St Thérèse of Lisieux once wrote that what Jesus desires of his disciples is ‘simply surrender and gratitude.’ At the heart of Christian worship and spirituality is thanksgiving, receiving with gratitude the good and wonderful gifts God gives us.

This week we give thanks for the life and legacy of Valerie Sumner. Valerie Sumner was a founding member of the committee of the Knights of the Southern Cross Victoria Archbishop’s Dinner. Though she passed away in July 2021, this week we pay her tribute: she was a woman whose life was lived generously in service, and known affectionately as the ‘Fundraising Queen’.

We also give thanks for the life of Mother Ellen Marie of Jesus OCDM, Prioress of the Carmelite Monastery in Kew, who passed away recently.

Her life was a witness to the goodness of God and the generosity to which he calls all of us. In his homily for her requiem Mass, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli reflected on the wonderful work of this ‘good and faithful steward in God’s kingdom’, and on some of the ways we are all invited into a contemplative life.

We also hear from another of Melbourne’s newly ordained priests, this time from Fr Andrew Kwiatkowski, a young Polish-born man who shares about his experience of God’s constant call, and about responding with a life of gratitude.

The second instalment of our series exploring some of the modern challenges to discernment includes some fascinating insights from Veronika Winkels, editor and writer for Mathilde magazine, and Fr Paul Rowse OP, who reflect on issues of anxiety, faith and maturity in the modern age, and how these influence how we might discern God's call on our lives.

Finally, St Christopher’s Parish in Syndal were deeply grateful when they were recently finally able to gather in thanksgiving for their 60th anniversary after COVID lockdowns postponed the event. Archbishop Peter A Comensoli was present to bless their new facilities and encourage them in their commitment to forming intentional disciples.

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