The Catholic Leader: Features

Weigel reads signs of warning and hope for West

Professor George Weigel
(Picture: Cortesy of Campion College)

United States Catholic intellectual Professor George Weigel, biographer of Pope John Paul II, visited Brisbane recently, and journalist PAUL DOBBYN sought his views on a range of topics related to the Church in the world (20/11/2011)

We must open our eyes with Jesus

Archbishop John Bathersby preaches at the annual service of Prayer for Reconciliation of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches of Brisbane and Toowoomba dioceses Picture: Alan Edgecomb

This is a homily ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS JOHN BATHERSBY delivered at St John's Cathedral, Brisbane, on November 10 for the annual service of Prayer for Reconciliation of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches of Brisbane and Toowoomba dioceses. The service was held before Pope Benedict XVI had announced his acceptance of Archbishop Bathersby's retirement as Archbishop of Brisbane (20/11/2011)

Joyful servants of the poor

First contact: Missionaries of the Poor Brother Rogelio Funtanares, Father Kulandairaj Ambrose and Brother Jose Deleon visited Queensland in October

Missionaries from the dumpsites of the Philippines have visited Queensland to promote awareness of their work, MATT EMERICK spoke to them about the mission (13/11/2011)

Mother Vincent's letters live on

History at their fingertips: Sisters of Mercy Anne Hetherington (left) and Pauline Smoothy with some of the vast amount of 19th Century correspondence forming the basis of their latest book Picture: Paul Dobbyn

The Correspondence of Mother Vincent Whitty 1839 to 1892 is a treasure revealed to the Brisbane Sisters of the Mercy and the wider Church community during the order's celebration of the 150th anniversary of its arrival in Queensland. Reporter PAUL DOBBYN spoke with the historians responsible for the work, Sr Anne Hetherington and Sr Pauline Smoothy (06/11/2011)

Our Lady reminds us always of her Son

Prayer to Mary: Archbishop John Bathersby

This is a homily given by ARCHBISHOP JOHN BATHERSBY of Brisbane during a Mass at St Mary Major's Basilica in Rome on October 13 during the Australian Catholic bishops' ad limina visit (30/10/2011)

Battling to stop the horror of war

Seeking peace: Kathy Kelly during a visit last year to Afghanistan's Band-i-Amir village in the Bamiyan province. Next to her are Hakim, a Singaporean doctor who co-ordinates the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, and several boys from the village

Kathy Kelly is a United States school teacher who has devoted much of her life to working for peace. Journalist PAUL DOBBYN gives an insight into her devotion on the eve of her visit to Brisbane (23/10/2011)

Stewardship is counter-cultural

Devoted stewards: April and Ed Laughlin in Brisbane to promote stewardship as a way of life
Picture: Paul Dobbyn

A couple devoting their life to promoting stewardship spirituality travel far and wide to deliver their message with enthusiasm. Journalist PAUL DOBBYN interviewed them in Brisbane recently (16/10/2011)

Mercy for the whole world

Mercy Sister Deirdre Mullan gives a keynote address at the recent Living Mercy conference in Brisbane Picture: Anne Taylor

Irish Sister of Mercy Deirdre Mullan is director of Mercy Global Concern which maintains a Mercy presence at the United Nations in New York. She gave a keynote address on "Challenges from Our World" at the recent Living Mercy conference in Brisbane. This is an edited version of the address (09/10/2011)

Sent forth to preach God's word

Thanksgiving: Newly-ordained Father Anthony Ekpo (right) with Coolangatta-Tugun parish priest Fr Kevin Smith on July 31 following his Ordination Mass the day before

Three Nigerians who had been in formation for the priesthood at Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary, Banyo, returned to their homeland recently to be ordained. Journalist SELINA VENIER caught up with them when they arrived back in Brisbane to begin the next stage of their mission as priests (02/10/2011)

The underlying factors of crimes must be addressed

Josephite Sister Margaret Robertson: "If you don't address the underlying factors of offences such as drug-related crime a prison sentence isn't likely to act as a deterrent" Picture: Robin Williams

Today (September 25) is Social Justice Sunday, and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's 2011 Social Justice Statement is Building Bridges, Not Walls: Prisons and the justice system. Journalist ROBIN WILLIAMS spoke with Brisbane prison chaplain Josephite Sister Margaret Robertson about the statement (25/09/2011)

Catholic Features