During this time of Lent, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we are reminded, “to serve the other”. This is apt at this strange and somewhat surreal time in our world, our nation and our community. At this time, serving ‘the other’ can be as simple as being serious about personal hygiene and keeping an eye on each other.  St Teresa of Calcutta said, “We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love”. Her words teach us; it is unlikely you or I will develop the breakthrough to halt the spread of COVID-19 or create a vaccine, but we absolutely can be the person who makes a difference to somebody – anybody – in these uncertain times. We can take action that makes a difference to the vulnerable people in our community.

As seen in Vatican News, after an interview with Italy’s daily newspaper “La Stampa”, Pope Francis describes the sorrow and pain caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and emphasizes the importance of prayer. The only way to survive this situation, he says, is by sticking together. The Pope invites us to live this moment "with penance, compassion and hope”. We need “humility”, he adds, “because too often we forget” there are dark times in life as well. "We think they can only happen to someone else. But these times are dark for everyone", he says. Pope Francis explains that the season of Lent “trains us to show solidarity with others, especially those who suffer”. 

Pope Francis also addresses the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic for our future. The current crisis will help to remind us “once and for all, that humanity is a single community”, he says. It will teach us that “universal kinship” is important and critical. We should think about it like a “post-war” phenomenon, he says; “It will no longer be ‘them’. It will be ‘us’. Because we can only come out of this situation together”. 

Continued partnership, calm, sensibility and reasonableness is required as we traverse these extraordinary days. Now more than ever we have the chance to demonstrate an attitude of Christian charity and goodness.  Let us continue to treat and ‘serve’ one another with patience and afford each other mutual respect and dignity.

Archbishop Christopher Prowse has passed on the following links to sites that may assist in keeping people connected in these challenging times

• Mass Online provides us with the opportunity to pray the Mass on a daily basis.
• Living Word provides a reflection on the readings of the day.
• Daily Voice provides a daily snapshot of what is happening locally, in the Archdiocese and across the world.

Fr. Francis Carroll … Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts … Forever   

Mrs. Charlotte Nicoletti

Coordinator of Religious Education and Faith Formation