“Blessed are those who have not seen.”
Dearest Brothers and Sisters,
The Resurrection of our Lord is the pillar on which our faith is built. If it wasn’t for the Resurrection, then our faith would be futile. Saint Paul teaches us “if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain”
(1 Cor 15:14). The Resurrection is the most important event in the history of humanity. However, it is an event that challenges us personally because it is beyond our human understanding. Jesus dislikes those who look for signs and miracles to believe and this week he puts Thomas (and us) to the test. The gift of our faith is a gift of love and trust. Although we have not seen with our eyes, this gift of love and trust drives us to believe and to be witnesses to the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus. Our challenge daily is to profess this truth with love and trust!
On behalf of the clergy, staff, committees and all our parishioners, I would like to offer my condolences to Father Raphael Abboud whose brother entered into eternal life last week unexpectedly. His Excellency, Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the rest of his soul on Thursday evening. It was wonderful to see so many of you standing by Father Raphael in his time of human loss. On behalf of Father Raphael, I thank you all for your support.
On Thursday, the Seniors committee had their Easter Mass and lunch. It was heart-warming to see so many of our seniors attend and enjoy the day. A very big thank you is extended to Father Bernard, Sister Guitta and the Seniors Committee for their hard work and dedication in caring for our seniors.
The Divine Mercy Novena began on Great Friday and will conclude with prayers, confession and a Mass today beginning at 3pm. Thank you to Subdeacon Robert Albayeh and the Divine Mercy team for organising the prayers and celebrations. Speaking of Divine Mercy, I would like to welcome back Father Paul Joubeir who has been in Brazil with his family for the last few weeks.
On a final note, I would like to encourage you all to participate in our upcoming events and celebrations. These include; the Month of May home visits: there are still a few nights left if anyone is interested. On 7 May, the Cathedral will be hosting the visit of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Vatican with a Mass at 11am. Our Mother’s Day Mass and luncheon will be held on Tuesday 9 May at 10.30am (tickets are now available). On 14 May, there will be a procession from our Cathedral to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta with the Our Lady of Fatima statue. Our Annual Gala Dinner will take place on the 26 May at the Clarence House in Belmore to raise funds to replace the statute at the top of the church and carry out much needed repairs to the grotto and shelter. Let’s all work together as the active members of the Body of Christ so that through all these events and celebrations we can truly glorify God and serve his people.
