In an Apostolic Letter issued “Motu Proprio,” on his own initiative, Wednesday 1 November, Pope Francis said that in a “synodal, missionary and outgoing church,” theologians must also dialogue with other sciences and with members of other religions and that helping Catholics have a deeper understanding of the faith will be possible only if theology grapples with their questions and concerns.

The 41-page synthesis report, voted on paragraph-by-paragraph on 28 October, described its purpose as presenting “convergences, matters for consideration and proposals that emerged from the dialogue” on issues discussed under the headings of synodality, communion, mission and participation.

Speaking on the occasion of the annual Mass for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton said it is our hope is that this Mass would be the most significant prayer for all our people and the great sign that Jesus walks with us into a new beginning that is opening up for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people and every other Australian in our land.

The two-and-a-half-page letter published on 25 October recounted the spirit and activities of the Assembly’s first session, held at the Vatican from 4 – 29 October and looked ahead to the Assembly’s second session, expressing hope that the months leading up to October 2024 “will allow everyone to concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion indicated by the word ‘Synod.'”

Although she died at the age of 24 in a cloistered convent, her passion for sharing the Gospel through her prayers and example led Pope Pius XI to declare her patroness of the missions in 1927, and her writings led St John Paul II to proclaim her a doctor of the church in 1997

Download the PDF Monday 23 October, 2023 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As I begin writing this letter, I am sitting in Saint Peter’s Basilica waiting for the Mass for the Feast of St Luke to begin. I will have you all, and those who are dear to you, in my prayers during this Mass. But I will not finish the letter this morning - it will grow over the coming days. The feast of...

During this time, guests also had the opportunity to view the Vocations Office’s new Strategic Plan, prayer booklet, and other important materials.

Synod Member Renee Kohler-Ryan, Dean of the School of Theology and Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame has this week said that “there is a sense that things are tightening up, emerging, but through that process of hopeful patience.”

The centenary Mass marked the anniversary of the first chapel in Australia to be dedicated to St Therese of Lisieux and part of the Convent for the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, now known as the Catholic Pastoral Centre.

Restoration work on the stonework began when the structure’s stability was threatened by overgrown plants, causing the grotto to be cordoned off for safety while repairs were completed.