The Catholic Weekly 7 June 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 3 7, June, 2020 Looking for a new Job? www.catholicjobsonline.com.au FROM PAGE 1 Archbishop Fisher said that due to the COVIDSafe shut- down which began during Lent in March “all the cate- chumens around Australia have had an extra-long wait to receive the great graces of Holy Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion”. This weekend Sandy Li, Megna Roopa and Jared Ben- eru will also be received into the church at St Mary’s. In his homily for the Mass livestreamed from St Mary’s New faith, new life Wearing white baptismal robes, catechumens are presented to Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP. PHOTOS: PATRICK J LEE Cathedral the archbishop pointed out that the same Holy Spirit that was breathed out on the apostles by Jesus after “by-passing the barriers of isolation and distancing” was entering “into the hearts of our catechumens, who’ve been preparing to receive Him in Baptism, Confirma- tion and Holy Communion.” The “explosion of grace” at the first Pentecost changed people forever,” he said. “Frightened fishermen cowering in the cenacle be- came fearless evangelists who gave the testimony of their lives. “They might have looked the same and kept the same day job. But inside they were different people after that, and so was the world once their Church burst upon the scene. “The story of Pentecost is a story of the power of the spiritual, the importance of the feelings, relationships and religious dimensions of the human person and the uni- verse.” The cathedral’s RCIA chaplain Fr Lewi Barakat said it had “been wonderful to see people from different walks of life respond to the call of Christ”. “They’re just some of the many catechumens in par- ishes who see that the world can’t offer them the fulfilment their heart desires, and come to the Church with real ques- tions seeking the truth and experiencing the peace that comes with that.” For further information on becoming a Catholic: becom- ingcatholic@sydneycatholic. org or call 9307 8477 SYDNEY CATHOLIC Youth, together with Ignite Youth, had the unfortunate task this week of announcing the can- cellation of the 2020 Ignite Youth Conference. Difficulties and complica- tions arising from the COV- ID-19 pandemic and restric- tions on movement between Sydney and Ignite’s base in Brisbane, lead to the decision to withdraw from 2020 prepa- rations and begin plans for the 2021 conference. But the sadnewswasmixed with good: both organisations announced an extension to their current partnership. Sydney Catholic Youth Director Christopher Lee an- nounced a joint effort to drive evangelisation and outreach to youth through Ignite Con- ferences in Sydney in 2021 and 2022. Organisers believe that participation in the Sydney Ignite Youth Conference will grow, as Sydney-siders be- come more familiar with the event and the Sydney Arch- diocese’s Mission Plan is launched. Daniel Ang, Director of Parish 2020 and Evangelisa- tion and Parish Renewal, who has been leading the devel- opment of the Archdiocese’s plan for evangelisation, said Good news trumps bad for Sydney youth Daniel Ang he was delighted with the partnership. “With the Archbishop’s support, we are excited to es- tablish the Ignite Conference in the Archdiocese of Sydney as one of the significant ways in which we seek to reach out to young people in the years ahead,” said Mr Ang. “We want to draw young people, those who are curi- ous, those who are question- ing as well as those who are already committed disciples, into a positive experience of the Church, centred on the person and message of Jesus and open to the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. “Following the impact and restrictions of the coronavirus crisis on our communities of faith, young people and fami- lies over thesemonths, we will be preparing to unleash new energies and new outreach to young people together with Ignite Youth.” Far Thomas Kurunthanam and his fellow parishioners at St Peter Chanel and St Joseph Parish in Berala responded almost instantly when the Archdiocese of Sydney launched its petition asking for churches to be opened last week.Within 24 hours of being launched the petition successful- ly forced NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to include churches and places of worship in the list of organisations and business- es able to open up. Fr Thomas (at right) and parishioners erected a sign outside their church urging not just Catholics but people of other denominations or faiths - and even those of no faith at all - to sign the petition asking for equal treatment. As a result of the petition’s success, up to 50 people can now attend Mass and other religious services while maintaining social distancing safeguards. PHOTO: GIOVANNI PORTELLI Berala springs into action backing petition ¾ ¾ Benjamin Conolly NEWS