Our Lady of the Mission

Next Sunday is the 12th July: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Greetings and peace be with you.

Fr Cornelius and I warmly welcome you here at Our Lady of the Mission, Whitford Parish, parishioners and visitors alike. We pray and hope that you feel truly safe and at home in this our place of prayer, worship and personal encounter with our risen Lord. May the Holy Spirit ever pray in us more than we can ever imagine and bind us together in the love of our Heavenly Father. Over fifty years, Whitford Catholic Parish remains home to dozens of nationalities represented by our parishioners and frequent visitors. We take pride in our young people; those in our parish primary and secondary schools, those enrolled in our Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) and our parish youth group. They are not just our future Church but a vital part of our Church today and now. We value these our young people and endeavour to have their voices heard at every level of our administrative and pastoral engagements. We are ever grateful to the many individuals and groups that volunteer in various ministries of our parish life. To one and all, know that you are valued and appreciated in your own right. We cannot be what we are without you. Together, we continue to seek ways in which we can generously respond to that universal call to holiness of life in our families, parish community and in the society at large. I invite you and all your loved ones to be purposeful in this resolve. We must leave no one behind, those within and those on the peripheries. As always, Fr. Cornelius and I thank one and all of you for your ongoing prayers, concern, encouragement and support. Rest assured of our daily thoughts and prayers. We entrust you and yours, into the powerful intercessions of our Blessed Virgin Mother of Good counsel, and into those of St Joseph, patron of the universal Church.

Fr Cyprian M Shikokoti

Parish Priest.

Monday 6th July

NO MASS

Feast Day:

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Tuesday 7th July

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Wednesday 8th July

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Thursday 9th July

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Friday 10th July

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Saturday 11th July

Church 8am & 6.30pm

Feast Day: Saint Benedict

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Sunday 12th July

Church 8am, 10am & 5.45pm

Feast Day:

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Kiswahili Mass: 2.30pm,

First Sunday of every month

Introduction

Today, Jesus offers to help us carry our burdens through life, and in gentle humility, to find rest for our weary souls.

First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10

Zechariah prophesies the coming of a king who is humble and riding a donkey.

Second Reading: Romans 8:9. 11-13

True life comes through allowing the Spirit of God to live in us.

Gospel Matthew 11:25-30

Jesus calls us to rest in him, learning from his gentleness and humility.

Antiphon to the Psalm:

I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

This Sunday is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday,

inviting us to share the yoke of self-giving with Christ. Matthew’s Gospel is attentive to the poor, and this is a way of life that can only be understood by the meek and humble—those Jesus calls the ‘little ones’—rather than by the learned and clever. There is reward and blessing in this path, but it is the little ones who know it best and who alone can teach us. They show us how Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden light. This Sunday may our parish Adsumus Initiative remind us that this message is an invitation to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from him.

Jesus is present wherever the Church gathers in his name: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). In Australia, the opening line of the Adsumus prayer, ‘We stand before you, Holy Spirit’ — long used at Church councils and, more recently, for the Synod on Synodality — builds a bridge between the Holy Spirit’s presence in the spiritual heritage of First Australians and the living presence of Jesus for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In doing so, it powerfully echoes Christ’s promise to be present in the gathered assembly.

By asking the Holy Spirit to guide, unite, and enlighten, the Adsumus prayer resonates with the Aboriginal understanding of God as the ‘Creator Spirit’ or ‘Great Spirit,’ present in this land from the beginning. It also points to why our First Nations Catholics are the youngest and fastest growing demographic in the Australian Catholic Church.

All this reveals the Spirit at work within and through culture, affirming that God was present in the lives of Indigenous peoples long before missionaries arrived. It calls us to communal, Spirit-led, inclusive dialogue, inviting the Holy Spirit to unite and heal the wounds of history.

Prayer for Aboriginal People

Father of all, you gave us the Dreaming.

You have spoken to us through our beliefs.

You then made your love clear to us in the

person of Jesus.

We thank you for your care.

You own us.

You are our hope.

Make us strong as we face the problems of change.

We ask you to help the people of Australia to listen

to us and respect our culture.

Make the knowledge of you grow strong in all

people, so that we can make a home for

everyone in our land.

Amen

Please offer your prayers this week for Daisy Cheng, Gordon Lyons, Mel Nerva, Mr & Mrs Trinh Huu Duyen, Eric Lyons, Pham Van Tu, Tran Thi O, Malcolm Vivian, Huong Phung, Hoa Phung, Ruby Ceclia Dewar all souls in purgatory, those doctors, nurses and carers who have died while helping victims of accidents, disease and warfare, our recently departed loved ones and those whose anniversaries occur around this time.

“Let all Your works give You thanks, Oh Lord, and let Your faithful ones Bless You,” says the Psalmist. Stewardship is this “attitude of gratitude” for many gifts God has given us.

We would love to meet you. Please introduce yourself to our priests Fr. Cyp and Fr. Cornelius.

Our Lady of the Mission parishioners are the heart of our Catholic community; here in Craigie and it surrounding suburbs. Our members gather in faith to worship, receive the sacraments; and grow as followers of Jesus Christ. From many cultural backgrounds, ages and all walks of life, we remain united in a shared desire to live out the Gospel, support one another, and serve in our local community and beyond.

As members of Our Lady of the Mission, our parishioners participate in Mass, contribute their time and talents, support our ministries, and strive to bring Christs love into their homes, workplaces and our community. Whether lifelong parishioners, new or returning, or those still exploring the faith – each parishioner plays a vital role in building up our vibrant, welcoming, and Spirit-filled community.

If you are not on our parish records, please consider filling up one of our census cards at the information desk and deposit it any of the collection boxes or hand it to any of our priests at Mass. Let us all be part of Our Lady of the Mission ongoing story. God bless!

1. New Planned Giving Cycle: We take this opportunity to thank all those in our Parish planned giving program. You help our parish run smoothly. If you’re not in the program, this is the time to consider joining. For those using weekly envelopes, please start using your new set and discard all leftover from last financial year. Thank you one and all for kind and generous support.

2. First Holy Communion Commitment Weekend: We invite and encourage all our young people and their families celebrating FHC this year to please join us for commitment Mass on the weekend of 25/26 July. Sunday 10.00am Mass is most preferred; being PCPS Family Mass. Kindly bring your completed commitment and prayer cards to Mass with you.

3. Parishioner Transport Support: We are seeking help to transport one of our parishioners to and from 10am Mass Sunday mornings, living in the Sorrento area, close to Hillarys boat harbour. If you can help, please contact the Parish office on 08 9307 2776 or whitford@perthcatholic.org.au. Many thanks for your support.

4. Glory Be Café: Please join us for morning tea every Sunday morning after the 8am Mass. All welcome.

5. Parish Monthly Healing Mass: Our next Healing Mass will be on Saturday 25th July 2026 at 8.00am. Please plan to join us for prayer and anointing of the sick; and remember to invite your family and friends to come along.

6. RCIA 2026/27 Program: Are you a non-Catholic or a Catholic yet to complete your Sacraments of Christian Initiation; Eucharist and Confirmation? Would you like to know the process of becoming a full member of God’s family in the Catholic Church? If your answer is yes, please join us for RCIA at 7.30pm, Thursdays during school term in the parish centre. Contact our parish RCIA Coordinator Tom on 0417 997 254 / tomloreck@gmail.com or directly contact Fr. Cyp. We look forward to journeying with you to Easter 2027 and beyond.

7. Many thanks from the Whitford St. Vincent de Paul: We are most thankful for help, via donations to the poor box and non-perishable food hamper in the church foyer. Recycled clothing, shoes & blankets may be placed in our blue bins near the presbytery car-park. Surplus furniture in good condition may be collected from your home, phone 6323 7500. We also will welcome more members (see our brochures at back of Church) and your prayers to help our work among those struggling with difficult lives.

8. Legion of Mary and Auxiliaries: A Legion of Mary Mass will take place every second Saturday at the 8am Mass. Please join us, all are welcome to attend.

9. Line Dancing at OLM: Please join us for some fun on Tuesdays and Fridays @ 10.30am in the Parish Hall. No experience required. All welcome.

10. The Word Among Us: JULY-AUGUST 2026, SOLD OUT

11. Pastoral visits: Weekly pastoral visits conducted by Fr Cyprian and Fr Cornelius can be made by invitation to our sick and home-bound parishioners. On their visits, they bring prayer, sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick, Holy Communion; and certainly, a listening ear. Please call one of our priests should you benefit or know somebody who would benefit from such a visit. Contact numbers on front of newsletter.

12. Rosary for World Peace: Tuesday evenings at 5pm. The Pope has asked all Catholics to pray this very powerful prayer for peace in our troubled world.

13. The Divine Mercy Ministry: The members of this Ministry pray for the sick and the dying. Please send names of family and friends, if you want them to be lifted up in prayer, via text or message to 0410 289 725.

14. The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Prayers: Are recited each Saturday in our Church at the 8.00am Mass after benediction. All welcome!

15. The First-Class Relic of St Mariae Goretti: Parishioners may take the Reliquary to their homes. Please call the office 9307 2776 to make enquiries and book.

16. Your Offering: Please remember to deposit your offerings in the boxes provided in the foyer area or use electronic donation points. Thank you.

17. Your Collections: Thank you very much for your continued contribution and support to the Parish and Priests. Presbytery A/C (1st Collection) Supports our Priests, A/C#14027 5567, BSB# 086 006. Church A/C (2ndCollection) Supports our Church, A/C# 66579 4722, BSB# 086 006. Planned giving contributions can also be made through envelopes or direct debit, please contact the Parish office: whitford@perthcatholic.org. au. Thank you.

18. Padbury Catholic Primary School: APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN. Please contact the school on 08 9404 4000 or visit our website for further information.

29. Whitford Catholic Primary School: Kindy 2028 Enrolments NOW OPEN! Accepting expressions of Interest. Visit our website for more information.

1. 24/7 Whitford youth group: Gathering every 1st, 3rd and 5th Friday of the month from 7pm to 9pm for students in years 6-12. Our next youth group will be held on 3rd July. Youth group includes fun games, a short faith-based talk, fellowship, free food, and a wonderful opportunity for young people to build like-minded, faith-filled friendships. More information please contact Dino (0478 084 725) or Jasmine (0439 976 164).

2. Road to Emmaus Youth Group: Join us as we meet every Thursday 7.30-9.00pm in the Parish Centre. For ages 16-22. Contact Eliza for details: 0402 642 887.

RELIGIOUS GOODS STALL: Jenny, Cecila, Flora, Relief

PROCLAIMERS OF THE WORD: Rachel Boston, Gisela Boston, Tamara McGougan, Vienna S Penaranda, Monica Jardim, Julianna Jardim, Dylan Sarapunas, Emma Paice

COUNTERS: Sunday 19th July: Ian Cutler, Michael Chiera, Lisa Zscherpel, Patricia Egan, Samantha Del Lorso, Rochelle Securo

CLEANERS: Saturday 11th July: Suzan Crompton, Kate, Trish Byrne, Margarita Tranquille

GLORY BE CAFÉ: Sunday 12th July: Alma Turner, Jackie Murphy, Tom Wellings

SPECIAL MINISTERS: L Sweeney, C Chibiliti/ Niamh Waters, Senol Bonny/ Carol Wright, M Augustin, J Quatermaine/ Sharon Milne, D Kefford

STATUE OF FATIMA: The Statue will be with the Giannasi family in Padbury from 11th July to 18th July. Those wishing to join them to say the Rosary, can call 0401 357 303 to arrange. From 18th to 25th July 2026 the Statue will be with the Gorman family in Padbury.

DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: Is held on the first Friday of every month during 9.00 am Mass. The next Devotion will be on Friday 3rd July 2026.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Every Wednesday & Friday from 9.30am–7 pm.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: We pray for all those in our Parish’s Book of the Sick. You are most welcome to add names to this book in the foyer of the Church. Please cross out when our prayers are no longer needed.

BAPTISMS: We welcome Mia Issitt, Indie Issitt, Logan Earnshaw and Zara Earnshaw into God’s family this weekend.

1.Reconciliation Times at Surrounding Parishes:

St Simon Peter, Ocean Reef: Tuesday & Friday: 6.30 pm/ Saturday: After 8.30 am Mass & 5 pm – 5.45 pm

St Anthony, Wanneroo: Saturday, 4.30 pm – 5 pm

St Luke, Woodvale: Saturday, 5 pm – 5.50 pm

All Saints, Greenwood: Saturday: 9.30 am – 10 am & 5.30 pm – 5.45 pm

Our Lady of Grace, North Beach: Saturday, 5 pm – 5.45 pm

2. Catholic Singles Mini Golf (20-35yrs): Saturday 11th July, 2026 5pm at Hey Caddy Balcatta. A fun evening of mini golf with other Catholic young adults from around Perth! Whether you're aiming for a hole-in-one or just keen for a relaxed night out, this is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and enjoy some friendly competition in a welcoming, low-pressure setting. https://perthcatholicsingles.eventbrite.com

Email: perthcatholicsingles@gmail.com Instagram/FB @perthcatholicsingles

3. 'St. Monica's Tears': Praying for our children, grandchildren and loved ones who have lapsed from their Catholic Faith. Holy Mass and prayers are offered every Thursday at 10.45am-12.00 noon for the return of our loved ones to their Catholic Faith. Place: St. Bernadette's Church. Jugan St. Glendalough.

4. The Knights of the Southern Cross WA: invite all Catholic men and women over 18 to join them for A Knights Leadership Breakfast with Margaret Court AC, MBE on Thursday 9th of July at Fraser’s Kings Park. Register now at https://go.kscwa.au/9july26-lead

5. Aid to the Church in Need: ACN operates solely on benefactor donations, with no funding from Church or State. Learn more on our website: www.aidtochurch.org

6. Catholic Archdiocese of Perth – Employment Opportunities:

For details and how to apply, refer to https://www.perthcatholic.org.au/Employment.htm

• Pastoral Assistant, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry – Permanent, Full-time

• Administrator, Catholic Pastoral Centre – Permanent, Part-time

• Team Leader, Parish Finance – Permanent, Full-time

• Claremont Parish – St Thomas the Apostle Church: seeks a casual Parish Secretary to provide leave cover and assist with general administration, weekday shifts between 9am and 5pm, rostered on a needs basis. Applications are welcome at parishsupport@perthcatholic.org.au by 23 July 2026. Submit a current resume and cover letter, quoting “Claremont Parish Secretary (Casual)” in the email subject line.

7. Catholic Homes: Catholic Homes is offering free, no-obligation support at home consultations to help older Australians and their families better understand home care and aged care services. The consultations provide practical guidance on: Home Care services and support options, My Aged Care processes, Eligibility and funding, Assessments and referrals, Navigating aged care with confidence. Consultations can take place either in a person’s home or over the phone and are completely free of charge. To book a free consultation or arrange a group presentation, contact Catholic Homes on 1300 244 111 or visit www.catholichomes.com.

First reading: Zechariah 9:9-10

See now, your king comes humbly to you

The Lord says this: Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout with gladness, daughter of Jerusalem! See now, your king comes to you; he is victorious, he is triumphant, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will banish chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem; the bow of war will be banished. He will proclaim peace for the nations. His empire shall stretch from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 144(145):1-2,8-11,13b-14

Response: I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

I will give you glory, O God my king, I will bless your name for ever. I will bless you day after day and praise your name for ever. R.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. R.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing. They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God. R.

The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds. The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down. R.

Second reading: Romans 8:9,11-13

If by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body, you will live

Your interests are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him, and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you. So then, my brothers, there is no necessity for us to obey our unspiritual selves or to live unspiritual lives. If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die; but if by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live.

Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia

Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:25-30

You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children

Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever, Amen.

Greetings, my brothers and sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). The Lord does not reserve this phrase for certain friends of his, no; he addresses it to “all” those who are weary and overwhelmed by life. And who could feel excluded from this invitation? The Lord knows how arduous life can be.

He knows that many things weary the heart: disappointments and wounds of the past, burdens to carry and wrongs to bear in the present, uncertainties and worries about the future.

In the face of all this, Jesus’ first word is an invitation, a call to move and respond: “Come”. The mistake, when things go wrong, is to stay where we are, lying there. It seems obvious, but how difficult it is to respond and open ourselves! It is not easy. In dark times it feels natural to keep to ourselves, to ruminate over how unfair life is, over how ungrateful others are, how mean the world is, and so on. We all know it. We have had this awful experience a few times. But in this way, locked up inside ourselves, we see everything as grim. Then we even grow accustomed to sadness, which becomes like home: that sadness overcomes us; this sadness is a terrible thing. Jesus, however, wants to pull us out of this “quicksand” and thus says to each one: “Come! — Who? — You, you, you”. The way out is in connecting, in extending a hand and lifting our gaze to those who truly love us.

In fact it is not enough to come out of ourselves; it is important to know where to go. Because many aims are illusory: they promise comfort and distract just a little; they guarantee peace and offer amusement, then leave us with the loneliness there was before; they are “fireworks”. Therefore Jesus indicates where to go: “Come to me”. And many times, in the face of a burden of life or a situation that saddens us, we try to talk about it with someone who listens to us, with a friend, with an expert.... This is a great thing to do, but let us not forget Jesus. Let us not forget to open ourselves to him and to recount our life to him, to entrust people and situations to him. Perhaps there are “areas” of our life that we have never opened up to him and which have remained dark, because they have never seen the Lord’s light.

When Jesus enters life, peace arrives, the kind that remains even in trials, in suffering. Let us go to Jesus; let us give him our time; let us encounter him each day in prayer, in a trusting and personal dialogue; let us become familiar with his Word; let us fearlessly rediscover his forgiveness; let us eat of his Bread of Life: we will feel loved; we will feel comforted by him.

It is he himself who asks it of us, almost insists on it. He repeats it again at the end of today’s Gospel: “learn from me, and you will find rest for your life” (cf. v. 29). And thus, let us learn to go to Jesus. May the Virgin Mary our Mother, who always takes care of us when we are weary and overwhelmed, help us and accompany us to Jesus.

Our Lady of the Mission Whitford Parish acknowledges that safeguarding is a shared responsibility prioritising the care, protection and best interests of children and adults at risk. Our Parish is committed to implementing the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS). You can find out more about the safeguarding program, guidelines, find helpful resources, reporting abuse and protective behaviours resources and story books here: https://safeguarding.perthcatholic.org.au/ or call the Safeguarding Office on 08 9221 7762.

Our Safeguarding Officers

Safeguarding officers assist to create a safe environment for all. They are the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns and support the implementation of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.

Safeguarding Officers: Andrea Clemente: 0405 116 810, Renee Itzstein: 0413 225 560, Sirlene Fernandes 0432 634 371 or email sgo.whitford@perthcatholic.org.au

Safeguarding Induction for all Church Workers

ALL church workers (volunteers or paid) are to complete a Safeguarding Level 1 Induction which is now a Self-Paced Online Learning Module that can be completed at any time, once every 3 years. Please visit: Safeguarding Training and Registration – Safeguarding Office (perthcatholic.org.au)

Safeguarding Forms and Policy:

Forms, Safeguarding policy and code of conduct can be found on the Safeguarding website, at the Parish Office or in one of the Safeguarding folders in the Church – Sacristy, Robing room or information desk.

Parish Priest:

Fr Cyprian M. Shikokoti Ph: 0450 464 678

Assistant Priest:

Fr Cornelius Ekwebelem Ph:0484 925 257

Parish Office

Mary McGrath-Yek & Ebony Lepoutre

Office Hours: Tues – Fri 9am –4pm (Monday Closed)

Ph: 08 9307 2776

Mobile: 0434 434 783 (Text only)

Email: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au

Columbarium: Closed Monday

Sacramental Coordinator: Mrs Ronellie R. Lenon

Ph: 08 9307 2776

Email: sacramental.whitford@perthcatholic.org.au

Youth and Young Adult Contact Details

Youth Choir: Terry Boylen - 0402 642 887

Youth & Family Choir: Fran Christie Zscherpel - 0433 852 967

24:7 Whitford Youth Group: youthministry247@outlook.com.au

Safeguarding Officers:

Renee Itzstein 0413 225 560

Andrea Clemente 0405 116 810

Sirlene Fernandes 0432 634 371

Email: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au