Catholic Viewpoint Issue 13 Jan - Mar 2024

DIOCESE OF ARMIDALE

MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION

ISSN 1446-0041

chrism mass

TUESDAY 26TH MARCH 2024

On March 26th, 2024, Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Armidale hosted the Chrism Mass, presided over by Bishop Robert McGuckin, retired Bishop of Toowoomba, during our current Sede Vacante.

This ceremony involves the blessing of the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens, and the consecration of the Holy Chrism. It signifies the unity of the Church and the renewal of priestly promises.

Clergy and faithful alike gathered in reverence and solidarity, marking the beginning of Holy Week with a sense of anticipation and devotion.

CONTENTS

CLERGY ASSEMBLY 2 1 3 4 6

CHRISM MASS

COMMISSIONING MASS

MISSION & EVANGELISATION

AROUND THE DIOCESE

PROJECT COMPASSION

SEMINARY OPENING MASS

Commissioning mass

ARMIDALE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Thursday 22nd february 2024

On the evening of the 22nd February 2024, Armidale Catholic Schools Commissioning Mass was held for the new school principals and the new Director of Schools, Regina Menz.

The Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Wilkes with a special blessing and testimony of support by the congregation.

We continue to pray for our new leaders as they service our school communities.

Catherine Martin - St Mary’s College Gunnedah

Dominica Bearman - St Joseph’s Barraba

Malcolm Friend - St Francis Xavier’s Narrabri

Michael Whitton - McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth

Claire Ryan - Sacred Heart Primary Boggabri

Phillip Gibney - O’Connor Catholic College, Armidale

Alison Hatton - St Edward’s Primary Tamworth

cLERGY Assembly

ARMIDALE

5th & 6th March 2024

On Tuesday 5th & Wednesday 6th March, clergy from the Diocese attended the Clergy Assembly within our Chancery Precinct Torreggianni Room.

Father Joseph Lam was the guest speaker for Day 1 of this assembly and is the current Parish Priest of St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook in the Diocese of Parramatta. He was ordained in Rome by Cardinal Walter Kasper; has doctorates in Philosophy, Economics and Theology. He is the author of 8 monographs and more than 60 peer review articles. Father Joe is of Vietnamese ancestry and was born and lived in Germany for many years. His session focus was on the Sacraments.

Day 2 focused on Business and Development with Monsignor Wilkes and the Diocesan Finance team as presenters. Father Damien Locke also gave a report on 2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon.

The clergy were delighted that The new Director of Schools, Regina Menz also popped in for a few minutes for an introduction and chat.

Thank you to all who made this assembly so successful and to the clergy members who took time from their very busy schedules to attend.

encounter

OUR TOP PRIORITY

Chris Da Silva - mISSION AND eVANGELISATION sUPPORT oFFICER

In late 2023 the Bishop’s Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry published a biblical theological reflection for all Catholics entitled: Evangelisation: Encounter, Discipleship, Mission.

The simple six-page document confirms and reiterates much of the back-to-basics approach to evangelisation outlined in Bishop Michael Kennedy’s Fishing for Souls and Feeding the Flock document on evangelisation released shortly before his departure to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, with an emphasis on building a culture of encounter in our parishes.

This past February I was blessed to attend an online consultation attended by Diocesan representatives for evangelisation from across Australia, and led by Archbishop Christopher Prowse, head of the aforementioned Commission.

The consultation allowed dioceses to share challenges, successes, and opportunities to learn from a variety of structures. I joined a breakout room with counterparts from other regional dioceses including Lismore, Bathurst and Broome, and found it deeply encouraging to hear the growth that ministries like Alpha and menALIVE have been able to generate even in small, short-staffed parishes with smaller budgets.

After listening to feedback on a variety of issues, Archbishop Prowse addressed the group on the three subtopics of the Commission’s document: Encounter, Discipleship and Mission, stating that it was clear to him from this consultation and others that the area where we now need to focus our energy most is encounter.

“We’re called to evangelise the whole wide world, not just to help Catholics be better Catholics,” he said. This, the Archbishop said, would take great courage and docility to the Holy Spirit on the

part of those who work and volunteer in the area of evangelisation – something to which we’re each called in some way, shape or form.

To this end a robust discussion was had about youth ministry, and how simple invitations to Mass have become largely ineffective to young people because they do not see the relevance of worship – yet.

It was agreed that the challenge to us is to find creative and innovative ways to meet young people where they are; in spaces that are important to them. From there it takes the self-giving love of accompaniment and relationship-building to create lasting impact.

As a great evangelist and mentor once told me, “When people know how much you care, they will be open to anything you have to say.” I have never come across an example in which that was not the case.

The consultation was a truly collaborative exercise, with larger dioceses keen to share resources and support smaller ones; and with discussion points set to form the agenda for an upcoming Evangelise Summit in June, and a 2028 National Eucharistic Congress further down the track.

Personally, I was buoyed by the fact that in even in our current Sede Vacante state, both clergy and laity across the Diocese of Armidale with whom I have the privilege of working have been taking the initiative to look for innovative ways – events, programs, ministries and more - to bridge the gap between parish and society.

Please keep them in your prayers and stay tuned to future issues of the Viewpoint where we will spotlight some of these great works! The menALIVE weekend at Echidna Gully and the School of Identity Parish Mission at West Tamworth that you will see advertised in this issue are just two examples we have coming up!

WHEN WAS

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID...

“An enjoyable and very grounded experience of spirituality for men ”

“Offers a clear vision for being Catholic and Christian in the contemporary world ”

“The format and talks helped me to confront issues in my life - really helped me to go outside myself - found the weekend format terrific “

“Offers something practical and down-to-earth that most Catholic guys can relate to ”

“I was very impressed with the enthusiasm and friendliness of the team and all the participants in general I gained a lot from the weekend ”

“The weekend was a great opportunity for men to come to be together and be set on fire The vision of menALIVE was well presented and the format enables practical ways this could be accomplished ”

“This is something the Church desperately needs ”

www.menalive.org.au

The menALIVE Men’s Weekend is an opportunity for men to explore what makes them feel fully alive.

During the weekend, the menALIVE team will share about their lives, the challenges they face and the hope they have discovered in seeking to walk this journey with God.

Perhaps the most important thing the weekend offers is space for men to reflect and opportunities to share with one another about themselves and their lives.

The experience of the weekend is powerful and dynamic and many men are inspired and encouraged with a new sense of purpose and mission.

The weekend is organised by men in your local community and conducted by an experienced team of menALIVE leaders It is suitable for all men from 18 years of age.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

TERIMA KASIH FR DAMIEN

10th March 2024

On Sunday 10th March (Laetare Sunday), Father Damien Locke celebrated a special Mass at Saint Edward’s Parish South Tamworth in Bahasa Indonesian.

Our Diocese is extremely blessed to have priests who speak other languages and are able to celebrate Mass and hear confessions for parishioners whom English is not their first language.

Thank you Father Damien.

FAREWELL SISTERS

9th february 2024

St Mary’s College Gunnedah farewelled Sister Christine Belling RSM and Sister Gabrielle Foley RSM in a celebration at the school on Friday 9th February.

St Mary’s hosted a staff morning tea and the students created a guard of honor as the sisters left the school grounds.

The sisters are leaving Gunnedah and will be greatly missed by the school community.

Thank you for your service to the community sisters.

project compassion

PC 2024 LAUNCH & MORNING TEA

Tuesday 13th February 2024

On Tuesday, February 13th, the Chancery Office in Armidale welcomed participants to its annual Project Compassion Launch for 2024, coinciding with Shrove Tuesday. Attendees included staff from the Chancery Office, Parish Office, ADIG, Catholic Schools Office, and St. Albert’s College, along with local parishioners who enjoyed a delicious pancake morning tea.

A special pancake mix was made and sold on the day, marking a significant success with sales and donations surpassing $500 for the morning.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who continue to support Project Compassion and the remarkable work they do.

OPENING mass

GOOD SHEPHERD SEMINARY SYDNEY

wednesday 31st january 2024

On January 31st, 2024, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP presided over the opening Mass for the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Homebush.

The Archbishop extended a warm welcome to eight new seminarians, including Linh Quang from the Armidale Diocese, as they embarked on their journey in the first year program. Additionally, he greeted returning seminarians, such as Allem Alba and Isaac Forson, also from the Armidale Diocese, who continue discerning the call of God within their lives.

Prior to the Mass, Reverend Father Michael de Stoop, the Rector of the seminary, delivered his annual address, setting the tone for reflection and growth in the upcoming year. Following the Mass, a joyful gathering ensued as seminarians, along with their families and friends, shared in a celebratory lunch.

Let us keep our seminarians in our thoughts and prayers as they embark on another year of formation, preparing themselves for the sacred calling of priesthood.

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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