From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 3rd May, 2026

Hi everyone!
Well, we had a fairly big week last week (at least from my perspective!!) Apart from the Parish Pastoral Council and Northern Deanery meetings of the Archdiocese (of which I am the Dean), I was invited to once again give an address and prayer at the ANZAC Day memorial service at the Cenotaph outside Ryde Ex Club. This weekend I will be taking part (along with Andrew McLachlan and Seamus Cronin) as 'participants' in the Sydney Synod of the Archdiocese to discuss the way forward in key areas of our pastoral work in the Archdiocese. Please pray for the success of this meeting (which will be covered extensively in next week's Catholic Weekly).

ANZAC Day Memorial Services
The parish was well represented at the local ANZAC Day memorial services, firstly at the Ryde Ex Memorial, and then at the West Ryde ANZAC Day service at Anzac Park (see photo below). I was very glad to see our SCB/OLQP Primary School Representatives get up so very early in the morning to lay a wreath on behalf of the schools. Thanks as well to the RGCP Choir members who 'chipped in' with the singing of the accompanying hymns and National Anthems (AUS/NZ). Big thanks particularly to parishioners Peter and Gai Simmons for their part in getting us all to participate there. It is good to be supportive of community events such as these.

It was also really inspiring to see our own Holy Cross College so admirably represented in the local ANZAC Day services by their senior cadets and their Catafalque Party, along with their senior student leadership. The 'write up' in the Ryde Weekly Times (TWT) and accompanying photo was good publicity for the College.

Mother's Day Memorial Service OLQP Church Saturday 9th May 2026
Just a reminder that this year our annual "Mother's Day Memorial Mass" will be held at OLQP Church, Gladesville, next Saturday 9th May at 10.30 am so that you can then visit the graves and niches of your loved ones afterwards. We will have the usual 'roll call' book for you to enter your Mother/Grandmother's names, but please limit the number of individual names to a maximum of four (4) per participant at the Mass, as it can get a bit tedious reading out hundreds of names on the day. Afterwards we will be offering light refreshments, tea and coffee in the hall, so please stay around after the Mass for a little while for a 'cuppa' and a chat.

Annual 'Mother of the Year' Award at all Sunday Masses/Vigils Next Week
As usual, we have our coveted 'Mother of the Year' award, chosen by the Holy Spirit each year, but dependent upon Mums and Grandma's being present at the Mass (I apologise for those who are 'missing-in-action' that weekend). As per usual, we have a $50 gift card for the 'chosen ones' this year, (but you have to be there in order to be 'eligible').

Building Works in and Around the Parish
After some initial 'glitches' the work on building an external stairway down to the bottom section of the Parish Centre at SCB has once again recommenced and, God willing (and weather permitting), should be finished by the end of this month. The initial work for some external storage space, with a retaining wall and two cement slabs, will also (hopefully) be completed by then. We will eventually pave a cement track to lead down to the bottom section as well, as a means of permitting a safe 'emergency exit' for those using the bottom section of the Parish Centre. I apologise in advance for any inconveniences this may cause during the construction phase.

A new awning perpendicular and similar to the existing one outside the Parish Office at Ryde should begin to be built in the next month or so. This is principally to protect our children waiting there each afternoon for school pick up, as there is a large 'ghost gum' there from which branches have fallen in the past, so I am keen to have some protective covering there. It will also serve to extend and enhance our 'hospitality' area adjacent to our 'Little Noah's Cafe' so that more people can be seated and catered for under cover.

And that's about it for now.

God bless,

Fr. Greg