A Message From Bishop Brian - Post-Assembly September 2009 |
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29 September 2009 I write to the whole of our diocesan family to express my heartfelt thanks and congratulations for the Assembly we have just celebrated at St Brendan’s College. It was certainly beyond my expectations and the reason can only be that the Spirit of God was in the hearts, minds and utterances of all who were gathered. The liturgies and prayer times set a wonderful background to our theme ‘Fanning the Flame” of the gift God has given to us. The keynote addresses and the workshops provided, gave a wonderful opportunity to develop that gift - the Spirit of love, power and self control. The overall spirit of welcome, participation and at-homeness, was a tribute to those who were able to come and to those who carefully prepared the entire experience. As Bishop, there is much for me to consider from the recommendations from the Assembly that have been given to me. With the assistance of a small group of advisers, I intend to present a summary of outcomes directed to our future, by the first Sunday of Advent, which is at the end of November. Once again, I thank all who attended the Assembly and I thank each and every one of you who prayed for God’s Spirit to descend upon the gathering. To all of our priests, to our religious, to all of the laity, I say ‘thank you’. After eighteen years now as your bishop, I feel more privileged than ever. I will have a holiday break in October and please God will return renewed to go on ‘fanning the flame’ of God gift within us.
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