CONSULTATION PROCESS FOR MASS TIME CHANGES

Over the past few years (2023–2026)*, the Parish Mass attendance counts have shown a consistent pattern across our two churches: St Thomas Aquinas, Charnwood (STA) and St John the Apostle, Kippax (SJA). Approximately one quarter of people counted attend Mass at St Thomas Aquinas, Charnwood (STA), and three quarters attend at St John the Apostle, Kippax (SJA). Thus, we find that it is fair and just that for the four Sunday Masses there will be ratioed 1:3 between STA Charnwood and SJA Kippax. Following consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Liturgy Committee, and Parish Finance Council, and in light of the need to reduce the number of Sunday Masses from six to four, two possible timetables have been identified:

*-[ONLINE LINK  or available in the foyer for reference of Mass attendance accounts]

Option A

Option B

This weekend, we invite parishioners to choose your preference either Option A or Option B above. Your preference is very important in helping us discern the most suitable arrangement for our parish community. We will count the votes on Monday 25 June 2026, and the new Sunday Mass timetable will be announced next weekend 30th and 31st May. It is hoped that the changes will take effect from the first weekend of July 4th and 5th. Please continue to pray for our parish as we seek to “act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8), and with one another.

Gospel Reflection

The feast of Pentecost celebrates the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples and energising them to set about their mission of continuing the ministry of Jesus. The gospel reading is one of the post-resurrection appearances by Jesus when he breathed the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The actual events of that first Pentecost are recorded in the book of Acts and are recalled in this week’s first reading. The use of this post-resurrection gospel account is a reminder that Jesus had already imbued the disciples with the Spirit but, as so often throughout his ministry, they were a bit slow to catch on to the significance of what he had done. It seems that they needed a more tangible experience to jolt them into action and Acts records the very physical experience of the Spirit entering their midst as a roaring wind before settling upon them as tongues of flame. Jesus had breathed the Spirit upon them but it took the roaring wind to make a real impression on the disciples. There are frequent references in the gospels to Jesus being ‘filled with the Spirit’. It is this Spirit with which he was filled that he breathed upon his disciples; it is that same Spirit that we receive sacramentally in Confirmation.

For the weeks following the death of Jesus the disciples had lived in fear and confusion, not fully understanding what had happened and not really knowing what to do. When they realised that the Spirit Jesus had breathed upon them was really present and urging them to action they finally had the courage to begin the mission that Jesus had entrusted to them: to spread the Good News of Jesus and continue to realise his message in the world.

Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter

PARISH OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We welcome

Fr. Krish Mathavan msc to our parish this weekend.

MSC MISSIONS

Fr. Roger Purcell msc from MSC Mission office will be in our parish on the weekends of 6/7 June and 27/28 June.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY NOTICE
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

On Monday 1 June and Monday 8 June the parish office will be closed.

Sharon will be on leave from Monday 8 June and returning to work on Wednesday 15 July. During this period, Br Daniel will be periodically monitoring the parish emails. If you have any urgent matters during this time, please call the parish office on 6254 3236.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION

Our candidates are exploring the Communion and Concluding Rites (We Are Sent). We read in Scripture that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Therefore, what we receive is not mere bread but Jesus, who offered himself as a sign of his love. And in receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, we are transformed, called to glorify the Lord by our lives. It’s worth reflecting that “Mass” and “Mission” have the same Latin root word, meaning “to send”.

Let us continue to pray for our candidates and their families during this time of learning.

Volunteering with Vinnies

Happy National Volunteer Week. Thank you to our wonderful Vinnies volunteers. There are several ways that you can volunteer with Vinnies including as a Conference member supporting the needy in our local community. If you would like more information about volunteering with Vinnies and Conference work at Kippax please contact Mike Blyth 0419818410.

ALPHA – series of conversations

Do you have questions about life and meaning? West Belconnen Parish is hosting a series of conversations called Alpha, beginning Wednesday the 13th of May for 8 weeks. Come to share some food, watch a video and discuss together. We will meet at St John the Apostle Church from 6 - 7:30pm.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Connecting with people living alone

Coffee Group – 12 May

2:00pm - Ichi Café

Kippax Shopping Centre

Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,

Saturday 30 May 2026.

The Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart this year is the first time we will celebrate this special day for our parish. It is also an important feast day for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. To mark this special occasion, there will be an opportunity to learn more about Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on the Friday evening before the feast day, and to come together to celebrate the Eucharist on the Saturday.

Join us at St John’s Parish Centre, Kippax, on Friday evening 29 May at 6.30 pm. After a short liturgy, Sr Dain Inglis, a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred, will give a 30-minute presentation, “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart – to know her is to love her”. You are invited to stay for a cuppa/ coffee following the presentation.

On Saturday 30 May at 10.00 am we will celebrate Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at St Thomas Aquinas, Charnwood. We hope as many as possible will stay for an early lunch as part of our parish celebration.

The Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart will start on Thursday 22 May 2026 at 9:20am. This Novena will be prayed every morning and will conclude on Saturday 30 May for our Feast Day celebrations.

Spirituality of the Heart: 

Spirituality of the Heart:

If you are interested in deepening your understanding of Spirituality of the Heart, the Chevalier family invites you to join a series of Zoom presentations. Sr. Merle Salazar, a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, is presenting Four Movements of the Heart over a series of four Saturdays beginning on 16 May. The time for Australia is 3.30-4.30 pm. More information along with the Zoom links, Meeting IDs and Passcode is on the brochure that can be found on the   https://olsh.org.au/prayer-life/

The Mary French Library Dedication and naming of the OLSH parish library

Friday 29 May 2026 after the 9:30am Mass Following the dedication and naming of the library there will be morning tea in the church foyer

MOVIE NIGHT

7:00pm – 22 May

St John the Apostle Catholic Church

Parish Library

We are watching

“The Scarlet and the Black”

Men’s Group

6:00pm Friday19 June

Parish Centre Kippax

beer, wine, soft drink , snack food and pizza

Community Connections

For People Living Alone

Monthly Gathering

21 June 3:30pm - 5:00pm

St John the Apostle Catholic Church

Parish Library

2nd Tuesday of the month Coffee Group 
9 June at 2:00pm
Ichi Café at Kippax Contact: Barbara Mawson 6254 7989 

Pins & Needles

7:15pm – Monday 18 May

St John the Apostle Catholic Church

Parish Library

Women’s Breakfast

Tuesday 26 May  – 7:30am

Bean Origin Café

Nettlefold Street Belconnen

YCS BELCONNEN - 
After Sunday Mass -24 May
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

Friendship Group Morning Tea

next meeting on Wednesday 27 May 10:15am – SJA parish centre

Please come and join us, you are all most welcome. Please bring a plate to share.

MSC MISSIONS

Fr Roger Purcell msc has launched an appeal to fund one of our largest overseas projects, the construction of a Desalination Water plant in the Pacific island of Kiribati. With a target of $195,000 to be raised, several generous supporters have already pledged funds to match your donation. For every dollar donated this will be matched dollar for dollar. For example a $50 donation will contribute $100 to the target. DONATE NOW

mscmisio@mscmission.org

www.mscmission.org.au

21 May | ALIVE: BBQ + Praise Night | 06:00 pm

Join us for a BBQ dinner and praise night at ALIVE - a time to deepen your faith and gather as a young adult community. Whether you’re seeking renewal, encouragement, or simply a moment to pause and encounter God, this night is for you.

 Who: Young Adults

Date: Thursday 21st May 2026

Time: 6 pm

Location: ACU Signadou Chapel, Ground Level, Building 302,

223 Antill Street, Watson

 For any enquiries, please contact Ethan on 0413 545 808

22 May |Who does God say I am? How does knowing who I am help me live with purpose and hope? | 5:00 – 7:00pm

Cenacle: Institute for Synodal Evangelisation invites you to its inaugural Formation Forum, Who Am I?, on Friday, 22 May 2026 from 5–7pm at the Veritas Building, Australian Catholic University. 

The evening will feature interviews and personal testimonies from members of our community, reflecting on our identity in Christ, the spiritual gifts we are called to share and our inherent dignity and worth.

Registration is free and essential through bit.ly/institute-forum-1. Livestream option will also be available. For enquiries, please email institute@cg.org.au. 

17 – 19 July | INSTAGRACE |

INSTAGRACE is a three-day Catholic residential program organised by Jesus Youth Canberra for teenagers aged 13 to 17. Running successfully for nearly a decade, it helps young people grow in self-understanding and develop a personal relationship with Jesus through talks, music, and life testimonies.

Venue: Outward Bound Australia, Naas Road, Tharwa, ACT

Date & Time: Friday, 17 July 2026 (9:00 am) to Sunday, 19 July 2026 (4:00 pm)

Registration Fee: $290

Registration Closes: 12 July 2026

For any further enquiries, please contact Jerin Niju on 0469 738 253.

Cenacle: Institute for Synodal Evangelisation Formation Forum, Who Am I? Who does God say I am? How can understanding my identity help me live with purpose and hope?

The evening will feature interviews and personal stories exploring our identity in Christ, the gifts we are called to share, and the dignity we each hold.

Date: Friday, 22 May 2026 5 - 7 pm 
Place: Veritas Building, Australian Catholic University

Cost is free but registration is required: bit.ly/institute-forum-1

Livestream will be available, with the link provided upon registration. For more information: institute@cg.org.au.

Recently Deceased: :

Anniversary: 

Hermine Raeuscher, Brian Boylan, David Pinner, Christopher Boyldew, Stan Niemiec, Gloria Harris, James Maher, Virginia Agostinis, Peter Fogarty, Suzana Katavic, Giuseppe Miceli, Thomas Flynn, Sofie Aver, Adena Hugo, Agnes Fisher, Mary Harrison, Ruby Molloy, Kevin McAlister, Pat Butchrer, Brian Durack, Alice Kurylowicz, Anthony Wade, Mary Blewitt, Rosemary Littlewood, Jeffrey Culnane, Leila Kurian, Maxwell Harmer, Anna Pisciotta, Bette Rutter, Beryl Moulis, Mary Clynch, David Mather, Wally Chymko, Eric Duve, Joan Kennedy, Hilary Hally-Burton, Margaret Coker-Godson, Olga Sarran, Terry Sheppard, Neryl Hogan, Marie Hill, Roxanne LeCornu

ROSTERS

31 May                 Acolyte Roster

5:00pm        Anthony Jayawardena, Chitra Jayawardena

8:30am       Sigrid Kropp, Vy Pham

10:00am      Maxime Kpudzeka, Peter Kain

6:00pm       Sabina Van Rooy, Nunga Umaru

31 May                 Lector Roster

5:00pm        Marian England, Kerry Yard

8:30am       Elizabeth McDonald, Shane Murtagh

10:00am      Frank Colley, Kate Lawrence

6:00pm       Karna O’Dea, Jenny McGee

31 May                 Ministers of Communion

5:00pm        Helen Kennedy, Joe Catanzariti

8:30am       Theresia Suh, Karen Bower

10:00am      Francesca Deklin, Gabe Sequeira

6:00pm       Priscilla Momi

31 May                 Hospitality Roster

5:00pm        Helen Murphy, Judith O’Neill

8:30am       Agnes Pham

10:00am      Manel Seneviratna, Christine Lancaster

6:00pm      

Weekly Rosters

Altar Society        24 May       Margaret Stanford

Church Cleaning:  25 May      

Grounds      30 May                  All Groups

ROSTERS

31 May                 Acolyte Roster

6:00pm        Adam Smith-Platts

9:00am       Rod Goodison

31 May                 Lector Roster

6:00pm        Annaliese Smith-Platts

9:00am       Michael Carberry, Charles Wood

31 May                 Ministers of Communion

6:00pm        Gavin Howard, Cathy Howard

9:00am       Margie Hourigan, Leo Walsh

31 May                 Music Ministry / Slides

6:00pm        Recorded, Patrick Smith-Platts

9:00am       Recorded, Peter Jean