The Holiday season started sometime in November and ended in December. The academic year for 2016 has begun and our children are back to school. Last Sunday (3/1/2016) was the first day of Sunday School and it also marked the first day of the Catechism year in our Catholic Church throughout the country. We had a briefing for the parents of the catechism students and registration for the year 2016. Sadly, only 30-40% turned up for the registration. I hope that all parents will take on the responsibility of ensuring that your children attend Catechism classes and be registered by this Sunday, 10th January as classes will officially resume then. Please note that your children will not be allowed to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion or Confirmation if they fail to attend the Catechism classes!

Various ministries in our parish have started commencing their meetings and they have presented their year planner for year 2016. This week alone we had 3 meetings – Parish Council Committee (PCC), BECCOT and Tamil Apostolate. During the BECCOT meeting on 6th January, we had the commissioning of 12 new Eucharistic Communion Ministers (10 for the English Mass and 2 for the Tamil Mass). The reason we had the commissioning during the BECCOT meeting and not during the weekend Mass is because our Parish’s 2nd Mission focuses on BECs and it was more appropriate to commission them in the presence of all the BEC Leaders of our parish. Meanwhile, the Tamil Apostolate has planned to celebrate PONGGAL (Harvest festival) on 17th Jan. I invite all parishioners to join in this celebration.

With this being the Year of Mercy, we have many events, activities and spiritual formations planned to help us journey spiritually. We encourage ALL parishioners to get involved in the activities planned at parish and BEC levels. I invite all of you who have refrained from being involved in the parish ministries to come forward and be instruments in witnessing Jesus in various ways.

Being part of a ministry is a heavy responsibility. Every ministry comes with some sort of sacrifice. Those who are already in the ministries, do take time to reflect on your role and purpose. “What is your heart telling you? Do you have a passion for this ministry? Why are you interested in ministry work?

Whatever your answer is, don’t give up! Just spend more time in prayer asking God for more guidance. God bless you abundantly!

Fr. George Packiasamy.