MESSAGE ON THE 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YR A)
Friday 3rd July 2026
My dear people,
It is fantastic to be back home at the parish after a wonderful holiday this year. As I mentioned before I left, my holiday started with three days in Johannesburg. It was amazing to experience a different culture and country for the first time. After Johannesburg, I spent a week in Mauritius with Father David. It was great to share experiences of growing up with Fr David and show him some of the most significant places on the island, especially those which speak of the time when Mauritius was a British colony, highlighting the similarities with Australia. Then, I went to New York for the ordination of Father Nicholas Waldron. It was a truly memorable occasion, and I am very thankful to God that I was able to attend Father Nick’s ordination. I assured him of all your prayers and best wishes as we continue to pray for his ministry among the people of God in the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York. Then, I returned to Mauritius for a week with my family. It was wonderful to renew old familial bonds and to catch up with friends whom I had not seen for many years. All in all, I had a marvellous time.
This evening, we will have our first Friday devotions for the month of July. We will start at 7 PM with the celebration of Mass, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as we start the Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacrament of Confession will also be available at that time. We will then conclude with the Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Next Friday 10th July, Ablaze Men’s Group will meet. As always, it will start with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00 PM until 7:40 PM. During that time, the Sacrament of Confession will also be available. We will then adjourn to the presbytery at 7:45 for supper. Ablaze Men’s Group is open to all men of the parish.
The first season of Alpha for this year ended on 24th June. Based on the feedback I received, the participants, leaders, hosts and helpers had a great experience. I am extremely thankful to God for the remarkable ways in which he moves people at Alpha and how it allows people to have a personal encounter with Our Lord. I am also grateful to all those who work so hard for the 10 weeks enabling many people in our community to meet Christ for the first time or to grow deeper in their relationship with him.
This past week, some wonderful events happened in the parish. Firstly, on Monday there was a meeting of the Ablaze Women’s group. I am told that the people who attended found it to be very beneficial to their spiritual life. They were blessed to hear a talk about the Sacred Heart of Jesus from Alex Sgro, a second-year seminarian for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Secondly, on Wednesday, a session of VIA was run in the parish. Gavin spoke to you about it last weekend and it was wonderful that 35 people attended. Also, many of our parishioners attended Proclaim 26 which was a conference organised by the office responsible for evangelisation and mission in the Archdiocese. It is indeed a blessing to be part of a community so eager to find ways to grow their knowledge of the faith, to grow in their relationship with Christ alongside an eagerness to share their relationship with Our Lord. All praise to Him!
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