From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 18th May, 2025

Hi everyone!
Well, after all the excitement of the election of Pope Leo XIV, I guess this week's effort was bound to be a lot quieter. Congratulations, by the way, to all those who were chosen as our "Mothers of the Year" at all our weekend Masses, - and good luck with getting your husbands or children to use that Bunnings card to do something for you! In any case, I hope that Mother's Day was a lovely experience for all you Mums, Grandma's and Great Grandma's.

I have only a couple of matters to bring to your attention this week.

"Walk With Christ" Sunday June 22 2025
We are starting our organisation for the annual "Walk With Christ" procession, through the heart of the CBD on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 22. This year we will be offering a second bus if needed to bring people into the City and back again, so please invite your friends and family to be a part of this wonderful family event, in which we carry our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament from Martin Place through to the forecourt of St. Mary's Cathedral. More information will be given about that in coming weeks.

Good Friday Holy Land Appeal raised $10, 527
A huge thank you on behalf of all our brothers and sisters looking after the ministries of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, who are doing it very tough at this time due to the ongoing hostilities. The good news is that our 'Good Friday Holy Land Appeal' on their behalf raised a massive $10,527 which will be sent to help them firstly survive and then hopefully thrive. That was a marvellous effort, and I am very proud of you and you towards them.

A Reminder of the Upcoming National Church Life Survey (NCLS)
Whilst we won't be having anyone speak this week about the upcoming NCLS at the end of this month, please keep this in mind and encourage as many people as possible that you know of and who consider themselves part of Ryde Gladesville Parish, that this survey is coming soon. We will have the opportunity of offering the survey in both paper and online formats, for ease of participation. Check out the information box, in the bulletin, for more on this.

Sacraments for Those Who May Have 'Fallen Through the Cracks'
Please be aware that there are new opportunities available for people who either have never been confirmed or made their First Holy Communion, or who might wish to become a Catholic. If you know of anyone who might be considering something like this, please get in contact with me. I would be very happy to meet with them personally to discuss the options available, but it often needs the 'gentle prodding' of someone close to them to make this happen. Please call the Parish Office to arrange a meeting with me.

And that's about it for now.

God bless,

Fr Greg