GOD of mercy, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love,that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with your peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no […]
Category: Pastoral Messages
Euthanasia Bill will impact all
THE Victorian Government is seeking to introduce euthanasia and assisted suicide later this year. The proposed changes will impact everyone, not just those terminally ill. The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne believes that any proposal to introduce legislation enabling physician assisted suicide and euthanasia does not promote the good order of society and is not for […]
Archbishop’s Pentecost Letter
TODAY we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost – the arrival of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus. The Spirit is at work in individuals and communities, he guides us into all the truth, he renews the face of the earth, and he gives us his fruits. Archbishop Denis Hart’s Pentecost Letter to Youth “Be […]
Euthanasia: Be informed
THE suicide and euthanasia bill is likely to be debated in Parliament in the second half of 2017. Parishioners need to be well informed on this issue and raise their concerns about the implications of the proposed legislation to the relative Member of Parliament. Sister of Mercy Caroline Ong, who is a general practitioner and […]
Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Legislation
THE Victorian Parliament will debate the Euthanasia Bill later this year. The Church’s response and action to this grave issue will be developed further over the coming months when we become aware of what is contained in the legislation. There is a renewed push in Victoria and other parts of Australia for euthanasia and assisted […]
Archbishop Hart Easter Message 2017
IN his Easter message for 2017, the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, reminds us that although the Easter message is timeless, it echoes differently from year to year, reflecting the changing world in which we live. Referring to recent tragedies in Egypt, London and the Middle East, Archbishop Hart reminds us that we are, through […]
Easter Message
THE Gospels have gathered the story of some admirable women who at the dawn after the Sabbath, have drawn near the tomb where Jesus had been buried. They can’t forget him. They keep loving him more than anyone else. In the meantime, the men have fled and are still hidden perhaps. The message they hear […]
Holy Week Reflection
AS I prepare to follow Jesus over the coming week in the suffering of his Passion, I am aware that my prayer will be made in the knowledge of His Resurrection. I watch and listen as Jesus enters Jerusalem and is acclaimed by the people. Jesus’ arrival contrasts with other processions entering Jerusalem for Passover. […]
Christianity & Leftovers
CHRISTIANITY is not all about feeding yourself. Christianity begins with what people do with the leftovers. The disparities between human beings who live in squalor and those who have everything money can buy are glaring in a world brought closer together through amazing advances in communication. This great disparity denies social justice, leads to ecological […]
Samaritan woman at the well
THE scene is captivating. Tired on his journey, Jesus sits down next to Jacob’s Well. Soon a woman arrives to draw water. She belongs to a semi-pagan people, despised by the Jews. Right out of the blue, Jesus begins the dialogue. He doesn’t know how to look down on anyone, only how to look at […]