Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Advent Sunday 4A
20th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Star of the Sea Church, Terrigal
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Terrigal
Sunday 18 December 2022
Over the past four weeks we have been journeying together in anticipation of the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is a period of Advent, awaiting the new dawn – the new life that comes from knowing Christ Jesus Our Lord. Over these weeks, our liturgy, prayer, and worship have all been directing us towards God, who turns our minds and hearts from an inner yearning for salvation to an external celebration of the birth of Christ. We have been preparing not just for happiness, but for the joy of the life that comes from living in the presence of God.
It is easy to lament the commercialisation of Christmas into just another holiday, or end of year sale. However, if we ourselves as disciples of Christ forget the very reason for our celebration, then how might we expect a rapidly growing secular society to do so?
As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the consecration of this beautiful church, might we also be inspired by our sisters and brothers in Christ who have made Terrigal their home and place of worship since the first Mass was celebrated here in 1931, 91 years ago? Might we not also be inspired by our Indigenous brothers and sisters who have gathered in this area, which is one of the most important sacred sites in Australia?
Before the first church was opened by Bishop Muldoon in 1961, Mass had been celebrated in a public hall, a guest house, and a picture theatre. The Catholic community clearly valued not only the faith, but the opportunity to gather for worship, and community fellowship, regardless of the challenges. That early community did things differently. They were innovative and creative. Their action gave the local Catholic community a character and a purpose. So, in 1973, then Terrigal was formed as a parish in its own right, the priest and people were already formed for mission in this beautiful part of the world.
By 2002, the parish had relocated to this property, away from the ocean views and business of the beachside village atmosphere. Only time will tell if such a move was advantageous. However, the buildings and administration centre of any parish are only there to support the people of God in their life of holiness and in their mission to evangelise in the world.
As Saint Paul reminds us in our second reading today, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and though him we received grace and our apostolic mission… (cf. Romans 1:6) With a little careful reflection, we can recognise that in fact, at the heart of our gathering – our very reason for being as a Catholic community, is Jesus Christ himself.
My sisters and brothers, as living members of the Body of Christ, you are the living disciples of Jesus. This is, therefore, the celebration of the mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church.
As we conclude the season of Advent and commemorate 20 years of parish life and mission from this church building, we pray that our community of the Church will be active in the pursuit of holiness and zealous to live out our faith.
Might this occasion today be one to reinvigorate this community to take up anew the mission to the young who are eager to hear the Word of God;
to the young who are eager to hear the Word of God;
to families who are great witnesses of community and love in the world;
to the sick and dying who remind the world that life is precious in every moment;
and to those who do not know Jesus Christ, but who long for love and joy and peace in their lives, in their homes; and in the world.
This is the great task before us today and to which we re-dedicate our lives: to remind others that God comes to us in the form of a tiny innocent child at Bethlehem. In this way, we can understand that this community of the Church dedicated to Mary, Star of the Sea, is not merely a building, but an ongoing commitment to discipleship in Christ.