PDF version of this parish newsletter here:
Also, you can access an online copy of the newsletter *here*
“Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1)
(Above: The Lord’s Prayer in the original Aramaic and in Hebrew Languages)
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.Stock Photo ID: 350096111 - JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - JULY 13, 2015: Text of the Pater Noster prayer in Hebrew and Aramaic (Jesus languages) on one of the walls within the Church of the Pater Noster on Mount of Olives. Israel. Photo Contributor: DyziO
Catholic Education Week 24 – 30 July 2022
Catholic Education Week will be celebrated in Catholic schools in Queensland from 24 – 30 July 2022.
This annual event promotes Catholic schools' special ethos and highlights the great things happening daily in Catholic schools.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.”
Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.
There are 313 Catholic schools in Queensland that educate around 154,000 students and employ more than 22,000 teachers and staff, and most will celebrate Catholic Education Week in some way.
Our parish thanks God for the gift of all teachers, staff, students and families who participate in Catholic education. May God continue to bring much fruitfulness to this work of education and faith.
Last week the staff and students of Saint Michael's College came together to celebrate NAIDOC week. To support this year's theme - Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!, staff and students undertook the planting of hands on the College front lawn. Arranging the hands they created in the shape of the Flags of our First Nations peoples allowed us all to reflect on how we can be People of Truth, who Stand Up in solidarity. How we can be People of Action, who Show Up to make change and how we can be People of the Makarrata, who walk with our First Nations people in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.
We also had Aric Kruger lead us in a Welcome to Country in Friday’s Assembly. Aric is of the Kombumerri/ngugi of regions and not only did he share his rich history, culture and traditions ,but he joined with our students to sing the National Anthem in the Yugambeh language. It truly was beautiful to listen to. Here is a link to the video
Aric’s Mother, Candace Kruger, Director and Founder of Yugambeh Youth Choir had worked with our vocal ensemble students prior to this assembly to help teach them the language, so they could perform it on the day.
PASTOR’S POST - The time has come
(A true story from a Christian gentleman):
Some years ago, I was passing through Wellington, where my 87-year-old aunt lived. I rang her daughter the night I arrived and indicated that I would like to visit her the next day. She said that would be fine, but I needed to know that Aunty Sarah was dying of a terminal illness. I had not heard this before, and the news made it all the more urgent that I visit her.
Aunty Sarah had raised a family of nine. Life had not been easy for her. Her husband was a good man, but his health was not always good. Sarah had worked hard for her family, been a faithful mother and wife, and was a woman of deep faith. She had always been deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the household's daily rosary was a feature. She would not have been able to write even one page about the theology of God, but penned in her heart was an experience of her Maker that only prayer and fidelity could give.
When I arrived, I was conducted into her bedroom by one of her daughters, who had been at her bedside for some days. I had expected that she would be very weak, and she certainly was. As we sat around her saying the rosary and trying to make her comfortable, her breathing became even more irregular, and it was obvious that the end was not far away. Our prayers were increasingly becoming intercessions that God would take her and relieve her of her suffering…
… Suddenly, as death seemed imminent, Aunty Sarah’s face lit up with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. As she beamed with joy, she looked into the distance past the end of her bed at what was obviously the cause of her joy. A few seconds later, she lay back dead on her pillow. The smile stayed on her face, and her complexion changed to that of a much younger and healthier person.
It was obvious to all of us in the room that she had seen the Mother of God welcoming her to her heavenly reward to meet the One whom she had loved and served faithfully for eighty-seven years.
I will never forget this incident, and I know I will never see another smile so joyful and rapturous on this side of heaven. This good woman was one of God’s many wonderful people who became ‘saints in overalls’.
(Story submitted by John, via Carmelprint)
May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see… what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit… (Ephesians 1:18)
Fr Paul Kelly
Bookings to Christmas in July can be made here - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/921173
Star of the Sea - Catholic Primary School - Merrimac -
Initially Prep to Year 3, with an extra year level being added each year until 2026. The school is master-planned to accommodate approximately 550 students. - Website: Star Of The Sea Merrimac and Facebook Page: Star of the Sea
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION RECIPIENT
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
***PLEASE NOTE: ITALIAN MASS WITHIN PARISH SUSPENDED UNTIL OCTOBER
The celebration of the Italian Sunday Mass at the Sacred Heart Church Clear Island Waters WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR THREE MONTHS (JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2022) and will resume regularly as from Sunday 2nd October 2022.
Fr Angelo Cagna, the present Chaplain, will be on sabbatical leave for six months (30 June 2022 - 31 December 2022). Fr Savino Bernardi, a Scalabrinian priest from Sydney, will supply the Italian Sunday Mass for the months of October, November and December 2022. For any other matters regarding the Italian Chaplaincy and/or Community, Giovanna Santomauro (Mob 0418 198 437) will be the liaison officer.
A VOCATION VIEW:
“Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Believe and act on Jesus’ promise. Pray for wisdom to discern God’s will. (Luke 11:1-13). To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION -
“Ask, and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9
Jesus assures us that God will care for what we need if we ask. The problem is that our culture often confuses what we really need with what we simply want. The truth is that many of us need very little. However, we usually want so much more! Stewardship is simply being grateful for all we are and all we have been given and generously sharing our God-given gifts with others. Generosity is a gift that opens doors to new relationships with others and God. 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: Ken Ledster, Kathy Stevens, Mutya Nario Lopez, Stephen Cokim, Nellie Bellinger, Leslie Clarke, Raymundo C. Isaga, Kristy Peat, Leon Mostert, Anna Janiek, Andrew McPherson, Louise Holmes, Ray Burton, Don Williamson, Michael & Denise Tracey, Betty O’Connell, Margaret Cook, Fred Grioli, Lynn Nunan, Elaine Casonati, Michael Murtagh, Kim Parkes, Cecily Cellinan, Kevin Brennan, Margaret Cusack, Fabiola Menzs, Peter O’Brien, Rachel Raines, Mary Jackson, Nenette Csundo, Vince Shanahan, Ilene Simpkins, Claire Perera, Jayani Antony, Panfilo Bantugan, Sandii Wall, Kath Kiely, Joanne Mooney, Therese Mullins, Michael Connell, Zeb Deane, Miriam Hill, Amando A. Mirasol Jr., Gus Reeves, John & Molly Robinson, Laila Mikael, Jean Di Benedetto, James Goodwin, Scott Mitchell, Malcolm Ward, John O’Brien, Ludwig Mueller, Kent Vince, Colleen Grehan, Carmelita Dulu, Bobby Courtney, Lisa Mangan, Robyn Skein, Kye Oh, Olga Hamshari, Margaret Haerse, Milka Barac, Rodney & Norma McLennan, Lois & Doug Wood, Duncan Dawson, William Franklin, Maria Mihalic, Annie Scicluna, Margaret Thompson, Patricia Moor, Helen Bohringer, Savannah Ayoub, Maeve Lombard, Arthur Haddad, Joanne Parkes, Michelle MacDonald, Mary Kerr. And all suffering from Covid-19 and its effects.
RECENTLY DECEASED: Carmen Nicolas, Alvin Smith, Billy Edmonds, Anne Logan, Noel Watson, Alice Morrasayan, John Tobin, Daphne Andreas, Kwang Hua Lim, John Gerard Robinson Jnr, Joseph Kania, Joe Hilton, John Massingham, Paula Stafford, Luke Tansey, John Vincent Davis, Muriel Lynch, Maryanne Vanek, Agata (Tina) Zammit, Frances Collins, Therese Hunt, Bill Gilmore.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: John Peter Reid, Roger Bullen, Thomas Hirst , Tadeusz Antoni Karawczyk , Valda Martin, Tera Phillip, Raphael Desira, Vivienne Marie Miau, Ronald (Ron) Mooney, William Cecil (Bill) Wall, Vittoria Ulliana, Daniel Charles (Dan) Quinn, Eileen Scharenguivel, Marie Doreen Emslie, Giuseppe Joe Alba, Fila Jones, Patrick McKenzie, Maurie Taafe, Helen Therese Moffat, Patrick Kelly. And also: Denise Vollenhoven, Joseph Shen (Jiasheng Shen), William Sammut, Victor O'Reilly, Margaret Ann (Ann) Mason, Terrence Gavin (Terry) Faloon, Patrick Sexton, Eftim Orloff, Fr Cyril Shand, Joseph Patrick Condon, Ermis Moro, Rita Steptoe, Margaret Mary Gordon, Emilia Smarzewska, Archbishop Frank Rush, Ruby Agnes Johnson, Bryan Suter, Corbett Benedict (Corby) McKay, Stefan Iosif Szemes.
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH: Divine by Any Name
An accomplished Catholic writer used to wryly state that “God” was the worst nickname ever: The term had acquired way too much baggage for him. Fortunately, the church has dozens of terms and metaphors for God, including the vivid image of God as a potter. The reality of God is beyond any one term or comparison, so it is fortunate that the Christian tradition gives us so many. Light, Rock, Creator, Wisdom, Saviour, Shepherd, Fortress, Vine, Shield, and on and on. What terms help bring God alive for you? “Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:1-6).
SIGN UP FOR "TAKE FIVE" DAILY ww.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES ARE READY FOR COLLECTION
The Planned Giving Envelopes are now available for collection at the Sacred Heart Church, Stella Maris Church and St Vincent’s Church before and after the scheduled Masses.
We only have envelopes for those who requested them or previously requested them. People who direct debit will not have envelopes.
If you would like a receipt for your donations received through Direct Debit or envelopes, please contact the Parish Office.
The Parish thanks everyone for their generosity over the past twelve months.
MASK WEARING
People should not feel the need to explain and apologise for continuing to wear masks and we ask that people respect their choices and needs. The risk of Flu and of Covid is still present, and there are quite a few vulnerable people in our community, so using hand sanitiser and reasonable social distancing where possible is still highly prudent.
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 email details for preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism and confirm the online booking.
Families wishing to be involved in our Surfers Paradise Parish Sacramental Program should regularly check the weekly newsletter for information updates, or they can email our Sacramental Coordinator, Cathy Anderson, at andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au
Sacrament of CONFIRMATION 2022
We are excited to announce that we have begun our Preparation for Confirmation with 120 children. The children’s parents have attended an Introductory Meeting which focussed on the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion, as well as one of the Sacraments of Healing - Reconciliation (Penance). The meaning of Sacrament and the essence of each of the childhood Catholic Sacraments were explained. Also the Brisbane Archdiocese’s Sacramental Policy was presented to parents so that they would be able to understand the changes around order of sacraments that has occurred since their own childhood faith journey began.
Each family has now received their copy of the At Home Preparation for Confirmation and over the next month, families will pray together and work through the videos and activities to complete the preparation. The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place in Surfers Paradise Parish on Friday September 2 at 5pm and 7pm.
Sacrament of EUCHARIST - First HOLY COMMUNION 2022
The last group of our parish children for First Holy Communion 2022 will celebrate on August 13 at the 5 pm Vigil Mass at Sacred Heart Church. They will complete our 2022 First Communion celebrations.
Fr Peter, Fr Paul, and everyone at Surfers Paradise Parish are looking forward to celebrating the second, third, fourth, and many subsequent Holy Communions with these children who have brought many blessings to our parish family.
2023 First Communion Preparation and Celebration dates will be included in the newsletter later this year.
Sacrament of PENANCE - RECONCILIATION
If you missed the March opportunity for your child to celebrate their First Reconciliation, we would like to offer you another opportunity this year. The First Rite of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 5:30 pm in Sacred Heart Church.
Reconciliation is a Sacrament of Healing. The Children’s Sacramental Program follows the Sacraments of Initiation. Reconciliation, also known as Penance, follows Baptism, Confirmation and 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. Children making their First Communion in June 2022 will also be eligible to participate in this Preparation for Reconciliation.
If you are unsure if your child will be included in the group, please email our Sacramental Coordinator, Cathy Anderson, at andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au
THIS WEEKEND’S GOSPEL - LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY
Reflection this week by guest - Seminarian Bradley Davies:
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.
How do we pray? You’ll be happy to know that there are many ways to pray. But what is not negotiable about prayer, is that we must persevere and persist in prayer. Prayer is not passive, it is active. Jesus’ disciples had seen Him pray and seen Him perform good acts. But in today’s Gospel, one of His disciples asks Him to teach them to pray, just as John had taught his disciples. It was the role of a rabbi in Jewish customs to teach their followers to pray, and Jesus teaches them a very profound way of praying.
Firstly, Jesus instructs His disciples to call God “Father.” This is Jesus emphasising the intimacy that exists between God, Himself, and us. This is a parent to child type of relationship. Hallowed be your name tells us to keep God’s name holy. “Your kingdom come” helps us to acknowledge that it is not our kingdom or our will that we must focus on, but God’s will – not just at the end of time, but also here and now. “Give us our daily bread” means to ask God to provide for our needs, and not wants. When the Israelites received manner from heaven in the Exodus story, they were instructed to take only what they needed. However, they did not conform and wrongfully took more than they needed. To ask for our daily bread is to ask for our needs to be met, but not the added luxuries. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive each other who is in debt to us” - may we forgive others in the same way that God forgives us. Do not put us to the test – may we find God’s grace in moments of temptation. While we acknowledge that we sin, we also ask for strength to rise above temptations to sin.
Jesus them emphasises the theme of persisting and persevering in prayer - “Ask, seek, knock.” Everyone who prays in this way receives. However, this comes with a challenge. We do not always receive in the way we think we should. Our persistence in prayer must come with persistent trust, and Abraham has this trust in the first reading. He asks God if He will really bring the just punishment on Sodom.
It is a filial (son, daughter) trust in God. “Will you really do this Lord if there are 50 just people?” Abraham even acknowledges that he is bold in speaking this way. And he goes further – what if there were 5 out of the 50 who are unjust? What if there were only 40? 20? 10? This exchange gives reference to middle eastern haggling. However, this time the haggling is not over goods, but God’s justice and mercy. But I think that this is not so much Abraham bargaining with God, as much as he is responding to God. It can be easy to think that praying insistently to God is about changing God’s mind. God will not change His mind. God does not change His mind due to Abraham’s plea, but God has heard the faithful response of Abraham, and offers the appropriate answer.
So how persistent are we in prayer? Do we persevere, or pray once or twice expecting what we want to happen? Perhaps we can, instead, persevere every day in prayer, and allow ourselves to grow closer to God, and accept that God will answer our prayers in the way we need, and not necessarily in the way we want.
(References: SEMINARIAN BRADLEY DAVIES ; IMAGE Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Vector ID: 1100500616 - Biblical vector illustration of Jesus Praying - Vector. Contributor Rudall).
Ask, Seek, Knock! (Fr Paul)
The word "parable" means literally that something is "laid alongside" another thing. In other words, a story or an example is put forward in order that the listener or the reader can compare (or contrast) a matter with something else.
In today's Gospel, it is very likely that the parable used by Our Lord is intended to contrast something with another. Jesus is virtually saying: "Do you really think that God's answer to your heartfelt prayer will only depend upon how effectively you have worn God down by repetition? Do you think God acts begrudgingly and reluctantly, like someone who does not really care but will act if you pester him so much he gives in; just to get rid of your annoying requests??"
God is a loving, "doting" father. God would give you the world if it were for your own good. God has given us the world (not without just limitations) for only that which is good. God eternally cares for us and gives us what we need. God ONLY desires our good. God does not do any harm to us, and God does not desire any harm for us. God always answers our prayers, but sometimes as we know all too well, the answer to our prayers will be a loving but firm "NO!"
We also know that God only ever answers us in love. Even if we do not fully comprehend the reply that we receive to our fervent prayers. Even if God's answer to us does not make sense. Even if he gives us what does not appear to be what was asked. The important message is that to God, we are beloved children. A parent always knows that a child will sometimes ask for something to which even the most doting and responsible parent would have to say “NO,” lovingly. This reply may very well cause distress. But distress is not desired. The desire to honestly and lovingly speak the truth and answer lovingly.
The Gospel goes on: "Ask, Seek, Knock"… What a wonderful concept. God has truly given us the true freedom of the children of God. We take this freedom seriously. We take full adult responsibility for our decisions and actions. The true meaning of Our Lord's teaching can be highlighted by looking at what he DID NOT say. If we look at what Jesus did NOT teach, we can highlight Christ's true teaching and message by bringing it into sharp contrast. For example, Jesus did NOT say "TAKE, DEMAND, SEIZE, STEAL…." Nor did Our Lord command us to "bash down the door and enter and take what you want." And naturally so, because Jesus' message was about non-violence, grace, and gentleness. So, "Ask, Seek, Knock…" These are indeed "doing words" - (verbs)- But they are also words that are deeply gentle, gracious, and respectful 'action words.' This captures the true beauty of Jesus' message.
"Ask… Seek … Knock….."
Also, Jesus didn't say: "Don't ask, and you will receive."…… "Don't bother looking, and you will find"…
"Don't knock, and yet expect people to know that you are standing outside wanting to get in."
God gave us the freedom to engage with him as his children and to use our Christian freedom and responsibility to ask for what needs to be asked and to seek for and find what is hidden and knock at the door of opportunity. This “active seeking” and openness allow God's ways to be provided to us.
Today's gospel and the first reading remind us of the constant pattern of authentic Christian Prayer.
First and foremost, our prayer is always a recognition of the primacy and greatness of God.
Also, our prayers should always thank God for the many gifts and blessings that God has already given us.
Prayer is for the purpose of placing God back at the centre of our lives, where God always belongs.
Prayer is intended to allow us to bend our wills to God's will and to shape us more and more into people who follow God's will in the world, not merely our own will. After all, daily, we pray that God’s Kingdom will come, Not “My kingdom come!”
Prayer puts God's will and priorities ahead of the fads and trends of this world.
When we pray, we become aware of how great God is and how far short of God we often fall. Our prayer always contains at least an implied spirit of penitence and sorrow for our sins and a heartfelt request for forgiveness and renewal. And prayer covers all of the events and people of life. True prayer is a connection to God and covers the needs,** and the needs of our families, our friends, our fellow parishioners and all people who struggle or hunger throughout the world….
Jesus, by teaching us the Lord's prayer, gives us not only a beautiful but simple prayer but also gives us his "mission statement." Christ shows us the focus of his Gospel, which puts God's ways front and centre in our lives….. Every authentic Christian prayer also contains the implicit caveat: “Not My Will, But Yours Be Done” (Mark 14:36 and Luke 22:42).
May Jesus (our teacher) lead us deeper and deeper into HIS perfect prayer and into his transforming ways. And through this prayer, may God's will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…
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.
(References: Fr Paul W. Kelly; * (this paragraph adapted from _) THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF LUKE. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY)
[Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. 465886334 - Copyright (c) 2016 LittlePerfectStock -Shutterstock. No use without permission]
“The world would have peace if only people of politics would follow the Gospels.” (Bridget of Sweden).
“To write well and speak well is mere vanity if one does not live well.” (Bridget of Sweden).
“The source of justice is not vengeance but charity.” (Bridget of Sweden).
Make your prayer simple, as simple as you can. Reason little, love much, and you will pray well.” (Willie Doyle).
“Contemplation is knowledge by love.” (Bede Griffiths, OSB).
Sts Joachim and Anne. PARENTS OF MARY.
A grand mission for grandparents:
At a time when grandparents shoulder an ever-greater role in the nurturing of children—helping young families navigate the many complex realities of modern life—it’s fortunate we have an international Catholic Grandparents Association, founded in 2009, to help fulfil a dual mission: “passing on the faith and keeping prayer at the heart of family life.” With Saints Joachim and Anne as patrons, the association hosts a podcast and encourages parishes to develop a thriving ministry for and by grandparents, recognizing their unique evangelising presence. Remembering grandparents, pray today the official prayer of the 2022 World Meeting of Families.
MEMORIAL OF MARTHA, MARY, AND LAZARUS, FRIENDS OF JESUS
What friends are for
It’s not easy to picture God as one of our friends. We can’t just call God up to meet us for a cup of coffee. But friendship has many characteristics that help us better understand our own relationship with God. “Friendship,” writes Pope Francis, “is no fleeting or temporary relationship, but one that is stable, firm and faithful, and matures with the passage of time. A relationship of affection that brings us together and a generous love that makes us seek our friend's good” (Christus vivit §152). For further reflection, look to Jesus himself and his friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
MEMORIAL OF PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (c.380–c.450) - Golden moments.
St Peter Chrysologous is the hands-down champion homilist of our tradition. Known as the “doctor of homilies,” his name literally means “golden-tongued.” Have you been moved by a great homily? Pope Francis (Evangelii Gaudium, 135) said that “The homily can actually be an intense and happy experience of the Spirit, a consoling encounter with God’s word, a constant source of renewal and growth.” Great homilies can be life-changing, bringing about a deep conversion. May you encounter a great homily and be touched by the golden word of God.
“For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear.” (Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24).
(source: ©2022 TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; mail@takefiveforfaith.com. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reprints are permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible Revised Edition. For more information about TAKE FIVE and our regular contributors, go to PrepareTheWord.com.Free daily email and app available online at TakeFiveForFaith.com/subscribe.)
APPEAL FOR THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE - Caritas International (Catholic)
Ukraine Crisis
Over 2.6 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine, and there have been at least 1,581 civilian casualties.
You can help the Caritas Ukraine staff on the ground to provide families with emergency food, water, shelter and hygiene support.
POPE FRANCIS: Catholics need a better understanding of the Mass
In a new letter, Pope Francis says the “sense of mystery” and awe Catholics should experience at Mass is not prompted by Latin or additional elements, but an awareness of the sacrifice of Christ and his presence in the Eucharist.
“Beauty, just like truth, always engenders wonder, and when these are referred to as the mystery of God, they lead to adoration,” he wrote in an apostolic letter “on the liturgical formation of the people of God.”
The letter is titled: Desiderio Desideravi (“I have earnestly desired”), and was released on the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. The title comes from Luke 22:15 when, before the Last Supper, Jesus tells his disciples, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”
In the letter, Pope Francis insisted that Catholics need to understand better the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council and its goal of promoting the “full, conscious, active and fruitful celebration” of the Mass.
“With this letter, I simply want to invite the whole Church to rediscover, safeguard and live the truth and power of the Christian celebration,” the Pope wrote. “I want the beauty of the Christian celebration and its necessary consequences for the life of the Church not to be spoiled by a superficial and foreshortened understanding of its value or, worse yet, by its being exploited in service of some ideological vision, no matter what the hue.”
While his letter offered what he called a “meditation” on the power and beauty of the Mass, Pope Francis also reiterated his conviction of the need to limit celebrations of the liturgy according to the rite in use before the Second Vatican Council.
“We cannot go back to that ritual form in which the Council fathers, ‘cum Petro et sub-Petro,’ (with and under St Peter) felt the need to reform, approving, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and following their conscience as pastors, the principles from which was born the reform.”
FULL STORY
Catholics need a better understanding of the Mass; Pope says (By Cindy Wooden, CNS)
Image of pope Francis - Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1251171766 -Copyright (c) 2018 AM113/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS
Still a few copies available of the Catholic Leader at the Religious Goods Shops, only $4.
Christmas has come early. A wonderful variety of inexpensive plaques, inspirational crosses and stands available now, at never to be repeated prices. End of line clearance. All $5 or less.
Suitable for Christmas gift giving. ‘God Bless our Home’ ‘Faith Hope and Love’ ‘Footprints’ ‘Desiderata’ to name just a few.
Available at the Sacred Heart and St Vincent’s Religious Goods Shops this weekend until sold out.
The Bold and the Beautiful Church Friendship Group
The Bold and the Beautiful Church Friendship Group is meeting for lunch at 12 noon, Thursday 28th July
at RQ’s Tavern, Cnr Robina Parkway & Markeri St, Robina. Everybody is welcome, just turn up.
For more information contact Leona Ph: 56308206
COMMUNION TO RESIDENTS AT NURSING HOMES. HELP IS STILL NEEDED!
We have had to reduce our visits with Holy Communion to the residents at Nursing Homes and urgently require more people to assist with this service. Can you spare 3 hours per month for this important Ministry?
Listed below are Nursing homes with their Day and time of visitation.
Lady Small Haven, Benowa. Tuesdays 9.30 am to 11.00 am
Merrimac Park Private Care, Merrimac. Wednesdays 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm
Bupa Nursing Home, Merrimac. Thursdays 9.30 am to 11.00 am
Tricare, Mermaid Beach Nursing Home, Mermaid Beach Fridays 10.15 am to 12.00noon
Tricare, Cypress Gardens Nursing Home, Clear Island Waters. Sundays after 9.00 am Mass Sacred Heart to 12.00 noon
For further information, ring the Parish Office or Maxine Sela on 0421051193.
ANNUAL CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN (Date Claimer) - OFFICIAL COLLECTION
SCHEDULED FOR 20 - 21 August 2022 *Please click here to give now* *8*
MEDITATION PRAYER GROUP
In the Morris prayer room Tuesdays from 10 am to 12 noon. The Meditation Group would very much like to welcome new members. All enquiries, please phone Pam Egtberts 0428090703
ART AND CRAFT GROUP - Every Wednesday in the PHC from 9 am until 12noon.
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.
Praying the Rosary - Our Lady’s Statue in the Parish
Details of the statue of Our Lady which is going around the Parish. If you would like to have her in your home and say the Rosary: please contact Maxine or Pat on 0412 519 404
The Roster for the next six weeks are:
25/7/2022 Bernadette Hensley - Arundel
1/8/2022 Bernadette Hensley - Arundel
8/8/2022 Helen & Thor Skjaerback - Merrimac
15/8/2022 Helen & Thor Skjaerback - Merrimac
22/8/2022 Joanne Fergusson - Clear Island Waters
29/8/2022 Joanne Fergusson - Clear Island Waters
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB- (20 Years Young)-
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 the format. No previous card playing experience is necessary. All are welcome.
For more information and to enrol, Please phone: Cheryl 5538 8821 or Mob 0417 772 701
Worldwide Marriage Encounter:
A weekend experience for married couples, priests and religious, away from the distractions of everyday living. Take time out of your busy schedule to invest in your most precious asset and revitalise your Sacrament. This is a unique opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh your relationship. It allows you to grow in your relationship with your spouse or community.
Our COVID-SAFE live-in weekends will be held from Friday evening, 14 October, to Sunday afternoon, 16 October (including Mass) at Santa Teresa, Ormiston. For bookings/details, contact Maria and David Murphy: 0481 307 821 qldbookings@wwme.org.au Watch Archbishop Mark Coleridge’s support video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o_Wp6qGB44
Information website: www.wwme.org.au
EXERCISE CLASS - LOW IMPACT - FOR HEART HEALTH -
Spring has sprung! Join Rochelle for a fun, functional exercise class at Casey Hall. Low impact cardiovascular exercises for heart health, improve strength and balance- an all-around fitness class for over 65’s. Stretch and strengthen the whole body, make new friends and feel great. Tuesday mornings @9.30 Beginners welcome. Contact Rochelle for further information on 0438 333 308.
YOGA AT THE PARISH HOSPITALITY CENTRE-
Come join us for our friendly class in the Parish Hospitality Centre next to the Parish Office. Classes run every Tuesday at 10:45 am. Learn to relax, yet gain greater flexibility, inner strength, body awareness and concentration, all while increasing your breath support and general wellbeing. Ruth is an IYTA accredited instructor with wide experience and runs a caring, carefully monitored one-hour session costing $10 (new attendees need to arrive by 10.30 am to prepare adequately for class). For more information, call Ruth on 0421338110.
TBA
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 conducting ‘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.
ADULT FAITH - What is Your Image of God?
Christians believe in one God, yet people have different ideas of what this God is like. For Example,
GOD THE POLICE OFFICER: Is God sitting on a cloud with a book and writing down everything we’ve done wrong? If so, we will almost certainly see our God in terms of “do’s and don'ts''. We will probably relate to others with a “reward and punishment” mindset too. Is God someone who says, “I knew you would make a mistake! It was just a matter of time!” Then we will inevitably see our own lives and others like this too. We may also believe that we cannot be loveable unless we are perfect. Are there Divine laws because God is fussy and wants everything tidy, or does your God feel comfortable in even the messy situations that life often throws us into. Does your God want to see you only when you’ve sorted yourself out, or as you are, in good times and bad?
GOD THE PRACTICAL JOKER: Does God send trials to people to test their love? If we think this, we may find ourselves saying to someone who has suffered a terrible loss in their life, “just accept this; God is testing you! Our God is doing this to strengthen you!” Attitudes like this can also find us saying, “if someone is poor, then God intended this to be their state in life.” This can be a very hurtful way of looking at life and its events.
GOD THE UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING PARENT: God is a parent or friend who wants us to live according to God’s vision because this it’s truly life-giving. God is not waiting for us to fail but is always ready to pick us up when we fall. How differently would we relate then? We could see God as one who demands truth and justice not because it is a rule or a law but because it is right and life-giving. We could even imagine that when tragic things happen in the world, God might be mourning with us rather than being the cause of the sadness). We live in a world that is lovingly created by God and is free and constantly unfolding. It is also a world that is sometimes messy, uncertain and risky. But God is with us always and loves us beyond imagination.
SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF POPE FRANCIS’ GROUNDBREAKING LETTER - LAUDATO SI’ - An excerpt from the Pope’s groundbreaking Encyclical.
Climate as a common good
23. The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all. It is a complex system linked to many essential human life conditions at the global level. A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system. In recent decades this warming has been accompanied by a constant rise in the sea level and, it would appear, by an increase in extreme weather events, even if a scientifically determinable cause cannot be assigned to each particular phenomenon. Humanity is called to recognize the need for lifestyle, production and consumption changes to combat this warming or at least the human causes that produce or aggravate it. It is true that there are other factors (such as volcanic activity, variations in the earth’s orbit and axis, and the solar cycle), yet a number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides and others) released mainly as a result of human activity. As these gases build up in the atmosphere, they hamper the escape of heat produced by sunlight at the earth’s surface. The problem is aggravated by a model of development based on the intensive use of fossil fuels, which is at the heart of the worldwide energy system. Another determining factor has been an increase in changed uses of the soil, principally deforestation for agricultural purposes.
24. Warming has effects on the carbon cycle. It creates a vicious circle which aggravates the situation even more, affecting the availability of essential resources like drinking water, energy and agricultural production in warmer regions and leading to the extinction of part of the planet’s biodiversity. The melting in the polar ice caps and in high-altitude plains can lead to the dangerous release of methane gas, while the decomposition of frozen organic material can further increase the emission of carbon dioxide. Things are made worse by the loss of tropical forests, which would otherwise help to mitigate climate change. Carbon dioxide pollution increases the acidification of the oceans and compromises the marine food chain. If present trends continue, this century may well witness extraordinary climate change and unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequences for all of us. For example, a rise in the sea level can create extremely serious situations if we consider that a quarter of the world’s population lives on the coast or nearby and that most of our megacities are situated in coastal areas.
25. Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day. Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing countries in the coming decades. Many of the poor live in areas particularly affected by phenomena related to warming, and their means of subsistence are largely dependent on natural reserves and ecosystemic services such as agriculture, fishing and forestry. They have no other financial activities or resources which can enable them to adapt to climate change or to face natural disasters, and their access to social services and protection is very limited. For example, changes in climate, to which animals and plants cannot adapt, lead them to migrate; this, in turn, affects the livelihood of the poor, who are then forced to leave their homes, with great uncertainty for their future and that of their children. There has been a tragic rise in the number of migrants seeking to flee from the growing poverty caused by environmental degradation. They are not recognized by international conventions as refugees; they bear the loss of the lives they have left behind without enjoying any legal protection whatsoever. Sadly, there is widespread indifference to such suffering, which is now occurring worldwide. Our lack of response to these tragedies involving our brothers and sisters points to the loss of that sense of responsibility for our fellow men and women upon which all civil society is founded.
26. Many of those who possess more resources and economic or political power seem mostly to be concerned with masking the problems or concealing their symptoms, simply making efforts to reduce some of the negative impacts of climate change. However, many of these symptoms indicate that such effects will continue to worsen if we continue with current models of production and consumption. There is an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced, for example, by substituting for fossil fuels and developing renewable energy sources. Worldwide there is minimal access to clean and renewable energy. There is still a need to develop adequate storage technologies. Some countries have made considerable progress, although it is far from constituting a significant proportion. Investments have also been made in production and transportation, which consume less energy and require fewer raw materials, as well as in construction and renovating buildings that improve their energy efficiency. But these good practices are still far from widespread.
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.
(see further: The Kombumerri People and https://kombumerritogetherproject.com/digital-resources/yugambeh-language/)
Commitment To Child Safety and Vulnerable-Adult Safety
No comments:
Post a Comment