PDF version of this parish newsletter here:
You can also access an online copy of the newsletter *here*
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.” (John 14:15-16)
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1508913527 - Stained Glass image of the Holy Trinity. Taken at St. Clement of Rome, Metairie, Los Angeles, USA., on September 9, 2019. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Dan Oberly.
Also, A Mother’s Day photo
PASTOR’S POST - Whatever You Do to the Least . . . (Part 2)
By Sister Lis Keane IBVM – Chaplain Numinbah Women’s Prison
Why do I continue visiting Numinbah each week, and why is it such an important part of my life?
In prison, we find so many of His wounded ones. My presence, for the past 22 years, is a pastoral one, so I go with a ‘listening ear’, (I believe it is not a mistake that God gave us two ears and only one mouth!), accepting the women where they are and not judging. I believe a Christian is someone who sees with the eyes of Jesus, and this is what I try to do. I hope the women see me as a welcoming, encouraging woman, with a compassionate acceptance, who helps them to believe in themselves and encourages them to forgive themselves. Only then can their self-esteem be restored, and a fulfilled future becomes possible.
(Sr Elisabeth has been serving the Lord as a Loretto Sister for 65 years)
Mostly I do not know the crime for which a woman has been sentenced unless she tells me. I hope I am seen as a woman who will not condemn, and that I represent a God who can be trusted even if no one else can be. The faith I preach by my presence is a very basic one where I see people as human beings whom God loves, and not as criminals. As a chaplain, I must show the love of Christ, even to the most unlovable. It is not always easy. I have witnessed bullying and a lot of manipulation but that is the only way some of them have learnt to survive. But I have never felt scared, and I know most of them respect me and are grateful that I come every week.
There are many reasons why people end up in prison – mental health issues, poor education, drug and/or alcohol addiction, racism, the result of abuse, and the home environment. I cannot solve these problems, but I do encourage the women to look at what it was that got them into prison, and how they can change to lessen the chances of re-offending. I believe there is good at the heart of us all, some of us have used our opportunities better, but if the women can understand a mistake is not a death sentence, and Jesus loves and forgives them, they may have the belief in themselves to choose better lifestyles.
Prison life is relative to what one has outside; if one has no home or other material possessions, no loved ones, no status, then life in prison can be OK – they have a bed, shelter, meals provided for them, medical help provided, and company. For some of them, prison can be their security, and they are the ones who re-offend, or maybe they are institutionalised. But many of them realise that there is more to life than being a criminal. Many of them are desperate to change their lives.
The prevailing attitudes of our society can make it difficult for prisoners ever to have the hope of living a fulfilling, productive life after their sentence. I have heard them all: ‘Lock them up and throw away the key’; ‘Make them live on bread and water;’ ‘Why should they have TV? They should sit and think of what they have done.’ From my experience, I can assure you the women at Numinbah never forget what they have done. Often the hardest thing for a prisoner to do is to forgive themselves and move forward.
Mother Teresa said, ‘I may not always be able to speak their language, but I can always smile, and often a smile conveys more than words can say.’ The greatest gift I have to offer is myself, my sensitivity, and my compassion. I pray that I may always love with the love of the One who is with me, it is His voice that soothes, encourages, motivates, provides, and maintains hope. I meet and have met over the past 22 years, some wonderful and inspiring women, and I am proud of so many of them who are now making a worthwhile contribution to our society.
Sister Lis Keane IBVM
Parish Volunteers Required!
Catechists - Sponsors - Support
Dear Parishioners
We have 20 people who have enquired about becoming Catholic since the Easter Vigil, and we are in the process of meeting with these people to discuss their journey of faith so far and how we might move forward with their enquiry.
We will be commencing ‘instruction’ on Sunday afternoons from 4.00 pm to 5.45 pm in the Parish Hospitality Centre and then attending the 6 pm Sunday night Mass at Sacred Heart Church. Some of our candidates will be starting their journey by attending Mass at 6 pm this Sunday until we are ready to commence their ‘instruction’ which will hopefully be around the end of June or early July at the latest. We are aiming towards the early Christmas period for Baptism and Reception into the Catholic Church if possible.
Therefore we are looking for parishioners who will be willing to walk with them during their journey from now until November/December (date yet to be determined).
As you can see, with 20 enquirers, this time we will need quite a number of people to fill the roles required for this to happen. May the Holy Spirit fill your hearts with generosity so that you are able to open yourselves to accept the CALL to be a part of our RCIA Process at this time. If you can accept, then please call the Parish Office: (07) 56717388 (9 am–12 pm Mon-Fri) and leave your Name, Email Address and Mobile Phone number (or landline if you do not have a mobile but would like a mobile if possible as easier to keep in contact with a text when required)
Please continue to keep those people who were Baptised and Received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on 7th April and prior years in your prayers as they move forward with their faith journey as it will be very difficult continuing on their own and finding a routine that will include their weekly Mass commitment and daily prayer life.
As we all know it is sometimes easier to commit to our faith journey and prayer relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by becoming involved in Parish Ministry - so if there's anyone out there who would like to be involved ring the Parish Office (as per above) and also put your names down for something:
Ministers at our Masses - Sundays and/or Weekdays - please see the details of Sunday Obligation below
Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist - under both kinds Body and Blood
Proclaiming the Word of God - Commentator, Readings, Prayers of the Faithful
Welcomer
Collectors
Sacristan (setting up of the altar for Mass)
Coordinator (organising those parishioners who have volunteered for the various ministries)
Ministry to the Elderly/Sick in their homes and in the Nursing Homes
We have a number of Nursing Homes that are visited regularly and on various days so enquire and you may find somewhere or someone that suits your busy lives
Faith Journey
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - for those wanting to be Baptised in the Catholic Church, for those Baptised in another Tradition but now wanting to be Received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church, for those Catholics who may have been away from the Catholic Church and are now wanting to learn about their faith as an adult and come back, and for those Catholics who are wanting to refresh their understanding of our values, morals and traditions.
Bible Study
Outreach to Various Organisations
St Vincent de Paul Society
Rosies - Friends on the Streets
Meals on Wheels
Care and Concern - volunteering to take people to appointments who are sick or elderly and no longer have the transport to do this themselves
Social Organisations
Details of these can be found further down in this Newsletter
Community is what we are about - being community to each other and receiving community from others - a place/time/space where we can feel that we belong. This is one of the most important needs that we will encounter in our lives and can make a big difference to our and others' happiness and well-being.
HOSPITAL CALLS - AROUND THE DEANERY -
HELP THE PRIESTS OF THE DEANERY RESPOND TO URGENT CALLS EFFECTIVELY BY CALLING THE FOLLOWING PARISHES FIRST RESPONDERS TO NEEDS WITHIN THE HOSPITALS LISTED.
To efficiently deal with the pastoral needs around the Catholic Parishes of the Gold Coast, the parishes within this Deanery have the practice of having the first call for emergencies going to the priests of the parish where the hospital is located. Here is a helpful guide to the hospitals and their attendant priests. A nursing home call also follows this procedure, where the first priest to call is a priest from the parish within which the Nursing Home is located.
Robina Hospital - Burleigh Heads Parish on 5576 6466
Pindara Hospital - Surfers Paradise Parish 56717388
John Flynn Hospital -Coolangatta-Tugun Parish on 5598 2165
University & Gold Coast Private Hosp-Southport Parish 5510 2222
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Anne Weatherburn, John Fisher, Delores Barrett (in Sydney), Leonardo Torcaso, Diana Castro, Stephen O’Brien, Joseph Ah Lo, Sarina Losurdo, Anne Van Deurse, Tim Brown, Jenny Haines, Annie Scicluna, Lois Wood, Phil McWilliam, Coralie Brennan, Kim Ingram, Karen Vestergard, John Thomas, Pat Jones, Felipe S Cataquiz Sr, Margaret Buckingham, Nathan Lepp, Margaret & George Cook, Geraldine Daniels, Diane & Steve Land, John & Molly Robinson, Peter Barry, Phil Bawden, Kath Kiely, Natalie O’Reilly, John Nathaniel Maher, Peter O’Brien, Betty Taylor, Rosie May Fisher, Denise Tracey, Sally Gage, Jean Di Benedetto, Maria Manuela, Rogelio Rodriguez, Gus Reeves, Patrick Joven de Leon, Baby Samuel Timothy, Maria Yuna, Maria Teresa Gutierrez, Margaret Haerse, Jo Clark, Kay Pitman, Michael Murtagh, Leslie Clarke, Lena Hiscock, Shirley Montford, Beryl Dorfield, Joanne Mooney, Patricia Roberts, Tom Ross, Joanne Parkes, Jack Barretto, Doug Chester, Kathy Stevens, Nellie Bellinger, Leslie Clarke, Kristy Peat, Anna Janiek, Andrew McPherson, Louise Holmes, Fred Grioli, Lynn Nunan, Kim Parkes, Cecily Cellinan, Kevin Brennan, Margaret Cusack, Fabiola Menzs.
RECENTLY DECEASED: Robert Wasniowski, Bastiaantje (Jeanne) Monisse, Denise Welsh, Clement Tong, Debbie Pinard, Andy Kudus, Leo Anderson, Grant Steele, David Trebilco, Shane Vincent Hall, Rose Grima, Brian Mooney, Gregory Lemon, Albert Daly, Cecily Fury, Joyce Rosa Parisi, Douglas Glenn, Andrija Kudus, Theresa Joseph Johannes, Lenette Mary Evans, Sr Patricia McGovern, Kathleen Jeffords,Betty O’Connell, Jean Kitrell, Robyn Skein, Stephen Robert Bray, Peter Winks, Andre Helena, Paul Thomas Hawkins, Cornelis “Casey” Bayens, Lin Dean, Patricia Bartlett, Mary Curran, Mary Nicholl, Noni Twidale.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Sr Mary Teresa (Swee Lian CHIA) ocd (Christchurch, NZ), Dorothy Fox, Patricia Bridge, Veronica Scarcella, John McGrath, Daphne Gabriel Paice, John Rawlings, Janina Kraus, Hans Gerhard Gringel, John Egan, Robert Brian Butler, John Joseph Chappell, Lilian Elizabeth Cheetham, Nancy Denaro, Ross Patrick Hickey, Benjamin Gary Bayes, Thomas Hirst, Angel Dee Nipperess, Karen Ann Tansey, Deris Howell, Jean Georges Rabbath, Patricia Connaghan, Margaret Bell Boyle, Leonor Corazon, Brian Nolan, Maria Lucia Zervos, Irmgard (Joan) Graz, Judith Anne O'Connor, Clarita Lopez, Distony Lunandi.
And Also: Anthony (Tony) Ghusn, Bruck Wheeler, Wheeler, Westwell & Woodgate families. Daryl Walter Hyland, Bruce George Ellery, Gloria Venera McMaster, Frederico Arconada Snr., Alfred Lawrence (Laurie) Cooper, Nola Rita Lawrence, Deris Eunice Howell,Christohper Di Maio, Stephanie Sandford, Maria & Len Maugeri, Kathleen Fay Cooper, Mario & Josephine Wirth, Patricia Mary Dussek, Robert Chadwick Evans, Juan Rivero, Brian Reuben Maher, Imre (Henry) Masa, Trevor Bourneville, Brian Day, Gordon Lepp, Calogero Misuraca, Milka Marusic, Frank Glynn, Michael Schons, Alma Anderson, Josephine Tansey, Anthony George Howard
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES
Holy Communion gifts are still available in our shops.
Our shops have a beautiful selection of Blessed Virgin Mary Statues, or order a special statue for your home.
“The month of May is here, a month which the piety of the faithful has long dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. Our heart rejoices at the thought of the moving tribute of faith and love, which will soon be paid to the Queen of Heaven in every corner of the earth. For this is the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration, and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God's merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother's throne”. MENSE MAIO ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PAUL VI ON PRAYERS DURING MAY FOR PRESERVATION OF PEACE. APRIL 29, 1965
The May edition of the Catholic Leader available in the churches this weekend
Counting the days to World Youth Day in Lisbon
Pope Francis urges all Catholics to examine their conscience each day
Recipe of the month - St Joseph the Worker Lamb Stew
Number of Catholics falling but flock is more diversified
HISPANIC (LATINO AMERICAN) COMMUNITY
Are happy to announce that as from this Sunday, 14th May, Mass will now be celebrated every Sunday evening, 5:30pm at St Vincent’s Catholic Church, 40 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise. Our celebrant is Fr. Syrilus Madin.
The Gold Coast contact: Juan Arrieta 0406 705 349
SPCL - MORNING TEA FOR CANCER
Surfers Paradise Catholic Ladies invite you to join them in a morning tea to raise funds for Cancer on Saturday the 20th of May 2023 from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. Venue – “Hospitality Centre” Ticket $30 per person. Tables of 8 are available.
Please make this a Parish Contribution to Cancer. Phone Maxine Sela at 0421051193, or Wendy Webb at 0412237832 to book your tickets by the 12th of May.
BIBLE STUDY
The Bible Study/Prayer Group at St Vincent’s Church - 40 Hamilton Avenue Surfers Paradise.
on a Friday evening is in abeyance until October. Further enquires to Ashley 0409 840 693
DATE CLAIMER: BRISBANE CITY POPS ORCHESTRA
Brisbane City Pops Orchestra, joined by local School choirs. Guardian Angels Church, Southport. Sunday 23 July 2023 at 2.00 pm. Please save the date
OUR LADY’S STATUE
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 four weeks is-
5/5/2023 Maxine & Patrick Main Beach
22/5/2023 Nardine & Eyline Merrimac
29/5/2023 Nardine & Eyline Merrimac
5/6/2023 Rachael & Kermal Broadbeach
12/6/2023 Rachael & Kermal Broadbeach
ART AND CRAFT GROUP -
The Group meets in the Parish Hospitality Centre on Wednesdays from 9 to 12. Activities include art (watercolour, oils, acrylics, pen and ink drawing etc.), as well as various kinds of 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.
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB-
Meets at the Sacred Heart - Parish Hospitality Centre, Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters.
Playing Bridge keeps your brain active and increases your social network! So why not give us a try?
Learn to play Bridge at “Our Friendly Club” - Free Lesson. “Introduction to Bridge” - It is Easy to learn the format. No previous card-playing experience is necessary. All are welcome. For more information and to enrol, please phone: Cheryl at 5538 8821 or Mob at 0417 772 701.
EXERCISE CLASS - LOW IMPACT - FOR HEART HEALTH -
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.
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. Please phone Pam Egtberts at 0428090703.
YOGA AT THE PARISH HOSPITALITY CENTRE
Join us for our social 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 well-being. Ruth is an IYTA-accredited instructor with wide experience and runs a caring, carefully monitored one-hour session costing $10 (new attendees, please arrive by 10.30 am to prepare adequately for class). For more information, call Ruth on 0421338110.
MARIAN VALLEY PILGRIMAGE:
Please join us at the Marian Valley for the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on 13.05.2023. The bus will pick up at 8.15 am at the Sacred Heart Church Clear Island Waters. The Cost for the bus fare is $25.00 return. You can secure your seat with a contact name and phone number with Xavier Solomon at 0404 843 260, Madeleine on 0405 252 367 or 5529 1573. All are welcome.
https://brisbanecatholic.org.
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 abusing children or vulnerable adults.
SEVEN PRIORITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE -
LAMPS ABLAZE: The Seven Apostolic Priorities of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, from 2023 onwards. (Part five of a series).
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Priority: Engaging anew with First Nations Peoples
(Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Psalm 65:1-7, 16, 20, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21)
Introduction
In today’s first reading, Philip goes down to the city of Samaria to proclaim the Messiah to them. The result is “great joy in that city.” If the Gospel is not good news, then the Gospel hasn’t been preached. If the acceptance of the Gospel doesn’t result in great joy, then the Gospel hasn’t been received. Sadly, throughout history, the preaching of the Gospel has often been mixed up with political power. The good news that would set the captives free came with a new political power that would create a new kind of captivity. This tension can be recognised in Australian history and is addressed by the Archbishop’s fifth apostolic priority: engaging anew with First Nations Peoples.
Archbishop Mark writes:
The injustice done to First Nations peoples in this country is a running sore at the heart of the nation. It is contemporary Australia’s original sin… We need a genuinely new engagement of the Church with the First Nations peoples, especially in an Archdiocese like this where the Indigenous presence is strong. A new engagement will mean, first of all, listening to Indigenous voices, and believing that we can learn if we really listen. In the past, non-Indigenous Australia has struggled to believe that we could learn anything from First Nations peoples. They could learn from us, but not we from them. That has to change, both in the Church and in Australia more generally. Then the listening and learning need to lead to action.
1. The Spirit of Truth
In the Gospel reading, Jesus promises to send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will always be with us and is the Spirit of truth. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us to the truth about God and ourselves. Any meaningful engagement with First Nations Peoples must begin with the truth. Indeed, the concept of Truth Telling is a key strategy of Reconciliation Australia. Truth telling means the “process of openly sharing historical truths after periods of conflict to allow societies to move forward in a more inclusive way, based on justice and human rights.”[1] So let’s begin with some truth telling.
The 1788 arrival of the First Fleet resulted in cautious friendships being formed between the First Australians and the British Empire. Within three years, relations soured as settlers spread out across the land. Researchers now estimate that more than 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were killed in 403 massacres.[2] Beyond this, the introduction of new diseases and the forceful acquisition of First Nations lands caused the deaths of many more.
In 1901 when the Commonwealth of Australia formed, Indigenous Australians were excluded from the census and from the lawmaking powers of the Commonwealth Parliament. The White Australia Policy excluded First Nations Peoples from voting, pensions, employment in post offices and maternity allowance.[3] It was not until 1962 that First Nations people were granted the right to vote, and it was 1967 when First Nations peoples were counted on the Australian census.
This appalling history of the mistreatment of First Nations Peoples continues to impact First Nations Peoples. According to a 2021 survey, 52.1% of First Nations people surveyed reported "experiencing at least one form of major discrimination, such as unfairly being denied a job or unfairly discouraged from continuing education."[4] Today, child mortality is at twice the rate compared with non-First Nations children. About 1 in 4 First Nations students in Years 5, 7 and 9 remain below national minimum standards for reading. In 2018-19, around 34 percent of First Nations youth aged 20-24 had not attained Year 12 or equivalent. Just over half of all young people in detention on an average night in June 2019 were First Nations Australians.[5]
On February 13, 2008, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said, “we apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.”[6]
2. The Spirit of Love
In the Gospel reading Jesus says, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.” When Jesus was asked the most important commandment he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ … and you “shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matt 22:34 – 40). To love is to work for the good of the other. The first fruit of the Holy Spirit listed by St Paul is love! The Spirit of God is the Spirit of truth and love.
Love is a verb – it’s a doing word – it requires action. St Paul says, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor 13:6-7). In this light, a new engagement with First Nations Peoples and the work of reconciliation are essential to the Church’s mission. We are not free to stand aside whilst our First Nations’ sisters and brothers are disadvantaged. St Mary MacKillop reminds us, “never see a need without doing something about it.” We are called to engage anew – to love – to listen, and to do all we can to bring true reconciliation in our nation.
Conclusion
The history of mistreatment of First Nations Peoples in Australia is sobering. Against the backdrop of these difficult facts, there are signs of hope, and the Church is getting involved. The Uluru Statement, endorsed by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, states, “Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination.” The Archdiocese of Brisbane has adopted a Reconciliation Action Plan. Let us consider how we might contribute to this ministry of reconciliation as we now take a moment to pray.
Prayer for Reconciliation
God of all creation,
as we journey together in this Great Southern Land,
we pray for healing, forgiveness and unity,
creating a path of goodwill, with justice and compassion.
Jesus, through the power of your love, you have given us the courage, wisdom and strength to share our gifts and talents in humility.
In peace and understanding, we reconcile with each other.
Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received. Allow your Spirit to wash over us and give us strength to walk together as one.[7] Amen.
[1] https://www.firstpeoplesvic.
[3] https://www.sbs.com.au/news/
[7] This Reconciliation Church prayer was written by a small group of Aboriginal Elder women and Reconciliation Church staff members in 2014. It can be found here, https://www.
“LAMPS ABLAZE” - TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL DOCUMENT - PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: https://drive.google.com/file/
Happy Mother's Day to all mums
Different parts of the world celebrate Mother's Day on different dates in the year. Still, whatever date it is celebrated, it is no coincidence that Christ used the image of an unconditionally loving mother to describe an essential characteristic of God's eternally loving and nurturing nature. (See Matthew 23:37, ESV: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!). What better example of unconditional love can be witnessed than the love of a Mother or a Father for their cherished child? Christ wants us to know and experience the deep and abiding love that God has for us, in calling us God's daughters and sons. This weekend we pray for all Mothers that they may be blessed for their goodness, kindness and self-forgetting love.
The following countries celebrate Mother’s Day on the Second Sunday in May each year. Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Whilst Mother’s Day is celebrated on the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday) in Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Nigeria, and The United Kingdom.
A Prayer in Gratitude and Blessing for Our Mothers.
Good and Gentle God, Lord of creation, we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life and nurturing, with love, young lives. Jesus, you became human through the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant to all mothers the grace and strength they need to face the uncertain moments that life often brings us all. Give them the ongoing strength to love and to be loved in return. Give them the faithful support of family and friends and the wider community. May they receive peace and joy from their family and friends. Give them joy and delight in their families and friends to sustain them through joys and sorrows. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most. Bless all our mothers and grant them an eternal reward for their unconditional love and kindness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Author Unknown -adapted by P. Kelly).
A VOCATION VIEW:
That Jesus rose from the dead is our Faith. That we can be reborn in the Spirit is our Hope. That we can do God's work is our Love. Follow God's Call. To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION -
On this sixth Sunday of Easter, our readings remind us Christian stewards of the importance and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They also teach us that love of God shows itself in concrete actions — this is precisely why the stewardship way of life is so necessary.
Throughout the Easter season, our first readings, taken from the Act of the Apostles, have recounted the growth (and growing pains) of the early days of the Church. Today we read that the Samaritans had accepted the word of God, and while there was great rejoicing over this, they were still in need of more before they were fully empowered disciples. So, Peter and John “went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Peter and John “laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” The “more” that these new Christians needed, was, of course, the Holy Spirit.
We, too, need and have received the Holy Spirit in our lives, initially at our Baptism, and in full measure at the moment of our Confirmation. The gifts and guidance of the Holy Spirit are essential to the Christian steward and the stewardship way of life. Today is a great opportunity, especially as we draw nearer to Pentecost, to begin to examine our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Do we make full use of all of the grace and power the Holy Spirit has for us in meeting the challenges of life?
(Image: Holy spirit icon, Bradford Cathedral).
Our second reading, from St. Peter, is certainly filled with challenges for us, beginning with the first verse, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” In other words, we must put Christ first above all else in our lives. His role is not merely as Savior of our lives, as significant as that role is; He is to be the “Lord” of our lives as well. As His disciples, we are called to make Him ruler of all aspects of our lives — our time, talents and treasure.
The beauty of the stewardship way of life is that it offers us a concrete means to show that Christ truly is Lord in our lives, to “prove” our love, in a manner of speaking, because true love is not a mere sentiment. “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me,” Jesus tells us in our Gospel passage from John.
True love is an act of the will. It requires obedience to all of God’s commandments. This requires courage, humility and deep trust in Him. It requires that we lean on the Holy Spirit for the strength and wisdom to continuously make Jesus the Lord of our lives.
But the rewards are indescribably wonderful. Christ tells us Himself, “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Could there be anything more satisfying to live in such a way that the God of the universe is pleased to reveal more and more of Himself to us?
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us fully embrace the stewardship way of life so as to truly sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous and accountable for what each has been given.
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH - What keeps us faithful
Catholics tend to be leery of words like "testimony" and "witness" when it comes to the business of sharing our faith with others. We may prefer to keep our profession of faith in a more formal key: say, with a group recitation of the Apostles' or Nicene Creed. Many of us may feel ill-equipped to give a defence of the faith in the debate style known as apologetics. Yet each of us should be prepared to give the reason for our hope to anyone who asks. What keeps us faithful? And how does what we believe influence who we're becoming? “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (1 Peter 3:15).
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THIS WEEKEND’S GOSPEL - Abiding Love
Jesus asked the apostles to love him and to follow his commandments, for this is the way to have life. This is the way to experience the love of the Heavenly Father. There is really only one commandment, the single command to love. If we love Jesus, then we have a love for one another. When we live the values and commands Jesus lived in his own life—humility, joy, peace, compassion and love —we are doing the will of the Father. It is also the Spirit of Truth who helps us to understand the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives even now and always.
The readings this weekend speak of the early church communities forming just after Jesus returned to his Heavenly Father… and had sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles and to the church…. The readings also show that the Holy Spirit sends the disciples out into mission.. into new territories… further afield.. to preach and to spread the word of God further and further…..
Jesus, as we hear in the Gospel this weekend… prepared the apostles for his leaving (at his Ascension) by telling them that they would never really be left alone. They would never be like orphans; but, rather, the Spirit of Truth would come (at Pentecost). It is this Spirit that helped them to know the presence of Jesus in their lives even when they were no longer able to see him with their eyes.
Jesus asked the apostles to love him and to follow his commandments, for this is the way to have life. This is the way to experience the love of the Heavenly Father. There is really only one commandment, the single command to love. If we love Jesus, then we have love for one another. When we live the values and commands Jesus lived in his own life—humility, joy, peace, compassion and love —we are doing the will of the Father.
It is also the Spirit of Truth who helps us to understand the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives even now and always.
In the coming week.. in some time of quiet and prayer and reflection.. let us reflect prayerfully upon some questions…….
• What is your experience of how Jesus continues to reveal himself to us today?
• What value that Jesus lived do you find the most attractive?
• When is the promise of the Spirit of Truth most alive in you?
• How comforting is it to you to live in the promise that the Holy Spirit will always be with us?
And notice, in the gospel.. Jesus speaks about sending the Holy Spirit upon his followers… the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth… the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and makes us sons and daughters of God… and joins us to God.. so that we are in communion.. in union with God and with one another.. what a special gift!!!….
The presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and in our church is absolutely vital. Without the Holy Spirit of God, we cannot do anything effective….
This truth was known right from the beginnings of the Church two thousand years ago… and so… the ancient greeting the early Christian communities gave to each other reflected the presence and the truth of the Holy Spirit in their lives… the priest or bishop would say “the Lord be with you” and the people would reply.. “and with your Spirit”.,,, this was a recognition and acknowledgement that the Spirit was present in us…. Rather fittingly.. the church has gone back to this ancient saying…. It actually never changed.. the English response we had been using for forty years before it was changed back to the ancient words again a few years ago)… the words.. “and also with you” we're actually a very loose translation; a paraphrase of the Latin master-edition of the Mass…. And Rome and the local bishops decided that this translation didn’t capture sufficiently the recognition of the Holy Spirit, who is SO necessary for the life of the church. Now, since 2010, we Catholics have returned to the ancient words that say so much!!! And, I must say, although it is an unusual phrase. I like it. I like how it acknowledges the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, and how this Spirit of God is with us always, bringing Jesus not only to mind, but also making him present and active in our lives, and in our hearts.
REFERENCES: FR. PAUL W. KELLY; Celebrating the Gospels. By Gaynell Cronin.
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 614940788 - TERVUREN, BELGIUM - MARCH 13, 2017: Stained Glass in the Church of Tervuren, Belgium, depicting the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: jorisvo
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St Matthias
◆ “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Acts (1:24) They drew lots and chose Mathias to replace Judas.
◆ Mathias preached in Judea, Egypt and Ethiopia. Stories of his martyrdom vary. It is believed he was stoned and beheaded.
◆ St. Mathias is the patron saint against alcoholism and smallpox. He is also the patron of carpenters.
◆ Saint Matthias was an early disciple of Jesus who was there “from the baptism of John until the day” of the Ascension. It is traditionally believed he was one of the 70 disciples commissioned by Jesus and so the apostles knew him well. However, the rest of the New Testament is silent in regards to the apostolic endeavours of Saint Matthias.
◆ Where did he go after becoming the “replacement” apostle? A reliable tradition states that Matthias founded a church in Cappadocia and ministered to Christians on the coasts of the Caspian Sea. It is said a particular feature of his preaching was an appeal to personal mortification to purify oneself from the desires of the flesh.
Saint Clement of Alexandria ascribes the following quote to Saint Matthias, “It behooves us to combat the flesh, and make use of it, without pampering it by unlawful gratifications. As to the soul, we must develop her power by faith and knowledge.”
◆ It is believed that he died a martyr’s death, and was beheaded with an axe in Colchis at the hands of the many pagans there.
◆ While little is known about his life, the appointment of Matthias as an apostle is the earliest evidence the Catholic Church has of Apostolic Succession, explaining why even today popes and bishops are chosen to replace those who went before them.
◆ His life also reminds us that the twelve apostles were not the only ones who followed Jesus throughout his public ministry. There were many others, including a “Joseph” who almost became Judas’ replacement instead of Matthias. Jesus attracted a crowd of people wherever he went and some of them continued to follow him, while others left when his teachings were difficult. Matthias was one who gladly accepted Jesus’ teaching and was willing to be a “witness to his resurrection,” even if it cost him his life. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility - https://brisbanecatholic.org.
➔ St John 1. (c. 470 – May 18, 526) is believed to have been born in Siena.
◆ Saint John I’s Story: Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected pope.
◆ When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of Catholics in the West.
◆ On his way home, John was imprisoned at Ravenna because the emperor had begun to suspect that John’s friendship with his eastern rival might lead to a conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died, apparently, from the treatment he received in prison.
◆ John’s body was transported to Rome and he was buried in the Basilica of St. Peter.
◆ We cannot choose the issues for which we have to suffer and perhaps die.
◆ Pope Saint John the First suffered because of a power-conscious emperor. Jesus suffered because of the suspicions of those who were threatened by his freedom, openness, and powerlessness. “If you find that the world hates you, know it has hated me before you” (John 15:18).
➔ St Bernadine of Siena
◆ “Whenever the divine favour chooses someone to receive a special grace or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfil the task at hand.”
◆ “The name of Jesus, is in fact, the great foundation of the faith that turns people into children of God. The Catholic Faith indeed, consists in the news of Jesus Christ, as the light of the soul, gate of life and foundation of eternal salvation.”
◆ “The Name of Jesus is the glory of preachers because the shining splendour of that Name causes His word to be proclaimed and heard. And how do you think such an immense, sudden and dazzling light of faith came into the world, if not because Jesus was preached? Was it not through the brilliance and sweet savour of this Name that God called us into His marvellous light?”
◆ “The last degree of love is when He gave Himself to us to be our Food; because He gave Himself to be united with us in every way.”
◆ “Let Mary never be far from your lips and from your heart. Following her, you will never lose your way. Praying to her, you will never sink into despair. Contemplating her, you will never go wrong.”,
POPE FRANCIS: A Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Today’s Gospel (cf. Jn 14:15-21), the continuation of that of last Sunday, takes us back to the moving and dramatic moment of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. John the Evangelist gathers from the lips and heart of the Lord His last teachings, before His Passion and death. Jesus promises his friends, at that sad, dark moment, that after him, they will receive “another Paraclete” (v. 16). This word means another “Advocate”, another Defender, another Counsellor: “the Spirit of Truth” (v. 17); and he adds, “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you” (v. 18). These words convey the joy of a new Coming of Christ. He, Risen and glorified, dwells in the Father and at the same time comes to us in the Holy Spirit. And in his new coming, he reveals our union with him and with the Father: “You will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you” (v. 20).
Today, by meditating on these words of Jesus, we perceive with the sense of faith that we are the People of God in communion with the Father and with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. The Church finds the inexhaustible source of her very mission, which is achieved through love, in this mystery of communion. Jesus says in today’s Gospel: “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (v. 21). So, love introduces us to the knowledge of Jesus, thanks to the action of this “Advocate” that Jesus sent, that is, the Holy Spirit. Love for God and neighbour is the greatest commandment of the Gospel. The Lord today calls us to respond generously to the Gospel’s call to love, placing God at the centre of our lives and dedicating ourselves to the service of our brothers and sisters, especially those most in need of support and consolation.
If ever there is an attitude that is never easy, even for a Christian community, it is precisely how to love oneself, to love after the Lord’s example and with his grace. Sometimes disagreements, pride, envy, and divisions, leave their mark even on the beautiful face of the Church. A community of Christians should live in the charity of Christ, and instead, it is precisely there that the evil one “sets his foot in,” and sometimes we allow ourselves to be deceived. And those who pay the price are those who are spiritually weaker. How many of them — and you know some of them — how many of them have distanced themselves because they did not feel welcomed, did not feel understood, did not feel loved? How many people have distanced themselves, for example, from some parish or community because of the environment of gossip, jealousy, and envy they found there? Even for a Christian, knowing how to love is never a thing acquired once and for all. We must begin anew every day. We must practice it so that our love for the brothers and sisters we encounter may become mature and purified from those limitations or sins that render it incomplete, egotistical, sterile, and unfaithful. We have to learn the art of loving every day. Listen to this: every day, we must learn the art of love; every day, we must patiently follow the school of Christ. Every day we must forgive and look to Jesus, and do this with the help of this “Advocate” of this Counsellor whom Jesus has sent to us that is the Holy Spirit.
May the Virgin Mary, the perfect disciple of her Son and Lord, help us to be more and more docile to the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, to learn every day how to love each other as Jesus loved us.
Source : Text - http://w2.vatican.va/content/
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 188488172 - VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 19, 2014: Pope Francis leads the Easter vigil mass in Saint Peter's Basilica on Holy Saturday. Vatican City, 19 April 2014. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: giulio napolitano
Image: Iconostasis of the Trinity Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF POPE FRANCIS’ GROUNDBREAKING LETTER - LAUDATO SI’ - An excerpt from the Pope’s groundbreaking Encyclical.
VII. THE TRINITY AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CREATURES
238. The Father is the ultimate source of everything, the loving and self-communicating foundation of all that exists. The Son, his reflection, through whom all things were created, united himself to this earth when he was formed in the womb of Mary. The Spirit, infinite bond of love, is intimately present at the very heart of the universe, inspiring and bringing new pathways. The world was created by the three Persons acting as a single divine principle, but each one of them performed this common work in accordance with his own personal property. Consequently, “when we contemplate with wonder the universe in all its grandeur and beauty, we must praise the whole Trinity”.[169]
239. For Christians, believing in one God who is trinitarian communion suggests that the Trinity has left its mark on all creation. Saint Bonaventure went so far as to say that human beings, before sin, were able to see how each creature “testifies that God is three”. The reflection of the Trinity was there to be recognized in nature “when that book was open to man, and our eyes had not yet become darkened”.[170] The Franciscan saint teaches us that each creature bears in itself a specifically Trinitarian structure, so real that it could be readily contemplated if only the human gaze were not so partial, dark and fragile. In this way, he points out to us the challenge of trying to read reality in a Trinitarian key.
240. The divine Persons are subsistent relations, and the world, created according to the divine model, is a web of relationships. Creatures tend towards God, and in turn, it is proper to every living being to tend towards other things so that throughout the universe we can find any number of constant and secretly interwoven relationships.[171] This leads us not only to marvel at the manifold connections existing among creatures but also to discover a key to our own fulfilment. The human person grows more, matures more and is sanctified more to the extent that he or she enters into relationships, going out from themselves to live in communion with God, with others and with all creatures. In this way, they make their own trinitarian dynamism that God imprinted in them when they were created. Everything is interconnected, and this invites us to develop a spirituality of that global solidarity that flows from the mystery of the Trinity.
Commitment To Child Safety and Vulnerable-Adult Safety
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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 our Indigenous people's memories, traditions, culture and hopes. We pay tribute to those who have contributed to the community's life in many ways. We affirm our commitment to justice, healing, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. (see further: The Kombumerri People and https://
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