Jubilee week has arrived. Our Patriarch His Beatitude and Eminence Mar Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rai has landed in Australia and has blessed this beautiful land and all the Maronite Catholics. Many events and visits were booked in the company of our Bishop, His Excellency, Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, and our community has attended and enriched themselves with the wisdom of our Church’s leaders.
In saying that, the Golden Jubilee Mass that we’ve being waiting for has officially arrived and the countdown is only days away.
I have 3 little children and, to be honest, the thought of taking little children to a big event like this where there is an expected attendance of 10 thousand people, gives me a bit of anxiety. HOWEVER, at the same time I need to remember that this is not “another event”. We are not going to see kids show, or an American artist who supports abortion or talks openly about immorality. This won’t be a concert with grotesque music and bright disco lights while the audience screams and dances. It won’t be surrounded by people swearing and acting silly -to say the least- because their team lost due to a referee blunder… NO.
This is not another “event”: this is the Celebration of the Most Holy Mass were Jesus Christ Himself will be present. We will be part of the 10 thousand people who will see the miracle of Transubstantiation which is when the bread and wine used for Holy Communion will become the flesh and blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is not another “event”. This is the union of 10 thousand Maronite Catholics: elderly, young, families, volunteers, children: all of us will be together united in prayer.
“The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer.” Pope St. Paul VI.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
The power of Prayer is immense. Jesus has said it so many times. “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING”… Australia needs an example of peaceful and joyful prayer. Maronites need the union in Prayer, the force that comes when thousands people pray together for a cause: for Lebanon, for the Souls in Purgatory, for Families, for Vocations, for the Elderly, for our Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and our Pope… for you… for me… for all the World.
This Jubilee Mass is Historic because the Patriarch of the Maronite Church, who is a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, who will be summed if there is a need to choose a new Pope in the future, who has being chosen to lead the Maronites into our journey of faith, his Eminence Mar Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rai, will preside the Mass.
Just imagine the magnitude of the Praise and Glory to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Imagine the Transubstantiation happening in Australia in front of thousands of people. Imagine the songs of praise that will echo in English and Arabic, sang by the Congregation. Imagine all the Parish Priests united in prayer with us there… praying for our Church, the Church that was given to us by Jesus when He said:
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20: 21-22.
I don’t know about you, but I want my family, my children to experience this. This is something that, even in their littleness, they will NOT forget…
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And if you have little ones like me, I have a few pieces of advice that you can take or leave to prepare you for a smooth run on Sunday 24th of September. Here we go:
– If you booked your Stadium Tickets very early on, go to your inbox and find the email. Screenshot the seats you got and the barcode so you don’t have to slow down the line and feel stressed when entering.
– Don’t forget to get your Jubilee Apparel from http://www.CatholicApparel.com.au or in-store in Belfield.
– Pre-book your parking if you are going by car. You still have time. Remember: P3 or P4.
– Back up your phone (you need space for the new pictures and videos you’ll take. This is HISTORY).
– Get your children’s hat and put them close to your backpack or whatever you are planning to take with you. If it is sunny, put on sunscreen before leaving home. Even though it is all undercover (so no sun nor rain will disturb you), it’s better to be safe in case you park far or go in public transport and need to walk a bit.
– Don’t forget the children’s wipes, nappies and their bottles of water! Essential!
– Get the kids’ snacks. I don’t mean a full breakfast menu (please, remember, it is the Celebration of the Mass that we’ll be part of). Little children won’t last without small snacks, so, yes, get some with you in your bag. But try not to bring anything that would melt, or make your space or seats dirty.
– Don’t forget to get a small bag for the rubbish you might cause (tissues, a wipe, empty bags of biscuits or whatever you got with you needs to go back with you and be put in the closest rubbish bin you can find). Remember, as Maronite Catholics we need to be the living example of what we preach.
– Breathe, smile, and live the moment. Let the mistakes happen. Let your kids be kids even in the stadium. This is not their (or your) comfort zone. Be patient.
The Church is not ours, is theirs, because they are the ones who have heaven guaranteed.
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”” Matthew 19:14
Our children are the future disciples of Christ, they are the future generations of Saints. Let them remember our joyful attendance of the Golden Jubilee Mass… Joy it is very contagious… and let the light of Christ shine upon all of us!
I hope to see you all there!
God bless you,
Liza, a Maronite Mum
Maronite Mum 