St. John’s Parish Mitcham 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132

(Postal: P.O. Box 95, Mitcham 3132) Email: Mitcham@cam.org.au

Website: www.stjohnsmitcham.com.au Phone: 03 9401 6366 Fax No. 03 9872 4316

The Ascension of the Lord May 24 2020—Year A

Why are you standing here, looking into the sky?

It’s a strange sort of parting, the feast of the Ascension.

It looks as if Jesus is gone forever. As if the word made flesh is now the human flesh become a divine spirit.

And his friends looked into the sky, lost, bereft, confused,

because he said he would be with them, all days even to the end of time.

It’s a strange sort of parting, because it’s a new sort of presence.

Listen to what he had said:

where two or three are gathered in my name there I am among you, those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me and I in them,

I make my home in you, make your home in me.

And these statements of presence, the real presence of Jesus

in love, in sacrament, in friendship.

Why are you standing here, looking into the sky? For the Lord we seek is among us.

Communion Reflections—Donal Neary SJ

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One of our dear parishioners, Aileen Hally, recently passed away. Due to the restrictions, Aileen’s funeral will be live streamed on Friday 22 May 2020 at 11.30am. Aileen’s family invite you to be part of the Mass by using this link:

https://www.myevent.io/aileen-hally/

The live stream will be available at this address for up to 2 weeks for those people who missed it on the day. When normal masses resume we will have Eucharistic celebrations in honour of our parishioners who have passed away during this current crisis.

“St John’s Parish community, committed to the Victorian Child Safe Standards & acknowledges that Child Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility”

Parish Information

Faith Formation, Social & Others

Normal Weekend Mass Times at St. John’s Saturday Vigil, 6pm, then 8.30am, 9.45am, 11.15am, 5pm

Parish Priest

Fr Dispin John Supported by Fr Michael Kelly, CSsR Parish Office

Visitation and Communion to the Sick & Housebound: Office hours: Closed until further notice please call for assistance

Co-ordinator: Cath Brindle 0423 065 825 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Ph: 9401 6366

Bereavement Ministry: Monika Bredhauer Parish Secretaries: Martine Giles (Monday-Wednesday & Friday)

Schools Elisa Kelesidis (Tuesday-Friday)

St John’s School, 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, 9874 1575 Principal: Mrs Verona Gridley St. James School, 51 Centre Road, Vermont, 9874 1830 RE for Government Schools:

Principal: Mr Dave Mutimer Andrew Puls—0407 352 706

Services: St Vincent de Paul Shop 2/82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood 9870 9124 - St Vincent de Paul Furniture Pick-Ups 1800 621 349 The House of Books (house next door to the Church) 9401 6306 - St Vincent de Paul Welfare Assistance 1800 305 330

Scripture Readings for week Mon: Sirach 4:11-18 John 19:25-27 Tues: Acts 20:17-27 John 17:1-11 Wed: Acts 20:28-38 John 17:11-19 Thur: Acts 22:30 23:6-11 John 17:20-26 Fri: Acts 25:13-21 John 21:15-19 Sat: Acts 28:16-20 30-31 John 21:20-25 Pentecost Sunday Genesis 11:1-9 Romans 8:22-27 John 7:37-39

AMONGST OUR PARISH FAMILY

We ask for the grace and peace of Eternal life for those who have recently passed away, Aileen Hally and for those whose memories are sacred to us at this time especially, Tristan Eddy, Richard Vernal, Anthony Richard Vernal, Barry Thomas, Cecilia Lentijas, Jose Manansala, Monica Manansala, Nicoline Almedia.

The Travelling Rosary will be held at the home of Marlene & David Rae from Sunday 24 May—Friday 29 May. We encourage you to say the Rosary in the safety of your own home during this time.

Inspiration for the coming week from the Compassion and Friendship Group

“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.”

Jane Austen

PARISH OFFICE OPERATION

For general enquiries please contact the Parish Office on 9401 6366 or alternatively email mitcham@cam.org.au and a member of the Parish Team will respond to your query. If you need to contact Fr Dispin urgently, please call him directly 0413 683 153.

Parish News for the weekly Newsletter

The Parish Newsletter which will be posted on the parish website each week. Please feel free to email the parish office any parish news, recent deaths or anniversaries of loved ones and want to share.

‘1st Collection and Stewardship Envelopes’

If you are concerned about giving to the 1st Collection or “Stewardship Program” via Envelopes whilst masses are suspended , please call or email the Parish office so we can go through the options with you.

Parish Office a call on 9401-6366 or email: mitcham@cam.org.au

NEW LITURGY ROSTER

Even though our roster is not functioning at the moment, a new one for 2020/2021 needs to be drawn up. If there is any one who would like to come on the roster as Lector/commentator or Special Minister we would love to hear from you. Any new person will need to acquire a Working with Children Check. The Parish office will explain the procedure. There may be someone who feels the need to come off the roster and we will reluctantly accept this. Please contact Tricia Spencer, 9872 4903 with your requests.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL DRIVE BY FOOD DRIVE

Our Team continues to provide emergency food aid to people in our area. We need food donations to help continue this work.

From Tuesday through to Friday between 10am till 2pm, the garage behind the Parish Office will be open for food donations.

You will be able to drive in and drop off food donations in the plastic bins in the garage.

The priority items we need are rice, pasta, pasta sauce, coffee, tins of soup, breakfast cereal, long life milk, biscuits.

Faith Formation, Social & Other

Nothing can Separate us from the Love of Christ It is encouraged to continue active participation in the life of the Church, through activities such as time in personal and family prayer, reflecting on the Scriptures and making a spiritual communion. Please be aware that you can access the parish website to view the video of Fr Dispin’s Homily and Gospel of the weekend https://www.stjohnsmitcham.com.au/ or you can participate in a Mass online via http://bit.lyMassOnDemand, or www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass Masses are livestreaming from St Patrick’s Cathedral Monday—Friday at 1pm, Saturday 8am and Sunday 11am. This is available to view on demand until one hour prior to the next scheduled Mass https://www.cam.org.au/mass We are pleased to share that during this time of physical isolation due to COVID-19, the 11am Sunday Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral will continue to be televised free to air on C31 (often listed as Channel 44 on digital TVs) as well as live streamed on our website and YouTube channel. We invite you to share the news widely, particularly with those who might be limited to TV viewing

CHILD SAFETY

To view our Safeguarding Children & Young People Code of Conduct, go to stjohnsmitcham.com.au

Catholic Social Teaching—What Can I Do About it here and Now?

During this period of self isolation and social distancing, the Parish Office and Fr Dispin will be sending out emails to keep Parishioners updated, if you are not receiving emails and would like too, please email the Parish office and we will update your details accordingly.

New Date for Draw of Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle supporting “Lifeboat Foundation” to provide support to established victims of church-related sexual abuse Due to the current restrictions imposed by the Victorian Government, application has been made and approval received for an extension/postponement of the 2020 Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle to the following dates: Draw Date: 26 September 2020 at 7.15pm, Draw Venue: 2 Taylors Lane, Rowville (St Simon’s Church) Publication of Winners Date: 30 September 2020

Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill have scheduled a Virtual Information Evening on Monday 25 May from 7pm-8pm which will allow families to attend a live-stream virtual tour of the College accessed via Zoom. Visit the website to book www.sion.catholic.edu.au

Heart of Life—‘Meditation & Mindfulness—Reflection event via Zoom’ Saturday 30 May 10am-1pm facilitated by Carol Dyer. This event offers participants theory and practice in meditation and mindfulness. Join us for an opportunity to broaden your ways of accessing your inner world and listening to what God is inviting you to do at this time. Cost $20 bookings & payment via Trybooking at https://www.trybooking.com/BJNSJ email: holsc@bigpond.com Phone: 98901101

Congratulations and best wishes to Fr Kevin Burke, who celebrates his 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Fr Burke was Assistant Priest at St John’s Mitcham from 1978 to 1981.

It’s Time to Lift Our Spirits

We invite you to contribute to our new initiative eg Household tips, Gardening Tips, Simple recipes, Sharing Stories of Hope.

Your contributions will be included on our parish website. If you would prefer, your contribution can remain anonymous.

Please send your contributions to the parish office via email: mitcham@cam.org.au or by post or please call Monika on 0438 220 361 for any queries.

Spiritual experience I confess I was not a fan of the idea of a virtual mass. I changed my mind last Sunday. Previously I felt sad at the emptiness of the church. I felt the lack of community. The lack of the Eucharist had me doubting my ability to cope with life during isolation. There were no post mass catch-ups with the regular parish groups. No laughter at Dispin’s true to life humour and no smiling handshakes at mass end.

Last Sunday thoughts of loss suddenly turned to gratitude. I felt grateful for the sight of the singers, reader, musicians all in the frame with Dispin like a mini community. During mass the camera suddenly went still and focused on a small cameo. The crucifix on the altar was surrounded by a stunning array of flowers and lit by the flickering flame of a large candle this visual gem was overwhelmed by the sun lit window backdrop depicting the glory of the risen Christ. This image will live with me forever. I realised the community is still with us.

I am grateful for the unseen parishioners who give up weekends to setup, film and dismantle so that we can have a virtual mass, which is still spiritual. There are others trying to address diminishing parish finances, while the optimists plan a parish future in a time of uncertainty. For those who feel left behind by the new technology be assured Dispin still serves the whole community with his love for parish and his vocation. His prayers are with us all. There will be an end to lockdown when we will all meet up again, as companions on the journey sharing faith, hope and charity. Bessie MacMahon

Back to school Many thanks to the staff of St Johns and St James who put in many extra hours in planning for a new method of distance learning. A NSW survey of 200 student aged 12 years asked them to describe what they disliked most about going back to school. The top dislike was – having to wear shoes. New shoes problem. We have a blister tip from a school mother of 4 students. Treat the vulnerable areas (heels and inner side foot usually) by spraying with deodorant before wear. The top like was muffins in the lunch box! Luckily we can supply a recipe!

Apple and Raspberry Muffins

Egg Mixture: Whisk together in a small bowl 1 large egg 1 cup buttermilk ¼ cup rice bran or light olive oil 1 tsp vanilla essence Dry Mixture: sift flour and sugar and add LSA 2 cups SR Flour ¼ cup caster sugar 2 tbspn LSA Mix (Linseed, Sunflower and almonds) Fruit Mixture: Mix together 1 large or 2 small Granny smith apples peeled cored and finely diced Zest of half a lemon Generous handful of frozen or fresh raspberries. Preheat oven to 180c Fan Forced Add egg mixture to flour and gently mix. DO NOT OVERMIX. Mixture should be slightly lumpy. Add fruit mixture. Divide evenly into 12 hole muffin tin lined with patty pans. Bake for approx. 20 -25 minutes or until golden brown. Stand baked muffins for a few minutes then top with lemon icing Icing; One cup of icing sugar. Zest of one lemon. Enough lemon juice to form a thick paste. Coat top of muffins with a teaspoon of icing and spread evenly. Enjoy.

It’s Time to Lift Our Spirits

Keeping Active in Isolation

“I was out walking this morning and instead of meeting my usual friends I met another friend who usually works at Monash Uni but is currently working from home. His boss has encouraged his staff to "commute to work" each morning and "return home" at the end of their day. What this means in practice is that they get ready for work in the morning, then go out for a walk, return home to do their day's work then "leave their workplace" for another walk before coming home as usual. This creates some "gearing up for work time" in the morning and some wind down time at the end of the day as well. I thought this was a very healthy initiative and might be useful for other people to incorporate into their day if they are not already doing this.” Genevieve Gill

Now that we are able to invite a friend around for a cuppa, why not treat them to a slice or two of corn bread, so simple to bake and yummy to taste!

CORN BREAD 1 ½ cups S.R flour 1 tspn curry powder 1 small can corn niblets, drained ½ cup grated tasty cheese 1 small onion finely chopped ½ cup diced bacon pieces ½ cup milk 2 eggs lightly beaten

Flour, curry, corn, cheese, bacon, onion --- mix in bowl. Mix eggs and milk. Add to above – mix to a moist dough. Turn into greased loaf tin. Sprinkle with extra cheese. Mod oven (180) for 35 to 40 min.

Serve warm, with butter or marg. Enjoy! Marcia Davison

Household Tip Did you know that you can recycle some soft plastics. Two of the leading super-

markets have recycling bins that will take empty rice, frozen vegie and bread bags as well as other plastic items. Look for the recycling symbol on the pack and reduce household waste. (Help the planet)

Quick and easy recipe: Penny Farthing Pilaf (Gluten and Fructose free) Total prep and cooking time: 20-30 mins Will store in fridge / freezer Ingredients: 6 gluten free sausages (any variety you want) 4 rashers gluten free bacon 1 teaspoon curry powder Garlic oil

1 cup frozen peas 1x 420gm can corn kernels 4 cups cooked rice (approx.) Gluten free soy sauce Boil sausages in water until set (takes about 2 mins) Start cooking rice in a separate pan. Slice sausages and dice bacon. Fry in oil until brown. Reduce heat and add curry powder and stir well. Add frozen peas and entire can of corn (water included) and mix well Allow to simmer till peas are cooked, add rice and soy sauce. (add diced onion to bacon if your family eats onion) Feeds 4 -6 (approx.).