CHRISTMAS 2025
Wednesday 24th December 2025
My dear people,
The excitement of the end of the year is upon us. I guess it is because we realise that the end of the year is drawing very near, and the approach of the new year represents a bit of a reset to which we all look forward. For believers in Christ, this excitement is increased since the end of the year means that Christmas is upon us as our celebrations start this evening. At Christmas, we will once more celebrate the birth of Our Lord; the celebration we have been waiting for since the start of Advent. The birth of Jesus is the decisive event in the history of salvation and of humanity. The birth of the Son of God brings us joy and peace because it represents the light which removes all darkness, especially the darkness of sin.
Our Mass times are:
Wednesday 24 December | 5pm, 7pm, 9pm & 12 midnight
(with carols sung half-an-hour before)
Thursday 25 December | 8:30am & 10:30am only
(No 12:30pm Mass or evening services)
This year has certainly brought about different events which caused lots of grief, in our lives, in our country and in our world. The senseless tragedies of the deaths in Bondi two Sundays ago leave us feeling bewildered that something like that could happen in Australia. We remember parts of the world being ravaged by war particularly the situation in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in Sudan and so many other areas. Let us spare a thought and pray particularly for all those families who, for the first time, will have an empty seat at the table. As you know, I have known personally the loss of two family members this year. These are to be acknowledged because they remind us that unfortunately, there is evil and suffering in the world, and they cause tears to be shed.
However, we, disciples of Jesus, believe firmly that tragedies and evil are not the final word. The celebration of the birth of Jesus is an opportune reminder that one day this child will suffer and die for us so that every tear will be wiped away. Once the tears have subsided and time starts diminishing the pain, we know that God will provide the strength and courage required to continue with our own pilgrimage. This certainty accompanies us in all parts of our lives, be it at our work or in our family and indeed in everything that makes up our lives. Friends, this is the conviction with which we must live our lives for if that conviction disappears, our joy will also disappear.
While in no way lessening the seriousness of the pain of loss, I thought that it would be good to think about our achievements as a parish community this year. Firstly, we completed our thirteenth Alpha. Through Alpha, many people have deepened their faith while others re-discovered the beauty of their faith, and many have joined ministries as a way to serve God. Through our two catholic primary schools and the Society of Chistian Doctrine, more than 300 of our younger parishioners have celebrated the Sacraments of either Reconciliation, Confirmation or received Holy Communion for the first time. At the Easter Vigil, we welcomed nine parishioners as members of the parish as they completed their Christian initiation. We ran two Leadership Summits with ministry coordinators and with members of their ministries. The last event of the year, our Carols by Candlelight, was a resounding success. These are the main events and you and I know there are many more smaller events which also need to be celebrated.
As we come to the end of the year I would like to sincerely thank, from the bottom of my heart, all the people who contribute to making our parish the wonderful community it is. I thank the office staff, the coordinators of ministries, and everyone involved in all the ministries. I would also like to thank the members of the Leadership Team. Most importantly, all of you, the disciples of Jesus Christ here at St Catherine of Siena Caroline Springs. Thank you for your support and your love, which I treasure immensely.
Please be advised that the parish office will be closed from 1:30pm today and will re-open on 5 January. For the month of January, the office will operate at a slower pace and will close at 1:30pm.
My dear people, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2026.
We continue turning to our patron saint and we ask for her intercession.
St Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Fr Richard Rosse PP