Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
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
Finance Officer: Anne Fisher
Finance Officer: Anne Fisher
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.
PLENARY COUNCIL PRAYER
Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land.
O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia
and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council.
Give us the grace to see your face in one another
and to recognise Jesus, our companion on the road.
Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth.
Give us ears to listen humbly to each other
and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying.
Lead your Church into a hope-filled future,
that we may live the joy of the Gospel.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the journey from age to age.
Amen.
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.
Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land.
O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia
and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council.
Give us the grace to see your face in one another
and to recognise Jesus, our companion on the road.
Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth.
Give us ears to listen humbly to each other
and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying.
Lead your Church into a hope-filled future,
that we may live the joy of the Gospel.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the journey from age to age.
Amen.
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.
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.
Our Parish Sacramental Life
Eucharistic Adoration - Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon, concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Weekday Masses 23rd - 26th October
Tuesday: 9:30am Penguin … St John of Capistrano 
Weekend Masses 27th & 28th October
Saturday Vigil: 6:00pm Penguin
6:00pm Devonport
Sunday Mass: 8:30am Port Sorell
9:00am Ulverstone
10:30am Devonport
11:00am Sheffield
Devonport: 
Cleaners: 26th Oct: P & T Douglas 2nd Nov: M.W.C.
Ulverstone:
Penguin:
Port Sorell:
Readings this week –Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
I do not rush,
despite the demands that life may be making on me at the moment.
I am coming
into the presence of the Master, so I approach with reverence.
In my prayer I
may feel drawn to the question the Lord asks of James and John – and of me too.
‘What is it you want me to do for you?’
What would I say to that question?
Am I
looking for a particular favour?
I am honest with the Lord.
There may be times
when I act like the two disciples, seeking what is best for me; or like the
others, feeling indignant when I think someone is trying to outdo me.
How does
this make me feel?
I ponder this, noting anything that arises from my heart.
Now I look to the Lord and to his words.
He talks, not about glory, but about a
cup of suffering and of being a servant to all.
What is my cup of suffering at
the moment?
In what ways do I give service to those in my life?
How do I feel
now?
Again, I may wish to talk to the Lord honestly.
As I come to the end of my
prayer, I read the text slowly one more time, then make the sign of the cross.
Readings next week –Thirtieth
Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Your prayers
are asked for the sick:
Let us pray for those who have died recently:
Let us pray for those whose anniversary
occurs about this time: 17th – 23rd October
Bruce Beard, Freda Jackson, Vonda Bryan, Frances Roberts,
Kathleen Kelly, Betty Wells, Margaret Williams, Paul McNamara, Denise O’Rourke, Margaret Mary Watson, Hilda (Maggie) Peters, Francis McQueeen. Robert Grantham,
Jedd Carroll-Anderson.
May they Rest in Peace
Weekly
Ramblings
The
first is the visit by Archbishop Julian this Tuesday, 23rd, to the
Parish for a Mission Evening at Our Lady of Lourdes starting at 5pm. As
mentioned last weekend this is an evening of Teaching, Praise and Adoration presented
by the Archbishop – an occasion for us to share our faith journey with our
Archbishop. ** One parishioner commented last weekend that sitting on the pews
at OLOL for 2 hours would be uncomfortable – feel free to bring a comfortable cushion!
The 2nd
are the gatherings at MacKillop Hill on Wednesdays at 10.00am, in the Parish
House on Thursdays at 10.00am and prior to the morning Mass at Devonport on
Sunday – meeting at 9.15am in the Parish
Hall. These gatherings are all designed to give everyone an opportunity to add
their voice to the preparation process for the Plenary. There will be
opportunities for other gatherings to occur post these 30 Days but these events
provide us with the chance to share our thoughts, to listen to others and to
pray together for the future of the Church in Australia.
Thanks
to all those who have already added their prayerful thoughts and responses to
the Plenary process. The little cards provided are just a guide, if you want to
add more, say more then please feel free to do so. If you want to simply add
your contribution at the Plenary Council website then please feel free to go to
https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/have-your-say/
and follow the link.
We have
recently ordered copies of an Advent Reflection Program that will be made
available throughout the Parish early November. This program is similar to the
one that we used last Advent and is a personal daily reflection booklet
developed around the theme of Jesus our Saviour. The booklet can be used for a
Group discussion but that is not its intent – it is more a personal reflection.
Please
take care on the roads and I look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Mersey
Leven Parish Community welcome and congratulate the following children
Evelyn Hill daughter of Jarrod & Rebekah
CATHOLIC MISSION CHURCH APPEAL:
In Hakha, a remote town in the
mountainous north of Myanmar, St John’s School is educating local children with
a child-centred methodology. Three of the teachers at St John’s have been
trained through the Pyinya Sanyae Institute of Education (PSIE) in Yangon, and
have been posted to this school to help local children learn in a modern way
that maximises their potential. Your support through Catholic Mission can enable
PSIE to continue training teachers and help improve education across the
country. You can also help St John’s School add grades to ensure continuity of
education, and become economically sustainable. You will have an opportunity to
become an integral part of this inspiring work by joining as a monthly giving
partner. This regular contribution will directly support education in Myanmar.
FROM THE PARISH PASTORAL TEAM (FELICITY SLY –
CHAIR):
KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS NATIONAL PRAYER
CRUSADE FOR VOCATIONS:
All Catholics in Tasmania are once again invited to join
the Knights of the Southern Cross and Catholics in the Australian Defence Force
in our 12th National Prayer Crusade to pray for an increase in the
number of Catholics willing to serve the Church in the priesthood, diaconate
and religious life, (including service as Catholic Chaplains in the Australian
Defence Force).
WORLD COMMUNITY DAY: hosted by Australian Church Women will be held at St Pauls Church East Devonport on Friday 26th October at 1.30pm. All welcome. A plate please. The money for Fellowship of the Least Coin will be dedicated at this service. Enquiries Kath 6424:6504
MACKILLOP
HILL:
PLENARY
COUNCIL 2020:
EILEEN O’CONNOR SERVANT OF GOD:
On 17 August 2018 it was announced
that the Holy See has recognised the holiness and virtue of Australian woman
Eileen O’Connor, with the cause for her canonisation opened by the Vatican’s
Congregation for the Causes of Saints. As part of our 30 days of Prayer a series of one-hour
information and prayer sessions are being offered; Thursday 25th October
– Sacred Heart 4 Alexandra St Ulverstone, 7pm and Sunday 28th October
St Patrick 195 Gilbert St Latrobe after 5pm Mass. There is no need to register.
If you have questions or require further information contact Giuseppe Gigliotti
on 0419 684 134 or on gigli@comcen.com.au
MT ST VINCENT AUXILIARY: will be
holding a craft and cake stall Sunday 4th November after 9:00am Mass
Sacred Heart Church Community Room. Bring a friend or two and your spare change and buy some goodies to
help support this great fundraiser!
CARE & CONCERN:
The next gathering of the social group will be held Tuesday
13th November. This will be held at the café at the
Riverview Nursery, Forth Road Don, and will be the final gathering for the
year. As always, we would be very pleased to welcome parishioners who do
not have the opportunity for social activity, including those whose
spouses/partners are in residential care etc. Transport can be
provided. It is necessary that we have the numbers of those who will be attending
by Tuesday 6th November. To advise of your attendance,
or to find out more, please contact Mary Davies 64241183 / 0447 241 182,
Margaret McKenzie 64251414 / 0419 392 937 or Toni Muir 64245296 / 0438 245
296.
NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE BOOKS:
2019 COLUMBAN
ART CALENDARS: are now available from the Piety Shop at OLOL Church Devonport and
Sacred Heart Church Ulverstone. Cost $10.00 each.
Thursday Nights - OLOL Hall,
Devonport. Eyes down 7.30pm!
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
This article is taken from the Daily Emails from Fr Richard Rohr OFM and the Center for Action and Contemplation. You can subscribe to receive the emails here
Almost all religion and cultures that I know of have believed in one way or another that sin and evil are to be punished and that retribution is to be demanded of the sinner in this world—and usually the next world, too. Such retributive justice is a dualistic system of reward and punishment, good guys and bad guys, and makes perfect sense to the ego. I call it the economy of merit or “meritocracy.” This system seems to be the best that prisons, courtrooms, wars, and even most of the church (which should know better) appear equipped to do.
Jesus, many mystics, and other wisdom traditions—such as the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous—show that sin and failure are, in fact, an opportunity for the transformation and enlightenment of the offender. Mere counting and ledger-keeping is not the way of the Gospel. Our best self wants to restore relationships, and not just blame or punish. This is the “economy of grace.” (The trouble is that we defined God as “punisher in chief” instead of Healer, Forgiver, and Reconciler and so the retribution model was legitimized all the way down!)
What humanity really needs is an honest exposure of the truth and accountability for what has happened. Only then can human beings move ahead with dignity. Hurt needs to be spoken and heard. It does not just go away on its own. This can then lead to “restorative justice,” which is what the prophets invariably promise to the people of Israel (e.g., Ezekiel 16:53; Isaiah 57:17-19) and is exemplified in Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) and throughout his healing ministry. We lose that and we lose the Gospel itself.
The aim of restorative justice is to return the person to a useful position in the community. Thus, there can be healing on both sides. Such justice is a mystery that only makes sense to the soul. It is a direct corollary of our “economy of grace” and yet the term restorative justice only entered our vocabulary in the last few decades. How can we deny that there is an evolution of consciousness, even consciousness of where the Gospel is leading us?
As any good therapist will tell you, you cannot heal what you do not acknowledge. What you do not consciously acknowledge will remain in control from within, festering and destroying you and those around you. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus teaches, “If you bring forth that which is within you, it will save you. If you do not bring it forth, it will destroy you” (logion 70). [1]
Only mutual apology, healing, and forgiveness offer a sustainable future for humanity. Otherwise, we are controlled by the past, individually and corporately. We all need to apologize, and we all need to forgive or this human project will surely self-destruct. No wonder that almost two-thirds of Jesus’ teaching is directly or indirectly about forgiveness. Otherwise, history devolves into taking sides, bitterness, holding grudges, and the violence that inevitably follows. As others have said, “Forgiveness is to let go of our hope for a different past.” Reality is what it is, and such acceptance leads to great freedom, as long as there is also both accountability and healing forgiveness.
[1] For various translations of the Gospel of Thomas and links to additional resources, see http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl_thomas.htm
Adapted from Richard Rohr, A Spring Within Us: A Book of Daily Meditations (CAC Publishing: 2016), 194; and
Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps (Franciscan Media: 2011), 38-39.
BEYOND CRITICISM AND ANGER – THE INVITATION TO A DEEPER EMPATHY
This article is taken from the archives of Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI. You can find the original article and many others here
Recently I attended a symposium where the keynote speaker was a man exactly my age. Since we had both lived through the same cultural and religious changes in our lives, I resonated with much of what he said and with how he felt about things. And in his assessment of both the state of affairs in our politics and our churches today, he was pretty critical, even angry. Not without reason. In both our governments and our churches today there isn’t just a bitter polarization and an absence of fundamental charity and respect, there’s also a lot of seemingly inexcusable blindness, lack of transparency, and self-serving dishonesty. Our speaker was plenty eager to point these out.
And for the most part, I agreed with him. I feel the same way that he does. The current state of affairs, whether you’re looking at politics or the churches, is depressing, bitterly polarized, and cannot but leave you feeling frustrated and accusatory at those whom you deem responsible for the blindness, dishonesty, and injustice that seem inexcusable. But, while I shared much of his truth and his feelings, I didn’t share where he landed. He landed in pessimism and anger, seemingly unable to find anything other than indignation within which to stand. He also ended very negative in terms of his attitude towards those whom he blames for the problem.
I can’t fault his truth and I can’t fault his feelings. They’re understandable. But I’m not at ease with where he landed. Bitterness and anger, no matter how justified, are not a good place to stay. Both Jesus and what’s noble inside of us invite us to move beyond anger and indignation.
Beyond anger, beyond indignation, and beyond justified criticism of all that’s dishonest and unjust, lies an invitation to a deeper empathy. This invitation doesn’t ask us to be stop being prophetic in the face of what’s wrong but it asks us to be prophetic in a deeper way. A prophet, as Daniel Berrigan so often said, makes a vow of love not of alienation.
But that’s not easy to do. In the face of injustice, dishonesty, and willful blindness, all of our natural instincts militate against empathy. Up to a point, this is healthy and shows that we’re still morally robust. We should feel anger and indignation in the face of what’s wrong. It’s understandable too that we might also feel some hateful, judgmental, thoughts towards those whom we deem responsible. But that’s a beginning (a healthy enough starting point) but it’s not where we’re meant to stay. We’re called to move towards something deeper, namely, an empathy which previously we did not access. Deep anger invites deep empathy.
At the truly bitter moments of our lives, when we’re feeling overwhelmed by feelings of misunderstanding, slight, injustice, and rightful indignation and we’re staring across at those whom we deem responsible for the situation, anger and hatred will naturally arise within us. It’s okay to dwell with them for a time (because anger is an important mode of grieving) but, after a time we need to move on. The challenge then is to ask ourselves: How do I love now, given all this hatred? What does love call me to now in this bitter situation? Where can I now find a common thread that can keep me in family with those at whom I’m angry? How do I reach through, reach through the space that now leaves me separated by my own justified feelings of anger? And, perhaps most important of all: “From where can I now find the strength to not give into hatred and self-serving indignation?
How am I called to love now? How do I love in this new situation? That’s the challenge. We’ve never before been called upon to love in a situation like this. Our understanding, empathy, forgiveness, and love have never before been tested in this way. But that’s the ultimate moral challenge, the “test” that Jesus himself faced in Gethsemane. How do you love when everything around you invites you to the opposite?
Almost all of our natural instincts militate against this kind of empathy, as does most everything around us. In the face of injustice our natural instincts spontaneously begin, one by one, to shut the doors of trust and make us judgmental. They also invite us to feel indignation and hatred. Now those feelings do produce a certain catharsis in us. It feels good. But that kind of cathartic feeling is a drug that doesn’t do much for us long range. We need something beyond feelings of bitterness and hatred for our long range health. Empathy is that something.
While not denying what’s wrong, nor denying the need to be prophetic in the face of all that’s wrong, empathy still calls us to a post-anger, a post-indignation, and a post-hatred. Jesus modeled that for us and today it’s singularly the most needed thing in our society, our churches, and our families.
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
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)
Eucharistic Adoration - Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon, concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Benediction with Adoration Devonport: First Friday each month.
Legion of Mary: Wednesdays 11am Sacred Heart of Church Community Room, Ulverstone
Prayer Group: Charismatic Renewal – Mondays 7pm Community Room Ulverstone
Weekday Masses 23rd - 26th October
Tuesday: 9:30am Penguin … St John of Capistrano
Wednesday: 9:30am Latrobe … St Anthony
Claret
Thursday: 12noon Devonport
Friday: 9:30am Ulverstone
Weekend Masses 27th & 28th October
Saturday Vigil: 6:00pm Penguin
6:00pm Devonport
6:00pm Devonport
Sunday Mass: 8:30am Port Sorell
9:00am Ulverstone
9:00am Ulverstone
10:30am Devonport
11:00am Sheffield
11:00am Sheffield
5:00pm Latrobe
Ministry Rosters 27th & 28th October,
2018
Devonport:
Readers Vigil: A McIntyre, M Williams, C Kiely-Hoye
10:30am: A Hughes, T Barrientos, P Piccolo
Ministers of Communion:
Vigil: M Heazlewood, G Lee-Archer, M Kelly,
P Shelverton
10:30am: M Sherriff, T & S Ryan, D &
M Barrientos Mowing of Lawns Presbytery: S Berryman
Cleaners: 26th Oct: P & T Douglas 2nd Nov: M.W.C.
Piety Shop: 27th Oct:
L Murfet 28th Oct: D French
Ulverstone:
Reader/s: A & F Pisano
Ministers of Communion: M Mott, W Bajzelj, J Jones, T Leary
Cleaners: M McKenzie, M Singh, N Pearce Flowers: A Miller Hospitality: K Foster
Penguin:
Greeters: J Garnsey, S Ewing Commentator: E Nickols Readers: J Barker, Y Downes
Ministers of
Communion: J
Garnsey, S Ewing Liturgy: SC J Setting Up: T Clayton Care of Church: Y & R Downes
Port Sorell:
Readers: G Bellchambers, L Post Minister of Communion: B Lee
Cleaners: G Richey
& G Wylie
Readings this week –Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
Gospel: Mark 10:35-45
PREGO REFLECTION ON TODAY’S GOSPEL:
I prepare carefully for this time of prayer.
I do not rush, despite the demands that life may be making on me at the moment.
I am coming into the presence of the Master, so I approach with reverence.
In my prayer I may feel drawn to the question the Lord asks of James and John – and of me too.
‘What is it you want me to do for you?’
What would I say to that question?
Am I looking for a particular favour?
I am honest with the Lord.
There may be times when I act like the two disciples, seeking what is best for me; or like the others, feeling indignant when I think someone is trying to outdo me.
How does this make me feel?
I ponder this, noting anything that arises from my heart.
Now I look to the Lord and to his words.
He talks, not about glory, but about a cup of suffering and of being a servant to all.
What is my cup of suffering at the moment?
In what ways do I give service to those in my life?
How do I feel now?
Again, I may wish to talk to the Lord honestly.
As I come to the end of my prayer, I read the text slowly one more time, then make the sign of the cross.
I do not rush, despite the demands that life may be making on me at the moment.
I am coming into the presence of the Master, so I approach with reverence.
In my prayer I may feel drawn to the question the Lord asks of James and John – and of me too.
‘What is it you want me to do for you?’
What would I say to that question?
Am I looking for a particular favour?
I am honest with the Lord.
There may be times when I act like the two disciples, seeking what is best for me; or like the others, feeling indignant when I think someone is trying to outdo me.
How does this make me feel?
I ponder this, noting anything that arises from my heart.
Now I look to the Lord and to his words.
He talks, not about glory, but about a cup of suffering and of being a servant to all.
What is my cup of suffering at the moment?
In what ways do I give service to those in my life?
How do I feel now?
Again, I may wish to talk to the Lord honestly.
As I come to the end of my prayer, I read the text slowly one more time, then make the sign of the cross.
Readings next week –Thirtieth
Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6
Gospel: Mark
10:46-52
Your prayers
are asked for the sick:
Marg Stewart, Mary Webb & ….
Let us pray for those who have died recently:
Peter Smith Jnr, James Ryan, Greg Spinks, Cheryl Anne Kingston, Maria
Suyatini, Ingeberg Archer & Brian Martin
Let us pray for those whose anniversary
occurs about this time: 17th – 23rd October
Bruce Beard, Freda Jackson, Vonda Bryan, Frances Roberts,
Kathleen Kelly, Betty Wells, Margaret Williams, Paul McNamara, Denise O’Rourke, Margaret Mary Watson, Hilda (Maggie) Peters, Francis McQueeen. Robert Grantham,
Jedd Carroll-Anderson.
May they Rest in Peace
Weekly
Ramblings
This
weekend we are entering the 2nd half of our 30 Days of Prayer and
there are a number of events organised to help us continue on our personal
faith journey as well as preparing for Plenary 2020.
The
first is the visit by Archbishop Julian this Tuesday, 23rd, to the
Parish for a Mission Evening at Our Lady of Lourdes starting at 5pm. As
mentioned last weekend this is an evening of Teaching, Praise and Adoration presented
by the Archbishop – an occasion for us to share our faith journey with our
Archbishop. ** One parishioner commented last weekend that sitting on the pews
at OLOL for 2 hours would be uncomfortable – feel free to bring a comfortable cushion!
The 2nd
are the gatherings at MacKillop Hill on Wednesdays at 10.00am, in the Parish
House on Thursdays at 10.00am and prior to the morning Mass at Devonport on
Sunday – meeting at 9.15am in the Parish
Hall. These gatherings are all designed to give everyone an opportunity to add
their voice to the preparation process for the Plenary. There will be
opportunities for other gatherings to occur post these 30 Days but these events
provide us with the chance to share our thoughts, to listen to others and to
pray together for the future of the Church in Australia.
Thanks
to all those who have already added their prayerful thoughts and responses to
the Plenary process. The little cards provided are just a guide, if you want to
add more, say more then please feel free to do so. If you want to simply add
your contribution at the Plenary Council website then please feel free to go to
https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/have-your-say/
and follow the link.
We have
recently ordered copies of an Advent Reflection Program that will be made
available throughout the Parish early November. This program is similar to the
one that we used last Advent and is a personal daily reflection booklet
developed around the theme of Jesus our Saviour. The booklet can be used for a
Group discussion but that is not its intent – it is more a personal reflection.
Please
take care on the roads and I look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Mersey
Leven Parish Community welcome and congratulate the following children
Evelyn Hill daughter of Jarrod & Rebekah
Oliver Hathaway son of
Daniel & Bianca on their Baptism this weekend.
CATHOLIC MISSION CHURCH APPEAL:
‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who
announces peace,
who brings good news…’ Isaiah 52:7
In Hakha, a remote town in the
mountainous north of Myanmar, St John’s School is educating local children with
a child-centred methodology. Three of the teachers at St John’s have been
trained through the Pyinya Sanyae Institute of Education (PSIE) in Yangon, and
have been posted to this school to help local children learn in a modern way
that maximises their potential. Your support through Catholic Mission can enable
PSIE to continue training teachers and help improve education across the
country. You can also help St John’s School add grades to ensure continuity of
education, and become economically sustainable. You will have an opportunity to
become an integral part of this inspiring work by joining as a monthly giving
partner. This regular contribution will directly support education in Myanmar.
Appeal envelopes are on church pews this weekend
for you to support this worthwhile cause.
Freecall
1800 257 296 catholicmission.org.au/Myanmar
FROM THE PARISH PASTORAL TEAM (FELICITY SLY –
CHAIR):
How is the 30 Days of Prayer going for you? Have you been
able to attend a session and join in a prayer event with our community, or have
you been able to spend time alone to pray? Have you made a submission to the
Plenary 2020 website, or written your offering on one of the cards for
presentation at the offertory? If (like me) there have been times of good
engagement, and times when life and commitments have interrupted any good
intentions, remember that we are loved by God, for whom we are, and that as
long as we are trying, that is what counts. Seven people attended the Pray,
Discern, Discuss session on Sunday morning in Devonport. Many of the
participants have been involved in this process multiple times: this process
enables you can focus on a different concern each time. I’d love to see you at
the next session on October 28. Our next Parish Pastoral Team meeting will be
held that afternoon, so please let me know if you have anything you would like
us to discuss.
All Catholics in Tasmania are once again invited to join
the Knights of the Southern Cross and Catholics in the Australian Defence Force
in our 12th National Prayer Crusade to pray for an increase in the
number of Catholics willing to serve the Church in the priesthood, diaconate
and religious life, (including service as Catholic Chaplains in the Australian
Defence Force).
Those participating are asked to say the special Crusade
prayer on each day of the week from Sunday 21st to Sunday 28th October.
‘Heavenly Father, you know the faith, courage and
generosity of your people throughout Australia including the men and women
serving at home and overseas with the Australian Defence Force. Please provide
your people in Australia with sufficient Priests, Deacons and Religious to meet
their needs and be with them always as they endeavour to meet the challenges of
their daily lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen”
WORLD COMMUNITY DAY: hosted by Australian Church Women will be held at St Pauls Church East Devonport on Friday 26th October at 1.30pm. All welcome. A plate please. The money for Fellowship of the Least Coin will be dedicated at this service. Enquiries Kath 6424:6504
MACKILLOP
HILL:
PLENARY COUNCIL 2020 - Your voice matters!! Listening
and Dialogue gatherings responding to the question: What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this
time?
Wednesday: 24th & 31st October 10am – 11:30 am Phone 6428:3095 Mobile 0418 367 769
PLENARY
COUNCIL 2020:
You are invited to join and contribute to a series of
Listening and Dialogue gatherings at Parish House, 90 Stewart Street Devonport,
October
25th & November 1 from 10am – 11:30am. Please contact Clare
Kiely-Hoye 0418 100 402 if you wish to attend.
EILEEN O’CONNOR SERVANT OF GOD:
On 17 August 2018 it was announced
that the Holy See has recognised the holiness and virtue of Australian woman
Eileen O’Connor, with the cause for her canonisation opened by the Vatican’s
Congregation for the Causes of Saints. As part of our 30 days of Prayer a series of one-hour
information and prayer sessions are being offered; Thursday 25th October
– Sacred Heart 4 Alexandra St Ulverstone, 7pm and Sunday 28th October
St Patrick 195 Gilbert St Latrobe after 5pm Mass. There is no need to register.
If you have questions or require further information contact Giuseppe Gigliotti
on 0419 684 134 or on gigli@comcen.com.au
MT ST VINCENT AUXILIARY: will be holding a craft and cake stall Sunday 4th November after 9:00am Mass Sacred Heart Church Community Room. Bring a friend or two and your spare change and buy some goodies to help support this great fundraiser!
CARE & CONCERN:
The next gathering of the social group will be held Tuesday
13th November. This will be held at the café at the
Riverview Nursery, Forth Road Don, and will be the final gathering for the
year. As always, we would be very pleased to welcome parishioners who do
not have the opportunity for social activity, including those whose
spouses/partners are in residential care etc. Transport can be
provided. It is necessary that we have the numbers of those who will be attending
by Tuesday 6th November. To advise of your attendance,
or to find out more, please contact Mary Davies 64241183 / 0447 241 182,
Margaret McKenzie 64251414 / 0419 392 937 or Toni Muir 64245296 / 0438 245
296.
NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE BOOKS:
November is the month we remember
in a special way all those who have died. Should you wish anyone to be
remembered, write the names of those to be prayed for on the outside of an
envelope and place the clearly marked envelope in the collection basket at Mass
or deliver to the Parish Office by Thursday
25th October.
2019 COLUMBAN
ART CALENDARS: are now available from the Piety Shop at OLOL Church Devonport and
Sacred Heart Church Ulverstone. Cost $10.00 each.
Thursday Nights - OLOL Hall,
Devonport. Eyes down 7.30pm!
Callers for Thursday 25th
October – Rod Clark & Tony Ryan.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
This article is taken from the Daily Emails from Fr Richard Rohr OFM and the Center for Action and Contemplation. You can subscribe to receive the emails here
Almost all religion and cultures that I know of have believed in one way or another that sin and evil are to be punished and that retribution is to be demanded of the sinner in this world—and usually the next world, too. Such retributive justice is a dualistic system of reward and punishment, good guys and bad guys, and makes perfect sense to the ego. I call it the economy of merit or “meritocracy.” This system seems to be the best that prisons, courtrooms, wars, and even most of the church (which should know better) appear equipped to do.
Jesus, many mystics, and other wisdom traditions—such as the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous—show that sin and failure are, in fact, an opportunity for the transformation and enlightenment of the offender. Mere counting and ledger-keeping is not the way of the Gospel. Our best self wants to restore relationships, and not just blame or punish. This is the “economy of grace.” (The trouble is that we defined God as “punisher in chief” instead of Healer, Forgiver, and Reconciler and so the retribution model was legitimized all the way down!)
What humanity really needs is an honest exposure of the truth and accountability for what has happened. Only then can human beings move ahead with dignity. Hurt needs to be spoken and heard. It does not just go away on its own. This can then lead to “restorative justice,” which is what the prophets invariably promise to the people of Israel (e.g., Ezekiel 16:53; Isaiah 57:17-19) and is exemplified in Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) and throughout his healing ministry. We lose that and we lose the Gospel itself.
The aim of restorative justice is to return the person to a useful position in the community. Thus, there can be healing on both sides. Such justice is a mystery that only makes sense to the soul. It is a direct corollary of our “economy of grace” and yet the term restorative justice only entered our vocabulary in the last few decades. How can we deny that there is an evolution of consciousness, even consciousness of where the Gospel is leading us?
As any good therapist will tell you, you cannot heal what you do not acknowledge. What you do not consciously acknowledge will remain in control from within, festering and destroying you and those around you. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus teaches, “If you bring forth that which is within you, it will save you. If you do not bring it forth, it will destroy you” (logion 70). [1]
Only mutual apology, healing, and forgiveness offer a sustainable future for humanity. Otherwise, we are controlled by the past, individually and corporately. We all need to apologize, and we all need to forgive or this human project will surely self-destruct. No wonder that almost two-thirds of Jesus’ teaching is directly or indirectly about forgiveness. Otherwise, history devolves into taking sides, bitterness, holding grudges, and the violence that inevitably follows. As others have said, “Forgiveness is to let go of our hope for a different past.” Reality is what it is, and such acceptance leads to great freedom, as long as there is also both accountability and healing forgiveness.
[1] For various translations of the Gospel of Thomas and links to additional resources, see http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl_thomas.htm
Adapted from Richard Rohr, A Spring Within Us: A Book of Daily Meditations (CAC Publishing: 2016), 194; and
Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps (Franciscan Media: 2011), 38-39.
Recently I attended a symposium where the keynote speaker was a man exactly my age. Since we had both lived through the same cultural and religious changes in our lives, I resonated with much of what he said and with how he felt about things. And in his assessment of both the state of affairs in our politics and our churches today, he was pretty critical, even angry. Not without reason. In both our governments and our churches today there isn’t just a bitter polarization and an absence of fundamental charity and respect, there’s also a lot of seemingly inexcusable blindness, lack of transparency, and self-serving dishonesty. Our speaker was plenty eager to point these out.
And for the most part, I agreed with him. I feel the same way that he does. The current state of affairs, whether you’re looking at politics or the churches, is depressing, bitterly polarized, and cannot but leave you feeling frustrated and accusatory at those whom you deem responsible for the blindness, dishonesty, and injustice that seem inexcusable. But, while I shared much of his truth and his feelings, I didn’t share where he landed. He landed in pessimism and anger, seemingly unable to find anything other than indignation within which to stand. He also ended very negative in terms of his attitude towards those whom he blames for the problem.
I can’t fault his truth and I can’t fault his feelings. They’re understandable. But I’m not at ease with where he landed. Bitterness and anger, no matter how justified, are not a good place to stay. Both Jesus and what’s noble inside of us invite us to move beyond anger and indignation.
Beyond anger, beyond indignation, and beyond justified criticism of all that’s dishonest and unjust, lies an invitation to a deeper empathy. This invitation doesn’t ask us to be stop being prophetic in the face of what’s wrong but it asks us to be prophetic in a deeper way. A prophet, as Daniel Berrigan so often said, makes a vow of love not of alienation.
But that’s not easy to do. In the face of injustice, dishonesty, and willful blindness, all of our natural instincts militate against empathy. Up to a point, this is healthy and shows that we’re still morally robust. We should feel anger and indignation in the face of what’s wrong. It’s understandable too that we might also feel some hateful, judgmental, thoughts towards those whom we deem responsible. But that’s a beginning (a healthy enough starting point) but it’s not where we’re meant to stay. We’re called to move towards something deeper, namely, an empathy which previously we did not access. Deep anger invites deep empathy.
At the truly bitter moments of our lives, when we’re feeling overwhelmed by feelings of misunderstanding, slight, injustice, and rightful indignation and we’re staring across at those whom we deem responsible for the situation, anger and hatred will naturally arise within us. It’s okay to dwell with them for a time (because anger is an important mode of grieving) but, after a time we need to move on. The challenge then is to ask ourselves: How do I love now, given all this hatred? What does love call me to now in this bitter situation? Where can I now find a common thread that can keep me in family with those at whom I’m angry? How do I reach through, reach through the space that now leaves me separated by my own justified feelings of anger? And, perhaps most important of all: “From where can I now find the strength to not give into hatred and self-serving indignation?
How am I called to love now? How do I love in this new situation? That’s the challenge. We’ve never before been called upon to love in a situation like this. Our understanding, empathy, forgiveness, and love have never before been tested in this way. But that’s the ultimate moral challenge, the “test” that Jesus himself faced in Gethsemane. How do you love when everything around you invites you to the opposite?
Almost all of our natural instincts militate against this kind of empathy, as does most everything around us. In the face of injustice our natural instincts spontaneously begin, one by one, to shut the doors of trust and make us judgmental. They also invite us to feel indignation and hatred. Now those feelings do produce a certain catharsis in us. It feels good. But that kind of cathartic feeling is a drug that doesn’t do much for us long range. We need something beyond feelings of bitterness and hatred for our long range health. Empathy is that something.
While not denying what’s wrong, nor denying the need to be prophetic in the face of all that’s wrong, empathy still calls us to a post-anger, a post-indignation, and a post-hatred. Jesus modeled that for us and today it’s singularly the most needed thing in our society, our churches, and our families.
BEYOND CRITICISM AND ANGER – THE INVITATION TO A DEEPER EMPATHY
This article is taken from the archives of Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI. You can find the original article and many others hereRecently I attended a symposium where the keynote speaker was a man exactly my age. Since we had both lived through the same cultural and religious changes in our lives, I resonated with much of what he said and with how he felt about things. And in his assessment of both the state of affairs in our politics and our churches today, he was pretty critical, even angry. Not without reason. In both our governments and our churches today there isn’t just a bitter polarization and an absence of fundamental charity and respect, there’s also a lot of seemingly inexcusable blindness, lack of transparency, and self-serving dishonesty. Our speaker was plenty eager to point these out.
And for the most part, I agreed with him. I feel the same way that he does. The current state of affairs, whether you’re looking at politics or the churches, is depressing, bitterly polarized, and cannot but leave you feeling frustrated and accusatory at those whom you deem responsible for the blindness, dishonesty, and injustice that seem inexcusable. But, while I shared much of his truth and his feelings, I didn’t share where he landed. He landed in pessimism and anger, seemingly unable to find anything other than indignation within which to stand. He also ended very negative in terms of his attitude towards those whom he blames for the problem.
I can’t fault his truth and I can’t fault his feelings. They’re understandable. But I’m not at ease with where he landed. Bitterness and anger, no matter how justified, are not a good place to stay. Both Jesus and what’s noble inside of us invite us to move beyond anger and indignation.
Beyond anger, beyond indignation, and beyond justified criticism of all that’s dishonest and unjust, lies an invitation to a deeper empathy. This invitation doesn’t ask us to be stop being prophetic in the face of what’s wrong but it asks us to be prophetic in a deeper way. A prophet, as Daniel Berrigan so often said, makes a vow of love not of alienation.
But that’s not easy to do. In the face of injustice, dishonesty, and willful blindness, all of our natural instincts militate against empathy. Up to a point, this is healthy and shows that we’re still morally robust. We should feel anger and indignation in the face of what’s wrong. It’s understandable too that we might also feel some hateful, judgmental, thoughts towards those whom we deem responsible. But that’s a beginning (a healthy enough starting point) but it’s not where we’re meant to stay. We’re called to move towards something deeper, namely, an empathy which previously we did not access. Deep anger invites deep empathy.
At the truly bitter moments of our lives, when we’re feeling overwhelmed by feelings of misunderstanding, slight, injustice, and rightful indignation and we’re staring across at those whom we deem responsible for the situation, anger and hatred will naturally arise within us. It’s okay to dwell with them for a time (because anger is an important mode of grieving) but, after a time we need to move on. The challenge then is to ask ourselves: How do I love now, given all this hatred? What does love call me to now in this bitter situation? Where can I now find a common thread that can keep me in family with those at whom I’m angry? How do I reach through, reach through the space that now leaves me separated by my own justified feelings of anger? And, perhaps most important of all: “From where can I now find the strength to not give into hatred and self-serving indignation?
How am I called to love now? How do I love in this new situation? That’s the challenge. We’ve never before been called upon to love in a situation like this. Our understanding, empathy, forgiveness, and love have never before been tested in this way. But that’s the ultimate moral challenge, the “test” that Jesus himself faced in Gethsemane. How do you love when everything around you invites you to the opposite?
Almost all of our natural instincts militate against this kind of empathy, as does most everything around us. In the face of injustice our natural instincts spontaneously begin, one by one, to shut the doors of trust and make us judgmental. They also invite us to feel indignation and hatred. Now those feelings do produce a certain catharsis in us. It feels good. But that kind of cathartic feeling is a drug that doesn’t do much for us long range. We need something beyond feelings of bitterness and hatred for our long range health. Empathy is that something.
While not denying what’s wrong, nor denying the need to be prophetic in the face of all that’s wrong, empathy still calls us to a post-anger, a post-indignation, and a post-hatred. Jesus modeled that for us and today it’s singularly the most needed thing in our society, our churches, and our families.
How to read the Gospel of Luke
The Feast of St Luke occurs on 18 October – why do we read the gospel that bears his name? Perhaps it is to make more sense of the readings we hear at Mass; to deepen our knowledge of our Christian faith; or to experience a masterpiece of world literature and to savour its narrative. Peter Edmonds SJ suggests a way for us to approach our encounter with Jesus and his story in Luke’s Gospel. This is an article taken from the ThinkingFaith.org website - you can read the original here
No matter what our reasons for reading the Gospel of Luke may be, our preparation begins by familiarising ourselves with its author. How might we do this?
We let Paul introduce Luke
The Feast of St Luke occurs on 18 October – why do we read the gospel that bears his name? Perhaps it is to make more sense of the readings we hear at Mass; to deepen our knowledge of our Christian faith; or to experience a masterpiece of world literature and to savour its narrative. Peter Edmonds SJ suggests a way for us to approach our encounter with Jesus and his story in Luke’s Gospel. This is an article taken from the ThinkingFaith.org website - you can read the original here
No matter what our reasons for reading the Gospel of Luke may be, our preparation begins by familiarising ourselves with its author. How might we do this?
We let Paul introduce Luke
One way is to allow Saint Paul to introduce the gospel’s author to us. Three times in letters attributed to him, Paul writes of a person called Luke whom Christian tradition has identified with the author of the gospel which bears this name, and of the Acts of the Apostles, which continues its narrative. The references are few and brief but we can use them to build up a picture of the sort of person Luke could have been. In the Letter to Philemon, the shortest of his letters, Paul refers to Luke as his ‘fellow worker’ (Philemon 1:24). In the Letter to the Colossians, he describes a companion called Luke as ‘the beloved physician’ (Colossians 4:14). In his Second Letter to Timothy, he reports that Luke is the only one to keep him company in his prison confinement (2 Timothy 4:11). From these verses, we may conclude that this Luke was an individual who embodied in himself the virtues of friendship and fellowship, hard work and perseverance, healing and compassion – qualities we look for in a saint. Additionally, as author of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke seems to refer to himself as one who accompanied Paul in his missionary travels. He writes for example: ‘When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia. . . We set sail from Troas. . . One day as we were going to the place of prayer. . .’ (Acts 16:10-17 – emphases added).
You can find the remainder of the article here
One way is to allow Saint Paul to introduce the gospel’s author to us. Three times in letters attributed to him, Paul writes of a person called Luke whom Christian tradition has identified with the author of the gospel which bears this name, and of the Acts of the Apostles, which continues its narrative. The references are few and brief but we can use them to build up a picture of the sort of person Luke could have been. In the Letter to Philemon, the shortest of his letters, Paul refers to Luke as his ‘fellow worker’ (Philemon 1:24). In the Letter to the Colossians, he describes a companion called Luke as ‘the beloved physician’ (Colossians 4:14). In his Second Letter to Timothy, he reports that Luke is the only one to keep him company in his prison confinement (2 Timothy 4:11). From these verses, we may conclude that this Luke was an individual who embodied in himself the virtues of friendship and fellowship, hard work and perseverance, healing and compassion – qualities we look for in a saint. Additionally, as author of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke seems to refer to himself as one who accompanied Paul in his missionary travels. He writes for example: ‘When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia. . . We set sail from Troas. . . One day as we were going to the place of prayer. . .’ (Acts 16:10-17 – emphases added).
You can find the remainder of the article here
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