An easy yoke

Just a few thoughts

• The effective power of God on earth is manifested by the efforts that we put into loving and caring for people, wherever they are on God’s earth. – Anon

• May young people, 16 and under, who in Australia cannot access social media platforms from today onwards will, with the encouragement of their parents find new and healthier ways to connect with their friends.

• We pray for people whose dignity is denied by injustice, oppression or abuse, that this week’s observance of Human Rights Day, will give them new hope of redress

Reflections

• When the yoke is easy, nearly every burden seems light.

• Come to me

• To repent is to be dazzled by the light – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Dilexi Te: Pope Leo’s call to love the poor in spirit and action

• Human Rights Act campaign

Musical Reflection

• The Cry of the Poor

 

The Dignity of Every Person

Just a few thoughts

• “We are guardians of creation, not rivals for its spoils.” — Pope Leo

• We pray that the world might hear more clearly the joyful message that God is here, like a shepherd feeding his flock.

• We pray for those who have sought refuge in Australia but remain without support and security, that their dream of making a new life here will be fulfilled without further delay.

Reflections

• The nature of the heart

• The Way

• Gifts – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Human Rights Day

Musical Reflection

• Your Light Will Come Jerusalem

A leap of faith

Just a few thoughts

• Things take the time they take. Don’t worry. — Mary Oliver.

• May we be able to accept the will of God in our lives, and live each day with a firm faith, trusting hope, and generous love.

Reflections

• Nothing is impossible for God

• Mary exemplifies the ideal disciple

• God's future is already present – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• The Immaculate Conception

• The Sacrament of the Eucharist

Musical Reflection

• Ave Maria Gratia Plena

Repentence

Just a few thoughts

• "If you're going to think, then you might as well think positive. Remember, positive thoughts and actions are seeds that will produce positive results." -- Robert Tew

• In this second week of Advent may we focus on treating each other in the same friendly way as Christ treats us.

• We pray for those who have sought refuge in Australia but remain without support and security, that their dream of making a new life here will be fulfilled without further delay.

Reflections

• Fr Frank Brennan’s Homily

• Two Minute Homily

• Hope in Christ

The Signs Of The Times

• Mary MacKillop and Timor Leste

• Set Yourself on the Right Way

Musical Reflection

• I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

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

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