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

REFLECTION FROM FR. PETER

It’s easy to relate with Martha and Mary. On a human level both women are in the presence of Jesus and taken up with offering hospitality to him. I imagine there is a little tension happening as one of them Mary is seen intent on doing her bit by listening to what Jesus is saying while Martha is under the “pump” making sure all can be provided for.

Often we might we feel for Martha and Mary as they go about doing all they can for Jesus in welcoming him to their home. Many of you can identify with them when the guest you have invited comes to your home. I recall many occasions as a child when people were invited to home for a meal and mum through her gift of hospitality with dad would say ... “I’ll be needing your help!!!” and other matters like being on your best of behaviour!!! Funny how things stay with you!

In our time of living in often today’s hectic pace of life, providing hospitality for others takes on different meanings. Eating and sharing often escapes us. Martha and Mary bring us to a goodness of the guest we bring to our tables and be open to shared wisdom. Martha’s preoccupation though still asks ... ‘Am I to do this all be myself ?’ Her reaction is by way of ... ‘Mary needs to do her bit too’! I imagine Martha was seeking some form of perfection and as we know striving for perfection even with meal preparation doesn’t have to be the way even for Jesus. Imagine if Pope Francis would accept our invitation to come to our homes for a meal? I’m sure he wouldn’t might the least as to what was served!

Let’s take heart from Martha and Mary! As they offer a way of true hospitality and where our faith is an expression of this to others.

Stewardship Thoughts

Martha and Mary are given to us in their welcome to Jesus. Their way of welcoming Jesus reminds us of similar strengths we go to in bringing another to our lives. Your contribution to our Church is always valued and one where this gospel relates to the core of Christian giving.

Fr Peter Taylor

A letter from Bishop Leslie

Read the announcement of a new Bishop for Sandhurst

Sacramental Program

We are preparing our young children to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist (First Holy Communion).  Please pray for our children as they celebrate with Bishop Leslie Tomlinson on Sunday September 1 at our 9:30 a.m. Mass:

Max Barbary               Noah Barbary              Owen Barbary

Zoe Barbary                Darcie Varapodio        Tyson Furness-Dunne

Liam Caine                  Lachlan Nicholson       Isabelle Clarke

Thomas Clarke            Jewel Agustin              Thomas Greig

Tess Hamilton             Luca Sultana                Kobe Campanelli

Isabelle Haeusler        Misha Tedesco            Jaiden Cooray

Jenna Cooray              Harper Jones               Coen Spadora

Rhiannon Almond       Bella Ryan                   Mia Serra

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