Dear friends in Christ

Great things have small beginnings. The Church began with a few humble fishermen. From the human standpoint, it is difficult to appreciate how the mission of the Church began and how they were able to spread the teachings of Our Lord to the whole known world in a such a short time. In the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus urges His disciples to have faith and be confident that the work of the Gospel will be carried out in spite of everything. We too are like that mustard seed in the task God has given us in the middle of this world. We can never forget the disproportion between the means we have, our talents, and the magnitude of the work of evangelisation. But neither should we forget that we can always count on God’s help. We never lose sight of our smallness and with the power of grace, we will always be strong and faithful in what God asks of us. If we do not keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will not only lose our sense of what we are doing as Christians, but become discouraged and pessimistic, and will soon abandon the struggle. With God, we can do all things!

I ask you to join with me next weekend in giving thanks for the forty years of Priestly ministry God has allowed me. The 11.30am Mass next Sunday will be offered For an Increase in Vocations to the Priesthood. The Bishop has kindly agreed to come and preach at the Mass which will be followed by a Reception in the Parish Centre. Above all, please pray for me.

God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale