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TOGETHERIn the Diocese of wagga.catholic.org.au FREE DECEMBER 2019 2 FROM THE APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR TOGETHER IN THE DIOCESE OF WAGGA WAGGA Awakening to Christmas is published monthly, eleven times per year, and is available free at parish churches, schools, presbyteries and religious houses and the Plenary Council throughout the Wagga Wagga Diocese. Archbishop Christopher Prowse - Apostolic Administrator of the Wagga Wagga Diocese Publisher The Diocese of Wagga Wagga I have observed some theologians use themes need to be considered individually. people of Bethlehem “treasured all these McAlroy House the word AWAKENING when they refer to There is time for reflection, sharing on things and pondered them”(Luke2/19), may 205 Tarcutta Street the encounter of biblical figures with the scripture, discerning nationally and locally, we all do the same. Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 new life experienced in the Risen Jesus. and giving thanks. Brief outcomes of these Australians are often seen as very practical Editor/Designer For example, there are the Emmaus discernment groups are compiled and then and functional in their discernment. This Karene Eggleton disciples (“And their eyes were opened and sent to the appropriate Discernment and is something good. However, without this they recognised him” Luke 24/31) and Mary Writing Group via the plenary council transcendent dimension focussed on the Printer The Riverina Media Group webpage. Child Jesus within us and animating this Magdalen (“Rabbuni !” John 20/17). Peter Street Wagga Wagga 2650 Even the Pentecost experience of the early Let us all make these groups a real Advent/ discernment, then the awakening to the Holy Church moved them from fear and awakened Christmas Season priority for our parishes Spirit is eclipsed. Submissions them to faith (“They were all filled with the and communities. Let us carefully discern the I pray that this Advent and Christmas TOGETHER would not be key question: “How is God calling us to be a season be a real blessing for you, your family possible without the voluntary Holy Spirit” Acts 2/4). labour and cooperation of many The Advent liturgical season prepares us for Christ-centred Church?” and loved ones, and all in our troubled world. contributors from within the the great Solemnity of Christmas. It is a time As Mary, St Joseph, the shepherds and the Happy Christmas and New Year 2020! diocese and beyond. Submissions of awakening too. Indeed, we celebrate “the for publication are welcome but not Word became flesh and He lived among us” always guaranteed to be printed. (John 1/14). This the Mystery of our Faith Advertisers that is absolutely central to all our hopes and TOGETHER acknowledges joys. We need every day of Advent to prepare with gratitude the generous for Christmas. The Christmas liturgical support of advertisers. Please season then helps us to savour its incredible show your support to our advertisers where possible. Please beauty and Eucharistic nourishment for our note that products and/or services Christian lives. advertised in this publication are The lowly shepherds become the first not necessarily endorsed by this Christian evangelisers. It is a twofold saving publication nor by the bishop of awakening. There is the impulse to “go to this diocese. Bethlehem and see this event which the Lord Copy deadline has made known to us” (Luke 2/15). Then 15th of the month prior to there is the telling to others of Jesus, our publication Emmanuel – Mary’s child. Their testimony was convincing: “everyone who heard it Contact Us All news stories, advertising was astonished at what the shepherds said to enquiries, correspondence and them” (Luke 2/19). subscriptions to: It is during this high liturgical season that Together Australian Catholics are also engaging in PO Box 473 the second phase of the Plenary Council of Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Australia – Let’s listen and discern. Email My prayer is that our fulsome involvement [email protected] as a diocese in this second phase will be an awakening in faith for all of us too. Facebook I encourage strongly that our parishes and www.facebook.com/ togetherwagga communities become directly involved in these discussions. Indeed, it is a wonderful Phone 0437 738 726 way of bringing together both our awakening to Christ born afresh in us all and our Member of the awakening to what Jesus is doing in our Australasian Catholic Press Assoc. midst in our ancient but new land. Annual Subscriptions Some parishes are showing leadership in $33 Australia $44 Overseas organising small groups to ponder upon the six national themes for discernment. These Front cover: freepix.com Prayer Intention for December - Pray with Pope Francis Prayer for the There are few British winter traditions Lord of all, now weak and vulnerable, is election of a The Future of the Very Young more famous than the service of Lessons enwrapped in the loving care of Mary. Bishop and Carols held on Christmas Eve at The same Mary is not only our mother That every country take the measures Kings College Cambridge and broadcast but also our model. So many children O God, eternal necessary to prioritize the future of the very throughout the country on the BBC. Since throughout the world today, likewise shepherd, who govern 1919 the choir at Kings College has opened weak and vulnerable, are also subject young, especially those who are suffering. this service with the same hymn, “Once to poverty, injustice, and violence. In Your flock with unfailing in Royal David’s City,” the simple lyrics of them Christ comes to us anew, albeit in care, grant in Your Visit this link to hear the Pope deliver his monthly prayer: which speak to the profound paradox of the “distressing disguise.” As we enjoy the mystery of Christmas. “He came down to beauty of Christmas creches and hear the boundless fatherly love a Bishop for http://popesprayerusa.net/category/pope-video/ earth from heaven, who is God and Lord old, familiar carols, let us pray that these the Diocese of Wagga Wagga who will of all. And his shelter was a stable, and His venerable traditions may really move us to please You by his holiness and to us show cradle was a stall. With the poor, and mean, become more like Mary, to set aside our Pope’s Worldwide and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.” own interests and preoccupations to tend to watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus By the mystery of the Incarnation, God those of Christ, the Christ who beckons us Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with Prayer Network became a little child. There are few religious to care for the vulnerable and needy among APOSVLESHIP OF PRAYER scenes more moving and tender than the us, prioritizing the “very young, especially You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one http://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/ infant Jesus in the arms of his mother. The those who are suffering.” God, for ever and ever. Amen. TOGETHER - DECEMBER 2019 VALE 3 Eulogy for John Turibius Loth CFC 13th August 1930 to 20th November 2019 by Br Mike Walsh CFC I am indebted to a dozen or so years in 1965. John is the only Brother Brothers, some of them quoted here, who I've known who adopted bee keeping as contributed their memories of John for a serious hobby. This was while teaching the composition of this eulogy for his in his home town in 1978 where his funeral held on 29th November. community appreciated the beautiful Born: honey his bees produced. He maintained 13th August 1930 this when in other places too until late in Entered Christian Brothers: 2001 when a bushfire at Mulgoa badly 25th January 1945 damaged his hives then situated there. Entered Novitiate: John brought a raft of talents to his 15th February 1948 teaching. His Leaving Certificate First Profession: results indicate an above average 25th December 1949 ability at English and the Maths and Final Profession: Sciences. He was artistic and had a good 25th December 1955 understanding of music notation and John was born in 1930 into a large choir work and later a self taught but family of eight children, growing up very proficient player of the recorder. He in Wagga Wagga - his father was the was totally committed to his preparation ambulance superintendent and his of lessons, spending many hours at mother, apart from many domestic night on this. And yet the classroom did duties, also attended to ambulance not give him much joy. His difficulties laundry. His parents were very kind and related to aspects of his personality and supportive of the Brothers' community probably his health too. John was intense, at St Michael's school, as was his sister, a perfectionist, and sensitive. Australians Ann, in later years. John entered the are adept at attaching ironic nicknames to Juniorate at Strathfield in 1945 but people – Turibius Loth was humorously always maintained close contact with dubbed by Br Eric Hyde as “Terrible his family. Br Pat White, with him Sloth," The exact opposite of his nature at Waverley College in the nineties, as an intense, relentless worker, a remembers him talking proudly about perfectionist, devoted to routine and Cathedral concert he had his choir draped his parents and his early days in Wagga orderliness, who cared greatly for his out in relaxing poses all over the stage He possessed a Wagga. His father died in 1962 but his students and wanted what was best for for a medley of popular songs -sounds conviction of God being mother lived on until 1979. At that time them. However, those same students, good, but somewhat less inviting when ‘ John was stationed in his home town being boys, and young teenagers at that, commencing at 11.00pm!! From this present in all people, a and Brother Chris Rafferty recalls his had less enthusiasm for hard work and one might determine he had no sense marvellous devotion to her, with daily perfection and orderliness.

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