Celebrating Church

Couple of days ago my mum turned 80! It is a significant milestone. I was happy seeing her via Skype smiling and happy when my community sung “Happy Birthday and Sto lat” for her. Seeing the photos of the small family celebration that day was very touching and made me home sick. I wished I was there with my family and felt the distance of thousands of kilometres between my family in Poland and me here in Australia.

I MISS MY DOMESTIC /FAMILY CHURCH…

Last week when I went for a walk in the neighbourhood and while passing by the church, I saw the man who stood in the front of the church fence, lean on it, and prayed out loud. His body language was expressing his frustration and showing his desire to be there with the Lord. In this lockdown situation, this was the best he could, and I hoped that his prayer brought him peace.

HE MISSES HIS SACRAMENTAL CHURCH…

Yesterday, we had a ZOOM community gathering for all Sisters in Australia. The highlight of the almost two hours of listening to each other were small talks at the beginning and the end of the meeting and seeing each other smiling faces.

WE MISS BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF EACH OTHER AND BEING A JOYFUL CHURCH…

This morning I watched the livestream of the first session of the Plenary Council of Australia–Assembly 1. Almost 300 participants united online in the prayerful silence during the Welcome and Acknowledgement to the Country and opening prayers reflected on the history of the Great South Land we are privileged to live.

THEY LONG FOR THE RENEWED HOPE-FILLED CHURCH INTO THE FUTURE.

Church is a community and can be celebrated in many ways – with God in the centre of this celebration. Church is created by people who value their relationship with God and whose relationship with one another invites God’s grace to their midst.

I believe in God, who is present in the places where we make Him the centre of our lives. No matter where we are and how we experience Church at this very moment, He is with us, as He was with His disciples when He said: I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

Have a wonderful week, everyone.