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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: Stock Photo ID: 251742775. Rest for the weary-Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Photo Contributor: grace21
PASTOR’S POST - The God of Surprises
Have you noticed that just when you start to get comfortable and familiar with a situation when you feel that you have ironed out the substantial creases and have a clearer picture of how things might unfold in the future, this God of surprises spins you around and points you into another direction altogether? As you probably know by now, God has given me a serious turnaround, and since you have been part of my life for the past 6 years, I think you deserve some reason why it’s all happening now.
Given the ever-decreasing number of clergy in our Archdiocese and the increasing number of pastoral vacancies, I should not have been surprised to be asked to take up another appointment, especially since I have just completed a six-year term at Surfers Paradise. But I was surprised. Bishop Ken Howell, who has just been appointed as the Bishop of Toowoomba, has been both auxiliary bishop, Vicar General and Administrator of East Brisbane/Kangaroo Point and Buranda parishes for the past six years. Essentially I will be undertaking most of Bishop Ken’s previous duties, including the parish responsibilities, but minus the bishop part, which honestly is a great relief, given what I see as the tasks ahead for me.
My job title is Vicar for Administration, which will entail assisting the Archbishop liaising with a number of departments, including Catholic Education, Centacare, ADF, Finances, Pastoral Planning and a range of other areas, mainly ensuring that governance and accountability for civil and canonical requirements are followed. This will also involve matters of staffing, workplace health and safety, communications and insurance, as well as assisting with budgets and financial accountability in all areas of parish and pastoral ministries in the Archdiocese. I will also be working closely with Bishop Tim Norton and the directors of the various departments, so listening and learning will be the first order of business. Fortunately, these areas interest me as I have picked up significant knowledge in many of the areas over the years. I do sometimes wonder what Jesus might think about our need for involvement in these administrative issues, but clearly, he didn’t have to contend with a range of secular regulatory requirements. I think he would call it a sign of the times.
I have recently completed 44 years as a priest. While I had some hope that I might have been able to slow down a bit, it would seem that God doesn’t tolerate procrastination or lethargy, so off to Brisbane I go, having had a most enriching and happy time at Surfers. I expect that I will spend a bit of time daydreaming of the various celebrations we have shared, and I certainly will always be grateful for the wonderful staff and parishioners who have made the last six years a dream run. I will leave the coast a wiser and more grateful person. I am so pleased that Fr. Paul is able to stay on and will lead the large community into the future. And my sincere wish for you all is what Saint Paul wished for the Philippians in Chapter 4 verse 4. My favourite scripture text. - “I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord.”
Fr. Peter Dillon PP
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Last weekend, at all the Masses in the parish, the following message from our Archbishop Mark Coleridge was read out.
MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF BRISBANE
The Most Reverend Mark Coleridge
TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD, OF THE PARISH OF SURFERS PARADISE
Following Bishop Ken Howell’s appointment to Toowoomba, Fr Peter Dillon has accepted a request to assist me in the administration of the Archdiocese as Vicar for Administration. As a result, he will complete his ministry as Parish Priest of Surfers Paradise on 9 July 2023.
I thank Fr Peter for his pastoral leadership at Surfers Paradise over the last six years and know he will be greatly missed from among you.
Given his knowledge of the parish and its people, I have decided to appoint Fr Paul Kelly as Administrator of the parish of Surfers Paradise with effect from 10 July. I am grateful to Fr Paul for his generosity in saying yes to the call.
In time, I will move to appoint another Parish Priest.
In the meantime, may the God of Peace bless you in every way.
+ Most Reverend Mark Coleridge
Archbishop of Brisbane
29 June 2023
–(message ends)--
We are sad to be saying farewell to our beloved Parish Priest, Fr Peter. We wish him all the very best in his next role. We will cherish these next few weeks as each church community gives thanks for Fr Peter’s Ministry here. Fr Peter is scheduled to be at masses at Stella Maris on the 8-9th July, and St Vincents on the 15-16th of July and finally, Sacred Heart Masses on the 22-23rd July. We pray for the profound success of his future endeavours in continuing to serve God in His Church in a new field of ministry. May God bless and keep him always.
Fr PK
Calling Surfers Paradise Parish Altar Servers
On July 15, from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm - Come and share some afternoon snacks, get to know other altar servers and then join in a training workshop with our parish Altar Server Coordinator, Nola Smith and our Children’s Sacramental Coordinator, Cathy Anderson.
Who's invited? All current altar servers from any of our three parish churches (Stella Maris, St Vincent’s or Sacred Heart); servers from any mass time slots are invited.
Is anyone else invited? We are also hoping to see some new faces, children who may have been wondering how they can become an altar servers. If you are interested and you have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion, as well as First Reconciliation, then please come along and meet everyone. You can just watch and listen and then decide if this is what God is asking you to do.
Is anyone else invited? Yes, please bring an adult, a parent would be great 🙂
If you have any questions about the day, please email Nola at churchaltarserving@gmail.com
What should I bring (other than an adult)? Please bring your best ideas and friendliest smile; the snacks etc. will be supplied?
Urgent Message - Scam Alert!
We have received several messages from people indicating that they have been texted by a scammer impersonating Fr Peter.
Please do not respond to this scammer or do anything they instruct.
The person sends a text saying they are Fr Peter and that he cannot ring as he is in a meeting, but please help me buy gift cards for a sick person.
This is definitely a scam.
The priests of this parish would not ask people to buy gift cards or send money.
We only have the usual collections and appeals via church for official purposes.
Don't even reply to the SMS or email if you get one. You could report it to your phone provider or internet provider.
We do not solicit money or gifts - and please warn anyone else who might not receive this message.,
Yours Sincerely,
Fr pk
(PS, the same applies to any other priest or member of the church, we would not be seeking money or gifts and you would be advised not to respond to these sneaky scams).
CATHY ANDERSON VISITS BROOME DURING NAIDOC WEEK
It is always a wonderful opportunity to visit other parishes and to celebrate our Life in Christ with people who are part of our family of faith in other parts of this large country that we also share. On Sunday, 2nd July, my family was blessed from the holy water of a coolamon (a multi-purpose shallow vessel, or dish with curved sides, ranging in length from 30 to 70 cm, and similar in shape to a canoe), as we took part in a joyous and prayerful celebration known as MissaTerra Spiritu Sancti (Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit).
This annual mass takes place in Broome's Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral. This year, the Catholic community marked 50 years since the ancient voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were first heard in the celebration of the liturgy in this part of Australia.
English and five indigenous languages were incorporated into this mass as, through prayer and song, the community truly embraced the 2023 national NAIDOC theme: “For Our Elders.”
At the end of the mass, over twenty local indigenous elders made their way forward for a blessing.
Then in a gesture typical of the openness and inclusivity of this community, elders from all cultures were invited forward once the indigenous elders had made their way forward.
Lastly, the choir led us in singing 'The Blessing Song' (again in several languages). Mass and the experiences that have followed have been beautiful and uplifting... the blessing continues through welcoming into and proudly sharing our Life in Christ together.
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 and speedily 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. Please help us service the region effectively and help prevent delays in response by calling the nearest parish.
Robina Hospital - Burleigh Heads Parish. 5576 6466
Pindara Hospital - Surfers Paradise Parish. 56717388
John Flynn Hospital - Coolangatta-Tugun Parish. 5598 2165
University & Gld Coast Pvt Hosp.- Southport Parish. 5510 2222
URGENT Clarification about Blue Cards and “De-Linking” - for volunteer parishioners.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane uses a safeguarding matrix to assess the risk of safeguarding in every ministry. In 2018 the requirement for all readers and eucharist ministers was to apply for a blue card and a police check and complete a number of statutory declarations and online training. This was the recommendation that came out of the royal commission, and it had very strict protocols.
The new matrix that was approved in May 2023 no longer requires blue cards for any ministry that is not directly involving children. Therefore many of you will receive a letter that you have been “delinked.” This does not mean your blue card has been cancelled. It means that your card is no longer linked to the Archdiocese of Brisbane as these people are not required to have a blue card for their role in the parish, and the Blue Card system only wants people who need to have them to apply for them. If you use the card for other volunteer roles, please contact those organisations that you are with, and link your card to that organisation. People need to have all working with children-related roles linked to the organisations that provide those roles. If you have further concerns, please contact the parish office.
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK:
Also, (Alphabetical) Jack Barretto, Phil Bawden, Nellie Bellinger, Jean Di Benedetto, Coralie Brennan, Kevin Brennan, Tim Brown, Margaret Buckingham, Diana Castro, Cecily Cellinan, Doug Chester, Jo Clark, Leslie Clarke, Margaret & George Cook, Alfonso Covino, Margaret Cusack, Geraldine Daniels, Anne Van Deurse, Beryl Dorfield, John Fisher, Rosie May Fisher, Sally Gage, Fred Grioli, Margaret Haerse, Jenny Haines, Peter Harford, Lena Hiscock, Louise Holmes, Kim Ingram, Anna Janiek, Pat Jones, Leona Kelly, Kath Kiely, Bob Lahey, Diane & Steve Land, Patrick Joven de Leon, Nathan Lepp, Joseph Ah Lo, Sarina Losurdo, John Nathaniel Maher, Maria Manuela, Andrew McPherson, Phil McWilliam, Fabiola Menzs, Shirley Montford, Joanne Mooney, Michael Murtagh, Lynn Nunan, Stephen O’Brien, Peter O’Brien, Natalie O’Reilly, Letty O’Sullivan, Joanne Parkes, Kay Pitman, Rachel Raines, Gus Reeves, Patricia Roberts, John & Molly Robinson, Rogelio Rodriguez, Sue Rogers, Bob Rogers, Annie Scicluna, Felipe S Cataquiz Sr, Kathy Stevens, Jim Stewart, Betty Taylor, Liza Teo, John Thomas, Baby Samuel Timothy, Leonardo Torcaso, Denise Tracey, Karen Vestergard, Lois Wood.
RECENTLY DECEASED:
(Chronological - Most recent first): Domizio Gandini, Rocco Bellantoni, Jack Cartwright (Gympie), Luciano Albergo, Antonio Invernizzi, Barry McMahon, Beatriz Dos Santos, Bernadette Martin, Bill Drummond, Charles George Dayney, Daniel Clancy, Delores Barrett, Don Brinkworth, Dr Frank Miau, Elijah Christian, Graham Price, Jeffery Ah Lo, John Iocobucci, Joseph Griffa, June Toole, Lorraine Geraghty, Maria Brazinas, Mario Paul Mazza, Melissa Ann Lord, Noel Ferdinands, Norma Ancrum, Patricia Rankin, Paul de Launay, Peter Barry, Phyllis Jane Woolaston, Robert Conn, Roberta Fantuz, Shane Hall, Victoria Alexander.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical)
John Ennis Ashby, Gemma Carmel Bingham, Patrick (Pat) Boyle, Peter Butler, Natalie Kan, Irene Cappellazzo, Christopher Cassels, Mal Condon, Elaine Hannah Cotter, Elizabeth Anne Fredericks, Fr John Healy, Fr Thomas Hegerty, Fay Theresa Kassulke, Alan Clark Krushka, Rev Fr J Coley McKenzie, Fr Archibald Mills, Leo Francis Nugent, Fr Denis O'Rourke, Sharon Patricia Pak, Salvatore Di Pietro, Shirley Roche, Rita Mary Smith, Noel Smith, Robert Noel Watson, Tom And Lucy Yule.
And Also: (Alphabetical):
Jack and Daphne Banks, Mons Edward Barry, Marjorie Bates, Peter Briggs, Albert Lewis Bush, Fr Gerard Casey, Mary Dean, Alfred Desira, Stanislaw Dominiak, Alan Herbert Driscoll, Anna Felisiak, Rodney Clarence Godden, Giuseppe Grasso, Francisca Hanoszek, Emily Hasdell, George Arthur Higgs, Matthew Hoare,
Fr Vincent Kiley, Ante Kolak, Julia McKay, Rev Fr Nicholas F Moynihan, Mavis Eileen O'Brien, Jill Cecelia O’Brien, Maureen Patricia O’Connor, Fr Bernard O'Shea, Kathleen Perkins, Fr James Quirk, Josephine Sanders, John Schreiber, Vona Winifred Sellars, Gregory Joseph Shara, Gabriel Joe Sheehy, Elizabeth (Betty) Taylor, John Callistus Tobin.
THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES ARE READY FOR COLLECTION IN THE CHURCHES NOW.
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES
The July edition of the CATHOLIC LEADER is available now in our shops and at the back of the churches.
Three deacons relish life in parishes before their big day
Bishop Ken Howell ready to take the reigns in Toowoomba
Thousands march through Brisbane CBD celebrating Corpus Christi
Pope gives UN peace message
Following the steps of a saint - Mary Mackillop
Shops are open before and after Mass each weekend. Other times, please contact the Parish Office, phone 56717388 9 am-12 pm Monday-Friday.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this 1st Friday 7th July at Sacred Heart Church from 7pm to 8.30pm. All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678 . "Could you not watch with Me one hour?" Mt 26:40
PRAYER GROUP - SPANISH SPEAKER
Jesus de la Misericordia. Invites you to participate every 2nd Saturday of the month from 11 am to 2 pm. Place: Hospitality Room. Sacred Heart Church. “We praise, We praise, We grow spiritually from the Word of the Lord.” More information, please ring Grace: 0410 006 484.
Contemplative Women’s Group.
We spend a gentle 2 hours together on the 4th Saturday of the month, from 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm in Mary Mother of Mercy Church, Burleigh Waters, creating a circle of sharing prayer, ritual, contemplative silence, and story. Simple afternoon tea supplied. Come join us as we walk with Clare of Assisi this month. For information, contact Sue Thomas sue@suethomas.net.au
This year, please join our team and come along to find out about the work of the Catholic Mission and how you can engage in the mission through our ambassador training.
Fr Michael Grace from Holy Family Parish, Indooroopilly, will be our special speaker who will share about his visit to Timor-Leste and his involvement with the mission. We are very excited to be launching our first e-book, which will be a wonderful resource and powerful tool to share the work of our mission ambassadors and to engage with our community in mission.
This year we are supporting the Salesian Sisters and the Church in Venilale, Timor-Leste, to maintain and stock the clinic for the community who are having tuberculosis, malnutrition and maternal mortality conditions.
This month Aid to the Church in Need is raising money to build a parish house in Sierra Leone. The parishioners of the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour have been trying to help their priest who is living in a house that is decaying due to heavy rainfall and salt-laden sea air but they themselves are poor and have little to give. ACN has promised to help but we need your help to make this possible. To learn more and to make an offering visit www.aidtochurch.org/monthlyprojector or scan the QR code.
MARIAN VALLEY
Please come and join us at the Marian Valley for the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on the 13.07.2023. The bus will be picking up at 8.15 am at the Sacred Heart Church Clear Island Waters. The Cost for the bus fare $25.00 return. You can secure your seat with contact name and contact phone number with Xavier Solomon 0404 843 260, Madeleine on 0405 252 367 or 5529 1573, All are welcome.
Women’s Night of Spirituality
will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 25 July in St Ignatius Church, Kensington Tce, Toowong.
The event will take the format of a panel to discuss “Nurturing the nurturer” – how does a person in a nurturing role, sustain their own spirit?
Entry by donation & supper provided.
Please mark the date in your calendar.
See further details on event flyer available on parish website www.stignatiustoowong.org.au
This event will be livestreamed on the night and the link will be available via parish website www.stignatiustoowong.org.au
Holy Land Pilgrimage
Trace the journey of Jesus from the land of his birth to the way he carried his cross and gave the eternal sacrifice in this 12-day Holy Land pilgrimage to Jordan & Israel led by Fr Thomas Areekuzhy MCBS. This pilgrimage features places from the Old & New Testament and includes Petra, Mt Nebo, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem for an all-inclusive offer of $6,590 AUD. The fare includes Airfare + Local Transfers in Deluxe Coaches + Stay in Premium Hotels + All Breakfasts & Dinners + English speaking professional guides. Departure from Melbourne on 15 October 2023. For inquiries & bookings call 1300 721 561 or email us info@magiholidays.com.au
Grand Plans for Grandparents – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
The Church is preparing to celebrate the third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, 23 July.
It's a special day when the Church honours and recognises the important role that grandparents and elderly individuals play as they share their faith with their grandchildren and witness Jesus through their lives. The Church observes World Day each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Jesus' grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
The theme for this year's World Day, "His mercy is from age to age" (Lk 1:50), is connected to the upcoming World Youth Day in Portugal, where the theme, "Mary arose and went with haste" (Lk 1:39), highlights the profound connection between the young and the old through the magnificent encounter between Mary and Elizabeth.
To celebrate here in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, we will be holding an event called Grand Plans for Grandparents – celebrating World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
Please share this invitation with the grandparents of your community to join us for this special morning tea and celebration.
Who's it for? Grandparents!
Time: 9:15-11:15 am, Morning Tea included
Date: Saturday 22 July 2023
Location: Hanly Room, Francis Rush Centre (194 Charlotte St, Brisbane City)
Dress code: smart casual
RSVP: 17 July
Cost: $15
Free parking available via 194 Charlotte Street (underneath the Cathedral)
Stay on for Mass at Cathedral at 11:30 am where you'll receive a special blessing, reaffirming the impact you have on your family's spiritual journey.
Register here: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/HRtTCQnMqvhXWOkwcv-GAw?domain=evangelisationbrisbane.us11.list-manage.com
“TAP `N” GO CASHLESS DONATIONS -
AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCES OF THE THREE CHURCHES - tap once to donate $10 and tap again when it has reset for another $10, and so on.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES
ARE READY FOR COLLECTION IN THE CHURCHES NOW
MEN ALIVE GATHERINGS
We have two significant events coming up; see below.
We are wondering if you could promote the following events to your contacts and parishioners by:--
BEHOLD! It’s less than 2 weeks until MAX2023 BEHOLD! This is the last menALIVE MAX weekend in Brisbane! After 2023, MAX will be on tour to other capital cities and not be back for 3 years. Come along. 50% of starting prices. Engaging workshops. If you seek to be closer to our God and the key people in your life, just come along. You are invited. See options at --https://app.tickets.org.au/MA/MAX2023BNE or https://www.menalive.org.au/ or Robert on 0412 745 734
LOOK? SEE? BEHOLD >> DON’T waste/miss this opportunity! Last days!!
Brochure here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aFoMhqVCl2infF7lPyTTw-sxQu6W-H1C/view?usp=sharing
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-
10/7/2023 Eileen & Julian - Carrara
17/7/2023 Maree & Alex Anderson - Broadbeach
24/7/2023 Maree & Alex Anderson - Broadbeach
31/7/2023 Bernadette Hensley - Arundel
07/8/2023 Bernadette Hensley - Arundel
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, Card making, 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.
ST STEPHENS CATHEDRAL SAINT MARY MACKILLOP MASS
To honour St Mary MacKillop’s legacy and seek her intercession, I invite you to join me for Mass on Tuesday, 8 August 2023 at 10am at the Cathedral of St Stephen.
I also invite you to consider a contribution to support the Mary MacKillop Bursary Fund. Your kindness and compassion mirror the heart of St Mary of the Cross and make it possible for her legacy to continue in our Brisbane Catholic schools today. With your gift, you provide educational opportunities to children and families in situations of hardship.
I hope you will be able to join us for this special celebration as we turn to the patron of the Archdiocese on her feast day.
Join us on Tuesday, 8 August 2023 for Mass at 10am at the Cathedral of St Stephen
To register your attendance, please click here to RSVP, email rsvp@bne.catholic.net.au or phone (07) 3324 3200.
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.
The Bold and the Beautiful
Friendship group is meeting for lunch at 12noon on Thursday, 27th July. Coffee at New Life Cafe of Markeri Street. All are welcome. If you need more information, please contact Amanda Rowe at 0421 487 009.
https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/careers/
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.
A VOCATION VIEW:
Have you discovered yet that there is more to life than what only material things have to offer? We live in the Spirit. Only in the Lord can we find lasting peace. Speak the Good News. To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP -
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”-Matthew 11:30
When we think of being good stewards, we may think that God is asking too much of us when He calls us to generously share our time, talent and treasure.However, we must remember that we are not “owners” of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts God has given us.All He is asking is that we give back a small portion, in gratitude, of what He has already given to us.
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH - The unexamined life is not liberating
Interested in ministering, healing, and caring? Intrigued by dream analysis, speaking in tongues, or miracles? Seeking transcendence or the art of meditation? Does your attention reside at the intersection of faith and psychology? If any of the above concern you, there's a Morton Kelsey book with your name on it. Episcopal priest, Jungian therapist, and prolific author, Kelsey notes that we're controlled by what we assume and have never thoughtfully considered: "You can't come to a new point of view until you realize what your brainwashing has been." Take the first step toward inner freedom. Review your assumptions.
ww.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe.
SEAFARERS SUNDAY - 9TH JULY 2023
Why Support The Mission to Seafarers ?
We all rely on seafarers.
With your help, they can rely on us.
On Sea Sunday, we gather around the world to think of seafarers’ welfare.
Being a seafarer is tough.
Crews can spend months away working long hours with little respite or contact with home. On top of the daily pressures, the threat of piracy, shipwreck and abandonment are ever present for the men and women who serve us at sea.
In recent years, this challenging job has become even harder. Increased restrictions and lockdowns (due to the global covid-19 pandemic) saw many seafarers working beyond the end of their contract, facing months of uncertainty and further separation from loved ones. That’s months of missed birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, and family celebrations.
Amid these challenges, the Mission to Seafarers has been a constant source of practical support and reassurance. Through our teams in more than 200 ports worldwide, we’ve been supporting the 1.5 million unseen keyworkers who have helped to keep the economy afloat and transport the essentials we need to survive.
Our port centres have always been a haven for mentally and physically exhausted seafarers. For those who can’t make it into the centres, our chaplains and ship visitors take a warm welcome and listening ear onboard. And when that’s not been possible, email, social media, and WhatsApp have been a lifeline of support.
When seafarers have nowhere else to turn, your support ensures they can come to us.
If seafarers want to get to the shops, they need the right documentation, permission for shore leave, transportation, and enough time to get there and back – none of which is easy.
This is where we come in. When seafarers can’t get to us, we go to them. Over the years, especially the past few years when there was no shore leave, our team became masters of logistics, working against the clock to get shopping to crews before they moved on.
We bought everything from fresh fruit and medication to musical instruments and computers. These items helped to preserve the dignity of our seafarers, bringing joy to their families, and reminded them that we care.
On Sea Sunday, please remember the contribution that seafarers make to your daily lives, and the Mission to Seafarers-Victoria that supports them.
A Prayer for Sea Sunday:
Heavenly Father, we give thanks to you for your creation and all the beauty in this world. We thank you for the ocean, in its abundance, and for the people who toil on its surface. Without our brothers and sisters who are seafarers, we would not be able to enjoy all the blessings of this world. Enfold them in your fatherly love, guide their passage through storm, swell and darkness. May we always be mindful of our Global Family and be truly grateful for the sacrifices seafarers make each day. Amen
THIS WEEKEND’S GOSPEL -
There are so many wonderful readings and many of them we know so well, yet every time we hear them again we can get something new from them – a deeper richness to their timeless message.
For example, just the other day I discovered something about this familiar passage of the Gospel, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”….. The Greek word in the original text of this gospel uses the word for easy or gentle as “Chrestos” which is astounding. IT is so similar to the word Christos, meaning the Christ, the anointed one, the Messiah and King.
In the time of Our Lord, people expected that the Messiah was going to be a warrior King who would come with power and force and violently overthrow the occupying forces of the Roman Empire and establish a new Kingdom on earth. They also believed that this Messiah or Christ would seek retribution upon anyone who had not lived up to God’s law and bring down vengeance upon them. Then, along comes Jesus as the true messiah and he is not violent, forceful or military, but he is gentle and humble… The Christos turns out to be Chrestos… that is… The Christ is gentle.. his burdens on us, easy. Astounding and beautiful. Our Lord says himself, learn from him for he is gentle and humble…
Often when we describe a yoke….. or a burden….. these words create the impression of hardship and difficulty……… and yet… it is good to remind ourselves…… that a yoke was ultimately designed to be used in order to make the task easier….. to make it manageable… and tolerable…. // With a heavy task, a yoke allows a person or an animal to lift a weight and carry a weight in such a way that distributes the weight and makes it possible and tolerable… over an extended period of time……..
So, it is in that sense that Our Lord uses the image of a yoke and a burden…… He has frequently warned his disciples (and anyone who proposed to follow him as disciples) that there is a definite cost to discipleship……. //That the path would be far from easy….// Following Christ does not promise us earthly success or freedom from hardship or persecution. Jesus gave no guarantee of a dream run…….. it is a task…...... a burden…..
However…, it is a bit like that moving song….. (based on an even older Scottish Legend)…… '"He''s not heavy…; he''s my brother.'"
The focus is not on the difficulty…, but the passion for the cause. The goal…… of our mission is to spread God''s love to all the world… in word and action…… and this is a wonderful vocation…….. It is a beautiful burden. It is a wonderful duty and a superb task…. And… it is a task of love….. and in that sense ….. it makes the burden a light one….. and Christ always offers to bear for us the greater load….
Jesus also invites us to learn from him……. And, what we have to learn is that Jesus is loving in all his dealings….. and he is gentle….. and humble…… and just. A true disciple must be humble and gentle and compassionate and loving. How do we learn to be these things in a hard and tough world? We watch and learn from Our Lord, whose actions and teachings were all about humility and justice and gentleness and compassion.
It makes me wonder…..many hardships and burdens come our way throughout life…. Some are avoidable, some seem unavoidable………. But to what extent are some burdens made all the more heavier (more unbearable) …by the opposite of gentleness and the opposite of humility…….. Jesus also seems to be offering to teach us…… a path of gentleness….. compassion and love….. and a path of true humility of spirit….. which can make many burdens so much lighter than they might otherwise be. I think of things like natural disasters. Some of them are seemingly unavoidable… but isn’t it true that even in unavoidable situations, there are many things that can be done to lighten people’s suffering and ease their burdens and sadly there are many things that people can do to make peoples suffering even worse. I am thinking of when a natural disaster strikes, people come out and help in any way they can. We see amazing heroism and assistance.. we see generosity and help at a time that nothing else can be done. And isn’t it also true that in times of disaster and suffering people can also be capable of making things so much worse… we see looters and people taking advantage of those who are suffering… we see people being thoughtless and selfish. This makes the suffering ten times worse. Our Lord is seeking to make healing and love out of even the worst situations and God is at work trying to lighten the burdens of people in their lives, and we can too.
I think of an illustration. Imagine that two people are experiencing the exact same difficulty…; a major burden and hardship in their lives…. And picture these people have the exact same circumstances…… the only difference is that one of them is extremely proud…, unreasonably self-sufficient, and refusing to face even the truth of their difficulty and railing against every development and turn of bad fortune…. Whilst the other is gentle, humble…, accepting that which cannot be changed…and battling that which can be, and (not so much giving up, but rather surrendering to God's care in a spirit of humility) to the new situations and circumstances that this person now faces…. Could it not be said that the one who is proud and forceful might be putting on themselves an even greater, unbearable burden than the other? Perhaps in this sense, Jesus means us to learn from him… and open up to his vision and response to the world and its unpredictable and often capricious turns. …
A yoke is also something used to join two creatures together so that they act as one entity…
Was Jesus saying… "join yourself to me… and join your hopes and cares…, your fears and struggles to me…. And let me work with you as one…… and see what wonders will result….."
I love the meaning of this gospel today…. there is a deep and sturdy realism to the Gospel message Jesus offers us….. it is the perfect combination of idealism AND realism…… Jesus does not promise an easy ride…. But he does promise us that his WAY makes any burdens capable of being transformed by love and service.
Our Christian joy and hope is not a joy borne out of denying the reality of the struggles and pains of life….. Rather, ours is a joy that says…: "We are at peace,… we are at rest… and we continue to love… even with the tragedies and tensions of sin and pain……." This is a message the world needs to hear more than ever. This is the faith we unite in witnessing in our lives.
May God richly bless us and give us the joy, the rest and the relief that comes with this faith…, hope and love.
"In Palestine ox-yokes were made of wood; the ox was brought, and the measurements were taken. The yoke was then roughed out, and the ox wigs brought back to have the yoke tried on. The yoke was carefully adjusted, so that it would fit well, and not gall the neck of the patient beast. The yoke was tailor-made to fit the ox.
There is a legend that Jesus made the best ox-yokes in all Galilee, and that from all over the country men came to him to buy the best yokes that skill could make. In those days, as now, shops had their signs above the door; and it has been suggested that the sign above the door of the carpenter's shop in Nazareth may well have been: "My yokes fit well." It may well be that Jesus is here using a picture from the carpenter's shop in Nazareth where he had worked throughout the silent years.
Jesus says, "My yoke fits well." What he means is: "The life I give you is not a burden to gall you; your task is made to measure to fit you." Whatever God sends us is made to fit our needs and our abilities exactly.
Jesus says, "My burden is light." As a Rabbi had it: "My burden is become my song." It is not that the burden is easy to carry; but it is laid on us in love; it is meant to be carried in love; and love makes even the heaviest burden light. When we remember the love of God, when we know that our burden is to love God and to love men, then the burden becomes a song. There is an old story which tells how a man came upon a little boy carrying a still smaller boy, who was lame, upon his back. "That's a heavy burden for you to carry," said the man. "That's no' a burden," came the answer. "That's my wee brother." The burden which is given in love and carried in love is always light."
++++
(EXTRA):
Also in William Barclay is this observation:
"In Palestine ox-yokes were made of wood; the ox was brought, and the measurements were taken. The yoke was then roughed out, and the ox wigs brought back to have the yoke tried on. The yoke was carefully adjusted, so that it would fit well, and not gall the neck of the patient beast. The yoke was tailor-made to fit the ox.
There is a legend that Jesus made the best ox-yokes in all Galilee, and that from all over the country men came to him to buy the best yokes that skill could make. In those days, as now, shops had their signs above the door; and it has been suggested that the sign above the door of the carpenter's shop in Nazareth may well have been: "My yokes fit well." It may well be that Jesus is here using a picture from the carpenter's shop in Nazareth where he had worked throughout the silent years.
Jesus says, "My yoke fits well." What he means is: "The life I give you is not a burden to gall you; your task is made to measure to fit you." Whatever God sends us is made to fit our needs and our abilities exactly.
Jesus says, "My burden is light." As a Rabbi had it: "My burden is become my song." It is not that the burden is easy to carry; but it is laid on us in love; it is meant to be carried in love; and love makes even the heaviest burden light. When we remember the love of God, when we know that our burden is to love God and to love men, then the burden becomes a song. There is an old story which tells how a man came upon a little boy carrying a still smaller boy, who was lame, upon his back. "That's a heavy burden for you to carry," said the man. "That's no' a burden," came the answer. "That's my wee brother." The burden which is given in love and carried in love is always light."
References: Fr Paul W. Kelly; AND William Barclay - Commentary on Matthews Gospel.
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID149824163: Jesus Chris monument on the way to Sant'Ana di Vinadio sanctuary high in the Alps with a plaque for the passengers that says: "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you relief" - Photo Contributor: supergenijalac.
To listen to the 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
Also found at - https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk
St Augustine Zhao Rong & companions, martyrs
Pope John Paul II canonised 120 martyrs of the Church in China on October 1 of the year 2000 AD. He chose that date because it was the Feast of the Little Flower, one of the patrons of the Missions. Unfortunately, October 1 is the day that China celebrates the Communist revolution, and the authorities took deep exception. They issued an official statement: ‘Most of the new saints were executed for violating Chinese law during the invasion of China by imperialists and capitalists. Others were killed for bullying the Chinese people .’
Pope John Paul meant no slight to them. He thought he was honouring the Chinese nation. A year later, during the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival in Beijing of the truly great missionary, Matteo Ricci, Pope John Paul, after investigating the accusations of the Chinese authorities apologised to them admitting that the missionaries were often short-sighted and condescending.
None of this denies that the ones he had canonised were martyrs, according to their lights, nor that most were Chinese. But the fact that Fr Augustine Zhao Rong is named first tells its own story. Though the martyrs included many priests and four bishops, Fr Augustine was the only Chinese priest.
Jul 11, 2022 - St Benedict.
Worth pondering, as a rule: Saint Benedict, the “Father of Western Monasticism,” established Christian monasticism as we know it with the founding of the Benedictine order in the sixth century, making it the oldest religious order in the Western Church. For 1,500 years, Benedictine women and men have been living communally in monasteries all over the world according to the Rule of St. Benedict, a succinct guide that emphasizes prayer, work, simplicity, and hospitality. They take unique vows of stability and ongoing conversion. Draw from the ancient wisdom of the Benedictines by reading the Rule yourself and see how this way of life might enrich your own.
“We are taught and advised to abandon temporal riches, to lay aside earthly goods, and to strive to reach the eternal and everlasting dwelling-places in heaven. For present glory is fleeting and meaningless, while it is possessed unless in it we can glimpse something of heaven’s eternity. But God’s mercy towards the human race provided a useful remedy when he made the reward for earthly existence a share in our heavenly country.” (Saint Henry, 973–1024 ).
Saint Camillus de Lellis
“Think well. Speak well. Do well. These three things, through the mercy of God, will make a man go to Heaven.” (Saint Camillus de Lellis).
Saint Teresa of Kolkata
“To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it. (Saint Teresa of Kolkata).
Saint Bonaventure
“In things of beauty, he contemplated the One who is supremely beautiful, and, led by the footprints he found in creatures, he followed the Beloved everywhere” (St. Bonaventure).
“As “pride is the beginning of all sin,” (Eccl. x, 15) so humility is the foundation of all virtue. Learn to be really humble and not, as the hypocrite, humble merely in appearance.” ( Saint Bonaventure).
“We must beg the Holy Spirit, with ardent longing, to give us these fruits. The Holy Ghost alone knows how to bring to light the sweetness hidden away under the rugged exterior of the words of the Law. We must go to the Holy Ghost for interior guidance.” (Saint Bonaventure, Holiness of Life).
“Know your net worth” “If you do not know your own dignity and condition, you cannot value anything at its proper worth,” says the wise Saint Bonaventure, noted 13th-century Franciscan theologian and doctor of the church. Take time to think about that admonishment today. Tally your credits and debits—the good and bad you’ve wrought, your accomplishments and failures. Then remember that nothing goes unnoticed by God: “Even the hairs of your head are all counted” (Matt. 10:30). Why? Because you are God’s alone. Let that knowledge shape your understanding of everything. As Bonaventure puts it: “Every creature is a divine word because it proclaims God.” (St Bonaventure).
POPE FRANCIS:
Pope to American Catholics: The Eucharist Isn’t a Symbol, It’s the Real Presence of Christ Among Us
Address to the members of the Organizing Committee of the National Eucharistic Congress of the United States of America.
On Monday morning, June 19, Pope Francis received in audience the members of the Organizing Committee of the United States National Eucharistic Congress. The Congress will be held from July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis. Foreseen is the participation of some 80,000 American Catholics (visit the Website)
Here is the translation into English of the Pope’s address.
“I’m pleased to give you all a warm welcome, members of the Organizing Committee of the next National Eucharistic Congress of the United States of America. I thank you for all that you do and I encourage you to continue your efforts to revive faith in and love for the Most Holy Eucharist, “source and summit of all Christian life” (Lumen Gentium, 11).
We know the story of the multiplication of loaves in John’s Gospel. The miracle’s witnesses returned to the Lord the next day, hoping to see Him work another sign. However, Christ wanted to transform their material hunger into another hunger, that of the Bread of eternal life (cf. John 6:26-27). Hence, Jesus spoke of Himself as the living bread come down from Heaven, true bread that gives life to the world (cf. John 6:51).
When I was celebrating Mass this morning, I thought a lot about this, because It is what gives us life. In fact, the Eucharist is God’s answer to the most profound hunger of the human heart, the hunger of true life: in It Christ Himself is really in our midst to feed us, to console us and to sustain us on our journey.
Unfortunately, today, sometimes among our faithful some believe that the Eucharist is more a symbol than the real and loving presence of the Lord. It’s more than a symbol, it’s the real and loving presence of the Lord. Hence, I hope that the Eucharistic Congress will inspire Catholics of the whole country to recover the sense of wonder and astonishment before this great gift that the Lord has given us, and to spend time with Him in the celebration of the Holy Mass , as well as in personal prayer and in Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament. I think that in this modern time we have lost the sense of Adoration. We must recover the sense of silence, of Adoration. It’s a prayer we’ve lost, few people know what it is, and you, Bishops, must catechize the faithful about the prayer of Adoration; the Eucharist asks this of us. In this connection, I cannot fail to mention the necessity to promote vocations to the priesthood, because, as Saint John Paul II said: “Without the Priesthood there is no Eucharist” (Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 2004). Priests are needed to celebrate the Sacred Eucharist.
I trust that the Congress will be an occasion for the faithful to commit themselves with ever greater zeal to be missionary disciples of the Lord Jesus in the world. In the Eucharist we meet Him Who gave Himself wholly, Who sacrificed Himself to give us life, Who loved us to the extreme. We become credible witnesses of the joy and transforming beauty of the Gospel only by recognizing that the love celebrated in the Sacrament cannot be kept for ourselves, but calls to be shared with all. Missionary work consists in this: you go, you celebrate Mass, you go to Communion, you adore . . . And then? Then you go out, you go out to evangelize, Jesus “makes” us so . . .
The Eucharist impels us to a love strongly committed to our neighbour, because we cannot understand and truly live its significance if we keep our heart closed to our brothers, especially to the poor, to the suffering, to the exhausted or lost in life. Two groups of people come to mind that we must always visit: the elderly, who are the wisdom of a people, and the sick, who are the figure of the suffering Jesus.
Dear friends, the National Eucharistic Congress marks a significant moment in the life of the Church in the United States. May everything you do be an occasion of grace for each one of you, and bear fruit to accompany the men and women of your country to the Lord: He, with His presence among us, revives hope and renews life.
I entrust you to the maternal intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the United States of America, and I assure you of my prayers for you, for your families, and for your local communities. I impart my Blessing to you all, and I ask you, please, to remember to pray for me. Thank you.
Translation of the Italian original into Spanish by ZENIT’s Editorial Director and, into English, by Virginia M. Forrester
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: Stock Photo ID: 2251038715. VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - 18 JANUARY 2023: Pope Francis followed by Mons. Leonardo Sapienza arrives to lead his general audience in the Paul VI hall. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Alessia Pierdomenico
EXPLORING OUR FAITH - The Commandments of the Church
There may be many who have never heard of the traditional teaching called the “five commandments of the Church.” Even if you have not heard it called that, you are probably aware of all or most of its teachings. These still apply and are very much relevant to this day.
1. Attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation.
2. Confess our sins at least once a year.
3. Receive the Holy Communion at least once during the Easter season. (Communion at every Eucharist is encouraged).
4. Observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
5. Help to provide for the needs of the Church.
These principles are the building blocks that help us focus our Love and worship of God, and support and participation in the wider church community, which makes up the Body of Christ.
Commitment To Child Safety and Vulnerable-Adult Safety
……………..See overleaf …..
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://kombumerritogetherproject.com/digital-resources/yugambeh-language/)
St Kevin’s Catholic School, Community business directory: https://www.sk.qld.edu.au/Pages/Rainbow-Connection.aspx
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