Bishops Peter Comensoli of Broken Bay, Greg Thompson and Peter Stuart of Newcastle and Bill Wright of Maitland-Newcastle were joined by members of each diocesan community.

The homily was preached by Maitland-Newcastle’s Missionary of Mercy, Richard Shortall sj, who was commissioned by Pope Francis in Rome in January.

The prayer of intercession captured many of the longings shared by all Christian communities, particularly when the nation is preparing to vote in a federal election. In the Year of Mercy, the assembly prayed, “For all who long for mercy – that they experience the boundless mercy of God and become merciful as God is merciful.”

Despite the low temperatures, one member of the assembly described the liturgy as “very prayerful and moving”.

Photographs courtesy of Annie Carrett, Diocese of Broken Bay.

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