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Join us to worship Jesus Christ
as a community
Address: 2 Taylor's Lane,
Rowville VIC. 3178
Telephone: (03) 9764 4058Office Hours: Tue to Fri (10am - 5pm)
Email: office@stsimonsparish.com.au
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A Spiritual Communion
MY JESUS,
I believe that You are present in this Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Even when I cannot receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into
my heart. I embrace You as if You are already there, and I unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. -
Reflection on the Gospel
St Teresa of Avila's Prayer
by John Michael Talbot
for Faith Developement Prayer Group events details, click below:
Gospel Reflection | Soup & Soul | The Well | Rosary Prayers of Intercession
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Front Page of Bulletin Message
THE CENSUS AND THE FIFTH PLENARY COUNCIL
I’m sure all of us are aware that the 2021 Census data was released this week and, as it happens, on the eve of the upcoming Fifth Plenary Council, the previous Councils having been held in 1885, 1895, 1905 and 1937. A Plenary Council is a ‘formal meeting of the Bishops and other representatives of all the dioceses and eparchies of the Catholic Church in Australia and on this occasion at least the whole Church in Australia is being asked ‘to discern what God is asking of us in Australia at this present time.’
I happen to be an attendee as all Episcopal Vicars are required to attend.
There seems to be a great hope in the minds of many that this Plenary Council will provide an opportunity for the Church to speak to Australian Catholics and the broader Australian community about what is really vital for the good of all within our land. It’s a commendable hope and one in which I share to a degree but I think something else is equally important. I hope the Plenary Council is firstly a listening
Council. Prior to the First Session of the Council last year some 17,500 group and individual submissions were put forward and certainly some listening did occur then. But for our Church, typical I suppose of large and in our case the oldest institution in the Western world, listening doesn’t come easily!
But listen we must. The latest Census data presents a picture of a rapidly changing Australia. As one headline put it: “Australia now has a migrant majority, millennials dominate and we have forsaken God.” When the figures are unpacked, certainly in terms of religion we find that for the first time less than half identified as Christian at just under 44%. In the 1911 census the figure was 96% and stayed in the 90%
region until 55 years ago. Not surprisingly, the ‘no religion’ category has grown dramatically from 1% in the ‘60’s to just under 40% in 2021.
People of religion react to this in a variety of ways. The Age ran a story of a young Sydney woman who had been raised a fairly devout Catholic but had since given it all away. Some folk said to me....’typical
of The Age, focusing on the disaffected.’ But perhaps the disaffected are amongst the very voices that
as a Church we need to listen to. We must have hearts and minds open enough to listen always to the
‘story of the other.’
Will the Plenary Council bring great change? I don’t think so, not next week at any rate, but I hope it does bring great listening and great openness so that the change which must in time come, is faithful
to who we are called to be as follower disciples of Jesus Christ. Let’s all pray that the Spirit will move wonderfully and powerfully amongst all who gather for the Second Session of the Fifth Plenary
Council.Fr. Mark Reynolds -
Inspiring Videos
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Learn about all aspects of our faith eg: the Mass, the eucharist, Does God exist? Children's resources, youth programs, and much more.To access, just press here and explore.
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13th week in Ordinary Time Mass video
Livestream at 1.00 pm
For DAILY MASS Online | Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
- Masses are livestreamed daily on our Archdiocesan YouTube channel
- On Sundays, the 11am Mass is also available to view on free-to-air TV via C31 (channel 44 on digital TV)
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St Simon’s Focus
for July "Fellowship""How pleasant it is when God's
people live together in unity." Psalm 133:1 Fellowship starts with building
a relationship with God by spending time in prayer just talking to God.
This naturally inclines us to connect with one another in love. Let's deepen our connection with God and others by staying in touch. -
Mass TimesSunday Mass Schedule
- Sunday: 9:00 AM English English EN 11:00 AM English English EN
Daily Mass Schedule- Tue Fri 9:15 AM English English EN In Church at St Simon's, Rowville (Tue livestreamed)
- Wed Thu 9:15 AM English English EN In Church at St Judes, Scoresby Parish
- Friday: 6:00 PM English English EN Holy Hour
- Saturday: 6:00 PM English English EN Vigil Livestream & In Church
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Friday Holy Hour
at St Simon'sCould you not stay
with me for an hour?
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Confession TimesPLEASE NOTE: No scheduled Confession Times for the next couple of weeks
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The Week's Bulletin
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We Care for You
Are you living or caring for someone with a chronic condition? Come and join us for 3 hours of personal respite every fortnight on a Wednesday. Meetings will be held at St Simon’s Parish Centre.
Our next meeting will be
THIS Wednesday, 6th Julyfrom 11.00 am - 2.00 pm.
“LIVE JAZZ MUSIC MELODIES”
Morning tea and lunch will be provided. If you or your family member is interested in coming, please contact Brian Crowley via email at brian.g.crowley@gmail.com on 0429 090 770.
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Get Connected Now! Including the Access to "Word on Fire" Videos.