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Page 6 – www.sandpiper.org.au News December 2011 2012 to bring Year of Grace Archbishop Philip E Wilson, has written a pastoral letter to introduce the Year of Grace Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to you on behalf of all the Bishops of Australia, giving thanks to God for your faith and witness. We now share with you a message of hope. We call the Catholic people in Australia to a Year of Grace, to span the time from Pentecost 2012 to Pentecost 2013. Like the disciples at the first Pentecost, we commit ourselves to start afresh from Christ. By Fr Peter Brock The Bishops have chosen, as a sort of sub-heading, a phrase from Pope John Paul II’s Novo Millennio Ineunte: “starting afresh from Christ”. So that might be the four-word answer to the question. At the meeting of our National Planning Team, we brainstormed a slightly longer version: “Listening to the wisdom of God, the Year of Grace calls us to: encounter Jesus Christ in prayer; seek healing and renewal through repentance; and grow as disciples by cultivating the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that the Church in Australia will continue to be transformed by the power of Christ’s resurrection”. The Bishops have emphasised the importance of prayer – praying with more focus, perhaps; praying with more stillness; spending a little more time in prayer, or praying a little more frequently; perhaps praying in a style that may be new to us. They invite us to think about these questions in many contexts – in the public celebration of our liturgies, especially of the Eucharist; in prayer forms such as Holy Hours and Eucharistic Adoration; in times of recollection, meditation or retreat – in the classroom, the staff-room, the Archbishop Philip E Wilson For several years the Bishops have been reflecting deeply on the life of the Church in Australia. We have asked how we can better serve What’s this all about? parish office, or for the whole parish community. And, perhaps especially, in the home. Do we say “Grace Before Meals” at home? If not, this might be the time to start. Or perhaps some moments of prayer together at the end of the meal. And if we already recite a standard prayer, perhaps we might take a few seconds more, with some new additional words, or rituals. One of the bishops talked of “tabletop liturgies”. The Bishops encourage us to turn again to the Word of God in the Scriptures. Is it time to find out what that term “lectio divina” means, and to have a go at it? Can we incorporate some words of Scripture in all our parish meetings? And not only the words, but some moments to “break them open” together – what are they saying to us now, in this room, as we hear them today or tonight? While the Year of Grace is not “event driven”, there will be some liturgies and celebrations planned to take place during the twelve-month period. In these we will be encouraged, among other things, to reflect on our failures and sins as a community of believers, but also on the gifts and blessings (the “Grace”) that God has given to us. You’ll hear more about it in the coming months. Stay tuned! the needs of you, God’s faithful people, in bringing the peace and good news of Jesus Christ to our nation. Pope Benedict XVI has also proclaimed a Year of Faith for the whole Church, to begin on 11 October 2012, the fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council. We are confident that, with grace leading to faith, and faith responding to grace, the Year of Faith and our Year of Grace will complement each other. We recognise, firstly, God’s abundant blessings to us. You will know many of these in your own lives. We have seen them, too, in large public celebrations such as World Youth Day in Sydney and the Canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Margaret Mary Flynn is co-ordinating a Year of Grace in the Sandhurst Diocese from Pentecost 2012 until Pentecost 2013. Margaret Mary will be distributing resources throughout parishes to assist parishioners to join with the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference in ‘Starting afresh from Christ’. She said she is hoping for a contact person or group from every parish, school and church organisation. If you can help, please contact Margaret Mary at the Chancery, (03) 5441 2544. We also acknowledge with sadness that we are a Church in need of healing. There are many wounds – most especially the wounds of abuse which have left not only those abused but the whole Church in need of healing. There is also the struggle to defend the dignity of the first Australians and those who come as migrants and refugees to our shores. We need to extend the hand of friendship to those of other nations and faiths and to be good stewards of the created world. Most deeply, we desire for the light of Christ to burn more brightly in the heart of each Australian. As Bishops, we asked ourselves where we can turn with so many issues confronting us. Our response in faith is to start afresh from Christ. We make this call, firstly and most urgently, to ourselves as Bishops. We are resolved, in the words of Pope John Paul II, to contemplate the face of Christ. Both these phrases come from his Apostolic Letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte (At the Beginning of the New Millennium), and we use this Letter as our guide and inspiration. As we address this challenge to ourselves, we invite you to walk this journey with us in hope. We commit ourselves to pray daily, seeking the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves to repent for the areas in which we have failed, individually and together, seeking healing and renewal through the grace of Christ’s forgiveness. We commit ourselves to the path of holiness, cultivating the many gifts of the Spirit and seeking to grow as disciples of Jesus. We entrust this year to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through this renewed commitment, we are confident that the Church in Australia will be transformed by the power of Christ’s resurrection in our lives. Planning has already begun in every diocese in the country, so that the Catholics of this nation may respond to this fresh invitation to “contemplate the face of Christ”. We invite you to join us in this journey of prayer so that this “Pentecost” year will be for our nation and all Australians truly a “year of grace”. Your brother in Christ, Archbishop Philip E Wilson, President, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Co-ordinator appointed Looking for a GETAWAY ? Then Feathertop Chalet is the perfect venue for you • Lodge style accommodation, with ensuite in every room. • Offer Dinner, Bed & Breakfast packages for individual families and groups. • Self catering option available. • Perfect venue for families, reunions, recreational interest groups, functions & conferences. • Calming setting nestled on the banks of the Ovens River. A venue for all seasons Facilities include: • Indoor Heated Swimming Pool • Tennis Courts • Conference Centre • Dining Room & Bar • On-site Ski Hire Outlet • ½ court Basketball Court • Indoor Games Hall • Barbeque/Picnic Area • Mini Golf Feathertop Chalet Harrietville Website: www.feathertopchalet.com.au Phone: 03 5759 2688 - Fax: 03 5759 2690 Email: reservations.feathertop@westnet.com.au Address: 22 Bon Accord Track, Harrietville 3741 Providing counselling and family support services for couples, families and individuals throughout the diocese Appointments/Enquiries phone: Bendigo 03 5438 1300 Echuca 03 5438 1300 Shepparton 035831 4699 Wodonga 02 6056 1861 Wedderburn 02 5494 3798 50th anniversary commemorative items St John of God Hospital Bendigo (formerly Mt Alvernia) celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. We have for sale: • Engraved glasses $10 each • Commemorative plates $25 • 2012 quality calendars $15 (postage extra) Details/pics www.sjog.org.au/bendigo To order please email info.bendigo@sjog.org.au or phone 5434-3255 Hospitality Compassion Respect Justice Excellence www.sjog.org.au
December 2011 News www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 7 CentaCare welcomes new members Farewell to Adrian Monsignor Frank Marriott pictured with CentaCare Board members Paul Kirkpatrick, Paul Fogarty (Director of CentaCare), Paul White, Anna Tuck (Chairperson) and Jenni Kennedy. BENDIGO – Monsignor Frank Marriott welcomed CentaCare’s new board members at an induction meeting held at the Chancery on Monday, November 14. New board members Paul Kirkpatrick, Paul White and Jenni Kennedy were joined by chairperson Anna Tuck and director of CentaCare Mr Paul Fogarty. The new board members said they were delighted to be part of the Centa- Care Board and looked forward to supporting staff and management during their three-year term. Monsignor Frank thanked the new members for their commitment to CentaCare and acknowledged past and present board members for the role they have played in the growth of CentaCare over the past 25 years. By Jenni Kennedy Catholic Education Office, Bendigo BENDIGO – After 12 years as chairperson of the CentaCare Board of Management, Adrian Sexton has announced his retirement, marking the end of an outstanding era of service. Adrian was farewelled by fellow board members at a dinner held in his honour on Tuesday November 15, in Bendigo. For more than a decade Adrian (pictured) has led the CentaCare Board with distinction, helping to establish the non-profit organisation as a leader in the field of social service and wellbeing throughout Central, Northern and North Eastern Victoria. Adrian was appointed to the role of chairman in 1999 by Bishop Noel Daly after completing 20 years as Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst. Adrian has brought many exceptional qualities to his role as chairperson including a strong sense of social justice. Adrian is a champion for the disadvantaged and has a deep understanding of the needs of families in regional Victoria. Director of CentaCare Mr Paul Fogarty said that Adrian has been an enthusiastic and valuable member of the CentaCare team. “Adrian will be remembered for his dedication to the work of CentaCare, through his presence with staff and his enthusiasm for and praise of CentaCare’s services,” he said. “Adrian’s driving energy for projects to be completed, such as office accommodation in Bendigo and Shepparton, and the Holiday Respite Care Camp Programs for the young disabled and their families will be part of his legacy to CentaCare.” The CentaCare community acknowledges Adrian’s outstanding generosity and commitment to the social services industry, ensuring the future of CentaCare and the ongoing support for families across the region. As we all know kids will be kids and accidents happen. Our personal accident insurance covers children 24/7, wherever they may be – at home, school, even on the sports field. There is no excess and it can provide a buffer between medical expenses and health insurance rebates. For the full list of benefits, see the product disclosure statement available from us. Call 1300 655 003 or visit www.catholicinsurances.com.au * * $32 per kid, per year inclusive of GST and statutory charges. Prices based on a policy with one insured person. This Insurance is underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited (Allianz) ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 and is arranged by Catholic Church Insurances Limited ABN 76 000 005 210 AFSL 235415, 485 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, as a promoter for Allianz. A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for insurance products can be requested by calling 1300 655 003; or online from www.catholicinsurances.com.au. Any advice here does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs, which you should consider before acting on any recommendations. You should read and consider the PDS before deciding whether to acquire any products mentioned. If you purchase this insurance, Catholic Church Insurances will receive commission on these insurance products as a percentage of the premium paid for each policy. Ask us for more details before we provide you with any services on these products. CCI Sandpiper Ad Mar2011.indd 1 17/03/2011 3:50:43 PM
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