Morena – Passionist Family Group members, Clergy and friends,
This marvellous Christmas event embraces the message of “Emmanuel – God with us”.
Last Sunday, I shared some of the following thoughts: “Sometimes, we romanticise Christmas
and our concentration is on ‘getting and giving presents’ rather than, ‘presence’ to others.
Our consumer society has jingles and ways to entice even the most guarded. Have this…get this…
Yet, there is another call – what was this Christmas about – Where did God choose to start this journey with humanity? In a stable — there was no room at the Inn. Yes, he was rejected – his parents rejected and so, in a lowly place the birth of Jesus happens. The message can be so easily missed – God comes to the lowly, the lost, to those who outcasts and over his life this will be entrenched in his ministry.
Life and struggle are entwined and whether you are rich or poor the struggles continue.
We struggle to accept ourselves and our high mental health concerns continue to show that we are troubled. We struggle to find acceptance as we are? We struggle to find hope or peace or love and some feel extremely isolated and are outsiders? How would one find or experience joy?
So, for many, Christmas, is like the road of Joseph and Mary – looking for home, a shelter,
a place of welcome, a friendly face – so hope seems dim and there is no joy.
So, what is it we need…remember when you parents when you were with child – the waiting – the expectation – the hope and in the end, after all the pain and struggle of giving birth, there was joy and, in this moment, the expression of love. This is a place that unites us and build us to look toward others – to share our hearts, our pains, our struggles and in and through this we create life and hope for others.
The message of God – Emmanuel – God with us – this is what we are invited into. Let us walk this path of true religion – compassion, forgiveness, justice, mercy, acceptance, and love. The celebration of our God entering our world our lives to transform who and how we are as humanity.”
Merry Christmas and every blessing for this wonderful Season, Paul
On Sunday May 7, 2023 the Passionist Family Group Movement will celebrate its 50th Anniversary at Terrey Hills – where it all started. There will be a celebration there but what we are inviting and encouraging of Family Groups is to hold a celebration in your parish or indiviual Family Group that marks this occasion as close to May 7th as possible. We will then request you send photos, comments, reflections which we will share via our websire. A flyer is attached.
God go with you – prayer and blessings,
Paul
Christmas Blessing sent to my sister, Anne Marie – thanking her for letting me share it.: https://youtu.be/x9dW5glcH9Ml
Scripture reflection:. Christmas – ‘Emmanuel: God-with-us
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
25 December 2022
Lectionary readings
Midnight Mass
First reading: Isaiah 9:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 95(96):1-3, 11-13
Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14.
Link to readings – click here
Update: We celebrated a promotion of PFG’ in Richmond. Thanks to the members of Our Lady of the Bays for their support and leadership. Jerri and Doug Pirc have done an awesome job. This week I move to Christchurch with meeting with PP’s and their team in Christchurch North, Christchurch South and Christchurch West parishes. I will be on Holidays from 25th December to the 13th January. I hope all goes well for you with your families and communities.
Pease remember in your thoughts and prayer: 
- Christmas is a time where we are made aware of what we had and what we have lost – love continues and so may our faith and trust.
- Keep in your prayer Norma Bellamy’s grandson Teddy – recovering from an operation. Thoughts and prayer are with the family.
- Keep in your prayer Anne & peter Green who have lost another daughter recently in the UK. Our hearts go out to them.
- Remember Pat and Rod Carson
- Remember a friend whose sister’s son is awaiting trial.
- Aidan son of Josie and Phil McIntyre – he is very sick and his parents are his caregivers.
- Fr Anthony from Hastings – remember him and his family in NZ and Myanmar- also Fr Trung and the parishioners
- John Arthurs – brother of Bob. We remember John’s wife Valerie and Bob & Pamela’s family
- Ursula Corcoran’s family
- Jenny Wullings – has an Op in late January – in a lot of pain. John is supporting her.
- Paul Darbyshire (Linda and family)
- Gerard and Linda Daly – tragic loss of their son, Brett. Keep the family in your prayer.
- Boyd Dunlop (Judith and family) Boyds is recovering very well.
- Paeroa PFG lost their dear friend and long time member Liz Taylor
- Wilma Schimanski and family
- Julie Neve her two children, family and friends. –
- Please remember Carmel Cole’s family– she and her late husband Don a long time benefactors of “The Fort” (Passionist Retreat in Brisbane)
- Remember Fr Ray Sanchez CP – for his health concerns
- Fr Gerard Aynsley
- Your own intentions
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 example to children
Humour:
- “I’ve got a great joke about construction, but I’m still working on it.”
- “I used to hate facial hair…but then it grew on me.”
- “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.”
“A Family for All”.
