Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.

Show us your face and we will be saved.

Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal,

and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us,

the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:

“If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father,

of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.

You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness

in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:

let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with His anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,

and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,

and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Amen.

Pope Francis 2024 - © Copyright Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, Vatican State. All rights reserved

This week’s Gospel comes from Luke 6:27-38.

“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Jesus seems to expect more from us than the ‘do unto others what you want them to do to you’ attitude. He asks for generosity and charity as well as justice. The central quality of the Christian stance to others is mercy which covers over faults and fallings, not denying them, but always offering another chance to others. Tough words from Jesus! There is an invitation to move on from hurt and bitterness. There are many other times when Jesus talks in his stories about development and growth. But by bit our heart can be turned towards kind and understanding thoughts and even feelings towards the enemy. One step towards the freedom from bitterness is to pray for people who have done us wrong, wittingly or unwittingly.

Term 1 Liturgies and Celebrations:

Friday Parish Mass Please note there has been a change to the date for Year 1 and 2 to attend the Parish Mass as the original date will be a Healing Mass for the parishioners.

2025 Diocesan Launch of the Jubilee Year

 Sunday 2 March

This year has been designated as a jubilee Year by Pope Francis as a time to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope”.

“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”​

Pope Francis, For the Jubilee, 2024

You are invited to celebrate the Jubilee Year with a Diocesan pilgrimage from Nobby’s Beach (8:00am) to Sacred Heart Cathedral, culminating in Mass (10:00am) and a Festival (11:00am) in the Cathedral precinct grounds. The festival will feature an official Launch of Project Compassion 2025. All corners of the Diocese are encouraged to have representation and involvement as we mark Pope Francis’ theme -Pilgrims of Hope. Attached is an outline of some planned events for the jubilee year.

St James will be forming a group of interested families to walk the 4km from Nobby’ beach to the Cathedral.  We will meet at Foreshore Park (see map attached) ready to begin at 7:45am if you are able to join us, please RSVP to my email:

patriciae.miller@mn.catholic.edu.au​

2025_Jubilee_Key_dates_poster_P.pdf

2025_Jubilee_Key_dates_poster_P _pdf 666.64 KB

Sacramental Program 2025

The Sacramental Program for All Saints Parish will begin with the Enrolment Mass on March 1^st at 5:30pm at St Philips. The Sacramental Program is for children in Year 4 or above who have been baptised in the Catholic Church and wish to complete their initiation into the Church. Below is the program outline for 2025 with all the dates and times. Enrolment forms for those who wish to participate in the sacramental program this year need to be complete and returned to Mrs Miller before the enrolment Mass. (Copies below)

Mrs Patricia Miller
Religious Coordinator