From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 21st December, 2025

Hi everyone.
Praying at All our Masses for the Victims of the Bondi Beach Shootings
I think we are all in collective shock after the events of last Sunday's shooting at Bondi. Such violence and callous disregard for life in our City of Sydney has never before been witnessed, and we hope and pray that this will never happen again. We will continue to offer our Masses and 'Prayers of the Faithful' for the victims of the shootings, as much for the deceased and the wounded, as for the traumatised and the grieving. Please keep them all in your own individual prayers as well.

I am glad our 'busload' of parishioners, who went to see the 'Lights of the Cathedral' last Wednesday evening, could also witness the interfaith prayer service held on the steps of St. Mary's Cathedral, in the presence of both our Prime Minister and our Premier and show solidarity with all our Jewish brothers and sisters who were targeted that day. As Archbishop Anthony said, in his own 'Media Statement' last Monday and which is all the more relevant given its' proximity to Christmas Day:

"... Mary and Joseph were Jews. So too our father Abraham and all the prophets, as well as all twelve of the apostles. Christians are children of the Jews. And so, an attack on the Jews is an attack on all of us."

Those candles of Hope and Peace are still being lit every Sunday in our Christmas Wreaths (along with those of Joy and Faith) and will continue to be lit until the Feast of the Lord's Baptism (11th January). Let us continue to hope and pray for healing and reconciliation and strive for peace and justice, at both the domestic level and on the international front.

Parish Family Camp at Toukley 23 - 25 January
There are still some cabins available at our RGCP Family Camp at Toukley late January (Yes, don't worry; you will all have nice food, beds, cabins and hot showers!!). This is the first time that we will be offering this camp, alongside our 'intrepid youth who will be simultaneously holding their Youth Camp (see page 6 for more details) on one half of the same campsite. We have planned different activities for the Family Camp, more in line with young families, with games and storytelling, campfire and 'Amazing Races', prayer time and Mass. Your own Parish Priest (as in me) will be with you throughout the Camp. Should be a lot of fun!!

The cost of the Family Camp is $200 for adults, $100 for primary school aged kids and infants come for free (as all their needs will have to be met by their parents). Secondary college kids will take part of the Youth Camp next door with Fr. Steve). If anyone has difficulty with these prices please let us know and we will happily take that into account. The purpose of having the Family Camp at the same time and venue is so that the whole family can be a part of the one big event. If you want to find out more, talk to us after one of the Masses this weekend. So, see you there!!

Christmas Closure of Parish Office - from 3pm 24 December - 4 January
Please be advised that our Parish Office will be closed from 'Close of Business" on Christmas Eve (Wed 24th at 3pm) until Monday 5th January. If you happen to have any urgent needs, please ring or text the Parish emergency number 0413 226 508, or send an email to office@rgcp.org.au, and we will attend to it as soon as possible. One of our Priests will be here at the Parish over the Christmas break to attend to the needs of the Parish during that time. Thank you for your patience with us all over this period.

SCB Church is Open during the Christmas Break (7am - 5pm) But No 'Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament' on SCB Altar (25 Dec - 12 Jan)
During the Christmas/New Year break, we will also be giving our trusty wardens some well deserved 'time off'. That being the case, there will be no 'Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament' on the Main Altar at SCB Church Ryde from Christmas Day through to Monday 12 Jan. SCB Church, however, should be open every day during that period from about 7 am to 5 pm, (God willing!!). Please feel free to 'pop in and see' the Baby Jesus, and have some quiet time for prayer and meditation during that time.

And that's about all for now. God bless!

Fr. Greg