Parish of Baulkham Hills
St Michael’s and Our Lady of Lourdes
Second Sunday of Easter – 27th April 2025
Baulkham Hills parish is committed to being a community of safeguarding with zero-tolerance to abuse of any form.
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Dear Friends,
Expectedly, yet unexpectedly, we learned of the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. His departure from this world is a surprise to us. But this manner reflects quite well what Francis thinks of God: God is full of surprises, as the Holy Father so often says of God. “The Lord always surprises us. This is the beauty of an encounter with Jesus,” Pope Francis preached at a morning Mass in the Chapel of Santa Martha. God surprises us with the novelty of Holy Spirit who moves and walks with each of us on our path of life. Therefore, we should not be afraid and open ourselves to encounters with God and others. Pope Francis will now encounter the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray that he will be embraced by the newness of eternal life.
It was a wonderful gesture that Pope Francis was able to personally greet the people from the balcony of
St. Peter’s Basilica shortly before his passing and to impart his Easter blessing to the faithful crowd: “Today at last, the singing of the “alleluia” is heard once more in the Church, passing from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart, and this makes the people of God throughout the world shed tears of joy…The Lamb of God is victorious! That is why, today, we can joyfully cry out: “Christ, my hope, has risen!”
Last Sunday we celebrated the Resurrection of Christ in our parish. Many people came to share in the joy of the newness of life. We know that the preparations for the festivities were very demanding. Therefore, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the liturgy committee, the flower ministry, the church cleaners, the altar ministry, the hospitality ministry, the music ministry, the IT ministry and the Parish office staff. Particularly, I am grateful to Fr Kevin, Fr Thomas and Dcn Roque for their liturgical leadership. Your efforts have brought many closer to Christ.
Traditionally, we celebrate Anzac Day on April 25th, a National Day of Remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorating the service and sacrifice of all Australians and New Zealanders in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations during WW I. Many have lost their lives to ensure peace. The First World War resulted in an estimated 15 to 22 million deaths, encompassing both military and civilian casualties. Australia lost approximately 62,000 lives, while New Zealand’s losses totaled around 18,000. It is very fitting that we celebrate ANZAC Day during the Octave of Easter. After all, it is also about sacrifice, hope, and resurrection, through which peace is achieved. LEST WE FORGET!
Fr Joe
We wish to thank our parishioners for their donations towards the maintenance of the church’s building
We acknowledge the receipt of the following donations:
- Terence Fernando (1000 AUD)
The total amount will be transferred to a special account for the maintenance of the church’s building.
God bless and thank you
Fr Joe
SUPPORT DONATIONS
We really appreciate your continued support.
Please follow the donation details provided on official website:
Second Sunday of Easter
Entrance Antiphon
Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in him you may grow to salvation, alleluia .
First Reading Acts 5:12-16
The faithful all used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. So many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past. People even came crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured.
Responsorial Psalm
(R)Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting .
1.Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let the sons of Aaron say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end. (R.)
2.The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. (R.)
3.O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the true God is our light (R.)
Second Reading Rev 1:9-13, 17-19
My name is John, and through our union in Jesus I am your brother and share your sufferings, your kingdom, and all you endure. I was on the island of Patmos for having preached God’s word and witnessed for Jesus; it was the Lord’s day and the Spirit possessed me, and I heard a voice behind me, shouting like a trumpet, ‘Write down all that you see in a book.’ I turned round to see who had spoken to me, and when I turned I saw seven golden lamp-stands and, surrounded by them, a figure like a Son of man, dressed in a long robe tied at the waist with a golden girdle.
When I saw him, I fell in a dead faint at his feet, but he touched me with his right hand and said, ‘Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and the Last; I am the Living One. I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld. Now write down all that you see of present happenings and things that are still to come.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me; happy those who have not seen me, but still believe!
Alleluia!
Gospel Jn 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you,’ and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
Communion Antiphon
Bring your hand and feel the place of the nails, and do not be unbelieving but believing, alleluia.
Next Sunday: Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 5:27-32. 40-41; Rev 5:11-14 ; Jn 21:1-19
Congratulations to
- Zayn Sawjani
who was baptised at St. Michael’s Church last week
We pray that his faith may be an important and integral part of their life.
First Friday Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration will take place at
St Michael’s Church every first Friday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30pm. All are welcome! The next event is on Friday 2 May
Anointing of the seriously sick
Will take place on Friday 2 May
during the 9.15am Mass at St Michael’s
and the 9.30am Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes
First Friday Morning Tea at St Michael’s!
Morning tea will be in the Downey Room after morning Mass on Friday 2 May.
All are welcome!
Introducing Multi-Language Mobile Bulletin
You can read the bulletin in your own language with one click. In a multi-culture community like us we hope you will find this useful.
PENTECOST BRUNCH: 8 JUNE
We’ll be celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit in the Parish of Baulkham Hills this year with food “from every
nation under heaven.” This will follow the 10am mass at St Michael’s. If you’d like to be a part of the organising team, we’ll be grateful for your help! Please
join us in the Downey Room on Thursday 1 May from 7.15pm till 8.30pm to begin planning. Thanks!
Grow In Faith Program for Adults
Organised by The Neocatechumenal Way, starting
Monday 5th of May.
When: Mondays and Thursdays
Venue: Our Lady of Lourdes Office (in front of the church)
Time: 7:30pm
For information please call Lucas 0428 813 256
Please also remember those for whom prayers have been requested, especially for:
Recently deceased: Pope Francis, Honor Rosario, Cuthbert Pereira
Remembrance: Tony Bertus
Anniversaries: Michelle Makin, Marie Thompson, George Steel, Trevor Anthony, Ian Pereira, Romal Jayasuriya, Angelo Lucchese, Maria & Mariano Mirigliani, Ladislav Adamca, Ted Redden,Lena Macey, Maria Felcaa Degirolamo
Sick: May Yap, Lucy Ward, Mary Leong, Julie Zuvela, Jose,Bill Rowan, Joshua McCarroll, Jeanette Uvero, Peter Maguire, Valentina Diaz Mendoza, Jo Khong, Natasha Leitao, Felix Melinz, Arlene D’Cruz, Judy Poon, Jacqui Sneesby, Rebecca Grech, Monera Obeid, Cathy Vella, Mary Burns, Margaret White,Tony Biddle, Debra Price, Connie Rivas, Joey & Noah,Greg Hopwood, Garry Eldersley, Marie Bolton, Mimi Yeung, Katherine Izzo, Nicholas Tadros, Judy Taylor, Greg Brown, Kong Su Chong, Frank Jacobs, Jamal Kairouz, Jane Gibson, Cynthia Gomes, Jacinta Hollins, Florgina Henry, Deba Beani, Baby Carter McGhie, Richard Miranda, Bridgette & Gabriella Boldt, Mabel Yabsley, Joseph MacDermid, Violet Nehme,Joel Uvero, Catherine Hemmings, Young William Merhi,
Benett Perera, Khyla Meighan, Rev Dr. Richard Waugh QSM, Lisa Middleton, Charlie Howell, Frankie Fernandez,Leonie Turner, Rod Johnson, Maria Roche, Melba Oki,
Peter Dawson, Peter Campbell, Pablo Herrara, Philippa Ford, , Harry & Pam Williams, Lavinia Costello, Anne Torina Wayman, Evan Garcia, Brian Roche, Carmel Willis, Warren Moses, Matthew Burke, Julie Bracks, Roumanos Nehme, Edward Beani, Jenny Francis and all who are ill.
PARISH STAFF
Parish Priest: Fr. Joseph Lam
Assistant Priests: Fr Thomas Bui
Assistant Deacon: Deacon Roque Dias
The Parish of Baulkham Hills (02) 9639 0598
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Office Administrator Monica O’Callaghan
Assistant Secretary Betty Cheung
ST MICHAEL’S
1 Chapel Lane, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153
OUR LADY OF LOURDES
1 Canyon Rd, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153
PO Box 702, Baulkham Hills 1755
Email: admin@parishofbaulkhamhills.org.au
Website: www.parishofbaulkhamhills.org.au
CURRENT LITURGY SCHEDULE
ST MICHAEL’S WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil: 5.30pm
Sunday: 8.00am, 10.00am and 6.00pm
Mon – Fri: 9.15am Sat: 9.00am
ROSARY: Mon – Fri 8.50am, Sat 8.45am
ADORATION OF BLESSED EUCHARIST
Tuesday 9.45am – 10.45am
RECONCILIATION
Saturday 9.30am – 10.30am, 4.45 – 5.15pm
OUR LADY OF LOURDES WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm
Sunday: 9.00am
Wed – Fri: 9.30am
ADORATION OF BLESSED EUCHARIST
Friday 8.50am prior to 9.30am Mass
RECONCILIATION
Saturday 5.00 – 5.30pm
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