Parish Bulletin Sunday 22 February 2026
Not from the Pulpit: Fr Richard Leonard SJ PP
Our Parish Council has been a very stable, capable and collaborative body over the last four years. Mark Tannock has been on our Council since it started and has made always insightful contributions to our discernment in common. I think it was inevitable that given the even greater demands of his new role as Principal of St Ignatius’ College Riverview the sad time has come when he has regretfully resigned to me and our Chair, Nicole Siddque. Mark and Kristie remain active parishioners but on behalf of the parish, I thank Mark for his generosity, leadership and care of our mission in Christ. With Mark’s departure anyone who would like to privately nominate is invited to do so to me: richard.leonard@nssj.org.au
This Lent we are offering many varied and wonderful opportunities to feed others, our minds, hearts
and souls:
• “The Journey Home” daily prayer and reflections groups and individuals by Archbishop Emeritus
Mark Coleridge. $5 from the parish office.
• The Lenten Calendar, with daily suggestions of contemporary things to give up and take on.
• This Saturday 8.00am-9.00pm and Sunday 8.30am-1.15pm, the menALIVE Weekend. Contact:
Fr Andy andyn@northsydneycatholics.com Cost $70. Register: www.trybooking.com/DIBWV
• The Project Compassion Appeal preached at all Masses on February 21 and 22 by former
parishioner, and nationally acclaimed author, Michael McGirr who is the Mission Facilitator at
Caritas Australia.
• Lenten Groups every Sunday evening at 7pm in the RDC starting March 1, generously facilitated
again this year by Jenni and Michael Hickson. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/DJODM
• Jesuit Social Services Ignite Store, Mt Druitt, Lenten grocery bags which will start on the weekend
of the 7/8th March and must be back at the RDC on Monday 22 March.
• Thursday 19 March 7pm at St Mary’s “These 40 days: music and reflection for the Lenten journey.”
• Thursday 26 March 7pm Lenten Communal Rite of Reconciliation.
We are also hoping to have Frank Brennan SJ give a special Lenten talk on his new book. Tbc.
Parish Notices
-
Faith Bytes: Listening to the Heart of God. Richard Leonard SJ
Faith Bytes is inspired by the author's YouTube videos ("North Sydney Catholics") of his homilies taken from his book Preaching to the Converted (Paulist Press).
Each Sunday reflection offers a brief "faith byte" for readers to ponder for the week. They have been adapted from the larger book for a younger audience and those who have a busy schedule. Books available from Paulist Press.
-
Our parish is welcoming many new families whose children are preparing for Baptism.
We are looking for a small group of friendly parish families who would be willing to be a warm, familiar face for them as they begin their journey with us. As a Buddy Family, you would:Greet and welcome new families at parish events or Mass
Help them feel at home in our community
Be a simple point of connection — a friendly face they recognise
This is not a big commitment — just a generous heart and a willingness to help others feel they belong.
If you would like to be part of this beautiful ministry of welcome, please contact: Danielle – Sacramental Coordinator daniellew@northsydneycatholics.com.
-
-
Sat 21 Feb 8.00am-9,00pm; Sun 22 Feb 8.30am-1.15pm
The menALIVE Men’s Weekend is an opportunity for men to explore what makes them feel
fully alive. The weekend experience is powerful and dynamic, and many men are inspired and encouraged by a new sense of purpose and mission. The weekend is organised by men in
your local community and conducted by an experienced team of menALIVE leaders. It is
suitable for all men from 18 years of age. MEN of all faiths are invited. If you are seeking inspiration, support or encouragement, or want to make a change in your life, or the life of someone you love, invest time in this MenAlive weekend in 2026. Contact: andyn@northsydneycatholics.com Cost $70. Register: www.trybooking.com/DIBWV
-
Sun 22 Feb @ 9.30am - 3.00pm Corcoran Centre, Morpeth
The theme of this One-Day Gathering is "Tending the Sacred in our Everyday". With the day being designed for you to pause, to step out of the noise of everyday life and create space to breathe, reflect and realign.
Rooted in prayer, reflection and shared conversation, the Gathering will explore how we can tend to what is sacred in the ordinary moments of our lives, even amidst busy seasons. We would love for you to join us for this day of gentle renewal — a chance to listen to the Spirit and carry that nourishment back into your everyday life. Cost: $35pp. Register at: www.womenofthewell.com.au
-
Project Compassion Launch
Guest speaker: Mission Director for Caritas Australia, Michael McGirr.
You can support Project Compassion 2026 through the donation boxes.or by envelopes. Visit projectcompassion.org.au/donate for more information or by calling :1800 024 413.
Michael McGirr was a member of the Jesuits for 20 years and a priest for seven years before leaving the order in 2000. He now lives in Melbourne and is married to Jenny. They have three young adult children. He is presently the Manager of Community Engagement with Caritas. He is the bestselling author of Books that Saved My Life, Snooze, Bypass and Things You Get for Free.
His short fiction has appeared in publications in Australia and overseas, and he has been of Eureka Street and fiction editor of Meanjin. Michael has twice been a recipient of a senior fellowship from the Australia Council for the Arts and has also been a HG Coombs creative fellow at Australian National University. He has been the chair of judges of the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and the National Biography Award and reviewed more than 1000 books for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
This Lent, we are called to Unite Against Poverty through Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Your generosity this Lenten Season will enable Caritas Australia to provide life-changing support to vulnerable communities in need.
-
Mass @ 9am, St Mary’s followed by morning tea, Omara Place MCCNS
-
Sun 22 Feb @ 9.00am, St Mary’s. Contact Laura Barry 9amfamilymass@northsydneycatholics.com
Morning Teas is at Omara Place, MCCNS. (not RDC)
-
Hope Lives Here luncheon - 10 years of Mary’s House Services
Thurs 26 Feb @ 12.15 - 3.30pm Shangri-La Hotel, The Rocks
Mary’s House Services has provided safety, hope, and support for women and children escaping domestic and family violence across Sydney’s northern suburbs and beyond since 2016.We would be honoured for you to join us, as we open a milestone year for Mary’s House Services at our Hope Lives Here luncheon. A year that marks a decade of safety, support and hope for women and children escaping domestic and family violence since opening the doors of our refuge.
For ten years, our work has been powered by community belief. People and partners who chose to act, give, advocate, and hold firm in saying no to domestic and family violence and yes to safety, hope and new possibilities for our clients.
You are part of that story, and we would be delighted to welcome you to this special event.
On this afternoon, we will bring our community together; supporters, partners, neighbours to champion a future free from domestic and family violence.
You will hear powerful reflections from our frontline practitioners, sharing what Mary’s House Services has achieved and what still drives us every day.
Their stories carry resilience, clarity and the quiet courage that has built and sustained Mary’s House from its earliest days. Be present at an event shaped by purpose, courage, and the kind of community spirit that founded Mary’s House a decade ago. Tickets: Individual $260 – Table of 12 $2800. Bookings
-
Sundays 1,8,15,22 & 29 March @ 7.00 - 8.15pm, Ron Dyer Centre
Are you looking to do something different this Lent? Are you hoping to deepen your faith and walk with other like-minded parishioners? Please consider joining our parish Lenten group! Running for 5 x Sundays in Lent commencing 1st March straight after the 6pm Mass. We will gather from 7pm in the Ron Dyer Centre, each Sunday praying with Sundays Gospel in the ancient way of Lectio Divina followed by sharing and small group discussion.
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/DJODM contact Jenni and Michael Hickson at olw@northsydneycatholics.com
-
Sun 1 March @ 9.00am Mass, St Mary’s
We are calling for new Special Religious Education (SRE) Catechists and Helpers. Catechist Sunday will be celebrated at 9am; join us for Mass and afterwards in the RDC for morning tea. Do consider joining our team, please contact the Parish office. olw@northsydneycatholics.com
-
Residential accommodation for Uni students
Conveniently located in Chippendale near USYD, UTS, Notre Dame or UNSW, Cardoner House has currently limited availability for 4 males and 2 female University students in a friendly and intentional community.
Rent is $410/week with regular opportunities to practice our faith in weekly volunteering, community meals and Sunday Mass. More info can be found by scanning the QR code or email Ramesh.
-
Items most in need:
1. Coffee/Milo/Tea bags/Nesquik/Hot chocolate
2. Breakfast Cereals
3. Spreads - Honey/Vegemite/Peanut Butter/Nutella/Jams
4. Cake Mixes/Sugar/Flour/Jelly
5. Assorted long life milk
6. Cordials/Juices/Poppers
7. Muesli Bars/LCM Bars
8. Biscuits – Sweet/Savoury/Rice cracker/Crackers
9. Pasta Sauces/Simmer sauces
10. Rice/Pasta
11. 2-minute noodles/cup noodles/Cup-a-Soups etc
12. Canned goods – soups/canned vegetables/ready-to-eat meals/Tuna/ etc
13. Chutney/Relish/Mustard/Pickles
14. Sauces – Tomato/BBQ/Worcestershire/Soy etc
15. Mayonnaise/Salad Dressing
16. Baby food/Formula/Baby wipes
17. Household Cleaning Products
18. Toilet Rolls/Tissues
19. Toiletries
20. Laundry powder
-
Fundraising Performance. An afternoon of Religious Devotion. Join us for an afternoon of sacred music as the Parish Choir prepares for their upcoming pilgrimage. Free admission, all welcome. Donations gratefully accepted to help support the pilgrimage to Rome.