Diocese of Broken Bay - Lenten Program 2021 - Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony's Pastoral Letter - Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay
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The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 1
Diocese of Broken Bay - Lenten Program 2021
Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
“Jesus Christ, our Beginning and End”
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega
2 Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 3
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega
Diocese of Broken Bay - Lenten Program
2021
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega
4 Letten Program 2021
© 2021 Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, Australia
Reflecting Togetheron
Reflecting Together onBishop
BishopAnthony’swww.bbcatholic.org.au
Anthony’s Pastoral
Pastoral Letter
Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 5
Introduction - Bishop Anthony
A
fter one year as your Bishop, it was a joy for me to be able to offer you
my Pastoral Letter in November 2020, which presented the fruit of my
prayer and contemplation on the priorities that I would like us to embrace
as the community of the Diocese of Broken Bay. Thank you for receiving these
with an open heart, and in a particular way, thank you for gathering during this
Lenten season to reflect further and consider how these priorities can be more
intentionally lived in our own lives and within our communities.
The beginning and the end of our contemplation is the person of Jesus Christ;
our constant during change. Empowered and united by the Holy Spirit in our
common faith, we are each called to continue to grow in holiness and be formed
as disciples, discovering our own vocation arising from our baptism, and living an
authentic Christian life that places justice and mercy at the heart.
It is my prayer for you that you will come to know Jesus Christ in a deeper way
throughout these next six weeks. Focused on Christ and led by the Holy Spirit
as one community of the Church of Broken Bay, we journey together towards
the joyous solemnity of Easter. May this Lenten period which culminates in
Christ’s Resurrection encourage us and bring new life to each one of us and our
communities.
Most Rev Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega
6 Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 7
How to Use this Booklet
This booklet invites you to reflect prayerfully on the Sunday Gospel readings in
Lent together with the six priorities set before us by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
in his Pastoral Letter to the community of the Church of Broken Bay, dated 29
November 2020.
In preparation, participants are invited to read the corresponding section in
the Pastoral Letter. It can be accessed at: www.bbcatholic.org.au if you do
not have a hard copy on hand. For hard copies, please ask your parish.
This booklet can be used individually or as part of a group. The notes below are
provided for use in a small group context.
For each of the 6 weeks of Lent, The recommended process is as
this resource includes a reading follows:
of the Gospel text; a reflection on
the text which draws on one of 1. Opening Prayer
Bishop Anthony’s priority areas; (10 mins)
and a personal testimony on an
aspect of that particular priority
area. All materials and reflections An Opening Prayer is offered, which
have been prepared by members may be read together by participants.
from our Broken Bay Church
community, making this resource Song suggestions are given for each
relevant to us and the journey we
week which you may wish to consider
are on as a community.
using as part of the gathering prayer
Audio materials time for the group.
supporting this
booklet include:
2. Introduction
• Gospel text recordings (5 mins)
• Personal testimony recordings
These can be accessed or down- Read the introduction to the session
loaded at www.bbcatholic.org.au/ which highlights the priority for the
lentenprogram session.
It is suggested that you allocate 1 ½
hours to complete the session.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega
8
3. Reading of the members) of the group or read quietly
Gospel passage by participants.
(15 mins)
Invite conversation about what
Optional: In order for participants to thoughts are arising in people so
prepare themselves well to hear God far during the session, drawing on
speak through the Sacred Scriptures, the Scripture text and the reflection
you may wish to pray the prayer of presented.
Saint John Chrysostom, offered on the
following page, prior to reading the Invite conversation using the guided
Gospel text. questions.
Listen to the Gospel text.
An audio recording of the text is 5. A Personal Story
provided on the Lenten Program (15 mins)
webpage. Alternatively, you may wish
to invite someone from the group to A personal testimony is offered on the
read the text. priority for the week. This testimony
is presented as an audio file and can
Pause. be accessed on the Lenten Program
Pause for silent reflection for a few webpage.
moments.
Share an insight. Listen to the testimony and discuss
Invite people to share one insight into how this story reflects and encourages
what they are hearing through the the priority area being considered.
text. This is not a time for discussion,
but only an invitation to offer a short
6. Response
comment. The group listens attentively
(10 mins)
to each person but does not respond.
Participants are encouraged to
4. Reflection with write down one or two personal or
Guided Questions communal actions in response to their
(30 mins) reflection during the session.
Participants are then invited to
A reflection is offered on the scripture share and discuss their response
text and how it intersects with the with one other person.
focus priority. This reflection could
be read aloud by a member (or
Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 9
7. Closing Prayer Week 3
(5 mins) Lord, Have Mercy – The Vigil
Project
God of Mercy and Compassion
To conclude, pray the final prayer.
Week 4
God So Loved – Hillsong Worship
Suggested Music Be Thou My Vision
Week 5
A modern song as well as a more Little Things with Great Love
traditional song are offered for each – Audrey Assad
week. Please visit www.bbcatholic.org. The Church’s One Foundation
au/lentenprogram for online links.
Week 6
Week 1 Abide With Me - Audrey Assad
Spirit Move – Danielle Noonan Soul of my Saviour
Veni, Creator Spiritus
Week 2
Open the Eyes of My Heart
– Audrey Assad
O Sacred Head, Surrounded
Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom before reading the Scripture
O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart, that I may hear your word
and understand and do your will, for I am a sojourner upon the earth.
Hide not your commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may
perceive the wonders of your law. Speak unto me the hidden and secret
things of your wisdom. On You I set my hope, O my God, that You will
enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of your knowledge,
not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them; that
in reading the lives and sayings of the saints I may not sin, but that such
may serve for my restoration, enlightenment and sanctification, for the
salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of life everlasting. For You are
the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from You comes
every good deed and every gift. AMEN.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega10 Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 11
First Sunday of Lent We begin our Lenten Series with a
focus on the Holy Spirit, the person of
The Holy Spirit Leads us in the Way the Trinity that animates and renews.
of Discipleship It is the Spirit that reveals Jesus to
us, and it is with the Spirit’s help
that we are led forward, encouraged
Opening Prayer and guided in our path of holiness
and mission both personally and
communally. It was the Spirit that
Loving and gracious God, led Jesus into the wilderness, as
we read in today’s Gospel, for a
Amid our own wilderness, allow time of discernment, testing and
the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthening. We pray for an
reveal Jesus to us, so that as one openness to the Spirit’s promptings
community of the Church in Broken and that the Holy Spirit will lead and
Bay, we may be strengthened, empower each of us in the Diocese
sustained and encouraged in our call of Broken Bay as we seek to animate
to be witnesses to build up the Body Bishop Anthony’s priorities in our
of Christ. lives and in our communities, and
in doing so, continue Jesus’ mission
We ask this through Christ our Lord. of sharing His Good News that has
been entrusted to us.
Amen.
Gospel Reading
Introduction
“For the Christian, to live life in Audio:
the Spirit is both an invitation and Week 1 Gospel Reading
a command. The invitation is to
be open to receiving the Word of Mark 1:12-15
God. The command is to allow the
Word to come to birth in our every The Spirit immediately drove Jesus
thought, word, and action. I urge and out into the wilderness. He was in
encourage you to pursue the Spirit in the wilderness forty days, tempted
prayer and to look to the wonder of by Satan; and he was with the wild
Christ whose dying and rising washes beasts; and the angels waited on
away our sins and restores us to new him.
life.” (Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral
Letter, Jesus Christ, our beginning Now after John was arrested; Jesus
and end) came to Galilee, proclaiming the
good news of God, and saying,
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega12
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mk
of God has come near; repent, and 1:11). This was the inauguration of
believe in the good news.” Jesus’ public ministry – His mission
had commenced. The mission was
Pause for reflection. not going to be an easy one. It would
be fraught with discouragement,
You are invited to share a thought, betrayal, opposition, and threats
feeling or insight that is arising in to his life. Such was the fate that
you are as you hear this Gospel text awaited God’s beloved Son. The
today. Simply listen to each person, journey towards the Kingdom of God,
with no comment at this stage. a journey towards fullness of life, is
filled with obstacles and crossroads.
It is never easy. Hence, before
Reflection embarking on the arduous task of
– Sr Josefa Mabini OSA proclaiming the Kingdom of God, the
Pastoral Associate Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour where He stayed for forty days with
Parish, Toukley/Lake Munmorah Satan tempting him.
During this Season of Lent, the Church Although Mark does not provide
once again invites us to a wilderness us with a detailed account of the
experience. Like Jesus in the Gospel temptation, we are able to know
reading, we are invited to journey more about this in the Gospels of
to a place where wild beasts and Matthew and Luke (cf. Mt. 4:1-11 and
temptations abound. It is a journey Lk 4:1-13). Jesus prayed. He fasted in
to test one’s steadfastness and faith the wilderness. He was surrounded
in God. The Lenten journey into the by wild beasts. Amid the difficult
wilderness calls for a movement conditions, Satan tried everything
away from our comfort zones and in his power to dissuade Jesus from
into the unknown. It is a journey away fulfilling his mission and prevent him
from the false security offered by from obeying the Father’s will. Yet,
material goods and human wisdom Jesus did not budge! Propelled by
and strength and to appreciate God’s His love for the Father, He endured
gift of the Holy Spirit — our only true the hunger, the loneliness, and the
good and source of security. danger in the wilderness and was
steadfast in fulfilling only one thing –
Before Jesus’ journey to the to do the Father’s will, not His (cf. Mk
wilderness where the Spirit drove 14:36). And He triumphed! The angels
Him, Jesus was baptised in the sustained Him and looked after Him.
Jordan by John the Baptist. During
that event, the Spirit descended upon Today, we who are followers of Jesus
Jesus and a voice was heard from are invited to remain steadfast in our
heaven saying, “You are my beloved faith. Temptations and trials are a
Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 13
reality in life, more so for those who leading you on your path
follow the path of discipleship and towards discipleship?
holiness. Yet, Jesus promised us
that we will never be alone in this 3. In which areas of your life is the
journey. God gives us the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit inviting you to grow?
to strengthen, sustain, and encourage
us. The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with 4. What temptations do you
love that enables us to endure all foresee blocking your journey
trials (Rom 5:3-5). For only with love towards spiritual growth?
are we able to pray, fast, and give
alms as Christ commanded us. These
are the three pillars of our Lenten A Personal Story
observance. And doing these will only
have meaning if we have love – the
kind of love which only the Holy Spirit Audio:
can give. Week 1 Personal Story –
Natalie
In his pastoral message to the
Diocese, Bishop Anthony reminds us
that “it is the Holy Spirit who animates Natalie offers us a
and sanctifies the community of personal reflection
the Church. It is the Holy Spirit who on the guidance of
reveals the gift of faith, and it is the the Holy Spirit in
same Spirit who equips the saints her life.
for mission, for the work of ministry,
for building up the Body of Christ.” Natalie is part of the Lindfield-Killara
Truly, when we are animated by the and Corpus Christi St Ives parishes.
Holy Spirit’s gifts, no obstacles – no She has started her first year working
temptations – can dissuade us from as a primary school teacher. Last
becoming true disciples of Christ. year she completed the Alpha course
and has felt the Holy Spirit more
present in her life. She is excited to
Reflection Questions experience and learn more about the
for Discussion: Holy Spirit and all of His wonders.
1. Share and discuss your insights Listen to the testimony,
from listening to the Gospel and use the following
text and the accompanying questions to discuss:
reflection.
1. What aspects of the Holy
2. How do you understand Spirit’s action in Natalie’s life
the action of the Holy Spirit in spoke to you most deeply?
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega14 2. How is this story inspiring you intentionally invite the power to pray and to seek out the of the Holy Spirit in its activities? Holy Spirit in your faith life? 3. How could your parish / school / agency / community more Response What is your response to what you have heard and discussed during this session? What initiatives are you being called to action, both personally and communally? You are invited to share and discuss your response with another person. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 15
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Lord, be the beginning and end
of all we do and say.
Prompt our actions with your grace,
and complete them with your all-powerful help.
Through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega16 Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 17
Second Sunday of Lent Good News.” (Bishop Anthony’s
Pastoral Letter, Jesus Christ, our
The person of Jesus Christ, and his beginning and end)
message of Good News
Jesus is at the very heart of the
Christian faith. As fully-God and
Opening Prayer fully-human, Jesus uniquely takes
His place as the one who restores
our relationship with God through
Loving and gracious God, His life, death and resurrection.
Through Him we gain a share in the
Your Son so loved the world that He fullness of His new life both now
gave Himself up to death for our sake. and in eternity. Each of us is invited
Grant us the grace to receive this into a relationship with Jesus that
love through our personal encounter is personal. Through the power of
with Jesus and to proclaim Him as the Holy Spirit we can know Jesus
our beginning and end. May each both personally and as the Church
member of the community of the community, which is the Body of
Church in Broken Bay be one in Christ.
Christ and experience the promise of
abundant life.
Gospel Reading
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. Audio:
Week 2 Gospel Reading
Introduction Mark 9:2-10
Jesus took with him Peter and James
“In the moment of personal and John, and led them up a high
encounter, Jesus Christ was alive mountain apart, by themselves.
and living. He met me where I was,
he accompanied me on the pathway, And he was transfigured before them,
and he called me to himself. In the and his clothes became dazzling
encounter, Jesus did not judge me, white, such as no one on earth could
nor did he burden me. As he did to bleach them. And there appeared to
so many others before me, Jesus them Elijah with Moses, who were
forgave me and liberated me. He talking with Jesus.
loved me. The personal encounter
was an invitation to life with Christ. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is
It was a call to conversion, to turn good for us to be here; let us make
away from sin and believe in the three dwellings, one for you, one for
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega18
Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did newborn child, reflecting the wonder
not know what to say, for they were of God’s creation.
terrified.
Thomas Merton, the American
Then a cloud overshadowed them, Trappist monk (d. 1968), experienced
and from the cloud there came a a moment such as this in 1958 - a
voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; moment of deep insight in the middle
listen to him!” Suddenly when they of the ordinariness of an inner-city
looked around, they saw no one with street.
them any more, but only Jesus.
He describes his experience in this
As they were coming down the way: “I was suddenly overwhelmed
mountain, He ordered them to tell with the realisation that I loved all
no one about what they had seen, those people, that they were mine and
until after the Son of Man had risen I theirs, that we could not be alien to
from the dead. one another even though we were
total strangers.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what this rising from the … I have the immense joy of being
dead could mean. man, a member of a race in which
God Himself became incarnate. As
if the sorrows and stupidities of the
Pause for reflection. human condition could overwhelm
me, now I realise what we all are. And
You are invited to share a thought, if only everybody could realise this!
feeling or insight that is arising in But it cannot be explained. There is no
you are as you hear this Gospel text way of telling people that they are all
today. Simply listen to each person, walking around shining like the sun.
with no comment at this stage.
… It was as if I suddenly saw the secret
beauty of their hearts, the depths of
Reflection - their hearts, where neither sin nor
Pina Bernard desire nor self-knowledge can reach,
Team Leader, the core of their reality, the person that
Parish Renewal & Discipleship each one is in God’s eyes.” (Conjectures
Evangelisation Broken Bay of a Guilty Bystander, 1968)
Have you ever experienced a sense of Merton’s remarkable experience was
being overwhelmed by God? Perhaps a moment of grace, where he caught
it was a spectacular sunrise over the a glimpse of a deeper reality that
ocean at one of the many beautiful he had not been able to perceive
beaches in our Diocese; or perhaps before. He saw what was familiar in a
it was the very first glimpse of a transformed light. Indeed, you could
Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 19
say that he saw with God’s eyes the What is this proclamation that
core essence that united each human should overwhelm us? It is the Good
being made in the image of God. News that “Jesus Christ loves you;
he gave his life to save you; and now
In a similar way in this week’s he is living at your side every day to
Transfiguration text, Peter, James and enlighten, strengthen and free you.”
John experience a moment of clarity (Evangelii Gaudium, 164)
and revelation as they see a new
reality of Jesus. This is a powerful Hearing this Good News, through
experience right at the time when the grace of the Holy Spirit, can
Jesus begins to tell them that he is ‘overwhelm’ us as we come to realise
to suffer, die and rise again. We can more and more deeply who Jesus
imagine the confusion the disciples is and the salvation that he offers us
felt as they tried to come to terms through his life, death and resurrection.
with what Jesus was trying to tell Our response, as St John Paul II
them, his closest companions. Surely indicates, is to make a decision to say
this revelation would have sustained ‘yes’ to choose to follow Jesus as his
them in the challenging times that disciple. This needs to be intentional.
awaited them. We also need to surrender and entrust
ourselves to Jesus, accepting his way
Thankfully, we have a God who and not our own.
desires to reveal himself to us. I am
reminded of the passage in the book As we embark on this path of growing
of Revelation (Rev 3:20) where Jesus is in discipleship, we grow in holiness
standing at the door of our hearts and as we seek to conform ourselves
lives, knocking and inviting us to open gradually to Christ. Along the way, we
the door to allow him to enter. Jesus is can encounter Christ and experience
not aloof and far from us, but rather is new insights. We encounter Christ in
very close, calling us into relationship. our heart-to-heart prayer, which is
the foundation of our relationship.
At the heart of this relationship is We also meet Christ in the Liturgy
the common thread that binds us and in graced moments of encounter
together, the Good News of Jesus in the Sacraments; in the homily
that we need to keep hearing again and through the ministry of the
and again. This ‘Gospel kerygma’ priest; in the words of our sacred
or ‘proclamation of the Good Scriptures; through sharing our faith
News’ has been described by St and witnessing to each other in our
John Paul II as “the initial ardent faith community; and in our selfless
proclamation by which a person is service of others. Within each of these
one day overwhelmed and brought experiences can lie real moments of
to the decision to entrust himself revelation for us, as we may be given
to Jesus Christ by faith.” (Catechesi the grace to see with God’s eyes. It is
Tradendae, 25) through the Holy Spirit that we come
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega20
to understand who Jesus truly is; A Personal Story
as well as coming to see the divine
spark that is in each person.
Audio:
As we grow in holiness, we also grow Week 2 Personal Story –
in being missionary. The joy of our Charbel Raish
experience of faith in Christ starts to
spill out to those around us. Unlike Charbel Raish
the disciples in today’s Gospel, we offers us a personal
are meant to tell the Good News of reflection on the
Jesus to everyone. It’s not a secret to importance of Jesus
be kept to ourselves. and his message of
Good News is his life.
It is in this way, as each person grows
in discipleship, holiness and mission, Charbel is a parishioner at Arcadia
that our parishes and Movements are parish and is married with seven
slowly transformed to be what they children. Charbel is the founder of
are called to be; communities who Parousia Media which was born in
are one in Christ and who take the May of 2005. He has organised over
message of the Gospel to the world. 200 local events consisting of local
and international speakers who have
featured all over Australia. Charbel has
Reflection Questions a passion for helping people get closer
for Discussion: to discovering the fullness of the Truth.
1. Share and discuss your insights Listen to the testimony,
from listening to the Gospel and use the following
text and the accompanying questions to discuss:
reflection.
1. What aspects of Jesus’ message
2. How would you describe the of Good News in Charbel’s life
‘Good News’ of Jesus? spoke to you most deeply?
What does it mean to you?
2. How is this story inspiring you
3. How would you describe your to place Jesus and his Good
relationship with Jesus? News at the centre of your life?
In what ways are you a disciple
of Jesus? 3. How could your parish / school /
agency / community more
4. Can you share a personal intentionally place Jesus and
encounter with Jesus that you his Good News at the centre of
have experienced? all its activities?
Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 21
Response
What is your response to what you have heard and discussed during this session?
What initiatives are you being called to action, both personally and communally?
You are invited to share and discuss your response with another person.
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Lord, be the beginning and end
of all we do and say.
Prompt our actions with your grace,
and complete them with your all-powerful help.
Through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega22 Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 23
Third Sunday of Lent In this week’s Gospel, we see Jesus
confronting an injustice of his time.
Justice and mercy place the poor at Jesus’ heart for the poor could not
the heart of the Church stand by and be silent while people
were being taken advantage of
through the unjust Temple practices.
Opening Prayer Reflecting on Bishop Anthony’s
priority of ‘Justice and Mercy’ allows
Loving and gracious God, us to recognise poverty in ourselves
and in others in all its forms, and to
Turn our hearts to yourself that we be able to consider our own attitudes
may recognise Jesus Christ in every and behaviours as we seek to follow
person we encounter. Let the Holy the example of Jesus.
Spirit animate the virtue of humility
in us, to place the poor at the heart
of the community of the Church in Gospel Reading
Broken Bay and live in righteousness
as we embrace the value and dignity
of all your children. Audio:
Week 3 Gospel Reading
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
John 2:13-25
Amen.
The Passover of the Jews was near,
and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In
Introduction the temple he found people selling
cattle, sheep, and doves, and the
money changers seated at their
“People are never problems. People tables. Making a whip of cords, he
have issues, carry burdens, endure drove all of them out of the temple,
suffering, but they are never problems. both the sheep and the cattle. He
To view a person as a problem is to also poured out the coins of the
rob them of their human dignity. money changers and overturned
While there may be challenges in a their tables. He told those who were
person’s life, those challenges do not selling the doves, “Take these things
define the person. To see it any other out of here! Stop making my Father’s
way is to compromise the integrity of house a marketplace!”
the person and to inhibit their right to
freedom.” (Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral His disciples remembered that it
Letter, Jesus Christ, our beginning was written, “Zeal for your house will
and end) consume me.”
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega24
The Jews then said to him, “What conference on religion. He overheard
sign can you show us for doing this?” another American delegate speaking
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this to a Shinto priest. “We’ve now been
temple, and in three days I will raise to a good many of your ceremonies,”
it up.” The Jews then said, “This said the delegate, “and have seen
temple has been under construction quite a few of your shrines. But
for forty-six years, and will you raise I don’t get your ideology; I don’t
it up in three days?” But he was get your theology.” The Japanese
speaking of the temple of his body. paused as though in deep thought
and then slowly shook his head. “We
After he was raised from the dead, don’t have an ideology”, he said. “We
his disciples remembered that he don’t have a theology. We dance!”
had said this; and they believed the
scripture and the word that Jesus Perhaps we have forgotten that
had spoken. Christianity, itself, began as a
dance. There was no ideology, no
When he was in Jerusalem during comprehensive philosophy. Rather
the Passover festival, many believed there was a series of extraordinary
in his name because they saw the gestures in the life of Jesus which
signs that he was doing. But Jesus choreographed to tell a story. Jesus did
on his part would not entrust himself not leave us with a document. Jesus
to them, because he knew all people left us with memories - memories of
and needed no one to testify about things he told, and memories of things
anyone; for he himself knew what he did – extraordinary memories
was in everyone. through which his life remains present
to us now. Through Jesus’ actions
Pause for reflection. and gestures, God sings a song for
us which leads us along in a new and
You are invited to share a thought, different way from those around us.
feeling or insight that is arising in This song of the Father which Jesus
you are as you hear this Gospel text dances is a different song to the one
today. Simply listen to each person, to which we are expected to dance
with no comment at this stage. along in the business of survival. The
song that so easily overtakes our
own hearts is one of competition, of
Reflection – control, of possessiveness - a song
Fr David Ranson orchestrated by fear and anxiety. The
Vicar General song sung in Jesus, and by Jesus,
Parish Priest, Our Lady of however, is a song of resistance. The
Dolours Parish, Chatswood anthem of Jesus resists the melody
by which we are ordinarily led. It
There is a story about an American refuses to buy into the logic that we
philosopher who went to Japan for a can buy and sell the graciousness of
Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 25
God. It undoes the illusion that God is graciousness and gentleness? Or
ours to market. have we preferred to hum alone in
the corner, tapping our fingers in the
With the song of resistance alive in hope that nobody will notice us such
his heart Jesus dances this day in that the world goes on unchanged
the Temple in which the melody of by our presence in it? How disturbing
the logic of commerce has drowned is our dance? Does our own dance
out all other sounds. It is a dance possess the passion of Jesus’ dance?
of anger, a dance of criticism, a Does Jesus dance at all in our hearts?
dance of confrontation. It is a dance Anything less is whistling in the dark.
of sheer energy which sends the
Temple into a spin. And it likewise
sends the Temple of our own hearts Reflection Questions
into a spin to the extent that they for Discussion:
too have been seduced by a logic of
the market, by a “world where self-
importance, personal success and a 1. Share and discuss your insights
sense of unbridled freedom are billed from listening to the Gospel
as the highest ideals,” as Bishop text and the accompanying
Randazzo writes in his 2020 Pastoral reflection.
Letter. The song of the Father is the
song of attentiveness, compassion, 2. Jesus brings about change
service, fellowship and true worship in the way that we go about
in openness of spirit. This song is not things. How mindful are we
a private affair. This song is about that as disciples we are to be
change: change here and now in agents of change in our society?
this society. It is a song of criticism,
a song of resistance to any force 3. What are the main changes that
which marginalises and excludes. It we discern as needed in our
is a song which puts the ‘poor’, those world today so that the song
who are vulnerable, at the centre of of Jesus may be heard more
our consideration and makes the clearly?
hunger for justice and righteousness
a priority of our life. 4. How might we envisage
contributing to bring about this
Lent is a time to listen again to the change, so that the marginal and
song by which we dance. To what the vulnerable are not traduced
melody are we dancing? Does our by the logic of the marketplace?
own dance of life confront the values
around us which would make us less
than who we are? Are our own lives
ones of confrontation and resistance
to a logic unknown by the Father’s
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega26
A Personal Story Vatican’s International Youth Advisory
Body following her involvement in the
2018 Synod on Youth. Ashleigh is a
Audio: speaker and writer and is passionate
Week 3 Personal Story – about activating young people to
Ashleigh Donnelly make a difference in the world.
Ashleigh Donnelly Listen to the testimony,
offers us a personal and use the following
reflection on the questions to discuss:
importance of justice
and mercy in her life. 1. What aspects of ‘justice and
mercy’ in Ashleigh’s life spoke
Ashleigh is a Social Worker and has to you most deeply?
worked at CatholicCare for four
years with youth at risk and adults 2. How is this story inspiring you
living with intellectual disabilities. to more intentionally live out
Ashleigh is married to Justin and is justice and mercy in your life?
a mum to Rosemary who was born in
November 2020. They have recently 3. How could your parish / school /
moved into the Parish of St Patrick’s agency / community give
East Gosford where they are blessed a greater focus to Bishop’s
to be part of a vibrant and active priority to place the poor at
parish community. In 2019 Ashleigh the heart of the Church?
was appointed as a delegate on the
Response
What is your response to what you have heard and discussed during this session?
What initiatives are you being called to action, both personally and communally?
You are invited to share and discuss your response with another person.
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Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 27
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Lord, be the beginning and end
of all we do and say.
Prompt our actions with your grace,
and complete them with your all-powerful help.
Through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega28 Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 29
Fourth Sunday of Lent is revealing to Nicodemus, a learned
Pharisee, some marvellous truths
Authentic Catholic education for about Himself, His identity as the Son
the flourishing of human and faith of God, and why He came into the
development world. This message of the identity of
Jesus and His Good News for the world
is one that the Christian community
Opening Prayer today continues to share and make
known through evangelisation,
Loving and gracious God, catechesis and witness.
Through the Holy Spirit, give us
the gifts of knowledge, wisdom Gospel Reading
and understanding. Guide us in
deepening our understanding of
Christ and the Gospel message, and Audio:
reveal in us our true identity. Make Week 4 Gospel Reading
us bold in proclaiming this Truth
with fidelity to your Word and your John 3:14-21
people. Help us to think, speak and
live the Gospel in order to fulfil our Jesus said to Nicodemus:
evangelising mission of making
disciples. “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness, so must the Son
We ask this through Christ our Lord. of Man be lifted up, that whoever
believes in him may have eternal life.
Amen. For God so loved the world that he
gave his only Son, so that everyone
who believes in him may not perish
Introduction but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son
“There is a long tradition in our Church into the world to condemn the world,
that values and promotes education but in order that the world might
and learning. Authentic Catholic be saved through him. Those who
education is an essential support for believe in him are not condemned;
a deeper understanding of faith and but those who do not believe are
for communicating the truth of the condemned already, because they
Gospel to those who do not yet know have not believed in the name of the
it.” (Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter, only Son of God.
Jesus Christ, our beginning and end)
“And this is the judgment, that the
In this week’s Gospel passage Jesus light has come into the world, and
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega30
people loved darkness rather than confused by the teaching of Jesus.
light because their deeds were evil. Through the conversation, Christ
For all who do evil hate the light reveals his nature and mission to him.
and do not come to the light, so that
their deeds may not be exposed. But Jesus, through the Gospel writer
those who do what is true come to John, explains very succinctly three
the light, so that it may be clearly key points; that He is the Son of God,
seen that their deeds have been that He was sent by God to give access
done in God.” to eternal life and that access will be
given to those who believe in Him.
Pause for reflection. Importantly this passage goes on
to identify Christ as the Light of the
You are invited to share a thought, World, and by this light, judgement
feeling or insight that is arising in of those who follow the Lord will be
you are as you hear this Gospel text found. Those who sin remain in the
today. Simply listen to each person, darkness, but those who love the
with no comment at this stage. Lord will come into the light, despite
the fact the light will illuminate their
failings.
Reflection –
Kelly Paget Is this not the call of Lent, or in fact the
Executive Officer call of our whole Christian life? To step
Office of the Bishop out of the darkness and into the light,
even with the knowledge that our
“For God so loved the world that he weaknesses and frailties will become
gave his only Son, so that everyone known. What this passage points out
who believes in him may not perish to us, is that it is impossible to be a
but may have eternal life.” This believer of Jesus and yet sit in the dark
beloved scripture verse is one of and do nothing. We are called to be
the most widely recognised and in the light, with all our vulnerability,
used quotes from the Gospels; it witnessing God’s love to all.
encapsulates the meaning of Christ’s
salvific action in the world. The quote, It is in this honest witnessing, exposed
which is embedded in the Gospel by the light of God’s merciful love, that
reading for 4th Sunday of Lent, is part others will come to know Christ’s love.
of an exchange between the Pharisee So often we get caught up in the theory
Nicodemus and Jesus. Earlier in the of teaching the facts and figures of life
chapter, Nicodemus identifies Christ and faith. And yet, true faith, coming
as Rabbi, a teacher who has come from a relationship with the loving
from God. He came to visit Jesus in and ever-present God, can only be
the night, under the veil of darkness learnt through experience. Nicodemus
to begin a conversation. He appears had the facts and figures, but it was
as an inquisitive student, who seems only through his experience and
Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 31
relationship with Jesus that he was 2. In our moments of darkness,
ultimately able to be drawn to the light. what questions do we bring
J.R.R Tolkien, one of the modern to Jesus?
world’s most famous authors,
was often asked if his writings, in 3. Who are the witnesses that have
particular the epic trilogy of The drawn us and continue to draw
Lord of The Rings, was a Christian us, to the Light?
allegory. Although a devout Catholic,
Tolkien himself would comment on 4. How are we allowing the Light
his dislike of allegory, or a “purposed of Christ to be refracted through
domination of the author.” He instead our lives, our work?
noted the “applicability” of his stories
to the Christian message, where the
power resides with the reader. In this A Personal Story
way his books were not written to
shine the Light of Christ, but rather
he allowed the Light to be refracted Audio:
through them. Week 4 Personal Story –
Veronica Smith
As the Body of Christ in the world
today, Jesus gave the Church His Veronica Smith
mission. In doing so, we could re- offers us a personal
phrase the verse from John’s Gospel reflection on the
to: Jesus did not send the Church importance of
into the world to condemn the world, Catholic education
but in order that the world might and formation in
be saved through Him. This call to her life.
evangelisation, to teach, will only
be fruitful if we are first witnesses to
Veronica is a young adult, from the
an authentic Christian Life. May we
Diocese of Broken Bay, with a fire for
continue to recognise the Light in the
God and a zeal for His holy Church on
world, then like a mirror reflect that
earth. She is a member of the Asquith
Light, so others may also be drawn
Parish youth group, as well as
into its brilliant and saving power.
President of the St. Vincent de Paul
Society Asquith Youth Conference.
Veronica is also a student of Law and
Reflection Questions Philosophy at the University of Notre
for Discussion: Dame. In her spare time, she works
at Kmart and is a lover of Matcha
Iced Lattes.
1. Share and discuss your insights
from listening to the Gospel text
and the accompanying reflection.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega32
Listen to the testimony, incorporate faith formation
and use the following and education in your life?
questions to discuss:
3. How could your parish / school /
1. What aspects of Catholic agency / community give
education and formation in a greater focus to the Bishop’s
Veronica’s life spoke to you priority of an authentic Catholic
most deeply? formation for the flourishing of
human and faith development
2. How is this story inspiring of all parishioners?
you to more intentionally
Response
What is your response to what you have heard and discussed during this
session? What actions are you being called to pursue, both personally or
communally? You are invited to share and discuss your response with another
person.
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Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 33
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Lord, be the beginning and end
of all we do and say.
Prompt our actions with your grace,
and complete them with your all-powerful help.
Through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega34 Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 35
Fifth Sunday of Lent grounded in our common faith in
Jesus Christ and membership of the
A united message reflecting the faith community, the Body of Christ. In
voice of the bishop at the service of this week’s Gospel Jesus speaks about
his people drawing all people to Himself. We are
united in Him, despite all our many
differences, in the common radical
Opening Prayer love that the Gospel calls us to.
God our Father,
Gospel Reading
In this season of Lent, pour out on
us your abundant graces of love and
mercy and show us a new way of Audio:
living the Gospel. Fill the community Week 5 Gospel Reading
of the Church in Broken Bay with the
Holy Spirit, renewing us in our unity, John 12: 20-33
as many parts of one body. Help us
to move towards the joy of Easter as Among those who went up to worship
the unified Body of Christ. at the festival were some Greeks.
They came to Philip, who was from
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him,
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Amen.
Philip went and told Andrew; then
Andrew and Philip went and told
Introduction Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The
hour has come for the Son of Man
to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you,
“While we make a special effort unless a grain of wheat falls into the
during Lent to repent and believe in earth and dies, it remains just a single
the Gospel, for the Catholic Christian, grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
each day brings opportunities for Those who love their life lose it, and
the Spirit to change our minds and those who hate their life in this world
hearts, to guide us on the way and will keep it for eternal life.
to bring us to a radically new way
of living the Good News of Jesus “Whoever serves me must follow me,
Christ.” (Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral and where I am, there will my servant
Letter, Jesus Christ, our beginning be also. Whoever serves me, the
and end) Father will honour.
Jesus prayed earnestly for unity “Now my soul is troubled. And what
amongst His disciples. Our unity is should I say - ‘Father, save me from
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega36
this hour’? No, it is for this reason more, radical. Radical, however, in its
that I have come to this hour. Father, call to unity rather than division.
glorify your name.”
From the outset, the Gospel speaks of
Then a voice came from heaven, “I the “Greeks” who come to ask Jesus
have glorified it, and I will glorify it a question. Already this implies that
again.” Jesus’ answer is for all, rather than
simply God’s chosen people, Israel.
The crowd standing there heard it At the end of the Gospel, Jesus gives
and said that it was thunder. Others us the answer to how humanity will
said, “An angel has spoken to him.” be truly united; “And I, when I am
Jesus answered, “This voice has lifted up from the earth, will draw all
come for your sake, not for mine. people to myself.” The first thing we
Now is the judgment of this world; see is that true unity comes through
now the ruler of this world will be Christ Himself. We also understand
driven out. And I, when I am lifted up that the way that Christ will unite “all
from the earth, will draw all people people” to Himself, will be through
to myself.” He said this to indicate His death on the cross, resurrection
the kind of death he was to die. and ascension into heaven.
Pause for reflection. What is it about the cross that is so
powerful? How exactly will we as
You are invited to share a thought, humanity be able to unite through
feeling or insight that is arising in what is essentially our Saviour’s
you are as you hear this Gospel text death on an instrument of torture?
today. Simply listen to each person, Quite simply, the answer is love.
with no comment at this stage. Christ’s death is the most radical and
the greatest example of love that the
world has ever witnessed. Bishop
Reflection – Anthony states “the cross is God’s
Tomasz Juszczak work of love and mercy, bringing
Director, us to conversion.” This is what this
Evangelisation Broken Bay Sunday’s Gospel calls us to most
clearly. A radical conversion to love.
We are living in a world that is divided
in many respects, but perhaps most What does this look like? Well, it
notably in ideology. Those on both doesn’t look easy. Christ challenges
the left and right side of the spectrum us to radical love in this Gospel by
are seemingly becoming more radical calling us to die to self, “hate” our
in their beliefs and practice. At times, lives, follow Him and serve Him.
it almost looks as though humanity Doesn’t exactly sound like a piece
has lost its common grounding. This of cake does it? But neither is it too
Sunday’s Gospel is also just as, if not complicated. Jesus simply wants us
Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 37
to love Him and love others. Bishop Reflection Questions
Anthony tells us that we need to for Discussion:
find opportunities to be guided “to a
radically new way of living the Good
News of Jesus Christ.” This doesn’t 1. Share and discuss your insights
always mean we need to look for the from listening to the Gospel
most impressive ways to become text and the accompanying
a martyr. It means we simply need reflection.
to look at how we can die to self
in small ways. To make a habit of 2. Our unity comes from Christ
choosing to serve others over our and our shared faith in him.
own interests. Perhaps we can help Do you feel a sense of unity
out at home a little more without with your brothers and sisters
being asked? Maybe we can give up in Christ? In what ways?
watching the footy to spend more
quality time with our family or with 3. In what ways are you living out
God in prayer. We might even choose the Gospel? Is there an area of
to spend less money shopping and your life in which you are being
give that money to those in need called to greater love?
instead. Whatever it is, putting Christ
and others first in small ways is how 4. How is Christ’s death an example
we start to live out this radical call to to us of love?
conversion; this radical call to love.
Finally, this call to love is how true
A Personal Story
unity in our world will manifest.
Audio:
Bishop Anthony reminds us that
Week 5 Personal Story –
“Love and harmony are signs of unity
Linda and Andrew Hearne
in the community of the Church.”
True unity in our world can only
come through Christ. The more we Linda and Andrew
follow and serve Christ, the more we Hearne offer us a
open ourselves to Christ’s love and personal reflection
the more that His love manifests in on the importance
us. It’s our right and duty now to look on unity in their lives.
to the cross for inspiration. We need
to bring this message of Good News Linda and Andrew Hearne are
to the world so that all will be drawn parishioners at Lindfield-Killara
to Him, and it is in Him that we will Parish. Linda is the Director at a
find true unity. day care centre, and Andrew is a
Regional Catholic School Operations
Coordinator. They have three children
aged 8, 9 and 12.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega38
Listen to the testimony, 2. How could your parish / school /
and use the following agency / community focus more
questions to discuss: on unity?
1. What aspects of ‘unity’ in Linda 3. How is this story inspiring you
and Andrew’s lives spoke to you to more intentionally live this
most deeply? radical conversion to the
Gospel?
Response
What is your response to what you have heard and discussed during this session?
What initiatives are you being called to action, both personally and communally?
You are invited to share and discuss your response with another person.
______________________________________________________________
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Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral LetterThe Community of the Church of Broken Bay 39
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Lord, be the beginning and end
of all we do and say.
Prompt our actions with your grace,
and complete them with your all-powerful help.
Through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega40 Reflecting Together on Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral Letter
The Community of the Church of Broken Bay 41
Palm Sunday In our final gathering together, we
reflect on the Passion of Jesus, and
of the Passion of the Lord His steadfastness in carrying out His
mission to the end. He was firm in
Building together a culture of
His conviction to finish that which
vocation for all the baptised
He was called to, even when faced
with the immensity of what was
before Him. Each of us is also called
Opening Prayer to discern and embrace our own
vocation, wherever God will lead us,
Loving and gracious God,
knowing with confidence that the
Holy Spirit accompanies us each
As your baptised sons and daughters,
step of the way.
you have called us to a vocation of
holiness. Let us hear your call, and
fill our hearts with Divine love so that Gospel Reading
all in the community of the Church in
Broken Bay may clearly understand
and live out their Christian vocations, Audio:
responding to the needs of your Week 6 Gospel Reading
people.
Mark 15:16-39 (Excerpt)
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Then the soldiers led Jesus into the
Amen. courtyard of the palace (that is, the
governor’s headquarters); and they
called together the whole cohort. And
Introduction they clothed him in a purple cloak;
and after twisting some thorns into a
crown, they put it on him. And they
“God’s call is charged with a task. The began saluting him, “Hail, King of the
person is called to do something, Jews!” They struck his head with a
to lead, to guide, to teach, to go reed, spat upon him, and knelt down
on a mission (e.g. Abraham, Gen in homage to him. After mocking him,
12:1-9; Mary Magdalen, John 20:17). they stripped him of the purple cloak
However, they are never sent alone. and put his own clothes on him. Then
God promises to be with them (e.g. they led him out to crucify him. They
David, 1Sam 16:13). God pledges compelled a passer-by, who was
fidelity, and the one called is often coming in from the country, to carry
surprised that with God, all things are his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the
possible.” (Bishop Anthony’s Pastoral father of Alexander and Rufus. Then
Letter, Jesus Christ, our beginning they brought Jesus to the place called
and end) Golgotha (which means the place of
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