Hartbeat

The vocation of the theologian

Volume 18, Issue 21

“Among the vocations awakened in this way by the Spirit in the Church is that of the theologian.”
(Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian, 1990).

In recent months I have sought to draw our attention to some of the Christian vocations by focusing particularly on God’s call to the priesthood, God’s call to religious life, God’s call to be a Catholic teacher and (above all) God’s call to each of us that we should be holy – that we should be saints.

Anonymous saints?

Volume 18, Issue 20

The face of Mother Teresa must be one of the most recognisable in the world. Despite the fact that she has only recently been beatified and has yet to be canonised, she is the most familiar of all the Church’s ‘official’ saints.

It is estimated that there have been over 10,000 saints who have been officially recognised by the Church. 

All the faithful for all the world - World Mission Sunday

Volume 18, Issue 19 

There is a striking story in the Scriptures about the generosity of a widow who gave hospitality to the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17). Because of a severe drought, the widow had only a little oil and flour left for herself and her son. Yet Elijah asked for her to make some cakes for him from what little she had. She made the cakes, and discovered that for as long as the drought lasted, neither the flour nor the oil ran out.

In the Gospel of St Luke (Chapter 21), Jesus remarks upon the faith of the widow who “gave all she had” to the temple treasury, even though that was only two small coins.

Days in the Dioceses: Get involved now!

Volume 18, Issue 18

It is only eight months away, and I am excited by the plans that are in place for the Melbourne
‘Days in the Dioceses’. From Thursday 10 July to Sunday 13 July, 2008, the Melbourne Archdiocese will host an estimated 25,000 international pilgrims, aged between 16 and 35, from more than 150 nations around the world, on their way to World Youth Day (WYD) in Sydney.

The vocation of a Catholic teacher

Volume 18, Issue 17

This year the Catholic Education Office of the Archdiocese of Melbourne is celebrating it’s 75th anniversary. In 1932 Archbishop Daniel Mannix appointed Fr Matthew Beovich as the first Director of Catholic Education. Fr Beovich later became Archbishop of Adelaide (1939 to 1971) and attended the Second
Vatican Council.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you

Volume 18, Issue 16

The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 8 September

The central article of our Catholic faith is the paschal mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. Yet such is our Catholic understanding of history that we do not isolate historical events from one another, but see in them the continuous providence of God, who pre-ordains all to happen according to his will.

The biblical apostolate

Volume 18, Issue 15

The 12th Synod of Bishops in 2008 will take up the theme:
‘The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church.’ The Holy See has issued the ‘Lineamenta’ (‘outline’). This is the fourth in a series of Hartbeat columns focussing on the Lineamenta.

Scripture at the Heart of the Church

Volume 18, Issue 13

Continuing our reflection on the Word of God (using the Lineamenta for the 12th Synod of Bishops taking place in 2008,) we move now to the matter of the Sacred Scripture itself, and we ask ourselves: What place does the Scripture have in the Church – and specifically in the Archdiocese of Melbourne?

The Lineamenta (available for reading on the Vatican website) poses some questions for the Bishops. Among these are:
•    What is the faithful's approach to Sacred Scripture in liturgical and personal prayer?
•    What is their understanding of the relationship between the Word celebrated in the Eucharist and the everyday life of the Christian?
•    What is the impact of Sacred Scripture in the spiritual lives of the People of God?
•    How are various groups (children, adolescents, young people and adults) introduced to the Bible?

 

Listening to the Word of God

Volume 18, Issue 12 

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church’s life and mission. Participation in the Eucharist is the most profound encounter with Christ possible here in this life. Yet in making this statement, we cannot overlook the fact that the Church is born and lives by the Word of God.

Strengthen you brothers: the ministry of Peter

Volume 18, Issue 11 

Each year, on the 29th of June, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul. The Gospels for this day focus on the ministry of Peter. At the Vigil Mass we read about Peter’s great commission from the Lord from the Gospel of St John: “Feed my sheep.” (Jn 21:16) At the Mass for the day, we read the famous promise of our Lord to Peter from the Gospel of St Matthew: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.” (Mt 16:18)

Of course, as Catholics, we are well aware that this commission and promise applied not only to Peter himself, but to his successors in the Church, the bishops of Rome.