11 September 2015
Your news from across the Archdiocese of Perth
Edition #48
Archbishop echoes Pope’s calls for response ARCHBISHOP Timothy Costelloe has this week echoed Pope Francis’ calling on all European parishes and religious communities to take in one refugee family as the United Nation recognises the record number of people trying to enter Europe. “While we in Australia await the details of our own Federal Government’s response to this crisis, a response which we expect to give expression to the best elements and traditions of our country, we must urgently begin to consider, at the local level, how we can best provide the warm welcome and practical generosity which is needed by those who seek to begin a new life among us. “In the Archdiocese of Perth, I will be asking our many community-based social outreach organisations to begin making plans to ensure that we are ready to provide assistance on the ground as generously and in as practical a way as possible,” the Archbishop said.
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, pictured washing the feet of a member of the congregation at Holy Thursday Mass earlier this year, has this week echoed Pope Francis’ call on all European parishes and religious communities to take in one refugee family. PHOTO: RON TAN
“Much is already being done at the local level by Catholic parishes, religious congregations, Catholic schools and our social welfare agencies to assist migrants, refugees and asylum seekers,” he said. “As a Catholic community we stand ready to do more - and to respond with the generosity, compas-
sion and practical assistance called for by Pope Francis. The Archbishop went on to say that in these days, we are all horrified by the confronting and distressing images of the thousands of refugees making the dangerous, exhausting, but at the same-time hope-filled journey to Europe. “Seeking a
new life for themselves and their families, away from the horrors of the war in Syria. “Many European countries are struggling to cope with the arrival of these desperate and frightened people,” he said. Full Text available at
www.therecord.com.au
Archbishop celebrates Nativity of Our Lady at St Mary’s Cathedral By Marco Ceccarelli THE VIRGIN Mary’s profound ability to encourage us to follow Christ was the focus of Archbishop Timothy Costelloe’s homily at this week’s Mass for the Nativity of Our Lady. Celebrated on 8 September within the walls of Perth’s St 1 | EDITION #48 | 11 SEPTEMBER 2015
Mary’s Cathedral, harmoniously named after the Mother of God, the midday Mass commemorated the Virgin Mary’s birthday and highlighted the crucial role she plays within the Church. “Birthdays are times in which we can pause and reflect on all the reasons why we are glad that this person
who we’re celebrating is a part of our lives. We reflect on how their presence in our lives is a gift to us,” the Archbishop said. “This is just as true of Our Lady as it is of anybody else. Right around the Church today Christians are gathering to thank God for the gift of Mary and to reflect on how her presence in our lives and
the Church brings so many gifts to us,” he added. Archbishop Costelloe went on to focus on the significance of the brief appearances of Mary within St John’s Gospel: once at The Wedding at Cana and another time at the foot of the cross. Continued on Page 3