Morena/ Passionist Family Group members and friends,
This coming weekend and the following we will be celebrating 35 years of Passionist Family Groups in Aotearoa-New Zealand. (Paeroa and East Coast Bays). This milestone follows the 50th anniversary celebrated in Terrey Hill, Sydney on May 6th.
Occasions such as this allow us to reflect on what brought us here and what continues to keep us here. The Feast of Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Jesus) seems a worthy feast to harness ourselves in how we are following Jesus, his vision and message.
Just like the early church we gather in small groups to support, encourage, share story, life, faith and do this all, “in memory of Jesus”. Eucharist from a word ‘berekah’ simply means to ‘give thanks’. In our brokenness, like Jesus we see him through his passion broken but also living his life poured out for others. When tough times come and they do or will, it is then we rely on our practical faith and rest in God’s hands and heart as demonstrated by Jesus.
Listen to the song from West side Story adapted and sung by Neil Diamond (1991) https://youtu.be/dSc5sZN_w_0 – click here
So as we enter this time of celebration we give thanks to all those who have gone before us, those with us and those who have gone to do other things but left their mark through care, and generosity. This weekend to next weekend is a time to connect with your Passionist Family Group and thank each other for being there – we remember all the communities you come from, as well as all the nations and culture we now share home with in Aotearoa. This leads me onto this story below.
This work was created by Michael Pervan. It tells a story!
The Maori travelled from Hawaiiki in canoes (te waka). Different tribes trace their geneaology back to the canoe in which their ancestors travelled to Aotearoa.
The occupants of the canoe represent Passionist Family Group members. They are from many cultures and they undertake various roles . Some are rowing, some steering, some watching, to see what is happening in the distance. Some are searching the waters close by. Some nurture children while some care for the sick and elderly. Together they make up “a tribe”, a Christian family.
New Zealand is a country of thermal activity. The glow of red showing through the Passionist logo represents the fire in our hearts. The logo shaped in the cloud reminds us that although there is no resident Passionist community in New Zealand there is a strong Passionist presence and influence.
Many times since the beginning of the Passionist Family Group Movement in our country we have had to adapt and develop new roles and ways of doing things. We have taken the Movement to other areas, throughout the North and South islands, and to other churches. Always, the Passionist charism and support is there to guide us.
Have a good week and all God’s blessings on each of us. Attached is the first two parts of writing from Brian Traynor CP on the link between Paul’s churches and Passionist Family Groups. May we continue to work and bring it in our way through grace and faith to completion.
Paul
“When you go into the garden of prayer, do not collect the leaves of good feelings; rather, gather the fruit of imitating the virtues of Jesus.” (Paul of the Cross)
Scripture reflection: The Feast of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Year A, 11 June 2023.
‘The bread we break is a communion with the body of Christ’
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16
Responsorial psalm: Ps 147:12-15, 19-20
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Gospel: John 6:51-58
Link to readings – click here
Today’s feast is an opportunity to reflect on the wonderful mystery of the Eucharist: the sacrament that nourishes our faith and gives life to the world. Each reading offers an opportunity to pray about the significance of this gift, reminding us of the richness of the Eucharistic tradition in the Church.
Moses recalls that though the people of God were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, God never abandoned them (First Reading). Instead, he encouraged them to have faith in his continuing living presence.
The Psalm suggests many reasons to praise God, including both the material and spiritual nourishment that God offers us. Paul reminds the factious Corinthians of the profound spiritual significance of taking the body and blood of Christ. By participating in the Eucharist, they are uniting themselves to Christ and to the whole Christian community. (Second Reading)
In the Gospel, Jesus affirms that he is the bread of life: the very life force of God. Through his life, death and resurrection, Christ nourishes our deepest hunger for God. We draw life from him even as Jesus drew life from the Father. This week, we pray for a deepening of Christian Unity. We ask that we may truly become one as followers of Christ.
Update: See Paeroa and East Coast Bays Invite attached
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 Leanelle Bergin a long time involvement with Passionist Family Groups in Brisbane with her husband Denis. Denis died this week. We remember Leanelle and her children and extended family. The world lost a gentle soul.
- Please keep in your prayer Elaine Hallam whose husband of 55 years, Ted, died after a long painful and stressful illness. Thank God he is now at peace. We remember Elaine, her children and both families.
- Please keep in mind Merrilyn Barron who is unwell from Covid and awaiting furthers tests.
- Please remember Aileen and Murray Straight’s daughter, Nicola whose husband Dave Kempton died tragically as part of a work related accident.
- 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
- “Why are elevator jokes so classic and good? They work on many levels.”
- “Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb.”
- “What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.”
- “Which state has the most streets? Rhode Island.”
- “What did the coffee report to the police? A mugging.”
- “What did the fish say when he hit the wall? Dam.”
- “Is this pool safe for diving? It deep ends.”
- “If you see a crime happen at the Apple store, what does it make you?” “An I Witness.