Sunday down the southcoast

One Sunday I was privileged to be down the southcoast of NSW with Family Group friends cared for by Margaret and Paul Casey, whom so many of you would remember with delight. I have to admit that the group was all senior citizens except for one outstanding young woman, Rebecca , Family Group Coordinator of Kiama.

We all had a great time in each other's company and for sure, Marg Casey can work miracles. She’s even got me enjoying vegetarian food immensely!

When you least expect it, the Father surprises us. In our Faith sharing, a grandmother,  who had raised eight children herself on a dairy farm, spoke to us from the heart saying,

“When I was a young Mum I wish I knew the loving God I know intimately now instead of the strict and judging God I passed onto my children."

Family Groups do change lives.

A Moment in the Sun - and with the Son

I was on the veranda of an Italian farmhouse deep in the woods of rural Duffy’s Forest. It was a crisp morning with the sun warming us and the birds at their prayers. I had just anointed and given Pietro, 97, and Rosa, 83, the Holy Oils and Communion along with Edda, my faithful Italian translator.

We sat in silence and all were praying to the Master of our hearts. Pietro, who had lived and suffered even false imprisonment in his native Italy, been through the War in Italy and struggled as a refugee here, was quietly praying. His time on this Earth was numbered in days and yet he sat in the sun at peace with all, especially his Lord.

All was peaceful and God was close at hand. At that moment that is all I wanted to be.  A servant of these faithful, hard-working people of God.