Notes from Yukiko's Desk

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Last weekend, I had a profound opportunity to pause and reconnect with God at St. Francis Friary in Hillsborough for 3 days. It was exactly what I needed: to look out into the trees, listen to birds singing, and simply rest in God, quieting my mind in the beauty before me. I will write more on my experience in the silent retreat next week.

This Sunday, we are celebrating the feast of All Saints (celebrated on Nov 1, and this year it falls on a Sunday!) and All Souls. These two feasts are closely linked, reminding us of our shared journey home to God. As we honour the saints in heaven and pray for the faithful departed, we are called to reflect on our own lives and the eternity that awaits us.

As I was reflecting on the passages assigned for this Sunday, I was struck by the fact that they seem so appropriate for us, people in Aotearoa, living through a period of considerable change. We can easily become bogged down by questions of finances, plans and decline, and all of these things do matter, but they can become so consuming that we begin to see problems before we see people. On this day, we are given a real opportunity to see the saints, not just as a spiritual elite, but the whole people of God, ordinary and flawed, but all known and loved by God. The very people we have the privilege of speaking to. There will be a part of the service where you can light a candle for your loved ones who have died. I look forward to celebrating this special day with you all.

Yukiko