Fourth Sunday of Lent March 22 2020 —Year A

I am the light of the world, says the Lord. Anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Our life with God

is a journey sometimes uphill, other times level,

through light and shadow to the fullness of God’s eternal joy.

It’s a journey,

sometimes gentle, sometimes strenuous, through doubt and faith

to the fullness of God’s eternal friendship.

It is a journey, sometimes sad, sometimes joyful, through sorrows and happiness,

to the fullness of God’s eternal joy.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord. Anyone who follows me will have the light.

Communion Reflections—Donal Neary SJ

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

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

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

Parish Priest

Fr Dispin John Pastoral Associate: Parish Office

Maree O’Keefe (Tuesday-Friday Sunday am) Office hours:

Visitation and Communion to the Sick & Housebound: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Ph: 9401 6366

Co-ordinator: Cath Brindle 0423 065 825

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) 9874 2389 - St Vincent de Paul Welfare Assistance 1800 305 330

Scripture Readings for week Mon: Isaiah 65:17-21 John 4:43-54 Tues: Ezekiel 47:1-9 12 John 5:1-3 5-16 Wed: The Annunciation of the Lord Isaiah 7:10-14 8:10 Luke 1:26-38 Hebrews 10:4-10 Thurs: Exodus 32:7-14 John 5:31-47 Fri: Wisdom 2:1 12-22 John 7:1-2 10 25-30 Sat: Jeremiah 11:18-20 John 7:40-52 Sun: Fifth Sunday of Lent Ezekiel 37:12-14 Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45

AMONGST OUR PARISH FAMILY We ask for the grace and peace Eternal Life for Anna Furno and for those whose memories are sacred to us at this time, Bryan Baulch, William Victor Menezes, Carmen Joseph, Kevin Raphael, Noi Van Nguyen, Kathleen Box.

The Travelling Rosary will be held at the home of Joan Santamaria from Sunday 22 March—Friday 27 March. If you are planning to attend, please contact Joan on 9842 1505 to confirm time.

Inspiration for the coming week from the Compassion and Friendship Group

Walls of a house, sometimes they hold you up. Sometimes you lean on them

but sometimes it’s enough to know they’re just standing by.

Masses will be suspended until further notice—Parish Office

will remain open

Catholic Social Teaching

PROJECT COMPASSION 2020

Thirty-two-year old Sakun lives in a village in central east India. She developed polio as a child and has difficulty walking. Until now Sakun, an indigenous Gond woman, has been isolated in her community, unable to earn a livelihood and without knowledge of government schemes that could help her. In 2018, Sakun joined a Caritas Australia-funded program which is implemented by Caritas India and its local partner, Samarthan. With your help Sakun now earns her own income and makes a small profit which goes towards her family’s basic needs. She is more resilient, more confident and more independent. A brighter future for women, men and their families can start today. Let’s Go Further, Together.

Prison Fellowship - Annual Easter Biscuit Bake

In light of the current coronavirus situation, it has been decided to postpone this event until September 2020. Thank you for suppor ting the Easter Biscuit Bake! PLEASE save your flour and sugar for September.

There will be a smaller version of the Parish Newsletter which will be posted on the parish website each week. Please feel free to email the parish office any parish news of which you are aware and want to share. The parish office will remain open as usual as we go forward.

Stewardship Envelopes— Envelopes can be dropped into the Parish Office during our normal working hours or you can mail them to PO Box 95 Mitcham Vic 3132