Dear All,
It has been a few weeks since I sent the last e-news, as last week I spent with my family, and presenting talks and workshops at Tenison Woods College in Mount Gambier, my old school. It was inspiring to meet the students who were very friendly and welcoming, particularly those who came over to claim common heritage in our primary school Mary MacKillop Memorial. I also got to visit Dan and Angelique Royals' beautiful new baby, Alice Jane. Dan, who grew up in Port Augusta, has been integral to youth ministry in the diocese and now teaches at Tenison Woods.
This weekend we vote for the leaders of our country, but as Catholics we vote for the voiceless, for the wellbeing and life of this land and all who dwell in it. Keep in your prayers, also, the 7 pilgrims who prepare to head off to World Youth Day in July. It certainly promises to be a time of community, faith development and new experiences as we join the Adelaide Archdiocese in a journey of a lifetime.
In Peace,
Elizabeth
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Prayer for the Election from the Bishops of Australia (abridged)
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Holy God, at the dawn of time you fashioned the world and set it on its course. In the fullness of time your Son took flesh and sowed the seeds of a new order, and day by day your Spirit works to bring to birth your realm of mercy, justice and peace.
We give you thanks for Australia, the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. In this Spirit we pray for our land and all its people as the nation prepares to elect a new Federal Parliament.
We especially remember refugees and asylum seekers, indigenous peoples, survivors of sexual abuse, those who suffer family violence, those in the womb, the elderly, those suffering mental illness, those suffering addiction, those entrapped in new forms of slavery and the desperately poor beyond our shores.
We hold before you the whole of our world, both social and natural. We pray for a healthy society in which marriage and family life is respected and supported.
We pray for the earth our home – the land on which we dwell, the air we breathe, the water we drink – that creation’s cry for healing and care is heard.
Bless all who are elected to serve the nation; may the wisdom and courage of the Holy Spirit guide them to govern for the good of all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
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Upcoming youth-led Masses:
Port Augusta 2nd July, 6:30pm
Whyalla 3rd July, Our Lady's 5:30pm
Four of the World Youth Day pilgrims had a very special long weekend as we celebrated a youth-led Mass, were commissioned by Whyalla students and then spent a morning of personal and practical preparation. We finished off the time with lunch and walk around Wild Dog Hill (see picture).
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FOLLOW, FOOD AND FRIENDS-Pt Augusta
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Follow, Food and Friends is a group of young adults from the parish that has been meeting every fortnight in Port Augusta to discuss all manner of issues, such as faith and politics, loss and grief, love and family, and the term 'catholic' in the creed. We had been meeting each time at a different pub or restaurant but have now begun to meet in homes for a quieter and more comfortable environment. Each session is led by one of the participants who prepares the topic and discussion questions. Now we are meeting in homes, food is homemade and we usually have enough for an army! This week was led by Keshi, who got us talking about faith and the environment. We started the night by planting a local native tree in front of Kevin's house, where all seven of us contributed to lighting, digging, watering, and fertilising. This tree was part of Bishop Greg's initiative for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, for us to contribute to revegetating our depleted environment. Thank you very much to Kevin and we hope that this small action can contribute to the vision of Laudato Si.
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ATSI Sunday 3rd July 2016
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples live the name of mercy in their lives
This material is prepared to promote Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sunday on 3 July 2016
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples so often live the name of mercy in their lives, Bishop Christopher Saunders stated as he launched the annual statement to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday on 3 July.
‘The peoples of Australia’s First Nations are famously resilient and in their own words they are survivors. Notwithstanding the vagaries of government policy or the faulty efforts at work to close the gap, or the dreadful prejudices evident in racist attitudes so notoriously on display even in the public forum in recent times, Aboriginal and Islander Peoples so often live the name of mercy in their lives.’
Representing the Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (BCATSIP), Bishop Saunders also launched a new brochure ‘Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners 2016’ as a guide for parishes and Catholic organisations to use when hosting an event or service.
The theme of this year’s statement is how We Need Mercy. ‘Pope Francis tells us that humanity is deeply wounded and for this reason is in need of mercy, a mercy proclaimed by God and tenderly shared among people.’
‘The word “encounter” used so frequently by Francis demonstrates that the Mercy proclaimed in this Jubilee Year is not a one-way street. Our meeting with Christ Francis tells us is authentically an encounter.
‘It is an exchange in which the outpouring of a generous love made present in Christ evokes in us a loving response, given freely and generously.
‘In the merciful love we experience in this Godly encounter we have the opportunity to embrace those around us who perhaps are not coping or who are weighed down with the terrible disappointments of life.
‘The Church we belong to, Francis tells us, is a “field hospital”, which serves people in need of healing. However, it is each of us singularly and all of us collectively who are capable of being ministers to our brothers and sisters in need. And there-in lies the challenge.’
Praying for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Bishop Saunders asked that ‘in their prayers and in their loving communion may they continue to enrich the Church in Australia so that it will be fully the Church that Jesus Christ wants her to be’.
As we celebrate this Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday in 2016, so we might echo with one voice the thoughts in psalm 66: ‘Let The Earth Cry Out To God With Joy And Compassion For All’.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) in partnership with BCATSIP have created a parish kit to celebrate ASTI Sunday.
BCATSIP is also distributing copies of the ‘Welcome to Country’ DL brochure for parishes to use.
Media queries, Aoife Connors on 0450 348 597 or media@catholic.org.au
For the ATSI Sunday Statement and other resources Click here
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Special Announcement Adelaide Archdiocese
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Welcome Peter Bierer!
The Archdiocese is pleased to announce that the new Coordinator for the Catholic Office for Youth and Young Adults (COYYA) will be Peter Bierer.
Peter has many years’ experience in youth ministry in the USA. Peter is an accomplished musician and composer, talents which he integrates into his youth ministry.
Peter will take up his new role in the next few months once his visa application comes through. In the meantime, interim arrangements are being put into place for Belinda Maric and James Meston to offer COYYA services with the support of the Catholic Education Office.
Further information about Peter and his ministry is available at www.peterbierer.com
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Check out all the XT3 resources, including Live Streaming of the World Youth Day main events at 