Morena Family Groups
We will be thinking of Paul and his son as they walk the Camino, 1.000 kms from France to Santiago de Compostela. I am sure they will find it a rewarding and enriching experience.
Have a good week – God go with you,
Pauline Prendergast
Readings Gospel Luke 9 7-11
Scripture reflection
We encounter one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles: the feeding of the five thousand. This passage is not merely a story of abundance from scarcity but a profound revelation of Jesus’ compassion, divine authority and the role of discipleship.
When the crowds follow Jesus into a remote place, He welcomes them, speaks to them of the Kingdom of God and heals those in need. Before and miracle takes place Jesus demonstrates the heart of God: open, healing and generous. This reminds us that Christ is not put off by our needs or our seeking, He receives us even in our brokenness.
As the day draws to a close and the people grow hungry the disciples suggest sending the people away to find food.
It is a reasonable recommendation. However, Jesus responds with a surprising challenge. ‘You give them something to eat”
Jesus is inviting his disciples to participate in God’s work.
The five loaves and two fish are woefully insufficient, yet Jesus takes them, blesses, breaks and gives-actions that prefigure the last Supper and Eucharist. What is placed in his hands becomes more than enough. The miracle is about the transformation that happens when we offer our smallness to God.
Jesus doesn’t distribute the food directly. He gives it to the disciples to set before the crowd; the miracle passes through their hands. This is a powerful image of ministry. Ther disciples become channels of God’s grace because they obey and trust.
Twelve baskets were left over. It is a reminder that when God provides, he provides abundantly.
Reflection
God meets us with compassion.
We are called to offer what little we have. True discipleship involves trust.
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
- Remember the Bartells family
- Please keep Linda Darbyshire and family in your prayer.
- Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family in your prayer.
- Robyn Burns (Hill;)
- Remember Rencha who is dealing with cancer.
- Please remember Sean and Ann Mulcahy who are both battling major health issues
- Pease 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)
.
- Your own intentions
We pray the Jubilee Prayer for ourselves and our world.
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Humour: A man died and went to Heaven. St Peter says to him ‘before you meet with God, I should tell you that we’ve looked over your life and you really didn’t do anything particularly good or bad. We are not really sure what to do with you. Can you tell us anything that can help us make that decision? The man thought for a moment and replied’ Yeah, once I was driving along and came upon a little old lady who was being harassed by a group of thugs. So, I pulled over and went up to the leader. He was a big guy with a ring pierced through his lip. I tore the ring out of his lip and told him to stop bothering the lady or they would have to deal with me! ‘Wow, that’s impressive. When did this happen?
‘About 3 minutes ago came the reply’.