Open House 2026: Filled with Joyful Trust in God 

Last Saturday was one of those days that leaves you grateful, humbled, and deeply hopeful about what God is doing in our parish. More than 150 people travelled from across the Archdiocese of Brisbane to join us for our Parish Open House. They came with curiosity, questions, and a desire to learn about what is working in our parish community and what they might take back and implement in their own local contexts. What they encountered a parish family striving to respond to the Holy Spirit and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. As I reflect on the day, what stands out most is not the attendance figure, impressive though it was. Rather, it was the extraordinary generosity of so many parishioners who stepped forward to make the day possible. 

I am incredibly proud of the way our volunteers embraced the opportunity to serve. Our welcoming team ensured that every guest felt at home from the moment they arrived. The catering team provided hospitality with warmth and generosity. Our speakers gave their time and expertise freely, while those who shared personal testimonies spoke courageously about the ways they have experienced God’s presence and action in their lives. 

The prayer ministry team created opportunities for people to encounter the Lord in a personal way. The car parking team managed the practical challenges that come with hosting a large gathering. Others worked tirelessly behind the scenes beautifying the church, preparing spaces, setting up equipment, and then packing everything away at the end of a long day. 

And last, but certainly not least, I want to acknowledge all those from our parish office – both paid staff and volunteers – who joyfully gave up their Saturday to help us, as a parish, share the Good News of what God has done and continues to do in our community. Their commitment reflects the culture of service and mission that is increasingly becoming part of who we are. 

I am also deeply grateful for the love, support, and encouragement of my Senior Leadership Team: Beth Davies, Vivienne Cooper, and Steve Kay – assisted by Iris Marais and Fr Gerard. Their belief that we, as a parish, can successfully host large-scale events that showcase the movement of the Holy Spirit among us has been invaluable. None of this happens because of one person. It happens because of a team united around a common vision and a shared trust in God. 

In many ways, the spirit of the day is captured beautifully in St Paul’s words from this weekend’s second reading: we are being “filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:11). That joyful trust was visible everywhere – in the volunteers who served, in the guests who participated, in the stories that were shared, and in the conversations that continued long after the formal sessions had concluded. 

One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to present some of the quantitative data emerging from our recent Mass Count. While I will publish the results shortly, it was encouraging to see measurable growth in Mass attendance among younger age groups between 2024 and 2026. These numbers matter because they represent people – individuals and families who are discovering or rediscovering faith, community, and relationship with Jesus Christ in our parish. 

For me personally, the Open House reinforced the necessity of continuing to invest in structures of lay leadership. The future of mission in our parish depends upon forming and empowering disciples who embrace our vision and take responsibility for helping bring it to life. That vision remains clear: that every person within the geographical boundaries of our parish—all 130,000 people who call this area home—might experience the joy of intimacy with Jesus. It is a joy that transforms hearts, renews lives, and animates a desire to boldly and joyfully share what we have received with others.

That is what evangelisation is. That is what sharing the Good News looks like. Last Saturday reminded me that God is already at work among us. The task before us is not to manufacture something new, but to continue saying “yes” to the work of the Holy Spirit, to trust where He is leading us, and to invite others to join us on the journey. 

Thank you to every person who contributed to making the Open House such a success. Together, we offered a glimpse of what becomes possible when a parish places its trust in Jesus Christ and allows the Holy Spirit to lead. May we continue to be filled with joyful trust in God as we move forward in mission together. 

With confidence in God’s plan for us – Fr Josh