The Light That Draws Others Home

This weekend I’ll be heading north to the Diocese of Cairns to speak at their Diocesan Synod. While I’m humbled by the invitation, what excites me most is that our parish is starting to shine a light that others can see—a light that draws people home to Christ. The Church in Australia is in a season of deep renewal—rediscovering her missionary heart, listening again to the Holy Spirit, and daring to imagine what a vibrant, hope-filled, Christ-centred future might look like. What’s happening here is just one small expression of that larger movement of grace.

Over these past few years, a vision has been steadily growing in my heart for our parish—a vision that I believe is given by God Himself: that every person—from the youngest to the oldest—would experience the joy of intimacy with Jesus. Not just know about Him, but truly know Him, because when a person encounters the joy of His love—when a heart is transformed by Him—it naturally overflows. Genuine discipleship can’t stay contained; it stirs in us a desire to boldly and joyfully share what we have received with others, becoming a light that draws others home.

That vision is slowly becoming the heartbeat of everything we do. It shapes the way we celebrate the sacraments, how we preach and pray, how we welcome and serve. It even shapes how we lead. We’re building a culture where leadership is shared according to a unified vision—where lay and ordained work together to create spaces for encounter and growth. Our Senior Leadership Team, Ministry Leadership Teams, and Pastoral Leaders aren’t just helping ‘run’ the parish; they’re helping us all grow as missionary disciples who draw others into God’s love.

Renewal doesn’t happen by accident; it happens when a community keeps saying “yes” to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, even when the path ahead isn’t perfectly clear. It happens when people choose faith over fear, generosity over comfort, mission over maintenance. I see that happening more and more across our parish—people stepping forward to serve, inviting others to Mass, giving sacrificially, participating in prayer groups, volunteering in ministries, reaching out to friends who’ve drifted away. These are all signs of life. They’re glimpses of what the Holy Spirit is stirring among us—small lights that draw others home.

As I prepare to share our story in Cairns, what strikes me most is how ordinary this renewal looks on the surface. It’s not flashy or dramatic; it’s quiet and steady. It’s the parent who prays with their kids before school. It’s the retired person who invites a neighbour to Mass. It’s the teenager who joins the music ministry because s/he wants to give back. It’s the simple, daily “yes” of people allowing their love for Jesus to change the way they live. That’s what builds a lighthouse parish—one small light at a time.

When we speak about lighthouse parishes, it’s not about being the biggest or busiest parish, but about being one that actively helps others find their way to Christ. A lighthouse doesn’t draw attention to itself; it shines so others can find safe harbour. That’s what I hope our parish continues to become—a community so alive with faith, joy, and welcome that others are drawn to the One who is the true Light of the world, a light that draws others home.

This weekend, I’ll be carrying each of you in my heart because what I’ll be sharing in Cairns isn’t my story—it’s our story: a story of God’s grace at work in ordinary people who are daring to dream of a Church renewed by the joy of the Gospel.

Please pray for me and for the Diocese of Cairns as they gather for their Synod, and please keep praying for our parish—that we’ll continue to be attentive to the Holy Spirit, courageous in our witness, and joyful in our mission.

With peace and love,

Fr Josh