Igor Pletikosa was chosen as a flag-bearer for one of the major WYD events.

High school religious education teacher Igor Pletikosa vividly remembers his brief contact with Pope Francis as one of the highlights of attending World Youth Day.

Having just returned from his three-week pilgrimage to Panama, Mr Pletikosa is getting back into the swing of teaching as assistant religious education coordinator at Mt Carmel Catholic College Varroville, in the Diocese of Wollongong. Continue reading →

Sophie Andreae has praised the beauty of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.

A British expert in heritage and architecture has told a Melbourne conference that the Church in Australia shouldn’t underestimate the importance of its buildings just because their history only dates back two centuries.

Sophie Andreae, the vice-chair of the Patrimony Committee of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, is one of the keynote speakers at this week’s National Liturgical Architecture and Art Council symposium “Where Your Heart Is, There Your Treasure Will Be Also”. Continue reading →

Bishop Patrick O’Regan, centre, launched FIt for Sacred Use on February 6

A new Australian Catholic Bishops Conference publication launched last night presents a blueprint for parish communities regarding the stewardship and renewal of existing church buildings.

Bishop Patrick O’Regan, chairman of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy, officially launched Fit for Sacred Use: Stewardship and Renewal of Places of Worship during the opening session of the National Liturgical Architecture and Art Council’s (NLAAC) symposium, being hosted at Australian Catholic University’s Melbourne campus. Continue reading →

Dust storms are a common sight in parts of Queensland and New South Wales

While monsoon conditions brought flooding rains to North Queensland, inland farming communities in New South Wales and southwest Queensland are looking skywards, still praying for an end to the long-running drought.

Patchy storms prior to Christmas bolstered the spirit of some districts, but farmers have since returned to handfeeding and working through options to keep breeding stock with no reprieve in sight, according to Bathurst Centacare drought assistance project coordinator Louise Hennessy. Continue reading →

Bathurst’s Jim Couper was awarded an Order of Australia Medal last week

Two men recognised in the 2019 Australia Day Honours for their work to support the Church and their local community see their awards as reflecting the efforts of many, not just themselves.

Bathurst’s Jim Couper and Melbourne’s Salem Haddad, a member of the Melkite Catholic Community, were awarded Order of Australian Medals last week. Continue reading →

Mary Brosnan was recognised in the 2019 Australia Day honours

An Ipswich musician who has played the organ for her southeast Queensland parish for 55 years was recognised earlier this week with an Australia Day honour.

Parishioners at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish in Leichhardt (part of the Ipswich Catholic community) are celebrating the recognition of their long-time organist Mary Brosnan, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to the community. Continue reading →

Sr Rita Fitt SGS, who received an Australia Day honour (Photo/Diocese of Wollongong)

Dozens of people have been honoured with Australia Day Awards for their outstanding contribution to the country through their work in the Church’s various ministries.

Among the many recognised for their dedication to community were Catholic teachers, priests, religious women, health care workers and social service workers. Continue reading →

Dallas Bishop Edward Burns delivers catechesis at World Youth Day for English-speaking pilgrims.

The Australian contingent of World Youth Day Panama pilgrims has been urged to follow the example of the Apostles, to not leave the Church because of Judas and to keep their focus on Jesus.

The hundreds of young Australians have been participating in catechesis sessions along with other English speakers, with similar sessions held in more than two dozen languages. From the Greek word meaning to “echo” or “resound”, catechesis is an act of echoing the Church’s teachings to the world. Continue reading →

Music was one of the features of the Australian gathering in Panama. (Photo: Diocese of Parramatta)

Australian pilgrims had a busy first official day at World Youth Day Panama, with 700 gathering for an Australian event before joining tens of thousands of others for the opening Mass.

Australian pilgrims have descended on Panama after spending time visiting holy sites in nearby countries, including Mexico and the United States. Continue reading →

Members of the Council for Australian Catholic Women at a recent meeting

Women from across Australia will meet in Adelaide next month to be part of shaping the Church of the future.

Council for Australian Catholic Women chair Dr Trish Madigan OP said she was delighted with the early response to the Stirring the Waters: Catholic Women Responding to the Spirit
colloquium, with registrations very strong and spaces limited. Continue reading →