This Week

SUNDAY 18th March 9am, 11am, 6pm Mass

Baptism Prep at 3.45pm

MONDAY 19th March Feast of St. Joseph

8.30am Rosary 9.00am Mass

TUESDAY 20th March

8.30am Rosary 9.00am Mass

9.30am Adoration 7.30pm Lenten-

Reflection in Office

WED 21st March 6.30pm Rosary

7pm Mass 7.30pm Meditation

THURSDAY 22nd March

North School

FRIDAY 23rd March

8.30am Rosary 9am Mass

9.30am Divine Mercy 7.30pm Station of the

Cross

SATURDAY 24th March Reconciliation 10.30am

6pm Mass

SUNDAY 25th March 9am, 11am, 6pm Mass

Baptism Welcome

Avoiding The ‘Shallows’

Recently Br Mark O’Connor from the Arch-

bishops Office for evangelisation wrote …..

“I recommend your reading Nicholas Carr’s

best sellers, The Shallows: What the Internet

Is Doing to Our Brains.

I don’t know about you, but I am easily dis-

tracted and like ‘stimulus’ in my life. I get

bored quickly. Too quickly!

No wonder I am always

inclined to look for an

excuse for lapses in

prayer—my attentive-

ness to God. But I came

away from Carr’s im-

portant book with a seri-

ous question about the

internet’s impact on my

spirituality. Carr’s main

point is that the Internet

heightens our distracted-

ness and reduces our

ability to concentrate. Dedicated users get to

the point, where their attention span is re-

duced almost to zero.

You know, as I do, the prayer depends on

attentiveness to God, on awareness, on awak-

ening, on turning on and tuning in. Its chief

nemeses are busyness and distractedness. We

live in a culture that, as Thomas Merton ob-

served, encourages activity for activity’s sa-

ke.

Already saturated with distractions of sound

and sight, now we have the internet, at which

most of us spend hours every day. Your

screen doesn’t let you focus on one thing. It

constantly thrusts in front of you a panoply of

things. Ability to focus diminishes. Attention

of “multi-taskers” drops precipitously.

If prayer is, as the saints have said, above all,

attentiveness, our reliance on the internet pos-

es a major challenge not only for prayer but

for a life informed by attention to God.

How will we meet such a challenge? The

Catholic tradition through the centuries

would commend fasting and retreats, just as

you would to cope with other addictions,

busyness, and distractedness in your life.

Here is a Lenten discipline I need to take on

board. Schedule time out from the internet.

Spend time in solitude and silence.

That is urgent!

By Mark O’Connor fms

THANKS It’s been a little

while since I’ve written on the

front page, so I take this op-

portunity to thank Fr James

for so ably taking the reigns

during my time away in Feb-

ruary and for Fr Brian and Fr

Peter in helping him out. Dur-

ing this time I was able to

spend some extra time with

my Father in Geelong along

with some personal mainte-

nance like teeth extractions and annual health

check ups. Though I was away weekends I

was back for wedding practices, weddings

and a funeral.

We have talked a little recently about our

place of worship and how we hold it to be a

special place. I take this opportunity to

acknowledge the many members of our par-

ish who gather each week to set up the chairs

and make sure our church is clean and a wel-

coming place. Some of you have been faith-

fully doing this for twenty years or so. On

behalf of the all the parishioners a heartfelt

THANK YOU

Perhaps you would like to be part of a Satur-

day morning Setup group. Normally it only

takes 30 to 40 minutes.

Please contact the office

Fr Tim, cp

4th Sunday of Lent (B), March 17th-18th 2012

Parish Calendar, News & Events

DIARY DATES: 18th March: Baptism Preparation 3.45 in the Annexe Good Friday Station of the Cross meeting 20th March: Harmony Day Lenten Group 7.30pm 22nd March: World Water Day 24th March: Car Boot Sale 9am to 2pm 25th March: Baptism Welcome 27th March: Lenten Group 7.30pm 1st April: Palm Sunday 3rd April: Reconciliation Service at 7.30pm 5th April: Holy Thursday at 7.30pm 6th April: Good Friday 7th April: Easter Vigil at 7.30pm 8th April: Easter Sunday are 9am & 11am (no evening Mass on this day) PARISH YOUTH GOOD FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS - 2012: Looking for ideas, people and help to make our Good Friday Youth Stations truly a prayerful experience for all. Contact: Fr James @ the office asap First meeting after 6.00pm mass this Sunday. Palm Sunday April 1st: We invite those of you have palm trees to drop off palm fronds, big or small at the Church on Friday March 30th or on Saturday morning March 31st please. Car Boot Sale!! Come along and be part of our Parish’s Car Boot Sale. NEXT SATURDAY!! Don’t miss out. It is on 9am to 2pm at church’s car park. Cost is $20/car (for sellers) - you need to bring your own table. For more information please contact Parish Office on 9700 3781 or Peter Hanna on 0422 725 881 Thanksgiving Envelopes: The new envelopes are in the gathering space-please take yours this weekend.

LENT 2012 - Carbon Fast:

During Lent we are asked to reflect upon Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice. The 40 solemn days that lead to the joy of Easter provide an opportunity for us to practice our own form of sacrifice. This year we invite you to take up a ‘carbon fast’ as your sacrifice. “The environment is God’s gift to everyone and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.” Pope Benedict, ‘Caritas in Veritae. Sunday: Think about your role of your church in its local environment Monday: Purchase more mindfully today. Seek out

manufacturers who use organic & sustainable materials and who respect their workers’ rights.

Tuesday: Flex your corporate muscle!

Wednesday: Read responsibly.

Thursday: Help people on the ‘front lines’ of climate change while you’re doing your bit to reduce your CO2 emissions at home.

Friday: Shop at your local Vinnies or charity store.

Saturday: Develop a green thumb.

Bread Run: Volunteers are needed for the Bread Run for emergency cover. If you can help please contact the Parish Office 97003781 or Denver on 9700 6812.

OUR PARISH BUSH DANCE IS COMING BACK ON 12TH MAY. Keep this day free, as it will be a nice family night out. Will have plenty of music and dancing. Tickets are $12/adult and $5/child. For ticket booking please contact Jo or Bridgette on 0419 385 441, Carol 0417 378 961,

Myrtle 0421 651 183, Vianney 0438 700 675.

Church Preparation Team We are looking few additional member in our Church Preparation Teams. Each team will be assigned once in 6 weeks and it only takes around 1 hour on Saturday morning. There is no cleaning involved. If you are interested, please contact parish office on 9700 3781 Altar Server For all children who have had their First Communion, we would like to invite you to be part of our altar server’s group. Those who are interested, please contact our parish office and let us know which Mass you wish to serve. You may also approach either Fr. Tim or Fr. James after the Mass. Parish Annual Dinner Dance is on Saturday, 2nd June Keep this date in your diary. It will be 10th anniversary at New Venue with New Band and New Menu! If you are interested in joining the committee please contact: Andrea 0433300458 or Kath 0418328847 or Bernie 0418590220

New Parishioners: There is a book in the gathering space for you to write in your names and telephone numbers so that the Parish Council and/or the Parish team can formally welcome you. There are also census forms on the tables in the gathering space and if you wish you can complete one and drop it into the Parish Office. Sign up Sheets: Next weekend we will have sign-up sheets available for the Holy week services for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. We invite you to consider being involved in one ministry over the days and for lectors and Eucharistic ministers we invite you to offer your services only once over those days so the maximum number

This weekend we pray for:

Those who are sick

Michelle Martyn, Gatkak Nhial, Aziza Chocky, Anthony Sylvester, Derek Ryder, Francesca Lucette, Anton Lodwick, Fr Stephano Phan, Demetria Reyes, John P Lawrie, Jude Peter, Bert Geileskey, Nazar Rafoo, Nazanine Damini, Lashan Abeyegoonewardene, Nasrin, Pete Jaminola, Patricia Nicholas, Cherie Anderson, Indira Devi, Steven Klepac, Mark Pereira, Carla Jeronimo, Suzanne Michel, Teresa Leong, Lisa-Maree O’Hara, Edward Hale, Jorge Canales, Anne Payet, Shirley Frank, Joan Druett, Joyce Peters, Lilian Alyson Jillian Mendoza, Doreen Harris, Beth Flores, Joseph H. Padamadan, Alyzée Dromart.

For those who have died

Raymond Kitcher, Teddy Kitcher, Hilda Kitcher, Pat Guinan, Juan Colombo, Therese Jordan, Maria Radgticchio, Emilio Di Paolo, Oi Sing Lay, Matias Jover Snr, Bernadette Dizon, Mary Micallef, An-drew Fowler, Lorenzo Roussetty, Nonie Wilson, Vincenzo Calonica, Rita Sultana, Joseph Zerafa, Leoncio C Bollozos, Patrice Bonhomme, Violet Pereira, Mary Levy, Bertha Francisco, Lachlan De Abrew, Winifred Junkeer, Douglas Alexo, Lester Bower, William Bower, Sylvia De Abrew, Amelia Valleri, Rocco Tropeano, Marcelina Tambalgue, Anne McLaren, Chulani Tillerkeratne, Brian O’Hig-gins.

May they rest in peace

Sunday Readings

THIS WEEK:

4th Sunday of LENT

2 Chr 36: 14-16, 19-23; Eph 2: 4-10; Jn 3: 14-21

NEXT WEEK:

5th Sunday of LENT Jer 31: 31-34;

Heb 5: 7-9; Jn 12: 20-33

of people can be involved over the four days. CHANGE YOUR CLOCK, CHANGE YOUR BATTERY The Hallam Fire Brigade has offered an assistance to all of senior members of our community. They will help with changing their smoke alarm batteries Free of Charge. If you require help changing a smoke alarm battery, please write your details and the preferred time on the form in the gathering space. They will provide the service on either Saturday 31st March or Sunday 1st April. We need to advise them by 21st March 2012.

HARMONY DAY 21 MARCH.. Harmony Day is celebrated in Australia on 21st March each year. It is a day when all Australians celebrate our cultural diversity. The day is also the United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony day gives people the opportunity to celebrate what makes each Australian unique and share what we have in common. The continuing message for Harmony Day in 2012 is that Everyone Belongs, which means that all Australians are a welcome part of our country, regardless of their background. It is a time to reflect on where Australia has come from, recognising the traditional owners of this land. It is also about community participation, inclusiveness and respect - celebrating the different cultures that make Australia a great place to live.

World Water Day is held annually on 22nd March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of water and advocating for the sustainable management of fresh water resources. This year the theme of World Water Day is: Water and Food Security.

Ensuring access to nutritious food for everyone calls for a series of actions we can all help with:

Follow a healthier, sustainable diet; Consume less water-intensive products;

Reduce the scandalous food wastage: 30% of food produced world- wide is never eaten and the water used to produce it is definitely lost!

CALL TO PRAYER: Creator God, whose Spirit moved over the face of the waters, who gathers the seas into their places, and directs the courses of the rivers, who sends rain upon the earth that it should bring forth life: we praise you for the gift of water. Create in us such a sense of wonder and delight in this and all your gifts, that we might receive them with gratitude, care for them with love, and generously share them with all your creatures, to the

honour and glory of your holy name. Amen.

COPING WITH SUFFERING

A sympathetic friend leaned close to a disabled woman

and whispered,

'Affliction does so colour life, doesn't it?'

'Yes', the woman with the disability replied,

'but thank God I can choose the colour.'

We may not always be able to escape the raw realities

of life as they confront us but with God's help we can

shape them. Faith doesn't immunise us from difficulty.

But it does radically alter our attitude towards our

difficulties.

From ‘Canopy of Stars’

by Fr Christopher Gleeson SJ

Rosters for Next Weekend March 24th– 25th (4th Sunday of Month)

Parish Finances

Parish (1st) Pledged Weekly Rec’d

T/G Envelopes $3,110.38 $ 1,846.50

(303 pledges ) (132 env)

Credit Card & $2,333.04 $ 2,333.04

Direct Debit (177 pledges)

Cash $ 323.30

Parish Total $ 4,502.84

Priests ( 2nd Collection) $ 1,051.75

Thank You

St Paul Apostle St Paul Apostle

Catholic CommunityCatholic Community

Priests: Priests:

Fr Tim O’Toole CP (PP) Fr Tim O’Toole CP (PP)

Fr James Fernandez CPFr James Fernandez CP

Pastoral AssociatesPastoral Associates::

Sr Joan Smith CPSr Joan Smith CP

Sr Brigid Murphy CPSr Brigid Murphy CP

Parish Staff:Parish Staff:

Bursar: Bursar: Gillian VelupillayGillian Velupillay

Secretary: Secretary: Didi KarkasDidi Karkas

Passionist Community Passionist Community

Fr Peter Addicoat CPFr Peter Addicoat CP

Fr Brian Gleeson CPFr Brian Gleeson CP

Fr Tim O’Toole CP Fr Tim O’Toole CP

Fr James Fernandez CPFr James Fernandez CP

Sisters of Cross and Sisters of Cross and

PassionPassion

Sr Anne Cunningham CPSr Anne Cunningham CP

Sr Brigid Murphy CPSr Brigid Murphy CP

Sr Joan Smith CPSr Joan Smith CP

St Paul Apostle St Paul Apostle

North Primary North Primary

School School -- 9700 60689700 6068

PrincipalPrincipal

Mrs Christine WhiteMrs Christine White

St Paul Apostle St Paul Apostle

South Primary South Primary

School School -- 9700 36639700 3663

PrincipalPrincipal

Mrs Helen GreenhillMrs Helen Greenhill

St John’s Regional St John’s Regional

College College -- 9791 33669791 3366 Principal Mr Andrew Walsh

Sacraments: Baptisms are held on the 1st Sunday of the month. Preparation is on the 3rd Sunday of the month.

Marriages require 6 months notice to one of the priests, participation in a FOCCUS marriage preparation program, or a CatholicCARE Course.

Anointing of the Sick is held during Mass on the 1st Friday of the Month at 9am. Before going to hospital for major surgery, why not ask one of the priests to pray with you and anoint you.

Children’s Sacraments require full participation in the preparation phase.

Registration forms in the Parish Centre.

Rosters for this Weekend: March 17th-18th (3rd Sunday of the month)

6pm 9am 11am 6pm

Welcome S.Stone A&R Gonsalves

J Bilton A Judge

A Gargano A Costa, J Solari

D&W Mc Mahon

Sacristan M Maillard N Raveche, E Gunawan

L Forkgen S Jayamah

Readers &

Commtrs

L Flood, M Ryan M Rolfe

J Callery, L Lapierre

H Greenhill, L Newman, C White

N Fernando, C Bird

Gifts G Tyszka, A Gonsalves

B&E David H Alejado, B Dusting

Keating Family

Communion

S Stone, S/B/J Herbert, S Sharp, D Arena, P Perera, F Dunlop, C Emmanuel

B&E David, F Hall, K McArdle, M Nadarajah, I Lynch, A Peters

J Solari, Y Sherwin, C De Souza, J Foenander, Z Carlow, D Farrell, C Pereira

K Jayasinha, R Mathias, N Sangalang, G Catania, J Catania, C Bird, P Leitan

Servers Dominic F Jessica S Kathleen S

Kurt D William P Cleeshan

Meaghan Jake M Jayden M

Volunteers

Cuppa R&F Martyn S Dimitrakas

E&W San Gior-gio, E Kee, M Loh

A Gargano, M Lam

J Rebeiro

Communion to the Sick after 9am Mass

Roster A: R Martyn

Viewhills: S Tranquille, E Fourlze

Church Prep

Team 1 R&B Barnfield

Flowers

No Flowers due to Lent

Counting

R Young D Karkas A Clark

Rosary

Thornton Family

6pm 9am 11am 6pm

Welcome L Phan D&S McGuire T Bugge, M Lon- D&W McMahon

Sacristan P Miller S&D McGuire A Gargano K Jayasinha

Readers &

Commtrs

A Rosario K Rolfe

N Dimitrakas E Kee

C De Silva A Astin

M Keating K De Alwis

Gifts D Turner D&H Jayasuriya O’Connor Family H Leitan

Communion

P Negri I&M Whiteman M Boissezon L Phan K De Zilva M Rodgers

E&W San Giorgio M La Blanche D Vaifale A Nadarajah P Smith D O’Hara

G Johnson D Kearney W Barr R O’Connor E Fourlze H Greenhill

M Meerwald D Candido E Rebeiro K De Alwis V Hassett P Carvalho

Servers Dominic F Jessica S Kathleen S

Virendra J Ethan D William P Cleeshan

Aidan D Jake M Jayden M

Volunteer