From the Parish House

As we move into the final weekend of our Parish Stewardship Renewal Program, I wish to express my deep gratitude to all of you for participating in this time of reflection and renewal together as one community of faith.

I would especially like to thank the parishioners who were invited to speak at the Masses on the first weekend of the renewal program.  Listening to what they shared about the impact of faith and the communal life of our parish on their lives – their involvement and their commitments, their hope and dreams – I was personally inspired.

I remember what one of my former parish priests once said: “When you move into a community, you become part of their stories, and their stories become part of yours.”  It is truly special to be part of this community – being inspired by many uplifting stories of life and faith, while also sharing in and sympathising with stories of struggle and disappointment.

This program has been an opportunity not only to look outward but also to examine inwardly how we, as a community, can best foster a deeper sense of belonging, nurture a passionate spirit of worship, and promote a strong commitment to charity.

We all have God-given gifts and talents and there are many ways we can each put our gifts to the service of others.  Last weekend we considered our engagement in parish life and how our involvement in parish groups and ministries is central to building our Parish community.

I invite all parishioners to become involved or continue to be involved in our Parish community by completing the Groups and Ministries form which is available as an online form on the Parish website or by completing the brochure available in all our churches.

This weekend we will be asking you to finalise your commitments by making your meaningful pledge of financial support to the Stewardship Program.  Your pledge may be made by visiting our Support Us page on our parish website or by downloading the pledge card.

Once again we welcome Stephen Littleton from Parish First who is coordinating our Parish Stewardship Renewal Program.  Stephen will speak at all Masses on the importance of your financial commitment to the Parish of Our Lady of Pentecost – your support allows us to remain open, fully staffed, and full of active ministries.    

As Pope Francis said “the future is most of all, in the hands of those people who recognise the other as ‘you’ and themselves as part of an ‘us’.  We all need each other.

Thank you for your support.

By Fr Sang Ho