Reflections on Faith 

CSW Mass Armidale

Last Wednesday, Year 6 travelled to Armidale to join with 400 other pilgrims from across the Diocese from all our Catholic schools, to attend Catholic Schools Week Mass. Unfortunately, the Armidale Cathedral was having electrical issues so we gathered at O'Connor's Chapel. It was a beautiful Mass, with our first introduction to our new Bishop Peter Murphy. Following the Mass, our two school Captains Matt and Macie attended the Catholic Schools Week award ceremony to watch Mrs. Fletcher receive her award. 

To celebrate Catholic Schools Week here at St. Joseph's we had a beautiful, intimate liturgy in the hall and also our rotational sports games on Friday afternoon. Thank you to all who attended and made these occasions extra special. 

Jubillee Year Mini Cathedral Pilgrimage

This week we welcomed the Mini Cathedral, Cathedra and Relics to St. Patrick's Parish as it pilgrims its way around the Diocese. It will be in the Church until Tuesday for you to go and have a look! Our school, Stage 1 to Stage 3 attended Mass on Wednesday to welcome them to our Parish and join in on the Pilgrimage. Thank you Father Thaddeus for accomodating us for this special occasion. 

If you go to the Church to view these special items, you will find a booklet with extra information. I have attached this information below as well. 

2025 is a Jubilee Year, a special time in the Church for prayer and renewal, it happens every 25 years. Jubilees have a theme. The late Pope Francis opened the Jubilee Year on 24th December, 2024 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, when he opened the ‘Holy Door’.  The theme of Jubilee 2025  is Pilgrims of Hope. 

As a Jubilee Event for the Diocese of Armidale, a mini-Cathedral, mini-Cathedra and special relics are on ‘pilgrimage’ or journey through our Diocese.  

These items are important parts of our faith and help us understand our Church's history. Are you ready to explore these wonderful treasures together and learn more about our Cathedral and relics

What is a Cathedral?

First, let’s talk about what a cathedral is. A cathedral is a special church where a bishop leads the community. It is often large and beautiful, filled with amazing artwork and decorations. The cathedral serves as the main church for a diocese, which is a group of local churches. In our diocese, which is very big, we have churches as far west ast Walgett, As far north as Mungindi and Tenterfield, as far south as Quirindi and as far east as Walcha. Just like a family has a home, the Church has its home in the cathedral, where everyone comes together to worship God. Our cathedral is in Armidale and you are looking at a very accurate scaled down version bigger in real life! Our Cathedral is named Sts Mary and Joseph Cathedral. Has anyone ever visited our cathedral? To be a cathedral, a special chair is required!

The Role of the Cathedra

Now, let’s focus on the cathedra. The cathedra is the bishop's chair, and it is very important because it symbolises his teaching authority and leadership in the Church. When the bishop sits in the cathedra, he teaches and guides the people in their faith. This chair is not just any chair; it is a special throne that shows how the bishop is like a shepherd, caring for his flock. In our diocese we are led by Bishop Peter Murphy.

The Role of the Bishop

The Bishop plays a crucial role in our church. He is responsible for teaching, guiding, and caring for all the people in the diocese. Just like a captain of a ship, he helps steer us in the right direction. The Bishop also celebrates important ceremonies and ensures that our faith is passed down to future generations. We have a new Bishop in Armidale, Bishop Peter Murphy. He is the 11th Bishop of Armidale.

Symbolism of the Cathedral and Cathedra

The cathedral represents all of us, the community of believers, coming together in faith. It is a place where we gather to pray, celebrate, and support one another. The cathedra, on the other hand, symbolises the bishop's role as a teacher and shepherd of the Church. When we see the cathedra, we remember that the bishop is there to help us grow in our faith and to guide us on our journey with God.

What are Relics?

Next, let’s talk about relics. Relics are special items that are connected to saints or holy people. They can be parts of their bodies, like bones or hair, or things they used, like clothing or tools. Relics remind us of the lives of these saints and their strong faith in God. They are like treasures that help us remember the amazing things these holy people did. What we have here are relics from the clothes and lines of our young saints, St. Therese of the Lisieux, Blessed Carlo Acutis, Blessed Giorgio Frassati and of course, St. Mary of the Cross Mackillop and St. Teresa of Calcutta. (Please refer to our Official Pilgrimage Guide for more info on them, scan QR Code above)

The Importance of Relics in the Jubilee Year

During the Jubilee year, the Church celebrates and reflects on the faith of the saints. The visiting relics help us remember their examples and inspire us to live our faith more fully. When we see these relics, we can think about how we can follow in the footsteps of the saints and be good examples of love and kindness in our own lives.

Conclusion

To wrap up, I encourage all of you to think about how you can be like the saints and live out your faith in your daily lives. Remember, just like the cathedral brings us together, we can bring joy and love to our families and friends. If you have any questions about what we learned today, feel free to ask! Thank you for listening, and let’s continue to celebrate our faith together!