DESPITE the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing security concerns, Pope Francis is determined to visit Iraq to pay homage to Christian and other minorities persecuted for their faith and to strengthen the commitment of the overwhelming majority of Iraqi Muslims to creating a future of peace and harmony. During his visit from March 5-8, Francis will visit churches that were destroyed ... Read More »
Category Archives: Analysis
Severe shortage of doctors for Australia’s terminally ill patients, ACU study
AUSTRALIA has only half the number of palliative care doctors needed to provide good quality care for chronically and terminally ill patients despite increasing demand, a new academic study has found. Published in the midst of Australia’s hotly contested end-of-life debate, the study by the PM Glynn Institute at Australian Catholic University (ACU), is significant because its bolsters the Catholic ... Read More »
Brisbane’s Rite of Election marks second step for 117 people becoming Catholic at Easter
BRISBANE’S Catholic community will welcome more than 100 men and women into the Church at Easter this year. On Sunday February 21, 117 Catechumens – young, mature and from diverse backgrounds – celebrated the annual Rite of Election liturgy at Brisbane’s St Stephen’s Cathedral. Those invited to take part in the rite will go on to receive the three sacraments ... Read More »
‘He just wanted to confess’: Fr Jim Browne on hearing Evan Pederick’s Hilton bombing confession
Brisbane priest Fr Jim Browne recalls how he found himself at the centre of a fresh investigation for the Hilton Hotel bombing in Sydney, as a suspect came forward to claim responsibility. Read More »
University missionary says sharing Jesus is giving people Freedom
VIVIEN Dolar does not measure success by how many people show up to an event; she measures success by bringing people to Jesus. “From what I see in the landscape of the Church, from the people I know, we need to facilitate people’s relationship with God first and foremost,” she said. “That means making sure they know how to pray, ... Read More »
Sharing the Gospel – Brisbane Oratory strives to sanctify the laity and authentically live the faith
ORATORY priest Fr Adrian Sharp said Brisbane’s Oratory community didn’t exist for itself, but was called to sanctify the laity. “I’m sure all priests and parishes (want that) but it might be less obvious in some ways, whereas it’s our whole reason for being,” Fr Sharp said. “We want the laity to be holy and (living the faith as) authentically ... Read More »
Sharing the Gospel – Vanessa says ‘God’s incredible love’ is what drives her evangelisation life
VANESSA Comninos is so fired up for evangelisation that she’s walked away from her dream job as an optometrist to work full-time in her Brisbane parish. The young wife and mother-of-two has taken on the role of evangelisation director in Our Lady of the Southern Cross Parish at Springfield, west of Brisbane, and she couldn’t be happier. Not only is ... Read More »
Sharing the Gospel – Jessica is helping those in need and witnessing to them both at home and overseas
JESSICA Laidler’s life changed when she journeyed to the war-weary nation of Timor Leste on a school trip. At the time she was a teenager from the Gold Coast and remembers it as an eye-opening experience, not just to see a developing nation up-close but to be with the people and to engage with them. “And really from that, that’s ... Read More »
Country divided over Australia Day date, celebrations for some and mourning for others
ON January 26, 1788 the British flag was erected on Australian soil. The First Fleet had reached its final destination. One year earlier, more than one thousand convicts, civil officers, crew members and marines had departed England, destined for a new land. It was the land Captain James Cook discovered a decade earlier. There was no flag, no monarchy, and ... Read More »