MESSAGE ON THE 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YR A)
Friday 30th January 2026.
My dear people,
I am filled with great joy as I sit at my desk to write my first fortnightly message for 2026. While it was good to have a break, I do enjoy bringing you different pieces of news about what is going on in the life of the parish. As we slowly resume our normal activities for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for the year ahead and pray that all your hopes, desires and endeavours come to fruition. I also hope that you achieve all that you seek to do this year and that, as a parish, we continue to move ahead with missionary renewal.
This past week, Fr Vespa celebrated Mass with the staff of our three catholic primary schools and staff of CRC Caroline Springs. Earlier today, he celebrated Mass with the Year 7 cohort of CRC Caroline Springs and their families as they embark on this next step in their lives. Next week, he will celebrate Mass at CRC Caroline Springs, St George Preca, and Christ the Priest as we ask God’s blessings upon all the desires and projects of everyone in the schools of the parish.
Many activities of the parish will resume over the next few weeks. To name a few:
- Ablaze Youth Group on Friday 6th February: They meet every Friday between 6pm and 8pm in the CRC Hall. Parishioners in Year 7 to Year 12 are most welcome to attend.
- Men’s Group on Friday 13th February
- Ablaze Young Adults Group on Sunday 15th February: They meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month between 5pm and 7pm in the meeting rooms of the church. Parishioners aged between 18 and 35 years old are most welcome to attend.
I am delighted to announce a new initiative in the parish which we heard last weekend from Gavin. VIA – The Discipleship Journey is designed to fit into the reality of busy lives, offering a simple and gentle rhythm rather than a demanding schedule. Gatherings will focus on friendship, learning and reflecting on our Catholic faith, prayer and meaningful conversation. You will also have the opportunity to be part of a small group that will meet monthly, allowing space for genuine relationships, shared faith and mutual support. This journey is open to anyone who desires to grow in faith, to draw closer to Jesus and to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith. The Discipleship Journey begins on Wednesday 4 February at 7.00pm, in the Church Meeting Room. I warmly encourage you to join and take this next step in your faith! You can register here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1528043.
I would also like to share with you that I am accompanying Archbishop Comensoli on a “fact-finding mission” to France on Sunday and will be back on 13th February. A little more than 17,000 adults became catholic last year in France and Archbishop Comensoli is keen to learn how and why this has happened and whether anything done at these dioceses can be learned and principles applied in our context. He has asked me to come and help with the French language. I will use this opportunity to learn from these dioceses in terms of missionary renewal and hopefully be able to apply these principles here in our growing parish. Fr Vespa will look after you in my absence.
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