We are believers
who are attempting
to establish
a forum for conversation
within the Catholic Church
of Australia.
Our aim is to prompt
open exchanges
among the community
of believers,
mindful of the diversity
of expressions of faith
in contemporary Australia.
This springs explicitly
from the spirit of
Pope John XXIII
and Vatican II:
"Let there be unity
in what is necessary,
freedom in
what is unsettled,
and charity
in any case."
(Gaudium et Spes, n.92)
 Catalyst for Renewal held their annual Twilight Eucharistic Reflection which was led by Fr Peter McGrath ofm at the Villa Maria Parish Hall, Hunters Hill on Saturday evening, 8th November. This was also an occasion to celebrate
Catalyst’s 20th Anniversary.
The Eucharist was followed by a light
meal which included a special 20th birthday
celebration cake!
The gathering was attended by about seventy
Members and Friends and a very happy time was had!
The photo below shows (from left to right)
Carole Wilson, our indefatigable
Forums Coordinator;
and the four Members who have been
Presidents over the 20 years:
Marea Donovan (original President), Jan Brady,
Kevin Grant (current President) and Denys Goggin -
and above, the birthday cake!
 ******************************** “I want to see truth and goodness triumph over ideology, especially my own: Good conversations submit to the topic or question …. they have a graced quality if we are attentive and faithful to the moment … we experience them as taking us where we have never been before … they are always an experience of what is true and good”. (“Good Conversation” document, Catalyst for Renewal). On the evening of October 11th 2012 Catalyst for Renewal celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council with a Eucharist at St Patrick's, The Rocks. The Presider and Homilist was Bishop Geoffrey Robinson. Click HERE to read the text of the Homily ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Throughout 2012, Catalyst celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council with a series called "Q & A in the Crypt" “What does it mean to you to be a Catholic?”
27th May: Professor Greg Craven, Vice-Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University. Sophie Kearns, Director of Pastoral Care at SCEGGS Darlinghurst and previously Director of Character Education at Loreto Kirribilli. You can read the notes which accompanied this session - click HERE
24th June: Catherine Harris AO, PSM, Chair of Harris Farm Markets and Commissioner, Australian Rugby League Commission. Father Michael Whelan sm, Director, Aquinas Academy and Executive Director of Catalyst for Renewal. (moderated by Geraldine Doogue) You can read the notes which accompanied this session - click HERE
29th July: Geraldine Doogue AO, well-known Australian journalist and radio and television host. Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Blackdog Institute and Chair of the St James Ethics Centre.
You can read Geraldine Doogue's Text of her presentation on the Eureka Street Website by clicking HERE The article has also appeared at ONLINE OPINION and a lively discussion has ensued, with over sixty responses.
26th August: Robert Fitzgerald AM, Commissioner of the Australian Government Productivity Commission. Sister Anne Derwin, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph and President of Catholic Religious Australia You can read the notes which accompanied this session - click HERE AND YOU CAN READ ANNE DERWIN'S TEXT - click HERE AND YOU CAN READ ROBERT FITZGERALD'S TEXT - click HERE
30th Sept. Deirdre Grusovin, Member of Board of CatholicCare Sydney and was a member of the NSW Parliament for 25 years. Father Frank Brennan SJ, AO, Professor of Law at the Public Policy Institute, Australian Catholic University. You can read the Notes which accompanied this session - click HERE ****************************************************** Vatican Forum Talks: In September 2012 Catalyst also held a forum onVatican II... here are the texts: Vatican II Where Do We go From Here Daniel Ang - Pastoral Planning Officer for the Diocese of Parramatta Read it HERE The Laity in the Church today - Dr Michele Connolly rsj Read it HERE The 50th Anniversary of Vatican II - Br Julian McDonald cfc AO Read it HERE **************** Other Recent Events: The Annual Spirituality in the Pub Dinner at The Vault, Shepparton, on 21st September 2012 was addressed by Fr Frank Brennan SJ. His topic was 'Looking Back and Looking Forward Over Church and Life on the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II'
To read his text, visit the Eureka Street website by clicking HERE ____________________________________________ AND
The Clifford Longley Lectures Longley presented a series of stimulating lectures in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, including themes around issues arising from Vatican II and its aftermath - a maturing laity, the meaning of "the people of God" and authority in the Church. Read the texts of his lectures - go to Archives in the top menu. |
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Home Page Diary
Reflections on
the Readings
for this week's
Sunday
Eucharist
************
Fourth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
Click HERE
These reflections
courtesy of
Br Julian McDonald
***************
PREVIEW THE 2015
PADDINGTON SIP
SEASON HERE!
**************
Mary McAleese
in Sydney
On Sunday afternoon of
September 7 2014 the
former President of Ireland,
Mary McAleese,
was the guest of
Aquinas Academy
and Catalyst for Renewal
for the Rosemary Goldie
Memorial Lecture in the
Sydney Town Hall.
It was a memorable occasion!
Radio National's Andrew West
interviewed Mary and the
highlights were replayed
on Andrew's Religion and
Ethics Report.
If you would like to hear
those highlights,
CLICK HERE
Things to Read
Mariam Hassan's
Presentation at
the recent
SIP at the NOTT
(Clayton)
Read it HERE
*****************
Peter Joseph's
Presentation at the
Catalyst Dinner of
October 2013
"Moral Courage
or More of the Same?"
Read the text HERE
********************
_______________________
Gerard Webster's address
at the final session of
Catalyst's series on the
Royal Commission: read
the full text of his address
titled "A Meditation on
Human Rights: Responding
to Sexual Abuse within the
Catholic Church'"
Sydney 24 November 2013
CLICK HERE
_______________________
Geraldine Doogue's address
at the first session of
Catalyst's series on the
Royal Commission: read an
edited version of her
Catalyst for Renewal
address titled
'The church re-imagined'
(Sydney, 1 September 2013)
CLICK HERE
(Eureka Street Website)
The four arrows and the Cross thus formed symbolise diversity giving rise to communion in and through the Paschal Mystery. Those who are diverse by nature and culture, in and through Christ find life-giving unity”.