As I return from Ireland for this important time in our lives, our very best focus is the truth at the heart of our faith “Dying, you destroyed our death, Rising, you restore our lives”. This inspires me, but with lots and lots of faults and failure to discourage me. At the heart of our communities making up our parish, is a growing desire to work together, to survive together and especially to strive together. Since I have returned we have had moments of great grace and encouragement. From a supply priest “it was a pleasure to have this opportunity. They are a lovely bunch of people in your churches, and the harvest festival was a delight and so well prepared and presented”. This Sunday I met a visitor who lived here twenty to thirty years ago and she was really blessed and inspired by our mass and was most grateful.
So for all of this, much thanks, because life at this time is extremely difficult for many, health, the constant sense of threat, war, the economy, the lack of grace and peace fear for our future. These are the real trials through which we will triumph by the power of Him who loves us. This is at the heart of our mass, which brings to be a great sense of strength and peace.
Let us focus on what this is all about. Jesus, His words and action, especially His challenges “by their fruit you shall know them, good trees bear good fruit”. Each week I am inspired by our prayers of the faithful which are prepared for us by different members. As I pray them, by their fruits you shall know them “good trees bear good fruit”. Which will help grow and develop all our ministries. I was especially inspired by Martin as he lead the liturgies at St George’s church on Tuesdays while I was away.