New Saturday liturgy arrangement going wellThere will be no Easter liturgy at Beachlands. As this is the most important feast day in the Church year we are asked to attend Mass in Howick or at one of the other local Catholic parishes.
On Palm Sunday we will have a Celebration of the Word with Holy Communion with distribution of the palms at the end of Mass. The liturgy will include the reading of The Passion. Pope Francis issues new encyclical on the climate crisisOn Wednesday, 4 October, Pope Francis has issued his Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum (Praise God), a follow-up statement on ecology to his Encyclical Laudato si’ on the Care of Our Common Home, which was issued eight years ago. The release of Laudate Deum on St. Francis of Assisi’s liturgical feast day corresponds not only with the end of the Season of Creation, but also with the start of the month-long Synod on Synodality.
In the new document, Pope Francis adds that “our responses have not been adequate” eight years after Laudato si’, in which he revealed his heartfelt worries for the care of our common home; and yet the world continues to feel the consequences. Reflecting on the global climate problem, Pope Francis argues that increasing incidences of extreme weather events (heat, droughts) are evidence of “a silent disease that affects everyone” and he urges everyone not to dismiss it. He observes that it is no longer feasible to reject the human “anthropic” origins of climate change; it is clear that the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which was steady until the 19th century, has increased in tandem with industrial development during the last 50 years. Furthermore, the recent half-century has experienced the most exceptional rise in temperatures, larger than any time in the previous two thousand years. You can read the encyclical in full by clicking the link below. The Synod's working document setting the future of the ChurchCatholics in Aotearoa are being urged to read the working document that will guide the synod meeting in Rome in October, and help to set the future direction of the Church.
Instrumentum Laboris is a document of discernment that reflects the voices of the People of God from the previous stages of the synod process. We are invited to prayerfully read and reflect on the document and to pray for the synod's work over the next 18 months. A copy of Instrumentum Laboris with supporting documents is available here: Eternal SpiritEternal Spirit, who has spread his
wings across the waters since the beginning of creation, may your breath give me the strength to step out into the world at your bidding; the courage to go beyond myself as a child of God in the name of the Son; the fortitude to continue even when the world overwhelms me; the peace of mind and heart to trust in the never ending love of the Father. I ask this in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit. Amen. © Kevin Saunders 2013 Lord Jesus, I pray you be the song
in my heart. May your name be on my lips as I go about this day. I want to move to the beat of your Gospel. To dance to the rhythm of your love. |
Pope's prayer intention - AprilEcumenismLord Jesus Christ, You call us together in faith and love. Breathe again the new life of your Holy Spirit among us that we may hear your holy word, pray in your name, seek unity among Christians (and harmony with all men and women) and live more fully the faith we profess. All glory and honour be yours with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
Parish Prayer Come Holy Spirit enter our hearts and our lives. Guide us as we journey forward in faith to meet the challenges of our times. Grant us the strength to respond faithfully to the call of the Gospel through the witness of our lives. Inspire within us the commitment to shape a better world. Lead us to form a community of faith here at this Parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea, (Beachlands), celebrating God’s presence among us and the saving act of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Set alight in us the fire of Your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen © Kevin Saunders 2000 |