Weekly Bulletin

Evangelisation, the sharing of the Good News of God, is characterised by three movements: Encounter, Discipleship and Mission. This week, we focus on Encounter.

We can encounter God with our senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching. This Sunday's Gospel reading, Matthew portrays that we can encounter God with all our senses: "A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight...John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey."

Pope Francis, in “Fratelli Tutti,” reminds us that the process of building friendship and community, be it local or global, “Can only be undertaken by spirits that are free and open to authentic encounters.” (# 50) He urges us to be a people who seek encounter, “Building a culture of encounter means we, as a people, should be passionate about meeting others, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning a project that includes everyone.” (#216).

The first reading, Isaiah 11:1-10, paints a beautiful image of encounter that can only occur once the “walls” separating people—as individuals and as a church community—are broken down. Isaiah describes God’s mountain, where “the wolf lives with the lamb… the cow and the bear make friends… the lion eats straw like the ox… They do no hurt, no harm, on all my holy mountain.”

This week, I invite you to reflect on your encounters:

1) Find a moment of quiet time in the morning, during a lunch break, or in the evening. With all your senses, notice the world around you. What draws you closer to God? What makes you feel connected to others, to creation, and to your own heart?

2) As John the Baptist prepared the way, how can I prepare a place where people feel safe, valued, and open to encountering one another and encountering Jesus Christ?

Fr Tru

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

_________________________________________ 

If knowledge of the Sacred Heart leads to adoration; it also produces love. What is this divine Heart? Infinite goodness, love itself, mercy incarnate. So we should love him, not only because all possible perfection is eminently his but also because of his warmth towards us that knows no bounds. We should love him because of the immense benefits he heaps on us; and all the favours he does not cease to lavish upon us every day despite our sins. Our love for him, therefore, should be generous, active and constant. “Let us therefore love God, since he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Jules Chevalier msc

Le Sacré-Coeur de Jésus p.67, Paris 1900

Saint John Paul explained that by entrusting ourselves together to the heart of Christ, “over the ruins accumulated by hatred and violence, the greatly desired civilization of live, the Kingdon of the heart of Christ, can be built”. This clearly requires that we “unite filial love for God and love of neighbour”, and indeed this is “the true reparation asked by the heart of the Saviour”. In union with Christ, amid the ruins we have left in this world by our sins, we are called to build a new civilization of love. That is what it means to make reparation as the heart of Christ would have us do. Amid the devastation wrought by evil, the heart of Christ desires that we cooperate with him in restoring goodness and beauty to our world. 

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

A Special thankyou 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.

With appreciation and gratitude

COUNTERS WANTED

We are seeking volunteers on a Monday morning to count the Sunday Mass collections. Contact the parish office kippax@cg.org.au

NOVENA PRAYER Staring 30 November End on Monday 8 December

Praying for Unity of the new parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart West Belconnen

Novena Prayer

Remember, 
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 
The great things the Lord has done for you. 
He chose you for his Mother. 
He wanted you close to his Cross. 
He gives you a share in his glory. 
He listens to your prayer. 
offer him our prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 
Present our petitions to him. 
let us live like you in the love of your Son so that his Kingdom may come.
Lead all people to the source of living water that flows from His Heart,
spreading over the world hope and salvation, justice and peace.
See our trust in your, answer our prayer, show yourself always our Mother.       

Amen

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.

Lola Boer, Peter Needham, John Martin, Martina Forjanic, Adam Suckling, Brodie McMahon, Ryan Jasczyk, Dinah Muench, David Fitzroy, Leo Hill msc, Margaret Woodland, Maria Gillard, Kevin Hiscock, Winifred Lilley, Bev Purness, Maria Tabisz, Ray Bergsma, Valerie Patterson, John Ashton, Ian Loiterton, Michael Allars, Andre Domjan, Daniel Morris, Raymond Kernan, Patricia Jacobs, Yvonne Dunn, Bernadette Anetts, Branko Kukolic, Kathleen Randall, Michael Gunning, John Dickson, Amy Carney, Edward Clifford, Gordon Aikman