This week, the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced that a Royal Commission will be established into the sexual abuse of children across Australia. Though terms of reference are yet to be announced, this Royal Commission will be welcomed by all who are concerned for the safety of our children, and for the healing of past victims.

The introduction of Middle Schooling in our schools is raising questions about when the Sacrament of Confirmation should be celebrated. To date, this sacrament has been conferred in Year Seven. We now have an opportunity to reconsider whether this is the best age for children to receive Confirmation.

A current controversial media question is Catholic teaching on the ordination of women to the priesthood. This is associated with the reported allegation by a university lecturer that Archbishop Hickey was not consistent in speaking out about the need for women’s dignity to be recognised, and remaining faithful to the Church’s teaching on this question.

Over the past two thousand years, the Mass has been the most powerful means of drawing upon the power of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for the needs of people’s lives. The greatest means he left us to do so is the Eucharist. But to draw on this power, believers need to prepare themselves for the basic experiences Jesus offers through the Eucharist, which he instituted at the Last Supper.