On Saturday 23 August, the hall of Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill came alive with a vibrant gathering, celebrating the many ways men and women express their baptismal call and unique charisms. The event showcased inspiring displays from various religious congregations and lay associations committed to serving the mission of the Church together.
This type of outreach focused on continuing to allow the quest of Jesus to unfold and be realised, as stated in the Bible:
“I have come that you may have life – life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10).
Through their presence, posters and attractive brochures, members of the groups and congregations shared the various ways they express their gifts in outreach to others.
Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Many gifts, one faith
Camillians who minster at Mount Druitt and Blacktown hospitals. Image: supplied.
The gathering reflected the insights of the Vatican II Council which in its document on the Church, Lumen Gentium, (LG) spoke of the variety of charisms which aims at unifying the ecclesial body – the Church (LG. 32). Furthermore, such charisms promote mission in different places and cultures. (LG.12).
Among the groups who shared the stories of their mission outreach were the lay members of the Camillians, who express their gifts in service to others, and are committed to chaplaincy in hospitals.
The Marists, consisting of the Marist Sisters, Marist Missionary Sisters SMSM, Marist Brothers FMS, Marist Fathers SM and their lay groups, shared a display presenting a unified expression of the one Marist family – men and women together living the charism of their founders.
It was good to experience the virtual presence of Pope Leo XIV, through the Augustinian priests’ display. Those present all felt his blessing on the work being done to continue to build and nurture the body of Christ. As St Teresa of Ávila reminded us, Christ is alive today through the loving gestures of our hands, the positive steps of our feet, and the compassionate gaze of our eyes.
Augustinians embrace the charism of community and social outreach. Image: supplied.
The gathering was a manifestation of God’s spirit working in and through each one of us. (1 Cor 12:7). In this Year of Jubilee with its theme of hope, all who visited the displays were uplifted as they experienced a heightened awareness of the many ways the spirit of love and compassion is expressed through the members of Religious Congregations and Lay Associations.
Thank you to Fr Oliver Aro and Maria and Joe Saliba for organising this special event.
Sr Patty Andrew OSU is the Vicar for Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Parramatta.
This celebration aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Mission and Community, and with our objective of being a Church that walks together.
