The Catholic Leader: Features

Walking with Our Lord's love

Meeting a need: Aspley parishioners Nancy Blight (left) and Colleen Borgeaud (right) with Yodit who receives help from Walking With Love, part of Aspleycare in Aspley parish

Aspleycare, a welfare group in the Brisbane northside parish of Aspley, has taken on the ministry of Walking With Love to support expectant and nursing mothers. SELINA VENIER reports on the impact of the outreach (07/08/2011)

Pope Benedict's WYD has space for silence, solemnity

Youthful throng: Thousands of pilgrims in the streets around Randwick Racecourse after the final Mass of World Youth Day 2008 Picture: Robin Williams

POPE Benedict XVI has put his own stamp on the Church's celebration of World Youth Day, and it's especially clear in the gathering's moments of prayer. (31/07/2011)

Embarking on a journey of faith

Setting sail: Pilgrim bags from previous World Youth Days were placed on the sanctuary during the Commissioning Mass celebrated by Archbishop John Bathersby at St Stephen's Cathedral on Sunday, July 10 Picture: David Kirby

Catholic Leader journalist PAUL DOBBYN is preparing to travel to Madrid for World Youth Day. He shares his thoughts on what he expects on the pilgrimage (24/07/2011)

The future is looking gloomy, but religious leaders are positive

Open discussion: Panelists for a Q&A-style forum at the Catholic Religious Australia national assembly are (from left) Mercy Sisters Veronica Lawson and Jan Gray, Columban Father Noel Connolly and Cistercian Father David Tomlinson

The annual national assembly of Catholic Religious Australia was held in Brisbane recently. Journalist PAUL DOBBYN reports on the spirit of the assembly (17/07/2011)

Determined to change the world

Casting into the deep: Fr Nigel Sequeira with family and friends after he was ordained to the priesthood on June 29 at St Stephen's Cathedral by Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane

Brisbane archdiocese's newest priests Frs Nigel Sequeira and Paul Catchlove were ordained in St Stephen's Cathedral on June 29. Journalist SELINA VENIER spoke to them on the day (10/07/2011)

Time to reject crass politicking worsening the pain of refugees

Refugee crisis: A refugee vessel under the control of Border Protection Command that was intercepted by HMAS Albany IN 2009. The boat carrying around 50 asylum seekers allegedly burst into flames near Ashmore Reef off the coast of Western Australia Picture: AAP/Australian Customs and Border Protection

Coinciding with World Refugee Day on June 20, Brisbane archdiocese's Catholic Justice and Peace Commission executive officer PETER ARNDT issued this strongly worded comment piece on Australia's asylum-seeker policies (03/07/2011)

Life to me is Christ

Leader of leaders: Archbishop John Bathersby with student leaders at the 2011 Powerhouse of Leaders gathering Picture: Robin Williams

Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane gave this talk at the Powerhouse of Leaders Gathering at Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm, on April 4. Brisbane Catholic Education organised the gathering for student leaders from Catholic schools of the archdiocese (26/06/2011)

Finding God's love in tragedy

Police funeral: Pauline Father Columba Macbeth-Green delivers a homily at the funeral of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding Picture: AAPIMAGE/Michael Ross

Queensland Police Service chaplain Pauline Father Columba Macbeth-Green officiated at the funeral service of slain policeman Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on June 7. This is the homily he delivered to an estimated 5000 mourners at the centre (19/06/2011)

Impassioned Lota woman inspired to help Sudanese refugees

Art for refugees: Rosetta Andon and Fr Refaat Louis at Lota. She is holding one of the Egyptian parchment artworks brought back to Australia to raise funds for Sudanese refugees in Cairo

A Brisbane Catholic's childhood connection with the Salesian priests in the Middle East has played a part in arousing her compassion in later life for Sudanese refugees in Egypt. PAUL DOBBYN reports (12/06/2011)

Caritas urged to work closely with bishops

Pope Benedict XVI: Affirmed that Caritas is called to bring the Church's message to international political and social discussions

BECAUSE it acts in the name of the Catholic Church in promoting development and helping the needy, Caritas Internationalis must be guided by bishops and the official teaching of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI said. (05/06/2011)

Catholic Features