The Combined Societies of Mary
Let us enjoy together the Richness and the Beauty of God through Prayer
Obituary
Joseph Giansiracusa
January 23, 1946 — September 6, 2022
Co-Founder and Vice President of the Combined Societies of Mary
Had a peaceful and grace filled passing from this life during the Novena leading up to the Feast of Our Lady's Birthday/ Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni.
Much loved, he will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
June
2026
Friday 5th May
Above
A 4 minute plus video of the procession during the
recent "Walk With Mary"
that took place on 7th April.
The "walk" had been preceded by Holy Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral with Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli and was and was followed by Evensong at St Paul's Cathedral with Bishop Lindsay Urwin.
A Two minute video clip of the recent Eucharistic Procession for the Feast of Christ the King
Saturday 24th November, 2018
St Patrick's Cathedral,
Melbourne, Australia
main celebrant:
Most Rev. Bishop Mark Edwards
The Feast of
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
The Remedy of All Our Ills
Jesus made beautiful promises to those who embrace this devotion, in a series of Apparitions to St Margaret Mary Alacoque, in France, from 1673 to 1675. In essence, this devotion involves a reciprocal process: we give our hearts over to Jesus, and He fills our hearts with His loving presence. The goal of the devotion is to become His intimate children, pressed close to His Heart, held in His loving arms. The external forms that this devotion takes, such as the images and prayers, are not the ends in themselves but a means; the means to enter into this love. Having entered into His love, the symbols and images associated with the devotion become beautiful, loved and cherished reminders and testimonies of this experienced relationship. It is in this context that the promises (some of which you find below) he made to St Margaret Mary Alacoque and which are addressed to all of us, can be understood.
He explained to St Margaret Mary that to those who have this devotion will be greatly blessed. Among Our Lord's promises are the following graces;
“I establish peace in their homes.
I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honoured."
Jesus asked for a special Feast to honour His Heart, that is, the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. If we really love His Heart, should we not want to celebrate it in a special way? With this in mind, we warmly invite you and encourage you to come along to our very special celebration at St Joseph’s Church in Elsternwick on Friday evening, 12th June. Please do join us on this occasion to make the Heart of Jesus rejoice and to avail yourself of all the graces that God wants to give us. Especially, if it is difficult for you to do, please do make an extra effort, as Jesus will never be outdone in generosity.
​First Class Relics
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The first-class relics of both St Margaret Mary Alacoque and her confessor St Claude de la Colombière, will be present for personal veneration at the end of this evening. A beautiful, miraculous, and permanent healing occurred a few years back at this same Church and Feast at the veneration of the relic. Let us not forget the beautiful promise of Jesus: “Those who spread this devotion will have their names written on My Heart, never to be effaced.” One way to spread the devotion is to invite others to what promises to be a beautiful, grace-filled evening of prayer and blessings. Jesus will bless you for whatever efforts you make.
Come and Be Blessed!
St Claude de la Colombière
St Margaret Mary Aloqoque
First Friday
Masses and Devotions
Novena to the Most
Sacred Heart of Jesus
7.00 PM
Adoration and Prayers in honour of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus followed by Holy Mass.
St Joseph's Church
71 Orrong Road
Elsternwick
Saturday 6th May
Mass and Devotions
10.30 AM
Adoration, Prayers as requested by Our Lady of Fatima, Holy Mass.
Confessions Available
St Colman's Church
293 Carlisle St , Balaclava
Friday 12th June
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
7:00 pm
Adoration, Prayers as requested by Our Lord, Holy Mass
Confessions Available
St Joseph's Church
71 Orrong Road
Elsternwick
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Getting There
St Joseph’s Church is at 71 Orrong Road Elsternwick
Public Transport
St Joseph’s Church Elsternwick is conveniently located for public transport. A short stroll from stop 46 on the Tram 60 Route, or catch the 220 Bus that runs from Sunshine - City - Gardenvale, and go to stop 80, which is right in front of St Joseph’s.
Train:
You may catch a train to either Elsterwick station or to Glenhuntly station and then the tram route 60 will take you to the corner of Orrong Road.(Tram 60) From there it is a walk of not more than about 300 metres
Car:
St Joseph’s Church is close to both Nepean Highway and Dandenong Road. It is just a few minutes drive from either of these major highways.
