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“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” [Luke 6:27]
PASTOR’S POST -
What does it mean for us to "bear the image of the one of Heaven," as St. Paul beautifully puts it in the second reading? Another translation phrases it as being "modelled on the Heavenly man, Jesus." This surely implies that we open ourselves to the Lord's grace, teachings, and values, allowing ourselves to be transformed into a reflection of Christ’s grace, mercy, and compassion. It calls for a deeper union with Christ, where we align our thoughts, abilities, and actions with His example.
The first reading this weekend presents quite a challenge. David faces unjust persecution from King Saul, who is consumed by delusions, jealousy, and paranoia about him. Despite David's unwavering loyalty, Saul remains unsatisfied. When war breaks out, David has the opportunity to kill Saul but chooses not to. This isn’t the first time he’s faced such a dilemma.
It’s a powerful lesson: just because we have the ability to uplift or bring down, and just because we can choose to harm or heal, doesn’t mean we should use our freedom to destroy or seek revenge. David aligns himself with God’s patient, loving forbearance—he refuses to respond to wrongdoing with more wrongdoing. Instead, he embodies God’s perfect remedy: returning love and kindness in place of harm, effectively canceling out negativity rather than multiplying it. This approach may seem radical and out of this world, but it’s clearly rooted in Divine wisdom.
As David eloquently states about King Saul, "Today the Lord put you in my power, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord's anointed." In this moment, David chooses to act according to God’s values rather than human impulses, leading to refreshing and wonderful outcomes. Where it once seemed that the only solution to the conflict with King Saul was to strike him down, a beautiful alternative emerges: reconciliation and rebuilding. We are invited to draw from God’s gracious and compassionate love within us, rather than merely reflecting the selfish behavior of others.
Fr Paul Kelly
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The Stella Maris Church has re-opened for weekend Masses. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Wonderful News - Just in time for the Tenth Anniversary of the Opening of Stella Maris Catholic Church at Broadbeach, we are delighted to announce that the church is re-opening this weekend for the regular schedule of Masses after the unexpected closure of the church after Christmas due to internal ceiling damage.
It is now Masses as usual for Stella. This Saturday's 5 pm Vigil at Stella Maris is back on from this Saturday 22nd February 2025 and for all Saturdays following.
This Sunday 7am morning Mass is back on from this Sunday 23rd February 2025 and for all Sundays following.
Please note that the special interim 7 am mass that was at Sacred Heart Clear Island Waters, only for the duration of the repairs, is now ended.
Please let anyone know who might not receive this message.
Through God's gracious kindness and with the cooperation of many helpful people, its wonderful that the Church will be open from the Week of the Church's Tenth Anniversary of its Dedication.
Blessed be the Lord and the Protection and Patronage of the Blessed VIrgin Mary- Star of the Sea. Amen.
TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK - Stella Maris
The new Stella Maris Church at Broadbeach (2015-2025) February 27, 2015 was a special day for the Surfers Paradise parish.
Opening new churches is not as common as it once was so the Mass for the Dedication of the new Stella Maris Church at Broadbeach was a cause for great joy.
Rather than retreating in the face of all the high-rises of glass and steel, this new place of worship serves as a footprint for the new evangelisation on the Gold Coast.
Stella Maris - Broadbeach
A Happy and Blessed Anniversary
Historical background to the new Stella Maris Church
The Catholic Parish of Surfers Paradise was established in 1946 on the site now occupied by the VOCO Hotel. The first Parish Priest was Fr Neal Shannon. The only building on that site initially was a tiny wooden church erected there in 1934.
In 1954, a second story was added to the adjacent primary school building which had been built on that site, and masses were then held on the ground level area of that school building. The original tiny church building then became the music room for the school for about nine years. A full-time church was eventually built on that site by Father (‘Brickie’) Shannon in 1963, and the original old church-cum-music room was relocated to a site of approximately one acre at Hedges Avenue Broadbeach, which had been purchased by Archbishop Duhig and the Archdiocese two years earlier.
This old and much- loved Church at Broadbeach had two extensions/additions since being relocated there, and served the parish and its visitors well. Successive parish priests in Bill Morris, Michael McCarthy and Dan Ryan had numerous discussions and meetings with the Parish Finance Board over this period in relation to updating this Church, and/or relocating to another cheaper site in the area, but there was no ready solution.
Financial Constraints
Fr Tim Harris was appointed PP of the Parish in 2010, and inherited the problem about what to do with this ageing building, where the maintenance costs were becoming excessive. Fr Tim shared his thoughts and concerns with his parishioners and in July 2011, a long -term parishioner Justin King donated $50k as a down payment towards the cost of building a new Church on that site.
Justin King subsequently donated two vehicles and a holiday trip which were used by the Parish to run three separate raffles which raised further funds of approximately $150k. Justin King also donated a further amount of $500k in August 2012. Towards the end of 2012, Fr Tim was notified that another parishioner Joan Enright who had recently passed away left a bequest to the Parish in the amount of $1.2m. The combined amount of the Parish reserve funds, and the contributions from Justin King and the late Joan Enright resulted in $2.4m, so it was now full steam ahead!
Building Preliminaries
Father Tim was approached by an architectural design team, being parishioners Patrick McGuinness, and Lee and Sandra Dunne. Their brief was simple: to create ‘a sacred space’, a place of worship worthy of reflecting the church, its teachings, rituals and values, while respectful of its location and community.
The final key preliminary step was the engagement with the builder, another local parishioner Mr John Wheeler of Stokes Wheeler Pty Ltd. Following the engagement of a Town Planning Consultant in August 2013, an application for Development Approval was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council in October 2013.
Building Milestones
There were no objections lodged to the Development Application, and Approval was issued from the Gold Coast City Council in December 2013.
· January 2014- A sub-committee was established, seeking to raise $500k. This was called the ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign, and was modelled on the approach taken by Father Neal ‘Brickie’ Shannon when he constructed the first church in Surfers Paradise in 1963.
· The De-Commissioning Mass for the old Church was held on 24 April 2014. Demolition of the old Church commenced on 5 May 2014. Earthworks for the new site commenced on 12 June 2014.
· The ‘Buy a Brick’ Campaign was enormously successful with donations from both parishioners and visitors, raising over $600k within six months. However in July 2014, it became obvious that the Parish needed a little extra, and we launched ‘Help Us Finish the Job’ Campaign, where we offered parishioners and visitors the opportunity to sponsor the pews and internal furnishings, which in the next few months raised another $250k.
· From July 2014 to the end of February 2015, weekly site meetings were held with representatives of the Parish (and in particular the Parish Manager Sonya Slater), Parish Finance Board, the Architects, and the Builder. It was very pleasing that final costings were contained to $3.2m, close to the original budget set in May 2013.
Opening Dedication Mass- 27 February 2015
This Dedication Mass was a historic and emotional event for all who had been involved in this project. Some of the highlights on the night were:
· There was a monsignor, three bishops and thirty- three priests present. This in itself was a spectacle which our Parish had never before experienced.
· Archbishop Mark Coleridge spoke about sports fans who refer to the ‘Gabba’ in Brisbane and the MCG in Melbourne as ‘hallowed turf’, but he reminded everyone that after tonight’s Dedication ceremony, the Stella Maris site would once again be actual ‘Hallowed Turf’ and sacred space. He also made the reference that like the ancient sea mariner, the Star of the Sea Church will continue to guide through the darkness.
· On behalf of the Architectural Design Team, Sandra Dunne spoke of “the orientation of the Church was as if it was resting in a park, providing a green oasis of calm tranquillity with trees, covered walkways, shelter and areas of respite. From the evocative image of the Madonna and Child presenting a nurturing welcome at the entrance, we are then taken on a journey of sandstone, beechwood timber pews and water enhanced glass carefully selected to give a tapestry of richness of colour and texture to our place of worship. The proximity to the beach and ocean played a significant part in material selections, given the long- term vision of the nature of the building.”
· Fr Tim thanked Justin King (who was personally present with his extended family) and all parishioners and visitors who had so generously contributed to make this Church a reality. He said that when he officially announced that he was going to build the church, he “did not think for one moment that the Parish would raise anywhere near what was needed; the money just kept coming in, and it was a gift from Heaven in every possible way. God’s hand has been guiding this since the very beginning. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, but Our Lady must have had some hand in this too, because the Church is named after Our Lady of the Sea. Don’t under- estimate the power of her prayer.”
Peter Morgan . Member of the Parish Finance Board
From Fr Paul:
Stella is such a lovely church to celebrate in, we still get lots of positive comments about the church and being a church of choice for Catholic weddings.
In the 10 years, we have become a little hemmed in as our neighbours grew up from all sides, but we certainly have benefited from the forward thinking of Archbishop Dudhig in purchasing the land and the later with Fr Tim Harris’ vision in keeping a Catholic presence in Broadbeach (albeit a very sought after address on the Gold Coast).
Remembering the Dedication Mass - 2025 - Ten years ago this week https://youtu.be/pxLXpQwQRoo
Lord, we give thanks for all who helped build this church, and this community that gathers within, and its previous versions of it that have been located here. We thank you for the generosity, the prayerfulness and the blessings experienced and received by Your presence in and amongst this community.
For all the Prayers, Blessings, Baptisms, Eucharists, Confirmations, Weddings, Anointings, Funerals and so much more, that have blessed this church, we thank you! We remember all who have participated in this Sacred Space and all who will come here searching and finding your grace, mercy, healing, strength, challenge, reassurance and commissioning. Bless us as we continue to experience Your Grace and presence in this place. Amen.
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters.
9 am Saturday the 1st March 2025. Followed by adoration and Benediction.
{This is a votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary}.
ANOINTING MASS – MASS of HEALING FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (February-November Inclusive) 10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tuesday the 4th of March- Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on each First Friday, 7th March 2025, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All welcome - Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch one hour with Me" Mt 26:4
ALTAR SERVING in SURFERS PARADISE PARISH
Would you like to become an Altar Server in Surfers Paradise Parish? Our church family has many ministries or roles available for people who wish to help the celebration of the mass to be as reverent and joyful as possible. For children, one of the best ways to contribute to the mass is to train to be an altar server.
There are lots of things to learn about the job of altar serving so if you are interested in finding out about this special ministry please read on.
Who can become an altar server: Any person who is a fully initiated Catholic can be an altar server. That is, someone who has received the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and has celebrated their First Holy Communion.
Children who wish to become altar servers will be taught by Fr Bradley and the Sacramental Team. When you feel confident, you will be asked to serve on the altar with other experienced servers.
How to find out more about Altar Serving Ministry: Ask one of your parents to ring the Parish Office (5671 7388) and leave your full name and contact details. Please direct all enquiries and volunteering through the Parish Office. Then Fr Bradley and the Sacramental Team will contact your family and invite you to a training workshop. Fr Bradley meeting some future altar servers at St Vincent’s CHILDHOOD SACRAMENTS 2025 Please use the tables on the following pages to guide you, as you plan your child/ren’s Sacramental Journey in Surfers Paradise Parish. Please remember that your child and your family are often included in our prayers at mass and in the personal prayers of many parishioners. We all look forward to supporting you in this sacred work. The Sacramental Team 😃
MISSING SOMETHING? IT MAY BE IN OUR LOST AND FOUND COLLECTION
To tune in to The Our parish Podcast of the Mass for Sundays and Solemnities, please visit regularly the following link: To listen to the Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Also found at - https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk
The Café - “Sacred Grounds” - Located at the Former Atrium Building near the Sacred Heart Church.
The café near the Sacred Heart Church is a wonderful gathering place for parishioners, school parents, staff, and the wider public. The feedback has been that the café is a great idea, but its old location in the front of the church was not ideal. The café has now reopened in the old Atrium building. This allows community building whilst giving the church the space it needs for its Masses, Weddings, Baptisms and solemn Funerals. Please support this excellent continuation of the parish vision. Chris and his staff are delighted to welcome you.
{https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/pellegrinaggio/calendario-giubileo.html}
Jubilee 2025
The 2025 Jubilee Year, also known as the Year of the Pilgrim of Hope, is a time to celebrate faith, hope, and charity.
Here are some ways to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee:
Pray: Perform works of mercy: Give to charity, or reach out to people you've hurt.
Or
Make a pilgrimage: Visit a local holy site (eg Marian Valley), another parish, or our local Mother Church - The Cathedral. You can also make a pilgrimage to Rome. Fr Dan Ryan is soon to take a pilgrimage to rome. See details in this newsletter. https://bookings.harvestjourneys.com/pv2569
LENTEN BOOKLETS FOR PERSONAL OR GROUP REFLECTION
AVAILABLE NOW AT THE PIETY SHOPS. $5.
Or https://shop.archdiocesanministries.org.au/products/lent-2025-start-anew-in-christ-pre-order
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
GO CASHLESS DONATIONS -
AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCES OF THREE CHURCHES - tap once to donate $10, tap and other higher denominations now available on the new devices.
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. 9 am Saturday the 1st March 2025. Followed by adoration and Benediction. {This is a votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary}.
Anointing Mass – Mass of Healing FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (February-November Inclusive)
10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tuesday the 4th of March- Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on each First Friday, 7th March 2025, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch one hour with Me" Mt 26:4
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Please also pray for the following who are ill. (Alphabetical)
Lindsay Allan, Robert Andreas, Joseph Antony, Milroy Antony, Tricia Baumann, Phil Bawden, Nellie Bellinger, Tim Brown, Margaret and Tony Buckingham, Vicky and Andrew Campora, Gerard Carroll, Nadia Ceh, Tina Conidi, Helen Cooper, Shirley Croft, Christopher Cunningham, Mary Curmi, Bernie Delaney, Helen Dowling, Christopher Eid, John Fox, Lorraine Gallagher, Jenny Haines, Mary Hirst, Andrew Janiec, Jenny Johnson, Kevin & Francis Junee, Leona Kelly, Marjorie Kennedy, Kath Kiely, Jan Kristenson, Robert Lahey, Dannielle Therese Larney, Alvin Lee, Nathan Lepp, Veronica Lubomski, Ron McConnell, l McGuigan, Phil and Anne McGuigan, Leonie McMahon, Angela Micallef, Joanne Mooney, Maryann Moore, Frances Much, Richard G Murphy (USA), Michael & Leslie Murtagh, Scott Nunan, Margaret Orme, Eileen O’Mara, Letty O’Sullivan, Kevin Owen, Clare Perera, Lesley Petroni, Rachel Raines, Gus Risotto, Bob Rogers, Marnia Ryan-Raison, Miranda Santi, Maureen Scott, Betty Taylor, Gary Thompson, Leonardo Torcaso, Denise Tracey.
RECENTLY DECEASED: (Chronological - Most recent first):
Sr Christa Murphy SSpS, Pietro Paolo Sergi, Phillip Brady, James Ezra (Jim) Ramsay, Susanne Theresa Hewitt, Ellanie Gonzalez, Patricia Stone, Milka Baric, Dulcie Villotet, Naomi Ryan, Karsten Rickert, Lee Pascuale Caprie, Kenneth Montgomery, Phillip Conquest, Romana Carlin, Noel Patrick Cook, John Rowles, Bruce O’Brien, Martha Wagner, Peter Noble, Carmela Parente, Maureen Williams, Christine Lennon, Erin Stein, Lubomir Stas, Joy L’Huillier, Francis Xavier.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical)
Jordan Joseph Baker, Fr James Cahill, William Chard, Barbara Joan Degiovanni, Valerie Mary Elshaw, Fr Patrick Finnerty, Paul Vivian Gilliland, Doreen Hewitt, Bill Hignett, William John (Bill) Kelly, Dorothy de Launey, Kenneth Mason, Percy and Clair Monteiro, Patricia (Pat) Moore, Giuseppe Nardi, Peggy Doreen Norris, Patricia Maxine O’Donoghue, Erzsebet Rigo, John Norris Rohrs, Fr Gary Russell, Fr Francis Scanlan, George Schreiber, Kaylene Ellen Swan, Richard Michael Trad, Joy Whitbread, John Anthony Woodruff, Ivy Gladys Yow, Stanislaw Zbigniew Zielinski.
And Also: (Alphabetical):
Patricia Anderson, Laura Therese Aprile, Jeanette (Jenny) Avery, Andre Bellony, Neil Bloxsidge, Veronica Bond, Carmel Elizabeth Bright, Bobby Joseph Casperz, Theodore Cocks, Sue Crossdale, Marjorie Adeline Doyle, Maria Eidejus, Thomas James Michael (Mike) Farrell, Raymond Gardiner, Jabour Haddad, Len Heffernan, Fr Thomas Higgins, Barclay Hodge, Joan Frances Hurley, Fr Reginald Keating, Fr Thomas Keating, Lara Michelle Kennedy, Mary Ng Siew Kuen, Fr Bryan Lee, Gregory London, Alan Morgan, Norm Mullins, Mollie O'Byrne, Jim O’Hagan, Peg Perkins, Milan Piglich, Brian Peter Pinard, Rose Refalo, Fr Vincent Rowan, Ivan Sabol, Mary Schreiber, George Ferguson Shaw, Bernie Tathem, Norman James Thomson, Allan Thomas Vaughan, Hans Wagner, Jerzy Wieczorek.
HOSPITAL CALLS - AROUND THE DEANERY -
HELP THE PRIESTS OF THE DEANERY RESPOND TO URGENT CALLS EFFECTIVELY BY CALLING THE FOLLOWING PARISHES' FIRST RESPONDERS TO NEEDS WITHIN THE HOSPITALS LISTED.
To efficiently and speedily deal with the pastoral needs around the Catholic parishes of the Gold Coast, the parishes within this Deanery have the practice of having the first call for emergencies go to the priests of the parish where the hospital is located. Here is a helpful guide to the hospitals and their attendant priests. A nursing home call also follows this procedure, where the first priest to call is a priest from the parish within which the Nursing Home is located. Please help us service the region effectively and help prevent delays in response by calling the nearest parish.
Robina Hospital - Burleigh Heads Parish. 5576 6466
Pindara Hospital - Surfers Paradise Parish. 56717388
John Flynn Hospital - Coolangatta-Tugun Parish. 5598 2165
University & Gold Coast Private Hosp.- Southport Parish. 5510 2222
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES
Ash Wednesday is 5th March. Have you purchased your daily reflection book for Lent. This year it is titled ‘Start Anew in Christ’ available now until sold out $5
SACRED HEART ROSARY PRAYER GROUP
Please join us to pray The Stations of the Cross, The Divine Mercy and The Rosary each day at 8:00a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church before 9 a.m. Mass, Monday through Friday, including First Saturdays.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on each First Friday, 7th February 2025, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch one hour with Me" Mt 26:4
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters.
9 am Saturday the 1st March 2025. Followed by adoration and Benediction.
{This is a votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary}.
Anointing Mass – Mass of Healing FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (February-November Inclusive)
10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tuesday the 4th of March- Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.
MARIAN VALLEY
Please come and join us at the Marian Valley Church for Our Lady of Fatima's Feast on 13.03.20225. The bus will be picking up Sharp at 8.15 am at the Sacred Heart Church Clear Island Waters. The Cost of the bus fare per person $25.00 return. You can secure your seat with contact name and contact phone number with Xavier Solomon 0404 843 260, Madeleine 0405 252 367 and
Chris Raynald 0451 302 674.
ART AND CRAFT GROUP
The Group meets in the Parish Hospitality Centre on Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 noon. Activities include
Art (watercolour, oils, acrylics, pen and ink drawing, etc.)
Various kinds of Craftwork (Knitting, Embroidery, Crocheting, Card making, Sewing, etc.)
Making Rosary Beads (later sent to the missions)
And any other activities that individuals may have an interest in, or you can bring in your ideas
A very relaxing and social environment - meet new friends! You are most welcome to join.
For further information, phone the Parish Office.
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB-
Meets at the Sacred Heart - Parish Hospitality Centre, Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters.
Playing Bridge keeps your brain active and increases your social network! So why not give us a try? Learn to play Bridge at “Our Friendly Club” - Free Lesson. “Introduction to Bridge” - It is Easy to learn the format. No previous card-playing experience is necessary. All are welcome. For more information and to enrol, please phone Cheryl at 5538 8821.
YOGA AT THE PARISH HOSPITALITY CENTRE -
Join us for our social class in the Parish Hospitality Centre next to the Parish Office. Classes run every Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. Learn to relax yet gain greater flexibility, inner strength, body awareness and concentration while increasing your breath support and general well-being. Ruth is an IYTA-accredited instructor with wide experience and runs a caring, carefully monitored one-hour session costing $10 (new attendees, please arrive by 10:30 a.m. to prepare adequately for class). For more information, please emailsurfers@bne.catholic.net.au.
OUR LADY’S STATUE -
Praying the Rosary - Our Lady’s Statue in the Parish - Details of the Statue of Our Lady are going around the Parish. If you want her in your home and say the Rosary, please contact Maxine or Pat. For more information, please email: psela@bigpond.com
or surfers@bne.catholic.net.au
Our Lady’s Statue details for the next several weeks are:
24/2/2025 Maria Alexanderson
3/3/2025 Michelle Burda Merrimac
10/3/2025 Michelle Burda Merrimac
EXERCISE CLASS - LOW IMPACT - FOR HEART HEALTH -
Join Rochelle for a fun, functional exercise class at Casey Hall. Low-impact cardiovascular exercises for heart health, improve strength and balance- an all-around fitness class for over 65’s. Stretch and strengthen the whole body, make new friends and feel great. Tuesday mornings @9.30 Beginners welcome. Contact Rochelle. For more information, please email: surfers@bne.catholic.net.au or call 07 5671 7388.
BIBLE STUDY/PRAYER GROUP - ST VINCENT’S CHURCH, SURFERS PARADISE.
The Bible Study Prayer Group meets every Friday from 5pm-6pm at St Vincent’s Church
(40 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise).
Come along and read/study Break Open the Word weekly from 5 pm to 6 pm. For further enquiries, please contact the Parish Office. surfers@bne.catholic.net.au
WCCM - The WORLD COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION
PRAYER GROUP
This Meditation Group meets each Tuesday in the Morris Prayer Room at 10am to 11am.
This is followed by a Scripture Study of the following Sundays Mass Readings from 11am to 12 midday. You are welcome to attend both or either one.
If you are new to meditation we will assist you in learning about WCCM and the practice of Christian Meditation.
For more information, please contact Pam Egtberts 0493 742 670.
The Meditation Group invites you to prepare for Easter by attending a Lenten programme to be held in the Morris Prayer room commencing on Tuesday 4th March at 10.30am to 12 midday.
A period of meditation will be held from 10am to 10.20am if you are interested in joining us.
It would very much like to welcome new members. For more information, please email: surfers@bne.catholic.net.au or call Pam Egtberts 0493 742 670.
PRAYER GROUP - SPANISH SPEAKER
Jesus de la Misericordia. Invites you to participate every 2nd Saturday of the month from 11 am to 2 pm. Place: Hospitality Room. Sacred Heart Church. “We praise, We praise, We grow spiritually from the Word of the Lord.” For more information, please contact Grace. For more information, please email:grace.flowers.art@hotmail.com or surfers@bne.catholic.net.au
SOCIAL - BUS TRIP - LET US ALL BE IRISH on the 17th March.
PLUS A CHANCE TO WIN $150 WESTFIELD VOUCHER
Limited Seating Still Available
Come and join us on St. Patrick’s Day starting with a bus journey to participate in Mass at St. Stephen’s Cathedral at 10am.
Father Gerard will be the celebrant and the Mass includes Irish bagpipes. Morning tea next to the Cathedral is included after our spiritual celebration.
Then we head off to Western Districts Rugby Football Club Toowong for a 12 noon lunch followed by Irish dancing and entertainment. On the way home, test your wits by joining in some Irish Trivia with prizes including the best Irish outfit and lucky seat.
Please invite your family and friends as all are welcome.
Date: Monday 17 March (RSVP: Tuesday 11th March)
Location: The bus will depart and return to St. Joseph the Worker Church, Labrador (44 Imperial Parade)
Times: 8.15am for prompt departure at 8.30am and returning at about 4.30pm
Cost: $30 for bus hire (dependent on numbers) Lunch and drinks are at your expense
As with all SCP events, bookings are essential. To register, email Christine Wintour at winlock2@hotmail.com or to get further details, please contact her by mobile on 0431 630 446.
THE BIBLE TIMELINE – THE STORY OF SALVATION
ADULT FAITH FORMATION BIBLE STUDY
CONTINUES on SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY, 2025
In the Parish Hospitality Centre - (next to Sacred Heart Church), 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, Queensland 4226, on Sundays from 10 am – 12 pm.
There is no cost; however, to participate, you will need to purchase The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation Study Set, which can be obtained from Ascension Press or Garrett Publishing. The Study Set will contain The Bible Timeline Study Book, Chart and Bookmark - https://ascensionpress.com/ https://garrattpublishing.com.au/
A VOCATION VIEW:
Jesus helps our faith be fruitful; the amount we measure out is the amount we are given back. How can we generously follow the call of Christ today? (Luke 6:27-38)
To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP -
“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend without expecting anything back…” - Luke 6:35
Easier said than done, right? But, if we are to imitate Christ, most of us need to practice mercy and compassion more frequently. Start with the little daily annoyances that we experience, the unkind word or hateful glance we receive. Instead of plotting revenge on that person, try saying a quick prayer for that person. Praying for our enemies doesn’t change them, it changes us. Mercy and compassion will keep us on the path to holiness.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous and accountable for what each has been given.
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH - It's a long road to freedom
Justice feels good—if we're on the side of the angels when it's meted out. Which means in most cases, the struggle for justice will cost us. This was certainly true for Frederick Douglass (1818-95), born enslaved yet becoming the first black American to gain a vote for president of the United States. As he wrote in his 1852 July Fourth speech: "The . . . conscience of the nation must be roused . . . the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be denounced." On this World Day of Social Justice, consider the price you're willing to pay for justice.
"Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:27-38
SIGN UP FOR "TAKE FIVE" DAILY - www.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe
https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/careers/
The Archdiocese of Brisbane has standards of conduct for workers to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children. Our commitment to these standards requires conducting working with children checks and background referencing for all persons who will engage in direct and regular involvement with children and young people (0 - 18 years) or adults at risk. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for abusing children or adults at risk.
GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/eBgM3jmS7MgqPFphIyM8/a-chain-in-a-broken-circle-broken-by-the-cross-of-christ-with-the-words-sin-and-mercy-on-either-side?ru=Paul-Evangelion
What does it mean for us to, (as St Paul says so wonderfully in the second reading), "bear the image of the one of Heaven?" Or, as another translation says: "be modelled on the Heavenly man, (Jesus)."
Surely it means, we open ourselves up to the Lord's grace, teaching and values and allow ourselves to be reshaped into an icon of Christ's grace, mercy, and compassion. It means a deeper union with Christ – to the point of exercising our thinking, abilities, and powers in union with how Christ acts.
The first reading is quite challenging. David has been persecuted, quite unjustly by King Saul. Saul is suffering terrible delusions, paranoia about David.
David has been nothing but loyal to him. War breaks out, but David and his army are given an extraordinary chance to kill Saul, but David refuses to do so. This is not the first time this will happen.
It's a striking lesson, just because we've been given the power to lift up and to cast down, and simply because we have it within our ability to kill or to heal, does not mean that we should use our freedom to destroy, to avenge or to harm. God has given us freedom, but it's freedom to do the loving actions that God wants us to do. David unites himself to God's patient, loving forbearance.
He does not lower himself to repay the wrongdoing of others with their same behavior. He does not return bad for bad, but rather he uses God's perfect antidote, returning love and kindness for wrongdoing, thus cancelling it out, rather than multiplying the harm. This is a radical and otherworldly solution, but clearly it is divine wisdom, and it's beautiful.
As David says so beautifully, today the Lord put you in my power, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord's anointed. In this instance, David used his ability to be modeled upon the values and actions of God's ways, and not human ways, and the results are refreshing, surprising and wonderful. Once, where it seemed only one solution to the problem of King Saul and David, was one would strike the other down.
Now there's a beautiful second option, reconciliation, rebuilding of understanding and trust. We're invited to give from God's gracious and compassionate love within, rather than to mirror or to give back what we receive from selfish, narrow actions from others. Our Lord confirms this heavenly mindset in the gospel.
He teaches us a very challenging message that goes against our basic instinct as a human. Do good to those who harm you. Pray for them.
Go further than the minimum. Don't repay bad for bad. The word love used by our Lord in this teaching is not the same as the word for family love, or love of friends, or a love of a spouse, but it's the love that wishes the best and only the good for another, irrespective of their actions.
Wanting for everyone that dignity and respect, that good that anyone deserves as a child of God, whether they themselves have acted in ways befitting of their status as children of God. Do this and you will be children of the Most High, for God himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be generous, not stingy or selfish. Loving and compassionate, not gossiping and judging. Merciful, not vengeful and precious. The standards by which we will be judged is going to be the standard with which we treat others.
Are we tempted to be offended when someone slights us? Are we outraged when someone wrongs us? But then we look at our Lord. He deserved all honour, all obedience and service. At times each of us has offended the Lord, slighted him, in so many different ways.
We haven't given God his due. We've deliberately or carelessly chosen to do what is wrong. God would have been in his rights to become furious, to lash out, to punish, to cast us down.
But God does not. And thank goodness. So many times I thank God that we humans are not treated the way we would treat others if we were God, because the results would be disastrous and capricious.
Rather, our Lord is full of love, mercy and forbearance. Thanks be to God that the Lord does not choose to exercise his rights against us when we've wronged him time and time again, and sometimes almost what we would think is unforgivably. But God is the one who chooses to forgive.
If we truly model ourselves on the heavenly person, Jesus, and if we bear the image of the one of heaven, Christ, then we too must have the same attitudes and responses when we're offended, when we're slighted or wronged. How very different would the world be and our local communities be if this was the full reality, if this was practiced regularly by all. Otherwise, as Jesus points out, if our goodness and kindness go no further than our family and friends, those we already have goodwill with, then what difference is that from the pagans or the sinners? They're kind to their kin and friends themselves.
So Christ invites us to be fully immersed in his ways, not just dipping our toes into the waters of baptism, but plunging into God's mercy and overflowing love and patience. The golden rule in many ways is a universal rule, even in the secular society we live in. It's also found in other religions, Jewish, Greek, and even Confucian.
But in each of these traditions, it's framed negatively and in a limiting way, namely, don't do things to people that you wouldn't like people to do to you. But in Christ, this teaching goes further, and it's expressed in a wonderfully positive light. It's not creating a negative rule, it's creating a positive disposition.
That is, not merely refraining from doing what we would not want done to us, but also doing good things for others that we would want people to do for us. Christ's saying itself goes the extra mile. I just want to add another insight from someone who was commentating on these readings this weekend, especially the first reading.
The writer says, David is an anointed messiah, and he shows mercy by taking King Saul's sword and his water jug. The writer says, I cannot help seeing foreshadowed the cross, when the sword in the hands of another soldier pierces the side of the King, the son of David, Jesus, to give us the greatest mercy of all. The water and blood flow from Jesus' side in our baptism and in the Eucharist, feeding us until we too enter the deep sleep of the Lord.
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References
Homily by Fr Paul W. Kelly
Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Luke. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press
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To listen to the whole Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https:- soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks.
INSPIRATION FROM THE SAINTS:
FEBRUARY 27: St Gregory of Narek, priest & Doctor of the Church.
Armenia, in the third century, was the first country in the world to declare itself Christian. During the lifetime of the saint we honour today, Gregory of Narek, the Armenian Church was not in communion with the See of Rome. And yet he found his way into the official Martyrology, the official list of the Church’s saints; and in 2015, Pope Francis named Gregory of Narek a Doctor of the Church, only the 37th person to be so-named. Francis followed this up by extending his feast to the whole Church. In the homes of Christian Armenians, you will find next to the Bible The Book of Lamentations, a collection of 95 lengthy prayers written by Gregory. He has been called the teacher of God’s mercy. Let us, on his feast day, begin our Mass by asking for that mercy.
“In the face of my darkness, You are light. In the face of my mortality, You are life.”
“The soul’s every movement is a reminder of God, the taking of a step, the extension of the right hand, the raising of the arm, with thanks for good works, with shame for bad, for familiar conversation and public addresses, in rational discourse, in works of success, in the fervour of virtue, day and night, we are guided by You in the useful movements for our spirit, asleep or awake … ”
Assist me by the wings of your prayers, O you who are called the Mother of the living, so that on my exit from this valley of tears I may be able to advance without torment, to the dwelling of life that has been prepared for us to lighten the end of a life burdened by my iniquity.
Healer of the sorrows of Eve, change my day of anguish into a feast of gladness.
Be my Advocate, ask and supplicate. For as I believe in your inexpressible purity, so do I also believe in the good reception that is given to your word. O you who are blessed among women, help me with your tears for I am in danger. Bend the knee to obtain my reconciliation, O Mother of God. Be solicitous for me for I am miserable, O Tabernacle of the Most High. Hold out your hand to me as I fall, O heavenly Temple. Glorify your Son in you, may He be pleased to operate Divinely in me the miracle of forgiveness and mercy. Handmaid and Mother of God, may your honour be exalted by me and may my salvation be manifested, through you. Amen.
POPE FRANCIS:
Encyclical continued -ENCYCLICAL LETTER - “DILEXIT NOS” (“HE LOVED US”).
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Asset id: 2575693929 - Pope Francis leaves at the end of his weekly general audience - Riccardo De Luca - Update
CHAPTER FOUR
A LOVE THAT GIVES ITSELF AS DRINK
92. Let us now return to the Scriptures, the inspired texts where, above all, we encounter God’s revelation.There, and in the Church’s living Tradition, we hear what the Lord has wished to tell us in the course of history.By reading several texts from the Old and the New Testaments, we will gain insight into the word of God that has guided the great spiritual pilgrimage of his people down the ages.
A GOD WHO THIRSTS FOR LOVE
93. The Bible shows that the people that journeyed through the desert and yearned for freedom received the promise of an abundance of life-giving water: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Is12:3).The messianic prophecies gradually coalesced around the imagery of purifying water: “I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean… a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezek36:25-26).This water would bestow on God’s people the fullness of life, like a fountain flowing from the Temple and bringing a wealth of life and salvation in its wake.“I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and on the other… and wherever that river goes, every living creature will live… and when that river enters the sea, its waters will become fresh; everything will live where the river goes” (Ezek47:7-9).
94. The Jewish festival of Booths (Sukkot), which recalls the forty-year sojourn of Israel in the desert, gradually adopted the symbolism of water as a central element.It included a rite of offering water each morning, which became most solemn on the final day of the festival, when a great procession took place towards the Temple, the altar was circled seven times and the water was offered to God amid loud cries of joy.[83]
95. The dawn of the messianic era was described as a fountain springing up for the people: “I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and they shall look on him whom they have pierced…On that day, a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity” (Zech12:10; 13:1).
96. One who is pierced, a flowing fountain, the outpouring of a spirit of compassion and supplication: the first Christians inevitably considered these promises fulfilled in the pierced side of Christ, the wellspring of new life.In the Gospel of John, we contemplate that fulfilment.From Jesus’ wounded side, the water of the Spirit poured forth: “One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water flowed out” (Jn19:34).The evangelist then recalls the prophecy that had spoken of a fountain opened in Jerusalem and the pierced one (Jn19:37; cf.Zech12:10).The open fountain is the wounded side of Christ.
97. Earlier, John’s Gospel had spoken of this event, when on “the last day of the festival” (Jn7:37), Jesus cried out to the people celebrating the great procession: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink… out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water” (Jn7:37-38).For this to be accomplished, however, it was necessary for Jesus’ “hour” to come, for he “was not yet glorified” (Jn7:39).That fulfilment was to come on the cross, in the blood and water that flowed from the Lord’s side.
98. The Book of Revelation takes up the prophecies of the pierced one and the fountain: “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him” (Rev1:7); “Let everyone who is thirsty come; let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift” (Rev22:17).
99. The pierced side of Jesus is the source of the love that God had shown for his people in countless ways.Let us now recall some of his words:
“Because you are precious in my sight and honoured, I love you” (Is43:4).
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb?Even if these may forget, yet I will not forget you.See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands” (Is49:15-16).
“For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed” (Is54:10).
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jer31:3).
“The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives you victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zeph3:17).
100.The prophet Hosea goes so far as to speak of the heart of God, who “led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love” (Hos11:4).When that love was spurned, the Lord could say, “My heart is stirred within me; my compassion grows warm and tender (Hos11:8).God’s merciful love always triumphs (cf.Hos11:9), and it was to find its most sublime expression in Christ, his definitive Word of love.
101.The pierced heart of Christ embodies all God’s declarations of love present in the Scriptures.That love is no mere matter of words; rather, the open side of his Son is a source of life for those whom he loves, the fount that quenches the thirst of his people.As Saint John Paul II pointed out, “the essential elements of devotion [to the Sacred Heart] belong in a permanent fashion to the spirituality of the Church throughout her history; for since the beginning, the Church has looked to the heart of Christ pierced on the Cross”.[84]
(The Pope’s recent encyclical - “He Loved Us”)
Commitment to Child Safety and Adults at Risk. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community. Please see the pages below for more information. ………………..
Acknowledgement of Country -
This is Kombumerri Country, the traditional custodian of this region.
We respectfully acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First People of this country. We pay our respects to the Kombumerri people, the traditional custodians of the land, waterways and seas upon which we live, work and socialise throughout this Catholic Parish of Surfers Paradise. We acknowledge Elders, past and present and emerging, as they hold our Indigenous people's memories, traditions, culture and hopes. We pay tribute to those who have contributed to the community's life in many ways. We affirm our commitment to justice, healing, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. (See further: The Kombumerri People and https://kombumerritogetherproject.com/digital-resources/yugambeh-language/)
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** The significance of the ancient Catholic Blessing Symbol. “20 C+M+B 25”
An ancient medieval practice that developed in the Catholic Church was to bless one’s home with blessed chalk at the yearly Solemnity of the Epiphany. On the door or the lintel will be this symbol:
20 + C + M + B + 25 *
*”Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar” (the traditional names of the Three Wise Men)
And also representing the prayer:
*Christus Mansionem Benedicat
May Christ bless this home.
This means that 2000 years ago, after Christ’s birth, Wise Men visited and gave homage to the Lord and were welcomed into the hospitality of the Holy Family’s abode. We dedicate the present year, ‘25, of this century to the protection of the Lord.
May the Lord bless this abode.
The letters C+M+B represent Caspar, Balthasar and Melchior, the three Wise Men. CMB is also the initials of the Latin prayer “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” - “May Christ Bless this dwelling place/ abode/ home.”
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ST VINCENTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL - PROUD AND TRUE DIRECTORY
If you would like to advertise your business in this directory, please contact Ben Ryan on 0432545995 or email ben@advcollab.com.au
St Kevin’s Catholic School, Community business directory: https://www.sk.qld.edu.au/Pages/Rainbow-Connection.aspx
SYNOD 24 - ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE - ACTION PLANS
BASED ON THE PLENARY COUNCIL DECREES
The Action Plans for the 8 Decrees that came out of the National Catholic Plenary Council initially, which we as a Parish participated in very enthusiastically, have now been through the process of SYNOD 24 for the Archdiocese of Brisbane and can be found by clicking on the link below or for those of us who are challenged in this area, we have also repeated below. We look forward to your respectful comments and meaningful discussion as to how we as a Parish go forward. Remembering we cannot do everything but can take one small step at a time. Once again we will call on the Holy Spirit to guide our decision making.
Synod24-Decrees-Document-web.pdf
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 1 - HEALING WOUNDS, RECEIVING GIFTS
The focus here is on the need for a new engagement of the Church with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, beginning with a new kind of listening in the belief that we all can and must learn from the first inhabitants of the land
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That, building on the Archdiocesan Reconciliation Action Plan, the Archdiocese develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander truth-telling, professional learning and formation plan that provides opportunities for all those within parishes, communities and agencies to come to a deeper recognition, appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures and spiritualities
** That the Archdiocese develop and distribute culturally appropriate resources to assist parishes, communities and agencies to include aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, traditions, spiritualities, ritual and symbol in prayers and liturgies
** That the Archdiocese develop culturally specific learning and formation opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 2 - CHOOSING REPENTANCE, SEEKING HEALING The focus here is on addressing sexual abuse in the Church, making amends for failures in the past and working to ensure that the Church is a safe place for all, but especially for the young and the vulnerable
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That in dialogue with survivors, the consequences of physical, sexual and spiritual abuse by Church personnel be addressed within the Archdiocese through truth-telling and story-telling sessions in safe spaces that may give survivors and their family members a voice to be heard and honoured, and support for research and programs related to trauma-informed spiritual care and the long-term impact of spiritual harm
** That a Sunday of the liturgical year be set aside within the Archdiocese to focus upon safeguarding and healing, with a reassessment of Safeguarding Sunday looking to rename, refocus and resituate it, with the preparation of appropriate ritual and resources, including an annual commissioning of local safeguarding people
** That the Archdiocese, in dialogue with survivors, implement processes that seek forgiveness for historical failings, recognising and addressing their needs. This could include a formal apology to survivors and their families, symbolic plaques and/or artwork in significant locations, theological reflection on sexual abuse within the Church which ought to be a place of refuge and safety, retreats and days of prayer that can foster healing, and the training of appropriately gifted people to undertake a ministry to survivors and their families.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 3 - CALLED BY CHRIST, SENT FORTH AS MISSIONARY DISCIPLES
The focus here is on the Church as a community of welcome for all, but especially for those who have been marginalised or excluded, listening to their stories and creating safe and hospitable spaces for them within the Church
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That an Archdiocesan family and intergenerational ministry working group be formed to develop and implement a holistic, intergenerational and inclusive approach to family faith-formation across educational and other Archdiocesan agencies in order to foster lifelong missionary discipleship
** That this working group explore ways of strengthening partnerships between parishes, schools, communities and agencies, develop and implement sacramental resources for children with diverse learning needs and disabilities, including training for sacramental coordinators and volunteers to use the resources, develop a safe and supportive network for parents and carers of children and young people who may need additional support to feel welcome, offer advice upon request at decision-making tables at all levels of Archdiocesan governance.
* That there be in self-nominated Mass centres the Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations catering for diverse needs within the community, provided with resourcing around mentorship, formation, training and succession-planning for self nominated clergy, religious and laity
*** That the Archdiocese provide facilitated listening sessions, workshops and forums for safe and supportive story-telling, truth-telling and dialogue, in order to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by those who are marginalised and disenfranchised
** That with the support and mentorship of the Archdiocesan Council for Ecumenism and Interreligious Relations, Queensland Churches Together and the Queensland Faith Communities Council, a co-responsible deanery approach to ecumenism and interreligious relations be developed and implemented, including short courses on ecumenism and interreligious relations, formation of individuals for work in ecumenical and interreligious relations, ecumenical retreats and pilgrimages, ecumenical and interreligious youth summits
*** That a strategic approach to mission in the digital environment be developed and implemented, focusing on the creation of digital media within a Catholic context, formation and training of people to work in the field, and including research into the possibilities and challenges of engaging the sacramental life of the Church through digital platforms such as live-streamed liturgies
** That the Archdiocese develop a pastoral ministry in sport, including formation and support programs and research into best practice and recommended qualifications, training and study pathways for sports chaplains.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 4 - WITNESSING TO THE EQUAL DIGNITY OF WOMEN AND MEN The focus here is on ensuring that the Church is a place where the equal dignity of women and men is respected and where the gifts of both women and men are identified and allowed to flourish for the sake of leadership within the Body of Christ
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
* That, if the universal law of the Church were modified to admit women to diaconal ordination, the Archdiocese examine how best to implement it in the context of the Church in Brisbane *** That a fulltime role of Executive Officer for Participation be established to design, implement and resource a plan for the full co-responsible participation of lay women and men in the life and mission of the Church ** That a reference group be established to explore options for the use of inclusive language in prayer, liturgy, scripture and all Archdiocesan communications * That a research project be established to explore the theological foundations of diverse understandings of women in the Church, leading to an assembly on co-responsibility of all the baptised in the life and mission of the Church *** That a pilot program be established to financially support the postgraduate education and formation of lay women and men in various areas of interest and importance to the Church, with the Archdiocese providing the initial funds with a view to establishing a foundation. A transparent application process would be overseen by the Archdiocesan Synod Council (see Action Plan 7) and approved finally by the Archbishop.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 5 - COMMUNION IN GRACE, SACRAMENT TO THE WORLD
The focus here is on the need to identify and foster the charisms given by God and to encourage new forms of ministry to supply the needs of the Church not only internally, for the sake of worship, but also externally, for the sake of mission
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
** That a ministry of front-of-house hospitality be developed and implemented for secretaries and other administrative staff in parishes and communities, recognising and formalising what is often happening, offering training and networking opportunities to those engaged in the ministry, devising processes of recruitment and care of those called to the ministry, and developing resources to help those engaged in the ministry
*** That the Archdiocese explore fully the possibilities of the ministries of catechist, lector and acolyte and consider what other ministries, open to all, instituted or not, might be needed to meet new needs
*** That the Archdiocese establish a Ministries Discernment Committee to oversee the recruitment, formation, commissioning, institution and continuing education of those preparing for or carrying out such ministries
** That the Archdiocese support and provide resources for lay-led liturgies where appropriate, particularly for parishes and communities without regular access to clergy
** That the Archdiocese give permission for lay people to preside at Catholic funerals and baptisms, indicating the circumstances in which this would be permitted and providing both discernment process and training programs for those involved in this ministry
** That the Archdiocese give permission for lay people to preside at Catholic weddings (in line with Chapter III of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony), indicating the circumstances in which this might occur and the process of delegation ** That the Archdiocese promote the participation of lay people in the ministry of preaching within the Sunday Mass and elsewhere, identifying the situations in which a lay person might offer a reflection during Mass, providing adequate training and support which would include sessions on how to run a Scripture study group, how to write and deliver a Lectionary-based reflection on the readings, how to make best use of the Directory for Masses with Children, drawing upon the resources of Archdiocesan agencies and organisations
*** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a project supporting the integration of families into parishes and communities in order to promote their sense of belonging and engagement in the life of the Church, providing resources to facilitate the incorporation of families into the community both before and after the sacraments of initiation and resources to support family catechesis when preparing children for the sacraments
** That the Archdiocese establish a network of groups working in marriage education and enrichment, including marriage preparation for engaged couples and ongoing accompaniment for married couples
*** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a formation strategy on the sacrament of penance and the many ways in which God’s mercy is experienced in Christian life and liturgy, providing resources and examples, such as ritual outlines for the celebration of the sacrament of penance, including the second rite, offering retreat opportunities for different age groups to enable them to experience the sacrament of penance, and revising the current sacramental policy on the provision of first penance for children.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 6 - FORMATION AND LEADERSHIP FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY
The focus here is on providing in a variety of ways the formation needed for ordained and non-ordained leadership in the Church, so that leaders will be properly equipped for the ministry to which they are called
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That the Archdiocese develop a plan for ministry and leadership formation, including a working group representing key people in formation and developing resources and programs on missional and synodal leadership such as podcasts, online modules and retreats, particularly for emerging leaders who have skills and qualifications equipping them for governance, leadership and other decision-making roles
* That the Archdiocese develop and implement opportunities for lay people to be engaged in ongoing spiritual growth beyond the liturgical context, including in small groups that meet regularly for prayer, bible study, reflection on Church documents, and spiritual accompaniment
* That parishes and deaneries offer formation events drawing upon experts to reflect on key topics such as prayer, scripture, sacraments, marriage and family, mission, care for our common home and inclusivity. SYNOD24
** That pathways for greater lay involvement in the ongoing formation of clergy and the formation of seminarians be identified, providing avenues for accompaniment of clergy by lay people and assisting pastors to work with a small group of lay people to provide regular feedback on homilies, based on an agreed criteria matrix
*** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a road-map for a mission focused Church that is synodal and co-responsible, including localised and ongoing conversations in the Spirit as a regular part of planning, decision-making, pastoral care and community-building
** That the Archdiocese teach simply and systematically the discipline and method of conversation in the Spirit as a way of discernment, attempting to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in listening to each other.
* That the Archdiocese produce podcasts and digital media resources exploring what it means to read the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel
*** That the Archdiocese, at a time when the ethnic profile of the Catholic Church is changing both locally and globally, organise forums on interculturality in a missional, synodal and co-responsible Church.
*** That a SYNOD24 Formation and Implementation Plan be developed and implemented, providing opportunities for formation in all eight Action Plans and including resources and workshops in areas such as how to share faith with friends, how to engage with scripture, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island spirituality, integral ecology, sacraments and sacramentality, inclusive theology, the role of women in the Church, ecumenism and interreligious relations.
*** That the Archdiocese offers workshops and practical resources on how to implement the SYNOD24 Action Plans in parishes, communities and agencies across the Archdiocese.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 7 - AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION AND MISSION: GOVERNANCE
The focus here is on the governance of the Church in a synodal key, looking to synods as a regular feature of Church life and to synodality as the characteristic of all aspects of Church governance for the sake of mission
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That the Archdiocese commit to celebrating Synods on a regular basis, so that this key element of synodality become a normal part of Archdiocesan life
*** That the Archdiocese establish a Synod Council which will meet regularly through the year between the Synods, members committing to formation in and practice of conversation in the Spirit as a key element of meetings and to formation in the nature and purpose of the Council
** That the Council commit to diverse representation including a mix of lay women and men, religious and the ordained.
** That the Archdiocese prepare Statutes for the Council ARCHDIOCESAN SUMMIT 2023 2 4 / ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE SYNOD24 Action Plans
** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a project to operate at deanery level to identify lay people who are women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, persons with a disability or from a cultural community, and who seem suitable to serve on councils and committees in the parish or the Archdiocese with the right kind of mentorship, accompaniment and formation, especially in the areas of synodality, co-responsibility and mission
** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a parish handover process that includes consultation with members of the parish, especially the Parish Pastoral Council, and the preparation of a statement of what the parish expects of a pastor.
* That there be in the Archdiocese regular performance reviews of pastors to identify areas of strength and areas for growth, with ongoing professional supervision to foster growth.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 8 - INTEGRAL ECOLOGY AND CONVERSION FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COMMON HOME
The focus here is on the need for ecological conversion in the life and mission of the Church, understanding that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are the one thing, and that ecological conversion must lead to action
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That an integral ecology formation strategy be developed and implemented for clergy, community leaders, agency staff and parishioners, to be revised every three years, helping them to grow in understanding of integral ecology and its impact on our behaviour and drawing where appropriate on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wisdom, and engaging with already existing eco-spirituality resources
* That all organisations, parishes and schools writing a Laudato Si Action Plan include a framework for measuring and reporting emission reduction that leads to a considered net zero pathway that includes commitment and timeframes.
* That, in addition to the emission reduction strategies, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities be developed in the Archdiocese with a view to assisting all agencies, parishes and communities to embed measurable ESG outcomes into their future Laudato Si Action Plans. SANTA TERESA SPIRITUALITY CENTRE.
*** That an Ecological Ministry Strategic Plan be developed and implemented to support ecological ministry throughout the Archdiocese, recruiting deanery representatives to create hubs that support ecological ministers overseen by a coordinator employed by the Archdiocese to support action in parishes and communities
* That intergenerational and family initiatives be developed to promote the call to care for our common home
* That parishes, communities and agencies share their activities in the area of ecological engagement at events and through avenues of communication, and that cross-agency collaboration in this area be coordinated and encouraged throughout the Archdiocese.
*** That the Archdiocese produce guidelines and resources for parish clergy and liturgy coordinators indicating ways in which a commitment to integral ecology can be integrated into liturgical celebrations.
CLOSING REMARKS
Some of these action plans already have currency in one form or other in the Archdiocese, or at least in some parts of the Archdiocese. The task will be to give greater impetus and focus to those that already have currency, but also to set in motion the processes to which others look. Not all the action plans will be able to be implemented immediately, but none of them can be delayed indefinitely Therefore, priorities will have to be set in the hope that the action plans will have been implemented within five years. Budgeting will also need to be considered, as will the question of who has carriage of the various initiatives. There will need to be a group to oversee the implementation of the action plans, the Synod Council will also be charged with oversight of a broader kind, and the Archdiocesan Synods will monitor progress. Yet this is a document not just for some. It is for everyone; and I urge all parishes, communities, agencies and individuals to read and reflect upon the action plans and to be as creative as possible in implementing them. These action plans are comprehensive but not exhaustive. There are things not mentioned in this document which are important for the future of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. For instance, we will certainly need to consider restructuring our parishes and even our schools, looking not so much to amalgamation but more to building a “community of communities”. How to engage young people more energetically in the life of the Church is another question not prominent in these action plans but essential for the future of the Church. How to be more effective in teaching prayer as a way of life, the art of listening to God in prayer and the contemplative eye upon the world: this is another. The list could go on. This is another way of saying that these action plans should be read in conjunction with my own document “With Lamps Ablaze” which sets out a number of what I called apostolic priorities for the Archdiocese. These interweave with the action plans found here. I direct that these synodal declarations and decrees which I sign in accord with can. 466 be published to the entire community of the Archdiocese and that a copy be forwarded to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference as required by can. 46 I thank all who have been part of the Synod journey, having heard the Lord’s promise to “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). I commend these action plans to the grace of the Holy Spirit from whom this process has come forth and to the intercession of Mary Help of Christians, St Stephen and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. May God who has begun the good work in us bring it to fulfilment (cf Philippians 1:6)
Mark
Archbishop of Brisbane
November 2024
Each Parish in the Archdiocese of Brisbane has a Local Safeguarding Representative who is responsible for:
Making sure that the whole parish is aware of the importance of safeguarding children and adults at risk.
Promoting safe practices, including articulating for others what is appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, and
Assisting the Parish Priest and staff in the implementation of the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Children and Adults-at-risk Policy in the Parish
The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Children & Adults-at-risk Prevention & Protection Policy can be found at: https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/support/safeguard
WAYS TO REPORT A SAFEGUARDING INCIDENT OR CONCERN OR TO GIVE FEEDBACK REGARDING SAFEGUARDING
Here is how you can report an incident or concern, or contact someone to talk about a safeguarding matter or get more information:
Talk to the police (Emergency: '000' Non-emergency: 131 444) or KidsHelpLine (1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelpline.com.au)
Through the anonymous STOPline (1300 304 550 or AOB@stopline.com.au)
talk to our Local Parish Safeguarding Representative
Fill out a Safeguarding Incident Report and send it to safeguarding@bne.catholic.net.au or GPO Box 282 Brisbane Qld 4001
VOLUNTEERS - Parish Ministries, Groups etc.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane has implemented standards of conduct for voluntary church workers to maintain a safe and healthy ministry environment. Our commitment to these standards requires that we have a record of your Blue Card and conduct background referencing for all who intend to engage in voluntary ministry, having direct and regular involvement with children, young people and adults at risk.
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
The Archdiocese of Brisbane has the following safeguarding training packages, Safeguarding Induction, Applied Safeguarding Training and Training for Local Safeguarding Representatives, which can be viewed here: https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/safeguarding/safeguarding-training
BLUE CARD - ‘No Card, No Start’
Individuals must have a valid blue card before starting paid work or volunteering. All cardholders must apply to renew their blue card before it expires to continue working/volunteering. If an individual lets their card expire, they must cease work until they obtain a new valid blue card. For further information about the Blue Card Application process, please click here >>
SEE ALSO
‘Police Check’ can now be completed online using InterCheck. Volunteers can do this via the Volunteer Portal, http://archbne.org/welcome, which will inform them whether they need a Police Check for their ministry.
Surfer's Paradise Parish Mission Statement.
We, the Catholic community of Surfers Paradise, guided by the Holy Spirit, strive to live the mission of Jesus through the spirituality of stewardship.
We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God, and we believe in the inherent dignity, reverence and sanctity of all humans as lovingly created children of God.
Centred in the Eucharist and nourished by word and sacrament, we proclaim by faith and action the love of God for all.
We seek in our daily lives and actions, and in our wider community participation, to live consistently and practically each day of the week, what we proclaim in worship of God on Sundays.
In the spirit of gratitude, we live out this mission by
· Committing to be prayerful disciples of Jesus Christ.
· Recognising and sharing our gifts and talents.
· Active involvement in the life of the parish, for the sole purpose of promoting the honour and glory of God, through our care and love of our neighbour
· Hospitality, charity, justice and compassion in practical ways.
· Nurturing our young people.
