Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus sometimes has a fairly shocking way of talking. He is frighteningly confrontational. He puts Himself on a par with God.

Only God could ever say “Unless you prefer Me over and above your father and mother, daughter or son you cannot be worthy of Me.”

What is shock? A jolt, an event that knocks us off the course we are on in life. Shocks, interrupt our usual patterns of behaviour. Shock, any kind of trauma makes us think afresh. If we are lucky it can set us on a path in life that is more rich, vivid and life giving.

JESUS Himself, in a sense is a shock. He is EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US. He is PRINCE OF PEACE reconciling us to the FATHER. He is the PIVOTAL POINT of history, universal and personal.

We speak of time being B.C. or A. D. Those who are in the process of conversion think in similar terms of B.C. and A.D.

Have a good week.

Fr. Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our ability to reflect on the various experiences we undergo in life, our ability to make moral decisions, is something peculiarly human. From age to age, man wonders what life is about. Has it a purpose? What are we about?

We reflect on what is good and what is evil. Into this wondering and reflection, other thoughts enter our minds. Is there something greater than ourselves? Does a God exist? How can we know? It seems to me that the search for meaning in our lives always remains.

When Jesus enters our lives, He becomes our way, our truth and our life. When all other support systems fail, we discover that He is our rock, our stronghold the one who keeps us steadfast and firm.

Have a good week.

Fr. Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Reverence is a funny word that conjures up all sorts of feelings, both reverent and irreverent. Although I may find it hard to explain its meaning, I recognise it when I see it.

For me, John Paul II had a reverent touch whenever he came into contact with people flesh to flesh. It would be hard to not have a sense of your own self worth when you have been touched by him.

When Jesus offers Himself to us in Holy Communion He does so in reverence for us. May we in due time learn to show Him the same respect and reverence.

What we receive from God, may we pass on to others.

Have a good week

Fr Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Reverence is a funny word that conjures up all sorts of feelings, both reverent and irreverent. Although I may find it hard to explain its meaning, I recognise it when I see it.

For me, John Paul II had a reverent touch whenever he came into contact with people flesh to flesh. It would be hard to not have a sense of your own self worth when you have been touched by him.

When Jesus offers Himself to us in Holy Communion He does so in reverence for us. May we in due time learn to show Him the same respect and reverence.

What we receive from God, may we pass on to others.

Have a good week

Fr Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is said that we humans are made in the image and likeness of God. Certainly, if God is a community of persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we can easily see that we as persons are meant to be in a relationship with one another, in order to be fulfilled.

The Holy Spirit will help us to live no longer for ourselves (in a self-centred universe) but for Jesus who proclaims “Love one another as I have loved you”.

This exciting adventure has begun. We need to continue to learn new ways of responding to the call. Build your family, build your Parish Community, build your networks of friendship.

In the words of ‘Pierre Salinger’* our attitude should be: Ask not what others can do for you, but rather what can I do for others?

Have a good week.

Fr. Richard

*Pierre Salinger – script writer for J. F. Kennedy

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Pentecost Sunday reminds us that we are dependent on the Holy Spirit for our mission and authentication as Christians.

St. Paul says “and so that we may live no longer for ourselves but for Him, He sent the Holy Spirit from the Father as His first gift to those who believe, to complete His work on earth and bring us to the fullness of grace.” Let us place ourselves at God’s disposal.

Let the song of our hearts be, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done…

Have a good year.
Fr. Richard