This third Sunday of Lent, we listen to the parable of the Fig tree (Luke13:1-9).  When the owner of the fig tree wants to dig it out because it doesn’t bear any fruit, the gardener asks to look after it for a year and give it a chance to bear fruit. God is like the gardener who is willing to be patient, kind and forgiving waiting for us to respond to his love. If we are kind and forgiving towards each other, showing respect, we will respect each other and our environment, God’s creation. 

This week at Holy Spirit we value compassion. What does this mean? It means sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Compassion gives us the ability to understand someone else's situation and the desire to take action to improve their lives. It is the quality that allows us to step outside of ourselves and see the circumstances of others. It supplies the willpower to do what is necessary to make the world a more caring place. What better way can our community show compassion? This week, our school community raised nearly $1000 to support families in our two primary Catholic Schools in Ingham. We can also support Project Compassion and the good work of many people across the globe by putting a little something.

LAM from VIETNAM

Lam was born and raised in rural Vietnam with his farming parents and three siblings. As a 27-year-old man of very short stature, he experienced significant physical and social barriers due to his disability. When Lam graduated high school, many of his fellow students pursued career aspirations at university. But it wasn’t the same for Lam, whose physical disability meant few vocations available to him. Without access to employment opportunities, he stayed at home with his parents in their rural home where he spent most of his time completing household chores with his family, harvesting vegetables,  feeding chickens and cooking meals. Lam felt increasingly isolated and felt disconnected from his friends, from society and from his dream of becoming a graphic designer. 

Through the I-SHINE program, supported by Caritas Australia’s partner in Vietnam, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Lam was able to pursue his dreams and become more independent. He enrolled in a six-month IT Technician training course in Da Nang that not only equipped him with professional skills but also rekindled his social connections and confidence. Lam’s dedication during the training paid off as he launched a freelance graphic design business from his home. Today, he is a successful graphic designer, serving clients locally and internationally and earning a stable income every month. He has a creative life. 

Today is the Feast Day of St Joseph. St Joseph was the husband of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. We know Joseph loved Jesus and when Jesus stayed in the Temple, Joseph (along with Mary) searched with great anxiety for three days for him. We also know that Joseph treated Jesus as his own son for over and over the people of Nazareth say of Jesus, "Is this not the son of Joseph" Joseph teaches us forgetfulness of self in the service of others. He is the patron saint of fathers and workers. 

Guardian of Jesus and husband of Mary,
God trusted you to take care of His Son.

Mary trusted you too,
and you helped raise Jesus with love.
Saint Joseph, please be like a father to us.
Help us to follow God’s path.
Give us strength, kindness, and courage,
and keep us safe from all harm.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

God bless.
Caroline Fuller