Let’s hear from Father Mike…

December 8 is one of the most significant days in the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm. On this day, the Camillians make their Devotional Renewal of Vows.  In a conversation with this writer, Fr. Mike (who is in town for his vacation) shared that for our confreres in Sacred Heart Parish Westmead the renewal took place on December 7 which fell on a Sunday.  All six religious – Fr. Giulio, Fr. Dado, Fr. Regie, Fr. Jojo, Fr. Nilo, and Fr. Mike – renewed their vows all together during the Sunday Eucharistic celebration in the parish.  The renewal rites, though simple, must have been an attention-grabbing event since it was the first of its kind in the parish.

Fr. Mike also disclosed that the World Youth Day held in Sydney in July 08 gave rise to the formation of a youth group called Sacred Heart Youth (SHY) and that he now serves as its spiritual advisor.  Recently the group held a youth dinner (Night Out) which included a Eucharistic celebration. The event was the Christmas celebration of and for the youth.

Another parish highlight Fr. Mike talked about was the celebration of the Misa de Gallo which they called “novena dawn masses.”  The religious took turns in presiding at the Masses which were well-attended and appreciated by parishioners of different nationalities and from various walks of life.

The children’s mass on Christmas eve was also a special event.  The children’s participation was a major feature of the mass.  They served as readers as well as actors in the wonderfully done Nativity play that replaced the reading of the Gospel.  The parents who were also present were all awed in seeing their young children’s participation.  After the mass, the church lights were turned off, and the congregation, holding glowing candles, joyfully sang Christmas carols to celebrate the coming of the Light of the world.

Fr. Mike mentioned too that the midnight mass in Sacred Heart Parish turned out to be a “one-and-only” in the Diocese of Parramatta.  Six Camillians concelebrated, that’s why.

This writer thanks Fr. Mike for the news bits he shared.  Here’s hoping that in the coming months more news will get transmitted from Down Under to the heights of Loyola.