Parish Newsletter

Advent opens before us as a season where light slowly enters our ordinary days. It is a reminder that God walks with us, renews us, and invites us to carry His peace into our community. Each act of kindness becomes a small flame of hope – a place of solace and strength.

Christmas Lights Ceremony – 7th December at 5.00 pm

We warmly invite everyone to our Christmas Lights Switching-On Ceremony on Sunday , 7th December at 5.00 pm. This parish gathering welcomes neighbours, friends, our local MP, councillors, and members of different faith communities. Together we celebrate the light of Christ that shines for all. NL Nov 23 St Ann2

Youth Group (11–14): Orientation & Induction

Our new Youth Group (ages 11–14) begins this month with great joy.

• Orientation: Saturday, 29th November at 4.30 pm
• Induction Mass: Sunday, 30th November at 10.30 am

We thank all our volunteers for supporting this important ministry for our young people.

Upcoming Events

• Family Mass: Sun 30 Nov, 10:30 a.m.
• Crib Competition: Send entries by 21 Dec
• Play “Prickly Hay”: Mon 8 Dec, 2:15 p.m., Holy Cross Prep School

HOMILY – FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, the Word of God invites us to look at the long, winding, and often painful journey of Israel — a journey that mirrors our own inner story. And as we receive David as anointed king in today’s reading, we also proclaim that Christ alone is our true King, the One who reigns not by force, but by love.

Let us go back for a moment, deep into the memory of Israel.

Israel was a tiny people — unnoticed, insignificant, almost anonymous on the world’s stage. In the beginning, God was close to them. Like a parent holding a child’s hand, God walked with the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. But even in those families, there were lies, jealousy, and cheating. Human brokenness runs deep.

Then came Moses, sent by God to lift the people from slavery — from nobodies to a people with a promise. Up to this point, God Himself was their leader. God was their King.

But the human heart, restless as it is, began to wander. Like a child who sees something shiny on the street and wants it immediately, Israel looked around at the nations and said:

“We want a king… like the others.”
(cf. 1 Samuel 8)

God warned them: A king will rule over you, tax you, burden you… he may even break your spirit. But the people insisted. Desire blinded them. The fancy armour, the glamour of power, the military might — that is what they wanted.

So God allowed them to choose. First Saul, then David, then Solomon.

And even Solomon — the wisest of all — was not free from the temptation of display. He taxed the people heavily to maintain the prestige, the palaces, the symbols of power. When his son Rehoboam took over, the people hoped things would become lighter. But he replied:

“My father laid a heavy yoke on you; I will make it heavier.” (cf. 1 Kings 12)

And the kingdom fell apart. Division, rebellion, collapse.

Why?
Because when human desire becomes louder than God’s voice, kingdoms crumble.
When appearance becomes more attractive than truth, hearts break.
When we look for kings outside, we forget the King within.

This is why the prophet Jeremiah cries out:

“They have forsaken me, the fountain of living water,
and have dug for themselves cracked cisterns.”
(Jeremiah 2:13)

The wellspring was right there — yet they preferred muddy water.

My dear brothers and sisters, This is not only Israel’s story. This is our story.

God is our King — our Father and our Mother, our Shepherd and our Shelter. Yet, like Israel, we are often drawn to the “kings” around us:

– The king of popularity – The king of material success – The king of comparison – The king of comfort – The king of ego – The king of busyness – The king of impatience and anger

We chase what glitters, forgetting what gives life.
We become fascinated by the world’s crowns and forget the crown of thorns that saved us.

As St Augustine says:
“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

Today, on this Feast of Christ the King, Jesus stands before us not on a throne with soldiers, but on the Cross — a king who reigns from a place of total surrender.

His kingdom is not built on dominance but on humility.
Not on fear but on mercy.
Not on force but on forgiveness.

In the Gospel, the good thief whispers:
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
(Luke 23:42)

And Jesus replies with royal tenderness:
“Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

This is our King — a King who lifts, not crushes; a King who carries, not burdens;
a King who invites, not intimidates.

Let us ask ourselves:
What false kings have taken the place of Christ in my life?
What attractions have overshadowed my humble walk with God?
Where have I dug cracked cisterns instead of drinking from the fountain of life?

Today, let Christ the King lead us back to simplicity, sincerity, humility, and inner truth. Let Him reign in our decisions, our families, our choices, our priorities.

“The measure of a man is what he does with power.”
Plato wrote this centuries ago. Christ shows us the true measure: He uses power to serve.

May we learn from Him.

May His reign begin in silence.
Grow through humility.
And shine through a life lived faithfully, one day at a time. Amen.