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

ST MICHAEL the ARCHANGEL FEAST DAY

Everyone is warmly invited to join us for a special family celebration.

The whole parAfter 10.30am Mass on September 20 in the St Michael’s School Stadium.

The whole parish family is invited to come together in fellowship, friendship, community and fun!!

Come along to this special day and get to know your fellow parishioners. See poster.

CUPPA AFTER MASS

After 9.00am Mass in St Michael’s School Stadium. Thank you to Legion of Mary for organising the cuppa this month. All welcome.

GOOD NEWS

Notices required by 10.00am, Thursday. Thank you.

NEW ALTAR SERVERS

Are always welcome! Servers are needed for Saturday 6.00pm and Sunday 9.00am and 6.00pm Masses. Monthly training offered. Any questions please contact Tara associate@stmichaelsparish.org.au

FATHER'S DAY APPEAL FOR THE PRIESTS' WELFARE FOUNDATION

All donations of $2.00 and over are tax deductible and a receipt for tax deduction purposes will be automatically sent if an email address is provided. If you still wish to donate click here $1,987.40 was donated, thank you for your generosity.

NEPAL COLLECTION

Caritas teams are on the ground assessing the scale of the disastrous Nepalese floods. It is expected that the needs will most likely include emergency shelter and essential items, access to clean water and sanitation, access to food and immediate and long-term recovery. To support Caritas Australia’s Nepal Floods Appeal, visit caritas.org.au/nepal. A collection will be taken up this weekend.

YOUTH NEWS

Archangel Meetings: September 18, 6.30pm, Games and Pizza night at the Parish Support Centre.

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2027: Are you 16 (01.01.2027) - 35 year-old? Would you like to attend WYD in South Korea (approx. dates July 30 to August 8, 2027). Please contact the Parish Support Centre if interested.

THE L.A.M.P YOUTH EVENT

At St Michael’s School Stadium, Saturday, November 21, 11am - 4pm, followed by Mass, celebrated by Bishop Greg and concelebrated by Fr Confidence.

All young parishioners from 13 to 30 years old are invited to a Fun and Faith filled day. For sign up scan QR code.

Following in footsteps of St Francis of Assisi, we ask that you bring 2 or more non-perishable goods, that will be donated to John Mc Foundation (started by our own St Michael’s parishioner to help our community).

CONGRATULATIONS

To Gordon Hughes, who has been recently honoured by the St Vincent de Paul Society for 60 years of service, helping the most vulnerable in our community. Well done Gordon, great achievement!!

POPE'S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER

Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SUNDAY

On September 27 at Our Lady Help of Christians. Mass at 1.30pm celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennet. Dress code – cultural attire. See poster.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE

Jubilee of St Francis of Assisi. Bishop Greg Bennet invites all parishioners across the Diocese of Sale to join in a special pilgrimage celebrating the Franciscan Jubilee Year. This sacred journey is not about physical distance, but a journey of the heart. Together, we will travel to Benambra—nestled amidst the scenic Omeo High Plains, home to the only church in our diocese dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.

Friday, October 2, 6.00pm – Transitus (St Mary’s, Bairnsdale)
Saturday, October 3, 8.30am – Morning Prayer (St Mary’s, Bairnsdale) 12.00pm– Jubilee Mass (St Francis of Assisi, Benambra) Solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop Greg and the Clergy of the Diocese. Blessing of Pets (St Francis of Assisi, Benambra) - All creatures great and small (restrained) are welcome to receive a special blessing following Mass.

Shared Lunch & Sausage Sizzle (Benambra Footyclub) - Fellowship and food for all! Please bring a plate to share. 3.00pm – Conclusion (Immaculate Conception, Omeo). Our pilgrimage draws to a close as we gather at Omeo Parish for final prayers and departure. To help the host parish at Benambra, (which is a small parish with about 10 parishioners) plan the sausage sizzle, if you are planning to attend register via the link: https://www.cdsale.org.au/year-of-saint-francis-of-assisi The link provides full details about the pilgrimage schedule, route maps, sign-up forms, and future updates. See flyer.

DIOCESAN WOMEN’S EVENT

Navigating the Unseen – Women Leading with Resilience. Women from across the Diocese are invited to gather for an evening dinner and talk celebrating the strength, resilience, and expanding horizons of women in the mission of the Catholic Church.

Guest speaker Dr. Kim Daniels-Director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University and member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication-will share insights on leadership, faith, and renewal. Wednesday, October 14, 7.00pm at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, Pakenham. $30.00 per person (includes dinner & soft drinks). Bookings are essential by October 4. Book at trybooking.com/DOZKU See flyer.

18TH ANNUAL MARCH FOR THE BABIES

On Saturday, October 10 at 1.00 pm at Treasury Gardens. Please call Gerardine 0425 751 297for more details, flyers in the foyer.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND

The weekend is based on Catholic values and couples of all faiths are very welcome. November 6-8, St Paul's Retreat Centre, Wantirna South. Friday 7.00pm – Sunday 4.30pm. Info/Bookings: 0409 183 676 or Website: wwme.org.au

CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

October 12 - 27. Engaging Your Faith is a series of short online presentations. For more information: ctc.edu.au/engaging-your-faith

REFLECTION - Dianne Bergant CSA

A distinctive feature of the teachings of Jesus is his exhortation to forgive. Very explicit about this, Jesus left us his own example by forgiving his executioners while he hung dying on the cross. Until recently we thought that forgiveness begins with the offender repenting of the offence and then asking for pardon. Today many maintain that reconciliation must begin with the one offended offering forgiveness. This willingness to forgive transforms a victim into a survivor. Such magnanimity might then touch the heart of the offender, who may thus be transformed from being an offender to becoming a friend.

If God has been so generous in forgiving us, surely, we should be generous in forgiving others. The process of becoming a forgiving person takes time. For some, it may take a lifetime. Only little by little are our pettiness and indignation reduced and our desire to strike back diminished. Still, as disciples, we are expected to give the forgiveness that we have been given.

Such forgiveness does not provide an easy way out for offenders, for ultimately justice will prevail. If we remain untransformed by God’s forgiveness of us, we will be liable to judgment. Our unwillingness to forgive can eat away at us, and we can carry hurts from childhood far into adult years. Forgiving others, as difficult as that may be, is in the long run much easier than bearing the weight of resentfulness, vindictiveness and unresolved frustration. When we forgive we truly begin to be healed.