Parish News
St Mel’s Parish is a welcoming and caring community that helps all people grow stronger in our Catholic Faith!
St Mel’s Parish Prayer
God our Father,
Bless our Parish so that we may love you more. Encircle our families with your loving care. Help parents to be good examples to their children and our youth to grow in strength as good Christians. To the sick, grant health. To the aged, bring serenity and to those in sorrow, joy.
May we grow stronger in faith and may our love for one another become deeper in our daily living.
Amen
Being part of the parish
St Mel’s Parish encourage all members of our community to join in and engage in whatever manner you can. We are currently looking for readers, ministers of the eucharist and general volunteers. Please call the office for more information.
A reflection from Fr Peter
‘A Time for Christian Unity’
The week between Ascension Sunday to Pentecost, next week is often referred as a week for Christian Unity. One of the great insights from the Second Vatican Council was this council referred itself as an Ecumenical Council. A strong unifying presence all Christian Churches have is God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, hence one Baptism also giving unity to faith and belief. In light of the Ascension is the message going out to the ends of the earth. Through the times we live in our Christian faith is the understanding to the lengths we go to in letting our stories be heard with one another. The action of Jesus who ascends is one bringing anticipation to the gifts of the Holy Spirit experienced at Pentecost. The gift of Christian Unity is one shared by our Churches, as we experience a living out of the Good News and the spreading of this news through our Christian Communities. It’s a good ideal we hold to at the end of our liturgies where we are called ... “To go in peace, to love and serve the Lord”. It’s a commissioning asking something from us in our relationships to the Church communities we identify with.
Be encouraged this week as we open our minds to those we know from other Christian Churches, and those we come to know as see the flame of Christian Unity to be alight to the hope of Jesus and His risen life in our Churches.
Stewardship Thoughts...
First impressions on the Ascension suggests we are going without, as Jesus leaves this world. Our faith keeps reminding us by giving we don’t go without. Stewardship keeps encouraging we see ourselves open to the promise of the Holy Spirit of the gifts to come.
Fr Peter Taylor
ST ANTHONY’S FEAST DAY
Planning for St Anthony’s Feast-day on Sunday the 16th of June is well underway. The Mass will commence at 9.30am as usual and will be concelebrated by Fr Doroteo and Fr Peter. We will once again have the short procession outside the church after Mass, followed by the blessing of the breads, before we head over to the School Hall for a shared lunch.
This year we are providing food for everyone at a cost of $10 per head. There will be charcoal chicken, BBQ meats, pizzas and salad available, so we are seeking to have as many people as possible join with our parishioners in the St Mel’s School Hall after Mass and the procession.
We are looking to include your children in the activities on the day, with St Anthony’s outfits available at the church, for them to wear during the Mass.
There will be music by Rick Brun from noon in the hall and there will be freshly roasted chestnuts, gelatos and soft drinks to buy on the day.
We are looking to raise enough money to help with the funding of an electric light set next to the tabernacle to indicate the presence of the Blessed Sacrament inside it.
We are still seeking donations from our loyal parishioners to help offset the costs on the day, so if you can help in any way with whatever amount you can give, you can just place your donation in an envelope marked ‘St Anthony Feast Day’.
Stronger Youth Rally at St Kilian’s Bendigo
All young people, aged 15-26, are invited to the next Stronger Rally in Bendigo with Fr Rob Galea
Friday June 14th 6-9pm.
Come along and enjoy some food, games, music and the chance to further explore your faith. St Kilian’s Hall, Bendigo, from 6-9pm
For more information contact Ruth or Samuel at youth@sandhurst.catholic.org.au or call 5445 3616. There will be a bus leaving St Brendan’s church after school and returning around 10.45 pm. For information email St Brendan’s. Cost $10.
GENERAL NOTICES
BAPTISMS: Every FIRST Sunday of the month 9:30 a.m. Mass
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION: Last two Sundays of the month
WEDDINGS: Couples must make yourselves known to the Parish Priest at least six months before booking the Church
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION: Mondays; 7:30 p.m. in the Parish House
ITALIAN ROSARY: Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Parish House
Parish Contacts
St Mel’s Parish
18 Hamilton Street,
Shepparton Vic. 3630
Telephone: (03) 5831 2194
Email: sheppartonsouth@cdos.org.au
Parish Priest: Fr Peter Taylor
Christ the King Church
Mass Times
Sunday: 9:30 am and 5:30 pm
Weekday Mass Times
Tuesday to Thursday 9.15am Mass (In the Gold Room) Friday 9.15am Mass (In the Church)
Saturday: 9.00am followed by Reconciliation
Administration Officer: Ainsley Etuale
Secretary: Debbie Elliott
Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Parish Pastoral Council Chair: Xavier Tanner
Bereavement Team: Maureen Matthews
Liturgy / Music: Maureen Munro