The Mother of God: Gate of the Incarnation

Homily on the 26 th Sunday of Pentecost Luke 13-10-17; Ephesians 5: 8-19. Homily – Feast of the Presentation of the All-Holy Theotokos at the Temple This week the Church celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the All-Holy Theotokos at the Temple. This feast is a profound prefiguration of Mary’s unique and essential role in the salvation of mankind. Without the Theotokos’ “yes” to the All-Holy Trinity, (the Incarnation as it happened in time), would not have taken pl

Father Mark

Dec 74 min read

Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Saturday 6th December 2025AD at 7pm The Good Shepherd Chapel - Abbotsford, Victoria The chapel was adorned in gentle shades of blue, the colour of the Holy Theotokos, as the congregation gathered to honour her feast. Metropolitan Raffaele played quietly at the organ while Father Mark and Father Matthew greeted the faithful, and the atmosphere settled into a peaceful stillness before the liturgy began. While we waited, the Metropolitan offered a soft Alleluia, filling the chap

Admin

Dec 64 min read

ONE STEP TOO FAR AHEAD

The Lord used another parable concerning that which is to be considered as priority stating: “The land of a wealthy farmer brought forth abundant harvests. Therefore, the time came to consider the storage of crops for they had multiplied and the barns were insufficient in space. Hence, the wealthy farmer reasoned within himself saying: “I need to demolish the present barns and build larger ones in order to cater for the over abundant produce!” (Lk 12:16-18) There is a great

Archbishop Raffaele

Nov 297 min read

Baptism of Chloe Rose

During the celebration of the Synaxis of the Holy Angelic and Blessed Powers During Saturday evening’s liturgy at the Good Shepherd Chapel, our parish gathered in joy as Father Matthew and Presbytera Lianna presented their newest daughter for Holy Baptism. Surrounded by family, friends, and the warmth of the congregation, the baptismal font was brought to the front of the chapel and the sacred rite began. Chloe Rose was immersed in the blessed waters, born anew in Christ, and

Admin

Nov 231 min read

Synaxis of the Holy Angelic and Blessed Powers

Saturday 22nd November 2025 @ 7pm Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford The congregation gathered as the bells rang out across Abbotsford. Inside the chapel, peaceful organ music filled the space as people greeted one another and found a place to sit. Father Matthew and Presbytera Lianna welcomed family and friends tonight as we prepared to celebrate the baptism of their newest daughter, a moment of joy woven into the fabric of our liturgy. The service began with the Entrance Hymn

Admin

Nov 234 min read

XXIV Sunday after Pentecost:“Go, and do likewise” (Lk 10:37).

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint Luke (Lk 10:25–37). “ And behold, a lawyer stood up to test Him, saying, ‘Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How do you read it?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ He said to him, ‘You have answered correctly

Father Michele Alberto

Nov 226 min read

UNCERTAINTY PERFECTED VIA GRACE GIVEN THROUGH DIVERSE GIFTS!

BEHOLD THE HOLY FOR THE HOLY! There came to pass that the administrator of the local synagogue named Jairus came to Jesus who was in that area and on seeing him, he cast himself down at his feet and began weeping; he begged the Lord to come visit his house for his only child a daughter of twelve years of age was approaching death. (Lk 8:41) This past week has been one of experiencing people’s pain, anxieties and troubles with various situations. Regardless of what those situa

Archbishop Raffaele

Nov 158 min read

United in love...

Homily on the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Galatians 6:11–18; Luke 8:26–39. One of the greatest gifts we have in life is the gift of love. Love is what binds couples, families, and friends together. It is the gift that enriches and beautifies our lives. Without love, our existence would be void of the blessings that bring joy to the heart. Our faith calls us to love — to be open both to giving and to receiving that love from God and from others. Yet love also has a difficult s

Father Mark

Nov 94 min read

EARTHLY WEALTHY YET SPIRITUALLY POOR - EARTHLY POOR YET SPIRITUALLY RICH

MISERICORDIAE The rich man who found himself in the absence of the promise at bodily death was spiritually tortured and cried out to the Father of Nations: “Father Abraham, please ask that mercy be shown me via sending poor Lazarus who begged at my door and I neglected for years to dip his finger in the well of our father Jakub; moistening my parched tongue in these flames of depression which craves the water of life.” (Lk16:24) The well-known passage regardin

Archbishop Raffaele

Nov 111 min read

20th Sunday after Pentecost: "The Good Soil".

Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787). A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint Luke (Lk 8:5-15). The Lord spoke this parable: “The sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky devoured it. Some fell on the rock, and as soon as it sprouted, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns, growing together with it,

Father Michele Alberto

Oct 2513 min read

My Lord and my God

A reflection on the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said