Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
To be a vibrant Catholic Community
unified in its commitment
to growing disciples for Christ
Parish Priest: Fr Mike Delaney
Mob: 0417 279 437
Mob: 0417 279 437
Assistant Priest: Fr Paschal Okpon
Mob: 0438 562 731
paschalokpon@yahoo.com
Priest in Residence: Fr Phil McCormack
Mob: 0437 521 257
Mob: 0437 521 257
Postal Address: PO Box 362
Parish Office: 90 Stewart Street
(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am - 3pm)
Office Phone: 6424 2783 Fax: 6423 5160
Email: merseyleven@aohtas.org.au
Secretary: Annie Davies / Anne Fisher
Pastoral Council Chair: Jenny Garnsey
Parish Mass times for the Month: mlcpmasstimes.blogspot.com.au
Archdiocesan Website: www.hobart.catholic.org.au for news, information and details of other Parishes.
Parish Prayer
Heavenly Father,
and calling us to serve as your disciples.
as we use our gifts to serve you.
as we strive to bear witness
to the Gospel and build an amazing parish.
Amen.
and calling us to serve as your disciples.
as we use our gifts to serve you.
as we strive to bear witness
Amen.
Our Parish Sacramental Life
Eucharistic Adoration - Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon,
concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Weekday
Masses 26th - 30th March
Monday: 7:00pm Devonport … Reconciliation 
Ministry Rosters 31st March & 1st April, 2018
Devonport:
Ulverstone:
Penguin:
Latrobe:
Port Sorell:
PREGO REFLECTION:
I slowly
read this excerpt from the Passion.
I allow myself to enter into the Passion as
a bystander or as a character from the Gospel.
I accompany Jesus through his
accusation, scourging, humiliation and abandonment.
What do I notice?
Can I
stay with Jesus?
Can I relate to his sense of abandonment?
What words of
comfort could I offer?
What is my response to this outpouring of courageous
compassion that culminated in the cross?
Like the Roman soldier at the foot of
the cross, I close my prayer with my own declaration of faith.
Then I make a
slow, reverent sign of the cross.
Readings next week – Easter Sunday
of the Resurrection of the Lord
Your prayers
are asked for the sick: Joy Kiely, Vic Slavin, Rex Bates, David Welch & …
Let us pray for those who have died recently:
Brian
Corbett, Katy Freeman, Phil Tuckett, Joan Hiscutt, Joseph
Healy, Nina Griffiths,
Keith Menzie, Julie White, Margaret Symons,
Rose Ackerly, Neil Beamish, Joan
Mansour,
Colin McKay, Philomina Mathew, Desmond Peters
Let us pray for those whose anniversary occurs
about this time: 21st – 27th March
May they Rest in
Peace
Weekly
Ramblings
As much as I enjoyed being in the Philippines last week I am more than
happy to be home in Tasmania with the cooler weather – I can actually do things
without dissolving.
I have put up a series of photos of Fr Cris’ Ordination and
Mass of Thanksgiving – these are only a few that were forwarded to me so they
are limited but give an idea of the two Churches. The Church of his Ordination
is a Shrine to Our Lady and is truly impressive. The Church at Toledo is only
partially complete and his Mass of Thanksgiving was the 1st Mass celebrated in
the sanctuary – the colourful roof is in fact plastic sheeting in case it
rained. Whatever the place the joy and enthusiasm of the people and Fr Cris was
infectious and the Archbishop and I were royally treated wherever we went and
the whole experience was great. I pray that Fr Cris will get his visa quickly
so that he can begin his ministry here in Tasmania and be a great priest
amongst us.
Next week, as well as all the Ceremonies of Holy Week, we
have our two celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These
celebrations are occasions for us all to stand humbly before our merciful God
to seek forgiveness and healing in our lives – I encourage all parishioners to
make use of either of these occasions as we continue our preparation for the
renewal of our Baptismal Promises at the Easter Vigil and Masses.
I am looking forward to seeing all parishioners at these
special celebrations.
Mersey Leven Parish congratulate Zillah Jones on her
award for 53 years’ service to Meals on Wheels in the Latrobe community. Along
with her service to Meals on Wheels, Zillah has made significant contributions
to other organisations within the Latrobe community including, Latrobe Senior
Citizens’ Club, Latrobe Football Club and St Patrick’s Church…… Well done Zillah!
Project Compassion- Palm
Sunday
Our Parish Sacramental Life
Baptism: Arrangements
are made by contacting Parish Office. Parents attend a Baptismal Preparation
Session organised with a Priest.
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)
Care and Concern: If you are aware of anyone who is sick or in need of
assistance in the Parish please visit them. Then, if they are willing and give
permission could you please pass on their name to the Parish Office. We have a
group of parishioners who are part of a Care and Concern Group who are willing
to provide some backup and support to them.
Eucharistic Adoration - Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon,
concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Benediction with Adoration Devonport:
First Friday each month.
Prayer Group: Charismatic Renewal – Mondays 7pm
Community Room Ulverstone
Weekday
Masses 26th - 30th March
Monday: 7:00pm Devonport … Reconciliation
Tuesday: 9:30am Penguin
Wednesday: 9:30am Latrobe
7:00pm Ulverstone …
Reconciliation Thursday: Refer
to Holy Week & Easter Ceremony Timetable
Friday: Refer to Holy Week & Easter Ceremony Timetable
31st March & 1st April, 2018 Easter Vigil: 7:00pm Devonport
Easter Sunday: 8:00am Port Sorell
8:00am Penguin
8:00am Latrobe
9:30am Ulverstone
9:30am Devonport
9:30am Sheffield
Ministry Rosters 31st March & 1st April, 2018
Devonport:
Easter Readers: Good Friday: R Baker, M Kelly, Gospel: K Pearce, J Phillips Intercessions: C Kiely-Hoye
Holy Saturday: 1st Reading: M Hendrey 2nd Reading: B Paul 3rd Reading: K Pearce, Epistle: M Gaffney
Easter Sunday: J. Phillips, P. Piccolo, K.
Pearce.
Ministers of Communion: Easter
Vigil: D Peters, M Heazlewood, T Muir, M Gerrand, P
Shelverton
Easter Sunday 9:30am: F Sly, E Petts, K Hull, S
Arrowsmith
Cleaners. 30th
March: P & T
Douglas 6th April: M.W.C.
Piety Shop 31st March:
L Murfet 1st April: D French
Ulverstone:
Reader/s: B O’Rourke Ministers of Communion: M Mott, M Fennell, J Jones, T Leary
Cleaners: G & M Seen, C Roberts Hospitality: T Good Team
Penguin:
Greeters: S Ewing, J Garnsey Commentator: E Nickols
Readers: Easter Liturgy Ministers of Communion: J Garnsey, S Ewing
Liturgy: Pine Road Setting Up: A Landers Care of Church: J & T Kiely
Latrobe:
Reader: M Chan Ministers
of Communion: Z
Smith Procession of
Gifts: Parishioner
Port Sorell:
Readers: M Badcock, L Post Minister of Communion: T Jeffries
Clean/Flowers/Prepare: C Howard
Readings this week – Palm Sunday – Year B
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7;
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: Mark 14:1 – 15:47
PREGO REFLECTION:
I pray before a crucifix or an image of the cross.
I slowly read this excerpt from the Passion.
I allow myself to enter into the Passion as a bystander or as a character from the Gospel.
I accompany Jesus through his accusation, scourging, humiliation and abandonment.
What do I notice?
Can I stay with Jesus?
Can I relate to his sense of abandonment?
What words of comfort could I offer?
What is my response to this outpouring of courageous compassion that culminated in the cross?
Like the Roman soldier at the foot of the cross, I close my prayer with my own declaration of faith.
Then I make a slow, reverent sign of the cross.
I slowly read this excerpt from the Passion.
I allow myself to enter into the Passion as a bystander or as a character from the Gospel.
I accompany Jesus through his accusation, scourging, humiliation and abandonment.
What do I notice?
Can I stay with Jesus?
Can I relate to his sense of abandonment?
What words of comfort could I offer?
What is my response to this outpouring of courageous compassion that culminated in the cross?
Like the Roman soldier at the foot of the cross, I close my prayer with my own declaration of faith.
Then I make a slow, reverent sign of the cross.
Readings next week – Easter Sunday
of the Resurrection of the Lord
First Reading: Acts 10:34. 37-43
Second Reading: Colossians
3: 1-4
Gospel: John 20:1-9
Your prayers
are asked for the sick: Joy Kiely, Vic Slavin, Rex Bates, David Welch & …
Let us pray for those who have died recently:
Brian
Corbett, Katy Freeman, Phil Tuckett, Joan Hiscutt, Joseph
Healy, Nina Griffiths,
Keith Menzie, Julie White, Margaret Symons,
Rose Ackerly, Neil Beamish, Joan
Mansour,
Colin McKay, Philomina Mathew, Desmond Peters
Let us pray for those whose anniversary occurs
about this time: 21st – 27th March
Myra Dare,
Peggy Leary, Thomas Sage, Eva Rogers, Peter Bolster, Antonio Sciamanna,
Doreen
Alderson, Pat & Bill Grieve. Also Alipio & Conchita Bornea, John Jarabe
and Atsam & Victoria Yee.
May they Rest in
Peace
Weekly
Ramblings
As much as I enjoyed being in the Philippines last week I am more than
happy to be home in Tasmania with the cooler weather – I can actually do things
without dissolving.
I have put up a series of photos of Fr Cris’ Ordination and
Mass of Thanksgiving – these are only a few that were forwarded to me so they
are limited but give an idea of the two Churches. The Church of his Ordination
is a Shrine to Our Lady and is truly impressive. The Church at Toledo is only
partially complete and his Mass of Thanksgiving was the 1st Mass celebrated in
the sanctuary – the colourful roof is in fact plastic sheeting in case it
rained. Whatever the place the joy and enthusiasm of the people and Fr Cris was
infectious and the Archbishop and I were royally treated wherever we went and
the whole experience was great. I pray that Fr Cris will get his visa quickly
so that he can begin his ministry here in Tasmania and be a great priest
amongst us.
Next week, as well as all the Ceremonies of Holy Week, we
have our two celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These
celebrations are occasions for us all to stand humbly before our merciful God
to seek forgiveness and healing in our lives – I encourage all parishioners to
make use of either of these occasions as we continue our preparation for the
renewal of our Baptismal Promises at the Easter Vigil and Masses.
The ceremonies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter
Vigil (the Triduum) are the highpoint of our Liturgical celebrations so I would
like to encourage all parishioners to be part of these celebrations – they are
not Mass Centre celebrations but they truly are the whole Parish celebrating
the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Saviour.
I am looking forward to seeing all parishioners at these
special celebrations.
Mersey Leven Parish congratulate Zillah Jones on her
award for 53 years’ service to Meals on Wheels in the Latrobe community. Along
with her service to Meals on Wheels, Zillah has made significant contributions
to other organisations within the Latrobe community including, Latrobe Senior
Citizens’ Club, Latrobe Football Club and St Patrick’s Church…… Well done Zillah!
Project Compassion- Palm
Sunday
When Psyche Mae featured in Project Compassion 2008, she was living in
a squatter settlement, near a rubbish dump in the Philippines. She is now a
social worker, with plans to study a Master’s degree, whilst helping others
emerge from poverty, thanks to the support of individuals and Caritas
Australia.
Please donate to Project Compassion 2018 and help improve the health and wellbeing of communities in the Philippines so they can work towards eradicating poverty, providing a just future for all.
OUR LADY OF
LOURDES CHURCH, DEVONPORT: Could parishioners please return small jars for holy water
to Our Lady of Lourdes Church Devonport? Small jars are required to be filled
on Holy Saturday Night (Easter Vigil Mass of Resurrection) with the new blessed
water. If parishioners have any clear glass jars or bottles approx. 4 inches
they can be left at the Sacristy or call Toni for collection on 6424:5296.
ST
BRENDAN-SHAW COLLEGE OPEN INFORMATION NIGHT: Tuesday 27th March, 7 –
9pm. Year 7 (2019) and all prospective students welcome!
CAKE &
CRAFT STALL:
DIVINE
MERCY NOVENA – DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: Mersey Leven parishioners
are invited to participate in the Divine Mercy Novena commencing on Good Friday
(30th March) until Saturday 7th April at Our Lady of
Lourdes Church at 5pm each day. We will be celebrating Mass on Divine Mercy
Sunday 8th April at Sacred Heart Church, Ulverstone at 9am. You are
encouraged to be part of the love and Mercy of Jesus. Further information
please contact Paschale Cotterill 0439 570 924 or Michael Gaffney 0447 018 068.
GOOD FRIDAY
COLLECTION:
FOOTY
TIPPING: Weekly
selling of footy margin tickets has begun so hurry and buy one (or two) $2 each
from Ulverstone, Devonport and Port Sorell. We need assistance with selling
tickets at Ulverstone. If you are able to help could you please let the Parish
Office know ASAP on 6424:2783
No Bingo
Thursday 29th March – Holy
Thursday
OUR NEED TO PRAY
This article is taken from the archives of Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI. You can read all his archives by clicking here
Unless you somehow have a foot outside of your culture, the culture will swallow you whole. Daniel Berrigan wrote that and it’s true too in this sense: Unless you can drink in strength from a source outside yourself, your natural proclivities for paranoia, bitterness, and hatred will invariably swallow you whole.
The disciples in Luke’s Gospel understood this. They approached Jesus and asked him to teach them how to pray because they saw him doing things that they did not see anyone else doing. He was able to meet hatred with love, to genuinely forgive others, to endure misunderstanding and opposition without giving in to self-pity and bitterness, and to retain within himself a center of peace and non-violence. This, they knew, was as extraordinary as walking on water, and they sensed that he was drawing the strength to do this from a source outside him, through prayer.
They knew they themselves were incapable of resisting bitterness and hatred and they wanted to be as strong as Jesus and so they asked him: Lord, teach us to pray. No doubt they imagined that this would simply be a question of learning a certain technique; but as the Gospels make clear, linking to a divine source outside of ourselves isn’t always easy or automatic, even for Jesus, as we see from his struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, his “agony in the garden”.
Jesus, himself, had to struggle mightily at times to ground himself in God as we see from his prayer in Gethsemane. His struggle there is described as an “agony”, and this needs to be carefully understood. “Agony” was a technical term used at the time for athletes. Before entering the stadium or arena for a contest, athletes would first work their bodies into a sweat, a warm lather, an agony, to make their muscles warm and ready for the contest. The Gospels tell us that Jesus also worked himself into a sweat, except in his case he sweated blood as he readied himself in his heart for the contest, the test, he was about to enter, his passion.
And what was that contest? The test he was readying himself for wasn’t as it is commonly believed an agonizing over the decision whether to let himself be crucified or whether to invoke divine power and save himself from this humiliation and death. That was never the issue in his struggle in Gethsemane. He had long before accepted that he was going to die. The question was how, how would he die, in love or in bitterness?
In the end, it was a struggle to strengthen his will so that he would die with a loving, warm, forgiving heart. And it was a struggle; a positive outcome was in doubt. Amidst all the darkness, hatred, bitterness, injustice, and misunderstanding that surrounded him, amidst everything that stood unfairly against him and was antithetical to his person and message, Jesus struggled mightily to cling to a source that could give him the strength to resist the hatred and violence around him, that could give him the heart to forgive his enemies, that could give him the graciousness to forgive the good thief, and that could give him the inner strength to turn humiliation, pain, and injustice into compassion rather than bitterness.
The Gospels put this metaphorically as a struggle to “stay awake”, namely, to stay awake to his inner identity as God’s Beloved, an identity that he appropriated at his baptism and which shaped his very consciousness during all the years of his ministry. In Gethsemane, amidst everything that invites him (and us) into moral amnesia, Jesus manages to stay awake to his deeper reality and to his identity as God’s beloved. His disciples don’t. As the Gospels tell us, during Jesus’ great struggle they fell asleep and their sleep (“out of sheer sorrow”) was more than physical fatigue. This is evident when, immediately after Jesus has managed to ground himself against hatred and non-violence, Peter succumbs to both and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Peter was asleep, in more ways than one, in a sleep that signifies the absence of prayer in one’s life.
Prayer is meant to keep us awake, which means it’s meant to keep us connected to a source outside our of natural instincts and proclivities which can keep us grounded in love, forgiveness, non-retaliation, and non-violence when everything inside of us and around us screams for bitterness, hatred, and retaliation. And if Jesus had to sweat blood in trying to stay connected to that source when he was tested, we can expect that the cost for us will be the same, struggle, agony, wanting in every fiber of our being to give in, clinging to love precariously by the skin of our teeth, and then having God’s angel strengthen us only when we’ve been writhing long enough in the struggle so that we can let God’s strength do for us what our own strength cannot do.
Lord, teach us to pray!
Creation Continues This article has been collated from the daily email series from the Center for Action and Contemplation and Fr Richard Rohr OFM. You can subscribe and receive the emails by clicking here
Karl Rahner said that we are “pressured” from within to
evolve. That pressure is what we have always called the Holy Spirit. And the
Spirit is creatively at work in this moment, urging us to evolve, to become a
new kind of human being such as the world has rarely seen before. But what has
been rare must now become commonplace. —Judy Cannato [1]
OUR LADY OF
LOURDES CHURCH, DEVONPORT: Could parishioners please return small jars for holy water
to Our Lady of Lourdes Church Devonport? Small jars are required to be filled
on Holy Saturday Night (Easter Vigil Mass of Resurrection) with the new blessed
water. If parishioners have any clear glass jars or bottles approx. 4 inches
they can be left at the Sacristy or call Toni for collection on 6424:5296.
ST
BRENDAN-SHAW COLLEGE OPEN INFORMATION NIGHT: Tuesday 27th March, 7 –
9pm. Year 7 (2019) and all prospective students welcome!
CAKE &
CRAFT STALL:
The Mt St Vincent Auxiliary will be holding a Cake and
Craft stall on Wednesday 28th March starting at 9am at Mt St Vincent
Home Ulverstone. Bring a friend or two and your spare change and buy some Easter goodies
to help support this great fundraiser!
DIVINE
MERCY NOVENA – DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: Mersey Leven parishioners
are invited to participate in the Divine Mercy Novena commencing on Good Friday
(30th March) until Saturday 7th April at Our Lady of
Lourdes Church at 5pm each day. We will be celebrating Mass on Divine Mercy
Sunday 8th April at Sacred Heart Church, Ulverstone at 9am. You are
encouraged to be part of the love and Mercy of Jesus. Further information
please contact Paschale Cotterill 0439 570 924 or Michael Gaffney 0447 018 068.
GOOD FRIDAY
COLLECTION:
The annual collection for the
support of the Church in the Holy Land takes place on Good Friday. This collection promotes the missionary work of
the Church in the Holy Land by providing welfare assistance to local Christians
in areas such as health, education, employment and housing. Parishes, schools,
orphanages and medical centres throughout the Holy Land also rely on assistance
from the Good Friday collection. The collection is also used to maintain 74
churches and shrines associated with the life of Jesus. Last year, Australian
Catholics donated $1.35 million to this cause. Your generosity is greatly
appreciated. Please remember the Christians of the Holy Land again on this Good
Friday. Please also pray that peace and harmony will become a reality in the
birthplace of Jesus, the ‘Prince of Peace’.
FOOTY
TIPPING: Weekly
selling of footy margin tickets has begun so hurry and buy one (or two) $2 each
from Ulverstone, Devonport and Port Sorell. We need assistance with selling
tickets at Ulverstone. If you are able to help could you please let the Parish
Office know ASAP on 6424:2783
No Bingo
Thursday 29th March – Holy
Thursday
OUR NEED TO PRAY
This article is taken from the archives of Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI. You can read all his archives by clicking here
Unless you somehow have a foot outside of your culture, the culture will swallow you whole. Daniel Berrigan wrote that and it’s true too in this sense: Unless you can drink in strength from a source outside yourself, your natural proclivities for paranoia, bitterness, and hatred will invariably swallow you whole.
The disciples in Luke’s Gospel understood this. They approached Jesus and asked him to teach them how to pray because they saw him doing things that they did not see anyone else doing. He was able to meet hatred with love, to genuinely forgive others, to endure misunderstanding and opposition without giving in to self-pity and bitterness, and to retain within himself a center of peace and non-violence. This, they knew, was as extraordinary as walking on water, and they sensed that he was drawing the strength to do this from a source outside him, through prayer.
They knew they themselves were incapable of resisting bitterness and hatred and they wanted to be as strong as Jesus and so they asked him: Lord, teach us to pray. No doubt they imagined that this would simply be a question of learning a certain technique; but as the Gospels make clear, linking to a divine source outside of ourselves isn’t always easy or automatic, even for Jesus, as we see from his struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, his “agony in the garden”.
Jesus, himself, had to struggle mightily at times to ground himself in God as we see from his prayer in Gethsemane. His struggle there is described as an “agony”, and this needs to be carefully understood. “Agony” was a technical term used at the time for athletes. Before entering the stadium or arena for a contest, athletes would first work their bodies into a sweat, a warm lather, an agony, to make their muscles warm and ready for the contest. The Gospels tell us that Jesus also worked himself into a sweat, except in his case he sweated blood as he readied himself in his heart for the contest, the test, he was about to enter, his passion.
And what was that contest? The test he was readying himself for wasn’t as it is commonly believed an agonizing over the decision whether to let himself be crucified or whether to invoke divine power and save himself from this humiliation and death. That was never the issue in his struggle in Gethsemane. He had long before accepted that he was going to die. The question was how, how would he die, in love or in bitterness?
In the end, it was a struggle to strengthen his will so that he would die with a loving, warm, forgiving heart. And it was a struggle; a positive outcome was in doubt. Amidst all the darkness, hatred, bitterness, injustice, and misunderstanding that surrounded him, amidst everything that stood unfairly against him and was antithetical to his person and message, Jesus struggled mightily to cling to a source that could give him the strength to resist the hatred and violence around him, that could give him the heart to forgive his enemies, that could give him the graciousness to forgive the good thief, and that could give him the inner strength to turn humiliation, pain, and injustice into compassion rather than bitterness.
The Gospels put this metaphorically as a struggle to “stay awake”, namely, to stay awake to his inner identity as God’s Beloved, an identity that he appropriated at his baptism and which shaped his very consciousness during all the years of his ministry. In Gethsemane, amidst everything that invites him (and us) into moral amnesia, Jesus manages to stay awake to his deeper reality and to his identity as God’s beloved. His disciples don’t. As the Gospels tell us, during Jesus’ great struggle they fell asleep and their sleep (“out of sheer sorrow”) was more than physical fatigue. This is evident when, immediately after Jesus has managed to ground himself against hatred and non-violence, Peter succumbs to both and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Peter was asleep, in more ways than one, in a sleep that signifies the absence of prayer in one’s life.
Prayer is meant to keep us awake, which means it’s meant to keep us connected to a source outside our of natural instincts and proclivities which can keep us grounded in love, forgiveness, non-retaliation, and non-violence when everything inside of us and around us screams for bitterness, hatred, and retaliation. And if Jesus had to sweat blood in trying to stay connected to that source when he was tested, we can expect that the cost for us will be the same, struggle, agony, wanting in every fiber of our being to give in, clinging to love precariously by the skin of our teeth, and then having God’s angel strengthen us only when we’ve been writhing long enough in the struggle so that we can let God’s strength do for us what our own strength cannot do.
Lord, teach us to pray!
Creation Continues
Karl Rahner said that we are “pressured” from within to
evolve. That pressure is what we have always called the Holy Spirit. And the
Spirit is creatively at work in this moment, urging us to evolve, to become a
new kind of human being such as the world has rarely seen before. But what has
been rare must now become commonplace. —Judy Cannato [1]
Science today—particularly physics, astrophysics,
anthropology, and biology—is confirming many of religion’s deep intuitions. The
universe is not inert, but is “inspirited matter.” We might call this driving
force instinct, evolution, nuclear fusion, DNA, hardwiring, the motherboard,
healing, growth, or springtime. Nature clearly renews itself from within. God
seems to have created things that continue to create and recreate themselves
from the inside out. A fully incarnate God creates through evolution.
The very meaning of the word universe is to “turn around one
thing.” There is either some Big Truth in this universe, or it is an incoherent
universe. We are hardwired for the Big Picture, for transcendence, for ongoing
growth (another name for evolution), for union with ourselves and everything
else. [2] Either God is for everybody and the divine DNA is somehow in all
creatures, or this God is not God. Humans are driven, hopefully even drawn,
toward ever higher levels of conscious union and the ability to include (to
forgive others for being “other”). “Everything that rises must converge,” as
Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) observed. [3].
Unfortunately, many people view God as a deity who tortures
and excludes forever those people who don’t agree with “him” or get “his” name
right. How could you possibly trust such a small God or ever feel loved, safe,
and free? Jesus undid the stingy, violent view of God when he said, “You, evil
as you are, know how to give good things to your children. . . . If you, then
how much more, God!” (Matthew 7:11). The God I have met and been loved by is
always an experience of “how much more!” If we are created in the image and
likeness of God, then whatever good, true, or beautiful things we can say about
humanity or creation we can also say of God—but they’re even more true! God is
the beauty of creation and humanity multiplied to the infinite power.
For me, this wondrous universe cannot be an incoherent and
accidental cosmos, nor can it be grounded in evil, although I admit that this
intellectual leap and bias toward beauty is still an act of faith and trust. I
further believe that a free and loving God desires our participation in
co-creation. The Great Work is ours too.
[1] Judy Cannato, Field of Compassion: How the New Cosmology
Is Transforming Spiritual Life (Sorin Books: 2010), ix-x.
[2] See Joseph Chilton Pearce, The Biology of Transcendence
(Park Street Press: 2002); Andrew Newberg, Why God Won’t Go Away (Ballantine
Books: 2002).
[3] Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, The Future of Man (Image
Books: 1964), 186.
Adapted from Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality
for the Two Halves of Life (Jossey-Bass: 2011), 93-94, 108-110.
10 WARNING SIGNS OF AN UNHEALTHY CHURCH STAFF CULTURE
Taken from the weekly blog by Fr Michael White, Pastor of the Church of the Nativity, Baltimore. You can read his blog buy clicking here
Every church has its own unique culture. And, to a certain degree, you can have any kind of culture you want. For instance, we have a fairly casual culture on our staff, you might prefer a more formal style. It doesn’t matter what kind of culture you have as long as it’s healthy.
Of course, on any church staff, there will be problems that occasionally arise and drama that will unfold. That goes with human nature and should be dealt with as it happens. But there are certain signs that your culture might be turning toxic, and they can be subtle and easy to miss if you aren’t vigilant.
Here are 10 warning signs that all might not be well.
- Division in Mission and Vision or Values
Ideas and opinions on your team will vary at times, and that can be a sign of health. In fact, our friend Patrick Lencioni encourages teams to engage in honest conflict when it comes to ideas and decision making. However, the greatest liability for a staff culture is lack of unanimity when it comes to the basics. To have a healthy culture it is non negotiable that everyone share mission, vision and values.
- Cliques Within the Team/No Cross Collaboration
Friendships will naturally form on your staff, and that can be a sign of great staff culture. Certain people will bond more closely and collaborate more easily. But, when groups become exclusive factions, not in communication and consultation with one another view it as a warning sign.
- Leaders Who Aren’t Present or Are Self-Serving
Does the leadership make a concerted effort to be in the office whenever they can? How often does parish staff see the pastor, or get to talk to him. Do they have “walk-in” privileges to his office? When it comes to “all hands on deck” projects does that include the senior leadership team?
- Lack of Trust /Lack of Commitment
When team members trust one another and their leadership, it is a beautiful thing to see. When they don’t it’s a mess. Micromanagement by staff leaders can quickly lead to discontentment, stress, and lack of trust. So can lack of commitment or accountability on the part of staff members.
- Gossip
Gossip can be one of the most toxic aspects of a staff culture. It’s imperative that church leaders shut gossip down whenever it occurs, and work to establish a zero tolerance policy, that is everyone’s job to enforce.
- Bad Attitudes & Negative Comments
Everyone has bad days, but reoccurring negativity should be a red flag that there is some misalignment. If there are constant negative comments coming from a team member, address it.
- Goals Are not Measurable/There Are no Goals
Pushing oneself toward goals can drive growth and lead to achievement in your church. However, setting goals that cannot be reached or are difficult to measure can lead to disillusionment. Lack of goals, on the other hand, will set your staff adrift and can lead to the same outcome.
- Not Attending Other Team Members’ Events
It’s not possible for everyone on staff to attend every event your church has. However, is your staff putting forth an effort to support each another’s ministries and activities? Do people sometimes show up even when they don’t have to just to support and encourage one another?
- No Interaction Outside of Work/Not Having Lunch Together
While everyone may not want to spend all of their time with their coworkers, does staff ever come together when they’re not actually paid to be together. Likewise, do they seek out opportunities, like lunch, to be together? If not, there could be a problem.
- No Vision/ No New Ideas
Not everyone is creative, but a sense of adaptability and problem solving should lead to new ideas and continued improvement. If your team simply does things the way they’ve always done them, your staff culture will become stale. Staff members should have an alignment in vision which they are constantly striving to serve in new and creative ways.
Taken from the weekly blog by Fr Michael White, Pastor of the Church of the Nativity, Baltimore. You can read his blog buy clicking here
Every church has its own unique culture. And, to a certain degree, you can have any kind of culture you want. For instance, we have a fairly casual culture on our staff, you might prefer a more formal style. It doesn’t matter what kind of culture you have as long as it’s healthy.
Of course, on any church staff, there will be problems that occasionally arise and drama that will unfold. That goes with human nature and should be dealt with as it happens. But there are certain signs that your culture might be turning toxic, and they can be subtle and easy to miss if you aren’t vigilant.
Here are 10 warning signs that all might not be well.
- Division in Mission and Vision or Values
Ideas and opinions on your team will vary at times, and that can be a sign of health. In fact, our friend Patrick Lencioni encourages teams to engage in honest conflict when it comes to ideas and decision making. However, the greatest liability for a staff culture is lack of unanimity when it comes to the basics. To have a healthy culture it is non negotiable that everyone share mission, vision and values.
- Cliques Within the Team/No Cross Collaboration
Friendships will naturally form on your staff, and that can be a sign of great staff culture. Certain people will bond more closely and collaborate more easily. But, when groups become exclusive factions, not in communication and consultation with one another view it as a warning sign.
- Leaders Who Aren’t Present or Are Self-Serving
Does the leadership make a concerted effort to be in the office whenever they can? How often does parish staff see the pastor, or get to talk to him. Do they have “walk-in” privileges to his office? When it comes to “all hands on deck” projects does that include the senior leadership team?
- Lack of Trust /Lack of Commitment
When team members trust one another and their leadership, it is a beautiful thing to see. When they don’t it’s a mess. Micromanagement by staff leaders can quickly lead to discontentment, stress, and lack of trust. So can lack of commitment or accountability on the part of staff members.
- Gossip
Gossip can be one of the most toxic aspects of a staff culture. It’s imperative that church leaders shut gossip down whenever it occurs, and work to establish a zero tolerance policy, that is everyone’s job to enforce.
- Bad Attitudes & Negative Comments
Everyone has bad days, but reoccurring negativity should be a red flag that there is some misalignment. If there are constant negative comments coming from a team member, address it.
- Goals Are not Measurable/There Are no Goals
Pushing oneself toward goals can drive growth and lead to achievement in your church. However, setting goals that cannot be reached or are difficult to measure can lead to disillusionment. Lack of goals, on the other hand, will set your staff adrift and can lead to the same outcome.
- Not Attending Other Team Members’ Events
It’s not possible for everyone on staff to attend every event your church has. However, is your staff putting forth an effort to support each another’s ministries and activities? Do people sometimes show up even when they don’t have to just to support and encourage one another?
- No Interaction Outside of Work/Not Having Lunch Together
While everyone may not want to spend all of their time with their coworkers, does staff ever come together when they’re not actually paid to be together. Likewise, do they seek out opportunities, like lunch, to be together? If not, there could be a problem.
- No Vision/ No New Ideas
Not everyone is creative, but a sense of adaptability and problem solving should lead to new ideas and continued improvement. If your team simply does things the way they’ve always done them, your staff culture will become stale. Staff members should have an alignment in vision which they are constantly striving to serve in new and creative ways.
Celebrating the Passion of the Lord
This article is taken from the Thinking Faith website. You can read the complete article by clicking here
During Holy Week this year, we hear the Passion narratives from Mark’s Gospel, on Palm Sunday, and John’s Gospel, on Good Friday. Peter Edmonds SJ compares the portraits of Jesus presented in these accounts, and in the other Good Friday readings. How, through these Scriptures, do we meet Jesus as our Servant, Priest and King? (Peter Edmonds SJ is a tutor in Biblical Studies at Campion Hall, University of Oxford.)
The busiest afternoon of the year for Catholic churches is that of Good Friday. People throng to participate in a liturgy entitled, ‘Celebration of the Passion of the Lord’. The mood for this celebration is set by three readings from Scripture, which invite us to meet the Lord Jesus under three aspects: as Servant, as Priest, and as King. The first text is taken from the prophet Isaiah; it is the long passage known as the Fourth Song of the Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). The second text, from the Letter to the Hebrews, has as its topic the priesthood of Jesus: he is the Son of God who has entered heaven as the great high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9). The third text is the Passion story as given in John’s gospel, the one in which Jesus tells Pilate, ‘I am a king; I came into the world for this’ and in which Pilate writes an inscription fixed to the cross of Jesus, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews’. Let us look at these three texts more closely.
This article is taken from the Thinking Faith website. You can read the complete article by clicking here
During Holy Week this year, we hear the Passion narratives from Mark’s Gospel, on Palm Sunday, and John’s Gospel, on Good Friday. Peter Edmonds SJ compares the portraits of Jesus presented in these accounts, and in the other Good Friday readings. How, through these Scriptures, do we meet Jesus as our Servant, Priest and King? (Peter Edmonds SJ is a tutor in Biblical Studies at Campion Hall, University of Oxford.)
The busiest afternoon of the year for Catholic churches is that of Good Friday. People throng to participate in a liturgy entitled, ‘Celebration of the Passion of the Lord’. The mood for this celebration is set by three readings from Scripture, which invite us to meet the Lord Jesus under three aspects: as Servant, as Priest, and as King. The first text is taken from the prophet Isaiah; it is the long passage known as the Fourth Song of the Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). The second text, from the Letter to the Hebrews, has as its topic the priesthood of Jesus: he is the Son of God who has entered heaven as the great high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9). The third text is the Passion story as given in John’s gospel, the one in which Jesus tells Pilate, ‘I am a king; I came into the world for this’ and in which Pilate writes an inscription fixed to the cross of Jesus, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews’. Let us look at these three texts more closely.
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