Last Sunday I returned to Our Lady of Good Counsel for evening Mass after an extended beach holiday. As Fr Frank O’Loughlin entered the church during the opening hymn, I was profoundly aware of the privilege of gathering as a community to celebrate the Eucharist. Last year presented enormous challenges for so many people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a parish community we experienced church closures, the cancellation of Mass and other activities, as we counted the days in lockdown. On Sunday I was greeted with a warm welcome by familiar faces and we shared stories of our Summer break. And as we had done so many times before, we were nourished by the Word of God and the Body of Christ. Something I could easily have taken for granted prior to the events of 2020.
This weekend we come together as a community of faith to celebrate a new year and to commission all parishioners for the year ahead. And more than ever it is an opportunity to reconnect as a community, renewing the call to be witnesses of God’s love in our lives and in our world. Amid the continued uncertainty posed by this virus, it is a time to look forward to our year together and find ways we can share the gifts we have been given to the life and ministries of our parishes.
You are invited to join a ministry across our parishes. To find out more about the various parish groups, ministries and activities, please contact the parish team at [email protected] or [email protected].
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Tue - Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm