Morena,
Another week passes and I have been grateful yet again for the courage, compassion and support our Passionist family Groups are giving to one another. With another spike in Covid it is timely that we continue to take practical precautions and do the basic as advised by our health professionals. Our response should and must continue with making connections with our fellow members. Don’t presume many are still fearful and afraid and in our compassion it should be the utilisation of any resource that communicate are, healing in terms of support and follow up.
Our gospel this week highlight the roles of service the need for prayer, quiet and then that going out to others in and through service. Too often people ply they two characters against one another. They actually are like the yin and yang of service. If we look at Jesus before every major decision he withdraws and prayers and also when healing and then at other times he is active in his support of serving others with energy and compassion.
It is not a time to measure or weigh. Rather, a time to be thankful for the people in our lives and to ensure we connect with them. There are a variety of means and gifts to ensure our PFG’s are alive and being family. Drop off a meal, drop a note, send an email, organise a zoom, contact members and update on how members are doing. Here are a few words from Pope Francis in being ‘happy’. A good reality check..
“To be happy means to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in fear, love in discord. It’s not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It’s not just about celebrating success, it’s about learning from failures. It’s not just about feeling happy with applause, it’s about being happy in anonymous. Being happy is not a fatality of fate, but an achievement for those who can travel within themselves.”
So, have a great week…keep up the good work of supporting your members and remember God is in all that we say and do.
Blessings, Paul
“There are things that the poor prize more highly than gold, tho’ they cost the donor nothing; among these are the kind word, the gentle, compassionate look, and the patient hearing of their sorrows.”
– Catherine McAuley Foundress of the Mercy Sisters
Update:
Over the past seven days I have met with PFG’s
Hutt Valley
New Plymouth
Te Awamutu – Don Schimanski’s Funeral
Paeroa
Waihi
Auckland – Pt Chev’s Relaunch – This was very successful and I will give an update in my next letter. A big thanks you to Trish and Dave Schischa who have taken on the role of Parish Coordinators. Fr John Webb is very supportive and the parish is excited.
Drive home from Auckland
This week: Greytown/Nelson and PFG’s Johnsonville/Tawa/Uniting Church
Scripture reflection: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year, 17 July 2022.
This Sunday we learn of the importance of presence to the other – of stillness, attentiveness, and hospitality.
Lectionary readings
First reading: Genesis 18:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 14(15):2-5
Second reading: Colossians 1:24-28
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
Link to readings – click here
This Sunday’s readings lead us to ponder the gift of hospitality; the giving and receiving we experience. May we learn to welcome our Lord who wishes to dwell with us.
In the First Reading, Abraham gives us the example of Bedouin hospitality. In welcoming three strangers, he welcomes his Lord and receives the good news that Sarah will conceive a son. In the Psalm it is we who are invited to come into the Lord’s presence. And what are our dispositions? In the Second Reading from Colossians, Paul speaks of sharing in the sufferings of Christ. It is our choice to receive this message – that of Christ among us, the hope of our glory.
In the Gospel, the story of Martha and Mary, we learn of the importance of presence to the other, of stillness, of attentive listening, and of hospitality. May we be aware this week of our attitude to others. Do we welcome them, do we listen …?
On July 1st, we lost a valued friend and servant of Passionist Family Groups – our thoughts and prayer are with his wife Wilma and their family and extended family.
Please find below the link to our Passionist Province Website and 4 resources to celebrate our one hundred years as a province on last Monday July 11.
Prepared by Fr Brian Traynor, they focus on the Province, and the Province in our three regions – Australia-Aotearoa, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea. Fr Brian has put an enormous amount of time – and his own personal research – into the project. Many thanks to Brian, and to Fr Giltus Mathias for his editing with Brian for Social Media.
https://www.passionists.com/100-anniversary/the-story
Prayers:
Pease keep in your thoughts and prayer:
Paul Darbyshire (Linda and family)
Boyd Dunlop (Judith and family)
Wilma Schimanski and family
Ross Darbyshire and family
Humour:
- What time did the man go to the dentist?
Tooth hurt-y. - Why didn’t the skeleton climb the mountain?
It didn’t have the guts. - How do you make a tissue dance? You put a little boogie in it.
- My dad told me a joke about boxing.
I guess I missed the punch line. - What kind of car does an egg drive?
A yolkswagen.
Dad Jokes About Movies and Pop Culture
- How do you follow Will Smith in the snow?
You follow the fresh prints. - How do celebrities stay cool?
They have many fans. - What do you call it when Batman skips church?
Christian Bale. - What’s Forrest Gump’s Facebook password?
- What’s the difference between a snowman and a snow woman?
- Did you hear about the man who fell into an upholstery machine?
He’s fully recovered.