Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness we have heard of the death of our brother, Pope Francis.
What an incredible gift he was to the church and our world; offering hope, acceptance, love and forgiveness.
His legacy is living in the footsteps of Jesus. Showing us all that God is here and when we extend our hearts, we extend God’s reach.
A man of undaunting faith, service and humility. May he Rest in Peace.
Have a good week – God go with you, Paul
Scripture reflection for Second Sunday of Easter Year C, 27 April.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Acts 5:12-16
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 117(118):2-4, 22-27
Second reading: Apocalypse 1:9-13, 17-19
Gospel: John 20:19-31
Link to readings – click here
The outpouring of God’s love and mercy flows throughout this Sunday’s liturgy. The joy of Resurrection that we celebrate in this Easter season rings out in the words of praise that we repeat with jubilation in today’s Psalm: ‘Give Thanks to the Lord for he is good, His love has no end’. It reminds us that in the midst of dark and challenging times, the presence of the risen Christ is a comfort in our distress.
In the First Reading, we hear how the early Church, filled with the Holy Spirit, gather together to worship, bringing the risen Lord’s healing to all who seek it. St John, writing from the place where he was imprisoned for his beliefs, describes a vision of God’s endless living love (Second Reading). The risen Christ is the Alpha and the Omega: the Eternal One stands with us, encouraging us to not be afraid.
Shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples are hiding, fearful of what might happen to them (Gospel). Jesus appears among them in the midst of their fear, his presence bringing them peace. Thomas is not there, and cannot believe what he is told. Eight days later, Jesus stands among them again, and the reality of the resurrection is revealed to Thomas, too.
Today, Jesus stands alongside us, tenderly drawing us out from doubt and disbelief. He has breathed his Holy Spirit upon us. Just as he sent the disciples two thousand years ago, today he sends us out, to bring peace and healing to a fractured, hurting world. Let us pray for that peace that only Christ can bring, in our hearts, in our communities and in our world.
The members of Johnsonville Uniting Church Passionist Family Groups send their condolences on the death of Pope Paul. We appreciate how much you will be sorrowing at the loss of such a great man as the head of your worldwide church.
With love and blessings, Judith and Boyd
Past sorrows, better future. See attached prayer-reflection
Formation: 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 East Coast Bays 29th April 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:
- Remember brother in law and uncle Michael of the Bartells family
- 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 remember, 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 pasta go to the dermatologist? It had a big ziti.
- Why are shopping centre’s boring? Because if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen the mall.
- Did you hear about the girl who ate a frog? They say she’s going to croak.
- Bacon and eggs walk into a restaurant. The host says, “Sorry, we don’t serve breakfast here.”
- Did you hear about the magician who was driving down the street? He turned into a parking lot.
- Why didn’t the chef season his dish? He ran out of thyme.
We are a “Family for All”