Morena/Good morning,
The wild weather has returned it seems all around the North Island. Just when I am going to embark on a journey taking me to Havelock North and Napier and then onto Hamilton, Paeroa, Orewa, Tauranga, Pukekohe, St Heliers – Auckland and then to Otorohanga and across to New Plymouth and then down to Palmerston North for their relaunch and home on the afternoon of 13 August.
I am so grateful for the PFG parish-coordinators support and generosity in hosting or organising meetings allowing us to hear what is going on any issues along with the positives and any learnings.
The Feast of the Transfiguration is this Sunday – a lesson in focussing on the need to take a break go up the mountain – for Jesus this is always after work and ministering to people and again he takes Peter, James and John to pray with them. This experience is similar to what psychology records as a ‘peak’ experience. One that assists in one being attuned to what is within and also what is around them. It is the breathless sign of wonder in being captured in a moment and then the human feeling of wanting to hold on to this experience. As the disciples suggest, “let us build three tents”.
We also experience their being overcome in the presence of God a bit like the experience when someone finds love or peace and their face changes and people remark on this change. This moment for the disciples is a call to us to enter the realm of God, life and wonder in our interactions and seeing that the presence of Jesus will guide and lead us. Over time when we stop we appreciate the life changing events that challenge us sometimes in ways we are left with sorrow or loss and other times in utter joy. We enter int the presence of God with trust, hope, mercy and on the road of love.
We live in the valley and this can stifle us from striving to climb the mountains that allows us to get a realistic grasp or perspective of what life holds for us and how we can relate to it. Knowing that in all things we trust in our God through Jesus. Be transformed into the way of the gospel – service, justice, community and belonging.
God go with you – Have a good week,
Paul
Enjoy some quiet beautiful music: https://youtu.be/2OEL4P1Rz04
Who have we connect with this week and who have we supported:
Scripture Reflection: The Transfiguration of the Lord, 6 August 2023. It is wonderful for us to be here
O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers and wonderfully prefigured our full adoption to sonship, grant, we pray, to your servants, that, in listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may merit to be coheirs with him.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Responsorial psalm: Ps 96(97):1-2, 5-6, 9
Second reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
Link to readings – click here
The liturgy of Transfiguration Sunday gives us a foretaste of future glory. In the Gospel, as in all the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), the account of the Transfiguration occurs as Jesus is about to make his final journey to Jerusalem and to the Cross. His imminent tragedy is seen through a vision of the glory that is to come. For us, who carry our own tragedies and crosses, there is help in these readings. They hint at our own glory, too, as God’s adopted children, redeemed and sanctified.
We, too, will be led into his presence and offered a share in his glory (First Reading). On that day, all creation will rejoice (Psalm). The gift’s promise is, for us as it was for Peter, ‘a lamp for lighting the way through the dark until the dawn comes’ (Second Reading).
This week let’s pray that, despite our own personal struggles and the darkness of the world’s news, we might hold onto the hope of the glory that is ours through a share in Christ’s everlasting life.
Amy Grant – Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet:
The Good News spreads to Bath, England
A new couple arrived in our Parish, at St Patrick’s in Huapai. They had recently emigrated from the U.K. and were enjoying becoming part of our community.
They were happy when they were invited to join a Family Group gathering, as they had belonged to a PFG in their home town of Bath in England.
Apparently an Australian priest, ( It was Fr Peter McGrath – A Passionist and founds of the Passionist Family Group Movement), said to their congregation, ” I want you to turn in your pews and talk to your neighbour.”
The, typically reserved, British initially seemed reluctant but did as they were asked. The “Aussie” priest then said “Now I want you to split into groups and have a meal together !! “.
Do what !!!
Thus they became a PFG parish! They got to know each other and became, not just friends, but family.
From Sarah and John Peacock – Parish Coordinators for Helensville/Huapai Parish in Auckland,
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 Debbie and her husband Bryan in your prayer. Debbie is battling with thyroid cancer
- Please keep Bernie Metcalfe and family in your prayers
- Please keep in mind Merrilyn Barron who is still unwell
- Please remember Martin van der Wetering in your prayers as his health is not good currently.
- Please remember Phil Drew a former Passionist who has had a massive stroke. Please remember his wife Anne and family
- 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 Ukraine
- Please keep Somalia and the surrounding countries dealing with their sixth year in a row of drought.
- Please keep Nick and Leah and daughter Heidi Darbyshire along with Paul and Linda in your thoughts and prayer.
- 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.
- Remember Pat and Rod Carson
- Aidan son of Josie and Phil McIntyre –his parents are his caregivers.
- Your own intentions
Humour:
- How can you tell if a pig is hot? It’s bacon.
- Did you hear about the guy who afraid of hurdles? He got over it.
- Why did the drum go to bed? It was beat.
- What do you call a rude cow? Beef jerky.
- Have you ever had a bad sausage? It’s the wurst.
- Did you hear about the guy who drank invisible ink? He’s at the hospital waiting to be seen.
- How do you get a squirrel’s attention? Act like a nut.
- Did you hear about the cat that ate a lemon? Now it’s a sour puss.
- What did one volcano say to the other? I lava you.
- Why did the computer catch cold? It left a window open.
- How do mice floss their teeth? With string cheese.