A retired priest from the Archdiocese of Sydney has chosen to start recording weekly reflections on the Gospel.
Monsignor Tony Doherty has started a series of reflections called “Breaking Bread Together” on a personal YouTube channel.
The reflections were designed for parishioners of St Joseph’s Neutral Bay, part of the Parishes of Sydney Harbour North, but he warmly welcomes those outside of the parish to the video.
One of the most endearing stories about Pope John XXIII, now a saint, happened on the night the Vatican Council began back in 1962.
That night 50,000 people squeezed into St Peter’s Square singing and cheering and coaxing the tired old man (he was 78) to appear once more at his window – which, of course, he did.
‘Dear children, dear children I hear your voices.’ The Pope then told them to go home where they belonged and give their children a kiss.
‘Tell them it is la carezza di Papa Giovanni.’ Many did just that. And to this day in Italy the children who received that old man’s gentle caress on that night have felt entitled to pass it on to their own children and in turn to their children’s children.
On the night of Pentecost Sunday 1963 Pope John XXIII died as he lived – simply.
Calling this world to a renewed humanity. We celebrated this week the anniversary of this gentle man’s death on June 3.
This week’s video reflection can be found by tapping the link below. Please feel free to pass on the reflection to whomever you believe may be interested.
Blessings,
Tony
To follow Msgr Doherty’s reflections, visit his YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNTI-unsj934-1HkRkbMaZA
