Author Archives: Church Mouse

Mendes’ homily last Sunday was notable – not only because he used it to announce that this had been his last Sunday Mass as pp of St Vincent’s, but also because for once it actually had some semblance of structure and coherence, leading one to wonder who had written it for him.

The content, however, was sadly still the same old rubbish, with the message of the gospel reading of the Sermon on the Mount somehow warping into a diatribe on obedience, a favourite theme.

He thanked his fellow travellers on the Way for their support, as well as the … Continue reading →

Yesterday a delegation from the community approached pp Mendes after Mass to express their concern over the growing number of items that have disappeared from the church. An attempt was made to read out the following statement:

We recently realised no-one has reported to you that yet another item is missing from St Vincent’s Church. For some weeks now we have not seen a framed print of a well known modern painting called The First Supper, which has been hanging at St V’s for many years. The original painting was entered in the Blake Prize for Religious Art. It features … Continue reading →

The following article appeared on page 7 of Saturday’s Sydney Morning Herald.

Catholic faithful dig in for new battle

THE faithful of St Vincent’s Catholic Church, Redfern look set to outlast another conservative priest – but they are still waiting to have their prayers answered.

A group of long-time parishioners at the inner-city church have again come into conflict with its clergy, this time over a spontaneous approach to the prayers offered in Mass.

The approach is in keeping with the more vernacular and inclusive style of worship celebrated at the urban indigenous parish since the leadership of late … Continue reading →

Despite the intense feelings of abuse and loss at having the Easter ceremonies celebrated(?) begrudgingly and with a palbable emanation of loathing, the Church Mouse remained silent, giving space to the deeply distressed community to voice its own concerns, which it certainly did, with a number of individuals writing to the heirarchy.

The sorry story is told in their letters, some of which are reproduced below.

The first collection of letters was addressed to Cardinal Pell and Mgr John Usher (Chancellor) of the Sydney Archdiocese.

Your Eminence,

We write once again in reference to the relationship between the Parish Priest, … Continue reading →