Viewpoint

As mentioned last week, the official book launch of Fr Brennan’s book Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide took place on Monday evening at Our Lady of the Way, North Sydney. I'm most grateful to Ms van Domburg and Year 12 students Alex Teoh, Patrick Delaney and Eden Butler for attending and for speaking with some of the many people who attended. We were welcomed by the parish priest, Fr Richard Leonard, our MC, who provided some personal anecdotes about the election of Pope Francis. Geraldine Doogue, the author of the Foreword, offered insightful commentary on the text and on Pope Francis himself. Tom Jenkins, a young parishioner, spoke with great hope and energy about Francis, who provided purpose and hope rather than perfection and fear. If you were unable to attend, Fr Frank’s talk can be accessed HERE .

^{Pictured Fr Frank Brennan SJ, Geraldine Doogue , Alex Teoh, Ms Erica Reading, Eden Butler and Ms van Domburg.}

ANZAC Day Reflections

Anzac Day itself was the reason behind our long weekend, and many well-attended ceremonies took place across the country. Some years ago, it was thought that Anzac Day ceremonies would die out due to a lack of interest. This has not been the case, and it is most encouraging to witness the interest of so many young people today. We see younger Australians engaging with Anzac traditions in their own ways, by attending dawn services in large numbers, researching family histories, and connecting to the spirit of remembrance with renewed curiosity. This is powerful evidence that the Anzac legacy is not fading, but is evolving.

“As we gather at dawn services, watch parades, or simply pause in quiet reflection, we acknowledge not only those who never returned, but also those who came home carrying physical and emotional scars. The day encourages us to reflect not just on past battles, but on the values that saw Australians through them: mateship, perseverance, resilience, compassion, and unity. Ultimately, Anzac Day is not only about remembering those who served; it is about reaffirming who we are. It asks us to honour the past while committing ourselves to a future shaped by courage, empathy, and shared purpose”.

(Brett Debritz - Communications Specialist, National Seniors Australia)

For many Australians, Anzac Day is an opportunity to recall family members who paid the ultimate sacrifice. This is certainly the case for me with my Uncle Noel perishing during a bombing mission over the industrial lands of Germany. I was blessed to visit his grave. As far as I know, I am the first from the family to do so. Murray Noel Jennings is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, located a few kilometres outside Rheinberg in the west of Germany (approximately 85 kilometres from Cologne). I took a taxi from the railway station. The driver asked why I was visiting the cemetery and seemed to understand my desire to visit my uncle’s grave. Given the remoteness of the cemetery, I was very grateful when he offered to wait for me until I wished to return to the town.

The Rheinberg War Cemetery is the final resting place for 3,330 Commonwealth servicemen of the Second World War. 158 of the burials are unidentified.

The war cemetery is beautifully maintained. A directory helped me find my uncle’s grave. Nearby graves had the same date of death, so I presumed these were Noel’s fellow crew members. I spent time at his grave, saying prayers of thanks for his sacrifice. I took photographs to share the experience with my mother and other family members. Anzac Day lets us acknowledge the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. I recommend their website if you seek information about relatives who gave their lives for our country.

Families appreciate the chance to visit the graves of those who have died. For many, their loved one’s body could not be repatriated to Australia. Monuments bearing their names, found in suburbs and country towns, become especially important. After visiting many war cemeteries, I found the inscription “known only to God” - a chilling reminder of the many dead who could not be identified. The tomb of the unknown soldier at our national war memorial in Canberra symbolises the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many who remain nameless.

^{Rheinberg War Cemetery (Commonwealth War Graves) commission}

Recent Feast Day - St Peter Canisius SJ

Last Monday, April 27th, was the feast day of the Jesuit saint, Peter Canisius (1521-1597). He was renowned for his heroic defence of Catholicism during the intense religious polarisation of the 16th century.

He was a major figure in the young Society of Jesus and met numerous saints. At the age of 19, he went on a retreat led by St. Peter Faber and decided to join the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). St Ignatius Loyola was his spiritual director for a time. He interviewed and recommended St. Stanislaus Kostka for reception into the Jesuits.

Being a brilliant scholar and theologian, he was asked in 1549 by Pope Paul III to lead an effort to defend the Church against the attacks of reformers. The young Jesuit received the almost impossible mission of halting the defections of Catholics and winning back those who had already left the Church. His efforts led to him being called the "Second Apostle of Germany”.

His famous book, his Catechism , was first published in April 1555 and later became Germany’s and Austria’s most popular book. It satisfied a most urgent need and provided answers to questions, especially on disputed topics, among Protestants. Peter Canisius’ Catechism went through 200 editions and was translated into 12 different languages. Peter Canisius was a man of great energy, founding 18 colleges and authoring 37 books. He served as the first Provincial of Germany, a post he held for 14 years. He died peacefully at age 76 in Fribourg, Switzerland. Peter Canisius has much to offer us today, especially through his gentle approach to dialogue and debate. He emphasised teaching and charity over confrontation, aiming to educate rather than condemn.

Key aspects of his approach include:

(Further details to be found at www.ignatianspirituality.com )

We live in an age not unlike Peter’s 16th-century Europe, where disputes and disagreements are often characterised by personal attacks, character assassination, and combative exchanges. This is seen in meetings of international leaders and in some reality TV programmes which rely heavily on conflict and frequent violent response to criticism.

Peter Canisius is a model for us in how to engage with those with whom we disagree while remaining charitable and faithful to Christian values. Surely a worthy model for students and alumni of Jesuit schools.

Sydney Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr Michael Stoney SJ

There will be a Sydney Mass of Thanksgiving for his life at 6.00 pm this Sunday, 3rd May 2026 (the 5th Sunday of Easter) at St Mary’s North, Sydney

Michael spent most of his ministry in Sydney:

1966-68 - Theology, Canisius College, Pymble
1971-79 - St Aloysius’ College, Milsons Point
2001-09 - Novitiate, Canisius College, Pymble
2010-May 2020 - North Sydney/Lavender Bay/Kirribilli Parish
May 2020-22 - Arrupe House, Pymble

All welcome!