Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Celebrating Our Diversity – Many Cultures, One Family in Christ
Every morning, as I come to church, I encounter many of you, and every day I thank the Lord for the beautiful community we have. How beautiful it is to see and be part of a community of diverse cultural and social backgrounds, all united in the one faith we hold so dear.
Truly, one of the greatest blessings of St Bernadette Parish is its diversity. Every Sunday we acknowledge with respect the First Nations people, who unfortunately are not represented among us. We remember the first settlers, the parish pioneers, those who travelled dangerously to our shores, and the more recent migrants.
As we prepare to celebrate seventy years of parish life, we give thanks for the many people, cultures and traditions that have enriched our community.
Over the decades, our parish has welcomed people from many parts of the world. Each has brought unique gifts, traditions and experiences of faith. Rather than dividing us, this diversity has strengthened us, reminding us that the Church is truly universal family gathered from every nation, language and culture.
Whenever we celebrate the Eucharist, we are united by something far greater than our differences. Around the Lord's table, we become one Body in Christ. The Gospel teaches us to see one another not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters.
Our anniversary offers us an opportunity to renew our commitment to being a hospitable parish, where everyone feels welcomed, respected and valued. Whether someone has belonged to this parish for decades or has only recently arrived, there should always be a place for them within our community.
The future of our parish depends upon our willingness to keep building bridges of understanding, friendship and belonging, never constructing walls that separate us. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be a community where hospitality is genuine, compassion is lived, and every person knows they are loved by God.
May our celebration of seventy years remind us that our diversity is one of God's great gifts. Together, may we continue building a parish that reflects the beauty of God's Kingdom: many people, many stories, but one faith and one mission.
Fr Silvio Bezzina MSSP
Parish Priest