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

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 16 2020—Year A

Dear Parishioners Our Parish Prayer invites us:

“We come before you Lord as the Parish Family of St John The Evangelist”

During this difficult time, some parishioners may be experiencing difficulties in and around the home and accomplishing regular tasks. I know in these times that it’s the small things that may cause difficulty. It may be the small things that family or friends, who are now unable to visit, may have done e.g. putting the rubbish bin out and in; or collecting a few items of shopping etc. It might be just a quiet and friendly chat to lift your spirits that is missing.

As we move into the 2nd week of this latest lockdown, I would like to encourage any parishioner, old or young, who may need a little assistance to think about contacting the parish team. I would like you to feel that as your faith community we are a parish family and here to help. There are a number of things that we may still be able to arrange even in these times and within current Covid-19 restrictions. Any assistance, will of course need to be contactless. If anyone needs additional supports beyond what we may be able to offer, we may also be able to suggest where to follow up. Please call Monika 0438 220 361 or Bernadette 0423 504 838 or Dispin 0413 683 153 to have a chat. Monday to Friday between 10am – 2pm. Remember, our parish prayer concludes with: “Together may we journey with You and with one another.” Take care and stay safe. God bless Dispin

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

PARISH LEADERSHIP TEAM MISSION STATEMENT To lead and empower the people of our parish to work independently and use their skills

and gifts to grow the life of our faith community now and into the future.

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 9.30am St James Vermont

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 & Pastoral Care: 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: Ezekiel 24:15-24 Matthew 19:16-22 Tues: Ezekiel 28:1-10 Matthew 19:23-30 Wed: Ezekiel 34:1-11 Matthew 20:1-16 Thur: Ezekiel 36:23-28 Matthew 22: 1-14 Fri: Ezekiel 37:1-14 Matthew 22:34-40 Sat: Ezekiel 43:1-7 Matthew 23:1-12

Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 22:19-23 Romans 11:33-36 Matthew 16:13-20

AMONGST OUR PARISH FAMILY

We ask for the grace and peace of Eternal life for those who have recently passed away, Pauline Kook, Pat Dillon, Simplicio Cahilog, Simon Minh Thong Nguyen and for those whose memories are sacred to us at this time especially, Jacqueline Slattery, Pat Dennis, Jim Hayes, Margaret Hayes, Eric Jansen, Stephen Miridakis, Margaret Pope, Josephine de Jong, Bert de Jong, William Box, Sr Dympna, Fr G James, Fr John Van Suylen, Marie Alwis, Sr Bethilda D’Cruz, Kathleen Waugh

The Travelling Rosary will be held at the home of Marlene & David Rae from Sunday 16 August—Friday 21 August. 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 & Friendship Group

Live in perfect charity and love, aiding and mutually encouraging one another in the

thorney yet strong sweet path marked out for each of us to follow.

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop

How you can support your Parish through CoVid Lockdown Details are: 1st Collection: Account Name: St John’s Presbytery Account BSB: 083343 Account No. 515 469 035 2nd Collection: Account Name: St John’s Church Account BSB: 083347 Account No. 676 841 942 Reference field: Must have Envelope number and Surname (please contact the Parish Office if you don’t know your envelope no.) You can mail a cheque, mentioning the split between the 1st and 2nd collections. Please mention your name and envelope number. If you have any questions about this, please ring the Parish Office 9401 6366 or email: mitcham@cam.org.au. Mail to PO Box 95 Mitcham Vic 3132 During stage 4 we will not be able to pick up envelopes with cash, just keep them with you :)

PARISH OFFICE UPDATE

As a result of the stage 4 restrictions the Parish Office will remain closed. This is consistent with the Victorian Government guidelines.

If you need to contact Fr Dispin urgently, please call him directly on 0413 683 153 or if you would just like a friendly chat

Email any recent death or anniversar ies to be included in the Newsletter and prayed for in the Sunday Mass. If you would like anything included in the Newsletter please email by Thursdays.

Please celebrate with us our Parish Masses posted on our parish website stjohnsmitcham.com.au or on our Facebook page.

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

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

The House of Books is now closed until further notice—We regret the inconvenience but am sure you can appreciate that it is done as a matter of health and safety of us all

REMINDER TO ALL VOLUNTEERS A WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK IS ESENTIAL

Any parishioner who kindly volunteers in any capacity in the Church is now required to have a current Working with Children Check in place. Could you please ensure to advise the Parish Office with details in order for the data base to be accurate. If you don’t have one unfortunately you will not be able to volunteer in any capacity. If you would like assistance with applying for one please contact Elisa Kelesidis via Mitcham@cam.org.au. Thank you for your continued support of our parish community.

A Healing Mass will now be recorded on Tuesday mornings and will be available online on our parish website. Special prayers will be offered at this Mass for the healing of the sick followed by a Novena of Saint Mary MacKillop. This Mass aims to offer a gentle reflection to help us along during the week. If you know of someone who might need our special prayers or to be added to the Novena List please email the parish office mitcham@cam.org.au and leave a message for those you wish to be prayed for by Monday afternoons. Keeping you in my prayers. Dispin

Could you make some face masks for people in our area? The Saint Vincent de Paul team in Mitcham are asking for volunteers who could assist in making face masks. We will distribute these to people in need who contact us for help through our Call Centre. Our team would like to provide 3 layer masks which can be washed after use and then re-used. We can provide you with instructions provided by the Victorian Department of Human Services explaining what materials can be used and how to sew the masks. We can arrange to pick up any completed masks from your home. Please contact Ross Hancock on 0419 117 343 if you can assist us with this. Please click on the link below for instructions on how to make a mask: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/202007/Design%20and%20preparation%20of%20cloth%20mask_0.pdf For those parishioners who do not have access to the internet and would like a copy of the instructions on how to make a mask please contact the Parish Office 9401 6366 who will arrange a copy to be posted to you.

Attention All Parish Group Leaders Bereavement Ministry - Bus Drivers – Catechetics – Childrens Liturgy, St James Communion to the sick (St Johns & St James) - Fete Committee – House of Books Sunday Cuppa – Children’s 11.15 Mass - Parish Leadership Team - RCIA – Piety Stall St Vincent de Paul The Parish is currently updating our list of volunteers. It would help greatly if you could assist by emailing us a current list of volunteers in your group . You response by August 21 would be appreciated. Many thanks !

Email : mitcham@cam.org.au Att: Elisa Kelesidis ( or phone Parish office : 9401-6366 )

Faith Formation, Social & Other

VINNIES WINTER APPEAL 2020

As we are unable to hold collections at the Sunday Masses this year, here are three ways you can donate to our Winter Appeal. Thank you for your support. 1) Mail a cheque to Vinnies Winter Appeal C/ - Mr M Ayling, 16 Wingrove St Forest

Hill Vic 3131. Please include your name and address so that we can send you a receipt.

2) If you use internet banking, Vinnies bank details are as follows:

BSB 063-003 1008-1787. This is a bucket account for all Conferences in Victoria so on the details line please enter Agent 446 which identifies Mitcham Conference.

Then email mitcham.conf.tres@svdp-vic.org.au with details of your payment (your name does not appear on our bank statement) and the name in which you would like your receipt to be issued. 3) Credit Card or Paypal Payment. You can phone 131 818 and follow the prompts or; log on to Vinnies.org.au and fill in your details. If you would like your donation to be directed back to Mitcham Conference section please enter St Johns Mitcham 446 in the comments section of the online form. Vinnies Head Office will issue receipts for all credit card donations.

Christian Meditation by ZOOM

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION by ZOOM

Parish meditation gatherings has resumed – on Zoom! Just think, you could join our dedicated group of meditating parishioners in the enticing quiet of your own home; all you need is a computer, laptop or smartphone. We meditate fortnightly. Zoom instructions and

coaching are available if needed. You are most welcome to join us. Consistent meditation is known to help with everything from raised blood pressure to depression; even practised occasionally, it helps calm our busy minds. If you are interested in deepening your spirituality, or want to strengthen your connection to God, you must try this. Free of charge. To indicate your interest: leave a message with Chris Ryan on

9874 5940. Please include either your phone number or email address to enable

Zoom contact. Access details will be provided.

Micah Do Justice Together has initiated a campaign to #EndCOVIDForAll campaign and encourages Australians to sign the pledge click on signed the pledge to show your support for vulnerable nations from COVID19. By signing the pledge this will assist the campaign to increase our assistance to poorer neighbouring countries where our aid budget has been reduced. For further information please go to www.micahaustralia.org or contact Helen Thomas on 9874 7024. Your support is greatly appreciated to help support each other in

these challenging times.

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. I was looking back over the pages of our new Initiative “Time to lift our spirits” and I was rather shocked to see we have been running for 12 weeks now! Wow! Where has that time gone! We’ve been inviting parishioners to share household tips, Gardening Tips, Simple recipes and Stories of hope. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share their precious tips and thoughts with us. Please keep them coming in. So how have you coped during this last week of new Stage 4 restrictions. Has it been more of the same or have you felt more challenged than ever…. It’s such a difficult time for us all, juggling work commitments from home, supervising our children with home

schooling, spending time away from our loved ones, our family and friends. Planning menus with what is on our supermarket shelves. It has and continues to be a very lonely and isolating time for many of us. A good time to pick up the phone and make a call to have a chat with someone and lift their spirits. I heard a terrific story from a parishioner who no longer had need of her sewing machine and passed it on to a young couple in the parish. This young woman had never sewn before and has taught herself, via YouTube videos and with the help from skype calls from family overseas how to re-condition the machine, and how the make face masks for the needy. What an enterprising young woman. There are so many wonderful stories out there so please send them into us. Each day when we wake and welcome a new day, we need to make the most of the opportunities we are given, to be kind to ourselves and each other and enjoy the day. Here are some delicious quick and easy recipes sent in to us this week by Bess. Thank you! Take care till next week — Monika

Chicken Drumsticks: Ingredients: 12 chicken drumsticks 1 ½ teaspoons of dry mustard ¼ cup of soy sauce 3 tablespoons of oil 3 teaspoons of ground ginger 6 tablespoons of lemon juice Method:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Mix all together in a plastic freezer bag

Mix drumsticks into the mixture, coat fully Let marinate for 30 minutes Place on baking tray

Bake for 45 minutes Serve with rice or noodles and peas.

Chocolate Simplicity Cake Ingredients: 1 cup of self-raising flour 1 cup of sugar ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence 60g of melted butter 2 dessert spoons of cocoa ½ cup of milk 2 eggs

Method: Melt butter Combine all ingredients into a bowl

Add the melted butter over the top Mix for 3 minutes until mixture is smooth Pour mixture into a baking paper lined tin

Set oven to 170 degrees and bake for 30-40 minutes Let cool and then add icing (if you want)

P.S. This is good for home schooling treats and can be decorated as desired e.g. a birthday cake

Feel free to email the Parish Office or call Monika on 0438 220361.