Fr. Graham Writes: 8th March 2025
"What do you ask of God's Church for your child?" This is the question asked of parents before their child is baptised. They respond, "Baptism" or "Faith!" The gift of faith is a beautiful gift to be treasured and nurtured. It needs to grow through prayer, the sacraments and action.
The Samaritan women at Jacob's well made this transition. Her practical need moved to a thirst and request for faith from Jesus who is the Well of eternal life. Her questioning of Jesus was her catechesis from the Master. She moved from foreigner to disciple. Her fear gave way to her being an evangelist to her fellow villagers. She left behind the jar of water having found the Living Water and purpose of her life, the One who knew her every thought.
What are we looking for? Faith. It was this increase of faith that was the first fruit in the child seers of Fatima in 1917. They encountered the Mother of God and were likewise transformed by grace to believe more deeply. Their faith grew very quickly. So can ours. With God nothing is impossible.
In our days of war (as in 1917), Our Lady comes to us with the same message she gave to the children: pray for peace. As Pope Benedict XVI said:
"We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete. ... Mankind has succeeded in unleashing a cycle of death and terror, but failed in bringing it to an end… " (Fatima 13 May 2010), In the end Our Lady's Immaculate Heart will triumph.
With my prayer for you and your intentions each day.
May God bless you.
Fr Graham









