Yesterday we celebrated the solemnity of All Saints, a feast that reminds us that we are being cheered on to eternal life by a great heavenly host, and that each of us is called to be a saint.
On another All Saints Day, 10 years ago, the parish of Sacred Heart in Croydon celebrated the return of a cherished first-class relic—that of St Edmund Abingdon, a 12th-century Archbishop of Canterbury—after it was nearly thrown out! And we look at how, before it became associated with pumpkins and trick or treating, Halloween—or All Hallows Eve—was an important liturgical season reflecting on life beyond death.
Last weekend, at the inaugural Benedict Conference, more than 300 people gathered to explore the legacy of the late Pope Benedict XVI and to hear from local and international speakers, including Bishop Robert Barron, on the themes of truth, goodness and beauty.
On Sunday, the historic first session of the Synod of Bishops wrapped up with members gathering for a final Mass at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, having adopted the synod’s synthesis report the day before. Caritas India’s Babita Pinto recently visited Melbourne to speak on the many challenges faced by women in India and about Caritas’ important work to serve and empower them. And we hear about the launch of the Ukrainian Eparchy’s new website, as well as a couple of significant anniversaries that the Eparchy has celebrated recently.
This year marks 50 years since the beginning of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Australia. To mark the occasion, His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher (Vatican Secretary for Relations with States) will be spending time in Australia this month, including a visit to Melbourne on Thursday 9 November with a special Mass for all at St Patrick's Cathedral.
Finally, don't forget to keep our seminarians in your prayers as they prepare for their ordaination on 25 November—three to the priesthood and one to the transitional diaconate.
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