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MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION ISSN 1446-0041
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CHRISTMAS REFLECTION 2023, THE YEAR THAT WAS, BY MONSIGNOR EDWARD WILKES
THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ARMIDALE WISHES YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND HOLY NEW YEAR!
CONTENTS 1 3 4 5 6 8
CHRISTMAS REFLECTION CLERGY RETREAT
REST IN PEACE
ADVENT REFLECTION
AROUND THE DIOCESE MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SUNDAY
As we move through Advent and as the Christmas season unfolds, we are offered a poignant opportunity to reflect on the year that has been within the Catholic Diocese of Armidale and to reflect on the reason for the season of Christmas. In 2023, the Diocese has witnessed a tapestry of moments, some uplifting and joyous, others marked by tragedy and solemn remembrance. In March we farewelled Bishop Michael Kennedy to accept his appointment as the Bishop of Maitland/Newcastle. I accepted the nomination for Diocesan Administrator in the interim as we continue to pray for a Bishop for our Diocese. The Hope Kitchen Food Van was blessed and completed in March, ready to help the Diocese of Armidale and the less fortunate. To date, the van has served meals to
many, many struggling members of our community. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers and sponsors that make this program possible. World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal was a great success and attended by 74 Pilgrims from across the Diocese. Thank you to the organisers and volunteers of the diocesan pilgrimage to this event. In 2023 we welcomed four seminarians, Isaac, Allem, Sajinlal and Linh who continue their journey and study towards priesthood in the Diocese. We also have welcomed Father Juvi Coronel from the Philippines and Father Saji RCJ from India to join our Diocese. In August, Mr Bob Locke, in an extremely proud moment, was the 6th person from our Diocese to be .../2
2023, THE YEAR THAT WAS... invested as a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory. This was granted by Pope Francis.
inspiration from the lessons learned, to carry forward the spirit of unity, and to embrace the challenges with a renewed sense of purpose.
In September, His Excellency Archbishop Charles Balvo, was our distinguished guest at the September Clergy Assembly. He shared his wisdom in a session on Synodality.
The challenges of this year are stepping stones to growth, and the memories, both uplifting and sombre, become threads that weave a richer tapestry of faith. As we bid farewell to 2023, let us welcome 2024 with open hearts, and guided by the enduring light of Jesus and Christmas hope.
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monsignor edward wilkes
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christmas reflection
After nine years in the position, Mr Chris Smyth, will be finishing as Director of Catholic Schools in the Diocese at the end of the year. We express our deep appreciation for his outstanding work in education in our schools over the past nine years. Ms Regina Menz, also an excellent educator, will succeed Mr Smyth as Director on 19th January 2024.
Monsignor Edward Wilkes Diocesan Administrator
As the Diocese celebrated successes, milestones, and achievements this year, the sad loss of those who departed this earthly journey weighs heavy on our hearts. We call to mind all those who have died but especially the devastating loss of three beautiful children, Raphael, Evita, and Philomena Smith, and their grandfather Peter Nally, family of David and Elise Smith, in a tragic plane accident in October. We continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers, and we offer them our unwavering support, especially going into the Christmas period. As we approach the end of the year, there is a palpable sense of anticipation for what lies ahead. The Christmas season, with its message of hope and renewal, serves as a beacon guiding the Diocese toward 2024. It is a time to draw
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cLERGY RETREAT ST ALBERTS COLLEGE ARMIDALE 19th - 24th November 2023 From Sunday 19th November to Friday 24th November, Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Wilkes, Priests and Deacons from the Diocese of Armidale were on their annual retreat, held this year at St Alberts College in Armidale. The purpose of the retreat is to reflect and facilitate spaces of personal prayer and conversation with God without having outside distractions. The guest speaker for the retreat was Fr Aloysius Rego who is a Discalced Carmelite friar at the Mount Carmel Retreat Centre in Sydney, Australia. He has taught theology at the Yarra Theological Union, Melbourne and is currently involved in retreat ministry. He is the author of Suffering and Salvation, Holiness for All and St Teresa and the Our Father. Throughout the retreat he offered spiritual direction and gave workshops. Monsignor Wilkes said “the opportunities for Mass and prayer all together each day helped us to grow as a group in communion with God and with each other. There was also time for personal prayer and reading, and opportunities to enjoy each other’s company at mealtimes. It is an important part of the year and helps us to3 be better priests and deacons for the People of God.”
L-R Front: Fr Anthony Koppman, Fr Aloysius Rego, Monsignor Edward Wilkes. L-R 2nd: Fr Ross O’Brien, Fr Kingsley Etoh, Fr Tuan Tran. L-R 3rd: Fr Jose Adriano, Fr Damien Locke, Fr Chris Onuekwusi. L -R 4th: Fr Vic Ignacio, Fr Antony Vattakkunnel, Fr Sabu Pulimalayil, Fr Abmar Dumayag. L-R 5th: Fr Samon Koyipurath, Fr Joseph Armah, Fr Paul Chandler. L-R 6th: Fr James Poovathinkal, Fr Roel Llave, Fr Dleep Antony (behind), Fr Juvi Coronel. L-R 7th: Fr Stephen O’Shea, Fr Michael Mullane, Fr John McHugh, Fr Thaddeus Ike, Deacon Paul Manvell. L-R Back: Fr John Curran, Fr Paul McCabe. Father Aloysius Rego
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REST IN PEACE FATHER JOHN CAREY 18.04.1934 - 28.09.2023 Father John Carey passed away on Thursday September 28th 2023, aged 89. His Funeral Mass was held in Armidale on Tuesday 10th October 2023 with many clergy, family and friends present. Father Carey was born on the 18th of April 1934 and attended school at St Mary’s Armidale followed by De La Salle College. He followed his calling and attended Seminary at St Columba’s College, Springwood followed by Propaganda College in Rome. Father Carey was ordained a priest on the 21st December 1957 in Rome and returned to the Diocese of Armidale to begin his first parish appointment in Tamworth in 1959. Father Carey served in many parishes across the Diocese in his time including; St Nicholas’ Tamworth, Sacred Heart Inverell, St Mary’s Tenterfield, St Francis Xavier Moree, St Joseph’s Uralla and St Patricks’ Glen Innes.
Father John Carey on the day of his Ordination 21.12.1957
FATHER MORRIE CLARKE 02.11.1932 - 23.10.2023 Father Morrie Clarke passed away on 23rd October 2023 aged 90. His Funeral Mass was held at St Joseph’s Parish Nambour on Wednesday 8th November 2023.
He was appointed as Vicar Forane in the Cathedral Deanery between 1993 – 2004 and in the North Eastern Deanery between 2004 – 2014. He also served as Chaplain of Glen Innes Correctional Centre for 17 years. Amongst all his previous achievements, in 2014 he was awarded a Papal Award (Croce pro Ecclesia et Pontifice) for his service to the Catholic Church.
Father Morrie was born on 2nd November 1932 in Gilgandra and attended school at St Joseph’s Gilgandra and later St Stanislaus College in Bathurst.
Thank you for dedication to the Diocese of Armidale Father Carey, you will be sorely missed.
Father Morrie followed his calling and attended Seminary at St Columba’s College in Springwood and St Patricks College in Manly. He was ordained a priest on the 15th March 1958 and served in many appointments across the Diocese of Armidale. Thank you for your service to the Diocese of Armidale Father Morrie.
Father John Carey
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Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
AN ADVENT REFLECTION
Chris Da Silva - mISSION AND eVANGELISATION sUPPORT oFFICER
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live the faith, share the faith
For many of us, the Advent and Christmas period is the busiest time of the year. Before the start of December our calendars fill up with work, family, school and community functions. The shops are full, our homes are full, and as we reach Christmas Eve, the churches are full. And, similar to Easter Sunday, that experience of sitting in a full church for Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning with our extended families often fills our hearts with joy - and so it should! As the holidays move on and we return to Mass on the following Sundays a number of movements might become apparent in our hearts. We may feel a sense of hope that the wonderful experience at Christmas Mass will eventually attract our families members to become more committed to their Catholic Faith again. Perhaps we feel a sense of nostalgia for a time when it was the norm for more of our family members to join us at Mass each Sunday, or even a sense of regret for how we may have better shared the faith, encouraged the faith, or even defended the faith with our families, friends or colleagues. While our daily routine and our fast-paced society would encourage us to bury that ache in our hearts and move on, it is important to resist that temptation, and vulnerably present it to Our Loving Father, who always hears the cry of our hearts. In a blog post titled How My Parents Raised Four Adult Catholics Who (Still) Love Jesus and the Church, author Christina Dehan Jaloway lists six simple yet authentic practices her parents infused into her family culture that she believes ultimately made the difference. They are as follows:
1. The name of Jesus was used frequently, and in a positive way, that showed Christina’s parents had an active relationship with God. 2. The family practiced daily devotions and vocalised heartfelt prayers every day. 3. They read and/or listened to the Bible regularly and took biblical literacy seriously. 4. They prayed for the spiritual formation of Christina and her siblings and took the responsibility of teaching the Catholic faith to their children. 5. They were credible witnesses. Christina saw her parents taking their own prayer and formation seriously. She and her siblings never saw Catholicism as a set of arbitrary rules because doctrine was always framed within the context of a loving relationship with God. 6. They availed themselves of the Sacraments regularly. It was clearly a joyful experience for her parents to receive Jesus in the Eucharist or receive regular absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These points are shared because whether you are a young parent or a grandparent, they are evergreen and God can work His grace through you to begin nourishing the souls of your own children and grandchildren. If you look at these points and feel any sense of regret or ‘could’ve, should’ve, would’ve’, welcome to being human! In that case God has a special message for you this Christmas, because just as the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem changed the course of history, so when we receive and welcome Him into our hearts and lives in a deeper way our own lives, families and legacy can be changed in just as magnificent a way.
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AROUND THE DIOCESE CATHEDRAL CLIMB 1st November 2023 Staff from the Parish & Chancery Offices and the Armidale Diocesan Group experienced a new high on Wednesday 1st November when they were invited to participate in a scaffolding climb at the Cathedral in Armidale. The Chancery Precinct is currently receiving a new roof on each building after severe storm damage. The historic Cathedral’s slate roof is the last and most intricate to be completed. Works are expected to be completed by mid to end 2024.
Pictured L-R Georgina Franklin, Liz O’Brien, Tim Murray, Ben Fittler, Sue Tyler, John Moloney, Lisa Nolan, Tina Clarke, Carmel Reilly & Brendon Thomas.
The staff climbed over 20 meters to get to the top level of scaffolding (not including the spire at 47 meters) and were treated to a brilliant historic architectural experience and a beautiful view. Thank you to the Project Manager Rowan for agreeing to the amazing, supervised climb, all staff had an absolute blast (albeit slightly nervous and white knuckled).
DEACON PAUL & KERRY MANVELL celebrating 40 years On 1st October 2023 at St Edwards Parish South Tamworth Deacon Paul Manvell and his wife Kerry were presented with a Papal Blessing to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary. Paul and Kerry were married by Rev Fr Gerrard Hanna at St Nicholas Church on October 1st 1983. We asked them what the secret to a successful and happy marriage was and they said not expect your spouse to make you happy, just be happy making her/him happy, as you try your best to imitate Jesus: serving, supporting & helping each other to be the best people you can be helping to get each other to heaven. Congratulations Deacon Paul & Kerry on 40 years of a beautiful marriage. L-R - Father Paul Anthony Aguilar, Kerry Manvell & Deacon Paul Manvell
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AROUND THE DIOCESE WELCOME FR JUVI CORONEL & FR SAJI KAPPIKUZHI
new clergy to our diocese Please join us in welcoming priests, Father Juvi Coronel & Father Saji Kappikuzhi to the Diocese of Armidale. Father Juvi arrived in the Diocese on Friday 17th November and hails from the Philippines. He has joyfully accepted the position as Assistant Priest at St Francis Xavier’s Parish Moree. Father Saji Kappikuzhi
Father Saji Kappikuzhi arrived on Friday 1st December and is from India. Fr Kappi’s placement is yet to be announced. We are excited to have you both in our Diocese. Please keep an eye out for our new priests and make them feel welcome.
QUIRINDI CONFIRMATION
Father Juvi Coronel
Sunday 22nd october 2023 - St Brigid’s Parish On Sunday October 22nd sixteen children received the sacrament of Confirmation at St Brigid’s Parish Quirindi. This brings to completion their full initiation as members of the Church of Christ. The candidates, their parents/carers, catechists, teachers, and the parish secretary all made sacrifices and contributed enormously for months to ensure that the lessons were successful. The Mass was presided by Fr Kingsley Etoh, and the church was filled to the brim with family members and friends of the candidates. After the Mass, the children celebrated with a cake cutting and refreshments that was enjoyed by all in the Parish Hall Congratulations to all the candidates! 7
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MASS FOR MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SUNDAY
Sunday 24th September 2023 On Sunday 24th September we celebrated a Mass for Migrant and Refugee Sunday. St Nicholas Parish in Tamworth held a Multcultural morning tea following the 9:30am Mass. The gathering took place in the newly completed outdoor fucntion area at the parish. Parishioners attended in cultural dress and brought traditional food from each of their countries of origin. It was a lovely, inclusive celebration for all.
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MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SUNDAY
contact us Catholic Diocese Of Armidale 3/131 Barney Street Armidale NSW 2350 E. chancery@armidale.catholic.org.au P. 02 6771 8700
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