PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*:
You can also access an online -web- copy of the newsletter *Webcopy here*
“Neither do I condemn you.” [John 8:11]
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/NlcEtcuFyViKvMNzQqr8?ru=Paul-Evangelion
EXTRA RECONCILIATIONS WILL BE OFFERED AFTER WEEKDAY MASS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES - ALL AT SACRED HEART
Thursday 10th April 2025 from 9.30 am- 10.30 am
Monday to Wednesday inclusive (14th-16th April 2025 at 9.30 am)
Holy Thursday Morning (no morning mass- but instead 9 am to 10 am Reconciliations
Stations of the Cross:
Stations of the Cross will be conducted at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters
from 6 pm each Friday of Lent.
PASTOR’S POST -
My Earliest memories of going to Mass were as a young child. I remember sitting with my mother and brother in the congregation. I can also remember my first reconciliation, communion and confirmation (this being the order they were done then). I also remember having nothing to do with the parish after this, and remember ten years later returning to mass as an adult, for no other reason than my obligation as a Catholic.
As my faith deepened, I gained more understanding about how the Church is one body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12). I gained a better sense of the Mass as a gathering of the faithful, who come to worship as one people. Especially following my uplifting experience at World Youth Day, 2008 in Sydney, I developed a great sense of the Church being more than my parish community. Seeing beyond the scope of my own parish community in Enoggera, Brisbane, really broadened my horizons in terms of who makes up our wider faith community.
But at the deepest level, with time and openness, I came to realise the true power of receiving Christ in the Eucharist. I have come to know that, when fully engaged in the mass, it is the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist that fills me. This is not to say that I have always done this perfectly. It is easy for all of us to get lost in other things and priorities, and to even lose concentration during our worship together. But when I have had moments of investing wholeheartedly in the celebration of mass, in both Word (readings) and Eucharist, there is a level of peace and satisfaction like no other.
I hope that you too, in your own way, find life in the mass as we gather again as one people, and eat the true bread that is on the altar – the true bread from heaven.
Fr Bradley
ADVANCE NOTICE OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES IN OUR PARISH (2025)
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER MASS AND SERVICE SCHEDULE
Our Easter timetable is as follows:
HOLY THURSDAY: (April 17th 2025)
6 pm Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, QLD 4226.
8:00 pm Hispanic Mass at St Vincent’s Church, 40 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise
GOOD FRIDAY: (April 18th 2025) - Morning Stations -
10 am Stations of the Cross in all three Churches:
10 am Sacred Heart Church 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, QLD 4226.
10 am Stella Maris Church, 254 Hedges Avenue, Broadbeach, QLD 4218.
10 am St Vincent’s Church. 40 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise 4217.
+ GOOD FRIDAY - (April 18th 2025)- Afternoon Solemnities.
3 pm Reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion in all three Churches:
3 pm Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, QLD 4226.
3 pm Stella Maris Church, 254 Hedges Avenue, Broadbeach, QLD 4218.
3 pm St Vincent’s Church, 40 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise 4217.
HOLY SATURDAY: (April 19th 2025)
5 pm Full Vigil Mass with Baptism of Adults (longer ceremony). Sacred Heart Church 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, QLD 4226.
5 pm Vigil Mass, Stella Maris Church, 254 Hedges Ave, Broadbeach,
5 pm Vigil Mass, St Vincent’s Church. 40 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise
2 pm Polish Easter food blessing- Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive Clear Island Waters QLD 4226
8:30pm Hispanic Mass at St Vincent’s Church. 40 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise
EASTER SUNDAY: (April 20th 2025)
7 am Mass Stella Maris Church, 254 Hedges Avenue, Broadbeach, QLD 4218.
8 am and 10 am Mass, St Vincent’s Church, 40 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise 4217.
9 am and 6 pm Mass, Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, QLD 4226.
12.30 pm Polish Mass Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive Clear Island Waters QLD 4226
4 pm Italian Mass, Sacred Heart Church, 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, QLD 4226.
5:30 pm Hispanic Mass, St Vincent’s Church, 40 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise. 4217
AUSTRALIAN BISHOPS - FEDERAL ELECTION STATEMENT
Australia’s Catholic bishops say the federal election is an opportunity to bring hope where hope has been lost, especially for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Pope Francis has approved the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” for the 2025 Holy Year of Jubilee.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s Bishops Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement has drawn on this theme for the federal election statement, Called to Bring Hope in the Year of Jubilee, released today.
“Pope Francis reminds us that ‘all of us have received the gift and task of bringing hope wherever hope has been lost, lives broken, promises unkept, dreams shattered, and hearts overwhelmed by adversity’,” the statement reads.
The statement sets out broad issues to reflect on before voting.
https://www.catholic.au/s/article/Election-Statement-2025
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(community service ad)
CLEAR ISLAND WATERS HEALTH PRECINCT (Santa Cruz Blvd)
Introducing our two new GPs Dr Maria and Dr Cian. Bulk Billing applies for patients under 16yrs old & patients with a valid concession or pension card. Appointments are available Monday-Friday (from 9am until 5pm).
Address: 1/56 Santa Cruz Boulevard Clear Island Waters, QLD 4226 Email: reception@ciwhp.com.au Web: www.ciwhp.com.au Ph: 07 5575 1822 Fax: 07 5575 3114
Dr Maria Guirguis
Dr Cian Morrison
Ignite Launch 2025 which is to be held at Dreamworld on 17th May – run by the Archdiocese – Ignite Launch is a whole day riding the roller coasters and saying hi to the tigers at Dream World, followed up with a massive dance party and live concert – right in the middle of the theme park, after it closes!
We are hoping to encourage young people to participate in this from the Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish.
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Ready for Prep 2026 at St Kevin’s School, Benowa
St Kevin’s enrolments for Prep 2026 are filling up very fast and we now extend an invitation to all families considering where to send their child to begin their schooling journey in 2026, to make application for an interview in order to secure a place for their child.
We also warmly invite you St Kevin’s Open Day on Thursday 1 May 2025. Hear more about the excellent learning and teaching that happens at St Kevin’s and experience the sense of warmth and welcome that St Kevin’s offers all students and families.
Visit our website www.sk.qld.edu.au or call us on 055539 4522 for more information.
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Please see the latest edition of Liturgy News from liturgyBrisbane. Great information about the liturgy locally and universally -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d5LPrucFHmtCi_vOGFqGDgRGiEASRZHj/view?usp=drivesdk
THIS LENT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF PROJECT COMPASSION - A PRACTICAL WAY OF GIVING TO THOSE IN NEED - IN THE ANNUAL CATHOLIC-RUN APPEAL ORGANISED BY CARITAS AUSTRALIA
PROJECT COMPASSION - LENTEN PRAYER
God of our journey
we are all pilgrims of hope
brought together by your love
and your wish that we may all be one.
We pray that in this Year of Jubilee
when we are called to greater justice
and care for our common home
that we may Unite Against Poverty.
May we work in unity for the freedom
of the oppressed and the renewal of creation.
may our compassionate minds
and generous hearts help bring about a
world where all can live in peace.
May our Lenten pilgrimage of
fasting, almsgiving and prayer
bring us closer to your loving heart.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen
You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation envelopes.
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413
Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.
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PROJECT COMPASSION REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES TODAY:
Pope Francis has spoken a great deal about our need for more women to occupy positions of leadership, both in the Church and in the world at large.
In his wonderful letter about the way we belong to each other, Fratelli Tutti, he says ‘the organization of societies worldwide is still far from reflecting clearly that women possess the same dignity and identical rights as men. We say one thing with words, but our decisions and reality tell another story.’ He is concerned about ‘those women who endure situations of exclusion, mistreatment and violence’.
Pope Francis very much reflects the attitude of Jesus whose closeness to women distinguished him as a leader and teacher in his time. You might think of significant encounters in the New Testament: the woman at the well, Martha and Mary, the widow of Nain. You might also think of the woman we met in today’s Gospel, described by the scribes and Pharisees as ‘caught in the very act of committing adultery.’ Listen to the sneer in those words.
These men, who are supposed to be educated and respected, have been peeping through the window. Their behavior is salacious, domineering and demeaning. In their self-righteousness, they threaten violence. There is no sign of the woman’s partner who is surely just as much part of the story. Jesus neatly turns the tables.
He starts by sitting on the ground, occupying a position lower than that of the woman. He is the only one not taking an eyeful of her. Caritas Australia, whom we support through Project Compassion, has long acted in constructive ways to uphold the dignity of women and honor their strength, resilience and leadership. We have seen this during Lent, particularly in the stories of Irene from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Toefuata’iga from a school in Samoa. Please look at Caritas Australia’s resources online; you will find many such stories. In so much of the world, development is led by women.
This Lent, we have also been mindful of the Year of Jubilee, a significant call to Unite Against Poverty as pilgrims of hope. Today’s second reading reminds us that none of us is perfect. But like St Paul, we are still running, still trying to achieve ‘the perfection that comes through faith in Christ.’ This does not mean judging others as the scribes and Pharisees did. It means challenging ourselves to bring the world closer together as Jesus prayed ‘may they all be one.’
Please donate today. You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code above. Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413
Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.
Stations of the Cross:
Stations of the Cross will be conducted at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters from 6 pm each Friday of Lent.
WHEELCHAIR PROJECT
Sunrise Rotary Wheelchair factory - The Rotary Club also require two bikes to make one rough terrain wheelchair, so these bikes are donated to the Wheelchair factory from either residential homes or accommodation buildings or discarded at dump sites in South-East Qld. If you require this service within the Gold Coast, you are welcome to bring them to the factory either on a Wednesday or Saturday morning or email Surfers Sunrise Rotary at enquiries.surfers.sunrise@gmail.com
Also, the Surfers Sunrise Rotary Wheelchair factory is always looking for extra assistance at the shed, so if you are retired or looking for company with a great bunch of guys, come and join us on a Wednesday or Saturday morning. Contact Surfers Sunrise Rotary at enquiries.surfers.sunrise@gmail.com or call into the factory at 175 Napper Road, Arundel.
To the people of the Church in Australia, for the Holy Land Collection 2025
As many of you are aware, for 800 years the Franciscan Friars have shared the difficult lives of Christians in the countries that make up the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land: Israel and Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Rhodes and Cyprus. The people of these countries face their own difficulties, but particularly Christians due to their minority status. Among them, the friars have never ceased offering their pastoral care.
Over the last five years the people of the Holy Land have had so much turmoil in their lives. My prayer as I write this letter is that the ceasefire in Palestine, Gaza and Israel will be honoured by all the leaders. Already the Christian church leaders are encouraging people to come back on pilgrimage. Pilgrims are vital because they generate income that allows the Friars and the local Church to fulfil their mission of caring for the Holy Places (which also gives work to the local people), as well as running parishes, schools and caring for orphans, refugees, the homeless, and more.
Brothers and sisters, I am amazed at the determination of the people of this area of unrest. I read with interest in January about the consecration of the new Church of the Baptism of the Lord at Al-Mughtas, Jordan. I remember visiting this site in 2015 when it was just a concrete shell of a building. Despite the challenges of the last 10 years, the people in the Holy Land (including many pilgrim sites in Jordan) have stayed strong in faith and the opening of a new church must bring about a great hope for the future.
In Dec 2024, Fr Francesco Patton ofm, the Franciscan leader of the Holy Land Custody wrote the following, which reminds us of the need to continue to support the Holy Land…
We provide more than 400 apartments for local Christians in Jerusalem. In this way, we are able to preserve the Christian character of the Christian Quarter in the Old City. We provide more than 200 houses in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas. We also have a major project starting soon in Jaffa and a joint project with the agricultural sector to build an efficient compound near the wall that encloses Bethlehem. This is one way we provide job opportunities. We provide jobs for more or less 2,000 people, which is a great effort because
it means every month we have to pay a lot of salaries.
For me, the most important social activity is our schools. We have 18 schools in the Holy Land. These schools are crucial because they provide not only cultural education but also human and religious education. We stress the importance of living together and the values of (papal encyclical) “Fratelli Tutti.” Our Magnificat music school is a rare example of coexistence: Most of the teachers are Jewish and most of the students are Muslim and Christian. Through these efforts, we hope to foster a mentality of living together and counter the polarization fueled by politics and ideology. (Patton, Dec 2024)
Brothers and sisters, as is always the case, the Good Friday Holy Land Collection is extremely important, and a mission that we all can assist with. The hope is that our Australian parishioners, Parish Priests and Bishops will again be as generous as they have always been. Our donation is a direct way to make a difference in the lives of people who are keeping alive the Christian presence in the land of Jesus, often in the face of great
difficulty in recent years. On their behalf, I humbly and wholeheartedly thank you all.
Friar Bernie Thomas ofm
Commissary of the Holy Land (Australia)
https://www.franciscans.org.au/holy-land-commissariat/
WHEELCHAIRS FOR KIDS PROJECT
Sister Lis Keane and Mary Lepp are working on with the ladies at Numinbah Prison, in support of Brother Oly’s Wheelchairs for Kids worldwide program. If any of our parishioners may be able to help us with some wool and crochet needles for the project please contact the parish office. Parishioners Mary Lepp and Sr Lis Keane are helping the women to crochet rugs and soft toys. ”We have about 30 women enthusiastically learning to crochet so they can make the rugs. One woman said to me, 'Thank you, Sister Lis, for giving us the opportunity to do something for other people.'”
Thank you for taking the time to consider our request. With grateful thanks, (Sr) Lis Keane
ALTAR SERVING in SURFERS PARADISE PARISH
Would you like to become an Altar Server in Surfers Paradise Parish?
Our church family has many ministries or roles available for people who wish to help the celebration of the mass to be as reverent and joyful as possible. For children, one of the best ways to contribute to the mass is to train to be an altar server.
There are lots of things to learn about the job of altar serving so if you are interested in finding out about this special ministry please read on.
Who can become an altar server: Any person who is a fully initiated Catholic can be an altar server. That is, someone who has received the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and has celebrated their First Holy Communion.
Children who wish to become altar servers will be taught by Fr Bradley and the Sacramental Team. When you feel confident, you will be asked to serve on the altar with other experienced servers.
How to find out more about Altar Serving Ministry: Ask one of your parents to ring the Parish Office (5671 7388) and leave your full name and contact details. Please direct all enquiries and volunteering through the Parish Office. Then Fr Bradley and the Sacramental Team will contact your family and invite you to a training workshop. Fr Bradley meeting some future altar servers at St Vincent’s
CHILDHOOD SACRAMENTS 2025 Please use the tables on the following pages to guide you, as you plan your child/ren’s Sacramental Journey in Surfers Paradise Parish. Please remember that your child and your family are often included in our prayers at mass and in the personal prayers of many parishioners. We all look forward to supporting you in this sacred work. The Sacramental Team 😃
To tune in to Our parish Podcast of the Mass for Sundays and Solemnities, please visit regularly the following link: 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
The Café - “Sacred Grounds” - Located at the Former Atrium Building near the Sacred Heart Church.
The café near the Sacred Heart Church is a wonderful gathering place for parishioners, school parents, staff, and the wider public. The feedback has been that the café is a great idea, but its old location in the front of the church was not ideal. The café has now reopened in the old Atrium building. This allows community building whilst giving the church the space it needs for its Masses, Weddings, Baptisms and solemn Funerals. Please support this excellent continuation of the parish vision. Chris and his staff are delighted to welcome you.
{https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/pellegrinaggio/calendario-giubileo.html}
Jubilee 2025 - The 2025 Jubilee Year, also known as the Year of the Pilgrim of Hope, is a time to celebrate faith, hope, and charity.
Here are some ways to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee:
Commit to formation activities: Focus on the Catechism of the Catholic Church or documents of the Second Vatican Council. https://www.hprweb.com/2017/12/the-catechism-of-the-catholic-church-and-the-second-vatican-council/
Practice Lectio Divina: Read the Scriptures to enter into a personal relationship with God. https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/lectio-divina-beginners-guide
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
GO CASHLESS DONATIONS -
AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCES OF THREE CHURCHES - tap once to donate $10, tap and other higher denominations now available on the new devices.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on each First Friday, 4th April 2025, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch one hour with Me" Mt 26:4
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. 9 am Saturday the 5th April 2025. 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)
10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tuesday the 6th of May- Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK:
Pope Francis.;
Please also pray for the following who are ill. (Alphabetical)
Lindsay Allan, Robert Andreas, Joseph Antony, Milroy Antony, Tricia Baumann, Phil Bawden, Nellie Bellinger, Tim Brown, Margaret and Tony Buckingham, Vicky and Andrew Campora, Gerard Carroll, Nadia Ceh, Tina Conidi, Helen Cooper, Shirley Croft, Christopher Cunningham, Mary Curmi, Bernie Delaney, Christopher Eid, John Fox, Lorraine Gallagher, Maralyn Gow, Jenny Haines, Betty Hannon, Stan Hickey, Andrew Janiec, Jenny Johnson, Kevin & Francis Junee, Leona Kelly, Marjorie Kennedy, Kath Kiely, Gregory Kittelty, Jan Kristenson, Robert Lahey, Dannielle Therese Larney, Alvin Lee, Nathan Lepp, Veronica Lubomski, Victoria MacDonald, l McGuigan, Phil and Anne McGuigan, Leonie McMahon, Anthea McMullin, Angela Micallef, Joanne Mooney, Maryann Moore, Frances Much, Richard Murphy, Michael & Leslie Murtagh, Eileen O’Mara, Margaret Orme, Letty O’Sullivan, Kevin Owen, Sarah Pawley, Clare Perera, Lesley Petroni, Rachel Raines, Bob Rogers, Marnia Ryan-Raison, Sharon Richardson, Miranda Santi, Maureen Scott, Betty Taylor, Gary Thompson, Leonardo Torcaso, Denise Tracey, Richard G Murphy, Marcus Ware, John Zappa.
RECENTLY DECEASED: (Chronological - Most recent first):
Roger Graeme Blanksby, Denis John McCabe, Nathan Kinett, Angelina Elsey, Rita Maria-Angela Derek, Ena Hehir, Scott Nunan, Rosie Maitland, Mark Johnstone, Ron McConnell, Charlie Schriha, Joseph Schriha, Dot Corbett, Helen Dowling, Pietro Paolo Sergi, Phillip Brady, Jim Ramsay, Susanne Hewitt, Ellanie Gonzalez, Patricia Stone, Milka Baric, Dulcie Villotet, Naomi Ryan, Karsten Rickert, Lee Pascuale Caprie, Kenneth Montgomery, Phillip Conquest, Romana Carlin, Noel Cook, John Rowles, Bruce O’Brien, Martha Wagner.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical)
Maureen Margaret Armstrong, Earl Breirty, Kaye Diane Blake, Cynthia Maud Brennan, Jaiden Glen Brooks, Fr Francis Costello, Archbishop of Brisbane Sir James Duhig, Fr Graham Elliott, Tibor Endrody Vera Endrody, Justin Paul Fitzgerald, Douglas Anthony Glenn, Kevin Francis Harrison, Janet Holliday, Ray Hutchinson, Claire Irene Keefe, Brian Raymond Lloyd, Errol John Maguire, John Richard Morgan, Fr James Murphy, Fr Gerard Nichol, Susan Ruth O'Gorman, Annunziata Posa, Thomas (Tommy) Raudonikis, John (Jakes) Rennie, Mendoza Nympha Reponia, Peter James Scott, Noelene Sisam, Robyn Skein, Fr Romo Servatius Subhaga, Norma Weise.
And Also: (Alphabetical):
Paul Avery, Fr Peter Bacinskas, Fr Michael Barry, Lynn Maree Blond, Mary Briffa, Annette Bryant, Jocelyn Cassels, Therese Mary Clift, Fr Patrick Costello, Fr William Daley, Connie Devlin, William George Donges, Betty Lorraine Egan, David Anthony Evans, Mons Henry FitzGerald, Patricia Brigid Flanagan, Marie Therese Haney, Fr Jim Hynes, Pope Saint John-Paul II, Darko Janzekovic, Fay Margaret Frances Lincoln, Gemma Maria Lowe, Beau Abraham Massey, Anthony Robert Meehan, Peter John O’Neill, Wayne Parsons, Olimpia Percuoco, Alexander Redler, Fr James Slyney, Graham Paul Whitehead Smith, Ramon (Baby) Solatan, Cecilia Teresa White, Miriam Zarb.
COLLECTING PALMS for PALM SUNDAY - PASSION SUNDAY Each year, at this time, we ask parishioners to look around their gardens and their local neighbourhood with a view to gathering and donating palms fronds for Passion Sunday - Palm Sunday. This year Palm Sunday falls on the weekend of April 12 and 13.
We don’t need any palm fronds just yet but we ask that you start looking and planning now, to prune and deliver fresh fronds to the Parish Office (Hours: Mon- Fri 9 am to 2 pm) from Thursday April 10th. We will need fronds (big and small) as well as helpers to prepare the palms at the Parish Office (byo secateurs), on Friday, April 11, after the 9am Mass.
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. 5558 0120
Pindara Hospital - Surfers Paradise Parish. 56717388
John Flynn Hospital - Coolangatta-Tugun Parish. 5598 2165
University & Gold Coast Private Hosp.- Southport Parish. 5510 2222
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES
WCCM - WORLD COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION
This meditation group meets each Tuesday in the Morris Prayer Room, at 10 am to 11 am. This is followed by a Scripture Study of the following Sunday’s Mass readings from 11 am to 12 pm. You are welcome to attend both or either one. If you are new to meditation, we will assist you in learning about WCCM and the practice of Christian Meditation. The meditation group invites you to prepare for Easter by attending a Lenten program to be held in the Morris Prayer room as well. For more information, please contact Pam Egberts 0493 742 670.
SACRED HEART ROSARY PRAYER GROUP
Please join us to pray The Stations of the Cross, The Divine Mercy and The Rosary each day at 8:00a.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 on each First Friday, 4th April 2025, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch one hour with Me" Mt 26:4
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. 9 am Saturday the 5th April 2025. 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)
10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tuesday the 6th of May- Followed by morning tea. 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 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.
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, please emailsurfers@bne.catholic.net.au.
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. For more information, please email: psela@bigpond.com
or surfers@bne.catholic.net.au
Our Lady’s Statue details for the next several weeks are:
07/4/25 Lilly Leongue & Family - Varsity Lakes
14/4/25 Luciana Lang & Family - Varsity Lakes
21/4/25 Luciana Lang & Family - Varsity Lakes
28/4/25 Susanne Joseph & Family- Varsity Lakes
05/5/25 Susanne Joseph & Family - Varsity Lakes
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 more information, please email: surfers@bne.catholic.net.au or call 07 5671 7388.
BIBLE STUDY/PRAYER GROUP - ST VINCENT’S CHURCH, SURFERS PARADISE.
The Bible Study Prayer Group meets every Friday from 5pm-6pm at St Vincent’s Church
(40 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise).
Come along and read/study Break Open the Word weekly from 5 pm to 6 pm. For further enquiries, please contact the Parish Office. surfers@bne.catholic.net.au
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 contact Grace. For more information, please email:grace.flowers.art@hotmail.com or surfers@bne.catholic.net.au
THE BIBLE TIMELINE – THE STORY OF SALVATION
ADULT FAITH FORMATION BIBLE STUDY
CONTINUES on LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 2025
In the Parish Hospitality Centre - (next to Sacred Heart Church), 50 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, Queensland 4226, on Sundays from 10 am – 12 pm.
There is no cost; however, to participate, you will need to purchase The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation Study Set, which can be obtained from Ascension Press or Garrett Publishing. The Study Set will contain The Bible Timeline Study Book, Chart and Bookmark - https://ascensionpress.com/ https://garrattpublishing.com.au/
Audio-Visual presentation of the Stations of the Cross.
(From Surfers Paradise Parishioners).
The Audio-Visual presentation of the Stations of the Cross, (From Surfers Paradise Parishioners), is now available via the very accessible Youtube.
Here is the Link: https://youtu.be/E31C7_HePt8
A VOCATION VIEW:
Fifth Sunday of Lent - C - A VOCATION VIEW: Lent is six weeks of being serious about forgiveness and knowing we are loved.
Who will step forward to tell of God's great love for us?
To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP -
“…For his sake, I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ…” - (Philippians 3:8)
The first commandment says that we should not put other gods before the Lord. Sharing all of our gifts - our time in prayer, our talent in charitable works and our treasure to support the Church helps us keep God first in everything. It helps us from putting other gods before God. It helps us from becoming a slave to our possessions. It helps us to use our gifts for the glory of God and not for the glory of ourselves.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous and accountable for what each has been given.
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH - Pause and refresh
We rush through the hours checking items off a to-do list: work and chores, errands and meals, and more. The weekly Sabbath was designed as a pause from the maddening race of accomplishment. Pausing keeps us from making mistakes born of thoughtlessness. Jesus once asked religious elders to pause and consider their own errors before stoning a woman for hers. Father Edward Hayes (1931-2016) started a house of prayer in Kansas as a place of spiritual recollection. Pause and pray with Hayes: "May the work of my hands be part of the redemption of the world and its eternal springtime liberation.”
"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." (John 8:1-11)
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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 adults at risk. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for abusing children or adults at risk.
GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/toWToQGYiqYa5bB16TSV/jesus-writes-on-the-ground-and-then-says-let-he-who-is-without-sin-throw-the-first-stone?ru=Paul-Evangelion
Homily: Fifth Sunday of Lent.Year C - Sunday, 6 April 2025
“Neither do I condemn you!”
There is a beautiful little theme thread running through the readings this weekend that I find delightful: 'no need to recall the past, (the blessings of God are not all in the past), God is doing something new in this time and in this place. And Saint Paul picks up this thread again as he says: "I forget the past and strain ahead for what is to come." God is still at work in our lives here and now. God wants us to look forward and not dwell on the past and certainly not to be held back by past sins and mistakes. This is wonderful.
That is the point about mercy: nobody deserves it. Everyone deserves true justice; mercy, on the other hand, is sheer gift. Mercy cancels out wrongs and transgressions – not because a sparkling defence has been found, or excusing causes have been skilfully argued, but because that is the free response of the person who is grieved. Mercy does not suggest that the guilty are not guilty; it recognises the guilt but does not demand satisfaction for the wrong. In all this, mercy reflects the utter graciousness of the one who has been wronged."^
It is as if this one account of how Jesus actually treated this woman gives a clear picture of the whole meaning of the Gospel and the way approaches us in our sin and our weakness.
There is no doubt about what the law at the time of Our Lord dictated as a penalty for the type of sin alleged here. Jesus, however, puts the whole relationship of sin and punishment into a new light: mercy and compassion.
In God's eyes, the law is not just about harshness and rules but in unity with God’s loving mercy and kindness, and how we have acted in relation to that. Jesus, time and time again has reminded us that we are whole human beings, and that Jesus calls us to wholeness. So we do not do ourselves much good if we only focus on actions or even sins unless we see them in the broader context of who we are as humans created by God in love. It is also about love and mercy and compassion.
I am sure we would all like to live out that mercy and compassion in our lives. Lent is when we reflect on our own relationships with others. We no longer stone people to death for breaking laws, (thank Goodness), but tragically and shockingly, there are still places in the world where this horrific penalty still applies. And let's face it, even in the absence of "stoning" - there are other ways of "striking people down" or destroying their career, their reputation or their lives because of their mistakes, sins and weaknesses. We have probably all seen examples where a persons' sin or weaknesses have been thrown back in their face by others, even in situations where the sin or weakness is actually not relevant at all to the present issue at hand. A person's fault and sins can be a powerful weapon that is used against them. It is all-too-tempting for people to use a person's sins and faults against them for their own advantage.
Lent calls us to live as Jesus Christ lived: with love, compassion, and mercy for everyone and for all creation. What an enormous challenge!
Whenever we might be tempted to reject another person, we could benefit from thinking of this Gospel passage and realize that we actually condemn ourselves if we reject others. This kind of thinking clearly does not condone the sin. Jesus is clear at the end of this Gospel passage: "Go, and from now on do not sin anymore." There is no sense that the sin involved here is in any way being condoned — (although we often rightly ask; where is the other party?? Where is the man? This situation is terribly unjust. The woman is being brought before Our Lord by the Pharisees and Scribes, not because they are concerned for her welfare, but her predicament is being used as a nasty trap for Jesus). And it is hypocrisy! The woman is being brought forward for punishment whilst the man is nowhere to be seen.
In any case, this woman is herself a beloved and cherished daughter of God and needs more than ever, God's love, mercy and compassion at this time.
Isn't it interesting that there is no one more compassionate, loving and gentle towards those who have fallen than truly holy people…. Saints are often the ones found amongst those who have sinned and are rejected..… And the presence of these saints among them is loving, compassionate, gentle…
True disciples look nothing like the self-righteous and scheming experts that Our Lord encounters in this Gospel. There is no one more judgmental hypocritical, condemnatory and intolerant than this type of self-righteous phoney. At first glance, the true disciple and these hypocrites can look very similar, but the actions and attitudes of these other people show them up for what they really are: fakes and frauds. Jesus shows us the true response to people in their brokenness, sin, and pain, whilst the self-righteous are unbending in their expectations and unforgiving in their demeanour, except, of course, when it comes to their own failings and then they will either deny them or expect everyone to "move on" quickly and get over it. Jesus rejects utterly this dreadful double standard.
How many situations today reflect the need for clear moral thinking. In the Gospel, Jesus is not afraid to call sin what it is. Yet a clear idea of what is right and what is wrong and a clear sense of sin in no way leads to a rejection of the person, nor does anyone ever take delight in the sin or wrongdoing or the fall of others.
In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we could even say that learning to speak clearly and yet with compassion and mercy, is a way of announcing the praise of God.
If we look at the second reading from the Letter to the Philippians, we can honestly say that we must keep our eyes on the goal, which is living in Christ Jesus and living as He lived in every aspect of our life. We will encounter a cost and certainly a fair degree of pain, for trying to live as Jesus lived, but we will also be transformed.
Let us pray today for a deepening of the gift of faith in our lives and for the gift of being able to give witness to our faith by speaking the truths of our faith, but always with compassion, love and mercy. May God help us! We certainly need God's help and grace. May we hear the and live the words of Jesus in our lives: "Neither do I condemn you, go on your way in peace and sin no more!"
(References: Fr Paul W. Kelly, ^McBride, D. and Hutchinson, M. (2011). Seasons of the word -Reflections on the Sunday Readings. 2nd ed. Hampshire: Redemptorist Publications, p.100; Abbot's homily –with additions by Fr Paul Kelly
To listen to the whole Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https:- soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks.
INSPIRATION FROM THE SAINTS:
St John Baptist de La Salle
“Wherever I go I will find you, my God.”
“Often remind yourself that you are in the presence of God
“It is in the company of Jesus that you work for the glory of God
“Remembering that God is with you will help and inspire you in all that you do.”
“How long has Jesus been knocking at the door of your heart, waiting to enter?”
“Follow the inspirations that come to you from God
“May God continue what he has begun in you
“This work of teaching is one of the most important in the Church
Fulfil your ministry with all the affection of your heart
“Show the great love you have for Jesus by being eager to talk with him in prayer.”
St Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr
11 April. Memorial
Born at Szczepanow (Poland) about 1030. Died on this day in 1079 at Cracow, murdered on the orders of the king for his outspoken condemnation of corruption. He had become bishop of Cracow in 1072. Remembered for his reforms, his preaching, and his pastoral concern.
POPE FRANCIS:
Image Credit- Facebook “Franciscus”
Pope article:
JUBILEE OF DEACONS - HOLY MASS AND ORDINATIONS TO THE DIACONATE - HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER - READ BY H.E. MSGR. RINO FISICHELLA - Saint Peter's Basilica - 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 23 February 2025
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The message of today’s readings can be summed up in a single word: “gratuity”. That is surely a word dear to you as deacons, gathered here for the Jubilee celebration. So, let us reflect on three specific aspects of this fundamental dimension of the Christian life in general and your ministry in particular: forgiveness, selfless service and communion.
First: forgiveness. The proclamation of forgiveness is an essential part of your ministry as deacons. Indeed, forgiveness is an indispensable element of every ecclesial vocation and a requirement of every human relationship. Jesus points to its necessity and importance when he says, “Love your enemies” (Lk 6:27). This is certainly true: if we are to grow together and to share in one another’s strengths and weaknesses, achievements and failures, we need to be able to forgive and to ask forgiveness, to rebuild relationships and even to choose not to withhold our love from those who hurt or betray us. A world that feels nothing but hatred towards its adversaries is a world without hope and without a future, doomed to endless war, divisions and vendettas. Sadly, this is what we are witnessing today, on many different levels and in all parts of the world. Forgiveness means preparing a welcoming and safe future for us and our communities. Deacons, personally charged with a ministry that carries them to the peripheries of our world, are committed to seeing – and teaching others to see – in everyone, even in those who do us wrong and cause us suffering, a hurting sister or brother, and hence one in greater need than anyone of reconciliation, guidance and help.
Today’s first reading speaks of this openness of heart, presenting us with David’s loyal and selfless love for Saul, his king but also his persecutor (cf. 1 Sam 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23). We see this again in the exemplary death of the deacon Stephen, who forgives those who are stoning him (cf. Acts 7:60). Above all, we find it exemplified in Jesus, the model of all diakonia, who, in “emptying” himself to the point of giving his life for us on the cross (cf. Phil 2:7), prays for those who crucify him and opens the gates of Paradise to the good thief (cf. Lk 23:34, 43).
This brings us to the second point: selfless service. The Lord describes it in the Gospel in words that are simple and clear: “Do good and lend, expecting nothing in return” (Lk 6:35).
A phrase that is brief, yet evokes the beauty of friendship. First, God’s friendship towards us, but also our own friendship. For you as deacons, selfless service is not a secondary aspect of your activity, but an essential dimension of your very being. Indeed, through your ministry, you devote yourselves to being “sculptors” and “painters” of the merciful face of the Father, and witnesses to the mystery of the Triune God.
In many Gospel passages, Jesus speaks of himself in this light. He does so with Philip, in the Upper Room, when, shortly after washing the feet of the Twelve, he says: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). And again, when he institutes the Eucharist, he says: “I am among you as one who serves” (Lk 22:27). Yet even earlier, on the way to Jerusalem, when his disciples had argued among themselves about who was the greatest, he had explained that “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (cf. Mk 10:45).
Brother deacons, the “gratuitous” work you carry out as an expression of your consecration to the charity of Christ thus becomes your primary proclamation of God’s word, a source of confidence and joy for those who encounter you. As often as possible, perform it with a smile, without complaining and without seeking recognition, supporting one another, also in your relationships with bishops and priests, “as the expression of a Church committed to growing in the service of the Kingdom by appreciating all the grades of the ordained ministry” (Italian Episcopal Conference, Permanent Deacons in the Church in Italy.
Guidelines and Norms, 1993, 55). Through your cooperation and generosity, you will be a bridge linking the altar to the street and the Eucharist to people’s daily lives. Charity will be your most beautiful liturgy and the liturgy your humblest service.
Now, we come to the final point: gratuity as a source of communion. Giving and expecting nothing in return unites; it creates bonds because it expresses and nurtures a togetherness that has no other aim but the gift of self and the good of others. Saint Lawrence, your patron, when asked by his accusers to hand over the treasures of the Church, showed them the poor and said: “These are our treasures!” That is how communion is built: by telling your brothers and sisters by your words but above all by your actions, both individually and as a community: “You are important to us;” “We love you;” “We want you to be part of our journey and our life.” This is precisely what you do. Those of you who are permanent deacons do so as husbands, fathers and grandparents who, by your service, choose to extend your families to include the needy in all the places where you live.
Dear deacons, your mission sets you apart from society only to be re-immersed in it in order to enable it to be an ever more open and welcoming place for everyone. It is one of the finest expressions of a synodal Church, one that “goes forth.”
Soon some of you, in receiving the sacrament of Holy Orders, will “descend” the steps of the ministry. I deliberately say “descend,” and not “ascend,” because being ordained is not an ascent but a descent, whereby we make ourselves small. We lower ourselves and divest ourselves. In the words of Saint Paul, through service, we leave behind the “earthly man,” and put on, in charity, the “man of heaven” (cf. 1 Cor 15:45-49).
Let us all reflect on what we are about to do, even as we entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, and to Saint Lawrence, your patron. May they help us to experience every expression of our ministry with a humble and loving heart, and to be, in “gratuity,” apostles of forgiveness, selfless servants of our brothers and sisters, and builders of communion.
EXPLORING OUR FAITH -
ADULT FAITH - Prayers at Mass
One other thing to keep in mind if you are ever writing prayers of the faithful, is that the priest's prayer at the end, is addressed to God on behalf of the people… and it needs to end with a set format or else people won’t know when to come in with AMEN> for example., the prayer by the priest should end with… Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Or “who lives and reigns forever and ever” (when addressing Our Lord directly), or “forever and ever amen.” Other overly descriptive endings leave people hanging in the air not quite sure or ready for when the Amen comes in…
For example, the following ending is unhelpful: -
“We make these prayers through Jesus.” (Ah. Amen????). (See how it ends too suddenly and will cause people to hesitate and not know whether something is following or whether the words have concluded).
This one is also not helpful:
“We make these prayers through Jesus who is our shepherd and guide and shows us the way. …..” (ah… Amen????)
There is nothing wrong with it per se, but it is missing the familiar ending that usually leads people automatically into the Amen, (together)….
This is the general order of Prayers of Intercession. -
Invitation to pray silently for those who exercise leadership in the world and in the church.
Invitation to pray silently for a particular world or local need;
Invitation to pray silently in gratitude for gifts received, prayers answered, and blessings given. (I really don’t think we do enough of this, remembering past blessings and expressing explicit thanks for the gifts and blessings received already and prayers answered). Just as we often ask God for things, it is equally important that we also praise God, and also thank God for what we have received and cherish it always.
Invitation to pray silently for those who are sick and those who care for them.
Invitation to pray silently for those who have died.
The Prayer of the Faithful need not reinforce the readings or the homily of the day. The Prayer of the Faithful is a distinct part of the Mass like any other element and does not need to rely on the readings of the day for its content. (Actually, neither do the Hymns for the Mass. The Music chosen for Mass relates more to the nature of what is happening in that part of the mass, rather than what was said in the reading or the homily of that day. This concept is really hard to grasp, as many liturgy groups, in many parishes, over many years have been incorrectly given the impression that one starts with the readings of the day, before writing prayers of the faithful or choosing hymns. This is really not correct. One could write and select these options without opening up the lectionary at all. Instead one could write them by being aware of what church season we are in, what issues are happening in our world and community, and what section of the mass we are presently moving through whether it be gathering, offering prayers of special intentions, preparing the gifts, moving in procession to receive communion in Jesus who is the God of love, mercy, justice, service and grace, or quiet prayerful reflection after communion or joyful exiting of the church into the world for Mission, after the celebration.
Commitment to Child Safety and Adults at Risk. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community. Please see the pages below for more information. ………………..
Acknowledgement of Country -
This is Kombumerri Country, the traditional custodian 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/)
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** The significance of the ancient Catholic Blessing Symbol. “20 C+M+B 25”
An ancient medieval practice that developed in the Catholic Church was to bless one’s home with blessed chalk at the yearly Solemnity of the Epiphany. On the door or the lintel will be this symbol:
20 + C + M + B + 25 *
*”Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar” (the traditional names of the Three Wise Men)
And also representing the prayer: *Christus Mansionem Benedicat
May Christ bless this home.
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, ‘25, of this century to the protection of the Lord.
May the Lord bless this abode.
The letters C+M+B represent Caspar, Balthasar and Melchior, the three Wise Men. CMB is also the initials of the Latin prayer “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” - “May Christ Bless this dwelling place/ abode/ home.”
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ST VINCENTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL - PROUD AND TRUE DIRECTORY
If you would like to advertise your business in this directory, please contact Ben Ryan on 0432545995 or email ben@advcollab.com.au
St Kevin’s Catholic School, Community business directory: https://www.sk.qld.edu.au/Pages/Rainbow-Connection.aspx
SYNOD 24 - ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE - ACTION PLANS
BASED ON THE PLENARY COUNCIL DECREES
The Action Plans for the 8 Decrees that came out of the National Catholic Plenary Council initially, which we as a Parish participated in very enthusiastically, have now been through the process of SYNOD 24 for the Archdiocese of Brisbane and can be found by clicking on the link below or for those of us who are challenged in this area, we have also repeated below. We look forward to your respectful comments and meaningful discussion as to how we as a Parish go forward. Remembering we cannot do everything but can take one small step at a time. Once again we will call on the Holy Spirit to guide our decision making.
Synod24-Decrees-Document-web.pdf
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 1 - HEALING WOUNDS, RECEIVING GIFTS
The focus here is on the need for a new engagement of the Church with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, beginning with a new kind of listening in the belief that we all can and must learn from the first inhabitants of the land
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That, building on the Archdiocesan Reconciliation Action Plan, the Archdiocese develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander truth-telling, professional learning and formation plan that provides opportunities for all those within parishes, communities and agencies to come to a deeper recognition, appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures and spiritualities
** That the Archdiocese develop and distribute culturally appropriate resources to assist parishes, communities and agencies to include aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, traditions, spiritualities, ritual and symbol in prayers and liturgies
** That the Archdiocese develop culturally specific learning and formation opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 2 - CHOOSING REPENTANCE, SEEKING HEALING The focus here is on addressing sexual abuse in the Church, making amends for failures in the past and working to ensure that the Church is a safe place for all, but especially for the young and the vulnerable
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That in dialogue with survivors, the consequences of physical, sexual and spiritual abuse by Church personnel be addressed within the Archdiocese through truth-telling and story-telling sessions in safe spaces that may give survivors and their family members a voice to be heard and honoured, and support for research and programs related to trauma-informed spiritual care and the long-term impact of spiritual harm
** That a Sunday of the liturgical year be set aside within the Archdiocese to focus upon safeguarding and healing, with a reassessment of Safeguarding Sunday looking to rename, refocus and resituate it, with the preparation of appropriate ritual and resources, including an annual commissioning of local safeguarding people
** That the Archdiocese, in dialogue with survivors, implement processes that seek forgiveness for historical failings, recognising and addressing their needs. This could include a formal apology to survivors and their families, symbolic plaques and/or artwork in significant locations, theological reflection on sexual abuse within the Church which ought to be a place of refuge and safety, retreats and days of prayer that can foster healing, and the training of appropriately gifted people to undertake a ministry to survivors and their families.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 3 - CALLED BY CHRIST, SENT FORTH AS MISSIONARY DISCIPLES
The focus here is on the Church as a community of welcome for all, but especially for those who have been marginalised or excluded, listening to their stories and creating safe and hospitable spaces for them within the Church
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That an Archdiocesan family and intergenerational ministry working group be formed to develop and implement a holistic, intergenerational and inclusive approach to family faith-formation across educational and other Archdiocesan agencies in order to foster lifelong missionary discipleship
** That this working group explore ways of strengthening partnerships between parishes, schools, communities and agencies, develop and implement sacramental resources for children with diverse learning needs and disabilities, including training for sacramental coordinators and volunteers to use the resources, develop a safe and supportive network for parents and carers of children and young people who may need additional support to feel welcome, offer advice upon request at decision-making tables at all levels of Archdiocesan governance.
* That there be in self-nominated Mass centres the Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations catering for diverse needs within the community, provided with resourcing around mentorship, formation, training and succession-planning for self nominated clergy, religious and laity
*** That the Archdiocese provide facilitated listening sessions, workshops and forums for safe and supportive story-telling, truth-telling and dialogue, in order to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by those who are marginalised and disenfranchised
** That with the support and mentorship of the Archdiocesan Council for Ecumenism and Interreligious Relations, Queensland Churches Together and the Queensland Faith Communities Council, a co-responsible deanery approach to ecumenism and interreligious relations be developed and implemented, including short courses on ecumenism and interreligious relations, formation of individuals for work in ecumenical and interreligious relations, ecumenical retreats and pilgrimages, ecumenical and interreligious youth summits
*** That a strategic approach to mission in the digital environment be developed and implemented, focusing on the creation of digital media within a Catholic context, formation and training of people to work in the field, and including research into the possibilities and challenges of engaging the sacramental life of the Church through digital platforms such as live-streamed liturgies
** That the Archdiocese develop a pastoral ministry in sport, including formation and support programs and research into best practice and recommended qualifications, training and study pathways for sports chaplains.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 4 - WITNESSING TO THE EQUAL DIGNITY OF WOMEN AND MEN The focus here is on ensuring that the Church is a place where the equal dignity of women and men is respected and where the gifts of both women and men are identified and allowed to flourish for the sake of leadership within the Body of Christ
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
* That, if the universal law of the Church were modified to admit women to diaconal ordination, the Archdiocese examine how best to implement it in the context of the Church in Brisbane *** That a fulltime role of Executive Officer for Participation be established to design, implement and resource a plan for the full co-responsible participation of lay women and men in the life and mission of the Church ** That a reference group be established to explore options for the use of inclusive language in prayer, liturgy, scripture and all Archdiocesan communications * That a research project be established to explore the theological foundations of diverse understandings of women in the Church, leading to an assembly on co-responsibility of all the baptised in the life and mission of the Church *** That a pilot program be established to financially support the postgraduate education and formation of lay women and men in various areas of interest and importance to the Church, with the Archdiocese providing the initial funds with a view to establishing a foundation. A transparent application process would be overseen by the Archdiocesan Synod Council (see Action Plan 7) and approved finally by the Archbishop.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 5 - COMMUNION IN GRACE, SACRAMENT TO THE WORLD
The focus here is on the need to identify and foster the charisms given by God and to encourage new forms of ministry to supply the needs of the Church not only internally, for the sake of worship, but also externally, for the sake of mission
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
** That a ministry of front-of-house hospitality be developed and implemented for secretaries and other administrative staff in parishes and communities, recognising and formalising what is often happening, offering training and networking opportunities to those engaged in the ministry, devising processes of recruitment and care of those called to the ministry, and developing resources to help those engaged in the ministry
*** That the Archdiocese explore fully the possibilities of the ministries of catechist, lector and acolyte and consider what other ministries, open to all, instituted or not, might be needed to meet new needs
*** That the Archdiocese establish a Ministries Discernment Committee to oversee the recruitment, formation, commissioning, institution and continuing education of those preparing for or carrying out such ministries
** That the Archdiocese support and provide resources for lay-led liturgies where appropriate, particularly for parishes and communities without regular access to clergy
** That the Archdiocese give permission for lay people to preside at Catholic funerals and baptisms, indicating the circumstances in which this would be permitted and providing both discernment process and training programs for those involved in this ministry
** That the Archdiocese give permission for lay people to preside at Catholic weddings (in line with Chapter III of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony), indicating the circumstances in which this might occur and the process of delegation ** That the Archdiocese promote the participation of lay people in the ministry of preaching within the Sunday Mass and elsewhere, identifying the situations in which a lay person might offer a reflection during Mass, providing adequate training and support which would include sessions on how to run a Scripture study group, how to write and deliver a Lectionary-based reflection on the readings, how to make best use of the Directory for Masses with Children, drawing upon the resources of Archdiocesan agencies and organisations
*** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a project supporting the integration of families into parishes and communities in order to promote their sense of belonging and engagement in the life of the Church, providing resources to facilitate the incorporation of families into the community both before and after the sacraments of initiation and resources to support family catechesis when preparing children for the sacraments
** That the Archdiocese establish a network of groups working in marriage education and enrichment, including marriage preparation for engaged couples and ongoing accompaniment for married couples
*** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a formation strategy on the sacrament of penance and the many ways in which God’s mercy is experienced in Christian life and liturgy, providing resources and examples, such as ritual outlines for the celebration of the sacrament of penance, including the second rite, offering retreat opportunities for different age groups to enable them to experience the sacrament of penance, and revising the current sacramental policy on the provision of first penance for children.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 6 - FORMATION AND LEADERSHIP FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY
The focus here is on providing in a variety of ways the formation needed for ordained and non-ordained leadership in the Church, so that leaders will be properly equipped for the ministry to which they are called
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That the Archdiocese develop a plan for ministry and leadership formation, including a working group representing key people in formation and developing resources and programs on missional and synodal leadership such as podcasts, online modules and retreats, particularly for emerging leaders who have skills and qualifications equipping them for governance, leadership and other decision-making roles
* That the Archdiocese develop and implement opportunities for lay people to be engaged in ongoing spiritual growth beyond the liturgical context, including in small groups that meet regularly for prayer, bible study, reflection on Church documents, and spiritual accompaniment
* That parishes and deaneries offer formation events drawing upon experts to reflect on key topics such as prayer, scripture, sacraments, marriage and family, mission, care for our common home and inclusivity. SYNOD24
** That pathways for greater lay involvement in the ongoing formation of clergy and the formation of seminarians be identified, providing avenues for accompaniment of clergy by lay people and assisting pastors to work with a small group of lay people to provide regular feedback on homilies, based on an agreed criteria matrix
*** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a road-map for a mission focused Church that is synodal and co-responsible, including localised and ongoing conversations in the Spirit as a regular part of planning, decision-making, pastoral care and community-building
** That the Archdiocese teach simply and systematically the discipline and method of conversation in the Spirit as a way of discernment, attempting to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in listening to each other.
* That the Archdiocese produce podcasts and digital media resources exploring what it means to read the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel
*** That the Archdiocese, at a time when the ethnic profile of the Catholic Church is changing both locally and globally, organise forums on interculturality in a missional, synodal and co-responsible Church.
*** That a SYNOD24 Formation and Implementation Plan be developed and implemented, providing opportunities for formation in all eight Action Plans and including resources and workshops in areas such as how to share faith with friends, how to engage with scripture, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island spirituality, integral ecology, sacraments and sacramentality, inclusive theology, the role of women in the Church, ecumenism and interreligious relations.
*** That the Archdiocese offers workshops and practical resources on how to implement the SYNOD24 Action Plans in parishes, communities and agencies across the Archdiocese.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 7 - AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION AND MISSION: GOVERNANCE
The focus here is on the governance of the Church in a synodal key, looking to synods as a regular feature of Church life and to synodality as the characteristic of all aspects of Church governance for the sake of mission
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That the Archdiocese commit to celebrating Synods on a regular basis, so that this key element of synodality become a normal part of Archdiocesan life
*** That the Archdiocese establish a Synod Council which will meet regularly through the year between the Synods, members committing to formation in and practice of conversation in the Spirit as a key element of meetings and to formation in the nature and purpose of the Council
** That the Council commit to diverse representation including a mix of lay women and men, religious and the ordained.
** That the Archdiocese prepare Statutes for the Council ARCHDIOCESAN SUMMIT 2023 2 4 / ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE SYNOD24 Action Plans
** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a project to operate at deanery level to identify lay people who are women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, persons with a disability or from a cultural community, and who seem suitable to serve on councils and committees in the parish or the Archdiocese with the right kind of mentorship, accompaniment and formation, especially in the areas of synodality, co-responsibility and mission
** That the Archdiocese develop and implement a parish handover process that includes consultation with members of the parish, especially the Parish Pastoral Council, and the preparation of a statement of what the parish expects of a pastor.
* That there be in the Archdiocese regular performance reviews of pastors to identify areas of strength and areas for growth, with ongoing professional supervision to foster growth.
PLENARY COUNCIL DECREE 8 - INTEGRAL ECOLOGY AND CONVERSION FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COMMON HOME
The focus here is on the need for ecological conversion in the life and mission of the Church, understanding that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are the one thing, and that ecological conversion must lead to action
ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ACTION PLANS
*** That an integral ecology formation strategy be developed and implemented for clergy, community leaders, agency staff and parishioners, to be revised every three years, helping them to grow in understanding of integral ecology and its impact on our behaviour and drawing where appropriate on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wisdom, and engaging with already existing eco-spirituality resources
* That all organisations, parishes and schools writing a Laudato Si Action Plan include a framework for measuring and reporting emission reduction that leads to a considered net zero pathway that includes commitment and timeframes.
* That, in addition to the emission reduction strategies, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities be developed in the Archdiocese with a view to assisting all agencies, parishes and communities to embed measurable ESG outcomes into their future Laudato Si Action Plans. SANTA TERESA SPIRITUALITY CENTRE.
*** That an Ecological Ministry Strategic Plan be developed and implemented to support ecological ministry throughout the Archdiocese, recruiting deanery representatives to create hubs that support ecological ministers overseen by a coordinator employed by the Archdiocese to support action in parishes and communities
* That intergenerational and family initiatives be developed to promote the call to care for our common home
* That parishes, communities and agencies share their activities in the area of ecological engagement at events and through avenues of communication, and that cross-agency collaboration in this area be coordinated and encouraged throughout the Archdiocese.
*** That the Archdiocese produce guidelines and resources for parish clergy and liturgy coordinators indicating ways in which a commitment to integral ecology can be integrated into liturgical celebrations.
CLOSING REMARKS
Some of these action plans already have currency in one form or other in the Archdiocese, or at least in some parts of the Archdiocese. The task will be to give greater impetus and focus to those that already have currency, but also to set in motion the processes to which others look. Not all the action plans will be able to be implemented immediately, but none of them can be delayed indefinitely Therefore, priorities will have to be set in the hope that the action plans will have been implemented within five years. Budgeting will also need to be considered, as will the question of who has carriage of the various initiatives. There will need to be a group to oversee the implementation of the action plans, the Synod Council will also be charged with oversight of a broader kind, and the Archdiocesan Synods will monitor progress. Yet this is a document not just for some. It is for everyone; and I urge all parishes, communities, agencies and individuals to read and reflect upon the action plans and to be as creative as possible in implementing them. These action plans are comprehensive but not exhaustive. There are things not mentioned in this document which are important for the future of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. For instance, we will certainly need to consider restructuring our parishes and even our schools, looking not so much to amalgamation but more to building a “community of communities”. How to engage young people more energetically in the life of the Church is another question not prominent in these action plans but essential for the future of the Church. How to be more effective in teaching prayer as a way of life, the art of listening to God in prayer and the contemplative eye upon the world: this is another. The list could go on. This is another way of saying that these action plans should be read in conjunction with my own document “With Lamps Ablaze” which sets out a number of what I called apostolic priorities for the Archdiocese. These interweave with the action plans found here. I direct that these synodal declarations and decrees which I sign in accord with can. 466 be published to the entire community of the Archdiocese and that a copy be forwarded to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference as required by can. 46 I thank all who have been part of the Synod journey, having heard the Lord’s promise to “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). I commend these action plans to the grace of the Holy Spirit from whom this process has come forth and to the intercession of Mary Help of Christians, St Stephen and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. May God who has begun the good work in us bring it to fulfilment (cf Philippians 1:6)
Mark
Archbishop of Brisbane
November 2024
Each Parish in the Archdiocese of Brisbane has a Local Safeguarding Representative who is responsible for:
Making sure that the whole parish is aware of the importance of safeguarding children and adults at risk.
Promoting safe practices, including articulating for others what is appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, and
Assisting the Parish Priest and staff in the implementation of the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Children and Adults-at-risk Policy in the Parish
The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Children & Adults-at-risk Prevention & Protection Policy can be found at: https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/support/safeguard
WAYS TO REPORT A SAFEGUARDING INCIDENT OR CONCERN OR TO GIVE FEEDBACK REGARDING SAFEGUARDING
Here is how you can report an incident or concern, or contact someone to talk about a safeguarding matter or get more information:
Talk to the police (Emergency: '000' Non-emergency: 131 444) or KidsHelpLine (1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelpline.com.au)
Through the anonymous STOPline (1300 304 550 or AOB@stopline.com.au)
talk to our Local Parish Safeguarding Representative
Fill out a Safeguarding Incident Report and send it to safeguarding@bne.catholic.net.au or GPO Box 282 Brisbane Qld 4001
VOLUNTEERS - Parish Ministries, Groups etc.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane has implemented standards of conduct for voluntary church workers to maintain a safe and healthy ministry environment. Our commitment to these standards requires that we have a record of your Blue Card and conduct background referencing for all who intend to engage in voluntary ministry, having direct and regular involvement with children, young people and adults at risk.
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
The Archdiocese of Brisbane has the following safeguarding training packages, Safeguarding Induction, Applied Safeguarding Training and Training for Local Safeguarding Representatives, which can be viewed here: https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/safeguarding/safeguarding-training
BLUE CARD - ‘No Card, No Start’
Individuals must have a valid blue card before starting paid work or volunteering. All cardholders must apply to renew their blue card before it expires to continue working/volunteering. If an individual lets their card expire, they must cease work until they obtain a new valid blue card. For further information about the Blue Card Application process, please click here >>
SEE ALSO
‘Police Check’ can now be completed online using InterCheck. Volunteers can do this via the Volunteer Portal, http://archbne.org/welcome, which will inform them whether they need a Police Check for their ministry.
Surfers Paradise Parish Mission Statement.
We, the Catholic community of Surfers Paradise, guided by the Holy Spirit, strive to live the mission of Jesus through the spirituality of stewardship.
We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God, and we believe in the inherent dignity, reverence and sanctity of all humans as lovingly created children of God.
Centred in the Eucharist and nourished by word and sacrament, we proclaim by faith and action the love of God for all.
We seek in our daily lives and actions, and in our wider community participation, to live consistently and practically each day of the week, what we proclaim in worship of God on Sundays.
In the spirit of gratitude, we live out this mission by
· Committing to be prayerful disciples of Jesus Christ.
· Recognising and sharing our gifts and talents.
· Active involvement in the life of the parish, for the sole purpose of promoting the honour and glory of God, through our care and love of our neighbour
· Hospitality, charity, justice and compassion in practical ways.
· Nurturing our young people.
