St. Simon the Apostle Parish 2 Taylors Lane, Rowville 3178

Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10.00-3.00pm (03) 9764 4058

office@stsimonsparish.com.au www.stsimonsparish.com.au

August 16, 2020 - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parish Personnel PARISH PRIEST:

Fr Kevin Dillon

Mobile: 0421 777 360

Email: frkd@stsimonsparish.com.au

PASTORAL ASSOCIATES: Mrs Loretta Hughes (Tue, Thu)

Mrs Abbie Ferdinands (Mon, Wed, Fri)

SACRAMENTAL CO-ORDINATOR: Mrs Marialisa Mandarino (Wed)

BUSINESS & OFFICE MANAGER: Mr Peter Evans (Mon - Thu)

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Ms Delisa Gonsalves (Mon)

SECRETARIES: Mrs Felicia Ahumada (Mon - Wed)

Mrs Christina Liew (Thu, Fri)

ST. SIMON’S SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Mr. Tom Wursthorn: 9755 4222

NAZARETH COLLEGE PRINCIPAL: Mr Sam Cosentino: 9795 8100 NORMAL MASS TIMES: Currently not in place due to COVID-19 related restrictions

WEEKEND ONLINE MASS TIMES: Sunday: live from Saturday 6pm

OTHER ONLINE MASS TIMES: Tuesday to Friday: Live from 6.00am

Also currently unavailable during COVID-19 restrictions:

RECONCILIATION

BAPTISMS AFTER SCHOOL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

WEDDINGS & MARRIAGE PREP: Contact Parish Office

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Available as necessary by private

arrangement with Fr. Kevin

(0421 777 360).

PARISH COUNCIL: parishcouncil@stsimonsparish.com.au

MASS ON RADIO: Mass from St. Simon’s is broadcast

on 89.9 FM The Light - at 7am Sundays

PARISH HALL HIRE:

St. Simon’s Parish Hall is available for

hire After School Hours and Weekends

(not during current restrictions).

For enquiries, contact the Parish Office

during Office Hours. Phone: 9764 4058

PARISH CENTRE FACILITIES HIRE:

Contact the Parish Office.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL HELPLINE:

1800 305 330

In most parishes and for many decades, “Parish Personnel” consisted of a Parish Priest, and possibly an Assistant Priest or two. A part-time secretary would type up the bulletin on Fridays and print it on the “Gestetner”, trying in vain to minimise the amount of ink spillage!.

In the 1970’s, the number of vocations to the priesthood began to decline – slowly at first, then quite rapidly. Pastoral workers (often retired nuns bringing a wealth of experience as teachers and nurses) gave of themselves selflessly in parish ministry. Then in the 1990’s, parish management became more complex with a marked increase in government regulations of compliance in varied areas such as workplace safety. In larger parishes especially, parish Business Managers began to be engaged to handle these issues, as well as finances, property maintenance and development, and numerous other tasks in which most priests were not skilled.

These days, most parishes are served by only one priest, but many of the responsibilities and duties which were once his alone are now carried by several full-time or part-time staff members. And how blessed we are - especially at St. Simon’s - to have them!

This month, two much-loved and totally dedicated parishioners will step back as members of our staff. However both wish to continue to serve the St. Simon’s community in various ways in a voluntary capacity.

Loretta Hughes has been our Pastoral Associate for nine years, and has gained admiration, gratitude and affection for her caring work across the parish. In particular, her deep personal faith and love of liturgy has enabled her to provide extraordinary spiritual leadership on many fronts.

In addition to the personal support she has given to so many (especially to the sick and frail), she has pioneered many pastoral initiatives. Thankfully she will continue to do so in a voluntary capacity by supporting the Bible Study Groups, “Soup and Soul” (currently renamed “Zoom and Soul”!), and will remain an engaged member of the Faith Development Committee.

While an enthusiastic parish volunteer for many years, Christina Liew has been a staff member for just two years, and has given great competence and total dedication, along with her broad knowledge and attention to detail in her many administrative responsibilities. Nothing has been too much bother for her, and her faith-centred commitment to St. Simon’s has been clear in all she has accomplished.

As with Loretta, Christina wishes to continue to assist our parish in a voluntary capacity in a number of areas after her retirement.

The current Stage 4 social restrictions provide no opportunity for the parish to give appropriate recognition to these dedicated staff members. However, “eventually” we will most certainly acknowledge their service to our parish. For now, all we can do is offer a sincere “Thank You” and “God Bless You” to them both.

PARISH DIARY

All Church Masses SUSPENDED until further notice.

We are doing everything we can to try and keep our Parish community together, at least virtually (i.e. via the internet on phones, iPads, laptops and computers), and to continue to offer comfort and support to one another in our community during this crisis. But we need everyone’s assistance and co-operation (very much including yours!) to make that happen as safely as possible once restrictions eventually start to relax.

Unfortunately, due to the imposition of Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne, there will be no Mass Services for Parishioners to attend in person in the Church until further notice. We will continue to film Tuesday to Friday and Sunday Masses, and make them available via our Website and YouTube Channel.

And remember that we now have a library of over 100 recorded Masses available via our website or YouTube Channel as well. Please go to our website: www.stsimonsparish.com.au and scan down to the section which links to the Masses.

Further updates on Parish life and activities will be placed on the website as quickly as we can.

We thank you for your understanding and co-operation during these challenging times and hope we are still able to continue to serve you in every way possible. Please contact us if you need any support.

May God bless you and keep you safe and healthy

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RECONCILIATION & PRIVATE PRAYER

SUSPENDED until further notice.

…………………………………………………………………. PRAYER GROUPS

AND OTHER PARISH MEETINGS

Only meetings via ZOOM will be able to continue. …………………………………………………………………….……...……..

GOSPEL REFLECTION GROUP

Weekly - Mondays at 7.30pm

A group of 10 or 12 meet on zoom weekly where we begin with song, a prayer, read the Gospel with time to reflect, followed by spontaneous sharing of how the Gospel reading impacted the participants’ hearts, relative to their lives today. If time permits we watch a short inspiring video on the theme and finish with intercessory prayers. We find it a good way to grow in relationship with God and one another during this time of shut down. To join - email: loretta@stsimonsparish.com.au or call the parish office. …………………………………………………………………….……...……..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kimberley Gray, Chris Chew, Rebecca McPherson, Regina Tan, Alma Albellar Gray, Dawn Don Paul, Marcello Martino, Terence Ting, Alain Ekanayake,

Steve Hibon, Keefe Goh, John Kelaart, Clive Pieterse, Lorna Dougherty, Chloe Hill, Michelle Wong,

Sonya Robson …………………………………………………………………….……...……..

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE RISEN IN THE LORD

Recent Deaths: Dorothy Blake, Fr Michael Wheeler, Colin Crawford Anniversary of Death: Christopher Schokman,

Bernard Carey, John Lucas Dulcie O’Riley & Agnes Schmidt

CHURCH & PARISH OFFICE CLOSURE

In response to the latest Victorian Government’s directives (effective 6 Aug 2020), please note that

St Simon’s Church and Parish Office are now closed until further notice.

The parish office email office@stsimonsparish.com.au will be monitored.

For urgent queries, please try calling either: Fr Kevin Dillon on 0421 777 360 or our parish mobile on 0491 176 149

and we will try to get back to you as soon as we can, and certainly within 3 business days.

May God bless you and keep you safe and healthy. …………………………………………………………………….……...………....

ST . SIMON’S MOVIE CLUB Have you been wondering what you can do which is “different” during the lockdown? You could join with fellow parishioners in commencing a “Movie Club” - from 6 to 8 people who would meet by “Zoom” (perhaps at 7pm) for a pre-movie chat, then (say, at 7.30pm) watch - together, but in their own homes - the same movie on YouTube or one of the streaming services. (SBS on Demand is free).

They would then “regroup” for a second “Zoom” meeting, and have a chat about the movie and some of the topics or questions which have arisen from it.

These small “clubs and discussions could continue when (eventually!) the current restrictions are eased and we can use our own cinema - or maybe a “Zoom” Group could continue.

If you would like to explore this, with no obligation, contact Fr. Kevin: frkd@stsimonsparish.com.au. When sufficient initial interest has been expressed, the days, times, types of movie etc. can be determined by consultation. …………………………………………………………………….……...………....

ONLINE YOUTH GROUP iSTAND is a youth group that has been running in Melbourne for 15 years, organ-ised by Youth Mission Team Australia. We have gone online so that we can continue to create a space for Catholic teens to meet and be supported in their faith during isolation. If you, or someone you know, are a high school student in years 9-

12, you are welcome to join YMT’s online iSTAND Nights! Join other Catholic youth in a welcoming atmosphere full of games, activities, prayer and conversation. For more information and to register head to ymt.com.au/istandevents …………………………………………………………………….……...……..

Happy 53rd Wedding Anniversary to Brian & Cheryl Philp.

Wishing you God’s blessings and many more happy years ahead.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK

If you volunteer for any of our Parish Ministries

and Groups, you may have attended a presentation

back in February this year, where you were handed

a statement of Commitment, Policy, Procedures

and Code of Conduct for Safeguarding Children

and Vulnerable People. If you still have it and have not

reviewed or returned the documents, please do so soon.

If you did not attend the presentation back in February

and have not got the statement of Commitment, Policy,

Procedures and Code of Conduct for Safeguarding

Children and Vulnerable People, please pick up

a copy from the Parish Office.

If you do not have a “Working With Children Check” Card,

please apply for one online by visiting:

https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

If you already have a Card, click “Update my Details”.

If you don’t have a WWCC Card, please click:

“Apply for a Check”. In both cases, follow the

prompts and make sure that “St. Simon the Apostle

Parish - 2 Taylors Lane, Rowville, 3178 - 03 9764 4058”

is added to “Organisation Details”. Under the field

“Child-related work”, choose category “64-Religious

Organisation” or click the link “MyCheck Account.”

Please note that ALL volunteers need to have reviewed

and signed the statement of Commitment, Policy,

Procedures and Code of Conduct for Safeguarding

Children and Vulnerable People, as well as the

“WWCC” card.

Please provide the Parish Office with your “WWCC”

details so we can complete and update our records.

If you don’t have access to the Internet or need help

to do the above, please call the Parish Office.

……………………………………………...……………………...…………….

ARE YOU OR A FRIEND THINKING OF BECOMING A CATHOLIC?

Adults entering the Catholic Church or just thinking about it, follow a process called RCIA - the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. RCIA IS FOR: Adults who are not baptised, Adults baptised in another Christian church, and Non-practising Catholics wishing to renew faith

At St Simon’s, new sessions begin with an information night on Tuesday, 6

th Oct 2020

from 7.45pm in the Chapel.

Ring the Parish office on 9764 4058 or Reg on 9790 5616 or just come along on the night.

“Come and see.”

Donations towards this Middle East Emergency Appeal can be made via: https://www.caritas.org.au/learn/emergency-response/middle-east-emergency-appeal or by ringing 1800 024 413

……………………………………………...……………………...…………….

The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia (St. Vinnies) has more than 60,000 members and volunteers, who work hard to assist people in need and combat social injustice across Australia.

Internationally, the Society operates in 153 countries and has over 800,000 members.

At the heart of the St Vincent de Paul Society our members have a profound sense of respect for the people we serve and a desire to learn from them. Our works are varied. No work of charity is foreign to us. No person is alien to us.

The Society aspires to be recognised as a caring Catholic charity offering “a hand up” to people in need. We do this by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope, and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

We do this without Judgement, regardless of creed, ethnic or social background, health, gender, or political opinions.

As part of the Rowville and Lysterfield community our members are still out to assist where possible, in today’s tough environment. We understand we all need help at some time in our life.

We are here if you need someone to chat to or, might need material or any other assistance.

We are only a phone call away. Contact us on: 1800 305 330 FREE CALL (Victoria only) in complete privacy.

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Digital & Cable TV Wi-Fi Speed Boost

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Registered Cabler T08011 Security Reg. 936-086-80S

Please call the

Parish Office

if you would

like to advertise

your business

in our

weekly bulletin

Please call the

Parish Office

if you would

like to advertise

your business

in our

weekly bulletin

Super Steve’s Cleaning Team

First reading Isaiah 56:1,6-7

Thus says the Lord: Have a care for justice, act with integrity, for soon my salvation will come and my integrity be manifest.

Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love his name and be his servants – all who observe the sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 66(67):2-3,5-6,8 Second reading

Romans 11:13-15,29-32

Let me tell you pagans this: I have been sent to the pagans as their apostle, and I am proud of being sent, but the purpose of it is to make my own people envious of you, and in this way save some of them. Since their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, do you know what their admission will mean? Nothing less than a resurrection from the dead! God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.

Just as you changed from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of their disobedience, so those who are disobedient now – and only because of the mercy shown to you – will also enjoy mercy eventually. God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.

Gospel Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, ‘Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.’ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. ‘Give her what she wants,’ they said ‘because she is shouting after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord,’ she said ‘help me.’ He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

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Next Week’s Readings: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 11:33-36;

Matthew 16:13-20

August 16, 2020 - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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