Our Lady of the Mission

Next Sunday is the 20th September: Twenty-Fifth 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 14th September

NO MASS

Feast Day: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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Tuesday 15th September

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day: Our Lady of Sorrows

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Wednesday 16th September

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day: : Saints Cornelius, Pope & Cyprian

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Thursday 17th September

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Friday 18th September

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Saturday 19th September

Church 8am & 6.30pm

Feast Day:

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Sunday 20th September

Church 8am, 10am & 5.45pm

Feast Day:

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Kiswahili Mass: 2.30pm,

First Sunday of every month

Lord, when I find it hard to forgive, grant me the grace to be loving and merciful.

Introduction The theme of today’s Mass is forgiveness. As we ask God to forgive our wrongdoings, we are told by Jesus that unless we forgive others whatever wrongdoings they have committed agai13th nst us, we shall not receive eternal life with God after death.

First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 27:33-28:9

We must forgive our neighbours and not persist in our anger, then we too will be pardoned.

Second Reading: Romans 14:7-9

We are the Lord’s in life and in death.

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Jesus says we must forgive anyone who wrongs us seventy-seven times seven if we hope for salvation.

Antiphon to the Psalm: The Lord is kind and merciful; slow to anger and rich in compassion.

Please offer your prayers this week for Sylvester Dempsey, Luu Due Phuoe, Jerome Fernandez, Precy Fernandez, 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.

Stewardship is not optional! “None of us lives as his own master and none of us dies as his own master,” says St. Paul. “While we live, we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die, we die as His servants.”

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. Marriage Survey: Couples in their first 10 Years of marriage are kindly asked to contribute their valuable insights to a professional survey being funded by the Australian Catholic Bishops. All answers are anonymous and confidential, and participants can contact the researchers directly with any questions via the survey link at: https://thepmrc.org/survey

2. Return of Catholic Mission Appeal Envelopes: Sincere thanks to everyone who has generously contributed to this year’s Catholic Mission Appeal. Your generosity helps support the Church’s missionary work and communities in need, both here at home and overseas. If you have taken an appeal envelope and are yet to return it, kindly do so when ready by placing it in any of the collection boxes in the church foyer. Thank you once again for your generosity and continued support of the Church’s mission.

3. Loss and Grief Gathering: Have you, or someone you know, lost a loved one recently? Are you or they finding it difficult to cope with the loss? Please remember that you are not alone during these difficult and painful times. As part of our parish MissionCare Ministry, we are offering an opportunity for grieving families and friends to come together in a safe and supportive environment for prayer, reflection, and companionship. We warmly invite you to join us on: Saturday, 3rd October; 10:30 am – 12:00 pm in the Parish Centre You are most welcome to bring a photo or a sentimental item belonging to your deceased loved one. This may be placed on our prayer focus table for the duration of the gathering as we remember and pray for those we have lost. Please be assured of our continued prayers, care, and concern for you and your family during this time. We look forward to welcoming you.

4. RIP Mrs Patricia Lowndes: One of our long-time parishioners Mrs Patricia Lowndes sadly passed away in the early hours of Monday morning, 24th of August, in the UK. Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday 24th September at 11am at OLM. Please keep Pat and her family and friends in your prayers.

5. Parish Monthly Healing Mass: Our next Healing Mass will be on Saturday 26th September 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. Parish Annual Wedding Anniversary Mass & Dinner: We invite all our Parish couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries this year to join us for Annual Wedding Anniversary Mass and Dinner of Saturday, 24th October 2026 at 6.30pm. We warmly welcome special guest, Bishop Nelson Po who will be the celebrant at the Mass and attend dinner afterwards. We encourage all couples celebrating 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th 65th, and 70th wedding anniversaries to sign up and plan to join us. Kindly share some of photos with parish office for our slideshow. For planning purposes, please sign up at the information desk.

7. Legion of Mary and Auxiliaries: A Legion of Mary Mass will take place every second Saturday at the 8am Mass. Also, please join us for rosary at 7.30pm prior to Mass. All are welcome to attend.

8. The Word Among Us: SEPTEMBER ISSUE NOW ON SALE - Spend just 10 minutes a day with The Word Among Us, and you will learn how to love God, others and self. Available from the back of the Church for $5. Let us embrace God’s Word and listen to Him.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

13. 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.

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

15. 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.

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

17. 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. Next youth group will be held on Friday 18th September. 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 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: Linda, Cecilia, Cheryl, Ratna

PROCLAIMERS OF THE WORD: Rachel Boston, Gisela Boston. Tamara McGougan, Vienna Penaranda, Mirella Augustin, Lyne Acacio, Cara Stritch, David Stritch

COUNTERS: Sunday 27th September: Ian Cutler, Michael Chiera, Lisa Zscherpel, Patricia Egan, Samantha Del Lorso, Rochelle Securo

CLEANERS: Saturday 19th September: Tarsha Malone, Christian Philogene, Carolina Asenjo, Kelly Giannasi

GLORY BE CAFÉ: Sunday 20th September: Monica Majano, Maria Majano, Vilma Batt, Sue Quatermaine

SPECIAL MINISTERS: D Nightingall, M Shilton, Anthony Tong, F d’Oliveira/ Diane Raftos, Niamh Waters, B Harrington, Senol Bonny/ Adam O’Neill, S Williamson, J Bouwman, S Puvimanasinghe, M Augustin/ Sally Paice, David Stritch, Tara Prentice, N Westneat

STATUE OF FATIMA: The Statue will be with the Murphy family in Pearsall from 19th to 26th September. Those wishing to join them to say the Rosary, can call 0405 049 668 to arrange. From 26th September to 3rd October 2026 the Statue will be with the Norgrove family in Merriwa.

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 2nd October 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 Jordy Zerna, Lucy Zerna, Noah Zerna, Nikora Cuthers, Stevie Fahy, Mia Kemsley, Brody Kemsley, Isaac Decotter, Eva Faranda and Santino Faranda, 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. '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.

3. IMPACTERS Adventure Camp: 5-7th October Young people from high school age to 22 years are invited to three days of friendship, adventure, faith and encouragement at Cahoots Adventure Camp, Bullsbrook. A free bus is available from Balcatta, or families may arrange direct travel to the campsite. Flexible pricing includes fully sponsored places where needed. Details and registration: https://impacters.global/camp

4. Our Lady of the Rosary Pilgrimage: Saturday 17th October 2026 from 10am to 2pm at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Lower Chittering. Procession, Crowning of our Lady, Consecration prayers, Rosary, Veneration of Relics, Holy Mass, Eucharist Adoration and Benediction. Confession available. BYO Lunch to share. Buses depart promptly at 8.30am from Our Lady of the Mission and St Denis Church, Joondanna, $25pp. For more information contact: Nita 0418 355 531, Persi (bus) 0430 758 699 or Noya 0450 145 025.

5. KSC Education Foundation Inc: Teachers employed in Catholic Schools are invited to apply for a scholarship to study Religious Education and Theology Units at the University of Notre Dame in 2027. Applications will open on 31 August and close on 26 October 2026. For further information on the application process please contact office@kscwa.org.au or phone 9368 2503. On-line application forms will be available from 31 August at https://wa.ksca.org.au/latest-News.html

6. Looking for house-sit/rental: Scottish couple visiting family. Approx dates 20th January 2027 for a month looking in Padbury or surrounding areas. References can be supplied. contact Monica on macleanfamily46@yahoo.co.uk.

7. The Gathering: Join the fun St Anthonys Parish Hall Thursday 17th September from 10.15am. Bring a plate to share, entertainment Bernard Carney & Spirits of the streets choir, WA Police speaker, and the WA Police pipe band performing. Want to know more Sean McDonagh 0431 018 388 or Jim Egan 0413 866 320 thegatheringnorthernsuburbs@gmail.com

First reading: Ecclesiasticus 27:33-28:9

Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you; and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven

Resentment and anger, these are foul things, and both are found with the sinner. He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin. Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven. If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord? Showing no pity for a man like himself, can he then plead for his own sins? Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment; who will forgive him his sins? Remember the last things, and stop hating, remember dissolution and death, and live by the commandments. Remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the offence.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 102(103):1-4,9-12

Response: The Lord is kind and merciful: slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings. R.

It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion. R.

His wrath will come to an end; he will not be angry for ever. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults. R.

For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins. R.

Second reading: Romans 14:7-9

Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life: it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Gospel Acclamation: John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia! I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. Alleluia.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

To be forgiven, you must forgive.

Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.’ And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’

God of our beginnings and endings. You are with us on the journeys of our lives. You accompany us when we can notice your presence; and you accompany us when we are unaware. We humbly ask that you be with us now; in our homes and in our community. Sustain us in gratitude and your unfailing Love for us. May we generously respond to Your Son Jesus and to the Holy Spirit. With renewed strength, may we praise you with our whole hearts. Amen. Our Lady of the Mission, Pray for Us.

Prayer Adapted from New Norcia WA Pilgrimage.

Greetings, my brothers and sisters in Christ,

This Sunday’s Gospel passage (cf. Mt 18:21-35) offers us a lesson on forgiveness which does not deny wrongdoing, but recognizes that human beings, created in God’s image, are always greater than the evil they commit. Saint Peter asks Jesus: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (v. 21). To Peter, forgiving the same person seven times already seemed the maximum possible. And perhaps to us it may already seem too much to do so twice. But Jesus answers, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven” (v. 22), meaning always. You must always forgive. And he confirms this by telling the parable of the merciful king and the wicked servant, in which he shows the inconsistency of the man who was first forgiven and then refused to forgive.

The king in the parable is a generous man who, spurred by compassion, forgives an enormous debt — “10,000 talents”: enormous — to a servant who beseeches him. That same servant, however, as soon as he meets another servant like himself who owes him 100 dinarii — which is much less — behaves in a ruthless way and has him thrown in prison. The servant’s inconsistent behaviour is the same as ours when we refuse to forgive our brothers and sisters. Whereas the king in the parable is the image of God who loves us with a love that is so rich in mercy as to welcome us, love us and forgive us continuously.

From the time of our Baptism, God has forgiven us, releasing us from an intractable debt: original sin. But that is the first time. Then, with boundless mercy, he forgives us all our faults as soon as we show even the least sign of repentance. This is how God is: merciful. When we are tempted to close our heart to those who have offended us and tell us they are sorry, let us remember our Heavenly Father’s words to the wicked servant: “I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” (vv. 32-33). Anyone who has experienced the joy, peace and inner freedom which come from being forgiven should open him or herself up to the possibility of forgiving in turn.

Jesus wished to introduce the teaching of this parable into the Our Father. He linked the forgiveness which we ask from God with the forgiveness that we should accord our brothers and sisters: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Mt 6:12). God’s forgiveness is the symbol of his “overflowing” love for each of us. It is the love that leaves us free to distance ourselves, like the prodigal son, but which awaits our return every day. It is the resourceful love of the shepherd for the lost sheep. It is the tenderness which welcomes each sinner who knocks at his door. The Heavenly Father — our Father — is filled, is full of love and he wants to offer it to us, but he cannot do so if we close our heart to love towards others.

May the Virgin Mary help us to become ever more aware of the gratuitousness and the greatness of the forgiveness received from God, to become merciful like him, Good Father, slow to anger and great in love.

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: Renee Itzstein: 0413 225 560 and 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

Sirlene Fernandes 0432 634 371

Email: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au