Ipswich Catholic Community
Digital News
07 3362 8765 | ipswich@bne.catholic.net.au | ipswichcatholic.au
Dear Parish Family,
Whilst the primary schools still have a couple of weeks to go, many of our senior students are finishing in the next week so I felt this was an opportune time to say thank you to the staff, students, and families of St Mary’s College, St Mary’s Primary, St Edmunds College, St Brigid’s Primary, St Joseph’s Primary and Immaculate Heart Primary.
As your “new” Parish Priest, it has been wonderful to get to know you although I admit I have not had the presence in the schools that I would have hoped for with all the other challenges of being a Parish Priest. But I pray that 2027 will give me more opportunities to get to know you all.
To our dedicated teachers, leadership teams, and support staff: Thank you for your tireless commitment, patience, and care throughout the year. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, or behind the scenes, your daily dedication nurtures the minds, hearts, and faith of our young people. You make our schools (despite the many challenges) places, where I believe, every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to do their best.
To our wonderful students: Thank you for your energy, and kindness you bring to our schools and parish life every day. I have enjoyed seeing you present at school Masses and supporting you in prayer. To those graduating or moving on to new adventures next year, please know that you carry my prayers and best wishes with you always.
Thank you for making our Ipswich Catholic Community so special.
With every blessing and warm wishes for the rest of the year and the lead up to Christmas.
Fr. Bernie Thomas OFM
Parish Priest.
Whilst the primary schools still have a couple of weeks to go, many of our senior students are finishing in the next week so I felt this was an opportune time to say thank you to the staff, students, and families of St Mary’s College, St Mary’s Primary, St Edmunds College, St Brigid’s Primary, St Joseph’s Primary and Immaculate Heart Primary.
As your “new” Parish Priest, it has been wonderful to get to know you although I admit I have not had the presence in the schools that I would have hoped for with all the other challenges of being a Parish Priest. But I pray that 2027 will give me more opportunities to get to know you all.
To our dedicated teachers, leadership teams, and support staff: Thank you for your tireless commitment, patience, and care throughout the year. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, or behind the scenes, your daily dedication nurtures the minds, hearts, and faith of our young people. You make our schools (despite the many challenges) places, where I believe, every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to do their best.
To our wonderful students: Thank you for your energy, and kindness you bring to our schools and parish life every day. I have enjoyed seeing you present at school Masses and supporting you in prayer. To those graduating or moving on to new adventures next year, please know that you carry my prayers and best wishes with you always.
Thank you for making our Ipswich Catholic Community so special.
With every blessing and warm wishes for the rest of the year and the lead up to Christmas.
Fr. Bernie Thomas OFM
Parish Priest.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Sr. Moya Byrne MFIC
Teresa Sant
Desmond Luck
Teresa Sant
Desmond Luck
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH
Riemke Kelly
Ray Dickfos
Sam Dickfos
Jack Coogan
John Williams
Jozef and Dominika Skibicki
John Patrick Maguire,
Thomas Edward Lenihan Sr,
Don O’Brian
Ray Dickfos
Sam Dickfos
Jack Coogan
John Williams
Jozef and Dominika Skibicki
John Patrick Maguire,
Thomas Edward Lenihan Sr,
Don O’Brian
"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
33rd Sunday in ordinary Time
First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
A capable wife, who can find her?She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Her children rise up and call her happy;
her husband too, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful,
and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 127:1-5
Happy are those who fear the Lord
O blessed are those who fear the Lord
and who walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat.
You will be happy and prosper. (R)
Your wife like a fruitful vine
in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive,
around your table. (R)
Thus shall be blessed
the one who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion
in a happy Jerusalem
all the days of your life. (R)
Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters,
you do not need to have anything written to you.
For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
When they say, "There is peace and security,"
then sudden destruction will come upon them,
For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
When they say, "There is peace and security,"
then sudden destruction will come upon them,
as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman,
and there will be no escape!
But you, beloved, are not in darkness for that day to surprise you like a thief.
You are all children of light and children of the day;
But you, beloved, are not in darkness for that day to surprise you like a thief.
You are all children of light and children of the day;
we are not of the night or of darkness.
So then let us not fall asleep as others do,
but let us keep awake and be sober.
but let us keep awake and be sober.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluiaLive in me and let me live in you, says the Lord;
my branches bear much fruit.
Alleluia!
Gospel Matthew 25:14-15, 19-21
Jesus said to his disciples,"About the day and hour of the coming of the Son of Man. no one knows,
neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,
but only the Father.
"For it is as if a man,
going on a journey,
summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;
to one he gave five talents,
to another two, to another one,
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
"After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
Then the one who had received the five talents came forward,
bringing five more talents,
saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents;
see, I have made five more talents.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave;
you have been trustworthy in a few things,
I will put you in charge of many things;
enter into the joy of your master.'"
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
FEAST OF
CHRIST THE KING
First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Psalm: Ps 23
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Psalm: Ps 23
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
PARISH CALENDAR
Monday 16th November
8:30am Rosary, St Joseph’s North Ipswich
9:00am Mass, St Joseph’s, North Ipswich
10:30am Funeral Mass of Desmond Luck, St Mary’s, Woodend
Tuesday 17th November
St Elizabeth of Hungry
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 18th November
8:30am Rosary, St Brigid’s Hall, Rosewood
9:00am St Brigid’s Hall, Rosewood
Office Closed from 1:00pm
Thursday 19th November
8:30am Franciscan Crown rosary, St Mary’s, Woodend
9:00am Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
10:00am Prayer group, Parish Centre
Friday 20th November
8:30am Rosary, Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
9:00am Mass, Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
4:00pm High School Youth Group, Parish Centre, Woodend
6:00pm, St Mary’s Parish Prayer Fellowship, Parish Office
Saturday 21st November
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10:30am Mass and Blessing Glamorgan Vale Cemetery
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 22nd November
FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING
7:30am Mass, St Joseph’s, North Ipswich
8:00am Mass, St Brigid’s Hall, Rosewood
9:00am Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
10:30am Baptism, St Mary’s Woodend
5:30pm Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
ANOINTING MASS
Everyone is welcome to attend the Anointing Mass.
Where: The Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
When: Friday 11th December at 9am.
Let us pray that the power of this Sacrament will bring peace and healing to us.
Becoming Catholic Update
The 2026/2027 Becoming Catholic Programme will commence on
Wednesday 2nd December, 6:30pm, Parish Centre.
Our enquiries have now closed, however if you are interested, please contact the Parish Office at your earliest convenience.
RCIA/ Becoming Catholic Alumni Social
We invite all our RCIA/ Becoming Catholic Programme Alumni, including sponsors, to gather and catch up over a cuppa on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
When: Sunday 15th November, from 10am
Where: Parish Office
No need to RSVP just come along and bring a plate of food to share.
When: Sunday 15th November, from 10am
Where: Parish Office
No need to RSVP just come along and bring a plate of food to share.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
We would like to thank Dolour for her years of dedication as she retires from her role of cleaning St Joseph’s Church.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
If you are interested in taking up this ministry, please contact Liana at the Parish office.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
If you are interested in taking up this ministry, please contact Liana at the Parish office.
Communion to the Sick
and Housebound
It was lovely catching up with some of our Volunteers who visit the sick and housebound in the community and our Residential Aged Care Facilities this week.
This is a ministry which requires great kindness and compassion and we thank you all for the gift you give the community.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
If this is a Ministry you are interested in, please contact the Parish Office to find out more.
Due to the nature of the Ministry, there is additional Safeguarding training required prior to commencing the role and we are happy to help you navigate the online learning portal.
This is a ministry which requires great kindness and compassion and we thank you all for the gift you give the community.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
If this is a Ministry you are interested in, please contact the Parish Office to find out more.
Due to the nature of the Ministry, there is additional Safeguarding training required prior to commencing the role and we are happy to help you navigate the online learning portal.
Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP):
Email roster reminders
We have noticed that a number of emails bounce back when MSP sends the weekly roster reminder, mostly bigpond email addresses. We have reached out to MSP to advise them and hopefully find a solution.
In the mean time, if you have not received a reminder by Friday, please check your roster via the MSP App.
Thank you.
In the mean time, if you have not received a reminder by Friday, please check your roster via the MSP App.
Thank you.
As the year draws closer to an end, we congratulate and farewell the College Seniors and watch the Grade 6 students progress to High School.
Celebration Dates:
St Mary’s College Awards Ceremony,
Tuesday 17th November,
St Mary’s Church.
St Edmund's College Valedictory Mass,
Wednesday 18th November,
St Mary’s Church.
St Mary’s College Graduation Mass,
Thursday 19th November,
St Mary’s Church.
St Brigid’s Primary Awards Ceremony,
Friday 20th November,
St Brigid’s Hall.
St Joseph’s Primary School Graduation
Thursday 26th November,
St Joseph’s Primary Hall.
St Brigid’s Farewell Liturgy and Dinner,
Monday 30th November,
Parish Centre.
Immaculate Heart Awards Ceremony
Tuesday 1st December
Immaculate Heart Hall.
Immaculate Heart Primary Farewell Liturgy,
Wednesday 2nd December,
Immaculate Heart Hall.
St Mary’s Primary Graduation
Thursday 3rd December,
St Mary’s Church.
Thank you to all the teachers and school staff who have continued to support these students over the years.
Please pray for all the students as they step towards their next chapter.
Come, Let Us Pray Together!
You are warmly invited to St Mary’s Parish Prayer Fellowship every Friday,
6:00–7:00 pm at St Mary’s Parish Office, followed by a cuppa and fellowship.
Since September 2021, we have gathered in members’ homes to praise God and pray together. We now look forward to welcoming everyone to pray the Rosary, share the Sunday Gospel, offer intercessions and receive God’s blessings.
Everyone is warmly welcome!
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” — Matthew 18:20
Ronald Amaladass
6:00–7:00 pm at St Mary’s Parish Office, followed by a cuppa and fellowship.
Since September 2021, we have gathered in members’ homes to praise God and pray together. We now look forward to welcoming everyone to pray the Rosary, share the Sunday Gospel, offer intercessions and receive God’s blessings.
Everyone is warmly welcome!
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” — Matthew 18:20
Ronald Amaladass
Meet Judith, a mother to be, who has moved into the Parish Office Car Park.
Please be mindful when visiting St Mary's Church and when dropping off and picking up students, as Judith has made a nest in the carpark area and has expressed her displeasure of anyone coming too close.
Thank you.
Thank you.
