Entitled 'God loves a Cheerful Giver', the pastoral was launched on September 25th in St. Mary's College. In it, the Bishop encourages all people of goodwill to ask 'what is the Lord saying to me now?' He encourages each man and woman to respond to this question with generosity and love.
St. Augustine said that where there is love there is no toil because toil is loved. It is a privilege to serve the Lord and his Church in any capacity. That service starts by listening to God and to his caring presence in our story. Seeing and listening in faith will lead to gratitude and to joy in God's love that has been and still is very active on our behalf. He first gives much, then asks, and when he asks it is always for our good, though we may not see that at first. His desire is that we find joy in his blessings and, in joy, want to share them. Joy is receiving leads to joy in giving. Thus we become cheerful givers. It is towards that ideal that we travel together in faith.
The Pastoral Letter will be distributed through the parishes on Sunday, October 5th (we have copies left at the door for you) and a full text will be available on this site shortly.