REFLECTIONS
ADVENT 2020
by FATHER DAVID KNIGHT
( new reflections added daily)
suggestion – scroll down to first reflection then work your way up
I INVITE YOU TO MEDITATE ON THIS SERIES OF ADVENT REFLECTIONS COMPILED BY A PREVIOUS SPEAKER AT THE EUCHARISTIC CONVENTION, FATHER DAVID KNIGHT
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16 November 2020
Astronaut Mike Hopkins, Crew Commander of the Space-X Crew Dragon currently on the way to the International Space Station, came to New Zealand to speak at our 2018 Eucharistic Convention. What an experience that was for those of us that heard his talk.
Mike made his first spaceflight as a Flight Engineer on Soyuz TMA-10M/Expedition 37/Expedition 38, from September 2013 until March 2014. On that flight he received special permission to take the Eucharist with him which is what he talked about in one of his talks at our 2018 Convention. There is a video recording of that talk which is the last of the three shown below. The first two are short clips of yesterdays launch.
Mike was so grateful to have received this special permission, he knows the true value of the Eucharistic Mystery.
I invite you to watch the video of Mike’s 2018 talk to our attendees if you haven’t already seen it; I believe it’s well worth a viewing.
We wish Mike safe travels on his current venture, he is looking forward to seeing New Zealand from Space, give him a wave if you spot him!
Deacon Mark
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16 November 2020
Feast of St. Gertrude of Helfta
Gertrude: the only female Saint to be called “the Great”
Gertrude of Helfta was a highly intelligent woman. She was born on 6 January 1256 in the little town of Eisleben in Thuringia. At age 5, Gertrude went to the Cistercian monastery school of Helfta in Saxony, and since then has always been known as “Gertrude of Helfta”. She dedicated herself to study, and it was not long before she surpassed all her companions.
She also discovered Christ in the monastery, and the beauty of living for him and with him in the intimacy of love. But the divine Teacher remained in the background of her life for some time while she used all her faculties to improve her education, becoming proficient in literature, philosophy, song and the refined art of miniature painting.
After several years, Gertrude moved from the monastery school to the novitiate, taking the veil and becoming a nun. For her Jesus was “Someone”, but her studies were still her all. But she was not on the wrong track, for knowledge, when it goes hand in hand with humility, does not distance people from God. And he was waiting on her path.
Experiencing a ‘new birth’
In 1280, she was 24 years old and a half-hearted and distracted nun. Towards the end of the year, she went through an inner crisis that lasted several weeks. She felt lonely. lost and depressed. Her human plans disintegrated like shattered idols. This might have been the end of everything, but instead, it was a new beginning.
On 27 January 1281, Gertrude saw Jesus in person in the form of a marvellous adolescent who said to her, “I have come to comfort you and bring you salvation”. Remembering that day, she was to write: “Jesus, my Redeemer, you have lowered my indomitable head to your gentle yoke, preparing for me the medicine suited to my weakness”. From that moment, she was solely concerned with living in full union with Jesus.
In her writings, she established the date of her newfound unity with Christ as 23 June 1281: all her life she must have seen that day as the day of her new birth, the birth of the true Gertrude in the image of Christ.
She abandoned the study of profane subjects and dedicated herself entirely to the study of Scripture, writings of the Church Fathers and theological treatises. She found extraordinary delight in reading the letters of Augustine, Gregory the Great, Bernard and Hugh of Saint-Victor.
From a scholar specialized in the humanities, she became a “theologian” filled with God and his fragrance. Her life was truly filled with the Lord alone.
But Gertrude did not want to be the only one to enjoy this supreme “Pleasure”: so she began to write short treatises for the Sisters in the monastery and those who approached her in which she explained the most difficult passages of Scripture. true spiritual treasures written in a clear and lively style.
The monastery parlour was also often filled with people in search of her words, comfort and guidance. She exercised a great influence on souls.
A confidant of Jesus
Since her conversion, she had become the confidant of Jesus, who revealed to her the infinite Love of his divine Heart and charged her to spread it among human beings with love for the suffering and for sinners. Gertrude’s ecstasies with Jesus prompted her to write those ardent pages that would bring souls to him.
Humble, always happy and smiling, with a loving heart for all, she sparkled with trust, joy and peace, and led everyone to the Lord. To her soul, Jesus was like a spring day, vibrant with life and scented with flowers: Love par excellence, the one overwhelming Love. This is why she is known on the one hand as the “Teresa of Germany” and on the other, the “theologian of the Sacred Heart”.
One day, Jesus said to Gertrude: “It would be good to make known to men and women how they would benefit from remembering that I, the Son of God and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, always stand before God for the salvation of the human race, and that should they commit some sin through their weakness. I offer my unblemished Heart to the Father for them”.
She truly became one with Jesus and transmitted him to her brethren in the many works she has bequeathed to us. some of which have been lost.
In 1298 her health deteriorated but she transformed her sufferings into love, an offering with Jesus to the Father and a gift for humankind.
During her long and painful illness, she decided to recount the “adventure” of her conversion and to tell of the wonderful revelations with which Jesus had favoured her: “Until the age of 25, I was a blind and insane woman… but you, Jesus, deigned to grant me the priceless familiarity of your friendship by opening to me in every way that most noble casket of your divinity, which is your divine Heart, and offering me in great abundance all your treasures contained in it”.
On 17 November 1301, at age 45. she rejoined her Bridegroom for ever. Interestingly, she is the only woman among the saints to be called “the Great’: St. Gertrude the Great.
Taken from:
L’Osservatore Romano
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We do well to remember the great legacy our Saints left us; sadly, it seems not many consider such things today.
Saint Gertrude was a stand out among the women of her time; we owe her a great debt of gratitude.
The Eucharist was the source and summit of her life, let it also be ours.
Deacon Mark
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15 November 2020
Today is the Feast Day of St Albert the Great
Saint Albert the Great’s Story
Albert the Great was a 13th-century German Dominican who decisively influenced the Church’s stance toward Aristotelian philosophy brought to Europe by the spread of Islam.
Students of philosophy know him as the master of Thomas Aquinas. Albert’s attempt to understand Aristotle’s writings established the climate in which Thomas Aquinas developed his synthesis of Greek wisdom and Christian theology. But Albert deserves recognition on his own merits as a curious, honest, and diligent scholar.
He was the eldest son of a powerful and wealthy German lord of military rank. He was educated in the liberal arts. Despite fierce family opposition, he entered the Dominican novitiate.
His boundless interests prompted him to write a compendium of all knowledge: natural science, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, ethics, economics, politics, and metaphysics. His explanation of learning took 20 years to complete. “Our intention,” he said, “is to make all the aforesaid parts of knowledge intelligible to the Latins.”
He achieved his goal while serving as an educator at Paris and Cologne, as Dominican provincial, and even as bishop of Regensburg for a short time. He defended the mendicant orders and preached the Crusade in Germany and Bohemia.
Albert, a Doctor of the Church, is the patron of scientists and philosophers.
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What a great history we have in our Church. It is good for us to be reminded of those great men and women who came before us and dedicated their lives to Jesus through his wonderful Church. Scholars like Albert the Great gave all of their talents to Christ at the exclusion of all others. The fruits of their works are innumerable. We owe them so much.
For our part, in our day and age, we can do our bit to evangelise our secular culture. Want to help us? If you have a talent you can offer us to assist our outreach please don’t hesitate to make contact; we would love to hear from you. If you are at the far north or the far south of our beautiful country and feel you can help us promote this beautiful event in your part of the country let us know. Together we can a make a difference.
Deacon Mark
021-482-555
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13 November 2020
Teen Martyred While Protecting the Eucharist Beatified in Spain
Blessed Joan Roig Diggle was killed “in hatred of the faith” in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.
A 19-year-old Spanish martyr who gave his life while protecting the Eucharist was beatified Saturday at a Mass in the Sagrada Família Basilica in Barcelona.
“Yesterday in Barcelona Joan Roig Diggle, a lay man and martyr killed at the age of 19 during the Spanish Civil War, was proclaimed Blessed,” Pope Francis said in his Angelus address Nov. 8.
“May his example arouse in everyone, especially the young, the desire to live the Christian vocation to the full,” the pope said.
Blessed Joan Roig Diggle was killed “in hatred of the faith” in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. The young man was known for his devotion to the Eucharist at a time when churches in Barcelona were being closed, burned, or destroyed, so a priest entrusted Joan Roig with a ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament to distribute Holy Communion to those most in need in their homes as it was not possible to attend Mass.
During one of these visits, Joan Roig told a family that he knew that red militiamen were trying to kill him. “I fear nothing, I take the Master with me,” he said. When those seeking his life knocked on his door, the young man consumed the hosts he had been guarding to protect them from potential desecration.
The Libertarian Youth patrol then took him to the Santa Coloma cemetery where he was killed on Sept. 11, 1936 with five shots to the heart and one to the head. Blessed Joan Roig’s last words were: “May God forgive you as I forgive you.”
At Joan Roig’s beatification on Nov. 7, Cardinal Juan José Omella, archbishop of Barcelona, said in his homily that the young man was an “ardent defender of the Social Doctrine of the Church” and provides youth today with a “testimony of love for Christ and for his brothers.”
The apostolic nuncio in Spain, Bishop Bernardito Auza, and the archbishop emeritus of Barcelona, Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach, concelebrated the Mass, which took place with a limited attendance to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Joan was born in Barcelona on May 12, 1917. His father was Ramón Roig Fuente and his mother, Maud Diggle Puckering, was from England.
He studied in schools run by De La Salle Brothers and the Piarist Fathers. His family experienced economic difficulties, so Joan worked to help cover expenses while he was pursuing his studies. Among his teachers were Fr. Ignacio Casanovas and Blessed Francisco Carceller, who would also go on to become martyrs.
His family moved to Masnou and the young man joined the Federation of Young Christians of Catalonia (FJCC), created in 1932 by Albert Bonet and which had 8,000 members before the Spanish Civil War. He wrote about social issues in the FJCC newsletter and was appointed to lead the catechesis of children between 10 and 14 years old.
“When he came to Masnou no one knew him, but his piety and ardent love for the Eucharist soon became evident. He spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament without realizing it. His example converted more than his words,” the president of the FJCC youth branch wrote in 1936.
Fr. José Gili Doria, the vicar of Masnou, wrote in 1936: “One day Joan said to me: ‘I normally dedicate at least two hours a day to spiritual life: Mass, communion, meditation and visit to the Blessed Sacrament; it is little, but my work and the apostolate do not give me more.”
In July 1936, Joan told some of his fellow members of the FJCC they should all be preparing to receive martyrdom with grace and courage, as did the first Christians.
In the intense persecution that followed, it is estimated that some 300 young people from this organization were killed in Catalonia, including some 40 priests. The headquarters of the FJCC was burned.
Joan’s mother said that in those days her son “was relieving sorrows, encouraging the timid, visiting the wounded, searching hospitals daily among the dead to find out which of his own had been killed.”
“Every night, at the foot of the bed, with the crucifix clasped in his hands, he implored for some clemency, for others forgiveness, and for all mercy and strength,” she said.
Cardinal Omella said: “Joan teaches us that all Christians are called to live our faith in community. No one builds his own faith alone, the Christian faith is essentially communal.”
Blessed Joan Roig Diggle is currently buried in a side chapel at the parish of St. Peter in El Masnou in Barcelona.
“He can be a model of Christian life for young people and adults in our society, his testimony can arouse the desire to follow Christ with joy and generosity. The deep friendship with God, prayer, the Eucharistic life and the apostolic ardor of the young blessed unites us to Christ and his Gospel,” the cardinal said.
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This young man’s courage and willingness to die to protect the Holy Eucharist is an inspiration to us all.
While we may never be called to martyrdom, we do have the opportunity to evangelize our contemporary society through this Eucharistic Convention. Will you help us do this? We are looking for parish coordinators across the length and breadth of New Zealand. Get in touch if you can help.
Deacon Mark
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12 November 2020
Today is the Feast of Saint Josaphat,
Martyr for Christian Unity
St. Josaphat was born John Kuncevic about 1580 in Vladimir, a village of the Lithuanian Province of Volhynia (then a part of the Polish Kingdom begun under the Jagellonian Dynasty). His parents belonged to the Eastern Rite Church of Kyiv (Ukraine) which was then separated from Rome.
| This article written by the Very Rev. Anselm Romb, OFM Conv., former Rector of the Basilica of St. Josaphat, Wisconsin |
| When John was just a child, his mother explained the icons in church. Years later he told a friend that he felt a spark of fire leave the wounded side of the Crucified and enter his own heart, which was filled with joy. This event influenced the rest of his life. He began to memorize the Church rituals and psalms. Within him grew the desire to suffer poverty and death for his Savior.
John’s father sent him to Vilno in Lithuania to learn more about the family business. Nevertheless, he spent much of his leisure in reading the lives of the Saints and observing the religious ferment in the local church. The Ruthenians (the ethnic origin of his family) had been evangelized from Constantinople-modern Istanbul-and generally followed the lead of the Byzantine Church there. But because of the absorption of the Ruthenians into the Polish Kingdom, always staunch Roman Catholics, the question of reunion with Rome was hotly debated. The Union of Brest The bishops of the Ukrainian and Byelorussian Churches who lived within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth held a Ruthenian Synod in 1595 and voted to unite with Rome under Pope Clement VIII. John Kuncevic was fifteen years old. In 1598 seven bishops signed the Union of Brest, which allowed them to retain their Eastern Rites while in full communion with the Pope. Although most of Vilno refused union, John made his profession of faith, then entered the Basilian Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Vilno, and took the name of Josaphat. Unable to find adequate spiritual direction among the lax priests of his Order, Josaphat compensated by severe mortifications of reparation for them and for those who had refused communion with Rome. Finally spiritual guidance came in the person of John Rutsky, a convert from Calvinism and later Bishop of Kiev. In 1609 Josaphat was ordained a priest and began his career of preaching and spiritual direction and providing for the needy and homeless. Over sixty men entered the Basilian Order under his influence. Josaphat was made the superior of a daughter monastery at Byten, where he revived devotion to the Mother of God at Zirovica. Returning to Vilno as archimandrite of the monastery, he began to reform the monks. There he also compiled texts from the Eastern Fathers and Doctors under the title “A Defense of Church Unity.” All these activities led to his being appointed Coadjutor Bishop to the elderly, ailing Bishop of Plock (Plotsk). Subsequently Josaphat became the Bishop of Plock with the title of Archeparch (Archbishop). Called to Revitalize His Diocese The new appointee at once called a synod to revitalize his diocese. He detached his priests from subservience to the unruly nobility and wrote “A Rule for Priests.” Most of all he pursued the reunion of all with Rome. The major obstacle was the Orthodox Bishop Meletius Smotrytsky, who was aided by schismatic preachers sent from Constantinople to prevent reunion. The latter spread slanders against Josaphat and, during his absence in Warsaw to plead for reunion, agitated for Josaphat’s removal from Plock. Hostility increased when he wrote to prove that St. Vladimir, had actually preached the Catholic, not Orthodox faith. While Josaphat was visiting Vitebsk (Belarus), he was cruelly hacked to death on November 12, 1623. He was about forty-five years old. Josaphat had said before his martyrdom, “I rejoice to offer my life for my holy Catholic faith.” He had prayed, “Grant that I be found worthy, Lord, to shed my blood for the union and obedience to the Apostolic See.” He had never revoked his childhood experience of the Crucified. The Events of His Martyrdom The mob hostile to reunion broke into the courtyard of the mansion where Archbishop Josaphat was staying. He came out of the houseÑa commanding figure in his black robes and crossed medallions over his breast. He addressed his enemies calmly, “Why are you attacking my servants? Take your anger out upon me!” Momentarily the mob quieted. Then two schismatics, bolder than the rest, rushed forward and slit his head open with battle-axes. As if that were not enough, they shot him as well, stripped his body, and set wild dogs to tear him apart. Tiring of their terrible sport, the mob threw his body into the river with his penitential hairshirt tied around his neck and loaded with rocks to sink his body. His remains were subsequently recovered and hidden from further desecration. It has been written that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of Church growth. Among the many miracles consequent to Josaphat’s murder was the conversion of those assassins to the Roman union. Thousands of dissidents returned to the Catholic faith. Most significant, even Bishop Smotrytsky became an ardent supporter of the Pope! In May 1643, twenty years later, Pope Urban VIII declared him “Blessed.” But it was not until June 29, 1867, that Pope Pius IX canonized him “Saint.” On November 12, 1923, the tercentenary of Josaphat’s martyrdom, Pope Pius XI declared him the heavenly Patron of Reunion between Orthodox and Catholics. During the Second Vatican Council, at the express wish of Pope John XXIII, who himself was most interested in reunion, the body of St. Josaphat was finally laid to rest at the magnificent altar of St. Basil in St. Peter’s Basilica. This took place on November 25, 1963. |
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| Such courage is for us something to admire. We cannot imagine how we would fare should we be asked to offer the supreme sacrifice of martyrdom. We can be sure that the bravery and courage obvious in the actions of St Josephat that sent him to his death, were attributable in large part by his daily reception of the Holy Eucharist. |
| There is a lesson for us here. Daily reception of the Blessed Sacrament instills in us Wisdom and Understanding not otherwise possible. Let all of us who love this Sacrament work together to reach out into secular society to promote this beautiful reality. |
| I encourage you also to follow the daily teachings from our wonderful leader Pope Francis here |
| Deacon Mark |
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11 November 2020
Saint Martin of Tours’ Story
SOURCE: https://www.franciscanmedia.org
A conscientious objector who wanted to be a monk; a monk who was maneuvered into being a bishop; a bishop who fought paganism as well as pleaded for mercy to heretics—such was Martin of Tours, one of the most popular of saints and one of the first not to be a martyr.
Born of pagan parents in what is now Hungary, and raised in Italy, this son of a veteran was forced at the age of 15 to serve in the army. Martin became a Christian catechumen and was baptized when he was 18. It was said that he lived more like a monk than a soldier. At 23, he refused a war bonus and told his commander: “I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight.” After great difficulties, he was discharged and went to be a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers.
He was ordained an exorcist and worked with great zeal against the Arians. Martin became a monk, living first at Milan and later on a small island. When Hilary was restored to his see following his exile, Martin returned to France and established what may have been the first French monastery near Poitiers. He lived there for 10 years, forming his disciples and preaching throughout the countryside.
The people of Tours demanded that he become their bishop. Martin was drawn to that city by a ruse—the need of a sick person—and was brought to the church, where he reluctantly allowed himself to be consecrated bishop. Some of the consecrating bishops thought his rumpled appearance and unkempt hair indicated that he was not dignified enough for the office.
Along with Saint Ambrose, Martin rejected Bishop Ithacius’s principle of putting heretics to death—as well as the intrusion of the emperor into such matters. He prevailed upon the emperor to spare the life of the heretic Priscillian. For his efforts, Martin was accused of the same heresy, and Priscillian was executed after all. Martin then pleaded for a cessation of the persecution of Priscillian’s followers in Spain. He still felt he could cooperate with Ithacius in other areas, but afterwards his conscience troubled him about this decision.
As death approached, Martin’s followers begged him not to leave them. He prayed, “Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Your will be done.”
Reflection
Martin’s worry about cooperation with evil reminds us that almost nothing is either all black or all white. The saints are not creatures of another world: They face the same perplexing decisions that we do. Any decision of conscience always involves some risk. If we choose to go north, we may never know what would have happened had we gone east, west, or south. A hyper-cautious withdrawal from all perplexing situations is not the virtue of prudence; it is in fact, a bad decision, for “not to decide is to decide.”
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As Pope Francis teaches today, “The injustices of the world and of history are not healed by hatred and revenge, but by dialogue and forgiveness”.
Go to our page for Pope Francis on this website to read his daily reflections.
There is plenty for us to be concerned about today, the antidote to which is the Holy Eucharist. This is why we do this work, and as time goes by the need for people to learn about this beautiful Eucharistic Mystery is urgent. You can help us by encouraging your family and friends to visit our website, sign up for our emails, and attend any events we promote throughout the year, the Eucharistic Convention in particular.
Please pray for me, as I will pray for you. As the world becomes more secular, it is necessary for us who believe in the Real Presence of the Holy Eucharist to work together in the promotion of this work. Our children and grandchildren need the opportunity to learn about it, for it is the source and summit of the Christian Life.
God Bless
Deacon Mark
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10 November 2020
Pope St Leo the Great – his feast day is today
“So without leaving his Father’s glory behind, the Son of God comes down from his heavenly throne and enters the depths of our world,” Pope Leo taught. “Whilst remaining pre-existent, he begins to exist in time. The Lord of the universe veiled his measureless majesty and took on a servant’s form. The God who knew no suffering did not despise becoming a suffering man, and, deathless as he is, to be subject to the laws of death.”
Quotes from St. Leo the Great
“The effect of our sharing in the body and blood of Christ is to change us into what we receive.”
“Christian, recognize your dignity and, now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning. Remember who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God.”
“Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife.”
“Short and fleeting are the joys of this world’s pleasures which endeavors to turn aside from the path of life those who are called to eternity. The faithful and religious spirit, therefore, must desire the things which are heavenly, and being eager for the Divine promises, lift itself to the love of the incorruptible Good and the hope of the true Light.”
From a sermon by Leo the Great:
“Although the universal Church of God is constituted of distinct orders of members, still, in spite of the many parts of its holy body, the Church subsists as an integral whole, just as the Apostle says: we are all one in Christ. . . For all, regenerated in Christ, are made kings by the sign of the cross; they are consecrated priests by the oil of the Holy Spirit, so that beyond the special service of our ministry as priests, all spiritual and mature Christians know that they are a royal race and are sharers in the office of the priesthood. For what is more king-like that to find yourself ruler over your body after having surrendered your soul to God? And what is more priestly than to promise the Lord a pure conscience and to offer him in love unblemished victims on the altar of one’s heart?”
Prayer
O Lord our God, grant that your Church, following the teaching of your servant Leo of Rome, may hold fast the great mystery of our redemption, and adore the one Christ, true God and true Man, neither divided from our human nature nor separate from your divine Being; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and or ever.
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Pope Francis has a special teaching for us on this great Feast Day – go to it here
What a beautiful Church we belong to, let us pray for those among our family and friends who have not yet sensed the beauty of our Faith
Deacon Mark
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9 November 2020
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the oldest and highest ranking of the four major basilicas in Rome.”
The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of the diocese of Rome, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, not St. Peter’s Basilica as so many mistakenly believe. The Basilica is also called the Church of Holy Savior or the Church of St. John Baptist. In ancient Rome this was the church where everyone was baptized. It the oldest church in the West, built in the time of Constantine and was consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324. This feast became a universal celebration in honor of the archbasilica, the ecclesiastical mother church, called “the mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world” (omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput), as a sign of love for and union with the See of Peter.
Let us pray for Pope Francis today as he leads the Church through difficult waters.
Read today’s teaching from Pope Francis here
Deacon Mark
12 March 2020
Firstly, an apology.
We have just discovered that for some time the Eucharistic Convention mail-out system has malfunctioned. While on the surface it seemed all emails had been sent, the reality is that none had. This problem goes back some time and we are led to believe that some emails sent out prior to last years convention were compromised and never actually went out. This would have had a negative impact on our 2019 event since no one in our database received any promotional emails. Apologies for this, hopefully everything is back in order now
Much planning has been done for our 2020 Eucharistic Convention and after in depth discussions with Bishop Pat it has been decided to change the venue from Sacred Heart College to St Mary’s College, Ponsonby, Auckland. Bishop Pat initiated this idea and after it was discussed in committee the consensus was to make the change.
One of the main reasons is the lack of accommodation around Sacred Heart College as well as the distance from motorway exits etc. It was agreed that St Mary’s College in Ponsonby was the better option.
I have much more to share with you over the coming weeks and look forward to seeing you at our 2020 convention. If any of you would like to help promote the convention in your parish I would be delighted to give you some ideas on how best to do this. Please email me at [email protected] if you are able to assist me in this way. Any other ideas will also be gratefully received.
We have some great speakers coming to talk to us over the weekend 10 – 12 July 2020, be sure to mark the dates in your calendar now; a beautiful weekend awaits you.
With a grateful heart.
Deacon Mark Rivalland
St Mary’s College
11 New Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand
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Ash Wednesday 2020
Today I want to launch our promotion for the 2020 Eucharistic Convention.
Before I continue I invite you to listen to the Gospel reading for today as a reflection at the beginning of our lenten season.
Recently I met with Bishop Pat who is enthusiastic for the Eucharistic Convention to continue into the future. It is obvious that the world in which we now live is a lot different to that of 1994 when the first Eucharistic Convention took place. Bishop Pat and I discussed many aspects of this event and came up with ideas that we both agree could have a positive outcome for the Eucharistic Convention both this year and those ahead.
At the moment, however, let me share with you the incredible speakers we have coming to share their Faith with us this year. I think it’s important you know who is coming at this point in time, more information will be made available in the coming weeks
Bishop Patrick Dunn – Bishop of Auckland
Bishop elect Michael Gielen
Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland
Father Matt Crawford SM – New Zealand
Father Bernard Espiritu SVD – MissioNZ
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers – USA
Charbel Raish – Australia
