Father Fabian Smith Parish Priest

Father Patrick Bradford

Assistant Priest Father Joseph Panackal

Assistant Priest

Message from Father Fabian

June 1, 2019 Issue 52

God not only loves us into being, he calls us to more than mere existence. God has a dream for each of us, a pur-pose. Our lives are meaning-ful and have direction. We are not some casual and mean-ingless product of evolution.

Pope Francis encourages us to be committed to our per-sonal vocation, which is a broadening of a common use the word ‘vocation’ so that it refers to more than ‘the big four’ paths our lives can take (Marriage, Priest-hood, Religious Life and Single Life).

God calls each of us by name. His first call to us is a call into existence. He loved you so much that he made you just as you are – he could have made a taller per-son or a more patient person or a more creative person but he loved you, not that other possibility.

Message from Bishop Mark Edwards, Auxiliary Bishop to Western Region

Padua News Committee Dolores Turcsan Edwina La Rose Lorraine Tellis

Rebecca Comini Ken Dumandan

Imalsha Silva Kim Barton

Godwin Barton

If you are interested in helping with any of the tasks in the

production of the Padua News, please contact any one of the committee members or email: paduanews@yahoo.com.au

Thank you.

Padua News Padua News is the official quarterly Newsletter of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

Cnr Exford & Wilson Roads, Melton South, VIC 3338 Tel: 03 9747 9692; Fax: 03 9747 0422; Email: MeltonSouth@cam.org.au

This issue of Padua News is also published on the Parish Website

Continued on the next page

Source: https://www.cam.org.au/

Mark Stuart Edwards was born in Balikpapan (Indonesia) on June 14, 1959. After his education at St Leonard's Primary School, Glen Waverley, and at Mazenod College, Mulgrave, Mark Edwards obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Monash University in Melbourne. In 1980, he entered the Noviciate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Im-maculate, Mulgrave, and completed his ecclesiastical studies at the Catholic Theological College, Melbourne and at the Melbourne College of Divinity. On February 17, 1984, Mark Edwards made his final religious profes-sion. He was ordained a priest on August 16, 1986 in Melbourne. Later, Fr Edwards continued his higher studies at Monash University in Melbourne, obtaining a Bache-lor of Letters and a Doctorate in Philosophy. Fr Edwards worked as a teacher at Mazenod College in Mulgrave from 1986 to 1989 and at Iona Col-lege in Brisbane from 1990 to 1997. From 1998 to 2004 he was Aspirants’ Master at St Mary’s Sem-inary in Mulgrave and from 2004 to 2007 he served as Novice Master. Fr Edwards worked as a lectur-er at the Catholic Theological College in Melbourne from 2005 to 2010. From 2007 to 2010 he was Director of Scholastics at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave and in 2010 he became Rector of Iona College in Brisbane. He has served as a counsellor of the Australian Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate from 2001-2012. On December 17, 2014 Fr Edwards was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Melbourne by Archbishop Denis Hart at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne. Bishop Edwards is Episcopal Vicar for Ter-tiary Education and Youth.

I am a mission (Evangelii Gaudium)

Bishop Mark Edwards recently visited our Parish and upon our invitation, penned an article for our Padua News. On behalf of our Parish, we would like to thank the Bishop for the time he took from his busy schedule to get to know our Parish and school, and to write the following article for us.

Padua News Issue 52 Page 2

Message from Bishop Mark Edwards (Continued from previous page) Now is the time to start on making them real. God also reveals our vocation by calling us through service to others, through their needs. Think of those people whose lives change because they accept to look after an elderly parent, or to care for a child with special needs or to spend their lives for their spouse and/or children. My calling within a calling was to teach Mathematics to gifted students which I discovered when I had to meet the needs of an outstandingly gifted student. Mission, responding to needs, is central in getting our life choices right. Pope Francis suggests that we should ask ourselves “Who am I for?” rather than ‘Who am I?’. “Who am I?” is very hard to answer while “Who am I for?” helps us to discover our own particular way of being and ourselves

as an original, unique mission. It leads to deep authenticity. God accompanies us on this adven-ture – think, for example of his pa-tient, loving and joyful journeying with the disciples on the way to Em-maus in Jesus Christ. He accompa-nies us in an excellent way through our Church community in which de-velops that web of relationships that can support the person in their jour-ney and provide points of reference and orientation. It is OK to make mistakes. Even error, failure and crisis are experienc-es that the Spirit can use to strength-en our humanity. Trust the Holy Spirit. Don’t settle for minimal pro-posals. We are called to invest in our boldness and assume our responsibil-ities.

Blessings, Bishop Mark Edwards

Each of us is a result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed. Each of us is loved. Each of us is necessary. (Benedict XVI) My Scriptural image for personal vo-cation is that of the rich young man. ‘Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell … come, follow me.”’ He looks at each of us with love and calls us to leave what constricts us and to follow him. How can I find my vocation, my mission? I am going to suggest two paths: dreams and mission. In reality, there are more and these are all inter-twined. Encourage and nourish your dreams. God has put those dreams in you. Dreams go off if they are not nur-tured. We have to do something about them. Don’t think of your current stage of life as a time of waiting. Our dreams are to be lived even now.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Overall it was a spectacu-lar day filled with so much happiness, joy, laughter and love. A special thank you to Father Fabian, Father Pat-rick, Father Joseph, the volunteers who organised the celebrations and to all who at-tended. I hope you all enjoyed your-selves as much as we did. Look forward to seeing you same

On April 28, 2019 we all came to-gether as one big family to celebrate The Divine Mercy Feast Day at St An-thony of Padua Parish Church, Melton South. No words could describe how amaz-ing and special this day was. Begin-ning with adoration and confessions heard by Father Fabian, Father Patrick and Father Joseph, during which time we started Our Blessed Mother Mary’s rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet and ended with Holy Mass celebrated by Father Fabian. You had to be present to feel the holi-ness, grace and reverence that filled our hearts, it was truly an uplifting experience that was felt by all who attended that day. Following Mass, we processed into the Padua Hall where celebrations contin-ued on with a delicious spread and entertainment provided by the Samo-an Divine Mercy Group.

time and place next year! Take care and God Bless,

Submitted by: Samoan Divine Mercy Group

Padua News Issue 52 Page 3

derment and distress. He was most gracious in his attentive engagement with me. We talked about what had happened. I then learned that this was a Turkish community from Northern Cyprus and that this man, Hasan, had much to say about this community’s origin, struggle and cohesion. He pressed me to stay for lunch. The preceding prayer was a traditional gathering 40 days after a death in the community. It was, in this case, for his wife’s aunty. The lunch was also in her memory. I was touched by his hospitality and agreed to stay a little. Together we chose from a wide and generous serving of Turkish fare laid out over the two tables – one for mains, the other for sweets and de-lights! Hasan was from a large family. He grew up in northern Cyprus during the hostilities between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. He left his village for Istanbul where he was able to attend University to study Econom-ics. On graduation, he returned to his village but could find no work there, for it was somewhat marginal-ized and isolated. He was, however, able to join his brother in Australia, at Broadmeadows. His first job was, predictably, at the local Ford factory where he stayed for six months. Then he found more agreeable work - driving trams. He did this for two and a half years, while also improving his English. Thus he got to know our city and its people. Fortune smiled again on Hasan. He was then offered a place at Latrobe University in the teacher training course. His first job on graduation was at the Broadmeadows High School which had considerable prob-

On the day following the Christ-church massacre in March, I heard that mosques across Australia were honoring a previous invitation for non-Moslems to visit and learn a little of their community and faith. I had often passed the Sunshine Mosque on Ballarat Road, close to the Western Freeway overpass. I was prompted to visit and went, not to learn about Islam but, as an Australi-an, to offer my deep sadness, regret and sorrow over the tragedy wreaked upon an Islamic community in Christ-church by an Australian. I arrived after midday as 100 or so worshippers were emerging from prayer and beginning to gather in the large covered foyer alongside the mosque. In the centre of this foyer, two tables were laid out generously with food. No-one seemed to notice me as I stood and observed men and women forming into small groups, men to the left of the foyer and wom-en, more or less to the right. Some were still busying themselves with lay-ing out food. I approached one man and told him: “I am a Christian, a Catholic. I have come to say how sorry I am that your people have suffered such a tragic loss at the hands of an Australian.” We talked a little. He said it was men-tioned in their prayer gathering. He pointed to a community leader who was talking to a small group on one side and suggested I approach him and speak to him. I went over to him and waited until he was free to speak. I repeated my sense of sorrow, bewil-

lems with its 150 or so Turkish stu-dents. It appears Hasan made a difference. Things settled down at the school and he was then recruited to work across Victorian schools advising on cultural integration. We both shared, over lunch, con-cerns we have, respectively, about engaging youth and helping them ‘find faith’. He showed me a small soccer field they were building along-side the Sunshine Mosque to attract youth to visit and relate to the com-munity. Hasan said it was difficult to interest their young people in Islam because the Koran was in Arabic, a language unknown to the youth and even unfamiliar to him. The commu-nity depended essentially on the Imam’s teaching. Yet, he was able to say that his own spiritual growth somehow had deepened over time in spite of this difficulty with not under-standing Arabic. I found this state-ment of his most intriguing. I understood somewhat the role of Arabic language in the Koran. This had been explained to me in 1972 in a short course Mila and I, then newly wed, followed at Tehran (during the Shah’s time) where I had work as an engineer. Our professor was the (then and now) very distinguished Hossein Nasr. He said that the Ara-bic language as the language of the Koran was as sacred and inviolable to the Moslem as the Eucharist was to the Catholic. That parallel of sacra-mental faith, to my Catholic mind, was powerfully illuminating, and per-haps little understood in our ecumen-ical discussions with those of Islamic faith. In our discussion over lunch, Hasan and I both acknowledged our shared roots in Abrahamic faith, though clearly there would be much to un-pack and discuss from this common awareness.

My Visit to Sunshine Mosque

Continued on the next page

Padua News Issue 52 Page 4

My Visit to Sunshine Mosque (Continued from previous page)

Imam, then to his own family and fi-nally to the President of the mosque. To each I offered the same expression of sorrow and condolence. We all shared deeply in this, in human solidar-ity. I finished my visit after Hasan took me on a short tour of the mosque itself, pointing out its stunningly engraved domes, its towering minaret and the places occupied by the Imam in teach-ing or preaching and by the communi-ty in praying. Generally, men pray in the main area of the mosque, women upstairs in a gallery overlooking.

I left, grateful for the inspiration given me to visit, touched by the warmth and hospitality of this Turkish Cypriot Islamic community and enriched by my encounter with Hasan and by a deeper appreciation of what we share. Now, particularly in light of recent events in Sri Lanka, I feel more deeply for Hasan (and his commu-nity), and pray earnestly that the Spirit guide us both (and our com-munities) in our respective search for truth, right religion and friend-ship.

After lunch, I rose to leave. Before I left, Hasan introduced me to the

Submitted by: John Little

Getting to know our parishioners - An Interview with Keira Parr

How long have you been in this parish? What were your impres-sions about the parish after arriv-ing here?

I have been in this parish for about seven years. When moving here my first impressions were how warm and welcoming it felt and how much it reminded me of my old parish. How did you come to believe and be a part of your religion? What made you stay with it?

I have been a Catholic all my life and I know I would be completely lost without it. If not for my faith, I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today. What is your favourite activity/celebration in St Anthony’s?

I love Holy Week. Going to all the Masses during that week brings such a peaceful feeling. The parish is always looking for volunteers in various areas. Is there any area you would like to volunteer?

I already volunteer with the over-heads, along with a group of other girls and I also help my mum with changing the altar cloths when I can.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

To trust in God. When you are un-sure about your life, put your life in His hands, there is no point in stress-ing over things you cannot control. Is there anything you would like to say to the parishioners?

This parish is one of the friendliest parishes that I have been to and I have been to a few. It was because of this friendliness that I grew to love this parish like my second home so I would like to thank the parishioners for being so welcoming to me and my family.

Tell me something about yourself.

I work at St. Bernard’s Primary School as an OSH Club Worker. I am twenty (twenty-one in May). I am the oldest of 4 girls. I am dyslexic, so I was home-schooled from Grade Six on-wards. Describe the neighbourhood you grew up in.

I spent the first twelve years of my life in Hillside. When I was younger, I would spend all my free time out on the street, in front of my house, riding my bike with all the other kids in the street. Do you have any hobbies or any-thing you do for fun?

I used to play in a soccer team, with a few girls from my old Primary School, as a way of keeping in contact once I left, to be home-schooled. I also play the piano (not as much as I would like to) and I love to draw. In your opinion, what is the best way a person can spend their time?

Volunteering. I used to volunteer at an organisation called, RDA. It is such a rewarding feeling knowing that you are helping people. Interviewed by: Ken Dumandan

Padua News Issue 52 Page 5

2019 Lenten Program

Every year during Lent, our Parish runs a Lenten program for Parishioners to reflect and learn during this time. To cater to the various needs of Parishioners, Sr Therese conducted some sessions during the day at her residence, and Father Fabian conducted the evening sessions at the Church. All parishioners are encouraged to look out and participate in similar future faith building sessions.

Submitted by: Pat Fernandez

The Lenten Program began on March 4, 2019, and we followed a very colourful workbook on “Compassion” till it ended on April 9, 2019, a week prior to Holy Week. Sister Therese formed four groups, which made it very convenient for us to attend an alternate session if something unavoidable came up. We went through a ritual each time we attended the sessions as it was quite sol-emn. This helped us to enter into times of stillness and silence. It was a time for reflection and prayer, listening and sharing, and living the Good News. It was an invitation to recognise Compassion as a received expression of God’s love for each of us. In a small group, we would share and reflect on Sunday’s Gospel, then echo words or phrases that gave us a person-al insight, on which we could then elaborate. Each of us inevitably interpreted the passage differently, giving us the opportunity to explore another point of view. The Gospel we touched on helped us to prepare for the weekend Masses so that during the Gospel reading on Sunday, it shed more light on the passage and enabled us to under-stand the Gospel message better. This reflection made Father’s homily become so much more meaningful. We also listened to a CD, sharing someone’s personal experience of compassion. We then each had the opportuni-ty to share our responses to the story and what encouraged, challenged and inspired us.

Submitted by: Kristina Scerri

During this Lent season, I received God’s grace once again to go on a spiritual journey to deepen my faith further in discussion, reflection and compassion. This is the second year I have been able to participate. The Lenten program was made up of six weekly sessions. The process provided reflection and discussion on the Sunday Scriptures during Lent. It was facilitated by Sister Therese at her residence twice a week – Mondays at 10.30am and 7.30pm and Tuesdays at 10.30am. The preparation taken by Sister Therese for each session was so well done. The group size was very intimate and personal – there were about 4–6 participants in each group. My favourite part of the program was after the Readings, when we were asked to reflect and think of one word or phrase which moved us, and then we were encouraged to share it with the rest of the group. The other participants in the group also shared their insights which took things to another level. It was a safe environment to share what speaks out to you, where we had respect for one another, we understood the difficulties that each one of us face in their personal lives, and we could uplift one another. The discussion that evolved from each session was phenome-nal. My next favourite part was the final blessing that Sister Therese introduced to the group. Each week the bless-ing was done differently. Overall, as we are all so busy, it was very peaceful to take time away from the hustle and bustle and to think about the coming of Easter. It was wonderful to make time to attend the weekly sessions as, somehow, it became my time. It was such a gentle experience to be able to explore the part/s of the Word that spoke out to me. Everyone in the program was friendly and welcoming. You would definitely benefit from attending and learn so much. I recommend this program to everyone.

Padua News Issue 52 Page 6

Submitted by: Greg McCutcheon

What Lent means to me….

these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an em-blem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deut. 6:4-9), I begin to realize that for me there is a whole lot more involved in our faith than just fulfilling the Sunday Mass obligation. This is the entire reason why Jesus spent forty days in the desert where he prayed and fasted and, when tempted by the devil “Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ (Mt 4:10). It is through prayer, fasting and obe-dience to God that the devil and all his works can be driven from our midst. We can drive out Satan and place God at the centre of our lives, where He is meant to be. This is the entire purpose of Lent! By breaking the bond of worldly distraction, together, we open our Soul up to the sanctifi-cation of our Lord. We became Holy by the love of God.

For me this has meant making an effort to receive daily Eucharist, praying the Holy Rosary three to four times daily, making an effort to pray the Angelus at midday each day and by praying all the Holy Prayer in the Sunday Missal, the Litany of the Saints, the Canticle, the Salve Regina as well as the Morning, Evening and Night prayers. Why do this? It is be-cause the devil does not stop – he is at it 24/7, make no mistake! The devil uses every trick in the book to try and seduce us away from the Ho-ly presence of God! If we fill our thoughts with God, the devil has no way in, and remember sin starts as thought before it moves to action. The other obligation during Lent is Alms giving, our call to action. When Jesus completed His forty days in the desert, He began His ministry. We too are called to action. In the book of Proverbs, the Holy Bible says: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” (Prov 19:17). Fr Joseph Panackal IV Dei, is right when he says: “Give 100% to God during Lent, and Jesus will give 100% back to you!” God bless!

What is Lent really all about? For me, Lent is really all about breaking the bond of worldly distraction – the things that lead me away from having God at the centre of my life. There are many instances in Scripture that tell us exactly this: “You shall love the Lord God with your whole mind, your whole heart, and with all your strength!” (Deut 6:4-9)

When I go to Church on Holy Days of Obligation, I go into the Church to participate in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. I go to both venerate and to give obeisance to the Lord, my God, in obedience to the command-ment. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” (Ex 20:1-4) But as I read “ Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep

An International Food Festival is

being organised to celebrate Pentecost Sunday and St Anthony’s Feast Day.

Food from the various communities from our Parish will be sold at the Festival. Proceeds will go

towards the Church extension funds. All are welcome!

Where: Padua Hall, St Anthony’s Parish Date: Sunday, June 9, 2019

Time: 12.00noon

For enquiries please contact: Marthese Mercieca at 0421 378 691

International Food Festival - Sunday, June 9, 2019

Padua News Issue 52 Page 7

 

Issue 52 Page 8 Padua News

St Anthony’s Bingo St Anthony’s School Hall

CNR Wilson and Exford Road Melton South

(Melways Reference: 342-J-4) Tuesday Night Eyes down - 7.00pm

Come along and have some fun

Editorial Policy

The Padua News is approved by Fr Fabian Smith prior to printing. The editors and Fr Fabian reserve the right to edit all articles submit-ted. Articles may be reproduced with permission from the writer and editor.

Submissions for next newsletter

All Parishioners are welcome to give their suggestions. If you have any article of interest for the next newsletter, please submit them to the Parish Office or email to:

paduanews@yahoo.com.au by June 30, 2019

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