Perhaps the best summary of spiritual growth is “simply” becoming more like Jesus Christ. At the last supper, after Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, he said, “What I have done is to give you an example, as I have done so you must do.” And in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Jesus Christ is the ultimate teacher and model of what it truly means to be spiritual.
We have many opportunities for those seeking to nourish their spiritual life here at Padre Pio Parish. Who knows, perhaps God is calling you right now to a deeper walk with him. Often, our own life circumstances “call” us to seek the face of God and confront the mystery & meaning of our faith with fresh eyes, a willing spirit, an open heart. In both joyous and difficult times, God is present with us and for us. Trust His Holy Spirit to guide you and “complete the good work He has already begun in you”. With God’s grace, we can grow into all God intended us to be!
Today's Gospel Reflection - Married Popes?
Written by Fr Gil Guillemette
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 05:02
Today’s gospel reading mentions the fact that the apostle Peter had a mother-in-law, which means of course that he was a married man. Thus it came about that the first pope was a married man. And that first pope was not elected by a college of cardinals but was personally chosen by Christ himself!
In fact, for at least the first 200 years of Christianity, married priest and bishops seem to have been the rule. Indeed, when it came to the pastoral service of the local Churches (as opposed to the evangelizing ministry of the itinerant missionaries like the apostle Paul), the natural leader of the community was the married man, as we can surmise from Paul’s instructions to Timothy regarding the qualities he should look for in appointing bishops (1 Tm 3,2-4) and deacons (1 Tm, 3,12). This situation was questioned only gradually for various reasons.
One of these derived from a distorted notion of the mariage union as being somehow incompatible with the celebration fo the Eucharist, as if the martial act was slightly dirty or sinful - an idea which borders on heresy. Another reason involved Church property. A priest, having children to take care of and whose future he had to ensure was easily suspected of using church funds and church property for that purpose. At any rate, clerical celibacy was enforced throughout the Latin Church only by the First Lateran Council in 1123. However the Oriental Churches have kept a married clergy up to this day.
All this to say that what was once the common practice of the Church can be adopted anew. Since vocations to the celibate priesthood seem to be dwindling throughout the world in general, the pastoral needs of the Church might dictate a change in the present regulation. This would not solve all problems, of course, but it might prove advantageous in many respects. For example, perhpas a married clergy would be better able to understand and sympathize with the situation of marrired couples.
Let us pray for God’s guidance on this delicate issue. Let us pray for our Church leaders so that they may see whether or not new decisions should be made.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 September 2010 05:17
Homily
Written by Fr Munachi
Saturday, 28 August 2010 04:18
Homily for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - on the Gospel
Preferential Option for the Poor
Sirarch 3:17-20, 28-29
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Joseph de Veuster was a Belgian missionary priest working among the islanders of Honolulu. His bishop had trouble finding a priest to work in the leper settlement of Molokai. Joseph, better known as Father Damien, volunteered to go and work in the "living graveyard that was Molokai." His solidarity with the lepers was so complete that he contracted the disease himself and died at the age of forty-nine in service to the poorest and most abandoned. Some of his contemporaries accused him of imprudence and foolhardiness. Today, however, he is recognised worldwide as a hero of the faith: Damien the Leper.
Feastday: August 24 St. Bartholomew, 1st. century, one of the 12 Apostles. All that is known of him with certainty is that he is mentioned in the synoptic gospels and Acts as one of the twelve apostles. His name, a patronymic, means "son of Tolomai" and scholars believe he is the same as Nathanael mentioned in John, who says he is from Cana and that Jesus called him an "Israelite...incapable of deceit." The Roman Martyrology says he preached in India and Greater Armenia, where he was flayed and beheaded by King Astyages. Tradition has the place as Abanopolis on the west coast of the Caspian Sea and that he also preached in Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egypt. The Gospel of Bartholomew is apochryphal and was condemned in the decree of Pseudo-Gelasius. Feast Day August 24.
Last Updated on Monday, 23 August 2010 06:28
Dinner Dance was a great Celebration!
Written by Kevin Lee
Saturday, 05 June 2010 02:58
For those who have school aged children or those who are teachers, welcome to Term 3. Time seems to be hurtling along and our year is more than half over.
Last weekend we celebrated our 6th and most successful Annual Dinner Dance held at the Assyrian Sports and Cultural club, Fairfield West.
It was a wonderful success and credit should be shared all round by everyone who participated as well as the Fundraising Committee who prepared it. The team which consists of Edgar & Cristina Pitargue, Ray King, Elvie Williams, Aiman Jajo, MaryAnn Kroon, Brenda Lyster, Mark Cashmere, Priscilla Clements and Cecilia Rowe. For the second year in a row, Greg Beacroft did a wonderful job as emcee and entertained the crowd, spurring on the bidding with his insightful knowledge of the auction items. We will miss Greg for the rest of this year at Bethany as he is on loan to Patrician Brothers Blacktown.
To all the people who made the event so successful may God richly bless you for your generosity and sacrifices. I want to thank each of you on behalf the parishioners who benefited from your talents as well as those who attended and enjoyed the evening for all your energy and enthusiasm.
The night was a great success and everyone has been full of praise for this year’s Dinner Dance.
Continuing my theme of seeking your assistance to make this parish better, I am still lacking Catechists to teach Scripture in our State Schools. The situation has become desperate as a few Catechists have recently withdrawn their services. I personally can’t teach anymore than the 3 classes I have and most of the other catechists are stretched to the limit of their abilities too. Please consider whether you can help us in this vital evangelisation!
Thanks to those who bought the biscuits which Mr. Ray King donated. They will help raise some more funds for our orphanage. There are still plenty of boxes left with packets selling for a mere $1 each. Thanks to all the people who brought food for our St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Some of the food has already been given to those in our community who are struggling. It is still winter, there are still people in need of assistance so please keep bringing in the food!
Finally as I have informed you, there are many ways that you can be of assistance to your parish so please let us know if you would like to be involved! As you would realise if you call the office our phone system is still not functioning. I was overwhelmed by the number of offers to assist us to connect our new phone system. Especially Deshan Kumarasamy, Darren Scibberas & Lyndon Clarke who all offered to help. Unfortunately the Ericsson system we were given by Marayong parish is now obsolete so any assistance in purchasing a new system would be gratefully accepted.
Finally, we are in the planning stages for a parish census. In the coming weeks you will be asked to fill in an information sheet about yourself and your family. I know most of you have already done so in past years but information quickly becomes outdated and rapidly changes so please be patient with us and fill out the forms again thank you!
Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 10:24
Why do we light candles next to the shrines of saints?
Written by Kevin Lee
Thursday, 03 June 2010 03:26
On Thursday 27th May 2010, in the Church of Sacre-Coeur, Montmartre, Paris, your pastor lit a candle and said a prayer for the people of Glenmore Park parish. The tiny flame burned for a short while before it flickered and went out, but his prayer remains.
At night, Paris is known as “The City of Lights” and, like our church here in Glenmore Park, the Church on top of the highest hill in Paris just around the corner from the Moulin Rouge and the red light district, shines as a beacon of religious faith and constant prayer in the darkness that surrounds it, and we hope and pray that the light in both Churches will not be extinguished.
I brought another larger candle back with me (see our website photos page) and I lit it at the end of Mass as I prayed the following prayers from the Paris church ....
Spirituality
Perhaps the best summary of spiritual growth is “simply” becoming more like Jesus Christ. At the last supper, after Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, he said, “What I have done is to give you an example, as I have done so you must do.” And in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Jesus Christ is the ultimate teacher and model of what it truly means to be spiritual.
One of these derived from a distorted notion of the mariage union as being somehow incompatible with the celebration fo the Eucharist, as if the martial act was slightly dirty or sinful - an idea which borders on heresy. Another reason involved Church property. A priest, having children to take care of and whose future he had to ensure was easily suspected of using church funds and church property for that purpose. At any rate, clerical celibacy was enforced throughout the Latin Church only by the First Lateran Council in 1123. However the Oriental Churches have kept a married clergy up to this day.
Feastday:
