Image: Licensed by Shutterstockstock photo ID: 1325705501
arms raised in front of water wall of mighty waterfall.By Rasica
THE PASTOR’S POST
What do you say to people when they ask (frequently, these days),
“How are you holding up during the lockdown?”
Possible responses are; “Remarkably well, considering”
“Better than expected”, and the one I identify with, “Not sure I want it to end too soon”.
Interesting that something that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, has devastated world economies, put millions in hospital, left millions more out of work, should have some positive outcomes. Still, what do they say about every dark cloud?
If the truth be told, there are some things that we will want to hold on to when this horrible pandemic ends. Things like, more time to manage the “to do” list, or even assess whether the list was really all that important anyway.
More space in the day to prioritise what deserves our worry and concern and what activities we had taken on as vital, but on consideration, weren’t going to make a major difference if they were left undone, for a while, at least.
In short, I think many of us have worried less and achieved more, simply by seeing things more clearly for what they are, rather than what we had turned them into.
For a long time I was feeling a bit guilty about not working at the same pace as I had leading up to the lockdown (or as I have come to call it: solitude). You know how we can convince ourselves that we must be working hard if we can’t complete all the tasks we have allotted ourselves, and if we are not filling every waking moment with an activity, then we must be wasting time or being lazy. When did we decide that sitting and reading a book for an hour was a waste of time or not achieving something, or that not saying any words when we were intending to pray was the same thing as daydreaming?
Not that I don’t accept that there have been plenty of hours of idleness, but throw in an unhealthy amount of guilt into that mix, and you have what is now called the ‘malady of our age’ – stress.
It used to be that we diagnosed ourselves as being exhausted, fatigued, angry or anxious. We now know that these are symptoms of what is known as “stress”. While stress does not always cause illness, it is related to an enormous number of physical conditions that may be controlled, if only we can work out how to deal with stress. The difficulty is that the more stressed we get the less energy we have to name it and then deal with it.
It is part of daily life and can be caused by things as simple as a missed bus or a broken glass or more significant events like the loss of a job or loved one. In most cases, stress is situational and may require outside help or support. But the good news is it can be controlled and dealt with, and people who have a belief system or faith are better positioned than others to deal with stress. Even medical practitioners have acknowledged that an effective way to reduce stress in our lives is to pray. When we pray we quieten our minds and become still, wisdom comes to offer us insight, or as a Chinese adage offers, “when the pupil is ready, the teacher will come”. Prayer helps us see that there are options and our perceptual world is broadened. Like humour, prayer relaxes us, giving our mind a chance to become aware that we always have choices. Prayer refreshes our spirits and frees us from the tensions we so often hold in our bodies. Well at least that’s the way it works for me.
This understanding came to me during the week, when I was having a little battle between whether I ‘could’ or’ should’ deal with a thorny issue and ended up spending more time avoiding the job than if I had just dived in and addressed it. Familiar?
The following bit of wisdom finally shed some much-needed light on the dilemma.
A university lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience,
Raised a glass of water and asked, 'How heavy is this glass of water?'
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.
The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long you try to hold it.
If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem..
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.
In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'
He continued,
'And that's the way it is with stress.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,
The burden will become increasingly heavy:
And we won't be able to carry on. '
'As with the glass of water,
You have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again..
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.
So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down: don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow.
Whatever burdens you're carrying now,
Let them down for a moment if you can.'
So, my friend, put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.
And that is what I call: “a COVID lesson”.
Fr Peter Dillon PP.
NOTE ON MASSES - BOOKINGS REQUIRED
Just when we thought we were managing to cope with the gradual lifting of restrictions to allow for 20 people to attend Mass, we got some further news that we are now permitted to have up to 100 people attend Mass, provided we maintain all the necessary distancing, cleaning and recording requirements as laid down by the health authorities.
While this is great news, it does come with a significant number of stipulations that must be complied with before we are able to achieve what is called an Industry COVID SAFE PLAN. (Some of which are included below). Achieving these requirements will require some organising of personnel and processes as well as working out the best way to be fair with access to all people, particularly those who have no internet access, but must rely on the telephone of information from a fellow parishioner.
At a meeting of the pastoral team this week it was decided that the simplest way to begin was to celebrate mass every day at the same time in the same Church, until even more people are allowed to attend. Presently only Sacred Heart Church has the space to accommodate 100 people distanced by 1.5 metres. We will begin these Masses on Wednesday 1st July at 9am, for at least two weeks. After these two weeks, we may have further restrictions lifted. Mass will be offered every day at Sacred Heart Church at 9am including Saturday and Sunday. Please note, because of the restrictions, it is important that not everyone goes to the Sunday Mass. the Archbishop has exempted everyone from the obligation to attend Sunday mass during these restrictions, so please consider booking for ANY of the masses of the week.
The understanding and support of so many parishioners during these demanding restrictions to the celebration of our faith has been outstanding. It is never easy to have to place such restrictions on a community that is so used to freely gathering often and in large numbers. That day will come again, but until then we should be careful and caring, so that we don’t find ourselves having to restart the restrictions again because we were too impatient to take things slowly.
Here is the link for bookings to the Masses upcoming. Only people who have booked will be able to enter the church.
https://bookeo.com/catholicmassgoldcoast
A Message about Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish in the midst of ongoing easing of restrictions.
We ask that people consult this page and the parish website https://www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au, to keep up to date with any changes relating to masses.
This coming week, a limited run of pre-booked masses is being trialled to sort our logistics and compliance. These limited masses have been filled. After this, we are planning to implement larger numbers (but still with limits) from 1st July, but at set times and in a set church. The usual Sunday obligations are still suspended for the present and the usual mass schedule is not operating.
Please keep in mind that there are still various restrictions, and legal requirements imposed upon the different churches. This includes a limit on the number of people who can fit into different church spaces, allowing for the social distancing requirements as well as other factors. Even when the numerical limit is completely lifted, the requirement for keeping people at four-square metres apart will continue to have practical effects upon the numbers able to attend.
The numbers allowable are different from church to church, and parish to parish; based on these varying factors. This also includes following through and submitting and applying the extensive compliance policies that are required.
We also decide what steps to take next based on various pre-planned maintenance projects that were arranged prior to Covid-19 and which are now occurring since the lockdown has eased. This factor also restricts our options in the short-term. These projects were planned prior to the sudden and regular changes and amendments (some at extremely short notice) by health and government policymakers. When various easing of restrictions started to occur, they were mostly described in terms of "for those groups that are able to or for whom this easing is practicable in their circumstances" - so again it is not helpful to compare different groups or even different parish or church communities and draw conclusions from that.
Naturally, we are only responsible for the three churches we look after, and so we cannot comment on how other parishes are dealing with these matters. We deal with the churches here in our care and decide what is best for this parish in light of all relevant circumstances. Thanks again for your support and patience. We are continuing to count on and rely upon the ongoing goodwill and graciousness of everyone in these trying times.
Sincerely,
Fr Paul
PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM - What’s happening?
First Communion
Due to the current restrictions, we have been unable to offer the familiar format of gathering large groups of children and their parents for a course of workshops that precede the celebration of our sacred sacraments. At this time, that has mostly impacted those approximately 120 children who with their families would have prepared for and celebrated their First Communion by the beginning of June. We share the disappointment of these families and so the Sacramental Team has been working to provide an alternative preparation model.
We have been re-working our workshop material for First Communion Preparation to create an Online Sacramental Preparation opportunity. It may bear some similarities to the types of information delivery and learning activities that children and families were provided during the recent school lockdown experience. We realise that this style of learning may stir a range of emotions from excitement to fear, so we understand that some families may choose to wait until 2021 in the hope that we can return to our previous learning model.
Families interested in participating in the Online Sacramental Preparation should email Cathy Anderson, Sacramental Coordinator at andersoncm@bne.catholic.net.au Cathy will then email those interested families a word document that once completed should be returned to Cathy. We would expect that children and an adult (or whole families where possible) would explore through discussion and prayerful reflection, the information we would provide via videos and text. Then we hope that children and adults would talk and research together to complete the associated activities. There is no prize for first completed and returned, as we are hoping that each family will take as much time as they need to ensure they draw the greatest benefit from this time shared in faith.
In the meantime, we are hoping that restrictions around numbers for church gatherings and celebrations will continue to ease. The Celebrations of First Communions may occur over several parish masses but at this stage we cannot provide exact dates. There will be much consideration around how the celebration of First Communion in Surfers Paradise Parish 2020 will occur. We assure you that our goal is to assist our parish children and their families to experience God’s amazing grace more deeply through this sacramental journey and celebration so we welcome any communication that helps us to provide support for this important time in your family’s life.
Surfers Paradise Parish Sacramental Team
THE GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
I have a saying, and I truly believe this: “Whenever you are doing a thing that is right and good, inevitable someone will come along and tell you to “Stop it!” If this happens, we must ignore the opposition. Jesus did! He saw their opposition for what it is - fear and feeling threatened in their cosy enjoyment of how things are. We have to keep going, no matter what the cost and no matter what the opposition.
Jesus is the ultimate example of this complete faithfulness. His enemies knew that there was only one way they could stop him from proclaiming and living his Good News message of inclusion, justice, mercy and love, and that was to destroy him. They thought that if they killed him and discredited him with lies and threats, they would silence him. They were very wrong. The Word of God revealed in Jesus simply cannot be silenced. The Word rose up again. This shows the power of the Cross and also reveals once and for all that the opposing forces of lies, injustice and violence, whilst real threats, were ultimately empty threats which would not succeed in the end.
Fr Paul. Image: Photo. Praia do Rosa, Santa Catarina, Brasil. By Cassiano Psomas on Unsplash
FATHER DOMINICO MUSCARI
Messages From Italy In The Time Of Coronavirus
This picture is of Fr Dom with Fr Paul, Marylou and Sonya. Father Dom was visiting Australia in February, and popped in to say hello at the parish office. This was before the lockdown. Fr Dom managed to return to Italy before everything shut down worldwide.
Fr Dominic was at this parish a few years back. He now ministers back in Italy and, throughout the pandemic he sent messages about what it was like from within a country which, at one point, had the highest casualties.
Messages for Fr Dominico Muscari during the Covid -19. In Calabria, Southern Italy.
11th March 2020.
At the moment we don't have many people affected in the south, in Calabria. We try to stay at home. we can't celebrate mass publicly until the 3rd of April. It is a special lent. I hope that it finishes soon.
God is good and He is always with us.
Blessings, Fr Dom
15 March 2020
Ciao thank you for your prayers. In the southern part and in the whole nation we can't celebrate mass with people from last Monday to the 3rd of April. However, during the day churches are still open for the individual prayer. This ban was made by the Italian bishops to avoid people gathering and crowd. A few days ago, after the restriction for the people from leaving their home (in the whole country) some bishops decided to close the churches of their dioceses even during the day. Pope Francis reacted to this ban and he asked to have the churches open during the day. At the moment the churches are open during the day but we close the doors when we celebrate mass. Today is the first Sunday without people. I will celebrate mass at 11 and it will be on streaming on Fb. Many parishioners can watch it and be united spiritually with us. It is very strange to have a Sunday mass with closed doors. However we are sure that it will pass. Easter is coming. God is good and He doesn't leave us alone. Prayer has a special strength and many people are praying more and becoming more close to God during this tough time.
How is Australia going?
God bless you, Fr Dom
20 March 2020
I am good thanks to God. I heard that the virus is spreading even in Australia. Here it has been like a devastating war. In the northern part many people are dying. At the moment more than 3400 people died. It looks more than the deaths in China. We are afraid and the churches are still closed during mass celebration. However people pray in different ways. During this week I went to say a prayer and to give a blessing in some streets of the parish. Parishioners pray the rosary from their balconies. They put speakers and the families of the whole street pray together from their own homes. It is so beautiful even though we are struggling.
At the moment in our parishes we don't know what the holy week will be. The Vatican has announced that Pope's celebrations of the holy week will be without people.
We trust God and I am sure that abundant fruits of His Grace will come after this special lent.
Keep safe all of you. God bless you, Dom
Image: Fr Dom’s first mass after the lockdown
29th March 2020
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.
I have heard that you have closed the churches too. We struggle a lot. It is very hard to hear the numbers of the people affected and the deafs day by day. However, faith is helping us a lot. Friday night Pope Francis was amazing. A man of God alone in an empty st Peter's square however he was praying for the whole humanity. He has given us a special strength and hope. We keep praying. Yesterday I was shocked to hear about one of my friends, he is 45. He is a parish priest in the centre of Italy in a town, Riccione . Don Fr Alessio is a great priest and he is fighting in ICU. Please pray for him too. We trust God He is good. In a few hours I celebrate a sunday mass by myself in an empty church. It is our third sunday. However I will do it on live streaming on fb for the parishioners. I will pray for you and your intentions too.
Keep safe and healthy. God bless you all.
18th April 2020
Happy Easter ! How were the Easter celebrations at the parish? It was a sad Easter this year, however He has risen again and forever. We are waiting + God Bless you
The situation is still dramatic in Italy but it is a bit better. We are waiting for the 3rd of May. On that day they will open the second phase/stage, I hope that we can celebrate mass with a small gathering of people. Many blessings.
18th May 2020
Today we are back to a normal mass. We can have a congregation even though with some restrictions. We can have only 100 people in our church. They have to maintain a distance and they have to wear a face mask. Thank God after 70 days I can celebrate mass with people. God is good.
Blessings and ciao
13th June 2020
How are you? We have had mass with people already for 4 weeks, three sunday. On the first Sunday last 24th of May I was surprised because I didn't have a big congregation for the masses. I expected many more people than who really came. It was more or less the same in the other parishes of the diocese. I think that it happened because many people were still afraid to come to church. In the whole country we still have deaths and people affected every day until today. However, the virus hasn't been so strong it has become weaker.
Nevertheless the congregation has improved a lot for the last two weeks. I can say that we have the same number of people that we had before the pandemic.
I believe that something has changed. On Pentecost Sunday I said that we can't be the same as we were before March. Our faith as well as our lives have been touched and we have to believe and live our faith in a new way. It is a kind of a new Pentecost, like the apostles, everyone has to live a refreshed faith. What the pandemic season has taught us? I strongly believe that during the last few weeks the Holy Spirit has pointed to us a new way to follow and to be.
I am a chaplain of a prayer group and the people of this group had struggled a lot during the lockdown. They missed Eucharist so much. I can say that they have come back to the celebrations with a new enthusiasm and a great fervour. It gives a good hope for the church. However, we have to find a new way to proclaim the Gospel and I would like to think that this time of struggle has pushed us to search for it. We ask the important question: How can we be disciples during this time?
I have hope even though we still struggle a lot.
God bless you.
Arrivederci
THE CHOSEN: A SERIES ON THE LIFE OF JESUS
The Chosen is a 2017 television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker and Christian, Dallas Jenkins. It is the first multi-season series about the life of Christ, and season one was the highest crowd-funded media project of all time. The First episode premiered: 24 December 2017.
Parishioners have put us on to this excellent series. You can watch it on Youtube via the link here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBXOFnNTULFaAnj24PAeblg
Apparently it can also be watched via a downloadable app on smartphones and tablets. If people are tempted to “binge” on tv, then what would be better than to watch multiple episodes on the Life of Our Lord.
A BEAUTIFUL BOOK - ENCOUNTERING JESUS: A HOLY LAND EXPERIENCE
Franciscan Media has produced a beautiful resource: “Encountering Jesus: A Holy Land Experience.” By Vincenzo Peroni. Available as a E-book or ordinary book.
Whether you have made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or have always wanted to walk where Jesus walked, this book offers a rich experience of the many sites associated with Gospel events. Monsignor Vincenzo Peroni takes pilgrims on an unforgettable tour of the most important sites in the Holy Land through beautiful guided meditations, probing questions, and sensitive prayerful reflections. Eighteen original watercolor drawings by Alessandro Alghisi capture the beauty and sacredness of these places. Each chapter also contains Scripture texts that set the scene.
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B085GJNY76/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_Mfx6EbTXCF638
BEING CONSISTENT IN WORD AND ACTION - IN PRAYER AND PRACTICE
After these many months of social isolation and limitations of celebration of public masses, the reality of the full meaning of Eucharist has become even more abundantly clear to us.
The Pope has spoken often about how absolutely important it is that our Worship and participation, in whatever ways we can in our circumstances, must be consistent with our words, actions and attitudes outside of Mass.
If we went to Church and received Holy Communion, and also spent hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and then spoke uncharitably to people, talked to people about others in negative, judgmental, undermining ways, and treated people disrespectfully, harshly, unjustly and so on, it would be an absolute insult to God and a grave hypocrisy. We know that our worship of the Lord in the Liturgy is an expression and a nourishment to the loving, Christlike values that Christ builds in our hearts and minds and it must flow out into actions consistent with this faith, hope and charity. Our daily prayer should end each day with an examination of conscience, to reflect upon the ways in which we showed God’s love, in real practical ways. God’s love, that has been poured into our hearts, calls us to be attentive to the actions, thoughts and attitudes that also did NOT show these loving virtues.
In a 2017 talk, Pope Francis spoke against what he termed “Christian parrots”, who talk a lot about their religion but don’t do good deeds. Pope Francis always has brilliant and immediately relatable images that he uses to get his message across.
“If I say I am Catholic and go to mass, but then don’t speak with my parents, help my grandparents or the poor, go and see those who are sick, this does not prove my faith, there’s no point,” he told young residents of Guidonia, a village near Rome.
“Those who do this are nothing but Christian parrots – words, words, words,” said the Pope, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa.
“Christian faith is expressed with three things: 1. words, 2. the heart, and 3. the hands.”
(https://m.famigliacristiana.it/articolo/messa-papa.htm)
In this message, Pope Francis is actually only restating the message of the great Saint Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians on the primacy of love and the uselessness of anything unloving that we do.
“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast,[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-13, NRSVACE).
GOSPEL RESOURCES - Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time. Year A. |
In preparation for this weekend’s Mass, the resources can be found on the Liturgy Brisbane website and will be updated each week.
Photo by Marcus Dall Col on Unsplash
Sunday Readings: Read at Home
In these unique times where our Sunday Masses have been suspended, you may wish to read the Sunday readings and associated commentaries at home.
Family Prayer: Week by Week
This resource is designed for families with young children and has been a joint endeavour of Liturgy Brisbane and Evangelisation Brisbane. An extract from the Sunday gospel is provided, along with some reflection questions, family activities and a worksheet for children.
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOP
Junk is something you have kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
FR WARREN ONLINE SEMINAR
Some expats in Shanghai requested Fr Warren to run a seminar on Zoom on Saturday 27th in the afternoon/early evening. They were also keen for Fr Warren to invite parishioners to tune in. The topic is “Lumen Gentium” (Light for the Nations) during Extraordinary times.
To Register, scan (or long press) QR code in the picture above. (or click this link http://olar31b4ge1we228.mikecrm.com/3zsVukm). Registrations must be by June 24.
(The times below have been corrected from a prior edition - apologies for previous error. These times are now correct.)
Find out about:
- How is God speaking to me here, ordinary folk who sit in the pew?
- What am I meant to do?
- What can I do to make His light shine even brighter in my little corner of the world?
- Lumenlaity in response to Vatican Council II’s call in Lumen Gentium.
Speaker: Fr. Warren Kinne
Date: Sat, June 27
Time: 2-7pm (Queensland Time)
2pm - 2:15 pm Opening Song & Prayer
2:15pm - 2:45pm (30mins) Talk 1: (Chapter 1 - The Mystery of the Church + …)
2:45pm - 3:15pm Break out Room (Discussion 1)
3:15pm - 3:30pm Coffee / Break/Reflection/Journaling/Q&A
3:30pm - 3:40pm Song 2
3:40pm - 4:10pm Talk 2 (Chapter 2: The People of God +...)
4:10pm - 4:40pm Break out Room (Discussion 2)
4:40pm - 4:55pm Coffee/Journaling/Reflection/Q&A
4:55pm - 5:10pm Prayers/Reflection
5:10pm - 5:40pm Talk 3 (Round up) & Video (Columban Missionary)
5:40pm - 6:10pm Final Discussion/Call to Action/Closing)
6:10pm Break / Preparation for Mass
6:15pm - 7:15pm Mass/Send Forth
THE CATHOLIC LEADER
The Catholic Leader dated 21st June 2020 digital edition is now available here. Access to previous digital editions also available here: https://catholicleader.com.au/digital-newspaper-covid19.The flipbook is downloadable in PDF and printable. First, enter full-screen mode by clicking the ‘full-screen’ button in the centre of the pages. Using the icons above the newspaper, you can select print or download. Alternatively, you can visit the website: https://catholicleader.com.au/
HAVE YOU PLANNED TO GIVE TO YOUR PARISH? A Message from Fr Peter
As a contributing member of our parish I need to let you know that financially, our parish has taken a $90,000 loss in contributions since lockdown started in March. With no Easter crowds, and the resulting collections to boost it, it is like a stream without water. It is true that some people have already given through their commitment to Planned Giving Direct Debit and others have called to say they are keeping their envelopes until they can bring them when they return to Mass. I am truly grateful to these people who have understood that contributing to the Parish is not just something we do when we come to Mass.
A financial contribution to the Parish is not paying for service, but an acknowledgment that we are participants in the operation of parish life in all its activities. But the reality remains that the Parish has taken a substantial financial hit and until we return to full operation, the loss will only increase.
How will COVID-19 pandemic change the way we financially contribute to the Parish? When weekend masses eventually fully resume, will some restrictions remain?
However, until then, due to the present restrictions, the 1st and 2nd Collections will be replaced with a collection point for cash/cheque/planned giving envelopes near the altar. You will be reminded at Mass to place your contributions there before or after Mass. What follows are some ways for you to contribute. These options are in order of preference which relate to the administration load for each contribution option.
1. Direct Debit (The most preferred parish option)
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the Parish that the sure and certain way to give without interruption is by Direct Debit. I strongly encourage you to consider this option. Unlike Credit Card giving, Direct Debit comes from your account directly to the Parish account. There is no need to update details when a new card arrives or the hassle of filling in forms every couple of years. A Direct Debit continues to roll smoothly. It is the least amount of work for Parish administration. The parish provides you with an annual receipt. A form is attached.
2. Parish Giving App https://parishgiving.brisbanecatholic.org.au/login
This is a secure way to give by Credit Card. It can be set up as a recurring weekly or monthly gift. Once you have set up the app it will generate a receipt by email.
3. Planned Giving Envelopes
The Parish is about to order the annual planned giving envelopes. Can you please let the Parish know, as soon as possible, if you would prefer to change to Direct Debit? The cost to the Parish is approximately $6 per set and we have reduced these envelopes to 160 sets. This has been the most popular means of giving. However if you wish, you could use a regular/plain envelope and allocate an amount to first and second with your name on the envelope. Remember, as you return to Mass, you will need to place your envelopes (before/after mass) at the collection point near the altar.
4. EFTPOS facility available
The Parish has organised EFTPOS for their piety shops and you will be able to contribute at the facility before or after mass. Upon request a receipt can be provided.
5. Cash/Cheque donations
Due to Covid-19 cash has been restricted in many locations and tap and go is the preferred option. But the parish recognises that this continues to be the preferred way of giving for many of our parishioners. Cash donations will still work for the Parish and we understand, however, we encourage you in faith to consider Direct Debit.
6. Direct Credit
Upon request a form will be provided by the Parish. This function could be replaced by the Parish Giving App, where possible. This relies on heavier Parish administration. It is the least preferred way to give.
Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to being able to thank you personally when we are able to return to parish life as we have known it is the past.
Fr Peter Dillon, Parish Priest
Our faith sustains us through challenging times. Now, more than ever, your support is needed to help our Parish to continue valuable pastoral activities and to provide ongoing sustainability. To assist you to support the Parish during this time of isolation, you can give via http://parishgiving.brisbanecatholic.org.au
We will continue to serve you through online resources and webcasts. If you are able to continue to support us, we would be most grateful. For all those who have been making payments via credit card and those who have donated directly into the parish account, we thank you. The spirit of generosity is alive in our parish. If you would like confirmation of your donation or a receipt emailed to you please contact me at manager.surfers@bne.catholic.net.au
Yours faithfully,
Sonya Slater,
Parish Manager
Special Birthday wishes to Marylou, our Secretary, who celebrated her birthday during the week.
We extend our congratulations to the families of children who have been baptised in our parish recently, Charlie Ireland,
Nate & Noah Hipperson, Rocco Guida, Lilla Flynn, Noah Witheriff and
Oliver Simmons.
STAYING CONNECTED AND RESOURCES FOR PRAYER AT HOME |
Home Resources:
You can visit the Stay Connected page on our website to find an extensive list of information and resources to help during these times of isolation. Below are quick links to help stay in touch with our Parish and celebrate Mass at home:
Liturgy for you at Home (produced by SPP): https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Weekly Homily (produced by SPP): https://homilycatholic.blogspot.com
Surfers Paradise Parish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surferscatholic/
Breaking Parish News (SPP Blog): https://news-parish.blogspot.com/
Livestream Catholic Mass (from Brisbane Cathedral, usually around 10 am): St Stephen’s Cathedral live webcast
Video on Demand of Masses: https://www.youtube.com/user/CatholicBrisbane/videos
Mass for You at Home (free-to-air TV):
Channel 10, Sundays 6:00 - 6:30 am and on-demand at https://10play.com.au/mass-for-you-at-home
also available on Foxtel 173 Aurora Channel
Current Parish Office Operating Protocol
The office is still not open for pop-in visits. The Parish has phone contact hours Monday to Friday 9 am until 12 noon, where we will endeavour to answer the phone for any inquiries.
We are also contactable anytime via email surfers@bne.catholic.net.au. In the case of emergencies, there is also the same parish office number (with a button option to press for emergency contact) for the on-call priest 24/7. The Parish phone number is 5572 5433.
IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS AT THIS TIME
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: All suffering from the effects of Covid-19.
Also, the following who are ill (not Covid-19): Peter O’Brien, Baby Charbel Raphael, Angela Duvnjak, Judy Dempsey, Monica Bailey, Rachel Raines, Savannah Ayoub, Lisa Mangan, Colin Virtue, Ann Harris, Ann-Marie Loder,
Angel Salvador, Brian Woodgate, Kate Smith, Tricia Baumann, Gus Reeves, Baby Maeve Lombard, Kathy Kiely,
Greg Sharah, Kurt and Betty Hilleshiem, Ron Perry, Kim Parkes, Rosslyn Wallis, Jabour Haddad, Yvonne Lofthouse, Maureen Murphy, Peter Walsh, Arthur Haddad, Jean Di Benedetto, Damian Callinan, Rosemary Wales, Peter Allsopp, Yvonne Campesi, Louis Couch, Steve Wayt, Michael Tracey, Joanne Mooney, Joanne Parkes, Michelle MacDonald,
John & Molly Robinson, Mary Kerr, Eileen McCarthy.
RECENTLY DECEASED: Sr. Christine Chia, James (Jim) Mark Tamai, Noel Kelly, Fr Noel Connolly.
ANNIVERSARY: Mary Ward, Elizabeth Anne Fredericks, Greg Jackson, Annette Anning, Kel Hamilton, Mary Josephine Dillon, Albert Garske, Ted Woodhead, Pauline Restall, John Gannon, Maureen Glenn, Antoinette Moon, James Watson, Frances Weston
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, June 28, 2020
FIRST READING: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a
Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19. “Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.”
SECOND READING: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 Peter 2:9). Alleluia, alleluia! You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy people. Praise God who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
GOSPEL: Matthew 10:37-42
The Archdiocese of Brisbane holds that children and vulnerable adults are a gift from God with an intrinsic right to dignity of life, respect and security from physical and emotional harm. They are to be treasured, nurtured and protected from any harm.”
As a Parish Community, we pray for a change of heart, that we respond to our grief by reaching out to one another in truth and love.
