Catholic Voice

09/01/2025

What makes a man so determined to share the love of Jesus that he takes his faith to the streets?

For evangelist Brian Welsh, it all comes down to one thing.

“What is at stake is the salvation of souls."

Read more ➡️ https://loom.ly/0YP3zwA

09/01/2025

When Raifiel Cyril was in her 20s, a powerful encounter with God changed her life.

"When I came across Jesus Youth, I could see they were experiencing something that was real; there was a glow about them and a peace on their face that really called out to me. I was hungry for that.”

Read more ➡️ https://loom.ly/-jQrM3w

09/01/2025

Professor David de Carvalho discusses how Catholic education adapts to global changes, offering values-driven learning, a strong identity, and accessibility. He highlights the focus on social justice and supporting educators to deliver a vision rooted in truth and goodness.

09/01/2025

On 1 January, the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn began a historic transition to lay-led governance, reshaping Catholic Education with a focus on faith, partnership, and excellence.

08/01/2025

A window into heaven, the sacred art of iconography has been passed down through the ages.

Sue Orchison, who has studied iconography for almost twenty years, has her work on display throughout the Archdiocese.

“To be able to paint these icons is about expressing who I am and what I love deeply, which is Christ and his mother,” she said.

“It’s very precious to me that I can paint that.”

Read more ➡️ https://loom.ly/eeug4Ak

07/01/2025

Back to Church Sunday developer Michael Harvey says parish communities must understand the difference between a welcoming parish and an invitational parish.

Read more ➡️ https://loom.ly/-fgqHKQ

06/01/2025

“Sometimes – I’ll be honest – it’s a battlefield. It’s messy, and I question myself a lot of the time.”

Amid the joyful chaos and challenges of raising three children, with one more on the way, Lisa Gunn candidly shares the struggles and triumphs of cultivating a prayerful family life.

Central to the Gunn’s approach is their belief in leading by example.

“Kids can spot frauds a mile away,” Lisa says. “You actually have to live your faith.”

Read more ➡️ https://loom.ly/o5nJScg

03/01/2025

The Watson Holy Rosary craft group has been meeting for over 40 years.

But the parish craft gathering is more than a gathering of like-minded women.

It is friendships that have spanned generations, parishioners who have gathered through good times and bad, and women who have borne witness to decades of change and are still sitting together, sewing and smiling, welcoming anyone who walks through their door.

Read more: https://loom.ly/XMTNWaw

25/12/2024

24/12/2024

It's Christmas at St Christopher's Cathedral! ✨

24/12/2024

“Without faith, the world would be a dark place. It is the light of our family life. Our children are learning the struggles, the difficulties and the beauty of life. When they have a bad day, they say, ‘It’s okay, Dad, God is with me.’ I feel full with joy when they say that.”

Carlos and Ana Sofia Sanchez, who moved to Australia from Venezuela, say their family is beautiful, tangible proof of God’s action.

Read their story: https://loom.ly/YwG1sXU

23/12/2024

Kevin James Andrews was afforded a State Funeral Service - on 23 December 2024. He died aged 69.

An intelligent and honourable man. Terrific and faithful husband. Wonderful and merciful father to 5 children.

A lawyer, he entered Federal Parliament in 1991, finishing 2022. He was a minister of the Crown in several portfolios. Deeply respected on both sides of the parliament.

He and Margie - his wife of 45 years - were founders of the Marriage Education program. They lived and taught our rich social teaching, developed over our 4,000-year history:

Marriage is for family. Family is for society.

That’s how we build a free and fair society. We build it from the inside out.

I knew Kevin quite well. He called me two days before he died. He had finished another book and wondered if I would do one, too. Little did I know that he was saying goodbye.

He had a great sense of humour. A mark of all great people who have faith and live in God’s presence. They slip into the stream of God’s providence and so understand that our story is part of The Story.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

When we join Kevin in eternal, resurrected life, expect to hear him calling the races. That’s what he did in his younger days.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. We’ve lost a great Australian.

Fr Tony Percy
24 December 2024

23/12/2024

Your guide to Christmas Mass times around the Archdiocese:

https://loom.ly/RRn6NtQ

23/12/2024

BOOK REVIEW//

The Lion Book of Christmas Poems
(Sophie Piper)

This short little book is a delight - a collection of almost fifty poems for children. It is beautifully illustrated with plenty of angels with trumpets and harps, cows, sheep, donkeys, wise men, wandering stars and a babe in the manger.

There are verses from big names such as Emily Dickinson and Christine Rossetti to lesser-known talents including five-year-old Lucy.

We won't spoil it, but Lucy's Carol is a treasure.

The perfect addition to Christmas preparations for young families, The Lion Book of Christmas Poems is available from the Canberra Catholic Bookshop.

18/12/2024

A mini Potato Olympics has forged an unforgettable intergenerational friendship between Trinity Primary School students and elderly community members at The Hub in Murrumburrah.

The school has an ongoing connection with Flexi Care, fostering community, fun and friendship through a range of activities.

Teacher Penny Lucas said God was working in beautiful ways, with spirited little children partnered perfectly with seniors who could bring out their gifts 🥰

17/12/2024

As the cost of living increases – and Christmas approaches – Tania, a single mother of three, is trying to stretch her limited finances even further.

“I work out how much money I’ve got per day for the fortnight - I have to pay for medication, which is $20, but that’s $20 I also need for fuel or food. I look at my kids, and that’s why I keep going.”

According to the 2024 cost-of-living report published by ACTCOSS, over the past five years, Canberra has experienced above-inflation increases in the prices of many essentials, including a 20% increase in food, a 22.4% increase in medical and hospital services, and a 22% increase in housing.

Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Family Services provided Tania with support, helping her secure safe, long-term accommodation, and helping with the cost of pharmacy bills, food, clothes, Christmas hampers and presents.

Gowrie Vinnies conference volunteer Paula Bounds says Vinnies’ support is essential, especially during Christmas.