Message from our Community Director for June 2019

‘Heal our wounds,
our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:’

Greetings dear sisters and brothers

As we welcome the month of June we welcome the time of Pentecost.. Alleluia.

This verse from the Pentecost Sequence, said or sung at Pentecost, shows us a little of the amazing work of the Holy Spirit. Which one of us can’t relate to the need for healing our wounds, renewing of our strength, washing away the stain of our sin and shame…in a sentence, being doused with the dew of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was so clear in his discourse before he died. Do not be afraid, I will be with you till the end of time, he says and this is through the power of his Holy Spirit.  In these difficult and trying times, dear sisters and brothers, what a gift from our Lord. But how many of us avail ourselves of this grace?  We are usually so consumed with our will, our world and the ‘things’ we think are good for us, we just don’t seek God’s will and the path he has set out for us. The Sequence addresses this too..

‘Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.’

Why not spouses, family, friends, help each other this month seek the gift of the Holy Spirit. Can I suggest a little mission for us all. Share, with at least one person, your need for the Holy Spirit in your life and your desire to let God’s Spirit guide your steps. Then step out in faith and pray for each other. Don’t be afraid, but trust in the Holy Spirit who empowers you to do more than you can ask or imagine. He wants us and empowers us to be that community of disciples on mission…and that’s what it’s all about. Being on mission for Christ in this world.

Which one of us can deny that daily we are faced with many challenges, as families and as a country and without question,  the challenge of the refugee crisis in our country…this is going to cause us to dig deep into our souls for what we need to deal with this situation. The welcome and integration of all these thousands of refugees is an unprecedented challenge for us as a Nation, but together as a people, all sections of our national community, Government, business, NGO’s, faith based groups, service and community groups, families, all of us, we can and must face this serious challenge together. God has not left us orphans, His Holy Spirit is with us to guide our steps. If we believe that the stone has been rolled away and Jesus is Risen, we need to open our hearts to His grace and be the guiding lights that our nation needs at this time.

“We are not selling a product. We have a life to communicate: God, his divine life, his merciful love, his holiness! It is the Holy Spirit who sends us, accompanies us and inspires us. He is the source of our mission….(Pope Francis)……..Blessings Rhonda