The nearness of death has a way of drawing us into God’s presence

Just a few thoughts

·        "Live authentically. Why would you continue to compromise something that's beautiful to create something that is fake?" –Steve Maraboli

·        May we receive the word of God with faith and know its power to forgive, restore, heal and reconcile.

·        We pray for the human family, that all who have lost their way in life may find and take the path of hope and love again.

Reflections

ü Ego cares about nothing except its own need to feel big

ü Scepticism and critical thinking have their uses

ü Sunday Homily by Frank Brennan

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Bishops set out issues to reflect on before voting

Ø ‘The Wounds Which Disfigure’

Musical Reflection

¯ Dwelling Place

A love that does not measure, compare, or exclude but simply embraces all.

 Just a few thoughts

·        "Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections." – Anon

·        May we open our hearts to the mercy of God so that we can be merciful to others as Jesus has taught us by his word and action.

·        In word and action Jesus constantly announced the good news of God’s boundless mercy. Let us place our wayward world in God’s kindly hands.

Reflections

ü Luke, a gentile, an outsider, shows a special regard for the lost, for outcasts and sinners.

ü “Welcome home, brother”

ü God longs to celebrate our return to Him

The Signs Of The Times

Ø  The Person of Jesus and the Mystery of Christ

Ø  Vinnies welcomes aspects of Budget but ‘a great many people left behind’

Musical Reflection

¯ You Are Near

Getting caught up in our own self-satisfaction

Just a few thoughts

·        "Clarity is the most important thing. I can compare clarity to pruning in gardening. You know, you need to be clear. If you are not clear, nothing is going to happen. You have to be clear. Then you have to be confident about your vision. And after that, you just have to put a lot of work in." -- Diane von Furstenberg

·        May those who are arrogant in their faith come to that humility of heart in which they recognize their need for God’s mercy

Reflections

ü We are at our best when we know our need of God and one another.

ü How to pray and how not to pray

ü Cowering – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Changes to environment law ‘not acceptable’

Ø A reflection on St Oscar Romero

Musical Reflection

¯ Softly and Tenderly

There is no other commandment greater than these

Just a few thoughts

·        "If we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, what can we do for those who come after us today for their tomorrow?" – Anon

·        "We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less." – Diogenes

·        We pray for those who are warm in their loving,   that they may continue to bring hope, peace and kindness to others

Reflections

ü Holistic

ü The Call to Worship God and Love Others

ü How we can be spurred to ‘genuine repentance’ – Last Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Pro-life movement needs new approach

Ø Budget gets mixed reviews from Catholic organisations

Musical Reflection

¯ Somebody's Knockin

Stepping away from the noise of life, to find God.

Just a few thoughts

·        "Joy is not in things; it is in us." -- Richard Wagner

·        "The most effective way to do it, is to do it." -- Amelia Earhart

·        We pray that we will be a nation which listens to the voice of God and act with justice and mercy toward all.

Reflections

ü There are always new devils.

ü ‘The finger of God’ gives us life

ü Metanoia – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø When Bad Things Happen, Is God Accountable?

Ø Pope Francis’ doctor reveals ‘we had to choose’ whether to ‘let him go’ during breathing crisis

Musical Reflection

¯ All Who Hunger Gather Gladly

God is timeless

Just a few thoughts

·        "The best way to predict the future is to create it." -- Peter Drucker

·        May bishops, priests and deacons, parents, teachers and catechists, teach the law of love and mercy to others by word and example.

·        We pray for our faith community, that this week’s feast of the Annunciation of the Lord (25 March) will inspire us to lay open our lives to God’s work as Mary did.

Reflections

ü Laws should be in service of justice.

ü Jesus is Superior to the Law

ü Trust in the Lord

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Advice to new priests hoping to change a parish: go slow and listen

Ø Climate casualties – from the Josephites

Musical Reflection

¯ Change Our Hearts

Not my will but yours be done

Just a few thoughts

·        "Sometimes you need to be alone to reflect on life. Take time out to take care of yourself. You deserve it." -- Robert Tew

·        May every Christian, during this Time of Lent rejoice in the will of God, as did Mary so long ago.

·        We pray for Australia’s younger generations, that with energy and imagination they will call out injustice and help reverse the inequality that is dividing the nation.

Reflections

ü Here is Mary’s true greatness, not so much that she was chosen to be the Mother of God, but that she responded with such generosity. And, right up to the very end, she stood by her Son.

ü Annunciation Reflection

ü An Angry Savior? – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Pope ‘teaching the world about human frailty’

Ø Housemates with a difference

Musical Reflection

¯ Tree Of Life

The Right to Truth

Just a few thoughts

·        "A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for." -- William G.T. Shedd

·        May this International Day for the Right to Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations Victims, bring justice to all who have been wronged in the Palestinian/Israeli and Ukrainian/Russian wars.

·        We pray for world leaders, that they will renounce imperial ambitions and choose to work together for the good of humanity and the health of the planet.

Reflections

ü Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

ü Opening our eyes and ears

ü God's saving action – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Making a Difference: A Lenten fast acceptable to the Lord

Ø Social service leaders discuss urgent need for funding

Musical Reflection

¯ Be With Me, Lord

God is patient with us

Just a few thoughts

·        "Never let a bad day make you feel like you have a bad life." – Anon

·        We pray for Pope Francis that his health will continue to improve and that his trust in God will generate hope in the hearts of all people of goodwill.

·        We pray for the unsung prophets of our time, that they will show us the way to hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth.

Reflections

ü God’s love is there for the taking.

ü God Inserts Himself into Our Story

ü Sunday Homily by Frank Brennan

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Pope Francis facing his fragility

Ø Politicians warned against demonising asylum seekers during election campaign

Musical Reflection

¯ Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet

Redemption

Just a few thoughts

·        "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." -- Arthur Ashe

·        "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -- Muriel Strode

·        May the forgiving love of the father be a model for us when we are seriously hurt by someone else.

Reflections

ü The story of the 'Prodigal Father'

ü The Father’s Love Knows No Bounds

ü The Prime Sin

The Signs Of The Times

Ø New website launched to help Catholics celebrate Jubilee Year across Australia

Ø Covid itself was a test

Musical Reflection

¯ The Eyes and Hands of Christ

Where is the will for the common good?

Just a few thoughts

·        "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed." -- William H. McRaven

·        "Whatever you do, always give 100%... Unless you're donating blood." -- Bill Murray

·        International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, (Harmony Day - May the increase of discrimination being experienced across the world now, diminish through the grace of God and the goodwill of people.

Reflections

ü “God has left the building,” said Bono.

ü We know how we should live, but we resist!

ü The Value of a Life – Next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Wake Up! The Hour Has Come

Ø Deb Gray’s story

Musical Reflection

¯ Led By The Spirit