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Pentecost Sunday
31st MAY 2020
Readings
This Sunday:
Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; The Sequence; Gospel, John 20:19-23
Next Sunday:
Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; Psalm – Daniel 3:52-56.; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18.
This week in the parish....
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PARISH NEWS
My dear Parishioners.
This Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, we will all experience the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit. The news we received from our Prime Minister on Monday, was indeed good news – that we could gather for Mass with groups of 100. Oh what a fantastic blessing that is for all of us. Two months now and we have not been able to gather in our Church for Mass. Yes, we have gathered virtually for Mass – and we need to remember that our gatherings have been as Church – each of us recognising the presence of Jesus in our families and friends.
So, this Sunday, we welcome you to celebrate Mass. We have to remain responsible in our gatherings, keeping our distance and no more than 100.
This weekend, we will have Mass as listed below.
SATURDAY:
St Francis – 9.30am
St John: 9.30am and 5.30pm
SUNDAY:
St Francis - 8.30am
St John - 10.15 and 12 noon
MONDAY – SATURDAY - St Francis - 9.30am
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY – St John - 9.30
MONDAY – St John - Liturgy of the Word.
As the Bishops remind us in their letters, because of the limit of 100 for each of the Masses on Sundays – we can celebrate Mass on the Weekdays – making each day a sacred day to the Lord, as we do on Sundays. We have to be patient. All will work out and each of us can make it work. We can do it.
Really looking forward to seeing you all again. Thank you for your love and prayers. We continue our journey together. God bless you all.
Fr. Emile
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Homily for Pentecost Sunday 2020
Over the past week or so we’ve had our minds taken off the Covid-19 virus for a little time as the National Party elected a new leader. There is quite a lot of rumbling going on in the party as one would expect after the rolling of one leader and replacing him with another. But what is there for everyone to see, whether you are a National supporter or not is the underlying disunity amongst its caucus and the consequent problems this is showing up. Any group of any sort that wants to succeed must have unity amongst its members. Today’s feast of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit calls us to be united with each other in our Christian communities.
The poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, once said, “Music is the universal language of humankind.” One example of this is the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the brainchild of conductor Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian scholar Edward Said. For 20 years, youths from countries who are sworn enemies have performed classical music together in the orchestra. It consists of musicians from countries in the Middle East, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and some from Spain. It is a model of unity through the language of music. On the day of Pentecost, as told in the 1st reading, the disciples spoke to the crowds and everyone could understand. All those different nationalities and cultures heard the gospel preached to them in what seemed to be a universal language.
The Spirit has been given to us also and we hope to speak the message of Christ to our world but it is not through speaking in tongues or speaking foreign languages. The universal language we have been given is the language of forgiveness, of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” – the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) This is the “music”, the “universal language” that everyone understands and we are the ones who have to speak it to them. This is the gospel that will unify humanity.
In the 2nd reading Paul illustrates further the need for unity. There is great difference, great diversity amongst us. We all come from different backgrounds, different cultures; we all have different gifts and different points of view but the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us to meld all our differences into the good of the whole – the Body of Christ. Paul’s image of the body is a wonderful symbol of how each part is important. The whole of Chapter 12 of this letter to the Corinthians, from which today’s excerpts are taken, illustrates the importance of each part of the body working for the good of the whole – unity in diversity. Our gifts are not only for liturgy or councils and committees. Certainly many women and men have gifts for these ministries. But there is a much broader diversity of gifts and we are all gifted. Mary was amongst the disciples at that Pentecost time. She would not have been out there teaching or preaching but she still had a ministry of support and presence - of being there - of listening and encouraging and praying with the disciples. (Acts 1:14) It was a ministry vital to the early church and its unity.
Now notice in the gospel what Jesus says when he breathes the Spirit into his disciples: “Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven … ….” Because it is the first thing Jesus says after breathing his Spirit into his disciples it shows us how crucial forgiveness is to the Christian community. I have never forgotten the lesson my own mother taught me about forgiveness and its healing power. My brother was murdered in Sydney many years ago. Some months after that traumatic event my mother asked me to make arrangements to travel to Sydney so that she could visit the man they had arrested for the murder of her son and tell him that he was forgiven. Forgiveness healed any bitterness in her heart. You might say that’s an extreme example and we wouldn’t all have that depth of forgiveness. We might not be called to forgive something as horrendous as the murder of one of our family but we are called to forgive the hurts and wounds that others deal us; a son or daughter who has disgraced us; a priest or teacher who treated us harshly as children; someone who has gossiped about us and damaged our reputation; someone in the parish who has caused us hurt or anger. Whatever form it takes, forgiveness is as fundamental to the life of the Church as breathing is for the life of the body. Where forgiveness is lacking, relationships fall apart, our unity crumbles and others will not see Jesus; we will have failed in the mission and witness that has been given into our hands.
As we emerge from lockdowns we will have much to do in showing our world the fruits of the Spirit. We will have much to do to bring back together our communities that have experienced the apartness caused by the pandemic. Only the power of the Holy Spirit can unify us again. So –
Come Holy Spirit; fill the hearts of your faithful people. Enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, Lord, and we will be refreshed and the face of the earth will be renewed.
RJS
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Please pray ...
Please pray for Rose Smith and for Deacon Murray’s daughter, Natalie, who is recovering from post-surgery complications.
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Prayer in Many Ways
We are greatly gifted in the Catholic tradition with ways to petition, thank and praise God i.e. pray. In the rosary we meditate on Christ’s life, we have novenas, the tradition of Lectio Divina a prayerful contemplation/meditation on Scripture. We can also pray where we are, with what we have in many, many ways. Making our homes domestic Church, places of prayer is encouraged. The Praying at home pdf/photo gives encouragement to do so. There are resources for family prayer at here please use your networks to promote.
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Online Masses.
Following the example of Pope Francis with the opening of Church buildings the decision has been made not to upload a daily weekday Mass.
We will continue to post Sunday Mass and work with Shine to have it shown on Shine TV.
We are mindful that for many during this time of lockdown the provision of daily Mass has been of great consolation and a source of nourishment.
Therefore we will offer through the website https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/ and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb7o1XYfQet-mOW1mJSzfow?view_as=subscriber a daily reflection on the Gospel.
Breaking Open Today’s Gospel.
The Gospel will be proclaimed and then a member of the Diocesan Team will unpack its meaning for us today. We begin with Bishop Michael please join us.
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VACANCY
St John Vianney House are looking for a part time cook (3 days per week – 19.5 hours 7.30am to 2.00pm) to prepare, serve and clean up meals (breakfast and main meal at midday) for our retired priests in residence.
Please visit our website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz, Administration tab – staff vacancies to view the full job advertisement and position description.
Applications close 19th of June 2020.
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Survey - How Church’s have communicated during the Lockdown.
The Diocese has collaborated with a number of denominations to construct a simple survey to establish what went well, what could have gone better and what we have learnt.
We would be most grateful if you could follow this link to the survey
https://infoweb.nz/form/clsnz-communicating-in-lockdown.
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MERCY SPRITUALITY CENTRE:
104 The Drive, Epsom, (09) 638-6238.
- WOMEN IN THE BIBLE with Br Kieran Fenn fms. Virtual teaching series: Wednesday's 10.30am-12.30pm Zoom session. $10 per person/ per session. 27 May-24 June. Each session can stand alone and is also complimentary to each other. This week "The Women of Exodus" (Old Testament).
- VIRTUAL RETREAT DAY: WHO AM I? Reflecting on our Identity in God. with EAMON BUTLER. Sat 13 Jun, 11am-4pm (incl. breaks) Zoom session. $30 God has made man and woman in His image and likeness – and our life begins in the Trinity.
What does this mean? The Trinity is a mystery that can help us find our unique identity in God that opens the way of inner transformation through relational and communal love. Eamon will lead us into prayer and reflection using Rublev’s Icon on the Trinity.
Contact us if you would like a booklet for full information or if you wish to book:
info@mercyspiritualitycentre.org.nz or
www.mercyspiritualitycentre.org.nz
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Shine TV will be broadcasting Mass from 2.00pm
Free-to-air Channel 25, Sky TV channel.
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SCHOOL ATTENDANCE DUES COVID-19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
Financial assistance is available to assist families who may need financial support as a result of the Covid-19 Virus with the payment of 2020 Attendance Dues for students attending Catholic schools in Auckland Diocese, both primary and secondary.
Families facing financial difficulties can contact their school office, their Parish Priest or the Revenue Manager on 09-360-3069 at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for further information.
Application forms for this assistance can be down-loaded from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Website:
https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/catholic-schools/catholic-schools-in-auckland/fees-and-contribution/
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EMERGENCY HELP AVAILABLE
If you are unable to afford groceries or are in self-isolation with no access to other support networks, you can phone Auckland Emergency Management 0800 22 22 96 between 7am and 7pm, every day from Wednesday, 1 April.
This works well and the people are very helpful.
- St Vincent de Paul: email them on auckland@stvinnies.co.nz
Or phone 09 8156122. Special conditions apply. feedafamily@stvinnies.co.nz or
Catholic Caring Foundation website
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Auckland Emergency Management
The Auckland City Council have announced that they have a Group called Auckland Emergency Management and it is setup to help with those needing food, or grocery delivery to the stranded, and emergency accommodation.
It is part of the Civil Defence effort.
Phone number 0800 22 22 96.
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PROPERTY WANTED
A parishioner is looking to buy a 2-3 bedroom home in the general Hibiscus Coast area.
Please contact 021 311859 if you or someone you know is selling a home.
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Jubilee Bursary
APPLICATIONS INVITED for Semester 2, 2020 Applications close Thursday, 4 June 2020.
Applicants must be Catholic and contributing to the mission of the Catholic Church in the Auckland Diocese.The bursaries are a contribution toward university fees for Theology and RE courses.
For information and an application pack please contact: Michelle Jarvis Ph:(09)360-3091
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NZ
CATHOLIC
Please enjoy reading New Zealand’s only
national Catholic newspaper.
Read the Fifth edition ONLINE here....
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GET YOUR NEWSLETTER EMAILED
During the lockdown period our weekly newsletter is still being produced. Please pass the message on to others that if they would like the newsletter sent to them directly, to visit the parish website www.hbcparish.org.nz and
CLICK HERE
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TODAY'S GIGGLES
Bats!
Three pastors were having lunch in a cafe. One said, "Ya know, I've been having trouble with bats in my loft and attic at church. I've tried everything - noise, spray, cats - nothing seems to scare them away."
Another added, "Yeah, me too. I've got hundreds living in my belfry and in the attic. I've tried everything - they just won't go away."
The third replied, "I baptised all mine, and made them members of the church... Haven't seen one back since!"
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A Dogs Life
Upon entering a little store, the stranger noticed a sign saying "DANGER! Beware Of Dog!" posted on the glass door.
Inside he noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor beside the cash register. He asked the store manager, "Is THAT the dog folks are supposed to beware of?"
"Yep, that's him," the manager replied.
The stranger couldn't help but be amused. "That certainly doesn't look like a dangerous dog to me. Why in the world would you post that sign?"
"Because," the owner replied, "before I posted that sign, people kept tripping over him."
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Missing Pigs
A police theft report stated that a farmer had lost 2,025 pigs.
Thinking that to be an error, the officer called the farmer directly. "Is it true Mr. Smith that you lost 2,025 pigs?" she asked.
"Yeth," lisped the farmer.
Being from that area herself, the officer entered: "Subject lost 2 sows and 25 pigs."
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Words, words, words
A husband was trying to prove to his wife that women talk more than men. He showed her a study which indicated that men use about 10,000 words per day, whereas women use 20,000 words per day.
His wife thought about this for a while.
She then told her husband that women use twice as many words as men because they have to repeat everything they say.
Her husband looked stunned. He said, "What?"
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