2011 Christmas Message
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.
The Artwork
St Patrick’s Cathedral Artwork
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 Windows
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:
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- 1. Creation of the world – God saw all he had made – and indeed it was good. Genesis 1:31
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- 2. The Fall – the promise of salvation – The foreshadowing of the Gospel – I shall put enmity between her offspring and yours. Genesis 3:5
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- 3. The Covenant with humanity through Noah – The bow is in the clouds– I shall see it – and call to mind the covenant between God and every living creature on earth.. Genesis 9:16
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- 4. The Covenant with Abraham – Look at the sky and count the stars if you can – Just so will your descendants be. Genesis 9:16
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- 5. Covenant with Israel – We shall do everything that God has said: we shall obey. This is the blood of the covenant which God has made with you, entailing these stipulations. Exodus 24:7-8
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- 6. Isaiah challenges the unfaithful Ahaz – The Lord will give you a sign... the virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel (God is with us). Isaiah 7:14
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- 7. The call of the virgin Mary – Rejoice, you have won favour – you are to conceive and bear a son and you must name him Jesus. Luke 1:31-32
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- 8. Visit of the wise men – The sight of the star filled them with delights – they saw the child and did him homage they offered gold, frankincense and myrrh. Luke 2:11
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- 9. Baptism of Jesus – He saw he heavens torn apart and the spirit, like a dove, descending on him. A voice from heaven said: You are my Beloved. Mark 1:11
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- 0. Jesus proclaims the kingdom of heaven – Jesus proclaimed the gospel from God: the kingdom of heaven is close at hand – Repent and believe the Gospel. Mark 1:15
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- 11. Jesus institutes the new covenant – This is my body, which will be given up for you. This is the cup of my blood the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.. Luke 22:19-20
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- 12.Jesus dies on the cross – No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
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- 13. The empty tomb – They found the stone had been rolled away The angel said: “Why look among the dead for someone who is alive. Luke 24:5
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- 14. Apostles filled with the spirit – Suddenly there came a sound of violent wind which filled the entire house there appeared to them tongues of fire they were filled with the holy spirit . Acts 2:2-4
THE RESURRECTION TAPESTRY
Above the Cathedra, is the Resurrection Tapestry. Based on a painting by Australian artist, Robert Juniper, the tapestry was hand woven in Nepal. The image of Jesus is woven from gold silk, and the tapestry weighs approximately 80kg. The Tapestry depicts Jesus rising from the tomb, which can be seen in the bottom right hand corner. The Resurrection Tapestry is a powerful reminder for us of Christ’s victory over death.
Eastern Rose
St Patrick, the patron saint of the Cathedral
Western Rose
Western Rose – Two dancing brolga’s and symbolises Trust in God.
So your sister is gay…
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.
Looking at Mary at Easter
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.
DownloadRemembering to Love Our Deceased
Everyone has loved ones – family members and friends – who have died. November is the month when Catholics show love for their loved ones by praying for their eternal rest.
Why do we do this? Because God has revealed that our prayers help those who have died. Let us recall Christian teaching about death.
DownloadRevisioning Catholic Schools in an Education Revolution
REVISIONING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN AN EDUCATION REVOLUTION
– Directors of Catholic Education Conference –
Bishop Gerard Holohan
(Sydney, 23 April 2009)
I begin my comments by expressing thanks to you, the leaders of our Australian Catholic school system, for all that you are doing for our young people in Catholic schools. We live in challenging times, given the curriculum, funding and other challenges being faced at present – times that are particularly difficult for you. Thank you for your efforts to guide the schools in your dioceses, always having in view their distinctive mission in the Australian community.
DownloadTwo Changes to the Ritual of the Mass
On Pentecost Sunday, two minor changes will be introduced into the celebration of the Mass across Australia. These changes are the result of the review of the ritual of the Mass undertaken at the direction of Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
DownloadSharing the Eucharist with Others
If I could believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, I would crawl over broken glass if necessary to be with him.
These are the words of a minister from another Christian church to a friend of mine. Sometimes, when I think of these words, I wonder if our practice and behaviour, including in Church, suggests that we Catholics may have come to take the Eucharist at times for granted.
DownloadPastoral Letter – Are We Finding Jesus in the Eucharist?
Christian faith first and foremost is based upon a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. St Paul spoke of the experience of early Christians when he proclaimed that the greatest of all possible human experiences is ‘that I may come to know Christ and the power of his resurrection’ [Philippians 3:10].
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Australia Day 2009: Pastoral Statement
Each Australia Day invites us to reflect upon how well we are living our shared national values. My reflection this year is on how to support parents who are trying to protect our young from violent and pornographic internet web sites.