72. The Soul

How have you been transformed throughout your life? What have you experienced to get to where you are today? Have you noticed God working in those experiences? This week’s edition of The Soul explores how God is transforming us through His love, and ways we can be open to the changes that God brings into our lives.

How beautiful is the Italian city of Venice? With its winding canals, elegant bridges and striking architecture, Venice attracts between 20 and 30 million people every year. Tourists flock from every corner of the world to experience every facet of this incredible city, including the delicious food, gondola rides and a walk through St Mark’s Basilica. This floating city is one of the most picturesque cities in the world!

But did you know that before Venice became the romantic ‘City of Canals,’ it was just an island of mud? There was no bedrock, not even any soil - Venice was a marshy, muddy lagoon. Now look at it! Look at what Venice has become.

Sometimes we can look at our lives, our abilities and our experiences and only see the ‘mud.’ We convince ourselves that we’re not good enough. We convince ourselves that we lack the ability to achieve something, or maybe that we don’t have the strength or patience to get through this challenging situation. 

But God is an architect, a builder and an engineer. God promises us transformation. He promises us that He will make us new. All we need to do is open up our hearts to Him, and invite Him to make some changes. In every single Mass, a simple piece of bread and a chalice of wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. When we consume the Eucharist we are changed from within, even if we don’t see it. Through prayer and spending time with God we are changed to become more like His Son, Jesus. God desires to transform us to become the best version of ourselves, and He starts with the little things.

If architects, builders and engineers can turn an island of mud into the enchanting city of Venice, imagine what God can transform in your life.

Click here for a word from Fr Joe on 'Transformation.'

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 14:25-33

• Talk to the Lord (Natalie Burgmen ft. Chicago Children’s Choir) - Talk to the Lord like you would talk to a friend. Share your fears, hopes, questions and frustrations with Him and He will respond to you in His time.

• David Danced (Arabic & English) - May the Holy Spirit fill you with God's joy.

• Ten Thousand Reasons (Gaither Vocal Band) - Allow God’s love to transform you through this beautiful rendition of Ten Thousand Reasons.

• Turn It Over (Zach Williams) - Surrender in prayer by freely giving all of your burdens over to God.

• No Limits - Proclaim Lismore Wildfire - To celebrate the theme of SHINE 2022, No Limits to God’s love, Wildfire composed this uplifting and groovy song. 

• SHINE 2022 Conference Wildfire Playlist - Curious to know what our students were worshipping/dancing to at SHINE?

• Making a lifestyle change is challenging, especially when you want to transform many things at once. Click here to read more about how you can make lifestyle changes that last.

• Have you ever wished there were things you could change about your parenting or family life? Have you decided to overhaul your home because you wanted to transform it into something more peaceful, harmonious, joyful… or just one with a lot less stuff dropped in random piles everywhere? Click here to read more.

• SHINE 2022: On the 18th and 19th of August, Mission Services and Youth Ministry Officers throughout the Diocese organised and facilitated the first SHINE Gathering since 2019 at St John Paul College in Coffs Harbour. SHINE is an element of the Student Discipleship Continuum, which brings Year 9 and 10 Youth Ministry (CSYMA) students together to learn what it means to be part of youth ministry in the Diocese of Lismore. It also provides students with an opportunity to connect with other students and to encounter Jesus in new and dynamic ways. Watch this beautiful student response video that was played during SHINE, and check out the Proclaim Lismore Students Facebook page for more content.

• CSYMA Junior at Macksville: A few weeks ago St Patrick’s, Macksville, kicked off the CSYMA (Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia) Junior program at their school with the ‘Journeying with Jesus’ retreat. They welcomed Stage 3 students from St Mary's Bowraville, Mary Help of Christians, Sawtell and St Mary's, Bellingen. Youth Ministry students using the secondary CSYMA program from St Paul's, Kempsey led the groups and offered opportunities for the participants to build their relationship with God. Thank you to Monique Soutter (AP Mission at St Patrick’s, Macksville) who organised the event, Will Pollack (Leader of School Evangelisation at St Paul’s, Kempsey) and the St Paul's Year 9 Youth Ministry class who led the Stage 3 students beautifully throughout the day. Thank you to all who supported this special day. More information about CSYMA Junior can be found here.

• Learning to Let Go and Pray with Shia LaBeouf: Bishop Robert Barron sits down with ‘Transformers’ actor Shia LaBeouf who became Catholic after portraying the young ‘Padre Pio’ in a new biopic on this incredible Saint. In this clip, Shia explains how God used his ego to draw him away from worldly desires, and how he began to pray. Click here to watch the full interview.

• Couple Decision Making: Behind every behaviour or decision that you make is a value; something that you hold in high esteem and is advanced in some way by the action. This article helps you to identify your values, and how to share these values with your partner.

• What Does it Cost to Trust God? Trusting God sounds like a great idea but for most people, it's a scary thought. Why? Because we know it will cost something. What we might not know (or might forget) is that what God will give us in return is worth everything. Today, Stacey Sumereau talks about why we find it scary to actually trust God, and why surrender is so worth it.

• CLFN and CSYMA Weekly News: Take a look at the latest article from the Catholic Leaders Formation Network and CSYMA which include a cross-cultural mission to Fiji attended by some of the Lismore Youth Ministry Officers.

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