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By Lauren Bierer  Over recent months I’ve found myself pondering the innate human longing for connection. Whether at school, work, the gym or within our own families, there’s a deep-seated desire for a place where we can authentically express ourselves without reservation. We seek out events and gatherings where we can unite over shared interests, be it music, sports, or other common passions, finding solace and connection within the crowd.
Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and author, says in her book, Daring Greatly, that connection is the reason we’re here. She writes that we are ‘hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it, there is suffering.’
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By Simone Brosig  As Christians, it is our lifelong responsibility to strive to conform ourselves to Christ. The Church gives us the period of Lent as a time to concentrate more seriously on the practices that lead us to grow in discipleship and advance in the spiritual life.
1. Give up sin This is straightforward; if it’s wrong, don’t do it! Discipline in the small things makes us strong for when we face bigger challenges. This is a time to clear up the seemingly inconsequential but sinful habits that have crept into your life – the white lies, taking things nobody will notice, overindulging and spreading gossip. 2. Pray Prayer is a conversation that requires both speaking and listening. If you tend to talk more than you listen, try silent meditation or adoration. If you get distracted on your own, join the community for daily Mass or join a prayer or bible study group. Do you find yourself at a loss for words when it comes to prayer? Try memorisation – a Psalm or one of the Gospel canticles from the Liturgy of the Hours makes a scriptural prayer available to you at any time. By Orla Wright  With the approach of Good Friday, on which day we recall that our Saviour was nailed to the Cross, I felt it was my failings and sinfulness that caused Jesus’ crucifixion. Already at seven years of age, I was weighed down by guilt and a feeling of unworthiness. It took an adult understanding of the faith to realise that I am worthy of life and love, not by anything that I have done, but by the sacrifice made by Christ on my behalf and on behalf of all humanity. The complement to our mourning is gratitude; much is expected from us on account of how much God has given us! We give of ourselves out of what we have received from the Lord.
By Simone Brosig  Christmas card design by Evelyn Carlson, Year 6, Tenison Woods Catholic School, Richmond. While the secular Christmas season began in early November, the liturgical Christmas season doesn’t begin until the evening on December 24. One way you can extend the liturgical Christmas season into your domestic life is with the blessing of your home.
The ritual of blessing homes is connected to the Solemnity of the Epiphany that falls in Christmas season. Epiphany means ‘manifestation’, that moment when we suddenly understand something that previously was hidden. Three mysteries mark this holy day:
By Simone Brosig  The ministry known and loved for many years as the Office of Worship in the Archdiocese of Adelaide has been renamed Community Life and Worship.
The support people in our parishes, schools and communities have been accustomed to receive will still be available. The difference is that we have an explicit mandate to integrate liturgy and community life. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy described the liturgy as the summit and font of the Church. There is a constant flow of nourishment and power moving from the liturgy to the life of the community and back again to the celebration of the Eucharist. Our newly expanded team aims to provide accessible training and resources that will help people to implement practices that strengthen this relationship of mutuality between worship and community life. By Lauren Bierer  The Archdiocesan Pastoral Services Team recently hosted a retreat at the Henley Beach parish hall for liturgical musicians. An invitation to take time in prayer, reflection, and renewal in the company of other musicians.
The day was led by David and Emma Kruse, who work for the Brisbane Archdiocesan Office for Evangelisation. In 2022, the Kruses launched Enemy Love Records as a platform to produce and promote high quality Catholic music and to support a ministry to musicians and artists. The retreat brought together choir members, professional musicians, cantors, guitarists and accompanists who volunteer their time and talent to their parish. There is a great need for those in the music ministry in our parishes to be renewing ourselves each year. Reflecting on the music we know, the music we’d like to introduce and what can be put on the shelf to rest for a while. The breadth of repertoire available to us can be equally a blessing and a hindrance; with beloved hymns and chant from long ago as well as new music continuously being created as our congregation evolves. By Kathy Horan  After attending two preparation sessions, 21 adult candidates from throughout the Archdiocese received the Sacrament of Confirmation recently. Of those, 16 candidates also received their first Communion during a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on Saturday July 29. Throughout the liturgical year we celebrate many feast days in honour of Mary, days that acknowledge important events in the life of Mary and Jesus, and in the early days of the Church. They remind us of many of the admirable qualities of Mary while also reminding us that Mary was an ordinary woman who placed her faith and trust in God at all times.
At the heart of our Catholic faith is Jesus Christ, born of Mary, at a particular moment in human history amid troublesome and challenging times. Luke’s Gospel gives us a glimpse of the extraordinary role of Mary in becoming Mother of Jesus and Mother of God. Mary is described as blessed among women, and the child she bore is also blessed. (Luke 1:42) In Luke’s account of the Annunciation, we hear that God looked with favour on Mary, and that she responded favourably and wholeheartedly to what God was asking of her. Mary’s close relationship with God resulted in her placing her trust in God’s words and responding: ‘Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ (1:38) By Kathy Horan  In our Christian story, down through the ages the idea of vocation is centred around the notions of being called to be, to listen and discern, and to respond by acting out of a particular view of life or context that is grounded in the life of Christ. Often in the past, the term ‘vocation’ was understood by many to refer to a particular calling to priesthood and religious life; these callings are still an important part of the Christian response to God, and they continue to be important expressions of vocation, or call and response to God, for today.
Following the Second Vatican Council, the Church reminded us that we are all called to the fullness of life and holiness in whatever role we undertake in life. Since the time of Jesus we have heard of many who were called by Jesus to ‘come and see’ what Jesus was on about. He called particular individuals to discipleship, including them in his ministry of hope, healing and liberation: a challenge to all of them to be willing to stand alongside the poor, the marginalised, the outcast. |
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Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide
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