Parish Bulletin
PARISH NEWS
ABUNDANT NOURISHMENT
Jesus uses a concrete logistics situation as a teaching moment in this feeding of the hungry multitudes (John 6:1-15). The only miracle story appearing in all four gospels, Jesus makes some profound points. The short-term objective is achieved as the multitudes are fed but there are other layers about sharing resources, spiritual nourishment and kingship.
The whole purpose of Jesus’ incarnation is proclaiming the merciful God who offers abundant spiritual and physical nourishment: the Kingdom of God. Like Phillip, we might despairingly infer, “We don’t have enough!” But there are no limits to God’s abundance. Meeting the needs of our neighbours can seem impossible until we learn to trust in God’s grace. Then we can meet the challenges.
“As long as you operate inside any scarcity model, there will never be enough God or grace to go around. Jesus came to undo our notions of scarcity and tip us over into a worldview of absolute abundance – or what he would call the “Kingdom of God.”” (Rohr, R. The Universal Christ p184).
At first glance, Jesus’ miracle is witnessed by thousands who then want to make him king. But that isn’t his purpose. His disciples were helpless in the face of need but Jesus directs them to muster and offer what resources are there, blesses their pitiful offering and enables them to feed abundantly the people’s spiritual and physical needs.
Pope Francis reminds us in Evangelii Gaudium (EG12), “God askes everything of us, yet at the same time he offers everything to us.” Jesus imbues us with the means; with newfound and burgeoning strength and confidence. “Challenges exist to be overcome! Let us be realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hope-filled commitment. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary vigour!” (EG 109)
Deacon Mark Kelly
IMPORTANT UPDATE-SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2021 :
Unfortunately our Confirmation Information meetings at St Joseph's Church and St Ita's Church had to be cancelled due to the lockdown.
This meeting will now take place via Zoom. The information Zoom meeting will be held on Thursday, 29th July at 7.00pm. The invitation link will be sent at 6:50pm on the night so we can have everyone online for a 7pm start.
We are asking Confirmation families to please send their preferred email address and candidates name to Thérèse.
Please send information ASAP to Thérèse at the following email address: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au to ensure you receive the link so login can run smoothly on the night. We will not be able to send a separate link for those that leave it to the last minute because in the past this has caused complications and is very time consuming on the night. Thank you so much to those that have already sent their information, very much appreciated.
We look forward to seeing you all via Zoom.
If you have any questions please contact Thérèse on 0499 116 428
RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
An Information evening will be held on Wednesday 28th July 7.30pm Marian Room (attached to St. Joseph’s Church Warragul; enter car park from Bowen Street) for those:
- Who want to find out more about the Catholic faith!
- What Catholics believe and why?
- Considering possibly becoming a Catholic!
- An Adult Catholic who has not received First Communion or Confirmation.
If you know of someone that may be interested please bring them along to this session.
For more information you can contact:
Fr. Peter Slater: 56231642
Joan Robertson at St. Joseph’s Parish Office, Warragul: 56231642
Deacon Mark Kelly at Marist Sion College: 56235944 or 0427748646.
