Dear Parishioners,

I hope you are having a lovely week. The beautiful celebration of Pentecost last week with its festive atmosphere, the generosity of all those who contributed to the day, especially those who gave up so much time to set up, decorate, manage the party and cook and many other things, moved me and helped me to realise how important the Holy Spirit is. It was also a sign of hope that the diversity of our parish cultures, talents and gifts are a fruit of the Holy Spirit who continues to be ever present and active in the church through each of us and our unity.

I was particularly struck today by the 2nd reading, Paul writing about rejoicing in suffering. Struck by it and also surprised as it is not always easy to rejoice in suffering. So, how do we rejoice in suffering? Or least, live it in a way that glorifies God? I think the essence of being able to live suffering and difficulties in a Christian way and perhaps even aiming for Paul’s invitation of rejoicing requires faith and hope. Our faith helps us know that no matter what we live, we are not alone, God is with us. Jesus knows suffering from personal experience and therefore, he is always united with us in what we live. Paul also invites us to hope in God when things are challenging. Although God does not cause suffering, He can use it to build our endurance, to build our character, nothing is wasted if we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit acting in our lives and drawing us in ever closer to God.

We are called to recognise The Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit throughout the readings of today because we are celebrating the solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity. The Trinity: One God, yet three persons, is a mystery in the church that we are all called to understand while, humbly realising that it will also always be a little bit beyond us. Yet, as well live experiences like last week our unity in diversity, our openness to each other and our differences, embracing each other, knowing that what unites us is our faith, we can be the presence, the faith, hope and love of the Trinity in today’s world.

Happy feast of the Trinity, and have a blessed week.

Sr Ann Marie, FM