Requiem Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Source: Vatican News
In his homily at the Requiem Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Pope Francis commends his predecessor into the loving hands of God the Father, and prays that his joy may now be complete as he contemplates the Lord face to face.
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Pope Francis recalled those final words spoken by the Lord, as proclaimed in the Gospel reading at the Requiem Mass for the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Thursday morning in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis said Jesus’ final words summed up the Lord’s entire life, “a ceaseless self-entrustment into the hands of His Father” and recalled Benedict XVI also entrusting Himself into the hands of His brothers and sisters, offering the ultimate sacrifice of life in loving and serving others. The Pope said Jesus’ invitation to entrust our spirit in the hands of the Father is a programme of life inspiring and shaping the heart of every pastor, so that he may be “attuned in grateful devotion, in service to the Lord and to His people, a service born of thanksgiving for a completely gracious gift.”
He said this shows the great “closeness of God,” who entrusts Himself into the “frail hands of his disciples,” so they can care for His people in loving service and sacrifice. Continuing to describe the characteristics of a pastor who strives to follow the Lord, the Pope noted that “prayerful devotion” is required, one that is “silently shaped and refined amid the challenges and resistance that every pastor must face.” Pope Francis added that they should seek to embody that trust, which is “born of prayer and adoration, capable of discerning what is expected of a pastor and shaping his heart and his decisions in accord with God’s good time.”
He noted the importance of this aspect of mutual, prayerful support, in entrusting one another to the Lord, as the Church remembers Benedict XVI.
“God’s faithful people, gathered here,” said Pope Francis, “now accompanies and entrusts to Him the life of the one who was their pastor… We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years. Together, we want to say: “Father, into your hands we commend his spirit.”
“Benedict, faithful friend of the Bridegroom, may your joy be complete as you hear his voice, now and forever!”
Read Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s official biography via Vatican News here. Thanks to Vatican News, where this article originally appeared.
Parish Office Opening Hours
The Parish office reopens on Monday 9 January at 9:00am. Parish office hours are Monday – Friday 9:00am – 1:00pm.
Catechism in a Year
It’s not too late to join in and make 2023 a Year of Yes and your best New Year resolution yet – opening your hearts and minds to God’s love and invitation to you!
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Parish is excited to invite parishioners and friends to listen along to to the Catechism in a Year Podcasts (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) with other listeners from across the world. There are only four podcasts to catch up on, about 15-20 minutes long, making it easy to listen and catch up from the comfort of your home, the car, or your daily walk! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to finally understand what it means to be Catholic and allow those truths to shape your life!
Bible Study in 2023
We are planning to study the book of Acts in the New Year. We have 2 groups at present, which meet either on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. If anyone would like to join us, you would be most welcome. We are not into academic theology, more a practical application approach. Please RSVP to Caroline as books will need to be ordered. They will cost around $10 each. Please call Caroline Kettle on 0435 828 092 if you are interested or have any questions.
Baptism Preparation for Infants 
Parents with infants or babies wishing for them to be baptised are reminded that the preparation meeting is on Thursday 12 January at 7:00pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Caloundra. At this short preparation meeting, we outline some of the symbols used at the ceremony, answer any questions and confirm Baptism dates. To book in for the preparation evening, please contact the parish office on 5430 9390 or email [email protected]
Ladies Lunch
The first Ladies Lunch for 2023 will be Friday 20 January at 12:00pm at Brightwater Hotel. All ladies are welcome. If you would like to attend, please RSVP Deborah 0410 531 901 by Monday 16 January.
In Transition
As a Parish family we would like to Congratulate Brandon Camilleri & Michelle Summut who will be married at Montville this week.
Watch Mass live
To watch mass live go to the Caloundra Catholic Parish Facebook page.