The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This past week has again vibrated with the joyful throng of our second group of young children receiving their First Holy Communion. What a wonderful sight it is to see so many families coming together to celebrate this milestone in their children’s lives. Much gratitude is extended to all those who have assisted in preparing the children, and setting up the church, for this special day.
When Jesus sent out the 72 disciples to all the towns, He asked them to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send more laborers into the harvest, despite knowing that they were like lambs going out among wolves. For it is the Lord, who makes paths clear for us and who speaks through his faithful servants. In our flock, our family at OLOL, we are truly blessed to have such generous laborers in the Lord’s harvest. Activity abounds in our Parish, and having just completed the Sacramental program for 2 groups of children receiving their First Holy Communion, we continue with many other thriving projects within our growing and faith-filled family. Every fortnight our seniors gather for their special activity also, and this continues with the help of many supporters, thanks be to God. Our adult faith formation programs are also growing and persevering in spreading the Teachings of the Church on many different levels, right here in the Community Youth and Pastoral Centre.
As we approach the coming great Feast of the Assumption, we continue with preparations for our renowned annual “FEAST WEEK” which attracts so many people within, and outside of the Parish of OLOL. Please keep our committees and organisers in your prayers.
In conclusion, here is this week’s extract from Laudato si’…
“Authentic human development has a moral character. It presumes full respect for the human person, but it must also be concerned for the world around us and “take into account the nature of each being and of its mutual connection in an ordered system”. Accordingly, our human ability to transform reality must proceed in line with God’s original gift of all that is.
May God continue to bless you all, as we serve Him with one heart and one mind, for His greater glory.
Fr Tony Sarkis
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Firstly, I wish to extend a most heartfelt “THANK YOU” to everyone who helped in any way to organise our Gala Fundraising Night last Friday 19th June, especially our Organising Committee. The overwhelming success of raising $170,000 was due entirely to the grace of God and the generosity and support of our committees, sponsors, clergy, and all who attended. OLOL Co-Cathedral will benefit greatly from these funds which will go toward paying off the existing loan against the building of the Community Youth and Pastoral Centre. We have been immensely blessed with such a faithful and committed family at OLOL. Working together, and striving for holiness together, we encourage one another with hope and strength.
In today’s Gospel of St. Matthew, the faithful are being called to prepare for adversity in the world – whether it is in the family, in the Church, or in society. Like “sheep among wolves” each vocation is equally as important as another when it comes to defending our faith and standing up for the Truth. United in the One Body of Christ through Baptism, St Paul also reminds us that it is the Spirit of God that works and speaks through each of us, and we will be guided by Him always if we persevere in prayer and are nourished by the Sacred Mysteries.
Each week, for your information, I will be inserting a small account from the latest encyclical letter of Pope Francis: Laudato si’
“The destruction of the human environment is extremely serious, not only because God has entrusted the world to us men and women, but because human life is itself a gift which must be defended from various forms of debasement. Every effort to protect and improve our world entails profound changes in lifestyles, models of production and consumption, and the established structures of power which today govern societies. Authentic human development has a moral character. It presumes full respect for the human person, but it must also be concerned for the world around us and take into account the nature of each being and of its mutual connection in an ordered system. Accordingly, our human ability to transform reality must proceed in line with God’s original gift of all that is.”
May God continue to bless you and your families, with the abundance of His generous Gifts.
Fr Tony Sarkis
Where are the Equal Rights of Children?
Dear Parishioners, Regarding the change in the definition in marriage there are different reasons why people hold to the views of traditional marriage.
There are reasons from our Catholic faith perspective, defending the sanctity of marriage. However there are also reasons from a non-Christian perspective and the two overlap in areas. To be effective voices of truth in these modern times we need to be aware of both of these and the appropriate audience to express them.
The faith perspective reasons are for Catholics and Christians who might agree with changing the meaning of marriage. The non – faith reasons are for all, and especially for those who don’t believe in God.
The Catholic faith perspective arguments are included in our Bishop’s Message (Feature article) and the Pastoral Letter of the Australian Catholic Bishop’s titled “Don’t Mess with Marriage” which you can find easily online at https://www.catholic.org.au/acbc-media/media-centre/mediareleases-new/1687-same-sex-marriage-pastoral-letter-web-version.
The central reason and not necessarily faith based is: Where are the “Rights of Children” in this “Equal Rights for same sex marriage” debate? Do these “equal rights” include the right to for “same sex couples” to have and raise children? If so what about the natural and psychological rights of children to be raised by a mum and dad? This is a core issue for the long term good of humanity. You just need to read the articles now coming out about the long term effects on children with same sex parents (for example: http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2015/04/14899/). Marriage ensures the well-being of children. Every child has the right to a mum and a dad whenever possible. Children do best with two biological parents The so called drive for equality should not outweigh the right of children to be raised by a dad and a mum for the optimum of developmental wellbeing.
In approaching this issue we must place the issue before our Lord in prayer and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must grow in our knowledge on the issues involved and equip ourselves to listen, dialogue and promote the truth with love to all those around us. Yes write to your Federal Member of Parliament. (See Bishop’s Article). We must rid ourselves of all unchristian and homophobic attitudes and language towards people of same sex attraction. Finally and very importantly all married couples and parents must be prepared to renew the gift of their faith in God and grow in that faith in our Maronite Parish, living out the sacred and wonderful calling of their marriage with their God-given mission to be parents leading
