Bishop Anthony's Message dated 28 September 2020

Vox Episcopi – the Voice of the Bishop 9 March 2022 My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, During this second week of Lent there has been a great deal to pray for throughout our communities. Torrential and relentless rain has caused devastating flooding not only throughout the state but in our own parishes in the Diocese. Suburban streets have become rivers, backyards turned into lakes. Dams have spilled as a result of the deluge and main roads and bridges inundated. Huge swathes of our Diocese in the northern suburbs, northern beaches and Central Coast have been swamped causing landslides and extensive damage to homes. Many of our churches, schools and community halls have been flooded. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate, and tragically lives have been lost. Added to this, the escalating and destructive events in Ukraine with the ever-growing humanitarian crisis, and the words challenging and overwhelming just don’t seem to convey the sadness and heaviness of heart. However, it is exactly at times like this we should remember that we do have someone to guide us, give us the courage and strength to keep going. We know prayer is a large focus during Lent as it is the main source of communication with God. While it is a time of reflection and renewed faith when we focus on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can also pray for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, who are injured or anxious and despairing or are fleeing conflict, carrying very little except fear and uncertainty. And despite our prayers if we think all we can hear and see is more rage and resistance, then it’s also good to remember that when God is quiet, He is up to something. He is watching and working. With my prayers and blessing + Anthony