St Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s Parish90 Buckley Street, Noble Park, VIC 3174

Tel (03) 9546 8276 - Fax (03) 9548 1608 - School (03) 9546 0044Email: parishsecretary@stanthonysparish.netParish Website: http://stanthonysparish.net

Parish Priest: Fr Arsenio Tuazon - Assistant Priest: Fr Richard RossePastoral Workers: Srs Kim Tran & Nga Nguyen

School Principal: Margaret Batt

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 3 JULY 2011

Monday to Saturday: 9.30amWednesday: 9.30am & 7.00pm1st Friday: 7.00pmSaturday Vigil: 7.00pmSunday: 8.15am,9.30am,11.00am,5.30pm3rd Sunday 2.00pm - Sudanese Mass - in Arabic Reconciliation: Saturday 10am and 6pm

Mass Times

Entrance Antiphon: Within your temple, we ponder your loving kindness, O God. As your name, so also your praise reaches to the ends of earth; your right hand is filled with justice.Communion Antiphon: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, blessed is he who hopes in God.

Next week:

X First reading: - Isaia 55:10-11

COUNTERS

Sun 3 July: Group 14 -

Sun 10 July: Group 15 -Warren & Charmaine DeSilva, Deslene de Niese, Bernice DRose, Srieka Perera

X Second reading: - Romans 8:18-23X Gospel: - Matthew 13:1-9

Jim & Elaine Henderson, Ed Holland, Mary Farrell, Anselm Almeida

Sun 10 July:07.00pm: Gordon Pinto, Craig Bayross, Serene Sequiera, Dawn Johnson08.15am: Ado Aguilar, Khz Aguilar09.30am: Adelaide Sii, Trisha Molloy

Stephen James Krol, Samantha Mathews11.00am: Mike O'Leary, Adeline John, Astrid D'Silva05.30pm: Youth Group, Paul Escasinas

LECTORS

50 years in 2006

I WILL PRAISE YOUR NAME FOR EVER, MY KING AND MY GOD.

From Break Open the Word

Who is Jesus? What is the 'kingdom of God' that he came to inaugurate? Will Jesus be a political liberator who will gather an army and drive out the Romans forever? If Jesus is a king, will he not summon his people to freedom through war as did Israel's kings before him? If his kingdom is not of this world, what use is it? These are the questions the gospel and the first reading present to us on this day.

To someone approaching it for the first time, Christianity seems a complicated system of beliefs and practices. Yet, at heart, it is a simple call to a fresh view of the world and a new way of living. Today's readings invite us to cut through the paraphernalia and get right to the heart of the matter. And at the heart of the matter we will find a person, a person who describes himself as 'gentle and humble in heart'. Again and again we need to come back to him, and to his invitation to share the load.

Fifteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

St. Anthony, patron of our parish, loyal servant of God, faithful follower of Jesus: You taught by word and deed, the message of the Gospel. Teach us to live the Gospel values as you did. Enlighten our minds in search of God's will. Inspire us to be a prayerful community, ever reaching out to and cherishing our neighbour. Help us proclaim God's love and live what we proclaim. AMEN.

OUR PARISH PRAYER

† We pray in thanksgiving for Luigi Artico, Waclaw Wolkow those who have died recently in

the peace of Christ.

† We pray for: Denzil Wakeham, Matilda Roche, Pangani Roche, Xavier Gomez, Wilkinson

Benjamin, Padmani Benjamin, Lakshman Benjamin, Rodney Erispe, Robin Ebert, Peter Charles Raj, Pedro Antonovich, Florence & George Andrews, Sean Barbosa, Ozzie Murray, Michele Iorlano, Lincoln Cornelius, John & Amelia Fernandes, Franco Zeccola, Jean Yves Rose, Lancelot Morel, Mildred Morel, Cipriano Sevilla, Ted Rigg, Min Rigg, Louis & Edith Marion, Raynolds & Eliane Jean-Pierre,, and all those whose anniversaries occur at about this time.

† Please also pray for: Fr Tony Feeney, Albert Saliba, Pauline Edwards, Christian Mooney, Clare McKerr, Casey Ann Oklobdzija, Lisa Scicluna, Samantha Adams, Chris Byrne, Karen Steinhoff, Maria Tizio, Philomena Gonsalvez, Giovanna Greco, Joe Fairley, Clayton Collins, George Hobkick, Lilian Fortune, Ramon Austria, Antonio Sarlo, Louise Riviere, Emma Farrell, Enza Zaffiro, Mary-Ann Williams, Tyson Chapman, Cathy Mortier, Maria Antonia Vigliarolo, Kath Malone, Veronique Permal, Frank D’Cruz, Daisy Ebert, Percival Hermanus, Kevin Sreenivas, Joseph Cassar, Dean Whitewood-Neil, Patricia Turner, John Claude Salece,

who are sick.

, Mr Sarkar, and

Graham Harvey, Peter Harvey, Mary Spittall, Molly Maguire, Jordan Whitewood-Neal, Melissa Haidar, Kerrie St Clair,

, Susan & Jean Espedillon, Blake Hayes, Tracy Hili, Geraldene Daniels, Belinda Johnson, Anne Wallace,

Joseph & Mildred Erispe

Lord, Hear Our Prayer!

? Play Group - Mondays from 9.30 - 11.30am in the Small Hall? Legion of Mary meet in the Gathering Space at 5.30 pm on Mondays. ? Charismatic Prayer Group meet in the Small Hall every Monday at 8.00pm. All are welcome.? Novena - Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help follows the 7.00pm Mass in the Church on Wednesdays. ? Italian Prayer Group meeting will be on Thursdays at 10.15am. Contact Lucy 9547 1671.

? Divine Mercy Devotion every Friday 2.45 pm in the Church.? El-Shaddai Multicultural Prayer Group meet at 7.00pm every 1st Friday of the Month.? Knitting Group meet in the Gathering Space every Friday from 10-12am.? Sudanese Prayer Group meet every Friday evening at 6.30 in the Gathering Space.? Legion of Mary meet at the Parish Centre at 10.15am on Saturdays.? Sudanese Monthly Mass at 2.00pm in the Church every 3rd Sunday of the month.? Friendly Hearts Group meeting 2nd & 4th Saturdays in the Gathering Space from 1-4pm.

THIS WEEK

Recipe Books $5.00 - Wine Glasses $3.00 (buy 6 pay for 5) * Mugs $3.00 * Stubbie Holders $2.00

ST ANTHONY’S GOLDEN JUBILEE MEMORABILIA

"CLEARANCE SALE" UNTIL SOLD OUT In The Piety Stall

TO HELP PREPARE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION

OF THE REVISED MASS TEXTS IN 2011YOU ARE INVITED TO

“CELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST”A two hour session on the Mass and the new translation

Saturday July 16, 2011Time: 10.30am-12.30pm

Venue: Big Hall, St Anthony’s Noble ParkProgramme:

10.30am Celebrating the Eucharist - Fr Tony McSweeney SSS

11.45am New and Revised Musical settings of the Mass - Paul Taylor & Larissa Cairns

12.15pm Discussion12.30pm Conclude

(More information from the poster at Church doors)

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM) Invitation ACM invite you to join with them in a day / part thereof at St Francis Church, Lonsdale Street Melbourne to Celebrate NAIDOC Week.Date 10th July starting with 11am mass. You are welcome to stay for lunch. 1.15pm: Launch of Dreaming in the City- Praying the Rosary the Aboriginal Way. See new collection of artworks by Melissa Brickell-"Mystery of Light". 1.15pm- "Barak Walk" Healesville to Melbourne. Come on a Journey with Fr. Jo Dirks as he walks in te footsteps of William Barak. RSVP 4th July vicki.clark@cam.org.au

Welcome, Fr Richard!Fr. Richard Rosse is appointed by the Archbishop as assistant priest of St. Anthony's. He was born in Mauritius and came to Australia in 1998. He entered Corpus Christi College Seminary, Carlton in 2004. He was ordained priest on September 11, 2010 and became assistant priest at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. Please welcome him as he starts his ministry in our parish community on June 29, 2011.

MOPACATAN Presents

CHRISTMAS IN JULYWhat: Christmas in July 3 course meal

Where: St.Anthony's Small Hall90 Buckley Street

Noble Park***

When: 17th July at 12.30pmCost: $30 a head

Christmas activities included.Numbers Strictly Limited.

Tickets on sale Sunday 3rd July or call Cathy 041 959 6097 - Moira 041 751 9159

AnneMarie 041 478 6122 - Paddy 042 229 6961

Catholic Fundraising, who assist parishes with their Thanksgiving Stewardship Programs, are seeking a full time enthusiastic and committed Program Director to join the organisation. Applications are welcomed and a Position Description can be viewed at: www.cam.org.au/jobs

THE CYRENE CENTRE is having a Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings, Cnr Springvale & Cheltenham Rds, on Sunday 3rd July. Please come and support us.

PARKING OUTSIDE CHURCH IN BUCKLEY STREETWe officially received a letter from the council that we can now park outside the church in Buckley St. The yellow Line has been blasted away. We must obey the signs which clearly mark what hours we can or cannot park. Carmel Martin

PROJECT COMPASSION: From 7pm - 8pm in the Small Hall every first Friday of the Month. Do you suffer pain, frustration, stress, or depression that need to be released? Then come and join us for some kind of prevention of those mentioned. Come! Come! Come! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! It would be an inspirational session! For more info, contact Binh Nguyen on 0421 892 695 or email: josepthnguyen@gmail.com

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Have you or one of your family or friends expressed an interest in knowing more about what Catholics believe?

The Enquiry Period has now begun.Moira Ryan is facilitating this part of the RCIA process every Wednesday evening 7.00pm until 27 July, in the Parish Centre. If anyone else is interested in enquiring about the Catholic faith.

Aspect of LoveIs on Saturday the 8th October at 8pm at St Kilda. WE will take take the mini buses, the price is around the $40 mark. If you would like to come, please ring Carmel on 9798 1317 - 0409 358 683 for bookings asap.

Bishop Kelly Memorial ConcertSt Patrick's and the Holy Angels, Mentone, Sunday 10 July, 2pm. This year's Bishop Kelly Memorial recitalist is Dr Nicole Marane. Nicole is a young Australian performer who has spent the last decade working and studying in the United States, winning numerous awards and recently completing her Doctorate in Music at the prestigious Eastman School in New York. Admission free.Details: 9583 2103 (office hours).

There will be no KAYEM PRAYER GROUP this month. We will resume next month (August) as usual. For more information, please contact Kathryn on 9548 4809.

St Anthony's Mens Social ClubThank You To those who came to our recent gathering, & enjoyed the footy, fellowship, made new friends & enjoyed a fantastic supper courtesy of our "Burger Baron".We hope to see you again next month.To those who are thinking "Should I???" See you there!Small Hall Friday 8.00pm Last friday of the month.Mike Molloy ph 9546 1739.

Self Contained Two Room Apartment - NOBLE PARK - Located in a quiet street with private entrance, separate kitchen and bathroom. Preferred Two Students or Couple. Easy access to Shops and Public Transport, Noble Park Railway Station. References required. Telephone Ben on 9512 6329

Trivia night Fundraiser for Cabra Primary School, Southern Sudan - The Archdiocesan Office for Youth (AOY) is hosting a trivia night on 7 July to raise funds towards building classrooms and providing modern toilets for the Cabra Primary School in Sudan, founded by Seminarian Deng Chuor. AOY are seeking prizes to be donated for a raffle to be held as part of the trivia night. If you would like to attend or have something that could be raffled on the night, contact AOY on 9412 3300 or email aoy@cam.org.au. Details: www.aoy.org.au

Young Men of God presents … Stand Up and Be CountedAn inspiring weekend of faith, formation, recreation and brotherhood for men aged 18-35. A great chance to discover, and be renewed in God's plan and purpose for your life. Inspiring talks, music, great food, night bonfire, mass by the beach, reconciliation, sport + more. Friday 8 July (evening)-Sunday 10 July, (1pm), Phillip Island Coastal Discovery Camp, 77 Marlin St, Smiths Beach. Cost: $100, includes all food (Sat and Sun) and accommodation. Register and details: cameron.s@ymgmovement.org, call/text on 0413 023 169, www.ymgmovement.org

100 years of St John the Baptist Parish, Ferntree GullySt John the Baptist parish, Ferntree Gully, is celebrating its centenary this year. Various events are being held throughout the year.A Centenary Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Sunday 13 November at 2.30pm by Archbishop Denis Hart. Mass will be followed by afternoon tea in the Parish Hall. Details: 9758 1029 or office@stjohnthebaptist.net.auFr Noel Mackay's Golden Jubilee

Priests, Parishioners, Past Parishioners, friends and family are invited to celebrate with Fr Mackay on the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Celebrations include a Mass at St Jude's, 49 George Street, Scoresby on Sunday 24 July, 2pm, followed by a reception at the St Jude's Community CentreRSVP: stjudesparish@bigpond.com or phone 9763 7302.

By the will of God, the South Sudanese Community in South Sudan and around the world will celebrate the Independence of South Sudan next Saturday 9/7/2011. This independence will bring peace and the end to one of the longest civil war in Africa where by 2 million people died and 4 million were driven out of the country. A Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated at St Anthony's on 17/7/2011. Please pray that the day of independence will be a day of happiness and remembering those who lost their lives during the struggles.

Congratulations!

† We pray in thanksgiving for Luigi Artico, Waclaw Wolkow those who have died recently in

the peace of Christ.

† We pray for: Denzil Wakeham, Matilda Roche, Pangani Roche, Xavier Gomez, Wilkinson

Benjamin, Padmani Benjamin, Lakshman Benjamin, Rodney Erispe, Robin Ebert, Peter Charles Raj, Pedro Antonovich, Florence & George Andrews, Sean Barbosa, Ozzie Murray, Michele Iorlano, Lincoln Cornelius, John & Amelia Fernandes, Franco Zeccola, Jean Yves Rose, Lancelot Morel, Mildred Morel, Cipriano Sevilla, Ted Rigg, Min Rigg, Louis & Edith Marion, Raynolds & Eliane Jean-Pierre,, and all those whose anniversaries occur at about this time.

† Please also pray for: Fr Tony Feeney, Albert Saliba, Pauline Edwards, Christian Mooney, Clare McKerr, Casey Ann Oklobdzija, Lisa Scicluna, Samantha Adams, Chris Byrne, Karen Steinhoff, Maria Tizio, Philomena Gonsalvez, Giovanna Greco, Joe Fairley, Clayton Collins, George Hobkick, Lilian Fortune, Ramon Austria, Antonio Sarlo, Louise Riviere, Emma Farrell, Enza Zaffiro, Mary-Ann Williams, Tyson Chapman, Cathy Mortier, Maria Antonia Vigliarolo, Kath Malone, Veronique Permal, Frank D’Cruz, Daisy Ebert, Percival Hermanus, Kevin Sreenivas, Joseph Cassar, Dean Whitewood-Neil, Patricia Turner, John Claude Salece,

who are sick.

, Mr Sarkar, and

Graham Harvey, Peter Harvey, Mary Spittall, Molly Maguire, Jordan Whitewood-Neal, Melissa Haidar, Kerrie St Clair,

, Susan & Jean Espedillon, Blake Hayes, Tracy Hili, Geraldene Daniels, Belinda Johnson, Anne Wallace,

Joseph & Mildred Erispe

Lord, Hear Our Prayer!

? Play Group - Mondays from 9.30 - 11.30am in the Small Hall? Legion of Mary meet in the Gathering Space at 5.30 pm on Mondays. ? Charismatic Prayer Group meet in the Small Hall every Monday at 8.00pm. All are welcome.? Novena - Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help follows the 7.00pm Mass in the Church on Wednesdays. ? Italian Prayer Group meeting will be on Thursdays at 10.15am. Contact Lucy 9547 1671.

? Divine Mercy Devotion every Friday 2.45 pm in the Church.? El-Shaddai Multicultural Prayer Group meet at 7.00pm every 1st Friday of the Month.? Knitting Group meet in the Gathering Space every Friday from 10-12am.? Sudanese Prayer Group meet every Friday evening at 6.30 in the Gathering Space.? Legion of Mary meet at the Parish Centre at 10.15am on Saturdays.? Sudanese Monthly Mass at 2.00pm in the Church every 3rd Sunday of the month.? Friendly Hearts Group meeting 2nd & 4th Saturdays in the Gathering Space from 1-4pm.

THIS WEEK

Recipe Books $5.00 - Wine Glasses $3.00 (buy 6 pay for 5) * Mugs $3.00 * Stubbie Holders $2.00

ST ANTHONY’S GOLDEN JUBILEE MEMORABILIA

"CLEARANCE SALE" UNTIL SOLD OUT In The Piety Stall

TO HELP PREPARE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION

OF THE REVISED MASS TEXTS IN 2011YOU ARE INVITED TO

“CELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST”A two hour session on the Mass and the new translation

Saturday July 16, 2011Time: 10.30am-12.30pm

Venue: Big Hall, St Anthony’s Noble ParkProgramme:

10.30am Celebrating the Eucharist - Fr Tony McSweeney SSS

11.45am New and Revised Musical settings of the Mass - Paul Taylor & Larissa Cairns

12.15pm Discussion12.30pm Conclude

(More information from the poster at Church doors)

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM) Invitation ACM invite you to join with them in a day / part thereof at St Francis Church, Lonsdale Street Melbourne to Celebrate NAIDOC Week.Date 10th July starting with 11am mass. You are welcome to stay for lunch. 1.15pm: Launch of Dreaming in the City- Praying the Rosary the Aboriginal Way. See new collection of artworks by Melissa Brickell-"Mystery of Light". 1.15pm- "Barak Walk" Healesville to Melbourne. Come on a Journey with Fr. Jo Dirks as he walks in te footsteps of William Barak. RSVP 4th July vicki.clark@cam.org.au

Welcome, Fr Richard!Fr. Richard Rosse is appointed by the Archbishop as assistant priest of St. Anthony's. He was born in Mauritius and came to Australia in 1998. He entered Corpus Christi College Seminary, Carlton in 2004. He was ordained priest on September 11, 2010 and became assistant priest at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. Please welcome him as he starts his ministry in our parish community on June 29, 2011.

MOPACATAN Presents

CHRISTMAS IN JULYWhat: Christmas in July 3 course meal

Where: St.Anthony's Small Hall90 Buckley Street

Noble Park***

When: 17th July at 12.30pmCost: $30 a head

Christmas activities included.Numbers Strictly Limited.

Tickets on sale Sunday 3rd July or call Cathy 041 959 6097 - Moira 041 751 9159

AnneMarie 041 478 6122 - Paddy 042 229 6961

Catholic Fundraising, who assist parishes with their Thanksgiving Stewardship Programs, are seeking a full time enthusiastic and committed Program Director to join the organisation. Applications are welcomed and a Position Description can be viewed at: www.cam.org.au/jobs

THE CYRENE CENTRE is having a Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings, Cnr Springvale & Cheltenham Rds, on Sunday 3rd July. Please come and support us.

PARKING OUTSIDE CHURCH IN BUCKLEY STREETWe officially received a letter from the council that we can now park outside the church in Buckley St. The yellow Line has been blasted away. We must obey the signs which clearly mark what hours we can or cannot park. Carmel Martin

PROJECT COMPASSION: From 7pm - 8pm in the Small Hall every first Friday of the Month. Do you suffer pain, frustration, stress, or depression that need to be released? Then come and join us for some kind of prevention of those mentioned. Come! Come! Come! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! It would be an inspirational session! For more info, contact Binh Nguyen on 0421 892 695 or email: josepthnguyen@gmail.com

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Have you or one of your family or friends expressed an interest in knowing more about what Catholics believe?

The Enquiry Period has now begun.Moira Ryan is facilitating this part of the RCIA process every Wednesday evening 7.00pm until 27 July, in the Parish Centre. If anyone else is interested in enquiring about the Catholic faith.

Aspect of LoveIs on Saturday the 8th October at 8pm at St Kilda. WE will take take the mini buses, the price is around the $40 mark. If you would like to come, please ring Carmel on 9798 1317 - 0409 358 683 for bookings asap.

Bishop Kelly Memorial ConcertSt Patrick's and the Holy Angels, Mentone, Sunday 10 July, 2pm. This year's Bishop Kelly Memorial recitalist is Dr Nicole Marane. Nicole is a young Australian performer who has spent the last decade working and studying in the United States, winning numerous awards and recently completing her Doctorate in Music at the prestigious Eastman School in New York. Admission free.Details: 9583 2103 (office hours).

There will be no KAYEM PRAYER GROUP this month. We will resume next month (August) as usual. For more information, please contact Kathryn on 9548 4809.

St Anthony's Mens Social ClubThank You To those who came to our recent gathering, & enjoyed the footy, fellowship, made new friends & enjoyed a fantastic supper courtesy of our "Burger Baron".We hope to see you again next month.To those who are thinking "Should I???" See you there!Small Hall Friday 8.00pm Last friday of the month.Mike Molloy ph 9546 1739.

Self Contained Two Room Apartment - NOBLE PARK - Located in a quiet street with private entrance, separate kitchen and bathroom. Preferred Two Students or Couple. Easy access to Shops and Public Transport, Noble Park Railway Station. References required. Telephone Ben on 9512 6329

Trivia night Fundraiser for Cabra Primary School, Southern Sudan - The Archdiocesan Office for Youth (AOY) is hosting a trivia night on 7 July to raise funds towards building classrooms and providing modern toilets for the Cabra Primary School in Sudan, founded by Seminarian Deng Chuor. AOY are seeking prizes to be donated for a raffle to be held as part of the trivia night. If you would like to attend or have something that could be raffled on the night, contact AOY on 9412 3300 or email aoy@cam.org.au. Details: www.aoy.org.au

Young Men of God presents … Stand Up and Be CountedAn inspiring weekend of faith, formation, recreation and brotherhood for men aged 18-35. A great chance to discover, and be renewed in God's plan and purpose for your life. Inspiring talks, music, great food, night bonfire, mass by the beach, reconciliation, sport + more. Friday 8 July (evening)-Sunday 10 July, (1pm), Phillip Island Coastal Discovery Camp, 77 Marlin St, Smiths Beach. Cost: $100, includes all food (Sat and Sun) and accommodation. Register and details: cameron.s@ymgmovement.org, call/text on 0413 023 169, www.ymgmovement.org

100 years of St John the Baptist Parish, Ferntree GullySt John the Baptist parish, Ferntree Gully, is celebrating its centenary this year. Various events are being held throughout the year.A Centenary Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Sunday 13 November at 2.30pm by Archbishop Denis Hart. Mass will be followed by afternoon tea in the Parish Hall. Details: 9758 1029 or office@stjohnthebaptist.net.auFr Noel Mackay's Golden Jubilee

Priests, Parishioners, Past Parishioners, friends and family are invited to celebrate with Fr Mackay on the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Celebrations include a Mass at St Jude's, 49 George Street, Scoresby on Sunday 24 July, 2pm, followed by a reception at the St Jude's Community CentreRSVP: stjudesparish@bigpond.com or phone 9763 7302.

By the will of God, the South Sudanese Community in South Sudan and around the world will celebrate the Independence of South Sudan next Saturday 9/7/2011. This independence will bring peace and the end to one of the longest civil war in Africa where by 2 million people died and 4 million were driven out of the country. A Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated at St Anthony's on 17/7/2011. Please pray that the day of independence will be a day of happiness and remembering those who lost their lives during the struggles.

Congratulations!

LITURGY OF THE WORDLITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10

A reading from the prophet Zechariah

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.’

This is the word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 147:12-15. 19-20

R. 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 dayand 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 reignand declare your might, O God. R.

The Lord is faithful in all his wordsand loving in all his deeds.The Lord supports all who falland raises all who are bowed down. R.

Second Reading: Romans 8:9. 11-13

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans

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.

This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation: cf 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: Matthew 11:25-30

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

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.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.