Liturgical Catechism

From the Spirit of Liturgy, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger - At this point comes the objection that these gifts have a symbolic force only in the Mediterranean area and that in other growing regions they ought to be replaced by elements appropriate to those regions. This is the same issue that we encountered when we were discussing the inversion of the cosmic symbolism of the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere. The answer we gave there applies again here: in the interplay of culture and history, history has priority. God has acted in history and, through history, given the gifts of the earth their significance, the elements become sacraments through connection with the unique history of God in relation to man in Jesus Christ. As we have said before, Incarnation does not mean not doing as we please. On the contrary, it binds us to the history of a particular time. Outwardly, that history may seem fortuitous, but it is the form of history willed by God, and for us it is the trustworthy trace he has imprinted on the earth, the guarantee that we are not thinking up things for ourselves but are truly touched by God and come into touch with him. Precisely through what is particular and once-for-all, the here and now, we emerge from the 'ever and never' vagueness of mythology. It is with this particular face, with this particular human form, that Christ comes to us, and precisely thus does he make us brethren beyond all boundaries. Precisely thus do we recognize him: 'It is the Lord' (Jn 21:7).

News and Announcements

Important announcement - request for prayers
Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has taken the initiative, actively seeking to reconcile the Society of St Pius X to the Church. Bishop Fellay, the Society's Superior General, has been asked to respond to the Holy Father's offer by tomorrow, 30th June. All that is asked to commence the process of reconciliation is for the Society to make the following commitments, as laid down in a letter of 4th June 2008 from Cardinal Castrillon-Hoyos to Bishop Fellay:

1. The commitment to a response proportionate to the generosity of the Pope.
2. The commitment to avoid every public intervention which does not respect the person of the Holy Father and which may be negative to ecclesial charity.
3. The commitment to avoid the claim to a Magisterium superior to the Holy Father and not to propose the Society in contraposition to the Church.
4. The commitment to display the will to act honestly in full ecclesial charity and in respect for the authority of the Vicar of Christ.
5. The commitment to respect the date - fixed for the end of the month of June [2008] - to respond positively. This shall be a condition necessary and required as an immediate preparation for adhesion to accomplish full communion.
Please pray earnestly for the members of the SSPX (Bishops, Priests, Deacons and seminarians), and for all those to whom they minister, that they might with God's grace respond affirmatively, and simply trust the Holy Father.

*update* Sts Peter and Paul 2008 Mass photos

Juventutem, Days in the Diocese (WYD), & our community: from the 5th July onwards, we will begin to welcome Juventutem pilgrims from overseas: we have pilgrims from Kenya, Nigeria, Hong Kong, France, Switzerland, the USA and other countries joining us here in Melbourne for 'Days in the Diocese', before we travel to Sydney on 14th July for the week long programme there. We ask each member of the congregation to consider how he or she might contribute to welcoming pilgrims from abroad and interstate. We ask as many as possible to join with us for the principal events, at St Aloysius' Caulfield:
1. Official welcome at St Aloysius' School, at Noon on Thursday 10th July.
2. Gregorian Chant workshop led by Mr Scott Turkington (visiting American Gregorian scholar) 2.00 - 4.00pm, Thursday 10th July (we ask a donation of $20 per session for those who are not registered pilgrims).
3. Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Faldstool, 7.30pm Thursday 10th July (Bishop Basil Meeking), followed by Pontifical Benediction and all night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with Benediction at 9.00am Friday.
4. Gregorian Chant workshop, 2.00 - 4.00pm Friday 11th July.
5. Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Throne, 11.00am Saturday 12th July (His Grace, Archbishop Denis Hart). This will be a votive Mass of the Chair of St Peter, for the Holy Father and his intentions. Refreshments in the school hall afterwards.
6. Solemn Mass, 11.00am Sunday 13th July, followed by a picnic/BBQ in Caulfield Park, concluding with Vespers and Benediction at 4.00pm. The BBQ will be a good chance to meet our visitors, and to introduce them to Australian sports!

First Friday this week: 7.00pm Mass (confessions available before and during Mass), followed by Benediction, Compline, and all-night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed.

Please join a group for First Friday: There is a sign up sheet available in the vestibule together with the separate group times. Group leaders will be appointed to co-ordinate adoration.
Organiser: Anh Nguyen <anh_nguyen at catholic.org>
Phone: 0401 317 556

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Mass & Confession Times

30th June - 6th July	Location	Time	Liturgical Feast/Feria Day
Sunday	Burke Hall	8.30am (Low)	Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul
Sunday	St. Aloysius'	11.00am (Solemn)	Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul
Monday	St. Aloysius'	11.00am	Commemoration of St Paul
Tuesday	St. Aloysius'	7.00am	Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Wednesday	St. Aloysius'	7.00am 11.00am	Visitation of BVM
Thursday	St. Aloysius'	7.00am 11.00am	St Irenaeus
Friday	St. Aloysius'	7.00am 7.00pm	Feria First Friday - Benediction, Compline and all-night Exposition
Saturday	St. Aloysius'	8.00am 11.00am	St Antony Mary Zaccaria
Sunday	Burke Hall	8.30am (Low)	Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday	St. Aloysius'	11.00am (Solemn)	Sunday after Pentecost