Parish of Baulkham Hills
St Michael’s and Our Lady of Lourdes
Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time – 12th October 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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Dear Friends,
No child can develop without role models because they provide orientations that are important for the formation of identity. According to the Media Education Research Association, 39 percent of girls and boys between the ages of 6 and 13 still cite film and television stars as role models. One in four children has a crush on football or tennis heroes, and one in five on someone from the music industry.
However, there is a difference between idols and role models. An idol, a hero, or an icon is different from a role model. The hero stands unattainably on a pedestal, while idols and icons are admired from afar. They are magnificent. They have no flaws.
In this Sunday’s gospel, Luke makes the foreigner, the Samaritan, the hero of the story. He is the model of faith. He serves as an example of gratitude and overcoming prejudice in the biblical story of the ten lepers, in which he is the only one who returns to thank Jesus. His role emphasizes the importance of thanksgiving and shows that he viewed his infirmities not as divine punishment, but as a condition that could be changed by Jesus and showed solidarity with him. The Samaritan faith obtained physical healing (cleansed of leprosy) and spiritual healing [the conversion of his soul unto God/made WHOLE]. Indeed, this Samaritan faith, shown in gratitude, made him well/ whole/complete — spirit, mind, and body. The other nine only had physical healing. The difference of what gratitude can do.
Luke conveys the idea that gratitude needs to be in the center of human experience and worship, or else we miss touching the hearts of people and God. As a community of faith, we can also grow by practicing gratitude. Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you” when something good happens. It’s about cultivating a heart that recognizes and appreciates God’s presence in every aspect of life, even in the mundane or difficult moments. And as we practice gratitude, it becomes easier to trust God’s goodness.
Gratitude strengthens faith by shifting focus to blessings, deepening connections, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth, creating a positive feedback loop within the community. Practicing gratitude, through journaling or sharing, enhances individual well-being and builds a more compassionate, harmonious community.
Living a life rooted in Christ, built up in faith, and
overflowing with thankfulness is an ongoing journey. It’s not about perfection, but about progress. It’s about recognizing that our strength comes from God and that our faith grows as we continue to walk with Him each day.
For now, let us give THANKS to God for the loving service that Betty has done for us over the last 10 years. I tried to persuade her to stay for another ten years, but I was unable to convince her. We wish her the BEST that life can bring. May God also bless her. We will farewell her and welcome Maria and Marlene at our Sunday’s 10am Mass at St Michael’s. Please join us.
Have a wonderful weekend Fr Joe
LIVE STREAMING AND MASS LINK
This week’s live stream Mass link for The Twenty-Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time on Saturday 11 October at 6pm from OLOL https://youtube.com/live/Ju9lNPqFFuc
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Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Entrance Antiphon
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, O God of Israel.
First Reading 2 Kg 5:14-17
Naaman the leper went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, as Elisha had told him to do. And his flesh became clean once more like the flesh of a little child.
Returning to Elisha with his whole escort, he went in and stood before him. ‘Now I know’ he said, ‘that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Now, please, accept a present from your servant.’ But Elisha replied, ‘As the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing.’ Naaman pressed him to accept, but he refused. Then Naaman said, ‘Since your answer is “No,” allow your servant to be given as much earth as two mules may carry, because your servant will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any god except the Lord.’
Responsorial Psalm
- The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving
power.
- Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation. (R.)
- The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. (R.)
- All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy. (R.)
Second Reading 2 Tim 2:8-13
Remember the Good News that I carry. ‘Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David’; it is on account of this that I have my own hardships to bear, even to being chained like a criminal – but they cannot chain up God’s news. So I bear it all for the sake of those who are chosen, so that in the end they may have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus and the eternal glory that comes with it.
Here is a saying that you can rely on:
If we have died with him, then we shall live with him.
If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him. If we disown him, then he will disown us.
We may be unfaithful, but he is always faithful, for he cannot disown his own self.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
For all things give thanks to God, because this is what he expects of you in Christ Jesus. Alleluia!
Gospel Lk 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’
Communion Antiphon
The rich suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.
Next Sunday: Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ex 17:8-13; 2 Tim 3:14-4:2; Lk 18:1-8
Congratulations to
- Dylan Ho
- Giorgina Piperata
who was baptised at St. Michael’s Church last week
We pray that her faith may be an important and integral part of her life.
Faith and the Future of St Michael’s Parish Youth Ministry
Faith as Gift and Trust in God – In the Entrance Antiphon, Esther reminds us to rely on God’s mercy, not our own strength. How can we help our young people discover that faith is a relationship of trust and mercy, not a checklist of answers?
Faith in Times of Struggle – From the First Reading, Habakkuk’s cry, “How long, Lord?” echoes the questions our youth ask about justice, identity, and belonging.
Are we willing to walk with them in their struggles and doubts, showing them that faith is not the absence of questions, but choosing to remain with God through them? Faith in Communion and Belonging – The Psalm reminds us not to harden our hearts, and the communion antiphon teaches that, though we are many, we are one body, as Paul instructs. How do we ensure our youth know they truly belong at the heart of the parish, especially at the Eucharistic table?
Faith as a Flame to be Nurtured – St Paul urges Timothy to “fan into a flame the gift of God.” What role can we play in fanning that flame in our youth—through mentoring, support, and encouragement—so that their baptismal grace becomes a living fire? Faith in Humble Service – Jesus teaches that even a mustard seed of faith can move mountains, if it expresses itself in service. How can our parish create opportunities for young
people to discover their faith through humble acts of service and leadership? An Invitation – St Michael’s Parish Youth Ministry is not just another program. It is our living response to God’s call, to nurture faith as a gift, to walk with our young people in struggles, to fan into flame their Spirit, to lead them into service, and to welcome them as full members of the Body of Christ. The question is not only what will youth ministry do—but what will we, as a parish, do together?
We invite all parishioners to help shape this ministry by completing the Youth Ministry Survey. Your voice and opinions matter, your support matters, and together we can ensure that the flame of faith burns brightly in the hearts of our young people
Our Week
Wednesday 15 October
Memorial – St Teresa of Jesus
Friday 17 October
Memorial – St Ignatius of Antioch
Saturday 18 October Feast – St Luke
PIETY STALL
This weekend only 10% off all Rosary Beads,
Rings and Bracelets
STAY FOR A CUPPA!
All are welcome to stay for morning tea after 10am mass next SUNDAY 12th October. Come and have a cuppa and a chat. Morning tea will be served at the side entrance of the church.
No cost involved. No need to RSVP. EVERYONE WELCOME
Please also remember those for whom prayers have been requested, especially for:
Recently deceased: Charles Lahood, Lucy Ward
Anniversaries: Michael McKenna, Rodney Deruz, Margaret Rider, Serena Ardar
Sick: Roberto Briones, Coral Hall, 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
