PDF version of this parish newsletter here: .
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
Shutterstock licensed - stock vector ID: 175000568- Soldiers at war,vector- By Seita
THE PASTOR’S POST: An Unpaid Debt ANZAC DAY
This 26th April sadly we will not witness the modern-day pilgrimage of thousands of Australians to Anzac Cove, not the powerful image of veterans marching proudly down the streets of cities and towns throughout the country, reminding us of less peaceful days and sacrifices that were made by many we are no longer able to thank.
Another enemy has crept into our midst and we are experiencing great difficulty in knowing how to fight it. The enemy this time is hard to see and we don't know where and when it will strike. It is called Covid-19 and it has killed more people than any of the wars that we fought in since the 1900s.
However with a similar courage and resilience that has seen us survive armed conflicts, we should draw inspiration from those who have given us the great example of how to survive an uncertain future – the ANZACs.
Adelaide born poet and wounded Gallipoli veteran, Leon Gellert , captured not only the somber significance that Anzac Cove would have for Australia - a nation's vitality is often measured in its struggles, sacrifices, and even tragedy – but rightly calls on us to pay a debt of gratitude to those who, then and now, endanger their lives so that others may live in freedom.
There’s a torn and silent valley:
There’s a tiny rivulet
With some blood upon the stones besides its mouth.
There are lines of buried bones:
There’s an unpaid debt:
There’s a sound of gentle sobbing in the South.
(Anzac Cove, Leon Gellert)
On Anzac Day , wearing poppies and gathered around war memorials in every suburb, city and town, we remember not only the veterans of Gallipoli, but those who died in France and Flanders, Palestine and Mesopotamia, the Western Desert, Syria, Greece, and Crete, in the skies above England and Europe, in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic; and those who died in the waters off Java, Timor, and in the Coral Sea; in Papua, New Britain and Bougainville; in Korea, Vietnam, Timor-Leste; and those who served in Iraq and still do in Afghanistan.
In a world that sanctifies individualism, self-sacrifice is insane; heroism is futile. Some might dismiss the poet-soldier Gellert and his AIF mates as mere adventure seekers. They went with songs to the battle, they were young. What they discovered was pain and death. War was then, and continues to be, a senseless and foolhardy loss of young life.
When the young man from Nazareth volunteered to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12), he made a solitary request – Do this in memory of me. It was a challenge to live Christ-like lives of heroic sacrifice in the service of the poor, the downtrodden and powerless. It was a hope that His way of peace, justice and reconciliation would one day prevail. It is the memory of His vision, which encompasses all humanity and does not deny love even to one’s enemies, which can be the music in the midst of desolation (To the Fallen, Laurence Binyon).
Fr Peter Dillon PP.
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION -
“I am the good shepherd...and I lay down my life for the sheep…and they will heed my voice.” - JOHN 10:14-16’’
When you pray, do you only ask Jesus for the things that you want? Do you ever ask Him what He wants from you? How do you listen for His response? Many times Jesus responds in “quiet whispers” that are not so obvious. So, take time every day, in silence, to actively listen for His voice.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous and accountable for what each has been given.
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, 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. 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 man.surfers@bne.catholic.net.au.
The beautiful new timber stands in the church are “pay-waves.”(“tap-and-go” machines). A handy new way of donating to the parish - just tap a credit card or bank card on the sensor and it takes $5. And once it has processed this first tap, (which may take 30 seconds), you can tap it again, to give another $5, and so on. A safe and handy way to give money. God bless you for your support. To join planned giving, please contact the Parish Office: (07) 5572 5433 (9am–12pm Mon-Fri)
SURFERS PARADISE PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
(For children who have already received Baptism and Confirmation) -
The First Communion Program has begun. Please note that First Communion preparation and celebration is offered to baptised and confirmed children who are in Year 4 or greater.
Children who have enrolled in our Parish Sacramental Program in previous years should not need to re-enrol. You should have received an email invitation. If you are unsure, please email Cathy Anderson andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au
CONFIRMATION
There will be a second opportunity to celebrate Confirmation in October this year, please go to the parish website www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au and complete an online enrolment application to ensure that your child is included in the October group.
Use the drop down menu under Sacraments.
If your child has been baptised and you wish them to continue their journey of initiation by the celebration and receiving of further sacraments, click on Confirmation (under Sacraments), read the explanation of the sacrament and then scroll down to and click on CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM (in the blue box). Complete the form and click on submit.
Once you have submitted the form, you should receive an automated response to indicate that your application has been received by the parish team. The timing of a more personalised response to your application will vary depending on the sacrament for which you wish to prepare.
The timing of responses to Confirmation, First Communion and Reconciliation requests vary according to the time of year. As the children prepare for these sacraments in groups, our Sacramental Coordinator will use the information provided on the completed online forms to email parents approximately two months prior to the celebration of the sacrament. If you feel that you enrolled some time ago and you have not received sufficient information through our parish or school newsletters, please email Cathy Anderson andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au
BAPTISM
If you are seeking Baptism for your child, click on the website heading Baptism (under Sacraments), read the explanation of the sacrament and then scroll down to and click on BAPTISM ENROLMENT FORM (in the blue box). Complete the form and click on submit. Baptism requests will be responded to fairly quickly as baptisms occur weekly and bookings are quite heavy and consistent throughout the year.
St Paul ‘s Missionary Journey through His Letters
Fortnightly on a Tuesday
ALL WELCOME. Our next session will be on Tuesday 27th April at 6pm in the Parish Hospitality Room.
If you would like to participate in this please ring 0409 486 326. This is a great opportunity for us to reflect, discuss, share and enrich our faith and relationship with Christ.
A WONDERFUL AUDIO-VISUAL RESOURCE - SHALOM WORLD TV
This excellent world-wide online television network provides excellent Catholic content including live Masses from Australia and around the world. We have local people in our parish who are part of this great global outreach. Please visit and see the treasury of shows and articles. https://www.shalomworld.org/
Fr Paul is featured on the latest episode of Vocare (on Shalom World TV -
See:
https://www.shalomworld.org/show/vocare
(The replay video should be available online very soon).
Fr Warren Kinne was featured on an earlier episode - https://www.shalomworld.org/episode/bullets-noodles-and-a-motorbike-fr-warren-kinne
POPE FRANCIS: Young people- Respond to the call of God who never ceases to thirst for us.
“Francesco il guillare di Dio” is a new book authored by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa with the introduction written by Pope Francis. In it, the Pope encourages young people to respond to the call of God who never ceases to thirst for us.
Pope Francis has penned some words of introduction to a book written by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, the Preacher of the Papal Household.
The new book titled “Francesco il guillare di Dio” (loosely translated as “Francis, God’s jester”) tells the story of Brother Pacificus, a storyteller, who was a follower of St. Francis of Assisi. The book is published by the Edizioni Francescane Italiane.
Addressed to young people
The Holy Father highlights that the book is written for young, searching people “as a gift” filled with the “esteem and trust” that he places in all young people.
Pope Francis notes that many, perhaps, have read and questioned Jesus’ words in the Gospels: “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. For whoever asks receives, and whoever seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Mt 7:7-8).
“These are powerful words, full of a great and demanding promise,” the Pope affirms. “But, we might ask ourselves: are they to be taken seriously? If I ask the Lord, will He really listen to my request? If I seek him, will I find Him? If I knock, will He open the door to me? …Doesn’t experience sometimes seem to belie this promise? …Can these words be trusted or not? …Won’t they, too, like so many others I hear around me, be a source of illusions and therefore of disappointment?”
These questions call to mind another passage of scripture which illuminate them in all their depth, the Pope said: “You will seek me and you will find me, for you will seek me with all your heart; I will let myself be found by you”. (Jer 29:13-14).
Likewise, “God allows Himself to be found, yes, but only by those who seek Him with all their heart,” Pope Francis writes.
The Lord answers if we seek Him
Pope Francis goes on to illustrate examples of promises fulfilled when Jesus encountered people. He says that the Lord allowed Himself to be found by the insistence of the importunate widow, by Nichodemus’ thirst for truth, by the faith of the centurion, by the cry of the widow of Nain, by the leper’s desire for health and by Bartimaeus’ longing for sight.
These people, the Pope notes, “are the ones for whom finding an answer had become an essential matter…any one of them could have rightfully uttered the words of Psalm 63: “My soul thirsts for you [Lord], my flesh longs for you, like a barren land without water”.
In the same way, “the one who seeks finds if they seek with all their heart, if the Lord becomes as vital for them as water for the desert, as the earth for a seed, as the sun for a flower.”
This also is respectful of our freedom, as faith is not given automatically, indifferent of our participation, but rather “it asks you to involve yourself in the first person and with your whole self. It is a gift that wants to be wanted. It is, in essence, Love that wants to be loved.”
God is thirsty for us
“Perhaps you have been looking for the Lord and have not found Him. Allow me to ask you a question: How strong was your desire for Him?” The Pope inquires.
“Seek Him with all the impetus of your heart, pray, ask, invoke, cry out, and He, as He has promised, will be found,” the Pope urges. Because “the Lord desires that you seek Him so that He can find you.”
Recalling the words of St. Gregory of Naziansus “Deus sitit sitiri”, Pope Francis further explains that “God is thirsty for us to thirst for Him” so that by finding us willing, he might meet us.
Responding to God’s call
“What if He knocks on your door today?” the Pope asks: “When the Lord calls us to Himself, He does not want compromise or hesitation on our part, but a radical response.”
Illustrating the importance of responding to God’s call, Pope Francis recounts the story of a renowned “King of verse” who met St. Francis one day in the monastery of Colpersito in San Severino Marche. In a similar manner as St. Paul, struck by light on his way to Damascus, this “king of verse” was struck by the holiness of St. Francis and immediately lost all his hesitation.
In that moment, “a new man was born,” the Pope explains.” He was no longer William of Lisciano, the king of verse, but Brother Pacificus, a man inhabited by a new peace previously unknown. From that day, he became all for God, consecrated entirely to Him, one of Saint Francis’ closest companions, a witness to the beauty of faith.”
God has not stopped calling
Further inviting young people to read the book, Pope Francis reminds them that “God has not stopped calling,” and he does not tire of coming to meet us “as the shepherd seeks the lost sheep, as the woman of the house seeks the lost coin, as the father seeks his children.”
“If you only lower the volume on other things and raise the volume of your greatest desires, you will hear it loud and clear within you and around you,” Pope Francis notes.
God continues to call and patiently awaits from us the same response that Our Lady gave: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).
“If you have the courage to leave your securities and open yourself to Him,” Pope Francis concludes, “a new world will open up for you; and you, in turn, will become a light for others.”
With thanks to Vatican News, where this article originally appeared.
(source:https://catholicoutlook.org/pope-francis-to-young-people-god-is-thirsty-for-you/ )
(Image: Diocese of Parramatta. )
NEW SCHOOL WITHIN OUR PARISH -
Starts 2022
Initially Prep to Year 3, and then extending
StarOfTheSeaMerrimac.qld.edu.au
https://www.facebook.com/staroftheseamerrimac/
THE GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND -
This weekend, with the gospel reading about the Good Shepherd, it is also Prayer for Vocations weekend.
The key to vocations and discipleship is love; particularly God’s unique brand of love.
God’s love is at the centre of all discipleship and at the centre of every different vocation.
Pope and Saint John Paul, described Christianity not so much as a ‘religion’ but rather as an “encounter” with God in Jesus. Our discipleship is about Encounter with Jesus and the wonder that it brings, followed by our communion with Jesus and then, after that, Christ sends us out into the wider world with a task – a mission.
So, in similar echoes of one of my favourite mottoes…. - “Jesus Communion and Mission,” our discipleship is: ENCOUNTER=COMMUNION=MISSION!
As disciples of Jesus, we are not trying to merely imitate God’s actions, (as commendable as this would be). Nor are we merely trying to do what God, in Jesus, did, (as far as any human being could try to imitate our God made flesh). Rather, we are ultimately striving to become more connected to what motivated Our Lord to act as he did. The reason and cause of all his actions and word, which (at its core and centre) is his identity as God – and God’s actual divine nature as infinite love.
We are called by God to become instruments of God’s love and servants of God’s love. As Saint Therese says, our vocation is to “become the love of God,” inside and out.
We may not feel worthy to be loved, we may even push that love away at times…--but we cannot keep God from loving us. That is God's very nature. This is also God’s right and prerogative.
God is a shepherd – A very good one. – The best, in fact! God is love. Today on Good Shepherd Sunday we remember the truth that God always searches for the one who is lost, and keeps looking for the one who is hiding away and feeling utterly unworthy or unloved. When God finds this lost one, he carries them in His arms.
Anyone who would follow Jesus,(the good shepherd) as a disciple or especially in the vocation as a priest or religious, must be prepared to have a love for God’s precious ones – after the example of the good shepherd himself.
As the readings tell us this weekend “We are (all) God’s children. We are God’s flock. Jesus Himself promises us that we are no longer slaves but children of God. (And since God has given us freedom, he then invites us to give our freedom totally in service and love for others; as Jesus himself did with his freedom). Jesus tells us that He will lay His life down for us. He has already died for us, but every day He is willing to lay down His life for us once more.
Salvation is not something in the past, salvation is today. Today’s readings begin with one of the Acts of the Apostles. Peter is trying to explain how a crippled man was cured and why. What is really important is not so much the cure of the crippled man but the love of Jesus for His people. Even today we do not always understand this. Jesus will do everything for us if we have faith in Him. He heals us every day in so many ways. (True, sometimes we ask for help or healing in certain specific ways, and we don’t always get the help or healing in exactly the way we asked). But God always answers our prayers in some way or another.. and even if God does not take all burdens from our shoulders, we can know that at least God is love and God is faithful and God does not intend any bad thing for us or for others. God only wants to cherish us always.
The second reading, from the First Letter of Saint John, is a wonderful prophecy of what heaven will be like: we shall be like Him and we shall see Him as He is. So much of our life here is spent trying to be like Him, trying to live as He lived, trying to love and He loved. In heaven, we shall be like Him, and we will LOVE like him. That is the goal of all discipleship and vocation; to love like God. If we LOVE as God does, then all other things flow from it.
The Gospel today reflects that this is Good Shepherd Sunday. We have readings that explain to us what a Good Shepherd is like. This is an image trying to explain to us the care and the love that God has for us in Christ Jesus. Truly there is no way in this life fully to comprehend the love that God has for us. We should be able to speak every day of God’s love and care for us. If we can quieten our hearts and our minds, we will more easily see this love and care of God at work every day in our lives. God’s love always desires everything that is good for us. Let us rejoice and be glad today. Let us be still and listen and look for the signs of God’s love in our lives. Let us be aware of how much healing God has already done in our lives” (A)
And may God keep transforming us into instruments of his love and grace, so that we might show God’s love and care to all others we meet. And slowly but surely we will be transformed from hired workers into shepherds after the Lord’s own heart, (with love at its very centre)
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
Fr. Paul Kelly.
{References: REFERENCES: (A) MONASTERY OF CHRIST IN THE DESERT. ABBOT’S HOMILY. Abbot Philip, OSB Vocations day resources. (2012) . Archdiocese of Brisbane. Inaugural Speech to Clergy of Brisbane by Archbishop-elect of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, (2012) – taken from notes by Paul Kelly. FR. PAUL W. KELLY}
{Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed stock vector ID: stock vector ID: 347579201. Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, abstract artistic color vector illustration. By Thoom}
ANZAC DAY - “NO GREATER LOVE HAS A PERSON THAN TO LAY DOWN THEIR LIFE FOR A FRIEND”
(Shutterstock licensed image ID:1688640952. Ancient statue of Jesus Christ Good Shepherd with the lost sheep on his shoulders. Biblical tradition, religion, Christianity, God, faith concept. Zwiebackesser ).
Today marks the landing of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli, in 1915, during World War I. This national day of remembrance honours the courage and self-sacrifice of those who served in all wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations. In this liturgy, we particularly recognise the sacrifice of the fallen. We commend them to God's eternal care... and we also fervently pray that the justice and peace for which they sought to defend and preserve will dwell richly in our land and in our world.
We are all acutely aware of the fact that the health crisis at present has made it impossible for the usual extremely well-attended gatherings to Remember and pay our respects at Anzac day. Nevertheless, in many different ways, and within the ability of each and every household, we still commemorate this time. And we remember the sacrifices, the bravery and the loss now, as always. We also look forward to the day when we can gather again as a community to mark this important day.
The emotion and the significance of these events in no way lessens with the passage of time…
For a nation of 5 million people as we were back then… 61,511 young Australian lives were lost.
In all wars and military operations, including peacekeeping operations… Australia has, in total lost 102,930 - and that's an increase of 85 human lives lost in the last six years. With 226,060 injured (another 187 added in the last six years), and 34,733 taken as prisoners of war (an addition of three.. which although thankfully low, is bad enough). And surely 100% of those who served and returned have been profoundly affected in ways that one could hardly put into words…. The sheer size of these numbers (let alone the human effects behind it- and countless more lives which were changed forever, are almost impossible to fully comprehend…
We hear from the Lord's own lips, "No one has greater love, says the Lord, than those who lay down their lives for their friends, " and today we commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of those who served in times of war… and those who risked life and limb for those they loved…..
I remember a few years ago, just before a Dawn service was due to start, I could hear the sound of a baby crying… just near to me… a baby in a pram…. And it struck me…. This is that baby's first Anzac commemoration… The first of a lifetime of Anzac commemorations… which will be part of his or her life since before they could even remember ….. The next generation. as with previous generations of young people, have taken up the torch of remembrance for all who gave the ultimate sacrifice… An important torch to carry... Remembering devoutly, the cost of freedom and peace… which came at such an enormous price…. From so many brave men and women…. and their families and communities.
I remember also, quite a few years ago now, visiting the beautiful city of Ballarat, in Victoria, and being powerfully impressed and moved by the 22 km-long Avenue of Honour, starting with a memorial arch of victory,... with 3912 trees planted along the road, (mainly elms and poplars), to remember those who enlisted from that town alone, in the first world war. With many trees marked with plaques, also commemorating those who had died in the service of their country. It brought home the impact of the wars, even to this day, on the people of every town (large and small) ...
Every year, the numbers who gather to commemorate and remember the sacrifice of so many, and so young… ever increases…. And this is so this year, even though we cannot physically gather, we are still united in commemoration. And it is so inspiring in past years to see the wonderful representation of young people and the schools who participate so beautifully … it gives great hope…
Many who returned from serving in the wars often did not speak of their experiences…they were so deep and indescribable…. And when they did speak of it, it would astound and humble all who heard… Today we respect their silence… and we also respect their sharing of whatever they did feel was important for them, or for us to know and to take to heart.
Today, and every year at this time, we willingly and gratefully pause to remember and pray - give thanks for those countless men and women who served in time of war…. And who sacrificed everything…. For the sake of their families, their friends, their colleagues… their mates.. and their country.. and the freedom, the love, the friendship and peace that it symbolises….
We remember and pay our heartfelt thanks to all who gave their lives.. The ultimate sacrifice – We take strength from Christ, Our Risen Saviour, who gave his life so that we might all be saved and be made forever citizens of the eternal and Heavenly City of peace and justice……. We cherish those words from Our Lord..... "no greater love has a person than to lay down their life for a friend."
We pray that all those who lost their lives are now resting in the eternal peace of Christ…
There are many, many sacrifices that were made by those who served in time of war and those who serve now too…. As well as the sacrifice of their lives, there is also the loss of their youth, their health, and emotional well-being….. Those who came back injured in body, mind or spirit, from their experiences…. Anyone in any way affected by the horrors of war and its aftermath….. We remember them…. With profound respect.
Our prayer today and for the future is for that peace which only Christ can give to the world….. A peace and a love that quenches the all-too-real hatred and misunderstanding in the world..… and banishes that which leads to enmity and violence… We long for this… Those who served prayed and struggled for it… We continue this prayer this year and every year… this special day and all days….
May peace be in the hearts and minds of all people in the world…. May the peace of God's kingdom one day soon put an end to all war and violence…. In remembering and acknowledging the human cost of war and the price, beyond telling, of those who served…. We not only remember them, but we commit ourselves to a world where the values they fought for are cherished, protected and remembered.
We pray that God's reign of peace, justice, dignity and love will come in all its fullness….. and that the values of those who struggled and suffered for us will be always and everywhere respected, preserved and built up ever stronger…
Today we recall the extraordinary poem of which a paragraph has become immortalized as THE ODE…. the poem, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 (one hundred-and-six years ago this year)…. And captures the importance of remembering and commemorating this day….
elsewhere in that same poem, he writes a passage that echoes our belief that those who have made sacrifices in the service of others remain not only in our hearts and memories… but, although hidden from sight… live on…. in the everlasting life of God's kingdom where there is true peace… no more suffering, no war… no pain…. our constant prayer is that God's Kingdom Come, not only in heaven but that the peace and justice of God's Kingdom will take hold and express itself more and more on earth…. and that the freedoms and values that our past generations have sacrificed everything for …. will be assured for all… and forever……
"Where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain."**….
(We will remember them) ...
+++
(source: - Reflection by Fr Paul Kelly, - ** Robert Laurence Binyon, (10 August 1869 – 10 March 1943). "For The Fallen", The Times, (London), 21 September 1914.- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Australia ).
()
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: A God of his word
Poor communication is the main reason relationships fail. If it isn’t clear what is being promised, then it is easy to become disillusioned when expectations aren’t met. People who lose faith in God often point to God’s untrustworthiness: They asked for something and didn’t receive it. Hence, they conclude that God is not to be trusted. But remember the promise of God is love. Look around; wherever you see love—even a love lost—you see God’s promise fulfilled. As Saint Augustine put it: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the call of the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of others.” Help embody God’s love today.
(See also - Acts 5:34-42; John 6:1-15 (271). “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world”).
SIGN UP FOR "TAKE FIVE" DAILY https://www.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe
MASS TIMES (PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL): SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
Additional to the above times, we will continue to celebrate weekday Mass at Sacred Heart at 9am. The 9am Saturday Mass will be on the First Saturday of the month (1st May) at Sacred Heart.
Please remember that as per restrictions we are still expected to book and check in for mass, maintain a social-distance of 1.5m, 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 www.surfers paradise parish.com.au, to keep up to date with any changes relating to masses.
Mass Booking: bookeo.com/catholicmassgoldcoast Thank you for your cooperation at this time.
SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS
A donation is all that is required for pre-loved religious goods available at the Sacred Heart Shop. This week a selection of preloved rosary beads are available.
The April edition of the Catholic Leader is still available at $4.
LITURGICAL MUSICIANS’ TRAINING DAY
The Archdiocesan Commission on the Liturgy is pleased to present a day of practical formation for liturgical musicians, run by people who are experts in the field. Several streams will be on offer including vocal, choral, organ, keyboard, guitar, composition, orchestral, and congregational singing.
Saturday 15 May at St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane from 9:00am–3:30pm. Register by scanning the code, or by phoning Liturgy Brisbane on 3324 3321.
AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED
A message from Aid to the Church in Need Australia: ACN distributes over one million Bibles and religious books thanks to the help of our benefactors every year. Jesus commanded “Go out into the whole world and preach the Gospel to all creation." ACN takes this command seriously by spreading the faith through these Children's Bibles. Often in poor countries, the Children’s Bible is the first book that children receive in their own language and frequently, it is the only picture book that they will ever hold. Visit www.aidtochurch.org/bibles
Marriage Encounter Weekends - Virtual or live-in, May 2021
A Marriage Encounter Weekend to enrich and revitalise your Sacrament. It gives you the opportunity to grow in your relationship with your spouse or your community.
Virtual weekend via Zoom, 30th April – 2 May 2021, commencing at 7pm on Friday – concluding at 4pm Sunday. Contact Julie and Zyg Staszyc: 0437 388 513 Email: sabookings@wwme.org.au
Live-in weekend Friday 28 May - Sunday 30 May at Ormiston (on Brisbane’s bayside).
Contact Maria and David Murphy: (07) 3342 1456, dandmmurphy@optusnet.com.au
Information website: www.wwme.org.au
OUR LADY’S STATUE
The Statue of Our Lady is going around the Parish. If you would like to take part in the saying of the Rosary with Our Lady’s Statue, please contact Maxine Sela on 5539 9539.
The Roster for the next few weeks:
W/e 26/4/2021 Eva Mollowski of Palm Beach
W/c 3/5/2021 Helen & Thor Skjaerbaer of Merrimac
W/c 10/5/2021 Helen & Thor Skjaerbaer of Merrimac
God Bless, Maxine & Pat Sela
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”
Easy to learn format, no previous card playing experience necessary. All are welcome.
For more information and to enrol, Please phone: Cheryl 5538 8821 or Mob 0417 772 701
YOGA AT THE PARISH HOSPITALITY CENTRE
Come join us for our friendly class in the Parish Hospitality Centre next to the Parish Office. Classes run every Tuesday at 10:45am. Learn to relax, yet gain greater flexibility, inner strength, body awareness and concentration, all while increasing your breath support and general wellbeing. Ruth is an IYTA accredited instructor with wide experience and runs a caring, carefully monitored one hour session costing $10 (new attendees need to arrive by 10.30am to prepare adequately for class). For more information call Ruth on 0421338110.
CHILDREN’S ART - FOR NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK
This year's Children's Art Activity for National Child Protection Week encourages us to talk to children and young people about what they think is important in their neighbourhoods.
The activity ties in with this year's theme that 'Every child, in every community, needs a fair go' because 'To treat all of Australia’s children fairly, we need to make sure every family and community has what kids need to thrive and be healthy'.
If you love chatting with children and young people about their ideas (either through your work or family or friends), please join us in creating artworks about our local communities. Ideally, we are looking for collaborative artworks, but individual entries will also be most welcome.
Entries received before 4 May will go in the running for a range of small prizes.
For more information: visit the NAPCAN website where you can download the full Children's Art Activity flyer
(partial insert below ). If you have particular questions, please email contact@napcan.org.au
Your copy of "Liturgy News"
For fifty years, thousands of people around Australia have subscribed to “Liturgy News.” This small but influential quarterly magazine has kept them up-to-date in their liturgical understanding. Now, by producing it as an electronic PDF, we can make it available to you free of charge. It has not only the news, but also background articles that are invaluable for parishes and schools. Priests, religion teachers, pastoral associates, liturgy committees… this magazine is for you! Please don’t delete. Save it. Share it. Read it. Fr Tom Elich, editor of Liturgy News.
Get your free copy here: https://34e55186-523b-4a36-b544-6de481e65a51.filesusr.com/ugd/8c123c_8dfe8b3540a34644ab8d5be88af3d810.pdf
And, you can get on the regular mailing list for this free resource by clicking the link here: https://shop.liturgybrisbane.net.au/collections/liturgy-news
The need is acute! PALMS INTERNATIONAL
Low-income communities are not asking us for money or gifts. They reject degrading dependence. They want you to share your skills to help develop self-reliance and sustainable solutions to poverty. The call is to all trades and professions to assist build the ability of their people and the capacity of their organisations. To properly prepare for a 2022 placement you do need to enquire now.
Join our online InfoZoom on 2 May, visit palms.org.au, or call Palms now on 02 9560 5333
You can visit the Stay Connected page on our website to find an extensive list of information and resources.
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/
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: David Spackman, Rita Press, Maryann Cassar, Margaret Haerse, Rosalind Lee, Milka Barac, Mary Ashton, Kurt Hillesheim, Neil Rogers, Jacqueline Costigan(Bethania), Bill Goodrem, Rodney and Norma McLennan, Lois and Doug Wood, Sam Maxwell, William Franklin, Gerry Stoffels (Capetown, SA), Maria Mihalic, Margaret Dawes, Bill Gilmore, Annie Scicluna, Anne Logan, Dymphna Hogg, Elaine Cotter, Margaret Thompson, Patricia Moor, Helen Bohringer, Margaret Cook, Peter O’Brien, Angela Duvnjak, Rachel Raines, Savannah Ayoub, Gus Reeves, Baby Maeve Lombard, Kathy Kiely, Ron Perry, Rosslyn Wallis, Arthur Haddad, Jean Di Benedetto, Michael Tracey, Joanne Mooney, Joanne Parkes, Michelle MacDonald, John & Molly Robinson, Mary Kerr, Eileen McCarthy.
And all those suffering from the effects of Covid-19.
RECENTLY DECEASED: Dorelle Elizabeth Muller, Annette Burley, Terry McManus, Barbara (Barbie) White, David Freiberg, Fr Romo Servatius Subhaga SVD (Bali), Vincent Murray, Beatrice Sheyare, Graham Smith, Ross Campbell, Thomas (Tommy) Raudonikis, Therese Mary Clift, Faye Shanahan, Ben Hamlet, John Donelly Shiels, Josephine Desira, Judy Dempsey (Wagga), Angelita Javillonar, Yvonne Cassidy, (sister of Gerard Denaro), Sheila Asher, Maria Gafa, Virgil Klaassen.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Steven Sinyong Chew, Irene Scharenguivel, Greg Perkins, Beverly Ann Gooding, Una Mary Parkinson,Yvonne Holt, Joseph Frank Robinson, (Son Of Connie), Bernadette Mary Bennett, Joan Street, Vincent Hodge Snr, Kevin Thomas Malone, Leo Barry Pearman, Greg Jackson, Giovanni Pascquale Marmina, Greg Perkins, Bryan James Telfer, Salvatore Aprile, Andrew Brown, Maria Del Carmen Olsen.
“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.
https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?u=5753cccfee99af296cdbe1952&id=dcaa0cb254
Archbishop Mark has a message for you
Last Sunday I was in the parish of St Mark's, Inala, to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the parish and to anticipate the feast of St Mark which is usually on 25 April but which in Australia, because of Anzac Day, is transferred to 26 April. I was also asked to bless a newly refurbished suite of parish offices in what used to be the convent for the Sisters and then the presbytery for the priests. But the Sisters and the Fathers have moved and more office space was needed. The parish of Inala has fizz, in large part because of the rich ethnic mix. It really is the United Nations. There are many Vietnamese, Pacific Islanders, Indians, Africans and so on; and the Mass bore all the marks of that cultural diversity – the singing, the dancing, the processions and so on. What we saw at Inala is what is happening in the Catholic Church in Australia and around the world. The centre of gravity is moving from places like Europe, North America and Australia to Asia, Africa and Latin America. It’s not by accident that we have a Pope from Argentina, and there is plenty more to come. In the Archdiocese much of the real spiritual energy is found in the immigrant communities, and I am keen to bring them more and more to centre stage in the life of the Church in this part of the world. In the past they have been treated as exotic satellites, but that’s no longer true. They are now at the heart of things, and their voice needs to be heard in all kinds of ways.
St Mark’s church was packed to full capacity with 400 people in national dress for a Multicultural Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mark Coleridge on the 65th anniversary of the Inala parish last Sunday. Read more here.
This week Sam reflects on Jesus' sacrifice and the sacrifice of the Anzacs, reminding us how we can all live a life of service to others. Read Sam's reflection here.
Deacon Gary Stone says that "we are called to be Good Shepherds who witness to a mission of engagement with the needy, the vulnerable, and the marginalised." Watch now.
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