Ipswich Catholic Community
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07 3362 8765 | ipswich@bne.catholic.net.au | ipswichcatholic.au
Beautiful Treasures.
One of the beautiful treasures of our Catholic faith is the offering of Mass intentions. At times, we might take for granted the opportunity to have a Mass celebrated for a particular intention, but this ancient practice lies at the very heart of the Church’s prayer and worship.
At every Mass, we offer the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ to the Father. The Mass is not simply a gathering of people to pray together; it is the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, through which the graces of redemption are made available to us. When a priest celebrates Mass for a particular intention, he offers this sacrifice and the Church’s prayer for that specific person, family, need or circumstance.
We can request a Mass for almost any intention:
for someone who is sick,
for a family experiencing difficulties,
in thanksgiving for blessings received,
for guidance in making an important decision,
or for someone who has died.
We can also offer Masses for our own spiritual needs and those of our loved ones. Whatever the intention, we entrust it to the Lord, confident that His grace is at work even when we cannot immediately see the fruits of our prayer.
It is especially important to remember that having a Mass offered for someone is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. While we might ordinarily express our love through a card, a phone call or a thoughtful present, a Mass intention allows us to place that person directly before the Lord in the Church’s greatest act of worship. The spiritual fruits of the Mass are immeasurable, and we trust in God's goodness as we ask Him to pour out His grace upon those for whom we pray.
This becomes particularly significant during November, when the Church dedicates the month in a special way to praying for the faithful departed. The Church continues to pray for those who have died, entrusting them to God's mercy. We offer Masses for the souls of the faithful departed, asking the Lord to purify them and bring them into the fullness of eternal life.
November is therefore a beautiful opportunity to remember our deceased loved ones and those who may have no one left to pray for them. Our prayers are an expression of love that reaches beyond the grave.
Mass intention envelopes are available at the doors of the church. Please take one, write your intention clearly, and return it to your priest or to the parish office.
Let us make the most of this gift and continue to entrust our loved ones, to the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Isaac Falzon
If you would like to request a Mass Intention, envelopes are located at the front door of each Church.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Michael Stelin
Raymond Devantier
Jeanne S. Agdeppa
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH
Dorothy McLaren
Marlene Zeller
"May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace."
We welcome Parishioners to add the names of their loved ones who are no longer with us to the Book of Life, located in each Church.
THIS SUNDAY
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Exodus 22:20-26
The Lord said to Moses:"Thus shall you say to the Israelites,
these are the ordinances that you shall set before them
"You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien,
for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
You shall not abuse any widow or orphan.
If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me,
I will surely heed their cry;
my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword,
and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.
"If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you,
you shall not deal with them as a creditor;
you shall not exact interest from them.
If you take your neighbour's cloak in pawn,
you shall restore it before the sun goes down;
for it may be your neighbour's only clothing to use as cover;
in what else shall that person sleep?
And if your neighbour cries out to me I will listen, for I am compassionate."
Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1, 3-5, 7-10
I love you, Lord, my strength, with all my heart.
I love you, Lord, my strength
my rock, my fortress, my saviour
My God is a mighty rock
he is my saving refuge. (R)
The Lord is my shield, and mighty help,
The Lord is my stronghold.
The Lord is worthy of all praise:
when I call I am saved from my foes. (R)
Long life to the Lord, my rock!
Praised be the God who saves me.
He has given great victories to his king
and shown his love for his anointed. (R)
Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
You know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution
you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.
For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead - Jesus,
who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
whom he raised from the dead - Jesus,
who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluiaAll who love me will keep my words,
and my Father will love them and we will come to them.
Alleluia!
Gospel Matthew 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,they gathered together,
and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
Jesus said to him
"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
This is the greatest and first commandment.
"And a second is like it:
'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,Creator of heaven and earth.
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again from the dead
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
Next Weekend's Readings
ALL SAINTS DAY
First Reading: Revelation 7:2-4,9-14
Psalm: Ps 23:1-6
Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel: Matthew 11:28
Psalm: Ps 23:1-6
Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel: Matthew 11:28
PARISH CALENDAR
Monday 26th October
8:30am Rosary, St Joseph’s North Ipswich
9:00am Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion,
St Joseph’s, North Ipswich
Tuesday 27th October
8:30am Rosary, Immaculate Heart, Leichhardt
9:00am Mass, Immaculate Heart, Leichhardt
3:30pm ICC Junior Choir Rehearsal, Parish Centre
5:00pm Adoration, St Mary’s, Woodend
6:00pm Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
Wednesday 28th October
8:30am Rosary, St Brigid’s, Rosewood
9:00am St Brigid’s, Rosewood
10:30am Funeral Mass of Raymond Devantier, St Mary’s Woodend.
Thursday 29th October
8:30am Rosary, St Mary’s, Woodend
9:00am Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
10:00am Prayer group, Parish Office
Friday 30th October
8:30am Rosary, Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
9:00am Mass, Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
4:00pm Youth Group, Parish Centre, Woodend
Saturday 31st October
8:00am Mass, St Michael’s Pine Mountain
4:30pm Mass, Immaculate Heart, Leichhardt
4:30pm Reconciliation, St Mary’s Woodend
5:30pm Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend,
6:00pm Mass, Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
Sunday 1st November
All Saints Day
7:30am Mass, St Joseph’s, North Ipswich
8:00am Mass, St Brigid’s Hall, Rosewood
9:00am Mass including the Commissioning of new SVDP Volunteers,
St Mary’s, Woodend
10:30am Baptisms, St Mary's, Woodend
5:30pm Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
Children’s Liturgy of the Word:
Most Sunday’s during 9am Mass,
St Mary’s, Woodend
all are welcome.
This Sunday, 25th October 2026, during the 9am Mass at St Mary's Church, Woodend, we Celebrate 75 years of Christian Religious Instruction in Ipswich with a blessing to all the wonderful people, past and present, who have given their time to spread the Word of God throughout our schools in Ipswich.
REMEMBRANCE MASS
We invite you to come and pray for our loved ones whom God has called home this past year and all the souls who are named in the Book of Life.
When: 6:30pm Monday 2nd November
Where: St Mary’s, Woodend
Mass will be followed by a cuppa in the Parish Centre.
Please bring a plate of food to share.
NOVEMBER MASS DATES
Warrill Park Lawn Cemetery,
Prayers and Blessing,
Saturday 7th November, 10:00am
Ipswich General Cemetery,
Prayers and Blessing,
Saturday 14th November, 10:00am
St Patrick’s, Rosevale,
Mass and Blessing
Sunday 15th November, 10:30am
Glamorgan Vale Cemetery,
Mass and Blessing,
Saturday 21st November, 10:30am
St Michael’s Cemetery, Pine Mountain,
Mass and Blessing
Saturday 28th November, 9:00am
High School Youth Group
On Friday the 16th October, we commenced our High School Youth Group with the assistance of the Net Team, our Senior Youth leaders and Junior Youth Leaders.
It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and new faces for an evening of fun.
If you are interested in attending, please come along this Friday afternoon from 4pm- 5:30pm at the Parish Centre, Woodend. We ask that all attendees be registered with Flocknote.
For more information, please contact the Parish Office on 07 3362 8765.
Thank you.................................
Upcoming Youth Event!
Calling all high school students! Join our parish High School Youth Group for Westside All In, an exciting night bringing together youth groups from across the area for an evening of live bands, games, food, fun, and faith! Come along, meet new friends, and celebrate together on Friday 13 November 2026, from 6:00–8:30 pm at OLR Kenmore. For more information, speak to Fr Isaac or contact the parish office.We’d love to see you there!
NET Team Update – 2027
Our plans to welcome a NET Ministries team to Ipswich next year are progressing very nicely! Both NET Ministries and our parish are enthusiastic about the potential for a team to serve our local schools, youth, and wider parish community, helping young people encounter Jesus Christ and grow in their faith.A particularly exciting development is that a very generous donor has gifted us the use of a house for the entire year to accommodate the team! We are incredibly grateful for this generosity. Providing accommodation is a significant contribution towards making this mission possible, and we sincerely thank our benefactor for helping bring this vision to life.
As our plans continue to develop, we are now looking for a vehicle that the team of six can use throughout the year to travel between our schools, parish activities, and youth events. If you, or someone you know, might be able to assist with a vehicle or support this project in any way, we would love to hear from you.
Every contribution, whether large or small, makes a real difference.
Thank you for your prayers, generosity, and enthusiasm as we work towards bringing this exciting mission to our parish in 2027.
Every contribution, whether large or small, makes a real difference.
Thank you for your prayers, generosity, and enthusiasm as we work towards bringing this exciting mission to our parish in 2027.
Annual Catholic Mission Appeal
Thank you for your generous support of the Church in Malawi and the communities it serves. Because of your kindness, children like Yamikani* will have greater access to education, nourishment, and the opportunity to build a hopeful future.And if you chose to become a Mission Partner with a monthly gift - thank you so much for your ongoing commitment. To learn more about the work of Catholic Mission in Malawi and around the world, please visit catholicmission.org.au/our-work.
Thank you again for your compassion, and please keep this impactful work in your prayers.
Pastoral care in hospitals
Centacare is seeking people interested in volunteering once each week to provide pastoral and spiritual care to Catholic patients in our public hospitals in our strongly established teams. The people we are seeking must have a qualification or significant background in a human service discipline with some level of formal theological training. If you are retired, or semi-retired from such a career, in very good health and have one morning per week available for a most rewarding volunteer role in the spirit of the Gospel, please talk further with me withno obligation.
E: judy.norris@bne.centacare.net.au
Mob: 0428 669 572