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各位教友： 聖經中記述了同屬基督大家庭的信友們，喜歡稱彼此為「兄弟姊妹」，在《得撤洛尼前書》中，聖保祿就是如此稱呼那些與其並沒有直接的血緣關係的信友，這稱呼拉近了他們的距離，使得撤洛尼人與聖保祿緊密地相連起來。 自此教會就流通這個稱呼，團體中的兄弟姊妹都盡力盡心地維繫這大家庭。家庭裡既然人口眾多，那就難免有意見不一的時侯，甚至出現激烈爭論的情形，然而各位成員都清楚明白到：我們是因著基督本身及其救恩而連結起來的，迴異的意見及良性的爭論，必能使彼此增進了解，從而令各成員的關係更趨牢固。 作為信仰團體，我們來自五湖四海，具有不同的背景，因著共同的信仰，共聚一處，應當努力學習和睦相處之道。我們的共通之處，不僅只在於同赴一台感恩祭，感恩祭完結後的相遇，也並不只限於聚餐而已，還得透過各種家庭活動，增進彼此的認識及了解。這就是我們近期決定主辦堂區「與眾同樂燒烤日」的目的，相信這是一個絕妙的機會，讓這大家庭的所有成員共聚一堂，以開放的心，共同建設基督的信仰團體。 堂區「與眾同樂燒烤日」就在1/3/09這一天，這是我們堂區的好日子，我倒是首次遇上啦，你是否也與我一樣？聽過「獨樂樂不如眾樂樂」嗎？屆時記得帶著食物來參加呀，盼望在公園裡的燒烤爐邊見到你！ 主佑， 莫靖龍神父 (此乃莫神父致教友書信之意譯，書信內容以英文為準) |
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Dear Parishioners In the bible, one of the oldest images that we have that refer to the community of the Church is that of a family. St Paul, in the letter to the Thessalonians, which by the way is the oldest of St Paul’s writings, addresses them as “brothers and sisters” ( 1 Thess. 1:4) even when none of the Thessalonians were Paul’s immediate blood relatives. This is a powerful metaphor that evokes the bonds of affection that Paul and his companions had for the Thessalonians and the ties that linked the members of the community to one another. Since biblical times then the community of the Church has used this image and try to see herself as the family of God and every community has to work hard to make this a living reality. Sometimes in families there are arguments, problems and different opinions but at the end, we all know that the bond that keeps the family together is stronger that the things that may keep them apart. So it is in the Church, when we try to build a community we find different ideas, opinions and disagreements, but we know that the bond that keeps us together, that is Jesus Himself and the power of his cross and resurrection, are stronger than the historical differences we find in our way. Under this idea, I think is important that as a community of faith, we learn to live together and come together in different times and occasions. Of course the Eucharist is the most important moment of every worshipping community, it is from the Eucharist where the Christian life has its origin and summit, but being a member of the Church is more than just coming to mass. We need to get to know ourselves in different situations, just as a family gets to know each of its members not only for the time they spend together during meals but also for the whole lot of activities that are part of a family’s life. That is why, this family of the Church is working together to organize the “Parish Picnic” on the first of March this year. We believe it is important to create spaces where we can come together as the big one family of God that we are and also the family that we want to become and have a time just to “hung out”, “chill out” and share a meal together. We want to do this in the same spirit of Christ that brings us together every week with an open heart and also with the firm faith that God will continue to help us to build the community we want to become. Please mark your diaries and participate in this important event in the life of the parish. Maybe there have been some of these activities in the past but for me it is the first time and I am sure that for some of you will be the first time also. There is an English expression that says: “the more the merrier” so please join and contribute to make this a happy occasion for everybody. Remember the Picnic is a BYO, grills will be provided. Peace in Jesus Fernando Montano MG |