LMF - RCIA

My name is Evelyn Hasana. I’m 24 and I’m from Indonesia. I moved here to Australia when I was 16 for my studies and I’ve been here for seven years now. I was born into a very strong Protestant family and I’ve always felt close to God As a Protestant, whenever I met a Catholic […]

On Sunday 9 March at St Mary’s Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Sydney welcomed a record 384 catechumens and candidates at the annual Rite of Election—a 30 per cent increase in converts from the previous year.  They were accompanied by 310 godparents and sponsors from 54 parishes, swelling the congregation to more than a thousand in […]

On Sunday 9 March at St Mary’s Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Sydney welcomed a record 384 catechumens and candidates at the annual Rite of Election—a 30 per cent increase in converts from the previous year.  They were accompanied by 310 godparents and sponsors from 54 parishes, swelling the congregation to more than a thousand in […]

As the Archdiocese of Sydney joyfully prepares to welcome nearly 380 converts and catechumens into the faith on 9 March, at the Rite of Election, The Catholic Weekly celebrates by sharing just some of the stories emerging from our parishes. This week, we discover two profound connections formed within the communities of All Saints in […]

As the Archdiocese of Sydney joyfully prepares to welcome nearly 380 converts and catechumens into the faith on 9 March, at the Rite of Election, The Catholic Weekly celebrates by sharing just some of the stories emerging from our parishes. This week, we discover two profound connections formed within the communities of All Saints in […]

On 9 March, the Archdiocese of Sydney joyfully embraces a remarkable milestone, welcoming a record 380 converts and catechumens into the church at the Rite of Election. The RCIA program prepares new Catholics to be received sacramentally into the church and the Rite of Election marks a more intense preparation period, during which the “elect” […]

On 9 March, the Archdiocese of Sydney joyfully embraces a remarkable milestone, welcoming a record 380 converts and catechumens into the church at the Rite of Election. The RCIA program prepares new Catholics to be received sacramentally into the church and the Rite of Election marks a more intense preparation period, during which the “elect” […]

Photo credit: Alphonsus Fok At the Paschal Eucharist mass on 21 April, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP joyfully described the “bumper crop” of 250 new Catholics as “international stars,” relaying news that this year’s record number of new Catholics had made global headlines. In what Archbishop Fisher called “great news for our city”, the Archdiocese of […]

Photo credit: Alphonsus Fok At the Paschal Eucharist mass on 21 April, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP joyfully described the “bumper crop” of 250 new Catholics as “international stars,” relaying news that this year’s record number of new Catholics had made global headlines. In what Archbishop Fisher called “great news for our city”, the Archdiocese of […]

Priska Surantono began her five-year journey to Catholicism after hearing a voice while in Mecca. Photo: Alphonsus Fok Come to me, you are my child Priska Surantono’s 5-year journey to Catholicism began in the most unlikely of places—Mecca. In July 2019 she made the Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, known as Umrah, where adherents come […]

Priska Surantono began her five-year journey to Catholicism after hearing a voice while in Mecca. Photo: Alphonsus Fok Come to me, you are my child Priska Surantono’s 5-year journey to Catholicism began in the most unlikely of places—Mecca. In July 2019 she made the Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, known as Umrah, where adherents come […]

Parish representatives step forward with their books of the Elect, carrying the names of those who will become Catholics at Easter. Photo: Alphonsus Fok In his late teens, growing up in Malaysia, 25-year-old Ezekiel Ling kept a secret from his strict Lutheran Protestant parents. It wasn’t until the young medical student migrated to Australia that […]

Parish representatives step forward with their books of the Elect, carrying the names of those who will become Catholics at Easter. Photo: Alphonsus Fok In his late teens, growing up in Malaysia, 25-year-old Ezekiel Ling kept a secret from his strict Lutheran Protestant parents. It wasn’t until the young medical student migrated to Australia that […]

During the Rite of Election ceremonies in St Mary’s Cathedral on 26 February, candidates and catechumens were supported by both sponsors and godparents. Photo: Alphonsus Fok About 20 years ago when I was living in the UK, I remember browsing a hardcover annual Catholic directory published by the Catholic bishops’ conference. They had the numbers […]

During the Rite of Election ceremonies in St Mary’s Cathedral on 26 February, candidates and catechumens were supported by both sponsors and godparents. Photo: Alphonsus Fok About 20 years ago when I was living in the UK, I remember browsing a hardcover annual Catholic directory published by the Catholic bishops’ conference. They had the numbers […]

During the Rite of Election ceremonies in St Mary’s Cathedral on 26 February, candidates and catechumens were supported by both sponsors and godparents. Photo: Alphonsus Fok About 20 years ago when I was living in the UK, I remember browsing a hardcover annual Catholic directory published by the Catholic bishops’ conference. They had the numbers […]

Police officer Nathan Kohutek, pictured at left of Bishop Daniel Meagher, with wife Lucy Kohutek was one of the new Catholics that attended the celebration. Photo: Alphonsus Fok When police officer Nathan Kohutek heads out on the beat each day, he now carries an extra layer of protection: the grace of God. The Liverpool general […]

Police officer Nathan Kohutek, pictured at left of Bishop Daniel Meagher, with wife Lucy Kohutek was one of the new Catholics that attended the celebration. Photo: Alphonsus Fok When police officer Nathan Kohutek heads out on the beat each day, he now carries an extra layer of protection: the grace of God. The Liverpool general […]

Ayla Casey (centre) joined by two other candidates being received into the Church at the Easter Vigil at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Photo: Giovanni Portelli. When Ayla Casey asked for a sign to let her know God is real, she didn’t expect it to be an actual sign. Early in her two-year journey from […]

Ayla Casey (centre) joined by two other candidates being received into the Church at the Easter Vigil at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Photo: Giovanni Portelli. When Ayla Casey asked for a sign to let her know God is real, she didn’t expect it to be an actual sign. Early in her two-year journey from […]

Bishop-Elect Danny told the gathering that one of the key challenges for sacramental coordinators was to structure their programs so that both parents and their children can both enter a closer encounter with Jesus. Photo: File Photo Sydney’s newly appointed Auxiliary Bishop, Danny Meagher has told an online gathering of sacramental coordinators, that they are […]

Charissa and Henry Tsoi with their children Akina, Karina and Ryland following the children’s baptisms at Kingsgrove. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok Tsoi family among dozens of new Catholics at Kingsgrove Civil engineer Henry Tsoi says that his pride in laying foundations for the city pales in comparison with the joy he has found in Jesus Christ. […]

An assistant RCIA coordinator at St Peter Chanel parish in Berala holds her parish’s Book of Elect, which contains the names of catechumens in her parish who will be baptised at Easter. PHOTO: Giovanni Portelli Many people across city seek to join the Church at Easter More than 600 people packed St Mary’s Cathedral last […]

Wearing white baptismal robes, catechumens are presented to Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP. PHOTO: Patrick J Lee Newcomers to the Church inspire with their determination These five Sydneysiders proudly number among Australia’s newest Catholics thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit and the people who have helped them along their faith journeys. The coronavirus pandemic […]