French's Forest Catholic Parish Notices and News

Dear Parishioners, In this week’s Gospel the Beatitudes, turn our usual ideas of happiness upside down. Jesus looks at the crowds and names as “blessed” those the world often overlooks: the poor in spirit, the gentle, the mourning, the persecuted. Happiness here is not about comfort or success, but about living in deep trust in God. To be poor in spirit is to know our need for God; to hunger and thirst for what is right is to desire God’s justice more than our own advantage. The Beatitudes also reveal the heart of Jesus himself. He is gentle, merciful, pure of heart, a peacemaker who suffers for what is right. In calling us “happy” when we live this way, Jesus invites us into his own life and promises that God’s kingdom is already at work in such lives. He assures us that God is close to those who mourn, that mercy is never wasted, and that those who work quietly for peace are truly God’s children. The promise that runs through every Beatitude is the kingdom of heaven. It is not only a...

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a sacred time of repentance, reflection, and renewal. We invite you to join us for Mass and the distribution of ashes as we open our hearts to God’s mercy. Ash Wednesday Masses:  Wednesday 18 February 2026 OLGC Forestville-9.15am and 7pm St. Martin's- Davidson-9.15am St. Anthony's Terrey Hills-10.15am The Church encourages us to observe Fasting and Abstinence on this day as a sign of our commitment to spiritual renewal. Let us begin this Lenten season with prayerful hearts , seeking God’s grace and strength. All are welcome.

All Parish Men Welcome! We invite all the FFCP men to join us for an uplifting evening of faith, friendship and fellowship at the Frenchs Forest Parish Men’s Group. Friday 13 February 6:30pm Parish Centre, Forestville. A relaxed and supportive gathering with prayer, meaningful conversation and faith sharing. Come connect, grow, and journey together as brothers in Christ. Enquiries: Please contact Fr. Boby – frboby@ffcp.org.au

During National Marriage week we are encouraged to support and celebrate the Vocation of Marriage. At Masses on the weekend of 7th /8th February our Parish will celebrate the love shared by couples and the love of Jesus reflected in their love. Couples will receive a Blessing as we pray for all who have ever received the Sacrament of Marriage. All couples will be encouraged to take a Prayer bookmark. Couples celebrating a significant Anniversary this year are invited to contact the Parish Office so their special anniversary can be acknowledged.

All are welcome to join us for an hour of prayer and reflection in the style of Taize. Friday 6 February, 7.00pm at St Martin’s Church.

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.

Pope Francis designated 8th February, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, as the World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking. On this day Catholics are encouraged to pray for all those affected by the crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking, and the people who volunteer and work to eradicate this crime. Check out more information at Australian Catholic AntiSlavery Network www.acan.org.au ; Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) www.acrath.org.au . If you are interested in this social justice issue, please join the first FFCP Social Justice Group meeting of 2026 by Zoom on Monday 9th Feb, 7.15pm - 8.30pm . Contact the parish office for the phone number of one of the members.

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!

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, FORESTVILLE

Come and discover the richness of God’s Word as we journey together through the Book of Beginnings. Whether you are new to the Bible or wishing to deepen your faith, you are most welcome. Join us for this 15-session Scripture journey , led by Rev Dr Biju Jose OSH, Parish Priest of Ku-ring-gai Chase Catholic Parish. Venue: OLGC Forestville Church Time: 4.30pm – 6.00pm First five sessions: · February 12 & 19 · March 5, 12 & 19 Beginning with the Book of Genesis, these sessions offer a welcoming space to listen, reflect, and grow in faith together. All are welcome — come and be part of this shared journey. If you are interested to join could you please inform the Parish office on parishoffice@ffcp.org.au or call 02 94515097.

As we enter the new year, let us prayerfully consider God’s blessings in our lives, and how He may be calling us to respond with thanksgiving and discipleship, through our financial offerings.  The First Fruits initiative is an invitation to enter more deeply into the life of your parish through regular, meaningful contributions to the First and Second Collections.  During the first three weeks of February, you will find special materials available throughout the parish, as your priests guide you to prayerfully reflect on your offering.  

Reflect..Enjoy..Strengthen..Trust Come Rest with God Enjoy Contemplative music, Reflections and Meditations. When: Feb 3rd, May 5th, June 2nd, Aug 4th, Sept 1st, Oct 6th, Nov 3rd Where: at St Martin’s Church anytime between 10 am – 12 pm.  

World Interfaith Harmony Week invites people of faith to reflect on how our beliefs shape the way we relate to one another, especially in a world marked by division, conflict, and fear. For Catholics, this week calls us back to the heart of the Gospel: love of God and love of neighbour. In Dilexi Te, Pope Leo XIV reflects on love as the starting point of all authentic Christian action A love that sees the other not as an idea, label, or threat, but as a person created in the image and likeness of God. When we focus on love as our lens, we are drawn beyond ideology and fear toward encounter, responsibility, and care. Interfaith harmony does not ask us to set aside our Catholic faith. Rather, it invites us to live it with greater depth and integrity. Pope Leo XIV reminds the Church that love rooted in truth resists dehumanisation and calls us to uphold human dignity wherever it is threatened. From this foundation, dialogue, respect, and peace can grow. We are encouraged to mark this week...

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 ...