This weekend, I have the privilege of serving as a Mission Ambassador at Masses in Holland Park and Mt Gravatt.
Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your worship celebrations, as a community, tonight/today.
Three housekeeping matters, before I begin:
1) Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this area and pay respect to our indigenous brothers and sisters;
2) Secondly, I would ask, right now, that you please take up one of the envelopes that are placed in each pew, as I am going to be referring to this regularly during my talk. Have a quick look at it and you will note, I hope, the strong indigenous 'flavour', or 'feel', to the way the envelope looks and also the actual content contained on it.
3) My final housekeeping matter is perhaps the most important and that's to say "THANKYOU" for the support you have given to Catholic Mission in the past. Whether it be through our annual appeals, or as a regular donor, we - and the people we serve - are extremely grateful.
To be among you tonight is actually quite challenging for me. Tonight/today's Gospel, with its focus on the death - and resurrection - of the 12-year-old daughter of Jairus is extremely poignant. I will explain why shortly. But let me ask, at this point, in time, if all those who are parents could raise their hands: as I suspected, it is many of us here tonight who have experienced the joys and no doubt challenges of parenthood. I hope you will feel a certain sense of solidarity with some of the stories I share with you tonight.
The second reading proclaimed by (insert name of reader) is such a great text for us to hear on this weekend when Catholic Mission is conducting its annual appeal. There is so much in it that is relevant to the message I want to leave with you today/tonight. Writing to the church in Corinth, St Paul reminds them that with the same spirit of generosity shown by Jesus - who laid down his life for us all - so they need to be generous to those less fortunate. This is part of their mission as a community of believers.
But the other mission that they also have to bear in mind is the call to look after each other. He writes: "This does not mean that to give relief to others you ought to make things difficult for yourselves". It is a question, Paul says, of balance: their surplus against the needs of those around them. So my first message to you all is the same message I would say to any donors: "please consider your particular circumstances - as a couple, as a family, as an individual - and then give generously, from your own surplus.
In saying this, however, I am not saying 'don't give'. Nor am I saying that the need is not great. And I am definitely not saying that you should give simply because there is someone less fortunate. I am not here tonight asking for charity. Far from it. Instead, I am asking you to join with all those who are putting their faith into practice, as missionaries, and whose own lives are being enriched by their experiences of serving others, either at home or overseas.
Let me explain: anyone who is a Vincentian and who does visitation work on a regular basis, or anyone who has done any sort of outreach or volunteer work will tell you that, often, through their experiences, their life is enriched by the people they encounter. Missionaries over the years write and speak of this experience as well. It is the realisation that comes when we understand that while we might be engaging in mission to others, it is those others who impact and affect us as well. This is the essence of the Christian Gospel and it is what is meant by our appeal slogan "Our salvation is bound together". Paul reminds us of this when he writes, again in the second reading, "one day, those in need may have something to spare that will supply your own need".
So my second message to you tonight/today is: do not think of the people I now tell you about as in need of charity. Yes, their circumstances are difficult, at times even life-threatening. But all the people Catholic Mission helps in more 180 countries around the world, and across Australia, are worthy of help simply because they, like us, are made in the image of God. People like Sr Barbara Tippolay, and those they work with, deserve our support simply because they are doing what we cannot do, but which we recognise as being important towards building the Kingdom of God.
Sr Barbara Tippolay lives and works in a remote community on the Tiwi Islands, just north of Darwin. After many years serving others in PNG, Sister Barbara felt called to bring healing into her own community.
As a child, Sr Barbara was raised at Garden Point Mission on Melville Island. As she became a teenager, she found herself assuming responsibility for looking after some of the smaller children in the community.
She then went on to work as a teacher in Papua New Guinea and ultimately became Superior General for her congregation, The Handmaids of Our Lord. Since coming back to the Tiwi Islands, she co-ordinates a Women's Centre, where she encourages local women to share their creative talents. This poster and the envelope you have in your hand (hold up poster and envelope) each contain elements of some of the art work produced by one of those women and Catholic Mission is grateful to have been given permission to use it in our appeal materials.
Sr Barbara is a living example of someone who seeks to bring the Good News message of hope and reconciliation to those around her. Working with the women, on various textiles projects and engaging in regular dialogue and discussion, Sr Barbara has created a space where her fellow Tiwi Islanders can share the stories of their history and of their family life and also of their struggles with issues such as domestic violence and suicide.
The sisters are often stretched for resources. To help with their work, they do their own fundraising by baking cakes and selling them to locals. Sometimes, they have to deal with the reality of people, who are desperate, being found asleep on their front steps.
Like the psalmist who says he will declare his gratitude to God forever, so Sr Barbara - and the many thousands of missionaries like her - are grateful for the support people like you here tonight/today, provide.
Before I reflect on tonight's/today's Gospel, and its significance to me, let me tell you briefly about Catholic Mission itself. Firstly, we are not an agency that has occasional contact with the Catholic Church; we are very much embedded in the Church itself. We are the official aid agency of the Pope and have been supporting the church in more than 160 countries for over 185 years.
Secondly, we structure our work through three different Societies, each of which has a particular focus or mandate: there is the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which allows donors to support the work of the Church across different communities; this includes the Home Mission Fund, which has been set up by the Catholic Church in Australia to support, through a 30 per cent allocation of funds raised through our church appeals, the church's work in remote, poor and indigenous communities, in Australia. Our work with our indigenous brothers and sisters is, as you can tell from the story of Sr Barbara, just as important and just as powerful an example of mission work as what occurs overseas.
The second Society is the Children's Mission Society. This allows donors to support the church's work with children. Significantly, we do not look to support one-on-one relationships, through child sponsorship, but rather we facilitate the support of whole communities of young children and teenagers, through this program. I will have some brochures with me at the end of Mass for anyone who would like to know more about supporting this particular ministry.
Finally, there is the Society of St Peter Apostle. This is a program that gives donors the chance to support the church's work of training and equipping future leaders, such as priests and religious, to serve communities in their place of birth.
This is who we are, as an organisation. The funds are dispersed in a very democratic way in that each year, National Directors from each country's version of Catholic Mission gather to see how much money has been raised. They then look at the various applications for funding that have been submitted, from each diocese across the globe, and make decisions about which projects or ministries can be supported. It is very much the local church putting forward ideas for enriching, or bringing life, to the people it is serving at a grassroots level. We, as Catholic Mission in Australia, do not impose or tell people like Sr Barbara where and how to spend any money they might receive. This is a powerful model and one which helps ensure accountability to our different stakeholders, especially our donors.
Now, I have hinted that today's Gospel and the first reading, both of which focus on the topic of death, provided me with some significant emotional and intellectual challenges. One of the reasons I say this is because the reality for many of the children we support, and for many of those in countries where the church is at work, is that death is always present! If we - Catholic Mission - is to truly live out its mission statement of "Life to the full", we must continue to call upon the people of Australia, to support our work.
Another reason why I have been confronted by the content of today's readings is that during the week I heard that some friends of our's had lost their 5-year-old daughter. She had been sick for many months and had spent the past several months virtually confined to a hospital bed, in a room of the Paterson Ward at the Royal Children's Hospital. She had not been expected to see her fifth birthday...but she did…and then, somehow, against the odds, the days kept rolling on! Her parents stayed by her bedside, day and night, waiting for the moment when they would finally have to say 'goodbye'. That moment came last Wednesday morning, at 1.24am. For this little girl's parents, there was to be no miraculous recovery like we hear about with the daughter of Jairus.
I know so much about this family's journey because my wife and I have walked the same path. With our son Brodie, we have spent many months, in another room, just down the hall in the same hospital. Brodie's situation is not terminal but it is certainly chronic and we have been told, as recently as this week, that unless a miracle occurs, we can only expect to have him with us for "months or years but definitely not decades".
I mention the stories of these two children because I have to come to realise that, when all is said and done, what our faith is all about is that we are all engaged in Mission. Since assuming the role of Director, I have come to passionately believe that whatever we do as Christians - in relationships, in our professional lives, in our extra-curricular activities - we are engaging in Mission. As a father, I have come to appreciate, as Jairus did, that my mission is to care for, role model and hopefully, instill in Brodie a knowledge that he is indeed loved by God. As a husband, I have learnt that my mission is to love and support Celena, even when it may not be the most exciting option to do so. As an employee, my mission is to act justly, to walk humbly and to love those around me, with tenderness and compassion.
Each of us here tonight/today are engaged in Mission. But there are some who undertake missionary work in foreign lands or locations removed from where they grew up. It is those we support through Catholic Mission and it is those we ask you to think about, pray about and, most importantly, contribute to tonight/today.
I share about my son and the daughter of our friends because it reminds me of why I am working for Catholic Mission. We have access to medical professionals and a whole range of resources, simply because of where we live. But many of those we support – in the orphanages of Africa or the schools of India – do not have the same opportunities.
My call to each of you here tonight/today is two-fold: celebrate your own missionary calling, whatever and however that may be; and please give generously so that parents who struggle to feed, clothe or keep their children healthy do not have to experience the heartache and loss that comes when a son or daughter dies.
If I could ask that you now take your envelope, and a pencil or pen, and make a contribution appropriate to your circumstances and ability to give.
If you are wondering about what is an appropriate gift, I draw your attention to the inside flap of the envelope, which lists how certain amounts could be used in communities across the world.
(Pause to give people time to fill out envelopes)
As we move into the celebration of our Eucharist, I would like to thank Sr Kari for giving me permission to share with you tonight. It is a privilege that Catholic Mission does not take for granted. Thank you Sister.
Finally, I would like to thank you: for your attention as I have spoken, for your interest in the work of Catholic Mission, and, most significantly tonight/today, for your financial generosity. I pray God will richly bless you all and look forward to being part of your community again in the future.
Read more...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
I have made my debut as a Catholic Mission speaker
This is a copy of the first talk I gave as part of my role as a Catholic Mission Ambassador, at Masses in the Annerley/Ekibin Churches last weekend (June 20-21).
Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your worship celebrations, as a community, tonight/today.
Three housekeeping matters, before I begin:
1) Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this area and pay respect to our indigenous brothers and sisters;
2) Secondly, I would ask, right now, that you please take up one of the envelopes that are placed in each pew, as I am going to be referring to this regularly during my talk.
3) My final housekeeping matter is perhaps the most important and that's to say "THANKYOU" for the support you have given to Catholic Mission in the past. Whether it be through our annual appeals, or as a regular donor, we - and the people we serve - are extremely grateful.
I am extremely humbled to be here, within the church community of St John Fisher/MaryMac, as this is an area that holds some fond memories for me. I was working for the St Vincent de Paul Society several years ago, as its State Youth Ministries Co-ordinator, when I had the privilege of accompanying a group of young children from Inala, for a Buddies Day, to a World Refugee Day event hosted in, and around, the MaryMac function centre. I also have been present at a number of the Adult Faith Gathering Days that are held each year in the same venue.
What I saw when we brought the children from Inala was what happens when different cultures meet: the children came to experience a day out but they had their eyes, minds and I would dare say, their hearts, opened to the presence of people who were different from them. In turn, the overall day was enriched when some of those children got up to take part in some traditional dancing put on by some of the African people.
Mission is not just about us going off to make someone else's life better. Hopefully, that's a direct result of mission taking place. But the essence of mission lies in the type of encounter we hear about in today's second reading, where Paul and Barnabas speak of their interaction with the Gentiles: in responding to the call, or command of God, they are compelled to share the light of Christ; the Gentiles, in turn are "glad and honored" and come to their own relationship with God. Faith is not imposed or forced upon them but it becomes their choice.
The story of Sr Barbara Tippolay, who is the focus of our appeal at this time, also reflects this dynamic.
Sr Barbara lives and works in a remote community on the Tiwi Islands, just north of Darwin. After many years serving others in PNG, Sister Barbara felt called to bring healing into her own community.
As a child, she was raised at Garden Point Mission on Melville Island. As she became a teenager, she found herself assuming responsibility for looking after some of the smaller children in the community.
Sr Barbara then went on to work as a teacher in PNG and ultimately became Superior General for her congregation, The Handmaids of Our Lord. Since returning to the Tiwi Islands, she co-ordinates a Women's Centre, where she encourages local women to share their creative talents. This poster and the envelope you have in your hand (hold up poster and envelope) each contain elements of some of the art work produced by one of these women and Catholic Mission is grateful to have been given permission to use it in our appeal materials.
Just as Paul and Barnabas responded to the call into today's Gospel, to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation", Sr Barbara is a living example of someone who seeks to bring the Good News message of hope and reconciliation to those around her. Working with the women, on various textiles projects and engaging in regular dialogue and discussion, Sr Barbara has created a space where her fellow Tiwi Islanders can share the stories of their history and of their family life and also of their struggles with issues such as domestic violence and suicide.
To help with their work, the Sisters often fundraise by baking cakes and selling them to locals. Sometimes, they have to deal with the reality of finding desperate people asleep on their front steps.
Sr Barbara is doing all she can to help these people. But just as the disciples were upheld by the Lord, so too Sr Barbara needs our support. This is where Catholic Mission - and the people who support us - come in.
Before I share the story of another missionary with you, let me tell you briefly about Catholic Mission itself. Firstly, we are not an agency that has occasional contact with the Catholic Church; we are very much embedded in the Church itself. We are the official aid agency of the Pope and have been supporting the church in more than 160 countries for over 185 years.
Secondly, we structure our work through three different Societies, each of which has a particular focus or mandate: there is the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which allows donors to support the work of the Church across different communities; this includes the Home Mission Fund, which has been set up by the Catholic Church in Australia to support, through a 30 per cent allocation of funds raised through our church appeals, the church's work in remote, poor and indigenous communities, in Australia. Our work with our indigenous brothers and sisters is, as you can tell from the story of Sr Barbara, just as important and powerful an example of mission work as what occurs overseas.
The second Society is the Children's Mission Society, which allows donors to support the church's work with children. I will have some brochures with me at the end of Mass for anyone who would like to know more about supporting this particular ministry.
Finally, there is the Society of St Peter Apostle. This is a program that gives donors the chance to support the church's work of training and equipping future leaders, such as priests and religious, to serve communities in their place of birth.
Our funds are dispersed in a very democratic way each year. National Directors from each country's version of Catholic Mission gather to see how much money has been raised. They then look at the various applications for funding that have been submitted, from each diocese across the globe, and make decisions about which projects or ministries can be supported. It is very much the local church putting forward ideas for enriching, or bringing life, to the people it is serving at a grassroots level. We, as Catholic Mission in Australia, do not impose or tell people like Sr Barbara where and how to spend any money they might receive. This is a powerful model and one which helps ensure accountability to our different stakeholders, especially our donors.
Before I actually ask you to make a donation, let me share about a story of another missionary. I have already talked about Sr Barbara and I commend her story to you. But some of you may be sitting there wondering "that's fine, she's a nun, that's what nuns do" or "I could never be a missionary like that…" or "look, I have enough trouble dealing with the demands of family, work, and all the other things that make up my life - how can I 'go into the world and do what the disciples were called to do?" I won't ask for a show of hands but I suspect there are some among us, including myself, who regularly ask questions such as these, either at Mass or perhaps in the quietness of our own heart…
If you are in that group, and perhaps even if you're not, let me tell you about a 41-year-old man who is engaged in mission. This man is not in ordained ministry. He possesses no immediately obvious special gifts or qualifications. This man is husband to a wife who has a significant medical condition. He is the father to a nearly four-year-old son who also has the same medical condition. In fact, his son returned home yesterday after more than a month in the Royal Children's Hospital fighting a significant infection and complications arising from his condition. The man of whom I speak has buried his first and only daughter, who died at 137 days. He struggles with all the demands and temptations that come from working as a professional, is often away from home, and has to manage competing priorities.
But what this man – what I – have learnt is what all of us who are parents learn: that we will never do anything more important than bringing life into this world and that our first calling, our mission, is to impart the love of God onto our children. As a husband, I have learnt that no matter what our relationship status is - divorced, widowed, married, single or ordained - our mission as Christians is to be fully present to those around us, and to let the light of our faith "shine".
Each of us are indeed engaged in Mission. But there are some who, like the disciples, undertake missionary work in foreign lands or locations removed from where they grew up. It is those we support through Catholic Mission and it is those people we ask you to think about, pray about and, most importantly, contribute to tonight/today.
My call to each of you here tonight is two-fold: celebrate your own missionary calling, whatever and however that may be; and please give generously so that the "riches of this nation" will be brought to people like Sr Barbara.
If I could ask that you now take your envelope, and a pencil or pen, and make a contribution appropriate to your circumstances and ability to give.
If you are wondering about what is an appropriate gift, I draw your attention to the inside flap of the envelope, which lists how certain amounts could be used in communities across the world.
As we move into the celebration of our Eucharist, I would like to thank Fr John Gillen/Fr Michael McKeaton for giving me permission to share with you tonight. It is a privilege that Catholic Mission does not take for granted. Thankyou Father.
Finally, I would like to thank you: for your attention as I have spoken, for your interest in the work of Catholic Mission, and, most significantly tonight/today, for your financial generosity. I pray God will richly bless you all and look forward to being part of your community again in the future.
Read more...
Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your worship celebrations, as a community, tonight/today.
Three housekeeping matters, before I begin:
1) Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this area and pay respect to our indigenous brothers and sisters;
2) Secondly, I would ask, right now, that you please take up one of the envelopes that are placed in each pew, as I am going to be referring to this regularly during my talk.
3) My final housekeeping matter is perhaps the most important and that's to say "THANKYOU" for the support you have given to Catholic Mission in the past. Whether it be through our annual appeals, or as a regular donor, we - and the people we serve - are extremely grateful.
I am extremely humbled to be here, within the church community of St John Fisher/MaryMac, as this is an area that holds some fond memories for me. I was working for the St Vincent de Paul Society several years ago, as its State Youth Ministries Co-ordinator, when I had the privilege of accompanying a group of young children from Inala, for a Buddies Day, to a World Refugee Day event hosted in, and around, the MaryMac function centre. I also have been present at a number of the Adult Faith Gathering Days that are held each year in the same venue.
What I saw when we brought the children from Inala was what happens when different cultures meet: the children came to experience a day out but they had their eyes, minds and I would dare say, their hearts, opened to the presence of people who were different from them. In turn, the overall day was enriched when some of those children got up to take part in some traditional dancing put on by some of the African people.
Mission is not just about us going off to make someone else's life better. Hopefully, that's a direct result of mission taking place. But the essence of mission lies in the type of encounter we hear about in today's second reading, where Paul and Barnabas speak of their interaction with the Gentiles: in responding to the call, or command of God, they are compelled to share the light of Christ; the Gentiles, in turn are "glad and honored" and come to their own relationship with God. Faith is not imposed or forced upon them but it becomes their choice.
The story of Sr Barbara Tippolay, who is the focus of our appeal at this time, also reflects this dynamic.
Sr Barbara lives and works in a remote community on the Tiwi Islands, just north of Darwin. After many years serving others in PNG, Sister Barbara felt called to bring healing into her own community.
As a child, she was raised at Garden Point Mission on Melville Island. As she became a teenager, she found herself assuming responsibility for looking after some of the smaller children in the community.
Sr Barbara then went on to work as a teacher in PNG and ultimately became Superior General for her congregation, The Handmaids of Our Lord. Since returning to the Tiwi Islands, she co-ordinates a Women's Centre, where she encourages local women to share their creative talents. This poster and the envelope you have in your hand (hold up poster and envelope) each contain elements of some of the art work produced by one of these women and Catholic Mission is grateful to have been given permission to use it in our appeal materials.
Just as Paul and Barnabas responded to the call into today's Gospel, to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation", Sr Barbara is a living example of someone who seeks to bring the Good News message of hope and reconciliation to those around her. Working with the women, on various textiles projects and engaging in regular dialogue and discussion, Sr Barbara has created a space where her fellow Tiwi Islanders can share the stories of their history and of their family life and also of their struggles with issues such as domestic violence and suicide.
To help with their work, the Sisters often fundraise by baking cakes and selling them to locals. Sometimes, they have to deal with the reality of finding desperate people asleep on their front steps.
Sr Barbara is doing all she can to help these people. But just as the disciples were upheld by the Lord, so too Sr Barbara needs our support. This is where Catholic Mission - and the people who support us - come in.
Before I share the story of another missionary with you, let me tell you briefly about Catholic Mission itself. Firstly, we are not an agency that has occasional contact with the Catholic Church; we are very much embedded in the Church itself. We are the official aid agency of the Pope and have been supporting the church in more than 160 countries for over 185 years.
Secondly, we structure our work through three different Societies, each of which has a particular focus or mandate: there is the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which allows donors to support the work of the Church across different communities; this includes the Home Mission Fund, which has been set up by the Catholic Church in Australia to support, through a 30 per cent allocation of funds raised through our church appeals, the church's work in remote, poor and indigenous communities, in Australia. Our work with our indigenous brothers and sisters is, as you can tell from the story of Sr Barbara, just as important and powerful an example of mission work as what occurs overseas.
The second Society is the Children's Mission Society, which allows donors to support the church's work with children. I will have some brochures with me at the end of Mass for anyone who would like to know more about supporting this particular ministry.
Finally, there is the Society of St Peter Apostle. This is a program that gives donors the chance to support the church's work of training and equipping future leaders, such as priests and religious, to serve communities in their place of birth.
Our funds are dispersed in a very democratic way each year. National Directors from each country's version of Catholic Mission gather to see how much money has been raised. They then look at the various applications for funding that have been submitted, from each diocese across the globe, and make decisions about which projects or ministries can be supported. It is very much the local church putting forward ideas for enriching, or bringing life, to the people it is serving at a grassroots level. We, as Catholic Mission in Australia, do not impose or tell people like Sr Barbara where and how to spend any money they might receive. This is a powerful model and one which helps ensure accountability to our different stakeholders, especially our donors.
Before I actually ask you to make a donation, let me share about a story of another missionary. I have already talked about Sr Barbara and I commend her story to you. But some of you may be sitting there wondering "that's fine, she's a nun, that's what nuns do" or "I could never be a missionary like that…" or "look, I have enough trouble dealing with the demands of family, work, and all the other things that make up my life - how can I 'go into the world and do what the disciples were called to do?" I won't ask for a show of hands but I suspect there are some among us, including myself, who regularly ask questions such as these, either at Mass or perhaps in the quietness of our own heart…
If you are in that group, and perhaps even if you're not, let me tell you about a 41-year-old man who is engaged in mission. This man is not in ordained ministry. He possesses no immediately obvious special gifts or qualifications. This man is husband to a wife who has a significant medical condition. He is the father to a nearly four-year-old son who also has the same medical condition. In fact, his son returned home yesterday after more than a month in the Royal Children's Hospital fighting a significant infection and complications arising from his condition. The man of whom I speak has buried his first and only daughter, who died at 137 days. He struggles with all the demands and temptations that come from working as a professional, is often away from home, and has to manage competing priorities.
But what this man – what I – have learnt is what all of us who are parents learn: that we will never do anything more important than bringing life into this world and that our first calling, our mission, is to impart the love of God onto our children. As a husband, I have learnt that no matter what our relationship status is - divorced, widowed, married, single or ordained - our mission as Christians is to be fully present to those around us, and to let the light of our faith "shine".
Each of us are indeed engaged in Mission. But there are some who, like the disciples, undertake missionary work in foreign lands or locations removed from where they grew up. It is those we support through Catholic Mission and it is those people we ask you to think about, pray about and, most importantly, contribute to tonight/today.
My call to each of you here tonight is two-fold: celebrate your own missionary calling, whatever and however that may be; and please give generously so that the "riches of this nation" will be brought to people like Sr Barbara.
If I could ask that you now take your envelope, and a pencil or pen, and make a contribution appropriate to your circumstances and ability to give.
If you are wondering about what is an appropriate gift, I draw your attention to the inside flap of the envelope, which lists how certain amounts could be used in communities across the world.
As we move into the celebration of our Eucharist, I would like to thank Fr John Gillen/Fr Michael McKeaton for giving me permission to share with you tonight. It is a privilege that Catholic Mission does not take for granted. Thankyou Father.
Finally, I would like to thank you: for your attention as I have spoken, for your interest in the work of Catholic Mission, and, most significantly tonight/today, for your financial generosity. I pray God will richly bless you all and look forward to being part of your community again in the future.
Read more...
Monday, June 15, 2009
My son's singing is music to my ears
If you are confined to hospital, a visit from the music therapist is a welcome respite.
My son has a crush! I think one of his favourite people, during his regular stays in hospital, is Helen, a talented young lady with a melodious voice and a green guitar. She's great. Brodie comes to life when she visits and they make their way through the Wiggles' songs - Big Red Car, We're the Cowboys, Hot Potato. It truly is "music to my ears - and heart".
Read more...
My son has a crush! I think one of his favourite people, during his regular stays in hospital, is Helen, a talented young lady with a melodious voice and a green guitar. She's great. Brodie comes to life when she visits and they make their way through the Wiggles' songs - Big Red Car, We're the Cowboys, Hot Potato. It truly is "music to my ears - and heart".
Read more...
Friday, June 12, 2009
God continues to do 'new things' in our lives
Here are some comments, insights and observations about the readings offered during the Mass for 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
“…for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here.” (Corinthians 5:14-17)
• As we begin reading a selection of extracts from the Gospel of Mark, on this 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are reminded that God is constantly doing “new things” in our lives. We have seen this at Easter, with the Resurrection of Jesus. We have seen it at Pentecost, when the apostles started preaching in different languages. And we see it for the Church today, through the 2nd reading, which reminds us to look beyond ourselves and instead focus on others.
• When we do think about others, rather than ourselves, we can appreciate even more the theme chosen by Catholic Mission for this year’s Church Appeal: ‘Our salvation is bound together’. In the readings of today, we see how the disciples come to appreciate that their salvation, and well-being, is inextricably linked to their mentor, Jesus. He protects them by calming the storm. They, in turn, realize how much they rely on him. People who are helped by Catholic Mission share a similar relationship with those who seek to lend them support.
• Of course, being less self-absorbed or less focused on our own wants and needs, is not easy. In some ways, the pressure to ‘have this’, or to ‘possess that’, is a sign that we are constantly surrounded by storms of temptation and desire. It is not easy to follow Christ, especially when it involves putting ourselves out, for the sake of others.
• Job discerns the challenge of being a person of faith in “the heart of the tempest”. Similarly, the disciples find themselves confronted by a storm and then having to experience the humiliation of being rebuked for their own lack of faith.
• Engaging in Mission is all about helping calm the storms that rage around those less fortunate than ourselves; it’s about bringing peace and hope. when others find themselves swamped; it’s about answering the cries of the needy, as we hear in the Responsorial Psalm.
• For some people, embarking on mission means taking a leaf out of Jesus’ book and “crossing over to the other side” (see the Gospel). For those who serve as missionaries overseas, they have recognized that to be truly effective in evangelizing to others, they have had to step away from their comfort zone. Catholic Mission makes it somewhat easier for those who take this leap of faith.
• This weekend, as Catholic Mission conducts its annual appeal, we pray you will join with us in helping do a ‘ new thing’ across more than 165 countries. As it reminds us in the Responsorial Psalm: the love of the Lord is everlasting. Your donation is evidence of this fact.
Useful references I drew upon in preparing these notes and comments included Break Open the Word (Year B – 2009). A useful website you also might like to explore are www.dailyscripture.net (click on the relevant date).
Read more...
“…for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here.” (Corinthians 5:14-17)
• As we begin reading a selection of extracts from the Gospel of Mark, on this 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are reminded that God is constantly doing “new things” in our lives. We have seen this at Easter, with the Resurrection of Jesus. We have seen it at Pentecost, when the apostles started preaching in different languages. And we see it for the Church today, through the 2nd reading, which reminds us to look beyond ourselves and instead focus on others.
• When we do think about others, rather than ourselves, we can appreciate even more the theme chosen by Catholic Mission for this year’s Church Appeal: ‘Our salvation is bound together’. In the readings of today, we see how the disciples come to appreciate that their salvation, and well-being, is inextricably linked to their mentor, Jesus. He protects them by calming the storm. They, in turn, realize how much they rely on him. People who are helped by Catholic Mission share a similar relationship with those who seek to lend them support.
• Of course, being less self-absorbed or less focused on our own wants and needs, is not easy. In some ways, the pressure to ‘have this’, or to ‘possess that’, is a sign that we are constantly surrounded by storms of temptation and desire. It is not easy to follow Christ, especially when it involves putting ourselves out, for the sake of others.
• Job discerns the challenge of being a person of faith in “the heart of the tempest”. Similarly, the disciples find themselves confronted by a storm and then having to experience the humiliation of being rebuked for their own lack of faith.
• Engaging in Mission is all about helping calm the storms that rage around those less fortunate than ourselves; it’s about bringing peace and hope. when others find themselves swamped; it’s about answering the cries of the needy, as we hear in the Responsorial Psalm.
• For some people, embarking on mission means taking a leaf out of Jesus’ book and “crossing over to the other side” (see the Gospel). For those who serve as missionaries overseas, they have recognized that to be truly effective in evangelizing to others, they have had to step away from their comfort zone. Catholic Mission makes it somewhat easier for those who take this leap of faith.
• This weekend, as Catholic Mission conducts its annual appeal, we pray you will join with us in helping do a ‘ new thing’ across more than 165 countries. As it reminds us in the Responsorial Psalm: the love of the Lord is everlasting. Your donation is evidence of this fact.
Useful references I drew upon in preparing these notes and comments included Break Open the Word (Year B – 2009). A useful website you also might like to explore are www.dailyscripture.net (click on the relevant date).
Read more...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Children being exploited for labour provokes outrage
With the issue of child labour on the agenda this week (Friday, June 14 is World Day Against Child Labour), the prayers of intention sent out to parishes in the Brisbane Archdiocese, by Catholic Mission, seek to raise awareness of this global blight.
Heavenly Father: You sent your Son Jesus to die for us, so that His blood would be poured out for all men and women. We come before you now, humbled by such love and grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus, who is the Christ. We ask that you respond with similar generosity to these intentions.
For all our Church leaders who, like Moses, guide us in the right way of maintaining the covenant established by the death of your Son Jesus on the Cross.
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
For each of us who are part of the new covenant, that we will recognise the role we have to play and be generous with our gifts, in the service of You and others.
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
For all children, especially those who are exploited for cheap labour: may we never stop being outraged that some boys and girls do not experience peace and safety as a natural part of growing up.
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
For all those who are engaged in Mission, both at home and abroad, and for those who may not see that what they do, everyday, can also be a part of Your Mission to create the Kingdom of God, here on Earth.
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
For all those who are sick, emotionally, physically or spiritually, and for those who have entered the promise of eternal life, especially (insert names of relevant parishioners or loved ones)
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Loving God, You call us into a covenant each and every day. May we always strive to be like your Son Jesus, willing to lay our bodies down in the service of your Kingdom. Be with us now as we make these prayers, in Jesus’ name.
AMEN
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Heavenly Father: You sent your Son Jesus to die for us, so that His blood would be poured out for all men and women. We come before you now, humbled by such love and grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus, who is the Christ. We ask that you respond with similar generosity to these intentions.
For all our Church leaders who, like Moses, guide us in the right way of maintaining the covenant established by the death of your Son Jesus on the Cross.
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
For each of us who are part of the new covenant, that we will recognise the role we have to play and be generous with our gifts, in the service of You and others.
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
For all children, especially those who are exploited for cheap labour: may we never stop being outraged that some boys and girls do not experience peace and safety as a natural part of growing up.
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
For all those who are engaged in Mission, both at home and abroad, and for those who may not see that what they do, everyday, can also be a part of Your Mission to create the Kingdom of God, here on Earth.
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
For all those who are sick, emotionally, physically or spiritually, and for those who have entered the promise of eternal life, especially (insert names of relevant parishioners or loved ones)
(Pause) Lord hear us. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Loving God, You call us into a covenant each and every day. May we always strive to be like your Son Jesus, willing to lay our bodies down in the service of your Kingdom. Be with us now as we make these prayers, in Jesus’ name.
AMEN
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Notion of 'covenant' reminds us that Our salvation is bound together
In preparation for the first lot of Church Appeals this weekend, I have offered Catholic Mission's Ambassadors some thoughts on the readings they will be following at Masses.
• A recurring word or image in all of the readings today is ‘covenant’. The Macquarie Dictionary gives a couple of definitions for this word, including: “an agreement between two or more persons to do, or refrain from doing, some act” and, in the context of Biblical writings, a covenant is “the agreement or engagement of God with man as set forth in the Old and New Testaments”.
• On this day of the Body and Blood of Christ, we are reminded of how the Blood of Jesus was poured out, via his death on the Cross, as part of the new covenant between God and His people. The covenant established between God and the Israelites, as shown in the first reading, and marked by the offering of bullock blood, is replaced with the blood symbolically offered by Jesus at the Last Supper.
• What all this means for us, on this day of the Catholic Mission Appeals, is that the covenant we have entered into, as Christians, involves us giving of ourselves to others. Our generosity becomes the lifeblood for those in difficult circumstances, such as poverty, oppression, disease and famine.
• For us at Catholics, when we give of ourselves, be it through time, talent or treasure, we are not only demonstrating our willingness to be good stewards but we are also honouring our obligations under the ‘new covenant’ referred to in the 2nd reading. Our actions are full of life, not death, as Paul writes to the Hebrews.
• Each time we gather for Mass, the Eucharist becomes the summit and the source of our time together. The words attributed to Jesus in today’s Gospel from Mark form key parts of our Eucharistic liturgy. As such, this Gospel should resonate quite strongly with us. However, consider what happens before Jesus proclaims those immortal statements of “Take it, this is my body” and “This is my blood…poured out for many”.
• Before that meal occurred, we hear how the disciples encountered a man with a “pitcher of water”. They then spoke to the owner of a house. Finally, they prepared an Upper Room.
• What today’s Gospel reminds us is that any meal requires preparation. It also requires us all to be involved. The Eucharist would be a barren experience if it was just the priest standing at the altar, in an empty church. Conversely, Communion would lose its sacredness if we were all there and there was no priest to repeat the words of Jesus.
• When we all come together however, faith comes to life! Catholic Mission works the same way: we can’t do much without the generosity of people such as you here at (insert name of parish you are addressing). As you take up the envelopes on your seats, perhaps consider your donations like this: they are the blood that helps us bring life to others. No matter how big or small the amount you contribute, it will bring life to many.
• On this Feast of Corpus Christi, please prayerfully consider your ability to financially support our work, both at home and overseas. Like the man carrying the jug of water, every contribution counts.
Useful references I drew upon in preparing these notes and comments included Break Open the Word (Year B – 2009). A useful website you also might like to explore are www.dailyscripture.net (click on the relevant date).
Read more...
• A recurring word or image in all of the readings today is ‘covenant’. The Macquarie Dictionary gives a couple of definitions for this word, including: “an agreement between two or more persons to do, or refrain from doing, some act” and, in the context of Biblical writings, a covenant is “the agreement or engagement of God with man as set forth in the Old and New Testaments”.
• On this day of the Body and Blood of Christ, we are reminded of how the Blood of Jesus was poured out, via his death on the Cross, as part of the new covenant between God and His people. The covenant established between God and the Israelites, as shown in the first reading, and marked by the offering of bullock blood, is replaced with the blood symbolically offered by Jesus at the Last Supper.
• What all this means for us, on this day of the Catholic Mission Appeals, is that the covenant we have entered into, as Christians, involves us giving of ourselves to others. Our generosity becomes the lifeblood for those in difficult circumstances, such as poverty, oppression, disease and famine.
• For us at Catholics, when we give of ourselves, be it through time, talent or treasure, we are not only demonstrating our willingness to be good stewards but we are also honouring our obligations under the ‘new covenant’ referred to in the 2nd reading. Our actions are full of life, not death, as Paul writes to the Hebrews.
• Each time we gather for Mass, the Eucharist becomes the summit and the source of our time together. The words attributed to Jesus in today’s Gospel from Mark form key parts of our Eucharistic liturgy. As such, this Gospel should resonate quite strongly with us. However, consider what happens before Jesus proclaims those immortal statements of “Take it, this is my body” and “This is my blood…poured out for many”.
• Before that meal occurred, we hear how the disciples encountered a man with a “pitcher of water”. They then spoke to the owner of a house. Finally, they prepared an Upper Room.
• What today’s Gospel reminds us is that any meal requires preparation. It also requires us all to be involved. The Eucharist would be a barren experience if it was just the priest standing at the altar, in an empty church. Conversely, Communion would lose its sacredness if we were all there and there was no priest to repeat the words of Jesus.
• When we all come together however, faith comes to life! Catholic Mission works the same way: we can’t do much without the generosity of people such as you here at (insert name of parish you are addressing). As you take up the envelopes on your seats, perhaps consider your donations like this: they are the blood that helps us bring life to others. No matter how big or small the amount you contribute, it will bring life to many.
• On this Feast of Corpus Christi, please prayerfully consider your ability to financially support our work, both at home and overseas. Like the man carrying the jug of water, every contribution counts.
Useful references I drew upon in preparing these notes and comments included Break Open the Word (Year B – 2009). A useful website you also might like to explore are www.dailyscripture.net (click on the relevant date).
Read more...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Partnership paves the way for support of priests
An unlikely friendship, between two very different individuals, paved the way for a unique means of supporting parish priests.
On November 9 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte established the “Consulate” in France, in effect ending the French Revolution, which was a victory for him, and a few short years away from his reign as dictator. At this time Catholic Mission’s founder Pauline Marie Jaricot was four months old. Her later great-friend-to-be, Jean Marie Vianney, later to become known as the Curé d’Ars, was just over twelve years old. Both grew up knowing what it meant to be Catholic in those days; Pauline was baptised in secret, and, about four miles away, and at approximately the same time, the same persecution demanded that Jean’s First Holy Communion was also concealed from the outside world.
There was a difference, of course. Pauline’s parents owned a silk factory, enabling their eight children, of whom Pauline was the youngest, to be brought up in comfort.
Jean was born into a farming family in Dardilly near Lyons and knew poverty from his earliest years. This was a source of protection during the French Revolution, a period when wealth and status could mean an introduction to Madame la Guillotine! However it also ensured that Jean’s parents were able to offer no more than a single year of school before the nine year-old was needed as a shepherd on the family farm.
Pauline’s was a loving family who doted on its youngest member. There was a very close relationship between Pauline and her brother Phineas who was just two years older. They both wanted to be missionaries. In later years Phileas became a priest and with his advice Pauline’s ambition took a different direction; instead of going out into mission territory, she would organise people to finance missionaries and their work.
Jean also had his dreams. At the age of 18, he wanted to study for the priesthood, but his lack of education was a massive drawback, especially as he had never studied Latin. His was a long and difficult road until he was finally accepted at the major seminary in Lyons, where, even when given private tuition, he failed his Latin exams. His eventual ordination in 1815 was the result of a special dispensation by the Vicar General, given because of Jean’s obvious vocation.
The young priest took his parish duties so seriously that Ars was soon on everybody’s lips. People began flocking there at the rate of 350 per day for the Curé’s advice or absolution in the confessional. Jean might have failed his seminary exams, but he was proving to be an exemplary priest who not only prescribed a penance for those whose sins he forgave, but also practised an extraordinary degree of personal penance on behalf of his parishioners. Even as an old man when Jean Vianney had lost his ability to project his voice when preaching, the crowds still came to church, just to be present for the occasion.
It was through Jean Vianney’s gifts of wisdom, compassion and understanding that eventually Pauline found her way to Ars. A lifelong and close friendship soon came to birth between a woman consumed with love for the Rosary and for the missions, and a priest whose heart was equally on fire with zeal to reach out to others with God’s love. In fact Pauline would eventually found the Living Rosary and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (Catholic Mission’s work with Communities) through her seemingly simple idea that each person could touch the hearts of ten others, who, in turn, could find ten more.
Pauline had a wide Christian vision of social problems. Her efforts to solve these met with miserable failure owing to the dishonesty of others in whom she had placed her trust. Her first idea was to create a special fund for the poor so that they would obtain interest free loans. She had the plan of obtaining a large sum of money from fifteen wealthy families to create the capital of her 'Celestial Bank', but she was unable to obtain the initial capital. Her next idea was to purchase a factory where the dignity of the working person would be upheld and families would not be separated. Pauline was persuaded to purchase a factory in Rustrel by a group of people who diverted the money provided by her and her friends. Pauline would spend the rest of her life involved in various judicial proceedings flowing from their dishonesty. Despite all her efforts the factory was sold off at a low price, and Pauline was still burdened in paying back the remaining massive debts incurred through the machinations of others. Yet, by the time Pauline died in poverty and obscurity on 9 January 1862, she had 2,250,000 followers in France alone!
Jean Vianney’s own life was touched with great suffering from which his holiness was no protection. As with all the great saints who felt driven to extremes of austerity, his general health suffered. His constant availability to others meant that he allowed himself a maximum of four hours sleep at night, sleep that was regularly disturbed by terrifying, often violent, visitations from the Devil. Even when he was dying, there were crowds outside his house, looking for Jean’s blessing and, somehow, he managed to raise his head and hand in order to satisfy their need.
Jean died on 4 August 1869, 6 and a half years after Pauline. He was beatified on 8 January 1905 and canonised in 1925. Four years later, he was declared the patron saint of parish priests. 150 years after his death, Pope Benedict has chosen to mark the anniversary by declaring the Year of the Priest starting from June 19 2009.
During the Year of the Priest we might make a special prayer for missionary priests using the friendship between Jean Vianney and Pauline Jaricot as our inspiration. These priests, inspired by Vianney and supported by Catholic Mission, are vital for the life of the Church.
Read more...
On November 9 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte established the “Consulate” in France, in effect ending the French Revolution, which was a victory for him, and a few short years away from his reign as dictator. At this time Catholic Mission’s founder Pauline Marie Jaricot was four months old. Her later great-friend-to-be, Jean Marie Vianney, later to become known as the Curé d’Ars, was just over twelve years old. Both grew up knowing what it meant to be Catholic in those days; Pauline was baptised in secret, and, about four miles away, and at approximately the same time, the same persecution demanded that Jean’s First Holy Communion was also concealed from the outside world.
There was a difference, of course. Pauline’s parents owned a silk factory, enabling their eight children, of whom Pauline was the youngest, to be brought up in comfort.
Jean was born into a farming family in Dardilly near Lyons and knew poverty from his earliest years. This was a source of protection during the French Revolution, a period when wealth and status could mean an introduction to Madame la Guillotine! However it also ensured that Jean’s parents were able to offer no more than a single year of school before the nine year-old was needed as a shepherd on the family farm.
Pauline’s was a loving family who doted on its youngest member. There was a very close relationship between Pauline and her brother Phineas who was just two years older. They both wanted to be missionaries. In later years Phileas became a priest and with his advice Pauline’s ambition took a different direction; instead of going out into mission territory, she would organise people to finance missionaries and their work.
Jean also had his dreams. At the age of 18, he wanted to study for the priesthood, but his lack of education was a massive drawback, especially as he had never studied Latin. His was a long and difficult road until he was finally accepted at the major seminary in Lyons, where, even when given private tuition, he failed his Latin exams. His eventual ordination in 1815 was the result of a special dispensation by the Vicar General, given because of Jean’s obvious vocation.
The young priest took his parish duties so seriously that Ars was soon on everybody’s lips. People began flocking there at the rate of 350 per day for the Curé’s advice or absolution in the confessional. Jean might have failed his seminary exams, but he was proving to be an exemplary priest who not only prescribed a penance for those whose sins he forgave, but also practised an extraordinary degree of personal penance on behalf of his parishioners. Even as an old man when Jean Vianney had lost his ability to project his voice when preaching, the crowds still came to church, just to be present for the occasion.
It was through Jean Vianney’s gifts of wisdom, compassion and understanding that eventually Pauline found her way to Ars. A lifelong and close friendship soon came to birth between a woman consumed with love for the Rosary and for the missions, and a priest whose heart was equally on fire with zeal to reach out to others with God’s love. In fact Pauline would eventually found the Living Rosary and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (Catholic Mission’s work with Communities) through her seemingly simple idea that each person could touch the hearts of ten others, who, in turn, could find ten more.
Pauline had a wide Christian vision of social problems. Her efforts to solve these met with miserable failure owing to the dishonesty of others in whom she had placed her trust. Her first idea was to create a special fund for the poor so that they would obtain interest free loans. She had the plan of obtaining a large sum of money from fifteen wealthy families to create the capital of her 'Celestial Bank', but she was unable to obtain the initial capital. Her next idea was to purchase a factory where the dignity of the working person would be upheld and families would not be separated. Pauline was persuaded to purchase a factory in Rustrel by a group of people who diverted the money provided by her and her friends. Pauline would spend the rest of her life involved in various judicial proceedings flowing from their dishonesty. Despite all her efforts the factory was sold off at a low price, and Pauline was still burdened in paying back the remaining massive debts incurred through the machinations of others. Yet, by the time Pauline died in poverty and obscurity on 9 January 1862, she had 2,250,000 followers in France alone!
Jean Vianney’s own life was touched with great suffering from which his holiness was no protection. As with all the great saints who felt driven to extremes of austerity, his general health suffered. His constant availability to others meant that he allowed himself a maximum of four hours sleep at night, sleep that was regularly disturbed by terrifying, often violent, visitations from the Devil. Even when he was dying, there were crowds outside his house, looking for Jean’s blessing and, somehow, he managed to raise his head and hand in order to satisfy their need.
Jean died on 4 August 1869, 6 and a half years after Pauline. He was beatified on 8 January 1905 and canonised in 1925. Four years later, he was declared the patron saint of parish priests. 150 years after his death, Pope Benedict has chosen to mark the anniversary by declaring the Year of the Priest starting from June 19 2009.
During the Year of the Priest we might make a special prayer for missionary priests using the friendship between Jean Vianney and Pauline Jaricot as our inspiration. These priests, inspired by Vianney and supported by Catholic Mission, are vital for the life of the Church.
Read more...
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