Morena,/ Good morning,
Kia ora koutou
The Feast of the Ascension, celebrated 40 days after Easter, commemorates Jesus’ journey back to his Father in heaven. It signifies the completion of his earthly mission and the beginning of his reign in heaven. For Christians, it’s a time to reflect on Jesus’ exaltation and the promise of his return, as well as to anticipate the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Go into the world with your faith, compassion and forgiveness and be the presences of Jesus to all you meet and interact with. Be a sign of all that Jesus lived and showed us about the great God of love.
Thank you to those who are sending out newsletters while I am away. Stay well.
The St. James Way known as The Camino de Santiago.
Beyond its spiritual and religious significance, the Camino de Santiago’s meaning also serves as a rich metaphor for the journey of life itself. Life, much like the Camino, is a series of steps—some smooth and easy, others steep and difficult. Along the way, there are moments of joy, but also moments of fatigue, doubt, and challenge. The Camino offers a mirror to our lives, revealing how we navigate adversity, celebrate moments of grace, and how we can transform ourselves through our experiences.
Each stage of the Camino provides insight into the emotional and mental challenges we face in life. The early days might be filled with excitement and hope, but as fatigue sets in, we are forced to confront deeper aspects of ourselves. The Camino’s true meaning is found in the act of pushing forward, of learning to persevere, and possibly of shedding old patterns of thinking and living. With each step, one hopes to experience personal growth, healing, and transformation.
I am undertaking this journey with my son, Sam. Approximately thirteen years ago we watched the film ‘The Way’ with Martin Sheen. At the end of the movie, we eyed each other and promised that ‘one day we will walk this.’ Now, all these years later, with Clare and Lucy’s support Sam and I are travelling together to fulfil a promise made long ago. We are walking the Camino Francés (French Way). This is a well-known and highly travelled route within the Camino de Santiago network. It typically begins in France (St. Jean Pied de Port) and crosses the Pyrenees before entering Spain. The Camino Francés is known for its historical significance. Our (walking) start date of 1st June will be Sam’s 28th birthday.
We are both aiming to embrace the notion of ‘pilgrims’ on this journey. Such an honour really in this ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ Jubilee year. We don’t see this as an opportunity to send out blogs, vlogs or other stuff on social media, but rather live this experience of the well-travelled route so many before us have walked, and that we will be richer for entering a spiritual meaning of ‘journey.’ We’ll have just under 800kms to ponder on our journey!
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayer as we shall do for you. After the Camino we travel to Rome and stay with the Passionists in the Mother House of Ss John and Paul for a week. We will be back in Aotearoa New Zealand on 13 July.
Have a good week – God go with you,
Paul
Scripture reflection: The Ascension of the Lord Year C. 1 June 2025
‘I am with you always!’
We are invited, just as the first disciples were, to become joyful followers of Christ
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 46(47):2-3, 6-9
Second reading: Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23
Gospel: Luke 24:46-53
Link to readings –click here
As Christ ascends to heaven, he commissions us to be his living message of hope, love, and compassion in a world crying out for healing. Christ is the head of the Church and we are the body, filled with his wisdom and power to transform all creation (Second Reading).
We are not left to struggle on our own. The risen Christ fills us with his Holy Spirit so that we who believe are his witnesses to the ends of the earth (First Reading). Jesus’ disciples do not dwell on their loss at his departing from their sight, but are instead full of joy at the realisation that he is now with them forever (Gospel). The Psalm, using words, songs and actions of joy and exultation, brings us to the heart of the event we celebrate today.
The readings and liturgy for this wonderful feast day invite us all to share in the amazement of those first disciples of Jesus, so that we, too, can become like them – joyful followers of Christ. This week, we might pray for the opportunity to proclaim the joy of the Good News to as many people as possible.
Formation: As stated in the last newsletter as part of this Jubilee Year Paul will be offering to visit parishes and or regions to conduct a mini formation using two talks and discussion/sharing opportunities – one on ‘Belonging’ and the “On Being Church – Why community matters?”. If you or your community or region would like a presentation please let Paul know and dates that would suit you.
At this stage Mt Maunganui and Whakatane now in late Sep-or Oct; Waihi-KatiKati-Paeroa August 2 Hamilton August 3 Cambridge August 4th, Ashburton August 9th Christchurch August 10th and New Plymouth Sept 13.for Formation
Safeguarding: “Working Together for a Safe Church”
Any complaints should be directed through the National Office of Professional Standards (NOPS) or report directly to the New Zealand Police or Oranga Tamariki.
Phone: 03 365 1993 or 0800 114 622
Email: prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz
www.safeguarding.catholic.org.nz
Reminder: 5 Aims and Goals
- share & celebrate life & faith
- support one another (especially in need)
- reaching out to & include others
- build community/extended family
- show and give example to children
Please remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please remember Pauline Prendergast after the death of her husband Michael. Our thoughts are with the family and Pauline
- Please keep Linda Darbyshire and family in your prayer.
- Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family in your prayer.
- Robyn Burns (Hill;)
- Please keep Tim Bartells in your prayer.
- Remember Rencha who is dealing with cancer.
- Please remember Sean and Ann Mulcahy who are both battling major health issues
- Please keep Di Buckley in your prayer
- Christine Geoghegan daughter Kate and extended families
- Pat Smith RIP and keep in prayer Maureen and family; Remember Pat Carson; Graeme Matthews; Adrian van de Pas and her son Robert ; Graeme and Margaret Armstrong
- Jenny Epplett, Preston, Kate and family ;
- Please remember Paul Davenport and his wife Jill;
- Clair and Ray Hague; Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ; Bryan Davidson;
- Richard and Sue Gibbs; Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew .
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health;; Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer along with the people of the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan and Syria.
- Please pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill)
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- Your own intentions
Humour:
- I was going to tell a sodium joke, then I thought, “Na.”
- What’s a witch’s favourite subject in school? Spelling.
- Why are frogs good at baseball? They know how to catch fly balls.
- What’s the easiest building to lift? A lighthouse
- Why do sweaters tend to hang out together? They’re pretty close-knit.
- What’s the best way to get the hospital after breaking your foot? Tow truck.
- Did you hear about the archaeologist that got fired? His career is in ruins.
- What did the buffalo say to her son on the first day of school? “Bison.”
- Why do ducks have feathers on their tales? To hide their butt-quacks.