Patronal Feast of the Holy Apostles

Saturday 12th July 2025 @ 7pm

Good Shepherd’s Chapel, Abbotsford

On a still and holy evening, the faithful gathered once more within the quiet sanctuary of the Good Shepherd Chapel. As the organ gently stirred the air and the congregation gathered in silent expectation, the clergy entered with the stirring song: “Enter all the earth and proclaim the Lord.”

Our voices then rose in the Imploring Prayer, beseeching God’s mercy, followed by the reverent chanting of Metropolitan Raffaele reciting the Kyrie—a cry from the depths of the heart, echoing the universal need for divine compassion.

Father Mark proclaimed the Epistle, sharing from the second book of Corinthians — words of mystery and consolation, reminding us to rejoice in our weaknesses, for it is there that God’s strength is brought to light.

The Gospel was then brought with solemn reverence among the people, as we sang a triumphant Alleluia, welcoming the Living Word into our midst. The music was interrupted by a mistake and the Metropolitan reflected briefly on the grace that meets us even in our failings, gently reminding us that even in our mistakes, God is present.

Father Matthew then read from the Gospel according to St. Matthew. It spoke of the moment when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” and they declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Their confession was filled with awe, and we, too, rejoiced in that eternal truth. The Gospel was then reverently returned to the altar.

As we celebrated our Patronal Feast of the Holy Apostles, Metropolitan Raffaele reflected on what it means to live out the apostolic faith here in Australia—a land both richly blessed and spiritually challenged. He lamented the quiet tragedy of churches standing empty, repurposed into restaurants and homes. Yet here, by the grace of the Sisters of The Good Shepherd Chapel, we are among the fortunate few still able to gather in sacred space.

The Metropolitan then shared a moving personal testimony: returning to his car, he discovered a holy card of St. Peter tucked beneath the door. This small sign became a moment of divine encounter. Then, soon after he was ordained a Bishop, during the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, he found himself preparing his home chapel. There, as he was changing the white linen to gold and wiping down the icons with rose-scented water, he noticed something extraordinary. Oil appeared—seemingly from nowhere—flowing from the mouth of St. Peter’s icon, down to his feet. Again and again he wiped it clean, but each time the oil returned. Not spilling from the lamp, as he had assumed, but from the icon itself. It was, as he described, a visible grace—a sign that God is with us still, and always.

The Metropolitan’s homily continued, reminding us that God gives freely, but never more than we can bear. He provides not in overwhelming abundance, but in installments—just enough to sustain us, day by day. That grace, first poured out at our baptism, continues to sustain and anoint us through every trial.

On this blessed feast, we were also honored to worship with the relics of all the Holy Apostles, placed upon the altar. We were invited to venerate them following the liturgy, a moment of intimacy with the saints who are now glorified humans—no longer bound by time, place, or space.

The gifts were then brought forward to the altar in quiet procession, as Metropolitan Raffaele sang the moving Ave Signore, an offering of praise and reverence.

Together we recited the Creed, affirming the eternal truths of our faith. The Sanctus followed, accompanied by Father Mark at the organ.

Through solemn prayer, the gifts were blessed and transfigured, becoming for us the Body and Blood of Christ. In this sacred moment, we also turned to the Blessed Virgin, praying to her with hearts full of love. Then came the Our Father, offered in one voice, uniting us as children of the same Heavenly Father.

The clergy received communion, followed by the faithful—each approaching with reverence, receiving the divine life of Christ into their own.

After the gifts were returned to the altar, a thanksgiving hymn was sung, and the congregation was invited to venerate the relics of the Apostles—a moment of stillness and grace.

As the evening drew to a close, the chapel filled with quiet conversation and shared refreshment—a simple agape of snacks and fellowship, reminding us that liturgy continues in the warmth of community.

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