Friday, 31 May 2024

SPCP Newsletter: Sunday, 2 June 2024 - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year B

 PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*: 

You can also access an online -web- copy of the newsletter *Webcopy here*

**

Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish E-Newsletter

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility -  https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/safeguarding

This is Kombumerri Country - The Traditional Custodians of this region. (see here)

Parish Office (new): (07) 5671 7388 (9 am – 2 pm Mon-Fri) 

Email: surfers@bne.catholic.net.au | Website: www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au 

Emergencies: Priest contactable via office phone (after hours, follow the menu prompts)

50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, Queensland, 4226

https://tinyurl.com/SPCPsite 

2024: The Year of Prayer


Sunday, 2 June 2024 

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year B 


Readings for Sunday, 2 June 2024 - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi).

FIRST READING- Exod 24:3-8

Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18. “I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord”

SECOND READING- Heb 9:11-15

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:51). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.

GOSPEL- Mark 14:12-16, 22-26


“Take; this is my body ….  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. ” (Mark 14:22,24)

Image -Painting - by Rodney Anthony  - Surfers Paradise 2024. 


We congratulate the Ronnie and Williams families whose children, Isabelle and Charlotte Lily-Rose, will be baptised in our Parish this week.  Please keep the Baptism families in your prayers as they begin their faith journey.

PASTOR’S POST - 

While all the sprinkling of blood in the first reading this weekend may be a bit more gory detail than you might have wanted, the story of this ritual offers us something to consider for the celebration of the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. It explains the meaning of the words of every Eucharistic Prayer where it refers to the “blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  Moses and the People of Israel poured or sprinkled blood from sacrifices, in order to atone for sin and connect these same people to the sacrifice offered for forgiveness of the sin of the people. 

 

For the ancient Israelites, life was in blood. If there was no blood, there was no life! If the blood stopped flowing or left the body, the creature died. Blood, then, had a sacred or sacramental quality, especially the blood of an animal sacrificed to God. And if people came into contact with the blood of the altar, that meant they were UNITED with the giver of life, God. So when you drink the cup of Christ’s blood, you join yourself to Christ’s life and accept the covenant to follow him on your own.


The Lord orders the people to “observe all that I have commanded you.” The obedience of the people of God is a key word in today’s readings. In Deuteronomy Moses made the not-so-veiled point that unless the people obey the Lord’s “statutes and commandments,” the same power God used to deliver them would be turned against them. 


Saint Paul softened the message by saying that Christians “did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear”: Being obedient to God, in particular God’s Spirit, did not involve abject fear. And while “all power in heaven and on earth has been given to” Christ and makes him worthy of worship, he exercised that authority through his teaching Spirit to empower the disciples to evangelize and also to accompany and guide the church until the end of the age. While obedience makes people children of God, it is also an active response to the loving initiative of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (with thanks to Fr Joel Shorn for this reflection). 


“O Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I would like to be filled with love for you; keep me closely united with you, may my heart be near to yours.”  — (Pope John XXIII, Journal of a Soul)

Fr Paul


JUBILEE MASS CELEBRATION 

Fr John Maher and Fr Dan Ryan are celebrating their 50th Anniversary of Priesthood this year.  To give thanks for the blessings God has given us through their ministries you are invited to join us for a Golden Jubilee Mass for Fr Dan and Fr John at Sacred Heart church,  50 Fairway Drive. Clear Island Waters . Queensland 4226, on  Sunday the 7th of July. At 9 am. Followed by refreshments. All welcome.  God bless.

SVDP Winter Appeal 2024

The St Vincent de Paul Society Surfers Paradise conference continues to pursue good works to support locals in need.  On the weekend of 8 and 9 June 2024, Vincentians will be conducting an annual winter appeal to help support those locals in need of extra help.  The generosity of the parish does not go unnoticed in our local community.  In the last 12 months, local Vincentians have made 484 visits and assisted 973 people directly and indirectly.  We have provided financial assistance of $50,741 and in-kind assistance (furniture, Christmas hampers, food and Vinnie's gift cards for clothing etc) of $13,848.  We are seeing an increase in those facing homelessness due to the high cost of living and the housing crisis.   With your ongoing support, we can continue to provide comfort and tangible assistance to help people get back on their feet.  Local Vincentians offer help in many forms, including food, clothing, blankets and furniture.  Your generous donation will help us continue these good works.  A donation of as little as $10 can make a difference to the good works of the Surfers Paradise conference.

For more details on the conference's activities, please contact Conference President Wendy Webb at wendy.webb@svdpqld.org.au  or 0412 237 832 on mobile.


SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

“Walking a Sacred Path: Walking the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Path” Join us as we explore the labyrinth, its history through the ages, and how it can be used as a spiritual tool for reflection, contemplation and discernment. This event is open to all, and is being hosted by the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction, facilitated by Sue Thomas. Saturday 8th June 9am for 9.30am – 2.30pm. Mary Mother of Mercy Church, Burleigh Waters. Cost $40 for donation to Parish, morning tea, and for supplied resources. BYO lunch. Register with Denise ansdqueensland@gmail.com or Sue Thomas sue@suethomas.net.au


DATE CLAIMER -  OFFICIAL INSTALLATION MASS FOR FR PAUL AS PARISH PRIEST -  BY HIS GRACE, ARCHBISHOP MARK COLERIDGE 


Installation of Parish Priest – Fr Paul 

Saturday  31st August 2024

Start: 9.30 am

Mass for the Installation of Parish Priest – Fr Paul Kelly

Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  50 Fairway Drive. Clear Island Waters. Qld 4226



Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed.Holy communion on wooden table on church.Taking holy Communion.and chalice  - The Feast of Corpus Christi Concept. - Photo Contributor- MIA Studio

MenAlive Conference: menALIVE MAX 24 event

An opportunity to attend this annual event for men at the Carmelite Retreat House in Varroville, Sydney

from Friday July 19 to Sunday July 21.

For more information please contact - Christopher (Chris) Kennedy | MSpDir. Member | menALIVE National Ministry Team

Mobile: +61 412 270 828 Email: cbk1957@hotmail.com

Visit the website: menalive.org.au


To tune in to The Weekend Mass (the sound podcast), please regularly visit the link below to listen to the Mass (including the sermon) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish. Please see this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) -  (It is updated at intervals just before the following Sunday or Feastday - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks    

Also found at -   https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk.  


Stock Vector ID: 513637168 - First Communion Eucharist -chalice and host, with grapes and wheat , cross, fish and candle. Colourful modern abstract vector illustration. Vector Contributor: Thoom


SEVEN PRIORITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE - 

1. TEACHING PRAYER

2. RESHAPING PARISH COMMUNITIES

3. BRINGING CULTURAL COMMUNITIES TO THE CENTRE

4. RESPONDING TO ABUSE AND THE ABUSED

5. ENGAGING ANEW WITH FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES

6. IMPLEMENTING INTEGRAL ECOLOGY

7. EMBEDDING SYNODAL GOVERNANCE

“Lamps Ablaze” - to download the full document - please visit this link:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oVNiTRAhQn_5aTDZ9mo2dDh9bGeqxewL/view 


SCAM ALERT!

Scammers are up to their usual tricks again.  People have reported receiving text messages or emails purporting to be from me, Fr. Paul, - but in the past, it has been other familiar priests or parish names. The scammer says it is from, eg. Fr Pau,l and then says, "I am going into a meeting, so I cannot speak personally to you, but I need you to contact me back”  in order to get the intended victim to send money or gift cards, etc, to help someone in need. Or they try this trick after the person replies to their first mysterious message.   This is not from me, and it's 100% a scam. We do not solicit money or its equivalent value by any of these means. Please don't reply to them, and certainly do not give any financial details or send any money, gift cards, etc.  Our official parish appeals are conducted through the parish and via official collections at mass, not private messaging. We never would ask for such things or use other anonymous forms of backroom money transfer. Please inform other parishioners of these scams if they do not receive this message.   

This type of scam, or something very similar comes up on a regular basis.  We recommend if you receive this SMS message (and any other illegitimate SMS) forward the SMS to 0429 999 888 (this is the Australian Government spam reporting line).


FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION

First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters.  9 am (tomorrow) Saturday - 1st June 2024.   Followed by adoration and Benediction.  {This is a votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary}.


Anointing Mass – Mass of Healing FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (February-November Inclusive)

4th June 2024. 10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church.   Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.


FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament the First Friday, 7th June 2024, 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


Calling For New Surfers Paradise Parish Altar Servers 

We are hoping to add to our numbers of children who would like to become an altar server. If you are interested and you have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion, then please make contact via the parish office - surfers@bne.catholic.net.au

SYNOD24: I AM MAKING ALL THINGS NEW. 

 

Brisbane Archdiocese is just over three months out from 


 

  • SYNOD24 will be held on two days in September and two days in October, where approximately 150 people representing the diversity of the Archdiocese will discuss, debate and vote on the proposed practical and measurable action plans. Synod Members must attend all four days. More information on SYNOD24 can be found here: https://aobsynod2024.com/what-is-synod24/

 

 

  • SYNOD24 honours the significant level of broad consultation, listening and discerning that has taken place over the course of the Plenary Council journey (since 2018) and is the next step of this process. Consultations over March, April and May have focused on voices that had not been heard previously: those on the margins, experts and experienced practitioners. This is to ensure the action plans are practical and measurable, reflect the needs of our Archdiocese, and truly reflect the responses submitted throughout the Plenary Council process. To remind yourself of the Plenary Council journey since 2018, head here: https://aobsynod2024.com/what-is-synod24/

 

For SYNOD24: I Am Making All Things New,.

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit's creativity will lead us to renewed participation in the life and ministry of the Church; and that the Holy Spirit will fill the hearts of all the faithful, inspiring us to walk together in the hope, joy, and the mission of the Risen Christ. Lord, hear us. 




                 CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM  2024                                                                                                                                                                 

Cathy Anderson andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au.

To begin or continue the faith journey with your child, please use the information in the table below.


Sacrament Name                         & Sacrament Dates for 2024

Eligibility

And Cost

How to enrol, or check a child’s enrolment, or request information for Sacramental Preparation Groups in Surfers Paradise Parish, 2024

Sacrament of Baptism

Celebrations of the Sacrament of Baptism occur most Sundays of the Year at 10:30 am in Sacred Heart Church.                                                                              Bookings are linked to the online enrolment form (see info on the far right). **Baptism spaces are booked out a couple of months in advance. 

Children are eligible from birth.

 

(Administration cost for the preparation program -the Sacrament of Baptism is $130)

To submit a baptism enrollment application for a child from birth to 7 years old, go to the parish website www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au. Use the top menu bar and hover over Sacraments. Click on Baptism. Please read the baptism information and then scroll down to the blue-filled box with the link to the enrolment form you need. Click on the link in the box, complete the form and then click Submit. You should receive an automated response that the form has been received.  

To request information for Baptisms for children from birth to 8 years, Email the Parish Secretary, Merla Nario, at surfers@bne.catholic.net.au.                                                         For Children 8 years and older: Email your interest in having your child prepare to receive Baptism to our Children’s Sacramental Coordinator, Cathy Anderson. andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au 

Sacrament of Confirmation

Dates:                        


Parent Meeting 5:30 pm, in Sacred Heart Church,                    Either 10.06.24 Or 11.06.24.

Final Meeting & Practice 5:30 pm, in Sacred Heart Church,                            Either 19.08.24  Or 20.08.24 

Celebration of Confirmation:                                 Evening of Thursday, August 29. (Friday, August 30, is the Gold Coast Show Holiday.)

For Baptised Children in Year 3 or greater.


Administration cost for the preparation program -(other than Baptism is $150)

To enrol,
Go to the parish website (see address above). Use the top menu bar and hover over Sacraments. Click on Confirmation. Please read the information about Confirmation and then scroll down to the blue-filled box with the link to the form that you need. Click on the link in the box, complete the enrollment application form, and click Submit.  You should receive an automated response that the form has been received. During Term 2, 2024, Cathy Anderson will email the families of all enrolled children.
For information, Email our Children’s Sacramental Coordinator, Cathy Anderson, at andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au.                                                         

Sacrament of Eucharist Dates            

                (First Holy Communion)

The Program for this year has ended.  Stay tuned for next year’s dates 

For children in Year 4 or greater who have been Baptised and Confirmed.

(Administration cost for the preparation program -other than Baptism, is $150)

A. If your child received the sacrament of Confirmation in Surfers Paradise Parish in 2023, they will be automatically included in the group to be contacted for Preparation for First Communion. Contact will be made via email by the Children’s Sacramental Coordinator, Cathy Anderson. The email will be sent in Term 1, 2024.
B. If your child was confirmed in Surfers Paradise Parish before 2023, please express your interest in joining the 2024 First Communion Group by emailing Cathy Anderson at andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au 
C. If your child was confirmed in another parish, please follow the information in the cell above to complete an online enrolment application and include your child in the 2024 First Communion Group.


MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES

Sacred Heart 

50 Fairway Drive

Clear Island Waters, 4226

Saturday Night - 5 pm  (Note: Reconciliations from 4-4.30 pm at Sacred Heart)

  • (Maronite Mass, 6:30 pm, Saturday Night). 

*Note: First Saturday of the month, morning Mass, Adoration and Benediction:  

9 am (Next: 1st June 2024)

Sunday - 9 am and 6 pm 

  • (Polish Mass 12:30 pm Sunday)

  • (Italian Mass 4 pm Sunday at Sacred Heart Church)

Weekday Masses - Monday - Friday weekday Mass - 9 a.m. 

The Healing Mass will return on the first Tuesday of 7th of May 2024 at  10 am (4/6/2024) - At 10 am on the First Tuesday of the month.

{First Friday Night of the Month -  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Sacred Heart Church - First Fridays of the Month, from 7 pm to 8.30 pm.  All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch with Me for one hour?" Mt 26:40}.

St Vincent’s

40 Hamilton Avenue.

Surfers Paradise

4217

Sunday - 8 am & 10 am 

(Hispanic Mass – 5.30 pm every Sunday) 


Extra parking is available only metres from St Vincent’s Church, King’s Car Park, and entry via Beach Road. It is also available on Remembrance Drive opposite the church, next to the new Essence Building.

Stella Maris 

254 Hedges Avenue, Broadbeach, 4218

Saturday - 5 pm


Sunday  -   7 am 



Hispanic (Latino American) Mass: Fr. Syrilus Madin. 5:30 pm Mass - Every Sunday -  St Vincent’s Catholic Church, Surfers Paradise. Gold Coast Contact: Juan Arrieta 0406 705 349


Polish Mass: Fr Jerzy Prucnal (Bowen Hills 3252 2200). 1.30pm Mass ONLY for SUNDAYS 26 May and 2 June - Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. Gold Coast Contact: George Syrek 0411 302 802 -

 

Italian Mass: Sunday, Sacred Heart Church at 4 p.m. Please contact Fr Luis Antonio Diaz Lamus (Scalabrinian Missionary) at ladl71@hotmail.com  or Giovanna at 07 55395528 or gianna52@hotmail.com  for further information about the Italian Mass on the Gold Coast.


Maronite Mass: Fr Fadi Salame 0421 790 996. The 6.30 pm Maronite Saturday Vigil is at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters.

 

“TAP `N” GO CASHLESS DONATIONS -

AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCES OF THREE CHURCHES - tap once to donate $10, tap again (when it has reset) for another $10, and so on. 



IN OUR PRAYERS 

(Please contact us so we can keep these names up-to-date, and let us know when to remove the name from the list).

FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK:  Please also pray for the following who are ill. (Alphabetical) 

Pamela Caralis, Nadia Che, Ellanie Conzalez, Tina Conidi, Alfonso Covino, Shirley Croft, Lorraine Gallagher, Barbara Gilbert, Maurice Goss, Kath Kiely, Jan Kristenson, Joanne Mooney, Maryann Moore, Denis Mullins, Letty O’Sullivan, Brenda Stewart, Betty Taylor, Denise Tracey, Des Walsh, Christine Watkins, Billy Webb. 


RECENTLY DECEASED:  (Chronological - Most recent first):

Lois Wood, Rosemarie Cocks, Bill McDermott, Fr Jim Smith, Santiago Canada, Marina Innocenti, Adoracion Santos Lapitan, Joseph Torbey, Jacqueline Rillo, Helena Nycz, Frank Cassidy, John William Worner (WA), Val Adami.


ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical) 

Rossaria Dom Barbaro, Antoinette Denise Brennen, Albert Lewis Bush, Frances Therese Collins, Myrtle Joyce Condon, Raul Cruz, Charles George Dayney, Theo Robert Farr, Mary Fredricks, Judith Gilliland, Marie Hayden, George Arthur Higgs, Jacqueline Faye (Jackie) Hogan, Keith Patrick Hoolihan, Fr Morgan Howe, Anthony Charles Franklin (Tony) Howell, Therese Lorraine Anne Hunt, Stefania Jakim, Gerald Freestone Junck, John Alexander Kazimierowicz, Costanzo Letizia, Fr John McGlone, Barry Wayne Moore, Neville John Malcolm Nielsen, Maureen Patricia O’Connor, Fr Peter Oudendijk, Dorothy Ryan, Marie Van Twest, Bp Andrew Tynan, Janmaree Walsh, Irene Wholohan, Fr Wilfrid Willcock, Henry Wirth. 

And Also: (Alphabetical):

Mary Beatrix (“May) Ashton, Isabelle Rose Brock, Kevin Cassels, Concetta Maria Cran, Mary Therese Dean, Jacques Philoppe Desbleds, Edvardas Eidejus, Roberta Maria Fantuz, Patricia Dorothy Helen Geor, Lorraine Ellen Geraghty, Dorothy Gravener, Josip Grzic, Maurice John Hayes, Beryl Hodge, Fr Maxwell Irvine, Dr. Elaine Lillian Kluver, June Therese Lewis, Margaret Mary Lyon, Matthew Maric, Fr John Francis McCarthy, Adam Alfred McGuffie, Fr Basil Meaney, Ivy Mulcahy, Constantin Fracisc Onea, Fr Patrick O'Rourke, Fr Philip Kehoe osa, Fr Rod Cameron osa, Fr Joseph O'Shaughnessy, Shirley Ellen Pettiona, Fr Victor Roberts, Mary Ward, Catherine Anne Watson.


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


MARKETS ON FAIRWAY   (THE MARKETS ON FAIRWAY ARE SUSPENDED FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS DUE TO WORK ON THE ATRIUM SITE)

From Grace R.  grace.flowers.art@hotmail.com 




NOTICES AND MESSAGES  - Our new parish number is 5671 7388 


RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES


Gifts still available for that special person celebrating their  First Holy Communion, this weekend.

New to the shops this week are Heavenly Blessing Oval Ceramic plaques, Memorare, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Holy Family, Guardian Angel, House Blessing, Divine Mercy and St Michael, reasonably priced at $11.00.

Also available rosary beads and bracelets.

 

SACRED HEART ROSARY PRAYER GROUP

Please join us to pray the Divine Mercy and Rosary each day at 8:15 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church before 9 a.m. Mass, Monday through Friday, including First Saturdays. 


FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION

First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters.  9 am (tomorrow) Saturday - 1/6/24.   Followed by adoration and Benediction.  {This is a votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary}.

 

Anointing Mass – Mass of Healing FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (February-November Inclusive)

4/6/24 at 10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church.   Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.


FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this First Friday, 7/6/24, 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

 


ART AND CRAFT GROUP -

The Group meets in the Parish Hospitality Centre on Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 noon. 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 several weeks are

03/06/2024     Lilly Leongue & Family  Varsity Lakes

10/06/2024     Michelle Burda - Merrimac

17/06/2024     Michelle Burda - Merrimac

26/06/2024     Suzanne Joseph & Family -  Robina        

01/07/2024     Suzanne Joseph & Family  - Robina


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 meets every Thursday 5-6 pm at St Vincent’s Church, 

40 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise. Come along and read/study Break Open the Word 

weekly 5 pm to 6 pm. For further enquiries, contact Ashley at 0409840693.  


MEDITATION PRAYER GROUP 

The meditation group meets in the Morris prayer room on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. It would very much like to welcome new members. Please phone Pam Egtberts at 0493742670.




MARIAN VALLEY PILGRIMAGE

Please come and join us at the Marian Valley Church for the Lady of Fatima Feast and St Anthony of Padua Feast on the 13.06.2024. The bus will be picking up Sharp 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.


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.



JOBS AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE

https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/careers/ 

Cathedral Parish Executive Officer

Full Job Description

The Cathedral of St Stephen is the mother parish of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. It is also the parish of the Archbishop of Brisbane, Most Rev Mark Coleridge who has delegated administration of the Cathedral to the Dean of the Cathedral (Very Rev Anthony Mellor). The

Cathedral is located within the Central Deanery of the Archdiocese of Brisbane and is situated in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. As the central metropolitan church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral provides the highest standard of liturgical celebrations with daily weekday masses, six-weekend masses, and celebrations of numerous special events. The Cathedral parish also incorporates the communities of St. Patrick’s, Fortitude Valley and Villa Maria, Spring Hill.

The role of the Cathedral Parish Executive Officer is to be responsible for the administrative and organisational aspects of the parish, including the parish office and employment. This role must work cooperatively and collaboratively as part of the parish team with priests, staff and parishioners to ensure the smooth, effective and professional operation of all parish functions.

This role will be responsible for:

• Facilitating the efficient and productive administration of the office and managing

support to the Dean, assistant priests and pastoral staff.

• Ensuring reliable access to a diverse range of records.

• Enabling effective pastoral planning and communication through an up-to-date parish

database.

• Maintaining the Cathedral, Chapel and St Patrick’s calendar for bookings for the

Cathedral parish activities and bookings related to outside entities.

• Assisting in the preparation of Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals in the Parish including liaising with families/couples, creation of booklets and completion of paperwork as required.

• Liaising with Archdiocesan Agencies, colleges and schools, government agencies, parishioners and others regarding the use of the Cathedral, Chapel and St Patricks, Fortitude Valley.

• Ordering of Parish supplies including stationery, liturgical supplies and pastoral resources.

• Maintain the parish website up to date with newsletters, photos, and calendar events.

• Maintaining and managing both the Cathedral diary and the Dean’s diary.

• Supervising parish secretarial staff / volunteers.

• Facilitate intra/inter parish communications.

To be successful in performing the above, we think you’d come with:

• Attention to detail with high level computer skills and ability to manage personal and

corporate diaries and calendars.

• Assertion of a respectable self-appearance, coupled with polite and courteous

behaviour.

• The ability to maintain confidential information.

• Knowledge of, and the ability to use marketing and publishing platforms such as

Canva, Adobe Suite, Facebook, Instagram etc.

• Creation, and dissemination of suitable marketing assets that suitably adhere to Cathedral standards.

• Drivers Licence.

• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects independently.

• Demonstrated experience in event coordination, management, upkeep, and publicity.

• Experience across all aspects of office administration, office assistance, and office coordination.

• Understanding of The Catholic Church, its structure, operating systems, and subsequent protocols.

• Empathy with people’s concerns.

• Blue Card or willing to obtain.

• Criminal Police Check or willing to obtain.

Submission

To apply for this role please submit your cover letter and resume via the Apply For This Job button.

Please note that due to the high level of expected interest in the role we will only be

contacting those who progress to the interview round and we will be interviewing before the

closing date.

This is a permanent full-time position of 37.5 hours and remuneration will reflect the

experience of the successful candidate.

For further information please contact the Cathedral Parish team via

cathedral@bne.catholic.net.au 

(advertisement runs to 14/6/24) 

Please note the successful candidate will also need to obtain / maintain a Working with

Children Blue Card and undergo a national criminal history/police check.

The Archdiocese of Brisbane has standards of conduct for workers to maintain a safe and

healthy environment for children. Our commitment to these standards requires that we

conduct working with children checks and background referencing for all persons who will

engage in direct and regular involvement with children and young people (0 - 18 years)

and/or vulnerable adults. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has a 0

tolerance to abuse of children or vulnerable adults.


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

Sequence for Corpus Christi 

Sion, lift up thy voice and sing:

Praise thy Savior and thy King,

Praise with hymns thy shepherd true.

All thou canst, do thou endeavour:

Yet thy praise can equal never

Such as merits thy great King.

See today before us laid

The living and life-giving Bread,

Theme for praise and joy profound.

The same which at the sacred board

Was, by our incarnate Lord,

Giv'n to His Apostles round.

Let the praise be loud and high:

Sweet and tranquil be the joy

Felt today in every breast.

On this festival divine

Which records the origin

Of the glorious Eucharist.

On this table of the King,

Our new Paschal offering

Brings to end the olden rite.

Here, for empty shadows fled,

Is reality instead,

Here, instead of darkness, light.

His own act, at supper seated

Christ ordain'd to be repeated

In His memory divine;

Wherefore now, with adoration,

We, the host of our salvation,

Consecrate from bread and wine.

Hear, what holy Church maintaineth,

That the bread its substance changeth

Into Flesh, the wine to Blood.

Doth it pass thy comprehending?

Faith, the law of sight transcending

Leaps to things not understood.

Here beneath these signs are hidden

Priceless things, to sense forbidden,

Signs, not things, are all we see.

Flesh from bread, and Blood from wine,

Yet is Christ in either sign,

All entire, confessed to be.

They, who of Him here partake,

Sever not, nor rend, nor break:

But, entire, their Lord receive.

Whether one or thousands eat:

All receive the self-same meat:

Nor the less for others leave.

Both the wicked and the good

Eat of this celestial Food:

But with ends how opposite!

Here 't is life: and there 't is death:

The same, yet issuing to each

In a difference infinite.

Nor a single doubt retain,

When they break the Host in twain,

But that in each part remains

What was in the whole before.

Since the simple sign alone

Suffers change in state or form:

The signified remaining one

And the same for evermore.

Behold the Bread of Angels,

For us pilgrims food, and token

Of the promise by Christ spoken,

Children's meat, to dogs denied.

Shewn in Isaac's dedication,

In the manna's preparation:

In the Paschal immolation,

In old types pre-signified.

Jesu, shepherd of the sheep:

Thou thy flock in safety keep,

Living bread, thy life supply:

Strengthen us, or else we die,

Fill us with celestial grace.

Thou, who feedest us below:

Source of all we have or know:

Grant that with Thy Saints above,

Sitting at the feast of love,

We may see Thee face to face.

Amen. Alleluia.

 

https://evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/year-of-prayer/ 


A VOCATION VIEW: 

Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, established in   His Precious Blood so that we might make a return to Him. As we gather   Sunday after Sunday, may we become more and more like whom we receive from the altar of the Lord. (Hebrews 9:11-15) 

We receive Holy Communion through the ministry of our ordained priests. Through the Body and Blood of Christ, we are made one body: to become Christ-like, purified, and ready to serve.  Please Pray for Vocations.

To talk to someone about your vocation,  contact  Vocation Brisbane:  1300 133 544.  vocation@bne.catholic.net.au  and www.vocationbrisbane.com     

STEWARDSHIP - 

“Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them and they all drank from it. ” - Mark 14:23. Jesus, the perfect steward, gave thanks, just before He gave Himself up for us, completely for our salvation. He offers us the same chance to drink from His cup. In the bread and wine, we meet Christ personally. If we follow Him, drinking from His cup means we offer our own self-sacrifice, using all of our gifts for the benefit of others and to do His work on earth.

The vision of Stewardship applies to every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous, and accountable for what they have been given.


TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH 

“He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ ” Mark 14:12-16, 22-26.

Enjoying the affection of neighbours, friends, and assorted relatives is pleasant. But some forms of love go beyond congenial, all the way to profound. The love between two people compels them to vow a lifelong bond. How about the devotion of parents to their children that makes no sacrifice seem too great, no burden too much to bear? Men and women alike pledge their lives to the church, and many others dedicate themselves to serving the common good using their professions. To whom or to what do you say: “Take it, this is my life”?

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

PARISH FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Your support is needed to help our Parish continue valuable pastoral activities and to provide ongoing sustainability. To assist you in supporting the Parish, you can give here.     

If you can continue to support us, we would be most grateful. We thank all those who have been making payments via credit card and those who have donated directly to the parish account. The pay-wave or tap-and-go machines on the timber stands in our Churches are also a safe and handy way to donate to the Parish. God bless you for your support. If you want confirmation of your donation or a receipt emailed, please contact me at man.surfers@bne.catholic.net.au.  

To join planned giving, please contact the Parish Office: (07) 56717388 (9 am–2 pm Mon-Fri).

PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES AVAILABLE 

FOR COLLECTION IN THE CHURCHES NOW



Homily: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year B - Sunday, 2 June 2024

 

Image Credit:Shutterstock licensed image 1041144766-Sanctuary of Caravaggio (BG), ITALY - 24-8-2016. Mosaic : The last supper- By Macthia
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Our Lord wanted his life, death and resurrection to be a source of life and salvation for all people of every time and generation.  The Christian faith believes in God who becomes flesh...   the incarnation...  so it is perfectly fitting that Jesus gives us a way we can touch and taste the reality of his loving involvement in the many joys and sorrows, graces and challenges of our daily life.

The sacrament of the body and blood of Our Lord was first instituted at the Lord's Last Supper, before he suffered his passion.  He celebrated the annual tradition of the Passover meal, in which generations of Gods people repeated the meal commemorating the freeing of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt.  According to that God-given tradition, everyone who participated in that sacred meal was included and united in God's saving action, irrespective of the time or place in which that person was joining-in.

Fast forward a  thousand or so years and Our Lord, who has come to perfect and fulfil the Law of God,  also celebrates this ancient Passover feast.  But,  near the end of the meal, he does something new... something that makes this Passover meal his own and which creates the means by which we can all be included in his love and salvation.   He took bread, blessed it and said.... see this bread.... this is truly my body broken for you ... take and eat...  do this in memory of me.   Then he took a chalice of wine and blessed it and gave it to his disciples and said...  take this and drink of it.... this is the chalice of my blood... poured out for you and for many... to forgive sins...  do this as a memorial of me.

This action means that we,  some two thousand years after his supper, are all included in the benefits that Christ won for us by his love.

We live in a deeply sacramental world ...  so many things in this world bring us the reality of what they signify...   a warm handshake of friendship is a sacrament in a sense of friendship which actually gives us the expression and feeling of the friendship it represents....

Jesus,  in his wonderful ministry, ate and drank with so many people.  He shared meals with sinners, He included people of every different group.  He healed, he welcomed,  he taught and he cared for all.

It is fitting that Jesus left us the gift of this holy meal, as more than a reminder of him and his ministry... but this meal presents to us,  by his own promise and command, his very self, given for us.  As we take the host we are receiving Jesus into our hearts and lives, as we drink his chalice,  we are washed clean and joined to God and one another. Now,  we all can be part of what Our Lord offered first to his apostles.

The gift of the Eucharist is essential in the life of all Christians.  We are receiving Christ himself in his word, in the weekly scripture readings, and we receive Christ truly in his body and blood in communion. …. We are opening up weekly the meaning and implication of the scriptures and ensuring that it is not just our convenient and comfy version of Jesus' word,  but His challenging message that spurs us on to action week after week….

I always like to say to First Holy Communion classes as they receive Jesus in communion for the first time… that "there is only one thing better than one's first holy communion …  and that is your second holy communion….. and there is only one thing better than second holy communion and that is your third…. and so on…and so on…..weekly...…   It sets up a pattern of communion with Christ in our daily life…

Our communion in the Body and Blood of Christ connects us forever to God… and to our loved ones…..   every time we celebrate Eucharist and every time we receive the body and blood of Christ, we are united, in communion and connected by an unbreakable bond to God, first and foremost… (through Jesus),  but also we are connected to our loved ones.. and friends.. and fellow Christians…..   and we are even connected to our departed loved ones who are all part of the communion of believers….   Alive in Christ…  forever… Today we celebrate Jesus, who makes his home in us, through the sacrament of his body and blood…   This is a gift that is truly priceless.
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References:
Homily – Fr Paul W. Kelly
Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Mark. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press,
And For a Background on Sacramental Theology context, please see Vorgrimler, H. (1992). Sacramental theology. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press}
Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed image. 1041144766— Sanctuary of Caravaggio (BG), ITALY— 24-8-2016. Mosaic: The Last Supper— By Macthia.
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 2209632267 - The Holy Trinity. Andrey Rublev. 1420s. Russian Icon. Photo Formats - Photo Contributor: alexeyart1


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   



INSPIRATION FROM THE SAINTS: 


  •  St Charles Lwanga and companions, Martyrs. 03 June. Memorial

    • Died on this day in 1886. Between 1885 and 1887, these twenty-two martyrs were among many newly baptised Catholics and Anglicans who were killed for their faith and virtue in Uganda by a debauched and brutal ruler. They included judges, catechists, soldiers, and teenage pages under the leadership of Charles Lwanga, who was burned alive. They are remembered for the heroic calm of their fidelity to Christ.

    • Many Christians, Catholic and Protestant, were killed by the Ugandan king Mwanga. Some of them were servants in the king’s palace or even his personal attendants. Charles Lwanga and his twenty-one companions (the youngest, Kizito, was only 13) were executed for being  Christians, for rebuking the king for his debauchery and his murder of an Anglican missionary, for “praying from a book,” and for refusing to allow themselves to be unspeakably assaulted by the king. They died between 1885 and 1887. Most of them were burned alive in a group after being tortured.

    •  Within a year of their deaths, the number of catechumens in the country quadrupled. St Charles Lwanga is the patron of Catholic Action and of black African youth, and the Ugandan martyrs’ feast day is a public holiday in Uganda.


  • St Boniface, Bishop and Martyr. 05 June. Memorial

    • Born in Devon (England) in about 675. Died in the Netherlands on this day in 754. A monk and teacher who went to evangelise the Germanic peoples. Was ordained bishop and given wide-ranging papal commissions throughout Germany and Gaul. Founded monasteries and dioceses, presided at synods, and maintained close associations with emperors. Remembered as a determined missionary Church organiser and reformer whose work shaped the future of Europe. He is buried at his Fulda abbey and honoured as the Apostle of Germany.

    • The Church is like a great ship pounded by the waves of life's different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course.

    • Let us trust in Him, who has placed this burden upon us. What we cannot bear, let us bear with the help of Christ. For He is all-powerful and tells us: 'My yoke is easy, and my burden light.'

    • O Lord, you have been our refuge in all generations.


  • St Marcellin Champagnat, Educator. 06 June. Optional Memorial

    • Born on 20 May 1789 in St Etienne (France). Died on this day in 1840 at Marlhes (France). Went to the seminary as an illiterate farm worker and was ordained priest at 27 years of age. 

    • Responding to the needs of his impoverished rural community, he formed a group of teenagers as teachers and religious educators, thus founding the Marist Brothers Institute within the Society of Mary. He is remembered for his determination, leadership, organisational ability, and contribution to Catholic education. This is celebrated as a Memorial in New Zealand.

    • Marcellin Champagnat was born on the 20th May 1789 in a hamlet near St. Etienne, named Le Rosey in France. He was one out of nine children with four brothers and four sisters. As a child, he witnessed the horrible punishments given to children, and he wanted to change that. One of his famous quotes: "If you want to teach young people, first you must love them - love them equally." Through this quote, he taught us the valuable lesson that cruel punishments would not encourage students to learn.

    • Middle Life. When Marcellin came of age, he was sent to school. Marcellin was terrified by the discipline and punishments given to students by the students and immediately hated it. 

    • When a priest from the seminary was sent to Le Rosey and visited the Champagnat family, he asked if any of the five boys were interested in the priesthood, Marcellin accepted, and it was here when he began his life as a priest.

    • Montagne Story.  As one of his duties as a priest, Marcellin Champagnat was called to the bedside of a sick teenage boy who Marcellin determined knew absolutely nothing regarding religion. With this, Marcellin Champagnat spent two whole hours talking and teaching the boy about God, and finally, he finished by hearing the boy's confession. The boy died soon after and was even more determined to begin his Order of Brothers. 

    • Marist Brothers. 2nd January 1817 was the date on which the Marist Brothers' Order was established. Only beginning with two members - Marcellin and another brother - they lived as a family. They prayed, studied, and worked together. To make themselves a living, they made nails made of iron. Later, in Spring, a third companion joined, and they soon received a fourth, increasing the little community of Marist Brothers to five members.

    • Memorare in the Snow: St. Marcellin Champagnat. An episode is often told about Fr. Marcellin Champagnat's deep compassion and confidence in Mother Mary. In February 1823, a brother became seriously ill in an isolated village. Marcellin was keen to comfort him. Despite the horrible weather conditions - heavy snowfall - Marcellin, accompanied by another brother, set out on foot for the other brother. The two found themselves stuck in a storm. However, Marcellin prayed constantly to Mary in hopes they would be saved. Shortly, a farmer came out with a light informing the brothers he had this sudden urge to check on his cattle. It was this when Marcellin believed that Mother Mary heard his prayers and rescued them.

    • The Growth of the Order - On the 6th of June 1840, while the Brothers were singing the "Salve Regina" in the chapel, Marcellin Champagnat - aged 51 - passed away due to cancer. Despite his death, the Order of Marist Brothers continued strongly, continuing to spread his love and teachings. On the 18th of August 1999, he was canonised by Pope John Paul II. Today, the Marist community are found worldwide.

    • The Marist Brothers came to Australia after an invitation from an Archbishop from Sydney, and today, there are around 4000 Marist Brothers nationwide. 


  • St Norbert, Bishop. 06 June. Optional Memorial

    • Born in the Rhineland (Germany) about 1080. Died at Magdeburg on this day in 1134. A cleric in minor orders, he converted from a comfortable life in 1115, was ordained to the presbyterate, and took up a life of poverty. Founded a community of canons at Prémontré (France), austere in discipline and active in pastoral ministry. Later, as archbishop of Magdeburg, he resisted the alienation of Church property. Remembered for his zealous reform of clerical life and for the example of his attachment to the values of the gospel.

    • A painting by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens—called The Defenders of the Eucharist—includes a serene Saint Norbert, his white robes wrapped around a ciborium (the cup that holds the consecrated Eucharist) as he cradles the Blessed Sacrament. Norbert founded the Norbertine religious order and the first Third Order for laypeople embracing the spirit of religious life. And, as a successful peacemaker, he’s often depicted with an olive branch. But Norbert’s preaching about the Blessed Sacrament, convincing entire villages to reclaim their lost belief in the Real Presence—also having eucharistic miracles happen on his watch—has earned him the title “Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament.” 

    • 50-T “The young should be able   to see in your wisdom  how they should behave.”         (Med 132.1 - on St Norbert)   

    • 51-T “The way you behave  should be a model  for those you teach.”         (Med 132.1 - on St Norbert)   52-T “Your faith should be a shining light  for those whom you teach.”         (Med 178.1 - the feast of St Luke, evangelist)    


  • Sacred Heart of Jesus. Date varies. Solemnity.

    • Formally known as the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Latin: Sollemnitas Sacratissimi Cordis Iesu). It is a feast day in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. According to the General Roman Calendar since 1969, it is and celebrated on the second Friday after Trinity Sunday. The first liturgical feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated, with episcopal approval, on 31 August 1670, in the major seminary of Rennes, France, through the efforts of John Eudes. The Mass and Office composed by Eudes were also adopted elsewhere, especially concerning the spread of devotion to the Sacred Heart following the revelations reported to Margaret Mary Alacoque and Mary of the Divine Heart. (source: Wikipedia). 


  • Immaculate Heart of Mary. Date varies. Memorial. 

    • Celebrates the love of Mary for God the Father, her motherly love for her son Jesus and her compassion love for humanity. Reflects on the joys, sorrows and virtues of Mary. This memorial is celebrated on the Saturday immediately after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the third Saturday after Pentecost each year.



THE POPE:

(from the archives - Pope Saint Paul VI on Corpus Christi)

SOLEMNITY OF THE CORPUS DOMINI


Venerable Brothers and dearest Sons,


With a paternal outpouring of sentiment we would like first of all to address our greeting to all of you, who, driven by faith and love, have gathered in this Basilica to celebrate with us the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, that is, to pay tribute to Jesus Eucharistic, an act of public and solemn worship, recognizing in Him the good Shepherd who guides us on the paths of existence, the wise Master who dispenses light to our darkened hearts, the Redeemer, who comes to us with such prodigality of love and grace encounter and ineffably becomes the Bread of life for our journey through time towards the eternal possession of God. We would like to reach each of you with a personal and affectionate word, as is appropriate between people who are animated by the same joy, because they are called to sit at the same festive table. We cannot, unfortunately, and must therefore rely on your prompt and cordial intuition, which will be able to gather in the words addressed to everyone our sincere intention to approach, with respectful and sympathetic tenderness, the particular situation of each one to invite you to be attentive, aware, exultant of the reality of the Eucharistic mystery.


Dear children, the solemnity that we celebrate today was desired by the Church, you know it well, so that her children could pay to the sacrament of the Eucharist, which usually remains hidden in the quiet silence of the tabernacles, that public testimony of joyful gratitude for which every heart aware of the reality of this mysterious presence of Christ cannot fail to feel the urgent need. For this reason today the faith of Christians bursts out, with sober joy, in the exultation of choral prayers and festive songs, which also spills out outside the temples, bringing everywhere a note of joy and an announcement of hope.


And how could it be otherwise, if under the white veils of the consecrated Host, we know that we have with us the Lord of life and death, "He who is, who was and who is to come"? ( Rev. 1, 4) We celebrate a feast of joy because, despite everything, He is with us every day until the end (Cf. Matth . 28, 28), a feast of the past, which is present in the memory of the dinner and of the death of the Lord, beyond any temporal distance, a celebration of the future, because already now under the veils of the sacrament He is present who brings with him every future, the God of eternal love (Cf. K. RAHNER, The Faith that Loves the Earth , 1968, p. 114).


What a wealth of suggestive and corroborating considerations is offered to the thoughtful gaze of the soul in prayer! It is a meditation that we would prefer to conduct in the silence of adoring contemplation, rather than deliver it to words. We want to offer you, more by suggesting than developing, some quick food for thought.


First of all, about the "memory" value of the rite we are celebrating. You know the reason for the two Eucharistic species. Jesus wanted to remain under the appearances of bread and wine, figures respectively of his Body and his Blood, to actualize in the sacramental sign the reality of his sacrifice, of that immolation on the cross, that is, which brought salvation to the world. Who does not remember the words of the apostle Paul: "As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes"? (1 Cor . 11, 26) In the Eucharist, therefore, Jesus is present as "the man of sorrows" (Cf. Is . 5 3, 3), as the "lamb of God", who offers himself as a victim for the sins of the world (Cf. Io . 1, 29).


Understanding this means seeing immense perspectives open up before you: in this world there is no redemption without sacrifice (Cf. Hebr . 9, 22) and there is no redeemed existence that is not at the same time an existence of victim. In the Eucharist, Christians of all times are offered the possibility of giving the daily ordeal of suffering, misunderstandings, illnesses, death, the dimension of a redemptive oblation, which associates the pain of individuals with the passion of Christ, starting existence of everyone to that immolation in faith, which in the final fulfillment opens on the Easter morning of the resurrection.


How we would like to be able to repeat this word of faith and hope to everyone personally, and especially to those who are currently oppressed by sadness and illness! Pain is not useless! If united with that of Christ, human pain acquires something of the redemptive value of the very passion of the Son of God.


The Eucharist - this is the second reflection we would like to submit to you - is an event of communion. The Body and Blood of the Lord are offered as nourishment that redeems us from all slavery and introduces us into the Trinitarian communion, making us participate in the very life of Christ and in his communion with the Father. It is no coincidence that the great priestly prayer of Jesus is intimately connected with the Eucharistic mystery and his passionate invocation "ut unum sint" ( Io . 17) is located precisely in the atmosphere and reality of this mystery.


The Eucharist postulates communion. The Apostle to whom this Basilica is dedicated understood this well, who, writing to the Christians of Corinth, asked them: «is not the cup of blessing that we bless a communion with the Blood of Christ? And isn't the bread that we break a communion with the Body of Christ?". Fundamental intuition, from which the Apostle, with stringent logic, drew the well-known conclusion: "Since there is one bread, we, although many, are one body: in fact we all partake of the one bread" (1 Cor . 10, 16-17).


The Eucharist is communion with Him, Christ, and therefore itself transforms and manifests itself in our communion with our brothers: it is an invitation to achieve harmony and union between us, to promote what unites us together, to build Church, which is that mystical Body of Christ, of which the Eucharistic sacrament is sign, cause and nourishment. In the primitive Church the Eucharistic meeting became the source of that communion of charity, which constituted a spectacle before the pagan world. Even for us Christians of the twentieth century, from our participation in the divine table, true love must arise, the one that can be seen, that spreads, that makes history.


AMONG MEN

Then there is a third aspect of this mystery: the Eucharist is an anticipation and pledge of future glory. By celebrating this mystery the pilgrim Church approaches, day after day, the Homeland and, walking on the path of passion and death, approaches the resurrection and eternal life. The Eucharistic bread is the viaticum that supports her on the path, full of shadows, of this earthly existence and that introduces her, in some way already now, to the experience of the glorious existence of heaven. By repeating the divine gesture of the Supper, we build in fleeting time the celestial city, which endures. It is therefore up to us Christians to be, among other men, witnesses of this reality, heralds of this hope. Doesn't the Lord, present in the truth of the sacrament, repeat to our hearts in every Mass: «Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last and the Living"? ( Rev. 1, 17-18) What today's world perhaps needs most is for Christians to raise loud, with humble courage, the prophetic voice of their hope. It will be precisely from an intense and conscious Eucharistic life that their testimony will derive the warm transparency and the capacity for conviction, which are necessary to penetrate human hearts.


Dear brothers and children, let us therefore gather around the Altar! Here is present the One who, after having shared our human condition, now reigns glorious in the shadowless joy of heaven. He, who once tamed the threatening waves of Lake Tiberias, therefore the ship of the Church, on which we all are, through the storms of the world, to the serene shores of eternity. We entrust ourselves to Him, comforted by the certainty that our hope will not be disappointed. 

PAUL VI.  Sunday, May 28, 1978


LINKS & RESOURCES

Liturgy for you at Home (produced by SPP): https:- soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

Weekly Homily (produced by SPP): https:- homilycatholic.blogspot.com

Surfers Paradise Parish Facebook: https:- www.facebook.com/surferscatholic/

Breaking Parish News (SPP Blog):  https:- news-parish.blogspot.com/

EthicsFinder is a free, global, digital resource of immense value to interested parishioners. Try ACU’s free digital tool, www.ethicsfinder.com


Readings for next weekend- Sunday, 9 June 2024 (Tenth Sunday Ordinary Time)

FIRST READING- Genesis 3:9-15

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 “With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.”

SECOND READING- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Luke 4:18) “Alleluia, alleluia! The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth. I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.”

GOSPEL- Mark 6:1-6 


Commitment To Child Safety and Vulnerable-Adult Safety 



St Kevin’s Catholic School, Community business directory: https://www.sk.qld.edu.au/Pages/Rainbow-Connection.aspx 


“The Church loves all her children like a loving mother but cares for all and protects those who are smallest and defenceless with special affection. This is the duty that Christ himself entrusted to the entire Christian community.” 

(Apostolic Letter issued ‘motu proprio’ by the Supreme Pontiff Francis, 4 June 2016) 

 

Purpose 

To promote a culture of safeguarding within the Archdiocese and reduce the risks of abuse and harm. 


Scope 

This policy applies to all parishes, ministries, and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Brisbane and to Associations of Christ’s Faithful or Public Juridic Persons that freely opt into its application and which enter into an agreement with the Archdiocese accordingly. The policy applies to all Archdiocesan workers (clergy, religious workers, employees and volunteers). 

 

Policy 

National Catholic Safeguarding Standards 

The Archdiocese adopts and adheres to the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. The Standards apply to all parishes, ministries, and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop. 

 

Safeguarding Commitment 

The Archdiocese has zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and is committed to safeguarding everyone involved in its activities, ministries, and services. The safety and well-being of children and adults at risk are paramount. 


Safeguarding Principles 

  • Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. 

  • Treat everyone with dignity and respect. 

  • Prioritise the protection and best interests of children and adults at risk. 

  • Provide safe physical and online environments. 

  • Actively identify and manage safeguarding and abuse risks. 

  • Monitor compliance with safeguarding standards, policies, and procedures. 

  • Respond promptly and effectively to abuse concerns, suspicions, disclosures, complaints, reports, and incidents. 

  • Comply with all legal obligations to report suspected abuse and harm.  


Compliance 

Non-compliance with this policy which seriously jeopardises the safety and well-being of others, may be grounds for disciplinary action up to dismissal or termination of employment and reporting to authorities. 

 

Document No.: AD16 ST01       Document Owner: Office for Safeguarding Services            Version: November 2020              Review Date: November 2023

 

https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/safeguarding/  - Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility -    

See also this video on safeguarding -   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgkAZFkJkJg 


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 yearly epiphany.  On the door or the lintel will be this symbol:

This means 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 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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