The problem of
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Church communica ions expert R I SELL SW talks a the one thing many clerics don't want discussed.
•
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Three funerals for every Baptism Europe is sliding Luckily, the Church is not about numbers and never has been. But the statistics of the Church across all of Europe are sobering. Never in 1500 years has the Church been wealthier in real estate, architecture and money - and never has it lost so many people.
Light at Midnight? A REFLECTION BY ANTHONY PAGANONI, CS Page 13
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Perth, Western Australia $2
Western Australia's award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday August 19 2009
Chivalry Ball an evening to remember as youth dance
the night away
Students set out to win peers over to Church's spiritual treasure, fraternity is By Robert Hiini
White ball gowns, tuxedoes and dance cards. PANACHE, style and elegance are back in youth social events - and perhaps a little of the spirit of Jane Austen. The Chivalry Ball, organised by young Catholics and held in the hall of St Kieran's Parish in Osborne Park with the blessing of parish priest Fr Michael Gatt, astonished many parents who turned up at midnight last Saturday to pick up their teenage children after a night of dancing.
Dance cards were enthusiastically sought by dance partners throughout the evening - and added a certain style.
It has also gone down among the 100 or so participants as the best night of their lives - so far - and the standard by which future social events will be judged. Meanwhile pages on Facebook, the popular social networking site, are full of photos of stylishly and elegantly dressed young people enjoying a night of fun in what was, in an earlier era, considered one of the central rites of passage for youth Please turn to VISTA 4
Sonia Spadaccini, wearing pink ribbon, Montana McCann and Kayla Roatch pose for the camera moments before the Chivalry Ball commences. The evening surprised many parents and set a new standard for entertainment among young people in Perth. PHOTO JACOB ROATCH
A GROUP of undergraduate and post-graduate students at the University of Notre Dame (UNDA) have announced that they are in the nascent stages of establishing a student society that aims to offer peer mentoring to potentially every student at the university. The School of Philosophy & Theology Student Society will provide support, fraternity and social events for member-students studying units in philosophy PHIL & THEO theoland ogy, including UNDA's core c urriculum units which are compulof Philosophy & Theology sory for all School Students' Society students. President The new UNDA Philosophy T ammy and Theology Students Nguyen and Society's logo. vice-president and secretary Vincent Restifo, both theology majors, told The Record that membership of the new society is open to every UNDA student and staff member. They have their work cut out for them. Research into the experience of Catholic secondary education in WA has shown that the vast majority of students emerging from Catholic secondary schools - from which UNDA receives many of its enrolments - see the Church as irrelevant to their lives. However SPaTS, as its organisers refer to it, will work closely with Campus Ministry and unit lecturers to provide two sessions of peer support for students per semester as well as relevant film and documentary viewings with question and answer sessions and discussion to follow. The Society's logo features two garlanded heads in the style of Greek thinkPlease turn to Page 5
Liturgical Dance: No
Fr John Reynolds 0 Praem dies, 77
Migrant Week begins next week
One of the founding members of the Norbertine community in Western Australia, Fr John Reynolds 0 Praem, served as a priest for half a century.
The Bishops of Australia are urging everyone to stop and take stock of the others in our midst those who have migrated to Australia from many countries.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, the former head of the Church's top Office for Worship, has warned that liturgical dance distracts from the true purpose of the Mass - worship and forgiveness.
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THE PARISH
Migrant and refugee week:
EDITOR Peter Rosengren cathrec@iinet.netau 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 ACCOUNTS Cathy Baguley recaccounts@iinet.netau _ 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.
4111111 SAINT OF THE WEEK
Patricia died circa 665 August 25 Legends about Patricia place her in a noble family of Constantinople or claim she was related to the Roman emperor. She reportedly fled her homeland to escape an arranged marriage and became a nun in Rome. 'The stories say she returned to Constantinople after her father's death, renounced claims to the throne and gave her wealth to the poor. However, on attempting to return to Italy, she supposedly was shipwrecked near Naples, where she soon died from a disease. Sts. Patricia and lanuarius are the patron saints of Naples; vials of their blood are said to periodically liquefy in churches there.
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Pope calls Church to minister to all peoples • By Robert Hiini
IN the lead-up to migrant and refugee week (August 24-30) and a major national conference, the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) has produced a resources kit to help local Catholic parishes reflect on ways to welcome and support the migrants and refugees in their midst. The kit, which is accessible at the catholic.org.au website, provides practical ideas for parish priests, ethnic chaplains, liturgists and teachers to help celebrate the week, providing text for daily prayer services for each day of the week culminating in homily notes for Migrant and Refugee Sunday on August 30. It builds on the theme given to the week by Pope Benedict XVI in his message for the 95th World Day of Migrants and Refugees - "St Paul as migrant, Apostle of the peoples" - in which he describes St Paul as "a migrant by vocation" who took the message of Christ to a multiplicity of peoples and cultures. "Today too the message of salvation must be presented with the same approach as that of the Apostle to the Gentiles, taking into account the different social and cultural situations and special difficulties of each one as a consequence of his or her condition as a migrant or itinerant person" the Pope wrote. "I express the wish that every Christian community may feel the same apostolic zeal." This year, migrant and refugee week will precede the second national conference on the pastoral care of migrants and refugees ever convened in Australia. It will take place in Sydney from October 28-29 with a special session reserved for migrant chaplains on October 27. Attendees will have an opportunity to contribute to the final preparation of a national plan for the pastoral care of migrants and refugees with ethnic chaplain coordinators throughout the country to provide details of the local plans they have been preparing. The move to develop a national pastoral plan came in response to Erga migrantes caritas Christi (The Love of Christ towards migrants) - a 2004 instruction issued by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. The instruction recognises the exponential increase in migration in recent decades and urges the whole Church and local communities to develop a welcoming culture, acceptance of groups celebrating liturgy in their own languages and inclusion and integration of migrants over time. "The entire Church in the host country must feel concerned and engaged regarding immigrants," the instruction says. "This means that local Churches must rethink pastoral care, programming it to help the faithful live their faith authentically in today's new multicultural and pluri-religious context." In Australia, the instruction spurred the first national conference on the pastoral care of migrants and refugees in 2005 and the creation of a local framing document - Graced by Migration - for the eventual development of a national pastoral plan. The situation in Perth Fr Blasco Fonseca, Vicar for Migrants and Parish of East Fremantle, says that many migrants and refugees to Western Australia face common hurdles in communication and finding employment particularly if the person doesn't fit into the category of skilled migrant - as well as suffering from isolation and loneliness. Whereas migration of some ethnic groups to Australia such as the Italians and Croatians has receded or effectively stopped, the number of migrants from southeast Asia and Africa is increasing. The influx of muslims and persons from the Middle East has posed a particu-
Above, members of the Memories of Africa Choir made up of migrants from Zimbabwe and Zambia who will be singing at Immaculate Conception Parish in East Fremantle at 8.30am this Sunday to celebrate the presence and contribution of migrants and refugees in the Australian community and the Catholic Church in Australia. Below: Congolese community members process The Word at Claremont parish; Bottom: The Chinese Catholic Community play traditional instruments during a celebration. PHOTO: ROBERT HIINI
lar challenge to migrant ministry because of a dearth of chaplains from that region. Fr Blasco plays a coordinating and problem solving role for Perth's network of chaplain priests and Religious ministering to 13 different ethnic groups celebrating Mass in their own language. He says that social services for migrants are provided by other Church agencies such as Centacare and the Edmund Rice Centre for Social Justice amongst others as well by local and state government and concerned community groups. Fr Blasco says that the gifts migrants bring vary from community to community pointing to the contribution Italians made to building and infrastructure from the 1950s onwards. He says that the issue of incorporating the cultural practice of migrants into liturgy remains a vexing one with the trend in official teaching from the 1980s onwards, favouring what he describes as "unity and uniformity" rather than the "unity in plurality" that he would like
to see flourishing. He recounted to The Record a Eucharistic liturgy in Botswana that he found profoundly moving where he was directed to process into the church on a horse-drawn cart while local music and dance ensued lasting up to 30 minutes - a celebration he described as "incredibly joyous and welcoming." For Migrant and Refugee Sunday, he has invited the Memories of Africa choir - made up of migrants from Zimbabwe and Zambia amongst other African destinations - to provide music for the 8.30am Mass at his parish in East Fremantle. He says he looks forward to the upcoming national conference and further public discussion and awareness of the mission of the Church in Australia to, amongst and with migrants and refugees. How did you celebrate Migrant and Refugee Sunday? Send us your photos and let readers of The Record know about your community (photos must be larger than 800kb to be usable). Please see page 2 for our address.
August 19 2009, The Record
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THE PARISH
The changing face of the Church in Perth The Catholic Church in Perth is more diverse than ever. Perth's ethnic communities form the lifeblood of the Church.
Perth each Sunday. The celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi, with a procession and stational altars
Indonesians
About 150 Indonesian migrants attend their own Sunday Mass at St Benedict's, Applecross, each week. They produce 250 copies of a monthly magazine to keep the Indonesian community informed and provide faith education through spiritual articles. Spiritual life is nurtured with a monthly devotion to the Divine Mercy and weekly meetings of the Marian Movement and Charismatic groups. Young people of highschool age and university age participate in the choir. The young adults have their own bible and theology study group. For more information about the Western Australian Indonesian Catholic Community see their website www.waicc.org.au
Chinese
About 80 attend Chinese Mass each Sunday. There have been two bible study groups, one each for
Children in Polish dress.
set up around the parking area in front of the Maylands Parish Church, attracts a large crowd. Eastern European tradition is followed on Holy Saturday night with the popular blessing ritual of the food and Easter eggs. The church community at Maylands, where the Polish club is also situated, has been active and its life intertwined with that club. There are a number of young adults amongst the Mass attendees and the youth drama group has been active, staging a yearly Christmas drama. The young have a couple of picnics during the year. The Polish chaplains organise an annual three-day retreat for the church youth. A preacher is invited annually from Poland for a retreat held at the Maylands centre. A bible study group and a Rosary group meet regularly.
Vietnamese
Catholic Chinese New Year.
the Cantonese and Mandarin dialects. The Focolare movement has a group of 20 who meet monthly and the Scripture study group organises a yearly weekend study with facilitators from east Asia. An Easter Fellowship meal and the celebration of the Chinese New Year are two major activities of the community. A monthly magazine is produced and circulated for the community's benefit.
Polish
A total of 600 attend a Polish Mass in four parishes throughout
congreThe Vietnamese gate in at the Vietnamese Catholic Community Centre in Westminster. They are one of the most active of all the communities. They contributed generously to buying spacious facilities for their community Mass and activities. For the 2008 World Youth Day they flew a total of 155 pilgrims to Sydney. Over two nights at the Chinese New Year celebration 1600 cakes were donated and raised $5000. This spells involvement and participation. Food donations and sales have been a regular feature in the community's fundraising. It is comforting to know that the Vietnamese keep up the devotional practices and
traditions which were popular in ebratory Mass with an attendance their home country, namely, the of over 300 people. month of May procession in honour of Our Lady, the feast of the Italians About 800 attend Sunday Vietnamese Martyrs, the Chinese New Year celebration which goes Masses offered in Italian by eight on for 4 days, the Chinese Moon priests at the following parishes Festival in September. A Father's of Leederville, Morley, Midland, Day dinner is also one of the high- Northbridge, Highgate, Balcatta, lights of the year. About 600 people Victoria Park Pro-cathedral and attend each major day and many Fremantle. Some of these commore join in at Christmas and munities host the 12 annual feast Easter. Probably as a result of the day processions, dear to their history of the constrained and per- hearts, their Italian roots. The bigsecuted Church in Vietnam during gest of these is the Sicilian one in the Communist era a great effort is honour of Our Lady of Tindari put into youth pastoral activities. held in Fremantle in combination with the "Blessing of the Fleet" Youth are taught catechism each at the harbour. Local dignitaries Saturday (with registered numbers over 250) and there's fun and and bishops grace the occasion. games in the playground to go with The reverent procession is a great it. They are taken on a 3-day camp. "show of the flag" through the streets of Fremantle. Three Italian in December. The Cursillo movement has been active. Attention clubs are favourite meeting points for the older generation, providis given to a couples' program as is done in Vietnam and a guest ing social activities and meals and speaker is brought in yearly from also offering facilities for prayer groups. Some of the Eight prayer outside Perth to conduct a semiCenacles have met in these clubs. nar. A couple of aged care homes for Italians in the northern and southCroatians Two hundred and fifty attend ern suburbs allow for spiritual services at the main North care for those who have sought a Fremantle centre in the southern Catholic atmosphere. For several part of Perth and 150 people attend years a radio program has been at Balcatta Parish in the northern aired weekly for the Italian comsuburbs. The Feast of St Anne in munity by one of the chaplains. the latter half of July is the big celebration of the year with a singing Burmese The Burmese come togethcompetition held at the Croatian er once a month at Leederville club adjacent to the church facilParish on a Sunday evening where ity. The feast attracts the younger a Burmese priest leads the Mass members. It has been going on for for the 120 or so who attend. A 22 years. The chaplain spends time preparing a weekly radio program novena has been held at the end for the Croatians who want to tune in to news of Croatia as well as local religious happenings.
Portuguese
One hundred and fifty attend Mass on Sundays at the Portuguese Centre in Beaconsfield Parish. They hail mainly from Madeira. Several of the patronal feasts in the Madeira tradition are celebrated with mini committees responsible for each feast. Two annual street processions celebrate the feasts of Our Lady of Fatima. During the months of May and October devotions are held in the church culminating in a well-attended cel-
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Archbishop Hickey blesses Burmese.
of each August for the past 25 years in honour of Our Lady of Good Health at Embleton Parish. Fervent devotions accompany festivities with a procession on the novena's final day - the Feast of the Birthday of Our Lady - contributing to fraternity and solidarity. The Burmese reach out to the Missions in their home-country with a yearly raffle. Proceeds are sent to various bishops, priests and nuns who seek assistance for their projects. Generous giving at a dinner-dance earlier this year raised $25,000 for the completion of St Mary's Cathedral.
Hispanics
Mass in Spanish is offered every weekend in the Northbridge and Mosman Park Parishes with about 100 attendees at the latter and 35 at the former. A coffee with bringa-plate snacks after Mass provides the opportunity for people coming from various parts of the city to be together. Many of those at Mosman Park are originally from El Salvador. Consequently, the community has a small celebration on El Salvador national day. Many in the Northbridge group are involved in Marriage Encounter and charismatic prayer.
Filipino
communiFilipino The ty is spread out over Perth and has been growing recently with
migrants accessing the skilled migration program. A group of about 50 people attend a monthly Mass in Tagalog on a Sunday afternoon at Northbridge Parish and have an agape meal together after each Mass. The big event for the whole community is the Santo Nino festival on a Sunday in January. During the year about ten prayer groups of varying sizes are active both north and south of the river, meeting weekly or monthly. "Padre Pio", "Alliance of Two Hearts", "Immaculate Conception" "Couples for Christ" carry a 'flavour' of groups in the Philippines. Retreats and "Life in the Spirit" Seminars are part of the spiritual activity.
Ukranians
The Ukranian church in Maylands is served by Fr Wolodymyr Kalinecki who came from Melbourne several years ago and a pastoral worker, Sr Muriel Zemliak SSMI, from a Ukrainian community in Canada. The weekly congregation comprises approximately 75 people. A special feature of the church's life are the liturgies in Lent and Holy Week. The community takes on a festive character with the "Blessing of the Food" ceremony on Holy Saturday. Vespers are now sung every Saturday evening. A special feature in the life of the parish last year was an "Open Day" on the Church's history and traditions, advertised and reported in The Record.
Sudanese
The group meet in a multipurpose building provided by the diocese which was formerly used by another community. The congregation of roughly 100 is composed of people who have come to Australia as refugees. A catechist who prepares people for the sacraments is a big help for the chaplain who has also been entrusted with duties in a parish. The lively drum-beating choir has been a prominent feature of the community's Sunday worship. They have also sung by invitation in some other churches. Thirty children practice as a dance group. The Legion of Mary group meets weekly and does some visitation. Likewise seven who participate in a bible study group. The celebration days for the community are Saint Bakhita's day and the Hero Day of the southern Sudanese liberation struggle leader.
Maltese
Maltese Catholics are mainly concentrated in the Bassendean area (also home to the Maltese Association). Last Sunday, they had a community Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption which is intimately connected with Malta owing to the special graces the country is said to have received during the Second World War and during the siege 1565. They celebrate Mass together occasionally with social meetings every Friday at the Maltese Association's clubhouse.
Fledgling communities
Around 80 - 100 Koreans meet for Mass in the parish of Myaree for weekly Mass with their chaplain Fr Joseph Lee. A newlyformed Congolese community meets for Mass every weekend at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Nollamara with their chaplain Fr Jean Kabwika Kambana, led by their president Pierre Luboya.
Page 4
August 19 2009, The Record
THE PARISH
Quest to change culture Norbertine WA founder dies, 77 Young man on fire for God.
• By Glynnis Grainger • By Anthony Barich
A PERTH man transformed from drug addiction and promiscuity by the Church's vision of love and life is heading to the United States next month for training to transform the culture back home one person at a time. In September 2006, Clayton Walsh, now 25, was sitting in the Joondalup Mental Health Clinic, having hit rock bottom from drug dealing and addiction - a lifestyle that brought him close to death. In his desperate state he said his first prayer, and, through exposure to the late John Paul II's Theology of the Body and fraternity with supportive Catholics and family, he has, over the past two years, lived almost exclusively on Divine Providence, having exorcised his past and mending his ways. In doing so, he has toured several countries, receiving formation through the Emmanuel School of Mission mainly in Rome. Now, he is animated by the mere thought of the life-giving nature of the Church's teachings and has found an avenue that will channel his energies in a structured way Generation Life. Generation Life (GL), a recent phenomenon started in Philadelphia, is a movement of young people committed to building a culture of life by spreading the messages of life and love to other young people. "One of the appealing aspects of this trip is the formation it will give me to bring this necessary message of love, as it was intended to be, to our own shores," Clayton said. "Our culture, for the most part, isn't creating or maintaining
Clayton Walsh, pictured here with his nephew Riley, is embarking on a mission of evangelisation in the US. PHOTO: COURTESY CLAYTON WALSH
an environment that teaches us how, or allows us to be strong men and beautiful women:' It is within this confusion that Clayton feels called, alongside many others, to create opportunities and to rebuild the value of life in society. GL has made a commitment to sexual purity and desire to influence their generation to do the same, respecting and protecting the sacredness of our sexuality and its bonding and procreative purposes. Its primary outreach is through classroom education, where young adults bring this message to middle and high school students. During the 2006-07 school year it reached over 26,000 students in the classrooms with the pro-life and chastity messages. Results from classroom surveys indicate that 60 per cent of young people they encountered have had a change of heart and made a commitment to chastity, saving them from harm and heartache associated with pre-marital sexual activity. Clayton has experienced the worst of this, and found that his personality was even restricted
as, in his former life surrounded by drug dealers, any change in attitude is met with suspicion. Living with the Emmanuel School of Mission in Rome re-animated his personality and creativity. In Philadelphia, he will be trained as a group leader to work in one of GL's many ministries, including a pregnancy assistance clinic it runs, 'beach missions' like one it hosted near New York last month that drew 1000 youth, sports events and retreats. While his GL commitment is a one-year term, he is open to whatever opportunities he finds, though he would love to return to Australia and use his newly found skills in Church ministry. GL is similar to Perth's Respect Life Office, which promotes and defends all issues relating to the culture of life in parishes, schools and media throughout WA. In three weeks he needs to raise just over $10,000 to cover his expenses, though he says prayer is also a valuable gift for his ministry. Contact him on claytonwalsho,gmail.com or on 08 9304 2778.
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NORBERTINE priest Father John Declan Reynolds 0 Praem, one of the three Irish founders of the Western Australian Norbertine Foundation, died on August 11 after a short illness. He passed away peacefully and without pain, fortified by the Sacraments. The administrator of St Joseph's Priory, Fr Peter Joseph Stiglich 0 Praem, Br Christopher, and some Sisters of St John of God, who cared for Fr John in his final illness, were in attendance as the Prayers for the Dying and the Commendation of the Dead were prayed. A gentle and humble man, Fr John was born on May 9, 1932, at Killeen, in County Longford, Ireland and was vested in the Norbertine habit on September 8, 1951, at Holy Trinity Abbey, Kilnacrott, County Cavan, Ireland. His novice master was Fr Columba Peter O'Reilly 0 Praem, who became the first superior of the WA Norbertines. Fr John was professed on September 8, 1953, and ordained a priest on July 9, 1957, so he faithfully ministered for 52 years. He was chosen by Abbot Felim Colwell to go in May, 1959, to York, WA, as the companion of his former novice master, Fr O'Reilly O Praem, and shortly afterwards, they were joined by Fr Stephen Cooney 0 Praem, the last of the founders. Fr Stephen still serves as parish priest of St Patrick's, York, where he arrived 50 years ago, one of three young priests in a land so different from their own. Fr John served as parish priest of Queens Park, Quairading and York, including Beverley, Brookton and Pingelly, and assisted in many parishes of the Archdiocese of Perth and the diocese of Bunbury. At York, there was a travelling distance of 1801cm each weekend and often during the week. He was a teacher and librarian at St Norbert's College, Queens Park, for some years, and for many years was Provisor (bursar) for the WA branch of the Order. American-based Norbertine Fr William Fitzgerald 0 Praem, told The Record: "When I entered the Priory in Queens Park, in May 1972, as a 17-year-old, Fr John was always a cheerful companion.
Fr John Reynolds 0 Praem, who passed away on August 11. The Irishborn priest was one of the founding Norbertines in WA and served here as a priest for half a century.
PHOTO: COURTESY NORBERTINE COMMUNITY QUEENS PARK
"When I was a postulant and a novice, he passed on the lore and legends of the Irish Norbertines to me, always with a 'cheeky grin' and a laugh." Fr John's gentleness and quietness endeared him to many; Ilk ministry was very often behind the scenes, effective nonetheless. Fr William said: "He loved the sacred liturgy and good sacred music and loved to listen to the organ. He had a great love of poverty and lived very simply, even frugally. "Fr John was a monastic priest in a missionary situation; he didn't care for meetings and administration and the hype of parish organisational life. "He was more comfortable doing supply work in parishes than having charge of pastoral responsibilities. He ministered frequently to Religious Sisters as a confessor and in the last years, he provided Mass often for the Missionaries of Charity. Totally devoted to God, Fr John was often puzzled at the indifference of so many modern people to God, to Our Lady, and to the spiritual life. "However, he prayed constantly, the Rosary was never far from his hands, and he knew so many different prayers of various saints and for all occasions. "His ministry of intercession will continue in (Heaven):'
Two locals appointed to Catholic Disability Council Disability campaigners appointed. TWO local disability service campaigners have been appointed to the Australian Catholic Disability Council, becoming its first Western Australian representatives. Emmanuel Centre Coordinator, Barbara Harris, and chaplain Fr Paul Pitzen were invited to be a part of the council by its project officer, Patricia Malbery who had seen the work of the Perth-based disabilities selfhelp centre for herself while visiting Perth last year.The ACDC, which functions as an advisory body to the Australian Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life, was established in 2006 to promote the full participation and inclusion
of people with disability, developing relevant national policies and guidelines for the Church in Australia. Fr Pitzen and Ms Harris have been appointed to the sevenperson council for a term of three years and have recently returned from Alice Springs where they attended the first of two face-toface meetings the council convenes each year, in addition to four teleconferences. Ms Harris said she was looking forward to the work and the opportunity to learn from others as well as providing knowledge from her own experience. "The work here in the west seems to have progressed pretty well over the last 25 years. We've begun some initiatives which might be helpful for the rest of Australia and we can learn from others," she told The Record.
August 19 2009, The Record
Page 5
THE PARISH
Archbishop gives Cathedral tour Thousands sign up as completion draws near to honour Timor • By Glynnis Grainger
In late July and early August Archbishop Barry Hickey gave a small number of tours of the construction site of St Mary's Cathedral to a number of groups including church personnel and seminarians from the Redemptoris Mater Neocatechumenal Missionary Seminary in Morley. Among other things, the Archbishop pointed out the different PHOTO: FR ROBERT CROSS features of the building and explained how the Cathedral would look when finished.
tS1 thyriAtia.niityj iij OleMa tat I 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.
continued from page I -ers beneath the names 'Phil' and 'Theo', symbolising the two disciplines of philosophical thought reflection. theological and Both Ms Nguyen and Mr Restifo have previous experience in community organisation having worked for the Perth World Youth Day Office and the Young Christian Workers, respectively. They say that the society will support current Campus Ministry initiativeS such as daily Mass, retreats and the Theology on Tap series featuring prominent speakers on issues of theological interest and importance. The society is planning to fundraise four times a year for its own costs and for causes such as Project Compassion, Make Poverty
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.
" ... 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*. MIN
MM
MEI
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MIMI
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Young East Timorese refugees play a game at Don Bosco Comoro camp outside Dili, East Timor, in 2007.
be accompanied by a clear statement of our WWII debt to them." She continued: "The people who have signed the petition, asking for Parliament's support, are from across Australia. "There are senior citizens, soldiers, mothers and fathers, school students and teachers, members of clubs and churches, priests and politicians, people of many religious faiths and of none. "They are Australians all, and they are keen to see official acknowledgement of Timor's unique wartime effort on Australia's behalf. There is still time to sign (until the end of August):' The petition and a briefing paper are on the website www. mmiets.org.au. t4
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UNDA students launch club
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.
MIN
MORE than 14,500 people have signed a petition instigated by the Mary MacKillop East Timor Mission in Sydney, to honour the nation of Timor-Leste. The petition nominates the East Timorese for the award of Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia in recognition of the unique contribution of their people to Australian soldiers during World War II. It will be presented to the Federal Parliament's House of Representatives next month, after closing on 30 August. The Catholic Women's League circulated the petition in WA parishes from June this year. "The loyalty and care given to Australians by the Timorese is unique in the annals of war. The nation of Timor-Leste certainly deserves our tribute," said Tom Uren, retired Labor politician and humanitarian of Sydney. Josephite Sr Susan Connelly, of the Mary MacKillop East Timor Mission, said: "At very least, 40,000 Timorese civilians died as a result of their assistance to Australia. "We must not forget what they did for us. "The practical measures many Australians are taking to assist the Timorese to overcome the effects of their more recent history must
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History and World Mission Week as well as encouraging students to donate blood while the Red Cross's mobile unit is stationed on campus. An executive committee has been inaugurated including an events coordinator (Anthony Widjaja), staff liaison (Kathryn Imray), and one representative each from St Charles Seminary (Anibal Leite Da Cunha) and the Neo-Catechumenate Seminary of Redemptoris Mater (Wilson Donizzetti Martins Jr). A schedule of their annual events has been added to their recently-established website (sites. google.com/site/ndfreospatss) and facebook page. More information about SPaTSS can be obtained from their website or by emailing ndfreospatss@ gmail.com.
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August 19 2009, The Record
THE NATION
Religious vocation 'a life ofjoy'
Icon inspires pursuit of Truth
WORLD Youth Day has brought an increase in interest in religious vocations, as demonstrated in the response to Catholic Australia's N ational V ocations A wareness Week. Fr Michael Stoop, De Director of V ocations for the A rchdiocese of Sydney, said the general decrease Fr Michael De Stoop in vocations to Religious life is now changing as young people search for a deeper meaning to their lives and turn to their faith to guide and give them sustenance. "A religious vocation is a happy and very fulfilling life and filled with joy. While many outside the priesthood or Religious orders imagine it is a life of sacrifice, when you do something out of love it is never a sacrifice:' he said. He said there has been a strong response from young people who want to know more about the life of a priest or a Religious Sister and about vocations in married and single life and vocations as a consecrated lay person. Last week's National Awareness Vocations Week communicated to young people and their families the joy and deep happiness generated by living a religious life supported by the grace of God, Fr Michael said. He said he believes the increase in interest in the priesthood and Religious life is due to both the excitement and renewed faith generated by WYD08 and the recent Vocations Expo in Martin Place which was part of the successful Sydney Congress Embracing the New Evangelism (SCENE). At the July Vocations Expo at Martin Place from July 20-22, many young people filled out cards asking to know more about specific vocations. The Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia reported over ten requests from women wanting to know more about becoming a Religious Sister. "This is a very big increase when you consider the annual number of those taking solemn vows as Religious Sisters within the Archdiocese over the past several years has seldom been more than one or two," Fr Michael said. The number of trainee priests at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Homebush has more than tripled in recent years, with 42 currently studying for the priesthood, including two from Perth. "When I entered St Patrick's College at Manly, which was operating in 1994 when I began my training, there were 39 students and this number was the whole of NSW" Fr Michael reported. "By my second year this number had dropped to 29 and by my third year, was down to just 19." He said that he has never regretted his decision to become a diocesan priest, saying his vocation is inspiring, rewarding and constantly evolving. As part of National Vocations Week, parishes and diocese were provided with resources to help those discerning a religious vocation. There will also be religious forums for schools across Australia to help students in school years seven to 11 learn more about life as a priest, Religious sister or consecrated layperson.
• By Anthony Barich
Seat of Wisdom inspires students to strive for more.
THE tour de force of the Sedes Saepentiae Icon of Mary and Jesus given to the world's university students by Pope John Paul II has inspired students and lecturers around Australia to strive for the wisdom that comes from openness to the Truth. University of NSW chaplain Daniel Hill, who hosted the Icon in May, said it has solidified the confidence and faith in Catholic students and helped wake them up to the realities and responsibilities of living as Catholics in universities and the wider world. This was highlighted, Mr Hill said, by Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, who said at a Welcoming Mass at the University of Notre Dame Australia in Sydney in March that the Icon reiterated the importance of wisdom as the final aim of study, and being formed as a person through the pursuit of Truth. Sedes Sapientiae is Latin for "Seat of Wisdom", and is a devotional title for Mary which likens her to the throne of the famously wise Solomon, and associates her with teaching and learning. Pope John Paul II commissioned the vibrant mosaic from Fr Marko Ivan Rupnik SJ in 2000 and entrusted it to the Catholic universities of the world. Mr Hill, 25, said the Icon's visit helped to unite in their search for truth in their academic fields and daily life and alerted Catholic stu-
The Sedes Saepentiae (Seat of Wisdom) Icon given to the world's university students by Pope John Paul ll is processed around the University of Notre Dame Australia's Sydney campus. PHOTO: UNDA
dents to the reality that "they have a specific role at university, and for the wider Church, to ensure Christ is brought to the universities, especially secular ones". Each group hosting the Icon has held formation and devotion opportunities for their specific ministry. In Perth, Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton will lead a public veneration at the University of WA from 1-2pm on August 25. "This visit is an inspiration to students and lecturers around the country. It will help them strive for the wisdom that comes from being open to and searching for the truth," Mr Hill said. "As we processed through the UNSW campus, we made it clear
to Catholic students and everyone else that there is a Catholic presence here, that we're serious about it and we want everyone to be there." He said that Macquarie University students were heckled as they processed the Icon through their university, which Mr Hill said was a solidifying experience for the Catholic students and a learning curve for the hecklers, as, like World Youth Day, it elevated the reality that there was a Christian presence on campus. "That experience was good for them as Catholics as it gave them a deeper understanding of what issues they need to face in a secular university", and the importance of equipping oneself with
the Truth to defend the Faith with love, he said. He said the Icon's tour also alerted bishops and clergy to the importance of universities and the formation of Catholic university students, and the great possibilities for evangelisation if they are equipped with the Truth and opportunities for solidarity that were provided by the Icon's visit. University groups in Sydney, Victoria, Brisbane (including the Australian Catholic Students Association Conference), Darwin, the Australian Defence Force in Canberra, Tasmania, plus Maronite and Melkite Rite youth groups and the Chinese Catholic Community have all hosted the Icon. The Icon is currently in Perth from August 10-30 where it will be hosted by the chaplaincies of the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle, the University of WA, Curtin Universities, Murdoch University and the Catholic Youth Ministry before it departs for Adelaide. Its remaining visit to Perth includes UWA (August 24-26), Catholic Youth Ministry chapel, Highgate (August 26) and St Thomas More College (August 27). UNDA Sydney's Convenor of Chaplaincy Services, Anthony Gordon, said that hosting the icon was particularly significant as Notre Dame Seat of Wisdom is the university's patroness. The Icon has also visited universities and educational institutions in Greece, Ecuador, Peru, Ireland, England, Poland, Bulgaria, Chile, Spain, Russia and Rumania. It will be in Australia for 12 months.
10,000 National Marriage Day petitions Inaugural celebrations a success. • By Anthony Barich
OVER 500 people gathered from around Australia to stand up for the institution of marriage at the inaugural National Marriage Day Breakfast at the Great Hall of Parliament House on August 13. Marriage National The Coalition, formed initially by the Australian Family Association, the Fatherhood Foundation and the Australian Christian Lobby, mobilised a campaign leading up to the passing of the Marriage Amendment Act in 2004, and National Marriage Day marked its anniversary. Over 10,000 petitions were presented at the breakfast for tabling in the federal parliament in support of a National Marriage Day.
The turnout was larger than expected, which AFA national vice-president Mary-Louise Fowler said reflected the fact that Australians see marriage as something worth standing up for. She said National Marriage Day had been "inaugurated by popular appeal", whether the government gives it an "official seal" or not. "It's a movement of the people. We need to own it," she said, or the government may eventually include other forms of marriage into the agenda. RISE (restoring integrity and sexual ethics), a youth movement that recognises the need for change and challenges modern standards on sexual integrity by promoting life-giving love, was •also launched on the day. RISE held its inaugural conference at Parliament House last weekend, hosting Dave Sloan, a reformed drug addict who founded, among other things, Singles
Serving Orphans in the US. He spoke on the "mystery of desire" and the "innate longing for family". The movement seeks to bring about change by restoring the true meaning of love; empower all people to uphold the inherent dignity of each person; and challenge society to defend the wellbeing of all people and all families for the benefit of society itself. Former Attorney General, Major-General Michael Jeffery, who with his wife Marlena was announced as National Marriage Day 2009 ambassadors, called for better relationship preparation in schools. Major-General Jeffery said the institution of marriage needed more public encouragement. "Isn't it interesting that we train people to drive cars and build bridges but we don't train young people for the biggest challenge of all," he said. "Id like to see
more relationship preparation for young people in schools." After almost 43 years of marriage, Major-General Jeffery said he often wondered how he and his wife managed. "We had four children under five at one stage and it was a very busy time in our life, but we always worked as a very close team and shared the load where possible," he said. Queensland-born Dr James Bogle, a prominent barrister, author, historian and promarriage activist in the United Kingdom, also addressed the National Marriage Day Breakfast. "Volumes of research demonstrate beyond doubt the positive contribution that intact, stable marriages make to the wellbeing of children and society," the AFA website says. "Marriage is the key. Australia needs to invest in it now if it is to deliver the best opportunities for its children in the future."
a
V.
lig18Z187J To register contact Anne Smith at the St Vincent de Paul Society on 9475 5414 or email: anne.smith@svdpwa.org.au
Street Appeal 2009 The St Vincent de Paul Society is seeking volunteers to help assist with its annual Street Appeal to be held Friday 18th September. All funds raised will go to providing emergency relief welfare to people in need in Western Australia. A fun way to help the community!
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St Vincent de Paul Society rut work
August 19 2009, The Record
Page 7
THE NATION
Lessons for priesthood in Motherhood central in Newman beatification 'eternal triangle' of life Church has much to learn from this convert from Anglicanism: Pell.
Cardinal underlines central role of motherhood to society.
• By Anthony Barich
• By Anthony Barich
THE impending beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman will further prompt clear thinking about conscience and help the Catholic Church's understanding of the priesthood and of Mary, Sydney Cardinal George Pell said. In a statement posted August 12 on The Cause for the Canonisation of John Henry Cardinal Newman website, www.newmancause.co.uk, Cardinal Pell said that the British cardinal's beatification comes at a "good time for the Church", and expressed hope that it would encourage Catholics to rediscover Newman's own God-centered understanding of conscience within Catholic tradition. In a column titled, "Newman, Conscience, and the primacy of Truth", Cardinal Pell said there are "numerous ways' in which the beatification of Newman will help to strengthen and renew the Catholic Church. Cardinal Pell added that Newman's understanding of the priesthood would help the Church, as the British cardinal insisted that Christ's priests "have no priesthood but his; they are merely Christ's shadows and instruments". Newman's devotion to Mary will also help the Church. His words describing the Mother of God as being "like a tower who stood by the cross and stood upright to receive the blows which the long passion of her Son inflicted upon her," are timeless and timely for all Catholics. Cardinal Pell said that Cardinal Newman's writings carefully distinguish the "proper understanding of Christian conscience from its secular alternative, which in one way or another is a creation of man". Quoting Cardinal Newman's Letter to the Duke of Norfolk, Cardinal Pell said that conscience in the modern age "has been superseded by a counterfeit" which earlier times would never mistake for conscience because it is merely "the right of self will;
RESPECT for motherhood, "the central fact of life", is essential to the Christian understanding of life, Cardinal George Pell told the second annual Mass for Pregnant Women at St Mary's Cathedral on August 9. He said that Catholics' old, perhaps overly simplistic understanding of procreation as the only important rationale for marriage has been "stood on his head" by the radically secular theory in which marriage, sexual activity and the procreation of children have been separated. "In this alternative theory sexual activity does not have to be 'making love', with love set aside cynically, while adults are seen to be autonomous, which means everyone can decide his own standards of right and wrong:' the cardinal said. The Second Vatican Council and Pope Paul VI's 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae on natural family planning developed a broader understanding of marriage as the mutual development of spouses as an equally important reason for marriage, Cardinal Pell said. These remain the mainstay of the Catholic theology of marriage today, he said. "Generation is an eternal mystery, whereby the father and especially the mother share in God's creative power. It is the woman who pays directly for this shared generation:' he said. "No matter how the child was conceived, no matter how many problems remain, her child is precious because she knows that it is loved by God and she rejoices as she sees
Cardinal George Pell.
Cardinal Newman.
the very right and freedom of conscience to dispense with conscience". Aligning Newman with Pope Benedict XVI's analysis of 'the dictatorship of relativism', Cardinal Pell emphasised that Newman's understanding of conscience is in "the mainline of the Christian tradition, which upholds the view that we do not create truth but stand underneath it': "Even conscience, therefore, must be 'judged by conformity to the truth, and to the Word of God,' Cardinal Pell said, adding that Newman's Letter to the Duke of Norfolk showed that conscience is "fulfilled and completed only when it embraces the Faith and Morals taught by the Catholic Church". Cardinal Pell said that Newman maintained that "knowledge and reason are sure ministers to faith", and that "the Church fears no knowledge", although secularised knowledge often fears the Church. This is not, Pell said, because the Church's claims are intrinsically ridiculous or unreasonable but because they emphasise truths about the key questions like the humanity of the unborn child, the old, disabled and sick, and the wrongness of unjust working conditions. Cardinal Newman, a convert from Anglicanism who died in Birmingham on August 11, 1890, was declared Venerable on January 22, 1991. The Vatican announced on July 3 that Pope Benedict XVI had signed the decree recognising as miraculous the healing of a US deacon, which clears the way for the British Cardinal's beatification.
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Christian Bros appoint crusader The Oceania Province of the Christian Brothers has appointed journalist, peace and justice campaigner and former human shield in Iraq, Donna Mulhearn, as the Regional Coordinator of the Edmund Rice Network (ERN) in NSW and the ACT. Ms Mulhearn has been involved in
the hope of eternal life shine within her child. "Every child is a gift, ultimately a gift from God, a mystery which inspires awe, even in outsiders, so that the blessings are reckoned to outweigh the burdens by far. "Children, love making and marriage are an eternal triangle; a sustaining ideal which sometime comes unstuck, but it remains an ideal whatever the particular different circumstances. "Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced more than her share of difficulties in her life with Joseph as she brought up Jesus. May she pray for and protect all the mothers here today with their beautiful children." He thanked God that Australia's annual births have slowly increased so that last year's 296,610 figure was the country's record for births, helping the birthrate of 1.94 creep closer to the required rate of 2.1. While young people are sympathetic to the concept of preserving the planet for the future, the prelate said that humans are "the crown and summit of creation, masters but also guardians and servants of our world". Therefore, each generation's obligation to provide children for the future is a "sacred duty" which most adults readily accept but an increasing minority is unaware of these "fundamental perspectives which shape the Christian way of living': He said that accepting "the bread of life" - Christ's teaching of the Church gives parents strength in times of trial, and is symbolised by Old Testament prophet Elijah who fled to the desert to save his life and was strengthened twice miraculously by bread and water. "This incident has a symbolic meaning for us, exemplified in the many instances where adults have said to me that they don't know how they could have coped in their difficulties without their Christian faith:' Cardinal Pell said.
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Director with insurance experience Catholic Church Insurances Limited is seeking to appoint a non-executive Director with specialist insurance experience to its Board. Catholic Church Insurances is a licensed general insurer that provides insurances and risk management services to dioceses and religious congregations within the Catholic Church in Australia and, to a limited extent. Catholic parishioners and other Church bodies in Australia. More information on the company is available at www.ccinsurances.com.au. Shareholders of the company are Catholic dioceses, religious congregations and other Catholic Church bodies. The company has eight Directors (all non-executive), and it is expected that a position will become vacant shortly.
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August 19 2009, The Record
Page 8
EDITORIAL
Rossiter case not about euthanasia
Stir-fries for Fr Ruiz and Co.
T
• By Robert Hiini
he Chief Justice of WA Wayne Martin and the Premier Colin Barnett were of one mind that the Rossiter case on which Mr Martin ruled in the Supreme Court last Friday was not about euthanasia. In the Premier's case, he also said it did not change his opposition to the introduction of euthanasia laws. These clear positions by the two men in offices with the greatest responsibilities for the creation and interpretation of law in WA, were in accord with statements made earlier last week by the head of the Church's LJ Goody Bioethics Centre, Rev. Dr Joseph Parkinson, who is the spokesman for the Archdiocese on complex bioethical issues. Fr Parkinson explained that Christian Rossiter's case had to be determined on its own merits and it could not be used as a precedent for any other case. He explained that Mr Rossiter had a legal right to ask for his feeding (PEG) tube to be withdrawn, and he had a moral right to ask for it to be withdrawn if in his view the tube itself imposed an unreasonable burden on him. The assessment of burden could include pain, discomfort, personal repugnance or cost. It might also be judged overly burdensome if it imposed excessive demand on Mr Rossiter's family or carers. The assessment of burden was his alone to make. Dr Parkinson emphasised that life in itself is never a burden. No one, not even Mr Rossiter, has a moral right to remove the PEG tube because life is 'futile: However, life could involve suffering which could become unreasonably burdensome, and no one had a right to force a person to preserve his life regardless of his suffering. The assessment of suffering ought to be made in full knowledge of the medical and palliative care available. The case of Christian Rossiter PO Box 75 was further complicated by the Leederville, WA 6902 fact that he could not remove the cathrec@iinetnetau PEG himself, which would be the nearest equivalent to an able-bodTel: (08) 9227 7080 ied person simply ceasing to eat Fax: (08) 9227 7087 or drink. The legal and ethical responsibilities of carers, including their right to make their own moral choices, had to be considered in relation to each individual case. There were considerable dangers in the assumption that any wish expressed by a patient had to be carried out by carers. Such an assumption enshrined in law could put immense pressure on other patients to behave in the same way even when that was not their personal inclination. The tumultuous public debate surrounding the Rossiter case has not been characterised by the sort of clarity displayed by Mr Martin, Mr Barnett, and Fr Parkinson. Nor has it shown much consideration for the position of carers. Opinion polls and letters to editors have, for the most part, been swamped by writers eager to declare their own or other people's lives not worth living except to the extent that they would be improved by death. Without commenting on Mr Rossiter's previous position, his current position or any future position he may adopt in relation to his own life, it is a fact that his change of heart at the time of his Supreme Court hearing gave all of us a valuable lesson about the wisdom of not discarding anyone's life as futile or unbearable (two of the preferred words of those writing in favour of death over life). His change of mind shows us that life depends very largely on the attitudes we adopt to it, and the mental and/ or spiritual activities we engage in. This demonstration that life cannot be measured and found wanting solely because of the physical limitations we have in living it, is a reminder of the long human tradition of valuing life intensely even at times of great suffering. We can remind Catholics of the tremendous example of Jesus on the Cross, and of the saints who followed his example in numerous ways throughout their lives. Unfortunately, the mention of Jesus .and/or saints tends to arouse resentment among many. However, there is a well-known Australian tradition of great courage and perseverance in the face of suffering that is not uniquely religious or confined to any particular religion. It is the courage and mutual support that Australian men and women showed to one another during the darkest days of their incarceration and slave labour in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. No matter the depth of their suffering nor the near certainty of death, no one was left without whatever medical treatment could be scraped up, and no one was left without the companionship and comfort of at least one of their mates. It was a remarkable and lasting demonstration of the value of life itself and of every life, a story that has aroused great admiration and pride among Australians ever since. It is a story that every journalist and letter writer would do well to remember before putting pen to paper to advocate anything less than complete commitment to the lives of those who suffer.
THE RECORD
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COVERAGE that The Record gave to the work of Jesuit Priest, Fr Luis Ruiz, amongst the lepers and HIV-AIDS sufferers of China in June has inspired one fundraising initiative and encouraged another on both coasts of Australia. Alice Tsang, who attends St Thomas More College Chapel in Crawley and several of her friends will run fundraising dinners at Fitzgerald Seafood Restaurant in North Perth on Sunday August 30, September 6 and September 13 to raise money for the priest's Macau-based Casa Ricci Social Services which assists over 140 leprosy and HIV-AIDS centres throughout mainland China. The dinners will feature four different entrees, Peking Duck, soup and other authentic Cantonese-style dishes as well as dessert. Ms Tsang said that she had been praying for a cause to support in her local church recently when she came across the June edition telling the stories of the lepers at the Han Zhong Leprosarium in Shaanxi Province and the patients at the Hongjiang AIDS Loving Care Centre in the country's south-east. A cofounder of Perth's Chinese Catholic Community in 1991, Ms Tsang originally hails from Hong Kong but has been resident in Perth for over 20 years. She says that holding dinners featuring Chinese cuisine seemed like the natural thing to do. In addition to the dinners, she also plans to make and sell
www.thepmrc.org/renaissance
peanut-seaseme candy, giving the proceeds to Casa Ricci. Tickets to the dinners will cost $40. On the other side of the country, Our Lady of the Way Parish - encompassing the areas of North Sydney, Kirribili and Lavender Bay - will use photos and articles from The Record's June China edition to further their own fundraising efforts. Parish priest and Jesuit, Fr Tony Smith SJ, saw the edition while visiting family members in WA last month and recognised the featured leprosarium as the same that he and his parish have been supporting for the past five years. The parish is set to conduct its annual appeal over the weekend of September 12-13 and consistently raises over $30,000 each year, an amount that Fr Ruiz has told them is roughly equivalent to the ongoing maintenance of the Han Zhong Leprosarium, cover-
ing such items as medicine, food and clothing. The effort has been spearheaded by a five-person committee made up of lay people and led by parishioner, Greg Bunbury. Combined with money collected at North Sydney's Mater Misericordia Hospital by fellow Jesuit Fr Bob Walsh SJ on the same weekend, Fr Smith and his parish were able to send $44,000 to Casa Ricci last year. The parish will use material from The Record in an extendededition of their parish bulletin to encourage and inform its parishioners about the effects their efforts are having on the lives of the lepers and the Sisters who care for them. For tickets to the Perth Chinese fundraising dinners for Casa Ricci Social Services, call Dorothy on 9385 6854 or 0430 583 476.
Pope calls all priests to Rome for meeting Pope to close Year for Priests in Rome with huge meeting. VATICAN CITY (CNA) - The Congregation for the Clergy, headed by Cardinal Claudio Hummes, announced last week that Pope Benedict XVI plans to close the Year for Priests by convoking a huge meeting of priests from around the world between June 9-11 in Rome. Every Catholic priest in the world - there are around 407,000 of them - is invited to the meeting, which will have the theme of "Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of the Priest." The program, announced by the Congregation for the Clergy on August 14, indicates that the first day of the gathering will take place at the Basilica of Saint Paul-Outside-the-Walls and will have as theme "Conversion and Mission." The activities will include prayer, a conference to
Attention all Celebrate Love and Embrace couples and friends You are invited to join us for an evening of Renewal. Come along and hear Tricia & Michael Casey, together with Luke & Vannessa Van Beek present The Renaissance of Marriage Mini Conference series 2009.
Sat Aug 2 0O', 2pm Conference, 7pm Dinner
Tan Chen Dan, 5, a resident of the Hong Jiang AIDS Loving Care Centre in PHOTO. ROBERT HIINI Hunan Province, China.
The afternoon and evening is open to anyone who is interested in helping to build great relationships among married couples - married, singles, religious.
A Religious holds a Rosary outside the Church of St Thomas of Villanova as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass for the feast of the Assumption in Castel PHOTO: CNS/ ALESSIA PIERDOMENICO, REUTERS Gandolfo.
discuss the subject, Eucharist adoration, an opportunity for Confession and a Mass. On day two, June 10, the theme
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THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD.
will be "Cenacle, invocation to the Holy Spirit with Mary, in fraternal communion." The venue for the morning reflections will be the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, while in the evening a "priestly vigil" will be held at Saint Peter's Basilica. The vigil will consist of priests offering their testimonies, singing and adoration of the Eucharist. Pope Benedict XVI will be present at the vigil and will greet the priests. The Year for Priests will be brought to a close on Friday, June 11, which is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Benedict XVI will preside over a Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica to conclude the Year for Priests. The final day of the meeting will have "With Peter, in ecclesial communion" as its theme.
August 19 2009, The Record
THE RECORD VISTA
Transforming a pluralist society Positions that the Catholic faith holds on key issues have been developed for over 2000 years on a philosophical basis of reason, yet it's hard to get a decent hearing for the Catholic view in Australia's pluralist society. The University of Notre Dame Australia is bringing in the big academic guns to do something about it. Anthony Barich reports.
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powerful conglomerate of Southeast and East Asian Catholic colleges will descend on the University of Notre Dame Australia in Sydney next week to bring the Church's teachings to the forefront of relevance to specific cultural circumstances. From August 27-30 UNDA hosts 15 countries at the 17th annual conference of the Association of South East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney, with the theme: "Building a Culture of Life: Catholic Higher Education and the Challenges of Bioethics". UNDA Sydney Deputy Vice Chancellor Hayden Ramsey told The Record that for too long Catholic teaching has been perceived as not being responsive to practical realities, as evidenced by the global outrage when Pope Benedict XVI recently said condoms would not solve the AIDS crisis in Africa but make it worse. Subsequent claims by Edward C Green, director of the AIDS Prevention Research Project at the Harvard Centre Population for and Development Studies, that current evidence shows the Pope is right got little airtime or print space in secular media. UNDA plans Prof. Hayden Ramsey to change that. The best Catholic minds from the Oceania region will communicate at UNDA that the Church can speak with authority on the universal effectiveness of its teaching if it shows how it addresses specific situations in all cultures. The conference, Prof. Ramsey said, will investigate the impact on Catholic Higher Education of recent debates on law, medicine and ethics. "Developments in bioethics and medical technology have major implications for our societies. The Church provides a body of teaching and reflection which gives guidance for balancing progress with claims of faith and ethics," he said. World renowned bio-ethicists such as Oxford graduate and Adjunct Professor of Bioethics at UNDA, Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, Associate Prof. Bernadette Tobin (Australian Catholic University), Associate Prof. Nicholas Tonti-Fillippini (John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies), Dr Patrick Gerard Lopez Moral (The University of Santa Tomas, Philippines) and Dr Brigid McKenna (UNDA) will speak. Topics include: 'Tradition and the Critique of Consequentialist Bioethics'; 'Challenging Secularism: Bioethics, Culture and Collaborations'; 'Respecting Difference While Advancing the Culture of Life'; 'Culture of Life and the Mission of Catholic Higher Education,' and 'Is Bioethics an American Plot: Prof. Ramsey, also UNDA's Dean of Philosophy and Theology, says that Bishop Fisher's topic, 'Is Bioethics an American Plot', is particularly pertinent, addressing whether Catholic bioethical teaching is applicable to Southeast and East Asia, or just a product of the 'white West'. "One difficulty people have with the Church's teachings is that it's not responsive to the situation on the ground; people think it's just created in an ivory cathedral and does not engage with practical realities:'
BUILDING A CULTURE OF
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Catholic Higher Education and the Challenges of Bioethics
Centre to tackle media on faith, truth
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Prof. Ramsey said. His experience at the 10'h ASEACC conference in August last year in Bandung, Indonesia showed this is not the case, at least in the Muslim world. The conference was addressed by senior Muslim figures who, he said, spoke with great respect of Catholic bioethical wisdom. "One thing Catholics have extraordinary expertise in is bioethics, so it was great to see the western and eastern bioethics working together," he said. This month's conference will also tap into the vast resources of the best Catholic minds throughout Southeast Asia, as countries within the region like the Philippines are rich in Catholic heritage. "The faith is incredibly strong in these areas; its representatives were filled with passion for the Church, while their churches are filled with youth, who were excited by World Youth Day 2008 being held in Sydney that many of them had attended," he said. "There is incredible growth and dynamism in these countries, which I expected in the Philippines, but it is also the case in Indonesia." Prof. Ramsey, a Scottish migrant who studied at the University of Edinburgh, said the fact that Manila's University of Santo Tomas was built before his own alma mater "shows they've been dealing with Catholic theological bioethics issues at a very high level for a very long time". The primary purpose of the conference, he said, is to encourage and build connections with speakers from the region who are engaging in the public square constantly, as UNDA already has strong connections with Catholic institutions in Europe and the US. "Australia is way ahead in Catholic bioethics and has a very serious voice here, as the intellectual standard is extremely high," he said. The topics to be covered at the conference will reveal that the Catholic belief espoused by the academics and lived by "day-today Catholics" is parallel with what others in Australian society believe, despite what some parts of secular culture would have them believe. While Difference 'Respecting Advancing the Culture of Life', to be addressed by Professor Moral, will reveal the importance of expressing in the public domain "the Catholic view increasingly that dare not hold its head up" in the current climate, Prof. Ramsey said. "The diversity of views is respected (in the public
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forum) but it's hard to get a hearing for the Catholic view, and that is a real concern. Diversity doesn't mean everything but the Catholic position, it's every position, "I'm a philosopher, and we believe that whatever your view you get a hearing, so long as you can argue reasons behind your view. Some think the Catholic view isn't based on reasons - just emotional faith or a rule book issued by Rome; but in fact Catholic faith positions have been hammered out for 2000 years on a philosophical basis of reason:' The topic 'Tradition and the Critique of Consequentialist Bioethics; to be addressed by Associate Professor Bernadette Tobin, Director of the Plunkett of the Centre for Ethics at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney and Reader in Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University, will also prove the flawed theory applies on a day-to-day level. "Some think an action is ok so long as a there is a good result, but people wouldn't run their own families like that," Prof Ramsey said. "For all of us there are basic considerations that come into play, especially in regards to bioethics," Prof. Ramsey said. The day before Prof Ramsey spoke to The Record, his own grandmother died. The hospital she was at back in Scotland asked him for permission to stop giving her water as she's goin to die anyway. His answer was no. "If shes dying you keep her hydrated until the end," Prof. Ramsey said. "That's a Catholic view, and the view of many:' The clarification of such views in a highlevel conference like this comes as Australian States are under increasing pressure from the Greens and the Voluntary Euthanasia Society to pass end-of-life Bills contrary to the Gospel, and to common sense. "This conference will not be pushing Catholic views, but looking at reasons behind the views, from rational faith, built on a platform of philosophy - one that no one's been yet able to refute:' Prof. Ramsey said. 'Culture of Life and the Mission of Catholic Higher Education', to be presented by Dr Brigid McKenna, executive officer for the Life Office in the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, will address the true purpose of Catholic universities. "If you're in a Catholic higher education you're not just there to serve knowledge but serve life, family and faith," Prof.Ramsey said.
SYDNEY'S UNDA Deputy Vice Chancellor Hayden Ramsey wants its Centre for Faith, Ethics and Society to be the mouthpiece that clarifies the Catholic Church's position in the public domain. The ASEACC event (see main story) coincided with UNDA Sydney's buildup to the formal opening of its Centre for Faith, Ethics and Society on October 22 by Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, who gained his Diploma of Philosophy from Oxford University studying under the highly-respected John Prof. Finnis. A nnounced in January with Associate Prof. Sandra Lynch from UNDA's existing School of Philosophy and Theology as its founding director, Prof Ramsay wants the Centre for Prof. Sandra Lynch Ethics Faith, and Society to be the first port of call for media enquiries on bioethical issues, so that the Church's position can be stated coherently and with authority. Last year's Truth and Faith in Ethics conference UNDA hosted in Sydney intentionally had a theoretical focus to build the platform for a more practical focus in 2011, applying ethics to particular reads of life like law, politics and the family. Last year's conference saw over 800 crammed in to hear arguably the UK's finest Catholic philosopher, John Holdane - the Catholic commentator its media seeks comment from - debate Raimond Gaeta, Australian Catholic University philosopher and Professor of Moral Philosophy at Kings College London, on 'Is there morality without God' before renowned atheist Philip Adams at Sydney University's Seymour Centre. The entire event was also broadcast ABC Radio National. The conference had one of the most outstanding line-ups of international ethicists ever to gather in Australia, and garnered UNDA secular media attention with the likes of Prof. Holdane present, and Prof. Nancy Sharman, Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University, whose work with the armed forces is highly regarded. "The point of the conference was for once to bring to Australia the very best in that area (truth, faith and ethics) and to tell (local academics) do not dumb this down at home, to give students the real thine Prof. Ramsey said. UNDA also plans to start a scholarship program, as the Centre will be for those studying specialist topics in professional ethics over and above the university's philosophy and theology units. "We want to keep it small to start with," Prof. Ramsey said. "If we can attract a quality visiting scholar and a couple of first-rate PhD students I'd be very happy with that as a beginning:' Prof. Lynch said that a commitment to the complementarity of faith and reason is "essential to the Catholic intellectual tradition"; so the Centre will provide advice and commentary in the fields of ethics and faith and their practical application and integration into relevant contemporary issues in Australian society.
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August 19 2009, The Record
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The problem of secrecy in the Church
A discussion we need to have
American journalist Russell Shaw's book, Nothing To Hide: Secrecy, Communication, and Communion in the Catholic Church (Ignatius Press), takes a candid and sometimes surprising look at the abuse of secrecy in an ecclesiastical context. In this interview, Shaw, former information director of the US Catholic bishops' conference, explains the book's genesis and the nature of the problem it examines.
• By Russell Shaw
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Photo: Justine Stevens
s your book like Scott McClellan's?" An interviewer asked me that the other day, thereby suggesting a possible parallel between the former White House press secretary's insider tell-all volume about the Bush administration and my new book about the issue of secrecy in the Church. I had to disappoint him. I haven't read McClellan's book, I said, but from what I've heard about it, Nothing To Hide: Secrecy, Communication, and Communion in the Catholic Church is very different. As a former information director (1969-87) of the Catholic bishops conference of the United States, I'm not out to settle scores, I'm not trying to make myself look good, and the points I make are meant to be constructive—to help the Church to be more fully in fact the communion of persons that in essence it already is. But is there really too much secrecy in the Church? I'm convinced there is. The sex abuse scandal and cover-up provided the great horrible instance of that. The financial scandals that pop up now and then in dioceses and parishes are other examples. And leaving spectacular disasters aside, there is a seemingly widespread, day-in, day-out default of candid, comprehensive communication about Church affairs. To put it simply, too many key decisions affecting everyone get made behind closed doors. Not many official Church documents address matters, these but those that do point in the opposite direction — away from secrecy and toward openness. clearest The and best statement along these lines remains this passage from in the pastoral instruction Communio Progressio et by published Vatican's the Council for Social Communications in 1971: "The spiritual riches which are an essential attribute of the Church demand that the news she gives out of her intentions as well as of her works be distinguished by integrity, truth and openness. When ecclesiastical authorities are unwilling to give information or are unable to do so, then rumour is unloosed, and rumour is not a bearer of the truth but carries dangerous half-truths. Secrecy should therefore be restricted to matters that involve the good name of individuals, or that touch upon the rights of people whether singly or collectively" (n. 121) Since Vatican II, the Magisterium has repeatedly embraced the understanding of the Church as a communion or community of persons. This goes by the name communio ecclesiology. It is a rich, complex concept that I don't have the space to develop here. But open, honest communication among the members of the ecclesial community—and especially between the pastors and the people— clearly is a necessary part of it. Pope Benedict XVI several years ago got to the heart of the matter in this lapidary sentence: "We cannot communicate with the Lord if we do not communicate with one another:' That doesn't mean the Church may never practice secrecy — sometimes it should and must. But the presumption ought to be on the side of openness, with the burden of proof resting upon those who consider secrecy necessary in a particular case. When differences arise, the virtue of prudence should be exercised in deciding who's right. In talking with people about these things, I've found that most Catholics recognise the existence of a problem. But the problem has seldom been examined closely — up to now, that is. In writing Nothing To Hide, newly published by Ignatius Press, my hope was to launch what see as an overdue discussion for the good of the Church. Sorry, but if you want to know what Scott McClellan has in mind, you'll have to ask him.
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Russell Shaw speaks to journalists in Rome last year on the media and the Catholic Church. The US journalist and PHOTO. P ROSENGREN Church communications expert has written a book addressing the problem of clerical secrecy.
The Church is still the Church, lished since then, and Pope John It's that the assumption in doing What moved you to write a book the Church's business should be in of course, with the gospel, the Paul II touched on the theme in favour of openness and account- Eucharist, the sacraments. And his last public document before about secrecy in the Church? ability, with the burden of proof there are many admirable people he died, II Rapido Sviluppo (The guess I first became con- resting on those who favour secre- in the Church, both clerics and Rapid Development). Pope Benedict laid down the non-clerics. scious of the problem in cy in any particular case. principle of internal combasic does secrecy of abuse the But 1969, when I went to work have bad results in terms of peo- munication in the Church several The Catholic Church isn't the for the bishops' conferple's attitudes, ranging from anger years ago. "We cannot commuence as director of infor- only institution to abuse secrecy. and alienation to apathy and indif- nicate with the Lord if we do not that? do also groups of lot a Don't the time, the At mation. ference or a kind of childishness in communicate with one another" is bishops' relations with the press how he put it. to the Church. relation common is problem The Sure. and much were in terrible shape, of the tension focused on the in government, the military, and What do you suggest be done? But ever since Vatican II haven't bishops' general meetings. They the private sector - wherever the of processes were entirely in executive session, people in charge use secrecy to we had structures and My book ends with some with no reporters and observers cover up their mistakes or to con- consultation to prevent what you're practical recommendations. For trol the people under them or just talking about - pastoral councils, allowed in. instance: adopt policies that guarfinance councils, things like that? Yet the bishops invited report- because they find it convenient. antee openness in conducting the the by year last study A and meeting the to to come ers of dioceses and parishes business many in But yes. paper, On cover it - which they did, partly Associated Press found that sex institutes; make a religious and seem don't they most, not if places, pubin widespread was abuse partly and by means of briefings pastoral councils with start fresh did What well. very working by means of leaks. Needless to lic schools, and that a culture of to be by giving councils finance and do councils parish and diocesan pubamong operative was secrecy for say, there was no good reason and decisions in say real a them abuse? sex prevent all that secrecy. The situation was lic educators and legislatures to to detect and public; proceedings their making frowere they evidently Nothing wraps. under story a mess and very harmful to the keep the give qualified lay Catholics a conzen out, kept in the dark. bishops' own best interests. sultative voice in the choice of dioceses, and parishes of lots In special anything Then is there I was one of those who helped nobody knows who the council their bishops and pastors; put freeget them to open the meetings, about the abuse of secrecy in the members are or when they meet dom-of-information policies in starting in 1972. That arrange- Church? or what their agenda is or what place in Church institutions; allow the next for ment worked well diocesan newspapers to be more Yes, there is. The clergy are the they do. 20 years, but starting in the midthan house organs and operate impression common a There's Church, the in class ent managem 1990s, when I was no longer with as reliable sources of information excepare there often the bishops' conference but was and in that context the abuse of that very and vehicles for public opinion. of role main the course of tions, of tool typical a becomes covering the bishops as a journal- secrecy We have to revive the ideal of ist, I realised that, without any the clericalist culture. It's clerical- these bodies is to be a soundingresponsibility, too - not as shared decisions rubber-stamp and board announcement or explanation, ism at work. part of a power struggle, but so Furthermore, abusing secrecy by the authorities. they were spending more and that we can all work together for more of their meeting time in is contrary to the Church's nature the welfare of the Church. than larger the problem sn't I communion a communion as doors. closed et secr session behind Basically, what's needed is a secrecy? comOnce again, there was no good or hierarchically structured way of thinking - a comnew the all which in faith of munity So reason for so much secrecy. to the proposition that mitment book, the in say I As is. it Yes, I started writing about that and members, as Vatican II taught, and accountability really openness number a has secrecy of abuse the dignity in equal fundamentally about secrecy in the Church in are to go because they're way the are happy of cousins - stonewalling, and rights. general. what the Church is of expressions to failure deception, spin, talk, equality real have can't But you Then came 2002 and the sexin dignity and rights in a commu- consult, rejection of accountabil- and how it's meant to operate. abuse scandal. When people grasp that, the The cover-ups were a big part of nity in which a large body of mem- ity, things like that. of secrecy ought to fade abuse that, is resemblance family The informadenied routinely are bers abuse that the clear it it. Now was away. breakall are these as like secrecy, of secrecy wasn't just counterpro- tion that they need to function But I'm realistic enough to recductive - it was capable of doing full, equal members. That's how downs in the open, honest comthat, human nature being ognise be the to ought munication that very serious harm in a very serious things are now. is, the temptation to go it what the of communio in rule the matter. behind closed doors and practise Church. Can you give some examples? I concluded that to do justice to secrecy will always exist. the problem would take a book. Has the Church officially taken The sexual abuse of children Nothing To Hide is the result. Russell Shaw is a writer and jourand the cover-up that accom- a position on this question? nalist in Washington. His books great horrible the was it panied place a there's think Don't you Ministry or Apostolate include But lot. whole a said hasn't it Well, example. for secrecy and confidentiality in Catholic laity should be the what stateexcellent some find will that scandals you financial The the Church? Vocation: God Personal doing, Communio in erupt now and then in dioceses ments of principle Name (with By Everyone Calls instruction pastoral a et Progressio, and church instituparishes and matter Of course there is. As a of fact,Imake the case for secrecy tions are another instance. If trans- on communications published by Germain Grisez), and Nothing To in the book. The seal of the confes- parency were the rule, con men the Pontifical Council for Social Hide: Secrecy, Communication, and Communion in the Catholic sional is the strongest example of and crooks would have a harder Communications in 1971. Church (forthcomingfrom Ignatius two-way "steady, a for calls or t I off with misusing strictly obligatory secrecy, but the time making Press). between of information" flow funds. church pertains privacy to preserve duty Then there's decision-making Church authorities and the faithin pastoral counselling situations. the Church, which often takes ful, and says people have a right to Interested? in has Church Furthermore, the the same right to confidentiality to place behind closed doors - chan- "all the information they need to Nothing to Hide ($23.95 + protect its legitimate interests that cery doors, parish doors - and is play their active role in the life of postage and handling) and other any other group has, along with done by a small group of insiders. the Church," while secrecy should books (price on request) are available through The Record Bookshop. There is no consultation, and be limited to cases of necessity. the common obligation to respect This Vatican agency has Contact Caroline on (08) 9227 the people are simply presented people's privacy rights. My point isn't that there has to with the decisions as accomplished returned to the same subject sev- 7080 or via bookshop@therebe total disclosure of everything. facts: "Here's how it's going to be:' eral times in documents it's pub- cord.com.au
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What happens when those who make up the Church - who are Ulf% Church - are kept in the dark about important decisions thqt affect them?
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August 19 2009, The Record
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Chivalry Ball sets a new standard for entertainment
Participants at the Chivalry Ball pause for a moment to pose for the camera. After spending a night dancing, those who went - and often their parents as PHOTOS. JACOB ROATCH well - were glowing in their reports. Continued from Page 1
Siobhan Hinton and Mason Feltoe, at left, were chosen as Belle and Gentleman of the Ball respectively. Approximately 100 young people attended by organiser Montana McCann reprorted that she and fellow organisers were receiving phone calls up until the afternoon of that Ball asking for tickets. The event was sold out. PHOTO: JACOB ROATCH
to adulthood. The sold-out ball had been organised by young Perth woman Montana McCann and her friends Instead of seeing youngsters suffering the first after-effects of a night of drugs and alcohol, parents managed to catch a few glimpses of the last dance of the night - a waltz. They also saw couples gliding around the dance floor while young men paid attention to their dance partners and young ladies considered their last dance for the night from the dance cards worn tied to their wrists with a ribbon. It was, as they say, a hit with all concerned. Parish Priest Fr Michael Gatt, whose parish hall was booked for the event and who had earlier led participants in grace before supper, was so impressed he invited all back for a repeat next year. Gemma McCann, mother of Montana, told The Record she was flooded with congratulations and amazed compliments from parents turning up to pick up their children; while many had an idea of what their children were going to all were delighted by the return of concepts such as elegance, manners and charm at an event such as this. "All these parents couldn't believe what they were seeing. The whole night just went so well," she told The Record later. The evening began with a waltz, Strauss's The Blue Danube, and ended with a waltz, but the whole
What they thought "Best night ever."
night was a mixture of more formal dance steps such as the quickstep and contemporary music and dancing. There was something for everyone. Earlier in the evening opera singers Bianca Hurley and Jeremy Ryan entertained dancers with four duets, while co-organiser Joseph Laundy acted as Master of Ceremonies. Every detail had been carefully planned by Miss McCann and her friends. On arrival girls were presented with a dance card with a ribbon and a pencil to write the names of partners for various dances. Candles and fairy lights decorated the hall adding their own special atmosphere and it was not hard to imagine that, somewhere, that most faithful devotee of dance season, Miss Austen, was looking down upon the evening with pleasure and begging to be excused for not being able to be present. While the ball was christened The Chivalry Ball, it came as a pleasant surprise for girls on the night when the young men proposed a toast to the ladies, followed by a toast to Mary, the Mother of God; the date for the ball was the Feast of the Assumption and a statue of Mary was given a place of pride for the evening while the ball had been given to her as a gift for her special day. The evening has been considered so much of a success that if you are planning on getting tickets for next year's event you had better get in early. "I had a brilliant time. Really good fun. One of the best events of the year."
- Sonia Spadaccini
- Mason Feltoe
"I know that I got a couple of blisters. But they were worth it. Feels amazing after being surrounded by such kind and beautiful people last night." "Last night was awesome! I'm pretty tired though."
"I was absolutely blown way by the whole night! The Chivalry Ball team did an amazing job running everything from the live singers to the food and music etc. I am definitely going next year and can see it becoming a huge tradition in Perth for the Catholic youth."
- Anthony Spadaccini
- Katie Moran
"S000 happy, but still a tad sore."
"I was so impressed with them, terrific people. The ladies were dressed up like brides and the men like bridegrooms. They provided beautiful music and it was well controlled. I cannot stop talking about it. The fact is that those young people from all over the metro area came along and were so happy. It is very difficult these days to make young people happy."
- Kym Krishnan
- Alana Ganci
"Congratulations to the organisers on such an amazing night, everyone had such a great time it was so classy and elegant, very professional. Everyone is raving about it." - Ross Fletcher
— Fr Michael Gatt, Parish Priest, Osborne Park
August 19 2009, The Record
Kids bitz ARTIST WEEK Hannah Rowlands, Aged 6, of Bassendean is our Artist of the Week.
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CHILDREN
KID'S COMPETITION CHILDREN'S YOUR CHANCE TO BE HEARD!! STORY Kid's let us know what you would like to see on "KIDS BITZ" and give yourself a chance to win a great prize. Send in your suggestions to;
Justine Stevens, The Record, PO Box 75 Leederville WA 6902
By Joe Sarnicola
or email production @therecord.com.au
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SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS St Elizabeth Bichier des Ages Elizabeth Bichier (1773-1838) was the daughter of the lord of the manor of Ages, France, and a public official. Although little is known of her childhood, she went to school at a convent in Poitiers and she loved to build sand castles. After the death of her father, Elizabeth had to study law from a private tutor in order to prevent any of her family's property from being seized by the government, because her brother had left France to escape the French Revolution. With the help of a priest who lived 25 miles away, Elizabeth helped to keep prayers and the faith alive in the French farmers, whose lives had been severely impacted by the revolution. Elizabeth eventually became a nun and helped to build or re-establish more than 60 convents across France.
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colouring
We honour her on August 26.
jokes Jokes compiled by Hayden Baguley, 11, of Ellenbrook
Can February march? No. But April may What do you call a 10 foot tall monster? Shorty Why did it take the monster 10 months to finish a book? He wasn't very hungry What is long, green and slowly turns red? A cucumber holding its breath Why should you never tell jokes in a grocery store? Because the corn has ears, potatoes have eyes and beanstalk Why did robin hood rob the rich? Because the poor had no money If I had six grapefruit in one hand and seven in the other what would i have? Very big hands What is green, red and goes at 70 kph? A frog in a blender
"According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses." JOSHUA 1:17
PUZZLE
Cross out the mysteries and prayers that are not part of the Rosary: glorious mysteries joyful mysteries sacramental mysteries
mysteries of darkness
Our Father
mysteries of light
Stations of the Cross sorrowful mysteries
JOSHUA, ISRAEL PLEDGE TO SERVE THE LORD
prayer of vocation uo.rimon Jo ignid `ssaurop Jo 5?!1,31S1'W 'SSW) Ali JO 51.10.0.6 15.311,314W INUdlilDDDS :sahisuy
JOSHUA wanted to speak to the people of Israel, so he called for representatives of the 12 tribes to meet with him. The elders came, along with the leaders, the judges and the officers. They stood in ranks in order to hear the word of the Lord that had been given to Joshua. Joshua reminded them that, even though at one time some of their ancestors had worshipped false gods, the Lord had chosen Abraham to be one of their leaders and after him, Isaac and Jacob and Moses, who led them out of Egypt and into Canaan. When Pharaoh's army was chasing them, the Red Sea swallowed the soldiers and their chariots, and Israel was safe. "I brought you into the land of the Amorites,"Joshua said, speaking the words of the Lord, "who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I delivered them into your power. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them (the two kings of the Amorites) before you." After reminding the people of how God had saved and protected them many times in the past, the Lord said to them, "I gave you a land which you had not tilled and cities which you had not built to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant. Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely." Then Joshua declared his own faith, along with a challenge to the people of Israel. "If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the river or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." The representatives of the tribes of Israel replied to Joshua, "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. ...Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God." Joshua made a covenant with Israel, and he wrote statutes and ordinances that he recorded in the book of the law of God. After placing a stone as a monument for what they had said and done, Joshua dismissed the people and sent them home.
READ MORE ABOUT IT: Joshua 24 Q&A 1. Who did Joshua call to hear the words of the Lord? 2. What did the people agree to do after hearing Joshua speak?
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August 19 2009, The Record
THE WORLD
Traditional orders attract more recruits New study shows current state of vocations to US Religious communities.
State of Vocations A recent survey gives a profile of U.S. men and women religious and what their attraction was to religious life.
• By Chaz Muth
WASHINGTON (CNS) - US Catholic Religious communities are attracting more ethnically and culturally diverse members now than in previous generations, according to an in-depth survey released on August 11. The "Study of Recent Vocations to Religious Life" also showed that most US Religious communities report diminishing numbers with aging populations, but at the same time indicated those who are choosing Religious life today are passionate about it and some orders are cultivating vocations from the millennial generation. With less than 10 per cent of women Religious and 25 percent of men Religious under the age of 60, it's imperative that US Religious communities figure out effective methods of recruitment, said Mercy Sister Mary Bendyna, executive director of the Centre for Applied Research in the Apostolate and principal author of the study. The study - conducted by CARA, a Georgetown Universitybased research centre, on behalf of the National Religious Vocation Conference, based in Chicago surveyed 4000 men and women who are in formation or newly vowed members. "Clearly the numbers are diminishing and will be diminishing more in the coming years:' Sister Mary told CNS. "We're aging, and it will impact us more in the coming years, because many of our members in their 60s and 70s are still active in ministries, but that won't be the case in another decade or two?' The study was conducted to find the best methods for Religious institutes to attract and retain new members, said Holy Cross Brother Paul Bednarczyk, executive director of the National Religious Vocation Conference, a professional association of Religious vocation directors. "The Internet, DVDs and other media are much more important to this generation, than for those who were connecting to the Religious communities in the 1990s," Brother Paul told CNS. "Religious communities defi-
:Age distribution: all religious 35% 30% 25% 30% 15% 10% 5%
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Race/ethnicity: initial formation Nuns clad in white punctuate a sea of spectators anxious for Pope Benedict XVI to arrive for an April 20, 2008, Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York. An announcement was made in Washington in January that the Vatican had initiated an apostolic visitation of institutes of women Religious to find out why their numbers have decreased during the past 40 years. PHOTO: CNS/MIKE CRUPI
nitely have to be present on the web to connect with their target groups?' Though the numbers in Religious orders may be decreasing, the study found that new members are passionate about Religious life and that men's and women's communities following more traditional practices have better success attracting younger members today. Another encouraging sign is that 43 per cent of those surveyed are under the age of 30, meaning US Religious communities are reaching the millennial generation, Brother Paul said. "It confirms that younger people are rethinking entering Religious life," he said. The study was based on surveys of Religious institutes, focus groups with those new to Religious life, and an examination of selected Religious institutes that have been relatively successful in attracting and retaining new members, according to its executive summary. CARA mailed surveys to a total of 976 entities in spring 2008 and then conducted extensive followup by mail, e-mail, telephone and fax throughout summer and fall 2008 to achieve a high response rate. CARA received completed responses from 591 Religious insti-
tutes for a response rate of 60 per cent. The study was designed to identify and understand the characteristics, attitudes and experiences of the men and women who are entering Religious life today as well as the characteristics and practices of the Religious institutes that are successfully attracting new candidates and retaining new members, the summary said. Though about 94 per cent of members of US Religious communities who have made their final profession are white, a growing number of those in formation come from non-Caucasian backgrounds, according to the study. Approximately 21 per cent of those in initial formation are Hispanic/Latino, 14 percent are Asian/Pacific Islander, and six per cent are African/AfricanAmerican. About 58 per cent are Caucasian/white. Currently, about 75 per cent of professed men in US Religious communities and more than 91 percent of women Religious are 60 or older, the study said. A majority of both men and women Religious under the age of 60 are in their 50s. "Both the world and the Church have changed dramatically from when many of us first entered Religious Brother Paul said. Candidates are going to come from
CAUCASIAN, WHITE, ANGLO
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HISPANIC, LATINO ASIAN, PACIFIC ISLANDER
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AFRICAN this changed OTHER world and Attraction to religious life: initial formation church, he said. "No Percent who said thefollowing "very much" matter what attracted them to religious life we may 78% think of this A SENSE OF CALL y ounger A DESIRE FOR PRAYER generation, 73% AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH their spirA DESIRE TO BE OF SERVICE ituality, their 67% hopes and A DESIRE TO BE PART OF •60% A COMMUNITY their values, we cannot A DESIRE TO BE MORE 44% COMMITTED TO THE CHURCH ignore them if we want a Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate 02009 CNS future?' According to the survey of new members, the cent said those men or women average age for entering Religious spend more than half their time life is 30 for men and 32 for women. fostering vocation recruitment. New members told surveyThe total of new members in US ors they were most attracted to Religious communities is probably Religious life through various higher than the 4000 surveyed, media, especially Web sites, and since some Religious institutes did were drawn to programs that not respond. offered discernment retreats, The study's findings did not come and see" experiences, dis- include diocesan priests. cernment groups and ministry/ Sister Mary sees as a positive mission experiences. sign the mere fact that men and Data from the study suggests women are choosing Religious life that Religious institutes with voca- at a time when it is not as popular tion directors engaged in vocaor as understood as it once was. tion ministry on a full-time basis "They face many challenges tended to be more successful in and are making a choice that famattracting new members. ily and friends don't understand," Though 88 per cent of US Sister Mary said, "but they are Religious institutes reported havembracing their call with faith and ing vocation directors, only 46 per enthusiasm?'
Allies didlittle to stop Holocaust: Vatican newspaper Newspaper says governments did little to stop Holocaust. • By John Thavis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In a lengthy article, the Vatican newspaper said the US and British governments had detailed information about the Nazi plan to exterminate European Jews during World War II, but failed to act for many months and even suppressed reports about the extent of the Holocaust. The newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, contrasted Allied inaction with the quiet efforts undertaken by Pope Pius XII to save as many Jews as possible through clandestine assistance. The August 13 article reviewed
historical information in support of an argument frequently made by Vatican experts: While critics have focused on Pope Pius' supposed "silence" on the Holocaust, little attention has been given to documented evidence that the US and British governments ignored or minimised reports of extermination plans. The article quotes heavily from the diary of Henry Morgenthau Jr, US secretary of the treasury during the war, who said that as early as August 1942 administration officials "knew that the Nazis were planning to exterminate all the Jews of Europe?' Morgenthau cited a telegram dated August 24, 1942, and passed on to the State Department, that relayed a report of Hitler's plan to kill between 3.5 million and 4 million Jews, possibly using cyanide poison. The Vatican newspaper reproduced a copy of the telegram.
Eventually, in early 1944, US President Franklin D Roosevelt set up the War Refugee Board that was credited with saving tens of thousands of Jewish lives. But for 18 months before then, despite increasingly alarming reports, United States officials "dodged their grim responsibility, procrastinated when concrete rescue schemes were placed before them, and even suppressed information about atrocities," Morgenthau wrote. The Vatican newspaper article also cited a series of State Department orders apparently aimed at preventing reports on Nazi atrocities from reaching the public, which would have increased pressure on the administration for action. When the US government was finally convinced to begin some efforts to rescue and relocate European Jews, the British gov-
ernment stalled, the article said. It cited a British Foreign Office cable that warned of "the difficulties of disposing of any considerable number of Jews should they be rescued from enemy occupied territory" and advised against allocating any funds for the project. Morgenthau described this message as "a satanic combination of British chill and diplomatic double talk, cold and correct and adding up to a sentence of death?' The newspaper said that, while all this was going on, in Nazioccupied Rome Pope Pius was carrying out "the only plausible and practical form of defence of the Jews and other persecuted people" - hiding them in various Church-run institutions. In the end, although more than 2000 Jews were deported from Rome and killed, about 10,000 Jews of Rome were saved, it said.
Pope Pius XII writes one of his wartime Christmas radio messages using a typewriter at the Vatican in this undated photo. PHOTO: CNS
August 19 2009, The Record
THE WORLD
Arinze warns against Mass liturgical dance THE former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship has warned Asia's bishops against liturgical dance which he said distracts from the purpose of Mass - worship, thanksgiving and forgiveness. Cardinal Francis Arinze, who served as prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2002 to 2008, warned the bishops of Asia in an August 16 homily against liturgical "idiosyncracies" and false conceptions of inculturation. Preaching in Manila at the closing Mass of the plenary assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), Cardinal Arinze - Pope Benedict XVI's special envoy to the meeting - exhorted the continent's bishops to follow the Church's norms for liturgical inculturation. He urged this to be done so that "the local Church will be spared questionable or downright mistaken innovations and idiosyncracies of some enthusiastic cleric whose fertile imaginations invents something on Saturday night and whose uninformed zeal forces this innovation on the innocent congregation on Sunday morning". "Dance in particular needs to be critically examined because most dances draw attention to the performers and offer enjoyment; he said. "People come to Mass, not for recreation but, to adore God, to praise and thank him, to ask pardon for their sins, and to request other spiritual and temporal needs. The monasteries may be of help in how graceful body movements can become prayer." Encouraging bishops to foster Eucharistic adoration and reverence, he said: "Adoration manifests itself in such gestures in genuflection, deep bow, kneeling, prostration and silence in the presence of the Lord. "Asian cultures have a deep sense of the sacred and transcendent. Reverence in Asia to civil authorities sometimes shows itself in clasped hands, kneeling, bows, prostration and walking away while facing a dignitary; he said. "It should not be too difficult
A member of the Sacred Heart Praise Dancers leads youths in a liturgical dance during the dedication of the new Sacred Heart Church and Parish Centre in Camden, Mississippi, in 2007. Cardinal Francis Arinze has warned Asia's bishops against "uninformed, enthusiastic" clerics thrusting liturgical dance on "innocent congregations" which distracts from the purpose of the Mass. PHOTO: CNS/FABVIENEN TAYLOR, MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
to bring and elevate this cultural value to honour our Eucharistic Jesus. The fashion in some parts of the world of not installing kneelers in churches should not be copied by the Church in Asia." A fter praising Asian cultures' sense of the sacred, Cardinal urged observance of liturgical norms. He said the way in which Holy Communion is distributed should be clearly indicated and monitored and individual idiosyncracies should not be allowed. "In the Latin Rite, only concelebrating priests take Holy Communion. Everyone else is given, be the person cleric or lay; he said. "It is not right that the priest discard any of the vestments just because the climate is hot or humid. If necessary, the Bishop can arrange the use of lighter cloth. "It is altogether unacceptable that the celebrant will opt for local dress in the place of universally approved Mass vestments, or use baskets, or wine glasses to distribute the Holy Eucharist. This is inculturation wrongly understood. It is the tradition of the Church that during the Mass the readings are taken only from Holy
Scriptures. Not even the writings of the Saints or Founders of Religious Orders are admitted. It is clear that the books of other religions are excluded, no matter how inspiring a particular text may be:' The conference also discussed the Church's problems in Asia, including inter-religious marriages where the Catholic converts to the spouse's religion, smaller seminary numbers and violence against Christians. Philippine Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, FABC secretary general, said Asian bishops had reported difficulty in recruiting young men to the priesthood due to poverty and the secularization of society. He said that the FABC was also preparing a document on the "endemic corruption in countries in Asia, not just the Philippines but corruption in most of the governments of Asia", AFP reported. The FABC represents Asian dioceses in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Japan, Indonesia, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Deacons must be experts at preaching Cardinal says deacons must know Scripture, serve poor. VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Catholic Church increasingly relies on the ministry of permanent deacons, who must be experts in preaching the word of God and in outreach to the poor, said the prefect of the Congregation for Clergy. As with any ministry, the impact of a permanent deacon's work depends on his own holiness, his love for Scriptures and his daily concern for the poor, said Cardinal Claudio Hummes in a letter marking the feast of St Lawrence on August 10. "From a good disciple a good missionary is born; the cardinal said in his letter to the Church's 36,000 permanent deacons, about 16,500 of whom minister in the United States and Canada. Preaching the Gospel, he said, requires of ordained ministers a constant struggle to study it and carry it out, at the same time as one proclaims it to others."
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Deacon candidates lie prostrate during their ordination Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California, last year, when Bishop Allen Vigneron ordained 17 permanent deacons for the diocese. PHOTO: CNS/GREG TARCZYNSKI
A deacon needs to base his preaching on his private meditation and prayerful reading of the
Bible as well as on theological education in Scripture studies, he said. Cardinal Hummes said that from the time of the earliest Christian communities deacons were called to spearhead the Church's ministry to the poor, and the poor still must be the deacon's priority today. "We must love the poor in a preferential way, as Jesus Christ; to be united with them, to work toward constructing a just, fraternal and peaceful society. Deacons must identify themselves in a very special way with charity; he said. "The poor are part of your daily ambience and the object of your untiring concern. "One could not understand a deacon who did not personally involve himself in charity and solidarity toward the poor, who again today are multiplying in number:' In addition to offering deacons his thanks and blessing, Cardinal Hummes also sent his greetings to the wives and children of the many married deacons and thanked them for supporting the ministry of their husbands and fathers, which is a form of Holy Orders.
Church must not be prisoner to scandal
Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, waves to the crowd at the beginning of a pro-life youth Mass at the Verizon Centre in Washington on January 22. Addressing over 130 superiors of men Religious on August 6, he said some Religious communitites have abandoned their founding charisms and invented a new way not rooted PHOTO: CNS/ GREGORY A SHEMITZ in the Gospel.
of religious life, we must go back to the word of God," he said. "We have been made religious, priests and bishops, not for sex scandals but to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord and to witness it; he continued. 'And where it is needed to ST LOUIS (CNS) - Challenges take care of the sex scandals and faced by men's Religious orders the crisis of religious life, there, - including the impact of the with greater determination, it is clergy sex abuse scandals and needed to announce the Gospel:' Redemptorist Father Thomas decline in vocations - should inspire a renewed commitment Picton, outgoing CMSM presito proclaim the Gospel message, dent, also spoke of the challengsaid speakers at an annual con- es today's religious are facing and stressed that the difficulties ference. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, should ultimately lead to spirapostolic nuncio to the United itual growth. In an August 7 keynote States, told more than 130 superiors of men Religious on August address, he said: "Religious life is 6 that the Church should not be facing some dark struggles: anxi"a prisoner of the sex scandals" ety about dwindling numbers, nor should it be "a prisoner of shrinking financial resources, scapegoating and rejection by the crisis of religious life society and even by members He urged participants at the annual assembly of the of the Church itself, instability, Conference of Major Superiors graying of our members, smaller of Men in St Louis from August numbers of vocations, lawsuits, allegations of sexual abuse:' 5-8, to return to their roots, notHe stressed that "in a time of ing that early religious communities in the United States had "a uncertainty and diminishment, leading role in the growth of the religious leaders must make sure Church in this country" through that their institutes continue to look outward while searchtheir work in education and caring inward to understand their ing for those in need. Archbishop Sambi noted that founding vision". "They must not become prethe theme chosen for this year's gathering, "Called to Proclaim occupied only with survival but the Gospel; and the meeting's continue to be bold and daring timing, coming at the close of in their commitment to serving those most in need; he said. the Pauline year and at the openIn the opening prayer serving of the Year for Priests, "is needed by the Church in the ice, Benedictine Abbot Jerome United States just as rain is need- Kodell of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas, urged the religious ed in the desert:' superiors to recognise they have He said he is "deeply convinced that the values and wit- a special role in proclaiming the ness of Religious life are extreme- Gospel message. In other presentations durly important for the renewal of ing the conference, John Allen, the Church." Pointing out the challenges a senior correspondent for faced by today's priests, the arch- the National Catholic Reporter bishop called the clergy abuse weekly newspaper, spoke about scandal "a horrible experience changing roles in ministry. Father Ronald Witherup, supewhich has deprived all of us of credibility before our faithful rior general of the Sulpicians, presented a biblical reflection and before society." He also noted that some of on the renewal of religious life; today's Religious communities and Rocco Palmo, writer of the have "abandoned their found- Catholic blog Whispers in the ing charisms, and they are Loggia, discussed modern ways goirT straight to their extinc- to spread the Gospel message. More than 80 Religious tion,' while others say they "have invented a new way of being superiors attended a workshop Religious but that 'new way' does held prior to the assembly that not have its roots in the Gospel:' focused on the growing Hispanic "To go out from the prison of presence in the Catholic Church sex scandals and out of the crisis in the US.
Challenges in Religious life should prompt recommitment, speakers at major US confernece say.
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PERSPECTIVES
God prom te radical shift in thinking
Is Time magazine pro-Church? Body Language B Christo her West
Is Time magazine confirming Catholic teaching on marriage?
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Dr Michael Tandon I am a respiratory doctor at Hollywood Private Hospital in Nedlands and president of the Catholic Doctors Association. I was born a Hindu. My first introduction to the Catholic faith happened when I went to a Catholic school in Fiji where my father was posted from India. Being in a Catholic school we all went to church and were introduced to the faith. I went to Mass which is the ultimate in prayer. Catholicism appealed to me and I believe my attraction was guided by the Spirit. From the age of 14 I kept practising the faith. When we returned to India in 1952,I continued my schooling in Catholic institutions until I entered a medical college. While studying I considered going into the Indian administrative service. However, the following year my whole philosophy of life and thinking changed which I can only with Debbie Warner attribute to God. I decided to do medicine to serve humanity. I wanted to help my poor countrymen in India but didn't get the opportunity and had to go to the UK for further studies instead. From there I migrated to Australia, employed by Veteran Affairs who brought me out here in 1967. I worked in Melbourne for two and a half years. Then I moved to Perth to work for Veteran Affairs at Hollywood Hospital where I have worked since 1969. I converted formally to Catholicism in 1973. In 2002 I had the opportunity to get involved with an organisation called "Equal Health." Since that time I have gone every year to conduct medical camps with the organisation in remote villages in South India. They last for a fortnight, though I work a bit longer. On an average day we see about 150 patients. It sounds like a large number but the demand is there and we don't turn anyone away it we can help it. We only provide the very basic needs but over the years you develop a certain feeling as to what is wrong with the patient, what they require and you act on those quick examinations. Since 2006I have been keen to develop a broader organisation of Catholic health professionals. The medical services are quite appropriately covered by Medicare but other health services such as dental, physiotherapy; podiatry and occupational therapy are not. To some extent psychology is covered by Medicare but not completely. Unless you can afford to pay for these services privately, you can't access them. I would like to form a Catholic Health Professionals Fellowship that provides these multidisciplinary services either free or heavily subsidised. This will be determined by members. I have discussed formation of this fellowship with Archbishop Barry Hickey who is very supportive to the extent that he had kindly given us a grant of $5000. So far three or four health professionals from these areas have joined. Some start is better than no start. Those interested in joining can contact me on 0402 113 985.I am in the process of organising a meeting. The Lord will guide us. I am fortunate being in the medical profession as we are given the opportunity to serve as our Lord taught us. As the Bible says, "Whatever you have done for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me." [Matthew 25: 40]
WhyI became Catholic
If you have a story to tell please contact Debbie via debwarrier@hotmail.com
August 19 2009, The Record
here has been less chatter in the Catholic press than I had expected about Time magazine's July 13 cover story. Above a wedding cake with plastic bride and groom sinking below the icing, the headline read: "Unfaithfully Yours — Infidelity is eroding our most sacred institution. How to make marriage matter again:' Inside, the five-page piece by Caitlin Flanavn was titled "Why Marriage Matters: This surprisingly insightful and markedly "un-PC" essay may well mark a turning point in the secular culture's discussion about sex and marriage. Finally, someone is looking at the facts and being honest about how our sexual misbehaviour is destroying marriars and families. ' How much does this matter?" Flanagan asks. "More than words can say. There is no other single force causing as much measurable hardship and human misery in this country as the collapse of marriage:' And most of that misery falls to children. Citing "groundbreaking research on the effects of divorce on children" Flanagan reveals, as she admits, "truths that many of us may find uncomfort-
able." Why uncomfortable? Because these truths compel us to look in the mirror and examine how our sexual choices actually impact others. She cites the late writer Leonard Michaels: "Adultery is not about sex or romance. Ultimately, it's about how little we mean to one another:' The reason we need solid, lasting marriages is simple, Flanagan asserts: "on every single significant outcome related to short-term well-being and long-term success" - she cites drug abuse, school performance and dropout rates, teen pregnancy, criminal behaviour and incarceration - "in all cases, the kids living with both parents drastically outperform the others. Few things hamper a child as much as not having a father at home," she concludes. "As a feminist,Ididn't want to believe [the research]; says Maria Kefalas, a sociologist who studies marriage and family issues... 'Women always tell me, 'I can be a mother and a father to a child,' but it's not true. Growing up without a father has a deep psychological effect on a child," Flanagan writes. None of this, of course, is surprising to those well-versed in an authentically Catholic vision of human life and the call of man and woman to become "one flesh" in marriage. What's surprising is the fact that a major secular media outlet - whether it knows it or not - provided a five-page cover story that essentially defends the oh-so-controversial Catholic position on sex and marriage. Flanagan's essay doesn't connect all the dots, but if one carries her argument to its logical conclusion, the arrival point is precisely what the Catholic Church has been saying all along about contraception, adultery, pre-marital sex, homosexual behaviour, etc.
"The fundamental question we must ask ourselves at the beginning of the century," Flanagan contends, "is this: What is the purpose of marriage?" Our answer to this question "will determine a great deal about our fate:' She's absolutely right. Indeed, the future of humanity hangs in the balance. As marriage goes, so goes the family. As the family goes, so goes the world. Is marriage "simply an institution that has the capacity to increase the pleasure of the adults who enter into it? If so, we might as well hold the wake for marriage now. Or is marriage an institution that still hews to its old intention and function to raise the next generation, to protect and teach it, to instill in it the habits of conduct and character that will ensure the generation's own safe passage into adulthood?" What has enabled society to jettison this age-old definition of marriage so easily and embrace the adult pleasure model? Flanagan points to "the game-changing realities of birth control... and the fact that motherhood outside of marriage is no longer stigmatised." Someone is waking up and smelling the coffee. I often compare the secular culture's long-time denial of the harmful effects of contraception and sexual promiscuity to Big Tobacco's long-time denial of the harmful effects of smoking. Eventually the evidence that smoking caused lung cancer was so overwhelming that Big Tobacco had to re-examine its posture. So will it be with the secular culture's sexual posture - and we can see signs of this posture adjustment in Flanagan's watershed article.
Confessors still martyrs for the faith Confessors Why is it that some saints are called confessors while others are not?Ithink, for example, of St Edward the Confessor. Ihave noticed that the title confessor is given to both clerics and lay people. What exactly is a confessor?
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et me say at the outset that the name confessor in this case has nothing to do with the hearing of confessions! It comes from the Latin word confiteri, meaning to declare or profess openly, and it refers to someone who professes the faith boldly. Before the reform of the liturgical calendar after the Second Vatican Council, some saints were referred to in the calendar and in the missal as confessors, others as martyrs, virgins, etc. Since the reform, the term confessor is no longer used in this context. The designation of saints as confessors in the liturgical calendar goes back to the early Church, where it came to mean saints who were not martyrs but who proclaimed their faith publicly by the witness of their lives. Our Lord taught the importance of professing one's faith before others: "So everyone who acknowledges me before men,I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 10:32-33).
In the first century it seems there was no clear distinction between confessors and martyrs. Thus a Christian who suffered imprisonment, torture or exile but had not given his life for the faith was sometimes called a martyr. This is understandable if we consider that the Greek word martyr means a witness. Thus anyone who witnessed to the faith was a martyr, even though he did not shed his blood. For example, Eusebius, the fourth century bishop and historian, says that the descendants of St Jude, who were brought before the emperor Domitian and dismissed as harmless after being interrogated, were venerated as martyrs. In the second half of the second century, a distinction came to be made between martyrs, who had actually died for the faith, and confessors, who had only suffered for proclaiming it. But even then the distinction was not applied universally. For example, Origen, in his Commentary on John 2, 34, taught that only those who had proved their faith by shedding their blood could properly be called martyrs, yet he admitted in the same writing that the word martyr could also be applied to anyone who had witnessed in any way to the Truth. At the beginning of the third century, St Cyprian, bishop in North Africa, wished those who died in prison, even if not tortured, to enjoy the same honours as martyrs. It was around the middle of the third century that the word confessor came to be associated with one who, although suffering for the faith, had not actually died for it. The word also came to have another, broader meaning. St Clement of Alexandria (ca. 150-215) used the term to refer to hermits and monks who professed their faith through a life of penance and prayer but did not suffer
St Edward the Confessor
for it at the hands of others. Eventually the term confessor came to mean any saint who was not a martyr. In the Eastern Church the first ones to receive public veneration as confessors after the persecutions were Saints Anthony (d. 356), Hilarion (d. 371) and Athanasius (d. 373). In the West the first confessors venerated as such were Saints Sylvester (d. 335), Martin of Tours (d. 397), Severus (d. ca. 409) Augustine (d. 430), and Apollinaris (fifth century). From the 13th century on, when processes of canonisation were reserved to the Pope, it was only the Pope who could declare someone a confessor. St Edward the Confessor was king of England from 1042 to 1066, the year of his death. A pious man, known as a friend of the poor and the clergy, he died childless and was buried at Westminster Abbey, which he had built. He was canonised in 1161 by Pope Alexander III.
August 19 2009, The Record
PERSPECTIVES
Our Lady and the Pill
Light at Midnight The exhausting reality of many women's chronic work-life imbalance, the early over-sexualisation and sexual objectification of girls, higher rates of suicide, substance abuse and psychological problems in women who have had abortions, ever stronger causal links between the contraceptive pill and breast cancer, rising maternal deaths in countries with liberal abortion laws. Most of these have been in the news in the last twelve months. Why am I getting a message that in the modern world where freedom is the catchcry, women are suffering unreasonably the burdens of that so-called freedom? And that it has become other women with ideological barrows to push who are strenuously denying that any of this is happening. Women against women, what hope have we got? Men and women are inherently different, and that used to be recognised in the structure of society. Now, that was sometimes terribly stifling for women. But these days, with universal education available to all, and virtually no career doors closed, women are still allowing themselves to be oppressed with the unrealistic expectation that we can be just as involved as a man with our paid career and still be the world's most fantastic mother, sexual performer and
glamour queen. Phew. No man could do it, and no-one has ever expected him to. That's why women used to stay at home. But women have this expectation lumped on them from the cradle, even though they must at times look around them and say why on earth am I expected to lumber myself with two full-time, full-on careers? Who am I actually doing this for? Until we take back our lives, women will still be exploited and oppressed by these ridiculous, irrational expectations. It isn't the men who are feeling bloated and nauseous every month from the Pill, being sexualised too early and groomed for exploitation by the advertising industry, suffering the stresses of unresolved abortion grief, suffering chronically or even dying of abortion related complications and breast cancer. Now, I know I have written of these problems before, but a wise woman once said to me: the main challenge is trying to say the same old thing in a different way. We must all pray for those who are running the various marriage support courses, that they will be inspired by Our Blessed Lady to present the timeless truths of Catholic teaching on marriage in all their beauty and fullness in a new way that truly embeds itself in the hearts and minds of their listeners.
Anironic coincidence for Rossiter with Bronia Karniewicz
Building a culture of life - the simple things.
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ugust 14, 2009, the day of Christian Rossiter's landmark Supreme Court case, was also the feast of St Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan Priest who lived in Poland. During World War II St Kolbe was arrested by the Gestapo for his work on a Catholic Magazine and sent to Auschwitz. Here in these horrific conditions he would share his small food rations, secretly say Mass and hear confessions, encouraging the prisoners not to hate their oppressors but to conquer evil with good. "Hate is not creative," was a common declaration from Fr Kolbe. One day a man from Fr Kolbe's block escaped, the Gestapo made all the men line up and as warning and punishment to those left in the camp, chose ten men to be placed into the starvation block. One man begged to be spared, worried that his family would not survive without him.
Three funerals per baptism: Europe sliding Fr Anthony Paganoni, Scalabrinian, continues a series for The Record this week reflecting on what, if any, future the Church has in Europe and why this is important for us.
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'm writing on the Feast of the Assumption, and delighted to see that the great difficulties within marriage are being acknowledged by the Church, and that concerned people within the Church are seeking to redress them. Married people helping other married people, the way it should be. These are wonderful, positive initiatives that make uplifting and hopeful reading. The type of stress that is contributing deeply to marriage troubles for all, not just for Catholics, was eloquently illustrated recently for me, particularly in the light of the celebration of a Feast of Mary, the most sublime woman, wife and Mother. Driving home from school with my teenage daughter yesterday, an ad came on the radio, a medical researcher looking for women who suffer debilitating side effects from the contraceptive pill who were willing to be part of a study testing a new contraceptive pill that she hoped would lessen these effects. My daughter remarked "Why do women do that to themselves?" Now, she attends a co-ed government high school. She has been confronted by the full-on secular assault on teenagers that is the prescribed health education course. She has been told off for bursting into uncontrollable giggles at some of the more ludicrous practical aspects of it. She is an intelligent, highly analytical young lady with a generally normal, good humoured and positive outlook on life. The question hung in the air. Why do women do that to themselves? Why feel the pressing need, the absolute necessity, of persisting in the use of a drug that makes you feel unwell a lot of the time?
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St Maximilian Kolbe Fr Kolbe at this moment stepped forward and told the commander "I am a Catholic priest from Poland; I would like to take his place, because he has a wife and children." Amazingly the commander allowed this. The guards who worked the starvation chamber were familiar with the sounds of screaming, yet from Fr Kolbe's group there came the sound of prayers, hymns and particularly the Rosary. Even when pained and weak from hunger Fr Kolbe would whisper prayers and consolation to those left in the bunker. Unusual for the starvation bunker four
men, including Fr Kolbe, were still alive after two weeks. The room was now needed for new prisoners, so the men were given a lethal injection. Witnesses report that Fr Kolbe prayed until the end and died with peaceful countenance and brought a light and hope to those in a very bleak place. Fr Kolbe was building a culture of life in a place dedicated to death. In our society, with cases like Christian Rossiter's creating debate about euthanasia, it is crucial that we ask "what can I do to build up a culture of life?" Prayer is important but our actions are vital, like Fr Kolbe we can inject hope into our everyday settings. Loneliness, lack of self worth, and disconnectedness with life affect many in our society, particularly the old and people with disability. People start to believe that their life has less value than others but the culture of life is about constructing a community in which people are not forgotten or seen as burdensome. In building a culture of life even our modest actions can generate hope, affirming people, making the effort to listen even when it is a challenge, volunteering at a care facility or praying with people not just for them can contribute to building a culture of life. Jean Vanier founder of an international Catholic community for people with and without disability articulates, to "be human is to be bonded together, each with our own weaknesses and strengths, because we need each other." -bronia@perthcatholicorg.au
Tony Paganoni, Scalabrinian
Signs of collapse.
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recent survey for Le Monde des Religions revealed that the number of self-described Catholics in France had dropped from 80 per cent in the early 1990s to just 51 per cent in 2007. The editor of the magazine claims: "In its institutions, but also in its mentalities, France is no longer a Catholic country': Yet until very recently France was regarded as the first daughter of the Church. France is not an isolated case. A number of indices confirm the claim. In a range of countries, surveys across Christian denominations regularly ask people how important religion is to them. In many Muslim countries, some 90 per cent declare that religion "plays a very important role" in their lives, while in the US the figure is about 60 per cent. The average figure for Europeans is 21 per cent, with national variations: Italy 27 per cent, Germany 21 per cent, France and the Czech Republic 11 per cent. A significant number of Europeans declare themselves nonreligious or atheist. In Britain a 2004 survey found that only 44 per cent admitted any belief in God, with 35 per cent denying that belief and 21 per cent stating that they "don't know". Among the 18-34 age bracket, atheist respondents sat on 45 per cent. Church attendance is in rapid decline. Forty per cent of Americans report attending a place of worship weekly, compared with less than 20 per cent in most of Europe: 15 per cent in Britain, 12 per cent in Germany and in Scandinavian countries less than five per cent. However there are some notable exceptions (higher rates of attendance) in Catholic countries such as Poland, Croatia and to a lesser extent Italy. The American figure for seldom or never attending a place of worship stands at 16 per cent. But as of 2000, these categories registered 60 per cent in France, 55 per cent in Britain and about 60 per cent in Scandinavia and in Holland. Young people are far more likely to be 'never-attenders' than regulars. Across the continent, numbers now studying in Catholic seminaries are often only a tenth of what they were 50 or 60 years ago. Such figures have given rise to an unrelenting number of grim forecasts. George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, suggests that if the Church of England were a human being, "the last rites would be administered at any moment". He sees the Anglican Communion "as an elderly lady who mutters away to herself in a corner, ignored most of the time". The Catholic Cardinal of Westminster, Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, stated that "Christianity as a sort of backdrop to people's lives and moral decisions has now almost been vanquished". In Germany, Cardinal Joachim Meisner of Cologne has said, "We never had as much money as in the last 40 years, and we have never lost the substance of the faith as much as in the last 40 years. In the Cologne Archdiocese, there are 2.8 million Catholics, but in the last 30 years we have lost 300,000. For every baptism, there are three funerals". In Switzerland, in 1970, the proportion of babies who were baptised was 95 per cent; in the year 2000 it was only 65 per cent. And, sadly, does anyone foresee that trends will not be following a sliding curve in the immediate future?
Page 14
PANORAMA
August 19 2009, The Record
A roundup of events in the Archdiocese
Panorama entries must be in by 12pm Monday. Contributions may be emailed to administration@therecord.com.au, faxed to 9227 7087, or mailed to PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902. Submissions over 55 words will be edited. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 will be a put into classifieds and charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment. Friday August 21 ALAN AMES 7pm at All Saints Catholic Church, Corner Orkney Road and Liwara Place, Greenwood. Mass followed by talk and healing service. For more information, call Loreta on 9444 4409. Friday August 21 CELEBRATING NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING WEEK NFP Providers Mass 7pm at St Paul's Church, 106 Rookwood Street, Mt Lawley. Mass will be celebrated by Fr Tim Deeter. Followed by a light supper. All past, present clients, teachers, friends and supporters of NFP welcome. Sunday August 23 HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE 2pm to 3pm at Morley Parish Church, 47 Wellington Road, Morley. Includes Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Our prayers are powerful in assisting those called to the Priesthood and Religious life to hear with a Disciple's ear the call of God for them. Come and pray. All welcome. Eng: 9276 8500.
September 8, 7pm, Mass, followed by candle light procession. Eng: George: 9272 1379 or Fr Emil 9271 5528.
Benediction. Refreshments later. Eng: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.
Monday August 31 THEOLOGY ON TAP 6.30pm to 8pm at Bar Orient, 39 High Street, Fremantle. Come for a casual and relaxed forum where friends from all walks of life gather for straight talk, hard facts and real answers on our faith and how it applies to daily life. Speaker Derek Boylen, presenting The Internet, the new Areopagus. Is it what it could be? Special meal prices available on the night. Eng: www.cym.com.au or 9422 7912.
Thursday September 10 to Sunday September 13 FEAST OF OUR LADY MARIA SANTISSIMA DEL TIN DA RI 7.30pm, Basilica of St Patrick, Adelaide Street, Fremantle. Triduum will be celebrated by Fr Giovanni Gandini from 10 to 12 September and concelebrated Mass, principal celebrant Monsignor Michael Keating on 13 September. The procession will commence at 2pm from the Basilica through the streets of Fremantle. Eng: Joe 0404 501 138 or 9335 1185.
Friday September 4 THE ALLIANCE, TRIUMPH AND REIGN OF THE UNITED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY 5.15pm at St Bernadette's Church Glendalough. Confessions, Mass at 5.45 pm followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, hourly Rosaries, hymns and reflections etc. Prayer Vigil concludes with a Holy Mass at 12 midnight in honour and thanksgiving of the coming reign of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Eng: Father Doug Harris 9444 6131 or Dorothy 9342 5845.
Saturday September 12 EUCHARISTIC HEALING RETREAT 9am to 5pm at Holy Family Church, Lot 375, Alcock Street, Maddington. The Retreat will be led by Vincentian Priests and includes talks on Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Healing Mass with prayers for inner and physical healing. Tea and lunch provided. Booking needed for catering purposes. Eng: Melanie 0410 605 743 or Ariste 0407 472 677 or email vincentiansperth,dyahoo.com.
Sunday August 23 JUDAISM TODAY A miniature history of Judaism from Abraham to date. 3pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Angelico Street, Woodlands. The Jewish legacy in the Gospels and in Christian practice. Questions presented by Kenneth James Arkwright OAM. Eng: Jeff 9446 3655.
Friday September 4 C ATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL EVENING 7.30pm at St John and Paul's Parish, Pinetree Gully Road, Willetton. Songs of Praise, talk by Fr Hugh Thomas on: The Healing Ministry of Jesus, followed by Thanksgiving Mass and later light refreshments. All welcome, bring family and friends. Eng: Kathy 9295 0913 or Rose 0403 300 720, or Maureen 9371 4498.
Tuesday August 25 THE CATHOLIC PASTORAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION Eucharistic Celebration and Dinner 5.30pm at St Catherine's House of Hospitality, 113 Tyler Street, Tuart Hill. Guest Speaker Mr Gerry Smith of Grief Management and Educational Services, on Please Hear What I am Not Saying. Cost $25. RSVP by 21st August. Eng: Margaret 9390 8365 or Maranatha 6380 5160.
Friday September 4 PRAISE AND WORSHIP 7pm at St Peter's Church, 93, Wood Street, Inglewood. Healing Mass and fellowship combined with The Holy Spirit of Freedom Community.
Friday August 28 52ND MALAYSIA DAY CELEBRATIONS 7.30pm to lam, at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, in support of World Youth Day 2011, no BYO. Dress attire, Semi-formal Malaysian costume. See noticeboard of your parish for more information. Eng: Fr Roy Pereira 0417 936 449. Saturday August 29 to August 30 FR DONALD CALLO WAY FROM THE USA Talk: Personal Inspiring Conversion Story. 9am to 1 lam August 29, Holy Spirit Church, Keaney Place, City Beach. Mass, followed by talk. 7pm August 29, talk Integrity House, 67 Howe Street, Osborne Park. 30 August at 1 lam Mass, followed by talk, Our Lady of the Mission Parish, Camberwarra Drive. Craigie. 30 August, 7pm, Trinity College, Trinity Avenue, East Perth. Conversion from drugs, drinks, jail to Priesthood. Eng: Eileen 9402 2480 or 0407 471 256. Sunday August 30 to Wednesday September 2 CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE Biennial National Conference 3pm at Redemptorist Monastery Church. Opening Mass celebrated by Bishop Don Sproxton. All welcome. Conference will be held at Novotel Langley Hotel, Perth. Wonderful guest speakers lined up including Celia Hammond, Vice Chancellor of Notre Dame University, Fremantle, who will present the keynote address. Eng: Maria sec.cwla@westnet.com.au or 9751 1936. Sunday August 30 to Tuesday September 8 26TH NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF GOOD HEALTH, VAILANKANNI 6pm at Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett Street, Embleton. Mass, Novena, Benediction and procession. August 31, 7pm Novena and children's blessing. September 1, 7pm Novena, blessing of sick and elderly. September 2 and 3, 7pm Novena. September 4, 6pm, Exposition, 7pm Mass, anointing of the sick and Novena. September 5 and 6, 6pm Mass, and Novena. September 7, 7pm Novena.
Friday September 4 to Saturday September 5 HOLY SPIRIT OF FREEDOM COMMUNITY LET GOD'S LOVE EXPLODE 7.30pm at St Peter the Apostle Church, 93 Wood Street, Bedford. Come join the Annual Charismatic Retreat. Healing Mass, ongoing worship and healing prayer afterwards. September 5, 10 to 5pm, worship, teaching and opportunities for spiritual infilling. Come along and have a fresh encounter with God! BYO lunch tea provided. Eng: 9475 0155. Saturday September 5 DAY WITH MARY 9am to 5pm at Holy Spirit Church, 2 Keaney Place, City Beach. A day of prayer and instruction based on the Fatima messages. 9am Video; 10.10am Holy Mass; Reconciliation, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons on Eucharist and Our Lady, Rosaries and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Eng: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286. Saturday September 5 to Monday September 7 48-HOUR PERPETUAL ROSARY BOUQUET Commencing 6pm Saturday to 6pm Monday, forward your participation time in WA's Birthday Gift to Our Lady, to: 1/44A Scalby Street, Doubleview. Rosary can be said anywhere and is free of intentions, for Her only. Scroll taken up during Mass on 8 September, at St Joachim's Church, Shepperton Road, Victoria Park, at 12.10pm. Meditative Rosary, 11.30am led by Fr Paul Carey. Eng: Margaret 9341 8082. Sunday September 6 TAIZE WORSHIP 7pm at St Ninian and St Chad Traditional Anglican Communion, 11 Susan Street, Maylands. Eng: 9328 4473. Sunday September 6 DIVINE MERCY 1.30pm at St Joachim's Church, Shepperton Road and Harper Street, Victoria Park. Holy Rosary and Reconciliation, then sermon on St Gregory the Great with Fr Doug Harris followed by Divine Mercy prayers and
Saturday September 12 LA SALLE COLLEGE - CLASS OF 1989, YEAR 8 1985 AND YEAR 12 1989 REUNION 5pm to 10.30pm at The Deen, 84 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge. Tickets $25, includes entrance, finger food and discounted drinks, purchase by no later than 29 August. Eng: Deborah A'Vard Flemming, enquiries anodiserswa.com.au, Deanne Johnston, Scarfone 0419 190 697 or Matthew Ford Fordbuild@bigpond.com. Old friends of facebook, look up Facebook - Group and Communities La Salle. Midland WA 20 Yr Reunion 2009. Sunday September 13 FUNDRAISING CONCERT 2pm at Little Sisters Community Hall, 2 Rawlins Street, Glendalough. Concert to help the Little Sisters of the Poor, featuring local seniors, The Julian Singers, local young talent and Instrumentalists. Tickets $10, door sales or bookings welcome. Eng: Mary 94433963 or Angela 9275 2066. Sunday September 13 SOUTH SUNDAY SESH 6pm at St Benedict Parish, Ardross Street and Canning Highway, Applecross. Open for youths of 15-35. Guest speaker, Mike Sandrini, presenting; Called and Gifted. There will be music, activities, prayer time and group discussions. Bring cash for supper. Eng: www.cym.com. au or 9422 7912. Friday September 18 to Sunday September 20 ANNUAL SECULAR FRANCISCAN RETREAT We Are a Gospel Family 6.30pm at the Redemptorist Retreat House, North Perth. Celebrating 800 years of the Rule of St Francis, all those interested in learning more of Franciscan spirituality are welcome to attend; given by Fr Pat Colbourne OFM Cap. Bookings, Angela 9275 2066 by 31 August 2009. Saturday September 19 STATIONS OF THE CROSS llam at Bindoon Agricultural College. The bishop of the WA Traditional Anglican Communion invites Catholics to join us in these Stations with the intention of praying for the Unity of the Traditional Anglican Communion and the Holy See. BYO Picnic lunch. Evensong 2.30 pm. Eng: Fr Wilson 9349 5798. Saturday September 19 FEAST OF THE STIGMATA OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI 2.30pm at Redemptorist Retreat House, North Perth. All are welcome to join the Secular Franciscan Order in WA in celebrating the Feast with the readings of the Stigmata of St Francis. Will conclude with tea. Eng: Angela 9275 2066.
Saturday September 19 ST PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE - TOODYAY 8am depart, 10.15 DVD, 11.30am Mass, confession available, 2.30pm Eucharistic Procession, Rosary, Adoration, Divine Mercy and Benediction, 4pm return. Times are approximate. Contacts for Midland, Catrina 9255 1938; Bassendean, Ivana 9279 7261; Morley, Joan 9276 9439; Leederville, Leena 9444 6317; Balcatta, Rosa 9276 1952; Glendalough, Mary 6278 1540; Victoria Park and Girawheen, Nita 9367 1366. Sunday September 20 NORTH SUNDAY SESH 6pm at St Thomas the Apostle Parish, College Road, and Melville Street, Claremont. Mass followed Sesh at 7.15pm, do not miss out. Open for youths 15-35. Speaker Mike Sandrini, presenting Called and Gifted. There will be music, activities, prayer time and group discussions. Bring cash for supper. Eng: www.cym.com.au or 9422 7912. Tuesday, September 22 FAITH ENRICHMENT SERIES 7.30pm to 9pm at St Benedict Parish Centre, 115 Ardross Street, Ardross. Murray Graham will talk about Parenting Touch? Creating Love and Resilience in the Family, focusing on conflict and turmoil. This will be a most informative event, particularly for parents and grandparents. Followed by coffee and tea. Eng: Wim 0421 636 763. Friday October 2 PRAISE AND WORSHIP 7pm at St Peter's Church, 93, Wood Street, Inglewood. Reconciliation, praise and worship, followed by a Special Healing Mass for those affected by cancer. Fellowship later, all are welcome. Saturday October 17 REUNION FOR LA SALLE COLLEGE Class of 1974/76 Eng: Sue Wester (Sweeney) sue.wester@linet.net.au or 0407 985 935 or Liz Bradley (Butcher) Ibradley@iinet. net.au Saturday following the First Sunday of the Month DIVINE MERCY HEALING MASS 2.30pm to 3.30pm at St Francis Xavier Church, Windsor Street, East Perth. Reconciliation available with Fr Marcellinus Meilak. OEM. Refreshments will follow afterwards. Eng: John 9457 7771. AL-ANON/ALATEEN FAMILY GROUPS If your home is unhappy because someone drinks too much we can help you. For understanding and support to families and friends of problem drinkers. Eng: 9325 7528. SACRED HEART OF JESUS - PIONEERS Any Pioneers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus out there in society, we invite you if you would like to meet other members in prayer and reflection. Eng: 9457 7771. STATUE OF MOTHER AND CHILD OR HOLY FAMILY If any parish or person has one extra to their needs, please ring Mrs Gay Morey 9091 8403 or Fr Joseph 9021 2100 or email stmarys@emerge.net.au. Every Sunday PILGRIM MASS - SHRINE OF VIRGIN OF THE REVELATION 2pm at 36 Chittering Road, Bullsbrook. Commencing with Rosary followed by Benediction. Reconciliation in Italian and English is available before every celebration. On the second Sunday of the month anointing of the sick is administered during Mass. The side entrance to the church and the shrine are open daily between 9am and 5pm Eng: SACR19447 3292. Every Sunday LATIN MASS 2pm at the Good Shepherd Parish, 40-42 Streich Avenue, Kelmscott, according to the 1962 missal, with Rosary preceding. All welcome.
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August 19 2009, The Record
Page 15
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RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS • CATHOLICS CORNER Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for baptism, communion and confirmation. Ph: 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Road, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat.
• RICH HARVEST YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, baptism/communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at 39 Hulme Court (off McCoy St), Myaree, 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat). We are here to serve.
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MISSION MATTERS Missionary reflections on this Sunday's Gospel Lord... You have the message of eternal Life..." Working amidst much suffering and death, expatriate Catholic missionaries usually stay with the people they serve despite the dangers, despite the threats to their own well-being. The choice to stay is a puzzling one for the people they serve, but it also affirms through deed, by example and by sacrifice, the importance of Christ's message of 'eternal and everlasting life'. Paradoxically, our missionaries recognise that in difficult and dangerous times there is no other home to seek refuge other than with the poor and oppressed of our world. Interested in overseas mission? Call Catholic Mission on 9422 7933.
Walking with Him Daily Mass Readings 23 S 21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Gr Josh 24:1-.15-18 God or gods The Lord hears the just Ps 33:2-3.16-23 Christ and the church Eph 5:21-32 The Spirit gives life in 6:60-69 24 M St Bartholomew, apostle Feast Red Rev 21:9-14 Crystal-clear diamond Ps 144:10-13.17-18 Mighty deeds in 1:45-51 Heaven laid open 25 T St Louis (0), St Joseph Calasanz, priest (0) Gr 1Thess 2:1-8 Rough treatment Ps 138:1-3.4-6 Knowledge too high Justice and mercy Mt 23:23-26
26W 1Thess 2:9-13 No burden to you You are there Gr Ps 138:7-12 tombs Whitewashed Mt 23:27-32 27 Th St Monica (M) Love one another Wh 1Thess 3:7-13 Ps 89:3-4.12-14.17 Life's shortness Stand ready Mt 24:42-51 28 F St Augustine, bishop, doctor of the church (M) Make more progress Wh 1Thess 4:1-8 Ps 96:1-2.5-6.10-12 Joy for the upright Lamps going out Mt 25:1-13 29S The Beheading of St John the Baptist, martyr (M) All I command you Red Jer 1:17-19 Pay heed to me Ps 70:1-6.15.17 Gave a banquet Mk 6:17-29
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