ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE NEWSLETTER

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

5TH APRIL, 2020 YEAR A

M A SS/L IT UR GY

CA LENDAR

FR TERRY WILL BE

LIVE STREAMING THE EASTER TRIDUUM &

THE SUNDAY MASS

EACH WEEK ON

YOUTUBE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE

LINK.

www.stthomastheapostle.org.au

Dear Parishioners,

PALM SUNDAY

“Our modern world of 24 hour news, Facebook updates and constant

media commentary sees all, understands little and demands

immediate response.

Today Jesus is calling us to ask discerning questions and to work

towards creative solutions wherever there is injustice, violence and

oppression.

Today the problems are greater than ever. Somewhere in the world,

one child will die of starvation before the end of this sentence.

Sixty million people are displaced from their homes. The cycle of

conflict and warfare is vicious and unrelenting. And, of course, we are

all struggling with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Today the Prince of Peace calls us to follow Him, wherever there is

darkness and evil, to be bearers of light and goodness, wherever there

is anger and hostility, to offer unconditional love, hospitality and

compassion, and wherever there is a hunger for revenge and conflict,

to work patiently for a world of peace and mercy, come what may.”

Amen

Fr Terry Bowman msc

Link to St. Thomas’ Parish, Blackburn website

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish strives to create an environment

where all children and vulnerable adults including Aboriginal, special needs and persons of cul-

tural diversity are safe, respected and cared for.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS............. Remember to change your clocks this weekend—turn back one (1) hour.

A Vocation View:

Today’s world is so

filled with suffering,

injustice, anger,

depression and

loneliness that it cries

for people waving

palm branches of hope

and resurrection,

proclaiming new life.

Please remember the following in your prayers… Sick: Sr. Bernadette Gray IBVM, Br. Bernie Gartland, Bridie Lennon, Margot Pettin-gill, Michael Rogan, S.J. Potter, Kevin Guilders, Neville Davis, Brian Law, Pino Bruzzese, Eric Eitel, Berna-dette Andrews, Annette Nico-las, Charlie Santilli, Roland Schuster, Sr. Maureen Philp RSJ, Claire Tierney, Tamara Bobrovich, Marie Walker, Charles Fain, Jon Parkinson, Antonio So Jr., Ashley Woods, Malgosia Dziuk, Daisy Xu, Rosa Maria Santos, Patricia Duffy, Mietta Ulaan, Chris Leach, Dao Le, Peter Babulo, Moira Healy, Tony Hill & Martin Broad. Recently Dec’d: Brian Culican, Margaret Zucker and Corrine Stephenson Anniversaries: Jacob Ri, Doreen Stubbs

IT’S ON AGAIN……ENVISION HANDS—’ENABLING THE

FUTURE’ ORGANISATION

Please assist in donating plastic bottle tops for the

creation of prosthetic hands. Anh Nguyen (Seminarian)

will be taking them to a Collection Station. A container

will be placed in the Church Foyer for drop-off and make

sure that they are CLEAN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

PIETY STALL

Monastique Cosmetics available

at Piety Stall or Order Form.

We have a selection of testers.

**Proceeds to St Vincent de Paul

Rosaries, Baptism Gifts, Candles

and Religious Cards

Br. James CD’s available

$25.00ea

Friends of Same East Timor

Ground Coffee @ $7.50ea

**All proceeds go to

St Vincent de Paul

MSC Books :

‘A Quiet Place Within’

by Fr Khoi Nguyen-$19.95

UNIVERSAL PRAYER……………….. Let us pray for our cities and suburbs of Melbourne and Geelong, the wider regions, and our world at this time. That sickness, fear and societal disorder may be avoided as we pray and work to counter the effects of Coronavirus.

“Almighty and ever living God, Grant to your people at this time

Courage in facing uncertainty Strength in facing adversity and change

Healing in the place of illness, and eternal peace to those who have died.

Bless and sustain all who bring medical, spiritual and civic care.

May we ever more place our hope and trust in you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK REQUIREMENTS All who volunteer at the Parish in any capacity are now required to hold a valid WWC. If you require assistance with getting a WWC filled out online, please contact Susan at the Parish Office on 9878-0818. NOTE: THE WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK IS MANDATORY UNDER THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REQUIREMENTS.

PLENARY COUNCIL—COMBINED PARISHES GROUP

The Combined Parishes Group has created a website for

people and parishes to exchange information, ideas and

comments about the Plenary Council and allow the

exchange of ideas to occur across parishes. It also has

interesting articles and messages from Pope Francis and

others. You are able to write your article and make

comments etc. and have them uploaded to the website.

The link is: http://www.sensofthefaithful.org.au/

ALL YOUTH ACTIVITIES have been postponed until further notice. Feel free to email: caren.garlick@cam.org.au OR call the Parish Office on 9878 0818 if you need further advice/information on any of the activities. Thank You!

***ALL SOCIAL

ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN

POSTPONED UNTIL

FURTHER NOTICE***

The Bus Tour to

Horsham/Swan Hill is

planned to go ahead in

September 2020!

Sunday 5th April, 2020

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD A

Now as he was seated in the chair of judgement, his wife sent him a message, ‘Have nothing to do with that man; I have been upset all day by a dream I had about him.’ The chief priests and the elders, however, had persuaded the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus. So when the governor spoke and asked them, Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ they said ‘Barabbas’. ‘But in that case,’ Pilate said to them ‘what am I to do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ ‘Why?’ he asked ‘What harm has he done?’ But they shouted all the louder, ‘Let him be crucified!’ Then Pilate saw that he was making no impression, that in fact a riot was imminent. So he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your concern.’ And the people, to a man, shouted back, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ Then he released Barabbas for them. He ordered Jesus to be first scourged and then handed over to be crucified. The governor’s soldiers took Jesus with them into the Praetorium and collected the whole cohort around him. ‘Then they stripped him and made him wear a scarlet cloak, and having twisted some thorns into a crown they put this on his head and placed a reed in his right hand. To make fun of him they knelt to him saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head with it. And when they had finished making fun of him, they took off the cloak and dressed him in his own clothes and led him away to crucify him. On their way out, they came across a man from Cyrene, Simon by name, and enlisted him to carry his cross. When they had reached a place called Golgotha, that is, the place of the skull, they gave him wine to drink mixed with gall, which he tasted but refused to drink. When they had finished crucifying him they shared out his clothing by casting lots, and then sat down and stayed there keeping guard over him. Above his head was placed the charge against him; it read: ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’

At the same time two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. The passers-by jeered at him; they shook their heads and said ‘So you would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days! Then save yourself! If you are God’s son, come down from the cross!’ The chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him in the same way. ‘He saved others,’ they said ‘he cannot save himself. He is the king of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He put his trust in God; now let God rescue him if he wants him. For he did say, “I am the son of God.”’ Even the robbers who were crucified with him taunted him in the same way. From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ When some of those who stood there heard this, they said, ‘The man is calling on Elijah,’ and one of them quickly ran to get a sponge which he dipped in vinegar and putting it on a reed, gave it him to drink. ‘Wait!’ said the rest of them ‘and see if Elijah will come to save him.’ But Jesus again crying out in a loud voice, yielded up his spirit. At that, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked; the rocks were split; the tombs opened and the bodies of many holy men rose from the dead, and these, after his resurrection, came out of the tombs, entered the Holy City and appeared to a number of people. Meanwhile the centurion, together with the others guarding Jesus, had seen the earthquake and all that was taking place, and they were terrified and said, ‘In truth this was a son of God.’ COMMUNION ANTIPHON Mt 26:42 Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Jn12:1, 12-13 Ps23:9-10 Six days before the Passover, when the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, the children ran to meet him; in the their hands they carried palm branches and with a loud voice cried out: *Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy! O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Who is this king of glory? He, the Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory. *Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy! FIRST READING Isaiah 50:4-7 RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 21:8-9, 17-20, 23-24 R v 2 (R) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? SECOND READING Phil 2:6-11 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Phil 2:8-9 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! Christ became obedient for us even to death, dying on the cross. Therefore, God raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

GOSPEL Mt 27:11-54 Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the governor, and the governor put to him this question, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Jesus replied, ‘It is you who say it.’ But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders he refused to answer at all. Pilate then said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many charges they have brought against you?’ But to the governor’s com-plete amazement, he offered no reply to any of the charges. At festival time it was the governor’s practice to release a prison-er for the people, anyone they chose. Now there was at that time a notorious prisoner whose name was Barabbas. So when the crowd gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Which do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’ For Pilate knew it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over.

ST THOMAS THE

APOSTLE PARISH

57 CENTRAL ROAD

(PO BOX 395),

BLACKBURN

PARISH PRIEST: Fr. Terry Bowman, msc

FORMATOR/ASST. PRIEST: Fr Khoi Nguyen msc PARISH PHONE: 9878 0818/9877 7693 PARISH EMAIL: blackburn@cam.org.au

PARISH WEBSITE: www.stthomastheapostle.org.au

PARISH SECRETARY: Susan Collins Admin: Luise Hendricks Bookkeeper/Admin: Luisa May PARISH ACCOUNTANT: Maurice Gartland

PASTORAL ASSOCIATES: Sr. Marg Burchell IBVM & Caren Garlick

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL : Anne Marmion SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Angela Lacey

SCHOOL PHONE: P: 9878 8268 SCHOOL EMAIL: office@stblackburn.catholic.edu.au

SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stblackburn.catholic.edu.au

A Prayer for Priests God, grant them the joys of their vocation, health of mind, body and spirit; a strong faith and a light heart to do the Lord’s work in this world; and the love and support of their friends, family and parishioners. Holy Spirit, guide them and give them grace. Amen

ST.VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY: Call Centre for assistance – 1800 305 330 Free Call Weekdays 10am-3pm. Vinnies Centre Ringwood Ph. 9870 9124, Unit 1B/76-82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood. For Furniture & Whitegoods pickup— Eastern Emergency Relief will pickup for St Vincent de Paul week days 9am-1pm . Ph. 9874 8433.

FIRST AID EQUIPMENT Attention Parishioners: We now have a new DEFIB which is located in the Sacristy. A First Aid Kit is also in the

Kitchen Broom Cupboard. First Aid items (blankets etc.) which are provided by the Church are stored in a large plastic tub in the Crying Room (right sliding cupboard.)

Catechetics/Altar Servers:

Caren Garlick 9878 0818

Les Coeurs: Caren Garlick

9878 0818

Six2Eight: Caren Garlick 9878 0818

Starfish: Caren Garlick 9878 0818

ST THOMAS’ PARISH BLACKBURN ADVERTISING IN PARISH BULLETIN We are offering advertising space on the back page of the Bulletin/Newsletter from January 2020 (small fee involved) to the local business community and beyond. Please call the Parish Office on 9878-0818 to discuss further. Thank you

AdventCare offers respite and permanent

Aged Care.

163-165 Central Road

Nunawading

Contact: Tania Fox: 9259 2130

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ALL GROUPS BELOW ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

ST THOMAS PARISH/SCHOOL ARCHIVES Archival material always welcome. Please include dates and names when possible. Contact Parish Office Ph: 9878 0818

FIRST FRIDAY PARISH MASS & LUNCHEON: First Friday of the month Mass starts at 11.30am . CHILDREN’S LITURGY: Sundays at 10.30am Mass. During School Terms only. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION AFTERNOON/EVENINGS: Tuesdays at 7.30pm in the Presbytery front meeting room. Contact Phil Collins on 0410 668 140 or e:chrmed3130@gmail.com New comers most welcome. Monday afternoons at 4pm at the Retirement Village Centre. Contact Geni Hunt on 9802 2078 or e: geni.hunt9@gmail.com ST. THOMAS’ PLAYGROUP: Every Wednesday morning during the School Term, from 9.00am-11.00am. Please bring a piece of fruit. ALL PRE-SCHOOLERS ARE WELCOME. No cost to attend. Hope to see you there! Contact Tatiana Gibbs-0490 005 691

ROSTERS FOR ALL LITURGY GROUPS HAS

BEEN POSTPONED.

CHANGE OF DAYS …………..LAUGHTER YOGA is now being held on Mondays 11.00am-12noon in the Quiet Room at the Church. Proceeds of donations to Church. **All Yoga Classes have been postponed until further notice

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND Married couples come and learn how to keep/rekindle the passion in your relationship. Dates: 17th-19th April; 17th-19th July & 13-15 Nov. 2020 Information: 0409 1863 676 OR E: vicbookings@wwme.org.au **All classes have been postponed until further notice

ST THOMAS’ P & F Social Night with an 80’s theme on

Friday 20th March has been

postponed until further notice.