The company Jesus Kept

Just a few thoughts

• A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. -- Lao Tzu

• May all people of every nation and religion may learn to do away with the clenched fist and the wicked word, so that they can feed the hungry and help the oppressed.

• We pray for all whose belief in God has become weak and unsure, that this year’s season of Lent will rekindle their faith and revive their following of Jesus.

Reflections

• But how disconcerting it always is to find Jesus among the bad!

• Transformation

• Jesus Leads the Way – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• They did not make their own beds

• There Is More Than Enough

Musical Reflection

• Just A Closer Walk

Why?

Just a few thoughts

• "We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams." -- Jimmy Carter

• We pray for a commitment to fasting and penance which brings a holy discipline into our lives so that our hearts are free to love God and our neighbour.

• We pray for world leaders. May this United Nations Day of Social Justice call them to be champions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Reflections

• A path that is difficult, but ends in joy

• We can all benefit from this form of fasting!

• Demons – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Pope Leo calls for ‘countercultural’ repentance

• Politicians urged to support repatriation of relatives of ISIS fighters

Musical Reflection

• Be With Me

Our Crosses

Just a few thoughts

• "The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." -- Ted Nelson

• We pray for each other, that during this season of Lent we may follow Jesus with trust and hope.

• We pray for end to domestic violence. May government and community initiatives to defuse this wave of anger and grievance save many lives.

Reflections

• Take up your cross.

• Taking up the cross daily

• Going Away and Coming Back – Ash Wednesday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Abstain from harsh words and rash judgement

• The large story of Lent is of God’s journey with humanity

Musical Reflection

• Led By The Spirit

Life is indeed transient

Just a few thoughts

• The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. -- Max DePree

• May our fasting and other Lenten penances release us from earthly desires and make us more intent on goodness, justice and mercy.

• We pray for the Australian community. May all sectors of society work together in solidarity to forge a national plan to respond to climate danger.

Reflections

• A time for truth rather than make-up

• Even now

• A regeneration of the heart – Ash Wednesday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Lent urges us to venture from darkness into the light

• Salt, light and the visit of Isaac Herzog

Musical Reflection

• Ashes

 

Understanding what we see and hear

Just a few thoughts

• "Nothing, Everything, Anything, Something: If you have nothing, then you have everything, because you have the freedom to do anything, without the fear of losing something." -- Jarod Kintz

• Lenten Group Discussion booklets were available at church. It’s years ago since we last came together in groups for Lent. What a pity.
  This year’s focus is on the Adelaide Diocesan Synod 2026. All of us are encouraged to listen, learn, discuss the future of our diocesan church. What a pity this focus is not apparent in our parish. Shouldn’t we take the opportunity to participate as a parish?

Reflections

• Are we also without understanding?

• My fidelity to the Gospel
  
  

• Live the call of Christian discipleship – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Ways to encounter Christ

• Uniting against poverty this Lent

Musical Reflection

• In These Days of Lenten Journey

 

The Church is always in need of renewal

Just a few thoughts

• "The truth is of course is that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time." -- David Bowie

• Today we join together in the launch of Project Compassion, so that our Lenten charity reaches out to those in poverty and oppression around the world.

• For all who consciously strive to lead a virtuous life, that they will find the wisdom and power of God’s Spirit guiding their hearts.

Reflections

• Law is not the grip of someone’s power over you, but guidance for your mind.

• Two-Minute Homily

• We're all in it together – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Counting protesters down – how the Adelaide protest against Herzog was reported

• Who will prosecute Geoffrey Robertson's peerless plan for peace?

Musical Reflection

• The Glory of These Forty Days

Valentine’s Day

Just a few thoughts

• Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. -- Jack Welch

• May we minimalise the wastage of food in Australia and develop programs whereby those in need can receive what had been over produced.

Reflections

• Using What You Have on Hand

• Valentine’s Day

• Follow the Rules – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• The Forgiveness of Debts

• Genocide is the story, not antisemitism

Musical Reflection

• Try A Little Kindness

Ephphatha

Just a few thoughts

• "Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." -- Anthony J. D'Angelo

• May our Catholic services for the sick, through the network of hospitals, hostels and nursing homes, and parish programs of pastoral care, continue to bring love and hope to those in need.

Reflections

• Does He Take Sugar?

• In a sense, the man in today’s reading, represents us all.

• The Law of Love – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• National Apology to the Stolen Generations

• World destabilised if law of power replaces power of law

Musical Reflection

• Take The Word Of God With You

Motherhood

Just a few thoughts

• If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them. -- C.S. Lewis

• We pray for parents worried about the health and wellbeing of their children that they may receive the help they need.

• We pray for the vast number of earth-dwellers now vulnerable to life-threatening weather. May world leaders do all in their power to cut fossil fuel emissions and halt global warming.

Reflections

• He did this healing at a distance

• There is no boundary on God’s Grace

• Nothing is Impossible with God – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• The Place of Silence

• When peaceful protest is allowed to work, democracy works

Musical Reflection

• Jesus Christ you are my Life

Lourdes

Just a few thoughts

• The only path to serenity

  Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill.

  Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

  Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench.

  Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.

  Do your work, then step back.

  The only path to serenity.

  ……...Tao Te Ching

• We pray for those who are deprived of adequate health care, that governments will not neglect them, but see the needs of such people as a matter of urgent justice.

Reflections

• Trivial externals
  
  
• World day of prayer for the sick.
  
  
• Those who know their need of God are the salt of the earth and the light of the world – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• The Cost of Our Living: Economic and Social Justice for the Common Good

• Antisemitism laws, double standards and Australia’s unfinished reckoning

Musical Reflection

• Find Us Ready

St Scholastica

Just a few thoughts

• "The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy." -- Florence Scovel Shinn

• We pray for religious people of all faiths, that they will be true to their beliefs, and not manipulate them in the quest for power over others or as an excuse for violence.

• We pray for all who face danger, detention and even death for standing up to autocratic rulers. May their courage help bring tyranny to an end around the world.

Reflections

• Religious lawyers can't cope well with God.

• Honouring and caring for our parents
  
  

• Called to be the antidote and counteragent to division in the world – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Fairness, not just growth, is the key to productivity

• No short term solution in Gaza

Musical Reflection

• Micah's Song

Bringing Holy Communion

Just a few thoughts

• The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves. -- Alan Watts

• May we bring to God in prayer those who are sick in our families and parish, those in hospitals and nursing homes, those in hospices and those at home.

• We pray for the staff and associates of church social justice agencies. May they fulfil the prophet’s command to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless.

Reflections

• Jesus was both loved and hated.

• Do you feel that you need to be healed? Of something
  
  

• Frank Brennan homily – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Bishops seek focus on cost-of-living crisis

• No short term solution in Gaza

Musical Reflection

• Lord of Creation

Salt of the earth

Just a few thoughts

• When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you. -- Lao Tzu

• May the light of Jesus Christ guide world leaders to do away with the clenched fist and wicked word, with a commitment to feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless.

• We pray for the leaders and followers of the world’s great faiths. May their steadfast practice of justice, love and peace draw the human family together as one.

Reflections

• Two-Minute Homily

• “You are the salt of the earth…. You are the light of the world.”
  
  

• The hot peppers of the earth – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• The Meek Are No Longer Inheriting the Earth

• Hutt St Centre calls for policy changes

Musical Reflection

• Walk in the Light

A time to rest and reflect

Just a few thoughts

• "Don't wait for other people to be loving, giving, compassionate, grateful, forgiving, generous, or friendly... lead the way!" -- Steve Maraboli

• May we, like Jesus, find that quiet place where we can be alone with the Father in prayer.

Reflections

• Seeking shade

• Prayer in the midst of life
  
  

• Salt and Light – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Why is the Australian government hosting the President of Israel?

• Justice Requires Rest for All

Musical Reflection

• Be Still My Soul

Facing the challenges of modern life

Just a few thoughts

• "A clear conscience is a sure sign of a bad memory." -- Mark Twain

• We pray for those who are treated unjustly or cruelty, that they may retain their sense of self-worth and act with dignity throughout their ordeal.

• We pray for the Australian community, that gratitude for the abundance of natural and civic blessings we enjoy will disarm division and overcome every form of injustice

Reflections

• Without our cooperation, his message will not be heard.

• We could pray for the courage to challenge today’s political leaders when justice, goodness and truth are undermined.
  
  

• Light For The World – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• A missed opportunity

• The Forgiveness of Debts

Musical Reflection

• Shine Jesus Shine

Martyrdom

Just a few thoughts

• It’s easy to feel as if we’re standing two inches away from a huge canvas that’s noisy and crowded and changing with every microsecond. It’s only by stepping farther back and standing still that we can begin to see what that canvas (which is our life) really means, and to take in the larger picture. -- Pico Iyer

• We pray for all who work with bishops in a collaborative ministry, that their witness to Christ may promote the unity of the people of God.

Reflections

• Now is the time

• Taking the Good News
  
  

• Here I Am – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Bible not a relic of the past but a living dialogue: Pope Leo

• A Book to Remember

Musical Reflection

• In Every Age

The Carpenter’s Son

Just a few thoughts

• "Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward." -- C.S. Lewis

• May all who are suffering because of the extremes of climate change which is bringing floods and fires, drought and river contamination, excessive heat and cold, evoke from governments and scientists quick action.

• We pray for the whole human family, that in the face of worsening world disorder people in every land will hold fast to the practice of hope, compassion and kindness.

• Reflections

• We have to break through

• Adopt an attitude of humble listening
  
  

• If we live the Beatitudes, we will be entirely fearless, absurdly happy and never out of trouble – Sunday reflection

• The Signs Of The Times

• Why the Voice referendum failed – and what the government hasn’t learned from it

• Many Voices; One Text

• Musical Reflection

• Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Curating an outward image

Just a few thoughts

• May we be protected from diseases of the throat, as we remember St Blaise today, and all who are living with cancer on this World Cancer Day, will receive courage and healing.

• We pray for the titans of the world whose wealth and power are beyond measure, that by the grace of God they will use their resources to alleviate poverty, disease and hunger.

• What ultimately matters is not the image we project, but the love we carry.

Reflections

• Who touched me?

• Peter, his companions and their families, were business leaders of his day
  
  

• Undeserved blessedness – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Making polluters pay could fix Australia’s climate problem – and its budget

• God Is Calling Every One

Musical Reflection

• Christ, Be Our Light

The source of new hope for all nations

Just a few thoughts

• We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about. -- Charles Kingsley

• We pray for our families, that the young will grow to maturity, seniors will share their wisdom, and parents will guide with love and respect.

• We pray for the whole human family, that in the face of worsening world disorder people in every land will hold fast to the practice of hope, compassion and kindness.

Reflections

• We could light a candle today
  
  

• Blessedness – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Greenland’s only parish priest

• An Origin Story of Love

Musical Reflection

• The Beatitudes

Eight facets of discipleship

Just a few thoughts

• "Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate." -- Albert Schweitzer

• For all Christians, chosen in Christ, that he will be our wisdom, our virtue, our holiness and our freedom.

• We pray for the weak and foolish of the world, that they will confound the false wisdom of those who hold the reins of power.

Reflections

• The Beatitudes V The Ego

• Two Minute Homily
  
  

• Frank Brennan’s Homily – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Catholic women help fund Catherine House project

• Inviting Good Questions

Musical Reflection

• The Beatitudes