ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby of Brisbane has urged Catholics of the archdiocese to live their faith to the full and to use their talents “to transform the world”.
The archbishop made the plea during his homily at the annual Chrism mass in St Stephen’s Cathedral on March 13.
A large crowd of the faithful, including many priests of the archdiocese, filled the cathedral.
Archbishop Bathersby encouraged them to go on living their faith daily.
“Our Catholic religion is a fulsome, exciting religion, so let us live it to the full,” he said.
“Make sure you share this Good News with other people and perhaps next year bring them back with you to share our joy.”
Archbishop Bathersby welcomed those gathered including former president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference retired Archbishop Francis Carroll of Canberra and Goulburn, who dined with clergy and others before Mass.
The oils of the sick, the catechumenate and of chrism were presented among prayers for those who offer healing, those who are to be baptised and those to be “anointed in the Holy Spirit”, respectively.
St Stephen’s director of music Dr Ralph Morton led the worship during the Chrism Mass with cathedral choir members. The performance choir of Marist College, Ashgrove, and others from around the archdiocese were also involved.
The responses and acclamations for the Mass were taken from Missa Benedictus qui venit by George Palmer and will be used at World Youth Day.
Parishes around Australia will include these responses during liturgical celebrations in the coming months in preparation for the July event.
Servers were members of Holy Spirit Seminary and the cathedral parish.
