In the aftermath of the abortion debate, it is important that we understand the significance of the law which passed in February.
In an address from St Peter’s Square on Easter Monday 2019, Pope Francis named the resurrection of Christ as “the most shocking event in human history” – shocking, because it should not have been possible.
Although Jesus had, on more than one occasion, foreshadowed his coming death and resurrection, his disciples were slow to believe that this would actually happen, or understand what this actually meant. (It is always something of a consolation to know that Jesus’ closest companions took a while to understand. That is the nature of discipleship: something that gradually unfolds and takes a lifetime to understand and live.)
It’s hard to believe that a year ago when we were writing stories for the March edition of The Southern Cross there was not one mention of the word COVID!
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, one of the important ceremonies in the life of any diocese is what we call the Rite of Election. It is the ceremony that each diocese celebrates on the First Sunday of Lent each year and it calls those who have been enquiring about the gift of faith and responding to that call, to the Easter sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and first Holy Communion.
We have now moved into the season of Lent, a time of renewal where we consciously set our hearts and minds on the liberating message of the gospel that we are called to have life to the full.
Although Archbishop Wilson was far from well, his death on Sunday January 17 this year was sudden and unexpected. In the time I have been here in the Adelaide Archdiocese, I had the chance to visit him many occasions; sometimes it was very brief, other times well over two hours. No matter how long or short the visit, we concluded with prayer and always a prayer for the Archdiocese.
A wave of sadness washed over the diocese as we learned of Archbishop Wilson’s death on January 17.
This year the Plenary Council of the Australian Catholic Church will meet to discuss new directions for the Church. The Council assures us that it will rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us but the laity is invited to speak up and express any ideas the parishioners may have.
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