Newsletter - 5 May 2024
Go and bear fruits of love
“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: that someone lays down his life for his friends” John 15:12-13
This scripture reflects the heart of Christ’s mission and sets a profound example for us to follow daily.
We are branches connected to the vine. Branches that are healthy, that draw their nourishment from the trunk of the vine, bear abundant fruit. Being in Jesus causes his love to express itself in our thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus says that the best way to express this love, to express our thanks to him in our life, is by serving each other. In fact, showing love to one another is the completion of the love Jesus has given to us.
In the context of our lives, sacrificial love can take many forms. This love isn’t solely about grand gestures; frequently, it manifests in small, consistent acts of kindness and selflessness. Demonstrating patience toward our family, even when we are exhausted, exemplifies it. Providing support to friends in their times of need, even if it requires sacrificing our time or comfort, embodies this love. Extending forgiveness to those who have wronged us, even when it’s challenging to let go of hurt, signifies it. Each act of love becomes an act of worship, an opportunity to reflect God’s love to the world. Love has the power to transform relationships and environments, it breaks down barriers, builds trust and fosters a sense of community and belonging. In this we show that we remain in Jesus’ love. Remain in God’s love by loving like he loves.
From the “Story of a Soul” of St. Therese of Lisieux, we can take inspiration and encouragement for the vocation we are all call to live:
"Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."
“Considering the mystical body of the Church, I desired to see myself in them all. Charity gave me the key to my vocation. I understood that the Church had a Heart and that this Heart was burning with love. I understood that Love comprised all vocations, that Love was everything, that it embraced all times and places...in a word, that it was eternal! Then in the excess of my delirious joy, I cried out: O Jesus, my Love...my vocation, at last I have found it... My vocation is Love!"
Focus of the Week
ASCENSION OF THE LORD MASSES
Thursday 9 May
To celebrate this Holy Day of Obligation, masses will be at 11am and 7pm.
The 11am mass will be live-streamed.
CHANGE TO MASS TIMES ON SUNDAY 12 MAY
On Sunday 12 May we will be celebrating 20 children receiving First Holy Communion. Mass times will change to 10am and 12 noon for one week only.
Both of the First Holy Communion masses will be live-streamed.