In the story of
Jesus there are pivotal moments, which – if they didn’t occur – might have changed not only Jesus’
‘destiny’, but ours. As you would be well aware, Jesus’ story sits at the
centre of a great and wonderful narrative that begins with the creation story.
It follows humanity’s fall and the persistent and loving offer of a covenant
relationship with God. Humanity’s rejection results in the ultimate gift – the
Incarnation of God in the person of Jesus. His ministry culminates in his
rejection, Passion, death on the Cross and Resurrection. With the sending of
the Holy Spirit, the life of the Church continues the story until the end of
time.
Paul had a clear
understanding that these events were necessary for God’s plan for all humanity’s salvation.
Something
happened in many places in the 70s and 80s. We became “Resurrection People”,
and one of its consequences was the disappearance of the corpus from the Cross. It happened at the same time that we Catholics
developed a sensitivity, rather than
sensibility about the death of Jesus. It was ugly, untidy and better left
alone. The crucifix disappeared from various churches, chapels, school foyers
and classrooms. It was replaced with Resurrected Christs triumphant before the
Cross, or with those attractive Crosses painted with bright biblical scenes.
In one staff
meeting we engaged in a robust discussion on this matter. Students, I was told,
were fearful of the corpus. I argued
that without Jesus’ death on the Cross there was no Resurrection. It is one of
the necessary events without
which God’s plan would never be completed.
In his letter to
the Philippians, Paul outlines in six, compact and dense hymnic verses the core
of the kerygma. The divine becomes
incarnate in Jesus, in his humility he accepts what is ordained for him, his
death on the Cross, and his being raised to glory that we may all worship him.
Today is the
feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and marks the dedication of the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335 AD where nine years earlier St Helena
discovered the True Cross.
The Cross will and
must remain front and centre.
Peter
New priests for Archdiocese of Hobart
The Archbishop of Hobart has announced the appointment of two new priests to the Archdiocese. The first
is Fr Seraph Balmadres. Fr Seraph is from the Diocese of Baguio, Philippines.
He has several relatives in Australia and has spent time in Australia over the
years visiting relatives and friends. With Fr John McKay on extended sick
leave, Fr Seraph will be appointed as Administrator of
Campbell Town Parish. Fr Seraph will arrive in Hobart on 15 September and will take over responsibilities for Campbell Town
Parish on 22 September.
The second priest is Fr Gnanapgragash Suresh. Fr Suresh is originally from India, but currently serving in the Diocese of Armidale in NSW. He is therefore very familiar with the pastoral context of the Church in Australia. Fr Suresh will arrive in Hobart on 7 January 2015 and will take responsibility for the Claremont Parish (currently part of Bridgewater-Brighton Parish) on 10 January.
The second priest is Fr Gnanapgragash Suresh. Fr Suresh is originally from India, but currently serving in the Diocese of Armidale in NSW. He is therefore very familiar with the pastoral context of the Church in Australia. Fr Suresh will arrive in Hobart on 7 January 2015 and will take responsibility for the Claremont Parish (currently part of Bridgewater-Brighton Parish) on 10 January.
From Larmenier
From Marist Regional College
From Our Lady of Mercy
From Our Lady of Lourdes
From St Brendan-Shaw College
From Sacred Heart, Launceston
From Sacred Heart, Ulverstone
From St Joseph's, Queenstown
From Star of the Sea College
From St Patrick's College
From St Patrick's, Latrobe
From St Peter Chanel
From St Brigid's
From Stella Maris
From St Thomas More's
Do you know about Taz Kids support?
Taz Kids will work with your children at your school.
From Marist Regional College
From Our Lady of Mercy
From St Brendan-Shaw College
From Sacred Heart, Launceston
From Sacred Heart, Ulverstone
From St Joseph's, Queenstown
From Star of the Sea College
From St Patrick's College
From St Patrick's, Latrobe
From St Peter Chanel
From St Brigid's
From Stella Maris
From St Thomas More's
Do you know about Taz Kids support?
Taz Kids will work with your children at your school.
