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

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Trust

 

Just a few thoughts

  • "Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express and not for impress. Don't strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt." -- Author Unknown

  • We pray for the work of our schools, that in educating children and youth, they may reach out to those who are struggling financially, intellectually, emotionally or spiritually.

  • We pray for anguished parents who have seen their children killed or traumatised by injury, starvation and terror in theatres of war, that they will find the strength to support and comfort one another.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Monday, August 11, 2025

Do a bit of fishing and earn some money to pay the tax

Just a few thoughts

  • "From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." -- Arthur Ashe

  • May all workers in Australia be honest in their tax returns, remembering that Jesus paid his taxes also.

  • We pray for the whole human family, that all will make their pilgrim way through life fired by a common spirit of faith and hope.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Sunday, August 10, 2025

The poverty of the rich man.

Just a few thoughts

  • ‘Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy’! – Thomas Meron

  • We pray for all whose loving service and steadfast faith bear witness to God’s reign, that their example will inspire us to live with gratitude and generosity.

  • May the growing intensity of the war between Ukraine and Russia, the oppression of the people of Palestine and the plight of the Israeli hostages and the thousands of prisoners of war, come to an end so that peace and human dignity prevail.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Faith can ‘move mountains’!

Just a few thoughts

  • If our faith is strong we should be able to make a huge difference in combatting the evils facing our world

  • May the deep faith and courage of St Teresa Benedicta, who was martyred in a concentration camp during World War II, intercede for hostages held by Hamas, and prisoners in Israel, Russia and Ukraine, that they may be reunited with their families.

  • We pray for workers whose jobs are unrewarding, with no felt meaning or purpose, that they will find ways to maintain their self-respect and know the dignity of labour.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Friday, August 8, 2025

Take up your cross—whatever it may be.

Just a few thoughts

  • "To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater." – Bono

  • We pray for all Australians, that today’s feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop will inspire us to care for the poor, especially young children and vulnerable women.

  • May all who live in Australia, placed under the patronage of St Mary of the Cross, grow in respect for one another, have a concern for the poor, and work together to make Australia an hospitable and safe nation.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Peter – The Rock and The Stumbling Block

Just a few thoughts

  • "To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater." – Bono

  • May this Aged Care Employee Day bring blessings upon all who are engaged in this important work, so that with care, devotion and respect, they will honour the dignity of those they care for and work with.

  • We pray for those among us who cannot afford necessary health or dental care, that the national community will support the provision of an effective safety net for their wellbeing

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

The Transfiguration

Just a few thoughts

  • "The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire." -- Ferdinand Foch

  • We are called to see clearly—to be transformed by the light of Christ—and also to act boldly, walking in his way of compassion, courage, and justice.

  • May the light of Jesus’ truth may shine forth in the words and actions of the Church, through every person baptized into Christ.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

An image of the early Church

Just a few thoughts

  • "You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen, it said 'Parking Fine'." -- Tommy Cooper

  • As we mark Vocations Awareness Week we pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and diaconate for our Archdiocese and for the Religious Orders of priests who minister in our midst.

  • We pray for all members of the Australian Parliament, that they will take with the greatest seriousness their responsibility to protect and save nature for future generations.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

 

Monday, August 4, 2025

Jesus said, “You feed them.”

Just a few thoughts

  • "To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work." -- Mary Oliver

  • May those who, in the Church, are finding leadership a heavy burden, especially among our bishops and priests and congregational leaders, trust in Jesus who is gentle and humble of Heart.

  • We pray for national leaders whose addiction to power and empire is the cause of immense misery to countless people, that by the grace of God they will be converted to the way of peace and justice.

  • ‘The devil usually enters our life through our pockets’ – Pope Francis

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Sunday, August 3, 2025

One's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions

Just a few thoughts

  • "With but few exceptions, it is always the underdog who wins through sheer willpower." -- Johnny Weissmuller

  • May the youth of our parishes, communities and nation, through our respect of them, be confident in their endeavours and supported in their difficulties.

  • May this start of National Homelessness Week and National Missing Persons Week alert us to the many youth who are without a home or without a family, will find their way back to security and family love.

Reflections

  • The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Politicians have no specific training for their job. Nobody should be intimidated by them.

Just a few thoughts

  • "Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us." Samuel Smiles

  • "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." -- Native American Proverb

  • We pray for all who dare to become public advocates for justice, that they will be endowed with the courage, determination and skills they need to uphold the cause of right.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Friday, August 1, 2025

Jesus can only help those who are ready to be helped.

Just a few thoughts

  • "I've learned through the years that it's not where you live, it's the people who surround you that make you feel at home." -- J.B. McGee

  • "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" -- Mary Oliver

  • May we not judge by appearances, but rather, with the gift of wisdom, recognize the uniqueness of every individual.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection