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Geelong Deanery |
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Geelong Catholics Prepare for the Great JubileeThe Geelong Deanery is in the midst of an extensive program of talks, seminars and a retreat to assist parishioners to prepare for the Great Jubilee next year. Recently, Fr Bruce Duncan CSsR, who lectures at Yarra Theological Union and Australian Catholic University (ACU), and works part-time at Catholic Social Services, presented a general overview of the Pope John Paul II’s vision for the Great Jubilee. He particularly noted the social justice dimensions of the Jubilee year and the Pope’s plan to offer a comprehensive apology next Ash Wednesday for past errors and injustices by the Church. Fr Duncan’s talk is being followed up with a series of four evenings that explore aspects of his presentation in greater detail. On 12 August, Dr Mary Collo, a Presentation Sister who lectures at ACU, spoke on ‘The Jewish Origins of Jesus’, offering a scriptural understanding of Jesus and his uniqueness. She demonstrated how appreciating the Jewish context of Jesus and the early church can enrich our understanding of the Christian gospel. On 24 August, Fr Duncan returned to Geelong to explain in greater depth the Pope’s radical program of apologies. He focused in particular on the Crusades as an example of a significant part of the Church’s history that calls for an ‘examination of conscience’ and a ‘purification of memory’. On 16 September, Frances Baker, a Mercy sister and moral theologian who lectures at ACU, will speak on the meaning of conscience and our obligation to follow it. The final session, on 14 October, will consider contemporary understandings of the mission of Jesus, including matters such as the lay vocation, social transformation, and models of what it means to be a Christian today. Input will be provided by various local service organisations. Each evening’s presentation begins at 7.30 pm and is held at Catholic Regional College, Yarra Street Campus, Geelong. The Geelong Deanery is also offering two opportunities to enrich one’s spirituality in preparation for the Jubilee using the services of Sr Joyce Rupp. See the previous page for further details. Kevin Mark |
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