The Catholic Weekly 26 December 2021

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 26, December, 2021 COLLABORATION IS grow- ing between five inner Sydney parishes which have come to- gether to showcase their mu- sical talents at an annual con- cert of Christmas Carols and Readings, modelled on the fa- mous Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College in Cambridge. Around 140 people gath- ered at St Benedict’s Church in Broadway for Christmas Lessons and Carols 2021 on Saturday 18 December. The event brought togeth- er choirs and parishioners from St Mary’s Cathedral, St Patrick’s Church Hill, St Pe- ter’s Surry Hills, St Benedict’s Broadway and St Joseph’s Camperdown and was led by Sydney City Catholics, made up of youth groups and young adults from the City Deanery. It’s the second year the concert has been held, with last year’s concert held at St Peter’s Surry Hills. The idea started in 2017 when Sydney hosted the Aus- tralian Catholic Youth Festival and young adults were look- ing for a way to strengthen ties between the different in- ner-city parishes. One of the event organis- ers, Carl San Pedro from St Benedict’s Church Broadway, said the five parishes have previously come together for annual religious processions. He said Christmas Lessons and Carols is an opportunity for the parishes to pool their resources and talents together in service of God’s mission. “Music is important across all the city deanery parishes together”, Carl explained to The Catholic Weekly . “St Benedict’s has a strong commitment to sacred choral music, St Peter’s has a long tradition of highly profession- ¾ Michael Kenny Parishes unite to welcome Jesus al musicians as well and St Jo- seph’s in Camperdown has a very charismatic vibe to theirs and it’s a similar situation at St Mary’s and St Patrick’s as well”, he said. Auxiliary Bishop Terry Brady, who spoke at the event, Around 140 people gathered at St Benedict’s Church in Broadway for Christmas Lessons and Carols 2021 on Saturday 18 December. PHOTO: ALPHONSUS FOK said the parishes of the Inner City Deanery have set a great role model for others. “Thewhole concept is excel- lent and they have made a real effort to foster a sense of com- munity and of missionary dis- cipleship which is particularly important for helping young adults to stay engaged with the Catholic faith”, he said. One of the event organ- isers, Gerard Horsfall from St Peter’s parish, said it was particularly helpful to bring people together in this way after a long period of isola- tion linked to the COVID-19 lockdown. Fellow parishioner and member of the organising team from St Peter’s parish, Sarah Moody, said the event next year would be held at St Patrick’s Church Hill. “It’s about sharing resourc- es, sharing talents and friend- ships, getting to know new people and maintaining and creating new connections across the parishes”, Sarah said. “Music is a powerful way to bring people from all walks of life together and we wanted it to be an event that was easily accessible to everybody and where everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of their station in life”. News Movies, books Archbishop’s homily Editorial & Letters 1-7 8-9 25 28-29 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Kenny (02) 9390 5348 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 Adam Wesselinoff (02) 9390 5400 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5215. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by Spotpress Pty Ltd, 24-26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204. DOWNLOAD THE OUR FAITH OUR WORKS APP Your one-stop location for Mass and Confession times, spiritual reflections and meditations, podcasts, local Catholic news, the Go Make Disciples mission plan, and much more. To download the app visit ourfaithourworks.org/app or scan the QR Code. Call 02 9649 6423 or visit www.catholiccemeteries.com.au Consecrated lawns and chapels Sydney’s only Catholic crematorium Monthly mass for the Repose of Souls Funeral directors available for a Catholic service Bereavement pastoral care Serving the Catholic community for over 150 years There will be no 9 January 2022 edition. The next edition will be 16 January 2022 NEW YEAR DISTRIBUTION There will be no 9 January 2022 edition. The next edition will be 16 January 2022. Wishing all our readers a Happy and Holy Christmas and New year. Organisers of the Christmas Lessons and Carols from left to right: Jonathan Salim, St Patrick’s Church Hill, Gerard Horsfall, St Peter’s Surry Hills, Sarah Moody, St Peter’s Surry Hills, Carl San Pedro, St Benedict’s, Broadway. PHOTO: ALPHONSUS FOK