Our Lady of the Mission

Next Sunday is the 6th September: Twenty-Third 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 31st August

NO MASS

Feast Day:

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Tuesday 1st September

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Wednesday 2nd September

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Thursday 3rd September

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day: Saint Gregory the Great

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Friday 4th September

Church 7am & 9am

Feast Day:

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Saturday 5th September

Church 8am & 6.30pm

Feast Day:

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Sunday 6th September

Church 8am, 10am & 5.45pm

Feast Day:

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Kiswahili Mass: 2.30pm,

First Sunday of every month

Introduction As a community of believers, we give thanks for all the many blessings we have received and commit ourselves to living out the Gospel in our daily actions.

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9

Jeremiah denounces his persecutors.

Second Reading: Romans 12:1-2

Paul encourages us to be transformed by having the mind of Christ, seeing things in the way that he sees them.

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus invites us to take up our cross and follow him.

Antiphon to the Psalm: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God

Please offer your prayers this week for Patricia Lowndes, Ho Siew Heng, Luca Wilkinson White, Varghese Devassy, 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.

In today’s second reading, St Paul exhorts the Romans to total stewardship. Brothers and sister, he urges, “…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”

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. Congratulations! We congratulate all our WCPS Year Four students making their First Holy Communion in our parish this weekend. Sincere thanks to parents and care-givers, teachers and the parish staff for their support in preparation and celebrations. Those in PREP will celebrate their FHC at the 10.00am Mass on Sunday 18th October. We continue to keep these young people and their families in our prayers.

2. RIP Mrs Patricia Lowndes: One of our long-time parishioners Mrs Patricia Lowndes sadly passed away in the early hours of last Monday morning, 24th of August, in the UK. Funeral details to follow. Please keep Pat and her family and friends in your prayers.

3. Catholic Mission Appeal: Our parish’s annual Catholic Mission Appeal will take place on the weekend of 5th/6th September. Please consider supporting this important apostolic agency, which provides essential assistance to missionaries and missionary communities around the world. Please collect one donation envelope per family as you leave the church today and return it when you are ready over the coming weeks. Thank you for your generous support of this important mission.

4. A Word of appreciation from Fr. Cyprian: I take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all who have generously responded to my appeal to support the construction and structural rehabilitation of my former primary school, Saint Columban Primary School in Eregi, Western Kenya. Your kindness and generosity have already made a significant difference, particularly in advancing the construction of the new administration block and the rainwater collection project. I specially acknowledge our Parish Line Dance coordinators, Filipino Prayer Group and Overseas Mission Group for their past and ongoing support. I will be travelling home for my annual leave from 7th–30th September, during which time I will personally inspect the progress of the works and provide you with first-hand updates. Please be assured of my continued prayers and gratitude, as well as the prayers of the families and wider community in Eregi. May God bless you abundantly for your generosity and support.

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. Overseas Mission Father’s Day Raffle: Tickets sold after masses, 3 for $5.00. Winners will be drawn on Father’s Day, Sunday 6th September. Your prayers and support is always appreciated.

7. New Altar Servers Training: We invite Year Four (and above) Students interested in becoming Altar Servers in our parish for training and rostering. Two training sessions available to choose from, Saturday 5th at 10am and Saturday 26th September at 1pm in the Church. Please provide us your details on the sign up sheet at the information desk and date you will attend training. Thank you for considering being part of this wonderful ministry.

8. Legion of Mary 48Hr Rosary Bouquet for Our Lady’s Birthday: 6pm Saturday 5th Sept to 6pm Monday 7th September 2026. Presentation of the scroll of names will be made at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, Tuesday 8th September 2025, 12.10pm. List for names can be found in the foyer of the Church.

9. 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 concelebrate 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

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

16. 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.

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

18. 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.

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

20. 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 4th 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 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, Gloria, Angela, Sophy.

PROCLAIMERS OF THE WORD: Laurie Graham, Chris Graham, Andrea Hancock, Helen Leithead, Jan Mateljan, Michael Mateljan, Sharon Milne, Sam Leeks.

COUNTERS: Sunday 13th September: Jennifer Lalani, Connie Sanders, Liz Williams, Rachel Hargrave.

CLEANERS: Saturday 5th September: Ian Fernandez, Maria Bennett, Carol Janeczko, Evelyn D’Souza.

GLORY BE CAFÉ: Sunday 6th September: Tania de Sousa, Gloria Ibanez, Regina Kroczek, Bernedette Nadham.

SPECIAL MINISTERS: Kerry Roberts, Jenna d’Oliveira/ Cecilia Araya, Lee Hansen/ J Quatermaine, M Torres, Angelo D’Souza/ C Davini, Mary Prentice.

STATUE OF FATIMA: The Statue will be with the Turner family in Beldon from 12th to 19th September. Those wishing to join them to say the Rosary, can call 0414 061 237 to arrange. From 19th to 26th September 2026 the Statue will be with the Murphy family in Pearsall.

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 7th September 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 Max Gilmore, Oisin Grima, Saoirse Grima, Sonny Grima, Seamus Grima 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.

4. Miracle Prayers Healing Service: Join us, 7.30pm at St Anthony's Parish, 15 Dundebar Rd, Wanneroo on 26th August. For further details, please ph 0404 028 298.

5. FIAT: Why Be Catholic Conference 2026. Join us 1 to 3 October at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Scarborough, for this year's Why Be Catholic Conference. Our headline guest is Tim Staples, Senior Apologist with Catholic. Early bird tickets close 1st September. Visit www.evangelisationaustralia.com for details and registration.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. CCR Retreat: Catholic Charismatic Renewal will hold a RETREAT at the Orchard Glory Farm Resort, commencing Friday 18th September in afternoon and finishing around 3:00pm on Sunday 20th September. Accommodation is twin-share live-in. The total cost per person is $175 and will include all meals and tea & coffee. Book with a friend to be sure of sharing a room together. Further queries to Dan 0409849049.

10. Catholic Mission: Please see Parish notices for details of our Appeal taking place this weekend. This appeal helps support families rebuilding after devastating floods, and to help children access education close to home. Through projects like St Peter’s Nyamikuta Primary School, the Church is creating a place where children can learn, be nourished, and grow with dignity, regardless of their background or beliefs. Your gift will also assist other similar Catholic Mission programmes throughout the developing world. Should you be keen to support the work of Catholic Mission through a bequest, or as a volunteer, or in other ways, please email Francis Leong at director.cm@perthcatholic.org.au to explore the possibilities.

First reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9

The word of the Lord has meant insult for me

You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced; you have overpowered me: you were the stronger. I am a daily laughing-stock, everybody’s butt. Each time I speak the word, I have to howl and proclaim: ‘Violence and ruin!’ The word of the Lord has meant for me insult, derision, all day long. I used to say, ‘I will not think about him, I will not speak in his name any more.’ Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones. The effort to restrain it wearied me, I could not bear it.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 62(63):2-6,8-9

Response: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water. R.

So, I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. R.

So, I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy. R.

For you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast. R.

Second reading: Romans 12:1-2

Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice

Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.

Gospel Acclamation: Ephesians 1:17. 18

Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our heart, that we might see how great is the hope to which we are called. Alleluia!

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:21-27

'Get behind me, Satan!'

Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’ Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life? ‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’

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,

Sunday’s reading from the Gospel according to Matthew brings us to the critical point at which Jesus, after having ascertained that Peter and the other eleven believed in Him as the Messiah and Son of God, “began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things..., and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (16:21).

It is a critical moment at which the contrast between Jesus’ way of thinking and that of the disciples emerges. Peter actually feels duty bound to admonish the Master because the Messiah could not come to such an ignominious end. Then Jesus, in turn, severely rebukes Peter and puts him in his place, because he is “not on the side of God, but of men” (v. 23), unintentionally playing the part of Satan, the tempter. In the liturgy for this Sunday the Apostle Paul also stresses this point when he writes to the Christians in Rome, telling them: “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2).

Indeed, we Christians live in the world, fully integrated into the social and cultural reality of our time, and rightly so; but this brings with it the risk that we might become “worldly”, that “the salt might lose its taste”, as Jesus would say (cf. Mt 5:13). In other words, the Christian could become “watered down”, losing the charge of newness which comes to him from the Lord and from the Holy Spirit. Instead it should be the opposite: when the power of the Gospel remains alive in Christians, it can transform “criteria of judgment, determining values, points of interest, lines of thought, sources of inspiration and models of life”. It is sad to find “watered-down” Christians, who seem like watered-down wine. It is sad to find Christians who are no longer the salt of the earth, and we know that when salt loses its taste, it is no longer good for anything. Their salt has lost its taste because they have delivered themselves up to the spirit of the world, that is, they have become worldly.

This is why it is necessary to renew oneself by continually drawing sap from the Gospel. And how can one do this in practice? First of all by actually reading and meditating on the Gospel every day, so the Word of Jesus may always be present in our life. Remember: it will help you to always carry the Gospel with you: a small Gospel, in a pocket, in a bag, and read a passage during the day. But always with the Gospel, because it is carrying the Word of Jesus, and being able to read it. In addition, attending Sunday Mass, where we encounter the Lord in the community, we hear his Word and receive the Eucharist which unites us with Him and to one another; and then days of retreat and spiritual exercises are very important for spiritual renewal. Gospel, Eucharist, Prayer. Do not forget: Gospel, Eucharist, Prayer. Thanks to these gifts of the Lord we are able to conform not to the world but to Christ, and follow him on his path, the path of “losing one’s life” in order to find it (Mt 16:25). “To lose it” in the sense of giving it, offering it through love and in love — and this leads to sacrifice, also the cross — to receive it liberated from selfishness and from the mortgage of death, newly purified, full of eternity

May the Virgin Mary always go before us on this journey; let us be guided and accompanied by her.

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