ST SIMON THE APOSTLE, ROWVILLE

"Mass Procedure St Simon's Parish"

Fr Kevin Dillon - St Simons Thursday November 26 2020

Fr Kevin Dillon - St Simons Wednesday November 25 2020

live from 6am (Tuesday - Friday)

Fr. Kevin Dillon - St Simons - Sunday, November 22 2020

   "Charlie's Getting Married"    (1981) Men Of Harlech

live from Saturday 6pm

This feast was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI as an antidote to secularism.

In these uncertain times may we invite Jesus our King  to rule over
our lives as individuals, families, communities, governments and nations. 

We crowned Jesus with thorns - may we crown Him as King of our lives.

Jesus We Crown You With Praise 

Susan Pettrey

The defence minister, Linda Reynolds, said the Brereton Report outlined “a range of very serious matters that the chief of the defence force must now comprehensively respond to”. Reynolds said accountability would be “crucial to maintaining the highest standards Australians expect of our military, reassuring confidence and trust, and learning from grave failings”. The government has also “The findings announced … today should not cast
a shadow on the vast majority whose contributions to the mission in Afghanistan were carried out to the highest standards demanded of them,” Reynolds said. 

This was a view echoed by Darren Chester, the minister for veterans’ affairs and defence personnel. Chester said the past 20 years had seen “one of the highest operational tempos in our military history” with more than 39,000 Australians deployed to Afghanistan. 

“For the overwhelming majority their service was in keeping with the values we expect as
a nation, and the high standards they demand of each other,” he said. Chester said support was available to veterans, ADF members and their families, including counselling, legal, psychological, medical, pastoral and social work support. 

Labor’s defence spokesman, Richard Marles, said his thoughts were with the victims and with the majority of ADF members who had provided distinguished service. “These are appalling allegations. These happened by people wearing our nation’s uniform. in the name of our country. That is profoundly difficult to accept, knowing as I do, the incredible service that has been provided by thousands, tens of thousands of Australians in our defence forces and in Afghanistan.” 

Microsoft News - Thurs. Nov. 19

Most Australians will be deeply concerned,
if not horrified by the findings of the 4-year Brereton Report into allegations against Australian soldiers. These allegations are of murder and other crimes against innocent people in Afghanistan, people they were supposed to protect. 

Quite rightly the law will take its course. Charges may or may not be laid. Prosecutors
and defence lawyers will argue the cases. And decisions will be made by lawful authorities, as they should be. 

But what about us, the public? So easy it can be to criticise, even “bay for blood”,
from the security of our homes - a security which relies considerably on the courage
and self-sacrifice, past, current and future, of our defence personnel. 

The wars of the past sixty years have been different from earlier wars, when enemy forces were clearly identified. We now know the effect of months, years, of combat, not knowing
if a person who was presenting as a friend and ally was in fact a deadly foe. That does
not justify a war crime of any kind, but it does remind us that we need to wait for the legal process of prosecution and defence to take its rightful course. 

Federal and State Governments have expressed concerns for people suffering from mental health issues. Millions of dollars in extra funding has been (thankfully) pledged.
But those who face a deadly enemy day after day, month after month, in combat zones
are at a higher risk of having mental health issues than any other section of our Australian community. The “heat of battle” does not disappear just because the active conflict might have ceased. 

So how will you react when next you see a soldier in uniform? Will you wonder if he or she is someone who has disgraced the Australian flag and all it stands for? Or will you be grateful for his or her service, perhaps expressing that gratitude in a brief greeting? If you choose the latter, there is a 98% likelihood that your appreciation is well-deserved, and will very much include those who have shown the courage to step away from some aspects
of a “culture” in which neither they nor the majority of their colleagues participated. 

The Brereton Report speaks of elements of the “culture” of the SAS contributing significantly to its deeply concerning findings. But the formation of a “culture” is usually historic and widespread, making it difficult to determine responsibility when, how and why that culture has gone awry. 

As investigations and potential prosecutions continue, it will be helpful to heed the wise and balanced remarks of both Darren Chester and Richard Marles, and acknowledge with gratitude the courageous and self-sacrificing service of all but a few of those who serve our country in our name. 

Fr. Kevin Dillon

MY JESUS,
I believe that You are present in this 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 I unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.        Amen

“Spotlight”

Official Trailer (2015) 

Victoria COVID-19 Restrictions - Last Step

# 22 - 24 Nov 2020 COVID Guidelines

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