It is a new era for the Immaculate Conception parish in Tumut, thanks to a powerful period of reflection inspired by the Archdiocesan Assembly in October.
Fr Joseph Neonbasu said through the Assembly, parishes were invited to see the strength and grace of God. “It has led us to see how God has been working in us instead of seeing the negative or what has been missing,” he said.
“That’s our culture to be drawn into the bad news instead of the good. But now we see something to work towards. Where and how have I seen the Holy Spirit working in me – as a parishioner, priest, and parish? That’s what we have been thinking about.”
Following the Assembly, the parish immediately commenced a novena through Blessed Carlo Acutis. “Our weekday masses were down to two or three people, and I was getting worried,” Fr Joseph said. “Then I realised that I was trying to fix things myself when I should be directing it to God instead.”
As around 20 parishioners came together each day and shared intentions for the parish, Fr Joseph said an amazing thing happened. “Everyone was talking about peace, love, unity and journeying together,” he said. “It was a really successful thing. God protected us and worked powerfully to help us through the challenges of the world. There were very strong themes of loving one another and working together. I think it is a big step. I can feel something happening.”
“People were so happy,” Fr Rofin Raphel added.
“They were so happy to come, and they said they felt something different. Now they want to be more invested and more involved. They felt the changes.”
Fr Joseph said another important element of the journey had been a Healing Mass.
“This is healing for the parish,” he explained.
“It is healing as a parish as a whole; for any hurt or challenges parishioners are going through, the healing of the families, and personal challenges. A Healing Mass is not just for physical healing but mental, emotional and spiritual as well.”
During the Mass, Fr Joseph invited parishioners to pick up a rock and place it at the foot of the cross. “We lay our challenges at God’s feet, and put down the weight ourselves,” he said.
“I could see this meant a lot to people, even the young children who joined in.”
The novena and Healing Mass marked the beginning of a powerful regeneration for the parish, and Fr Joseph is bursting with ideas to keep the momentum rolling.
“We have an Advent program to bring people together, and we are planning faith formation, adoration, benediction and even a youth group,” he said.
“Youth are the today and the future of the church. It is important to walk with them. Our presence is very important. They will know the presence of God through us. The trend is going after worldly things instead of God. We want to offer them another path.”
There are exciting plans in the works for parish sporting events, singing, teaching sessions and prayer. “If people want it, we will try it,” he said.
“We are reflecting on words from Pope Francis that now is the time to go into the streets and invite people in. Not just to the mass and sacrament, but to a community. Let us go into their world and encourage them, make friends with them, and meet them where they are in this moment.”
Fr Joseph is vocal about the value of older parishioners in the community as well.
“I spend hours each week connecting with those in nursing homes and hospitals,” he said.
“I visit 20-30 people, and I am committed to them, meeting their families, and building relationships. I want them to know that I am with them. We don’t want to force people; we want to journey with them. We are going out into the world, instead of expecting people to come to us.”
Fr Joseph said he had been overwhelmed by the local response to the Assembly.
“For this mission, I have five communities and lots of people were involved from all around,” he said. “I looked around and thought ‘, Wow, this is really something.’ It is a response not to me, but to the word of God. God has started work here.”
Fr Rofin said he cannot stop thanking God for the changes he has seen.
“The Spirit is working now,” he said.
“Thank you for all these people. I feel the spark, and now it needs to grow. It is already growing.”
“It is a big turning point for the parish,” Fr Joseph said. “There is a lot of grace.”
