Newsletter- 5th Week of Ordinary Time

Dear Friends

As we enter the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, our readings invite us to reflect on the call of God in our lives. Isaiah, humbled in the presence of the Lord’s glory, responds with a resounding, ‘Here I am! Send me.’ In the Gospel, Simon Peter, overwhelmed by the miraculous catch of fish, falls at Jesus’ feet, recognising his own unworthiness. Yet, Jesus calls him and his companions to a new mission: ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’ These encounters remind us that God calls each of us, despite our weaknesses, to follow Him and take part in His work.

Saint Paul, in our second reading, speaks of the grace of God at work in his life. Once a persecutor of the Church, Paul becomes a tireless apostle by the very grace he received. His words encourage us to trust that God’s grace is always enough for us, shaping us into the disciples He calls us to be.

This weekend, let us ask ourselves: How is God calling us to serve Him? Are we, like Isaiah and Peter, ready to step forward in faith and trust? In today’s world, we see many challenges—conflict, injustice, and uncertainty—but we also witness hope and transformation when individuals answer God’s call with courage. Just as Jesus called fishermen to become His disciples, He calls us to be lights in our communities, standing for truth, justice, and compassion.

As a parish, we also look forward to welcoming back Father Jonathan, who will return to us on Monday after his time of convalescence. He has exchanged a few messages with us and seems to be in good spirits, eager to rejoin our community, though he will need to take things steadily. Let us continue to pray for his health and strength as he resumes his ministry among us.

We also hold in prayer the children of our parish preparing for their First Holy Communion this summer. This is a special time in their journey of faith as they grow closer to Christ in the Eucharist. May they be guided by the Holy Spirit and supported by our parish community as they prepare to receive this sacrament of love and unity.

May this week’s readings inspire us to embrace our call with courage, trusting in the grace of Christ to lead us forward, and may we remain open to the ways God calls us to serve,

With all my prayers and best wishes,

Andrew

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