JUBILEE YEAR of ST FRANCIS PRAYER

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord.

You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries.

In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen

THE L.A.M.P YOUTH EVENT

At St Michael’s School Stadium, Saturday, November 21, 11.00am-4.00pm, followed by Mass, celebrated by Bishop Greg and concelebrated by Fr Confidence. For sign up scan QR code. See Poster in the Foyer.

All volunteers will be contacted shortly with assigned jobs. Thank you. Archangel Youth are looking forward to a great day!!!

WORLD YOUTH DAY2027

"Take Courage! I have overcome the world" Jn 16:33 It is time to take courage and join Bishop Greg and the young people of the Diocese of Sale as we embark on our journey to Seoul for World Youth Day 2027!

Diocese of Sale is inviting young people aged 16 years to 35 years to be a part of this pilgrimage.

If you wish to attend as either a pilgrim or a small group leader, Expressions of Interest are now OPEN and will close on Friday Dec 4. Click here to register

PARISH SUPPORT CENTRE

Will be closed on Monday November 2 and Tuesday November 3.

MEMORIAL MASS

Held in memory of those we have lost. Tuesday November 17 at 7.00pm. If you are able to attend, please feel free to bring a photo of your loved one to be displayed during this special Mass.

MILITARY ORDINARIATE COLLECTION

Will be taken up this weekend.

GOOD NEWS

Notices required by 10.00am, Thursday. Thank you.

CUPPA AFTER MASS

After 9.00am Mass has been cancelled this month.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION SESSIONS

Due to the busyness of the coming season meetings will resume in February 2027. It is beneficial to continue the practice of meditating daily to enjoy the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5: 22-23).

PIETY

God’s Word $25.00, Columban Calendar $10.00, ‘The Way of the Heart’ Advent Daily Reflection $5.00. All are available at the Parish Support Centre or the Piety Stall.

ADVENT

Precedes Christmas and is a time of hopeful anticipation and joyful preparation for the celebration of Christmas. It offers us an opportunity to prayerfully commemorate the birth of Jesus, to become more aware of God’s presence in our everyday lives.

Advent Groups will begin the week of Monday November 23. If you would like to join or feel able to lead a group, please contact the Parish Support Centre. We will advertise groups dates and times once we have leaders.

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS

Is available for collection in the foyer.

PARISH SOCIAL GROUP

Thank you to everyone who attended and enjoyed our recent get-together. Meetings will now be held on the first Monday of each month. Next meeting December 7, 12.00pm-2.00pm.

FOUND

Two silver chains, if they belong to you contact Parish Support Centre.

VOICES IN CELEBRATION

Concert will be held November 29 from 2.00pm to 5.00pm in the stadium. This afternoon of music and community will raise much-needed funds for our new sound system. Bookings can be made via TryBooking or the Parish Support Centre. See poster for details.

RAFFLE

Please contact the Parish Support Centre if you can help us out with donations for a raffle to support our sound system.

GIVING TREE

Will be up from the weekend of November 21/22. Gifts can be placed under the Christmas tree until December 06/07 to enable early distribution of gifts. As there is a lack of gift choices for teenagers SVDP has suggested gift cards or movie vouchers for this age group. Thank you. Please do not wrap presents.

POPE'S PRAYER INTENTION FOR NOVEMBER

Let us pray for the proper use of wealth, that not succumbing to the temptation of selfishness, it may always be put at the service of the common good and solidarity of those who have less.

RISEN LORD COMMUNITY RETREATS

‘Breakthrough” November 18 – 21 see flyer in foyer. All are welcome.

CCR DAY OF RENEWAL WITH BISHOP GREG

Are you spiritually exhausted, seeking deeper/inner peace, or longing for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit? Come and join us for a powerful day of prayer, praise, and transformation at this year’s Renewal Day with Bishop Greg.

Our theme is: "Come and Be Filled," inspired by Jesus’ Beatitude: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6). Come empty and leave overflowing with God's grace, love, and spiritual gifts.

Saturday, November 14, 10.00am-3.30pm at St Michael’s Church Traralgon. For more information: please contact Cathy (Traralgon Prayer Group Leader: 0432588195); Lindsay (Diocesan CCR Chair: 0432375391); or Anushka (Diocesan CCR Sec: 0436961111).

175 YEARS OF FAITH & HERITAGE IN YARRAM

Join the Parish of Yarram in celebrating 175 years of Catholic life across Gippsland. Bishop Greg Bennet will join Fr Darren Howie and diocesan clergy to celebrate a special Anniversary Mass at 11.00am on Sunday, November 15 at St Mary’s Church, Commercial Road, Yarram. Following Mass, all are welcome in the St Mary MacKillop Hall for light refreshments, a brief local history talk, an exhibition of historical memorabilia, and school tours. RSVP: Sue at suebenc57@gmail.com with any dietary requirements. Click here for more details

FAITH IN ACTION

Ahead of the 2026 Victorian election, the Bishops of Victoria have issued an election statement highlighting key issues for Catholics to consider when deciding their vote. You are invited to read the statement and prayerfully discern how your vote can contribute to the common good. click here to View the statement.

REFLECTION: Nick Brodie - Leo’s Lens

‘To welcome a person means to integrate them as if they were part of one’s own family,’ Pope Leo says, ‘offering them the opportunity to develop their gifts, abilities and sensibilities, but also to enter into the life of the household.’ While we all must attend to the oil in our lamps, we must also ensure others have opportunity to do likewise.

We live in an epoch of what the Pope characterises as ‘unprecedented encounter between peoples and cultures.’ This period, he says, ‘calls us to rediscover our roots in new and creative ways, while at the same time listening carefully to others.’

As part of that, the Pope encourages us to reflect on how we are called to serve each other for the good of all. ‘We need to commit ourselves to patient dialogue,’ he says, ‘to show courage in negotiation and to be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace.’

The Pope wants us to be true to our deepest values, open to the needs and gifts of others. In doing so, we become the illumination the world needs right now. The lamp we can light is that of kindness and compassion, humanity and common sense. Perhaps we can start by topping up the oil of welcome.

REFLECTION: Greg Sunter - Living the Gospel - Living in hope

A feature of Christian faith is an approach to life that views the future with hope. In our world today many people look to the future with distrust and even fear. As Christians, we look forward with hope. When change occurs, some allow that change to happen to them whilst others engage in the change process and approach it with hope and expectation. Today’s gospel reminds us to be ready for what the future holds; to look with hope towards what lies ahead, but to ensure that we’ve prepared ourselves properly. The future can only be viewed with expectant hope if we’ve done the proper preparation!