Thoughts of Fr Francis Jordan

Transcription

1 A Mustard Seed It s impossible your head tells you. There s just too much to do. Everything s a mess. Hope is lost. But still... Don t you have at least a little bit of faith? A tiny seed. Inside there s a plan, a hope, a dream of great possibilities. Within a small seed of faith, resides all the power of God. Plant the seed. Water it carefully, lovingly, then let the Lord take control. A warm welcome to our parishioners and visitors who are celebrating the Eucharist with us at Sacred Heart Church and Maria Regina Church. Fr George Kolodziej SDS Parish Priest Pope Francis June Prayer Intentions Social Networks That social networks may work towards inclusiveness which respects others for their differences. Thoughts of Fr Francis Jordan Hope comes from faith! We must have great faith, and without great faith we cannot have hope or confidence in God, or hope in the Lord! In even just a shred of faith in God You ll find promises - of Christ s victory in your life, of faith moving mountains, of the resurrections, and a heavenly destination. Life eternal begins today. Start living it now. Then join with others living in the Spirit, each one giving all through a grain of faith. Countless mountains, moving across nations building up the glorious Kingdom of God. 1 Keenan Street Mona Vale NSW 2103 Tel: Fax office@pittwaterparish.org website:

2 New stock is now available for First Holy Communion at the Vinnies Sacred Heart Piety Store. The store is open after most masses. All proceeds of the Piety Store go to St Vincent de Paul. All transactions are CASH only, as we do not have EFTPOS facilities. Any queries, please call the Parish Office on For the needy, help is available by contacting the Brookvale Centre during business hours. MISSING DVD The dvd MOLOKAI has been missing from the Maria Regina Church Library for some time. I would be very grateful if the person who has borrowed it please returns it, as soon as possible as others are waiting to view it. Trish DVD REVIEW The Shack After a family tragedy, Mack (Sam Worthington) spirals into a crisis of faith and questions God's existence and life's purpose and is unable to move on until he gets a mysterious invitation to an abandoned shack. There, God reveals Himself in the form of three strangers. Mack s journey will transform audiences of all ages and you will want to watch it over and over. We Pray for Deceased Anniversary Danilo de la Cruz Purificacion de la Cruz Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them O Lord, And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them. May they Rest in Peace. Amen. May Their Souls And The Souls Of The Faithful Departed, Through The Mercy Of God, Rest In Peace. Amen. Recently Deceased Lorraine Tasseron If you would like the names of your relatives or friends and offerings included, please drop the envelope in to the Parish Office by Midday on Wednesdays. Thank You. Prayers for the Sick Mary McHugh Vera Howorka Liz Ryan Brooke Baldwin Anthony Le Val Ducker Susan Flego Trudie Tauer Peter Hawkins Bridget Hawton Daryl Kaufer Sid Kelly Margaret Baker Noeline Becham Paulina Fabian Madeleine Reicher Natasha Britt Milka Marov Carol Brennan Annette Leary Edward Hogan Rufina Criss Tayla Riddle Ricky Gomez Warwick Carpenter Elizabeth Davis Mary Seymour Allessio Angelucci Xavier Flory Alana de Kort Chiqui de Ocampo Neave Mackey Anne Godley Sally Leong Jenny Hector Joyce Zonaga Kevin Begaud Rachel Weldrick Antoinetta Knapp Donald McRae Basil Hughes Stefanie Romeo Danny Rosen Sasha White Jill Eyre Ann Harvey Jo Wild Rita Farrelly Lina Bruno Caruso Regina Hughes Jeff Guerra Sue Poulton Craig Callahan Daryl Holland Willy Santa Ana Veronica Ann Gracie Kerrie Gill Peter Hector Romeo Rizarri Bill Eyre This list will be updated every month and we would appreciate it if we are advised, if further reconsideration is required. Thank you Every dollar helps and 100% of your donation is tax deductible. Our quota for the current financial year is $60,015.00, and up to date we still need to raise $27,153.50, before 30th June 2018, to meet our quota. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thursday Morning Spirituality Group: All are invited. We recommence our study of The Divine Dance by Richard Rohr. All are invited on Thursdays, at Maria Regina Church, Avalon, especially if you would like a deeper insight into the Trinity of what you haven t heard before. Morning tea at am and Meeting at noon. Trish Newman Children s Liturgy will be on at Sacred Heart Church at the 5pm Mass on Saturday 23rd June and 30th June 2018 Divine Will Group Please join us on Tuesdays from 10am to 11am at Sacred Heart Church, Mona Vale Meeting Room, for readings and discussion of Luisa Piccarreta s Divine Will. Anointing Mass At Nursing Homes And Retirement Villages MINKARA NURSING HOME Tuesday 19th June at 10.30am Anointing Mass SEABEACH GARDENS NURSING HOME Tuesday 19th June at 11.30am Anointing & Communion BAYVIEW GARDEN NURSING HOME Tuesday 19th June at 1.30pm Anointing Mass ESTIA HEALTH (PENINSULAR GARDEN NURSING HOME) Tuesday 19th June at 2.30pm Anointing & Communion AVALON HOUSE NURSING HOME Wednesday 27th June at 10.45pm Anointing & Communion MARCUS LOANE NURSING HOME Wednesday 27th June at 2.00pm Anointing Mass The Catholic Parish of Pittwater Our parish affirms the dignity and worth of all children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care. We have a strong commitment to the wellbeing, belonging and security of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

3 PARISH DIRECTORY Pittwater Parish 1 Keenan Street Mona Vale NSW 2103 Tel Fax Parish Priest Fr George Kolodziej SDS Tel pp@pittwaterparish.org Assistant Priest Fr Bronek Pietrusewicz SDS Tel ap@pittwaterparish.org Bishop - Emeritus Bishop Bernard O Grady op Tel Parish Secretary Suzy Caruso Tel ext 0 office@pittwaterparish.org Youth Director TBA Tel ext 14 soul@pittwaterparish.org Music Director Josh Willard Tel ext 17 music@pittwaterparish.org Media & Communication Laura Ee Tel ext 31 media@pittwaterparish.org Sacramental Program Yvonne van den Berg Tel ext 13 sacraments@pittwaterparish.org Parish Office Hours Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm (closed 1.00pm to 1.30pm) Sacred Heart Church 1 Keenan Street Mona Vale Maria Regina Church 7 Central Road Avalon Mona Vale Sacred Heart School Tel Principal: Mrs Suellen Garey Avalon Maria Regina School Tel Principal: Mrs Kathy Gee Warriewood Mater Maria Catholic College Tel Principal:Mr Marc Reicher WANTED Director of Youth Ministry for Pittwater Parish To build young disciples for Christ by developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to youth ministry, while serving as a spiritual leader and role model. Interested applicants are invited to write a cover letter of interest outlining why they would be suitable for this role. For full details: Please send your cover letter and CV to: Parish Secretary, The Catholic Parish of Pittwater 1 Keenan St Mona Vale NSW 2103 Or to: office@pittwaterparish.org Applications close: Wednesday 20 June 2018 at 4pm WYD08 Sydney 10th Anniversary 20 July 2018 will mark 10 years since the Archdiocese of Sydney hosted World Youth Day To this day, WYD08 remains one of the most powerful demonstrations of faith our country has seen, welcoming Pope Benedict XVI and 500,000 pilgrims from around the world to our city. To celebrate the 10th anniversary, Catholics from across Sydney are invited to join Archbishop Anthony Fisher for a special Mass followed by food and cultural performances plus the announcement of a number of new initiatives for youth ministry. Co-hosted by Sydney Catholic Youth, the event will also include the launch of Archbishop Fisher s new book for young people My Dear Young Friend: Forty letters on youth, faith and future. When: Friday 20 July for 5:30pm Mass followed by WYD08 event at 7:00pm Where: Mass - St Mary s Cathedral. WYD08 event - St Mary s Cathedral College Hall All welcome. LOOKING FOR PERSONS TO PASS ON THE FAITH. At Bilgola and Avalon Public schools on Tuesdays during school term. All training and materials for the lessons are provided. No previous teaching experience needed. The following classes need a catechist on Tuesdays: Year 6 at Avalon Public 11am am Year 5 at Bilgola Public 11.30am-12noon Year1 at Bilgola Public 12noon 12.30pm Please contact Yvonne van den Berg sacraments@pittwaterparish.org or (Ext13) for more details. PHILIPPINES MISSION LAUNCH NIGHT Sunday 24th June 7pm (after Soul Mass) An opportunity to learn more and secure your spot. The Catholic Parish of Pittwater invites the youth (18 years and older) on a mission trip departing late November 2018 for 12 days to the Philippines. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a community in the Philippines and directly support them. There will be opportunities for fellowship with the community, visiting a local mission, as well as two building projects. We will also enjoy a few days for relaxing and reflection. With all expenses paid, we are looking at $2500 per person. Limited to 15 people.

4 Fr Francis Jordan Founder of the Society of the Divine Saviour and Sisters of the Divine Saviour. saw the great spiritual and material needs of the people. Jordan was eventually able to begin his journey to the priesthood by taking lessons in Latin from a friendly priest. He then went to the Gymnasium in Constance for two years to complete his basic education. It was not easy for him to sit in the class with much younger boys, but by dint of hard work he graduated with good marks, particularly in languages. From there he went to the Diocesan Seminary of St Peter in Friburg (Germany), where he was ordained in 1878 at the age of thirty. Already in the Seminary he showed great interest in the Missions and in the apostolate of the press, and began to have ideas about starting a work that would unite Catholic forces in the spread and defence of the faith. Due to the Kulturkampf the opposition of the Prussian State to the Catholic Church he was unable to exercise his ministry in his home Diocese and his Bishop sent him to Rome to study oriental languages. He went to live at the Campo Santo Teutonico right next to St Peter s Basilica, where he soon became known as The Chinaman because of his interest in oriental languages. This extraordinary gift for languages he had a working knowledge of more than forty languages meant that in 1880 he was given the opportunity by the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to travel on their behalf to the Middle East. circumstances and the demands of the Church Jordan bowed to these changes as expressions of the will of God. He kept a Spiritual Diary in which he poured out his deepest thoughts and prayers. This Spiritual Diary is a remarkable document, and it remains a source of inspiration to his spiritual sons and daughters. Father Jordan was very much devoted to the See of Peter and went each day to St Peter s Basilica to pray at the tomb of the Apostle. It was often said, If you want to see a Saint, go to St Peter s and you will see Father Jordan at prayer. Over the years Jordan s health was gradually undermined. Some of the reasons for this were: the stresses and strains of turning his ideas into a concrete reality; the daily worries involved in running a house of over a hundred priests, brothers and scholastics; the work of establishing the Society in many different countries in a short space of time, and the attacks he suffered in a press campaign against him in So, in 1915 when Italy entered the First World War and the Generalate moved to Switzerland, Jordan stood down as Superior General and Father Pancratius Pfeiffer took his place. Father Jordan s heath took a further turn for the worse and he died in the care of the Daughters of Charity in Tafers, Switzerland on 8th September His remains are interred in a special chapel in the general headquarters of the Society of the Divine Saviour in Rome. John Baptist Jordan was born on 16th June 1848 into a poor family in the village of Gurtweil, in the southwest of Germany. He was the second child of Lawrence and Notburga Jordan, who took him to be baptised the day after his birth with the name of John Baptist. His early life was uneventful, but even as a child he had to work hard and do his share to support the family, because his father had been invalided due to an accident. At his first communion a strange incident occurred. It seemed to him that a dove fluttered over his head, but since no-one else saw it he kept the vision to himself. But from that time he committed himself to God and felt that he had a vocation to the priesthood. He was a talented and lively boy and well liked in the village. Because of the poverty of the family he could not continue at school. Instead he learned the trade of painter and decorator and travelled widely for several years practising his new profession. In this way he On this tour of Egypt and Palestine Jordan took the opportunity to discuss his plans with many eminent Churchmen; their interest in his ideas gave him great encouragement. While climbing Mount Lebanon he had a profound spiritual experience. The words of John 17:3 ran through his mind Eternal life is this, to know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. He came down from the mountain resolved to put his plans into practice. On his return from the Middle East he began to search for collaborators. By this time he had moved to the house of S. Brigitta in Piazza Farnese where he established a printing press and started printing the monthly magazine Der Missionär. On the 8th December 1881 in the Chapel of St Brigida in Rome, Father Jordan and two other priests took private vows as members of the Apostolic Teaching Society. It is this date which is kept as the foundation day of the Salvatorians. Father Jordan would have achieved little if he had depended solely on his own abilities. Those who followed him did so because they realised that he was a man of God. They knew him to have deep faith and trust in God. Over and over again his plans had to be modified in the face of We see in Father Francis Jordan a man of great faith and depth of character. Early in his life he committed himself to the Lord, and to the realisation of the special task he knew he had been given. His vision, determination and faith attracted many people to follow him and join him in trying to win the world for the Saviour. His ideas have not lost their relevance with the passing of time. If anything, his idea of working closely with groups of apostolically minded laity is more relevant than ever. This year, in September we will celebrate the Centenary of the Death of Fr Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan. Today 16th June, would be Fr Jordan s 170th birthday.

5 Cong at lations to the children on receiving their Sacrament of First Holy Communion at Sacred Hear Church, Mona Vale. Jacob Ah Sam Isabelle Anderson Leo Antoun Kai Aungle Samuel Basaric Maya Bayfield Lexi Beuzeville Anna Biok Elanda Boersma Hugo Boersma Mimi Boffa Molly Boon Peter Brazel Jack Bridges Abigail Capell Emanuel Chard Emily Cheeseman Evie Cini Georgia Clark Charlotte Clarke-Bruce Lachlan Coates Erin Colver Axel Coria Bates William Cunningham Ruby Davies Abby Driscoll Claire Driscoll Shayana Eifler Olivia Fabbro Isla Fentie Anthony Ferragamo Lucy Fitzpatrick Matisse Franks Sime Glavan Joshua Godwin Max Graziano Patrick Harris Emma Hayman Lucas Hudy Larna Huxley Flynn Janjis Oliver Johnson Sapphire Johnstone Koby Jones William Keavy Samantha Kinnaird Anderson Lesko Jamie Links Matilda Lloyd Archie Lucas Lucas Lund Saxon Lund Lani Marttila Sienna McDonnell Charlotte McGregor Olive Mockford Samuel Morgan Rory Morris Thomas Murray Evie O'Sullivan Indiana Peachey Justin Piscioneri Kiera Portelli Charlie Power Claire Power Lucas Rey Jacinta Roberts Kayla Roberts Jack Robertson Rocco Rulli InThi Kim Schellens Charli Seaglove Elise Shanahan Charlie Simon Jack Smith Zac Smith Anthony Spadina Jordan Stefanatos Paige Sullivan-Bunt Ethan Tester Jakub Wegrzyn Tobias Woolnough Angelina Zofrea Thank you to Fr George, Fr Bronek, Bishop Ber ard, Yvonne van den Berg and the Sacramental Team, parents, g andparents, g ardians, catechists, teachers, principals and g oup leaders for your time and dedication in preparing the children for the Sacrament.

6 The Living Word First Reading Ez 17:22-24 A reading from the prophet Ezekiel I have made the small tree great. The Lord says this: From the top of the cedar, from the highest branch I will take a shoot and plant it myself on a very high mountain. I will plant it on the high mountain of Israel. It will sprout branches and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Every kind of bird will live beneath it, every winged creature rest in the shade of its branches. And every tree of the field will learn that I, the Lord, am the one who stunts tall trees and makes the low ones grow, who withers green trees and makes the withered green. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it. The word of the Lord Responsorial Psalm Ps 91: R. see v.2 (R.) Lord, it is good to give thanks to you. It is good to give thanks to the Lord to make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your truth in the watches of the night. (R) The just will flourish like the palm-tree and grow like a Lebanon cedar. (R) Planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God, still bearing fruit when they are old, still full of sap, still green, to proclaim that the Lord is just. In him, my rock, there is no wrong. (R) Second Reading 2 Cor 5:6-10 A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians Whether we are living in the body or exiled from it, we are intent on pleasing the Lord. We are always full of confidence when we remember that to live in the body means to be exiled from the Lord, going as we do by faith and not by sight we are full of confidence, I say, and actually want to be exiled from the body and make our home with the Lord. Whether we are living in the body or exiled from it, we are intent on pleasing him. For all the truth about us will be brought out in the law court of Christ, and each of us will get what he deserves for the things he did in the body, good or bad. The word of the Lord Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever. Alleluia! Gospel Mk 4:26-34 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark The mustard seed, the smallest of all the seeds, grows into the biggest shrub of all. Jesus said to the crowds, This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time; he starts to reap because the harvest has come. He also said, What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade. Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone. The Gospel of the Lord. REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSS The readings today remind us that poetic imagery is an apt way of describing the mysterious presence of God in our midst. The cedar began as a seedling that takes years to grow into a magnificent tree. The same is true of the mustard tree. It too requires time to develop its trunk and branches. The development of moral integrity in a human being is just as gradual. Rooted in God, it flourishes in God's presence and it produces fruit even into old age. Although God is present in all things, sustaining them and allowing them to follow their natural courses, God really transcends all things. Metaphorical language may be the best means for speaking about God and the things of God. It enables us to live in the tension that both reveals something about God and conceals God's real nature. The reign of God also begins in very ordinary circumstances, and it matures gradually until it has spread itself far and wide. Although the mystery of the reign of God unfolds within human history, we need eyes of faith to recognise it. Like the cedar and the mustard seed, it grows within the concreteness of human experience. Just as the life force that thrusts the branches of the trees further and further out cannot itself be seen, so the reign of God is mysterious, even incomprehensible. Still, it is there, inviting us, urging us to move forward, transforming our world. Liturgy for the Week 18/06 Monday Ordinary Time 11 1 Kg 21:1-16; Mt 5: /06 Tuesday Ordinary Time 11 1 Kg 21:17-29; Mt 5: /06 Wednesday Ordinary Time 11 2 Kg 2:1, 6-14; Mt 6:1-6, /06 Thursday St Aloysius Gonzaga, religious Sirach 48:1-14; Mt 6:7-15 Dianne Bergant CSS 2018 Sacrament of Confirmation Programme Compulsory parent meetings for the Sacrament of Confirmation are on 20th and 21st June. For more information, please pick up a copy of the full program from the back of the Church. 22/06 Friday Sts John Fisher, bishop, and Thomas More, martyrs 2 Kg 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Mt 6: /06 Saturday Ordinary Time 11 2 Chr 24:17-25; Mt 6:24-34

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