There have been one or two “interested” enquiries about the gulls that accommodate themselves in our neighbourhood when their need arises.  It appeared that the attempts to persuade them that they were not welcome had succeeded: there has been no sign of them for a few months.  However, in the last couple of weeks they have certainly announced their presence: they can be heard squawking “We are back!!” morning and night.  Although loitering with domestic intent, apparently, they have not actually set up house… … not yet at any rate.

As well as the canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop, October is the month of the Rosary and also of Mission Sunday.  A focus on the Missions on the third or fourth Sunday in October has been part of the Church’s calendar from the beginning of the liturgical reform in the 1960s.  This year the theme for Mission Sunday (24 October) is Give – faith, hope, love.

The next three paragraphs have been extracted from Pope Benedict’s message for this year’s Mission Sunday.

The Second Vatican Council affirmed that Christ establishes the new relationship between human beings and God.  Christ reveals to us that God is love (1 John 4/8) and at the same time teaches us the fundamental law of human perfection, and consequently of the transformation of the world, is the new commandment of love.  He assures those who trust in the charity of God that the way of love is open to all people and the effort to establish a ‘universal brotherhood’ will not be in vain.  (Gaudium et Spes n. 38)

Dear friends, on this World Mission Sunday in which the heart's gaze extends to the immense spaces of mission, let us all be protagonists of the Church's commitment to proclaim the Gospel. The missionary impulse has always been a sign of vitality for our Churches (cf. Encyclical Letter, Redemptoris missio, n. 2), with their cooperation and their unique witness of unity, brotherhood and solidarity that gives credibility to heralds of the Love that saves!

At the end of this annual Message for World Mission Sunday, I would like with special affection to express my gratitude to missionaries who bear witness to the coming of the Kingdom of God in the most remote and challenging places, often with their lives. To them, who are in the vanguard of the Gospel's proclamation, every believer offers friendship, closeness and support. May God who loves a cheerful giver (cf. 2 Cor 9: 7) fill them with spiritual fervour and deep joy.

Those who contribute to the support of the Parish through Planned Giving envelopes will have noticed that in your envelope pack there is one dedicated to Mission Sunday.  For others there are envelopes specifically to support the Mission Sunday collection.  These can be placed with your donation in the usual collection baskets at collection time or put in the box near the holy water font.