Our Lady of the Mission
May 9th 2021 - Sixth Sunday of Easter
+ Next Sunday is The Ascension of the Lord +
Message from Fr Cyp
Shalom and welcome!
Fr Francis and I warmly welcome you here at Our Lady of the Mission, Whitford Parish; parishioners and visitors alike. We pray and hope that you feel truly safe and at home in this our place of prayer, worship and personal encounter with our risen Lord. May the Holy Spirit ever pray in us more than we can imagine and bind us together in the love of our Heavenly Father. Whitford Catholic Parish is home to over seventy nationalities represented by our parishioners and frequent visitors. We take pride in our young people; those in our parish primary and secondary schools, those enrolled in our Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) and our parish youth group (WYFI). They are not just our future Church but a vital part of our Church today and now. We value our young people and endeavor to have their voices heard at every level of our administrative and pastoral engagements. We are ever grateful to the many individuals and groups that volunteer in various ministries of our parish life. To one and all, know that you are valued and appreciated in your own right. We cannot be what we are without you. With the recent COVID-19 scare for the Perth metro and the Peel regions, we renew our collective commitment to keeping OLM a COVID-Safe community. Our priests, office staff, cleaning ministry team are doing their bit. We ask you to do your bit in assisting us in this resolve. Together, we will be victorious over this pandemic. Fr Francis and I thank one and all of you for your ongoing prayers, concern, encouragement and support. Rest assured of our daily thoughts and prayers. We commend you as always, into the powerful intercessions of our Blessed Virgin Mother of Good counsel, and those of St Joseph, patron of the universal Church.
Fr Cyprian M Shikokoti - PP.
MASS TIMES 10th May to the 16th May 2021
Monday 10th May
Adoration Space in Church 7.00am/ Church 9.00am
Feast Day:
Tuesday 11th May
Adoration Space in Church 7.00am/ Church 9.00am
Feast Day:
Wednesday 12th May
Adoration Space in Church 7.00am/ Church 9.00am
Feast Day:
Thursday 13th May
Adoration Space in Church 7.00am/ Church 9.00am
Feast Day:
Friday 14th May
Adoration Space in Church 7.00am/ Church 9.00am
Feast Day: St. Matthias
Saturday 15th May
Church 8.30am/ 6.30pm
Feast Day:
Sunday 16th May
Church 8.00am/ 9.30am/ 11.00am/ 5.45pm
Feast Day: The Ascension of The Lord
Prayer of the Week
We pray for all mothers this week. Lord, we thank you for our mothers; may they always be blessed, and for those who have died, we ask eternal rest in your presence.
Introduction:
At the heart of the Gospel message is love, and our readings today celebrate the Spirit of God’s love in the Church and in the whole world.
1st Reading: Acts 10:25-26. 34-35. 44-48
Christ has revealed that God’s love extends to everybody.
2nd Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
John insists that more fully and completely we know God, the more the reality of God’s love dawn on us. We are called to love one another as God has loved us.
Gospel: John 15:9-17
Jesus spends his last hours with his closest companions, speaking of love abiding in love, living each day with joy, and bearing the fruits of that love and joy.
Antiphon to the Psalm:
The Lord has revealed to the nation his saving power.
Parish Notices - Sunday 9th May 2021
1. COVID 19 Protocols at Church: In accordance with State Government’s directives, we have since returned to pre-lockdown arrangements with 100% capacity. We are no longer required to observe 2sqm rule and no masks for formal worship sessions. However, we strongly recommend that you maintain a reasonable hand hygiene and avoid unnecessary physical contact with others and things in and around Church premises. Our parish priests, staff, cleaners and volunteers are doing their very best to keep this space safe for us all. We remain grateful to one and all of you for supporting us in our resolve to keep OLM a CovidSafe community. Keep well, safe and God bless.
2. COVID 19 Contact Register: Unless you have a SafeWA App and have checked yourself in using QR code provided at the entrance, we ask you to please fill your details in a WA Government’s Health Department form provided at the information desk. Thank you for your cooperation.
3. Fr Renald’s mum: Please remember the soul of Mrs Everest Angel Mary Anthony who passed away suddenly following a massive heart attack in India. May she rest in eternal peace.
4. Mother's Day: The annual Mother’s Day sausage sizzle has been cancelled this year due to Covid and more recently several Covid public sites of concern in suburbs around our parish. Thank you for your understanding of this matter.
5. Month Long Prayer Marathon: You are invited as individuals, family and community at large to join Pope Francis in his call to a global prayer marathon throughout this May to end Covid-19 pandemic.
6. Appeal for India: Over this weekend and next weekend, we are taking up a special collection for the people of India who have been seriously affected by COVID-19. Please be generous. Please place your donation in a special box provided at the back of the Church.
7. Warning Scam Email: Please be aware that there is an email going around asking for help and financial help 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. Please warn your family and friends of this scam. Thank you.
8. Confirmation workshops Schedule: WCPS/PREP is on Monday 10th May & on Tuesday 11th May 5pm-6pm or 6.30pm-7.30pm; PCPS is on Wednesday 12th May 5pm-6pm or 6.30pm – 7.30pm. There are numbers limit to these workshops and booking is through your child’s school.
9. PCPS Family Mass: PCPS community will lead us at the 11.00am Mass this coming Sunday, 16th May followed by a BBQ lunch in the parish centre depending on Covid restrictions. You are all welcome.
10. 2021 Confirmation Masses: WCPS will be on 22nd/23rd May at 6.30pm, 11.00am & 5.45pm; PCPS will be on 29th/30th May at 6.30pm, 11.00am & 5.45pm and PREP will be on Sunday, 6th June at 11.00am. Please keep these young people and their families in your prayers.
11. Discovering Catholic Values: An Introduction to the Basics of our Faith
You're invited along to attend this ongoing course being held at our Parish - hosted by the Centre for Faith Enrichment. Presented by Joe Tedesco, this course explores who is God, who is Christ as our saviour, what is the Church, and how do we respond to evil and suffering? It commenced on Wednesday, 21st April 7.30pm in the Parish Hall, running for four weeks. Suggested cost donation $20 for the entirety. For more info contact Carol Wright on 0419 948 411 or see: https://cfe.org.au/courses/discovering-catholic-values-an-introduction-to-the-basics-of-our-faith/
12. WYFI: Our parish youth group have their gatherings every First, Third and Fifth Fridays of the month at 7.00pm in the Parish hall. We invite all years six to twelve students to join us. Call Luke 0401822932 for more information.
13. Attention Seniors: OLM Parish is proposing to restart the Seniors Group. This group will run every second Tuesday in meeting room 2 from 2-4pm. Expressions of interest is sought. Please contact Joe Polglaze on 0409 112 501 or Linda Sweeney on 0449 101 720 for further details.
14. Plant Sale 15th/16th May: The Overseas Mission will hold a Plant Sale on the weekend of the 15th and 16th of May at all masses. Please drop Plant donations to the Church over the next couple of weeks and leave plants in the garden area at the front of the Church. Please contact Linda Sweeney for any further information 0449 101 720.
15. Newsletter Advertising Vacancy: If you would like to advertise your business on the back of our newsletter, please contact the office on 9307 2776. Advertisements run for three months at a time. The newsletter is emailed to our parishioners each week and it is also put on our website and Facebook page. Rates are very reasonable.
16. 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
17. Pastoral Visits: Fathers Cyprian and Francis have temporarily suspended weekly visits to the sick until further notice. They are however readily available for emergency visits when it is safe to do so. We thank you for your patience and understanding.
18. The First-Class Relic of St Mariae Goretti: has been donated to the Parish by Pat Fraser. The Relic is ‘housed’ in a Reliquary which is kept by the Statue of Our Lady at the back of the Church. Parishioners may take the Reliquary to their homes and keep it as long as required then return it to the Church. Please call the office 9307 2776 or Shirley-Ann 0424 813 890 and advise when the Reliquary is taken and returned.
19. 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.
20. 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 - 16th May 2021
NEWSLETTER NOTICES DEADLINE: Wednesday at 12pm Noon.
RELIGIOUS GOODS STALL: Hyacinth Adie/ Cecilia Araya/ Senol Bonny/ Flora Joanilho/ Samantha Thompson.
READERS: Linda Sweenet & John Clift/ Trish Smith & Anne Dale/ Hayley Sheppard & Taylor-Jade Sheppard/ Arnie Schliwa & Lyne Acacio/ Sharon Cutler & Dan Cutler.
COUNTERS: Sunday 16th May: Jennifer Lalani/ Connie Sanders/ Liz Williams/ Rachel Hargrave/ Antoinette Monisse-Redman/ Darlene & Peter McKenzie.
CLEANERS: Friday 21st May: Lucy McLean/ Sian Hill/ Lia Harris/ Danni Russell/ Arianna Edwards/ Natasha Davies.
BAKERS: Glory Be Café is still closed.
SERVERS: Glory Be Café is still closed.
STATUE OF FATIMA: The Statue is currently with the Norgrove family in Merriwa. Anyone wishing to say the Rosary with the family can call 0434 577 625 to arrange. From the 15th May to the 22nd May, the Statue of Fatima will be with the Newbond family in Burns Beach. Those wishing to join them in saying the Rosary can call 0408 662 441 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 4th of June.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration is held on Wednesdays 9.30am–7pm and Fridays 9.30am–7pm.
BAPTISM: We welcome Kayden Kelleher and Wendy Mazzotti into God’s family this weekend. Last weekend we also welcomed Colin Tolczyk into God’s family.
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 Everest Mary Anthony, Mary Mendis, Baby Fernando, Robert Lyons, Renato Villamor, Mary Teresa Dempsey, Ena Reeler, Maria Iozzi, Coral MacLucas, Fr Otto Bambokela, Gerry Maslen, Stan Amberson, Vera Simpson, Prema Chrisostom Gooch, Roy, Isabel Moore, India Rui Cassares, for all those who have died in India, 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
Jesus’ commandment is that His disciples love one another, even to the point of laying down their lives, if necessary. What gifts of myself – my skills and talents, my time and resources – will best demonstrate my love for God’s people?
General Notices
1. Lost and Found: St Paul’s Sunday Missal found on Eddystone Avenue, Craigie. Please contact the Parish Office.
2. Pilgrimage: Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Pilgrimage from the 22nd of June to the 27th of June 2021. Please see notice at back of Church for more information.
3. St Vincent De Paul: Vinnies support centre opens in May, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm, 5/82 Reid Promenade, Joondalup. Cost: Free. To make an appointment or for further information email info@svdpwa.org.au or call 1300 794 054 (Monday to Friday 9am-1pm).
4. Aid to the Church in Need Australia: ACN Australia has just launched its new Healing the Wounds of Religious Extremism in Africa Global Campaign. Tragically, Africa is the continent with the highest number of murdered priests, religious and catechists and it is also home to 234 million Catholics. As such, ACN views its task in supporting the Catholic Church there as necessary. To help support our brothers and sisters in Africa visit www.aidtochurch.org/africa.
5. St Luke’s Parish: You are invited to join us for A Day with Mary on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9.30am to 1.30pm and it includes the Crowning of Our Lady, Rosary, Litany, Mass, Adoration, Talk on Devotion to Our Lady, Devine Mercy Chaplet, Anointing of the Sick, Benediction and Blessing of Religious Articles. the Mass, Scripture, Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, Act of Consecration, Talks on Our Lady or other religious topics, Hymns, and a period fellowship and refreshments. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available. You are welcome to join our next DWM on 15th May 2021 for the whole event or for just part of it.
Mass Readings - The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Entrance Antiphon: Is 48: 20
Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth: The Lord has freed his people, alleluia.
Opening Prayer:
Grant, almighty God, that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy, which we keep in honour of the risen Lord, and that what we relive in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do. 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: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48
As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘I am only a man after all!’ Then Peter addressed them: ‘The truth I have now come to realise’ he said ‘is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him. ‘While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the pagans too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, ‘Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have?’ He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they begged him to stay on for some days.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 97(98):1-4
Response: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation. R.
The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. R.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy. R.
Second reading: 1 John 4:7-10
My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love. God’s love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him; this is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God’s love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.
Gospel Acclamation: John 14:23
Alleluia, alleluia! All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them and we will come to them. Alleluia!
Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants anymore, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.’
Prayer over the Offerings:
May our prayers rise up to you, O Lord, together with the sacrificial offerings, so that, purified by your graciousness, we may be conformed to the mysteries of your mighty love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Communion Antiphon: John 14: 15-16
If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord, and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete, to abide with you for ever, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion:
Almighty ever-living God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, increase in us, we pray, the fruits of this paschal Sacrament and pour into our hearts the strength of this saving food. 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
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today’s Gospel brings us back to the Last Supper, when we hear Jesus’ new commandment. He says: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (v. 12). Thinking of his imminent sacrifice on the cross, He adds: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you” (v. 13-14). These words, said at the Last Supper, summarize Jesus’ full message. Actually they summarize all that He did: Jesus gave His life for His friends. Friends who did not understand Him, in fact they abandoned, betrayed and denied Him at the crucial moment. This tells us that He loves us, even though we don’t deserve His love. Jesus loves us in this way!
Thus Jesus shows us the path to follow Him: the path of love. His commandment is not a simple teaching which is always abstract or foreign to life. Christ’s commandment is new because He realized it first, He gave His flesh and thus the law of love is written upon the heart of man (cf. Jer 31:33). And how is it written? It is written with the fire of the Holy Spirit. With this Spirit that Jesus gives us, we too can take this path!
It is a real path, a path that leads us to come out of ourselves and go towards others. Jesus showed us that the love of God is realized in love for our neighbour. Both go hand-in-hand. The pages of the Gospel are full of this love: adults and children, educated and uneducated, rich and poor, just and sinners all were welcomed into the heart of Christ.
Therefore, this Word of God calls us to love one another, even if we do not always understand each other, and do not always get along... it is then that Christian love is seen. A love which manifests even if there are differences of opinion or character. Love is greater than these differences! This is the love that Jesus taught us. It is a new love because Jesus and his Spirit renewed it. It is a redeeming love, free from selfishness. A love which gives our hearts joy, as Jesus himself said: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (Jn 15:11).
It is precisely Christ’s love that the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts to make everyday wonders in the Church and in the world. There are many small and great actions which obey the Lord’s commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (cf. Jn 15:12). Small everyday actions, actions of closeness to an elderly person, to a child, to a sick person, to a lonely person, those in difficulty, without a home, without work, an immigrant, a refugee.... Thanks to the strength of the Word of Christ, each one of us can make ourselves the brother or sister of those whom we encounter. Actions of closeness, actions which manifest the love that Christ taught us.
May our Most Holy Mother help us in this, so that in each of our daily lives love of God and love of neighbour may be ever united.
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: 08 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: Tara Prentice - 0424 205 011
Youth & Family Choir: Fran Christie Zscherpel - 0433 852 967
WyFi: Luke 0401 822 932 or Monica 0408 499 985
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: 08 9307 2776
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-the-Mission-Whitford-Parish-105788500874671/?ref=br_rs