From the Parish House

As the Confirmation program draws to a close, all of the candidates spent a Reflection Day together in preparation of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evening next week at Our Lady of Victories Basilica.

Ninety-seven children were led by our Sacramental Coordinator, Katarina Steele, with the support of our teachers, staff and clergy, on a day trip to St Patrick’s Cathedral.  They had the opportunity not only to discover and learn about the Cathedral and appreciate the architectural beauty of the building, but also to explore the concept of unity within a diocese through the visible sign of the cathedra, the Latin word for the chair or seat from which the bishop or archbishop presides over and leads the whole Archdiocese.

The day also provided an opportunity for these students to reflect on the life of our first Australian saint, Mary MacKillop.  They prayed in front of her statue, located in the garden on the southern side of St Patrick’s, and visited the Heritage Centre, located a short distance from the Cathedral.

Learning that Mary’s birthplace in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, was only a ten-minute walk from where they stood, and that she received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at St Francis’ Church in the City, also within walking distance, reminded them that St Mary was not a mysterious character from a fairy tale, but rather a real person who had walked these very grounds.  This first Australian saint is indeed not far from them, both in space and in time.

The students discovered and reflected on the life of an Australian saint who had a special place in her heart for God and aspired to put that love into practice by serving those in need, especially children.  One of her most important priorities was to overcome the many challenges of 19th-century life in order to help poor children receive an education.  It is reported that, at the time of her death in 1909, there were 112 Josephite schools established across Australia and New Zealand, with more than 12,000 students enrolled.

Through reflecting on St Mary MacKillop’s life, our Confirmation candidates were invited to reflect on their own lives, discover the gifts given to them by God, and consider how they might use these gifts to serve a humanity that is very much in need of God’s love and mercy.

I personally appreciated the opportunity to make the trip with these young people.  Travelling by tram with a small group gave us an opportunity for personal conversations, and there were some very interesting questions about faith.  Their answers at times could take you from one amazement to the next.  It was indeed a wonderful way to gain a deeper understanding of where these young people are on their journey of faith.  It gave me a chance to ponder deeply about how we can provide greater space and opportunities for them to encounter God.

We hold all these young people in our prayers as they prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation next week.  May the Holy Spirit bestow upon them His abundant gifts, so that each of them may become an effective instrument of God’s love and mercy.

We also pray for ourselves, that through witnessing these young people come forward to receive the Sacrament, we may be reminded of the special gifts God has given to each of us, so that we too may become effective missionary disciples, sharing God’s warmth and hospitality through our lives.

By Fr Sang Ho

Parish Priest