The Parish of Floreat-Wembley has welcomed Fr Arulraj Mulaguri Chinniah as its new parish priest, with his installation Mass on 12 July highlighting both the importance of pastoral leadership and the mission entrusted to every Christian to proclaim the Gospel.
Presiding over the Mass, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton said Fr Arulraj’s appointment reflected the gifts and qualities he had demonstrated throughout his priestly ministry, particularly his deep spirituality and trust in Christ.
“At the heart of his ministry is his spirituality. He has shown his deep belief and trust in Jesus whose Spirit dwells within him,” Bishop Don said.
As Parish Priest, Bishop Don said Fr Arulraj’s first responsibility was not simply the administration of the parish, but being a living witness to Christ, leading others by example and inviting them into a deeper relationship with the Lord.
Drawing on the Gospel of the day, the Parable of the Sower, Bishop Don reflected on God as the generous sower who continually offers the seed of His Word to every person, regardless of how it may be received.
“The seed is Jesus, the incarnate Word of God, offered to each of us,” he explained.
“The effect of the Word in our lives greatly depends on how we receive this gift.”
“The parable shows that our Father will offer the Word to anyone,” Bishop Don continued, “He seems to want to try anything to achieve his goal to gather us into his kingdom.”
The Apostles, Bishop Don explained, took over the mission begun by Jesus to invite everyone to the transformation of heart and new life.
“And from those early times to today this mission continues,” he said.
“Fr Arulraj will himself be a witness of faith in Jesus,” Bishop Don said. “He will model that faithful walking with Jesus to the people to whom he is sent.”
Bishop Don reminded parishioners that evangelisation begins with introducing people to Jesus and allowing them to encounter His life and teaching. Like seed sown into fertile soil, God’s Word flourishes when it is welcomed into receptive hearts.
“The seed is fragile and can easily be destroyed,” he said. “It will grow, however, if it is allowed to enter the heart.”
Reflecting further on the parable, Bishop Don acknowledged that every Christian experiences different responses to God’s invitation.
“The heart can be hard and resistant to whatever Christ proposes; it can misunderstand the message of mercy and the love of God; it can forget and neglect the way to peace and joy in living and allow the seed of faith to be strangled by the cares of life; but it can be fruitful so that our faith grows a hundred-fold,” he said.
Addressing the parish community directly, Bishop Don encouraged them to walk alongside Fr Arulraj, recognising that the mission of the Church belongs to the whole community of faith.
“My prayer is that this community will walk together in the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” he said. “May you show the power of the Spirit in the way you carry out its mission with love and respect for those around you, always recognising that Jesus Christ is the source of our life.”
As Fr Arulraj begins his ministry at Floreat-Wembley, Bishop Don invited the faithful to pray for their new priest – that he faithfully proclaims the Gospel and lead by the example of his life.
As part of his installation, Fr Arulraj was formally presented to the parish before he professed the Creed and made the promises required of a parish priest to teach and safeguard the faith of the Church.
In closing, Bishop Don said the faithful of Floreat-Wembley were fortunate to witness the installation as the process can often be conducted in private.
This allowed the parishioners to publicly welcome their new shepherd and commit themselves to supporting him in the years ahead through prayer, collaboration and shared mission.
In one of his first Masses following his installation, Fr Arulraj, in referring to the Gospel of the day, recalled the story of a young Solomon and his encounter with God.
From that encounter it was revealed that Solomon was seeking God’s help in fulfilling the role God had given him. While coincidental, the story of Solomon could be seen as a reflection of Fr Arulraj’s vocation as he fulfils the role of parish priest at Floreat-Wembley.