It's encouraging to see that it's possible to reach beyond our dedicated parish community and attract even more people from the surrounding area to come and celebrate Christmas at St Canice's. The attendance at all four Masses over Christmas exceeded previous years. We pray that we might refine our social media message to appeal to even more people to come to St Canice's at times other than Christmas and Easter.
Advent is a season of waiting; the time when the Church longs for the coming of the Lord. In his homily, Fr Brendan explains that In this longing the Church looks in two directions, so to speak. Backward to the Lord’s first coming as a child born to Mary in Bethlehem. Forward to his second coming as Son of Man at the end of time.
When a ‘widows mite’ adds up to an incredible $4,500 donation for the boys dormitory at Nossef in Railaco, it’s time to celebrate. We heap loads of thanks on the wonderful community of David’s Place for this effort. Personal contributions ranging from only a matter of cents, to asking friends to support a good cause, and even creating paintings that were sold to raise additional monies.
The caring and generous St Canice parishioners and their friends were recognised tonight at the Thanksgiving function at Saint Aloysius College. Thank you all for your the ongoing support for the Jesuit Railaco Mission in East Timor.
The end of the Church year seems an appropriate occasion to report on how I see Christ's kingdom being furthered here at St Canice. While this deals with roughly my first 6 months, it is important to begin by acknowledging the achievements of this parish over the past 130 years, as well as the vital leadership and contributions given by others since I arrived: it's not a 'one-person show'.
‘People seeking asylum’ are desperate. They are simply falling through the cracks into a limbo as government continues to cut whatever benefits there once were. Despite this, many of these people show a remarkable resilience. They are encouraged to become leaders and form groups amongst themselves where they can help each other. One of the greatest things we can offer is to ‘journey’ with them.
Fr Gaetan Perreira SJ encourages us in his homily "to take sides with the poor - a difficult challenge. A mission focus on a life of equality, justice, and community. It's in listening and learning from these people. To see the world from their view as victims, thus forcing me to take a stand for them.
Bishop Terry Brady confirmed thirteen young people at St Canice’s this morning. In addressing the newly confirmed, Bishop Terry used the example of Australia’s next saint, Eileen O’Connor by dwelling on her example of holiness and saintliness that she demonstrated in the very short life. – (Eileen was the Founder of Our Lady’s Nurses of the Poor.)
On our Feast Day of St Canice, Bishop Terry recalled the Irish roots of this parish and urged all of us here at St Canice's to better understand the story of this sixth century patron saint told in part in the nearly century-old beautiful stained glass windows behind the main altar.
On the Feast Day of St Canice, Bishop Terry Brady officiates at our 10.30 am Mass and installs Fr Paul Fyfe as our parish priest. In welcoming Fr Paul to St Canice's KingsCross Sydney, Bishop Terry also acknowledges other leaders in the parish community, and thanks the Jesuits for all they do in this very special Sydney parish.
