Our Mission

St. Patrick's is a community united by God through the Gospels, the teachings of the Catholic Church and the pursuit of common goals. Our members offer their unique gifts to God and each other. With these gifts we joyfully proclaim the Word of God, proudly celebrate the sacraments, promote living in solidarity and justice in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

Our Vision

In God we trust boldly, in the footsteps of Jesus we walk humbly and by the light of the Holy Spirit we love tenderly as we become true Christians who courageously face adversity as St. Patrick has done setting for us a perfect example.

20210725 17 Sunday Ordinary Time B

17th Sunday 25 July 2021 Theme: Giving to Jesus what We have.

The story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish (5 and 2) we hear and reflect this Sunday is an early glimpse of the Eucharist. It contains elements that apply to every dimension of our spiritual life. Take a look at how Philip and Andrew reacted to what Jesus asked him: “Where can we get/buy enough food for the people to eat?”. Philip was overwhelmed by the size of the crowd, while Andrew pointed to the few loaves and fish of the boy in the crowd. The latter presented them to Jesus, and miracle happened because Jesus worked based on these simple gifts. And so, what is this to us? Well, we can be intimidated by the size of the challenges that face the Church and the world and us now here in NSW, i.e., the lockdown. We say, or some say, that it’s too complex, too hard to deal with; that the world and our culture has become too secular and too modern. The media has built up an immunity to deep reflection in people these days. But like Andrew, however, we can give the Lord WHAT WE HAVE and let the Lord work His miracle. Sometimes we doubt the power of the simple gifts we possess. Our gifts of friendship and kindness, concern, conversation and prayer can be extraordinary means for the Lord. Internet chat rooms and social media can’t replace the enormous power of human senses, especially touch (though restricted during this pandemic). However overwhelming our mission may seem to be, each of us has the powerful gifts to give to the Lord. And so, what are the barley of loaves can you present to the Lord? Can you present to Him the power of your personal witness, honest conversation, and a prayerful heart? Christ does not need specialty bread but simple barley loaves to create abundant miracles. Live the Gospel every day, live honest lives. Whatever we may do to enhance our lives, we should not forget the barley loaves of honest Christian living, that is prayer-filled, Eucharistic and Marian-centred. This is something we all have to give to Jesus. Lastly but not the least, it is not only about what Jesus gives us, but also what we give to Him. It is giving Jesus what we have. Amen!

20210718 16 Sunday Ordinary Time B

20210711 15 Sunday Ordinary Time B

20210627 13 Sunday Ordinary Time B

For more information and notices please see Notices/COVID-19 or our CLUSTER BULLETIN. Please feel free to contact us by email or phone. There would also be posters up in the church or on our Notice Boards outside the church or the Presbytery.

II. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:

2042 The first precept ("You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor") requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.⁸²

The second precept ("You shall confess your sins at least once a year") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.⁸³

The third precept ("You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season") guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.⁸⁴

2043 The fourth precept ("You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church") ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.⁸⁵

The fifth precept ("You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church") means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.⁸⁶

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own abilities.⁸⁷