28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
10 October 2021
Readings for this Weekend:
First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13
Gospel: Mark 10:17-30
Welcome to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary & St Matthew
Many of us can resonate with the response of these disciples — ‘amazed,’ and ‘exceedingly astonished,’ or from another perspective, shocked and perplexed — because they are our very own responses today when Jesus teaches.
Reflection from Fr Darren
This Sunday the Book of Wisdom in the first reading tells us; “I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.” It suggests that prayer is the path to understanding and wisdom. Prayer therefore helps us to make sense of our lives in the light of faith. In prayer we take the experiences of our lives and look to God for answers. Just like a riddle, we seek to discover why things happen to us.
Yet this eternal quest for answers and meaning only takes us so far. We can’t help be drawn to the conclusion that wisdom and understanding will for the most part allude us. In fact many people, when they don’t get the answers they seek, give up praying all together. It simply falls into the too hard basket. Yet when we think about it, this is probably the greatest gift of prayer and wisdom. To recognise that we are human and wisdom is about accepting that mystery. As the famous Serenity prayer says; “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” To me this seems like real understanding.
In our faith we learn that we do not find wisdom in books, learning, knowledge or any other human pursuit or endeavour. We find that Wisdom is, in fact, a Person. Jesus came as the Wisdom of the Father, the Word made flesh so that we can experience the true beauty of the human mystery in a loving relationship with God. It must then be said that it is love which unlocks for us the mysteries of the universe because it is only Jesus who can lead us to the loving heart of the heavenly Father.
Book of Wisdom (7:7-11)
I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I esteemed her more than sceptres and thrones;
compared with her, I held riches as nothing.
I reckoned no priceless stone to be her peer,
for compared with her, all gold is a pinch of sand,
and beside her silver ranks as mud.
I loved her more than health or beauty,
preferred her to the light,
since her radiance never sleeps.
In her company all good things came to me,
at her hands riches not to be numbered.
Today is Support Life Sunday
The pandemic has highlighted the dedication and generosity of healthcare personnel, volunteers, support staff, priests, men and women religious, all of whom have helped, treated, comforted and served so many of the sick and their families with professionalism, self-giving, responsibility and love of neighbour. A silent multitude of men and women, they chose not to look the other way but to share the suffering of patients, whom they saw as neighbours and members of our one human family.
= Pope Francis Message for the World Day of the Sick 2021
Pope Francis' Monthly Intention
Missionary Disciples
We pray that every baptised person may be engaged in evangelisation, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavour of the Gospel.
October is the Month of the Rosary
Here’s a resource for everyone to journey alongside Mary, and reflect on the mysteries in the life of Christ. May the praying of the Rosary bring hope to everyone especially in these challenging times of the pandemic.
Food for Faith is offering a way of learning and praying the Rosary together. Visit the website to learn more. https://foodforfaith.org.nz/category/rosary/
Online Masses during Level 3
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Baptisms for RCIC
In recent months a number of young people have been part of the RCIC programme. These young people were Baptised and received into the church recently. Due to Covid Alert level changes the baptisms had to be rescheduled a couple of times and then spread over three ceremonies to accommodate the restrictions on numbers. The final ceremony took place on Sunday 3 October, just prior to the move to Level 3 being announced. The ceremonies were all reverent prayerful celebrations of what is meant by ‘being called by name”. We look forward to their celebration of Confirmation and First Communion “on the other side” of covid lockdowns.
Welcome to the faith community: D’Arcy& Keegan Beckett, Lachlan Brown, Brooke Burns, Marcus & Sami Luckie, Carter Nonoa, Cassandra & Ashlynne Wise, Mia & Jai Kerewaro, Cameron McAlley, , Rylee Payne, Kalani & Amelia Pointon, Eve May Singleton, Brianna & Madison Wilson, Flynn Wilson, Liam Wise, Corban & Hannah Best, Olivia Bult, Sean & Ivan Dunning, Madeline Oliver, Dhilan King, Jordan & Hamish Martin, Robert Moore, Cooper Parquist, Brenna Sammons, Natalie & Leya Smith, Taylor & Jaxon Smith-Hall, Cooper & Benson Watt, Levi Wiki, Lorenzo, Ebony & Joaquin Pantoja-Sanders, Oliver Friedlander, Joey Smart, Cooper Smith, Marcus & Reilly Tadema, Esha Reddy, Anton Worth, Benjamin & Alexis McNae.
Unlocking Parishes during the Unknown
Divine Renovation Aotearoa Virtual Conference - Saturday 16th October
Featuring:
Fr James Mallon, Divine Renovation Founder
Aux. Bishop Michael Gielen, Auckland Diocese
and Kevin Bailey, Divine Renovation Australasia Executive Director
We are excited to offer this online nationwide conference for FREE. Register via our https://events.cdh.nz
This is for anyone who is interested in Divine Renovation, Alpha and those already running these programmes in their parish. Questions? Email Brigid Conroy brigidc@cdh.org.nzWAYS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION :
. ONLINE at bishopappeal.cdh.nz
. INTERNET BANKING RC Bishop of Hamilton - 02 0342 0050008- 003
(particulars: name - code: bishop app - Reference: donor # if any)
For more information & assistance, please contact Fred: fredr@cdh.org.nz or 856 6989
Thank you for your gifts and prayers.
First Communion & Confirmation Programme
The next parent input session scheduled for Sunday 17 October at 7pm. Please keep praying for these young people who are preparing to receive the Sacraments in November.
Christmas Community Dinner - 11 December 2021
NET Ministries Australia
Kete Kōrero - Special Schools Edition - Available online
Titipounamu Study & Joy
Online Sessions (Evening):
The Gospel of Luke – The Gospel of the New Church Year with Kieran Fenn fms.
Monday 11 October, 7-8.30pm. ZOOM.
$25 for the session
https://www.studyjoy.nz/2021/09/02/the-gospel-of-luke/
For more information and registration: info@studyjoy.nz
Readings for next Weekend:
First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
Gospel: Mark 10:35-45
Contact Us
Assistant Priest: Fr Isaac Fransen frisaac@hamcathedral.co.nz
Email: newsletter@cathedral.cdh.nz
Website: https://churchwebsite.co.nz/hamcathedral/
Location: 494 Grey St, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 856 6486