Bulletin

Dear Parishioners,

In light of today’s Gospel (Mt 22:1-14) where the parable is set within a wedding feast, I offer some points of reflection on a significant spiritual motif that has come to be known “bridal (nuptial or spousal) mysticism”. Firstly, the idea of nuptial mysticism is grounded in Scripture. In the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic literature (e.g. Isaiah 54:5, Hosea 2:16-20, Ezekiel 16:8) and the psalms (e.g. 45, 19, 128), God is presented as marrying His People Israel to express the His deep and everlasting covenant of love. This theme reaches its high point in that glorious book, Song of Songs, traditionally attributed to King Solomon.

Dear Parishioners,

Last Thursday, on October 15, the Church and in a special way the Carmelite Order, celebrated the feast of St Teresa of Jesus (also known as St Teresa of Ávila). St Teresa is considered one of the giants of Catholic mysticism and was the first female canonised saint to be declared a “Doctor of the Church” for her sublime teachings on prayer. I thought, as we march towards the end of the liturgical year, that it would be an opportune time to dedicate the next five bulletin pieces on St Teresa’s doctrine on prayers.

Dear Parishioners,

Last Thursday, on October 15, the Church and in a special way the Carmelite Order, celebrated the feast of St Teresa of Jesus (also known as St Teresa of Ávila). St Teresa is considered one of the giants of Catholic mysticism and was the first female canonised saint to be declared a “Doctor of the Church” for her sublime teachings on prayer. I thought, as we march towards the end of the liturgical, that it would be an opportune time to dedicate the next five bulletin pieces on St Teresa’s doctrine on prayers.

Dear Parishioners,
Among the many forms of spirituality in the Catholic Church, one of the most
beloved and popular is Franciscan Spirituality. If it were any other year, today (4
October), the Church would ordinarily be celebrating the memoria of St Francis of
Assisi. Because 4 October falls on a Sunday this year, the saint’s memorial is
omitted; the Mass for the 27 Sunday in Ordinary Time takes precedence.

Dear Parishioners,
Our Second Reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Philippians (not to be
confused with a letter to the Philippines!) offers us one of the most sublime
Christological statements in the New Testament. “Christology,” for those who
are unfamiliar with the term, refers to the study of the person, life, and mission
of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus is absolutely central to our Catholic Faith,
Christology necessarily influences all aspects of our faith, theology, and life.
Our understanding of God; the Bible; the Church; Mary and the saints; morality;
spirituality; creation and the world; our beginning and our end; discipleship;
and, mission are all inherently linked to Jesus Christ.

Dear Parishioners,

Many, if not all, have a great desire for justice. We want fairness, in the sporting field, in our communities, and in our lives. We also want life itself to be fair, to be just. What we desire as moral beings is justice. But, what exactly is justice?

Dear Parishioners,

As you may be aware, every second Sunday of September the Catholic Church in Australia marks Safeguarding Sunday (formerly Child Protection Sunday) at the conclusion of National Child Protection Week. This year, the Australian Catholic Safeguarding (ACSL) Office has chosen the theme Love Protects to emphasise “that real love is not passive goodwill. Rather it actively shields the vulnerable, tells the truth, and never lets silence stand in for safety.”

Dear Parishioners,

Last week we celebrated Parish Week to mark the 34^th Anniversary of the Dedication of the new church of the Infant Jesus in Morley. I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and the many people involved in helping facilitate the series of events held to mark the occasion.

Dear Parishioners,

It has certainly been a rather eventful last few weeks. As many of you already know, Fr John and I returned from Sydney on last Saturday morning after attending the Chapter of the Discalced Carmelites in the Australia-Oceania Region. It was a period of great and intense discernment where we formally voted to restructure the Order to better meet the needs of the friars and those whom we serve in our two parishes and retreat centre.

Dear Parishioners,

It seems like only yesterday that Frs Greg, John, and I were heading off to Sydney for the Chapter of the Discalced Carmelites of Australia and Oceania. That was three years ago; and this weekend, Fr John and I will make our way to Varroville, New South Wales to attend the upcoming Chapter (August 10-14, 2026).