Hello Friends,
We are drawing near to the Easter period and this Sunday marks the start of Holy Week with Palm Sunday. We have witnessed this over many years, and it is a timely reminder that the Kingdom of God is unlike that of our earthly kingdoms where power and might are occasionally on display.
The readings over this Holy Week time will show and demonstrate a different way of living and loving if we are following Jesus. The first reading this week from Isaiah describes what we will come to identify in the physical and emotional aspect related to the death of Jesus. It will allow us to contemplate the scene of Jesus accepting his being handed over and his continued trust in his call and mission. In the reading from Paul, we see another aspect of ‘that handing over’, it is the that of acting with humility where the Jesus we know shows that aspect of loving that demands letting go and being humble in what confronts him.
In the Passion taken from Lukes gospel we are drawn into the reality of being a follower of Jesus. It’s a journey that will end in death where hope will seemingly disappear. However, the Resurrection looms which allows for a new encounter with and of hope, love and new beginnings.
Any week when you read through our prayers, we remember friends, colleagues and even strangers. There is sometimes pain, sometimes suffering, sometimes tragedy and sometimes death among us. This is the reality of our human life. We are born, we love and are loved in return (although many people sadly don’t experience this) and with the only surety we know, we will die.
Faith does not necessarily make things easier. We welcome the support of others to help us through the difficult and painful times, as we welcome them when we celebrate the good and joyful times. As Easter approaches let us really try and appreciate what we have and maybe find ways to seek out others around us who could do with our support. The love demonstrated by Jesus is one of unequivocal trust and reliance on God. There is nothing weak in this, just a courageous way to live and be an example to others.
“Love one another,
bear with one another
and let charity guide you in all your life”. – Mary MacKillop 12.1.1909
That is what Jesus did and calls us, and like Mary Mackillop for us to do the same. God will be there and all will be well.
Have a good week – God go with you
Paul
Scripture reflection: Palm Sunday Year C, 13 April 2025
We pray for true contrition in the face of the sufferings of Jesus.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 21(22):8-9, 17-20, 23-24
Second reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: Luke 22:14 – 23:56
Link to readings – click here
This Sunday, we begin the holiest week of the Church’s liturgical year. We read two passages from the Gospels, relating how the joyful entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, accompanied by crowds who acclaim him as Saviour and King, gave way to his betrayal and death, alone and abandoned by all. The other readings help us understand the meaning of these events of the Passion.
The First Reading is one of the passages about the suffering servant of God from the book of Isaiah. As Christians, we read this as showing how Jesus lived out his patient trust in God. It can help and enable us to bear our trials and difficulties.
In Psalm 21 (22) we hear familiar echoes of the crucifixion narratives. You may like to find the whole of the psalm in your bible or online; its words of hope in the midst of great suffering, and profound trust in God, are the prayer of Jesus from the cross.
St Paul’s text is a hymn to Jesus’s life and death (Second Reading). Christ’s humility in becoming a human being was even more profound when he accepted to die a shameful death on a cross. But, as Paul writes, God raised him from death and gave him the highest name of all, so that all beings should bend the knee to Jesus and ‘acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’
This week we accompany Jesus; we pray for the grace of an awareness of our sinfulness, and for sorrow and true contrition in the face of the sufferings of Jesus.
National Coordinator’s Update:
Well, we are so excited for Murray and Aileen Straight and their daughter Nichola whose son and grandson to Murray and Aileen has been selected in the NZ Under 20’s squad.
He travels to Wellington next Thursday to join the group and they fly out on 24 April to South Africa. They are there about 3 weeks. Then come back home and he hopes to make the NZ Junior World Cup team to travel to Italy from 29 June – 19 July. It is pretty amazing. Our congratulation and best wishes. Shaun dedicates his footy and success to his Dad, Dave Kempton who died as a result of a workplace accident.
Below is a the link to articles written about Shaun in the Southland Tribune.https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/kempton-i-want-to-pull-the-stags#:~:text=Kempton%3A%20I%20want%20to%20pull%20the%20Stags%20jersey%20on%20for%20Dad
A couple of reflections that may be of assistance in preparing for Easter
Way of the Cross 2
Former YTU president and lecturer, Fr Tony Kelly and former YTU lecturer Fr John Hill, both of whom are theologians and members of the Redemptorist Congregation, offer a reflection using aboriginal imagery and music, to modernise our reflection on the ‘stations’ of the cross. The reflection is 22 minutes long and can be viewed on YouTube at this address:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBQQFAc00Zg
‘The Seven Last Words’
This reflection including the imagery and music was created by Sr Brigid CP and illustrated with music added by Sr Karen CP. Both are based in Melbourne.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07nSsA5gtFw
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?”. If you or your community or region would like a presentation please let Paul know and dates that would suit you.
At this stage Hawkes Bay are looking at May 10th. Mt Maunganui and Whakatane 26th & 27th July and Ashburton August 3rd Christchurch August 10th for Formation
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 members 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.
- We would do well to move to having ‘connections’ within our group rather than worrying about the next function. Involve people through passing on our contact lists and each week find someone you haven’t spoken to and give then a call. This is a positive process for those house bound
- 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 remember Maggi Gribble whose brother Peter died on Tuesday April 1st. Maggi is now is the last of her seven siblings. Remember her family ad Charlie.
- Please keep Linda Darbyshire and family in your prayer.
- Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family in your prayer.
- Robyn Burns (Hill;) –.. Our thoughts and prayer are with Robyn as she recovers slowly. We also remembe, her husband Andrew and their children
- 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)
.
- 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:
- Why did the belt get arrested? It held up a pair of pants.
- How do bees get to school? On the school buzz.
- What do you call a teenager that refuses to grow up? Constantine.
- What do horses do when it’s time for bed? Hit the hay.
- Where do fingers grow? On palm trees.
- What did one eye say to the other? Between us, something smells.