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It has long been the wish of our
parish to be more hospitable and to demonstrate our Christian pledge
to love each other as we love our God. At a recent funeral in the
parish, I believe I witnessed the very embodiment of this Christian
love.
Recently Suzanne Cullen passed away after a long but tenacious battle
with cacer. Suzanne had been a valued member of our Parish Pastoral
Council right up until shortly before her death. Soon after her
arrival in our parish, she joined one of our Family Groups. Members of
that family group supported Suzanne throughout her illness and up
until the day of her death with unconditional love. They attended her
funeral in large numbers wearing a coloured ribbon signifying their
Family Group. Their presence sent an unequivocal message to Suzann’s
family that she had spent her last days in a loving community and that
love was reciprocal. Her family can only have been inspired by what
they observed and sensed that day. If only we could “bottle” the
love and care shared by this wonderful family group our church would
be overflowing.
I am reminded of that
beautiful hymn that says “
they will know we are Christians by our love.”
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