PARISH PRAYER

St Michael the Archangel,
patron of our parish, be with us as we strive
to be faithful to our Baptismal call,
to love God and our neighbours.
Spread your protective wings over us
and our entire parish.
Protect us from fear, lies and everything
that prevents us from experiencing
God’s love for us in all its fullness.
Help us to always choose what is
good, right, and true and nurture within us
the courage, love, and respect
we need to face our fears
and to protect all of God’s creation. Amen.

SAFEGUARD

St Michael’s Parish fosters the wellbeing and safety of all children and adults at risk. We take the safety of our young and vulnerable parishioners seriously, we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to abuse. All our parishioners have the right to feel safe and welcome at St Michael’s Parish. Any concerns, please contact the Safeguarding Officer, Dorota Shields, on 9707 1355 or secretary@stmichaelsparish.org.au

for more information check out cdsale.org.au/safeguarding

ST MICHAEL’S PARISH WILL CELEBRATE THE ‘40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY’ OF THE CHURCH WITH A PARISH RETREAT

BUILDING COMMUNITY- A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Emmaus Spirituality Ministry:

Geradine Naismith, Theresa Denny & Peter and Christine Webb: Jesuit Ignatian Spirituality Australia (JISA)

Friday May 3 Evening @ 7.00 – 9.00pm (Light Supper from 6.00pm)
Saturday May 4 9.30am finishing with Mass @ 6.00pm (Meal to follow) (BYO Lunch to share)

Pope Francis:
‘The Father, through the mission of the Son and the gift of the Spirit, involves us in a dynamism of communion and mission that moves us from the “I” to the “we” and places us at the service of the world.’
‘...the charisms of the laity represent distinct gifts to the church from the Holy Spirit that must be called forth, recognised and fully appreciated.’ ‘Our synodal path shows the need for relational renewal and structural changes.’

ANZAC DAY

Commemorates the sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand service men and women who have died in the service of our great nations.
LEST WE FORGET

MIGRANT MASS

St Michael’s will host this wonderful occasion on Sunday September 29 for all our different cultures to come together and celebrate the diversity of our Diocese. Please contact the Parish Support Centre if you would like to join the committee to help organise the event. Thank you.

JUNIOR LEGION

Welcomes any new members. Aimed at children from 6 to12 years old and held on a Saturday at 4.30pm, in the Parish Support Centre. Prayer, Catechesis, and activities.

EUCHARISTIC & VACUUMING ROSTER

Will be prepared shortly to begin in June. Many long-term ministers are unable to continue so your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Training will be given to ensure you feel comfortable with the role. If you are able to join this ministry or your availability has changed, contact Geraldine at the Parish Support Centre. Thank you.

We only have a small number of volunteers for the vacuuming roster, so please consider volunteering, if you are available to help, or if your current circumstances have changed, contact Geraldine at the Parish Support Centre. Thank you.

THE GREAT ADVENTURE BIBLE STUDIES

‘The Kingdom Yet to Come’ by Jeff Cavins and Thomas Smith begins on May 3 with 10 Sessions. More info: gennysilvapulle@hotmail.com or Brian D‘Oliveira mobile 0422 386 310.

MOTHERS WHO PRAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE

On Saturday April 27 at the Catholic Leadership Centre, East Melbourne. Keynote speakers: Archbishop Peter Comensoli, Fr Rob Galea and our Foundress Angela Abdo who will be coming from Brazil. There will be live music and the opportunity to experience prayer and adoration with mothers from the movement. Anyone with a mother's heart is welcome. Please contact Mary on 0417 391298 or motherswhoprayfortheirchildren.com For ticket go to: Book here This is a fully catered for, full-day event.

CONGRATULATIONS

John McMahon for winning the Lindsay King Art Award at the 2024 Casey’s Community Awards, as member of the Berwick and District Woodworkers Club. John has recently prepared a proposal for the establishment of a National Woodcraft Collection and Exhibition Centre to be located in Berwick.

POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR APRIL

That the dignity and worth of women be recognised in every culture and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.

EARTH DAY APRIL 22

Pope Fracis encourages us to look after our earth in any way we can. ‘We can each contribute in our own small way. “We need not think that these efforts are not going to change the world. They benefit society, often unbeknown to us, for they call forth a goodness which, albeit unseen, inevitably tends to spread” (Laudato Si’, 212).

In this Easter season of renewal, let us pledge to love and esteem the beautiful gift of the earth, our common home, and to care for all members of our human family. As brothers and sisters, which we are, let us together implore our heavenly Father: “Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth” (cf. Ps 104:30).

MEMORIAL WALL

Is located on the external wall of the Church behind the Tabernacle. If you would like to order plaque forms are available in the foyer or contact the Parish Support Centre.

MYSTAGOGIA MASS

Will be celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennet at St Thomas the Apostle church, Clyde North on May 11 at 6.00pm. This Mass of Thanksgiving is a fitting conclusion to the formal journey of RCIA each year. The newly baptised and those received into full communion in the church are especially invited to attend, with their Sponsors, families, team members and parish members.

JOURNEYING WITH MARY

Diocesan Day of Devotion to Mary on May 11 at Our Lady Help of Christians, 9.15am-2.00pm.

ST MARY'S MAFFRA CHURCH CENTENARY

Will be celebrated on Sunday April 28 with a Mass at 11.00am followed by lunch at the Parish Hall. RSVP to 5147 1921 for catering purposes.

PARENTS PRAYER GROUP

At Rivercrest on a Tuesday morning at 8.45am in the Reflections Café. Further info: andria.vanotterloo@rivercrest.vic.edu.au or Cheryl.lees@rivercrest.vic.edu.au All welcome.

ST VINCENTS SOUP VAN

Are you keen to volunteer to make a significant impact in our local community? St Vinnies Soup Van services the communities of Berwick, Narre Warren, Hampton Park, and Cranbourne by providing nutritious meals and compassion to those in need. We are currently recruiting volunteers to assist in either preparing and cooking meals and/or distributing meals and pantry items at our regular distribution stops. We operate out of the kitchen at St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield, distributing meals on Sunday and Thursday evenings and a pantry run fortnightly on Tuesdays.

There is no greater reward than seeing the immense difference you can make to the lives of others who are in dire need, as witnessed on each and every soup van run. If this is something you might be interested in, please collect a pamphlet from the church foyer with more information or email Jo: berwick.sv.pres@svdp-vic.org.au

DIGNITAS INFINITA ON HUMAN DIGINITY

Australian Catholic bishops have acknowledged the release in Rome of the document, Dignitas Infinita.

" Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may ever encounter." Media release and the full document visit cdsale.org.au/news

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY

Is traditionally celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The seminary in Sydney is called Good Shepherd in the suburb of Homebush. It was established in 1996 for men in formation for diocesan priesthood for the dioceses of New South Wales. Its origins go back to St Patrick’s Manly, established in 1889.

In 1923, the Archbishop of Melbourne, Daniel Mannix, founded Corpus Christi College in Werribee. It was to be the provincial seminary for Victoria and Tasmania. From Werribee (now Werribee Park), the site of the College moved to Glen Waverley (now the Police Academy), Clayton and is currently in Carlton, where Anthony Nguyen recently entered his first year for our Diocese.

As Vocations Director of our Diocese, I helped recruit Anthony from Vietnam for the Sale Diocese. He was already generously pursuing a vocational path to priesthood and sensed a call from God to serve overseas. Many of you have met him in recent months and been impressed, as I have, with his exuberance and enthusiasm. Please continue to pray for him and all the seminarians.

Fr Michael Willemsen