Dear All,
There is a lot afoot in preparation for World Youth Day. I have included below a link to Bec's blog – one of our pilgrims, the WYD song in sign language, pray-as-you go reflections for WYD and the WYD preparation prayer.
We also had an incredibly inspiring 22 year-old speaker at the Diocesan Assembly this year – Maddie Kelly. Her TED talk has just been released on Youtube and is well worth a watch, see below. There is a video with Fr Rob Galea interviewing Lady Gaga and a fantastic reflection for youth in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, shared by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Finally, I am inspired today by a short quote from Patrick Kavanagh: "God is in the bits and pieces of Everyday – a kiss here and a laugh again, and sometimes tears, a pearl necklace around the neck of poverty." A beautiful upcoming piece of 'everyday' is the chance for each parish, agency, school and ministry to participate in a tree-planting, as a Memorial for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. This is a small action, but meaningful and life-giving, for humans and our entire creation. Together, as our actions add up, we create a pearl necklace of mercy.
In Peace,
Elizabeth
|
|
|
Upcoming youth-led Masses:
|
|
Whyalla 12th June, Our Lady's 5:30pm
With commissioning for World Youth Day pilgrims
Port Augusta 26th June, 10:30am
|
|
|
|
Did you know Lady Gaga was Catholic?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reflections on the Jubilee Year of Mercy
|
|
|
|
|
|
Permanent Memorial-Jubilee Year of Mercy
|
|
POPE Francis has asked Catholic dioceses around the world to set up a permanent memorial of the Year of Mercy.
It’s a new and sizeable challenge, but also offers a unique opportunity to meet the needs we see around us.
“As a reminder, a ‘monument’ let’s say, to this Year of Mercy, how beautiful it would be if in every diocese there were a structural work of mercy.
The more one receives mercy, Pope Francis said at the vigil April 2, “the more we are called to share it with others; it cannot be kept hidden or kept only for ourselves”.
God’s mercy should drive people to love others, “recognising the face of Jesus Christ above all in those who are most distant, weak, alone, confused and marginalised”, he said.
Across the diocese, it’s evident the ideas are ripe, the good works are here in abundance, and in many cases already underway. …
How could the Diocese of Port Pirie best respond to the Holy Father’s request in ways that are simple, doable and cost next to nothing?
What collaborative action could we undertake to respond to a need in our diocese and meet Pope Francis’ vision?
Project Proposal from Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting 30.4.16
'A merciful response to the cry of the earth'
In the spirit of Caring for our Common Home (Laudato Si), as well as 'hearing the cry of the poor' we should also ‘hear the cry of earth' (Laudato Si #49). We could make this effort to redress the destruction of habitat that continues to drastically reduce plant and animal diversity within our eco-system.
Parishes, church agencies, schools, communities, families … within the diocese are invited to plant a tree or trees (or an avenue or a woodlot) as a Memorial of the Year of Mercy.
An invitation is issued to select a tree or trees appropriate to your local area, select and prepare a site and have enough persons to ensure it is nurtured/watered until it is established over this autumn and winter period and especially during summers for 2-3 years. The idea is to have community involvement and for it not to be left to the parish priest to ensure the survival of the tree for instance! There are sure to be expert gardeners to give advice.
Email photos of planting your Monument of Mercy to Bernadette bwauchope@pp.catholic.org.au and they will be uploaded to the Webpage and featured in the next edition of The Witness
Click the links below for more information
Information Sheet
Poster
|
|
|
|
|
Bec Corcoran, from Whyalla, has started a blog to share with you her World Youth Day pilgrimage. Follow her here: 
Hear Maddie Kelly talk about the Japanese concept of Kintsukuroi – repairing broken pottery – and discover some wisdom for life: 
Did you know Lady Gaga was Catholic? Learn a bit more about the power of Jesus in her life, with comment from musical Sandhurst priest, Fr Rob Galea.
See and read some wonderful reflections on the Jubilee Year of Mercy from the Archbishop of Melbourne and young Catholics of the diocese. For the video, see 