Special mass wraps up cancer awareness activities |28 October 2019
Father Leon addressing the congregation
A special mass to wrap up the month of cancer awareness activities, organised by the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus alongside other stakeholders, was held at Parwas Lespri Sen, Perseverance yesterday morning.
The special mass, attended by numerous worshippers donning pink in honour of cancer awareness, was presided over by Father Eric Leon and was attended by Health Minister Jean-Paul Adam, Speaker of the National Assembly Nicholas Prea, Minister for Employment, Immigration and Civil Status Myriam Telelmaque as well as the women from the National Assembly among numerous others who turned up to bring their support towards the cause.
In his sermon, Father Leon emphasised the importance of being humble and acknowledging that one makes mistakes and sins on a regular basis.
“Wealth is not necessarily referring to material or financial help but the real wealth is when one lives at peace with God. The bible makes reference to ‘the poor’, a group who are valorised by God. They have nothing, but still they are content with the little they have and they are doing their best to live as best as they can. They are happy and at peace with themselves because they are humble. When they come to the Lord, they say “I come to you as a simple man, a sinner” and they are able to acknowledge that they too do wrong,” Father Leon said.
“God says that these are his people. There are two types of people, the one who is humble and the one who is driven by envy. We need to realise that we need God and it is only through Him that we can lead peaceful lives. God never abandons the feeble, poor and needy,” Father Leon stated.
He went on to point out that Pope Francis once said in an interview that he would describe himself as “a sinner who has been chosen by God” encouraging others to be humble and honest to themselves and God.
Addressing cancer, Father Leon prayed for all those who are suffering from the disease as well as their family and friends, encouraging them to turn to God in this difficult time and to seek comfort and strength in him.
“While some are physically ill with cancer, it is important that they find God at that instance and that they make peace with themselves. While some are plagued by cancer which eats through their bodies, we all have a cancer inside of us and that is sin. We all hold on to some of our sins and we should all find the Lord, to help us through our difficult times and dark days,” Father Leon further noted.
Following the service, various goodies were available on sale to raise funds for the Cancer Concern Association including memorabilia and cups.
Worshippers also made the most of the opportunity to have screenings offered by the Ministry of Health until 1pm where they could also seek information and advice from the small pool of health professionals present.
