- Thomastown Parish

The Dogma of the Assumption by Pope Pius XII tells us

that belief in the bodily Assumption of Mary

into heaven will make our faith in our own

resurrection, both stronger and active’.

Mary is the horizon of whispering hope for us.

We make her gospel words our own:

‘The Almighty has done great things for me.’ (Luke 1:49)

Mary is a geography of grace,

a luminous landscape of light and love,

a heart of humility, humanity and holiness.

Mary echoes a prayer of

Promise, peace and presence

For all God’s pilgrim-priestly-people.

‘Blessed is she who believed’ (Luke 1:45)

Reflection

Following one’s vocation is a response from within to the needs outside us. A vocation meets the human needs of the world but with a motivation from within. We care for our children and grandchildren not just because they are sick or insecure, but because we love them. this love will move us out to help them in various situations. We find a call to be ‘people for others’ because our heart teaches us that with Jesus we are all brothers and sisters, and that God wants to save the world, and needs our help to do so. This is the Sunday we all pray that our particular vocation in life may become clear and may become stronger. God calls each of us to love God and love our neighbour. This is the first Christian calling at our Baptism; we then find the best way for each of us with our own particular set of gifts, talents and even weaknesses to live out that call to love. We think especially today of religious life and priesthood. There are needs for priests, sisters and brothers in most parts of the world. as a community in families and parishes we thank those who have given their lives in these vocations and pray they may increase.