JESUS WALKS WITH US TO NEW BEGINNING, SAYS BISHOP SPROXTON
By Ali Biddiscombe
Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton has last weekend called on Perth Catholics to engage in looking forward and contributing to the hoped-for new beginning in reconciliation and collaboration with our First Nations brothers and sisters.
In his homily at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander [Commission] Sunday Mass, on 15 October at St Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop Sproxton said it was providential that the Mass and gathering was held on the day following the referendum.
“This will be the first day of prayer and reflection on the outcome of the referendum, so our hope is that this Mass will be the most significant prayer for all our people and the great sign that Jesus walks with us into a new beginning that is opening up for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people and every other Australian in our land,” he said.
Bishop Sproxton continued by saying that in light of the vote [the Voice Referendum] the Australian Bishops have committed themselves to looking forward and contributing to the hoped-for new beginning in reconciliation and collaboration with our First Nations brothers and sisters.
“The Gospel of today’s Mass has something to say to us at this moment of history.
“Jesus spoke of the call to work with him to bring about change so that the kingdom of God can be seen more clearly as it breaks into and transforms the world to be more just and committed to peace.
“We need to support the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in advising and working with the agencies set up to advance the goals of Closing the Gap.
“The way forward and the new beginning is to be found in building relationships and trust. This will be the way of Christ to build the kingdom of justice, peace and reconciliation.”
Director of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry for the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth Donella Brown said the annual Mass was a collaborative preparation between the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and the Centre for Liturgy and a sharing of gifts.
She said the Smoking Ceremony, led by Aboriginal Elder Kevin Fitzgerald, was a chance to share story and is symbolic of cleansing the spirit, removing bad spirits and energy from places where we meet.
“It is the opportunity to hear stories of the land we are being welcomed to.
Ms Brown said the annual diocesan Mass was an opportunity to celebrate the many gifts of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait community.
“The gift of hospitality was honored in the sharing of a special celebration using the Missa Terra Spiritus Sancti Mass of the land of the Holy Spirit. This mass originated from the Bidyadanga community in the Broome Diocese.
“We shared the gift of didgeridoo music which was provided by two young Aboriginal men Thairon and Brandon Jansen who accompanied Sister Margaret Scharf and Sr Frances Magure in leading the congregation in singing the parts of the Mass.
“We also welcomed the participation of Clontarf Aboriginal College who brought up the Gifts of Holy Communion during the Mass.”
Ms Brown said the mass was also an opportunity to offer the gift of presence and visibility and to raise the profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Peoples in congregations.
Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton called on Perth Catholics to engage in looking forward and contributing to the hoped-for new beginning in reconciliation and collaboration with our First Nations brothers and sisters in his homily.
PHOTO: RON TAN / ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH.
MIRACLE PRAYERS NETWORK CONTINUES TO FLOURISH AFTER 10 YEARS
The Mass, which was held at the Disciples of Jesus centre in Osborne Park, Wednesday 11 October, was celebrated by Glendalough Parish Priest and Miracle Prayers Chaplain and Co-Founder Fr Doug Harris, together with concelebrants, Greenwood Parish Priest, Fr Elver Delicano, City Beach Parish Priest Fr Emmanuel-tv Dimobi, Yanchep Pastoral Area Administrator, Fr Thomas Zureich, Wanneroo Parish Assistant Priest Fr Leonard Guiang osm, Tribunal Officer, Fr Stephen Ochola and Villa Torenzio Chaplain Fr Demetri Roh. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/LUCY HARRIS.
The Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community have last week celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Miracle Prayers ministry with a Thanksgiving Mass.
The Mass, which was held at the Disciples of Jesus centre in Osborne Park, Wednesday 11 October, was celebrated by Glendalough Parish Priest and Miracle Prayers Chaplain and Co-Founder Fr Doug Harris, together with concelebrants, Greenwood Parish Priest, Fr Elver Delicano, City Beach Parish Priest Fr Emmanuel-tv Dimobi, Yanchep Pastoral Area Administrator, Fr Thomas Zureich, Wanneroo Parish Assistant Priest Fr Leonard Guiang osm, Tribunal Officer, Fr Stephen Ochola and Villa Torenzio Chaplain Fr Demetri Roh.
Founded under the guidance of New Zealand Marist priest Fr John Rea sm in October 2013, the Miracle Prayers ministry includes a monthly healing service, monthly street outreach, an international intercession list published via social media and private prayer sessions by appointment. Co-founder and co-ordinator Michelle
Firth explained to The Record that prayers are available for physical ailments, sleeping problems, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship, financial and spiritual issues as well as other personal intentions.
The prayer and healing liturgical service includes scripture readings, shared experiences, catechesis, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, general prayer, confession and time for individual prayer.
In a message encouraging message of congratulations, Fr Rea outlined his own personal experiences of numerous profound healings that have occurred during the time when he visited Perth, in addition to the many healings that have taken place since the commencement of the Miracle Prayers network.
“I took this as a solid sign that the Lord approves of what the group is doing,” Fr Rea said.
“Ten years on, and Miracle Prayers is flourishing. May it continue to provide a powerful service everywhere it operates. Praise God!” he said.
In his homily for the occasion, Fr Doug Harris said that the Kingdom
of God is truly among us, and we know this because of all the healings and answered prayers we have seen and experienced in these times. He then shared a number of healings people have received over the years through the Miracle Prayers ministry, including a 12-year-old boy who has recovered from an aggressive form of cancer in his abdomen.
Fr Doug also shared that when some people were healed, members of their families were brought back to the faith.
He also made reference to a young girl who recovered from knee and backpain, and as a consequence of the healing, her mother and other relatives have returned to the church.
Fr Doug emphasised that the Lord has so much to give us, and that He cannot be out done in generosity.
“He wants us to use our time here on earth to live in and be part of His Kingdom, and not be confined to the limitations of this world,” he said.
CARITAS JERUSALEM EMPLOYEE KILLED WHILE SHELTERING WITH HER FAMILY IN GAZA
The Caritas Confederation is in mourning this week following the devastating loss of a Caritas Jerusalem employee in Gaza. Seventeen people tragically lost their lives on 17 October while sheltering in The St Porphyrios Church Hall in Gaza, with dozens more sustaining injuries.
These numbers expected to climb as others are still under the rubble. The Orthodox Church compound was sheltering around 500 people, with around 80 in the Church Hall when it was hit. Among those in the hall were five dedicated members of Caritas Jerusalem's staff, along with their families.
It is with great sorrow that Caritas Australia reports the loss of a 26-year-old Caritas Jerusalem lab technician Viola, who lost her life alongside her toddler and husband, with her sister and her two children also among the casualties.
Kirsty Robertson, CEO of Caritas Australia, said, “Today, with heavy hearts, we pray for those who lost their lives in this attack, all those who have lost their lives in this conflict, and all continuing to live through these unimaginable days in Gaza.
“We pray for our Caritas Jerusalem brothers and sisters, that they may find the strength to deal with the harrowing challenges they face,”
Ms Robertson said.
“I draw from the words of Pope Francis: “Let the weapons be silenced; let the cry for peace be heard from the poor, from the people, from the children”. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues and pray for the safety and protection of all civilians. We pray for peace.”
To support Caritas Australia’s Gaza Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/ donate/emergency-appeals/gazacrisis/ or call 1800 024 413 toll free.
Seventeen people tragically lost their lives on 17 October while sheltering in The St Porphyrios Church Hall in Gaza, with dozens more sustaining injuries.. PHOTO: CARITAS AUSTRALIA.
Viola, a 26-Year-old, pictured in an undated photo, was killed alongside her husband and their infant daughter in an airstrike attack on the St Porphyrios Orthodox Church in Gaza," a 20 October 2023, statement from the Caritas Jerusalem said. PHOTO: OSV NEWS/CARITAS JERUSALEM.
NOTRE DAME LAUNCHES NEW RESEARCH STRATEGY
Research that addresses real-world challenges and seeks to improve people’s lives is the focus of The University of Notre Dame Australia’s new University Research Strategy 2023-26, launched this month.
Building on Notre Dame’s already strong research foundations, ProVice Chancellor Research, Professor Aron Murphy, said the Strategy sets an ambitious goal for the University to become as renowned for its research over the next four years as it currently is for its teaching.
“The strategy signals that our university must ‘breathe with two lungs’, which refers to the important dual functions of teaching and research,” Professor Murphy said.
“While we have solid foundations, we believe we there is much more that we can do to build a strong
and ethical research culture which has at its heart a desire to make our world a better place.
“Importantly, this strategy also articulates the research culture to which we aspire, how we will work together with our partners to change lives, and how we will measure our performance.”
The strategy defines three key crossdisciplinary transformative research themes: Good Lives; Exceptional Care; and Strong Communities. It also sets out key priorities, including investing in people, building on existing strengths, partnering for impact, and enhancing the research environment - especially for HDR students.
The strategy also closely aligns with Notre Dame’s broader 2022-26 Strategic Plan, which recognised
research as a key pillar supporting the University’s future direction and growth.
“As a Catholic university, our aim is to challenge the view that research is worthwhile only when it results in technological innovation, commercial gain, and other commonly accepted metrics,” Professor Murphy said. “Our research will seek to enable people to flourish by improving their quality of life and dignity. A key way we will do that is by developing global partnerships with organisations that share our values and our desire to serve the common good.”
To find out more, visit our newlook Research homepage on the University’s website. http://www.notredame.edu.au/ research
Fr Greg Burke, main celebrant with Fr Brian Lucas, Fr Nelson Po and Fr Nino Vinciguerra concelebrating behind him. PHOTO: ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH.