21st Sunday Ordinary Time
Reflection:
Today we come to the end of our Gospel readings from John 6 (interrupted last week by our patronal feast of the Assumption). What we missed from last week was Jesus invitation to eat his flesh and drink his blood. I have come across people who cannot accept this identifying it with cannibalism. Clearly from this Sunday’s Gospel that was also the reaction of many of Jesus’ hearers.
As we have been reflecting upon these weeks, the Eucharist (i.e. the Mass) is at the heart of our life as Catholics. It is divided equally into the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Listening to God’s Word prepares our minds and hearts to receive him in Communion. You listen with your heart. This is why having your head in a missal is discouraged for if you are reading you are not really listening.
Another trap that we fall into is worshipping the Mass. The Mass is an act of worship and the supreme act of worship but its value is built upon the faith and prayer life of the community. If that faith and prayer life is not there then it becomes just an empty ritual. There is much in the Scriptures about being faithful to ritual but neglecting one’s duty to the neighbour.
We also identify those who come to Mass as practising Catholics and those who don’t come as non-practising. I am often asked is it still a mortal sin to miss Mass on a Sunday. The Church hasn’t changed that rule; the difference is that attitude to sin has changed particularly with the loss of the fear element. I went through a phase myself where it didn’t worry me whether I missed Sunday Mass. That was until I realised that it was important to be there irrespective of whether I felt I was getting something out of it or not. Community prayer and worship have always been central to the life of the Catholic Church. It is our way of remaining connected to Christ through one another.
These five weeks of listening to the bread of life discourse from John have offered us the opportunity to review our participation in the Mass. The question Jesus poses to his disciples is equally relevant for us, as is Peter’s response: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Peter Murphy
Congratulations to the Tongan Community – who this Saturday celebrated their First Anniversary as a community and four children celebrate First Holy Communion this Sunday at the 4pm Mass.
Catechumenate Programme – Evenings of Enquiry and Information
– evenings continue this Tuesday 25 August, then 1 and 8 September. Ryder Room.
If you know anyone who would like to know more about the Catholic Faith please let them know.
Season of Creation – Bring a Grandchild; Grandparents are invited to bring a Grandchild and enjoy some activities together. Sunday 6 September, 2 – 4pm St. Mary’s Church grounds.
Where We Gather, Workshop by Liturgical Design Consultant: Sunday 13 Sept, 1.30 – 4.30 pm, Christ the King Church, 260 Richardson Road, Owairaka. Intended for all and its aim is to deepen awareness, understanding and appreciation of the liturgical principles involved in the design of our places of worship. It will have relevance to people from all parishes, not only those from parishes intending renovation or re-building in the future. See noticeboard. Information: ph Teresa Wackrow 09 360 3042, email: teresaw@cda.org.nz
Parish Groups:
Want to support parents and children in the Papakura Community?
Our Parish Playgroup is looking for a new coordinator. We need someone who is willing to spend a couple of hours each week to attend sessions and assist the Playgroup Committee with planning and administration. Lots of support and resources available. Some reimbursement to cover costs.
Please contact Barbara 299 8070, 027 476 1419
Children’s Liturgy – for children 4 – 8yrs, Sundays 10.30am Mass.
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.
Choir – meets each Wednesday for practice, newcomers welcome. Ph Judith 2681884
Music for Mass: Choir practices Wednesdays at 7pm, to join please contact Judith ph 2681884
Meditation Groups: Tuesdays 9.40am Fr Ryder Rm and Tuesdays 5pm – 8A Ashdown Place, Bev 2989943 and Thursdays 7.30pm, 51A Willis Rd, Richard 9088566
St Vincent de Paul Office and Shop Mary 2984622/shop 2965052
Knitting group each 2nd and 4th Tuesday – 1-3 pm Ryder Rm. Jenny ph 2977292 .
English classes Thursdays, Ryder Room at 10am, all welcome. Jenny ph 2977292
Playgroup – Wednesday mornings 9am – 12noon, hall, welcome.
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
Walk By Faith catch-up Introductory Retreat Day Sunday, 30 August, 10-3pm, Pompallier Diocesan Ctr, 30 New St, Ponsonby. Walk by Faith aims to help people deepen their understanding of their faith journey and their relationship with God. It is open to people from every walk of life. In response to request we are offering this ‘second beginning opportunity’ for Walk By Faith. COME AND SEE! Info. Dianna Fouhy: ph (09)3603010; diannaf@cda.org.nz
Christian Meditation: How Our Meditation Helps Us to Live The Joy of The Gospel. A retreat-seminar led by Sr Anne Warren at St Francis Retreat House, 50 Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough, Friday Sept. 18 – Sunday Sept. 20. Residential cost $280. Information: Margaret Ph 269-7515 or mjfairweather@gmail.com
ALONE AGAIN? Widowed, Separated or Divorced? The Beginning Experiencea well-established programme with the motto “Weekend Away for a Lifetime of Change”. Designed to help people work through their painful loss. Participants find new hope, increased emotional health and renewed energy.
11-13 Sept, Contacts: Bev (09)298-9943, or David 027-440-2105 visitwww.beginningexperience.org.nz
There is growing awareness of the serious consequences the Trans Pacific Partnership may have on health services, Treaty rights, rights of NZ to legislate for our country’s well-being. Bishop Charles from Palmerston North has spoken out; our Bishops, together with Anglican Bishops, called for an end to the secrecy around negotiations so that our democratic right and the Catholic social teaching principle of participation would be protected; and our diocesan Justice and Peace Commission made a statement (see noticeboard for a copy).
Michael Mangan, Australia singer/song writer one-off session: ‘Let the Children Come – Using music in Family Friendly Liturgies’. He shares his expertise in using music to engage young people and their families in vibrant and inclusive Parish liturgy. For Parish Liturgy Music teams, Catechists, Teachers, Priests, any lovers of music. St Columba Ctr, Vermont St, Ponsonby Thur 10 Sept. 7pm- 8.30pm. $5 pp or koha.
Monday Evening Discussion Group on Pope Francis’ Encyclical on Creation –share in reading Pope Francis encyclical in a friendly relaxed environment. If you would like to discuss its implications for our lives as modern Catholics in 2015, we will meet 7.30-8.30pm Mondays, Ryder Rm – beginning 21 September.
Message from Fr John Vianney Makanda – I am grateful for the donation the parish gave me for solar installation. The house on which the panels will be fixed needed some repairs which are under way now. I hope that by end of October the solar system should be in place. Mid September I take up my appointment in a rural parish as parish priest. My greetings to the parish community, I miss you all. God bless.
St Mary’s Parish Retreat
Saturday 17th October
La Valla Estate, Tuakau
Speaker: Dr Tony Molloy
Nothing is more practical than finding God;
that is, than
Falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final, way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in love, stay in love
and it will decide everything.
Fr Arrupe SJ
St Mary’s Parish Family Pilgrimage
– Motuti January 2016