Sinterklaas

Just a few thoughts

• "The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." -- Elbert Hubbard

• May St Nicholas, honoured today by all who have been placed under his patronage: children, brides, unmarried women, pawn brokers, perfume makers, travelers, maritime pilots, sailors and the nation of Russia be known for his care.

• We pray for seasonal workers brought to Australia to harvest the fruit of the land, that they will be justly paid, housed and provided for, and not exploited

Reflections

• Are we at the mercy of the advertisers?

• In the light of current world events……...

• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• What Advent preparation really demands

• What Does It Mean to Be Blessed?

Musical Reflection

• Savior of the nations, come

Living in bubbles and blindness

Just a few thoughts

• "The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of like is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give." -- William Arthur Ward

• May Jesus have pity on those who exploit their workers and on those who cheat their employers, and show them how to act with justice.

Reflections

• They saw because they believed

• But what if you want to stay blind?

• The Sword of Decision – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Christmas cards that will change people’s lives

• A Teaching to Be Lived Out

Musical Reflection

• On Jordan's Bank

Moving beyond charity toward justice

Just a few thoughts

• "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -- Nelson Mandela

• May there be harmony between our words and actions so that in all things we witness to Christ.

• We pray for world leaders, that the growing number of intense weather events afflicting many nations will be a wake-up call for global climate action

Reflections

• Lord, what do you want me to do?

• Storms don’t ask permission

• Root Causes – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• ‘Listening day’ to drive renewed focus on disability

• Advent - a period of promise and of hope

Musical Reflection

• A Voice Cries Out

Entire peoples are suffering as a result of the greed of others

Just a few thoughts

• "Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water — it will make ripples throughout the entire pond…" -- Jessy and Bryan Matteo

• May missionaries around the world find in St Francis Xavier an inspiration of commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and of energetic care of the people they are called to serve.

• We pray for the people of every war-torn and blood-stained land, that Isaiah’s ancient vision of swords hammered into ploughshares will become a present reality

Reflections

• His disciples distributed the food

• What can I do?

• Advent ‘catches the heart off guard’ – last Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Speaking Truth in Parables

• Dumping useless donations costing Vinnies millions every year

Musical Reflection

• Prepare the way

Faith - a personal encounter

Just a few thoughts

• "Energy rightly applied and directed will accomplish anything." -- Nellie Bly

• May the Season of Advent teach us all the spirit of Christian joy, so that we bring God’s love and peace to others.

• We pray for the world-wide church, that prophetic leaders will arise to read the signs of the times and call believers to act with zeal for the Gospel

Reflections

• The Presence of God

• A peaceful coexistence

• Responding Together -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Become Who God Made You To Be

• Israel keeps bombing Gaza

Musical Reflection

• Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Jesus was amazed

Just a few thoughts

• "I work very hard, and I play very hard. I'm grateful for life. And I live it — I believe life loves the liver of it. I live it." -- Maya Angelou

• May the Church be an instrument for peace, so that during these weeks of Advent she can show the love of Christ to all people.

• We pray for the young Australian Catholics gathered in Melbourne for their Youth Festival, that the three days they spend together will fire their hearts with the spirit of Jesus.

Reflections

• Sober reading for our times

• Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof

• What are we waiting for? -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• What unites us is greater than what divides us

Musical Reflection

• Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

A new year

Just a few thoughts

• "Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." -- Charles Dickens

• We pray that nations will no longer lift sword against each other, nor against their own citizens, especially in Palestine and Israel, Ukraine and Russia, and within Sudan and Myanmar.

Reflections

• Two Minute Homily

• Being attentive to what is happening

• We are called to leave behind a resigned and routine way of life and to go forth -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Homily for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival

Musical Reflection

• Steal Away