2nd Sunday of Lent

Lent at St Ann’s – Journey of Faith and Trust

As we continue our Lenten journey, the readings remind us that faith is always a movement – a journey of trust. Like Abraham, we are called to step forward even when we do not see the full picture. Like the disciples on the mountain, we are strengthened by moments of grace so that we may walk faithfully through ordinary life. Lent invites us not to stand still, but to grow – to move closer to Christ with renewed commitment and deeper prayer. NL Mar 1 St Ann

RCIA – Rite of Election at the Cathedral

Our RCIA candidates attended the Rite of Election at the Cathedral. It was a truly inspiring and uplifting moment. From our parish, 11 members are preparing to become Catholic this year. This is a great blessing for our parish family – the Church is growing, and our parish is alive with faith. Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all who attended and supported them. NL Mar 1 St Ann

Way of the Cross Every Friday

Every Friday during Lent, the Way of the Cross follows the 7.00 pm Mass. You are most welcome to join. Please also make use of the Lent and Way of the Cross booklets available at the back of the church. NL Mar 1 St Ann

Parish Calendar and Timetable

Please follow the parish calendar for the full timetable of Lenten, Holy Week, and Easter activities, as well as parish events and groups. NL Mar 1 St Ann

Readers’ Rota Update

We are updating the Readers’ rota for the coming year. If you would like to be a reader at Mass, or if you know someone who would be suitable and willing, please let Sr Ursula know. The new list will run for one year, and your participation would be greatly appreciated. NL Mar 1 St Ann

Homily – Second Sunday of Lent

My dear brothers and sisters,

Today’s readings speak to us about movement — holy movement.

The Lord says to Abram:

“Go from your country, your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)

And God promises:

“Look toward heaven and count the stars… so shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15:5)

The promise begins with movement.

Abram must leave before he sees.
He must trust before he understands.

Then in the Gospel, Jesus is transfigured. His face shines like the sun. His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear — the Law and the Prophets standing beside Him.

Peter says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let us build three tents.”

He wants to freeze the glory.

But Jesus leads them down the mountain.

Because faith is not only about remaining in moments of light. It is also about carrying that light into ordinary life. The Transfiguration was not meant to escape suffering — it was meant to prepare them for the Cross.

The mountain gives strength.
The valley demands faith.

My dear brothers and sisters, in every life there is a fixed point and a moving point.

Like a compass — one leg remains steady in the centre; the other draws the circle. If the centre is firm, the circle can travel far without losing its shape.

Faith must be that centre.

I am reminded of two real journeys connected to members of our parish family.

Two brothers, like Abraham, once left their small European village. They travelled for trade, worked hard, and expanded across countries. They became very successful. But what made them great was not only business skill — it was their Catholic faith. They passed that faith to their children and their children’s children. And from that family came the generosity that made possible even the land on which we worship today.

Their movement was great — but it was rooted in God.

Another man travelled from his village in Ireland to this land. The name of his village became the name of his company. He built his business, gave livelihood and hope to many, and raised a strong family. But what marked him most was not achievement — it was trust in God. In my encounter with him, in his quiet strength, you could see that faith was the foundation.

They moved.
They prospered.
Because they were rooted.

And many of us here have similar stories.

We left our homeland.
We faced uncertainty.
We built our lives here.

And in our most difficult moments — when effort seemed uncertain, when health was fragile, when family struggles came — we held on to God.

Not only for ourselves, but for our children.

Because we know: if faith is strong in one generation, blessing flows to the next.

But here is the challenge for today.

Many in this generation are moving — but without a centre.

They move through careers, screens, ambitions, relationships — constantly moving — but without rootedness. And when crisis comes, they do not know where to stand.

If we do not root our children in Christ, they will be rooted in something else — success, performance, opinion, culture. And those foundations do not hold when suffering comes.

Psalm 127 reminds us:

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”

Success without faith may rise quickly — but it does not last.

Faith rooted deeply carries generations.

So today let us ask:

What is our fixed point?
Is Christ truly the centre of our family compass?

We will all keep moving — from womb to tomb, from strength to weakness, from success to surrender. Life will not stand still.

But if Christ is steady at the centre, every movement becomes grace.

Let us move like Abraham — trusting.
Let us come down the mountain like the disciples — strengthened.
Let us pass on not only wealth or education, but living faith.

Because when God is the centre,
our children will not lose their direction.

Amen.