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 isv 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.

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. All young parishioners from 13 to 30 years old are invited to a Fun and Faith filled day. For sign up scan QR code.

Following in footsteps of St Francis of Assisi, we ask that you bring 2 or more non-perishable goods, that will be donated to John Mc Foundation (started by our own St Michael’s parishioner to help our community).

L.A.M.P Volunteer Sign-Up Sheets to help on the day are in the foyer. Collection to help cover costs will be taken up this weekend.

LIVING WATER – SEASON OF CREATION

The Biblical text for this year is drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. The vision invites human responsibility - recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness. We are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well- being may flourish together.

GOOD NEWS

Notices required by 10.00am, Thursday. Thank you.

NEW ALTAR SERVERS

Are always welcome! Servers are needed for Saturday 6.00pm and Sunday 9.00am and 6.00pm Masses. Monthly training offered. Any questions please contact Tara associate@stmichaelsparish.org.au

NEPAL COLLECTION

$1,667.20 was donated, thank you for your generosity. To support the Caritas Nepal Floods Appeal, visit caritas.org.au/nepal.

MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SUNDAY

On September 27 at Our Lady Help of Christians. Mass at 1.30pm celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennet. Dress code – cultural attire. See poster.

DIOCESAN WOMEN’S EVENT

Navigating the Unseen – Women Leading with Resilience. Women from across the Diocese are invited to gather for an evening dinner and talk celebrating the strength, resilience, and expanding horizons of women in the mission of the Catholic Church. Speaker Dr. Kim Daniels-Director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University and member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication-will share insights on leadership, faith, and renewal. Wednesday, October 14, 7.00pm at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, Pakenham. $30.00 per person (includes dinner & soft drinks). Bookings essential by Oct 4. Book at trybooking.com/DOZKU See flyer.

SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT

Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division In the lead-up to Social Justice Sunday, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released its latest Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division. The bishops call on all faithful to help foster a more cohesive and peaceful Australia by cultivating a "culture of encounter"— choosing forgiveness over enmity, hospitality over isolation, and active listening across differences. To read the full statement, access resources, and watch the launch recording, visit: tinyurl.com/yc3m9d2v

THE RITUAL AND THE REASON

Exploring The Parts of The Mass. Every ritual in the Mass has a purpose. Come and learn what we do and why we do it, from the Sign of the Cross to the Final Blessing, so we can listen, respond, and be transformed by God’s presence. Sessions at Our Lady Help Of Christians: Saturday October 10, 10.00am-3.00pm and St Michael’s, Traralgon: Saturday, October 17 10.00am-3.00pm Register at cdsale.org.au/eventsor newsonline@sale.catholic.org.au

YOUTH NEWS

Archangel Meetings: October 4 meeting after 10.30am Mass, in the Parish Support Centre.

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2027: Are you 16 (01.01.2027) - 35 year-old? Would you like to attend WYD in South Korea (approx. dates July 30 to August 8, 2027). Please contact the Parish Support Centre if interested.

POPE'S PRAYER INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER

Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

BEYOND THE WEDDING THRESHOLD

A Survey for Catholics in the First Decade of Marriage. The Australian Catholic Bishops are funding a study into the experience of married Catholics. The results will help inform the development of pastoral responses and resources. If at least one spouse is Catholic and you were married in the last 10 years, by completing this short survey, you will provide valuable insights for their work. Answers are anonymous and confidential, and you can contact the researchers directly if you have any questions. thepmrc.org/survey

HOLY HOURS FOR VOCATIONS

“A prayer today... A shepherd tomorrow...”
Come and spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life across our diocese. Sunday, October 11, St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Foster. Holy Hour 10.00am-11.00am followed by Mass at 11.00 am. Saturday October 31, St Patrick’s Church, Pakenham. Mass & Holy Hour Commencing at 9.30am. All are warmly welcome to join us in prayer!

AGEING & AWAKENING - LIFE’S SURPRISING GIFTS

Will be held at St Patrick’s Pakenham weekly from October 13-27, 10.00am-12.30pm. Growing old is a unique experience, one we share with many others in society today. It is a time of life that both challenges and benefits us, a time that invites us to grow personally as we manage changes such as retirement, having more time and fewer demands, and experiencing physical and psychological limits. The ageing process is enriched if we take stock of our lives and take charge of how we might live now and into the future. Three two-hour sessions invite participants in their 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to explore the many aspects of growing older in today’s Australia. Cost $10.00 per session. Register at 5941 7315 or parishoffice@stpatrickspakenham.com.au For more information, see flyer.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE

Jubilee of St Francis of Assisi. Bishop Greg Bennet invites all parishioners across the Diocese of Sale to join in a special pilgrimage celebrating the Franciscan Jubilee Year. This sacred journey is not about physical distance, but a journey of the heart. Together, we will travel to Benambra—nestled amidst the scenic Omeo High Plains, home to the only church in our diocese dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.

Friday, October 2, 6.00pm – Transitus (St Mary’s, Bairnsdale)
Saturday, October 3, 8.30am – Morning Prayer (St Mary’s, Bairnsdale) 12.00pm– Jubilee Mass (St Francis of Assisi, Benambra) Solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop Greg and the Clergy of the Diocese. Blessing of Pets (St Francis of Assisi, Benambra) - All creatures great and small (restrained) are welcome to receive a special blessing following Mass.

Shared Lunch & Sausage Sizzle (Benambra Footyclub) - Fellowship and food for all! Please bring a plate to share. 3.00pm – Conclusion (Immaculate Conception, Omeo). Our pilgrimage draws to a close as we gather at Omeo Parish for final prayers and departure. To help the host parish at Benambra, (which is a small parish with about 10 parishioners) plan the sausage sizzle, if you are planning to attend register via the link: https://www.cdsale.org.au/year-of-saint-francis-of-assisi The link provides full details about the pilgrimage schedule, route maps, sign-up forms, and future updates. See flyer.

18TH ANNUAL MARCH FOR THE BABIES

On Saturday, October 10 at 1.00 pm at Treasury Gardens. Please call Gerardine 0425 751 297 for more details, flyers in the foyer.

CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

October 12-27. Engaging Your Faith is a series of short online presentations. For more information: ctc.edu.au/engaging-your-faith

REFLECTION - Nick Brodie

‘We are used to calculating things’, Pope Leo reflects, adding that ‘at times it is necessary – but this does not apply in love!’ This God’s endless generosity with love is the message at the heart of the parable in today's Gospel passage. As the Pope puts it, God ‘always generously gives us his word.’ God’s love comes to us without condition, before any act on our part is even possible. We can never love God before God loves us.

Because our hope is, as the Pope says, ‘founded on the rock of God’s generosity and mercy’ then we are called to be generous and merciful too. Part of that means being inclusive in our attitude towards others. Our challenge is to recognise within ourselves that God is always inviting everyone.

Our treatment of any seeker of truth should therefore reflect God's endless generosity. Our prejudices and judgments must not become obstacles to God’s love. As members of the Body of Christ we are called to generously welcome others and accept that they too are loved by God. Indeed, we are called to become an expression of God’s love to them.