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"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Mark 13:31)
(Image: Shutterstock licensed image ID: 2050439399 -Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away bible verse with colourful background- By Naitham))
PASTOR'S POST: Knock and the Door Will Be Open.
If you already know what a refugee is and what should happen to them, read no further. I'm rather ashamed to have to admit it publicly, but until recently I really didn't know what a "refugee" really was. I had some general notion about people moving from one country to another seeking better opportunities and a more comfortable lifestyle, for themselves and their families. I didn't delve into it too much since it didn't seem to involve Australia and what could I do about it anyway. I suppose I thought of it as 'migration under pressure'.
While I may be typical of many Australians in this regard, recently I have had my ignorance significantly challenged, so much so that I feel compelled to use this newsletter to share some of my new awareness with you, my fellow parishioners, in the hope that we fortunate Australians might at least be aware that lack of knowledge is no excuse for lack of responsibility.
I cannot 'unsee' the news report of the Afghanis clinging to the planes as they tried to leave Kabul airport following the overtaking of the government by the Taliban. It just seems so confronting to those of us who, when we are troubled by what we feel is a threat to our freedom by our legislators, might write a strongly-worded letter or hold up a placard in protest. But what must life be like for a person to place themselves in a clearly dangerous situation, taking none of their possessions with them, in the hope that some country somewhere will give them a place to live.
A refugee is a person who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group. Or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country…"
–The 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees.
Being a refugee is nothing about free choice or a range of options. It is not about being able to pay one's way into another country or bringing rich gifts to a country willing to open its doors. It is about poverty in its truest form. It is about opening the door to someone who may have nothing to offer in return other than their desire to have some share in future chances of being happy and safe.
"Many problems darken the horizon of our time. We need but think of the urgent need to work for peace, to base relationships between peoples on solid premises of justice and solidarity, and to defend human life from conception to its natural end. And what should we say of the thousand inconsistencies of a 'globalized' world where the weakest, the most powerless and the poorest appear to have so little hope! It is in this world that Christian hope must shine forth!" John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia,
As Australian Catholics, we are called to be leaders in living the Gospel. We are not called to be part of the 'soft options', but hard service, not watery faith but lived justice. Choosing not to know about our world and its poverty has become the great sin of the comfortable believer. Maybe we feel that we can't do much or anything to change the lives of refugees, but we cannot deny that we live in a world where injustice can happen on a national scale and that protecting the freedom we experience in this country does not require us to tightly close our doors to those who knock.
Fr Peter Dillon. PP
ST KEVINS PRIMARY SCHOOL INFORMATION:
St Kevin's Catholic Primary School at Benowa has a limited number of vacancies in certain year levels, so we encourage those families still considering their schooling options for 2022 to make contact with the school via phone -55394522 or to go to the website for further enrolment information www.sk.qld.edu.au
St Kevin's is one of our three-valued catholic primary schools within our parish bounds for 2022.
Fr Paul Kelly celebrated 24 years of Priesthood on 12th November 2021. As a Parish, we congratulate you, Fr Paul. We are so grateful and blessed for the God-given talents, spirituality and inspiration that you bring to each one of us. You are a well-loved pastor and we are certainly privileged to have you. Your jokes and quick quips keep us amused and bemused!
Those who work closely with you, Paul, enjoy your incredible ability to make things work. An all-round inventive mind, from creating forms on the website, setting up a booking system for masses to recording information more efficiently. Fr Paul's knowledge never stops amazing us.
We look forward to celebrating your 25th anniversary of ordination with you next year Paul.
May you and yours receive every blessing throughout this year and into the future.
Save the Date 12th November 2022
'Go Now You Are Sent Forth'
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.
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
"And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." (Mark 13:26)
We will all have that day when we are standing before God and our life is played out like a movie. When this happens and God asks each of us, "What have you done with the gifts that I have given you?" How will you respond? The good news – it's never too late to live a grateful and generous lifestyle.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous and accountable for what each has been given.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Bobby Caspersz, Kent Vince, Terry Collins, Colleen Grehan, Herbert Dawson, Carmelita Dulu, Judy Alexander, Sr Mary Teresa, John Davis, Peter Cotton, Bobby Courtney, Lisa Mangan, Doreen Slater, Christina Hendriksen, Robyn Skein, Sharyn Lucas, Kye Oh, 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.
RECENTLY DECEASED: Margaret MacLennon, Margaret Ross, Patricia Heenan, Janora Senders, Carl Tamer, Kurt Hillesheim, Sam Maxwell, Anne Ryan, Glennis Ann Lamb, Philomena Molloy, John Newell, Bridget Colman, Cathay Egan, John Bullied, Odette Hull, Lorraine Grace, Andrew Kennedy, Mona Cooke, Keiran John Ryan, Marta Goran, Betty Leighton (Sydney), Antonio Cruz, Clara Yepes, Alberta Antonio, Mark Patrick, Donna Farkas, Robyn Colhoun, Brian Cole.
FOR ALL THE HOLY SOULS - IN THIS MONTH OF NOVEMBER
ESPECIALLY THOSE COMMEMORATED IN THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Dulcie Ricks, Samir Moussa, Anthony Netting, John Bernard Landrigan, Dorothy Briffa, Alan Whitbread, Effie Clark, Elizabeth Pauli Rose, Bridget Weston, Grahame Roberts, Sandra Smart, Anne Weston, Kelly Marie Sutherland, Dora Crisante, Shirley O'Brien, Sidney James Slater, Jack Ulliana, Remedios Solatan, Alfred Desira, Elizabeth Anne Topalov, Maurice Cook, Arthur Bocking, Eve Barry.
Announcement from Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, re: A NEW AUXILIARY BISHOP OF BRISBANE
At this time of great change and challenge, it is a joy for the Church in Brisbane and Australia to welcome the appointment of Fr Tim Norton SVD as Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane.
In some ways it is a surprising appointment, but Fr Tim brings to the ministry of bishop many gifts and experiences required now more than ever as the whole Church seeks to become more missionary.
Born in Sydney in 1958, Tim entered the Divine Word Missionaries in 1984 and was ordained priest in 1991. He then served in Mexico for seven years before undertaking studies in spiritual direction to prepare for formation work in Melbourne preparing men to serve as Divine Word Missionaries.
He was then elected Provincial of the Australian Province, and in that role he had close contact with the Archdiocese of Brisbane where the SVD have been and still are an important presence.
Since completing his term as Provincial, Tim has been the Director of the Ad Gentes course of renewal based at the SVD house in Nemi near Rome.
All of this will equip Tim well for what awaits him in the episcopal ministry in this time and in this place. He will make a real contribution not only locally in Brisbane and Queensland but also nationally and internationally.
He comes to us as God's gift and we give thanks to the giver of all gifts. We also welcome Tim as a brother in faith and in mission.
Details of the ordination will follow, and in the meantime we pray for Tim, asking the Lord to breathe into him in a new and deeper way the Holy Spirit who enables us to hear God's Word and speak it to others.
The Most Reverend Mark Coleridge, THE ARCHBISHOP OF BRISBANE
{Bishop-elect Tim Norton SVD, will join with Bishop Ken Howell as one of the two auxiliaries to Archbishop Mark Coleridge for Brisbane Archdiocese}.
QUACK! QUACK! AT ST VINCENT'S CHURCH
When we drove up towards the Outreach for the BBQ on Sunday lunchtime at St Vincent's Church in Surfers Paradise, at least five people were in the middle of the Gold Coast Highway that runs through Surfers Paradise, amongst heavy traffic, looking down the drain in the road. When we pulled up, we heard that Mother Duck and her two tiny babies were crossing the road when one of the babies fell into the drain hole, Mother Duck turned back and gave a "quack," but then saw the baby was nowhere so moved on over the road to the safety of the park and the river beyond with her remaining baby. So, there was much consternation and shaking of heads while some tried to put their hands down into the drain to rescue the baby who was quacking endlessly, in the fashion that babies have the habit of doing. Eventually, they realised that nothing could be done so they all came back to start the BBQ.
Neil, one of our patrons, on the other hand, went across the other side of the road to the small park and finding a 'duck distress signal' on his mobile put the phone down the drain and you wouldn't believe it, but the baby came across under the road to where the signal was coming from. Neil just put his hand down the wider drain and picked up the baby duck! Truly!
By this time Mother Duck and her remaining baby were nowhere to be found despite all the 'Quack Quack' that Neil and I did while going up and down the riverbank looking for Mother Duck. We eventually had to give up but, on the way back two people pulled up in their car and Neil called to them "Have you seen Mother Duck?" To which, not surprisingly they answered "What?" To which Neil repeated "Have you seen Mother Duck?'' At this point, I explained to them what had happened and once again you will not believe this, but the woman said, "I have the phone number of a friend who is with Wildlife Rescue and can give you her number to call to come and pick up the baby duck". The call was made and twenty minutes later she arrived and took the little baby home to raise until able to be put back into the wild.
Neil to the rescue – thank you!
If you look carefully at the photo you will recognise some of our Parishioners who have continued to collaborate with Rosies in providing this BBQ opportunity. If you would also like to donate salad or fruit items for this coming weekend please give us a ring (0409 486 326) or just bring the items to the 9 am Mass at Sacred Heart or the 8 am Mass at St Vincent's on this Sunday Morning. All donations will be gratefully received!
Re the newly appointed Assistant Principal.
(Yolanta Hamilton - Assistant Principal - pictured)
A MESSAGE FROM MR DAVID SEWELL - PRINCIPAL of St Vincent's
On behalf of the Executive Director, the community of St Vincent's Catholic Primary School, Clear Island Waters is pleased to announce the appointment of Yolanta Hamilton to the position of Assistant Principal - Administration from the commencement of the 2022 school year.
Yolanta is currently the Acting Assistant Principal – Administration at St Vincent's and has previously held the positions of PLL, Acting APRE and Acting Principal at St Vincent's. Yolanta has also held the position of Acting Assistant Principal – Administration at Guardian Angels, Ashmore. Yolanta holds a Bachelor of Education – Early Childhood from QUT and a Master of Educational Leadership from ACU. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution of Rafal Balik in the role of APA at St Vincent's and wish him well in his future endeavours. The St Vincent's Community congratulates Yolanta on her appointment to this substantive position. Kind regards, David Sewell, Principal.
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
An Original Shalom-World Catholic Production
From brokenness, they worked to build bridges and walk together. In association with Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Shalom World brings a brand new season of 'Family' to your homes. 'Family: Discovering Coupleness' comes to your homes from November 14th at 9.30 PM ET/GMT/AEDT. Featuring a couple from our parish. YOU CAN ALSO WATCH US ON Shalom World's website: https://www.shalomworld.org/
CHILDREN'S SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
BAPTISM for Children 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.
Sacrament of PENANCE - Reconciliation 2022
In the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Reconciliation follows the Sacraments of Initiation. That is, Reconciliation, also known as Penance, follows the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and the receiving of a child's 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. Families of enrolled children will receive an emailed invitation to the Meeting for the Sacrament of Penance Preparation early in 2022. It will be held on either February 21, 2022, at 6 pm or February 22, 2022, at 6 pm (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 Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 6:30 pm.
If you have further questions, 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 at 6 pm or April 27 at 6 pm. (Parents can choose to attend one of these meetings but do not need to attend both. Only children who are represented by a parent at one of these meetings will be included in the First Communion Preparation Program.) The Preparation for First Communion Program will be similar in format to the At Home Preparation for Confirmation Program. There will also be a Final Meeting (including rehearsal) in the week prior to the Celebration of First Communion either Tuesday, April 6 at 6 pm or Wednesday, April 27 at 6 pm.
First Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, June 12 at 11:00 am and Sunday, 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 to parents late in Term 1.
Sacrament of CONFIRMATION 2022
Baptised children who are in Year 3 or greater are invited to be included in next year's Preparation for Confirmation group. Parents are asked to go to the parish website at 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.
In 2022, you will receive an invitation email several weeks prior to the Parent Meeting which is to be held either Monday, July 11 at 6 pm or Tuesday, July 12 at 6 pm in Sacred Heart Church. (Parents are asked to choose to attend one of these meetings but do not need to attend both. Only children who are represented by a parent at one of these meetings will be included in the Confirmation Preparation Program.) After the Parent Meeting, parents will be emailed copies of the At Home Preparation for Confirmation Program to be completed by the child and their parent/s, and then returned to the Sacramental Team. The Final Meeting which includes the rehearsal for Confirmation will be held on Monday, August 29 at 6 pm or Tuesday, August 30 at 6 pm (Children and parents are required to attend one of these meetings, not both.)
The Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place in Surfers Paradise Parish on Friday, September 2, 2022.
All families wishing to be involved in our parish sacramental programs should regularly check the weekly newsletter for information updates or they can email our Sacramental Coordinator, Cathy Anderson, at andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au The newsletters are archived on our parish website at www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au
THE GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
This weekend, Jesus warns his disciples that there are tough, stormy times ahead, not only for him but for all who follow him…
But in the midst of this, he offers hope… 'don't be fooled, the end has not come…..' Witness to the truth of my message;
I will be with you; - I will be faithful to you… even if following me causes hardship.
In some ways, all this talk (in the readings this weekend) of 'end times' and 'the last judgement' and 'the Day of the Lord' and the like, is really about saying 'all things come to an end, except the things that last forever - the things of abiding (eternal) value. Only that which lasts should be sought after….and the one thing that endures forever is Love; ---For God is love and all who live in love, abide in God, forever.
One of the most unexpected and in many ways unwelcome things that have come out of the Covid-crisis is that countless self-proclaimed experts in the Biblical Book of Revelation and other apocalyptic passages in the bible, like today's first reading and the gospel from John. It is as if thousands of people have awarded themselves doctorates in scripture, theology and ecclesiology, without reference to the authentic scholarship and interpretation from the church over thousands of years….
So, all of these experts have come out of the woodwork, and are happy to tell everyone who will listen (and those who would rather not, what the true meaning of those books of the bible are – and of course… as people have done so many times in the past, are telling everyone that these texts are predicting what is happening right now…., they will even lecture lifelong scripture experts and preachers about the meaning, although their information has been cobbled together from YouTube and fundamentalist, non-Catholic sources (which in other times has unapologetically been anti-Catholic and used those same texts differently, when it suited their argument- to accuse the catholic church of being the enemy predicted in these same texts… which we know is nonsense and grossly lacking in Christ's charity. We cannot say this strongly enough… don't listen to these prophets of doom and misinformation. Let's take our counsel from the two-thousand years of tradition and study and teaching of the catholic church and its teachers, saints and scholars. Really, don't be fooled…its even in Jesus words in the scriptures... "Do not be misled… the end has not come near…" "we do not know the hour of the day.."
There are so many things that we can be tempted to put our trust and energy into…. Things that we value, that are not necessarily of abiding value- which we can try and wrap up and spend so much time protecting and storing away….. but then when we go to check on it, it is gone…. It has slipped through our hands…..
In this weekend's gospel, Jesus is not merely warning about the impending end of the world…. (which two thousand years later has still not come…. despite countless predictions to the contrary……); but rather asking us, his disciples, to make sure our values and actions are directed to the coming of Christ's Kingdom into every aspect of our lives, here and now, and in the future (in its fullness). That's why I love this quote…
"I observe, then, that though Christians throughout the centuries may have been mistaken in what they took to be signs of Christ's imminent return in glory, (in the second coming), yet they were not wrong in their state of mind, and they were not mistaken in looking out for Christ and being ready to respond to Christ (in their daily lives)." [John Henry Newman (1801-1890)].
As one scripture scholar points out, (Gustavo Gutierrez), in the context of the whole chapter of this gospel passage… Jesus is speaking about the imminent destruction of the temple, which people had come to take as the "be-all and end-all" of religious experience and achievement. Jesus was saying, it is not the end, even when the temple lies destroyed! His Good news is NOT about turning his word into a safe, secure, exclusive and privileged object for people to get complacent about. His good news is about loving service. The Good News is about paying the price for the values that last. It is about standing with those who are suffering. It is about realising that this is going to come at an enormous cost, not just for Our Lord, but for all who follow his values and his path.
The most reassuring thing about this weekend's gospel is the line by Jesus …. "heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will NEVER pass away." Jesus' words, Jesus Gospel, Jesus values, Jesus Kingdom will never, ever pass away. They are of eternal value. Let us cling to his word, let us nurture his word and values in our daily lives…. Let us build our lives and priorities on his Kingdom values… because these cannot be taken and cannot be destroyed….. investing in other priorities and values is pure folly….
The Lord's word remains forever…. Including these words…
"What good is it if you gain the whole world, and lost your soul?"
And these words too…
Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you…
The greatest among you is the one who serves….
There is more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over 99 who did not need to repent…
…..Neither do I condemn you….
Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these other things will be given you…
The law was made for humanity and not humanity for the law…
What I desire is mercy and not sacrifice…
Is it against the law to do good or to do evil….
I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put in more than all of the treasury…..
Unbind him… set him free...
Anyone who is not against us is for us….
Whatsoever you do to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine… you do it to me….
In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
He who is forgiven little loves little.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? ……. And if you greet only your brothers and sister, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
These words and so many more of Christ's words which we are so privileged to have preserved in the living word of the Scriptures…. will NEVER pass away.
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.
(Image – licensed Shutterstock ID: 1576586653 - LUND, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 23, 2019: The roof of the high choir in the Cathedral of Lund is dominated by a six-foot-high absidic mosaic depicting the return of Jesus, shaped like a Christ Pantocrator. -Lund, Sweden --By crimson)
Prayer at any time. Especially at times of unexpected surprises to our plans.
Benedictine monk Father Godfrey Diekmann, O.S.B., a pillar of the liturgical movement of the last century, tells the story of picking watercress one day on his monastery's grounds and landing in a swamp. Try as he might, he couldn't extricate himself. He was eventually rescued by his fellow monks. He wrote of the incident: "What now bothers me is that during the entire ordeal of about 25 minutes I didn't have a single pious thought! What does that say of my more than 50 years of monastic life? Do I have to start all over again?" Forgetting to pray happens to the best of us. But it is never too late to start. A simple prayer of blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, or praise will suffice. Better yet, start with Veni, Sancte Spiritus!, "Come, Holy Spirit!" (Luke 13:22-30 (481). "The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought").
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NEXT SESSION - SUNDAY MORNING 14th November 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
EPIC A Journey Through Church History.
Join us for the summary of the final Episode of the section on Weak Leaders and Schism 1300 - 1499 AD
Heresy never sleeps in the Church and the main actors in this scene are Jan Hus and John Wyclif who preach a "new gospel" that rejects the sacraments, denies the rights of the Church, abolishes the power of the pope, and lauds Sacred Scripture as the ultimate and only authoritative source of God's divine revelation. We hear the true story around the Spanish Inquisition based on the official records kept at the time.
St Joan of Arc steps forward to defend France, taking charge of an army at the age of seventeen.
Constantinople finally falls to Islam and this is the finish of the Roman Empire. As Islam gains ground in the East it is finally defeated in the West.
Back in Rome, wealth has gutted the Chair of Peter; a long line of men known as the Renaissance popes usher in a new age of learning and splendour. They commissioned some of the greatest artists of all time, such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo Da Vinci, to create works of unparalleled beauty. But the price of this great art is a culture of decadence, and the Renaissance popes behave more as temporal princes than as holy priests. No one, however, can compare to Rodrigo Borgia, the infamous Pope Alexander VI, who shamelessly besmirches the papacy with a life of lust and greed. It is a black and selfish time, and men's hearts have grown cold. The breaking of Christendom is close at hand.
The episode we will commence this Sunday is
Protestors & Defenders 1500 - 1544 AD.
Martin Luther enters the stage of the divine drama with the revolt that culminates in the breaking of Christendom and the shattering of Christian unity, the effects of which are still felt today. Initially upset at erroneous preaching concerning indulgences, Luther soon articulates more radical ideas, such as the desire to eradicate the Mass, the entire sacramental and priestly system, and the papacy, which he calls the Antichrist. The Church initially responds with letters and meetings and sends Cardinal Cajetan to bring Luther back into the fold but Luther responds by insulting the writings of St Thomas Aquinas. Finally, Pope Leo X condemns Luther's teaching and orders him to submit to the obedience of the Church for the good of his soul and the rest is history…….
SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT- (c. 1200 – 15 November 1280) - (A Saint Who Loved Both Faith and Science).
The greater and more persistent your confidence in God, the more abundantly you will receive all that you ask.
It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man, and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If then, we possess charity, we possess God, for "God is Charity" (1John 4:8)
Natural science does not consist in ratifying what others have said, but in seeking the causes of phenomena.
I have never gone out to mingle with the world without losing something of myself.
Banish, therefore, from thy heart the distractions of earth and turn thine eyes to spiritual joys, that thou mayest learn at last to repose in the light of the contemplation of God.
Do there exist many worlds, or is there but a single world? This is one of the noblest and exalted questions in the study of Nature.
In this way, if you continue all the time in the way we have described from the beginning, it will become as easy and clear for you to remain in contemplation in your inward and recollected state, as to live in the natural state.
Now it must be asked if we can comprehend why comets signify the death of magnates and coming wars, for writers of philosophy say so. The reason is not apparent, since vapour no more rises in a land where a pauper lives than where a rich man resides, whether he be king or someone else. Furthermore, it is evident that a comet has a natural cause not dependent on anything else; so it seems that it has no relation to someone's death or to war. For if it be said that it does relate to war or someone's death, either it does so as a cause or effect or sign.
(Image: https://anastpaul.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/3-marriage-of-st-margaret.jpg )
ST MARGARET OF SCOTLAND (c. 1045 – 16 November 1093) -
"Cease your tendency to neglect the due observance of the Lord's day."
"I thank You, Almighty God, for sending me so great a sorrow to purify me from my sins."
"After receiving Holy Viaticum, she was repeating the prayer from the Missal, 'O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death didst give life to the world, deliver me.' At the words 'deliver me,' says her biographer, she took her departure to Christ, the Author of true liberty."
There are two ways to be charitable: the "clean way" and the "messy way." The "clean way" is to give money or clothing to organizations that serve the poor. The "messy way" is dirtying your own hands in personal service to the poor. Margaret's outstanding virtue was her love of the poor. Although very generous with material gifts, Margaret also visited the sick and nursed them with her own hands. She and her husband served orphans and the poor on their knees during Advent and Lent. Like Christ, she was charitable the "messy way." (article about St Margaret from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-margaret-of-scotland )
ST GERTRUDE the Great(January 6, 1256 – November 17, 1302)
"I understand that each time we contemplate with desire and devotion the Host in which is hidden Christ's Eucharistic Body, we increase our merits in heaven and secure special joys to be ours later in the beatific vision of God"
"Every time we look at the Blessed Sacrament our place in heaven is raised forever."
"Soften my hard 'self-opinionatedness', which time has hardened so exceedingly!"
It is a fearful mistake to believe that because our wishes are not accomplished they can do no harm.
Property -- the more common it becomes the more holy it becomes.
ST ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY – (7 July 1207 - 17 November 1231).
How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!
As in heaven, Your will is punctually performed, so may it be done on earth by all creatures, particularly in me and by me.
We are made loveless by our possessions.
"How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!"
POPE FRANCIS:
Correcting others' mistakes should be done with gentleness and patience.
At his General Audience, the Pope said that being a Christian means not giving up as soon as challenges arise, but rather, trusting in God's help.
He said this is put into practice especially when correcting other people. The key, he explained, is proximity.
"Many times this also means tolerating others' problems, others' defects, in silence and prayer, to then find the right way to help them correct themselves. And this is not easy. The easiest path is gossip, talking behind someone else's back as if I were perfect. And this should not be done. Gentleness, patience, prayer, proximity."
The Pope explained that this "proximity" is what St. Paul asked for when he said that every person should help bear others' burdens.
"How many burdens are present in the life of one person: sickness, unemployment, loneliness, pain... And how many other trials that require proximity and fraternal love."
Among the pilgrims was Sr. Gloria Cecilia Narvaez, the nun who was held hostage for four years and eight months by a Jihadist group in Mali.
(SOURCE – https://www.romereports.com/en/ & https://www.romereports.com/en/2021/11/03/pope-francis-says-correcting-others-mistakes-should-be-done-with-gentleness-and-patience/
JMB TR: CT ) IMAGE: https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html
FAITH AND WORSHIP -
Timely thought in November. Let Your Loved Ones know our wishes for Catholic Funeral Rites.
Quite a while ago, (more than ten years ago), I decided that around the time of November, Holy Souls, it would be a good time to share an annual thought on the centrality of a Christian funeral in the life and death of God's cherished sons and daughters.
I chose November, the month of the HOLY SOULS so that it would be a neutral time to share this thought – and to make it clear that this is something I raise around this time every year and the message is not directed at any particular cases but is a timely sharing of a universal principle. Some family members of regular Mass attending Catholics may be unaware of the close bonds their loved ones have with fellow parishioners, friends and neighbours, who would dearly appreciate the opportunity to attend their Christian funeral when the time comes.
Over the years, I have been surprised on more than a few occasions, and so have other parishioners, when a long-term member of a Catholic community, (who was a regular and devout Mass attendee, and often a weekly Sunday communicant or even a daily communicant), is buried or cremated without any ceremony or without a Catholic funeral rite because their immediate family were unaware of the centrality of a Catholic funeral for their loved one. It is vital that people let their families know of their desire for a Catholic funeral prayer service, and make this wish known clearly and broadly, (preferably in writing and kept with other important documents; readily accessible to those who will be responsible for carrying out the arrangements). I have heard of situations where a regular church-attending Catholic does not want to be any trouble to their children and so they do not insist on what we all know they would dearly have loved. If people attending are unfamiliar with the mass responses and are not regular participants in Eucharist, a funeral prayer service might be more appropriate rather than a Mass. It is permissible to have a Catholic Prayer service at a funeral chapel where circumstances best permit, although the church ought to be the first and best consideration unless other logistical factors prevent them. In short, I am asking everyone to prayerfully consider telling their loved ones quite emphatically that they desire a Catholic funeral service and leaving clear written instructions to that effect. It will save any confusion later.
Another great idea is for people to consider pre-planning many of the elements of their funeral – we have a resource on our parish website - https://fs19.formsite.com/paulkelly/form7/index.html and also pre-preparation paperwork with a funeral director of your choice can also be of enormous assistance to loved ones if the unexpected happens. At times of bereavement, people are having to plan funerals when they are naturally in the most distressed and stressed circumstances and any pre-thought to these matters will put at ease any worries from loved ones about whether they are fulfilling your wishes as to funeral arrangements.
God bless. Fr Paul.
(this is adapted from parts of an article I wrote in the parish newsletter in October 2017)
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
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