Gospel Reflection 2018
 Fr  Peter Hoang - Sunday 24B
Mark’s Gospel contains many instructions on what it means to be a disciple. Ironically, it is often the twelve who fail the test of discipleship while many of the minor characters in Mark provide wonderful models of true understanding. In this text, we have one example of Peter’s imperfect understanding of the mission and ministry of Jesus. The question as to who Jesus is leads to one of the great acclamations of faith in the gospels: ‘You are the Christ.’ Peter knows that Jesus is the Messiah, the one who is to come. What he fails to understand is the type of Messiah that Jesus is. Peter refuses to accept that Jesus will suffer rejection and be put to death. He cannot comprehend of such an end.      >Cont

   [Updated Sept 14]

Vietnamese Catholic Youth Festival
Our Vietnamese community at St Joseph’s are cele-brating 2018 The Year of Youth and ten years since World Youth Day in Sydney this weekend at Collingwood. Guest speakers are covering topics such as “What are we made for?”, “Facing challenges of faith on a new environment” and “Faith in everyday life”.
Bishop Terry Curtin is celebrating the concluding Mass at 7.30 pm.

VOLUNTEER OVERSEAS - THE CAGLIERO
PROJECT, SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO     

We are seeking volunteers for January 2019 departure, working with disadvantaged young people in Salesian communities throughout Cambodia, Samoa, Zambia and Solomon Islands. Applications close Octo-ber 15th. Send us an enquiry - www.cagliero.org.au

Salesian Mission Month Aug-Sep 2018   facebook     Cagliero Newsletter

St Joseph's Primary
Seventeen children continued on their faith journey when they were confirmed recently. It was a beautiful ceremony in which Bishop Terry Curtin and Fr Peter officiated and all 17 children were involved in proceedings. The children would like to thank the parishioners of St Joseph’s for their prayers, support and the wonderful lunch that was provided after the ceremony. 
The school recently held a Father’s Day breakfast to honour their fathers, grandfathers, brothers and friends and it was wonderful to see so many special people attend. Thank you for coming. This made the morning very special for our children particularly.

Plenary Council 2020
For the last several months, we've mentioned the Plenary Council 2020 during Masses, and published information in the bulletin to inform you about the process of contributing to this important event. Plenary Council facilitator Lana Turvey-Collins says, “The Plenary Council will, like no other event in the Church’s history in Australia, allow all Catholics to shape a discussion about the future of our Church.” If embraced, this will be a very exciting happening in our church. When you have a few moments of time, why not check out the videos at the following link to learn more? God bless you and God bless our church. http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/watch/

First Communion
Thanks to Jenny Perry and Denise O’Rourke for their time and teaching of our recent First Communicants.

Gospel According to Mark
Living as a Christian means choosing little sacrifices on a daily basis. Taking up the cross means giving up your life each day in little ways. You take up your cross when you help someone without having to be asked. You take up your cross when you sacrifice time with friends for time at the soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Like Peter, each day we must decide who we think Jesus is. We show that he is our Messiah (the one who came to save us) when we choose to sacrifice for others. Oddly enough, it is through those little sacri-fices that we really save our own lives – and add to the lives of others.

Situation Vacant ...
PART TIME ADMINISTRATION POSITION
10-12 hours per week. $30 per hour base.
BASED IN CLIFTON HILL. FLEXIBLE HOURS.
NO SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.
Well presented, friendly individual with excellent phone manner and attention to detail. Accounts and bookkeeping experience needed, and preferably experience using Xero and running a small pay roll.
Contact Nigel Davies – nigel@medieval.com.au

Fundraising Luncheon
The rebuilding of our beautiful St Joseph’s church has now been completed. In order to keep our church in good working order it is essential that money has to be spent on it to maintain this level of beauty.
Last Sunday, Father’s Day, over 240 parishioners and their families gathered together in the hall, firstly to celebrate Father’s Day, and secondly to raise funds for this very purpose. The fundraising event was a big success, as usual. There were plenty of delicious foods, topped with a concert program performed beautifully by the choir and the children from the Eucharist Youth Group.
A big thank to those who attended the luncheon and especially to those involved with the organising of this special event. Also, may we take this opportunity to thank the generosity and support of the parishion-ers in the past – the parishioners who built, maintained and supported our church since 1862.
The results of the raffle are ... First prize ticket num-ber is 0969; second prize is 0013; third prize is 0982; fourth prize 1279; and fifth prize 0840. Please contact Can Tran 0424870414 to claim your prize.

STOP PRESS: Keep 10th November free ... Our Parish Dinner Dance: “Spring Racing Carnival”

Migrants / Refugees Appeeal
On behalf of the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, we thank our parishioners who have already donated toiletry items, most sincerely for their generous sup-port over the past couple of weeks.
We will continue for another week or so with baskets in the back of St John's and St Joseph’s Churches for any further donations. Thank you for your generosity.

Opening our ears ...
Many people in our families, our schools, our jobs, and our world need our ears opened. Many don’t want our advice. They just want us to listen without judgement while they talk about what hurts. Others need us to stand up with and for them at school or in our community. They need us to listen closely to understand their problems. Others, like parents and mentors, are crying to offer us advice for life. They need us to listen to their wisdom without getting defensive. Do we hear the cries or advice as we go through life? Or do we rush so quickly that we miss them? This week, each day, ask Jesus to open your ears so you can listen closely. People will come across your path who need you to listen, or to whom you need to listen.

Archbishops Catholic Man Breakfast Series
13th September 2018 featuring our new Archbishop, Peter A Comensoli. Come along and support our new Archbishop at CQ Club 113 Queen St Melbourne. Cost $45. Time 7-9am. Michael Bohan 0439 172 465.

Our Salesian Brothers  [Read other student stories here]
My name is Thomas Nattawut Kitsawad, but every-one calls me “Por” (which is a Thai nickname). I am a Salesian Brother from the Thailand Province. I was born in Samphran, a Catholic village which is located near Bangkok, the only son in my family. I believe that my vocation had begun at the age of eight when I attended the Don Bosco Oratory every Sunday. I learnt a lot about the life of Saint John Bosco, the music, and Salesian life. Here I found the love and kindness which Salesians gave me. This was the beginning of my dream “I want to be a Salesian like them.

I joined the Salesian Formation House, and studied in the Salesian School in 2001, when I was in year 7. I studied philosophy for four years, then my practical training for three years at the formation house. In 2016, I came to Australia to continue my Salesian vocation in theological studies. I studied English at the Australian Catholic University and made my final profession to be a Salesian forever last year here at St John the Baptist. Now, I am studying my second year of Theology at Catholic Theological College and hope to go back to Thailand and work for the young people after my theological studies. Above all, if God chooses me, I will be ordained as a priest in Thailand in 2021. Please pray for me to be a faithful Salesian.