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.

Project Compassion Sunday

Monoranjon lives in a village in Bangladesh close to the sea, where floods and storms often damage his crops and his home. With support from Project Compassion, he learnt climate- resilient farming techniques and new ways to diversify his income, helping his family survive and build a safer, more sustainable future.

You can support Project Compassion through the donation boxes, envelopes or scanning the QR code.

Sponsor the Parish Staff who are taking up the challenge to walk daily on click here to find out more

Next Wednesday, 4 March, every donation Berwick Catholic Parish raises online for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion will be MATCHED by a generous supporter, up to a cap of $50,000 – doubling your donations and their impact!

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER LITURGIES

HOLY THURSDAY: April 2
7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

GOOD FRIDAY: April 3
Stations of the Cross: 10.00am St Michael’s School Stadium
Passion Service: 3.00pm St Michael’s School Stadium

HOLY SATURDAY: April 4
Easter Vigil: 7.30pm

EASTER SUNDAY: April 5
Mass: 7.30am
9.00am
10.30am
6.00pm

GOOD NEWS

Notices required by 10.00am, Thursday. Thank you.

CUPPA AFTER 9.00AM MASS

Cancelled this month.

PARISH PROJECT SPECIAL COLLECTION

Thank you for your generous donations. We have raised $ 1,808.30.

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING

Will be held March 19, 4.30pm. There will be more dates closer to Easter.

We are still in need for more Altar Servers on Sunday Masses at 7.30am and 6.00pm. Training will be provided. See times above.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

For children in Grade 6 or above who have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and feel ready, may receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

Enrolment is essential at St Michael’s Parish Support Centre:
March 10: 2.00pm-5.00pm
March 11: 5.00pm-7.00pm
March 12: 9.00am-12.00pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion enrolments open June 15.

EASTER

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT: Tuesdays after 9.30am Mass and Fridays at 7.15pm.

PALM SUNDAY / EASTER ROSTERS: If you would like to help with any of the ministries, please add your name to the rosters in the foyer.

PALM SUNDAY GREENERY: We require cut pieces of palms/olives/other suitable greenery for blessing on Palm Sunday. If you are able to help please bring them in a box, already pre-cut, so as parishioners can collect them before Mass. We will need them by Friday March 27. Please let the Parish Support Centre know if you are able to help.

ALTAR OF REPOSE: We are seeking donations of white flowers and assistance in setting up. Please place in the buckets in the church on Wednesday April 1. If you are unable to purchase flowers, but would like to contribute towards them, please hand it to the priest, or drop into the Parish Support Centre.

GOOD FRIDAY: We are looking for young adults and youth from Year 7 and above to join our annual animated depiction of the Stations of the Cross at 10.00am. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Support Centre. Practice times to be advised.

GOOD FRIDAY READERS: We are looking for young parishioners (Grade 4 and above) to Read, Commentate and Altar Serve during the Passion. Please contact the Parish Support Centre. Practice times to be advised.

KEY TO PERSONAL RENEWAL

On Friday, March 13 at 7.45pm, after Stations of the Cross, at St Micheal’s church, for a time of Praise and Worship and sharing of the word by Colin Calmiano.

AGEING AND AWAKENING-LIFE’S SURPRISING GIFTS

Growing old is a unique experience, one we share with many others in society today. It is a time of life that both challenges and benefits us, a time that invites us to grow personally as we manage changes such as retirement, having more time and fewer demands, and experiencing physical and psychological limits. The ageing process is enriched if we take stock of our lives and take charge of how we might live now and into the future. Three two-hour sessions invite participants in their 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to explore the many aspects of growing older in today’s Australia. St. Patrick’s Parish, Pakenham, 10.00am-12.30 pm, Tuesday April 14 ,21, and 28. Register: Parish Centre 59417315 or parishoffice@stpatrickspakenham.com.au For more information, see the flyer in the church foyer

AN INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

Do you feel overwhelmed by the demands of a busy world? Join facilitator Chris Roga at the Heart of Life: Centre for Formation & Spirituality for a day dedicated to the "prayer of the heart". Date: Saturday March 21, Cost: $90.00. Register at: Visit the Heart of Life website. See flyer.

ST FRANCIS XAVIER OPEN DAY

Will be held at both the Berwick and Officer Campuses on Saturday, March 21 between 10.00am - 2.00pm. Register your interest at: stf.vic.edu.au

POPE'S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH

Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

WALK WITH MARY - Combined Society of Mary

St Patrick’s Cathedral, 2.00pm prayers, Mass and city procession. Sunday March 15. See brochure in the foyer

FAMILY ENRICHMENT AUSTRALIA

Invites you to join our Pre-Adolescence Course, designed to equip you with practical tools and fresh confidence for this important stage. See flyer for more details. Scan the QR code to register. We look forward to journeying with you. When families thrive, communities flourish.

LENTEN CHARISMATIC RETREAT

"Return to Me with All Your Heart" – Joel 2:12 Will be held at St Agatha’s Cranbourne on March 26, 6.30pm-9.00pm with Fr Francis Otobo. All are welcome. See flyer.

COME AND SEE

Are you discerning a call to ministry? You are invited to an afternoon of storytelling and fellowship. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet others on a similar journey and hear firsthand accounts from priests about their lives and their unique calls to ministry. Sunday March 15, 3.30pm-5.00pm at St Agatha’s Parish Hall. As the scripture reminds us, "the harvest is plentiful". Come and see where your path may lead.

THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

held on Friday March 6 is an ecumenical prayer movement developed from a Christian women’s perspective as a creative response to issues of concern around the world. The motto of the World Day of Prayer movement is Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action. This years’ focus was the Women of Nigeria. St Michael’s Berwick will host this day of prayer in 2027.

The symbol for World Day of Prayer was developed by the women of Ireland and adopted as the international logo in 1982. Its design is made up of arrows converging from the four points of the compass, persons kneeling in prayer, the Celtic cross, and the circle, representing the world and our unity through all our diversity.

Beloved family of God,

I cannot believe a whole month has already passed since I arrived here. I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for your genuine warmth, hospitality, and profound kindness I have experienced in the past weeks. Your dedication to this parish and your active participation in our Masses and ministries is truly inspiring. I have felt welcomed not just as your priest, but as a member of your family as your son. I am truly blessed to be here and am excited for all that we will continue to build together in faith. This is just the beginning of many blessings to come. Allow me to say this, you are in my heart and precious in the eyes of God. The love and unity I experience is amazing. Forward ever and backwards never. Thank you for your prayers and support.

With gratitude, Fr Confidence.