Weekly Bulletin 16th May 2021

Today is the Feast of the Ascension: Between Easter Day and Pentecost we celebrate that time of change during which the Risen Jesus vanishes from the sight of the disciples, only to open up a new way of being present to them. As if by a bridge spanning a river, the disciples had now to leave the familiar bank of the natural presence of Jesus and cross over to the other side. They will be taken hold of by the Spirit of the risen Lord. This invisible presence becomes more intense in depth and extent in a way that would have been impossible had his former bodily presence continued. St. Luke wrote two closely connected books: the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Acts of the Apostles. The ascension is the turning point between Jesus’ own ministry and the mission of the Church. At the beginning of his Gospel Luke describes the Annunciation to our Mother Mary and says that she will be overshadowed by “the power of the Most High” (Luke 1:35). At the end of that same Gospel Jesus’ promises to clothe the apostles with “the power from on high” (Lk 24:49).  There is a real connection between the task of Mary who brought  forth the Son of God and the task of the group of disciples, now called the Church, to bring forth the Son of God for the world today. Although Jesus will be physically taken away from his disciples in the Ascension, he will be re-incarnated (made flesh). in his Church. In St. Luke’s second work, Book of Acts, Jesus reveals to Saul of Tarsus that any attack against the Church is a direct attack against Jesus’ very person – “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you Lord?” he asked and the voice answered, “I am Jesus and your are persecuting me” ( Acts 9:1–9). The Ascension produces not an absence but a more profound presence of Jesus in the lives of his disciples and in us also. As  long as Jesus was physically present, he was available only to those he directly met;  however by the grace of the Spirit, he became powerfully present to many through his prophetic successors – the disciples. We read the conversation that Jesus had with his disciples in John’s Gospel at the Last Supper. “I must tell you the truth, it is for your own good that I am going because unless I go the Advocate (Spirit) will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7) When Jesus returned to heaven he did not withdraw from us, for He remains with those who love him through the indwelling of his Spirit,: “If anyone loves me, they will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23). St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) spoke of the profound presence of Jesus in our world today. She said: “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.

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Today is World Communication Day throughout the Catholic Church. The theme this year is “Come and See” (Jn 1:46). Communicating by Encountering People Where and as They Are. Pope Francis tells us that ‘the Gospel comes alive in our own day, whenever we accept the compelling witness of people whose lives have been changed by their encounter with Jesus… The challenge that awaits us, then, is to communicate by encountering people, where they are and as they are.’

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Feasts of the Week: Thursday: St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) Franciscan priest who promoted devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus throughout Italy. Friday: St Christopher Magallánes and Companions: Executed in Mexico in 1927 because of their Catholic faith. Saturday: St. Rita of Cascia (1386-1457) Lived with an abusive husband for 18 years after he was murdered she entered Augustinian convent and for 40 years spent time in prayer and in works of charity.

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Thanks for your generous collection last weekend. We appreciate all those who have contributed to our mission here in the Graan. Thanks to those who use our DONATE button on the web-site and for those who have sent in donations by hand and by post.

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A Special Word of Thanks to our ushers who help direct us to our seats safely during this time of Covid restrictions. It is important to keep your distance, wear a mask and used our sanitisers for your hands that are situated in the porches of our church. Thanks also to our Ministers of the Eucharist who help bring Holy Communion to the side aisles of our church.

Our Shop: Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 7:00pm Sunday 9:30am- 4:00pm.  When you ring the doorbell you will be invited into the shop singularly to prevent overcrowding and the possible transmission of the coronavirus. 

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Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Each Friday from 10:00 – 2:00 pm. 

May Rosary will be held here at the Graan Lourdes Grotto each evening at 6:00 pm. All are welcome to attend.

Confessions: Mon (No confessions).  (17^th May) – Mass @ 7pm –  Arthur. Confessions 2 – 5pm: Tues: Charles. Wed: Arthur.

Thurs – Charles.  Fri – Anthony.  & Sat –5pm  to 6pm – Anthony.

Bulletin: If you request an anniversary for inclusion in our bulletin please submit it no later than Wednesday evening. Thank you.