From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 18 January, 2026

Hi everyone!
Welcome to 2026!
Having come back from a week of rest and a week of silent retreat, we are now all 'back into the swing of things' and getting prepared for our Youth Camp and Family Camp next weekend at Toukley. I trust that your Christmas and New Year's celebrations with family and friends were wonderful opportunities to renew family ties and friendships. I hope that those of you who have taken summer holidays will have returned relaxed and ready for all the New Year will present.

Changes in Priestly ministries for Fr. Daniele and Fr. Dan
This year we have a few changes in pastoral ministries for two of our resident priests. Fr. Daniele has now taken up the position of Spiritual Director to the Good Shepherd Seminary at Strathfield, so even though you will still see him on weekends, he won't be able to celebrate weekday Masses and funerals as before.

Fr. Dan will be taking over his position as Catholic Chaplain to Macquarie University from February onwards, and will be there four days each week. He is also finishing off his thesis for a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture this year and so he, too, will also be less available for added pastoral work.

Please be aware of this when asking for either of them to look after specific pastoral needs you might have this year. We wish both Fr Daniele and Fr Dan well in their new endeavours.

Introducing our New Sacramental Coordinator, Tessa Quan:
Just before Christmas we were blessed to 'sign on' our new Sacramental Coordinator, Tessa Quan, to take over from Arran O'Brien, who has moved on to his new pastoral role in Prison Chaplaincy. We wish him all the very best in this new pastoral line of work. Here are a few words from Tessa:

I came to Australia from South Africa 20 yrs ago & have been living in Ryde for 2 yrs. I'm mum to 3 lovely children & enjoy reading, especially crime procedurals. In my free time I like to bake & cook. My family feels very blessed to be part of this warm, vibrant parish. I look forward to contributing in a meaningful way & getting to know the members of our parish family much better!

Opening dates for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation Sessions.
For those of you who have young children in either Year 3 or Year 6, and intend to enrol them in our Sacramental Formation programme this year, please be aware that the online booking portal for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will open on 10th February. Please check out the info boxes on the opposite page for more details. I would invite those of you who know of parents with children at state schools in the area to please note the dates and times so that they book their children in for the Sacraments required.

The booking dates for Confirmation formation sessions (which will take place from September onwards) will open on the 5th May. Please take note of the instruction’s letter carefully and make your bookings attentively, noting down the particulars so as to avoid confusion later on.

News from Sr. Josephine Marie and her 'Five Marian Windows' for OLQP
Sr. Josephine Marie sent me an email this week to let me know that she has now fully completed the 'black and white' outlines of all five of the 'Windows into our Lady's Life' which she had been artistically creating over the last year or so with the help of the Holy Spirit.

She says that she has already sent the outlines for scanning, and will now begin the work of adding colour to those outlines. We hope to have them installed at OLQP Church some time later this year, so 'stay tuned' for further updates as they come through. Here is the progress report she sent through for all of you:

Dear Patient Parishoners awaiting wonderful windows, the story of salvation is soon to shine! Gladesville can glow with gladness as the phase of black lines lingers no longer. My palette will soon be a rainbow of colours which - little by little - will adorn the gaps. It's the final stage so we're nearly there! Thank you all for your support and prayer.

Sr Josephine Marie


Good on you, Sr. Josephine Marie!!
And that's about it for now.

Fr Greg