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"Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others." (Mark 12: 43)
(Shutterstock licensed image ID:1697639335- Lepton, Roman provincial currency of Judea. The Widow's coin from the Bible. Widow's mites. Jerusalem, Israel - By Maestrazgo )
PASTOR'S POST: If Only . . .
Ah...... November. The month of jacarandas, Melbourne Cup and that incredibly unique event known as the Year 12 Graduation Mass. Having participated in several of these sometimes demanding rituals over the years, I have to say that I have arrived at two clear observations. One is that more and more of the young adult participants in these liturgies seem so focussed on their future careers and less concerned with the unusual rite of passage called a "gap year". They want to get into the world and all its treasures. They don't want to miss out.
Secondly, the maturity and self- confidence of those same participants is something I can only admire. Where have all the shy and self-conscious teenagers of my youth gone? So many of these young people today seem comfortable with delivering public presentations and informed opinions, many with a maturity beyond their years. It is with a very pleasant surprise that I am often welcomed at school gatherings by self-possessed and articulate young men and women who seem not only informed about matters academic, but also appear to have been formed in areas of respect and courtesy.
Contrary to popular criticism about young people today, in general, the ones I have encountered in recent years have been respectful and hospitable, often taking the initiative to introduce themselves and enquire if they can assist in some way. I find myself wishing I had only half the confidence that they appear to have when I was their age. They happily talk about their plans for future study and later careers, often expressing gratitude for the opportunities offered by their school and colleges, and appearing to recognise the sacrifices made by their parents in providing such education.
Of course these days, most teenagers have part-time jobs or are involved in sporting or artistic pursuits that require them to interact with the public on a daily basis, and while the computer or mobile phone screen still takes their greatest attention, they are becoming exposed to a broad range of worldly interests. They now know there is so much to see and do, that their lives are operating 24/7. Gone are the days when the only opportunities for study and work were only available close to home. They are applying for entrance in interstate, and even international universities, showing little fear of venturing far from the nest.
Why then, I ask, with all this confidence and maturity, is it so rare to see any, but a few of these young people participating in an active way in the practice of their faith? While they may express strong values and opinions in the classroom, why are they so slow to connect up with the institution that can encourage and inform those values? With all the research telling us that young people are desperately searching and hungering for spiritual enrichment, why are the vast majority of our Sunday congregations filled with middle-aged and older Catholics? How is it with all their focus and resolve that young Catholics appear to have very little understanding of the liturgical and pastoral life of their church? I wonder in all their formation and preparation for an interesting and fulfilling future, have schools, parents and let me honestly admit, clergy, neglected to remind these young adults that their relationship with God and involvement in the life of God's people is the very thing that might guarantee them stability and direction in the years ahead. Is the only commitment they understand to their careers and the quest for success as the world sees it?
It has been said that most Sunday church gatherings are simply preaching to the already converted. That we are feeding those who already know what food they need for the journey. Is it time to shake the tree a little more and turn all our attention to speaking to the needs of the young? It has been suggested that it is time for the clergy to get out from behind the altar and go find these young souls. A rather difficult task for a fast-aging clergy.
Unfortunately, I get daily reminders that my ways are not their ways, that I don't talk their talk. If I don't know what they seek I can't really help them find it. If I don't listen to their concerns then I cannot adjust my focus. But what are those needs and where can I hear them? I fear a little, that the horse has bolted, in that the real work of faith education does not actually happen in the church, but in the home, and if a parent isn't interested then why would the child? The church can only reinforce what had already been taught. Is religion a dinner table conversation these days or is it avoided for fear of displaying our ignorance on matters of faith? Living our faith does not come naturally; it needs to be taught and experienced, preferably by example. They simply cannot follow the example of their fellow parishioners if they are never in their presence.
If only we could channel their enviable energy and resolve onto bringing new life into our fast-aging priesthood and frequently complacent congregations, then we could all benefit from their example, rather than the other way round.
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.
NEW PRINCIPAL FOR ST KEVIN'S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
St Kevin's, Benowa, welcomes Mr John Downie as our Principal from 2022
It was a very exciting day for St Kevin's School on Thursday when Area Supervisor, Mrs Anne McKenny came to visit the school and announced to staff who their Principal would be, starting in January 2022. Mr John Downie, who is currently Principal at Holy Trinity School in Wantirna, Victoria, will move to Queensland with his family to take up this position. We are very excited to welcome him to St Kevin's, and he is equally excited about working in and with our school community. The school community responded to a survey in the consultation process prior to appointments, which was instrumental in helping the panel to select the person they felt would lead with strength and kindness.
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
I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living. " (Mark 12:43-44)
Jesus gets right to the point – we are all called to give money to support the mission of the Church, regardless of our circumstances. No gift is too small or insignificant! Giving money to support the mission of our local parish is a matter of our faith, just like praying and participating in parish ministries. When you make a financial offering, is it from your "first fruits" or from what is "left-over"?
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: Kent Vince, John Bohringer, Terry Collins, Colleen Grehan, Herbert Dawson, 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, 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: 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, Margaret Ross, 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.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Anthony Netting, Alan & Veronica Bond, Bill Wall, Merv Hughes, Shirley Shephard, Relatives & Friends of the Hooworth Family, Bridget Finn, Moira Winnifred McLellan, Anna Restaino, Adleen Elgin Radecki, Zelimir Bresic, Joan Mary Enright, Ronald George Blacker, Graham Irwin, Gertrud Marschner, Paul Mott, Reggie Naidoo, Michael Connaghan, Vera Rose, Phillip Aldur Kaljo, Vere Menefy, Mario Pase, John Reginald Slattery, Ivan Victor Clark, Stanley McQuee, Shirley Elizabeth O'Brien, Phyllis (Phyl) Woodhead, Agnes Kean Main McDermott, Benjamin Gage, Ronald George (Ron) Burnell, Bob Sutcliffe, Mary Kirsch, Pat Conway, Giuseppe (Joe) Iulianetti, Bob And Rose O'Sullivan, Bridget Dalton, James Kenneth Ackroyd
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 local faces. YOU CAN ALSO WATCH US ON Shalom World's website: https://www.shalomworld.org/
Here's an intriguing take on a familiar commission: Thankful people become missionaries. "To be 'in a state of mission' is a reflection of gratitude," Pope Francis declares on this World Mission Sunday. Yet this "state of mission" belongs to the whole church, not just to those brave souls who pack up and go off to foreign lands. Jesus commissions his friends to take the Good News wherever we go. Grateful folks do this cheerfully. How can we keep from singing, when a song's been placed in our hearts? Pray the Rosary's Glorious Mysteries and live the mission of gratitude.
Mark 10:46-52 (149). "Immediately [the blind man] received his sight, and followed Jesus on the way."
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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. Early in 2022, the Sacramental Team will email an Invitation to the Sacrament of Penance Preparation to 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 Thursday, March 31, 2022. 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 or April 27, 2022 (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 Confirmation Preparation Program.) The Preparation for First Communion Program will be similar in format to the At Home Preparation for Confirmation. There will also be a Final Meeting (including rehearsal) in the week prior to the Celebration of First Communion. 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 The Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place in Surfers Paradise Parish on Friday September 2, 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 a reminder email several weeks prior to the Parent Meeting which is to be held early in Term 3 (exact dates to be set soon). Please keep checking the weekly newsletter for information updates.
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
ANGELS ON SCARBOROUGH
Angels on Scarborough is a non-profit organisation that is an extension of Southport Catholic Parish Piety Store. As a church that values the community, we aspire to provide Catholic pieces from our shop that foster spiritual growth and other beautiful gifts for any special occasion ie; Birthdays, Anniversary & Christmas Decorations (Holy Christmas Card, Calendar etc). They are having a First Anniversary 10% off everything Sale. Friday the 12th November 9am-4pm.
Shop 2/115 Scarborough St, Southport. (07) 5510 222
This weekend, in the scriptures, we come across two different types of behaviour. The scribes openly seek power, the honour that goes with it and the exploitation that gains it. Whilst the widow in the first reading and the widow in the gospel are generous. One group takes while the other group gives without counting the cost. Are we takers or givers?
Generosity is a tricky thing in a culture defined by independence. We are tempted to focus our responsibility on taking care of our own needs and desires.
Whilst we may not match the confidence and complete selflessness of the widow's trust in God, we can certainly keep growing in our desire to give much more than we take.
There are a couple of lines that pinpoint the issue in the gospel.
"Beware of the scribes; they devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers."
And
"this poor widow ….from her poverty, has contributed all she had"
Things are clearly not always what they appear. The scribes were offering long and complex prayers, but according to Our Lord, the purpose of their prayers was really not to praise God or to exercise God's values of justice, charity or mercy, but as a disguise to gobble up other's wealth. That is really tragic and shocking!
"Jesus points out the poor widow's offering for his disciples' consideration, commending her because her small offering was an act of profound generosity, giving from her livelihood rather than her surplus.
To give from our livelihood is not only an act of generosity, but it is also an act of trust in God. We can only give from our needs if we trust that God will provide for us, or if we identify with others' needs as interconnected with our own destiny. For they too are our brothers and sisters.
Jesus himself demonstrates the ultimate example of this complete generosity and commitment - as he gives us everything and sacrifices all to save us… even his life given for us on the cross."(1)
Jesus recognises the absolute faith and commitment shown by this poor widow, as compared with the others….
It is a real eye-opener….
The people who are most consistent with the values and actions of Jesus' good news are NOT always the ones most noticeable.
And, the ones who are giving the most, in terms of total dedication to Jesus' values, are not the ones who are most visible …….
It is possible to be appearing to be doing enough and giving enough, but only God sees into the human heart and truly knows what we are capable of. God knows the circumstances of each of our lives, and values and rejoices in all that is done with what we have; irrespective of how much it amounts to in quantity or by comparison with others.
Jesus sits watching as many people come by and donate to the temple treasury… to the people of Israel, donating to the Temple treasury was considered to be giving a donation to God. Jesus sees what everyone else is seeing, or more precisely, anyone else could have noticed what Jesus saw, if they were really looking; but only Our Lord sees what is really happening.
There is a surprising contrast in this incident. There are those whose lives are publicly dedicated to serving God, but in actual fact, they ARE NOT entirely committed to God. In essence, despite their grand show, they are holding a lot of things back. They HAVE a lot of money and worldly possessions, and they are giving generously, but Our Lord perceives that they are only giving from their excess; from what they can well spare to give, whilst still having plenty more. They keep a lot more for themselves. They are not completely dedicated - through actions - to the cause they profess so boldly with their mouths. They are saving most of their possessions for themselves, or for a rainy day. But how much does one need for a rainy day?? That's like asking, "how long is a piece of string?). So they keep most of what they have for themselves and refuse to use it for the good of others. They trust in their own resources and not God's providence, and (worse still), they put their potential future needs before the real AND ACTUAL needs of those around them, if they bothered to notice them.
And then, by contrasts, there is this poor widow, who is in actual need and has very little to live on. But she is TOTALLY committed to God's vision. She has invested and trusted in God's Kingdom completely. She is willing to invest her last penny in God's Kingdom. If everyone did that, there would be no more poverty, no one going without the basics of life, while others hoard more than their fair share for a rainy day that may never arrive, whilst others are drenched in their own present monsoonal weeks and months.
Jesus is not teaching us to be reckless or irresponsible, but he is inviting us to commit ourselves totally to his vision of the Kingdom. We are again invited to look beyond appearances. Not to judge by outward appearances but to trust in God's providence and to not to hold back our gifts, talents and generosity.
And we need to get rid of measuring the value of things in terms of quantity. and focus more on quality We again realise, from this gospel, not to judge by earthly standards. We are asked to give from the heart and realise that everyone may be giving as much as they can, even if it might not look like a lot in comparison with others. We cannot see into others' hearts and minds. All of us are called to respond in trust, with generosity, in a non-judgmental way, and above all, with Love. To give 100 per cent to the values and person of Christ…
Also, the other beautiful thing is: -- Jesus really Cares!!! And he invites us to have this attitude too.
Jesus notices the people around him and the meaning of their actions. He sees beyond mere appearances and sees what is real. Our Lord not only notices this unobtrusive and humble lady, but he also notices that this lady has given everything she had, and was, surprisingly to everyone else, actually the most generous person to have donated that whole day. Meanwhile, almost everyone else not only didn't realise the profound generosity of this humble lady, but also the injustice of the system that doesn't care about the needs of people like her, nor is anyone doing anything to help. If this system was working according to God's desire, that money given to the temple would have been contributing to the needs of poor and needy people precisely like her. Meanwhile, people probably didn't even notice her at all….. !! But Our Lord did !!!
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; (1)http://www.loyolapress.com/32nd-sunday-in-ordinary-time-b-sunday-connection.htm)
(Image Credit: Shutterstock ID: 669705 -Widow's Mite. Jesus commends a poor widow for giving generously.-By Hannah Gleghorn)
ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT: REFLECTION & BIBLE STUDY
NEXT SESSION - SUNDAY MORNING 7th 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
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.
INSPIRING QUOTES:
Wisdom from Pope Saint Leo the Great:
No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ.
Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace is the mother of unity. Peace is the rest of the blessed souls. Peace is the dwelling place of eternity.
Those who are not good to others are bad to themselves.
Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife.
Let no one be ashamed of the cross by which Christ has redeemed the world. None of us must be afraid to suffer for the sake of justice or doubt the fulfilment of the promises, for it is through toil that we come to rest and through death that we pass to life.
The faith by which we live shall never vary in any age . . . for one is the faith which sanctifies the Just of all ages.
The cross of Christ is the true ground and chief cause of Christian hope.
The faith of those who live their faith is a serene faith. What you long for will be given you; what you love will be yours forever.
Teach nothing new, but instil into all men's hearts those things which the Fathers of revered memory have with harmony of statement taught... Preach nothing else than what we received from our forefathers... Accordingly, both in the rule of faith and in the observance of discipline, let the standard of antiquity be maintained throughout.
Saint Martin of Tours:
Perhaps one of the things that Martin is best known for is when he encountered a shivering half-naked beggar in Amiens. Martin removed his cloak and cut it in half with a sword, covering the man. The half of the cloak he kept for himself became famous, and was known as "St. Martin's cloak." Additionally, that evening, Martin had a vision that Jesus Christ appeared to him, and said: "Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me."
Lord, if your people need me, I will not refuse the work. Your will be done.
Hitherto I have served you as a soldier; allow me now to become a soldier to God. Let the man who is to serve you receive your donative. I am a soldier of Christ; it is not permissible for me to fight.
Refusing further service as a Roman soldier: I am a soldier of Christ: combat is not permitted to me.
St Josaphat (1584-1623):
St Josaphat's favourite devotional exercise was to make prostrations in which the head touches the ground, saying, the Jesus prayer: 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
'I am here among you as a shepherd and you ought to know that, please God, I will give my life for the holy union, for the supremacy of Peter and of the Holy Father, his successor.'
POPE FRANCIS: Tweets from His Holiness
We often do the bare minimum, whereas Jesus invites us to do the maximum possible. How many times are we satisfied with doing our duties — the precepts, a few prayers — whereas God, who gives us life, asks us for enthusiasm in life! (Oct 27)
Climate change can be faced with a renewed sense of shared responsibility for our world, and effective solidarity based on justice, a sense of our common destiny and a recognition of the unity of our human family in God's plan for the world. #Faiths4COP26 (Oct 28)
The Spirit which flows forth from Jesus' Passover is the origin of the spiritual life. He changes hearts: not our works, but the action of the Holy Spirit in us! #GeneralAudience
Pope Francis - (Oct 25)
I express my closeness to the thousands of migrants, refugees in Libya: I never forget you; I hear your cries and pray for you. We are all responsible for our brothers and sisters, who have been victims of this serious situation for too many years. Let us #PrayTogether. Pope Francis - (Oct 24)
"Jesus, have mercy on me!" Let us make this prayer our own today. Let us repeat it. We must ask Jesus, who can do everything, for everything. He cannot wait to pour out his grace and joy into our hearts.
(source: https://twitter.com/Pontifex) - (Image -Shutterstock licensed image ID: )
FAITH AND WORSHIP - Confirmation Names and the Ordinary Minister for Confirmations:
We received this excellent question recently and we print here the answer for the interest of the general community.
1. I'm wondering why some people have Saints names and some of us don't. When I had my Confirmation & First Holy Communion in 2013 I didn't have a Saint's name. I noticed in a recent group of RCIA people at Surfers, they all had Saint's names. Is there any particular "effect" or difference whether we have one or not?
2. Someone said only Bishops can do Confirmations. Is this correct?
Thanks, for these excellent questions.
1. The position of Confirmation in the life of the Church has moved around over the two thousand years of history. Originally, confirmation occurred in the same ceremony as baptism and first communion. So, in the very early centuries of the church, when adults wanted to be initiated into the Catholic Church, they had a time of preparation and instruction. When they finally were ready to welcome into God's Church they gathered, usually on Holy Saturday night, which is the highpoint of the church's year and the perfect night for initiation. Those to be baptised met in a building near the church but separate or at least distinct from the church building and this building was called a Baptistry. This is where the baptism font was located and in the early days of the church, it was not just a fancy bowl but a very large pool in either a rectangular shape or a circular shape. It had steps going into it at one end and steps at the other to walk out. The people would cast off their old clothes (representing their old ways of life and sins) and enter into the baptismal water. The deacon or priest would ask the person - Do you believe in God the Father, and the person would reply I do. The presider would then plunge the person down into the waters and they would come up again. The person would then be asked - Do you believe in the Holy Spirit. The person would say, I do, and be plunged fully under the water again. Finally, the priest would ask- do you believe in Jesus Christ... the person would say I do and be plunged for the third and final time into the water. The person would then walk up out of the pool and immediately be clothed in a white baptismal garment, showing that they had put on Christ and his values and now walk a child of Christ They had left behind their old life, their old sins and their old clothes and now walk in the life of the Church, the unstained dignity of God and the ways of the Kingdom. They would then meet the bishop who was standing nearby as they exited the pool and he would pour chrism oil onto their heads and basically "confirm' on behalf of the universal church, the baptism they had just received. The newly baptised would then have their torches/candles lit and be led into the church where they would take their place as now full members of the church and celebrate in the Mass and take communion for the first time. So in the early day's initiation, all occurred at once. This still happens for adults wanting to be baptised into the church today. The eastern churches also have the practice of initiating babies in this way, that is, the baby is baptised and confirmed immediately and even given a tiny spoonful of the holy blood of Christ - so that from the earliest times they are regarded as fully initiated into God's family. The idea of taking on a saint's name fits with the idea of leaving behind old ways and living like a new creation. So, people with non-Christian names or with pagan names, such as named after pagan gods, would change their names to now befitting that they are children of God. The custom of baptizing children still encourages the choice of Christian names to show our new connection with Christ and his gospel and also have a patron saint to inspire us and encourage us. This rightly happened in baptism. There was a strong custom for people choosing known Christian names and it is still encouraged when naming newborns, but the practice has waned a bit, which is sad, as some people have no Christian connection to their name.
In recent years, the emphasis on the order of initiation has been again reasserted as 1. baptism, 2. confirmation (affirmation by the bishop) and finally 3. eucharist/the first communion.
Because there was only one bishop for each region, the bishop would be busy going around confirming people all over the region. Once people got baptised they rightly wanted to have their whole family initiated as soon as possible. So, the infants would be baptised soon after birth. But then they would have to wait until the next time the bishop was in town to confirm them. This could take years and years- so, when the bishop eventually came to town, people of all ages would be confirmed. So confirmation got somewhat disconnected in time from its essential link to baptism.
Confirmation still has this meaning of "confirming" - by the head of the local church - the baptism that happened earlier. We now do confirmations when people are younger, to connect it closer to baptism and prior to the first communion, as that follows the ancient order.
When older people were confirmed they were encouraged to choose a saint's name or a patron saint name. This has its origin with baptism and is somewhat of a "double-up," since they were usually already named after a Christian Patron Saint at their baptism. Now that we are more
strongly re-emphasising the connection of confirmation to baptism, we link it closely to the name you were baptised into the church with. But it can still be a nice idea to ask people in the preparations to think about choosing a patron saint who inspires you.
2. The bishop of the region is indeed the proper or "ordinary" minister for confirmation, as it is the leader representing the wider church communion who does this sacred action. The bishop however does have the right to delegate this role on a case by case basis, to any priest when the bishop himself is unable to do all of the confirmations - which happens so often since there are so many parishes and people many needing confirmations and only one to three bishops in any large region. The bishop always does delegate this when he cannot do it himself, and if a priest does the confirmation you can be sure that the bishop has given him permission for it. The Bishop naturally, as the ordinary minister of this sacrament, has the right to choose to celebrate the confirmations himself, and the priest is not the ordinary minister and can not do it off his own bat, (other than confirmation at Easter time as part of the Holy Saturday adult initiations, as that is permanently delegated - since the bishop cannot ever be at all churches at once, on Holy Saturday night which is THE night for baptisms of adults. So, whilst it is true that the bishop is the proper minister for confirmation, he can and often does delegate this power, but the priest needs to receive that delegation for each occasion since it's not his normal right to do it.
(Shutterstock licensed Image: 787069999 Illustration of a Sacrament of Confirmation -By BNP Design Studio)
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
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/
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