MESSAGE ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (YR C)
Friday 31st January 2025.
My dear people,
I am very happy to be back at my desk writing the first fortnightly message for 2025. While it was good to have a break, I do enjoy bringing you different pieces of news about what is going on in the life of the parish. As we slowly resume our normal activities for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for the year ahead and pray that all your hopes, desires and endeavours come to fruition. I also hope that you achieve all that you seek to do this year and that, as a parish, we continue to move ahead with missionary renewal.
I trust the month of January has been relaxing and restful enabling you to recharge your batteries for the year ahead. As I announced last year, I was fortunate to have a three-week break after Christmas. I travelled to Rome for a conference of English-speaking clergy based on St Augustine’s probably most famous saying, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” We heard from three cardinals about how each of the three transcendentals of truth, beauty and goodness as they apply to the mission of the priest. I believe that I have learnt a lot to be able to be the best pastor that Jesus wants me to be. I also hope that the celebration of Christmas was a wonderful way to come together with our families and enjoy each other’s company. I know it was for me.
Last Tuesday I celebrated Mass with the staff of CRC Caroline Springs, last Wednesday I celebrated Mass with the staff of our two catholic primary schools and yesterday, I celebrated Mass with the Year 7 cohort of CRC Caroline Springs and their families as they embark on this next step in their lives. On Friday I will celebrate Mass at St George Preca and Christ the Priest as we ask God’s blessings upon all the desires and projects of everyone in the schools in the parish.
Many activities of the parish have either resumed this past week or will resume over the next few weeks. On Sunday, Ablaze Young Adults Group will resume their activities. As a reminder, they meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month between 5pm and 7pm in the meeting rooms of the church. Parishioners aged between 18 and 35 years old are most welcome to attend. On Friday, the Ablaze Youth Group will resume their activities. As a reminder, they meet every Friday between 6pm and 8pm in the CRC Hall. Parishioners in Year 7 to Year 12 are most welcome to attend.
We will also resume Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the year on the first Friday of February, which will be 7th February. We will begin with Mass at 7:00pm and this will be immediately followed by prayers for the Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There will be a period of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Confession will be available at that time.
We continue turning to our patron saint and we ask for her intercession.
St Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Fr Richard Rosse PP