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Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This week we celebrated the funeral of our Fr Denis at St. Bernadette.   Parishioners and friends flocked to the Prayer Vigil on Wednesday night, and Funeral Mass the following day.  They joined the Paulist Fathers, other priests, and Our Regional  Bishop Martin Ashe in prayer.  It was a fitting farewell to Fr Denis, by people who loved him and valued his ministry. 

Fr Denis was born in Malta in 1942 and was ordained priest in 1967.  He came to Australia in 1970 and ministered mainly in Melbourne at Wantirna (our seminary), Parkville and North Sunshine.  He also served in the Peruvian Mission for about six years and spent a few years of ministry in Malta as well.

In his tribute, Fr Noel reminded us that wherever there was Fr Denis,

· there was energy and activity. He certainly was not one with folded hands waiting for things to happen.  He was in the thick of things and inspired others to do the same.

· there was noise, singing, laughter, and life. He did not allow dullness to be around him. He loved to be with people and people loved to be with him.

· there was community and he could relate to the young and old. He was able to cross the ethnic boundaries and was at ease with all people who crossed his path. He was generous with his time and did not hesitate to help anyone in need.

He was, above all, a man of God, a man of faith, who was faithful to his prayer life and took the Eucharistic ministry very seriously.  He had a special love for our Blessed Virgin Mary and took the initiative to construct the shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes at St. Bernadette’s.   The shrine attracts many people to prayer, also thanks to the loving care it receives from parishioners of mainly Vietnamese background.

In 2021, Fr Denis was admitted to Rosary Home, run by the Dominican Sisters.  He was very well cared for, and he did his best to connect with the staff and residents, especially during COVID time, when he celebrated Mass daily.  He was a missionary priest even to the end of his life.   

Whenever people asked him how he was doing, he always said that he was ok, even when his physical fragility was taking over.  These last few weeks, his health deteriorated, and he passed away on Tuesday the 7^th of January 2025.  At the Melbourne General Cemetery (Carlton) where he was buried, we prayed for his soul, and sang his favourite Allabare... I will praise.  We were filled with joy, for surely, he was joining us from heaven.   May God grant him eternal rest. 

God bless you. Fr Silvio

During October/November a Formation Course on the Mass, based on Bishop Robert Barron’s talks, was held at the Parish with the participation of 30 parishioners.  Here are a few comments and reflections...

“Bishop Barron's formation on the liturgy offers a profound opportunity to grow together as a community, deepening our collective understanding of the sacred mysteries of the Mass. By exploring the rich symbolism and significance of its parts, we come to appreciate the beauty and transformative power of the Eucharistic celebration. This shared journey not only fosters unity but also inspires us to embrace continuous learning, recognising that our faith is enriched by ongoing discovery. Such formation equips us to be more effective in our mission of evangelisation, as we are empowered to share the profound truth, grace, and joy of the liturgy with the world. In this communal endeavour, we find renewal and strength, united in our calling to be witnesses of Christ’s love.”  (Maria Vella)

“I found the course to be quite enlightening.  It gave me a deeper and more thorough understanding of the ritual and the relevant purposes of each of the segments of mass.

“While the videos (of the talks) were quite informative, I got a lot of satisfaction out of the group discussions, where people were able to discuss the topical questions and listen to people's various thoughts on the matters.

“The networking and socialising with the various parishioners before and after the session started and finished was also extremely rewarding.” (Michael Vella)

Many thanks to the course participants, Amanda, and Brendan (School Principal) for their contribution to this formation course.  Looking forward to more next year.

Fr Silvio

Saturday, 23rd November – “The Light Shines in the Darkness” (John 1:5)

The Lord works in wonderful ways to give us Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. On this blessed day, around 24 of us gathered to pray and prepare  ourselves for Advent. It was truly a special time as we awaited the coming of our Lord.

The retreat offered a serene and peaceful environment, allowing us to find stillness and listen to Him. In the quiet moments, the words of Psalm 46:10 resonated deeply within us: “Be still and know that I am God.”

This time of retreat and reflection was a precious opportunity to deepen our faith and draw closer to God. As we lit candles and shared in prayer, the light symbolized the hope and promise that shines even in the darkest of times.

We left the retreat with hearts full of gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose, ready to embrace the Advent season with anticipation and reverence. This time together was not only a testament to the power of prayer and reflection but also a       reminder of the ever-present light of God's love in our lives.

Audrey

Click on the links below to know more about the Prelature of "Santiago Apostol of Huancane'" in the South of PERU.  Thanks for being a part of their mission with prayers and support.

Be part of God's mission.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1385380002084851

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Be+part+of+His+mission

Paulist Missionary Seminarians Tran Dai Linh and Ngo Quang Luan are in Australia for a year of practical placement at St. Bernadette and St James (Hoppers Crossing).  While welcoming Brs Linh and Luan, we promise them our prayers.  May this year be a fruitful one for them, as they continue to walk on the missionary pathway.            

Welcome Brothers Linh and Luan!

Our Parish Piety Stall is now open with the help of these lovely people and a few more.  We have been blessed with wonderful Volunteers who will do their best to open the piety stall before and after every mass on Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday 8.30am, 11.00am and 7.00pm.

If you haven’t stopped to look for a while, please check out the new items, as we do try to add different things from time to time. 

Thank you for your on-going support. 

Our Scripture reflection sessions continue every Thurday at 7pm and it is a great way to connect with Parishioners during our lockdowns.  It has been great to see some new faces over the past few weeks.   These sessions are held using the ZOOM video platform so you do not need to leave the comfort of your own home to attend.

If you would like to attend these sessions, send Amanda an email to brownieab75@gmail.com  and she will send you the ZOOM link weekly.

We would love to see many more faces at our meetings!!

Normal Mass times:

Saturday 6.30pm and 8.00pm Neo-Catechumenal (Pioneers Hall)

Sunday 8.30am; 9.45am (Polish); 11.00am; 12.30pm (Vietnamese) and 7.00pm                                                                                                               

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.15am

Wednesday Evening 7.00pm

Giờ Thánh Lễ bình thường:

Thứ Bảy 6:30pm

Chủ nhật 8:30am; 9:45am (tiếng Ba Lan); 11:00am; 7:00pm

KHÔNG CÓ THÁNH LỄ Ở TRUNG TÂM CỘNG ĐỒNG TẠI COOKE AVE

Thánh lễ tiếng Việt: Mỗi Chúa Nhật thứ nhất và thứ ba hàng tháng lúc 12:30pm

Thứ Ba và Thứ Năm 9:15am