Our great Lenten journey has begun! It’s a journey which begins in ash and ends in water. Fire is a profound part of our national experience. We know its power to destroy, blacken and reduce to ash. We know that evil can do the same. As always, the Gospels of the first two Sundays in Lent provide a road map for our Lenten journey from temptation (this Sunday) to transfiguration (next Sunday). In Lent we allow ourselves to be tempted out of the ash of selfishness and narrowness of heart and into a life of open hearted goodness. Read more

Celebrating At Home - 1st Sunday of Lent [PDF]                   
Celebrating At Home - 1st Sunday of Lent [ePub]

Join Prof Keith Egan, TOCarm, as he explores the Carmelite charism's dynamic and evolutionary character, as shown in the unfolding of Carmelite identity when the hermits on Mount Carmel migrated to Europe and gradually embraced the mendicant movement. Keith Egan has written and lectured extensively in Carmelite Spirituality and theology over many years. Watch now.

Wearing ashes symbolises our desire for conversion, to turn again towards God. Repentance (conversion) is not so much about feeling sorry for individual sins. It is about changing the direction of our hearts – away from all that limits God’s love and action in us and opening ourselves to a fresh experience of God’s healing love which makes us whole and restores us to our rightful place as beloved daughters and sons in the Kingdom of God. It’s about moving back into right relationship with God and neighbour. Read more

Celebrating At Home on Ash Wednesday [PDF]
Celebrating At Home on Ash Wednesday [ePub]

In Jesus’ day many people took illness, disease and disability as a sign that people were also morally ill, that they had sinned, done something wrong. By healing the sick, Jesus removes the taint of evil from them as well as healing their physical distress and restoring them to their family, community and religious practice. Read more

Celebrating At Home - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time B [PDF]
Celebrating At Home - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time B [ePub]

Women. Suffering. Violence. Too often, we see these three words together in the news. As if this weren’t enough, the pandemic has caused an increase in abuse. How can we repair this damage? You can begin by responding to the call that comes to us from women who suffer any kind of violence: HELP. As Pope Francis says, “If we want a better world, that will be a peaceful home and not a battlefield, we all need to do a lot more for the dignity of each woman.” Watch Pope Francis' video message.

For people in Biblical times, the experience of illness provoked fear and uncertainty. Often it was thought that illness was the result of sin and the sick treated as evil sinners. The healing ministry of Jesus is not about him ‘showing off’ nor about proving that he was the Son of God. Jesus heals because the life and love of God within him can do nothing else but reach out to people in trouble. These healing stories are never just about curing a physical ailment. There is always a sense of ‘restoration’ – people are made whole, able to work again, able to return to their families, communities, and synagogue. This Sunday's Gospel is full of healing stories. Read more

Celebrating At Home - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF]
Celebrating At Home - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub]

Last Sunday afternoon (31 January) over 100 people gathered for the closing ceremony for the Sancta Sophia Meditation community and the Carmelite House of Prayer at Warburton (VIC), and to honour the Meditation Community’s founders, Fr Ken Petersen and Sr Kathleen Murphy. Fr Ken passed away in June last year. Read more & watch video

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on 17 February. Join Jamie Miller in exploring a contemplative path through the Lenten Season.

Together, we will explore the possibilities presented by a personal engagement with Lectio Divina (or Sacred Reading), Praying the Psalms and Listening for God’s word to us at this time.

Join Jamie via Zoon on Wednesday 3 February 10.30-midday (AEDT). Register here for Zoom link and materials. All Welcome.

In the Sunday Gospels we are following the journey of the disciples. When Jesus called them they they took ‘a leap of faith’, not knowing where their journey with Jesus would take them. Over the next three Sundays we get some insight into who Jesus is and what that journey is about. This Sunday the disciples are beginning to learn that Jesus’ way is not about crushing people with the power and authority of God, but about bringing freedom and liberation from the evil which holds them bound. Read more

Celebrating At Home - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF]
Celebrating At Home - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub]

As we celebrate Australia Day we also remember those for whom this day represents loss of country, lives and self-determination. May we always work for recognition, peace and reconciliation in our great country.

Grant, O Lord our God,
that as the Cross shines in our southern skies,
so may Christ bring light to our nation,
to its peoples old and new,
and by saving grace, transform our lives.