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St. John’s Parish Mitcham 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132
(Postal: P.O. Box 95, Mitcham 3132) Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stjohnsmitcham.com.au Phone: 03 9401 6366 Fax No. 03 9872 4316
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 2 2020—Year A
He saw a large crowd and had compassion on them.
A saint, Catherine of Siena, once said, ‘Where we see faults, God sees struggles.’
You see people differently with the eye of compassion.
When Jesus saw the crowd without food he asked only how to feed them.
No complaint as to why they had come without food,
their lack of plans, not even a suggestion of impatience.
In poverty Jesus never asks why you’re poor,
his heart goes out to your poverty. His heart goes out to the unemployed person,
not first asking why you have no job. His heart goes out to the single parent
without question, without comment. Or with sins, the first movement of the heart of Christ
is to forgive, to be compassionate, in relation with you.
He saw a large crowed and had compassion on them.
A marriage going badly, a relationship being abused,
a conflict with parents, Jesus sees the suffering of the heart,
and wants to help.
He gives that sense of wholeness, never judging a person on one aspect of personality.
Faults are struggles, and in knowing you’re fully known and accepted,
you can accept the bread of strength and move on stronger, whole, loved.
He saw a large crowd and had compassion on them.
Sunday Reflections—Donal Neary SJ
“St John’s Parish community, committed to the Victorian Child Safe Standards & acknowledges that Child Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility”
Parish Information
Faith Formation, Social & Others
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 Kelly, CSsR Parish Office
Visitation and Communion to the Sick & Housebound: Office hours: Closed until further notice please call for assistance
Co-ordinator: Cath Brindle 0423 065 825 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Ph: 9401 6366
Bereavement Ministry & Pastoral Care: Monika Bredhauer Parish Secretaries: Martine Giles (Monday-Wednesday & Friday)
Schools Elisa Kelesidis (Tuesday-Friday)
St John’s School, 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, 9874 1575 Principal: Mrs Verona Gridley St. James School, 51 Centre Road, Vermont, 9874 1830 RE for Government Schools:
Principal: Mr Dave Mutimer Andrew Puls—0407 352 706
Services: St Vincent de Paul Shop 2/82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood 9870 9124 - St Vincent de Paul Furniture Pick-Ups 1800 621 349 The House of Books (house next door to the Church) 9401 6306 - St Vincent de Paul Welfare Assistance 1800 305 330
Scripture Readings for week Mon: Jeremiah 28:1-17 Matthew 14:22-36 Tues: Jeremiah 30:1-2 12-15 18-22 Matthew 15:1-2 10-14 Wed: Jeremiah 31:1-7 Matthew 15:21-28 Thur: Daniel 7:9-10 13-14 Matthew 17:1-9 Fri: Nahum 2:1 3: 3:1-3 6-7 Matthew 16:24-28 Sat: Saint Mary of the Cross 1 Kings 17:8-16 Colossians 3:12-17 Matthew 6:25-34 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kings 19:9 11-13 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:22-33
AMONGST OUR PARISH FAMILY
We ask for the grace and peace of Eternal life for those who have recently passed away, and for those whose memories are sacred to us at this time especially, George Flanagan, Girolima Manariti, Pat Donnellan, Ted Bialek, Patrick Walsh, Eileen Griffin, Tony Hanlan, Joseph O’Sullivan, Marie O’Sullivan.
The Travelling Rosary will be held at the home of Joan Cox from Sunday 2 August—Friday 7 August. We encourage you to say the Rosary in the safety of your own home during this time.
Inspiration for the coming week from the Compassion and Friendship Group
“Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them cheerfully, remembering whom you are trying to follow. Do not be afraid. Love one
another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you in all your life” St Mary MacKillop
Giving—Our Parish needs your support Details are: First Collection: Account Name: St John’s Presbytery Account BSB 083343 Account No. 515 469 035 Second Collection: Account Name: St John’s Church Account BSB 083347 Account No. 676 841 942 Reference field: Envelope number and Surname (contact the Parish Office if you don’t know your envelope no.) You can also mail a cheque, mentioning the split between the 1st and 2nd collections. Please mention your name and envelope number. If you have any questions about this, please ring the Parish Office 9401 6366 or email: [email protected]
UPDATE ON PARISH OFFICE
As a result of the new restrictions in place the Parish Office will no longer be available for face-to-face enquiries. This is consistent with the Victorian Government guidelines encouraging the community to limit their day-to-day activities outside their homes. For general enquiries please contact the Parish Office on 9401 6366 or alternatively email [email protected] and a member of the Parish Team will respond to your query. If you need to contact Fr Dispin urgently, please call him directly on 0413 683 153. Fr Dispin is also very happy to have a casual chat with any parishioner who so wishes. The Parish Newsletter will be posted on the parish website each week, please feel free to email any parish news, recent deaths, anniversaries of loved ones that you want to share. Please celebrate our parish masses posted on the parish website stjohnsmitcham.com.au
Faith Formation, Social & Other
Nothing can Separate us from the Love of Christ It is encouraged to continue active participation in the life of the Church, through activities such as time in personal and family prayer, reflecting on the Scriptures and making a spiritual communion.
Please be aware that you can access the parish website to view the video of Fr Dispin’s Homily and Gospel of the weekend https://www.stjohnsmitcham.com.au/ or you can participate in a Mass online via http://bit.lyMassOnDemand, or www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass
Masses are livestreaming from St Patrick’s Cathedral Monday—Friday at 1pm, Saturday 8am and Sunday 11am. This is available to view on demand until one hour prior to the next scheduled Mass https://www.cam.org.au/mass
Catholic Social Teaching—What Can I Do About it here and Now?
The House of Books is now closed until further notice. We regret the inconvenience but am sure you can appreciate that it is done as a matter of health and safety of us all.
REMINDER TO ALL VOLUNTEERS
A WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK IS ESENTIAL
Any parishioner who kindly volunteers in any capacity in the Church is now required to have a current Working with Children Check in place. Could you please ensure to advise the Parish Office with details in order for the data base to be accurate. If you don’t have one unfortunately you will not be able to volunteer in any capacity. If you would like assistance with applying for one please contact Elisa Kelesidis at the parish office 9401 6366. Thank you for your continued support of our parish community.
A Healing Mass will now be recorded on Tuesday mornings and will be available online on our parish website. Special prayers will be offered at this Mass for the healing of the sick followed by a Novena of Saint Mary MacKillop. This Mass aims to offer a gentle reflection to help us along during the week. If you know of someone who might need our special prayers or to be added to the Novena List please email the parish office [email protected] or phone 9401 6366 and leave a message of those you wish to be prayed for. Keeping you in my prayers. Dispin
Could you make some face masks for people in our area? The Saint Vincent de Paul team in Mitcham are asking for volunteers who could assist in making face masks. We will distribute these to people in need who contact us for help through our Call Centre. Our team would like to provide 3 layer masks which can be washed after use and then re-used. We can provide you with instructions provided by the Victorian Department of Human Services explaining what materials can be used and how to sew the masks. We can arrange to pick up any completed masks from your home. Please contact Ross Hancock on 0419 117 343 if you can assist us with this. Please click on the link below for instructions on how to make a mask: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/202007/Design%20and%20preparation%20of%20cloth%20mask_0.pdf For those parishioners who do not have access to the internet and would like a copy of the instructions on how to make a mask please contact the Parish Office 9401 6366 who will arrange a copy to be posted to you.
Congratulations and best wishes to Rebecca Doyle and Michael Heyenga on the happy and safe arrival of their baby daughter, Kaylee Alison. May she be blessed to br ing much love and joy to your lives. We need good news stories such as this!
Faith Formation, Social & Other
VINNIES WINTER APPEAL 2020
As we are unable to hold collections at the Sunday Masses this year, here are three ways you can donate to our Winter Appeal. Thank you for your support. 1) Mail a cheque to the Parish Office at 494 Whitehorse Road (PO Box 95)
Mitcham 3132 marked Vinnies Winter Appeal including your name and address so that we can send you a receipt.
2) If you use internet banking, Vinnies bank details are as follows:
BSB 063-003 1008-1787. This is a bucket account for all Conferences in Victoria so on the details line please enter Agent 446 which identifies Mitcham Conference.
Then email [email protected] with details of your payment (your name does not appear on our bank statement) and the name in which you would like your receipt to be issued. 3) Credit Card or Paypal Payment. You can phone 131 818 and follow the prompts or; log on to Vinnies.org.au and fill in your details. If you would like your donation to be directed back to Mitcham Conference section please enter St Johns Mitcham 446 in the comments section of the online form. Vinnies Head Office will issue receipts for all credit card donations.
Christian Meditation by ZOOM
It is proposed that Parish meditation gatherings resume—on Zoom. Just think, you could join our dedicated group of meditating parishioners in the enticing quiet of your own home; all you need is a computer, laptop or smartphone. We would meditate fortnightly. Zoom instructions and coaching are available if needed. You are most welcome to join us.
Consistent meditation is known to help with everything from raised blood pressure to depression; even practised occasionally, it helps calm our busy minds. If you are interested in deepening your spirituality, or want to strengthen your connection to God, you must try this. Free of charge.
To indicate your interest: leave a message with Chris Ryan on 9874 5940. Please indicate either your phone number or email address to enable Zoom contact. Further details will follow after interest has been gauged.
Micah Do Justice Together has initiated a campaign to #EndCOVIDForAll campaign and encourages Australians to sign the pledge click on signed the pledge to show your support for vulnerable nations from COVID19. By signing the pledge this will assist the campaign to increase our assistance to poorer neighbouring countries where our aid budget has been reduced. For further information please go to www.micahaustralia.org or contact Helen Thomas on 9874 7024. Your support is greatly appreciated to help support each other in
these challenging times.
It’s Time to Lift Our Spirits
We invite you to contribute to our new initiative eg Household tips, Gardening Tips, Simple recipes, Sharing Stories of Hope. Your contributions will be included on our parish website. If you would prefer, your contribution can remain anonymous.
Please send your contributions to the parish office via email: [email protected] or by post or please call Monika on 0438 220 361 for any queries. We still find ourselves locked down, now covered in our masks and need to try to stay positive and keep our sense of humour during this dreaded time.
“The gift of speech – Communicating with each other
I cannot speak in tongues, but I can smile, nod and give a hug when appropriate. It is easy to be forlorn and indeed, when we are confronted with how some people are suffering, one can feel their pain if we take the time out from being cosy and self-absorbed in our own well-being. We often find ourselves asking the question: Where is God while people are struggling with ill health and mental illness during this difficult time in our lives? Maybe we should ask ourselves what can I do in this situation. Perhaps it can be in “Deeds not Words.” Sometimes I can’t do as I would like to, but I can pray for those who are in need of prayers. Many hands raised to God in pray makes a huge difference to everyone’s well-being. A perceptive parishioner quoted “Prayer is the most important conversation of your day. Take it to God before you take it to anyone else!” Good advice, take honesty and negative feelings to the Lord who can argue against the prophets of doom in our lives. Praying is indeed Doing.” Anonymous
