We have ordinary ways of looking at things that when we listen to this gospel, Matthew 20:1-16, we are tempted to react and share the grumble of the workers who have laboured since early morning. It seems a bit unfair that after slaving all day in the hot sun they got the same pay for their efforts as those who were taken late. The parable is not dealing with equal rights for all or an honest day's work for pay. Its main emphasis is to show the generosity of God opening the doors of the kingdom of heaven to gentiles and sinners.

The theme of the gospel, Matthew 18:21-35, is all about forgiveness and mercy which are basic attitudes that every Christian must put into practice. Apart from the command to love one another there is no obligation which Christ taught more forcefully than of showing forgiveness. In actual fact of everyday life, forgiveness is more often talked about than put into practice because it is difficult and demanding. It takes a great deal out of us. Perhaps within families small incidents get blown out of proportion and rifts develop.

Statement from Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Archbishop of Melbourne Child Protection Week.

Children's Reflection, Family Activities

Click to find a Children's reflection page plus other details of interesting things to do together as family.

Our Parish sings 'The Blessing'

This song has been sung throughout the world by Christians during COVID-19. Watch and hear our parish sing here: https://www.holyspiritparish.org.au/News-Events/ArtMID/1866/ArticleID/318/Holy-Spirit-Parish-sing-The-Blessing.

Parishioners in prayer

Join with parishioners in prayer and devotion to Our Lady for the intentions of your own heart, our community, our neighbourhood, our city and our world every Tuesday night 7- 8 p.m. on Zoom. Ambrose & Philomena Cornelio host the Zoom session. Contact them by email to advise a prayer request or to request access to the meeting: ambrose_cornelio@hotmail.com.

A PARISH THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Archbishop Comensoli on Child Protection week

See Archbishop Peter Comensoli's statement regarding National Child Protection Week, 6-12 September 2020: Celebrating 30 years with the theme "Putting children first". The Archbishop's statement can be found here amongst our News articles: https://www.holyspiritparish.org.au/News-Events/ArtMID/1866/ArticleID/321/Statement-from-Most-Rev-Peter-A-Comensoli-Archbishop-of-Melbourne-re-Child-Protection-Week.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church Parish sing 'The Blessing'. This song has been sung throughout the world by Christians during COVID-19.

Refer https://www.holyspiritparish.org.au/Parish-Groups/Choir to find our more about our fabulous choir.

The song was written by Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe abd Steven Furtick.

Children's Reflection, Family Activities

Click to find a Children's reflection page plus other details of interesting things to do together as family.

Spirit Magazine

The latest Spirit Magazine, Volume 35, No 3, September 2020, is out this weekend for Fathers Day - Fatherhood - Fathers Day 2020. Check it out here: https://www.holyspiritparish.org.au/The-Spirit-Magazine.

Father’s Day Collection - Priest Retirement Appeal

Traditionally this weekend would be the PRF annual appeal for retired priests. The FoundaDon’s Mission is to provide complete care to the retired clergy within the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Donations can be made to the Foundation in a number of ways, including online or by mail. For details on how to donate, go to: https://www.cam1.org.au/foundation. Donations are 100% tax deducDble. Receipts are sent out in the first week of July.

The readings point to a clear message concerning our responsibility towards the salvation of others within the community. We all have the duty of doing good while we can by helping those who are weak or in need of assistance. This doesn't mean we are interfering in people's lives. The love of our neighbour is priority. There is no living together without pain and the gospel brings us the delicate way of counselling those people who are misbehaving, doing wrong and going astray.

Children's Reflection, Family Activities

Click to find a Children's reflection page plus other details of interesting things to do together as family.

Standing together (Sunday 30th August 2pm Sunday), Light in the Darkness - Time Out for a Suffering World (Monday 31st August 7 p.m.)

Gather with Christians from across the State as we uphold our Nation, our State and its citizens during this pandemic.

Christian leaders from across the breadth of the Church have felt a need to stand together to uphold our State, our government, our front line health workers, our communities and one another as we work our way through this time of restrictions and uncertainty.

Click https://melbournecatholic.org.au/News/ArtMID/416/ArticleID/24581/Standing-together-to-see-the-light-in-the-darkness to read about these two events.

Click on the image to the left, "Light in the Darkness", for details on Monday night's event.

These events are a collaboration of many Churches and Christian leaders from across Victoria. The Victorian Council of Churches has enabled these events to happen.

Peter found it difficult to accept that the mission of Jesus would end with the cross and crucifixion. He did not see why pain and suffering were necessary for discipleship. He was against at the idea that such should take place. He thought that being part of the kingdom was a matter of success. He had yet to learn that the standards of Christ were not those of power and privilege. The outcome was a reprimand from Jesus who cautioned him against embracing the standards of the world.