Edition of Thursday, October 29

Pupils at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School in Norwich learned about the Operation Christmas Child appeal during a visit from Mark and Debra Watkins. The representatives from the organization's Church Relations and Community Relations teams attended a school assembly to explain how shoeboxes filled with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies are delivered to children in need.

The Watkins explained that the appeal has delivered more than 244 million shoeboxes to over 170 countries and territories since 1990. During the assembly, students watched a video showing the journey of a shoebox. Mark Watkins noted that the ministry can complement a school's values and academic learning.

Operation Christmas Child allows local churches to share messages of God's love when distributing the boxes where permitted. The Watkins met with headteacher Felicity Hope and other staff members during the visit.

New legislation in NSW has approved human composting, also known as natural organic reduction or terramation, as an option alongside burial and cremation. The process involves placing a body in a vessel with plant materials like sawdust, mulch, or straw to accelerate decomposition into soil.

Professor Clare Johnson, director of the Centre for Liturgy at Australian Catholic University, noted that the practice raises questions for Catholics regarding the treatment of the body and the fate of decomposed remains. Catholic funeral traditions treat the body with respect as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Burial in a sacred place also provides a location for families to gather for prayer and serves as a sign of hope in the resurrection of the body.

While the Vatican has stated that resurrection is possible even if a body is not physically intact, the specific rules for governing the process and the placement of remains in NSW are still being developed. Catholic cemeteries are currently awaiting guidance from the Church regarding this practice.

Staff of DOBCEL participated in a formation program on September 30 and October 1 focused on the theme "Walking Paths of Peace Together."

Bishop Mark Freeman delivered the opening keynote, where he encouraged participants to practice a culture of encounter. He urged staff to listen to others with compassion and solidarity, particularly those with different life experiences. The program addressed how to live the Gospel during times of social division.

The workshops were based on the 2026 Bishops’ Social Justice Statement. The sessions encouraged staff to act as builders of peace within their schools, workplaces, and local communities.

Sister Jan Tranter, a Sister of St Joseph from Lochinvar, has published a book titled Julian Tenison Woods: The Human Journey – Priest, Founder, Friend. The work compiles 35 years of her research and reflection on the life of Father Julian Tenison Woods.

Father Woods was a priest, missionary, educator, and natural scientist who co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph with Saint Mary MacKillop. The book examines his character, his faith, and the friendships and hardships he experienced.

The publication has prompted a special exhibition at the Diocesan Resource Centre of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. This exhibition includes historical materials, books, photographs, and geological specimens.

Two students from SMAS Seminari Lalian placed in the top five of the 2026 Belu Open chess tournament held from October 23 to 25 at SDI Tanah Merah I.

Petrus J. Atok finished in second place in the SMA/sederajat category with 13 points. He tied in points with Alexander Manek Luan from SMAK Surya, but the tiebreak calculation placed Atok in second place. Petrus Man Dalio finished in fourth place with 12 points.

The tournament was organized by the Pengurus Kabupaten Persatuan Catur Seluruh Indonesia (Percasi) Belu and included 32 participants. Seminari Lalian sent Petrus J. Atok, Petrus Man Dalio, Julito J. Nahak, and Petrus Eli Funan to the competition, accompanied by Fr. Rivaldo Atamukin.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council unanimously recommended on 27 October that the state government include a Christian chapel in the new $2 billion Bankstown Hospital. Deputy Mayor Rachelle Harika drafted the motion, which seeks to replicate the existing facilities at the current Bankstown Hospital by providing a Christian chapel and two separate prayer rooms at the new site.

The proposal follows two petitions on change.org that gathered nearly 10,000 signatures. One petitioner stated that the absence of a dedicated Christian space would create logistical difficulties for the area's multi-faith community, as people of various creeds would be forced to share limited multi-faith spaces. The petitioner argued that the Christian population of Canterbury-Bankstown requires a specific space for prayer and worship.

The new 14-storey teaching hospital is being built on Chapel Road at a former TAFE site. The Canterbury-Bankstown local government area is one of the most religious and diverse in Australia, with approximately 75 percent of the population professing a religion. This includes 42 percent who are Christian and 24 percent who are Muslim.

The Diocese of Gómez Palacio participated in the fifth national meeting of heads of protection commissions for minors and vulnerable adults, which concluded on October 29 at the Mexican Episcopate Conference headquarters in Casa Lago.

The four day meeting, held from October 26 to October 29, brought together leaders from religious and diocesan protection commissions. Participants discussed methods for prevention, justice, and providing accompaniment to victims. The meeting emphasized making protection and care a practical part of the Church's evangelizing mission.

Eight parishes from the Paniai Deanery gathered at Kristus Jaya Komopa Parish for the opening of the Karya Misi Kepausan Indonesia (KMKI) event on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

At 17.00 WIT, Father Yosef Setiadi led the opening Mass. Following the liturgy, each parish introduced itself and performed chants.

The event is intended to strengthen brotherhood and cooperation among the participating parishes. Participants are expected to complete the full series of activities to bring experiences back to their respective parishes.