Bulletin

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).

Dear Parishioners,

Have you ever noticed how we often experience hunger as something negative? When hungry, our stomach can start to grumble, telling us to go and eat. We can start to feel irritated or agitated; have difficulty concentrating; or even sense a dull headache coming on.

Dear Parishioners,

In the last few Sundays we have been hearing Jesus speak about the “Kingdom of Heaven” using different parables. This Sunday, we hear three more – the Parables of the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Dragnet. Together with the three parables we heard last Sunday (the Parables of the Weeds among the Wheat, the Mustard Seed, and the Yeast) as well as the Parable of the Sower the Sunday before that, Jesus offers us a rich foundation from which to reflect upon the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Dear Parishioners,

As you may recall in March of this year, Bishop Don Sproxton came to our Parish Community to make a formal Canonical Episcopal Visitation. I received the report from Bp Don whilst on my annual family leave last month. Since returning to the Parish, I thought it opportune to share the essential elements of that report with you all.

Dear Parishioners,

We all love a good story; it’s written in our DNA. Interestingly, according to historians, all ancient civilisations and societies began as oral cultures, began by telling stories. Stories, transmitted in words, poems, songs, and chants were used to preserve history, laws, beliefs, and all sorts of knowledge across many generations. Stories are indeed important!

Dear Parishioners,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reveals something rather significant. Indeed, in the entirety of St Matthew’s Gospel, only three times does Jesus directly address His Father – in the Garden of Gethsemane (cf. 26:39, 42), during His self-offering on the Cross (cf. 27:46), and, before these central events, in Chapter 11 amid His preaching ministry (cf. 11:25-27). So, what exactly does Jesus reveal?

Dear Parishioners,

Welcome!

The gracious and generous welcome of the woman of Shunem for the “holy man of God”, Elisha, points to the conclusion of what Jesus has to say about his Mission. Over the last three Sundays he has been preparing the Twelve “apostles” for their task of proclaiming the Gospel.