Parish and School News

God's spiritual sustenance

Thursday 20 September 2012

By Julie Nairn
Kairos Catholic Journal

IT is amazing how much interest has been generated at St Brigid’s through the promotion of the Year of Grace. Several parishioners have contributed stories to our newsletter of moments of grace where God has touched their lives in a special way.

Many have remarked that their awareness of God’s grace, given through seemingly insignificant moments in everyday life, has increased dramatically because we are all talking about it. I am often saying, “Write that incident down for inclusion in the newsletter!” When people share their moments of grace, we are all inspired and encouraged—and more grace is found!

The parish is also running special monthly presentations where we can ‘contemplate the face of Christ’. We have already had two presentations on Celtic spirituality; the first focusing on Celtic spirituality in Church history, and the second on the role of spirituality in the 21st century and its relationship to God’s mission.

We have also provided a special time for silent prayer and reflection during Sunday Mass. Many doubted this would work as we have many small children and babies who provide background noise and cheerful chatter each week. Yet even these little ones have caught the mood, and our time of silence has become just that—for most of the time!

As the year goes by we are looking forward to many more moments of grace, including contributions from the children of St Brigid’s School and other parish groups.

One definition of grace is ‘God’s unmerited favour’. Another definition states that grace is ‘the power of God to create spiritual life and to sustain us through the Spirit’.

Through the Year of Grace, St Brigid’s is experiencing the way God works in creating spiritual life and sustaining us through
the Spirit.

Julie Nairn is Pastoral Associate at St Brigid’s Parish, Healesville.