Good afternoon,
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. There are words that immediately come to mind at this event – manifestation or a sudden realisation. In some ways this visit of the Magi shines a light on the early church who is active through Paul in reaching out to the Gentiles. Thus, we come to understand that the story demonstrates how these gentiles come to accept Christ which is in contrast to the power of Herod and the indifference of the Jewish leaders.
As we start a New Year, how do we acknowledge the ‘Christ’ in our life? How do we seek to take on the message of Jesus and bring ourselves and others? What sort of ways or paths can we take that we ensure that our journey will be bringing our gifts, our time, our faith, our love, to all we encounter?
In all sincerity, maybe it is our time to turn on the lights within and allow God to shine through. In this process, we encounter and engage with others, through patience, acceptance, understanding, love and forgiveness. It is in a sense sending an invitation to the world, in our prayer, our hope, and through our faith. May we in this New Year, be on the journey to recognise Jesus and be a Jesus person to others, using our gifts, working with and in and through community, so all praise and goodwill points us back to our Creator.
Have a good weekend – God go with you
Warm regards and blessings – Happy New Year for 2025
Paul.
Scripture Reflection Feast of the Epiphany 5 January 2025
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial psalm: Ps 71(72):1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Second reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
Link to readings – click here
Sacred Heart Church Greytown – renovated and owned by Jane and Wayne Gillingham (Jane is Paul and Christine Geoghegan’s eldest daughter) The night photos was taken on New Years Eve by Jane.
National Coordinator’s Update:
Working on Newsletters from home and preparation of both the December and annual reports. Drawing up contacts that need to be activated in the New Year. New clergy or PPs that need to be contacted before February 1 2025. Also, no newsletter until 23rd January.
Have a break from reading. Ha!
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 in mind
- Please keep Paul Darbyshire in your prayer – he starts another round of chemo next week. We remember Linda and the family.
- Pat Smith RIP and keep in prayer Maureen and family; Remember Rod Carson and remember Pat and family; Maureen and Graeme Matthews; Jocelyn Bryant and family; Adrian van de Pas ; Graeme Margaret Armstrong; Maggi and Charlie Gribble;
- Christine Geoghegan daughter Kate and extended families;
- Jenny Epplett, Preston, Kate and family ;
- Please remember Paul Davenport and his wife Jill;
- Leanne Hintz daughter of Clair and Ray Hague;
- Robyn Burns (Hill;) Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ;
- Tim Bartell’s son Sam and family ; Richard and Sue Gibb; Robert van de Pas
- Bryan Davidson; Charlie and Maggi’s daughter and her partner in prayer.
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health; Bob Buckley’s family; Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer
- Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew; Pat and Rod Carson
- 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
- Keep in prayer the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan
- Please pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) – their son-in-law Mark married to Dot’s daughter Anita
- Your own intentions
Humour:
- “I decided to sell my vacuum cleaner—it was just gathering dust!”
- “I had a neck brace fitted years ago and I’ve never looked back since.”
- “You know, people say they pick their nose, but I feel like I was just born with mine.”
- “What’s brown and sticky? A stick.”
- “Why can’t you hear a psychiatrist using the bathroom? Because the ‘P’ is silent.”
- “What do you call an elephant that doesn’t matter? An irrelephant.”
- “What do you get from a pampered cow? Spoiled milk.”
- “I like telling Dad jokes. Sometimes he laughs!”
- “What’s the best smelling insect?” “A deodor-ant.”
- “I used to be a personal trainer. Then I gave my too weak notice.”
- “Did I tell you the time I fell in love during a backflip? I was heels over head!”
- “If a child refuses to sleep during nap time, are they guilty of resisting a rest?”
- “I ordered a chicken and an egg online. I’ll let you know.”
- “It takes guts to be an organ donor.”
- “If you see a crime at an Apple Store, does that make you an iWitness?”
- “I’m so good at sleeping, I can do it with my eyes closed!”
- “I was going to tell a time-traveling joke, but you guys didn’t like it.”
We are a “Family for All”