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.

“HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN” L.A.M.P. EVENT

The Jubilee of Youth Pilgrimage will take place on Saturday July 19, beginning with registration at St Michael’s Stadium at 10.30am and finishing at 9.00pm at Our Lady Help of Christians, Narre Warren.

Various activities throughout the day including: Walk to Wilson Botanic Park, lunch. Adoration, Mass celebrated by Bishop Greg. Dinner, Jesus Youth in Concert.

Open to Junior Pilgrims Year 7-9 Senior Pilgrims Year 10-12 Young Adult Pilgrims 18+

For registration scan code or see flyer.

FAREWELL TO OUR PASTORAL ASSOCIATE

On Sunday June 15 we will be having morning tea after 10.30am Mass to thank Peggy Harvey for her care of our parish and to wish her well in her retirement. The cuppa will be in the Stadium. If you are able to help with catering (finger food and slices), please contact the Parish Support Centre. All welcome.

PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES

Ready for collection in the foyer.

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS

Winter 2025 Magazine is available in the foyer.

REINTRODUCING THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

Please note that in regard to child safety it will be the parents’ responsibility to prevent their children from receiving the Precious Blood if that is their decision. Furthermore, we would like to remind you that it is also the parents’ responsibility to ensure the children who haven’t yet received their First Communion, refrain from taking the Body and Blood of Christ. If you are not receiving the Blessed Sacrament please indicate this to the minister by placing your arms crossed with hands on opposite shoulders.

INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

30 people attended! It was remarkable for a first session. Everyone engaged so deeply in meditation. All were seeking something to deepen their practice of prayer. Thank you to everyone that attended. If you missed out, it is not too late to join.

Meditation is an ancient form of prayer which aims is to bring the distracted mind to silence and stillness, and rest in the presence of God. All welcome to try this form of prayer, free admission.

Tuesday 27 May John Main’s Guidance and Rediscovery
Tuesday 03 June The Roots of our Tradition
Tuesday 10 June The Wheel of Prayer
Tuesday 17 June Leaving Self Behind
Tuesday 24 June The Fruits of Meditation

Groups will be held at the Parish Support Centre from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. To book: secretary@stmichaelsparish.org.au or call the Parish Support Centre.

READERS & PIETY ROSTERS

Will be prepared shortly. If you would like to join this ministry or your availability has changed, contact Geraldine at the Parish Support Centre. Thank you.

YEAR OF JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Jubilee of Lay Ministers and Leaders to be held at St John’s Trafalgar on June 15 at 2.00pm. A Liturgy of Blessing for Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Baptism and Sacrament Teams, Parish Pastoral Workers, Parish Community Volunteers and Leaders of Parish Committees. The Service of Blessing will be followed by afternoon tea. All welcome. RSVP to the Parish secretary by May 31-03 5633 1166 Jubilee of Clergy at Leongatha, Friday, June 27 at 4.00pm. Bishop Greg will celebrate a Mass joined by clergy, religious, and pilgrims from across the diocese.

COMPUTER AND COLLECTION MINISTRY

Does not have an organised roster so feel free to volunteer if you are able and help is required at Mass.

ASSISTANT PARISH SECRETARY

Position is available at the St Agatha’s Parish Office Cranbourne. The primary purpose of this role is to provide secretarial and administrative support to the Parish Secretary, for a copy of the full position description contact the Parish Office via email or 5996 1985. This is a permanent part-time position, working three days per week, from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Occasional work outside regular office hours may be required on a voluntary basis. Applications to be emailed, by June 5, to the Parish Priest at parishoffice@stagathas.org.au Applications should include a cover letter and a current resume.

SRI LANKAN MASS

Will be held every 4th Sunday of the month at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Keysborough at 5.00pm.

CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

Engaging Your Faith (EYF) is a series of short, online presentations that invite participants to reflect on what it means to be people of faith in the contemporary world. Experienced academics from Catholic Theological College present on a variety of topics such as: science and faith issues including AI, Vatican II, Blessed Virgin Mary, Scriptures, religion and ethics, and Jubilee of Hope. F or more information click here

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS

Opportunity to recharge your relationship ‘batteries’ and explore the nature of your relationship. October 3-5, Live-in Weekend, Tooleybuc Motor Inn, Tooleybuc and October 10-12, Live-in Weekend, St Paul's Retreat Centre, Wantirna South, For more information, email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au

EVANGELISATION: ENCOUNTER, DISCIPLESHIP, MISSION

A biblical theological reflection for all Catholics (a statement of the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry), designed booklet to be launched in coming weeks.

EVANGELISE

An online video library of Australian evangelisation resources. (evangeliseplus.com.au)

CARRYING FORWARD THE PLENARY COUNCIL

A local reflection tool for considering the Plenary Council decree introductions

BECOMING CATHOLIC

A website for those wanting to learn more about the Catholic faith. (becoming.catholic.au)

DISCOVERING GOD AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CATHOLIC

A resource for enquirers of the Catholic faith. Discovering Prayer: a 30-day prayer journey of encountering God. N.B. those who are not Catholic and are enquiring about our faith can order free copies of both Discovering God and Discovering Prayer via becoming.catholic.au

STAY UPDATED ON DIOCESAN EVENTS

There are many exciting events happening across our Diocese. Stay informed and up to date by visiting the Diocesan Events Page. It’s a great resource to find details on upcoming celebrations, gatherings, and important dates. Visit: cdsale.org.au/events

REFLECTION – Dianne Bergant CSA

The Feast of the Ascension is really a kind of liminal moment in the Easter season. It is a time between times; a moment when we have left one place but have not yet arrived at a second. While the narratives that describe the Ascension fit well into the unfolding story of redemption, the feast celebrates the exaltation of Jesus. The readings allow us to focus on this theological point while we commemorate a turning point in the life of the church. We do this by considering the enthronement of Christ in the heavens and the new body of Christ on earth.

Many of the Easter accounts have directed our attention to the appearances of Jesus which were intended to strengthen the Christians' belief in his bodily resurrection.

Today we stand awestruck, watching Jesus ascend into the clouds of heaven, there to be enthroned at the right hand of God. Today is a day to be overwhelmed by the reality of the divinity of the one whom we have known in his humanity.

Christ who ascended into heaven in his body carries on what he began on earth through his new body, the community of believers. He teaches through its apostles and evangelists. He ministers through its prophets and pastors. We have not been left alone; we have his power, the same power with which he performed marvels when he walked the earth. We have not been left alone; we have each other. Together we make up the new body of Christ.