RAY COLLINS: A War to End All Wars?
On a recent trip to Canberra I spent some time at the Australian War Memorial. When last I visited Canberra in 2014 I had intended to view the newly refurbished World War I section that was to open in time for the centenary of the beginning of The War to End All Wars.
TUESDAYS WITH TERESA: Missionary of Mercy
On Saturday night, Fr Richard Shortall SJ was commissioned by Bishop Bill to be our Missionary of Mercy (MOM). Fr Richard had just travelled home to Australia from Rome where Pope Francis commissioned him, along with about 700 other priests, to be priests of mercy for anyone who might seek God’s love and mercy.
RAY COLLINS: Caritas 2016
At the 2015 Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Adelaide, Bishop Greg O’Kelly, Bishop of Port Pirie, spoke to the 3500 young people attending and told them of his role as a representative of the Australian Bishops on the Commission for Justice, Ecology and Development which includes Caritas, the Church’s welfare activity throughout the world.
TUESDAYS WITH TERESA: Facilitating a Truly Human Encounter
I believe that this Lenten season in the Year of Mercy is truly a time for self-examination, self-reflection, reconciliation, penance, forgiveness and healing. We all err in thought, word, in what we have done and it what we have failed to do.
RAY COLLINS: Called to Serve Mass 2016
Last Tuesday night’s Called to Serve Mass was again a very joyous and uplifting celebration as the staff of Catholic schools across the diocese joined with Bishop Bill and many priests in the celebration of the Eucharist.
TUESDAYS WITH TERESA: Shalom!
With the return of school, the year has really kicked off, and people are now in our diocesan offices and at the Cathedral during the day, night and on weekends.
RAY COLLINS: Celebrating 150 Years of a Diocese
In 1866 the first resident Bishop of Maitland arrived in the diocese, then covering a huge part of NSW. Bishop James Murray had come from Ireland and he brought with him a great tradition of education which he soon set about implanting in his diocese.
TUESDAYS WITH TERESA: "She Does Not Leave, She is Not Gone..."
The last time I sat to write my message to the diocesan and wider community was on Sunday, 20 December. I had drafted my last message for the year, having finished my Christmas cards, Christmas letter and gifts.