Weekly Bulletin

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

In this striking and memorable scene, Jesus enters the Temple and finds it filled with traders and money-changers. His response is forceful and deeply symbolic: he overturns their tables and drives them out. This is not simply an outburst of anger; it is a prophetic act, a deliberate challenge to a system that has lost sight of its purpose.

At the heart of Jesus’ protest is not just the selling of animals or the exchange of currency, but what these activities represent: a temple culture that had become overly controlled by an elite religious class. This class managed and mediated access to God in ways that burdened and excluded ordinary people. What was meant to be a house of prayer for all people had become a marketplace, and more than that, a place of power and control, where the sacred was bought and sold and access to God came at a cost.

Jesus’ actions speak directly to this distortion. By driving out the merchants, he is making a powerful statement: true worship does not require the mediation of corrupt systems. It does not require money, status, or approval from religious authorities. The presence of God is not confined to a building or a transaction.

When Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” he is pointing to himself as the new place of encounter with God. His body—his life, death, and resurrection—will become the new and living temple. In him, all barriers between God and humanity are torn down.

Jesus' cleansing of the Temple is not merely about reforming a religious institution; it is about reorienting our hearts. It challenges us to clear out what clutters our spiritual lives, to resist anything that makes access to God conditional, and to rediscover that the true dwelling place of God is not in stone buildings or human systems—but in the person of Christ, and through him, in each one of us.

Based on: Gospel Focus by Greg Sunter

 May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved……….forever!  
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The Heart of Jesus is essentially merciful, because it is the Heart of God; mercy is his very nature. The Blessed Trinity put in his Heart for our sake all the treasures of its tenderness and love, and so the Sacred heart poured them out profusely on every misfortune he came across. His role on earth was no to condemn but to forgive;
not to spurn those who suffer
but to comfort them;
not to alienate sinners, 
but to enlighten and convert them; 
not to turn away the sick, 
but to heal them; 
not to abandon a lost sheep,
but to bring it back to the sheepfold; 
not to quench the smoking wick, 
but to make it burn brightly; 
not to break the crushed reed, 
but to strengthen it. 
That is the Sacred Heart.
What kindness, what mercy!

Jules Chevalier msc

Méditations II, p.641ƒ., Issoudun 1891

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Whenever a person thinks, questions and reflects on his or her true identity, strives to understand the deeper questions of life and to seek God, or experiences the thrill of catching a glimpse of truth, it leads to the realization that our fulfilment as human beings is found in love.

In loving, we sense that we come to know the purpose and goal of our existence in this world. Everything comes together in a state of coherence and harmony. It allows that, in contemplating the meaning of our lives, perhaps the most decisive question we can ask is. “Do I have a heart?”

Pope Francis. Dilexit Nos: He Loved us, #23

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

PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE

Planned Giving

Firstly, thank you to everyone who contributes financially to our parishes. It is simply not possible for a parish to operate without it.

For those who don't know, we now have a combined Parish Finance Council. We have been working through all of the parish accounts and processes for both churches and the best way to bring them together.

Our priority has been, what this means for you.

There will likely be new bank account details and some minor changes to the way we all contribute financially. We are hoping to keep things as simple as possible and plan on letting you all know as soon as practically possible.

Please continue as normal until any changes are communicated. 

Stay tuned or reach out if you have any questions.

God bless
Josh Osborne-Goldsbrough 
Chair - Combined Parish Finance Council

2026 Sacramental Program

Information Evening for Parents

18 November 2025 – 6:30pm – 7:30pm
St John the Apostle Catholic Church

Register to attend the information evening for parents for the Sacraments of Penance [Reconciliation], First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Key information will be provided on the process for registering your child/children for the Sacraments in 2026, Formation Evening for parents Information and key dates for the Sacraments in 2026

For students in Years 3-6 for the Sacraments of Penance and First Holy Communion and Year 6 for the Sacrament of Confirmation

RETREAT

Date:           29/30 November
Theme:       Listening with a Hopeful Heart

Presenter:   Fr Khoi Nguyen msc

Cost:           Free – our Christmas gift to you

Registration: kippax@cg.org.au 
Time & Place:  STA Charnwood: 2.00 pm on Saturday finishing at 5:30pm with a break before the 6:00pm mass.

REPEATED

Time & Place: SJA Kippax: 2:00pm on Sunday finishing at 5:30pm with a break before the 6:00pm mass.

Please bring a journal or notebook

Khoi Nguyen is a priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), a scholar in the field of disability, and a person living with vision impairment. He is currently pursuing a PhD, researching the intersection of Vision Impairment Spirituality and MSC Heart Spirituality. With a strong background as an MSC formator, spiritual director/ accompanier, and professional supervisor, he has also been on the staff team at the Heart of Life Pastoral Formation and Spirituality Centre (Croydon), where he lectures and facilitates various workshops and reflection events. He has also authored several books on everyday spirituality.

Thanksgiving Mass
All ministers are invited to mark the end of the liturgical year.

Friday 28 November - 6.15pm for Mass at

St John the Apostle Church, Kippax,

followed by supper.

Please bring a plate … a main dish or dessert

National Catholic Safeguarding Standards

Standard 9: Continuous improvement.

Some Key Competencies - The entity:

• Implements an effective safeguarding action plan
• Develops, implements and reviews appropriate safeguarding policies and practices
• Reports on findings

 

The Annual Remembrance Mass
Saturday 15^th November 10:00 am

At this mass, we will pray especially for all those whose funerals or burials we celebrated here in the past year, but all are welcome to join us and pray for all their beloved dead.
Morning tea will be held in the foyer after mass.

twilight tucka’ n’ telly

Young Adult [18-25] Gathering

November 16^th 7pm    and

December 14^th 7pm

St Thomas Aquinas Parish Centre

Bernadette: 0419 562 553

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.

Patricia Smith, John Roots, Adrian Gilchrist, Margaret Webster, Marie-Jeanne Shatzman, Veronica Tippett, Gary Williams, Frances Stow, Margaret Conlon, Maria Van Audenaerde, Brenden Keir, Conrnelia Onstenk, William Castle, Richard Witrzens, Gloria Hunter, Jordan Blachfield, maria Wegener, Jamie Gruber, Kathleen Randall, Gary Marsh, Fransien Ashauer, Nell Clarke, Matthew Biggs, Joey Griffiths, Marie Corr, Nelson Canas, Irene Collbourne, Constianus Slusser, Patricia McGee, Honorio Arranz, Dorothy Lenihan, Mary-Ellen Roots, Krissy Thomas, Peter Hayes, Phyllis McAllister