How very good, God is to us all

Dear friends

People who focus on eternity are often the ones who do most in this world. Just think of our Australian saint and our patron at Birkdale, whose feast day we celebrate this Sunday, our, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Focusing on eternity doesn’t mean that we are not concerned about the here and now. In fact, eternity means living in the present moment, forever. One writer says, if we live in the past, we tarnish the present and forget the future. Living in the present moment, aware of God’s presence and the divine providence. As St Mary says “How very good, God is to us all.”

St Mary of the Cross often went through troubled and humble beginnings. Her one desire was to do God’s will and help those in need. She was the eldest of eight children and met the burden of having to be responsible for helping her mother Flora provide for the family. St Mary experienced an unsettled childhood where the family home was neither happy nor prosperous due to the many failed and flawed business dealings of Mary’s father.
Many family homes were sought and lost during Mary’s childhood. A deep sense of hopelessness was always countered by Flora’s sense of providence – the idea that “God will provide” became a staple for Mary and served her well and truly throughout her life.

“Never see a need, without doing something about it”. This legacy of St Mary MacKillop is what we experience in our parishes at Birkdale and Manly. I want to thank all the good and generous people who make this saying of St Mary MacKillop, a reality in our parish life. May we experience God’s providence, His goodness and His faithfulness this feast day and throughout the year. Your commitment to our parish life is the source of real blessing to everyone. Let us all be people of trust and gratitude in God. “When I could not see my way, God kept my heart full of trust to make all come right” 1883.

Fr Frank’s health is improving steadily. He is very grateful for all the prayers and well wishes. ​Please keep him in your prayers.

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