Be Inspired and Enriched!

Christmas Parade After watching the Sydney Christmas parade, we followed the whole contingent to Tumbalong Park. The boys wanted to see again the big blown-up animals. They were bigger than Santa! They were very excited with the colours and costumes of the parade participants. All these simple things must have given them a feeling of a festive celebration, so it must be Christmas!!!

Dear Fellow Parishioners, The year is almost over and we look forward to a better year with our new Dean Fr. Jim Mckeon as our head. 2008 was filled with so many ups and downs: These included our feelings about losing our identity as a parish when we became a Cathedral, but we celebrated such a momentous occasion with much gusto and energy! We felt sadness when Fr. John Hodgson was moved to another parish. This sadness was again felt when Fr. David Taylor had to leave, due to illness, so soon after arriving. Our parish spirit showed through when we managed to welcome, entertain and feed over 400 young WYD pilgrims. We triumphantly got together as a community and pooled all our resources. We had so much food for dinner that our pilgrims had seconds and thirds, like the miracle of the loaves and fish. We gelled together and showed our community’s inner strength. What a journey of God’s chosen people! Yet, looking at the big picture, our parish experience this year is just like our earthl

ADVENT … Preparing for Christmas! During advent or the few weeks leading to Christmas, most people get very very busy. Especially if you have little kids. Or, if you have a huge family. Or if you have a large extended family. The presents to choose and buy, the many sales brochures in your mailbox, the Christmas parties to attend, the tree to decorate, the house to clean, the guests to invite or cards to send, and it goes on and on. And you still have to work before the holidays. But, whinge not! If you happen to be in this group of people, rejoice! Rejoice because you have a family! Rejoice because you have a job and an income! So you are able to buy the presents. Rejoice because you have a healthy body to engage in these activities! You say you have no time for yourself. And, even no time for silent reflection. No time for being with and listening to oneself. Rejoice because of this awareness! You see the need to prepare yourself, Physically and spiritually. I usually find myself o