Author Archives: Mark Wei

Pope promotes “safe space” for Synod participants

by Bishop Shane Mackinlay

Later this week, I will be one of 15 Australians and hundreds of people from around the world heading to Rome for the first assembly of what has become known as the “Synod on Synodality”.

Next month’s assembly, and another to follow in October 2024, are the continuation of what has been dubbed “the world’s largest ever consultation”. When you consider that almost 120 bishops conferences from every part of the world gathered the thoughts of the People of God in their dioceses, that claim makes sense. Continue reading

Australian Bishops gravely concerned about crisis in Iraq

Playing With WaterMedia statement, 27 August 2014

Australia’s Catholic bishops have expressed grave concern at the humanitarian crisis that is continuing to worsen in northern Iraq. The Australian bishops condemn outright the use of terrorism in the name of religion.

Tens of thousands of Christians have been forced to flee Mosul, Qaraqosh and other areas of Northern Iraq, with demands by Islamic State fighters that they convert to Islam or die. The Yazidis, other Muslim, religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq, have also been forced to flee from forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Continue reading

Parishioners called to be disciples of Jesus at PROCLAIM 2014 

Authors of Rebuilt Fr White & Tom Corcoran

Authors of Rebuilt Fr White & Tom Corcoran

Media release, 23 August 2014

The key message for the Church is to call parishioners to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, keynote speakers Fr Michael White and Tom Corcoran told delegates attending the Proclaim 2014 Conference on the New Evangelisation.

“It is essential for the parish to reorient towards reaching those who are not active in the life of the Church,” Fr White said.

“The key elements to rebuilding the parish are focusing on unchurched people, prioritising the weekend experience and moving Church people to action,” Tom Corcoran explained.

Continue reading

Reviving Parish Life

Fr Michael White addresses delegates at Proclaim 2014 Conference

Fr Michael White addresses delegates at Proclaim 2014 Conference

 

Proclaim 2014, 21 August 2014

On day one of Proclaim 2014, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference National Conference on Evangelisation, Fr Michael White and Thomas Corcoran delivered a keynote address on how to ‘Make Church Matter’.

Over a number of years these two men have worked together to rebuild the parish at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, North Baltimore, USA.

In 2013, they co-authored a book called ‘Rebuilt: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, and Making Church Matter’. Continue reading

Adelaide to Host Second Australian Catholic Youth Festival in 2015

ACYF Ade15 logoMedia Release, 13 August 2014

The second Australian Catholic Youth Festival will be held in Adelaide from 3-5 December 2015, the Office for Youth announced today.
 
Hosted by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) to engage and empower young people in the life of the Catholic Church, the festival is expected to draw more than 4000 participants.
 
Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, the Bishops’ Delegate for Youth said the Australian Bishops were committed to the Festival: “After the success of the inaugural event in Melbourne and its impact across the country, the Australian Bishops have committed to repeating the Festival every three years into the future.”
 
“It is fantastic that we are able to hold the next Festival in Adelaide in 2015, and I invite all young people and their teachers and youth ministers from around Australia to make the pilgrimage to Adelaide,” Bishop Fisher said.
 
The theme of the Festival is ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God’ (Mt 5:8). This is also the theme chosen for 2015 diocesan celebrations in advance of World Youth Day 2016.
 
Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson said: “I am proud that we are able to host the Festival in Adelaide in 2015, and I look forward to welcoming thousands of young people from around the country to our wonderful city to share in the Good News.”
 
“I am particularly excited about the theme for the Festival as it allows us to experience the journey of St Mary MacKillop here in Adelaide. Mary was a woman who in the face of many challenges, kept her heart pure and focused on Christ,” Archbishop Wilson said.
 
The ACBC Office for Youth will coordinate the Festival, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Adelaide and Catholic Education South Australia.
 
Over the coming months, a Steering Committee for the event will be established along with campaigns for an official festival song, workshop presenters and youth involvement.
 
An overview of the successful 2013 festival is available at:www.youthfestival.catholic.org.au Continue reading

National day of mourning and national memorial service for victims of Flight MH17

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