THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - 25 October 2026
Gospel Reflection
Like last week’s gospel, we again have an example of the Pharisees seeking to ‘catch Jesus out’ in his interpretation of scripture. The Pharisees were regarded as the great interpreters of the Torah – the Law. To them, ALL the commandments were vitally important, not just the Ten Commandments given to Moses with which we are perhaps most familiar, but the 613 mitzvot (commandments) contained within the Torah – the first five books of the Bible. These 613 mitzvot governed all aspects of Jewish life. For the Pharisees to ask Jesus about the ‘greatest’ commandment was a blatant challenge to him. Perhaps they expected Jesus to name one commandment and then they could challenge him with a whole series of ‘What about …?’ questions.
Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees highlights their preoccupation with the particulars of the Law contained within scripture. In their over-emphasis on the details of religious observance, they have forgotten about the most basic element of faith: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. Jesus reminds them that being faithful to God isn’t about following precise rules but rather it is simply about loving God. With this one sentence, Jesus undermines the power position of the Pharisees. If the Law is as simple as ‘Love God’, what need is there of Pharisees to interpret the details of the Law? Having pulled the rug out from under them, Jesus follows up with his reminder that the second most important commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself. This is a call to compassion and justice that Jesus practised freely but was sadly lacking in the religious authorities of his time.
Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter
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We warmly welcome the MSC Parishes Formation Team who will be visiting the parish on the weekend of 7-8 November. The Team comprising of Fr Dominic Gleeson msc, Mrs Narita Perrotta, Deacon Michael Hangan and Mrs Marian England will be conducting a three-year ministry appraisal process for Fr Tru who is completing his third-year parish ministry in Canberra.
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Anointing of the Sick within Mass
11:00am – Friday 30 October, followed by a light lunch in the foyer.
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Friendship Group Morning Tea
next meeting on Wednesday 28 October 2026 10:15am – St John the Apostle parish centre
Please come and join us, you are all most welcome. Please bring a plate to share.
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First Friday Mass
6 November 2026
Mass of the Sacred Heart
The heart is the centre of our being, and the seat of our emotions and love.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
symbolizes his great love for humanity.
Jesus initiated this devotion out of his great love for us.
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Gethsemane Thursday
5 November 2026
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
7:30 – 8:30pm
St John the Apostle Catholic Church
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DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR
REMEMBRANCE MASS
21 November 2026 – 10:00am
St Thomas Aquinas Church
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The Archdiocese Annual Marian Procession, Goulburn - Sunday, 1 November 2026: Mass at 11:30 am at Our Lady of Mercy Maronite Monastery Chapel, followed by a Marian Procession to St Saviour’s Anglican Cathedral and St Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral grounds. Return bus from Canberra: $50 north and south pick up points. Bring an outdoor chair, walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Seats are non-refundable but transferable.
All welcome. Register: https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1667499
Enquiries: Trip Organiser, 0472 672 553.
Bus option for the Annual Archdiocese Annual Marian Procession, Goulburn - Sunday, 1 November 2026: return bus from Canberra: $50 north and south pick up points. Bring an outdoor chair, walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Seats are non-refundable but transferable.
All welcome. Register: https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1667499
Enquiries: Trip Organiser, 0472 672 553.
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Free Public Forum
Marist College Canberra in partnership with Concerned Catholics Canberra Goulburn
7.30pm Wed 18 November, Marr St, Pearce ACT
Exploring the Horizons of a Pope Leo Church
Fr Tony Banks OSA (Augustinian Provincial, Australasia, knows Pope Leo well) Dr Anne Benjamin (Co-author of Leadership after the Synod)
will explore directions of Leo’s pontificate, that will build the church for the next generation.
What skills, strategies and attributes will be needed by both ordained and non-ordained, in a church where leadership, decision-making and accountability are shared?
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Is your child Interested in becoming Catholic? The RCIC is for you!
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) is a program tailored for children ages 9–12 who have not yet been baptised, or who were baptised in another Christian tradition. Through engaging age-appropriate sessions, we support the children on their faith journeys as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. For inquiries, please contact the parish office or Br Daniel Magadia MSC (daniel.magadia@cg.org.au).
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KIT Monthly Magazine
Keeping In Touch – KIT -
Help us keep our parish community connected – Please send your contributions to belconnenwest@cg.org.au.
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Women in Leadership – Are We in a Change of Era?
The 2026 Archdiocesan Women's Taskforce Annual event is Friday 30 October 2026
Commencing 6.00 pm Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden
Guest speaker, Ms Philomena (‘Phil’) Billington, an experienced educator, leader, and facilitator will share her
To register for this event please go to https://events.humanitix.com/2026-annual-dinner.
More information contact 0405 440 463.
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Catholic Voice Christmas Cover Competition
We’re inviting Catholic school students across the Archdiocese to enter the Catholic Voice Christmas Cover Art Competition. This year’s theme is “Everyone is Invited”, exploring how the birth of Jesus brings people together. The winning artwork will feature on our December Christmas cover. Entries close 16 November.
For more information please contact catholic.voice@cg.org.au
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MOVIE NIGHT
7:00pm –27 November
St John the Apostle Catholic Church Parish Library
We are watching
“ ”
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BOOKCLUB New Members Welcome
Sunday 25 October 2026 – 3:00pm
St John the Apostle Catholic Church Parish Library
We are reading: “The Dry"
by Jane Harper
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Connecting with people living alone
Coffee Group – 10 November
2:00pm - Ichi Café
Kippax Shopping Centre
Monthly Gathering
15 November 2026
3:30pm - 5:00pm
St John the Apostle Catholic Church Parish Library
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Men’s Group
6:00pm Friday 20 November 2026
Parish Centre Kippax
beer, wine, soft drink , snack food and pizza
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Pins & Needles
7:15pm – Monday 16 November 2026
St John the Apostle Catholic Church Parish Library
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Women’s Breakfast
Tuesday 27 October – 7:30am
Neutral Grounds Café
Nettlefold Street Belconnen
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YCS BELCONNEN -
After Sunday Mass [fourth Sunday of the month]
25 October 2026
From 7:00pm – 9:00pm
St John the Apostle Parish Centre
Year groups 7 – 12 are welcome
Join us for games, praise, prayer, food and social justice
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Prayer for Vocations - Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
To be on earth the Heart of God
Third Friday Monthly 9:30am Mass
St John the Apostle Catholic Church
Fr. Jules Chevalier, the MSC Founder envisioned:
“Being MSC, we are brothers and sisters,
priests and lay MSC, all MSC in our own way.
“May we, the Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus your Son,
be blessed abundantly with men and women
chosen to share our mission of love”
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Journey with St Paul – Türkiye & Greece (16 Sept – 5/8 Oct 2027)
Led by Dr Rosemary Canavan (Catholic Theological College) and Fr Chris McPhee MSC.
Encounter Paul’s world by standing in the very places where the Gospel first took root. Visit Cappadocia, Iconium, Perge, Pisidian Antioch, Colossae, Laodikeia, Ephesus, Pergamon, Troas, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Meteora, Athens, Corinth and more. Celebrate Eucharist on site, explore museums and archaeological wonders, walk sections of the Via Egnatia, and let Scripture come alive in the landscapes where it was first heard.
A fully escorted 19‑ or 22‑day study‑tour with excellent local guides, daily breakfast and dinner, all entrances, domestic flights, and comfortable accommodation. A journey of learning, prayer, and culture.
Information Session: Sunday 8 November 2026 at 2pm (online). Register with Dr Rosemary Canavan: rosemary.canavan@ctc.edu.au or (03) 9412 3312
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Have you noticed the Safeguarding poster in the foyer?
Do you know who our Safeguarding Officers are?
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart West Belconnen parish is committed to the care, wellbeing and protection of children, young people and people at risk in our community.
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility
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Recently Deceased: Gregory Stoll
Anniversary:
Richard Koch, Carmel Johnston, Jeffries Dallinger, Johannes Blengst, Michael McKenzie-McHarg, Robert Imber, Ross Webber, Lorreli Newton, Marion Boland, Barry Parsons, Maryann Marsh, Anselma Carey, Patricia Harman, Dorothy Sutton, William Lilley, Patrick Menzies, Anne Jones, Helen Gorrell, Nicholas Moore, Frank Montgomery, Martin Moloney, Malcolm Lovelock, Francis Fulton, Peter Geraghty, Alejandra Bai, Jack McMahon, Kerry Hogden, Angelo Fallace, Christopher McIntyre, Elsie Screen, Silva Santos, Gregory Robinson, Ann Raadts, Paul Newton, Peter Fox, May Skelly, Patrick Healey, Rose Ireland Paul Peleschak, Celio Argenti, Maurice Scheerlinck, Gavin Smith, Emily Flynn, John Joyce, Narim Dawalibi, Ross Pollard, Rex Kelley, Kevin Mongan, Isabella Christian, Edward Dwyer, Edward Tregilgas
