Diocese of Parramatta

24/10/2026

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.’

24/10/2026

Fr Frank Brennan’s Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

n today’s gospel, Jesus once again is being challenged by the religious authorities. Last week, the Pharisees were having a go at him about rendering unto Caesar. Then came the Sadducees questioning him about resurrection. Now the Pharisees are back at it....

n today’s gospel, Jesus once again is being challenged by the religious authorities. Last week, the Pharisees were having a go at him about rendering unto Caesar. Then came the Sadducees questioning him about resurrection. Now the Pharisees are back at it.

23/10/2026

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

Luke 13:1-9

Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’
He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”’

22/10/2026

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

Luke 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?
‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.’

22/10/2026

More than 4000 people visited St Patrick's Cathedral, eager to reaffirm their faith, seek intersession amid suffering and turmoil, or simply to be in the holy presence of the Church’s first millennial saint.

More than 4000 people visited St Patrick's Cathedral, eager to reaffirm their faith, seek intersession amid suffering and turmoil, or simply to be in the holy presence of the Church’s first millennial saint.

21/10/2026

Pope Leo XIV’s doctors confirm that the tumor removed on October 13 was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized, noting that "no further treatment is necessary."

Pope Leo XIV’s doctors confirm that the tumor removed on October 13 was a lung adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized, noting that "no further treatment is necessary."

21/10/2026

Today we remember St Pope John Paul II, the pope who officially established our Diocese of Parramatta in 1986 to serve Western Sydney’s growing Catholic community. He visited later that year, a historic event still cherished by local communities.

St Pope John Paul II was first-ever Slavic pope, and at 58 years old he was the youngest pope elected in more than a century. His pontificate of nearly 27 years was the third longest in history.

Affectionately called the ‘Pilgrim Pope’, he travelled to 129 countries and championed human dignity and promoted dialogue with other faiths. He also founded World Youth Day, inspiring young Catholics around the world – a legacy that continues to energise the Church today.

His lasting impact in Western Sydney is honoured with a bronze monument at St Patrick’s Cathedral, a reminder of his commitment to faith, community, and mission.

St Pope John Paul II, pray for us.

21/10/2026

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!
‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

21/10/2026

Returning to the parish where the first African Mass took place in 2016, the celebration strengthened belonging among communities in Parramatta, Sydney, Broken Bay and Wollongong.

Returning to the parish where the first African Mass took place in 2016, the celebration strengthened belonging among communities in Parramatta, Sydney, Broken Bay and Wollongong.

20/10/2026

The Adoration Chapel at St Canice’s in Katoomba, housed in a room next to the sanctuary in the main church building, has a steady stream of people using it through the day and night.

The Adoration Chapel at St Canice’s in Katoomba, housed in a room next to the sanctuary in the main church building, has a steady stream of people using it through the day and night.