Category Archives: Special interest

Me Before You, film review

Still from the movie “Me before you”

ME BEFORE YOU, UK, 2016. Starring Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer, Charles Dance, Brendan Coyle, Samantha Spiro, Jenna Coleman, Matthew Lewis. Directed by Thea Sharrock. 110 minutes. Rated PG (Mild themes, sexual references and coarse language).

One might say that this is a pleasingly emotional film. interestingly, some more cerebral reviewers have been harsh on the film, especially being critical of the presentation of disability. The many readers of the novel and the higher than expected success of the film, on the other hand, suggests that these reviewers were not responding to the characters, the situations and the emotions but to ideas about treatment of themes. The screenplay was written by the novelist, Jojo Moyes. Continue reading →

PROCLAIM 2016 Get in Quick for Early Bird Prices!

2016 Proclaim eNewsbutton Early Bird Registrations for the exciting national PROCLAIM 2016 Conference on the new evangelisation will be closing Monday 27 June.

Registrations are coming in fast, with groups booked from dioceses across NSW, QLD and Victoria.

“We are delighted to see such an enthusiastic take-up,” said Conference Co-ordinator, Natalie Moutia.

“The strong response is a sign that people are looking for ways to really engage their communities in evangelisation. We believe the range of exceptional international speakers and variety of practical workshops will deliver wonderful opportunities for all involved.” Continue reading →

Bishop Long’s homily during Mass of Installation

Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM ConV and Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP.

Dear friends,

The clergy and Catholic people of Parramatta have been waiting for long and here I am, only five feet and a half though. After 19 months without a bishop, you have been given one in the person of a Vietnamese Australian and a former boat person. Perhaps, you can add my appointment to the list of surprises that Pope Francis has done.

I am very honoured and humbled by this appointment and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Church in Parramatta during this time. As guided by my motto “go further into the deep” (Lk 5:40), I have taken many leaps of faith before, including the one that launched me literally onto the Pacific Ocean. Now I am about to be cast into the deep interior of Western Sydney, all the way to the beautiful Blue Mountains and the fertile plains of the Hawkesbury River. I cannot help but feel daunted by what lies ahead. Nevertheless, I make bold to move forward, trusting in the sustaining power of God and the support of many people and fellow ministers of the Gospel. Continue reading →

Treat suicide as the human tragedy it is

Elderly woman with hands clasped

AS chaplain to a big Melbourne hospital, I often provide comfort and support to those dying and their families. Another part of my ministry in the parish is visiting families in the aftermath of suicide.

The death of a loved one leaves those close to them with a sense of pain and loss, but the agony caused by suicide is different.

“What more could I have done?” and the unanswerable “Why?” haunt those left after such a tragedy. While suicide may seem to a person taking their own life as a way to end their suffering, it does not remove the pain. It just shifts the distress on to others.

The Victorian Government’s Inquiry into End of Life Choices addressed many important questions. Recommendations such as improving education for health professionals and improving access to palliative care, if legislated, will definitely improve outcomes for Victorians approaching the end of life. But recommendation 49 to introduce assisted suicide and euthanasia will transfer the distress to health professionals and to family, as anyone who has experienced a loved one’s suicide knows only too well. It does not remove the suffering. Continue reading →

Amoris Laetitia – An Invitation to Engage

Fr Sean Hall

“Pope confuses faithful with mixed messages on family life”.

“Conservatives will tut. Liberals will be equally disappointed. The rest of us will wonder why we are still worrying about such nonsense. “Individual conscience”? Yes, mine is telling right now that we don’t need to be listening to old men in fancy robes pontificating any longer.”

These are two quotes from the “I” newspaper. The first was the title given to a brief description of Amoris laetitia the day after its publication (10^th April). The second is the closing section of an op-ed piece on the following Monday (12^th April) by Stefano Hatfield who identifies himself as an atheist, having been brought up a catholic. The “I” prides itself on being a quality newspaper which gives brief, balanced accounts of news items. So much for the coverage of a “balanced”, “quality” newspaper! The fact that the papal letter was published in the same week as the “Panama Papers” almost certainly meant that it received less coverage than might have been the case in the secular press, but it is also an indication of the lack of wider interest of a church document in this age. Continue reading →

“Hands of Mercy” – Song for the Year of Mercy

The Senior Choir at St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Berowra Heights, Sydney, has presented a new song called “Hands of Mercy” which has been sung at school Masses, and will feature as part of a special Year of Mercy Mass.

Written by Patricia Smith, Music Co-ordinator at Ku-ring-gai Chase Parish in the Diocese of Broken Bay, the song combines lyrics and meaningful actions to help young people participate in the Jubilee Year and understand what mercy means in everyday life and how to bring mercy to others. We can use our ‘hands of mercy’ to give life and love: to bring welcome, forgiveness, comfort, care, and healing; to give, share, and encourage. Continue reading →

President of ACBC celebrates 75th birthday

On Monday 16 May, Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference turned 75 years old.

A birthday celebration took place at the Bishops Conference Secretariat offices in Canberra on Wednesday 18 May during a gathering for morning tea.

Archbishop Denis Hart

Staff at the Secretariat also welcomed Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Vice-President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. The two archbishops enjoyed a morning coffee with staff before attending various meetings in Canberra.

Staff wished Archbishop Hart a very happy birthday and that the year ahead may be filled with good health and happiness. The President was also assured of support and prayers from the Secretariat.

Communicating the Power of Mercy

Celebrating the 50^th World Communications Day, the Australian Catholic Media Council is launching a grassroots initiative by inviting each diocese to share local stories about ‘Communication and Mercy’.

This year, Pope Francis has chosen the theme ‘Communication and Mercy’ and invites us all to reflect on this relationship.

Launching the initiative ahead of World Communications Day, celebrated on Sunday 8 May 2016, Bishop Peter Comensoli, Bishops Delegate for Media, said, ‘The stories will celebrate the local heroes in our parishes – the agents of mercy and compassion in our midst – and encourage further local engagement and inspiration by using the hashtag #Thepowerofmercy’.

The initiative will run from World Communications Day, Sunday 8 May 2016, until the conclusion of the Year of Mercy on Sunday 20 November 2016. The stories will be told in print, broadcast or digital media platforms and will be published on the Bishops Conference website: Worldcommunicationsday.org.au Continue reading →

“Give Us A Sign: Peace!”

A new ecumenical project called, Give Us A Sign, calls on Churches and Christian organisations to stand together in support of peace in the month of May 2016.

The project emerged in 2015 following conversations between the Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Churches in the Hunter and Central Coast. It supported by the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and the Diocese of Broken Bay.

Last year its focus was promoting compassion for asylum seekers. In 2016, the theme is seeking peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)

The troubles of our own times can appear overwhelming. In our daily news we are bombarded with stories of war, terrorism, civil unrest and violence. Many people in our own communities do not feel any true sense of peace in themselves or in their homes. We ask that churches and Christian organisations consider posting a message of peace on their noticeboards for at least one day per week for the weeks during the month of May. Individuals can also share creative messages of peace. Continue reading →

Papua New Guinea Supreme Court decision a welcome sign of hope for Manus Island detainees

Refugees take a rest at a detention centre

The decision of the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court that the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island is illegal is a welcome sign of hope for those currently in detention on Manus Island, Fr Maurizio Pettenà, Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, said today.

“This ruling is important because it highlights the fact that governments have human rights obligations under domestic and international laws.

We also welcome the decision of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill, to close the Manus Island detention centre as a result of the ruling.

The Australian Government’s response to people seeking asylum should first and foremost focus on respecting their human dignity.

I urge the Minister for Immigration, Peter Dutton, to use this opportunity to show leadership and act to end indefinite mandatory offshore detention.

If the Australian Government insists on returning people to their country of origin or moving people to other countries as a result of this decision, the Government must ensure no asylum seeker is at risk of persecution or violence.

The Catholic Church opposes mandatory indefinite detention and offshore detention, these policy responses do not respect the dignity of people seeking our refuge.

Whilst Governments have a responsibility to manage migration flows into countries, the Australian Government’s approach is harsh and needs to change; the dignity of the human person must always come first.”

ACBC MediaBlog

Latest media releases and statements by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference