Letter 120 – Paul Traynor – Passionist Family

Hello friends,

As we approach Lent 2025 starting with Ash Wednesday on 5 March we begin a time of reflection, renewal and redirection of both our ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ life. This week’s readings offer another week of challenge.

The voices of misinformation fill our internet stories, social media posts and the political landscape. Once we were encouraged to research and think through our arguments but it seems now you just say what you want without any regard for the truth or consequences.

We must be wary of other voices and try not be swayed by non sensical propositions.

Jesus asks us not to follow others with blindness and not to judge others. We are to be people of ‘the heart’ nourished by and through love, compassion and forgiveness.

The world has grown suspicious. We constantly hear, read and see that we are in a time of individualism. In that, the self comes first. This throws a challenge to us in our communities and our Passionist Family Groups where we are inviting others to ‘belong’ and share in ’supporting’ and ‘encouraging’ others. Jesus reminds us that what is in our hearts and self will come out. If our core is good then what comes out is good and if the core is bad then one can expect bad to be heard and seen.

As we journey this Lent let us be prepared to look within and quietly ask. “In what way can we contribute to growing ourselves in the likeness of Jesus and his example?”. To see what we need to get there and how we can reach out to others to assist and grow with us in this journey. The importance should always be on ‘belonging’.

Have a good week – God go with you

Paul

Scripture reflection: Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 2 March 2025.

There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit

Grant us, O Lord, we pray that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion.

LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Ecclesiasticus 27:4-7
Responsorial psalm: Ps 91(92):2-3, 13-16
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Gospel: Luke 6:39-45
Link to readings

The readings for today (the final Sunday before Lent) remind us how words and actions illustrate what lies in the heart of each person. The First Reading speaks of the true test of a person being what they say, and thus the importance of listening carefully to others. We also need to be conscious of our own choice of words.

The Psalm celebrates the joy of offering thanks to the Lord for the goodness he brings to those who follow his ways. In similar vein, St Paul (Second Reading) encourages the early Christian community in Corinth to persevere in serving the Lord. Paul reminds them – and us – that following the example of Jesus will never be in vain.

In the Gospel, we see Jesus using striking visual images to illustrate his teaching. First, he warns us of the dangers of following others blindly, and then speaks of the danger of judging others while not acknowledging our own failings.

Three of our four readings this week speak of the care and conditions that trees need in order to produce sound fruit. So, as Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, we pray that we may be ever mindful of the impact our ways of living can have on the natural environment. We pray that we will make good choices to protect God’s creation.

National Coordinator’s Update:

As stated in the last newsletter as part of this Jubilee Year Paul will be offering to visit parishes and or regions to conduct a mini formation using two talks and discussion/sharing opportunities – one on ‘Belonging’ and the “On Being Church – Why community matters?”. The first of these is on the 23^rd February in Dunedin. John Henderson from Dunedin will provide a short reflection on this Formation half day which was well received and as a couple of people suggested, it was like a ‘shot in the arm’. Paul will continue to visit parishes and regions to discuss dates and times that suit and invite whoever wishes to join us. All the South Island parishes have been visited so far this year. The focus will shift back to the remaining North Island PFG parishes. A big thank you from Paul to all those who hosted meeting and Paul. It is amazing the support he receives from your hospitality and ongoing friendship.

At this stage Hawkes Bay are looking at May 10^th. Ashburton August 3^rd for Formation and Christchurch August 10^th

Reflections of the PFG meetings:

While we have some green shoots we are also experiencing the ageing effects of PFG’s and the lack of new blood so to speak. Illnesses and sickness have meant that we have lost PFG member and the result is grief and loss.
There are questions of how to engage with the other cultures that now dominate the pews of our churches. We have to find ways of understanding their faith and culture without expecting them to follow ours.
Many have started the year slowly but are organising their planning for the year. This is critical for us to function.
Many have been isolated and just plodding along but there was a sense that we need to promote and move out to engage with our faith communities.
There is enthusiasm for ‘relaunching PFG’s in parishes and the need to invite and speak to all about PFG;s and be welcoming.
There is energy to engage with PP’s and Pastoral Councils to support promotion and relaunches of PFG’s.
In his role Paul wishes to seek to find ways to support, enthuse and encourage support and growth but it is something we all have to work on and with. Our call is to be family and through care, hope, faith and love for one another we can and will be the difference in sustaining and creating community.

Reminder: 5 Aims and Goals

share & celebrate life & faith
support one another (especially in need)
reaching out to & include others
build community/extended family
show and give example to children

Please remember in your thoughts and prayer:

Please keep Paul Darbyshire in your prayer. We remember Linda and the family.
Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family undergoing chemo
Robyn Burns (Hill;) – Robyn is undergoing further surgery on the 4^th March.. Out thoughts and prayer are with Robyn, her husband Andrew and their children. Please remember her mum and dad Rob and Lynn Hill and her sister Tracey.
Remember Rencha who is dealing with cancer.
Please remember Sean and Ann Mulcahy who are both battling major health issues
Lease keep Di Buckley in your prayer she is recovering from a stroke
Christine Geoghegan daughter Kate and extended families
Pat Smith RIP and keep in prayer Maureen and family; Remember Rod Carson and remember Pat and family; Maureen and Graeme Matthews;; Adrian van de Pas and her son Robert ; Graeme and Margaret Armstrong
Jenny Epplett, Preston, Kate and family ;
Please remember Paul Davenport and his wife Jill;
Clair and Ray Hague;
Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ; Bryan Davidson;
Tim Bartell’s son Sam and family ; Richard and Sue Gibbs;
Charlie and Maggi and their daughter and her partner in prayer.
Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health;; Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer along with the people of the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan and Syria.
Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew;
Please keep in your prayers those who continue to deal with the after effects of droughts on the horn of Africa. Also weather effects on other countries across the planet
Please pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill)
Keep in prayer the people of Los Angeles and outline areas of California.. We prayer for those affected by the floods in North Queensland and the fires in South Australia and Victora.
We pray for our world who under the Trump administration which has created a state of unease, tension and injustice for the vulnerable.

Your own intentions

We pray the Jubilee Prayer for ourselves and our world.
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen

Humour:

“Spring is here! I got so excited I wet my plants.”
“I could tell a joke about pizza, but it’s a little cheesy.”
“Don’t trust atoms. They make up everything!”
“When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent.”
“I wouldn’t buy anything with velcro. It’s a total rip-off.”
“What’s an astronaut’s favorite part of a computer? The space bar.”
“Why are elevator jokes so classic and good? They work on many levels.”
“Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb.”
“Which state has the most streets? Rhode Island.”
“What did the coffee report to the police? A mugging.”
“What did the fish say when he hit the wall? Dam.”
“Is this pool safe for diving? It deep ends.”
“If you see a crime happen at the Apple store, what does it make you?” “An IWitness.”

We are a “Family for All”