PARISH PRAYER

St Michael the Archangel,
patron of our parish, be with us as we strive
to be faithful to our Baptismal call,
to love God and our neighbours.
Spread your protective wings over us
and our entire parish.
Protect us from fear, lies and everything
that prevents us from experiencing
God’s love for us in all its fullness.
Help us to always choose what is
good, right, and true and nurture within us
the courage, love, and respect
we need to face our fears
and to protect all of God’s creation. Amen.

ST MICHAEL’S PARISH WILL CELEBRATE THE ‘40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY’ OF THE CHURCH WITH A PARISH RETREAT

BUILDING COMMUNITY- A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Emmaus Spirituality Ministry:

Geraldine Naismith, Theresa Denny & Peter and Christine Webb: Jesuit Ignatian Spirituality Australia (JISA)

Friday May 3 Evening @ 7.00 – 9.00pm (Light Supper from 6.00pm)

Saturday May 4 9.30am finishing with Mass @ 6.00pm (Meal to follow)
(BYO Lunch to share)

Pope Francis:
‘The Father, through the mission of the Son and the gift of the Spirit, involves us in a dynamism of communion and mission that moves us from the “I” to the “we” and places us at the service of the world.’

‘...the charisms of the laity represent distinct gifts to the church from the Holy Spirit that must be called forth, recognised and fully appreciated.’

‘Our synodal path shows the need for relational renewal and structural changes.’

Registration - Booking is Essential click here to book

MIGRANT MASS

St Michael’s will host this wonderful occasion for all our different cultures to come together and celebrate the diversity of our Diocese. On Sunday September 29 at 3.00pm at St Michael’s Church, celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennet, Fr Jeff, Fr Paul and priests and deacons from our Diocese, followed by a sit-down function in the Stadium. If you would like to join in organising the event and showcase your country, please call the Parish Support Centre. We would like to have as many countries as possible represented: in food preparation, reading in your native language, cultural dancing and singing and general help on the day. There will be a sub-committee with a few meetings in the coming months (dates to be advised) to organise the running of the day. Thank you.

JUNIOR LEGION

Welcomes any new members. Aimed at children from 6 to12 years old and held on a Saturday at 4.30pm, in the Parish Support Centre. Prayer, Catechesis, and activities.

EUCHARISTIC & VACUUMING ROSTER

Will be prepared shortly to begin in June. Many long-term ministers are unable to continue so your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Training will be given to ensure you feel comfortable with the role. If you are able to join this ministry or your availability has changed, contact Geraldine at the Parish Support Centre. Thank you.

We only have a small number of volunteers for the vacuuming roster, so please consider volunteering, if you are available to help, or if your current circumstances have changed, contact Geraldine at the Parish Support Centre. Thank you.

REVELATIONS BIBLE STUDIES

‘The Kingdom Yet to Come’ by Jeff Cavins and Thomas Smith begins on May 3 with 10 Sessions. More info: gennysilvapulle@hotmail.com or Brian D‘Oliveira mobile 0422 386 310.

MEMORIAL WALL

Is located on the external wall of the Church behind the Tabernacle. If you would like to order plaque forms are available in the foyer or contact the Parish Support Centre.

MYSTAGOGIA MASS

Will be celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennet at St Thomas the Apostle church, Clyde North on May 11 at 6.00pm. This Mass of Thanksgiving is a fitting conclusion to the formal journey of RCIA each year. The newly baptised and those received into full communion in the church are especially invited to attend, with their Sponsors, families, team members and parish members. Please bring a plate to share.

JOURNEYING WITH MARY

Diocesan Day of Devotion to Mary on May 11 at Our Lady Help of Christians, 9.15am-2.00pm.

POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR APRIL

That the dignity and worth of women be recognised in every culture and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

May 12, Adoration, Prayers, Procession, Mass, St Mary’s East Malvern. Beginning at 1.30pm. See flyer.

PARENTS PRAYER GROUP

At Rivercrest on a Tuesday morning at 8.45am in the Reflections Café. Further info: andria.vanotterloo@rivercrest.vic.edu.au or Cheryl.lees@rivercrest.vic.edu.au All welcome.

ST VINCENTS SOUP VAN

Are you keen to volunteer to make a significant impact in our local community? St Vinnies Soup Van services the communities of Berwick, Narre Warren, Hampton Park, and Cranbourne by providing nutritious meals and compassion to those in need. We are currently recruiting volunteers to assist in either preparing and cooking meals and/or distributing meals and pantry items at our regular distribution stops. We operate out of the kitchen at St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield, distributing meals on Sunday and Thursday evenings and a pantry run fortnightly on Tuesdays. There is no greater reward than seeing the immense difference you can make to the lives of others who are in dire need, as witnessed on each and every soup van run. Please collect a pamphlet from the church foyer or email Jo: berwick.sv.pres@svdp-vic.org.au

DIGNITAS INFINITA ON HUMAN DIGINITY

Australian Catholic bishops have acknowledged the release in Rome of the document, Dignitas Infinita.

"Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may ever encounter." Media release and the full document visit cdsale.org.au/news

ENGAGING YOUR FAITH

Nine stand-alone online seminar sessions on a range of themes will be presented by members of our lecturing staff during May. These sessions are an ideal opportunity to explore the possibilities offered at CTC for personal, theological, and spiritual development. Cost: $25 per session - General audience. More information click here to go to our website.

FEAST OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA

Celebrated on April 29. One of our Parish Primary schools is named after St Catherine who was the youngest of 25 children born of a wealthy Italian family in c1347. From a young age she devoted her life to prayer and is credited with composing over 400 letters, her Dialogue, which is her definitive work, and her prayers. Pope Paul VI declared her a doctor of the Church, along with Teresa of Avila. St Catherine was an important defender of the papacy. She is a patron saint of Europe and Italy and the patron saint of journalists, media and nursing.

Her most famous quote is: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

God of Wisdom
you made our sister Catherine burn with divine love
in contemplating the Lord’s passion and in serving your Church.
With the help of her prayers may your people,
united in the mystery of Christ, rejoice forever in the revelation
of his glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

REFLECTION

– Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

The vine is the lifeline for the branches. If branches are cut off from the vine, they die. Jesus is our lifeline and he often works through the people in our life.

Who do you know that acts as an emotional lifeline for you? Who gives you life and support and strength?

The Scriptures tell us that those who live in Jesus do good work and bear much fruit—apart from Jesus, we cannot do anything worth doing. Do you know people who clearly live in Jesus and are doing good work? What are they like? How do you know they are living in Jesus? What good work do they do? How can you be more like them? Jesus says that if his words are living within us, whatever we ask for in prayer shall be granted. What does it mean to have Jesus’ words living within us? If his words are truly living within us, then what would our prayer be like?