SURFERS PARADISE E-NEWSLETTER (Edition 2) Friday 3rd April, 2020

SURFERS PARADISE E-NEWSLETTER   

(Edition 2)

Friday 3rd April, 2020

United !  Pope Francis leads a prayer service in an empty St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 27, 2020. At the conclusion of the service the pope held the Eucharist as he gave an extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world). The service was live streamed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) 

 The text of the Pope’s message is here: http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2020/documents/papa-francesco_20200327_omelia-epidemia.html

A Message from Surfers

Uncertain Surprises 

In recent days we are very aware of the enormous number of people who need our prayerful support as they face this difficult and uncharted territory. Sometimes in these situations people are lost for words to say to God. While God hears without words needing to be said, the following prayer “fell in my lap” this week and I thought it may be helpful for anyone uncertain of how to take the next step. While I am unaware of its author, its sincerity is obvious and application universal.

Lord, I’m prone sometimes to imagine that the tides of my life are buffeting me without purpose, tossing me to and fro without meaning, battering me against the hard rocks cruelly. Sometimes the storms are really fierce, the skies are grey, and you seem absent. It’s just not true that my life is all sunshine and light.

Lord, remind me that you never promised to deliver me from struggle and conflict, but you did assure me that I can live through life’s difficulties. In the world we will all have trouble. Troubles are a necessary part of the human condition. Your own experience of life was a testament to a struggler in hope.

But in that struggle you overcame despair and hopelessness. Just as a stone becomes beautifully smooth only in constant friction, so in the mystery of your purpose for us, you often create a thing of beauty from our conflicts and questions. Conflict is the price to be paid for spiritual growth. That which resists us perfects us.

So Lord, when the waves are huge, and I feel helpless, let me not move against them in rage, or go under them in helplessness, but flow with them in faith and hope.

Lord may we experience your peace in our trouble, hope when we are tempted by despair, faith and courage when the heavens seem silent, and the sure knowledge that you have been through it all before us and are walking beside us now.

So let us accept our “surprises” that upset our plans, shatter our dreams and give a completely different turn to our day and maybe, our lives. Leave God free to weave the patterns of our lives.

Fr. Peter Dillon PP.
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Jobs Well Done

During the recent weeks of the Coronavirus there has been an outstanding effort on behalf of our three parish-based schools, St. Michael’s, St Kevin’s and St. Vincent’s, to maintain an environment of safety and consistency in their care of students and their families. It has been particularly difficult for the school staff to ensure that everyone in their care has been informed and kept calm despite the uncertainty of changing protocols within our school communities. Since these schools are the responsibility of our parish and Brisbane Catholic Education, I want to particularly thank our principals and their leadership teams who have kept me informed of all changes to their procedures and ensured that all parents and carers were aware of ways that the school could assist their children deal with this trying situation. Daily updates from each school have allowed me to know that all is in the best of hands in our local schools. Teaching in the best of times is a demanding vocation, but to deal with keeping children focussed and secure during the past month has required imagination and commitment.

As we approach the holiday season I hope that you will all keep these precious educational communities, staff and students, in your prayers, with the hope that when this pandemic ends and we return to what will be the “new normal”, they will be able to resume the excellent education and faith formation for which they are noted.

Fr. Peter Dillon

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A special thank you and blessing, and prayers for the medical teams making a huge difference in our communities near and far. God’s healing work is being experienced through them. We pray too for the emergency services and all who are showing care, leadership and practical assistance at this time. God bless and sustain your tireless work. 

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Our very own mass communities have become caring communities by regularly contacting those known to them, not only those who live alone and are isolated, but all families who are known to them, to just say ‘hello, how are you today ?

Well done  to the entire Surfers Paradise Parish community.

  

Anyone in need of extra support, or those wanting and able to be of support to others via a phone-call, or by dropping off or picking up things for those who are isolated and in need of support?  

Please contact us at surfers@bne.catholic.net.au 

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Local Content: Upcoming Liturgies for you at Home Holy Week and Easter

Because Liturgies are being conducted by priests in the absence of the gathered community, throughout Australia and including this Archdiocese and parish, we will be publishing links to local liturgies from our parish which you can listen to and pray along with from home.

( Please note that these are web-casts only and people are unable to attend the actual ceremony in person due to the lockdown policies)

Coming up:

·                    A lenten Penitential Liturgy for you at home. 

·                    advance copy here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-lenten-penitential-service-in-preparation-for-holy-week-2020/s-tJqjXYkBww4    

·                    Holy Thursday Evening Mass

·                    Good Friday stations of the Cross

·                    Good Friday Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion (the three pm service)

·                    Holy Saturday Night.

·                    Easter Sunday morning Mass

These liturgies will be published and made available to you as they become available - from the following links :-

Liturgy for you at Home (From Surfers Paradise):

https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

Weekly Homily:

https://homilycatholic.blogspot.com/

also the liturgies and links will be emailed out to you if you are in our mailing list.

if you have not yet been placed on our emailing list or you are not receiving these emails so far, please contact Fr Paul on paulwkelly68@gmail.com

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Just a reminder that, in line with health guidelines, we are recommending people limit contact with others as much as possible. And so the office is not open for pop-in visits. The parish has phone contact hours Mon-Fri 9-12 noon, where we will endeavour to answer the phone for any inquiries. After these hours there is the same number with a button option to press for emergency contact for the on-call priest.  We are also contactable by email. The less face-to-face contact in these times of pandemic, the quicker we hope this situation can return to “normal.”  Phone 5572 5433.  surfers@bne.catholic.net.au 

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Thanks to everyone for your feedback on the various communications sent out. It is much appreciated. We are keeping you in our prayers at this difficult time. 

Many have shared how they have a little prayer space at home and how they make special time on the weekend or a suitable time to, individually or as a household, keep the Lord’s Day holy by prayer, reading of the Scriptures of the Day and meditation. Many have found the audio Mass a very helpful source of connection at this time, and others have utilised the Mass for you at Home, on channel 10 or various streamed masses from the Archdiocese of different parishes near and far.  

It is so important for the good of all the community and every member of it that we do take special time at home to praise God and listen to his word, particularly on Sunday, (or Saturday evening), and especially at this time when public masses and gatherings cannot occur. Bless you all. 

We have been busy preparing, celebrating and recording Masses, (audio), and Liturgies, We are keeping you all in our prayers during these Masses. 

(Mass and Liturgy in isolation + ) 

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Religious Goods Shop. Items
This is an excellent time to deepen our spiritual reading, prayer and reflection. If people are looking to purchase some items from our piety collection in the Surfers Paradise Parish, in these times when spiritual reading and prayer is not only necessary but also very beneficial, Pat Kelly is happy to be of assistance if possible. The physical piety store is not open, but Pat can be of help. Please contact her by email: svcoordinator40@gmail.com
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Please Pray:
IN OUR HEARTS AND OFFER PRAYERS AT THIS TIME

FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK:
All suffering from the effects of Covid-19.

Also, the following who are ill (not covid-19): Rachel Raines, Ray Gardiner, Savannah Ayoub, Lisa Mangan, Colin Virtue, Ann Harris, Ann-Marie Loder, Angel Salvador, Brian Woodgate, Kate Smith, Tricia Baumann, Gus Reeves, Baby Maeve Lombard, Kathy Kiely, Brian Ellsmore, Greg Sharah, Sr. Christine Chia, Kurt and Betty Hilleshiem, Judy Ferraro, Ron Perry, Kim Parkes, Rosslyn Wallis, Jabour Haddad, Yvonne Lofthouse, Maureen Murphy, Helen Bohringer, Peter Walsh, Frank Conway, Arthur Haddad, Jean Di Benedetto, Damian Callinan, Patricia Bridge Wienand, Rosemary Wales, Peter Allsopp, Yvonne Campesi, Louis Couch, Steve Wayt, Michael Tracey, Joanne Mooney, Joanne Parkes, Peter O’Brien, Michelle MacDonald, John & Molly Robinson, Mary Kerr, Eileen McCarthy.

RECENTLY DECEASED: : Miriam Zarb, Jessie Veronica Dolan, Tony McLeod, Pamela B. Braithwaite, Sylvio Devito, James Vincent (Jim) Daly, Vizma Barrett, Giovanni Scalcione, Giorgia Teresa Vinall, Michael Geoghegan, Fr Peter Conroy (former PP of Yeronga), Sunta Camilieri (Malta), Manuel Dos Santos, Norman Loong, Frank Maunder, Dr Gavin Carroll, Margaret Maunsell, Norah Horgan, Brenda Sinnott.

ANNIVERSARY: Ricardo Herft, Bernadette Bartley, Annunziata Moralito, Halam and Amelia Japow, Peter Schreck.
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Below are a couple of pictures of happier days when we could all gather together. This pandemic has certainly got us appreciating more than ever, the power and importance of gathering, sharing, shaking hands, giving hugs to loved ones.  These days will return, but in the meantime we give thanks for the unique irreplaceable gift of one another.

  

(Memories: Please note, these photos are archive photos, taken well before social spacing was required, and before gatherings were suspended for health reasons).
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RCIA – Parish and Candidate Faith Journey continues to......

Lenten Program – Be Opened …. a journey to new life

Sixth Sunday of Lent – Be Opened….to death.  

‘Sit here while I go over there and pray’ and he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee...he came to the disciples and found them sleeping .....’So, could not stay awake with me one hour?’  As you become closer to Jesus, what part of your old self have you discarded?  …...we began our Lenten reflection talking about being opened to be led by the Spirit to new life. We have spent the last forty days in the figurative wilderness seeking to confront our weaknesses.  As we enter Holy Week and renew our baptismal promises may we accept an invitation to be opened to the death of our old way of life and seek a new life in Christ particularly in these very difficult times.

As a Parish, we continue to support our Catechumens and Candidates as they continue to journey to their new life in Christ.  Let us use the Lenten Program to reflect on Jesus the obedient, suffering servant.  Come join us!  It is still not too late.

Saturday morning 10.30am to 1.30pm – we are still meeting on the web application called "Zoom" – If anyone would like to join us you are most welcome just send me an email and I will include you in the meeting.  If you need instructions on how this will happen ring Robyn Hunt on 0409 486 326 or email robynhunt1@bigpond.com.

Be Opened….to death -  Social Justice & Care of the Planet – Sat 4 Apr – 10.30 am to 1.30pm

Our Catch-Up sessions for the Catholicism Series this week will be

The Ineffable Mystery of God – this will commence around 1.30pm on the Zoom so if you are wanting to join just send me an email and I will invite you to join the session.

 (Robyn Hunt)

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Don’t be one of the ever-growing number of people believing fake emails telling them about Covid-19 (or on any other topic, for that matter).  The general rule on the internet is that if it is “too good to be true” or “hardly able to be believed,” then it usually is NOT TRUE and NOT BELIEVABLE. Hoax emails claiming to be from “health authorities”or which name well-known reputable institutions, but in reality they are merely using those authorities to make them look more official and believable. Be suspicious of these and any emails that surprise or shock you. You can visit (independently of anything in the circulating email), the actual official sites and they usually do not have the statement supposedly attributed to them. The best thing to do is to rely only on the actual official communications from the known government and health sites. As well as Covid-19, there is another virus that has been circulating for some time and it is very easy to catch if one is not prudent - its name is ‘false-information.’ A great fact-checking site if you are in doubt about things is www.snopes.com  . (I have found this site very helpful, although even it is fallible).  – You can even google words like this: “snopes did the John Hopkins Medical Centre issue ‘excellent summary’ of covid-19.” In fact you can ask all sorts of questions on many dodgy topics. And the answer to the John Hopkins question is NO, it did not issue that document. And the contents of that advice were also described by that University as “lacking credibility.” 
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Please ensure that you keep up with updates on our parish website:
https://www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au/

Parish Email:  surfers@bne.catholic.net.au

Liturgy for you at Home (From Surfers Paradise):
 https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

Weekly Homily:
https://homilycatholic.blogspot.com
Breaking News (Parish):
https://news-parish.blogspot.com/

Parish Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/surferscatholic/

The Catholic Leader Archdiocesan Newspaper:
https://catholicleader.com.au/

Livestream of Catholic Mass from Brisbane Cathedral:
St Stephens Cathedral live webcast (usually around 10am)

Video on Demand of Masses:
https://www.youtube.com/user/CatholicBrisbane/videos

Mass for You at Home (free-to-air TV)
Channel 10  Sundays 6am-6.30pm
and also on demand https://10play.com.au/mass-for-you-at-home
also on Foxtel 173 Aurora Channel
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Celebrating HOLY WEEK AT HOME – 2020 - Resources from Brisbane Archdiocese
"We are preparing for a Holy Week like no other. The days of Holy Week and the Triduum are central to the liturgical life of the Church and are to be celebrated this year under the present restrictions, without a congregation." (Archbishop Mark Coleridge).

Please see the important links below:

"These are a series of leaflets prepared by the Archdiocese of Brisbane, that are for people in the parish family for use in your homes during the days of Holy Week. Given the Health mandates that have been given by the Government, that people should stay at home and not be approaching places like our churches at this time." (And recent Clarification has been received from the government that all churches must be closed, even to private prayer).

This resource is a very important way for individuals and families to stay connected in prayer and ritual.

"Australia was founded at a time when the Mass could not be celebrated on these shores. Following the most recent advice from the commonwealth and state governments, it may seem that we are again in that situation. But where our forefathers and mothers waited for years to receive the Holy Eucharist, it will be at worst a matter of months for us. But just as prayer sustained them through those times, so can it for us today. The spirit of those first Australian Catholics should inspire us through the times ahead." (Quote from Archdiocese of Sydney message).

We also have the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter in an audio-podcast created here in our parish. Also, the Cathedral in Brisbane will be streaming live the Liturgies at various times. Also, “Mass for You at Home” is broadcast on Channel 10 each Sunday from 6am. There are several live-streaming and on-demand services for daily Mass both locally and from around the English-speaking world.

For Prayer and Reflection at home During Holy Week:

Please share these resources widely.
These resources have been produced by Liturgy Brisbane to enable families to celebrate simple liturgies at home for Holy Week.

Holy Week At Home

Palm Sunday

The End of Lent

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter Sunday

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Let us remember the safety recommendations by the Health authorities:
Stay home unless urgent. Observe the social spacing requirements. 

Meetings ought to be replaced with phone calls, emails or other distance technology.

Funerals can only have a maximum of ten people in the building while also observing social spacing of four square metres.

Weddings (can only have five people including the couple, the priest and the two witnesses). and Baptisms, sacramental programs and other gatherings should be postponed.

Unfortunately, communion to the sick and the housebound is only to be given in extreme situations where the person is in imminent danger of death. This is to be conducted by the priest alone with the sacrament of Viaticum (the sacrament for the dying). Sadly we cannot give people hosts to take home with them. Communion to the sick and the housebound by special ministers is to be suspended until further notice.
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UNIVERSAL PRAYER. (Prayer of the Faithful)
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Are you or anyone you know not receiving and email with occasional updates direct to you?  If not, please email Fr Paul at kellyp@bne.catholic.net.au and we will put you on the email list. Please note that some people had previously given us emails but they have bounced or come back to us saying ‘undeliverable.’ We have tried to follow up on this but if you are in doubt, please email us and we will ensure you are on the list. 

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Parish Financial Support.

We have had inquiries from parishioners about how they can give DONATIONS to the parish during the Coronavirus pandemic.  We are very aware that many people are struggling financially at this time and our concern and prayers are with you. The parish is also affected financially by this situation, as you would be aware, with masses suspended the parish collections are not being taken up and the parish office is operating on minimum emergency coverage.

Given the uncertainty of the situation we ask you, at this time, to prayerfully consider making weekly or monthly donations to your parish via internet banking. The cost of running our large parish consumes almost 100 percent of the regular weekly collection. As our masses are indefinitely suspended, this will place our parish in a very difficult position financially. Our appeal to you, is if you have been blessed with the resources to give to the parish at this time, please consider donating regularly.

Our parish has been incredibly supported by its very generous parishioners over the years and this is a time where your prayerful and financial support is most in need. The internet bank details are:
Bank: BSB 064-786 Account: 007331103 Reference: use your name

Also, if more convenient: You can make a one-off or monthly contribution by credit card. Please email us at surfers@bne.catholic.net.au, including in the message your phone number, and we can contact you about this option.

If you have any enquiries or wish to join a direct debit planned giving please contact the Parish for the required forms.

Yours faithfully, Sonya Slater,
Parish Manager Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish Commonwealth
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Rest In Peace. MIRIAM ZARB. 

We are very sad to receive the news of the death of our parishioner, Miriam Zarb, who regularly attended Saint Vincent’s Church and was a saleslady in the Religious Goods store at the church at 10am Mass. Our prayers are with Miriam and her family and friends. Rest in Peace. 

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JESSIE VERONICA DOLAN. Rest in Peace. 

A service with close family members was held Thursday 2^nd April. 

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JAMES VINCENT (JIM) DALY. Rest In Peace

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Jim Daly, and for comfort and consolation of this family.

Jim passed away peacefully 21st March 2020, aged 91 years.

Late of Surfers Paradise.

Beloved husband of Lynn (dec) Much loved father to Paul, Michael and their families

The family deeply regret that family and friends cannot be together to celebrate Jim’s life in the way they would have preferred.

Jim was privately laid to rest with his wife Lynn after prayers.

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GLEN ANTHONY (TONY) McLEOD. Rest in Peace
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Surfers Paradise Parishioner, Tony McLeod who passed away after a long and brave fight against cancer.
Tony is well known by many as he, for many years, arranged the flowers in the churches for weddings, liturgies and funerals. Tony also was a soloist, singing at Masses. He was also a celebrant, conducting many ceremonies, specialising in funerals.
Tony was educated in Marist College Ashgrove, Queensland, and studied in St. Patrick's College, Manly, Sydney, Australia, the Seminary and Theological College. he was Ordained and a Catholic Priest and undertook this priestly ministry for some time.
  

  
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This Weekend’s liturgy (for you at home).

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, April 5, 2020

Readings for
FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-7
"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me."
SECOND READING: Philippians 2:6-11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:  Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless Glory. Christ became obedient for us, even to death. Dying on the cross. Therefore God raised him on high, and gave him a name above all other names.
GOSPEL: Matthew 26:14-27:66

Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, April 5, 2020 by clicking this link here:

https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-217-passion-sunday-shortened-version-in-absence-of-assembly-2020/s-dqTjcNIN9sZ   

(EPISODE: 217) ALSO: https://homilycatholic.blogspot.com/2020/03/ashort-liturgy-remembering-triumphal.html 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Palm Sunday. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Dominica in palmis de passione domini. Illustration - fresco in Byzantine style. Royalty-free stock illustration ID 1302202996