From the Parish House

St Paul has given us some incredible writings which give us an insight into the emerging Christian communities of the first century.  We read about their struggles, their conflicts, their passion and their burning zeal for Christ.  St Paul urges them on.  Like an Olympic coach wanting the best for his team, Paul encourages, rebukes and pleads with the communities he has introduced to Christ, always wanting to shape them into living witnesses of faith, hope and love.

St Paul is aware that people will not turn to Christ as the source and one who steers their lives, unless they first know this Christ.  He tells us in Romans: “All belong to the same Lord who is rich enough, however many ask his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless son is sent, but as Scripture say: The footsteps of those who bring good news is a welcome sound.”

These words of St Paul ring true to me.  It makes me think about all the people that have come into my life, or whose path I have crossed even fleetingly, who have brought the word of God to me.  I am thinking about people who have told me the stories of how they have felt the presence of God calling them to something, or comforting them when in need, or challenging them when complacent, or picking them up when they were down.  I am thinking of the wonderful books I have read that have led me deeper into the mystery of faith, the person of Christ and the life of the Church.  I am thinking of the inspiring talks, addresses and homilies that I have heard and the insights shared from those who have delved into the mystical, spiritual and contemplative lives of the saints gone before us.  I am thinking of the works of mercy, the striving for justice and the acts of charity that I have received and witnessed in the name of the Christ of God.  From St Paul onwards the Lord continues to send people into our world and into our lives to open our minds and hearts to his perduring presence.

We have such people in our own midst!  All of us, I am sure, can think of someone who has inspired us in faith, challenged us in belief or stirred up a curiosity or interest in relation to faith.  In our own newsletter regularly we invite parishioners to share faith reflections, which act in the same way that St Paul talks about in Romans, they help us to ‘work out’ or deepen what we believe.  Cathy Jenkins, Ann Rennie and Peter Malone do this regularly for us in their monthly faith (and film) reflections.

Today, I would like to introduce two more witnesses to the faith who have been sent to us to urge us on.  Father Frank O’Loughlin who regularly writes for our newsletter has produced yet another book for us.  The Catholic Church: Into the Future, published by Coventry Press, is Frank’s latest contribution.  This book is faith filled, realistic and an encouraging invitation into the future.  The book will be launched at Deepdene on Thursday, 29 August at 7.00 pm.  Copies of the book will be available at the launch and can already be purchased at Pauline Books and Media, 7 Denmark Hill Rd, Hawthorn East.  We are grateful that God has sent Frank to us as a preacher and teacher!

Finally, today I would like to introduce our newest contributor to the newsletter and our faith reflections.  Sandy Curnow is an educator, she has taught at both Secondary schools and University level.  For many years she taught Texts and Traditions to secondary school students.  In recent years, she has been a tutor at Corpus Christi Seminary, assisting students to the Priesthood with their studies.  Sandy also teaches at the University of the Third Age.  She has been a parishioner at Deepdene and Balwyn for the last twenty years and lived in the Kew-Deepdene neighbourhood most of her life.  Sandy has written previously for our parish newsletter but this week marks the beginning of a regular monthly column.  Today she reflects on the Jesus Boat.

I think St Paul would be happy to see that the Lord continues to send into our midst those who continue to challenge us and urge us on in faith!

By Fr Brendan Reed

Published: 9 August 2024