CATHOLIC parishes across Australia are preparing to dig deep with special bushfire collections at Masses over the Australia Day weekend. The national Church action is in support of the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal, and to aid efforts connecting people in need with people who can help. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge announced the collection on January 7, saying: ... Read More »
CHERMSIDE West’s next parish priest will inherit thousands of Christmas lights as outgoing pastor Fr Gerard McMorrow moves to a church in Southport. The jovial Irish priest, who has been at Chermside since 2002 and Wavell Heights since 2011, is the new pastor of the Southport parish on the Gold Coast. When he moves to the new coastal community in ... Read More »
TWAS three weeks before Christmas, and everyone cheered and gathered to see Michael Hutchinson shave his beard. L’Arche Community Brisbane met its goal of $10,000 and, “as promised”, Mr Hutchinson was put in the barber’s seat. The Brisbane L’Arche community leader said he had the beard since 1982 and had been growing out that iteration for a few months before ... Read More »
“WE have forgotten the Bali Nine,” Townsville Bishop Tim Harris said, almost 15 years since a foiled drug smuggling operation first made international headlines. Bishop Harris called on the Federal Government to bring the remaining Bali Nine to Australia to serve out the remainder of their sentence here. “If they’re home here, there may be an opportunity to help these ... Read More »
THE newly established “Sunday of the Word of God” is an invitation to Catholics across the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and his Word, Pope Francis said. By papal decree, the third Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 26 – is to be observed as a special day devoted to “the celebration, study and ... Read More »
AUSTRALIA’S Prime Minister has signalled a government shift to take stronger action on climate change, amidst a Church leader’s call for an “ecological conversion”, and the country’s scientific and business communities demanding a solid response to the bushfire crisis. The chairman of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Social Justice Bishop Vincent Long said the bushfire crisis wais “a wake-up ... Read More »
JESUS’ promise to be living waters to all who believe is now a promise to residents of two communities within Brisbane’s Northern Rivers deanery. As of January 1, the Catholic parishes of Stanley River and neighbouring Caboolture have united to form one community, known as the Living Waters parish. From the official decree of establishment, signed by Brisbane Archbishop Mark ... Read More »
THERE were few groups in Brisbane archdiocese that had an opportunity to reach out to the churched and un-churched like the St Stephen’s Cathedral guides and welcomers. Thousands of people from all walks of life from across Australia and the world find themselves walking – or shyly peeking – through the doors of St Stephen’s every year. Retired media consultant ... Read More »
YOUNG Catholic firefighter Michael O’Donovan prays for protection, calling on God to stand by him and others, even in the fiercest of blazes. “God is all powerful. When you have an all- powerful God you ask Him for things you’d like his support in,” the 23-year-old from Brisbane said. After signing up as a volunteer less than 10 months ago, ... Read More »
The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You
