Testimony of Daryl & Francis

Our life, our marriage and our family life with five children has been a spiritual
journey with many pitfalls and obstacles along the way. A single income by choice
and migrating in January 1990 to avoid violence and war, from Sri Lanka was
another faith filled journey. Since we started spending time with Lord in Adoration
(twice a week), our daily mass and receiving the Eucharist has taken a new
meaning. The journey has been a slow surrender to the Lords will in our lives. We
have reached the point that, all aspects our life are guided by the Lord. Every detail
is handed over and prayed for as we wait for guidance and direction. It is amazing
how this comes and how the unexpected becomes the new reality. Sometimes our
plans are turned inside out and upside down, but the result is always amazingly
perfect for us. This has drawn us into a more intimate and personal relationship with
the Lord. The smallest details are taken care of, from parking spots to a wayward hit
on the Golf course. The presence of our Guardian Angel in these small matters are
evident and it is amusingly uplifting. We both have given our Guardian Angels names
that we won’t forget, Francis & Anne, we wait for the day when their true names will
be revealed to us in this life or the next. In the last 18 months, God has guided us
through the difficult decisions of downsizing, sharing most of our personal belongings
and property with many families in the parish. Through this process we have freed
ourselves of many of our earthly cravings and desires for objects and possessions.
We have been rewarded with peace, harmony and a deep sense of joy, seeing
others so happy with our donations. The greater blessings was the use of some of
our furniture in Adoration Chapel and in some of the Lenten liturgy. Our own children
by the grace of God are well established and needed very little of our belongings and
collectibles. This journey too had its moments and in our weakness, many times we
have succumbed to worry and concern. Particularly when there was a delay in the
Lord responding, but then we could see, circumstances change, like the weather and
a whole new reality is presented. The love of our God is truly unfathomable and
beyond our human comprehension. In all our experiences, we have felt the Divine
Presence and love beyond telling. This new intimacy and knowledge of the Lord has
led to interceding beyond our immediate circle. We realise that our little prayers,
fasting and sacrificing is a powerful weapon in the hand of the Lord. We are not
alone, but part of a wide group of prayer warriors and together, Rosary in hand, we
are a formidable army led by our heavenly mother. There are many negatives around
us, the failure of all our children to practise the faith, we have taught them and borne
witness too. The illness and suffering of many we know, some huge global sufferings
in Palestine, Israel, Africa, Ukraine and so many trouble spots in the World. We draw
strength from the prophesies of Fatima, Lourdes, Maggiore and most recently
Garabandal in Spain !961. Prayer is the answer to all this, praise and thanksgiving is
our continuous offering for the world and all our needs. 
God Bless,

Daryl & Francis Barr