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Debra Vermeer
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- Total Post (221)
Articles By This Author

Pope announces ecumenical prayer vigil for Synod
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 16 January 2023
Pope Francis has announced an Ecumenical Prayer Vigil will be held in September prior to the first assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, so as to entrust the bishops’ work to the Lord. Source: Vatican News.

Nigerian priest burned to death after rectory attacked
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 16 January 2023
A Catholic priest was burned to death on Sunday after bandits set fire to his parish rectory in northern Nigeria. Source: CNA.

Australian reflections on Synod’s working document published
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 22 December 2022
While the hundreds of Australians who participated in the latest round of discernment for the global Synod of Bishops process identified issues and challenges facing Catholics, there was a strong sense of hope for the Church’s future. Source: Media Blog.

Australians still donating for Christmas as rising costs hit charities
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 22 December 2022
Generous Australians are still dipping into their pockets to help others this Christmas, but cost-of-living pressures have driven an unprecedented surge in demand for support at what is already the busiest time of the year for many charities. Source: SMH.

Broken Bay to host ‘life-changing’ Ignite Conference
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 22 December 2022
The Diocese of Broken Bay will host one of Australia’s most powerful Catholic youth gatherings – the Ignite Conference – next September. Source: Ignite Conference.

Fallen Queensland police officers honoured in public memorial
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 22 December 2022
Queensland has farewelled Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, the two police officers killed in last week’s horrific Wieambilla siege, in a public memorial service at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Source: The Catholic Leader.

Pope Francis meets wife and child of Ukrainian prisoner of war
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 22 December 2022
Pope Francis has again asked for prayers for the children of Ukraine this Christmas as he greeted a Ukrainian woman whose husband is a prisoner of war and their son, following his Wednesday audience. Source: Vatican News.

Spiritual directors helping people ‘pay attention’ to God in their lives
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 22 December 2022
A growing number of people are being formed to become spiritual directors, with Australian Catholic University now offering their courses online, making them even more widely available.

One last wish for another colourful tale of adventure
- By Debra Vermeer
- . 22 December 2022
A lot of audiences, young and old (except the littlies who might find it too scary), will enjoy this tale of Puss in Boots escapades over the holidays. Source: Jesuit Media.