Newsletter - 22 February
“Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion."
Dear Parishioners,
In his recent message, Pope Leo XIV calls us to centre our lives on God, open ourselves to His Word, allowing it to transform us as we walk with Christ toward the joy of the Resurrection.The focus is on creating space for our Lord by becoming better listeners.
In the story of Moses and the burning bush, God identifies Himself through His ability to hear: “I have witnessed the suffering of my people... and I have heard their wailing” (Ex 3:7) God desires to be active in our lives and share His heart with us. By engaging with the liturgy, we learn to see the world as it truly is. Among the noise of modern life, the Bible helps us to identify and answer the pleas of those in pain.
To truly open our hearts, we must ask God to train us to listen as He does, acknowledging that the plight of the poor is a constant call to action for our societies, our systems, and the Church itself.
While listening defines the spirit of Lent, fasting serves as the physical preparation to truly hear God. This ancient discipline is vital for conversion; by involving our bodies, we learn to distinguish between what we truly need and our passing "appetites."
Fasting awakens a deeper hunger for justice, pulling us out of indifference and teaching us to care for others. Fasting must be rooted in humility, faith and a relationship with Christ. If we do not nourish ourselves with God’s Word, our fasting is hollow. It should lead us to a simpler, more authentic lifestyle, serving as a visible sign of our desire to turn away from sin.
The Pope invites us to a specific, practical form of abstinence: fasting from hurtful speech. We must "disarm our language" by avoiding sharp words and hasty judgements, rejecting gossip and slander against those who cannot defend themselves, choosing kindness and respect in our homes, workplaces, on social media and in Christian communities. By measuring our words, we replace the noise of hatred with the language of hope and peace.
To finish, Lent is a communal journey where listening to God’s Word and fasting together strengthens our relationships and commitment to justice. True conversion during this season means "disarming" our language to replace hurtful words with space for others' voices. By listening to the cry of the poor and the earth, our communities can become centres of liberation and help build a "civilization of love."
Caterina Schifano
Focus of the week
Lenten Faith Sharing Course: We Dare to Ask
This Lent, all parishioners are warmly invited to join We Dare to Ask—a five week journey exploring our Baptismal Vocation. Each session includes scripture, prayer, art, and a reflection to help us prepare to renew our Baptismal promises at Easter.
Whether your baptism feels like a distant memory, a recent family celebration, or something you are preparing for now, this course offers a way to deepen your faith and walk more closely with Christ.
Come and take time this Lent to reflect, share, and grow in the joy of the life we are called to live as baptised people of God.
We will meet on Tuesdays 8.00 – 9.15pm in the church for 5 weeks starting 24 February 2026.
This week we will reflect and pray on God's creation out of love and how we are made in God's image.
Notices of the Week
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