Deo Gratias

In this church of St. Peter’s, which is now an international community of communities with many languages may I simply say, in the once universal church language, Deo Gratias, thanks be to God.

Thanks to each one of you for the extraordinary sense of joy at the induction ceremony last Sunday at the 11.00 am Mass.  Monsignor John Fitzpatrick set a beautiful warm tone of thanksgiving.  This was indeed enriched by the prayerful responses, the generous presence of each person and the singing of the combined choirs.

In relation to today’s gospel:  Some time ago a young adult told me that he/she gave a tenth of a weekly earning to a chosen charity.  Imagine !  Such responses are not for the faint hearted.  After all the UN asks Governments to give only 0.7 % to help the Developing world countries.  (That is less than 1%).

We must always be prudent.  Perhaps the Vincent DePaul logo makes more sense:  Give a little, it would help a lot.

This week I offered Mass in thanksgiving for all your kindness and good wishes and prayers over the last week and more. 

Fr. Michael McCullagh, CM

Parish Priest

9th September, 2007