The Living Church
Melbourne's Tapestry of Faith
On Sunday 1 April, catechists from the South Sudanese Catholic Community were formally commissioned in their role by Bishop Vincent Long. Filling St Patrick's Cathedral with their vibrant singing and dancing, it was truly a significant moment for the community gathered. In his remarks, Bishop Long encouraged the catechists to be bold in undertaking their mission and thanked them for adding vibrancy and a strong witness to the 'tapestry' that is Melbourne's faith community.
Click on the thumbnails below to view photos from the day.
Sudanese Catechists of the Archdiocese of Melbourne
Over a series of Saturdays in February and March 2012, the Archbishop’s Office for Evangelisation facilitated a program to officially recognise 11 Sudanese Catechists in the work they undertake in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Arriving in Australia over the last ten years, these men and women trained as Catechists and worked in parishes of South Sudan during the long civil war, often in the absence of the priest. Some have worked as Catechists in refugee camps and in church communities in Egypt, Kenya and Uganda, before resettling in Australia.
The Catechists work voluntarily with the Sudanese Catholic community in Melbourne and undertake activities such as: sacramental preparation; supporting Sudanese masses; Liturgy of the Word in homes; helping organise and performing in choirs; and participating in memorial services. Their work also extends to home visitation; family counselling; and helping with resettlement issues for newcomers.
The Catechists work in the following parishes of Melbourne and beyond: St Albans; St Albans South; Werribee; Fitzroy; Dandenong; Sunshine; Melton; Noble Park; Bendigo; Shepparton and Castlemaine.
A Commissioning Mass will take place on Sunday 1 April at 3.00pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral as a celebration of the contribution these men and women make to their communities and the life of the Church in Melbourne.
Click on the thumbnails below to view photos from the sessions.
St Therese's Recommences Club Red
Br Mark O'Connor FMS reflects on the example of faith in action shown by the parish and school community of St Therese's, Essendon in recommencing their blood donor group, Club Red.
In the Eucharist, Christ gives us his very own body and blood. That is why the Catholic celebration of the Eucharist is the summit of our lives. It makes possible our recognition that God has given us everything we need.
The Eucharist then not only is the proclamation of abundance, but it is the enactment of abundance. In the Eucharist we discover that we cannot use Christ up. In the Eucharist we discover that the more the body and blood of Christ is shared, the more there is to be shared.
The Eucharist, therefore, is the way the Church learns to understand why generosity is at the heart of faith.
The parishioners and school community of St Therese's, Essendon take that call seriously. One remarkable example of their faith in action is their blood donor group, Club Red, which they recently recommenced. The group operated successfully for over 20 years but lapsed some time ago. On the weekend of 6 and 7 August, the parish incorporated blood donor registration into their weekend Masses - a wonderful act of living out the Eucharist in daily life.
We can give ourselves away because of the sacrifice of Jesus. St Therese's parishioners show us all how to live for others like Jesus, who urged us to give ourselves so that others may live.
For further information, contact St Therese's parish office: 93792039 or visit their website at www.saintthereses.com/mass-times
The YMG Movement
Young Men of God (YMG) is an Australian movement of 16-35 year old chippies, students, teachers, doctors, religious, single and married men from all walks of life who seek the fullness of life that only Jesus can give (John 10:10).
A Catholic men’s initiative, it was founded when like minds crossed paths. Fr Ken Barker, while praying in Assisi had a sense that there was a real need for an environment where young Catholic men could find peer support on their faith journey. Unbeknownst to Fr Ken, around the same time, a couple of lay blokes in Canberra were getting together for mid week Mass and games of touch footy. When their paths fortuitously crossed, the movement evolved. From humble beginnings, their desire for young Catholic men to be able to come together with other likeminded men trying to live the Gospel values was initiated.
Rather than taking young people out of their parishes, the movement is a valuable resource for empowering young men to be leaders in their respective families, parishes and communities and aims to simply connect them with others who are on the same journey.
Ten years on from those midweek masses and touch footy games the concept has spread and there are now gatherings that occur in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and beginning in Adelaide and Brisbane.
The YMG movement provides opportunities for young men to support and encourage each other by coming together for prayer and brotherhood fortnightly as well as holding annual camping and formation weekends each year.
For the past five years there has also been a national YMG conference held in October with blokes from all over Australia coming together for a weekend in Sydney. The program involves prayer, inspiring talks, brotherhood and sport. These formal initiatives energise and encourage the guys involved so that the real work can be done in their own families, parishes and workplaces.
Luke O’Connnor, originally from Canberra, a builder, husband, father of three and one of the founding members of this initiative now lives in Melbourne with his family. When asked about YMG and what it means to him he says, “It is an incredible blessing for young men to be able to come together and share their faith. In today’s society there are many mixed messages put out there for young men and almost an unrealistic view of what it means to be a man. The media has changed the complete view of what a man is and what we should be. YMG allows all men to come as they are and share their faith and lives. True brotherhood in Christ allows us to be “REAL” Men of God; YMG gives us an opportunity to do that.”
In essence YMG provides a peer support structure for everyday Catholic men that can fit around their busy lives. It is hoped that the involvement of young men will not only encourage and inspire them on their faith journey through the support that is received from their peers but they will also be challenged to ‘rise up’ and live lives that reflect the bold and courageous message of Christ.
YMG have a formation weekend coming up in July. For more information visit the Young Men of God Movement website
