Tuesday, November 4, 2014

G20 in Brisbane

The G20 - what, why and so what?

The G20 Leader’s Summit is now just around the corner, with the world’s most powerful leaders set to meet in Brisbane in less than two weeks (14-16 November).
While this has been a focal point for our campaigning on tax dodging for the past two years, we realise that many of our supporters may still be catching up, or need a refresh, on why we (and the global poor) are so interested in the outcome of this global forum.
So if you're still wondering what it's all about and why it matters, read this short blog to bring you up to speed, 'Shining the Light on the G20' by Ben Thurley.
Each year tax dodging and corruption costs the world’s poorest nations more than US $160 billion.
As the 
current president of the G20, Australia has a unique opportunity to take the lead in the discussions at the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane this November (14-16) and to help ensure that the voices of the poor are heard.We invite you to join together with Christians all over the world, and people from poor nations and communities, to pray for the G20 Summit over the period of 10 days.
LINK

Monday, October 6, 2014

Synod of Bishops


Prayer to the Holy Family



Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love,
to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again 
experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful 
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer!
Amen.

Sunday, October 5
Pope opens Synod criticizing 'bad shepherds,' those who 'thwart' God.
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis opened a worldwide meeting of Catholic bishops Sunday -- a possible landmark of his papacy -- by warning against "bad shepherds" who unduly burden the faithful and who "thwart" God by not being guided by the Holy Spirit.
Francis was speaking in a homily during the opening Mass for the meeting, known as a Synod and focusing on modern struggles of family life, in St. Peter's Basilica.
LINK

Monday, October 6
Pope calls synod to speak 'boldly,' cardinal defends current teachings
VATICAN CITY Pope Francis opened discussions at his worldwide meeting of Catholic bishops Monday by telling the prelates they should speak openly, without fear of upsetting him or limiting discussions to things he would want to hear.
LINK

Tuesday, October 7
Challenges faced by the Synod
On Monday morning, at the First General Congregation of the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, the General Rapporteur, Cardinal Peter Erdö, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, summarized the challenges that the Synod will deal with along the way. In fact, "the challenge for this synod is to try to bring back to today’s world, which in some way resembles that of the early days of the Church, the attractiveness of the Christian message about marriage and the family, highlighting the joy which they give, but, at the same time, respond, in a true and charitable way (cf. Eph 4:15), to the many problems which have a special impact on the family today."

“If we look at the origins of Christianity, we see how it has managed —  despite rejection and cultural diversity  —  to be accepted and welcomed  for the depth and intrinsic force of its message. Indeed, Christian revelation has manifested the dignity of the person, not to mention love, sexuality and the family.

The challenge for this synod is to try to bring back to today’s world, which in some way resembles that of the early days of the Church, the attractiveness of the Christian message about marriage and the family, highlighting the joy which they give, but, at the same time, respond, in a true and charitable way (cf. Eph 4:15), to the many problems which have a special impact on the family today and emphasizing that true moral freedom does not consists in doing what one feels or living only by one’s feelings but is realized only in acquiring the true good.

In a real way, we are called upon, above all, to put ourselves alongside our sisters and our brothers in the spirit of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10: 25-37): being attentive to their lives and being especially close to those who have been “wounded” by life and expect a word of hope, which we know only Christ can give us (cf. Jn 6:68).

The world needs Christ. The world needs us too, because we belong to Christ.”
LINK

Tuesday, October 7
Where is the democracy at the synod on the family?
“Let's welcome healthy discussion and debate on theological and pastoral issues. It's way past time -- centuries past time! Maybe the synod can set us on that road.”

Tuesday, October 7
A report by England Cardinal Vincent Nichols commented on the contribution by an Australian couple
LINK1;    LINK2;   LINK3

Wednesday, October 8
The Vatican Press Office issues bulletins summarising the events of the day. English language sections are included.
LINK

Friday, October 10
During the ninth general Congregation, 15 interventions were heard (6 from couples and 9 from single Auditors), almost all laypersons engaged in the field of family pastoral care, bioethics and human ecology. From various countries throughout the world and representing almost all the continents, the Auditors brought to the Assembly their living testimony of family apostolate lived in everyday life.
LINK for the summary

Friday, October 10
Synod considers how to respond to 'burdened' children of parents in 'irregular situations'
LINK

Friday, October 18
Last Monday a group of cardinals were chosen by Pope Francis to write a summary of what was discussed in the first week of the Synod. This summary turned out to be controversial and many comments were made. The links I have provided above will lead you to some of the comments that were made. Some commentators called the summary "an earthquake" in the Vatican.
The second week of the Synod will be summarised later. All the discussions that have happened in these 2 weeks will become the basis for the agenda of the Synod when it reconvenes in 2015.

Monday, October 20
On Saturday the final 'Summary' of the Synod was published. It certainly caused a stir. The bishops retracted or rephrased a number of parts of the earlier summary.
LINK for the Concluding message of the Synod
LINK to the speech by the Pope

Friday, October 24
Synod Analysis: 'This is only the beginning'   LINK
Now the talking really begins.    LINK

Thursday, October 30
Full Final Report in English. LINK
Official Report from the Vatican LINK

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Winter Lunch, August 2014



The Parish Bulletin stated:
Here’s an opportunity to get together with fellow parishioners for a light lunch and a bit of a chat.


Well it was so much more than that! 
The Mass with Anointing of the Sick was an enriching spiritual event.
The free lunch turned out to be a menu of scrumptious soups, top-tasting quiche with a superb salad; a never-ending flow of sweets and tea/coffee!
And the company was wonderful!
What more could you want.
Thank you to all the hard working organising team supported by an amazing group of students from our parish school.
They really shone!


















Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Parish 70th Anniversary Mass

Archbishop Wilson joined us in the celebratory Mass.

































The Parish Dinner - February 2014

Giulia & Pat Giuliani and team hosted a wonderful dinner in the parish hall.
Larry & Neale provided great musical entertainment!