Weekly Bulletin

In the First Reading, the Prophet Isaiah prophesies that when the Lord comes, “the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unsealed; then the lame shall leap like a deer.”

Jesus fulfils this prophecy in today’s Gospel when he tells John’s disciples to go back and report what they have seen: the blind see again, the deaf hear, and the lame walk.

We might wonder: after Jesus healed those who were blind, what was the first thing they saw? The sky? A tree? The people around them?

I can imagine that the first thing they saw was Jesus himself—standing before them, looking at them with love—as they opened their eyes and looked upon him for the very first time.

“It has been said that ‘a person is enlightened,’ not when they get an idea, but when someone looks at them. A person is enlightened when another loves them. The eyes are windows to the heart; they search the person out and have the power to elicit life.” (The Impact of God, Ian Matthew)

I would like to share with you an experience of my own encounter with God and others through my senses. Before I joined the MSC, I worked at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Sydney. Through the people I worked with, God opened my senses. I realised that previously I had eyes but could not see, had ears but could not hear, and had a heart but did not know how to love. The people I worked with opened my eyes to see ability within disability; they opened my ears to hear a language beyond spoken words; and they opened my heart to love people for who they are and not for who I wanted them to be.

This week, let us deepen our experience of God through our sense of sight. I invite you to take some time each day to look at the world around you. Imagine God delighting in you as you delight in God’s creation.

Fr. Tru

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

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Saint John the Baptist asked Jesus if he were the Messiah. Our Lord answered by pointing to his works. This is the authentic way to make ourselves known to others and also to know ourselves. The tree is judged by its fruits. Words may be as charming as possible, clothes as striking as can be, a state of life more holy than one can imagine – all this could beguile us, bring about a wrong judgement or delude us; but actions and conduct cannot lead us into error. Can I say that my way of doing things and of acting is that of a true Christian, a priest, a religious, a saint? How far we are from possessing the sentiments of the heart of Jesus!

Jules Chevalier msc

Méditations I, p.67, Issoudun 1891

We need once more to take up the word of God and to realise, in doing so, that our best response to the love of Christ’s heart is to love our brothers and sisters. There is no greater way for us to return love for love. The Scriptures make this patently clear:

“Just as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Mt. 25:40).
“For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’: (Gal. 5:14).
“We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death” (1 Jn. 3:14).

“Those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen” (1 Jn. 4:20)

Pope Francis. Dilexit Nos: He Loved us, #167

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

Announcement

We are pleased to announce that Sharon Greaves and Kirsty Vera have decided to apply for the new positions at OLSH for next year and have been successful. Please join us in congratulating them and wishing them every blessing as they take on these new roles within our community.

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A special thank you to Marian England

We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for your many years of generous and dedicated service at St John the Apostle. Through your leadership, your willingness to step in wherever needed, and the gentle encouragement you offer to others, you have truly embodied the mission and vision of our parish and the MSC.

Thank you for the time, care, and love you have poured into the life of St John the Apostle. Please know of our deep gratitude and our prayers for you as you continue your journey of faith. May God bless you abundantly for all the ways you have blessed our community.

We invite the parish community to gather in gratitude and prayer for Marian:

Friday, 19 December at 9:30 am, followed by morning tea.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Thank you for your generous support of the Christmas Appeal. Children’s gifts should be left under the Christmas tree, unwrapped or in a bag by this Sunday. Donations can be made this weekend. Food for hampers can be left in the foyer this weekend.

Christmas hamper delivery

We need more volunteers to help with hamper delivery next Saturday 20 December from 9:00am. This year Vinnies requires all volunteers to sign a volunteering form to comply with mandatory safeguarding requirements and the Society’s Code of Conduct. Please see members at the table to complete the forms.
Thank you. Contact Mike for more info: 0419 818 410.

Farewell to Fr Chung and Marian
As we look toward the new year, we prepare to farewell both Fr Chung and Marian.
Fr Chung has been appointed Chaplain to Downlands College (MSC),
Toowoomba, beginning 1 January 2026.
With the upcoming reorganisation of roles in the parish office, Marian will also conclude her service at the end of 2025 and will not be returning in the new year.
We invite the parish community to gather in gratitude and prayer as we send them forth with our blessing.

Farewell Mass  for Marian:
Friday, 19 December at 9:30am
Followed by morning tea.

UPDATED INFORMATION FAREWELL FOR FR CHUNG

There will be a leaving collection for Fr. Chung at all Masses on the weekend of 20/21 December.
There will be a farewell BBQ after the 10:00am Mass on Sunday 21 December

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 

twilight tucka’ n’ telly

Young Adult [18-25] Gathering

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.

Ryan Jasczyk, Dinah Muench, David Fitzroy, Leo Hill msc, Maria Gillard, Margaret Woodland, Kevin Hiscock, Winifred Lilley, Bev Purnell, Maria Tabisz, Ray Bergsma, Valerie Patterson, John Ashton, Ian Loiterton, Michael Allars, Andre Domjan, Daniel Morris, Amy Carney, Patricia Jacobs, Raymond Kernan, Yvonne Dunn, John Dickson, Bernadette Anetts, Branko Kukolic, Marie Cody, Kathleen Randall, Michael Gunning,  Edward Clifford, Gordon Aikman, Julie Finigan, John MacKay, Robert Carew, William Roots, Christopher Fitzsimon, Kathleen Edmunds, Anne Hudson, Michael Devlin, John Dickinson, Patrick Laverty, Paul MacKenzie