A strange comment
I do not express my opinions on any public social media platforms, but I wanted at least to express my surprise at two comments made by an Australian Cardinal that were reported by National Catholic reporter, Christopher White. The first is that the Cardinal “has never approved of Pope Benedict’s resignation”. The choice of the word ‘approved’ is interesting. It is different from ‘not agreeing’. It seems strange also to not respect an individual’s brave decision, when the person (Pope Benedict) came to the recognition that he could no longer exercise the role adequately. Would that more people could be as responsible and ‘let go’ after coming to this recognition!

World Migrant and Refugee Sunday
Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ has written most of what appears below

This Sunday we give thanks for the gift that people from different nations have been for both our church and our nation. We remember the Irish immigrants who were the heart of so many communities, whose churches and schools were built with the contributions of the poor. We remember the Chinese who came in the goldrush days and created a strong Asian presence.

We remember the European and Middle Eastern immigrants of early days and so many from European nations who came from a war-devastated Europe after WW2 - English, Greek, Italian, Dutch, Polish, and others, and the later refugees and migrants from Vietnam and other South-East Asian countries, Latin America, Lebanon, the Baltic nations, India and Africa. Both the Australian community and the Church have been blessed by the contribution they have made. Migration has shaped and reshaped the face of Australia, and has reminded us that we all have trespassed on a land first cared for by Indigenous people.

Creation Season – Part 3…..Attraction and Calling

One of the critical things many of us still have to learn is that the earth is not a resource for humans! We are kidding ourselves if we cannot see that the planet’s resources are finite. We need a new way of relating to earth and we need a new understanding of what it means to be human. Such an understanding must recognise that we are part of, not separate from, or superior to the earth community. At this time in our history, there is a strong call for this resonating around the globe.

Sr Karen Englebretsen CP - (a note from Sr Brigid CP)
Karen, from New Zealand joined the Sisters of the Cross and Passion in May 2015 and took her first vows in 2018. Karen accompanied Sr Joan to Dublin in March 2020 and stayed on to pursue some further studies which she completed in August 2021.

Karen has a serious eye condition which has worsened during the time in Dublin. The eye specialist and eye surgeon, in whom she has confidence, are both in Melbourne. It was felt that she should return to the specialists who know her and have treated her during her time in Melbourne. She is returning to Melbourne this week and will, after two weeks in hotel quarantine, come to stay at Holy Cross in the dry Tavern with Sr Brigid!

Dads
We send warm greetings to all the Dad’s associated with Holy Cross or the Passionist Family. This is a very special vocation in a man’s life. There are several phases.

The first begins when a new Dad, young and inexperienced, but totally enraptured with his new child, is determined to be the best he can, and is often over-confident in his capacities.

The challenges of life sometimes intrude unfairly. This can be caused by sickness, grief, unemployment or personal problems. The Dad has to try his best to continue to shower love on his child (or children). Failures are inevitable.

When Crisis Comes…..Richard Rohr OFM
Living in a transitional age such as ours is scary: things are falling apart, the future is unknowable, so much doesn’t cohere or make sense. We can’t seem to put order to it. This is the postmodern panic. It lies beneath most of our cynicism, our anxiety, and our aggression. Yet, there is little in the biblical revelation that ever promised us an ordered universe.
The whole Bible is about meeting God in the actual, in the incarnate moment, in the scandal of particularity. It is rather amazing that we ever tried to codify and control the whole thing.

Some reflections on silence
During COVID-19 lockdowns there are many opportunities for silence. Some people try to escape silence, some embrace it, others have no choice. Perhaps some of these reflections can help us appreciate the value of silence.

Everywhere you look these days, you see people watching television: in homes, in airport lobbies, in restaurants. If they're not watching television, they're driving their cars listening to their radios or talking on cell phones. By filling up their hours and minutes with chatter, they further distance themselves from the spiritual world.
(Anam Cara)

A woman said to me on Wednesday, “The hardest thing about a seven day lockdown is the first fourteen days”.

Given we in Melbourne are extending our sixth lockdown for a second time, I thought it might be interesting to reflect a little this week on ‘locks’. As we know, a lock is a device that prevents something from being opened. Most locks require a key, combination code or a password to be opened.

In Melbourne we’ve got used to living in lockdown over the past twenty months.

A lockdown is a security measure either to keep people where they are or to keep others out. In prisons, a lockdown means prisoners are confined to their cells.

Some people are locked in for their safety. It is common in aged care facilities for dementia patients to be locked in. Sometimes children are locked in a classroom for their safety.

Of course Eddie Maguire introduced the term ‘lock it in’ with regard to having made a choice, now it is saved and cannot be changed

Mary of the Cross MacKillop
This Sunday we celebrate the feast of Mary Mackillop, Australia’s first official saint. It is good to recall something of her life and to note the part Julian Tenison Woods played in her life and mission.

Mary ‘s parents emigrated from Scotland and she was born in Melbourne, in January 1842. She was the eldest of eight children. One brother became a Jesuit priest and another a Good Samaritan sister. She was well educated but her father was often out of work. At age sixteen Mary began work as a clerk and helped support her family. Two years later she moved to Penola in South Australia, to become the governess to her Aunty’s children. She educated the children in her care and others who lived in poverty including aboriginal children.

Supporting children through Covid 19
This reflection was provided by Sr Brigid CP
It must be challenging being a parent, a grandparent, a teacher or a carer during this season. A few thoughts may help in relation to children.
What do you think children worry most about at this time? What does this season we are experiencing look like for children? It is important to remember that children are all different in how they experience and deal with emotions and like adults they will have many feelings and questions. Some children will mirror how their parents are dealing with issues.