Loving Father, we pray for our children as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Enlighten their hearts so that they can be graced with the magnificent gift of love and forgiveness that Jesus is offering them in this sacred Sacrament.

Dear Parents,

Every year, the parish Sacramental Programs prepare your children and your families for the Sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation and Reconciliation. These programs are one of the most important pastoral activities of the parish. Many thanks for your generous participation in this program.

Over the last 4 years, we have followed the sequence outlined in the archdiocesan policy: (1) Confirmation; (2) Eucharist with “little” Reconciliation, and then, in Year 5, the “full” (3) Reconciliation.

In this frame, Reconciliation was addressed twice: First, at the time of the Eucharist and then, a year later, on its own. This format caused considerable confusion and impracticability for the parents and the parish.

Taking this experience and some comments from the parents into account, I have decided to simplify and clarify the existing format.

From this year onwards, the 2nd Reconciliation in Year 5 will be brought forward and incorporated into the program that prepares children for the Eucharist. This year, 2026, the Sacrament of the Eucharist will be combined with Reconciliation. It will start with the Parents’ Information Evenings on Monday, 9 February (Darra), and Tuesday, 10 February (Jindalee), both at 6:30 pm.

Registration for Reconciliation/Eucharist will commence on Monday, 19 January 2026. (Reconciliation) and Monday, March 9, 2026 (Eucharist), The Parents’ Information Evenings will outline the parents’ role and the timetable for activities leading up to the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

The Sacrament of Eucharist will be celebrated on – (1) Sunday, 14 June, at 11:00 am, at Darra and on (2) Sunday, 21 June, at 11:00 am, at Jindalee.
The registration for the Sacrament of Confirmation will commence on Monday, 3 August 2026, with Parents’ Information Evenings on Monday, 7 September at Darra and Tuesday, 8 September at Jindalee, both sessions at 6:30 pm.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Tuesday, 3 November, at 6:30 pm at the Church of the Twelve Apostles, Jindalee.

Having outlined the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation, there is an additional program for children who celebrated Eucharist in 2025. Since they have not yet celebrated the full Sacrament of Reconciliation, an additional program will prepare them for this Sacrament by exploring the full meaning of God’s mercy and the reality of sin.

This program will begin with the Parents’ Information Evening on Monday, 20 July, and Reconciliation will be celebrated on Tuesday, 1 September, for students of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School (during school hours) and Wednesday, 2 September, for children outside the Parish school.

I pray in the hope that this new format will simplify and be more beneficial for the children as they grow in the faith given to them at Baptism.

Thank you for your understanding as we face this transitional phase of our Sacramental Program setup in Darra Jindalee.

The Sacramental Program team and I look forward to this journey with you, your children, and the Parish School.

God Bless,
Fr Jan Bialasiewicz
Parish Priest

This Franciscan Jubilee Year, is considered a gift for the entire
Church and an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal.

Until Jan. 10 of next year 2027, the faithful can obtain this grace under the usual conditions — sacramental confession, Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope — by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, the elderly, the sick, and those who, for serious reasons, cannot leave their homes can obtain the plenary indulgence by spiritually joining in the jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, pains, or sufferings to God.

In a world where “the virtual takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life, and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day, this Year of St. Francis spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ,” the decree states.

St. Francis reminds us that “peace with God, peace among people, and peace with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.”

Parish Community Meeting, Monday February 23 at 7pm Parish Hall
All parishioners are welcome to attend. We will discuss updates of parish activities and preparations for Holy Week and Easter.

Stations of the Cross will be conducted every Saturday, immediately after the 9.00 am Mass at Darra starting Sat 21st Feb and ending Sat 28th March.

Morning Tea Parishioners are invited to morning tea following the 9am Mass and Adoration on Tuesday, March 10th at 10am in the Jindalee Church Hall.

Agape Charismatic Prayer Group Meeting – Friday 27th February, AGAPE will start at 7pm at Jindalee Church with Stations of the Cross (throughout the Lenten season) to be followed by praise and worship. All are welcome.

Confidential Prayer Support is available after various Masses. The next opportunity will be: Sunday 8th March, after 8am Mass at Jin-dalee. Contact Audrey 0435 558 390.

RITE OF ELECTION 2026
Congratulations to our RCIA candidates Shauna Barry, Andy Brodersen, Nigel Hess, Emma Wylie and catechumens Sara Broad-smith and Adam Fairnazzo, who will this Sunday participate in the rite of enrolment at St Stephen’s Cathedral. They will be joining other candidates and catechumens from the Archdiocese, who will be officially enrolled in the book of elect and enter the final stage of their journey towards the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at East-er Vigil. Please join us as we keep all catechumens and candidates in our prayers.

First Friday Adoration each month beginning Friday 6 February after the 6 pm Mass.

The monthly Saturday Adoration will be moved to the first Friday of each month. After the 6 pm Mass at Darra, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed until 10 pm. During the exposition, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will be available.

In the last few months leading up to Christmas, the number of parishioners who would stay behind after the 6 pm Saturday Mass dropped significantly. The first Friday of the month holds a significant place in the Catholic tradition, and I believe more parishioners will stay behind to spend time with the Lord. Another reason is the Sacrament of Reconciliation celebrated on the first Saturday of the month. Most of the time, there are many penitents for Confession after the 9 am Mass. Also, on Saturday at 11 am, the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated, and it is often challenging to be back on time for the Baptism at Jindalee.

Having extra time for the Reconciliation on the first Friday during Adoration will reduce the number of penitents on Saturday morning.

God Bless Fr Jan

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2026

Join a prayer service focused on Nigeria FRIDAY 6TH March 09:30am Centenary Uniting Church 37 Riverhills Road, Middle Park
Contact Dianne 0422 510 303

Honouring the Memory of Fr Dan

As we reflect on the incredible legacy of Fr Dan, who faithfully served as our parish priest, we are inviting all parishioners to help us build a lasting tribute to his memory.

We are currently gathering photos, audio/video recordings, printed materials, and personal stories that capture Fr Dan’s time in the parish. Whether it’s a photo from a special Mass, a recording of his homilies, a bulletin he wrote, or a story you remember—every piece helps tell the story of his impact on our community.

Please email to Valentinaslozada@gmail.com. Every contribution—no
matter how small—helps us build a meaningful archive for current and future generations.

Let’s come together to honour Fr Dan’s life and the incredible role he
played in shaping our parish family.

DARRA JINDALEE PARISH MEDIA
The Darra Jindalee Parish take and use images and videos to celebrate
achievements, promote works and events, and other purposes to help achieve the Church’s mission.

Images may appear in, for example, newsletters, bulletins, posters, on
the Parish/Archdiocesan website, on social media platform, on a live streaming video platform and other promotional media/materials.

The parish has appointed Luisa Laughren and Natania Butler of NatImage to capture images and media files which are then respectfully stored and managed on behalf of the parish as per Archdiocesan media protocols.

Should you not wish to be in any of the future parish media images and videos please advise the parish office at ym.darjin@bne.catholic.net.au.

Flocknote Get Connected!

Have you registered online as a member of our parish? All parishioners are invited to register using Flocknote, our new church designed, Australia-wide data programme. One way to register is to use your phone and scan the QR code below. It will take you directly to the parish sign-up page. You will then receive an email with a confirmation code that allows you to securely enter your family details.