MASS CELEBRATED BY ARCHBISHOP DENIS HART AT SAINT PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, MELBOURNE, FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE BUSHFIRES
ON THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2009 AT 1PM.

INTRODUCTION

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am honoured to welcome –  

The Honourable Rob Hulls - Deputy Premier,
The Honourable John Lenders –Treasurer,
Shadow Minister Martin Dixon - representing the Leader of the Opposition,
Mr. Peter Ryan - Leader of the Nationals,
Minister James Merlino, Minister Tim Pallas, Shadow Minister Nicholas Kotsiras,
The Honourable Christine Campbell, Ms Kirstie Marshall.
Ms Danielle Green, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services, in whose constituency many of the fires are, offered her heartfelt apology.

We are one heart and mind with those who have died for whom we pray, those who have lost loved ones or property, and all who are bereft of so many things that they hold dear.  We stand in solidarity with the people in the communities in the east of Kilmore parish, Whittlesea, Kinglake, Marysville, Healesville, Yea and Alexandra, Beechworth, Churchill and Mansfield.  We bring to God prayers for peace and protection with great esteem for those whose gallantry is caring so well for all who have suffered.

We continue our journey with them with love and hope in our hearts: let us call to mind our sins.

HOMILY

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In these days we have been overcome by devastation and loss, stories of courage in the face of death, of human compassion for those who have lost everything, of gallantry and determination of so many without thought for themselves.  These events have brought out the greatness of the Australian spirit and the determination that sustains us in this moment of powerful prayer and remembrance.

Yesterday at Whittlesea I saw great trust from those who lost everything; the hope that children bring, the tremendous courage of fire fighters and police, emergency workers, the care of Red Cross, and people struggling from loss, yet comforted simply by the goodness of each other.  People kept streaming in anxious to ‘do what they can’, powerless in the enormity of the tragedy – united to confront it and rebuild.  I am humbled by the work of fire fighters, emergency workers and so many others.

Like Martha in the Gospel, we may feel sorrow or resentment about what has happened.  We may even feel that our God is distant.  Martha rebuked Our Lord for not being there when Lazarus was called to die.  Yet both Jesus in the Gospel and Saint Paul in the first Reading see the events of life in a much broader context.

The human soul in itself is imperishable.  The human spirit is destined for eternal life.  We have seen the greatness of people this week.  That moving to eternal life is an ultimate victory because we go to that for which we are made.  We will once again be reunited with our loved ones in the peace of heaven.  This fervent prayer we bring for all who have died, remembering their suffering with love.

On Tuesday I received a message from Cardinal Bertone, the Secretary of State, addressed to the Governor-General, by which Pope Benedict assures us of his closeness in prayer, begging the Lord to give us strength and consolation and praying with esteem for all who bring relief and support in this time of disaster.

Similar messages of sympathy and prayerful support have been received from overseas, such as the Bishops’ Conference of Ireland and Scotland, and from all over Australia.  The Governor of Victoria has also sent a message to the people of Victoria – that he is one with us at this moment of tragedy, prayer and hope.

The challenge for us is to find largeness of heart, which makes us instruments of the Lord’s embrace for those who are suffering.  Together as Victorians, accompanied by the compassion and practical generosity of people from all over Australia, we will overcome the consequences of this tremendous evil.  We will pray our dead into eternal life. 

The words of the hymn ‘Abide with Me’ express vision and encouragement:

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

We will support those who have lost everything and help them to rebuild their lives and their homes.   We will demonstrate that each has within the capacity to make our own unique contribution as we suffer with those who are carrying an unimaginable burden.  Then will the pain and sorrow carry through to the victory over death which Christ promises because he is the resurrection and the life whoever believes in him will not die forever.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne