All Hallows Eve...

Ora pro nobis

Never see a need without doing something about it...

Pax vobiscum gentle pilgrim...

Just last week the Perth Cathedral played host to "Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop" in the person of Sr Margaret Kane RSJ, who addressed Bishop Sproxton about the importance of charity and compassion, saying, "Never see a need without doing something about it!".

If only she had looked around her at the recently wreckovated cathedral!

Laura... Bugg er awf!

Coo-ee pilgrims... Mother Mirabilis here again!

Dr Laura Beth Bugg is a lecturer in sociology of religion at the University of Sydney and recently joined the discombobulated chorus of those interest groups hell bent on manipulating the substance of our new St Mary of the Cross to their own peculiar agenda...

"St Mary of the Cross now joins the ranks of women deemed worthy of canonisation because of extraordinary works, virtuous behaviour, service and leadership but not worthy of serving as priests"

Clearly ignorant in her subject area Dr Bugg goes on...

With a shortage of priests in many countries, nuns and laywomen now perform sacraments such as confession, anoint the sick or offer communion. In some rural and remote areas, they serve as parish priests in all but name. But because they are lay people, and not clerics, they are vulnerable, as St Mary was, to intrusions from the authority of bishops.

But so rabid is the good doctor that she contradicts herself in the very next paragraph

Only ordained clerics can preside at the Eucharist, hear confessions, and make decisions about property, politics and theology.

What we in fact know about this remarkable woman Mary is that no matter how unjustly some priests judged her work, St Mary told her Sisters always to think about priests the way she did:  “I would rather a dagger were thrust into my heart than hear a word said amongst us against priests – the anointed of God.”

Dr Bugg why don't you and others read what St Mary said as oppossed to reading your own agenda into what you would like to think she said!

More 'MacKillop' Doppelgangers...

With our apologies to Dionysius Melbourneii... a vision of the future or just a lot of artistic license?

Threads

This is from the news magazine of the Diocese of Rockhampton, about the First Profession of a Sister of Mercy there:


"A long-time friend of Anne’s, Sister Laureen Dixon RSC, gave the homily in which she described God as the great weaver and reflected on the ‘rainbow of threads in the tapestry of Anne’s life’ "

We wish the newly professed well, and hope she doesn't get tangled up in the rainbow of threads.

Denton's Domus Australia

Word is reaching The Cloister that the first rector of Domus Australia has been announced as non other than Melbourne's own son... Fr Anthony Denton. The announcement was made by Dionysius Melbourneii in the company of Cardinal Pell, both in Rome for the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop.

Fr Denton who will celebrate Mass daily in English said "I love Rome and I love sharing it with people. It will be wonderful to welcome visitors and to help Australian tourists enjoy a true pilgrimage."

Fr Denton is of course an ideal candidate coming from Melbourne. He is also currently completing a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology in Rome, is a keen historian, speaks fluent Italian and has an insider's knowledge of Rome and the Vatican city.

Domus Australia's First 'Deacon'...

Could one of these clergymen be announced the new rector of Domus Australia?

St Mary of the Cross

Pray for Us

'Mary' Doppelganger!

"Our Mary"?

Blue Scarf Post #3

Last night at the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican the Sisters of St Joseph hosted a spectacular show in honour of Mary MacKillop. We have obtained exclusive video of the event to share with you. In this clip, young school boys from the Sisters' little-known Russian language programme in Melbourne are joined by Sister Giovanni Farquer in singing the School Song, "Dark Blue Scarf".

Blue Scarf Post #2

At the risk of seeming to support Anonymous's recent observation that Cooees has turned into a version of Queer Eye, we present the following video clip especially for the benefit of the Sisters of St Joseph who might be struggling to get their make-up to match their new habit.

Miasma to have Two Towers...

Just over twelve months ago Bishop Malone in the diocese of the Big Drain very publicly requested a coadjutor be appointed. Malone criticised fellow bishops at that time, referring to them as "pussycats" and joking that the interview might facilitate his retirement "10 days from now".

News has reached our curious corridors that work is now well advanced on the establishment of the second seat of power in Malone's Miasma!

Perhaps given the fresh circumstances the Warden might be persuaded to restore the much favoured Cloister Countdowns!

Forget the Brown, Black or even White Josephites... It's all about Our Mary!

Coo-ee pilgrims... Mother Mirabilis here again!

A live webcast of the MacKillop canonisation made possible by Telstra will include English commentary by Josephite Sister Giovanni Farquer and 2008's World Youth Day broadcaster, Father Mark Podesta. Fr Podesta is understood to be old mates with Kevin Rudd who will lead the Australian political delegation to Rome for the canonisation.

He lists as highlights of his ministry to date... working in the studio with Ray Martin and Katrina Lee during televised events of WYD08, having the opportunity to dialogue with other Christian faiths and other faiths in my role on the Commission for Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, meeting the PM Kevin Rudd on ANZAC Eve in 2008.

The historic webcast will begin at 5.00 pm (ADST) on Sunday 17 October with live coverage of the special Mass at St Mary's Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Julian Porteous, the Archdiocesan Episcopal Vicar for Renewal and Evangelisation. Then at 6.15 pm (ADST) the webcast will cross live to Rome and after a 15 minute introduction during by the two Australian commentators during the lead up to the Papal Canonisation Mass which begins at 6.30 pm (ADST).

Do tune in if Joolya has hooked up the NBN to your place... otherwise there is always Sky News. Unless of course you are swanning in Rome like some of us!

Response to Feedback...

When will some people realise that we do what we do here in The Cloister for our own edification... including the publication of negative feedback!

Although Sir Abraham you do have a point about the Priory... that said we were as they say experimenting in the spirit of Vatican II!

Feedback

This comment was submitted by Anonymous today, but on a post from a couple of weeks ago, and many would not have noticed it there. It really is too good to miss, so here it is:

Christian culture is rapidly crumbling around us. Relativism, disrespect for life and outright nihilism are problems that only our faith can overcome, and you people are sitting around talking about what colour stole the Holy Father wore once. Seriously why even bother? Is that really the most pressing issue? I agree liturgical reform is vital. But this isn't liturgical reform, this is queer eye for the catholic guy.

A friend told me this blog was interesting - it's drivel.

New Josephite Habit

As we join the thousands of pilgrims leaving for Rome this week, The Cloister can reveal hitherto secret photos the new habit of the Sisters of St Joseph. Look for them in St Peter's Square on the weekend.