Just a few thoughts
Wintery ill health prevented me from blogging. My apologies.
We don't need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful.” -- Taylor Swift
May there be constant effort to reconcile people so that there can be a real peace between Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and Russia, Iran and the United States, and Israel and Lebanon.
Reflections
The Signs Of The Times
Musical Reflection
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Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. -- Alphonse Karr
We pray that all who live in Australia, placed under the patronage of St Mary of the Cross, will grow in respect for one another, have a concern for the poor, and work together to make Australia a hospitable, free and safe nation.
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The Signs Of The Times
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Being a good listener is absolutely critical to being a good leader; you have to listen to the people who are on the front line. -- Richard Branson
May those towns and cities in Gaza, the Occupied West Bank, Israel,
Iran, Ukraine and Russia, which have been reduced to rubble be rebuilt as safe houses for their citizens.
Reflections
Peace At Last -- Next Sunday reflection
The Signs Of The Times
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Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. -- Mark Twain
We pray that on this anniversary of the destruction of Hiroshima in Japan through the first atomic bomb in 1945, along with Pope Leo, that all nuclear weapons will be eliminated from every country.
We pray for our local faith community, that we will help one another hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
Reflections
The feeding of the five thousand – a lot more than ‘catering wizardry’ -- Last Sunday reflection
The Signs Of The Times
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Don’t be afraid to fall, but don’t be afraid to get back up. And never be afraid of being afraid.” -- Dr. David Metzen
May we bring to our prayer the determination and perseverance of the woman of the Gospel, never doubting the care which Jesus has for every person.
We pray for the homeless in our cities and towns, that this National Homelessness Week will prompt real action by the whole community, not just words and good intentions.
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The Signs Of The Times
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Hope is not something that you have. Hope is something that you create, with your actions. -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
May those who appear to have lost any sense of their own dignity or worth have a special place in our prayer today.
We pray for all who dwell under the Southern Cross, that St Mary MacKillop’s (8 August) loving service of the poor will inspire a new covenant of care across the land.
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The Signs Of The Times
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Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. -- Lao Tzu
May the Church be a prophetic voice of truth and compassion, confronting the voice of false prophets who speak words offering empty promises which ultimately bring despair.
We pray for all who dwell under the Southern Cross, that St Mary MacKillop’s loving service of the poor will inspire a new covenant of care across the land.
Reflections
That little boat crossing the stormy lake is a perfect parable of our life.
What does it take to be satisfied? – reflection for last Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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I've made my share of mistakes along the way, but if I have changed even one life for the better, I haven't lived in vain -- Muhammad Ali
As we begin our Australian National Vocations Awareness Week, may we support married life, pray for life’s choices among youth and young adults, and seek the blessing of priests, deacons and religious to lives of service.
We pray for every child in every land, that they will be given their daily bread and have all hungers satisfied
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The Signs Of The Times
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I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow; but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing. -- Agatha Christie
May peace come across the Middle East through setting aside the weapons of war, constructive dialogue, genuine justice, and respect for the humanity of friend and foe.
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The Signs Of The Times
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“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” -- Willie Nelson
May we not judge by appearances, but rather, with the gift of wisdom, recognise the uniqueness of every individual.
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The Signs Of The Times
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However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. -- Willie Nelson
May this International Day of Friendship help us to value our friends and to reach out to the lonely in a spirit of genuine friendship.
We pray for all who work in the delivery of government services, that they will treat their clients with respect and be well respected in return.
Reflections
We all have to be both conservative and progressive at the same time!
Drag the net, collect everyone and leave it till later to sort things out.
Focusing the Gospel --reflection for next Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart. -- Mahatma Gandhi
May the example of Martha, Mary and Lazarus bring blessings upon each of our families, so that brothers and sisters can be friends, and that healing by restore broken bonds.
We pray for the diverse nations in Australia’s neighbourhood, that they will share an unshakeable commitment to care for the earth, our common home.
Reflections
The pearl beyond reckoning --reflection for this Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Poverty is a national waste as well as individual waste. We are all diminished when any of us are denied proper education. The nation is the poorer – a poorer economy, a poorer civilisation, because of this human and national waste. -- Gough Whitlam
May God look with great mercy on those whose lives are entwined with evil, so that they can be saved.
We pray for the powerless, that the suffering inflicted on them by war, poverty and a changing climate will be relieved by a new global movement of justice and peace.
Reflections
What do we live for? --reflection for this Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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One man can make a difference and every man should try.” -- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
May the Spirit of Jesus permeate the whole Church so that it becomes known as a community of genuine love
We pray for leaders in all the world’s great faiths, that they will demonstrate discernment and integrity in their exercise of moral authority.
Reflections
There's more hope for us not-ok people than we dare imagine.
Exchanging everything we have for the sake of the kingdom --reflection for this Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. -- Carl Jung
May grandparents and the elderly be treated with respect, be honoured for their wisdom, and be cared for in their needs, especially where frailty limits their abilities.
Reflections
Frank Brennan’s Homily --reflection for this Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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One tree can start a forest. One smile can begin a friendship. One hand can lift a soul. One word can frame the goal. One candle can wipe out darkness. One laugh can conquer gloom. One touch can show you care. One life can make the difference. Be that one today. – Anon
May those in leadership in the Church not seek power over others, but rather be filled with the spirit of a servant.
Reflections
Overcoming that sense of self-entitlement
Layers of Wisdom --reflection for next Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Not to give up under any circumstances should be the motto of our life: We shall try again and again, and we are bound to succeed. There will be obstacles, but we have to defy them. So do not give up, do not give up! Continue, continue! The goal is ahead of you. If you do not give up, you are bound to reach your destined goal.” -- Sri Chinmoy
May the work towards Christian unity not falter, but be a constant movement forward until the will of Christ, that all may be one, is realised.
Reflections
What Do We Desire? --reflection for next Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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A happy day doesn’t need to be a perfect day. -- Peng Joon
We pray that in the face of disappointment and failures in our relationships we will find in St Bridget of Sweden one who understands the difficulties of love and the peace of forgiveness.
We pray for overseers of their nation’s water resources, that they will keep them healthy, manage them wisely, and ration them justly.
Reflections
One Really Valuable Pearl --reflection for next Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Living in gratitude is the key to having a peaceful heart. -- Gabbie Deeds
We pray that St Mary Magdalene, ‘apostle to the apostles’ will teach us how to be apostles in today’s world.
We pray for the distraught people of Venezuela, that with the world’s help they will rise from their grief and set out on the long road to recovery.
Reflections
Let us never doubt the influence our love can have on others.
The parable of the wheat and darnel --reflection for this Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great. – Cher
May our parish community be strong in the respect each person extends to others.
We pray for the mighty of the world, that they will be converted to use their power in the cause of justice and mercy.
Reflections
Wheat and weeds --reflection for this Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Correction does much, but encouragement does more. -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
May we, in all our relationships, love tenderly, in all the circumstances, walk humbly with our God.
Reflections
Working for the Kingdom even if the harvest is not within our horizons --reflection for this Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best. -- St. Jerome
We pray that in a world full of the weeds of greed, lies, violence and corruption, we will find in the word of Jesus the grace to be generous, truthful, peace loving and to act with integrity.
We pray for our families and friends, that we will gracefully accept each other’s limitations and rejoice in our shared strengths.
Reflections
Frank Brennan’s Homily --reflection for next Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
Musical Reflection
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I saw that you were perfect and I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more. -- Angelita Lim
We pray that as we have asked God not to forget the poor, we also will not forget them in their needs.
Reflections
A good Christan is not one who knows and keeps all the rules.
An Inclusive Church --reflection for next Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. -- Barack Obama
World Day for International Justice – may itl strengthen the observance of International Law, ensure that accountability for war crimes is achieved, and enable the oppressed to be released from their situations.
Reflections
Dealing with the Darnel --reflection for next Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
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The ultimate reason for setting goals is to entice you to become the person it takes to achieve them. -- Jim Rohn
We pray for refugees and asylum seekers who find more and more that they are blamed for their situations of great need as free nations become less and less understanding and respectful of their plight.
We pray for governments, community groups, parents and teachers, that their combined efforts will succeed in regulating social media and eliminating harmful content.
Reflections
The weight of responsibility, injustice, grief, expectations -stop carrying it alone
God is always at work in our lives in ways we may never realise until all is revealed --reflection for last Sunday
The Signs Of The Times
From blasphemy to beloved – it’s time again for Jesus Christ Superstar
The government asked charities what reform was needed; it has the answer
Musical Reflection
