St Mary's Catholic Church, Yarram in Yarram, Victoria | Catholic Church

St Mary's Catholic Church, Yarram

Locality: Yarram, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5182 5028

Address: 102 Commercial Road 3971 Yarram, VIC, Australia

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23.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ST COLUMBAN Columban was born in Leinster in 543. As a young student, he was so impressed by the dedicated Irish monks who introduced him to religion and literature that he decided to join their ranks. He entered a monastery at Bangor, County Down, and placed himself under the spiritual guidance of its founder, Comgall. For 30 years he lived quietly in prayer, work, and study. Desiring greater self-sacrifice, Columban asked his abbot if he could go into vol...untary exile, leaving his native Ireland to start a monastery on the Continent. Twelve other monks set out with him in 590 for the land of the Franks. Amid hardship and persecution, Columban and his followers founded monasteries throughout France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. His mission was noted for his remarkable zeal, having once been described as traveling through Europe like a flaming torch enkindling the fire of God’s love in the hearts of men. Columban’s great contribution to the Catholic Church was the new spirit in European monasticism he had instilled, a spirit of total commitment to Christ and to the values of the Gospels. His denunciations of the immoral practices of the royal court and the general populace led to his exile from France and Switzerland. He founded his last monastery at Bobbio in Italy where he died on 23 November 615. In the words of Pope Pius XI, Columban is to be reckoned among those exceptional people whom Divine Providence is wont to raise up in the most difficult periods of human history to restore causes almost lost. St Columban is patron saint of motorcyclists. See more

21.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ST JOSAPHAT Josaphat was born John Kuncevic in the Ukraine around 1580. He worked as a merchant until 1604, when he became a monk of the Ukrainian Order of Saint Basil and took the name Josaphat. He lived a very mortified life, went barefoot even in winter, refrained from the use of wine and flesh-meat, and always wore penitential garb. Later ordained a priest of the Byzantine Church, and in his thirties, he was made bishop of Vitebsk and then archbishop of... Polotsk. He took on an ambitious task, striving to re-incorporate the Eastern Orthodox tradition with the authority of the Catholic Church. While rejecting the anti-Western sentiments of many of his countrymen, Josaphat also resisted any attempt to compromise the Eastern Catholic churches’ own traditions. He produced catechisms and works of apologetics, while implementing long overdue reforms of the clergy and attending to the needs of the poor. In 1620, opponents arranged for the consecration of a rival archbishop. Tensions between supporters and opponents escalated, Josaphat lamented the onset of attacks that would lead to his death. You make ambushes for me everywhere, in the streets, on the bridges, on the highways, and in the marketplace. I am here among you as a shepherd, and you ought to know that I would be happy to give my life for you. In 1623 Josaphat died praying for the men who shot and then beheaded him before dumping his body in a river. St Josaphat’s body was discovered incorrupt, 5 years later. He was canonized in 1867. See more

21.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ST DIDACUS (San Diego) San Diego was born c1400 in Andalusia, Spain. When still young he became a hermit, who supported himself by weaving mats. He served as a Franciscan lay-brother at the convent of Arizafa. His rapid progress in virtue made him a model to all his companions. His soul was continually occupied with God in prayer and meditation. From this source, he gathered such supernatural insight concerning God and the mysteries of Faith that learned t...heologians listened with astonishment to the inspiring conversations of this uneducated lay brother. He was sent as a missionary to the Canary Islands in 1442, which were still inhabited by wild infidels. Diego, eager for martyrdom, bore with dauntless patience the many hardships that came his way. By word and example, he helped in converting many infidels. In 1445, he was appointed guardian of the chief friary on the islands at Fortaventura. He returned unharmed to Spain in 1449. Diego was sent to Rome, in 1450 for the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena. An epidemic broke out among the gathered Franciscans and he worked himself to exhaustion to help his brothers. He is reported to have miraculously cured many of the sick. He then returned to Spain and spent the rest of his life as a prayerful Christian at Alcala. He died in 1463 due to an abscess. Instead of a foul odour, fragrance emitted from his infection. His body remained incorrupt, and continued to emit a pleasant odour. San Diego is patron of Franciscan laity, Franciscan lay brothers and the diocese of San Diego, California, which was named for this Franciscan, who was canonized in 1588. See more

21.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ST MARTIN of TOURS St Martin of Tours was born to pagan parents in the year 316, in what is now Hungary. At age of 12, he began to think about a serious question should he remain a pagan and believe in many gods, or should he accept the one God of the Christians? Martin became a catechumen. At age 15, Martin followed his father and became a soldier in the Roman army. Again he questioned himself should he follow Christ, or should he kill others for the R...oman Empire? He prayed, then he quit the army. When he was 54, Martin had gathered a group of hermits into a monastic community the first in France. The people of Tours insisted that Martin leave the monastery and become their bishop. Martin prayed, then went to the cathedral at Tours to be the bishop. Unlike many bishops, he did not live in a grand home, but rather in a monk’s cell. Martin taught the people all he knew about God’s kingdom. He preached the good news that God loved all people pagan and Christian, heretic and saint. A famous story about Martin occurred when he was still a soldier. One day, he met a beggar wearing rags. He took his sword and cut his military cloak in half and gave half to the poor man for his warmth. That night, Martin dreamed that Jesus was wearing the half of a cloak he had given away. During the Middle Ages, Martin’s cloak (cappa) became a relic that French kings would take into battle. The person whose job it was to care for the cloak was often a priest, and he was called a cappellani. It is from this that the word chaplain evolved. St Martin is patron of horses, soldiers and South Africa See more

16.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ST ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE Rose Philippine Duchesne was born in Grenoble, France in 1769. Baptized in the Church of St Louis she received the name of Philip, the apostle, and Rose of Lima. After preparing for her first Communion at the Visitation convent, her desire to give her life to God led her to join the Visitation community, a cloistered, contemplative order, despite her longing to serve God in missionary lands. The convent was closed during the Re...volution and for 10 years Rose cared for the sick and poor, helped fugitive priests, visited prisons, and taught children. After the Revolution, Rose offered the empty convent to St Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and then entered the Sacred Heart Order herself. On 14 March 1818 at age 49 she and four sisters were sent as missionaries to the Louisiana Territory to establish the Society‘s presence in America. Diseases contracted during the trip to America and the trip up the Mississippi nearly killed her. Frontier life was extremely difficult. Although she founded schools and convents, Philippine considered herself a failure, and it was not until 1841, at the age of 72, that she was finally able to join the Jesuits’ mission at Sugar Creek, Kansas among the Potawatomi people. It was the Potawatomi who gave her the name the woman who prays always. In 1842 she returned to St Charles under obedience because of concerns about her health. She spent her last ten years in retirement in a tiny shack at the convent in St Charles where she lived austerely and in constant prayer. She died in St Charles in 1852. See more

15.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ANDREW DUNG-LAC and COMPANIONS St. Andrew Dung-Lac's name was originally Dung An Trân. He was born about 1795 in a poor and pagan family in North Vietnam. When he was 12 the family had to move to Hanoi where his parents could find work. There he met a catechist and got food and shelter from him. He also got an education in the Christian faith for 3 years, and was baptized in Vinh-Tri with the Christian name Andrew (Andrew Dung). After learning Chinese and La...tin he became a catechist, and thereafter taught catechism in the country. He was chosen to study theology, and on March 15, 1823 he was ordained a priest. As parish priest in Ke-Dâm he was tireless in his preaching. He often fasted and lived a simple and moral life, he was a good example for the people, and many were baptized. In 1835 he was imprisoned under emperor Minh-Mang's persecutions (called Vietnam's emperor Nero), but his freedom was purchased by donations from members of the congregation he served. To avoid persecutions, he changed his name to Lac (Andrew Lac) and moved to another prefecture to continue his work. But on November 10, 1839 he was again arrested, this time with Peter Thi, a Vietnamese priest whom he was visiting so that he might go to confession. Once again Andrew was liberated, along with Peter Thi, in exchange for money. Their freedom however was brief. They were soon re-arrested and taken to Hanoi, where both suffered dreadful torture. Finally, both were beheaded December 21, 1839. He was canonized along with 116 other martyrs in 1988. See more

15.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: DEDICATION of the CHURCHES of PETER and PAUL Saint Peter’s Basilica was originally built in 323 by the emperor Constantine. The basilica was constructed over the tomb of Peter the Apostle, the Church’s first Pope. After standing for more than a thousand years, Pope Julius II ordered the building to be torn down due to structural concerns. The construction of the new church spanned over 200 years before its completion. It was dedicated on Nov. 18, 1626. I...t is considered the most famous church in Christendom. Saint Paul´s Basilica is located outside the original walls of Rome. It was also originally built by the emperor Constantine though it was destroyed by fire in 1823. Donations from around the world made the reconstruction possible. Before the completion of Saint Peter´s Basilica, St Paul's was the largest church in Rome. The Basilica was built over St. Paul´s grave. Pope Pius IX consecrated the Basilica in 1854. Christian Rome is protected on the north and south by these two citadels. Peter the doorkeeper sets his holy dwelling at the entrance: who can deny that this city is like Heaven? At the other extremity, Paul from his temple guards the walls; Rome lies between the two: here then God dwelleth (Inscription on the gate of Rome which was called in the 6th century ‘the gate of St. Peter’.) Holy martyrs Peter and Paul, your tombs are the sacred destinations of many pilgrimages to the eternal city. May all visits to the Basilicas dedicated to your honour deepen one’s love and commitment to Mother Church. See more

14.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: THE PRESENTATION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY in the TEMPLE On the feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, we celebrate the fact that Our Lady’s parents brought her to the Temple at the age of three and handed her over to live there for a long period as a consecrated virgin where she might exclusively contemplate God. Our Lady, a supremely holy soul, is received in the Temple and entered into the service of God. Unknowingly, Our Lady began to prepare he...rself to become the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In an atmosphere of grace in the Temple, she was set apart from everyone in order to serve God. She increased her love of God until she formed the ardent desire for the imminent coming of the Messiah and asked God if she might have the honour to be the servant of His Mother. She did not know that she was the one chosen for this honour. That is why she was perplexed when the Archangel Gabriel greeted her to ask her permission for the Incarnation. Our Lady’s magnificent preparation to be the Mother of Jesus Christ began with her Presentation in the Temple, a feast the Church celebrates on November 21. It is fitting that we ask Our Lady to prepare us with the best of Catholic doctrine to serve God by serving her. We should present ourselves before Our Lady, asking her to assist us in taking up the task of our sanctification, as the Holy Ghost did with her in the Temple of Jerusalem. Eternal Father, we honour the glory of the Virgin Mary. May her prayers bring us the fullness of your life and love. Amen. See more

14.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ST LEO the GREAT St Leo the Great, was born into a Roman aristocratic family. He became a very well-known deacon of the Church by 431. Leo was widely respected for his love for the Lord, intelligence and persuasive nature. He was also gifted in bringing reconciliation between disputing groups of Christians. That is why he was often sent out to settle disputes, both secular and theological. Leo was unanimously elected as pope in 440. Pope Leo was deepl...y dedicated to his service as pope. He saw himself as privileged to sit in the Chair of St Peter, as the servant of the servants of God. He became known as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. But he was so much more. During his reign, he tirelessly fought to preserve the unity of the Church and its faith; and to ensure the safety of his people against invasions from armies which sought to destroy the Church and the Christian influence on culture which she brought to bear. Leo used his authority, in both doctrinal and disciplinary matters, against a number of heresies troubling the Western church including Pelagianism (involving the denial of Original Sin) and Manichaeanism (a gnostic system that saw matter as evil). In 452, Pope Leo led a delegation which successfully negotiated with the barbarian king Attilla the Hun to prevent an invasion of Rome. His true significance rests in his doctrinal insistence on the mysteries of Christ and the Church and in the supernatural charisms of the spiritual life given to humanity in Christ and in his Body, the Church. See more

10.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: FRANCESCO ANTONIO FASANI Born on August 6, 1681 to poor peasants in the town of Lucera, St Francesco Antonio Fasani lost his father at the age of nine. His step-father sent him to the Conventual Franciscans for his education. At 15, he entered the Franciscan novitiate at Monte Gargano taking the founder as his patron. Remarkable among the young friar’s most cherished devotions was his tender love for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary ...not a dogma of faith at the time his childlike affection for the Infant Jesus and his ardent devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist. In 1705 he was ordained to the priesthood. He was then sent to the Sagro Convento, adjoining the basilica in Assisi where St Francis is buried, for the purpose of continuing his studies. Two years later he received the doctorate in theology, and he was then appointed lector of philosophy in the college conducted by the Conventuals in his home town. Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani was promoted successively to regent of studies, guardian, and provincial, which latter office he held from 1721 to 1723. After that he served as master of novices, and then as pastor of the church of St Francis in Lucera. A bishopric was offered to him, but he declined it. He was much in demand as a confessor, spiritual director and preacher for which his ardent and filial love for the Blessed Mother was the inspiration. He gave retreats, led Lenten devotions and novenas and collected gifts for the children at Christmas. He died in 1742 just as he was beginning the solemn novena for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. See more

08.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: DEDICATION of the LATERAN BASILICA Today the Universal Church celebrates the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the oldest and highest ranking of the four major basilicas in Rome. In ancient Rome this was the church where everyone was baptized. Originally the palace of the Laterani Family, the building was given to emperor Constantine who, in turn, gave the palace to the bishop of Rome in AD 313. Ever since, it has been the official c...athedral of the Pope, the mother church of all Christendom, the cathedral of the world. One of the most arresting features of the Basilica are the monumental statues of the 12 apostles that stand as if they are supporting the ceiling of the church. Larger than life and full of dramatic intensity, the sculptures show the Apostles holding the instruments of their martyrdom. They are represented not as they were on earth but how they are in heaven. The wooden altar on which St Peter celebrated Mass while in Rome is inside the main altar. The heads of Sts Peter and Paul were once believed to be inside busts above the main altar. Part of the table on which the Last Supper was celebrated is said to be behind a bronze depiction of the Last Supper. According an inscription placed on the church by Pope Clement XII, this church is Mother and Head of all the churches of the City [of Rome] and the world. This feast reminds us that each of us is united with the Church of Rome by special bonds of fidelity and obedience. The mother-church of Rome is also our mother and our spiritual home. See more

07.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ST AGNES of ASSISI Agnes was born in Assisi, Italy, around 1197. She was the younger daughter of a royal family, and was born with the name Caterina. She was very close to her older sister, Clare, and they spent most of their time together. The sisters heard Francis of Assisi preach, and they wanted to imitate his example of living a simple life of service to others. When they told their father that they wanted to live like Francis, he said he would never al...low it to happen. One night, Clare sneaked out of the house and went to live at a Benedictine convent. Two weeks later, Agnes joined her. The family went to the convent to force the sisters to return home, but the sisters refused to leave. When soldiers tried to force them to do so, Agnes’ body turned out to be so heavy that they couldn’t move her. They were sure that God was calling them to this new life. The young women traded their jewelled belts for knotted ropes and cut their hair short. With Francis’ leadership, they founded an order of nuns called the Poor Clares, and Caterina was given the name Agnes. Francis put Clare in charge of the new order. As more and more women joined them, Francis asked Agnes to establish a new convent in another town. Later, she founded convents in three other cities in Italy. The Poor Clare nuns owned nothing and depended on contributions for their food. Agnes’ life was a prayerful example for all the sisters in her order. She led them in being faithful to the teachings of Jesus and St. Francis. She died on 16 November in 1253. The church honoured her as a saint in 1753. She is patron Saint of Poor Clares. See more

07.01.2022 Hello to All, Please find attached this week's bulletin and an invitation to join in viewing of the Ordination and Installation of Most Reverend Gregory Bennet on December 8th.

07.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: CATHERINE of ALEXANDRIA Born in the 3rd century Catherine came from a wealthy family; her parents were the pagan king and queen of Alexandria, Egypt. Through books and wise people Catherine learned about Christianity. A vision of the Blessed Mother and the child Jesus fanned it into a roaring, passionate fire. Catherine began to study the faith with great zeal, proclaiming it to all she met. She became a Christian because of everything she learned. When the ...Roman emperor, Maxentius, began persecuting Christians, Catherine travelled to Rome to rebuke him for his cruelty. At first, Maxentius was merely amused by this beautiful, hot-headed 18-year-old girl. He didn’t want to put her in prison or kill her, so he summoned fifty of his greatest philosophers to persuade her to give up her faith. Instead, she persuaded them, one by one, until all fifty had converted to Christianity! The angry emperor had the philosophers killed and Catherine flogged and thrown into a dungeon, and he left on a trip. While he was gone Catherine persuaded the empress to follow the way of Christ along with two hundred of the emperor’s best soldiers. When the emperor returned, he had all those people killed, even his wife. He offered to marry Catherine and make her empress if only she would deny her faith. No, said Catherine. My heart belongs only to Christ. The emperor then ordered Catherine to be tied to a large wheel with sharp spikes on it. The ropes miraculously fell off Catherine and the wheel flew apart in all directions. Finally, Maxentius had Catherine beheaded. Catherine is patron saint of philosophers, young maidens and female scholars. She is one of the 14 Holy Helpers. See more

06.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: BLESSED MIGUEL AGUSTIN PRO Miguel Pro was born January 13, 1891, in Guadalupe Mexico. After a happy childhood in a loving and religious family, he entered the seminary in 1911 to study to become a Jesuit priest. The seminary closed when the government began to persecute Catholics. Miguel had to flee his country and was finally ordained in Belgium in 1925 when he was 34 years old. Miguel returned to Mexico even though it was dangerous as the government had... forbidden Catholics to practice their faith. The Cristero War (1926-1929) saw faithful Catholics rebelling against the oppression of the government, and the military and government officials responded with great brutality. Miguel had to minister to his beloved Mexican people in secret. He wore disguises to protect himself and others. He dressed as a beggar and visited homes to say Mass or baptize babies. He wore a police officer’s uniform when he visited the jail to bring the Sacraments to prisoners. He was willing to do anything to help people know that the Church loved and cared for them in Jesus’ name. Miguel was arrested and charged with attempting to kill Mexico’s president. The charges were completely untrue, but the police wanted an excuse to be rid of this problem priest. Without a trial, Miguel was sentenced to death before a firing squad. Miguel’s last words before stretching out his arms to die were Viva Cristo Rey! which means Long live Christ the King! He had blessed the soldiers and the executioners before he died. Some 40,000 people attended his funeral. Pope John Paul II beatified him in Mexico in 1988. See more

05.01.2022 Dear parishioners, Please find attached the weekend bulletin for your information. Kindly note changes regarding attending weekend and weekday masses with increased numbers now permitted to attend. Have a blessed weekend.

03.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: JAMES OF THE MARCH James was born in the March of Ancona. His parents raised him in the fear and love of God. At the University of Perugia, he studied civil and canon law with such remarkable success that he received a doctor's degree in both. He thought of joining the contemplative Carthusians, but almighty God, who had destined him to labour for the salvation of thousands of souls in the active life, led him to the Order of St Francis. James distinguished ...himself by the practice of all virtues, so that he became a model of religious perfection. To preserve angelic purity, which he had kept unsullied from his youth, he led a most austere life. He never slept more than 3 hours, and that on the bare floor; the remainder of the night he spent meditating on the sufferings of Christ. Like his holy Father St Francis, he observed a 40-day fast 7 times a year. Bread and water were his regular fare, although he sometimes added uncooked beans or vegetables. Years later, St Bernardine of Siena told him to moderate his penances in order to conserve his strength. For half a century, he continued as a missionary and preacher. He preached penance, and combated heretics. He was appointed inquisitor against the Fratelli, a heretic sect that dissented from the Franciscans on the vow of poverty, among other things. This extremely popular preacher converted many people250,000 at one estimateand helped spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. He was offered the See of Milan in 1460, but he refused it. James died in 1476, and was canonized in 1726. See more

01.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY: ST ELIZABETH of HUNGARY Born in 1207, Elizabeth was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary. She grew up a very religious child and married Ludwig, the king of Thuringia (in Germany), when she was only 14. The two worked at their marriage. They respected one another. They loved their three children. As king, Ludwig ruled fairly. As queen, Elizabeth built two hospitals to help her people. She washed and bandaged the sores of lepers. Each day, she gave thick... crusty breadwarm from the ovento hundreds of poor people. Then Ludwig marched off to fight in the Crusades. (The Catholic Church fought these wars to win back the Holy Land.) While away, he died of the plague. Elizabeth, devastated by Ludwig’s death, vowed never to remarry. Her children were sent away, and relatives heavily pressured her to break the vow. Undeterred, Elizabeth used her remaining money to build another hospital, where she personally attended to the sick almost constantly. Sending away her servants, she joined the Third Order of St Francis, seeking to emulate the example of its founder as closely as her responsibilities would allow. Near the end of her life, she lived in a small hut and spun her own clothes. Most likely worn out by her austerities and near constant contact with the sick, Elizabeth died at the age of twenty-four on November 17, 1231. Miracles were attributed to her intercession soon after her burial, and testimonies to her holiness were collected so rapidly that she was canonized by the pope just four years after her death. St Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron saint of bakers. See more