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.
DownloadOver 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.
DownloadThese days, it is all too easy to lose touch with ourselves. Daily life seems to be getting faster; economic and social pressures seem to be greater; demands seem to be on the increase.
How others see us is a common concern. We try in various ways to make a good impression. We try to present ‘our good side’ through words and behavior.
In March 2012, Chris Colman and Michael Philips were ordained as Deacons for the Bunbury Diocese. This represented the culmination of an extensive training program for the Diaconate, covering the areas of human, pastoral, theological and spiritual formation
As Deacons their most important function is to proclaim the Gospel and to preach. They also perform other liturgical roles such as baptising, witnessing marriages, bringing Viaticum to the dying, presiding over funerals and burials, presiding over Liturgies of the Word and conducting prayer services for the sick and the dying.
Marriage has been recognised as a special relationship between a man and a woman that is open to children since before recorded history. It has been recognised across all known human cultures as a relationship stemming from human nature itself. Its origins are not religious.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as one like us so that he could be part of our lives. He came to help us with the challenges and difficulties of daily life.
Robert Juniper was commissioned by Bishop Gerard Holohan, to design the stained glass windows for the new Cathedral There are 14 windows each seven metres high as well as two Rose windows. He was also commissioned to design the Tapestry, depicting the Ascension, which is hanging behind the Bishop’s chair.
The 14 large windows along the North and South walls of the Cathedral depict scenes from the bible and were painted by Australian artist, Robert Juniper. The original paintings were photographed with a digital camera, enlarged and laminated between two sheets of glass. The process is called ‘digiglass’, and is named after the Melbourne company who invented it.
The 7 Northern windows are scenes from the old testament of the Bible, and the 7 Southern windows depict images from the new testament. The windows, starting in the North Western corner of the Cathedral, depict the following:
In the current debate about the legal definition of marriage, questions have been raised about Catholic teaching on homosexuality. There seems to be considerable confusion.
In 1905, the Sisters of St Joseph re-elected a partially paralysed Mother Mary Mackillop their Superior General. Though clear in thought and speech, Mary had been confined to a wheel chair for four years after a stroke that left her right side paralysed.
This event reminds us of a most important fact: Mary was re-elected because of who she was as a person – not because of what she could or could not do. Mary is a saint because the Easter power of Christ, the power of his Resurrection, made her a holy person as she prayed, worshipped and lived as Jesus taught.
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