Saturday, September 13, 2025

Hearing and Acting

Just a few thoughts

  • "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha

  • May our hearts be pure, so that what we say and do reflects good intentions and our listening to Jesus lead all to act with integrity.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Friday, September 12, 2025

Affirming others

 

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 we be honest about ourselves - our shortcomings, failures, sins and weaknesses – so that we can better appreciate God’s loving mercy.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Give and love with no trace of self-interest

Just a few thoughts

  • The secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday." -- Wilma Rudolph

  • May we all be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, in gentleness and patience.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

The Gospel’s reversal of secular values

Just a few thoughts

  • "You build on failure. You use it as a steppingstone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." -- Johnny Cash

  • May the poor be a primary concern of Christians, so that we learn how to be just with this world’s resources and with our own material possessions and time.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Jesus constantly prayed

Just a few thoughts

  • "The power of gathering: It inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive." -- Alice Waters

  • May the members of the St Vincent de Paul Society be richly blessed on this, the feast day of their founder, Blessed Frederick Ozanam, and abound in good works among God’s poor.

  • We pray for our parish community, that we will gladly bear one another’s burdens and help carry each other’s cross.

Reflections

  • The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Monday, September 8, 2025

Mother of Emmanuel

Just a few thoughts

  • "Love is the bridge between you and everything." – Rumi

  • May we honour our ancestors today, knowing that the family tree of each one of us is unique and sacred.

  • International Literacy Day - May this day enhance the ability of people to read and write, especially where girls are forbidden an education and where it is disrupted by war, famine and poverty.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Putting God first

Just a few thoughts

  • "Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul." -- Walt Whitman

  • We pray for the fathers who are present and the fathers of this congregation, that they will receive all the blessings which they need, and show to their families wisdom, care and love.

  • We pray for leaders of the world’s nations, that they will forsake war and empire-building and dedicate themselves to nurturing the wellbeing of the human family.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, September 6, 2025

The generosity of creation sustains us

Just a few thoughts

  • Having looked at a variety of sources for interesting images related to our daily readings I have come to the conclusion that the Christian Art website is by far the most interesting, so I will stick with it.

  • "Few things are more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own." -- Doug Larson

  • May each one of us embrace that hope promised by the Good News and learn how to be servants of it for others.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Friday, September 5, 2025

A balance between the old and the new

Just a few thoughts

  • "Few things are more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own." -- Doug Larson

  • A life without love and without truth would not be life. – Pope Leo

  • We pray that all which has been created in and through Jesus will be honoured and preserved during this year’s Season of Creation.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Leaving your boats behind

Just a few thoughts

  • "I am thankful the most important key in history was invented. It's not the key to your house, your car, your boat, your safety deposit box, your bike lock or your private community. It's the key to order, sanity, and peace of mind. The key is 'Delete.'" -- Elayne Boosler

  • We pray for those who, in imitation of the fishermen, have literally left everything to follow Christ, that they may remain faithful, cheerful and trusting.

  • We pray for refugees and asylum seekers still languishing in a limbo of uncertainty in Australia, that effective steps will be taken to settle their claims promptly and fairly.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

 

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Dreadful thought!

Just a few thoughts

  • "Surround yourself with people who know your worth. You don't need too many people to be happy, just a few REAL ones who can appreciate you for who you are." – ANON

  • May those in our families who are sick receive our support and be given the gift of healing.

  • We pray for the Catholic community in Australia, that the Social Justice statement on homelessness and mental ill-health will impel it to keep offering ‘signs of hope on the edge’.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

An impressive teacher

Just a few thoughts

  • "Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness." -- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

  • May we develop our consciences carefully with the help of the Church, and so stand peacefully before God.

  • We pray for all who grieve parents, brothers, sisters and children killed in the world’s fields of war, that their anguish and pain will hasten an end to brutal bloodshed.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Monday, September 1, 2025

What being a Christian means

Just a few thoughts

  • "The most radical thing any of us can do at this time is to be fully present to what is happening in the world." -- Joanna Macy

  • World Day of Prayer for Creation – May all of us be inspired to embrace this work of caring for our common home, and so give leadership in society.

  • We pray for the human family, that this day will inspire it to plant ‘seeds of peace and hope’ in a world under threat from rising temperatures and sea levels.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Sunday, August 31, 2025

We are of ‘the household of God.’

Just a few thoughts

  • "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

  • We pray for those of the edge of our society, that the respect they are shown and the practical assistance which they are given, will give them hope for the future.

  • We pray for all who make use of social media to shape public opinion, that they choose to observe a strong code of ethics and high standard of truth.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, August 30, 2025

We have all been endowed with talents

Just a few thoughts

  • Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. -- Leo Buscaglia

  • May each one of us recognise the gifts God has given us, appreciate them, and use them responsibility and generously.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Friday, August 29, 2025

The drama of conscience

Just a few thoughts

  • "Where there is plenty, charity is a duty, not a courtesy." -- Owen Feltham

  • May those who make false or dangerous promises change their behaviour and seek truth in all situations.

  • We pray for those in poor health within our families, our parish community and among our friends and acquaintances, that they will take heart from the loving care we offer them.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Thursday, August 28, 2025

The only place where something can be done: the present.

Just a few thoughts

  • "Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now." -- Talmudic teaching

  • We pray that we may live this day in the presence of God, discovering the Divine in the prayer and worship of the Eucharist, in the poor and in creation, and in the dignity of every person we meet.

  • We pray for business managers in dioceses, parishes and church agencies, that they will fulfil their responsibilities with integrity and ensure that the church’s material resources serve its gospel mission.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

We all make mistakes

Just a few thoughts

  • "We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." -- John F. Kennedy

  • May we be not only generous, but even extravagant, in the love and respect which we give to others.

  • World Water Week - We pray that all of us will realise the critical role of water in addressing climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Woes

Just a few thoughts

  • "The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it." -- Chief Joseph

  • May we have as our priority in life a firm commitment to Jesus, and the practice of justice, mercy and good faith.

  • We pray for ceasefires in every place of bloodshed, hate and pain, that serious negotiations can be undertaken to end suffering and promote peace.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Monday, August 25, 2025

Alas For You

Just a few thoughts

  • "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." -- Nelson Mandela

  • May we show our faith in action, work for love, and persevere with hope.

  • We pray for the global church, that its mission of proclaiming the good news to the world will be enhanced by the creative use of social media.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Sunday, August 24, 2025

The Narrow Door

Just a few thoughts

  • "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths." -- Arnold Schwarzenegger

  • We pray for the family of nations, that members will work together, not against one another, in determining how best to respond to the challenge of mass migration.

  • We pray that societies will resist the temptation to confront each other for ethnic, political and religious reasons.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Just a few thoughts

  • "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." -- Maya Angelou

  • May we, above all else, be known for our love of neighbour, especially those who are needy and poor.

Reflections

  • The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Friday, August 22, 2025

As I have loved you

Just a few thoughts

  • "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -- Berthold Auerbach

  • With the prayers of Mary, Queen of Peace, may nations work to advance the cause of peace everywhere.

Reflections

  • The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Many are invited.

Just a few thoughts

  • "There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." -- Linda Grayson

  • May we prepare for the heavenly banquet wearing the garment of salvation, which is made of Christ’s virtues of compassion, kindness, patience, humility and love.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

The love of God

Just a few thoughts

  • "You don't have to be fearless, just don’t let fear stop you." -- Charlie Day

  • May we be not only generous, but even extravagant, in the love and respect which we give to others.

  • We pray for workers facing job losses or workplace disruption because of artificial intelligence, that their right to a secure livelihood will be justly upheld

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

A gospel reading about ‘rich poverty’.

Just a few thoughts

  • "Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." -- Maggie Kuhn

  • May the Church not become distracted by its wealth, but always use its resources for the good of others, especially the poor and needy.

  • World Humanitarian Day - We pray for the staff and volunteers of humanitarian agencies, that this week’s United Nations observance will encourage them in their compassionate service of victims of violence, poverty and social upheaval.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Monday, August 18, 2025

Having treasure in heaven

Just a few thoughts

  • "You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyse your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success – or are they holding you back?" -- W. Clement Stone

  • May those who are caught up in seeking wealth and possessions realize how fragile are such gifts, and so search for that treasure in heaven, which is Christ Jesus.

  • We pray that no believer will lose sight of Jesus who leads us in our faith and brings it to fulfilment.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Is it possible to be a comfortable Christian?

Just a few thoughts

  • "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." -- Haruki Murakami

  • We pray for each other that we will never lose sight of Jesus, but keep on running steadily the race we have started with great hope.

  • We pray for the church local and global, that like Jeremiah and Jesus it will dare to announce unwelcome truths boldly for salvation’s sake.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, August 16, 2025

We are all sons and daughters

Just a few thoughts

  • "I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening." -- Larry King

  • When people face a choice to serve God or to serve their own ambitions and desires, may they always choose God, the source of life and goodness.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Friday, August 15, 2025

The model for all disciples

Just a few thoughts

  • "Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know." -- Pema Chödrön

  • We pray for all members of our parish community, that today’s solemn feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will confirm their faith in God’s promise of heavenly glory.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Thursday, August 14, 2025

We can never refuse an offer of reconciliation

Just a few thoughts

  • "A warm smile is the universal language of kindness." -- William Arthur Ward

  • May those who have become hard of heart be touched by Holy Spirit so that they may see life and people differently, finding peace in their relationships.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

The Presence of God

Just a few thoughts

  • "I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet." -- Nadia Comaneci

  • May there be constant effort to reconcile people so that they can be a real peace between Israel and the Palestine and between Ukraine and Russia.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection