https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bhozanaappeng.mp4 Christian social network, the Hozana association has launched a worldwide prayer campaign entitled “1 Million Roses for Mary.” This comes as the month of May, also known as the month of flowers, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church. The initiative invites Catholics to pray a million Hail Marys to Our Lady for any special intention. The association has asked people to pray a mystery of the rosary every day to reach their goal. The Hozana app allows people to share this initiative with others and hel ..read more

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Artificial-intelligence-is-here-to-stay-also-at-the-Vatican.mp4 Artificial intelligence has reached the Catholic Church. According to Vatican documents a program called Magisterium AI is being rolled out to help users easily find answers to questions of faith. “What we’re really trying to do with Magisterium AI is really emphasise that this is something that can help you explore church teaching, answer important questions that maybe you don’t feel comfortable asking a priest yet,” said Matthew Sanders, CEO and founder of Longbeard Cr ..read more

Photos: Patrick Giam Tasmania’s Benedictine monks celebrated their first ordination to the priesthood, as Fr Bede Mary Cannavo OSB was ordained on 3 April at St Canice’s Church in Sandy Bay, Hobart. Fr Bede was the first Australian-born member of his community at Notre Dame Priory in Colebrook, central Tasmania, to become a fully professed monk in 2021. He said the ordination ceremony was “truly awesome” and “humbling.” “I was praying for the grace of receptivity, to truly receive the sacrament with as much devotion as possible, and to receive the grace to be made worthy of such a great gift ..read more

Images by Giovanni Portelli Photography © 2024 Hundreds of people from across Sydney ended the city’s most horrific week in years by gathering at two candlelight vigils to commemorate the victims of Bondi’s knife attack. At Holy Cross Catholic Church, less than 100 metres from Bondi Junction Westfield, Bishop Richard Umbers celebrated a Vigil Mass followed by a prayer service on 20 April. It was followed by an outdoor candlelight service at Bondi Pavilion on 21 April attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Governor Margaret Beazley and New South Wales Premi ..read more

Mass at the Clergy Conference on 10 April. Photo: Giovanni Portelli What is synodality? Why is it that a three-day clergy conference exclusively dedicated to the topic, whilst it certainly helped, was still not enough to clarify the meaning of synodality to the satisfaction of all the participants? A key insight into the elusiveness of synodality was offered, perhaps inadvertently, by one of the four clerics who gave personal testimonies between the main sessions on synodality. Ordained at 33, the particular cleric said that he used to be a “cocky priest” who lacked in self-awareness. But a fe ..read more

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio, circa 1601-1602. Omage: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain In an Easter sermon, St John Chrysostom preached, “Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again, for forgiveness has risen from the grave.” It is not true that Christianity is too hard to believe. For us who struggle with accepting that God loves us, even when we sin shamefully, it can almost seem too good to believe! We might ask, “How can God love me despite all the terrible things I’ve done?” This deception from the devil and our own high self-expectations may even drive us to despa ..read more

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, holds up a copy of the dicastery’s declaration, “Dignitas Infinita” (“Infinite Dignity”) on human dignity during a news conference at the Vatican press office April 8, 2024. Photo: CNS photo/Pablo Esparza Dear Fr John Flader, I understand that the recent Vatican Declaration on human dignity mentions gender theory and sex changes as unacceptable in light of the Church’s teaching. Could you please clarify this? The Declaration Dignitas Infinita of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued on 2 Apr ..read more

Our marriage vows should be regularly renewed. Photo: supplied. With a son and two nieces presently engaged, there’s a lot of conversation about weddings in our household. One of the things that has come up is the idea of “private vows” which, according to popular blogs, is trending. The phenomenon of eloping to avoid the drama and cost of a big event is not a new idea. What is new, is having the big event, but exchanging vows separately in a smaller, more intimate, ceremony. This usually happens in the weeks, or hours, preceding the “big” wedding event. In other cases, the couple may exchange ..read more

While it’s good to want to grow, the Scriptures warn us against ‘striving in the flesh.’ Photo: Pexels It’s been a buzzword in wellness, self-help and professional circles for many years. Used in connection to health, relationship and career goals, “growth mindset” is the mental attitude, or outlook, of continual growth. I admit, it’s a phrase that looks and sounds supremely positive. It suggests a healthy ambition, an applaudable entrepreneurial spirit. But, almost every time I read it, or hear it, my spirit recoils, and I think, “chunderous.” It’s not because I’m not an ambitious, entreprene ..read more

Children’s author Deborah Abela will release her 29th book entitled The Kindness Project. Photo: Supplied Popular Australian children’s author and former St Patrick’s Primary School Guildford student Debora Abela is set to release her 29th book, The Kindness Project. The writer of the Max Remy Superspy series is venturing into new waters with her first verse novel. It follows four students who don’t like each other with a class assignment to make the world a better place. Ahead of The Kindness Project releasing on 7 May, The Catholic Weekly sat down with Deborah to discuss the importance of ki ..read more