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