When most people hear the word ‘Samaritan’, they think of The Good Samaritan, rather than the not-so-good one of today’s Gospel. At first glance the two are unconnected by anything but nationality.
19
Mar
2017
13
Mar
2017
BOOK LAUNCH OF CATHOLIC THEOLOGY BY PROF. TRACEY ROWLAND UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY
Thank you for those kind words of introduction Professor Ramsay. Vice Chancellor Celia Hammond, the newly arrived Dean of Philosophy Christian Brugger, my Auxiliary Bishop, Richard Umbers, colleagues and friends.
24
Feb
2017
HOMILY FOR ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD OF BR JOHN NGUYEN OFMCap – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
Last September the British photographer, Jim Grover, spent a day snapping people crossing Westminster Bridge: locals and visitors, adults and children.
22
Feb
2017
Homily for the Mass of Ordination to the Episcopate and Installation as the sixth Bishop of Lismore of Most Rev. Greg Homeming OCD – St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore, Feast of the Chair of St Peter
Some years ago I was praying in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, many metres below the putative chair we celebrate tonight, now suspended below the main window of the Holy Spirit. As she pointed at the sepulchre, a large black American lady asked if I knew what it was.
19
Feb
2017
HOMILY FOR 7TH SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME YEAR A + 40TH ANNIVERSARY ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH, ST MICHAEL’S PARISH, LANE COVE
Backed by a rendition of the 1988 song ‘It’s got to be perfect’ by British band Fairground Attraction, a current TV ad opens with a nappy-clad child rummaging through a woman’s handbag, removing a lipstick and using it to
draw on a wall.
12
Feb
2017
HOMILY FOR 6th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME YEAR A + ROYAL COMMISSION – St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
This past week the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began its review of the overall performance of the Catholic Church in Australia in this area. And what has been revealed has already been harrowing.
06
Feb
2017
ARCHBISHOP ANTHONY FISHER OP PASTORAL MESSAGE IN RESPONSE TO THE BEGINNING OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION'S FINAL HEARING ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
My dear friends, The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has begun its final three-week review of the performance of the Catholic Church in Australia. And what has been revealed has already been harrowing.
05
Feb
2017
HOMILY FOR 5TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR A – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
The Word of God has converted hearts, transformed lives and inspired action in millions of people for two millennia and more. It has also played a major role in shaping our language and culture, and so our thinking and communication; the King James Bible stands with Shakespeare as the two principal sources of modern English.
25
Dec
2016
HOMILY FOR THE MIDNIGHT MASS OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
What sound most moves us? A natural one such as a thunder-clap, rain on a tin roof, or a kookaburra’s laugh? Or a more human sound, such as the weeping of a well-played violin or of those who must listen to one being played badly? A siren racing a patient to hospital?
25
Dec
2016
HOMILY FOR THE MASS DURING THE DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
What sound most moves us? A natural one such as a thunder-clap, rain on a tin roof, or a kookaburra’s laugh? Or a more human sound, such as the weeping of a well-played violin or of those who must listen to one being played badly?
