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Become what you are, Bishop Julian Porteous

Modotti Press, Paperback, 220 pages ISBN: 9781922168085 $24.95

The question of the formation of Christian character is an important contemporary issue. Our society is undergoing radical change at the personal and social level. There are forces at work that deconstruct the traditional patterns of human life – the family, the understanding of masculinity and femininity, our view on the nature and use of our sexuality.

These forces are rebuilding human society in such a way that it is free from the influence of a religious perspective on life and free from the constraints of a moral approach to human living. The modern attitude is to reject traditional models of the virtuous life in favour of a self-realisation freely pursued outside the constraints of moral codes. There is a certain “morality” which is fashioned by society. Certain things are determined to be “politically correct”. Certain stances become fashionable like ecological sensitivity or the perceived threat from sexism, but these are fluid positions and change with fashions of thought.

They do not impinge particularly on the inner quality of character but rather reflect certain acceptable attitudes. They are superficial and do not promote serious inner growth. This book seeks to explore the nature of the human person. Then, by drawing on our Christian tradition, consider the ways in which we can build a healthy and happy life fulfilling what God has intended us to become as a faithful imitation of his Son. This is a book about identifying the nature of Christian character. It offers a path which will lead to mature Christian character.

The book can be purchased by clicking here to visit the page of Connor Court Publishing

or the mustard seed bookshop

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Mass at Mary MacKillop Chapel

AUSTRALIAN   CATHOLIC   BISHOPS   CONFERENCE MEETING  HELD  AT  MARY  MACKILLOP  PLACE, MOUNT  STREET,  NORTH SYDNEY,  NSW

26 – 30 November 2012

The Mass of the Holy Spirit was concelebrated on Tuesday in the chapel of Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney at 7 am.  The President of Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart, was the principal celebrant and preached the homily

The President welcomed the observers from the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes (Catholic Religious Australia)

• Sr Annette Cunliffe rsc
• Sr Marion Gambin rsj
• Rev. Fr Anthony Banks osa

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Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, recalled that “the Church goes forward together with humanity” (No. 40); therefore “the joys and the hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts” (ibid., 1). The Servant of God Paul VI echoed these words when he called the Church an “expert in humanity” (Populorum Progressio, 13), as did Blessed John Paul II when he stated that the human person is “the primary route that the Church must travel in fulfilling her mission… the way traced out by Christ himself” (Centesimus Annus, 53). In the footsteps of my predecessors, I sought to emphasize in my Encyclical Caritas in Veritate that “the whole Church, in all her being and acting – when she proclaims, when she celebrates, when she performs works of charity – is engaged in promoting integral human development” (No. 11). I was thinking also of the millions of men and women who, for various reasons, have known the experience of migration. Migration is in fact “a striking phenomenon because of the sheer numbers of people involved, the social, economic, political, cultural and religious problems it raises, and the dramatic challenges it poses to nations and the international community” (ibid., 62), for “every migrant is a human person who, as such, possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance” (ibid.). Continue reading →

meeting

Statement, 30 November

With leaders of Religious Orders, we welcome the establishment of the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse.

It is an opportunity for those who have suffered to obtain a compassionate hearing, justice and further healing.

It is also an opportunity for the Church’s processes to be scrutinised with greater objectivity. This will allow further refinements that seek justice and pastoral care. Continue reading →

Catholic Mission Christmas Gifts

Imagine giving a truly meaningful gift to your friends and family this Christmas, knowing that you were also reaching out to those who truly need it.

This year you can make your gifts special by choosing from a range of fifteen Catholic Mission Life-Giving Gifts starting from as little as $7. Your donation will be used to support projects around the world that help improve the lives of children and communities in need, and support the training of church leaders in developing countries.

In choosing a Life-Giving Gift this Christmas, you will have the opportunity to either send an e-card, thus reaching your loved ones who are distant, or you can receive a printed card at your own address, with the card portraying a photo of the gifts that you have selected. Continue reading →