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“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35
This is Word of God Sunday…. We give thanks for the living Word of God, which has enlightened our lives and brought us into God’s family forever. We cherish the beautiful family Bible, which has pride of place in our homes and in our hearts.
Pastor’s Post:
The Church in Australia celebrates the Sunday of the Word of God on the first Sunday in February – (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B). Pope Francis established the day devoted to “the celebration, study and dissemination” of the Word of God. Let us reflect this weekend upon how we can engage better with Sacred Scripture in various ways and settings.
VERBUM DOMINI - “ON THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH.” (30 September 2010) POPE BENEDICT XVI
Paragraph 56:
By approaching the altar and partaking in the Eucharistic banquet, we truly share Christ's body and blood. The proclamation of God’s word at the celebration entails acknowledging that Christ himself is present, that he speaks to us [198] and wishes to be heard.
Saint Jerome speaks of the way we ought to approach both the Eucharist and the word of God:
“We are reading the sacred Scriptures. For me, the Gospel is the Body of Christ; for me, the holy Scriptures are his teaching. And when he says, whoever does not eat my flesh and drink my blood (Jn 6:53), even though these words can also be understood of the [Eucharistic] Mystery, Christ’s body and blood are really the Word of Scripture, God’s teaching. When we approach the [Eucharistic] Mystery, if a crumb falls to the ground, we are troubled. Yet when we listen to the word of God, and God’s Word and Christ’s flesh and blood are poured into our ears, yet we pay no heed; what great peril should we not feel?”.[199]
Christ, truly present under the species of bread and wine, is analogously present in the word proclaimed in the liturgy. A deeper understanding of the sacramentality of God’s word can thus lead us to a more unified understanding of the mystery of revelation, which takes place through “deeds and words intimately connected”;[200] an appreciation of this can only benefit the spiritual life of the faithful and the Church’s pastoral activity.
{Verbum Domi 56; quoting Saint Jerome, In Psalmen 147: CCL 78, 337-38}
Fr Paul.
(Image: Jesus walks on the waters. Painting by Rodney Antony, 2024. Gold Coast).
To tune in to The Weekend Mass (the sound podcast), please regularly visit the link below to listen to the Mass (including the homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish. Please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - (It is updated at intervals just before the next Sunday or Feastday - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Also found at - https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk.
WARNING: UNAUTHORISED NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTED
Over the last weekend, parishioners alerted us to finding, under their car windscreen wipers, a newspaper called “The Remnant.” It was left, under cover of darkness, on people’s cars whilst they were inside the church worshipping at Eucharist. This newspaper is not from the parish; no permission was sought to enter the grounds and distribute this publication. It would have been refused. The publication does not represent the teachings of the parish, the archdiocese, or the Pope. Its tone seems deeply disrespectful not only to our present Pope but also to Pope Saint John Paul II, Pope Saint Paul VI and Pope Saint John XIII. The publication was established in the USA in 1967, which indicates that its gripe with the present state of the church goes back to the mid to late 60’s. This paper was a breakaway from America's oldest Catholic newspaper, “The Wanderer.” It split in 1967 due to its opposition to the changes within the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). It is sad because it does not come across as respectful of the Pope and the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church or the many Catholics who faithfully and fruitfully worship the Lord in the official and ordinary rite of the Roman Catholic Liturgy. Its views are contrary in tone, direction, and discipline to the theology of the official teaching authority of the church. It also seems quite uncharitable and lacking balance in its judgements. Please do yourself a favour and throw it away if you come across a copy.
Naturally, people are able to obtain their information from many different sources. It is timely, though, to observe that there are many unofficial sources that cause people confusion, misunderstanding and unnecessary distress. We aim here in the parish to give you excellent and reliable information from official sources. Please be very wary of the many confusing and misleading sources on the internet. These many and varied sources often promote incorrect, distorted, or misleading information. Quite a few publications have also continued to spread false interpretations of Roman Catholic teachings and declarations and even persist in these incorrect assertions after the Vatican has issued rebuttals and further clarifications in response to the misinterpretations. This is often a very effective sign that the sources are disingenuous.
FASTING, BUT NOT FAINTING!
Again, please reconsider fasting if health or age is an issue. This can be an issue even for younger people, so please err on the side of health and safety.
QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2024. FORMER ST KEVIN’S PRIMARY STUDENT
Queensland Australian of the Year for 2024, Marco Renai, has been empowering at-risk young men for over a decade.
Marco attended St Kevin’s Primary School in the 80’s.
Later, when volunteering in youth justice, he realised there were no programs for struggling young men, so he founded Men of Business (MOB) Academy, a senior secondary school focused on helping them engage with life and education.
In 2022, Mr Renai and his community raised $1 million to open the MOB Academy, which has now seen thousands of past graduates get involved with work pathways and social and emotional wellbeing programs.
"We're showing that unconditional love can be the centre of our new education system and that when we create a place of belonging, they're open to change," Mr Renai said.
Congratulations to Marco and a wonderful reflection upon St Kevin’s Catholic Primary School.
CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2024
To begin or to continue the journey of faith with your child, please use the information provided in the table below.
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
“TAP `N” GO CASHLESS DONATIONS -
AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCES OF THREE CHURCHES - tap once to donate $10, tap again (when it has re-set) for another $10, and so on.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: (Alphabetical)
Jack Barretto, Nellie Bellinger, Kevin Brennan, Tim Brown, Margaret Buckingham, Diana Castro, Cecily Cellinan, Doug Chester, Jo Clark, Leslie Clarke, Tina Conidi, Margaret & George Cook, Alfonso Covino, Margaret Cusack, Geraldine Daniels, Nia Falekakala, John Fisher, Rosie May Fisher, Sally Gage, Lorraine Gallagher, Fred Grioli, Jacob Haddad, Jenny Haines, Dion Herft, Mary Hirst, Lena Hiscock, Louise Holmes, Kim Ingram, Anna Janiek, Pat Jones, Leona Kelly, Marianne Kennedy, Kath Kiely, Betu Kim, Jan Kristenson, Krystal, Bob Lahey, Diane & Steve Land, Sue Langham, Patrick Joven de Leon, Nathan Lepp, Joseph Ah Lo, Ann Marie Loder, Sarina Losurdo, John Nathaniel Maher, Maria Manuela, Andrew McPherson, Phil McWilliam, Fabiola Menzs, Joanne Mooney, Maryann Moore, Hugh Morand, Amy Elizabeth Morgan, Michael & Lesley Murtagh, Joanna Muthu, Lynn Nunan, Stephen O’Brien, Peter O’Brien, John & Pat O’Hanlon, Natalie O’Reilly, Letty O’Sullivan, Joanne Parkes, Kay Pitman, Rachel Raines, Gus Reeves, Patricia Roberts, Rogelio Rodriguez, Bob Rogers, Felipe S Cataquiz (Senior), Thor Skjaerbaek, Kathy Stevens, Brenda Stewart, Jim Stewart, Rose Stewart, Betty Taylor, Teresa Teo (Hhih Ting), John Thomas, Baby Samuel Timothy, Leonardo Torcaso, Denise Tracey, Rick Murphy (USA), Karen Vestergard, Billy Webb, Lois Wood.
RECENTLY DECEASED: (Chronological - Most recent first):
Dudley PLUNKETT, Laurel Goddard, Chris Girvan, Franco Innocenti, Ivan Sabol, Renato Santelesis, Mirko Papak, Sybil Vos, Allan Endicott, John Grimley, Marcella Wockner, Beryl Dorfield, Allan Robert Cupitt, Sharon Cass Edwards, Peter Lowe, June Carnovale, James Goodwin, Michael Plant, Helen Bohringer, Josip Burda, Pascual Tantengco Jr., Carmel Wilkinson, Dr Frank Miau.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical)
Victoria Alexander, Nicholas Eamon Ashworth, Paul Barry, Mark Christopher Behan, Judith Boggan, Naurelle Cahill, Irene Cappellazzo, Sarah Clancy, Mark Connell, Peter Cotton, Mons David Dee, Fr Pat Dowd, Bette Edwards, Peter James Evert, James John (Jim) Gardiner, Jan Grammer, Alan Hague, James Hendrie, Fr William Hogan, Bob Jackson, Judith Anne Jones, Peter Francis Kennedy, Wendy (Wen) Maclachlan, Vern William Mannix, Colleen Eileen McCarthy, Nora Winifred (Freda) McGrath, Gloria Mcleod, Dalton, Michael, Patricia Powell, Peter James Ryan, Hipolito Trochon, Gary Patrick Walsh, Geoffrey Williams.
And Also: (Alphabetical):
Leslie (Les) Gloster Alford, Marie Ethel Ashby, Dolores Mary Barakat, Maria Beer, Marco Burcul, Peter Capolupo, Graciella Del Carmen Chapman, Antoun Christophi, Berice May Flannery, Patricia Mary Flori, David William Foster, Glenis Maria Gaffney (nee Geitz), Ronda Jean Terese Hall, Cheryl Anne Hamwood, Susan Marie Hogan, Teresa Jackson, Zvonimir Leopold Karlich, John David (Jack) Kelly, Anna Marinic, Raelene Mavis Maroney, Brian Moon, Veronica Mary Moore, Stanley Nalepa, Ignatius Joseph Johannes Nati, Michael O'Brien, Hilda O'Donnell, Jack O'Donnell, Fr Robert O'Shea, Mons Michael Potter, John Reid, Jacqueline Feriel Rivet, Mercedes Rosario, Terese Salama, Jim Zadco.
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 go 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 & Gold Coast Private Hosp.- Southport Parish. 5510 2222
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES.
A Resurrected Life is a new 6-week reflection resource that can be used during Lent by individuals during the 2024 liturgical year. Each reflection is written to help us sit with God and to trust Him to lead us forward. Available now until sold out $6.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this First Friday, 2nd February, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch one hour with Me" Mt 26:4
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. 9 am (tomorrow) Saturday - 3rd February. Followed by adoration and Benediction. {This is a votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary}.
SACRED HEART ROSARY PRAYER GROUP
Please join us to pray the Divine Mercy and Rosary each day at the Sacred Heart Heart Church, prior to the 9am Mass at 8:15am, Monday to Friday including First Saturdays.
THE HEALING MASS
The Healing Mass will return on the first Tuesday of February 2024 at 10 am (6/2/2024) at Sacred Heart Church. Please let everyone know.
ASH WEDNESDAY MASSES - WEDNESDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2024
St Vincent’s 7 am - (Surfers Paradise). Fr Warren Kinne.
Stella Maris 7 am - (Broadbeach)- Fr Bernie.
Sacred Heart 9 am - (Clear Island Waters) Fr Paul
Sacred Heart 6 pm - (Clear Island Waters) Fr Anthony
Also:
Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent at 6 pm at Sacred Heart Church,
50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters. From 16th February 2024.
Information morning: Pastoral care to the sick in hospitals (volunteer role).
In conjunction with the Institute of Faith Education, Centacare will conduct a registered training course in spiritual and pastoral care to the sick in 2024. Date of the information session:
Wednesday 6 March, 10am – 1pm, Level 1, Cathedral House 229 Elizabeth St, Bne City. Please note: If there is sufficient interest from Gold Coast parishes an information session will be arranged in your area. For further information, or to attend the information morning, please email judy.norris@bne.centacare.net.au or phone 3324 3193.
MARIAN VALLEY FEAST OF OUR LADY
Please join us at the Marian Valley for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11.02.2024 and 13.02.2024, Our Lady of Fatima's Feast. The bus will pick up sharp 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 at 0405 252 367 or 5529 1573, All are welcome.
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.)
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 or you can bring in your ideas
A very relaxing and social environment - meet new friends! You 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.
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 a.m. Learn to relax yet gain greater flexibility, inner strength, body awareness and concentration 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 a.m. to prepare adequately for class). For more information, call Ruth on 0421338110.
OUR LADY’S STATUE -
Praying the Rosary - Our Lady’s Statue in the Parish -
Details of the Statue of Our Lady are going around the Parish.
If you want her in your home and say the Rosary,
Please contact Maxine or Pat on 0412 519 404.
Our Lady’s Statue details for the next four weeks are
05/02/2024 Rose & Joseph Pindo Ashmore
12/02/2024 Rose & Joseph Pindo Ashmore
Please phone Maxine Sela on 0421 051 193 if you want the Statue.
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.
BIBLE STUDY/PRAYER GROUP - ST VINCENT’S CHURCH, SURFERS PARADISE.
The Bible Study Prayer Group Thursday from 5-6 pm at St Vincent’s Church, 40 Hamilton Ave Surfers Paradise. Come along and read/study Break Open the Word once a week on a Thursday evening from 5 to 6 pm—For further enquiries, Ashley at 0409840693.
MEDITATION PRAYER GROUP - Resuming on 6th February 2024
In the Morris prayer room, Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The Meditation Group would very much like to welcome new members. Please phone Pam Egtberts at 0493742670.
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.” For more information, please ring Grace: 0410 006 484.
Pregnancy Crisis Incorporated (PCI), trading as Pregnancy Support Requests, Queensland
PCI is a Catholic not-for-profit comprised of men and women who volunteer to serve women and girls with crisis pregnancies and their unborn babies and any other children they may have. This is done through the immediate and ongoing provision of relief to those in distress, whether it is due to financial hardship, homelessness, domestic violence, pressure to abort their babies by family or their workplace, or for any other reason. Relief includes accommodation, food, and clothing during pregnancy and until around six months after birth; friendship and the easing of isolation and loneliness through visitation; material baby goods from nappies to prams to cots and everything in between; spiritual and emotional support, and referrals for, and accompaniment to, social welfare appointments, medical care, and counselling. Further, we assist both men and women with post-abortion trauma crises. Unfortunately, PCI’s public liability insurance premiums have increased significantly this year, approximately an additional $21,000 p.a., due to claims made by other organisations worldwide. PCI receives no government funding and relies totally on donations. To ease this financial burden, PCI is hosting a dance to raise funds for PCI.
Details are as follows:
Friday, 9th February, 6:30 - 11:00 PM - Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church Hall, 616 Ipswich Road, Annerley, Queensland, 4103 $35pp includes a glass of wine upon arrival, $20pp for ages 10-17, and ages 0-9 are complimentary.
All ages, youth and young adults, families, and seniors are most welcome. Please see this booking link for further information, such as dress theme: https://www.trybooking.com/COEVT “Ad-rae búaid ocus bennachtain”
LENT 2024 WITH THE CATHOLIC GUY, BRUCE DOWNES
Lent is a time when we can grow closer to God and prepare our hearts for the true meaning of Easter. Be inspired. Be refreshed. Be renewed!
For 40 days you will receive a short, practical and inspiring video in your inbox every morning to help you make this Lenten journey more powerful and prayerful. This program is FREE and you can sign up here: https://BruceDownes.org/Lent
Go to BruceDownes.org for more information.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD - (CLOW) AT SACRED HEART CHURCH
Helpers are needed also to assist with our Children’s Liturgy of the Word
(also known as CLOW) on a Sunday morning during the 9 am Mass at Sacred Heart.
The children leave the congregation at the start of Mass and go to the Atrium to celebrate and reflect on the Sunday Gospel reading in an age-appropriate way. The children are led through prayers, songs, and readings adapted to their understanding level.
Attending Mass together is a part of being a Catholic Family, while Children’s Liturgy of the Word allows children to enter the celebration more fully by catering to their needs.
Interested volunteers are invited to contact the Parish Office.
One of the requirements will be to have or apply for a Blue Card. Staff will be able to help you apply if necessary.
KIDS’ BULLETIN
Have you heard of the Kids’ Bulletin? The Kids’ Bulletin is a fun way for Catholic children to learn about the Faith every week. For a free online printable news bulletin with Sunday readings, go to https://thekidsbulletin.com/
HELP NEEDED AT SACRED HEART CHURCH 6 PM SUNDAY NIGHT
We urgently need helpers in specific ministries at the 6 pm Sacred Heart Church.
Welcomers - friendly faces who greet people at the entrance of the church
Remote Control operator - also known as the person who operates the “clicker” that moves the slides for the mass for people to follow hymns and prayers.
Altar Servers
Collectors:
Please join the roster for these specific ministries that have a shortage.
Please see Megan or Robyn after Mass at Sunday 6 pm or email Megan at meganjhamilton@bigpond.com - You will be offered training and support. Many thanks for your assistance.
The Sacred Heart Saturday Vigil 5 pm and Sunday 9 am, Stella Maris Saturday Vigil 5 pm and Sunday 7 am, and St Vincent’s Sunday 8 am and 10 am would welcome all persons interested in joining the many ministries in our churches. Other areas where additional persons are required are coordinators, readers and extra ordinary ministers of communion, organists, singers and choir members, car park attendants and piety shop sales persons.
Please see your friendly Mass coordinators for more details and they will direct you to the right contact person.
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) or vulnerable adults. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for abusing children or vulnerable adults.
YEAR OF PRAYER - RESOURCE
Symphony of prayer and praise: A prayer for the Year of Prayer
God of blessings,
in this year ahead,
give us a spirit of listening,
of openness to your word
and longing for your kingdom.
As we journey toward the Jubilee,
a time of new beginnings,
we pray for help and strength,
to heal our relationships with each other
and all creation.
Sing your song of love over us,
renewing our faith and courage,
so we may join our voices together,
discovering new harmonies of hope,
new melodies of reconciliation
Attentive to the Spirit,
and awake to the needs of the world,
may we seek your life-giving presence,
as we join as one global family,
in a great symphony of prayer and praise. Amen.
A VOCATION VIEW:
The afflicted Job in the Old Testament thinks that his life is like dust in the wind; his restlessness depicts the sorrow and sadness afflicting society today. Are we prepared for the task ahead? To heal the broken-hearted, to bind up all their wounds? How do you choose to respond? Christ raises up, from among our midst, those called to the Consecrated Life so that they might be unique signs of the Kingdom and “to be all things to all people. (1 Cor 9:22)” We pray for those who have left everything to follow Him.
To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP -
“Rising very early before dawn, he left and went to a deserted place, where he prayed…He told them, ‘Let us go to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.’”- Mark 1:35, 38
In today’s Gospel reading, we see a perfect example of stewardship. Jesus gives His time to do all God wishes - healing the sick and preaching. But before He begins, Jesus takes time to be alone with God in prayer. Through prayer and spending time with God, we are given the graces needed to do what He wishes us to do. Praying before acting is a great habit to develop.
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 -
Evangelization [\i-van-jə-lə-‘zā-shə]
The act of preaching or proclaiming the gospel; how the Good News of Christ’s coming is delivered to the ends of the earth. Evangelising begins with the witness of an authentic Christian life. This witness involves humility, detachment from wealth, faith, hope, and charity. In this way, one becomes a credible proclaimer of the joy found in Jesus.
Pronunciation: https://tinyurl.com/Take5-evangelization
CONTEXT
An evangelist must never look like someone who has just returned from a funeral! —Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
The person who has been evangelised goes on to evangelise others. Here lies the test of truth, the touchstone of evangelisation: it is unthinkable that a person should accept the Word and give himself to the kingdom without becoming a person who bears witness to it and proclaims it in his turn. —Pope Paul VI, “Evangelii Nuntiandi.”
To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer. —Saint Thomas Aquinas
WHY IT MATTERS
Jesus is the first evangelizer when he proclaims the coming of God's reign. Delivering the Good News of what God has done for us is, in fact, the entire mission of the church.
All people have a right to receive the gospel, and all Christians have a duty to proclaim it. This is not an obligation, says Pope Francis in “Evangelii Gaudium,” but a joy as we "point to a horizon of beauty" for all.
RELATED WORDS
Gospel | Evangelii Gaudium | Preaching
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What's the difference between catechesis and evangelisation?
Catechesis is basically religious education. Rooted in the Greek word for "echo," its intent is to nurture the Christian life through imitation in word and deed. Evangelisation also has Greek origins and means "proclaiming good news." That good news of God’s reign is contained in the gospel. Just as catechesis doesn't mean memorising rote facts about faith, evangelisation isn't the same as shouting scripture verses to passersby. We can think of evangelisation as creating the spark that ignites the fire, and catechesis as the work of tending the flame once it's established. . . . When the two work hand in hand, evangelisation and catechesis can make us saints by bringing us to faith and then to holiness, inch by inch.
—Alice Camille, from Questions Catholics Ask: http://tinyurl.com/QCA-evangelization
Our Everything
The Second Vatican Council said the church is “missionary by its very nature”—in other words, mission, these days also called “evangelisation,” is more than just another thing the church does: It is part of everything the church does. What is mission? It’s not only the sending of missionaries to foreign countries. Most simply, evangelisation is bringing to others the Good News to Jesus witnessed. It means seeing the face of Christ in everyone, especially the poor and outcast.
Readings: Job 7:1-4; 6-7; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39 (74: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfm).
“Let us go to preach . . . For this purpose have I come.”
FAITH IN ACTION
We can all be missionaries and evangelisers by showing compassion, spreading goodness, transforming, forgiving, loving, serving, preaching, teaching, and healing.
ww.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe.
THIS WEEKEND’S GOSPEL -
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed.Stock Vector ID: 2313235645 - Jesus heals - golden hour silhouette vector illustration. Vector Contributor: Evoke City
GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
Jesus responded to needs. Jesus had the most indescribable compassion for everyone he met, but his vision, the vitality of his message and the urgency of his preaching dictated his priorities and responses…….. and sometimes led to surprising results…. As we see in the Gospel today.
Jesus, in the gospel this weekend, is fascinating. Jesus travels the countryside preaching his message of the Kingdom of God, and enormous crowds of people gather. He teaches them, he heals them, and he releases their burdens…. one gets a sense of a sea of need…. a vast, continuous, endless line of people seeking help, searching for hope, and reaching out for a helping hand. Jesus responds to this…. what is to be done…….so much.
Then, we hear that he rises very, very early and goes off to a lonely place to pray…..to connect…. To re-focus….. to re-energise.
The crowds continue to search for him, his disciples search for him and inform him that everyone is looking for him…..The needs of these crowds are most certainly real… and they are urgent…. and immediate….. Yet, Jesus informs them that the message of his gospel is absolutely vital….. of the highest importance……. and so, he tells his disciples that they must move on, they must continue his preaching in other places too……// Jesus, aware of the many urgent demands of the crowds… chooses to move one… to keep going on his journey…. because “vital” overrides “urgent”…. “important” overrides “pressing”.
He leaves behind crowds of people still looking for healing, peace and hope….but he does not abandon them….his message… his presence for a short time has already brought the seeds of that hope taking root there…. in each of those crowds in the places Jesus visited……. so many of them will take this message and run with it……. as Jesus message spreads to other communities… those people pick up his message and consolidate it….. nurture it………the Spirit builds on it (in and through the people who hear and respond to this)….. // and meanwhile…..Jesus must spread that message wider…. but it must have been heartbreaking that he couldn’t alone have touched and transformed each and every person Jesus met individually… but there was no time.. and his mission was urgent, vital, time was short// and his mission was on-going……
Thank goodness for this message….. There is still so much to be done….// so much need….// so much to do, so little time to do it, the harvest is plentiful, the labourers are few……..// there is no time but the present…… // there are crowds with similar needs in the next town Jesus will visit… and the town after that…..
[Saint Paul can be inspiring, but his text today…(the second reading)…… : - “I shall be all things to all people…”. “(which has been the mantra of so many priests and so many who work in public ministry)….. sadly, it is also a recipe for a nervous breakdown……… as we try to respond to every request, every need…. To be “one thing for one person”…. And quite “another thing for the other”………// caution here is needed…………. and our Master, the Lord Jesus, managed to show us great example in this…. He didn’t fall for this trap…….]
This gospel shows the importance of action…. Of….“don’t just stand there do something….”
But this gospel also shows us the importance of prayer…… connectedness to our relationship with God…… that we take time out…. take a step back…. and see the big picture…… to connect to the source and the power and the reason behind all our efforts and actions….. This part of Jesus message… is the counter-point to the first…. it is saying: “don’t just do something…. STAND THERE”……
Its reassuring to us…. There is still so much to be done… so much we can do…. so little time to do it….. never enough hours in the day, //…days in the year….. // we do what we can…// and keep our eyes on the big picture…. and draw strength, inspiration and vision from our time-out with God…. to focus our energy… direct our resources and …. lead us through the “busy-ness” of our days with its many possibilities and needs….. we can’t do everything… we are all too aware of our limitations…. so we ask the Lord to help us do some things well.
Lord, (in this), help us to know what is urgent… help us to know what is vital….. give us the strength to leave behind even the urgent, when the vital calls us…….. help us to know the difference…….
REFERENCES: FR. PAUL W. KELLY
To listen to the whole Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
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 Agatha (c 231- c 251)
Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am - you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil. Agatha of Sicily
Lord, my Creator, You have protected me since I was in the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me the patience to suffer. Now receive my spirit.
St. Scholastica was born in central Italy. She was the twin sister to St. Benedict who founded
the Benedictine Order. Their parents were affluent. After Benedict left for the monastery, Scholastica founded a monastery for nuns within five miles of St. Benedict’s monastery. St. Benedict was the spiritual director for her monastery.
Benedict and Scholastica were only able to visit with each other once a year. Because she was not allowed in his monastery, they met in a farmhouse where they visited and discussed spiritual matters. According to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, the two saints spent their last day together in prayer and visiting. Benedict refused her request to stay another day. However, a thunderstorm arose, preventing him from returning home. St. Scholastica claimed the storm was a result of her prayers. He stayed another day, visiting through the night, returning to the monastery the next day. St. Scholastica died three days later in 543. St. Benedict’s brethren brought her body to his monastery. She was buried in the tomb he had prepared for himself. St. Benedict had a vision of her soul ascending to heaven in the form of a dove. St. Scholastica is the patron saint against storms.
"I asked you, and you would not listen. So I asked my God, and he did listen." (St Scholastica)
Our Lady of Lourdes
'I am the Immaculate Conception'.
➔ St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)
“God wishes to test you, like gold in the furnace. The dross is consumed by the fire, but the pure gold remains and its value increases. In this manner, God acts with His good servant, who puts his hope in Him and remains unshaken in times of distress. God raises him up and, in return for the things he has left out of love for God, He repays him a hundredfold in this life and with the eternal life hereafter. If then you remain constant in 19 faith, in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world and forever in the next.”
“I urge you to persevere in your love for Christ and your faithful observance of the law of Christ. Our goal is God, the source of all good. As we say in our prayer, we must trust God and no one else. In His kindness, our Lord wished to strengthen your faith, for without it, as the evangelist points out, Christ could not have performed many of His miracles.”
“Therefore, having done what you could, the Lord will be satisfied with you because, for Him, who is the most benign, goodwill compensates for the lack of success. “ (Letter 5 #4)
➔ Saint Josephine Bakhita
I have given everything to my Master: He will care for me... The best thing for us is not what we consider best but what the Lord wants of us!The Lord has loved me so much: we must love everyone... we must be compassionate!
Seeing the sun, the moon and the stars, I said to myself, ‘Who could be the Master of these beautiful things?’ I felt a great desire to see him, to know him and to pay him homage.
I received the Sacrament of Baptism with such joy that only angels could describe...
If I were to meet the slave traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands, for if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and Religious today... Saint Josephine Bakhita. (This is naturally not to justify the horrific treatment of fellow human beings, to treat them as lesser and abduct them from their homeland, but it does give thanks to God who brings healing and grace out of and despite the disasters and wrongs of human action).
POPE FRANCIS: Continuing the summary on Session One of the Synod on Synodality.
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9. Women in the Life and Mission of the Church
Convergences
1. We are created, male and female, in the image and likeness of God. From the beginning, creation manifests unity and difference, bestowing on women and men a shared nature, calling, and destiny, and two distinct experiences of being human. Sacred Scripture testifies to the complementarity and reciprocity of women and men and to the covenant between them that lies at the heart of God’s design for creation. Jesus considered women his interlocutors: he spoke with them about the Kingdom of God; he welcomed them as disciples, for example, Mary of Bethany. These women, who experienced His power of healing, liberation and recognition, travelled with Him on the road from Galilee to Jerusalem (Lk 8,1-3). He entrusted the announcement of the Resurrection on Easter morning to a woman, Mary Magdalene.
2. In Christ, women and men are clothed with the same baptismal dignity (Gal 3:28) and receive equally the variety of gifts of the Spirit. We are called together into a communion of loving, non-competitive relationships in Christ, and to a co-responsibility to be expressed at every level of the Church’s life. We are, as Pope Francis said to us together, “a people convened and called with the strength of the Beatitudes”.
3. We have had a very positive experience of the reciprocity between women and men during this Assembly. Together we echo the call made in the previous phases of the synodal process, that the Church adopt a more decisive commitment to understand and accompany women from a pastoral and sacramental point of view. Women desire to share their spiritual experience of journeying towards holiness in the various stages of life: as young women, as mothers, in their friendships and relationships, in family life at all ages, in working life, and in consecrated life. Women cry out for justice in societies still marked by sexual violence, economic inequality and the tendency to treat them as objects. Women are scarred by trafficking, forced migration and war. Pastoral accompaniment and vigorous advocacy for women should go hand in hand.
4. Women make up most of those in our pews and are often the first missionaries of the faith in the family. Consecrated women, both in contemplative and apostolic life, are a fundamental and distinctive gift, sign and witness in our midst. The long history of women missionaries, saints, theologians and mystics is also a powerful source of nourishment and inspiration for women and men today.
5. Mary of Nazareth, the woman of faith and Mother of God, remains a unique source of theological, ecclesial and spiritual meaning. Mary reminds us of the universal call to listen attentively to God and to remain open to the Holy Spirit. She knew the joy of bearing and nurturing and endured pain and suffering. She gave birth in impoverished conditions, became a refugee and lived the sorrow of her Son’s brutal killing, but she also knew the magnificence of his Resurrection and the glory of Pentecost.
6. Many women expressed deep gratitude for the work of priests and bishops. They also spoke of a Church that wounds. Clericalism, a chauvinist mentality and inappropriate expressions of authority continue to scar the face of the Church and damage its communion. A profound spiritual conversion is needed as the foundation for any effective structural change. Sexual abuse and the abuse of power and authority continue to cry out for justice, healing and reconciliation. We asked how the Church can be a place that safeguards all.
7. Where dignity and justice are undermined in relationships between men and women in the Church, we weaken the credibility of our proclamation to the world. Our synodal path shows the need for relational renewal and structural changes. In this way, we can better welcome the participation and contribution of all – with lay and consecrated women and men, deacons, priests, and bishops – as co-responsible disciples in the work of mission.
8. The Assembly asks that we avoid repeating the mistake of talking about women as an issue or a problem. Instead, we desire to promote a Church in which men and women dialogue together in order to understand more deeply the horizon of God's project, that sees them together as protagonists, without subordination, exclusion and competition.
Matters for Consideration
1. Churches all over the world have expressed a clear request that the active contribution of women would be recognised and valued and that their pastoral leadership increase in all areas of the Church's life and mission. In order to give better expression to the gifts and charisms of all and to be more responsive to pastoral needs, how can the Church include more women in existing roles and ministries? If new ministries are required, who should discern these, at what levels and in what ways?
2. Different positions have been expressed regarding women's access to the diaconal ministry. For some, this step would be unacceptable because they consider it a discontinuity with Tradition. For others, however, opening access for women to the diaconate would restore the practice of the Early Church. Others still, discern it as an appropriate and necessary response to the signs of the times, faithful to the Tradition, and one that would find an echo in the hearts of many who seek new energy and vitality in the Church. Some express concern that the request speaks of a worrying anthropological confusion, which, if granted, would marry the Church to the spirit of the age.
3. Discussion of this question is also related to the wider ongoing reflection on the theology of the diaconate (cf. below Chapter 11).
Proposals
1. Local churches are encouraged to extend their work of listening, accompaniment and care to the most marginalised women in their social contexts.
2. It is urgent to ensure that women can participate in decision-making processes and assume roles of responsibility in pastoral care and ministry. The Holy Father has significantly increased the number of women in positions of responsibility in the Roman Curia. This should also happen at other levels of Church life, in consecrated life and dioceses. Provision needs to be made in Canon Law accordingly.
3. Theological and pastoral research on the access of women to the diaconate should be continued, benefiting from consideration of the results of the commissions specially established by the Holy Father, and from the theological, historical and exegetical research already undertaken. If possible, the results of this research should be presented at the next Session of the Assembly.
4. Cases of labour injustice and unfair remuneration within the Church need to be addressed especially for women in consecrated life, who are too often treated as cheap labour.
5. Women’s access to formation programmes and theological study needs to be considerably expanded. We suggest that women should also be integrated into seminary teaching and training programs to foster better formation for ordained ministry.
6. There is a need to ensure that liturgical texts and Church documents are more attentive to the use of language that takes into equal consideration both men and women and also includes a range of words, images and narratives that draw more widely on women's experience.
7. We propose that women receive appropriate formation to enable them to be judges in all canonical processes.
Source: https://www.synod.va/en/synodal-process/the-universal-phase/documents.html
What is the purpose of Market On Fairway.? A place where creativity and concern for personal income open doors to a world of dreams.
I invite you to participate without the commitment of a contract or exuberant exposure, your work has a lot of value as each discovers their talent. All applications will be emailed, I hope to hear from you. From Grace R. grace.flowers.art@hotmail.com
PILGRIMAGE WITH FR DAN RYAN -FRANCE, PARIS AND LOURDES 2024
(With Fr Dan Ryan, as he celebrates 50 years of priesthood).
Would you like to travel to France from mid-May to mid-June next year with me, Fr Dan Ryan, on a French Saints Pilgrimage, with a possible extension to Rome?
I have organised a pilgrimage with Harvest Journeys to travel through France and visit the Places of Saints.
The trip will include Paris (2nights), Rouen, Lisieux(2), Mont-Saint-Michel (2), Chartes, Nevers (1), Taize, Paray le Monial (2), Ars, La Salette (1), Avignon, Lourdes (3), Montserrat(1), and Barcelona (1), Optional Rome Extension (3).
If you would like more information, you can contact Harvest Journeys on 1800 819 156 or https://bookings.harvestjourneys.com/pv2445. If you contact Harvest Journeys, mention my name and the pilgrimage is the French Saints Pilgrimage. There are a few brochures at the back of the church. Father Dan Ryan. A copy of the brochure is available here as well: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EuOjctr5PMLmUrxxhut9-IoMAI3OMQXQ/view?usp=sharing
Commitment To Child Safety and Vulnerable-Adult Safety
……………..See overleaf …..
St Kevin’s Catholic School, Community business directory: https://www.sk.qld.edu.au/Pages/Rainbow-Connection.aspx
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, 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/)
** The significance of the ancient Catholic Blessing Symbol. “20 C+M+B 24”
An ancient medieval practice that developed in the Catholic Church was to bless one’s home with blessed chalk at the epiphany each year. On the door or the lintel will be this symbol:
Meaning that 2000 years ago, after Christ’s birth, Wise Men visited and gave homage to the Lord and were welcomed into the hospitality of the Holy Family’s abode. We dedicate the present year of this century, ‘24, to the protection of the Lord. May the Lord bless this abode.
The letters C+M+B represent the names Caspar, Bathasar and Melchior, the three Wise Men. CMB is also the initials of the latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” - “May Christ Bless this dwelling-place.”
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