St Mary’s Parish Prayer

God our Father, as we thank you for the blessings, we ask you to bless this Parish of yours, 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.

We make this through the intercession of our Mother Mary. Amen

Paris Office Hours

Tuesday 9.00am - 4.00pm Thursday 9.00am - 4.00pm

Weekend Mass Times

Saturday Vigil 6.30pm

Sunday Mass 10am

Reconciliation

Saturday 10.30am - 11am

Updated - Weekday Mass Times

Wednesday 4th March - 6.00pm

Thursday 5th March - 6.00pm

Friday 6th March - 10.00am

All Welcome

NEW - On the Lighter Side

I asked the children on Shrove Tuesday to help me answer people’s questions: ”What can I give up for Lent?” By far the most common answer was: “Cut down on technology: games. Apps, phones …” and things about which I know nothing. The second most common response didn’t answer the question exactly but were excellent responses: “Doing good, show kindness and peace, give to the poor.

Updated - Pope Francis Message for Lent 2020

This year the Lord grants us, once again, a favourable time to prepare to celebrate with renewed hearts the great mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of our personal and communal Christian life. We must continually return to this mystery in mind and heart, for it will continue to grow within us in the measure that we are open to its spiritual power and respond with freedom and generosity. (Para 1)

Updated - Looking at the Readings

The temptation of Christ in the Gospel is recorded in all three of the synoptic Gospels: Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13. Mark’s version is very brief and the temptations in the wilderness are not recording in the Gospel of John.

While Matthew and Luke’s account are similar in content, length and message for the reader, there are subtle differences: two of which are order of the temptations by the devil and particularly the last and ominous line in Luke but not in today’s Matthean text: “The devil left Jesus to return at the appointed time.” Reading and comparing the two versions are worthwhile for a deeper understanding and insight into Christ and his message.

The Preface (see left column) gives a spiritual application for the Christian: to reject the devil temptations’ rid ourself of evil, (former translation) and by celebration the Paschal mystery we might pass over to eternal life.

NEW - 1st March—1st Sunday of Lent

Shirley, 36, is an indigenous Manide woman living in a remote province of the Philippines. She is a mother of four and the sole breadwinner of the family, as her husband is sick. But Shirley was struggling to support the whole family and keep her children in school.

Indigenous minorities in the Philippines face regular discrimination and disadvantage, limiting their access to education, employment and healthcare. But thanks to Caritas Australia’s Supporters, Shirley’s life has transformed. She is now leading her community to take a stand against discrimination, improve health and education, and pave the way for a better future.

With Caritas Australia’s support, Shirley trained to become an indigenous health worker and a leader in her community. She has learned to supplement her income as is able to feed her family. The program has also helped Shirley’s children with school fees, uniforms and supplies.

NEW - DO YOU WANT TO FAST THIS LENT

In the words of Pope Francis

· Fast from hurting words and say kind words

· Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude

· Fast from anger and be filled with patience

· Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope

· Fast from worries and have trust in God

· Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity

· Fast from pressures and be prayerful

· Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy

· Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others

· Fast from grudges and be reconciled

· Fast from words and be silent so you can listen

Please pray for our brothers and sisters throughout the world whose value and potential is not recognised. They are pushed to the edges of society.

May their silenced voices be raised in hope.

NEW - ST. MARY’S BINGO

New Volunteers Required

We thank this group who do a wonderful job with generous quarterly donations to both parish & school.

You will all find a letter from the Bingo Committee attached to the Parish Bulletin.

Please consider volunteering your time to assist this selfless group of long term helpers.

NEW - Diocese of Sandhurst Youth Ministry Employment Vacancy

Two positions are available

· Youth Ministry Worker—Event Management and communications

· Youth Ministry Worker—Music Ministry and School Outreach

Applications close 5.00pm Monday 2nd March

Contact Ruth Lawlor Phone 5445 3616

Further information & flyer on Notice Board

Spirituality in The Pub

Next get together, Monday 2nd March, 7.30pm at Terminus Hotel.

Come and Meet the Bishop!

Join in the conversation

with Bishop Shane

Where are we ?

Where are we heading?

In Sandhurst ?

In the Church ?

Counter meals available from 6.00pm

Bookings not required

NEW - WINTER NIGHT SHELTER PROGRAM

Every second Thursday—Winter months only

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to support this project.

· 12 people volunteered to help with the evening meal.

· We require more volunteers for overnight, especially men who are willing to assist. 3 more are needed and they will rotate so all can get some sleep.

· A few more for the breakfast session would be good.

Please contact Cathie McMaster if you are able to assist.

Baptism Formation Meetings

These meetings are held 4 times each year and are the first requirement prior to your child being baptised.

· Tuesday, 21st April, 7.00 pm

· Tuesday, 21st. July, 7.00pm

· Tuesday, 13th. October, 7.00pm

Enquiries Helen Betson 0458 253 835 Marie O’Meara 5825 1034

Marriage Encounter Weekend

Invest in your most precious asset—your marriage. Married couples, come and learn how to keep/rekindle the passion in your relationship and keep your love growing.

17—19 April, 2020 in Melbourne

Starts 7.00pm on Friday, concludes 5.00pm Sunday.

Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676

NEW - St. Brendan’s Mens Group

Next meeting Saturday, 7th March

Mons Peter Jeffrey Centre

This group meet for breakfast and discuss a faith topic. Catholic men can find it difficult to talk about their faith and this group is a place for men to share these deeper questions and insights.

Contact Anthony Kilmartin on 5821 2633

Bulletin Advertising

The Parish are currently calling for businesses that are interested in advertising in the Parish Bulletin and the School newsletters. We have 2 vacancies available.

If you are interested in discussing this, please contact Brenda at the Parish on 5825 2034 or The school Office on 5825 2858

Parish Sponsors

Assembly Prayer and Masses

Class Assembly Prayer

Class Masses - 10am in the Church

School Masses

Family Mass