Saturday 9 May 2020
Dear Parishioners,
We all know that trouble and heartache come to everyone in this world, especially during this unprecedentedly time under the measures of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are other issues that come with these current circumstances, where many people have lost their employments, anxious because of financial pressures, and mental health crisis due to experiences of being isolated and the dread of loneliness. There are other issues such as family dynamic and human relationships have no doubt been challenged to follow our local government restrictions on “social distancing” and “community gathering”. The issues of bereavement, where people suddenly lost the ones they love, and in many unfortunate situations, sad family members suffered even more as they didn’t have opportunity to be near their loved ones who were dying.
The words of Jesus, spoken first to his disciples at the Last Supper, are repeated to us today: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” The Lord himself is the reason why we are not to lose hope. His suffering, his death and his resurrection speak to us of the victory over suffering that will come to us. But not by our own isolated efforts.
Let us together take courage as we reflect on the comforting words of Christ, whose precious love for us will enable us to have a care for one another, and as a Church and parish community to have a care for everyone. To rescue the human heart from trouble is the great work that we can do.
This Sunday as we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us give heartfelt thanks to the Lord for the wonderful gift of motherhood. We remember in our prayers all mothers in the world whose caring love and beautiful examples have certainly made tremendous difference in our lives. Let us ask the Lord Jesus to comfort those mothers who are suffering due to various life circumstances, and those mothers who are sick at this time. Let us not forget mothers who have departed from this earthly life. May God whose merciful love grant them eternal peace in heaven to be with Jesus and our Mother Mary.
Please join in the livestream broadcast of Sunday Mass, which is held in the Chapel space of St. Thomas More, Bateman Parish Presbytery every Sunday at 10.00am via this link www.shorturl.at/fnCU3.
As we wait patiently for our state government to ease or even lift restrictions on “social distancing” and “community gathering” in the near future, let us keep on supporting one another in our prayers.
Stay connected with us at our parish from any of the following communication platforms:
- St Thomas More, Bateman Parish website – batemancatholic.org
- Join our Parish Facebook group (for the adult community): https://www.facebook.com/groups/2555892488023089/?ref=share
- Register at St. Thomas More Catholic Flocknote at: stthomasmorecatholic.flocknote.com
May the Lord Jesus bless you all,
Fr. Phong Nguyen
Parish Priest