CHRISTMAS 2018: Archbishop Costelloe calls on Perth Catholics to ask for gift of humility and simplicity
Archbishop Costelloe lays the statue of the new born Christ child in the nativity crib, assisted by the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, Fr Conor Steadman and Deacon Aaron Peters, at the commencement of the 2018 Christmas Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.
By Jamie O’Brien
When we see the compassion and forgiveness and healing power of Jesus we are encountering the God whose love for us knows no limits, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has said.
Speaking during his homily at the Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 25 December, Archbishop Costelloe took the opportunity to invite Perth Catholics to ask for the gift of humility and simplicity - reflected in the face of the infant Jesus.
Archbishop Costelloe speaks during his homily at the 2018 Christmas Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. Photo: Ron Tan.
Archbishop Costelloe also celebrated the 11am Mass on Christmas morning.
“When we unite ourselves with Jesus, in our minds and in our hearts and in our desires, and especially when we unite ourselves with him in the Eucharist, we find ourselves in a communion of great intimacy and friendship with God,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“And in doing all this, we not only find God but also our true selves, for we are most fully ourselves, and our best selves, when we know ourselves to be living in God,” he continued.
Deacon Aaron Peters processes into the Christmas Midnight Mass on 25 December at St Mary’s Cathedral with the book of Gospels. Photo: Ron Tan.
The Midnight Mass commenced at 11.30pm with carols performed by the Cathedral Choir, and was celebrated by Archbishop Costelloe, Vicar General the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, Cathedral Dean Fr Sean Fernandez, Cathedral Assistant Priests, Frs Stephen Goddard, CJ Millen, Jeffey Casabuena and Conor Steadman as MC, together with guest priests Mgr Michael Keating and Fr Greg Donovan and assisted by Deacon Aaron Peters.
A statue of the new born Christ was carried by the Very Rev Whitely, before being placed in the nativity, which was located in the Chapel of St Therese of Lisieux by Archbishop Costelloe at the commencement of the Mass.
Vicar General the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG carries a statue of the new born Christ child during the entrance procession for the Midnight Mass of 25 December. Photo: Ron Tan.
With more than 800 people gathered for the Midnight Mass, Archbishop Costelloe explained that as we contemplate the mystery set before us in the Christmas crib, we might ask ourselves this question: do I dare to believe that God really is as Jesus shows him to be?
“That God is loving, and forgiving; that God is merciful and kind; that God wishes to draw me into a life of intimacy and deep friendship with him; that God is longing to share his life with me now, and forever in eternity?” he exclaimed.
“If we can believe this - if we are brave enough and bold enough to believe that we can be, and are, loved and cherished so much by God - then we will begin to experience the joy of living in a way we never have before. And this is the Christmas gift the Lord offers us tonight.”
Cathedral Dean Fr Sean Fernandez speaks to children about the Christmas story during the Family Mass on 24 December. Photo: Ron Tan.
The 7pm Mass, celebrated by Cathedral Dean Fr Sean Fernandez was an opportunity for families to see the Nativity crib up close.
Processing into Cathedral carrying a statue of the new born Christ, Fr Fernandez was welcomed by more than 150 children, eager for a glimpse of the statue.
Several children conduct a small play of the nativity story at the Family Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 24 December. Photo: Ron Tan.
Several children also conducted a small play of the nativity story at the commencement of the Mass, accompanied by a local family with a new born child, as a representation of new born Christ child.
Read the Homily by Clicking Here