St.St. SimonSimon thethe ApostleApostle ParishParish 22 TaylorsTaylors Lane,Lane, RowvilleRowville 31783178 OfficeOffice Hours: Hours: Monday Tuesday to Fridayto Friday 10.00am 10.00- 3.00pm- 4.00pm (03)(03) 97649764 40584058 [email protected]@stsimonsparish.com.au www.stsimonsparish.com.auwww.stsimonsparish.com.au Parish Personnel February 14, 2021 - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time PARISH PRIEST: Fr Kevin Dillon The Anzac Day March in Mobile: 0421 777 360 Melbourne has been called Email: [email protected] off again as a result PASTORAL ASSOCIATE: of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs Abbie Ferdinands (Mon, Wed, Fri) with other traditional commemorations to be scaled BUSINESS & OFFICE MANAGER: back once more. Mr Peter Evans (Mon - Thu) Today, RSL Victoria Chief SAFETY OFFICER: Mrs Julie Ashman (Mon, Wed, Fri) Executive Jamie Twidale told 3AW due to current CHILD SAFEGUARDING: restrictions it would be too hard Ms Delisa Gonsalves (by appointment) to see the tradition go ahead. It was 2010, more than forty years since he SECRETARY: “With COVID the way it is, had returned from his tour of duty in Vietnam. Not once Mrs Felicia Ahumada (Mon - Wed, Fri) and the restrictions, and the had he marched in the Anzac Day March, or even ST. SIMON’S SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: difficulty in organising such watched it on TV. He couldn’t. But somehow, with a mix Mr Tom Wursthorn: 9755 4222 a large public event, we just of God’s grace and his own courage, he went - alone didn't feel it was in the public's and unknown to his family - to the Dawn Service, NAZARETH COLLEGE PRINCIPAL: best interest," he said. "We un- standing in silence at the back of the crowd. Two years Mr Sam Cosentino: 9795 8100 derstand that a lot of veterans later, he marched down Swanston St., with both humility will be very disappointed, and pride, knowing he had served his country well. Now, NORMAL MASS TIMES: “The March” meant everything to him. Sunday: 7.30am, 9.00am & 11.00am and commemorations will still happen, we will still be having Monday: 10.00am His story is typical of so many of those courageous men Tuesday - Friday: 9.15am a dawn service. and women who have served in our name, preserving Saturday: 9.15am, 6.00pm "They'll just be a little bit for us the quality of life we so readily take for granted. (See page 2 for full details) And “The March” is not just a parade - it is a very public more modest than in previous years. People will still be and essential tribute, which reminds scarred service WEEKEND ONLINE MASS TIMES: personnel of their worth, that their sacrifice is genuinely Sunday: live from Saturday 6.00pm allowed at the Shrine.” appreciated by the rest of us. OTHER ONLINE MASS TIMES: A caller to Neil Mitchell's Mon to Friday: Live from 10.00am program said he was unhappy But this year, there will be no March, again. with April 25 with the decision. "They can still ten weeks away. Last year the March / April COVID shutdown was immense, and few people questioned the MASS ON RADIO: have these Black Lives Matter Mass from St. Simon’s is broadcast wisdom of the Commonwealth Government cancelling the on 89.9 FM The Light at 7am Sundays marches … this year there will March five weeks out. But this year it’s ten weeks out, we be no march in the CBD have nearly 12 months experience in dealing with WEDDINGS & MARRIAGE PREP: and the dawn service will be contact tracing etc., community awareness and Contact Parish Office a closed inner-sanctum co-operation are higher than ever - but the decision to ANOINTING OF THE SICK: activity," he said. Comparisons cancel is reported to be from the RSL. have been drawn between the Available as necessary by private Yet the Collingwood v Essendon Anzac Day match is still arrangement with Fr Kevin Anzac Day parade and the Anzac Day AFL game set to go scheduled for 3.20pm. The RSL may have an explanation (0421 777 360) for this extraordinary incongruity, but veterans, their ahead at the MCG. PARISH COUNCIL: families and the public deserve to know what that [email protected] Meanwhile the Moomba explanation is. Something more convincing than Festival is looking likely “Difficulty in organising a large public event” is surely Currently due to COVID Restrictions to proceed as it did last year, needed. with COVID-safe plans in place PARISH HALL HIRE: But ... what if the AFL invited veterans - just genuine NOT FOR HIRE. We still think we can proceed veterans only for this year - to assemble outside the MCG with the festival in new and at, say, 1.30pm, to march into the MCG around 2.30pm, PARISH CENTRE FACILITIES HIRE: creative ways that will capture NOT FOR HIRE. and to stand on the “hallowed turf” for the Anzac the hearts of Melburnians – just Commemoration. as Moomba has done since ST VINCENT DE PAUL HELPLINE: 1955. In that way, the “large public event” would already be in 1800 305 330 “Nine News”, Thur. Feb. 10 place, and Melbourne-based veterans would have the March they both need and deserve. ST SIMONS PARISH PARISH OFFICE There can be no Masses in the Church Normal Office Hours: Mon - Fri 10.00am - 4.00pm until the Victorian Government removes For urgent queries or messages, call: the current lockdown. Closed until at least Fr Kevin Dillon on 0421 777 360 and you will be Thursday 18th February 2021. contacted as soon as possible. Pre-registration via “Flocknote” for weekend Mass May God bless you and keep you safe and healthy Attendance is ESSENTIAL through the Parish Website. …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….………………….………… You may book up to 5 people per sign-up. BAPTISMS 2021 Mass sign-up links and latest arrangements: The Parish Website www.stsimonsparish.com.au lists www.stsimonsparish.com.au all of the 2021 Baptism dates and additional information. …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….…………………..……… All enquiries regarding Baptism may be directed to Mrs MASS (IN THE CHURCH) Abbie Ferdinands (Baptism Co-ordinator) on 9764 4058 or [email protected] Mon 15: NO MASS …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….……………………………. Tue 16: NO MASS PARISH DIARY Ash Wed 17: NO MASS Mon Feb: 15: Youth Connect Group (via Zoom) Wed Feb 17: Liturgy Meeting (via Zoom) Thu 18: 9.15am (School) 7.00pm (Ash Fri Vigil) …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….………………….………… Ash Fri 19: 9.15am 11.00am ( School) 7.00pm TO JOIN A LENTEN GROUP Email: [email protected] Sat 20: 9.15am 6.00pm (Vigil Mass) …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….………………….………… Sun 21: 7.30am 9.00am 11.00am STATIONS OF THE CROSS …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….…………………..……… Fridays at 7.30pm (if allowed) ASH WEDNESDAY (Wed. Feb. 17) is a day …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….………………….………… of Fast (one main meal, two smaller meals, applicable VOLUNTEERS to those under 70 years) and Abstinence (from meat). CovidSafe Team Members: We require parishioners There will be Mass, if allowed, including the Blessing to be rostered as Welcomers, QR Assistants and for Sanitisation before and after weekend Masses. and Distribution of Ashes, at St. Simon’s on Thursday February 18 at 7.00pm (Vigil), Friday February 19 Gardening Group: We are seeking parishioners at 9.15am, 11.00am and 7.00pm interested in joining the Gardening Team. …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….…………………..……… Readers and Commentators: If you would like to join NO MASSES UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE our teams, you will be rostered on, or called upon as an Normally for a WEEKDAY Mass there is no need to book emergency. ahead. However, each attendee must register their name and their contact phone number immediately upon To express your interest please leave your name entering the Church Foyer. and contact details at the Help Desk or contact the Parish Office: [email protected] Normally for WEEKEND Masses, booking will still be …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….………………….………… ESSENTIAL so that our parish continues, for the good RECONCILIATION will be available in the of all, to observe the COVID regulations respectfully. (see Reconciliation Room at 9.45am on Saturdays or by website for details) Check-in is also required before Mass. private request to Fr. Kevin. Please follow social distancing directions. NOT ON the 13 February. …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….…………………..……… Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled Mass time to avoid queues and delays to the start of Mass. HAPPY BIRTHDAY James Fong, Hans Felsinger, Marie Failla, Katica Borovic, Thank you for your support. Paris Collins, Cabel Archer, Caitlin Beyrooti, …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….…………………..……… Nathan Fernando, Mary Pereira, Clem Hill, Reham Diaz, ONLINE MASSES Mathew Abraham, Tishan Lokuge, William Abeyanayake, St Simons Parish has started livestreaming weekday Isabel Amoranto, Jarryd Sheehan, Christopher Nicolas. Masses in 2021. …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….………………….………… This week: Tue, Wed, Thu and Fri Masses will be available MAY THEY REST IN PEACE live on our YouTube Channel from 9.15am and the link will RISEN IN THE LORD be posted on our website close to 10.00am to watch on demand. Recent Death: John Wright, Agnes Ciciolallo, Sunday Mass will continue to be available online from 6pm Alexander Ciccolalo. on Saturday. …………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………….………………….………… Website: www.stsimonsparish.com.au Anniversary of Death: Frank Shelton,