French's Forest Catholic Parish eNews

Dear Parishioners, The readings this weekend is cantered on Baptism and new life. The encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well in this week’s Gospel is a powerful moment of grace, truth, and transformation. Jesus sees the woman fully and still chooses to engage her. What stands out most is how Jesus balances truth and compassion. He acknowledges her broken past without shaming her. He does not excuse her sin, but neither does He condemn her. Instead, He offers her “living water”, a gift that satisfies the deepest spiritual thirst. The woman initially thinks in physical terms, but gradually she begins to understand that Jesus is speaking about something eternal. This movement from misunderstanding to recognition mirrors the journey of faith itself. Her response is equally significant. After encountering Jesus, she leaves her water jar, the very reason she came and runs back to her town to tell others about Him. The woman who may have once avoided people becomes a witness. Her s...

Monoranjon lives in a village in Bangladesh close to the sea, where floods and storms often damage his crops and his home. With support from Project Compassion, he learnt climate-resilient farming techniques and new ways to diversify his income, helping his family survive and build a safer, more sustainable future. 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

On first, second and third Thursdays at OLGC at 4.30 pm to 6 pm  

We are currently seeking additional Acolytes to assist at Holy Mass at St. Martin’s Davidson. Men and women aged 18 years and above who feel called to serve in this important ministry are warmly invited to come forward. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office at parishoffice@ffcp.org.au for more information. We look forward to welcoming you to this meaningful service to our parish community.  

FFCP Social Justice Group Meeting All people are welcome to the next FFCP Social Justice Group meeting which will be by Zoom at 7.15pm on Monday 9th March. Please email annelanyon@gmail.com for the Zoom link. Please let us know what aspects of social justice ministry you are interested in as we progress plans for 2026. Dilexi Te:  To All Christians on Love for the Poor is Pope Leo's first Apostolic Exhortation. All parish social justice ministers, volunteers and leaders in various parish ministries are warmly invited to this . Follow the link to register: Breaking Open Dilexi Te Date: Saturday 28 March 2026; Time: 10:30am – 4pm; Venue: Ambrose Centre, 12 Ashton Ave, The Entrance. Temporary accommodation needed.  Karen from the Aboriginal Heritage Office is being evicted from affordable housing due to development. She needs a Granny Flat or housing for 3 months May to end of July. She can housesit and mind a dog and garden, but not cats. If you can help, email her on Karen.sm...

Our next vocations Mass and dinner meeting will be held  on Wednesday 18th March 2026 a t Our Lady of Dolours Church 94 Archer Street Chatswood  commencing with Mass at 6.30 pm.   Father David Ranson VG will be our Mass Celebrant and guest speaker. Following Mass, dinner and a short meeting Father David will be speaking to us about the teaching of the Church on Voluntary Assisted Dying

"Walking in the Wilderness A Lenten Pilgrimage Towards Easter”  All men are invited to join the Men’s Lenten Journey, an opportunity for Men to grow and deepen their Faith journey on Wednesday evenings at St. Martin’s Church, Davidson from 6.30pm to 8pm Starting 25th February then the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th March. Books provided at no cost. For more info call Joe Maiolo via parish office or joe.maiolo59@gmail.com

Dinner and Trivia Night   Everyone is warmly invited to join us for our annual St Patrick’s Dinner and Trivia Night!  It promises to be a wonderful evening filled with fun, delicious food and great friendship. Come dressed in your best St Patrick’s attire – prizes will be awarded for the best dressed! When: Saturday 21st March, from 6:30pm Where: OLGC Hall Cost: $30 per person | Children under 12: $10 Tickets can be purchased by scanning the QR code or online at: https://www.catholicparish.app/donate?id=001Ol00000B2r0MIAR You may also pay by cash at the Parish Office. RSVP Essential for catering purposes by 16th March 2026. Please contact the Parish Office on 9451 5097. We look forward to celebrating with you! Bring your own drinks and glasses.  

We invite all Students in Years 5,6,7 and 8 for evening of fun and pizza.

Our new car park was planned for completion last Christmas, but delays in final engineering plans and statutory approvals have held up progress. We are now awaiting one final requirement—an arborist report confirming no surrounding trees will be lost. Once received, we will reapply for the Complying Development Certificate and move toward construction. Thank you for your generous support, with donations now reaching approximately $19,000.  

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!

St Martins Catholic Primary School Open Day and Playgroup

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.  

 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

 Parish Office will be open on Tuesdays to Fridays 8:30am to 2:30pm.

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 ...