Introduction:

Pope Francis’ Message for the 107th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2021 is that we ought to work ‘Towards an ever wider “WE”’.

When the men and women of nations feel under threat from forces that seem beyond their control – pandemic, climate change, global economy, terrorism – it is easy to see why they retreat into a stance that is closed and defensive, and which excludes others that makes people self-centred. Yet Jesus has shown us another way; the only way. It is a way that leads us towards an ever wider “we” by helping us see our world and its peoples as God sees us all and loves us all. It is a way that empowers us to reach out and, in the words spoken by Pope Francis in the empty St Peter’s Square all those months ago, “to create spaces where everyone can recognise that they are called, and to allow new forms of hospitality, fraternity and solidarity”.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant: Dear friends, gathered together in the Spirit of Jesus, let us pray for a new heaven and a new earth.

Lector: For our Church. Inspired by Pope Francis, may we be faithful to the catholic and inclusive vision of God’s diverse family. Let us pray together in hope.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For the leaders of our world. May they widen their tents to embrace all who are suffering, and all who seek a safe place of shelter.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For those who live on the peripheries of our societies. May we become real friends with our neighbours and mutually share our gifts with each other.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For our local communities. May we discover an ever-wider ‘we’, as we think no longer in terms of ‘them’ and ‘those’, but only ‘us’.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For the lost or excluded, the rejected or discarded. May they know the Good News of Jesus Christ through our efforts to encounter each other and to build communion in diversity.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for all participants in the upcoming Plenary Council, that they will have the freedom to listen faithfully and speak out boldly.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, especially while in transit or living far from their loved ones, as well as for the recently deceased; Rudylyn Jimena, Romualdo Macuto and Nazzarene Portelli and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially Joseph Thompson Snr, Fred de Guzman, Corazon Paredes, Vince Pinto, Ronald Vincent Rawlins, Edgardo Quizon, Herman Dellemyn, Marie Therese Ngongah, Emy Saffarese, Natu Portelli, Jeff Ruthvern, Ron and Kris Gamble and all those in our Mass Intentions today. May they enter the new Jerusalem where all peoples are united in peace and harmony.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: God of mercy and power, you cast down the proud and raise up the lowly. Give us the freedom to follow your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

This weekend, the Catholic Church in Australia marks Safeguarding Sunday, on which we pray for those who have been abused, their families and supporters. We recommit to practices that support survivors and make the Catholic Church and its ministries the safest possible place for children and people at risk.

This Sunday we contemplate Jesus, who is, as Peter declares, the Christ, the anointed one of God. Our readings help us to understand the journey Jesus takes to show his love for us.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant: Dear friends, Jesus dares us to let go of our lives in order to save them. Let us give ourselves in prayer to the needs of the world.

Lector: We pray for Church leaders, especially Pope Francis, Bishop Peter Comensoli, Leaders of Religious Congregations, lay leaders of Church organisations and all entrusted with ministry and pastoral care in the Church: that they will continue to help build stronger faith communities that will promote the safety of children and adults at risk.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for leaders responsible for COVID decision-making, that they will exercise their authority with wisdom, courage and clarity, and always for the common good.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for the participants in next month’s Plenary Council, that they will speak out in the Spirit, listen with freedom of heart, and discern what God is asking of the church in Australia.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for the residents and staff of aged care facilities, that they will be assured of conditions that foster safety, respect for human dignity, and positive well-being.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for all the candidates that are completing the Alpha Pilot Program which has its last session on Monday. We ask for your Holy Spirit to be with them as they continue their faith journey and become active participants in building your kingdom especially at St James.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Paul Spiteri and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially Nelson Tana, Andrew Prowd, Pocholo Viray, Anna and Jan Kotula, Marie Therese Ngongah, Emy Saffarese, Natu Portelli, Jeff Ruthvern, Ron and Kris Gamble and all those in our Mass Intentions today, that they will be led to the glory of the Risen Lord.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: Faithful God, you raised your servant-Son from cross to glory. Help us follow him with all our hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

God’s Word is always calling us to anew, inviting us to ways of seeing more keenly and loving more deeply.

Today we celebrate Father’s Day and give thanks to God our Father for the gift of Fatherhood.

We remember all Fathers, living and deceased, and separated from us by land or sea.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant: Dear friends, with ears open to hear God’s word and tongues freed to speak with love, let us pray for God’s blessing on the whole of creation.

Lector: For Pope Francis, that he will lead us with courage in strong calls for peace, non-violence, human rights and the rights of the earth.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers and all who have a fatherly role, that they will be blessed in loving those entrusted to their care.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For all who are suffering physical, mental or financial distress from the COVID pandemic, that their plight will spur the whole community to unite in their support. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For the children of Australia, that National Child Protection Week (5-11 September) will confirm the effective implementation of child safety systems and protocols.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For priests who have passed away, that the seeds they have planted and nourished in the lives and communities they were part of, may continue to bear fruit to sustain generations to come.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for Fr Mario and ask that you watch over him and the people soon to be under his missionary care.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Luka Vonic and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially Paulino Valleta, Antonio Micallef, Marie Therese Ngongah, Florence Bracken, Allan Downie, Joyce Overend, Tom Cobb, Emy Saffarese, Natu Portelli, Jeff Ruthvern, Ron and Kris Gamble, Roberto Maniquis, Mary, Charlie and Joseph Xerri, Angela and Salvatore Sacco, Carmen and Felix Tabone, Carmen and Joe Camilleri and all those in our Mass Intentions today, that they will become a wholly new creation in Christ.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: Holy God and Father of Jesus, you have made us your daughters and sons in Christ. Keep us true to your name. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

This Sunday we celebrate Social Justice Sunday. The Social Justice Statement this year is ‘Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor’. The Statement provides theological foundations to ground and inspire our efforts to care for creation while responding to the needs of the disadvantaged and excluded.

Our readings this week encourage us to pay attention to the ways in which the word of God truly influences how we live our lives. Although we all too often fail to live up to the example set for us, we are none the less assured of an abundance of gifts, because of God’s infinite love for each and everyone.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant: Dear friends, the word of God calls us to live from our hearts and care for those in need. In faith and love let us pray for the needy of the world.

Lector: We pray for the whole people of God, that they will hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for the church in Australia, that this Social Justice Sunday will set us in right relationship with God our Creator, the whole human family and all of creation.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for the people of Afghanistan, especially its young girls and women, that they will be able to sustain their hopes for freedom and justice, even under the Taliban regime.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for Afghani refugees in Australia, that they will be given the permanent protection so long denied them.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for all whose physical and mental health and livelihoods are suffering extreme stress from COVID-19, that community care and cooperation will give them fresh heart.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Marshall Gomes, Ronald Birung, Kris Gamble, Edgardo Quizon, Aida Carag and Wiesa Bobula and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially Lina Palmer, Manuel Sesante, Segundino Micubo Snr, Margarita Are, Luz Basco Molina, Leela Lourdes, Trevor Micallef, Marie Ebelle, Emy Saffarese, Natu Portelli, Jeff Ruthvern, Ron Gamble and all those in our Mass Intentions today, that they will be the first-fruits of the new creation.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: God and Father of light, you have brought us to birth in the truth. Help us shed the light of your truth wherever we go. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

This Sunday, the readings invite us to consider honestly the depth of our love for the Lord. The same challenging questions once put to the Israelites by Joshua, and later to the disciples by Jesus, are being asked of us today.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant: Dear friends, putting our faith like Peter in the words of Jesus, let us turn to God and ask for all our needs.

Lector: We pray for Pope Francis. May he be a true successor of Peter and keep leading the church faithfully to Jesus, the Holy One of God.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for all who have lost faith and no longer walk with Jesus. May they rediscover the joy of the Gospel.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for health workers in poorer countries struggling to cope with the COVID pandemic. May they be given a just share in the resources they need.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for the people of Lebanon, Tigray, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and every nation in distress. May they not lose hope in the promise of peace and justice.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Wiesa Bobula and Eva Lim Balayo and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially Henley Dcruz, Roberto Maniquis, Trevor Micallef, Marie Ebelle, Emy Saffarese, Natu Portelli, Jeff Ruthvern, Ron Gamble and all those in our Mass Intentions today. May their faith in Jesus lead them to everlasting life.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: God of all goodness, you call us to follow Jesus in spirit and truth. Keep us true to his name. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

Today we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. We honour her and all women who lead us to Christ through their examples of courage and love. In Mary we see a strong courageous and noble woman, who remained utterly faithful to God, even though she encountered grief and hardship throughout her life.

With the Paulist Missionaries we celebrate the patron saint of the Missionary Society of Saint Paul. In Mary we see the fullness of who we are called to become: fully human, fully alive.

May all parishioners of Saint James sing with Mary: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!’ As we gather in the distance of our homes, let us recognise the sacredness of this hour and of the Church gathered in our family homes.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant: Let us pray with Mary that God may do great things in and through us as we pray.

Lector: As we celebrate Mary’s Assumption, we remember all in the Church who serve the poor, care for the sick, visit people in prison and give comfort and support to the troubled.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: As we celebrate Mary’s Assumption, the patroness of the Paulist Missionaries, we pray for all who have answered your call to priesthood and religious life. We remember the young men at the Paulist International House of Formation in Manila who are currently being accompanied in their missionary calling.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: As we celebrate Mary’s Assumption, we remember all peoples whose lives are not valued but are abused and exploited.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: As we celebrate Mary’s Assumption, we pray for those leaders who answer the call to work for justice and seek peaceful means to resolve conflict between nations.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: We pray for scientists around the world, especially those working on remedies for the COVID pandemic and the climate crisis. May their endeavours keep all people safe.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Anthony Mizzi, Anne Blake, Eva Lim Balayo and Edgardo Quizon, and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially Jan Keogh, Do Litjens, Ted Kean, Fay Barlow, Connie Carabott, Maria Cuschieri, Trevor Micallef, Marie Ebelle, Elpidio Capicoy Jnr, Emy Saffarese, Natu Portelli, Jeff Ruthvern, Ron Gamble and all those in our Mass Intentions today, May they share fully in the glory of God’s promise.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: Ever-renewing God, we have made these prayers to you so that the Spirit that entered Mary and brought new life into the world may continue in us through our presence and actions. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop. She is an Australian hero, and the readings celebrate that in important ways. The woman who gives food to Elijah trusted as St Mary did and gave everything in trust, even though it personally cost her a great deal.

Mary MacKillop chose St Joseph as patron of the women she inspired with her vision of simple living and the education of poor children.

Last December Pope Francis announced a Year of St Joseph, describing him as a father who was beloved, tender and loving, obedient, accepting, creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. In 1893, Mary wrote this to her sisters: ‘Let us ask Joseph to obtain for us a generous devoted love for Jesus, a love that will make us like himself . . . A love that . . . will make us delight in serving his poor, and his neglected little ones.’

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant: Dear friends, St Mary of the Cross devoted herself to doing God’s will and serving the poor. With her unshakeable trust in God’s providence, let us pray with confidence for all in need.

Lector: For Pope Francis and all the bishops of the church, that they will welcome all who pioneer new ways of living the Gospel and caring for the poor.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For all participants in the Plenary Council, that with Mary MacKillop as their guide they will discern what God is asking of the church in Australia.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For all engaged in the education of children, the welfare of women or the care of the poor, that Mary MacKillop will inspire their devoted service.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For all members and associates of the Sisters of St Joseph, that they will know the joy of Christ, even on the way of the cross.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For the staff and volunteers of CatholicCare Victoria: that they may be your presence to others. May their efforts bring peace and happiness to those who seek their assistance.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector: For all deacons, guardians of the service in the Church, that their faithful service to the Word, altar and to the poor may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Esther Uwase and Jose Medalle, and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially Theodora Litjens, Grace and Epifanio Faranda, Maria Di Pasquale, Brenda and Morgan Spiteri, Olimpia Anderson, Margaret Grima, Georga Refelo, John and Michael Spiteri, Francis Hili, Alfonso Puato, Pauline Vassallo, Trevor Micallef, Marie Ebelle, Emy Saffarese, Natu Portelli, Jeff Ruthvern, Ron Gamble and all those in our Mass Intentions today, that they will join Mary Mackillop and all the saints at the banquet of eternal life.

(pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant: God of mercy, you raised up Mary MacKillop to be a tireless apostle of compassion in this land. May our hearts be fired with her passion for justice. We ask this through Christ our Lord.