Morena/ Good Morning Passionist Family Group members and friends,
I hope this finds you well and that life is treating you well. Some warm days this week. I cooked a BBQ last night and I think that is the first time ever in May.
I will be travelling to Sydney to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Passionist Family Groups. In June I’ll be up in Paeroa and East Coast Bays celebrating 35 years in New Zealand. Some significant milestones.
To that end I have attached an article written by my brother Brian (who is a Passionist Priest and advisor to the Movement in Australia and New Zealand). I thought it was opportune to share something of the ministry I am working in full time on behalf of the Passionists.
The readings this week are heartening and offer us an opportunity to reflect on our community here in Greytown. The electing of the seven is the process of practical need and a response to that need. Our church needs to be more open to the gifts and talents in our pews and within our parish boundaries. The gospel puts it front and centre that we are called to follow Jesus to rely on his compassion and forgiveness and to walk with our humanity in going out and serving others. It we want a lead then follow Jesus as he says in the gospel “I am the way, the truth and the life”
Nga Mihi,
Paul
Scripture reflection: Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A, 7th May 2023
Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. No one can come to the Father, except through me.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Acts 6:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 32(33):1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Second reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel: John 14:1-12
Link to readings – click here
In our readings this week, we continue to follow the infant church, and with them ponder the words Jesus gave us at the Last Supper.
The First Reading shows how the disciples faced the growing tension between the Greek and Hebrew traditions. After discernment and prayer, they delegate tasks. The Psalm is one of praise for God’s word and his work. It is also a prayer of trust. For St Peter, it is clear that Christ is the foundation; the living cornerstone for all believers. We are to set ourselves close to him. (Second Reading)
The Gospel is from Jesus’s discourse to his friends before he suffered and died. They are words of encouragement. In the light of the Resurrection, the disciples must have drawn strength from them. Jesus is with them: the Way, the Truth and the Life.
As we face this week, let us, too, keep our eyes on Jesus, even when we are concerned by all that is happening around us. May we strive to follow the Lord as the Way, in joy and hope.
Nga Mihi – prayer and blessings. – Paul
“Parishes should be close-knit communities, without bureaucracy, people-centered – a place where the gift of the sacraments can be found.
They have to become, once again, schools of service and generosity, with their doors always open to those who are excluded.” – Pope Francis – February 2023.
Pope Francis celebrated the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021 and decreed that it be observed each year on the Sunday closest to the feast of Ss. Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents. This year this will be celebrated on Sunday July 23. Maybe this would be a good occasion to celebrate in our Passionist family Groups and/or parishes.
Update: See Paeroa and East Coast Bays Invite attached
This week,. I have had a meeting in Palmerston North and then off to Sydney for the 50th Anniversary celebration and then catching up with members of my family. I will return on May 15th.
Also, as advised previously in May this year we celebrate 50 years of Passionist Family Groups in Terrey Hills, Sydney. I will be attending this event representing PFG in Aotearoa. We have advised that we want Passionist Family Groups to have a get together near this time of May 7 to celebrate this great milestone. This will give us an opportunity to connect with Passionist Family Group members all over the Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Just click on ‘Open Link’ at the end of the link below the image or paste the link into: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K-pf0TCVvI
Also, I wish to advise that on June 10, 2023 we celebrate 35 years of Passionist Family Groups in Paeroa 6pm Eucharist followed by Pot Luck dinner and on June 17 we celebrate 35 years for East Coast Bays. We believe this is a significant milestone that we commit to celebrating in June. My brother, Fr Brian Traynor has been invited out for these celebrations. He was there to begin these parishes 35 years ago along with Lynn and Rob Hill and many others who will be invited to join in on these celebrations.
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
Pease remember in your thoughts and prayer: 
- Please remember Aileen and Murray Straight’s daughter, Nicola whose husband Dave Kempton died tragically as part of a work related accident. Please remember their children Olivia & Shaun as well Aileen, Murray and their family and of course the extended family
- Please remember Sally van der Wetering whose dad died this week. We offer our prayer and support to Sally, Martin and her family and extended family.
- Please remember Joseph Nguyen Bao Toan. He recently decided to leave the Passionist after 6 years. He returned home two weeks ago. Toan had been working this computer when a sudden stroke occurred, where he was
found by his Dad. We remember his family at this sad and distressing time.
- Please remember Phil Drew a former Passionist who has had a massive stroke. Please remember his wife Anne and family
- Please remember Irene Maguire who is recovering from knee surgery
- Please remember Bronwyn Hallot whose brother is in palliative care. Keep Bronwyn and her family in your prayer.
- Please remember Frances Bleaken’s mother who recently. Our love and thoughts to Frances, Clive, and family.
- Please remember Simon Langley whose mum died recently. We remember Simon, Anne-Marie and their family at this sad time
- Please remember Phil Drew and ex Passionist who I worked and lived with. Phil is in critical care due to a massive stroke. Please remember him, his wife Anne and children, and extended family.
- Please remember Rosie Crawford who is recovering after a knee operation.
- Please remember Fr Peter Gaughan CP, A Kiwi Passionist who died recently. We remember his family and friends and his Passionist brothers and sisters.
- Please keep in your prayers those who continue to deal with the after effects of Cyclone Gabrielle and other weather events.
- Keep in prayer the people of Turkey and Syria and all who are assisting and supporting their efforts in dealing with the aftermath of earthquakes.
- Please keep Somalia and the surrounding countries dealing with their sixth year in a row of drought.
- Remember our people suffering from the intolerance of difference. May we be open to listen respectfully and not move to violence because we don’t agree.
- Please keep Nick and Leah and daughter Heidi Darbyshire whose 21 week old George Darbyshire died – Still born. Please keep Linda and Paul, Nick Leah and Heidi and the Leah’s family in your thoughts and prayer
- Remember Passionists: Fr Chris Mithen and Fr Brian Glesson
- Please pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) – their son-in-law Mark married to Dot’s daughter Anita has been diagnosed with aggressive brain tumour, Please keep in mind their daughter Bailey and son Taylor.
- 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.
- John Arthurs – brother of Bob. We remember John’s wife Valerie and Bob & Pamela’s family
- Paul Darbyshire (Linda and family)
- Gerard and Linda Daly – tragic loss of their son, Brett. Keep the family in your prayer..
- Remember Fr Ray Sanchez CP – for his health concern
- Your own intentions
Some Jokes:
- “How do lawyers say goodbye? We’ll be suing ya!”
- “Wanna hear a joke about paper? Never mind—it’s tearable.”
- “What’s the best way to watch a fly fishing tournament? Live stream.”
- “Spring is here! I got so excited I wet my plants.”
- “I could tell a joke about pizza, but it’s a little cheesy.”
- “Don’t trust atoms. They make up everything!”
- “When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent.”
- “I wouldn’t buy anything with velcro. It’s a total rip-off.”
- “What’s an astronaut’s favorite part of a computer? The space bar.”
- “I don’t play soccer because I enjoy the sport. I’m just doing it for kicks!”
