Weekly Bulletin

From this Sunday until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Sunday, 11 January 2026), let us reflect on Jesus’ family history and his story from his birth to his baptism (Mt 1–3).

During this time of the year many of us are surrounded by family, relatives, and friends, so I would also like to invite you to reflect on your own family history and your personal encounter with God.

Like Jesus, you were born in a particular place and time, to particular parents, within a particular culture and family.

As you trace your family tree as far back as you can, reflect on where you were born and the key moments that have shaped you. Think of your extended family: grandparents, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, and cousins. All of this has been grace for you, just as Jesus was born into a human family (Mt 1–2).

Recognise the characteristics and qualities you have inherited from your parents and extended family: some you appreciate and others you would rather not have inherited. Notice them, and continue to look beyond those events and those people back to God, just as Matthew was able to trace Jesus’ family history and his story beyond the events and the people in his family tree back to God.

Remember that God did not stop loving Jesus at his birth, and God did not stop loving you at your birth. God loves Jesus and loves you until he and you love as God loves (Mt 22:37–40).

On this journey of discovering your family history and your personal encounter with God, open your heart to welcome Jesus as your companion, as he is Emmanuel – God-with-us and he promises “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

Fr. Tru

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved……….forever!  

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On earth Saint Joseph watched over and protected Jesus and Mary. He regards us as his own children. He surrounds us with the ineffable tenderness of a real father. He knows we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and destined for the happiness of heaven. How then could he forget us? To believe he could do so would be to do him a serious wrong. He distributes the treasures of the Heart of Jesus and wishes to enrich us with them. So let us go to him with confidence and ask him for all the help we need. He will give it to us.

Jules Chevalier msc

Méditations I p.723ƒ, Issoudun 1891

The First for Love

Jesus spoke of his thirst for love and revealed that his heart is not indifferent to the way we respond to that thirst. In his words, “I thirst, but with a thirst so ardent to be loved by humanity in the Most Blessed Sacrament, that this thirst consumes me; and I have not encountered anyone who makes an effort, according to my desire, to quench my thirst, giving back a return for my love”. Jesus asks for love. Once the faithful heart realizes this, its spontaneous response is one of love, not a desire to multiply sacrifices or simply discharge a burdensome duty: “I received from my God excessive graces of his love, and I felt moved by the desire to respond to some of them and to respond with love for love”. As my predecessor Leo XIII pointed out, through the image of his Sacred Heart, the love of Christ “moves us to return love for love”.

Pope Francis. Dilexit Nos: He Loved us, #166

On the Human and Divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ

A special thank you to Fr Chung, MSC. 

On behalf of the OLSH Parish community, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for your mission; your faith, pastoral care, and MSC spirit have been a great gift to us. We are grateful for the way you embraced our parish and its challenges at this time of change, helping us encounter Christ and God’s love. As you continue your journey with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, we pray that the Sacred Heart of Jesus may guide and protect you, and that your future ministries be filled with joy and blessings.

With sincere thanks and prayers. 

Family Christmas Mass 5:00pm Nativity

We invite the children of the parish who would like to be involved in the Nativity during the mass attend a practice on Monday 22 December at 2:30pm in the Church.

 

 

 

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURES

The Parish Office will be closed from Wednesday 24 December and will reopen on Monday 12 January 2026

 

THE MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS

invites you and your friends to

THE 19^th ANNUAL NEW YEAR‘S EVE PRAYER VIGIL

Where:  Mary Help of Christians Parish

Address: 115 Hodgson Crescent PEARCE, South Woden

Date: Wednesday 31^st December 2025

Time: 8.00pm

First Cenacle 8.00pm (Joyful Mysteries)

Second Cenacle 9.00pm (Luminous Mysteries)

Third Cenacle 10.00pm (Sorrowful Mysteries)

Fourth Cenacle 11.00pm (Glorious Mysteries)

Exposition from 8.00pm until Benediction just before midnight.

For more information – visit the website: mmp-oceania.net 

CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES

Your generous gift of money supports the ministry and care of our priests

Our gifts remind us of the gifts the Magi brought to the child Jesus, and reminds us that as we present gifts to each other our lives are to be our gift to Jesus. Receiving gifts reminds us in some small way of the ultimate gift we receive in salvation through Jesus.

Envelopes are available in the foyer.

ARCHBISHOPS CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Support is Needed!

Help life saving assistance to displaced people or people under threat of displacement whether from war or , climate change in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, female access to education in Pakistan as well as student assistance in the Middle East. Communities in India, Africa and Timor Leste along with local works by The Farm in Galong and The Home in Queanbeyan will also be assisted. 

By remembering your faith community in your Will, you contribute to the spiritual legacy that has enriched your life. Your bequest ensures the continuation of the traditions, teachings, and support that have shaped your journey.

Julie Finigan, John MacKay, Marie Cody, Robert Carew, William Roots, Christopher Fitzsimon, Kathleen Edmunds, Anne Hudson, Michael Devlin, John Dickinson, Patrick Laverty, Paul MacKenzie, Louise Ball, Geoffrey Walsh, Elana Powell, Jarrod Smith, Dora Roberts, Luis Soria, Cora Newman, Ellen Ottewill, Yvonne Williamson, Ted Murphy, Michael Costelloe, Walter Hawkins, Robert Wise, John Suckling, Margaret McCallion, Hannah Mecham