24th Sunday Ordinary Time
Reflection:
Today we come to the central part of Mark’s Gospel, the confession of faith by Peter speaking on behalf of the Twelve at Caesarea Philippi. Mark has been leading up to this point; Peter’s confession is quite remarkable. Then he tells them the consequences, that the Son of Man is to be put into the hands of the authorities, to be put to death and then he will rise from the dead. They of course do not understand this. How could they? Such happenings simply do not take place.
We are coming at this confession from the point of history, 2000 years after the event. The challenge for us is to see it and believe it in our own context. Who is this Jesus in whom we say we believe? We say we know him but how much of our knowing is just what has been taught to us? We know certain doctrines about him, that he is God, that he is the second person of the Trinity, that he became like us in all things but sin and so on. What does this mean in today’s context especially when we live in a country where the majority now do not believe in him? You come across people who say they have seen Jesus but the person they see is very much like what we see in holy pictures, a mass-produced image that means little.
The second and third part of today’s Gospel are equally important for they say to us what this belief in Jesus means. First it is the cross and secondly it is the letting go of self in order to come to know him. We all have images of him but he calls us to purify those images: “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” As our consciousness is purified so our image of him is purified and becomes more real. In other words as we grow in knowledge of ourselves, our strengths and our failings, so we grow in knowledge of him. It is a wholistic knowledge, not one that is based on teaching alone but on our experience of God. That is the journey we are on and that is the journey on which we invite the catechumens we are welcoming and the adults who are completing their sacraments of initiation. Keep them in your prayer.
Peter Murphy
Season of Creation – September 6 – October 4
At the Sunday Masses we gather before Mass outside under the trees …
During the Season of Creation we will often be singing the Holy Holy and Lamb of God in Maori, the first language spoken in this (Aotearoa / New Zealand) part of creation.
Rite of Acceptance – for our Catechumens takes place at the 10.30am Mass today.
Morning Mass this Thursday is at 9.30am, St Mary’s School children will join us.
Parish Open Day – November 28 – Speaker and information leaflets today.
TO CARPOOL – MEET in CHURCH CAR PARK 12.45PM
Where We Gather, Workshop by Liturgical Design Consultant: THIS 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 all parishes, not only those intending renovation or re-building in the future. See noticeboard. Information: ph Teresa Wackrow 09 360 3042, email: teresaw@cda.org.nz
Parish Master Plan
– Next meeting Sunday 20 September at 4pm, in the hall, for all parishioners.
Annual Cathedral Special Collection, 12-13 September in support of the long term maintenance of our Mother Church – St Patrick’s Cathedral – A Precious Inheritance Entrusted To Us. Donations received will ensure that we are Fit For Mission in serving all members our Catholic community in the diocese as well as all guests and visitors. Envelopes at the doors today.
Introductory RE classes will be held during term 4 – For children who do not attend a Catholic School who wish to prepare for the Sacraments of Baptism or First Communion and Confirmation,
please contact Barbara 299 8070. 027 476 1419, lees@slingshot.co.nz
Fundraising:
- St Mary’s Youth – fundraising today – a sausage sizzle after 10.30am Mass.
And Next Sunday: Bake sales after 8.30am Mass and Sausage sizzle after 10.30 Mass.
- Samosa – info/order forms today, orders due in by Sunday 27 September – funds to Parish Pilgrimage
- Save the Date! A parish fundraising group have organised a ‘Social’here at St Mary’s Hall on Saturday 7 November, to raise funds for the parish building projects. Tickets $10 include supper, BYO drinks. Live music, good food – come mix and mingle, have fun.
Details: Telesia 0210472069 or 2965108. Tickets: Telesia, Hilda 0273718228 or Pandora 0272982327.
Social Justice Week: 13-19 September – The NZ Catholic Bishops Conference gives us Social Justice Week to consider Catholic social teaching on an issue of social justice in New Zealand. This year the focus is Kiwi Families – It’s Our Story. A family brochure that provides questions, action ideas and prayer as an introduction to the theme of family poverty is available at both doors today.
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, NEXT Friday Sept. 18 – Sunday Sept. 20. Residential cost $280. Info: Margaret Ph 269-7515 or mjfairweather@gmail.com
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.
Mercy Spirituality Centre, 104 The Drive, Epsom
- Muffin Talk – Understanding Change, Loss and Grief with DELIA RUANE, Tuesday 15 Sept, 10am-12 noon, Koha/ Donation, inc morning tea. How does change, loss and grief impact us and what strategies can we use to empower ourselves?
- Dreamwork: Nightmares & Trauma Dreams with MARGARET BOWATER, Sat 19 Sept, 9.30am-4.30pm, $90
Bookings essential. Ph 638 6238 or info@mercyspiritualitycentre.org.nz . More details at www.mercyspiritualitycentre.org.nz
Divine Mercy Devotion Friday 18 Sept 7pm. Holy Cross Parish, 21 Carruth Road, Papatoetoe. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Chaplet of Mercy sung, Holy Mass, followed by veneration of St Faustina’s relic.
Counties Catholic Men’s Fellowship Gathering at Saint Anthony’s Church Waiuku on Wednesday 23 September, Mass at 7 pm. A warm welcome is extended to all men.
Enquiries Barry Reynolds (09)2352451, or 0277727767.
Manurewa St Vincent de Paul shop is looking for volunteers, please ph Christine 0210356525 or 092993043.
A Journey through the Seasons ‘Each of the four seasons is a classroom for the heart. If you sink your roots deep into the soil of a season’s truth, it can become a mentor.’ Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr. This reflective day will explore the Seasons of Nature and the Seasons of the Heart. Facilitator: Yvonne Munro rsj Mary Mackillop Ctr 56 Selwyn Avenue Mission Bay. Sat 3 Oct 10a.m. – 3p.m. Unwaged $20 Waged $30 Registrations: auckland.mmkcentre@sosj.org.au Phone 528 5204 ext 211 Mobile 02102278293
Prolife Facts: The Health Select Committee will consider the social, legal, medical, cultural, financial, ethical and philosophical implications of the issue of ending one’s life. The Committee is seeking submissions from the public. Every person who opposes euthanasia and assisted suicide is encouraged to make a positive and clear submission in defence of life. Details on how to do this go to NZ Parliament website.For more information visit www.fli.org.nz.