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.

WE HAVE A NEW POPE!

Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful and the world invoking peace and pledging to work for a united Church faithful to Jesus and to the Gospel.

POSITION VACANT ST MICHAEL’S PARISH

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons with ministry and parish experience for a position within the Pastoral Team. The position is open to either a Pastoral Associate or a Pastoral Worker in a parttime capacity with a minimum of 3 days per week. The role of the successful candidate would be to work in a collaborative ministry with the Parish Administrator and the Pastoral Team, in delivering the mission and pastoral care of the parish community within the teachings of the Catholic Church. Please forward your applications by May 16 to the Parish Support Centre.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL ROLE MODELS

Lord Jesus Christ, you chose to put yourself -
tiny, needy and helpless -
into the nurturing and watchful hands
of a human mother.
Since then, every act of mothering,
both physical and spiritual,
in every time and every corner of the world
recollects Mary’s.
Inspired by this example, we, too, honour our
mothers and mother figures today.
Bless these women, that they may be
strengthened as Christian mothers and nurturers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters,
honour them always with a spirit of profound respect. Amen.

PARISH SUPPORT CENTRE CLOSURE

On Monday May 12 to attend a funeral.

GOOD SHEPHERD COLLECTION

Will be taken up this weekend.

PARISH BBQ

Thank you to St Michael’s Men’s Group for organizing our BBQ last weekend. If you wish to join the Men’s Group, contact Parish Support Centre.

REFLECTION ON THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Fr Elio Capra SDB will be presenting this informative talk. All adult parishioners are invited and parents/guardians of children receiving the sacrament this year are also strongly encouraged to attend. At St Michael’s School Stadium on May 15 at 7.00pm. click here to Register. See flyer.

LEGION OF MARY

Will be holding a recruitment drive on May 17 & 18 at all Masses. Founded in Dublin, Ireland, the Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association within the Catholic Church, dedicated to prayer, spiritual growth and service to others through Our Lady. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about its’ mission and to consider becoming part of this ministry. Members will be available after each Mass with information and to answer questions. We warmly invite you to stop by and have a chat—we’d love to meet you.

INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

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. Groups will be held at the Parish Support Centre from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Tuesday 20 May What is Christian Meditation?
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
All welcome to try this form of prayer, free admission.
To book: secretary@stmichaelsparish.org.au or call the Parish Support Centre.

MYSTAGOGIA MASS

Will be held on June 1 at 2.00pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale. This Mass of Thanksgiving is a fitting conclusion to the formal journey of RCIA each year. With refreshments afterwards (please bring a plate). Those newly baptised along with those received into full communion in the church are asked to attend, with their Sponsors, parish members, families, and Team members. Bishop Greg Bennet will be the Celebrant. Please let Peggy know by May 23, if you will be attending.

TRINITY FAMILIES’ COLLECTION

We have raised $818.65. Thank you.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTER & VACUUMING 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.

ST FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE PRODUCTION

Chicago Teen Edition, will be held at the Beaconsfield Campus. Performance dates and times: May 15 at 7.00pm, May 16 at 7.00pm, May 27 at 1.00pm & 7.00pm. Tickets: Student/Seniors $20.00 Adult: $25.00. Get your tickets here

ST AGATHA'S JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Welcomes all to join with them if you are celebrating your 25th or 50th Wedding Anniversary this year on Saturday 31st May at 11.00am Mass for a special blessing. Please contact the parish office with your details on 03 5996 1985 or email parishoffice@stagathas.org.au The Parish is hosting quite a few events during May, see flyer.

YEAR OF JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Jubilee of Workers on May 25 at St Mary’s Cowes.
Jubilee of Families & Grandparents on May 31 at St Agatha’s Cranbourne.
Jubilee of Lay Ministers and Leaders: All Lay Ministers and Leaders, in the Diocese of Sale, are invited by the communities of St John’s, Trafalgar, and St Jarlath’s, Yarragon, to St John’s on Sunday June 15 from 2.30pm.
‘Cuppa and conversation to follow’.
Further details for all celebrations to come.

MARIAN MOVEMENT FOR PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS AND LAY MEMBERS RETREAT

Will be held at the St Clement’s (Redemptorist) Retreat Centre at Galong NSW from August 18-22. The retreat is open to all Priests, Religious and Lay Members. Further information see flyer.

MAY IS TRADITIONALLY DEDICATED TO MARY

With the month being seen as a time to honour Mary, the mother of Jesus, and seek her intercession. Contrary to misconceptions, we do not worship Mary but rather we honour her.

REFLECTION – Greg Sunter

Shepherds in the first century did not have a particularly good reputation. Whilst the task itself was a responsible one, it was usually undertaken by hired help – usually young men or even boys. Being hired help, they had little allegiance to the flock and were generally regarded as basically untrustworthy and often accused of illicitly selling off the sheep’s milk and even the occasional lamb. They lived for months at a time out in the hills with the sheep; often risking their lives in defence of their flock yet still regarded with suspicion. Shepherds were held in such low regard that they could not appear in court as a witness. Yet, despite this grim picture of shepherds, Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd. With that one word, he acknowledged the reputation of shepherds but utterly dismissed it by describing himself as a shepherd – but a good shepherd. He chose to describe himself as the worst of all occupations but raised the status to unimpeachable heights.

Scriptural context – The Father and I are one
The final sentence of today’s passage has Jesus declaring, ‘The Father and I are one.’ It seems a fitting way to finish the gospel reading for liturgical use in the Easter season. However, the passage in John’s gospel continues on. Immediately upon hearing these words, the listening crowd grab rocks and are about to stone Jesus to death! They were horrified by his apparent blasphemy – claiming to be one with God. Such a bold declaration of oneness with the Father was no doubt used by the gospel writer to try to eradicate emerging questions about the divinity of Jesus.

Have you thought? Why John?
As there is no Year of John the gospel is read during the Easter season and at other specific feasts and seasons. As the synoptic gospels focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, the theological and metaphoric nature of John’s gospel is much more suited to the post-resurrection season of Easter.

Gospel Focus – Eternal life
In the gospel passage, Jesus says of the sheep that belong to him, ‘I give them eternal life.’ He does not say, I give them the promise of eternal life. The message that comes through the gospel of John is clear that eternal life is not some future existence, but rather a new way of being in the here and now. But that is not to suggest that there is not an ‘eternal’ quality to eternal life. The gospel of John makes clear that eternal life begins in the here and now but has no end.