Parish Bulletin Sunday 25 October 2026
Not from the Pulpit: Fr Richard Leonard SJ PP
Recently, ten of our fellow parishioners undertook training to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Many thanks to them, and to the many others who serve us so generously in this ministry. Special thanks to Jenni Payne for doing such an excellent job with the preparation course. We have recently seen a small increase in parishioners choosing the option to receive on the tongue, as well as kneeling. Communicants have every right to choose these options. If you choose to receive on the tongue, please ensure the hygienic and orderly distribution of the Sacrament by opening your mouth and extending your tongue fully. Personally, I find the preference for receiving on the tongue rather than in the hand as a more reverent way of receiving the Lord a little strange. My tongue has got me into more trouble than my hands! Nevertheless, the option remains available for those who prefer it. Just another reminder that, in the Archdiocese of Sydney, only concelebrating priests may self-intinct—that is, take the consecrated host and dip it into the chalice. For many decades now, our parish has rightly sought to fulfil the Lord’s command: “Take and eat … Take and drink …” Jesus never said, “Take and dip …” If you are concerned about hygiene when drinking from the chalice, then you should receive the Bread of Life alone. When we receive the Lord under the form of bread, we receive full, true and complete communion.
It has been our great joy to have Steve Curtin SJ with us over the past few weeks. Next weekend will be his last with us until he returns in December. Steve joined the Jesuits in 1985 and was ordained in 1994. He spent several years based in Bangkok with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), managing critical humanitarian projects across Southeast Asia. He served as Director of Jesuit Mission from 2001 until his appointment as Provincial of the Australian Jesuits in 2008, a role he held until 2014. He is currently Director of the Australian Jesuit Tertianship programme, guiding younger Jesuits from around the world through the final stage of their spiritual and formal formation before they take their final vows.
Parish Notices
SOS Notice: We have furniture and belongings stored underneath Star of the Sea that will be disposed of beginning 25/11/26. For any information on these items email harryh@northsydneycatholics.com.
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SOS Notice: We have furniture and belongings stored underneath Star of the Sea that will be disposed of beginning 25/11/26. For any information on these items email harryh@northsydneycatholics.com. 〰️
Support Cana Communities
Pre Order before 30 Oct: canafarm.com.au/christmas-cake
Eucharist28 – Preparing for the International Eucharistic Congress
Sun 22 Nov – Walking with Christ
As Sydney prepares to host the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, parishioners are invited to join
a six-week prayer group in Term 4 2026. Guided resources will support prayer and reflection on the Eucharist, culminating in the Walk with Christ Eucharistic procession from Martin Place to St Mary’s Cathedral. To join or host a group, please contact the parish office. olw@northsydneycatholics.com
SFX Development
Community Notice – The development application for the redevelopment at Lavender Bay has been lodged
and can be viewed at: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/mixed-use-
development-mackenzie-st-lavender-bay. Anyone can make a submission online through the NSW Planning
Portal (you will need to register an account if you don’t already have one). Submissions close on 24 Sept.