Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
17 Sep 2012
More than 1000 attended Australia's first-ever Solemn Memorial Mass for the Unborn at St Mary's Cathedral on Friday, 14 September. The historic Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell not only marked the deaths of the unborn but offered prayers, comfort, compassion and healing to all those hurt by the tragedy of abortion.
Every day in NSW at least 82 unborn children lose their lives to abortion. However these unborn have never been commemorated with their own Mass of remembrance.
"The Mass was extremely moving especially when 82 candles were lit for the unborn which was followed by 82 seconds of silence," says Bernard Toutounji, Education Officer with the Archdiocese of Sydney's Life, Marriage and Family Centre who helped organise this very special and important memorial Mass.
"The silence during those 82 seconds was overwhelming with everyone at the Mass spontaneously dropping to their knees in prayer despite no one telling them to do this," he says.
Concelebrated by the Cathedral's priest-in-residence, Fr Dani Penollar together with Archdiocese priests, Fr Paul Rowse, Fr Peter Maher, Fr Lam Vu, Fr Greg Morgan, Fr Emmanuel Seo, Fr Epili Qimaqima, Fr Anthony Bernard, Fr Paul Marshall and Sydney Maronite priest, Fr Youhanna Azize, the Memorial Mass for the Unborn was an initiative of Cardinal Pell's and from now on will be an important part of the Cathedral calendar.
Inspired after being invited to concelebrate Los Angeles' annual Requiem Mass for the Unborn lost to abortion in January this year, Cardinal Pell recognised the need for a similar Mass to be held in Sydney.
Among the 1000-plus who attended the historic Mass last Friday were staff and students from Catholic schools and universities, members of parishes across the Archdiocese and representatives from Catholic agencies such as CatholicCare, the Catholic Education Office, Pregnancy Help Australia, the Catholic Women's League, the Maronite community, pro-life groups such as Family Life International, Right to Life Australia and NSW Right to Life.
Parents, grandparents and siblings grieving and hurt by the tragedy of abortion were also there along with representatives from Rachel's Vineyard, a healing ministry of the Catholic Church for women who have suffered an abortion and are struggling with grief, guilt and ongoing pain.
While abortion can trigger long term emotional distress among mothers, fathers also undergo a heavy emotional toll.
A recent Los Angeles Times survey of 3600 men found that 66% or two thirds reported feelings of guilt and anxiety after their involvement in an abortion. Research has also found that men can experience post-traumatic stress, depression, sexual dysfunction and anger as a result of losing their child to abortion. For many men, these feelings are brought to the surface after the birth of their first child and the deep joy they feel triggers grief for the child they never had a chance to hold or love.
Grandparents and siblings can experience similar distress at the loss of a child to an abortion.
For those hurt by abortion or needing pregnancy support and counselling, contact CatholicCare at 1800 063510. Support for pregnant women can also be found at Pregnancy Help Australia, 1300 792 798. For Post Abortion healing and help, Rachel's Vineyard is a Catholic healing ministry and can be contacted by phoning 1800 063 510.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
17 Sep 2012
Cardinal George Pell with concelebrating Archdiocese priests at the Memorial Mass for the Unborn
Every day in NSW at least 82 unborn children lose their lives to abortion. However these unborn have never been commemorated with their own Mass of remembrance.
"The Mass was extremely moving especially when 82 candles were lit for the unborn which was followed by 82 seconds of silence," says Bernard Toutounji, Education Officer with the Archdiocese of Sydney's Life, Marriage and Family Centre who helped organise this very special and important memorial Mass.
A beautiful, solemn and consoling Memorial Mass for the Unborn
Concelebrated by the Cathedral's priest-in-residence, Fr Dani Penollar together with Archdiocese priests, Fr Paul Rowse, Fr Peter Maher, Fr Lam Vu, Fr Greg Morgan, Fr Emmanuel Seo, Fr Epili Qimaqima, Fr Anthony Bernard, Fr Paul Marshall and Sydney Maronite priest, Fr Youhanna Azize, the Memorial Mass for the Unborn was an initiative of Cardinal Pell's and from now on will be an important part of the Cathedral calendar.
Inspired after being invited to concelebrate Los Angeles' annual Requiem Mass for the Unborn lost to abortion in January this year, Cardinal Pell recognised the need for a similar Mass to be held in Sydney.
Chris Meney, Director of the Archdiocese's Life, Family & Marriage Centre welcomed more than 1000 to the Mass for the Unborn
Parents, grandparents and siblings grieving and hurt by the tragedy of abortion were also there along with representatives from Rachel's Vineyard, a healing ministry of the Catholic Church for women who have suffered an abortion and are struggling with grief, guilt and ongoing pain.
Friday evening's historic Memorial Mass for the Unborn at St Mary's Cathedral
A recent Los Angeles Times survey of 3600 men found that 66% or two thirds reported feelings of guilt and anxiety after their involvement in an abortion. Research has also found that men can experience post-traumatic stress, depression, sexual dysfunction and anger as a result of losing their child to abortion. For many men, these feelings are brought to the surface after the birth of their first child and the deep joy they feel triggers grief for the child they never had a chance to hold or love.
Grandparents and siblings can experience similar distress at the loss of a child to an abortion.
For those hurt by abortion or needing pregnancy support and counselling, contact CatholicCare at 1800 063510. Support for pregnant women can also be found at Pregnancy Help Australia, 1300 792 798. For Post Abortion healing and help, Rachel's Vineyard is a Catholic healing ministry and can be contacted by phoning 1800 063 510.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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