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.

Safeguarding

Our Motto and Vision is ‘Sharing God’s Love’. We are determined to share this love among all people. As Catholics it is our duty to care, love and nurture everyone.

At St Michael’s we foster the wellbeing and safety of all children and adults at risk. Since 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 welcomed at St Michael’s Parish. Any concerns, please contact the Safeguarding Officer on 9707 1355 or secretary@stmichaelsparish.org.au

NOVEMBER - MONTH OF REMEMBRANCE

We give thanks for those who have gone before us and we look with prayer and hope to their new life in heaven. End of November is the end of the Liturgical Year with a new year starting the First Sunday of Advent – the four-week period of preparation before Christmas.

ADVENT

Is the season that precedes Christmas. We enter a time of hopeful anticipation and joyful preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Advent and Christmas offer us the opportunity to prayerfully commemorate the birth of Jesus, to become more aware of God’s presence in our everyday lives.

Advent groups begin the week of:
Monday December 2 at 7.30pm. Tuesday December 3 at 12.00pm.
Friday December 6 after 9.30am Mass.
Please let the Parish Support Centre know if you would like to join.

MASS PARTS

Will be sung, except at 7.30am mass, so please wait. Thank you.

WHEELCHAIR NEEDED

To assist the grandmother of a parishioner who is visiting from India from November 30 until December 20. Contact the Parish Support Centre if you can help.

PARISH CHRISTMAS CAROLS

On Dec 14 in the stadium after 6.00pm Mass. Any individuals or groups that would like to join contact Peggy on 9707 4072.

MILITARY ORDINARIATE COLLECTION

$820.30 was donated, thank you for your generosity.

PIETY

God’s Word, Columban Calendar, ‘The Light’ Advent Daily Reflection. All books are available at the Parish Support Centre or Piety Stall.

PET MASS

6.00pm Saturday December 7 in the school grounds.

JUNIOR CHOIR MEMBERS

If there are any Primary or early Secondary age children who would like to join a small group to sing 2 Christmas songs at the Narre Warren North Carols by Candlelight, Sat Dec 14, please contact Angela on 0418 357 224. There will be a rehearsal Nov 10 after the 10.30am mass.

HOUSEKEEPING

Noise Level: Please remember that we are in a Sacred Space and respect other parishioners and keep your chatter to a minimum during and after mass.
Parking: We have had more complaints from our neighbours, please obey the street signs and DO NOT park over driveways. You will be booked.
Leaving before end of mass: It is very disruptive as well as disrespectful to leave mass before the final blessing. Please refrain from coming late and leaving early.
Equipment: Please DO NOT touch the heaters or sound system, as often after they have been tampered with we need to call technicians to fix them, at a cost to the church, as we are unable to correct them. They are set at appropriate levels for our church.
Doors: Please leave the doors closed as the wind causes leaves in the foyer and the heater/cooling system does not function at its full capacity.

POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR NOVEMBER

For Parents Who Have Lost a Child. “Let us pray that all parents mourning the death of a child find support in the community and receive heart’s peace from the consoling Spirit.”

DIOCESE OF SALE POSITION

A qualified accountant is required to assist the Diocesan Business Manager in the day-to-day financial operations of the Diocese and its associated entities. This is a permanent part time role of 30 hours per week with flexible days to be negotiated. The salary for the successful candidate will be based on experience, education and skill level. Applications will be open until 5.00pm Monday November 25. Further information see the Positions Vacant section of our website or contact Mary Winter (Diocesan Business Manager) by email at maryw@sale.catholic.org.au

CARITAS AUSTRALIA’S LEBANON CRISIS APPEAL

Communities are being devastated by conflict and economic instability, leaving countless families without access to basic needs like food, water, and medical care. Our Caritas Australia partners on the ground are doing everything they can, but they desperately need your help. Please donate today to help supply essential items such as food, shelter, and medical aid, as well as long-term support to rebuild communities. caritas.org.au/lebanon or 1800 024 413

INVITATION TO AN ECUMENICAL ADVENT CONVERSATION

Bishop Richard Treloar, Anglican Bishop of Gippsland and Bishop Greg Bennet, Catholic Bishop of Sale invite clergy and lay people from both Dioceses to join them for an Advent Conversation. A seasonal study of Old and New Testament passages drawn from our common lectionary alongside some of the great Advent Themes. This will be held from 10.00am - 3.30pm on November 29. Morning tea and a light lunch will be served. Cost - $25.00per person. RSVP by November 22. Venue: The Abbey, Raymond Island. Bookings essential to: info@theabbey.org.au See flyer.

"HE LOVED US": POPE FRANCIS' NEW ENCYCLICAL ON THE HUMAN AND DIVINE LOVE OF THE HEART OF JESUS CHRIST

Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical, Dilexit Nos ("He Loved Us"), explores the tradition and ongoing relevance of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This powerful message calls for a renewal of authentic devotion, reminding us of the tenderness of faith, the joy of service, and the fervour of mission. To read the encyclical click https://tinyurl.com/24ju4vwh

YARRA THEOLOGICAL UNION INFORMATION SESSION

Online information session to study in 2025. November 13, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Register at trybooking.com/CUZGK Information: 9890 3771

REFLECTION – Greg Sunter

The whole of chapter 13 in the Gospel of Mark is devoted to a discourse about the future. In the section preceding this week’s passage, Jesus has foretold the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Jerusalem. He has also predicted war on a massive scale and the persecution of his followers. Now, in this passage, Jesus predicts the return of the Son of Man and the fulfilment of the kingdom of God.

In the midst of this despair and fear, the followers of Jesus are challenged to remember the teachings of the one they follow. This passage is written for them as an encouragement to not give up in the face of what appears to be overwhelming odds. It is a call to hope. Although we can understand the context in which it was originally written, we are also challenged to apply its message of hope and perseverance to our own lives.

Historical Context – 70 CE
In 66 CE a Jewish revolt against Roman occupation began in Caesarea and soon spread to most of the country. By the year 68 the sheer weight of Roman numbers had stamped out a lot of the rebellion. The leaders of the revolt rallied again in Jerusalem and in the year 70 the Roman armies laid siege to the city for several months. Finally, Titus, the emperor Vespasian’s son, led an assault on the city and the Romans ransacked and burnt the entire city. The treasures of the Temple were looted and the Temple itself – the very centre of Jewish religion – was destroyed. The destruction of the Temple surely marked the coming of the end times – the day of judgment and completion of this world.

Living the Gospel – People of Hope
Whilst the community who were the intended audience of the Gospel of Mark were expecting the return of Jesus and the end times to occur during their lifetimes, nearly two thousand years later we realise that wasn’t the case. Today, as in Mark’s time, many people approach the future and change with fear and apprehension. As Christian people we are called to be optimistic and hopeful as we approach the future. We know that God is good, that God loves us unconditionally and that God has a dream for us. That is the simple basis of Christian hope.