Christmas Message from Archbishop Denis Hart

Dear Friends, We live in exciting yet challenging times. The joy of Pope Francis and his Gospel outreach is touching many hearts. We praise God for the goodness of people as they respond to our Holy Father's inspiring leadership. We also recognise that grief is part of faith. Part of us can wonder why 'bad things happen to good people'. We sometimes cry out 'Why?' to our God. As a church we are all tested especially when we see innocent people suffer. During these days of the Royal Commission we pray especially for the innocent victims of sexual abuse in the Church and acknowledge the courage of those victims who have come forward to speak of their abuse. We must continue to reach out. Whether they be victims of the tragic hurricane in the Philippines or closer to home with all victims of violence our response must always be action, solidarity and constant prayer. For we are a people of hope. And the Good News is precisely that we are not just left alone with our questions and our responsibilities. God replies! At Christmas our God comes to us as a vulnerable lowly pilgrim in search of hospitality. By reaching out with compassion and loving care we can give Him hospitality as he comes to us disguised in the hungry, the homeless, the women and children who are victims of domestic violence, the mentally ill, the imprisoned, the stranger and the refugee. Our Holy Father Pope Francis never tires of reminding us that Jesus came to reveal the tenderness of our God. It is our mission as Catholics to continue to be the merciful and tender face of Christ in Melbourne today. This Christmas may we communicate the joy of God's love to all. D J Hart