January 2017 e-News
Welcome to the Catholic Life & Faith Formation e-News in a new format for 2017!
As we begin the year, there are some exciting events taking place in coming weeks including an event commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation; and an event on the life of Caroline Chisholm.
With Lent approaching, the Diocese of Broken Bay Lenten lectio divina resource is now available online. A special feature this year is the contribution of reflections from a number of Australian Bishops.
In addition, our team will increase this year - below are details of a new position in the Catholic Life & Faith Formation team. Please pass on to anyone who you think may be interested in this role.
We would be grateful if you would please pass on this newsletter to family, friends and parishioners who may be interested in upcoming faith formation events.
Happy new year, and we look forward to seeing you through the course of the year.
David Patterson & Pina Bernard
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Broken Bay Lenten lectio divina Resource
This year's Broken Bay Lenten resource features input from a number of Australian Bishops, who have generously shared with us their own reflections on the Scripture texts.
The booklet in PDF format is now available at
www.dbb.org.au
Copies of the booklet will be distributed to parishes of the Diocese in early February.
In addition, the Bishops' presentations have been recorded and the videos will be made available online each week during Lent. Lent commences 1 March.
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ENCOUNTER Series – Christian Spirituality: Awakening the Deep
Spirituality is central to what it means to be human. This ENCOUNTER course will highlight the meaning of spirituality and how it is understood within the Catholic tradition. How does it animate our spirit, and how is it different, if at all, from our understanding of religion? Fr David explores how spirituality is an “awakening” of the deeper parts of ourselves. He offers three questions as “take aways” which relate to our life in Christ, and what that means for our living. Please do not miss this wonderful formation opportunity. All welcome.
Course Duration: 1 x 2 hours
Presenter: Very Rev Dr David Ranson, Parish Priest Holy Name Parish Wahroonga and Vicar General Diocese of Broken Bay
Date: Wednesday 15 February 2017
Time: 7:00pm Mass followed by presentation from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Venue: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 92 Glennie Street, Wyoming
RSVP: 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Monday 13 February
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The Reformation Then and Now
2017 marks 500 years since the start of the Protestant
Reformation in 1517. What was the experience of the Reformation for both Catholics and Reformers? What is the experience now? And where to from here?
To mark this significant anniversary in the life of the Christian Churches and to foster a deeper understanding of where we have come from so that we might journey more closely in the future, three prominent speakers from the Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Church traditions will offer input on these thoughts. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. All very welcome to what will be an engaging and informative event. Morning tea will be provided; BYO lunch.
Presenters: Rev. Professor Gerard Kelly (Catholic), President of the Catholic Institute of Sydney, is also the Catholic co-chair of the Australian Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue, and also Chair of the Faith and Unity Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia.
Rev. Dr Fergus King (Anglican), Conjoint Lecturer in School of Humanities and Social Science (Philosophy, Religion and Theology) at the University of Newcastle where his fields of study and teaching are Scripture and Church history. Dr King is also Rector of the Anglican Parish of Kotara.
Rev Dr William Emilsen (Uniting), formerly a long-term faculty member of the Uniting Church Theological College, where he held the positions of Lecturer in Church History and, subsequently, Lecturer in Church History and World Religions.
Date: Saturday 18 February 2017
Time: 9:45am arrival and morning tea; Sessions from 10:15am-2:30pm (with morning tea and lunch breaks).
Venue: Shirley Wallace Parish Centre on the first floor of Holy Family Catholic Church, cnr Pacific Highway and Highfield Road, Lindfield (for parking, enter church grounds at the end of Balfour Lane; Lindfield Station is a five minute walk away)
RSVP: 9416 3702 (office hours) or parish@lindfieldkillara.org.au
This day has been organised by various member Churches of the long-standing Roseville – Lindfield - Killara Interchurch Fellowship
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Alpha in the Catholic Context – Leadership Training
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. Each session includes a simple meal, a video, and small group discussion, where no question is too simple and no answer is pre-packaged. Alpha explores many questions such as: Is there more to life than this? Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? How can I have Faith? Why and how do I pray? Why and how do I read the Bible? How does God guide us? How can I resist evil? Does God heal today? What about the Church and telling others?
This leadership training event aims to develop people with the knowledge, skill and attributes to successfully run Alpha in local parishes. It will include a taste of the Alpha course and how one might facilitate various modules including the processing of the film series, small group facilitation tips, how to sustain small group enthusiasm and energy, and marketing and promotion tips. It will provide information concerning the forming of parish Alpha teams and the dynamics of an inviting and engaging gathering.
Presenter: Lorraine McCarthy, Alpha in a Catholic Context Coordinator in Australia
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Date: Wednesday 22 February 2017
Time: Day Intensive: 9:00am – 4:30pm; Night Session - Alpha Experience with Meal, Video, & Discussion: 6:15pm – 8:30pm
Venue: St Agatha’s Catholic School Hall, 7 Tebor Road, Pennant Hills
RSVP: 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Monday 20 February
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Date: Thursday 23 February 2017
Time: Day Intensive 10:00am – 4:30pm; Night Session - Alpha Experience with Meal, Video, & Discussion: 6:15pm – 8:30pm
Venue: St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 76 York Street, East Gosford
RSVP: 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Monday 20 February
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Caroline Chisholm: Prophet of the Laity
To celebrate the 140th anniversary of the death of Caroline Chisholm, the namesake of the Diocesan offices, Clara Geoghegan of the Siena Institute will lead an exploration of her life and legacy. Bringing together colonial Australian history and efforts in building up the nascent Catholic Church in Australia, Caroline Chisholm’s tireless work in defence of Gospel values will be explored – works that uphold the dignity of the human person, respect for life, religious liberty, marriage and family life, works of charity, social and economic justice and the evangelisation of culture. Caroline Chisholm particularly emphasised the importance of pastoral care of young girls, families, and emigrants – areas that remain a concern for us today.
Highlighting her prophetic voice, Clara Geoghegan presents Caroline Chisholm’s earthy and connected spirituality as a model for our time, especially as it relates to the apostolate of the laity. Please do not miss this special presentation of the Office for Evangelisation!
Presenter: Clara Geoghegan
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Date: Wednesday 22 March 2017
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Venue: Railway Room, Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills (Vehicular entry via City View Road)
RSVP: 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Monday 20 March
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Torah Study for Christians
Rabbi Gad Krebs presents a Bible education series as an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the Scriptures under the guidance of an Orthodox rabbi. First session:
Date: Wednesday 8 February 2017
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: St Ives Library Meeting Room, 166 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives
Cost: $5
Contact: rabbi@masada.org.au
Event organised by Rabbi Gad Krebs
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Understanding Genesis
Unlocking the text of Genesis
“In the beginning……”
BBI – The Australian Institute of Theological Education presents a new program called BBites which are bite-size short courses in theology and related themes.
This course on Genesis is presented by Dr Antoinette Collins, and will discuss and unlock the Book of Genesis to reveal its riches, beauty and ability to face the important questions of life.
Dates:8,15,22 & 29 March 2017
Time: 11am- 1pm
Venue: Caroline Chisolm Centre, Bldg 2/423 Pennant Hills road,(car access via City View road) Pennant Hills NSW 2120
Cost: $75pp for all 4 sessions
$60pp for all 4 sessions (20% off couple’s discount)
$30pp for each session
RSVP: Please RSVP by 24 February
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/genesis-tickets-31211702041
Enquiries: Belinda Srour
E: bsrour@bbi.catholic.edu.au
(02) 9847 0590
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Jean Vanier Symposium
BBI – The Australian Institute of Theological Education will be hosting an exclusive event on Friday, 10 March 2017 titled: A Witness to God’s Peace: A Jean Vanier Symposium. Please join with us as we explore the life, writings and ministry of the inspirational Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche and the 2015 John Templeton Prize winner. This event will feature a never-seen-before interview with Jean Vanier and Zachariah Duke, filmed at Jean’s home in France, with live responses from a host of special guest speakers – some internationally known for their expertise in the theology of Jean Vanier and/or the spirituality of L’Arche. Please see flyer below.
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Retreats 2017
The Diocese of Broken Bay is blessed with several retreat houses and prayer centres, including the Divine Retreat Centre, Sommersby; the Mt St Benedict Centre, Pennant Hills; Canisius Centre of Ignatian Spirituality, Pymble; and St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre, Kincumber South. Please consider their 2017 offerings via the links below.
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Website Review
The start of the year is always a good time for new initiatives, and if you have a smart phone or tablet (or perhaps received one for Christmas!) then this is for you.
Catholic Apptitude is a site that reviews Catholic apps for phones and tablets so it makes it much easier to decide which apps to choose for different purposes. There is a wealth of Catholic content available, from Mass readings, Bibles, Confession or the Rosary. There is even a Pope app.
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Coordinator - Life, Charity and Social Development
This is a new position within the Catholic Life & Faith Formation team of the Office for Evangelisation.
The Life, Charity and Social Development Coordinator's primary purpose is to support the development and facilitation of catechesis and the spiritual formation of adults, with a particular focus on the social dimension of Catholic faith.
To achieve this, the Life, Charity and Social Development Coordinator assists in the development of contemporary faith formation resources, provides formative opportunities in Catholic Social Teaching, including integral human development, and provides general assistance in other projects and events of Catholic Life & Faith Formation.
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