• Archbishop Hickey issues Pastoral Letter on the Year for Priests - Page 6 • Perth ordinations: photos, report - Vista 2-3 • Why Benedict XVI called a Year for Priests: Cardinal Claudio Hummes - Vista1 "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."
THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD. tv-ww.therecord.com.ati
Western Australia's award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday June 10 2009
Perth, Western Australia $2
"Priests VimvaIIEUnlocli hearts"
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Archbishop Barry Hickey kisses the annointed hands of Fr Jeronimo Jesus De Flamenco after having been blessed and prayed over by the newly-ordained priest at Infant Jesus Church in Morley last Friday evening. Just days before a special Year for Priests decreed by Pope Benedict XVI commenced, Archbishop Hickey ordained four men to the priesthood of the Church for the Archdiocese of Perth.
PHOTO P ROSENGREN
Four more priests for the Archdiocese of Perth
New presbyters come from all over the globe - and Canberra. • By Peter Rosengren
CLOSE to 1000 people packed out Infant Jesus Church in Morley to see Archbishop Barry Hickey
ordain four more priests for the Archdiocese of Perth on Friday night. Ordained were: Andrew Lotton, Jean-Noel Antoine Marie, Jeronimo De Jesus Flamenco and Bonaventure Anny Echeta. The large turnout re-emphasised the importance of the priesthood in the life of the Church as people from all over Perth packed the side aisles and the main entrance
to Infant Jesus; a standing roomonly congregation saw individuals spill out onto the outside covered verandah areas for the duration of the ceremonies. Also present were relatives from three nations across the globe who had come to see their sons and brothers begin lives as priests in one of the most remote nations in the world. Father Jean-Noel hails
from Mauritius, Father Jeronimo Flamenco from El Salvador and Father Bonaventure from Nigeria. While each of these three began seminary studies or discernment of their vocation in other countries, all completed their formation at St Charles Seminary in Guildford. Also present were family and clergy from Canberra and Continued on Vista 3
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June 10 2009, The Record
THE PARISH
EDITOR Peter Rosengren cathrec@iinet.netau
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JOURNALISTS Anthony Barich abarich@therecord.com.au Mark Reidy reidyrec@iinet.net.au Robert Hiini rthiini@gmail.com PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING Justine Stevens production@therecord.com.au
Patti J UB I L E E 2 00 8 - 2 0 0 9
"This new is about, Jesus Christ out Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience offaith to allpagan nations in honour of hi.s. Romans 1, 3-6 name."
New Perth Sisters take vows
ACCOUNTS Cathy Baguley recaccounts@iinetnet.au ADMINISTRATION Bibiana Kwaramba administration@therecord. com.au BOOKSHOP Caroline Radelic bookshop@therecord.com.au CONTRIBUTORS 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.
SAINT OF THE WEEK
Germaine of Pibrac c. 1579-1601 June 15
A shepherdess, Germaine Cousin was born near Toulouse, France. An unhealthy child, she had a swollen neck, possibly from tuberculosis, and a withered hand. At home, her stepmother treated her badly, giving her scraps to eat and making her sleep in the stable or a cupboard under the stairs. From the age of 9, she was sent out daily to tend sheep. Neighbors ridiculed her generous nature and religious devotion until the day she opened her apron and beautiful flowers fell out. Not long after, she was found dead under the stairs. Many miraculous healings have been attributed to this saint.
CNS Saints
THE foundation members belonging to the community of The New Apostolate Consecrated in the Heart of the Holy Family made their perpetual profession at St Mary's Church in Leederville on May 5. Archbishop Barry Hickey was the main celebrant for the occasion, close family, friends and benefactors of The New Apostolate were in attendance. The New Apostolate Consecrated in the Heart of the Holy Family are essentially a contemplative community whose routine allows time for private and community prayer as well as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. They always welcome special intentions that people ask them to pray for. In addition to household chores they tend to their garden, as well as spend time in study and craft. They handmake leather book covers, Rosary beads, embroider baptismal sashes and decorate candles for various occasions such as baptisms and weddings. The sisters always welcome enquiries about their life and work and are willing to accommodate for a time, women who wish to experience their life and discern their vocation. The New Apostolate Consecrated in the Heart of the Holy Family originated in New South Wales, where two of its foundation members in 1992 were inspired by the Word of God to live in a manner that would characterise a living presence of the Holy Family in the world. Over the years other members joined and the community continued to put their faith in God's providence to meet their daily needs as well as living a life of prayer and contemplation on God's Word. They also engaged in various activities such as teaching Catechism to young children, conducting Bible reflections to demonstrate how Scripture applies to everyday living and making religious articles to help support themselves. In 2002 some members were invited to come to the Archdiocese of Perth and work at (Miriam's House' a crisis accommodation home, for pregnant women
Archbishop Barry Hickey with Sister Bernadette, Sister Catherine, Mother Rosa and Sister Anna at St Mary's Church in Leederville. PHOTO: COURTESY ROSE FIORUCCI
owned by Pregnancy Assistance. In 2004 the rest of the members came over to Perth and established themselves in Guildford. They continued to live out their apostolate by teaching Catechism and holding Bible reflections. In 2005, the community was canonically recognised as a private association of Christ's Faithful. After staffing Miriam's House for about five and a half years the community regrouped at their Guildford residence. The community has achieved a greater level of stability and early in 2009, Archbishop Hickey made the decision to grant the community public juridical personality. Included in this decision is the Archbishop's recognition of the members as fully professed Religious Sisters, constituting a Congregation of Diocesan Rite. The New Apostolate Consecrated in the Heart of the Holy Family and its many friends pray that one day it will have sufficient strength and size to make the final step in canon law of recognition as a Diocesan Congregation by the authorities in Rome. The New Apostolate Consecrated in
Archbishop helps Sheen cause A CONCERT to be opened by Archbishop Barry J Hickey on June 25 at Trinity College East Perth will be the first event celebrating the formation of the Fulton J Sheen Society incorporated in Perth 10 years ago. The not-for-profit society was founded to recognise the holiness and brilliance of the world-wide known Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J Sheen whose television show Life is Worth Living was watched by countless millions during the 1950s. These programs are still run on a weekly basis in the USA on the EWTN cable network. Archbishop Hickey, who met Sheen while studying for the priesthood in Rome, has given encouragement to the Society since its formation and has sung at a previous concert in 2005 at which 400 people attended.
the Heart of the Holy Family are currently undertaking studies and practical learning in childcare and related areas in order to prepare for their future. Their medium to long term aspiration is to provide a caring and safe family environment for the brfanellf (abandoned or neglected children). To this end, the community is praying for the provision of land sufficient for them to live, work and accommodate their plans. A further part of the Apostolate is to assist with the spread of the devotion known as 'The Chain of Mary' in league with 'The Chain of Mary Association Inc'. This devotion consists of committing to praying the same one decade of the Rosary daily, meditating on the mystery they have chosen. Through participation each person forms as it were, a 'link' in the long chain of participants who are praying for one another, reaping an abundance of grace. Every Tuesday, Mass is celebrated in the Sisters' chapel for all those enrolled in the devotion. The Chain of Mary booklets can be obtained from 'The Chain of Mary Association Inc' by phoning (08) 9377 7797 or writing to PO Box 438, Mt Hawthorn WA, 6916.
The Society is involved in having Sheen's books republished, as well as reproductions of his many talks, preachings, and retreats on CD's and DVD's as part of its aims to promote the full teachings of the Catholic Faith. The Society also assists in the cause of the canonisation of this great churchman which has progressed to the stage where all his works are under investigation by the Congregation for the Cause of Saints in Rome under the direction of the postulator Dr Ambrose. This investigation also includes an unexplained medical phenomenon attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Sheen. Part of the proceeds of this An Hour for Sheen concert will be given to Archbishop Hickey to assist him with his media campaign as well as other worthy works of charity. For further details on the June 25 event, to be held at 7.30pm, or of other artists performing on the evening, ring 9291 8224 or email sheensociety@globaldial.com
OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS June 2009
Flightw.;•rld
Confirmation, lnnaloo - Mgr Thomas McDonald
12-14
Parish Visitation, Girrawheen - Archbishop Hickey Parish Visitation, Beaconsfield - Bishop Sproxton
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Visit Confirmation candidates, Scarborough Archbishop Hickey
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A ...Isar, or friemorld Trave4 P, I tcl AEIN 2, ,3,91 825 02- bc &]A
200 St. George's Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Tel: 9322 2914 Fax: 9322 2915 michael4flightworld.com.au www.flightworld.com.au
12
Michael Deering 9322 2914
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25th Anniversary Mass, Lumen Christi College Archbishop Hickey Salvatorian Anniversary Mass, Greenmount Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton
21
Confirmation, Scarborough - Archbishop Hickey Blessing of Church Site, Canning Vale - Archbishop Hickey
School Assembly, Mercedes College - Archbishop Hickey
24
Confirmation, Mirrabooka - Archbishop Hickey
Clergy Gathering for Year of the Priest, St Charles Seminary Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton
25
10th Anniversary Fulton Sheen Concert Archbishop Hickey
June 10 2009, The Record
Page 3
THE PARISH
Aliens, women priests, test bishops Bishops tested by students. ABOUT half of Western Australia's Catholic primary and secondary schools tuned into LifeLink's interactive webcast via Westnet on Wednesday last week. The annual webcast was held to launch LifeLink Day through which schools raise funds for LifeLink, the organisation the Archdiocese uses to fund 13 social service agencies which last year helped about 37,000 West Australians with a wide range of support needs, regardless of their religion. In two separate sessions, primary and secondary students were able to ask questions of Archbishop Barry Hickey and Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton by sending in their questions by email and listening to the answers in real time. There were more than 1000 questions submitted, but it was impossible for the bishops to handle more than about 50 of them. The secondary schools session opened with the Archbishop being asked, "Who created God?". He replied that while everything else, and everyone else, came from or
was caused by another source, God alone was different and was not caused by anything else. God is a pure spirit and he alone "always was and always will be". Later, Bishop Sproxton was asked how to get someone who did not believe in God to have faith. He replied that if they looked back over their life quietly, they would see signs of unexpected help and unidentified guidance at various points. He suggested that everyone has such experiences at some time even if they did not immediately recognise it. "That is God," he said. Asked whether he believed in extra-terrestrial life, Archbishop Hickey said there was no evidence of it yet, but extra-terrestrial life could exist, although it would not be human. "Scientists will answer that one for us," he said. In reply to another question, whether he had read the book or seen the film 'Angels and Demons' he said he had read the book, but might not see the film. "If you see it," he said, "enjoy it, but don't believe a word of it." Asked about women priests, the Archbishop replied that at the Last Supper Jesus appointed only men. "We believe he wanted it that way
Archbishop Barry Hickey with IT operations man Ross Fawcett, who took care of the techinical operations of Lifelink's interactive webcast.
and so we don't have the power to change it." Asked for his favourite passage from the Bible, Bishop Sproxton said there were many wonderful passages, but he especially liked the Old Testament line "I have carved you on the palm of my hand", which described our special relationship with God which started at the moment we came into
existence and continues forever. "This awareness of God's love gives me great comfort; he said. When asked by a primary school pupil which saint he had chosen for his confirmation name and why, Archbishop Hickey said his choice was St Joseph, the husband of Mary because he was a good and strong man "who did all that God asked him to do".
In response to other questions he said his favourite song was 'Summertime' from Porgy and Bess (and broke into song to prove it) and his favourite "celebrity" was Pope Benedict XVI. "He's my boss and he's a very good man," he said. Bishop Sproxton said he found World Youth Day in Sydney a wonderful experience and he particularly remembered his catechesis sessions with groups of pilgrims from the US, Fiji and Tonga. "I'm very keen to go to Spain in 2011; he added. The LifeLink target for its schools appeal this year is $70,000. The LifeLink Day launch was again hosted by Westnet and iinet from their premises in the Central Park building in St George's Tce. The technical operations were handled by IT Operations man Ross Fawcett. Archbishop Hickey - who established LifeLink 15 years ago - and Bishop Sproxton - who is now chairman of the management committee - expressed their thanks to the managers and staff for their continued and very generous support for LifeLink over the last 10 years.
Kennedy banned from priest duties anywhere in world Archbishop Bathersby announces penalty on Fr Peter Kennedy. THE Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane has suspended Fr Peter Kennedy from all priestly activities via a decree delivered to Fr Kennedy last week. Archbishop John Bathersby has imposed this serious penalty in response to Fr Kennedy's ignoring official warnings to cease his involvement with the group known as 'St Mary's in Exile'. Suspension means that Fr Kennedy cannot function as a priest anywhere in the world. In addition to this, the Archbishop revoked the faculties of Fr Kennedy to officiate at weddings, preach and hear confessions. This revocation of faculties,
the permission needed by a priest to act as a priest, means that Fr Kennedy cannot validly officiate at weddings or hear confessions in any diocese worldwide. Archbishop Bathersby will also revoke the faculties of Toowoomba priest Fr Terry Fitzpatrick who works with Fr Kennedy. Fr Fitzpatrick's loss of faculties is effective only in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Fr Adrian Farrelly, the Canon lawyer who also signed the decree, said that to take this action against Fr Kennedy in this way was something the Archbishop did not enjoy doing. "Suspension of a priest is a very serious matter; Fr Farrelly said. "However, Fr Kennedy has consistently ignored a series of formal directives, following years of informal requests from the Archbishop
to conform with universal Catholic practices. The Catholic Church has laws that regulate throughout the world the celebration of sacraments and pastoral care of people which Father Kennedy has continued to flout. "These present decrees are about ensuring that Catholics within the Archdiocese of Brisbane and beyond can continue to have confidence that the sacraments they are obtaining from all priests are celebrated validly and that pastoral practices and teaching are in harmony with accepted Church directives. "Fr Kennedy's beliefs and practices have separated him and those with him from the Church, local and universal, and caused confusion. The action of the Archbishop is a strong call to Fr Kennedy to return to accepted Catholic teaching and practice; Fr Farrelly said.
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June 10 2009, The Record
THE PARISH
Program brings Catholic families back to Mass 'Ramming religion down their throats' in the right way works, says Schoenstatt Sister is By Anthony Barich S ACRAMENT-ORIENTED programs written by Schoenstatt Sister Lisette are bringing children and families in Catholic schools back to Mass. Over 3500 students a year from up to 50 schools have visited the Schoenstatt Shrine in Armadale since 2000, when Sister Lisette returned from working in the Philippines and wanted to use the shrine to evangelise. A State government change in kindergarten enrolment dates led to the closure of the Shrine as a venue for kindergarten, opening the door for Sister Lisette to run her programs. The schools responded positively, sending students and parents for first Holy Communion and Confirmation preparation. She said the programs encourage students and their families to go to church as well as educate them on the sacraments. "I ram religion down their throats from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave; and they leave with a smile on their faces because of the way I present it: she said. For first Holy Communion preparation, Sister Lisette teaches them not just about the Eucharist but aspects of the liturgical celebration, including the significance of the various garments priests wear for particular sacraments and feasts, as well as acolytes' and altar boys' garments. Boys are encouraged to try on the priests' robes and the altar pieces are also explained. Sister Lisette also uses imagery from pop culture references like the Hollywood animated movie Kung Fu Panda. Like the movie, she has the students open a treasure chest to find God's greatest gift, revealing a mirror inside, similar to what happens in the film.
She tells the boys they are "dragon warriors", like in the film, but for Jesus, tapping into the boys' masculinity; and that they can renew their home and world with acts of generosity, kindness and Christian virtues. The parents are encouraged to commit to helping their sons become altar servers for their local parish, 'which brings the parents to Mass. She also has the children report back to her after the weekend retreat on ways that they worked around the house so their parents are freed up to take them to Mass. In many cases, she said, it has gone to plan, with parents bringing their children to Mass with the students following Sister Lisette's advice. "This is one of my aims - to ensure the children do something themselves and not put their feet up," she said. Teachers also practise with the children how to receive Communion. Confirmation preparation again involves finding deeper theological meanings in basic liturgical elements, explained in a dynamic way, relating to the students in a personal way. The doors of the tabernacle at the Schoenstatt Shrine, for example, depicts the Annunciation, with Mary on one door and the Archangel Gabriel on the other, with the Eucharist in the middle. Sister Lisette explains that this was Mary's first encounter with the Eucharist - receiving Christ inside her by the power of the Holy Spirit, but only after she said "yes'. As Amen is an ancient word for "yes", Sister also explained that when the bishop or priest blesses Confirmation candidates with the Oil of Chrism, calling them by their Confirmation name and sealing them with the Holy Spirit, they too say "Yes" by saying "Amen". In this way, she says, the sacrament of Confirmation is a deepening of the Eucharistic experience. She also encourages them to see themselves in a mirror at the shrine, as a mirror tilted towards them revealing the spotlight shin-
Top: Aquinas College Year 4 students approach the Schoenstatt Shrine Chapel for First Holy Communion preparation; left, Sister Lizette ties a rope around Tristan Galati-Sardo's waist, explaining the significance of the garments; right, Joshua McCabe, Glyde Cooper (alter servers), Tristan Galati-Sardo (acolyte), Jayden Fazio (priest) - the boys were learning about PHOTOS COURTESY OF AQUINAS COLLEGE JUNIOR SCHOOL what is worn by the priest for the Mass. ing on them makes them appear to have a halo on their heads. This reveals to the students how they are unique and loved in the eyes of God. "Adults and children alike need to realise they're unique in God's eyes. Everyone can say 'I'm God's greatest treasure', and help bring about good things (like Christ's love) in the family: she said. Aquinas College Year 4 teacher Sylvia Robinson, 25, who took her students to the Schoenstatt Shrine on May 7, said that based
on feedback, the boys generally find it enlightening, though some initially struggle with the concept of the Eucharist being the body and blood of Christ. "I still think they're coming to terms with that understanding of what the Eucharist is, though some have grasped it. I know some have told me they really enjoyed the experience, though some just took it as an excursion: Miss Robinson told The Record. Aquinas College Junior School, which has sent students to the
Schoenstatt Shrine since 2000 on and off, follows this catechesis up with fortnightly visits by the college chaplain Fr Dat Ba Vuong, which "is important it come from a priest's mouth", Miss Robinson said. The boys are prepared in the parish, and the school works with the same programs to reinforce the catechesis. For more information on the Shrine for schools and parishes, contact 9399 2349 or email shrine@elink.net.au.
Students as Eucharistic ministers strengthens faith • By Bridget Chamberlain THE introduction of Student Eucharistic Ministers at Prendiville Catholic College, Ocean Reef has seen the beginning of a tradition that strengthens the faith of individual students and the entire college community. Late last year, Year 11 students were invited and interviewed for the role of Eucharistic Ministers. The 15 students selected all attend Mass regularly and demonstrated a desire to increase their spirituality and faith through a more involved participation in church. "This program serves many purposes," deputy principal Chris Wallace said. "It helps these students to support their Church communities by allowing them to serve in their parishes. As Eucharistic Ministers, they form their own
community of practising Catholics here at the College, and they adopt a more active and visible role of spiritual leadership in the College. Finally, this increased involvement in turn strengthens their own faith. It encourages them to go beyond merely an attendant at Church" As part of their formation, the students learned about the elements of the Mass; the history of Eucharistic participation by lay members; as well as training in how to administer the Eucharist. "We have such a responsibility to help other people: Year 12 student Caitlin O'Shannon said. "It's amazing to think that we hold the body of Jesus Christ." Fellow student Luke Reagon noted that the responsibility has inspired him to be more reverent and pray more often. The students also acknowledge and welcome the potential influ-
Kieran Rafferty, Head Boy, administers Communion at this school year's Ash Wednesday/Opening Mass. ence of their example on others at the College. "As Eucharistic Ministers, it
shows that students can be more involved in school Masses other than just singing and reading. As
the first students to be given this opportunity, I am excited about inspiring younger students to take an active part in Masses. It's a powerful thing to be able to give Communion to your friends: Luke Reagon adds. A special Mass was held at the Whitford Parish and the 15 then Year 11 students were commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers, allowing them to help distribute Communion at Mass. College Principal John Aldous presented each student with a pyx, a small cylindrical container for consecrated host which Eucharistic Ministers take with them to administer Communion to the sick. The Eucharistic Ministers are very active within the College community administering communion at many College Masses including the whole of school Thanksgiving Mass.
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June 10 2009, The Record
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THE PARISH
Family Association warns of Catholic Women to bill of rights by stealth honour Timorese Bill of Rights will restrict rights: AFA
"With the abandonment of [moral] norms we have created a situation in which, potentially, rights are constantly changing, under diverse aspects of public policy competition...Debate becomes little more than an exercise in propaganda. "This state of flux has contributed largely to the decay so evident in western society today. The type of society which, hitherto, had largely flourished as a result of adopting the Judaeo-Christian ethic." The AFA points to the contravention of the right to life and the right to conscientious objection in the passage of Victoria's abortion legislation in October 2008, requiring objecting medical practitioners to perform abortions or to refer patients to other providers who will. The submission notes that many of the world's most despotic regimes - including the USSR, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Sudan - have or have had, a bill of human rights, indicating that such a document is no guarantee against abuse. In reference to "cultural rights," the submission outlines a view that a bill of rights will be utilised by influential minorities against the majority populace. The submission cites the comments of Peter Faris QC on the Victorian Charter of Rights, originally published in Melbourne's Herald Sun: "If you are an Aboriginal trans-gender person you will have, by law, cultural rights. If you are an ordinary Australian, you do not." The receipt of public submissions will close on June 15.
• By Robert Hiini
THE Commonwealth Government is looking to introduce a bill of human rights by stealth and should instead put its proposal to electors in referendums, says the Australian Family Association (AFA). The AFA's comments are made in its submission to the National Human Rights Consultation, currently underway, into how human rights can best be protected. The AFA's 11-page document outlines its objections to the adoption of a bill of rights, labelling it a 'licence to rewrite legislation," "a blantant attack on parliamentary sovereignty" and a dangerous road to a litiguous society. The document is one of several hundred public submissions made in a process established by the National Human Rights Consultation Committee, a body charged with reporting community attitudes on how human rights should best be protected to the federal government. The five-person body - including Philip Flood, Mary Kostakidis, Mick Palmer, Tammy Williams and chairperson, Fr Frank Brennan SJ - has also conducted "community roundtables" in every state and territory ending in Broome on June 2. In spite of such an undertaking, the AFA claims that the moral consensus necessary to discern what "rights" should be included in such a document, no longer exists.
Bunbury helps close gap
9am-8pm on the Thursday, focuses on development programs in Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Africa and a Closing the Gap program on indigenous Australian health. It shows the public how each individual has a responsibility and the means to help meet the MDG global campaign to eradicate poverty through specific actions. The showcase will take place in Prindiville Hall, at Notre Dame University's Fremantle campus from June 29-July 27 and at The Catholic Centre, Maitland St, Geraldton from August 5-14.
ST MARY'S Primary School in Bunbury will be the first in WA to visit a global multimedia exhibition showcasing the Millennium Development Goals. The exhibition is part of a national tour hosted by Caritas Australia and AusAID, the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid program. The exhibition, to be at the South West Italian Club in White Street in Bunbury from June 22-26, 9am-5pm daily, except
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Paddy Kenneally and Rufino Alvez-Correia, one of the Timorese who helped the Australian soldiers during WWII, photographed in Timor in2000 PHOTO: COURTESY OF MARY MACKILLOP EAST TIMOR MISSION. SYDNEY
Josephites urging Perth parishioners to honour East Timorese killed defending Australia. • By Glynnis Grainger
THE Catholic Women's League is circulating a petition throughout West Australian parishes to honour the East Timorese who defended Australia. The petition originates from the Mary MacKillop East Timor Mission in St Marys, NSW, a branch of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. In the petition, the Mission is nominating the nation of Timor-Leste for the award of (Honorary) Companion of the Order of Australia, in recognition of the unique contribition of the Timorese people in helping Australian soldiers in their country during World War II. CWL State vice-president Margaret Kerr encourages members and friends to sign the petition. CWL WA sent sewing machines to Timor years ago through the 2/2" Commandos Association, so have already been supportive of the Timorese. Josephite Sister Susan Connelly from the Mission said that the Australian veterans who fought on Timor in WWII remember the Timorese people with deep gratitude and that for the last 70 years have told the retold stories of the courage and compassion of the Timorese. The Australian veterans have said: "We owe our lives to them:' The Mission regrets that there has been no adequate recognition of the role of the Timorese in assisting Australia in the 1940s. Retired Labor politician and humanitarian, Tom Uren, of Sydney, said, "No Australian soldier was taken prisoner in East Timor, unlike those of us in West Timor. "The loyalty and care given to Australians by the Timorese is unique in the annals of war. The nation of TimorLeste certainly deserves our tribute:' Sr Susan said, "This omission must be amended because, at the very least, 40,000 Timorese civilians were killed as a result of their assistance to Australia." The petition is timely also because 8 August marks the 100" anniversary of the death of Blessed Mary MacKillop, the founder of the Australian Order of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. It is hoped the petition, which closes on August 30, will be presented to the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament towards the end of the year. One of the last surviving veterans from the Timor encounters Paddy Kenneally, who died on March 1 aged 93, was "a wonderful friend to Timor and an unswerving expression of the Australian conscience," according to a Mission newsletter.
He was a Private in the 2/2nd Independent Company, which invaded Timor in 1941 and was subsequently stranded there for over a year. For the remaining 70 years of his life, Paddy said this: "We went to Timor and brought nothing but misery on those poor people. "That is all they ever got out of helping us - misery." During WWII, Timor-Leste was a colony of neutral Portugal. Despite this, about 700 Australian 2/2" and 2/4th Commandos were sent to Timor late in 1941 and conducted guerilla warfare against 8000 Japanese, who landed on 19 February, 1942. The Japanese force was later increased to 20,000 and the Commandos were not supplied with any rations from Australia, but lived off the land. The Timorese helped them to such an extent that they were able to frustrate the overwhelming number of Japanese, who would otherwise have been deployed with devastating effect against Australian forces in Papua-New Guinea. Their Timorese friends provided the Australians with shelter, shared their meagre food, provided information of Japanese troop movements, acted as guides, and pointed out the best observation points and ambush positions. They performed innumerable acts of bravery and their devotion and loyalty continued to the end of the campaign, when the Australians were withdrawn at the end of 1942. In relative terms, Timorese losses after the withdrawal - 11.4 per cent of the population of 527,000 - were 20 times greater than those suffered by Australia, and almost equal to the number of British civilians killed in Britain during the war. After the evacuation of our troops, the RAAF dropped leaflets, which read, "Your friends do not forget you:' over East Timor, to the "criados", those loyal Timorese who helped our Australian soldiers. It was a promise that Paddy Kenneally kept all his life. Paddy was in the middle of a serious engagement with Japanese forces at Darlau during his time as a Commando in the 2/2" Independent Company in 1942, and in his many trips to Timor after the war, he often spoke of Darlau and its people. Darlau is in the parish of Becora in Dili, where the Mary MacKillop East Timor Mission is situated. NSW Mission Sister Josephine Mitchell told The Record that the idea for the petition came from Paddy Kenneally's funeral on March 6 at Bass Hill, NSW, and Dili, East Timor. She said that there were a lot of 2/2" Independent Company (veterans) in WA, now known as the Special Air Service (SAS). Sr Josephine said: "Paddy used to say, 'I am alive because of them (the Timorese)." "In no other country of the world (Timor) has any country done more for (Australian) troops:'
Page 6
June 10 2009, The Record
THE NATION
Priesthood unites us in Christ as King On the eve of the Year for Priests announced by Pope Benedict XVI starting on June 19, Archbishop Barry Hickey has issued a pastoral letter to the faithful on the traditions, identity and mission of the priesthood. My Dear People 150th To celebrate the Anniversary of the death of the Cure d'Ars, St Jean Marie Vianney, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has named the year 2009/2010 the Year of the Priest. The year begins on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Friday 19 June 2009. Plenary Indulgences may be gained on many occasions during this Year. They are outlined in the attachment to this Pastoral Letter.
St Jean Vianney Most of you will have heard of St Jean Vianney. He was a parish priest in the small French village of Ars in the tumultuous years following the French Revolution. Having had problems with his studies in the Seminary, especially with Latin, he was not destined for preferment in significant church appointments. He worked humbly as a priest in a poor parish and lived his life in comparative obscurity. This was obviously not God's only plan for him. By his personal sanctity, his love for Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, his self-giving in the service of his people as confessor, spiritual guide and friend of the poor, he became a beacon of light to all priests around the world when Pope Pius XI decreed him a saint. His feast day is 4th August.
Long traditions In the history of the Church in Australia our priests from the very beginning gained a wonderful reputation for their pastoral care. They stood with their people who were mostly poor migrants in search of a better life. The priests knew their people. They shared their joys and sorrows; they defended them and worked hard to provide education and work for them in a society often hostile or indifferent to their fate. This tradition is precious. It should never be lost. With two centuries of development Catholics are now to be found at every level of society. Our priests, too, have adapted to provide pastoral care to all sectors of society, without distinction. It is worrying but true that we have never produced enough local priests to be self-sufficient. We have always sought priests from overseas, especially Irish priests in the early days, and more recently priests from any and all countries as our population has become multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. Newly arrived priests, as much as those born locally, are called to be
priests as pastoral as our pioneer priests, in the mould of St John Vianney. They must do so in the clear knowledge that the challenges before them today are formidable.
Humility in service: Newly ordained priest Fr Jeronimo Flamenco blesses Archbishop Barry Hickey after the prelate ordained him on May 5.
The ministerial priesthood Let us reflect a little on the nature of the priesthood. In the Old Testament the priesthood was a cultic office, usually hereditary. The priests were drawn from the clan of Aaron or the descendents of Levi. The Levites had a special role in the Temple. When the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD the role of the Jewish priesthood declined as the people were scattered. The priesthood of the New Covenant is very different from the Temple priesthood. Jesus did not call himself a priest, nor did he call his apostles priests. Yet he offered the perfect sacrifice for the salvation of the world, the sacrifice of himself on the cross. He is therefore both Priest and Victim. Our priests share the dignity of Christ the Priest through the conferring of Holy Orders. It is often referred to as the Ministerial Priesthood to distinguish it from the priesthood of the faithful. St Peter's letters speak of priesthood of the faithful which we all share through our baptism which unites us with Jesus Christ, Priest, Prophet and King. Down through the centuries the understanding of the priest as representing Christ in a special way has been the source of wonder and contemplation. It found a beautiful expression in the words of the late Pope John Paul II: "By the sacramental anointing of holy orders, the Holy Spirit configures the priests in a new and special way to Jesus Christ, the head and shepherd. "He forms and strengthens them with his pastoral clarity, and gives them an authoritative role in the Church as servant of the proclamation of the Gospel to every people, and of the fullness of Christian life of all the baptised." (Pastores Dabo Vobis 15)
Priestly ministry
The key to the identity of the priest is therefore • a sacramental representation of Christ himself • a leader and shepherd of the Church like Christ • a servant like Christ • a minister of the Good News like Christ • a minister of the sacraments of Christ • a teacher of the Christian life • a man conformed The epic 8-hour Spanish to Christ by consecrated mini-series Teresa of (Latin Church). celibacy Jesus based on St Teresa therefore is He of Avila's autobiography not for himself ordained ($20, English subtitles) is but for the people. now available. Many You have a right to other Catholic movies for expect that your priest $10. To order, contact is one who is there for Paul or Janice on (08) you as your spiritual 9446 5069 or browse the guide, steeped in the catalogue online at Scriptures, a preacher of the good news of salvawww.stritabooks.corn
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A pigeon glides by a painting of Jesus Christ in Belgrade, Serbia.
tion, a dispenser of the sacraments that give life, and your true shepherd. This awesome vocation is one that should make the priest humble, knowing he can never be worthy of such a call. Who can dare to be Jesus to other people? I call on you, the People of God, to support and care for your priests to help them spend their lives for you as your shepherd, an image of Christ himself.
Vessels of clay Every priest is very human with faults and failings. Yet the dignity of the priesthood always needs to be respected and honoured. It has a mystical and transcendental character lived within the community of the Church. To carry out the mission of the ministerial priesthood is at any time a formidable task. Today, however, there are unique challenges that make it extremely burdensome and even dangerous to be a priest. In proclaiming the Gospel, in asserting the truth about human destiny, about life, about trust in God and about discipleship, the priest is open to attack from a society which increasingly rejects the biblical teaching on the dignity of life or the sacredness of marriage and human sexuality. He needs a deep spirituality based on his union with Jesus Christ as vine and branch, if he is to carry out this challenge, and must rely on the support of you his people.
A sublime vocation May this Year of the Priest be an opportunity for you to reflect on the nature of the ministerial priesthood and the role of the priest in your local community. May it also lead to a fresh appreciation of the sublime vocation to the priesthood, and lead our families to hope and pray for a priest from our own ranks, dismissing worldly attitudes that would devalue such a spiritual call. It is my hope that in a world marked by the spirit of individualism, secularism and unfettered personal freedom, you will stand with your priests to form solid and faithful parish communities and be examples of love's transforming power. We will thus better proclaim the hope and the Good News that the world needs by being examples of Eucharistic communities bound together by the love of God. Your priests will be affirmed and consoled that you support and pray for them especially in this Year of the Priest. Yours in Jesus Christ, Supreme and Eternal High Priest, Most Rev B J Hickey Archbishop of Perth
Plenary indulgences for The Year of the Priest June 19, 2009-June 19, 2010 • A Plenary Indulgence is granted by the Church to deal with the effects of sin. It takes away all temporal punishment due to sin. • Indulgences may be for oneself or applied to a deceased person. • Only one Plenary Indulgence can be gained per day. • The usual conditions for gaining an indulgence are - Recent sacramental confession - Reception of Holy Communion - Prayers for the Pope's intentions. A Plenary Indulgence may be gained in a number of ways during the Year of the Priest by both the priests and the Faithful. For priests The usual conditions apply. Priests may obtain a Plenary Indulgence on any day during the Year of the Priest who "devotedly pray Lauds or Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament exposed to public adoration or in the tabernacle, and offer themselves with a ready and generous heart for the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Penance, will be granted a Plenary Indulgence, which they can also apply to their deceased confreres". For the faithful The usual conditions apply. "All truly penitent Christian Faithful who, in church or oratory, devotedly attend Holy Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to His Heart, are granted a Plenary Indulgence, on the condition that they have expiated their sins through Sacramental Confession and prayed in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff." A Plenary Indulgence may be gained by all the faithful, including priests on the opening day of the Year of the Priest, June 19, 2009, Feast of the Sacred Heart, • on the first Thursday of each month • on the 150th Anniversary of the death of St Jean Marie Vianney, August 4. • on the last day of the Year of the Priest, June 19, 2010 The elderly, the sick and those unable to leave their homes may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if, with a soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the usual three conditions, on the above days, they pray for the sanctification of priests and offer their sickness and suffering to God through Mary. The following Decree lists the other occasions when a Plenary Indulgence may be gained.
Decree
With the authority given by the Holy Father I decree that a Plenary Indulgence may be gained on the following days and in the following places in the Archdiocese of Perth during the Year of the Priest. 1. Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday June 19, 2009 at Sacred Heart Church, Highgate, Mundaring and Thornlie. 2. Memorial of Sts Joachim & Anne at the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday July 26, and its Vigil. 3. Feast of Blessed Mary MacKillop at the Convent Chapel, South Perth on Saturday August 8, her Feastday and the Centenary of her death. 4. Queenship of Mary at Queen of Apostles Church, Riverton on Saturday and Sunday August 22 & 23. 5. Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, on Tuesday December 8 at either the Pro-Cathedral or the Cathedral if open. 6. Solemnity of St Patrick at St Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle on March 17, 2010. 7. Priests may receive a Plenary Indulgence on the celebration of their Jubilee of Priestly Ordination. NOTE: The Year of St Paul Indulgence may still be granted in any church on Monday, June 29 and in designated churches only on Sunday, June 28. Please refer to the previously published list of designated churches. Most Rev BIHickey Archbishop of Perth
June 10 2009, The Record
Page 7
THE NATION
Pray for missionary priests,'vital for Church' Catholic Mission urges Church to pray for missionary priests, "vital for the life of the Church", during the Year for Priests starting on June 19.
priests CATHOLIC Mission is urging the Church in Australia to pray for missionary priests using the friendship between St Jean Vianney and its founder Pauline Jaricot as inspiration during the Year for Priests. Jean died on August 4, 1869, (six and a half years after Pauline), was beatified on January 8, 1905 and canonised in 1925. Four years later, he was declared the patron saint of parish priests. Pope Benedict has chosen to mark the anniversary of 150 years since his death by declaring the Year of the Priest starting from June 19 2009. Missionary priests, inspired by Vianney and supported by Catholic Mission, are vital for the life of the Church, CM says.
Pauline Marie Jaricot was four months old when Napoleon the Bonaparte established "Consulate" in France on November 9, 1799, in effect ending the French Revolution, which was a victory for him, and a few short years away from his reign as dictator. Pauline's later great-friend-tobe, Jean Marie Vianney, later to become known as the Cure d'Ars, was just over 12 years old. Both grew up knowing what it meant to be Catholic in those days; Pauline was baptised in secret, and, about four miles away, and at approximately the same time, the same persecution demanded that Jean's First Holy Communion was also concealed from the outside world. There was a difference. Pauline's parents owned a silk factory, enabling their eight children, of whom Pauline was the youngest, to be brought up in comfort. Jean was born into a farming family in Dardilly near Lyons and knew poverty from his earliest years. This was a source of protection during the French Revolution, a period when wealth and status could mean an introduction to Madame la Guillotine! However it also ensured that Jean's parents were able to offer no more than a single year of school before the nine year-old was needed as a shepherd on the family farm. Pauline's was a loving family who doted on its youngest member. There was a very close relationship between Pauline and her
Left, St Jean Vianney, the holy 'Cure d'Ars'. The Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI to begin on June 19 marks the 150th anniversary of his death. Right, Catholic Mission foundress Pauline Jaricot, who was friends with him.
brother Phineas who was just two years older. They both wanted to be missionaries. In later years Phineas became a priest and with his advice Pauline's ambition took a different direction; instead of going out into mission territory, she would organise people to finance missionaries and their work. Jean also had his dreams. At the age of 18, he wanted to study for the priesthood, but his lack of education was a massive drawback, especially as he had never studied Latin. His was a long and difficult road until he was finally accepted at the major seminary in Lyons, where, even when given private tuition, he failed his Latin exams. His eventual ordination in 1815 was the result of a special dispensation by the Vicar General, given because of Jean's obvious vocation.
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DEEPLY saddened by the crisis engulfing Christianity in the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI has asked the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to provide urgent help. In many parts of the land Our Lord Jesus Christ knew so well, the faithful now live in fear as increasing poverty and growing extremism threaten the survival of these ancient communities.
Jesuit takes over diocese pioneered by his order
A mass exodus of Christians from the Middle East is now taking place. For some it is a question of escaping bloody persecution. In the Holy Land for example, the proportion of Christians has plummeted from 20% to as little as 1.4% in the last 40 years. ACN is helping to keep faith and hope alive throughout the region by providing urgent aid to priests, religious and lay people, offering subsistence help to refugees and building and repairing Churches and convents. Please help us strengthen and rebuild the Church in the land of Christ's birth.
New Port Pine bishop humbled by new role. " ... Churches in the Middle East are threatened in their very existence... May God grant A CN strength to help wherever the need is greatest." Pope Benedict XVI
A beautiful, olive wood crucifix, handcrafted in Bethlehem, will be sent to all those who give a donation of $20.00 or more to help this campaign. Please tick the box below if you like to receive the little olive wood crucifix*. NM
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Donation Form: SOS! - Christianity in the Middle East
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The young priest took his parish duties so seriously that Ars was soon on everybody's lips. People began flocking there at the rate of 350 per day for the Cures advice or absolution in the confessional. Jean might have failed his seminary exams, but he was proving to be an exemplary priest who not only prescribed a penance for those whose sins he forgave, but also practised an extraordinary degree of personal penance on behalf of his parishioners. Even as an old man when Jean Vianney had lost his ability to project his voice when preaching, the crowds still came to church, just to be present for the occasion. It was through Jean Vianney's gifts of wisdom, compassion and understanding that eventually Pauline found her way to Ars. A lifelong and close friendship soon came to birth between a woman consumed with love for the Rosary and for the missions, and a priest whose heart was equally on fire with zeal to reach out to others with God's love. In fact Pauline would eventually found the Living Rosary and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (Catholic Mission's work with Communities) through her seemingly simple idea that each person could touch the hearts of
ten others, who, in turn, could find ten more. Pauline had a wide Christian vision of social problems. Her efforts to solve these met with miserable failure owing to the dishonesty of others in whom she had placed her trust. Her first idea was to create a special fund for the poor so that they would obtain interest free loans. She had the plan of obtaining a large sum of money from fifteen wealthy families to create the capital of her 'Celestial Bank', but she was unable to obtain the initial capital. Her next idea was to purchase a factory where the dignity of the working person would be upheld and families would not be separated. Pauline was persuaded to purchase a factory in Rustrel by a group of people who diverted the money provided by her and her friends. Pauline would spend the rest of her life involved in various judicial proceedings flowing from their dishonesty. Despite all her efforts the factory was sold off at a low price, and Pauline was still burdened in paying back the remaining massive debts incurred through the machinations of others. Yet, by the time Pauline died in poverty and obscurity on 9 January 1862, she had 2,250,000 followers in France alone. Jean Vianney's own life was touched with great suffering from which his holiness was no protection. As with all the great saints who felt driven to extremes of austerity, his general health suffered. His constant availability to others meant that he allowed himself a maximum of four hours sleep at night, sleep that was regularly disturbed by terrifying, often violent, visitations from the Devil. Even when he was dying, there were crowds outside his house, looking for Jean's blessing and, somehow, he managed to raise his head and hand in order to satisfy their need.
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BISHOPS from around Australia joined the Apostolic Nuncio Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Sydney Cardinal George Pell and Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson for the installation of Bishop Greg O'Kelly SJ at St Mark's Cathedral, Port Pine, on June 10. Archbishop Lazzarotto, the Papal representative in Australia, announced last month Bishop O'Kelly's appointment as Bishop of the 980,000 sq km diocese - a region around the size of France and Germany combined. He succeeds Bishop Eugene Hurley who was appointed the Bishop of Darwin in July 2007. A large gathering, including more than 20 bishops and a number of priests from the Adelaide Archdiocese and other dioceses, attended the installation ceremony, along with priests and brothers from the Australian Jesuit Province. Bishop O'Kelly said he would do his best to serve the people "worthily". "The people of this diocese are well known for their sense of
community and welcome and I know I will appreciate that from them, as well as from the priests and religious orders who work in such a dedicated way over such a vast area," he said. "I am going back to my roots on two counts - both sides of my family came from the north and my pioneer Jesuit brethren were the first to establish the Catholic Church in this area. I will be humbled to walk in their steps." He expressed his great gratitude for the support and affection of the clergy, religious and laity of the Adelaide Archdiocese since his appointment as bishop and said he would work at maintaining these good relations. Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson said while he regretted the loss of Bishop O'Kelly from Adelaide, he would be a source of "rich blessings" for the Diocese of Port Pine. The Port Pine Diocese was pioneered by Austrian Jesuits, from Sevenhill, who built 30 churches throughout the area and established 27 schools. It now incorporates 22 parishes and takes in Uluru in the Northern Territory.
Page 8
June 10 2009, The Record
VISTA 4
Consecrated life breaks through in Pacific 'You are brave. You have persisted"... Women make sacrifice for Church. FELLOW Sisters, family and friends have celebrated the first profession of a Kiribati woman into the order of St Benedict - the first celebration of the Benedictine perpetual profession rite in the Pacific. Sister Ameria Etuare made her profession at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on South Tarawa, Kiribati's most populous island, on May 23 in front of a capacity congregation. The principal celebrant for the profession ceremony was Bishop Paul Mea MSC, the bishop whose persistent invitation to the Good Samaritans some 20 years earlier had brought them to Kiribati to teach in the Kiribati Pastoral Institute. The Republic of Kiribati is a series of low lying coral atolls on the equator, where canoe travel is common. Sister Clare Condon SGS, congregational leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, noted that just as one steers the canoe by looking to the clouds and sun or stars, Ameria has looked to the Scriptures, the Rule of Benedict and the charism of John Bede Polding "to keep you faithful and to bring you home to your heart where the God of love resides:' "You have journeyed and continue to journey like a canoe across the oceans and the waters," Sister Condon said. In his homily Bishop Mea said that it took great courage on Ameria's part to make such a commitment. Because of our human frailty it also took, he said, "great courage on God's part:' The rite of profession is ancient, dating back 1500 years to the time of St Benedict. Ameria made her request and Sr Condon reminded her of the seriousness of her commitment and that it had to be made in complete freedom. "Ameria, if you come before us in freedom and in love choosing this way of life, then I call you, enter. If not, then you are now free to go:' Ameria promised to follow the Good Samaritan way of life and then vowed to God stability, conversion of her life, and obedience. Three times she sang the beautiful Suscipe prayer, "Receive me, Lord, as you have promised and I shall live. Do not disappoint me in my hope:' Those Good Samaritan Sisters present repeated this prayer, signifying that they too offered themselves to God, accepted Ameria and were mutually responsible for
each other. Ameria prostrated herself at the feet of her sisters who prayed that she would remain faithful to the covenant she had made. The bishop prayed a prayer of consecration, after which the perpetually professed Good Samaritans came forward to embrace Ameria and to welcome her as one with them. Sister Ameria Etuare was crowned with a wreath of flowers according to the 1-Kiribati custom and then joined her four other 1-Kiribati Good Samaritan Sisters in a dance of praise. According to custom, the celebration continued in a local maneaba (central meeting place) at the feast known as the botaki, where dancing, feasting and speech making were the order of the day. Sr Judy Margetts, one of the "Good Sams" who had accompanied Sr Ameria during her time of temporary profession, spoke directly to Ameria in her speech. "You are brave, you have persisted, you know us for whom we are - a very human imperfect group of women. "Your coming to us has challenged us to live Good Samaritan life and value the gift that religious life is to the Church. "How can we invite you to join a life unless we love it and live to improve it? You have found a home in us. "We have struggled together, prayed,
in brief...
Proof of God in troubled times The Schoenstatt Sisters are bringing Chilean priest Fr Marcelo Aravena from Sydney to Perth for two seperate day-retreats for women and men. "My life, a journey with God" for women will be held at their Armadale property on June 10 and again on June 17. Organiser and friend of the Schoenstatt Sisters for the past 17 years, Mary McLean, says that the retreat is an opportunity for women to "switch off from the daily grind and reflect on how your life is going, your personal ideals and where God is in all of that". Fr Aravena will also present "Is God Real?" on Monday June 15 for men - a retreat to remind men of the reality of God in a world that doesn't always make sense. Mary McLean says that the subject was inspired by recent catastophic events such as natural disasters and the global economic meltdown. "When you look at what's going on in the world today people are getting more doubtful and cynical:' she said, recalling a recent trip back to Ireland, her land of origin, where the financial and sex abuse crises have had a significant impact on public confidence. She says that Fr Aravena will speak about where God is in the midst of such disaster. Fr Marcelo Aravena, Australia's only Schoenstatt priest, will be available for individual disussion and confessions throughout both retreats. Both events will take place at the Shoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Drive, Armadale, and cost is by donation. For more info or to register call Mary McLean on 0400 553 140 or Ralph Perez on 94570762.
Top: Sr Ameria Etuare prostrates, vowing to seek God as a Good Samaritan Sister for the rest of her life; Clare Anterea SGS greets the newly perpetually professed Ameria Etuare SGS.
laughed and grown together:' Sister Clare Condon thanked the Etuare family for loving Ameria into life and nurturing her faith, promising the family that the Good
Samaritans would lovingly care for their youngest daughter while proclaiming to those gathered, the Sisters' permanent commitment of the people of Kiribati.
An evening for Men! Is GOD real? •
A question that is being posed in all walks of life today.
•
Catholics, Christian people and the ordinary man in the street is asking this same question.
•
When you look at what is going on in the world today — wars, famine corporate greed, corruption, people leaving the church, corrupt politicians — the list goes on.
•
Come and listen to some input by Fr. Marcelo and then we can discuss this topic to see where we can go with it and what conclusions can be drawn.
•
Fr. Marcelo is a Schoenstatt Father from Mulgoa in Sydney.
This will be held on Monday at 7:30pm on 15th June at Schoenstatt Shrine Talus Drive Armadale. All men, young or old, married, single, fathers, grandfathers are welcome. For enquiries or more info, please call Ralph Perez on 94570762, Terry Huxtable on 93105461 or Sr. Georgina on 93992349.
June 10 2009, The Record
Priests on mission to save the world, not condemn it
THE RECORD VISTA
Priests need to know that the Church loves them and is proud of them, which is why Benedict XVI has called for a Year for Priests, according to the prefect of the Vatican's clergy congregation. This celebratory year begins in just over two weeks. with vespers on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on June 19. It will close in June, 2010. ZENIT spoke with the Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, about what this year is all about and why the Pope decided to convoke it.
priests
ZENIT: What is the principal objective of the Year for Priests? Cardinal Hummes: In the first place, the circumstance: It will be a jubilee year for the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Marie Vianney, better known as the holy Cure of Ars. That is the opportunity, but the fundamental motive is that the Pope wants to give priests a special importance and to say how much he loves them, how much he wants to help them to live their vocation and mission with joy and fervour. This initiative from the Pope takes place in a moment of a great expansion of a new culture: Today a postmodern, relativistic, urban, pluralistic, secularised, laicist culture dominates, in which priests must live their vocation and mission. The challenge is to understand how to be a priest in this new time, not to condemn the world but to save the world, like Jesus, who did not come to condemn the world but to save it. The priest should do this from his heart, with a lot of openness, without demonising society. He should be integrated within it with the missionary joy of wanting to bring Jesus Christ to the people of this society It is necessary to have this opportunity so that everyone prays with and for priests, to convoke the priests to pray, to do this in the best possible way in the current society and, moreover, eventually to come up with initiatives so that priests can have better conditions to live their vocation and mission. It is a positive year. It's not about, first of all, correcting priests. There are problems that should always be corrected and the Church cannot be blind to them, but we know that the vast majority of priests have a great dignity and adhere to their ministry and their vocation. They give their lives for this vocation that they have freely accepted. Unfortunately the problems we've learned of in recent years arise, related to pedophilia and other grave sexual crimes, but at the most, this could maybe apply to some 4% of priests. The Church wants to say to the other 96% that we are proud of them, that they are men of God and we want to help them and recognise all they do as a testimony of life. It is also an opportune moment to intensify and go deeper into the question of how to be priests in this world that is changing and that God has put us in front of to save [it]. ZENIT: Why has the Pope presented St John Marie Vianney as a model for priests? Cardinal Hummes: Because for a long time now he has been the patron of parish priests. He is part of the world of the presbyterate. We also want to encourage various nations and episcopal conferences or local Churches to choose some local exemplary priest and present him to the world and to the youth: Men and priests who would be true models, who could inspire and renew a conviction about the great value and importance of the priestly ministry. ZENIT: What do you think are the biggest difficulties and the new challenges that
Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes presides at a special Mass for Pope John Paul II at the cathedral in Sao Paulo. CNS
today face youth who want to be priests? Cardinal Hummes: I want to repeat that we shouldn't demonise the current culture that is spreading more and more and that is becoming a dominant culture in the whole world, despite the presence of other cultures. This new culture no longer wants to be Christian or religious. It wants to be secular and wants to reject any religious interference. Adolescents and youth find themselves in a different situation than the one we lived, we who were born in a very religious culture and one that was recognised as Christian and Catholic. Now it is no longer that way. I think that for adolescents and youth it is truly more difficult to have the courage to accept an invitation from God, which is born in their interior. To respond today is more complicated, because society no longer values the priesthood. Before, society valued it. Then again, a work of faith and evangelisation will always be possible, because God always gives all the graces when he calls to this. Parishes should offer youth and adolescents the opportunity to speak about that which they carry in their hearts, about this call, because if they do not have the opportunity to speak with someone they can trust, little by little this voice will disappear. Here vocational ministry comes into play, which we need so much. A well organised parish is able to go out to meet youth and adolescents and give them the opportunity to speak about the call they feel. Also, prayer for vocations is more important now than it was in the past. Another reason there might be fewer candidates is because families are smaller. They have few or no children. This makes it more difficult. The number of priests in some countries has gone down too much. We look at this situation with great concern. ZENIT: How do you think a seminarian's formation should be in the personal, spiritual, intellectual and liturgical realms? What
Working in the world, but not of the world: A priest elevates the Eucharist during a Mass on the first trading day of the new year inside the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila. PHOTO. CNS
elements cannot be lacking? Cardinal Hummes: The Church speaks of four dimensions that should be cultivated in the candidates. In the first place, the human dimension, the affective - the whole question of the person - his nature, his dignity and a normal affective maturity. This is important because it is the base. Then there is the spiritual dimension. Today we find ourselves before a culture that is no longer Christian or religious. Therefore it is even more necessary to develop well the spirituality of the candidates. Then there is the intellectual dimension. It is necessary to study philosophy and theology so that the priests will be capable today of speaking and proclaiming Jesus Christ and his message, such that all of the richness of the dialogue between faith and human reason emerges. God is the Logos of all and Jesus Christ is his explanation. Afterward, obviously, is the dimension of the apostolate, that is, these candidates must be prepared to be pastors in the world of today. In this pastoral field today, the missionary identity is very important. Priests should have not only a preparation but also a strong motivation to not limit themselves only to welcoming and offering a service to those who come to see them, but should also go out in search of people who don't go to Church, above all, the baptised who have grown distant because they haven't been sufficiently evangelised, and who have the right to be evangelised, because we have promised to bring Christ, to educate in the faith. This, many times, has not been done or has been done very little. The priest should go on mission and prepare his community so that it goes to proclaim Jesus Christ to the people, at least those who are in the territory of his parish, but also beyond that. Today, this missionary dimension is very important. The disciple becomes missionary with his enthusiastic and joyful adherence to Christ, capable of unconditionally covering all of his life with him. We should be like the
disciples: fervent, missionary, joyful. This is the key, the secret. ZENIT: What of the challenges that a priest faces in this society that is so antireligious? How do you think a priest can stay faithful to his vocation? Cardinal Hummes: In the first place, the Church, through its seminaries and formators, should make a very rigorous selection of the candidates. Later, a good formation is needed, fundamentally in the human, intellectual, spiritual, pastoral and missionary dimensions. It is fundamental to remember that the priest is a disciple of Jesus Christ and to be sure that he has had this intense personal and communitarian encounter with Jesus Christ, to whom he has given his loyalty. Every Mass can be a very powerful moment for this encounter. But also the reading of the Word of God. As John Paul II said, there are many opportunities to give testimony to the encounter with Jesus Christ. It is fundamental to be a missionary capable of renewing this priestly zeal, of feeling joyful and convinced of his mission and convinced that it has a fundamental meaning for the Church and for the world. I always say that the priest is not only important because of the religious aspect within the Church. He also carries out a very great task in society, because he promotes the great human values, is very close to the poor with solidarity, with attention to human rights. Ibelieve that we should help them so that they live this vocation with joy, with a lot of clarity, and also with heart, so that they are happy, given that it's possible to be happy in sacrifice and in tiredness. To be happy is not in contradiction with suffering. Jesus was not unhappy on the cross. He suffered tremendously, but he was happy, because he knew what he was doing for love and that this had a fundamental meaning for the salvation of the world. It was a gesture of fidelity to his Father.
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More labourers for the Vineyard
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Archbishop outlines a culture of agnosticism, moral relativism, indifference to God in which new priests must work - and preach in ways that will unlock hearts.
continued from page 1 Sydney who had come to Perth for the ordina-
Archbishop Barry Hickey prays the prayer of consecration over the newly-ordained priests, watched by Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and seminary rectors Mgr Kevin Long and Fr Michael Moore SM. PHOTOS PETER ROSENGREN , TAKEN WITH THE CHARITABLE LENSE (18-70MM) OF FR JOHN JEGOROW
Father Peter Bianchini corrals fellow clergy before the ceremony and explains details to do with procession, concelebration, Communion and seating arrangements.
The four deacons process into Infant Jesus Church.They are Deacons Jeronimo De Jesus Flamenco, at left, Jean-Noel Marie, Bonaventure Anny Echeta and Andrew Lotton.
tion of Fr Lotton, a Canberra native. Fr Lotton prepared for priesthood at the Redemptoris Mater seminary in Morley. Later, a festive atmosphere prevailed as relatives of Fr Echeta who had flown into Perth that evening from the US and Nigeria celebrated in traditional African style with impromptu singing and dancing, both inside and then outside the Church. In a ceremony stretching back to the very beginnings of the Church Archbishop Hickey publicly examined the candidates before the assembled c ongregation. Moments earlier they had been presented by Mosignor Kevin Long, Rector of St Charles Seminary and Fr Michael Moore SM, Rector of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary administered by the Neocatechumenal Way in Morley, as worthy of ordination. The new priests' vocation was awesome, Archbishop Hickey told the packed Church during his homily. They would consecrate themselves in the special ministerial priesthood of Jesus to God and the service of God's people and would walk in the footsteps of Christ as they did. But their ordinations were not a reward for doing their studies well; they were ordained to serve others, he said. As priests of today they needed to understand the world in which they would be working so that they could bring the Good News of the Gospel to the people of this time, he said. But they needed to preach in such a way that their words were understood by their listeners and were able to unlock hearts. The Archbishop recalled how he had recently re-read Pope John Paul II's 2003 document Ecclesia in Europa, produced after the Synod of Bishops in Europe. There, the late Pope had spoken of a new culture that had emerged in Christianity's heartland, characterised by agnosticism, indifference to God and relativism in values and morals. The Pope had called on the whole Church, but especially priests, to understand the new spiritual terrain and culture in which they sought to evangelise. What had resonated with him, Archbishop Hickey said, were the similarities in Australia: a widespread agnosticism characterised by a lack of interest in pursuing the spiritual dimensions of life, an indifference to God and a high degree of moral relativism up to and including Australian parliaments where serious moral issues were decided by majority vote rather than by reference to the truth about people. The new priests must understand the language and means of communication of the modern world. Nor would theirs be an easy life; just as the Apostles had done they also would have to go out into the world to preach the Gospel, to be exhausted at the end of each day. Nor could priests relax in an easy parish life where they were treated as if they were on a pedestal; they needed to go out and labour among the people constantly for God. "They must announce Christ crucified, risen and present now. They must announce that the era of the Holy Spirit has begun - and we are in it now," he said. "They must go out and their works will be fruitful." He urged the faithful to pray for the new priests. Meanwhile, the leadership of the new priests must be humble and they must have a special love for the poor "so that no-one need ever fear a priest: he said. The Archbishop concluded by thanking God for continuing to send the Church in Perth "labourers in the vineyard of the Gospel."
After the conclusion of the Mass Nigerian relatives and friends of newly-ordained Fr Echeta sang and danced in traditional Nigerian fashion in thanks for their new priest. The impromptu party spilled out of the Church with a number of onlookers joining in the dancing. Fr Echeta and other African clergy joined in the singing and dancing in a performance enjoyed by many. The joy was everywhere. THE NEW PRIESTS As in other ordinations in the archdiocese in recent years many priests come from overseas. On Friday night they were in the majority, with only one - Fr Andrew Lotton, Australian born and hailing from Canberra at that. Born in 1959, Father lean-Noel Antoine Marie is from Mauritius and is a graduate of the London School of Economics. He migrated to Australia in 1985 but the idea of priesthood, which he had considered and dismissed, never left. While it took decades for the idea to finally become a reality he urges those who think they might be called never to believe that age can rule it out. As he told The Record recently: "In spite of my age and my many weaknesses I know that the Lord has not abandoned me. He has given me a second chance. To those who are being called to the priesthoodI would like to echo the encouraging words of Pope John Paul II: "Do not be afraid!" Personally, I have learned that it is never too late to respond to God's call:' Father Jeronimo Flamenco was born in El Salvador. He told The Record in August 2008 that when he was a child growing up in a poor rural El Salvadoran village he never understood why his father prayed the Rosary with his family every morning and every evening... "but now I understand and see the principles my parents possessed which are now, for me, a source of grace in my vocation:' "When I think of my vocation I understand that the frontiers of love are more important than the boundaries of one's own country," he said. Father Andrew Lotton was interviewed in The Record three weeks before being ordained and shared the story of his journey from unconvinced Anglican to Catholic priest. Invited to a Catholic charismatic retreat he had experienced a powerful personal conversion before eventually becoming involved with the Neocatechumenal Way and then being received into the Catholic Church. A public servant who worked for both the British and South African High Commissions, he offered himself for priesthood at an international gathering of the Neocatechumenal Way in Italy and was assigned to the seminary in Perth. In gratitude for God's goodness to him he would be happy to go wherever he was sent. Father Bonaventure Echeta, 35, is the seventh child in a "very strong Catholic family" of 10 children who attended daily Mass in Imo State in Nigeria. His sister is a nun working in England and two nephews are studying for the priesthood. From age 5 he attended a local Rosary group and entered the minor seminary aged 12. He progressed to St Mary's Major Seminary in Nigeria then, in Rome from 1999-2006, did his Licentiate in Philosophy at Propaganda Fide then theological studies at St Thomas Aquinas Angelicum before coming to St Charles Seminary in Guildford to complete his Master of Arts at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle. He always wanted to serve God and humanity in the priesthood.
The newly-ordained priests concelebrate the Mass with Archbishop Barry Hickey, below.
Archbishop Hickey ordains Deacon Jesus Flamenco a priest. Moments earlier all in the Church had sought the aid of those already in Heaven as they chanted the Litany of the Saints for the four men.
Family break into celebration, below, as their brother and son Bonaventure is ordained. Pictured are, from left, Sister Miliscent Echeta, a Religious with the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (founded in Nigeria in 1961), mother Regina Echeta and Osmond Echeta snr.
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June 10 2009, The Record
Beazley Sr: living God's will in parliament Book Review Father of the House: The Memoirs of Kim E Beazley. Introduction by Kim C Beazley. Available from Fremantle Press. RRP $27.95. • Reviewer: John Farquharson
IT is not easy to live up to Christian principles- and survive in the rough and tumble of the Australian Parliament. Kim Edward Beazley, who served in the Federal Parliament for 32 years, showed it can be done. His service spanned the years 1945 to 1977, wilderness years for the Labor Party which was rent by squabbling. All but five of his years in Parliament were served in opposition. Yet he achieved much from the opposition benches. Beazley won the seat of Fremantle following the death of Prime Minister John Curtin. He was 27 years old. His remarkable story is told in this memoir, with annotations by his son, the former Labor Party leader, Kim C Beazley, and by John Bond. His first years in Parliament were not auspicious. Alan Reid, doyen of the Parliamentary journalists at the time, wrote, "Beazley entered Parliament armed with the broadsword of idealism and reforming zeal, only to slow to a trot in the mire of parliamentary cynicism. Confident of his own superiority, moral and mental, he lectured the Parliament in a hectoring, sneering tone, which earned him the sobriquet, 'The Student Prince', and almost universal dislike". Then in 1953 Beazley was chosen as a representative of his Party at the Queen's coronation. Before returning to Australia, he visited Caux, Switzerland, where a Moral Re-Armament conference was taking place.
A sincere Christian and a member of the Anglican church, Beazley's religious convictions were strengthened by what he found there. He returned to Australia having decided to "concern myself daily with the challenge of how to live out God's will". As he puts it, "to turn the searchlight of absolute honesty on to my motives. To try to see the world with the clarity of absolute purity. To take absolute love as radar through the fog of international affairs". One discipline he adopted was to take time in quiet each morning, before the distractions of the day, and ask God, "to speak to my thoughts, write them down and test them by Christ's standards of absolute honesty, purity, unselfishness and love", then to carry out actions that met those standards. At that time I was a journalist in the Parliamentary Press Gallery and witnessed the change in him. The "lecturing and superiority" went out of his manner of speaking in Parliament. He found a new respect for his Parliamentary colleagues and, he writes, in his conversations with them there was "often a depth and reality unknown to me in the past". However, his views began to alarm some of his party leaders. As Alan Reid wrote, 'Truth is always an uncomfortable neighbour in politics and Beazley was recognised as a danger to Labor obtaining office. So the word has gone out, destroy him - he is off-balance. Though it is fashionable to profess Christianity, it is remarkably easy to persuade those who live in the materialistic atmosphere of Australian politics that any man who attempts to apply too rigidly the Christian beliefs of his private life must be unstable." But they did not destroy him. The turbulence of West Australian Labor politics saw him three times threatened with expulsion from the Party. But he was always prese-
lected in the ballot of thousands of Labor Party members which chose their candidates. Gradually, over the years, his stance won acceptance and grudging respect, even admiration in some cases. In this, Beazley saw himself as true to Labor tradition: 'The British Labour Party was born of radical Christianity. The movement was nourished in the seedbed of the early Methodist chapels, where working men could find a quality of moral straightness that gave them great authority.... Keir Hardie, the Scottish miner who founded the British Labour Party and became its first Member of Parliament, said that "the inspiration which has carried me on has derived more from the teachings of Jesus than all the other sources combined."' Beazley himself hoped to be remembered for two issues. Firstly, his work to enhance the lives of Australia's Aboriginal people. He put Aboriginal land rights onto the Labor Party platform in 1952, and thereafter worked steadily to expose and end discrimination against the Aboriginal community. When he became Minister for Education in 1972, he introduced bilingual education for Aboriginal children, and soon Aboriginal children were being taught in 22 Aboriginal languages. Secondly, he developed the policy reforms which changed the landscape of Australian education. When the Australian National University awarded him an honorary doctorate, it stated: 'Mr Beazley's greatest contribution was the healing of an ulcer that has festered in our society for close on 200 years. Sectarian bitterness, which focused on school funding, was dealt a death blow by needs-based funding which Mr Beazley introduced.' Beazley writes that he had 'a clear underlying aim in the education portfolio: that the needs of every child should be met - children in state schools and private schools, gifted children and handicapped, wealthy
children and poor. As a Christian, no lesser aim made any sense. It was the Pole Star by which I tried to guide education policy. Nobody has ever met the needs of all children, but the aim was a good navigational point.' Bob Hawke said that Beazley was a better intellect and a better orator than Whitlam, and regretted that he had never led the Party. But Beazley had other priorities. As he writes of his years in Parliament, 'I learnt that the key to social advance is not power but conscience. All social advance depends on making the conscience more sensitive: He made his contribution to sensitising Australia's conscience, and was content with that.
Surgeons in the trenches in silent tragedy Inter-denominational organisation educating women the Christian way. AUSTRALIAN Christian surgeons are helping some of the millions of women who are suffering in a silent tragedy occurring in West Africa. "Even in countries where obstetric fistula is common, many in the general public remain unaware of its cause and therefore its prevention. It really is a silent tragedy," says Brisbane urogynaecologist Dr Hannah Krause, who has returned from West Africa again as a volunteer with Mercy Ships performing corrective surgery on a small number of the millions of women still suffering silently. A fistula is an abnormal opening between two passages of the body, which, as a result of childbirth, is debilitating and, if infected, is potentially life-threatening. Over the past 14 years Dr Krause has made several trips to Africa since she first became aware of obstetric fistula while working as a resident doctor in a rural hospital. Women came to the hospital as a result of obstructed labour during childbirth. Babies were stillborn and the mother sustained a fistula. "The big problem is that many such women are shunned by family and their community and are forced to become outcasts, hidden away with their shame said Dr Krause, a Baptist Christian who worships at a church in Red Hill. After seeing the problems faced by African women, Dr Krause received training at the now famous Addis Ababa fistula hospital. Since then she has returned to West Africa to perform fistula surgery and to train local surgeons in the procedure. Her most recent time was spent in Benin onboard the hospital ship Africa Mercy, operated by Mercy Ships, an international non-denominational Christian organisation. Her short trips to West Africa twice a year
Dr Krause and one of her patients at the dress ceremony following surgery. Each woman receives a new outfit signifying her new start to life following fistula surgery.
during her holidays are always very confronting. "The level of poverty and suffering is heart-breaking; she says. "It is hard work, but the results are so worthwhile when you see women's lives restored. My patients are so amazing and resilient. I learn so much from them. God has given me my skills and training, enabling me to do this work. When I operate I pray that these women will be healed physically, spiritually and emotionally. "The fistula women have very tragic life stories. Most have lost a child in labour and the fistula caused by the long labour causes them to leak urine and/or faeces continuously. Some of the women we see have developed this injury only recently and are still grieving over the loss of the baby. But most of those we see have had their fistula for years... some for more than 30 or 40
years. It's remarkable how such women have survived life despite the extreme adversity." Mercy Ships provides free corrective surgery for obstetric fistula patients onboard the Africa Mercy, currently on assignment to Benin, as well as at a dedicated fistula centre in Sierra Leone where Mercy Ships works in partnership with another organisation. Patients also learn about community and maternal health, while other programs seek to increase awareness of the plight of women with fistulas. When a patient is discharged, each woman receives a new dress in the fabric of her choice, signifying a new beginning, while dancing and singing reflect the change. Discharge teaching includes instructions about sexual intercourse, family planning and the need to have caesarean delivery for subsequent pregnancies to reduce the risk of recurrence. A Mercy Ships spokesman
said that the "family planning" discussed with the women is on the dangers of early pregnancies, because fistulas often occur as the girls' young bodies are too underdeveloped to handle a pregnancy, as traditional African women are often urged to marry early, sometimes in their early teens. They are told to abstain for a period until the wounds from the surgery have had time to heal. There is no indication of condoms or contraceptives given out on these ships, a Mercy Ships spokesman told The Record. Due to the repairs done to the vagina, there is a danger if natural birth occurs that pressure will cause the fistula to reoccur, so C-sections are an absolute necessity, the spokesman said. Provision for C-section surgeries is arranged with local providers who bill Mercy Ships for former patients. In an effort to build fistula surgeon capacity in West Africa, Mercy Ships also provides training for local surgeons interested in contributing to the treatment of obstetric fistula in Africa. Mercy Ships is an international Christian charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilising people and resources worldwide. Mercy Ships offers a range of health and community development services free of charge. Working in partnership with local people, Mercy Ships empowers communities to help themselves. The result is a way out of poverty. The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the hospital ship Africa Mercy provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. Mercy Ships works on land-based projects in Sierra Leone in partnership with other organisations, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. There are 14 support offices around the world, including the Australian office on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
June 10 2009, The Record
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CHILDREN
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SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS St Gregory Barbarigo
Gregory Barbarigo (1625-1697) was born in Venice, Italy, into a family that valued education in religion, morality and politics. When Gregory was 7 years old, his mother died, but he remained close to his father for the rest of his life. At the age of 18, he travelled with the ambassador of Venice to negotiate the Treaty of Westphalia. Gregory studied astronomy and law, but also was very interested in religion and theology. He was ordained a priest in 1655 in Padua, but moved to Rome, where one of his friends now governed the Church as Pope Alexander VII. He became a bishop in 1657. During the time of the plague, he helped with relief work. Later he tried to reform his diocese in the spirit of the Council of Trent. He rose to the level of cardinal.
wordsleuth In the morning King Darius rushed to the lion's den, to find out what had happened to his friend Daniel
Can you find these words in the grid?
We honour him on June 18. DANIEL
PRAYER
LIONS
ADVISOR
DARIUS
ANGEL
PUZZLE Unscramble the names of the Old Testament prophets below. Try it without using your Bible first: 1. haaisi 2. ledian 3. anjoh 4. chamlai 5. ashoe 6. samo 7. liekzee 8. human
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CHILDREN'S STORY HOSEA SPEAKS AGAINST ISRAEL'S UNFAITHFULNESS By Joe Sarnicola
DURING the time when Jeroboam, the son of Joash, was the king of Israel, Hosea heard God speak to him. God told him to take a wife and to start a family. He married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. As the children were born, the Lord had a name already chosen for them: "Give him the name Jezreel, for in a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the bloodshed at Jezreel and bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel." When next a daughter was born, the Lord said, "Give her the name Lo-ruhama; I no longer feel pity for the house of Israel. ... Yet for the house of Judah, I feel pity; I will save them by the Lord, their God." And when another son was born, God said, "Give him the name Lo-ammi, for you are not my people, and I will not be your God." Then the Lord told Hosea to speak out against the unfaithfulness of Israel, how they had not been true to their God's commandments. So Hosea spoke these words to the people: "Hear this, 0 priests, pay attention, 0 house of Israel, 0 household of the king, give ear! It is you who are called to judgment." And the Lord told Hosea about Israel, "I will go back to my place until they pay for their guilt and seek my presence. In their affliction, they shall look for me." Although the words of the Lord sounded very harsh to Hosea, behind his punishment was his great love for Israel. God told Hosea that Israel would look for their God and their God would be waiting for them. They would have new words in their mouths that would be words of hope and faith. "Come, let us return to the Lord," Israel will say. "For it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. ... Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth." When that day comes, said the Lord, "I will heal their defection, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them." READ MORE ABOUT IT: The Book of Hosea Q&A 1. Who did the Lord say would be called to judgment? 2. What will God do when Israel comes back to him?
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June 10 2009, The Record
THE WORLD
Obama's New powers Middle East to de-frock policy mirrors US bishops' priests granted Pope grants congregation power to more easily laicise some priests. VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope Benedict XVI has granted the Congregation for Clergy new powers to dismiss from the priesthood and release from the obligation of celibacy priests who are living with women, who have abandoned their ministry for more than five years or who have engaged in seriously scandalous behaviour. The new powers do not apply to cases involving the sexual abuse of minors by a priest; those cases continue to be subject to special rules and procedures overseen by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The new faculties were announced by Cardinal Claudio Hummes, prefect of the clergy congregation, in an April 18 letter to the world's bishops. Cardinal Hummes said on June 3 that the new, quicker administrative procedure for dismissing priests was prompted by "many situations where canon law did not seem adequate for meeting new problems. As an example, the cardinal said the 1983 Code of Canon Law made no provision for a bishop to initiate a process to laicise a priest who had abandoned his ministry. Usually when a priest leaves the ministry of his own accord, he informs his bishop and sooner or later will request a formal dispensation from the obligation of celibacy, the cardinal said. But others "leave, they marry (in a civil ceremony), they have children. In these cases, the bishops did not have a way to proceed because it was up to the person who left," he said. "But if the one who left is not interested (in regularising his situation), the good of the Church and the good of the priest who left is that he be dispensed so that he would be in a correct situation, especially if he has children," the cardinal said. Cardinal Hummes said a priest's "children have the right to have a father who is in a correct situation in the eyes of God and with his own conscience. So helping these people is one of
the reasons there are new procedures. In these cases, the initiative begins with the bishop." The cardinal said he did not have statistics on how many priests have abandoned their ministry without seeking laicisation, but it was a problem bishops have raised with the congregation. Cardinal Hummes' letter to the world's bishops said that while the Church teaches that properly performed sacraments are valid whether or not the priest officiating is living in a situation of holiness, the discipline of the Latin-rite Catholic Church is to insist that priests strive for moral perfection and to imitate Christ, who was chaste. "The Church, being the spouse of Jesus Christ, wishes to be loved in the total and exclusive manner with which Jesus Christ loved her as her head and spouse. Priestly celibacy is, therefore, the gift of oneself in and with Christ to his church, and expresses the service of the priest to the church in and with the Lord," the cardinal wrote. "The vast majority of priests live out their priestly identity daily with serenity and exercise faithfully their proper ministry," he wrote, but when situations of scandal arise a bishop must be able to act quickly and firmly. The cardinal's letter dealt separately with the situation of priests who simply abandoned their ministry for "a period of more than five consecutive years:' It also addressed the more serious cases of those priests who have attempted or contracted a civil marriage, are having a consensual sexual relationship with a woman or have violated another church or moral law in a way that caused serious scandal. "Situations of grave lack of discipline on the part of some clergy have occurred in which the attempts to resolve the problems by the pastoral and canonical means foreseen in the Code of Canon Law are shown to be insufficient or unsuitable to repair scandal, to restore justice or to reform the offender," the letter said. At every stage of the process, the cardinal told CNS: "The right of a priest to defend himself is sacred, including in these cases (when he's guilty):'
Christian leaders pledge support for Obama's Middle East peace effort.
• By Dennis Sadowski
WASHINGTON (CNS) Nearly five dozen Christian leaders have pledged their support to President Barack Obama in his effort to end the long-standing IsraeliPalestinian conflict and open a new era of US-Muslim relations. In a June 4 letter sent to the White House after Obama's speech in Cairo, Egypt, the leaders said there is "no greater work than the psalmist's call to 'seek peace and pursue it' The leaders said they were pleased to hear about the president's clear commitment "to sustained, hands-on diplomacy" to secure safety and peace for Palestinians and Israelis and offered to rally Christians nationwide to support the effort. Representing Catholic, Episcopal, Protestant, Orthodox, A frican-American and evangelical churches, the Christian leaders said the political stalemate between Palestinians and Israelis requires a "strong, helping hand" to negotiate an agreement between long-warring people in the region. Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, New York, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on International Justice and Peace, was among the signatories. He said the president's position paralleled that of the bishops. "We are very pleased that the president has now chosen to take the personal initiative to address this issue and in his speech made it very clear that this will be a priority for him in this administration," Bishop Hubbard told CNS. "(The letter) is a very positive response to the address he delivered and shows support across a broad face of religious leaders our determination that what has begun now must proceed with all diligence," he said. In his address at Cairo University, the president called for a renewed effort to seek peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but said the effort must involve the entire world as partners in the process. He offered support for a two-state solution, which he said would end the conflict and guarantee the safety and security for
United States President Barack Obama tours the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo, Egypt, on June 4. PHOTO: CNS/LARRY DOWNING, REUTERS
both Israel and Palestine. Obama called for Palestinians to abandon violence to achieve their goal of a homeland as well as for Israel to end the expansion of settlements on Palestinian land. He urged both people to recognise the other's right to exist and said the United States would work for such an outcome. The peace effort also must involve the cooperation of Arab states, the president said. He promised to align America's policies with those who pursue peace. Acknowledging that tension exists between the US and Muslims around the world, Obama sought to defuse misunderstanding and mistrust. He called for a new beginning, one based upon mutual interest and respect. Obama urged Muslims to put aside their stereotypes of the US as a self-interested empire driven to impose its views on the world and said Americans also must put aside their misperceptions of Muslim people. Joining Bishop Hubbard in signing the letter were Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando, Florida.; Bishop John Ricard of PensacolaTallahassee, Florida; Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, retired
archbishop of Washington; and Auxiliary Bishop Gambino Zavala of Los Angeles, bishop president of Pax Christi USA. The religious leaders urged Obama "to present proposals that go beyond the mere principle of two states and lay out a just and equitable solution that provides dignity, security and sovereignty for both peoples." The window of opportunity for peace is "rapidly closing" as hardliners on both sides of the conflict continue to turn to violence to enforce their beliefs, the letter said. "Now is indeed the time for immediate and bold American leadership," the letter said. The leaders urged Obama to "bolster Palestinian capacity to halt violence and continue to demonstrate firm dedication to a viable Palestinian state by exhibiting no tolerance for Israeli settlement activity" and sought immediate relief for the people of Gaza by ending restrictions on humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials enforced since Israeli military action in December. Israel has claimed the military intervention was in response to continued rocket attacks from Gaza on civilian targets in its territory.
Abortionist's murder could set back pro-life cause Pro-life leaders fear slaying may hurt their efforts. WASHINGTON (CNS) - There is growing concern that the May 31 murder of a Kansas abortion doctor in his church may tarnish the image of the pro-life movement, at a time when it appears a slight majority of Americans have embraced the cause. Leaders in several pro-life organisations also said public proclamations that the doctor who performed late-term abortions "got what he deserved" and "reaped what he sowed" by people who "claim to be pro-life" advo-
cates don't help the movement. "Statements like that hurt the cause," said Shaun Kenney, executive director of the American Life League. "When we cheapen our own principles, we do ourselves a tremendous disservice:' Dr George Tiller, 67, of Wichita, Kansas, was fatally shot while serving as an usher at the city's Reformation Lutheran Church during Sunday morning services, according to The Associated Press. Pro-life groups and the US Catholic bishops quickly denounced the murder, saying that such violence is contrary to their respect for all life, from conception to natural death.
They also are concerned the event will cause the public to perceive the pro-life movement as violent and intolerant, less than a month after American polls show the cause enjoying its highest-ever favourable percentages. A poll conducted from May 7-10 as part of the annual Gallup Values and Beliefs survey found that a majority of Americans (51 per cent) described themselves as "pro-life" with respect to the abortion issue, while only 42 per cent said they were "pro-choice:' It marked the first time since Gallup began asking the question in 1995 that more respondents said they were pro-life than pro-choice,
and was a shift of seven to eight percentage points from a year earlier, when 50 per cent said they were pro-choice and 44 per cent said they were pro-life. Some pro-life activists have said they fear that kind of support for their cause will fall off if people associate the movement with violence. The same Gallup poll also showed a drop in respondents identifying themselves as pro-life in 1999, several months after Dr Barnett Slepian, an abortion doctor, was killed in October 1998 just after returning home from his synagogue in Buffalo, New York. The man accused of shooting Tiller - Scott Roeder, 51, of Kansas
City, Missouri - was charged on
June 2 with one count of firstdegree murder, and a Kansas judge on June 4 ordered him to be held on a US$5 million bond, according to published reports. Tiller - whose Wichita clinic is one of just a few in the nation where abortions are performed after the 21st week of pregnancy - had been a target of abortion opponents since the 1970s. "Now his slaying has transformed him into a martyr for the cause of abortion 'rights, and has smeared by extension all those dedicated to defence of unborn human life," said a recent editorial in Our Sunday Visitor.
June 10 2009, The Record
Page 11
THE WORLD
Communists 'full of fear' of Hong Kong 'From the start of the handover, we were pushed into a position of opposition' Hong Kong cardinal calls 10 years under China 'series of frustrations'. • By Barb Haze
WASHINGTON (CNS) - For people in Hong Kong, the first 10 years of Chinese rule has been "a long series of frustrations," said Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun. "On the surface, everything is like before," the Cardinal told CNS in Washington on May 30. However, he added, Chinese government authorities "are not keeping their promises." For instance, he said, although universal suffrage is contained in the Basic Law, the miniconstitution that governs Hong Kong until 2047, Chinese officials ruled out direct elections of the Hong Kong chief executive in 2007 and the special administrative region's legislature in 2008. "They are always directed by fear," the cardinal said. "They are full of fear about Hong Kong people because we protest" and, "for Communists, anyone who protests is the enemy." In May 1989, while Hong Kong was still under British control, 1 million residents protested the Chinese crackdown in Tiananmen Square. Hong Kong reverted to Chinese control and became a special administrative region of China in 1997. "From the very beginning of the handover, we were pushed to the position of opposition: Cardinal Zen said. He said the first 10 years of "one country, two systems" - the slogan used to describe China's relationship with Hong Kong - were wasted with continuous quarreling initiated
Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong.
by the Chinese government. During those years, the Church in HonT Kong "tried to be the voice for the voiceless,' he said. The cardinal said the Church took the government to court over a law that would allow 40 per cent of Catholic schools' management to be elected by teachers, alumni and parents. Under the law, scheduled to take effect in 2010, Church officials could only appoint 60 percent of the school management. Although the court upheld the law, the Church plans to appeal. He said the Church fought to defend the right of abode for mainland-born children of Hong Kong residents. Church leaders, especially Cardinal Zen,
Students carry a torch during a candlelight vigil at Hong Kong's Victoria Park in 2007 to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1989 military crackdown on a pro-democracy movement in Beijing's PHOTO: CNS/BOBBY YIP, REUTERS Tiananmen Square.
also spoke out against the implementation of a government security law. In 2003, on the anniversary of Britain's handover of Hong Kong, Cardinal Zen led about 10,000 Christians in a prayer service before half a minion people marched to protest the security law. The cardinal did not join the march, but went to a nearby church to pray. The cardinal told CNS that a communist friend of his told him later that, after that date, he had become classified as an "enemy:' He said the Chinese government told him he needed an invitation to visit mainland China. In 2004 he visited Shanghai for three days, and in 2005 he was part of a large del-
egation of leaders of six religions who visited mainland China. The cardinal said he was visiting the United States and Canada to talk to Catholics of Chinese descent about the situation in China and Hong Kong and about relations between the Vatican and China. He also spoke to them about a letter Pope Benedict XVI is writing to Chinese Catholics. Later, at a Mass in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, he urged those present - including dozens of members of the local Chinese Catholic community - to pray that the letter would be received well.
Accept gay couples Pope called in as 800 priests, brothers, nuns, laypeople implicated in Ireland sex scandal or else: British court Archdiocese suspends adoption assessments as British court rules Church adoption agency must include same-sex couples. • By Simon Caldwell
LONDON (CNS) - The Catholic Church in England and Wales has lost a legal battle to retain its few remaining adoption agencies. The government's Charity Tribunal ruled on June 1 that the Catholic Care social services agency of the Diocese of Leeds, England, could not continue as an adoption agency unless it assessed same-sex couples as potential adopters and foster parents. A Leeds diocesan spokesman said in a June 2 statement that "it seems likely that the charities will need to close their adoption services and a flagship service will be lost:' "We are concerned about the possible impact this will have on potential adoptive parents and children," the spokesman added. In 2008 it had applied to the Charity Commission, the organisation that regulates charities in England and Wales, to change its constitution so it could appeal for an exemption under Regulation 18 of the Sexual Orientation Regulations that ban discrimination against homosexuals in the provision of goods and services. Regulation 18 allows limited
discrimination "in pursuance of a charitable instrument" or if "the restriction of benefits to persons of that sexual orientation is imposed by reason of, or on the grounds of, the provision of a charitable instrument:' But the agency lost its case and the Charity Tribunal, which hears appeals of decisions by the commission, upheld the ruling, saying that it would be unlawful to allow Regulation 18 to be used as a defence. It noted that the proposed alteration of the agency's objectives arose substantially out a desire to maintain a principled stance rather than being specifically designed to advance the.., charitable purpose of the support, relief and care of children and young people without families to care for them:' The decision leaves Catholic Care with the option of appealing the decision to the High Court. The agency also could close down or break from the Church and become an independent, secular adoption agency, a policy already chosen by most of the 11 Catholic adoption agencies in England and Wales. The decision also represents a setback to the Catholic Children's Society of the Archdiocese of Westminster, the only other Catholic adoption agency fighting the new law. It had suspended its adoption assessments pending the outcome of the case. In related news, a mother in southern England has taken legal action after the Brighton and Hove Council placed her 10-year-old boy in the foster care of a homosexual couple.
Irish Church leaders meet Pope to discuss report on child abuse.
• By Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Two top leaders of the Catholic Church in Ireland met with Pope Benedict XVI on June 5 to discuss a report by an independent commission on child abuse. Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, president of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference travelled to Rome to provide Vatican officials with information about the Church in Ireland, including the impact of the commission's report, said a June 5 statement by the Irish Bishops' Conference. Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin joined the cardinal for the June 5 private papal audience. The standing committee of the Irish Bishops' Conference discussed the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse on May 25, the bishops' statement said. The independent commission was established by the Irish government in 2000 to hear evidence from anyone alleged to have suffered child abuse at institutions since 1940. These institutions, funded by the state but often run by Catholic religious orders, included schools, orphanages, hospitals, children's homes and other institutions where children were in the care of nonfamily members. The report, released on May 20,
Boys eat in a massive dining hall capable of holding more than 800 students at the Artane Industrial School in Dublin, Ireland, in this undated photo. The photo was contained in a 2600-page report released on May 20 by the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse, which said both physical and sexual abuse occurred at the school, run by the Christian Brothers from 1870 to 1969. PHOTO: (CNS/COMMISSION TO INQUIRE INTO CHILD ABUSE
said a climate of fear created by pervasive, excessive and arbitrary punishment permeated most of Ireland's institutions for children and all those run for boys. During the period examined, more than 25,000 children were in the care of these institutions. More than 3100 people testified before the commission over a nine-year period and more than 800 priests, brothers, sisters and laypeople were implicated as abusers. The 2600-page report said sexual abuse was reported by approximately half of all those who testified before a confidential committee of the independent commission. The commission of inquiry was chaired by High Court Justice Sean Ryan and included promi-
nent social workers, a pediatrician, a clinical psychologist and a representative of a children's charity. During the May 25 meeting of the Irish Bishops' standing committee, "Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, decided to travel to Rome to provide information to the Holy See on a number of issues regarding the Irish Church, includin the impact of the Ryan report,' the bishops' statement said. Cardinal Brady was joined by Archbishop Martin, "who was attending a scheduled meeting as a member of the Council of the Synod, whose purpose is to follow up on the work of the Synod of Bishops in Rome of last October," the statement said.
Issue 36
MSC Mission Office, PO Box 177 Kensington NSW 1465 Phone: (02) 96970983, Fax: (02) 96970984
From the editor:
PEOPLE LOVE TO GIVE
During the period of the devastating tires in Victoria, earlier this year, our newspapers used headlines such as - "Time to heed the warnings", "Together we can build", "Kindness roars through the embers" and "Life is fragile, but faith is strong". And we know from the response of so many people that the saying was proved true, "Two things stand like stone -- Kindness in another's trouble, courage in your own". It has been said that we do not need money for our mission, but we need a real mission for our money. From the correspondence we receive from our donors it is obvious that their giving supports their relationship with God their Creator, and at the same time increases their love for their neighbour. Some have expressed the hope that their giving is somewhat like the comforting angel with Jesus in his agony in the garden. It is their wish to stand in solidarity with those marginalized by the rich and powerful. Their concern for their brothers and sisters arises from a deep realization, that the most acute social consequence of poverty is the exclusion and, in many cases, stigmatization of the poor.
"We confront a world divided between rich andpoor as never before in human history. ..1round one sixth of humaniti. has achieved levels of wellbeing that were impossible to contemplate even alew decades back. At the same time, another one sixth of humanity struggles.for daily survival. in a lift-and-de rth battle against disease, hunger and environmental catastmphc. In between are around/our billion people in developing countries who no longer live right on the cliff:edge of disastet; but who remain very.far from the securitv, capabilities and material wellbeing enjoyed by the peoples of the developed world." United Nations
The efforts of the MSC Mission Office, although somewhat small compared to the well known aid agencies, tries to bring WATER to those deprived of such a basic necessity, alleviate the sufferings of people suffering from HIV/aids (and other sicknesses e.g. leprosy, malaria), and support DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN. Our staff are few but very dedicated, our overheads at a minimum, and we work only with and through missionaries in the field. For example when we give to a project in India, Fiji, PNG, Vietnam, Africa etc we work through our local offices. In this way we are guaranteed that the finance provided is honestly spent, and records are presented once the project is completed. Our projects are approved by our MSC Mission Office Board which follows closely our Constitutions, and is chaired by Fr. Tim Brennan MSC our Australian Provincial. And our community here at the Sacred Heart Monastery in Sydney pray daily for our benefactors, as do our missionaries and those that they serve. Fr. Adrian E .Vleanev MS(' T he main purpose of Mission Outreach, a newsletter of the Australian Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, is to inform the people of Australia about our Missionary work in the world today. We wil l suggest areas where you can assist by your prayers, by your financial support and by becoming lay, religious or priestly missionaries.il
Design & layout by Vanessa Ambrose, Kensington, NSW, 2033
Email: vambroseq) tpg.com. au
Phone 0405 301 867
Disadvantaged Youth
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"There are young human beings whose bodies bear the consequences of incapacitating illnesses, and others who struggle against sicknesses with cures yet unbeknown to medicine... There are children who have been injured in body and mind by wars, and other innocent victims of the mindless hatred of adults. There are street children who are denied the warmth of family life and left to themselves, and minors profaned by sordid individuals who wish to violate their innocence, inflicting psychological wounds which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Nor must we forget the countless minors who die of thirst, hunger and lack of healthcare, and the young exiles who emigrate from their own land with their parents in search of better living conditions. All these children raise a silent cry of pain that appeals to our conscience as human beings and believers." Pope Benedict XVI
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•ttig, Dear supporters of MSC : Mission Office, , • Thanks for the tanks that we ,,,supplied to people in villages, because of your generosity. I have enclosed a photo of one of them surrounded by happy people who now have good drinking water. What a gi ft! Sr. Elizabeth Inapi OLSH Sister P.VG
Clean Water Project - Pastoran ‘"ti
Tugumulyo, Sumatra
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VIETN BANGKOKO CAMBODIA PHNOM PENHO • HO CHI THAILAND
Recently we the MSC began. with the blessing of the Bishop, a Parish in South Sumatra which is located in a very remote area. Our Christian community is a minority among the majority of Moslems. Most of them are local and transmigrant people from Java. We accept that our mission is KUALA to live and to give witness to a brotherhood of solidarity among people of LUMPUR EMU different tribes, cultures and religions. M ALAYSI One of the major problems we have now in our area is the clean water. o SINGAPORI Almost all people of the village, mostly Moslems, as well as our MSC community, have to buy clean water for drinking, bathing and washing. Ka Actually, we are suffering and longing for a constant supply of clean water. So, needless to say that clean water is our first priority. Therefore we are asked by the local people to request for the financial support from the Australian Province/Mission Office - in Sydney. The Jaicafta main purpose of the project x% ill be to help the local people, including our Java MSC Community, to obtain clean water. The money will be used for , digging a well, and for buying the materials for a public water tower, CIA electric water pump, water pipes, public water closets and public bathrooms. Thank you very much indeed for your great support and generosity. Parish Priest: Fr Inno Renwarin MSC (former Indonesian Provincial)
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Dear Father Adrian, At my recent 60th birthday celebrations held in Manly, instead of receiving presents, we placed at the entrance to the hall a "Living Water, MSC Mission box" to receive donations to your most needy causes throughout the Pacific. A number of current and ex PNG dwellers contributed, such as Sir Fred and Lady Helen Reiher who gave a special donation of $2,500, for the re-roofing of the OLSH convent in the Marshall Islands. We held an auction of two fine paintings from local artists who had IJ lived in Port Moresby....Barry Johnstone and RoseIJI mary $560. Joy and Warren Dutton who flew down from Kuina Ombla...raising PNG can be seen in the photo with the painting of the 'olga's' along with the hosts of the evening Paul and Nicola Pervan. Including the many other cash donations received that night the total raised was $4,210. We pray and thank all those who work in these mission regions and hope our srnall contributions assist in some way... Paul and Nicola Pervan
The average distance undertaken by African and Do you Tv. member _just Asian women to gain access how heak v water really is? to water is 6 Km. The weight After-all when did you of water that these women ever rcY 'y feel its weight? carry on their heads is equivalent to an individual's Not uriti‘!,1- thc shower, or maximum baggage allowance holding die hose or c on an airplane. cleaniny: t he car. United Nations Not so in many parts of the world! Many times I've driven past culverts where residual water has collected, from rain of days ago. This water is the colour of tea with milk and two sugars, but with the texture, I would guess, of mola:,ses. I often see women filling their 20 litre plastic containers (20 Kgs.)with this foul substance. They then have to carry it back to their homes, perhaps 5 to 10 kilometres away. I have been reminded, in my own sm; 'i way, of the weight of water. I only have to carry my bucket (from w hich I get my daily wash - yes, there' no running water at this Mission, yet) thirty metres from the rain1,vater tank to my room, but, even dur _1 that short distance, I realize a few significant things, (i) how bad my back is, and (ii) just how stmng arc the women in these parts. It boggles the mind, when one contemplates the amount of energy they exert each day, so as to have a modicum of water in their homes; and this being true, regardless of the quality of the water. As my back creaks while I struggle with my S ucket, know IS want to trade places with them. I am, however, encouraged to keep trying to work with their communities to improN c the quality of the water they have to carry. So, the -text time you turn on that tap, or gasp as you as read your latest water rates, spare a thought for most of' the world's population who cannot even imagine the seemingly endless clean water that actually comes to your home. Our Western water systems are truly a wondrous gift, so let's be grateful for what we have. A, they say. 'water is life.' If only water was also 'light'. Fr. Paul Leyden C.S.Sp
A 1Ak . :,jf-ity Matter
Pa ua New Guinea I was invited to inspect the water project on
Water Project Report
I . island Mass and there is evidence everyv, here that the people are grateful for the gift of Clean Water. Tanks were placed in strategic locations: which means that access to water is fairly S istributed amongst the population. However, the focus of attention was on children (schools) and the sick (Aid - Post). Unfortunately, the instigator of the Project. Mr. Charles Nolih, was not present as he was in Lorengau Base Hospital (the only hospital in Manus), and one of his legs NA-as amputated. He is a great Catholic, who has built the Church on Andra Island and also was instrumental in securing the funds for the Water Project. As we walked around the Island, people were telling me to "Thank r ' Irian Meaney MSC and the MSC of Australia". They went to the extent of saying that other islanders and mainlanders are jealous of them simply because they can drink clean water in their own homes; they do not have to travel f S r kilometers to fetch water. FrancisIMKari
AMIN
ACCESS TO WATER ISN'T A PRIVILEGE. IT IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT. AND YET ABOUT 1.2 BILLION PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER, AND 2.4 BILLION LACK BASIC SANITATION. THIRST KILLS AND SO DOES DIRTY WATER IN THE TIME IT HAS TAKEN YOU TO READ THESE FEW WORDS IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 9 PEOPLE WOULD HAVE DIED FROM WATER-BORNE ILLNESSES, OF WHOM 5 ARE CHILDREN
Indonesia
:
AMBON This year (2009) there are several ordinations in the Indonesian Province. On February 7 the first batch of MSCs was ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev. Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi MSC, Bishop of Amboina Diocese. Those MSCs who were ordained are: Frs. Franiskus Lesomar MSC, Kristian Farneubun MSC and Victor Urbanus Kaanubun MSC. These three newly ordained priests are from Kai Islands - South East of Moluccas Islands. Together with them there were also two diocesans ordained at the same time. The ordination took place at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral of Amboina Diocese. It was well attended by more than 80 priests, many religious and a large number of faithful.
South Africa
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Holy Family Care Centre for needy aildren is registered to take 70 children and we are at that number now. Working through & with the local social workers, several children were able to be returned to their family group through the year and more will go at the completion of the school term. Our aim is to reunite the children with their family and community if at all possible. This enables us to take in other sick and needy children who have no one to care for them, especially those who have HIV/Aids. Our miracle baby, Kgmotoso, is growing and thriving. He arrived in April, a very sick infant, just skin and bone and not expected to live. It is truly amazing to watch the transformation when a child is given love, care, good nutrition, good medical intervention, and a safe and happy environment. Holy Family is indeed a place of miracles! Eight children graduated from our creche and will attend the local school next year. Khanyisa who has cerebral palsy has been accepted into a residential school at Giyani for next January and while we will miss her greatly we are delighted that she will now have specialized care and attention. Last July in Children's Week, one of our girls was chosen by the Limpopo Government to travel to Cape Town for a week, to meet the President and do some sight-seeing. All children, in age groups, were given an outing in Tzaneen and had a wonderful time. For some, it was the first time to be in a shopping ce Itre and to use money. Sr Mary Stevens OLSH on behalf of the staff ofHFCC
AffirmatIon of Justice and Peace
404oft.
The following was sent to us by a Missionary Bishop N% ho hello es in the CREDO of the church, and can also give assent to the following: believe in God, who is alive and who has given the earth to all people. 1 believe in Jesus Christ, who came to heal us through all who work for justice. 11 believe in the Spirit of God: who works in and through all who witness to the truth. believe in the community of faith. which is called to be at the service of all people. believe in God's promise to finally destroy the power of sin in us all, and to establish he kingdom of justice and peace for all humankind. believe in human rights in the solidarity of all people, in the power of non-violence. do not believe in racism: in the power that comes from wealth and privilege, or in any established order that enslaves. I believe that all women and men are equally human, that order based on violence and injustice is not order. I do not believe that war and hunger are inevitable and peace unattainable. I believe in the beauty of simplicity, in love with open hands, in peace on earth. I do not believe that suffering need be in vain, that death is the end, that the disfigurement of our world is what God intended. I dare to believe, always and in spite of everything, in God's power to transform and transfigure, fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where justice and peace will flourish. Source Unknown.
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About 5 years ago the MSC in India accepted the responsibility of a parish in the diocese of Vellore. This Parish is Gangapuram also known as 'Katteri' and is the home parish of the present bishop Rev. Soundar Raju SDB..And while Gangapuram is the main station it has Vinnamangalam, Randam, Thellur, Murukannadal, Samathuvapuram and Konniyur as its substations. Gangapuram had an old, damaged church surrounded by barren land. es yers n truths of the faith. A and study in the evening. a. so that sewing classes could able works have been lia. Can we collect izr co a) o ol
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s,ion Office in PNG, I wish to report on 'lin Aneo msc PNG Province Provincial, sh. Br Ben Peniamo msc (representing Janet Hauna. and are members of the ich included 13 vvater tanks for schools, t for the Emmaus Farm for roject applications were received for s. t by so many with whom I had the ntre in Port MONSby where the Sacred 'or the sacrifices many make each day Ipported by a small group of dedicated 100 young men and women under 18 been either through the court system, or ,ewak, where they look after youth who ninor to the most serious imaginable. We to do in this beautiful country, where of the population lacked proper water
India-Tamil Nadu
ACCESS TO WATER ISN'T A PRIVILEGE. IT IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT. AND YET ABOUT 1.2 BILLION PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER, AND 2.4 BILLION LACK BASIC SANITATION. THIRST KILLS AND SO DOES DIRTY WATER
AMBON This year (2009) there are several the Indonesian Province. On February 7 the fi MSCs was ordained to the priesthood by Mos Petrus Canisius Mandagi MSC, Bishop of An Those MSCs who were ordained are: Frs. Fra MSC, Kristian Farneubun MSC and Victor Ui Kaanubun MSC. These three newly ordained Kai Islands - South East of Moluccas Islands. them there were also two diocesans ordained time. The ordination took place at the St. Fran Cathedral of Amboina Diocese. It was well at. number of faithful.
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Holy Family Care Centre for needy chldren i that number now. Working through & with th able to be returned to their family group throu of the school term. Our aim is to reunite the c all possible. This enables us to take in other si for them, especially those who have HIV/Aid: Our miracle baby, Kgmotoso, is growing an and bone and not expected to live. It is truly love, care, good nutrition, good medical inter\ indeed a place of miracles! Eight children grz year. Khanyisa who has cerebral palsy has be January and while we will miss her greatly w( attention. Last July in Children's Week, one o to Cape Town for a week, to meet the Preside] were given an outing in Tzaneen and had a wc shopping centre and to use money. Sr Mary S,
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About 5 years ago the MSC in India accepted the responsibility of a parish in the diocese of Vellore. This Parish is Gangapuram also known as 'Katteri' and is the home parish of the present bishop Rev. Soundar Raju SDB..And while Gangapuram is the main station it has Vinnamangalam, Randam, Thellur, Murukannadal, Samathuvapuram and Konniyur as its substations. Gangapuram had an old, damaged church surrounded by barren land. es ers n truths of the faith. A and study in the evening. o that sewing classes could ble works have been h a. Can we collect
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I believe in God, who is alive and who has given the emu' to dli pcuptc. vi I believe in Jesus Christ, who came to heal us through all who work for justice. \. I believe in the Spirit of God; who works in and through all who witness to the truth. I believe in the community of faith, which is called to be at the service of all people. I believe in God's promise to finally destroy the power of sin in us all, and to establish the kingdom of justice and peace for all humankind. I believe in human rights in the solidarity of all people, in the power of non-violence. I do not believe in racism; in the power that comes from wealth and privilege, or in any established order that enslaves. I believe that all women and men are equally human, that order based on violence and injustice is not order. I do not believe that war and hunger are inevitable and peace unattainable. I believe in the beauty of simplicity, in love with open hands, in peace on earth. I do not believe that suffering need be in vain, that death is the end, that the disfigurement of our world is what God intended. I dare to believe, always and in spite of everything, in God's power to transform and transfigure, fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where justice and peace will flourish. Source Unknown.
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estimated 78,000 people are HIV positive and the rate of illiteracy is 43% of the (4 population. The Mission Office seeks to offer a ray of hope to those who need our support and through the generosity of our benefactors and the people of PNG-we will strive to make a difference. Michael McTernan
India-Tamil Nadu
ACCESS TO WATER ISN'T A PRIVILEGE. IT IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT. AND YET ABOUT 1.2 BILLION PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER, AND 2.4 BILLION LACK BASIC SANITATION. THIRST KILLS AND SO DOES DIRTY WATER 7,0" thirst* " ;) ,,r•IF
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AMBON This year (2009) there are se. the Indonesian Province. On February 7 MSCs was ordained to the priesthood by Petrus Canisius Mandagi MSC, Bishop ( Those MSCs who were ordained are: Fn MSC, Kristian Farneubun MSC and Vici Kaanubun MSC. These three newly ordz. Kai Islands - South East of Moluccas Isl them there were also two diocesans orda time. The ordination took place at the St Cathedral of Amboina Diocese. It was Nv number of faithful.
School Construction at Dindigul, Tamil Nadu This School to date has only one source of support and that is the MSC Mission office. So far approximately 2,000,000 rupees has been collected but this is still in the initial level. But by the end of June 2009 hopefully there will be seven classrooms, an office and a stii!Iroom. Dindigul is a small town in the southern part ofl lrnilnadu (which is a state). The school is a blessing for the people ol hc area. It has students from more than 8 different nearby villages. The park c ore ver:i poor and they work as there is a need to build more classroom and toilets. coolies on different farms. As the numll. + This year we would like to collect $50, :.!).00 for disadvantaged youth in India.
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Holy Family Care Centre for nee , ,,, yc that number now. Working through & NN, able to be returned to their family group of the school term. Our aim is to reunite all possible. This enables us to take in of for them, especially those who have HI \ Our miracle baby, Kgmotoso, is growii and bone and not expected to live. It is love, care, good nutrition, good medical indeed a place of miracles! Eight child year. Khanyisa who has cerebral palsy January and while we will miss her gre attention. Last July in Children's Week, to Cape Town for a week, to meet the Pi were given an outing in Tzaneen and ha, shopping centre and to use money. Sr ,11
Affirmation of Justice and
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About 5 years ago the MSC in India accepted the responsibility of a parish in the diocese of Vellore. This Parish is Gangapuram also known as 'Katteri' and is the home parish of the present bishop Rev. Soundar Raju SDB..And while Gangapuram is the main station it has Vinnamangalam, Randam, Thellur, Murukannadal, Samathuvapuram and Konniyur as its substations. Gangapuram had an old, damaged church surrounded by barren land. It comprised about 70 Christian families who belonged to low castes and were very poor. These people did not even know the Mass prayers or basic catechism. The first challenge was to educate the people in truths of the faith. A large hut was constructed near the church for the children to come and study in the evening. This building was also used as the place to hold sewing machines so that sewing classes could be offered to the women by the professional teachers. These charitable works have been supported by the benefactors of the MSC Mission Office in Australia. Can we collect $10,000.00 to continue these good works?
The following was sent to us by a Nlissic of the church, and can also give assent t I believe in God, who is alive and who ha! I believe in Jesus Christ, who came to hea, I believe in the Spirit of God; who works in and through all who witness to the truth. I believe in the community of faith, which is called to be at the service of all people. I believe in God's promise to finally destroy the power of sin in us all, and to establish the kingdom of justice and peace for all humankind. I believe in human rights in the solidarity of all people, in the power of non-violence. I do not believe in racism; in the power that comes from wealth and privilege, or in any established order that enslaves. I believe that all women and men are equally human, that order based on violence and injustice is not order. I do not believe that war and hunger are inevitable and peace unattainable. I believe in the beauty of simplicity, in love with open hands, in peace on earth. I do not believe that suffering need be in vain, that death is the end, that the disfigurement of our world is what God intended. I dare to believe, always and in spite of everything, in God's power to transform and transfigure, fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where justice and peace will flourish. Source Unknown.
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the activities of the Mission Office in PNG, I wish to report on Having spent the past 3 weeks rev i. board members are Fr John Aneo msc PNG Province Provincial, some recent activities of our Board. c, Sr Rosaleen O'Brien olsh, Br Ben Peniamo msc (representing Fr Arnold Neyeh msc, Fr Abel Tuilil Angela Gemer, and Ms Janet Hauna. and are members of the our MSC seminarians), Mr John La\ MSC Lay Associates. The PNG Mission Office actioned projects totaling K 90,000, which included 13 water tanks for schools, parishes and health centers and the purchasing of Farm equipment for the Emmaus Farm for Disadvantaged Youth in Daru/Kiunga Diocese. A total of 10 new project applications were received for Clean Water, Disadvantaged Youth and HIV/Aids project categories. One is constantly reminded of the fantastic V4 ork being carried out by so many with whom I had the opportunity to meet and my visit to the Hohola Juvenile Justice centre in Port Moresby where the Sacred Heart Brothers a small religious group reinforced my admiration for the sacrifices many make each day without recognition. The Brothers led by Br Bernard Werao and supported by a small group of dedicated support staff. have the responsibility for the care and education of 100 young men and women under 18 years who have also been referred to the Brothers for care, having been either through the court system, or in many cases are homeless. They also have a smaller facility in Wewak, where they look after youth who have also been thl-, ugh the court system for crimes ranging from minor to the most serious imaginable. We hope to be able to .,tipport the Brothers in the future. There is much to do in this beautiful country, where despite its abundance of natural resources, it is reported that 61% of the population lacked proper water facilities in their homes, an A I I estimated 78,000 people are HIV positive and the rate of illiteracy is 43% of the population. The Mission Office seeks to offer a ray of hope to those who need our support and through the generosity of our benefactors and the people of PNG-we will strive to make a difference. Michael McTernan
"Africa is the future": The single most important Catholic story of the 20th century -- more consequential in the long run than the Lateran Pacts, Pius XII, the Second Vatican Council, and even John Paul II - was the shift in the church's center of gravity from North to South. In 1900, just 25 percent of the Catholic population lived in the southern hemisphere. Today that figure stands at 66 percent, or two-thirds of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics, and by mid-century the southern share is projected to be 75 percent. As Auguste Comte reputedly once said, "Demography is destiny." The tone in the Catholic church increasingly will be set by bishops, theologians, and lay activists from the south, especially from Africa. During the 20th century, the Catholic population in sub-Saharan Africa exploded •JI an astonishing growth rate of 6,708 percent. There's a youthful energy from 1.9 million to 130 about the church in Africa, as well as a sense that its historical moment has arrived." John L. Allen Jr NCR The MSC Mission Office is part of a world-wide group which we call The Chevalier Family. In Africa this family is found in South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Senegal, Congo, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South and North Sudan. Our apostolic works in these countries include water projects, ministry to street kids especially disadvantaged girls, support for those sufferilg with HIV/Aids. All forms of charitable works are open to our Missionaries.
Pope visits Africa 2009 'IT IS, I BELIEVE, EN IDENT THAT BY HELPING THE SUFFERING WE BECONIE MORE HUMAN, THE WORLD BECOMES MORE HUMAN". confirm my brothers and "I come among you as a pastor, I conic
sisters in the faith. This was the role th: Christ entrusted to Peter at the Last Supper, and it is the role of Pet is successors. When Peter preached to the multitudes in Jenisalem t Pentecost, there were visitors from Africa present among thLn And the witness of many great saints from this continent durin,z. ti first centuries of Christianity - Saint Cyprian, Saint Mori;ca, Saint Augustine, Saint Athanasius. to name but a few - guarant..es a distinguished place for Africa in the annals of Church history. Right up to the present S. waves of ml..sionaries and martyrs have continued to bear witness to Christ throughS ut Africa. and today the Church is blessed with almost a hundred and fifty million members. How fittinI then, that Peter's successor should come to Africa, to celebrate with you the life-giving faith in Christ that sustains and nourishes so many of the sons and daughters of this great continent!" "Here in Africa, as in so many parts of the world, countless men and women long to hear a vvord of hope anI comfort. Regional conflicts leave thousands homeless or destitute, orphaned or widowed. In a c S ntinent which, in times I. saw so m my of its people cruelly uprooted and traded overseas to work as slaves, today hu nan trafficking. especially of defenseless women and children, has become a new form of slavery. At a time of global food shortays, financial turmoil, and disturbing patterns of climate change, A frica suffers disproportionately: more and more of her people are falling prey to hunger, poverty, and S isease. They cry out for reconciliation, justice and peace, and that is what the Church offers them." Pope Benedict .10.1
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Lord, oui .L )111- faith, our family, and all that is most precious comes from others. We are able to iive our lives for You because others have sacrificed for us. Only by their sacrifices can we continue. Bless these benefactors, Lord. May their hands, outstretched to give to others, be filled with your holy gifts. Strengthen them with Your power. tlelp them in all they do. Free their hearts from sadness; Fill them with joy; Reward them in this life. And, at its close, may they receive from your hands a reward exceedingly great
Dear Adrian, Greetings! I am writing to you for two reasons: firstly, to thank you for your kindness to me when I was in visiting Kensington Monastery, and secondly to prove to you that it was not all in vain! My computer is working well & I bought a printer at Alotau that is doing allI ask of it so far. Take this letter as a demonstration of my gratitude. Unfortunately we still have water problems. In fact some big ones. I will send you our applications. Thanks again for the help. You are always there. Thanks too and regards to Marie, Paul and Michael. Fr. Jim Moore MSC Budoya PNG. "We have approved 2 water projects for Fr Jim - Editor" My sincere thanks for the gift of K4,000 - for my work in the formation of OLSH Lay Associates. You know I am so grateful to you and our generous Australians and families for the gift. Please be assured that I will constantly pray for all of you. Thanks for your great support over the years and I know your heart is still here in PNG. God bless. Sr Maria Koae,OLSH Sister, Badili Port Moresby
Yule Island V! Sr Marie Koae was previously the Provincial of the Sisters in PNG. She comes from Yule Island, and her family have had a close association with the first Missionaries. The photo shows a family with their water tank they recently received at Yule Island, west of Port Moresby, PNG. Yule Island is the place where the Catholic Church began in Papua on July 4, 1885. It was to remain the centre of Catholic life and of local Government for the next 50 years. Now there are lots of old buildings, and few services. The family in the photo go back to the early missionaries, and we are happy to support them as often they have no access to drinking water.
'PROJECTS COMPLETED SO FAR THIS YEAR TOTAL $195,824.00 ntry 1=1J1 IK'w:IBATI PHILIPPINES STH AFRICA INDONESIA VANUATU DR CONGO VIETNAM KENYA TOTAL
Water
Youth HIV/AIDS Formition
59,950 13,674
13,000 18,000 5,000 5,000
3,000 5,000 7,200 2,500 2C 0
11,00 10,000 5.000 10,000
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Each fortnight we receive a cheque from the MSC Daramalan College in Canberra. This money is given by the staff of the college to procure water tanks in the Missions. To date they have provided over 15 water tanks. The students too have contributed in many ways, not least by their support for colleges in the pacific region. This is not surprising as the College expresses its generous spirit in many ways, and is a work of the , Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. W ater from the H ea r t St. Joseph's, K ikori-PNG
The MSC Mission Office continues to answer our need for clean water in preparation for the Vocational School. To date we have two tanks of three thousand gallons each and two more of two thousand gallons and header tank yet to come. The Mission office also supports the basic needs of disadvantaged children. Though tie Kikori Delta area has a high rainfall many people do not have access to clean drinking water. Thanks to the Mi ionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC Mission Office) which constantly supports our Parish and the whole Diocese of Kerema we have been able to purchase two water tanks. Now, at long last we have 'St. Joseph's Vocational School' which will be offering courses like agriculture, home economics (cooking and sewing), and basic skills in carpentry, computing. For parents living in Kikori this is a dream come true. They are looking forward to enrolling their children and seeing them get a good education at home. Most parents keep coming to the Mission asking when the School is going to start. Others keep sending names of their children to be enrolled. Hopefully as soon as we get the second building completed and another teacher's houses then we will start. Please remember us in your prayers. Fr. Paul Lokunume -Diocesan Priest
PROJECTS REQUIRING over $100,000 EACH Our three major projects for which we grant TAX DEDUCTION receipts are: 1) WATER 2) HIV/Aids 3) DISADVANTAGED YOUTH. We try to provide support for these items in many parts of the world but especially PNG, KIRIBATI, INDIA, VIETNAM, AFRICA (South Sudan, Namibia, Kenya, Senegal, Angola, Congo etc.) INDONESIA, INDIA, PACIFIC ISLANDS etc
This calendar includes references to Liturgical readings for Living?"' each day. Price $1.50 calendat 2009 a) Mass Stipends Makers b) Rosaries c) Stamps
Prayer Book and Readings
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Why make a bequest?
A bequest in your will is a gift which lives on. It is a way of sharing assets that you may need now, but can spare for a worthy cause when you no longer need them. Bequests to the MSC Mission Office are an outstanding way of financing the good work done by our Missionaries. It would be very difficult to continue to expand the provision of services without bequests.
This modest production has 61 pages of prayers and 60 pages of reading. Price $5.00
Rosary Beads Rosary beads
for overseas missions are always welcomed by missionaries all over the world. Please remember the missionaries and the rosary makers in your prayers.
In the midst of the global financial crisis the situation in developing countries is that the poor are even more disadvantaged than ever. "As many as 53 million more people could be trapped in poverty as economic growth slows around the world," according to new World Bank forecasts for 2009. And in a blow to efforts to reduce infant mortality, between 200,000 and 400,000 more babies could die each year between now and 2015 if the crisis persists, the Bank predicts.
IIIIP
SC
Switch Phone: (02) 9662 7188 O ffice Phone: (02) 9697 0983 (02) 9697 0984 F ax:
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N ote: We acknowledge ALL correspondence, and always send RECEIPTS. We appreciate your consideration in fully completing the donation coupin with your donation I wish to support: c lean Water Projects
or C hildrenis Programs or •v ietnam In
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H I V /A ids Programs S eminarians in ( not tax deducti ble) PNG I ndia
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111 Central Pacific
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Page 12
PERSPECTIVES
June 10 2009, The Record
Non practising, Triumph closer than we realise I'd look at the Body cross and just cry Language Fatima and the Theology of the Body: Part II.
I Jane Borg
T
he most effective time for me to pray is in the morning. I find if I don't pray then the day gets away from me. I meditate on Scripture, spend time in contemplative prayer and try to get to Mass every day. We have Mass daily at the Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation where I am principal. We also have corporate prayer twice a week together. We are a Charismatic college so our prayer together often involves music, praise and worship. However, we like to expose with Debbie Warner students to the variety of prayer available in the Church, so we also pray the Rosary, Divine Office and use Lectio Divinia. There is also a chapel on site and Adoration anytime we want. The Bible College started in 2005 and we all worked hard to get all our courses fully accredited and the college registered as a nationally recognised training organisation. That we were able to achieve this in twelve months when we had been warned it usually took four or five years was confirmation to us that this college was really God's work. We know that if we follow God, whatever He wants will happen. We just need to co-operate. Catholicism is not a thing of the past. God is alive. He is still touching people's lives and calling people to something better than the world offers. Our patron saint is St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of missionaries. We want our students to be missionaries in their community, their parishes, their workplace or wherever they are. We are a vocational college and hence the students get practical skills training in addition to foundational knowledge. The students learn Scripture, Church doctrine and key teachings, as well as Church history. They also develop skills in communication, small groups, giving talks, evangelisation techniques and apologetics. They can also choose ministry skills in youth, pastoral care or Christian leadership. Twenty years ago,Iwas a non-practising Catholic. I stopped going regularly to Mass due to peer pressure. But every now and then I'd feel compelled on a Sunday to go to Mass. I'd go to Church, look at the Cross and just cry. God never let go of me. I had a good job,Ihad plenty of money and friends but my life was empty. Something was missing. Then I went with some friends to a Charismatic Mass in Canberra. I walked into this Church and saw the joy on the faces of the people there. I thought, 'Wow! Whatever these people have got I want it!" I kept going to that Mass and soon ended up on a youth camp held by the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community. It was on this camp that I had a personal encounter with Jesus that changed my life. Struggling with how to respond to this encounter,I heard Jesus ask, "Well, what is your answer going to be - yes or no?" I thought, "What have I got to lose? Yes!' It was like a switch flicked on inside of me.I was flooded with joy, peace and God's unconditional love. I have never looked back. The emptiness inside of me is gone. I now know the daily battle is not mine alone.
Howl Pray Now
If you have a story to tell please contact Debbie via debwarrier@hotmail.com
n honour of Mary, I've chosen to focus my columns this month on what I consider an intriguing connection between the messages of Fatima and John Paul II's Theology of the Body (TUB). In the previous column, I explained how the assassination attempt on John Paul II was a fulfillment of the "third secret" of Fatima. Coincidentally, the day he was shot May 13, 1981 - was not only the annual memorial of Fatima, it was also the day he had planned to establish his Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. Could it be that there were forces at work that did not want John Paul II's teaching to reach the world? Part of Mary's message in Fatima was that "Russia would spread her errors throughout the world." However, "In the end; she said, "my Immaculate Heart will triumph." • When we hear of the errors of Russia, we rightly think of the spread of Communism. But Communism has roots that go deeper than Marxist economic theory. As most of us learned in school, Marx considered class struggle to be the defining factor of history. But digging deeper, Marx also believed that the fundamental "class struggle" was found in monogamous marriage and, indeed,
in the sexual difference itself. "The first division of labour," Marx co-wrote with Friedrich Engels, "is that between man and woman for the propagation of children." In turn, Engels affirmed that Marxist theory "demands the abolition of the monogamous family as the economic unit of society" (see "The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State"). It seems the deeper revolution - and, I would contend, the deeper "error of Russia" - is the one aimed at destroying marriage and the family. Indeed, those who seek to deconstruct sexuality in the modern world often draw straight from Marx. As feminist author Shulamith Firestone wrote in The Dialectic of Sex: "Just as the end goal of socialist revolution was.., the elimination of the... economic class distinction itself, so the end goal of feminist revolution must be... the elimination of... the sex distinction itself [so that] genital differences between human beings would no longer matter culturally." Welcome to the deep-seated sexual confusion in which we're now immersed. But here's the good news: Just as John Paul II's vision of the human person inaugurated a new kind of revolution that led to the fall of communism, his TUB has also inaugurated a new kind of revolution that will, I believe, lead to the collapse of the dominant sexual ideology. In his book "The Last Secret of Fatima; Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone wrote: "The Communist system seemed invincible, and it looked as if it were going to endure for centuries. But then the whole thing collapsed like a house of cards." Perhaps we can expect the same with the deeper "error of Russia." Indeed, in the Book of Revelation, the
"whore of Babylon" - that mysterious feminine figure who mocks the Bride of the Lamb - is brought to ruin in "one hour." And as she collapses, all the merchants who "gained their wealth from her" (think the porn industry, Planned Parenthood, etc.) "weep and mourn" (Rv 18). And then comes the triumph of the New Jerusalem, the Bride who has "made herself ready" for her Bridegroom. She is dressed in "fine linen, bript and immaculate" (Rv 19:7-8). She is 'clothed with the sun" (Rv 12:1). This radiant Bride, of course, is personified in Mary. "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph." What does this mean? In short, it means that purity of heart will triumph. Somehow the pornographic lies will be redeemed. All of "Babylon's" distortions will be untwisted and we will come to see the human body as it really is - as a glorious sign of "the mystery hidden from eternity in God" (TUB 19:4). By showing us the path to authentic purity (never to be confused with puritanism or prudishness!), John Paul II's TUB paves the way for Mary's triumph. Is it a coincidence that John Paul began writing his TOB on the feast of the Immaculate Conception? Is it a coincidence that he devoted the entire work to "Mary, all beautiful?" Is it a coincidence that she saved his life on the memorial of Fatima so that his teaching could reach the world? Let us pray for the triumph of the Immaculate Heart. It may be closer than we realise. Already in 1994, John Paul wrote that Mary's words spoken in Fatima "seem to be close to their fulfillment" ("Crossing the Threshold of Hope p. 221). Let it be, Lord, according to your word.
Great truths built into Scapulars The Green Scapular A friend of mine recently gave me a Green Scapular and when I asked her whether it was different from the Brown Scapular she wasn't sure. Can you help us both?
By Fr John Flader
T
he Brown Scapular, asIwrote in an earlier column (cf. J. Flader, Question Time, Connor Court 2008, n. 136) was revealed to St Simon Stock in 1251 and is a source of many graces for those who use it by virtue of their association with the Carmelite Order. The Green Scapular has a different origin and purpose. It dates to the year 1840, ten years after the revelation of the Miraculous Medal to St Catherine Labour& a Daughter of Charity in Rue de Bac, in Paris (cf. J. Flader, ibid., n. 135). As with the Miraculous Medal, it was Our Lady who revealed the Green Scapular to a Daughter of Charity, Sr Justine Bisqueyburu. Significantly, Sr Justine had entered the novitiate at Rue de Bac on November 27, 1839, the ninth anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to St Catherine Labour& It was there, on January 28 the following year, that Our Lady first appeared to Sr Justine. Mary was dressed in a long white gown with a light blue mantle, but she
wore no veil. In her hands she held her heart, from which flames burst forth. Our Lady appeared to Sr Justine again four or five times during her novitiate. After completing the novitiate, Sr Justine was sent to Blangy, (SeineInferieure) to teach school. It was there, on September 8, 1840, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, that Our Lady appeared to her, holding in her right hand her heart surmounted by flames, and in the other hand a Scapular, consisting of a single rectangular piece of green cloth, hanging from a string which was also green and closed so as to be worn around the neck. On one side was a picture of the Blessed Virgin as she had revealed herself in the preceding apparitions. On the other was a heart ablaze with rays more dazzling than the sun, and as transparent as crystal. That is how Sr Justine herself described the vision. The heart, pierced by a sword and surmounted by a gold cross, was surrounded by an inscription in the shape of an oval which read, "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death." At the same time, Sr Justine heard an interior voice saying that this holy picture was to contribute to the conversion of sinners and infidels and to win for them a good death, and that copies should be made as soon as possible. Sr Justine informed her Superior of what had happened but no action was taken to make the Scapulars. She received the same apparition a year later on August 15 and September 13, 1841, but still the Scapulars were not made. Our Lady expressed her displeasure at this in another vision on May 3, 1842. A few Scapulars were then produced but without much confidence and hence the results were not very satisfactory. Our Lady spoke of this several times in 1846
and finally the Scapulars were produced in greater numbers. The question then arose as to whether any special blessing or prayers were required to make the Scapular effective. In an apparition on September 8, 1846, Our Lady explained that since the Scapular was not the habit of a confraternity, it was sufficient that a priest bless it and that it be worn or carried by the person whose conversion was sought. It could also be left in this person's clothing or room. The prayer on the Scapular was to be recited every day, either by the person whose conversion was sought or by the person giving them the Scapular. The benefits received would be in proportion to the degree of confidence and faith accompanying it. Pope Pius IX gave permission for the Daughters of Charity to make and distribute the Scapulars during an audience with the Procurator General of the Congregation of the Mission at the Holy See in 1870. And Pope Pius XI had a Green Scapular on his desk, alongside a Miraculous Medal. Over the years, the Green Scapular has been responsible for numerous conversions and cures. It is another great gift to the world from Our Lady. Fr Flader director@caec.conau
June 10 2009, The Record
Page 13
PERSPECTIVES
Are we any better than Nazis? The Eucharist with Catherine Parish
T
here has been media and literary discussion lately for one reason or another about the Nazi atrocities of World War II. It is maintained by some commentators and historians that the civilian population of Germany and its surrounds under the heel of the Nazis knew what was going on in the labour camps but felt they could do nothing about it; or even acquiesced in secret agreement with this scandalous destruction of people for no other reason than their race. We recoil with horror and think that we would never be so craven. But are we any better? Among other articles, I read a recent book review by Alan Gold of The Words to Remember It: Memoirs of Child Holocaust Survivors in the Weekend Australian Review (30-31st May 2009). Many of these Jewish survivors, now elderly grandparents, are giving voice for the first time to the horrific experiences they endured at the hands of the Nazis. The review is arresting for many reasons, but it struck me forcibly that this heartfelt and moving reflection recognises fully and with outrage the unspeakable horror of the wanton wholesale destruction of the innocent. He finds the most deeply distressing, perhaps, the happy photos of the children before the war, so soon to be
"dragged from their homes and schools and friends, classified as subhuman, brutalised, starved and tortured. A million and a half Jewish children were slaughtered Those children.., became the dust of Europe." And further on, how they have finally found the words to describe their heretofore unspeakable experiences "under a regime that gave legal sanction to treat its own citizens as subhuman. "Take away a group's humanity, portray them as rats and bacilli and it becomes most simple and acceptable to exterminate them." A truism that continues to be well exploited by proabortion activists around the world. Are we really any better than the Nazis? Barack Obama being invited in triumph into the halls of Notre Dame University, by those who should be his opponents, has shone new light on the enduring tragedy of abortion. But this light may be a light that many of its proponents might ultimately rather not have had upon them. It has been easy enough for waverers or pragmatists to quietly refrain from stating their views for or against abortion in the veil of silence that so often covers this taboo subject. But, as young student and columnist Michelle Romeu last week noted (The Record June 3, Vista 4), this attempt to carry the day through sheer force of personality may have had the opposite effect. Now, we know that Notre Dame's leadership has not been staunchly Catholic for many years. But while the university president may be in the US President's pocket, it seems that many of the students are emphatically not. A certain public polarisation of views has taken place, and the ability to remain silent about one's position on
abortion is diminished in the flurry of controversy that has accompanied the invitation to the President to give the Commencement address. The President and his advisers certainly see that the Catholic Church (very irritatingly and inconveniently) stands virtually alone among the Christian Churches in its requirement as a tenet of faith to believe and uphold the sanctity of human life in all situations, from natural conception to natural death; and thus to reject contraception and abortion. What the President and his advisers have missed is that many thousands of young American Catholics stand with the Church. Neither do they understand the depth of faith and the depth of catechetical knowledge that quietly exists in these young Catholics. These young people are not fooled by rhetoric about tolerance for differing beliefs, they know the truth of the matter. The truth that abortion kills children, millions of children, and that no words can change the truth of that. I see hope in this young journalist. It is the young who will continue to fight for the young; the young, in the flower of their own youth who will reject the notion that destruction of the innocent solves any problem. I pray for them, that their ideals will remain strong in the face of the vicissitudes of modern life, and that they will refuse to compromise their belief in the sanctity of human life. There are few, if any, survivors of the abortion holocaust. But maybe one day our children will seek out those rare abortion survivors and enshrine their memoirs for posterity, as a reminder that these horrors must not be permitted to happen again.
Science a child of Christianity is In clear view By Guy Crouchback
A
number of science fiction writers have written someself-congratulatory what (from the human point of view) scenes in which aliens from space are flabbergasted at how quickly the human race has advanced - "They've gone from animal-power to space-flight in 200 years!" etc. Harry Turtledove has a series of books, Worldwar, in which intelligent but slow-developing and methodical aliens, having previously sent exploration-probes to medieval Earth and discovered that the most advanced military technology is represented by armoured knights, return with a conquest-fleet which they have fitted-out expecting to have to overcome more of the same. The vast distances of space mean that they take several centuries to arrive so that they reach Earth in 1942 and receive shocks as great as those received by the humans. However, since we have no actual standard of comparison, another interpretation of human scientific and technological history might be that progress has been very slow - indeed for much of the time non-existent. It may be that modern progress often seems so fast because in preceding millennia it occurred hardly at all. A more misanthropic story might tell of more go-ahead aliens exclaiming scornfully: "Geez! It took them that long?" We cannot judge from a sample of one. But we know that for many millennia after highly-developed human brains with vast capabilities came into existence there was basically almost no
scientific and technological progress of Earth beyond the simplest tools. The great religious and moral codes of the world, ancient and modern, tend to contain broadly common values and commandments - to be charitable and benevolent, to honour one's parents, to tell the truth, not to steal, murder, etc, even to have good manners. These appear to be immutably necessary for any viable society, and to receive lipservice even when they are not obeyed. But there is no immutable and universal injunction to expand and apply knowledge. Only in the Christian West has that arisen, and by no means universally even there. It does not seem a universal human instinct. Progress is not an "immutable" aspect of society, civilisation or human life. It does not obey a Categorical Imperative: in general it has never happened. If we tend to assume that it is somehow universal, this may be the product of what has been attacked by the politically correct as a "Eurocentric" view of world history. The politically correct, however, may be less happy to be
reminded that a non-Eurocentric view of world history is one which contains largely slavery, starvation and stagnation. Only once has the impulse to experiment been carried on, generation after generation, to create a scientific civilisation. This, I suggest, depended upon a number of unique or rare, but also largely interdependent, factors coming together. These came from different "angles," and from different times in history. They included among many other things the Judeo-Christian religion and associated ethics, values, intellectual disciplines, aesthetics and eschatology, including most importantly the partnership of religion and reason and a notion of achievements "to the greater glory of God." Above all, perhaps, they came from a religion whose mysteries were public and which was friendly to and supportive of Reason. History shows that scientific and technological civilisation is the child of Christianity and of no other system of belief.
moves us to act As the Year for Priests looms, a respected priest from India discusses the Eucharist.
•
S acrament
of charity
Fr Erasto Fernandez 555
Christian living: A response of forgiving love
W
e have seen how God's forgiveness is always a gift to us. Should we then take sin lightly because God is so good and 'lenient'? If we do, it simply means that we have not really understood God's love. No one who experiences God's love deeply can consciously offend him again. Yet so often we choose self in preference to God's will and thus break or weaken our relationship with him. In spite of this, instead of punishing us, he still lovingly welcomes us back. "Come back to Me, with all your heart..." So not only at Eucharist but also throughout our lives, we thank and praise God for his immense forgiving love given so freely and readily each time we fail. At the Penitential Rite, therefore, we should not abjectly crave for mercy as we pray/sing the `Lord, have mercy.' Such a grovelling approach is actually an insult to God's gracious generosity in always taking the initiative to forgive us. The more accurate way of rendering 'Lord, have mercy' would be: 'Lord, you are so generous, loving and merciful; you welcome us back with tender compassion; you are the source of all mercy.' Once we adopt this approach to God's mercy, we need to reflect these positive sentiments in our stance, our tone of voice and our general bearing all through Eucharist, and all through life as well. God's love is a transforming love. Now the test of our having gratefully and efficaciously received his forgiving love and allowed it to transform us is that we can reach out to others with an equally generous forgiveness. Another sign that we have received God's forgiveness effectively is that we do not return to the same old sinful life-style. God's forgiveness transforms us into a new creation. In the 'Lord's prayer' we say: 'Forgive us our sins as we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.' Luke stresses the point that in the very act of forgiving others we ourselves are forgiven. The parable of the 'Unforgiving Servant' reminds us that God's gracious forgiveness cannot be kept for oneself alone: it has to be passed on. Further, the forgiveness we share with others is God's own forgiveness, not ours. In practice, this means that if we deliberately refuse to forgive others, we close the doors of our hearts to God's forgiveness for ourselves too. Hence during the Penitential Rite, we focus not only on God and his unbelievable graciousness, but also look outwards towards others, to see whether we have really forgiven all those who have hurt us. After God has forgiven us so completely, we cannot afford to keep even an unconscious grudge against any of our brothers and sisters. We recall the words of Jesus: "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you ..." (Mt. 5:23-24). At our next Eucharist we could consciously pause and ask ourselves: 'Is there anyone in my life that I need to forgive now even asIpraise God for his gift of forgiveness to me?' Am I in the habit of keeping score of the wrongs others have done me? Do I ' realise that if I still feel hurt, it is because I am not yet fully secure in the Father's love for me? Since the Father holds me tenderly in his arms, no one can really hurt or harm me. "For those who love God, everything works for their good ... who will separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. 8:30-39). God has already forgiven us from all eternity, and especially through the death of his Son Jesus. All of God's actions are beyond time and space. The whole thrust of the message of the prophets is precisely that God takes the initiative in forgiving his people and bringing them back - even when they don't really deserve it. But because God has forgiven me that does not mean that I am forgiven until I humbly accept that gift of forgiveness which implies at least two things: that I don't repeat the same sin consciously and that I be ready to share God's free gift of forgiveness with others who hurt me without waiting for them to ask for it.
yo.
Page 14
PANORAMA
June 10 2009, The Record
A roundup of events in the Archdiocese
Panorama entries must be in by 12pm Monday. Contributions may be emailed to administrationgtherecord.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. 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 SOUTH SUNDAY SESH! 5pm Mass, at The Basilica of St Patrick, Fremantle, followed at 6.30pm Sunday Sesh. Don't miss out! Open for youth of ages 15-35. Guest Speaker: Fr John O'Reilly, presenting "Bread or Jesus?" The night includes, music, activities, talk, prayer time and group discussions. Bring money for supper. Eng: www.cym.com.au or 9422 7912. 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 Annointing 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. Monday June 15 AN EVENING FOR MEN! Is God Real? 7.30pm at Schoenstatt Shrine, Talus Drive, Armadale, come and listen to some input by Fr Marcelo and then discuss this topic and see what conclusions can be drawn. It is a question being asked by everyone because of what is going on in the world today. All men are invited to come. Eng: Ralph 9457 0762, or Terry 9310 5461 or Sr Georgina 9399 2349. Wednesday June 17 TAIZE MEDITATION PRAYER 7.30pm to 8.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 100 Dean Road, Bateman. All welcome to spend an hour in Group Prayer and relax after a busy workday in a candlelight atmosphere of prayer, song and meditation. Eng: Daisy/Barney 9310 4781. 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 Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Eng: Father Doug Harris 94446131 or Dorothy 9342 5845. Sunday June 21 NORTH SUNDAY SESH! 5.30pm Mass, at Holy Spirit, City Beach, followed at 6.45pm, Sunday Sesh. Don't miss out! Open for youth of ages, 15-35. Guest Speaker: Fr John O'Reilly, presenting "Bread or Jesus?" The night includes, music, activities, talk, prayer time and group discussions. Bring money for supper. Eng: www.cym.com.au or 9422 7912. 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 683 926. 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. Saturday June 27 VOICE OF THE VOICELESS MINISTRY OF POPE JOHN PAUL II 12noon at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Corfield Street and lsdell Place, Gosnells. Adoration and Healing Mass, with the Voice of the Voiceless Music Ministry.All are welcome to attend. Eng: John 0437 286 301. 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: erichancockOswiftdsl.com.au or 9446 1558. Tuesday June 30 JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE TIMELINE Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles This 20-week study tells the story of the earliest days of the Church and shows how Christ's work continues through us in the Church today. Young women are invited to join the group who already meet on Tuesday nights at 8 San Miguel Drive, Leeming. Eng: Sr Ann 0409 602 927. 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 OR 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. Tuesday July 14 to Wednesday 22 July DIVINE WILL LIVED BY LUISA PICCARRETA TALKS Fr Carlos Massieu, a gifted international speaker, will be giving talks in the Archdiocese of Perth. Come and hear, be enlightened as to Our Heavenly Father's Plan for the fulfilment of the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." Times and venues TBA closer to the date. Eng: Jenny 9494 2604. Wednesday July 15 to Sunday July 19 CYM HOPE CONFERENCE Chisholm Catholic College, 1104 Beaufort Street, Bedford. Based on the WYD09 Theme from 1Tim 4:10 and the Pope's 2007 Encyclical 'Spe Salvi'. The conference will include seminars, workshops, guest speakers, music, drama and other activities to inspire and empower our youth. Open for youth teenagers to 35 years. Eng: admin a'cym.com.au or 9422 7912. Saturday July 25 to Sunday July 26 400 YEARS CELEBRATION FOR LORETO SISTERS Three Springs Parish 6.30pm Saturday at Three Springs Shire Hall, dinner. 11am Sunday Mass held in St Paul's Church followed by BBQ lunch. Accommodation, Three Springs Tourist Lodge 9954 1065 or Commercial Hotel: 9954 104. Those wishing to attend these celebrations, please advice ASAP by June 31. Eng: Convent: 9954 1010 or Myrtle 9954 1135, or jackkeogh@wn.com.au Friday July 31 MEDJUGORJE - EVENING OF PRAYER 7pm at St Anne's Catholic Church, Stirling Highway and Alfred Road, North Fremantle. All are invited to an evening of prayer with Our Lady Queen of Peace. Evening commences with Adoration, Rosary, and Benediction, followed by Holy Mass. Free DVD on conversion of Don Calloway who was drug addict, committing felonies but later became a Catholic priest. Eng: 9402 2480. 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 Perrott 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 claremontOperthcatholic.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, Shepperton 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, Alcock Street, Maddington. Prayers for healing and deliverance. Eng: 9381 5383. Every 4th Sunday of the Month HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND 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 celestialorchidsCogmail.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.
June 10 2009, The Record
Page 15
CLASSIFIEDS
in brief...
Concerned Catholics activates faithful A PARISH-based grass-roots group aiming to educate and activate the faithful on adverse legislation has started in Greenmount. The group, called Concerned Catholics, started last November, raising awareness to stop adverse legislation 'passing by stealth' because of non-informed Australians. "In this regard, our endeavour is to start as many 'grass roots fires' throughout parishes in WA, who can then start up their own groups of Concerned Catholics. As Concerned Catholics, we can unite as a voice to be heard by politicians and parliaments. I have been amazed at how many practising Catholics will agree that 'Yes, things are bad: yet do nothing constructive about preventing 'rot to set in," said founding member Colleen McGuiness-Howard. The group is supported by its Salvatorian parish priest, Fr Karol Kulczycki, and Archbishop Barry Hickey, who has encouraged the group, which meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month after the 7.30pm Mass, during which they discuss initiatives and analyse current legislation. The group, also promoted through the parish website www.stanthonys. org.au, has succeeded in enlisting the support of other priests who have reprinted or allowed their information to be distributed through other parishes. The group's first initiative was how the Victorian Abortion Bill passed, allowing abortion at 24 weeks and denying Christian doctors a right not participate in abortion. "We see correct information as being the most positive way to inform, act, and thwart onslaughts on our Catholic beliefs, principles, and rights to practise and live as true followers of Jesus Christ." For info call Colleen McGuiness-Howard on 4402 332 148.
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Missionary reflections on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ "This is my Body... this is my Blood..." Christ's body and blood is the nourishment for eternal life. It hadn't dawned on me how important this is to people who suffered unimaginable violence and oppression untilI witnessed a Eucharistic celebration of over 2,000 people during a lull in the fighting during the closing stages of the Angolan civil war. I had brought food and medicine with me to supplement a feeding centre and clinic that was set up at the parish. There were a hundred times more people waiting for 'the bread for eternal life' than there were outside the feeding centre. It wasn't that they weren't hungry. Their stomachs were empty but their hearts were full of faith, yearning for what truly nourishes. Interested in overseas missionary experience, then call Catholic Mission on 94227933'
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Kalamunda celebrates birthday of the Church
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20 S THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY (M) I exult for joy Wh Isa 61:9-11 My heart exults 1Sam 2:1.4-8 In her heart Lk 2:41-51
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19 F THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS Solemnity lam the Holy One Hos 11:1.3-4.8-9 Wh Glorious deeds Isa 12:2-6 Eph 3:8-12.14-19 Special grace Pierced Jesus' side in 19:31-37
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THERE was something in the air on May 31 at the Holy Family Church in Kalamunda. A large helium balloon hung to the side of the altar which was adorned with red, a beautiful wall hanging of the Holy Spirit formed a point of focus and the congregation decked out in red was in a jubilant mood. Fr Paul Raj called the children up for their blessing before being dismissed to Children's Liturgy, and asked them all to sing "Happy Birthday", Why? Pentecost is the celebration of the birth of the Church. The fire and love of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus breathed a birth from frailty and separateness to a life of courage and unified witness. "We are the product of the frightened but faithful huddle of disciples waiting for the promised helper. We celebrate again
Thursday 25th June celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Fulton J Sheen Society Inc. Featuring Archbishop Barry J Hickey. Highly reputed pianist Mark Coughlan and other talented artists. Trinity College, East Perth at 7.30pm, heated hall and admission of $25 includes refreshments. Enquiries and tickets 9291 8224 sheensociety@ globaldial.com
the wonderful and exciting possibilities that come from openness to receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. At every birthday there are presents and the celebration of Pentecost is no different. The Holy Spirit brought seven gifts that bring us to a deeper appreciation of God's great love for us. After all, isn't love for God and love for one another what it is all about?" Fr Raj said. At Children's Liturgy after reading the Gospel John15:26-27 and discussing how the disciples must have felt before receiving the Holy Spirit and the difference it made, preparations for the birthday party started, as children opened a present containing seven balloons which we inflated. Each had a gift of the Holy Spirit written on it: Awe and Wonder, Reverence, Courage, Knowledge, Understanding, Right Judgment and Wisdom. how these gifts They discussed become fruits of the Holy Spirit when they are used.
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