Parish Bulletin Sunday 5 April 2026
Not from the Pulpit: Fr Richard Leonard SJ PP
As Christians, Easter joy is meant to mark our lives. Christian joy is profound. It says that we can face up to the most difficult and tragic moments in our lives knowing that we don’t have to be afraid, that God’s faithful love will see life win out over death.
We all know this is easier said than done. Take this year’s Easter Sunday gospel for example. The women are told twice to tell the disciples to “go to Galilee” where they will meet Christ for themselves. Galilee does not have to be a place for us. It’s a situation, a frame of mind, or a choice we make. Our Galilee could be the desolate journey of physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. It could be dashed promises, broken relationships, or unrealized hopes. Whatever it is, Easter promises us that Christ is not only there when we arrive, but Christ has gone ahead of us, to that desolate place, so that we might have loving arms in which to fall at journey’s end.
The reason we are so exultant is that the first Jerusalem did not have the last word in Jesus’ life. God did. So, all our deaths in Jerusalem and all our fearful, anxious trips to Galilee can end in new life and fresh starts. On behalf of the Jesuit Community and the entire parish, I wish you and your family and friends a very holy and blest Easter.
Parish Notices
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Sun 5 April @ 3.00am clocks are turned backward 1 hour to 2.00am
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on
5 April than the day before.
There will be more light in the morning and less light in the evening.
Good Friday 10am St Mary’s Church
Scan the QR code to download s PDF copy of the 2026 Stations
of the Cross booklet.
Helping the Holy Land this Easter
Apart from Peter’s Pence Appeal on Good Friday, Jesuit Mission is directly supporting the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Lebanon and JRS Mena humanitarian response in Lebanon to provide emergency support to refugees already displaced and seeking shelter at St Joseph's Church in Beirut) and also providing food baskets to more than 1,000 households. https://jesuitmission.org.au/news/middleeastcrisis/. If you would like to understand what they are going through in Easter this year, please watch this clip from PBS documentary about the Jesuit parish in Beirut. https://youtu.be/ILpJelg44bw?si=ZWrl493Q3Qmb4XXZ with Jesuit Mission and Jesuit Refugee Service, you can be sure that your donation gets to the front line in Lebanon.
The First Easter
Kids can have a lot of questions about the Easter story.
This book brings the powerful story
of the Easter season to even the youngest reader. It celebrates the ways we remember
Jesus’ life, death and resurrection with joy and love. It could be the perfect Easter gift for children or grandchildren. It is available at all major online bookstores.
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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.
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Connect with Catenians
Join us at Cammeray Golf Club, Park St, Cammery $55.00 pp 6.45 pm, Thursday 9th April, Enquiries Harbourside.north.circle@thecatenians.org.au
Catholic men’s association: faith based friendships
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Our parish will be holding the annual Jesuit Mission appeal on 11-12 April 2026, as Jesuit Mission celebrates 75 years of walking alongside communities in need. In remote parts of Hazaribag, India, many women face pregnancy and childbirth without access to medical support or basic health knowledge. Preventable complications remain a daily reality, particularly for women who are also carrying the full weight of family care, raising children and working the land. Pratim has lived this firsthand. From a marginalised tribal community herself, she has been empowered through the Jesuit-run Swastheya project to become a health educator and community leader for change. Today, she travels across 32 villages, working alongside local nuns to support women in accessing maternal health information,nutrition guidance and hygiene practices.
“Many women do not know how to care for their health or their family’s health, so they and their children suffer in silence,” said Pratim. “Now women are beginning to speak, share their struggles and support one another. “Please help Jesuit Mission reach more women by donating atOne Vine, many branches. 75 years of faith in action. Thank you for your ongoing support.
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Frank Brennan’s new book, Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide will be launched on Mon 27 April @ 6.00pm at the Ron Dyer Centre.
MC: Dr Richard Leonard SJ PP
Guest Speaker: Geraldine Doogue AO
Author and Presenter: Frank Brennan SJ AO
Books available on the night for sale
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Tues 28 April, 10.00-12.00pm, St Michael’s Parish Hall, Lane Cove
More information: 0422 099 576 tony.maricic@sydneycatholic.org.
Registration: www.trybooking.com/DJUQI
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25 July - 8 Aug Cost: approx. $850 (excl. flights) Age: 18 - 30yr olds Contact: Fr Ramesh Richards SJ
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel Immersive Exhibition is coming to Sydney and runs from 16 May to 19 July 2026 on the St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt. This is a rare and unique opportunity to enter further into the story of salvation through sacred art and the use of immersive technology. This is also a great opportunity to make a parish outing. All are welcome to attend. You can make early-bird ticket purchases by clicking on these links for either May, June or July and entering the Access Code “earlybird”.