Archbishop Mark Coleridge | Religious organisation

Archbishop Mark Coleridge

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25.01.2022 Fr Neville Yun's sunny disposition is always just what the Doctor ordered. So too his gentle reflections as this week's two minute homilist: "Jesus puts all things in perspective, that eternity and God are the destination. This earthly existence is not the end, but the beginning of a new relationship with Christ. We do this primarily by using our gifts to build up the Body of Christ." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200621/mass.htm)

24.01.2022 Last week I was asked to be involved with a Webinar called The Care First Approach to End of Life Care, which tackled palliative care and the proposed assisted suicide and euthanasia legislation for Queensland. It hosted a wide array of voices, all of them very considered and professional, ably guided by journalist Madonna King. One of the things that resonated with me most was when Samantha Connor, a disability rights advocate from Western Australia, said we need to listen to the smallest voices and the people who have the most at stake in this. A link to the webinar is found here: https://youtu.be/8i73WyyOOdI

24.01.2022 This week's two minute homily is a reminder of how blessed our Archdiocesan family were for the time we had Fr John Panamthottam CMI with us. All blessings for your new ministry Fr John: "The Holy family is a reflection on earth of the Eternal Family; The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which constitutes the Holy Trinity. But all members of the Eternal Family are different. Father is not the Son. Father and the Son are not the Holy Spirit. But they are one God. Joseph, Mary and Jesus are different but they are one. So the members of every human family are different, but they are called to be united." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20201227/mass.htm)

24.01.2022 It's the time of the year for starting anew and for seeking to model ourselves on the ways of the wise, so Fr John Conway is a good choice as homilist for today's Feast of the Epiphany: " ...All of us, we are still on our journey and for us it will be a journey throughout our lives time and again we too will uncover the power and the presence of our God and we can be changed by that immersed in the wonder of the moment when we uncover this child who would be king" (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20210103/mass.htm)

23.01.2022 Good to see Fr Jason Middleton looking tranquil here. There's to be no pouring oil on troubled waters from him in these unsettling times: "A lamp without oil is pointless. Sure, it has the potential for light and might even burn for a moment without oil if you light the wick. But without the oil, all you’re really doing is exhausting the very means you have to tap into your source of fuel. So where are you finding your oil?" (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20201108/mass.htm)

23.01.2022 As we approach the coming weeks with an eye on Vocations it's good to see a young face in Fr Marty Larsen cropping up on the two minute homily roster. His reflection of sharing the gifts we hold resonates in many ways, whether it be an offering of food or a pouring out of one's self: "Jesus finds a way to empower people to give from the little they had, and when they share their food they found an aspect of themselves that was nurturing and fulfilling, and they were able to happily pass that onto others..." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200802/mass.htm)

23.01.2022 What a place for Fr Emmanuel Ayankudy CMI to say 'this is where I came in' as a debutant two minute homilist! Jesus poses the ultimate rhetorical question, and Peter, for all his missteps, emerges steadfast: "When we look in to the Gospels, Simon Peter appears a bit shaky in his faith and hasty in his responses. But, I believe he was a man of tremendous simplicity and purity of heart....Heart condition makes one a disciple of Jesus, not the head intelligence." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200823/mass.htm)

22.01.2022 On Boxing Day we celebrated the feast of St Stephen which is a grandish event in the Cathedral of St Stephen here in Brisbane. As the first of millions of martyrs, St Stephen is a wonderful patron; but having his feast the day after Christmas makes it a bit of an anti-climax. After the long extravaganza of Christmas Day, it’s not easy to stir the fires of festivity again. But we did our best to honour our patron and seek his intercession as we look to 2021, hoping that it will be better and more peaceful than 2020. St Stephen, pray for us all...but especially for all who gather in the cathedral that bears your name and image.

22.01.2022 I always enjoyed the short stints I had as a teacher, but certainly couldn't hold a candle to Jesus in His mastery of that role. Please enjoy Fr Paul Chackanikunnel CMI as he reflects upon this week's readings : "A good teacher will be smart always to prompt students to think, articulate and to understand even abstract ideas... Jesus, the great teacher, in today’s gospel, pulls the intensity of the situation to bring out the best expression of faith from the Canaanite woman what we need is the same courage and the deep faith of that Canaanite woman, to become true followers of Jesus in word and deed." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200816/mass.htm)

20.01.2022 On the day of the Feast Day of St John Vianney, 4 August 2020, I sent a letter to the priests of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. I share it with you as well. https://brisbanecatholic.org.au//letter-to-clergy-on-the-/

20.01.2022 Whether it be as Kedron Parish Priest or as chaplain at University of Queensland, Fr Mario Debattista has a lovely way of painting things in a human context: "This feast of the Holy Trinity reminds us that God as Trinity, is not a problem to be solved or a theory to be analysed, but someone to enter into relationship with." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200607/mass.htm)

19.01.2022 As we start to feel the COVID19 restrictions being eased we can appreciate more the difference between the virtual and the real that Fr Gerry Kalinowski refers to in this week's two minute homily for the Feast of Corpus Christi: "Eucharist is not fast food takeaway, it's the participation in a wedding banquet...God became incarnate, broken, poured out, and gave us the Eucharist that we become His flesh and blood in the world..." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200614/mass.htm)

18.01.2022 While the Gympie parish (and the Gayndah one as well) are geographically big enough to contain the great spirit of Fr Dom Orih, the two minute homily must sometimes concede. When a pastor is this engaged in his topic though, sometimes you just have to stay in it for the duration: "Growing up I thought I had to love my neighbour or even my enemy with the same amount of love as I love myself. But now I realised that it is recognizing that the same love and source that willed me into existence, also willed every other person into existence...When you get this you know you cannot love outside of the source of love, God, because God is love." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20201025/mass.htm)

18.01.2022 So good to see some of our religious order priests now getting a run in the list of two minute homilists. Here is Spiritan Father Tom Kessy, who knows a thing or two about gardening. I'm sure the olive tree he planted for me in the Dorrington Parish garden is in fine fettle heading towards spring: For those of us who enjoy gardening, do we plant weeds ? Definitely not, we sow only the seeds for our fruits, vegetables or flowers. But do you realise that we often spend more time weeding than actually planting? Today’s parable of the wheat and weeds remind us that the good and the bad go hand-in-hand, just like the wheat and weeds that grow together. (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200719/mass.htm)

17.01.2022 Not quite home detention, but I seem to have lived in my ‘home office’ since mid-March. Today I was able to take a ‘virtual stroll’ by participating in an online Clergy Gathering and reflected on that sense of isolation, uncertainty and anxiety triggered by COVID19 which has been a real pressure on everyone, and in a particular way for clergy because this situation deprives them of so much that gives them meaning the contact with parishioners from day to day and the sacraments the real bread and butter of our ministry.

17.01.2022 The Cathedral parish seems to have cornered the pulpit for the moment, what with Deacon Chad last week and now the Dean, Fr Anthony Mellor, as two minute homilist. He hasn't settled for easy readings either - trying to ponder the thoughts, actions and even the depth of the Divine heart: "Why does this gospel take our worldly logic and turn it on its head? Primarily, because the gospel is not about the way we think. It’s about the way God thinks and acts.....'My thoughts are not your thoughts, My ways are not your ways.' God, who is Absolute Mystery, doesn’t follow our small-minded view of the world. These qualities that we associate with God love, mercy, compassion, generosity are taken to, what seems to us, an absurd degree in the Divine heart. (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200920/mass.htm)

17.01.2022 After a period of study in Rome it's good to have FrMichael Grace back and serving at Indooroopilly Parish. Being in the heart of Vocations Awareness Week his point on God's call in our lives is well made: "Each of us not only shares the universal vocation of holiness, but we are called to our own unique vocation. It follows then that each of us must be attentive to the presence of God in our lives, we must actively listen so that we may discern His will..." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200809/mass.htm)

17.01.2022 At our recent Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Ecumenical Service Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall expertly broke open the imagery of Fr Michael Fallon MSC. I was lucky enough to be within earshot but I share this for all those prevented from doing likewise in person due to COVID19.

16.01.2022 Recently we had the Christmas Mass and Dinner for the Order of Malta of which I happen to be the Principal Chaplain nationally. We gathered at the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Bowen Hills with sweeping views of the city. Here I am vested in the Order’s chasuble (note the cross) and carrying the Order’s crozier (note the height). I’m flanked by the head of the Order both in Brisbane and nationally, Justice James Douglas, and the local head of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Dr Monica Thompson, who was a special guest. Both Orders have a fascinating history and do excellent work, much of it hidden. The Order of Malta focus on the sick and the poor; the Order of the Holy Sepulchre focus on the Christians in the Middle East.

15.01.2022 Although we are very close neighbours, our weekend schedules mean I rarely get to see Fr Nacho preach. The timing is perfectly in sync though as he reflects on the Pentecost Sunday readings from within the beautiful confines of the Holy Spirit Church at New Farm: "There is only one Spirit given to each one of us as a member of Jesus Body, with which allows us to put into practice the several gifts that we had received to serve our community of faith, families, country and our world." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200531/mass.htm)

11.01.2022 If memory serves the Gympie parish's associate pastor Dom Orih gave a very good homily here only recently. Now it's Parish Priest Fr Adrian's turn and he proves to be no slouch either: Be like the servant in the parable of the talents who saw the richness God had given, that was there within them from the moment they came into existence in their mother’s womb, given without charge and they used it wellSo, look now into the face of the giver and hear the words; Come, join in your master's happiness. (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20201115/mass.htm)

10.01.2022 Fr Mauro Conte is bang on in today's two minute homily. As someone who uses twitter I know well the constraints of 280 characters, and yet we can only marvel at how the world has expanded based upon what Mary willingly entered into with her simple 3 letter response of 'Yes': "Throughout Advent, we have heard of God's promise to send a Saviour into the world and today, in the Gospel, we catch a glimpse of how that was accomplished. For God’s plan to become a reality, somebody had to say 'yes'. And this 'yes' was pronounced by Mary, who became the mother of Jesus Christ; A 'yes' that changed history." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20201220/mass.htm)

09.01.2022 Fr Thomas Ismoyo has been a great assistance around the Cathedral over the past few years. I'm so pleased to see him here contributing a two minute homily for what is a great day within the church calendar: Today we honour all holy men and women, the saints, who have gone before us in faith and now share in the glory of heaven. They serve God and the Church in many ways. Firstly, they intercede our prayers. They bring our petitions to God and bring God’s grace to us. Secondly, they give us a model of holiness." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20201101/mass.htm)

07.01.2022 I tackled the parables in a series of podcasts last year but my fellow New Farm resident Fr Odinaka is not to be outdone here with a two minute homily on the sower and the seed: " The seed of God’s word, once dropped into human hearts, never dies. It’s always alive and active; Always seeking for something, for a way to succeed in what it was sent to do...."(Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200712/mass.htm)

06.01.2022 It's not even 12 months have passed since Chad Hargrave and three others were ordained as permanent deacons but its great to see him already featuring amongst the crew of two minute homilists. Having the rich content of a parable to dissect is also a good way of finding your feet: "it’s never a matter of God refusing to forgive us, his forgiveness is always offered first, and offered freely, just as it was to the servant in the parable. The problem is us, will we open our hearts so that we can receive that forgiveness..." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200913/mass.htm)

05.01.2022 In this week's two minute homily Fr Bob Harwood still finds Peter veering between unsteadiness and solid ground. There is no need to be discouraged by these widely varying results though; just stick rock solid with the Shepherd and teacher: "Peter has not yet come to the point of understanding the commitment of love that Jesus has, and how it underlies his entire existence. Peter has not yet seen how Jesus has fallen in love with God and with humanity. And if he has fallen in love with God and with humanity, he calls his disciples to do the same..." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200830/mass.htm)

05.01.2022 After celebrating the Jubilee Mass for a number of priests this week, for 25, 50 and 60 year milestones, I can well understand Fr Francis Belcina's deliberation during those seminary years, and his greater contentedness now in his vocation: "As God's children, may we be conformed more in the image of Christ; may we learn to be more humble, may we decide to empty our cup and be more reliant and trusting in God, who fills us with His yoke that is easy and His burden that is light..." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200705/mass.htm)

03.01.2022 It's good to see Fr Biju and the CMI order featuring amongst the two minute homilists, but he has not been spared with one of the more bracing sets of Sunday readings: "When Jesus hung on the cross one of His last phrases was about family. He pointed to the disciple John, and pointed to His Mother and He said: 'Woman, behold your son; son behold your Mother'. This highlights the greatness of family care. We love our family; at the same time we love our God more than anything." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200628/mass.htm)

02.01.2022 As restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 are easing I’ve prepared a little message of welcome encouraging that we once again come together to rejoice in the gift of each other and enjoy the feast at the table of the Lord. Please contact your local parish to find out when you can come and be with us. All the parish contact details can be found on our website: https://bit.ly/2A98d16

02.01.2022 The parables are still continuing in this week's set of readings, and provide much food for thought as is well reflected in Deacon Peter Devenish-Meares two minute homily: "What lies at the heart of Jesus' teaching is that God's Kingdom of mercy and love is good news and that it's given to us freely and totally abundantly...Why not this week ask God to teach you and guide you; you are treasured and those you serve are treasured..." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200726/mass.htm)

02.01.2022 Total serendipity but like a presage for the Queensland Bishops Election Statement which will be launched tomorrow, Fr Nicholas Okafor reflects here on our interconnecting bonds, and how we should be constantly seeking out the common good: "Out of the chaos and confusion of this pandemic were many unforeseen gifts. One of those gifts is the reawakening in our consciousness of the fact that humanity is integrally connected... We become more human when we become conscious that we have mutual responsibility toward one another." (Sunday's readings available: https://universalis.com/20200906/mass.htm)