The 8th World Meeting of Family (Philadelphia) and the Gospel of the Family

“Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to become faith.”

- Pope Francis’ homily in the concluding mass of the 8th World Meeting of Families, Sept. 27, 2015

On September 22 -25, 2015, the 8th World Meeting of Families Congress was held in Philadelphia, USA which culminated in the papal mass on September 27 at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and which was attended by a million people. The World Meeting of Families was started by Pope John Paul II in 1994 “to strengthen the sacred bonds of the family across the globe.” The theme for this year was “Love is our Mission: the Family Fully Alive.”

Come and listen to the experiences of three participants from New Zealand. “The 8th World Meeting of Families Congress and the gospel of the family” will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m at the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, 29 Dr. Taylor Terrace in Johnsonville. Learn more about the World Meeting of Families, and share and live the gospel of the family!

Life In The Spirit Seminar

Do you desire a deeper relationship with Christ; recognize the gifts that have been given at your Confirmation to help you reach others for Christ. Then The Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) is for you. It offers some of these life-changing benefits:

* to renew or deepen one’s personal relationship with Jesus

* greater appreciation of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation

* deeper personal prayer life

* increased interest in the reading and studying of the Holy Scriptures

* the Fruits of the Spirit: “Love, Joy, Generosity…. (Galatians 5:22-23).

* greater love of the community of faith (the Church)

"I'm calling on people to hold Seminars of New Life in the Spirit, where a person can get in touch with some part of Christian doctrine, where they can experience the Renewal and pass from being nominal Christians to real Christians." - Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., preacher to the papal household since 1980

Mission Sunday Celebration

“And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and to have authority to cast out demons” - Mark 3: 14 – 15

Mission Sunday, October 18th this year witnessed the commitment of 9 participants from 4 different nations as they started their Missionary Formation with an inaugural mass followed by fellowship with our Sunday congregation. The 9 participants: Stefanus and his wife Susanna, Melinda, Dion, Irene, Gemma, Cornelia, Bibiana and Miriam will be journeying together for period of two years with the Missionary Formation Director, Fr. Francis D’Souza.

That same evening they started a day-long recollection which included quiet reflection, reconciliation, prayer and adoration which ended with mass on the following evening. To celebrate this start the covenanted members of the Mission prepared a lovely Agape Meal which was made special with the presence of the founders of the ICPE Mission, Mario and Anna Cappello via a Skype call. They too extended a warm welcome to each of the participants and blessed them with a prayer as they embark on this journey.

We ask for your valuable prayers for each one of them as they embark on the mission to know Christ and to make Him known