Thank You
Brothers and Sisters,
Christmas is truly a glorious occasion when everyone is filled with so much joy in welcoming our Lord and Saviour into our hearts. As the joy of this Season continues to penetrate our hearts and minds, it is also an opportune time to reflect on the year that has just passed and start planning for the year ahead.
In reflecting on 2015, I cannot help but reflect on the people that have influenced my life in one way or another and the relationships that have added so much value to me personally and to the parish as a whole. Although we sometimes get caught up in everything that takes place here at the Cathedral, it is very timely that we take a moment to share our gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work that everyone does. For this reason, I would like to dedicate this Shepherd’s Corner to say “Thank you”.
Firstly, I would like to thank my brother priests for all their hard work and support in helping me in the administration of this parish. I have learnt so much from you and continue to learn. I appreciate your dedication to the parish and pray that each of you continues to be a beacon in transmitting the love of Christ in everything that you do. Secondly, I would like to thank all the staff members. It is not easy working for a Church and staff members are usually working long hours behind the scenes to ensure that everything is planned well and runs smoothly. I thank you for your commitment and enthusiasm. Next I would like to thank all our committees, volunteers, choirs, traffic controllers, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar decorators and all who work tirelessly plan, prepare, organise and run every aspect of our parish. Without you we cannot exist! Thank you for your generosity and your love in serving the needs of every generation that exists in our parish. You are the underpinning strength that keeps the foundations of this parish so strong and so alive. Further, I would like to thank the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family for their support and presence beside and among us always. Finally, thank you to all our parishioners. Thank you one and all for everything that you do and for everything that you give. Most of all thank you for all your prayers. Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral is truly the nurturing and compassionate mother who supports all Parishes within our Eparchy. This is because of the love and support of each one of you – the children of Our Lady of Lebanon.
In our Pastoral Council Committee we have taken up the following motto for all that we do during this Jubilee Year of Mercy: “Unified in Christ, we will be Merciful like the Father through the Grace of the Holy Spirit.” As we look forward to the year that has just begun, I ask you all also to take this motto as a resolution that you can live by so that together we can continue our journey towards the Kingdom of God. I wish you all a blessed 2016.
Fr Tony Sarkis
