Free
Catholic Life Publication of the Diocese of Sale
ISSUE 198
April 2017
An Easter welcome
THE Diocese of Sale welcomed a large group of newcomers into the Catholic Church during Easter vigils across the diocese. There were 22 catechumens who were baptised, confirmed and received first communion and 10 candidates who had previously been baptised and were then confirmed and received first communion. Those welcomed into the Church came from parishes at Berwick, Clyde North, Cranbourne, Leongatha, Iona-Maryknoll, Pakenham, Traralgon, Sale and Warragul. Here Bishop Pat O’Regan, Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral Fr Peter Bickley (right) and Deacon Mark Kelly are with catechumens and candidates at the rite of election at the cathedral.
Bishops speak out on euthansia push THE Bishops of Victoria last week issued a Pastoral Letter, directed to the Catholics of Victoria, on the subject of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Noting that there is a renewed push in Victoria for the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide, the four Bishops, have called on the Catholic community to continue to commit to care for the frail, elderly, sick and dying at every stage of their life journey, and to ensure that they have ‘appropriate care, support and pain management’ at all times. The letter continues by urging all Victorians not to abandon their loved ones but to continue to love and care for them. The bishops, including
Trinity FAMILIES
Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan, have reminded Catholics of Pope Francis’ comments recently, when he said, ‘The predominant school of thought sometimes leads to a ‘false compassion’ which holds that it is … an act of dignity to perform euthanasia. Instead, the compassion of the Gospel is what accompanies us in times of need, that compassion of the Good Samaritan, who ‘sees’, ‘has compassion’, draws near and provides concrete help.’ The Pastoral Letter states bluntly that ‘euthanasia and assisted suicide are the opposite of care and represent the abandonment of the sick and the suffering, of older and dying persons.’ • Read the letter, Page 13
BISHOP Pat O’Regan baptises catechumen Stella Denis during the Easter Vigil ceremonies at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale.
Dig deep to help struggling families
You can assist families in the Greater Gippsland region for years to come by supporting Trinity Families. We direct funds to programs where there is the greatest need. Please give generously. To donate visit www.trinityfamilies.org.au or phone (03) 5622 6688 for a credit card deduction form.