Mary - an undeniable example to us all
Catholic Weekly (29 August 2004)
ANNUAL MASS: The Catholic Women's League's special choir, led by Pat Ambrose (front), sings: Come as you are.
Mary was the first disciple, says Fr Ray Farrell, and her faithful response to God's call is an undeniable example to us all.
Fr Ray, chaplain of the Catholic Women's League, was delivering the homily at the League's annual Mass at St Mary's Cathedral.
In it, he referred to the early Church and the beautiful "icons of light", explaining that they were more of a prayer than a picture.
About 160 members attended the archdiocesan Mass, which included a special candle ceremony to complete the league's theme Women of Faith - Walk in Light.
The annual Mass, on the feast of the Assumption, honours the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the league's patroness.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, concelebrated Mass with Fr Ray and Fr Martin Maunsell, Lane Cove parish priest.
Archdiocesan branch representatives of the league processed into the cathedral with their banners as a special Catholic Women's League choir led by Pat Ambrose sang the hymn Come as you are.
The cardinal blessed the branch presidents and encouraged them to continue to walk in faith and to keep up the good work they are doing.
Mary Harrold received a special blessing from the cardinal when state president Carmel Keys presented her with the membership.
Sydney president Moya Potts acknowledged and thanked special guests including national president Thora Regan, Carmel Keys, Peg McEntee, Dame Monica Gallagher and members from the dioceses of Bathurst, Broken Bay, Parramatta and Wollongong.
The Lane Cove and Smithfield branches joined the league for the first time.
