Author Archives: cmadmin

Graffiti in its glory…Father Frank Brennan, centre, at yesterday’s ceremony, with the surprise mural behind him. At far left is Marnie Kennedy, the sister of the late Father Ted Kennedy.

Photo: Lee Besford

David Marr
Sydney Morning Herald, July 31, 2006

IT WAS a big day at St Vincent’s Redfern yesterday, but Father Gerry Prindiville sat grim-faced through the celebrations.

He had come to Mass to find a huge mural had appeared overnight on the east wall of his church. As far as the embattled priest was concerned, this was not a … Continue reading →

Reproduced with permission.

The congregation spontaneously applauded at the end of John Hill’s reflection on last Sunday’s readings. It was inspired by National Sorry Day, the annual commemoration (on May 26) of the tens of thousands of Indigenous people who were forcibly removed from their families as children.

As recently as last week Benedict XVI urged the Australian Government to seek forgiveness from Indigenous Australians: “I encourage you and the Government to continue to address with compassion and determination the deep underlying causes of their plight,” the Pope said. “Commitment to truth opens the way to lasting reconciliation through the healing … Continue reading →

Readings:

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

First Letter of St. John 4:7-10

Gospel John 15:9-17

This week is Sorry Week.
It is an acknowledgement to our Aboriginal brothers and sisters of the misery we have inflicted upon them. We ask for forgiveness. We have so much to be forgiven for. That doesn’t mean that we beat our breasts, wear hair shirts or get into the way of flagellation. Rather we look deep into ourselves as individuals and as a community and see what amends we can make. We … Continue reading →

It would appear that Sydney Council plans to remove the Mum Shirl memorial seat from outside the church as part of the Redfern Street Upgrade. It was installed six or seven years ago by the then South Sydney Council.

The seat is located in Redfern Street outside the St Vincent’s Catholic Church [see picture on Church Mouse Image Gallery home page] where Fr Ted Kennedy was parish priest for 30 years, and next to the Aboriginal Medical Service. It is part of the cultural history of Redfern commemorating Mum Shirl’s tireless work for her people. Its location commemorates the … Continue reading →

The Good Friday ceremony got off to a good start with John Hill’s introduction to the liturgy [here].

However the Neocats soon imposed their agenda for the afternoon when parish priest Prindiville was heard muttering that it was “crap”. He followed this, after the Gospel, by forbidding a performance of reflective music from Bach’s Passion According to St Matthew, despite arrangements to secure the services of a flautist and an organist especially for the occasion.

Instead the congregation was subjected to a 15 minute sermon, on a day when the long Gospel reading is usually followed by a brief … Continue reading →

ABC TV Compass Program
Friday April 14 2006

It was lovely to see Ted again, his kindly face, quick intelligence, his compassion in spades, his capacity to recognise the life transforming moments in the everyday. Nurtured by the insights of poets and other artists, and ever attentive to the stories and needs of people he’d just met or knew well, Ted had the imagination, compassion and maturity to inspire. He built loving and trust-filled relationships.

There were lots of things the show didn’t touch on, including Ted’s love of Baxter’s poetry and his capacity to bring … Continue reading →

Prayer 1:

Let us pray for the sun and the everlasting glory of its daily death. May its gentle warmth nourish our soul. May each lingering sunset broaden our imagination and strengthen our conviction for a fairer world.

Prayer 2:

Let us pray for the heavenly birdsong that springs forth from all trees. May we listen intently to their rapturous melody and share some of their joy with this troubled world.

Prayer 3:

Let us pray for the ocean and those marvellous creatures that live within her womb. May they keep … Continue reading →