St Bernadette's Parish - Sunshine North

Message from Fr Silvio

 

Dear parishioners and friends,

On the 9th of May 2024, Pope Francis issued a papal bull for the 2025 Jubilee Year, called Spes non Confundit, which translates to Hope Does Not Disappoint.

To note that a papal bull is a type of public decree issued by the pope and is named after the leaden seal (bulla) traditionally appended to the document with the aim of authenticating it.

Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of hope in the Christian faith, drawing inspiration from the words of St. Paul:  Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Rom 5:5)

We are invited to experience the Jubilee as pilgrims of hope. “Hope is born of love,” (Spes non confundit #3) writes Pope Francis as he reminds us of the compelling verse from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:35, 37-39).

Realizing that we are loved gives us hope! God loves us in an unconditional manner.  Just as our creation, our being, is a gift from our Heavenly Father, salvation in and through Jesus Christ is a pure gift.

Unfortunately, many believe they are not “good enough” to be loved by God.  Many stay away from the church community because they feel they are not worthy due to past sins and waywardness.   In this regard, our attention turns to Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal lifeFor God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:16-17).  These verses contain timeless truths.  Knowing that we are loved by God gives us hope!  God is not out to condemn us, but to save us.  Moreover, we are not redeemed because we are holy, but because of His unconditional love for us.   There is no better reason for us to be pilgrims of hope!  Let us allow hope to permeate our being this Jubilee Year.

God bless you

Fr Silvio

 

Message from Br Luan

 

Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters of St. Bernadette’s Parish Family,

I thank the Lord for placing me among you so that I could serve, find happiness and joy, and connect meaningfully with all of you. My heart overflows with gratitude for this caring, welcoming, and hospitable parish.

I thank Fr. Silvio, my beloved brother, for accompanying me and making me feel very much at home. 

From the depths of my heart, I am thankful for each of you and for the many ways you have prayed for me, loved me, cared for me, and accepted me for who I am with all my weaknesses and limitations.

May God’s grace and peace always be with you. Please continue to pray for me, a little donkey of God that carries His Dream on its back, so that I always discern “to come to know the will of God and fulfil it wholeheartedly” (Joseph De Piro).

With gratitude and prayers,

         Quang Luan, Ngo

 

Formation Course - The Mass

 

During October/November a Formation Course on the Mass, based on Bishop Robert Barron’s talks, was held at the Parish with the participation of 30 parishioners.  Here are a few comments and reflections...

“Bishop Barron's formation on the liturgy offers a profound opportunity to grow together as a community, deepening our collective understanding of the sacred mysteries of the Mass. By exploring the rich symbolism and significance of its parts, we come to appreciate the beauty and transformative power of the Eucharistic celebration. This shared journey not only fosters unity but also inspires us to embrace continuous learning, recognising that our faith is enriched by ongoing discovery. Such formation equips us to be more effective in our mission of evangelisation, as we are empowered to share the profound truth, grace, and joy of the liturgy with the world. In this communal endeavour, we find renewal and strength, united in our calling to be witnesses of Christ’s love.”  (Maria Vella)

“I found the course to be quite enlightening.  It gave me a deeper and more thorough understanding of the ritual and the relevant purposes of each of the segments of mass.

“While the videos (of the talks) were quite informative, I got a lot of satisfaction out of the group discussions, where people were able to discuss the topical questions and listen to people's various thoughts on the matters.

“The networking and socialising with the various parishioners before and after the session started and finished was also extremely rewarding.” (Michael Vella)

Many thanks to the course participants, Amanda, and Brendan (School Principal) for their contribution to this formation course.  Looking forward to more next year.

Fr Silvio

    

 

Testimony: Advent Retreat Day

Saturday, 23rd November – “The Light Shines in the Darkness” (John 1:5)

The Lord works in wonderful ways to give us Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. On this blessed day, around 24 of us gathered to pray and prepare  ourselves for Advent. It was truly a special time as we awaited the coming of our Lord.

The retreat offered a serene and peaceful environment, allowing us to find stillness and listen to Him. In the quiet moments, the words of Psalm 46:10 resonated deeply within us: “Be still and know that I am God.”

This time of retreat and reflection was a precious opportunity to deepen our faith and draw closer to God. As we lit candles and shared in prayer, the light symbolized the hope and promise that shines even in the darkest of times.

We left the retreat with hearts full of gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose, ready to embrace the Advent season with anticipation and reverence. This time together was not only a testament to the power of prayer and reflection but also a       reminder of the ever-present light of God's love in our lives.

Audrey

      

"Be part of HIS mission" - Prelature of Santiago Apostol of Huancane'

Click on the links below to know more about the Prelature of "Santiago Apostol of Huancane'" in the South of PERU.  Thanks for being a part of their mission with prayers and support.

Be part of God's mission.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1385380002084851

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Be+part+of+His+mission

Paulist Seminarians

Paulist Missionary Seminarians Tran Dai Linh and Ngo Quang Luan are in Australia for a year of practical placement at St. Bernadette and St James (Hoppers Crossing).  While welcoming Brs Linh and Luan, we promise them our prayers.  May this year be a fruitful one for them, as they continue to walk on the missionary pathway.            

Welcome Brothers Linh and Luan!

Pentecost Retreat 18th May

Piety Stall

                                                        

Our Parish Piety Stall is now open with the help of these lovely people and a few more.  We have been blessed with wonderful Volunteers who will do their best to open the piety stall before and after every mass on Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday 8.30am, 11.00am and 7.00pm.

If you haven’t stopped to look for a while, please check out the new items, as we do try to add different things from time to time. 

Thank you for your on-going support. 

Scripture Reflection

Our Scripture reflection sessions continue every Thurday at 7pm and it is a great way to connect with Parishioners during our lockdowns.  It has been great to see some new faces over the past few weeks.   These sessions are held using the ZOOM video platform so you do not need to leave the comfort of your own home to attend.

If you would like to attend these sessions, send Amanda an email to brownieab75@gmail.com  and she will send you the ZOOM link weekly.

We would love to see many more faces at our meetings!!

 

MASS TIMES

Normal Mass times:

Saturday 6.30pm and 8.00pm Neo-Catechumenal (Pioneers Hall)

Sunday 8.30am; 9.45am (Polish); 11.00am; 12.30pm (Vietnamese) and 7.00pm                                                                                                               

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.15am

Wednesday Evening 7.00pm

 

Giờ Thánh Lễ bình thường:

Thứ Bảy 6:30pm

Chủ nhật 8:30am; 9:45am (tiếng Ba Lan); 11:00am; 7:00pm

KHÔNG CÓ THÁNH LỄ Ở TRUNG TÂM CỘNG ĐỒNG TẠI COOKE AVE

Thánh lễ tiếng Việt: Mỗi Chúa Nhật thứ nhất và thứ ba hàng tháng lúc 12:30pm

Thứ Ba và Thứ Năm 9:15am

 

 

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