We remember those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur about this time including Sean Dineen Michael Muratore, Reginald Vandenberg  

We pray for those who are sick including, John Seet, Max Byers, John Ramsdale,  David Lively, Milan Sunil, Helen Boon, Clyde Dias, Michael Bakker  Philomena Molloy, David Gudgeon and Lyn Hardidge.

BAPTISMS:

Next Baptism Prep is  Feb  2nd, 2020 at   2:45 pm

GOODBYE TO FR. FRANCIS:

 Fr Francis has been with us since August 2019. This weekend will be his last week here with us. As a thank you to father we will have a goodbye cuppa after each of the masses today in the parish hall. Please bring a plate to share.

FOR OUR CHILDREN

*BRINGING CHILDREN TO OUR MOTHER, ONE HAIL MARY AT A TIME:*

On the third Saturday of every month, Rosary prayers by the kids and Youth would be offered in St.Patricks Parish, Pakenham, near the mother Mary statue inside the church from 5:15 pm to 5:45 pm.

We all get together with our children and each family does one decade.

Kids shall lead the prayers and we would help them if they need any assistance.

The next children’s rosary would be held on Jan 18.

Note: We request parents to be present with their children for the rosary offering and not just drop the kids off and leave.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: 

is when the children leave the congregation during the Liturgy of The Word to celebrate and reflect on the Sunday Gospel and readings in an age appropriate way. The children are led through prayers, readings and discussions that are adapted to their level of understanding. The children return to the congregation to celebrate The Liturgy of The Eucharist.

Attending Mass together is a part of being a Catholic Family, while Children’s Liturgy of the Word

allows children to enter the celebration more fully by catering to their needs. Parents can also assist children to engage more fully in the Sunday Gospel by looking up the weekly readings prior to attending Sunday Mass.

AN ECUMENICAL LENTEN CONVERSATION:

An Invitation from Most Reverand Patrick O Regan and The Right Reverand Dr Richard Treloar, Anglican Bishop of Gippsland to join in a lenten conversation at The Abbey, Raymond Island on Friday 21st Feb 2020 from 10:00 am till 3:30 pm. The reflections will be led by two outstanding theological scholars, The Revd. Professor Mark Lindsay, Professor of Historical Theology Trinity College theological school, and Dr Francis Baker RSM, Senior Lecturer in Moral Theology and Systematic Theology, CTC. The Abbey is an Anglican retreat and conference Centre on Raymond Island linked by ferry to the nearby township of Paynesville on the Gippsland Lakes. There is a catering Charge of $20. Please contact the parish office for more information.

ST PAT’S WOMEN’S SEWING GROUP:

Who are we?

We are a sewing group that welcomes women of many cultures to come together to make, mend and create whilst enjoying each other’s company. We meet to break down barriers and to learn from each other, we share experiences and that helps to reduce isolation and help prevent sadness and depression.

We meet on Thursdays from 11 am till 3 pm during school term however we are planning to have an informal meet and greet on Thursday 23^rd January for anyone interested in joining our group.

Why not come along and check us out, bring your machine if you want Cheryl to check it over. We will be meeting in the Library Room of St Pat’s. Contact Mary Craven at the church on 5941 7315 or Cheryl on 0417 124 881

PASTORAL LETTER TO PARISH AND SCHOOL COMMUNITIES:

East Gippsland Bushfire Response

We are very aware of the immense suffering and loss which has occurred as a result of the bushfires in East Gippsland, the Eastern Mission of our Diocese, over the New Year period.

With lives, homes, livelihoods, stock and wildlife lost through this natural disaster, our hearts go out to all who are suffering.

We acknowledge the significant work of all involved in the ongoing firefight and the relief and recovery process.

The efforts of the local fires brigades have been heroic and the support by the other organisations, government and volunteer, has been enormous and somewhat unprecedented.

Our priority is supporting the East Gippsland communities directly affected and working with local authorities, particularly through Vinnies and Catholic Care, in partnership with other agencies, for the long term.

Vicar General, Rev Peter Slater visited the Bairnsdale relief centre this week. Fr Michael Willemsen, Parish Priest for the Parishes of Orbost, Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale has been at the Bairnsdale relief centre over much of the last week, supported by his parish terms. These Parishes’ territories include seriously impacted communities such as Mallacoota, Buchan, Cann River, Sarsfield, Nowa Nowa and Omeo.

Members of these East Gippsland Parishes are heavily involved in the firefight and recovery and have assisted in many ways including welcoming the displaced into their homes.

The Dioceses of Sale Catholic Education Office (CEOSale) is working directly with School communities, through School Principals, in the affected areas to ensure supports are in place for school families who may have been impacted as they prepare to return for the new school year.

Director of Catholic Education, Maria Kirkwood, has specifically noted the need for ongoing support, beyond the initial crisis period, for families and school community members who may have been impacted. Senior staff of CEOSale are communicating directly with the Victorian Department of Education to ensure a coordinated response to Schools and school communities.  

To date, thankfully, we have not lost any parish or school buildings to the fires.

Fr.Slater noted that God’s love and care has been shown through the outpouring of support through the actions of local community members, emergency responders from across Australia, and indeed worldwide support, towards those who need assistance at this time.

Many of those impacted are visitors to the Dioceses who will return home after a traumatic experience; we pray for them as they begin an unexpected recovery journey.

Those wishing to donate money for the relief and recovery in East Gippsland are encouraged to donate to Vinnies and Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF), as these two organisations are in a position to provide timely support where it is most needed. (See Links below)

parishes across the dioceses, not impacted by this event, are encouraged to take up a collection directed to these two charities at all weekend masses, on at least one occasion, between now and Australia Day.

We continue to pray for the safety of those continuing to fight the fires and for all those affected as they are supported through their journey of recovery.

Yours in Christ,

Rev Fr Peter Slater                               Ms Maria Kirkwood

Vicar General                                        Chief Executive Officer

Catholic Dioceses of Sale                    Dioceses of Sale

                                                                Catholic Education Office Ltd

. Vinnies Victoria Bushfire Appeal: https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-vic/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-vic

Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund https://www.gerf.org.au/donate/

THERE WILL BE A LEAVING COLLECTION AFTER EACH MASS THIS WEEK AND NEXT 

2020 STRENGTH  IN  WEAKNESS CONFERENCE:

Saturday 15 February 2020, 9:00 am – 6:30 pm, 400 City Road, Southbank (Planetshakers Centre) A day of prayer and renewal for all Christians to come together and be strengthened and encouraged in their faith. Encouraged by Pope Francis’ message that we are all called to be saints, the underlying theme of the conference is to rely solely on God’s grace and strength – especially in times when your faith could be questioned and challenged. Guest speakers will include Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Fr Augustine Vallooran V.C, Lenyce Willason, Fr Ken Barker MGL & Lalith Perera.

We invite everyone to this free event. If you are interested in participating, please register online. For more information & free registration visit www.strengthinweakness.com.au

PADDY’S KITCHEN:

Next meal and companionship is January 19th 2020     Doors open 5:30 pm for a 6:00 pm meal  Please feel welcome to come and enjoy a 2- course hot meal if you are struggling or finding it hard to make ends meet, or maybe just in need of some company. 

PLENARY COUNCIL UPDATE:

Have you been a part of the Plenary Council process of listening, prayer, dialogue and discernment?  Do you feel called to express your interest in being a delegate from our diocese?  Speak with your Parish Priest, school principal or agency leader today about the details.  Expressions of Interest due by January 25^th 2020.  Calendar Dates for Delegates

Any person who expresses their interest in being called by our diocese to be a delegate to the Plenary Council must be available for the following dates:

1. Preparation and formation days for Delegates: Choose ONE of the following four dates:
   
   5. Melbourne: Thursday 5.00 pm June 18^th 2020 – Saturday 12.00 pm June 20^th 2020
   6. Brisbane: Thursday 5.00 pm June 25^th 2020 – Saturday 12.00 pm June 27^th 2020
   7. Sydney: Thursday 5.00 pm July 16^th 2020 – Saturday 12.00 pm July 18^th 2020
   8. Perth: Thursday 5.00 pm July 23^rd 2020 – Saturday 12.00 pm July 25^th 2020
2. Plenary Council General Assembly 1: Sunday 2.00 pm October 4^th 2020 – Sunday 12.00 pm October 11^th 2020
3. Plenary Council General Assembly 2: Monday 12.00 pm June 28^th 2021 – Saturday 12.00 pm July 3^rd 2021

Anyone who cannot be available for all of these dates is ineligible.

  CHURCH CLEANING  

17/1  P.Pereira & C George 24/1 R Dias, M. Weliwatte

    FINANCE MATTERS: 

Last week   PG   $ 1586.60     Loose    $908.55     House  $669.00

This week   PG   $ 1374.00     Loose    $820.85     House  $690.15