That we may all be one

Just a few thoughts

·       Always desire to learn something useful. – Sophocles

·       We immediately become more effective when we decide to change ourselves rather than asking things to change for us. -- Stephen Covey

·       May the Church always be a safe place, especially for the weak, frail and vulnerable, just as the mustard tree is a safe shelter for the birds.

Reflections

ü What is the kingdom of God like?

ü The Kingdom of God is like the mustard seed

ü God’s Breaking Point – Last Sunday reflection

A Mustard Tree

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Synod’s final report shows both agreement and divergences

Ø To reform the Church, adore God and love others: - Pope Francis

Musical Reflection

¯  The King Of Love My Shepherd Is

¯  The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Law v Compassion

Just a few thoughts

·       Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. -- Anne Lamott

·       "Don't lower your standards. Instead, wait for people to rise up to your expectations." -- Susan Gale

·       May bishops, priests and deacons preach the liberating Gospel of Jesus, and not lay upon people further and unnecessary burdens.

Reflections

ü Sabbath v Law

ü Sunday homily – Frank Brennan

ü The struggle for transformation

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Guiding the synod with a gentle hand

Ø Sixth Synod Retreat Meditation with Fr Timothy Radcliffe – starts at 3:20

Musical Reflection

¯  Love Divine, All Love Excelling

¯  The Eyes and Hands of Christ

To love is to will the good of the other.

Just a few thoughts

·       "Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you." -- Mary Lou Retton

·       The time is always right to do what is right. -- Martin Luther King Jr.

·       We pray for all who have blessed us with generous love, that they will rejoice on seeing their love bear good fruit in our lives.

Reflections

ü Australian Women Preach

ü A Tricky Question

ü Look What Love Is Doing

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Caritas Internationalis launches ‘Global Year of Action’ on climate change

Ø The Synod’s final stretch

Ø Fifth Synod Retreat Meditation with Fr Timothy Radcliffe – starts at 44:30 in the video

Musical Reflection

¯  With One Voice

¯  Turn To Me

He called them ‘apostles’

Just a few thoughts

·       I will always welcome joyfully any opportunity that comes my way to be of service to you -- Vincent de Paul

·       Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. -- Carl von Clausewitz

·       We pray for those who feel that they are in a hopeless situation, that through the prayers of St Jude, hope of the hopeless, they may believe, trust and look confidently to the future.

Reflections

ü “Lord, what is all this about?”

ü Prayer helps us discern our purpose and access God’s transformative power for our mission.

ü Expand Your Neighborhood – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Letter of the XVI General Assembly to the People of God

Ø Social Justice Trends

Ø A response to ‘No’

Musical Reflection

¯  For the Healing of the Nations

¯  God is Love

¯  God Is Love

Reading the signs of the times

Just a few thoughts

·       "Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." -- Anthony J. D'Angelo

·       I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom. -- Rosa Parks

·       We pray for each other, that we may be sensitive to this present moment, and in our families and neighbourhoods, show the love of Christ by the way we speak and act.

Reflections

ü Wanting the best for all

ü Discerning the signs of God’s Presence

ü Go and Do Likewise – Next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Conversion theme emerging strongly in Synod meetings

Ø Statement on the Israeli-Hamas conflict

Ø National Anti-Poverty Weeks

Musical Reflection

¯  Love Has Come

¯  Jesus The Joy of Loving Hearts

The Word of God should set us on fire!

Just a few thoughts

·       "To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity." -- Douglas Adams

·       "Don't let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out." -- Robert Tew

·       We pray for a right attitude to religious faith, so that we do not condemn others or discriminate against them because their faith is different from ours.

Reflections

ü What are we doing to “save the world”?

ü A world of conflict and change

ü To Caesar what is Caesar’s, to God what is God’s – Last Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø The Synod – Synthesis Report

Ø Fourth Synod Retreat Meditation with Fr Timothy Radcliffe

Musical Reflection

¯  Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

¯  Draw Near

When we have had a great deal given us, a great deal will be demanded of us

Just a few thoughts

·       Every exit is an entry to somewhere else. -- Tom Stoppard

·       Your most important work is always ahead of you, never behind you. -- Stephen Covey

·       May those who are gifted with riches and security realize that they have a serious obligation to come to the aid of the poor.

Reflections

ü God is love, and love is powerless.

ü For us the Master is never absent.

ü The image –last Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Evolution not revolution: Synod briefing

Ø A teacher from St Mary Mackillop School, Wallaroo, has been recognised at the 2023 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards.

Ø After the Referendum – A Statement from Indigenous Leaders

Musical Reflection

¯  I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

¯  You Are Mine

Stand ready!

Just a few thoughts

·       A goal is a dream without a deadline. -- Napoleon Hill

·       I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. -- Stephen Covey

·       We pray for the people of Israel and the Palestinian territories, that the terrible cycle of killing and retaliation will end and seeds of healing and peace be sown.

·       United Nations Day --  May this international organization be an effective forum to achieve world peace, especially in the Holy Land and Ukraine and in other places of conflict, by a sincere dialogue among its members.

Reflections

ü Stay awake!

ü Living in a state of readiness

ü Which Side Are We On? – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Pope Francis led Synod on Synodality members in praying for migrants and refugees

Ø Third Synod Retreat Meditation with Fr Timothy Radcliffe

Musical Reflection

¯  I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

¯  You Are Mine

A man’s life is not made secure by what he owns

Just a few thoughts

·       Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you. -- George Whitefield

·       "As we awake to a new day, most of us think of the same old things. It's a new day, so think of new things. New things to do, new ways to do them, new ways to make things interesting.

·       May Pope Francis and the participants in the Synod enter its final week with prayer and renewed energy, with more attentive listening and openness to each other.

Reflections

ü How do you measure your wealth? Be a giver!

ü True Treasure

ü Show me the money! – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

¯  Praise God for Laudate Deum

¯  Australia’s Catholics should be a stronger voice in public life and not underestimate their influence for good

Musical Reflection

¯  You Are Mine

¯  With One Voice

Give to God what belongs to God.

Just a few thoughts

·       "If you want to succeed, you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success." -- John D. Rockefeller

·       "Being young isn't about age; it's about being a free spirit." -- Lesley "Twiggy" Lawson

·       We pray that in Australia, following the referendum, a united goodwill will work with new energy to bridge the gap and secure good housing, education, health care for Indigenous Australians along with reforms to the justice system and the disproportionate incarceration of their youth.

Reflections

ü Australian Women Preach

ü Frank Brennan homily

ü He did not come to be served, but to serve

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Reporting on the synod

Ø God in a time of threat

Musical Reflection

¯  The Peace of the Earth

¯  For the Healing of the Nations