June 21, 2016
Here I am, back from a couple of weeks away, and grateful that John Donnelly, Melissa Fenech and Helene O’Neill took on the role of communicating with you on the ‘stuff’ of the diocese on Tuesdays. I enjoyed reading what each had to say from their respective roles in our diocese and I hope you appreciated the many ministries to which we are committed on behalf of all of you. Parishes are the places where we connect with people and in different ways, John, Melissa and Helene reflected that reality.
May 24, 2016
Election fever is upon us, which means our news is filled with the election trail. The Australian Bishops have issued a statement titled A Vote for the Voiceless. This statement can be found on the Church’s national website www.catholic.org.au/election.
May 17, 2016
I love Pentecost Sunday and the readings that reveal to us the coming of the Spirit as wind and fire. We can imagine being with the disciples in a locked room, filled with fear, and hearing the sound and seeing the presence of ‘God with us’ as spirit.
May 10, 2016
Jesus’ going at his Ascension was one of expectation, where he was lifted up while the apostles looked on. Jesus had appeared to them in many settings during the forty days after his rising and told them that while John had baptised with water, they would be baptised with the Spirit. The promise was that Jesus would return.
May 03, 2016
We begin this week with Jesus reminding us that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach us everything, and remind us of all that he has said. This can only happen if we immerse ourselves in the scriptures, and then in our tradition. And if we do this, then peace will be given to us, a peace the world cannot give. This is Jesus’ gift to us.
April 26, 2016
By the time you read this message we will have remembered Anzac Day. Regular readers of this message would be aware that it is usually written on a Sunday evening, and once again this is so.