You can also access an online -web- copy of the newsletter *Webcopy here*
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt 9:36)
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: Stock Photo ID: 1497760025 - Secovska Polianka, Slovakia. 2019/8/22. The icon of Moses and Israelites in the desert receiving Manna from God. The Greek Catholic church of Saint Elijah. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel
STELLA MARIS 7 AM SUNDAY MORNING MASS FOR 2nd JULY - CANCELLED - (For that Sunday only)
Please note that due to the Gold Coast Marathon on Sunday 2nd July, the usual 7am Mass at Stella Maris will be cancelled for that Sunday only.
There will be no Sunday Masses as Stella Maris, but the usual Saturday night 5pm Vigil at Stella Maris will continue even on that weekend.
This is the only church to be affected by the Marathon.
PASTOR’S POST -
Here’s a reflection from Sr Lis Keane.
Regards, Fr Peter Dillon pp
I love story-telling, so I would like to tell you about a woman who had a profound influence on my life.
A long time ago, when I was studying, a lecturer introduced himself on the first day of the course and challenged us to get to know someone we had never met before. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned round to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her whole being. ‘Hi gorgeous’, she said, ‘my name is Rose. I am eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?’ I laughed and enthusiastically responded, ‘Of course’, and she gave me a hearty squeeze.
‘Why are you here at such a young, innocent age?’ I asked.
She jokingly replied, ‘I’m here to meet a rich husband, get married and have a couple of kids…’
‘No, seriously’, I asked. I was curious about what would have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.
‘I always dreamed of having a university education, and now I’m getting one!’ she told me.
We became instant friends, and I was always mesmerised listening to this ‘time machine’ as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a well-known figure, and she easily made friends wherever she went. She revelled in the attention the other students gave her – she was really living it up! At the end of the semester, we invited Rose to speak at our dinner. I will never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the microphone. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped all the cards with her speech on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed, she leaned into the microphone and simply said, “I’m sorry I am so nervous. I gave up beer for Lent, and this whisky is killing me!’
As we laughed, she cleared her throat and began, ‘We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success.
· You have to laugh and find humour every day.
· You’ve got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it!
· There is a huge difference between growing old and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will still turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything, I will still turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunities to change.
· Have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have regrets about what we did but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.
Rose finished the degree she had desired all those years ago.
And one week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it is never too late to be all you can possibly be.
This is what I learnt from Rose.
Growing older is mandatory; Growing up is optional.
We make a living by what we get; we make a Life by what we give.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
I would like to pay this Tribute to all Women.
Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and carry burdens, but they also hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream; they sing when they want to cry; they cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous; they fight for what they believe in; and they stand up for injustice.
They don’t take ‘no’ for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without, so their family can have, and they go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally; they cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding; their hearts break when a friend dies; they grieve at the loss of a family member; yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left; they know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colours …
They will drive, fly, walk, run or email you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas; they give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
However, if there is one flaw in women, it is that they forget their worth and what they can give to the world.
Sr Lis Keane IBVM
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 going to the priests of the parish where the hospital is located. Here is a helpful guide to the hospitals and their attendant priests. A nursing home call also follows this procedure, where the first priest to call is a priest from the parish within which the Nursing Home is located. Please help us service the region effectively and help prevent delays in response by calling the nearest parish.
Robina Hospital - Burleigh Heads Parish. 5576 6466
Pindara Hospital - Surfers Paradise Parish. 56717388
John Flynn Hospital - Coolangatta-Tugun Parish. 5598 2165
University & Gld Coast Pvt Hosp.- Southport Parish. 5510 2222
MASS TIMES: SURFERS PARADISE MASS TIMES
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK:
The injured from the Hunter Valley Bus Crash.
Also, (Alphabetical) Jack Barretto, Peter Barry, Phil Bawden, Nellie Bellinger, Jean Di Benedetto, Coralie Brennan, Kevin Brennan, Tim Brown, Margaret Buckingham, Diana Castro, Cecily Cellinan, Doug Chester, Jo Clark, Leslie Clarke, Robert Conn, Margaret & George Cook, Margaret Cusack, Geraldine Daniels, Anne Van Deurse, Beryl Dorfield, Elsie- 4years old, John Fisher, Rosie May Fisher, Sally Gage, Fred Grioli, Maria Teresa Gutierrez, Margaret Haerse, Jenny Haines, Lena Hiscock, Louise Holmes, Kim Ingram, Anna Janiek, Pat Jones, Kath Kiely, Diane & Steve Land, Patrick Joven de Leon, Nathan Lepp, Joseph Ah Lo, Sarina Losurdo, John Nathaniel Maher, Maria Manuela, Andrew McPherson, Phil McWilliam, Fabiola Menzs. Shirley Montford, Joanne Mooney, Michael Murtagh, Lynn Nunan, Stephen O’Brien, Peter O’Brien, Natalie O’Reilly, Joanne Parkes, Kim Parkes, Kristy Peat, Kay Pitman, Rachel Raines, Gus Reeves, Patricia Roberts, John & Molly Robinson, Rogelio Rodriguez, Sue Rogers, Bob Rogers, Annie Scicluna, Felipe S Cataquiz Sr, Kathy Stevens, Jim Stewart, Betty Taylor, John Thomas, Baby Samuel Timothy, Leonardo Torcaso, Denise Tracey, Karen Vestergard, Lois Wood.
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Dr Frank Siak-Kong Miau. Requiem Mass - Tuesday 20th June 2023 at 1.30 pm. Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The victims of the Hunter Valley Bus Crash.
(Alphabetical) Victoria Alexander, Norma Ancrum, Leo Anderson, Delores Barrett, Jill Bolger, Maria Brazinas, Daniel Clancy, Charles George Dayney, Roberta Fantuz, Noel Ferdinands, Des Fox, Lorraine Geraghty, Joseph Griffa, John Iocobucci, Shane Hall, Antonio Invernizzi, Melissa Ann Lord, John Marchmont, Joe McDonagh, Mario Paul Mazza, Frank Miau, Jeanne Monisse, Greg Moray, Mary O’Grady, Geoffrey Rapp, Elizabeth Smit, Madge Taheny, Robert Wasniowski, Anne Weatherburn, Denise Welsh, Phyllis Jane Woolaston.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: (Alphabetical) Linda Marilyn Arlington, Mary Josephine Dillon, Ronald Donovan, Fr Michael Fallon, Ines Vittoria Fauretto, James William Fuller, Dorothy May Joan Gray, Kel Hamilton, Anne Mary Hawes, Helena Barbara Hodges, Fr Alfred Hogan, Mons Edmund Keating, Roza Masa, Anthony James (Tony) McCudden, Antoninette (Toni) Moon, Benjamin Joseph Moore, Elma Luigia Moro, Leroy Bevan Muir, Ljuban Pilic, Mary & Gus Reeves,Paul Patrick Reeves, Brian Aubrey Swaddling, Luke Dermot Tansey, Hedy Triffett, Ellen Walker, Francis Weston, John Wood, Cornel Zarie.
And Also: (Alphabetical)
Fr Denis Ahern, Patricia Allen, Annette (Annie) Anning, Raymond Victor Assaisso, Jean Anne Burgess, Fr Charlie Casey, John Cooper, Don Cope, John Vincent Davis, Fr John Egan, James William Fuller, Stephen Gallagher, Andrew Hale, Helmut Kaltenthaler, Frances Kelliher, Alfonso Lim, Anthony Teck Lee Lim, Amelia Catherine Limbert, Pearl Agnus MacCartney., Mons John McCarthy, Mons Timothy Molony, Fr Patrick Murphy, Fr Gabriel Nolan, Mary John On, Aileen Pettersson, Mary Reeves, Mary Reid, Mark Reid, Maria Silvestri-Fiore, Sr Christine Chia (Singapore), Francis (Frank) Kevin Stephens, Valma Sudgen, James Mark Tamai, Lorna Sabina Wheeler, Rita Woodhouse, Agata “Tina” Zammit, Grazyna Zyner.
RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS - SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT’S CHURCHES
Only a few copies of the CATHOLIC LEADER left. $4.
New stock has arrived this week !
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 any important calls regarding this, please ring Grace: 0410 006 484.
Contemplative Women’s Group.
Our next gathering is Saturday 24th June, from 1.30pm – 3.30pm in Mary Mother of Mercy Church, Burleigh Waters. We spend a gentle 2 hours together on the 4th Saturday of the month, creating a circle of sharing prayer, ritual, contemplative silence, and story. Simple afternoon tea supplied. Come join us as we walk with Clare of Assisi this month. For information contact Sue Thomas sue@suethomas.net.au
Grand Plans for Grandparents – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
The Church is preparing to celebrate the third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, 23 July.
It's a special day when the Church honours and recognises the important role that grandparents and elderly individuals play as they share their faith with their grandchildren and witness Jesus through their lives. The Church observes World Day each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Jesus' grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
The theme for this year's World Day, "His mercy is from age to age" (Lk 1:50), is connected to the upcoming World Youth Day in Portugal, where the theme, "Mary arose and went with haste" (Lk 1:39), highlights the profound connection between the young and the old through the magnificent encounter between Mary and Elizabeth.
To celebrate here in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, we will be holding an event called Grand Plans for Grandparents – celebrating World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
Please share this invitation with the grandparents of your community to join us for this special morning tea and celebration.
Who's it for? Grandparents!
Time: 9:15-11:15 am, Morning Tea included
Date: Saturday 22 July 2023
Location: Hanly Room, Francis Rush Centre (194 Charlotte St, Brisbane City)
Dress code: smart casual
RSVP: 17 July
Cost: $15
Free parking available via 194 Charlotte Street (underneath the Cathedral)
Stay on for Mass at Cathedral at 11:30 am where you'll receive a special blessing, reaffirming the impact you have on your family's spiritual journey.
Register here: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/HRtTCQnMqvhXWOkwcv-GAw?domain=evangelisationbrisbane.us11.list-manage.com
150th Anniversary of St Stephen’s Cathedral
The Archbishop has launched a year of celebration for the 150th anniversary of the Opening and Blessing of the Cathedral of St. Stephen. There will be a number of celebrations throughout the next twelve months.
This month of June, we will be celebrating the story of Ordinations in the Cathedral. Parishioners are invited to attend 10 am Mass on Wednesday, June 28th, at the Cathedral as we celebrate and acknowledge all those who have been ordained in the Cathedral throughout its history. Archbishop Coleridge will preside, and refreshments will be provided afterwards. Come along and give thanks for the gift of service to the ordained ministers of our local church. Stay tuned for news about more commemorations over the course of this year-long celebration.
“TAP `N” GO CASHLESS DONATIONS -
AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCES OF THE THREE CHURCHES - tap once to donate $10 and tap again when it has reset for another $10, and so on.
PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL - 10 AM - 5 PM - Broadwater Parklands. Sunday 18th June
Gold Coast on Sunday, 18 June, at Broadwater Parklands. We would like to invite you and the parish to join us
NOTICE - PETER’S PENCE APPEAL UPCOMING
Each year, parishes in the Archdiocese of Brisbane take up the Peter's Pence collection as a retiring 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 25 June 2023 (12th 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 and 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.
Spirituality of St Clare of Assisi.
Experiencing God's Love and Light through the Spirituality of St Clare of Assisi.
A quiet weekend retreat for women. Hosted and Facilitated by: Grace Harwood of Dragonfly Ministries. When: Friday 30 June at 6 pm – Sunday 2 July at 3 pm. Where: Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Wellington Street, Ormiston. Cost: $380 ($350 for concessions) includes all accommodation, meals (an additional fee for special diets), resources, spiritual direction and facilitation. To register or enquire: grace@dragonflyministries.net.au or 0409 524 283
MEN ALIVE GATHERINGS
We have two significant events coming up over the next 6 weeks; see below.
We are wondering if you could promote the following events to your contacts and parishioners by:--
1. MAX2023 BEHOLD – A National Gathering of Catholic Men. See the date claimer attached—July 14/16. Use this link for registration--https://app.tickets.org.au/MA/MAX2023BNE
Registrations start from $150.
2. GROWING GOOD MEN– 23/25 June Kindilan Adventure Park Brisbane—See brochure attached and register here-- https://app.tickets.org.au/MA/GGM2023
Thank you so much for your energy to be involved with our mission to men. Very Kind regards, Robert Falzon/Founding Director.
Brochure here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aFoMhqVCl2infF7lPyTTw-sxQu6W-H1C/view?usp=sharing
ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL TOOWONG - 120TH ANNIVERSARY INVITATION
BRISBANE CITY POPS ORCHESTRA
Brisbane City Pops Orchestra, joined by local School choirs. Guardian Angels Church, Southport. Sunday 23 July 2023 at 2.00 pm. Please save the date
OUR LADY’S STATUE
Praying the Rosary - Our Lady’s Statue in the Parish -
Details of the Statue of Our Lady, which is going around the Parish.
If you would like to have her in your home and say the Rosary:
Please contact Maxine or Pat on 0412 519 404.
The Roster for the next four weeks is-
19/6/2023 Glarry & Rudi Merrimac
26/6/2023 Glarry & Rudi Merrimac
3/7/2023 Eileen & Julian Carrara
10/7/2023 Eileen & Julian Carrara
ART AND CRAFT GROUP -
The Group meets in the Parish Hospitality Centre on Wednesdays from 9 to 12. Activities include art (watercolour, oils, acrylics, pen and ink drawing etc.), as well as various kinds of Craft work (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. We come together to enjoy each other's company in a relaxed environment. New members, both men and women, are most welcome to join. For further information, phone John 0412 759 205 or the Parish Office.
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB-
Meets at the Sacred Heart - Parish Hospitality Centre, Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters.
Playing Bridge keeps your brain active and increases your social network! So why not give us a try?
Learn to play Bridge at “Our Friendly Club” - Free Lesson. “Introduction to Bridge” - It is Easy to learn the format. No previous card-playing experience is necessary. All are welcome. For more information and to enrol, please phone: Cheryl at 5538 8821 or Mob at 0417 772 701.
EXERCISE CLASS - LOW IMPACT - FOR HEART HEALTH -
Join Rochelle for a fun, functional exercise class at Casey Hall. Low-impact cardiovascular exercises for heart health, improve strength and balance- an all-around fitness class for over 65’s. Stretch and strengthen the whole body, make new friends and feel great. Tuesday mornings @9.30 Beginners welcome. Contact Rochelle for further information on 0438 333 308.
MEDITATION PRAYER GROUP
In the Morris prayer room, Tuesdays from 10 am to 12 noon. The Meditation Group would very much like to welcome new members. Please phone Pam Egtberts at 0428090703.
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 am. Learn to relax, yet gain greater flexibility, inner strength, body awareness and concentration, all 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 am to prepare adequately for class). For more information, call Ruth on 0421338110.
MARIAN VALLEY PILGRIMAGE:
Please come and join us at the Marian Valley. On 24.06.2023, Annual Pilgrimage of the Maltese Community in the Honour of Christ the Redeemer. The bus will be picking people up at 8.15 am at the Sacred Heart Church Clear Island Waters on Both days. The Cost for the bus fare is $25.00 return each day. You can secure your seat with a contact name and contact phone number with Xavier Solomon at 0404 843 260, Madeleine on 0405 252 367 or 5529 1573, All are welcome.
St Kevin’s Catholic School, Community business directory: https://www.sk.qld.edu.au/Pages/Rainbow-Connection.aspx
LATEST EDITION OF LITURGY NEWS - FREE
To read or download Liturgy New edition please click this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17gvjNtac9xM5q-JWZuH1Bbjqjk0NQ86b/view?usp=sharing
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) and/or vulnerable adults. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for abusing children or vulnerable adults.
SEVEN PRIORITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE -
1. TEACHING PRAYER
2. RESHAPING PARISH COMMUNITIES
3. BRINGING CULTURAL COMMUNITIES TO THE CENTRE
4. RESPONDING TO ABUSE AND THE ABUSED
5. ENGAGING ANEW WITH FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES
6. IMPLEMENTING INTEGRAL ECOLOGY
7. EMBEDDING SYNODAL GOVERNANCE
“Lamps Ablaze” - to download the full document - please visit this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oVNiTRAhQn_5aTDZ9mo2dDh9bGeqxewL/view
A VOCATION VIEW:
Jesus knew that when we are committed to whatever we are doing, no obstacle can prevent us from reaching our goal. So, Jesus could say: "If you will not take up your cross and come after me, you are not worthy of me." To talk to someone about your vocation, contact Vocation Brisbane: 1300 133 544. vocation@bne.catholic.net.au and www.vocationbrisbane.com
STEWARDSHIP -
“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Matthew 10:7.
Many of us take our lives for granted. We think we have plenty of time to “repent.”Maybe we should live with a little more urgency in making things right with God. This is the difference in living our discipleship out of obligation versus out of love. Obligation implies we do the minimum required. Love implies we want a relationship. God wants us to be with Him in Heaven forever, but He also wants to be in a relationship with us right now while we are on Earth. Start this second – invite the Lord into your heart.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, and generous, and accountable for what each has been given.
TAKE FIVE FOR FAITH - Your name here!
At county fairs, there always seems to be a stand where someone offers to write your name on a grain of rice. As novel a proposition as that is, perhaps there are better places to have our names inscribed. Scripture mentions the "Book of Life" eight times. It's described as the registry of the just—a desirable place to be listed. Martyrdom is one sure way to make the registry, and promoting the gospel is another. Simply put, bring Jesus to others. Witness your values, decisions, and resources. Add your name to the book. “The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew.” (Matthew 10:2-8). ww.takefiveforfaith.com/subscribe.
THIS WEEKEND’S GOSPEL - Always Room for one more!
Today, Our Lord teaches us that there is always room for more members of his family. The invitation to all people everywhere is always open. God wants to extend the definition of family beyond the narrow confines of blood or region. The importance of community is also really powerful in the readings this weekend. We need to support and uplift each other on our journey along the ways of the Lord.
We are God’s own beloved children…. We are called, loved and embraced….. cherished…..
We are God’s people (daughters and sons of God), not because we have earned it or deserve it…. Not because we are in ourselves worthy of it… But because God loves us. It is god, overflowing with generous love, who calls us to Himself.
Initially, Jesus’ call is to go out to the recognised children of Israel… The ones God first took as his own .. after all, first things first. Later, however, (due to God’s limitless love), this invitation would be expanded to include all peoples and nations…
God has so much love, and there is always room for yet one more…. There is so much noise and business in our world today…. So many conflicting voices…… Different worldly values – Many which directly contradict each other. The many, many people in the world…. Near and far… are, very much like harassed lambs …. …. The Lord says…. Go out to them, show them my love, and invite them into my pastures…. … It is heartbreaking. How do people make sense of things amongst so much clamour?
In the first reading… the place called “Rephidim” means – resting place…. Place of refreshments… A place of support…. Here Moses, only with God’s grace, won the battle against the Amalekites, and his tired uplifted arms were supported by Aaron and Hur….(supported in the place named “support” - Here also, the people thirsted and lost trust in God, but God still refreshed them with streams of water from a rock.
God loves us and wants to nurture us… and wants to help us primarily through the ministry of his children…. through and for our brothers and sisters around us… The harvest is indeed plentiful, and there is so much work to be done…. But the workers are few…only God’s grace can we achieve success against these overwhelming demands
We might ask: “Who are we to go out and do this work of living and proclaiming the message of Jesus?…. The answer is simply this: We are loved and called by God. // God has commissioned us to do this work.// Not by our merit! God calls us with love, and we respond with love.
And so we, each of us, go out in mission; and not very far afield either…. Our familiar, local territory is also in dire need of God’s loving guidance and care… We go back… into our homes, our workplaces, our social situations… and our wider community….
As the gospel shows us….
- We achieve this mission primarily by “doing”;… and some explanatory speaking….
- Actions… more than words… We do all sorts of acts of kindness, compassion, healing, mercy and practical help….
- And with the powerful witness of selfless service – (not for one’s own personal gain)…. After the example of the Good Shepherd.
REFERENCES: FR. PAUL W. KELLY
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1724584795 - Vienna, Austria. 2019/10/23. "Preaching of Saint John the Baptist" by Jacob (Jacques) de Gheyn II (1565-1629). Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) in Vienna. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel
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
➔ St Romuald
◆ We thank God today for St Romuald, who nearly 1000 years ago founded a group of monks who are known as the Camaldolese hermits. In his early life, Romuald was a slave to his passions; but yet, he had a yearning for a nobler life. His conversion was quite sudden and definite. He had a dispute over property with a neighbour. Sergius, Romuald’s father, waged a duel with the man and killed him. Romuald, stricken with remorse that a piece of property had meant more than a man’s life, went straight to a monastery. But the monastery was lax; Romuald didn’t stay there long because the monks couldn’t stand his taking the rule of St Benedict seriously. So he placed himself under the direction of a hermit. Eventually, he adapted the rule of St Benedict so as to serve groups of monks who, while living mostly alone, still shared a community of rule and life.
◆ “Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish.”
◆ “It is better to say one Our Father fervently and devoutly than a thousand, with no devotion and full of distraction.” {St Edmund (841-869)}
➔ St Bernard:
◆ Ingratitude is the soul’s enemy. It is a burning wind that dries up the source of love, the dew
of mercy and the streams of grace. Spend today in a spirit of thanksgiving for God’s many gifts and blessings, which, all too often, we take for granted - St. Bernard
➔ St. Aloysius Gonzaga
◆ “It is better to be a child of God than the king of the whole world!” ― St. Aloysius Gonzaga
➔ St John Fisher:
◆ “A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life.” - St John Fisher
➔ Saint Thomas More:
◆ “I die the king's faithful servant, but God's first!” - St Thomas More
➔St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431)
◆ “He is the Light of Truth, the Path of life, the Power and Mind, Hand and Strength of the Father. He is the Sun of Justice, Source of Blessings, Flower of God, God’s Son, Creator of the world, Life of our mortality and Death to our death. He is the Master of the virtues. He is God to us …!”
◆ “By His rights as Lord, He demands our hearts, tongues and heads wholly. He wishes to be the object of our thought and understanding, our belief and reading, our fear and love. . . ”
(From The Poems of St. Paulinus of Nola).
◆ “With all my heart, I pray for the hope of heaven because hope and faith are of much more value than all the riches of this world.”
◆ “The man without Christ is dust and shadow.”
➔ Saint John the Baptist:
◆ “He must increase, but I must decrease.” - St John the Baptist
POPE FRANCIS:
Please pray for the speedy recovery of Pope Francis, who recently underwent surgery in Rome.
Bear Witness to Jesus, inspired by John the Baptist.
“In The feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, (24th June, annually))” he said. “Let us learn from the one who was the forerunner of Jesus the ability to bear witness to the Gospel with courage, beyond our own differences, while preserving the harmony and friendship that form the basis of any credible proclamation of the faith.”
Both Saint John the Baptist and King David knew how to draw people’s attention to the true God.
The pope prayed that their example might be a source of encouragement for the faithful, so that “we may seek God’s friendship through prayer, and our example might help bring God to men and women, and men and women to God.”
God in the beauty of creation
Turning his thoughts towards the current temperate season in the Northern Hemisphere, Pope Francis expressed hopes that the summer might be “a time of serenity and a beautiful opportunity to contemplate God in the masterpiece of His creation.”
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-06/pope-francis-john-the-baptist-teaches-us-to-bear.html
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1503704669
Vranov, Slovakia. 2019/8/22. Icon of the Baptism of Christ — Theophany, also called Epiphany. Chapel of the Convent of the Holy Trinity in Lomnica. Important information: Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel
EXPLORING OUR FAITH
God is more than everything, and yet everything is in God. ‘Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.’ M. J. Borg (1995).
Catholics believe that God exists in our world, and if we seek to discover God, we will. One of the ways that we see God in the world is through the beauty and order of Nature. Catholics believe that a loving intelligence created the world. Consider the wonder of human birth. Could this have come about by chance?
As we search for God, we come to understand that God is the creator of all that is and that it is through this understanding that we gain knowledge of God in a range of life experiences. These may be in moments of connection or aha! moments when we are aware of mystery in our lives.
Source: archdiocese of Brisbane website.
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 792389002. Photo Contributor: kylepostphotography
Commitment To Child Safety and Vulnerable-Adult Safety
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Acknowledgement of Country - This is Kombumerri Country - The Traditional Custodians of this region.
We respectfully acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First People of this country. We pay our respects to the Kombumerri people, who are 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/)
