POPE Francis announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to highlight the Catholic Church’s “mission to be a witness of mercy”. “No one can be excluded from God’s mercy,” the Pope said on March 13, marking the second anniversary of his pontificate by leading a Lenten penance service in St Peter’s Basilica. “I frequently have thought about how ... Read More »
POPE Francis announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to highlight the Catholic Church’s “mission to be a witness of mercy.” “No one can be excluded from God’s mercy,” the Pope said yesterday (March 13), marking the second anniversary of his pontificate by leading a Lenten penance service in St Peter’s Basilica. “I frequently have thought about how ... Read More »
Caritas Australia gives another example of how money donated through the Project Compassion 2015 appeal can help improve the lives of people battling poverty in various parts of the world. THE men and women of the Kolkatla Fish Raising Group in rural Nepal, with practical training and support, have been able to share their skills and create a life-long source ... Read More »
This is a pastoral letter prepared by the Australian Catholic Bishopsí Commission for Church Ministry to celebrate the 2015 Year of Consecrated Life. “I have called you by your name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1) EACH of our brothers and sisters in the consecrated life, recalls a word, an event, a priest or religious who inspired them; something as simple as ... Read More »
By Ted Richardson A FEW weeks ago, a seafarer was medevacked off a ship. He was diagnosed with the late stages of leukaemia. His outcome is uncertain. A shipping company brought his wife, Divine, out from the Philippines to help build his spirits. Our pastoral care team has spent a great deal of time working with Divine and her husband ... Read More »
IN Niger, West Africa, almost three million people are living in extreme poverty. More than 40 per cent of the country’s people either can’t afford to buy food or can’t access it. Without the food they need, many people are living on the brink of survival, and bringing up children can be heartbreaking. Thankfully, Mariama is receiving the essential food ... Read More »
This is a letter from Archbishop Mark Coleridge to all the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Brisbane on a report from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The letter was released on February 19. IN early December 2013, I wrote to you concerning the then upcoming Royal Commission public hearing which was ... Read More »
As Australia and New Zealand host the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup through February and March, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, an avid fan, was asked for his thoughts on the Cup and to choose his ‘dream’ Australian team from the players he had watched. Here’s his response. “I’M very much looking forward to the Cricket World Cup. It’s a once-in-a-generation chance ... Read More »
This is an edited version of Pope Francisí 2015 Lenten Message, issued on October 4, 2014, Feast of St Francis of Assisi. “Make your heart firm”(James 5:8) DEAR Brothers and Sisters, Lent is a time of renewal for the whole Church, for each community and every believer. Above all it is a “time of grace” (2 Corinthians 6:2). God does ... Read More »
The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You
