As we approach the end of the liturgical year we have been hearing from the Bible's apocalyptic literature which can at times be challenging.

The book of Maccabees provides challenges to us all: how can we emulate their Zeal without all the violence!

Maddy Forde from the Archdiocese of Adelaide has been appointed to the International Advisory Board for the Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

Finally, we are joined by Deacon Thao Nguyen who shares how the witness of two family members (one who died before he was born) have helped his faith and vocation.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
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Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

As we head towards the end of the year we note that life is getting busier! We ask the question "how do we not just let the Seasons of the Church wash over us?"

This year the feast of Christ the King doubles as World Youth Day. We talk about what is happening for World Youth Day in our diocese.

This time of year there is always a lot of discussion about Christmas decorations going up too early. We chat about when it is the right time and whether or not others doing differently should annoy us or not.

Finally, we chat with Michael Gibbons our 3rd lay delegate from Bathurst to the Plenary Council.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

As the health orders shift and the rules ease, we discuss the complications of interpretation, whereby two people can read the same text and come to different conclusions.

We discuss this in the light of the recent anniversary of Luther's 99 Theses and indeed how that event is being interpreted in new ways even now (such as by Eamonn Duffy in Stripping of the Altars).

Further to this, we discuss the general process of change in our lives and in our Church, and how we deal with and respond to change.

The Bishops have there regular plenary meetings. We ask that people pray for the Bishops.

Finally, we are joined once again by Matthew Brown, the youngest delegate to the Plenary Council, who shares his journey to the council.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

The Clergy have gathered to celebrate with our four Jubilarians (Fr Jim Wilkins (50), Fr Owen Gibbons (40), Fr Augustine Mathew (40) and Fr Pius Khaoya (30)). The next day we were joined by the Parish Secretaries for some professional development and a dinner at which we celebrated the many years of service for people across our parishes and the Chancery and thanked Kimbalee Clewes and Mike Deasey for there service.

Confirmation Masses have become a priority for many as the year comes to a close.

The Year 12 students involved in RISE events gathered on Zoom for a blessing.

We discuss life post COVID and the importance of living in the moment.

Finally, we have a great interview with David McGovern, who is the new Diocesan Director replacing Mike Deasey.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

A special episode while Deacon Josh is on leave.

I sat down with Sr Grace Roclawska to talk about her journey of faith, her roles in leadership and the importance of formation.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

With NSW at 80% of people double vaccinated, Mass resumes across the diocese.

The priests are gathering next week to celebrate Jubliarians and for professional development.

Broken Bay Diocese has ordained three new priests.

The Diocesan World Youth Day plans for Lisbon 2023 will soon be announced.

The Pope delivered a video message to the 4th World Meeting of Popular Movements, and it addresses many of the social problems in our world. We discuss how we are to respond to such a bold vision.

Finally, we are joined by Hayley Farrugia, a Bathurst Diocese delegate to the Plenary council who shared her story in episode 3, to hear about her experience of the Plenary Council and her hopes for the Church.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

Fr Karl is still at the beach! Speaking of which, the aRise Beach Retreat is on in January! We talk about the rationale behind our latest youth event.

The first session of the Plenary Council has been and gone. We discuss what we saw from the outside.

Pope Francis has launched the Synod on Synodality with an opening Mass and a great homily. Read it here.

Finally we are joined by returning guest Bishop Michael McKenna to hear about his experience of the plenary council!

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

When Orange's restrictions were lifted, Fr Karl went on holidays and immediately walked into another lockdown! We discuss what life might be life after lockdown.

Pope Francis has written a forward to a new book "Siblings All, Sign of the Times: The Social Teaching of Pope Francis" by Cardinal Michael Czerny and Fr. Christian Barone which will be released soon in Italian and next year in English. You can read it here.

The plenary council has begun! We discuss the process of discernment our delegates have been on and chat with Fr Greg Kennedy about his own journey of the council.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett

As Orange comes out of lockdown and Cowra goes back in we discuss how difficult it is to make any plans in COVID given the unpredictability of even the next day.

Bishop Michael has written to the people of the diocese as we prepare for the Plenary Council, commencing on October 1.

Pope Francis recently called out some of his critics. We discuss the attitude we should have towards the pope, and whether its ever okay to criticise him.

Finally, we are joined by Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green from Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, who shares the story of his vocation, life as a Bishop in the outback, and his recent time in Wilcannia as the Aboriginal community fight COVID.

You can contact us at [email protected] or hit like on our Facebook page.

Opening Theme Music: Derek Clegg - A Strong Will is Needed -
Used under Creative Commons.

Editing & Cover Art by Emily Bennett