Author Archives: Church Mouse

Catholica comes to tea

By | | Miscellaneous
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The St Vincent’s community regularly sets aside the last Sunday of the month to enjoy a cup of tea and a leisurely chat after Mass. Guests are especially welcome, and the broad spectrum of "Redfernites" who visit the parish infrequently for many and varied reasons are heartily encouraged to mark their diaries accordingly.

Last Sunday, special guests singer-songwriter Amanda McKenna, and her husband Brian Coyne, editor of Catholica (formerly Catholica Australia) accepted an invitation to get together with the community.

They generously shared stories of their own journeys; Amanda sang a selection of her compositions and Brian spoke passionately … Continue reading →

Sunday 2nd Nov – No Souls’ Day

By | | Our pastors
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The gospel for All Souls’ Day spoke of Jesus as the compassionate and loving one, inviting the burdened and laden to come to Him. The readings were ones of joy and celebration. After mass the community was invited for a “cuppa” at the Gathering Place on The Block. It was looking like a great Sunday.

At the Prayers of the Faithful, Clare opened her heart about her grief at the recent passing of her uncle.

A priest of the Canberra/Goulburn Diocese ordained some 60 years ago, he served the people of God in a quiet, unassuming manner. She spoke about … Continue reading →

George’s “power of good”

By | | Our pastors
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The following article appeared in last weekend’s Sunday Telegraph column by George Pell.

Porto San Giorgio

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
28 September 2008

Last Sunday I travelled with a group of Aussies for a unique ceremony to Porto San Giorgio, a small holiday resort on the Adriatic coast north east of Rome.

250 young men were assigned to 72 seminaries of the Neo-Catechumenal Way around the world to begin their studies for the Catholic priesthood. 56 were from Italy and 35 from Spain, the largest groups.

Australians are used to something of the immense … Continue reading →

Respectfully yours

By | | Our pastors
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The following was sent to the parish priest, Clesio Mendes, today, by a community member. The pp and his assistant refused to speak to Sr Marnie Kennedy when she approached them after the 10am Mass. They simply ignored her, refusing to engage in any way at all.

Dear Clesio,

I trust this e-mail will find you in good spirits.

I am writing to address my concern with regards to what transpired after Mass today.

Sr Marnie had approached you and was ignored. When Sr Sheila brought this to your attention, you asked that respect be shown to you.

Respect – … Continue reading →

Kiko or kook?

By | | General
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This turned up in the inbox over the weekend. The Church Mouse finds it rather sad. from    milton bravo <miltonbravo2000@yahoo.com>
to      church-mouse@lanuera.com
date    Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 5:29 AM
subject Church Mouse: Love the "NeoCats"

To whom Concern,
Dear Sir. I took some time to read and lough about your website, it’s very funny. I live in the Great nation of The United States of America, for many years now and I’m an Eng. in the Microwave field (Devices to use on SAT comm and MIT), also and Fiber Optic Wireless Tech , and of … Continue reading →

Christ has come for us …

By | | General
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Several weeks ago the Church mouse posted an interview with Neocat leader Kiko Arguello. If you found Kiko, the Wrath of God a compelling read, you are not alone. In a very short time it has become one of the most read articles on this website.

The following item, from the Catholic Weekly, is not in the same class. Christ has come for us … is a conversation with Australian Neocat leaders. As you might expect, they have little of significance to say.

‘Christ has come for us …’

A conversation with Neocatechumenate Way colleagues … Continue reading →

Neocats eject priest

By | | Our pastors
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On Sunday, August 24, 2008, Fr Peter Maher, an accredited InterPlay leader, was to conduct a workshop entitled “Holistic Spirituality Can Be Fun” at St Vincent’s. Peter has conducted similar workshops at many venues, including overseas. He was specifically invited by the community, with which he has been associated for  about 25 years, to hold one at Redfern. Details of the workshop had been announced at Sunday Masses for several weeks, and all were invited to attend.

The workshop never happened – Clesio Mendes had his cronies eject Fr Peter Maher from St Vincent’s Church after lying in wait by … Continue reading →

Trevor

By | | Sharing the meal
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The following arrived today from Fr David Lancini, p.p. of Kirwan in Queensland. David, a great friend of Fr John’s, comes to Sydney for his annual holidays and helps out at The Meal for the two weeks that he is here. Over the many years that he has been doing this he had got to know Mary and Trevor.

He intends to put the following story on the front of his Parish Bulletin

MINISTERIAL REGION OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD Morindo Drive, Kirwan. Q. 4817 P.O. Box 203, Thuringowa Central. Q. 4817 Phone: (07) 4723 9844 Fax: (07) 4723 … Continue reading →

More thanks, and a question or two

By | | Sharing the meal
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The following letter was sent today:

Sharing The Meal

To Serve One Another With Generosity And Joy PO Box 206 Leichhardt 2040

6 July 2008

Dear Father Clesio

We just wish to thank all the pilgrims who have so generously and thoughtfully contributed so much towards our “Sharing the Meal" here at St Vincent’s Redfern. It is because of such kindness that we are able to keep going. There are lots of disadvantaged people who come in and share each Tuesday and Friday morning – roughly about 100. People who would not have the opportunity of sharing … Continue reading →