During this season of Lent the Liturgy Committee determined that we should prepare reflections for our Masses based on the recent Apostolic Letter of the Holy Father Pope Francis. This letter was written to declare this year as  the Year of  St Joseph and  marks the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the universal church.

In this letter the Holy Father describes St Joseph as a beloved father. Pope Francis says “The greatness of Saint Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this way, he placed himself, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, “at the service of the entire plan of salvation”.

But was this the service that Joseph became aware of when,  as we hear  described in Matthew Chapter 1:18-20;

 “Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.”

This situation must have sorely tempted Joseph as to whether he should continue the relationship. As we resume this passage we find;

“Because Joseph was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

But as we read in today’s Gospel where Jesus is in the wilderness and tempted, the angels looked after him. This also happened to St Joseph when an Angel appeared to him and exhorted him to take Mary into his home.

Temptation faces us all and St Joseph was no different, yet in our prayer to St Joseph we recognise that ’To You, God entrusted His only Son’’, clearly describing St Joseph as a beloved father. Joseph listened to the words of the Angel and put aside the temptation to abandon Mary.

In this coming week let us also reflect on our relationship with our partners and our children and see where we need; “Blessed Joseph, to us also, show yourself as a Father and guide us in the path of life”

Address: 27 Aurelia St, Toongabbie NSW 2146

Postal Address: PO Box 23, Toongabbie NSW 2146

Phone: (02) 9631 3316

Office Hours:

• Mon 9am to 3pm
• Tues 9am to 4pm
• Wed 9am to 3pm
• Thursday 9am to 4pm
• Friday 9am to 4pm

Parish Priest: Fr Joby Kadambattu MS This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Assistant Deacon: Deacon Charles Hyson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sacramental / SRE Coordinator: Erick Opena This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Parish Secretary: Shanika Joseph This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hire of Hall: Charlie  0488 264 922

 St Anthony's Primary School

• Principal: Ms Patricia Reilly
• Office Staff: Rowena Laurie & Juliette Yacoub
• Phone: (02) 8843 4600
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Palm Sunday
27 March: Saturday 5.30pm
28 March: Sunday 8.00am , 9.00am and 10am

Holy Thursday
1st April: 7.30pm : Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday
2nd April :10am Stations of the Cross
1.30pm–Reflection (Youth Group)
3pm-Celebration of the Passion of the Lord

Holy Saturday
3rd April: Easter Vigil 6.30pm

Easter Sunday
4th April: 8.00am, 9.00am and 10.00am

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