Epiphany – God puts on flesh!
January 5, 2025
We saw his star at its rising…
God puts on flesh! God brings light! What do we do?
The word ‘epiphany’ used in Greek indicates an appearance or manifestation. What does it invite us to?
Ordination Anniversary of Julian Tenison Woods
January 3, 2025
Twenty-four-year-old Julian Woods [1] was ordained a priest by Bishop Francis Murphy in Adelaide’s St Patrick’s Church on 4 January 1857. From his mid-teens, Julian’s one goal and longing had been ordination.
Raised in London by his Irish parents with the general conviction of Christian faith, he had no clear denominational identity. His mother was Anglican, his father Catholic, though non- practising. He was regularly sent with his brothers to the Anglican services, but recognised the reverence with which his father spoke of his earlier reception of the sacraments.
Mortgaging a Future of Hope – Debts Today, Peace Tomorrow
January 1, 2025
Pope Francis’ 2025 World Day of Peace message, “Forgive Us Our Debts: Grant Us Your Peace”, is a powerful invitation to everyone – individuals, communities, and nations – to engage in the transformative act of forgiveness. It is a call to embrace the principles of justice, reconciliation, and peace, not as lofty ideals, but as concrete actions that can heal wounds, right wrongs, and restore broken relationships.
The overwhelming weight of debt, however, can sometimes stand in the way of mortgaging a future of hope. But with the spiritual Bank of God – a place of limitless resources and mercy – we can apply for a new loan on life. God’s love offers a second chance – a loan that enables us to live with greater purpose, humility, and gratitude.
A Reflection on the Beginning of a New Year
On 1 January 2025, this day will be an opportunity to look back and to look forward…
The Romans chose to name the first month of the year January after the god Janus who is depicted as having two faces, one looking back, the other forward. On 1 January each year, we can take the opportunity to do just that – to look back over the year just completed, with all its ups and downs and to look forward, usually to a brighter year ahead, a new beginning.
New Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
December 31, 2024
As we begin this New Year, we give thank for all the blessings, memories and gifts of 2024. It was year filled with many joys and many challenges as people faced economic hardship, the loss of loved ones, war and climatic changes among other things. There were also moments when we rejoiced in the good news stories of heroic acts, the achievements at the Olympic games, the hope forged through the Church’s synod process and many more treasured moments.
As we step into 2025, we do with hearts full of hope. In the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has announced a Jubilee Year through which we are invited to become Pilgrims of Hope. Throughout the year there will be many events both locally and internationally to ignite the gift of hope among us.
Christmas Message 2024
December 23, 2024As we come to celebrate Christmas this year, we are mindful of the many places in our world troubled by wars, violence, climatic issues, economic disadvantage, and endless challenges. We are invited to walk with Mary and Joseph on the road to the Bethlehem’s of our heart. All was not well in the time of Mary and Joseph as they embraced the call of bringing the Prince of Peace into our world. They did this amid the conflicts of their time, and yet they did this with hope in their hearts that a new era of peace among people would emerge.
Sesquicentenary of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration: Launch of Heroic Women
Launch by Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Heroic Women: The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration 1874–2014, by Mary Cresp rsj – Brisbane 8 December 2024
In the late afternoon of a hot Sunday, around 70 people attended the launch of Heroic Women: The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration 1874–2014. It was 32 degrees outside, but the heat did not hold back the spirit of joy and thanksgiving for the launch of the book written by Mary Cresp rsj, to commemorate the sesquicentenary of the founding of the Sisters. Mary knew the Sisters well as she had been their Canonical Congregational Leader from 2006 to 2009. The book is published by ATF Press and has over 200 pages with many photographs.
Preparing for Christmas
December 20, 2024
What preparations do you have in place for this upcoming Christmas?
The days leading up to Christmas are often filled with joy and excitement. Conversations revolve around choosing the perfect gifts, planning festive meals, and deciding who will host the celebrations — these are all part of the everyday preparations for that special day.
But for those with faith, Christmas goes a little further.