By Vincent Oswald
The visit by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB to our parish, Holy Spirit, in City Beach, was encouraging, enlightening and a refreshing event. Parishioners were keen to see their new Shepherd for the first time in the flesh.
These visits are an important part of parish life. Holy Spirit was keen to not only welcome Archbishop Costelloe but also to get his feedback.
As a community it was pleasing to hear at the weekend Masses His Grace give an informal imprimatur to our activities, stating that “ Holy Spirit is a very active, vibrant and busy parish that is most of all a prayerful community and loyal to the Archdiocese and himself”; that he found Holy Spirit Parish very inspiring.
The Archbishop made himself, after his formal business agenda was complete each day, very available to those who wished to meet him.
His humble and relaxed manner made us – collectively and individually – feel special to him personally. He listened attentively to those with whom he came into contact; he engaged and was engaging.
His sermons were clear. The message could not be misconstrued; it was a message directed to and at us, how we could make a difference in our own lives personally; how our self-evangelisation would assist the parish to grow and thus our wider community.
The message was very clear, not easy – but clear, refreshingly so. He is a remarkable and talented orator, who had the ability to use language that all understood. We found in Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB a priest, a leader who is a servant and a support.