Parish News

Jubilee Indulgence Pilgrimage

In this year of the Jubilee of Hope, we can apply a Plenary Indulgence for a departed soul, or for another living person in need of this grace. 

To facilitate this Special Grace, we will have an opportunity on Monday 24th November to fulfil the conditions required for applying the Indulgence. This includes sacramental confession, celebrating Mass, praying for Pope Leo XIV, professing the Creed and visiting a designated Indulgence Church. 

On Monday 24th November, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm there will be sacramental confession available in our Parish Church at St Martha’s. Then at 7.00pm there will be Holy Mass celebrated by Father John Hayes at St Joachim’s Church Lidcombe, one of the 12 Indulgence Churches in Sydney. In this month of November, this is a very fitting way to pray for the departed souls of our loved ones.

CWF November Parish Appeal 

The Charitable Works Fund (CWF) Parish Appeal is still running this weekend. The Quota for our parish is $7,675. Your donation will help those most vulnerable in Sydney. Appeal envelopes are available in the Church Foyer. You can also make a donation and find out more at www.ourfaithourworks.org/cwf

November Mass Intentions

During the month of November, we remember those who have returned to the Father.

We invite all families to write the names of departed loved ones in the books of remembrance. Mass Offering Envelopes are also available. (names cannot be printed in the Weekly Bulletin due to the large volume). We contemplate the lives and deaths of our loved ones and all the departed, recognizing our unity with them in the Church, and praying for their eternal rest. It is a time to be thankful for the gift of life, remember the power of God's love, and reflect on the destructive power of sin, while also reaffirming faith in eternal life through Christ's victory over death. This day provides a moment to extend compassion, hope, and prayer for those who have passed.

Parish Roster

We sincerely thank all those who have ministered for our parish for so many years. As parishioners move on and altar servers grow up, we are in need of more volunteers to join the regular roster, especially for the Sunday 6pm Mass.

The new roster commencing January 2026 is currently being compiled. Please advise the parish office of any changes or if you wish to join in these Ministries by 1st December. A gentle reminder also that it is essential that we follow guidelines set out by the Archdiocese. If you are an Acolyte; Reader; Eucharistic minister or in the Music Ministry you are required to sign in – (red folders are kept in the sacristy). The altar servers sign in folder is located in the side corridor. 

To assist with the preparation of rosters for the Christmas Masses would any parishioners who are on the regular rosters please volunteer if available. The Sign Up Sheets are now located in the Church Foyer.  

Diaries, Columban Calendars & Christmas Cards

St Vincent de Paul 2025 Columban Calendars & Christmas Card packs are now available for $10.00.

2026 God's Word Daily Reflection Diaries - pre orders are ready to collect in the sacristy after Mass.

Piety Stall

St Martha’s Piety Stall located in the Church foyer has a wide variety of sacramental and religious goods such as candles, statues, rosaries, cards, and other devotional items. Please see the warden after Mass if you would like to purchase an item.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal Weekend

The St. Vincent de Paul Society will hold its annual Christmas Appeal in this Parish on 13th & 14th December 2025.  Envelopes on the seats can be placed in either collection. You can also give by QR Code to the Appeal’s Fundraising Website which will issue you with a receipt in real time.  The focus of this year’s Appeal is the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis resulting in housing insecurity, homelessness, food stress and hunger, family breakdown, and increased physical and mental illness as people must choose between food or medical treatment.  We frequently assist whole families living in crisis accommodation.  St. Martha’s Conference of Vinnies and those we serve would be most grateful for anything you can give to help. Anthony Thurn, President Strathfield Conference.