In the sacraments, Jesus speaks and acts
The crowds bring a deaf and mute man to Jesus for healing. They ask Jesus to “lay his hand” on the disabled man. Instead, the Lord takes the man away from the crowds, breaths on him, sticks his finger in his ear, puts saliva on his tongue, and speaks: “Ephphatha! Be opened!” Jesus transmits His healing grace to the disabled man through a combination of words and actions. The sacraments of the Catholic Church work in the same way.
Happy Fathers’ Day!
We wish all our fathers a very happy Fathers’ Day. We give thanks to God for their generosity and love for their families. It’s important also to remember that today can be hard for some people due to loss or difficult relationships. We pray for the eternal repose of our deceased fathers and for peace in families.
Message from Fr Marcus
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, First, I have some news to share. On Friday 16th August, I received notice from Gudrun that she has accepted a new full-time role with Cultura as a refugee case manager in the Geelong region. This means that Gudrun’s time as our...
Lara’s own Rhys Lowther speaks to Melbourne Catholic
In his first year at Corpus Christi College, the diocesan seminary for Victoria and Tasmania, Rhys Lowther was sent to visit a nursing home. There, he got to know an old nun, who gave him a copy of True Devotion to Mary by St Louis de Montfort. ‘She looked me in the...
St John Vianney on the Eucharist
The fourth of August is the feast of the Frenchman, St John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. St John was born on the eighth of May in 1786 and died on the fourth of August in 1859. He lived during a time of great political, cultural, and religious...
What is the deal with the fish?
What’s the deal with the fish? This is a question I have pondered a lot over the years. It seems to me that there are two reasons for the fish. First, fish is a type of meat or “flesh”. Second, fish are living creatures that live in water. In other words, the fish explains the meaning of the bread. The fish tells us that the bread will become the flesh and life of Jesus at the Last Supper.
Our obligation and need to rest on Sunday
After the apostles return from their work of preaching and healing, Jesus commands them to rest: “You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while.” Rest is good and necessary precisely so that we can live, act, love, parent, and work better.
Looking ahead
The last four weeks were a much-needed opportunity for prayer and rest after a busy start to the year. I am very grateful to Fr Brendan Lane for supplying Masses in the parish during my absence. I am also grateful to Jasna, Gudrun and Deacon Royden for their good work...
A message from Fr Marcus
Dear parishioners of Corio and Lara, before I commence my four weeks of annual leave on Monday, I wanted to share some thoughts on two important aspects of parish life. One of my priorities for this first year of my appointment to Corio Lara is increasing the availability and accessibility of the sacraments and devotions. Another goal for the year is bringing stability and order to the parish finances.
The miracle behind Corpus Christi
The solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1263 a German priest, Peter of Prague, stopped at the Italian town of Bolsena while on pilgrimage to Rome. While celebrating a Mass at Bolsena, having barely spoken the words of Consecration, Peter was astounded to observe blood seeping from the consecrated Host, over his hands and then onto the altar and corporal.