Palm / Passion Sunday April 5 2020 —Year A

He was not crucified alone

and he is not crucified alone today

We’re all part of Jesus, he has no body now but ours he suffers today in his people, and he suffers in you.

He was not crucified alone, and he is no crucified alone today

Are you ill? He suffers in your illness.

Are you lonely? He suffers in your loneliness. Are you homeless? He suffers in your homelessness. Have you been neglected? He suffers in your neglect.

Have you been abused? He suffers in your abuse. Have you been despairing? He suffers in your despair.

Are you victimized by greed? He suffers with you.

He has no body now on earth but yours.

He was consoled by the look of Mary—his mother, by the touch of Veronica—his consoler,

by the helping hand of Simon—his cross-carrier, by the quiet presence of John—his friend.

You are Jesus

And you are Mary, Veronica, Simon, John, his helpers on the way of the Cross.

You are the body of Christ.

He was not crucified alone, and he is not crucified alone today.

Communion Reflections—Donal Neary SJ

“St John’s Parish community, committed to the Victorian Child Safe Standards & acknowledges that Child Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility”

St. John’s Parish Mitcham 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132

(Postal: P.O. Box 95, Mitcham 3132) Email: Mitcham@cam.org.au

Website: www.stjohnsmitcham.com.au Phone: 03 9401 6366 Fax No. 03 9872 4316

PARISH LEADERSHIP TEAM MISSION STATEMENT To lead and empower the people of our parish to work independently and use their skills

and gifts to grow the life of our faith community now and into the future.

Parish Information

Faith Formation, Social & Others

Normal Weekend Mass Times at St. John’s Saturday Vigil, 6pm, then 8.30am, 9.45am, 11.15am, 5pm

Parish Priest

Fr Dispin John Pastoral Associate: Parish Office

Maree O’Keefe (Tuesday-Friday Sunday am) Office hours:

Visitation and Communion to the Sick & Housebound: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Ph: 9401 6366

Co-ordinator: Cath Brindle 0423 065 825

Bereavement Ministry: Monika Bredhauer Parish Secretaries: Martine Giles (Monday-Wednesday & Friday)

Schools Elisa Kelesidis (Tuesday-Friday)

St John’s School, 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, 9874 1575 Principal: Mrs Verona Gridley St. James School, 51 Centre Road, Vermont, 9874 1830 RE for Government Schools:

Principal: Mr Dave Mutimer Andrew Puls—0407 352 706

Services: St Vincent de Paul Shop 2/82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood 9870 9124 - St Vincent de Paul Furniture Pick-Ups 1800 621 349 The House of Books (house next door to the Church) 9874 2389 - St Vincent de Paul Welfare Assistance 1800 305 330

ST VINCENT DE PAUL-MARCH

Coffee, Tea Bags, Pasta Sauce, Tins of Fruit.

DONATIONS: please r ing Par ish Office 9401 6366 during office hours 9am-4pm to arrange a drop off time.

Scripture Readings for week Mon: Isaiah 42:1-7 John 12:1-11 Tues: Isaiah 49:1-6 John 13:21-33,36-38 Wed: Isaiah 50:4-9 Matthew 26:14-25

EASTER TRIDDUM Thurs: Holy Thursday Fri: Good Friday Sat: Holy Saturday Sun: Easter Sunday

AMONGST OUR PARISH FAMILY

We welcome into the Parish Family through the Sacrament of Baptism Ruby May Vassallo.

We ask for the grace and peace Eternal Life for Joe Theuma

Inspiration for the coming week from the Compassion and Friendship Group

What may seem a great misfortune

in one sense is generally …… a hidden blessing

St Mary MacKillop

PARISH OFFICE OPERATION

The Parish Office will no longer be available for face-to-face enquiries. This is consistent with the Victorian Government guidelines encouraging the community to limit their day-to-day activities outside their homes. For general enquiries please contact the Parish Office on 9401 6366 or alternatively email mitcham@cam.org.au and a member of the Parish Team will respond to your query. If you need to contact Fr Dispin urgently, please call him directly 0413 683 153.

The Parish Newsletter which will be posted on the parish website each week. Please feel free to email the parish office any parish news of which you are aware and want to share. The parish office will operate in accordance with the restrictions placed by Victorian Government as outlined above.

‘1st Collection and Stewardship Envelopes’

If you are concerned about giving to the 1st Collection or “Stewardship Program” via Envelopes whilst masses are suspended , you may wish to consider giving via your Credit Card or Direct Debit from your bank account.

If this is something you might like to pursue please give the Parish Office a call on 9401-6366 or email: mitcham@cam.org.au

If you still wish to contribute via Envelopes please ring the Parish Office to arrange a drop off time.

The Travelling Rosary will be held at the home of Vera Patterson from Sunday 5 April—Friday 10 April. We encourage you to say the Rosary in your own home during this time.

The House of Books is now closed until further notice. We regret the inconvenience but am sure you can appreciate that is done as a matter of health and safety of us all.

Faith Formation, Social & Other

PROJECT COMPASSION 2020

Dominic, 47, is a father of six from Papua New Guinea. In 2016, he became involved with Caritas Australia’s partner, Centre of Hope, who runs safe house and family anonymous programs and turned a difficult life and an unhappy relationship around. Now a community trainer, he works with other men to help them to change their behavior and build more harmonious family lives. “Entering the Caritas program …. Has really opened my mind and heart to see where my weaknesses are and I’m trying to improve” Dominic says

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We here at Caritas understand that many in our community will have financial concerns, worries about health and worries about their future due to the COVID19 crisis. We do appreciate that many generous people who would normally give may no longer be in a position to do so. However, through Project Compassion we support people and communities in countries that have nothing like the resources of Australia, where governments do not have the ability to provide social welfare payments or subsidise employers to keep people in work. Bearing in mind the uncertainty that we are all experiencing, we would still ask that, if you are able, you consider continuing to support Project Compassion as best you can. Thank you for your generosity in the past, and for whatever you feel able to give now. https://lent.caritas.org.au/

Nothing can Separate us from the Love of Christ

It is encouraged to continue active participation in the life of the Church, through activities such as time in personal and family prayer, reflecting on the Scriptures and making a spiritual communion.

Please be aware that you can access the parish website to view the video of Fr Dispin’s Homily and Gospel of the weekend or you can participate in a Mass online via http://bit.lyMassOnDemand, or www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass

Masses are livestreaming from St Patrick’s Cathedral Monday—Friday at 1pm, Saturday 8am and Sunday 11am. This is available to view on demand until one hour prior to the next scheduled Mass https://www.cam.org.au/mass

CHILD SAFETY

To view our Safeguarding Children & Young People Code of Conduct, go to stjohnsmitcham.com.au

Catholic Social Teaching—What Can I Do About it here and Now?

During this period of self isolation and social distancing, the Parish Office and Fr Dispin will be sending out emails to keep Parishioners updated, if you are not receiving emails and would like too, please email the Parish office and we will update your details accordingly.

During this difficult time of self isolation, the St John’s Card Making Group are keeping busy making cards for all occasions. We understand you may not be able to get out and about and purchase cards to send to loved ones and friends. We are happy to take and make orders for cards for any occasions and post to you at a small charge. This way we can support the works of St Vincent de Paul. Cost of cards is $3. To order or for more information please call Monika on 0438220361

Faith Formation, Social & Other

Easter Liturgies 2020

As well as our Sunday masses online, we have provided you, our parish community, with links on our parish website to prayer and reflections for each of the days of the Holy Week.

These prayers can be prayed either individually or in family / household groups. We hope you find them helpful. The Archdiocesan Website also has prayers and reflections to download form its melbournecatholic.org.au link.

Many thanks to all those who had originally volunteered to be part of our parish 2020 Holy Week and Easter liturgies.

Take care and stay well. Maree O’Keefe

Not a time to look after ourselves only—Bishop Vincent Long

Bishop Vincent Long, Chair of the Commission for Social Justice, Mission and service, encourages us all to care for each other during this time of the COVID-19 virus. He says that like St Joseph, we should become protectors of life by “not doing anything that might spread the virus to others with whom we live in community.” Further we need to “listen to our medical experts and not to conspiracy theorist who use any crisis to profiteer or stir up hatred and division. “

https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2020/03/27not-a-time-to-look-after-ourselves-only/

************************************************************************* Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities are calling on State and Territory Governments to step up and ensure that the health of remote and regional communities are prioritised over profits - will you add your name to their call? Coronavirus (COVID-19) presents a huge risk to vulnerable Aboriginal communities, who are already facing many chronic illnesses as a result of colonisation. Right now, the health and wellbeing of our old people and our communities needs to be our priority. Many Aboriginal community members and Traditional Owners are worried for their health and safety at this time, with fracking expoloration and miners flying in and flying out of remote communities. We need to take this health crisis seriously. We cannot let mining companies risk the health and livelihoods of remote Aboriginal communities for the short-term profits of a dangerous, polluting industry. Please consider signing this petition at https://nt.seedmob.org.au/frackingnotessential

Catholic Social Teaching—What Can I Do About it here and Now?

Joe Theuma Funeral

One of our dear parishioners Joe Theuma recently passed away. Due to recent restrictions, Joes funeral will be live streamed on Tuesday morning at 9.45am. Joe’s family invite you to be part of the service by using this link: https://www.belindajanevideo.com/client-video/joseph-theuma/

When normal masses resume we will have Eucharistic celebrations in honour of our Parishioners who have passed away during this current crisis, including Anna Furno, Remedios Fisher and Joe Theuma. Our sincere condolences are extended to all the families.