Carmel Bulletin, 18 November 2018
Recently the parish installed seventy-two solar panels across the priory and church. Our action is part of a growing trend amongst homeowners and businesses to reduce both energy bill costs and reliance on fossil fuels.
Carmel Bulletin, 27 October 2018
In the Gospel reading at Mass today, Bartimaeus is healed of his blindness. He has the faith and courage to ask Jesus to do what would be impossible for mere mortals like us. It seems likely that the first thing that Bartimaeus sees is the face of Jesus – a face of love, mercy and compassion.
Each of us is called to be that same face of Jesus to everyone we encounter in our lives. And as we call ourselves Catholics, it seems only fair that we should start “in our own backyard”, or more precisely, at our own church doors. A simple smile, a word of welcome, being there to answer a question or help with an issue can be crucial to ensuring that when people come here for Mass, they see in us the same Jesus that Bartimaeus saw.
Do you want to help people feel like they belong when they come to Mass? We’re looking for people who can spend some time before Mass serving as welcomers, greeting people as they arrive and helping them to join in our gathering and celebration.
If you are interested in joining a team of people who provide hospitality to those who come to Sunday Mass, we invite you to attend an introductory workshop on
Wednesday 7 November at 7:00 pm in the Parish Centre
If you have any questions, contact us.
In the Gospel reading at Mass today, Jesus sets the challenge for the disciples: living in the likeness of Christ requires us to place ourselves at the service of others.
When we gather for Mass, that service to others begins from the moment people walk in the door. Our vision as a parish is that families feel connected, supported and valued as they live and grow in their faith. Making people feel welcome when they come to Mass is crucial to beginning that relationship.
We’re looking for people who want to make a difference to making feel welcome when they come to Mass by joining our hospitality ministry. In particular, we’re looking for people who can spend some time before Mass serving as welcomers, greeting people as they arrive and helping them to join into our gathering and celebration.
If you are interested in being part of our welcoming ministry at Sunday Mass, we invite you to attend an introductory workshop:
Wednesday 7 November at 7:00 pm in the Parish Centre
Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. (Mark 9:35)
Today’s gospel reminds us of the centrality of service to Jesus’ identity, and thus the centrality of service to our living the mission of Christ. Sharing in the death and resurrection of Jesus means that we share in the work of the one who knelt down and washed the feet of his disciples.
One way that we can place ourselves at the service of God and our neighbour is through engagement in liturgical ministry. The Second Vatican Council reminds us that “in the liturgy the whole public worship is performed by the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Head and his members.” (Constitution on the Liturgy, no. 7). Every one of us has a role in offering worship, in union with Jesus, to God the Father. From the assembly of all the baptised, people are called to help lead our prayer through particular ministries.
Each year, we seek to support people in these ministries through formation opportunities. This year, we would like to gather all liturgical ministers together for a workshop to clarify and refine our practice at Sunday Masses, so that we are supporting the assembly in its prayer as effectively as possible. Parishioners who are thinking about joining a ministry are also most welcome to come.
Ministers can choose from one of two times:
You can register online now. Paper sign-up will be available in the parish centre from next weekend.
Keep reading over the coming weeks to find out more.
Carmel Bulletin, 5 August 2018
The usual semicontinuous reading of Mark’s gospel during Ordinary Time in Year B is always put on hold at this point of the year while we listen to chapter 6 from John. John chooses not to repeat the recount of the Last Supper that we see in the other gospels. Instead, John the chapter 6 reflection on the Eucharist that begins with the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand.
The connection of this event with Jesus’ teaching that he is the bread of life reminds us that the Eucharist is a meal. Like the miraculous feedings of the gospels, the Eucharist is for us food and drink given to us by God. It is both thanksgiving and nourishment for those who follow Christ. It shows us that there is no limit to God’s giving – we will all receive what we need, with plenty to spare.
Jesus also explains to the people, however, that the manna their ancestors ate, however, did not give eternal life. Eternal life is the gift offered to us through the death and resurrection of Christ. Sharing in the Eucharist, therefore, is also to share in the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus ends the sacrifices of the Old Testament by offering the one new and eternal sacrifice of his own body and blood.
The design of our new altar seeks to reflect both the twofold nature of our Eucharistic celebration. The shape makes it recognisable as a table; a table which the entire community of the baptised are called to gather around to feast at the meal that leads us to the heavenly banquet. Its stone fabrication alludes to the sacrificial altars of the past, and communicates to us that the altar represents Christ himself, who sacrificed his own life for the redemption of all humankind.
