Weekly Bulletin

The Sacredness of Family

Today’s Gospel gives us a poignant glimpse into the hidden years of Jesus’ life—not the joyful moments we often associate with the nativity, but a moment of crisis. It is the “what happened next” part of the story. The holy family, shortly after the birth of Jesus, is forced to flee in the dead of night. Joseph, warned in a dream, takes Mary and the infant Jesus and escapes to Egypt. They become refugees—displaced, vulnerable, and afraid.

The Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family by honouring the deep love, unity, and courage within the household of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Yet this reading shows us that holiness does not shield a family from suffering. In fact, holiness is often forged in the fire of hardship. Joseph’s silent obedience, Mary’s faithful trust, and their unwavering commitment to the child entrusted to them reveal a love that is both tender and fiercely protective.

Joseph doesn't just dream — he acts. He does what is necessary to preserve life, even if it means leaving behind homeland, culture, language, and security. The Holy Family becomes homeless for the sake of safety. What if Egypt had turned them away?

It’s a haunting question. What if the borders had been closed? What if compassion had been withheld? The Gospel confronts us with the sacredness of every family forced to flee — every mother who gathers her child and runs, every father who leaves behind all he knows for the hope of peace. In their journey, the Holy Family stands with the countless refugee families of our world today.

And yet even when the threat seems to pass, Joseph remains alert. Learning that Herod’s son rules in Judaea, he again chooses the path of caution, settles in Nazareth— far from the dangers of power. He acts again not for his own comfort, but for the wellbeing of those he loves. The life of this family is not shaped by ease, but by courage, discernment, and deep love.

As we honour the Holy Family today, may we also honour all families who are trying to live in peace, to protect one another, and to raise children in safety. May we see in them not strangers, but reflections of the Christ child, vulnerable and precious, and may our response be one of hospitality and hope.

Based on: Gospel Reflection, by Greg Sunter

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

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Jesus’ plan in coming among us

What does our divine Saviour want in coming among us? To be born anew in our hearts! In other words, he wanted to make us alive with his life, to communicate his Spirit; he wanted to give us his Heart, with all the treasures it contains, and to transmit into us all the sentiments that animate it. Let us prepare ourselves therefore to receive such great gifts. Let us turn to our Saviour and say: Come, Lord Jesus! Come and be born in our souls; establish there the kingdom of your love. We want only your Sacred Heart to rule over us. You will be our light, our strength, our guide and our support. We shall follow the law of your Heart and submit to your reign forever. 

Jules Chevalier msc

Méditations I p.25ƒ, Issoudun 1891

Christian Charity

We need to remember that in the Roman Empire many of the poor, foreigners and others who lived on the fringes of society met with respect, affection and care from Christians. This explains why the apostate emperor Julian, in one of his letters, acknowledged that one reason why Christians were respected and imitated was the assistance they gave the poor and strangers. Who were ordinarily ignored and treated with contempt. For Julian, it was intolerable that the Christians whom he despised, “in addition to feeding their own, also feed our poor and needy, who receive no help from us”. The emperor thus insisted on the need to create charitable institutions to compete with those of the Christians and thus gain the respect of society: “There should be instituted in each city many accommodations so that the immigrants may enjoy our philanthropy….and make the Greeks accustomed to such works of generosity”. Julian did not achieve his objective, no doubt because underlying those works there was nothing comparable to the Christian charity that respected the unique dignity of each person.

Pope Francis. Dilexit Nos: He Loved us, #169

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

 

FR. TRU NGUYEN MSC

The letter from Archbishop Prowse confirming Fr. Tru’s appointment to our new parish as of 1 January 2026 for six years can be found on the website at

PPC Minutes | St John the Apostle - Kippax

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 

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. 

1 January2026

World Day of Peace

“Peace Be With You All:

Towards an Unarmed and Disarming Peace” Pope Leo XIV

This theme, “invites humanity to reject the logic of violence and war, to embrace an authentic peace, based on love and justice.”

“The greeting of the risen Christ, ‘Peace be with you’ (cf. Jn 20:19), is an invitation to all — believers, nonbelievers, political leaders, and citizens — to build the kingdom of God and to construct together a humane and peaceful future,” the statement concludes.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday 18 January
Community Connections

For people living alone

3:30pm – Parish Centre

Monday 19 January
Pins and Needles

7:00pm – Parish Library

Friday 23 January
Movie Night

7:00pm - Parish Library

Monday 26 January
Australia Day Public Holiday
Parish Office Closed

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.

Louise Ball, Geoffrey Walsh, Elana Powell, Jarrod Smith, Dora Roberts, Luis Soria, Cora Newman, Ellen Ottewill, Yvonne Williamson, Ted Murphy, Robert Wise, Michael Costelloe, Walter Hawkins, John Suckling, Margaret McCallion, Hannah Mecham, Joseph Davis, Clarice O’Callaghan, Kevin McMahon, Nita Smith, Geoffrey Bogg, Bill Raadts, Florence Anthony, Kathryn Jones, Charles Taylor, Terry O’Gorman, Therese Markham, Richard Stalker, Barry Dwyer, Ken Lorraway