receiver
receiver
receiver

Letter on the Synod of Bishops

Dear Parishioners

As I sit down to try to put a few thoughts together, I am still trying to gather myself after hearing the shocking news made public on Tuesday 26 February. It is true that through the international media many had been aware of Cardinal Pell’s conviction last December, yet I was not prepared for its publication today.

Since there is an appeal pending, not much can be said at this stage, as we wait for justice to take its full course. For those in our community who have personally experienced abuse, this news once again opens up old wounds. I empathise with all abuse victims and their families, and pray for them that they might be able to find some healing. If I can be of any assistance in offering a space where stories of abuse can be shared, I am happy to make myself available.

For Catholics, Cardinal Pell has not just been one of us, but also one of our leaders. We have heard of Cardinal Pell being accused of knowing about abuse by priests and not acting to prevent it, but today’s news has taken things to another level. Another one of our church leaders has been found guilty of sexual abuse against minors. Once again this gives rise to feelings of mistrust in the church we form part of. Can we still trust this institution which for so long has been so dear to us?

I have to admit I do not have an answer to these questions, I am struggling to make sense of things that are happening around us.

Allow me to humbly go back to a theme I have reflected upon a number of times. I still believe in a God of love as revealed to us in Jesus Christ, and I am very sure that my God is very angry at the abuse that has been carried out in his name. I am also aware that many of my sisters and brothers too hold on to their faith. This faith we all share is the bedrock of our community. As I struggle to make sense of what is happening around us, I still offer to be of service, as best as I can, to this community of faith.

I try to avoid to use the term ‘church’ and instead use more scriptural terms as ‘Body of Christ,’ ‘People of God,’ or ‘community of faith.’ I find it helpful to distinguish between our faith community and the institution that has been shown to be guilty of abuse.

I offer this reflection to you in the hope that it may help you make sense of events.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Fr Jude Pirotta mssp
Parish Priest

 

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Exemple

Dear parishioners, visitors and friends,

This Wednesday we celebrate Ash Wednesday, the start of the season of Lent, in preparation for the celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

In the early Church, public sinners were invited to perform public penance with prayer, fasting and acts of charity so that on Holy Thursday they were welcomed back into the community. The community journeyed with these sinners supporting them with fasting and prayer.

Over the past number of years, especially these last five years as the Royal Commission did its work, as a Church community in Australia we have been exposed to the most devastating stories of a large number of people who have suffered sexual abuse at the hand of priests, religious and lay people; those who had the duty to respect and protect our vulnerable children.

Lent is another opportunity for us as a Catholic community to pray in support of all victims of sex abuse, and their families. As we meditate on the sufferings of Jesus, we associate with the pain endured by these brothers and sisters. We pray in hope that God may help these victims of sex abuse find within themselves a space of healing.

Some laws have already been passed and both as Church and as parish community we are becoming more aware of the need to protect those who are vulnerable in our community. Perhaps one the ‘acts of charity’ that we can perform this Lent is to offer both support to victims of abuse, and also to continue discovering how better to offer protection to children and vulnerable adults in our midst.

Thank you,

Fr Jude

 

To make this Lent a more meaningful time, consider taking part in any of the following available at our Parish:

The Way of the Cross: During Lent, time to reflect on the Stations of the Cross will be every Friday from this Fri 16 Feb at 7:30pm in the Church.

Project Compassion: Project Compassion promotes peace by pursuing justice. Please take home a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes available in the Narthex this weekend and return by Holy Thursday.

Paulist Missionary Sponsorship: For $5 per month, you can help with the wellbeing and education of children in Pakistan, Peru and the Philippines. Brochures available this weekend.

 

 

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AMORIS LAETITIA OPENS THE WAY TO HOLY COMMUNION FOR DIVORCED AND REMARRIEDS.  Sean Smith in the Tablet, 08 April 2016
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/5396/0/amoris-laetitia-opens-the-way-to-holy-communion-for-divorced-and-remarrieds


Top Ten Takeaways from “Amoris Laetitia”. James Martin sj in America, 08 April 2016
http://www.americamagazine.org/issue/top-ten-takeaways-amoris-laetitia


‘Amoris Laetitia’: Start with Chapter 4. Thomas Reese sj in National Catholic Reporter 08  April 2016
http://ncronline.org/blogs/faith-and-justice/amoris-laetitia-start-chapter-4


‘Amoris Laetitia’: Francis challenges the church. Michael Sean Winters  in National Catholic Reporter 07 April 2016
http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/amoris-laetitia-francis-challenges-church

Download Summary: Amoris Laetitia Summary

Download the whole document: Amoris Laetitia

 

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