Greetings Friends,

Life brings to all of us problems as well as success, despair and joy. In my recent pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey, in the footsteps of St Paul, I learnt many things about the Great Apostle to the Gentiles especially this - that St Paul had learnt to adapt himself to every kind of circumstances, even being in jail. We all face the inevitability of loss, sickness, aging, and death in our human experience. We are, after all, humans, not gods.

We realise lots of things are happening to us and around us and this can be overwhelming at times. We wonder how our brain is filtering out masses of necessary and unnecessary data. But then, with all the busyness, we realise that we are more aware of ourselves. Yes, more awareness that this is where we live. This is where we are.

The challenge for us all is to engage our awareness in constructive action in relation to what is sensible and mature for our community, families, parishes and personal lives for the sake of Jesus’ Mission.

This year has moved by so quickly and I am sure lots of things are happening in different ways in all of our lives. No doubt in your various vocations you will continue to discover more about yourself, others, creation and God.

At the end of the day no-one can promise us endless bliss here on earth or make our fears and insecurities disappear, except the inner hope that all shall be well one day. St Arnold Janssen once said that, “it is important never to lose sight of God’s holy will. This preserves us from unrest in difficulties and from undue haste. Onward with courage!”.

Yours in the Word,
Fr Asaeli Raass SVD
Vice Provincial Superior

PHOTO: Fr Raass on pilgrimage in the footsteps of St Paul.