LENTEN DAYS OF PENANCE – 40 DAYS

1. Abstinence from meat, and fasting, must be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All who have completed their eighteenth year and have not yet begun their sixtieth year are bound to fast. All who have completed their fourteenth year are bound to abstain.

2. On all other Fridays of the year including the Fridays of Lent, the law of the common practice of penance is fulfilled by performing any one of the following:

(a) prayer – for example, Mass attendance; family prayer; a visit to a church or chapel; reading the Bible; making the Stations of the Cross; praying the rosary.

(b) self-denial – for example, not eating meat; not eating sweets or dessert; giving up entertainment to spend time with the family; limiting food and drink so as to give to the poor of one’s own country; limiting use of social media, smart phones or television.

(c) helping others – for example, special attention to someone who is poor, sick, elderly, lonely or overburdened.

LENT LASTS FROM ASH WEDNESDAY (22 February) TO THE MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (6th APRIL). THE EASTER FAST IS OBSERVED ON GOOD FRIDAY (7TH APRIL), AND IF POSSIBLE, UNTIL THE EASTER VIGIL ON THE EVENING OF SATURDAY (8TH APRIL).

PASCHAL PRECEPT

Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This is to be done between Ash Wednesday, 22nd February, and Trinity Sunday, 4th June, 2023 unless for a good reason it is done at another time during the year. All the faithful are obliged to confess their grave sins at least once a year.

Prayer

 Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness; in your compassion blot out my offence. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. A pure heart create for me, O God; put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence; nor deprive me of your Holy Spirit. Do not despise my broken and contrite heart and restore to me the joy of your salvation. Amen. 

(Source Fr Freddie Santhumayor SVD)

Prayer for a Fruitful Lent

My precious and crucified Lord, I offer You this Lent.
I offer it to You with total abandonment and trust.
I offer You my prayers, sacrifices and my very life this day.
Do with me, Lord, as You will.
I pray that this Lent will be fruitful.
I know You have much to say to me and much to do in my life.
May this Lent be a time through which Your mercy
is poured in abundance into my soul,
and into the souls of all Your faithful.

Dearest Lord, help me to especially see my sin, this Lent.
Humble me so that I may see clearly.
Give me courage and strength to confess my sins,
and to turn from them with all my heart.
Enlighten me with Your Holy Word, dear Lord.
Help me to come to know You and to deepen the gift of faith in my life.

Show me the plan You have for me,
and place my feet upon the path You have chosen.
My suffering Lord, I thank You for the fullness of Your perfect Sacrifice.
I thank You for holding nothing back,
giving Your life to the last drop of blood.
May I offer You my very life as a sacrifice,
trusting in Your mercy with every offering.

Keep me faithful to my Lenten promises,
and bring forth new life through these sacrifices of love.
Strengthen my prayer and make me holy.
Help me to turn to You, each day,
seeking Your sacred and pierced Heart.

Blessed Mother,
you stood by your Son in His suffering and death,
stand by me, I pray, as I journey through this life.
Pray for me and offer me to Your Son,
that He may take me into His loving embrace.

Lord, Jesus, Son of the Living God,
have mercy on me a sinner.
Lord, Jesus, Son of the Living God,
have mercy on me a sinner.
Lord, Jesus, Son of the Living God,
have mercy on me a sinner.

Mother Mary, Mother of our Crucified Lord,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Amen

(source: https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayer-for-a-fruitful-lent/)

An Act of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Holy Mary, Mother of God and Virgin, I choose thee this day for my queen, patron, and advocate, and firmly resolve and purpose never to abandon thee, never to say or do anything against thee, nor to permit that aught be done by others to dishonour thee. Receive me, then, I conjure thee, as thy perpetual servant; assist me in all my actions, and do not abandon me at the hour of my death. Amen. — St. John Berchmans

Devotions to the Mother of God

(Source: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/05_1.cfm)

PRAYER FOR THE CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY 
O Lord Jesus,  
you lived in the home of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth.  
There you grew in age, wisdom and grace  
as you prepared to fulfill your mission as our Redeemer.  
We entrust our family to you. 
O Blessed Mary,  
you are the Mother of our Saviour.  
At Nazareth you cared for Jesus  
and nurtured him in the peace and joy of your home.  
We entrust our family to you.  
O Saint Joseph,  
you provided a secure and loving home for Jesus and Mary,  
and gave us a model of fatherhood  
while showing us the dignity of work.  
We entrust our family to you.  
Holy Family,  
We consecrate ourselves and our family to you.  
May we be completely united  
in a love that is lasting, faithful and open to the gift of new life.  
Help us to grow in virtue,  
to forgive one another from our hearts,  
and to live in peace all our days.  
Keep us strong in faith, persevering in prayer,  
diligent in our work, and generous to those in need.  
May our home, O Holy Family, truly become a domestic church  
where we reflect your example in our daily life. Amen 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us! 
(Source: Microsoft Word – Consecration prayer to the Holy Family (sacredheartbath.org) 

LIVESTREAMING MASSES AROUND THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY – Click Below
Live Masses – Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney (sydneycatholic.org)

How to pray the Rosary 

PRAYERS IN TIME OF PANDEMIC

Prayers in time of a pandemicDownload

Welcome to St Michael’s Church, Meadowbank

Welcome to those who like to know or be involved at St Michael’s Church, Meadowbank.

We hope that you will learn about us and that we will be able to learn from you and help grow our parish community.

Caring for Children and Vulnerable People:

The Parish is committed to the Christ-like care of all children, young persons and vulnerable people. By following in the example of Jesus Christ and his words to “Let the little children come!”, the Parish is doing all it can to build a community and a Church that safeguards the voice, freedom and life of children, young persons and vulnerable people. Please click on LINKS to view some of our essential policy documents.

Donating and Contributing to the Parish

The Parish is able to flourish and continue the work of Christ through the generosity, support and participation of our parishioners. If you would like to contribute in any way to the parish, please click here. 

Parish Facebook Page 

Please visit and follow the Parish Facebook Page. Please click here.

A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY

Child sexual abuse is a crime. The appropriate people to deal with crimes are the police. If you, or anyone yo know, have been abused, please contact the police. Alternatively, you can contact the Safeguarding and MInisterial Integrity Office at (02) 9390 5810 or click on the link https://www.sydneycatholic.org/safeguarding-and-child-protection/

You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest – Fr Emmanuel Seo who will be able to provide support and guidance. The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to report crimes to the police.