Saturday, November 22, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times
Musical Reflection

Friday, November 21, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times
Musical Reflection

Thursday, November 20, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times
Musical Reflection

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times
Musical Reflection

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times
Musical Reflection

Monday, November 17, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times
Musical Reflection

Sunday, November 16, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, November 15, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Friday, November 14, 2025

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 Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Thursday, November 13, 2025

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 Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

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

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Monday, November 10, 2025

Proclaiming the Gospel with clarity, compassion, and courage

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 this World Science Day for Peace and Development bring a wise vision to all who work and teach in the various fields of human sciences.

  • We pray for all policy makers taking part in the international climate change conference in Brazil, that they will agree on the urgent measures that must be taken to sustain life on earth.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Our Church -a living organism of people

Just a few thoughts

  • "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." – Buddha

  • For every community of Christians that they may recognise that they are God’s building, God’s temple, where the Spirit lives in each heart.

  • We pray for church architects and liturgical designers, that the places of worship they fashion will proclaim God’s presence in the heart of the community.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, November 8, 2025

God is with us

Just a few thoughts

  • "The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." -- Lucille Ball

  • In our parish may we value the contribution of each person, and rejoice in the many gifts which the Spirit gives for a common purpose.

  • We pray for students preparing for end-of-year exams, that they will succeed in progressing to the next stage of their life’s journey

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Friday, November 7, 2025

Goodness bubbling to the surface

Just a few thoughts

  • "The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off." -- Robert Hand

  • May the Holy Spirit enrich all of us with wisdom so that we can take our place in the world with integrity.

  • We pray for health workers tending the new-born or those approaching the end of life, that they will care for them with skill and love

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Thursday, November 6, 2025

God never gives up on anyone.

Just a few thoughts

  • "Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner." -- Lao Tzu

  • We pray that we may resist the temptation to treat anyone else with contempt or pass judgement on them.

  • We pray in this Jubilee Year of Hope for all who work in the world of education, that they will be wise companions for the young at every stage of their learning.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Making us pay attention!

 Just a few thoughts

  • “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ”. -- Mahatma Gandhi

  • For those who carry the cross of sickness and pain, of war and violence, of homelessness and poverty, that we may stand alongside them in prayer and concern.

  • We pray for all who wield influence through social media platforms, that they will promote a culture of life, love and hope

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Does our faith influence the way we live?

Just a few thoughts

  • “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” -- Nelson Mandela

  • May we make our parishes and ethnic communities across the Archdiocese places where people experience a genuine welcome.

  • We pray for an end to the global arms trade, that nations will invest in resources for life, not the merchandise of death

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Monday, November 3, 2025

Humility

Just a few thoughts

  • "One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That word is Love." – Socrates

  • May there be in our parish a genuine spirit of hospitality in which we warmly welcome new parishioners and visitors.

  • We pray for the human family, that everyone will wonder at the web of life that binds all God’s creatures together.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Sunday, November 2, 2025

The quiet holiness that has lived in countless lives

Just a few thoughts

  • "Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." -- Martin Luther King Jr

  • May those who were close to us in their earthly lives rest from their labours, since their good deeds go with them.

  • We pray for church communities around the world, that they will be places where love abounds and life will flourish

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Lord, may I learn to live your beatitudes

Just a few thoughts

  • "Talent alone won't make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: 'Are you ready?'" -- Johnny Carson

  • May the Saints who had a passion for justice move people of goodwill to work together for the common good, so as to alleviate poverty, suffering and despair.

Reflections

The Signs Of The Times

Musical Reflection