From the Parish House

When I first moved to St Bernard’s in 2019 to begin my ministry as Parish Priest, the community was already in the midst of planning the construction of a new presbytery adjacent to the parish church. This decision was prompted by the deteriorating condition of the existing presbytery. We were truly blessed to have a wonderful committee, whose members brought a wealth of experience and expertise in the construction industry to the project.

As someone who was not very familiar with this field, I found it to be a valuable opportunity to learn about the process of building a house. The team was incredibly kind and patient with me, offering as much guidance and information as they could. They were also very respectful of my role as Parish Priest and made sure to include me by creating many opportunities for input. While I did not contribute much in terms of technical knowledge, I was able to share a few thoughts on what a presbytery should look like – a space that enhances hospitality and accommodates special occasions in the life of the parish.

I remember one particular request I made: to have an open-plan layout that connected the kitchen to other areas of the house, so that while cooking, I could still converse with and entertain our guests. Some experts might argue that one should focus on a single task at a time. Nevertheless, I believe that the act of cooking should not completely take away the chance to share in conversation with the guests you’re hosting. One might serve the best food with the finest presentation – but what is the point of inviting guests if there is little opportunity to share, converse and connect?

The spirit of this week’s Gospel seems to reflect that very attitude. While Martha is busy trying to provide the best hospitality through food, Mary offers her presence and attentiveness to Jesus, listening with her heart. Jesus doesn’t necessarily dismiss Martha’s efforts, but he does emphasize the importance of listening deeply and being present.

I truly appreciate the way our parish embraces hospitality across our different communities on designated weekends at various Masses. From what I’ve observed, the number of participants at these gatherings continues to grow. I don’t believe it’s simply because of the quality of food that each community offers, but rather the opportunity these moments provide for people to connect and share life and faith through conversation. It is heartening to see how our community is being built up through these small but meaningful encounters. We never know the blessings that can come from such moments of fellowship.

In the first reading from Genesis 18, we hear the story of Abraham, who goes out of his way to provide generous hospitality to three divine visitors. What he receives in return – the promise of a son – is not only a gift for him but also a blessing of new life and hope for his barren wife, Sarah. Sometimes, small gestures of welcome can lead to unexpected and profound blessings.

As I write this reflection, I am also preparing to take my annual leave starting this coming Monday, for three weeks. Almost every year, I return to Vietnam and have the opportunity to reunite with my family – nine siblings and their spouses, twenty-two nieces and nephews and their spouses, and six grandnieces and grandnephews. As people often say, “Nothing is better than a family reunion.” I am looking forward to seeing my family again, taking time to reconnect, recharge my energy, and return renewed – ready to continue sharing hope, faith, and community life in our parish.

By Fr Sang Ho