St. John’s Parish Mitcham 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132

(Postal: P.O. Box 95, Mitcham 3132) Email: Mitcham@cam.org.au

Website: www.stjohnsmitcham.com.au Phone: 03 9401 6366 Fax No. 03 9872 4316

Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 11th 2020—Year A

On this mountain the Lord will prepare

a banquet for all people

As incredible as it may seem, some people turn down the invitation to the eschatological banquet. This is the case, both in the parable and in our world today. This invitation seems much less interesting than a sports event, the latest movie, or some social affair. So much of our time and energy is spent either climbing the economic ladder or just trying to keep our heads above water. Even if we are interested in the banquet, we do not seem able to afford the time and energy that it might require. And so we send our regrets: I cannot come. What a shame! We seem to have forgotten that everything is tending toward the end; all of our plans, interests and distractions will cease. Only the banquet will remain. All God asks of us is that we receive the blessings that have been prepared for us. We need not work for them. In fact, we cannot work for them on our own. All we can do is enjoy them. Enjoyment of the eschatological time of fulfilment is open to all, but guaranteed to none.

One theme seems to connect all of the readings for this Sunday, our total dependence on God. God spreads the banquet table and invites the guests; God punishes those who are indifferent to or antagonistic toward the eschatological banquet; God supplies whatever we need in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. We do not have to bargain with God, or make reservations. All we have to do is accept what God has to offer.

© Dianne Bergant CSA

“St John’s Parish community, committed to the Victorian Child Safe Standards

& acknowledges that Child Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility”

PARISH LEADERSHIP TEAM MISSION STATEMENT To lead and empower the people of our parish to work independently and use their skills

and gifts to grow the life of our faith community now and into the future.

Parish Information

Parish Information & Daily readings

Normal Weekend Mass Times at St. John’s Saturday Vigil, 6pm, then 8.30am, 9.45am, 11.15am, 5pm 9.30am St James Vermont

Parish Priest

Fr Dispin John Supported by Fr Michael Kelly, CSsR Parish Office

Visitation and Communion to the Sick & Housebound: Office hours: Closed until further notice please call for assistance

Co-ordinator: Cath Brindle 0423 065 825 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Ph: 9401 6366

Bereavement Ministry & Pastoral Care: Monika Bredhauer Parish Secretaries: Martine Giles (Monday-Wednesday & Friday)

Schools Elisa Kelesidis (Tuesday-Friday)

St John’s School, 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, 9874 1575 Principal: Mrs Verona Gridley St. James School, 51 Centre Road, Vermont, 9874 1830 RE for Government Schools:

Principal: Mr Dave Mutimer Andrew Puls—0407 352 706

Services: St Vincent de Paul Shop 2/82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood 9870 9124 - St Vincent de Paul Furniture Pick-Ups 1800 621 349 The House of Books (house next door to the Church) 9401 6306 - St Vincent de Paul Welfare Assistance 1800 305 330

Scripture Readings for week Mon: Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1 Luke 11:29-32 Tues: Galatians 5:1-6 Luke 11:37-41 Wed: Galatians 5:18-25 Luke 11:42-46 Thur: Ephesians 1:1-10 Luke 11:47-54 Fri: Ephesians 1:11-14 Luke 12:1-7 Sat: Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 12:8-12

Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 45:1,4-6 Philippians 2:15-16 Matthew 22:15-21

AMONGST OUR PARISH FAMILY

We ask for the grace and peace of Eternal life for those who have recently passed away, Eliza Turnbull, Nellie Small, Peter Tyler, Florminda Soriano, Marie Faraone and for those whose memories are sacred to us at this time especially, Anthony (Tony) Box, Flora Aquin, Therease Jansen, Joyce D’Silva, William Monserrate, Helen Monserrate, Gladys Monserrate, Florence Tomlinson, Alfred Dolphy Pinto, Margaret McKinnon, Yvonne Cluning

The Travelling Rosary will be held at the home of Beryl Fernando from Sunday 11 October —Friday 16 October. We encourage you to say the Rosary in the safety of your own home during this time.

How you can support your Parish through CoVid Lockdown Details are: 1st Collection: Account Name: St John’s Presbytery Account BSB: 083343 Account No. 515 469 035 2nd Collection: Account Name: St John’s Church Account BSB: 083347 Account No. 676 841 942 Reference field: Must have Envelope number and Surname (please contact the Parish Office if you don’t know your envelope no.) You can mail a cheque, mentioning the split between the 1st and 2nd collections. Please mention your name and envelope number. If you have any questions about this, please ring the Parish Office 9401 6366 or email: mitcham@cam.org.au. Mail to PO Box 95 Mitcham Vic 3132 During stage 4 we will not be able to pick up envelopes with cash, just keep them with you :)

PARISH OFFICE UPDATE The Parish office remains closed. If you need to contact us please call 94016366. Please leave a message if the line is busy and we will return your call. If you need to contact Fr Dispin urgently, please call him directly on 0413 683 153 or if you would just like a friendly chat.

You can email any recent death or anniversaries to be included in the Newsletter and prayed for in the Sunday Mass. Please celebrate with us our Parish Masses posted on our parish website stjohnsmitcham.com.au or on our facebook page.

Inspiration for the coming week from the Compassion & Friendship Group

Advice from a tree: Stand Tall And Proud – Go Out on a Limb – Remember Your Roots – Drink Plenty Of Water- Be Content With Your Natural Beauty

– Enjoy The View Joanne Raptis

Faith Formation, Social & Other

Nothing can Separate us from the Love of Christ It is encouraged to continue active participation in the life of the Church, through activities such as time in personal and family prayer, reflecting on the Scriptures and making a spiritual communion.

Please be aware that you can access the parish website to view the video of Fr Dispin’s Homily and Gospel of the weekend https://www.stjohnsmitcham.com.au/ or you can participate in a Mass online via http://bit.lyMassOnDemand, or www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass

Masses are livestreaming from St Patrick’s Cathedral Monday—Friday at 1pm, Saturday 8am and Sunday 11am. This is available to view on demand until one hour prior to the next scheduled Mass https://www.cam.org.au/mass

Catholic Social Teaching—What Can I Do About it here and Now?

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION by ZOOM

Parish meditation gatherings has resumed – on Zoom! We meditate fortnightly. Zoom instructions and coaching are available if needed. You are most welcome to join us. If you are interested in deepening your spirituality, or want to strengthen your connection to God, you must try this. Free of charge.

To indicate your interest: leave a message

with Chris Ryan on 9874 5940. Please include

either your phone number or email address to

enable Zoom contact. Access details will be

provided.

We hope you have been able to join us on Tuesdays and celebrate our Healing Mass together through our parish website. Special prayers will be offered at this

Mass for the healing of the sick followed by a Novena of Saint Mary MacKillop. This Mass aims to offer a gentle reflection to help us along during the week. If you know of someone who might need our special prayers or to be added to the Novena List please email the parish office mitcham@cam.org.au and leave a message for those you wish to be prayed for by Monday afternoons. Keeping you in our prayers.

Words of Hope Zoom Group

Please note this group will take a break and resume in the near future, watch this space for a return date.

The St John’s Card Making Group are keeping busy in lockdown creating beautiful cards for all occasions in particular Christmas Cards. If you would like to order cards, please contact Monika on 0438 220361 and we can arrange delivery to you.

'Pondering Grief - Reflection event via Zoom', Saturday 17 Oct 2020, 10am-1pm (AEST). Facilitated by Counsellor/Supervisor/Educator Linda Espie, this event provides the opportunity to reflect on and honour our inner life of change and transition. With creative, space and gentle guiding support, this workshop will offer a sacred place for the breadth of human experiencing and spirit to guide individual exploration. Limited to 10 participants. Cost $30. Bookings and payment via Trybooking at https://www.trybooking.com/BLUEA For more information, contact holsc@bigpond.com or tel 9890 1101.

www.heartoflife.melbourne

It’s Time to Lift Our Spirits

Sharing our gifts, recipes, & stories of hope

Hi everyone. Well it’s been a cooler week. So much for spring warmth. That disappeared quickly. We thank Bess for her wonderful contribution to our page this weekend. A tasty slice especially for these cooler days we have had. We thank you for your words and thoughts to comfort us during these challenging times that seem to keep dragging on. First of all, answers to our quiz from last week and 2 new topics: A place and a thing.

Answers to Quiz 1: Esther Quiz 2: Abraham I am a place:

I Rufus lived here I was founded in 753 BC All Jews were ordered to leave here Paul said “I must visit” here I’m in Italy

I am a thing:

I keep kings safe People sing of me I’m the greatest I drive away fear God pours me out

A Delicious Savoury Slice for 6 – A wonderful for lunch or a light evening meal. 125 g short crust pastry 1 ½ tbspns butter or oil 500 g beef mince ½ cup thinly sliced onions 1 tbspn flour 1 cup sour cream 2 eggs lightly beaten Season with paprika, salt and pepper Line a shallow tin (28cm x 18cm) with short crust pastry Heat butter in a frypan and cook onion until soft. Brown mince Add seasoning and flour. Cook for 2 minutes. Allow to cool. Mix cream and eggs together to combine. Spread meat into pastry case and top with sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 200c for 10 minutes. Reduce to 106c and bake for 20-30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve with a salad. Enjoy

Some comforting thoughts from Bess: I will trust Him” For All those feeling the effects of loss and lack of social contact with family, friends, support and community. The prayer of Isaiah (12:1-3) God is my saviour; I will trust him and not be afraid. The Lord gives me power and strength. He is my saviour. As fresh water brings joy to the thirsty, so God's people rejoice when he saves them.

Dispin, in his wonderful and uplifting sermons, often has advised us not to be overwhelmed by fear, in lockdown. The prophets of doom and gloom are very active. Isaiah’s prayer can help ward of despair which can lead to a paralysis of good works. Enjoy the week ahead everyone. May sunshine and warmer weather brighten our days. Monika

Safeguarding Committee