Our Parish

Our Patron Saint is Our Lady of Dolours (Sorrows).

 

How does she influence our parish spirituality?

 

There is great suffering in the world. Our faith must be able to 'speak' to us in our suffering. In the Christian tradition, the image of Mary, a young woman bringing forth a child in a dangerous world, and the image of Mary as an older woman, standing before her son crucified on a cross, have spoken to the hearts of generations of believers.

Our Lady of Dolours takes us to the very heart of the gospel: we are saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is no accident that the Feast of Our Lady of Dolours (15 September) follows the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross (14 Sept).

In reflecting on Mary as sorrowful mother (note: not 'depressed and embittered' mother) we do so in the context of faith, hope and love.

As a faith community we remember that we are called to be a people of unquenchable hope! We believe that:
• God never abandons us in our pain.
• Love is stronger than death.
• Whatever 'deathly' experiences we endure, God calls us onwards into fullness of life.
• As the first disciple of Jesus, Mary shows us how to face our trials with courage, trusting that God's love will prevail.
• As a parish we are called to stand in solidarity with all who suffer, and to be a healing presence in the world.

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