Weekly Bulletin

Feasts of All Saints and All Souls

In the Gospel for the Feast of All Saints, we hear the familiar and beloved words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount: the Beatitudes. These blessings are more than poetic ideals or moral teachings; they are a portrait of the saints—a vision of what a holy life looks like in God’s eyes. They are also a promise to all the faithful, that despite the hardships of life, God sees and blesses those who live with mercy, humility, purity, and peace.

The Church sets before us the twin feasts of All Saints (November 1) and All Souls (November 2) as a kind of sacred embrace of the whole communion of those who have died. All Saints Day honours those who have already entered into the fullness of divine life—those who see God face to face and dwell in God's eternal presence. These are the "poor in spirit," the "pure in heart," the "peacemakers" who now rejoice in the reward of heaven. They are not just the canonised saints we know by name, but also the countless unnamed and uncelebrated faithful who lived lives of quiet love, self-giving, and trust in God.

The Feast of All Souls follows immediately after, inviting us to pray for those who have died but are still on the journey—those in the process of being purified, healed, and made ready to enter that same communion. The Church teaches that in purgatory, the soul is drawn more deeply into God’s love, shedding the remnants of selfishness and fear, so that it can be fully open to divine light. Even here, the Beatitudes offer comfort: those who mourn shall be comforted, the merciful shall obtain mercy. God's promise holds true not only in this life, but beyond death.

Together, these feasts remind us of the unbroken bond between the living and the dead, between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven.

May we live in such a way that, one day, we too may be counted among the blessed—among the saints in light.

Based on: Have you thought? All Saints / All Souls.
by Greg Sunter

 May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved……….forever!  
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Heaven is coming together of every possible joy. Supreme happiness of the mind: we shall see God in himself and in his creatures: they shall appear so beautiful, so glorious, so perfect, that nothing in this world can give us an idea of it. Supreme happiness of the heart: we shall love God with indescribable love. With God, in God and for God, we shall love all his works, especially his elect, the angels and the saints. Among the elect we shall love with a special love those whom we loved in this world. This twofold happiness of mind and heart will grow forever without impoverishing himself. Since he is infinitely good, that is what he wants to do forever. Forever! We should meditate on the word: the eternity of heaven.

Jules Chevalier msc

Le Sacré-Coeur de Jésus, p.360ƒ., Paris 1900

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Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque reported a remarkable series of apparitions of Christ between the end of December 1673 and June of 1675. Saint Margaret Mary’s account is powerful and deeply moving: “He revealed to me the wonders of his love and the inexplicable secrets of his Sacred Heart which he had hitherto kept hidden from me, until he opened it to me for the first time, in such a striking and sensible manner that he left me no room for doubt”. In subsequent appearances, that consoling message was reiterated: “He revealed to me the ineffable wonders of his pure love and to what extremes it had led him to love mankind”. 

Pope Francis. Dilexit Nos: He Loved us, #120

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

 

RALLY TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE: Monday, 3 November - 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Following the passage of the Voluntary Assisted Dying bill in June 2024, which comes into effect on 3 November 2025, ACT Right to Life invites you to a public rally. Join us as we call upon the ACT Government to ensure strong protections for the elderly, children, people with disabilities, people with mental illness, and objecting medical professionals.
Location: Civic Square, in front of the ACT Legislative Assembly, 180 London Circuit, Canberra

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: Will be in next weeks COMPACT
Time & Place:  STA Charnwood: 2.00 pm on Saturday finishing with the 6:00pm mass.

REPEATED

Time & Place: SJA Kippax: 2:00pm on Sunday finishing with the 6:00pm mass.

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 8: Safe physical and online environments. Some Key Competencies

The entity:Empowers personnel to be proactive in recognizing and mitigating safeguarding risks

               Consistently applies safeguarding practices across the entity

 

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.