Morena, Good morning Passionist Family Group members and friends,
Over the past 40 weeks I have shared with you much about the importance of connections. No matter how big or small these connections – they breathe life, love and hope into people’s minds and hearts. We are better people when we are serving and being for others. Pentecost encouraged us to move out in the belief that Jesus is with us. Like those early disciples who were filled with fear they moved into a space where the spirit set them on fire and they lived, preached and acted on the gospel with enthusiasm and zeal all the while supporting and living as a community of love and service. Below is a sharing by Celine Bowman, Northern Regional Coordinator, Queensland. Australia in the last Newsletter.
“I love the story of our connection with this community. In 1986, when Pope John Paul II visited Alice Springs, an observant Passionist noticed the Passionist symbol on a banner being carried by an Indigenous group from Stradbroke Island. This prompted discovery of a story that had been forgotten – a group ( of three Italian and one Swiss) Passionist missionaries had spent just a couple of years there in the 1843 -1847. Well over a century later their spiritual legacy was still cherished, in the symbol used by the local catholic community: you never know where a seed that you planted might grow! That’s certainly something that always inspired me through the challenging times when I was teaching!
This story shared by Celine has much to teach us. The power of story and spirit as lived through the Aboriginal tradition which is why this story has remained and connected to the life of the Passionists in Australia and ultimately the Holy Spirit Province (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam). These Aboriginal guardians have acted as true holders of life and tradition and it is because of them that this story has been told. It is a lived story. This holds true for the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) their stories remain a cornerstone for lived experience and their ‘whakapapa’ (lineage) remains as evidence of these stories being passed down, their heritage.
We too are capable of undertaking this task of living our story in and through our Passionist Family Groups – this call, every ringing out to be “A family for All”. When we connect we are committing to being family; to care; to listen’; to love; to stand by; to be a shoulder to lean on or an arm to hold others in their dark times; to be there to laugh, to have fun and share joy. It has little to do with age as these actions are the essential nature of being human, of being community. It is the tradition of following Jesus in spirit and truth. Something so simple that so many walk away from it – However, it is in the midst of life that the gospel sheds it light. Passionist Family groups started in New Zealand (Aotearoa) in June 1988 with Paeroa and East Coast Bays parishes both are continuing this living tradition of being family to one another.
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Update:
Please remember Pt Chev in Auckland as they started their process of relaunching Passionist Family Groups last weekend. We thank Penny Hudson, Libby Giddy and the Brands Family for their generosity in speaking at the Masses. Relaunch is on 9th & 10thJuly.
- I have had some time at home and currently in Nelson return home Wednesday 15.
- A meeting with Johnsonville Catholic and Uniting Church PFG Friday 17th
- Meeting with Palmerston North PFG’s 22 June
- Meeting with New Plymouth July 5th and then to Auckland for Pt Chev Relaunch
Message from the Passionist Provincial – Fr Tom McDonogh CP
Dear Passionist Family,
2022 marks the centenary of establishment of our Passionist Holy Spirit Province, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam. So we Passionists invite you to join in our celebrations
The Centenary Celebrations: On this feast of Pentecost, 2022, we are proud to announce our “Celebrating the Centenary – The Journey Continues”. It will begin on July 11th, the centenary day of decree of Fr General and conclude on December 16th, the day in 1922 when the separation from St Joseph’s province took effect.
New update website for the Passionist: https://www.passionists.com
Passionist Family Groups Aims and Goals:
- share & celebrate life & faith
- support one another (especially in need)
- reaching out to & include others
- build community/extended family
- show example to children
Feast of Corpus Christi – 19 June 2022
The Eucharist is a present and ever-new event in our own daily lives and actions.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Genesis 14:18-20
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 109(110):1-4
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel: Luke 9:11-17
Link to readings – click here
This year, for Corpus Christi, we are given texts which emphasise the priesthood and our sharing in it.
The First Reading tells us of Melchizedek, the priest-king of Jerusalem. He brings an offering of bread and wine, sharing it with Abraham, and blessing him. The Psalm also mentions Melchizedek, calling him priest and prince. He prefigures Christ, who offers the supreme sacrifice of his body and blood under the forms of bread and wine.
St Paul, in the Second Reading, gives us an account of the institution of the Eucharist that he himself has received.
The Gospel is the narrative of the feeding of the five thousand with a few loaves and fishes. In the Eucharist the transformation of the bread and wine is through the same power of Jesus working through ordained ministers and others.
Remember in Prayer:
- Don Schmanski -also please keep his wife Wilma and family in your prayer
- Paul McLeod – also keep his wife Diane and three children plus siblings Catherine and Peter
- Please remember Helen Jordan who husband Chris, died last week – please keep Chris, Helen and her family in your prayer.
Humour:
- What do you call a fancy seafood meal?
So-fish-ticated. - What do you call a sad strawberry?
A blueberry. - Why did the banana go to the hospital?
He wasn’t peeling well. - What do you call a pig that knows karate?
A pork chop. - Where do pancakes rise?
In the yeast. - What is a mummy’s favorite food?
- What kind of fruit do you bring while sailing?
Naval oranges. - What do frogs order at restaurants?
French flies. - What do you call a fake noodle?
- What’s orange and sounds like a parrot?
A carrot.
“Passionist Family Groups do not take away the difficulties of life but give us the strength and Courage to live as followers of Jesus Christ” – Fr. Peter McGrath Founder of PFGM