from Fr Satheesh
Dear Parishioners,
In this week’s Gospel we are invited to consider a simple but profound question: “Who do you say I am?” Peter’s answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is a declaration of faith and trust in Jesus. Jesus then gives Peter a special mission, making him the rock upon which the Church will be built. Peter was not perfect, but Jesus saw his faith and entrusted him with responsibility.
We too are invited to recognise who Jesus is in our lives, not simply as someone we know about, but as the Son of God who walks with us, strengthens us and calls us to share our faith with others. Like Peter, we may not always feel worthy or ready, but God can work through our weakness when we place our trust in him.
We are also reminded that faith is not something we keep only for ourselves. Jesus calls Peter to become a foundation for the Church, and in our own way, each of us is called to be a source of faith, hope and encouragement to those around us. Through our kindness, patience, forgiveness and willingness to serve, we can help others encounter the love of Christ. Like Peter, we may have our weaknesses and doubts, but Jesus continues to trust us and invites us to build his Church through the way we live each day.
As we prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with 112 children on Friday 4 September and Saturday 5 September, we warmly welcome the children and their families as they take part in the preparation sessions and Masses over the coming weeks. We keep all the children and their families in our prayers, asking the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen and deepen their faith as they prepare for this special sacrament.
Last weekend, we had a wonderful Multicultural Parish Celebration, bringing together the many cultures and traditions that make our parish community so special. The Church was full at Mass and more than 250 people attending the celebration afterwards, from the Altar table to the dining table were very uplifting. The celebration was filled with delicious food, laughter, music, dancing, friendship and plenty of joy! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed in so many ways, by attending, preparing and sharing food, dancing, helping with the set-up and generously staying behind to clean up. It was a wonderful celebration of who we are as a parish family, and the spirit of community and togetherness made the day such a great success. Thank you to everyone who helped make it so memorable! My appreciation to Susanne Bragge and our social committee for organising everything so well.
Our clergy will be away from the parish from Monday 24 to Friday 28 August as they attend the Clergy Retreat for the clergy of the Diocese of Broken Bay. Please keep our priests in your prayers during this special time of retreat and renewal. Please know that you will also be very much in our thoughts and prayers.
During the retreat, Mass will be celebrated only at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC), with Fr Michael Sullivan OSA kindly celebrating the Masses. (see changes to mass times in the bulletin or on our Parish Newsblog) There will be no Adoration at OLGC while our priests are away.
We also extend our sincere thanks for your generous support of the CatholicCare Homelessness Appeal. Your generosity makes a real difference to people experiencing homelessness and hardship in our community.
We look forward to the Festival of Creation Celebration. Please come along to St Anthony’s on Saturday 12 September from 9.30-2pm. The day will commence with Mass for the Care of Creation, followed by stalls, talks, and activities for adults and children. Please see the invitation in the bulletin.
Have a wonderful week
Fr Satheesh Antony OSH PP
Click here to access Fr Satheesh’s Multicultural Sunday Sermon - photos on parish website—https://www.ffcp.org.au/about-frenchs-forest-catholic-parish/parish-photos
We too are invited to recognise who Jesus is in our lives, not simply as someone we know about, but as the Son of God who walks with us, strengthens us and calls us to share our faith with others. Like Peter, we may not always feel worthy or ready, but God can work through our weakness when we place our trust in him.
We are also reminded that faith is not something we keep only for ourselves. Jesus calls Peter to become a foundation for the Church, and in our own way, each of us is called to be a source of faith, hope and encouragement to those around us. Through our kindness, patience, forgiveness and willingness to serve, we can help others encounter the love of Christ. Like Peter, we may have our weaknesses and doubts, but Jesus continues to trust us and invites us to build his Church through the way we live each day.
As we prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with 112 children on Friday 4 September and Saturday 5 September, we warmly welcome the children and their families as they take part in the preparation sessions and Masses over the coming weeks. We keep all the children and their families in our prayers, asking the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen and deepen their faith as they prepare for this special sacrament.
Last weekend, we had a wonderful Multicultural Parish Celebration, bringing together the many cultures and traditions that make our parish community so special. The Church was full at Mass and more than 250 people attending the celebration afterwards, from the Altar table to the dining table were very uplifting. The celebration was filled with delicious food, laughter, music, dancing, friendship and plenty of joy! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed in so many ways, by attending, preparing and sharing food, dancing, helping with the set-up and generously staying behind to clean up. It was a wonderful celebration of who we are as a parish family, and the spirit of community and togetherness made the day such a great success. Thank you to everyone who helped make it so memorable! My appreciation to Susanne Bragge and our social committee for organising everything so well.
Our clergy will be away from the parish from Monday 24 to Friday 28 August as they attend the Clergy Retreat for the clergy of the Diocese of Broken Bay. Please keep our priests in your prayers during this special time of retreat and renewal. Please know that you will also be very much in our thoughts and prayers.
During the retreat, Mass will be celebrated only at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC), with Fr Michael Sullivan OSA kindly celebrating the Masses. (see changes to mass times in the bulletin or on our Parish Newsblog) There will be no Adoration at OLGC while our priests are away.
We also extend our sincere thanks for your generous support of the CatholicCare Homelessness Appeal. Your generosity makes a real difference to people experiencing homelessness and hardship in our community.
We look forward to the Festival of Creation Celebration. Please come along to St Anthony’s on Saturday 12 September from 9.30-2pm. The day will commence with Mass for the Care of Creation, followed by stalls, talks, and activities for adults and children. Please see the invitation in the bulletin.
Have a wonderful week
Fr Satheesh Antony OSH PP
Click here to access Fr Satheesh’s Multicultural Sunday Sermon - photos on parish website—https://www.ffcp.org.au/about-frenchs-forest-catholic-parish/parish-photos
