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 9401 6366 Fax No. 03 9872 4316

Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 27 2020—Year A

Dear Parishioners, This Sunday we sit tight awaiting the new possible relaxations to be announced. It’d better be good! As we all continue to find ways of living within continuing Covid restrictions we felt it opportune for us to give some thought to those local businesses that have supported our Parish and schools. This week’s Parish News includes a list of those businesses. In addition to the Victorian ‘Click for Vic’ campaign we would like parishioners to also consider supporting these local businesses when appropriate. Some you may find are trading within the Covid restrictions and others are waiting for the easing of restrictions before they can open up again. By supporting them now or at some later date we will return their support for our parish and schools and we trust will assist them to maintain their livelihoods.

We thank our committed crew Kevin, Monika, Gen and Zoe and our Liturgy Team for their input in bringing our Sunday Mass to our homes every weekend. Hope you are doing well. You are in my prayers. Take care and stay safe God bless, Dispin

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

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.

Parish Information

Parish Information & Daily readings

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: Job 1:6-22 Luke 9:46-50 Tues: Daniel 7:9-10,113-14 John 1:47-51 Wed: Job 9:1-12, 14-16 Luke :9:57-62 Thur: Job 19:21-27 Luke 10:1-12 Fri: Exodus 23:20-23 Matthew:18:1-5,10 Sat: Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17 Luke 10:17-24

Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Isiah 5:1-7 Philippians 4:6-9 Matthew 21:33-43

AMONGST OUR PARISH FAMILY

We ask for the grace and peace of Eternal life for those who have recently passed away, Joyce Guerin and for those whose memories are sacred to us at this time especially, Melissa Greenwood, Bev Harrap, William Victor Menezes, Fr Vic Crennan, Shayne Heard—Lowry, Gerald Heard, Piper Grace Dobson, Jim McTiernan, Agnes McTiernan

The Travelling Rosary will be held at the home of Marj Coghlan from Sunday 27 September—Friday 2 October. 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 & Friendship Group

“Sometimes you just have to bow your head, say a prayer, and weather the storm.”

How you can support your Parish through CoVid Lockdown Details are: 1st Collection: Account Name: St John’s Presbytery Account BSB: 083343 Account No. 515 469 035 2nd Collection: Account Name: St John’s Church Account BSB: 083347 Account No. 676 841 942 Reference field: Must have Envelope number and Surname (please contact the Parish Office if you don’t know your envelope no.) You can 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: mitcham@cam.org.au. Mail to PO Box 95 Mitcham Vic 3132 During stage 4 we will not be able to pick up envelopes with cash, just keep them with you :)

PARISH OFFICE UPDATE

The Parish office remains closed. If you need to contact us please call 94016366 If you need to contact Fr Dispin urgently, please call him directly on 0413 683 153 or if you would just like a friendly chat

You can email any recent death or anniversaries to be included in the Newsletter and prayed for in the Sunday Mass. Please celebrate with us our Parish Masses posted on our parish website stjohnsmitcham.com.au or on our Facebook page.

We are companions on the journey

Congratulations on the 12th anniversary of your ordination to the Priesthood Dispin. You inspire me always, but even more so during this year of confusion, sadness, disenchantment and uncertainty. During all this, you have led and encouraged us to stay connected with our Parish family through the weekly Masses, sharing your feelings and encouraging us to do likewise with you and one another. You have been selfless with your time and love for us, and your example shows me, all of us, what a Parish Family is about - Family - with Christ as our focal point sharing our love and connecting to our Catholic identity.

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?

We hope you have been able to join us on Tuesdays and celebrate our Healing Mass together through 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 mitcham@cam.org.au and leave a message for those you wish to be prayed for by Monday afternoons. Keeping you in our prayers.

Words of Hope Zoom Group Please note this goup will not meet next Tuedsday 29th of September, but will resume again on Tuesday the 6th of October What: Words of Hope Zoom Group When: Tuesdays 730pm - 830pm Zoom website: https://www.zoomgov.com/ (Click on `join a meeting') Zoom ID: 75691396153 Password: t4edCP If you are unsure of how to access a Zoom meeting, call Alys anytime on 0400896542 and she will help guide you through it.

Marriage Encounter Online Weekend If you are spending time together, but feel the distance between you …

A great opportunity to spend a weekend improving your communication in the comfort of your own home.

This VIRTUAL Weekend gives couples the chance to sleep in their own beds and check-in on kids or animals during meal times. Come and learn how to keep/rekindle the passion in your relationship and how to keep your love growing! The weekend we offer is based around Catholic values but couples of all faiths are welcome. Couples from regional areas may find this option ideal.

Next weekend is on 9-11th October 2020. Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676 or Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au Website: wwme.org.au

Emmaus College

Join us for one of our Virtual Information Session

5 October 6pm, 7pm & 8pm

Limited places available for each session,

so book now!

Www.emmaus.vic.edu.au 98453211

'Walking with Wisdom' Contemplative Sessions (via Zoom) – Thursdays, 10am-12.30pm (AEST) on 8, 15, 22 & 29 October 2020. We invite you to join us for a series of contemplative sessions with Carole Carmody rsm and Marlene McGrath, providing opportunities for Deep Listening: to oneself at this unique time in our lives; to Divine Wisdom in the Heart, and in the Hearts of Others; and to engage in a gentle, creative response. Join for one or all sessions. $85 for the Series or $25 per session. Bookings at www.trybooking.com/BLILH. Heart of Life Centre for Spiritual & Pastoral Formation, tel 03 9890 1101, www.heartoflife.melbourne

VOCATION Sunday

FAMILY LIFE CAN BUILD VALUES integral to a strong vocation – whether to priesthood, religious life or marriage. Teaching your children to value commitment, service and prayer will help them make strong vocation decisions as adults and live out those vocations with success and fulfilment. PRAYER IS A MOVING FORCE in vocations development. Prayer is effective; prayer is powerful; prayer is essential. Few are called to priesthood or religious life, but all are called to pray for vocations.

It’s Time to Lift Our Spirits

Sharing our gifts, recipes, & stories of hope We are all eagerly awaiting news of restrictions being lifted in some form. We look forward to slowly emerging out of lockdown. We certainly look forward to reconnecting with loved ones and friends and seeing them face to face!

Joke for the week: I start a new job in Seoul next week. I thought it was a good Korea move! Bought some “rocket salad” yesterday but it went off before I could eat it!

The answer to our quiz last week is : 1- Deborah 2- Jeremiah.

This Week’s quiz is:

Who Am I: Number 1: 1: My husband once told a lie: he told the pharaoh that I was not his wife.

2: I became a mother of nations. 3: I gave birth to my only child when I was ninety years old. 4: I had a slave named Hagar.

5: I was Abraham’s wife.

Who am I: Number 2 1: I was one of the great prophets of Israel. 2: Before Jesus died, he saw Moses and I, up a mountain. 3: I was carried up to heaven, by a chariot of fire.

4: God once sent lightning to burn up by sacrifice (a bull). 5: Before God took me to heaven, I asked my assistance Elisha, if there was anything I could do for him.

My $2 walk: The sky was overcast and I suspected imminent rain. As I set out a car pulled up and out stepped a friendly neighbor who cheerfully joined in my walk. We admired the gardens as we slowly made our way down the street (I have reached the “go slow” phase of my life). We saw magnificent magnolias, cherry blossoms and Liz taught me the names of (unknown to me) plants. We bemoaned the fact it was so unfair that the spectacular sunshine yellow wattles looked so beautiful but gave both of us hay fever. When there appeared something unusual near the end of the road. We couldn’t wait to explore! We found a small table containing a box and a tin and a letter. The box contained the most colourful book marks with a variety of patterns. The letter explained they had been coloured with textas by 2 young brothers. The book marks were $1 for 3 as the textas had run out and the artists wished to fundraise for a replacement! We both spent all of $2 not wishing to be greedy! By the amount in the tin I think a reprint is likely in the school holidays. Our day was made by the beauty of nature, good company and 2 young entrepreneurs. I am now grateful to be a “slow coach”. The joggers and power walkers can race past life’s little treasures. Enjoy the week ahead, keep safe and well and keep sending us your contributions.

(from Bess) Here’s a little something to make you laugh! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2BZNowCXws Monika

Supporting Business who Support Us

As we all continue to find ways of living within continuing Covid restrictions we felt it opportune for us all to give some thought to those local businesses that have supported our Parish and schools. This week we include a list of those businesses. In addition to the Victorian ‘Click for Vic’ campaign we would like parishioners to also consider supporting these local businesses when appropriate. Over the next few months we’ll continue to look at ways to further our local community connections. Watch this space!

Bucatini Restaurant & Bar www.bucatini.com 454 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham

www.cyclescience.com.au 478 Whtiehorse Rd Mitcham

Bakers Delight Ringwood Square

Pop – Up Science Stall - online science shop CLICK To purchase & support St John's Parish Fete

Rise and Grind 3133 605 Canterbury Road, VERMONT

www.storageking.com.au/mitchamstorage-king 2 Simla Street, Mitcham

www.mitcham.bigginscott.com.au 544 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham

www.snap.com.au Ringwood store 3/62-64 Charter Street, Ringwood

www.whitehorsemedicalcentre.com.au

Thanks again to these groups for their generous support Mitcham Football Club Vermont Junior Football Club Watch out for St John’s Card Making Group with offers for Christmas Cards.

Support for our Community

CatholicCare is here for you during COVID

When the extension of Stage 4 restrictions for Melbourne were announced on Sunday 6

September, the news brought groans of anguish at the prospect of a further weeks of tightened

restrictions. But for those who will be stood down or sent home due the forced closure of shops,

offices and factories – the news will bring the added pain of uncertainty and financial pressure.

While the Victorian and Commonwealth governments have announced further provisions for

businesses1 forced to close and for individuals affected by COVID-19

2, many families will find

themselves in financial hardship.

‘Earlier this year, COVID-19 job losses resulted in a huge surge in demand for financial

assistance,’ said Madeliene Scicluna, Emergency Relief Manager for CatholicCare. ‘Between

April and June this year, we saw nearly twice as many clients and the value of the assistances

distributed was more than two and a half times that of the previous three months.’

‘With another 250,000 workers predicted to be affected by the tightened restrictions, we are

anticipating another surge – and we are ready.’

At the end of March, CatholicCare pivoted to remote delivery for most programs and services,

and between April and June recorded more than 6,000 phone or Zoom sessions with clients –

and it wasn’t just Emergency Relief in demand.

COVID-19 has also had a profound impact on people’s emotional wellbeing, such as loneliness

from being separated from loved ones, anxiety about one’s health and finances, and increased

stress over the challenges of working from home or supporting children with remote learning.

Service data from March and June shows that coping issues (23%), relationship issues (22%),

anxiety (12%) and stress/conflict (10%) featured as the major presenting themes for people

accessing counselling services. Talking to a counsellor can help people make sense of the

challenges they are facing, to find ways of coping and to improve emotional wellbeing.

‘I’m very proud of the way that CatholicCare has been able to continue to support vulnerable

families during this very difficult time,’ said Netty Horton, CEO. ‘We may have closed our office

doors to ensure safety of clients and staff, but that has not diminished our commitment or

capability to help people in need.’

‘The next weeks will continue to be a challenging time in our community as we all play our part

in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in Victoria. I encourage anyone seeking support to

contact CatholicCare.’

If you would like to find out more about our Emergency Relief and Counselling programs,

visit www.ccam.org.au/covid19response

If you would like to find out more about donating to CatholicCare to support their programs,

visit http://www.ccam.org.au/campaign/34/sunday-appeal

1. www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-

support-package/business-support-fund

2. www.vic.gov.au/lost-your-job-or-income-due-coronavirus-find-support

Safeguarding Committee