Deacon Peter Pellicaan, 29 August 2024 Baptisms are a real opportunity to make people feel welcome in the church. In this time of declining faith involvement, Deacon Peter Pellicaan says to the parents of the children he’s baptising, “It is great that you are here; this is a gift that you are giving to yourContinue reading “The Power of Human Life”
Category Archives: Stories
Liturgy that Forms Future Church Leaders
Dominique Galea, 1 August 2024 Today it is my great pleasure to share Dominique’s own words as she reflects on her ministry, liturgy and the diaconate. Thanks, Dominique! Elizabeth: Tell me a bit about your own ministry journey. I once heard a religious sister being interviewed on television saying that when she was born, sheContinue reading “Liturgy that Forms Future Church Leaders”
Deacons in Parramatta: Sharing the Good News
18 July, 2024 Often I have chased Deacons to hear their stories about life, calling and ministry. Well, the Diocese of Parramatta has just done the hard work for me. In Catholic Outlook, they have shared a series of interviews of their Deacons, which are all about Good News! Most recently, Deacon Tony Hoban wasContinue reading “Deacons in Parramatta: Sharing the Good News”
Choose Leaders Among Yourselves
Sr Carmel Setford RSM, 9 May 2024 Carmel Setford RSM was a teacher and school principal for 37 Years. As Principal of Parish Primary Schools it meant automatic involvement in the parish and so it seemed a natural progression in 1997 to accept the position as Parish Leader in a small country parish, comprising ofContinue reading “Choose Leaders Among Yourselves”
Being Myself in Ministry
Deacon Roderick Pirotta, 2 May 2024 Deacon Roderick Pirotta has a unique ministerial role in his diocese: he is the Pastoral Director of the Sacred Heart Parish in Mount Druitt South, a diverse suburb of Western Sydney. He was called there two and half years ago, after he retired from nursing, and he has “neverContinue reading “Being Myself in Ministry”
He can Help you With the Journey
Deacon Michael Hangan msc Assoc, 24 April 2024 Deacon Michael Hangan has finally found his calling and “It feels good to be here.” I find this interesting, as he has been working since 1978 and has had senior management roles. Yet he has “never felt more relaxed and confident in what I am doing thanContinue reading “He can Help you With the Journey”
Baptism to the Baptised
Deacon Tim Grauel, 4 April 2024 Deacon Tim Grauel’s story is a winding adventure of the Spirit, across different countries, denominations, and life experiences. What seems constant has been his desire to learn about God’s presence in the world and to foster that awareness in others. Baptism has been an important touchstone for Tim. GrowingContinue reading “Baptism to the Baptised”
The Public Face of the Church: Finding where God is Present
Deacon Adrian Gomez, 21 March 2024 Deacon Adrian Gomez takes me back to the dawn of the reinstitution of permanent deacons in the Western Catholic Church… a dream that emerged in the concentration camps of World War II, as Lutheran and Catholic priests looked to renew the diaconate. “There are images of Christ the kingContinue reading “The Public Face of the Church: Finding where God is Present”
Leading for Belonging
Sr Catherine Seward RSM, 7 March 2024 For Sr Catherine Seward RSM, parish leadership in the diverse community of Mansfield Park SA was “the happiest time of my life”. It wasn’t something she had ever imagined doing. Catherine started as a teacher, as her mother was very “anti me being a nun”. Yet after movingContinue reading “Leading for Belonging”
Representing the Church – A Person not a Building
Sr Coral Hedley RSM, 8 February 2024 In 1975, the Bishop of Armidale NSW asked Sr Coral Hedley to take care of the priestless parish of Bingara. And what was the most important part of the ministry? It was “to be a presence. To represent the Church in a person, rather than a building.” AlongsideContinue reading “Representing the Church – A Person not a Building”
Liturgy on the Margins 