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Saint Charbel's Youth Association

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24.01.2022 Inspirational words by Pope Francis

24.01.2022 Feast of Saint Stephen Saint Stephen is one of the first deacons and the first Christian mar- tyr. In the Acts of the Apostles the name of Saint Stephen occurs for the first time on the occasion of the appointment of the first deacons ... (Acts 6:5). Dissatisfaction concerning the distribution of alms from the community's fund having arisen in the Church, seven men were se- lected and specially ordained by the Apostles to take care of the tem- poral relief of the poorer members. Of these seven, Stephen, is the first mentioned and the best known. St. Stephen did many things for the poor and widows in Jerusalem and by the power of his faith, he worked many miracles. Acts tells the story of how Stephen was later tried by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11) and speaking against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14) and was then stoned to death (c. A.D. 3435) by an angry crowd encouraged by Saul of Tarsus, the future Saint Paul: "And Saul entirely approved of putting him to death" (8:1. Stephen's final speech is presented as making an accusation against the Jews of continuing to persecute prophets who spoke out against their sins. St. Stephen was the first to follow in the steps of Christ with martyr- dom: like the divine Master, he died forgiving and praying for his exe- cutioners (cf. Acts 7:60). St. Stephen, pray for us. See more

24.01.2022 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1,1-18. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being... in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, "He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me." ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. #amen See more

23.01.2022 You will get there if you become humble

22.01.2022 The Dignity of a Child of God You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. Mark 1:11 These words, spoken by the Father in Heaven at the baptism of Jesus, reveal not only the dignity of the Son of God, they also reveal much about us. They are words spoken about each one of us as a result of our own baptism into Christ.... Who are you? This is an important question. Very often we take our identity in something other than the truth. We can often take our identity in what we accomplish or what we fail to accomplish. And, in so doing, we tend to allow our actions to determine our dignity. Though it’s true that our actions are either in accord with or contrary to our dignity, it’s not true that our actions determine our dignity. Our dignity is determined by one thing: Baptism. In our baptism we are made sons and daughters of the Father in Heaven. As a result, the Father sees us as His beloved children and He looks at us with great pleasure. Not because of what we do or do not do, but because of who we are. Reflect, today, upon these words spoken by the Father and allow them to be spoken to you. YOU are my beloved child, says the Father in Heaven. I am well pleased with YOU. The Father is pleased with you because you delight Him simply for being His child. Ponder that truth and let it sink in as we prepare for the upcoming celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. Lord, help me to always see my dignity as Your child. Help me to know and believe that there is nothing I can do to strengthen or weaken Your love of me and, therefore, the dignity I receive from Your love. Help me to always realize that my life gives You deep pleasure not because of what I do or do not do, but because of who I am. I thank You for loving me as a perfect Father. Help me, please, to always know and receive this perfect love. Jesus, I trust in You.

22.01.2022 Memory of the Flight into Egypt and and the Killing of the Holy Innocents The Gospel of the Day Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 2,13-18.... Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’ When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’ #amen

21.01.2022 Have a blessed Friday everyone

20.01.2022 The Gospel of the day Sixth Sunday of The Cross Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25,1-13... ‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him." Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." But the wise replied, "No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves." And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, "Lord, lord, open to us." But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you." Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

20.01.2022 In celebrating the feasts of Saint Basil of Caesarea (+ 1st January 379) and Saint Gregory Nazianzen (+ 25th January 389 or 390) on the same day (2nd January), the Church extols a virtue which she has always esteemed, friendship. The friendship between Basil and Gregory was admirable. Born in Cappadocia around 330, they studied together in Athens and then returned to their homeland where they led a monastic life for several years. Their temperaments were very different. While... Basil had the qualities of a leader and a gift for organisation that made him a legislator for monks in the East, Gregory was a contemplative and a poet. Although both were called to the episcopate, they did not succeed equally well in their charges. In Caesarea, his native city (370), Basil was an intrepid pastor. By word, in his writings, and through many interventions, he defended the independence of the Church in the face of temporal power and recalled the dignity of the poor, who were often ridiculed by the rich. Before all else, he safeguarded faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. As for Gregory, after he became bishop of the small town of Sasimes (371), he found himself promoted to the see of Constantinople, then in the throes of the Arian crisis (379). People delighted in his sermons and discourses, and saw in him the father of the poor but, as he was excessively impressionable, he could not cope with factions. In less than a year and a half he returned to his studious retreat at Nazianzen. He was called the Theologian, a man who could speak of God, while Basil received from his contemporaries the title of the Great. The Orthodox Church has placed Basil and Gregory with John Chrysostom in the first rank of ecumenical doctors. They are the three Hierarchs. PRAYER: O God, who were pleased to give light to Your Church by the example and teaching of the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory, grant, we pray, that in humility we may learn Your truth and practise it faithfully in charity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

20.01.2022 SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL Michael is The Consummate Combatant, Assigned by The Church with 4 Main Tasks: The First is to Fight Satan! This He has done with Exceptional Skill. He Proved His Prowess in that First and Great Battle that Resulted in Lucifer being tossed Out of Heaven and has Battled with Us ever since. Michael will take on Satan in yet another Epic Battle: At the End of Time, He Will Defeat the Antichrist. ... The Second is to Defend Christians from the Evil One. We Know of Many Instances where Michael played a Pivotal Role in the Protection of God's People. When a Plague nearly Depopulated the city of Rome in AD 600, Michael Appeared to Pope St. Gregory I During a Procession. Michael Thrust His Sword into His Scabard to Symbolize Defeat of the Plague, which stopped shortly thereafter. Centuries Later, St. Joan of Arc would say that it was St. Michael who guided Her in Battle against the English during the Hundred Years War. Thirdly, Michael champians the Church as Her Special Protector. He is believed to be the Protector of God's People in the Old Testament and of Christians in the New Testament. Throughout Church History, Michael has been sent to Give Victory to the Church and Remind Her "the Powers of Death Shall not Prevail Against It." (Matthew 16:18). One stunning example of this occured in 1884, when St. Michael appeared to Pope Leo XIII in a Terrifying Vision. In that vision, Evil Ssirits were Attacking the Church with Cruel Ferocity, but in the end, St. Michael Cast Satan and His Legions into the Abyss. After Recovering from the Vision, the Pope Composed the now Famous St. Michael Prayer, which Calls upon Him to "Defend Us In Battle" and to "be our Protection against the Wickedness and Snares of the Devil." Finally, Michael calls Men's Souls away from Earth and brings them to Judgement, which is why He is Sometimes depicted Holding the Book of Life or a Pair of Scales. It is also the Duty of St. Michael to Rescue the Souls of the Faithful from the Power of the Enemy, Especially at the Hour of Death. Now more than Ever, the Church and Her Faithful are in Need of a Warrior like Michael, whose Spiritual Valor sets an Example to be Emulated. By the Grace of God, May He Defend us all, that the Gates of Hell may not Prevail Against Us. St. Michael, The Invincible Warrior, Pray For Us!

19.01.2022 The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is a feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ, whom Christians see as the Lord, Son of God. It is celebrated by the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church on 1 January On New Years Day, Catholics will celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, with a feast. This celebration is the octave of Christmas. This holiday is a celebration of Mary's motherhood of Jesus.

19.01.2022 Holy Gospel.... Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8,21-24. Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, "Where I am going, you cannot come"?’... He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ #amen #gospel See more

19.01.2022 The Way Has Been PreparedAre You Ready? John said: I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, Make straight the way of the Lord,’as Isaiah the prophet said. John 1:23 John the Baptist is alive! Yes, he is alive in Heaven receiving his eternal reward. But he’s also alive in another way. He’s alive in his ongoing proclamation, calling us to repentance and calling us to prepare the way for the Lord in our lives.... His message is just as relevant for us today as it was some 2,000 years ago. At the time he walked the earth, he preached so as to prepare the immediate way for Christ. He prepared the way for the Messiah to physically enter into our world and present us with the gift of eternal salvation. But St. John continues to prepare the way for the Lord, if we are willing to listen. We learn from John that the first step to a life of holiness is to make straight the way of the Lord. How do we do this? How do we make straight the way of the Lord? We do it by humbly admitting those sins which get in the way of Jesus coming to us and transforming our lives. Reflect, today, upon the year that is past as well as the year to come. What is it that you need to let go of from the past and what is it that you need to focus on for the coming year. Make a clear resolution to identify any obstacle to the coming of Christ into your heart and let yourself discover the new life that awaits you this coming year. Lord, You came into this world out of perfect love for me. You came to save me from all sin and You came to deliver me from all evil. Help me to see that which has kept me from You this past year and to surrender it to You. Help me also to have hope and vision for all that awaits and all that You are calling me to. May I heed the words of the Baptist and make the road ahead straight so that I can follow Your perfect will. Jesus, I trust in You.

18.01.2022 ---The final Adoration of 2020 TONIGHT!!--- *A Special Christmas Adoration* The final day of the Christmas Novena will also be prayed during Adoration

18.01.2022 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23,29-39.24,1-2. ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, "If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets." Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.... Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation. ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord." ’ As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’ #amen #gospel See more

18.01.2022 What is sin? God I know what you want. I don’t care. I want what I want. What is Sanctity/Holiness?... Thy will be done. ~ Mary (Lk 1:38)

18.01.2022 COVID-19 Update for all Maronite Parishes in New South Wales.

17.01.2022 Kan Ya Makan Sung by Fr Elie Rahme

17.01.2022 Today marks the , Australia’s first saint. St Mary MacKillop is a great example and a timely reminder to never lose hope and take courage even in the most difficult moments of our lives. On this blessed day, let us ask for her intercession as we pray: - , . ... . , , . . See more

17.01.2022 The Glorious Epiphany of the Lord

17.01.2022 The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

16.01.2022 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8,25-30. They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father.... So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him. #gospel #amen See more

16.01.2022 Confession is the way to go

16.01.2022 Seven Suprises of the Eucharist - Dr Robert Haddad WHAT A TALK!!! Must Listen

16.01.2022 Divine Office will be Prayed Tonight at 9:30pm

16.01.2022 English Mass Tonight at 7pm. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath. This is the truth. Peace be with you~ John 3:31-36. See you then

16.01.2022 Join us at 9:30pm to pray the Christmas Novena at Saint Charbels Church followed by Evening Prayers

15.01.2022 On this Blessed Feast of the Epiphany (Baptism of our Lord) we as maronites celebrate not only the Baptism of the Lord, but also the appearance of God the Father as the Holy Spirit to announce that this truly was the Son of God and the sacrament of Baptism. On this great day, the door to the life of grace was opened for us, and we are encouraged to live that sacramental life. The hymns of the Maronite Divine Office say that: The Holy One, the Son of God was deep within t...he mystery of God, the Word in the Beginning. Deep within the baptismal waters of forgiveness and rebirths he abides, that all water may be sanctified. This means that just as Our Lord is the Word of God, who was with God and through whom all creation came forth, so too, He is the vivifying power within water, and at His Baptism, when He appeared before the world, He sanctified all the waters of the world, as part of His divine plan for salvation. We are encouraged on this feast to bless water each Epiphany and take it into our houses for use throughout the year. Blessed Feast of the Epiphany to all ! Deyim Deyim!

15.01.2022 1st day after Epiphany The Gospel of the Day Jesus and John the Baptist(A) ... 18John’s disciplestold him about all these things. Calling two of them,19he sent them to the Lord to ask, Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? 20When the men came to Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ 21At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknessesand evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.22So he replied to the messengers,Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.23Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. 24After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?25If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.26But what did you go out to see? A prophet?Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.27This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.30But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.

15.01.2022 Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist

15.01.2022 Tonight in this explosive episode Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney Richard Umbers delivers like you’ve never seen him before! Michael Obeid pushes the Bishop on all topics from the crisis of faith to the culture of death, and the bishop goes uncensored with what needs to be done!

15.01.2022 Under the Patronage of His Excellency Bishop Antoine- Charbel Tarabay the Maronite youth of Australia invite you all to a end of year charity hall. Held at Conca Doro, the 19th of December at 7pm , Tickets are $80 and all proceeds towards the night will go to lebanon. To book your tickets contact Yara 0452 618 810

15.01.2022 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2,16-21. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.... But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. #amen #gospel See more

14.01.2022 LET THE NEW YEAR BEGIN!! SCYA invites you to come along and join us on Thursday 31st of December, from 7:30pm to End the Year 2020 together! Bringing you Entertainment, Food, Drinks ... At Saint Charbel's Multipurpose Hall Roof Top Tickets are $20 To book your tickets contact: Christina Kazzi 0452 477 833 Ps. 18+ Only Event

14.01.2022 Always seek Mary our Mother in any difficult moments

13.01.2022 Our Youth Chaplin *FR YOUHANNA GHANTOUS* who was recently ordained into the Priesthood in Lebanon will be celebrating his *First mass,* *TONIGHT at 7pm* in English. * We hope to see you all there. However, anyone who is unable to make it, 7pm mass will be _Live streamed on Facebook and YouTube. _ Here I am... How I Love to do your will, my God (Ps 40:7-8)

13.01.2022 Saint Anthony the Great This great Saint was born in the city of Coma in Upper Egypt (Saiid Egypt) around the year 251. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria a contemporaneous of him, wrote Anthony’s biography, he said: Anthony was born in a devout Christian family. His parents died leaving for him a little sister, which he took good care of. He heard one day the words of the Gospel (Mt. 19:21): ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you wi...Continue reading

13.01.2022 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour’ Join us tonight for English Mass at 7pm @ Saint Charbels Church - Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple Please be mindful of the COVID Restrictions.... - 1 person per 4sqm - Bring your mask to mass, if a police sees you, a $200 fine will be issued on the spot Thank you for your Cooperation See more

13.01.2022 My Brothers and Sisters, Following the recent events throughout Sydney with the transmission of COVID-19, and in response to the directives of the NSW Government, all parishioners who wish to attend Mass services are requested to: * Follow the directives of the volunteers who are generously giving up their time to ensure your safety, ... * Abide by the required 4 square metre rule when inside the Church and the annex area, and * Effective immediately all parishioners attending a Mass service a requested to wear a mask whilst inside the Church and annex area. Please ensure that you bring a mask with you. Your continued cooperation in this regard will be appreciated, so that we can ensure our Church remains a COVID-19 safe place of worship. Yours in Christ, Fr Charbel Abboud

12.01.2022 El Majd Lilleh, The NÉW YEARS EVE Party has been *CANCELLED* due to the latest COVID restrictions. Sorry for the Inconvenience

11.01.2022 Wednesday of the Fifth Week of the Cross The Gospel of the Day Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12,16-21.... Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, "What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?" Then he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry." But God said to him, "You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

11.01.2022 Monday Night Adoration *TONIGHT 8pm* First Adoration of 2021 Rosary at 9pm. Divine office will be prayed at 9:30 ... This is the wonderful truth, my dear friends: the Word, which became flesh two thousand years ago is present today in the Eucharist. St John Paul II

11.01.2022 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1,39-45. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit... and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ #amen #sunday See more

11.01.2022 Happy feast of St Gerard St. Gerard Majella is the patron of expectant mothers. He was born in 1726 in Muro, Italy to a family of seven. Majella grew up in a poverty with a great respect for the poor. Majella lived with the three vows of Poverty, Chasity and Obedience. He stayed close with the poor and worked very many different jobs. This humble servant of God also had faculties associated with certain mystics including, levitation, bi-location and the ability to read souls.... His charity, obedience, and selfless service as well as his ceaseless mortification for Christ, made him the perfect model of lay brothers. St Gerard Majella we ask for your intersession within our world today for children, unborn children, women in childbirth, mothers, expectant mothers, motherhood, falsely accused people, good confessions, lay brothers and especially for an end to abortion. O Great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted Child of the Mother of God: enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love. O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the Patron and Protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the lustral waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

10.01.2022 His name is Jesus, which means "God saves" On Christmas Day, we stand before the child in the manger, contemplating his divine face. Our eyes are wide with wo...nder, and hope fills our hearts, as we witness God's promise of salvation being accomplished. This is the fulfilment of prophecies, and the hope of peoples and nations realised, because the word of God has become a man and dwelt among us. Halleluia! Christmas is more than just another day, and greater than any event, for it is the fountain of good hope which flows forth every day. It is the light which, in every time and place, can sweep away the darkness which lies before us; as Isaiah the Prophet said: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light (Isaiah 9: 1). Let us announce with Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary the distinctive and unique message of this feast: His name is Jesus, which means, God saves. Following their example, let us walk according to the will of God, so that we may accept Our Lord Jesus Christ in our life and love him as they loved him, and listen to his words as they listened, so that our lives are sanctified as their lives were sanctified. Christ is Born Alleluia!

10.01.2022 Join us tonight for the Holy Rosary at 8:30pm

09.01.2022 Exactly right Fr Mike Schmitz If you truly repent from the bottom of your heart each time, you will encounter freedom from that sin

09.01.2022 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 2,1-12. In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him;... and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel." ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. #amen #gospel See more

09.01.2022 The Word Became Flesh And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 This passage, from John’s Gospel, reveals to us the Christmas mystery. The Eternal Word of the Father, the Son of God, took on flesh and made His dwelling among us. His presence among us reveals the glory of the Father in that the Father’s only Son is full of grace and truth. ... It’s easy to fail to understand the great significance of Christmas. It’s easy to see it as a nice story that happened long ago involving the birth of a child and fail to understand the great mystery of the Incarnation. By taking on our flesh, God unites Himself with our human condition. His Incarnation creates a bridge between God and man, enabling humanity to see the glory of God. But seeing the glory of God, through the mystery of the Incarnation, is not something that happens only with our eyes. We must see the great mystery of the Incarnation with the eyes of faith. Seeing the mystery of the Incarnation with the eyes of faith means that we, in fact, face the glory of God in our very lives. It means we discover the dignity of being human by recognizing the incredible fact that God became one of us. This should leave us in awe as we rejoice in how near God is to us. As you continue your Christmas celebration, reflect, today, upon these simple words: And the Word became flesh. Ponder them, reflect upon them and pray over them. Allow the Christmas mystery of the Incarnation of God to sink ever more deeply into your life. Lord, I thank You for Your Incarnation. I thank You with profound gratitude for becoming one of us. Help me to see Your glory as You are now present in human nature and help me to see the dignity that You have revealed to all of us by taking on our very flesh. Jesus, I trust in You.

08.01.2022 ‘He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World ’ Join us tonight for English Mass at 7pm as we commence the 1st Sunday after the Glorious Epiphany. Please remember to get your Masks, Sign in via the QR code and maintain social distancing at all times. ... Thank You

07.01.2022 Today is also the feast of St Margaret Mary Alacoque to whom Jesus revealed His Most Sacred Heart! St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was canonized on May 13, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and, in 1928, Pope Pius XI upheld the Church's position regarding the credibility behind her visions of Jesus Christ. He stated Jesus "manifested Himself" to Margaret and the chief features of devotion to the Sacred Heart are "reception of Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month, Eucharistic... adoration during a 'Holy hour' on Thursdays, and the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart." St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is the patron saint of devotees of the Sacred Heart, and those suffering with polio and from the loss of parents. HAIL, HEART OF JESUS Hail, Heart of Jesus, save me! Hail, Heart of my Creator, perfect me! Hail, Heart of my Saviour, deliver me! Hail, Heart of my Judge, grant me pardon! Hail, Heart of my Father, govern me! Hail, Heart of my Spouse, grant me love! Hail, Heart of my Master, teach me! Hail, Heart of my King, be my crown! Hail, Heart of my Benefactor, enrich me! Hail, Heart of my Shepherd, guard me! Hail, Heart of my Friend, comfort me! Hail, Heart of my Brother, stay with me! Hail, Heart of the Child Jesus, draw me to Thyself! Hail, Heart of Jesus dying on the Cross, redeem me! Hail, Heart of Jesus in all Thy states, give Thyself to me! Hail, Heart of incomparable goodness, have mercy on me! Hail, Heart of splendour, shine within me! Hail, most loving Heart, inflame me! Hail, most merciful Heart, work within me! Hail, most humble Heart, dwell within me! Hail, most patient Heart, support me! Hail, most faithful Heart, be my reward! Hail, most admirable and most worthy Heart, bless me. St Margaret Mary, pray for us!

07.01.2022 English Mass Tonight Celebrating the Season of the Holy Cross at 8:15pm 'Christ has no body now, but yours. No hands, no feet on earth, but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks compassion into the world.Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which Christ blesses the world' St Teresa of Avila... See you then!

06.01.2022 *Feast of the Holy Family* Roman Catholic religious festival falling on the first Sunday after Christmas. Although major feast days dedicated to each member of the Holy FamilyJesus, Mary, and Josephalso exist, the Feast of the Holy Family commemorates their life together, and the celebration focuses on religious family life. Because of the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, a feast for the Holy Family has been observed by the Copts from early times. In Western Christian...ity, however, a cult of veneration for the Holy Family as a group, rather than as individuals, did not arise until the 17th century and was not officially recognized until the feast day was formally instituted in 1921 under Pope Benedict XV. Originally celebrated on the Sunday after Epiphany (January 6), the Feast of the Holy Family was moved to the Sunday after Christmas in 1969, bringing it within the Christmas season. Enjoy this short clip on the Holy Family: https://youtu.be/7jSicQKsges

06.01.2022 Join us on our Boxing Day Picnic on Monday 28th December. We will be meeting at Stanwell Park Beach from 11am Bring along your families and friends for a Picnic in the sunshine ... Make sure to bring your Fishing Gear

05.01.2022 Every time we commit a mortal sin, we open ourselves up to demonic influence because we lose the grace of God in our soul and therefore our spiritual protection. One good confession is more powerful than solemn exorcism. ~ Father Gabriele Amorth (Chief exorcist of the Vatican)

05.01.2022 Third Day after the Epiphany The Gospel of the Day Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John5,31-38.... ‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.

04.01.2022 Amen. Our sufferings we experience will never compare to the suffering of Christ

04.01.2022 Our picnic tomorrow is still going ahead at 11 am ! However, please be aware that due to the forecasted weather at Stanwell Park Beach we have changed the Location to Saint Charbels Multipurpose Hall and we will be having a Sports Day including board games and a barbecue.

03.01.2022 Mass times for Christmas

02.01.2022 Feast of St. Teresa of Avila *Did you know how in love she was with reading?* To get to know this saint better for her feast day, here are a dozen interesting facts about the saint:... 1. She felt that a day when she couldn’t read a new book was a day lost. 2. With the complicity of her mother and behind the back of her strict father, she read books about the great deeds of knights, which were very popular at the time. 3. There are hypotheses that suggest that Teresa was part of a network of women who exchanged books. 4. She was independent and autonomous. When she understood that God was calling her to be a nun, and after she told her father (who rejected the idea), she decided to leave her parents’ house, and she went to the monastery of the Incarnation (in Avila). 5. The day she entered the monastery (November 2, 1535), the bells were ringing for All Souls day. 6. She overcame bureaucratic and economic obstaclesand, Dobner says, also the male chauvinism of the timeand managed to found new convents. 7. She established small convents throughout Spain. She travelled on foot, and thus became called the walking saint. 8. She taught her nuns to think and pray on their own, and to concentrate in order to hear the Lord in their interior, in what she called the Interior Castle. 9. She was closely watched because she was suspected of heresy, but they couldn’t find anything that contradicted the idea that she was obeying God’s will. 10. She always abandoned herself to God’s will, and was a very determined woman who knew where she was going. She often used to say, I am yours, Lord; I was born for You. What do you want from me? 11. In 1970, together with Saint Catherine of Siena, she was declared a Doctor of the Church. 12. As she herself admitted, sometimes she felt like a lion, and other times like an ant. Learn more on St Teresa here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhBwlI90n4U St. Teresa of Avila, Pray for us.

02.01.2022 Elmajd lilleh, Our picnic tomorrow at Stanwell Park Beach is still going ahead! Please join us from 11am. PLEASE NOTE - there may be a change of location due to the weather. Please keep an eye out on social media tomorrow morning for any updates

02.01.2022 Merry Christmas! Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2,1-20. In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.... All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. #amen See more

02.01.2022 Feast of the Felicitation to the Virgin Mary The Gospel of the Day Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1,46-55.... Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ #amen #gospel

02.01.2022 Behold, the Lamb of God Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29 These familiar words of St. John the Baptist offer us a beautiful meditation. They are spoken every time we attend Mass when the priest holds up the Sacred Host. These words, spoken first by John as Jesus came to Him to be baptized, are words that can be prayerfully meditated upon throughout our lives.... Think about that statement: Behold the Lamb of God It’s good to start by imagining John speaking these words of Jesus. But from there, we apply them to the Eucharist and to countless other moments in our daily lives. When John first spoke these words, the Lamb of God was seen in a very ordinary way. The eyes of all present saw only an ordinary man approaching the scene. But the eyes of faith saw He who would give His life for the salvation of the world as the Sacrificial Lamb. And when we look at the Sacred Host, as it is held up at Mass for all to see, we see Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb, in an even more veiled way. We see, with our eyes, a piece of bread. But with the eyes of faith, once again we behold the Savior. The Sacrificial Lamb of God is continually coming to us throughout our day. He is all around us, coming to us in veiled form, revealing Himself in faith. Do you see Him? How is it that you are being called, this day, to behold His divine and sacrificial presence? How is He present in acts of selfless charity? How does He come to you each day and how does He desire you to bring Him to others each day? Reflect, today, upon those sacred words. Behold the Lamb of God. Seek Him out, expecting His divine presence to be veiled but real. Discover Him with the eyes of faith and rejoice as He draws near. Lord, I behold Your divine presence today and every day. I seek You and love You. Give me the eyes of faith to discover Your real but hidden presence at all times. You are all around me every day. Help me to rejoice in how near You always are. Jesus, I trust in You.

02.01.2022 Feast of the Glorious Epiphany is fast approaching us... Saint Charbel’s Mass Times are as follows *Tuesday 5th January 2021*... 5:30pm, 8pm and 12am Midnight *Wednesday 6th January 2021* (_With the blessing of the Water_) Arabic Masses: 7am, 8:15am, 11:15am and 5:30pm English Masses: 9:45am and 7pm Please note: We kindly ask that Parishioners who bring a bottle of water to be blessed, should be kept with them at all times in the church. It’s also important to stay *COVID Safe* Please remember to: - Register your attendance, by sign in with the QR code scan on arrival to church - Maintain physical distancing by adhering to the 4sqm rule - Wear a face Mask at all times and please bring your own masks. - Practice effective hand hygiene by using hand sanitiser or washing your hands. We ask for your cooperation so that the Church remains open, and a safe place of worship. Thank You

01.01.2022 Sunday of the First Week of Epiphany The Gospel of the Day Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John1,29-34.... The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me." I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

01.01.2022 Join us tonight for English Mass at 8:15pm as we commence the Season of the Epiphany

01.01.2022 Luke 1:35 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.