Archbishop's Homilies 2002

Mass to Pray for Rain and for the Victims of Drought

Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Tuesday, 29th October, 2002, at 1.00pm

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we are gathered to pray especially for rain and for the victims of drought in our State of Victoria. The absence of rain has brought a longstanding burden upon our people in the country and is having a financial impact upon the food available to all our communities.

In solidarity as brothers and sisters, with a common love of God and a common humanity, we pray to the Lord, the giver of all good gifts, that he will grant the rain we need that the fruits of the earth may grow and give us what we need for a fruitful life as brothers and sisters.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today is a moment of petition when we come to our loving God who cares for us in all our needs. Like all children we can confidently come to our Heavenly Father and present the needs of our society. Today we come to pray for rain in our State of Victoria, united with our political and civic leaders, as we bring our common needs to our Heavenly Father.

We are very mindful of the victims of drought: the farmers and their families and all of those whose normal livelihood has been affected. Already there is much hardship and suffering, there are feelings of hopelessness and heartache and a lack of confidence in the immediate future. This does greatly affect families and communities throughout the State.

Our Christian tradition says we should stand alongside those who are suffering because of drought. The city of Melbourne has a responsibility to be sensitive to the needs of those in country Victoria.

We are all aware that country Victoria has often stated that a growing gap exists between the sensitivities and service and facilities offered in the big city as distinct from the country. Many families, including my own, have known of young people growing up in the country who immediately move to the city. Country communities do feel this constant migration as a burden which limits their resources.

All of us need to stand alongside those who suffer. I am grateful to the State Government for the practical incentives and assistance which has been offered recently. This is something which we all ought applaud and as a community do whatever we can to provide reasonable assistance to those who are suffering.

The Church does understand that the fruits of the earth are given by God for all of us to share. When certain sections of society are enduring great pain, as Christians we have a responsibility to come to their aid and to assist them in whatever way possible.

Today’s Mass is a fervent prayer to God, the author of everything. It is a recognition that whoever we may be as human beings we are dependent upon God to whom we have responsibilities of prayer and right living. We similarly are interdependent with our brothers and sisters in the community, following the words of Jesus, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ Let us bring to our God in this Mass the need of rain, the needs and cries of country people and also the petition that we may responsibly face our need to stand alongside them as brothers and sisters.

 

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.