PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER BREAK:

I sense that most people are more than ready for the summer break, and I am hoping it will provide us all with an opportunity to step back and recharge the batteries. I also sense that we are in danger of being weighed down by the complex social and political problems besetting our society and the wider world. To begin with, I do hope that the powers that be will find better ways of resolving all our industrial disputes than through these constant stand-offs. I am not an economic expert, but the glaring disparities between the rich and poor of the world are a constant reminder that market forces cannot be allowed to remain the sole criterion for governing financial settlements. All our disputes have to be resolved eventually, and, surely, they require a willingness to sit down and talk things through until an equitable solution can be found?

On the brighter side of life, last Sunday’s celebration with our newly committed Lay Redemptorist Missionaries was a perfect example of how different things can be when people selflessly reach out to serve the community and share their gifts. May their example be an inspiration for all of us to continue on the synodal path of walking together with the Lord.