From the Parish House

I had often heard about Bondi Beach, as friends had mentioned it as one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in New South Wales. It attracts not only local people but many others from across the country. Indeed, after hard working days or periods of study, families, colleagues, and friends try to find a good, peaceful, and relaxing place to rest, to enjoy themselves, and to rejuvenate. For many people, Bondi has been a place where nature has provided all these favourable conditions and, in turn, offers its beauty to them. It was in this place that our Jewish sisters and brothers also chose to celebrate their feast of Hanukkah – a festival of light and freedom. (Read A brief History of Hanukkah shared by Sandy Curnow).

Unfortunately, sometimes nature treats us very well, yet humanity does not treat one another kindly. The horrific attack on Sunday, 14 December 2025, which claimed the lives of 15 innocent people and injured 40 others*, has somehow stripped away its peace and serenity. Joy and laughter were turned into distress, fear, and anxiety. It is hard to comprehend that there are a minority who deliberately choose darkness over light, evil over goodness, hatred over love, and who therefore harm their fellow human beings in the most brutal and deadly way.

In this time of crisis for our nation, it is crucial that we come closer to one another in unity and harmony. We need to stand in solidarity with each other. In this situation, we express profoundly our closeness to our Jewish sisters and brothers and their communities. At all Masses across our parish, I wish to encourage our celebrants, together with all parishioners, to offer Masses with special intentions: to pray for the repose of the souls of all the victims who lost their lives; for healing for those who were wounded; and for reconciliation and comfort for all the families who have been terribly affected by this evil act of violence.

As Christians, we condemn antisemitism and all forms of cruelty against religious groups. As Australians, we abhor gun violence and lament the loss of civic peace. May the presence of our God, the God of light continue to accompany and guide us on this journey of life and faith.

On another note of celebration this weekend, we will have a farewell Mass for Kate Baines at 5:30 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Saturday. We invite you to join us in giving thanks for the gift of her life and her service to our parish community over the past fifteen and a half years. There will be hospitality provided after the Mass for those who would like to thank Kate in a personal way.

This Sunday, at the 10:00 am Mass at Our Lady of Victories Basilica, there will also be a special Thanksgiving Mass for the Priestly Ordination of Fr Sinh Le, a nephew of mine, who was ordained as a priest last Saturday, 13 December. If you are able to join us for this celebration with a BBQ Picnic Lunch afterward, it would be wonderful; otherwise, please keep him in your prayers as he begins his ministry as a priest, bringing God’s love, mercy, and compassion to all those he serves and encounters.

By Fr Sang Ho

*Information from the NSW Police website on Monday, 15 December 2025