Christianity and New Age practices held up to light

Sydney
11 May 2003

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Christianity and New Age practices held up to light

Tarot-card reading, white magic and feng shui are just three in a mixed bag of practices, ideas and concepts that come together under the banner of the so-called ‘New Age’.

Now the Vatican has issued a report on the challenge to the faith presented by New Age devotees, titled Jesus Christ the Bearer of the Water of Life - A Christian Reflection on the ‘New Age’.

The Catholic Adult Education Centre is conducting a seminar on the document as one of two new activities for the faith formation of adults this month.

Fr Peter Joseph, chancellor of the Sydney Maronite diocese of St Maroun, will be the principal speaker on this provisional report from the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

The seminar is at the Catholic Centre, 3 Keating St, Lidcombe, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 20. Admission is free. Copies of the document will be on sale.

The other faith formation activity the centre plans for this month is a course on the Gospel of St John, which begins on Thursday, May 15.

Marist Br Brian Beggs will deliver the scripture course, which will continue over seven weeks, from 9.30-11am on Thursdays. The course fee is $20.

A seminar on the rosary organised by the Adult Education Centre will be held at the Michael Kennedy Centre of Mater Dei Church, Blakehurst, at 7.30pm on May 23 (after the rosary at 7.10pm).

Fr John Flader, director of the Adult Education Centre; Redemptorist Fr Francis O’Shea; Charbel Raish, a student at the Good Shepherd Seminary, Homebush; and Gary Cartmer, father of Good Shepherd seminarian Mark Cartmer, will be the speakers. Admission is free.

For more information, or to attend the scripture course, call the Catholic Adult Education Centre on (02) 9643 3660.