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CTC Community News Tolle Lege November 2018 Book launch Sevent y-three books, and counting ... On Wednesday 19 September 2018, Christian theology, the most important A Christology of Religions (Maryknoll, challenge is "to give an account of NY: Orbis), the most recent work of the phenomenon of various religious Honorary Research Fellow Rev. traditions within the world view of Professor Gerald O'Collins SJ AC, salvation history and of God's saving was launched at CTC. Catherine will, personally and escatologically Place was among the guests. enfleshed in the paschal event of Jesus Christ … and embodied now in The Master of the College, Associate the historical mission of the Church." Professor Shane Mackinlay, welcomed He gave an overview of the ways the assembled guests, including in which Professor o'Collins had Professor Gabrielle McMullen, Sir grappled with this challenge over James Gobbo and the Honourable many years in numerous books, John Batt. As he noted, Professor articles and reviews, and drew o'Collins' capacity for forming and particular attention to the many maintaining friendships was evident ways Professor o'Collins has helped in the number of those gathered, people appreciate the contribution and his capacity for intellectual of the Second Vatican Council to work was also evident in his 73 "the Church's understanding of the theological publications—a fine place of other religious traditions in example of "the Church thinking God's revealing and redeeming self- out loud". He thanked him for his communication". contribution to CTC as Honorary Research Fellow and for the interest he takes in the higher degree research students in general as well as those whose work he supervises. He invited Dr Kevin Lenehan, Associate Dean of CTC, to launch the book. Dr Lenehan opened by expressing how honoured he felt to be invited to introduce Professor o'Collins' latest book, A Christology of Religions, pointing out how timely it is, given an increasingly complex and pluralised world, for religious traditions to examine their relationships to each other and to the cultures in which they exist. He suggested that for 2 I Tolle Lege "the mission and minis- try of Jesus Christ and the Church's confession of faith in him provide the quintes- sential framework for ap- preciating the relationship between Christianity and other faiths" Dr Lenehan noted that in A theological reflection on humanity question of salvation. He thanked Christology of Religions, Professor beyond the Church. Robert Ellsberg, editor in chief and o'Collins maintains that the mission publisher of orbis Books, not least He concluded, "We are grateful and ministry of Jesus Christ and for finding excellent readers and that a theologian of Gerry's stature the Church's confession of faith reviewers for his book, and warmly and influence has opened up such in him provide the quintessential thanked Associate Professor creative and innovative pathways framework for appreciating the Shane Mackinlay and CTC staff for of theological enquiry on a topic of relationship between Christianity organising the occasion. urgent interest. May this book be a and other faiths. He went on source of inspiration and guidance The Master drew the formal part to outline some of the key to future generations of theological of the evening to a close by noting Christological themes of the book scholars and reflective Christians his pleasure in attending Professor and the possibilities they offer for alike," and invited all present to stand o'Collins' 73rd book launch and theological reflection on other and drink a toast to Professor o'Collins. expressing the hope that he faith traditions or world views, may be present at the 74th. Light commenting that they would In response, Professor o'Collins refreshments, some book signing provide sufficient richness for a thanked Dr Lenehan for his insightful and good conversation concluded lifetime’s theological reflection. He address and reiterated briefly four the launch. himself proffered a sacramental key ideas for theological thinking understanding of the Body of about non-Christian religions-the Christ-the Church as "one part of relevance of the theology of the humanity for the sake and salvation cross for thinking about "the others"; of all humanity; an election and the significance of the priesthood of anointing for the gathering and Christ for all persons and for all time; blessing of all others; the formation the value of prayer for "the others"; of an 'us' without a 'them' but only and the nature of faith available to an ever greater 'us'"-as another those outside the Church-inviting us Christological theme worthy of to pay attention to the "revelation" consideration in the context of available to all, as well as to the 3 I Tolle Lege Obituary In memoriam: Kathleen McCarthy We note with sadness the death of former CTC staff member Kathleen McCarthy on 27 July 2018. A requium Mass was celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic C h u r c h in Burwood on 8 August. The Rev. Professor Austin Cooper OMI AM reflects here on the life of a former student, colleague and friend. It was a blessing when Kathleen McCarthy, recently retired Deputy Principle of Sacre Cœur, decided to study theology at Catholic Theological College. I well remember Kathleen’s first assignment. It was on a long forgotten, but recently rediscovered, medieval English text called The Cloud of Unknowing. saw further development. Her work Kathleen's work on this classic was "One realised that this was an analysis of a sixteenth- remarkable for several reasons: her woman of so many talents, century enamel painted by Leonard undoubted ability and enthusiasm in interests and occupations Limosin and entitled 'The Triumph of analysing a text, but even more her could bring all facets of life the Eucharist'. It was commissioned very keen sense of the beautiful. But into a harmony that speaks by the Guise family to transmit as one got to know Kathleen better, of a very profound peace, Tridentine eucharistic theology in art. there was something even more something beyond Again Kathleen displayed her keen remarkable. It would be hard to find understanding." appreciation for the beautiful in the a more involved and busy woman Catholic tradition and its abiding than Kathleen. Yet here she turned practical value for us. Many of her all her enthusiasm onto a text that colleagues at CTC hoped Kathleen dealt with contemplative prayer. would proceed to doctoral work. One realised that this woman of Undoubtedly she would have relished so many talents, interests and the challenge. But other aims were occupations could bring all facets a priority. Kathleen explained that as of life into a harmony that speaks of Brian was retiring, she wanted to a very profound peace, something spend more time with him and with beyond understanding. her sons and daughters and their Kathleen's Master of Theology thesis families. Her priorities and values were clearly set-an example for all of us. 4 I Tolle Lege "Kathleen loved the Her son John gave a vivid portrait entire building. So in the evening of cathedral; she also lived of Kathleen in his eulogy: we saw life, the faithful Christian, nurtured by the faith it articulates and a devoted wife and mother, a the beauty of word and sacrament, the grace it nurtures and talented and dedicated teacher is transfigured into something of nourishes." at Sacre Cœur and later at CTC great beauty. Kathleen loved the (2001-2010) and a woman involved cathedral; she also lived the faith it in numerous good causes and articulates and the grace it nurtures enriching a large circle of friends. and nourishes. All this involved a great amount of Those of us who knew Kathleen- self-giving, and at a cost. her family, her friends and a wide Such aspects of life are typified by circle of acquaintances-have one of Kathleen's great interests: her been blessed with knowing such a organising the 'Friends of the person. The gospel at her requiem cathedral', a group of volunteer Mass sums it up: she found the one guides who helped visitors who is the way, the truth and the appreciate St Patrick's Cathedral and life. All aspects of varied life were its artwork. Here was the Catholic brought together in her faith in the faith expressed in carvings of wood one in whom all things are restored and stone and in some spectacular and brought to their fulfilment. To glass. Entering the Cathedral from Brian, her sons and daughters and the Gisborne Street end, the visitor their families, we offer our sincere immediately notices a contrast: condolences. the plain nave, where the faithful May her soul and the souls of all the gather, and at the other end the faithful departed, through the mercy ornate, richly decorated sanctuary of God, rest in peace. and the spectacular cluster of surrounding chapels. The architect, William Wardell, captured the plain, commonplace nature of most of our activities: the 'common round, the trivial task', as the poet John Keble expressed it. A dominating feature of the plain nave is the series of single-coloured windows. At times they appear dull and bland enough. But seen in the afternoon sunlight, they take on a wonderfully rich hue: a brilliant golden glow suffuses the Tolle Lege I 5 Staff news New faces Sarah Styring Lucy Davison Events and Marketing Coordinator Communications Editor Sarah Styring joins CTC on Monday 5 November as our Lucy Davison started as an editor at the Archbishop's new Events and Marketing Coordinator. Office for Evangelisation in September and has also become available to CTC as Communications Editor. She has nearly twenty years' experience in event management, marketing and organisational In this role, she is responsible for sourcing and preparing communications at organisations including Melbourne content and layout for brochures, the annual prospectus, Day, Monash University, the Australian Grand Prix and Tolle Lege and CTC articles on the University's Vox website.