They’ve been dark times of late. The world has recoiled at the invasion of a free nation by a bully power, and at the numbers dead, damaged or driven out. Closer to home we’ve had bush-fires, floods, mice, COVID. Lockdowns and other public health measures have taken their toll psychologically, educationally and financially.
Listening has been a particular theme of Pope Francis’ pontificate. Amidst the information overload and polarisations of modernity, and while promoting a more synodal Church, the Holy Father has regularly called us to listen more closely to what God and His people are saying. He begins his message for next month’s World Communications Day[ii] with the deep human need to be heard …
Not too far from the Colosseum and Forum, at the summit of the ancient Via Sacra or Holy Street in Rome, stands a 15-metre-high arch. Â The marble monument was constructed in 71 AD by the Emperor Domitian to commemorate a victory, the year before, of his older brother …
One of the best-selling non-fiction books of recent years has been Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote for Chaos. Since its release in 2018, 12 Rules has sold over 5 million copies world-wide and propelled its author to pop-star status amongst cultural influencers and life coaches.
I welcome you all to Cathedral House this evening to celebrate our twelfth annual Iftar dinner. Can I say how pleasing it is for us all to be together, as representatives of our respective faiths, for a night of food, faith and friendship. I salute Dr Lisa Buxton, representing First Australians and directing our Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. With her I acknowledge the elders past and present of the Cadigal clan of the Eora nation …
Old guys like me tend to ask younger people the same question. Not: do you prefer the Marvel universe or DC? Not: what’s your favourite team / fast food / dating app? Not: what’s your university, Netflix or Stan? Not even: what’s your religion, Apple or Android?
In 1971 Japanese salesman Goro Hasegawa rebooted a popular nineteenth century board-game with the new name Othello, in homage to its black-and-white discs. Two players take turns laying down their counters on an 8×8 squared board; when one surrounds the other’s disc it is ‘captured’ by being turned over as the other colour …
On the first Saturday of each month men are gathering all around the world in growing numbers to pray the rosary in public. The message of Our Lady of Fatima to pray for world peace is gaining huge traction amongst men to lead the charge and the men of Sydney are answering the call. The first Men’s Rosary Crusade had 30 men in attendance, the second on February 5 had 60 …
St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, 20 March 2022 At a recent meeting with some very impressive young school leaders I was asked why God allows innocent people like those in Ukraine to suffer. The question was heart-felt and others may have had other examples of innocent suffering on their minds, such as the victims of Australia’s […]
Late last year Netflix aired a documentary, 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible, that told the story of Nirmal Purja, known to his friends as ‘Nims’. A former Gurkha turned mountaineer, on 23 April 2019 he climbed Annapurna, the deadliest mountain in the world.
On Saturday February 19 thirty men came together from 9am for Mass with Bishop Terry Brady followed by a hearty breakfast of bacon n eggs, sausages and onions. After breakfast Peter Holmes gave a talk on authentic masculinity where he shared his ongoing journey to do God’s will irrespective of what others think of you or what the world may be offering.
Very Rev. Archpresbyter Simon Ckuj, Vicar-General of His Excellency the Most Rev. Eparchial Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR and Parish Priest of St Andrew’s; my brother priests; distinguished guests including Hon. Tony Burke MP, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and others; dear parishioners and friends of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Ukrainian community:
Part of being human is experiencing fear and anxiety. From a very early age, we recognise that some things are a threat to us and even the thought of them can make us tremble. When fears become phobias they can be quite irrational and controlling.
In 1988 two brothers, Thomas and John Knoll, created a computer programme that would be so widely used that thirty-plus years later the noun has become a verb and describes an activity no matter what app is used. Photoshop was originally intended for graphic designers, but it’s now well and truly mainstream.
St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, 27 February 2022 Archdiocese of Sydney · Homily for Solemn Pontifical Mass of the 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C How deceitful words can be and how empty. Many would say this of the recent propaganda of the Russian President and of the huffing and puffing of world leaders. Only […]
