Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) - YEAR A
email: mike.delaney@catholicpriest.org.au
Assistant Priest: Fr Augustine Ezenwelu
mob: 0470 576 857
mob: 0470 576 857
Postal Address: PO Box 362, Devonport 7310
Parish Office: 90 Stewart Street, Devonport 7310
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday 10am-3pm
Office Phone: 6424 2783 Fax: 6423 5160
FaceBook: Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
Weekly Newsletter: mlcathparish.blogspot.com.au
Parish Newsletter: mlcathparishnewsletter.blogspot.com.au
Secretary: Annie Davies/Anne Fisher
Pastoral Council Chair: Mary Davies
Pastoral Council Chair: Mary Davies
Archdiocesan Website: www.hobart.catholic.org.au for news, information and details of other Parishes.
Our Parish Sacramental Life
Baptism: arrangements are made by contacting Parish Office.
Parents attend a Baptismal Preparation Session on first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December.
Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist: Are received following a Family–centred, Parish-based, School-supported Preparation Program.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: prepares adults for reception into the Catholic community.
Marriage: arrangements are made by contacting one of our priests - couples attend a pre-marriage Program
Anointing of the Sick: please contact one of our priests
Reconciliation: Ulverstone - Fridays (10am - 10:30am)
Devonport - Saturday (5:15pm– 5.45pm)
Penguin - Saturday (5:15pm - 5:45pm)Devonport - Saturday (5:15pm– 5.45pm)
Care and Concern: If you are aware of anyone who is in need of assistance and has given permission to be contacted by Care and Concern, please phone the Parish Office.
FIRST READING
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Praise the Lord!
SECOND READING
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living bread from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live for ever. Alleluia!
PREGO REFLECTION ON TODAY'S GOSPEL:
As I come to pray the gospel for this feast of Corpus Christi
I notice the impact of his words, pausing wherever the Holy
Spirit draws me. How do I feel? Peaceful...Puzzled...Grateful?
I try to remain still before the Lord, perhaps resisting
the temptation to try to “work it out” in my head, but simply letting his words
resonate deep within me. Jesus promises that I will draw life from Him. I allow
myself to rest in His life-giving presence. When I am ready, I may wish to
respond .....
I may also reflect that, just as I need to eat to sustain
my body, Jesus invites me to receive from Him all that is essential to give my
life meaning, all that is truly life-giving. I speak with the Lord about my own
needs ...and those of my family and community
I may wish to consider how, as a community, we pray to
become what we eat......the body of Christ, given “for the life of the world”.
Weekday
Masses 24th - 27th June, 2014
Tuesday: 9:30am Penguin
Wednesday: 9:30am Latrobe
Thursday: 12:00noon Devonport
Friday: 9:30am Ulverstone
Next
Weekend 28th & 29th June, 2014
Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm
Penguin
(L.W.C)
Devonport
Sunday Mass: 8:30am
Port Sorell (L.W.C.)
9:00am Ulverstone
10:30am
Devonport (L.W.C.)
11:00am Sheffield
5.00pm
Latrobe
Eucharistic
Adoration:
Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon,
concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Devonport: Benediction with Adoration - first Friday of
each month.
Prayer Groups:
Charismatic Renewal - Ulverstone (Community Room) Every
second and fourth Monday of the month 7:30pm (In recess over winter) - Devonport (Emmaus House) Thursdays - 7:30pm
Christian Meditation - Devonport,
Emmaus House - Wednesdays 7pm.
Ministry Rosters 28th & 29th
June, 2014
Devonport:
Readers:
Vigil: D Covington ,
V Riley, A Stegmann
10.30am: E Petts , K Douglas, K Pearce
Ministers of Communion:
Vigil: J Cox, B O'Connor, R Beaton, K Brown, P Shelverton,
Vigil: J Cox, B O'Connor, R Beaton, K Brown, P Shelverton,
Beau Windebank
10.30am: M & B Peters, L Hollister, F Sly, B & C Schrader
Cleaners 27th
June:. P & T
Douglas 4th July: M.W.C.
Piety Shop 28th June: R McBain 29th June K Hull Flowers: M Knight, V Mahoney
Ulverstone:
Reader: R Locket
Ministers of Communion: C Singline, D Griffin
Cleaners: G&M
Seen, C Roberts Flowers: M Bryan Hospitality: B O'Rourke
Penguin:
Greeters: J & T Kiely Commentator: M Kenney Readers: T Clayton, J Garnsey
Procession: Kiely Family Ministers of Communion: A Hyland, E
Nickols Music: M Bowles
Liturgy: Sulphur Creek J Setting Up: A Landers Care of Church: G Hills-Eade, A Landers
Port Sorell:
Readers: P Anderson, T Jeffries Ministers of Communion: L Post
Clean /Prepare/Flowers: C
Howard
Latrobe:
Reader: P Marlow Ministers of Communion:
Procession: M Clarke, I Campbell
Your prayers
are asked for the sick:
Terry Charlesworth, Uleen Castles, Shirley Ransom, Kath Smith,
Louise Murfet, Joan Stafford, Tom & Nico Knaap, Maureen Harris,
Brenda Lao, Shanon Breaden, Jamie Griffiths, Anne Johnson,
Lionel Rosevear, Kieran Simpson, Arlene Austria & .........
Louise Murfet, Joan Stafford, Tom & Nico Knaap, Maureen Harris,
Brenda Lao, Shanon Breaden, Jamie Griffiths, Anne Johnson,
Lionel Rosevear, Kieran Simpson, Arlene Austria & .........
Let us pray for those who have died recently:
Flores McKenzie, Janice Crick, Kaye
Barry, Harry Kink, Miss Barbara O'Rourke and Laurie McGuire.
Let us pray for those whose
anniversary occurs about this time:
Therese Lizotte, Dean Mott, Rhys Tobin, Dylan Burgess, Max
Stuart, Ruth Edillo, Dudley McNamara, Patricia Barrenger, Dorothy Smith, Robin Millwood, Harry Maker, Ellen Reilly,
Ray Dawkins, Thomas Kelly Snr and Pat Griffin. Also deceased relatives and friends of Kath Hall, Lynch,
Lovatt & Maloney families.
May they Rest in Peace
FROM FR MIKE:
I would like to start this week’s thoughts with an apology.
Several weeks ago Peter Douglas was appointed as the Head of School Services
(North) as after two and a half years as Principal at Sacred Heart
School
The process of the appointment of a new Principal has begun
and there will be a Community Consultation at the School next Monday at 6.30pm
– information about the Consultation and the events leading up to the
celebration of 125 years can be found in the School Newsletter – visit http://shu.tas.edu.au/whats-happening/newsletter-pdfs/June%2018.pdf
for details.
This past week has been busy with a Council of Priests
meeting in Hobart
All these things take time and it is not always easy to meet
the demands or expectations of people who ring and look for an immediate
response to their request. Whilst every effort is made to address a response
immediately we (the office and house people) and I ask that if we indicate that
something or someone is not immediately available then that actually might be
the case and that we (I or whomever) will get back to you as soon as possible.
Several times recently people have rung asking to speak to me and been told
that I am at a funeral and will contact them when I am free and ring back a
couple of hours later asking where am I? At the time it was actually at another
funeral but that didn’t satisfy so I’m not sure what answer they expected!
Thanks to all who made the celebration of the Sacraments of
Confirmation and First Eucharist last weekend so successful – please continue
to pray for these children and all children that they might have the
opportunity to continue to grow in their faith through the support of their
families and our communities.
Please Note these DATE CLAIMERS:
26th July (Sat) from 10am-4pm with
Sr Christina Neunzerling rsj on A Spirituality of Pastoral Care in the Community Room, Ulverstone –
information in the newsletter and on the Noticeboards.
Until next week, take care on the roads and in your homes, Fr
Mike.
PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM:
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM:
Last weekend our Parish celebrated the Sacraments of
Confirmation and First Eucharist at both Our Lady of Lourdes and Sacred Heart
Churches
Special thanks must go to all those who were involved in
the Sacramental Program: The children
and their families, the team who helped with the preparation and catechesis
(Sally Riley, Mandy Eden, Judy McIver, Felicity Sly), those who helped prepare
the churches, the flowers, the music and hospitality. Thanks also to the parish house staff: Annie Davies , Digna French and Ann Fisher for all
their support and assistance. Special thanks to Archbishop Julian and, of
course, Fr Mike for all of his guidance, contribution and enthusiastic
participation.
The two celebrations were joyous occasions that were both a
culmination of a journey of preparation and a celebration of the beginning of full
initiation into the Catholic Church for the 33 young people.
With the support of our community we pray that their lives
of faith will continue to be nourished and strengthened.
PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM:
New envelopes are being distributed
this weekend. Please collect them today. As of 1st July new envelopes are to be
used so please discard all envelopes for last financial year.
“Spirituality in the Coffee Shoppe”
Monday 23rd June 10.30am – 12 noon.
Come and chat about current issues while relaxing with a cuppa.
“The Joy of the
Gospel is for all people: no-one can be excluded.” #23
A reflection on the teaching of Pope Francis.
Facilitator: Clare
Kiely-Hoye Thursday 3rd July,
7.30pm- 9pm MacKillop Hill. Bookings by Monday
30th June mackillophill.forth@sosj.org.au
Ph
6428:3095
ML FINANCE MEETING: Tuesday 24th June - 5:15pm,
Parish House, 90 Stewart Street
KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS:
Meeting Sunday 29th June at Emmaus
House, 88 Stewart Street
All welcome! Please place your name on the sheet on noticeboard
if you will be attending.
PIETY SHOP OLOL DEVONPORT:
We urgently require more assistance with the running of the
Piety Shop especially on Saturday evenings. If you are able to help could you
please contact the parish office as soon as possible.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE TEACHING
“When we think of the continuing injustice in the world, we
are chastened by the words of Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ:
If there is hunger anywhere in the world, then our
celebration of the Eucharist is somehow incomplete everywhere in the world … In
the Eucharist we receive Christ hungering in the world. He comes to us, not
alone, but with the poor, the oppressed, the starving of the earth. Through him
they are looking to us for help, for justice, for love expressed in action.
Therefore we cannot properly receive the Bread of life unless at the same time
we give the bread of life to those in need wherever and whoever they may be.”
From the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Social Justice
Statement 2013-2014: Lazarus at our Gate: A critical moment in the fight against
world poverty.
FOOTY MARGIN: Round 13 Hawthorn won by 28 points.
Winners: Eileen Beard, Kath Cochrane, Marie Knight.
BINGO Thursday Nights - OLOL Hall, Devonport.
Eyes down 7.30pm!
Callers for Thursday 26th June are
Rod
Clark & Bruce Peters
HELP REQUIRED .....WE NEED MORE CALLERS.
If you able to assist in any way even if it's only once a month, please
contact the Parish Office.
Evangelii Gaudium
‘A small step, in the
midst of great human limitations can be more pleasing to God than a life which
appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great
difficulties.’
-
Para
44 from Evangelii Gaudium, Pope
Francis, Nov. 24, 2013
What is the effect of ordination to the priesthood?
The
anointing of the Spirit seals the priest with an indelible, spiritual character
that configures him to Christ the priest and enables him to act in the name of
Christ as the Head. As a co-worker of the order of bishops he is consecrated to
preach the Gospel, to celebrate divine worship, especially the Eucharist from
which his ministry draws strength, and to be a shepherd of the faithful.
From:
Compendium of the Catechism of the
Catholic Church: Paragraph 328(Catholic Enquiry Centre www.catholicenquiry.com)
Feast Day of the Week – St Irenaeus,
bishop & martyr (June 28)
In
a week which also marks the Nativity of St John the Baptist (June 24), the
Feast of the Sacred Heart (June 27) and The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed
Virgin Mary (June 28), it is probably easy for our chosen saint’s feast day to go unnoticed. The
feast day of St Irenaeus has moved over the years. It was first celebrated in
the Roman Catholic calendar on June 28, in 1920; then moved to July 3, from
1960, and then back to June 28, in 1969. The feast day marks the day of his
death.
‘The writings of St Irenaeus
entitle him to a high place among the fathers of the Church, for they not only
laid the foundations of Christian
theology but, by exposing and refuting the errors of the Gnostics, they
delivered the Catholic faith from
the real danger of the doctrines of those heretics.
Words of Wisdom – Pope Benedict on the Eucharist
‘In the Eucharist, the Son of God comes to meet us
and desires to become one with us; Eucharistic adoration is simply the natural
consequence of the Eucharistic celebration, which is itself the Church’s
supreme act of adoration.’
http://quotecatholic.com/index.php/eucharist-mass/pope-benedict-xvi-in-the-eucharist/#more-1504
Meme of the week
We recently celebrated
Pentecost. Here’s a meme that captures the significance of that day, but also
puts a more contemporary spin on it.
ON NOT BEING STINGY WITH GOD’S MERCY
AN ARTICLE BY FR RON ROLHEISER
THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE
FOUND AT HTTP://RONROLHEISER.COM/EN/#.U6OP1VMSZAY
Today, for a number of reasons, we struggle to be generous and prodigal
with God’s mercy.
As the number of people who attend church services
continues to decline, the temptation among many of our church leaders and
ministers is to see this more as a pruning than as a tragedy and to respond by
making God’s mercy less, rather than more, accessible. For example, a seminary
professor whom I know shares that, after forty years of teaching a course
designed to prepare seminarians to administer the sacrament of penance, today
sometimes the first question that the seminarians ask is: “When can I refuse absolution?”
In effect, how scrupulous must I be in dispensing God’s mercy?
To their credit, their motivation is mostly sincere,
however misguided. They sincerely fear playing fast and loose with God’s grace,
fearing that they might end up dispensing cheap grace.
Partly that’s a valid motive. Fear of playing
fast and loose with God’s grace, coupled with concerns for truth, orthodoxy,
proper public form, and fear of scandal have their own legitimacy. Mercy
needs always to be tempered by truth. But sometimes the motives driving our
hesitancy are less noble and our anxiety about handing out cheap grace arises
more out of timidity, fear, legalism, and our desire, however unconscious, for
power.
But even when mercy is withheld for the nobler of
those reasons, we’re still misguided, bad shepherds, out of tune with the God
whom Jesus proclaimed. God’s mercy, as Jesus revealed it, embraces
indiscriminately, the bad and the good, the undeserving and the deserving, the
uninitiated and the initiated. One of the truly startling insights that Jesus
gave us is that the mercy of God, like the light and warmth of the sun, cannot
not go out to everyone. Consequently it’s always free, undeserved, unconditional,
universal in embrace, and has a reach beyond all religion, custom, rubric,
political correctness, mandatory program, ideology, and even sin itself.
For our part then, especially those of us who are
parents, ministers, teachers, catechists, and elders, we must risk proclaiming
the prodigal character of God’s mercy. We must not spend God’s mercy, as if it
were ours to spend; dole out God’s forgiveness, as if it were a limited
commodity; put conditions on God’s love, as if God were a petty tyrant or a
political ideology; or cut off cut access to God, as if we were the keeper of
the heavenly gates. We aren’t. If we tie God’s mercy to our own timidity and
fear, we limit it to the size of our own minds.
It is interesting to note in the gospels how the
apostles, well-meaning of course, often tried to keep certain people away from
Jesus as if they weren’t worthy, as if they were an affront to his holiness or
would somehow stain his purity. So they perennially tried to prevent children,
prostitutes, tax collectors, known sinners, and the uninitiated of all kinds
from coming to Jesus. However, always Jesus over-ruled their attempts
with words to this effect: “Let them come! I want them to come.”
Early on in my ministry, I lived in a rectory with a
saintly old priest. He was over eighty, nearly blind, but widely sought out and
respected, especially as a confessor. One night, alone with him, I asked him
this question: “If you had your priesthood to live over again, would you do
anything differently?” From a man so full of integrity, I fully expected that
there would be no regrets. So his answer surprised me. Yes, he did have a
regret, a major one, he said: “If I had my priesthood to do over again, I would
be easier on people the next time. I wouldn’t be so stingy with God’s mercy,
with the sacraments, with forgiveness. I fear I’ve been too hard on people.
They have pain enough without me and the church laying further burdens on them.
I should have risked God’s mercy more!”
I was struck by this because, less than a year before,
as I took my final exams in the seminary, one of the priests who examined me,
gave me this warning: “Be careful,” he said, “don’t be soft. Only the truth
sets people free. Risk truth over mercy.”
As I age, I am ever more inclined to the old
priest’s advice: We need more to risk God’s mercy. The place of justice and
truth should never be ignored, but we must risk letting the infinite,
unbounded, unconditional, undeserved mercy of God flow free.
But, like the apostles, we, well-intentioned
persons, are forever trying to keep certain individuals and groups away from
God’s mercy as it is offered in word, sacrament, and community. But God doesn’t
want our protection. What God does want is for everyone, regardless of
morality, orthodoxy, lack of preparation, age, or culture, to come to the
unlimited waters of divine mercy.
George Eliot once wrote: “When death, the great
reconciler, has come, it is never our tenderness that we repent of, but our
severity.”
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