Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has written a new encyclical about the environment, our common home with all other human beings and creatures, entitled ‘Praise be to you, Lord’. The Pope is calling for a new conversation involving the whole of humanity on ‘care for our common home’.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has written a new encyclical about the environment, our common home with all other human beings and creatures, entitled ‘Praise be to you, Lord’. The Pope is calling for a new conversation involving the whole of humanity on ‘care for our common home’.
On the 6th December 2014 a group of 19 people embarked on a journey that would change their lives forever. They were part of an initiative offered to the young people between the ages of 16-19 to have an Immersion Experience in India. The trip was an idea formed by a mum who was interested in sharing her experiences with the young people about the realities of the “haves” and “have nots”. A major portion of the trip was devoted to volunteering their service to the poorest of poor in Kolkatta, India. It was to support the work started by a young Albanian nun whom we all know as Mother Teresa. She was founder of the Missionaries of Charity nuns in India. Her work consists of caring for the poor, disabled and malnourished people of Kolkatta.
Compassion for the sick and suffering is something which unites us all. Many of us have accompanied friends or family as they face the fear and uncertainty of a serious illness. Our heart goes out to them and we wish only the best for them.
Recently I joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. My purpose was to deepen further my personal relationship with Jesus. I sought to reflect further on all the ways he revealed the depths of this love for me – and for you – in the places where he revealed this love.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ
This letter is to ask every Catholic in the Bunbury Diocese to consider praying for our Christian brothers and sisters facing martyrdom at present around the world. Pope St John Paul II referred to how more people were killed because of their faith in the last century than previous centuries.
Recent media have reported that in the parts of Syria and Iraq now controlled by so called Islamic Caliphate, Catholics and other Christians have been told either to convert, to pay a special tax or face death by the sword. There have been reports too of those facing persecution having to choose between walking away from their livelihoods and all they own for the safety of their children, and leaving behind elderly parents who are too frail and weak to escape.
These reports are the latest examples of what Catholics and other Christians are facing in different parts of the world. These are our brothers and sisters and we need to support them in any way that we can. Their treatment will appall Australian Muslims and Christians alike.
We need to pray for Catholics and other Christians facing persecution and martyrdom at present; for the priests and religious who minister to them; and for the Bishops responsible for their pastoral care. The lives of all are in danger.
For us, the great danger is that, instead of being concerned about persecuted Christians, we who are living in a country with freedom of religion can be indifferent to the plights of suffering Christians. We need to ask ourselves: ‘Would I remain faithful to my Catholic faith under the threat of martyrdom?’
I therefore invite:
God bless each of you.
+Gerard J Holohan
19th August 2014
Currently there is to be a plebiscite about whether the Commonwealth Parliament should deny in law that marriage between a man and a woman is a distinctive relationship needing a distinctive name. The proposal is to apply the word ‘marriage’ also to relationships between same sex couples. However, while Parliament has the power to pass such a law, it has no power to change the reality.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ
This letter is to ask every Catholic in the Bunbury Diocese to consider praying for our Christian brothers and sisters facing martyrdom at present around the world. Pope St John Paul II referred to how more people were killed because of their faith in the last century than previous centuries.
The final edition of The Record will not spell the end of local news and events coverage, says Archdiocese of Perth Communications & Media Manager, James Parker.
From early September, a new e-newsletter, together with a printed 4-page A4 newsletter will deliver the latest news and events for the Archdiocese.