Thanksgiving for Gifts of Nation and Priest
It was a bittersweet Merdeka Day for the parish. The celebration of the 63rd Independence Day of our country took on a slight tinge of melancholy as parishioners bade farewell to Fr Louis who has been sent on a mission to accompany His Eminence Anthony Soter Cardinal Fernandez.
In his homily, Fr Louis spoke about the day’s Gospel (Luke 4:16-30) and its relation to the call every Christian receives to evangelise. He added that we often struggle in this area as we do not know how to evangelise. St Paul clarifies this as seen in the first reading (1 Cor 2:1-5) when he says that we evangelise not by our own brilliance or wisdom but by depending on the power of God. Fr Louis added that in the current political climate in our country, we must be brave to stand up for truth and justice but also equally importantly, pray often to be able to maintain peace and to know when to speak and when to be silent.
At the end of the Mass, Fr Dom expressed his appreciation to Fr Louis for being a great associate pastor and companion to him. He added that Fr Louis was often his sounding board that helped him in his decisions for the good of the parish community. Fr Dom wished him a happy and fruitful mission and said that his prayer is for Fr Louis to “take delight in the Lord who will give him the desires of his heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
Fr Louis then took to the rostrum to share his parting words with the congregation. He said that the day was for celebration in thanksgiving for the blessings and rich life he has been gifted with. He added that the time spent in the parish has been a time of growth, and while he does not know how long he will be away or whether he would return to the parish, he trusts that whatever the Lord’s plans are for him, they are always for his good. He ended with a message of reflection for the parishioners: How is your prayer life?
The celebration concluded with a touching tribute of the Pastor’s Song to Fr Louis and praying over by the congregation. After Mass, parishioners took the opportunity to say their goodbyes and wish Fr Louis well on his mission. We miss you, Fr Louis and we remember you and Cardinal Soter in our prayers. God bless your mission.
God bless on your new mission, Fr. Louis!
God bless you fr louis
God bless you and guide you in your mission Fr. Louis.