Parish News

Phone: (03) 9764 4058

Address: 2 Taylors Lane, Rowville 3178                                    

Email: office@stsimonsparish.com.au  

Office Hours:  Tue to Fri 10.00am - 3.00pm 

Website: www.stsimonsparish.com.au

YouTube Channel: tinyurl.com/s36hstf    

Sunday 7th June, 2020 – The Most Holy Trinity

Well, it has been quite a year - and it’s not even half over! 

On New Year’s Day, in our wildest dreams, we could never have envisaged a global pandemic,an economic firestorm, riots in so many countries, cessation of international travel - the list of unpredictable (and unpalatable) changes seems endless. 

So many people are fearful of the challenges that have come out of nowhere. They’re scared of losing their jobs, of being unable to pay the mortgage or the rent. They’re afraid of being at odds with people they love dearly but aren’t used to being with twenty-four hours a day, of how the increasing tension, loneliness, uncertainty is affecting other family members, neighbours, other road users. 

In some countries and places, the COVID-19 crisis, while still very present, has been rivalled for headline status by stories and pictures of riots, protests and violence in streets not unlike our own. 

Against this background, our faith and trust in God can be elusive. Is the world (as best we can see it) collapsing around us? And yet we know from the experience of innumerable people over countless years that prayer can provide a sense of peace, purpose, comfort. Not just public prayer , but a quiet encounter with God to be aware of His love, patience and forgiveness. 

The COVID-19 restrictions have not stopped private prayer, but they have impeded access to our usual places of prayer - churches and chapels. Those limits have slightly eased, but the supervision of access to them still severely limits access. A small Chapel in our Parish Office will be available Mondays and Fridays, 1pm to 4pm. Sign-in, social distancing will all need to be in place. It’s only a start, but hopefully can be expanded soon. 

But prayer can and will help. 

This beautiful song (link below) has been used as a Communion reflection here at St. Simon’s. It’s well worth a read and a listen in these troubled times: 

Reflection Hymn - Sometimes a Prayer will Do (Tracey Campbell)

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e6XYV5ogkA

Sometimes we stumble, sometimes we even fall. 

And we can't find a friend, can't comprehend it all. 

And we are lost, with nothing to hold on to. 

When we can't find the answer, sometimes a prayer will do.

And though we wonder, uncertain if we will get through to face the future - sometimes a prayer will do

Sometimes we reach for what's not really there 

Sometimes we lose our grip, come tumbling through mid-air 

And we are searching for something to hold on to 

When we can't find the answer, sometimes a prayer will do.

Fr. Kevin Dillon

Parish Notices

RULES FOR MASS ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH

Please PRE-register:

1. the full names of all intended attendees,

2. your telephone number,

3. your email address (if any) and

4. your preferred Mass day(s),

by emailing to: massrequest@stsimonsparish.com.au.

If you don’t have access to email, you can phone:

0491 176 149 - but email is preferred if possible.

You will receive a confirmation number within a day and should only attend if you have received this confirmation.

Please do NOT contact the Parish Office phone or email for Mass attendance registrations.

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PRIVATE PRAYER

A chapel has been set up at the new Parish Centre. It will be open on Mondays & Fridays only at this stage from 1.00pm to 4.00pm, starting Friday, June 12. Entrance is via the Parish Office and sign-in will be required. We can only allow 2 people at a time or up to 4 within the same family.

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VOLUNTEER NEEDED

As you may have seen, the Parish is providing pre-recorded services online through our YouTube channel and website www.stsimonsparish.com.au. This is proving an important way for parishioners to experience a form of Mass. We are hoping to be able to provide this service indefinitely. To do so, are seeking volunteers who can help with the video editing of the pre-recordings for the weekday Masses to help our Business Manager, Peter Evans, who has been doing all the editing. (Peter will continue to do the Sunday Masses as this also has to be prepared for rebroadcast on The Light FM radio station.) As Peter is using a Mac running FinalCut Pro, his preference is for someone who has this platform at home and has skills with it. If you think you can help, please contact Peter on 9764 4058 or peter@stsimonsparish.com.au Thanks!

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BIBLE STUDY via ZOOM on MATTHEW’S GOSPEL

This program will run fortnightly over 6 sessions from 7.30pm to 8.30pm starting June 2. SESSION DATES: JUNE 2, 16, 30, JULY 7, 21, AUG 4

To Register: Email Loretta at loretta@stsimonsparish.com.au or call the Parish Office on 9764 4058.

To express interest for MORNING sessions, please email Loretta.

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2020 COMBINED CATHOLIC PARISHES RAFFLE (CCPR)

Parishioners & school families of St Simon’s are requested to return their Raffle Tickets (sold or unsold) to the Parish Office /School Tub latest by Friday, 7 August 2020 please.

Drawing of tickets has been postponed and tickets will be drawn on 26 September 2020.

Thank you all for your support and co-operation.

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COVID POEM

When this is over, may we never again take for granted A handshake with a stranger Full shelves at the store Conversations with neighbours A crowded theatre Friday night out The taste of communion A routine check-up The school rush each morning Coffee with a friend The stadium roaring Each deep breath A boring Tuesday Life itself.

When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be we were called to be we hoped to be and may we stay that way--better for each other because of the worst.

- By Laura Kelley Fanucci