We celebrate the birthday of the church because it was on the first Pentecost Sunday that the infant church was launched on course and took on its missionary role. The Holy Spirit descended on the apostles with Mary in the form of tongues of fire while they were at prayer. The Holy Spirit gave them the courage to rush into the street and fearlessly preach the word of God to all. They were announcing the good news about the mighty works of God.

The Ascension marks the end of Christ's earthly mission and His glorious return to the Father. He had achieved the work he was sent to do. While the heavens wait for the arrival of the ascending Lord, the apostles must have been experiencing a deep sadness in their hearts at His departure. His final words 'I am with you always. Go make disciples of all nations' while full of comfort were urgent in meaning. He was entrusting them with the mission of making the love of God the Father known.

How interesting and timely the words of our Lord Jesus are for us. A personal moment is recorded when He speaks in the privacy of the upper room where He is celebrating the last supper with his closest friends- his apostles. He has the consoling promise that on His departure He will not leave them orphans but will send them His spirit. This is a preparation for Pentecost and the foundation of the church when the breath of the Holy Spirit will transform them into fearless preachers with a mission of spreading the gospel. Jesus did not leave the apostles to struggle with the Christian life without the help of the spirit and He won’t leave us either as we have His word for this.

As Christians we view life as a pilgrimage to the house of the Father. Jesus describes himself as leading the way to God the Father. It’s a rough passageway through the turmoils of this world, with certain sacrifices, sufferings and grief. Jesus travelled it and to negotiate it properly we need His guidance. He is the way, the truth and the life.

The most appealing image of all, and one that stands out is the figure of Christ as the good shepherd. In describing Himself as the Good Shepherd He is painting a beautiful picture of His loving care for the human family while emphasising how precious we are in the eyes of God. Each of us has a special place in His heart as He calls us by name and cares for us individually. He is our guardian and guide, constantly calling us home when we are inclined to stray.

The story of Jesus and the disciples on the road to Emmaus points at us and sheds light on our own situation in times of trial. With Jesus' death, the disciples' whole world had collapsed. Their distress is ours in many ways and their sadness sounds familiar to our ears. How many times have we walked the road to Emmaus?

My dear friends in Christ,
In this day and age, let's have a short and honest reflection on the depth of our own Easter faith and a time to ask the Lord to strengthen our conviction and trust in his word. How else as Christians are we linked across the centuries with the disciples of the early church if not by an unbreakable bond of faith? The bottom line of that faith is our belief in Christ.

My dear friends in Christ,
I cannot help but wonder in the midst of this crisis and difficult times, if God is actually setting things right. Is He allowing all these so the world can be shaken, and then things will well? I wonder if he is resetting some things. Is there a spiritual purpose behind everything that happens whether what we perceive as being good or being bad? It's quite the unexpected, isn't it?

My dear friends in Christ,

Moving in as your new Parish Priest felt strange. The whole situation deprives us from getting together as a family and community of God to celebrate the Eucharist due to the Covid-19 crisis. There's uncertainty and anxiety. But rest assured of my thoughts and prayers for you and the whole parish as I still celebrate Mass privately.

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2020 - Homily by Fr. Paul Castley

During these devastating times of bushfire and drought I sometimes experience a strange and eerie feeling. All of these horrendous events and all of that loss, suffering and grief is not that very far away from me but it’s as if I am far away from it. Many, many years ago when I was a young boy in Townsville – and that is a long time ago – a flood did rip through our backyard. Fortunately our house was on the proverbial Queensland stilts and it passed underneath us.