Author Archives: Church Mouse

Record numbers of visitors

By | | Miscellaneous
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Hundreds of people have visited the Church Mouse in the 36 hours since the program was first broadcast. Here are some excerpts from what a couple of them had to say.

Having listened to the Encounter programme on Radio National this morning at 7am, I am most interested in the fate of the bi-weekly luncheons since the withdrawal of finacial support. Is there a plan for raising the necessary funds to support the lunch and if so, how does one contribute?

Helen B.

Dear church mouse

I have just listened to poor church on the ABC.

… Continue reading →

Poor Church Transcript

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Transcript of Encounter program by David Rutledge 25 July 2005

Encounter is a radio program that may be heard on Sundays at 7.10am (repeated Wednesday at 7.10pm) on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio National network.

This highly acclaimed series, co-ordinated by Florence Spurling, explores the connections between religion and life.

With an emphasis on a high standard of creative production, Encounter invites the listener to make connections intellectually, emotionally and intuitively across a broad spectrum of topics.

The program regularly reflects on the religious experience of multicultural Australia. This includes small, lesser-known groups and gives access … Continue reading →

Thanks Dr Mick Asher!

By | | Sharing the meal
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Father Gerry Prindiville’s opposition to the community holding its twice-weekly Sharing of the Meal inside the church has been aired elsewhere on this web site. It seems that the the Cathedral has a similar view, for, as revealed on the Encounter program, the Sydney Archdiocese Charitable Works Fund has withdrawn its meagre funding.

Dr Mick Asher, however, is adamant that the Sharing of The Meal must continue. Upon hearing the program he came to St Vincent’s and gave a $1000 cheque to the organisers after the 10:00am Sunday mass. Mick Asher is well known for his work in … Continue reading →

From the di Venuto family

By | | Neocriticism
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From: divenutofamily@yahoo.com.au

A friend recommended we take a look at the Church Mouse website. We have read the information it presents carefully and thoroughly. We are regrettably left with the conclusion that you are behaving like spoilt little children who aren’t getting their own way.

Where we live our priest, close to retiring age and in average health, is looking after two fairly large parishes singlehandedly. In our diocese one priest is responsible for three parishes. In our country there are people who might get Mass once a month, or even longer. Friends in far west Queensland see their … Continue reading →

Thoughts July 2004

By | | Thoughts
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Thoughts for the Month

The Jesus I know is no cold, hard Iron-Christ; nor does Jesus deserve to be reduced to smug, glib and uncompassionate irrelevancies when the real meaning of His love is what people need so desperately.

“Who is Worthy?” Ted Kennedy

Self Determination – Our Community – Our Future – Our Responsibility

NAIDOC 2004 – 4th to 11th July 2004

Let us remember Pope John Paul II, in his address to indigenous people,

“And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution … Continue reading →

Mad Roman Catholic Movement

By | | Morsels
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Another message from San Francisco:

Hello St. Vincent’s, Redfern Parishioners:

In the U.S., Roman Catholics have plenty of problems caused by Roman Catholic priests selling out to clericalism. The situation at St. Vincent’s, however, surpasses the worst U.S. parish mess.

In fact, in the U.S. the worst clericalism results in the closure of the parish and the sale of the church buildings. The land under most urban U.S. Roman Catholic churches has usually appreciated greatly in value.

It would be very unusual in the U.S. for so much effort to establish a community, Neo-Catechumenate, that a diverse group … Continue reading →

A Response to the Parish Priest

By | | Our pastors
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21 June 2004

Dear Gerry,

I am writing in response to your open letter in the bulletin. I felt the need to respond both, as a member of the Community of St Vincent’s Church, Redfern and, also as a Religious sister who has worked for the church for many years as a teacher and in Social Justice. I have been involved in different ministries – Teaching, A Shelter for Homeless Men, Women’s refugee, Forbes St House in Redfern, lived with the people of Wilcannia and more.

I feel that in some of your comments you do not really understand … Continue reading →

The Parish Priest’s Response

By | | Our pastors
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The Saving Word, 20 June 2004

Reply to Open Letter

I note the points made in your open letter of 10th June, 2004. Not everyone in the parish agrees with your views on the carpets and the desirability for an austere church.

I disagree that any changes made to the church including the carpets are ostentatious in any way. Any changes made to the church have been to work towards a dignified and spiritual environment in which all are welcome and find spiritual uplifting. I, personally, and many others to whom I have spoken find the church, as … Continue reading →

Reflection on today’s reading

By | | Morsels
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In earlier times, one of the most common hidden heresies was to reserve the name of Church to only part of it, a sort of sacralised power – ‘the body of pastors with the Roman Pontiff’. Vatican II reacted against this concept by changing the order of Chs. 2 and 3 of Lumen Gentium, placing the chapter dedicated to the people of God ahead of the chapter dedicated to the hierarchy. Unfortunately Vatican II’s outlook has not affected the mentality of many Church people. One fears that today many ministers believe themselves Church, not for being Christians, but for being … Continue reading →

Paul Collins

By | | Morsels
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Paul Collins spoke today after Mass. How refreshing it was to hear this man of intellect, integrity and breadth of outlook speak optimistically about the Church, and why he has remained a part of it, despite the "discourtesies" he was subjected to by the Vatican inquisitors. You can find a copy of Eddie Campion’s review from Online Catholics at {rdlc id=360}.