ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Your merciful love, O God,

we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name,

reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.

White THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD 1st & 2nd February 2020

FIRST READING (Mal 3:1-4) A reading from the prophet Malachi The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my mes-senger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fuller’s alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Ps 23:7-10 ) (R.) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

The O gates, lift up your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! (R.) Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war. (R.) O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! (R.) Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory. (R.)

SECOND READING (Heb 2:14-18) A reading from the letter to the Hebrews Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Jesus too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia, alleluia! This is the light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Alleluia!

GOSPEL (Lk 2:22-40) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God, and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’

As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

ORDINARY MASS TIMES Saturday: 8 am (followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament) & 6 pm (Vigil for Sunday)

Sunday: 8 am, 9.15am (Italian), 10.30 am, 5.30 pm

Monday: 7 am (Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion )

Tuesday to Friday: 7 am & 9.15am

Public holidays: 8 am

Reconciliation: Saturday 10 am ~ 11 am & 5.30pm ~ 5.50pm

1st Collection : For the upkeep of the Parish Church and all the works of the Church. / 2nd Collection : For the running of the Presbytery and support of the priests.

We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, as the traditional caretakers of the land which is the St. Monica’s Catholic Parish. We acknowledge the Elders, past & present. May we, too, be good stewards of this land.

MINISTRIES & READINGS 8th & 9th February

MASS READERS EUCHARIST OGGI Fam Farfalla

6.00pm Gerard Horton Crundall

Therese Anne Wilson Janet Dobson

Marie Sequerah

PROSSIMA SETTIMANA

Fam Stivala

8.00am Michael Baker

Anthony Vendramini Bernard Healey CHURCH

LINEN (February)

Lucia De Francesco

9.15am M. Galioto V. Valori

M. Ballato; A. Stivala A. Petruzzelli

10.30am Anthony Mathews

Flavia Pinto

Tony DeFazio; Brian Mathews Carmen Shiu

CHURCH VACUUMING

Wednesday 5 Feb Team 2 9:45 am

5.30pm Antonina Briggs

Peter Moore Dianne Blake;

Ross Legudi; David Storace

Next week’s Readings: 1st Reading Is 58:7-10 2nd Reading 1 Cor 2:1-5 Gospel Mt 5:13-16

ST. MONICA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH Moonee Ponds

Presbytery: 22 Robinson St., Moonee Ponds 3039 | Telephone: (03) 9370 5035 Email: mooneeponds@cam.org.au | Website: www.stmonicasparish.com.au

Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Tony Feeney Assistant Priests: Rev. Fr. Trevor Tibbertsma, Rev. Fr. Andrew Choi

Parish Office: Sonya Bading, Domenica Caridi (Monday to Friday 9 am ~ 3 pm) Pastoral Assistant: Abygaile Cukavac

School Principal: Mr. Peter Moore — School Phone No: 9375 1132

PLENARY COUNCIL PRAYER

Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost. Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land.

O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council. Give us the grace to see your face in one another and to

recognise Jesus, our companion on the road. Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak

boldly of your truth. Give us ears to listen humbly to each other

and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying. Lead your Church into a hope-filled future, that we may

live the joy of the Gospel. Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

bread for the journey from age to age. Amen.

Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.

“Make room in your lives for the Word of God,” Pope Francis Last Sunday Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass on “Sunday of the Word of God’ urging Christians to make room in their lives for the Sacred Scriptures. This is a new observance to be celebrated annually on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time and dedicated to the celebration, spreading and study of the Word of God. “This Sunday of the Word of God will thus be a fitting part of that time of the year when we are encouraged to strengthen our bonds with the Jewish people and to pray for Christian unity. This is more than a temporal coincidence: the celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God has ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity. Let us pray so that more Catholics would get to read, know listen, and live the Word of God, so indispensable in our relationship with our Lord, through the guidance of the Sacred Tradition and the Church Magisterium.”

NOTIZIE ITALIANE

Se qualcuno fosse interessato a pubblicare eventuali notizie sul bollettino, e` pregato di inviarne una copia in italiano al seguente indirizzo email:

mooneeponds@cam.org.au Affinche` la notizia venga pubblicata sul bollettino della settimana corrente, è necessario che la stessa pervenga prima delle ore 12:00 pm di Mercoledì. Per qualsiasi informazione sul gruppo Italiano di preghiera che si riunisce ogni Martedì dalle 10:00 am alle 12:00 pm presso il Symons Centre (la sala accanto alla Chiesa), si prega di contattare:

Maria Giardina al numero 93702047 Connie Munafò al numero 93751980

FUNERAL 5TH FEBRUARY

Funeral Mass for Sr Margaret Nabbs RSC

Wednesday 5th February 11 am

WE PRAY FOR

The elderly and the sick

Dantina Frederico; Stella Mammone; Gino Salva;

RECENTLY DECEASED In Faith, Hope and Love,

let us pray for repose of the souls of

Sr. Margaret Nabbs RSC; Susan Parkes May they rest in peace.

ANNIVERSARIES We remember in prayer

Alan Forster

Any new families to the Parish please see Fr. Tony or Fr. Andrew after mass for a Welcome Pack

ITALIAN PRAYER GROUP Tuesday 4th February

11.00am Mass in the Symons Centre

PARISH NOTICES 5th Feb.— 11.00am “Oldies Mass” & Funeral Mass for

Sr. Margaret Nabbs RSC – Afterwards there will be tea and coffee in the Symons Centre.

5th Feb-7.00pm Baptism Information Evening in the Symons Centre

6th Feb.— 9.15am Opening Mass of our Parish School Year

11th Feb.— Parish Pastoral Council Meeting

REGULAR PARISH EVENTS Children’s Liturgy in the Symons Centre 10.30am– 9th & 16th February 5.30pm–2nd February & 1st March Under school aged children must be accompanied An adult. Altar Servers Training Every 3rd Saturday, at 4.30 pm in the church. NEXT TRAINING: 15th February, 4.30 pm For any inquiries: Abygaile.Cukavac@cam.org.au Gamblers Anonymous Gathering At 8 pm, every Wednesday in the Parish Hall. All welcome. Charismatic Prayer Meeting 7.30pm –9.15pm 13th February in the Symons Centre. Enquiries contact: Gerald on 9337 0475 Parish Social Dance 7pm 21st February in the Symons Centre. Enquiries contact: Renus on 0430 392 152

BAPTISM THIS WEEKEND 2nd February

Alexis Valentine Zahra Milania Angelina Guarnera Timothy Matthew Cotchett

Visit our website: www.stmonicasparish.com.au Like us on Facebook: St Monica’s Catholic Church

SATURDAY EVENING MASS TIME Saturday Evening Mass time has been changed to

6.00 pm instead of 6.30pm.

FR. TREVOR’S NEW APPOINTMENT

Our assistant priest Fr. Trevor has been appointed as an assistant priest at

St. Oliver Plunkett's Pascoe Vale as of February 5.

In his words, "I knew it was too good to be true having three priests here! “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few” (Mt 9:37). Thank you so much for your example of fervent faith, generous service and firm commitment to this parish community. I want to especially thank Frs Tony and Andrew, Abygaile, Sonya, Domenica and the staff of St Mons primary. I have loved being with you all here at St Mons and am glad that we'll only be 15 minutes drive apart! Please know that I take each of you with me in prayer."

There is a card to sign to wish Fr. Trevor all the best for the future at the back of the Church.

“ There is something truly remarkable, and exceptionally humbling, about the spirit of our shared humanity that gives it all without question.” - Archbishop Peter Comensoli THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED TO THE

NATIONAL CATHOLIC BUSHFIRE APPEAL You can still help our neighbours by donating at

www.vinnies.org.au

THEOLOGY @ THE PUB MONDAY 3RD FEBRUARY

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli 'Being a Catholic in 2020 Melbourne'

We are thrilled to kick off the New Year with our very own Archbishop Peter Comensoli, talking around the topic of 'Being a Catholic in 2020 Melbourne'. As young adults in a very secular city, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate our way through the many challenges we face. How are we called to evangelise? What would the Archbishop like the young people of Melbourne to focus on this year? These are some of the questions he will be focusing on, whilst allowing time to answer questions from the audience. What a great way to start our year! We hope to see you there! Please note that we do not expect anyone to donate, however it does allow us to have in some great speakers, and cover various costs. We are all volunteers, and rely on your generosity and support. We only take cash on the night.

Doors open on Level 1 at 6.30 pm; The talk at 7.30 pm European Bier Café (Level 1, 120 Exhibition Street CBD)

18 to 35 year olds, all welcome!

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR 2020 1. Confirmation: The information

night for Confirmation 2020 will take place in St. Monica’s Church 6.30pm Thursday 20th February

2. First Reconciliation: The information night for First Reconciliaiation in 2020 will take place in St. Monica’s Church 6.30pm Thursday 19th March

* Please note: First Communion will not be celebrated before First Reconciliation

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Fr. Tony and his family want to thank everyone for their prayers and

condolences extended over the death of his/their mother ALICE on 18th January.

Thank you Mr. Moore, our Parish School Principal for organising a bus which enabled many from the Parish to

attend my mother’s funeral last Friday week.

LA MADONNA DELLA CANDELORA

Il 2 Febbraio viene celebrata la Madonna della Candelora. Con questa ricorrenza la Chiesa ricorda la presentazione di Gesù Cristo al tempio, dove venne ricevuto dal profeta Simeone, che, illuminato dallo Spirito Santo, disse prendendo in braccio il bambino: ” Ecco la luce del mondo”. In questa ricorrenza, ci ricordiamo che quando eravamo ragazzi si accendevano candele, simboli della Madonna della Candelora o della “luce”, in Chiesa e all’interno della propria abitazione. Inoltre, alla mattina, andavamo in Chiesa dove veniva celebrata una processione (segno del tragitto che la Madonna fece per portare Gesù Bambino al tempio) in cui tutti avevano in mano una candela accesa, benedetta, a volte ricamata, simbolo della fede.

AN IDEA Fr. Tony would like to start up a Scripture Group in the Parish. Expressions of interest and time/ day which would suit are now being asked for. Contact Fr. Tony or leave your name and suggestions at the Parish Office 9370 5035 or mooneeponds@cam.org.au

The MASS consists in some sense of two parts, namely the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, these being so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship. For in the Mass is spread the table both of God’s Word and of the Body of Christ, and from it the faithful are to be instructed and refreshed. GIRM28

Hope Café Resumes for 2020

6th February 6pm to 7.30pm (In the Symons Centre)

All invited for a free hot meal, sharing conversation and company in a safe and warm environment.

Enquiries : Please call 0438 829 647

“Our insistence that each human being is an image of God should not make us overlook the fact that each creature has its own purpose. None is superfluous. The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.” -Laudato Si, 84