Parish of Baulkham Hills
St Michael’s and Our Lady of Lourdes
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 06th July 2025
Baulkham Hills parish is committed to being a community of safeguarding with zero-tolerance to abuse of any form.
For details on safeguarding, please visit the diocesan safeguarding website: https://parracatholic.org/safeguarding
Scan to View on Mobile
Peace will return…against abuse of power
This Sunday’s Gospel tells of a dangerous mission: Jesus sends his disciples out to bring peace among the enemies. The core of this peace mission is clear: They are to spread God’s peace. Therefore, the disciples are to carry nothing with them, for they are to rely on God. They are to offer nothing to people, except God’s greeting of peace for the people.
Are people no longer able to make peace? The current situation could indicate that in the Middle East, in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world. It appears that peace also brings disadvantages for some rulers. They could lose their power because their rule is based on tyranny. Wars are also a means of avoiding becoming redundant. There are also some who hypocritically misuse the name of God to force their belligerence and thus cement their position of power. Religious authorities occasionally serve as instruments for this purpose: they bless the tyranny with the blessing of weapons used to kill innocents. Religion is not to serve or to advance wars and nationalistic interests! The Peace of God can also be understood as a critique of the abuse of power or the use of religion to justify injustice. It emphasizes that God’s peace should not be abused for oppression or to maintain existing power structures.
The Bible passages that deal with the topic of peace and the role of God suggest that God’s peace is not available to the powerful, but to all people, often even to those in weak or oppressed positions. The Bible often describes how God gives his peace to those who are considered weak or insignificant by the world (e.g. the poor, the sick, the persecuted).
The Peace of God emphasizes that God’s peace is accessible to all people and does not depend on worldly power. It can also be understood as a criticism of the abuse of power and a call for justice.
Jesus’ death on the cross is fundamental to God’s peace with humanity. Through his sacrificial death, the relationship between God and humanity is restored, and believers can have peace with God through Jesus Christ. This peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, is a gift that believers can accept in faith and which gives them security, protection, and love.
The peace of God, also known as “shalom,” is a deep inner peace that comes from faith in Jesus Christ and trust in his promises. It transcends the peace the world can offer and is independent of external circumstances. This peace is a gift from God that can be attained through faith in Jesus Christ and following his teachings.
The upcoming Alpha Course can help us deepen this faith in Jesus. Therefore, I would like to invite you to this Alpha Course. It aims to lead us to a personal relationship with Christ.
Last week, I was also very impressed by the children from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School. They came to Mass in their pyjamas and with their donations as signs of solidarity with the homeless who have it tough during the cold winter. In doing so, they also brought God’s gifts to them, in the spirit of God’s peace. In the future, the schoolchildren also want to help with cleaning the church. Can I then also encourage the adults at Our Lady of Lourdes to participate in the various ministries? We need urgently more altar servers and ground maintenance ministry. Please give the parish office a call if you would like to be part of the parish ministries.
At the weekends Masses, Paul Waite and Peter Bolton from the Parish Finance Committee will speak about the progress of the parish finances. Paul will be at St. Michael’s and Peter at Our Lady of Lourdes.
Have a great weekend
Fr Joe
LIVE STREAMING AND MASS LINK
This week’s live stream Mass link for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ on Saturday 21 June at 6pm from OLOL https://youtube.com/live/zajJwtIHaWs
SUPPORT DONATIONS
We really appreciate your continued support.
Please follow the donation details provided on official website:
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Entrance Antiphon
Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
First Reading Is 66:10-14
Rejoice, Jerusalem,
be glad for her, all you who love her!
Rejoice, rejoice for her, all you who mourned her! That you may be suckled, filled,
from her consoling breast,
that you may savour with delight her glorious breasts. For thus says the Lord:
Now towards her I send flowing
peace, like a river, and like a stream in spate the glory of the nations.
At her breast will her nurslings be carried and fondled in her lap.
Like a son comforted by his mother will I comfort you.
And by Jerusalem you will be comforted. At the sight your heart will rejoice,
and your bones flourish like the grass.
To his servants the Lord will reveal his hand.
Responsorial Psalm
Let all the earth cry out to God with
- Cry out with joy to God all the earth, O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise. Say to God: ‘How tremendous your deeds! (R.)
- ‘Before you all the earth shall bow; shall sing to you, sing to your name!’ Come and see the works of God,
tremendous his deeds among men. (R.)
- He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the
river dry-shod. Let our joy then be in him; he rules for ever by his might. (R.)
- Come and hear, all who fear I will tell what he did for my soul. Blessed be God who did not reject my prayer nor withhold his love from me. (R.)
Second Reading Gal 6:14-18
The only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. It does not matter if a person is circumcised or not; what matters is for him to become an altogether new creature. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, who form the Israel of God.
I want no more trouble from anybody after this; the marks on my body are those of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and the fullness of his
message live within you.
Alleluia!
Gospel Lk 10:1-12, 17-20
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house,
taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house.
Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into its streets and say, “We wipe off the very dust of your town that
clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.” I tell you, that on that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.’
The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said, ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’
Communion Antiphon
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him.
Next Sunday: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Deut 30:10-14; Col 1:15-20; Lk 10:25-37
Our Week
Friday 11 July
Memorial – Saint Benedict
OLOL News
St Vincent de Paul 2025 Winter Appeal will be conducting over two weekends of 28/29 June and 5/6 July. Please scan the QR code on the poster on the notice board to donate directly to Our Lady of Lourdes Conference. Thank you.
CWL hosting a July Festive lunch on 2nd July at Toongabbie Sports Club. Details: Lyn 0412 689 261
STAY FOR A CUPPA!
All are welcome to stay for morning tea after 10am mass next SUNDAY 13th July. Come and have a cuppa and a chat.
Morning tea will be served at the side entrance of the church.
All contributions of food, drinks and supplies are welcome
e.g. cups, plates, serviettes, biscuits, slices, milk, sugar, tea, coffee etc
No cost involved.
No need to RSVP. EVERYONE WELCOME J
You’re invited to ALPHA
ALPHA is an 11-week program where each week we come together on a Wednesday evening to explore a topic tied to the core beliefs of our Faith. It is not a bible study nor an unpacking of the catechesis. We share a meal, (provided each week by our fabulous catering team), watch a video and have a chat about the things you bring to the table. In other words, we discuss the things that you have been curious about and answer questions you have about our faith. ALPHA is a very enjoyable experience that simply brings people together to explore, connect, share, and enhance our Faith.
So if you are interested, our next ALPHA will begin on Wednesday, 30th July 2025 at 7.00pm. It will be held in the school hall at St. Michael’s Primary School, 3-5 Chapel Lane,
Baulkham Hills.
To register please scan the QR Code below and complete our online registration form, or click this link: https://www.parishofbaulkhamhills.org.au/alpha/
We hope to see you there.
Please also remember those for whom prayers have been requested, especially for:
Recently deceased: Jim Barrett, John Todd
Anniversaries: Carmen Bigeni, Dante Bajet, Liz Davies, Clarence Muller, Mautu Muller, Remedios Lara
Sick: Mary Howard, Sumithira Joseph, May Yap, Lucy Ward, Mary Leong, Jose, Julie Zuvela, Bill Rowan, Jeanette Uvero, Jo Khong, Peter Maguire, Valentina Diaz Mendoza,
Natasha Leitao, Judy Poon, Felix Melinz, Arlene D’Cruz, Jacqui Sneesby, Mary Burns, Rebecca Grech, Cathy Vella, Monera Obeid, Margaret White, Tony Biddle, Debra Price, Connie Rivas, Joey & Noah, Greg Hopwood, Garry Eldersley, Marie Bolton, Greg Brown, Mimi Yeung, Katherine Izzo, Nicholas Tadros, Judy Taylor, Kong Su Chong, Frank Jacobs, Jane Gibson, Jamal Kairouz, Cynthia Gomes, Jacinta Hollins, Florgina Henry, Deba Beani, Baby Carter McGhie, Joel Uvero, Maria Roche, Richard Miranda, Mabel Yabsley, Melba Oki, Violet Nehme, Joseph MacDermid, Catherine Hemmings, Benett Perera, Bridgette & Gabriella Boldt, Khyla Meighan, Young William Merhi, Lisa Middleton, Charlie Howell,
Rev Dr. Richard Waugh QSM, Rod Johnson, Brian Roche, Frankie Fernandez, Evan Garcia, Leonie Turner,
Peter Campbell, Pablo Herrara, Philippa Ford, Carmel Willis, Harry & Pam Williams, Julie Bracks, Lavinia Costello,
Anne Torina Wayman, Warren Moses, Matthew Burke, Edward Beani, Roumanos Nehme, 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
Use Coupon Code “parishofbh2153” to support Parish of Baulkham Hills
