Illuminating the debate The success of films and books like The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons merely reflects an ignorance regarding the illconceived rift between faith and science. The Vatican recently invited friends and foes to an unprecedented conference on evolution to foster what is desperately needed today: an intellectual engagement with the faith. Vista 1-3
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"Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ." -BisHop MATTHEW GIBNEY 1874
THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD.
Western Australia's award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday June 3 2009
W WU. therecord.com.aa
Perth, Western Australia $2
litfalte up, lay people Rediscovery of lay vocation key to futureI.f parishes: Pope
Perth's good shepherd... 0
n Good Shepherd Sunday weekend, Archbishop Barry Hickey made a surprise visit to St Thomas the Kids the Apostle parish, Claremont • l Mass on the weekend of his 25th anniversary as bishop. During the homily, parish priest Fr Charles Waddell handed the Archbishop a six-week-old lamb, caned Dottie, that Marg Carman, the parish's ever-resourceful sacristan, sourced "from somewhere". Fr Waddell reported to The Record that the whole S . rish was surprised by the Archbishop's pastoral visit. As the lamb was brought out during his homily and the Archbishop fed it with a bottle on the sanctuary, the congregation sighed `ahhh'... prompting Fr Waddell to point out this type of affection is similar to that which God holds for each one of us as His children.
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI: Church needs change of mentality of parishes. ROME (CNS) - Laypeople are called not simply to help their priests run their parishes, but to share fully in the responsibility of building up the Church, Pope Benedict XVI told delegates to the annual convention of the Diocese of Rome. "This will require a change of mentality, especially regarding laypeople to move from considering them to be the clergy's collaborators to recognising them as truly sharing responsibility for the existence and action of the Church," the Pope said on May 26 during an evening talk at the Basilica of St John Lateran. The Pope's speech about the identity of the Church and the role of its members launched a three-day meeting by diocesan delegates to assess pastoral services and come up with ideas for strengthening the participation of Catholics in the life of their parishes and the diocese. The first step, the Pope said, should be to improve education efforts so that people would understand what the Second Vatican Council meant when it described the Church as "the people of a s and the "body of Christ". "The people of God" was an Old Testament phrase referring to the fact that God established a special relationship with a particular people, the people of Israel, so that he could enter human history and reach all people with his love and salvation, the Pope said. The goal of a universal outreach was fulfilkd through Jesus' death and resurrection, he said. "Christ brought down the wall of separation and unites all of us into one body. In the body of Christ, we become one people, the people of as t S. Pope said. Continued on Page 7
THE DYNAMK PRIESTHOOD
Contents
As the Year for Priests announced by Pope Benedict XVI draws closer, newly ordained priest Fr James McCarthy writes for The Record about what drew him to it, why it's crucial to today's world and how he lives Christ's m on in the world through his ordination.
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Parish - Pages 2-5 Nation - Pages 6-7 World - Pages 10-11 Perspectives - Pages 12-13 Books for the Family - Page 16
IT'S STILL MY UNI
The leadership of Notre Dame University in Indiana may have failed her, but one first-year student still loves the place, and says the Obama controversy has woken Catholics up to get off the fence.
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June 3 2009, The Record
THE PARISH
EDITOR Peter Rosengren cathrec@iinetnet.au JOURNALISTS Anthony Barich abarich@therecord.com.au Mark Reidy reidyrec@iinet.net.au Robert Hiini cathrec@iinet.net.au PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING Justine Stevens production@therecord.com.au ACCOUNTS Cathy Baguley recaccounts@iinetnetau .\DNIINIsTRATION Bibiana Kwaramba administration@therecord. com.au BOOKSHOP
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"Children of God-Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringingfear into your lives again: it is the spirit of sons and it makes us cry out Abba, Father! 'The spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory" Romans 8:14-17
Faith ed feeds thirsty minds Michelle Jones lets The Record know what was so good about the recent Adult Faith Education Conference. • By Robert Hiini
Caroline Radelic bookshop@therecord.com.au CONTRIBt TTORS Debbie Warner Karen & Derek Boylen Anna Krohn Catherine Parish Fr John Flader John Heard Christopher West Bronia Karniewicz Guy Crouchback
The Record PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 587 Newcastle St, West Perth Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax: (08) 9227 7087 Website: www.therecord.com.au The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses of Western Australia and by subscription. The Record is printed by Rural Press Printing Mandurah and distributed via Australia Post and CTI Couriers.
FORMER Notre Dame lecturer Michelle Jones says that the recent Adult Faith Education conference held in Perth has inspired and spurred her on in her work. The 33-year-old doctoral candidate and part-time lecturer at the Maranatha Institute says that the conference provided an excellent opportunity to meet and learn from adult education comrades throughout the country. Hosted by the Australian Association of Catholic Adult Faith Education, the May 11-15 conference at the Redemptorist Retreat House in North Perth had up to 50 adult faith educaters from every State, local partipants from parish RCIA, pastoral and catechesis programs, as well as staff from the Catholic Education Office. "I am completely in awe that the conference could be organised with such competence and finesse," Miss Jones said of the four-day experience. She singles out conference facilitator Irena Harrison's enthusiasm and teaching acumen as a "helpful, life-giving part of the conference:' In addition to inspiring content, simply being in the presence of other adult faith educators who give their all (some of whom travel over 100Iun to teaching engagements), seeing their enthusiasm, was inspiring, says Miss Jones. "It was great to see that what we do at Maranatha is part of a bigger story; that
Michelle Jones
it is a profoundly helpful thing we are doing, helping people to come to know Jesus with the hope of them returning to a parish context," Ms Jones said. She was also impressed by keynote speaker Sr Marie Therese Ryder RNDM, someone she described as being "passionate for the message of St Paul," Sr Ryder's chosen topic. "She passionately communicated the transformation that Jesus wrought in Paul's life that made me want to be someone who is alive in Jesus." "He is the ultimate teacher. "He is the one we want people to be transfigured by." Miss Jones says she hopes the conference lifts awareness of the importance of adult faith education and the learning options available to people in Perth. "I think people experience a desire to
know more but don't know how to channel it." "Faith educaters encounter really thirsty hearts and minds - faith seeking understanding - and I hope that more people receive the living water that Jesus pours out through adult faith education." Michelle Jones is currently working on a doctorate in theology through the Angelicum in Rome, exploring the theology of the contemporary Carmelite nun, Sr Ruth Burrows OCD. She also teaches a course on great Catholic spiritual traditions for today at the Maranatha Institute, looking at the Benedictine, Franciscan and Carmelite traditions amongst others and how they can nourish the twenty-first century Church, having previously taught early Church history and planning to teach the Carmelite Church Doctors next term. Monsignor Brian aloughlin represented Archbishop Barry Hickey at the conference, presiding both at the opening Mass and the final commissioning Mass. The entire conference was given a liturgical structure with each day adopting a liturgical theme - gathering rite, liturgy of the Word, Eucharist, and dismissal/commissioning. Conference organisers also sought to cater for the pastoral needs of participants, appointing four chaplains for the duration - Spiritan priest, Fr Paschal Kearney, Sr Margaret Malone SGS, Sr Ngaire Roil rc and Gerry Smith, a Perthbased grief counsellor. At the annual general meeting held on the last day of the conference, Brisbane's Trish Stapleton was re-elected to the associations executive committee, while Rob Crosgrove (Brisbane) and Sr Philomena Burrell PBVM from Perth were also added to the administrative body. The Broken Bay Institute in New South Wales will host next year's conference.
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Catholic life abounds from humble beginnings Catholic education milestones celebrated throughout WA. um By Bridget Chamberlain
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FROM humble beginnings in 1843 when the first Catholic school in Perth was opened by Father John Joostens and Irish catechist Patrick O'Reilly, Catholic education today is synonymous with quality education in Western Australia. In the beginning, Catholic education was almost exclusively for Catholic
children. Predominantly it was staffed almost entirely by priests, nuns or brothers, with a heavy involvement from parish clergy. Today our schools reflect the diverse society in which we live and lay people have the responsibility of educating our young people. They lead, teach and work in our Catholic schools and are committed to creating young people of faith and justice. Catholic schools across the state are conscious of honouring the contributions and charisms of the founding orders and the men and women who worked tirelessly in challenging conditions to forge a path for Catholic educa-
Official Engagements - June 2009 Ephraem c. 306-373
This poet, preacher and theologian was born and lived his whole life in Mesopotamia, in the Middle East. A deacon, he is famous for his writings, including metrical homilies, to be read aloud, and hymns for singing. The latter were designed for popular use and were directed against false doctrines such as gnosticism. He also wrote numerous biblical commentaries, and the Syrian churches have always regarded him as a great teacher. He is the only Syrian father to be declared a doctor of the church, which occurred in 1920. Syrian Christians refer to him as "the Harp of the Holy Ghost."
C CNS Saints
6 6&7 7 8 9
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Confirmation, Kwinana - Mgr Brian O'Loughlin VG Confirmation, Greenmount - Bishop Sproxton Confirmation, Gosnells - Archbishop Hickey Our Lady's Assumption School Student Retreat, Redemptorist Retreat House - Archbishop Hickey Visit Confirmation candidates for Mirrabooka Parish Archbishop Hickey Opening of Centrecare at Gosnells Mgr Brian O'Loughlin VG Clergy Day, Vietnamese Catholic Community Centre Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton
tion in Western Australia. The anniversary celebrations that are taking place in a number of our schools this year are testimony to these important beginnings, including St Brigid's College, Lesmurdie (80th anniversary), Holy Rosary School, Doubleview (50th), St Jude's Catholic School, Langford (30th), Lumen Christi College, Martin (25th), Loreto Nedlands and John XXIII (400 years of Mary Ward), Mary's Mount School, Gooseberry Hill (87 years of service to the school and community by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition) and St Norbert College (50 years of Norbertine life in WA).
10 & 11 Confirmation, Trinity College - Archbishop Hickey 11 Council of Priests meeting - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton 12 Confirmation, South Perth - Mgr Brian O'Loughlin VG Confirmation, lnnaloo - Mgr Thomas McDonald 12-14 Parish Visitation, Girrawheen - Archbishop Hickey Parish Visitation, Beaconsfield - Bishop Sproxton 16 Visit Confirmation candidates, Scarborough Archbishop Hickey 18
School Assembly, Mercedes College Archbishop Hickey Clergy gathering for Year of the Priest, St Charles Seminary - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton
June 3 2009, The Record
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THE PARISH
Many charisms, one spirit as Seeking truth and justice in Cambodia Stewardship unites Willetton Spreading Stewardship movement boosts parish unity.
Sharing the joy of reading in Cambodia. • By Bridget Chamberlain
IT is said that Catholic education in Western Australia challenges us to seek truth and justice for all, especially the most vulnerable. St Brigid's College, Lesmurdie had a clear picture in their mind how they could rise to that challenge when a small pilot group visited Cambodia and Vietnam in 2007. They returned, touched and inspired and wanted to raise $20,000 to build a school. But in nurturing a relationship with Jesuit Services Director, Sister Denise Coghlan RSM, they learned of more urgent needs, said Linda Murray, St Brigid's Director of Christian Ministries. To deepen their relationship and understanding of that area, last year the college sponsored two young Cambodian women to visit Perth and then go onto World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney with St Brigid's delegates. The two students, Seap and Vee, formed close friendships with the school community and helped the College identify practical ways to help Cambodian children. "We refocused our attention and made a commitment to return in 2009, this time giving our girls the chance to participate and learn from the outreach program," Linda said. In April eight St Brigid's students from Years 10-12 and six staff visited Siem Reap and Phnom Penh where they would have a glimpse into Cambodian life and see how their $20,000 donation could make a difference. While in Cambodia, the girls from St Brigid's proved there is no language barrier when showing generosity and compassion. "The love and laughter we helped bring to the children in the orphanages was amazing. It was so difficult to say goodbye," said one student, named Courtney. The group visited the Jesuit Services office in Phnom Penh and saw Seap Kol and her husband Tin Tin at work writing and producing books for the librarian scheme. The books are boxed and allocated to each village or number of villages and one person from the area is trained as a librar-
ian. These people are not teachers and have basic skills to encourage and teach literacy. The children come to makeshift schools and read and borrow books to practise their reading. Seap trains these people and Jesuit Services assists in the cost of printing the books and paying the librarian's wages, which work out to about $15 a month. A visit to a home for disabled children and youth was an outstanding success and the interactions proved that language was no barrier. "One of the best and most precious gifts you can give to the vulnerable is your time," another student, named Amy, said. Once the Khmer Rouge killing field, in 1991 Baneay Prieb was transformed by Jesuit Service Cambodia into the Centre of the Dove, where young people, disabled by landmines, war, polio and accidents come to live and share their stories while learning new skills that enhance their dignity and a future. "The work they do is valuable and practical. We saw the pride the residents take in their new work. Many of them acquire new job skills such as metal work, sculpture and carpentry. Some were even manufacturing wheelchairs; Linda said. The Catholic Church is integral to Siem Reap's faith development. It assists in learning centres for children and with hygiene education, value education, literacy and English classes, library and reading communities. The students reflected: "I've learnt that I can make a difference, even in a small way. I've gotten so much out of it, seeing kids with nothing smile, seeing people without legs smile, knowing I made a difference to their day as they did to mine said one student, named Tahlia. "I have learnt to appreciate what I have back home. Here we live such a privileged life and we should be grateful for what we have. We need to be mindful that in Cambodia and here in Western Australia some people are struggling to get the basics; said another, named Jess. Donations to St Brigid's will help build two houses in Siem Reap, feed children in the village for three months through the rice soup Catholic Church outreach program and will publish and print more than 750 library books for the children to share and read through the village libraries.
STEWARDSHIP is evangelising while giving Willetton parishioners a unity in purpose in engaging in their faith and the Catholic Church, parish council chairman Simon Bowen says. Stewardship, the concept of receiving God's gifts gratefully, cherishing and tending them in a responsibe and accountable manner, sharing them in justice and love with others and returning them with increase to the Lord, has flourished at Ss John and Paul parish in Willetton. The concept was showcased in all its glory when the community came together once again at this year's Ministry Fair held over May 23-24, with over 1000 people celebrating and experiencing the creative talents of the parish groups as they displayed their inspirational ideas and were acknowledged for their commitment of time, talent and treasure. The Ministry Fair also provided an opportunity for parishioners to discover how they can become more involved in a Eucharistic Community under the pillars of Liturgy, Formation, Prayer, Service and Hospitality, encouraging individuals to use and share their own unique gifts for the growth and well-being of the parish community. Twenty-three groups had a display and another six groups were represented by posters, covering various areas of pastoral ministry, like the St Vincent de Paul and the John Paul Prayer Ministry which meets weekly in an intercessory ministry praying for the needs of the parish. Other groups include Catholic Adult Faith Education (CAM and RCIA. Two weeks later the parish has a "Stewardship Sunday", when parishioners actually have the opportunity to express their interest in joining. The stalls over the Ministry Weekend were for information only. Parish priest Fr Greg Donovan said that Stewardship continues to provide the parish with a vision and strong sense of purpose which was evident by
Above, Willetton parish's John Paul Youth Ministry, started up before Word Youth Day 2008 and growing in number; below left, Jovita Low, Joseph Gaucci and Joel Anthony of JPYM team at the Stewardship weekend; below right, Growing Vine members Edith McGlade, Sylvia Lobo andOlga D'Souza, whose group meets weekly for Mass, Rosary, fellowship and a meal.
the wholehearted response of the community. Assistant parish priest Fr Richard Rutkauskas, Fr Donovan and some parishioners attended Stewardship Workshops in Perth and Sydney last year which strengthened their resolve that "Stewardship needs the collaborative ministry of the parish clergy and lay leaders to bring the people to a realisation that collectively, we are Church; that we are gifted by God to be Christ to one another; and that each one has a responsibility in gratitude to live life as God intended?' Mr Bowen confirmed this. "We are not a parish of several separate groups. Our goal is one and we should continue to pursue that unity of purpose; he said.
The future of the parish is also in good hands, with youth capitalising on the opportunity for unity. A youth group of about 30 for young people aged 10-14 called BLAST - Believe, love and serve Christ -meet once a month for praise, worship, catechesis and socialising. The John Paul Youth Ministry - JPYM for youth aged 14 up, has also evolved since forming prior to World Youth Day 2008 and is growing in numbers. They gave away showbags at the Stewardship weekend and signed up many potential new members interested. For more information on the Willetton Stewardship initiative go to www.johnpaulwilletton.org. au or contact Betty Thomson on 9332 5992.
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Book says young women attracted to orders whose members wear habits • By Roxanne King
DENVER (CNS) While the last 40 years have seen an overall drop in the numbers of women entering Religious life, a new book released by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious says orders that are more visibly countercultural seem to be flourishing. The council represents the superiors of more than 100 Religious communities of Sisters whose members wear an identifiable religious habit. A canonically approved organisation founded in 1992 to promote religious life in the United States, the council notes that the average age of its member communities' sisters is under 35. The book, titled The Foundations of Religious Life: Revisiting the Vision and published by Ave Maria Press, is a project of the council and explores why the orders represented by the council are gaining numbers and how they are living out the vision of consecrated life described by the Second Vatican Council. The book, released on May 16, consists of essays written by six Religious Sisters representing five orders. The topics they address are: religious consecration, the spousal bond, the threefold response to vows, communion in community, and mission. The Washington-based council is one of the two major organisations representing heads of women's Religious orders in the US. The other is the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. "We wanted to write something that says, 'This is who we are and why we live this way," said Sister Prudence Allen, a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, who wrote the book's chapter on community life. The other authors are Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, a founding member of the Sisters of Life; Sister Mary Elizabeth Wusinich, also a Sister of Life; Sister Paula Jean Miller, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist; Sister Mary Dominic Pitts, a Dominican Sister of St Cecilia in Nashville, Tennessee; and Sister M Maximilia Urn, a Sister of St Francis of the Martyr St George. The introduction and conclusion were written by two canon lawyers, Sister Mary Judith O'Brien, formerly of St John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, and Sister Mary Nika Schaumber. Both are Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan. "The book seeks to answer the question of why Religious institutes are needed in today's society," Sister Allen told the Denver Catholic Register, newspaper of the Denver Archdiocese. "We're hoping everyone will read it and love it," she added with a laugh. Sister Allen is a professor of philosophy at St John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver and author of the multivolume work "The Concept of Woman:' Other Religious sisters of the Denver Archdiocese who belong to the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious joined Sister Allen's interview with the Denver Catholic Register to discuss their enthusiasm for the book. Young women want to be challenged to live the religious life, said Nashville Dominican Sister Mary Gertrude, principal of St Vincent de Paul School in Denver. The Nashville Dominicans are among the orders experiencing the greatest success attracting new vocations, according to news reports. "It's very much a radical call to live and give yourself completely to Christ," she said. "There is a real identify to who we are and what we are about. We want to put Religious life in front of young women today," said Mother Paul Magyar, superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who operate Mullen Home for the Aged in Denver. She said that the new book also should affirm existing vocations. "I think it will help to strengthen the Religious vocation that is already there," she added. The book shows that "we are faithful and happy in our vocation." Copies of"The Foundations of Religious Life: Revisiting the Vision" can be ordered from www.avemariapress.com.
June 3 2009, The Record
THE PARISH
God glorified as man thrives Men Alive Retreat clarifies masculinity. • By Mark Reidy
WHEN three wise men travel from the East bearing gifts, it is not surprising that people's lives are transformed. This was the case on May16-17 when over 60 men gathered at Our Lady of the Mission Church in Craigie to hear the inspiring message of hope delivered by the Brisbane-based menAlive Catholic ministry. The weekend team of Robert Falzon, Peter Shakhovsky and Peter Gabauer, along with other members, have delivered this message with passion, humour and vitality to over 2500 since 2003 and their goal of bringing men together to renew their faith in God and to encourage them to become active forces in the renewal of the Church, has sparked revival in parishes across Australia and New Zealand. "God is glorified when men are fully alive" is the motto that the ministry have borrowed from St Ireneaus and the weekend of talks, testimonies, sharing, reflection and fellowship is designed to guide and challenge men both as individuals and members of the Church to seek this fullness of life. Presenters told the audience that men's sense of purpose and mission, both personally and collectively had been lost. Too many men within the Church, they said, were simply existing and not fully living
and this was impacting on families, parishes and the wider Church. They believe that the restoration of man's rightful place needs to begin with an understanding of the love of God the Father, as well as a belief that He has gifted each person with a unique capacity to make a difference in the world. A major problem, they explained, was that men's relationship with God had often been distorted by their relationship with their earthly father. "It is a sad reality'', Mr Shakhovsky explained, "that almost every time we ask a roomful of men if any of them can remember intimate moments with their fathers, we are greeted with a deafening silence." It is a generational issue, he said, that needed to be healed before men could have the
impact that God intended. "What is not resolved" he warned, "will be repeated." By the end of the weekend many participants testified to receiving the knowledge and desire that would equip them to become better husbands, fathers, parishioners and Catholics. Wounds had been healed, burdens had been released and new paths had been discovered. "It has reopened my eyes and ears to God", said one satisfied participant and the energy and enthusiasm that gathered momentum throughout the retreat, indicated that he wasn't alone in his awakening. Men Alive will present another Retreat in Perth later this year. For further information on the ministry or for future events see www.menalive.org.au or ring (07) 3367 1402.
91 year old volunteer supports two families per week with buttons Although 91-year-old Joondanna resident Marie Walker is no longer fit enough to actually work at the St Vincent de Paul Society's Osborne Park Depot, she still insists on doing her bit. MARIE Walker cuts the buttons off all the unwearable donated clothing, puts them into separate bags that are sold at Vinnies Retail Centres for $1 each. "The Depot ladies drop off the bags full of clothes and I do approximately six bags a week and in the busy times I will do more, making almost 300 individual button bags a week," Marie says. With each individual bag of buttons fetching
$1 in the Retail Centres, Marie's efforts make over $300 a week, which goes to assisting disadvantaged people in need, with the money enough to provide emergency accommodation and food to a family in crisis and assist another family with food and basic life necessities. "Volunteering is a massive part of my life, I have been involved in Vinnies for over 30 years and although now I am 'semi-retired' I will never give up the work," Marie says. The St Vincent de Paul Society's Winter Appeal has responded to some of Perth's most marginalised this winter, and as temperatures begin to fall, many families might find themselves left out in the cold with the effects of the economic crisis coming to the forefront and unemployment on the rise. "Over the past year we have seen an increase in the number of people on the Newstart
in brief...
Aged, health care will suffer if carbon reduction policy passes: (HA l'he health and aged care sector will face an 18 per cent increase in electricity and other energy costs if the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme passes both houses of federal Parliament in its current proposed form, Catholic Health Australia policy director Patrick Tobin told a Green Hospitals
Allowance asking for assistance indicating the economic crisis and unemployment figures are starting to take their toll," Lucinda Ardagh, Media Spokesperson for the St Vincent de Paul Society in WA says. She said that of all the clients we have asking for assistance, over 80 per cent are requesting help with food indicating that, "although there might be just enough money in the kitty to pay the rent/mortgage and other bills, there is no money left over for food and definitely no spare money to get them out of an emergency situation like the car breaking down for example". The Winter Appeal aims to raise $600,000 by the end of July which will ensure the St Vincent de Paul Society can respond to every genuine call for assistance from now until November and will provide emergency welfare assistance
Conference in Melbourne last week. With the forecast carbon price of $23 per tonne at the commencement of trading in July 2012, funders of health and aged care services will need to be aware of the impost and work with these services to ensure that they are able to adapt effectively to maintain services to patients and residents, Mr Tobin said. "The potential impact of carbon trading on health and aged care services does not yet appear to be on the radar of governments and health funders," he said. CHA also called on governments and health funders to work with the industry and assist in providing capital grants, funding energy sustainability audits, designing and implementing environmental management systems, energy and water use reduction projects, and sustainability training for staff and health professionals.
Marie Walker
in the form of bedding, food and clothing, budget counselling, housing assistance, mental health support and accommodation, refugee services, homeless accommodation and a youth drop-in centre for the 4500 young people living on the streets of Perth. Donate to the 2009 Winter Appeal on www. vinnies.org.au or 13 18 12.
CORRECTION A mistake was made in the sixth paragraph of the story 'Monsignori investiture elates the faithful' of the May 27 issue of The Record, which stated that the Vicar General's father was a tailor. Monsignor Brian O'Loughlin's father is later acknowledged to have died in 1971. It was Fr Thai Vu's father, a tailor, who took the measurements and arranged for the robes to be made by the Sisters in Saigon. The Record apologises for any confusion.
June 3 2009, The Record
Page 5
THE PARISH
Being Christ to others given hero status
PAC finds a place for all
Heroes at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mullewa, Trent Steele, Chris Blattman and David Rowe.
Lucy, Page and Connie the Clown during Personal Advocacy Service's 20th anniversary celebrations. PHOTO. COURTESY OF ALAN WEDD
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BRIDGET CHAMBERLAIN
Manifesting Christ as a hero. • By Bridget Chamberlain
A LOCAL government public relations stunt has taken on more practical applications for several Catholic schools around the State, with a 'hero program' helping students to be more Christ-like to their peers. Jo Norfolk, who was instrumental in the program's successful introduction at Our Lady of Fatima School, Palmyra, said that many schools have programs in place that recognise sport, academic or cultural abilities but more support was needed to acknowledge valuable, everyday qualities in students. "A child can win the award for determination (coming last in a cross country event, but finishing); a sunny disposition in trying circumstances; doing the right thing; resilience or demonstrating great social competencies. "It's become our way of noticing the good things our students do," Jo said. The hero program acknowledges 'heroic behaviour' or contribution to the school community. At Our Lady of Fatima School, the program has been tied to the virtues program where they specifically acknowledge students who demonstrate courtesy, patience or organisation. What also works well with the program is that anyone in the school community, teachers, students and parents can nominate a hero.
"It's possible for anyone to receive the award - the students love that aspect about it; she said. At Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mullewa, in the diocese of Geraldton, school principal Andrea Moyses uses the program to help students recognise students who show respect, use their manners, look after others, apologise when they are wrong or hurt others, include people in their activities, help without being asked or show kindness and patience. "It's these students who make great heroes," Andrea said. The focus of this program is making Jesus real in students' lives and is underpinned by the peer support program where senior students conduct workshops that help other primary students understand and recognise positive people as opposed to negative people. The principal said it has transformed the atmostphere around the Mullewa Catholic school's community, while the "blame game" and "tattle-telling" has diminished. "We are seeing more and more positive behaviour as students strive for the accolade of hero; she said. Presenting the awards at assembly also helps raise the award's awareness and aspirational status. The hero program is also active in Our Lady of Mt Carmel School, Hilton, St John's School, Scarborough; Our Lady of Grace, North Beach and Christ the King School, Beaconsfield, while Kearnan College has a modified version they call 'Aussie of the Month'.
Liturgy formation the key: resource FORMATION of parish liturgy committee members and liturgical ministers is the key to good liturgical practices, the recent launch of a new resource for liturgy committees revealed. The resource, United in Love, was launched by Mercy Sister Kerry Willison, Archdiocesan Director of Liturgy, on May 5 and provides a guide for the establishment and operation of liturgy committees. Highgate parish priest Fr Peter Bianchini, present at the launch, described the resource as objective and filled with practical suggestions. He was impressed by the clear role descriptions it contained and thought that people would find it easy to work with. Brenda Auret, the Liturgy Field Officer, presented an overview of the resource, emphasising the need for formation of liturgy committee members and ministers in order to ensure that liturgical celebrations are of the highest quality and consistent with Church documents. She quoted from Archbishop Hickey's introduction to the resource: "Good liturgy doesn't happen by chance but rather when a parish takes responsibility for it; The problem of recruiting committee members was discussed and it was suggested that making the committee more visible to parishioners by annual commitment ceremonies might be one way of addressing this.
20 years of making lives joyful. PERSONAL Advocacy Service is this year celebrating 20 years since Sister of Mercy Eileen Casey started the first faith-formation support group for young adults with intellectual disability in the parish of Morley with the help of a small number of their parents. From that tentative start, there are now 140 volunteers who work to support 108 adults with intellectual disabilities in 18 groups based in 12 parishes north and south of the river in the metropolitan area using a faith-formation program and process developed in the archdiocese of Chicago over 30 years ago. The first of the events to celebrate 20 years of working towards the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities into the life of their local parish took place last Sunday at the Morley Recreation Centre with a concert attended by 350 people. The Australian Army Band Perth led the way with a performance of well known movie themes and marching tunes, and were followed by Perth's own version of the 'Choir of Hard Knocks' - the Spirit of the Streets Choir, led by Bernard Carney.
The Spirit of the Streets Choir was established two years ago and while its first members were drawn from sellers of The Big Issue, it has expanded its membership to include those who are homeless, who have intellectual or other significant disabilities or - as their website says - 'for the people who do not get a seat at the table of conventional society'. The audience's admiration and enjoyment of both the spirit and the quality of the choir's performance led to a standing ovation and demands for an encore. Not only has this choir brought a ray of hope into the lives of its members, but it brought rays of enjoyment to the many people in the audience who know or understand the experience of isolation and disadvantage in our community. The appearance of Connie the Clown provided an interlude between these two performances which were appreciated greatly by the many people with disabilities who were present in the audience and who are supported by the generosity of many volunteer advocates. A special 20th Anniversary Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Hickey in the Morley parish church on August 16 at 9.30am.
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The topics addressed by the resource include: What is liturgy, Why liturgy committees, The role of the liturgy committee, and Commissioning of liturgy committee members. The resource also includes sets of questions for reflection and discussion and assessment sheets that can be used by committees to guide them in their work. Copies of the resource are available from the Archdiocesan Centre for liturgy for $10 plus postage and handling on 9207 3350 or liturgy.centre@perthcatholic.org.au.
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June 3 2009, The Record
THE NATION
Living Christ's mission in the world Newly ordained Fr James McCarthy says the priesthood is a dynamic, grace-filled and exciting vocation in which he lives the mission of Christ in the world. THE Easter season is a time for celebrating the Resurrection of Christ. Additionally in many places in the Catholic world, the Easter season is the time when celebrations of Ordinations often occur. On the fourth Sunday of Easter in Rome, the Holy Father ordained 19 men as priests for the Diocese of Rome. Three days earlier, on April 30 in Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, ordained four men to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, the largest Ordination for Sydney since 1988. This was particularly significant for me as I returned home to Sydney from Rome, where I am currently studying, to be ordained as one of the four. The Ordination was a magnificent celebration of the Church in Sydney, with over 3000 in attendance at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral. As a 27-year-old recentlyordained priest, I am greatly consoled by the fact that throughout the world, the number of men ordained every year is continuing to rise, as is the number of men who are entering seminaries. The priesthood is a unique vocation, and it is unlike any career or profession. When I answered the call to enter into formation for the priesthood, I was studying History and Politics at the University of Sydney. It was in the context of a secular public university that I heard the call to serve God, the Church and our world as a priest. Since the ordination,Ihave been delighted by the love, joy and support that the faithful have shown towards me and it is clear to me that Catholics value the vocation, witness and ministry of priests. However, I was most pleasantly surprised by the support shown by many in our society, especially by people who are not Catholics. Often in Australia, as in other places, faith is incorrectly described as a personal or private concern. The presence at the ordination in Sydney of over 30 politicians from all forms of government in Australia, including the Governor of the State, and more than 40 judges and many people involved in public life, was a sign that the ministry of the Church and the priesthood is a public concern and public support and recognition is appropriate. The large number of representatives of different ecclesial communities and other faiths was another sign of the desire for unity in our world. The priesthood is not of this world, but the priesthood is in this world and it affects our world in a variety of ways. Pope Benedict XVI, in his homily for the ordinations in Rome earlier this month, commented that the priest is in the world, but "we run the risk of also being 'of the world": I was drawn towards the priesthood not only because of the priest's role in the Church, but because of the important contribution priests make to our world, through serving our society and helping to make our communities, with the grace of God, into a more perfect reflection of the Heavenly Kingdom. Catholic priests appear to spend most of their days serving
Left, Deacon James McCarthy receives the Gospel from Pope Benedict XVI before proclaiming it and receiving the sign of peace and Holy Communion from him on July 19 last year during a Mass in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney to dedicate the new altar during WYD08. Right, James McCarthy is ordained a priest by Cardinal George Pell on April 30 this year. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FR JAMES MCCARTHY
Year for Priests to rediscover beauty of the ordained
Catholics, but the role and mission of the priest includes the service of all of humanity. Through translating our faith and belief into a language that is accessible to all in our society, the priest dialogues and expresses the truth of God, which nourishes the human consciousness with the fullness of life, that only God can give. Through preaching the fullness of life in Christ, the priest is called to be a peaceful, uniting and joyful presence among Christians and all people of good-will. And in living the mission of Christ, the priest participates and serves in Christ's three-fold work as Priest, Prophet and King. The Church is about to commence the Year for Priests, a year to celebrate and to pray for priests. Through the generosity of the Holy Father, special graces are available, particularly on the first Thursday of every month, where the faithful are encouraged to attend Holy Mass and to offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church" both living and dead. If the faithful are unable to attend Mass, they are encouraged to "perform any §ood work to sanctify and mould priests to the Sacred Heart. Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that "God is love" and that the priest is truly called to participate and share in God's love and life. The priest, in a unique and sacramental way, participates in the mission of Christ, in persona Christi, and this incorporates the mission of the Trinitarian God. The priest, through a relationship with God as Father, becomes a spiritual father of all in our world. Through a relationship with Christ, the priest becomes the pastor, servant and shepherd, who gathers, teaches and leads the flock towards the Kingdom of God, of which the priest is a sign. Through the Sacraments, the Work of God, the priest enters into
VATICAN CITY (CNA) - The Year for Priests from June 19 2009-June 19, 2010 is an occasion to "rediscover the beauty and importance of the priesthood and the ordained:' as well as for promoting vocations': The Congregation for the Clergy has issued a letter to the bishops of the world noting that the Year of Priests is for the entire Church - the lay as well as priests and Religious. The letter signed by the Congregation's prefect Cardinal
Claudio Hummes invites bishops to utilise the Year of Priests as an opportunity to raise awareness among "the entire holy people of God: consecrated men and women, Christian families, those who suffer, and above all, young people who are so sensitive to great ideals lived out with authentic courage and constant fidelity!' Likewise, the cardinal writes, the Year of Priests will be a privileged occasion "for a theologicalspiritual deepening and pastoral ministry, of benefit first of all to priests themselves, called to renew their awareness of their own identity, and consequently, to reinvigorate the missionary zeal that springs forth from divine intimacy, from 'being' with the Lord!'
After encouraging the use of the media to announce the Year of Priests and the resources at www.clerus.org, the cardinal urges priests to remember that the initiative by Benedict XVI is an event that "should be experienced above all as an interior renewal in the joyous rediscovery of one's own identity, of the fraternity of the priesthood and of the sacramental relationship with one's own bishop!' Cardinal Hummes also reported that during the Year of Priests a new Directory for Confessors and Spiritual Directors will be published, as well as a collection of texts by Benedict XVI on certain essential aspects of the life and mission of priests in today's world.
the sacrifice of God and pours out the graces of God to our world. And through a relationship with the Holy Spirit, a priest helps to sanctify the faithful and bring them into a relationship with God, so that "they may have life, and have it to the full" (Jn 10:10). As a young child,Ioften thought about the possibility that God was calling me to be a priest. When I was preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the age of 10, I was introduced to the story of St Maximilian Kolbe and I was deeply inspired by his life. I quickly read many of his writings and his life of sanctity and martyrdom inspired me to live out my faith. His creativity in preaching the Gospel using different forms of media, often borne out of necessity in opposing the Nazis and preaching in Japan, and then his heroic death in the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, truly inspired me to consider the priesthood as a legitimate option to serve God, the Church and our world. The witness and example of Pope John Paul II also inspired me to seriously consider the priesthood. When I entered into seminary formation,Iknew of only one Pope and Pope John PaulII showed me that the priesthood was not boring or irrelevant, but that the service and contribution of priests was needed more today than ever. He showed me that a commitment to faith and to preaching the Gospel means working towards unity, peace and the fullness of life,
not only for Catholics, but for all within our society.I was privileged to be in St Peter's Square when Pope John Paul II died and I was greatly honoured to sing in one of the choirs at his funeral. I owe a great deal to the hope that Pope John Paul II gave, and continues to give, to me, and to our world. I have often heard it remarked that the ministry of the Holy Father of the time impacts upon the approach and vision of those ordained in that Pontificate. I am truly blessed to be ordained in the Pontificate and era of Pope Benedict XVI. He is one of the great giants of theology and every day I am learning more and more from Our Holy Father. As a student studying theology, I have been given many opportunities to study and reflect on the writings of Joseph Ratzinger and now Pope Benedict. His love for tradition and his humble approach which highlights, among other things, the importance of a theological continuity, has inspired me to study the early Church Fathers and the Councils of the Church. In the name of "modernity", many today encourage widespread relativism and true liberalism, which deforms our understanding of God and the human person. Our Holy Father has inspired me to seek the Truth about all the great questions of life, not only for myself, but for the good of our entire world. Since 2004, I was in seminary formation at the Pontifical North
American College, which is the seminary for the US in Rome. In 2004, the College first accepted Australian seminarians and we currently have nine men in formation at the College. Despite a few sporting and colloquial differences, there are many similarities between American and Australian cultures, and our countries are the closest of allies. The friendships I have made in Rome have helped me to further realise that the Church is truly universal and I can now say that I have experienced the universality of the Church first-hand. The formation I received at the College has further highlighted the joyful role of the Catholic priest in our Church and society. I believe that I have been equipped with the resources to come to know the People of God in a specific place, to preach the Gospel and give the Sacraments to the faithful in such a way that all of humanity will be drawn more closely into the life of Christ. As I begin my life as a priest I am overjoyed that most of my first year as a priest will be spent in Rome in the Year for Priests. Knowing that the faithful will be praying regularly for me and for all priests, that we will be holy, loving and truly good pastors and fathers after the Heart of Christ, is an affirming sign that the Priesthood is an important, necessary and worthy vocation and ministry in our world today. Published in L'Osservatore Romano, May 20. Reprinted with permission.
June 3 2009, The Record
THE NATION
Catholic intellectual fought for the family Jerzy (George) Zubrzycki. AO, MBE, CBE. (1920 - 2009). Polish-born Australian sociologist and widely recognised Jerzy Catholic intellectual Zubrzycki, popularly regarded as the Father of Australian Multiculturalism, died in a Canberra hospital aged 89 on May 22. Perth historian, freelance writer and columnist for Western Australian Business News, Joe Poprzeczny, writes for The Record on the significant impact Zubrzycki had on public life both in Australia and abroad.
j
erzy Zubrzycki was born 14 months after Poland reemerged as an independent ation from 123 years of partitioning by its three adjacent imperial neighbours - Prussia, Russia and Austria. Since he was born and grewup in Krakow he hails from Poland's former Austrian (later Austro-Hungarian) or southern imperial segment, the one Poles see as the most tolerant, largely because Austria and Hungary were Catholic nations, like Poland, whereas Prussia was Protestant and Czarist Russia Orthodox. So tolerable that many leading Krakow Poles, as late as World War I, sought to see the multicultural Austro-Hungarian Empire transformed from a dual monarchy into a tripartite entity - an Austro-Hungarian-Polish Empire - rather than seeing it dismembered along ethnic or national lines. Hopefully a future biographer of Prof. Zubrzycki or historian of Australian multiculturalism, so often directly ascribed to him, won't overlook this rarely highlighted aspect of his formative years. I met and spoke with him several times in Canberra as well as in Perth. Our last meeting was in Perth, during whichI canvassed a number of aspects of the life of a relative of his by marriage, the now forgotten Jozef Hieronim Retinger, who had been married to Jerzy's aunt Otylia Zubrzycka. Amongst other things Retinger had been dispatched to preWorld War I London by nationalistic Krakow-based groups that made up the Supreme National
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Council, to be an unofficial agent of influence to help ensure Great Britain b ecame favourably d isposed towards an independent Poland. T h e Jerzy Zubrzycki Great War t emporarily confounded such longer-term aims. Retinger, however, became a close friend of Poland's bestknown Englishman, author, Joseph Conrad (Korzenowski). Amongst other things he and the older Conrad had attended the same school in Krakow. Retinger left Europe in 1917 and became political adviser to paramount Mexican trade union grandee, Luis Napoleon Morones, and later to Mexican President Plutarco Elias Calles. During World War II he was cabinet secretary to the General Wladyslaw Sikorski-led Londonbased Polish Government -inExile. In 1944 he was parachuted into German-occupied Poland by a clandestine unit within the Winston Churchill-created Special Operations Executive (SOE) to assess the Polish Underground's combating in prospects Communist forces attached to the westward advancing Soviet Red Army. After the war he helped found the European Movement and the Council of Europe. He become general secretary of the former and worked to lay the basis of a unified, multi-cultural and non-Communist Europe. As things transpired a 20-yearold Jerzy also found himself in wartime London and despite the break between Retinger and Jerzy's aunt Otylia, he had ongoing contact with the influential Retinger during and after the war. The links to the former AustroHungarian Poland and Retinger are two aspects of Jerzy's life that will hopefully one day be carefully weighed up and assessed since they could provide new insights into his 53 years as a publicly-active Australian and leading humanities academic.
After finishing his schooling he entered the Cavalry Officer Cadet School in Grudziadz (Northern Poland) to complete one year compulsory military service. Since he graduated from cadet school in June 1939, it was inevitable he would see front line action during Adolf Hitler's September 1939 Campaign, which was followed by Poland being partitioned a fourth time; this one by a unified and totalitarian Germany and Austria and a Sovietized Russia. Although Jerzy was captured with many tens of thousands of other Polish combatants he managed to escape very soon after and joined a wing of the already emerging Polish Underground. Because he'd been studying English he was assigned as a courier which meant making contact with Polish fighting forces outside occupied Poland. In early 1940 he was dispatched to France, via Slovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Italy, where the Sikorski land forces were then deployed to combat an expected German attack. In June that year, with several tens of thousands of other defeated Polish soldiers he was evacuated from France to England. With Sikorski's land, air and sea forces assembled in Great Britain following the collapse of France and the Dunkirk debacle Jerzy was first assigned to the Polish Parachute Brigade, and later to the Polish Section of SOE. His SOE work included briefing Polish agents who were being parachuted into occupied Poland. Despite the distance from southern English airfields and Germanoccupied Poland and ongoing difficulties in acquiring essential supplies nearly 350 such agents were so dispatched between 1941 and 1945. He began studying at the London School of Economics in late 1945, and graduated in 1952 with a Master of Science (Economics) specializing in demographic studies. He next enrolled for a doctorate in the Free Polish University in London, established to educate Poles who had had their careers and education interrupted by six years of war. Three years later he was appointed to a position in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National
"Governments must ensure that 'Let's be specific measures designed to assist people... might not appear to affirm on what the and encourage... pathological conditions rather than affirming marriage and the two-parent civilisation of family as the desired situation:' would have been the first to He love is all about' say that Governments have failed
us in this regard. In 1984 Perth Catholic figure Brian Peachey, founding chairman of Pregnancy Assistance, and Prof. Zubrzycki were speakers at a 2000-strong rally at Canberra's Bruce Stadium to oppose the legalisation of X-rated videos. Peachey was also In May 1980 Prof. Zubrzycki active on this issue in WA. The AFA nationally led the was a Conference Steering Committee nominee to the opposition against this form of National Conference "Towards explicit porn and this resulted in an Australian Family Policy" X-rated videos being banned in hosted by the Council of Social every State but not in the ACT Welfare Ministers of Australia, and the Northern Territory. In 1992 Prof Zubrzycki New Zealand and Papua-New Guinea held at Macquarie became a National Patron and University in Sydney. At the time gave strong support to our work as assistant director General especially during the 1994 United of the Federal Office of Child Nations International Year of the Care, I was on the steering Family when he addressed the Committee. Bill Hassell, the then AFA National Conference on WA Minister for Community "The importance of the Family". He concluded: "Let's call Welfare and Brian Peachey were part of the WA delegation. The a spade a spade. Let's be quite then head of Centrecare, then- specific what the civilisation Monsignor Barry Hickey (now of love is all about". He quoted Archbishop of Perth) was also on an American pediatrician and the delegation. This Conference author, T Berry Brazelton, who voted 48 per cent to 43 per cent described "the civilisation of love "that marriage and two parent as the process of attaching to families be affirmed as the gener- a new baby, attaching to each ally desired pattern and that poli- other as adults for whatever may cies take account of other family be in store and daring to be so impassioned about that attachstructures:' Emeritus Professor Zubrzycki ment that we will stay attached. "And this is the essence of the spoke at the inaugural AFA in family as an institution that gives Conference National August 1980 on the subject of meaning to life in good and bad demography. He concluded times:'
Family Australian Association national vicepresident John Barich knew Zubrzycki well over many years, and testifies to The Record about the man's strong faith and willingness to fight for the Truth in public life.
University (ANU) so emigrated to Australia with his family. His wife, Alexandra, had also reached wartime England. However, her trek from Poland was via the Soviet Union since she'd been deported to Kazakhstan by the Soviet NKVD as part of the Stalinist ethnic cleansing of eastern Poland. Jerzy was an early contributor to National Observer, the Council of the National Interest's scholarly journal, and a longtime friend and supporter of National Civic Council founder and national president, B. A. (Bob) Santamaria. He was at the ANU until retiring in 1986 and had founded its Department of Sociology in 1970. He wrote extensively on Australian immigration policies and programs and served on several government councils and inquiries into Australian immi-
Pope calls for realisation of true role of lay, parishes Continued from page 1
"He brought down the wall of distinctions among peoples, races and cultures; we are all united in Christ," he added. Pope Benedict said that, despite the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, too many people continue "to identify the Church as the hierarchy" or, having rejected that vision in an exaggerated way, they see the Church simply as a collection of people. "The Church, which has its origins in the triune God, is a mystery of communion. As a communion, the Church is not only a spiritual reality, but lives in history - in flesh and blood, so to speak," the Pope said. "The people of God means all of us - from the Pope to the baby most recently baptised," he said. While faith requires a personal relationship with God, he said, that relationship is lived out in a community
in which each person has rights and obligations to the whole. Pope Benedict urged the diocesan delegates to find ways to help people understand that they belong to a community and that their parish isn't there simply for them to stop by to receive the sacraments when they feel the need. Being a Christian means sharing the Gospel with others, particularly through acts of charity, he said. "Do not forget the witness of charity, which unites hearts and opens them to belonging to the Church," he said. "To live charity is a primary form of mission," the Pope said. "The word proclaimed becomes visible when it is incarnated in acts of solidarity and sharing and in gestures that concretely demonstrate the face of Christ, the true friend of humanity." The Pope prayed that the charity carried out predominantly by laypeople in Rome's parishes would continue to
gration and multicultural policies. He was also involved with organizations such as Lifeline, the Australian Family Association, the National Museum of Australia. and was inaugural chairman of the Ethnic Affairs Council. After 1994, he was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, having been appointed an inaugural member by his friend, Pope John-Paul II. They had attended the same Krakow high school. Dr Zubrzycki was thus a soldier, combatant, migrant, academic, teacher, author, public policy adviser, and Catholic scholar. He was awarded the MBE (Military) in 1945, CBE in 1978, and made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1984. He is survived by his wife, four children and eight grandchildren.
DIOCESE OF BROOME WANTED: VOLUNTEER WORKERS KIMBERLEY CATHOLIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE The Diocese of Broome, Western Australia, urgently requires volunteers - especially couples to serve within the Diocese. Duties may include any of the following: cooking, working in stores, building and vehicle maintenance, housekeeping, book-keeping, transport and ground maintenance. In return for being part of the team we offer accommodation, living expenses and an allowance.
Pope Benedict consoles an earthquake survivor in Onna, Italy. He says the lay must realise their crucial role in the Church. CNS
increase "so that those who live in suffering would feel the Church near to them and experience the love of the Father, who is rich in mercy."
Placements are preferred for a period of twelve months but a reduced time would be considered. For further details and an application form please contact: Mrs Vicki Baudry: Phone: 08 9192 1060 or email: admin@broomediocese.org PO Box 76, BROOME WA 6725
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LETTERS
Letters to the editor
Loreto errors need correcting
THE RECORD PO Box 75 Leederville, WA 6902 cathrec@iinet.net.au Tel: (08) 9227 7080 Fax: (08) 9227 7087
Smooth-talking needs assessment Ted Watt's letter (27/5) covers pretty thoroughly the rather pathetic devaluing (mocking?) of Catholic beliefs and principles by the world's best known Catholic University with its adulation of Barack Obama. Obama's address was delivered as usual in a politically skilful manner but was in truth pretentious and totally disingenuous. I would like to make one further point. Obama abhors the
June 3 2009, The Record
"evil" of water-boarding of three vicious terrorists but sees nothing "evil" in the killing of tiny, helpless, unborn/partially born, innocent human beings. This is a gross moral distortion. The smooth talking Obama needs to be assessed in a more thoughtful manner and free of the media-driven hype that surrounds this man which tends to obscure his moral inconsistencies. Deric Davidson Bunbury
Spiritual pollution warning
Incense rises near Pope Benedict XVI as he celebrates Mass on May 31 on the feast of Pentecost in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Just as the body is threatened by breathing polluted air, the human soul is threatened by images and ideas that glorify violence or the exploitation of others, the Pope said. PHOTO: CNS/GIAMPIERO SPOSITO, REUTERS
I write regarding an article written by Bridget Chamberlain and published in the April 22, 2009 issue of The Record, page 16, titled: "Mary Ward spirit thrives 400 years on." My name is Sister Anne Carter and I am a member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto), also Archivist for Loreto in WA. The article to which I refer has a number of incorrect statements, which I shall indicate in this letter. These statements are of concern because the printed word is so frequently accepted by readers as "the truth", regardless of their veracity. The first incorrect statement is in column 1 paragraph 4, which says: "Sister Marg Finlay, former Provincial of the Loreto Order in WA.. ." Sister Marg Finlay is not the former Provincial of Loreto and never has been. She was the (local) Community Leader (for six years) of the Loreto Sisters in WA. The title 'Provincial' refers to the Congregational Leader of the Loreto Sisters in the whole Australian Province, not just of one State. The second incorrect statement is in column 1 paragraph 8: "Mrs Pye has been connected with Loreto since 1940, when she began her schooling in Adelaide Terrace." The Loreto Adelaide Terrace School closed in December 1937, so Mrs Pye did not attend that school in that year. She did, however attend Loreto Adelaide Terrace in 1937, the year the school closed. The following year she went to St Theresa's Parish primary school in Thomas Street, Nedlands. This school was staffed by Loreto Sisters from the Loreto Community at Loreto Convent, Webster Street, Nedlands. Column 2 paragraph 2, "Who
UN leans on East Timor's pro-life abortion laws East Timor resisting legalised abortion. NEW YORK (Zenit.org) - The predominantly Catholic nation of East Timor is under pressure from the United Nations for its laws that penalise abortion, even in the case of rape and incest. The Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute reported last week that East Timor's policies are being scrutinised by the UN committee responsible for overseeing compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which will meet for its 44th session in July. The country's new penal code, which will take effect at the beginning of June, continues to penalise the practice of abortion, though it adds an exception for cases where the mother's health is in jeopardy. A report from East Timor to the committee states that abortion is a "sensitive issue" in the country, "especially given the traumatic events of recent years" when a 24-year Indonesian occupation enforced family planning programs that were "widely resented" by the people. The report notes that in the Timorese culture, contraception is generally unpopular, as both men and women see it as "fueling promiscuity and sexually-transmitted diseases while decreasing the number of children." The Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute stated that despite general support in East Timor for the continued criminalisation of abortion, several non-governmental organisations such as the Alola
A statue of Mary Ward at Loreto Primary School, Nedlands. PHOTO JUSTINE STEVENS
was Mary Ward?" Your opening sentence, replying to your question, does not indicate who Mary Ward was. The paragraph should begin by stating that Mary Ward was an English woman, born in Yorkshire in 1585. The opening sentence to this paragraph: On a visit to England in 1609...." does not indicate where Mary Ward was before returning to England nor what she was doing prior to that visit. The 1609 date is important for this 400 years celebration and the paragraph does not indicate that importance. The next incorrect statement is in column 2 paragraph 3 line 4; ". .. which later moved to Claremont in 1901." Loreto, Adelaide Terrace did not move to Claremont or anywhere. It operated independently a s a school for students from Kindergarten to Leaving from February 1897 to December 1937 when it closed. Loreto, Claremont, (also known as Loreto "Osborne") opened in August 1901 and remained an independent school until the amalgamation with St Louis Jesuit School in 1977. There were three separate
Loreto Schools in Perth metropolitan area during the period from 1897 to 1977, namely Loreto Adelaide Terrace, Loreto and (Osborne) Claremont Loreto, Nedlands. (Also there was a Loreto school in Havelock Street, Perth from 1914 to 1917). Colum 3 paragraph 1; "The Loreto Sisters were also active at.... The truth is that the Loreto Sisters provided a Principal and staff for each of the parish primary schools listed in this paragraph. The word "active" does not indicate this and gives no clue as to what work the Sisters did in those schools. In each of these parish primary schools the Loreto Sisters were the foundation staff and taught and ministered there for more than five years. Incorrect statements made by the media tend to be regarded as a "true" and are often repeated in other media outlets. This, I notice, is the case with the article in the paragraph to which I have already referred, namely the statement about Sister Marg Finlay. The same statement appeared in a similar article published in The West Australian in March 2009. The inaccuracies and incorrect statements, which I have indicated above, are of concern to the Loreto Sisters and Loreto Past Students. They are of particular concern to me because I am the Archivist for Loreto in WA. I trust that there will be careful research into reliable sources and consultation with the Loreto Archivist before you write further articles are written about Loreto history and Loreto events. A s the Mary Ward 400 celebrations will continue for some time, it is probable that The Record will be publishing more accounts of Loreto events. Sister Anne Carter UBVM Archivist for Loreto WA Success
Required Project Officer Wouldyou like to help improve marriages andfamily life in our parishes? Are you keen to support the dignity of the human person in all its stages? I fyour answer is "Yes'', this may be the job for you.
Young East Timorese refugees play a game at Don Bosco Comoro camp outside Dili, East Timor, which has a population of about a million people, 98 per cent of whom are Catholic. PHOTO CNS Foundation and Rede Feto, with the support of the UN Population Fund and the UN Children's Fund, have been lobbying for more liberalised abortion laws. It also reports that under the guise of promoting "gender equality," the UN committee is pushing for the "modification of customs and practices" regarded by them as "discriminatory." Additionally, the UN body responds with opposition or indifference to Timor's reference to their long-standing customs, distrust of foreign influence, and the "reproductive rights" abuses suffered by Timorese women under Indonesia's rule. The Timorese report states that the nation values gender distinctions as they help to protect the integrity of the family, as well as the well-being of women.
The Bishop's Committee for Family and for Life (CFFFL) requires a Project Officer to assist in its work. The key duties are: assist in production of the CFFFL newsletter, organizing special projects and events, administration and bookkeeping. The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound computer skills and some administrative experience. He/she should support the Catholic ethos and be active in parish life and be available to work for 20-30 hours per month on a casual basis at $20.95 per hour, plus reimbursement of expenses. For full selection criteria and enquiries, please contact Derek Boylen at Catholic Marriage Education Services on 9325 1859 or derek.cmes@perthcatholic.org.au. Applications close Friday, 12 June.
III
June 3 2009, The Record
THE RECORD VISTA
ANGELS&DEMONS An unenlightened take on faith and reason
Dark & sinister: Promo posters for Angels & Demons, Dan Brown's latest attack on the Catholic Church to make it to Hollywood. Ewan McGregor plays a priest who works with Tom Hanks"symbologisf.
A desensitised and increasingly demanding audience's insatiable appetite for the shock factor, mixed with western society's rampant relativism, is a dangerous cocktail, and is manifested in an ugly way at the Catholic Church's expense in Angels & Demons, writes Catherine Gallo Martinez.
W
hile sex, drugs and guns sell in Hollywood movies, audiences have become increasingly desensitised and demanding. This appetite of the western consumer has alarmed the commercial film industry into rousing greater 'shock factors' to feed the audience and deplete their wallets. This demand, together with the western world's rapid imposition of relativism, has turned the portrayal of human integrity in films as more a 'matter of opinion' from authors and directors alike. This is a dangerous trend which has been evolving since Hollywood began. Problem is, this opinion is expressed with a lack of moral responsibility and complete disregard of its social, psychological and moral influence. Angels & Demons - directed by Ron Howard, aka Richie Cunningham from Happy Days -is brilliantly composed in both art and technical aspects. But its script is diminished into a basic compilation of stereotypes and manipulation of historical events. This should not be surprising, given that the Angels & Demons novel - written by Dan Brown before the more controversial The Da Vinci Code - in fact bombed in bookstores and has only enjoyed a revival thanks to the controversy and subsequent runaway box office success of Howard's The Da Vinci Code movie, which played on the very same stereotypes. More on them later. As I watched the opening of the film,I was struck by the impeccable replica of St Peter's Basilica: a magnificent work by the set designers. Indeed, throughout the film, the archeological and artistic integrity of the buildings was matched beautifully. The movie Angels and Demons has Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Oscar winner Tom Hanks) as the protagonist who solves the mystery of the secret brotherhood "Illuminati" and saves the Vatican from a new destructive weapon that could kill millions. It is in these two main subjects, the Vatican and the Illuminati, that the writer has conveyed one of the main
themes of the film, which also happens to be one of the most embellished that critics use against the Catholic Church today: a Church that is out of touch, with 'old fashioned' values. This was typified when Langdon at one stage says, as a historic expert: "(The Church's) ancient traditions threatened by the modern world". Here, both the author and director insinuate a Church that has ideologies and beliefs that related to a people of a time early in history, but holds no purpose for people of the 21" century. Wrong, Messrs Howard and Brown. God-given human values are not changeable, do not weaken through generations, or become over-powered by `modernisms': And so, in stating the opposite, the writers attack the core of the Truth of the Catholic Church, and at the same time, propose that the 'modern world' has evolved and does not rely on God and Truth alone, but replaces it instead with the fruitlessness of relativism. No such thing as divine revelation, apparently. Later, the film sustains its assertion by sensationalising the events between the Church and the Illuminati, and has a priest character in the film state: "I'm not surprised - the ghosts have come back to haunt us." The ghosts - being the Church's acts against the Illuminati - has the Church not only out of date, but also corrupt with no further information, provoking an open question about its authenticity, respect and intent. Then the Cardinals appeared... A group of white-haired, alert men in red; wearing fashionable sunnies, smoking cigarettes, and talking on mobile phones. The cardinals are introduced in the movie looking more like a Mafia mob than consecrated men in a time of reelecting a new Pope. This visual, combined with inflicting dialogue from Langdon as he examines the past of the Illuminati: "you guys don't even read your history..." and asserting to the priests that the December 25 derived from a pagan celebration, serves as a type of mockery to further propagate a Church
run by naive and uneducated leaders. Though these types of movies might not propose a threat to the Church and its teachings, there is a lack of moral responsibility of the writer and entertainer in this case. Although Angels and Demons could be seen as a fun, inventive journalist work of fiction, one of its most controversial scenes shows a cardinal, in a pool of blood, dying on the street of Rome from multiple stab wounds to his lungs. Langdon gets his hands bloody, and in the following scene, is washing it off vigorously in a sink, and with fury rips the white clerical collar from a priest's habit and throws it on the floor. In such related instances, we must ask: is being sacrilegious the new 'sex sells'? As a fan of Agatha Christie,Iam always on the lookout for a good murder mystery. And asI sat in the cinema watching the mystery unfold, I realised that my expectations of the film have been too high. By the end of the film, it seemed that the climax wasn't forthcoming. Iwas left wanting a bigger twist and bigger excitement, but a foreshadowing of the end came too early - not typical for a strong mystery genre flick. So the plot was weak. But the tension was carried strongly by intriguing music, soft lighting and long frames - the cinematographer was superb, and small details of the magnificent replica were never missed. Still, the film relies on the old cliché that Conspiracy theories sell - but conspiracy theories also seem to have immunity to the truth, especially when money furthers the cause. Neither Dan Brown nor Ron Howard have been the first to create entertainment at the expense of the Catholic Church. Even the novel's title and the film's content lack originality - you can find in Codex Magica: A code book of illuminati symbols by Texe Marrs, in a chapter titled: "part angel, part devil". Sometimes non-sense, sometimes fun, Howard's Angels and Demons is still a well structured thriller in a classical style, which has not received as much hype as the best seller "The Da Vinci Code" - but two things are for sure: Tom Hank's character, Robert Langdon, is no Indiana Jones. Brown's fabrication of the Church and its history have not been overlooked either by the world's greatest theologians and historians. You need only contact The Record on 08 9227 7080 or email bookshop@therecord.com.au to request information and books debunking Dan Brown's work. Catherine Gallo Martinez is a parish officer for Perth's Catholic Youth Ministry.
VISTA 2
The Vatican listens and learns The Vatican recentl‘9 invited friends and foes to an unprecedented conference on evolution. MercatorNet's correspondent captures the
intellectual drama of the week-long dialogue.
The men who caused all the fuss
Charles Darwin is pictured in a detail from British artist John Collier's 1883 painting on display at Darwin's former home in Kent, England. Scientists, theologians and philosophers gathered from March 3 -7 in Rome for a Vatican-sponsored congress marking the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's theory on evolution. PHOTO: CNS/TAL COHEN, REUTERS
This 1635 portrait of astronomer Galileo Galilei by Dutch painter Justus Sustermans hangs in the Palazzo Pitti art gallery in Florence, Italy. In a January 29 statement this year, the Vatican honoured 1 7th-century astronomer Galileo, saying he was a believer who tried to reconcile science and the Christian faith. Atheists and relativists often mention Galileo's condemnation by the Holy Office in 1633 for maintaining that the earth revolved around the sun as proof that the Church persecutes scientists and has tried to restrict scientific rigor, but last month's conference proves nothing could be further from the truth. PHOTO. ENS/MARCO BUCCO, REUTERS
VISTA 3
June 3 2009, The Record
on and 5cience:
T
his was an all-star gathering nearly unprecedented in character. The Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Gregorian University and the University of Notre Dame assembled some of the world's leading scientists, philosophers and theologians for a week-long conference in Rome called 'Biological Evolution: Facts and Theories' sub-headed 'A Critical Appraisal 150 Years After "The Origin of Species-. Throughout the five days, just about each of those words was challenged or parsed. On the first morning of the March 2-7 gathering, evolutionary biologist Douglas Futuyma said that though conferences on the different disciplines are frequently held and attended by those assembled at the Gregorian, this one was different. And he looked forward to it immensely, he enthused, as potentially the best week of his life. What made this occasion so extraordinary was its nature as an interdisciplinary meeting of physicists, biologists, molecular geneticists, paleontologists, mathematicians, philosophers and theologians - some in the higher reaches of Vatican offices - to professionally exchange ideas about Darwinian evolution. They do not engage in dialogue often, some perhaps never before. And whatever gulf may actually exist between and among them has been deeply exacerbated by popular media and pop culture, creating an unnecessary "Creation-Evolution" divide. In 1988, in a compelling letter to Fr George Coyne SJ, Director of the Vatican Observatory, Pope John Paul II eagerly encouraged this kind of dialogue. "The matter is urgent", John Paul said, and "the options do not include isolation." We have unprecedented opportunities today "for a common interactive relationship in which each discipline retains its integrity and yet is radically open to the discoveries and insights of the other... Christians will inevitably assimilate the prevailing ideas about the world, and today these are deeply shaped by science... We must ask ourselves whether both science and religion will contribute to the integration of human culture or to its fragmentation. It is a single choice, and it confronts us all. For a simple neutrality is no longer acceptable:' Nor is it popular. Celebrity atheists and neo-Darwinian scientists assail religion on perpetual book tours promoting their bestsellers. High-profile believers scorn atheistic science in their burgeoning movement to put God back in nature. They talk at but not with each other. So when this conference opened with a welcoming address by Cardinal William Levada, head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, international media were present to cover it. Levada said the Catholic Church acknowledges the "wide spectrum of room" for belief in both the scientific basis for evolution and faith in God the Creator. Modern science cannot disprove the existence of God, Levada said. And Christian doctrine does not explain the physical processes by which creation took place. "We believe that however creation has come about and evolved, ultimately God is the creator of all things," he affirmed. Pressed to comment on the debate over creationist theory, the prelate said the Church would not take a stand on a properly scientific issue. "The Vatican listens and learns," he said. Since Pope Pius XI instituted the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1936, the Church has relied on certain scholars to keep the Holy See current on developments in scientific research "to serve the truth", as John Paul put it in 1996 when he addressed its plenary assembly. "How do the conclusions reached by the various scientific disciplines coincide with those contained in the message of Revelation?" the Pope probed in that address. "And if, at first sight, there are apparent contradictions, in what directions do we look for their solution? We know, in fact, that truth cannot contradict truth:' But few know what the Church teaches regarding evolution. In fact, very little has officially been said about evolutionary biology and the theistic understanding of man. Pope Pius XII's 1950 encyclical Humani generis was a marker that opened the way for scholars to develop thought along with advancing science. Church teaching on the doctrine of evolution, Pius XII said, remains something of an open question. He called it "praiseworthy" to take science into account, "in the case of clearly proved facts..." However "caution must be used when there is rather question of hypotheses, having some sort of scientific foundation, in which the doctrine contained in Sacred Scripture or in Tradition is involved:' So, the Pope said, the Church allows research and discussions between scholars in science and theology "with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God:' In John Paul's 1996 address to the Academy of Sciences, he took such openness further, saying that since Humani generis was issued, "new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis:' Those papal excerpts capture much of the March 2009 Rome evolution conference. Facts and Theories It was an intense week. Even the terminology in the presentations was continually challenged. "Can we claim that any statement is a fact?" mused Futuyma, reframing a participant's question. "What do we mean by fact? It's not something I know with unshakeable certainty, but something with so much supportive evidence that we must treat it as if it were true:' Roman anthropologist Giorgio Manzi questioned the term "theory" in presentations of science, philosophy and theology. "Perhaps we should refer to possible approaches instead," suggested Gennaro Auletta, Gregorian Science Director. Provided they have solid grounding as science, philosophy or theology, was the underlying predication.
One participant took advantage of the Q&A session openirT morning to launch a lengthy argument for the "Intelligent Design' theory. He got exactly the attention he intended when his colleague recorded the incident and posted it on YouTube. Though media reported that Turkish surgeon Oktar Babuna was denied a right to speak, that's not true. He was in fact given the same ability as any participant to frame a question briefly and allow presenters to respond. He elaborated the "Intelligent Design" challenges to the evidence for biological evolution in the fossil record, but after repeated attempts failed to get him to pose a single question, conference organisers turned off his microphone and asked him to return to his seat. He continued to filibuster, but eventually was escorted off the floor. Futuyma personally spoke with Babuna on the side, explaining scientific evidence for evolution and transitional forms. Two Vatican officials also spoke personally with Babuna, and listened to his views. Conference organisers say they intended to present "the facts of evolution" by scientists, hear philosophical reflection on them, and conclude with theological considerations of the nature of man. "Religious belief can exist with the sciences without losing itself," said German philosopher Jurgen Mittelstrass. "There is a bridge to Darwin. One only has to know how to walk on it without giving up on religion or giving in to science completely:' The problem, or one of them, is who controls the narrative. That was one point of agreement here. "Public relations encounters science in news and views these days with unfortunate consequences," said one presenter. He called for some epistemology on the "theory of everything".., which was essentially what they were doing there in the first place.
Both mathematics and philosophy are needed
Which made a roomful of such diverse experts, who see things dramatically differently, so fascinating. The first couple of days were devoted to science: random mutations, "the common ancestry of diverse species'; evolutionary biology, natural selection, and slides on jaws and skulls and bacteria and the human eye. Early presentations relied on the necessity of mathematics for doing science. Later ones turned the philosophical corner. "The mathematical model describes everything and explains nothing:' said Belgian philosopher of science, Dominique Lambert, warning that such models can trap and limit thought. "Kant's question 'What is man?' can only be considered after asking 'What can I know?', 'What ought I to do?', and 'What may I hope?' said Mittelstrass. "Nature gives no ethical lessons:'
Cardinal Georges Cottier, former theologian to the Pope, calmly said "the need for metaphysics has to be recognised," to a significant number of conference participants who have not considered it either necessary or relevant. "Everything exists from God, the first and universal cause," continued Cottier. "Everything:' That ex nihilo concept of making something from nothing invokes Thomas Aquinas, who believed the existence of something rather than nothing proves the existence of God. But the Catholic Church doesn't embrace creationism and never did, he specified. Aquinas drew a distinction between creation and change, and saw God's providence in the natural sciences. The changes in nature that move and can be perceived and measured by science, Cottier said, comprise the relationship between creation and God. He talked about the soul, and the human nature of Christ. Cottier spoke of the immortality of the soul and the meaning of the resurrection. And about parents as God's collaborators in creation. The room was respectfully attentive. Some participants who had taken furious notes during scientific presentations were politely listening. Many who had leaned on their hands earlier in the week were taking notes as fast as they could write. "This debate required the Church to speak out, and many times to address the incorrect understanding of the imago Dei," Cottier continued. "The human soul is directly created by God. But the concept of soul is not widely considered today:' That was a grand understatement, given the audience. Cottier said the soul is "an antiquated concept that brings a smile to faces today," but it's more like a snicker or frown or worse... complete disregard. He challenged philosophers to fix that. "The spiritual soul doesn't proceed from the accidents of nature, but from being," Cottier continued. "With the infusion of the spiritual soul by God, man is created. Thomas says species should be considered in the 'order of things'. The perfection of this order is human. All elements of the cosmos tend towards man:'
Establishing a dialogue Just two days earlier, conference participants had heard an evolutionary biologist declare "the Darwinian revolution consisted of removing man from the centre of the universe and making him just one in an assortment of species, just one more among more than 10 million." Such was the dynamic tension of the proceedings. So after Cottier's lecture, Auletta asked all present to respect the constraints of each field and discipline. "We ought to confront ourselves and challenge our opinions," he urged. "I invite you all to try to understand each other in a mutual way." Science wasn't
'doing God', but scientists were listening, and some were taking notes. Like Futuyma. In a coffee break conversation, he dismissed the doctrine of original sin and 'the Fall: but Futuyma was at least willing to engage the question, obviously enjoying the weeklong engagement. "All we can do is compare beliefs with beliefs, but not directly to a known reality:' Massimo Stanzione suggested in the next lecture. Some experts "don't believe in objective truth, but believe in being honest in these discussions:' he said. That's an encouragement to "bring home all aspects of this great debate:' French philosopher Jean-Michel Maldame returned to clarifying terms, at times in bullet-point form. "Theories are the considerations of facts," he stated. "What are facts, first of all? Facts can't be challenged. Theories or principles should. They lead to a philosophical debate. There is no spontaneous generation—that has a temporal nature. Scientific research investigates fossils and places them in a continuum of time... The theory of evolution presents itself as an historical exploration. But we can't go back and experiment on origins:' Maldame probed further, parsing the ideas of "origin" and "beginning". "In Genesis, 'In the beginning' can also be translated as an origin rather than just the beginning:' What's the difference? "Origin is a constituent of what appears on a continuum. Beginning does not. An origin is not a beginning. Be careful of referring to origin as beginning.... Science applies to change or energy. Philosophy applies to reasons for change, and for life itself" The conference was indeed provocative. "God's role in causality can be understood as interactive," Maldame said in setting up an analogy. "Take, for example, the music produced by a musician playing an instrument. All is produced by both, and if you eliminate either you lose it. This allows us to understand God's action in the forces of nature. Everything comes from both God and nature. My explanation of God is not to negate science:' However....
Tension between science and religion There is "tension still between science and religion, with a lot of skeptical bystanders:' said French philosopher Jacques Arnauld. He invoked the "render unto Caesar" analogy. "We can have discussions with scientists, inviting but not obliging them to consider the things that are of God," said Arnauld. "Just take God into account. Don't blow out the candle or the lamp post saying 'Stay here: But instead, say 'Go out', and encourage the journey of finding the way:'
Even before it ended, these final lectures brought the conference full circle, venturing where the Pontifical Council for Culture and partner sponsors intended it to "journey". To those who believe the Church tortured Galileo and abhors science, this would all be rather stunning. Auletta, a professor of philosophy at the Gregorian, told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that the Church is rich in scientific scholarship and pointed to Cardinal John Henry Newman as a supporter of Darwinism. "This is one of the many reasons that in my opinion make all the efforts to recover or rehabilitate Darwin superfluous, because neither the Catholic Church nor her most important exponents have ever condemned Darwinism or the theory of evolution:' he said. In that 1988 letter to Vatican Observatory director Fr George Coyne, Pope John Paul II emphasised the importance of diverse disciplines converging for a unified vision of humanity and humanism. But he qualified it, with keen awareness and insight: "Yet the unity that we seek... is not identity. The Church does not propose that science should become religion or religion, science. On the contrary, unity always presupposes the diversity and the integrity of its elements. Each of these members should become not less itself but more itself in a dynamic interchange... We are asked to become one. We are not asked to become each other:' On that occasion, the 1988 tri-centennial of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (philosophy of mathematical principles of natural philosophy), John Paul said the benefit from this exchange is mutual. "Science can purify religion from error and superstition; religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes... Only a dynamic relationship between theology and science can reveal those limits which support the integrity of either discipline, so that theology does not profess a pseudoscience and science does not become an unconscious theology. "You are called to learn from one another, to renew the context in which science is done and to nourish the inculturation which vital theology demands. Each of you has everything to gain from such an interaction, and the human community which we both serve has a right to demand it from us:' Whatever the other evolution conference participants do with the proceedings in their own particular disciplines, it's up to the Pontifical Council for Culture to tell the culture that they're working on it. Report by Sheila Gribben Liaugminas, an Emmy Award winning journalist who reported for Time magazine for more than 20 years. She blogs at InforumBlog.com and on MercatorNet.
Vista 4
June 3 2009, The Record
WORLD FEATURE
Notre Dame: it's still my university The leadership may have failed her but one prolife Notre Dame student, Michelle Romeu, still loves the place.
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s a student at the University of Notre Dame, I can safely say that the past few months have been pretty crazy. On campus we read the articles. We watched the YouTube videos. We drove past the protesters at our gates and we watched three different planes fly over with banners telling university president Fr Jenkins to change his mind. We signed petitions and discussed the issue in every single class. For the few months after the news of President Obama's visit was released, the hubbub on campus did not die down. It only gained momentum as the day crept closer. Only now that the academic year has ended and I've reached the quietness of home have I truly been able to reflect upon those extraordinary months. After three years at the university, I've learned that rule number one at Notre Dame is this: everyone has an opinion. Rule number two: there is no hiding this opinion—either you proclaim it to the masses or you will have it forced out of you by some student group passing around a petition. The campus was clearly divided—whenever anyone asked, "So what do you think about Obama coming?" it was as though anyone within a ten-foot radius could hear the sharp mental gulp that came before answering, "Well..." You never really knew how any given person would respond to that question, or how they would react to your opinion, but nearly everyone ventured to speak their mind. It is difficult to estimate the percentage of students who were proObama speaking or anti-Obama speaking; both parties were quite vociferous. During the days following the announcement of his invitation, two Facebook groups arose and grew steadily in number, both surpassing 5000 members. While all the underclassmen had strong opinions on the matter - freshmen, sophomores, and juniors alike - there were none more affected by the announcement than the senior class itself. It seemed as though graduation
would be ruined for everyone involved: those who didn't want Obama to speak would be upset that he was speaking, and those who did want him there would nevertheless be upset about all the protests surrounding the event. Because of this,I saw something peculiar happening with the senior class: the majority began to just accept it. While some seniors planned not to attend their own commencement - indeed, about 40 of them instead attended a prayer service held while the commencement was in session - I heard many more declare that they were not going to let this ruin their graduation day, and that, even though they personally opposed Obama, they would
completely different experiences. Reading the speech allowed me to focus on his words, and not the way he delivered them; but when I actually watched the event, the reverse was true: I was focused on the man who delivered them. Fact: President Obama is an excellent speaker. Fact: President Obama says the things his audience wants to hear. I had to remind myself to look beyond the words. Obama makes several claims in his speech regarding how he wants to draft a better conscience clause, reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies (with the supposed overarching goal of reducing abortions), and reconcile with those who have different values and priorities.
Graduate Jill Mazur of Pittsburgh holds her hat with a pro-life logo during US President Barack Obama's appearance at the commencement ceremony at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, on May 17. Obama was the commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient. PHOTO: CNS/CHRISTOPHER SMITH
be honoured at the very least to have the President of the United States speak at their commencement ceremony. I ended up admiring those few seniors who attended commencement, but still protested in their own small ways by wearing white carnations or placing a pro-life symbol on their graduation caps. However, the overall feeling on campus was that the great majority of the seniors either supported Obama, or were on the fence about the issue, still wanting to hear what he had to say. I was not present at commencement itself, but I read the speech as soon as it was released to the press and then watched it online. It struck me that these were two
It is all well and good for him to have made these statements, but in truth, what he has done so far tends towards the opposite. The effect can be deeply ironic. Take a look at this quote from his speech: "We must decide how to save God's creation from a changing climate that threatens to destroy it. We must seek peace at a time when there are those who will stop at nothing to do us harm, and when weapons in the hands of a few can destroy the many:' These sentences in particular jumped out at me when I read the text of the speech for the first time. They could be directly applied to the issue that has been central to this entire controversy: abortion. Indeed, Mr President, we must
Supreme Court choice worries abortion advocates Obama nominates New York Latina to Supreme Court. WASHINGTON (CNS) President Barack Obama has nominated federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court; if she is confirmed, the New York native of Puerto Rican descent would become the first Hispanic to serve on the high court. Obama announced his choice of Sotomayor at the White House on May 26. If confirmed by the Senate, she would join the court when the next term opens in October, replacing retiring Justice David Souter. Sotomayor has been a judge on the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals since 1998, nominated to that post by President Bill Clinton.
decide how to save God's creation - the millions of unborn babies from a changing climate - this very government administration - that threatens to destroy it. The president spoke at Arizona State University earlier this year, but that university did not award him an honorary degree of any sort. Their reasoning? That President Obama had not held his position long enough to have accomplished anything worthy of such an honour. By contrast, Notre Dame - a Catholic institution - has honoured a man with policies that go against one of the most important aspects of the Catholic faith. How is it that Arizona State, a secular
Before that she spent six years as a US District Court judge in New York, nominated to that position by President George HW Bush in 1991. Although some critics of Obama were quick to decry Sotomayor as "a liberal activist," her judicial record does not reflect that approach on issues including religious liberty and restrictions on federal funds being used for abortion. In a 2002 case challenging the Mexico City policy, Sotomayor upheld the government's right to prohibit the use of US foreign aid funds in overseas family planning programs that provide or refer for abortions. "The Supreme Court has made clear that the government is free to favour the anti-abortion position over the pro-choice position, and can do so with public funds," she wrote in a decision on the Centre
for Reproductive Law and Policy v Bush. Obama reversed that policy shortly after taking office in January. The New York Times reported on May 27 that some abortion rights advocates are quietly expressing unease that Judge Sotomayor may not be a reliable vote to uphold Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 abortion rights decision. In a letter, president of Naral Pro-Choice America Nancy Keenan urged supporters to press senators to demand that Judge Sotomayor reveal her views on privacy rights before any confirmation vote. "Discussion about Roe v Wade will — and must — be part of this nomination process," Ms Keenan wrote. "As you know, choice hangs in the balance on the Supreme Court as the last two major choice-related cases were decided by a 5-to-4 margin:'
institution, managed to do what so many in the past few months have wanted Notre Dame to do as well? Yes, the Catholic faith teaches tolerance for those with differing beliefs, but it does not teach us to deck them with honours. And yet, while watching that speech, I had a sad glimpse of the reasons why, perhaps, Fr Jenkins upheld the invitation and the honorary degree, despite the nationwide controversy it caused. Essentially, he gave the proObama seniors the commencement speaker of their dreams; and for those on the fence, a skilled speaker who could deliver words they wanted to hear. A logical move, perhaps, but not the right one for the president of
the most prominent Catholic university in the United States - and furthermore, for a Roman Catholic priest. But what does all this mean to me - as a Catholic, as a Notre Dame student, as a pro-life person? For me - and, I hope, for all the other pro-life Catholic students at this school - the biggest lesson that I have learned in the past few months is about leadership. As a Catholic leader, Fr Jenkins has failed us. However, the very last thing I could imagine doing is burning my Notre Dame apparel and renouncing any allegiance to my beloved university - something that many upset Notre Dame graduates and alumni have claimed to do. On the contrary, I have loved the University of Notre Dame since the very first day I set foot on its campus as a high school senior, and that love has only grown over the past three years. At this university I have grown in my faith, and made lasting friendships with people who not only share my beliefs, but have grown along with me. Notre Dame is full of students and faculty who are not afraid to say they are Catholic, who fill up the basilica every Sunday morning, who flock to the 28 dorm Masses on Sunday nights, who line up for confessions, and who never leave our Lady's Grotto empty even when it is only 20 degrees outside. Notre Dame is full of people active in their faith, and these people who make up a huge part of the university - cannot and should not be forgotten. Fr Jenkins is in charge of our university just as President Obama is in charge of our country, and while we owe these leaders our respect simply because they are our leaders, it does not mean that they are always right, or that we should believe every word they say - no matter how beautifully spoken these words may be. There's a take-home message for us pro-life students in this, too, I think. Defending human life and dignity is not a war of words any more than it is a matter of soothing rhetoric. The commencement controversy has forced us to speak up; now we have to show what our words mean in the realities of life, and so convince some of our classmates - perhaps even Fr Jenkins - to come down off the fence. Michelle Romeu has just completed her junior year as an English major at the University of Notre Dame. She is also a volunteer editorial assistant at MercatorNet.
"I firmly believe in the rule of law as the foundation for all of our basic rights."
Sonia Sotomayor AGE 54 Born June 25, 1954, in the Bronx section of New York EDUCATION 1979 JD, Yale Law School 1976 BA, Princeton University E XPERIENCE 1998-present 1992-1998
2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals U. S. District Court Southern District of New York
1984-1992
private practice, New York
1979-1984
assistant district attorney, New York County 02009
June 3 2009, The Record
Page 9
CHILDREN
Kids bitz colour
CHILDREN'S STORY
ARTIST WEEK
Jonah and the whale
SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS Ephrem c. 306 - 373 This poet, preacher and theologian was born and lived his whole life in Mesopotamia, in the Middle East. A deacon, he is famous for his writings, including metrical homilies, to be read aloud, and hymns for singing. The latter were designed for popular use and were directed against false doctrines such as gnosticism. He also wrote numerous biblical commentaries, and the Syrian churches have always regarded him as a great teacher. He is the only Syrian father to be declared a doctor of the church, which occurred in 1920. Syrian Christians refer to him as "the Harp of the Holy Ghost." Feast - June 9.
PUZZLE Match the sacraments with the symbols, concepts or items that go with them: 1. Baptism
a. Forgiveness
2. Eucharist
b. Water
3. Confirmation
c. Host
4. Holy orders
d. Wedding rings
5. Matrimony
e. Priests
6. Anointing of the sick
f. Holy Spirit
7. Reconciliation
g. Holy oil
Siobhan Kirwan, of Doubleview, is our Artist of the Week with this wonderful Easter colouring in.
FREE WEEKLY GIFT KIDS BITZ ARTIST OF THE WEEK will receive a free
gift from the Record Bookshop. All you need to do is post or email in a drawing, poem or colouring picture. Please post or email. Justine Stevens, The Record, PO Box 75 Leederville WA 6902 or email: production@therecord.com.au Noah Heldt, 7, of Bullcreek, is also our Artist of the Week with this beautiful colouring in of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
JESUS APOSTLES PREPARE FOR PASSOVER By Joe Sarnicola WHILE they were celebrating the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread with Jesus, one of his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" Jesus called two of his friends over and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The two men immediately left for the city, and everything happened exactly as Jesus said it would. When they returned and told Jesus, he told his disciples to come with him, and they went to the room that had been prepared for them. Later that night, when Jesus was dining with his disciples, he said something that shocked them. "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." His friends all shook their heads and denied that they would do such a thing. But they knew that Jesus would not have said such a thing if it was not true, and they wondered which of them was the one Jesus referred to. Jesus continued, "One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Then Jesus took the bread, blessed it, gave it to his friends, and said, "Take it; this is my body." He took the cup, gave thanks, gave that to them as well, and said, "This is the blood of my covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."Then Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
BIBLE ACCENT:
A number of feasts were established to celebrate special events or miracles that God had performed for the early Hebrew people. The rituals that govern some of these feasts can be found in the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Old Testament. Jesus and his disciples were celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Unleavened bread, which the Jewish people call "matzo," is bread made without yeast. This seven-day festival signaled the time to harvest the grain.
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June 3 2009, The Record
THE WORLD
Church must stop denial and watering down of abuse claims
Blair 'not a good guide' to Church's teachings: Nichols
DUBLIN, Ireland (CNA) - The Church in Ireland must move out of "denial" and must never "water down" the suffering of abuse survivors, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said regarding the recent report on physical and sexual abuse in Irish institutions. He warned that culpable religious orders face their "last chance" to renew their charism. Writing on May 25 in an opinion essay in the Irish Times, the archbishop addressed the recently released Ryan report which exposed major abuse of students in industrial schools. Noting the ineffectiveness of simple apologies, Archbishop Martin said that nonetheless "sorry" must "always be the first word; He said the Ryan report shocked him, but did not surprise him. The archbishop explained that as a student he had worked in a Dublin hostel for former industrial school residents. Later he had worked in a London centre for ex-prisoners, many of whom had been Irish industrial school residents. "Anyone who had contact with ex-residents of Irish industrial schools at that time knew that what those schools were offering was, to put it mildly, poor-quality childcare by the standards of the time. The information was there," Archbishop Martin wrote in the Irish Times, noting that a clergyman and some journalists had tried to call attention to the abuse. "The first thing the Church has to do is to move out of any mode of denial; he insisted. "That was the position for far too long and it is still there." He said that the Church had presented itself as different and more moral than other childcare institutions. "Its record should have shown that and it did not. Ryan reveals church institutions where children were placed in the care of people with practically no morals; he added. He warned priests and religious not to let their "sense of shock" at what has happened to permit them to slip into a situation where they "feel themselves almost as the victims".
NEW Westminster Archbishop Vincent Nichols has attacked Tony Blair for his "extraordinary" attempt to lecture the Pope on the subject of homosexuality, adding that the former PM is "not a good guide to the teachings of the Catholic Church". His intervention is in sharp contrast to the relationship between Blair and the Archbishop's House during the period of Nichols' predecessor, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, according to En§land's The Telegraph. It will make it very difficult for the Cardinal to join Blair's Faith Foundation as an adviser, as has been mooted; The Telegraph's religion blogger Damian Thompson said on May 24. In an interview with England's Sunday Times' Dominic Lawson, Archbishop Nichols also indicated that he has little interest in changing the law to allow Catholics to marry the heir to the throne, The Telegraph reported. It is "not a grievance that Catholics carry heavily; he says. The position of the Queen and the monarchy would have to be handled very sensitively because it was "one of the key components of the English identity". Thompson said that these words could be read as a sharp rebuff to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's attempts to win the Catholic vote by promising to sweep away the Act of Settlement if he is re-elected. "It was notable that Tony Blair waited until after he had resigned as Her Majesty's first minister before he converted to Catholicism, although for years he had attended Catholic Mass; Archbishop Nichols told Lawson. "Last month Blair gave an interview in which he questioned the Pope's line on homosexuality, and said that Catholic leaders should be "rethinking" the issue. What does Nichols think about Blair lecturing the Church in this way, so soon after joining? "I think it was extraordinary. I also think his political instincts, which are very strong, are not a good guide to the teachings of the Catholic Church, and a bit more reflection is needed as to the relationship between political instinct in general - and certainly his and the nature of the truth that the Church tries to put forward... Maybe he lacks a bit of experience in Catholic life:'
John Kelly, centre, who says he was abused while in the Daingean Reformatory between 1965 and 1967, reacts after being refused entry to the release of a report by the government's Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse in Dublin, Ireland, on May 20. PHOTO: CNS/CATHAL MCNAUGHTON, REUTERS
"No one in the Church must ever try to water down or reformulate the suffering of survivors. Let the survivors speak and tell their stories as they experienced them; he said. Calling on the religious orders responsible for the institutions in which abuse occurred, he asked them directly: "What happened that you drifted so far away from your own charism?" The culpable orders' credibility and survival, he said, depends on the honesty with which they examine themselves. "People are angry and disillusioned; he insisted. Archbishop Martin said that somehow many had lost "the most essential dimension" of the life of followers of Jesus Christ. "The Christian message is a message of love. What the Ryan commission recounts is sadly so very far removed from that. In Jesus' eyes the poor deserve the best and they did not
receive it here:' He decried as "stunning" the orders' incomplete response to an agreement with the government concerning abuse, criticising the "poor excuse" about legal difficulties. Calling for the religious orders to try to redeem their charism by supporting survivors and their families, the archbishop warned: "In many ways it is your last chance to render honour to charismatic founders and to so many good members of your congregations who feel tarnished; He said that another report on the sexual abuse of children in the Archdiocese of Dublin will be released soon. "It will not be easy reading; he warned, saying that the sufferings of abuse victims will never be wiped away by new child protection measures. "Let the truth, however, come out:"
Indian tragedy: uoc s suicide s ueillustrates sex-selection pressure 1
_I
INDIA (CWNews.com) - An Indian doctor has committed suicide after a court in the Punjab state upheld her conviction for violating a law that bars sex-determination tests during pregnancy. The death of Dr Lakshmi Garg dramatically illustrates India's continuing struggle with the common practice of sex-selection abortion. Although abortion is legal in the country, the government has taken aggressive steps to curb sex-selection abortions, in order to remedy a growing disparity in the number of births of male and female children. Due to deeply ingrained pattern in Indian culture that favours male children, more than 10 million girls have been found "missing"
•
in the country over the past two decades, because women choose to abort after determining that they are carrying a female baby. In one of several efforts to stop the trend, the government has banned sex-determination tests. But many doctors quietly skirt that law, making a point of telling prospective parents the gender of the baby after a "routine" prenatal examination. A fter Dr Garg was convicted of violating the law and performing sex-selection abortions a rare successful prosecution - she filed an appeal. When the appeals court refused to lift her 30-month prison sentence, she consumed poison in the courtroom. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but was soon pronounced
dead. The strong preference for male babies is rooted in Hindu tradition, which teaches that a father cannot attain moksha, or salvation, unless a son performs his funeral rites. This religious practice gave rise to a system of heavy dowries, in which families paid a large price for the marriage of their daughters - thus making girl children become economic liabilities as well. The subsequent pressure for male children, combined with a strong emphasis on family planning and the ready availability of legal abortion, has given India an extremely skewed ratio of boys to girls. In the nation as a whole there are only about 925 girls for every 1000 boys.
'Nicaraguan pro-life laws violate torture convention' NEW YORK (C-FAM) - The United Nations (UN) committee monitoring compliance with the Convention Against Torture has declared that Nicaragua's full protection of fetal life violates the country's obligations under the Convention. It is the first time this committee has reviewed Nicaragua since that government outlawed abortion for any reason three years ago. The torture committee is the fourth UN committee to pressure Nicaragua on its laws protecting unborn life, joining the committees charged with monitoring the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights. Critics are increasingly concerned with what they view as the politicisation of the treaty monitoring system by committees charged with oversight. Neither the Convention Against Torture nor any other UN treaty mentions abortion, and it was not contemplated when such treaties were negotiated and ratified that countries were committing themselves to altering domestic legislation on abortion. Among the human rights lobbyist organisations that have increasingly lent a voice to abortion advocacy in the developing world is Amnesty International, which abandoned its previous neutrality on the issue in 2007. In a shadow briefing to the torture committee, Amnesty asserted that Nicaragua's legislation banning all
abortions was equivalent to government commissioned "torture" or at least "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" banned by the Convention. Amnesty also claims that Nicaragua's law "causes women and girls to die," an assertion disputed by pro-life critics. Carlos Polo, Director of Population Research Institute's Latin American Office, notes that "the best indicator of what is happening in any country regarding bad practices in gynecological and obstetric services are rates of maternal mortality; Polo points to statistics compiled by Nicaragua's Ministry of Health showing that maternal deaths have decreased since Nicaragua tightened its laws on abortion. In comparison with Amnesty's efforts to link abortion restrictions
with maternal death regardless of what the evidence shows, even the unambiguously pro-abortion Centre for Reproductive Rights (CRR) has begun to shy away from making such claims. In a recent submission to the ICESCR committee, CRR criticised Brazil for emphasising lack of access to abortion as "the most salient cause" of maternal mortality, pointing instead to its failure to provide emergency obstetric care. CRR went so far as to praise Sri Lanka for reducing maternal mortality - a country that CRR elsewhere acknowledges as having one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. In addition to Nicaragua, the torture committee has in the past pressured Chile and Peru, whose constitutions protect unborn life.
Catholics attend a Palm Sunday Mass at the cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua. CNS
June 3 2009, The Record
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THE WORLD
Proposition 8 upheld, Vatican wants Chinese but bishops worried Catholics reconciled 'now' New Vatican document again encourages Chinese Catholics to reconcile. • By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI knows the full structural unity of Catholic communities in China will take time, but the spiritual reconciliation of Chinese Catholics "can and must take place now:' said a new Vatican document. Marking the second anniversary of Pope Benedict's 2007 letter to Chinese Catholics, the Vatican published a reading guide and summary of the letter to clarify certain points and help people understand it better. The 2007 letter established new guidelines to favor cooperation between clandestine Catholic communities and those officially registered with the government. The papal letter strongly criticised the limits placed by the Chinese government on the Church's activities. But on several key issues, including the appointment of bishops, it invited civil authorities to a new and serious dialogue. The new compendium of the papal letter, released at the Vatican on May 24, used a question-andanswer format quoting the original letter, but it also included several new footnotes and appendices to clarify questions raised in the past two years. The original letter contained directives aimed at bridging the gap between Catholic communities that have registered with the Chinese authorities - and therefore operate under certain official limits - and Catholic communities that have practiced the faith in a more clandestine fashion, professing full loyalty to the Pope. The compendium said Pope Benedict was urging Chinese Catholics to begin a process of spiritual reconciliation even before "a structural merger of official and unofficial Catholic communities can take place:' Reconciliation is a journey that will not be concluded overnight, the compendium said, but the nec-
A Massgoer holds a Rosary at a Catholic church near Changzhi, China. PHOTO: CNS
essary steps cannot "be postponed because - or on the pretext that they are difficult since they require the overcoming of personal positions or views." In addition to praying for one another, Catholics in China must take concrete steps, including sharing pastoral projects and undertaking common initiatives, it said. "It is by means of practical steps that spiritual reconciliation, including visible reconciliation, will gradually occur, which will culminate one day in the complete structural unity," the compendium said. The compendium also reaffirmed Pope Benedict's insistence that some aspects of the official Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association "cannot be reconciled with Catholic doctrine," particularly its claim to be above the individual bishops in guiding the Catholic community and its professed independence from the Vatican. At the same time the compendium, like the 2007 letter, opened the door to registration with the government by bishops and Catholic communities, saying this was acceptable as long as it does not compromise principles of the faith and Church communion and as long as it does not force church leaders to perform actions contrary to their consciences as Catholics.
When dealing with government agencies, "the Pope recommends bishops and priests to do all possible to avoid giving rise to situations of scandal:' it said. The compendium emphasised once again Pope Benedict's position that determining whether or not to cooperate with the government is a decision that must be made by the local bishop in consultation with his priests, since government officials in different parts of China place different conditions on cooperating bishops. "The Pope neither excludes the possibility of accepting or seeking government recognition nor encourages doing so; the ideal would be to abandon the clandestine condition, but everything depends on the constraints imposed," the compendium said. It also reaffirmed the Pope's plea to Chinese Catholics to avoid making "judgments and mutual condemnations" of those who do not make the same choices regarding cooperation with the government and official registration with the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. The compendium gave individual Catholics wide latitude in deciding whether or not to receive the sacraments from bishops and priests who are recognised by the government but have not requested recognition from the Pope. "If the bishop or the priest celebrant is in communion with the Pope, the faithful 'should not hesitate' to receive the sacraments from him," it said. If Catholics cannot find pastors in communion with the Pope and if they feel they need the sacraments at that moment for their spiritual good, the final decision on whether or not to receive them is up to the individual, it said. In addition to affirming or explaining points contained in the 2007 letter, the compendium also clarified that priests are authorised to celebrate Mass in the homes of the faithful if a church or chapel is not available, and it called on priests to follow canon law regarding accepting monetary stipends for the celebration of Masses for special intentions. The text of the new compendium in English is posted online at: http://www.vatican.va/chinese/ pdf/7Compendium_en.pdf.
Obama's Vatican nominee 'clearly pro-life' Catholic theologian Miguel Diaz nominated. WASHINGTON (CNS) President Barack Obama has nominated prominent Catholic theologian Miguel Diaz to become ambassador to the Vatican. In a statement issued on May 27, the White House announced Diaz's nomination, along with nominees for ambassadors to the United Kingdom, France, Japan, India and several other countries. Diaz, 45, is a professor of theology at the College of St Benedict and St John's University, both in Collegeville, Minnesota He is a board member of the Catholic Theological Society of America and former president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States. His wife, Marian, is an adjunct instructor at St Benedict and St
John's. Diaz served as a member of Obama's Catholic advisory team during the campaign and was a regular campaign spokesman on Obama's behalf, particularly in the Spanish-language press. A native of Havana, Diaz was praised as a skilled Trinitarian theologian "who is passionate both as a teacher and a scholar" by Benedictine Abbot John Klassen, chancellor of St John's University. "He is a strong proponent of the necessity of the Church to become deeply and broadly multicultural, to recognise and appreciate the role that culture plays in a living faith:' the Abbot said. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, called Diaz "an excellent choice because he knows very well the United States and because of his background in the Catholic Church:' In an interview with CNS during inaugural festivities in January, Diaz said he thought
"the presidency of Barack Obama represents a new opportunity for all of us" for racial healing. Diaz said Obama was "committed to working" with people who defend "life in the womb" and deeply respects people who hold positions he does not agree with. One White House source described Diaz as "clearly pro-life" and said the decision to select a respected theologian instead of a big fundraiser or political mover and shaker is an indication "of how seriously the administration is takin the relationship with the Vatican.' Diaz would fill the vacancy created by the departure of Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon, who left the post in January. Diaz earned his bachelor's degree from St Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, and his master's and doctorate from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
Justices of the California Supreme Court in San Francisco are shown during March 5 oral arguments on a case challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage. Top: Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George. First row left to right: Associate Justices Joyce Kennard, Carlos Moreno and Marvin Baxter. Bottom row left to right: Associate CNS Justices Ming Chin, Carol Corrigan and Kathryn Werdegar.
Bishops praise court for affirming voters' right to define marriage. WASHINGTON (CNS) The California Supreme Court respected the eminently reasonable decision of the California electorate" in its May 26 ruling affirming marriage as the union of a man and a woman, said the chairman of the US bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for the Defence of Marriage. Archbishop Joseph E Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, speaking on behalf of the full US Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed disappointment and concern that the court failed to apply this definition to the estimated 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place between May and November 2008 in California. The high court's decision upheld the constitutionality of the state's Proposition 8 declaring that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California:' But it said the voters' decision could not be applied retroactively to those who married before the initiative was passed. He said the ruling "respects the uniqueness of the marital relationship and its service to the common good by respecting the value of procreation and the good of children as well as the unique complementarity of man and woman." But he said "attempts to change the legal definition of marriage or to create simulations of marriage,
often under the guise of 'equality,' 'civil rights' and `anti-discrimination'.., undermine the very nature of marriage and overlook the essential place of marriage and family life in society." "The state has a responsibility to protect and promote marriage as the union of one man and one woman as well as to protect and promote the intrinsic dignity of every human person, including homosexual persons:' Archbishop Kurtz said. There are ways to do that but "sacrificing marriage is not one of them:' he added. In a May 26 statement on behalf of the California Catholic bishops, Bishop Stephen E Blaire of Stockton had a similar mixed reaction to the decision, saying he and his fellow bishops "are strongly committed to protecting the dignity and worth of every human person" and supported "the intent of law to provide equal protection for all. However, such purpose does not have to trump the natural and traditional definition of marriage between a man and a woman," he added in the statement. "The law has found other ways to regulate civil unions without destroying the traditional understanding of marriage. We believe - as do the majority of Californians - that marriage between a man and a woman is foundational to our culture and crucial for human perpetuity," Bishop Blaire said. In a November 4, 2008, vote, 52 per cent of the state's electorate approved Proposition 8.
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June 3 2009, The Record
PERSPECTIVES
Catholicism gave me clarity, hope, truth
Something amiss in churches Isay Isa By Mark Reidy
W
Wati Regan
1
grew up in Indonesia, Jakarta where 80 per cent of the population is Muslim. My father was a very strong Muslim. My maternal grandmother was Catholic and was originally from Holland. She migrated to Indonesia and married an Indonesian Muslim. Our family lived as Muslims. Now I am not a practising Muslim because I no longer believe in it. In Catholicism there is equality. There is diversity but we are all equal. I argued a lot about religion with my late father who was a good man.I told him I am an adult now and I make my own decisions. I am an individual. As I was growing up I was looking for answers. I later found them as a Catholic. In Jakarta I went to a private with Debbie Warner school. I wasn't learning how to be Catholic but was in a Catholic environment. I liked the values the nuns taught and wanted my children to have the same. Another big influence was my late Aunty who was a good Catholic. I noticed that she enjoyed life, was non-judgmental and respected others. When I married I migrated with my husband Jim to Australia in 1998. My in-laws are strong Catholics and are a good influence on my children Savannah and Ethan. They didn't force me to change my religion. It was my own decision. After my son Ethan was baptised I decided to convert. The baptism was the turning point because I realised I wanted to be able to answer my children's questions about their faith. I wanted to be a part of their spiritual life, like going with them to Mass. I wanted them to grow up in that culture. I studied Catholicism with the help of my then parish priest, Father Hyu Nguyen. I found the Old Testament had similarities to some of the Muslim beliefs. Muslims recognise the prophets recorded in the Bible. Between the two faiths there is continuity in the history. One of the main differences is Muslims don't recognise Jesus as the Son of God but see Him as a prophet. I also found that there is a lot more freedom as a Catholic. My mother was quite upset when I converted. She asked me why and I said: "Because I have my own family and am responsible for them. I want to give my children values they can carry for the rest of their lives." Ibecame Catholic in 2005. My life is wonderful. There was a hole inside of me and my faith has filled it up. Before I was questioning what was right or wrong. Now I feel like I am on track. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. It was a 2.5cm lump and luckily hadn't spread. After 12 months of chemotherapy I was given the all clear by my doctor. WhenI was sick the parish and school helped out with my children. My children andI had a strong sense of community. Fr Hyu Nguyen supported me through the crisis. The parishioners prayed for me and I prayed for strength to go through the journey. My faith carried me through that difficult time. Faith constructs character.Ibelieve in something I can't see but feel. It is some sort of invisible guidance. IfI pray things become easier. God exists.
WhyI became Catholic
If you have a story to tell please contact Debbie via debwarrier@hotmail.com
hat would you do if, during Sunday Mass, a dishevelled individual with an overpowering odour sat down next to you? Are you more likely to greet them with a nod and a warm smile or rather, clutch your wallet or handbag closely and discreetly put some distance between yourself and this stranger? Would you seek them out afterwards and make them welcome or would you strategically occupy yourself with those you know, so that you wouldn't find yourself trapped in an awkward conversation? According to a number of those I know who are homeless or mentally ill or suffering with addictions, their personal experience with Catholic congregations has been a negative one. Those individuals who have been courageous enough to wander into the inner sanctum of a church have usually left feeling unwelcome and even further alienated. There is obviously something amiss. When Jesus walked the earth He went out of his way to embrace those who had been rejected by society: those with leprosy or in prostitution and others that society at that time considered to be sinners and living outside the favour of God. "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners," Jesus said (Mk 2:17). So what has gone wrong over the past 2000 years? That is not to say that all who attend church are righteous, as we all fall short of the perfection of God, but why does there seem to be an absence from our churches of those who dwell on the periphery of society? Where are the homeless, the mentally ill and others who feel rejected by the broader population? Have we
A homeless man rolls a cigarette at a tent city for the homeless in California.
become such a comfortable middle class community that we have unconsciously erected barriers that deter those who challenge us or make us feel uneasy? I couldn't help but ponder this predicament as I watched the tragic unravelling of Brisbane's St Mary's parish under the leadership of Father Peter Kennedy. Here was a congregation that seemed to be filled with fringe-dwelling individuals who had found a place to call home. The homeless, the indigenous, single parents, mentally ill, refugees, the divorced, those with homosexual tendencies and those who had felt wounded by the Church, were among those who felt embraced by this parish. Sadly though, this haven for those who had felt excluded was being built on the foundation of some erroneous doctrine being espoused by Father Kennedy. He had become a bridge for the marginalised, but unfortunately it wasn't a bridge that was leading them back to the true Catholic faith. So does this mean that it is an either/ or proposition? That the Church can only be all-embracing if it compromises on the fullness of truth that has been entrusted to Her?
PHOTO. CNS
Or that living out this truth will mean that some must be excluded from it? It cannot be. St Paul tells us that the church must be a place "where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, Barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free: but Christ is all, and in all:' (Col 3:11). In other words, everyone is equal in the eyes of God. That is not to say the choices of all are to be embraced, but that each person must be welcomed as a son and daughter of God. The problem we encounter today, therefore, where the broken and marginalised do not feel welcomed or treated as equals, does not stem from the teachings of the Catholic Church, but rather from the implementation of these teachings. The issue may at first appear so complex that most people do not know where to begin, but in reality, the first step is simple. Perhaps the next time you encounter someone that makes you feel uncomfortable, you can choose to not follow your urge to turn the other way, but instead ask yourself what Jesus would have done. You never know, the hand that you reach out with may be the one that leads them to knowing the fullness of God's love.
We must not allow ourselves to be Being_ Heard By John Heard SUPPORT
'A "Serious And Courageous Cultural Dialogue" About Marriage' - Evangelium Vitae
THE FREEDOM
TO MARRY
Walk as children of light...and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness. - (Eph 5:8, 10-1)
T
hose who defend marriage and the family are quickly discerning that we face new challenges. The "gay marriage" debate threatens to outrun our best instincts. Whereas in the past the threat came mainly from without - from activist courts, say, such as the Supreme Court in California that briefly allowed "gay marriage" - new gaps have appeared inside the marriage camp. These threaten to leave holes in the rhetoric of life, and cause new fissures to open up between marriage defenders and the voting public. After a period of significant advance - the same court in California just handed down a judgement affirming the democratic outcome of Proposition 8, and the ALP National Conference in July will confirm that no major political party in Australia supports "gay mar-
Activists rally in Hollywood in response to the hearing that California's Supreme Court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage in San Francisco on May 26. The high court ruled that day that the ban, known as Proposition 8 and approved by the state's voters last fall, is constitutional. PHOTO. CNS/MARIO ANZUONI, REUTERS)
riage" - there is time now for consolidation. Certainly, if those who seek to defend marriage and the family learn nothing from the recent history of legislative action, judicial turmoil and cultural angst, we will fail in future struggles. It is timely, then, to consider some key lessons. First, those who oppose "gay marriage' for religious reasons, or because of serious philosophical convictions, cannot simply state their faith, or describe their convictions, and then leave the debate. While it is true that Christians
make up the majority of the voting public in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, and any fact of widespread aspiration - of deeply held, tremendously meaningful shared values - should be impressive in any properly democratic society, Christians and others will not prevail in an explicitly secular context, on any issue, let alone on debates concerning heavily secularised legal institutions such as marriage, while deploying merely religious arguments. This first lesson leads into the second. Legal marriage is, in most juris-
June 3 2009, The Record
Page 13
PERSPECTIVES
Christianity boosted technology In clear view
Responsible youth for a new beginning
By Guy Crouchback
Fr Anthony Paganoni, Scalabrinian, continues his series on a long-running successful initiative in youth ministry in the province of Lombardy, Italy.
I
n What Is Good? the British historical and philosophical populariser AC Grayling, Reader in Philosophy at Birbeck College at the University of London, complained about the influence exerted by Christianity before, during and after the Middle Ages, claiming that, following six or seven centuries from the height of classical Athens to the last of the Antonine dynasty in Imperial Rome, in the succeeding period: "more than twice as long, the Western world for most of that time restricted to Europe - lay under the ideological hegemony of Christianity ..." The rather obvious fact that Grayling missed - the elephant in the room, to use current jargon - is that those years (if one does in fact pick a 1300-year period, say the years 500 to 1800) were marked by progress and improvement in the human condition dwarfing all previous achievements of civilisation since civilisation began, with the groundwork laid for all the even greater advances that were about to come. The period of "intellectual hegemony of Christianity" which Grayling deplores was the period of the greatest advance in human happiness, scientific and technological knowledge, progress and freedom that humanity has ever known. Ancient civilisations in many ways resembled one another far more than they resembled modern scientific and technological civilisation, which is qualitatively different. The technological ceiling on human progress unitl Christianity can perhaps be illustrated as follows: Suppose an architect from the great pyramid-building time of Ancient Egypt - about 2900 BC - was transported forward in time 3000 years, to Rome of the 1st Century AD. He would of course notice many differences.
The _n 1• ItaanWay The great roads and bridges would probably attract his admiration, if he did not consider them a waste of resources which could have been spent more sensibly building a halfway-decent pyramid. There would be considerably more and stronger metal used. There would be great invisible differences in ways of thinking and perceiving the world, including the influences of Greece and even of Judea. But basically, after 3000 years, there would probably be nothing about the technology - except possibly for concrete or cement - which he could not quickly understand or which would contain any mysteries for him. Perhaps the great baths would mean fewer fleas and lice for those who used them, if not necessarily for the slaves who stoked the furnaces below to provide the hot water and steam. That steam probably lifted the lids of kettles as it had done in Egypt, and as in Egypt, no-one conceived that it might lift anything else. The most advanced transport was still animal-powered, ships still had sails and oars, and all still depended on the sweat of slaves. The most universal and efficient accelerator for both humans and animals was still the whip or for draught animals something crueler.
Bones were set and other surgery carried out with rudimentary or nonexistent anesthetics, as was child-birth and dentistry. That babies and infants would die in large numbers was taken for granted. People's eye-sight deteriorated if they lived much beyond their twenties and nothing could be done about it. Women would have almost no formal power. As in ancient Egypt, a tiny minority of priests and others could read and write on scrolls or boards or chisel characters in stone. Jump our ancient Egyptian forward again, for about another 500 years, to about 600AD, and there would be little visible progress, indeed areas of regression. But then something unprecedented began. Take our Egyptian forward another 850 years, a small period compared to that which he has already travelled, to 1950 ad., and he would be in a world of miracles. We do not know what he would find if he went on another 200 years, to 2150. He might find a civilisation which had reached the stars, where multi-century life-spans were taken for granted. Or he might find he had come right back where he started from.
characterised as bigots for marriage dictions, something other than the Sacrament of Matrimony. While some might challenge the historical movements, the cultural changes and legal upheavals that have resulted in certain civil marriage schemes, one will not win the current "gay marriage" argument by pretending that the law is other than it is (and has been) for some time. Third, the historical experience of the English-speaking peoples has been such that, for the most part (Britain's Established Church is an historical anomaly) we celebrate the doctrine of the separation of Church and state. Just as it would be unwise to ignore the constant teaching of the Popes on the same issue (that there can be no temporal justice without proper reference to and harmony with the eternal law), it is crazy for those who defend marriage and the family to ignore the popular force of the doctrine. Certainly Christians have reason to believe that, in some (but not all) historical cases, the separation of Church and State has been a good thing. It has, after all, sometimes operated so as to protect the Church from an overweening State, whether an heretical ruler bent on humiliating the Popes, or the various forms of totalising atheism that roiled the Twentieth Century. English Catholics in particular have good historical cause to lament too much political interference in matters of doctrine. Christians who seek to defend marriage must recognise then (the fourth lesson), that a pluralistic, explicitly secular nation demands a peculiar sort of politics. While we must not pollute our ethical perspective, and we can-
not equivocate on matters of faith and morals, we must continue to formulate and apply extra-religious arguments (eg, facts from social science, sound logic, evidence from the natural sciences) to make ourselves relevant to, and heard within the context of, a web of secular institutions - marriage included. Simply being Christians, or any other sort of conscientious objectors to "gay marriage; simply being in the majority or part of an historically important bloc, will not always help the case for marriage. Those who seek to defend marriage and the family in the secular context must appeal to so-called universal norms, then, adopting the language of international human rights, the rhetoric of common sense - and we must always speak of freedom. This is because, and it is the fifth point, those who seek to impose "gay marriage" often mistake it for a civil rights issue. In the same way, then, that the courts imposed desegregation in the "Jim Crow" South - and were justified, indeed virtuous, loving, and correct - in doing so (for the sake of human rights, recognising the dignity of those who were called slaves, serving the enduring call of freedom) those who credit the arguments for "gay marriage" think they are the right side of history. As the Abolitionist Theodore Parker stated, "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice". This is the sort of rhetoric that the most successful homoactivists deploy. Christians who, by our common beliefs and shared values, are (1) called to defend fundamental human rights,
(2) recognise everywhere the dignity of all human beings from conception until natural death, and (3) have something uniquely redemptive to say about human freedom, should not shrink from this language. It is, after all, properly ours. This is the sixth lesson. Those who seek to defend marriage and the family serve the common good. Our movement is defined by a humanism of breathtaking depth, and we venerate an idea of flourishing that is singularly beautiful. Catholics must not forget this fact. We must not allow ourselves to be characterised as bigots, and we must not act like bigots. We must resist efforts to restrict our freedom of religion with legislative penalties. We must wage the good fight and, where we lose for the moment, we must demand conscience clauses to protect employees, professionals, pastors and others from coercion. Good people everywhere must speak joyfully of marriage, and defend the happy home, avoiding all bitterness and spite. Because, finally, "you catch more flies with honey". The proverb is pragmatic, but the seventh and final lesson is also instructive for another reason. Christianity is a love religion. Catholics worship the God Who is Love. We profess Christ nailed to a tree, for love. Any properly formed, any reasonably argued, any freedom-defending intervention on behalf of marriage and the family must be made lovingly. Those who seek to influence the "gay marriage" debate in any other way will fail, and we will deserve our failure. - emaildreadnought@gmad.com
..
.
Tony Paganoni, Scalabrinian Intriguing developments in Youth Ministry
Youth services online.
0
ne final, and perhaps most significant, finding of the research study on the involvement of the Church in Lombardy with its youth via a wide range of targeted activities is the need to (professionalise' its youth services. Of course nothing can replace the vast amount of goodwill demonstrated by adults and young people alike, but their store of experience, skills and knowledge accumulated over the years needs to be monitored and subsequently disseminated for the benefit of everybody. The Oratori programs, the Cre-Grest, and special programs for youth leaders should be monitored and made available in such a way as to become a Church-wide experience. The documents of the Church stress, time and again, that the task of educating the young is incumbent on the whole Catholic community. Revisiting the history of the Oratori and the massive effort assembled for the Cre-Grest has been a healthy process, leading one to wonder how much can be achieved with scant resources apart from the vast reservoir of goodwill. This ripple effect begins with the very young, goes on to touch adolescents and young people, and then reaches the adults (including priests and Religious) and vice-versa. It evokes an informal, elastic sense of community, where mutual understanding and support are very real. The Oratorio experience is not highly structured. Nor is it framed within very clear and precise parameters. Priorities, programs and strategies are continually reformulated and shaped according to the needs that arise. The participants, ie the young people at varying degrees of development, are constantly forcing changes and adaptations. Growing together in a spirit of informality, where nothing is final but everybody can become responsible for a new beginning - this is its genius. Common objections along the lines that "Far too much time seems to be spent playing games together, so that young people do not show much care for the premises they use, and the core leadership (priests and small band of adults) seem to be lenient about excesses in exuberant behaviour" are, in the final analysis, small costs towards gaining the great outcomes being silently achieved. The youngest as well as the oldest users of the Oratorio facilities know for a fact that the Church is never far away, that the people offering this service are well connected with the Church and are not motivated by fame or profit, but only by their goodwill to be of help. In the daily interactions with a variety of older people, the younger ones begin to experience a sense of belonging and of community. As local experiences come together like tiny tiles in a great mosaic, as networking between the youth ministries becomes the rule, it will also be important (so the study suggests) to move along with the times and with the young people, with their ever-changing modes of communication among themselves and with the adult world. The marketing skills of modern technology draft people, young ones particularly, into acting like sheep. The Oratorio stands out as a place where young people can at least encounter their individual humanity and experience their Godgiven uniqueness.
Page 14
PANORAMA
June 3 2009, The Record
A roundup of events in the Archdiocese
Panorama entries must be in by 12pm Monday. Contributions may be emailed to administration@therecord.com.au, faxed to 9227 7087, or mailed to PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902. Submissions over 55 words will be edited. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 will be a put into classifieds and charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment. Sunday June 7 DIVINE MERCY 1.30pm at St Joachim's, Shepperton Road and Harper Street, Victoria Park. Holy Rosary and Reconciliation. Sermon with Fr Doug Harris on Adoration of Jesus followed by Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction. Later refreshments will be provided followed by a Video/DVD to be selected. Eng: 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608. Monday June 8 MONTHLY MASS 9am at Sisters of St Joseph's Chapel, 16 York Street, South Perth, Mass in honour of Blessed Mary MacKillop. Everyone welcome. Eng: Sr Maree 0414 683 926. Wednesday June 10 CHAPLETS OF THE DIVINE MERCY 7.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Dean Road, Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion to be accompanied by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and followed by Benediction. All are welcome. Eng: George 9310 9493 home or 9325 2010 work. Wednesday June 10 WOMEN'S RETREAT DAY 10am to 2pm at 9 Talus Drive, Armadale. Morning tea provided. BYO shared lunch. Cost by donation to Schoenstatt Sisters. Eng: Mary 0400 553 140. Thursday June 11 ST PEREGRINE HEALING MASS 7pm at SS John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Road, off South Street, Willetton. A Healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, Patron of Cancer sufferers and helper of all in need. The celebration will include Veneration of the Relic, and Anointing of the Sick. Eng: Noreen 9498 7727. Friday June 12 ALAN AMES HEALING MASS 7pm at St Anthony's Catholic Church, 96 Innamincka Road, Greenmount, followed by talk and healing service. Friday June 12 to Sunday June 14 FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI Forty-Hour Eucharist Adoration 6pm, June 12 at Holy Trinity Church, Embleton. Mass at 9am, June 14 followed by Eucharistic Procession, Benediction and fellowship in the Hall. Please bring a plate to share. Eng: Office 9271 5528, George 9272 1379. Saturday June 13 PADRE PIO PRAYER DAY 8.30am at St Jerome's Church, 24 Troode Street, Munster. St Padre Pio DVD, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy, silent Adoration and Benediction. Holy Mass using St Padre Pio liturgy, at 1lam, celebrant Fr Tiziano Bogoni. Confession will be available. BYO lunch, tea and coffee provided. Eng: Des 6278 1540. Sunday June 14 BULLSBROOK HEALING MASS 2pm at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Road, Bullsbrook. Rosary followed by Pilgrim Mass and the Sacrament of the Sick. Confession in English and Italian prior to all celebrations. Eng: SACR 9447 3292. Sunday June 14 WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA Holy Hour of Reparation 3pm at St Jerome's Church, Troode Street, Munster. All welcome. Eng: 9339 2614. Sunday June 14 AWAKENINGS A God Experience Retreat With a Difference 8.45am-4pm. Patrist House, 7 Warde Street, Midland, conducted by Father Douglas Rowe SFP. Attendance for full day is necessary. BYO lunch, light refreshments provided. Must book, 9250 5395.
Sunday June 14 TOODYAY FRANCISCAN FRIARY Annual Corpus Christi Procession 10.30am at 36 Stirling Terrace, Toodyay. Holy Mass, followed by a procession at 12.30pm. Bus services available. BYO lunch. Eng: Des 6278 1540 or Nita 9367 1366, or Franciscan Friars 9574 5204. Friday June 19 SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS 6.50pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Keaney Place, City Beach. Rosary and Litanies, 7.30pm, Holy Mass and Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary and Benediction. Celebrant Fr Don Kettle representing Archbishop Hickey. Novena to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart, June 11-19, weekdays, 6.20am, Saturday 5.30pm, and Sunday 7.30am. Friday June 19 THE ALLIANCE, TRIUMPH AND REIGN OF THE HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY 7.30pm at St Bernadette's Church, Glendalough, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Rosaries, hymns and reflections. Prayer vigil concludes at midnight with a Holy Mass in honour of and thanksgiving to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Eng: Father Doug Harris 9444 6131 or Dorothy 9342 5845. Sunday June 21 DOMINICAN LAITY OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY 10am at Doubleview Parish, Mass in the church, and then continuing in the priory. All welcome for a day of reflection. All welcome. Eng: Jeff 9446 3655. Sunday June 21 TAIZE STYLE PRAYER 7pm - 8pm at Sisters of St Joseph Chapel, 16 York Street, South Perth, everyone is welcome to join in the Meditative Prayer. Time to be still and listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart. There will be scripture and singing of the chants, intercessory prayer in a beautiful candlelight chapel in an atmosphere of silence and prayer. Bring a friend and a torch. Eng: Sr Maree 0414 683926. Friday June 26 MEDJUGORJE EVENING OF PRAYER 7pm at Our Lady of the Mission, 270 Camberwarra Drive, Craigie. Adoration, Rosary, followed by Holy Mass. Free inspirational DVD on conversion of Fr Calloway given. All welcome. Eng: 9402 2480. Sunday June 28 GOSPEL CONCERT 1.30pm to 4.15pm at St Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle, Western Australia's finest gospel performers will come together for a traditional, ecumenical concert, providing quality, uplifting spiritual music with opportunity to participate. Profits will support Cross Roads Community in providing drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Tickets: $15 adults and $3 children. Only available, advance purchase. Eng: erichancock@swiftdsl.com.au or 9446 1558. Sunday July 5 DIVINE MERCY 1.30pm at St Joachim's Church Shepperton Road and Harper Street, Victoria Park. Rosary and Reconciliation. Sermon on St Thomas the Apostle, with Fr Anthony Van Dyke OP, followed by Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction. Refreshments, followed by Video/DVD to be selected. Eng: 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608. Thursday July 9 to Sunday July 12 MARIAPOLIS 2009 - LOVE CREATES WISDOM 2pm at the Institute of Agriculture, Curtin University Campus, Muresk, Northam. Come for spiritual renewal. Emphasis will be on living the Gospel together and learning to build relationships based on Jesus' New Commandment, so as to take that experience back to our environment. Eng: 9349 4052 or www.focolare.org. PICTORIAL EXHIBITION The Norbertine Golden Jubilee of Presence in Australia is being displayed at the Chapter Room of the Priory at 135
Treasure Road, Queens Park until 13 June, after which it will move to the Parish of York for another two weeks display. Eng: 9458 2729 or 9514 5586. EVERY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Oblates of St Benedict Meeting 2pm, St Joseph's Convent, York Street, South Perth. Oblates affiliated with the Benedictine Abbey of New Norcia invite all who are interested in studying the rule of St Benedict and its relevance to the everyday life of today for lay people. Vespers and tea conclude meetings. Eng: 9457 5758. SPARE SUNDAY LECTIONARY Thomas Perron Village and Joseph Cooke House have Mass celebrated each weekend for the residents. Some of the residents have difficulty reading the small print in the ordinary missals. Would any parish have spare Sunday Lectionary they could pass on to us and we could collect in the metropolitan area? Phone Rosemary 9259 4859 or Glenis 9259 5761. ARCHBISHOP GOODY AWARD The Archbishop Goody Award was established in 1983 by The Most Reverend Sir Launcelot Goody, KBE. The Award aims to further the lay apostolate in the Archdiocese of Perth by financing the formation, education and training of lay people to serve the Church according to their particular calling and talents. Applications are to be submitted before July 31. Eng: Kim 9384 0598 or claremont,&perthcatholic.org.au. PERPETUAL ADORATION Started at Highgate Parish March 2003, the Blessed Sacrament has been exposed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be willing to spend one hour a week with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament so that Jesus is never left alone. There are vacant hours, come be with Jesus. Eng: Helen 9444 7962 or 0413 845 893. SACRED HEART OF JESUS - PIONEERS Any Pioneers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus out there in society who would like to meet other members in prayer and reflection, we offer an invitation. Eng: John 9457 7771. Every Tuesday BIBLE TEACHING WITH A DIFFERENCE 7.30pm, St Joachim's Parish Hall, Shepparton Road, Victoria Park. Come and hear. Light refreshments will follow. Bring along your Bible, a notebook and a friend. Eng: Jan 9284 1662. Every Wednesday CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY- HOLY HOUR 5.30pm Mass at Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary Street, Highgate. 6.30pm Holy Hour and adoration. Dinner available at $5 donation. Eng: www.cym.com.au or call 9422 7912. Every Sunday DIVINE MERCY NOVENA 3pm, St Aloysius Church, Shenton Park. Every Friday EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 7.30pm, Holy Family Church, Lot 375, Alcoa Street, Maddington. Prayers for healing and deliverance. Eng: 9381 5383.
Every 4th Sunday of the Month HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD A ND RELIGIOUS LIFE 2-3pm, Morley Parish Church, 47 Wellington Road, Morley. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Come and reflect on the grace of being called to serve God in consecrated life. Prayer works! All Welcome. Eng: 9276 8500. Every Monday BIBLE TIME LINE A journey through the Bible Beginning June 8, 7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Emilie, 12 Hardwick Boulvard, Canning Vale. Come and discover a deeper insight into God's ongoing plan of salvation, how the Bible unlocks many questions of biblical places and events, about the various books of the Bible. Registration necessary, limited seating. Eng: Dominic and Helen 04 4705 3347 or 08 6253 8041 celestialorchids@gmail.com Every Monday ADORATION AND EVENING PRAYER 7pm at St Thomas Parish, 2 College Road, Claremont. Adoration and evening prayer. Followed with confessions, Benediction, night prayer and Mass. Eng: 9384 0598. Every Tuesday NIGHT PRAYER MEETINGS 7pm, St Mary's Cathedral Parish Centre, 450 Hay Street, Perth. Overcome the burdens in life making prayer your lifeline with Jesus. Personal healing in prayer, Rosary, meditation, Scripture, praise in song, friendship, refreshments. Appreciate the heritage of the Faith living life abundantly. Every Thursday CATHOLIC QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 6pm-7.30pm, St Joseph's Church, 20 Hamilton Street, Bassendean, with Father John Corapi's Catechism of the Catholic Church. Every First Friday HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE 7pm, Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins Street, Glendalough. Mass celebrated by Fr Saminedi. Followed by Adoration with Fr Don Kettle. All welcome. Refreshments provided. Every Saturday HOLY SPIRIT OF FREEDOM CHARISMATIC PRAYER MEETING 10.30am-12.30pm, St Peter the Apostle Church Hall, 91 Wood Street, Inglewood. All are most welcome. Eng: 9475 0554. Every 1st and 3rd Sunday of Each Month ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL SINGERS CHOIR 9.30am, St Joachim's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Park. Seeking new members. Be part of singing at the refurbished St Mary's Cathedral. Full training provided. Eng: Michael 041 429 4338 or michael@michaelpeters.id.au. Every First Friday of the month ST PADRE PIO - LATIN MASS 7.30pm, St Joseph's, 22 Hamilton St, Bassendean.
MISSION MATTERS
Missionary reflections on the Feast of the Holy Trinity On this Feast of the Holy Trinity we celebrate the mystery and power
of God's eternal Love and communion with us. It is a Love that gives Catholic missionaries throughout the world the strength and courage to accompany the victims of violence and persecution despite the risks to their own lives. It is a Love that leads to martyrdom, knowing that He will always be with us, yes, even to the end of time. So it is fitting that on this Feast of the Holy Trinity we remember the sacrifice of Fr Mariampillai Sarathjeevan, a missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, who chose to remain with the trapped civilian population during the recently -ended civil war in Sri Lanka. May the choice he made inspire our own call to missionary outreach to the victims of violence and persecution in our own community. Interested in overseas missionary experience, then call Catholic Mission on 94227933'
June 3 2009, The Record
CLASSIFIEDS
Confirmation candidates consider the poor
A DVERTISEMENTS Classifieds: $3.30/line incl. GST ACCOMMODATION • ST ANNE'S CHURCH, BINDOON For retreat, family, group or single $25 per night or $100 for family or group. BYO food. Tea/coffee provided. Tel 9571 1839 or 9576 0006
• GUADALUPE HILL TRIGG www.beachhouseperth.com Ph: 0400 292 100.
• HOLIDAY RENTAL SCARBOROUGH Self contained unit. Sleeps 6. Walk to beach. Ph 0402673409.
BUILDING TRADES • BRICK RE-POINTING Phone Nigel 9242 2952.
• PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perrott 9444 1200.
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Page 15
Deadline: 12pm Monday RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS
• CATHOLICS CORNER Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for baptism, communion and confirmation. Ph: 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Road, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat.
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• RICH HARVEST YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, baptism/communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at 39 Hulme Court (off McCoy St), Myaree, 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat). We are here to serve.
• OTTIMO Shop 108, TRINITY ARCADE (Terrace Level) Hay St, Perth. Ph 9322 4520. Convenient city location for a good selection of Christian products/gifts. We also have handbags, fashion accessories.Opening hours Monday-Friday 9am-6pm.
Top service. Phone 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.
BOOK REPAIRS • REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS General repairs to books, old bibles & missals. 2ndhand Catholic books avail. Tydewi Bindery 9293 3092.
FURNITURE REMOVAL • ALL AREAS Mike Murphy 0416 226 434.
HEALTH • FREE Sample pack for Extra energy and Weight loss. Call - 02 98075337 or 0432 274 643.
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SETTLEMENTS / FINANCE • FOR EVERYTHING FINANCE Ph. DecIan 0422 487 563, www.goalfinancialservices.com.au Save yourself time, money and stress. FBL 4712
Frs Liam Keating SMA and Michael Evans SMA confirm candidates at Christ the King parish church in Beaconsfield. Below, the gifts for the poor from the candidates. PHOTOS. EUGENE MATTES
THANKSGIVINGS Thanks to St Anthony, St Jude for prayers answered. - Ron Dear St Expeditus, You who insisted on receiving the palm of martyrdom TODAY! instead of tomorrow, thank you for the prompt sale of home as requested. Also thanks for other prompt personal matters of providence. I spread your fame as promised. - A.L.
Beaconsfield parish's Confirmations had a special touch. THE Church of Christ the King at Beaconsfield was packed on Friday evening and on Saturday morning - May 29-30 - as 72 candidates were confirmed. What made the ceremony different from other confirmations was that every candidate arrived with a food parcel for
needy people in our community. Three cars were packed with parcels after the ceremony to fill the cupboards of St Vincent de Paul conferences in Willetton, Yangebup and Hilton. Calls for food parcels have risen in the last few months as people find it harder to cope. Any food donations like breakfast cereals, tins of fruit, vegetables and meat are greatly appreciated by the different St Vincent de Paul conferences.
the Parish the Nation the World
• COUNSELLING/PSYCHOTHERAPY www.christianpsychologistinfo Tel: 9203 5278.
Walk with Him Daily Mass Readings 7 5 TRINITY SUNDAY Solemnity Wh Deut 4:32-34.39-40 The Lord is God Ps 32:4-6.9.18-20.22 Justice and right Abba! Father! Rom 8:14-17 Father, Son, Spirit Mt 28:16-20
8 M Gr 2Cor 1:1-7 Ps 33:2-9 Mt 5:1-12
Sharing sufferings Glorify the Lord The Beatitudes
9 T St Ephrem, Deacon, Doctor of the Church (0) Gr Seal and pledge 2Cor 1:18-22 Ps 118:129-133.135 I obey your will Salt and light Mt 5:13-16
lOWGr 2Cor 3:4-11 Ps 98:5-9 Mt 5:17-19
Spirit gives life The Lord is holy Not to abolish
11 Th St Barnabas, apostle (M) Red Acts 11:21-16; 13:1-3 A god man Ps 127:1-5 Walk in God's way Mk 12:28-34 Love your neighbour 12FGr 2Cor 4:7-15 Power from God Ps 115:10-11.15-18 Sorely afflicted Mt 5:27-32 Control self; respect others 13 S St Anthony of Padua, Priest, Doctor of the Church (M) Wh Christ's ambassadors 2Cor 5:14-21 Ps 102:1-4.8-9.11-12 All guilt forgiven Do not swear at all Mt 5:33-37 4 1
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THE RECORD
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BIBLE STORIES for Childreo
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SAINTS AND ANGELS By Clare Llewellyn Intended as an introduction to the saints and angels of Christianity for readers 8 and up and younger listeners, this compact book is so beautifully produced—with illustrations taken from medieval and Renaissance art, attractive page layouts, feast days and patronage noted in the margin, gilt-edged pages, and a ribbon marker—that it is a helpful and entertaining reference for worshippers of any age. RRP $21.95 **Special $11.95** +p/h
ANSWERING THE NEW ATHEISM MY LITTLE GOOD NIGHT PRAYERS BOX SET
This offers opportunities for making bedtime a cherished time, with themes such as God's presence, forgiveness, love, and kindness including time in God's Word, fun songs, soothing rhymes, parent-child activities, prayers and praises. RRP $24.95 NOW $9.95 ONLY AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST!
THE GIFT OF CONFESSION A Positive Approach to the Sacrament of Reconciliation By Fr Michael de Stoop FOREWORD BY CARDINAL GEORGE PELL Our consumer society has conditioned us to ask ourselves such things as, 'What do I get out of it? What is in it for me?' Rather than fight against this mentality, why not use it in our efforts to help people renew their interest in Confession. It demonstrates that Confession gives us much more than it takes away! Taking 'negative' things (sin) away is one thing for which this sacrament is well known, but how many people think of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in terms of the 'positive' things it provides for us? It is illustrated with interesting analogies, true stories, Church teaching, quotes from the saints and answers to popular questions. RRP $19.95 +postage
Dismantling Dawkins' Case Against God By Scott Hahn and Benjamin Wiker In their new release, Scott Hahn and Benjamin Wiker dismantle the underpinnings of Richard Dawkins' atheistic agenda. This book cuts through the shoddy reasoning, logical blunders, and factual errors that populate Richard Dawkins' bestselling book 'The God Delusion'. In their final chapter, Hahn and Wiker explore the potential social consequences of secular atheism and demonstrate the dangers of atheism unchecked. RRP $26.95+postage
RATZINGER'S FAITH The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI By Tracy Rowland A general introduction to the theology of Pope Benedict XVI, including his approach to issues in moral and political theology, ecclesiology, liturgy, interpretations of the of the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and the theology of history. Tracey Rowland also addresses the question of Pope Benedict's place in the constellation of contemporary Catholic theologians. Her book includes an extensive thematic bibliography, which will be valuable for students. RRP $39.95 +postage
RATZI NG ER'S FAITH
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