Morena/ Passionist Family Group members and friends,
Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter – it is a Feast that celebrates the birth of the church and is a testimony of the Holy Spirit firing its form of a flame on the apostles. We know that the form of a flame is wild, enticing and generates power and warmth. It is something that allows us to seek a certain comfort and reassurance yet, also one that causes us to get up and go out .
For the apostles and disciples this aspect is the move away from stopping and staring into the sky; a certain move away from seeking Jesus up there, out of this world as if he is gone into space. Which of the trillion galaxies is he living on or within? I believe, a move to seeking Jesus is in the world. With his leaving, Jesus has left us with the tools and ability to be like him due to the accompanying spirit. Armed with this spirit, we too will have to enter the wilds of the world, find ourselves and seek out those who are need of food, clothing and shelter.
Perhaps, we are all too ready to jump on the horse and ride off proselyting instead of seeking to get to know Jesus and emulate his ways and his actions. It is a challenging path to follow him in truth, justice, mercy and forgiveness. We want to possess rather than serve! In our enthusiasm, we want everyone to pray in earnest and this fits in with the notion of getting ourselves out there, into heaven. However, the kingdom is here, within us and to know Jesus is to seek him within and also in and through others, the world, out experiences, with and through service, making his kingdom come in the here and now.
There is just too much out there and so much more to ponder and be in awe about when we seek the path of within – the road less travelled. We happily seek the ways of the world , explore, enjoy and celebrate outwardly lovely things but around us lies much that is less desirable; poverty, hunger, thirst, injustice and many of us don’t necessarily correlate the choices we made or make to the realities around us. If Pentecost does anything it is the call to trust in Jesus message and in the fact that his ‘spirit’ is with us and with this, we are armed to enter the fray and supported to live and find the way of Jesus so as to come home to God. Love is the beginning and the end.
“In so much as you did this one of these little ones you did it to me” (John 25)
Have a good week, Paul
Peace be with you! We pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, with the divine grace that was at work when the Gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once more the hearts of believers.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Acts 2:1-1
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103(104):1, 24, 29-31, 34
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
Gospel: John 20:19-23
Link to readings – click here
‘Peace be with you!’ With these words the Risen Lord stood among his fear-filled followers (Gospel). He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. With their hearts filled with joy, Jesus sent them out to bring the fire of his love to all.
With the Holy Spirit transforming their lives, the disciples began speaking in many different languages (First Reading). Christ was calling them to share the Gospel to the whole world. We too are baptised in this same Spirit.
Each of us has been given a unique gift, so that together as a community we become the risen Christ, bringing love and goodness to all people (Second Reading). Filled with the Holy Spirit we become a new creation in the Lord. The Psalm joyfully proclaims a time of rejuvenation as the spirit of the Lord moves over the earth.
On this Pentecost Sunday, let us ask for a spirit of renewal for the whole Christian community. We pray that we may overcome any fear, doubt or differences, and be united in giving expression to the joy of Resurrection, each of us doing so in our own unique way, while rooted in the same spirit of transforming love.
Also, I wish to advise that on June 10, 2023 we celebrate 35 years of Passionist Family Groups in Paeroa 6pm Eucharist followed by Pot Luck dinner and on June 17 we celebrate 35 years for East Coast Bays. We believe this is a significant milestone that we commit to celebrating in June. My brother, Fr Brian Traynor has been invited out for these celebrations. He was there to begin these parishes 35 years ago along with Lynn and Rob Hill and many others who will be invited to join in on these celebrations.
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 example to children
Pease remember in your thoughts and prayer: 
- Please keep in your prayer Elaine Hallam whose husband of 55 years, Ted, died after a long painful and stressful illness. Thank God he is now at peace. We remember Elaine, her children and both families.
- Please keep in mind Merrilyn Barron who is unwell from Covid and awaiting furthers tests.
- Please remember Aileen and Murray Straight’s daughter, Nicola whose husband Dave Kempton died tragically as part of a work related accident. Please remember their children Olivia & Shaun as well Aileen, Murray and their family and of course the extended family
- Please remember Sally van der Wetering whose dad died this week. We offer our prayer and support to Sally, Martin and her family and extended family.
- Please remember Joseph Nguyen Bao Toan. He recently decided to leave the Passionist after 6 years. He returned home two weeks ago. Toan had been working this computer when a sudden stroke occurred, where he was
found by his Dad. We remember his family at this sad and distressing time.
- Please remember Phil Drew a former Passionist who has had a massive stroke. Please remember his wife Anne and family
- Please remember Irene Maguire who is recovering from knee surgery
- Please remember Bronwyn Hallot whose brother is in palliative care. Keep Bronwyn and her family in your prayer.
- Please remember Frances Bleaken’s mother who recently. Our love and thoughts to Frances, Clive, and family.
- Please remember Simon Langley whose mum died recently. We remember Simon, Anne-Marie and their family at this sad time
- Please remember Phil Drew and ex Passionist who I worked and lived with. Phil is in critical care due to a massive stroke. Please remember him, his wife Anne and children, and extended family.
- Please remember Rosie Crawford who is recovering after a knee operation.
- Please remember Fr Peter Gaughan CP, A Kiwi Passionist who died recently. We remember his family and friends and his Passionist brothers and sisters.
- Please keep in your prayers those who continue to deal with the after effects of Cyclone Gabrielle and other weather events.
- Keep in prayer the people of Turkey and Syria and all who are assisting and supporting their efforts in dealing with the aftermath of earthquakes.
- Please keep Somalia and the surrounding countries dealing with their sixth year in a row of drought.
- Remember our people suffering from the intolerance of difference. May we be open to listen respectfully and not move to violence because we don’t agree.
- Please keep Nick and Leah and daughter Heidi Darbyshire whose 21 week old George Darbyshire died – Still born. Please keep Linda and Paul, Nick Leah and Heidi and the Leah’s family in your thoughts and prayer
- Remember Passionists: Fr Chris Mithen and Fr Brian Glesson
- Please pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) – their son-in-law Mark married to Dot’s daughter Anita has been diagnosed with aggressive brain tumour, Please keep in mind their daughter Bailey and son Taylor.
- Keep in your prayer Anne & Peter Green who have lost another daughter recently in the UK. Our hearts go out to them.
- Remember Pat and Rod Carson
- Remember a friend whose sister’s son is awaiting trial.
- Aidan son of Josie and Phil McIntyre – he is very sick and his parents are his caregivers.
- John Arthurs – brother of Bob. We remember John’s wife Valerie and Bob & Pamela’s family
- Paul Darbyshire (Linda and family)
- Gerard and Linda Daly – tragic loss of their son, Brett. Keep the family in your prayer..
- Remember Fr Ray Sanchez CP – for his health concern
- Your own intentions
- “Why are elevator jokes so classic and good? They work on many levels.”
- “Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb.”
- “What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.”
- “Which state has the most streets? Rhode Island.”
- “What did the coffee report to the police? A mugging.”
- “What did the fish say when he hit the wall? Dam.”
- “Is this pool safe for diving? It deep ends.”
- “If you see a crime happen at the Apple store, what does it make you?” “An I Witness.
