Weekly Bulletin

In this Gospel passage, Jesus reminds his listeners of the days of Noah—how people were eating, drinking, marrying, and going about their ordinary lives, unaware of the flood that would change everything. His message is clear: stay awake, be ready, don’t get lulled into complacency.

Jesus draws a parallel between the people of Noah’s time and the people of his own time. What he highlights is a recurring human tendency: when life is good and blessings are abundant, we gradually forget the One who gave them. The people of Israel, after binding themselves to God in covenant, often flourished. But over time, their attention drifted. They mistook the fruits of God’s grace for the results of their own efforts, and spiritual attentiveness gave way to comfort and self-sufficiency. Then, when hardship inevitably came, they turned back to God, recognizing once more their dependence on divine mercy.

This ancient pattern continues in our world today. Modern life offers convenience, security, and distractions in abundance. In many parts of the world, people live without immediate need, their basic desires satisfied by technology, economic stability, or personal achievement. But amid the comforts, it becomes easy to forget the deeper questions of life. What are we living for? Where are we placing our hope? Whom do we serve?

Jesus’ warning is not meant to instil fear, but to call us to attentiveness and readiness. Readiness isn’t about predicting dates or fearing the end—it’s about living awake to the presence of God in our lives now. It means recognising our blessings, not as entitlements, but as gifts entrusted to us. It means choosing each day to live with purpose, justice, compassion, and faith.

In a time when global uncertainties—climate change, conflict, inequality, and isolation—challenge our illusions of control, Jesus’ words ring out: Get ready! Not with panic, but with preparedness of heart. Not by hoarding or hiding, but by renewing our relationship with God and one another.

May this Gospel awaken in us a desire to live mindfully and faithfully, not caught off guard by change or crisis, but rooted in the hope that comes from walking daily with God.

Based on: Gospel Focus – Get Ready! By Greg Sunter

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

FROM FR. TRU

This Sunday, our Catholic Church begins a new liturgical year—Year A—and we turn our hearts and attention to the Gospel of Matthew’s portraits of Jesus Christ.

In 2021, the Australian Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry updated its mandate and developed from the last words of the Risen Christ from the Gospel of Matthew (28:19-20): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” to guide the Church in living the joy of the Gospel that is characterised by: Encounter, Discipleship and Mission.

Encounter: We can encounter the living God and Jesus:

• In people and events (the Genealogy of Jesus
  (Mt 1:1-17) reveals to us that we can encounter God in our family as well. We read this passage on 17th December and Christmas Vigil).
• 
  In nature (“Look at the birds of the air” and “Consider the Lilies of the field.” We read passage (Mt 6:24-34) for the 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time).
• 
  In scripture (in year A we will listen to the Good News of Jesus according to Matthew).

Discipleship: As disciples we are formed and transformed by our encounter with God and Jesus’ love for us.

    Jesus’ love transformed Matthew, a tax collector (We read this passage (Mt 9:9-13) for Ash Wednesday and 10th Sunday
    of Ordinary Time)

Mission: when we are transformed by the love of God all we desire is to share with others our experience of encountering the living Jesus and God’s love for us and for all who open their hearts to receive God’s love.

• Matthew's Gospel ends not with closure but with sending us on mission: “Go, make disciples of all nations … and know that I am with you always” (We read this passage (Mt 28:19–20) for the Feast of the Ascension).

This year as we read the Gospel of Matthew, let us pray:

Jesus, open my heart as I read your Gospel. 
Help me encounter you, Emmanuel, God-is-with-us. 
Let your love transform me from within and send me out on mission to be witness of your Good News with all I meet.
May I become your Heart on earth.         
Amen

_________________________________________

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the remedy destined to save the world. At this crucial moment, in which impiety urges minds to shake off the yoke of faith and of the law of God, one would have grounds for despairing of the salvation of society, if we did not rightly expect from his adorable Heart a more abundant outpouring of divine grace of which it is the treasury and the source; and if we did not find in his effective protection a most powerful rampart against the flood of evil that is threatening to invade everything. Spirituality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the providential remedy for society’s indifference to God.

Jules Chevalier msc

Les Sacré-Coeur de Jésus, p.237, Parish 1900.

Outward reparation is not sufficient, either for our world or for the heart of Christ. If each of us considers his or her own sins and their effect on others, we will realise that repairing the harm done to this world also calls for a desire to mend wounded hearts where the deepest harm was done, and the hurt is most painful.
A spirit of reparation thus “leads us to hope that every wound can be healed, however deep it may be. Complete reparation may at times seem impossible, such as when goods or loved ones are definitively lost, or when certain situations have become irremediable. Yet the intention to make amends, and to do so in a concrete way, is essential for the process of reconciliation and a return to peace of heart.

Pope Francis. Dilexit Nos: He Loved us, #185&#186

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

Positions Vacant –

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish,

West Belconnen, Parish Officer x 3

On 1 January 2026 the parishes of St Thomas Aquinas, Charnwood and St John the Apostle, Kippax will combine to form the new parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, West Belconnen. Three positions are available for persons interested in applying to become part of the Parish Team, working from the Parish Office in Kippax. All roles are permanent part time:

*Parish Officer - 24 hours per week

*Parish Officer - 18 hours per week

*Parish Officer - 6 hours per week Employment will commence in January 2026. Employment conditions are subject to the Clerks Award. For a copy of the Duty Statement/s please email Kippax Parish Office kippax@cg.org.au  or Charnwood Parish Office charnwood@cg.org.au  Applications addressing the Selection Criteria and current CV to be sent to the Parish Priest, Fr Tru Nguyen MSC tru.nguyen@cg.org.au  by CoB 5 Dec 2025. Essential Requirements for Parish Officer roles in West Belconnen Parish:

• Experience with database packages & Microsoft Suite

• Strong communication and liaison skills

• Strong organisational skills

• Ability to work on your own, as part of a team, and take direction • Understand and administer areas of church and regulatory compliance

(eg. Parish sacrament registers, Working With Vulnerable People, WHS, child protection, copyright)

• Understanding and respect for the Catholic Church and its teaching • Current experience in an office environment.

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

There will be a leaving collection for Fr. Chung will be held at all Masses on the weekend of 13/14 December

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

This year’s Appeal will commence next weekend 29-30. The focus is on the Cycle of Poverty and Disadvantage and access to Vinnies when life changes. Your help is much appreciated. Children’s gift cards will be available on the Christmas tree after each Mass and food gift cards are available for hamper items. Financial donations can be made using cash and card. If you can help with hamper delivery on 20 December, leave your name on the sheet at the table. Final date for return of gifts in Sunday 14 December. Thank you. 

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.

Herbert Gallagher, John Welfare, John Patterson, Allan Cockroft, Winifred O’Neill, John Burns, John Costelloe, Susan Sutch, Darren O’Brien, Lelsie Lincoln, Conelly Andrae, Alexandre Arekion, Paul Wilson, Vin Stewart, Nancy Selvatino, John Soetens, Kane Cahill, Lola Boer, Peter Needham, John Martin, Martina Forjanic, Adam Suckling, Brodie McMahon