VIEWPOIN Catholic
APRIL-JUNE 2026
SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
VOLUME 32. ISSUE 2
DIOCESE OF ARMIDALE
MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION
ISSN 1446-0041
ST. CARLO ACUTIS MAJOR RELIC SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
ANGELUS ART COMPETITION
FR. HARRISON MYALL CREEK 2 1 4 5 6
OBLATES OF ST. JOSEPH
On Sunday 7 June, Diocesan Clergy, Religious and lay faithful, gathered for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, at Armidale Cathedral. Heavenly hymns marked the commencement of Mass, while swirls of incense from the thurible were seen first around the altar, before creating an ethereal cloud above the sanctuary. Solemn Mass was followed by a Corpus Christi procession around the Cathedral precinct, along Jessie, Barney and Dangar streets. Bishop Murphy gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at various points during the procession, facing North, East, South and West. Flower girls adorned the path with flowers, as the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament passed by, while hymns were sung that marked the solemnity of the occasion.
Continued page 3
St. Carlo Acutis Major relic
The Saint Carlo Acutis Major Relic is visiting the Diocese of Armidale between Friday 26 June and Thursday 2 July, as part of an Australia-wide mission.
The Mission events include Holy Mass with a homily from Mons. Figueiredo from Assisi, a talk by the St. Carlo Acutis Team, followed by veneration, confession and a personal blessing with the Relic. Some parishes will have the Eucharistic Miracles exhibition on display and will be showing documentary films on St. Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality or I am with you. For further details see the Diocese of Armidale Facebook page, which can be accessed via our website www.armidale.catholic.org.au Parishioners from neighboring parishes are encouraged to attend.
corpus christi procession Glen Innes
On Sunday 7 June, the parishioners of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Glen Innes proudly walked with our parish priest, Fr. Thaddeus Ike, in a beautiful Eucharistic procession. The congregation proceeded down the main road through Glen Innes, hymns resonating from the speakers and lips of the faithful, bells ringing clear in the cool winter air and the most Holy Eucharist being proudly carried on high by Fr. Thaddeus. The gold of the monstrance shining in the pale morning sunlight and the devotion of the laity created a beautiful sight, that stirred hearts and proudly put on display our Catholic faith for Glen Innes locals and tourists alike.
Many thanks to those who participated, especially the young ones who carried candles and the Crucifix to accompany the Eucharist and to those who assisted with music and organising the event.
We look forward to our next procession which will be sure to attract even more of the faithful as we move towards the upcoming 2028 Eucharistic Congress in Sydney. Liam Gabriel
St. Carlo Acutis Major Relic containg the pericardium of his heart
Monsignor Figueiredo from Assisi, Italy
Continued from page 1 In his homily, Bishop Murphy spoke on the sacred dogma proclaimed by Christ himself in St. John’s Gospel ‘Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you will have no life in you’ and how life in this sense pertains to the spiritual life – from the Greek word zoe. He also spoke on the origin of the feast day, and explained that the hymns sung on this solemnity, were penned by St. Thomas Aquinas on request of Pope Urban way back in the 13th Century. Bishop Murphy also spoke on Eucharistic Miracles, making reference to the book Reason to believe and our millennial saint Carlo Acutis’s splendid cartoon explanation for teenagers on his website.
Catholic Schools Week was celebrated across the Diocese of Armidale from 24th – 30th May. It was a wonderful opportunity to pause and give thanks for our vibrant school communities and the gift of Catholic education. It marked the beginning of an inspiring new chapter for our 24 schools, anchored by our new five-year strategic plan: “Our Hope-Filled Future.” In 2026, we celebrate our growth as a system of 24 schools, which now proudly includes our very first K-12 community at Holy Trinity School Inverell.
Catholic Schools Week stands as a testament to our shared commitment to a Christ-centered, inclusive learning community. Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s call to “draw new maps of hope,” we move forward with a clear vision to support our more than 6,000 students in realising their potential. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that “no one educates alone”. In the Armidale Diocese, our strength lies in our collective capacity, a “we” that encompasses 1,000 dedicated staff, our clergy, and our families. By collaborating across our four core imperatives: Our Catholic Identity, Our People, Our Learning and Teaching, and underpinned by Sustainability and Stewardship, we ensure that every student experiences universal and unconditional positive regard.
Schools from across the diocese joined together at the three deanery Masses. The Masses were a wonderful expression of our Catholic identity celebrated by Bishop Peter Murphy, who was joined by the Vicar General, Monsignor Ted Wilkes and local clergy of the deanery. The music, led by students from McCarthy Catholic College, O’Connor Catholic College, and St Philomena’s, filled our Masses with joy. Thank you for your contribution. We also thank the many young people who fulfilled ministries such as reading, altar serving and presenting the gifts at the offertory. The participation of everyone made the Masses a true celebration of our faith.
The week commenced with the inaugural Armidale Cluster Professional Learning Day. At O’Connor Catholic College, staff from St Patrick’s (Walcha), St Joseph’s (Uralla), St Mary of the Angels (Guyra), and St Mary’s (Armidale) joined their O’Connor colleagues to launch the week through learning and collaboration.
As we look toward the remainder of 2026, Armidale Catholic Schools remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring our young people are literate, numerate, and grounded in faith. May we continue to be “signs of hope” in our schools, parishes, and wider communities, trusting that when we journey together with courage and faith, our hope will never be in vain.
-Regina Menz Director of Schools
C.s.w. Mass at the Cathedral
On the Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week, May 27th, the clergy, staff and students of the parishes and schools of the Northern Deanery, gathered in St Mary and St Joseph’s Cathedral for the annual Mass during this important week for Catholic Education in our Diocese. Some much needed rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the students nor the delight of their principals and teachers who came together to give thanks and praise to God through the Holy Mass, for the legacy of education in the Catholic tradition. In his homily, Bishop Murphy made mention of St Augustine of Canterbury, whose feast day it was, and described his work to bring the Faith to the peoples of Kent and eventually to England. It was encouraging to hear that from small beginnings, and with the grace of God, a whole nation became Catholic. The Bishop went on to say how fortunate the students of our schools are that they hear of God, Our Lady and the saints, whereas many children do not have this benefit. So, what is given and offered through our Catholic schools is to be treasured and continued. After Mass, many gathered for refreshments in the Torreggiani Room and courtyard before making their way home to continue the good work of Catholic education.
Fr. Paul Chandler Dean of the Cathedral
angelus art competition
During Catholic Schools Week, Armidale Catholic Schools were thrilled to announce the winners of the Diocesan Art Competition. This year, the Diocesan Art Competition invited students from Kindergarten to Year 12 to reflect on the theme of ‘Mary Our Mother.’ Each piece offered a unique window into how our young people see Mary. A source of strength, a model of faith, and a companion in prayer. With over 700 entries, the Episcopal panel of Bishop Peter Murphy, Elizabeth O’Brien and Brianna Woodhead from the Armidale Chancery Office had their work cut out for them. Exploring the theme “Mary Our Mother”, the winning artworks will now form the visual heart of our Diocesan Angelus resources, helping our entire community pray together.
fr. brian harrison - myall creek
After forty years living abroad and sixty years since writing his first-class honours history thesis on The Myall Creek Massacre of 1838, Fr. Brian Harrison returned to visit the Myall Creek site in April, as a Catholic priest, while helping out with the Easter Masses at Bingara. It wasn’t the first time Fr. Brian Harrison had visited Myall Creek. In 1966, the late Mr Len Payne, a local Bingara native, helped him when he was doing his research and showed him around the site.
Fr. Harrison grew up in Armidale and was educated at TAS and UNE. He completed his honours History thesis on The Myall Creek Massacre in 1966, on the advice of his academic supervisor, the late Australian historian Dr. Russell Ward. “He told me there was a little-known atrocity that took place in 1838 at Myall Creek, Northwest of Armidale between Bingara and Delungra.” Twelve years after the completion of his thesis, a slightly shorter version was then published in a collection of essays called “Records of Times Past’ Edited by Isabel McBryde - available at Armidale public library.
Harrison’s essay provides a fascinating insight into Australian life and politics of the nineteenth century, with excerpts from Newspaper articles and speeches from those who were in support of the perpetrators facing the death penalty and those who were not. “So my thesis gave a brief account of the massacre and its background, and focused on its aftermath and the intense public debate aroused by the trials and executions, as expressed in the various newspapers published in NSW at that time.”
After writing his thesis, Fr. Harrison spent seven or eight years teaching in Papua New Guinea where his faith in Catholicism developed. He converted to Catholicism in 1972 and several years later he trained for the priesthood in Australia, before being transferred to Rome to finish his studies. In 1985 he was ordained a priest by the head of the Catholic Church at that time - Pope John Paul II - at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. From there he moved to the Caribbean, where he lectured in Spanish, as a Theology teacher at the Pontifical University of Puerto Rico for eighteen years. He is now semi-retired.
Since the year 2000, there is an annual Myall Creek commemoration in the long weekend of June. As part of the ceremony, descendants of the perpetrators and survivors are invited to publicly embrace, in a powerful act of reconciliation.
Fr. Brian Harrison at Myall Creek - Moments with Jazz Photography
Moments with Jazz Photography
Moments with Jazz Photography
Fr. Ernie & Fr. Eli - oblates of st. joseph
“ hidden with Christ and ready for service”
Fr Eli and Fr. Ernie are two priests on loan to the Diocese of Armidale from the Philippines. They are from the Oblates of St. Joseph, a Catholic religious congregation of priests and brothers, founded in the late 19th century. The order has a strong focus on humble service, youth formation, and devotion to St. Joseph. What attracted you to the Oblates of St. Joseph?
Fr. Eli: What captivated me most, was the congregation’s spirit of simplicity, poverty, and sincere commitment to forming the youth. Their hidden yet deeply meaningful service, modelled after St. Joseph and inspired by St. Joseph Marello, awakened in me a desire to follow the same path. Over time, their example nurtured the seeds of my vocation and led me to enter the OSJ seminary. Fr. Ernie: One notable thing that attracted me to the Oblates of St. Joseph is how they live their brotherhood in the community life. That is one of the characteristics that one can observe with the Oblates of St. Joseph. You can always feel at home in any of their parishes or communities that they are in. You can always feel from the brothers and priests how welcoming they are. They are always happy and joyful living together with whatever kind of ministry and apostolate they may be assigned to.
Oblates are well known for youth formation. What does that look like for the Joseph Marello Youth in the Philippines?
Joseph Marello Youth in the Philippines is an OSJ church and community-based organisation which minister for the youth of different age brackets. Based on their age they are categorised into different groups and ministries that they do as their service to the parish church. 9-17 years old are the Marello’s Altar Knights and Marellettes who are formed and trained to be altar servers. 18-25 years old are the youth who are in-charged to do youth formation and programs for different youth activities. 26-40 years old are the Artisans of St. Joseph who despite their busy careers and works, are still under the guidance of formation.
The Oblates of St. Joseph have long been recognised for their commitment to youth formation, a mission that takes vibrant shape in the Joseph Marello Youth of the Philippines. Formation is not confined to a single program but is lived out through dynamic sectors: the Altar knights and Marellettes, who learn discipline and devotion through liturgical service; the wider JMY community, which takes on pastoral, organisational, and leadership roles in parishes, dioceses, and national initiatives; and the Joseph Marello Artisans, seasoned professionals who guide younger members through mentorship and specialised training. Supported by the OSJ Philippine Province, the JMY engages in major formation events like the Marello Cup and Kapatiran kay Marello, both crafted to deepen faith, strengthen community, and nurture responsible leadership. Beyond internal formation, the JMY serves the wider Church by helping animate major youth gatherings, from diocesan festivals to national and Asian-level celebrations, allowing young people to encounter the Church’s mission in a broader, more compelling context.
What are the key words of advice for keeping the faith for a Catholic young person at Primary age?
Remember that God loves you unconditionally. Always pray. Be respectful, obedient and listen. Secondary age? Remember God loves you unconditionally. You may encounter change, pressure and uncertainty but be true to your values. Always pray. Listen. Obey. Be grateful. University age? Stay close to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, which will steady your heart amid new responsibilities and pressures. Seek true and good friendships and mentors who inspire you to grow. Trust God and his plans for you.
Our Lady of the Rosary
The 8th of May is a date of special significance for Catholics worldwide, as it marks the anniversary of our current Pope Leo XIV to the See of Peter. It also holds a special place for Catholics in the Diocese of Armidale, for two more reasons. It marks the anniversary of our Bishop, Peter Murphy, who was ordained and installed on the evening of 8 May 2025. It is also the feast day of the patron saint of our diocese, Our Lady of the Rosary. At the entrance to our Cathedral is the replica of ‘Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii’ an artwork which is venerated in the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei in Italy. Pope Leo XIV celebrated the anniversary of his election to the pontificate with a morning visit to the shrine of ‘Our Lady of Pompeii’ where he celebrated a Solemn Mass, which included a traditional supplication to the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii. A devotion which has been very meaningful since the very beginning of his pontificate. “Today is the day of the supplication to the Virgin of Pompeii. Our Mother always wants to walk with us to be close to us, to help us with her intercession and her love.”
The construction of the shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii began 150 years earlier on the 8th of May 1876. After its completion, the newly constructed shrine attracted pilgrims from around the world, most by way of the testimony of the many miracles attributed to the Virgin of the Most Holy Rosary of Pompeii.
With the support of his wife, Bartolo Longo founded elementary schools, orphanages and a technical school where the children of convicted criminals were given the chance of a better life.
In 1906, Bartolo and his wife, donated the Pompeii shrine to the Holy See. The shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii was elevated to the status of a papal basilica in 1901 by Pope Leo XIII. Bartolo continued to promote the Rosary until his death in 1926.
Saint Pope John Paul beatified Bartolo Longo on 26 October 1980 and called him the apostle of the Rosary. He was canonised a saint on 19 October 2025 by Pope Leo XIV, who was elected to the Chair of St. Peter on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii on 8 May 2025.
St. Bartolo Longo