Mary Mother of the hurch atholic Parish Newsletter 18 … · Mary Mother of the hurch atholic Parish St ernadette’s hurch 89 ond St, Ivanhoe Mother of God hurch 56 Wilfred Rd, Ivanhoe

No. 31 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2 August 2020

Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Parish St Bernadette’s Church

89 Bond St, Ivanhoe

Mother of God Church

56 Wilfred Rd, Ivanhoe East

Mary Immaculate Church

4 Waverley Ave, Ivanhoe

St Bernadette’s Primary School Principal: Kathryn Lowe 53 Stanley St, Ivanhoe West 3079 Phone: 9499 3914

I V A N H O E P A R I S H P R I M A R Y

Mary Immaculate Primary School Principal: Veronica Antrim 9 Rockbeare Grove, Ivanhoe 3079 Phone: 9497 1827

Zooming Parishioners I have been thinking about how we as a Parish can ex-pand the ways we support each other and keep in touch. One way we could do that is by Parish Zoom Meetings whereby groups can meet together online using their computers, tablets or phones. On Tuesday morning I have invited a small group of guinea pigs (parishioners from the Tuesday after Mass morning coffee group) to come together on Zoom to see if they can conquer the technology and trial a meeting. If successful we will open it up and expand it across different days and times.

Prior to the shutdown caused by Covid-19 I had never heard of Zoom but since then I have been on a steep learning curve and am now on it most days. My Zoom meetings include sacramental preparation, Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Committee meetings, meetings with our Parish Redevelopment architect, meetings with the Good Samaritan Inn re our convent emergency accommodation project, weekly meetings between the Archbish-op and diocesan clergy, and today a meeting with the Lighthouse Foundation re a foster care project being launched in Ivanhoe (more about that in the weeks ahead).

Our Tuesday morning Zoom meeting will be called Angelus & Coffee. The format will be: the Angelus, the Gospel of the day, one of the group will read the prayers of the faithful from the newsletter concluding with any prayers we wish to share, a time for chatting together, and sharing any stories while having our morning tea, concluding with the Prayer to St. Joseph and a Bless-ing. We are also looking at our Men’s Group meeting over Zoom and other possibilities.

Once set up Zoom is easy to use and just requires you to click on a link sent to you via email from the Parish. We have a good set of instructions that will be emailed to all prospective participants.

If anyone is interested in joining a Zoom meeting or sharing any thoughts on this topic please email me [email protected]

Fr. Bill

As a Catholic Community we respect the Wurrundjeri people, traditional custodians of the land upon which our parish resides, and commit ourselves to reconciliation and justice for all in our community and nation.

Inclusiveness Hospitality Service Mission

Stage 3 Restrictions!

All Churches ARE CLOSED FOR MASS and private prayer. Therefore there are NO MASSES within the Parish.

The PARISH OFFICE IS CLOSED all communi-cation should be via phone [9499 1515 or email [email protected]

Stay up to date with our Parish News. On the homepage of our PARISH WEBSITE you will find a Weekly Update and all the links you have become used to: our Online Mass, Newsletter, Homily, Family Prayer etc.. Go to: www.ivanhoecatholics.com

Please remember that our ONLINE SUNDAY PARISH MASS is uploaded to the website at noon each Saturday.

Prayer to St. Joseph St. Joseph, you were receptive to God working in your life. Help us by your prayers at this time of trial. You kept Jesus and Mary under your watchful care: may your prayers assist our local Church to respond to those in need. You taught the Christ Child your trade and pray-ers: help us to follow his example of love. You were part of God’s plan for all humanity: assist us to be vigilant and responsible this day. You spent your life in service: may we be mind-ful of others, particularly the elderly and vul-nerable, caring for them in these difficult days. You trusted in the clear primacy of God over all history and every situation: help us to grow in faith and pray to the Father, Thy will be done. Amen.

Parish Office: 4 Waverley Ave, Ivanhoe 3079 Phone: 9499 1515 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ivanhoecatholics.com

Parish Priest: Fr. Bill Edebohls Residence: 63 Wilfred Rd, Ivanhoe East Phone: 0427 879 733 Email: [email protected]

Priest in Residence: Fr. Ki Seun (Joseph) Youn, Korean Catholic Community Residence: 89 Bond St, Ivanhoe Phone: 9440 9515 Email: [email protected]

Parish Secretary: Teana McIntosh Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9.30am - 2.30pm. [CLOSED TILL FURTHER NOTICE]

Bookings: Please contact Parish Office: 9499 1515 for Sacramental enrolments or appointments for Marriage We are a Child Safe Parish committed to the safety, wellbeing & dignity of all children. If you have any concerns or wish to report any issues contact our Child Safety Officers: Clare Bellio (0417 369 264); Lucy Dal Pozzo (0402 192 889)

PARISH WEEKLY CALENDAR

Please note that until further notice all Masses are cancelled & the Parish Office is closed

Saturday 1 August (St. Alphonsus Liguori) Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12 Prayer Intention: For those suffering physically, mentally, spiritually or financially from the current viral pandemic

Sunday 2 August (Ordinary Sunday 18) Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21 Prayer Intention: For our Parish Family: that we may nurture hope and compassion and care for each other

Monday 3 August (St. Dominic) Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36 Prayer Intention: For our Prime Minister and Premier and all political and civic leaders

Tuesday 4 August (St. John Vianney) Gospel: Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14 Prayer Intention: For doctors, nurses and all working in health and aged care

Wednesday 5 August (Feria) Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28 Prayer Intention: For medical scientists seeking a vaccine and effective treatments for Covid-19

Thursday 6 August (Transfiguration of the Lord) Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 Prayer Intention: (i) For those facing financial ruin or extreme hard-ship, for the vulnerable and fearful (ii) For an end to war, the arms race and nuclear weapons

Friday 7 August (Feria) Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28 Prayer Intention: For those grieving the death of loved ones and for those who have died

Saturday 8 August (St. Mary McKillop) Gospel: Matthew 6:25-34 Prayer Intention: (i) For those suffering physically, mentally, spiritu-ally or financially from the current viral pandemic (ii) For the Sisters of St. Joseph and all who contin-ue the vision and ministry of St. Mary McKillop

Sunday 9 August (Ordinary Sunday 19) Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 a Prayer Intention: For our Parish Family: that we may nurture hope and compassion and care for each other

Last Weekend’s Collections [please note: During the COVID-19 Shutdown you are encouraged to use direct debit or credit card - contact the parish office for details - or hoard your collection at home till we return to normal]

PARISH Collection Envelopes: $480 PRESBYTERY Collection Envelopes: $480

Loose: $100 Loose $100

Direct Debit & Credit Cards: $971 Direct Debit & Credit Cards: $346 CDF Web Portal: $0 CDF Web Portal: $40

Total (Parish Account) $1,551 Total (Presbytery Account) $966

This weekend is the CatholicCare Sunday Appeal. Dona-tions from our parish community will help CatholicCare to support the most vulnerable people in our community. Please donate to CatholicCare Sunday Appeal.

Because we cannot gather for Mass and take up our nor-mal special collection to support the work of Catholic Care your support and generosity is vital to our work and will help break barriers to social inclusion and strengthen families and communities to live life to the full.

You can donate by: Post: CatholicCare, PO Box 196, East Melbourne 8002 Online: www.ccam.org.au/SundayAppeal Phone: 9287 5513

View the appeal video clip https://youtu.be/dUtZbK-2SXg

Masking Up and Sewing Skills If anyone is able to sew extra face masks for our local St. Vincent de Paul group, and for those who are vulnerable and at risk who are unable to access masks, it would be appreciated. Contact Fr. Bill if you can help.

Do You Need Assistance During Shutdown If you need support during the shutdown, for example, shopping, transport to doctors, a regular phone call, a meal, pastoral care etc., please contact Fr. Bill 0427 879 733. Don’t be bashful - we have people ready to help and support you.

PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY Sick & In Need: Marisa Mantineo, Rebecca Bolden, Jillian Champness, Martin Stenhouse, Maree Nunan, Silvana De Iulio, Carmel Garonzi, Margaret Canty, Justin Fernandez, Peter Larsen Deaths: Gabrielle Bufalo, Joseph Lau, Patricia Brooks, Amedeo Beltrame RIP Anniversaries: Helen O’Brien, Vimala Aloysius, Carl Owings, Santo and Teresa Patti, Jim Cushnahan, Norm and Kevin Robb, Reg Grisotto and Rena Marsiglio Names on sick list remain for nine weeks (a Novena) un-less otherwise advised. For privacy reasons people must give their permission before their names can be included.

WEEKEND PRAYER @ HOME

each week fr. bill is streaming our weekend parish mass

online go to our Parish Website www.ivanhoecatholics.com

Introductory Reflection Like the Prophet Isaiah before him, Jesus invites us to the waters that bring eternal life – we are called to come, listen and live.

Introductory Rites + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus, nothing can ever come between us and your love: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you show compassion to those in need: Christ, have mer-cy.

Lord Jesus, you satisfy the hungry heart: Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glo-ry, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Fa-ther, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Prayer for this Week Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for

those who glory in you as their Creator and guide, you may re-store what you have created and keep safe what you have restored. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1st Reading Isaiah 55:1-3

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah

The Lord says this: "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. "Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting cov-enant, my steadfast, sure love for David."

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm R. The hand of the Lord feeds us: he answers all our needs.

The Lord is kind and full of com-passion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his crea-tures. R.

The eyes of all creatures look to you and you give them their food in due time. You open wide your hand, grant the desires of all who live. R.

The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds. He is close to all who call him, call on him from their hearts. R.

2nd Reading Romans 8:35, 37-39

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or dis-tress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who

loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! No one lives on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia!

The Gospel Matthew 14:13-21 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. + Glory to you, O Lord.

When Jesus heard that Herod had beheaded John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, Jesus saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. Then it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves."

Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me."

Then Jesus ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the dis-ciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection Spend some time in silent reflection and/or read the homily attached this newsletter.

Prayers of the Faithful No trial or power can deprive us of the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus. With renewed faith in God’s goodness let us pray for all our needs.

As Christians, may we feed the human hunger for love, truth and mercy as abundantly as Jesus did. Lord hear us: R/

For the staff and residents of aged care facilities, and all health care workers, that they will draw strength from the loving support of the whole community. Lord hear us: R/

For peace-makers, that the 75th anniversary of the atomic bomb-ing of Hiroshima, on the feast of the Transfiguration, will aid their efforts to free the world of nucle-ar weapons. Lord hear us: R/

For the people of Australia, that we will be inspired by St Mary MacKillop to work for a communi-ty of justice, compassion and dig-nity. Lord hear us: R/

For healing mercies for the sick and those in need especially, Marisa Mantineo, Rebecca Bol-den, Jillian Champness, Martin Stenhouse, Maree Nunan, Silvana De Iulio, Carmel Garonzi, Marga-ret Canty, Justin Fernandez, Peter Larsen, and for all who are suffer-ing from the coronavirus or whose lives are severely impacted by it. Lord hear us: R/

For all who have died recently, all whose anniversary occurs at this time and departed family and friends especially Gabrielle Bufalo, Joseph Lau, Patricia Brooks, Amedeo Beltrame, Helen O’Brien, Vimala Aloysius, Carl Owings, San-to and Teresa Patti, Jim Cushna-han, Norm and Kevin Robb, Reg Grisotto and Rena Marsiglio. Lord hear us: R/

In union with the prayers of Mary, Mother of the Church, and all the Saints, we offer the prayers and intentions that rest upon our own hearts….. Lord hear us: R/

From of old, O Lord, you have been full of kindness and compas-sion for all your creatures. Help us put your boundless love to work. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father…..

Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacra-ment. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my life today. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramental-ly at Mass, come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and remain with me forever. Amen.

Concluding Prayers Almighty and eternal God, our ref-uge in every danger, to whom we turn in our distress; in faith we pray look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, heal-ing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and the courage to reach out to all in love, so that together we may give glory to your holy name. We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen.

May the Lord be with us to protect us. May he guide us and give us strength. May he watch over us, keep us in his care, and + bless us with his peace. Amen.

The Angelus The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary; And she con-ceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, etc...

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to your word.

Hail Mary, etc...

And the Word was made flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, etc...

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of an an-gel, may by his passion and + cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection, through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Conclude with the Prayer to St. Joseph (see front page) ____________________________

Financial Support Many thanks to those who continue to support their Parish even while unable to come to Mass. I encourage you to continue your support by dropping off your offering envelopes to the Parish Office, or using our credit card or direct debit facilities, or the new CDF portal on our website.

Mass from the Cathedral Coming to you live at 11.00am each Sunday on Channel 31 (which is chan-nel 44 on most digital TVs.

Climate Action Group From Laudato Si’: “The ecological con-version needed to bring about lasting change is also a community conver-sion.”

Here it is the last week in July and I hear about “Plastic Free July” - one of those campaigns which encourages commu-nity ecological conversion. Maybe we in the Ivanhoe Parish can make it “Plastic Free August”. You have probably al-ready started on the big 4: avoiding plastic bags, not buying plastic bottles of water, not using plastic straws and avoiding single use plastic cups (a bit more challenging during Covid 19). Here are some more simple small things to do: refuse to buy pens wrapped in plas-tic packaging and tea bags that are indi-vidually wrapped. For more ideas Google “Plastic Free July” or “Plastic Soup Foundation” on line. They have particular advice for Covid times: make sure disposable masks and gloves are put in the general waste. Keep using material grocery bags, and containers made of glass, metal and hard plastic; while it is important to wash these items in hot, soapy water they are still safe to use.

Next week Craig Reucassel will host “Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Chal-lenge”. We are on time to get on board with this one, so plan to begin watching ABC 1 on August 11 at 8.30 – There is no Planet B and Planet A is in crisis.

2 August 2020 Homily for 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Fr. Bill Edebohls

Over the last few weeks we’ve been treated to parables about the Kingdom of God.

In today’s Gospel it is easy to concentrate on the compassion of Jesus, his care and concern for the crowds, his healing of the sick and his miraculous feeding of the crowd with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. It certainly fulfils Isaiah’s words in the first reading: “Come to the waters you who are thirsty – come, listen, live.”

But we must remember where today’s Gospel story begins: “When Jesus heard that Herod had beheaded John the Baptist….”.

It is under the shadow of John the Baptist’s death that pity and compassion moves Jesus to heal the sick and feed the hungry.

John’s imprisonment and death must have reminded Jesus, and his disciples, that their lives were also under threat, and it would have been a natural instinct to lay low, go into hiding, avoid the authorities, keep out of the limelight – do nothing.

However, while the threat of arrest and death unnerves the disciples it does not constrain Jesus. Instead, it prompts Jesus to extraordinary gestures of love, compassion and generosity. For Jesus knows that nothing can separate him from the love of his heavenly Father.

So too for us. St. Paul tells us in today’s 2nd Reading:

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, distress, persecution, peril or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God.”

Yet despite that assurance fear can lurk deep down within us – just as it did for the first disciples. But, like the first disciples we can conquer that fear. We too can work with the Holy Spirit, using those gifts we first received in the Sacrament of Confirmation; we can face our fears and cultivate a habit of trust that sets us free.

We might all be living under a dark shadow at this time but we all have the capacity to be conquerors. We have a choice. We can cower and cringe in the corner, we can mope and whinge, we can wallow in de-spondency, we can be self-centred narcissists concerned solely for ourselves – or we can be conquerors!

Under the shadow of persecution, arrest and death Jesus conquered. Not through power, or sword or pro-test but by love and compassion for others. By showing others what it means to be truly human, to be truly alive, and to be truly the image of God – the image of God in which you were created.

As we continue to live under the shadow of a pandemic, a shadow that may be with us for some time, we need to ask ourselves whether we can take up the challenge St. Paul lays out before us in his letter to the Romans.

Can we be conquerors? Can we respond with the generosity of Christ’s love and compassion?

St. Paul calls us to ask ourselves whether we're responding with the generosity of Christ in our dealings with family, friends, strangers and in the community. Are we doing our utmost to keep others in our community safe? Being a voice for those being left behind, those left without social support, the now forgotten ones seeking refuge and still locked up in detention centres? A voice for our planet still crying out for reconcilia-tion with humanity?

Can we be conquerors?

Can we respond with the generosity of Christ’s love and compassion?

What we do now, how we behave now, how we live our faith now, will lay the foundations for the kind of future we are able to build when we come out of the shadows of Covid. Are we working towards a new world – a new world that will be inherited by our children and grandchildren? What will future generations say about us? Will they see in us great ancestors? Ancestors, who despite the shadows of their time, helped to build up the kingdom of God, and a people and a planet worthy of being bequeathed to their children’s children. We can pass on a gift or a basket case. The choice is ours.

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.” The challenge is ours! Narcissism? When you demand human rights, dignity and privilege for yourself - but refuse to stand up and be a voice for those seek-ing asylum, those deprived of basic human rights and equality, those imprisoned and denied freedom, those who will suffer most from climate change and the degradation of our planet. Silence bloats evil!

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