PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*:
You can also access an online -web- copy of the newsletter *Webcopy here*
“I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” (1 Corinthians 11:23-24)
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Illustration ID: 2067556364 - Hand-drawn watercolour illustration or drawing of Jesus Christ with disciples at last supper - Illustration Contributor: Bernardo Ramonfaur
This weekend of 21 & 22 June, 2025 Vincentians will be conducting their annual winter appeal to help support those locals in need of extra help.
Saint Vincent de Paul Society Reflections
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR OUR LOCAL SAINT VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY -WINTER APPEAL
21 & 22 June, 2025
SVdP Winter Appeal - Surfers Paradise Conference.
The SVdP Surfers Paradise conference continues to pursue good works to support locals in need.
This weekend of 21 & 22 June, 2025 Vincentians will be conducting their annual winter appeal to help support those locals in need of extra help.
The generosity of the parish does not go unnoticed in our local community. In the last 12 months local Vincentians have done 658 conference visits and provided financial assistance of $82,700 and in-kind assistance (food and Vinnies gift cards for clothing etc) of $20,200 a total of $102,900 in assistance.
The shortage of affordable rental accommodation and high cost of living on the Gold Coast is affecting many families who have previously not had to ask for assistance. Some of our companions are paying more than 80% of their income on rent.
This year Surfers Paradise SVdP conference is celebrating 50+ years helping our community.
Please also join us for morning tea after the 9am Sunday Mass on 22nd June at Sacred Heart Church and also after the 10am Sunday Mass on 22nd June at St Vincent’s Church.
For more details on the conference's activities, please contact Conference President Wendy Webb at wendy.webb@svdpqld.org.au
PASTOR’S POST -
Today, we celebrate a truly special feast: the Body and Blood of Christ, also called "Corpus Christi." It’s a day that reminds us how central the Eucharist is to our faith and our lives. I love a beautiful metaphor a priest once shared—he compared the Eucharist to the piers on a bridge. The length of the bridge represents our daily journey, and the support pylons are what hold it up. Without those pylons, the whole bridge would collapse. Similarly, regular participation in the Eucharist is what keeps us standing strong through life’s challenges.
This feast comes just after many of our young parishioners received their First Holy Communion—a moment of full initiation into the life of the church. It’s a beautiful reminder that, through receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, we’re truly united with Him, with God, and with each other. It’s a profound sense of being “in communion,” not just in spirit but in heart, mind, and soul.
I often tell children that their first Holy Communion is just the beginning. The best part? Continuing to receive Jesus regularly—second, third, and beyond—forming a lifelong pattern of spiritual nourishment. The Eucharist is God's tangible gift to us, a real food for our journey, reminding us that God understands our physical needs and meets us in a way we can hold and cherish.
Growing up in Canberra, I remember my first encounter with Mass—at a school hall, not a church building. I was only about six, but even then, I knew Jesus was truly present, filling our hearts during Communion. I used to imagine Jesus flying out of the tabernacle, which was such a sweet, childlike picture. Of course, I later understood that Jesus comes into our hearts through the Eucharist, in a real, nourishing way.
As adults, we still want to lift our hearts to the Lord—to give thanks for our blessings and to live out our faith in loving ways. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we become more like Him—His body here on earth. So, let’s cherish this gift, allowing it to fill our hearts and guide our lives. In doing so, we truly become what we eat—Christ’s presence among us, always.
Fr Paul
New Archbishop for Brisbane
Pope Leo has today appointed Bishop Shane Mackinlay as the new Archbishop of Brisbane.
Archbishop-elect Shane is well known and highly regarded by Archbishop Mark. We are delighted to welcome him to this Archdiocese.
The installation of Archbishop Shane will be held on 11 September 2025 at the Cathedral of St Stephen. Archbishop Mark Coleridge will continue to serve as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until that time.
Please find a statement from Archbishop Mark, the ACBC media release, and a brief bio of Archbishop-elect Shane attached to this email. Please share this announcement with your teams and volunteers.
As we look forward to welcoming him in September, please keep Archbishop-elect Shane in your prayers as he prepares to take up this new ministry.
THE APPOINTMENT TO BRISBANE OF BISHOP SHANE MACKINLAY
For many reasons, I welcome the appointment of Bishop Shane Mackinlay as my successor in Brisbane, where he will be a distinguished addition to the line of Archbishops.
Bishop Shane has shown himself an unusually gifted man in his years as a priest in Ballarat and Melbourne and as a bishop in Bendigo and beyond.
He has a fine mind, and he will bring intellectual firepower to his ministry as Archbishop and
to public debate in Queensland and Australia. He will be able to dialogue intelligently with a
culture which at many points is distant from Christian understandings.
He is also an experienced pastor who knows how to listen and, through his time as Master of Catholic Theological College in Melbourne, has remained a Parish Priest near Ballarat.
As bishop, he has been able both to shepherd the Diocese of Sandhurst and to accept
Responsibility on the global stage.
He deals well with both the big picture and the nuts and bolts, which is why he is a capable
administrator. That will serve him well in a diocese as large and as complex as Brisbane.
Temperamentally, he is not easily flustered, having about him a poise that makes him a good
driver in heavy traffic. That too will serve him well as Archbishop at a time when the traffic
can be heavy.
At 60, he is also of the right age and maturity to assume greater responsibility not only in
Brisbane and Queensland, as well as nationally and internationally.
As we look to the installation on 11 September 2025, I have no doubt Bishop Shane will bring these gifts and fresh energies to the Archdiocese of Brisbane, where he will be creative in pursuing the path of synodality into the future God is preparing. I am grateful to Pope Leo for this wise choice of a new Archbishop, and I commend Bishop Shane to you and your prayers as he prepares for this new mission.
+Mark Coleridge
18 June 2025
BIOGRAPHY OF ARCHBISHOP-ELECT SHANE MACKINLAY
Bishop Shane Mackinlay was born in Melbourne in 1965 and attended the local government school until his family moved to Ballarat in 1975. In Ballarat, he was a student at St Francis Xavier Primary School and St Patrick’s College, where he was dux in 1982. He has two siblings and is the uncle of five nieces and nephews.
He studied for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College, Clayton, completing theology studies at Catholic Theological College and a degree in physics at Monash University. As a deacon, he served in the parish of Warrnambool before being ordained as a priest for the Ballarat Diocese in 1991, and serving in the parishes of Hamilton, Colac and Ballarat Cathedral. He then undertook graduate studies in philosophy at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, where he completed both a Master’s degree and a Doctoral Degree. Fordham University Press published his doctoral thesis.
Bishop Mackinlay was administrator of the Casterton parish for six months and parish priest of the Sebastopol parish for four years. He was the parish priest of the Bungaree parish from 2005 until his appointment as bishop; from 2009, he also provided weekend sacramental ministry for the neighbouring parish of Gordon.
For several years, he taught philosophy at Australian Catholic University, Ballarat. Most of his teaching has taken place at Catholic Theological College, Melbourne, where he was appointed Master in 2011. The following year, he was appointed Associate Professor by the University of Divinity. From 2012 to 2014, he was the spokesperson for the Catholic Church during the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations.
He was secretary to the Bishop of Ballarat from 1998 to 2001, and was the chairperson of the Bishop’s Advisory Council of the Ballarat diocese from when it was established in 2009. He was a member of the College of Consultors of the Ballarat diocese on two occasions and also served six years as Chairman of the two funds that provide support to the active and retired priests of the Ballarat diocese.
Pope Francis appointed Bishop Mackinlay as the eighth Bishop of Sandhurst on 23 July 2019. Since then, he has been elected as Vice-President of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia and one of the Australian delegates to the forthcoming Synod for a Synodal Church. In 2019, he was asked to join the Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission and was appointed as its Co-Chair in 2022.
* https://www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au/our-diocese/biography-bishop-shane-mackinlay - JUNE 18, 2025
Pope appoints new Archbishop of Brisbane.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed the appointment by Pope Leo XIV, this evening, of a new Archbishop of Brisbane.
The Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay is currently Bishop of Sandhurst, in regional Victoria.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, welcomed the appointment.
“The Archbishop-elect’s pastoral experience in his home diocese of Ballarat, and his
leadership of the Diocese of Sandhurst, together with his strong academic background,
will stand him in good stead as he takes up the new challenge of pastoral leadership in
The Archdiocese of Brisbane,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“So, too, will be his significant contribution to ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, which
has been a particular feature of his contribution to the work of the Australian Catholic
Bishops Conference.”
Archbishop Costelloe said Bishop Mackinlay had played a significant role as vice
president of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia and a delegate to the 16th Ordinary
General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
“We pray that Bishop Mackinlay will help empower the people of Brisbane to discover
and use their gifts, inspire them with a vision of what the Church can be, and provide
new opportunities and resources for all to encounter Christ,” Archbishop Costelloe
Said.
Bishop Mackinlay was born in Melbourne in 1965 and grew up in Ballarat, where he
Graduated dux of St Patrick’s College in 1982.
“I am deeply honoured by Pope Leo’s decision to appoint me as Archbishop of Brisbane
– a diocese that has such a strong tradition of fostering the liturgical, spiritual,
evangelising and educational endeavours of the Catholic community, both within the
Archdiocese and more broadly,” Bishop Mackinlay said.
He studied for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College, Clayton, completing theology studies at Catholic Theological College and a degree in physics at Monash University.
As a deacon, he served in the parish of Warrnambool before being ordained as a priest for the Ballarat Diocese in 1991, and serving in the parishes of Hamilton, Colac, and Ballarat Cathedral.
He then undertook graduate studies in philosophy at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, where he completed a Master’s degree and a Doctorate. Fordham University Press published his doctoral thesis.
Bishop Mackinlay served in parish ministry as well as teaching at the Australian Catholic University, Ballarat, and Catholic Theological College, Melbourne, where he was appointed Master in 2011.
The following year, he was appointed Associate Professor by the University of Divinity.
From 2012 to 2014, he was the spokesperson for the Church during the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations.
Pope Francis appointed Bishop Mackinlay as the eighth Bishop of Sandhurst in July
2019.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge is retiring after 13 years in the Archdiocese of Brisbane and over 51 years as a priest. “For many reasons, I welcome the appointment of Bishop Shane Mackinlay as my successor in Brisbane, where he will be a distinguished addition to the line of Archbishops,” Archbishop Coleridge said.
“He is an experienced pastor who knows how to listen, attuned both to the big picture and the practical details.
“That combination makes him a capable administrator, well-suited to lead a diocese as large and complex as Brisbane. “I have no doubt he will bring exceptional gifts and fresh energies to the Archdiocese of Brisbane, where he will be creative in pursuing the path of synodality into the future God is preparing. I am grateful to Pope Leo for this wise choice of a new Archbishop.”
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CONCERT -
Michael Haydn - REQUIEM IN C MINOR With motets by Moz Ottley, Bruck4er, Go
Presented by - a concert for peace - Tickets: $34/$29 visit Stickytickets.com.au or pay cash/card at the door
MARCO BELLASI MUSIC DIRECTOR
AYESHA GOUGH PIANIST
GUEST SOLOISTS GAYNOR MORGAN Soprano, MORGAN ROSATI Alto, GREG MASSINGHAM Tenor, PATRICK DONNELLY Bass.
2025 JULY CONCERTS
Sat 2:30 JULY 5 Burleigh Village Church 2 Burleigh Street
Sat 2:30 JULY 12 Southport St Peter's Anglican Church 85 Nerang Street coolamonsingers.org •
Sun 2:30 JULY 27 Tweed Civic Centre Coolamon Singers perform REQUIEM in C with Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra. Tickets: nrso.com.au $60/$50 - Transformative classical music -
CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION - BRISBANE CATHEDRAL
"He who follows me walks not in darkness" - John 8:12
2pm SUNDAY 22 JUNE 2025. Cathedral of St Stephen, BRISBANE CITY.
Starting and ending at the Cathedral of St Stephen and featuring prayers, rosary, hymns and Benediction with proceedings led by Archbishop Mark Coleridge. https://www.corpuschristibrisbane.com/
Also includes Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition (Sat 21st - Sun 22nd June, 9am-5pm, Hanly Room) and vigil night Adoration (Sat 21st June 7pm -Sun 22nd June 8am, St Stephen's Chapel)
Donations to the organising committee would appreciate any donations to meet expenses. Payable to Westpac Bank account: NAME: Corpus Christi Procession Brisbane BSB: 034087 ACCOUNT: 019649
To watch the livestream of the procession and for additional information, please visit the website, contact inclusion@bne.catholic.net.au or call us on 0475 408 508. https://www.corpuschristibrisbane.com/
About Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)
Aid to the Church in Need is the only international Catholic charity dedicated to the service of suffering Christians wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need. Founded in 1947, ACN is a pontifical foundation and provides vital aid for pastoral projects, religious education, and emergency relief in areas affected by conflict and poverty. ACN operates solely on benefactor donations, with no funding from Church or State. Learn more on our website: www.aidtochurch.org
Thank you for your support!
PETERS PENCE ANNUAL APPEAL - date claimer
Each year parishes in the Archdiocese of Brisbane take up the Peter's Pence collection as a collection. The collection is to be taken at the Masses the weekend around the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Therefore, this year's collection will be taken up on the 28/29 June, 2025 (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time).
The Peter's Pence Collection gives Catholics in Australia an opportunity to join in communion with the Catholic faithful throughout the world in support of the charitable works of the Holy See.
• The Peter's Pence Collection is an annual collection of the Catholic Church around the world.
• The collection allows the Holy Father to respond to the most needy throughout the world, to offer timely, effective emergency assistance to our suffering brothers and sisters.
• In the Archdiocese of Brisbane, we take this collection up as a retiring collection.
Once collected, parishes are asked to deposit total proceeds from the collection via electronic transfer.
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Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Never Known to Fail)
O Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven,
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.
O Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my Mother.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven and Earth,
I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in this necessity
(make your request here).
There are none that can withstand your power.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times)
Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands. (3 times)
Amen.
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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
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.
Anointing Mass – Mass of Healing FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (February-November Inclusive)
10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tuesday the 1st of July- Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on each First Friday, 4th July 2025, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All are welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch one hour with Me" Mt 26:4
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. 9 am Saturday the 5th July 2025. Followed by adoration and Benediction. {This is a votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary}.
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 🙏😃🙏😇🙏
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK:
Please also pray for the following who are ill. (Alphabetical)
Lindsay Allan, Robert Andreas, Joseph Antony, Milroy Antony, Tricia Baumann, Phil Bawden, Nellie Bellinger, Mary and Leon Brosnan, Tim Brown, Margaret and Tony Buckingham, Vicky and Andrew Campora, Gerard Carroll, Nadia Ceh, Terry Collins, Tina Conidi, Helen Cooper, Jamie Creed, Shirley Croft, Christopher Cunningham, Mary Curmi, Bernie Delaney, Cathy Doyle, Christopher Eid, Judi Farrow, John Fox, Lorraine Gallagher, Maralyn Gow, Jenny Haines, Betty Hannon, Stan Hickey, Jenny Johnson, Kevin & Francis Junee, Leona Kelly, Marjorie Kennedy, Kath Kiely, Gregory Kittelty, Jan Kristenson, Robert Lahey, Steve Land, Dannielle Therese Larney, Alvin Lee, Nathan Lepp, Veronica Lubomski, Victoria MacDonald, l. McGuigan, Phil and Anne McGuigan, Leonie McMahon, Anthea McMullin, Gene Monteiro-Ferdinand, Joanne Mooney, Maryann Moore, Frances Much, Richard G Murphy, Michael & Leslie Murtagh, Eileen O’Mara, Margaret Orme, Kevin Owen, Colin Paterson, Sarah Pawley, Clare Perera, Lesley Petroni, Rachel Raines, Gus Reeves, Melba Rentoul, Bob Rogers, Neil Rogers, Jens Ryan-Raison, Marnia Ryan-Raison, Miranda Santi, Alf Schembri, Maureen Scott, Betty Taylor, Gary Thompson, Leonardo Torcaso, Denise Tracey, Paul Trad, Iris Ware, Marcus Ware, John Zappa.
RECENTLY DECEASED: (Chronological - Most recent first):
June O’Donnell, David Bechly, David James Conway, Ron Stewart, Joan Foley, Joan Grace, Maria Gallo, Imelda Llanes Luague, Darryl Kelly, Amando A Mirasol Jnr, M. Linda G. Mirasol, Arnold G Jores, Fila Jores, Debra Love, Elena Letizia, Mariano Honrado, Fr John Kilinko, Fausto Diggiammarco, Andrew Janiec, Letty O’Sullivan, Kevin Thomas Goldie, Peter Evatt, Mary Wagner, Lucyanna Markovic.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical)
Linda Marilyn Arlington, Maura Bagtas, Mons Michael Baldwin, Dragica Bosiljevac, Fr A Joseph Butler, Polly Cummins, Mary Josephine Dillon, Beatriz Dos Santos, Ines Vittoria Fauretto, Albert Garske, Fr John Gleeson, Maureen Glenn, Maurice Goss, Jabour Haddad, Norma Ruth Hanley, Barry Thomas Haug, Anne Mary Hawes, Fr James Henry, Joseph Anthony (Joe) Hilton, Fr Alfred Hogan, Gannon John, Mons Edmund Keating, Lynette Lesley Larking, Fr William Livingston, Roza Masa, Maria Emilia Matulic, Antoninette (Toni) Moon, Charles Henry Nolan, Ljuban Pilic, Mary & Gus Reeves, John Gerard(Jr) Robinson, Marie Josette Roussety, Hans Schrader, Brian Aubrey Swaddling, Hedy Triffett, Fr Joseph Troy, Francis Weston, John Jeffrey Wilkinson, Edward (Ted) Woodhead.
And Also: (Alphabetical):
Fr Denis Ahern, Raymond Victor Assaisso, Sr Christine Chia, Robert Samuel Conn, John Cooper, Ronald Donovan, Fr Michael Fallon, James William Fuller, Dorothy May Joan Gray, Kel Hamilton, Helena Barbara Hodges, Helmut Kaltenthaler, Cheryol Claudette Lewis, Teck Lim, Anthony Teck Lee Lim, Amelia Catherine Limbert, Pearl Agnus MacCartney, Anthony James (Tony) McCudden, Mons Timothy Molony, Benjamin Joseph Moore, Elma Luigia Moro, Leroy Bevan Muir, Emilio Parolin, Paul Patrick Reeves, Mark Reid, Vincent Joseph Shanahan, Arthur John Springthorpe, James Mark Tamai, Luke Dermot Tansey, June Patricia Toole, Ellen Walker, Lorna Sabina Wheeler, John Wood, Rita Woodhouse, Cornel Zarie, Grazyna Zyner.
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
SACRED HEART CHURCH PARKING
A special notice - when parking, please leave the emergency and taxi pickup “yellow painted area” clear for ambulance or brief taxi drop off and pickup and the disabled parking areas are only for disability permit persons - thanks for your assistance in ensuring this important compliance]
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES
Treat yourself today by visiting our shops at Sacred Heart and St Vincent’s churches before or after the weekend Masses. Our friendly ladies are always willing to help with that special purchase.
Eftpos available.
MARIAN VALLEY TRIPS
Please come and join us at the Marian Valley Church for Our Lady of Fatima devotions on 13.07. 2025. The bus will be picking up sharp at 8.15 am at the Sacred Heart Church Clear Island Waters 50 Fairway Drive Clear Island Waters. The cost of the bus fare per person $25.00 return. You can secure your seat with contact name and contact phone number with Xavier Solomon 0404 843 260, Madeleine 0405 252 367.
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.
Anointing Mass – Mass of Healing FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (February-November Inclusive)
10 am Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tuesday the 1st of July- Followed by morning tea. Please let others know who would love to come along.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on each First Friday, 4th July 2025, at Sacred Heart Church from 7 pm to 8.30 pm. All are welcome. Enquiries: Helen 0421935678. "Could you not watch one hour with Me" Mt 26:4
FIRST SATURDAY MASS AND BENEDICTION
First Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters. 9 am Saturday the 5th July 2025. 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 the Parish Office.
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB-
Sacred Heart Bridge Club
Join Our Bridge Club!
Meet, Play, and
Enjoy the Game of Bridge
Looking for a fun, social, and stimulating activity? Whether you're a returning player or a Beginner wanting to learn, our Bridge Club welcomes players of all levels!
Where: Hospitality Room
When: Monday and Wednesday from 1.00pm
Contact: Cheryl on 0417 772 701
✔ Friendly Atmosphere
✔ Lessons for Beginners
✔ Weekly Games
✔ Tea, Coffee & Good Company!
Come for the cards, stay for the camaraderie!
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 email surfers@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:
23/6/25 Eileen & Julio Camera Nerang
30/6/25 Eileen & Julio Camera Nerang
7/7/25 Marie Anderson Broadbeach
14/7/25 Marie Anderson Broadbeach
21/7/25 Juliette & Abdul Speir Nerang
28/7/25 Juliette & Abdul Speir Nerang
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 -
A parishioners Akiko and Paul have been in Japan and they attend a Catholic Church when Shinagawa, Japan.
This church is dedicated to Mary Queen of Martyrs for the 100 or so Christian’s that were executed under Iemitsu Tokugawa near to the site of this church. takanawa also enjoys the pilgrimage site designation in the 2025 Jubilee of Hope. The PP is Fr Akaiwa.(赤岩)
Many thanks to Akiko and Paul for this information.
Saint Vincent de Paul Society Reflections
EUCHARIST COVENANT
Gen 14:18-20
1Cor 11:23-26
Lk 9:11-17
The first reading this week is a brief reading from the book of Genesis. It is an account of the priest king Melchizedek blessing the gifts of bread and wine. This was a ritual in the Melchizedek tradition although it was possible that this priest king also prepared other gifts for other deities, on this occasion was for especially for the one God of Israel.
This account of blessing with simple gift predates Jesus and the Passover meal by almost 1400 years. Today a similar ceremony occurs with simple gift of bread and wine but there is an enormous difference.
As a Christian community, our foundational story is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the paschal mystery. Each time we celebrate Eucharist we get in touch with our foundation story, which draws us into communion and relationship with Christ.
Although the ceremony of Melchizedek was about a covenant, one between the God of Israel and one with Abram, our Eucharistic covenant through this paschal mystery is of eternal life.
The gospel account of the five loaves and two fish provides an extraordinary dimension in an ordinary event. The ordinariness is Jesus gathered with a crowd of people in conversations and ministry, but it is made extraordinary, or holy, through the narrative of the faith journey and the action of the blessing and breaking of bread. Both dimensions are important, the ordinary and the extraordinary. Pope Francis expresses these dimensions as he states that “the Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but
a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak”.
Fundamentally Christians have simply viewed the Eucharist as one dimensional, in the extraordinary realm, which in many ways is completely understandable but this then makes it affordable only to those always in a state of grace or perfect. Humanity, by our very nature, needs to be touched by the ordinary and it is in this ordinariness that the Eucharist becomes nourishing for the weak.
In our work are we nourishing the weak and vulnerable?
THIS WEEK...
Through him, and with him, and in him, in the unity with the Holy Spirit (Doxology)
PRAYER
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
[The Spiritual Reflection Guides of the St Vincent de Paul Society are produced by Leo Tucker]
For more details on the conference's activities, please contact Conference President Wendy Webb at wendy.webb@svdpqld.org.au
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
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}
YEAR OF JUBILEE - JUBILEE OF GOVERNMENTS
The Jubilee of Governments is an opportunity to recognise the role that governments can play in fostering a peaceful, harmonious society.
PRAYER
God of this land and of every people, who shape all things according to your own design and write your law in every human heart: we thank you for this country we call home, from the First Nations people to others born here and those who have come here from across the world.
We pray for the citizens of our land in these troubled times, that we may be committed to justice, to the dignity of each human life, and to solidarity with all Australians and with the world.
Guide all our elected representatives who serve the nation; may the Holy Spirit inspire them to pursue a better politics, that governs for the good of all and never neglects those who are considered to be the least or who have the least.
May all of us see and hear you in the most vulnerable, that responding to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, we may respond to you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Adapted from the Australian Catholic Bishops Statement for the 2022 Federal Election)
TEACHING
From Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship (2020): “177. Here I would once more observe that “politics must not be subject to the economy, nor
should the economy be subject to the dictates of an efficiency-driven paradigm of technocracy”. Although misuse of power, corruption, disregard for law and inefficiency must clearly be rejected, “economics without politics cannot be justified, since this would make it impossible to favour other ways of handling the various aspects of the present crisis”. Instead,
“what is needed is a politics which is far-sighted and capable of a new, integral and interdisciplinary
approach to handling the different aspects of the crisis”. In other words, a “healthy politics…
overcoming undue pressure and bureaucratic inertia”. We cannot expect economics to do this, nor can we allow economics to take over the real power of the state.”
From the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes (1965):
“74. Men, families and the various groups which make up the civil community are aware that they cannot achieve a truly human life by their own unaided efforts. They see the need for a wider community, within which each one makes his specific contribution every day toward an ever broader realization of the common good. For this purpose they set up a political
community according to various forms. The political community exists, consequently, for the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy. Indeed, the common good embraces the sum of those conditions of the social life whereby men, families and associations more adequately and readily may attain
their own perfection.
“Yet the people who come together in the political community are many and diverse, and they have every right to prefer divergent solutions. If the political community is not to be torn apart while everyone follows his own opinion, there must be an authority to direct the energies of all citizens toward the common good, not in a mechanical or despotic fashion, but by acting above all as a moral force which appeals to each one's freedom and sense of responsibility.
“It is clear, therefore, that the political community and public authority are founded on human nature and hence belong to the order designed by God, even though the choice of a political regime and the appointment of rulers are left to the free will of citizens.
“It follows also that political authority, both in the community as such and in the representative bodies of the state, must always be exercised within the limits of the moral order and directed toward the common good—with a dynamic concept of that good—according to the juridical order legitimately established or due to be established. When authority is so exercised, citizens are bound in conscience to obey.
“But where citizens are oppressed by a public authority overstepping its competence, they should not protest against those things which are objectively required for the common good; but it is legitimate for them to defend their own rights and the rights of their fellow citizens against
the abuse of this authority, while keeping within those limits drawn by the natural law and the Gospels.”
TESTIMONY
“The funny thing is in public life, I’ve become more assertive and confident about expressing my religious views in this role than when I was before.
“Because my professional career was an economist, my faith didn’t really manifest itself in a professional environment – it was something personal, it was my family, God and I.
“Whereas in this role, I obviously am sometimes brought into debates in the public forum that touch on faith-based issues or go to your fundamental beliefs about the world which for me are inherently mixed up with the faith I have.
“I agree that yes our society is becoming more secular – it’s a challenge for those of us who share a faith but it doesn’t cancel my confidence at all. I’m still willing to stand up for what I believe
In.” Senator Matthew Canavan (Image and text from The Catholic Leader)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
For all our elected representatives who serve in local, state and territory, and national governments, that they may be guided by wisdom, justice, and a sincere desire to serve the common good. We pray to the Lord.
For our nation, that it may always be a land of peace, safety and security for all its peoples. We pray to the Lord.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship (Pope Francis, 2020).
Towards a Better Kind of Politics – Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Election Statement 2022.
Creative Commons Licence
The text of this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial - Share Alike 3.0 Australia Licence. Please attribute this publication to the Bishops' Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry, November 2024.
This resource may be reproduced or photocopied in its entirety or part. No copyright fee is payable.
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For September 28th - pilgrimage advertorial
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/
A VOCATION VIEW:
Jesus asked, “Why do you not give them something to eat yourselves?” What do you have to offer to the hungry world? (Luke 9:11-17).
To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION -
“They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.” (Luke 9:17)
The story of the Loaves and Fishes shows us that when you share what you have, even if it doesn’t seem like that much, miracles can happen! Do not think that your gift is too small or insignificant! Each of us has a role in God’s plan; you just need to place your trust in the Lord. Nothing is impossible with God. You may be the answer to someone else’s prayer.
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: The purpose of power
We can use power to help others—or to help ourselves. Jesus chooses to feed the multitude and invites his followers to do the same. Lord John Acton (1834-1902), an English Catholic historian, counselled caution with our authority: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Acton also noted, "Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right to do what we ought", and “The will of the people cannot make just that which is unjust.” Pray for parents and others to act wisely and lovingly when exercising their authority. [Jesus] said to them, ‘Give them some food yourselves.’ (Luke 9:11 b-17)
The only measure that matters: When you were a kid, did your parents measure you by marking your height on a wall each birthday? Perhaps later, report cards and sports trophies were a measure of your progress. In adulthood, do you measure yourself by the rungs you’ve climbed on a corporate ladder, or by the increasing figures in your bank account? Some measures are less quantifiable and far more important. Are you becoming more forgiving, more patient, more giving, humbler, more faithful? Are you getting closer to God? Comparison to others is no measure at all when God knows your heart completely and is helping you grow. “The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.” (Matthew 7:1-5). SIGN UP FOR "TAKE FIVE" DAILY
SIGN UP FOR "TAKE FIVE" DAILY - www.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe
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.
THIS WEEKEND’S GOSPEL -
-To listen to the whole Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, including the Easter Mass - please visit this link:
Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https:- soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks.
Prologue -
We all know that the Eucharist is a central aspect of the church and our faith.
A priest I worked with many years ago once had a great image that he'd used to describe the Eucharist, and I still love it to this day. He says that weekly Mass, Sunday Mass, is like a pier on a bridge. The length of the bridge represents the journey of our daily or weekly lives. The upward supports, the pylons of the bridge, are what support the whole length of the bridge and keep the whole thing standing. So, our life is the road and Eucharist is the struts that support it at regular intervals and needs to support it and needs to be on very solid foundations, lest the whole road cave in.
Like that image of the bridge, it's important that we recognise, and this feast day reminds us of it, that we need regular Eucharist as our weekly and for some daily support along the whole length of our life journey, lest the whole thing caves in under the weight of the world; and what a heavy weight the world is proving to be.
Is there anyone who could truthfully say that they can make it on their own, that they don't need God's grace, they don't need the Eucharist to sustain them, to renew them, to nourish them, when so many things are going on around us. So many different voices, so many different values, so many different sources of alleged “nourishment” arising, that ultimately end up proving to be quite empty.
So we need this! Jesus recognised that his disciples would need his constant loving, nurturing and nourishing word and sacrament and so he left this for us as a living monument of his presence. (FHL)
HOMILY -
As we know, with the reception of the sacraments, there are three sacraments of initiation in the seven sacraments of the Church. The first and foremost is Baptism. Then we've got Confirmation, where the Bishop, representing the whole Universal Church, with the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, alive in the church, confirms and celebrates and strengthens what they received in Baptism.
And then, of course, their Initiation is completed by receiving the Body and Blood of Christ at the Table of the Lord in First Holy Communion. The children are then fully initiated into the life of the Church, and by receiving Holy Communion, they, and all of us who receive it, are truly one with Jesus, united with God, united with all of us who are in communion with God. We are truly in communion of heart, mind, soul and body with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and with one another.
Jesus unites Himself to us, and us to Him, and draws us into the life of the Trinity, making us in communion with God and one another in the most profound of ways. I always love to tell the First Holy Communion candidates, and I'll be saying it again this weekend, First Holy Communion is a truly very special moment. There's only one thing better than First Holy Communion, and that's Second Holy Communion.
And there's only one thing better than Second Holy Communion, and that's Third, and so on and so on throughout our life's journey. This sacrament truly makes the best sense when it's the beginning of a pattern of one's weekly life, and most certainly may it never be thought of as the first and last time one comes to communion at their First Holy Communion, or only occasionally. I truly believe, and the Church truly believes, and the community really believes, that it needs to be not just the first or the rarest of times that one occasionally comes to communion.
It is Christ present to us, feeding us, strengthening us, giving us the graces we need, taking away the sins that we've committed, and strengthening us for the life that we're living, which is very difficult and challenging at times. Many, many people at great difficult times of their life have said, and I've said it too, I don't know how we could keep going without our faith, without the strength of Christ and his sacraments. Eucharist is participating in the fullness of our membership as a disciple of Jesus.
God knows what we need, and God comes to us with what we need, lovingly, just like a parent gives their child what they need. So God comes to us in a touchable way, in a tangible form, and that is a gift of priceless value that we need to cherish by participating regularly in it, not just for ourselves and our own needs and our family's needs, but also in support and encouragement of others who might be doing it even tougher than us. We all are contributing and receiving and giving in the image of the Trinity.
I remember when I was only five or six years old, I remember it like it was yesterday, in church at Canberra. And, by the way, my earliest memories of church was not in a church. In Canberra in the early 70s, they virtually had no churches.
There were many, many new areas growing up, and they were so new that we had mass at our local school assembly hall. People would set up the chairs and the table, and the only permanent thing that I could recall is in the Catholic assembly hall, they did have a tabernacle built into the wall at a safe spot so that the sacrament could be reserved. But otherwise, the church gathered literally and transformed into the church by the assembly of the people of God.
And that's a very strong memory of the church gathered. It's wonderful to have a church building. It really is a symbol of the abiding permanence of God's presence.
But of course, church means God's people gathered by God. And so we had masses in the assembly hall at that time. God was present in the midst of the church, literally the ecclesia, the people of God.
I remember as this five or six year old being absolutely in awe and wonder about the mass, and I never want to lose that sense of awe and wonder. Even then, I knew that Jesus came to us in a real way during the mass, and he made his home in our hearts. Though I got a little bit confused about the details of how this happened.
I was too young to receive communion, of course, at that age. I somewhat confusedly thought that Jesus was released into our hearts when they opened the tabernacle at communion time. As a child, I thought that Jesus was only in the tabernacle and locked away there.
And at communion, they'd go and unlock the doors of the tabernacle and Jesus would fly out and fill our hearts. Well, I didn't quite connect that the host given and the chalice given to the people was Jesus truly present and being food for his people and coming and making a home in their hearts. But when I did understand that, that's even better.
That absolutely filled me with greater awe. Jesus being real nourishment. How wonderful is a child's mind and how it works.
It's wonderful too that God knows we're physical beings who need touchable ways of connecting to God because we are physical beings who use touch as a way of learning. So it helps us to understand and encounter God who is bigger than what we can see and touch. So our Lord gives us the gift and mystery of his body and blood, real food for our spiritual journey and connecting us to Christ in a very, very real way.
We have so much for which to be grateful and it's wonderful that the word Eucharist is the Greek word meaning thanksgiving. The Eucharist is a great prayer of thanksgiving directed to the God who gives us everything and to which everything returns. We give thanks in every mass for our families, our friends, our fellow parishioners who by their lives and example have done what Saint Paul so beautifully says, we hand on to you what we in turn have had handed on to us, the message of Jesus, the gift of Holy Communion and the proclamation of our membership as God's sons and daughters.
May the blessings of the body and blood of Christ in this sacrament fill our hearts and lives. May God's presence in the Eucharist fill us up with every grace and virtue and blessing that we need to be faithful and full followers of Christ. May it crowd out any contrary values so there's simply no room for them to reside in our heart but only God's virtues.
As we take in the body and blood of Christ, as we take in the word of God which is alive and active, we become more and more the body of Christ. We become more Christ-like in not only our words but even better in our love, in our action, in our practical charity. A real sacrament and sign of God's constant care and presence among us always.
(REFERENCES: FR. PAUL W. KELLY).
[Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Vector ID: 619558265 - Eucharist symbols of bread and wine, chalice and host. Modern stained glass window style first communion vector Contributor: Thoom]
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.
(REFERENCES: FR. PAUL W. KELLY; MISSION 2000 – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. YEAR C).
THE WISDOM OF THE SAINTS:
St Paulinus of Nola
“It is not surprising if, despite being far apart, we are present to each other and without being acquainted, know each other, because we are members of one body, we have one head, we are steeped in one grace, we live on one loaf, we walk on one road and we dwell in the same house.”
“To my mind, the only art is the faith, and Christ is my poetry.”
Sacred Heart:
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine Infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee. I beseech Thee, through Thine Infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Birth of St John the Baptist:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” - St John the Baptist
Today is the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, one of the earliest feast days established in the church. John the Baptist is the only person outside of Jesus and Mary whose birth is honoured with a feast day, indicating his importance. His unlikely birth to the aged Elizabeth has long been a popular subject for artists. It has miraculous parallels to the birth of Isaac (born to the aged Sarah and Abraham) and to the birth of Christ himself (born to a virgin). Let John’s birth remind you that God continuously brings forth life out of seemingly impossible situations.
Give birth to possibilities
POPE LEO REFLECTIONS -
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Asset id: 2630700437 - Vatican City, Vatican - 21 May 2025: Pope Leo.Editorial Use Only. 21 May 2025. Alessia Pierdomenico.
HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV
St. Peter's Square - sunday, 8 June 2
Dear brothers and sisters,
“The day has dawned upon us when..., glorified by his ascension into heaven following his resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit” (Saint Augustine, Serm. 271, 1). Today, too, what took place in the Upper Room takes place anew in our midst. Like a mighty wind that overtakes us, like a crash that startles us, like a fire that illuminates us, the gift of the Holy Spirit descends upon us (cf. Acts 2:1-11).
As we heard in the first reading, the Spirit accomplished something extraordinary in the lives of the Apostles. Following Jesus’ death, they had retreated behind closed doors, in fear and sadness. Now they receive a new way of seeing things, an interior understanding that helps them to interpret the events that occurred and to experience intimately the presence of the Risen Lord. The Holy Spirit overcomes their fear, shatters their inner chains, heals their wounds, anoints them with strength and grants them the courage to go out to all and to proclaim God’s mighty works.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us that in Jerusalem at that time there was a multitude of people from various backgrounds, yet “each one heard them speaking in his own native tongue” (v. 6). In a word, at Pentecost, the doors of the Upper Room were opened because the Spirit opens borders. As Benedict XVI explained: “The Holy Spirit bestows understanding. The Spirit overcomes the ‘breach’ that began in Babel, the confusion of mind and heart that sets us one against the other. The Spirit opens borders... The Church must always become anew what she already is. She must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race. In her, there cannot be those who are neglected or disdained. In the Church there are only free men and women, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ” (Homily for Pentecost, 15 May 2005).
Here we have an eloquent image of Pentecost, one that I would like to pause for a moment and reflect upon with you.
The Spirit opens borders, first of all, in our hearts. He is the Gift that opens our lives to love. His presence breaks down our hardness of heart, our narrowness of mind, our selfishness, the fears that enchain us and the narcissism that makes us think only of ourselves. The Holy Spirit comes to challenge us, to make us confront the possibility that our lives are shrivelling up, trapped in the vortex of individualism. Sadly, oddly enough, in a world of burgeoning “social” media, we risk being ever more alone. Constantly connected, yet incapable of “networking”. Always immersed in a crowd, yet confused and solitary travellers.
The Spirit of God allows us to find a new way of approaching and experiencing life. He puts us in touch with our inmost self, beneath all the masks we wear. He leads us to an encounter with the Lord by teaching us to experience the joy that is his gift. He convinces us, as we just heard in Jesus’ words, that only by abiding in love, will we receive the strength to remain faithful to his word and to let it transform us. The Spirit opens our interior borders, so that our lives can become places of welcome and refreshment.
The Spirit also opens borders in our relationship with others. Jesus tells us that this Gift is the love between him and the Father that comes to dwell within us. We then become capable of opening our hearts to our brothers and sisters, overcoming our rigidity, moving beyond our fear of those who are different, and mastering the passions that stir within. The Spirit also transforms those deeper, hidden dangers that disturb our relationships, like suspicion, prejudice or the desire to manipulate others. I think too, with great pain, of those cases where relationships are marked by an unhealthy desire for domination, an attitude that often leads to violence, as is shown, tragically, by numerous recent cases of femicide.
The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, brings to maturity within us the fruits that enable us to cultivate good and healthy relationships: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22). In this way, the Spirit broadens the borders of our relationships and opens us to the joy of fraternity. This is also a critical yardstick for the Church. For we are truly the Church of the Risen Lord and disciples of Pentecost if there are no borders or divisions among us; if we are able to dialogue and accept one another in the Church, and to reconcile our diversities; and if, as Church, we become a welcoming and hospitable place for all.
Finally, the Spirit also opens borders between peoples. At Pentecost, the Apostles spoke the languages of those they met, and the confusion of Babel was finally resolved by the harmony brought about by the Spirit. Whenever God’s “breath” unites our hearts and makes us view others as our brothers and sisters, differences no longer become an occasion for division and conflict but rather a shared patrimony from which we can all draw, and which sets us all on journey together, in fraternity.
The Spirit breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred because he “teaches us all things” and “reminds us of Jesus’ words” (cf. Jn 14:26). He teaches us, reminds us, and writes in our hearts before all else the commandment of love that the Lord has made the center and summit of everything. Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for “security” zones separating us from our neighbors, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms.
It was on the feast of Pentecost that Pope Francis observed: “In our world today, there is so much discord, such great division. We are all ‘connected’, yet find ourselves disconnected from one another, anesthetized by indifference and overwhelmed by solitude” (Homily, 28 May 2023). The wars plaguing our world are a tragic sign of this. Let us invoke the Spirit of love and peace, that he may open borders, break down walls, dispel hatred and help us to live as children of our one Father who is in heaven.
Brothers and sisters, Pentecost renews the Church and the world! May the strong wind of the Spirit come upon us and within us, open the borders of our hearts, grant us the grace of encounter with God, enlarge the horizons of our love and sustain our efforts to build a world in which peace reigns.
May Mary Most Holy, Woman of Pentecost, Virgin visited by the Spirit, Mother full of grace, accompany us and intercede for us.
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2025/documents/20250608-omelia-pentecoste.html
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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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.
Sacred Heart Church and Parish office - (directions and location)
50 Fairway Drive. Clear Island Waters. Queensland 4226
(The best entry is the southern entrance off Fairway Drive, nearest to Santa Cruz Boulevard).
map: -
Please see below for a photo of the Catholic Parish office ……(with the name “Glendalough - Parish Office” written on a sign over the door - Glendalough is pronounced “Glenda-lock” and is named after a famous Irish location where Catholic Saint Kevin lived- one of our schools in the parish is named St Kevin’s in honour that patron saint).
below is a picture of the Sacred Heart church which is located on the same grounds - (to the left of the parish office)
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