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St Matthew - Apostle, Evangelist & Martyr - and Vocations Sunday

September 18th, 2021


Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

Greetings as this ‘season of creation’ unfolds!

You may like to visit or post to the facebook page set up by Gippsland Anglicans devoted to this theme.

In the video file we anticipate St Matthew’s day (21 September) – a feast around which we observe Vocations Sunday in the Diocese, as we reflect on the tax collector’s response to Jesus’ summons: follow me.

Dean Susanna presides at the Eucharist, and my sermon includes the short video clip prepared for Vocations Sunday, featuring The Revd Kate Campbell sharing something of her own journey of discernment towards the permanent or distinctive diaconate.

We’re grateful as always to David Perryman and Richard Connelly for their technical ministries behind the scenes.

I pray that, as we live with current uncertainties – both geo-politically, and in terms of evolving public health responses to the pandemic – the clarity of God’s call in baptism, and the assuredness of our identity as God’s beloved children through those waters, is a source of comfort, direction, and hope for you.

Blessings on your baptismal ministry, lay or ordained, +Richard

A prayer for Spiritual Communion (at the point of distribution of the Sacrament):

O Lord Jesus Christ, through your tender mercy grant that as the hem of your garment, touched in faith, healed the woman who could not touch your body, so the soul of this your servant may be healed by like faith in you, whom I cannot now sacramentally receive. In union with the faithful at every altar-table in your Church I desire to be united with you, and pray that you will come spiritually into my heart. Let nothing ever separate me from your love, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.