Archbishop's Homilies 2008

Blessing of the Pregnancy Assistance Centre, Frankston

CEREMONY OF BLESSING OF PREGNANCY ASSISTANCE CENTRE, FRANKSTON, CELEBRATED BY ARCHBISHOP DENIS HART ON TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2008, AT 10.30AM.


INTRODUCTION

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am genuinely pleased to be present and to bless this Pregnancy Assistance Centre here in Frankston. 

I rejoice at being in the presence of compassionate people who love life and wish to assist those who are confronted with the issues of an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy. 

The work done here will, I believe, bring great happiness and peace and I rejoice in being in such a supportive and compassionate environment.

 
HOMILY

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Although we know it, perhaps it needs to be said again, that God’s greatest gift is the gift of life.

One may be forgiven for suggesting that to live in the womb or to be in old age is the most endangered part of our existence.  I am delighted that the Pregnancy Assistance Centre is being established here in Frankston.  People at large in our Australian society are challenged by the fact that there are many unwanted or unexpected pregnancies.  It is absolutely vital that we realise that in every pregnancy comes a life which has to be nurtured and cared for.  The situation where pregnancy is unexpected or unwanted means that those who are challenged need to have somewhere to turn.

I know that all who come to this Centre will be treated above all with respect, as one who is loved by God, unconditionally and completely.  The similar love and support which is extended by the leaders of this Centre to encourage people to understand the options open to them is indeed a wonderful extension of the compassion of the Gospel.

It has often been said that there are too many abortions in Australia and this perception is reflected by the majority of the community.  However, in a precious Centre such as this we are not looking at statistics, but rather at this individual person who comes looking for help in a time of tremendous pressure and suffering.

I believe that we owe it to them to give them the best professional advice about the options for a living child, the greatest compassion for mothers who will walk their journey with them, and above all the insistence that the welcoming respect given here is always so that a time of tremendous trauma can be replaced by an atmosphere of care, of wonder at the mystery of life growing within the womb, and of relief for the tremendous anxiety which exists in these challenging circumstances.

Jesus himself said:  “As long as you did it to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it to me.”  The workers of this Centre will be compassionate witnesses to the love of God for all, especially the weak and the suffering.  My prayer is that while I welcome this Centre with joy, that all who come here with find a ready and compassionate response, an honest and total upholding of the beauty and mystery of life, and a group of people who are ever ready to walk in faith and love with all who come here.

I congratulate you on this initiative and I thank God for the opportunity that you are providing in a suffering and very deeply challenged society.  May the hope that you offer, the comfort and strength that you recommend and the grace in which you operate always be that of the compassion of Christ who gave his all for the least as well as for the greatest.


+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne