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Yesterday the priests of the Christchurch Diocese gathered for a reflection afternoon and the Sacrament of Reconciliation together leading up to the 5.30pm Celebration of the Chrism Mass at which the oils for use in the celebration of the Sacraments through the year ahead are blessed.
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It was a great afternoon. Good company with time for a breather together before full days of parish celebrations of the Holy Week Ceremonies, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.
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At the Chrism Mass we priests also renew our priestly commitments.
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This re-dedication of our lives before the people of the diocese is not done lightly, and the people who attend the Mass and others who express their support of us priests in so many ways make it not only possible but also a joy to renew our commitment.
The wording of this re-commitment is both consistent (the same every year) and universal. This year I was moved by the use of the word resolve which appears in each of the three questions asked of priests:
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- Are you resolved to renew… the promises you once made?
- Are you resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus, and more closely conformed to him?
- Are you resolved to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God…and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching?
Each year I have said yes and this year I answered once again with a heart-felt yes.
At the heart of my appreciation of this resolution is to be united with Jesus, more closely conformed to Him.
Please pray for me, and for all priests, that I and we may discover the joy of being resolute with Jesus.
Gratefully.
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CAFE GATHERINGS
Send your date and time to add to the list, and just turn up at at one of the advertised gatherings, just one hour, focussing on where we are encountering Christ.
PETONE
Thursday 17 April 10am
at Faith & Co.
313 Jackson St, Petone
Invitation from Kath
CHRISTCHURCH
Monday 21 April 10.00am (& every Monday)
Moku cafe, Bush Inn Centre Waimairi Road.
Invitation from Trish
Thank you for your YES
Yes indeed.
The Chrism Mass with the re commitment of our Priests is a blessing and witness to attend. We are blessed to have our dedicated Priests to serve us. Bishop Basil in one of his sermons courtesy of Fr Michael Pui, stated that as a Priest there is nowhere a Priest acts more intimately in the person of Christ than when he offers Mass and that every day this is the bench mark of the Priestly life and that there is nothing better to do for the people he serves than to offer the Mass. We are indeed blessed to be able to participate in the Eucharistic celebration because we have our Priests so it is imperative that we pray constantly and assist them in any way we can. God bless our Priests!!!!
YES to all above! And thanks to all Priests for their generous Ministry. Prayers are offered each day for this intention.
Thank you Father John. That is beautiful. And thank you for this Food for Faith mission of yours. We are so blessed
Yes
Resolved to go deeper
Much gratitude