Our Lady of the Mission
January 17th 2021 - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
+ Next Sunday is The 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time +
Message from Fr Cyp
Greetings and Blessings for New Year to you all!
Father Francis and I welcome you all; praying and hoping we are all kept well, safe and in good health throughout this New Year 2021. We consciously remain committed to federal and state governments’ advice and policies as well as advice from the Archbishop’s office in regards to COVID 19 RoadMap. This commitment is now more crucial as WA strong border has since been relaxed from last November to a controlled border, allowing travellers from the eastern states to enter Western Australia; with no need of any form of quarantine for some. However, we are required by law as of last December, to provide our contact details whenever we come to Church for Mass and other functions. This can be done in two ways: You have a SafeWA app installed on your smart phone and you scan yourself into Church using the QR code provided on Church doors and or on pews, OR You complete both sides of one of the Mass attendance cards provided in the pews. For weekday Masses and other functions, you will either use a QR code or fill your details in a WA Government’s Health Department form provided at the information desk. Fr Francis and I wish you and all your loved ones a truly blessed and safe New Year 2021. We are sincerely grateful for all your prayers, best wishes, support and generous gifts. As always, we assure you of our ongoing prayers. Please keep us in yours. We commend one and all of you to the powerful intercession of Our Lady, Mother of God.
Fr Cyprian M Shikokoti - PP.
MASS TIMES 18th January to the 24th January 2021
All Masses will be held in the Church
Monday 18th January - 7.00am & 9.00am
Tuesday 19th January - 7.00am & 9.00am
Wednesday 20th January - 7.00am & 9.00am
Thursday 21st January - St Agnes - 7.00am & 9.00am
Friday 22nd January - 7.00am & 9.00am
Saturday 23rd January - 8.30am & 6.30pm
Sunday 24th January - 8.00am, 9.30am, 11am & 5.45pm
Prayer of the Week
Lord, help us to embrace your will, strengthen us to follow your call and grant that your peace mat be reflected in our lives
Introduction:
In today’s Gospel Jesus invites Andrew and his companion to come to his home and spend time with him. We gather today also in response to his invitation to be with him and to deepen our relationship with him.
1st Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10. 19
Samuel hears the call of God and responds: “Your servant is listening.”
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15. 17-20
Use your body for the glory of God, for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Gospel: John 1:35-42
Jesus invites two budding disciples to come and spend time with him.
Antiphon to the Psalm:
Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Parish Notices - Sunday 17th January 2021
1. COVID 19 Protocols at Church: Under phase four of COVID 19 RoadMap here in WA, and given our large parish church size, we are able to operate at our usual capacity. As of 1st December 2020, we are no longer required to observe 2sqm rule. Our parish priests, staff, cleaners and volunteers are doing their very best to keep the space safe for us all. We are grateful to one and all of you for supporting us in this commitment of making OLM a safe and COVID 19-Free community.
2. COVID 19 Contact Register: Unless you have a SafeWA App and have checked yourself in using QR code provided at the entrance and on pews, we ask you to please complete both sides of the Mass attendance cards provided in your pews and place them in any of the collection boxes. ONE CARD PER FAMILY is sufficient. Thank you for your cooperation.
3. SCAM EMAIL: Please be aware that there is an email going around asking for financial help or gift cards in the name of ‘Fr Cyprian’. That is not Fr Cyp and it is not Fr Cyp’s email address. Please delete and block this contact if contacted by them. Fr Cyprian will contact you in person if he requires your help.
4. FREE ‘Just Faith Magazine’: Help yourself to a copy of our Christmas Edition of the Just Faith Magazine; featuring stories and photos from our parish life. We hope you enjoy it.
5. WYFI Christmas Closure: WYFI is now closed and will return on Friday, 29th January 2021. We wish all our young people a safe and blessed Christmas and summer break.
6. Come Alive in Scripture Bible Study – Update: The group has successfully completed the study on Romans for 2020. We are pleased to announce our next study is planned for 2021 – “Wisdom” with a planned start date of 2nd & 3rd February 2021 (8 weeks), followed by a study on the Gospel of John. A reminder will be sent closer to the start date so you can secure your spot in the program. For more info contact Ramona: r.lapuz@gmail.com
7. Contributing to stronger WA Communities: The Archbishop and the Catholic Education of Western Australia (CEWA) invites you to read, reflect and support their campaign for equitable access of educational facilities to all students in WA regardless of their background. Your voice on this matter ought to be heard at the upcoming WA state elections. For more details, please see 'Every Child Counts' website http://www.everychildcounts.net.au or email communications@cewa.edu.au
8. Fifth Plenary Council of Australia: After long deliberation on the delayed first assembly due to COVID 19, Catholic Bishops of Australia have now confirmed that they will be gathering with delegates from the 3rd to 10th of October 2021. Kindly pray for the success of this assembly and the opportunities it creates for the Catholic Church in Australia. For more latest news and details, check on plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au
9. 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. Also, some of our Acolytes and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion continue to bring Communion to the sick and home-bound on Sundays as required.
10. Parish Religious Education Program 2021: Our Lady of the Mission, Whitford Parish offers the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) mandated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth. PREP is a comprehensive developmental and sequential religious education program designed especially for children who are attending Non-Catholic Schools from Year One through to Year Six. PREP also includes the preparation of children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion & Confirmation. PREP classes are held every Thursday during school term from 3.45 pm to 5.00 pm and will start next year on Thursday, 4th February 2021. Enrolment for PREP 2021 is now open. PREP Enrolment Forms are available at the Church Foyer and Parish Office. Please complete the enrolment form and submit it to the Parish Office before 1st February 2021. For more information, kindly contact the Sacramental Coordinator on 93072776 or email sacramental.whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
11. 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 seven year groups.
12. 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 - 24th January 2021
NEWSLETTER NOTICES DEADLINE: Wednesday at 12pm Noon.
RELIGIOUS GOODS STALL: Hyacinth Adie/ Pat Nerva/ Senol Bonny/ Jenny Marcelino/ Samantha Thompson.
READERS: Georgia Bull & Margy Reeler/ Natalie Bullen & Peter Ross/ Tamara McGougan & Dan Wood/ Mirella Augustin & Silvana Battigelli/ Emma Machesani & Siena Machesani.
COUNTERS: Sunday 24th January: Nicole Willey/ Melissa Arundel/ Paul Finnigan/ Carla/ Nirmalene Mendis.
CLEANERS: Saturday 23rd January: Maria Mammone/ Darlene McKenzie/ Maria Bennett/ Regaine Tokimatsu/ Raluca Gavriliu/ Cathy Maloney.
BAKERS: Glory Be Café is still closed.
SERVERS: Glory Be Café is still closed.
STATUE OF FATIMA: The Statue is currently with the Rice family, 9409 8687, in Woodvale. From the 23rd of January, the Statue will be with the Roegar family in Padbury. Anyone wishing to say the Rosary with the family can call 9307 2446 to arrange.
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 5th of February.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration is held on Wednesdays 9.30am–7pm and Fridays 9.30am–7pm.
BAPTISM: We welcome Grace Ferrier, Joshua Ferrier, Talitha Lin, Jessica Avins, Evie Cutlers and Indie Cutlers into God’s family this weekend.
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 Miriam Abullarade, Andy Neville, John & Marcella Loreck, Kenneth Elliott, Bob Willoughby, Mee Lin Hau, Chi-Tuen Chow, Mrs Tran Thio, Duong Thi Hong, Theresa Wai-Man Ying, Bill & Nellie Davies, Daniel Bradshaw, Florian Wenz, George Wenz, Ena Reeler, Sabine Paul, Carmen Scerri, Prema Chrisostom Gooch, Roy, Isabel Moore, Nick Smith, All Doctors, Nurses and Heath Care workers who have died from Covid-19, 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 first reading, we hear Samuel respond eagerly, “Here I am!” each time the Lord calls him. May we, too, be listening for the call of God in our lives and be ready to say like the psalmist, “Here am I, Lord: I come to do your will.”
General Notices
1. INVITATION: All are welcome to come to a prayer meeting, to pray the Rosary and learn a little about the Kingdom of the Divine Will, which is the fulfilment of our prayer in the Our Father. Venue: 6 Killarney Heights Kallaroo, on Wednesday 20 January from 1pm to 3pm, followed by afternoon tea and fellowship. You may like to come and meet the four religious Sisters from Kenya who are visiting our parish, on a short break from their missionary work in Broome. RSVP: Helen 0410 043544
2. Medjugorje: In thanksgiving for Our Lady's reported daily apparitions in Medjugorje from 1981 to the present day. The Medjugorje evening of prayer group warmly invite you on Friday 29th Jan. 7.00pm to St. Bernadette's Church. 49 Jugan St. Glendalough for prayers of thanksgiving. On this evening we will also start our 30 day Novena to St. Joseph. All parishioners and families are warmly invited. Free dvd's rosaries, medals, newsletters and booklets available on this evening. Enq mob 0407 471 256. email medjugorjewa1981@gmail.com
3. Employment Opportunity: Administration Officer with the Personal Advocacy Service, an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth. It has a part time (0.40 FTE) fixed term vacancy to 30 June 2022 for an Administration Officer. The successful applicant will provide administration support to the Director to prepare for meetings and events as well as a range of compliance audits including the NDSS, NDIS and National Catholic Safeguarding Compliance Audit. The appointee will have extensive experience with the Microsoft Office product suite. Familiarity with Access Database will be viewed favourably. The person will also undertake various administrative duties for other staff when requested and provide holiday relief cover. To receive the Job Description and submit your application please email agency.support@perthcatholic.org.au by Friday 22 January 2021, for the attention of Ray Ryan.
4. Aid to the Church in Need Australia: As we begin a new year please remember the suffering Church. Your donation helps keep the faith alive during these difficult times. Visit www.aidtochurch.org
Fr Cyprian's Weekly reflection: The Second Sunday in OT - Year B
Last Sunday, we came to the conclusion of Christmas festivities with the feast of the baptism of our Lord and the start of his public ministry. That occasion brought us into the ordinary time of our liturgical calendar; hence, today we celebrate the second Sunday in ordinary time, year B. It is important for us to understand the literal and religious significance of this swing in our liturgical calendar. First of all, it is ordinary because from now till the start of lent and then after Easter festivities in May, we will count the weeks in ‘order’ one after the other while letting the word of God and indeed the sacraments of the church speak in us the power of him who can do all things in us and with us. Having celebrated the special days of Christmas and the new year, our lives return to the ordinary chores and responsibilities of life. In the ordinary events of our lives, we will encounter each other in our families, at work, school, here at church, on the streets, at the shops and everywhere else that men and women interact. Importantly for us Christians, in the ordinary people and events of our lives, we will strive to encounter God as he speaks to us; audibly and inaudibly by their life experiences and situations.
In today’s gospel, Jesus’ first words to his first disciples are: what do you want? This question is also directed to each and every one of us. As he has already called you by name at baptism and or at your confirmation, he now calls you by that same name as he called Samuel and asks: What do you want in this new year 2021? No doubt we may want many things in this life, in this year. We may recall in the gospel of saint Luke when he goes to the house of the two sisters Martha and Mary, he will praise Mary for sitting at his feet and listening to him while Martha worried herself with ‘non-essential’ tasks. I hope what you want in this year is to know the will of God and stay intimately connected to him in word and practice. You will make Sunday Mass and days of obligation a priority on your calendar more than will be sport and or picking up an extra shift at work which you do not actually need. This year, you will want more than ever, to spend time with your loved ones; your spouses, your children, your parents, your friends and those who may depend on you.
Our world is rather noisy. In this noise where everyone wants to be heard, we ought to discern what and whose voice we want to hear and follow - I pray and hope it will be the voice of the Good Shepard, Jesus Christ. Our discernment will mean we spend time as often as possible praying to God at the foot of the cross and before the blessed sacrament. It will also entail if convenient, speaking and opening up to the important people in our lives; our parents, our teachers, mentors, trusted friend/s, professionals and or experienced colleagues in whatever we are trying to discern. ‘Speak Lord for your servant is listening’ is the response Samuel gives to the Lord when he is called. Like he carefully listened and followed Eli’s advice, we will heed the counsel of the important voices in our lives and ultimately find the messiah as did the first disciples when they heard and saw John the Baptist point them to the lamb of God.
The disciples inquired about where Jesus lived or rather stayed. The Lord invites them to come and see. Many at times we rely on others’ testimony about the marvels of God. Jesus wants us to encounter him personally and stay with him as he stays with us. In his word and the sacraments of the Church, Jesus abides with us in our hearts, in our lives. We must seek to carry him with us wherever we go and come as he carries us through the joys and challenges of our lives. We must also seek to see and encounter Jesus in the faces of our brothers and sisters; especially those who may struggle more than ourselves - the sick, the lonely, the orphaned, widowed, disabled, the hungry, the poor and all those who live on the margins of the church and the society. When we have encountered Jesus, we must go and bring others to him as did the first disciples. I note with interest, that one of the first two disciples is not named as Andrew the brother of the apostle Peter. It is a clear invitation to include you and I in the mission of bringing others to Jesus. Besides praying for a family member, a friend or a colleague, it may be quite meaningful if you invited them to come to Church with you sometime this year, bring them to a prayer meeting, or even bring them a little gift that reminds them of their connection to Jesus.
Whilst Jesus asks the disciples and of course you and I: What do you want? we have got to remind ourselves that he sets us on a journey of his life and the question he will ask Mary Magdalene and us on Easter morning will be: Who are you looking for? We must look for him because he is the light, he is the truth, he is the way, he is the life, he is our everything! Like the apostle Peter, we must say: where shall we go? You have the word of life. As we enter deeply into this new year, so may we find ourselves in a deeper and meaningful relationship with Jesus. May we find him in everyone, in everything and in our hearts.
Fr Cyprian Shikokoti, Parish Priest
Mass Readings
Entrance Antiphon: Psalm 65: 4
All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!
Opening Prayer:
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. 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.
First reading: First Samuel 3:3-10,19
Samuel was lying in the sanctuary of the Lord, where the ark of God was, when the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ He answered, ‘Here I am.’ Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli said, ‘I did not call. Go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down. Once again the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ He replied, ‘I did not call you, my son; go back and lie down.’ Samuel had as yet no knowledge of the Lord and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Once again the Lord called, the third time. He got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli then understood that it was the Lord who was calling the boy, and he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if someone calls say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord then came and stood by, calling as he had done before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him and let no word of his fall to the ground.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 39(40):2,4,7-10
Response: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry. He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God. R.
You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and victim. Instead, here am I. R.
In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will. My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart. R.
Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord. R.
Second reading: First Corinthians 6:13-15,17-20
The body is not meant for fornication: it is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. God, who raised the Lord from the dead, will by his power raise us up too. You know, surely, that your bodies are members making up the body of Christ; do you think I can take parts of Christ’s body and join them to the body of a prostitute? Never! But anyone who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Keep away from fornication. All the other sins are committed outside the body; but to fornicate is to sin against your own body. Your body, you know, is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property; you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God.
Gospel Acclamation: John 1:41. 17
Alleluia, alleluia! We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace. Alleluia!
Gospel Reading: John 1:35-42
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned around, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so, they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour. One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.
Prayer over the Offerings:
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Communion Antiphon: Psalm 22: 5
You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
Prayer after Communion:
Pour on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make those you have nourished by this one heavenly Bread one in mind and heart. 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.
Reflections from Pope Francis
As in the Feast of the Epiphany and in that of the Baptism of Jesus, so too today’s Gospel passage (cf. Jn 1:35-42) proposes the theme of the manifestation of the Lord. This time it is John the Baptist who points Him out to his disciples as “the Lamb of God” (v. 36), thus inviting them to follow Him. And thus it is for us: the One whom we have contemplated in the Mystery of Christmas, we are now called to follow in daily life. Therefore, today’s Gospel passage introduces us perfectly into Ordinary Liturgical Time, a time that helps to invigorate and affirm our journey of faith in ordinary life, in a dynamic that moves between epiphany and sequela, between manifestation and vocation.
The Gospel narrative indicates the essential characteristics of the journey of faith. There is a journey of faith, and this is the journey of the disciples of all times, ours too, beginning with the question that Jesus asks the two who, urged by the Baptist, set out to follow Him: “What do you seek?” (v. 38). It is the same question that the Risen One asks Mary Magdalene on Easter morning: “Woman, whom do you seek?” (cf. Jn 20:15). Each of us, as a human being, is seeking: seeking happiness, seeking love, a good and full life. God the Father has given us all this in his Son Jesus.
In this search, the role of a true witness — of a person who first made the journey and encountered the Lord — is fundamental. In the Gospel, John the Baptist is this witness. For this reason he is able to direct the disciples toward Jesus, who engages them in a new experience, saying: “Come and see” (Jn 1:39). And those two [disciples] will never forget the beauty of that encounter, to the extent that the Evangelist even notes the time of it: “It was about the tenth hour” (ibid.). Only a personal encounter with Jesus engenders a journey of faith and of discipleship. We will be able to experience many things, to accomplish many things, to establish relationships with many people, but only the appointment with Jesus, at that hour that God knows, can give full meaning to our life and render our plans and our initiatives fruitful.
It is not enough to build an image of God based on the words that are heard; one must go in search of the divine Master and go to where he lives. The two disciples ask Jesus, “where are you staying?” (v. 38). This question has a powerful spiritual meaning: it expresses the wish to know where the Lord lives, so as to abide with him. The life of faith consists in the wish to abide in the Lord, and thus in a continuing search for the place where he lives. This means that we are called to surpass a methodical and predictable religiosity, rekindling the encounter with Jesus in prayer, in meditating on the Word of God and in practicing the Sacraments, in order to abide with him and bear fruit thanks to him, to his help, to his grace.
Seeking Jesus, encountering Jesus, following Jesus: this is the journey. Seeking Jesus, encountering Jesus, following Jesus.
May the Virgin Mary support us in this prospect of following Jesus, of going to abide where he lives, in order to listen to his Word of life, to adhere to him who takes away the sin of the world, to recover in him hope and spiritual impulse.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA
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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
Email: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
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:
Rachel Wood 0400 958 513
Margy Reeler 0458 509 054
Andrew DeMaio 0422 236 051
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