PARISH NEWSLETTER 24 / 25 MARCH 2018 6th Sunday of Lent

The Catholic Parish of Sacred Heart & St Columba Our Parish is a Christian community which welcomes all

to walk together in a spirit of compassion, justice and hope.

St Columba Church

cnr Glenhuntly & Normandy Rds Elwood 3184

Sacred Heart Church

83 Grey Street, St Kilda West 3182

St Columba Primary School

24 Glenhuntly Road Elwood 3184 www.stcolumbasprimary.org

Sacred Heart Mission

87 Grey Street, St Kilda West 3182 www.sacredheartmission.org

PARISH HOUSE 2 Normandy Road, Elwood 3184

Tel: 03 9531 6120 Fax:03 9525 7951

Email: eskw@eskwparish.org Website:

ww.elwoodstkildawestparish.org

Parish Priest: Fr John Petrulis jpetrulis@eskwparish.org

Pastoral Associate: Christine Mitchell cmitchell@eskwparish.org

SHM Pastoral Associate: Carmel Treacy ctreacy@sacredheartmission.org

Parish Administrator: Jane Hearnes jhearnes@eskwparish.org

St Columba Principal / REC: Daniella Maddalena dmaddalena@scelwood.catholic.edu.au

St Columba Deputy Principal / SWC: Bern Bradley bernb@scelwood.catholic.edu.au

Parish Visitors Coordinator: Trish Kelly Parish Visitors: Legion of Mary Call or email parish office

Gospel Reflection: Mark 14: 1 - 15: 47 Veronica Lawson RSM The gospel account of the suffering and death of Jesus opens with the story of an insightful but unnamed woman who pours out healing ointment on the head of Jesus. We might reflect on the Eucharistic character of her actions of breaking and pouring and of Jesus’ assurance that what she has done will be told in memory of her. She did “what she could”. The story of her support for Jesus is sandwiched between two stories of opposition: an assassination plot on the part of the religious authorities, and the foreshadowing of Jesus' betrayal at the hands of a close follower. Status does not guarantee goodness or insight. As the story unfolds, we hear that, despite his earlier instruction to “stay awake”, Jesus' closest followers fall asleep when he most needs them. Worse than that, they betray, deny, and abandon him. Some Galilean women remain faithful. They have followed him and looked after him on the long journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. They become witnesses to his death and burial. These women will also discover the empty tomb and take the message of the resurrection to the male disciples. A foreign passer-by, Simon, whose sons are known to the Markan community, shoulders part of the burden. An ordinary Roman soldier realises and proclaims that Jesus is of God. The story has come full circle: the first verse of the gospel announced the beginning of the good news of Jesus, the Christ and the Son of God. Now the reader understands what it means to make such a proclamation. The final chapter is to be celebrated next weekend. The mystery is to be lived every day of every week. As we enter into the holiest week of the liturgical year, we might consider our call to bring the power of Christ’s redeeming love to those who suffer crucifixion in our own times: the more-than-human Earth community that suffers the effects of climate change; the desperate asylum seekers who remain on Manus Island and Nauru; the war-torn lands of Yemen and Syria…

EASTER TRIDUUM 2018

HOLY THURSDAY 29 March Mass of the Lord's Supper: 7.30pm Sacred Heart Church

GOOD FRIDAY 30 March Ecumenical Service: 9.30am St Kilda Baptist Church

The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion: 3pm St Columba Church

EASTER VIGIL 31 March 7.45pm Sacred Heart Church

Welcome to all who celebrate the Eucharist with us today, to the church communities

across our parish and a special welcome to all who happen to be visiting our Parish.

Our Parish supports the endeavours of the Royal

Commission to bring healing to and justice for the victims of abuse.

Our Parish children are receiving their Sacrament of Reconciliation this Saturday and Monday. Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Thank

you to Liane, Chantel, Christine, Bernadette & Ange for all their support. Wishing Ancita, our St Columba choir co-ordinator, a Happy Birthday. Anita

celebrates her youthful birthday on Sunday, 25 March. Happy Birthday also to Geoff Bright for his birthday last week.

PARISH NEWSLETTER WE ARE A CHILD SAFE PARISH 24 / 25 MARCH 2018

ECUMENICAL LENTEN GATHERING Concluding Gathering. The retreat will conclude on the evening of Passion Sunday with a light meal and brief concluding prayer, which will be held at the St Kilda Baptist Church THIS Sunday 25 March at 6.00 p.m. This will be instead of our communal reconciliation service and will be a lovely opportunity to prepare our hearts for Easter. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME to attend even if you haven’t participated in other parts of the retreat.

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTINE Big congratulations to Christine Mitchell who graduated last Friday with a Masters in Theological Studies. Christine completed her Masters in only 4 years during a very busy time for her and her family. We are blessed to have someone with Christine’s skills and knowledge.

ST COLUMBA PRIMARY SCHOOL TURNS 100! Please join us! Centenary Mass & Open Day. Sunday 29 April 2018. 9am Mass; 10am-1pm: tours, displays photos, memorabilia and entertainment. Morning tea and BBQ available. RSVP prayan@scelwood.catholic.edu.au Are you an ex student, parent, friend or teacher of St Columba School? We'd love to hear from you! 2018 is the Centenary of The Little School with a Big Heart and we are seeking photos, stories and memorabilia for our Mass and Open Day on Sunday 29 April, 2018. Please contact us on 9531 6560 or pryan@scelwood.catholic.edu.au

WALK FOR JUSTICE FOR REFUGEES Please join us on Palm Sunday as we call on Australia’s political leaders to abandon the current harsh and unjust policies, and to provide permanent protection for these vulnerable people. Australia is responsible for these people. Instead of spending millions to prolong their despair, Australia should #BringThemHere and #LetThemStay. In this election year, let’s stand together with refugees. Give them Hope - not despair. End the Cruelty. Sunday 25 March, 2pm State Library. Music from 1.30pm, Speakers from 2pm, Walk at 2.45pm. Organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network.

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS Thank you very much to all our Easter choir members. They have rehearsed for the last 4 weeks and their commitment is greatly appreciated. Music at our Easter liturgies is always beautifully done and a fitting accompaniment to our touching liturgies.

“CALLED TO WELCOME & PROTECT” Pope Francis has challenged all of us with his action plan for Asylum Seekers and Refugees: to Welcome, to Protect, to Promote and to Integrate. Please join us on Palm Sunday, 25 March at 1pm for a Prayer Service at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Following the Liturgy, we will walk as one Faith Community (down Lonsdale street) to join the larger Public Rally (see below). We hope you will be able to join us.

TRIDUUM CHOIR PRACTICE We are well into our rehearsals, with only one more to go. The remaining practice is: Tuesday, 27 March at 7.30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church.

HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE We encourage all those intending to attend the Holy Thursday service “The Mass of The Lord’s Supper”, which will be held at Sacred Heart this year at 7.30pm, to bring a small cross with them. It could be a family cross or one that you pray with. We will carry our personal crosses in procession and lay them with the large cross during the Service. Jim Finlayson has made a batch of small crosses, for those who would like to carry one but do not have one. You are welcome to write your name on the cross and keep it after the service. Thank you Jim.

SACRED HEART MISSION EASTER LITURGY Please join with our Sacred Heart Mission community to celebrate Easter. THIS Monday 26 March, 11am at Sacred Heart Community, 99 Grey St, St Kilda. The theme is ‘Autumn - preparing for new growth’.

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR EASTER TRIDUUM There is a sign up sheet up sheet for our Easter Triduum liturgies at the back of church. We would love to see some new faces join our ever faithful and greatly appreciated regulars. There are lots of roles at the different liturgies so please consider volunteering. WE NEED YOU!!

9AM SET UP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED One of our new 9am set up volunteers (amongst many other things he does for us) is moving out of the parish. We really need a couple of volunteers (works best in pairs) to volunteer for a monthly roster to set up and pack up for 9am Mass. Please speak to Christine if you can help out.

SACRED HEART MISSION The March edition of ‘Heartbeat’ is available at www.sacredheartmission.org (a few copies are at the back of church). . It includes great articles about the Social Impact Bond project, the upcoming Dine with Heart and Fr John’s touching piece on ‘Holding the Heart Together’.

PARISH NEWSLETTER WE ARE A CHILD SAFE PARISH 24 / 25 MARCH 2018

PARISH CALENDAR Saturday 24 March Children’s First Sacrament of

Reconciliation, 10am & 4.30pm St Columba

Sunday 25 March Baptisms, 12.30pm St Columba

Sunday 25 March Conclusion of Ecumenical Retreat, 6pm St Kilda Baptist Church, 9 Pakington St, St Kilda

Monday 26 March Sacred Heart Mission Easter Liturgy, 11am Sacred Heart Community, 99 Grey St.

Monday 26 March Children’s First Sacrament of Reconciliation, 5pm & 7pm St Columba

Monday 26 March Meditation, 7.40pm Sacred Heart Church

Tuesday 27 March SHM Board mtg

Tuesday 27 March Triduum choir practice, 7.30pm Sacred Heart Church

Tuesday 27 March Legion of Mary, 6pm Lifestyle room at Avonsleigh Community

Thursday 29 March Meditative Prayer, 8am Sacred Heart Church

Thursday 29 March St Columba Primary School Easter Liturgy, 9am school hall

MELBOURNE BACH CHOIR Melbourne Bach Choir presents, on Good Friday at 2.30 pm in the Melbourne Recital Hall, the Stabat Mater of Szymanowski and the German Requiem of Brahms, conducted by Rick Prakhoff. Soloists are Lorina Gore, soprano, and Warwick Fyfe, baritone. Tickets can be booked at the Recital Hall on 9699 3333 or www.melbournerecital.com.au

PROJECT COMPASSION This year’s theme is ‘For a Just Future’. Thank you to everyone who has been collecting money for Project Compassion. Please return boxes during our Holy Thursday Service or at

COLES SPORTS FOR SCHOOLS VOUCHERS Thank you to Laura and whoever left some vouchers for us the other day. If anyone has been collecting the vouchers and would be happy to drop them off to the school or parish office that would be great. The vouchers are available until April 3 so do some Easter shopping at Coles and ask for the vouchers. THANKS!

CHILD SITTER NEEDED Do you know of anyone who would like to child sit two boys aged 5 and 7 years. Looking for regular person for some Saturday nights and every Sunday between 10am-1pm (hours negotiable). WWCC necessary. Please call Anne on 0424 697 925.

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY A small group of parishioners regularly meets to share & reflect on the meaning of the Gospel in their lives and the life of the Parish and wider community.  The next meeting is THIS Monday 26 March, 7.30pm in the Parish House. Anyone is welcome to come along to a gathering & can contact Helen Freris through the parish office.

FAITH AND ENVIRONMENT Pope Francis said that “every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.” World Vision in its 2015 report, Chocolate’s Bitter Taste, estimates that Australians spend up to $3 billion on chocolate a year, with sales peaking at Easter. Much of the chocolate we consume in Australia is made with cocoa beans picked by enslaved children, particularly in West Africa. You can make a difference to the world, and to the lives of these children, by buying only slavery-free chocolate. ACTION: Please buy and eat only slavery-free Easter eggs and chocolate this Easter? Look for one of these three symbols on the chocolate wrapper and make a difference.

ST COLUMBA PRIMARY SCHOOL It was another wonderful school assembly on Friday run by Will and Maggie. It included a thought provoking presentation on stereotypes and a fun look at the Gr 5/6 camp. We celebrated great student achievements in soccer, swimming & visual arts. Cultural Diversity Week was highlighted and included a beautiful rendition of ‘I Am Australian’ with Chris on the didgeridoo and guitar (at the same time!).

END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS Don’t forget that Daylight Savings finishes at 2.00am on Sunday 1 April. That means you get an extra hour of sleep on Easter Sunday morning.

PARISH NEWSLETTER WE ARE A CHILD SAFE PARISH 24 / 25 MARCH 2018

PLEASE PRAY FOR: “Prayer is what keeps the faith, without it, faith wavers” Pope Francis Recently Deceased: Loretta Murphy (SHM) 1st Anniversaries: Maria Alfonse 18.3, Caterina Cutelle, Pat Mooney, Denise Jacoby 18.3 10yr Anniversary: Tom Rehill Anniversaries: John O’Shannessy, Maurice Thomas, John Lawler, Mary Tudor, Peter Brady, Yehia Ragheb, Brian Scanlan ,Tom Schepsi, Max Hunter, Ben Tripp 16.3.14, Tony Tripp 8.3, John Muldoon, Donald Everard, Dudley Gomez, Patricia Moore, Bozo Martinov, Jean Curtis 8.3, Roza Pawloska 9.3, Arnold Krumins 11.3, Peter Wilson, David Nightingale, Tom Connelly, Jack Edwards 29.3, Kevin Mooney 19.3.04, Joseph D’Agata, Tom Rehill, John O’Shaughnessy, Patricia McHale 4.3.01, Whippy Peters 13.3.11, Ladislav Mikus 25.3.11, Matthew Beyer 15.3.08, Giuseppina Mazzella 18.3.10, Peter O Connor 5.3.51, Maria Terzita Pittari 15.3.10, Andrew Crook 21.3.10, Andrea 7 Raffaele Fraccalanza, Octavia Santini 8.3.98, Muriel Bowes 25.3.02, Nunziata Panettieri, Maria Tesoriero, Max Korber, Assumpta & Vin Sick: Peter Hayes, Pat Crofts, Nora Dempsey, Jackie Pyster, Tony Palmer, Adele Howard, Philip Lloyd, Patricia Mizzi, Fr Ernie Smith, Noel Stone, Laura Ramadge, Max Suhr, Peter Jennings, Carmel Cescato, Peter Wilde, Rachel Ward, Emma Kirkman, Des Lacey, Pauline Hammer, Sophie McGuigan, June Galagher, Andrew Meith, Betty Kitchener, Anne Casley, David Mieze, Marlene and baby Laura, Ray Lopez

LITURGY OF THE WORD First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7 Responsorial Psalm: My God, my God why have you abandoned me? Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11 Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory. Christ became obedient for us even to death, dying on the cross. Therefore he raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory. Gospel: Mark 14: 1 - 15: 47

OUR LITURGICAL CALENDAR MONDAY 26 March - SUNDAY 1 April

MONDAY SHM Easter Liturgy, 11am Sacred Heart Community, 99 Grey St, St Kilda

TUESDAY 2pm MASS at Avonsleigh Community, 99 Grey St, St Kilda ALL VERY WELCOME

SEE FRONT OF NEWSLETTER FOR EASTER TRIDUUM, SERVICE DETAILS

SUNDAY 9am MASS at St Columba Church

11am MASS at Sacred Heart Church

Gospel - John 20: 1-9 ROSTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND 31 March / 1 April: Easter Sunday

Rosters for our Easter Services will be finalised this week - volunteers will be contacted with details. PLEASE CONTACT CHRISTINE IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP!

COLLECTIONS:

THANKSGIVING COLLECTION

Envelopes $409.50

Loose cash $408.10

Total $817.60

Total after 11 weeks $9719.00

Average $883.55

PRESBYTERY COLLECTION

Envelopes $482.15

Total after 11 weeks $5967.10

Average $542.46

THANK YOU