Tuesday, January 21, 2020

AUSTRALIA DAY NATIONAL DAY (26TH JANUARY)

AUSTRALIA DAY NATIONAL DAY (26^TH JANUARY)

(EPISODE:203)

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Isaiah 32:15-18
Psalm: Ps 84:9-14. R. "The Lord speaks of peace to his people."
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 5:9
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

Image: Shutterstock licensed image: stock photo ID: 141480565. Wild Koalas along Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australi. By robert cicchetti
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the AUSTRALIA DAY NATIONAL DAY (26TH JANUARY) (EPISODE:) - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-203-australia-day-national-day-26th-january-2020/s-EYYrr (EPISODE:203 )
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Australia Day -

Lord, please in your mercy make it rain...
Lord open the hearts of people everywhere that God's graciousness, generosity and compassion will "rain down everywhere," with their charity, generosity, compassion and plenty of acts of practical care and support; including much-needed financial assistance...
Lord, grant harmony and goodwill and peace and a sense of shared fraternity with all people in our nation, especially the indigenous people of our land who are a wonderful gift and treasure to us all. And for peace and harmony amongst people across the family of nations.

…. The heat, the terrible bushfires and drought is a massive worry to so many people and communities… and leads to incredible hardship…. We continue to pray for desperately needed rain to all the areas in need…. We are so deeply in drought.

But we give thanks

Today, we give thanks to God for the many gifts we have been given, and we are reminded that we live in a commonwealth… and that this commonwealth is for the common good…. the gifts we have are gifts to share for the benefit of each other….. The gifts other individuals and communities and nations have can be shared with us so that together we all have the gifts needed. The gifts that we have, we can share with others who have not, so that we all end up having the fullness of the gifts we need.

We pray that people everywhere will deepen their sense of belonging to a commonwealth for common good…. that there will be peace, respect, harmony and care for others in our society…. that we might always spare a thought for the person less fortunate, whether they be next door or in the next country……

And today, (as every day) we pray that our nation and its people develop deep within ourselves yearning for the values of Jesus' Beatitudes….. // Humility,// Gentleness, // A Passion and a practical commitment to working for Justice, //to be Peacemakers,// people who are merciful and able to reflect God's forbearance to others by giving them new starts, .....and a people who are single-minded in serving God's vision for the world….. respecting the dignity of all people... caring for our resources... treating others as we would have them treat us... having an open heart to people everywhere who are doing it tougher than ourselves, including in this nation and also our brother and sister nations throughout the world.

It is good for us to stop and give thanks for God's many gifts to us in this blessed Southern land of the Holy Spirit…..

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Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image: Shutterstock licensed image: stock photo ID: 141480565. Wild Koalas along Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australi. By Robert Cicchetti

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address:paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love, - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul Kelly. Arranged, with additional lyrics and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly. By Paul W. Kelly.. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged, with additional lyrics and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

[ Production - KER 2020]

May God bless and keep you.

AUSTRALIA DAY NATIONAL DAY (26^TH JANUARY)

(EPISODE: 203 )

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pause and reflect upon our sins, in order to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.
Brothers and sisters, the Lord is full of love and mercy. And so, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us acknowledge our sins.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God's kingdom: Lord, have mercy//

You come in word and in sacrament to strengthen us and make us holy: Christ, have mercy//

You will come again in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Prayers Of The Faithful

READER

* For our nation on this Australia Day. that we renew our determination to work together for justice, reconciliation and the common good. (PAUSE) Lord hear us:

* For our indigenous brothers and sisters, the first peoples of Australia: that we have the grace to listen to their stories, understand their mourning and walk gently with them on this ancient land. (PAUSE) Lord hear us:

* For country communities suffering from the oppressive heat, and the severe shortage of water. That every effort is made to provide them with the practical assistance and resources they need to manage. (PAUSE) Lord hear us:

* For children and teachers returning to school this week. that they begin the year with energy and enthusiasm for the adventure of learning. (PAUSE) Lord hear us:

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Memorial Acclamation

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

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Sundays Ordinary V

Eucharistic Prayer II

Communion side. pwk: LH
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Go forth, the Mass is ended.

Conversion of Saint Paul (weekday feast ) 25th January 2020

Homily - conversion of saint paul (weekday feast ) 25^th January 2020

Please note that this is a weekday feast and not the Sunday's Readings and texts:

Readings:
Acts 22:3-16
or
9:1-22;

Ps 116:1-2."Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News."

Gospel Acclamation: cf John 15:16 Alleluia, alleluia! I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, to go and bear fruit that will last. Alleluia!

Mk 16:15-18

Image: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 753853219. LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN - SEPTEMBER 17, 2017: The mosaic of Conversion of St. Paul in Westminster cathedral and Blessed Sacrament Chapel designed by Boris Anrep (middle 20. cent.). Photo by Renata Sedmakova
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the - conversion of saint paul by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/non-sunday-feast-faith-hope-and-love-ep-201-the-feast-of-the-conversion-of-saint-paul/s-S2bMR (EPISODE: 201)
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{Please note that this is a weekday feast and not the Sunday's Readings and texts}:

Prologue - A special celebration this weekend. Not a Sunday in the church calendar year, but a weekday feast day…. The Conversion of Saint Paul - the apostle to the gentiles…. Saint Paul is my namesake feast day, and I truly treasure sharing the name Paul, with this astounding figure in the very early years of the growth of Our Lord's church. God's grace is at its most dramatic and astounding when a person stubbornly committed to persecuting the Way of Christ ends up having a complete conversion and becoming the greatest defender and preacher of Christ's message. A truly inspiring example of God's power/…. "there is no depth that God's grace can not descend to, to find the lost,.. there is no limit to the heights Our Lord can lift up even the worst sinner….. ". This is faith hope and love.

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I have always loved stories of conversion and of a major change of heart and mind. Because, it is at the centre of the experience of humanity in relation to our loving, patient and long-suffering God.

Today's feast of Saint Paul's conversion is an example of this in excellent form!

What an amazing turnaround. God can even transform and make use of his most strident opponents and change them into his greatest champions. God's grace, love and mercy, in equal measure, re-order our misguided zeal and refine our human qualities to direct them to their proper purpose in building up his Kingdom of justice, mercy and grace.

This is certainly a moment and a quality that is well worth noting and commemorating.

One thing is clear; Paul, or as he was originally named, Saul, meant well. He was ZEALOUS AND uncompromising in his desire to serve God by keeping the letter of the law and harshly dealing with anyone whom he believed was watering down his God's message. The irony was that Paul by persecuting the followers of Jesus was well-meaningless but utterly wrongly serving his God. Unknown to Paul at that time, Jesus is God's Son and the Messiah - the chosen one of God. All who follow him are being faithful to God's plan. Saul was ignorant of this and saw this motley band of disciples of Jesus as a threat - when in fact they were the hope of the Kingdom dawning. So, he sets off on the road to Damascus intent on destroying these followers of Jesus, only to have a profound experience along the way that completely changes him. He meets the risen Christ. (It is fascinating that Paul, one of Christ's most vocal preachers and disciples, never met the earthly Jesus when he walked along the paths of the Holy Lands in his earthly ministry. Paul first encountered Jesus in his risen form, when he heard Jesus voice on the road to Damascus. It was then that he heard this voice from God saying "Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul asks - who are you and how am I persecuting you? And the answer hits him like a rock…. I am Jesus, and you are persecuting me by mistreating my followers. The sudden shock that this zealous and law-abiding Jewish Pharisee, an expert in the law, was - by focusing only on the letter of the law, was actually thwarting the point of God's law and opposing God's plans, not only changed Paul to be a loyal Christian but changed his attitude to the right application of God's law. The Law of God is an expression of a God who loves his people and whose love and grace and Holy Spirit is at the heart of any attempts to express or codify GOD'S ways.

The reading today feature Paul's testimony to his own conversion. Once he realised his error, Paul was able to put his determination, his previously misdirected passion and his loyalty at the service of Christ's gospel by tirelessly preaching of Christ and him crucified and Risen….and of the Holy Spirit who empowers all good efforts. Paul even was able to set aside his idea that one had to be Jewish and fulfil Jewish rituals to be a member of God's family and set about preaching to Gentiles and new lands and defending the right of those who were not Jewish to convert to Christ without first converting to Judaism. Saint Paul is considered to be, by some historians, the second most important figure in the formation of the fledgeling Church after Our Lord. (*). He was a major part of the push to proclaim the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth and to people of all nations and cultures.

On this feast day, let us recall the times when we "figuratively) fell off our high horses, and experienced a conversion of heart and mind… when we saw our actions and focus in a new way that radically changed our priorities ever after this. Me personally, I relate strongly to my namesake. He studied law and started off being a bit too focused on the letter of the law rather than the intention and spirit behind the law. A change of focus changes everything and helps us to encounter the loving, gentle, compassionate, merciful and parent-like God that is behind every law, every divine teaching and every action that motivates it and directs it.

Thanks be to God for his grace that gave us such a wonderful preacher, and apostle, and one who had such a bad start and a perfect conclusion - Thanks be to God who turns our hearts and minds to his values, to his heart and good purposes.

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 753853219. LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN - SEPTEMBER 17, 2017: The mosaic of Conversion of St. Paul in Westminster cathedral and Blessed Sacrament Chapel designed by Boris Anrep (middle 20. cent.). Photo by Renata Sedmakova

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au

To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:

"Faith, Hope and Love, - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

{Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria, copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org. }

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul Kelly. Arranged, with additional lyrics and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly. By Paul W. Kelly.. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged, with additional lyrics and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

[ Production - KER 2020 ]

May God bless and keep you.

(conversion of saint paul)

(EPISODE: 201)

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My brothers and sisters, trusting in Gods mercy and love let us call to mind our sins.

Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy.//
You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy//
You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy//

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

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Memorial Acclamation

3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

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Preface of Apostles I

Eucharistic Prayer II

Communion side. pwk: RH
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{Thanks everyone, and have a wonderful feast day, inspired and transformed by the Gospel of Our Lord, as preached by the apostle to the Gentiles...Saint Paul. .}

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Second Sunday Ordinary time year A - Sunday,January 19, 2020

Homily Second Sunday Ordinary time year A - Sunday, January 19, 2020

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Isaiah 49: 3-6 1

Ps 39:2, 4, 7-10. "Here I am Lord; I come to do your will. "

Corinthians 1: 1-3

Alleluia, alleluia! The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. He enabled those who accepted him to become the children of God. Alleluia.

John 1: 29-34

Image. Shutterstock Licensed. Stock photo ID: 518053207 Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016/11/13. Painting of Christ in glory and Holy Spirit descending upon apostles in the form of dove and fire tongues. Found in the chapel in Majcino selo (Mother's village). By Adam Jan Figel

Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Second Sunday Ordinary time year A - Sunday, January 19, 2020, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-200-the-second-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-a-2020/s-9nvIo

(EPISODE: 200)

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The Church Calendar year returns to Ordinary Time. This season takes up over half of the year and its really the time when there are no major seasons such as Christmas and Easter, or their preparatory seasons of Advent and Lent. This is the time when the Kingdom of God quietly and slowly but surely grows in the ordinary and everyday moments and events of life. Since the "ordinary" takes up a big part of our year, its important to appreciate the subtlety of this time. Whilst there might be not many dramatic and exceptional tone to this season, it is nevertheless really important. Except for the occasional feast Day or Saints day or memorial, the Church uses this time to quietly and progressively work its way through the flow of the readings assigned for the year. So, we get time to slow down, stop and breathe and really deepen our appreciation of God's word and God's values in the everyday moments of life. This is a time for hidden treasures to be uncovered ... treasures kept in ordinary clay jars... to use a biblical image...

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Now that Ordinary time has well and truly begun, it is wonderful that the Scriptures speak of "Commissioning" and "sending." It is also good, from the outset of any new season, to recall clearly just WHO we are following and why. Including, what it is about him that is so important. To be clear about our Lord and master and his values and mission so that we can join in fully and with clear-sight.

Like Isaiah, we too have been formed by God; called by God to be a light to ALL nations, not just a few…. We are also called to be open, and particularly to OPEN OUR EARS to God's word and to God's values and ways of seeing and thinking… (which are often refreshingly different from our own ways). We are commissioned to Keep God's word, by NURTURING IT deep in our hearts and cherishing and savouring it…. And also, to unstop our lips and use them to speak of God's goodness….

Meanwhile, in the gospel, John testifies that this is Jesus, the son of God is the sacrificial and spotless lamb who would take away the sins of all the world… The one on whom the spirit rests…. This is also the meaning to which our discipleship testifies, in word and action.

"All who have been baptized in Christ—share that same Holy Spirit, and are called to undertake the same mission—being a light to others, serving others, giving of ourselves in love, compassion and generosity, and to be instruments of God's mercy and kindness and justice." (1)

In the Gospel today three names are used to describe Jesus. (3)

Firstly, he is called the "Lamb of God," / /"a symbol of strength in vulnerability... The Lamb of God (John 1:29), "takes away" the sinful condition of the world. Twenty-one centuries down the track there is still violence and hunger and exploitation on a massive scale. The work of the one strong enough to risk vulnerability so that others may have life, the work of God's Lamb, is never done." (2)

Secondly Our Lord is called "the one on whom the Spirit descends and remains," Utterly filled with the Spirit and capable of giving this Spirit to others, he has the power and the desire to heal, to forgive, to help in practical ways, to work for justice and to show God's love to all. (3)

Thirdly, he is called the "Son of God," (or the Chosen One). …..

We can reflect at great length and deeply upon these "names and descriptions" of Jesus. As Our Lord asks Peter in another part of the Gospels, "But you. Who do you say I am?" So it is really important that we too reflect upon how we name Jesus. Who is Jesus to us? What qualities of Our Lord particularly move us and inspire us. The image we choose at this time will reflect something of our growing understanding of the one whom we have pledged ourselves to follow as disciples." (3)

Such images include, but of course do not exhaust the list, including…. Divine Mercy, Unconditionally loving Sacred Heart, Immeasurable and Inexhaustible Compassion, Complete and Infinite Love, Suffering Servant, Utter Obedience, True Peace….Self-forgetting Rescuer; The "Perfection of Kindness and Justice Embracing." Restorer of Original Innocence. Perfect Empathy, and so much more…

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

(1) Fr Greg Friedman with the "Sunday Soundbite" for St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the Web at FranciscanRadio.org. Post by Christopher Heffron: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/2nd-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

(2) Sr Veronica Lawson RSM. https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/_uploads/ppage/files/Pastoral%20Ministry%20Office/19%20Jan%202020%20Reflection%20on%20the%20Gospel.pdf

(3) Sr Patricia Stevenson RSJ. Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Second Week Ordinary Time A. https://www.sosj.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2ndWeekOrdinaryTime-YearA.pdf

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au

To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.

NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:

"Faith, Hope and Love, - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul Kelly. Arranged, with additional lyrics and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly. By Paul W. Kelly.. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged, with additional lyrics and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

[ Production - KER ]

May God bless and keep you.

Second Sunday Ordinary time year A

(Sunday, January 19, 2020)

(EPISODE: 200 )

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)

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{{May Our Lord's Fidelity strengthen us all in our discipleship.}}

Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord,s supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.?

Lord Jesus, you call your people to turn away from sin: Lord, have mercy//

You teach us wisdom and write your truth in our inmost heart: Christ, have mercy//

You forgive sins through the ministry of reconciliation: Lord, have mercy//

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

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Memorial Acclamation

1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

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Sundays Ordinary I

Eucharistic Prayer One

Communion side. PWK: LH

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{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer to this special time of savouring God's word}.

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

Tuesday, January 07, 2020

Catholic Church in Australia launches national bushfire response

Church launches national bushfire response

Donate to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal at www.bushfireappeal.com.au or call 13 18 12.

https://catholicleader.com.au/news/local/church-launches-national-response-to-australias-bushfire-crisis

Church launches national bushfire response as Australia is engulfed in ‘unprecedented calamity’ January 7, 2020 By Mark Bowling

Unprecedented: Sheep are seen as Rural Fire Service crews engage in property protection during wildfires along the Old Hume Highway near the town of Tahmoor, Australia, outside Sydney, Dec. 19, 2019. Wildfires have been burning since August and have destroyed an area comparable to the combined region of the Netherlands and Belgium. (CNS photo/Dean Lewins, AAP via Reuters) See AUSTRALIA-FIRES Jan. 3, 2020.

THE Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has launched a national Church response to deal with the unprecedented scale of the bushfire crisis.

“The efforts of firefighters have been heroic. The resilience of the communities affected has been extraordinary,” ACBC president Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane said.

“This has been Australia at its best … but we need more than words. Expressions of solidarity are important, but they are not enough.”

The bishops have announced a five-pronged response to include:

A national network connecting people affected by the bushfires with people who can help with tasks such as preparing meals, clearing properties, rebuilding communities, as well as pastoral and counselling support.
Collaboration with key national agencies like Catholic Health Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, the National Catholic Education Commission and the St Vincent de Paul Society to ensure as effective a response as possible from the wider Catholic community.
Co-operating with Catholic Religious Australia and religious institutes and their ministries.
Parishes across the country taking up a special collection at Masses on the Australia Day weekend, with all funds to be donated to Vinnies’ bushfire appeal.
The distribution of special prayers and other resources for use in parishes, families and other Catholic communities.

As well as donations at Masses on Australia Day weekend, people are encouraged to support the immediate response and the ongoing work of Vinnies by donating online.

“Our experts on the ground – from agencies like Vinnies, CatholicCare and Centacare, in parishes and other Catholic communities, including Catholic hospitals and aged-care providers – know this will be a long-term process to help people and whole towns rebuild,” Archbishop Coleridge said.

“With broad and deep roots across the nation, the Church stands ready to walk alongside people throughout their journey of recovery.

“Facing this exceptional crisis, we renew our call for insistent prayer for those stricken by drought and fire, for those who have lost their lives in the fires and their families, for rain to quench the parched land and extinguish the fires, and for urgent action to care for our common home in order to prevent such calamities in the future.

“A genuinely Catholic response to a crisis of this magnitude must draw strength from prayer which inspires concrete and compassionate action.”

Vinnies Bushfire Appeal

https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw

Vinnies Bushfire Appeal passes $1 million

Tuesday 26 November 2019

Donations to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal in partnership with Channel Nine have passed the $1 million mark.

Jack de Groot, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, praised the generosity of those who have donated to the appeal but noted that more support is needed as summer begins.

“The response to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal is welcome news among all the terrible destruction caused by the fires, including the tragic loss of life. It’s shown us yet again that Australians step up for one another in times of great need, and we are so grateful to our donors and Channel Nine,” Mr de Groot said.

“With summer starting this weekend, the challenges we’ve already seen are likely to continue and possibly worsen. Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters, there will be many more people in need of our support in the weeks and months ahead. For this reason, we will be keeping the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal going for the foreseeable future.”

Vinnies is working collaboratively with government agencies to help displaced families and individuals with their immediate needs, including food and clothing.

One of the many people assisted over the past month was Alysoun Learmonth, whose Yarrowitch home went up in flames on 7 November. The change in conditions came so suddenly that Ms Learmonth only had time to gather a few essentials and her beloved Staffy bull terrier, Kirra, before heading west to safety in Walcha.

“The support from Vinnies has been fantastic. They’ve provided bags and bags of donations; clothes, vouchers for food, they’ll put little extras in the boot of my car,” Ms Learmonth said.

“The love and support from the community have been incredible.”

As well as immediate assistance, donations to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal will be allocated to community recovery projects in the months ahead, helping the worst-struck communities get back on their feet.

“We will be on hand during the long recovery phase as people rebuild their lives, often from scratch,” Mr de Groot said.

Mr de Groot said a major strength of Vinnies is that its volunteers live and work in local communities, and know their neighbours’ needs first-hand.

“We are so grateful for the amazing support so far and ask that those in more fortunate circumstances spare a thought and a few dollars for our fellow Australians doing it tough. Every dollar donated to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal goes directly to helping those people affected.”

Donate to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal at www.bushfireappeal.com.au or call 13 18 12.