October 22, 2019
Well here we are on the other side of Saturday October 19, our RCIA workshop day with Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal. About 75 people participated from across the diocese and from a range of ministries concerned with Initiation. What a wonderful day we had. It feels like a watershed moment that has indeed contributed to fanning the flame of RCIA in our Church of Maitland-Newcastle. What follows are some beginning reflections.
October 15, 2019
Eight members of the diocesan community participated in the recent Australian Pastoral Musicians Network Conference in Melbourne. It was the fourth national APMN conference and the second one I have been to. It was a wonderful experience: full of faith, energy, insight, fun, networking, singing, prayer and liturgy, new and old friends, conversation and good ideas. While it targets musicians, it is for all who love and participate in liturgy. If you missed it, you missed a most enriching experience. Today I am reflecting on some of the highlights. I hope what follows offers something for you and your community to ponder.
October 01, 2019
It is a bit more than two weeks to our Diocesan RCIA Workshop Day with Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal. As the clock counts down and excitement grows, Nick and Diana have sent some ‘homework’ for us to do in advance. This will ensure we get the most out of the day. So… set aside a bit of time, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, sit down and engage with the following resources. It will whet your appetite for 10 October.
September 17, 2019
It is important that we take time to review our experience of how as a Church, we marked the Perpetual Day of Remembrance. We have already received some helpful feedback and some people have sent in ideas and resources for next year. If you used any of the resources, including those for individuals and households, we would like to hear your reflections. Please click here to complete a simple evaluation by September 27. Thank you in advance.
September 10, 2019
Various things, including preparation of liturgies at which Bishop Bill presides and the recent conversations on the Communion Rite at Mass, have led me to reflect on our understanding and appreciation of what we are actually doing when we gather to celebrate Eucharist.
September 02, 2019
Saturday was the last of the gatherings the Diocesan Liturgy Council (DLC) hosted to invite people into reflective conversation about the diocesan document, Pastoral Guidance for the Celebration of the Communion Rite at Mass. About a hundred people participated in the three conversations held in Aberdeen, Forster and Newcastle West.
