Mass for Members of Southern Cross Care

Mass Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at Saint Mary’s Church, Dandenong,
on Tuesday, 16th September, 2003 at 2.00pm

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am delighted to be with you and Father Tony Guelen in Saint Mary’s to celebrate Mass for the wonderful staff and residents of Southern Cross Care, Dandenong.

Recently we celebrated the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, knowing that we find in Jesus salvation, life and resurrection.

My prayer is that Jesus will strengthen each and every one of you to know that he is near and that in the later years of residents or the vigorous and generous service of staff Jesus will always provide inspiration and hope.

In this spirit, let us call to mind our sins.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today as we celebrate the Popes, Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, we read the wonderful story of the centurion’s servant who was cured by Jesus. The words that are very familiar to us, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Say but the word and my soul will be healed”, are used so often at Mass are the words of the centurion, so humble and grateful is he for the curing power of Jesus.

Surely this attitude of the centurion should be present in each one of us, as we thank God for the wonderful help provided by Southern Cross Care, as we challenge our staff members to imitate the care of Jesus, and as the residents are also challenged to be humble and gracious in acceptance of care.

Saint Cyprian writing in the third century on the unity of the Catholic Church wrote that when Christ gave us peace he commanded us to be of one heart and one mind. Cyprian then quotes Saint Paul, “Charity is patient, charity is kind, charity does not envy, is not puffed up, is not angered, does not act wrongly, does not think evil, love is all things, believes all things, hopes all things, bears all things; charity will never pass away.”

Our Lord’s own call, “Love one another, as I have loved you”, reminds us of the goal for which we must all search. In a place, such as Southern Cross Care, there is a great unity of purpose for which we thank God. It is a source of particular comfort to me that under the sign of the Cross and through the generosity of Catholic men, the hostel at Southern Cross Care has been established and is supported so generously by members of the staff.

You and I remember that the giving of charity is a two-way process. Staff here has always been remarkably generous in their readiness to really serve and see Christ in those for whom they care. Residents can dispel charity by being patient and kind and by your ability to use the quiet times in praying for those who care for you. When Saint Paul says charity will never pass away he also issues the challenge which Saint Cyprian mentions; a person to be seen as a Christian needs to persist in Christ’s Gospel and in the truth of faith.

Today we thank God for that truth lived so well, as we take the challenge to go on serving and seeing Christ in others and in a union of work, prayer, enjoyment and relaxation, Southern Cross Care will be truly a place of charity, patience and kindness, where the work of the Lord’s care is accepted and exercised with generosity and humility.

Thank you for being the wonderful people you are and for the Christ-like vision which you demonstrate.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.