Parish Bulletin
PARISH NEWS
Flesh and Blood
Corpus Christi, this feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, which we celebrate this weekend is of huge importance to Christians. We forget sometimes, but Eucharist is the “source and summit’ of our Christian life, and it is impossible to overstate its importance. It is not a localised, limited event. Eucharist is a manifestation of the Kingdom of God. Pope Saint John Paul II calls the sacrament “cosmic!” because, even when it is celebrated on the humble altar of a country church (like ours in Warragul, Drouin and Neerim South), “the Eucharist is always, in some way, celebrated on the altar of the world.”[1] Pope Benedict asserts it “joins heaven and earth; embraces and penetrates all creation … in the bread of the Eucharist, creation is projected towards divinisation … toward unification with the Creator himself.”[2]
Eucharist is entwined with Jesus’ incarnation, his “enfleshment” as part of creation. In the sacrament of his body he actually gives us his own flesh, which he has united to his divinity. Both the Incarnation and the Eucharist reveal to us that God wants to abide in us and us in Him. As the Creator is in Christ and Christ is in us, so we find ourselves in unity with the Creator. What is the Creator’s purpose in uniting us to himself? That, nourished by his body and blood, we act as Jesus did during his earthly life: serving his children, especially the poor, sick, dispossessed, and marginalised. Is it only the flawless who are to be so nourished? Emphatically not! Pope Francis tells us: the Eucharist “is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”[3]
[1] Pope St John Paul II Ecclesia de Eucharistia.
[2] Pope Benedict XVI Corpus Christi homily
[3] Pope Francis Evangelii Gaudium 47
Deacon Mark Kelly
Parents, listed below are some dates for your diary regarding the Sacramental program for Confirmation and First Holy Communion 2024
Confirmation 2024
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin with an Information Meeting for parents on Thursday 6th June, at 7 pm. Our guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Fr. Elio Capra, SDB. The Confirmation ceremony, celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennett, will be held on Friday, 26th July, at 7 pm in Marist Sion Hall.
First Holy Communion
Preparation for First Holy Communion will begin with an Information Meeting for parents on Thursday 29th August, at 7 pm. Our guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Fr. Elio Capra, SDB. First Holy Communion Masses will be held on the weekend of 26th/27th October.
More details concerning these sacraments will be provided closer to the time. For further enquiries contact Liz - Ph: 5623 1642, Email: Warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au
R.C.I.A.
These letters stand for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the ancient Rite of welcoming people into the Church. The Catholic Parishes of Warragul and Drouin warmly invites anyone interested in discovering more about the Catholic faith, what Catholics believe and Why, expressing an interest in becoming a Catholic, or an Adult Catholic who has not yet received the sacraments of First Eucharist or Confirmation, to attend an Information evening on Wednesday 31st July 7.30pm Marian Room (attached to St. Joseph’s Church Warragul: (enter car park from Bowen Street). For further information you can contact Joan Robertson or Fr. Brendan at the Parish Office: (03) 5623 1642.
