What can Our Lady do for us?

Just a few thoughts

·       "Life is a road. You'll get over the potholes, even if you have to pull yourself out. Yes, those hills go up and down, but you'll always level out." – Anon

·       May the mercy of God embrace all people, and bring to all distressed by war and violence the gifts of truth, justice and peace.

·       We pray for our parish community as it celebrates the Feast of the Visitation, that like Mary and Elizabeth all will be filled with a spirit of joy, gratitude and generosity.

Reflections

ü Mary the model for all disciples, men as well as women.

ü The little Village of Ein Karim

ü Painful Goodbye and the Ascension – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Enough bombs in Gaza; we call for truce in Ukraine

Ø In the name of humanity, the barbarism in Gaza must stop

Musical Reflection

¯  Lullabye For A Child In War

Sorrow and joy

Just a few thoughts

·       "You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore." -- William Faulkner

·       We pray for the generations of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples that the wisdom of the elders will enrich the culture and spirit of the young as we mark National Reconciliation Week.

·       We pray for young people priced out of the housing market and for older people under threat of homelessness, that all relevant authorities will collaborate to alleviate the housing crisis

Reflections

ü For those who are close to Jesus, pain and joy are not incompatible.

ü The seed for joy is in the pain of grief.

ü More Present Now – Next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Compassion is a matter of humanity, not a religious issue – Pope Leo

Ø Jesus – Checking our Emotions

Musical Reflection

¯  Voices for Reconciliation 2025: Solid Rock

Awe, praise, and wonder.

Just a few thoughts

·       "Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open." -- Laura Bush

·       We pray in this Australian National Reconciliation Week, that the work to bridge the gap will bring better health care, housing, education and employment to those struggling.

·       We pray for rural and regional communities experiencing severe drought, that they will stay strong together and have their hardship eased by just and fair assistance.

Reflections

ü The first step in understanding: to understand how little we know.

ü In a little while

ü Peace – this is what has been won for us by the Resurrection – Last Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Time for Catholic Bishops to speak up for Palestine

Ø Most Australians believe denial of aid to Palestinians ‘unjustifiable’

Musical Reflection

¯  A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing

 

A communion of love

Just a few thoughts

·        "The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace." -- Carlos Santana

·        May the Spirit of truth be with all politicians so that they can be true public servants working for the welfare of all in this land.

·        We pray for all Australians, especially the land’s First Peoples, that  Reconciliation Week will bring everyone together in remembrance of the past, acceptance of the present, and commitment to a shared future.

Reflections

ü The Spirit can draw us into the mind of Jesus.

ü How can I be helpful to someone today?

ü A reflection for National Reconciliation Week

The Signs Of The Times

Ø First Nations Australians deserve a better future

Musical Reflection

¯ Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise

We are called to right the wrongs of the past by reconciling and forgiving to move forward.

Just a few thoughts

·        "It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret." -- Jackie Joyner-Kersee

·        May the Church listen carefully to the truth of Christ’s teaching, and proclaim it with love and trust.

·        We pray for all church leaders, that like the apostles and elders at the Council of Jerusalem they will heed the wisdom of the Spirit and guide the church on the way of the gospel

Reflections

ü The Spirit, the ‘Advocate’ will teach you everything

ü It Is Better that I Go

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Good Sam Sister urges creation of ‘heroic communities

Ø Interpreting Scripture Through Experience

Musical Reflection

¯ Christ Has No Body But Yours

The Spirit of truth

Just a few thoughts

·        "I shut my eyes in order to see." -- Paul Gauguin

·        May we in Australia honour this National Sorry Day by repenting of past sins, seeking reconciliation between indigenous and all other Australians, and bring to this day healing of memory, pain and separation.

·        We pray for UN peacekeeping personnel, that wherever they are stationed they will defuse volatile conflict, keep local people safe and pave the way for lasting peace.

Reflections

ü The inner voice of God

ü Room for the Spirit – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Bridging Now to Next: A Campfire Reflection

Ø Faith – Beyond the Head and the Heart

Musical Reflection

¯ Solid Rock

The Mind of God.

Just a few thoughts

·        "Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need." -- Gillian Anderson

·        We pray for the Church of today, that it will have the same commitment to Christ’s gospel and pastoral care of the people, as we see in the Church of Jerusalem under the care of Peter and the apostles.

Reflections

ü The Holy Spirit, the promised Helper or Comforter

ü Two-minute homilies

ü Homily by Frank Brennan

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Pope Leo

Ø Honouring Experience

Musical Reflection

¯ Nobody's People

Facing secular indifference and hostility

Just a few thoughts

·        "I would imagine that if you could understand Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy." -- Mitch Hedberg

·        We pray for dioceses, parishes and all communities of believers, that they will be havens of hospitality for all in search of healing and hope.

·        May Mary, as the Help of Christians, on this anniversary of the founding of the World Council of Churches, teach us to be respectful of all people, working for harmony between Churches, Ecclesial Communities and other Faiths.

Reflections

ü When you love you forget yourself

ü When facing uncertainty trusting in God means believing in God-fidence rather than self-confidence

ü Closer Away? – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø World needs to hear Gospel message of God’s love: - Pope Leo

Ø Recognition of Indigenous Australians remains unfinished business

Musical Reflection

¯ Keep the Fire Burning

A loving companion

Just a few thoughts

·        "They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." -- Andy Warhol

·        May there be a good spirit among all Christians, so that they can give an authentic witness to Christ’s commandment of love.

Reflections

ü In real love there is no ego

ü Real love means giving of ourselves for the good of others

ü A Better World – Next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Faithful honour Mary at annual procession

Ø 2026 Diocesan Synod

Musical Reflection

¯ Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

Being held in the love of God, no matter what life may bring

Just a few thoughts

·        "The day you stop racing is the day you win the race." -- Bob Marley

·        We pray for a spirit of joy among Christians so that they can be living signs of hope in a broken and fragile world.

Reflections

ü God’s commandments are acts of love

ü The necessity of synodal action

ü People of Peace – Next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Let us walk towards God and love one another – Pope Leo

Ø Catholic Social Doctrine can heal global divides

Musical Reflection

¯ Gavotte - Music to match the painting

Reconnection

Just a few thoughts

·        "It's not the honours and prizes of life which ultimately nourish our souls. It's the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the bedrock of our very being is good stuff." -- Mister Rogers

·        May difficulties in the Church be resolved through respectful dialogue after the example of the apostles long ago.

Reflections

ü The vine is the branches!

ü A Love We Can Understand – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø Music therapist provides soundtrack to palliative care

Ø Houses built using 3D printers

Musical Reflection

¯ Peace Is Flowing Like a River

Wisdom and peace must forever hold dominion over the destructive forces of war.

Just a few thoughts

·        "Tough times never last, but tough people do." Robert H. Schuller

·        May young Catholics, inspired by the life of Pope Leo, embrace a missionary spirit in their witness to Jesus and his Gospel.

·        We pray for the civic community of Australia, that all citizens will value and safeguard the freedoms, democratic rights and good order they enjoy.

Reflections

ü The peace that the world cannot give

ü The Joy of his Peace

ü Living witnesses for the fragmented and self-preoccupied world. – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

Ø What to expect from an Augustinian pope

Ø We do have a man now who can speak not from a political perspective, but from a deeper perspective in these very troubled times

Musical Reflection

¯ All Things New