No. 17 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER - Year A 26 April 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 S C H O O L S

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

From Bethlehem University This lockdown has dominated our thinking and activities since the beginning of March and we are seeking to reflect on how the Easter death, waiting and resurrection cycle is playing out here in Palestine and around the world. These are unprecedented days and it behoves us to learn from them. What arises from our reflection on the way we use our planet and the way this planet is reacting? It seems to me there is a growing awareness of the need to take respon-sibility for our planet, but that in most cases does not trans-fer into action of any significance. The current pandemic is seemingly beyond immediate control and we need to realise that rather than simply trying to find a vaccine, we have to change our engagement with our planet and so take great care to protect all the life forms around us. If we come to see the importance of the equilibrium that enables life forms to thrive it will mean the whole ecological system can sur-vive.

We are in the Easter cycle. Some things need to die (e.g. the arrogant attitudes of exploitation of the planet’s resources) space needs to be taken to wait and then to experience the resurrection that will bring new life. This will be a painful process and there will be a cost, but the alternatives are tragic. Will people be brave enough to go through this cycle? We need to find the wisdom and courage to discover ways to capture the possibilities that this pandemic puts before us to make the change to allow resurrection and a sustainable world to emerge.

Please keep us in your prayers as we transition through these uncertain times into a future that is far from clear. He is risen!

Brother Peter Bray FSC, EdD Vice Chancellor Bethlehem University

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

Our Website: www.ivanhoecatholics.com Group email: if you are not yet on our

group email list, and receiving weekly emails and newsletters from me, please contact Ivanhoe@cam.org.au

Pick up a hard copy: available from exter-nal containers at front doors of our churches and parish office.

Do You Need Help We have people happy to assist with the delivery of groceries and other necessities. If you are vulnerable, can’t get out, or ac-cess services please phone or email the parish office or Fr. Bill.

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 vulner-able, 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 Fax: 9499 9959 Email: Ivanhoe@cam.org.au Website: www.ivanhoecatholics.com

Parish Priest: Fr. Bill Edebohls Residence: 63 Wilfred Rd, Ivanhoe East Phone: 0427 879 733 Email: Bill.Edebohls@cam.org.au

Priest in Residence: Fr. Ki Seun (Joseph) Youn, Korean Catholic Community Residence: 89 Bond St, Ivanhoe Phone: 9440 9515 Email: kccmel@gmail.com

Parish Secretary: Mrs Ruth Villani Office Hours: Closed - But we are working from home! Phone will divert.

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 2020 No Public Masses or Parish Gatherings until fur-

ther notice because of the Coronavirus pandemic

* For each day of the week you will find the Gospel of the Day to read and our prayer intention for the day. Conclude your scripture reading and prayer intention with the Prayer to St. Joseph on the front page.

Saturday 25 April (Anzac Day)

Gospel: John 12:23-28 Prayer Intention: For the sick and those suffering directly from the spread of COVID-19

Sunday 26 April (Easter 3)

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 Prayer Intention: For our parish family: that we may remain faithful and care for each other

Monday 27 April (Easter feria)

Gospel: John 6:22-29 Prayer Intention: For our political and civic leaders

Tuesday 28 April (St. Peter Chanel)

Gospel: John 6:30-35 Prayer Intention: For doctors, nurses and all working in health and aged care

Wednesday 29 April (St. Catherine of Siena)

Gospel: John 6:35-40 Prayer Intention: For medical scientists seeking a vaccine and effective treatments

Thursday 30 April (Easter feria)

Gospel: John 6:44-51 Prayer Intention: For those facing financial ruin or extreme hardship, for the vulnerable and fearful

Friday Friday 1 May (St. Joseph the Worker)

Gospel: John 6:52-59 Prayer Intention: For those grieving the death of loved ones and for those who have died

Saturday 2 May (St. Athanasius)

Gospel: John 6:60-69 Prayer Intention: For the sick and those suffering directly from the spread of COVID-19

Sunday 3 May (Easter 4)

Gospel: Matthew 10:22-25 Prayer Intention: For our parish family: that we may remain faithful and care for each other

Other resources for Daily Prayer https://www.catholic.org.au/prayathome

Sacrament of Reconciliation Please ring Fr. Bill on 0427 879 733 for an appoint-ment and for the arrangement of an appropriate place and time.

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: $847 PRESBYTERY Collection Envelopes: $482 Direct Debit & Credit Cards: $555 Direct Debit & Credit Cards: $86 Loose cash: $0 Loose cash: $0

Total (Parish Account) $1,402 Total (Presbytery Account) $538

Fr. Bill is Streaming our Weekend Parish Mass The YouTube link will be available on our website each Saturday around 12 noon. Or text Fr. Bill 0427 879 733 and the link will be sent by return text. Another option: The 11am Sunday Mass from St Patrick's Cathedral will continue to be televised free to air on C31 (actually Chan-nel 44 on most digital TVs) and live streamed on our YouTube channel and website. Please share this news, especially with those in our community who have no in-ternet access and might be limited to TV viewing.

CDFpay for parishes – Online Payment Portal This new online portal enables you to make quick and easy online thanksgiving payments to both the Parish & the Presbytery – you can set-up a recurring payment, or you can choose a one-off offering. It’s a very simple pro-cess. Just click on the Portal complete the details for your offering to the Parish and then repeat the process to make your offering to the Presbytery. To enter the Portal please go to the Homepage of our Parish Website www.ivanhoecatholics.com

Parish Survey Thank you to those who participated in our online survey on the arrangements we have make during this time of closed churches and community shutdown - you can now see a summary of responses on our parish website.

Climate Action Group

Our Parish Climate Action Group has regularly included in our weekly parish newsletters a quote from Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and a tip for the week. In 2015 Pope Francis published ‘Laudato Si’, On Care for our Common Home, An Encyclical Letter on Ecology and Climate’. On this fifth anniversary of its publication, Laudato Si Week has been organized for May 16-24. The current Corona-virus crisis is but one example of the growing number of catastrophes caused by the ecological and climate emer-gency we are in. Tip for the week: Google Laudato Si Week (there’s a laudatosiweek.org site). Watch the 2 minute video of Pope Francis renewing his “urgent call to respond to the ecological crisis …”. Have a browse through the site. You can join in Laudato Si week online activities if you feel in-clined. There’s also a moving short video from Catholic Earth-care Australia about caring for our common home. The next School Strike for Climate is happening the day before Laudato Si week, on May 15, and is going online because of Coro-navirus. More about that soon.

PRAYER @ HOME

Introductory Reflection The disciples in today's Gospel don't recognise Jesus at first - even when he is walking beside them. We need to recognise Jesus in all people in our daily activities, in our family, friends, and even those people we don't know very well. Let’s give a joyful welcome to those we meet each day!

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

The disciples on the road to Em-maus are disillusioned and disap-pointed because Jesus died on a cross, was buried in a tomb, and now his body is missing and they have been told ‘he is risen from the dead’. Into this gloom walks Jesus, and only at journey’s end do the disciples recognise him. May we recognize Jesus on our own journey as he walks beside us in both our joy and our sorrow.

Lord Jesus, you are our companion on the journey of life: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you speak to us when the Scriptures are read: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you nourish us with the broken bread of the Eucharist – a nourishment for which we long. 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 O God of mystery, out of death you delivered Christ Jesus, and he walked in hidden glory with his disciples. Stir up our faith, that our hearts may burn within us at the sound of his word and our eyes be opened to recognise him in the breaking of the bread. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

1st Reading Acts 2:14, 22-33

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, "People of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, won-ders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know - this man, hand-ed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. "But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says con-cerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience cor-ruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your pres-ence.'"

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm R. Lord, you will show us

the path of life.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: 'You are my

God. O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.' R.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. R.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. R.

You will show me the path of life, and the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand hap-piness for ever. R.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us: make our hearts burn with love when you speak. Alleluia!

The Gospel Luke 24:13-35

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke. + Glory to you, O Lord.

On the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a vil-lage called Emmaus, about eleven kilometres from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and dis-cussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And Jesus said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have tak-en place there in these days?"

Jesus asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover,

some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that Jesus was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see Jesus."

Then Jesus said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the proph-ets have declared! Was it not nec-essary that the Messiah should suf-fer these things and then enter in-to his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So Jesus went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus; and he vanished from their sight. The two disciples said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their com-panions gathered together. These were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then the two disciples told what had happened on the road, and how the Lord had been made known to them in the break-ing of the bread.

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 On the way to Emmaus Jesus un-locked the scriptures for the two

disciples, then revealed himself in the breaking of bread. As we long to be fed again from the tables of word and sacrament, let us pray for a world hungry for good news.

We give thanks for all who have shared kindness, thoughtfulness, understanding and generosity in this time of social upheaval. May they lift our spirits and call us to-gether in solidarity. Risen Lord hear us: R/ Lord, hear our prayer

For those who are especially vul-nerable at this time: those in the frontline of healthcare, those at risk of domestic violence, people in refugee camps and prisons, our Pacific island neighbours, and the people of Vanuatu in the wake of the recent cyclone. Risen Lord hear us: R/

For parents and children struggling with home schooling and for all teachers. May they find the re-sources they need to meet these new challenges. Risen Lord hear us: R/

For the residents of aged care facil-ities. May they be well cared for as they suffer the pain of separation from loved ones. Risen Lord hear us: R/

For communities around the na-tion devastated by the summer bushfires. May their struggle to recover continue to receive the support it deserves. Risen Lord hear us: R/

For healing mercies for the sick and those in need especially, Jillian Champness, Martin Stenhouse, Maree Nunan, Joseph Lau, Silvana De Iulio, Carmel Garonzi, Timothy McCormack, Margaret Canty and for all who are suffering from the coronavirus or whose lives are se-verely impacted by it. Risen Lord hear us: R/

For all who have died recently, those who have died from the coronavirus, all whose anniversary occurs at this time and departed family and friends especially, Peter Jarman, Kath Dowling, Jacques Fievez, Maureen Robb, Giuseppina Rizzo, Elena Tomasoni and Gel-somina Gentile: May they join the risen Lord and all the saints in the

glory of eternal life. Risen Lord hear us: R/

Life-giving God, in the resurrection of your Son you have brought a new world to birth. Make us wholly new in your Spirit. We ask this through Christ, our risen 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 Protect with loving-kindness, Lord, the people you have renewed through the paschal mystery of Christ, and grant them this re-ward: the resurrection of the body to glory everlasting. We ask this through Jesus Christ our 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 Regina Caeli Joy to you, O Queen of heaven, alleluia. He whom you were meet to bear, alleluia. As he promised has arisen, allelu-ia. Pour for us to God your prayer, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. For the Lord has risen indeed, alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Conclude with the Prayer to St. Joseph on the front page. ____________________________

26th April 2020 Homily for Easter 3 Fr. Bill Edebohls

Of all the resurrection appearances recorded in the gospels, Luke's recounting of the Em-maus story has always had the most appeal for me.

Just like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, I come away from the crucifixion with doubts, with questions, wondering what on earth it is all about. Questions about pain and suffering, betrayal and death. Questions about where God is in all this mess. And it is from that point of questioning and despair that we begin our journey. From that point we begin to walk the road. And sometimes we are aware of the presence of Christ beside us - but often we feel we walk alone.

Even when Christ explained the scriptures to the two disciples they did not recognise him, nor understand. How often we walk along the same road and the words mean little, the com-panion who walks with us means little.

But, at the end of the day, just when all seems lost, the companion who has always been by our side breaks bread and is again recognised - as if for the first time. He was there all the time, turning not only his own crucifixion into resurrection but every crucifixion into resur-rection.

And the story repeats itself every day. During these past weeks of community shutdown, wrought by the Coronavirus pandemic, people have had very different experiences of jour-neying. For some a journey into loneliness, fear, anxiety, frustration, a testing time for rela-tionships.

For others a journey into peace, an opportunity for deep self-reflection and contemplation, a time for pondering new possibilities for a future built on new priorities and a resurrection borne out of death.

It has also been a time of shared kindness, a new sense of the importance of neighbours and community spirit, of generosity and thoughtfulness. But even so crucifixion is never far away.

The TV news brings a darker side. The scourge of racism in this nation (despite our collective denial of this disturbing cultural trait) has again bubbled to the surface, in vile attacks upon Australian residents with particular racial features being blamed for bringing COVID-19 into our country. Domestic violence and the consequences of excessive drinking are also adding to the despair of many - when just dealing with the pandemic should be more than enough for vulnerable people to deal with. And, incredulously, some working on the front line to pro-tect us, nurses and paramedics, being vilified and spat at, in supermarkets, coffee shops and on the street, simply because the gutless and the witless, feel threatened by their very pres-ence.

It’s easy to see why people ask: “Where is God in all of this?” And the only answer we have is that Christ continues to walk along the same road, hand in hand with each of those in travail. Another nail tears at Christ's flesh and he struggles again on the cross of the present mo-ment.

As I stagger through the day with a heart often wounded by humanity's barbarity and utter stupidity, I wonder where my companion on the road has gone - and not until the bread is broken at the next Eucharist do I see him. And in recognising him, and knowing that he was there all the time, I come to see new wounds in his hands, his feet, his side. He has again been broken and again he must rise – and he will rise.

We never travel alone. On the road that we walk there walks with us a vast procession of hu-manity. The brutalised, the refugee, the hungry beggar, the victim of domestic violence, the unwanted child, the sick and dying, our next door neighbour, our spouse, a friend.

We walk the same road, sometimes broken, often exhausted, and crosses are in the making and backs are bending. There as companions and, like Simon of Cyrene, we are occasionally privileged to be able to help take the weight of the cross and carry it a little for someone else.

What we must never do is leave the road. To leave the cross, and find ourselves off the road, possessed of a few faded petals and our solitude, far from the place where Christ is shaping the world.

For it is only at the end of the day, at journey's end, at the end of the road when we reach Emmaus, that the bread is broken and the Risen Christ is revealed, and questions are an-swered.

For now, that road for most of us is a little tougher because we cannot share the break-ing of bread in the way we are used to. But in looking forward to the time when we can gath-er again at Eucharist we must continue to see the face of the risen Christ in those who are journey-ing with us.

And so, Lord, at the dawning of each day, help me, help us, to set out each day and keep steadily on – on to jour-ney’s end. Amen.