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Week beginning: Sunday, 29th of January 2023

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From The Heart Of Your Loving Shepherd

A PILGRIM IN SEARCH OF GOD AND WHOLENESS OF LIFE

My dear wonderful brothers and sisters of ST. LUKE's PARISH, FAITH COMMUNITY and 'FAMILY,'

We as a FAITH community were engaged in the weeks prior to Christmas and New year in the reflections on the above theme of PILGRIMAGE, SEEKING GOD and WHOLENESS of life! I invited you once again to dive back into the theme from the perspective of family on the same theme as well! My suggestions to the families during these holidays began with a few concrete suggestions, 'to do' if possible and if you like? Let me now continue along the same vein of thoughts! Every individual person has a responsibility to seek his/her own Journey of Pilgrimage and as well be a part of a community, either as a family member or as a member of the Faith community as a Church locally or globally. These two dimensions of the individual and communitarian aspects of the searchings and seekings of wholeness, both are intermingled and intertwined. These two dimensions help each other in a perfect blend of seeking God and wholeness of life in the company of Faith and life!

A MODEL AND INSPIRATIONS TO THE FAMILIES: LATE POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI

The global Church lost one of HIS eminent beacon of Hope and Faith in the person of His Holiness, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. In one of his old books I happened to pick up recently: Pilgrim Fellowship of Faith: The Church as Communion by the then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. This book was edited by Stephan Otto Horn and Vinzenz Pfnur. The book although deals with the RATZINGERIAN theology, the various articles written by his students, on myriad areas of theology does not deal with the aspects of what I am discussing above. The review of the book says: "JOSEPH RATZINGER, NOW POPE BENEDICT XVI, HAS BEEN THE MOST VISIBLE MEMBER OF THE CATHOLIC CLERGY IN THE WORLD SECOND ONLY TO POPE JOHN PAUL II. HIS STATUS AS THE HEAD OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH MADE HIM ONE OF THE MOST DISCUSSED CHURCHMEN IN RECENT HISTORY. (...)., his former students selected essays, lectures, letters, and conferences that Ratzinger has written in recent years― writing that they feel best represents his position on issues of theology, the modern world, secularism, non-Christian religious, and other key topics of the Catholic Church." The recent for quoting the above book is that His Holiness, Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, addressed in the last days of his life very strongly himself as a ‘Pilgrim in search’, as testified by himself thus: “I'M SIMPLY A PILGRIM WHO IS STARTING THE LAST STAGE OF THIS PILGRIMAGE ON EARTH,” he said in his final words as pontiff. “Let's go ahead together with the Lord for the good of the Church and of the world.” on 31 December 2022, a few days before his Physical moving away from the physical world!

In another article by Vincent PHAM titled: Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI: A Lifelong Pilgrim, is also quite enriching to read thus: “THIS THEME OF BEING A PILGRIM IS ONE THAT SEEMED PROMINENT IN BENEDICT XVI’S POPE-EMERITUS YEARS. Perhaps too simple of a concept for a world-renown theologian? I would argue not so. It is perhaps with his background as a theologian that he understood very well what it meant to be a pilgrim. To be a pilgrim requires one to first of all, be on a journey, and second, a realization of where the journey is headed. A pilgrim needs an end destination, and Benedict realized very well that that end destination was the Heavenly Jerusalem, the place where he would eventually meet God face-to-face."

Every family has it's own personal goals and projects to achieve. The exemplary PILGRIM life of His Holiness, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI th can be a great spiritual catalyst in the art of the family pilgrimage of every family as reflected in the above words of Vincent Pham. I quote once again from the same author to reinforce the theme that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI th can continue to enthuse and spiritually reignite and refuel the Faith journeys of our families as well: "As a theologian, he strived wholeheartedly to be a “cooperator of the truth,” hence his episcopal motto, “Cooperatores Veritatis,” and in that search and collaboration with truth, his own faith in God was strengthened for the pilgrim journey. It is in understanding, deciphering and sharing theology that he understood that, “faith is nothing less than being interiorly seized by God, something which guides us along the pathways of life. Faith draws us into a state of being seized by the restlessness of God and it makes us pilgrims who are on an inner journey towards the true King of the world and his promise of justice, truth and love.” (Epiphany 2013 Homily) It is in God alone that one finds rest (cf. Ps 62:1), finds truth (cf. Jn 14:6), and love (cf. 1 Jn 4:16)."

During one of his addresses from the balcony of his residence to the pilgrims gathered at the St Peter’s Square in the Vatican before his voluntary resignation of the office as a Pope, he told the people "I am a simple pilgrim who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth". He further added that "But with all my heart, with all my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, with all my interior strength, I still want to work for the common good and the good of the church and humanity." In "Last Testament," a book-length interview with journalist Peter Seewald published in 2016, Pope Benedict insisted that he was not pressured by anyone or any particular event to resign, and he did not feel he was running away from any problem. "I AM ON A PILGRIMAGE TOWARD HOME," said the retired Pope Benedict XVI, capitalizing the Italian word "casa“or "home." he said it in the Vatican City on February 7, 2018. Almost exactly five years after announcing his intention to be the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign, Pope Benedict wrote the letter to a journalist from the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. "I am touched to know how many of the readers of your newspaper want to know how I am experiencing this last period of my life," the 90-year-old retired pope wrote. "In that regard, I can only say that, with the slow diminishing of my physical strength, inwardly I am on a pilgrimage toward Home."

Every house becomes a home, when GOD is the invisible resident in that home. The Divine promptings and guidings constantly reminds them that their house is only a transitory passage to a greater PILGRIM of leading to a heavenly HOME!

To be Continued........

With utmost humility and gratitude,

Your fellow PILGRIM on search,

Fr. Joseph AMAL SDB., Parish Priest

A Prayer For The Soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Father, eternal shepherd, hear the prayers of your people for your servant Benedict,
who governed your Church with love.
In your mercy, bring him with the flock once entrusted to his care to the reward
you have promised your faithful servants.
May he who faithfully administered the mysteries of your forgiveness and love on earth,
rejoice with you for ever in heaven.
In your wise and loving care, you made your servant teacher of all your Church. He did the work of Christ on earth.
May your Son welcome him into eternal glory.
May your servant whom you appointed high priest of your flock be counted now among the priests in the life of your kingdom.
Give your servant the reward of eternal happiness and let your mercy win for us the gift of your life and love.
We entrust your servant to your mercy with faith and confidence.
In the human family he was an instrument of your peace and love.
May he rejoice in those gifts for ever with your saints.
Amen.

Bread Collection Volunteers

Once again, a big thank you to all the hardworking members of the bread collection team who have been doing a wonderful job again last year in supporting our efforts to collect, pack and distribute bread to those in need.

Currently we support over 20 families through our St Luke’s St Vinnies team. Bread is also taken to the EACH centre at Ringwood via one of our lovely parishioner, which supports vulnerable members of the community. Another parish member is part of a group that supports 17+ families who are doing it tough, from a neighbouring area.

Our current roster finishes at the end of January and we’d love to welcome new members. If we have enough volunteers, you will only be called upon once every 5-6 weeks. We meet at Bakers Delight at Knox City at 6.50 each Monday evening and we’ve usually finished not long after 8.00pm. We would really appreciate some new faces on our wonderful team.

If you would like to be on our roster, could you please contact Kaye Edgell on 0408-816-321.

Social Justice Liturgy

Would you like to join a small planning group to help with the liturgies when there are special Social Justice occasions?

There would be only 3 a year:

  • Social Justice Sunday
  • NATSICC Sunday
  • Refugee Sunday

Please call Amanda on 0412-733-009 if you are interested.

An Opportunity For Your Youth To Reflect On The Covid-19 Pandemic

For Australian Catholics this is a timely reminder of the economic and social challenges of the Pandemic; and of the need to act.

Catholic organisations around Australia have been responding in various ways to the crisis which has laid bare old injustices and unmet needs. For Catholics, the challenges of the Pandemic go beyond the delivery of education, health and welfare services.

Earlier in June 2021 the Australian Young Christian Students (YCS) in Melbourne published a Pandemic Enquiry aimed at this very task.

The Pandemic Enquiry is entitled Shaping our Post-Pandemic World, An Enquiry for Secondary Students. It comprises five sessions, which explore “How the Covid-19 Pandemic has affected me, my country and our world; why it should concern me; and what I might be able to do about its consequences”.

The social effects of the Pandemic may last for years. The Pandemic will be a major reality, if not the overarching reality, in the lives of students for some time yet. It will particularly affect students; in their studies and in its impact on their hopes and plans for their future lives.

The Pandemic Enquiry is designed for use in classrooms and parishes (in RE classes and in parish youth groups) and not just for YCS groups.

The Pandemic Enquiry is free and can also be downloaded from the YCS website, which includes a promotion by Archbishop Mark Coleridge; https://www.aycs.org.au/pandemic-enquiry

For further enquires please contact Lys Crowe, Project Officer, Melbourne YCS,

Need For Volunteers
We are in urgent need of volunteers to:
  1. visit and bring Holy Communion to the sick and elderly in the nursing homes.
  2. clean the Parish Centre on a fortnightly basis.
  3. set up the Altar and arrange flowers.

Please see father or let the parish office know if you are able to help.

Thank you.

Happy Families Pray Together

"The family that recites the Rosary together reproduces something of the atmosphere of the household of Nazareth: its members place Jesus at the centre, they share his joys and sorrows, they place their needs and their plans in his hands, they draw from him the hope and the strength to go on."

- John Paul II, Apostolic Letter on the Rosary of the Virgin Mary

View Rosary Prayer Card
Individual Confession vs. "General Absolution"
The Church hasn't banned the Third Rite which, by the way, consists in the general absolution of a large number of people at once without individual confession.

The rite was first introduced during World War I to allow priests to absolve a large number of soldiers before they went into battle when it would have been impossible to hear all the confessions individually. At the time of the World War II the conditions were extended to other circumstances of imminent danger of death, and finally in 1972 they came to include situations such as those in mission territories where, if the priest did not absolve a large number of people at once, they would have to go for a long time without the grace of the sacraments through no fault of their own.

The norms on what has come to be called "general absolution" were incorporated into the 1983 Code of Canon Law in Canons 961-963 and into the Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraphs 1483-1484 (cf. J. Flader, Question Time 1, Connor Court 2012, q. 80).

Up until some 15 years ago the Third Rite was used in many parishes in Australia. Significant numbers of people took advantage of it, partly because they were helped by the readings from Scripture, prayers and often a homily, and because many others were attending as well, emphasising the communal, ecclesial aspect of the sacrament. And since there was no need to confess their sins individually to the priest, they found it much easier than going to individual confession.

Why did it suddenly stop? Perhaps the more apposite question would be why it began in the first place. It is clear that the conditions required for its use simply do not exist in Australia, particularly the condition that if the priest did not absolve a large number of penitents collectively they would have to go for a long period of time without the grace of the sacraments through no fault of their own. While the number of priests has diminished somewhat, we are still well served with priests and parishes so that the sacrament of Reconciliation is readily available all over this country.

By the late 1990s the use of general absolution was fairly widespread, especially in some dioceses. During their five-yearly ad limina visit to Rome in 1998, the Australian bishops discussed this matter, along with others, with Pope [St.] John Paul and Vatican officials. At the end of their visit a long Statement of Conclusions was signed by representatives of the Australian bishops and of the Roman Curia. Among other matters, it encouraged the use of individual confession and, with respect to general absolution, said: "Unfortunately, communal celeb­rations have not infrequently occasioned an illegitimate use of general absolution. This illegitimate use, like other abuses in the administration of the sacrament of Penance, is to be eliminated. The bishops will exercise renewed vigilance on these matters for the future, aware that departures from the authentic tradition do great wrong to the Church and to individual Catholics" (n. 45).

Naturally, while general absolution is not to be used in this country, it still remains an option in countries where the conditions for its use exist.

Those who do take regular advantage of individual confession know how much good it does them. Apart from receiving forgiveness of their sins, they have an opportunity to do a thorough examination of conscience, to tell their sins personally to God through the priest and to receive helpful spiritual direction and encouragement. With the abundant grace the sacrament gives them, they begin their spiritual struggle anew each time, with their soul free from sin and filled with hope.

Pope [St.] John Paul II, in an address to priests at the beginning of Lent in 1981, said that "confession periodically renewed, the so-called confession 'of devotion', has always accompanied the ascent to holiness in the Church." And on 13 March, 1999, he told priests hearing confessions in the patriarchal basilicas of Rome: "It should not be forgotten that the so-called confession of devotion was the school which formed the great saints."

Would that more people made frequent use of this sacrament. Their growth in holiness through it would be a great blessing for themselves, for their families, for the Church and for the whole of society.

Fr John Flader
The Catholic Weekly, www.catholicweekly.com.au
12 May, 2013
Consecration of The House To The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Please speak to Fr. Joseph or the parish office to organize day and time.

Fr Joseph would like to congratulate everyone who had their house consecrated recently.

Consecration Of The Family

View / Download full flyer

Daily Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary

Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary,

I consecrate my entire self to the Most Holy Love of Your Two Hearts. I wish to make reparation for all the sins of the world, including my own. I offer these things for the love of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

I will keep my mind on beauty and turn my thoughts from evil things. I will hold my temper and bear the mistakes of others with love and a forgiving heart. I will admit when I am wrong and ask others to forgive me. I will not show off, but remain humble. I will offer up all my sufferings, sicknesses and hurts and seek God’s Will, not my own. I will show appreciation for the kindness and blessings that I receive, and thank God for all things. I will do everything in my life for love of God and I will love others as God has loved me.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the intercession of the Im-maculate Heart of Mary, receive the offering and consecration I now make of myself to You. Keep me faithful until death and bring me one day to the happy home in heaven. I desire to live forever with God the Father and the Most Holy Spirit and You my Lord Jesus, together with Your Most Immaculate Mother.

Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary,
please protect us.

Pope Tells Teens:
Happiness 'Is Not An App'
Happiness is not an app you can download on your mobile phone, Pope Francis told thousands of teenagers on Sunday at a mass to mark a weekend dedicated to youth.

"Freedom is not always about doing what you want. In fact it is the gift of being able to choose the right way," he said in a homily punctuated by regular bursts of applause from the crowd on a packed St Peter's Square.

"Your happiness has no price. It cannot be bought and sold: it is not an application you download on a mobile phone. Even the latest version cannot help you to grow and become free in love."

An estimated 70,000 teenagers were in Rome for a weekend of events to celebrate Francis's Jubilee year dedicated to the theme of mercy.

In a surprise move on Saturday, the 79-year-old pontiff heard confessions from 16 of them and a video message from him was broadcast at a rock and rap concert in the Stadio Olimpico.

One of the teenagers chosen to confess to the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics said she had been trembling as she approached the chair on which the pope was sitting in St Peter's Square.

"But as soon as I sat down I had the feeling of being next to a normal person rather than the pope. Francis is really one of us," Anna Taibi, 15, told La Repubblica newspaper.

The Sicilian teenager said she had been touched by Francis's tenderness as he listened to her confession.

"I expected him to give me a penance ... instead he absolved me and let me go."

The importance of mobile phones to contemporary teenagers was also reflected in Francis's message to the concert.

Clutching an iPhone, he told his audience that living without Jesus was like not having any signal. "Always be sure to go where there is a network: family, parish, school," he said.

www.businessinsider.com/afp-pope-tells-teens-happiness-not-an-app-2016-4?IR=T

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Readers & Counters

Our parish would like to invite parishioners to become Readers and Extraordinary Ministers for our Masses.

These roles are a small but significant way to quietly participate in our parish community and your contribution would be greatly appreciated.

The current roster for Readers and Extraordinary Ministers at each of the Masses finishes at the end of March and we would really love to have more volunteers for both of these very important ministries. Our numbers are getting a bit low at some of the Masses and it would be great if we could add a few more names.

If you would like to offer your services but feel you’d need some form of training, please don’t hesitate to contact me and we will arrange to take you through the processes of either/both reading and commentating as well as being an extraordinary minister or the Eucharist.

It would be wonderful to have more people take part in either one of both of these ministries, so please contact me if you feel you’d like to participate.

Thank you to all who contribute their time and talent in this way.

Kaye Edgell
0408-816-321

Catechist News: 2023 Sacramental Classes Registration

St Luke’s Catechist group are having their annual registration day in the coming weeks, for those who wish to enrol their child / children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.

The program is designed to prepare students from government schools to receive the Sacraments, while getting to know God and developing and / or deepening their own relationship with Him. Students also begin to gain an awareness of the parts of the Mass and start to transfer this knowledge, through Mass participation and observing symbols used at weekly Mass as well as at Sacramental celebrations.

The registration day will be held on Sunday 22nd January 2023. It will take place in the Church foyer after the 8:30am and 10:00am Masses.

If you know anyone who may be interested in enrolling their child / children to prepare to receive a Sacrament, please inform them of our registration day.

Should you have any queries, please contact Maria Bonato on 0411-445-558.

Mothers Who Pray for Their Children

Come Mothers to Pray for our Children and for the Children of the whole world!

We will be at St. Luke's church, in the Chapel, every Wednesday at 9:00am.

Straight after school drop off, this is a great opportunity to reconnect with God and strengthen ourselves for daily battles we face.

"On my knees I beg you, let my children stand brave. God you sustain me and please increase my faith!"

Please contact Giovanna Perrone, 0424-945-130, for more information.

St. Vincent de Paul

Dear Parishioners,

Our St. Vincent de Paul team are asking for help with various items for our food store room, that people in our community so desperately need. Items may include: sandwich spreads (not peanut butter), breakfast cereals, snacks for kid’s school lunch boxes.

These can be placed in the Vinnies basket, located on the left hand side of the Piety Shop, or to the Parish Office.

Thank you.

Honor Tanner
President

Catholic Church urges action to care for the earth, the poor

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has made an historic commitment to work towards a more sustainable Church in its annual statement promoting social justice.

In the Social Justice Statement 2021-22 launched today, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, the bishops commit to a seven-year journey towards seven Laudato Si’ Goals.

‘We are facing an ecological crisis and Pope Francis wants the whole Church globally to act with a greater sense of urgency,’ said Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service.

‘In Australia, passionate individuals, religious institutes, schools and organisations have been working on ecological issues for a long time. I want to affirm and thank them all, and to urge the whole Catholic community to join them.’

Bishop Long pointed out that ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been caring for country from time immemorial. The rest of us need to listen, and to learn how we can walk together to care for the whole of creation – in-cluding one another.’

For full article: https:// melbournecatholic.org/news/catholic-church-urges-action-to-care-for-the-earth-the-poor

To listen to Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor Podcasts, go to: https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2021/08/05/cry-of-the-earth-cry-of-the-poor-podcasts/

Help for Marriages Under Stress

The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown may have caused stress to many marriages. Restore hope for your relationship’s future.

Visit: www.smartloving.org/breakthrough.

Serra International

Serra International - Prayer for Vocations

"Heavenly Father, help us respond to and live out our mission in the Church. Help all your people to know their vocation in life, and assist them to prepare for it.

For your greater glory, and for the service of your people, call many to be Priests and Religious. Give those whom you call the grace to respond generously and to persevere faithfully. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen."

For information about Serra or Vocations:

www.scanzspac.org

View / Download Prayer Card (296kB)

Altar Servers
Presently the parish has few altar servers.

Their service and prayerful presence enhances the liturgical celebration.

Fr. Joseph is calling for more children to take up this ministry.

What It Means To Be An Altar Server (Video)

Take Mary Home

As we noticed that our lady statue (Take Mary Home) has been on the bench every couple of weeks in a month. With great thoughts and inputs from various members in the leadership team, considering the weight of the original statue as it is quite heavy to be carried, we would like to make it much easier for our parishioners to take an alternative statue (Our Lady of Fatima) which is much lighter to carry and it also comes in a box where the statue could be handled more safely. We are happy to leave both the statues on the bench behind the divine mercy image. Make yourself comfortable to put your name in the book with your contact details, the tone of the mass which you are planning to take and also which statue as well based on your convenience. I hope and pray that the above arrangement would help the parishioners to take the statue every week so that Our Lady visits every family in our community to intercede for our families and community.

Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.

Rosy Paul

We Need Your Help
We would like to hear from tradies, handymen and technicians in our community who would like to be included in our directory.

We may have odd jobs around the Church and would very much appreciate your help.

Please contact the parish office or get in touch with Fr Joseph.

To Love To The End: Who will make your choices?
is a Melbourne Archdiocese initiative to focus on an area of bioethics where we can positively contribute to building up a civilization of life and love.

The theme, "To Love to the End", deals with issues about dying and caring for our loved ones, the meaning and purpose of suffering and our duty as Christians to show love to every human being to the end.

Please collect a copy of the informative brochure and prayer card on this theme from the tables at the church entrances or you can view/download the brochure and card below.

View Respect Life Prayer Card (359 kB)

Overcoming Despair With Hope
Through Respect Life Sunday the church aims to equip Catholics to better love those around us by providing vital information about the dangers of the new abortion drug, RU486.

Pope Francis provided a beautiful example of how we reach out to women facing an unplanned pregnancy recently, when he took the time to listen to a story of a 35 year old Roman woman, then telephoned her to offer a listening ear, hope, encouragement and practical support for when the baby was born.

Read more when you pick up your copy of the green Respect Life brochure in the foyer, or

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