From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 8th March, 2026

Hi everyone.
I am just back from a Clergy Conference with Archbishop Fisher this week (actually, all four of your priests at the Parish attended it). In it we discussed a number of events that are happening in our Archdiocese over the coming months, and so I thought it might be useful to give you an idea of what they are, and invite you to participate in them as you see fit.

2026 Major Archdiocesan Events in 2026

Day of the Unborn Child – Sunday 22 March 2026
The day will begin at 10:30am with Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral followed by a Marian Procession at 12:15pm through the streets of Sydney for the dignity of human life.

Holy Thursday Visitation of the Seven Churches – Thursday 2 April 2026
As per last year, our Parish will be actively participating by offering both of our Church Halls as 'Altars of Repose' on Holy Thursday evening, and they will both be listed in the booklet distributed by the Archdiocese in the week leading up to Palm Sunday. Why don't you form your own little 'pilgrimage' group for that evening and plan your visit to seven Churches in the Archdiocese (you can choose the Churches and the route taken according to your own possibilities).

Our Lady of Fatima Procession – Saturday 16 May 2026
Following the Saturday Night 6pm Vigil Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral, this candlelit Marian procession will take place in honour of Our Lady of Fatima, moving around St Mary’s Cathedral and showering the walls with the light of our candles. It was a very moving event last year, and I am sure you will find it uplifting this year as well.

Walk with Christ – Sunday 22 November 2026
Our annual Walk With Christ will be moved from the usual time of June (coinciding with the Feast of Corpus Christi) to later in the year (commemorating the Feast of Christ the King instead). The Festival will begin at 1pm in Martin Place with music and talks, followed at 2:30pm by the Eucharistic Procession to St. Mary’s Cathedral. We will once again be offering a free bus that evening.to help get you along.

It's 'All Systems Go' for the Upcoming Sydney Synod 30 April - 3 May 2026
Apart from that, several members of your Parish will be participating in the Archdiocesan Sydney Synod from 30 April to 3 May 2026. Apart from myself, they include our own Philippa Manley, Andrew McLachlan, Pina Bernard, and Seamus Cronin, who very ably represent various areas of Church life and outreach at our Parish. The 18 topics to be specifically discussed were outlined in the Catholic Weekly on the 8th Feb 2026 so I won't go into them right now (you can find them online at https://catholicweekly.com.au/archbishop-anthony-fisher-op-formalises-the-ideas-for-sydney-synod-2026/). However, please be aware that we will be participating on behalf of all of you and pray for the success of the Sydney Synod.

And that's about it for now. Easter is just around the corner, so we will be asking for help with manning the various ministries and things. More about that in next week's bulletin.

God bless,
Fr. Greg