Our Lady of the Mission
Whitford Parish - 1st March 2026
This Sunday is: The Second Sunday of Lent
Next Sunday is:8th March, Third Sunday of Lent
We are now in Lenten season; accompanying our Lord on his path of suffering, crucifixion at Calvary; and glorious resurrection at Easter. I offer this short statement as a guideline for those who may struggle with fasting and abstinence. The law of abstinence (refraining from meat) binds all Catholics who are fourteen years of age and above. The law of fasting binds all Catholics who are eighteen to sixty years of age. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are the days of abstinence and fasting – ref Canon #1250 - 1253. I hasten to recommend that you speak to your health professional and follow their advice if you have any underlying health concerns. Have a fruitful Lent.
Greetings and welcome; parishioners and visitors!
Fr Tri 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 endeavor 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. Tri 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 - PP.
Please offer your prayers this week for Mildred Brachen, Graeme Scaddan, Bernadette Burns, Margaret Anthony, Ian Herrera, Tarja Longmore, Evelyn Alexander, Anne Lester, Helen Thomas 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.
Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. St. Paul reminds us that God Himself “did not spare His own Son.” Are my gifts to the Lord – of my resources, of my time, of myself – also sacrificial?
We would love to meet you. Please introduce yourself to our priests Fr. Cyp and Fr. Tri.
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. Our 2026 Easter Celebrations and Mass Times are as follows:
A. Palm Sunday Masses - 28th/29th March 6.30pm, 8.00am, 10.00am and 5.45pm (Please wear Red)
B. Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper - Thursday 2nd April at 7.30pm in the Church (Please wear White)
C. Good Friday Stations of the Cross - Friday 3rd April at 10.00am in the Church (Please wear Red)
D. Good Friday Passion Liturgy - Friday 3rd April at 3.00pm in the Church (Please wear Red)
E. Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Mass - Saturday, 4th April at 7.00pm in the Church (Please wear White/Gold)
F. Easter Sunday Masses - Sunday 5th April at 8.00am and 10.00am in the Church (Please wear White/Gold)
Please note: There will be NO 5.45pm Mass on Easter Sunday.
2. Easter Mass /Event Times Flyers: Please help us distribute our Easter schedule Flyers in your neighbourhood, among your families and contacts; inviting them to join us in the celebration of these sacred days. Kindly pick a bundle or two of flyers from back of the church. Thank you and God bless you.
3. Stations of the Cross: Please remember to join us in praying the stations of the cross at 7.00pm every Friday during Lent here in the Church.
4. Parish Lent Reconciliation: Our second rite of reconciliation for lent will be on Wednesday, 11th March at 7.00pm here in the Church. Please plan to join us and invite your family and friends to come along.
5. Parish Monthly Healing Mass: Our next Healing Mass will be on Saturday 28th February 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 Religious Education Program (PREP) Enrolment: We invite all families with children attending non-Catholic schools to consider enrolling them NOW into PREP for 2026 especially if they are due for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and or Confirmation. Please see either of our priests or contact parish office for more details.
7. 24/7 Whitford youth group: We would like to remind all our young people in Years 6-12 that our parish youth group resumes on Friday 20th February 2026 at 7pm and it will run every 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of the month in the parish centre. For more details, please contact parish office on whitford@perthcatholic.org.au or our youth leaders Jasmine and Dino on 0439976164/0478084725. See you all soon.
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. The Word Among Us: LENT 2026 – SOLD OUT. 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 and the Parish Office at a cost of $5. Let us embrace God’s Word and listen to Him.
10. Line Dancing at OLM: Please join us for some fun on Tuesdays @ 10.30am in the Parish Hall. Come and join the fun with Tom and Alma. No experience required. All welcome.
11. St Vincent de Paul Reminder: Friendly reminder to please place food items and toiletries only in the baskets at the back of the Church. All other items can be dropped at a Vinnies store. Thank you for your kind donations.
12. Columbarium: New pricing as of Tuesday 3rd February 2026. Niche = $800, Leaf = $70, Jacobs Well = $60.
13. Pastoral visits: Weekly pastoral visits conducted by Fathers Cyprian and Tri 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.
14. Rosary: Please join us for Rosary every Tuesday at 5pm, all welcome to attend.
15. 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.
16. The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Prayers: Are recited each Saturday in our Church at the 8.00am Mass after benediction. All welcome!
17. 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.
18. Your Offering: Please remember to deposit your offerings in the boxes provided in the foyer area or use electronic donation points. Thank you.
19. Your Collections: Thank you for your continued contribution and support to the Parish and Priests. 1st Collection: Supports our Priests. 2nd Collection: Supports our Church. To contribute Direct Debit: Presbytery A/C (1st Collection) A/C#14027 5567, BSB# 086 006. Church A/C (2ndCollection) 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.
20. Padbury Catholic Primary School: APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN. Contact the school on 08 9404 4000 for further information.
21. Whitford Catholic Primary School: APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN. To apply, please visit https://whitfordcatholicps.wa.edu.au/apply-online/
Youth News
1. 24/7 Whitford youth group: We would like to remind all our young people in Years 6-12 that our parish youth group resumes on Friday 20th February 2026 at 7pm and it will run every 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of the month in the parish centre. For more details, please contact parish office on whitford@perthcatholic.org.au or our youth leaders Jasmine and Dino on 0439976164/0478084725. See you all soon.
2. Road to Emmaus Youth Group: Meet every Thursday 7.30-9.00pm in the Parish Centre. For ages 16-22. Contact Eliza for details: 0402 642 887.
3. World Youth Day August 2027: Thank you for your continued support as we officially journey towards World Youth Day August 2027. Your support is greatly appreciated from our Car Wash and bake sale.
RELIGIOUS GOODS STALL: Jenny/ Pat. Mirella/ Sophy
PROCLAIMERS OF THE WORD: Kerry Roberts, Margaret Shilton/ Andrea Hancock, Helen Leithead/ Michelle Gagatek, Carol Wright/ Dylan Sarapunas, Emma Paice
COUNTERS: Sunday 15th March 2026: Colin O’Neill/ Caroline Mikeska/ Mary McGrath-Yek/ Suyaine Tohovitis/ Ebony Lepoutre
CLEANERS: Saturday 28th February: Suzan Crompton/ Kate/ Amy Lee Winn/ Patricia Byrne, Margarita Tranquille
GLORY BE CAFÉ: Sunday 8th March: Alma Turner/ Jackie Murphy/ Tom Wellings
SPECIAL MINISTERS: Patricia Alves, A Ting/ Cecilia Araya, Lee Hansen/ E Rodrigues-Thomas, M McGrath, J Quatermaine/ B Prentice, Sally Paice
STATUE OF FATIMA: The Statue will be with the Gorman family in Padbury from 28th February to 7th March. Those wishing to join them to say the Rosary, can call them 0468 449 385 to arrange. From 7th – 14th March 2026 the Statue will be with the Nerva 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 6th March 2026.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration is held every Wednesday & Friday from 9.30am–7 pm.
BAPTISMS: We welcome Ciara and Noah into God’s family this weekend.
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.
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. Medjugorje – LENT: Stations of the Cross will start at 6.30pm followed by Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary, Confession, Benediction and conclude with Holy Mass. Place St. Bernadette's Church. 49 Jugan St. Glendalough. Date Friday 27th March. Following Holy Mass, we warmly welcome you to the parish hall for light refreshments. Rosary beads and medals which received Priest's Blessing and Our Lady's Blessing during Her apparitions will be freely available on the evening.
3. Day of the Unborn Child Mass: Saturday 7th March at 10am at St Mary's Cathedral. We celebrate the sacredness of every human life in this special Mass. We also pray for hope and healing for men and women who have lost a child. Please call Lisette on 9328 2929 for more information.
4. 'St. Monica's Tears': Praying for our children, grandchildren and loved ones who have lapsed from their Catholic Faith. Please be advised that Holy Mass and prayers are offered every Thursday at 10.45am-12.00noon for the return of our loved ones to their Catholic Faith. Place St. Bernadette's Church. Jugan St. Glendalough. Please join us as we place the names of our lapsed loved ones in the box marked 'Monica's Tears' and offer our 11.00am Holy Mass and prayers to bring them home.
5. Charismatic Renewal Opening Year Mass - Thurs, 5th March. will hold our Opening Year Mass at Holy Family Church, Thelma St, Como, commencing with Prayer & Praise at 7:30pm, followed by the Mass. Come along to celebrate the beginning of this wonderful year with the Lord and to ask His abundant blessings on us all. Please invite family and friends and bring a plate for a light supper, if possible. Further info - Dan 0409 849 049 or daniel.hewitt5@bigpond.com.
6. The Knights of the Southern Cross WA: invite all Catholic men and women over 18 to join them for A Knights Leadership Breakfast with Dr Debra Sayce, Tara Peters and Syona Fernandez on Thursday 19th of March at Fraser’s Kings Park. The topic is Living Catholic Mission: Identity, Leadership and Vocation in Today’s World. Hot breakfast and bottomless coffee included in the ticket price. Register now at https://go.kscwa.au/19march26-lead.
7. A Lenten Reflection Day with Mary: Presented by Bishop Sproxton on the 14th March from 10.30am to 2.30pm at St Columba’s Catholic Church in South Perth. RSVP by 7th March to parishrenewal@perthcatholic.org.au. See poster at back of Church for more information.
8. A Lenten Reflection Day with Mary: Presented by Bishop Sproxton on the 14th March from 10.30am to 2.30pm at St Columba’s Catholic Church in South Perth. RSVP by 7th March to parishrenewal@perthcatholic.org.au. See poster at back of Church for more information.
First reading: Genesis 12:1-4
All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you
The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing. ‘I will bless those who bless you: I will curse those who slight you. All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you.’ So, Abram went as the Lord told him.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 32(33):4-5,18-20,22
Response: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
The word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love. R.
The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine. R.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield. May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you. R.
Second reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-10
God calls and enlightens us
With me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has only been revealed by the Appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 17:5
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: this is my beloved Son, hear him. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:1-9
His face shone like the sun
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus. As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’
God of all love, we remember that on the night before he died, your son, Jesus, prayed that his friends ’may all be one.’ Yet we see so much division in the world. War, conflict, violence and hatred must all distress you. Millions of people suffer when they don’t have peace and respect. They lack the necessities of life; food, water, health, education and security. We pray that we may all unite against poverty this Lent. May our support for Project Compassion be a sign to ourselves and others, of our hope for a better world. This Lent, we pray that our dedication to prayer, fasting and almsgiving will help restore your vision of justice and peace. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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 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 Tri Nguyen, CSsR Ph: 0490 471 089
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
Email: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
Website: Home | Whitford Catholic Parish
Location: 270 Camberwarra Drive, Craigie WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9307 2776
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-the-Mission-Whitford-Parish-105788500874671/?ref=br_rs