Our local communities of grace across the Archdiocese of Melbourne will unite for a weekend of prayer from Friday 24 March to Sunday 26 March 2023. Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has said that this weekend, which coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord on Saturday 25 March, ‘promises to be a moment of grace for the local Church, as together we meditate on Mary’s fiat, her total “yes”.’ Parishes, communities and movements throughout our Archdiocese have been busily planning their own hour of prayer. People are invited to join in their local parish’s celebrations or to join in the weekend in their own circumstances.
This guide to Fiat will be updated regularly.
Parish bulletin insert
Fiat—A Weekend of Prayer
Friday 24 March – Sunday 26 March 2023
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has invited the Archdiocese of Melbourne to unite for a weekend of prayer from Friday 24 March to Sunday 26 March 2023. Parishes, communities and movements will be hosting hours of prayer across the Archdiocese, meditating on Mary’s fiat, her total ‘yes’.
Our community will be praying [NAME] on [DATE], [TIME], at [PLACE].
You can view the full schedule at bit.ly/fiat-prayer-weekend
What is Fiat—A Weekend of Prayer?
From Friday 24 March, at 6pm, to Sunday 26 March, the Archdiocese of Melbourne will enter into a period of prayer as we meditate on Mary’s fiat—her total ‘yes’. In their own circumstances, parishes, religious communities, chaplaincies, movements and groups have been invited by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli to hold at least an hour of prayer. A regularly updated schedule has been provided below to enable everyone to join in a nearby celebration.
What are we invited to pray for?
Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.
—Luke 1:38
A pivotal moment in the history of salvation occurred when a young woman, Mary, listened to God’s call and then gave a free and wholehearted ‘yes’ to the Lord and his mission, and to his gift of salvation. We too are assured of new life in Jesus Christ.
Our local Church has been walking the Take the Way of the Gospel journey together, and we have been invited to begin this year in prayer. We are asked to pray and reflect on what Mary’s example means for us as individuals, as local communities of grace and as a local Church of Melbourne.
6pm–midnight
Sacred Heart Church
Rathdowne Street and Pelham Street, Carlton
Nightfever
People from across the Archdiocese will gather for a night of prayer, praise and intercession.
5.30pm–6.30pm
Immaculate Conception Church
36 Nihil Street, Alexandra
Mass and Stations of the Cross
6pm–7pm
St Simon the Apostle Catholic Church
2 Taylors Lane, Rowville
Adoration with Benediction
6pm–midnight
St Catherine’s Church
2–4 Buchan Street Moorabbin
(Parking available)
Eucharistic Adoration, Divine Mercy
A decade of the rosary on every other hour and quiet reflection
6pm–midnight
St Luke’s Parish, Lalor
1A David Street, Lalor
Six hours of prayer
Friday 6pm – Saturday 11am
St Mary’s Church
123 St Leonards Road, Ascot Vale
Mass—Eucharistic Adoration
Friday: 6pm—Mass, 7pm—Stations of the Cross, 7.30pm Friday – 9:30am Saturday—overnight Eucharistic Adoration Saturday: 9:30am—Mass, 10am—Holy Hour with Rosary, Legion of Mary annual Acies ceremony
7pm–8pm
Queen of Peace Church
62 Everingham Road, Altona Meadows
(Parking available and disabled access available)
Stations of the Cross
7pm–9pm
St Peter’s Parish
2 Parkside Avenue, Keilor East
Stations of the Cross, Mass and Adoration
7pm—Stations of the Cross followed by Mass, 8pm—hour of Adoration
7pm–8pm
Sorrento Parish
Holy Family Church,
15 Weeroona Street, Rye
Stations of the Cross and evening prayer for the Annunciation
with time for reflection and quiet prayer
7pm–8pm
St Christopher’s Parish, Airport West
34 Roberts Road, Airport West
Fiat—A big ‘yes’ of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the invitation of God
An hour of reflection with a biblical presentation of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her response of ‘yes’ to the invitation of God to become God’s Mother, music, Rosary and finishing with Benediction
7pm–8pm
St Thomas’ Parish
Lumen Christi Church
72–78 Kensington Road, Leopold
(Car park located at the rear of the church. Disabled access available from carpark to church.)
Lent evening music and prayer
In the gospel for the fourth week of Lent, the story of the man born blind is a perfect choice for the Lenten season. As we journey through this season, we are invited once again to open our eyes to Jesus; to step out of darkness and into the light.
We invite you to join us for Laetare evening music and prayer in person or via live broadcast on our St Thomas Catholic Parish Facebook Page as we contemplate through sung music, Scripture, reflection and prayer this annual call to turn away from darkness and walk in the light.
7pm–8pm
Parishes of St Vincent de Paul and St Monica
Church of St Vincent de Paul
Cnr Woodland Street and The Crossway, Strathmore
Mary’s Way of the Cross
A Way of the Cross based on the seven sorrows of Our Lady
7pm–8pm
St Mary Mackillop Church
152 Odessa Avenue, Keilor Downs 3038
Holy Hour
Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Rosary
7pm–9pm
St Luke’s Church
1 Ipswich Court, Wantirna
Stations of the Cross and Adoration
Stations of the Cross and Marian prayers followed by Adoration until 9pm
8pm–9pm
St John Bosco Church
29 Muriel Street, Niddrie
Rosary and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
9.30pm–10.30pm
St Dominic’s Parish
408 Camp Road, Broadmeadows
Adoration, Rosary and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Midnight Friday – 9.30am Saturday
Sacred Heart Church
Rathdowne Street and Pelham Street, Carlton
Prayer and Mass
Corpus Christi College seminarians will be praying throughout the night, ending in Mass at 8.30am.
8am–9am
Greater Box Hill Parish
St Clare Church, 138 Woodhouse Grove, Box Hill North
(Parking is available behind the Church in Killara Street.)
Adoration and guided meditation
8am–9am
St Clement of Rome Church
9 Egan Drive, Bulleen
Eucharistic Adoration with devotions to Our Lady at 8.40am
8.30am
Reservoir–Reservoir East Parish
St Gabriel’s Church
1 Viola Street, Reservoir
Holy Hour
Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Rosary, followed by Holy Mass
9am–10am
Mansfield Catholic Parish
St Francis Xavier’s Church
54 Hunter Street, Mansfield
Eucharist—A reflection on Mary’s fiat and service
At every Eucharist we hear God’s Word, receive the Body of Christ and are send forth. The Eucharist reflects the Annunciation to Mary, who received the Word of God in her heart, which became Flesh in her womb, and then went forth to serve her cousin Elizabeth. Eucharist leads to service.
9am–10am
St John Vianney’s Church
Springvale North
23 Police Road, Mulgrave
Eucharistic Adoration
9am–10am
St Patrick’s Church
18 Harding Street, Portarlington
(Car park at front of church. Entry to church through side door due to renovation.)
Private prayer of devotion on the feast of the Annunciation.
9am–10am
St Peter Chanel Church, Deer Park
848 Ballarat Road, Deer Park
Adoration with Benediction
For the intention of world peace, especially between Russia and Ukraine
9am–10am
St Andrew’s Church
105 Greaves Street, North Werribee
Mass, Exposition, Rosary and Benediction
9am-12noon
St Peter’s Church
258 Clayton Road, Clayton
Holy Mass, Confession, Adoration and Benediction at 12noon
Solemn Mass of the Annunciation of the Lord, Confession and Adoration available after Mass, with Benediction at 12 noon
9.30am–10.30am
St Dominic’s Parish
408 Camp Road, Broadmeadows
Adoration, Rosary and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9.30am–2.30pm
St Peter’s Parish
2A Parkside Avenue, Keilor East
Lenten healing retreat
9.30am—registration and morning tea, 10am—praise and worship, 10.30am—talk by Fr Rojan George VC, 12noon–12.30pm—Adoration and Confessions, 1pm—healing Mass, 2.30pm—close
10am–11am
St Patrick’s Church, Murrumbeena
1 Dalny Road, Murrumbeena
(Parking is available near the St Patrick’s School basketball court on 3 Danly Road.)
Adoration
10am–12noon
Catholic Charismatic Renewal Centre
101 Holden Street, North Fitzroy
(Parking and disabled access available)
Eucharistic Adoration combined with praise and prayer in tongues
Praise and worship before the Blessed Sacrament leading to periods of silent adoration, themed around the Magnificat—My soul rejoices in my God.
10am–12noon
St Mary’s Church
76 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine
Mass, Adoration and Rosary
Mass at 10am, followed by Adoration at 10.30am and Rosary at 11.30am
11am–12noon
St Christopher’s Parish
5 Doon Avenue, Glen Waverley
Praise and worship with Eucharistic Adoration
This public hour of prayer is part of FAST24, a 24-hour Lenten event run by the youth of St Christopher’s Parish, Syndal, from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
11am–12noon
Holy Spirit Parish
Holy Spirit Chapel
120 Oban Road, Ringwood North
(Parking on site)
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary
2.30pm–4pm
St Peter Apostle Mission Parish
38 Guinane Avenue, Hoppers Crossing
(Disabled access available)
Adoration, Benediction and lectio divina with the theme of the Annunciation
3pm–5pm
St Joseph Parish Springvale
Corner Buckingham Avenue and St James Avenue, Springvale
(Limited parking on Church grounds and side streets)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
3pm–3.10pm—Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and quiet time
3.10–3.40pm—Rosary (English)
3.40–3.50pm-quiet time
4–4.30pm—reflections on the Annunciation (Vietnamese)
4.30–4.50pm—reflections on the Word of God (English)
4.50–5pm—Benediction
4pm–5pm
St Thomas’ Parish
St Philip and St James Church
1343–1349 Murradoc Road, St Leonards
(Due to current renovations, access to the church via the side door. Disabled car park access is available to the side of the church and car park adjacent to the church.)
Private prayer before Vigil Mass
Contemplating the Annunciation of the Lord, before the vigil Mass for the 5th Sunday of Lent
5pm–6pm
Mooroolbark Parish
St Peter Julian Eymard Church
234 Hull Road, Mooroolbark
Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration
5pm
St Luke’s Church
1 Ipswich Court, Wantirna
Adoration, Mass and Rosary
5pm Adoration, followed by Mass at 6.30pm, Marian prayers and Rosary
6pm–8pm
St James the Apostle Church,
336 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing
(Fully accessible parking)
I am the handmaid of the Lord
Praying the psalms, gospel reading and reflection, silent reflection, song
6pm–7pm
St Catherine of Siena Church
28 College Street, Caroline Springs
Mass—International Centennial Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima
The image of Our Lady of Fatima will be at the parish for the weekend. There will be a short talk at the end of Mass to explain the significance of the Pilgrim Image.
6pm–7pm
Holy Family Parish
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
46A Ballarat Road, Maidstone
(Parking is available. Church is near public transport.)
Rosary and prayer
Following our 5pm vigil Mass, we will have an hour of praying the Rosary—the Joyful Mysteries, quiet prayer and contemplation. All are welcome!
8pm–9pm
St Kevin’s Church,
120 Hallam Road, Hampton Park
(Ramp for disabled access)
Hour of prayer
Saturday 10pm – Sunday 10am
St Michael’s Church
460 Dryburgh Street, North Melbourne
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
11pm–midnight
St Roch’s Catholic Church,
200 Burke Road, Glen Iris
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
with guided meditations and concluding with Benediction
7.30am
St Luke’s Church
1 Ipswich Court, Wantirna
Adoration, Marian prayers, Rosary, Mass
7.30am—Adoration followed by Mass at 8.30am, Marian prayers and Rosary
9.30am–10am—Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary, Marian prayers
10am—Mass, Rosary and Marian prayers, followed by Eucharistic Adoration
8am–9am
Holy Trinity Parish Bellarine
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church,
68 John Dory Drive, Ocean Grove
(All-abilities-access parking and off-street parking is available.)
Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
An hour of quiet prayer and contemplation prior to our regular 9am Sunday Mass. All are welcome!
9am–10am
St Catherine of Siena Church
28 College Street, Caroline Springs
Mass—International Centennial Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima
The image of Our Lady of Fatima will be at the parish for the weekend. There will be a short talk at the end of Mass to explain the significance of the Pilgrim Image.
11am–12noon
St Anthony’s Parish Church
67 Exford Road, Melton South
Holy Hour
Rosary, meditation, Benediction
11am–12noon
St Bernard’s Parish Church
61 Lerderderg Street, Bacchus Marsh
Holy Hour
Rosary, meditation, Benediction
12noon–1pm
St Joseph’s Parish, Meredith
St Mary MacKillop Church,
24 High Street, Bannockburn
Rosary, Adoration and Benediction
Parishioners will gather in the St John’s Chapel.
12noon–1pm
St Catherine of Siena Church
28 College Street, Caroline Springs
Mass—International Centennial Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima
The image of Our Lady of Fatima will be at the parish for the weekend. There will be a short talk at the end of Mass to explain the significance of the Pilgrim Image.
12noon–1pm
St Dominic’s Parish
408 Camp Road, Broadmeadows
Adoration, Rosary and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2pm
The Combined Societies of Mary
St Patrick’s Cathedral
Cathedral Place, East Melbourne
Walk with Mary 2023 |
It’s not too late!
Parishes, communities and movements can still sign up their hour of prayer so it appears on the schedule. Register through Trybooking.
