RAY COLLINS: Year of Mercy - A Local Perspective
The Year of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis, is very much reflected in the readings from last Sunday, particularly the Gospel Reading.
Jihad: Interpretation is time and place
I remember the first time I ever felt frightened for the world and future generations. It was 11 September 2001. I thought World War III was imminent. It was a time when I learnt the word Jihad, or ‘holy war’, and to be fearful of Muslims and Islam.
TUESDAYS WITH MELISSA FENECH: Hope: an extraordinary experience
While Vice Chancellor Pastoral Ministries, Teresa Brierley, is on annual leave, guest writers will contribute a message to the Diocesan Update. This week, Family Community Faith Coordinator, Melissa Fenech, shares some reflections.
RAY COLLINS: DioSounds 2016
On Thursday night, 2 June, a large audience gathered for the 10th DioSounds Concert, a celebration of the Performing Arts in our Catholic Secondary Schools across the diocese.
JOHN DONNELLY: Reconciling lifestyle
While Vice Chancellor Pastoral Ministries, Teresa Brierley, is on annual leave, guest writers will contribute a message to the Diocesan Update. This week, Director of the Office of Life and Faith, John Donnelly, shares some reflections.
RAY COLLINS: National Reconciliation Week
When the then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, gave the apology to the Stolen Generation in our national parliament, I was struck by the question posed by one of the radio commentators who asked an Aboriginal co-commentator, Why do we begin a lot of meetings, conferences, with a "Welcome to Country"?
TUESDAYS WITH TERESA: Voting for justice and mercy for Australia
Election fever is upon us, which means our news is filled with the election trail. The Australian Bishops have issued a statement titled A Vote for the Voiceless. This statement can be found on the Church’s national website www.catholic.org.au/election.
RAY COLLINS: Boat people
My forebears came to Australia by boat, most of them prior to the 1850s and all from Ireland. Two came involuntarily whilst the others were fleeing the poverty and discrimination that existed in Ireland at the time.