Anglican Parish of St Matthew's Glenroy and St Linus' Merlynston

12/06/2026

Sunday 14th. June Third Sunday after Pentecost. 9.00am. Eucharist at St. Linus' 10.30am. Eucharist at St. Matthew's. Gospel reading, Matthew 9. 35-10.8;

23/10/2025

CHRISTMAS in the PARISH
Wednesday 24th. December 11.30pm. Midnight Mass at St. Matthew's
Thursday 25th. December 9.00am. Christmas Day Eucharist at St. Linus'
Thursday 25th. December 10.00am. Christmas Day Eucharist at St. Matthew's

21/09/2025

30/03/2025

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

After 3 years and 168 sermons, today is my last service in the parish. It was terrific to see everyone today and be surrounded by your warmth and sadness.

It has been a terrific time for me and we have had a lot of fun sharing the kingdom with everyone. There has been a lot of time and effort that has gone into building parish unity, seeking God's prompting and building up our faith. Whatever we have worked on until now, will serve the parish in its path forward.

I am grateful for my time and connections and wish you well. I leave you with this blessings:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Blessings,
Rev. Rob.

22/12/2024

I was looking through some interesting back stories to the songs we sing for Christmas. Here is a very interesting back story to the Twelve Days of Christmas

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/5VW5ynDcd6po8ewm/

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘾𝘼𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙇𝙄𝘾 𝙎𝙔𝙈𝘽𝙊𝙇𝙄𝙎𝙈 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 '12 𝘿𝘼𝙔𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝘾𝙃𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙈𝘼𝙎'

Did you know, the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

1. The Partridge in a Pear Tree symbolizes Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2. The two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments
3. The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.
4. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
5. The five golden rings rerepresented the first five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior.
6. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit-----Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
8. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-----Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience [Forbearance], Goodness [Kindness], Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency [Chastity].
10. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
11. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Apostles.
12. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

Sources:

(1) The History of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'—Catholic News Agency (Retrieved on November 28, 2021);

(2) Original Source: Fr. Calvin Goodwin, FSSP, Nebraska

(3) 📷 Pinterest

13/12/2024

We have had a number of events this December. Hindi Carol Service, Carols on the St Linus Green and Playgroup Christmas Lunch. We are very thankful to all who joined and were a part of the celebrations.

Santa made a few appearances and was spotted sharing Christmas cheer.

This Sunday we have our Parish Christmas Lunch for all our Foodbank clients and those who might need some Christmas cheer at St Matthew's Worship Centre, 30 Widford Street Glenroy with the service starting at 10.00am.

Please come along!!

Blessings,

Rev. Rob.

08/12/2024

Devotional Prayers for peace.

Today we continued our devotional prayers for peace. We gave thanks for what God has done in our parish already and to be at peace knowing that whilst we have a lot more to do, what we are doing is exactly what God wants us to do.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974085/episodes/16239224

Blessings,

Rev. Rob.

Sermons delivered by Rev. Robert Koren

05/12/2024

Today, the students from Overnewton Anglican Community College came to do some community service to help organise our Foodbank Pantry. The area was looking disorganised and there were are lot of deliveries to put on the shelves.
We thank the students and their teachers for being a blessing to us so that we can be a blessing to others.

Rev. Rob.

03/12/2024

Hi all,

Just a reminder that the annual carols on the St Linus Green are this Saturday 3-5pm. During carols Santa will make an appearance for those that would like Santa photos. With the cost of living pressures, it is a pay what you can event.

Blessings,
Rev. Rob.