“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16)
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 779219806. LEPOGLAVA, CROATIA - MARCH 17: Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, picture on a wardrobe in the sacristy of the church of the Immaculate Conception in Lepoglava, Croatia on March 17, 2017. By Zvonimir Atletic
THE PASTOR’S POST
It probably won’t surprise you to know that at many levels of influence, people have been asking “what will the Church look like post- COVID”. They are talking about it in the Vatican, at the Australian Bishops Conference, in the Brisbane Archdiocese and right here, in the greatest arena of power, our own parish. While we would rather it was a question that we did not have to answer or that we would prefer the answer to be that everything will return to what it was like before, in this time of harsh reality and facing facts, we should realise that our Parish, our faith communities and the Church universal will evolve and react to the changing times as it has done many times since the great man walked upon the earth. It has been suggested that 23% of people interviewed said that they had thought about God more during the pandemic than before. While it’s not clear what they had thought about God, it does beg the question of what they are going to do about finding clarity for their thoughts, answers to their questions. Are people giving up on God altogether or simply reassessing what their relationship with God means when our regular ways of connection have been disrupted?
I must admit I thought that people would be rushing back to Church in their droves, tired of the isolation and hungry to be fed from the spiritual table. As yet, this is not the way things seem to be. No doubt the many health directives across the country have confused many people, so perhaps they are waiting for the ‘all clear’ signal, which could be months away. But what happens in the meantime. Do we just wait in a holding pattern?
I don’t recall in any of the gospels passages where Jesus said all would be smooth sailing and that there would be no surprises, natural or human-made, that would irrevocably alter our practices and approaches. He did say however, that he would be with us at all times and that is where we should start our analysis.
I think it is fair to say that Coronavirus has put what we used to call ‘normal’ on hold, with many people deprived of access to the sacraments. However, as certain restrictions are being lifted, it is clear that attending mass has placed a stress on certain people and I fear that they may not return to regular participation in the Eucharistic gatherings, if at all. Understandably some people have said they will not return until a vaccine is found, while others are worried that being physically close to others may put them in danger. These responses are understandable, but it’s the ones who have got comfortable with viewing Mass on a screen while seated at home alone or with only a few people, who may start to ask, “What’s the point in going back to Church when this will do us?” Have these people already decided what their future form of worship will look like? Will we become a place of convenience, attending when the TV goes on the blink or they need a change of scenery? If too many people think this way then the parishioner base of a parish will erode people’s need for a faith community. Faith then becomes simply a personal issue and not one of community and communion.
It is already quite clear that many Parishes and some dioceses have seen income in free-fall, which is leading to jobs being lost and institutions facing closure. Before we get too desperate in our outlook let’s look to what Pope Francis has been saying about our future. He wants a Church that is outward-facing, in a permanent state of mission and focussed on the poor, rather than inward-looking and self-referential. He recently said, “Do not waste time and resources in looking at yourself in a mirror, devising plans centred on internal mechanisms, functionality and efficiency or your own bureaucracy. Break every mirror in the house”. Well, before we break the mirrors we need to firstly look at what is to be seen. We certainly need to be more realistic in terms of what is essential for us to stay as a church, as a parish, as a faith community. When we do things a certain way over many years we start to think that everything we do and operate is vital for our future. It’s when we have to confront a huge change to our practices that makes us realise that things can and do change. Is our church a collection of disconnected individuals who come to the same place to practise their personal spirituality or is it where we gather as the people of God to see how together we can participate in building up the kingdom?
One clear outcome for the emerging church will be that we will be dealing with smaller communities and hopefully more focussed on those who are struggling materially and socially. Not only churches, but other Catholic institutions have had to make serious adjustments. Education health and welfare, our principle secular ministries, are having to offer more limited access to their services, and yet as the full impact of the financial losses really kick in, people will be needing to access the traditional services for which the Church is and should be noted:
Helping the destitute, educating those most in need and being on the side of those struggling with their mental health. We will need to put ourselves in a better position to respond where the need is greatest. Again Pope Francis reminds us, “Jesus put us in the midst of society like a handful of yeast: the yeast of the Beatitudes and the fraternal love by which, as Christians, we can all join in making present his kingdom.
We will become a leaner Church, but a more concentrated one, with people making informed and careful decisions about where and how and why they wish to participate. Even though people may go to Mass less frequently they will become more responsible for their faith and become more creative about how they connect and celebrate their faith. We will certainly struggle to find our feet again, like a toddler discovering a whole new way of seeing the world. We may need to consolidate our holdings as parishes start to link more closely and possibly amalgamate.
But through all this I am certain that people, once remote from their faith, may need to find answers for the questions posed by this pandemic. The way through this rocky road might just seem a bit clearer when they recall the promise left by Saint Paul that nothing will separate us from the love of God, made visible through Christ. That is unless we choose to let something come between us.
Fr Peter Dillon PP.
SAINT MICHAEL’S COLLEGE CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED FOR 2021
In news from one of our schools here in the parish:
Saint Michael’s Principal Mr Anthony Elmore has announced the four college Captains for 2021.
Lucy Hicks, Will Mahoney, Madison Gray and Jack McMillan.
Madison is a former Saint Vincent’s Student.
This announcement follows a leadership discernment process involving students and staff that has taken place this term. Congratulations and a big thank you to all students who have put themselves forward in this process and we also wish all Year 11 students well for the remainder of the leadership process.
Congratulations, 2021 College Captains.
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH MASS
From next month, September 5th 2020, the Parish will be celebrating a First Saturday Mass at 9am at Sacred Heart. This will be the only Saturday morning mass scheduled unless we advertise the occasional special Solemnity of a major feast day of the Church. Bookings are still essential via the bookings link below.
Please note that we are continuing for the moment to have all weekday masses at Sacred Heart 9am.
The Surfers Paradise Parish community congratulates the Wrzesien and Roberts families whose children Oscar and Daisy will be baptised at the Sacred Heart Church this weekend.
As Oscar and Daisy begin their faith journey, please keep the families in your prayers.
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION: August 23, 2020 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid?” (Romans 11:35)
St. Paul reminds us of a central fact of stewardship. We cannot give the Lord anything - God already owns it all. God made everything. All we can do is return a portion of God’s many gifts back to Him. Sincere gratitude for our gifts opens our hearts to joyful generosity! Through your generous sharing, you just may be the answer to someone’s prayer.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous and accountable for what each has been given.
THREE PARISH CHURCHES OPEN FOR WEEKEND MASSES (PRE-BOOKED)
Sunday Masses are being offered, (pre-bookings still required), in all three churches of our Parish. Bookings are still necessary, as is social distancing and extensive sanitising conditions, to comply with COVID-safe requirements.
Additional to these Sunday Masses we will continue to celebrate Mass at Sacred Heart each weekday at 9am and as per above article Saturday Mass will also be on at 9am on the first Saturday of each month.
You will be informed by the parish website or E-Newsletter when this situation changes.
Please remember that as per restrictions we are still expected to book and check in for mass, maintain a social-distance of 1.5metres, receive Holy Communion in the hand only, refrain from physical contact when offering the Sign of Peace, and to sanitise when entering and exiting the premises.
We ask that people consult the parish website https://www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au, to keep up to date with any changes relating to masses.
Mass Booking: https://bookeo.com/catholicmassgoldcoast or
Or, if you are unable to book online, please ring the parish office between 9am and 12 noon Mon-Fri. Ph: 5572 5433
WHEN YOU ARE LATE FOR MASS
We ask for your consideration towards those who generously volunteer at each Mass. While new protocols and restrictions are in place and volunteers are supporting our process, entering the Church is no longer a simple task. Arriving late for Mass disrupts the worship of the volunteers who check you in, santitise, and usher you to socially-distanced seating. Let’s try our hardest to arrive early and enable everyone to enjoy God’s company and wonderful blessings.
THE GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
Shutterstock licensed image. ID: 52332865. Caesarea Philippi ruins at the Golan, Israel. By rasika108
[“’gospel’ values included in the readings: God loves Justice, God’s wisdom and thinking is beyond full human understanding, Our Lord is the Christ, the Son of God”]
In the Gospel Our Lord gives St Peter, (the first amongst the apostles), the keys to the Kingdom..
Our Lord builds his church on the solid rock of the profession of faith that Peter makes. This profession of faith is ours as well.
Christ’s church is BUILT upon the solid foundation of the profession of faith that “Our Lord is the Messiah, the Christ, the chosen one. Our Lord IS the Son of God who shows us what God is like. Our Lord is the one who forgives our sins and sacrifices his life so that we might all be saved. Jesus lived and died to restore us to God’s house. Our Lord is the one who invites us to share in God’s gifts and promises that if we accept, we become Our Lord’ brothers and sisters. We are Our Lord’ disciples and also beloved children of God – members of God’s family forever.
WHO AM I ? …. Asks Our Lord of his disciples………Who do you say I Am?
A person cannot be reduced to a mere sum of the characteristics that you can use to describe them. Who a person is, cannot be summed up merely by reciting a list of titles that they may have.. Every person, not least of which Our Lord himself, is mystery and encounter…. Our Lord must be encountered as a person before one can understand him as a figure of doctrine and belief.
In fact surely one of the most common things humans do to each other; and it may be the most unfair thing we can do.. is to try to reduce others to mere categories and file them into neat boxes so that we can understand them or deal with them. Whilst “labelling” people may be convenient and practical, it can actually risk reducing the mystery and complexity of a person to clichés and stereotypes. Everyone is much more than a list of descriptions or attributes. Labelling can replace actually dealing with the real person in favour of relating more to a person in labels, generalizations and assumptions about that person. Any description or labels for a person are always going to be a pale shadow of who that person really is.
Our jobs are important to us, But we are more than our job. Who we are is more than what we have achieved in life. Who we really are is more than what we are capable of doing. Even how we look and what we possess is not really the core of our true identity, but these things may be aspects of us but not the core. If ever we rely too much on those other qualities, (not that all aren’t important), and if we make a few qualities the sum total of what makes us “US,” then we can run into troubles….
If my job is everything I am, who am I if one day I might lose that job or retire from it. I am worth more than what I do. If my reputation is important, (and for all of us to a great degree it is very important), but if it is everything to me, who I really am, gets tarnished or destroyed, (whether wrongly or rightly). If who I am is all about what I can do, my physical abilities, my health, One day that may fail me too. Our Lord shows us that we are all valuable and we are people who matter to God, even if all these other aspects fail.
Who we really ARE, MUST be something much, much deeper than the various qualities and abilities that make up our lives. Ultimately, who we are truly is something that time or situation can never take away. We ARE beloved sons and daughters of a loving God. A God who loves us unconditionally, and calls us into life with him. God calls us into fundamental and right-relationship with Himself and with others around us…..
Who is this person Our Lord????. EACH person MUST DISCOVER the meaning and nature of Our Lord themselves. There is no substitute for personally encountering Our Lord as The Christ, in the scriptures and in our daily prayer and in the events of our lives…
Our Lord is much more than the things we say about him. Jesus is much deeper than the titles, descriptions and aspects we know of him. Ultimately who Our Lord IS, is about encountering God (and that encounter with God occurs in relationship and not merely an intellectual exercise.. an exercise of the mind……. ). Encountering Christ and his good news in our lives, in the people we meet and ourselves… and our life story…
Perhaps the second reading holds the Key to all of this. In it Saint Paul reminds us that, although there is much we can and need to know and search for in relation to our understanding of Our Lord and God in general, nevertheless ultimately God is much more than we could ever truly comprehend. God has some aspects that are knowable, but other aspects are beyond our human comprehension. This fact actually applies to any human being. The person sitting next to you, even if you know them very well, ultimately is (still) a mystery in a good way. They cannot be reduced merely to a list of facts about them. They are much more than the sum of their characteristics and traits. Each person is more than our past experiences of them or our familiar ways of relating and behaving with them. We are mystery. And God is an infinite mystery. This fact makes us act with enormous respect, reverence and awe towards God and towards each other, even those we know the best. Especially the ones we know the best!
In the end, it is not as much about knowing with the mind, but engaging honestly in the mystery of each other, - Jumping into the deep. With God, this means ongoing prayer, reflection, dialogue and discussion… and of course, encounter… in the unfolding events of each day….
Christ reminds us that it is all really about relationships, rather than categorization or definitions. Reverent relationship with God, respectful relationships with each other. Authentic treatment of ourselves as well. It is an ongoing.. never-ending journey…
Each one of us is called upon to reflect personally on Our Lord question… “But you… who do YOU say I am?”
We are in awe of the fact that Our Lord is so protective of each and every one of his Heavenly fathers, sons and daughters, and so protective that he even says…. “I regard what you do to even the least of these little ones, it is as if you are doing it to me personally” …. And so, over each one of us and all of us….Our Lord throws over a cloak of protection, care and inclusion that is beyond measure ……… Our Lord, is the ultimate revelation of not only what God is like.,… but how God acts towards us… and what God feels towards each of us…. and that is very good news…
We not only worship Our Lord as God the son, and messiah., but also admire him and like him as a brother, friend and mentor . We simply can never get enough out of the ever-fresh and challenging message that is to be found in his words, parables and actions. Like Saint Peter, our profession that Jesus is indeed the Christ the Son of the living God, is only just the beginning of learning what that truly means and who he truly is. And we are only just starting to apply it in our lives….
Fr. Paul Kelly
LITURGY SPOT
Image Shutterstock licensed. ID: 682465222 Priest gives holy communion to faithful. By wideonet
Communion at Mass.
Following the sign of peace, (which in these covid-times, is physical contact-free), The “Lamb of God” is sung or recited.
Extraordinary ministers of communion move into place as soon as the sign of peace starts, (that is, just say ‘peace be with you’ to a couple of the people immediately near you). The sign of peace is a brief time for greeting people near us, and is not time for greeting everyone in the church. The communion ministers move forward and move carefully but quickly. This is a time when some seem to hesitate in coming forward in preparation for being communion ministers. The communion minister whose role is to bring forward the ciborium from the tabernacle should be coming forward with the hosts near the start of the fraction rite, not the last person to come forward as it has ended. This might require this person to start moving forward immediately at the sign of peace or even slightly before it.
When a minister gives out the host, they hold it up slightly to be seen and say: “THE BODY OF CHRIST.”
If there is a chalice given out: “THE BLOOD OF CHRIST”
(Please do not say names after this… eg. “The Body of Christ, Paul”). Over-personalizing, at a moment when we are supposed to emphasize our collective and general union/communion with Christ, is not consistent or helpful at this time. At this moment, it is about Christ, not us. And anyway, unless you know the name of each and everyone in the church, including visitors and people who have just walked in late, please avoid this. It serves to highlight differences at a time of union. I do not even say that when giving communion to my closest family members!
Hold up the host and chalice slightly …to show it and have polite eye contact….
(The information following, mentions the Chalice. This only applies after covid-restrictions are removed. As we know, at present the chalice is not offered to the people. This reflection is shared as background, for the purpose of completeness, under ordinary circumstances).
The Chalice. When it is given out, it is usually handed to the communicant using both hands, and the person receiving the chalice takes it firmly with two hands. This next statement may seem surprising to have to say, but the person receiving the chalice ought not to take the chalice where the minister is holding it. This might sound like stating the obvious, but I have had people take the chalice right where I am holding it, so that they have their hands over my hands, and I am unable to easily get my hand free. This has happened to me more than a few times! In most circumstances, the person receiving the communion must take the chalice and sip from it. If someone comes forward and attempts to drink it while the communion minister is still holding it, as if they are being fed the cup, (unless this is a special situation of special physical need), the communion minister is to say politely but firmly, “please take the chalice.”
When the chalice is given out, please rotate the purifier entirely during the whole communion process, so that different parts of the purifying cloth are used every time, and all parts of the cloth are used. The minister ought to gently and slightly rotate chalice after each communicant, so that a different part of the chalice is being presented each time.
If you run out of hosts, or the precious blood, please do not walk away from the communion line without explaining what is happening… It can be confusing to the communion recipient and can look impolite. Briefly tell the person what you are doing.. eg "Sorry, I have just run out of hosts, and I am just going to get some more.... / OR, “sorry, I HAVE RUN OUT of the precious blood.” It prevents confusion and awkwardness.
No “intinction” in this archdiocese, Brisbane. (The practice of Intinction is when the Host is dipped into the Precious Blood and then given to the communicant. This form is meant to be done by the Priest as the communion minister and also involves a metal “paten,” (plate), necessarily being held reverently underneath the host by an altar server, to prevent dripping. That practice requires careful procedures and is ministered by the priest. It was never envisaged that people would take their own host and then dip it into the Chalice themselves. This also would lead to a likely event of people’s fingers dipping into the chalice too, and actually increases the risk of contamination as well as increasing spills and drips. With respect to other places that allow this, it is not often correctly ministered and is an extreme exception rather than the norm. However, it is best not to get into a long discussion or argument with someone in the communion line, when they attempt to instinct. (Sadly some places actually do practice “intinction,” and without the proper or adequate procedures, so their people get confused and upset if told it is actually not permitted here).
Occasionally people ask why the Catholic Church does not use little individual cups as is the practise in other church denominations. The symbolism of sharing from the one cup is utterly lost in this version. This would be a very unfortunate and unintended symbol of individualism, rather than communal sharing. When the chalice is ordinarily permitted, we do have a few large chalices for ease of distribution, but people (when it was available), still partook of a shared cup as the symbolism intended, and were united in sharing in this communion. It would be better to not have the chalice shared at all than to have individual cups for each person.
Did you know that Jesus is really and truly present in his body and his blood in BOTH the species individually? That is, Christ is present in his body and Blood in the Host. Christ is also present fully in his body and blood in the Precious Blood. So, if for some reason the hosts ran out, one could just as fully receive Our Lord by partaking of the chalice. However, it is a more full sign to take from both when permitted... (but sadly covid-19 has indefinitely prevented this reception from the cup for the foreseeable future and that is understandable).
Fr Paul.
SACRED HEART & ST VINCENT’S RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS
The two Religious Goods Shops in our Parish at Sacred Heart and St Vincent’s Churches are open before and after all Masses each weekend.
Our shops are ‘Holy Spaces’, all the religious goods stock has been blessed by the Priests. This will save you running after the Priest to bless your purchases.
We have a vast display of First Holy Communion gifts for that special little person in your life who is about to receive their First Holy Communion in a few weeks time. Suitable gifts and cards available for parents, grandparents, siblings and friends.
The Sacred Heart Religious Goods Shop can be accessed on a Monday and Friday between the hours of 9:30am-12pm, just call into the Parish Office and we will help you. Other times before and after the weekend Masses.
Received this week are the 2021 Columban Calendars, purchase your copy now before stocks run out.
We have contactless eftpos facilities available to save you handling cash in these times.
SACRAMENTAL SNAPSHOT
Confirmation 2020
While our online link (via the parish newsletter) will still allow parishioners to complete a form, any sacramental enrolment applications received after July 2020 will be held as enrolments for the 2021 Sacramental Group.
Families of children enrolled (prior to the end of July) in our Sacramental Group - Preparation for Confirmation 2020 should be aware that in response to Covid restrictions, our Sacramental Team is currently organising an ‘At Home Preparation for Confirmation’ document. This document will be similar to the recent At Home Learning-Teaching Model used when schools were in lockdown earlier this year. This step is still several weeks away and will eventually be offered via email. We thank you for your patience.
First Communion 2020
A number of our Parish children have been working at home to complete their Preparation for First Communion. Children have been learning and praying with their families to explore the information and activities provided.
Here are a couple of samples of some of the children’s preparation work. We hope that they make your heart sing, as they have done for us - yeast in our midst!
The children watched a video that described a sacrament as being like an iceberg and were then asked to explain the simile. One child wrote, ‘Like the iceberg we only see a little bit above the water. But really there is a lot more that we can’t see. I know it’s there and that it’s deeper than what I can see.’
Receiving First Communion in Surfers Paradise Parish.
In another part of their work, children were asked to read several statements and label each statement either Reverent or Not Reverent. One statement that prompted much discussion was, “A child receiving their First Communion had practised and was deeply focused on the sacrament but on the day, they were nervous and forgot to bow before receiving the host.” Eventually most agreed that the child was indeed Reverent and that reverence was measured by intent and not simply by what we observers think we see and hear.
We ask all parishioners to pray for the adults and children of these families, as they journey together and excitedly anticipate their First Communion in early September.
STAYING CONNECTED
Have you ensured that your contact details are up to date with the parish:
Please fill out this form if you are unsure.
Census Form Information Update
SURFERS PARADISE CATHOLIC PARISH - CENSUS UPDATE
Are you on our mailing list for the weekly e-newsletter, weekly homily/Mass audio blog and occasional breaking news alerts?
If not, please email us at paulwkelly68@gmail.com. Please note that sometimes we have added a person to our email-list but the email is going to their “spam” folder or their “junk-mail” folder. It is always a good idea to check these folders to see if it isn’t in there. If that is happening to you, you can mark these emails as “approved” or “not-spam” or “not junkmail,” so your email server does let them get through to you.
PARISH FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our faith sustains us through challenging times. Now, more than ever, your support is needed to help our Parish to continue valuable pastoral activities and to provide ongoing sustainability. To assist you to support the Parish during this time of isolation, you can give via http://parishgiving.brisbanecatholic.org.au
If you are able to continue to support us, we would be most grateful. For all those who have been making payments via credit card and those who have donated directly into the parish account, we thank you. At the Sacred Heart and St Vincent’s churches we are now able to accept tap and pay donations via our contactless eftpos machines. The spirit of generosity is alive in our Parish. If you would like confirmation of your donation or a receipt emailed to you please contact me at manager.surfers@bne.catholic.net.au
Yours faithfully, Sonya Slater, Parish Manager
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES
The Planned Giving Envelopes are available at the Sacred Heart Church, Stella Maris Church and St Vincent’s Church on weekends, before and after the scheduled masses. The envelopes will be returned to the parish office after the weekend where they will be available for collection Monday - Friday between 9 am and 12 noon.
IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS AT THIS TIME
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Doug Reiser, Helen Bohringer, John Zappa, George Cook, Caterina (Cathy) Randazzo, Peter O’Brien, Baby Charbel Raphael, Angela Duvnjak, Judy Dempsey, Monica Bailey, Rachel Raines, 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, Ron Perry, Kim Parkes, Rosslyn Wallis, Jabour Haddad, Yvonne Lofthouse, Maureen Murphy, Peter Walsh, Arthur Haddad, Jean Di Benedetto, Damian Callinan, Rosemary Wales, Peter Allsopp, Yvonne Campesi, Louis Couch, Michael Tracey, Joanne Mooney, Joanne Parkes, Michelle MacDonald, John & Molly Robinson, Mary Kerr, Eileen McCarthy.
And all suffering from the effects of Covid-19.
RECENTLY DECEASED: Jane Ayling, Rose Mary Saldanha, Billy Rios - (USA CoronaVirus), Fr Joe McGeehan, Paul Giacomantonio, Peter Bathis (Gosford), Manuel Dos Santos, Maria Beuk (Austral NSW), Hannah Bishop, Josephine ‘Joyce’ Farrugia.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Narda Hallam, Ron Neilsen, Barry Arderne, Charles Cam, Bernie Crane, Patricia Medway, Patricia Sievers, Rosy Micheal, Maureen Joseph.
DECEASED: Ronald Keene, Bruck Wheeler, and the Wheeler, Westwell and Woodgate families.
You can visit the Stay Connected page on our website to find an extensive list of information and resources to help during these times of isolation. Below are quick links to help stay in touch with our Parish and celebrate Mass at home:
Book for Mass at Surfers Paradise Parish: https://bookeo.com/catholicmassgoldcoast
Liturgy for you at Home (produced by SPP): https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Weekly Homily (produced by SPP): https://homilycatholic.blogspot.com
Surfers Paradise Parish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surferscatholic/
Breaking Parish News (SPP Blog): https://news-parish.blogspot.com/
Liturgy Brisbane - Gospel Resources for at home: Sunday Readings: Read at Home and Family Prayer: Week by Week
Access the digital Catholic Leader: https://catholicleader.com.au/digital-newspaper-covid19
Readings for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - A
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 20:7-9
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9. “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God”
SECOND READING: Romans 12:1-2
Gospel Acclamation: (cf. Eph 1:17-18). Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of your heart. That we might see how great is the hope to which we are called.
GOSPEL: Matthew 16:21-27
“The Archdiocese of Brisbane holds that children and vulnerable adults are a gift from God with an intrinsic right to dignity of life, respect and security from physical and emotional harm. They are to be treasured, nurtured and protected from any harm.”
As a Parish Community, we pray for a change of heart, that we respond to our grief by reaching out to one another in truth and love.
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