A Congregation of priests, established more than 200 years ago to bring new life to Catholic parishes decimated by the French Revolution, will be bringing the same passion and vigour to three WA parishes throughout the month of May.
The Fathers of Mercy are now exclusively an American community, but continue to conduct parish missions and retreats throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.
This month, Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Bullsbrook, St Anne’s Parish in Belmont and Holy Spirit Parish in City Beach will each host a five-evening mission titled, “Be a Saint: Evangelisation by Attraction”.
The Congregation has conducted more than 1,100 parish missions over the past decade and is often booked up a year in advance, which is why City Beach parishioner Jon Kirk is urging as many people as possible to attend.
“I attended one of these events a number of years ago when the Fathers of Mercy visited and was engaged and inspired by what they had to offer,” he told The Record.
“The missions are delivered in such an enthusiastic and upbeat manner, but they also allow for focused times of reflection and I believe both individuals and parishes will benefit from what is offered.”
The three missions, which will run from Sunday to Thursday evenings, will be conducted by Fr Andy Cravalho CPM, a former Californian sports journalist, who is committed to revitalising parishes and will encourage and challenge participants to seek a stronger and deeper personal commitment to Christ and to his Church.
Fr Andy will encourage participants to reflect on how their lives are examples of love, faithfulness and compassion to those around them and how their joyfulness can attract others on their own faith journey.