Father Jim’s homily begins with an analogy to barn raising in American farming communities, where everyone comes together to build a barn for a neighbor in need. He draws a parallel to St. George’s Maronite Church in Thornleigh, where the parishioners contributed their skills—many being bricklayers and concreters—to construct the church nearly free of labor costs. This example highlights the power of community collaboration and shared responsibility in building something lasting. However, Father Jim reflects on the current situation in his own parishes, OLHC Epping and St. Gerard’s Carlingford, acknowledging that while they may not have the physical skills to build a church, they possess spiritual gifts that are just as vital in strengthening the Church, the Body of Christ.

Simon Sinek's presentation, 'A Guide to Leadership,' explores the true essence and challenges of leadership. He emphasizes that leadership is not about being in charge but about taking care of those in our charge. Sinek points out that most people are trained to be good at their jobs, but there's a lack of training in how to lead others. This gap often results in managers who micromanage instead of true leaders.

The presentation starts by illustrating how the mind is a natural storyteller, making connections and creating narratives to understand the world. This is demonstrated through a quirky exercise where the audience is asked to consider how a desk could be the mother of a chair, highlighting the mind's tendency to form stories even in the absence of logical connections.

Sister Vicki Celebrates 25 years as a Marist Missionary Sister