AD SENSE

27 Sunday B

Current Scenario:

The grim picture presented by divorce statistics. We are told that during the last three years the divorce rate in the U.S has gone above 43%, although it is still less than that in Russia (65%), Sweden (63%), U.K (49%) and Australia (49%).   In 1998 there were 19.4 million divorced adults in the U.S.A.  Each year 2.5 million more couples get divorced.  A greater number of   divorces   occur   within   the   Christian   churches   than   in marriages made outside the church.  An ABC broadcast reports that the divorce rate in the "Bible Belt" is 50% higher than in other areas of the country.  This affects the lives of one million new children every year, 84% of whom live in single parent homes. Statistics for the U.S. predict the possibility of 40% to 50% of marriages ending in divorce if current trends continue.  People between the ages of 25 and 39 account for 60% of all divorces. More people are in their 2nd marriage than 1st (www. dicorcenter.com).    With  divorce  being  so  common  today, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce.

26 Sunday B

Thomas O'Loughlin

Introduction to the Celebration

We gather here as a community, but we are not a club. A club is a group of like-minded people who see themselves or their interests as distinctive from others. We are a community whose deepest desires are pursued by every human being of good will. Whoever is seeking to do what is right; whoever is seeking peace; whoever is bearing witness to the truth; whoever is caring for the creation; whoever is helping the poor – with all these we make common cause and, gathered here, we commend them to our heavenly Father.

25 Sunday B


25 Sunday B September 23

 

Thomas O'Loughlin


Introduction to the Celebration


Each week when we gather here we renew our commitment to being disciples: to following the way of the Lord on our pilgrimage through life. And as a pilgrim people we have been listening to Mark during this year as he reminds us of the demands of discipleship. Today we hear Mark reminding us as disciples that the core of the mystery we celebrate is that Jesus, the Son of Man was arrested, put to death, and rose again. This is the mystery of faith. But we also hear him warning us about how we can be distracted in our discipleship: instead of seeing this community as the group which must model the way God's people should live, it can all too easily degenerate into being a group where people argue and compete for honours and position. We as disciples have to both be focused on the Lord and recognise how often we fail as disciples.


24 Sunday - B

Mark 8:27-38 - "Why Must We Carry a Cross?"
James 3:1-12 - "Good Gossip" by Leonard Sweet
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Introduction by the Celebrant
A. Do We Go Jesus' Way?What are we looking for in life? Good health, happiness in our families, in our job, in our faith, good relationships with ourselves, with people and with God. When Jesus tells us today that we have to follow him in taking up the crosses that come our way, do we accept that as disciples of Jesus today? Do we take that as a part of our faith or do we say, "Lord, everything - but not that!"? Jesus assures us: "Anyone who loses his or her life for my sake will find life, will save life." Come, let us meet the Lord who speaks to us.

Enneagram - 9 Numbers - GIFTS & FLAWS

Enneagram: one

 
IN GENERAL

If you are ONE, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
 
J Idealistic                 J Principled               J Orderly

J Diligent                  J Honest                    J Conscientious

J Fair                         J Dependable             J Ehical

 However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:

 
L  Uptight                  L  Critical                  L  Impatient

L  Judgmental            L  Inflexible               L  Controlling

L  Moralistic              L  Puritanical             L  Dogmatic

As a Perfectionist you strive so hard to make everything and everyone as good as possible that you have become deeply angry at any imperfection. But you are so oblivious to your anger that you deny how controlling and destructive it is. 

Enneagram: TWO

 

In General


 If you are TWO, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:

Caring                   Considerate           Generous

Sympathetic          Supportive             Self-Sacrificing

Helpful                  Adaptable              Loving

 

However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:

L Dependent              LNeedy                     L Possessive

L Flattering                L  Interfering             LManipulative

L  Hysterical              L  Seductive               L Self-Important

 As a Helperyou strive so hard to attend to other people's needs that you neglect your own and even pride yourself in having none. But you are so oblivious to your pride that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.

Enneagram: THREE


In General

If you are a THREE, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:

☺ Adaptable              ☺ Energetic               ☺ Self‑Confident

☺ Outgoing                ☺ Efficient                 ☺ Pragmatic

☺ Industrious             ☺ Optimistic              ☺ Goal‑Oriented

However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:

L Devious        L Vain                L Image-Conscious                  

L Pretentious        LCalculating              L Manipulative           

L Misleading              L Narcissistic             L Callous

 As an Achiever you are so competitive and image‑conscious that you are prepared to deceive others in order to win or promote yourself. But you are so oblivious to your deceit that you deny how controlling and destructive it is. 

Enneagram: four

In General 

If you area FOUR, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:

 
Intuitive                 Creative                 Sensitive

Expressive             Cultured                 Stylish

Original                 Artistic                   Empathic

However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:

LMoody                     L Possessive               L Self‑Conscious

L Obstinate                L Critical                   L Spiteful

L Hypersensitive        L Depressive              L Masochistic

 As an Artist you strive so hard for originality and uniqueness that you become envious of other people's gifts and abilities. But you are so oblivious to your envy that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.

Enneagram: FIVE

In General

If you are a FIVE, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:

Observant                        Perceptive              Reflective

Self‑Contained                  Analytical              Detached

Wise                                   Objective               Sensitive

 However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:

 

L Withdrawn                          L Cerebral                  L Stingy

L Arrogant                             L Superior                  L Remote

L Non‑Assertive                 L Unfeeling                LUninvolved

As an Observer you strive so hard for meaningful information that, when you get it, you hoard it rather than part with it. But you are so oblivious to your avarice that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.

Enneagram: SIX

IN GENERAL 

If you  are a SIX, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:

J Loyal                      J Dutiful                    J Hospitable

J Caring                     J Idealistic                 J Prudent

J Respectful              JTrustworthy             J Courageous

 However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:

L Fearful                   L Timid                      L Suspicious

L Indecisive              L Defensive               L Anxious

         L Authoritarian         L Aggressive              L Paranoid

As a Supporter you strive so hard to belong that you become fearful of not honoring your commitments. But you are so oblivious to your fear that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.

Enneagram: SEVEN

IN GENERAL

If you are a SEVEN, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:

J Optimistic       J Fun‑Loving                         J Gregarious
JCreative            J Joyful                                  J Childlike
J Imaginative     J Adventurous                       J Resilient

However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:

L Escapist                  L Distracted                           L Superficial
L Unreliable               L Hedonistic                          L Undisciplined
L Narcissistic             L Addictive                            L Manic

As an Optimist you strive so hard to be happy and avoid pain that you become addicted to pleasure‑seeking. But you are so oblivious to your gluttony that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.

Enneagram: EIGHT

IN GENERAL

If you an EIGHT, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:

J Resourceful            J Earthy                     JSelf‑Confident
J Energetic                J Direct                      J Fearless
J Just                         J Powerful                 J Passionate

However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:

L Aggressive              L Domineering          L Insensitive

L Possessive               L Confrontational      L Controlling

L Intimidating            L Vindictive               L Punitive

As a Leader you strive so hard to control and experience life to the full that your passion becomes overwhelming. But you are so oblivious to your list that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.

 
Enneagram: NINE

IN GENERAL
 
If you are a NINE, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:

 
J Peaceful                  J Calm           J Accommodating

J Unpretentious         J Reassuring J Tolerant

J Gentle                     J Patient        J Imperturbable

 
However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:
 
L Indolent                  L Forgetful     L Indecisive

L Apathetic                L Oblivious    L Obstinate

LObsessive                 L Addictive    L Nihilistic

 As a Mediator you strive so hard to avoid conflict that you become unassertive and self‑forgetful. But you are so oblivious to your sloth that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.