On this page you can find links to
articles and reflections on what's happening in our MSC parishes and local
church. You can also find links to essays about the wider Catholic
community, theological and spiritual formation articles, and social justice
discussions. Just follow these links, and if you want, join our email
newsletter to get regular updates of this page and join in online dialog
with your fellow parishioners on these and other topics.
Local
Church, Local Information -- our MSC Communities, Sydney Archdiocese
The
Catholic Church in Australia and the World
Local
Church, Local Information
To read more about
an article below, simply click on the title.
Welcome from Robert Irwin MSC,
Australian Provincial, Missionaries
of the Sacred Heart
Tearing
the Fabric by Jeff Kildea, Kensington parishioner
Kensington
parishioner Jeff Kildea has just published this new book, which
examines
the impact of sectarianism on Australian society between 1910 and 1925 – a
period of intense ethnic and religious conflict as well as industrial and
political turmoil, made worse by the dislocation of the Great War and the
adjustment to peace at war’s end.
Issues
and events such as the Irish struggle for independence, the quest for a
distinctly Australian national identity, conscription, working class
radicalism, the Labor Party split, state aid for Catholic schools, the
deportation of Father Charles Jerger and the Sister Liguori affair made the
period one of the most turbulent in Australian history.
Collaborative
Ministry by Fr. Barry Brundell, Erskineville parish priest
As
the number of priests declines, what model of parish ministry will emerge?
Fr. Barry Brundell puts the case for collaborative ministry between priests,
parish co-ordinators and lay parish leaders -- though he recognises that
collaborative ministry is not without its challenges. But he asserts
that it may not be just an option to fill the holes as the present shortage of
priests bites deeper, but is the obvious way to go if we are to be true to Vatican
II's vision of the church.
On
Being a Special Minister of Communion by Helen McCabe, Erskineville
parishioner
Helen,
a special minister at St. Mary's, Erskineville, gave this talk to prospective
special ministers. She explores the
liturgical role that ministers of Communion participate in, with a short
history lesson. She then follows with some practical considerations,
and, then, offers a few reflections on what it might mean to be a minister of
communion. Helen says "We
all bring our crosses and joys to the celebration of the eucharist; and I know
that whenever I can serve others by sharing (in a practical sense) this
ultimate source of nourishment, I am sharing the most precious of gifts. It is also, in my mind, the most humbling of privileges."
The
Catholic Church in Australia and the World
To read more about
an article below, simply click on the title.
MSC
Parishes: Social Justice Sunday event, 21 September 2003
The former Governor-General, Sir William
Deane, launched this year’s Social Justice Statement. Issued in the name of
the Australian Bishops, the Statement is titled “A Generous Heart in the Love
of Christ: Challenging Racism in Australia Today”
Pope
appoints two new bishops to Sydney Archdiocese
The Holy Father announced that he has appointed as auxiliary bishops to the
Archdiocese, seminary rector Fr Julian Porteous and Dominican bioethicist Fr
Anthony Fisher OP.
Cardinal says Church can and
should welcome different views
The Pope's right-hand man on ecumenical issues is urging Australian Catholics
to embrace Pope John XXIII's vision for a Church that is at home in the modern
pluralistic world, and not the "ghetto" of 19th Century Catholicism.
Media Release (Australian Catholic Social Justice
Council) - Vigilance urged under new ASIO Laws (03/07/2003)
The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council
has viewed as regrettable the Federal Parliament’s passing of the
controversial ASIO Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Bill late last week. The
Council urges citizens and community leaders to remain alert to its
implementation given that the new laws must be reviewed under a three-year
sunset clause and a Parliamentary review after 30
months.www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au
Bishops support Family Court declaration that the detention of children is
illegal (24/06/2003)
The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee
Office and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council today joined with
other Church, civic and political leaders in supporting the Family Court
declaration that the detention of children is illegal.
The Social Justice Statement will be
launched on September 17 2003. Hard copy and on the internet website
www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au
Catholics Are ´Blogging´ On the Internet ... to Evangelize
by Tim Drake
Blogging
- the latest Internet trend in personal journalism is currently undergoing an
explosion among Catholics, connecting lay Catholics, priests and seminarians
across the country.
An
Ethic for the Internet by Lavinia Byrne
As we face a new millennium,
we too do so with what Gorham called "a new medium, a new habit, a new
profession and a new industry", namely the Internet. Has Christianity
anything to offer the development of an ethic for the Internet? I am convinced
that it has, precisely because ours is a Gospel which demands to be
transmitted.
Mary
MacKillop -- The people's saint
8 August is the
feastday of Blessed Mary MacKillop, Australia's first saint. "Never
see a need without trying to do something about it."
Check out this site run by the Sisters of St. Joseph to learn more about this
remarkable woman.
