French's Forest Catholic Parish eNews

My Dear Parishioners, Lent is a season of reflection and self-discipline when we prepare our hearts for Easter through prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness. As we enter the Lenten season, we pray that during this time we can open our hearts to preparing ourselves through prayer, fasting and acts of kindness. Today’s readings teach us that we are always tempted by the devil, by the world, and by our own selfish interests. So, we need to cooperate actively with God’s grace, if we are to conquer our temptations and practice prayer, self-control, and charity. This week’s Gospel passage reflects a moment of deep testing and inner strength. Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the wilderness symbolize times in our own lives when we feel empty, tired, or uncertain. Yet it is precisely in these moments of weakness that true faith is revealed. Each temptation offered to Jesus, food, power, and proof of God’s protection. This mirrors the everyday temptations people face: the desire for comfort...

Unite Against Poverty This Lent, we are called to Unite Against Poverty through Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Your generosity this Lenten Season will enable Caritas Australia to provide life-changing support to vulnerable communities in need. Please donate today. You can support Project Compassion 2026 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code. Or online at: www.projectcompassion.org.au/donate Or by calling: 1800 024 413 Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

LENTEN PENANCE The Season of Lent is a most important time of preparation for the celebration of Easter. It is an annual pilgrimage of grace whereby we are drawn more deeply into the mystery of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council taught that the Lenten liturgy has a twofold means of preparation. By remembering their own Baptism and undertaking penance, the liturgy assists in the renewal and ongoing formation of the faithful (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium 109). The formation of catechumens via the various stages of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is equally an important part of Lent (cf. GIRM 27). For both the local community of the faithful and the elect, Lent is a time of grace and mercy whereby the Holy Spirit greets and renews those who seek to live as disciples of the Lord Jesus, who is our light and our salvation (cf. Psalm 27). The Season of Lent commences on Ash Wednesday. Lent particularly useful time to reconnect with ...

Alexander Yau – Piano Recital “Hats off, gentlemen, a genius” Wyvern Music Forestville proudly presents acclaimed pianist Alexander Yau in a recital celebrating the genius of three of history’s greatest composers: Mozart, Schumann, and Chopin. The program begins with Mozart’s Sonata in F major, K. 533, a work of crystalline elegance, moving from the spirited Allegro through the lyrical Andante to the buoyant Rondo finale. Schumann’s Humoreske, Op. 20 follows, a kaleidoscope of moods and emotions, shifting between tenderness, exuberance, and introspection across six contrasting movements. After the interval, Yau turns to Chopin’s majestic Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, a pinnacle of Romantic piano literature. From the commanding Allegro Maestoso to the dazzling finale Presto ma non tanto – Agitato, the sonata embodies both poetic depth and virtuosic brilliance. Alexander Yau, an eminent young Australian pianist, has developed himself as a complete musician, incorporating his many mu...

Stations of the Cross This Lent, take time to reflect on Christ’s journey to Calvary and deepen your faith through the Stations of the Cross. Join us as we walk with the Lord in prayer and contemplation: St. Anthony’s, Terrey Hills Outdoor Stations (inside if wet) – Thursdays at 5:00 PM Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville – Fridays at 7:30 PM Come, pause from the busyness of life, and enter into the mystery of Christ’s love and sacrifice.  All are welcome!

Everyone is warmly invited to join our Cuppa & Chat gatherings: OLGC – Last wednesdays of month (25 February at 12:00 noon) SMDP – Last Fridays of month (27 February at 12:30 pm) All are welcome. Please bring a sandwich to share, and enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, and friendly conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pope Leo first highlights the importance of listening.“The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with someone,” he writes. Listening to sacred Scripture, he says, teaches believers to recognize and respond to suffering in the world. Catholics must recognize that “the condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church.” .”Entering into this interior openness means allowing God to teach us to listen as God does, he writes, so that faith shapes both personal conversion and social responsibility." Listen also to the cry of the earth. See the Daily Prayer at https://laudatosimovement.org/ lent/

St Martins Catholic Primary School Open Day and Playgroup

This Lent, take time to reflect on Christ’s journey to Calvary and deepen your faith through the Stations of the Cross. Join us as we walk with the Lord in prayer and contemplation: Anthony’s, Terrey Hills Outdoor Stations (inside if wet) – Thursdays at 5:00 PM Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville – Fridays at 7:30 PM Come, pause from the busyness of life, and enter into the mystery of Christ’s love and sacrifice.  All are welcome!

Walking in the Wilderness is a  Lenten resource prepared by the Diocese of Broken Bay is available at the foyer of the church for you to take home. This resource booklet invites to journey on a Lenten Pilgrimage towards Easter and for us to enter more deeply into the sacred mystery of our faith and to renew our encounter with Jesus Christ.  

Thursday 5 March at 5 pm at St Anthony's This Lent you are invited to walk and reflect on the Stations in the Forest and then share a rice meal to support the work of Caritas through Project Compassion. Entry is free and for the privilege of a bowl of rice and a glass of water you are invited to give a donation to Project Compassion. Please sign up on the clipboards at each Church before Monday 2nd March for catering purposes. Organized by the Parish Social Justice group and Davidson St Vincent de Paul Conference.  

 OLGC Forestville Lenten Reflections

 OLGC Forestville Playgroup

Mater Maria College Open Day Tuesday 3 March

All are welcome to join us as we journey with Jesus towards the Cross. Our guide will be the booklet Compassio (to suffer with) offering us the invitation to stand with Christ and with one another. Through daily reflections, Sunday gospel readings, art reflections and prayer we will be invited to listen, contemplate and share our faith with one another. Our gatherings will be on Tuesdays, 10am -12pm at St Martin’s  on February 17 & 24, March 3, 10, 17 & 24. Booklets will be available at our first gathering @$5 each. Booklets are also available at back of churches. Please place money in boxes provided.

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, FORESTVILLE

From Tuesday 6 January until the end of February 2026, the Parish Office will be open on Tuesdays to Fridays only. We thank you for your understanding .

Dear Parish Family, Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and ongoing support! Because of you, our parish continues to thrive and serve the community. As you know, this vibrancy relies on your generosity for which there are now many different ways of giving using modern technology. In recent times we have introduced Tap’n’go machines in our churches. We have now added a new, easy, and secure way to make a contribution to support our parish—through a simple scan of a QR code. This small code allows you to give a single gift directly from your phone at any time, wherever you may be. All you need to do is open your camera, scan the code and you'll be taken directly to our secure giving page. It’s fast, easy, and helps the parish to continue the great work we’re doing together. Of course, like Tap’n’go, contributions by QR code are a once only gift. If you would like your donation to be regular and automatic, please join our Planned Giving program which is easily arranged ...