Sunday 13 July 2025

Not from the Pulpit: Fr Richard Leonard SJ PP

As you know the Australian/New Zealand Jesuits have been meeting this last week at Mary Mackillop Place to discern where the Holy Spirit is leading us in the next five to ten years. We only have 92 Jesuits in our Province who love Jesus with their hearts and lives and serve Christ as best as we can with our gifts and talents.  

 In this context, numbers are only one reality, but they are important. At the end of 2024 we had 57 Jesuits under 75 years of age and 35 Jesuits over 75. Our projections are that, with some joining us and others going to their eternal reward, by the end of 2034, we might have about 25 Jesuits under 75 years of age and 35 over 75. By 2039 we might have 20 Jesuits under 75 years of age and 20 over 75 years.

We presently lead 31 ministries in parishes, education (primary, secondary and tertiary), social services, spirituality, pastoral, overseas aid development, JRS, a winery, as well as specialist ministries. With all the wonderful lay colleagues and volunteers with whom we are honoured to minister, it’s not hard to see that this is not sustainable for the Jesuits to be present to a ministry in any way like we have been before.

Please God, after 147 years so far, we Jesuits will remain serving you in this parish for as long as we possibly can. Given the present situation about ministry in the church, however, and in a short time, we may only have one full time Jesuit or one full-time and one part-time to serve you. It will not be possible to do anything like the Masses, baptisms, weddings, funerals, hospital & school chaplaincies, and pastoral care that we presently undertake across the three churches. Rather than depressing us, this is an opportunity for all of us to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and embrace something different and rich.


God Forbid, ABC Radio National

Fr Richard is on God Forbid this week. James Carelton interviews a panel of three experts on film & culture on why horror, demonic possession and supernatural films are so popular among young people in a secular society like ours, and what issues emerge from these films for theology and religion. As some of us know, Rev Dr Richard Leonard SJ PP has a PhD in film studies from the University of Melbourne and has been a Visiting Scholar within the School of Theatre, Film & Television at UCLA. He is the author of The Mystical Gaze of the Cinema: The Films of Peter Weir, (Melbourne University Press, 2005), and Movies That Matter: Reading Film Through the Lens of Faith, (Loyola University Press, Chicago, 2006).

God Forbid airs Saturday 4am, Sunday 6am and 10pm, Wednesday 2pm and is filed from this Saturday at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/godforbid


Accommodation needed

From Oct 2025 – Aug 2026

The parish has received a request for accommodation from Ola (short for Aleksandra) Szulc. Ola is a third-year medical student at Regensburg, Germany, and is coming to Sydney in October to do research for her doctoral thesis at the University of Sydney. She holds a Catholic scholarship for this programme. Ola is looking for a room/flat in Sydney. She is presently involved in Catholic parish and Catholic university chaplaincy. If you have a space, room or flat that you would like to share and rent, please contact the parish office on 8918 4101 and Fr Richard can get you in touch with Ola.   


Fr Richard Leonard’s SJ PP HOMILIES

In his homilies, Fr Richard offers thoughtful insights, real-world connections, and a deep sense of faith to guide us through the week. Whether you’re part of our parish or watching from afar, we hope these reflections bring you encouragement and inspiration. View now on the Parish YouTube Channel


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Head & Heart: A Practical Guide to Inner Clarity and Spiritual Growth. Refection Evenings for Young Adults (18-30yrs)with Robin Koning SJ.

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God Forbid-ABC National Radio - Airs Sat 12 July @ 4am; Sun 13 July @ 6am & 10pm.