Lourdes – Carrying Our Parish in Prayer
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Lourdes – Carrying Our Parish in Prayer

Lourdes – Carrying Our Parish in Prayer

Lourdes – Carrying Our Parish in Prayer

My pilgrimage to Lourdes was a beautiful and deeply fulfilling journey. Thank you for your prayers, your kindness and the intentions you entrusted to me. You were very much with me throughout those days, especially in the quiet moments at the grotto.

Each morning at six o’clock, I went to the grotto and spent time in prayer. I carried your envelopes with me for the first two days, holding your intentions before Our Lady and praying for each of you and your families. On the third day, I placed them in the prayer box at the grotto. It was a precious moment of entrusting all those hopes, worries and prayers to God through Our Lady’s intercession.

I attended Masses, joined the evening candlelight processions and returned often to the grotto. There was something deeply moving about being among so many people, each bringing their own story and quietly seeking strength. The lovely weather also allowed time for walks and moments of rest. And yes, occasionally, a refreshing draught beer with a meal added to the simple pleasures of the journey!

Our church hall project was very much part of my prayer. At the grotto where St Bernadette prayed, I entrusted our plans and the future of our parish to Our Lady. I placed our hall plans on the altar and remembered the project, together with your intentions, in prayer with the Lourdes water.

During those quiet hours, I also found time to prepare our St Ann’s Hall webpage, which is now available on our parish website. It means a great deal to me that this work took shape in the same place where I was praying for our whole project.

I return with a grateful heart, refreshed and encouraged. God is great, and we have much to be thankful for. Let us continue to pray for one another and build the future of our church together, trusting that God’s kindness and guidance will accompany us every step of the way.

Fr James Raj,
St Ann’s Catholic Church, Kingston Hill.