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

Getting ready for the new.

Just a few thoughts

• "Change can be scary, but you know what's scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, and progressing." -- Mandy Hale

• May the celebration of the Eucharist, with Pope Leo, in Istanbul this evening, put new heart into the Catholics of the Middle East.

Reflections

• Be prepared

• Don’t let me go

• Why do we have Advent? -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Why Pope Leo won’t let us walk past the poor

Musical Reflection

• Find Us Ready

And so it is in our own Christian lives.

Just a few thoughts

• No matter what's thrown at you today, smile and remember, tomorrow's always a fresh new start. – Anon

• May we, when life becomes a burden, or are struggling with sickness, grief, relationships and financial difficulties, find consolation and strength in the mercy and love of Jesus.

• We pray for all who live in Jesus’ homeland, that this week’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People will keep hope for peaceful co-existence alive.

Reflections

• Time for us to make our decision

• My words will not pass away

• Being Blameless -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Waiting in hope

• Priestly leadership is grounded not in status but in service.

Musical Reflection

• Soon And Very Soon

Redemptive hope

Just a few thoughts

• "You can't just turn on creativity like a tap. You have to be in the right mood. What mood is that? Last minute panic." -- Bill Watterson

• We pray for confidence in our own faith, so that we are never frightened of Jesus, nor his judgement upon the world, but always live in hope.

• We pray for the young Catholics of Australia, that this final week of preparation for their national Youth Festival will be full of anticipation and hope.

Reflections

• Jesus invites us to lift up our heads

• Have faith and hope in God’s sovereignty and steadfast mercy

• Preparing for Christ -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• From boat people to bridge builders

• We can end poverty – so what is stopping us?

Musical Reflection

• Sing to God New Songs of Worship

Power and privilege cannot, will not, dominate forever.

Just a few thoughts

• "Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up." -- Jesse Jackson

• We pray for those whose homes and properties which have been destroyed in the natural disasters and wars, that governments and nations will help them rebuild their lives.

• We pray for those who wield power as leaders of nations, that they will use their authority to promote justice, uphold human rights and care for the poor.

Reflections

• Nunc dimittis

• Idols?

• Wake Up and Turn Around -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Walking Together Through Advent

• Leading Us Somewhere New

Musical Reflection

• Nunc Dimittis

Living in Christ

Just a few thoughts

• "The best way to persuade people is with your ears — by listening to them." -- Dean Rusk

• International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – May we all think seriously about our attitudes towards women so that our respect for them is made stronger.

• We pray for all ambassadors of peace, especially those working night and day to end brutal bloodshed, that they will halt the killing and open the way to mediation

Reflections

• Live each day to the fullest for ourselves and others.

• The life we are slowly growing into.

• Christ the King – a ‘counterblast’ to secularism -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• MP says conscience vote in Parliament would ban gambling ads

• Faith leaders call for debt relief for African countries

Musical Reflection

• My Soul In Stillness Waits

The Holy Spirit speaks to us and through us.

Just a few thoughts

• "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." – Socrates

• May every efforts by the United Nations to bring stability and peace to the Palestinian people of Gaza not faulter, and new protection be given to those of the Occupied West Bank.

Reflections

• Jesus seems to have had no private means of any kind.

• Perfect Hope, Perfect Trust

• Building a new kingdom in which the cosmic Christ is its centre -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Pope seeks focus on unity of faith

• Work Hard, Rest Well

Musical Reflection

• Let Heaven Rejoice

Christ is king in the kingdom in which we already live

Just a few thoughts

• “Happiness is not determined by what’s happening around you, but rather what’s happening inside you. Most people depend on others to gain happiness, but the truth is, it always comes from within.” -- John Spence

• We pray for every person in every nation of our world, that as the Cop 30 Conference on Climate Change draws to a close, they will work to preserve our common home, created through Jesus, King of all creation.

• We pray for the world-wide people of God, that every community of the baptised will be a shrine of light, freedom, unity and peace

Reflections

• Two-Minute Homily

• God’s mercy is always greater than our weakness

• The reign of a vulnerable God -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Privileged Communication Within the Communion of Saints

• UN approval of Gaza ‘Stabilisation Force’ slammed as ‘Denial of Palestinian self-determination’

Musical Reflection

• Though the mountains may fall

Resurrection

Just a few thoughts

• “We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better.” -- C. JoyBell C.

• May musicians and singers in our parishes and communities experience the protection of their patron St Cecilia, sing the praise of God, and unite the congregation in harmony.

Reflections

• Children of God

• God of the Living

• Spiritual Revolutions -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Cathedrals and churches turn red for persecuted Christians

• What Makes Us Family – Biology or Faith?

Musical Reflection

• Laudate Dominum

We are God’s house

Just a few thoughts

• A gun is stolen every four hours in Australia. That’s more than 9,000 stolen firearms since 2020. We need a National Firearms Register – Australian Institute

• World Television Day - Help us to reflect on our use of this gift, so that God’s spirit will be with all who work in the industry, and ensure that it is used for the common good.

• We pray for all who are unemployed or underemployed, that they will succeed in securing enough work to fulfil their obligations and maintain financial stability

Reflections

• My house shall be a house of prayer

• Jesus formed a new family

• The Sacrificial King -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• World Children’s Day

• Politicians failing to act on climate change: Pope Leo

Musical Reflection

• Make of Our Hands a Throne

Why are our nations rejecting Love?

Just a few thoughts

• "Halloween was confusing. All my life my parents said, 'Never take candy from strangers.'
  And then they dressed me up and said, 'Go beg for it.'
  I didn't know what to do! I'd knock on people's doors and go, 'Trick or treat.'
  'No thank you.'" -- Rita Rudner

• We pray for a deepening of respect between people of Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths, so that our common belief in the One God may be the source of harmony and peace.

Reflections

• What am I prepared to sacrifice for the greater good?

• There is no justification for war

• An Upside-Down Kingdom -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Rich in Good Will

• The everyday habits that may shield you from dementia

Musical Reflection

• How rich are the depths of God

Putting our talents to work for the good of all.

Just a few thoughts

• "In ancient China, the Taoists taught that a constant inner smile, a smile to oneself, insured health, happiness, and longevity. Why? Smiling to yourself is like basking in love: you become your own best friend. Living with an inner smile is to live in harmony with yourself." -- Mantak Chia

• May we use wisely the gifts which we have received from God for the good of others.

Reflections

• Practice Makes Perfect

• Use it or lose it!

• Understanding the providential purpose of God -- last Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• SA Sisters in pivotal role

• Palestine’s future: Australians are outraged

Musical Reflection

• Christians Let Us Love One Another

Spiritual beacons

Just a few thoughts

• "Autumn has always been my favourite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale." -- Lauren DeStefano

• May those who, in their business dealings, cheat others, learn how to act with justice, and receive the grace to make restitution for their past sins.

• We pray for the countless innocent people caught up in wars not of their making, that their tragic suffering will come to an end and healing can begin

Reflections

• Salvation is not by figures and percentages.

• Any of us can make a new start at any time

• God’s love and presence in the world -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• As we conclude our Litugical Year it may be a good time to review Our Parish Life

• Israeli settler attack on West Bank mosque draws international condemnation

Musical Reflection

• All the Earth

Clear sight

Just a few thoughts

• "If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I'll bet they'd live a lot differently." -- Bill Watterson

• May we be open to the word of God so that our faith can be nourished and strengthened.

• We pray for all who are rejected, threatened or harmed for their religious faith, that they will have the courage to stay true to their conscientious beliefs.

Reflections

• Spiritually sighted

• What do you want me to do for you?

• A time for perseverance -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Pope urges governments to support the poor

• Dublin gets its ‘first’ cathedral in 500 years

Musical Reflection

• O come, and let us to the Lord

Christ will stand beside us through every trial

Just a few thoughts

• "The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy, we can all sense a mysterious connection to each other." -- Meryl Streep

• We pray for the poor in every place, so often victims of injustice and indifference, that people of goodwill will come to their aid.

• We pray for young people growing up in a world of many crises, that they will not be disheartened by fear of the future but inspired to act with hope.

Reflections

• Two-Minute Homily

• Living each day fully in the company of Jesus

• The Fear Factor -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Church-based aid agencies show what they Can Do

• Recovering moral imagination in a time of war

Musical Reflection

• Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go

Dear God, Persevering One, help us to be more like you!

Just a few thoughts

• "Happiness and confidence are the prettiest things you can wear." -- Taylor Swift

• We pray that God’s justice may conquer the greed of people, their appetite for power, and their vanity in seeking honours.

Reflections

• Our Prayer

• The reality of an indifferent world

• True Humility and Talents -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Church-based aid agencies show what they Can Do

• Ending poverty is cheaper than keeping it. So why don’t we?

Musical Reflection

• Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go

The fabric of everyday life.

Just a few thoughts

• Critical thinking is one of the most important aspects of being human, according to Stoicism. So why are we handing it over to a machine? --Brigid Delaney

• We pray for the grace to live with a clear conscience.

Reflections

• The present is the only road to the future.

• God the artisan

• Our Firm Foundation -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Tougher laws will not reduce youth crime

• Stealing the breath of life

Musical Reflection

• In The Breaking of the Bread

The reign of God

Just a few thoughts

• "My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people." -- Orson Welles

• World Kindness Day --We pray for a spirit of kindness in our families and neighbourhoods, places of study and work, of worship and religious charitable outreach, sporting and cultural bodies, politics and law enforcement, medical, nursing and emergency services.

• We pray for the parish community, that it will be a dwelling-place in which all can feel welcome and be at home

Reflections

• The reign of God is already here among us, and we need look no further than the daily experiences of our own lives to know and experience the power and presence of Jesus.

• The kingdom of God is here, now

• What Is Entrusted Us -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• In the Shadow of the Holy Land

• Education Under Occupation — Episode 1 of 4 | In the Shadow of the Holy Land

Musical Reflection

• When the King shall come again

Making gratitude a mindset

Just a few thoughts

• "The willingness to share does not make one charitable; it makes one free." -- Robert Brault
  
  
• We pray for the intercession of St Josephat, bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and apostle of unity, that the people of Ukraine will be delivered from the present war, and the members of the Ukrainian Rite in Australia and beyond will receive hope and blessings.
  
  
• We pray for those who work in low-paid, difficult and demanding jobs, that their contribution to the well-being of the community will be appreciated and justly remunerated

Reflections

• Samaritan Heroes

• Gratitude

• How can we fear God while we’re also told ‘Do not be afraid’? -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Lack of respect for creation a threat to peace: Pope Leo

• Go beyond your comfort zones and build peace – Pope Leo

Musical Reflection

• What Is This Place

The futility of war

Just a few thoughts

• “No one has ever become poor by giving.” -- Anne Frank

• Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of the end of World War I May it teach us that war is always futile and a failure of the human spirit, and so renew our commitment to be peacemakers.

• We pray for foster parents in Australia, that their dwindling numbers will be boosted by many more people volunteering to take loving care of children in need.

Reflections

• God can never be in our debt.

• Live with God in love

• Passionate Love -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Lack of respect for creation a threat to peace: Pope Leo

• Remembrance Day

Musical Reflection

• Send Down the Fire

Proclaiming the Gospel with clarity, compassion, and courage

Just a few thoughts

• "Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances." -- Thomas Jefferson

• May this World Science Day for Peace and Development bring a wise vision to all who work and teach in the various fields of human sciences.

• We pray for all policy makers taking part in the international climate change conference in Brazil, that they will agree on the urgent measures that must be taken to sustain life on earth.

Reflections

• We are merely servants

• Wisdom and leadership

• A dim shadow -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• All Saints and All Souls

• Freedom for a Fuller Life

Musical Reflection

• All the Earth Proclaim the Lord

Our Church -a living organism of people

Just a few thoughts

• "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." – Buddha

• For every community of Christians that they may recognise that they are God’s building, God’s temple, where the Spirit lives in each heart.

• We pray for church architects and liturgical designers, that the places of worship they fashion will proclaim God’s presence in the heart of the community.

Reflections

• Two Minute Homily

• The living Church is you and me

• What is the Temple? -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Making a fuss about a church building in Rome

• What Israel's genocide has laid bare

Musical Reflection

• Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem

God is with us

Just a few thoughts

• "The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." -- Lucille Ball

• In our parish may we value the contribution of each person, and rejoice in the many gifts which the Spirit gives for a common purpose.

• We pray for students preparing for end-of-year exams, that they will succeed in progressing to the next stage of their life’s journey

Reflections

• Mammon, wealth – God’s main rival

• It’s good to thank people

• You are the temple of God -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Pope Leo meets Palestinian leader amid concerns over Gaza ceasefire

• ‘Reality for families’ worsening, -- Foodbank

Musical Reflection

• I Have Loved You

Goodness bubbling to the surface

Just a few thoughts

• "The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off." -- Robert Hand

• May the Holy Spirit enrich all of us with wisdom so that we can take our place in the world with integrity.

• We pray for health workers tending the new-born or those approaching the end of life, that they will care for them with skill and love

Reflections

• A clear-sighted preparation for his future.

• We are in a position of trust

• Temples of Love -- next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Vinnies highlights reforms to reduce poverty

• Space must be safeguarded for the common good

Musical Reflection

• I Want to Walk as a Child

God never gives up on anyone.

Just a few thoughts

• "Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner." -- Lao Tzu

• We pray that we may resist the temptation to treat anyone else with contempt or pass judgement on them.

• We pray in this Jubilee Year of Hope for all who work in the world of education, that they will be wise companions for the young at every stage of their learning.

Reflections

• Is religion a kind of elevated boredom???

• A society based on mutual love and sharing and support

• All Souls Day -- last Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• What Israel's genocide has laid bare

• More than 6000 to attend Catholic Youth Festival

Musical Reflection

• In the Lord I'll be ever thankful

Making us pay attention!

 Just a few thoughts

• “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ”. -- Mahatma Gandhi

• For those who carry the cross of sickness and pain, of war and violence, of homelessness and poverty, that we may stand alongside them in prayer and concern.

• We pray for all who wield influence through social media platforms, that they will promote a culture of life, love and hope

Reflections

• Give up everything!

• Focusing on costs or benefits

• The Solemnity Of All Saints -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• A worldwide anti-Israel movement

• In this age of communication, nobody can say ‘I did not know’ – Pope Leo

Musical Reflection

• Let us go rejoicing

Does our faith influence the way we live?

Just a few thoughts

• “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” -- Nelson Mandela

• May we make our parishes and ethnic communities across the Archdiocese places where people experience a genuine welcome.

• We pray for an end to the global arms trade, that nations will invest in resources for life, not the merchandise of death

Reflections

• This story is about us too

• There’s always room at the table

• Against An Eternal Horizon -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Vinnies Christmas Appeal comes with a special plea

• Love conquers death: Pope Leo

Musical Reflection

• Christ is Our Cornerstone

Humility

Just a few thoughts

• "One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That word is Love." – Socrates

• May there be in our parish a genuine spirit of hospitality in which we warmly welcome new parishioners and visitors.

• We pray for the human family, that everyone will wonder at the web of life that binds all God’s creatures together.

Reflections

• Today, you can still see the odd cardinal or bishop strutting like a prince

• A gift that we can never repay

• Death, where is your sting? -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Most enter the Church ‘through the gate of beauty’

• Making Peace with the Earth

Musical Reflection

• Age to Age