Category Archives: Latest

There is still no date set for a memorial Mass at St Vincent’s for Sr. John (Pat) Durnan.

Fr John Ford, who knew Pat, agreed to say the Mass when asked last Tuesday at Sharing the Meal. He approached Miguel Zavarese, assistant parish priest, who was also present at the Meal, requesting permission to celebrate the memorial Mass.

Zavarese refused, insisting that if there was to be such an event he would be the one to do it. Neither Zavarese nor Mendes (the PP) knew Pat.

Such is the generosity of the Neocat spirit to which the Community has … Continue reading →

Many of you will remember Sr John (Pat) Durnan as a founding member of our community. She was a great friend of Ted Kennedy’s, looking after him during his latter years while he was still able to stay at his home in Burrawang, and a great friend of the Aboriginal people, eventually selling her home in Araluen and donating the proceeds to the AMS.

DURNAN. – Patricia. Sr. John MSC Died peacefully at Epworth Freemason Hospital on Nov. 5, 2010 Cherished … Continue reading →

The banner in St Peter’s Square, as seen on ABC television’s Compass programme last night.

ABC iView screen grab from Compass Canonisation Special

Check out the Image Gallery for more pictures.

God speed to Ralph, Shireen and Linda as they head off today for Rome and the canonisation of Mary Mackillop.

They are taking with them the St Vincent’s banner.

The St Vincent’s banner, depicting Shirley Smith and Ted Kennedy – "saints" of Redfern – along with Mary Mackillop, against a backdrop of the church mural bearing the words of Pope John Paul II

Last Sunday the congregation at the 10am Mass was informed by the releiving priest that the … Continue reading →

Emotional day … Linda Kemp cried as she was blessed by the parish priest
of St Vincent’s for her trip to Rome. Photo: Kate Geraghty, SMH

It took eight men to move it, but in doing so they lifted a spiritual weight from the shoulders of a congregation.

Parishioners at St Vincent’s Catholic Church in Redfern, inspired by the coming canonisation of Mary MacKillop, defied their parish priest and returned a baptismal font to its original place … Continue reading →

The St Vincent’s Community is sending three of its members to Rome for the canonisation of Mary MacKillop.

On the last Sunday of this month (September 26) the community is hosting a ceremony to "Bless and Send Forth" three of its Aboriginal members, who will be travelling to Rome for the canonisation ceremony on October 17.

They include outspoken long-term parishioner Ralph Townsend, and artist, singer and former ATSIC commissioner Shireen Malamoo.

The trip has been made possible by community members Sr Esmey and Sr Mary, of The Gathering Place in Caroline St Redfern. In 2006 they unexpectedly received … Continue reading →

The derelict St Vincent’s presbytery, next to the church, is to be given a new lease of life as a Jesuit school for Aboriginal children, it was announced during the week. The article in Province Express is reproduced below.

This posting by Danny Gilbert on CathNews expresses support for the initiative far more eloquently than the Church Mouse could manage:

The much loved Fr Ted Kennedy made St Vincent’s Redfern, especially the Presbytery, a place of welcome, refuge and unconditional love for the poorest of Aboriginal people. For many years, Ted shared his home with these people. … Continue reading →

Timetable from the Church Bulletin

Come join us this Easter!