Late last month, Bishop Hilton Deakin died peacefully at the age 89. In anticipation of the Pontifical Requiem Mass to be celebrated for him next Thursday 13 October at St Patrick's Cathedral, we remember a man of God who shared his many gifts by serving the Church and broader community in a wide variety of roles, and by befriending and speaking boldly on behalf of those who struggle on the margins. He is particularly remembered for his work with Aboriginal communities, the people of East Timor and various migrant communities within the Church.
In response to recent events at the Essendon Football Club, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has released a statement sharing his thoughts, including his concerns about the implications of these developments for people of faith. He has also expanded on this in an opinion piece published earlier today in the Herald Sun, observing that ‘We cannot claim to be inclusive if we stir up polarisation between sectors of the community, because in our Nation and, I hope, our State, every person, and every community, matters.’
On Sunday 2 October, the Mandarin-speaking Chinese Catholic Community of Melbourne celebrated a historic milestone: the dedication of their first church, Our Lady of China Catholic Church. The fruit of many years' longing, collaboration and fundraising, their new church will provide a spiritual home for Chinese Catholics for many years to come. Archbishop Peter A Comensoli performed the dedication and offered the community words of encouragement, speaking of the great gift they are to the tapestry of Melbourne's faith community.
During October, we celebrate not only the gift of the Rosary but also the feast day of Pope John Paul II, a great advocate of the Rosary. This week we take a look at three important messages from his encyclical Rosarium Virginia Mariae, and how praying the Rosary can be beautiful and formative expression of discipleship.
October is also World Mission Month, and Catholic Mission have shared some of the life-changing work they're doing with and for the Church in Ethiopia, from skills-training to religious formation, creating a much brighter future for those in need.
Bishop Deakin, who as a boy sang in the cathedral choir, called St Patrick’s Cathedral ‘one of the glories of Melbourne’—a source of incredible beauty and a place of peaceful prayer in the centre of our city. On Thursday 27 October—in this year of anniversaries—we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the consecration of this sacred space.
In the lead-up to this momentous occasion, we take another look at some of the great works of art that adorn the cathedral and some of its most important architectural features. From the Ladye Chapel to the bells to the beautiful stained glass windows, we revisit some of our stories about this glorious architectural gift to the people of Melbourne.
