Parish Bulletin
PARISH NEWS
Where’s Melchizedek?
Listening closely to the Old Testament reading this Sunday (Gen 14:18-20) our ears prick up at the story about Melchizedek. We hear about him elsewhere, in Psalms and in Paul’s Letter to Hebrews, but who is this guy and how is he tangled up with our Mass? And particularly in the Eucharistic Prayer, where the priest prays after the consecration, “Look with favour on these offerings and accept them as once you accepted the gifts of your servant Abel, the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith, and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchizedek.” The first, archetypal, “priest”, Melchizedek’s bread and wine remains only that, but, with echoes of Melchizedek, Jesus the ultimate priest, offers himself totally to God in the form of bread and wine telling his disciples to "do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19-20)
Today’s Psalm (Ps 109 (110)) is sung at the ordination of every Catholic priest: “You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek”. Regardless of the worthiness of the individual, the priest is enrolled under Jesus in that Order of Melchizedek, empowering him to consecrate, acting in the personhood of Christ, the bread and wine as Christ’s body and blood.
In the feeding of the multitudes, today’s gospel (Luke 9:11-17), Jesus takes and breaks the bread in a ritual prefiguring the celebration of the Eucharist and sends the apostles to feed the people. It is this total offering of self to which Jesus refers in his instruction to "do this in remembrance of Me." Following Jesus instruction, as the priest elevates the chalice containing Christ’s blood, he is faithfully doing so in remembrance of Jesus’ directive and reminding himself and all of us of Jesus’ instruction to address the needs of the people. That total self-offering is spiritual food for us. Eucharist regularly nourishes us in order that we might give of self for others as Christ Jesus does.
Deacon Mark Kelly
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION PROCESS 2025
Dear Parents,
Confirmation is the sacrament by which Catholics receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit gives us the increased ability to practice our Catholic faith in every aspect of our lives and to witness to Christ in every situation.
An invitation is extended to Grade 6 families who wish to have their child continue their journey of initiation into the life of the Catholic Church, through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
This sacrament is offered to Grade 6 children who are baptised Catholic and have celebrated the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. This is such a special time for our Confirmation Candidates as they become full members of the Catholic Church.
Please know we will keep you all in our prayers as you take this next very important step in your child’s life.
If you wish to accept this invitation, please put these important dates in your diary.
PARENT INFORMATION EVENING: (for Parents only)
When: Thursday 19th June 7.00pm
Where: Marian Room, St. Joseph’s Church, Warragul
Guest Seaker: Rev Dr Elio Capra SDB.
**It is important that you attend this meeting as we will outline the process for Confirmation.
COMMITMENT MASS
Families need to attend one of the following
Masses to be enrolled in the program:
St Joseph’s Church, Warragul
Saturday 21st June, 7:00pm
Sunday 22nd June, 9:00am
St Ita’s Church, Drouin
Sunday 22nd June, 10:30am
Sunday 29th June, 10:30am
PARENT/CHILD WORKSHOP
Families are invited to attend this workshop.
Thursday, 31st July 7pm – 8pm
Marian Room, St. Joseph’s Church, Warragul
RETREAT DAY
AT Marish Sion College, Warragul
Friday, 8th August, 10.00 – 2.30
The candidates will participate in a rehearsal of the ceremony
2ND RITE OF RECONCILIATION
Thursday, 7th August, 7:00pm St Ita’s Church Drouin
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Friday, 15th August, 7:00pm Marist-Sion College Hall.
Celebrant: Bishop Greg Bennet
If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Liz Schellekens: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au or St. Joseph’s Parish Office: 56231642
The Sacrament Team is looking forward to working with you and your child in this next very important step in their faith journey.
Kindest regards, Liz Schellekens
SACRAMENT KEY DATES
Communion Masses will be held on the weekends of 31st May/1st June and 7th/8th June
Sacrament of Confirmation: Parent Information Meeting Thursday 19th June, 7 pm Marian Room St. Joseph’s Church Warragul
Confirmation Mass with the Bishop Friday 15th August, St. Ita’s Church, Drouin, 7 pm
Other dates will be provided closer to the time.
For more information, contact Liz at the Parish Office 5623 1642 or email warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au
