PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*:
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When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister, and mother” (Mark 3:21, 33, 35).
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PASTOR’S POST -
SVDP Local Winter Appeal 2024 - This Weekend
The St Vincent de Paul Society Surfers Paradise conference continues to pursue good works to support locals in need. On this weekend, 8 and 9 June 2024, Vincentians are conducting an annual winter appeal to help support locals needing 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.
God’s Love is infinite
The first reading, From Genesis, gives a beautiful picture of God’s love for us. Even when humanity sins, God does not abandon us but continues to call us back to our original innocence…..
It’s a superb image of our loving God, who created us from dust… This image of God walking in the garden in the cool of the evening and looking for his beloved children, produced by his own hand… and they are hiding away in shame….
And God asks, “Why were you hiding from me?” And when Adam says… “We were hiding away in shame for we were naked,” God says with such beautiful, innocent love… “Who told you this? Who has put this way of thinking into your head?”….
Isn’t this an excellent sign that God loves us,… this reading reminds us that God comes to our help in times of need….. and even more wonderfully…. God doesn’t just give compassion and assistance to those who are in difficulties at the hands of other’s wrongdoing… but we can see, time and time again, that God even comes to our aid, in compassion and love, when we are in a mess due to our own foolishness, pride or folly. God’s love and ways of seeing go far beyond our limited human concept of the world….
Fr Paul
JUBILEE MASS CELEBRATION -Fr John Maher and Fr Dan Ryan
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 a Golden Jubilee Mass for Fr Dan and Fr John at Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, Queensland 4226, on Sunday, July 7th, at 9 a.m. Refreshments will follow.
All are welcome. God bless.
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
Sacred Heart Catholic Church. 50 Fairway Drive. Clear Island Waters. Qld 4226
Pre-ORDINATION INTERVIEW - Bradley Davies and Michael My Van Tran
Link: https://youtu.be/PYNUYtvB-bY?si=Ollj80GSiVTG2ysy
Please pray for Deacon Bradley and Deacon Michael as they are ordained priests on Friday evening, June 7th, on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane.
Livestream 7pm 7/6/24
https://www.youtube.com/@ArchdioceseofBrisbane/streams
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: https://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.
PODCAST OF THE MASS FOR FRIDAY 7/6/24 - - SACRED HEART FEASTS
Liturgy of the Sacred Heart (weekday solemnity - Friday 7/6/24)
https://homilycatholic.blogspot.com/2024/06/weekday-solemnity-friday-most-sacred.html
Liturgy of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - (weekday memorial – Saturday 8/6/24)
SCAM ALERT!
Scam messages are doing the rounds again. If you receive a suspicious or confusing SMS message (and any other illegitimate SMS), we recommend forwarding it to 0429 999 888 (the Australian Government spam reporting line).
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 Paul, and then says, "I am going into a meeting, so I cannot speak personally to you, but I need you to contact me back” 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.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on 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 hope to add to our number of children who want to become altar servers. 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 is about discerning action plans to help the Archdiocese implement the areas of focus (Decrees) from the Plenary Council. A brief explanation of each area of focus (Decree) can be found here: https://aobsynod2024.com/plenary-council-resources/
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/
Plenary Council Decree 7 requires all dioceses and eparchies to have a synod by the end of 2025. SYNOD24 is our response to this requirement. You can download all Plenary Council Decrees here: https://aobsynod2024.com/plenary-council-resources/
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. Over March, April and May, consultations 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 all other information regarding SYNOD24, head to www.aobsynod2024.com
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.
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)
Pamela Caralis, Nadia Che, Ellanie Conzalez, Tina Conidi, Alfonso Covino, Shirley Croft, Lorraine Gallagher, Barbara Gilbert, Maurice Goss, Kath Kiely, Jan Kristenson, Michael Tiger McCormick, Joanne Mooney, Maryann Moore, Denis Mullins, Letty O’Sullivan, Carmela Parente, Rachel Raines, Brenda Stewart, Betty Taylor, Denise Tracey, Christine Watkins, Billy Webb.
RECENTLY DECEASED: (Chronological - Most recent first):
Des Walsh, Lois Wood, Joanna Martha Edwards. (Known as Joan), Rosemarie Cocks, Bill McDermott, Santiago Canada, Marina Innocenti, Adoracion Santos Lapitan, Joseph Torbey, Jacqueline Rillo, Helena Nycz, Frank Cassidy, John William Worner (WA).
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical)
Fr Denis Ahern, Patricia Allen, Annette (Annie) Anning, Peter Barry, Jean Anne Burgess, Fr Charlie Casey, Don Cope, John Vincent Davis, Fr Des Effeney, Fr John Egan, Stephen Gallagher, Andrew Hale, Roy Jackson, Helmut Kaltenthaler, Alfonso Lim, Melissa Ann Lord, Anna Marmina, Mario Paul Mazza, Mons John McCarthy, Dr. Frank Miau, Fr Patrick Murphy, Fr Gabriel Nolan, Mary John On, Aileen Pettersson, Mary Reid, Mark Reid, Felicitas Fay Robbins, John Ryan, Maria Silvestri-Fiore, Francis (Frank) Kevin Stephens, Valma Sudgen, Judith Lorraine Taylor, June Patricia Toole, Casey Jones Townsend, Lorna Sabina Wheeler, Phyllis Jane Woolaston, Agata “Tina” Zammit.
And Also: (Alphabetical):
Mervin Atkins, 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, Francey Kelliher, 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.
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
WHAT TO DO IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
(as at 13th May 2024)
Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 can pass the virus onto others.
While isolation is no longer a legal requirement, if you test positive for COVID-19, staying at home protects the people in your community.
If you test positive, you should not visit high-risk settings like hospitals and aged and disability care settings:
for at least 7 days or until symptoms have gone
unless seeking immediate medical care.
To help protect those around you, we recommend:
avoiding contact with people who are at higher risk of severe disease
wearing a mask outside the home
working from home where possible
avoiding going to school, public areas, or travel on public transport, in taxis or ride-share services
practicing good hygiene
following your local health department’s advice when leaving home.
If you have any appointments you cannot miss (visit to a doctor, family violence service or police), let them know in advance that you have COVID-19.
If you feel unwell or need COVID-19 advice for someone in your care, talk with your health provider, or speak to a nurse by calling the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222.
If you develop symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately. Tell the call handler and the paramedics on arrival if you have COVID-19.
Manage your symptoms
Most people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all (asymptomatic).
You can manage these symptoms with over-the-counter medication.
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
An excellent variety of religious goods available for everyone, visit your local shop today at either Sacred Heart or St Vincent’s Churches, open before and after Mass
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 this First Friday, 7/6/24, and then 5/7/24, 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
ANOINTING MASS - MASS OF HEALING FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (February-November Inclusive)
2/7/24 at 10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. 9 am (tomorrow) Saturday - 6/7/24 Followed by adoration and Benediction. {This is a votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary}.
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
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 from 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.
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.
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 the Cathedral administration to the Cathedral's Dean (Very Rev Anthony Mellor). The Cathedral is located within the Central Deanery of the Archdiocese of Brisbane and 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 Cathedral Parish Executive Officer is responsible for the administrative and organisational aspects of the parish, including the parish office and employment. This role must work cooperatively and collaboratively 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, and Funerals in the Parish, including liaising with families/couples, creating of booklets and completing 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 Parish supplies, including stationery, liturgical, 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, assistance, and 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 using 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
(advertisement runs until 14/6/24)
Please note the successful candidate will also need to obtain/maintain a Working with
Children's 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 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
HOW TO PRAY POPE FRANCIS’ “FIVE FINGER PRAYER”
What a special gift for our prayer lives!
The “5 Finger Prayer” is attributed to Pope Francis. He is said to have written this 5-step prayer while serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
This method assigns a particular intention to each finger, making it easy to pray for others and yourself.
While it is easy to introduce to a young child, the “5 Finger Prayer” is an excellent addition to your daily prayer routine!
Here’s how to pray it:
Here is an elaboration of the prayer above:
Thumb
Since the thumb is your closest finger, start by praying for the people closest to you, such as friends and family.
Index Finger
Next, pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal you. This includes your teachers, doctors and priests. They need the support and wisdom!
Middle Finger
For the tallest finger, pray for authority figures–leaders and those in the government. They need God’s guidance!
Ring Finger
The ring finger is the weakest finger, so pray for the weakest and most vulnerable in your community. This includes the sick, impoverished and distraught.
Pinkie Finger
For the smallest finger, pray for yourself! When you are finished praying for others, you can see your needs in the best way.
Feel free to add an “Our Father”, “Hail Mary” and/or “Glory Be” following the “5 Finger Prayer,” and don’t forget to pray for the Holy Father!
A Prayer for Pope Francis
O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favourably on your servant Francis,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
Grant, we pray that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
(Prayer courtesy of the USCCB)
https://evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/year-of-prayer/
A VOCATION VIEW:
Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me.” Committing ourselves to God’s work makes us part of His family. What is the work He is calling you to do? We do not lose heart because of our faith. Instead, we are called to share our faith. How is God calling you to share your faith?
To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP -
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ”- Mark 3:24
Within your parish community, do your ministries collaborate with each other or compete against each other? Do your parish ministries work for the greater glory of God or for the glory of the people running them? The primary goal of parish ministry is not to increase Mass attendance, the number of volunteers, or the number of offertory. The primary goal is to be one Body of Christ that helps people take one step closer to Jesus. If it’s not doing that, it’s not worth doing.
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 - Why we hide
A psychologist explained something fascinating about shame: No one can put it inside us without our consent. Shame doesn’t enter from the outside but responds from the inside. Those seeking to embarrass us are frustrated if we refuse their attempt to impart shame with the slap of a hand or a word. If we accept shame, it’s because, deep down we’re already carrying it. So Adam, guilty of disloyalty to God, is shamed by his newfound nakedness. Yet Jesus, insulted, beaten, stripped, and humiliated, remains clothed in honour at the cross. Got shame? We’ve got a sacrament for that.
“I heard you in the garden, but I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Genesis 3:9-15; 2
THE POPE: (From the rich history of the Church’s teaching)
“LOVE CAN DO EVERYTHING!”
Pope Article: Pope John Paul the First. (26.8.1978- 28.9.1978)
(Archives - 24/9/78)
Image Credit- https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-i/en.html
Yesterday afternoon, (Saturday 23rd of September 1978), I went to St. John Lateran. Thanks to the Romans, to the kindness of the Mayor and some authorities of the Italian Government, it was a joyful moment for me.
On the contrary, it was not joyful but painful to learn from the newspapers a few days ago that a Roman student had been killed for a trivial reason, in cold blood. It is one of the many cases of violence which are continually afflicting this poor and restless society of ours.
The case of Luca Locci, a seven-year-old boy kidnapped three months ago, has come up again in the last few days. People sometimes say: "we are in a society that is all rotten, all dishonest." That is not true. There are still so many good people, so many honest people. Rather, what can be done to improve society? I would say: let each of us try to be good and to infect others with a goodness imbued with the meekness and love taught by Christ. Christ's golden rule was: "do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. Do to others what you want done to yourself." 'And he always gave. Put on the cross, not only did he forgive those who crucified him, but he excused them. He said: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." This is Christianity, these are sentiments which, if put into practice would help society so much.
This year is the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Georges Bernanos, a great Catholic writer. One of his best-known works is "Dialogues of the Carmelites". It was published year after his death. He had prepared it working on a story of the German authoress, Gertrud von Le Fort. He had prepared it for the theatre.
It went on the stage. It was set to music and then shown on the screens of the whole world. It became extremely well known. The fact, however, was a historical one. Pius X, in 1906, right here in Rome, had beatified the sixteen Carmelites of Compiègne, martyrs during the French revolution. During the trial they were condemned "to death for fanaticism". And one of them asked in her simplicity: "Your Honour, what does fanaticism mean?" And the judge: "It is your foolish membership of religion." "Oh, Sisters, she then said, did you hear, we are condemned for our attachment to faith. What happiness to die for Jesus Christ!"
They were brought out of the prison of the Conciergerie, and made to climb into the fatal cart. On the way they sang hymns; when they reached the guillotine, one after the other knelt before the Prioress and renewed the vow of obedience. Then they struck up "Veni Creator"; the song, however, became weaker and weaker, as the heads of the poor Sisters fell, one by one, under the guillotine. The Prioress, Sister Theresa of St Augustine, was the last, and her last words were the following: "Love will always be victorious, love can do everything." That was the right word, not violence, but love, can do everything. Let us ask the Lord for the grace that a new wave of love for our neighbour may sweep over this poor world.
Pope John Paul I - Sunday, 24 September 1978
EXPLORING OUR FAITH -
Source: https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/life/teachings-of-the-catholic-church
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)Faith is both a gift from God and a human act by which the believer identifies with God personally. It is to believe in something or someone, to fully trust, and to be so confident that one bases one's actions on what one believes.
Faith in God, then, is having the kind of trust and confidence that leads you to commit your whole life and soul to God. Our post-modern world challenges this faith in things unseen, positing that reality can only be experienced through the senses and verified by scientific processes. Denials of the existence of God and life after death are hallmarks of this contemporary rationalist philosophy.
Instinctively, human beings know that there is more to life than briefly dancing across the stage of life. Christian faith asserts that a loving Creator desires that our lives reach their ultimate fulfilment in eternity.Faith in God develops within one’s spirit and establishes a certain inner knowing that something is so before you see any material evidence. This spiritual knowing is of the heart and soul, not merely the intellect. It is a call to do and say what you believe you are called to without doubt. Faith can bring ultimate blessings as well as challenges and difficulties.
Commitment To Child Safety and Vulnerable-Adult Safety
(please see next page…)
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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