Liturgies

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday 15th August 2020

IN THIS CHALLENGING TIME

Lord Jesus Christ, our true physician and healer, be merciful to us and bring us your aid in these troubled times. Heal all our sickness and every affliction of your people.

Drive out our infirmities of soul and body; free us from all disease and especially from this pestilence. We place in your gentle Heart the elderly, the frail, people with disability, children, young people and families, our indigenous peoples, those who are poor, lonely and isolated. As you walk with us, free them from fear, and give them patience and hope together with our loving care.

In your mercy deal also with the causes of our pitiful condition, that in curing our lack of faith and spiritual weakness, you may also remedy our bodily ills. We place our trust in you, the risen Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever

Amen

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please note the following:

In relation to the latest directives announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on (Tuesday 7 July 2020) and in a letter from Archbishop Peter Comensoli, a return to Stay at Home restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire (restricted zones) from 11:59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2020 will be in force.

Please note the following:

If you live in metropolitan Melbourne, there will once again only be 4 reasons to leave home:

Shopping for food and supplies
Medical care and caregiving
Exercise and recreation
Study and work – if you can’t do it from home

All Parish Programs are suspended. Our church will be closed to the public.

Weekday & Weekend Masses will be BROADCAST only.

Weekday Masses will be streamed LIVE at 9:00am
Sunday Mass will be streamed LIVE at 10:00am

Weddings in a restricted zones will be limited to 5 people (the couple, two witnesses and the celebrant).
Baptisms in a restricted zone are to be postponed where possible, unless there is an urgent and grave pastoral need. (Can. 857; 860). In that instance, numbers will be limited to 5 people (the child, couple and godparents within the total of 5 limitations) + celebrant.
Funerals held in a restricted zone will be restricted to 10 people plus those required to conduct the funeral.
A wedding or funeral held in a private residence outside of a restricted postcode will be limited to five visitors, plus the celebrant.
Religious services and private worship will need to be streamed online as places of worship will be closed in restricted postcodes except to hold weddings, funerals or public services such as foodbanks.
For those liturgies permitted above, all density, number and hygiene regulations must be adhered to, including the recording of participant contact details (first name and phone number).
Except for the exemptions noted regarding Weddings and Funerals, all public Masses, Liturgies and communal devotions (whether indoors or outdoors) are temporarily suspended for 6 weeks or until further notice.
Also affected by this closure are church buildings, adoration chapels and other church buildings used for public prayer and religious services.
Priests may celebrate Mass privately in a closed church, including for the purposes of live streaming. In doing so all precautions such as physical distancing and hygiene measures must be modelled and met.
Masses in family homes or other such private or domestic locations are not permitted until further notice.

Should you choose to EFT your Thanksgiving and First Collection contributions:
First Collection (for the Parish House) - BSB: 083347 Account number: 637461322
Second Collection (for the Church) - BSB: 083347 Account number: 637462683

All other requirements for density, numbers and hygiene may be found in the General Guidelines as listed below.

It is recommended that you keep informed through the Archdiocese of Melbourne and Department of Health and Human Services website for varying updates:

Online Masses and Other resources

Liturgical Guidelines - 22 July 2020

Pastoral Guidance For Parishes Regarding COVID-19
Stay Ay Home Restrictions - 7 July 2020

Victoria's Restricted Zones
and Restriction Levels

Stay At Home Directions
Public Health And Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic.)

Pope Francis' Daily Mass

Mass Streamed Live From St. Patrick's Cathedral

COVID-19 Letter From Bishops Of Victoria 18 Mar 2020

Mass For You At Home is broadcast on free to air Network 10 on Sunday mornings at 6:00am and replayed on Foxtel's Aurora channel later in the morning and during the week.

Message From Fr. Joseph - 25 March 2020

Dear Brothers and sisters of our wonderful St.Luke's 'Family' and community,

May the Solemn Feast of Our Blessed Mother's Annunciation be a great source of our Spiritual Nourishment in the current context of fear and concerns caused by COVID-19.

In the light of the latest communications from the Archbishop citing the Federal and State rules, I wish to most humbly share with you the following to TRUST GOD and to Keep alive the flame of FAITH seeking God's Healing Graces and nearness with each one of you:

I have a good News for you: We are streaming ONLINE the EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION from today, with the SOLEMN FEAST OF our Blessed Mother's Annunciation.

May I most humbly request all of you to subscribe to the following YOU TUBE of St.Luke's. so that we will be able to continue this service in the coming days as well. We need at least 100 subscriptions to be able to livestream from Sunday onwards. Please subscribe to it so that it can function smoothly. It does not take much time and simple. Follow the step by step procedure from the attached file. We need your support to continue our Spiritual Support to our entire community.

I most humbly request all of you as well to keep in touch with our WEB SITE to keep abreast of all that is happening in our Faith Community and to 'nourish' yourselves with all the Spiritual Support offered through them.

Let's continue to TRUST in GOD's Care and Commitment for the well being of all of us. Please keep yourself safe and secure as well.

I am Seeking God's comforting presence with each one you in my Special prayers these days.

Your Loving shepherd and servant,

Fr.Joseph AMAL,
Parish Priest.

Message From Fr. Joseph - 24 March 2020

My dear Wonderful St.Luke's 'family' and Community,

May the Healing Presence of God's Strength and the Comforting Embrace of God's Love be with each one of you at this challenging times of our FAITH, Life and livelihood!

I am sure you received my previous communication to you this morning promising you that I will be updating you soon, after receiving the communications from the Archbishop. Herewith, I share the following with a heavy heart, respecting and abiding by the Government authorities and the Archdiocesan directives:

I am quoting the following from the most recent email Letter., ( 23 March 2020 at 5.15 PM) of our Archbishop, Most Rev.Pater A. Comensoli:
" CHURCHES, MASSES and LITURGIES: We have been directed by Government (state and federal) to close all places of worship and religious gatherings. (...)., Therefore, I ask that you now immediately close the doors of your church(es), if you have not already done so, and place appropriate signage on doors to this effect."
Hence, (Y)our Church St.Luke's will be closed except for the funeral services of a small numbers alone. It will reopen as and when directed by the authorities.
I am very sad to share with you the unhappy communication that we have lost two members of our Community, who have been outstanding members and examples of Faith: Edmund KHOO and Margaret ELLIS. May their souls RIP. Please remember all their family members in your prayers.
A LOVING AND MOST HUMBLE APPEAL: I have always commended and much appreciated your generosity, putting forth all your talents and contributions for the well being of our community, especially your financial givings with a smile. During these challenging times, (Y)OURChurch stands in need of your contributions. Taking into considerations, the closure of the church, may I most humbly appeal to you to, please, make your thanksgivings for the Church upkeep and the parish house maintenance through electronic transfers to the account numbers listed above.
I am also fully aware and I do understand well that you too will have your own crunches too.
Could you please either call LINDA or email to her for further procedural guidances if you need please?
I am planning to celebrate the daily Eucharist for every member of our community and stream it ONLINE on our website: stlukeswantirna.net Hope it materialises soon. If anyone wishes to join in and help, it will be greatly valued and much appreciated.

May the Healing Graces of God's Love and Nearness be with each one of you.
May HOPE fuel Our FAITH during these aching moments of our lives!!

Your Loving shepherd and servant,

Fr.Joseph AMAL,
Parish Priest.

Message From Fr. Joseph - 23 March 2020

Peace to all of you and God’s presence with each one of you.

This is a note from Fr Joseph informing you that we are waiting still from the Archdiocese about the latest directive regarding the Church services and spiritual activities due to the Corona Virus problem. We are abiding by the rules and regulations from the Victorian Government and the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Stay tuned for the next communication in the coming hours of the day.

In the meantime, I assure each one of you my prayerful nearness and God’s blessings.

In solidarity with everyone who suffers,

Fr Joseph Amal

Pope Francis' Prayer to Mary During The Coronavirus Pandemic

O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection.
Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.

A Prayer To St. Joseph

StJoseph,
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 prayers:
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 mindful of others, particularly the
elderly and vulnerable, 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

(Compiled by Bishop Peter J. Elliott Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne)

IN THIS CHALLENGING TIME

Lord Jesus Christ, our true physician and healer,
be merciful to us and bring us your aid in these troubled times.
Heal all our sickness and every affliction of your people.
Drive out our infirmities of soul and body; free us from all disease and especially from this pestilence.
We place in your gentle Heart the elderly, the frail, people with disability, children, young people and families,
our indigenous peoples, those who are poor, lonely and isolated.
As you walk with us, free them from fear, and give them patience and hope together with our loving care.
In your mercy deal also with the causes of our pitiful condition, that in curing our lack of faith and spiritual weakness,
you may also remedy our bodily ills.
We place our trust in you, the risen Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.

AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

(The simple and loving act of Spiritual Communion (written by St. Alphonsus Liguori) can be made when we are unable to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist.)

My Jesus,
I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You;
never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

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