Autumn – We are already into the middle of September and school life has fully returned. We are grateful that all these things take place without all the interruptions and concerns that we experienced during the Covid pandemic. So much changed during those years of restrictions and trauma.
Things also changed in our parishes. We…
Welcome – Schools in the parish re-opened during the past week and normality has returned for families. Best wishes to all the children, their families, teachers, schools and so many grandparents who are ‘back on duty’. It’s a lovely time of the year filled with excitement and energy.
Parish Life – will return to normal…
“Do you also wish to go away” has a very contemporary feel to it, as so many have indeed gone away. It does raise questions: Why am I still here? What still draws me? Our personal response very likely takes some form of “we have come to believe and we know.” We should not be…
One could launch the reflection by recalling significant situations in which the costly gift of self nourished others, leading perhaps to the gift of new courage and new life. Christians believe that Jesus gives life by giving himself. This is also the path of discipleship—the believer also gives life by the gift of self. Such…
For us eternal life usually means the next life and it can sound remote and unreal. The Fourth Gospel, where the expression occurs seventeen times, can be of help. The last occurrence (17:2) teaches that eternal life is a quality of relationship which begins now in the present moment and which is indestructible (Heb 7:16).
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There are times when we struggle to know what to do or how to respond to something. It might be a seemingly impossible decision or how to give an answer to someone in the family. Where do I look for guidance and support? On Pentecost Sunday we see where to turn. There is another person…
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. In the gospels, Jesus is the first to take on the Cross and suffering so that we need not be afraid or destroyed by our suffering.
He is the first to be raised from the dead so that we can have life, optimism, hope, joy etc. …
I am the Vine
In the gospel this weekend, Jesus declares, ‘I am the vine’. In other parts of the gospel he declares ‘I am the Good Shepherd’ the ‘Resurrection and the Life’, the ‘Way the Truth and the Life’, the ‘New Covenant’.
His listeners understood the code that those words ‘I am’ are saying…
The Good Shepherd
This weekend, we listen to the Word of God about the Good Shepherd. It describes the heart of the shepherd who loves the flock and gives everything for them. It’s the same as a parent for children. It’s a relationship so deep that it’s nearly impossible to capture it in words. That’s…
Blessings – In the coming weeks we will be celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion in the parish. These are special days so please pray for the children so that they will always remain close to God in their lives and realise the beauty and value of their faith in God.
The…
St. Michael's Parish