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Thursday 24 March 2016

MELBOURNE’S Archbishop Denis Hart has today spoken publicly on the recent bombings in Brussels, lamenting the loss of life and expressing his shock and sorrow.

Thursday 24 March 2016
Media and Communications Office

MELBOURNE’S Archbishop Denis Hart has today spoken publicly on the recent bombings in Brussels, lamenting the loss of life and expressing his shock and sorrow.

He said:

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the events that have occurred this week in Brussels.

The world looks on in disbelief at the appalling actions that have been perpetrated leaving more than 30 people dead and hundreds injured.

The suffering stretches to so many more people with families, friends and entire cities affected both psychologically and emotionally.

On behalf of all my brothers Bishops and Priests and all of the Catholic community of Melbourne, I pass on our sincere sympathies.

Let us ensure our prayers and thoughts are with the people of Brussels at this important time of Easter where we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Easter Blessings to you all.

Download the Archbishop’s statement in PDF form here

Source: Catholic News

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Tuesday 22 March 2016

THE MELBOURNE Passion play is in its 20th year and to commemorate this anniversary there are two performances of the play at Lake Ruffey Park in Doncaster. The first performance last Sunday was given to a huge crowd gathered under a blue autumn sky to witness the retelling of the story of the major incidents in Jesus’ life, culminating in his last week, his trial, passion, crucifixion and death. 

Tuesday 22 March 2016
Media and Communications Office

THE MELBOURNE Passion play is in its 20th year and to commemorate this anniversary there are two performances of the play at Lake Ruffey Park in Doncaster. The first performance last Sunday was given to a huge crowd gathered under a blue autumn sky to witness the retelling of the story of the major incidents in Jesus’ life, culminating in his last week, his trial, passion, crucifixion and death.

For the performance, the actors mingled with the audience to create the feeling that the audience themselves were a part of the story.

The play involved a large cast who all boasted authentic costumes which stood out marvellously against the natural backdrop of the park.

To make things a bit different from other years, this year Jesus is being played by two different actors. The next and final performance of the play is on Good Friday, 25 March at 10am, again at Ruffey Park (enter from King Street, off Church Road).

Source: Catholic News

Melbourne News

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Tuesday 22 March 2016
Media and Communications Office

The Lord God has anointed me and has sent me to bring the good News to the poor, to give them the oil of gladness. (Isaiah 61)

Every year Holy Week brings with it the Mass of the Holy Oils, or Chrism Mass, when the oils used for anointing the sick, anointing catechumens, and for Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination to the priesthood, are blessed.

This year’s Chrism Mass was held on Tuesday 22 March at St Patrick’s Cathedral. It was presided over by Archbishop Denis Hart and attended by more than 200 priests, as well as Bishops Joshua Mar Ignathios, Bishop of Marvelikara, in Kerala, India (of the Syro-Malankara rite). Peter Elliott, Vincent Long, Terry Curtin and Mark Edwards, Monsignor Greg Bennet, the Vicar General, and cathedral Dean Father John Salvano.

Master of Ceremonies again this year was Father Giang Tran.

The holy oils constitute an important part of the ministry of the priesthood as Archbishop Hart pointed out in his welcoming address saying, 'Today we come to remember with wonder the gift of the priesthood to the Church, to thank and encourage and pray for our priests, to consecrate the sacred chrism and bless the oil of the sick and the oil of the catechumens, which are principal elements of priestly service outside the Eucharist'.

When it came time for the blessing of the oils, seminarians carried the large jars of oil to the altar to be blessed by the Archbishop. Archbishop Hart blessed the oil for anointing the sick, the oil of the catechumens, for those preparing for Baptism, and finally the oil of the chrism, used for Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination to the priesthood and for consecrating altars.

Once the oil was blessed it was taken to a group of volunteers in the sacristy who diligently bottled and packed the oils so that the priests could take them back to their parishes at the conclusion of Mass and the priests' luncheon.

Photos: Rachel McLaren

See gallery below. 

Source: Catholic News

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Tuesday 22 March 2016

MORE THAN two dozen harpists will gather at Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) in Melbourne next month for an international conference on the healing qualities of the harp, especially for people with dementia or in palliative care.

Tuesday 22 March 2016
Media and Communications Office

MORE THAN two dozen harpists will gather at Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) in Melbourne next month for an international conference on the healing qualities of the harp, especially for people with dementia or in palliative care.

Studies have shown that the harp – its sounds and vibrations – help to lower blood pressure, reduce heart rates, anxiety and pain levels, and bring a sense of calm, inner peace and emotional balance to listeners.

It is often used for people in palliative care when they are at the end of their lives, calming them and helping with the release of emotions and grieving of their loved ones.

The harpists, from all over Australia, will spend six days learning or undertaking a refresher course on harp therapy techniques from renowned American harp therapist Christina Tourin, second generation harpist and director of the International Harp Therapy Program.

Christina says the harpists are all studying level 2 of the Program and will learn how to individualise music based on a person’s mood, breathing tempo, music tastes, resonant tone and elements of music that can help to balance energies.

They also learn how to conduct group sessions, with activities that get a person’s arms moving rhythmically to help with balance.

The conference is being hosted by VMCH’s aged care residence in Wantirna, which has an innovative wellness program for people with dementia. Australian harp practitioner Carla Whiteley (pictured) has run a Harp Therapy program at the residence for more than three years and says it has had a clear impact on residents.

Carla performs the harp to help calm the residents, does interactive group sessions and plays in the private rooms of those who have been identified as being particularly distressed.

She says harp therapy has been considered a healing instrument since ancient times and is especially supportive for people with dementia, with familiar tunes helping to connect them with their past.

‘Therapeutic harp music is based in the science of sound. It is live, acoustic music played for people who may be patients in hospitals or living in aged care facilities to help create a calming environment conducive to the healing process. It also supports their families, visitors and staff,’ she said.

The conference is on from 10 – 15 April at VMCH Wantirna, 355 Stud Road, Wantirna South.

Source: Catholic News

Melbourne News

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Monday 21 March 2016

PALM SUNDAY was devoted to Australia’s response to the refugee/asylum seeker crisis, in St Patrick’s Cathedral and then, an hour later, in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.

Monday 21 March 2016
Media and Communications Office

PALM SUNDAY was devoted to Australia’s response to the refugee/asylum seeker crisis, in St Patrick’s Cathedral and then, an hour later, in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.

Bishop Vincent Long held a special prayer service in Melbourne’s cathedral, ‘For Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas, praying in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers, before most of the congregation walked to Melbourne’s State Library to join the community Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees, the event organized by the Refugee Advocacy Network.

In St Patrick’s, Bishop Long led the congregation in praying for reconciliation and solidarity, asking forgiveness for those times when we have chosen not to listen to the voices crying out for justice, praying for forgiveness for our own fear and inattention, and praying for the courage to speak out in support of those struggling for their basic human rights and dignity.

‘We lament the lack of compassion for people seeking asylum in Australia,’ said Bishop Long. ‘We lament the denial of human dignity and freedom. We lament ‘the globalization of indifference.’’

Readings from Isiah 53 threw today’s humanitarian crisis into sharp relief. ‘He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with the deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked away.’

Bishop Long read from Matthew’s gospel, Chapter 25:

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him,Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’

A homily followed, with general intercessions asking for strength and guidance, and asking a blessing on ‘all who are marginalized and lonely; all who are in pain because of our nation’s policies.

At the conclusion of the thirty minute service, many left St Patrick’s and joined the Walk for Refugees at the State Library, including Bishop Long, where a number of eminent speakers from the world of politics and religion spoke out in defence of refugees, calling on the Australian government to end offshore processing of claims for asylum, to end mandatory detention and to be more generous in providing resettlement and permanent protection to many more refugees.

Photos: Peter Byrne

 

Source: Catholic News