Third Sunday of Easter Year A Cyle II 26 April 2020

Conviction

W ith heavy hearts and shattered hopes the two disciples were walking back to their village. They had

reason to be disappointed since Jesus whom they thought to be the Messiah who would restore Israel

had just been crucified like a criminal. Jesus joined the weary duo and explained to them that the tragic events

that took place in Jerusalem were all according to the Scriptures. The Scriptures provide us a better understand-

ing of God’s salvific plan for us. Jesus finally breaks the bread, sharing his life and nourishment for the journey.

And just as the disciples recognised the Lord when he broke the bread for them so we too will become more and

more aware of the presence of Jesus in our midst when we make the Eucharist the centre of our life. And the

conviction that the Lord is really with us always will encourage and empower us to make him known to others.

Have we experienced the transforming power of the Eucharist?

God’s Word Fr Reuben Tellis

Hide & Seek

D uring our childhood we have all played the game of hide-and-seek, a game in which one player covers his

or her eyes while the others hide, and then tries to find them. Today’s gospel reading presents us with a

kind of game of hide-and-seek played by Christ with Cleopas and his friend. Only these two disciples are not

aware that Christ is playing a game with them.

This gospel scene is full of teachings of all sorts, of symbolic undertones, of endless levels of meaning. One of

these concerns us as disciples of Jesus, as pilgrims on a journey to God. Because as a matter of fact, God plays

hide-and-seek with us. Indeed, hide-and-seek is an essential aspect of our spiritual life. When we understand that

we are involved in a game of hide-and-seek that is an essential aspect of our spiritual life. When we understand

that we are involved in a game of hide-and-seek with God, then we can understand a lot of what is happening

to us.

365 Days with the Lord Fr Nil Guillemette SJ

See Website for Updates: www.ourladyoftherosary.org.au

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Remember the Resurrection!

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A Moment of Growth

B eing unable to physically receive the Eucharist is “a form of sacrifice, but it can

also be a time for spiritual growth,” said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.

The current situation, which many people are experiencing, of forced abstinence from

the Eucharist “can become a time of growing in faith, of desire for the gift of sacramen-

tal Communion, of solidarity with those who for various reasons cannot benefit from

it, of freedom from the sloppiness of habit. To understand once again that the Eucharist

is a freely given and unexpected gift of the Lord Jesus,” which should be desired with

one’s whole heart all the time, “couldn’t this also be the outcome of this disconcerting

time?” (continued next page)

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Quote for

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Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love.

St John of the Cross

W e all know how grateful we can feel when someone does something special for

us. A husband is touched when his wife goes out of her way to care for one of

their children. A homeless woman is moved to tears when a stranger buys her lunch.

A mother is grateful when her son’s teacher spends extra time helping him master a

new concept in math.

Similarly, we are filled with gratitude when we think about all that God has done for

us. Our hearts are moved when we pause to remember that God has given us this

beautiful creation as a gift of love. We feel joy when we recall that Jesus died and rose

for us. We are comforted when we remember God’s unending love and mercy.

According to Fr Henri Nouwen, “Nothing helps us make the movement from our little

selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude. Such a perspective puts

God in view in all of life.” That’s why it is so important for us to follow St Paul’s

advice and “remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.” (2 Timothy 2:8)

This call to remember is especially important during the Easter season. There is so

much good news to recall at this time! There is the resurrection of Jesus, his victory

over sin and death, and the apostles’ joy when they meet the Lord. There are also

the stories about the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles - all of which help us

remember Jesus' promise to his disciples: “I am with you always, until the end of the

age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Remembering God is only half of the equation. Scripture also tells us that God will

never forget us. Think of this beautiful passage from Isaiah: “Can a mother forget her

infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will

never forget you.” (49:15)

Remember your heritage. I recently watched the TV mini-series Roots - for probably the

fifth time! It’s the story of Kunta Kinte, a man from Gambia who was captured and

sold as a slave in America. Kunta Kinte never forgot his African heritage, and he made

sure that his family never forgot either. The mini-series traces his descendants through

six generations and shows how recalling their roots helped them find courage and

retain their dignity despite the slavery, abuse and oppression they had experienced.

May we never forget our heritage as children of God! May we hold fast to it so that we

can stand firm in the face of temptation, fear, and tragedy! If we can remember the

Easter message of Christ's resurrection and keep it close to our hearts, we will find the

grace we need to hold fast. We will remember that Jesus is coming again, and that

memory will help us to stay faithful to him in every situation.

May God bless all of us with the gift of inspired remembering this Easter!

The Word Among Us Joe Difato PhD

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Interviews with Fr Stevens for High School enrolments

have now been cancelled. Bring in or

email your Parish Priest Reference

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A Moment of Growth (continued)

All Masses Suspended Until Further Notice

T he following restrictions remain in place for the Church in the bid to limit the

transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus: Masses & Liturgies are suspended

until further notice and the church building is closed. The suspension includes all

usual Church activities except Weddings and Funerals (restricted to limited numbers),

and Anointing of the Sick in the case of approaching death (call 4332 2216 for a Priest).

The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm. Our Parish is cooperating

with the National guidelines during this crisis period. Changes will be published on

our email bulletin and website so check for updates www.ourladyoftherosary.org.au

Liturgical & Scriptural Resources

Mass for You at Home - Channel 10 at 6am each Sunday, and then on demand at https://10play.com.au/mass-for-you-at-home

Cathnews Daily Mass on Demand - http://bit.ly/MassOnDemand

Daily Mass 5pm and Sunday Mass 10am livestreamed on YouTube: search

Cairns Diocese

Hornsby Cathedral Parish daily Mass https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/hornsby

Mass from Bishop Barron’s Chapel https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/

Quote for

the Week

Beneath the Cross one learns to love.

Padre Pio

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Prayer of Spiritual Communion

I prostrate myself at your feet, my Jesus, and I offer you the repentance of my

contrite heart, which abases itself in its nothingness in your Holy Presence. I adore

you in the Sacrament of your Love; I desire to receive you in the poor abode that my

heart offers you. While waiting for the happiness of a Sacramental Communion, I wish

to possess you in spirit. Come to me, my Jesus, that I may come to you. May your Love

inflame my whole being, in life and in death. I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you.

Amen.

Pope Francis

The Jesuit priest looked at the Church’s long-standing, but, until recently, more

neglected practice of “spiritual Communion” – inviting Jesus into one’s heart and soul

when receiving the actual sacrament isn’t possible. This and other devotional traditions

have been in some way overshadowed by the “certainly good” emphasis the past few

decades on the faithful taking an active part in Mass. Physically receiving the Holy

Eucharist is extremely important, “but it is not the only and indispensable way to unite

oneself with Jesus and his body that is the Church.”

Father Lombardi recalled how mothers and grandmothers from his generation – who

would often go to morning Mass every day – would recite traditional prayers of

spiritual communion in order to stay united to God throughout their busy day.

During the pandemic when so many people are obliged to go without the Eucharist,

many are increasingly feeling how much this “daily bread is missing from their lives.”

The Church accepted imposing this sacrifice on the faithful “as a sign of solidarity and

participation in what is happening to entire peoples constrained by limitations,

sacrifices and suffering from the pandemic. Fasting is a sacrifice, but it can be a

moment for growth.”

L’Osservatore Romano (Vatican newspaper) Carol Glatz CNS

Our Parish is com-mitted to fostering

communities of safety and care for all people, especially for children and others in the community who are vulnerable. Our commitment is un-derscored by our

faith in Jesus Christ.

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Keep Us In Your Prayers There is no gift more precious than prayer - Fr Benedict Groeschel

Third Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14, 22-33 1 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35 Entrance Antiphon: Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise, alleluia.

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, you will show us the path of life.

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, Alleluia! Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us. Make our hearts burn with love when you speak. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon: The disciples recognised the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread, alleluia.

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Revisited

Recently Deceased: Bernadette Morrison, Peter Gaughan, Ken Long, Marija Ozvatic.

Anniversaries: Donald O’Sullivan.

Remembrances: Vincent & Dorothy Cribb, Patricia Mahon, Marie Powell, Jill O’Sullivan, Ann O’Neill (birthday), and all the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Families & Friends: O’Sullivan.

Sick: Fr Jack Robson, Shirley Fallon, Jo Poynting, Amanda Priestley, Matthew Robinson, Andrew Kelly, Peter O’Grady, Martin Gosper, Linda Read, Antoinette Grech, Margaret Pizzuto, Pat & Diane McCudden, Tanya Doorn, David Drinan, Valda Kelso, Maria De Sousa, Steve Crowe, Ann Minogue, Kaye Cincotta, Agnes Burke, Marie Lewis, Val Rayner, Delma Clarke, Chris Morley, Anthony Morrell, Raymond & Tim Baker, Kelly Will, those suffering from Covid-19 and all those suffering with long-term illnesses.