PDF version of this parish newsletter here: 
Also, you can access an online copy of the newsletter *here*
| Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish E-Newsletter This is Kombumerri Country - The Traditional Custodians of this region. Parish Office: (07) 5572 5433 (9am – 12pm Mon-Fri) | Mass Times: (07) 5595 8466 Email: surfers@bne.catholic.net.au | Website: www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au Emergencies: Priest contactable via office phone (after hours follow the menu prompts) 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, Queensland, 4226 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 | Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B |
Readings for Sunday, October 31, 2021 - Thirty-first Sunday. Year B FIRST READING: Deut 6: 2-6 Ps: Ps 18: 2-3a, 3b-4, 47+51 "I love you, Lord, my strength. " SECOND READING: Heb 7: 23-28 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 14: 23): Alleluia, alleluia! All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them and we will come to them. GOSPEL: Mark 12: 28b-34 |
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…. And Love your neighbour as yourself.'"
(Mark 12: 30-31)
(Shutterstock licensed image ID: 113670259- Green Card background -By winui)
PASTOR'S POST: A Father to His Children
It is a very consoling privilege to be able to refer to the Pope as "The Holy Father". Perhaps we think little of what we are saying when we refer to him in this way, but it is worth noting that this is the familiar term by which the world knows the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ on Earth. Instead of titles that speak of great power and authority, like President or Premier, our tradition links us to our spiritual leader in a much more personal and intimate relationship, that of a parent to a child
It is vitally important that we understand and remind ourselves that one of the primary roles of the Pope is to do as any loving father would do: to care for, protect, and bring to maturity those entrusted to his care. Yet like any father, this caring and educating is not done in isolation. A parent's task begins first by looking and observing what are the child's needs, what are areas where the child needs the greatest assistance, what can they do for themselves.
Perhaps the most difficult task of any parent is to stand back and sometimes watch the child struggling to stand by themselves, learning to manage their own troubles and difficulties, discovering that sometimes the answers are found within and should be allowed to surface when the time is right. The father who is able to trust their child to live out what they have been taught will know deep satisfaction.
At the same time as the child is learning, so is the parent. Recognising that each day provides new ways of both teaching and learning. Most parents will also admit that sometimes it is necessary to understand that each child is unique and therefore might need to be cared for in a more particular way.
To assist him in his role as the father of the Catholic world, Pope Francis has done a very risky thing. He has announced a worldwide 'synod", essentially a gathering of thoughts and opinions on the life and future of the Church, from any or all of those who are prepared to own the name "Catholic", not unlike the opinion gathering that took place here in Australia over the past three years in preparation for the Plenary Council. It's risky because he is opening himself to possibly hearing things that are deeply challenging and confronting not just the Pope, but all those charged with leadership in the Church. There will be much criticism from people who believe that nothing will change, which will probably be guaranteed if the laity of the church do nothing, as well as those who think we have gone too far already. We can be rebellious children, after all, thinking that father does not know best. Yet the Holy Father believes that when he listens to the people of God, he will be listening to the Holy Spirit speaking through them
I don't know how anyone really learns how to become a father, a parent or a Pope. Of course, for the first two vocations, there are plenty of self-help books to assist, but they can only take you so far. It is in the doing that the best learning takes place. Firstly, they must trust in the fact that God has chosen them for the important role. They must also come to accept that they are not alone in the task although it must at times be a lonely vocation. An understanding that the relationship is primarily one of love and nurture and that mistakes can be made and must be forgiven.
Above all, it should be remembered that this commission is one that has been founded in holiness and must be lived out in holiness. God chosen, God centred and God-directed, as a father who cares for his children.
Fr Peter Dillon. PP
We congratulate the Heinrich, Atatoa, Van De Weyer, Masci Marshall and Wacker families, whose children Lily Kate, Meisha Faye, Archie William, Catalina, Bonnie Ann and Ivy Ellen will be baptised in our Parish this weekend. Please keep the Baptism families in your prayers as they begin their faith journey. |
FANS IN THE CHURCH DURING HOT WEATHER ARE TO BE LEFT ON
Please Don't Ask The Coordinator To Turn Them Off. 
They Are Following Church Health and Safety Regulations. It may be necessary to relocate to another seat that may better suit your needs or bring something warm to put on.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sacred Heart Coffee Culture Cafe
Father Peter Dillon parish priest of Surfers Paradise with Nicky Giulianos owner of the Sacred Heart Coffee Culture Cafe after morning Mass on Friday, 29 October 2021.
Nicky offers an outstanding service to our Surfers Paradise Catholic Church proving coffee and tea for all the St Vincent's Primary School mothers and fathers after morning children drop off and also for attendee's after Mass, christenings, weddings and funerals. Please support our Sacred Heart Coffee Culture Cafe and enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or coffee and tea.
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY – Thank You!
World Mission Sunday, our annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration for the Missions and missionaries of the world, was held in this parish last weekend. Thank you to Jane Doogan who was a special speaker on the Mission Appeal at several of the parish masses. This collection is a wonderful support for the entire worldwide Church, to provide for the building up of more than one thousand local churches in Asia and Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe. Through the work of these churches, and their witness to Christ, the poor receive practical help and experience God's love and mercy, His hope and peace.
This year's theme for World Mission Sunday has been "We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). Every parish in the world can participate, united in this special Eucharistic celebration. Every parishioner is a missionary, sharing our love for Christ's Gospel with one another, supporting the Church most in need.
Envelopes marked "for the Mission Appeal" can be left on the collection plates at Mass.
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
ALL SAINT'S DAY SOLEMNITY - Monday 1st November 2021 - 9 am Sacred Heart Church This feast began in the East to commemorate all martyrs and was progressively adopted in the West. Celebrated on this day in the eighth century and soon widely observed. Honoured today are all holy men and women in glory with Christ: known or unknown, mighty or lowly, all whose lives were modelled on the Beatitudes and on the great commandment of love. ALL SOUL'S DAY SOLEMNITY - Tuesday 2nd November 2021 - 9 am Sacred Heart Church Praying for the souls of the dead is a tradition that goes back to Old Testament times, including the book of Maccabees. It is a grand and ancient tradition and a beautiful aspect of our faith. The Catholic Church teaches us what we find also throughout the Scriptures - God, (who lovingly formed each and every person), sees into our heart and knows what is to be found at the very core of our being. Today's commemoration goes to the heart of the nature of prayer..... Prayer is, in essence, a deep and loving conversation between us and God. Just as in ordinary conversations, we can speak to our friends and ask them to spare a thought for and to help another friend or relative of ours, so too we can continue to offer to speak confidently and lovingly in prayer to God for our fellow travellers, who have gone before us. Jesus himself tells us. "I am the God of the living, not of the dead, for to God, all are alive." |
Sacred Heart 350 max capacity | Saturday Night - 5 pm *Note First Saturday of the month morning Mass 9 am (Next: 6th November) Sunday - 9 am & 6 pm Weekday Masses - Monday - Friday weekday Mass - 9 am |
St Vincent's 150 max capacity | Sunday - 8 am & 10 am Extra parking is available only metres from St Vincent's Church, King's Car Park, entry via Beach Road |
Stella Maris 150 max capacity | Saturday Night - 5 pm Sunday - 7 am |
Please note: Numbers allowed in each Church are based on social distancing restrictions, and the Archbishop has continued to exempt everyone from the obligation to attend Sunday mass during restrictions. Please remember that as per restrictions we are still expected to check in for mass, maintain a social distance of 1 person per 2 square metres, and to 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. |
Please note that people entering the church are required to scan the Check-In Qld app, which will register you as attending that mass time. Please show our volunteers at the door your  before entering the church. Ask for assistance if you require help getting the App on your phone. If you are not able to get the App (your phone is too old /not compatible /you don't have a mobile), only then are you required to write down your name and contact number. Please remember that if you are experiencing any symptoms, get a COVID test and quarantine at home until you receive a negative result. Thank you for keeping our parish communities safe. |
Hispanic (Latino American) Mass: Fr. Syrilus Madin 5 pm Mass 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month - St Vincent's Catholic Church, Surfers Paradise. Gold Coast Contact: Juan Arrieta 0406 705 349 Polish Mass: Fr Grzegorz Gaweł SChr (Bowen Hills 3252 2200) 12.30 pm Mass Sunday Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. Gold Coast Contact: George Syrek 0411 302 802 Italian Mass: Fr Angelo Cagna 0423648736 4 pm Mass Sunday Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. Gold Coast Contact: Connie Canale 5575 8882 Maronite Mass: Fr Fadi Salame 0421 790 996 6.30 pm Saturday Vigil, Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. |
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION "And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is worth more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:33) Of all the gifts that God gives us, the one He wants the most is our heart. He wants us to share out of our love for Him, not out of obligation. Using our talent in parish ministry and contributing money to support our parish mission is important, but it's more important to spend time in prayer with God daily and discern how He is calling us to be generous with all of our gifts. Not just the visible ones, but the invisible ones like love, mercy and forgiveness. |
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 PRAYERS WILL BE APPRECIATED for the four people who have commenced their journey in faith to become Full Members of the Catholic Church possibly at Easter 2022. As you are aware we make this journey together as the community of the Surfers Paradise Catholic Church relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us on our way. More to come on who they are in the next weeks and months. We will have our Rite of Acceptance into the RCIA Process and Presentation of Bibles to our enquirers at Stella Maris Church 5pm Saturday 6 November. Please make our candidates welcome. If there is anyone you know of who would desire to join us on this journey please do not hesitate to let us know - all are welcome to commence a journey. If anyone needed a sign that the Holy Spirit continues to be with his Church in these difficult times, it is in the people who continue to search out ways to have God more deeply interacting in their lives. Thank you for your continued faithfulness to this ministry.  |
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Herbert Dawson, Kent Vince, Carmelita Dulu, Judy Alexander, Mathew Duran, Sr Mary Teresa (NZ- sister of Caroline Moulden), John Davis, Peter Cotton, Bobby Courtney, Lisa Mangan, Doreen Slater, Christina Hendriksen, Diane Land, Robyn Skein, Sharyn Lucas, Kye Oh, Irene Carney, Michael James, Bill Gilmore, Olga Hamshari, Roy Ferraro, Margaret Haerse, Rosalind Lee, Milka Barac, Mary Ashton, Bill Goodrem, Rodney & Norma McLennan, Lois & Doug Wood, Duncan Dawson, William Franklin, Maria Mihalic, Annie Scicluna, Anne Logan, Dymphna Hogg, Margaret & Louise Thompson, Patricia Moor, Helen Bohringer, Peter O'Brien, Angela Duvnjak, Rachel Raines, Savannah Ayoub, Gus Reeves, Baby Maeve Lombard, Kathy Kiely, Rosslyn Wallis, Arthur Haddad, Jean Di Benedetto, Michael & Denise Tracey, Joanne Mooney, Joanne Parkes, Michelle MacDonald, John & Molly Robinson, Mary Kerr. And all suffering from Covid-19 and its effects.
FOR ALL THE HOLY SOULS - IN THIS MONTH OF NOVEMBER
RECENTLY DECEASED: Kurt Hillesheim, Sam Maxwell, Anne Ryan, Glennis Ann Lamb, Philomena Molloy, John Newell, Bridget Colman, Cathay Egan, John Bullied, Odette Hull, Andrew Kennedy, Mona Cooke, Keiran John Ryan, Marta Goran, Betty Leighton (Sydney), Antonio Cruz, Clara Yepes, Alberta Antonio, Mark Patrick, Donna Farkas, Yvonne McMahon, Robyn Colhoun, Thomas Ward, Brian Cole.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Rose Carroll, Andrew French, Margaret Murphy, Bessie Rice, Denis Graham, Kevin James Hilliard, Dr Raymond Arthur Miles, Myrene Rose Bartlett, Mary Margaret Holden, Mello Scharenguivel, Helen Wood, Varkey Padayallil, Shane Desira, Elisa Guzzo, Eamonn Damien Sherrard, Shirley Marie Day, Members of the De Leon, Pepingco and Villarosa families, Mavis Beryl Boland, Marianne Lila Kyle-Little (Peter Carey's Cousin), June Butler, Joannes Maas, Patrick Roche, Moira Winnifred McLellan, Anna Restaino, Adleen Elgin Radecki, Zelimir Bresic, Ronald George Blacker, Graham Irwin, Gertrud Marschner, Paul Mott.
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH - First in line for Marian devotion |
As the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Luke the Evangelist penned over a quarter of the New Testament—more than anyone else. The Virgin Mary has a special place in his gospel—It is only here that we find the story of the Annunciation, her visit to Elizabeth, the Presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, and the finding of the child Jesus preaching in the temple. In art, Luke has sometimes been depicted painting images of Mary (and he is the patron saint of painters). Revisit the richness of what we know about Mary thanks to Luke by giving his gospel another full read and a good read.
SIGN UP FOR "TAKE FIVE" DAILY - www.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe
PARISH FINANCIAL SUPPORT Your support is needed to help our Parish continue valuable pastoral activities and to provide ongoing sustainability. To assist you to support the Parish, you can give via here. 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 pay-wave or tap-and-go machines on the timber stands in our Churches are also a safe and handy way to donate to the Parish. God bless you for your support. If you would like confirmation of your donation or a receipt emailed to you please contact me at man.surfers@bne.catholic.net.au. To join planned giving, please contact the Parish Office: (07) 5572 5433 (9 am–12 pm Mon-Fri). |
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Sacrament of CONFIRMATION 2022We are hoping to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in Term 3 of the 2022 school year. We will include dates for Parent meetings and the celebration of the sacrament once we have dates approved by the Archbishop's Office. For your child to be included in next year's preparation for the Confirmation group, please go to the parish website www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au and complete an online enrolment application. Please use the drop-down menu under Sacraments and click on Confirmation (under Sacraments). Then scroll down to and click on CHILDREN'S SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM (in the blue box). Once you click on SUBMIT, you will receive an automated response so that you know that your completed application has been received. Next year, you will receive a personal email a couple of months prior to the next preparation group starting. Keep checking the weekly newsletter for updates. |
BAPTISM in Surfers Paradise
Baptism is the first of three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Surfers Paradise Parish follows the policies of the Archdiocese of Brisbane as it welcomes each person into the family of the Church through the waters of Baptism.
Infants and children are baptised at the request of parents. Within the Baptism ritual, parents promise to accept the responsibility of training their children in the practice of the faith and to raise their children to understand and live God's commandments. Parents can request baptism for their child by filling out an enrolment form, available on our parish website www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au Once the online baptism form has been received, the Parish Office will provide details for preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism and confirm the online booking.
Children's Sacramental Dates for Surfers Paradise Parish 2022
Sacrament of PENANCE - Reconciliation 2022
In the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Reconciliation follows the Sacraments of Initiation. That is, Reconciliation, also known as Penance, follows Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. The Surfers Paradise Sacramental Team is preparing a program similar in style to the Confirmation and First Communion At Home Preparation Programs. If your child was previously enrolled in the Surfers Paradise Parish Sacramental Program and then was either confirmed or made their first communion in Surfers Paradise, there is no requirement for you to complete a new online enrolment form. Early in 2022, the Sacramental Team will email the families of children who have previously enrolled in our Sacramental Program. There will be one compulsory meeting for Preparation for Reconciliation. It will be held on either February 21, 2022, or February 22, 2022 (Parents can choose to attend one of these meetings but do not need to attend both.) The First Rite of Reconciliation will be celebrated on March 31, 2022. If you are unsure, please email our Sacramental Coordinator, Cathy Anderson at andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au
Sacrament of EUCHARIST - First Communion 2022
Children who have been baptised and confirmed and are in Year 4 or greater in 2022 are invited to prepare to receive their First Communion. If parents have previously completed an online application for enrolment in the Surfers Paradise Sacramental Program, they do not need to complete a new online form to continue.
The Parent Meeting for First Communion Preparation will be held on April 26 or April 27, 2022
(Parents can choose to attend one of these meetings but do not need to attend both.) First Communion will be celebrated on June 12 at 11:00 am and June 19 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Church (Children will be included in one of these celebrations, not both.) The Sacramental Team will email a reminder late in Term 1.
The Parish Library 2021 - Are you called to help in the library? |
We are in need of volunteers to man the library before and after mass during the weekends. If you are called to help in the library, we shall appreciate it if you can contact Esta Mostert by texting / WhatsApp her on
+61 410542427 or email her: esta@mostertfamily.com
Please text your name, WhatsApp or phone number and/or your email address to her as well as the times that you will be available. Alternatively, write your name on the Library Volunteer list at the back of the church. Ezekiel 2:9 Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Books
EXPLORING OUR FAITH - PRONUNCIATION IN AUSTRALIA AND UK
The word "blessed" is used a lot in our scriptures and in our prayers and church texts. Sometimes it causes confusion for pronunciation. Different countries have different practises in relation to this. In the UK and in Australia, the following is the major standard:
Pronouncing the Word Blessed: We sometimes receive inquiries from readers regarding the proper way to pronounce blessed. The word blessed can be pronounced in two different ways according to its part of speech in the sentence.
Rule 1. When blessed is used as a verb, it is pronounced with one syllable [blest].
Example: Before we ate, our uncle Tony blessed [blest] the meal.
Rule 2. When the word blessed is used as part of an adverb [blessedly] or a noun [blessedness], it is pronounced with two syllables [bles-id].
Examples:
She hugged him blessedly [bles-id-lee, adverb] upon learning he had quit his bad habit.
The Eucharist is revered for its blessedness [bles-id-nes, noun] within the Christian faith.
Blessed [bles-id] are the poor. The priest blessed [blest] the people at the end of Mass.
Blessed [bless-id] art thou among women and blessed [bless-id] is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT: REFLECTION & BIBLE STUDY
NEXT SESSION - SUNDAY MORNING 31st October 2021
10 AM TO 11:30 AM IN THE PARISH HOSPITALITY CENTRE OR ON ZOOM
If you want to connect from your home, we can assist you in joining (ring 0409 486 326)
If you are already familiar with Zoom, access to the ZOOM Meeting is ID 743 836 7833
This series is continuing to delight those of us who have taken the opportunity to partake in the weekly episodes - we are already up to Week 10. We have just finished three weeks on Crusaders & Scholars - and it has been very interesting.
THE GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND - Love God and love Neighbour as oneself! |
In the Bible, and particularly by the time of Our Lord's ministry on earth, there were literally hundreds and hundreds of rules, practices, regulations and observances for a faithful Jewish Person to try to keep. If one wanted to be considered "at rights with God" then they were expected by the experts of their day, to observe each of the many rules, laws, and practices set down. Not only were there the Ten Commandments, but also there were many extra detailed rules and regulations to keep. This included requirements relating to ritual cleanliness.
So, we are all extremely fortunate that Our Lord summed up all of God's Law and the message of the Prophets in two simple commandments, which are really different sides of the one coin: Love God and love neighbour.
This also means, we actually SHOW our love for God by HOW we show love and concern, care, mercy and compassion for our neighbour {and the way we would like to be treated ourselves if we found ourselves in the same situations as our neighbour).
The other thing the great commandment says is "LISTEN ISRAEL" which means, listen to God, be open to God's word and teaching. Listen for God's constant direction of our hearts and lives, through the living word. There is ONE God and all else comes second to God.
We are to love this one God with ALL, our mind, heart, soul and strength … AND apply this love to all others.
We celebrate our love for God and complete reverence for God's name in many ways. One of them is how we reverence the name of Our Lord.
Fostering reverence for God's name also prepares us (in many different and practical ways) to show reverence and respect to those around us, as a tribute and acknowledgement to God who created and loves all things.. who even died and rose again to ransom them all.
One of the greatest tragedies, (according to Irish writer Flor McCarthy), is the way people have separated the two great commandments of Jesus. Jesus answers a question about what is the One greatest commandment by seemingly giving two answers. This shows that for him, both of these commandments are actually "two sides of the same coin, - inseparable." To separate the Love of God from the love of our neighbour is contrary to the very essence and meaning of the Gospel. It would be a contradiction in terms… {{So, we are all extremely fortunate that Our Lord summed up all of God's Law and the message of the Prophets in two simple commandments, which are really different sides of the one coin: Love God and love neighbour.}}
Neither of the following two situations is really acceptable or authentic:
To worry only about our own undertakings without reference to the God; from whom all things come……
But also:
To focus purely on God in a way that does not take seriously the needs and the misfortunes of people around us is also a grave mistake.
As someone once said….. 'what has gone wrong in the world…. There are people who claim to have faith, but who do not show love….. and there are also people who have love, but no faith…."……//. The spiritual and the physical….//. The emotional and the practical……. The principle and practice…. Must always stay united……… or we will spin into irrelevancy…..
Jesus did this so perfectly in his life…… he had such a clarity of vision… He knew what his vocation was. He knew what his message was, and even more wonderfully…… he could apply that practically (not only to big and astounding events) but also (just as importantly) to seemingly the most ordinary, even minor, daily events and encounters……..
No one who truly believes and practices the principle that "God is to be served in how we treat those around us, particularly those most in need and on the margins," could ever turn around and then behave with contempt or lack of reverence for the people they meet.
The complete gospel is this…… love of God, and love of neighbour as our self…… and the common denominator to both parts is "love." The meaning and heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ… is LOVE….. To be people of love…. People Who act lovingly… to everyone…(even those who do not wish us well, or who do us wrong). .. and we act in and through love because we are relating to God whose very nature is love itself……
Our Sunday worship is a deeply mysterious and sacramental expression of our weekday lives…… and our weekday lives must be an application of what we proclaim and express on Sunday….
However, this is not meant to create in us a sense of perfectionism…… we all can fall short of our basic belief in our own ability to walk the path of holiness…. And we might, at times, fail to recognise the holiness of those with whom we meet and work and live …… We can all fall into the trap of not practically applying the principles we do truly believe in and strive to live…. But again, that is what is so beautiful about Jesus command today….. Love……. It is not about driving ourselves with mechanical intensity, to treat others like we would treat God, or else we've failed……. It is about loving ourselves and being gentle on ourselves, and allowing that love and gentleness to flow out to all around us….. allowing God to instil that loving attitude in us, with our cooperation……. If we fall short, it is love, and not harshness that is there to put us on our feet again……… because the goal is not about grabbing the crown of victory, it is about growing into the most loving person we can be; and being completely united to God, who is the true source of all love.
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.
(Source: Fr Paul Kelly McCarthy, Flor. 1984. Sunday & Holyday Liturgies Cycle B. Dublin: Dominican)
(Image Credit: Shutterstock ID: 2038984640 - crucifix hanging on a wall with words the greatest of these is love - By Kara Gebhardt )
MESSAGE FROM PARISHIONER SILVANA TO THE CHOIR
Silvana is heading back to Italy and was recently given a heartfelt farewell from the Choir. We too wish Silvana and her husband Luciano, many blessings and safe travel.
Silvana writes:
"Thank you all again for your affection and the lovely flowers 💐 
I will treasure all these beautiful emotions in my heart ❤️ and keep you in all in my prayers 🙏
Thank you Diane for your nice words they are written in my heart ❤️
I will be in touch by sending you photos or updates of my return. In the meantime, here is something to remember today's gathering. May God bless you ... and keep you all well and safe
Ciao, 😘😘❤️❤️🙏🙏🤗🤗👋👋"
Silvana
POPE FRANCIS: Pope Francis' recent 'tweets' -
"Keep in mind on his feast day what Saint JohnPaul II said to us: 'Be vigilant so that nothing might separate us from the love of Christ: neither false slogans, nor erroneous ideologies, nor caving into the temptation to fall into compromises with what is not of God'". Oct 21
"Christian prayer instils an invincible hope in the human heart: whatever experience may touch us on our journey, God's love can turn it into good.' Oct 20
"True freedom - freedom in Christ - does not seek personal interests, but is guided by love and is expressed in service to others, especially to the poor. Love makes us free, it leads us to choose and to do good, it motivates us to serve." GeneralAudience - Pope Francis. Oct 19.
"Come, Holy Spirit of love, open our hearts to listen. Come, Spirit of holiness, renew the holy faithful People of God. Come, creator Spirit, renew the face of the earth!" http://prayforthesynod.va. Oct 19
"Prayer is like the oxygen of life. Prayer draws down upon us the presence of the Holy Spirit who always leads us forward."
(source: https://twitter.com/Pontifex) - (Image -Shutterstock licensed image ID: 1350611300 - Closeup of wooden Italian cross Catholic rosary with bokeh blurry background of Vatican church St Peter's Square Basilica during a mass audience on a sunny summer day. By Kristi Blokhin )
INSPIRING QUOTES:
Wisdom from (or about) Servant of God, Eileen O'Connor (1892-1921), Australian Catholic, and co-founder of Our Lady's Nurses for the Poor. -
"God is very wonderful, very grand, very powerful, very loving. His works are wonderful. His love is love. To give, to do, to save, to ease pain, sorrow, suffering; but, above all and before all, to love with great love."
"Instinctively you felt that she was chosen for great things, and the more she tried to hide it, the more eloquent it became." from ' A Life of Little Mother'
"I felt that her outstanding conformity and love for the Holy Will of God were beyond describing. All who met and spoke with Eileen felt that she lived in constant union with Jesus and Mary and that they were helping her in all undertook, worked and prayed for. God and His Holy Will, we gladly repeat, meant everything to her." Srs Madrid & Carey OLNP.
The wisdom of Blessed Carlo Acutis, (1991-2006):-
"The Eucharist is my highway to heaven."
"To always be close to Jesus, that's my life plan. I'm happy to die because I've lived my life without wasting even a minute of it doing things that wouldn't have pleased God."
St Martin de Porres (1579-1639):
"One day an aged beggar, covered with ulcers and almost naked, stretched out his hand, and Saint Martin, seeing the Divine Mendicant in him, took him to his own bed, paying no heed to the fact that he was not perfectly neat and clean. One of his brethren, considering he had gone too far in his charity, reproved him. Saint Martin replied: 'Compassion, my dear Brother, is preferable to cleanliness. Reflect that with a little soap I can easily clean my bed covers, but even with a torrent of tears I would never wash from my soul the stain that my harshness toward the unfortunate would create.' " (Saint Martin de Porres, Religious; from Vie du Bienheureux Martin de Porrès, by Fr. Arthur M. Granger, O.P. , Dominican Press: St. Hyacinthe, 1941).
"Everything, even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden and waiting on the sick could be a prayer if it were offered to God." St Martin de Porres, from Mary Fabyan Windeatt, "St. Martin De Porres: The Story of the Little Doctor of Lima, Peru".
St Charles Borromeo (1538 – 1584):-
"Be sure that you first preach by the way you live."
If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God as much as possible and have no other view or end in all our actions but the divine honour. We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet says: "I will pray, and then I will understand." This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work. In meditation, we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in others. If a tiny spark of God's love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so that it will not lose its heat and grow cold. In other words, avoid distractions as well as you can. Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.
NOTICES AND MESSAGES
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this First Friday, 5th November at Sacred Heart Church from 7pm to 8.30pm. All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678.
SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT'S RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS 'GOD'S WORD DAILY REFLECTIONS for 2022 published by St Paul's Communications. $20 These daily reflections on the Word of God proclaimed each day at Mass fulfil the hope and desire of Pope Francis, who said it is not to be a once in a year event, but a year-long event. Books available now at the Shops or the Parish Office.
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB Meets at the Sacred Heart - Parish Hospitality Centre, Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters. Playing Bridge keeps your brain active and increases your social network! So why not give us a try? Learn to play Bridge at "Our Friendly Club" - Free Lesson. "Introduction to Bridge" 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
ART AND CRAFT GROUP The Group meets in the Parish Hospitality Centre on Wednesdays, from 9 to 12. Activities include art, (watercolour, oils, acrylics, pen and ink drawing etc), as well as various kinds of Craft work (Knitting, Embroidery, Crocheting, Card making, Sewing etc.), making Rosary Beads (later sent to the missions), and any other activities that individuals may have an interest in. We come together to enjoy each other's company in a relaxed environment. New members, both men and women, are most welcome to join. For further information, phone John 0412 759205, or the Parish Office.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA - Marian ValleyPlease come and join us at the Marian Valley for the feast of Our Lady Of Fatima on 13.11.2021. The bus will be picking people up at 8.15 am sharp at the Sacred Heart Church. Clear Island Waters. The Cost for the bus is $22.00 return and please BYO lunch. You can secure your seat with the contact name and contact phone number with Xavier Solomon 0404 843 260, Madeleine on 0405 252 367 or 5529 1573, Zenaida on 0447 004 344 or 5526 6895. All are welcome.
WOMEN'S RETREAT WEEKENDS: 12-14TH DECEMBER 2021 OR 14-16TH JANUARY 2022Theme: The Tree of Life: (Reflections on St Bonaventure's Lignum Vitae) A Quiet Weekend with the opportunity to explore the God who comes close and do as St Bonaventure did: fall in love with God over and over again. Come and experience a time of guided prayerful reflection. Place: Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Wellington Street, Ormiston. Cost: $370 ($340 for pensioners, f/t students and unemployed) includes all accommodation, meals (an additional fee for special diets), resources, spiritual direction and facilitation. To register or enquire contact: grace@dragonflyministries.net.au or 0409 524 283
 E-BOOK BY BRIAN BONIWELL"Opening to God: Christian Meditation and Contemplative Prayer." One of our parishioners, and well-known composer, Brian Boniwell has just had a new book published by Willow Communications. Willow Publishing has just released an eBook for Brian entitled "Opening to God: Christian Meditation and Contemplative Prayer." It is available for download from the Willow website.
EXERCISE CLASS - LOW IMPACT FOR HEART HEALTH Spring has sprung! Join Rochelle for a fun functional exercise class at Casey Hall. Low impact cardiovascular exercises for heart health, improve strength and balance- an all-around fitness class for over 65's. Stretch and strengthen the whole body, make new friends and feel great. Tuesday mornings @9.30 Beginners welcome. Contact Rochelle for further information on 0438 333 308.
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 10:45 am. 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 10.30 am to prepare adequately for class). For more information, call Ruth on 0421338110.
STARTING NEXT YEAR - NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL WITHIN OUR PARISHStar of the Sea - MerrimacStarts 2022 Initially Prep to Year 3, and then extend Website: Star Of The Sea Merrimac Facebook Page: Star of the Sea |
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGSReadings for Sunday, November 7, 2021 - Thirty-Second Sunday Ordinary Time. Year B FIRST READING: 1 Kgs 17: 10-16 Ps: Ps 146: 6c-7, 8-9a, 9b-10 "Praise the Lord, my soul! " SECOND READING: Heb 9: 24-28 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 5: 3): Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the poor in Spirit; The Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. GOSPEL: Mark 12: 38-44 or 12: 41-44 |
Commitment To Child And Vulnerable Adult Safety
"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. For more information and resources on Safeguarding our community, please see: https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/safeguarding/
Acknowledgement of Country - This is Kombumerri Country - The Traditional Custodians of this region.
We respectfully acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First People of this country. We pay our respects to the Kombumerri people, who are the traditional custodians of the land, waterways and seas upon which we live, work and socialise throughout this Catholic Parish of Surfers Paradise. We acknowledge Elders, past and present and emerging, as they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of our Indigenous people. We pay tribute to those who have contributed in many ways to the life of the community. We affirm our commitment to justice, healing, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
