INTRODUCTORY ADDRESSSOLEMN MASS FOR THE FEAST OF ST PAUL,
MUNXAR, GOZO
31.V.2009
Your Eminence, Cardinal Gerardo M. Agnelo
Your LordshipBishop Mario Grech
Your Lordship Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi,
Very Reverend Parish Priest Fr Tonio Galea,
Brother Priests,
Onor. Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono,
Dear Mayor of Munxar,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is in the joy of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church that I join you, this morning, to preside at this Solemn Eucharist on the day when the parish of Munxar celebrates its titular feast. This year’s feast takes upon it an added significance as this celebration is being carried out in the Pauline Year.
A christian community is not to be measured from its numerical size, but from the authentic Christian life of its members. In his letters, St Paul often reminded the yound Christian communities to build their lives on Christ and to be men and women of faith. It is true that your parish is a small one, but judging from the pastoral and social activities which are organized here, I can see that this community is full of life, energy and enthusiasm.
Your Parish is also relatively young. Established just over fifty years ago (1957), it has developed and grown. Since the decree of foundation, Pro Munere Nostro Pastorali, by Bishop Giuseppe Pace, the parish has been blessed by four parish priests who together with numerous other priests have served this community. Many lay people have put their Christian vocation at the service of others. I am very happy to experience your strong of community-spirit. I, therefore, encourage you to continue your many pastoral and social initiatives. These contribute to make the community and the locality stronger, as you seek to live as disciples of Christ and his witnesses in the world. Be apostles of unity and service!
I was happy to learn that last September, members of this parish went on a Pauline pilgrimage to Rome, and that you encountered the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and listened to his words. As Papal Representative, it is my pleasure, on this occasion, to convey to all the members of this parish community the paternal love and the pastoral blessing of the Holy Father.
I pray that this parish may always be a community whose foundations are faith, hope and love (cf 1 Cor 13,13). As you contemplate the great Apostle Paul, I encourage you to read his letters, to meditate upon them and to build you families on his advice. May St. Paul’s example inspire you, may his words enlighten you and may his witness encourage you!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is in the joy of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church that I join you, this morning, to preside at this Solemn Eucharist on the day when the parish of Munxar celebrates its titular feast. This year’s feast takes upon it an added significance as this celebration is being carried out in the Pauline Year.
A christian community is not to be measured from its numerical size, but from the authentic Christian life of its members. In his letters, St Paul often reminded the yound Christian communities to build their lives on Christ and to be men and women of faith. It is true that your parish is a small one, but judging from the pastoral and social activities which are organized here, I can see that this community is full of life, energy and enthusiasm.
Your Parish is also relatively young. Established just over fifty years ago (1957), it has developed and grown. Since the decree of foundation, Pro Munere Nostro Pastorali, by Bishop Giuseppe Pace, the parish has been blessed by four parish priests who together with numerous other priests have served this community. Many lay people have put their Christian vocation at the service of others. I am very happy to experience your strong of community-spirit. I, therefore, encourage you to continue your many pastoral and social initiatives. These contribute to make the community and the locality stronger, as you seek to live as disciples of Christ and his witnesses in the world. Be apostles of unity and service!
I was happy to learn that last September, members of this parish went on a Pauline pilgrimage to Rome, and that you encountered the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and listened to his words. As Papal Representative, it is my pleasure, on this occasion, to convey to all the members of this parish community the paternal love and the pastoral blessing of the Holy Father.
I pray that this parish may always be a community whose foundations are faith, hope and love (cf 1 Cor 13,13). As you contemplate the great Apostle Paul, I encourage you to read his letters, to meditate upon them and to build you families on his advice. May St. Paul’s example inspire you, may his words enlighten you and may his witness encourage you!
Mgr. Tommaso Caputo
Apostolic Nunzio
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