Evangelisation Rally 2025 - TAS

On the 8th of February, CFCA Tasmania held their Evangelisation Rally on

the leafy surrounds of Otto’s Grotto in Ulverstone. CFCA members and

friends, together with our spiritual director Fr Jessie Banez, enjoyed an

afternoon of fellowship and reflecting on this year’s scriptural theme

ahead of the annual CFCA conference.

“Called to A New Life in Christ”

The theme this year provides a fitting prelude as we head into the Lenten

season, when all Christians are called to prepare ourselves to reconcile

with God through repentance and sacrifice. As Sister Heidi Portugal gave

the talk on the scriptural theme, I could not help but reflect on God’s

magnanimity and patience. This feels me with a deep longing to

understand our God more, the God who sees my imperfection, my broken

promises, my lukewarm response to His calling, yet loves me so

unconditionally that I am guaranteed forgiveness every time I ask for it. In 

my own faith journey, I am cognizant of the fact that I have a long way to

go to truly be the disciple that God wants to me to become. But each

moment I spend in prayer, each sacrament I receive, each encounter with

my CFCA brothers and sisters opens my heart a little bit wider to let God

in.

Being an ambassador for Christ in our modern world seems like a daunting 

task. How can I possibly convince the people around me to join me in

building a relationship with Jesus when I still feel incomplete in my own

faith? As I look around my CFCA family gathered on this beautiful summer

day in Tasmania, my eyes rest on the joyful faces of my brothers and

sisters. All of them in different stages in their faith journey, but all happily

moving forward towards a life that Jesus is calling them to. And it was in

this moment God whispers His simple answer to my question -- "Be a shining 

example to others of how the continual pursuit of Christ nourishes one's

life with infinite joy!" Joy is contagious. A joyful person attracts others. A

joyful heart easily loves. My mind is drawn to the life and ministry of St.

Francis of Assisi who inspired so many in the simplicity and purity of his

love for God.

As imperfect as we are, we can still be a witness of how God’s love can

make observable changes in our lives. Changes that may one day capture

someone’s attention and cause them to ask, “How can I be like this person 

who is so inexplicably happy all the time?” As we continue to deepen our

relationship with God through living our life in Christ, our evangelical

mission will naturally unfold for us through the Holy Spirit and allow us to

be beacons of God’s love to the world.