It was 32 degrees on Palm Island and close to 10am on Holy Saturday. Standing on a molten rock a few metres from the sea with my fishing line tugged firmly in my hand, I waited. No bites for almost two hours. Still, I enjoyed the stunning vastness and beauty of the Pacific Ocean. It is awe-inspiring. From biologists and scientists to divers and sailors and indigenous peoples, the ocean and its entire ecosystem is the subject of fascination, curiosity, and joy for millions of people all around the world.
Recently, I attended a virtual workshop in Melbourne marking the sixth anniversary of Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Laudato Si’ calling all Christians to live into a new paradigm of Integral Ecology. It was organised by the Sisters of Mercy in partnership with the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy at ACU. Presenters were Professor Celia Deane-Drummond – Director Laudato Si’ Research Institute, Campion Hall, Oxford, Rev Dr Peter Loy Chong - President of the Federation of Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania and Archbishop of Suva, Fiji and the famous Catholic Professor Brian Swimme from the US- Director of the Centre for the Story of the Universe and professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. The three-day conference was framed around contemplating the signs of the times and contributing towards imaginative outcomes for oceans, rivers and creeks, and explored the effects of climate change in the Pacific islands, advocacy, project planning and ways Australia can help.
Who is Jesus Christ? This has been an age-old question that many people particularly theologians have tried to answer.
When I was learning how to drive, my instructor insisted that before changing lanes or before entering the traffic, it was not enough to look at the side mirrors but also to turn my head to the back of my shoulder so that I would be able to cover my “blind spot”.
Thomas’s exclamation, after seeing the risen Jesus face to face, dissolves his doubt and fills him with such faith that it transforms his whole life.
During this Easter time, I have become increasingly aware of how caring and tender Christ is towards those who are close to him.
Someone once said that we are affirmed by our successes but can be enlightened by our mistakes and those situations which challenge us, reflects Fr Michael Knight SVD.
What is God trying to teach us in in the darkness of our own personal cross? How can the light of Easter make a positive difference in my daily life?
A Divine Word Missionary priest who is based in Bangkok, has been appointed to a new role at an organisation which explores the intersection of religion and communication.
Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD, a member of the AUS Province, has been appointed as Executive Director of the Asian Research Centre for Religion and Social Communication (ARC).
Well, just like that, Holy Week is with us and the great mysteries of the Easter Triduum lie before us.
Thanks be to God, this year in our part of the world, most of us can hopefully celebrate the Easter liturgies with our faith communities (despite a fresh COVID cluster in Brisbane), unlike last year when the churches were closed due to the pandemic. Easter is always special, but this year, its celebration will seem even more precious.
Most of us when we were children may have tried to figure out what would happen if we put a seed in a glass of water.
We invite you to join us via Facebook livestream on Saturday, March 13 at 10am for the Final Profession of vows of five of our confreres.
We rejoice with Duc Le, Edward Teye, Francois Andrianihantana, Hai Ngueyen and Marius Razafimandimby on this special day and we pray for God's blessing upon them.
