St Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church

St Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church Mass Times
Mon-Fri: 9am, 12pm & 6pm
Sat: 9am & 6pm
Sun: 8am, 9:30am, 11am & 6pm
Adoration: Thur:8pm

On the evening of Wednesday, 9 September 2026, the Family of the Divine Word at St Joseph Parish gathered with Sister Li...
12/09/2026

On the evening of Wednesday, 9 September 2026, the Family of the Divine Word at St Joseph Parish gathered with Sister Lina Njeim to reflect on “The Parable of the Ten Virgins”, from the Gospel of Matthew (25:1–13).

Sister Lina provided an overview of the final week before Jesus’ death, when He spoke to His disciples about the Last Judgment and the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. Through numerous parables, Jesus contrasted different ways of living—such as the righteous and the wicked, the faithful and the unfaithful servant, and the wise and the foolish.

The parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins calls us to remain prepared for the coming of the Lord, never postponing repentance, faith, or acts of goodness. The wise virgins represent those who cultivate a deep and lasting relationship with Jesus, storing up imperishable treasures as they journey towards the Kingdom. In contrast, the foolish virgins were content with a superficial relationship and failed to prepare themselves.

Although all ten virgins awaited the coming of the Bridegroom, only the five wise virgins ensured that their lamps were filled with oil and burning bright. Their oil symbolises the faith, love, prayer and spiritual readiness that sustain a genuine relationship with the Lord.

O Lord, fill our lamps with a deep and enduring love for Your Son, Jesus, so that we may be like the wise virgins, keeping our lamps burning bright as we await the coming of the Bridegroom!

Bishop’s Message 17th Sunday of Pentecost - Feast of the Exaltation of the CrossYear of Prayer for Peace Dear Brothers a...
11/09/2026

Bishop’s Message
17th Sunday of Pentecost - Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Year of Prayer for Peace

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have arrived to the last Sunday of the Season of Pentecost, bringing to a close a season in which we have reflected on the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and in our own lives.

On Monday 14 September, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of the most ancient feasts in the life of the Church.

The origins of this feast take us back to Jerusalem in the fourth century, when Christians gathered to celebrate the dedication of the great church built under Emperor Constantine on the site where our Lord was crucified and buried. The celebration became associated with the discovery and veneration of the True Cross, which was raised before the faithful for veneration. From Jerusalem, this ancient feast spread throughout the Church, proclaiming the Cross as the sign of Christ’s victory and the source of salvation for the whole world.

For us today, this feast is not just the remembrance of an ancient Christian tradition. It invites each of us to live the meaning of the Cross in our own lives.

We all carry crosses. They may be found in our families, in illness, in disappointment, in worry for our children, in loneliness, or in the quiet struggles that no one else sees. Our faith does not tell us that these crosses are easy but it reminds us that we never carry them alone. Christ has carried the Cross before us, and in our suffering, we can find strength and hope in Him.

The Cross is the sign of Christ’s victory over death and of the victory of hope over despair. It is the greatest expression of God’s love for us: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

The Cross is the assurance of God’s unconditional love for each one of us. When we look upon it, we should remember that we are loved, we belong to God, and we are never abandoned by Him. But the Cross must also become a sign of our love for others: in the sacrifices we make for our families, in our care for those who are struggling, in our willingness to forgive, and in the simple acts of service.

On this feast, and as we begin the Season of the Cross, let us ask ourselves whether the Cross is only a symbol that we wear or whether we are truly living its meaning.

I pray especially that the Holy Cross of our Lord may protect your homes and your families, strengthen those who are carrying a heavy burden, comfort those who are suffering, and keep us close to the heart of Christ.

+ Antoine-Charbel Tarabay

THIS SUNDAY + MONDAY — Marking the beginning of a new liturgical season, join us for a day of Charity and a Bonfire Nigh...
08/09/2026

THIS SUNDAY + MONDAY — Marking the beginning of a new liturgical season, join us for a day of Charity and a Bonfire Night to mark the Feast of the Exaltation of the Glorious Cross 🔥✝️

PARISH GALA 2026 🤍
08/09/2026

PARISH GALA 2026 🤍

On Wednesday evening, 2 September 2026, the Family of the Divine Word gathered at St Joseph Parish for a spiritual and p...
06/09/2026

On Wednesday evening, 2 September 2026, the Family of the Divine Word gathered at St Joseph Parish for a spiritual and pastoral reflection led by Fr Youssef Abouzeid on the theme *“Our Families: Between Virtue and Gossip,”* based on Proverbs 11:11–21.

Fr Youssef began by presenting the Book of Proverbs as a practical school of Christian wisdom for everyday life. It speaks to many aspects of human relationships, including speech, family life, education, friendship, honesty, generosity, virtue and gossip. True biblical wisdom is not simply human intelligence, but the grace to see our lives and relationships through the eyes of God.

The reflection highlighted the challenges facing families today and presented two contrasting paths: the path of virtue, which builds, and the path of gossip, which destroys. Proverbs reminds us: “By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed” (Prov 11:11). If words can build or destroy an entire community, how much more can they influence the family, the first foundation of both society and the Church?

Particular attention was given to the destructive power of gossip, as a single word can wound a relationship and a rumour can separate family members.
In his concluding message, Fr Youssef encouraged families not merely to avoid gossip, but to cultivate a “culture of virtue” in their homes: choosing love over judgement, mercy over harshness and wise silence over hurtful words.
When virtue becomes the language of the family, our homes can become places of healing, peace and spiritual growth.

The gathering concluded with a special greeting to the fathers present, both clergy and lay fathers, on the occasion of Father’s Day. The evening ended in a joyful spirit, with prayers and good wishes for all fathers and their families!

Join the Lilies for a Community Spiritual Day on 28th September! 🤍 Book now by contacting Josephine or Linda
05/09/2026

Join the Lilies for a Community Spiritual Day on 28th September! 🤍 Book now by contacting Josephine or Linda

Bishop’s Message 16th Sunday of PentecostYear of Prayer for Peace Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we draw close to the end...
04/09/2026

Bishop’s Message
16th Sunday of Pentecost
Year of Prayer for Peace

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we draw close to the end of the Season of Pentecost, this Gospel on this 16th Sunday of Pentecost presents us with the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). Two men enter the Temple to pray. One stands before God confident in his own goodness; the other can barely lift his eyes and simply prays: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Faith is not about comparing ourselves with others or proving our goodness before God. It begins with humility, with recognising our need for God and allowing His mercy to change us. As Jesus tells us, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This Sunday, we also celebrate Father’s Day in Australia, and I wish every father, grandfather and father figure in our families a very happy and blessed Father’s Day.

Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that “the family is the privileged setting where every person learns to give and receive love.” Fathers have a special role within that setting. Through their example, sacrifice and faith, they help their children discover what it means to love, to serve and to trust in God.

Today, we thank God for our fathers and for all they have given us. We remember with gratitude those fathers who have gone before us, and we pray also for fathers carrying difficulties or burdens for their families. May Saint Joseph, the quiet and faithful guardian of Jesus and Mary, accompany them in their vocation.

Our celebrations continue this week with the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8 September. The birth of Mary was a quiet beginning to something extraordinary in God’s plan. Through her faith and her yes to God, Mary would bring Christ into the world.

On 9 September, in our Maronite liturgical calendar, we celebrate Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In honouring Mary’s parents, we recognise the importance of parents and grandparents in passing faith from one generation to the next. The faith that Mary would one day live so courageously was first nurtured within a family by her parents Joachim and Anne.

May the Lord bless all our fathers and families, may Our Lady keep them under her maternal protection, and through the intercession of Saints Joachim and Anne, may our homes always be domestic churches filled with love.

Happy Father’s Day to all our fathers, and may God bless you and your families!

+ Antoine-Charbel Tarabay

🇱🇧 St Joseph’s Day of Charity – South of Lebanon AppealNext Sunday | Together, let’s make a difference 🤍Next Sunday, we ...
04/09/2026

🇱🇧 St Joseph’s Day of Charity – South of Lebanon Appeal
Next Sunday | Together, let’s make a difference 🤍

Next Sunday, we invite you all to come together as a Parish community to support our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. In addition to raising much needed funds for those who need it most, this day is about reviving the spirit of charity in our Parish and coming together as a community. Every contribution helps 🙏🏻

🍳 Bacon & egg rolls — $10 after 9:30am Mass
🌭 Sausage sizzles — $5 after 9:30am Mass
🍔 Chicken & beef burgers — $10 after 6:00pm Mass

Donation boxes will be available at all Masses.

To donate early, contact Annelise — 0430 987 949.

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT: Fayez Harb 🤍
01/09/2026

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT: Fayez Harb 🤍

Address

7 Acton Street
Croydon, NSW
2132

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+61291669912

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