six hundred years before Jesus, their coun-try was in ruins. It had been invaded, its infrastructure largely de-stroyed, and some of its people forced into exile and slavery. They felt abandoned by God. It looked like the people and their home-land was finished and had no future. But they did find hope, and out of the wreckage, a new community appeared.

(Continued page 2)

As a Catholic Community we respect the Wurrundjeri people, traditional custodians of the land upon which our parish resides, and commit ourselves to reconciliation and justice for all in our community and nation.

Inclusiveness Hospitality Service Mission

Covid-19 Restrictions! All Churches ARE CLOSED FOR MASS and

private prayer. Therefore there are NO MASSES within the Parish.

The PARISH OFFICE IS CLOSED all communi-cation should be via phone [9499 1515 or email Ivanhoe@cam.org.au

Stay up to date with our Parish News. On the homepage of our PARISH WEBSITE you will find a Weekly Update and all the links you have become used to: our Online Mass, Newsletter, Homily, Family Prayer etc.. Go to: www.ivanhoecatholics.com

Please remember that our ONLINE SUNDAY PARISH MASS is uploaded to the website at noon each Saturday.

Prayer to St. Joseph St. Joseph, you were receptive to God working in your life. Help us by your prayers at this time of trial. You kept Jesus and Mary under your watchful care: may your prayers assist our local Church to respond to those in need. You taught the Christ Child your trade and pray-ers: help us to follow his example of love. You were part of God’s plan for all humanity: assist us to be vigilant and responsible this day. You spent your life in service: may we be mind-ful of others, particularly the elderly and vul-nerable, caring for them in these difficult days. You trusted in the clear primacy of God over all history and every situation: help us to grow in faith and pray to the Father, Thy will be done. Amen.

Parish Office: 4 Waverley Ave, Ivanhoe 3079 Phone: 9499 1515 Email: Ivanhoe@cam.org.au Website: www.ivanhoecatholics.com

Parish Priest: Fr. Bill Edebohls Residence: 63 Wilfred Rd, Ivanhoe East Phone: 0427 879 733 Email: Bill.Edebohls@cam.org.au

Priest in Residence: Fr. Ki Seun (Joseph) Youn, Korean Catholic Community Residence: 89 Bond St, Ivanhoe Phone: 9440 9515 Email: kccmel@gmail.com

Parish Secretary: Teana McIntosh Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9.30am - 2.30pm. [CLOSED TILL FURTHER NOTICE]

Bookings: Please contact Parish Office: 9499 1515 for Sacramental enrolments or appointments for Marriage We are a Child Safe Parish committed to the safety, wellbeing & dignity of all children. If you have any concerns or wish to report any issues contact our Child Safety Officers: Clare Bellio (0417 369 264); Lucy Dal Pozzo (0402 192 889)

PARISH WEEKLY CALENDAR

Please note that until further notice all Masses are cancelled & the Parish Office is closed

Saturday 22 August (Our Lady, Mother & Queen) Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Prayer Intention: For those suffering physically, men-tally, spiritually or financially from the current viral pandemic

Sunday 23 August (Ordinary Sunday 21) Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20 Prayer Intention: For our Parish Family: that we may nurture hope and compassion and care for each other

Monday 24 August (St. Bartholomew) Gospel: John 1:45-51 Prayer Intention: For our Prime Minister and Premier and all political and civic leaders

Tuesday 25 August (Feria) Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26 Prayer Intention: For doctors, nurses and all working in health and aged care 9.15am Angelus & Coffee group meets via Zoom 4.15pm Meditation Group meets via Zoom

Wednesday 26 August (Feria) Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32 Prayer Intention: For medical scientists seeking a vac-cine and effective treatments for Covid-19

Thursday 27 August (St. Monica) Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51 Prayer Intention: For those facing financial ruin or ex-treme hardship, for the vulnerable and fearful - For all mothers, who like St. Monica, shed tears over their children

Friday 28 August (St. Augustine) Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 Prayer Intention: For those grieving the death of loved ones and for those who have died - For all who like St. Augustine, teach the faith: that they may open up the mysteries of our Faith to a new generation

Saturday 29 August (The Passion of St. John the Baptist) Gospel: Mark 6:17-29 Prayer Intention: For those suffering physically, men-tally, spiritually or financially from the current viral pandemic - For all, who like John the Baptist, are tor-tured and persecuted because of their faith

Sunday 30 August (Ordinary Sunday 22) Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27 Prayer Intention: For our Parish Family: that we may nurture hope and compassion and care for each other

Last Weekend’s Collections [please note: During the COVID-19 Shutdown you are encouraged to use direct debit or credit card - contact the parish office for details - or hoard your collection at home till we return to normal]

PARISH Collection Envelopes: $570 PRESBYTERY Collection Envelopes: $295

Loose: $160 Loose $160

Direct Debit & Credit Cards: $1,139 Direct Debit & Credit Cards: $536 CDF Web Portal: $100 CDF Web Portal: $125

Total (Parish Account) $1,969 Total (Presbytery Account) $1,116

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Their experience from so long ago can say something to us today. They looked back on their past and realised their faith in God was compromised, and it needed re-newing. They came to believe that God was still with them during their time of exile and crisis, and that gave them hope. Our COVID-19 experience of exile also offers us a chance to review and rebuild our lives. It can help us realise that our consumer society can’t really satisfy the deepest longings in our hearts. We can start to realise more deeply that people are more important than pos-sessions. We will want to build our lives on relationships — to love and be loved by family, friends, and by God.

“The Lord says: Can a mother forget the child at her breast … I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15).

Fr. John Hill CSsR, Majellan Magazine

Lighthouse is asking for our community’s support Lighthouse is asking for our community’s support to help them find TEN long-term Foster Carers who are willing to open up their doors, to change a child’s life. Their new, highly innovative fostering program will provide tailored and continuous support to each of these Carers and their families, through a central ‘Hub Home’ based within the Ivanhoe Parish. With access to proper respite, psycholo-gists and 24/7 care teams, Lighthouse will be there to walk alongside them every step of the way… in what could only be the most worthwhile journey they’ll ever go on. Together, let’s be ‘heroes in our homes’ by helping them spread the word. Our community has the potential to find these children Foster families, and give them a corner of the world where they can feel safe and wanted. There are also many opportunities for parishioners to vol-unteer in a variety of ways to support the ‘Hub Home’ - based near to Mother of God Church and the East Ivanhoe shopping centre. To make find out more: phone Fr. Bill on 0427 879 733, or Lighthouse on 1800 542 273,

or visit www.lighthousefostercare.org.au

PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY Sick & In Need: John O’Brien, Peter Butler, Marisa Man-tineo, Rebecca Bolden, Jillian Champness, Martin Sten-house, Maree Nunan, Silvana De Iulio, Carmel Garonzi, Margaret Canty, Justin Fernandez, Cliff Alldis, Jennifer & Xavier O’Neil Deaths: Rita Migotto, Heather Gauci, Jean Grainger, Pat Alldis RIP Anniversaries: Dorothy Coldwell, Kath Trotter, Fr. Michael King Names on sick list remain for nine weeks (a Novena) un-less otherwise advised. For privacy reasons people must give their permission before their names can be included.

WEEKEND PRAYER @ HOME

each week fr. bill is streaming our weekend parish mass

online go to our Parish Website www.ivanhoecatholics.com

Introductory Reflection Today’s Gospel reveals a God whose choice of the very human Peter, as the Rock on which the Church would be built, shows that the wisdom of God is indeed un-fathomable. By reflecting on the way God builds on the faith of this ordinary, imperfect and fallible man, our own faith can be deep-ened allowing us to proclaim, along with Peter, ‘You are the Christ’.

Introductory Rites + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Who do you say I am? Jesus asks his disciples this question in to-day’s gospel. He asks us the same question. He is not asking for a textbook answer or for us to re-peat what others have said about him. Rather he wants to hear our personal response. May we an-swer his question through words and deeds that express our living faith.

Lord Jesus, you have built your Church on a firm foundation: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, your love is eternal: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the Christ, the son of the living God: Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glo-ry, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Fa-ther, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive

our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Prayer for this Week Living God, you sent your Son among us to reveal your wisdom and make known your ways. In-crease our faith, that we may con-fess Jesus as your Son, take up his work on earth, and trust his prom-ise to sustain the Church. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

1st Reading Isaiah 22:19-23

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah

Thus says the Lord God of hosts: "Go to the steward, to Shebna, who is master of the household, and say to him: "I will thrust you from your office, and you will be pulled down from your post. On that day I will call my servant Eli-akim son of Hilkiah, and will clothe him with your robe and bind your sash on him. I will commit your authority to his hand, and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Ju-dah. "I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open. I will fasten him like a peg in a secure place, and he will become a throne of honour to his ancestral house".

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands!

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, you have heard the words of my mouth. Before the angels I will bless you, I will adore before your holy temple. R.

I thank you for your faithfulness

and love which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul. R.

The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly and the haughty he knows from afar. Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands. R.

2nd Reading Romans 11:33-36

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

O the depth of the riches and wis-dom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his coun-sellor? Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church; the gates of hell will not hold out against it. Alleluia!

The Gospel Matthew 16:13-20 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. + Glory to you, O Lord.

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do peo-ple say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah. and still others Jeremiah or one of the

prophets."

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter an-swered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Then Jesus sternly ordered the dis-ciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection Spend some time in silent reflection and/or read the homily attached this newsletter.

Prayers of the Faithful Daring, like Peter, to confess Jesus as the Christ, let us pray to the living God with trusting hearts.

For all whose work or volunteering benefits the community: May their service inspire us to care more lov-ingly for one another. Lord hear us: R/

For the leaders of nations: That they will promote world peace by renouncing the testing and storing of nuclear weapons. Lord hear us: R/

For the world community: That remembrance of the abolition of the slave trade will inspire an end to human trafficking. Lord hear us: R/

For all who work in medical re-search: May they develop vac-cines and treatments for the Covid-19 virus that will be shared equitably among all peoples and nations. Lord hear us: R/

For healing mercies for the sick and those in need especially, John O’Brien, Peter Butler, Marisa Mantineo, Rebecca Bolden, Jillian Champness, Martin Stenhouse,

Maree Nunan, Silvana De Iulio, Carmel Garonzi, Margaret Canty, Justin Fernandez, Cliff Alldis, Jen-nifer & Xavier O’Neil and for all who are suffering from the coro-navirus or whose lives are severe-ly impacted by it. Lord hear us: R/

For all who have died recently, all whose anniversary occurs at this time and departed family and friends especially Rita Migotto, Heather Gauci, Jean Grainger, Pat Alldis, Dorothy Coldwell, Kath Trotter and Fr. Michael King: May they, with all the angels and saints, rejoice in God’s presence for ever. Lord hear us: R/

In union with the prayers of Mary, Mother of the Church, and all the Saints, we offer the prayers and intentions that rest upon our own hearts….. Lord hear us: R/

Living and life-giving God, you anointed your Son Jesus as Sav-iour of the world. Keep us true to his name. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father…..

Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacra-ment. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my life today. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramental-ly at Mass, come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and remain with me forever. Amen.

Concluding Prayers Almighty and eternal God, our ref-uge in every danger, to whom we turn in our distress; in faith we pray look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, heal-ing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and the courage to reach out to all in love, so that together we may give glory to your holy name. We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen.

May the Lord be with us to protect us. May he guide us and give us strength. May he watch over us, keep us in his care, and + bless us with his peace. Amen.

The Angelus The Angel of the Lord de-clared unto Mary; And she con-ceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, etc...

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to your word.

Hail Mary, etc...

And the Word was made flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, etc...

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of an an-gel, may by his passion and + cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection, through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Conclude with the Prayer to St. Joseph (see front page) ____________________________

Financial Support Many thanks to those who continue to support their Parish even while unable to come to Mass. I encourage you to continue your support by dropping off your offering envelopes to the Parish Office, or using our credit card or direct debit facilities, or the new CDF portal on our website.

Mass from the Cathedral Coming to you live at 11.00am each Sunday on Channel 31 (which is chan-nel 44 on most digital TVs.

Do You Need Assistance During Shutdown If you need support during the shut-down, for example, shopping, transport to doctors, a regular phone call, a meal, pastoral care etc., please contact Fr. Bill 0427 879 733.

23 August 2020 Homily for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Fr. Bill Edebohls

All good Catholics know that today’s Gospel is about Jesus choosing Peter as the Rock upon which he would build his Church. That Peter was singled out as the leader of the apostolic band and the early Church. A special ministry of feeding the sheep, of oversight, and binding and loosing, the power of the keys. What we call the Petrine ministry. The ministry that is handed down across the centuries to Peter’s successors, the Bishops of Rome, so that today we see in Pope Francis, the successor of Peter, continuing to exercise that Petrine ministry – the rock on which the Church was founded.

Without diminishing that tradition of St. Peter as the Rock on which the Church was built, a tradition at the heart of my own reception into the Catholic Church twenty years ago, and still central to my own theological understanding of scripture and the Church, I want to point you in the direction of another tradition. Not an alternative tradition – it’s not one or the other – it’s both – and both have much to teach us.

This other tradition sees Peter as the archetypal or model disciple. The archetype of every-one who is baptised. If Peter is called to be the Rock on which the Church was founded then we, like him, are also called to be rocks. Rocks that continue to be the foundations stones of the Church on earth, the People of God. Rocks that build up the People of God – rocks that will prevail against hell, the underworld, sin and evil. Rocks that will stand firm and solid against injustice, cruelty, violence, wrongdoing, godlessness.

Last Thursday I celebrated the funeral of a Rock. Jean was a dear friend and a parishioner of Christ the King, Anglican Cathedral, in Ballarat, when I was its Dean and Parish Priest. At her funeral, I spoke of one of her favourite hymns “He who would valiant be”. If you think the words are too sexist or old fashioned to be in any way relevant – get over it! It’s time we stopped the idolatry of contemporary relevance and allowed art, music and poetry of all ages to inspire us and reveal to us the mysteries that ordinary language can never do.

Jean had a special ministry among the poor and homeless of Ballarat. One Easter, at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, she was one of the twelve participating in the foot washing ceremony. The bishop and I knelt before her. As the bishop poured water over her feet, we noticed that there were names written in texta all over her feet – Jack, Peter, Brian, Sylvia, Bernadette, and others. The Bishop was dumbstruck. Then Jean explained: “These are the poor and homeless that I have been working with this week. I knew they couldn’t come here tonight to let Jesus wash their feet so I have brought them with me - on my feet - for you to wash.”

Like St. Peter, Jean was a Rock: And it is on rocks like Jean that the Church is built.

These are the words from the hymn of which I spoke:

He who would valiant be 'gainst all disaster Let him in constancy follow the Master There's no discouragement shall make him once relent His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim

Who so beset him round with dismal stories Do but themselves confound his strength the more is No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight He will make good his right to be a pilgrim

Since, Lord, Thou dost defend us with Thy Spirit We know we at the end, shall life inherit Then fancies flee away! I'll fear not what men say I'll labour night and day to be a pilgrim

We are all called to be pilgrims. Pilgrims on a journey. A journey that can be tuff, full of dis-couragement, relentless and often incomprehensible.

But as pilgrims we are to be valiant, to be constant, to be strong and fearless, to stand up against giants. Jean did. She battled bishops and politicians to get both Church and State to care for, and resource, the poor and homeless of her city. She never feared what men might say. She was a Rock – like St. Peter.

And you can be to. We know that at the end we shall inherit life – if we labour night and day to be a pilgrim. Set out on your journey of faith valiant of heart, knowing that you share the same rock as St. Peter. A rock that is firm and will never fail. Fear not what oth-ers might say as you stand up for God’s mercy, justice and compas-sion, for what is right and true. For life, you will inherit O valiant heart – and your faith will be the foundation stones of generations yet to come - for you too are Peter – and on this rock I will build my Church.

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Climate Action Group Laudato Si’: “A change in lifestyle could bring healthy pressure to bear on those who wield political, economic and social pow-er. This is what consumer movements accomplish by boycotting certain products. They prove successful in changing the way businesses operate, forcing them to consider their environmental footprint and their patterns of production. When social pres-sure affects their earnings, businesses clearly have to find ways to produce differently.”

What a scam! Did you see “Four Corners” on August 10? The plastics producers have conned us all that our re-cycling is solving the pollution problem. They don’t, however, take any responsibility for re-using the plastic that is collected. 90% of it goes into landfill. Plastics companies are starting ads again (yes, they run the ads!) to tell you to recycle, so they make you feel you are doing the right thing - but their aim is to stop you solving the real problem – the use of plastics in the first place. They make their money by producing plastic, and they don’t want to cut back on their profits. Keep re-cycling – 10% is better than noth-ing. Then what? We have to affect their bottom line by consuming far less plastic. You can certainly cut down your own use, and try to buy containers that are not plastic, but we need to let the commercial world know that we don’t want their plastic stickers on every apple we buy, their wrapped cucumbers and pens; their berries in plastic boxes and their measuring contain-ers in every box of soap powder, cough syrup and garden fertiliser. The throw-away plastic container culture is filling our seas with debris and swamping our food chain with plastics. Respectful emails, letters and phone-calls to producers and shops can encourage them to change their ways. Can you be part of a consumer movement to ban some of this debris that is rubbishing our world?