Why not join in the Rosary Bouquet? See VISTA 4
"Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ." -BISHOP MATTHEW GIBNEY 1874
THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD. ffierec,
Western Australia's award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday August 12 2009
Perth, Western Australia $2
Macial op sainthood most certain' Cardinal Pell hints historic canonisation is close as thousands around Australia mark centenary of Blessed Mary MacKillop's death.
Estimated crowd of 400 gather at Applecross Church for occasion. • By Anthony Barich
AS over 400 people including over 100 nuns gathered at St Benedict's Church Applecross on August 8 to mark the 100th anniversary of Blessed Mary MacKillop's death (see separate story, Pages 2-3), Australia's most senior prelate said in Sydney that her canonisation is "almost completely certain". As thousands of laity, priests and Religious gathered around Australia last weekend for the anniversary, Cardinal George Pell told a special Mass at St Mary's Church, North Sydney on August 8: "It's almost completely certain she will be become our first publicly recognised Australian saint and we hope Pope Benedict will make the declaration soon." The Sydney Mass was also broadcast live to North Sydney oval due to the surge in crowds for the event. He said that Mary MacKillop, Who founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Penola in 1867, had at times been treated "disgracefully" by the Please turn to Page 2
Applecross gathering, photos - Page 3
A worker hangs a portrait of Blessed Mary MacKillop inside St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney shortly before the commencement of World Youth Day last year. The Australian nun lived from 1842 to 1909 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995. Cardinal George Pell of Sydney appeared to hint that her canonisation is PHOTO: CNS/DANIEL MUNOZ imminent in comments made during a special Mass in Sydney last weekend.
a new series
Light
Attention all Celebrate Love and Embrace couples and friends
at
Mini-Conference Series 09
As participation plummets in Europe, the future seems bleak for the Church. Does it have a future? Record columnist Anthony Paganoni, a Scalabrinian, begins a new series on how the picture may not be as accurate as that commonly portrayed by the media.
Sat Aug '2 2pm Conference, 7pm Dinner
Midnight?
Page 13
www.thepmrc.org/renaissance
You are invited to join us for an evening of Renewal. Come along and hear Tricia & Michael Casey, together with Luke & Vannessa Van Beek present The Renaissance of Marriage Mini Conference series 2009. The afternoon and evening is open to anyone who is interested in helping to build great relationships among married couples - married, singles, religious Why you should be there. See Page 11
for details