12th Sunday Ordinary Time
SUNDAY REFLECTION
The story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee is a contrast to the storm the Pope has created over his latest encyclical on the environment or at least the storm that the leaking of the encyclical has created. Much of the reaction is predictable, for instance among Republicans in the United States where there is a strong lobby of climate change deniers, many of them Catholics who would ordinarily support the Pope on moral and faith issues but when it comes to issues that in any way might undermine the capitalist system they are firmly against him. There is nothing new in this. The Church’s social teaching is widely acknowledged as forward thinking except when it challenges economic gospel. We know that the division between rich and poor is continuing to widen but no one in power seems to be questioning that the market economy might be contributing to this widening gap.
This encyclical has come after a succession of papal statements on the environment in recent times, notably Pope St John Paul II’s World Day of Peace statement in 1990. A most memorable statement he made that has stayed with me was that humankind has the opportunity to make the earth into a beautiful garden or a rubbish tip. Twenty years later Pope Benedict XVI, often called the Green Pope, wrote a similar World Day of Peace message. However an encyclical is a declaration that is much more authoritative and this is why the climate change deniers are actively protesting. Climate science is extraordinarily complex. For instance how often do you find the weather forecasters get it wrong. But the science is very clear in that it is human intervention which is playing a major hand in this matter.
A few weeks ago I quoted the Maharishi who maintained that if one percent of the world’s population meditated we could solve the world’s problems and he referred especially to the environmental issue. The more you let go of self the more free you are and less dependent upon material things you become. In other words the more simple your lifestyle. Prayer leads to more simplicity and that desire for simplicity comes from within. As St Paul says in today’s Mass, “whoever is in Christ is a new creation.” All the time we are growing into Christ, shedding the old skin, giving birth to the new. This does not come easily. We need Jesus to calm a few more storms to arrive at this point. Peter Murphy
This Sunday: Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants, designated as such by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference being the closest Sunday to World Refugee Day – June 20.
A copy of a message from Pope Francis at the doors today.
Parish Family Pilgrimage – January 2015 – welcome “young and old”
Fundraising
Last chance to buy a “Lord’s Supper” raffle ticket today, then come to the hall 11.30am – 1.30pm, for a cuppa and a snack – just $2,
also a cake stall and yummy food for sale.
Parish Morning Tea – Ryder Rm following the 8.30am Mass today.
Mass this Thursday 25 June at 9.30am, St Mary’s school children will join us.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – training for new ministers, existing ministers are also encouraged to join in. Tuesday 30 June, 7pm or Saturday 4 July 11am.
Please confirm you attendance to the parish office ph 2996056.
Children’s Liturgy:
Children of any age are welcome, children under the age of five must be accompanied by an adult.
Youth Group – every Friday night 7-8.30pm in the Hall, come join us
June Diocesan Youth Mass – annual Maori Miha. Sunday 28 June, 7 pm @ St Patrick’s Cathedral. The theme for the Mass is “Kawea te Whakapono me to Oranga ki te ao. Be bearers of Faith and Healing in the world” hosted by the students and staff of Hato Petera College. With Fr Rodney Smythe.
Parish Retreat – Saturday 17 October at La Valla, Tuakau.
Speaker: Dr Tony Molloy. See Fr Peter for information
Papakura Community Dinners – Anglican Hall Tuesdays at 6pm – over 100 attending.
St Vincent de Paul have joined a warmer winter initiative to provide hot water bottles to those attending the dinners, the goal is to provide 100, those who wish to support by donating a bottle, a bottle cover (or both) please bring to the parish office, they will be distributed on Tuesday 30 June.
Men’s Retreat – Discovering the Divine Within 27 – 28 June 2015 (Sat 10am – Sun 2pm) St Francis Retreat Centre, Mt Roskill. $155pp (All incl.) Led by Br. David Leary, ofm (PhD in Counselling & Health Psychology) Book/info. 09-625 6651 or director@stfrancisretreatcentre.org.nz.
Notice To All Women – Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women warmly invites you to our next meeting. Come along, bring a friend. We would love to see you there. Tue 30 June, 7. 30pm at St Anne’s Parish Hall, 126 Russell Rd, Manurewa. Speaker: Annette Woodnut – on Patience. Rom 8:25: “but if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Info: Grace on 577 3479 or website,www.dove.org.nz
Diocesan Special Collections – 28 June: Peter Pence – funds go direct to the Pope via the nunciature in Wellington to use in whatever projects he thinks necessary. Donations to a marked envelope, thank you.
Mercy Spirituality Centre, 104 The Drive, bookings ph 09 638 6238 orinfo@mercyspiritualitycentre.org.nz
- Early Images in Christianity – Three Empresses Protecting Early Icons and Mosaics with Anne-Marie Harvey rsm, Thursday 25 June, 7-9pm
- Enneagram Unit 2 – with Marie Corbett, Saturday 27 June, 9.30am-4.30pm
Parish Groups:
Holy Rosary – 8.30am weekdays
The statue of Our Lady is available for families, your name to the list in the foyeror ph Jean 2965486
Stations of the Cross – 5pm Fridays. Michael Sharp ph 298 9295
Legion of Mary – Meetings Tuesdays at 5.30pm in the hall committee room.
Medjugorje prayer meetings: Mondays, 4pm @ 2/1 Clark Rd, Joseph 2982297.
Mothers Prayers. Wednesdays 1-3pm – Ryder Rm, Jean Keown 2984502 for dates.
Children’s Liturgy – for children 4 – 8yrs, Sundays 10.30am Mass.
We are looking for new leaders please contact Tina 0221644073 or 2927764, training given.
Choir – meets each Wednesday for practice, newcomers welcome. Ph Judith 2681884
Music for Mass: Once a month a small group of ‘young adult’ musicians lead a communion hymn, we are wanting one more vocalist and a guitarist to join this group, if you would like to join or know more please contact Judith ph 2681884
Meditation Groups:
Tuesdays 9.30am Fr Ryder Rm Tuesdays 5pm at 8A Ashdown Place, Bev 2989943
Thursdays 7.30pm, 51A Willis Rd, Richard 9088566
Young Meditators: Sundays at 5pm, Fr Ryder Rm – Anthea 2982297
St Vincent de Paul Office and Shop Mary 2984622/shop 2965052
– thank you everyone for ongoing donations of food to the pantry and also cash donations.
Knitting group meets 2nd/4th Tuesdays – 1-3 pm Ryder Rm. Jenny ph 2977292 .
English classes Thursdays, Ryder Room at 10am, all welcome. Jenny ph 2977292
Playgroup – Wednesday mornings 9.30 – 11.30am, hall, welcome.
Environmental Care Group – meets monthly – 7pm Crossroads Methodist – monthly at 7.30pm
Exercise Classes – Tuesdays/Thursdays Parish Hall 10-11am – low impact exercise in your own time to music while seated or standing, come join us.
Working Bee Group – help around your home – gardening, cleaning etc ph Lavinia Tuila 0211875889
Faith Walks – reconnecting with the land. Next walk – date to be advised.
FIT FOR MISSION: Every day we are all called to become a “caress of God” for those who perhaps have forgotten their first caresses, or perhaps who never have felt a caress in their life. Pope Francis
Who have you hugged this week?
Or offered a cup of tea or coffee to someone who needed a listening “caress”?