OUR LITURGY

FIRST READING Acts 2: 1-11

A description of the first Pentecost, when the Holy

Spirit descended in the form of tongues of fire. The

influence on the apostles carried over to the people

who listened to them, when the fruits of the Spirit

were immediately apparent.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 103:1-2, 24, 27-30, 35

R Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of

the earth.

SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13

St Paul used the example of the unity between the

parts of the human body to show that the Church, as

the body of Christ, relies on the Holy Spirit to be the

bond of unity.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia!

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and

kindle in them the fire of your love.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 20: 19-23

In John’s Gospel, on the very night of the resurrection,

Jesus confers the Holy Spirit on the apostles as a way

of expressing that they must share his mission from the

Father in the Holy Spirit.

REFLECTION

The Season of Easter concludes with today’s celebration,

the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the

descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in

the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the

beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found

in the Acts of the Apostles, today’s first reading. The

account in today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23, also recounts

how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples.

Yet the event in John’s Gospel takes place on Easter

Sunday. There is no need to try to reconcile these two

accounts. It is enough that we know that after his death,

Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a

helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his

witnesses throughout the world.

In the context of the Feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23

reminds us about the integral connection between the

gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy

Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace.

Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the

work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I

send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the

disciples and sends them to continue his work of

reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ act

of breathing the Holy Spirit mirrors God’s act of

breathing life into Adam at the time of Creation. In fact,

both the Greek and Hebrew words for “spirit” can also

be translated as “breath.”

This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a

reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling

presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s

sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are

cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In

the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the

mercy of God through the forgiving of sins. This

reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for

Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents

of peace and harmony among people.

Pope Francis Quotes:

“Father of Light, from whom

every good gift comes, send

your Spirit into our lives with

the power of a mighty wind,

and by the flame of your

wisdom open the horizons of

our minds”.

St John the Baptist Catholic Church

Plympton Parish

Pentecost Sunday

31st May 2020

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Recently Deceased:

Dushan Luvin, Roger French, Maria Caruana.

May they rest in peace!

Anniversaries:

Katherine Clune and all forgotten souls.

The Sick:

Antonietta Caruana, Fr Chris Warnlock, Angelica Mendoza,

Tamia Zegarra, Jeremy Sia, Anne Chiu, Betsabeth & Sebastian

Trujillo, Ignacio Pomar, Linda Smith, Chrisanthi Panayotakis,

Paz Jayme, Mercedes Li, Maria Alban, Johanna Coad, Miriam

Aranda, Reynaldo Melchor Cruz, Emily Elgueta, Rob, Natalia

Memije Sabio, Andrew Koh, Judy Cahill, Kieffer, Paul

Mbvoma, Kevin Clarke, Fr John Chambers and all sick

children.

We also pray for the sick in our parish,

in nursing homes, hospitals and the housebound.

LIVE GUIDED EXAMEN PRAYER

Every Thursday evening at 7.30pm (till the COVID-

19 restrictions are lifted). St Ignatius, Norwood will live stream

a 15 minute Guided Examen Prayer. Please follow this link for

more details https://rebrand.ly/Examen

EASING OF RESTRICTIONS UPDATE

Update effective 25/5/2020:

The Premier has announced the relaxing of restrictions

with Stage 2 now being implemented from June 1 2020

(one week earlier than scheduled). The key points to note

are:

Places of Worship permitted for up to 20 attendees

(It is essential to book for mass to the Parish Office on

8293 6600 to avoid going beyond the required number of

attendees)

Funerals will be permitted for up to 50 attendees

Baptisms will be permitted for up to 20 attendees

20TH ANNUAL PARISH LUNCHEON

CANCELLED

Due to the Coronavirus and government restrictions, this

year’s 20th Annual Parish Luncheon is cancelled but we

look forward everyone joining us in 2021!

The Parish Office is CLOSED for face to face communication.

If you:

Have a urgent pastoral need, please ring the doorbell

9am – 2pm weekdays. If the office is unattended, please ring 8293 6600 and leave a message or ring 0427 241 574 for emergencies only.

If you would like to make an appointment with the Priest please ring 8293 6600 or leave a message if phone is unattended.

ANY correspondence can be deposited through the letter slot at the Parish door.

Please check our website www.parish.stjohnplympton.com for updates and our facebook page ‘Plympton Catholic Parish’

Thank you for your understanding.

KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS NEWSPAPER

COLLECTION

On the First Sunday of each month the Knights will still be

collecting your newspapers from St John the Baptist

Church.

Please leave your papers on the Eastern side of the Church

near the seat. Social distancing will be observed at all

times.

The Sunday dates for collection are SUNDAY JUNE

7TH

, SUNDAY JULY 5TH

, SUNDAY AUGUST

2ND

, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH

. We will advise further

dates, as we will be guided by Government Guidelines.

Thanking everyone for their continued support.

Darryl Smitheram and Simon O’Neill.

Plympton/Edwardstown Knights of the Southern Cross.

ST VINCENT de PAUL WINTER APPEAL

The St Vincent de Paul Society has launched its Covid-19

Winter Appeal to help people experiencing disadvantage.

As the impacts of job losses due to Covid-19 are realised

and more people reach out for assistance, the organisation

needs your help to ensure our local Conference members

and volunteers can continue their work supporting the

disadvantaged in our community.

Donations can be made online at www.vinnies.org.au/

donate, by calling 13 18 12 or by sending a cheque or

money order to St Vincent de Paul Society, GPO Box 1804

Adelaide, SA, 5001.

If you are unable to donate in this manner, the parish

office has a number of donation envelopes for the Vinnies

Covid-19 Winter Appeal.

To book an appointment for FREE COVID-19 telephone

counselling, please phone Centacare on 8215 6700.

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

A BOOK THAT IS A TIMELY REMINDER OF HOW WE

SHOULD BE AS A CHURCH

Fr. Michael Trainor has prepared a series of podcasts on the

Acts of the Apostles, together with accompanying notes and

discussion questions. This is now available at the Lockleys

Catholic Website (https://www.lockleysparish.com/the-acts-of-

the-apostles).

For those many parishioners without access to the web, a CD

can be prepared of the podcasts. If you are interested in one

of these, please call or leave a message at the parish office on

8293 6600. Please leave your name and the best address to

which we can send the CD and accompanying documents.

You may like to use this resource for personal reflection or for

small group gatherings (under 10 people) with appropriate

social distancing. Alternatively, you may want to listen to the

podcasts and then discuss them, using the questions Fr.

Michael has prepared, using one of the virtual platforms.

Deacon Paul Crowe.

PARISH THANKSGIVING PROGRAM

As all Masses have been temporarily suspended and collections

cannot take place, if you are still able to make a contribution

to the 1st or 2nd collection, this can be done in a number of

ways.

1) Via an electronic contribution. The link on the

Archdiocesan website is www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/

donation. You will need to select the Plympton Parish and

chose whether you are contributing to the First Collection

(Support of Priests) or Second Collection (Parish Property &

maintenance etc).

2) If you are currently contributing via envelope, you can

choose to make your contribution via credit card or direct

debit. Forms can be emailed or posted to you at your

request.

3) You can make a direct deposit into our account. Please be

sure to put your Planned Giving (PG) number and surname as

a reference. Please contact the Parish Office to arrange this.

4) Please contact the Parish Office to discuss how you can

deliver your envelopes (2nd Collection) or donations to the

First Collection (clearly marked).

5) You can set up an ongoing deduction to the First Collection

by following this link

http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/__files/f/24812/First%

20Collection%202017.pd

Thank you for your continued support of the Priests of the

Archdiocese and the Parish.

SUPPORTING THE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL

NEEDS OF CHILDREN DURING COVID-19

Please find attached Child Protection Unit Newsletter

containing information, helpful links and resources which

support Children’s mental health.

CONFESSION – THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament of Confession has been suspended during

this time of pandemic. Physical and moral impossibility

excuses a person from confession, in which case

reconciliation may be attained by other means, for

example an act of perfect contrition. (Canon 960) An act

of perfect contrition can be made by saying these or similar

words: “My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.

I should love you above all things. I firmly intend, with

your help, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads

me to sin”.

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy

Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to

receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment

receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my

heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and

u n i t e m y s e l f w h o l l y t o Y o u .

Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

THRESHOLD: INSPIRE – 2020 PENTECOST VIGIL FOR

YOUNG PEOPLE ON FACEBOOK LIVE

This year’s Pentecost vigil for young people will take place

online at www.facebook.com/cathyouthadelaide/live on

Saturday May 30 from 7:30pm. Young people are not

only encouraged to join the vigil, but they can also submit

visual and performance art pieces to be included in a

virtual gallery. For more information about artists

submissions, follow this link: https://tiny.cc/q2sznz .

Contact the Catholic Office for Youth and Young Adults

for more information on www.cathyouthadelaide.org.au

THRESHOLD@HOME – MUSIC PERFORMANCE SERIES

ON FACEBOOK LIVE TUESDAYS AT 8PM

Check out performances from young Catholic musicians

from across the Archdiocese of Adelaide every Tuesday

n ight f rom 8pm at www.facebook .com/

cathyouthadelaide/live. Interested in being a performer on

Threshold @Home? Contact Peter in the Catholic Office

f o r Y o u t h a n d Y o u n g A d u l t s a t E :

peter.bierer@cesa.catholic.edu.au

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY - FOR DEACONS

The leadership team of the International Diaconate Centre

has been asked to draw to your attention Pope Francis’

request that there be prayers for deacons this

month. Details are at https://www.vaticannews.va/en/

pope/news/2020-05/pope-francis-prayer-intention-may-

The COVID safe app

Speeds up the process for notifying

people who may

have been exposed to coronavirus.

For more information visit https://www.health.gov.au/resources/

collections/covidsafe-app-campaign-resources

ST VINCENT PALLOTTI SCHOLARSHIP TRUST

The St Vincent Pallotti Scholarship Trust offers scholarships to

enable lay people to further their understanding and skills in

leadership/ministry or a specialised activity, such as

promoting faith enhancement, social justice and pastoral

care. More information and applications forms are available

on our website https://www.pallottine.org.au/scholarships/st

-vincent-pallotti-scholarship-for-lay-ministry.html

Closing date July 31 2020.

FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR MAY AND JUNE ISSUES OF

THE SOUTHERN CROSS With churches closed and Masses suspended due to the

coronavirus pandemic, The Southern Cross has found a

creative solution to continue to spread the good news to the

Catholic community – and it’s free!

To subscribe for the free issues go to https://

thesoutherncross.org.au/delivered-to-your-door/

YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCE ONLINE

The Catholic Office for Youth and Young Adults is compiling

resources for youth and young adult ministry in these

extraordinary times. To view these resources visit http://

www.cathyouthadelaide.org.au/resources1

SUNDAY LITURGY FOR FAMILIES

As a response to the COVID-19 situation while Masses have

been suspended, the Family and Parish-Based Catechesis

Office has prepared liturgies with a focus on children. Families

can use these at home to reflect on the Gospel each Sunday.

This can be found at this link on the Archdiocesan website:

http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-works-and-

community/family-and-parish-based-catechesis/prayer-services.

Please help us to make your families aware of this resource for

this time. For any further enquiries, please contact Sr Jenny

Seal jenny.seal@cesa.catholic.edu.au or Elena Moffa

elena.moffa@cesa.catholic.edu.au

PARISH INFORMATION

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR - Fr Denis Ssemuju

8293 6600

DEACON Paul Crowe

8293 6600 (Tues, Thurs & Friday)

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE - Mary-Anne Quinn

8293 6600

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE - Heran Jayasuriya

8293 6600

PARISH OFFICE

Open Monday - Friday - 9.00am - 2.00pm

Parish Secretary - Helen Konieczny

342 Anzac Highway, Plympton SA 5038

Phone 8293 6600 Fax 8293 8992

Email: plymptonparish@stjohnpl.catholic.edu.au

Website: parish.stjohnplympton.com

Postal Address: PO Box 90 Plympton SA 5038

Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson - TBA

Child Safety Officer - Helen Konieczny - 8293 6600

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL - 8293 6280

Principal -Todd Murfitt

Co-Principal - Bernadette Lacey

Deputy Principal - Joanne Livingstone

APRIM - Angela DeNadai

Hearing assistance available. Please ask for a receiver.

COMMUNION FOR COELIACS

Please see Priest before Mass to arrange a

gluten free Host.

TOILETS ARE LOCATED IN THE FRONT FOYER

Baby change table available for use in toilet area.

www.facebook.com/PlymptonCatholic Parish

Live streaming of Masses from St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral

The Archdiocese is continuing to live stream daily Mass at

midday and on Sundays at 10am from St Francis Xavier’s

Cathedral. These Masses can be viewed live and on demand

on the home page of www.adelaide.catholic.org.au. It will

also be available via Facebook or YouTube.

For those without internet access the Sunday Mass is now

being replayed on Channel 44 at 4pm every week. An inter-

state service is screened live every week on Channel 10 at

6am.

Sunday Mass Now On Channel 44

Sunday Mass from St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral will be

replayed on Channel 44 at 4pm. The usual live stream will

go ahead at 10am (www.adelaide.catholic.org.au), however

this will allow those without access to online Masses the

opportunity to celebrate.

Next Week’s Readings

The Most Holy Trinity

First Reading: Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Gospel: John 3:16-18

MASS INTENTIONS

Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to

offer a Mass for your loved ones.

Feast Days During the Week

Monday 1st June - Mary, Mother of the Church

Tuesday 2nd June - Sts Marcellinus & Peter

Wednesday 3rd June - St Charles Lwanga & Companions

Friday 5th June - St Boniface

Saturday 6th June - St Marcellin Champagnat,

St Norbet

“Lord! Send out your spirit and renew the face of the earth”

At Easter, we witnessed the seemingly impossible take place in the resurrection of Jesus. we waited for

our turn to receive the same power that gave life to His dead body and made Him rise gloriously. The

time is finally here today! Pentecost.

In Jewish tradition, three great festivals were celebrated each year. One such feast, Pentecost, known

also as the ‘feast of harvest’ or the ‘feast of weeks’, was celebrated to mark the gathering of wheat 50

days after the Passover. The Jews were to offer the first fruits of the new grain to the Lord on that day.

According to the Jewish law, all adult Jewish men were expected to come to Jerusalem from wherever

they were to celebrate this great feast. The streets of Jerusalem would have been clogged with crowds

streaming from all across the countryside and beyond. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit therefore, on

this day, was not a coincidence but part of the great plan of the Creator. It was God’s plan, to equip the

believers with the power of the Holy Spirit, so that His glory would be known throughout the whole

world. The Book of Acts records that St. Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, converted 3000 souls

with the Good News he preached.

The scripture today paints a vivid picture of the incident and the selection of words portray the power

and the working of the Holy Spirit. ‘And suddenly, out of the sky, came a sound, like a strong rushing

wind; and it filled the house where they were sitting. There appeared tongues of fire, which parted and

came to rest upon each one of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other

languages and the Spirit enabled them to speak.’ This is the nature of God’s Spirit. It is full of power and

energy just as a strong rushing wind. And just as Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3:8, ‘the wind blows

wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from and where

it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

Many of us are like the disciples in the upper room. We believe in the Lord Jesus and God and we are

happy He is there for us. But our desires and aspirations are formed by the world, our solutions to

problems are formed by our brokenness and we adopt strategies that are sinful and selfish. But the Lord

offers us another way through the readings. When we receive the Holy Spirit, our lives will change.

Most people think that the power the Lord Jesus gives us through the Holy Spirit is to do ministry and

evangelization. But this power is first given to us to grow into the holiness of God. When we grow into

the holiness of God we will enjoy being a son or daughter of God. We will hear His voice and know

His love deep inside. We will have union with Him as He lives inside us and our fears are taken away

and peace is restored. We will have internal joy and freedom and our desires are changed and God’s

purpose becomes our purpose. This was the experience of those living in the early church. The disciple’s

inner lives were transformed. They no longer thought like the world and this was how they changed

the world. Therefore, today the Lord is not looking for people to go out, necessarily, and do big things.

The Lord is looking for people who will receive the gifts the Holy Spirit and use them to grow into the

life of God.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit. May God bless you.

Heran Jayasuriya.

Prayers written by Pope Francis to be offered at the conclusion of the Rosary

by households and individuals each day during May

O Mary, You shine continuously on our journey

as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,

who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus’ suffering,

and persevered in your faith. “Protectress of the Roman people”,

you know our needs, and we know that you will provide,

so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return

after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love,

to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us.

For he took upon himself our suffering, and burdened himself with our sorrows

to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.

Amen.

We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God;

Do not despise our petitions in our necessities,

but deliver us always from every danger,

O Glorious and Blessed Virgin Mosaic, Mother of the Church, overlooking St Peter’s Square, Vatican City