REBUILD MY CHURCH

Journey towards the Diocesan Assembly

3rd Sunday Advent - Year C

Readings: Zeph 3:14-18, Phil 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18 

Our attitude towards life plays an important part in how we respond to events

that happen to us and around us.

If we live thinking that we are ‘owed’ we will easily fall into the same trap as the tax collectors and soldiers who approached John. His response to their question was simple; ‘ be content with your pay’ and ‘If you have two tunics share it with the man who has none”. John didn’t ask them to do anything other than live with a thankful heart and do what they are paid to do.

In the second reading St Paul says, “I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord”. How many times have you said something similar or had it said to you? You can’t turn happiness on and off, but you can choose to live with an attitude of thankfulness that will lead to happiness.

How do we prepare ourselves when we come to worship? The introductory rites: the penitential rite, the Gloria, the opening prayer, give us the opportunity we need to stop and call to mind that the great and Holy One is in our midst and allow us the time to focus on our attitude and God’s grace being poured into us.

We rejoice in belonging to our parish and Diocesan family. We rejoice in the giftedness of the members of our parish and encourage each other. This journey is not something we undertake alone.

REBUILD MY CHURCH

Journey Towards the Diocesan Assembly

2^nd Sunday Advent Year C

Readings: Baruch 5:1-9, Phil 1:4-6 . 8-11, Luke 3:1-6

In this week’s Gospel, Luke tells us that God came to John in the wilderness. John then set out to proclaim repentance and forgiveness, a voice calling out “Prepare a way for the Lord”.

Is God waiting to come to you in the wilderness? Could you here that lone voice of John or is it being drowned out by all the other demands you give priority to?

Use this time of Advent to reflect upon what is really important in your life. What are the things you need and the things you think you need? Remember that when you say ‘yes’ to one thing you are ultimately saying ‘no’ to something else. 

This week make it a priority to go to that place which is your wilderness, where God is waiting to talk to you.

In His Holy presence, our hearts are still and our tongues are silenced creating essential space for us to hear the voice of God.

How are you making a way for Jesus in your life?

Once again, belonging to our parish and Diocesan family calls us out of ourselves, calls us to hear God’s voice and to share that with others. This journey is not something we undertake alone

Rebuild My Church

Journey towards the Diocesan Assembly

1st Sunday in Advent Year C

Readings: Jer 33:14-16, Thess 3:12-4:2, Luke 21:25-28. 34-36

In the Second reading St Paul appeals to the Thessalonians to make more and more progress in the kind of life they are meant to live. This is what God also intends for you.

As we journey through life, we are faced with events that will need us to make decisions. We come to these decisions through a series of choices. Whether we want to believe it or not we alone have the power to make our own choices, which can lead to good or bad decisions.

When you have to make a choice, do you ask yourself: 

“Is this going to bring me closer to God or take me further away?”

We may not be able to plan holiness, but as members of the Church we must strive tirelessly for it and not settle for anything less. (Novo Millennio Ineunte 31)

Set yourself the challenge (make the choice) to take time out of the busyness of life and reflect honestly on where you are in your faith journey.

Remember you do not undertake this journey alone. Could there be better ways to encourage and support each other as part of a larger family?


As we move towards our Diocesan Assembly we can reflect on our individual call to holiness and how we play a part of a larger family. We have responsibilities to each other in encouraging and supporting each other in prayer and in practical ways. This journey is not something we undertake alone.

Speak Intentionally

Brain Food

Words are a powerful tool in ministry. They’re like dandelion seeds blowing in the wind. Once your words are out there, there’s no pulling them back.


As a youth worker, you can use this double-edged sword to build up students, speak truth, comfort where there is hurt, and challenge teenagers to grow spiritually.

It’s no mistake that James 3 teaches us to be intentional about the power of the tongue. It’s a dynamic muscle with great potential. Continue to flex it in ways that bring God glory and encourage students!

Like They Say...

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” —Mother Teresa

God’s Word 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”—Ephesians 4:29

ACYMC

Report

Josh Clayton

In September this year, I was given the opportunity of being able to attend the Australian Catholic Youth Ministers convention. This was possible because of the great generosity of the Cathedral Parish and Fr Pat, who’s financial assistance enabled me to attend.

One of the great things about the conference was the wide range of experience and techniques that were brought together in one place. Whether it was the youth ministers from the Oblates of Mary. Right through to school teachers in Trundle, they came together to discuss, how to reach young people and discuss the importance of knowing a loving and joy filled God.
For me this was a important area that needed to be acknowledged. Speaker after speaker, talked about the importance of showing God as he really is, a God that wants us to know his love, but also to be joyful and happy.

Fr Rob, and God does not make Rubbish!

Importantly, the conference also discussed important practical areas of faith development for youth ministers as well as for youth. It was a striking point that was taken on board by lots of people at the conference. The question was posed, how can we introduce God to others, if we don’t know what God is to us……….simple but extremely important.
The speakers were amazing, from Sr Hilda (from Jamberoo abbey and the abbey fame), Bishops Fisher, Ingham and Hurley, plus multiple workshops run by fantastic people from all over the country. It was truly a nation wide event, that was designed to give ideas for implementation into our wide and diverse Church, rather than a one size fits all technique that would squash the individual strengths of dioceses and individuals….there is no one answer!
Some of the practical things I felt strong about and took from the conference included;
Having a wholistic approach to ministry to youth in a parish.
Developing your own prayer life.
Allowing youth to mix in a way that suits them.
Giving youth a sense of power over their future of their gatherings.
The need to continually educate and inform, there are always new things to learn.
Practical solutions and ideas for groups.
Guidelines for professional standards in youth Ministry, so very important!
Have Fun!

Some of these things are easy to do and can happen how, others will take Pastoral councils years to work on, but the main thing is to remember that the Church is alive and here now. We must welcome these young people, they are our future and hope, God Loves them too much, for them to never meet Jesus.
What can we do to help a young person see Jesus in who we are?
 Tough question, but one all of us as Catholics must answer.