Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney

Taking off from Sydney after a joyous @SydneyCopts visit as Papal Legate which included: Youth Conference Priest Ordination Planting of new parish School visits Parish visits Meetings for: Clergy and Clergy wives Young families Servants Youth Boards …and more… Thank you all!

Beautiful @StMaryStMina Cathedral Liturgy to conclude my @SydneyCopts visit, with Consecration of a psalter and altar utensils, visit to Sunday school and multi-cultural group, and time with the choir and lovely children! Blessed to be serving you all! Thank you for your love.

…and finally, Vespers in the chapel of the Three Holy Youth, followed by a meeting for @SydneyCopts servants during which we discussed oneness of heart for servants, and our need to emulate our Lord Jesus Christ. “He took flesh that He may leave us footprints to follow in” 4/4

…then a meeting with and for young families, discussing the difference between boundaries and walls. “Boundaries are supposed to define your space, not necessarily keep the other person out, and in healthy relationships they must be agreed and consented to by both parties” 3/4

…then a wonderful meeting of the @SydneyCopts Board of Trustees and the various boards and committees that support processes throughout the diocese. So blessed to be able to serve with this extraordinary group of faithful and dedicated people! Thank you all for all you do 2/4

Last full day of @SydneyCopts visit started with the inaugural Divine Liturgy at the new parish of St John, followed by presentation of gifts for those who worked hard to make the day happen, a stop at the coffee station, and a celebratory cake cut with a wonderful assistant 1/4

…then finally at @StMarksSydney for a series of individual and committee meetings, followed by a wonderful general youth meeting at which we reflected on “Waiting on the Lord” and being reassured that we would “see the goodness of the Lord”. 3/3

…then a joyous visit with the wonderful children and staff of @StBishoyCollege, listening to primary and secondary school choirs, and meeting with the head of collects and the Education Board. Thanked the children for being such wonderful ambassadors, and a source of joy… 2/3

Another busy day on this @SydneyCopts trip started with a serene Lenten Liturgy with @Fr_Joshua_T and the welcoming community of Sts Cosman and Demian in Kellyville… 1/3

At St Abanoub this evening for a general Youth Meeting, with young people from across @SydneyCopts. Reflected on Mt20:9, “When those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius”, and that it is never too late to work for, and inherit, the kingdom.

A blessed Liturgy this morning at St Mary in Brisbane, and a joyous welcome to young Raphael to the family with his Baptism. “I have no taste for the food that perishes, nor for the pleasures of life. I want the Bread of God…which is the love that cannot be destroyed” #Ignatius

A pleasure to be at St Mina and St Anthony on the #GoldCoast speaking to a group of young people from across #Queensland “I have compassion on the multitude…and I do not want to send them away hungry lest they faint on the way” Mk15:32 His desire is that we never fall or fail

…then to @SMSMCOC at its historical campus, and afterwards, across to a new site to officially dedicate a newly-erected Secondary Second building. Such an incredible joy to see all these wonderful seedlings and shoots that will become well-rooted and fruitful trees. 2/2

A joyous day of school visits started with #StMark Coptic Orthodox Colleges in Sydney, with its 800+ students and major renovation of its older buildings. Blessed and privileged to inaugurate a new building dedicated for its primary school classes… Such a wonderful spirit! 1/2

…and finally, a hybrid meeting at @StMaryStMina on the #RichYoungMan (Mark 10:17-22). As we start #Lent, are we ready to: 🔹Seek our Lord 🔹Run to Him 🔹Kneel before Him 🔹Seek counsel 🔹Accept His invitation to follow Was also able to stop along the way and watch some 🏀 4/4

A wonderful meeting with priests’ wives; first of its kind in Sydney, and it was an absolute joy! Ordination periods ranged from 50 years to 2 days, and so it was an opportunity to express my thanks for their incredible ministry, and stress the need for this support network 3/4

A wonderful Clergy Liturgy this morning for the priest of @SydneyCopts, followed by a delightful fellowship brunch and a spiritual reflection on our priestly perspective of the world; moving from condemnation to compassion, based on understanding and forgiveness. 2/4

It has been a very busy day in Sydney, so please bear with me…but here’s a quick visual summary: 1/4

A wonderful visit with the delightful congregation of St Mary and St Luke in Gosford. Seeing their small church, their gracious hospitality and their joyful spirit reminded me of the early days of my own ministry in the United Kingdom. …and I loved meeting their newest member!

Final day at @SydneyCopts/@MelbCopts Annual Combined @SYC_2019 Conference, sharing thoughts on being a source of hope and joy for others, by first living and making manifest of that same hope and joy. Sad to see them go, but confident they will take the message to the world.