Source: ACBC Media Blog.
People across Australia and beyond will be able to follow the progress of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia through Masses and livestream sessions when the first general assembly opens this weekend.
The Plenary Council, the first such event in Australia since 1937, will open with Mass livestreamed from St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth on Sunday, October 3. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will celebrate that Mass at 2pm AEDT and officially open the nine-month journey of the two Council assemblies.
Masses will be broadcast at 9.30am AEDT on each of the six days of the Council program, with Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge celebrating the Mass to conclude the first assembly at 11am AEDT on Sunday, October 10.
“Across our vast continent, people will be able to gather in prayer and worship to share in this journey of discernment,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
The Masses, which can be viewed on the Plenary Council’s website, are designed specifically for those – Council members and the wider community – who are unable to gather for Mass in their local place.
Where local health and government restrictions allow public Masses to be celebrated, the same Mass being celebrated for the Plenary Council, including prayers, readings and musical suggestions, can be used.
Starting with the opening plenary session on Monday, October 4, parts of the morning session at which all 278 Plenary Council members gather online will be livestreamed. The livestream will open at 11am AEDT each day and run for about 75 minutes, except on Thursday, October 7 – a day when most of program will be offline.
“These livestreams will allow the People of God to stay connected with the work of the Plenary Council, including through the sharing of the fruits of discernment,” Lana Turvey-Collins, the Plenary Council facilitator, said.
Details: www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au
