2023 LifeLink Christmas Appeal Launch

Speech

By the Most Rev Bishop Don Sproxton
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth

St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth
Thursday 2 November, 2023

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I am grateful for the address by Brett Mendez on how the Christmas Appeal will be conducted over the next two weekends.  Of course, it is much the same as in other years, but it is very good to be reminded about the essential emphases that need to be highlighted during the presentation to be given to our parish communities.

To begin my short address this evening, I want to express on his behalf the thanks of Archbishop Costelloe, who is attending the Synod in Rome, for your commitment to Lifelink and the support you have given year by year to the Appeals for the ongoing work of our social services in the Archdiocese. 

These services are the practical outreach of the Church to the many thousands of people who need assistance each year.  And the numbers are growing.  We are living through very challenging times and many need someone to lift them up and provide practical care.

The Gospel we have just heard is the story of the Samaritan on his journey, who encounters a poor man, beaten, robbed and left for dead.  The Samaritan was the only one of the three who passed the man to notice his predicament, to stop and do something to help.  It is easy to see that the Samaritan displayed the spirit of Christ.

The story, to me, teaches, among other things, that through the generous actions that we do for others in need, Jesus can stretch his arm through time to touch with healing, love and mercy those who suffer.

The LifeLink Christmas Appeal provides each member of our communities to become a partner with Jesus, and, even more, to enable Jesus in physical, tangible ways to touch the lives of those we see who are in need.  Those who will benefit from the gift we offer through the Christmas Appeal will know that they have been noticed; that we have stopped; and that we have done something to lift them a little from their pain, wretchedness and isolation.  They will see and feel the Spirit of Christ alive in our world.

I will now commission you to go into your parishes to encourage your brothers and sisters in the faith to see the needs of others, to stop to consider what can be done by our Christian community and join with us to support our social service agencies to lift those who have been left behind.