The Word of God focuses on the mission of the Church as the expression of the living power of the risen Jesus. The Ascension marks a watershed moment for his disciples. There is no idle looking up at the sky as he is withdrawn from them. Rather, as the two angelic messengers affirm, the time has come for them to go forth as witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Like the angels in the empty tomb story, they commanded the disciples to seek and to be the presence of Jesus. [...]

The Diocese of Parramatta has welcomed the NSW Government’s record $4 billion investment in Western Sydney as a potentially significant step towards long-term renewal and support for one of the state’s fastest growing and most multicultural regions.  [...]