from Fr Satheesh
Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday is twentieth Sunday of ordinary time. This week’s Gospel gives us a beautiful and challenging example of faith.
The Canaanite woman comes to Jesus with one simple prayer: “Lord, help me.” She is desperate for her daughter and refuses to give up. Even when Jesus seems to ignore her, even when the disciples want her to go away, and even when she is faced with what sounds like rejection, she continues to trust.
What is remarkable is that she does not walk away. She keeps coming to Jesus. Her faith is stronger than her disappointment, and her love for her daughter gives her the courage to persevere.
There are times in our own lives when we may feel that God is silent. We pray, but the answer does not come when we expect it. We may wonder whether God has heard us or whether our prayers are making any difference. The Gospel reminds us not to give up.
The Canaanite woman teaches us that faith is not always about having all the answers. Sometimes faith simply means continuing to place ourselves before Jesus and saying, “Lord, help me.”
Jesus ultimately praises her: “Woman, you have great faith.” Her faith breaks through every barrier, culture, background and expectations, and Jesus responds with compassion.
This Gospel also challenges us to look at the barriers we sometimes create between people. The Canaanite woman was an outsider, yet Jesus recognised the depth of her faith. God’s love is not limited by race, nationality, background or status. Every person who comes to Jesus with an open and trusting heart is welcomed.
Perhaps today we can bring before Jesus the people and situations that are causing us worry. We may not know how or when things will change, but we can continue to pray with the same simple faith: “Lord, help me.”
And perhaps we can also ask for the grace to become an answer to someone else’s prayer, to notice those who feel like outsiders, to listen to those who are struggling, and to respond with the compassion of Christ.
May the faith of the Canaanite woman encourage us never to lose hope and never to stop turning to Jesus, especially when life is difficult.
We look forward to our multicultural celebration this weekend and thank all those who have contributed by setting up, cooking and sharing a part of their culture with others.
Please note, the Festival of Creation Mass will be celebrated at St Anthony's on Saturday 12 September from 9.30-2pm. The day will commence with Mass for the Care of Creation, followed by stalls, talks, and activities for adults and children.
We wish our wonderful parish secretary, Ivana, a very special and happy time in Croatia as she enjoys some precious time with her family. We look forward to joining her there when our parish pilgrims visit Croatia in early September.
While Ivana is away, the parish office will remain open Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Susanne Bragge, will look after the office matters and Leonie Puckeridge will be there to support Susanne in the parish office.
Thank you for your support with the Catholic care Homelessness weak Appeal. Envelopes will be available this weekend too on the pews. My hearty congratulations to all our Social Committee members. We welcome the new members and thank them for accepting my invitation to join the committee. Joan Ng and Aruna Ellis have kindly agreed to be the Coordinators of our Parish’s Social Committee. We wish the all our best. Have a wonderful week.
May God bless you.
Fr Satheesh Antony OSH PP
This Sunday is twentieth Sunday of ordinary time. This week’s Gospel gives us a beautiful and challenging example of faith.
What is remarkable is that she does not walk away. She keeps coming to Jesus. Her faith is stronger than her disappointment, and her love for her daughter gives her the courage to persevere.
There are times in our own lives when we may feel that God is silent. We pray, but the answer does not come when we expect it. We may wonder whether God has heard us or whether our prayers are making any difference. The Gospel reminds us not to give up.
The Canaanite woman teaches us that faith is not always about having all the answers. Sometimes faith simply means continuing to place ourselves before Jesus and saying, “Lord, help me.”
Jesus ultimately praises her: “Woman, you have great faith.” Her faith breaks through every barrier, culture, background and expectations, and Jesus responds with compassion.
This Gospel also challenges us to look at the barriers we sometimes create between people. The Canaanite woman was an outsider, yet Jesus recognised the depth of her faith. God’s love is not limited by race, nationality, background or status. Every person who comes to Jesus with an open and trusting heart is welcomed.
Perhaps today we can bring before Jesus the people and situations that are causing us worry. We may not know how or when things will change, but we can continue to pray with the same simple faith: “Lord, help me.”
And perhaps we can also ask for the grace to become an answer to someone else’s prayer, to notice those who feel like outsiders, to listen to those who are struggling, and to respond with the compassion of Christ.
May the faith of the Canaanite woman encourage us never to lose hope and never to stop turning to Jesus, especially when life is difficult.
We look forward to our multicultural celebration this weekend and thank all those who have contributed by setting up, cooking and sharing a part of their culture with others.
Please note, the Festival of Creation Mass will be celebrated at St Anthony's on Saturday 12 September from 9.30-2pm. The day will commence with Mass for the Care of Creation, followed by stalls, talks, and activities for adults and children.
We wish our wonderful parish secretary, Ivana, a very special and happy time in Croatia as she enjoys some precious time with her family. We look forward to joining her there when our parish pilgrims visit Croatia in early September.
While Ivana is away, the parish office will remain open Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Susanne Bragge, will look after the office matters and Leonie Puckeridge will be there to support Susanne in the parish office.
Thank you for your support with the Catholic care Homelessness weak Appeal. Envelopes will be available this weekend too on the pews. My hearty congratulations to all our Social Committee members. We welcome the new members and thank them for accepting my invitation to join the committee. Joan Ng and Aruna Ellis have kindly agreed to be the Coordinators of our Parish’s Social Committee. We wish the all our best. Have a wonderful week.
May God bless you.
Fr Satheesh Antony OSH PP
