5th Sunday of Lent – A Call to Renew Our Life

At St Ann’s Catholic Church, Kingston Hill, we enter the final stage of our Lenten journey with the powerful Gospel of the raising of Lazarus. This moment invites us to reflect deeply on life—its fragility, its purpose, and the lasting impact we leave behind. As Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, we are reminded that we too are given opportunities to renew our lives, to rise again, and to live more meaningfully before the Lord.

Palm Sunday – 29th March 2026

All parishioners are warmly invited to join us for Palm Sunday. The celebration will begin with a procession at 10:30 am from the garden, followed by the Holy Mass in the church. This marks the beginning of Holy Week, and we encourage everyone to take part prayerfully as a parish family.

Appreciation to the Hall Core Committee

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Hall Core Committee for their dedicated efforts in reaching an important milestone—the selection of the right architect for our parish hall development project. This is a significant step forward for our parish community. Further updates will be shared by Chris in the coming week.

Preparing for Holy Week

As we approach Holy Week, parishioners are encouraged to enter into this sacred time with prayer and reflection. If you would like to suggest someone to represent one of the twelve disciples for the Washing of the Feet on Maundy Thursday, please contact Fr James.

Key upcoming celebrations include:

• Palm Sunday – Sunday, 29th March (10:30 am Procession & Mass)
• Lenten Reconciliation Service – Tuesday, 31st March at 6:00 pm
• Maundy Thursday – Thursday, 2nd April at 7:00 pm
• Good Friday – Friday, 3rd April (2:15 pm Way of the Cross, 3:00 pm Passion Liturgy)
• Easter Vigil – Saturday, 4th April at 8:00 pm
• Easter Sunday – Sunday, 5th April at 10:30 am

Parish Life & Community

• Tea & Coffee after Sunday Mass – A time of fellowship for all, with a special Kids’ Corner.
• Way of the Cross – Every Friday at 7:20 pm following the 7:00 pm Mass.
• Bible Study (Third Fridays) – Next session: Friday, 17th April at 7:30 pm.
• Spiritual Evenings (Second Tuesdays) – Next gathering: Tuesday, 12th May at 7:30 pm.
• Youth Meeting – Saturday, 11th April at 4:30 pm.
• 60+ Club – Every Wednesday at 10:45 am in the parish hall.

Supporting the Parish

Parishioners are invited to support St Ann’s through regular giving via Standing Order and Gift Aid. Your generosity helps sustain the life and mission of the parish. Easter offering envelopes are also available as a personal gift to support the priest’s ministry.

Homily – Fifth Sunday of Lent

A Second Chance – The Story of Lazarus

This Sunday’s Gospel presents one of the most touching moments in the life of Jesus—the raising of Lazarus.

A man who had already been placed in the tomb…
a life that seemed finished…
is called back by Jesus with those powerful words:
“Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43)

This is not only a miracle.
It is a message for each one of us.

What if we pause and reflect?

If Lazarus, after his death, stood before God, what might have gone through his mind?

Perhaps he would have thought:

• I should have spent more time with people…
• I should have loved more… forgiven more…
• I gathered many things in life… but did I give enough?
• I lived… but did I truly live well?

These are not just his questions.
They are our questions too.

From everything… to nothing

In life, we build, we gather, we achieve.
We surround ourselves with many things.

But in the end, everything becomes very simple.

As Scripture reminds us: “Naked I came… and naked I shall return.” (Job 1:21)

Lazarus, once in his home, is now in the tomb—
a small, silent, dark place.

It is a moment that reveals the truth of life.

A God who feels… and a God who calls

One of the most beautiful lines in this Gospel is:
“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

God is not distant.
He feels. He loves. He enters into our pain.

And then, He calls.

“Lazarus, come out!”

It is a call not only to Lazarus…
but to each one of us.

Every day is a second chance

Lazarus is given another opportunity to live.

And in a quiet way, so are we.

Every new day…
every new beginning…
every moment of awareness…

is a chance to live better.

A chance to love more deeply.
To forgive more freely.
To become more meaningful in the lives of others.

A gentle invitation

Today, the Lord speaks to us:

Come out…
Come out of what holds you back.
Come out of what keeps life small and closed.

Live with purpose.
Live with love.
Live in a way that leaves something beautiful behind.

A final thought

One day, we will all say goodbye to this world.

May that moment not be one of regret…
but one of quiet joy.

Having lived well.
Having loved well.
And being ready to meet the Lord.