A resource from the Australian Catholic Bishops' National Centre for Evangelisation

WELCOME to the final issue of The Bridge for 2020. This year the National Centre for Evangelisation has worked to  share stories and resources to inspire intergenerational and co-responsible evangelisation in Australia. Thank you to all those who have contributed articles and to those who have republished these stories of hope for the Church in Australia.

In this issue we consider life in COVID-19 times, while also looking to future evangelisation opportunities. We hear from Melbourne’s Burwood parish and how they have continued evangelising during lockdowns. Lana Turvey-Collins, Plenary Council Facilitator, reflects on COVID-19 and its impact on Christmas and Deacon Adrian Gomez shares his experiences of accompaniment conversations in parish and school life. Looking to 2021, Dr Rosemary Canavan reflects on Pope Francis’ invitation to celebrate Sunday of the Word of God. Sharon Brewer shares outcomes and reflections from her research on RCIA in Australia. And I reflect on the Church’s tradition and opportunities for engaging  in sports ministry and evangelisation.

May the season of Advent allow you to gather with your families and find hope in the child Jesus as we begin a new year. 

Every blessing,

Malcolm Hart
Director, National Centre for Evangelisation

Fr Dan in the Church with empty pews

It's about the relationships: St Benedict's Parish, Burwood, Melbourne

Affectionately known as “St Ben’s”, St Benedict’s Parish Burwood is situated 14km east of Melbourne’s CBD. Despite the challenges, the parish has thrived during the COVID-19 lockdown. And all agree that there is no turning back to the way things were done before. 

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Tim and Lara Turvey-Collins

Christmas 2020: Bound by a shared experience  

Like many people this year, I have done most of my Christmas shopping online. As I have spent time scrolling through the pages of trinkets, clothing, chocolates and other thousands of Christmas marketing gift ideas that appear in my social media feeds, I have considered each person I was buying for. 

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Deacon Adrian Gomez

Accompaniment: Chaplaincy in Francis' field hospital

For me, the image of a field hospital after battle conjures up childhood memories of watching M*A*S*H, a TV series set in a US Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War.  

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Bible on stand in church

Setting our hearts on the Word

Word of God Sunday will be celebrated for the first time on 7 February 2021. Dr Rosemary Canavan, president of the Australian Catholic Biblical Association, writes how sacred Scripture can unite believers and make them one people.

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Priest playing basketball

Sport can open the way to Christ

Like many other countries, Australia is passionate about sport. But how are the Church, faith and sport connected and why should they be? 


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Adult woman being baptised

RCIA research poses questions

Are Australian parishes ready, willing and able to welcome people into the Catholic faith? Recent research proposes that there is plenty to discuss in relation to this important ministry.

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Acknowledgements:
Authors and images are acknowledged within each article.

Disclaimer:
The NCE facilitates this newsletter in good faith. Factual information is presumed free of error. The reference to news items and the provision of links to other websites is solely for the user's convenience. The NCE assumes no responsibility for, nor does it necessarily endorse, these items or websites, their content, or their sponsoring organisations.



 
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