Mary Treasured All These Things

Every mother has at the centre of her heart many things which she treasures and ponders upon. Some of these are a source of joy while others are a cause of pain. It is often mothers who above all have hearts of gold. Yet, this gold must be very strong and shatter proof to bear so much. Mary the Mother of Jesus was no exception.

As Mother of God's only Son Jesus, she was called to bear the good and the bad, the joy and sorrow. She was filled with joy at His Birth, his first steps, his first words. She was filled with joy seeing her son heal the sick, raise the dead and preach the Good News. Her heart was pierced with sorrow to see him despised and rejected, falsely accused and condemned, tortured and crucified. Yet, she 'treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart'.

The month of May is Mary's month. This month reminds us of the importance of Mary in Christian devotion. Mary as well as being a comfort and refuge to all is also an example and challenge to all. There are times in all our lives when we tend to put ourselves above God. We question, we ignore and often reject his will. Unlike Mary 'be it done unto me according to thy word'.

Devotion to Mary and belief in her powerful intercession has always been strong in Catholic tradition. Devotion to Mary in no way takes from or threatens the role of Christ in mankind's salvation. Let us not forget that it was Mary's "YES" that changed the course of mankind's history and gave the world it's  Saviour. In honouring her we honour her Son. Our prayers to her are to Jesus through Mary. At the wedding at Cana it was through the intercession of Mary that Jesus performed his first miracle.

As this month fades from us let not our devotion to her. Mary, Mother of Christ and our Mother too, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

O Mary we Crown thee with blossoms today

Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.
_______________________________________

Our Celebration of the Eucharistic Congress

During recent months we have had a number of occasions and events to prepare for the Eucharistic Congress from 10th to 17th June. Soon it will be time to celebrate the event as a parish. Along with continuing our Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays [Ss Alphonsus & Columba Church Thursdays Church of the Apostles] each week in and 1st Saturday of the month [St.Stephen’ Church] our programme will consist of –

• Tuesday 5th/Wednesday 6th June Mass and Anointing in the Nursing Homes of the Parish.
• Thursday 7th June which in most countries celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi there will be a Eucharistic Vigil in the Church of the Apostles. This will begin at 6p.m. with the Rosary and Exposition. At 8p.m. there will be Mass offered for your intentions and our Vigil will continue after Mass with Adoration until 11p.m. for Night Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Sunday 10th June the day the Congress begins and in this country celebrates Corpus Christi we will have a Corpus Christi Procession at 3p.m. at the Parish Church Ss Alphonsus & Columba. We hope the First Communion Children will participate.
• Saturday 16th June the eve of the closing of the Congress we will have a Mass and Anointing of the Sick at 12noon in Church of the Apostles. It is hoped that all who are housebound will be given an opportunity to attend this celebration. Lifts will be arranged where requested and refreshments after Mass in the hall.

Assistance will be necessary in arranging these events so this is your invitation to give a hand to make our Parish Celebration of the Eucharistic Congress a success. We will also have an exhibition of souvenirs from the 1932 Congress and as you know the Chair used for the Papal Legate Cardinal Bourke at that Congress is in the Parish Church and will form part of our events.

____________________________

Latest Parish Newsletter...