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.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

During Lent - After Mass on Tuesdays morning, approximately 10.15am, and on Friday evenings at 7.15pm. All are welcome!

PROJECT COMPASSION

Irene lives in the Kongolo Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and faced immense challenges after losing her father to war and raising her children in poverty. With support from Caritas Australia, Irene received vocational training in sewing and farming and can now support her whole family.

You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion

EASTER MASS

LENTEN RECONCILIATION: Thursday April 10 at 7.30pm.
EASTER TRIDIUM - ALL IN THE CHURCH EXCEPT GOOD FRIDAY PASSION
HOLY THURSDAY: Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 7.30pm
GOOD FRIDAY: Stations of the Cross: 10.00am
(St Michael’s School Stadium) Passion Service: 3.00pm
HOLY SATURDAY: Easter Vigil: 7.30pm
EASTER SUNDAY MASSES: 7.30am, 9.00am, 10.30am, 6.00pm

THE SCRUTINIES

The Scrutinies are three special rites that help prepare the Elect, those participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), to enter the Catholic Church. They take place during the period of RCIA formation known as Purification and Enlightenment, near the end of their formation.

The season of Lent involves a more intense period of examination and preparation for the Elect, and hopefully for those of us already living the Catholic faith. Though they are meant for the RCIA Elect, the Scrutinies can help all Catholics seeking to live a life of continuous conversion. The Scrutinies are associated with three specific Gospel stories on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. Jesus encountering the Samaritan woman at the well, where He offers Himself as the Living Water, Jesus healing the man born blind, where He gives Himself as Light of the World, and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, where He reveals Himself as the Resurrection and the Life. Please keep Jacqui, Natasha, Adam, Michael, Regan and Avi in your prayers over the coming weeks.

PALM SUNDAY/EASTER ROSTERS

If you would like to help with any of the ministries, please add your name to the roster in the foyer.

PALM SUNDAY GREENERY

We require cut pieces of palms/olives/other suitable greenery for blessing on Palm Sunday. If you are able to help, please bring them in a box, already pre-cut, so as parishioners can collect them before Mass. We will need them by Friday April 11. Please let the Parish Support Centre know if you are able to help.

GOOD FRIDAY

We are looking for young parishioners (Grade 4 and above) to Read, Commentate and Altar Serve during the Passion. Please contact the Parish Support Centre. Practice times to be advised.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Any youth or young adults who would like to be involved please contact the Parish Support Centre.

STADIUM SET UP

Help is needed on Wednesday April 16, at 5.00pm, to prepare St Michael’s Stadium for Good Friday. Please contact the Parish Support Centre if you are able to assist.

COMMUNION MINISTERS NEW AND EXISTING

On Sunday April 6 after 6.00pm Mass, there will be a training for ministers who serve at Mass or visit the sick. If you would like to join our roster, please contact the Parish Support Centre. The training will be offered again on Tuesday April 15 at 7.00pm at St Patrick’s Pakenham if you are unable to attend.

ST MICHAELS TEAM

Parish donors can join the St Michael’s Berwick Parish Team via the Teams tab at lifeblood.com.au or in the app.

HONOURING CARMEL MCKENNA OAM

The new road bridge in Beaconsfield will be named McKenna Drive in memory of the late Carmel McKenna OAM, whose dedication to our community was unmatched. After community consultation, McKenna Drive was chosen from over 300 submissions as the name, reflecting the love and respect for Carmel’s legacy. Carmel and her husband Desmond were instrumental in establishing SFXC in 1978. What a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman.

MARIAN MOVEMENT FOR PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS AND LAY MEMBERS RETREAT

Will be available to purchase on March 22 & 23. These items are hand crafted in Bethlehem by Catholic families. Any purchase will help support the Catholic community in the Holy Land to improve their livelihood and support maintaining the Holy sites.

LENT 2025 ONLINE MISSION WITH BRUCE DOWNES

From April 5, we invite you to take part in an online mission, a chance to reflect, grow spiritually, and prepare your heart for Easter. It is online, easy to access, and available to everyone, families, and parish groups. Register at missionevent.thecatholicguy.com

CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

Engaging Your Faith online presentations from $25.00 per session. More information and to register.

CDF COMMUNITY FUND

Save with CDF Community Fund – it’s in everyone’s best interest. By opening a savings account or Term Investment, not only will you receive a competitive financial return, your savings will also help build parishes, classrooms, hospital wings, aged care homes and social service facilities. With competitive interest rates available across a range of savings accounts, including 5.10% p.a.* on a 6-month Term Investment, it’s a way to save while doing good. to find out more click here or speak to us on 1800 134 135.

THE POPE’S MARCH PRAYER INTENTION

That families in crisis might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.

THE JUBILEE OF THE SICK AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS

St John the Baptist parish, Koo Wee Rup invites you to for a special Healing Mass celebrated by Bishop Greg, where we will offer prayers for the sick members of our parish communities and their families on Sunday April 6, at 11.00am. This Mass will be a moment of grace and healing, where we will pray for those who are ill and acknowledge the dedication of healthcare workers who serve with compassion and care. We encourage all healthcare workers to attend in their uniforms as a sign of their vocation and the institutions they represent. We invite parishioners to send the names of sick individuals they wish to be prayed for during the Mass. Please send names to Fr. Avinash George at avinash.george@cdsale.org.au. Let us come together as a faith community to pray for healing, strength, and God’s abundant blessings in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

DIOCESAN MISSION COUNCIL MEETING

On Saturday, March 22 the Diocesan Mission Council (DMC) began by reflecting on the experiences and outcomes of the recent Diocesan Assembly. DMC members worked in groups, and as a full council, to begin drafting a Diocesan Pastoral Plan Framework for 2026–2030. Members agreed on the reasoning and purpose of the Pastoral Plan framework and began to define the pastoral goals that will form its centrepiece. The next DMC meeting will be on Saturday, May 24. A website to help Catholics celebrate the Jubilee year has been launched by the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry. Please visit pilgrimsofhope.catholic.org.au

REFLECTION - Nick Brodie

Pope Francis says that today’s Gospel parable ‘leads us to the heart of God’. On the one hand, it shows us that ‘God always forgives. We are the ones who tire of asking for forgiveness.’ What the prodigal son’s Father shows us is God’s boundless mercy. On the other hand, the parable also shows how easily we humans can slip into what the Pope calls ‘the indignation of the elder son’. If we do not see God as our merciful Father, then we can easily fall into ‘living a distant religion, made of prohibitions and duties.’ When we judge and exclude, we try to limit God’s mercy. Falling into that mindset, we lose sight of our relatedness. We can become like the resentful elder son who calls his own brother ‘this son of yours’. To combat this mindset of ‘rigidity towards our neighbour’ the Pope suggests that, like the Father, we ‘make merry and rejoice’.

We should try to ‘demonstrate our closeness to those who repent or who are on the way, to those who are in crisis or who are far away ... we have to offer them a warm welcome that encourages them to go ahead.’

In our lives, we should always treat others without judgment. And in our churches, we should always warmly welcome them home.