Our Lady of the Mission
August 2nd - The 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time
- Next Sunday is The 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time -
Message from Fr Cyp
Peace and greetings to you all.
I have no doubt that you have remained truly grateful since our return to Church last June. We are cautiously taking small steps to some new sense of normality while remaining committed to federal and state governments’ advise and policies as well as advise from the Archbishop’s office in regards to COVID 19 RoadMap. You will notice, our sacramental program is back on track and we are currently preparing First Holy Communion candidates for their celebrations later this month and into early September. First Reconciliation is still on track for late October whilst we await advice on Confirmation. RCIA program, bible study, WYFI, Children’s Liturgy and parish core groups; that is, Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Committee are back in action. In consultation with WCPS & PCPS authorities and our youth leaders, we look forward to the return of Mini/JAM and school-led Masses as was last year and early this year before COVID 19. It is quite evident that a good number of our senior parishioners are understandably still staying away. As we celebrate and pray for our great grandparents and grandparents at all our Masses this weekend, I call on each of us to remember those of them who are doing it tougher than others; those stuck in aged care or nursing homes with little or no contact from family, those separated from family due to domestic & international border closures and those whose health puts them at serious vulnerable risk. Let us assure them that we are thinking of them, praying for them and we love them. They are forever special to us. As always, Fr Francis and I assure you of our ongoing prayers. Please keep us in yours. We once again commend ourselves to the powerful intercession of Our Lady, Mother of of good counsel.
Fr Cyprian M Shikokoti - PP.
MASS TIMES 3rd August to 9th August 2020
All Masses will be held in the Church
Monday 3rd August - St Dominic - 7.00am & 9.00am
Tuesday 4th August - St John Vianney - 7.00am & 9.00am
Wednesday 5th August - 7.00am & 9.00am
Thursday 6th August The Transfiguration of the Lord - 7.00am & 9.00am
Friday 7th August - 7.00am & 9.00am
Saturday 8th August - St Mary of the Cross - 8.30am & 6.30pm
Sunday 9th August - 8.00am, 9.30am, 11am & 5.45pm
Prayer of the Week
O Lord we give thanks that absolutely nothing, now or yet to come, can separate us from your love for us, which you have expressed through your Son.
Introduction:
Jesus feeds all those who come to him. He feeds us in a special way when we come to receive him in the Eucharist. He becomes present to us in his very self. May we receive this gift of himself with great joy and gratitude.
1st Reading: Isaiah 55:1-3
The Lord invites us to come to him and our soul will live.
2nd Reading: Romans 8:35. 37-39
Nothing can ever come between us and the love of Gob made visible in Christ.
Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus feeds all those who come to him abundantly.
Antiphon to the Psalm:
The hand of the Lord feeds us, He answers all our needs.
Taken by Fr Francis - 27th July 2020
Parish Notices - Sunday 2nd August
1. We are back to full capacity: Under phase four of COVID 19 RoadMap, we are now back to full capacity but MUST keep to 2sqm rule until it is hopefully eased on August 15th. Please do your best in helping us to make OLM a safe and COVID 19 free community. Thank you one and all for your patience, understanding and support.
2. First Holy Communion Masses: Our celebration of First Holy Communion are scheduled as follows: 22nd & 23rd August is for WCPS, 29th & 30th August is for PCPS and 6th September at 11am is for PREP. Please keep these candidates, their families and teachers in your prayers.
3. Scam emails: Please note, there are people out there impersonating priests and are sending emails to people wanting money etc. Please ignore, block and delete them. If in doubt, ring to confirm the authenticity.
4. Parish Newsletter: There will be a limited number of paper copies of the newsletter available on the information desk at the back of the Church for those who do not have access to our electronic version we email weekly. Please contact the Parish office if you would like your email added to our mailing list.
5. Plenary Council: Please note the change of plenary council key dates. Events will now be held in October 2021 in Adelaide and in July 2022 in Sydney. You may also like to have a read of the recently published discernment papers of the six National Themes https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/continuing-the-journey-of-discernment/
6. The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Office: Child Protection Week 2020 Competition. Children are invited to enter the Child Protection Week Competition, open to young people aged 12-18 years to create a 2 minute media clip outlining the importance of ‘Putting children’s needs first’. Entries close 14th August. Please see posters at the back of the church for more information.
7. Come Alive In Scripture: Bible study for 2020 has recommenced. We are offering the opportunity to attend either Tuesday or Wednesday night to accommodate numbers and physical distancing. For this reason registration is essential. When: commencing Tuesday 21st July or Wednesday 22nd July at 7pm, for 8 weeks. Where: Parish Hall. Please contact Ramona - r.lapuz@gmail.com or 0409317114 for more information or to register
8. 2020/21 RCIA Program: Would you like to become a Catholic or know more about our Catholic Faith? Please come join us on Thursdays at 7.30pm in the parish centre. Starting Thursday 30th of July 2020. Contact Mrs Ann Cunneen on 0410 616 517 for more information or you are welcome to just come join us.
9. Altar Servers: If you haven’t been contacted regarding returning as an Altar Server please contact the Parish Office at whitford@perthcathlic.org.au to let us know if your child is still interested in being on the roster. Many thanks.
10. Communion on tongue: If you’re keen on receiving communion on the tongue, please consider coming at the end of queue and approach the priest; not acolyte or special minister.
11. Divine Mercy Ministry: Members of the Divine Mercy Ministry are here to offer prayers for the sick and dying. If you or your family and acquaintances require these special prayers, please do not hesitate to send a text message to Clare stating the name of the person whom prayers are needed for and the reason. Please text to 0410 289 725. For reconciliation and anointing of the such, please contact our parish priests; Fr Cyprian & Fr Francis - details on front cover of newsletter. Thank you.
12. St. Vincent de Paul winter appeal for needy families 2020: We normally hold our appeal for cash donations, warm clothing, blankets and non-perishable food to assist local people seeking help during the cold winter period. This year due to the Covid-19 crisis, with its impact on the incomes of many parishioners and our priests, we will not be holding our usual appeal weekend. However we ask those able to support the poor to donate non-perishable food in our porch hamper and assist the church poor box. Clothing or blankets may be placed in our blue bins in the presbytery car-park and bulky items may be collected by phoning 6323 7556. We also will welcome new members and your prayers to assist our work among those in need. Many thanks to our supporters.
13. New Collection Practice: Both First and Second collections are now being deposited in special collection boxes provided in the Church foyer upon arrival or as you leave Church after Mass. There will be NO collection at offertory time during Mass. For your information, First collection goes toward support of priests and Second collection is toward every day running and maintenance of the Church.
14. 24:7 Whitfords Youth Group: 24:7 Whitfords Youth Group is for all youth in Years 6-12. Every 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays 7pm-9pm @ Whitfords’ Parish Hall. Coming up: Friday 7th August – Miracles! Call Amanda 0421 144 992 or Luke 0401 822 932 for more information.
15. Visit to the sick in homes and hospitals: Fr Cyprian and Fr Francis are now able to visit our sick parishioners in homes and hospitals. If you know a family member or parishioner who may benefit from such visit, please let us know. Communion for the sick has resumed. We thank you all for your patience, understanding and support over these past difficult months.
16. Whitford Catholic Primary School: Whitford Catholic Primary School is a community that celebrates faith and achievement and promotes excellence in all we do. Please visit our website www.whitfordcatholicps.wa.edu.au, our Facebook page or call (08) 9404 4200 for more information. We are currently taking expressions of interest and interviews for enrolment across the 7 year groups.
17. Padbury Catholic Primary School: Padbury Catholic Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive and faith-filled community which caters for students from Pre-Kindy to Year 6 in a double-stream setting. We actively promote our school values of Respect, Excellence, Sacredness and Togetherness. Please visit our website www.padcath.wa.edu.au or call 9404 4000 to express your interest or request an interview (no interview required for Pre-Kindy
Rosters - 9th August 2020
NEWSLETTER NOTICES DEADLINE: Wednesday at 12pm Noon.
RELIGIOUS GOODS STALL: Bernadette Nadham/ Pat Nerva/ Sible Rozario/ Colette Newbond/ Lynn Harrison.
READERS: Laurie Graham & Chris Graham/ Celine Chaperon & Liana Strutt/ Rebecca Preedy & Emma Janeczko/ Mirella Augustin & Silvana Battigelli/ Siena Machesani & Emma Machesani.
COUNTERS: Sunday 9th August: Loretta Lewis/ Vicky Ryan/ Catriona West/ Cara & Timothy Hermann.
CLEANERS: Saturday 8th August: Alana Williams/ Connie Chadinah/ Ian Fernandez/ Carol Janeczko/ Evelyn D’Souza/ Clair McCormack.
BAKERS: Glory Be Café is still closed.
SERVERS: Glory Be Café is still closed.
STATUE OF FATIMA: From 1st August to the 8th August the Statue of Fatima will be with Gorman family in Padbury. Those wishing to join them in saying the Rosary can call 6406 2075 to arrange. From the 8th August the statue will be the Nerva family in Padbury.
DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: Is held on the first Friday of every month during 9.00am Mass. The next Devotion will be on Friday the 4th September.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration is held on Wednesdays 9.30am–7pm and Fridays 9.30am–7pm.
PRAY FOR THE SICK: We pray for all those in our parish’s Book of the Sick. You are most welcome to add names to this book in the foyer of the Church. Please cross out when our prayers are no longer needed.
Death & Anniversary
Our Prayers this week will be offered for Vernom Jursa, Jennifer Herbert, Chu Quang Vinh, Erlin da Tagubilin, Ronald Paley, Vo Van Lieu, Lam Nguyet Dugen, Joseph Lau, Maurice Fitzsimons, Nguyen Luu Vai, Jen Smart, Hugh Litsalia, Josephine Murray, Joseph, Monica and David Anderson, for all our departed loved ones, all Holy Souls, all victims of Covid-19, all those recently deceased and those who have their anniversary around this time.
Stewardship Corner
In today’s Gospel, Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. The message of stewardship is that God’s gifts, shared, will always be more than enough.
General Notices
1. Worldwide Marriage Encounter: Rekindle your love for one another away from everyday distractions. What better way to celebrate the gift of your unique love than to make time to focus on each other and your marriage. We invite you to join us on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend 19-20 September 2020 (live out) to be held at Bateman or 6-8 November 2020 (live in) to be held at Atrium Resort in Mandurah. For more information or booking contact: Valerie & Brendon on 0424 220 625 – Email: wabookings@wwme.org.au www.wwme.org.au
Fr Cyprian's Weekly reflection for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - A
In times of personal, family, community or even global crisis as we are now, basic science calls on us to retreat from whatever we are doing and reset our present and future. It can be rather hard to retreat from duty when you are in a leadership role and so much of the business, company or governing depends on you. This dependence is sometimes born of people’s expectation that our leader is a ‘strong man’ or ‘strong woman’. Strong people; especially leaders are not expected to breakdown. They are expected to solve every problem and provide direction for everyone else. Sadly, many leaders fall for this expectation and that has more than often proved to be catastrophic in some cases. I would like to centre this reflection around the theme of ‘self-awareness and care’ a matter that is consistently evading this our ever-competitive world.
In today’s gospel, our Lord has just received the sad news about His cousin’s death. As a human, this breaks Him and all He can do is to withdraw to a lonely place and perhaps ‘cry or mourn’ His cousin Saint John the Baptist. You would think that the crowd will give Him and His disciples that space, right? Not a chance! They all already rush to the place on foot and as Jesus and His disciples arrive, they find this crowd in the desert waiting for Him. As God, He takes pity on them; forgetting His own loss and begin to teach them till it is rather late. This presents its own crisis for the disciples: what will the people eat? So, they go to the man who can ‘fix it all’ and ask Him to send the people away. This man Jesus will not do that. He turns it on the disciples and asks them to provide food for the people.
There is a challenge I would like to highlight here. The disciples do not just quite understand who it is that they are following. Jesus’ desire is for all people to gather around Him, be healed and converted. …this is the will of him who sent me; that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me… (John 6:39). It is absurd to note that His disciples want the crowd gone. Shamefully, this is the sort of experience some of us endure when we seek help from some authority in the Church, the community or from those who govern us in the wider society. Some junior staff who should be assisting their superiors in reaching out to individuals or the community can sometimes block that line of communication because it is not convenient for them. Sadly, ramifications of such actions usually put the leader in poor standing with the community; even when the fault is squarely not theirs. As Christians; more so baptised and confirmed Catholics, it is our responsibility to guide our brothers and sisters to Jesus. There should be nothing in our way of life that prohibit others from knowing and being around Jesus.
No matter what crisis we find ourselves in, God certainly intervenes even if He appears to be ‘delaying’ to do so. For the disciples, the crisis was how they were possibly going to feed such a huge crowd in the desert. For the crowd, it was hunger, thirst and darkness that was soon covering the desert coupled with the sickness they had brought to Jesus for healing. What Jesus requires of us is our trust and cooperation. The disciples are being realistic and logical when they say to Jesus, all we have here are five loaves and two fish; but what is that among so many? What the author of this Gospel, Saint Mathew does for us is to present Jesus to us as the new Moses who fed the Israelites on manna in the desert but also allow us to see Jesus as the Bread of life as presented to us in the Gospel of Saint John. But that is not all, when Jesus asks His disciple who people said or thought He was, they said some thought He is a prophet. There is a clear parallel drawn for us here about what the prophets Elijah and Elisha did in the Old Testament and what Jesus is now doing in this Gospel account. In so doing, Jesus becomes as it were the fulfilment of God’s promises through the prophets.
Jesus having ordered the crowds to be seated, he takes the loaves, raises His eyes to heaven, blesses the loaves and hands them to His disciples to be distribute to the crowd. He does the same with the fish. We are told, they all ate as much as they wanted and scraps were collected; twelve baskets full. The words and actions of Jesus point to the last supper when He instituted the Eucharist and they are words we hear over and over whenever we attend Mass. Jesus will or rather has become the Bread of life as acclaimed in the Gospel of Saint John. The idea that twelve baskets full of scraps are collected of the remains is quite telling for us. Israel was made up of twelve tribes represented by the twelve apostles. The most logical interpretation of this gospel element is that our good Lord provides sustenance for all His people. There is enough in the world for all people to live a comfortable life. We must then ask ourselves why there are thirsty and hungry people in a world full of food that sometimes ends up in landfill bins. We are called to value food, be generous to those who do not have enough to eat and shun greed. We are called to take care of each other as a faith and Eucharistic community.
Fr Cyprian Shikokoti, Parish Priest
Mass Readings
Entrance Antiphon: Psalm 69: 2, 6
O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me! You are my rescuer, my help; O Lord, do not delay.
Opening Prayer:
Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide, you may restore what you have created and keep safe what you have restored. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First reading: Isaiah 55:1-3
Thus, says the Lord: Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come! Buy corn without money, and eat, and, at no cost, wine and milk. Why spend money on what is not bread, your wages on what fails to satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy. Pay attention, come to me; listen, and your soul will live. With you I will make an everlasting covenant out of the favours promised to David.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 144(145):8-9,15-18
Response: The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures.
The eyes of all creatures look to you and you give them their food in due time. You open wide your hand, grant the desires of all who live.
The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds. He is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts.
Second reading: Romans 8:35,37-39
Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us. For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 4:4
Alleluia, alleluia! No one lives on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia!
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.
Prayer over the Offerings:
Graciously sanctify these gifts, O Lord, we pray, and, accepting the oblation of this spiritual sacrifice, make of us an eternal offering to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Communion Antiphon: Wisdom 16: 20
You have given us, O Lord, bread from heaven, endowed with all delights and sweetness in every taste.
Prayer after Communion:
Accompany with constant protection, O Lord, those you renew with these heavenly gifts and, in your never-failing care for them, make them worthy of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer in a Time of a Pandemic
Holy God, you are our comfort and strength in times of Crisis, Pandemic and Uncertainty. Surround us now with your grace and peace through this global pandemic of COVID 19. By your Spirit, help those for whom the effects of this pandemic have been severe and even tragic. Sustain those who are working hard through it. Grant your wisdom to those governing and guiding us to a sense of normality. Fill us all with courage and hope of better days ahead. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our rock and redeemer. Amen.
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Contact us!
Parish Priest: Fr Cyprian M. Shikokoti
Ph: 0450 464 678
Assistant Priest: Fr Francis Quoc Tran
Ph: 0466 909 282
Parish Office
Secretaries: Christine List & Mary McGrath-Yek
Office Hours: Mon – Fri 9am –4pm
Sacramental Coordinator: Brigid Fredericks
Ph: 9307 2776
Email: sacramental.whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
Missioncare: Donna Moxey (Meals, Visiting & Family help)
Ph: 0434 637 355
Youth and Young Adult Contact Details
Youth Choir: Nicole Westneat - 0411 542 619
Youth & Family Choir: Fran Christie Zscherpel - 0433 852 967
WyFi: Luke 0401 822 932 or Amanda 0421 144 992
Safeguarding Officers:
Andrew DeMaio 0422 236 051
Rachel Wood 0400 958 513
Email: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
Website: olm.myparish.net.au
Location: 270 Camberwarra Drive, Craigie WA, Australia
Phone: 9307 2776
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-the-Mission-Whitford-Parish-105788500874671/?ref=br_rs