Dear Friends,
By Virginia Ryan

I shared with you in the first edition of Mission and Spirituality News my experience of hearing the Evangelist, Reinhard Bonneke preach on the great commission: "Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; ..."

"God who is Love ... leads the Church towards the frontiers of humanity."
Pope Benedict XVI World Mission Day message 2008
By Patrick Fox

Sounding like the voiceover “to boldly go where no man has gone before. Space, the final frontier”, from the final scene of a Star Trek episode, as the Enterprise sails off to the next galaxy, the above quote is in fact from Pope Benedict's XVI World Mission Day message this year.

Our Mission: Reviving the Australian Catholic Church
By Martin Teulan

In the best selling management book of recent years, "Good to Great", the author, Jim Collins, found that a must in positive organisational change (including non-profit and church organisations) is to "confront the brutal facts but to never lose faith."

The theology of the Prayer of the Faithful
By Dr Gerard Moore

There are two features of the General Intercessions that mark this ritual as a key part of Sunday worship and as integral to our understanding of the nature of the church.

In the Light of Torah
By Teresa Pirola

'Torah' (Word of God) refers to the first five books of the Bible. These sacred writings are treasured by Jews and Christians alike. Many Christians, however, have a tendency to overlook this precious part of our bible, preferring to go straight to the Gospels.

The Prodigal Son
By Dr Laurie Woods

The problem with a traditionally allegorical interpretation of this parable is that it closes the door to the other messages contained in the story. In the context of the Pharisees' complaint about Jesus welcoming sinners we can recognise a parallel note in the story where the elder brother complains against his father welcoming the returning sinner.

Pontiff: Missionary Bishops Have a Teacher in Paul
Says Apostle Shared in Same Sufferings

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 22, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Bishops in missionary lands today live situations similar to those faced by St. Paul; thus the saint is not just a historical figure, but a teacher for our times, says Benedict XVI.

"Earth: Our Common Home" Seminars October 2008
40th Anniversary of Earthrise-First human view of Earth from deep space.

Tuesday Oct 7th Whose Earth is it?
Speakers: Sheikh Naeem Abdul Wali, visiting US Islamic scholar with a background in entomology.

Missiology offerings at BBI

Mission lies at the heart of the Church. It is the Church community's very reason for being.
To find out how BBI can tailor a program to your needs, whether you are an individual or part of a group please contact Therese D'Orsa on 03 5626 1506 or tdorsa@bbi.catholic.edu.au

Invitation to the book launch of 'MYSTICISM & SPACE'
Dr Carmel Bendon Davis

Date: Wednesday 5 November; Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Venue: Caroline Chisholm Centre; Level 8, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills (off City View Road)

Broken Bay Program 2009

13-16 January:
Introduction to Catholic Theology By Dr Matthew Del Nevo
Liturgical Foundations By Rev Dr John Frauenfelder
20-23 January: Vatican II By Dr John Luttrell fms

Faith Australia: local books on faith and theology
Reviewed by Gerard Moore

David Ranson Commissioned by the Bishops Commission for Doctrine and Morals with a forward by Cardinal George Pell. Canberra: Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 2008. Cost $5.

The Children's Bible
Review by Heidi Wright

The new Children's Bible from St. Pauls Publications is a picture book containing forty-two short bible stories in the order they appear in the bible. The stories are told simply and the illustrations are colourful and vibrant. It is a book suited to young children.

Benedict and Chico: the Life of Pope Benedict XVI as told by a cat
Review by Heidi Wright

Benedict and Chico is a beautiful children's book about the life of Pope Benedict XVI, told from a cat's point of view. The concept of telling this tale from a cat's perspective is effective, providing a point of connection for children as the cat appears on every page.