French's Forest Catholic Parish Notices and News

Dear Parishioners, On the fourth Sunday in Advent the obedience is the central theme of our liturgical readings, with special emphasis on the Virgin Birth of Jesus. In this week’s Gospel, we recognise the quiet faith of Joseph, a man who listens and acts. Faced with a situation he does not understand, Joseph responds with compassion, choosing to protect Mary rather than expose her to shame. Even before the angel appears, his actions reveal a heart shaped by mercy. When God speaks to Joseph in a dream, he is invited to trust a plan far greater than his own. “Do not be afraid,” the angel says. Joseph’s response is immediate and faithful: he takes Mary into his home and accepts his role in God’s saving work. Through his obedience, Emmanuel, God-with-us, enters the world. Joseph reminds us that faith is often lived quietly, in moments of uncertainty and courage. Like him, we are called to trust God’s presence and to respond with generosity, allowing God to work through our everyday lives. ...

Christmas Eve  Wednesday, 24th December 2025 5:00 pm – Children’s Mass at SMDP, Davidson 5:30 pm – Children’s Mass at OLGC, Forestville 6:00 pm – Family Mass at St Anthony’s, Terrey Hills 10:00 pm – Midnight Mass at OLGC, Forestville Christmas Day   Thursday, 25th December 2025 8:30 am – SMDP, Davidson 9:00 am – St Anthony’s, Terrey Hills 10:00 am – OLGC, Forestville Please Note: There will be no evening Mass celebrated on CHristmas Day

Monday 15 December 2025 NO POLITICS - IGNORANT AND VIOLENT ANTISEMITISM MUST END I write today with a heavy heart, in profound sorrow at the loss of innocent human life in the shooting at Bondi during the Jewish Festival of Hanukkah. Families have been shattered, communities left grieving, and our Jewish brothers and sisters once again subjected to fear, trauma, and hatred. No words can undo such loss, yet silence is not an option. This is a moment of urgency for Australia. We must put down the ways of violence. We must reject hatred in all its forms. We must turn away from brutality and completely reject antisemitism. Violence corrodes the soul of a nation, and when it is directed at a people because of who they are, what they believe, or how they pray, it strikes at the very foundations of our common life. I wish to speak clearly and respectfully. There has been a call from government and sections of the media to speak of this primarily as “evil”. While the moral horror of such acts...

Saturday 20th December 10:30-11am - The Centre Shopping (in front of Post Office) Forestville 7:30-8:30pm - Rural Fire Brigade, Borgnis St, Davidson Sunday 21st December 7:30-8:30pm - Rural Fire Brigade, Borgnis St, Davidson Wednesday 24th December 2025 9:30-10pm - at OLGC, Forestville

Please note that the Parish Office will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period from Wednesday 24 December (12 noon) until Tuesday 6 January 2026. From T uesday 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 and wish all our parishioners and families a blessed Christmas and a happy, safe New Year.  

Davidson and Forestville St Vincent de Paul Conferences gratefully thank all parishioners who generously donated to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal last weekend. You will make a difference in the lives of those in need this Christmas. Thanks also to the wonderful Hampers the generous people at St Anthony's donated to help some people who need a hand up. The hampers will certainly brighten their Christmas. A huge thank you to the teachers ,parents and children at St Martin's school for the food hampers and toys they have donated to our Vinnies friends in Coolah, a little town 400 kms NW of Sydney. For nearly 20 years, St Martin's school have given generously to help the people from Coolah survive the impact of droughts, fires ,floods and the high cost of living. A special thanks to Dom Bragge and his helpers who transport these hampers each year. We give thanks for the generosity of so many people in our Parish who help those in need.

 Christmas Eve Children’s Family Mass St Martin’s at 5pm  OLGC 5:30pm Anthony’s 6.00pm This Family Mass is traditionally for the children and every year the children of the Frenchs Forest Parish present a Nativity play as part of the Children’s Christmas Mass celebration at all three of our churches. All children are invited to participate and in preparation. St Anthony’s Terrey Hills will have rehearsals: Sunday; 21st December at 10am (after the 9am Mass) – costumes Tuesday 24th December Christmas eve; 4pm before Mass OLGC Forestville will have rehearsals at the Church: Tuesday, 23rd December 3-5pm. There are roles for Angels, shepherds, stable animals, Mary and Joseph. Readers of the Prayers of the Faithful and Gospel story have speaking parts At St Martins Davidson will have rehearsals: Saturday 20th December at 4:15pm (before the 5pm Mass) Monday 22nd December at 3pm -4pm If you are unable attend the rehearsals but would like your child to be involved, please contact Susan...

During the Season of Advent we are encouraged to take the time to seek forgiveness for the times we have turned away from God. The Second Form of Reconciliation enables us to express our sorrow in a meaningful way and reconcile ourselves with God and those we have hurt in the Church Community. Parishioners are welcome to come to our Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St Martin’s on Thursday December 18 at 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm.  

Bishop Anthony extends a very warm invitation to the clergy and people of God in Broken Bay to join him for Mass and Closing of the Jubilee Year.   The Relics from our three Shrines of Hope will also journey to the Cathedral to be present for this Mass. Date: Sunday 28 December 2025 Time: 9.30am Location: Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara

Christmas Eve Wednesday, 24th December 2025 5:00 pm – Children’s Mass at SMDP, Davidson 5:30 pm – Children’s Mass at OLGC, Forestville 6:00 pm – Family Mass at St Anthony’s, Terrey Hills 10:00 pm – Midnight Mass at OLGC, Forestville Christmas Day Thursday, 25th December 2025 8:30 am – SMDP, Davidson 9:00 am – St Anthony’s, Terrey Hills 10:00 am – OLGC, Forestville

Reflections on Hope from the Saints “Hope is the key that unlocks the door of possibilities” St Francis of Assisi “ Whatever our state of life, we cannot live without these three dispositions of the soul, namely, to believe, to hope and to love.” St. Augustine " Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him." St. John of the Cross "Hope is the courage to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems uncertain". St Jerome "Hope is the gift that God bestows on those who seek Him with a sincere heart” St Bernard of Clairvaux

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 ...