The Record Magazine Issue #07 (April 2017)

EE FR

DOM I N IC PER IS SI NOT TO: Growing in faith, with music

Matthew Fry: Calling to the

Church a special moment

African Choir continues to

raise the bar for evangelisation

Official magazine for the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth

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ISSUE 7 APRIL 2017

WEEKDAY EVENING COURSES Prayer: Being Yourself Before God When: Tuesday 9 May – 23 May

7pm – 9pm

Cost: 3 sessions, suggested donation $15.00 With: Dr Margaret Scharf, OP Location: Foley Centre, Sacred Heart Parish,

50 Ovens Road, Thornlie

COURSES & EVENTS FOR TERM 2, 2017

One Body in Faith: Exploring the Theology of the Body When: Thursdays 4 May – 25 May 7pm–8.30pm Cost: 4 sessions, suggested donation $20.00 With: Mr Derek Boylen Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish,

269 Flinders St, Nollamara

WEEKDAY/ WEEKEND EVENTS Archdiocese of Perth Story When: Thursday 9 May, 1.30pm – 3.30pm Cost: 4 sessions, suggested donation $20.00

DAYTIME COURSES Christ: The End-point of Evolution When: Wednesdays 3 May – 31 May

10am – 12.30pm

With: Mr Odhran O’Brien Location: Catholic Pastoral Centre,

40A Mary St, Highgate

Cost: 5 sessions, cost $50 includes copy of book

Aboriginal Catholic Cultural Awareness Our Relationship Together

With: Sr Shelley Barlow, RNDM

When: Saturday 27 May, 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Location: Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview

Cost: One-off workshop, payment by donation

Exploring Faith: Theology for Beginners When: Thursdays 11 May – 15 June

10am – 12.30pm

Cost: 6 sessions, cost $45.00 With: Mr Joe Tedesco Location: Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview

With: Mr Odhran O’Brien Location: Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview

ONLINE COURSES Jesus: The Revelation of God When: Thursdays 11 May – 25th May, 7.30pm – 8.15pm Cost: 3 sessions, cost $15

Encountering Christ in the Second Half of life

With: Rev. Dr Charles Waddell

When: Fridays 19 May – 23 June

10am – 12.30pm

The Gospel of Mark

Cost: 6 sessions, cost $45.00

When: Mondays 5 June – 19 June, 7.30pm – 8.15pm

With: Mr John Auer

Cost: 3 sessions, cost $15

Location: Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview

With: Rev. Dr Charles Waddell

Visit www.cfe.org.au/courses-and-events for more information.

For enquiries, contact us at cfe@perthcatholic.org.au.

Featured this month 10

Dominic Perissinotto Growing in faith, with music

Couples for Christ

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Renewing and Strengthing Christian Family Life

African Choir Bibiana talks about music and culture

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Paul Curtis Being God’s instrument through music

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FROM THE EDITOR Jamie O’Brien Welcome to Issue 07 of The Record Magazine.

In this issue, we have taken a slightly different approach, based on feedback that a number of readers have provided. With the aim of talking about the role of music across our Archdiocese, this month we are presenting articles from a more ‘human’

“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart...”

— Luke 10:27

approach. You will notice our front cover features Fremantle Parish Director of Music, Dominic Perrissinotto. We talked to Dominic about how music continues to shape and drive both his spiritual and professional life.

FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE From Archbishop Timothy Costelloe From Bishop Sproxton

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New Assistant Editor, Natashya Fernandez, speaks with Ellenbrook parishioner, Matthew Fry, who is on track to becoming

IN THIS EDITION

a full member of the Catholic Church through the RCIA.

New Archdiocesan App

Our Video Journalist, Daniele Foti-Cuzzola, presents for you two very unique features, including the story of our Administration Officer, Bibiana Kwaramba and her African choir, as well as a beautiful recipe for Italian Easter Biscuits.

Finally, The Record Magazine is a magazine for the people and I hope you will enjoy taking the time to engage with us. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas via editor@therecord.com.au, or by contacting us on 08 9220 5900.

9 National Appointment: Jacinta Jakovcevic 14 Conversion Story: Matthew Fry 16 New Rector: Fr Philip Fleay 22 Kids Answer: On the topic of Easter 24 Colouring page 25 Movie Review 26 Book Review 27 Recipe: Italian Easter Biscuits 28 Activity Page 29

THE RECORD MAGAZINE

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Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB

Realising that change is needed As many of you may have seen on the news or read in our daily newspapers, the final hearings of the Catholic Church for the Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse concluded in February, after a day and a half dedicated to the witness given under oath by the five metropolitan Archbishops of Australia, of whom I am one as Archbishop of Perth.

This is a challenging but vitally important time for the Church, as we confront the terrible mistakes of the past and commit ourselves to doing whatever we can to make the present and the future much better and safer for our children and young people.

It is especially a time for praying urgently for healing for those who have been hurt and for acknowledging our deep sorrow for the pain they have suffered and continue to suffer.

I wrote a Pastoral Letter to all Catholics in the Archdiocese concerning this matter which I now re-publish.

OR THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS of sexual abuse by clergy, religious and other Catholic Church personnel this was an opportunity to hear from the current senior leadership of the Church our understanding of the causes of this terrible scourge, and what we, with our brother bishops and other leaders in the Church, intend to do in response.

The recently concluded public hearing into the Church's response to this appalling situation has revealed the shocking extent of this abuse over so many years. A penetrating light has been shone into the dark places of the Church's life and many people, both inside and outside the Church, have been left shocked, disillusioned and angry.

Some of the survivors were present at the hearing. Their presence was a powerful reminder that sexual abuse is not an abstract concept or a phenomenon to be studied objectively. It is rather something that touches real people whose lives have been marked in profound and destructive ways by the abuse to which they were subjected. The survivors present at the hearing, and all those who in a sense were represented by them, now expect the Church, through its many institutions, to live up to the commitments made at the Commission.

Everyone realises that change is needed.

As Archbishop of Perth I have apologised publicly, but also in private meetings, to those in our Archdiocese who have suffered so much through this terrible experience of abuse. I would like if I may to do so again now.

You have been betrayed in the most terrible way by people whom you should have been able to trust. Many of you have carried this burden all through your lives. I am truly sorry for the suffering you have endured and offer you my sincere apology.

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While we must wait for the recommendations of the Royal Commission, we also must continue to implement the changes we have already initiated, especially in relation to making every Catholic parish, school, agency and institution a place of absolute safety for our children and young people. All the survivors I have met have pleaded with me to do everything I can to make sure that no more children suffer as they did. I am absolutely committed to this.

Indeed this is one of the foundational pillars of the Archdiocesan Plan we are now beginning to implement across the archdiocese.

At the centre of our efforts is our Safeguarding Project.

Planted firmly in the parish setting this programme is designed to be a local and immediate response to the need to create child-safe institutions. This cannot just happen centrally. It has to happen locally. This is what the Safeguarding Project seeks to do.

At the same time, through its formation and training activities, this program has the potential to develop a culture of awareness in relation to child safety which must permeate every aspect of the life of the Church in our archdiocese.

I hope you will all support this program, recognise its potential to embed a culture of safeguarding in our Church and make full use of the various initiatives which will come from our Safeguarding Office.

genuineness of our words of apology, contrition and shame.

For two days at the Royal Commission I, alongside the other bishops, gave a very public account of the Church's dismal and indefensible record in relation to the protection of the young in our Church, and in relation to our response to the survivors. I am convinced that without this public account, to which the Australian community have a right, we as a Church would not have been able to confront our failings so directly. The public interest has been well served by this exercise. Now the whole community, including the members of our own Church, expects concrete actions which will demonstrate the

I said in my evidence to the Royal Commission that because the Catholic Church has been responsible for so much of the sexual abuse which has infected, and continues to infect, our society, we now have an absolute responsibility to commit ourselves without reservation to being a force in our society for change. I therefore invite you all, in whatever ways you can, to become part of this effort.

It is my intention to continue to work as hard as I can in collaboration with all those many people who have supported me so far to make every agency, institution and activity in the Catholic Church for which I have responsibility a place where children and young people are treated with dignity and respect, safe from anyone who would harm them in any way.

Please help me to put the care, well-being and safety of children and young people at the very heart of our Church. I believe that together we can and must do this.

The Answer is found in the

W

resurrection of Jesus:

A RC H B I S H O P CO S TE LLO E ’ S 2 017 E A S TE R M E S S AG E

hen Jesus was executed in the

For many of the disciples, the crucifixion of Jesus may well

most brutal fashion on the first

have been in a sense the death not only of their hope, but

Good Friday, his followers, and

also of their faith.

especially his closest disciples, must have experienced a

Jesus had spoken of a God of such unbelievable tenderness,

sense of shocking disillusionment, despair and shame.

compassion, forgiveness and love that with the death of Jesus, and the dawning suspicion that he must have been

The man, in whom they had placed all their hopes, and who

wrong all along, their faith in the God of Jesus must have

had promised so much, seemed to have failed miserably. As

been shaken to its core.

they gathered together, if they did, on that terrible Friday

Perhaps it is only when we reflect on the depths of this despair

evening, they must have been numb with horror.

that we can begin to understand the incredible effect the

In spite of all that Jesus had said to them about rising

resurrection of Jesus had on them, transforming them from

from the dead, how could that incomprehensible promise

timid and terrified men, into bold and courageous witnesses

overcome their sorrow and sense of betrayal?

to the Lord.

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ARCHBISHOP’S WORD

Against all reason and every possible human

found in the resurrection of

expectation, they now knew that Jesus was alive.

Jesus. Ultimately of course,

Death had lost its power, cruelty and evil had not

this means that the answer

after all had the last word, and the teachings of

is found in the existence and

Jesus had been confirmed: God really was as Jesus

fidelity of a God of love. The

had proclaimed him to be. This was a message they

death and resurrection of

knew they had to share with others.

Jesus changes everything.

The experience of disillusionment, despair and shame

Now we know that nothing,

is one that so many of us experience at different

not even extreme cruelty,

times in our lives. Sometimes this experience

injustice and death, is more

arises because of our own failures and limitations.

powerful than God’s power

Sometimes it is the result of those closest to us

and presence in the world.

whose lives spiral out of control because of the

After his resurrection, Jesus

choices they make, or the situations in which they

promised to be with us to

inadvertently find themselves. And sometimes it is

the end of time. His victory over death is not a past

because of the cruelty and violence we see around

event but a present reality. If we do not experience

us, in our own neighbourhoods, in our society

it in our own lives, or see it reflected and realised

generally, and in those parts of the world which

in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters,

are being torn apart, even in the name of religion.

perhaps it is because we ourselves have forgotten

In the face of this dark reality which marks our own

that the Lord seeks to be present and active in the

lives and the world in which we live, is there still any

world through us. As Saint Teresa of Avila reminds

reason to hope? For us as Christians, the answer is

us in a prayer attributed to her:

... nothing, not even extreme cruelty, injustice and death, is more powerful than God’s power and presence in the world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Yours are the only hands with which He can do His work.

Yours are the only feet with which He can go about the world.

Yours are the only eyes through which His compassion can shine forth upon a troubled world.

Christ has no body on earth but yours.

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In our daily lives we can be signs

but gradually grows into a vast tree

and instruments of the Lord’s

which provides a home for everyone.

loving, healing, restoring and saving

Pope St John Paul 11 once wrote of

presence in the world – or we can

the Church that it is called to be “a

obscure and frustrate that presence

home and school of communion”.

by our own failures or our own

Pope Francis has spoken of it as a

indifference.

place where “wounds are healed

My hope and prayer for Easter this

and hearts are warmed”. Together,

year, is that all of us, as followers of the Good Shepherd, will recommit ourselves to walking in his footsteps.

In this way the promise and hope of

with our hearts open to the power of God’s renewing grace, we can help the dreams of these two great men become a reality here in our

Easter will not be a fanciful dream,

corner of the world.

or something for which we must

I wish you all a very happy and holy

wait until the next life, but rather,

Easter season.

albeit in a limited and fragile way, a reality which like the mustard seed of which Jesus speaks in the gospel begins in small and hidden ways

+ Archbishop Tim Costelloe ARCHBISHOP OF PERTH

BISHOP’S WORD

Easter Message 2017

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bout half-way through Lent, I had the very pleasant duty of celebrating the Sunday Mass with the parish in Attadale.

We walked together, following the Mass, to the site of the new Church to bless the work that had been just completed of laying the concrete footings and floor. The people have already developed a great sense of joy and anticipation as their Church begins to take shape.

I had a conversation with a group of parishioners who are directly involved in the building project about the proposed baptismal font.

The plan is for the font to be located near the main entrance to the Church and provision is to be made for a full immersion font, to be added at a later time.

Our discussion reminded me of the tradition of constructing the font with eight sides. Such a design is a sort of catechesis on an aspect of Baptism.

A Christian is reborn in the waters of baptism, on the first day of the new

creation at Easter. Six sides of the font recall the story of creation in Genesis and the seventh reminds us that God rested, having completed his work.

What about the eighth side? This side of the font refers to the Resurrection of Jesus. He had completed his work on the cross, where he died, and then his body was placed in the tomb before the Sabbath rest. The next day, the first day of the new week, he rose victorious from the dead. The first day of the new week is represented by the eighth side of the font and is the first day of the new creation.

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

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Because Christ is truly risen, we are caught up in joy as we listen to the greatest news: “Christ broke the prison-bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld”.

There is much to be said for careful reflection and planning when it comes to the building of our churches. Hopefully, the simple design of the elements in the buildings helps us to understand more deeply the meaning of the liturgy and our faith.

Of course, the central part of the Christian faith is that Jesus really died and was raised to life in the Resurrection. At the Easter Vigil, there is a moment of enormous joy as we listen to the Exultet, the Easter Proclamation.

“Let this holy building shake with joy, filled with the mighty voices of the peoples,” are words that we hear sung in the Exultet. Because Christ is truly risen, we are caught up in joy as we listen to the greatest news: “Christ broke the prison-bars of death and rose victorious from the underworld”.

The Baptism we have received has meant that we have become sharers in the victory and glory of Christ. It will be our privilege to see adults and children baptised at the Vigil and on Easter Day. They will become, to an even greater degree, our brothers and sisters who live with the gift of grace in Christ.

The blessing of the Church site in Attadale has begun an exciting journey for the local Catholic

community. They will have a building that will give the people a renewed focus as they gather for prayer and worship. From the new parish centre, they will be finding ways to reach out to the wider community in Christ and for Christ.

The building will also be a kind of sanctuary, a place to come for quiet time, prayer and reflection.

This is an aspect of our lives that is in short supply these days. Our lives are so busy and we can become time poor with all the demands that are being placed on us. High quality rest, quiet and calmness, and the time to reflect and take stock are rare but nonetheless seriously important for our balance, wellbeing and spiritual life.

Our churches can be wonderful oases of peace and communion with the Father. I hope that the new church will provide the place for the busy person to stop and be at one with themselves, the others in their lives and God. The wonderful season of Lent has offered each of us the chance to find the space in our daily lives to be silent and to look within ourselves.

This can be confronting and we may not always like what may arise in our consciousness. Yet the silence can be the opportunity for Jesus to reveal his understanding of us and

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willingness to bring healing and new life for us.

Reflection on where we are and where we have come from in our lives so far, can be very beautiful and reassuring as well. It can rekindle joy and wonder in us as we see more clearly the many ways Jesus has accompanied us and blessed us.

We may have found that making the space in our lives for silence has had a powerful impact on us, so much so that we have decided to keep up the practice.

May the celebration of the Resurrection this Easter draw us all close to our God of infinite mercy. Let it remind us that we are especially blest to have been invited into a new life with Christ. He calls us to live trusting his love and providence, and not in fear. Above all, may we make the most of the opportunities to rest with Jesus.

I pray for each person and every family at Easter, and ask that the Father strengthens your faith in the Risen Christ. With this renewed faith, may our hearts be full of joy as we contemplate how great the love of God is for us, shown in Jesus.

Bishop Donald Sproxton AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PERTH

The Archdiocese of Perth has launched a new mobile app. Holding their phones are Vicar for Effective Communications, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, centre, with Archdiocesan CEO-Administration, Greg Russo (second from right) and Archdiocesan IT Manager, Loc Ha, (second from left), with IT Admin Support Officer, Jae Cabagyo (far left) and IT Web Support Officer, Vahdet Mert (far right).

Photo: Josh Low

The Archdiocese of Perth has taken a step forward in the communications technology field with release of new mobile app

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH has now launched a new mobile app.

Available on iOS and Android, the app enables users to find Mass and Reconciliation times across the Archdiocese.

The release of the app is part of the second phase of the 2015 launch of the Archdiocesan website, which aimed to increase its user friendly capabilities.

“The development and release of the app can most certainly aid in enabling users from all around the Archdiocese, in encountering the Good News,” he said.

Using the geoloc ation on their smartphone, users can locate the next available and/or nearest Mass or Reconciliation service by distance and then receive, directions to the nearest

Archdiocesan CEO-Administration, Greg

Church from their current location.

Russo, said the app is one of the first of

Archdiocesan IT Manager Loc Ha said

its kind because it provides information based on the next available service according to time and location.

Mr Russo continued by saying that he hopes the new app will better support Catholics across the Archdiocese, as well as those who are visiting, who may be in search of a Church service.

the aim was to provide users with an app which was user friendly and efficient.

“We hope that the app will assist both parishioners and visitors to our city of Perth, to find the next available Mass quickly, so that they can attend based on time and distance from their current location, or to plan their attendance at

“We have sought to move forward from

Mass at difference locations during their

a communications perspective to meet

travels within Perth,” he said.

the needs of our Archdiocese, in line with the message of Archbishop Costelloe, of ‘providing practical, concrete steps’ into the future,” Mr Russo said.

New App a first for services according to time and locati n WORDS Josh Low

To download the app, simply search for ‘Catholic Archdiocese of Perth’ on the app store on your iOS or Android device.

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

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D O M I N IC PE R IS SI NOT TO: Growing in faith, with music

Dominic Perissinotto is Organist and Director of Music at St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle, a position he has held since 1998. Dominic is also a professional concert organist and former President of the Organ Society of Western Australia.

2017 marks Dominic’s 50th year, the 17th year of his successful Pipe Organ Plus concert series and the 19th of his music ministry at the Basilica.

In a heartfelt interview with Ali Biddiscombe for The Record Magazine, Dominic reflects on how music continues to shape and drive both his spiritual and professional life.

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hen the small rural township of Yarloop in Western Australia was devastated by a bushfire in 2016, a story emerged of a retired organist who lost everything he owned; his home and an irreplaceable organ under restoration.

A call to action was led by the then President of the Organ Society of Western Australia, Dominic Perissinotto, and a committee was formed to help raise money for a friend and organ builder.

“It was an emotional journey for everyone, but people rallied and we put our music ministry into action staging several concerts to help,” Dominic said.

It is this sense of giving and service that has shaped Dominic’s life since early childhood.

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THE RECORD MAGAZINE

Dominic was raised in an Italian A u s t r a l i a n C at h o l i c f a m i l y i n Melbourne surrounded by music.

and England. He then studied for a Master of Music back at Melbourne University.

He knew intrinsically at 11 years of age that he wanted to become an organist like his father; an aspiration which realised a successful professional career and music ministry.

“My education and these steps have all centered on being a Church musician; an inspirational basis from which to work. I have been fortunate to make the organ my life.”

Attending high school in Melbourne run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Dominic went on to complete an undergraduate degree at Melbourne University, before heading off to the Royal College of Music in London, serving as Organ Scholar at Westminster Catholic Cathedral, working with musicians at the forefront of church music.

In 1998, Dominic accepted his current position which coincidentally, is also the first Oblate Parish in Australia; a connection not lost on him.

H e g ave r e c i t a l s at St P a u l ’s a n d We s t m i ns te r C at h e d r a ls , Westminster Abbey and the Oxford Town Hall, toured Belgium, Italy

“In particular the sense of Oblate hospitality, as any choir member who’s come to dinner at my house before rehearsal will attest.

“I guess you could say that Oblate spirituality, particularly the sense of continual service to others, has always defined my own relationship with God,” Dominic said.

“It has impacted on my life since high school. My hope is that this transfers to all members of the Music Ministry at St Patrick’s, no matter what their own faith background might be.

“A personal challenge is to constantly grow in faith both as a person and as a musician so that we can inspire others in worship.

“However, as you are there giving of yourself to the liturgy, there can often be very little time left to receive,” Dominic said.

“Choosing the music is a different kind of challenge and there is much debate regarding what sort of music is suitable for performance in Church.

“The Basilica ministry explores a vast array of works from early Church music in the form of Gregorian chant, through to contemporary works.

“We hope to engage on all levels giving congregations time to participate, listen and reflect.”

“Ultimately though, Lent and Easter seasons are the best period for music within the Church.

“There are marvelous religious works, which in our modern liturgical style, do not work.

“Performing a Mass setting which goes for an hour would stretch the attention span of any congregation, however many enjoy the experience when presented in a concert.

“My Pipe Organ Plus concert series is designed to provide that forum, because we have a wider scope for performance.

“Presenting concerts with other professional musicians keeps me alive musically and provides a wider audience for the organ, often thought of as something only used for church services.

“One of the most exciting aspects of my musical journey though is the exploration of new works in order to add to the already significant body of repertoire.

We hope to engage on all levels giving congregations time to participate, listen and reflect.”

Dominic went on to say that there is such a rich tapestry of music over these three months, with severe changes in mood as we journey from penitence and seeking God’s mercy, through to Christ’s journey to Calvary and the intense suffering he underwent for us, and then his joyous resurrection.

“That this is not the conclusion, but a step on the way to the four weekends of Ascension, Pentecost, Holy Trinity and finally the Body and Blood of Christ, which makes for a wonderfully rich spiritual experience, through which we can enrich people’s lives with the music specifically for these weekends,” he said.

“This process requires three points of the triangle: Composer – Performer – Listener.

“I see myself falling very firmly into the second of those, using my gift to be able to play or direct a group of musicians, preferring to leave the inspiration of creating a piece to others.”

Photos: by Nik Babic

When it comes to concert performance, Dominic says this opens up a much wider range of possibilities.

Dominic conducts the Basilica Choir and a group of cantors who provide music for masses all year. If you are interested in being a part of this music ministry team as either a choir member or as a cantor, we invite you to get in touch with Dominic who is currently recruiting new members.

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Each week, normally on a Friday, a group of men and women meet at a family home in Perth for an evening of prayer and reflection, and to share experiences of faith.

Guided by a small booklet, attendees read a Gospel passage and discuss how its message impacts on them and their lives and families.

Later, discussion moves to events being organised by the group – such as a sports day at a local park, where proceeds will go to a variety of causes, mainly educational.

“The group is known as Couples For Christ (CFC) which began in 1981 in Manila, Philippines,” said Chapter Head for CFC-Western Australia, Carlos Jamito.

“Through the years, it has blossomed into a worldwide ministry and was established in Sydney, Australia in 1988. CFC arrived in Western Australia in 1995.”

The group comprises a range of related family ministries catering to different people and age groups, including Kids For Christ (KFC) – for children aged four to 12, Youth For Christ (YFC) – which evangelises to people aged 13 to 21, Singles For Christ (YFC) – which focuses on the needs of single men and women aged 21 to 40, Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) – for mature women who are single, widowed or divorced, and Servants of the Lord (SOLD) – for mature men in similar circumstances.

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THE RECORD MAGAZINE

RENEWING AND STRENGTHENING CHRISTIAN FAMILY LIFE WORDS Caroline Smith

FAMILY LIFE

“We meet people through our parishes, or in other places, and we develop friendship,” he said.

“During this friendship, we invite people to attend an evangelisation program called Christian Life Program (CLP). Once they’ve completed this, we invite them to join the CFC Community.”

CFC Youth for Christ Coordinators Peter and Kaye Tuyay, Gosnells Unit Leader Jay Cabrera, Ancop Head Herbert Delgado, Bunbury Unit Leaders Rey and Lordnet Caseres, Handmaids of the Lord WA Coordinator Ann Ong and WA CFC Heads Lynn and Carlos Jamito at a recent household prayer meeting. Photo: Caroline Smith

... the renewal and strengthening of family life and making the love of God felt among the poor.

“The primary goal of CFC and its family ministries is towards the renewal and strengthening of family life and making the love of God felt among the poor,” Mr Jamito added.

ministries seeking to evangelise and build the Catholic faith for families and individuals.

“It was intended to create a renewal of family life, to encourage people to fulfil their vocation through marriage, and to see the establishment of more Christian families through evangelisation.”

Within the household group is a married couple, Peter and Kaye Tuyay, who first met in YFC as young members.

Together with his wife Lynn, Mr Jamito leads a ‘household’ of six couples and one member of HOLD who have a prayer meeting each week and a Chapter prayer assembly on the second Saturday of the month.

Throughout Perth, there are 99 couples doing the same, and these are connected to a range of other

“Across these groups, we have 448 members,” Mr Jamito said.

They later served as singles in SFC, fell in love and got married.

Now they are members of the CFC community in WA and serving as YFC couple coordinators.

Mr Jamito said that while the strong connections between ministries often bring people to CFC, the group also reaches out to new couples within parish communities and even people who are new to the Christian faith.

CLP is an integrated course which guides participants into a renewed understanding of God’s call to them as Christian couples. Sessions are normally held once a week and consist of a teaching, a group discussion, and a time for fellowship, therefore following a similar pattern to that of CFC prayer meetings.

Mr Jamito said that couples and family ministries are often connected by national and regional events, such as the CFC Oceania Conference, which is to be held in Sydney on 21 April and the Clergy and Lay Congress which will be held in Canberra on 4 November with the theme ‘The Joy of Love, Marriage and Family’ – taken from Pope Francis’ post Synodal Exhortation Amoris Laetitia.

Other local events – such as a sports day held in Perth’s eastern suburbs recently – allow CFC members to raise money to help marginalised children and youth in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, through the ANCOP Child sponsorship program whose name means ‘Answering the Cr y Of the Poor’.

At this recent event, around 200 participants took part in sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, Zumba and ‘Kid’s Olympics’, with $966 raised in total.

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Jacinta adds another string to her bow with national musical appointment

WORDS Caroline Smith

E

IG H T years after becoming Director of Cathedral Music at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth, Jacinta Jakovcevic has been honoured with another role: being named a member of the National Liturgical Music Board.

PROFILE

Eight years after becoming Director of Cathedral Music at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth, Jacinta Jakovcevic has been honoured with another role: being named a member of the National Liturgical Music Board. Photos: Supplied

he board – which includes nine people appointed

T

“We also communicate via teleconference and video

for three year terms – was established by the

conference – it means that we can discuss things without

Australian Catholic Bishops to advise the Bishops

having to meet face-to-face all the time.”

Commission for Liturgy and the National Liturgical

She added that her role at St Mary’s Cathedral has allowed

Council on matters relating to music in Catholic liturgical

her to focus on specific areas in musical development

worship.

within the Church, and she hoped to bring these to her

Miss Jakovcevic said the appointment (in late 2016) was

new position on the board.

exciting but entailed a lot of responsibility, and would

“One of the things I really love is the training and education

bring her into contact with the role of music in parishes

of young people and how they relate and engage with the

across Australia.

Church – how they’re immersed in our liturgies, calendar

“It’s a wonderful way of contributing both to our local

and traditions, and how they’re carrying it forward,” Miss

Church here but also to the national Catholic community,”

Jakovcevic said.

she said.

“So we’re not just immersed in the past but looking to

“But it’s not just contributing, it’s learning, because I

the future, on a continuum.”

come into contact with my colleagues in the eastern

However, she also maintained that there would be specific

states, and learn both what they do and also what their

tasks that the board would be responsible for, including

communities do.

the promotion and use of the Catholic Worship Book II,

“It’s a wonderful way of finding out what happens in

which was launched by the previous board.

other parts of Australia, bringing those ideas here, and

“We’re looking for everyone to be able to use it, so that

enriching each other in that respect.”

was one of the first topics that has come through in the

Following her selection earlier this year, Miss Jakovcevic

past few months,” she said.

said she had already met up with other board members,

“It’s a wonderful resource because it doesn’t just stick

and would continue to do so with scheduled meetings

to one style. It has lots of different music for different

in Melbourne and Sydney.

times, and it combines old and new.

“Our meetings are face-to-face from time to time, and

“So for example, it has chants in Latin, but with the English

most of the other board members are on the east coast,”

translation, so if you haven’t studied Latin, you can sing

she said.

along. It’s set out so that if you like, you can sing it in English.”

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017 15

CONVERSION STORY

WORDS Natashya Fernandes

NOW IN THE FINAL STAGES OF the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, Catechumen Matthew Fry cannot wait to become a Catholic. Having grown up in a Christian household, it was never something he thought about much till now, when he finally questioned what if there’s more out there.

S

ince get ting mar ried and promising to bring up his five children in the Catholic faith, Matthew said that he didn’t know what it really meant to be a Catholic.

In an interview with The Record Magazine, Mat t hew explained that moving to Ellenbrook Parish and listening to the Gospels and the homilies of Parish Priest Fr Bonaventure, which he related back to Matthew’s life, was a little more enjoyable than Matthew imagined.

It has been these significant moments that made him start the RCIA last year.

“It’s a big change for me and I’m sure for everyone who knows me,” he laughs.

“I enquired about the RCIA and that’s when I met Claire Merry, the coordinator at our church.

“Initially thinking that I’d be the odd one out, it was comforting to see that we had a great group of people who were just like me on this journey,” Matthew said.

“The process itself is easy and as a Catechumen, I will be receiving the first four sacraments – Baptism, Re co n ciliat io n , Eu cha r is t a n d Confirmation.

“I have had a lot of support from Fr Bonaventure and Fr Alexis, from Claire who’s been a great mentor, as well our sponsors who help us on this faith journey.

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“The more I got into, the more I listened and wanted to know.”

“It ’s also ex tra special for me because I get to do this with my son, who’s receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well. We have both embraced it and I’ve really found where I want to be,” Matthew said.

Always under the notion that if you lived by your values of being a good person and treating everyone the way you want to be treated, it was only when Matthew started reading scripture and really understanding the readings, that he knew what it meant to embrace the Catholic way of life.

“You experience different emotions and feelings; you have your ups and downs and start reflecting on what you did and how you have lived your life and how you want to live it now.

“You realise there’s more to it and it’s only by going through the RCIA that I embraced and listened [to the Catholic faith] and didn’t question it anymore,” he said.

“I realised that this is the right thing for me.”

“Without the support of Claire and the priests, people in the church, and most importantly my wife, I wouldn’t have been able to do this [the RCIA].

“Once you open your heart and look past your own prejudices, you see a lot more,” he said.

CONVERSION

Since starting the RCIA, a tragedy in the family made the process significant for Matthew. His dedication and commitment to the process surprised him and how much he had grown as a person through the RCIA. “Everyone’s faith journey is different and one of the things we discussed with the group at the start is - why are we going down this path?

“The passing of a family member was a life changing factor for me. The group was open and discussed feelings and emotions,” he said.

“What was more special about the RCIA is that we have met some nice people and it’s become much more than just being at church; we have become part of community.

The passing of a family member was a life changing factor for me.”

Matthew Fry with his wife Anna Katarzyna Fry and their two youngest daughters, Olivia Katarzyna Fry and Izabella May Fry. Photo: Natashya Fernandes

“Everything that comes out of the RCIA is positive. If you are ready in your life to take that journey, do it,” Matthew said. While Matthew spoke in depth about the RCIA steps and since committing, he was particularly intrigued with having to pick his saint’s name.

“It was great because it made me read about all the saints and I went with St James which I related to as a person,” he remarked.

With a few more classes to go, Matthew admitted he was feeling slightly nervous.

“Now knowing that we’re about four weeks away, the reality is starting to sink in,” he said.

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

17

AFRICAN CHOIR CONTINUES TO RAISE THE BAR FOR EVANGELISATION WORDS Daniele Foti-Cuzzola

Moving to a foreign country is never easy.

The hardships of assimilating into a new culture while maintaining ties to your homeland is no simple task, and for both Bibiana Kwaramba and Isabel Mutoya, the move to Perth was made more difficult as even Mass felt unfamiliar.

W

hen I first came here in 2006, it was hard to keep my faith," says Bibiana Kwaramba.

was not represented anywhere within

“Mass felt dull compared to what I was

Kwaramba continued to attend Mass

used to, coming from a lively African

at her Floreat Parish and one day was

background," she recalls.

approached by another parishioner to

Mr s Kwar amba and Ms Mutoya

prepare music in her native language

the Archdiocese of Perth.

Despite her disappointment, Mrs

m ig r ate d to Pe r t h i n t h e e a r l y

for an upcoming Mass.

2000’s from Zimbabwe and Zambia

“That was the first time I sang in my

respectively.

language in Australia and it was with

Both were active members of their parish choirs back home and enjoyed

my whole family. “My husband, my three sons and I."

praising God and evangelising through

Mrs Kwaramba said she wasn’t s

song, but both were disheartened after

nervous about how the vibrant African

migrating to find that the lively African

hymns would be received, but was more

musical style they were accustomed to

concerned about making mistakes and

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distracting the congregation’s attention from the priest.

“The choir helps direct the congregation, but the priest leads and I knew I had to be on the ball. I was so nervous about making a mistake. And I then saw people light up as soon as we started singing and there was just so much excitement."

That Mass had a profound impact on Mrs Kwaramba. “I remembered when I was back home in Zimbabwe and a priest once said, ‘if you were to ever move to another country would you go and sing in your language in a choir or just sit at the back and hide?’ And in that moment I felt like I was being called to sing in my language at Mass."

SOCIAL JUSTICE

However, it wasn’t until Mrs Kwaramba had a chance encounter with a Zambian priest who was visiting Perth after attending World Youth Day in Sydney that she met other like-minded African migrants including Isabel Mutoya, that they decided to work together to bring their beloved African hymns to the Archdiocese of Perth.

“I thought why can’t we come together to sing in our language? And everybody agreed. We all felt going to Mass wasn’t the same without the music and we needed to bring our traditions and culture to mass here because it would also be good for our children,” she said.

After recruiting a few more members, The African Choir made their debut at the 2009 New Year’s Day Mass at St Thomas the Apostle Parish in Claremont and the congregation were so in awe of the passionate performances that they requested the choir return every week.

However, they declined to perform on a weekly basis. “We are all from different Parishes”, Mrs Mutoya explains. “So we sing at our own parishes in the morning and then sing at St Thomas in Claremont on the Third

Sunday of the month, St Gerard's Westminster on the first Sunday of the month and St Brigid’s in Midland on the fifth Sunday of the month."

Their monthly performances have become increasingly popular. “People love it,” Mrs Kwaramba says. “This one man in Claremont said, ‘I didn’t understand a word you were singing, but it touched me and I really felt the presence of God'," she recalled.

A nd while p er for ming so many times throughout the month is a big commitment, the two women do it for their love of God and love of music.

“For me, singing is one way of praising God and one way of evangelising," Mrs Mutoya explains. “God has given us different gifts and we have to use them accordingly, and I know God has given me the gift of singing and I am going to use that talent to praise God and evangelise,” she said.

of the difficulties we’ve faced, but if someone has faced difficulties, then singing helps you ease that pain,” says Mrs Kwaramba. “Singing is part and parcel of life for an African person.

When we sing it comes from the heart.

If I’m not singing to myself, I am singing to God. And to sing is to worship God,” she explains.

The two hope the choir will continue to expand and that the younger African generation will get involved. “It’s a beautiful tradition," Mrs Kwaramba says. “It shows just how diverse our Catholic Church really is."

If you are interested in joining the African Choir email Bibiana Kwaramba at bkwaramba@hotmail.com.

“People sometimes think Africans should be crying all the time, because

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

19

Subiaco Parish Youth Coordinator, Ignite Youth band member and self-made music producer, Paul Curtis, spoke to The Record Magazine on glorifying God through music, and the roles that music has in living out the Catholic faith.

BEING GOD’S INSTRUMENT THROUGH MUSIC WORDS Josh Low

M

usic is a big part of Paul’s life, having always been surrounded by it, as his father was a musician and songwriter in Brisbane who played both in bands and at the local parish of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Born the day after his mum went into labour halfway through one of his father’s gigs, Paul began honing his musical talents by learning instruments from age nine, and says that to him, music is like a language for people to communicate through.

“Even if people don’t listen to music, they can relate to the joy or peace that is experienced from listening to a beautiful sound – melody – that a bird makes.

“Melody and rhythm plays a key part in our everyday lives; even our heart pumps to a rhythm.”

Photo: Thomas Le

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YOUTH

... my faith and relationship with Jesus is all about prayer, the Sacraments - most importantly, the Eucharist - and serving others Paul believes that music and faith can work together to inspire and motivate us on our faith journeys, but says that faith is not reliant on music, as music is not a requirement to be a faithful person or disciple of Jesus.

“Music can assist me with connecting with God, but if my faith isn’t built on solid foundations, I can easily become attached to the beauty of music, and forget that my first calling is to be a disciple,” Paul said.

“If I lose sight of the way that God can use my gifts to bless others, I need to stop and reassess the desires of my heart.

“For me, my faith and relationship with Jesus is all about prayer, the Sacraments - most importantly, the Eucharist - and serving others.”

Paul revealed that his faith journey, especially in its early stages, had many challenges.

He says that egocentric thinking behind his music, as well as friendships that were not centred on Christ, made it difficult to deepen his relationship with God. “I was surrounded by friends that didn’t believe in God and this influenced my point of view.

“Rather than pursuing what God wanted for my life, I was caught in living up to the expectations of my friends.

“I had become consumed by my identity as a musician, and didn’t feel like I might be accepted for who I was without my music abilities,” he said.

“At the end of the day, I was actually quite lonely and lost.”

Paul with wife Jessie, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe and former Subiaco Parish Priest, Fr Joseph Walsh. Photo: Feby Plando

However, he found comfort and inspiration through witnessing the faith of the Catholic youth he was surrounded by in his time with Brisbane’s Ignite Youth band, as well as the prayer of St Francis (In being an instrument of the Lord).

“My family would often pray this prayer when I was growing up and I believe it relates to what I’m talking about.

“St Francis uses the word, ‘instrument’, in regards to our bodies and all that we are.

“The prayer begins with asking God to make us an instrument of His peace, and closes with asking that it not be about us,” he said.

His involvement on the Ignite Youth scene later inspired him to give back to others by ministering to the youth, joining the National Evangelisation Team (N.E.T), and traveling around Australia, sharing his experiences and passion for the Catholic faith.

Upon moving to Perth in 2012, he was asked to assist with the youth music team and later, the youth coordinator duties at his parish of St Joseph’s in Subiaco and now also plays in the band for the Ignite Youth Perth team.

Paul says that seeing so many young people develop their Catholic faith is both exciting and inspirational.

“My hope is for people to see the face of God revealed through the words of the prayers that we sing at St Joseph’s and in the Ignite Youth band.

“My desire is that young people would be inspired to live according to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ,” he said.

Reflecting on stories from the Old Testament, Paul discussed how God does not need music, but sees its value for inspiring, motivating and at times being an avenue by which one can free themselves from difficult circumstances.

“A spirit torments Saul, and God calls David to play the Lyre for King Saul, and the spirit leaves Saul, freeing him of the torment (1 Samuel 16:14).

“In the book of Psalms, we also hear about people praising God with Harp and Lyre (Psalm 33:2).

“Based on these scriptures, it is clear to me that music is a gift from God, and is an avenue for helping others and giving God praise.

“But if I play music and do not have love and passion for God’s kingdom, it is empty of worth and is just noise.

“Music always has more depth when it is created as a gift to God and others,” he concluded.

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

21

A FA I T H L E A D ER ’ S PER SPEC T I V E :

F R P H I L I P F L E AY, N E W R E C T O R ST

It’s only been a month since Father Philip Fleay took on the role of Rector on 1 February at St Charles Seminary in Guildford, but he’s already proving to be a natural at it.

Having been a Parish priest at a number of parishes across Perth, Fr Fleay is now in his 20th year of priesthood.

for

C H A R L E S S E M I N A RY WORDS Natashya Fernandez

I

h op e t his will b e a place of discernment, peace, happiness and most of all a place where we come to understand that we are becoming part of a fraternity of men serving God’s people,” said Fr Fleay as he takes on the role.

A vast and varied role, Fr Fleay says that while his role is three-fold, the most important is the first one as faith leader.

“It’s just like being the ‘Parish Priest’ of our Seminary community,” said Fr Fleay.

“It’s a challenging yet spiritual role because I am dealing with their lives, in the sense that they believe that they have a vocation which they are testing here. And that is what it is, a place of testing – am I really called or is it just my want.”

“I have to show the example of prayer and life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

“I have to be very careful how I engage, what I say, how I do it, I don’t want to turn them away if they truly have God calling them.

“This teaching is done through our celebration of the Mass which I share with the Vice-Rector, Fr Jean Noel, and our breaking open of the word of God to give them [the seminarians] a perspective for the day – simply put, it is to teach, to nurture and to show them God’s love.

“In this particular role, I can’t come with any perceptions of a person because they are different to me and the way I see God. I have to be aware to treat them as that unique person who has a sense of God calling them. That’s a huge responsibility and I take it very seriously,” he said.

ABOVE: Fr Philip Fleay with the new seminarians Adam Quinlivan, Nathan Barrie and Matthew Tloczek. Photo: Natashya Fernandez 22

THE RECORD MAGAZINE

PEOPLE

“While the second role is just as important as the first, being mentor and director, understanding their needs, guiding them on the path toward their priesthood, helping them discern if this is the role for them or not and just being there on the journey, are just some of the things that his role entails.

people, Fr Fleay said that sometimes a little bit of admonition is required.

“I am a great believer in self-formation in which we provide structure and each of the seminarians will have to build their own discipline to work within those structures. And, the admonition comes when they don’t do it.”

We live in a society where it’s a catch-grab – we do one thing and move on quickly to the next.

“The third is the on-going administration side of things and ensuring the seminary runs smoothly.

Speaking with sincerity, Fr Fleay says that taking on this role and being responsible for the three new seminarians and the 11 others at St Charles, is to get them to start reflecting [on our lives] in this modern world.

“The structure can come in the form of prayer and study, to bring academic work back and to take it from that head thing into a heart thing so that they can begin to live what they learn about – the mission and work of Jesus,” he said.

to be inclusive, to not just serve people who follow the thinking of Christ but to serve all people, the children of God. “Sometimes this means going out of our comfort zone into difficult places, help those who are at the fringe of society, people who don’t care about God. We still have to deal with them,” he said.

“A s Archbishop Costelloe said recently, we are not there to force people to become like us, we are there to show them what it could be. And I think that’s important. That means as priests, we have to be more flexible in being open to others; to listen, to hear, to have compassion and understanding, particularly with people we sometimes would rather

“We live in a society where it’s a catch-grab – we do one thing and move on quickly to the next.

“We never think about what we have done. And, it’s exceedingly important, particularly as leaders in faith communities to be reflective about what’s happening. You can call it living in the now, and being an understanding person. When you get to that position in life, you begin to listen to people and you listen with a compassionate ear.”

“The challenge always with a new place is first to get the feel of the place and make it your home.

We never think about what we have done.

“As with all new things, the challenge for me will be to try to understand each of the seminarians and their hopes and to accompany them on their journey toward priesthood.

It’s essential that you’re there as a positive human experience for them,” said Fr Fleay.

The day at the seminar y starts with Morning Prayer and Mass sometimes early in the morning before the seminarians head off for their lectures at Notre Dame.

This is followed by meditation and quiet prayer, Mass in the evenings and a community meal where all seminarians share their day and reflect on what they have learned, Fr Fleay said.

Setting an example through his own life of prayer and the way he treats

As a disciple of Jesus, Fr Fleay is very conscious of getting people

“The students came back on 22 February, so it’s been quite new for all of us.

not deal with, and there are a few of those people out there in the world.”

“From my background as a member of the Congregation of the Missions (CM) one of the principles of St Vincent de Paul taught us is that, sometimes we had to leave God to find God. “In other words, when our lives are interrupted and we need to leave and meet them at the door, we must see the face of Christ in the people we meet,” Fr Fleay said.

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

23

Why did Jesus die?

Why do we celebrate Easter?

Alessandra Joseph

Alistaire Jared

Amanda

Dan

What would you do if you were there and saw how Jesus was treated?

Anya

If you could pray for anything this Easter, what would it be?

What do you like about Easter?

COLOURING

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

25

MOVIE REVIEW

T

he historical drama A United Kingdom tells t he s tor y of Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), an African royal who faced down mid20th-century racial prejudice to marry Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), a white office worker he met in post-World War II London.

Seretse and Ruth cross paths at a dance where they discover a mutual love of jazz. She subsequently learns that he’s a prince of what was then called Bechuanaland, a British protectorate (the future Botswana). Their romance proceeds at a rapid clip despite occasional encounters with racist street punks.

Po lit ic a l co nsid e r at io ns p os e a much larger obstacle, however. The British government has to deal with Bechuanaland’s neighbor, South Africa, which is on the verge of installing apartheid as an official - and violently enforced - government policy and is outraged by the high-profile marriage.

The match also runs into considerable resistance from Seret se’s uncle, Tshekedi (Vusi Kunene), who has long been the protectorate’s acting regent. It draws the scorn of many native women as well.

The generic portrayal of this last group reveals the basic flaw hobbling director Amma Asante and screenwriter Guy Hibbert’s film: Virtually everyone on screen is an archetype.

Although dealing in generalities can be an efficient way to boil down episodes of the past that are likely unfamiliar to modern audiences, it also hinders the storytelling.

Sometimes, an epic, in-your-face treatment, such as that seen in 1982’s Gandhi or 2014’s Selma is the best way to go with stories of bigotry, since such an approach gets facts across in an easily comprehensible way. Without it, they can become difficult to follow, as in last year’s Loving.

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Rosamund Pike, Madison Manowe and David Oyelowo star in a scene from the movie A United Kingdom.

Photo: CNS/Fo

A United Kingdom Historica l dra ma tells of love stor y in the face of discrimination

WORDS Kurt Jensen, Catholic News Service

But there are obvious budgetar y constraints at work here. As a result, members of Seretse’s tribe have little to do except chant and sing in crowd sequences.

Similarly, the per f idy of British politicians, including Prime Minister Clement Attlee (Anton Lesser), is mostly kept off-screen, except for sneering appearances by diplomat Sir Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport).

Canning opposes Seretse’s union to such an extent, he forces the prince into exile.

Despite its narrative shortcomings, A United Kingdom does boast a strong moral component.

Ultimately, for example, of ficial a c c e p t a n c e of a m a r r i a g e t h a t threatened to undermine Britain’s fragile postwar remnants of empire depended not on a court ruling, but on

the conscience of the British people.

It was they who finally persuaded their political representatives that this couple was no menace to international relations.

Yet, except for the core romance and Ruth’s struggles for acceptance, little of this complicated saga - in addition to everything else, the machinations of an American diamond-mining company get thrown into the mix - comes across clearly.

There is inspiration to be found here.

But it requires quite a bit of patience on the viewer’s part to locate it.

The film contains brief sensuality and some racial slurs. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III - adults.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 - parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

I

t was a casual conversation at a dinner party which led author Michelle Derrig to write the highly successful children’s book, Only For Me, which addresses the rights children have over their own bodies, and to privacy.

“It was at a dinner party in early 2014, that I heard about two separate cases in my immediate community, where young children in primary school had been sexually abused by children their own age,” she said.

“I was horrified to hear that in both cases, the parents had been supervising their children at the time.

BOOK REVIEW The book uses rhyme and bright detailed pictures to explain to children the purpose of different parts of their bodies (the eyes for seeing, the tummy for indicating hunger with rumbles, the hands for holding), culminating in the message that some body parts are private, and should not be shown to anyone – hence the title ‘only for me’.

Children are encouraged to respond with a confident ‘no!’ if someone asks to see these parts or to take a photo, and told that these parts on other people are also private and not to be shown to children.

“It made me realise, that no matter how diligent you are as a parent, the reality is that we need to empower our children to protect themselves. We need to teach them, educate them and develop the skills they need, in order to keep themselves safe.”

Ms Derrig asked herself, how might we engage children in a conversation about this? How do we talk to them about such confronting subjects, while maintaining their innocence? The result was Only For Me, a soft cover picture book featuring illustrations by former Disney artist Nicole MacKenzie, which was published in July 2016.

as possible. From this perspective, I am very proud of getting a response from Pope Francis.”

Only For Me has also received local support within the Catholic Church, with endorsements from the Apostolic Nuncio of Australia, CEO of Truth, Justice & Healing Council Francis Sullivan and Andrea Musulin, Coordinator of the Safeguarding Project in the Perth Archdiocese.

Ms Derrig said the book’s message of self-respect and privacy had been further promoted by an educational initiative begun during Child Protection week in September 2016, in which schools, pre-schools and day care centres sent home information to parents regarding the book.

“The concept behind the initiative is to reach as many parents as possible. While Only For Me is a great resource for classroom use, I believe that it is essential for parents and carers to reinforce these messages at home,” Ms Derrig said.

WORDS Caroline Smith The book is consistent in its need to give kids the confidence to respond to such situation, by finding a trusted adult, and knowing their own rights.

Ms Derrig said she was pleased with the response to her book, which has sold 2,000 copies since its release, including orders from across Australia, the UK and the US. “I have also received request s for publishing in the UK, as well as several requests to create a culturally sensitive Aboriginal version as well as a sequel for those children who are known victims of sexual abuse,” she said.

“While I want the book to be accessible to all children, as a Catholic I also have a special place in my heart to empower and protect as many Catholic children

It was a casual conversation at a dinner party which led author Michelle Derrig to write the highly successful children’s book, Only For Me, which addresses the rights children have over their own bodies, and to privacy.

Photo: Supplied

“Only For Me provides parents with a beautiful resource to help initiate these challenging conversations with their children – providing an opportunity for clarification and sometimes even disclosure.

“So far I have had 12 Family Educators register their school to participate in the initiative, with St John Bosco at Engadine being the most successful, with over 100 copies sold in a two week period.”

Making the book – and its message – more accessible was also the reason behind Derrig’s decision to self-publish.

“Despite receiving initial interest from a publisher, I decided to self-publish to ensure that the book would be sold at a price that would make it affordable for the majority of Australian families,” she said.

“My goal is to see it in as many homes and schools as possible and dream that one day it would be given to each kindergarten child as they begin their school journey. I welcome support from any organisation who can see the value of empowering and educating our children in this way and whom may be able to help facilitate this goal.

Only For Me is available via www.onlyforme.com.au.

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

27

RECIPE

E A ST ER BISCU I T S RECIPE BY Daniele Foti-Cuzzola

T

hese simple, yet moreish biscuits, are a staple at Easter time in Italy and are often given as gifts to young children. Italian families often prepare these biscuits during Holy Week and

enjoy them with their loved ones on Easter Sunday. There are many variations of the recipe and in some regions, a bread dough is used as opposed to a biscuit recipe. The hardboiled egg is symbolic of Christ’s resurrection and represents new life. In some parts of Italy, red dye is often used to colour the egg, as red is perceived as a symbol of overcoming evil and is symbolic of Christ’s blood. However today, the eggs are often dyed in various colours or left natural.

INGR EDIEN TS Makes six biscuits • 6 eggs to be hardboiled (either left plain or coloured with dye)

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

Prepare six hardboiled eggs and colour them if you wish and set them aside. Place all the other ingredients in

• 3 cups Plain Flour

a mixing bowl and beat together until well combined.

• 1 cup Self Raising Flour

Remove the dough from the bowl and knead onto a lightly

• 1 Cup Sugar • 4 eggs • 2 cups oil • 1 tablespoon of lard • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

28 28

M ET HOD

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floured surface until smooth. Take golf ball size portions of the dough and roll out into a log shape. Carefully braid two logs together to form a circle, making it wide enough to leave room to place the hardboiled egg in the middle. Gently place the egg in the centre and bake the biscuits in the oven for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

ACTIVITY PAGE ACROSS 1 Number for the last Leo

24 “___ Angelicus”

4 Eden fruit?

26 Breaks the eighth commandment

7 California diocese named for Saint Joseph (with “San”)

29 The feast of St. Polycarp is in this month (abbr.)

9 Commander of the army who was made king over Israel (1 Kings 16:16)

30 ___ Union 33 Father of Joseph (Lk 3:23)

35 OT prophetic book 10 Animal of sacrifice in 37 French holy the Old Testament woman (abbr.)

12 ___ pro nobis 38 Donation to 13 OT historical book the poor 14 One of Paul’s epistles

40 ___ of David

17 “...your ___ and your staff comfort me.” (Ps 23:4)

42 Holy ___

18 Nazareth, to Jesus 21 Commandment word 23 Laying on of ___ 5 Purloined fruit in Augustine’s Confessions 6 “Take and ___; this is my body.” (Mt 26:26)”7 7 Religion of Jesus 8 Son of Adam 9 Symbol of Confirmation 10 Large crucifix 11 Liturgy 15 Nephew of Abraham 16 Commandment carrier, and others 19 Second son of Judah 20 Son of Seth

41 “___ Dolorosa”

DOWN 2 “___ the vine...”

(Jn 15:5) 3 Patron saint of farmers

28 Doctrines 29 Moses’ was radiant (Ex 34:35) 31 Donate a portion of money to church 32 Samson killed a thousand men with this animal’s jawbone (Judg 15:16) 34 Direction from Bethlehem to the Jordan 36 Abbreviation for the Mother of God 39 Son of ___ ANSWERS

20 Monk’s hood 21 Bad habit 22 Biblical instrument 23 Leader of the Church 24 Abbr. for two NT epistles 25 Wife of King David 27 Land in which the tower of Babel was built

I S S U E 7 APRIL 2017

29

Cover image Nik Babic

APRIL 2017

ISSUE 7

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER & EDITOR Jamie O’Brien jamie.obrien@perthcatholic.org.au MOB: 0455 099 652

ASSISTANT EDITOR Natashya Fernandez natashya.fernandez@perthcatholic.org.au MOB: 0423 463 591

JOURNALISTS Caroline Smith caroline.smith@perthcatholic.org.au MOB: 0413 824 828

Joshua Low joshua.low@perthcatholic.org.au MOB: 0402 546 232

VIDEO JOURNALIST Daniele Foti-Cuzzola daniele.foticuzzola@perthcatholic.org.au MOB: 0409 682 105

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