Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rockhampton (Fides Service) - Make an effort for mission, carry the Good News to those who have yet to hear it and announce God’s love to those who suffer or are alone and desperate; evangelise families putting the culture of life back at the centre; revitalise the practice of the faith in the Catholic community, affected by secularisation: these are the objectives of the Year of Evangelisation being celebrated in the Catholic community in the diocese of Rockhampton.
Bishop Brian Hennan said 2007 will be a year in which every Catholic in the community must examine his or her life and ask: “Am I living, celebrating, sharing the message that God loves me?”. Recalling that the diocese has existed for 120 years the Bishop said, “we are called to renew our efforts and this is what I ask you to do with me. Evangelisation must start with us. But how can we focus our mind on the love God has for us? I am certain that this happens in prayer. In prayer we can praise and thank God and ask him questions: this is how we can make a new start in our relationship with God”. The Bishop urges all Catholics to pray every day at midday wherever they are, whatever they are doing for few minutes in spiritual communion with the Bishop and all the Catholics of the diocese: “At work, at school, at home … wherever you are, I ask you to stop for five minutes with God in prayer. What should we say? Some simple invocation such as ‘Come Lord Jesus, Or the Angelus Marian prayer, Or the Our Father. With 5 minuted of silence you can offer your time to God”.
The diocese is also preparing Masses and celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation with emphasis on evangelisation as well as cultural and public events to re-launch evangelisation. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2007 parole 25 righe 243)
