Dear parishioners, visitors & friends,

There is a confronting message in the Gospel of Luke, a warning from the Lord to be constantly on our guard. Let us be reminded that as long as we are followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot be oblivious to the reality of death. The Lord speaks boldly about how death can overcome us when we least expect it. He warns us specifically that if we are not alert during our time here on earth while still alive, it might be too late then to enter the kingdom of heaven if we haven’t been living faithfully in the Lord’s way. Perhaps we may look at it in a simpler way. A young man who has always wanted to become a professional soccer player trained really hard during his childhood and kept up his strict training program to become the very best in the league. Finally he made selection into the best club in the English Premier League. Thanks to his hard work he had finally fulfilled his dream because he was committed and on guard in every aspect of his life. With great dedication and determination to the sport that he loved, he truly had lived the life of a professional soccer player. But later on in life, he let down his guard. He gave into the wonders and glory of his fame and wealth and began to neglect his training and, hence, he lost the mind-set of a professional in the sport. The young man had given into a life of pleasure and fun which worsened his condition as a professional soccer player. Unfortunately, he lost his condition and didn’t make the selectors cut for the next competition. The analogy may be understood in similar regards to the Lord’s message about life and death. Each and every one of us has hopes and dreams about life. We can pursue and soar as high as the sky for those endless goals that we would love to achieve. But even though we may pursue those goals, how about our goal to live life with God? Am I really living according to the ways of the Lord that are not only filled with prayer but also with works of charity, mercy and love towards others? The Lord has said “Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” It is difficult to enter the kingdom of heaven if we haven’t been living faithfully to the Lord’s ways. It is also difficult to pursue ambitious goals such as becoming a professional athlete, or a career in law or medicine if we don’t train, learn and study. The principle of dedication and determination is just the same as living with God. None of us is perfect and the road to God is very difficult when we are against sin every step of the way. But we can always try our best to be with God in each of those steps. Our commitment to live with God and to live his ways is more than enough to keep us alert and ready if death should take us. If our faith is truly alive and active, we can be hopeful that we are actually living with God and that death is not something we should fear, but opens up for us our new reality to finally live with God in the kingdom of heaven. God bless you all. Fr. Jeremy Santoso, OSPPE Associate Pastor

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS 2016

All  events and holy mass  will be held at the St. Mary’s Worship Center, Upper Coomera

Saturday, 24th December (CHRISTMAS EVE)

4.30pm –  Carol Singing   | 5:00  – Holy Mass 

9.30pm –  Carol Singing  | 10:00 pm –  Holy Mass 

Sunday 25th December 2016 (CHRISTMAS DAY)

7.30am Holy Mass

9.30am Holy Mass

Saturday, 31st December (NEW YEAR’S EVE)

6pm – Holy Mass 

Sunday 1st January 2017 (NEW YEAR’S DAY)

7.30am Mass  |  9am Mass | 5pm Mass