|
6th February 2010: FIG TREE IS DYING: The condition of the old fig tree between SFX Church and Parish Admin has been monitored for the past few years. An increase in the number of limbs falling from the tree prompted a request to Ballina Shire Council to assess the health and safety of the tree. Council advised that the tree is dying and posed a danger and gave permission for the tree to be removed. The work was done on Friday 5th February.
|
|
|
5th February 2010: RETIREMENT OF GAE DALEY: After working for the Diocese for over 39 years, Gae Daley retired from the Diocesan Business Office in Lismore on Friday. Gae com- menced working for the Diocesan Chancery with Bishop Farrelly in August 1970 at 18 years of age. Aside from taking time off for children in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, and a two year break living in Coonamble in 1999- 2000, she has worked exclusively for the Diocese.
Gae worked in various capacities within the Chancery in- cluding the Diocesan office of the NSW/ACT Matrimonial Tribunal with Fathers Devoy, Nilon and Slack, in reception for the Diocesan Business Office and in the Diocesan Investment Fund. However, it is Gae’s welcoming manner, knowledge of Church affairs and sense of humour that will be missed most. During her working life Gae has become a much loved part of the fabric of the Diocese. She has always been a mainstay of support for the clergy of the diocese.
|
|
|
3rd February 2010: DEATH OF FATHER BILL MURPHY: Fr Murphy died in the early hours of this morning (3rd). He was born in 1917, baptized in St Carthage’s Cathedral, and educated at Marist Brothers in Lismore. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Carroll in Lismore in 1942. Fr Bill suffered from ill health over a considerable period and he retired in 1973 to lesser duties, firstly to Mullumbimby and then to Brisbane, where he remained until his death. He was acknowledged from his seminary days as a man of real theological ability, with a strong interest in catechetics. During the 2nd Vatican council, he was an adviser to Bishop Farrelly. Fr Murphy’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Church, Nundah in Brisbane on Wednesday 10th at 11 am (QLD time).
|
|
|
21st January 2010: Haiti tragedy: We are all praying for the Haitian people in their time of tragedy. Caritas Australia (Catholic welfare) has provided us with some details. See them here (pdf). You can go to the Caritas website here to make a donation.
|
|
|
26th December 2009: Pope Benedict XVI has delivered his 'urbi et orbi' (to the city and the world) address. You can read it here.
|
|
20th December 2009: Second miracle is proclaimed for Blessed Mary MacKillop. Overnight (our time) Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the Church's acceptance of the second miracle required for Blessed Mary's journey to sainthood.
Pope Benedict also declared that recent Popes, Pius XII and John Paul II are to be known as Venerable. This step comes before one is proclaimed as a Blessed.
|
|
 12th December 2009: SEMINARIAN STEFAN MATUSZEK has arrived in the parish for a short pastoral placement. Stefan will be here till 22nd December, before returning to Hobart to celebrate Christmas with his family. He has just completed his first year in the seminary in Wagga Wagga.
|
|
11th December 2009: Rev Deacon PETER WOOD was ordained tonight as a deacon for our Diocese. Peter has been studying at Good Shepherd Seminary at Homebush in Sydney. He is spending some time in his home parish of Lismore over the Christmas New Year period, before returning to his studies for the priesthood.
|
|
 2nd December 2009: SEMINARIAN JOHN SIEGA arrived in the parish yesterday afternoon. He will be with us for up to two months. John has completed seven years of seminary education and is now gaining pastoral experience in preparation for his future ministry. We wish him a huge welcome to our two parishes.
|
|
20th October 2009: HUGE STEP IN CATHOLIC & ANGLICAN RELATIONS: Pope Benedict has issued an Apostolic Constitution today which makes it easy for groups of Anglicans to return to Communion with the Catholic Church while retaining much of their distinctive spiritual patrimony. See the Apostolic Constitution here (not yet available) --- the combined statement from the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster and the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury here --- and the Vatican media statement here.
|
|
19th October 2009: Bishop Jarrett has approved the ordination of Peter Wood as a deacon. The ordination will be at St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore at 7 pm on Friday 11th December. Peter spent December 2007 here at Ballina on a pastoral placement.
|
|
17th October 2009: Pope Benedict XVI has issued his annual message for World Mission Sunday this weekend. See it here.
|
|
9th October 2009: The Vicar General (Fr Peter Slack) has announced that prior to his departure on annual holidays, Bishop G. Jarrett had announced the appointment of Deacon Warren Jacobsen to diaconal ministry in the parishes of Casino and Byron/Mullumbimb, effective 3rd November. Deacon Jacobsen is currently working in South Lismore parish and at St Vincent's Hospital in Lismore.
|
| 8th September 2009: Vatican Letter on Catholic Education issued: read it here. |
