A Message from Our Pastor, Fr. Dominic Barber

“Come Home! You are always welcome!”
These are words that greeted me as Fr. Russell and I entered the parish parking lot in early June when we drove up to meet with Fr. Ed and Fr. Leo, and to be introduced to the staff at St. Patrick’s. Over the past several weeks, I have heard a similar refrain on numerous occasions as I greeted parishioners after Mass or met with people involved in the various groups and ministries.

I find this significant. I have been welcomed. Although these words come easily to our lips in our dealings with one another, whether we are on the giving or receiving end, they reflect something that is very fundamental to our Christian life.

“May you have fared well in coming here,” is what we are saying when we welcome somebody. In other words we desire the well-being of the other. We want that person to be well. The extraordinary thing is that this is not just wishful thinking. We have present in our parish, as in every parish, the very means by which each person can be made well! How wonderful! Coming to this parish, whether we sojourn here for a day, for a month or for a lifetime we are offered the most precious gift; because behind the words expressed by our lips is the reality that as his disciples, we are speaking on behalf of the ultimate Host – Jesus Christ. He is the centre of this parish community. He is the ground spring from which all healing grace flows causing us to be well and to fare well in coming here as we continue on the journey. In welcoming people here we hold out nothing less than the gift of salvation. How tremendous! How awesome!

So, I am grateful. Thank you, thank God, for the welcome Fr. Russell and I have received. As pastor, having been sent and having been welcomed, I am now entrusted with the task of cultivating within this community the means by which others might fare well in coming here. I look forward to working with you in carrying out this mission. I ask for your prayers and assure you of mine.

Fr. Dominic