OUR LITURGY

FIRST READING Exodus 34: 4-6, 8-9

Moses meets the Lord on the mountain of Sinai. This is

symbolic of God’s revelation of loving mercy and

compassion, which extends even to us today.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 3:52-56

R Glory and praise for ever!

SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13

St Paul’s greeting to his listeners is the source of the

greeting the priest uses at the beginning of Mass - that

is, the hope to share fully in the life of the Trinity.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Revelation 1:8

Alleluia, alleluia!

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: to

God who is, who was and who is to come.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 3: 16-18

Christ’s words to Nicodemus affirm the love of the

Father for us as shown in sending the Son into our

world so that all may have eternal life.

REFLECTION

This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary

Time. This Sunday and next, however, are designated as

solemnities—special days that call our attention to central

mysteries of our faith. Today on Trinity Sunday we

celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity, one God in three

persons.

Today’s Gospel is from the beginning of John’s Gospel. The

passage we read follows Jesus’ conversation with a

Pharisee, Nicodemus, about what it means to be born of

both water and the spirit. Nicodemus approaches Jesus at

night and acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God. Jesus

tells him that only those who are born from above will see

the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus misunderstands and

questions how a person can be born more than once. Jesus

tells Nicodemus that no one can enter the Kingdom of God

without being born of water and Spirit. Jesus is essentially

explaining Baptism, which we celebrate as a sacrament

today. Yet Nicodemus, we are told, still does not

understand what Jesus is saying. Jesus continues by

testifying to the need to be born from above so that one

might have eternal life.

After the dialogue with Nicodemus, the author of the

Gospel offers his own explanation of Jesus’ words. This is

what we read in today’s Gospel, John 3:16-18.

In the context of today’s focus on the mystery of the Holy

Trinity, the reading calls our attention to the action of

God, who reveals himself in three persons: God the Father,

Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God the Father, out of

love for the world, sent his Son into the world in order to

save it. Through the death and resurrection of the Son, we

have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. As three

persons, God acts always as a God of love; he does not

condemn the world but acts to save it.

The Gospel also calls attention to the response that is

required of us. God’s love for us calls us to respond in faith

by professing our belief in God’s son, Jesus, and the

salvation that he has won for us. This profession of faith is

a sign of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Pope Francis Quotes:

The mystery of the Holy Trinity

reminds Christians that “we are

called to live not without each

other, over or against the other,

but with one another, and in one

another.”

St John the Baptist Catholic Church

Plympton Parish

The Most Holy Trinity

7th June 2020

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Recently Deceased:

Dushan Luvin, Roger French, Maria Caruana.

May they rest in peace!

Anniversaries:

Ian Windibank, Joe Caruana, Antoine Marie Mouri, Patrick

O’Reilly and all souls in Purgatory.

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.

PLENARY COUNCIL DISCERNMENT PAPERS

As you would be aware due to the COVID-19 Pandemic,

the Plenary Council Assembly in Adelaide has been

postponed until October 2021, with exact dates to be

finalised.

On Pentecost Sunday, the Discernment papers from the

Writing and Discernment Groups, taking into account

everything said from the 1st (Listening and Dialogue) and

ongoing 2nd

(Listening and discernment) phases of the

Plenary Council were released. They can be found at:

https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/continuing-the-

journey-of-discernment/

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 JUNE ISSUE 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

Corpus Christi

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Gospel: John 6:51-58

MASS INTENTIONS

Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to

offer a Mass for your loved ones.

Feast Days During the Week

Tuesday 9th June - St Ephrem

Thursday 11th June - St Barnabas, Apostle

Saturday 13th June - St Anthony of Padua

The Most Holy Trinity

It’s natural for us, when we meet others, to exchange names. In doing this we invite people into a

relationship that’s built on trust, kindness, compassion, and even love.

Have you ever considered where this capacity for trust, gentleness, and love comes from? Why is it

that we seek out relationships with one another? Why, indeed, in general society, is there a search for unity in

a perceived world of diversity? Strangely, it's in the doctrine of the Trinity that we find the answer to this

conundrum.

In the first reading from Exodus, Moses seeks out God and calls him by name. In response, God points

out that a relationship exists between the two of them. As human beings we commonly do what God does in

this story. We share a little of our own story with each other and share something of our own personality.

God tells Moses that he is

a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness.

This divine personality is embedded so deeply within us that we’re prepared to do so much for

others, even at the possible expense of our own lives. We only need to look at the acts of human kindness

and heroism that have occurred in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and the nation’s bushfires before that.

The Gospel re-enforces the significance of naming someone in establishing a relationship. Jesus, in

identifying himself as God’s only Son to Nicodemus, indicates that he, Jesus, is part of the Trinity. It’s the

relationship with His Father, and of course the Holy Spirit, that establishes his divinity. For it’s only in a

relationship that love can exist, and only in a divine relationship that divine love, the true essence of divinity,

can prevail.

A good analogy to help explain the Trinity is found within human marriage. When Gordana and I first

met and fell in love, all we could think about was spending our lives together. After being blessed with

children, we realized that our love for each other had become deeper as we shared that love with our

children. The wonder, of course, was that in giving life and love to a child, our own love for each other

grew. The circle of lover, loved, and beloved was complete.

Similarly, in the wider world, we as human beings, hunger for relationship. It’s love, not life, that we

ultimately seek. In this we mimic the true nature of God.

The Trinity, therefore, lies at the very core of our humanity. Unity and diversity are not opposite

poles of human existence but form the central elements that need to be kept in balance for a healthy

community to exist. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches us that unity and diversity go hand in hand. The

events both here and in the US this week should teach us that we’re all just human beings, irrespective of

colour, race, or creed.

While we’ll never fully appreciate the majesty and mystery that’s present in the Trinity until we come

face to face with God, the hunger for relationships that lies deep within us gives us an inkling of this central

core doctrine. A prayer that we often use, the Glory Be to The Father, is often rattled off without too much

thought. As we it pray it this week, let’s remember that we’re glorifying the unity of divine nature in the

diversity of three separate persons. Let’s spend time contemplating the words of this prayer more carefully.

As God’s beloved people born in the image of God, let our diversity, each of us known and loved intimately

by him, be our strength and source of unity, not something that divides us.

Deacon Paul Crowe