On October 6, Christian and Muslim children of Aleppo, Syria will gather together to pray for an end to the violence and devastation upon their city and country. They are also planning on drawing pictures about their lives to send to Pope Francis, to the United Nations and to two of the most important players in determining the outcome of the war, the United States and Russia.

You can use any of the following prayers or click on the links for more information.

On Friday 26th August, Wadeye’s new T-House was officially opened. Pirrimngiparl Boniface Perdjert, a senior elder of the Kardu Thuthay Diminirn clan welcomed everyone. Pat Dodson was here for the opening and he spoke of Sr Fred’s work many years ago with the women when they had very few amenities.

On September 5th we celebrate International Charities Day. This day remembers charities around the world who work tirelessly to alleviate poverty and human suffering.

It is fitting on this day that we remember and pray for all those benefactors who give so generously to OLSH Overseas Aid.

Pope Francis recently declared September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, as the Orthodox Church has done since 1989.  pdf I have attached a prayer for us, the caretakers of God’s creation (70 KB) , that you might like pray in community.

… It was God, who decided that we were fit to be entrusted with the Good News,
and when we are speaking, we are not trying to please people
but God who can read our inmost thoughts. …
Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children,
we felt so devoted and protective towards you
and had come to love you so much, that we were eager to hand over to you
not only the Good News but our whole lives as well. (1 Thess 2, 4, 7-8)

Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home in you.
Teach each other and advise each other in all wisdom.
With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God;
and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3: 12-17)

The 30th July was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as World Day against Trafficking in Persons.

According to the UN at least 2.5 million people are trapped in modern- day slavery  Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking.

As for me, my life is already being poured away as a libation,
and the time has come for me to be gone.
I have fought the good fight to the end;
I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith;
all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me,
which the Lord the righteous judge, will give me on that day of judgement. (2 Timothy 4, 6-8)

And eternal life is this:
To know you, (Father), the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. …
I have made your name known
to those you gave me. …
I have given them the teaching you gave to me. …
(John 17: 3, 6, 8.)

On Saturday 25th June, in OLSH Chapel, Bentleigh, Margaret Aboureszk and Amanda Nugent made their Commitment as Associates of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. and welcomed them into the Chevalier Family.

There is one ONLY THING to do here below:
To love Jesus,
to win souls for Him so that He may be loved.
Let us seize with jealous care every least opportunity of self sacrifice.
Let us refuse Him nothing –
He does so want our love!
(St Therese of Lisieux to her sister Celine)

Margaret’s special day here in Alice Springs has come and gone, leaving wonderful memories not just for her, but also for those who joined with her on the Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

When Margaret and I first began planning her Alice Springs Jubilee celebration, we did not realise just how much like ‘Topsie’ it would become.  After Easter, we sat and made lists of what we would need to do, who to invite, and what we would plan for a light lunch following the Mass.  We did not factor into the initial planning the fact that with it being on the Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, it meant that Fr. Raass SVD would ensure it was going to be a CELEBRATION.  Not only because of Margaret’s anniversary.  It was the Feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart patroness of the Parish.

“Sunrise, sunset.  Sunrise, sunset.  
Swiftly flow the years.  
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears.”

And Mary said:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
And my spirit exults in God my saviour;
Because he has looked upon his lowly handmaiden.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
For the Almighty has done  great things for me.
Holy is his name, … Luke 1: 46-49

Class has been cancelled so the community can use their ancient culture to honour Sister Tess on her appointment to the Order of Australia for her work in bilingual education. The 70-year-old nun has worked in the community, the largest in the Northern Territory, for decades running the bilingual language program at the local school.

"It's actually an overwhelmingly joyful day for me and touched me very deeply to see so many people and the children dancing," Sister Ward said.

"And people coming together in their way to honour me and show their respect in a cultural way.