Gospel Reflection 2021

 Sunday 30 B - Oct 24 

When Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, the crowd around him tries to silence him. Yet Bartimaeus persists, calling out more loudly and with greater urgency. He will not be silenced or deterred from getting Jesus’ attention. We notice how quickly the crowd’s reaction changes when Jesus calls for Bartimaeus. Those who sought to quiet him now encourage him.

When Jesus restores Bartimaeus’s sight, no elaborate action is required. (In other healing stories in Mark’s Gospel, actions accompany Jesus’ words). In this instance, Jesus simply says that Bartimaeus’s faith has saved him. Throughout Mark’s Gospel, the success of Jesus’ healing power has often been correlated with the faith of the person requesting Jesus’ help. For example, it is because of her faith that the woman with the hemorrhage is healed. When faith is absent, Jesus is unable to heal; we see this after his rejection in Nazareth.

Once his sight has been restored, Bartimaeus follows Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. In Mark’s Gospel, Bartimaeus is the last disciple called by Jesus before he enters Jerusalem. Bartimaeus hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, but he calls out to Jesus using words of faith—“Son of David.” Many in Jesus’ time believed that the anticipated Jewish Messiah would be a descendent of King David. Bartimaeus’s words prepare us for the final episodes of Mark’s Gospel, which begin with Jesus’ preparation for the Passover and his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As Mark has shown us in our readings over the past few Sundays, however, Jesus will be the Messiah in a way that will be difficult for many to accept. Jesus will show himself to be the Messiah through his suffering and death.

[read all> loyolapress.com ]

In light of the Gospel reading of Jesus' healing of
the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, let us pray for all the medical and emergency staff who have continued to offer the best of care, despite the extra burden of the pandemic. May they be given the resources – mental,
physical and spiritual – to continue in their calling. And, as the Eastern states move out of lockdown and
Australia opens to the international world, let us show consideration to our wider community by doing all we can to stay safe and well. Australian Catholics

[Updated Oct 24]

MASS TIMES DURING LOCKDOWN, ONLINE AT ST JOHN’S
We are able to have 5 people present to assist with reading, filming, etc  If you would like to participate please email us on
collclift@hotmail.com
TUESDAY—SATURDAY: 9.15AM
SUNDAY: 11AM

[Mass Times in OLSC Parish - OUTSIDE OF LOCKDOWN
St John’s: Tuesday, Thursday at 9.15am, Saturday 8.30 am
Sunday at 9:00 am (Italian), 11:00am and 5:00pm
St Joseph’s: Tuesday to Saturday at 9am
Saturday at 6:00pm (English) Sunday at 9:00am and
10.30am(Vietnamese)
Good Shepherd: Sunday at 9:30am.
TRY BOOKING FOR MASS at St John’s Church:
11am Mass... https://www.trybooking.com/BSDVX
5pm Mass... https://www.trybooking.com/BSEDF ]

A Message from Fr Martin ...
Dear Parishioners,
As I write this article we have just been freed from
lockdown and free to get haircuts, drinks and sit in
restaurants for example. We have a great deal to
celebrate, especially being able to gather with family
and friends who we may not have seen for a long time.
I know I am looking forward to touching base with
those who I have not seen for a while.
However, I am also aware that this new found
freedom comes with new challenges for us personally,
as a state, as a community and as a parish. For us as a
parish what will masses look like? Who can go to
mass? The main challenge is regarding the issue of
vaccinated and unvaccinated. Do we allow vaccinated
and unvaccinated parishioners together? Do we separate them? What are parishioners comfortable with
or uncomfortable about?
Per the Archdiocese, parishes have been asked to
have at least one mass for the Vaccinated only and
one for the both. This weekend we’ve decided to offer
Masses for up to 10 people regardless of their vaccination status. This decision has made some parishioners
stop and reflect about their own situation. I thank
those who have given some kind of feedback and I
welcome that. In reality we as parish leaders can’t
always meet all the needs of all parishioners, but we
will surely try.
Our first call as Church and a parish is to come
together in unity and peace. We are all God’s people
and we need to respect each other with the ‘Love of
God’. Our parish is about bringing people together,
celebrating the Eucharist, our faith, nurturing our
faith, and to worship God. With Covid19 still part of
our existence how will we achieve the above? At the
same time how do we continue to respect people’s
needs, health issues, and not add to their anxiety.
The second point I would like to make is that we
are all at a different point of view regarding the issue
of vaccinated and unvaccinated. Some parishioners
who are vaccinated may well be happy to come to
mass with the unvaccinated. However, some parishioners, due to health status, age, older parents, grand children, etc. may not be. comfortable to be among the
unvaccinated at this point of time and feel vulnerable.
Also, regarding the regulations from the government,
these are continually changing in the weeks ahead
which in turn will effect the Archdiocese guidelines
and our parish.
With all this in mind I ask for your patience and
understanding of this complex situation. Please allow
me a couple of days to reflect further on the masses
for the weekend ahead and arrange things to meet the
needs of parishioners as best as possible. Jennifer or I
will be in touch during the week via email to advise
about masses for the coming weekend.
God Bless, Fr. Martin. 

St John’s Primary fundraiser
Mangoes are on sale at St John’s Primary for $20 a box. (approx 5 kg boxes) This is excellent value for premium, fresh,
juicy, farm direct Kensington Pride man goes, direct from North Queensland.
These mangoes from Kensington Pride Farm normally retail at $4.50 each.Ring Julia Manickam on 0407 343 637 or
email juliamanickam@me.com

Mandatory vaccinations
The Archdiocese of Melbourne has issued the following statement …
For all parishioners who act in a volunteer or employee capacity, these parishioners must double vaccinate in order to continue their good work in the par ish and community.
Therefore, by 15 October all workers need to be vaccinated or show that they have a booking for vaccination by 22 October, being the latest booking for their first dose and 26 November, being the latest booking for their second dose. At this stage, authorised worker permits are still required.
In order to continue working, parishioners must provide Vaccine information to the Parish if they wish to continue their good work. The Parish will hold this information in confidence and not disclose it to any person except as required by law.
Vaccination information can be recorded in a variety of documents such as a letter from a medical practitioner, a certificate of immunisation or an immunisation history statement obtained from the Australian Immunisation Register.
If a worker currently holds a permit but are unable to provide the required Vaccination information, our Parish Priest must revoke their current permit.
If you are in this situation and have any questions or need support, please feel free to have a confidential discussion with a member of CAM’s HR team. To arrange this, please email: hradmin@cam.org.au

Heart of Life program
Are You Called to be a Pastoral Supervisor? Heart of Life's 2022/23 Emmaus Supervision Program (part time, in-person or via Zoom) commences in Feb 2022.
Developed in response to the demand for professional supervisors for those in individual ministry, eg clergy, chaplains, spiritual directors, pastoral carers etc, the program forms competent, experienced profes sional supervisors.
It draws on the encounter of the two disciples with Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) and is open to those with at least five years' experience in their particular ministry who are drawn to support the ministry journey of others. For more information, please see the Emmaus page on the Heart of Life Cen tre for Spiritual & Pastoral Formation website at www.heartoflife.melbourne, or contact us
at secretary@heartoflife.melbourne or tel (03) 9890 1101

Celebrating World Mission Month
This Sunday, 24th October, is designated as Mission
Sunday, a time when Catholics all over the world join to
support and celebrate global missionary work.
'This year we focus on the essential work of priests,
religious and lay missionaries in Cambodia, supporting
people with disability and their families', says Catholic
Mission Victorian Director, Kevin Meese.
Visit www.catholicmission.org.au/cambodia for
more information.


CaglieroLIFE October - DISCIPLESHIP - To be a disciple is to believe. One-minute video presenting a theme linked to the monthly Salesian intention.

Month of the Holy Rosary
The entire month of October is dedicated to the
Holy Rosary. The feast of the Holy Rosary in particular is on October 7th. As in past years, we will celebrate this dedication with weekly community prayer of the Holy Rosary. This year, we will come together via zoom each Tuesday evening at 8pm to pray. All are welcome to join us.

For questions or information, please contact
Jennifer at jjacobsvandegeer@gmail.com
Blessings of peace in the coming week.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84679902657?
pwd=bThRemFneDd0T2RYbzNJSEI2ZzBUZz09
Meeting ID: 846 7990 2657
Passcode: C4C77j
According to a Dominican tradition, in 1208 the rosary was given to St. Dominic in an apparition by the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church of Prouille.
This Marian apparition received the title of Our Lady of the Rosary.Why was the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary instituted? It was instituted to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful.