This Sunday’s Reflection – The Secret of a Contented Heart

St Paul reminds us, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). We are invited to work wholeheartedly, embrace life’s responsibilities and trust in God’s providence – hands busy with life’s work, and a heart resting in God.

What’s Happening at St Ann’s?

Spiritual Evening – Tuesday 13 October | 7.30 pm

Join Celia for an inspiring reflection on Biblical Women: Their Lives and Lessons. Everyone is warmly welcome.

Bible Study – Friday 16 October | 7.30–8.30 pm

Join Fr James for an evening of Scripture reflection, discussion and spiritual growth. Tea and refreshments will be available.

Pets’ Blessing Mass – A Wonderful Celebration!

Our outdoor Pets’ Blessing Mass was a truly joyful occasion. We thank God for the beautiful weather and everyone who brought their beloved pets. Photographs from this memorable celebration are featured in this week’s newsletter.

Church Improvements

Essential repairs to the deteriorating timberwork at the front of our church are progressing, thanks to the generosity of a sponsoring family. Further details and acknowledgements will follow upon completion.

Parish Hall Development

Discover our vision for the new parish hall, with illustrations comparing the existing facilities and proposed development in this week’s newsletter.

Our Regular Parish Gatherings

• Sunday Mass: 10.30 am, followed by tea and coffee.
• 60+ Club: Wednesdays, 10.45 am–12.15 pm.
• Meditation, Breath & Yoga: Wednesdays, 6.00–7.00 pm.

For Mass times, intentions, parish activities and further announcements, please read our full newsletter below.

St Ann’s – Growing together in faith, love and community.

Twenty eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily

The Secret of a Contented Heart

My dear friends,

St Paul, in today’s second reading, says something extraordinary: “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.”

He is not speaking about a comfortable life. He has known hunger and plenty, hardship and comfort. Yet he has learnt something greater than success: how to remain free within.

There is a beautiful story from the Indian spiritual tradition that illustrates this.

Janaka was a king, surrounded by the responsibilities and comforts of royal life. Yet he was deeply drawn to spiritual wisdom and would sit with the sage Ashtavakra.

Some disciples were troubled by the attention given to him. They had left their homes and possessions to pursue the spiritual life. Janaka had renounced none of these things. How could he be considered spiritually advanced?

One day, during a teaching, news arrived: “The king’s palace is on fire!”

Janaka remained calm and attentive. His calm was not indifference; it was freedom from panic.

Later, a cry went up that monkeys were running away with the disciples’ few clothes. The disciples immediately rushed out in alarm.

They had given up the whole world – but apparently, they weren’t ready to give up their laundry!

The teacher gently showed them the difference.

They had renounced their possessions, but not their attachment. Janaka had not renounced his kingdom, yet his heart was free.

My dear friends, this is the extraordinary journey St Paul is inviting us into.

It is not simply about what we have or what we lack. It is about what we have come to understand about life.

We must strive. We must work, build, serve, learn and keep growing. But we need not allow our achievements, failures or anxieties to rule our hearts.

There is a beautiful image in many spiritual traditions: a monk in the marketplace. Surrounded by noise, demands and restless activity, yet carrying stillness within. Not escaping the world, but living freely in its midst.

That is what we want for our families. Our children are growing up amid enormous competition. Teach them to work hard, to use their gifts, to persevere. But teach them also that they are more than their results, and that another person’s success takes nothing away from them.

And we adults must live that truth ourselves. Children learn contentment not simply from our words, but from the way we live.

I think of this in my own ministry. There is always work to do, another responsibility, another dream for our community.

Sometimes I think even my to-do list has its own to-do list!

I give whatever I can. But at the end of the day, I must be able to place it all in God’s hands. Otherwise, even good work becomes a burden.

Do your best, and leave the rest to God. Not because the rest does not matter, but because everything does not depend on us.

We surrender not our responsibilities, but our anxious desire to control everything.

Only in that surrender do Paul’s words reveal their depth: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Not that every wish will come true, but that Christ will give us strength to meet what comes.

To work wholeheartedly, and still be at peace. To stand in the storm without losing our centre. To trust, as Paul says, that “my God will supply every need of yours.”

That, my dear friends, is the beauty of faith: hands busy with life’s work, and a heart resting in God. Amen.