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secretary@parishofsouthyarra.org.au
LATEST!
EASING OF COVID RESTRICTIONS – NOV 22ND UPDATE (As this information is still being analyzed please stay tuned)
The Victorian Government announcement of 22nd November allows for a maximum of 150 persons for worship gatherings indoors effective Nov 23rd. With the prescribed social distancing provisions in place we calculate this would mean 60 – 70 persons in St Joseph’s and 50 persons at St Thomas’.
9 am Sunday Mass at St Thomas’ has resumed, Limited numbers may be admitted so contact the office should you wish to attend Mass. (Our weekday Mass schedule has also resumed.)
ZOOM CONFERENCE FR PERCIVAL SEVARE OSA
For our final Zoom Conference on Tuesday November 24th at 7pm Fr Percival has agreed to join us for a session and address us on the topic, “What has our faith meant to us during this time of pandemic?‘ . Meeting: 5109062166 Passcode: 430540
PARISH SUNDAY MASSES
This weekend we are conducting a poll on Zoom Masses. You may either participate during the Zoom Masses this weekend or email us with your opinions. See the Poll options here.
We continue to stream two weekend masses, the Vigil Mass 6 pm (Sat) from St Joseph’s and the 10.30 am (Sun) again from St Joseph’s .
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5109062166
Passcode: 430540
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER
The Parish Council met November 18th and discussed the following matters:
- Vote of thanks to Fr Tony Banks for his time in the parish.
- The future of our Zoom live stream Masses.
- Welcome and induction of new Council members Mary Greene & Annie Shi.
- Planning for Advent and Christmas.
- Progress on revival of Parish Chronicle quarterly magazine.
- Financial report and update on Arnold St cottage renovations.
- Update on situation of Augustinian clergy availability December, Christmas.
MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
Those who wish to have deceased family members remembered at masses may ring the parish office, send us an email or return one of the November Envelopes left at the church doors or from your set of Thanksgiving envelopes. Books of Remembrance are now available for use in the churches.
WEEKDAY MASSES
Lunch-time masses have resumed at St Thomas’ at 12.45 pm Tue-Friday. Masses at St Joseph’s Tuesday to Friday at 10 am will be live streamed from the church. But numbers able to attend in person are limited.
Use the same Zoom details as for Sundays.
SUNDAY KID’S BULLETIN
The Kids’ Bulletins are a resource for Catholic kids who would like to have some fun while learning about the readings from the Sunday Mass every week. See this week’s bulletin here.
ZOOM CONFERENCE – WITH FR MICHAEL SULLIVAN OSA
Fr Michael Sullivan has kindly agreed to spend an hour with us from Vietnam on our next Zoom Conference Thursday November 12th at 7pm. It will be a great opportunity to hear about his first year in his new missionary assignment.
MISSION SUNDAY APPEAL
“The Joy of the Lord is your Strength”
This weekend our parish will be holding the annual Catholic Mission Church Appeal. This year we are invited to partner with the Church in Cambodia, which is reaching out to those who have been affected by disability and giving them hope and support to live a fulfilling life. Donate here.
POPE’S NEW ENCYCLICAL RELEASED
Following the official signing of the document in Assisi on Saturday October 3rd the much-anticipated new encyclical “On the Fraternity and Social Friendship” is now available to read here.
Memorable quotes from “Fratelli Tutti”
- “We need to develop the awareness that nowadays we are either all saved together or no one is saved. Poverty, decadence and suffering in one part of the earth are a silent breeding ground for problems that will end up affecting the entire planet.” (No. 137)
YAM Spring Zoom Conference Tuesday October 13th
‘Are you getting your spiritual nourishment during COVID?’. Hosted by YAM, this session is in a Q&A format, and discusses various topics. We look forward to the insights of Patrice Moriarty, who leads the Social Justice Office at the Diocese of Parramatta. The session may be viewed on Facebook Go to this link
BISHOPS’ OPEN LETTER TO THE PREMIER
The four Catholic bishops of Victoria have petitioned the state government to consider the matter of fairness with regard to numbers permitted in a premises under stage three restrictions. Read the letter here.
SJOS COMBINED PARISHES RAFFLE WINNERS 2020 The winners of this year’s raffle are posted below. Sadly there were no winners from our parish. Thanks to all who generously supported the event earlier in the year. click here
ZOOM CONFERENCE TUESDAY 29TH SEP 7PM
Our conference featured a young Augustinian priest in Japan. Fr Futoshi Matsuo OSA was ordained in 2017 and now serves in a parish in Nagasaki, where he also teaches. The session will open a window for us on the Church in a different part of the Asia Pacific from an Augustinian perspective.
IMPORTANT UPDATE – ZOOM PASSCODE
From 27th September (this Sunday) you may be asked for a Passcode to join our Zoom meeting. Please remember daylight saving time begins this coming Saturday night!
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5109062166 Passcode: 430540
MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
This year’s theme for the Holy Father’s Message for 2020 World Day of Migrants and Refugees is: “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee”. “I have decided to devote this Message to the drama of internally displaced persons, an often unseen tragedy that the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated.” The Pope’s full message may be found here.
See Pope Francis’ Prayer to St Joseph for Migrants and Refugees here.
SOCIAL SERVICES SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH 2020
September 20th was ‘Social Services Sunday’ within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. Catholic Social Services Victoria provide resources to help our communities address the needs of those who are homeless, those suffering mental illness, those in prison, children in need of care and any who are vulnerable due to age or disability.
You may view the Social Services Sunday Prayer for Courage and Compassion here.
SELF CARE IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC
Our conference last Thursday was moderated by Rhyannon Elliott from CatholicCare, who focused on self care at this challenging time. Rhyannon has worked for CatholicCare for 17 years, most recently as the Marriage Relationship Education Manager. You may view the resources she mentioned during the talk here.
Practicing Self Compassion Irish Blessing “Renato’s Luck” by Jeff Shapiro Mindful Eating