The Year of Grace
THE YEAR OF GRACE BEGINS
The Year of Grace was formally launched around Australia on Pentecost Sunday, 27 May 2012.
The Year of Grace was formally launched for the Diocese by Bishop Connors in St Patrick’s Cathedral at the 10.30am Mass on Pentecost Sunday. At the local parish the beginning of this year of spiritual renewal and faith enrichment was also celebrated. Look for more information on the Year of Grace from your local parish or and visit the Diocesan website www.ballarat.catholic.org.au and the National website www.yearofgrace.catholic.org.au
As part of the Launch of the Year of Grace, Bishop Connors has issued a Pastoral Letter which is accompanied by a number of resources. READ HERE
ABOUT THE YEAR OF GRACE
During 2011, the Australian Bishops announced the celebration of a Year of Grace for the Australian Church to take place from Pentecost 2012 to Pentecost 2013. Essentially, this Year of Grace is a summons to the whole Australian Church to undertake a spiritual journey, a time of listening and prayer, a fresh encounter with Jesus.
IN THE BALLARAT DIOCESE
The Coordinator for the Year of Grace in the Diocese of Ballarat is Father Kevin Lenehan and he can be contacted at: yearofgrace@ballarat.catholic.org.au .
AT A NATIONAL LEVEL
The Year of Grace website provides a wealth of resources for parishes, schools and communities. Go to: www.yearofgrace.catholic.org.au
"Living Grace" is an E-bulletin for the Year of Grace which can be received regularly. Subscribe on the website or READ HERE.
The National Year of Grace Project Officer is Fr Peter Brock who can be contacted at yearofgrace@catholic.org.au – ph. 02 4967 6598 or 0427 629840
LOGO
There is no one symbol or message that the Year of Grace logo is intended to convey. It is a bright and stylish image which, in looking at it, has many
significant symbols and connections that can be drawn:
• The cross
• The sun
• A circle that represents the infinity of God
• The halo incorporating a cross that surrounds the head of Jesus in Eastern iconography
• The host used at Mass
• The monstrance used in Eucharistic adoration
• A link with the artistic tradition of our Indigenous people
• The earthen, ochre colours of Australia • A diversity of peoples and cultures, gathered into one community
• A star-burst
• Light
There also may be other ways in which the logo speaks to people.
BEGINNINGS
In the 2011 visit of the Australian Bishops to Rome, Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference spoke the following words in his address to Pope Benedict:
In the attempt to “start afresh from Christ” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, III), in the communion which is in Jesus, we have decided to call the whole Church in Australia to celebrate A Year of Grace from Pentecost 2012 to Pentecost 2013. Through this time we will seek to contemplate the face of Jesus and to listen to his voice at a new depth, in the belief that only he can lead us into the future, that only he can make us one in faith, in hope, in love. Through this year, we will implore a new sending of the Holy Spirit, who alone can breathe new life into the Church.
Holy Father, we entrust the “Year of Grace” to your prayer and we seek your Apostolic Blessing upon the Church in Australia, that we may be able to build upon the graces of recent times and work together to build the future with the words of the Psalmist in our hearts: “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour” (Psalm 127:1).
Archbishop Wilson launched the Year of Grace - Starting Afresh from Christ on the Feast of Christ the King 2011. READ Archbishop Wilson's letter HERE
