Parish of Baulkham Hills
St Michael’s and Our Lady of Lourdes
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 28th September 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
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Time to say goodbye…and welcome
After more than ten years, the face of our parish office front desk, Betty Cheung, has decided to have more time for herself and has hence accepted a part-time position at St Monica’s parish in North Parramatta. We surely will miss her infectious gentle smile and great work ethic. Yet, we wish her well and send her off with our prayers and love. Thank you, Betty, for everything you have done for us. Enjoy your time and new environment.
We also welcome Maria Fleming and Marlene Zuvela to our parish. It is a job-sharing part-time position. Hence, each of them will be working three days a week.
We will have a morning tea on 12th October after 10am Mass to say farewell to Betty and to welcome Marlene and Maria.
Our first parish fete was a great success. At any given time, the school ground was crowded with around 500 parishioners and locals. Indicative for the estimate was the quantity of food, coffee and drinks sold. All food items were sold out by 1pm. The total revenue for the fete was $40,500.00 (total income was $52K minus $12K expenses) This amount will help us pay off our debts and outstanding bills (e.g. the cost of the new carpet). We are well on our way to financial stability.
In a separate letter, I have already thanked all parishioners, volunteers, communities and the members of the fete committee. Unfortunately, I forgot to thank the volunteers from the Chocolate Wheel and Fairy Floss. I’d like to make up for it here.
I thank everyone who contributed to the success of the fete. After these experiences, I am sure that we will make the next fete much better.
From the first of October, various teams of volunteers will be looking after our parish gardens and green areas at St Michael’s. I see this commitment as a sign that more parishioners want to take on and share responsibilities, because they also see the parish as their home. Some volunteers even donated various gardening tools. Therefore, I would like to thank everyone who voluntarily cares about our well-being.
I would also like to thank Matt, who has taken care of our parish gardens for the past 12 months. We wish him all the best and God’s blessing on his venture and business.
We are excited to announce the return of our parish youth group, launching soon in 2026 with Sunday gatherings, Adoration, and youth-led Mass. To help shape this new ministry, we invite all parishioners and parents to complete our Youth Ministry Survey (QR code is included in this bulletin). Your input matters!
Traditionally, October is a month dedicated to Maria. Fortunately, we have a church named after Mary: Our Lady of Lourdes. To celebrate this Marian month in our parish, I would like to invite you all to a special Marian celebration that will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes church. Since we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7th, it is appropriate to celebrate an evening mass at 6pm, followed by a talk “Mary, the Masterpiece of God”. A light refreshment is provided.
Please continue to keep in your prayers our children and parents who have enrolled in our sacramental programme of the First Holy Communion.
Have a great weekend
Fr Joe
Maria Fleming
Mabuhay! I am delighted to introduce myself, Maria Fleming, as one of the new Parish Reception/Administration Assistants. I will be serving the parish community on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Originally from the Philippines, I had the opportunity to study at the University of Newcastle in Australia. After completing my degree, I returned home to continue my career. During my time as a student, I met my husband, who later visited me in the Philippines. Two years after our first meeting, we were married, and I joined him in Australia to start our family. We are blessed with two wonderful children—our daughter, who is preparing for her HSC exams this year, and our son, who is currently in Year Ten. With a professional background in the education sector, I am eager to share my skills and experience, and I look forward to contributing to the parish community.
Marlene Zuvela
Hi, my name is Marlene Zuvela
I have been happily married for 32 years, a mother to 2 beautiful young women, grandmother to two little princesses.
I am a NRL fan, parramatta eels tragic.
Spending time with my family near the beach and meeting new people is something I thoroughly enjoy.
My favourite Hobbie is shopping and travelling.
Looking forward to meeting you all, and being part of the Baulkham Hills parish community.
LIVE STREAMING AND MASS LINK
This week’s live stream Mass link for The Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Saturday 13 September at 6pm from OLOL https:// youtube.com/live/56j-LZTldWY
SUPPORT DONATIONS
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Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Entrance Antiphon
All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with true judgement, for we have sinned against you and not obeyed your commandments. But give glory to your name and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy.
First Reading Amos 6:1, 4-7
The almighty Lord says this:
Woe to those ensconced so snugly in Zion
and to those who feel so safe on the mountain of Samaria.
Lying on ivory beds
and sprawling on their divans,
they dine on lambs from the flock, and stall-fattened veal;
they bawl to the sound of the harp,
they invent new instruments of music like David, they drink wine by the bowlful,
and use the finest oil for anointing themselves,
but about the ruin of Joseph they do not care at all. That is why they will be the first to be exiled;
the sprawlers’ revelry is over.
Responsorial Psalm
- Praise the Lord, my soul!
- It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free. (R.)
- It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down. It is the Lord who loves the just, the Lord, who protects the stranger? (R.)
- He upholds the widow and orphan but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever, Zion’s God, from age to age. (R.)
Second Reading 1 Tim 6:11-16 As a man dedicated to God, you must aim to be saintly and religious, filled with faith and love, patient and gentle. Fight the good fight of the faith and win for yourself the eternal life to which you were called when you made your profession and spoke up for the truth in front of many witnesses. Now, before God the source of all life and before Jesus Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who at the due time will be revealed
by God, the blessed and only Ruler of all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal,
whose home is in inaccessible light,
whom no man has seen and no man is able to see: to him be honour and everlasting power. Amen.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus Christ was rich but he became poor, to make you rich out of his poverty.
Alleluia!
Gospel Lk 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things come your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”
‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning, so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.” “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”’
Communion Antiphon
Remember your word to your servant, O Lord, by which you have given me hope. This is my comfort when I am brought low.
Next Sunday: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Hab 1:2-3, 2:2-4; 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14; Lk 17:5-9
Anointing of the seriously sick
Will take place on Friday 3 October
during the 9.15am Mass at St Michael’s
and the 9.30am Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes
First Friday Morning Tea at St Michael’s!
Morning tea will be in the Downey Room after Morning Mass on Friday 3 October.
All are welcome!
First Friday Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration will take place at
St Michael’s Church every first Friday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30pm. All are welcome! The next event is Friday 3 October
Advance Notice – Daylight Saving
This year, daylight saving commences at 2.00am on
Sunday 5th October
Clocks go forward one hour 
PARISH COMMUNITY FETE RAFFLE RESULTS
The Raffle conducted as part of the Fete was drawn by Fr Joe at the Fete on Sunday 21 September at 2pm. Results were:
1st Prize Sydney Scenic Flight Marianne Dsouza
2nd Prize Autographed Pat Cummins Cricket Bat Ella Bryant
3rd Prize Autographed Parramatta Eels Jersey Pauline Scalese
4th Prize Women’s Nike Jordan and Men’s Nike Dunk Sneakers
Joyce Howard
5th Prize Accommodation and Golf at Kangaroo Valley Golf Course Anna Malouf
6th Prize Panasonic 20L Microwave Oven Lucas Neira
7th Prize Mimosa Outdoor Gas Patio Heater Jagen McAluce
8th Prize Mimosa Outdoor Gas Area Heater Travis Ma
Congratulations to our winners and sincere thanks to all who wholeheartedly supported the Raffle
Parish Youth Ministry Update
We are excited to announce the return of our parish youth group, launching soon in 2026 with Sunday gatherings, Adoration, and youth-led Mass. To help shape this new ministry, we invite all parishioners and parents to complete our Youth Ministry Survey. Your input matters!
Please also remember those for whom prayers have been requested, especially for:
Recently deceased:
Charles Lahood, Lucy Ward Anniversaries: Pat Smith, Nona Mary Lynch
Sick: Francis O’Rourke, Andrew Wenham, Mila Ranoso, Manel Perera, Maddie Menasse, Laurie Grech, May Yap, Lynne Harris, Benett Perera, Sumithira Joseph, Mary Leong, Jose, Julie Zuvela, Bill Rowan, Jo Khong, Jeanette Uvero, Judy Poon, Natasha Leitao, Arlene D’Cruz, Valentina Diaz Mendoza, Cathy Vella, Jacqui Sneesby, Mary Burns,
Debra Price, Rebecca Grech, Monera Obeid, Tony Biddle, Connie Rivas, Margaret White, Greg Hopwood,
Baby Carter McGhie, Joey & Noah, Garry Eldersley, Marie Bolton, Greg Brown, Mimi Yeung, Judy Taylor,
Katherine Izzo, Frank Jacobs, Nicholas Tadros, Joel Uvero, Kong Su Chong, Jane Gibson, Jamal Kairouz, Deba Beani, Jacinta Hollins, Florgina Henry, Maria Roche, Melba Oki, Richard Miranda, Evan Garcia, Violet Nehme, Carmel Willis, Joseph MacDermid, Khyla Meighan, Catherine Hemmings, Lisa Middleton, Bridgette & Gabriella Boldt, Charlie Howell, Young William Merhi, Rod Johnson, Leonie Turner,
Rev Dr. Richard Waugh QSM, Frankie Fernandez,
Peter Campbell, Pablo Herrara, Philippa Ford, Julie Bracks, Harry & Pam Williams, Lavinia Costello, Brian Roche,
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
