By Fr Michael Morgan PE
Since this was the first time that I have had the privilege to write to you in the parish newsletter, I wish to express my thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me by your parish priest, Fr Nicholas Pearce, by the Parish Team and Staff, and by you the good Parishioners of Holy Family Parish. Officially a quote “retired” priest of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, I like to describe myself as “recycled” since I am privileged to be able to help out in many parishes. I appreciate the confidence placed in me by your pastor to serve you pastorally and liturgically till Divine Mercy Sunday. My continuing prayers are with you all, and for Fr Pearce for a refreshing and renewing sabbatical experience.
We have already begun our New Year, and with it has come a series of most devastation bushfires in large areas of our country, with the subsequent effect of days long smoke haze. The generous response of people across the nation and from other countries has been outstanding. And now while important decisions both local and national levels must be made an implemented, at the same time, all of us are being challenged on how we are managing our personal space.
In his 2015 encyclical letter: “Laudato Si – our care for our common home” (planet earth) and, Pope Francis in section 14 makes this pertinent comment: “I urgently appeal for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet, we need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge which we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.” There is much packed into these words to make us begin that dialogue in our family homes and in our parish community, with the effect of leading us into positive actions which we can undertake. For example, consider the rubbish we create and our methods of disposal.
In that same section, Pope Francis: “obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem, from indifference, a nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity…all of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his own culture, experience, involvement and talents.” His words raise an important question for each one of us personally: Shall I be part of the problem or part of the solution? We can all begin in serious prayer in this, calling on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit which we have received in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation to guide us into sensible and responsible action.
I wish also to bring to our prayerful attention another matter of concern across our world, namely, the ongoing persecution of Christian on account of their religious faith. Our media on occasion has drawn attention to this in the Middle East. many other similar events go unreported. I’ll mention one current example, since August 2018, China’s government has tightened its grip on religious right and freedoms. Children or being forbidden to attend Sunday Mass and church in general. More recently government authorities are closing down religious premises on the pretext that they don’t’ meet the required fire safety standard, even though previously approved on those grounds. How fortunate we are in Australia, even with the tensions with living in a society of secular values, to be able to live and practice our religious faith openly and in freedom!
God bless each and all of us as we continue to live in faith.
Father Michael Morgan, Pastor Emeritus