Gospel Reflection–Fr Joshua Whitehead–Letting Go to Live Life (Fr Joshua says that we are called to a personal life-giving relationship with Jesus. But for us Christians, it means letting go of the things that stop us from putting God first. Reassessing the thing that we value the most, our independence and freedom, perhaps even letting go of earthly relationships in favour of putting God first. And it certainly takes letting go of any disordered lusts and desires so that we can be in relationship with God's son Jesus and live life to the full.)

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–Footsteps of Jesus (Mother Hilda says the wonderful story of Good King Wenceslas tells us about God and how we will find the journey through life a lot warmer if we walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Good King Wenceslas noticed that his little page was having a lot of trouble getting through the snow, so he said to the page boy to walk in his footsteps because it'll be warmer and easier. You and I will find the journey through life a lot warmer if we walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. If we walk in the footsteps of his word. We simply open the Scriptures and there they are. This week walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and you'll be amazed at where it takes you.)

Interview–Mark Raue–Catholic Mission. Journey Editor Max Norden in conversation with Catholic Mission director from Diocese of Wollongong Mark Raue. Mark explains how Catholic Mission operates at both the local and international levels, what it does, and how over the past 200 years its focus has evolved into one that helps participating people live out John 10:10 “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full” through its extensive development work, both in Australia and in third world countries.

God in the Everyday–Fr Mike Delaney–Walking in a Strange Place (While attending the Divine Renovation conference in Sydney earlier this year, Fr Mike decided to walk the 40-minute distance each day to the conference and greet people he met along the way. His success rate in having conversation was not high and it made him wonder if we have become so focused on what we are doing, and that we are so busy about being ‘me’ that we don’t always have time to worry about or relate to someone else. Evangelisation involves reaching out to people in the everyday – it is the key to beginning the conversation that might eventually, hopefully, lead them to seek a relationship with God. We know there are three responses that anyone can make to our initial conversation – they can say – No; Yes; or they can say maybe or later. But if we don’t make the initial contact, the effort to make the conversation the answer, by default, is always No. Today’s challenge for you is to say hello to someone you don’t know and see where that might lead.)God in the Everyday–Fr Mike Delaney–Walking in a Strange Place (While attending the Divine Renovation conference in Sydney earlier this year, Fr Mike decided to walk the 40-minute distance each day to the conference and greet people he met along the way. His success rate in having conversation was not high and it made him wonder if we have become so focused on what we are doing, and that we are so busy about being ‘me’ that we don’t always have time to worry about or relate to someone else. Evangelisation involves reaching out to people in the everyday – it is the key to beginning the conversation that might eventually, hopefully, lead them to seek a relationship with God. We know there are three responses that anyone can make to our initial conversation – they can say – No; Yes; or they can say maybe or later. But if we don’t make the initial contact, the effort to make the conversation the answer, by default, is always No. Today’s challenge for you is to say hello to someone you don’t know and see where that might lead.)

Smart Loving–Byron & Francine Pirola–The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Byron & Francine say that a successful business principle called the disciplined pursuit of less, can be equally applicable to marriage a success. In our have it all culture, the disciplined pursuit of less doesn't sit well. While we are told that we can have it all, it's simply not true. Life is all about choices and trade-offs. This is especially true when it comes to relationships. In our experience, couples who make a success of their marriage keep things focused. Both spouses avoid getting too distracted by the many opportunities in their individual lives and instead stay attuned to the central task; loving each other. This doesn't mean you don't grow and develop as individuals, but equally it does mean you resist living busy lives as married singles.)

Milk & Honey–Trish McCarthy–God that wants to be known (Trish says Our God is a God that wants to be known and loved. Trish uses some of the work of well-known author and priest, Fr John Powell to explain that there are five ways through which God can enter and touch our lives. These include, but may not be limited to, #1, our emotions, #2 our imagination, #3 our memory, #4 our senses, and #5 is our will. God wants the best for us and when we align our hearts and mind with God’s, we see a beautiful plan unfold and freedom, experiencing life to the full, absent from many fears that hold us back is ours to enjoy.)

Gospel Reflection–Fr William Chow– Do Not Be Afraid (Jesus uses a parable to make a point that we should not worry about the body being killed, it is more serious if our souls were to be killed. It's a beautiful reminder in the life of a Christian that our lives here are only temporary and that our final destination, that our journey, is to be with our Heavenly Father.)

The Bush Deacon–Josh Clayton–Football Gala Day (While sitting and watching his youngest son play rugby, Josh was reflecting on the amazing work that happens in so many volunteer organisations around our country. So many parents, so many individuals working hard to enable this day for these 10 year olds to have a great day playing rugby. But it did make me think if each of us were as passionate about our faith as what we can be about our sport, I wonder if the world would be a different place. I wonder whether it would be more empowering for people to see that faith isn't something you keep at arm's distance. Faith is something you can be excited about. Jesus Christ is someone who you can have on your side that's going to make you a winner. So, if you're after something that can transform the world, then finding your local church and putting your hand up to help is a way to transform the world in a way that you could never really imagine. Volunteering is great, what’s something you can do to help God's message be reached and heard by more?)

On The Journey This Week: Fr William Chow says that the point of Jesus’ parable is don’t worry about the body being killed, it is more serious if our soul were to be killed. Mother Hilda says God wants to recycle the junk baggage in our life. Plus, Byron & Francine Pirola on the disciplined pursuit of less in marriage, Trish McCarthy says that there are five ways through which God can enter and touch our lives , and Deacon Josh Clayton wonders what our churches would be like if we volunteered with them same passion as we do for sporting clubs.

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–Plastic Bags (Mother Hilda has a friend in New Zealand that has a very warm and cosy coat made from unwanted recycled plastic bags. It reminds Mother Hilda that God does that with us, he recycles our unwanted personal plastic bags. There are so of them in your life and mine. Things that can cause us harm. There are things we're ashamed of, things that we wish weren't in our life. We've got drawers full of these things. And what does God do with them? God turns them into compassion, forgiveness, tenderness. God turns them into life for us, turning that unwanted plastic baggage of life into a coat of love that will keep us warm and give us a whole new start.)