Parish of Richmond NSW in Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia | Church

Parish of Richmond NSW

Locality: Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 2 4578 1410

Address: 1A Bourke Street, Richmond 2753 Hawkesbury, NSW, Australia

Website: https://parishofrichmond.org.au

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24.01.2022 GARDENS AROUND ST MONICA’S CHURCH RICHMOND Just one month ago Parishioners were invited to join a working bee to develop the gardens around St Monica’s. Today that transformation has happened and continues to develop. Sincere thanks to the twenty-four people who worked hard on September 12th. A decent dent was made in the jobs that needed to be done. The front gardens were the main beneficiaries, but good work was done all around and a four cubic metre skip bin was not enou...gh to hold the weeds and plants that were removed! Over the past two weeks parishioners have continued to work in the gardens, planting new trees, shrubs, flowers and turf. An incredibly grateful thanks to the many people who have generously donated plants, turf, manure, new soil, mulch, sugar cane for the gardens and a most delicious morning-tea for the workers on September 12. While we lost five Camelia trees due to drought, we were able to salvage and transplant five. At the front we now have Polygala and we have a colourful array of Geraniums on the western side of the Church and scattered throughout various gardens. Hebes line one section along the wall of the Old Church and soon there will be a Frangipani garden at the entrance to the car park. Visitors entering the Parish Centre will see a colourful array of Dianthus lining the pathway on one side and Salvia and a David Austin rose opposite. People driving past St Monica’s will see newly laid turf at the front and there will be a new small, turfed area inside near the car park. While many of the gardens have once again come to life several other gardens need close attention and restoration. That will happen with the on-going generosity of parishioners! The Adopt a Garden project introduced during the drought is an ongoing necessity. This project helped to save many plants. We now need parishioners who will commit to just one garden to water it as required and to maintain the beautiful gardens we have. Over the years many parishioners have put in hours of work to beautify our sacred place of worship. Let us work together on this project. Please see the garden map below. If you are interested in adopting a garden to nurture, please contact Mary McGuiness, the Parish Office or just add your name to the Adopt a Garden map found at the entrance of the Church and in the foyer. Let us keep in mind: many hands make light work and Together Everyone Achieves More. We trust all are coping well during Covid. Let us continue to pray for one another as we journey forward. God bless. Go gently. Mary McGuiness & Martin Crew Coordinator of Parish Ministries

24.01.2022 Today is the feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ... her birthday. This feast commemorates the arrival of Mary Our Mother into this world and t...herefore entering human history. Mary’s cooperation with the will of The Father was instrumental in allowing the work of salvation to redeem all of humanity. Mary Mother of God, pray for us See more

22.01.2022 Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows which commemorates the seven great sorrows which Mary lived in relation to Her Son, as they are recorded in the Gospel...s or through tradition. Today we are invited to reflect on Mary's deep suffering: 1. At the prophecy of Simeon: "You yourself shall be pierced with a sword - so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare." (Luke 2:35). 2. At the flight into Egypt; "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt." (Mt 2:13). 3. Having lost the Holy Child at Jerusalem; "You see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow." (Luke 2:48). 4. Meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary; 5. Standing at the foot of the Cross; "Near the cross of Jesus there stood His mother." (John 19:25). 6. Jesus being taken from the Cross; 7. At the burial of Christ. Our Lady of Sorrows pray for us See more

22.01.2022 ADVENT PREPARATION Dear Parishioners, There have been no groups officially formed within the parish this year for the Advent Study Program due to COVID. However, for those interested a study guide, to help prepare for Christmas is attached. You may like to use the material for your own individual reflection or families may use it as family preparation. Others may want to get a couple of friends together for some shared reflection. Kind regards,... Parish of Richmond https://drive.google.com//1SbDRHr6YdUc4KTf61ONEvMLW9/view

20.01.2022 FROM THE PARISH TEAM... It is now six months since our world changed and we began to live our daily lives governed by frequently changing government rules and regulations and the principle of social distancing in response to the COVID 19 Pandemic. We are now in a difficult phase of the pandemic because on one hand, some general activities continue to return to some semblance of normality, however on the other hand there is a great deal of anxiety and concern about community t...ransmission. As individuals, this leaves us balancing a return to some normal behaviours whilst ensuring that, more than ever, we must continue to educate and remind ourselves about behaviours and practices that limit the spread of COVID-19 to ultimately protect the health and lives of those we come in contact with. At parish level we ask you all to continue praying with the power of faith for those who have died, who are sick or at risk from COVID 19. We look forward to the time when the crisis will pass and we will be able to resume fully our regular parish masses, ceremonies, worship and activities whilst recognising that all may not be what it used to be and the landscape may be forever changed. We thank you most sincerely for your co-operation, patience and goodwill throughout these unprecedented and challenging times and for following the advice and guidelines we have communicated. Your actions, support and willingness to embrace the sometimes difficult and confusing ongoing changes with a positive response is gratifying. Safety is our number one priority. God bless you all.

19.01.2022 Today is the feast day of Saint Padre Pio, the patron saint of adolescents. Born Francesco Forgione to a poor farming family in Pietrelcina, Italy, he expressed... a desire to be a priest very early. At the age of fifteen, he entered the novitiate for the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, taking the name Pio. He was ordained Padre (Father) Pio seven years later. One day, while praying, he experienced a vision of the wounded Christ and received the Stigmata. Before long, the news spread and Padre Pio became well-known and a great spiritual influence, not only in Italy, but around the world. St. Padre Pio’s life, on earth, touched many lives and it continues to this day. He is also the patron saint of civil defence volunteers and the city of Pietrelcina. Saint Padre Pio pray for us. #padrepio #italiansaint #catholic #sydneycatholics #italiancatholics #sydneyarchdiocese #saintpadrepio See more

19.01.2022 Adopt a Garden Sincere thanks to all who have helped renew our gardens. We still have four more gardens looking to be adopted. Perhaps a family or two could step up to assist! No experience necessary - just half an hour or hour each week to weed, water and trim. Any assistance will be much appreciated. Contact the parish office on 4578 1410 or Mary McGuiness at [email protected]

19.01.2022 http://parishofrichmond.org.au//10/30-04-October-2020-1.pdf

17.01.2022 Today is the feast day of the archangels, Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael. The liturgy celebrates the feast of these three archangels who are ven...erated in the tradition of the Church. Saint Michael is our protector, I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger for the Good News, I ask him to help me clearly, hear your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel, I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to your throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael pray for us #michael #gabriel #raphael #archangel #catholiclife #catholics #catholic #sydneycatholics #catholicarchdioceseofsy See more

17.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY Feast of the Guardian Angels (Feast Day: Oct. 2,)... Pray for us! The Story of the Feast of the Guardian Angels Perhaps no aspect of Catholic piety is as comforting to parents as the belief that an angel protects their little ones from dangers real and imagined. Yet guardian angels are not only for children. Their role is to represent individuals before God, to watch over them always, to aid their prayer, and to present their souls to God at death. The concept of an angel assigned to guide and nurture each human being is a development of Catholic doctrine and piety based on Scripture but not directly drawn from it. Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:10 best support the belief: See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. Devotion to the angels began to develop with the birth of the monastic tradition. Saint Benedict gave it impetus and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the great 12th-century reformer, was such an eloquent spokesman for the guardian angels that angelic devotion assumed its current form in his day. A feast in honor of the guardian angels was first observed in the 16th century. In 1615, Pope Paul V added it to the Roman calendar. Reflection Devotion to the angels is, at base, an expression of faith in God’s enduring love and providential care extended to each person day in and day out.

17.01.2022 Ven. Carlo Acutis had a PlayStation. He made ridiculous videos of his dogs where he pretended to talk for them. He played soccer. If he were alive today, he'd ...be 28. And he's going to be beatified soon [towards official sainthood status]. Carlo's mom doesn't know how he knew Jesus. His family never went to church, but as a preschooler Carlo began to beg to stop in and visit Jesus. So they did. And as Carlo grew in holiness, he dragged his mother with him. "He was like a little savior to me," she said. After Carlo made his first communion, he never missed a day of Mass again. His parents didn't go, but he did, an 8-year-old boy walking through the streets of Milan alone to go visit Jesus. As he got older, Carlo began to realize how few people went to Mass. He knew that if they understood that Jesus was really present in the Eucharist, they wouldn't be able to stay away. So Carlo began to research Eucharistic miracles. He'd started reading college computer programming textbooks when he was 9 or 10, so he built a website to share what he'd learned with the world. Carlo was an ordinary kid. He had to figure out how to use the internet for good. He had to balance screen time with real life (he allowed himself an hour of video games a week--his rule, not his parents'). He lived in the same world we live in--he's younger than many of us--and he figured out how to become a Saint. I visited his grave in Assisi last year and was just so overwhelmed by the absolute invitation I saw in the dates listed there. 1991. He was born in 1991. There's just no excuse--I've got to be a Saint. - Meg Hunter Kilmer @mhunterkilmer The tomb of #CarloAcutis was opened earlier today in Italy (in anticipation for his beatification). Cred: @ewtnvatican

14.01.2022 UPDATED: Venerable Carlo Acutis, will be beatified this coming 10th of October! His tomb was opened for public veneration yesterday where a spokeswoman for Vene...rable Acutis’ beatification told the Catholic News Agency that the entire body was present, but not incorrupt. At the Mass for the opening of the tomb, Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi said the following: Today we see him again in his mortal body. A body that has passed, in the years of burial in Assisi, through the normal process of decay, which is the legacy of the human condition after sin has removed it from God, the source of life. But this mortal body is destined for resurrection, Carlo's ever present desire to live a life dedicated to Our Lord in the Eucharist and to share the wonders of this immense gift with the world via his Eucharistic Miracles website, is a great testimony to the young people of today. We can all be saints! Carlo's website can still be accessed here: http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/Liste/list.html See more

13.01.2022 Today is All Souls' Day, an opportunity to commemorate the faithful departed. We pray for the souls of people who are in Purgatory - the place in which those wh...o have died atone for their less grave sins - before being granted the vision of God in heaven. Pray for us Prayer for the Dead God our Father, Your power brings us to birth, Your providence guides our lives, and by Your command we return to dust. Lord, those who die still live in Your presence, Their lives change but do not end. I pray in hope for my family, relatives and friends and for all the dead known to You alone. In company with Christ, Who died and now lives, may they rejoice in Your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family, to sing Your praise forever and ever. Amen.

12.01.2022 Today we celebrate All Saints Day, the feast day of all our Saints. It’s a time when we honour all the Saints that have passed through the earth. Starting in Ro...me in the 7th century, the celebration also honours martyrs who receive direct communication with God. We ask for their intercession as we strive to follow their example. Tell us who is your favourite saint and why See more

09.01.2022 CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES Bookings will be essential and links will be made available on the Parish Website and Facebook Page in due course. Numbers will be closely monitored in accordance with current Government regulations. St Gregory’s Kurrajong ... CHRISTMAS EVE Thursday 24 December - 6.00pm and 8.00pm CHRISTMAS DAY Friday 25 December - 8.00am and 9.00am BOXING DAY Saturday 26 December - No Mass St Monica’s Richmond CHRISTMAS EVE Thursday 24 December - 6.00pm and 8.00pm and Midnight CHRISTMAS DAY Friday 25 December - 7.30am and 9.30am (no evening Mass) The 6.00pm Vigil and 9.30am Christmas Masses at St Monica’s will be available online via Facebook.

08.01.2022 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING FIRST COMMUNION MASSES Due to COVID 19 restrictions, we have made an additional 40 places available in the Old Church where a screen and video link has been set up to view the First Communion Masses whilst they are being celebrated in the main Church. Please note the following important points: 1. Holy Communion will also be distributed in the Old Church. ... 2. The video link is only able to be viewed in the Old Church and will not be livestreamed to the public on social media. 3. If you have registered for the Old Church you will be required to sit there and not in the main Church. Thank you for your patience & understanding. See more

07.01.2022 PRE-LOVED BOOK SALE Doors open at 9.00am this Saturday 21 November and will continue each day until 29 November. Opening hours: 9.00am - 3.00pm... Where: In the Old Church, St Monica'sRichmond. Come and stock up for the Christmas holidays. Something for all ages and interests. Don't miss out! If you could spare an hour or two to assist with sales over this period it would be most appreciated. Please contact Helen on 4578 8911 if you can help.

05.01.2022 We warmly welcome Jack Elkazzi, from the Holy Spirit Seminary Harris Park, to the Parish of Richmond. Jack will be arriving on the 10th November and will be with us in the parish until the 25th December. Please say hello and make him feel at home.

05.01.2022 Piety Stall News God’s Word 2021 Daily Reflection is available now in the Piety Stall and also at St Gregory’s. Ideal Christmas gift. Price $15.00. 2021 Calendars have arrived. $10.00 each.... Christmas cards are also available $7.00 each.

04.01.2022 Today is the feast day of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux - also called the Little Flower - patron saint of missionaries. In the deeply religious atmosphere of her hom...e, her piety developed early and intensively. All four of her elder sisters became nuns, and at the age of 15 she entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux. Her popularity is largely a result of her work, which conveys her loving pursuit of holiness in ordinary life. Growing up, Thérèse was frequently in the presence of priests, but never was she more extensively exposed to the lives of priests than when on a pilgrimage to Rome. I lived in the company of many saintly priests for a month and I learned that, though their dignity raises them above the angels, they are nevertheless weak and fragile men. Thérèse was canonised in 1925 and in 1997 she was declared a Doctor of the Church, one of only three women to be so. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us. Daily Prayer for Priests O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests; for your unfaithful and tepid priests; for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields. For your tempted priests; for your lonely and desolate priests; for your young priests; for your dying priests; for the souls of your priests in Purgatory. But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me: the priest who baptised me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way. O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.

03.01.2022 ARE THERE ANY LEATHERWORKERS IN THE PARISH? The leather cover of the Lectionary (Book of the Gospels) at St. Monica’s is in need of repair. Do you do leatherwork? Perhaps you could assist us?... Please contact the Parish Office for further details on 4578 1410 or email [email protected] See more

03.01.2022 SAINT OF THE DAY The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast Day: Sept. 12,)... Pray for us! The Story of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary This feast is a counterpart to the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus; both have the possibility of uniting people easily divided on other matters. The feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and in 1671 was extended to all of Spain and the Kingdom of Naples. In 1683, John Sobieski, king of Poland, brought an army to the outskirts of Vienna to stop the advance of Muslim armies loyal to Mohammed IV of Constantinople. After Sobieski entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he and his soldiers thoroughly defeated the Muslims. Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the entire Church. Reflection Mary always points us to God, reminding us of God’s infinite goodness. She helps us to open our hearts to God’s ways, wherever those may lead us. Honored under the title Queen of Peace, Mary encourages us to cooperate with Jesus in building a peace based on justice, a peace that respects the fundamental human rights of all peoples.

03.01.2022 RECONCILIATION Preparing for Christmas ... Following instructions from the Diocese there will be NO SECOND RITE of RECONCILIATION this year.... From Saturday 28 November 2020, Reconciliation at St. Monica’s Richmond will be from 5.00pm - 5.45pm throughout Advent. The Sacrament will also be available after weekday Morning Mass. At St Gregory's Kurrajong, Reconciliation will be held as usual, following Saturday morning Mass.

02.01.2022 The minutes from the recent Parish Pastoral Council meeting are now available for viewing on the Parish website or via the following link..https://parishofrichmond.org.au/about-us/#parishteam

01.01.2022 MEN'S GROUP Save the date - Saturday 21 November Mass at St Monica’s 9.00am followed by morning tea. ... Theme: Where are all the men ?" A call to men of the parish who are seeking to deepen your faith experience, learning & sharing from others.

01.01.2022 Today is the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. Formerly known as Our Lady of Victory and Feast of the Holy Rosary, the feast day takes place in honour of a 1...6th century naval victory which secured Europe against Turkish invasion. Pope St. Pius V attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was invoked on the day of the battle through a campaign to pray the Rosary throughout Europe. Crew members on more than 200 ships prayed the Rosary in preparation for the battle against the daunting Turkish forces. Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us See more