College Chaplain
Friends,
We are blessed to live in Australia, so let us praise the Lord for his loving providence. We keep praying for our country, our families and friends, especially those in need. Some of our friends are trying hard to finish the HSC exams with the best result. We pray for them that our loving God grant them the gifts of the Holy Spirit - Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Courage, Right Judgment, Reverence and Fear of the Lord - and help them to remember what they have studied and to do well with their exams.
This weekend the holy Church enters into the new liturgical year with the season of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. While we typically regard Advent as a joyous season, it is a period of preparation, much like Lent. Prayer, penance and fasting are appropriate during this season.
Advent is not as strict as Lent, and there are no rules for fasting, but it is meant to be a period of self-preparation. The purple colour associated with Advent is also the colour of penance. The faithful should fast during the first two weeks in particular and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
This year due to COVID restriction we don't organize the day for the sacrament of reconciliation at the school as usual. At Sacred Heart Parish Griffith we always have some hours reserved for this beautiful and sacred sacrament. Priests are always available for reconciliation on Fridays afternoons at 4:30 pm and Saturdays at 11:30 am. Let us come to receive the Lord's love and forgiveness and also show our gratitude to the Lord for all His blessings and graces upon our lives.
On the second week of December (13th- 17th) Sacred Heart Parish will prepare all the faithful for the celebration of Parish Centenary and Christmas through the special Parish Mission. Everyone is welcome to join this Parish Mission. The time for confession and special healing prayer will be available for everyone.
Let us spend time with God and ask ourselves, what do we want the Lord to do for us? Jesus has come to the world and become a man like each one of us but without sin. He died for our sins, freed us from eternal death and gave us eternal life. Let us give thanks to Him and ask for His forgiveness so that we will be worthy to welcome Him into our life as Lord and Saviour.
Prepare the way for the Lord because the Kingdom of God is near at hand. God bless you all.
Friends
The Holy Catholic Church in Australia is going to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability. I would like to invite you all to join me in this prayer for our disabled ones.
God of all people,
You have made us in your image, delighting in your creation.
Help us to see and receive each person
as a beloved and unique part of your body.
We are all part of the Body of Christ.
You desire all people to use their gifts to enrich the world around them.
Help us to celebrate and support
the participation and leadership of people with disabilities in our communities.
We are all part of the Body of Christ.
You give and sustain life, opening ways of thinking and doing that allow all to grow.
Help us to be inclusive
in welcoming people with disabilities as a vital part of “us”.
We are all part of the Body of Christ.
We ask this through Christ, who lives within us and calls us all to fullness of life.
Amen.
