2016 Christmas at St Mary’s WISDOM OF GOD BEYOND WISDOM OF MEN How difficult it is to ‘see’ God-with-us in a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in an animal’s manger! How difficult it is to ‘see’ God-with-us working as a carpenter in a workshop in Nazareth – ‘can anything good come from there?’! How […]
John the Baptist in prison seeks an answer from Jesus. While in prison, John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus with a rather curious question: “Are you the one who is to come or shall we wait for another?” When doubt, difficulty, and the many perplexities of life assail us, remember that it isn’t because […]
2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT John the Baptist “As we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist’s call to conversion sounds out in our communities. “It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God who comes among us to make divine judgement manifest. The Father, writes […]
In our effort to ‘stay awake’ as a parish we are participating in the NATIONAL CHURCH LIFE SURVEY 2016. It will help us have a picture of our parish faith life – according to those who participate in the survey. The survey will take about 20 minutes to fill out; thanks for your patience and […]
“Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23.42) Today, the Jubilee Year of Mercy officially closes, but that spirit of being open to God’s infinite mercy and of extending merciful assistance to others should live on in our hearts. Jesus Christ the King, crowned with a crown of thorns and dying on […]
Saint Gertrude had a deep empathy for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. At every Holy Communion she beseeched Jesus for His mercy to be bestowed on them. During one Holy Communion she experienced the descent into Purgatory with Our Lord. She heard Him say: “At Holy Communion I will permit thee to draw forth all […]
GRACES OF THE ROSARY According to the Popes Sinners are forgiven Thirsty souls are satisfied Those who are bound see their chains broken Those who weep find joy Those who are tempted find peace The poor receive help The religious are reformed The ignorant are instructed The living triumph over decadence The dead are relieved by […]
Pray the Rosary … you will be provided with plentiful nourishment that will strengthen your heart and cheer your soul. [Virtual Holy Rosary] Pray the Rosary, says God, and do not worry about what some scatterbrains might tell you—that it is an old-fashioned devotion and that no one says it anymore. This prayer, I […]
OCTOBER – ROSARY MONTH “No prayer you could ever compose would give me as much joy as an Ave Maria” A well-prayed Hail Mary fills the heart of the Blessed Virgin with joy, and attracts great graces on us, more graces than a thousand recited absent-mindedly. Saint Jerome said that “the truths contained in the Hail […]
OCTOBER – MONTH OF HOLY ROSARY & PRAYING FOR MARRIAGE What a blessing for Australia that the Bishops are calling for a month of prayer and fasting for marriage! The battle for marriage continues in Australia. Reading mainstream media one is lead to believe that natural marriage will be swept aside. This has not happened in […]
