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Catholic Life
Publication of the Diocese of Sale
Safety concern as Yarram church closes - Page 2
ISSUE 165
September 2012
Deacon to be ordained Saturday - Page 3
Year of Faith Pastoral Letter - Page 9
Nuncio’s farewell visit THE official opening of Sion House, the new Diocese of Sale headquarters in Warragul, was conducted last week by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto. It was his last official function in Australia prior to have taking up a new diplomatic appointment in Jerusalem at the end of the month. Before the opening he travelled to Moe with Bishop Christopher Prowse to meet the school community at St Kieran’s Primary (see story centre pages.) The Nuncio said that more than 12 months ago Bishop Christopher Prowse had invited him to perform the opening and with his pending departure, it would have been easy to find an excuse not to come to Sale Diocese. “However, how could I not come to bless this place called Sion House when I will be shortly moving to the Mount of Sion?” Archbishop Lazzarotto said that during his five years in Australia as the Pope’s official representative, he had travelled widely to the many dioceses and had a good appreciation of the Church in Australia. He disagreed with the commonly expressed sentiment that the Church in Australia was declining. Everywhere he had travelled he had met “wonderful, committed Christians” and his last- TO his delight, the Pope’s representative Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto finds during his visit to St Kieran’s Primary School, that ing memory would be of these you can expect the unexpected when questioned by young children. people who were the future of This was exactly what God He said that the diocese had foundations for times ahead by Sale Jeremiah Coffey, Bishop the Church. wanted for us. He did not care reached an impressive stage in centralising its base in War- of Sandhurst Les Tomlinson, Archbishop Lazzarotto said about buildings but the people its development and the new ragul. Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne that since the beginning of his- who were really God’s dwell- Sion House facilities which During the opening ceremo- Vincent Long, and Oblate Protory, mankind’s first desire had ing place. would be a focal point for peo- ny Bishop Prowse welcomed vincial Fr Harry Dyer. been for some sort of shelter “We are God’s people and the ple, as well as a dwelling place the many guests which includwhere they could live safely, be dwelling place God wants to for the workers. ed Archbishop of Melbourne • Continued Page 10 happy and share. build for us is in our hearts.” The diocese had created solid Denis Hart, Bishop Emeritus of
Your generous gift will go on giving A donation to the Bishop’s Family Foundation will aid needy families in the Diocese of Sale by funding much needed counselling and other programs. Send tax deductible donations to: Bishop’s Family Foundation, PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820 Phone 5622 6600 for more information