Parish News

Mothers

To all the mums, grandmothers & mother like figures in our lives who continue to give love and life to their families and our parish community! May the Lord bless you in a very special way today and may we always be thankful for the gift of mother’s. May the example of Mary, mother of Jesus, inspire them, guide and protect them in challenging times.

“From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things.

From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone.

From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God.”

ST POPE JOHN PAUL II

Reflection

Mother’s Day has been celebrated in Australia on the second Sunday of May since 1924. But, Catholics have been celebrating a sort of mother’s day since the first few centuries of the Church. The fourth Sunday of Lent, or Laetare Sunday, traditionally was a time to return to your mother church (home parish) and leave an offering. Those who practised this custom were said to have gone “a-mothering”, and soon it became known as “Mothering Sunday.” 

As the popularity of “Mothering Sunday” grew, it became a day when domestic servants were given leave to be with their families. The day became one of the few times a year where a grown family could gather, as working families often had conflicting schedules. Once the tradition became a day for family reunion, with a reference to mothers in the name, it naturally evolved to include all mothers within the celebration. For children, the long walk back home became a time for picking flowers for mum, and this would grow to the tradition of giving gifts of all sorts to mothers. 

In Catholic tradition, the month of May is dedicated to Mary. Chosen by God above all other women, Mary’s faith and obedience paved the way for the Incarnation. Her example teaches us faith, obedience, humility and most of all, how to love. As St Thomas of Villanova said, “If in this world any creature ever loved God with whole heart, with whole soul, and with whole mind, she was the creature.” At the foot of the cross, her heart broke for Jesus, yet she accepted God’s will not only for her Son, but for herself in her new role as mother to us all (cf. John 19:25–27). As we honour today our earthly mothers and mother figures—including stepmothers, relatives, guardians, close family friends and those who would be mothers—let us honour our heavenly mother as well. Those devoted to her are always led to her Son. For her wise counsel tells us, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

St Martha's May Piety Stall

New Stock Available - MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS

St Vincent de Paul Society's Winter Appeal 

31st MAY / 1ST JUNE. Our conference members thank you sincerely for your past donations.  Times are tough for everyone, and there are many calls on your generosity.  Our members and those we serve are grateful for anything you can spare.  As always, you can give by cash or credit card by putting the appeal envelopes in either collection.  Wardens with buckets will also be at the church doors at the end of Mass on that weekend.  You can also scan the QR code that will be available or give online at https://www.vinnies.org.au/.  Thank you again for your generosity! Anthony Thurn, St. Martha’s Conference, St Vincent de Paul Society.

Blessed Carlo Acutis

The Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis: the first millennial saint has been postponed.

The Canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will be on 28th July. Prayer cards are available in the Church foyer.