By Caroline Smith
Maida Vale’s St Francis of Assisi Parish was pleased to play host to Redemptorist missionary Father Michael Truo’ng, during his recent tour of Australia.
Fr Truo’ng – who is based in Texas in the United States of America – led a Parish Mission in Maida Vale from 27 to 29 June, which included daily Mass, prayers for the sick, Divine Mercy Devotions, reciting of the Rosary, confession and counselling.
The program also included a visit to Donovan Nursing Home in nearby Forrestfield, where he celebrated an anointing Mass, as well as to Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School in High Wycombe.
Fr Truo’ng explained he has taken part in missionary work around the world for almost 20 years, noting it as a key aspect in his life as a priest.
“My mission began in 1998, a day after my ordination to the priesthood,” he said.
“I am a Redemptorist, and by charism Redemptorists are missionaries, preaching Jesus Christ and His Kingdom is our [main] mission.”
Fr Truo’ng added that he had been inspired during this year’s mission by comments from Pope Francis, and by having a Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed for 2016.
“The message of the Divine Mercy in the Jubilee Year of Mercy is an appropriate theme to preach and proclaim this year and at all times and everywhere,” he said.
“Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, said: ‘There are a thousand reasons to remain in joy.’ We should ask: what are your thousand reasons?”
Australia is one of several countries visited by Fr Truo’ng during his mission tour this year. He also went to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as touring around the United States.
After his mission in Perth, Fr Truo’ng journeyed to Adelaide, where he visited Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Henley Beach.
Fr Truo’ng said that among all the conversations he has with various people on his travels, those with young Catholics questioning their faith are a particular focus.
“Many young people say that they have lost their faith in God – it is not a matter of faith but of knowledge,” he said.
“The problem lies in the wrong understanding of what or who God is. The word ‘God’ in our society and culture has many meanings, implications and significances.”