Shepherd’s Corner from Fr Emil
by Woden South
Shepherd’s Corner 18/19 July 2026
The enrolments for the Sacrament of Confirmation close next Wednesday, pls mention to any friends/family members who have a yr 6 student or older who you think might be interested. Thank you to Laura Matchett our REC at SH school for promoting the Dominican Sisters retreat morning next Saturday- at the Masses last week. I hope to show a short video to further encourage all to register (cf bulletin notice) and not miss out on this special event. It is the sort of quality spiritual event you would normally have to travel far to attend- but we have it here in our parish! Next Sunday falls on the feast of the Grandparents of Jesus Anne & Joachim, so a focus will be praying for Grandparents – the Marists boys will be handing out letters at the Sunday Masses to Grandparents. –God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 11/12 July 2026
The retreat day with the Dominican Srs of St Cecilia in two weeks is gathering momentum- with 36 already registered. They are one of the most engaging and popular Catholic speakers at this time. They often are keynote speakers at major conferences, including for young adults. They have had two successful visits to Canberra in past years. We are very blessed to have them in our SHS school & parish. They will help us prepare for the Papal visit and International Eucharistic Congress in 2028. Pls pray about registering for this special day- more information in the bulletin. –God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 4/5 July 2026
I am pleased to see that we already have 24 enrolments for the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you are planning to enrol your child for this year, please note that spaces are limited for the Saturday night 29 August, and places will be allocated in order of enrolment, so it’s best to enrol soon. This Sunday’s gospel speaks about the unique openness that
children have to receive the Holy Spirit and connect with the new life Jesus brings, which is why the age of about 12 years is a powerful time to make this Sacrament. One parishioner has already spoken to me about starting a youth group with these children
afterwards – if you might be interested to help please
contact me. God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 27/28 June 2026
It was a rich blessing to have the travelling statue of Mary of Grace to my presbytery home last Thursday, with about 25 people. There is something special about opening your home for a rosary — it’s how the Catholic faith started and was nurtured in Australia for decades before the first Priests arrived. If you would like it too you can have the rosary at any time and just invite a select few, if you feel more comfortable with that. You can come to the previous house to join in and then take the statue or just
collect or transfer it informally. On other news, enrolment for the Sacrament of Confirmation has begun, a series of five sessions on Wednesday nights will be held with the actual celebration on 28/29 August. This is one of the major highlights for the parish each year. I have already spoke to a couple parents who have come back to the Catholic faith by their children’s involvement in the
Sacraments- we pray by God’s grace this trend will grow. God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 20/21 June 2026
Thanks to Fr Bernie Patterson who will be presider at the 6pm Mass Saturday while I am attending the one-day Vocations Silent retreat in Galong. Four young men will be coming, and others were interested but unable to attend that day. There were 7 at the vocations discernment dinner recently. We would like everyone to have the opportunity for such a silent retreat so the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia will host a one-day retreat on 25 July in the Sacred Heart School hall. We are blessed to have a dynamic REC, Laura, at the school who inspired this day and is helping bring it to fruition. Please see the notice in this Bulletin for more information. God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 13/14 June 2026
We celebrate our parish school feast day, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this Friday (as I type these words) and our Parish Church Feast Day. It is always moving to see how the children enhance our Mass. This Saturday is the important Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, while currently only a memoria in ranking, one day I believe it will be one of the most important Marian Feasts. I base my prophetic hunch on the words of Our Lady at Fatima- that one-day Jesus will Triumph through her Immaculate Heart and peace will reign in all the world. I had my “first” Mass on this memoria. St Pope John Paul II was known to say that when the victory comes it will come through Mary- allusion to the Genesis 3:15 prophecy. I will have a 9:30am Mass in the Church Saturday 13 June for this memoria, all welcome. Note: it is also the memorial of St Anthony of Padua. Finally, I will also offer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick after Masses this weekend, with the Risen Lord Community helping with healing prayers after the 10am Mass Sunday. God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 6/7 June 2026
Next week I put my Vocations Director hat on and visit our seven seminarians in Homebush for one day just to support and encourage them. I find it refreshing to go back to those simple seminary days of formation. Next Friday 9:30am Mass we have our parish Sacred Heart School helping us enhance the Church Feast Day as they celebrate theirs. Speaking of Sacred Heart pls think about helping in the subcommittee to prepare for our 50th Jubilee – see notice in Bulletin. Finally, we will have the traditional Eucharistic Procession around the inside of the Church to conclude Masses this weekend for the great Feast of Corpus Christi. God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 30/31 May 2026
Thanks again for all those involved with the women’s spirituality afternoon last weekend. We had some great feedback. The next formation event will be hosted by our parish Sacred Heart School together with the parish. The popular Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia will host a retreat day on Saturday 25 July – more information soon. I will be holding a Eucharistic Ministers training at 6pm next Tuesday. Existing ministers are welcome to join for a refresher. And finally, note that in June we will start preparing the new rosters for this ministry as well as for lectors. God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 23/24 May 2026
We had a very busy Clergy Assembly during the week. Some topics covered were: discussing the results of the first Aust national survey of clergy well-being, the legacy of Pope Francis, hearing about the great work of church local and national social service agencies, more on growing our parishes/groups in the SYNODAL discernment process, and more! This Saturday arvo we have about 40 women coming to the Women’s Spirituality afternoon as a way for the parish to prepare for Pentecost and our Feast Day Mary Help of Christians on Sunday. There will be a special cuppa after Mass supporting the Vinnies
group/ministry too. God’s blessing Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 16/17 May 2026
Next Saturday is the women’s spirituality afternoon. The local men’s group is using the money raised from the St Joseph’s Camino pilgrimage walk to shout the ladies a warm Turkish lunch, then three engaging women will share about how women pray in a distinctive way and process deep emotions. This event falls on the eve of the Parish Feast Day and Pentecost — the women will be invited to join a procession with candles to the 5:30pm Vigil Mass and rosary. As Mary was the lynch pin for the first Pentecost, may the deep natural feminine spirit help the parish be infused with the Holy Spirit in a deeper way. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 9/10 May 2026
Last week I watched a powerful film about St Maximilian Kolbe called Triumph of the Heart, about the last few weeks he spent in the Auschwitz starvation bunker and how he so inspired others — they were singing hymns in such a tragic situation. This is an intense, emotional film, which leaves you feeling uplifted in faith. You can hire it online at Triumph of the Heart.
This week Cyril John will visit Canberra and our parish. All welcome to come and learn more about, and partake in, intercessory prayer. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 2/3 May 2026
We have a couple of important events coming up: If you are thinking of coming to the Cyril John intercession training day, please sign up this week to help with catering. And registrations are still open for the Parish Feast Day Women’s Spirituality afternoon. The three speakers will be very interesting, & the MenAlive group is planning to treat the women to a nice lunch. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 25/26 April
Not long before the visit of a Papal Knight Cyril John for his prophetic intercession worship. A Papal Knight is a high honour given by the Pope for meritorious service to the Church (note: I can think of a few parishioners I would like to request one for!). I have seen many times prophetic intercession change people’s lives.
As we a journey in the books of Acts this Eastertide- we see many times the dramatic effect of intercessory prayer eg. freeing of St Peter from prison and execution. Pls pray about registering and coming along. I have rounded up several of my key intercessors from Moruya to come and help intercede.
On other news — there are a number of ANZAC Day options in the bulletin. And as Vocations Director, I also ask you to pray about supporting our seven fine seminarians- they will be our future Priestly intercessors. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 18/19 April
We had some sad news during the week, the sister of Melanie Kerr, our former
Office Manager was in a car accident with her children. Melanie’s 12-year-old nephew William Brian Wallace Mander tragically died. Melanie’s sister (Briohny Deborah Kerr) is in a serious but stable condition and her sister’s daughter Bonnie Mander (8 years old) who was in the car is uninjured. Please pray for Melanie’s sister & William’s dad Seth Mander & family as they heal. Melanie is in Melbourne with them and would appreciate prayers at this time. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 11/12 April
This second Sunday of Easter was given an expanded name of Divine Mercy Sunday by St Pope JPII at the canonisation of St Faustina in year 2000 – first of saint of the new millennium. Her revelation of God’s infinite mercy as his greatest attribute gives hope to us as we journey the spiritual life. There is a special holy hour at 2pm Sunday, more info. adjacent, all welcome to come and find out more.
God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 4/5 April
Thank you to so many who helped prepare the parish for this Easter— I have no space here to list names! From the parish office, to music & liturgical, church cleaning & set up. And just the usual ministries that enable Jesus to pour forth new grace through us His body to others. The Paschal Candle is from Jamberoo Abbey & has the risen Christ image as the focus – I pray we all feel a new life in Jesus this Easter, amidst so much global uncertainty. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 28/29 March
We begin Holy Week with the long tradition of re-enacting Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It is great to have 46 children making their First Holy Communion at the Masses this weekend, waving Palms & processing- symbolically laying the Palms at Jesus’ feet. Thank you to Christina our Sacramental Coordinator who has so competently done all the admin for the program. Thanks to Laura & the staff at Sacred Heart School & Staff at Marists junior school. Also, Colleen & the Parish School of Religion volunteers. Thank you to parents for their participation in the program. As the world becomes a more uncertain place economically, the Easter mysteries of death and resurrection of Jesus is our certain hope of coming joy. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 21/22 March
This Sunday we begin what is liturgically called Passiontide– the doorstep of the Easter mysteries. The rosters for readers and minsters are now in the foyer- if those with the gifts could pls put their names down. I will contact you for details. The Easter times are in the Bulletin. Note: Saturday Vigil will be special time of 7pm. Thanks again to all who helped with the parish assembly. This weekend we have the other big aspect of parish life- Finance Presentation. Thank you too our gifted and committed Finance Committee for their invaluable help. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 14/15 March
Next week we have two important feasts that touch many hearts- Tuesday St Patrick and Thursday St Joseph. I will renew the consecration of the parish to St Joseph on Thursday. Thank you to all who participated and helped with the Parish Assembly last Saturday, there was a nice cross section of representation- I hope to give some feedback to the broader parish after Easter. We have started more regular posts on the Parish Facebook page, I hope you can share a few likes! God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 7/8 March
It was a graced night in celebrating the First Reconciliation of 36 young parishioners last Wednesday, on their way to First Holy Communion on Palm Sunday. Thank you to parents for the strong attendance at the lessons and Christina our Sacramental Coordinator for her sterling admin underpinning it all, also to the Sacred Heart School REC Laura Matchett and staff, with School of Religion and Marists staff supporting.
The Parish Assembly is next Saturday- pls register in you can come along. There is always a deep blessing when the people of God have not just their Eucharistic Assembly also a “council” Assembly conversation- we often see this as key points in scripture, like the “gathering of some elders of Israel” in the first reading. God’s blessings Fr Em
Shepherd’s Corner 28 February / 1 March
I attended our parish Vinnie’s meeting conference last Monday; I am always moved by the good work they do. It is sobering to hear how some people do it tough in our community. Their ministry particularly resonates with the theme of almsgiving in Lent. The PPC is meeting this Tuesday evening to plan further the Parish Assembly – it be great to get the numbers in so we can allocate the venue etc. Pls register with the QR code or sign-up sheet in foyer if you can attend. God’s Blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 21/22 February
Pope Leo XIV has announced he will be at the International Eucharistic Congress in Syndey in 2028. We have not had a Papal visit since World Youth Day Syd 2008, so they are a once in a generation. The NSW & Federal Govts are getting onboard. On 1 March, so next Sunday, every parish in the country is encouraged to have an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament after Mass- to launch this journey. I will host this here after each Mass (note only 30 minutes for after the 8:30am Mass). It will coincide with the parish 1st Sunday morning tea (so grab a cuppa and come back for prayer!). More info. in back of the church pinboard. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 14/15 February
It was good to meet the parents preparing their child for 1st Reco and Holy Communion last week, we welcome them to the Masses this weekend as they commit to prepare their child for the Sacrament next month. I watched a film called La Vie en Rose last week on apple T.V. or Prime about how a famous French actress Edith Piaf (sort of the French “Elvis Presley”) who was healed from blindness by the intercession of St Therese of Lisieux as a child. Just one saint you might like to discover this Lent- which begins this Wednesday. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 7/8 February
This Sunday is the Mass for the opening of the Good Shepherd Seminary year in Homebush. We have seven seminarians this year, a wonderful blessing, and as Vocations Director I will be at the Mass; and we are blessed to have Fr Chris de Souza from the Bishop’s Conference to supply. I have taken a few days leave in Sydney while I am there. Lent is close, I will have 12 hours Eucharistic Adoration again for Fridays in Lenten (and other ways to prepare for Easter), sign-up sheet in foyer- cf Bulletin.
God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 31 January – 1 February
A parishioner is looking to give away a Yamaha baby grand piano to a passionate instrument lover, pls contact me for more info email: emil.milat@cg.org.au. Sacrament enrolment for First Reconciliation and Holy Communion closes next Wednesday, pls mention to any parent you know that has a child in yr 4 and might be eligible. We welcomed back the staff to our Catholic Schools last week and this week the students- we pray for a rich year of learning.
God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 24/25 January
This week the year really gets into gear with school staff returning to work. We will have a special Mass time on Friday 30 January so Marist staff can join us at 8:30am. It’s always a moving Mass to see about 250 staff starting their year in Eucharistic Prayer. Our Sacred Heart parish school staff will be joining us soon too. Enrolments for Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are still open but close on 4 Feb. Please check the bulletin or our website for more information.
God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 17/18 January
This coming Thursday 22 January the Prime Minister has called a National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi Terrorist attack. I will focus the 8:30am Mass on this intention with a minute’s silence. We also pray for our nation during the Royal Commission on Antisemitism. Religion will be a prominent discussion point. In fact, the Prime Minister referenced the Old Testament in terms of setting limits on new hate speech laws.
This can be a key time for Christians to highlight the love of Jesus as the highpoint of religious revelation and healing. We read about Jesus’ healing power in Sunday’s Gospel.
God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 10/11 January
We are leaving the Christmas season behind with the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, I pray a fresh start in our Baptismal calling for us all.
We welcome our new parish officer this week Carmela Sampaga, she is settling into the role while
learning so much new information. We thank Melanie for her commitment to train her.
Next week is Melanie’s last in the office & we will have a low-key morning tea at 9:15am after the morning Mass in the Parish Hall on Thursday 15 January, anyone welcome to come & say goodbye.
God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 3/4 January 2026
Happy New Year to All. We had a deeply graced New Year’s Prayer Vigil – praying for all during this new year of 2026. The office is still closed until 7 January, and we resume Bulletins next Friday. Weekday Masses and liturgies are as usual next week- as indicated on the front page of the website. God’s blessings for 2026 Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 20/21 December
Thank you to everyone who helped prepare for our Christmas Carols & Masses. Melanie & Christina have worked cheerfully with dedication and skill in the parish office. Melanie will have a farewell in the New Year and I will announce her replacement. A special thank you to the local Vinnie’s group (& those helping with the giving tree) for sharing the Christmas spirit via the hampers. On behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council I pray a blessing on all our Christmas celebrations & rest over the break. And finally, thank you for all the gifts received in one form or another. God’s blessings Fr Emil
Shepherd’s Corner 13/14 December
This Sunday you can help to spruce up the church for Christmas. Some parishioners have organized a small working bee from 3-5pm — all welcome to help. I will be there with a list of things to do! Also on Sunday we will have an Advent reflection on from 11:30am, to spiritually prepare for Christmas while in the coming week there are three options for the 2nd Rite of Reconciliation (see the notice below). This is a fundamental way to prepare spiritually for Christmas.
On Friday (12 Dec) we will have a graduation Mass for our Year 6 Sacred Heart School class, followed later by dinner. Congratulations to all the Sacred Heart families and staff. God’s blessings Fr Emil