EASTER 2022: NOTHING ABOUT OUR FAITH MAKES SENSE IF JESUS IS NOT AT THE CENTRE, SAYS ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE.
By Jamie O'Brien
Nothing about our faith makes sense if Jesus is not at the centre, says Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in his 2022 Easter Message. Referring to the words of St Paul in Romans 8, verse 38, Archbishop Costelloe said that it is Jesus who can give us the courage to face all our challenges, because He draws us into communion with Him.
“So that we share in His courage and face our difficulties with Him beside us,” he said.
The message was released to the Perth Catholic community in Issue 35 of The Record Magazine on 2 April and this week via The eRecord accompanied by a video, filmed at St Mary’s Cathedral.
In publishing his 2022 Easter message,
Archbishop Costelloe turned his thoughts towards the COVID-19 pandemic and its significant impact across Perth and the surrounding region since the Western Australian borders opened, the floods in New South Wales and Queensland, as well as the crises in Ukraine.
While the Western Australian borders opened on 3 March, thousands of residents and businesses were hit with COVID-19 in the weeks following, particularly schools and nursing homes. As at 10 April, there were more than 43,000 cases, 80 deaths and more than 200 hospitalised.
Speaking exclusively to The Record, Archbishop Costelloe conveyed that while this year has already been particularly distressing, he wanted the community to know the Church has heard the many people who are suffering and alone.
“Despite these situations and the many more that lead people to loose hope, know that the Church is with you in this journey,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“Remember there is a Church community that can help you to see that Christ exists and will do what it can to support you,” he said. New South Wales and Queensland have both experienced severe flooding since mid-February, with 23 people dead. The situation has been deemed Australia’s recorded flood disasters, with more than 400mm recorded in Brisbane in the three days to 28 February. Thousands were told to evacuate in Sydney after more than 1000mm fell on 3 March.
On 24 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces previously concentrated along the border. The invasion included attacks across the Belarus-Ukraine border and was followed by targeted airstrikes on military buildings in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in response, enacted martial law and general mobilisation throughout Ukraine.
“As Christians, one of our instinctive, and very sound, responses, is to turn to God in prayer,” Archbishop Costelloe explained, in response to the situation.
“We are disciples of the one who told us to ask, to seek and to knock, believing that in doing so God would respond.”
Archbishop Costelloe speaks with a candidate during the Rite of Election celebration at St Mary’s Cathedral on 10 March. Nothing about our faith makes sense if Jesus is not at the centre, says Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in his 2022 Easter Message. PHOTO: RON TAN.
BISHOP SPROXTON EASTER MESSAGE 2022: EASTER IS THE GREATEST CELEBRATION OF THE VICTORY OF CHRIST OVER EVIL
People of faith believe that “we must rise with Christ in His death.” This hopeful message was delivered by Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton as part of his 2022 Easter message to the local community.
“We do not see Christ, but we walk by faith. What we can see are the effects of His living presence in our lives with our eyes of faith,” Bishop Don said.
“When we allow ourselves to reflect on the things that are happening in our lives, we can discern the Spirit uncovering the truth for us and helping us to understand the meaning of things.”
The precious gift of faith, Bishop Don cited, brings us to praise and thank God for the good things and blessings, and for the constant presence of the Spirit in us during the tougher times.
One of the biggest tragedies currently, being the war imposed on Ukraine.
“We are offering our prayers for peace and courageous solidarity with
the people who are the victims of aggression, unspeakable violence, and suffering. The Ukrainians are showing us their great courage and determination, and their faith in the face of overwhelming force,” Bishop Don said.
“It is only in Christ that the light of hope and peace can overcome the darkness of sin and death.”
Bishop Don said the significance of Easter, as the “greatest celebration of the victory of Christ over evil and the consequent reconciliation for humanity with God,” is a reminder that Jesus passed from death to life, not only for Himself but for all people.
“The experience of Jesus, in facing his death and eventually succumbing and dying, touches on the deepest of questions we all must face. We are reminded of this especially when we see a loved one or friend pass into death. Is death the end? What is the new life promised us? Is there a reason for having hope in a new life? These are the questions that
arise again in our hearts,” Bishop Don explained.
“The Corinthians were troubled too as they saw more and more members of their Christian community die and their bodies being consigned to the earth. St Paul helped them with his reflection on the death and resurrection of Jesus.
“St Paul began by reminding them that Christ is for us, and His dying was for us, as His resurrection was for us. He encouraged them by making clear that we are heirs with Christ in the Kingdom and if we share in his sufferings, we will share in his glory,” he added.
Bishop Don concluded his reflection with prayers that the Spirit of peace and justice overcome once more the darkness of envy, domination, destruction, and death.
“May we let the Spirit soften hearts that have become hard, and so allow each of us to taste what new life can be.”
Bishop Don said the significance of Easter, as the “greatest celebration of the victory of Christ over evil and the consequent reconciliation for humanity with God,” is a reminder thatJesus passed from death to life, not only for Himself but for all people. PHOTO: SOURCED.
BISHOP MICHAEL MORRISSEY 2022 EASTER MESSAGE: WHAT GIFT CAN CHRISTIANS OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY?
“Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee”, the angels reminded the women when they were confronted by the empty tomb on the first Easter morning.
“Jesus would suffer death at the hands of his enemies and after three days, rise again” was the message he told his disciples while they were in Galilee during his public ministry. Remembering is something that we all cherish, especially those moments in our lives that gave direction, meaning and purpose for what we do.
We remember again, the holy and sacred moments of Jesus, through the Sacred Easter Triduum, from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, where the Church solemnly celebrates the great mysteries of our redemption, through the memorial of Jesus’ Last Supper, his crucifixion, burial and rising from the dead.
We remember too, what happened to the women and first disciples of the Risen Lord, whose lives
were changed forever. Despite the difficulties, persecutions and hardships experienced by the first Christians as they followed the Gospel of Jesus, St Paul’s words to the Philippian Christians resonated with them, “Nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”.
At this moment in time, people everywhere could wonder ‘where can we find Hope? Where has Hope gone?’
The future looks very uncertain with what has, and is happening in our community and our world, through the effects of the Pandemic and other tragic concerns.
As we look beyond our community to the wider world, especially in Ukraine, things look pretty dark. What gift can Christians offer to the community?
We know that Jesus died and rose from the dead and is always present in every moment of life where people
do not have to live with despair and hopelessness. This is the gift we offer this Easter to our communities. Hope, one of the virtues of our faith, becomes real and active through little acts of kindness, compassion and generosity that change the view for people. As I hear of communities, families and people being isolated for a week or more due to Covid, people are not left alone to fend for themselves. Neighbours offer support and their presence through simple gestures of doing the shopping, collecting medications or using virtual technology to ask , are you OK. The small steps we take can change the lens of how life is seen, especially for those who are struggling with hope, purpose and meaning.
For us who are Christians, the call is to become beacons of hope and light through our practical actions, which darkness cannot conquer as we let go of what binds us. The Cross looks like a disaster, yet it points us towards the Lord Jesus who is now risen above all that bound him.
Pope Francis says, “Jesus' resurrection shows us that death does not have the last word; life does. Christ has been raised, so it is possible to have a positive outlook on every event of our existence, even the most difficult ones and those charged with anguish and uncertainty”.
As we remember these sacred moments during Holy Week, faith in the Risen Lord reminds us, that it is possible to live in peace with our neighbour and rejoice in the gift of the other in our lives.
As Mary, the Mother of Jesus stood by her Son’s cross, she shows us a way of living, as we stand beside our crosses; so that what we give and do for others, will become and be a beacon of light and hope for our community.
People of Faith, let us remember what the Lord has done and offered us. May the blessings and peace of the risen Lord be given abundantly to you, your family and friends this Easter.
Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey with Ukrainian Catholic Eparch, Bishop Mykola Bychok during Bishop Bychok’s tour across Western Australia. PHOTO: FACEBOOK.
PLENARY COUNCIL: PEOPLE OF GOD INVITED TO SURROUND COUNCIL IN PRAYER
Catholics across the country are being invited to participate in a new prayer pilgrimage as the Church journeys towards the Second Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
The Walking in the Spirit pilgrimage has been prepared to encourage individuals, families, parishes, schools and other ministries to keep the Plenary Council in their prayers.
The pilgrimage starts on Easter Sunday, April 17, and leads up to the opening of the second – and final – assembly on Sunday, July 3. It follows the successful Fan the Flame campaign, which ran from Pentecost last year until the Council’s first assembly in October. Co-chair of the Liturgy Working Group for the Plenary Council
Sophy Morley said the Walking
in the Spirit resources can be incorporated easily into existing prayer and liturgical contexts.
“Whether it’s for the celebration of the Eucharist, morning liturgy in a school or an addition to one’s nightly prayer routine, these resources will help keep the Plenary Council in our spiritual focus,” she said.
“The resources include prayers of the faithful, prayers to the Virgin Mary, a prayer in the spirit of Mary MacKillop, one of the Council’s patrons, and other familiar prayers with a Plenary Council flavour.”
The resources also include links to videos to support prayer and reflection on important Scripture passages and other themes.
Plenary Council Vice-President, Sandhurst Bishop Shane Mackinlay said he was hopeful that Catholics
across the country would take up the invitation to infuse the Council into their prayer lives.
“For more than four years, we have sensed the power of prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the work of the Council,” he said.
“As we move towards the development, consideration and approval of key proposals to renew the Church in Australia, the need for prayer has never been greater.
“The resources that have been developed allow a comfortable entry into this prayer pilgrimage and a common undertaking across the country for our shared purpose.”
Access resources at: https:// plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/ walkinginthespirit/
Perth Plenary Council Members during the official Opening Mass of the First Assembly at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sunday 3 October. A new prayer pilgrimage has been launched this week as the Church journeys towards the Second Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia. PHOTO: RON TAN.