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Blessed Sacrament Congregation Newsletter
St Francis’ Church
Melbourne
St Peter Julian’s Church
Sydney
July 2020 Volume 6
The resilience of faith in troubled times by Tony McSweeney, SSS
Last month saw a dramatic rise amongst Australians of stress, anxiety, depression and overall poor men-tal well-being linked to the COVID-19 lockdown, ac-cording to a report by Mr Joep Van Agteren, a lead-ing South Australian health researcher.
He points to increased levels of unemployment, a worsening economy, social distancing and “a con-stant conveyor-belt of terrible news” as causal fac-tors. “There is a really big proportion of society that is struggling,” he writes.
Added to this has been the inevitable tensions gener-ated by the growing movement originating in the USA against racism and police violence. According to surveys reported in Newsweek, “The vast majority of Americans say the future of their country is a signifi-cant source of stress and that this is the lowest point in the nation’s history in living memory.”
Just how our brain struggles with such a situation in which “nothing in life is normal” anymore has been illustrated in a recent video on BBC News. If some do come up with creative solutions, the uncertainty and its accompanying fears are causing many others to experience stress. Faced with the unprecedented, “we simply don’t know how to deal with it.” People are feeling powerless, trapped and social isolation compounds their difficulties.
As for the brain, “the autonomic nervous system is going with the fight or flight syndrome”, say the BBC video’s commentators, “but there’s no flight, and you end up with blood-pressure higher than normal and it’s much more difficult to process cognitively, even, and you find yourself distracted and worried, and preoccupied.”
It is precisely here that the practice of faith-filled mental prayer, can help us find balance and free our creative energies. I learnt this myself in a difficult moment in my own life. While reading what the an-cient Jewish leaders once said to their people in a time of distress, I felt a strong urge to adopt their
admonition. With one slight change I made it into an “aspiration” (or mantra) to repeat gently countless times a day: “Be not grieved, my soul, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (cf. Nehemiah 8:11).
Recent brain studies in Positive Psychology have shown how such talking to ourselves in a positive way can reduce negative thoughts and toxic feelings, freeing us interiorly to deal constructively with life’s challenges. This is especially important for those more sensitive to danger and prone to dwell on worst case scenarios as also for those for whom the voice in their heads is a depressingly judgemental one – an inner critic untiringly blaming and putting them down.
Researchers also highlight the value of talking to our-selves in the third person, like this: “John/Jane is feeling overwhelmed, but he/she has the resources to deal with it.” Those resources must include, of course, a willingness to admit the need for support, even on occasion for professional help – and the courage to act on it!
Our self-encouragement is firmer still, of course, when grounded in genuine religious faith in the em-powering presence of a faithful and tenderly loving God.
A long tradition stands behind this way of praying, using “aspirations” or short phrases frequently re-peated during the day, especially when combined with the calming constancy of deep breathing. The aim is to strengthen our awareness of the loving presence of God in line with Saint Paul’s injunction to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17).
If you are feeling the stress of the present time – and who is not? – may I suggest you try this way of praying, ask-ing the Lord’s Spirit to
guide you in your choice of a phrase.
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@ St Francis’
During these times of physical distance, we invite you to
pray for a group of 16 people who after just beginning
their faith journey with us at St Francis, needed to stop
meeting. As they continue to seek God in their lives and
in our world, we pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen
and support them. And may their desire to become part
of our Catholic family continue to be nourished with our
prayerful support.
St Francis’ Church
326 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9663 2495 Fax: (03) 9663 2817
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stfrancismelbourne.com
Broadcast of Liturgies
from St Francis’ Masses are being recorded and made available for viewing at
11.00am each Sunday. You can find links to these videos and an
Order of Service at www.stfrancismelbourne.com
Keep an eye on WWW.STFRANCISMELBOURNE.COM/NEWS/
for news and updates from St Francis’ Church.
~~~~ Monday Prayer group - We meet at the same time through skype and
continue with prayer for the current situation around the world,
and personal needs.
For more information please call the Pastoral Centre on 9663 2495.
Art at St Francis’ For information about future
exhibitions please contact
Brigitte Remmen on
BIBLE SHARING THROUGH ZOOM
Subject: Exploring the Scriptural sources of the Eucharist. Currently we are examining the surprisingly rich episodes of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The first few sessions will look at the Gospel of Mark, then we will explore the whole of Chapter Six of the Gospel of John.
Form of presentation: Fr Tony will present material while participants have the opportunity to intervene with comments and questions. Time: 5.30 to 6.30 pm Saturday evenings
Registration: If you are new to this session please register your interest via email [email protected] Login details and notes will be sent to you by Saturday 11am.
Spaces are limited – you need to register to be admitted to this online event.
Online training for Liturgical Ministries @ St Francis'
Online training will soon be commencing for those interested in taking part in liturgical roles at St Francis’:
- Lectors (Readers)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (Communion Ministers)
- Acolytes (Servers in the Sanctuary)
Should you be interested in being a Volunteer Liturgical Minister please email
your expression of interest to our Sacristan
Mr Saophorn Chea e: [email protected] (A valid Working With Children check is required.)