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“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.
Now remain in my love.” (John 15:9)
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Composite images including - Stock Illustration ID: 1911262381- Remain in my love, Biblical Phrase, -Illustration Contributor: N. D. DSouza; and Stock Vector ID: 774340708 -Happy family - Vector Contributor: Lara Cold. And Stock Illustration ID: 585677387 - Easter resurrection - abstract artistic, religious digital illustration with the figure of the risen Jesus Christ and the cross of light rays. Illustration Contributor: Thoom
PASTOR’S POST -
Twelve years ago, during the Easter season, Archbishop Mark Coleridge took up residence in Brisbane in his new role as Archbishop of Brisbane. It was beautiful that the first thing he wanted to do after arriving was to meet and pray with his priests, who were his assistants in his mission of pastoral care at this place. As we have witnessed many times since his arrival, he is an excellent and captivating speaker.
The central theme of his sharing at that first gathering was fittingly about God’s love. He quoted the late Pope Saint John Paul II (for whom he was a speech writer in his role in Rome for many years), and how Pope Saint John Paul described Christianity not so much as a ‘religion’ but rather an “encounter” with God in Jesus”. He says this powerful image has stayed with him and deepened over the years. Our discipleship is about encountering Jesus and the wonder it brings, leading to a deep communion with Jesus. Jesus then sends us out with a task – a mission.
So, in similar echoes to our archdiocesan motto of that time, “Jesus - Communion - Mission,” he puts it as ENCOUNTER - COMMUNION - MISSION! Which is beautiful - the same theme with a deeper insight into the concept. He says that he has always felt that the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Brisbane is a vibrant and missionary church and that the Church always needs to become more and more missionary in its outlook. He has reiterated many times since then that “This is no time to circle the wagons” but to go out on mission to live and proclaim the message of Jesus.
Archbishop Mark described his prime responsibilities as promoting the mission of the Church and deepening Unity and communion with the universal church. He emphasised that we are “the church IN the archdiocese of Brisbane” and NOT “the church OF Brisbane.” He also emphasised the importance of Vocations and Liturgy.
He also said that “fear” is the great enemy and that Jesus came to give us his peace so that we can overcome fear, boldly live, and proclaim his message without fear or favour.
Archbishop Mark reminded us that God calls us to leave our comfort zones and go on a journey of faith and mission. He noted the difference between a “journey” and “mere wandering.” Wandering is aimless, confused, and time-wasting, whereas a journey has a goal, a plan, and a direction.
Fr Paul
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.
PILGRIMAGE MESSAGE FROM FR. DAN
From Fr Dan Ryan
I am looking forward to the mid-May pilgrimage to France. I have 20 people for the pilgrimage, with a few coming from the Parish.
I would like to thank Fr. Paul for advertising the pilgrimage.
If you missed out this year, you might like to consider a pilgrimage to Italy mid-next year.
More details in the near future. Many thanks for your interest.
Fr Dan
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
Thank you and Welcome to the Elect and Candidates who completed the journey of enquiry and faith this Easter 2024.
Kelly Friend, Cory Schumacher, Willem Peters, Satoshi Tetsuo, were Baptised, Confirmed and received First Holy Communion.
Wendy Tetsuo was received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church through Confirmation and First Holy Communion, and
Diana Vargas and Julian Rivers were Confirmed.
We invite all Parishioners to pray for them this Easter as they come to know Jesus more deeply and join us each week to celebrate the Mass in full Communion.
We ask for many blessings on all who journey in faith and offer our support and prayers for you and your families during this time.
On Monday, 26th February, the Sacramental Team emailed all families with children enrolled in Preparation for First Holy Communion 2024. If you have not received your email, please email 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.
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 reset) for another $10, and so on.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK:
Please also pray for the following who are ill. (Alphabetical)
Phil Bawden, Nellie Bellinger, Braganza Family, Kevin Brennan, Tim Brown, Margaret Buckingham, Camara Family, Diana Castro, Princess Catherine of Wales, Cecily Cellinan, King Charles III, Nadia Che, Richard Chester, Doug Chester, Jo Clark, Leslie Clarke, Tina Conidi, Margaret & George Cook, Alfonso Covino, Shirley Croft, Geraldine Daniels, Nia Falekakala, John Fisher, Rosie May Fisher, Sally Gage, Lorraine Gallagher, Rachel Gooden, Maurice Goss, Fred Grioli, Jacob Haddad, Jenny Haines, Dion Herft, Lena Hiscock, Louise Holmes, Kim Ingram, Anna Janiek, Brian Johnson, Pat Jones, Leona Kelly, Marianne Kennedy, Ross Keys, Kath Kiely, Betu Kim, Jan Kristenson, Krystal, Bob Lahey, Diane & Steve Land, Sue Langham, Patrick Joven de Leon, Nathan Lepp, Joseph Ah Lo, Sarina Losurdo, John Nathaniel Maher, Maria Manuela, Michael “Tiger” McCormick, Andrew McPherson, Phil McWilliam, Fabiola Menzs, Joan Miau, Joanne Mooney, Maryann Moore, Hugh Morand, Michael & Lesley Murtagh, Joanna Muthu, Lynn Nunan, Denis Mullins, Stephen O’Brien, Peter O’Brien, Natalie O’Reilly, Letty O’Sullivan, Carmela Parente, Joanne Parkes, Kay Pitman, David Plows, Rachel Raines, Gus Reeves, Patricia Roberts, Rogelio Rodriguez, Bob Rogers, Cris Roselo, Felipe S Cataquiz (Senior), Thor Skjaerbaek, Kathy Stevens, Brenda Stewart, Jim Stewart, Rose Stewart, Betty Taylor, John Thomas, Baby Samuel Timothy, Leonardo Torcaso, Denise Tracey, Rick Murphy (USA), Karen Vestergard, Billy Webb, Lois Wood.
RECENTLY DECEASED: (Chronological - Most recent first):
Carole Stapleton,Leonila Tuason, May Go Moore, Merrick Bent, Susan Buenaventura, Fr Marty Larsen, Teresa Balague, Maureen Armstrong, Juliana Ooi, Alan Taylor, John O’Hanlon, Phyllis Byrne, Graham William Gibbons, and Minnie Ware.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical)
Alma Anderson, Gerard Francis Anderson, Trevor Bourneville, Patricia Bridge, Michael Carroll, Alfred Lawrence (Laurie) Cooper, Kathleen Fay Cooper, Brian Day, Patricia Mary Dussek, Bruce George Ellery, Brian James Ellsmore, Robert Chadwick Evans, Dorothy Mary Fox, Anthony (Tony) Ghusn, Frank Glynn, Daryl Walter Hyland, Nola Rita Lawrence, Gordon Lepp, Brian Reuben Maher, John Joseph Marchmont, Milka Marusic, Imre (Henry) Masa, Kevin McCormack, Gloria Venera McMaster, Calogero Misuraca, Bastiaantje “Jeanne” Monisse, Juan Rivero, Veronica Scarcella, Michael Schons, Beverley Jean Stout, Josephine Tansey, Sr Mary Teresa, Denise “Denny” Welsh, Mario & Josephine Wirth.
And Also: (Alphabetical):
Salvatore Aprile, Fr Bernard Bree, Andrew Brown, Steven Chew, Fr Brian Cooper, Fr Louis Durrell, Clarice Edith East, Beverly Ann Gooding, Leonard Gravener, Adam James Hewitt, Michelle Renee Kay, Roxanne Kempen, Lucena Gabriel (Lucy) Liwag, Jeanette Margaret McCormack, Maria Del Carmen Olsen, Una Mary Parkinson, Greg Perkins, Graziella Randazzo, Kevin Robert Ryan, Kevin Joseph William Ryan, Kath Ryan, Eileen Scharenguivel, Fr Leslie Seary, Alberto Simonetti, Bryan James Telfer, Fran Verge, Clement Kam Yan Tong.
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
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES
The shops are open before and after the weekend Masses for all your religious needs.
SURFERS PARADISE St VINCENT de PAUL CONFERENCE - Invitation
Our conference meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm in the hospitality centre at Sacred Heart Church. Our members/Vincentians assist companions who have rung our call centre for assistance with food, clothing, rent, etc. We are currently experiencing an increase in calls due to rent increases, the cost of food, risk of homelessness. If you are interested in becoming a member, please call Wendy Webb on 0412 237 832 or email: wendy.webb@svdpqld.org.au
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 FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament First Friday, 3rd of May 2024, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All are 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 Saturday 4th May 2024. Followed by adoration and Benediction.
ANOINTING MASS - MASS OF HEALING 7TH MAY 2024
First Tuesday of the month - (February to November inclusive)
10AM 7th May Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive Clear Island Waters. Followed by a morning tea at the Parish Hospitality Centre. Please let others know who would love to come along.
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
06/05/2024 Nardine and Ayline Merrimac
13/05/2024 Glarry & Rudi Camera Southport
20/05/2024 Glarry & Rudi Camera Southport
27/05/2024 Lilly Leongue & Family Varsity Lakes
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 5pm 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 on the 13.05.2024 and on the 25.05.2024 Our Lady Help of Christian, Patroness of Australia and Shrine of Marian Valley. 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.
Christian Religious Instruction -
INSTRUCTORS and ASSISTANTS NEEDED.
At our local State Primary Schools for 1-2 hours per week, to help students. consented by their parent/carer.
learn about Jesus
New volunteers are placed with experienced Instructors.
Training is free, with full support.
An easy curriculum ensures Bible stories engage students and give an understanding of God’s Love.
Can you help?
For more information:
Helene McCowan - 0419 747 631
Christian RI - https://christianri.org.au/
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.
THIS WEEKEND’S GOSPEL -
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 2343074177 - Holy Family in Low Poly. Illustration Contributor - Lucas Almeida da Silveira.
Homily: Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year B - Sunday, 5 May 2024
All of the weekend scripture readings say a lot about the core of Christ's message. There are quite a few lines that jump out at me as we listen to the readings this weekend.
Lines such as these:
Saint Peter said to Cornelius: "Get up. I myself am also a human being."…..
"the believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles …."
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. ,…..he loved us first and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."
These lines from the readings this weekend are profound and important, and worth deeper thought and reflection.
In summary, what these lines say to me is, we must keep in mind that our Christian faith is not ultimately about us, but it is about God. That might, at first glance, seem to be an obvious truism, however, we do acknowledge that in a world where ME, ME, ME is often front and centre, we as a whole, can sometimes forget that we are merely men and women and not 'little gods' in charge of our destiny, and we are ultimately not the centre of our own world or the world around us.
How wonderful that the Holy Spirit of God took initiative and fell upon Gentiles even before they were baptised. God's Spirit blows where it wills, inspires, and acts upon people in and outside the visible confines of religion and church and does what God wants. That is also an important and humble corrective. We will never be able to limit God's generous and proactive activity in and among the peoples and cultures of the world. Nor should we ever want to stop this divine right of God to do as God wishes and act in and through whom God wants. (nor could we ever stop God anyway).
Also, the readings today remind us that God's very nature is LOVE. One cannot know God if we do not know love or show love. This love is to show itself in the way Jesus showed love. And the kind of love Jesus shows us is self-sacrificing love which gives and does not count the cost, and reaches out to give rather than grasping to possess.
And in connection to this, God's desire and plan for us is to have joy to the full and to be not servants or slaves but friends who are willing co-workers and colleagues with God, in God's plans. We are indeed friends and colleagues with Jesus, but also friends who know our place in the sense that we never get a 'big head' and think that since we are "co-workers" and "friends" of Christ, we could ever "play God for our own benefit" over others.
So, today's readings say to me: Be joyful, be loving, be free, be friends, be not slaves and nor ever be begrudging labourers, but rather, be as Christ showed us, because God is all about self-giving, self-forgetting love which reaches out to everyone without fear and favour, and which is about practical and joyful service and compassion which reduces ego and self-interest and acts and thinks more as a brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity rather than "them and us" These are sound foundations upon which to build our true discipleship of Christ.
+++++
References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
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
YEAR OF PRAYER - RESOURCE
How to Study the Bible:: The SOAP Method
If you’re wondering how to study the Bible, I’d love to give you a glimpse into the easy method I use daily.
All you need is you, your Bible, and 5 minutes, and you’ll soon be digging into God’s Truth for yourself! I’m using the acronym SOAP to help you remember the steps:
S – Scripture
Write down the Bible passage you’ll be studying. This can be one verse or several. I’ve found that writing helps me focus on each word individually and on the passage as a whole. It also helps me soak it in and meditate on it.
(And for those who have short attention spans […squirel!] this really helps hone our focus on the task of studying Scripture instead of looking at the cobwebs in our kitchen. Ahem. Not that I would know…)
O – Observations
Examine the text and write down what you notice.
What jumps out to you in the passage?
Who is it written by? Who is it written to?
What’s one thing you didn’t notice before?
What seems interesting or unusual?
What comes before and after the text?
Is there repetition, comparison, or contrast?
These observations may start with the obvious (i.e., Jesus spent time with his disciples), but will gradually become deeper.
A – Applications
Apply God’s Word to your life in a practical way. This is the part where you personalise your study of Scripture. As you read over the text, how does it apply to you? Is there a specific action you need to take or a confession you need to make?
If it’s an action, try to make it SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
P – Prayer
Respond to God’s Word with your own words. Accumulating head knowledge about God is of little use; it’s heart transformation He’s after, and that’s only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Pray that the seed (the Scripture you just studied) falls on good soil in your heart, so that it will take root and produce fruit. Praise God for His attributes revealed in the passage. Confess any sin that has come to light during this time of study.
Thank Him for His Word and His care. And ask the Holy Spirit to continue growing you into a disciple of Jesus.
That’s it! Easy-peasy, right?
(resource from https://onethingalone.com/the-soap-method-of-studying-the-bible/)
https://evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/year-of-prayer/
A VOCATION VIEW:
“God shows no partiality.” He does not call those equipped for the work; He equips those whom He has called. (Acts 10:34)
God’s love for us has been revealed: “Love one another as I have loved you”. The world needs people striving to love others with all their hearts. What about you?
To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP -
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” - John 15:12-13
Do you love Jesus? Do you consider Him your friend? Jesus says that if we love Him, we will be willing to offer whatever we have to Him, not because we want praise and glory but simply because we love Him. Does your giving seem mechanical out of obligation or do you share freely out of love?
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
WORD OF THE WEEK
Numerology
The biblical idea, common in the ancient world, that numbers hold mystical significance. The clue to interpreting the hidden meaning of a text was often in appreciating the numbers associated with it.
CONTEXT
Numbers have immutable rules not instituted by men but discovered. —Saint Augustine
These angels [in Revelation chapter 1] are seven angels of high rank. The number seven here may show a connection with the seven planets, which in John's time were held to be heavenly beings. —Adela Yarbro Collins, The Apocalypse
The number 1,000 in early Hebrew traditions . . . often meant simply a number too great to be counted. —John McKenzie, S.J., Dictionary of the Bible
WHY IT MATTERS
Significant numbers often recur in the Bible. Knowing that the number three stands for completeness, four for totality, seven for the divine realm, 12 for the whole people helps us understand the biblical narratives in which they appear.
From The Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology: In its use of numbers the Bible often attaches a symbolic value that demands an understanding on the part of the interpreter of the connotation of numbers. The Bible is not an exact timetable that predicts the precise occurrence of future events.
RELATED WORDS
3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 40 | 70 | 1000 | Gematria
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Who are the Twelve?
The Twelve are listed in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and the Acts of the Apostles. The listings betray a hierarchy. Four names top every list: brothers Simon Peter and Andrew and Zebedee’s sons James and John. The next grouping is shuffled but consistent: Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, and Thomas. The surprise is Bartholomew, who never speaks. The final four are James, son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus or Judas, son of James; Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, the least esteemed.
The Gospel of John refers to the Twelve only twice and never lists them. Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael are the original recruits. Nathanael? Since Philip recruits Nathanael, and Philip is paired with Bartholomew elsewhere, the idea that Nathanael is Bartholomew is suggested. John gives Zebedee’s sons only a vague post-Resurrection nod. John favors other followers: Nicodemus; Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany; Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea, and an unnamed “beloved” disciple. After Easter, Luke says, Matthias replaces Judas. The symbolic authority of the Twelve lasts for a generation. As each is martyred, none is replaced. —Alice Camille, from Questions Catholics Ask:
St John de Avila, priest, doctor. 10 May. Optional Memorial
Born near Toledo, Spain, in 1499. Died in Montilla, Spain, in 1569. Reformer, preacher, author, spiritual director. Jewish-born, he studied theology and theology. Ordained a priest in 1525 is remembered for his missionary work, spiritual letters, and clerical life reform. Canonised in 1970. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 2012.
St. John of Avila taught that ‘the good preacher and the good confessor must go ahead. No one should say a good word without first putting it into practice.’
St. John of Avila was born in Almodóvar del Campo, in Castilla Nueva. He became one of the most influential saints of 16th-century Spain.
This distinguished Spanish priest was a mystic, a great preacher, a friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, and a spiritual advisor to St. Teresa. He is also credited with the conversion of St. Francis of Borja and St. John of God.
He was beatified in 1894 and canonised by Pope Paul VI on May 31, 1970. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church. See below for a selection of phrases by St. John of Avila.
01 – ‘He who relies on God does not let himself be overwhelmed by sufferings, anguish, death, or hell. He who does not lean on Him, how much fear he feels, how worried he walks!’
02 – ‘I would rather live without skin than live without devotion to the Virgin Mary.’
03 – ‘Remember what you have done offending God and what you have failed to do in His service; go to the confessor and throw away all your sins, sweep and clean your house.’
04 – ‘The priests, at Mass, place themselves at the altar in the person of Christ to perform the office of the Redeemer himself.’
05 – ‘Whoever has the truth and does not profess it or behave according to it is trapping the truth in injustice.’
06 – ‘The cause that in a greater measure stimulates our heart to the love of God is to consider deeply the love that He had for us. This, more than benefits, stimulates the heart to love because he who gives a benefit to another gives him something he possesses, but he who loves gives himself with all he has, without there being anything left to give.’
07 – ‘Your neighbor is something that concerns Jesus Christ; therefore, the proof of the perfect love of our Lord is the perfect love of the neighbor.’
08 – ‘Enlarge your little heart to the immensity of love with which the Father offered us His Son, and with Him gave us Himself, the Holy Spirit, and all things.’
09 – ‘You think that by worrying too much you will be able to keep up. Woe to the man who does not lean on God but lives thinking whether it will rain a lot or whether it will not rain!’
10 – ‘The good preacher and the good confessor must go to the front. No one should say a good word without first putting it into practice.’
Prayer to Saint John of Avila Almighty God, You chose St. John of Avila from among your faithful to show his brothers the way that leads to You; grant that his example may help us to follow Jesus Christ, our teacher, so that one day, together with our brothers, we may reach the glory of your eternal kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen. (EPC)”
SOURCE: Gaudium Press https://www.gaudiumpress.ca/st-john-of-avila-10-quotes-to-improve-your-spiritual-life/#:~:text=Saint%20John%20of%20Avila's%20quotes%3A&text=02%20%E2%80%93%20'I%20would%20rather%20live,'
POPE FRANCIS:
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 2443325709 - Rome, Italy 29.03.2024: Pope Francis celebrates the ceremony of the Celebration of the Passion of God at the Altare della Confessione, St. Peter's Basilica for Easter Holy Week 2024. Important (final in this series)
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 2450378115 - Rome Italy 03 24 2024: Pope Francis Bergoglio celebrates mass and greets the faithful who arrived in their thousands in St. Peter's. Palm Sunday preceding the Christian Catholic Easter. Church Jesus. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Fabrizio Maffei
Pope article:
"He does not seek applause"
In his 17 April general audience, Pope Francis continued his catechetical cycle on vices and virtues, speaking about the virtue of temperance.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today I will talk about the fourth and final cardinal virtue: temperance. With the other three, this virtue shares a history that goes far back in time and does not only belong to Christians. For the Greeks, the practice of the virtues had happiness as its objective. The philosopher Aristotle wrote his most important treatise on ethics, addressing it to his son Nicomachus, to instruct him in the art of living. Why does everyone seek happiness, even though so few achieve it? This is the question. To answer this question, Aristotle confronts the theme of the virtues, among which enkráteia, that is, temperance, takes a prominent place. The Greek term literally means “power over oneself.” So, temperance is a power over oneself. This virtue is thus the capacity for self-mastery, the art of not letting oneself be overcome by rebellious passions, of establishing order in what Manzoni calls “the jumble of the human heart.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods.” The Catechism continues, “It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion, and does not follow the base desires, but restrains the appetites” (1809).
Therefore, temperance, as the Italian word says, is the virtue of the right measure. In every situation, one behaves wisely, because people who act always moved by impulse or exuberance are ultimately unreliable. People without temperance are always unreliable. In a world where many people boast about saying what they think, the temperate person instead prefers to think about what he says. Do you understand the difference? Not saying whatever comes into my mind, like so… no: thinking about what I have to say. He does not make empty promises but makes commitments to the extent that he can fulfil them.
Also with pleasures, the temperate person acts judiciously. The free course of impulses and total license accorded to pleasures end up backfiring on us, plunging us into a state of boredom. How many people who have wanted to try everything voraciously have lost their taste for everything! It is better, then, to seek the right measure: for example, to appreciate a good wine, to taste it in small sips is better than swallowing it all in one go. We all understand this.
The temperate person knows how to weigh words and dose them well. He thinks about what he says. He does not allow a moment’s anger to ruin relationships and friendships that can only be rebuilt with difficulty. Especially in family life, where inhibitions are lower, we all run the risk of not keeping tensions, irritations, and anger in check. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent, but both require the right measure. And this applies to many things, for instance staying with others and staying alone.
If the temperate person knows how to control his own irascibility, this does not mean we always find him with a peaceful and smiling face. Indeed, at times it is necessary to be indignant, but always in the right way. These are the words: the just measure, the right way. A word of rebuke is at times healthier than a sour, rancorous silence. The temperate person knows that nothing is more uncomfortable than correcting another person, but he also knows that it is necessary; otherwise, one offers free reign to evil. In some cases, the temperate person succeeds in holding extremes together: he affirms absolute principles, asserts non-negotiable values, but also knows how to understand people and shows empathy for them. Shows empathy.
The gift of the temperate person is therefore balance, a quality as precious as it is rare. Indeed, everything in our world pushes to excess. Instead, temperance combines well with Gospel values such as smallness, discretion, modesty, meekness.
The temperate person appreciates the respect of others but does not make it the sole criterion for every action and every word. He is sensitive, he is able to weep and is not ashamed, but he does not weep over himself. In defeat, he rises up again; in victory, he is capable of returning to his former reserved life. He does not seek applause but knows that he needs others.
Brothers and sisters, it is not true that temperance makes one grey and joyless.
On the contrary, it lets one enjoy the goods of life better: staying together at the table, the tenderness of certain friendships, confidence with wise people, wonder at the beauty of creation. Happiness with temperance is the joy that flourishes in the heart of those who recognize and value what counts most in life. Let us pray to the Lord that He might give us this gift: the gift of maturity, of age, of emotional maturity, of social maturity. The gift of temperance.
Source: https://opusdei.org/en/article/he-does-not-seek-applause/
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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 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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