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W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A’ S A WA R D - W I N N I N G C AT H O L I C N E W S P A P E R S I N C E 1 8 7 4
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Two years’ solitary confinement failed to break Perth Priest Fr Hong Pham. Why? - Page 15
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PRIEST EQUATION
Visiting Priest draws faithful in three parishes to hear a Gospel of Conviction
Trust in Christ to lead you
After preaching and leading the congregation during an evening service at Good Shepherd Parish in Lockridge, Fr Michael Nguyen, a Vietnamese-born Redemptorist based in Rome, prays over participants. Hundreds attended his talks in three parishes in Perth and came forward to receive prayers for a myriad of intentions. See Robert Hiini’s interview - Page 6 PHOTO: ROBERT HIINI
In ‘beloved’ Syria’s moment of agony, Francis appeals for prayer UNDERSCORING growing international concern at the worsening situation in Syria, Pope Francis called on individual Catholics, “fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will” everywhere to enter into a day of fasting and penance for peace in the war-torn nation this coming Saturday September 7. His call came during his Angelus homily last Sunday. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB this week supported Pope Francis’s call to the whole Church in a statement issued to priests, deacons, staff and friends.
“Pope Francis will lead a Prayer Vigil in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City at 7.00pm on Saturday. He invites the whole Church, and indeed all people of good will, to unite with him in prayer and fasting for the gift of peace which only the Lord can give, and to pray in a special way for those whose lives are beset by turmoil and violence at this time,” Archbishop Costelloe said. “Although the notice is short,
and many of our parish and other communities will already be praying for peace in Syria, I would ask you to invite your people to pray in a special way on Saturday and Sunday with and for those who are suffering. You may choose to use the Prayers of the Faithful or any other opportunity for prayer you deem appropriate. “Let us join as best we can in solidarity with Pope Francis and the Church throughout the world at this time of great suffering for so many.” The day chosen by Pope Francis for the prayer initiative is the vigil
of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace. “On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world,” the Pope said. “Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention. “Let us ask Mary to help us to
respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!” Parishes and individuals can share their ideas and activities with readers of The Record on our Facebook page. What did your parish do? Send your stories to: editor@therecord.com.au