We gather after Mass today for the Annual General Meeting of Parishioners. First there will be a substantial morning tea in the hall, and then the meeting will begin about 11:30 am. After the receiving of reports and any discussion, we shall elect Parish Officers for the next year: a People’s Warden and a Vestry of about eight people. Last year we were away by one o’clock, and I hope that this will be the case again this year.
The many reports that will be presented at the meeting display the wide range of parish life, and testify to the ministry of you all. A glance at the weekly Trumpet and at these reports will show that this is a very active parish and that a great number of you are contributing to that life and activity. Beyond the obvious ‘church’ ministries, I honour the able and robust ministries of so many of you, every day, at home, in employment, in voluntary work, and in the community. We must never forget that the role of our baptismal calling and our life together in the Church is to turn us to God’s glory, in worship and in Christ-like service in our daily lives.
S. Michael’s is a wonderful community of committed and able people. May we all be trusting of God and of each other, and so see the Holy Spirit build us up into the living Body of Christ. With a generous theology and spirituality, a strong worship life, and a willingness to take a responsible part in the events of the day, we can be a community that is a real and credible witness in this city.
Last Wednesday we celebrated the first School Mass of the new term. This was a celebration of Easter. You are all always welcome to attend the School Masses at 8:40 am on Wednesdays.
I give notice to School parents that any children at S. Michael’s who wish will be prepared for baptism in the third term. Please speak to me or to the Revd Lynne Horwood if you have any enquiries about baptism. In due course a letter will be sent out to School families.
May God bless you all.
Fr Peter Williams
The Final Word is Love.
At times it has been, in the words of Father Zossima, a harsh and dreadful thing, and our very faith in love has been tried through fire. We cannot love God unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other. We know him in the breaking of bread, and we know each other in the breaking of bread, and we are not alone any more. Heaven is a banquet and life is a banquet too, even with a crust, where there is companionship. We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.
Dorothy Day The Long Loneliness; an Autobiography
