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"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I dedicated you" (Jeremiah 1:5)
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 112862830 - BRUSSELS - JULY 26: Stained glass window depicts the prophet Jeremiah lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem in the cathedral of Brussels on July 26, 2012. Important information - Contributor: jorisvo )
PASTOR'S POST All in the Family
I'm not sure if it's wishful thinking, but since Christmas, I have noticed a greater number of families attending Sunday Mass. By that, I mean Mum, Dad and any number of children coming to the same Mass all sitting in the one pew. They are noticeable because they stand out at a time when most people come to Church as singles or couples with other members possibly coming to another Mass, says me wearing my rose-coloured glasses.
I've been reminiscing recently about how many young families attended Mass in my early priesthood when I started to wonder if all my gentle, and not so gentle, nudging of parents of newly baptised children to bring their children to Church was having an effect. Ever hopeful, I have been wondering why some families don't seem to have a great difficulty mustering their kids along to Mass, while others seem to go through a minor world war just to get them to spend an hour with each other in Church.
I shared my dilemma with a long term friend who, although in her 70s, still meets weekly with her five siblings to share coffee and family news every week. That's right, every Thursday they have a standing reservation at a local café, with only Covid stopping them during the lockdown. While it sounds like a logistics nightmare, she said that it is a commitment they have made to each other and only a significant issue would stop them from attending. How did it start and what does she get from the weekly gathering?
Firstly, she said that they are not naïve about each other's issues and foibles. They are all high academic achievers with demanding careers and have got many commitments with work and other families, but it was decided a long time ago that they would commit to this connection, following their mother's death. This coffee gathering might go for an hour or less and sometimes involves addressing a major issue with one or another sibling, or it can simply be a catch up on what's been happening so that they can circumvent dozens of phone calls going between all of them.
My friend explained that they were brought up never to be critical of each other and that acceptance of family was their first priority. Every argument or fight required immediate resolution and when forgiveness was needed it was always given. No one in the family was ever to be spoken about disparagingly and they were all included in whatever celebrations were held in the family home. They were taught to rejoice in each other's achievements and to support and carry each other through any upheavals. They were also taught to tell each other the truth, lovingly, which is apparently the hard part. They trust as best they can not to gang up on each other and don't tell each other what they "must" do, rather than suggest what might help. They all agreed that an hour a week was not too great a price to pay to spend time with the people who know each other the best.
While we are by no means talking about a formula for a "perfect'' family, (raise your hand if you belong to one of those), I believe one important ingredient in the recipe for a reasonably coping family is familiarity and respect for the more senior members of the family network. Spending significant time with grandparents or uncles and aunts can let young people know that they are not the centre of the family universe, but they share a valuable connection with people who have gone before them and others who will hopefully come after them. The role of the senior family members is to teach the younger ones how life works, or doesn't in some cases, passing on important traditions and rituals along with values that belong to their clan. Skilling them up for future events and experiences and then, as difficult as it may be, gently pushing them from the nest so that they may experience the trials and errors that ultimately form us as adults.
Both my friend and I come from another time when discipline at home was of a more corporal nature, (neither of us had our own room that we could be sent to) but we both agreed that, not for one minute, did we not feel loved and nurtured by those who occasionally did not spoil the child at the expense of the rod.
We now know better about the effects of long-lasting trauma, but I fear we adults have not completely learned the lesson that growing a family involves great sacrifice and significant trials along the way. Having to say "no" to children and opportunities for enjoyment as adults is a hard way to learn for all concerned, but it has been working for centuries.
Fr Peter Dillon PP
HOSPITAL CALLS
Robina Hospital - Burleigh Heads Parish on 5576 6466
Pindara Hospital - Surfers Paradise Parish 5572 5433
John Flynn Hospital -Coolangatta-Tugun Parish on 5598 2165
University & Gold Coast Private Hosp-Southport Parish 5510 2222
(Please note that with covid restrictions and isolation, many hospitals and nursing homes are only
allowing priests to visit for end-of-life care. Also, a few of our local priests are recovering from covid and so sick calls may be disrupted for a few weeks.
With uncertainty due to Covid numbers, we encourage everyone to continue to be safe and exercise social distancing, hand sanitising, and mask-wearing. Anyone experiencing even the mildest of symptoms, please stay home and use rapid testing . We aim to ensure that the mass schedule will continue as advertised. If anything changes in this, we will alert you via the parish website and the parish news emailing list. If any sudden changes occur, we will also leave a message on our parish phone system and also put a notice up at any churches affected. God bless.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this First Friday at Sacred Heart Church from 7pm to 8.30pm Friday 4th February. All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678 "Could you not watch one hour with Me?" MT 26:40
FIRST SATURDAY MASS
Saturday the 5th of February 2022, First Saturday Mass, followed by Adoration and Benediction. Sacred Heart Church, 9 am.
LOST BOOK
The Polish Catholic Mass community here is seeking our assistance in finding a small book in Polish writing that has been lost a week ago. It is a quarter of an A4 size of paper. Please let us at the office know if you find it or know of the whereabouts.
SPCL Bingo Tuesday 1st February - Cancelled.
Due to the current COVID conditions, the Bingo on the 1st of February has been cancelled.
Most of you would have already been notified of this cancellation.
We will let you know if we will have Bingo on the First Tuesday the 1st of March 2022.
Maxine & Wendy
LUNAR NEW YEAR MASS
TONGAN VOLCANO DISASTER AND PNG COVID EMERGENCY- CARITAS APPEAL
Your support is needed:
You can provide vital relief to communities impacted by natural disasters, such as the volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, along with the current COVID-19 crisis in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. With your support, our partners on the ground can respond immediately when crises strike.
Tonga has been cut off from the rest of the world following a violent underwater volcano eruption on 15 January that triggered tsunamis, destroyed telecommunications and blanketed the Pacific island nation in ash.
There are reports that some coastal communities in Fiji and Vanuatu have been damaged by large waves and tsunami warnings were also issued across the Pacific, Australia, US and Japan.
We are currently working to restore communications with our local partners to assess the situation on the ground and determine the most urgent needs. The volcanic ash is hampering emergency flights into the country and the damage to telecommunications infrastructure has made it difficult to get in contact with affected communities.
There are fears that the volcanic ash and saltwater inundation from the tsunami waves may contaminate drinking water and threaten the health and safety of vulnerable communities.
Your urgent support is needed today to help communities affected by this disaster.
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
A VOCATION VIEW:
The Lord says: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I dedicated you." Always listen to an Old Friend. To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544
vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous…" (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Do you get jealous? Do you focus more on the things that other people have than on the gifts that God has given to you? Are you pompous? Do you acquire more possessions to impress others? At times we are all guilty of these things. Pray for more humility. Humility helps us become less "self-centred" and become more "God-centered" for the sake of others.
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: Amando A. Mirasol Jr., Mark Behan, Marie Ashby, Gus Reeves, Kathy Kiely, John & Molly Robinson, Laila Mikael, Dominique Corbello, Jean Di Benedetto, Anthea McMullan, James Goodwin, Scott Mitchell, Malcolm Ward, John O'Brien, Ludwig Mueller, Bobby Caspersz, Kent Vince, Terry Collins, Colleen Grehan, Carmelita Dulu, Judy Alexander, Sr Mary Teresa, John Davis, Peter Cotton, Bobby Courtney, Lisa Mangan, Robyn Skein, Kye Oh, Michael James, Bill Gilmore, Olga Hamshari, Roy Ferraro, Margaret Haerse, Rosalind Lee, Milka Barac, Mary Ashton, Rodney & Norma McLennan, Lois & Doug Wood, Duncan Dawson, William Franklin, Maria Mihalic, Annie Scicluna, Anne Logan, Margaret & Louise Thompson, Patricia Moor, Helen Bohringer, Peter O'Brien, Angela Duvnjak, Rachel Raines, Savannah Ayoub, Baby Maeve Lombard, Rosslyn Wallis, Arthur Haddad, Michael & Denise Tracey, Joanne Mooney, Joanne Parkes, Michelle MacDonald, Mary Kerr.
And all suffering from Covid-19 and its effects.
RECENTLY DECEASED: James Perry Saunderson, Donna Maree Faulkner, Dell O'Neill, Martin James Kerlin, John Terrence McGillan, Malcolm Holmes, Francee Beckman, Margaret Paterson, Nicole Summons, James (Jim) Kirk Snr, Fr Norman Ronald Birch, Margaret Kelly, Stephen Baker, Tony Tongue, John William Maddocks, Veronica Smith, Keiran Davey (Ireland), Lourdes Abelardo, Keiran Scanlan (Ireland), Kenneth Walker, Santo Auteri, Dragica Bosiljevac, Adrienne Barry, Mary Bickle, Aeanus Leana, John Francis Moore, Joan Brown, Jimmy Fennell (Ireland), Agnes Ita (Toni) Molloy nee Hickman (NZ), Marian Ware, Joseph Ceh, Marian Howell, Andy French, Maria Vos, Margaret Josephine Borg, Mariette Anna Stradiotto-Alda, Herta Haselhorst, Yvonne Khalema, Ramona Judith Ellis, Dymphna Hogg, Bill Goodrem.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Peter Francis Kennedy, Kichizo Matsumoto, Peter Capolupo, Maria Beer, Ronda Jean Terese Hall, Anna Marinic, Berice May Flannery, David William Foster, Raymond John Ford, Teresa Jackson, Hilda O'Donnell, John Gordon, Jack O'Donnell, Patricia Mary Flori, Michael O'Brien, Veronica Mary Moore, John David (Jack) Kelly, Brian Moon, Les Alford, Dolores Mary Barakat, Antoun Christophi and Terese Salama, Leslie (Les) Gloster Alford, Judith Anne Jones, James Hendrie. And also: Bruce Obeso, Thomas Muggleton, Len Scully, Rebecca Duazo, Johann Ofner, Trevor Raymond Kar, Kenneth Charles Emmerton, Kath Power, Paul Anthony Zappa, Peter Bernardi, Franco Catalucci, Stan Hancock, Gloria Klaasen, Susan-Gai Walsh, Armando Covino, Kenneth John (Ken) Maccheroni, Anne Elizabeth Carney, John Pascoe, Jeffrey Eric Fittler, Klaus Diga, Dr David Lee, Jacqueline Rivet, Raelene Mavis Maroney, Susan Marie Hogan, Zvonimir Leopold Karlich.
A Columbarium Question -
Due to a large number of enquiries and consequent reservations of columbarium niches, we will soon be looking at adding several new walls to accommodate future needs. In preparation for these new walls, we are interested to know how many parishioners or others are considering reserving a niche for themselves or family members. If you wish to express an interest or simply want to inquire about what is involved, then we ask you to call the parish office in the next few weeks so that we can plan for a sufficient number of places. (A columbarium is an area used to store the ashes of the deceased who have been cremated. Those ashes are kept in urns and the urns are placed inside "niches", or compartments, within the columbarium. The columbarium itself can be either a wall or significant structure that will be open to loved ones to visit the deceased person at any time. Our parish columbarium is located at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters overlooking the lake., between the Church and the Hospitality Centre)
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: "Children should be seen, heard—and guided."
It's been a tough two years on everyone, but especially on the kids. Childhood was upended by the pandemic. Schooling has been a heroic effort, and peer interactions have been stifled. This generation of young ones will have a special burden in trying to make up for lost time, missed opportunities, and natural social interactions. They've also learned unexpected lessons about global interconnectedness, the rich advantages of technology, and the bitter realities of social inequity. As Catholic Schools begin their new school year over the next couple of weeks, we recall "Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service," to remind us that our schools enable children to put what they learn in the context of gospel values. Support faith-based Education!
(Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I dedicated you").
SIGN UP FOR "TAKE FIVE" DAILY - www.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe
Library Volunteer Needed for Sunday Morning Mass
A library volunteer is needed to attend the library before (15 minutes) and after Sunday Morning Mass (10 minutes) at Sacred Heart Parish Church. The person will be fully trained in the issuing of library books and the processing of new lenders. Please phone the Parish office at (07) 5572 5433 or email: surfers@bne.catholic.net.au. Alternatively, text Esta Mostert on WhatsApp at 0410542427 with your name and contact number and when you will be able to start.
Proverbs 11:2 "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance."
The Library and the Omicron Virus
As our library is small, it will be wise to limit the access to two persons at a time wearing a mask. If you touch a book, it needs to go into the blue box on the library table. All books that are returned need to go into the blue box for the books to be sanitised and the virus to die. If you have any books due by the end of January, please put them in the blue box on the table inside the library.
At St Vincent's Church the "READ AND RETURN" trolley located in the foyer, is available again for your perusal. Feel free to borrow a book and return it at your leisure.
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, Confirmation, and the receiving of your child's First Communion. The Surfers Paradise Sacramental Team has prepared 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. In response to the current and significant local Covid numbers, the previously advertised Meeting: Meeting for the Sacrament of Penance Preparation that was to be held on either February 21, 2022, at 6 pm or February 22, 2022, at 6 pm has been cancelled. Instead of the meeting, families will receive an email in the next couple of weeks to invite them to assist their child in At Home Preparation for Reconciliation. Those indicating their interest via reply email will then be emailed the At Home Preparation for Reconciliation program.
Currently, we are still hoping and planning to celebrate the First Rite of Reconciliation 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 Monday, June 6 at 6 pm or Monday, June 13 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
MARIAN VALLEY
Please come and join us at the Marian Valley for the feast of Our Lady Of Lourdes on 11.02.2022 and for the Feast day of Our Lady of Fatima on 13.02.2022. The bus will be pick up passengers at 8.15 am, at the Sacred Heart Church. Clear Island Waters. The Cost for the bus is $22.00 return for each trip. You can secure your seat with a contact name and contact phone number with Xavier Solomon 0404 843 260, Madeleine on 0405 252 367 or 5529 1573. All are welcome.
The submission process for feedback for the Roman Synod of Bishops: (Australia)
Individuals and groups are asked to submit their summarised reflections directly to the National Centre for Pastoral Research. See link here: https://www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch
The consultation period with local churches runs until February 27, 2022.
THIS WEEKEND'S GOSPEL - FAITHFUL TO GOD'S WORD -NO MATTER WHAT THE COST
This weekend's gospel could be entitled: "How quickly a friendly crowd can turn nasty."
The wonderful second reading can be used as a key to understanding the dynamic going on between Jesus and the people in the Synagogue of Nazareth……
Jesus is the visible expression of God, who is complete love. Everything Jesus did and said was out of LOVE, and no other reason… even when he spoke a challenging message … it was lovingly inviting the people to be open to the ways of God… to open their minds and hearts…. Reject any narrow views.
By contrast.. the people become enraged… even when Jesus was only speaking the truth…. They took huge offence and became angry and defensive and wanted to kill him… so, they were not acting out of love… for love takes no offence… rather it Seeks only to build up.,,…
Initially, the crowd is astonished and impressed with Our Lord's speech, but then when Jesus starts to tell them some home truths, that challenge or stretch their thinking, and move them out of their comfort zone.....well that is entirely a different matter. Suddenly they do not like what they are hearing. They become murderously angry. Now they reject his message, even though his message is quite evidently true. They say… "Who does he think he is, he is just the carpenter's son! What would he know?"
Attacking the person (or qualities about the person), rather than dealing with the substantial content of the actual message. In cricketing terms, I think it is called "playing the person, not the ball." Whenever a person dismisses something another is saying, based on irrelevant qualities, surely it is because they do not want to hear something that challenges their viewpoint. Attacking the person rather than the issue seems to have become an all-too-common error in this day and age. But we need to see it and name it for what it is, a simple but very effective defence mechanism to avoid facing an inconvenient truth. In fact, the stronger and faster and more violent and angry reaction is to an evidently true observation, this shows the enormous level of resistance a person or group of people has built up around that false reality.
Our Lord shows us that it is not sufficient to know the words of Scripture off by heart. The people listening to him knew all-too-well the words of the Sacred Scriptures. These lines were extremely familiar to the people of that time. They knew them by heart. But, people were comfortable with the Scriptures. Over many years, they had found satisfying interpretations of the Bible that did not unsettle or challenge them. Now, suddenly Our Lord is interpreting and teaching the meaning of these old familiar texts in a way that is new and unsettling. The way Our Lord was teaching was making them feel uncomfortable and suddenly he shook their complacency. He particularly pointed out that merely belonging to the "chosen people of Israel" was not all that mattered. God has helped and welcomed people who were not part of the Chosen Ones.
Having said this, Our Lord did not wake up each morning and say: "now what can I do that will get people so riled up that they will want to throw me off a cliff?" Rather, Christ acted and taught with compassion, love, and grace. His honesty and passion opened up issues that sadly some violently reacted to. He wanted people to open up and be transformed by God's different ways.. but this means being brave enough to be unsettled and uncomfortable and open to the different.
The crowd did not like what they were hearing! So, what do they do? Did they open their hearts and minds to widen their understanding and grow into Christ's Kingdom? No ! Instead they do what people have done throughout history to challenging and unsettling messages, they try to throw the messenger off the nearest cliff (literally in this present case). But isn't this what they mean by the saying "don't shoot the messenger." This gospel is a powerful lesson. It might be a natural human defence to reject ideas or people that unsettle us in a reflex reaction. When we find ourselves challenged or unsettled by some news, instead of rejecting it out of hand, we can rely on God's grace and open our hearts to what the Lord might be inviting us to understand. To stay in the discomfort zone and give respect to the messenger. The Gospels give us the values and wisdom to test the fruits according to the ways of Christ, amidst confusion and uneasiness.
The people have become infuriated and violent towards Jesus – so they drag him outside and mean to throw him off a very tall cliff. What happens next, if it wasn't such a scary and dangerous situation… would almost seem comical - because Jesus is described as simply slipping through the crowd and walking away unnoticed.
You could almost visualize the crowd disappearing up the hill, as Our Lord walks casually away in the opposite direction. What a sight! When they get up to the top of the hill, their anger and denial have become so blinding that they look around and realise that the very object of their anger has vanished. Holding on to our own selfish mindsets can be so powerful that we can even lose sight of the original thing that challenged us.
Was Our Lord so ordinary looking, so average, so unnoticeable in those people's eyes that they lost sight of him and did not even notice he was no longer amongst them, in the crowd gathered to throw him off the cliff? In so many ways, 'they just did not "get him" or his message.' They could not really see him or understand him for who he was.
Let us be vigilant to ensure that we never fall into this same trap as did the unteachable and angry crowd.
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.
(Reference: Fr Paul W. Kelly)
(Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 2056914833 - ROME, ITALY - AUGUST 28, 2021: The fresco of prophet Jeremiah in church San Girolamo dei Croati by Pietro Gagliardi (1847-1852). Contributor: Renata Sedmakova )
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St Paul Apostle –
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"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
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"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
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"Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another."
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"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
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"Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandments, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
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"God has overlooked the times of such ignorance, yet now he is telling mankind that they should all everywhere repent. Because he has set a day in which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has furnished a guarantee to all men in that he has resurrected him from the dead."
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"So, then, let us pursue the things making for peace and the things that are upbuilding to one another."
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"We walk by faith, not by sight."
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"There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope and endurance."
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"Hope does not disappoint."
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"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
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"preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching."
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"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death; -even death on a cross!"
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St Timothy and Titus :
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Paul made both men bishops and entrusted Timothy with the care of the Christians in Ephesus. St. Timothy has been regarded by some as the "angel of the church of Ephesus", Rev 2:1-1. St. Paul sent Titus to Crete to look after the Christians there. He wrote them "pastoral" epistles, giving advice for pastors and people alike.
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Titus was the negotiator, the one St. Paul sent to clear up misunderstandings, reconcile differences, and the one who would organize a new Church. He received a letter from St. Paul which encouraged Christians to live temperate, just, and devout lives while awaiting the coming of Christ.
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St. Timothy was stoned to death thirty years after St. Paul's martyrdom for having denounced the worship of the goddess Diana. Tradition tells us that St. Titus died a natural death at the age of 94, having lived in the state of virginity during his whole life.
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St. Timothy is the patron saint of intestinal disorders and stomach diseases. St. Titus is the patron of Crete.
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"But when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our saviour, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy" ~ Titus 3:4-8
POPE FRANCIS:
Pope Francis appoints new ambassador to Australia
Archbishop Charles Balvo (Wikimedia Commons/Dan1)
Pope Francis has announced that American Archbishop Charles Balvo, a veteran of the Vatican's diplomatic service for more than 30 years, will serve as the next Apostolic Nuncio to Australia.
Archbishop Balvo, the Vatican's ambassador to the Czech Republic, was born in New York City and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of New York in 1976.
After serving in apostolic nunciatures in South America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Archbishop Balvo was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations in 2005. He was also the Apostolic Delegate to the Pacific Ocean.
In 2013, he was named Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and took on responsibility for South Sudan after the country was established. While posted in Kenya, Archbishop Balvo also served as Permanent Observer to the United Nations Environment Program and Human Settlements Program.
He has been in the Czech Republic since 2018.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge welcomed Archbishop Balvo's appointment on behalf of the Australian bishops.
"Archbishop Balvo is no stranger to the Antipodes, having served as Nuncio in New Zealand and the Pacific – and I myself came to know him at that time," Archbishop Coleridge said.
"But he returns to this part of the world enriched by his service as Nuncio in Africa and Europe."
Archbishop Coleridge said Archbishop Balvo "comes to us at a complex and challenging time in the Church and in Australia".
"But his combination of gifts and experience will equip him well for all that lies ahead," he said.
Archbishop Balvo succeeds Archbishop Adolfo Yllana, who last year completed six-and-a-half years in Australia when Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Cyprus, and Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine.
(source: Pope Francis appoints new ambassador to Australia(ACBC Media Blog) )
SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT'S RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS
The CATHOLIC LEADER is a monthly newspaper available on the first Sunday of every month. The first edition for 2022 will be at the Sacred Heart and St Vincent's churches on Sunday 6th February. Price $4.
The Religious Goods shops are open before and after Mass each weekend. If there is a special item you would like to order, please contact Pat 0404 805 819
SPCL Bingo Tuesday 1st February - Cancelled.
Due to the current COVID conditions, Bingo on the 1st of February has been cancelled.
Most of you would have already been notified of this cancellation.
We will let you know if we will have Bingo on the First Tuesday the 1st of March 2022.
Maxine & Wendy
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB- (In its Twentieth Year in 2022)-
(resumed 24th January)
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
CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION - INSTRUCTORS and ASSISTANTS NEEDED
At our local State Primary Schools for 1-2 hours per week, tell children about JESUS. New volunteers are placed with experienced Instructors. Training is free, with support. An easy curriculum ensures Bible stories are covered to give an understanding of God's love. The door is open for us to 'go' Matthew 28:19. Will you go? -
For more information, please call Helene McCowan - 0419 747631 - helene.mccowan@gmail.com (advertisement for 30th January newsletter)
YOGA AT THE PARISH HOSPITALITY CENTRE- (Resumed)
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.
EXERCISE CLASS - LOW IMPACT - FOR HEART HEALTH - (Resumed)
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.
ART AND CRAFT GROUP - Due to recent COVID outbreak
2022 recommencement date To Be Advised.
The Group meets in the Parish Hospitality Centre on Wednesdays, 9 to 12. Activities include art, (watercolour, oils, acrylics, pen and ink drawing etc), as well as various kinds of Craftwork (Knitting, Embroidery, Crocheting, Cardmaking, 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 759 205, or the Parish Office.
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 three of our valued Catholic Primary Schools within our parish bounds for 2022.
FANS IN THE CHURCH DURING HOT WEATHER ARE TO BE LEFT ON
Please Don't Ask The Coordinator To Turn Them Off. Also, to assist with airflow in the hot and humid temperatures, please don't stop the assistants from opening the doors.
They Are Following Church Health and Safety instructions. It may be necessary to relocate to another seat that may better suit your needs or bring something warm to put on. (Please note, after mass has begun. Side doors are opened, - so please expect that to happen when you are deciding where to sit. We cannot set the conditions for each individual.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL (2022) - WITHIN OUR PARISH
Star of the Sea - Merrimac - Initially Prep to Year 3, and then extending after that -
Website: Star Of The Sea Merrimac and Facebook Page: Star of the Sea
Position Vacant – Part-time Housekeeper - Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo
Applications are open for a part-time Housekeeper to assist in the cleaning of the Holy Spirit Seminary. Specific responsibilities include dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, changing linens for 18 hours per week Monday to Wednesday.
For additional information, please visit the Archdiocese of Brisbane website https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/ and to careers. Applications close: 11 February 2022
Position Vacant – Parish Secretary- Burpengary
Applications are open for a position at the Burpengary Parish. A person with excellent administration and time management skills is required for a part-time position of Parish Secretary working 20 hours a week, Tuesday to Friday. For additional information, please visit the Archdiocese of Brisbane website https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/ and to careers.
Applications close: 31 January 2022
Position Vacant – Finance Officer- Burpengary Parish
Applications are open for a position at the Burpengary Parish. A person with excellent finance experience is required for a part-time position of Finance Officer working 8 hours a week, Monday & either a Thursday or a Friday with the flexibility of increasing these hours in the near future. For additional information, please visit the Archdiocese of Brisbane website https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/ and to careers.
Applications close: 31 January 2022
The Archdiocese of Brisbane has standards of conduct for workers to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children. Our commitment to these standards requires that we conduct working with children checks and background referencing for all persons who will engage in direct and regular involvement with children and young people (0 - 18 years) and/or vulnerable adults. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has ZERO tolerance for abuse of children or vulnerable adults.
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/
