Archive: 29th Sunday Ordinary Time
Reflection:
Today in our Gospel we have an interesting episode in which the two brothers, James and John, ask Jesus for places at his right hand and his left in his kingdom. His response is direct: “You do not know what you are asking.” Their fellow disciples are quite angry when they find out what the brothers are asking. Jesus calls them to order and then instructs them on the importance of service. He asks them whether they are prepared to drink the cup that he is about to drink. They say that they can. That he can offer them, but seats at his right hand and his left are not his to give but belong to the Father.
This call to service goes to the heart of our calling as followers of Jesus. But how do we balance this out with our career options? It is noteworthy that work which in the past was seen as a vocation is now seen as a career. People even look at climbing up the clerical ladder in the Church as a career path. It is totally contrary to what Jesus is saying. Does that mean following a career path is at odds with the call to follow Christ? No. What it does mean is that the call to serve needs to be foremost whether one is climbing up the ladder or not.
I recall when I was a student meeting up with a medical student with whom I worked during the Christmas vacation and being totally shocked when he revealed that he was studying to be a doctor for the money. To my idealistic mind this was quite alien. Teaching, nursing, medicine were on a par with working in the Church as forms of service. Career was secondary. However the contemporary world sees these roles as professions around which there are “appropriate” ways of acting. Somehow the personal is that little bit removed.
How do we counter this? First our minds and hearts need to be grounded in the Gospel. We speak of the Living Word which is not reduced to words in a book but is, in the words of the Letter to the Hebrews read last Sunday, something alive and active like a double-edged sword. Selfless service is at the heart of the Christian calling. But this must be held in balance with other responsibilities. You have to take care of yourself otherwise you will be run into the ground. That is a balancing act. But if we are to drink the cup that he drinks we need to be reminded that we will not find true fulfilment without the cross. The cross is the path to the fullness of life which God offers us. This is our mission, here and now. Let us embrace it.
Peter Murphy
MISSION SUNDAY – 18 OCTOBER
This collection is the major fundraiser for the work of the Pontifical Mis-sion Societies. The Pontifical Mission is directed especially towards the Care of Children, the immediate Relief of the Poor and the support of Missionary Seminaries and Religious Institu-tions in dioceses in the mission territories that are in need of financial assistance. Please give generously, envelopes available today.
Call to Mission: We farewell and keep in our prayers Sister Rebecca who leaves for Guinea, West Africa this Sunday, she will spend two years there with the children in schools.
We congratulate our Samoan Community who are celebrating their Feast Day at this time.
We welcome through Baptism – Scarlet Rose Styles
All are invited to join: Praying the 20 Decades Rosary – with the Legion of Mary.
3.30pm in the church each Wednesday during the month of October.
Ramarama Cemetery – needed: people to join existing members of a committee who will oversee tidy up and then development of a Catholic Cemetery, please contact the parish office to help with this.
Master Plan Meeting – next will be Thursday 29 October, 7pm, Ryder Rm. Welcome.
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,
Mondays 4.15 – 5pm, Ryder Rm. Contact Barbara 299 8070. 027 476 1419,lees@slingshot.co.nz
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, two more sessions 7.30-8.30pm Mondays (19th,26th), Ryder Rm – welcome.
Suzanne Aubert – we are looking for a parish co-ordinator/s to help promote New Zealand’s first saint in the making, and to be a link between the Sisters of compassion and the parish community, if this is something that may appeal to you please contact the parish office – ph 2996056.
A copy of the first issue of the Suzanne Aubert News in the foyer today.
Parish Events/Fundraising:
Parish Art & Craft Sale and Big Day Out – Saturday 28 November 2015 – 9am to 4pm. To participate, please get your booking slip and payment (from the back of the flier) in to the parish office as soon as possible. Spaces allocated on a ‘first in, first served’ basis. Plenty of table space under cover. Enjoy being creative! Celebrate our Parish community!’
A ‘Social’ – St Mary’s Hall Saturday 7 November, to raise funds for the parish building projects. Tickets $10 include supper, BYO drinks. Live music, good food – mix and mingle.
Details/tickets:Telesia 0210472069/2965108 and parish office.
St Mary’s Parish
Family Pilgrimage
Motuti
January 23 – 25 2016
Diocesan Youth Mass: Sunday, 25 October, 7 pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral – hosted by our participants from A Place To Stand Leadership Development programme – The theme for the Mass is “Walk By Faith, Not By Sight” and it will be celebrated by Fr Larry. $2 parking available. All are welcome.
Celebrating the Family – Sunday 18 October, 1-4pm Carmelite Monastery, 636 Mt Albert Rd, Royal Oak. Ph 6294316, www.fli.org.nz. See noticeboard for details.
Anyone suffering from the loss of a child before or at birth is invited to attend aMass of Consolation, Hope and Healing, which includes a candlelight service of remembrance, this Wednesday 21 October 7:30pm, Chapel of the Annunciation, 569 Richardson Road, Mt Roskill, Ongoing support through the healing process is available for those who desire it. 09 629 4361, text 027 299 9815 or visit fli.org.nz.
Jubilee Bursaries for University theological education – applications Semester 1, 2016 (closes Friday 13 Nov 2015) Applicants must be Catholics making a contribution to the mission of the Catholic Church in the Auckland Diocese. Bursaries contribute towards university fees for theology courses. Information/application pack: Michelle Jarvis michellej@cda.org.nz (09)360-3091 Catholic Schools Office
Ecumenical Bible Study – if you are interested please contact Anne Moody 09 948 9940/0272401738 or anne.moody3@gmail.com, pamphlet in foyer.
Dove Catholic Fellowship for Women next meeting. Come along, bring a friend. Tue 27 October, 7.30pm, St Anne’s Parish Hall,126 Russell Rd, Manurewa. Speaker: Gina Benade, Topic: Self Control – Info: Grace 577 3479 orwww.dove.org.nz
Spare unused Christmas Cards? We are collecting Christmas cards to distribute to women in prison for sending to family. There is a box in the foyer if you can help.
Vacancy Auckland Catholic Diocese – Women’s Prison Chaplaincy – for a suitably qualified person to work as a member of the Prison Chaplaincy Services Aotearoa New Zealand Chaplaincy Team, which delivers Ecumenical Chaplaincy services to women in prison at Auckland Regional Women’s Corrections Facility (ARWCF), Wiri. A permanent half-time position of 20 hours per week. The Catholic Prison Chaplaincy service is a separate but integrated ministry which promotes and shares the Gospel message, provides for the celebration of the Sacraments and provides pastoral care, counsel and support. The person we are looking for will come from a committed Catholic ministry background, have undertaken ongoing formation and had at least two years of pastoral ministry. Position description/application form please visit our websitewww.aucklandcatholic.org.nz. Please send a cover letter, application form and CV to Leanne Killgour, Leader People Support and Development,leannek@cda.org.nz. Applications close 23 October