The Star of Jesus
Dear Parishioners,
As we continue our journey towards Christmas, following the shining star of Bethlehem which leads us to our Saviour and Prince of Peace, let us reflect on its radiance and the hope that it transmits in a time when it seems that there is very little hope in our struggling world. It is very fitting that we reflect on the this hope today. United as one Church, we take part in the Day of Solidarity with the Christians of the Middle East, as announced by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. The injustice that is taking place in the Middle East is a tragedy that is unfolding in before our eyes. We are each called to do our little part in standing by the lands and cultures from which our faith and heritage have emerged. Whether it is through prayer or through our time and resources, we must not turn a blind eye to this tragedy.
And the Star of Bethlehem which sparkled in the skies of the Middle East over 2000 years ago, is such a timely example of the way in which our God and Creator always leads us from the darkness into the light. The star not only leads us to our Lord Jesus Christ but it also signifies his presence in our lives because He is the Light. As we prepare for His birth, let us ponder on the following reflections (by Sr Joyce Rupp) this week and in the weeks to come and allow the Star of our Lord to truly help us welcome him into our hearts.
“Let the Star of Hope blaze through discouragement, doubt, and disgruntledness.”
“Let the Star of Kindness radiate through what you think, feel and do today.”
“Let the Star of Laughter sparkle in your eyes and in your smile.”
“Let the Star of Forgiveness draw you nearer to those with whom you are alienated.”
“Let the Star of Joy dance in the corners of your heart that have forgotten to sing.”
“Let the Star of Patience permeate that which you find difficult and irritable.”
“Let the Star of Justice lead you to speak out in order to change an injustice today.”
“Let the Star of Compassion draw into the world’s wide expanse of suffering.”
“Let the Star of Faith beam through you by what you say and do.”
“Let the Star of Love shine through you to the persons you would rather avoid.”
“Let the Star of Peace be a ray of steadfast calmness and tranquillity within you.”
Finally, Let the Light of our Lord Jesus Christ’s humility beam through the darkness of this world and enter into your lives now and always
Amen
Fr Tony Sarkis
GOD - FULL OF SURPRISE
Dear Parishioners,
Last Sunday in the Homilies I spoke of how the Patriarch said he was surprised at times during his visit to Australia and one time when he was especially surprised when given a stone hand-made bust of himself as a Gift. His Beatitude spoke of how he was scanned by someone using a computer days before without knowing what the purpose. Then there was the surprise.
In his last homily of the visit, His Beatitude spoke of God always wanting to surprise us and that we are called to be open to His surprises by not letting our hearts and faith be like stone, closed and unwilling to be open and grow. I also spoke, in my homilies last Sunday on how Zechariah’s heart and faith were not ready for God’s Surprise to him that he would have a son with his elderly and so-called “barren” wife. Zechariah’s heart and faith seemed to have become closed like a stone without faith and hope and even while in the Temple hearing God’s Word through the Angel.
Preparing for Christmas is preparing to celebrate the greatest surprise of all human history that God became like us in Jesus.
Over the next weeks of the Season of Announcement of the Birth of the Lord leading to Christmas, I will carry through the theme of surprise and share on how we can be ready to experience God’s great divine surprises in our lives.
This Sunday we will hear of God’s surprise for Mary and how she was ready to receive the Gift and mission of being Mother of the Son of God.
God’s surprises are the most needed gifts, they are saving and bring joy for the receiver and others and they are given in God’s time. To be ready for God’s surprise this Christmas lets be ready to commit more to God in time of personal silence and prayer, Mass, and to hold onto hope for God’s surprise answer in His Time.
Also it’s amazing that what we need to receive God’s surprise is also what we need when we experience disappointments from our own unworthiness and sin and what we need to handle disappointments caused by people’s selfishness and events caused by the imperfections of the world in which we live.
At this time God is scanning you for the time to give you the gift of His Son.
Monsignor Shora Maree
A BIG Thank you from the Patriarchal Vicar General
Dear Parishioners,
Our Shepherd’s Corner this week is a wonderful Thank You Message from the Patriarchal Vicar, Archbishop Paul Sayah, on behalf of His Beatitude and Eminence Patriarch Becharra Boutros Cardinal Rai. Archbishop Sayah accompanied the Patriarch on His Beatitudes recent Visit to Australia and sent the following Thank You message to the Priests, Staff, and Volunteers of Our Lady of Lebanon Parish.
Archbishop Sayah writes:
“Our pastoral visit to Australia has been an all around wonderful experience. It gave us the opportunity to meet some of our Lebanese people, but mostly our dear Maronites of Australia about whom we had heard so much, especially about their commitment to their Church and their attachment to the home country.
The various encounters we had with you and your parishioners were distinct highlights of our visit. The very sight of such an impressive building complex shows immediately the huge dimensions of the enterprise. You feel immediately that you are not dealing with an ordinary parish.
The warmth of the reception upon our arrival to the co-cathedral, on our first visit, stands very much alive in my mind. This shows how much the various components and all ages of the community members are implicated in the life of the parish. Then the organization of the liturgy, so well and so minutely prepared, shows another vital aspect of the pastor's spiritual work in depth which is ultimately the main objective of the parish ministry.
The blessing of the foundation stone for the OLOL Presbytery points to also to the awareness of what is still needed and the willingness to face huge new costs to bring to completion the master plan which provides the parish with all the building facilities. The fact of leaving the building of the presbytery to the end shows also that the pastoral priorities are set in the right order! The lunch hosted by the parish with representatives of various parish committees and organizations present, gives a global view of the huge and comprehensive operation going on at Our Lady of Lebanon, Harris Park.
To top it all came the festival and Blessed Sacrament adoration with the youth. There is no doubt that the youth ministry is one of the most important if the parish is to be future oriented as each parish ought to be if it is prosper and last.
On behalf of His Beatitude, myself and the delegation, I wish to congratulate you on the great ministry you are engaged in. Please do pass on our deep gratitude and great appreciation to the priests and to each and everyone of the people, organizations and committees involved, for the huge human efforts and material resources invested in the preparation and execution of the visit.
We pray that almighty God may continue to grant you wisdom, strength and commitment to pursue your ministry with an ever greater dedication to the work of the Kingdom.
With renewed gratitude, warm good wishes and all God's blessings upon your great pastoral ministry.
Arch. Paul Sayah
Patriarchal Vicar General”
This is a wonderful recognition to all who have served and worked in the parish not only for the visit of the Patriarch, but over many years and with faith, hope, and love expressed in sacrifices, great generosity in time, energy and resources for the Mission of Christ and His Kingdom in our Parish. And it is encouragement to move forward in the same spirit.
