Gospel Reflection 2020

 Sunday - Ascension Yr A 

Here we are told that the eleven disciples go the mountaintop in Galilee, as Jesus had instructed through Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (cf. Matthew 28:9-10). They see Jesus, and both worship and doubt at the same time. Jesus approaches them and commissions them to baptize and teach, "to make disciples of all nations." It is a task which Jesus had previously prepared his disciples for; recall that Jesus had sent the twelve apostles to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal (cf. Matthew 10:1-15). However, earlier the Twelve were sent only to the House of Israel; in this Final Commission, the eleven are told to go to "all nations." The mission of Jesus is now to be taken to all people; the task now is to baptize and to teach.

Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize in the name of the Trinity, one of the clearest attestations found in Scripture for baptism in the name of the Trinity. In the Acts of the Apostles and in the Letters of Paul, baptism is more frequently offered "in the name of Jesus."

[>cont loyolapress.com ]

Know that I am with you always

Audio Gospel Reflections -  Fr Frank Moloney SDB

[Updated May 24]

A message from Fr Martin ...
Dear All
As we come to the end of another weekend I hope and pray all is well at home for all our parishioners. It has been a wonderful relief to start up morning masses again in our parish. Many thanks for your cooperation during these times with distancing when sitting in church and filling in the forms which requires your name and contact details. Also, many thanks for your assistance in registering your name for different masses either by phone or email. Please continue helping us and we look forward to seeing more people come back as a praying community in the weeks ahead. In time, I hope to have most masses up and running again and gather as one community. As it    stands now we are having morning masses at both St John’s and St Joseph’s. We are also having Sunday morning masses; 10am for the Vietnamese community in our parish and 11.30am for the parishioners of St John’s (Streaming and attended). In the next couple of weeks, when the restriction of numbers is lifted further, I hope to begin a Saturday night mass (6pm) at St Joseph’s and a Sunday night mass (5pm) at St John’s. This will give us more masses to gather as a community in prayer.

Praying is not just about praying as individuals, but also about coming together and praying with each other. It is also about social contact and the connections with each other. We are all the body of Christ and when we come together under one roof we support each other in faith and life in general. A simple “how are you?” or “what have you been up too?” might make a world of difference for those who may be in need of a listening ear. Christ was not a ‘Lone Ranger’, he gathered people together, teaching them and encouraged them to become shepherds for each other.

This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Ascension and on Monday the feast of Mary Help of Christians. We also should be having our annual combined parish celebration for both churches. Even though we cannot gather as a whole community let us pray for each other.
Mary is not only the patron Saint of our parish but also for Australia. In these difficult times let’s open our hearts to ask Mary for guidance and assistance. Let us pray that Mary will intercede for us personally, our parish and the wider Australian community. Together we stand, supporting and nurturing each other by the simple things in life. Finally, it is also great news to welcome back the preps, ones, twos and threes to face-to-face teaching. May the transition back to school life be smooth and enjoyable.

Have a great week and stay safe! God Bless.
Fr Martin

CDFpay Thanksgiving
Our Parish has made arrangements with CDF (Catholic Development Fund) to join their online payment portal, so that our parishioners can make quick and easy recurring thanksgiving payments, or a one-off payment (whichever you prefer). We now have the link to this online payment portal on our website. So please make use of this if you wish to avail yourselves of 25% returned in the form of a tax deductible receipt.
In addition to the above, we offer other different ways of giving … direct debit, credit card or sacrificial envelopes. Ring and speak with Joan in the office. Remember … 25% of your commitment is returned in the form of a tax deductible receipt at the end of the year. Parish bank account details are: BSB 083-347 account: 16647 1224.

Oz Harvest
With St Vinnie’s Vere St closed due to COVID-19, St John’s has partnered with Oz Harvest to deliver food parcels to families and households who need a helping hand at the moment.
Food Essential boxes will contain fresh fruit, vegetables and groceries and be delivered once a week on a trial basis for three months.
If you would like to join this new community of St John’s or you know someone who would benefit from the food parcels, contact Jen Payne (0439 113 500) or the parish office 9481 7333.

Ascension of the Lord
The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus are the reported earthly appearances of Jesus to his followers after his death and burial. Believers point to them as evidence of his resurrection and identity as Messiah, seated in Heaven on the right hand of God.
The Ascension of Jesus is the physical departure of Christ from Earth into the presence of God in Heaven.
With the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, we come to the end of Jesus’s earthly life. For the Apostles, it has been a journey from suffering and death to the joy of the Resurrection. The Ascension is another huge step in experiencing the Lord’s presence as they continue his work.
The First Reading gives an account of the Ascension from the Acts of the Apostles. Having been instructed by Jesus for 40 days, they now witness his Ascension and are promised the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Psalm exults in praise for the Lord, who is raised on high and is acclaimed as king of all the earth.

The Parish office is manned Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at this time, between 9am and 2pm (normally). If the phone is not answered please leave a message and someone will return your call. Or email: office@olsc.org.au

Emergency relief
It is with concern for everyone that Collingwood Cottage will not be open for food parcels on Friday mornings for the month of May.
Alternate suggestions are ...
Foodbank
https://www.foodbank.org.au/a-message-from-foodbank-victoria-ceo-coronavirus-response/?state=vic  [If not viewable in old Internet Explorer. Use Edge or Chrome or other search engine]
Premiers Page
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/emergency-relief-packages-for-victorians-who-need-it-most/?state=vic