Mission Sunday
31 October 2021
Readings for this Weekend:
First Reading: Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Second Reading: Hebrews 7:23-28
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34
Welcome to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary & St Matthew
Jesus stands before us today and eloquently details the first and second commandments. When we respond to him will he be able to affirm that we did so with understanding? Could Jesus, as he did the scribe, confidently tell us that we are not far from the Kingdom of God?
Mission Sunday
The objective of Missionz is to promote awareness of the mission of the Catholic Church – to present the good news of Jesus Christ to all peoples, and to generate spiritual, material and financial support for those working in mission and third world territories. The Pontifical Mission Societies have the common aim of assisting the Holy Father, in spreading missionary awareness among priests, religious, adults and children; encouraging aid to the poor, and gathering financial support for different projects in third world countries. The funds collected during the year by the Pontifical Mission Societies are sent directly to mission dioceses in need, as decided at Council in Rome each May.
In terms of projects (where the money goes), here are details on 2 current projects:
Sri Lanka Seminary Appeal in time of Covid.
Supporting vulnerable children in The Philippines
As we have been hard hit by Covid, Missionz has, and will continue to be, disproportionately disadvantaged. Those who pay the price for this are our most vulnerable brothers and sisters in developing countries. Unless there is a miracle, perhaps 40% of the nation’s parishes will not have public Mass next Sunday and as that includes Mission Sunday we loose our key opportunity to seek donations and promote the missionary nature of the Church. If you could consider making a parish or personal donation that would be very much appreciated.
Reflection from Fr Isaac
“You shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.”
I think we are all very familiar with parts of today’s readings. The first reading is fundamental to the Jewish life. The second describes Christ’s participation in this Love as eternal high priest, and the Gospel draws together the Jewish commandment from Deuteronomy, with the Levitical law of love for ones neighbour. As we are nearing the end of the liturgical year the Church is reminding us of the fundamentals. These fundamentals are to be of primary importance in our lives.
Christ greatly respects the Pharisee who questions him in today’s Gospel. The question he poses enquires about the order of the commandments. Christ’s response takes the overarching commandment from Deuteronomy and another command from Leviticus and marries them together. The overarching commandment was one which the Israelites would recall easily, since traditionally they would recite it three times a day, morning, noon and evening. This beautiful tradition recalls our primary vocation, why we were created: to Love the Lord our God. The second command which Christ injects shows that He wants us to always hold these two not in a balance but in connection. When we love our Lord we are not doing an injustice to our neighbour, when we love our neighbour we are not doing an injustice to our Lord. They cannot be separated, but there is an order.
St Thomas Aquinas asks many questions, and ‘the order of charity’ is one of them. If you’re not so heavily inclined to St Thomas’ work, the Catechism puts it simply: “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God” (CCC 1822). Since we have received everything from God, including our neighbour and our own selves, then we are direct our love also back to him who is our source of happiness. Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical he wrote as Pope was Deus caritas est, in there he draws upon the Song of Songs to offer an expose’ on agape (offering of giving) and eros (passion of receiving). He portrays for us a connection here between them, where each cannot be devoid of the other, being the two halves of love which give and receive. And so it is between us and our Lord. He is the one who first gave of himself for us (John 3:16) and we after receiving from him, in turn, wish to offer back to him our very selves. There are many passages expressed in the Song of Songs in which we find the bride yearning after the bridegroom, and so it is for our own soul yearning after the Lord. It is in seeking the Lord and loving him, that we best love three fold: God, neighbour, and ourselves.
In the latter part of his encyclical, Pope Benedict XVI describes our works of charity as an expression of love which draws strength from our relationship with God, our contemplation of God. He explains that with this right focus we can offer more than merely social justice. “Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave.” In this way perhaps we can likewise see the expression of love from others as God’s love for us.
At this time during the pandemic, as the Delta outbreak is realised more here in New Zealand, there is an important demand upon us to pray, to give due love to God for what he has given, and likewise give – where possible – to those around us. This involves a constant requesting of forgiveness for our shortcomings, and a constant forgiving of others shortcomings. Thus by returning to the Lord in “our closed room”, our heart, and where possible, sacramentally, we can be strengthened bear witness to Christ’s love in the world. Also in keeping our searching gaze set on Christ we can help others to discover their source of happiness, our God.
Our prayerful sympathy...
Our sympathy to Rena and Jim Burgess following the death of their daughter Julie Thomson last week. Our prayers are with you as you farewell Julie during these difficult times. May she rest in peace
Online Masses continue...
Join Bishop Steve daily for Mass at 9am https://www.youtube.com/c/CatholicDioceseofHamiltonNZ/featured
Join us.....A Career with a Mission
Saint Gianna's Home for Mothers and Babies, a programme of Family Life International NZ, is seeking a mature married couple, or single woman, to live in at our beautiful and well appointed home in Pukekohe - to provide acceptance, love and care for pregnant mothers in need, and for their babies and perhaps toddlers, in a faith based setting.
This is a position for a missionary minded couple, or single woman, who perhaps have a medical background, and who are passionate about the sanctity of life. The position is supported by a day time staff member, a reliever for the parents, and also volunteers.
Our work is grounded on St Pope John Paul II's Gospel of Life, and the great example of St Gianna Beretta Molla. Saint Gianna's Home caters for up to four or five mothers and their babies at any one time.
To learn more and to obtain a Position Description, and Terms of Employment, please email: Dame Colleen Bayer DSG col.fli@xtra.co.nz OR Mrs Clare McClean clare@fli.org.nz (Co ordinator - Gianna's Choice Pregnancy Options and Support).
Synod on Synodality - Hamilton Diocese
The word ‘synodality’ means “walking together”. Pope Francis invites
us to reflect together, with guidance from the Holy Spirit, on what this mutual journey means for us and for our Church – from the local to the universal. To find out more about what this Synod is all about and the timeline for our Diocese’s journey visit synod.cdh.nz
Diocesan Registrations for “Gather and Discern” groups are now open! Registrations of interest for those wanting to take part in the synod are now open. Visit synod.cdh.nz to sign up. Registrations will close at midnight on 1st November.
If you have a group that you would like to participate - contact Brigid Conroy to arrange - email: brigidc@cdh.org.nz or phone: 027 736 5514
A Laudato Si response to the Climate Change Conference
Titipounamu Study & Joy
Online Sessions (DayTime):
Ignatian Imaginative Contemplation – Praying with Imagination with Laetitia Puthenpadath.
Thursdays, 04 and 22 November, 2-3.30pm. ZOOM. Koha/Donation.
https://www.studyjoy.nz/events/ignatian-imaginative-contemplation-2/
“Sponsor a Family’s and Whanau Christmas Dinner” Through Catholic Family Support Services
Christmas doesn’t come easy for many families and whanau. You can make a difference today by sponsoring a Christmas Hamper for families, whanau and children going through tough times.
Small Hamper—$50
Larger Hamper—$100
Make a pledge by contacting Catholic Family Support Services (07) 856 3760 or
Catholic Family Support Services Account number: 02-0342-0008002-00
Please provide your name and contact details.
New Media statements from NZCBC
Christmas Community Dinner - 11th December 2021
RCIA Programme
Are you or any other adults you know interested in joining the Catholic Church or learning more about our faith? Once we are back to level 2 meetings will begin. Please register your interest by emailing andrea@cathedral.cdh.nz and she will send you some information.
First Communion Confirmation Programme
Please keep watching your email for updates from Andrea. All children should now be working on Cycle 3 which they will have received by email or letter box drop off.
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.
WAYS 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.
Readings for next Weekend:
First Reading: Kings 17:10-16
Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
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