From the Parish House

We have kicked off the year 2026 with several events and activities in our parish life.  One of the highlight celebrations was the Opening of the School Year Mass hosted at the Basilica for all three primary schools.

Coming back from a short break after Christmas, I was affected by a bad flu and an unknown virus, which took away almost all my strength and energy.  As a result, I was confined to the house for at least eight days.  Fr Ian graciously took charge and led beautifully, not only the Mass for our parish students, but also the Opening of the Year Mass for Genazzano FCJ College, which I was rostered to celebrate.  There were also many pastoral matters to which he and our parish staff had to respond together within our parish community.  I am deeply grateful to them.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our parish children has also commenced, with the Commitment Mass taking place at Our Holy Redeemer Church.  Twenty-seven students gathered with their families for the occasion.  They had their first session yesterday, Thursday, 12 February, under the guidance of our Sacramental Coordinator, Katarina Steele, and her team.  The celebrations of the Sacrament itself will be held on 17 and 19 March.  We hold them in our prayers as they learn, explore, and celebrate the love and mercy of God through this Sacrament of reconciliation and forgiveness.  May each child be inspired to be an effective instrument of peace and hope for our world – the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

We thank all the parishioners who gathered on Thursday night, 12 February, at Our Holy Redeemer Church for the Parish Forum to discuss the changes to the Mass schedule in our parish.  It provided an opportunity for the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) to share the reasons for the changes, as well as for parishioners to raise questions and express their thoughts, ideas, and opinions.  I hope to convene the PPC in the coming weeks to continue our discussion and to communicate further with the whole parish in due course.

This Sunday, our parish community will gather as one to celebrate the Opening of the Parish Year, marked by the Eucharist at Our Holy Redeemer Church.  We invite all parishioners to join us in this celebration, during which we will be commissioned for our ministries in the parish.  This commissioning will help rekindle in each of us the spirit of mission.  In our own roles, ways, and commitments, may we work to build a parish of unity, peace, and hope.

At the General Audience last Wednesday, in his catechesis, Pope Leo reflected on the importance of embracing the Word of God.  He pointed out that we seem to “live surrounded by so many words, but how many of these are actually empty.”  The Holy Father reminded his audience of the significance of the Word of God, which is “the source of comfort, guidance, and strength for Christians.”  Reading and meditating on the Scriptures is “to get to know Christ and, through Him, to enter into a relationship with God – a relationship that can be understood as a conversation, a dialogue.”

As we gather to celebrate the Eucharist and launch ourselves into a new parish year, in the light of this week’s Gospel, Jesus offers us a way to form Christian community through a new way of approaching the Law of God.  One should not observe the Law with rigidity but rather internalise it to bring about right relationships: “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).  The Hebrew term for righteousness used in this context – tzedakah – conveys a sense of “right relationship.”

As He takes a selection from the Decalogue – the Ten Commandments – to demonstrate His teaching, He further emphasises this message of internalisation of the Law: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21–22).

Jesus even places our relationships with our neighbours before our relationship with Him: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23–24).

The wisdom of God is revealed to us through the Spirit of God, as Paul reminds us in today’s second reading.  There are surely many kinds of wisdom in our world and in our age, but Paul reaffirms that God’s wisdom is offered and delivered only through God’s Spirit, for “the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).

As we begin this new year together as one parish community, let us ask God’s Spirit to grant us His wisdom so that we may build the Kingdom of God in our world.

By Fr Sang Ho