HOMILY by Richard Leonard SJ

In years gone by the major focus of this feast of Corpus Christi was a procession that usually concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Many of us have fond memories of Benediction: a bejewelled cope and monstrance, the flickering candles, the Divine Praises and Latin hymns. It all worked to create a magical atmosphere. As richly theatrical as it was, the magical side of it was part of the problem.

In medieval times Catholics rarely received Holy Communion. So much so it was in this context that the Church ruled

that we have to communicate at least once a year. In the absence of communion, veneration of the Blessed Sacrament took on a great significance. Seeing the host was thought to impart an intense power.

Although in the last 100 years we have been encouraged to receive communion more frequently, the magical properties ascribed to the host persist in some people's devotional thinking.

As Catholics we believe that Jesus is really and personally present to us in the broken bread and shared cup of the Eucharist. And although we believe that Christ is present in the Scriptures, the assembly and the ministers of the

Church, we hold that Christ's presence under the form of bread and wine is one filled with the greatest intimacy and uniqueness.

The Eucharist is not intimate and unique because it is magic. It's not intimate and unique because we gaze upon the elements. The Eucharist is intimate and unique because earthly signs are transformed by God's love, and are consumed in faith. As we eat and drink these elements Christ becomes part of us, and we come alive in Christ.

In the fifth century Saint Augustine taught his people that if they truly loved the Eucharist they would become what they eat. The same is true for us today. By receiving into our hands the bread – blessed and broken, the cup –

poured and shared, we say ‘Amen’ to becoming the same in Christ: blessed, broken, poured out and shared in love. We commune with God and God with us in the Eucharist so that just as earthly gifts are transformed into Christ so

through us will be the entire world, and all things in it.

There is a huge and important difference between grace and magic. One is a trick for show. The other is the power of love, which expresses itself in faith, hope and service.

In a profound poem French Jesuit Didier Rimaud challenges those of us who love the Eucharist to see it linked to the liberation begun in the Exodus, consummated in the Resurrection and working in our world today.

In remembrance of you, We take the bread of Easter in our hands, This Bread do we consume: It does no longer taste of bitter herbs, nor of unleavened bread. It is the bread of a land promised us

where we shall be set free.

In remembrance of you, We take the wine of Easter at our feast,

This wine do we hold dear. It does no longer taste of bitter springs, nor of dark salty pools. It is the wine of land promised us

where we shall be made whole.

In remembrance of you, From exile we return. In remembrance of you, We walk across the sea!

No wonder the early Christians called the Body and Blood of Christ, ‘food for the journey’. May this Eucharist strengthen and embolden us to help God liberate and transform the world through how we spend our lives.

© Richard Leonard SJ.

Late in April, the Baptism of twins Hadley John and Thomas Joshua

was celebrated at St Mary’s.

The twins are pictured with their parents, Narelle & Brian Aust.

May this family know God’s grace and love throughout their lives.

Indoor Bowls & Cards

The next bowls and cards day will be held on Monday the 11th

of June.

Come along to the Parish Centre from 9:30 – 12:00, for a

morning of fun and fellowship.

HAPPIEST OF

BIRTHDAYS TO THE

LOVELY

JOSIE VETTER.

Josie turned 99 on

Thursday.

May God bless you

always.

Thank-you for your contributions:

29/05/18

Envelopes: 554.00 Loose: 139.00

Parish Bank A/C Details

A/C Name: ADF St Mary’s Parish Goondiwindi

BSB: 064-786 A/C Number: 518826001

If paying by direct deposit, please use your

initials/surname as the reference.

VOLUNTEERS MASS TIMES

Tuesday……Kaloma.…..11:00am Wednesday……(Rosary 5.10pm).…..5.30pm

Friday……12:15pm

2nd/3rd June, 2018 SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

SUNDAY MORNING: Weengallon 8.00am & Daymar 10.00am

9th/10th June, 2018

SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

16th/17th June, 2018 SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am

GROUNDS ROSTER

MAY: THOMPSON FAMILY

JUNE: MICHAEL & JACK SCHAUMBURG

WE PRAY FOR THOSE: Who have entered your kingdom: including Nick Heironymus, Stella McGovern, Loretta Brennan, Tom Mitchell, Steve Aspinall, Delva Brown, Fay Hunt, Don McDonald, Allan Amey, Barry Kindt, Gwendolyn “Henny” Makim, Epigenia Cabus (Claire & Rose’s sister), Barbara Duffy, Vince O’Brien (Roma), Bishop John Gerry, Laurance Martyn, Frank Brosnan, Max Hohn, Kath Johnson, Muriel “Sis” Plain (Len Cleal’s sister), Robert Miller, Elaine Symes, June Corish, Ted Heironymus, Gloria Glasser, Therese Sullivan, Helen Farrell, Fr. Merv Ziesing, Joan Lawson, Thea McNaulty, Kevin “Skeet” McMaster, David Hollis, Frank Lawless (Stasia’s son), Pauline Pollock, Monica Peters (Kath Gore’s Aunt), John Clancy, Margaret Cook, Marie Dutton, Patricia MacBeth (Lismore), Kevin Heironymus, Patricia Manton, Helen Zeller, Richard Everingham, Jim Coleman, Tim Murphy. Whose anniversary is at this time: including Rosemary Keehn, Beryl Pearce, Charles McCosker, Anthony Miller, Bryson McGuire, June Galvin, Clara Sutherland, Colin McIlveen, Nora Heynen, Kay Coleman, Norman Jennings, Catherine Lloyd, Donald Pfingst, Margaret Piedl, Evelyn Sheridan, Dawn Garland, Leslie Martyn, Monica ‘June’ Gall, Rodney Bourke, Paul Cairns, Paul Cook, Chris Cleal, Greg Rigby, Margaret Ash, Agnes Mangan, Pat and Ellen Mullins, Arthur Gordon, Shirley Harmer, William ‘John’ Wright (Talwood), Marion O’Leary. Who are ill: including Mel Cairns, Mick Kelloway, Joy Collins, Brian O’Brien (FM Michael’s Uncle), Hardy Sutton, Donna Lindores, John Abbot, Angus Rigney, Jan Jan Charles, Tom Turvey, Bill Dyer, Trish Dyer, Brian Freeney, Pat & Teresa Mullins, Deanna Dawson, Anne Hunt, Kevin Lawless, Ray Mackie, Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Gloria Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Joe Cowmeadow, Shirley Schluter, Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd, Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd, Madonna Nicoletti, Stephanie & Chris Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Marie Cook, Phillip Carney, Shirley Riley, and Joseph Hord; also those ill at home, in hospital and for those in Kaloma.

WELCOMERS AT DOOR

CLAIRE CHARLES (03/06)

TRISH WELSH & PAM MORRIS (10/06)

JENNIFER MAKIM (17/06)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE

PAT THOMPSON (03/06)

CLAIRE CHARLES (10/06)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED (17/06)

1ST

READER/PSALM

RACHAEL REEVES (03/06)

MARY COLLINS (10/06)

PAT THOMPSON (17/06)

2ND

READING/ALLELUIA

VOLUNTEER NEEDED (03/06)

MARY BURCHELL (10/06)

ROS PHILLIPS (17/06)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG, CARMEL GEESON

& MARY COLLINS (03/06)

MICK CLANCY, YVONNE ISAAK &

CLAIRE CHARLES (10/06)

CARMEL GEESON, CAMILLE KELLOWAY

& DAWN CLANCY (17/06)

DATA PROJECTOR

ST MARY’S STAFF (03/06)

ROS PHILLIPS (10/06)

ST MARY’S STAFF (17/06)

MONEY COUNTERS

TERESA HEYNEN & BELL FAMILY (03/06)

KERRY O’CONNOR & CLAIRE CHARLES (10/06)

TERRY & MARGARET RYAN (17/06)

We pray for the clergy of the Toowoomba Diocese whose anniversary is during

this month.

Rev Fr Joseph McKey (01/06/82) Rev Fr Kevin Noble (04/06/10)

Rev Fr Charles Casey (10/06/30) Rev Fr Thomas Sweeney (13/06/95)

Rev Fr John Sinnott (17/06/89) Rev Fr Thomas McCormack (25/06/68)

Lord, hear our prayers and be merciful to your servants, the Bishops and Priests of this Diocese whom you have called from this life. Welcome them into the company of your Saints in the Kingdom of light and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Introduction Something unique happened at the Last

Supper and happens whenever we share in the Eucharist. Jesus instituted a new

covenant, sealed in his Body and Blood. The covenant between God and us means that we are deeply connected not only to God, but to

one another. Our connections, and the commitments they imply, extend to all people

everywhere. Participating in the Eucharist may be the most challenging thing we are

invited to do.

First Reading Exodus 24:3-8

Moses seals the covenant between God and Israel

Responsorial Psalm I will take the cup of salvation and call on the

name of the Lord.

Second Reading Heb 9:11-15

Jesus, the high priest, became the perfect sacrifice

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

I am the living bread from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats the bread will live forever

ALLELUIA!

Gospel Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Jesus institutes a new covenant at the Last Supper

Prayers of the Faithful For nations and individuals across the

earth who feel alienated from one another because of fear, misunderstanding, politics

or religious beliefs … we pray,

For our children and youth who are being formed in their understanding of the

Eucharist; and for those responsible for teaching them, including parents, teachers

and communities … we pray,

For all those who are denied access to the Eucharist; and for those who do not

appreciate its meaning or who minimize its power and implications … we pray,

For those in this parish who cannot participate in the Eucharist for whatever

reason; for our Eucharistic ministers; and for all who need to be served more deeply by this Eucharistic community … we pray,

Together we pray….

God of the covenant, we are grateful that you have called us to be your people, in deep connection with you and with one

another. Our participation in the Eucharist confirms this calling and our commitment to live it daily. Help us to remember this each time we approach the eucharistic table. We ask this in the name of your Son, in whose

body and blood we partake. Amen.

Parish Priest: Fr Hermi Rafada Ph: 0435 006 513 or 4671 1091

email: rafsteel2005@yahoo.com St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730 Parish Safeguarding Rep: Mrs Carmel Schaumberg Ph: 0419 786 738

Parish Contact Details stmarysgdi@bigpond.com 69 Callandoon Street PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390

Parish Secretary:

Mrs Kath Gore

Mobile Ph: 0427 771 478

Office Ph: 4671 5087

Thursday 9.30am – 3.30pm

PARISH

INFORMATION

CORPUS CHRISTI

3RD

JUNE, 2018