JUBILEE YEAR of ST FRANCIS PRAYER

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us before the Lord.
You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano,
teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation
that breaks down every wall.
You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war
and misunderstanding,
give us the courage to build bridges where
the world raises up boundaries
In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses
of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen

THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)

Is for adults who would like to become full members of the Catholic Church. This usually occurs at the Easter Vigil, a ceremony which is a highlight of the Church calendar. If you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a Catholic, come along to one of our Inquiry Nights, Wednesday July 8 or July 22 at 7.30pm at the Parish Support Centre. Inquiries: 9707 4072 or 9707 1355.

LEGION OF MARY

Is a lay apostolic association within the Catholic Church, founded in Ireland and dedicated to prayer, spiritual growth, and service to others through the guidance of Our Lady. There will be an opportunity to learn more about the mission and works of the Legion, and to consider becoming part of this meaningful ministry. Legion members will be available to answer questions and speak with anyone interested in joining after the weekend Masses on June 27 & 28. We warmly invite you to learn more about the Legion’s work within our parish community.

GOOD NEWS

Notices required by 10.00am, Thursday. Thank you.

7.30AM MORNING MASS

Will be offered on Wednesdays until July 8.

SCHOOL GROUND PARKING

Please remove your vehicle from the School Grounds after 10.30am Mass quickly, as the gates will be locked at 12.00pm. The school lets us use their car park during Mass times, however for security and safety of the school grounds we need to lock the gates after Mass. Thank you.

ST MICHAEL’S YOUTH GROUP – ‘Archangel Youth’

18-35-year-olds.
July: First Youth Mass July 5 at 10.30am Mass, followed by a ‘get together’ in the Parish Support Centre..
Third Sunday July 19 at 4.00pm at the Parish Support Centre. Anyone over 18 who wishes to join is most welcome..
Other age youth groups will follow at a later stage.

MONTHLY PRAYER MINISTRY

Next Sunday from 8.30am until 9.00am Mass in the adoration area. Prayer is gentle, private and confidential. Just come, no booking needed, we would love to pray for you.

READERS & PIETY ROSTERS

Will be prepared shortly. If you would like to join either ministry or your availability has changed, contact Geraldine at the Parish Support Centre. Thank you.

COLLECTORS

Diocesan Safeguarding procedures require us to collate names and details for all our volunteers, including regular collectors during Mass. Please write your name and details on the form in the sacristy. Thank you.

DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN - CONSULTATION PROCESS 2026

Thank you to all parishioners who have collected the forms, please return as soon as possible by placing them in the box in the foyer or returning them to the Parish Support Centre. Forms are available on the website or use the QR code.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP

Will meet on Tuesday, July 7, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at St Michael’s Parish Support Centre. Centring Prayer, a practice similar to but distinct from our usual Christian Meditation, will be introduced. All are welcome.

CHILDRENS’ LITURGY:

Extra volunteers are needed. If you can help, please contact the Parish Support Centre. Thank you.

ROSTERS

For all Ministries are on display in the foyer. Please check them regularly, and if you are unable to assist on your allocated date, it is your responsibility to swap with someone else.

POPE'S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JULY

"Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God."

ALTAR SERVERS TRAINING

Every second Saturday 3.30pm - 5.00pm and every third Monday 4.30pm - 6.00pm of the month. Upcoming dates July 11 and 20. Thank you to all that help with this ministry.

JESUS YOUTH VICTORIA: National Youth Conference ‘Chosen’

July 4, 5.30pm-8.00pm at Holy Family Parish, 100 Power Road, Doveton. Come along and bring your friends for a night of connection, prayer, worship, music and community. Click here to Register or QR

ST VINCENT PALLOTTI SCHOLARSHIP TRUST

Is currently offering scholarships to enable lay people to further their understanding and skills in leadership/ministry or a specialised activity - promoting faith enhancement, social justice, and pastoral care. If you are looking to strengthen your skills and serve your community, you are encouraged to apply. Closes Friday July 31. Information & Application Forms:uacpallottines.au

MARY MACKILLOP - A SAINT OF OUR TIME

Explore St Mary MacKillop’s legacy and learn how to draw inspiration from her life to make a difference today. Venue: Online Thursday, August 6 7.00pm-8.00pm. Registration: cdsale.org.au/events or 5614 5163 or newsonline@sale.catholic.org.au

HOLY HOURS FOR VOCATIONS

"A prayer today... A shepherd tomorrow..." Saturday, July 4 at 8.45am Rosary followed by 9.30am Mass and Holy Hour. St Brendan’s Parish, Lakes Entrance. Light refreshments.

REFLECTION – Dianne Bergant CSA

Today we are faced with the cost of discipleship, but we are also comforted by the promise of the providence of God. Baptism is for us both death and life. Through it we enter into Christ’s death and we die to lives of selfishness and sin. Through it we rise with Christ to a new life freed from everything that previously held us down. As glorious as this new life might be, it requires death to our old ways of living, and this is always difficult.

The cost of discipleship cuts right to the core of our beings, it lays bare the very structures of kinship. Baptism recreates us as children of God; through it we are given a new life and born into a new family. The bonds of discipleship are now even stronger than the bonds of blood. Discipleship requires our very lives. As disciples we can no longer put ourselves first. We must be willing to spend ourselves and to be spent, to serve others in the day to day unfolding of life. We may find such commitment very demanding, but that is part of the cost of discipleship. God promises that if we lose our lives in this way, we will really gain them. If we are unselfish in the way we share ourselves with others, we will be enriched through our generosity. If we spend ourselves and are spent in our service of others we will be filled with blessings unimaginable.

SAINT THOMAS, APOSTLE: FEAST DAY JULY 3: ‘A mistake, and the mercy of God’

Thomas made one mistake that is recorded in the gospels, and it was not first to doubt. It was to be absent from the assembled Church on the evening of the Resurrection. Thomas was alone, without the protection of his brothers, and so all the fragility of our human nature in the face of death and pain is revealed in him. His Lord had died. Thomas knew this; it filled him with a grief greater than his comprehension. He must have thought: after so brutal a death, after so definitive a sealing of the tomb, there can be no more life. Not for the Lord, not for him, not for any of them. “So the other disciples said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands and ... put my hand into his side, I will not believe’” (Jn 20:25). But a week later, when Thomas was at last with the brethren, the Lord had mercy on the unbelief in this fragile, wounded, doubting, courageous and loving disciple. “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side....” Thus it was granted to Thomas to utter, for himself and for all believers after him, the clearest confession of Christ’s divinity in the Scriptures: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28).