Catholic
acutis & frassati
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2025
VOLUME 31. ISSUE 4
DIOCESE OF ARMIDALE
MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION
ISSN 1446-0041
YEAR MASS 3 1 4 6 7
DILEXI TE - IHAVE LOVED YOU
& FRASSATI PILGRIMS OF HOPE
Q & A WITH THE POPE
how to m.a.p. your life as st. Carlo and st. pier giorgio did
The canonization Mass of Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati occurred outdoors in the square of St. Peters in Rome, under a clear blue sky, on Sunday 7 September. Prior to the Mass, Pope Leo XIV greeted those present from in front of the temporary altar and commented that “while the celebration is very solemn, it is also a day of great joy!” He concluded his introductory remarks with a call to action “Let each of us also feel in our hearts what Pier Giorgio and Carlo experienced, namely this love for Jesus Christ, especially in the Eucharist, but also in the poor, in our brothers and sisters. All of you, all of us too, are called to be Saints.” Twenty minutes later, Pope Leo then reappeared with the Entrance Procession, as the antiphon “Cry to God with Shouts of Joy” was sung. Continued page 2
acutis & frassati canonisation
Continuedfrompage1 - Now standing behind the altar, Pope Leo was handed the thurible and proceeded to venerate the altar and a replica statue of ‘Our Lady of Montserrat’ with incense. The Mass continued with the Sistine Chapel Choir singing VeniSancteSpiritus - Come Holy Spirit.
The first reading from the book of Wisdom (9:13-18) was read by Carlo Acutis’s younger brother Michele Acutis and the second reading by Emanuele Marioni; a member of the Catholic Action Group to which Pier Giorgo belonged. The Gospel of Luke (14:25-33) was sung in two languages as a symbol of unity; Latin by a Western rite Catholic Deacon and in Ancient Greek by an Eastern rite Catholic deacon.
In his homily, Pope Leo linked the first reading from the book of Wisdom, and the Gospel of Luke to the exemplary lives of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, who said “yes” to God and gave themselves completely to Him. Reflecting on the two readings, the Pope proclaimed “The greatest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan” and “God calls us to abandon ourselves without hesitation to the adventure that He offers us.”
There were three key markers on the map of these saints’ lives and although they were generations apart, the map of their lives was essentially the same:
Mass
(attending Mass and going to Confession/Reconcilliation regularly)
Adoration
Preference for the Poor
HOPe kitchen Tamworth
Bicycle repair shop India
Below is an excerpt of Pope Leo XIV’s homily translated from Italian to English:
“Both Pier Giorgo and Carlo cultivated their love for God and for their brothers and sisters through simple acts, available to everyone: daily Mass, prayer and especially Eucharistic Adoration. Carlo used to say: “In front of the sun, you get a tan. In front of the Eucharist you become a saint!” And again: “Sadness is looking at yourself; happiness is looking at God.” Another essential practice for them was frequent Confession. Carlo wrote:“Theonlythingwereallyhavetofearissin;”andhemarvelledbecause–inhisownwords–“peopleare soconcernedwiththebeautyoftheirbodiesanddonotcareaboutthebeautyoftheirsouls.”Finally,bothhad a great devotion to the saints and to the Virgin Mary and they practised charity generously. Pier Giorgio said: “Aroundthepoorandthesick,Iseealightthatwedonothave.”Hecalledcharity“thefoundationofourreligion” In closing, Pope Leo said “They encourage us with their words “Not I, but God,” as Carlo used to say. And Pier Giorgo: “If you have God at the centre of all your actions, then you will reach the end.” This is the simple but winning formula of their holiness. It is also the type of witness we are called to follow, in order to enjoy life to the full and meet the Lord in the feast of heaven.
dilexi te - i have loved you
Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Exhortation
Dilexi Te was given in Rome at St. Peter’s, on 4 October, 2025, the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. He wrote at length of the Church’s long history of a preferential option for the poor, as demonstrated in Scripture, Doctors of the Church and the many religious orders devoted to serving Christ in the poor. In conclusion he spoke about almsgiving today: “the most important way to help the disadvantaged is to assist them in finding a good job, so that they can lead a more dignified life by developing their abilities and contributing their fair share. In this sense, “lack of work means far more than simply not having a steady source of income. Work is also this, but it is much, much more. By working we become a fuller person, our humanity flourishes, young people become adults only by working. The Church’s social doctrine has always seen human work as a participation in God’s work of creation that continues every day, also thanks to the hands, mind and heart of the workers.” On the other hand, where this is not possible, we cannot risk abandoning others to the fate of lacking the necessities for a dignified life. Consequently, almsgiving remains, for the time being, a necessary means of contact, encounter and empathy with those less fortunate.”
Thetheme chosen for the 2025 Jubilee, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, resonated deeply with me, though at first, it posed a challenge. I had a basic understanding of hope, viewing it merely as optimism or a wish for a better future I struggled to comprehend it as a foundational anchor of the Christian life.
The invitation to join the Armidale Diocese Pilgrimage of Hope to Rome and Assisi sparked a deeper reflection, one profoundly reinforced by our late Pope Francis, who laid the spiritual groundwork for the Jubilee with themes of rest, forgiveness, and renewal. Our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, further emphasised the transformative nature of both the physical and spiritual journey, stating that this pilgrimage plays a vital role in our life of faith, for it,
“removes us from our homes and daily routines and gives us time and space to encounter God more deeply”
Pilgrims of Hope
Deepening Faith, Hope and Love
This pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi was unlike any of my previous visits to Italy It wasn’t a holiday, it was a purposeful, prayerful journey that didn’t just renew but fully restored my faith, hope and love for God It was a conscious step away from the ordinary, allowing the Holy Spirit to do deep, essential work within me
The Pilgrim Analogy
To articulate the difference this pilgrimage made, I turn to a simple, physical analogy When one suffers from a persistent knot, ache or deep pain, self-treatment offers limited, surface level relief Yet, when aided by the expertise of a massage therapist or physiotherapist, the ache is identified more deeply, and the massage penetrates to the true point of tension The relief is profound because you know the healing process has truly begun I have always had a deep understanding of faith which was developed strongly through my own Catholic education and continued through my Post Graduate studies in Theology, yet, this pilgrimage served as the expert aide, gently but firmly massaging the exact spot of renewal It moved me beyond mere belief into a deep understanding and profound appreciation, preparing my heart for the mission of evangelisation with the students and staff I work with each and every day. This was the spiritual deep tissue massage I never knew I needed
The grace of Companionship
The journey began with a persistent internal struggle; was this personal spiritual enrichment worth the significant financial cost to my family? I was attending as a paying parishioner, making the financial choice to prioritise this encounter entirely my own. I wrestled with the validity of pursuing this pilgrimage at the expense of my husband and children This burden was laid bare during my pilgrimage, discussing my concerns with Father Damien His response, rooted in scripture and wisdom, became a crucial turning point, transforming my selfdoubt into a sense of divine acceptance He assured me that this pilgrimage was not a subtraction from my family life, but a profound investment in it,
"Your pilgrimage will not make you less, but a better mother, a better wife and a better person because of what you have done. When you are filled with the grace and hope you seek, you have infinitely more to give ”
The healing power of this experience required the supportive touch of companionship, a point beautifully reinforced by Damian Roffs' opening quote about this pilgrimage being about companionship The connections built with fellow parishioners from Armidale, Moree, and Glen Innes, alongside the leadership team and principals from Armidale Catholic Schools were extraordinary Above all the
p p p y and the walking down to San Damiano and up to the Hermitage, brought their lives into focus. Sitting on a rock where St. Francis once prayed and in the Sacrament of iliation in that sacred space, intensely moving and powerful t
The tangible History
The pilgrimage truly unlocked the history of the Church In Rome, seeing the remains of St Peter and Paul and visiting the Tomb of the late Pope Francis allowed me to feel apostolic succession. This historical immersion was amplified by engaging in the great acts of Jubilee devotion, praying through the four Holy Doors and, in an act of powerful penance, climbing the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta) on my knees.
he historical saints grounded h, the profound encounter with o Acutis became the crowning grace of my journey I would wake up early to wander up and sit in front of his tomb In those moments, with no tourists, just a couple of nuns, in a quiet place, I was in a complete state of feeling like a purposeful pilgrim, having a sense of ‘this is where I should be’. This quiet reflection was transformative. St. Carlo Acutis is the key story my children now want to know about He perfectly models the "
This spiritual journey was, by far, more profound than any of my previous holidays to Italy. It was a complete spiritual deep dive and divine massage that has reinvigorated my faith, my understanding of hope and my love for our church, our history and our saints My greatest hope is to share this story to ignite faith in others
I returned home a pilgrim, charged with the responsibility of sharing the living Gospel. My journey has equipped me to be a more effective leader, a better mother and wife and crucially, a witness By openly recounting my personal struggles and profound encounters, I hope to inspire the students and staff I work with each and every day to see that genuine, transformative faith is not abstract, but is waiting to be experienced in the concrete journeys of our own lives I am now ready to continue the evangelising mission, a true pilgrim of hope in the ongoing journey of discipleship Jessica Scully 12/10/25
Q & A with the pope
On Thursday 11 September, following their formation course, 192 newly ordained Bishops met with the Pope for Q & A at Clementine Hall in the Vatican. The Pope continued his reflection and answered questions around personal challenges for new bishops, their pastoral approach, synodality, handling clergy misconduct, social media and communication and witness and evangelisation. The Pope urged Bishops to remain close to the Lord, safeguard time for prayer and trust the Holy Spirit as the source of their vocation. He encouraged them to courageously face difficulties and remain close to people and priests. The Pope emphasised the importance of listening and fostering a common pursuit of mission. He stressed that inappropriate behaviour by clergy must be addressed promptly. The Pope also warned new Bishops of the risks of misinformation and reactive behaviour online, advising prudence and professionalism. Following the Q&A, the new Bishops had the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Pope and to utilise the opportunity to dialogue with Bishops across the five continents.
SVDP presidents meet bishop murphy
Consistent with the Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation
Dilexi Te, loving and serving the poor is central to Christian faith, reflecting Christ’s example and calling the Church to both mercy and justice as a path to holiness and renewal.
As a demonstration of this, Bishop Peter Murphy met with St Vincent de Paul Society Conference Presidents from Armidale Diocese on Thursday, 9th October.
Bishop Murphy is very supportive of the important roles played by Vinnies in assisting those who are ‘doing it tough’ and was interested to meet with representatives and hear about the work of the current 18 Conferences across the north-west of New South Wales. It was apparent in this meeting that the various Conferences are playing critical roles in communities across the region in providing a diversity of supports and interventions for the most vulnerable.
Jubilee mass - quirindi
On Wednesday October 15th 2025, priests, students, teachers and parishioners from the Western Deanery and surrounds, gathered at St Brigid’s Catholic Parish Quirindi for a special Jubilee of Hope celebration. The faithful had the opportunity to recite the Rosary, adore the Most Blessed Sacrament, receive the Sacrament of Penance and attend Holy Mass. After Mass, there was a small presentation on the significance of the relics of saints, the small scale replica of the Cathedral in Armidale, the Bishop’s chair, and the Cross which have been touring the Diocese. Pilgrims had time to have a closer look and take pictures. Finally, attendees gathered inside the parish hall for a social gathering with refreshments. The students were excited to meet other students from different parts of the diocese.
tamworth youth retreat
On Sunday 19 October, St. Nicholas Church West Tamworth hosted a youth retreat called “Highway to Heaven.” The day kicked off at 11am with morning tea, games and singing songs of praise to God. Following this, guest speaker Maurice Cahutay gave a talk called “Destined for Heaven” with reference to the life of St. Carlo Acutis and his Eucharistic Miracles exhibition. The afternoon was a time of reflection and prayer with Eucharistic Adoration in the Church, the Sacrament of Penance, writing letters to God and prayer ministry. The parish youth group runs fortnightly during school term and is a way of connecting students from McCarthy Catholic College to the Parish.
Mass of thanksgiving - moree
St Francis Xavier Parish Moree recently celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving and Recognition for the Religious orders who have served the parish since 1899. The parish has been served by the Sisters of Mercy, Daughters of Charity, Christian Brothers, Missionary Sisters of Service, Sisters of St Joseph and Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. Thirteen Religious were able to attend the Mass on 9th November, and certificates of recognition were presented for their faithful and invaluable service to the parish. After Mass, St Philomena’s Principal Alistair Stewart took the visitors on a walk through the school to inspect the recent renovations. The celebrations concluded with lunch in the Parish Centre.
all souls day - glen innes
This year our parish community gathered in a spirit of remembrance and prayer to celebrate All Souls Day, honouring the memory of our dearly departed. The day was marked by a series of Masses and special prayers, drawing together parishioners in a heartfelt display of faith and unity. Three Masses were celebrated throughout the day to accommodate the many faithful wishing to participate. These Masses were held at 8.30 am, followed by a midday Mass and the final Mass at 3 pm. In addition to the liturgical celebrations at the church, a Rosary and prayers were held at Glen Innes Cemetery at 5.30 pm, providing an opportunity for parishioners to pray together and remember their loved ones.
Parish Priest, Fr Vic Ignacio with members of the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of St Joseph and Christian Brothers.
Clergy Retreat Lismore
The Annual Clergy Retreat of the Diocese of Armidale was held from 17-21 November at the peaceful Invercauld House (Retreat Centre) in the Diocese of Lismore. This year, we were truly blessed to have Fr Daniele Russo, the current Vocation Director of the Archdiocese of Sydney, as our retreat speaker. His profound theological and biblical insights into the priesthood offered both personal and pastoral enrichment, reminding us that priests are Christ’s chosen, who are deeply loved, cared for, and continually supported by the Church. We were reminded of our precious gift of the priesthood of Jesus from a biblical and theological background. Catholic priests play a vital role as spiritual shepherds, guiding their communities through the pastoral challenges unique to a diverse and evolving society. Their identity is deeply rooted in service, compassion, and fidelity to the teachings of Christ, drawing inspiration from the profound example of Mary, who embodies openness to God’s will and unwavering faith, the qualities essential for priestly ministry. Our vocation as priests mirrors the Virgin Mary’s nurturing presence, offering hope and solace amid the complexities of modern life. The biblical figures of Simeon and Anna in the temple further illuminate the priestly calling; their prophetic recognition of Jesus as the Messiah underscores the priest’s mission to witness, proclaim, and nurture the presence of Christ among the faithful. Bishop Murphy joined the retreat and graciously presided over our daily Masses, with all the priests concelebrating. Monsignor Ted led the singing for the Liturgy of the Hours and Masses, while other priests took responsibility for various liturgical roles, ensuring the retreat was spiritually enriching and well-organised. The days provided us with valuable opportunities for spiritual renewal, reflection, and respite from our parish and administrative duties. Most importantly, it was a time for fellowship, strengthening our bonds of fraternity and camaraderie. We return to our ministries refreshed and look forward to gathering again for next year’s retreat.
- Fr. Elino
Red November
On Wednesday 19 November, at 12pm, Fr. Max Davis celebrated a Red Wednesday Mass at Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish Armidale for the Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith. The initiative was driven by Aid to the Church in Need, who seek to raise awareness of the plight of Christians living in countries hostile to their faith. Prior to the Mass, Fr. Davis commented that “We in the West really have no idea about what our brothers and sisters suffer for their faith overseas. Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world.”
Migrant jubilee Cross arrives
As part of the celebration of the 2025 Jubilee Year, the Migrant Jubilee Cross is journeying around Australia from October 2025 to October 2026. Commissioned by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference through the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO), this Cross is a national symbol of faith, hope, and unity among all the people of Australia - migrants, refugees, and locals alike. The Cross, made of Australian timber, an old pew from the Armidale Cathedral, together with its companion boat, were crafted by Mr John Kerklan of St Brigid’s Parish, Quirindi. Embedded within it are relics of the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph - and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, reminding us that every human journey, whether of migration or faith, is sacred in the eyes of God. The Migrant Jubilee Cross will be in the Diocese of Armidale from December 1 to 17, 2025. It arrived from the Diocese of Lismore (via the Parish of Tenterfield) on December 1, and will later be handed over to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (via the Parish of Scone) on December 18.
hope - Tamworth and moree
Heart of Peace (HOPe) was inaugurated in October 2022 as the charitable arm of the Catholic Diocese of Armidale. Its primary function is to support those people and other agencies who are unable to be supported. In addition, HOPe provides support and assistance to the homeless, lonely or disabled people by offering a safe and comfortable place to share a hot meal in Tamworth and a “take away “ in Moree. In addition to a hot meal, it has been a core mission of HOPe to spend time listening to and supporting those experiencing hardship or loneliness.
HOPe has also been available as the last resort ‘safety net’ when assistance was not available outside business hours from other support agencies. For example, support was provided to two women with young children fleeing, unrelated, cases of domestic violence. Neither lady had accommodation, food, or means to access emergency support—they had no money, or access to financial assistance due to a lack of identification. HOPe stepped in to help—emergency accommodation was found as well as vouchers for food were provided, ensuring safety and wellbeing for themselves and their children. This helped carry them through until they were able to visit Centrelink to register for interim and eventual ongoing support.
After a Friday evening Lenten ceremony at St Nicholas’ Church East Tamworth, parishioners discovered a homeless gentleman taking refuge in the grounds of the church—he had no food nor place to sleep. As the ‘support agencies’ had closed for the weekend, HOPe was contacted. They arranged accommodation, for him over the weekend, until he was able to visit one of the other agencies for further help when they reopened on Monday. Food was also provided to see him through the weekend.
More recently, crisis assistance was provided to a displaced family in the remote west of our Diocese. On a Saturday evening, HOPe was phoned by an agency of the NSW Police looking to secure emergency food for a family in need. HOPe was able to use its contacts and local resources to provide food at very short notice.
HOPe is grateful for the support of ADIG, one of its founding partners. In 2025 ADIG renewed its support for HOPe, donating $6,000. With every ADIG Bonus Saver Account opened, ADIG makes a donation to HOPe. By supporting ADIG you are supporting and giving HOPe to your community.
HOPe Christmas Lunch Tamworth