Parish News – Sunday 3 May 2026 / Fr James’ Tenth Ordination Anniversary

There is a beautiful cry from the heart of the prophet Jeremiah:
“You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced… you were stronger than I, and you have prevailed.”

This is the story of a heart gently drawn by God. From a very young age — six or seven — Fr James remembers being asked, “What do you want to become?” And something within him would rise with clarity: “I want to become a priest.” It was a simple desire born from witnessing priests serving, loving, and giving themselves for others. Their life spoke more than words, and that silent witness planted a seed.

As Fr James marks ten years of priesthood, he expresses heartfelt gratitude to the parish family for the love, prayers, encouragement, and support shown throughout his journey. He is especially thankful to all who attended the Thanksgiving Mass and for the thoughtful gift of the white chasuble.

Spiritual Evening – Tuesday 5 May

Our next Spiritual Evening will take place on Tuesday, 5 May 2026 at 7:30 p.m., led by Celia on the theme:
“Biblical Women – Their Lives and Lessons.”

Youth Group Meeting – Saturday 9 May

The next Youth Group meeting will take place on Saturday, 9 May 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in the priest’s house meeting room. All young people are warmly encouraged to attend.

Bible Study

Bible Study with Fr James will be held on Friday, 15 May 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Tea, coffee, and light refreshments will be available.

Family Mass – Sunday 24 May

Our next Family Mass will take place on Sunday, 24 May 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Altar servers are requested to arrive 15 minutes earlier. There will be no catechism on that Sunday.

Visitation of Our Lady of Fatima

We are blessed to welcome the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima together with the relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto on Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May 2026. This will be a grace-filled moment of prayer, renewal, and devotion for our parish family.

Well-being and Parish Community

The 60+ Club continues every Wednesday from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the parish hall, offering companionship, activities, refreshments, and support. Meditation, breath work, and gentle yoga exercises also continue every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Everyone is warmly welcome to be part of the life of St Ann’s parish family.al.

Homily – Fr James Raj’s Vocation Story

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There is a beautiful cry from the heart of the prophet in Book of Jeremiah:

“You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced… you were stronger than I, and you have prevailed” (Jeremiah 20:7).

This is the story of a heart drawn by God… gently, quietly… deeply.

From a very young age—six or seven—I remember being asked, “What do you want to become?”
And something within me would rise with clarity:
“I want to become a priest.”

It was a simple desire… born from what I had seen.
I had seen priests serving… loving… giving themselves.
Their life spoke more than words.
And that silent witness planted a seed in me.

The words of Jesus in Gospel of Mark echo this call:

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life” (Mark 10:45).

That spirit of service stayed alive within me…
growing quietly through the years.

Then came a decisive moment.

After my A-levels, my father sat with me.
In one hand he held my entrance exam ticket…
in the other, a letter from the parish priest inviting me to a vocation camp.

He looked at me… and simply said, “Choose.”

In that moment, everything became still.
And the heart knew where it belonged.

I chose the letter.

Because the voice of God is recognised in silence…
as Jesus says in Gospel of John:

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

From there, the journey unfolded…

Thirteen years of formation…
years that shaped the mind, the heart, and the spirit.
Moments of depth… moments of searching… moments of grace…
and through all of it, a quiet presence of God guiding the path.

As St. Paul says in Letter to the Philippians:

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

And then came the gift of priesthood.

A grace received…
a life entrusted…
a calling to belong to God and to His people.

When I look back at these ten years, I see a journey held by many hands—
priests, sisters, formators…
and all of you.

Your prayers… your love… your support…
have become part of my priesthood.

My motto has always been:
To be all for all in Christ.

To be present…
to walk with people…
to share their joys and struggles…
to bring Christ into everyday life.

This is where the words of Pope Francis inspire deeply:

“The Church is a field hospital after a battle… it must heal wounds and warm hearts.”

That is the mission…
to be close…
to bring healing…
to carry hope.

My dear brothers and sisters,

This journey speaks to each one of us.

Every life carries a calling.
A call to love…
a call to serve…
a call to give.

In our families…
in our parish…
in our daily lives…

And when we serve, we enter into the heart of God.

As Jesus reminds us in Gospel of Matthew:

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Today, I stand with a grateful heart.

Grateful to God…
grateful to the Church…
grateful to you.

I ask for your prayers…
that this journey may continue with the same simplicity…
the same joy…
the same desire to serve.

And together, let us walk forward—
rooted in Christ…
living for one another…
trusting always that God walks with us.

Amen.