Dear Friends,

We can really count ourselves lucky in Australia. I went for an eye examination the other day. Not only does Medicare cover the costs, I also got a new pair of glasses co-financed by the insurance. Now I not only look better, I also see much better: I see my own shortcomings too.

This Sunday’s Gospel speaks of a blind man whom Jesus helped to see. Sometimes we are like the blind. We see everything except our own mistakes and imperfections. We even go so far as to present ourselves as leaders for others, although we ourselves should be led. Occasionally, we pretend to be what we are not but should be. We pretend to be producing good fruit: figs and grapes, whereas we are only thornbushes and brambles which produce nothing but harmful thorns which sting and poison ourselves and our neighbours.

Yet, Jesus’ purpose and intention was not to condemn his hearers, but rather to open their minds and their hearts to their shortcomings so that they would change for the better and learn to live with their neighbour’s faults and do all in their power to correct their own.

We shall not become saints in a week or a month but little by little, imperceptibly at first perhaps, we shall find ourselves becoming more Christian and therefore more charitable towards our neighbour and less critical of the faults of others.

Pope Francis invites us to experience the upcoming 40 days of Lent as a journey of conversion, “to leave behind the occasions of sin” and situations that degrade our human dignity. He urges us to examine their own lives: Are we actively progressing on the path of spiritual renewal or are we held back by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of our comfort zone?

Fr Thomas will return next week from his annual leave. The mass schedule and other ministries will then resume its regularity. Here, I would like to thank Frs Kevin Walsh and Robert Anderson for their generous assistance during this time.

As it stands now, the repair of St Michael’s roof will be carried out in March, depending on the weather. We also have received a quote of $16,000 for the emergency church roof repair at Our Lady of Lourdes. This is an unexpected expense and a great burden to our parish finance. There were leaks going from the roof right down to the hall which is used by Ambrose Out of School Hours and other groups. I hope that the repair will not affect our regular Mass schedule. Due to the ongoing construction work on the site owned by the Sisters of Mercy, parking at St Michael’s may be limited on this weekend. Furthermore, pest controllers will carry out the annual inspection and prevention throughout all parish buildings at St Michael’s and Our Lady of Lourdes this week. I also have found a stain glass repairer for the windows of St Michael’s and Our Lady of Lourdes churches. Hopefully, the repair cost would be affordable. Some minor conservation works will also be done at St Michael’s old sandstone church next Tuesday. This work contributes to the preservation of the sandstone walls and roof from further damage.

We are on the right track thank to your generosity and prayers. Let us continue this path of renewal.

Please, don’t forget to pray for Pope Francis who is very ill. Have a great weekend

Fr Joe