The Record Newspaper 23 September 2009 by The Record

From North to South

Catholic Education Director RON DULLARD this week joins the growing list of Record contributors. His first column sets out the scope of Catholic education in the nation's largest State and what it takes to keep Catholic schools running - and growing. "Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ." -BISHOP .WATTHEW GIBNEY 1874

THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD. Western Australia's award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Perth, Irestern Australia $2

Bill is suicide says Bishop Sproxton Proposed law will allow anyone to kill themselves for almost any reason, says Auxiliary Bishop NOW that the Hon Robin Chapple's proposed euthanasia Bill is available for public scrutiny, it will be obvious to all MPs that it is far more a suicide bill than it is a euthanasia bill, Bishop

Don Sproxton, Auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Perth, said today in a statement to The Record. Bishop Sproxton said that the common understanding of 'euthanasia' is that it is release from an incurable and very painful disease. "However, this Bill imposes no such requirements," he said. "Instead, it provides that a person can apply for euthanasia if it is likely that in the normal course of their condition it will lead to their death within five years. "The applicant need only state that because of pain, suffering or

debilitation arising from his/her condition, she/he has no desire to continue living. Doctors assessing the application need only to affirm that death within five years is likely in the normal progress of that illness. They are not required to assess the nature of the pain, suffering or debilitation nominated by the patient or whether the lack of desire to continue living is reasonably attributable to the illness. Members of Parliament will need to consider such open legislation in terms of its effect on families and the community as a whole.

"The suicide of a loved one is a most painful and confusing experience for families and friends. Even if not personally aware of it, most MPs will be conscious of it through their close association with large numbers of people in their electorates. "Using community resources to approve and to carry out even more such unwelcome deaths is really a community declaration that a person's life is not of much value to himself or anyone else. Please turn to Page 5 US Bishop issues guide - Page II

Bishop Donald Sproxton

A new performance of an opera about Carmelites persecuted by the French Revolution is set to open

OPERA

Dialogues of the Carmelites Martyrdom story promises a memorable night at the opera

rancis Poulenc's luminously beautiful score of Dialogues of the Carmelites, with its memorable finale, is coming to the main stage of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in October. Showcasing WAAPNs Classical Vocal students under the direction of Sydney-based theatre director, Kate Gaul, and with musical direction by David 'Wickham, Dialogues of the Carmelites will be performed for a week-long run from Saturday, 10 October to Saturday, 17 October at 7.30pm in the Geoff Gibbs Theatre. Supporting the singers on stage will be the largest orchestra yet assembled in the Geoff Gibbs Theatre. Based on historical events that befell the Carmelite monastery in Compiegne in 1794, Dialogues of the Carmelites is the compelling tale of a group of nuns struggling to survive persecution by the leaders of the French Revolution. First performed in 1957, Poulenc's libretto follows Blanche de la Force, an innocent and oversensitive daughter of nobility, who leaves pre-Revolution French society to seek sanctuary in the Carmelite convent. As the Revolution's Reign of Terror threatens to destroy the order itself, Blanche flees the convent and the remaining nuns take the vow of 9 martyrdom. The opera's powerful finale, as the voices of the nuns drown out the mob chorus in the shadow of the guillotine, is one of theatre's great climaxes. Please turn to Page 5

Morgan Cowling plays Blanche and Matthew Ward plays Le Chevalier de la Force in the upcoming WAAPA concert.

READERS OF THE RECORD CAN WIN one of five free double passes to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts'presentation of Francis Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites. To enter the draw, simply send a self-addressed envelope with your email or telephone number to: Dialogues of the Carmelites Competition, PO Box 75, Leederville WA 6902. Winners can choose which performance they would like to attend: 7.30pm on 12, 13 or 14 October. Entries must be received by Tuesday, 6 October.

Page 2

September 23 2009, The Record

THE PARISH

SAINT OF THE WEEK

Upgrade lifts sales and appeal BY ROBERT HIIN1 Parish reporter

Eustochium circa 368-419 ',pi, 10.1 28 Known mostly from the letters of St. Jerome, who produced the Latin Vulgate Bible, Eustochium was the daughter of his friend, St. Paula. Born in Rome, she accompanied her widowed mother to live near Jerome in Bethlehem. For more than 35 years, she was his pupil in religious and scholarly life, learning Greek and tlebrew and assisting with his biblical work. After Paula's death in 404, Eustochium led the monastic complex her mother had established. She died within a year of its being burned by a mob. Jerome described her as a woman of great spirit in a little body, and was greatly affected by her death.

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The Record PO Box 75, Leederville WA 6902 587 Newcastle Street, 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.

"WELL, it's better than sitting around at home waiting to die and for some, it's nice to get a day off from the old man," laughed 11 year Vinnies shop veteran, Molly Edmondson, telling The Record why she and some of her colleagues choose to volunteer their time at the newly refurbished Hilton shop. "I a&ree with Molly," said fellow volunteer ot 15 years, Beryl Lloyd, with a wry smile, while colleague Faye Patrick folded some of the shop's hundreds of garments. Joking aside, the ladies of the Hilton shop say that they enjoy helping and being amongst people - interacting with their "regulars" and occasional shoppers alike - activities which they say have been made easier by the shop's month-long upgrade in July. The refurbishment was part of a national initiative under way since 2003, bringing Vinnies stores up to scratch with St Vincent de Paul's occupational health and safety standards. Mrs Edmonson, the shop's Volunteer in Charge or VIC for short, says that cash takings since reopening on July 31 have more than doubled and that the new atmosphere has expanded their clientele in the aspirational suburb to people who might not have considered shopping at Vinnies before. From mothers with small children to young men setting up on their own and looking for knick knacks to professionals looking for period clothes for parties, the Hilton volunteers say that they see people from "all walks of life." Prior to the upgrade the shop was dinghy, they said, with its own pungent odour resulting from a flood that had occurred in the store room years prior. With new carpet, a paint job and vinyl floor out back, they say that the changes have created a more attractive and dignified atmosphere for shoppers and

Some of the dedicated and experienced team of volunteers at the Vinnies Shop in Hilton: From left, Beryl Lloyd, Faye Patrick, Molly Edmondson and Tessa Glossop. , ' Nora ROBERT WIN!

themselves. These days, the wares at the Vinnies shop come from a central depot where the goods are professionally sorted but the ladies at the Hilton shop still receive donations of goods directly. They clearly delight in treating donors and customers alike with respect, telling The Record of a jubilant mother who bought some china cups and saucers for her daughter, goods given a new life after being donated by an elderly woman whose mother had brought them to Australia from England in 1902. With 22 volunteers on their books, the shop is doing better than some others. While volunteer Tessa Glossop has given 17 years of service to the Vinnies shop and her colleague Faye Patrick, 11, they also have several young and middle aged mothers on their books who help while their children are at school.

According to the St Vincent de Paul Society's Lucinda Ardagh, volunteer numbers across the Vinnies Retail Centres are down 20 per cent on the last financial year. She says that there are many people missing out on learning new skills, gaining new experiences and making new friends. With volunteers needed for sorting donations and working in their retail shops. the positions are ideal for parents of school aged children, students from Year 10 and above and retirees wanting to stay active. For more information about Vinnies shops or to enquire about volunteering, contact the Society of St Vincent de Paul on 9475 5400 or email volunteer a)svdpwalug.au

Got a parish story? parishes@therecord.com.au

Veterans and novices take to street for Vinnies Appeal VETERAN volunteer Thomas Fisher, 87, teamed up with over 100 school students in Perth on September 18 for the annual St Vincent de Paul Street Appeal to raise funds for West Australian families in need. Students from Aquinas College, Mercedes College, John XXIII College, Trinity College, Santa Maria College and Irene McCormack Catholic College lent a helping hand to Tom and many other helpful volunteers shaking cans throughout the City of Perth and in Perth's suburbs in an effort to beat last year's total and raise over $50,000 to assist disadvantaged individuals and WA families. Mr Fisher is a dedicated Society volunteer of 47 years and has been participating in the Street Appeal since it first began in 1980. "When I was working full time in the city I would take a two hour lunch break from work and stand on our corner block to collect for the Street Appeal," Mr Fisher said. Lucinda Ardagh, St Vincent de Paul Society spokesperson, said: "The Society has felt the effects of the current global slowdown with many people losing employment and rental prices soaring and subsequently requesting assistance with food, shelter and clothing:' She said

Above, a growing sight in Perth as more and more people find themselves "sleeping rough."

that over 200 volunteers across the State deliver emergency welfare assistance where needed and the Street Appeal is just another way for them to get out in the public and raise awareness about the issues surrounding families. She had earlier urged passers-by to give generously when they saw a collector on Street Appeal day. The St Vincent de Paul Society responds to welfare needs within the

local community by providing people with food, clothing, help with utility bills, advocacy, friendship and support as well as a range of 'Special Works' which are programs that assist with disadvantaged youth, youth homelessness, mental health and refugees. Other collectors in the city included ten SGIO Ellenbrook staff members. To donate to the Society call 13 18 12 or log on to w ww.vinnies.org.au

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS September 28

Mass and Dinner for Feast Day of Vincentian Fathers, Maddington - Archbishop Hickey

October 1

Launch of Bishop Porteous' book - Bishop Sproxton

SCTA/Acts 2 Conference - Archbishop Hickey

Prayer Vigil, Rivervale - Archbishop Hickey

Mass for Salvatorians, Gwelup - Archbishop Hickey 50th Anniversary Mass, Thornlie - Bishop Sproxton

Visit Confirmation Candidates, Dianella - Archbishop Hickey

Council of Priests Meeting Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton

Confirmation, Dianella - Archbishop Hickey Fundraising Concert, Morley - Archbishop Hickey

September 23 2009, The Record

Page 3

THE PARISH

Mark a show-stopper & ANTHONY BARICH National Reporter ST CHARLES Seminary student Mark Baumgarten has come a long way since playing keyboards and backing vocals in a cover band with some mates around the pub and club scenes of Perth and Fremantle. In November 2007, the thirdyear seminarian raised over $1000 to help send his fellow seminarians to World Youth Day Sydney 2008 and will again put on a show at 3.30kIm on October 18 in the seminary s lush gardens on the Swan River in Guildford to raise money for the St Mary's Cathedral Appeal and the seminary. Mark, 30, made a living out of music before entering the seminary in 2007, playing background dinner piano on evening and full-day cruises for three years for Captain Cook Cruises as it chugged down the Swan past the seminary, and

played and sang as tourists lunched at Mulberry Farm. He also played gigs in that pub band in 2004, and last year performed at World Youth Day in Sydney. While Mark flew solo in the 2007 gig, this time Patrist Br Garner Vergara, a firstyear student originally from the Philippines, will sing with Mark providing the backing vocals, and Tai, a fifth-year seminarian originally from Vietnam studying for the Diocese of Geraldton, will play

some piano. First-year student Stephen Gorddard will also sing backing vocals to Mark. There could also be a surprise performance from a certain prel ate who has had more than some experience in singing. Tickets are $20 for adults, $50 for families and $I5 for concessions. Afternoon tea will be provided but guests can bring their own drinks. For more info contact 08 9279 1310. RSVP by October 13.

One wall goes up, another down

Fr Michael Gatt the RAAF in 1984 and was pPromoted to the rank of Squadron

BY ROBERT HIINI Parish Reporter If he hadn't been a priest, Fr Michael Gatt should have been in the public relations game. He's a man of boundless energy when it comes to letting others, including The Record, know what is on offer at his parish in Osborne Park, where he has been priest-in-charge since 2000, and about the myriad of roles he has performed throughout his 41 years of priesthood. Arriving in Australia from Malta in 1971, Fr Gatt is chaplain to Perth's Catholic Maltese and runs a helpline for isolated and downcast souls every Christmas and has done so since 1991 in addition to baptising over 100 children every year and celebrating countless weddings and funerals. His fondness for one particular job is palpable, however, and his ongoing role of on-call chaplain to the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) is a source of pride. He began his association with

Calloway Correction Derek Boylen, Record columnist and newly-elected President of the national Catholic Society for Marriage Education, got an unfortunate surprise on September 17 when the wall behind his Hay Street Cathedral Parish Centre office fell on his car, writing it off. He's been busy since trying to do his regular work helping Perth couples prepare for the sacrament of marriage while negotiating with insurers and people to remove the car. His is the red one.

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Leader for his efforts. In 1941, as a three year old, he witnessed what he describes as an "horrific explosion" in the air as well as the devastation done to his home country, Malta. In 1957, at age 18, he decided to join Malta's airforce in 1957. working with bombs and munitions for two years before entering studies for the priesthood in 1959, saying that "there must be something better to live for." Every year, on or near Malta Day (September 21), Fr Gatt joins members of his variou, communities to remember and pray for Australia's and Malta, war dead. "Many of us would well remember the most bitter and crucial days of World War II," he said to a small but dedicated crowd. "People fought so fearlessly and so bravely without any hesitation to sacrifice even their own lives for our country. Many of our friends proved themselves so faithful"

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September 23 2009, The Record

THE PARISH

Educationno small taskin the Big State Catholic Education Office Director RON DULLARD this week begins an occasional contribution to The Record. In his first column he surveys the scope and variety of WA's Catholic schools.

students to develop hands-on skills and experience in a range of industry-certified programs ranging from restaurant management to automotive mechanics. Partnerships with Registered Training Organisations, TAFEs, businesses and industry ensure that our students gain real life experience in a range of fields. A world-class ICT network called Cathednet connects more than 70, 000 users across 170 sites and provides systemwide capabilities for future changes in the communication environment, distance learning, interactive video-conferencing, web-based applications and future technologies.

OST people would be aware that Australia has an extensive network of Catholic schools providing quality, faith-based education to students in every diocese in our country, however not many would be aware of the scope and breadth of the Catholic school system. There are currently 1700 Catholic schools in Australia, with an enrolment of almost 700,000 students. This is a 21 per cent increase in enrolments since 1985. This trend is most encouraging, particularly when you consider that in the USA, nearly 30 per cent of Catholic schools in urban areas have shut down since 1990 and in the 2008/9 school year national enrolment declined 3.5 per cent and another 162 Catholic schools closed. In Australia, the Catholic school system employs over 78,000 people nationally. To provide context, this is larger than the entire Australian workforce involved in the manufacturing of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts, or the same number of people that are employed across every single department store in Australia. Although the majority of schools are located in the major cities of Australia (where the majority of students live), two out of every five Catholic schools are located outside of Australia's major cities. Western Australia The Catholic school system in our State is indeed something to celebrate. Wanting a holistic education grounded in the lessons of the Gospels and aimed at developing the whole person, West Australian families continue to choose Catholic schools for their children. WA Catholic school growth since 1985 Category

1985

2008

1 44

1 58

Primary enrolment

11 200

36 666

Secondary

10 581 _

Total Catholic Schools

27 619

Overall, student enrolment has continued to increase steadily over the years, with an increase of over 20, 000 students since 1985.

Across the nation and here in WA, Catholic schools offer a unique approach to education. One of the distinctive features of WA Catholic schools is the provision of education in areas with predominantly indigenous populations such as at Lombadina in the Kimberley, above. Another special focus is Special Needs education, below. PHOTOS: COURTESY CEOWA Staff join together in a community of faith and challenge students to embrace the Gospel values that Jesus taught: service, love and respect for self and others, compassion and responsibility, dignity and integrity, peace and justice.

We now have 158 schools from Esperance to the Kimberley with an enrolment of nearly 70,000 students. Approximately 23 per cent of our students are non-Catholic, which is consistent with the national average. The Catholic education system employs 9806 people. Catholic education has a diverse range of specialised programs and initiatives to support student learning and wellbeing. These include Aboriginal education programs, gifted and talented and special needs programs, early intervention programs, playbased early learning centres, specialised sports programs and academies, Christian service learning, social work and psychology services and campus ministry, as well as thriving art, drama and music programs. Catholic schools take seriously their evangelising mission and strive to nurture young people to be strong in their faith and dedicated to social justice and service to others.

Educating the marginalised Catholic schools have long displayed an openness to enrolling and supporting Aboriginal students and the number and proportion of these students has increased significantly over recent years. While increased levels of Commonwealth Government support has assisted with this, many dioceses began to develop more systematic enrolment and support policies in response to Pope John Paul ll's statement to the Aboriginal community at Alice Springs in 1985. In 2008, Catholic schools in WA had an enrolment of 2234 Aboriginal students, or 3.5 per cent of our total students. While this was significantly higher than the national average for Catholic schools of 1.9 per cent, concerted efforts are being made across the State to increase both Aboriginal enrolments in our schools and to improve outcomes for these students. A range of specialised programs, schol arship and support structures are in place. Across the state, 92 dedicated Aboriginal Teaching Assistants are employed in schools with high numbers of Aboriginal students. The Catholic education system has a long history of proactive care and support for children with special needs. The fastest growing category of students in Catholic schools both in WA and across the nation has been those with a disability. In 2008, 1733 students with a disability were enrolled in Catholic schools in WA, up from only 75 in 1985. Vocational Education and Training pro grams offer many opportunities for 3462

Connected to the community Catholic schools are an integral part of their local communities. A multitude of businesses, individuals and community groups serve as active partners to individual schools and on a system-wide basis. Schools are also committed to serving their local communities, with a wide range of outreach, volunteering and service programs in existence at every level of schooling. With a new Catholic school, Holy Cross College, opening in Ellenbrook in 2010 and two single-gender colleges planned for the northern suburbs in the near future, as well as more than $332 million worth of capital development projects currently under way through the Rudd Government's Building the Education Revolution funding, Catholic education in our State continues to grow and thrive. Places of learning, spiritual formation and community, as well as an invaluable part of the mission of the Church, we can be extremely proud of our Catholic schools in this State. Catholic schools in Western Australia: An overview _

Total number of Catholic schools

158

Primary schools

•1•

Secondary schools

.,,-,,

Composite schools (primary and sec ondary combined)

1 %

Single-gender schools

Schools with boarding facilities

Boarding enrolments

994

A boriginal student enrolment

2234

Students with disabilities enrolment

1 733

Students involved in Education and Training

Vocational

3462

Staff employed in Catholic education

9806

All data from the NCEC Report 'Australian Catholic Schools 2008, unless

otherwise specified

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September 23 2009, The Record

Page 5

THE PARISH

Ballajura students immerse in Josephite retreat day BY GLI NNIS GRAINGER Parish Reporter FORTY schoolchildren from Ballajura took part in a school retreat program to learn about Mary MacKillop at the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, South Perth, last Monday, 7 September. By coincidence, their school was also named the Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School and they were accompanied by two teachers and the school principal. The Centre is in the convent grounds of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, York Street, South Perth. Josephite Sr Maree Riddler led the Year 6 11-year-olds through the program, watched by teachers Terry Bromell and Melissa Magriplis and principal James Danaher. Another 40-strong group also attended on the Wednesday of that week; many students came from migrant families. Sr Maree opened the program with a session where students learned about the Aboriginal culture and customs, and she showed them wooden coolamons, didgeridoos and tapping sticks and told the children how they were made. She told the children coolamons were used to carry food and even babies and spoke about her time in the Kimberley. "Two ladies would bring the bread and wine up at the Offertory procession in the North-West at

Mary MacKillop Centre St Josephs Convent South Perth with Sister Maree Riddler and Children from Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary school Ballajura. Bottom right, Terry Bromell and Mellissa Magriplis, both teachers at Mary McKillop, Ballajura.

Mass in a coolamon," Sr Maree said. She said didgeridoos were hollow wood after termites had eaten the inside of a tree trunk and an Aboriginal men's tradition only. "They made me a special (didgeridoo) for girls," she told the children. "Aborigines test the trees and know that the termites have been there." The children did a kangaroo and emu dance and used tapping sticks and didgeridoos. "It is great fun (and) one way we can learn

MacKillop; some students will be confirmed in two weeks' time. Mary MacKillop began teaching in a shed, the humble beginnings of the Sisters of St Joseph in Penola, South Australia. Fr Julian Tenison Woods was cofounder of the Sisters with Mary MacKillop, who was temporarily ex-communicated after starting up 45 schools. Her religious name was Mary of the Cross; among her well-known sayings was: "Never see a need without trying to do something

Riddle, director of school retreat programs at mriddler@sosjwa.org.au, telephone 9334 0933 or 0414 683 916. The losephites" webpage is WWW sosi.org.auiaboutiweitem_australia.

Got a parish story? parishevatherecord.com.au

A story about your school? cathschools@therecord.com.au

Proposed WA law is suicide: Bishop Sproxton

Opera's tale of martyrdom set to open in October continuedfrom page 1 "Poulenc identified with the central character, Blanche, who feels out of place in the world," says David Wickham, WAAPA's Senior Lecturer in Piano and the show's Musical Director. "By the 1950s academic atonal music was in vogue and Poulenc's heartfelt melodic style was passe, and he felt adrift and forgotten. Now, his songs and operas are much-loved by singers and audiences alike, for their human qualities as much as their sheer musical beauty." A graduate of the NIDA Director's course, Kate Gaul has directed a number of critically acclaimed productions in Sydney, in particular

about our Aboriginal brothers and sisters," Sr Maree said. "Their hand and eye coordination is brilliant; they are very quick. "Boab nuts and boab trees are in the East Kimberley and in South Africa." One of the children pointed out there is a boab tree in King's Park. Sr Maree said: "Our Aboriginal brothers and sisters have lost their land, culture, language, everything." The children then watched a documentary about Mary

about it." The children's school ranges from pre-kindergarten to Year 6, so they were the senior students. Part Two of the program consisted of two presentations. One was about Josephite Sister Irene McCormack in Peru and how she lived and died for her faith, being murdered on 21 May, 1991. Another showed how the Sisters reach out to the poor in places as diverse as Fremantle, the Kimberley, East Timor and Peru. Part Three of the program took the schoolchildren into the Mary MacKillop Room, with its five dioramas highlighting aspects of Mary's life. They also visited the Sr Irene McCormack memorial rose garden and the chapel for personal and group prayer. The retreat day starts at 9.30am and ends at 2.15pm, from Monday to Thursday, subject to availability. Schoolchildren are asked to bring their own morning recess and lunch in their schoolbag/protective bag, and wear their school uniform and name tag. For bookings and information contact Sr Maree

continuedfrom page 1 "The community pain caused by suicide is in sharp contrast to the peace, personal growth and family reconciliation and development that commonly occur in association with palliative care of the dying. "Palliative care workers have given the community an outstanding display of what is good in human nature as well as showing us the good that can be achieved when their dedication is applied for the benefit of others. The expression 'death with dignity' has many mixed meanings, but in all its aspects palliative care brings out the true dignity of the human person - in those who are cared for and in those who care. "In rejecting this bill, Parliament should commit itself to the expansion of palliative care facilities throughout the community.

for Company B and as Artistic Director of the Siren Theatre Company. Past productions have been described as "directed with panache and compassion" - the perfect combination for WAAPA's highly anticipated Dialogues of the Carmelites. Performance Information: Dialogues of the Carmelites Saturday 10- Saturday 17 October at 7.30pm. The Geoff Gibbs Theatre, WAAPA, Edith Cowan University, 2 Bradford St, Mt Lawley. Tickets are $35 full/$29 concession. Bookings through WAAPA Box Office on 9370 6636 see advertisement below.

"Parliament is fully aware that legislation often has an educative effect as well as an enforcement role. What is made legal is thereby made acceptable in many cases, some of them inherently unsavoury. Approval and implementation of this Bill would quickly lead to a degeneration of community attitudes. There are already too many negative attitudes and too many suicides, murders, and violent assaults in our society. "A declaration by Parliament that death is a reasonable choice in the relatively insignificant circumstances proposed by the Bill would not only undermine life, but also undermine the coherence of our society," Bishop Sproxton said. "The social effects have been revealed in societies where euthanasia has been legalised, beginning with patients having less and less

trust in their doctors regardless of whether they 'do' euthanasia. "As the Dutch experience has shown, there are hundreds of cases of involuntary euthanasia each year, and the number of those cases in aged care facilities and nursing homes increases each year. This gives credence to the fears of marginalised, aged and disabled groups that they will inevitably be targeted for this practice. "This Bill is not merely a matter of personal opinion, nor the imagined right of people to kill themselves or have someone else do it for them. It is about the value of every life, not only to itself but to the community. Members of Parliament will need to see past the glib claims of individual rights and examine the deeper questions of the common good of the community," Bishop Sproxton concluded.

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts presents

e- -,3 or f irtf-% o you a lavish production of Dialogues of the Carmelites. , WAAPA'405pera and Classical.Music cregpartrAnts arb pro r:0 b Fecituring a 51 piece orcirstra did a qinemerr cast,Ithis opera in tfilee acts by Francis Poule lls the true story of an order of deeply,committediams whb choose mart t1om rasther than renounce their faith in GI. Moving and tragic.

= Tickets: SIS full / S29 Concession Sat 10 to Sail.? October @ 730pm The Geoff Gibbs Theatre, WAAPA @ ECtalount Lawley Tel. 93?0 6895 or www.waapa.ecu.edu.au

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Page 6

THE NATION

Our beer bill could deal a blow to poverty BY ANTHONY BARICH

National Reporter

THE $9 billion that Australians spend on beer every year would go a long way towards ending global poverty, the Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis (Cl) told the Australian National Press club. Addressing the Club in Canberra on September 15, Zimbabwe-born Lesley Anne Knight, the Secretary General of Cl, said the war on poverty was winnable if governments had the will to commit resources to it, but feared that first-world governments had used the global financial crisis as an excuse to cut aid spending. Ms Knight heads a coalition of over 162 member organisations, including Caritas Australia, that forms Cl, the Official Aid and Development Agency of the Catholic Church. Australia is ranked in the bottom third of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries in terms of their aid spending. While the Federal Government has increased aid spending by $4 billion, this still only amounts to 0.32 per cent of its Gross National Income, when another 0.38 per cent is needed, Ms Knight said. Ms Knight cited a "bottleneck to compassion" as the reason why aid dollars are not being spent by governments. She said that political will, prioritisation of financial resources and the implementation of right policy are needed to win the war on poverty. Ms Knight told the Club that 18 million die annually as a result of poverty which is equivalent to 85 per cent of Australia's population, and half of the population of sub-Saharan Africa live in extreme poverty. She said more people die every five days as a result of poverty related factors - including lack of food, healthcare and housing -

in brief...

Rudd held to promise The Australian Christian Lobby has called on the Federal Government to honour its election commitment to uphold marriage between a man and a woman in the face of reports the ACT Labor caucus has decided

Caritas lnternationalis Secretary General Lesley Anne Knight addresses the National Press Club. PHOTO CARITAS

than the over 225,000 who died in the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2005. The Asia Pacific region is home to approximately half of the world's poorest people, and Australia's closest neighbours Papua New Guinea and Timor I.este are ranked at 149 and 158 respectively in terms of Human Development in an index of 179 countries, which she indicated reflects that Australia could do much more to fight poverty in its own region. She said that while Australians spend $9 billion each year on beer alone, the amount spent on perfume in the world each year could end poverty. For Cl and its partners, the 0.7 per cent of aid dollars asked of OECD governments going toward development organisations would be sufficient to address all of the Millenium Development Goals set by the United Nations in its 2000 Millennium Declaration. She said people's general good intentions to end poverty was not reflected in their governments' actions, citing a United States survey that showed that most citizens believed that their government gives 20 times more aid to impoverished nations than it does in reality. to back a Greens' Bill which mimics marriage. ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said he expected the Federal Government to intervene to ensure the election commitment was honoured. In the lead-up to the 2007 election, Labor said its policy "explicitly committed Labor to ensure that any such scheme of relationship registration would not mimic marriage," Mr Wallace said in a statement released last week.

*Silence and Awareness Retreat 4L A retreat experience in Christian Insight Meditation featuring the teachings of Christian Mystics, especially Carmelite Mystic, St John of the Cross. Retreat Leader: Mary Jo Meadow. Professor Emerita at MN State University, Mankato, USA. Two retreats are offered - a weekend, 22 to 24 January or a nine day retreat, 22 to 30 January 2010. Sponsored by Perth Wesley Uniting Church - Uniting Church in the City. For further information please contact Eversley Mortlock: eversley@iinet.net.au

September 23 2009, The Record

Senate report 'falls well short' BY ANTHONY BARICH

National Reporter

THE Federal Government's response to a Senate Committee's report on `Sexualisation of children in the contemporary media' falls well short of addressing a problem that is leading to self-harm among young girls, Womens Forum Australia says. Lynne Pezzullo, a director of the independent think tank WFA, told The Record that the media's premature sexualisation of children, often girls, has "severe and broad-ranging implications" for the target audience. A fter receiving 163 submissions, the Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts tabled a report in June 2008 with 13 recommendations. The Senate Inquiry was initiated after The Australia Institute ( Al) released its controversial 2006 paper Corporate paedophilia - sexualising children by advertising and marketing, naming corporate giants including David Jones, which attempted to sue but has since dropped its case against the Al. The Senate Inquiry's report called on Free TV Australia and the Advertising Standards Bureau to consider establishing a complaints 'clearing house' on media and advertising. Following these recommendations, the Federal Government encouraged programs to help children learn how to build healthy relationships on August 20. Ms Pezzullo said that while it had good ideas, the report overall "waters down the concern reflected by the community and the evidence presented by child development experts". This watering down reflects the fact that the Senate Inquiry report's recommendations were not strong enough, she said. She said that emergency departments of hospitals are experiencing rising admissions of 12 to 13-year-old girls from eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa. "Our research shows a strong correlation between magazines that have overly sexualised images that portray the female body in objectifying ways and cognitive development, relationship problems, depression, anxiety and self-harm," she said. She added that the recom-

An example of the sexualisation of children discussed by family and women's welfare groups.

mended self-regulation does not go far enough to address "a serious problem of an absolute barrage of internet risks, billboard advertising, premature sexualisation of kids and clothing retailing including inappropriately labelled little girls' underwear". She said that the media-bred culture is helping incarcerated paedophiles feel validated. "That's a real concern, that we're somehow giving commission for the exploitation of our children," she said. The Australian Childhood Foundation's (ACF) Joe Tucci tabled its own research during the submission period on children's stresses and anxieties. He said many children felt the adult world was "intruding too much into their lives, leaving them worried". The ACF believes the flood of sexualised messages is contributing to an increase in the number of children who are "engaging in

problem sexual behaviour with other children". The Australian Press Council's (APC) submission to the Senate Inquiry said it is preferable to address the issue of the sexualisation of children by way of self-regulatory mechanisms such as professional codes of conduct, rather than to impose censorship restrictions that have the potential to result in unintended restrictions on freedom of the press. Ms Pezzullo said that self-regulation - the status quo - has shown to be ineffective in ensuring greater corporate social responsibility. The APC said it believes that newspapers and magazines in Australia, "in the vast majority of instances, deal responsibly with material relating to children", evidenced by the fact that it has never been called upon to issue an adjudication concerning the sexualisation of children. For the full scope of the problem, see Nightmare in Girl World, by Anna Krohn, on Vista 1-3.

Dump Howard's aged care system: CHA Major Catholic health body wants overhaul ONE of Australia's largest notfor-profit aged care groups has called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to dump the Howard Government's aged care system and commit to a radical rewrite of the Federal Government's aged care rules. Catholic Health Australia (CHA), which oversees the accommodation of one in ten of all people over 65 living in aged care accommodation, has r enewed calls for aged care reform following the September 15 release of a "damning" Productivity Commission report on regulatory burdens in aged care. "We've known for some time that older Australians are being

adversely impacted by out of date aged care regulation,' CHA chief executive Martin Laverty said in a statement. "In some circumstances the system is constraining older Australians from easy access to quality care." Mr Laverty said that the Productivity Commission report has made it clear that out of date government regulation is to blame. "The current Government must now commit to scrapping those rules that, in the words of the Productivity Commission, 'encroach on the rights of clients and their quality of life' he said. The Productivity Commission report, called the Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens on Business: Social and Economic Infrastructure Services, recommended removing the restriction on bonds as a source of funding;

redesigning the accreditation visits program; increasing choice for aged care consumers by relaxing supply constraints in the provision of aged care services; and providing better information to older people and their families so they can make more meaningful comparisons in choosing an aged care service. Mr Laverty said that CHA has been calling on the Federal Government for some time to undertake the reforms that have now also been proposed by the Productivity Commission. "With independent experts such as the Productivity Commission now backing the case for change, we look forward to the Federal Government outlining its own plans to ensure Australia has a sustainable aged care system able to provide quality care for all who need it," he said.

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September 23 2009, The Record

THE NArFION

Bishops unite with Pope in sex apology BY ANTHON1 BARICH

National Reporter

AUSTRALIA'S bishops have jointly condemned the "unacceptable" abuse by members of the Catholic community of minors that has caused "irreparable damage". In a joint statement for Social Justice Sunday on September 16, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said its bishops are "of one heart and mind" with Pope Benedict XVI apologising to the victims of abuse during World Youth Day in Sydney in July 2008. "As Bishops, we openly acknowledge that the Church has not always acted well or properly in this regard. It is unacceptable that members and leaders in our own communities have committed abuse against children:' they said. "We recognise the irreparable damage that has been caused to young victims and their families. "Abuse undermines the integrity of human persons and their future flourishing. All people have the right to a safe environment, whether that is in their homes or the institutions of our society. "The Church in Australia has made a commitment to work collaboratively to create a safe environment for young people" The Bishops said they are committed to acting decisively to bring

perpetrators to justice and fully support efforts to eradicate sexual abuse of the young from Australian society. "The Church and its people have a role to play in promoting a secure and wholesome environment for young people, whether that is in building up and supporting strong families or in challenging aspects of society and modern culture that objectify and exploit young people; the statement said. Australia's Bishops also committed themselves to focus on four key areas: indigenous youth, youth unemployment, mental health and abuse prevention; plus two international concerns, the broad spectrum of 'environment' and 'justice in the wider world'. With the global financial crisis continuing to cause unemployment in Australia, the Bishops called for the development of a youth employment environment that "values ongoing training and creates secure, non-exploitative jobs offering just wages in safe workplaces". The global financial crisis has triggered high unemployment and more casual rather than permanent work, leaving many young workers in precarious jobs, the Bishops said, adding that the eradication of hunger and the provision of primary education highlighted in the eight United Nations Millennium

Development Goals (N11)G) will intensify as the global financial crisis is likely to hit poorer nations the hardest. As the MDG deadline of 2015 approaches, the Bishops expressed support for Pope Benedict's recent call in Africa for the developed nations to remember their "freelymade" commitment in 2000. The Bishops also criticised the current level of support for those with mental illness, and said much more can be done to prevent it. In the context of mental illness, the Bishops "recognise the impact" of family breakdown, homelessness and substance abuse. They said society must act to minimise known risk factors contributing to mental illness and called for the expansion of services to meet the needs of those suffering from it, and that these services must be designed to "interact with them in a manner that overcomes current barriers to access". The Bishops expressed confidence in the abilities of young indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders, and said their talents and qualities need to be supported. They said young indigenous people need opportunities to learn, acquire skills, run businesses and take up leadership roles, and require role models along with opportunities and a safe environment.

John Ellis, who said he was abused by a Benedictine monk from the early 1970s to mid-1980s, is pictured outside St Mary's Cathedral after Pope Benedict XVI delivered an apology to clergy sexual abuse victims during World Youth Day in PHOTO: CNS/PAUL HARING Sydney in July, 2008.

Secularism a 'minority sport': Pell Atheism Vs God Cardinal to address Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney By ANTHONY BARICH National Reporter SECULARISM is a minority sport and temporary phenomenon that only survives in the Western world by attacking Christianity or living off Christianity's moral capital, Cardinal George Pell will tell a major festival in Sydney on October 4. The Cardinal will speak that day, responding to popular atheist, journalist and author, Christopher Hitchens, who will address the inaugural Festival of Dangerous Ideas the previous day on Religion poisons everything at the event that will be sponsored by the Sydney Morning Herald, Foxtel and SBS. Tony Jones, ABC's Nightline journalist and presenter of the national broadcaster's weekly panel show Q and A, will host the address given by American-based Mr Hitchens in the Concert Hall of the Opera House on October 3, exploring the religious impulse, claiming that by believing in God, "people deceive themselves and attempt to deceive others:' Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, the English-born Christopher Hitchens and outspoken feminist and academic, Germaine Greer, are among the keynote

Christopher Hitchens

George Pell

speakers at Australia's inaugural Festival of Dangerous Ideas to be held at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4. A statement from the Archdiocese of Sydney said that, speaking on Without God We Are Nothing, Cardinal Pell will draw on scientific figures including physicist Stephen Hawking who, despite his revolutionary model of the laws of physics and lifetime of research, admitted in A Brief History of Time that he was no closer to knowing whether God existed or not, "only that God was arbitrary." This will go towards proving Pell's point that "science alone cannot provide answers either to the existence of God or to atheist options." Borrowing from English philosopher and former atheist turned believer, Anthony Flew, he will pose the question: "how can a universe of mindless matter produce beings with intrinsic ends, self

stained glass & leadlights SINCE 1908 & 3 GENERATIONS OF STAINED GLASS ARTISTS NEW COMMISSIONS & COMPLETE DESIGN CONSULTATION SERVICE SPECIALISTS IN HISTORIC RESTORATION WORKS PROTECTIVE GLAZING SUPPLIED & INSTALLED

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replication capabilities and 'coded chemistry?" An initiative of the St James Ethics Centre, the Festival of Dangerous Ideas will also feature Germaine Greer, politician turned academic Carmen Lawrence, Aboriginal activist Gary Foley, Oxford University's award-wining neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield and Sydney Muslim and community spokesman Keysar Trad. Dr Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of the St James Ethics Centre, said many topics would trigger unease and anger but would help to define listeners and speakers alike and clarify what they stand for and what they do not. The festival will include discussions on polygamy and Islam, a panel debate on Why Democracy is Not for Everyone and a claim by such well known and revered artists as Adelaide Festival Director Robyn Archer that Australian Stereotypes are Betraying out Cultural Identity. Germaine Greer will address the Festival on October 3 on why she believes the concept of Freedom is the Most Dangerous Idea of All. Baroness Susan Greenfield will speak on her belief that online networking may be rewiring our children's brains and eliminating such human traits as empathy and compassion. Sydney's rapidly-growing Catholic youth movement has marshalled its forces to support Cardinal Pell as he puts the case forward for religion in the public forum at the Opera House.

Notre Dame's indigenous film festival a hit

The University of Notre Dame Australia's School of Arts and Sciences at its Sydney Campus recently sponsored an Indigenous Film screening and panel for the Possible Worlds: Canadian Film Festival at the Dendy Opera Quays in Sydney and other selected venues. The Executive Dean of Arts and Sciences, Prof Gerry Turcotte, hosted a question and answer session following the screening of the film The Necessities of Life at the Australian Museum. The movie dramatises the impact of the Canadian Government's practice of relocating Inuit people diagnosed with tuberculosis from their Arctic homeland to sanatoriums in Eastern Canada. It has been shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2009 Academy Awards. The film's star, Natar Ungalaaq, joined Gerry Turcotte for a discussion following the screening and spoke of the connections of this story to his own personal history - his grandfAer was removed from his family never to return. Earlier in the week, celebrated Canadian filmmaker Najeeb Mirza visited Notre Dame to address one of the Politics classes and discuss the Australian premiere of his film, The Sweetest Embrace: Return to Afghanistan.

Page 8

Secularism does not replace Christiani

here is a high degree of vanity in the oft-repeated claim that we are a secular society and that ours is a secular democracy. The first piece of vanity is that 'everyone' knows what the claims mean, whereas it is much closer to the truth to say that 'nobody' knows what they mean. There are many meanings attached to 'secular' and 'secularism', but the most commonly believed or felt ideas are that secular things are those not religious, sacred or spiritual - and, in today's common parlance, not moral; and secularism is a political or philosophical system that rejects all forms of religious faith or worship. The Australian Constitution neither accepts nor imposes this philosophy or mindset. The preamble of the constitution specifically acknowledges Almighty God, so the constitution does not reject or ignore things religious, sacred or spiritual. The constitution does, however, forbid the government established by the constitution to establish, favour or disadvantage any particular religion, and it forbids the imposition of any religious test in relation to a Commonwealth appointment. This is a limitation imposed on the government because the government is considered not an appropriate body to make rulings about religion. It says that the government has secular (worldly) PO Box 75 authority, but not spiritual Leederville WA 6902 authority. It is emphaticalcathrec@iinetnet.au ly not a statement that the constitution considers that Tel: (08) 9227 7080 religion has no significant Fax: (08) 9227 7087 role in the lives of citizens or society, or even in the exercise of the government's secular authority. The constitution says nothing about moral authority and does not limit the government's authority to make laws that most people would consider are at least based on a sense of morality. It is only in recent times that people claiming to be secularists have begun to insist that MPs are not entitled to impose their moral views on others. Just as they have no coherent philosophy or anthropology to justify secularism, so there is nothing coherent to justify this strange claim. If there were no moral laws imposed on society, there would be no laws against theft and all other forms of dishonesty, and no laws against murder and all other forms of assault and violence. One of the great strengths of our own and similar societies has been that Christianity has given us the most rational, coherent and consistent foundation for the laws governing society. It is only in recent times that secular individualism has abandoned this moral philosophy based on a rational understanding of human nature. In its place is the pretend philosophy that people are entitled to do what they like provided it does not harm anyone else. It is obvious that its advocates do not believe this dictum when it comes to divorce (which causes immense and on-going damage to other members of the family) or abortion (which clearly kills babies, harms mothers, and damages society as a whole). They also do not believe their dictum in relation to theft: if one stole $50,000 from any of our billionaires, it would clearly do them no harm at all, but there is no chance that such thefts would be considered harmless and therefore innocent. The secular way of avoiding rational debate about the laws they want to impose is to accuse other people of trying to impose their religious views on the community. Christians, Jews and Muslims, for example, tend to have a rationally coherent harmony between their religious and moral beliefs. Their arguments are consistently ignored on the grounds that they are religious beliefs based on what people perceive that God said. It saves the difficulty of understanding the rationality of a sound moral position. This exercise in intellectual dishonesty will become very clear again in the current euthanasia debate. The other deficiency of the secular philosophy that shows up in all life debates is the difficulty that most secularists have in understanding the social nature of humanity and assessing the difficulties that are caused for individuals when society is harmed. All anti-life measures harm the group as well as the individuals whose lives are taken, but it requires a coherent anthropology which understands the value of life and the destructiveness of deliberate death to comprehend this principle. In the last 100 years or so, secular philosophies have caused the worst death and destruction the world has ever seen. Even apart from the huge wars they launched, nazism and communism have slaughtered more of their own people within their own borders than ever before - the holocaust, the pogroms, purges and gulags of Russia, the labour camps of China, the killing fields of Cambodia and other examples, all inflicted by governments on their own people because of perverse philosophies. Religions, of course, are still blamed for causing wars. Australians have never fought in a war that had anything to do with religion, but Australians took their faith with them when they went to war. The secular nature of the wars did not separate them from their religion. Christians have no reason to be intimidated by secular philosophies. We must use the strength of our faith to pray for our societies, and the wisdom of reason to explain and defend the laws we espouse.

"1.1 1F RECORD

September 23 2009, The Record

LETTERS th e

•

0 Li Letters to the editor

Kennedy the Great

hil Lawler was given an entire page in The Record to lampoon the great senator Ted Kennedy, who has accomplished so much for the marginalised and under.privileged of America. While he may have had per sonal failures and views contrary to pro-lifers, this is no reason to ridicule all of his many other fine qualities and accomplishments. I wish to voice my admiration and gratitude to Senator Kennedy for his outstanding contribution to the good of others. And I am sure the good Lord will look kindly on his soul. May he rest in peace. Gerald Searle Ashby

Mostar Bishop's website rocks

took Frank Calneggia's advice ( The Record, September 2, 2009) and consulted the website of the Diocese of Mostar, because many have told me that the Vatican has started its own investigation of Medjugorje. Here is what is stated on the website: The Croatian daily newspaper Vecernji list published the following sensational headline on its front page on 27 June 2008: 'The Vatican. The highest circles of the Catholic Church have decided to follow the phenomenon of Medjugorje - A new Commission for Medjugorie, while on page 5 an even more sensational headline stated: 'A Commission of the Holy See is being established', accompanied by the header 'Medjugorje Cardinal Puljic on the anniversary of the phenomenon of the apparitions of the Madonna'. The article begins by reporting "the President of the Bishops' Conference of BosniaHerzegovina, Cardinal the Archbishop of Sarajevo Vinko Puljic, announced the formation of a new commission which will investigate the phenomenon and which will be under the jurisdiction of the Holy See." However, in the report that follows the Cardinal appears to refute things reported as definitive by Vecernji list. Firstly, he says the Commission will most probably be under the jurisdiction of the Holy See, hence it is not clear. Secondly, the Commission "will - if it is established, as is probable - be like an international commission which will override our jurisdiction." Thirdly, "It is certain that the international commission will receive, if it is established, different instructions which remain to be seen." One may ask what kind of assertions these are. 'Most probably' followed by 'probably'; 'if' and then 'like'; 'it is certain' followed by 'if it is established' and 'which remain to be seen'? A contradic-

tion appears since the probable Commission "will override our jurisdiction" and then: "yet the local bishop will never be excluded, since he is the most competent person for everything that goes on within a diocese." After reading this, readers of Vecernji list will still not know the answers to questions such as: has the formation of a Commission only been pre-announced or is it really being established? Will it be established at all and when? Will it be under the jurisdiction of the Holy See and in which form? Will it override the competency of the Bishops' Conference of Bosnia Herzegovina but not the jurisdiction of the local Bishop? However, the only thing certain in all of these media reports and guesses is that the local Bishop of Mostar knows nothing about it at all. I am truly grateful to have discovered the website of the Bishop of Mostar. Maureen Mackay Mt Lawley

My Medjugorje experience

first visited Medjugorje in 1991, after reading a book by American journalist Wayne Weibe who, I understand, was, at the time, not Catholic. His story was convincing. Since 1991, I revisited Medjugorje in 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2001. During every visit I have experienced a total inner peace, witnessed thousands praying the Rosary daily in the Church or walking up Mount Podbro and Mount Krizevec, people by the hundreds going to confession and thousands attending Mass twice daily. In my opinion there have been many thousands of conversions. In 1991, on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, four of us among several hundred others walked up Mount Podbro praying the Rosary led by a Croatian Franciscan priest who spoke English fluently. Following the completion of the Rosaries the four of us began to descend Mount Podbro with the others. I don't know why, but one from our party decided we should take an alternative route down another path away from the others. We began the descent and after a few minutes one of the party shouted, "look at the sun!" To our astonishment it started spinning, seeming to pulsate out of the sky, passing over our heads and then returning back into the sky. Several colours were seen coming out of it in various shapes and forms. The colour of the ground surrounding Medjugorje as seen from the top of the hill was covered in a golden light. The phenomenon lasted approximately 20 minutes. We were dumbfounded and stood there looking on in amazement. After this, and out of nowhere, there suddenly appeared in front of us a woman in the sky floating past us with her hands in prayer. She was between us and the sun at a distance of about ten metres. She stood in what appeared to be a cloud. She appeared to be about 1.7 metres in height, dressed in a dark grey cloak, with pure white skin and her hands and fingers were long and held in prayer. The colour of her hair as could be seen under her hood appeared to be dark and wavy. Suddenly, as quickly as she appeared for approximately ten seconds, she vanished from our sight. While we were still standing dumbfounded, there appeared in front of the sun now in its usual

position a figure of a man. He appeared to us to be about one metre high, dressed in a red and gold cloak with his hands outstretched towards us. A fter several seconds he disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. Each of us confirmed what the others saw and experienced and our accounts were consistent. Amazed and dumbfounded, we returned from the hill for evening Mass and Rosary. All I can say in faith from all of my experiences is that Medjugorje is a reality. Mervyn Stokes Armadale

Muslim holidays?

see in the news where Muslims now want Islamic holidays recognised here in Australia. The Great Southland of The Holy Spirit? Would Muslims in their homelands of Saudi Arabia, Iran and elsewhere let Christians celebrate the Birth of Jesus, whom Islam does not believe is the Son of God? Would Muslims in such countries also let Christians celebrate the Crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday or the Resurrection on Easter Sunday which Islam doesn't believe because, as the Koran says, he wasn't crucified? Lindsay Evans Perth

Women's concern misplaced

he article in The Record (September 16) about various Catholic women's groups and the concern of some that "women are not admitted to the ordained ministry" which "is just one of the symptoms of the disorder that exists in our Church" ( The Record, p 7) is a concept that I, an ordinary Catholic woman, find strange. It is the old sexist argument that what men can do, so can women. But in the Church anti-discrimination laws of the secular world are not of any relevance in this deeply spiritual matter. Christianity came into being from Jesus Christ, a man born of a woman. A strange mystery it is and only accepted by the powerful concept of love to all people, ("Do good to them that hate you") that Jesus preached and witnessed to by his own example, ending in the Crucifixion and the blinding power of the Resurrection. Christ showed people how they must live to be really happy. He chose men to be his apostles - to leave everything, to follow him, and to preach what he preached. Jesus did not choose the wonderful women as reported in the Gospels. He did not choose his mother who was there, strong and upright, at the Crucifixion. So how can the Catholic hierarchy ordain women? The Church arose after the Resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles which inspired them to be unafraid, even unto death. They now had a spiritual dimension beyond their status as men. They were the representatives of Christ on earth - empowered by Christ - but still just humble men who did not ask for a kingly role in life. As women, we can only be full of humility, and never forget to glory in our womanhood because God chose a woman as the greatest human being - Mary, Our Lady. Patricia Malone Scarborough

September 23 2009, The Record

THE RECORD VISTA

Mightmare Girl rld What are we allowing society to do to our daughters?

Anna Krohn speaks to Melinda Tankard Reist about her new book exposing the sexualisation of children, especially girls. t my 21st, I want peocle to say "Here comes one hot chick! So declared a 14-year-old schoolgirl in a class discussion a few years ago. My job at the time was to explore the topic of selfworth and "relationships" with a large group of private school girls. I proposed that we visualise ourselves seven years hence, and this was the first answer. Then it hit me like a pole-dancer's kick. That despite her tender age, this girl's dumbed down, sexed-up aspirations were a set-piece, not only of her generation, but of her mother's and even of the primary-aged girls, posing their Bratz dolls and rocking to raunchy Beyonce videos at slumber parties. I said (a tad tartly perhaps), "Really! So you DON'T want your friends to say: 'there is my friend who re-watered the outback ... or found the cure for breast cancer ... or is simply such a great friend?' You want them to think you are a piece of take-away meat?" Somewhere on the way from Emily Pankhurst and even Germaine Greer, the feminist revolution had hung a dismally sharp U-turn. There have been a few acute and savage exposes of this cultural underbelly for women in recent years. Wendy Shalit's Return to Modesty, Naomi Wolf's Beauty Myth and Ariel Levy's Female Chauvinist Pigs are notable for their analysis of the pervasive "munch" culture underlying American collevs, workplaces and the "image industry. In Australia, there is a tide of anxiAuthor Melinda Tankard Reist ety rising in parents, teachers and health has gathered a surprising professionals who care about young girls coalition of thinkers disturbed and teenagers. It is clear to them that the by the 'pornification' of our sleaze culture has a taste for ever younger culture and its effects on girls. tidbits. But the anxiety is coupled with a PHOTO: PETER CASAMENTO sense of powerlessness and a frazzle of political and moral uncertainty. Is more sexual freedom and "information" the solution? Does "artistic" expression extend to the recruitment of the playground? How can we resist without sounding like prudes? With the release this month of Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls (Spinifex, Melbourne 2009) comes (at last) an incisive, eloquent and original collection of essays which are a formidable social force coming together from a surprising range of professional and philosophical positions in one publication. Melinda Tankard Reist, women's advocate and writer, is the guiding force, editor and a key contributor to this collaboration, which she calls a "collective shout" against the "pornification of childhood." In our discussion last week, I suggested to her that the book was important, because it connected some of the causational dots between so many troubling

issues: from corporate greed, shock jock artists, unregulated advertising, child eating disorders, internet and telephone porn, cyber-bullying and the increasing accounts of child-onchild sexual assault and violence. She said she was pleased with the readiness of each contributor, whether activist or academic to join the project. Getting Real consists of 15 essays, with writing by actress Noni Hazlehurst, the comedian turned activist Julie Gale, radical feminist academics Renate Klein and Abigail Bray, the Australia Institute's Clive Hamilton and Emma Rush, psychologists and psychotherapists Louise Newman, Melissa Farley and Betty McKellan, parenting expert Steve Biddulph and other contributors. It comes with strong endorsements from an equally diverse range of prominent figures. "The women of Spinifex Press have also been so passionate about this book and about the injustice done to young women and little girls through the pornification of their expectations, imaginations and self-images." Melinda said. "Despite the diversity of the writers, we all agreed that opposition to the hyper-sexualisation of girls deserved a strong and united front. The time was also well past that such a protest should be dismissed by calling it the cry of an outdated or marginalised prudish 'moral minority" she added. One of the most striking features of Getting Real is the balance it strikes between the confronting and grim evidence of the widespread cultural abuse of children and the biting humour and satire used by some of the writers. I put to Melinda that the work represented a new type of "protest wit" which was a method likely to take Australian audiences off guard. "Yes, some of the writing in this book is shocking. The "pornified messages" and stories of "rape" websites are disturbing and should be. Some of the material is only the rallying together of images depicted publicly on our bill boards every day. We thought our audience deserved to hear the truth," she said. "I also admit it is the feisty humour that keeps this material from really messing with your head," she laughed, adding "Judy Gale, for example is a professional comedian who has turned her skills to her amazingly effective activism. She exposes the display of illegal porn in places like milk-bars and service stations. Her grass-roots, "act-locally" approach and her humour exposes the value system of pornography, confront the CEOs of multinational companies and gets results all at the same time". She added, "Another example of the effectiveness of satire, is described in this book by the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute's Selina Ewing in her discussion of the Faking It Project." Faking It (Spinifex, 2007) was published in collaboration with Melinda, and is best described as Please turn to Vista 2-3

here did the innocence of childhood go? This sort of image, which promotes one of the most popular toys for girls - Bratz dolls - models to infant and pre -adolescent girls a state of being sexually alluring and sexually-available femininity as the ultimate goal of their life and existence. Its both symptomatic and causal of what is now pervasive in affluent first world cultures such as Australia. Is it also the ultimate form of environmental damage?

Ell

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September 23 2009, The Record

Nightmare Cirl world

Continuedfrom Vista 1 an "evidence-based of glossy women's magazines. The publication used satirical imitation and sent up the glossy women's magazine world which Ewing writes: "is saturated in images of artificial, perfect, semi-naked, 'sexy' women in all manner of unreal positions and environment."

earody

Tyranny of Silence

The authors of Getting Real are not shy in naming some of the interests that have attempted to put down and shame the impact of the book's "collective shout" on CC T esearch behalf of shows girls. that in Melinda some communities 70 T ankard Reist is only per cent of boys have too aware viewed violent and of the predeviant pornography dictable indignation by the ages of 12-13; nearly 100 per cent by her work p rovokes the age of 18." a mong those she calls the "sexual assault libertarians". She has made a professional specialty of busting the hegemony of silence which cripples discussion of important moral and social issues in modern liberal society. Her two previous books on postabortion harm and grief, Giving Sorrow Words (Duffy & Snellgrove, 2003) and Defiant Birth: Women Who Resist Medical Eugenics (Spinifex, 2007) and many of her published opinion pieces are testimonies of this. She notes, "In this book I mention and make fun of some of the anonymous and vindictively personal hate mail that I have received. Some were so personal and vile they couldn't be printed!" "Even more importantly, some of our authors make a full frontal critique of the notion of freedom adopted by these self-styled libertarians, who use the weapon of "freedom of speech" to deny speech to everyone else One of the most probing of these essays is by the feminist writer, Abigail Bray, who analyses the apparent immunity with which the so called "arts" can perpetrate the

pornification ot girl children. Bray's Gaze that Dare Not Speak Its Name: Bill Henson and Child Sexual Abuse Moral Panic analyses the language and tactics used in the recent controversy surrounding photographer Bill Henson's recruitment and exposure of naked girls. She writes: We need to unmask the political "innocence" of artists such as Henson and, more broadly, of a culture that trades on the sexual commodification and humiliation of girls. Far from offering girls new forms of social power, the sexualisation of girls is imposing a new tyranny of compulsive and desperate sexual participation." Betty McCellan's contribution links political silencing to the personal acquiescence of girls in their own sexual mis-use, countering the disingenuous liberal cry that all that is needed is that parents "turn the channel" or avert their gaze. She and many of the other writers argue that the rhetoric of the sexual revolution has hijacked the feminist revolution. Noni Hazlehurst writes with considerable poignancy that the widespread super-sexualisation of girls is evidence of the compliance and confusion within today's would-be feminists: "It saddens me that many young women who call themselves feminists, and who hold positions of public influence, are acting as apologists for the very agents of iniquity that have fuelled my anger" Betty McCellan adds: "We suggest that the increasing focus on sex and sexiness is not so much a matter of personal preference but pressure coming from people and institutions in society with the power to shape the way others think and feel:' Getting Real argues that pornography is built on and primes deception and self-deception. Writes McCellan again: "In a sexualised society, women and girls are required to live out a pornographic idea of the female ..:' and this provides the personal and cultural construction of false sexual expectations in men, women and children, abusive relationships, destructive self-worth, degrading sexual experimentation. "It makes equality impossible

Toxic Porn and Boys

Tankard Reist comments: "This

Counter-measures

arenting is now the frontline in the

battle for children. Here are resources recommended by Record staff that help fathers and mothers be counter-cultural insurgents in defence of their children. All are available through The Record Bookshop. MORE FAMILY RESOURCES: PAGE 20

t Archdiocese f Perth FROM THE ARCHIVES Requiem for pioneer nun July 9, 1885 "Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral for the repose of the soul of Mother Mary Ursula Frayne, late of Fitzroy Convent, Melbourne. The services rendered by the deceased to religion in the early days of our colony gave her memory a claim to this mark of respect. There are among the Catholics of West Australia, many still living, who profited by her zeal in years gone by. To the charity of their prayers we confidently recommend her sour

denial of the real humanity of women has seeped down into the cultural world of girls as young as six or younger. This grooming for sexual consumption - the Lolita Effect - has been further powered by advances in technology:' "We see the toll in ever younger boys. I feel especially for boys, for whom pornography, via the PC and phone, is so instantly available and which becomes their hand-book for personal sexual attitudes and behaviour. Renate Klein writes that pornography is only 'a click away: "Research shows that in some communities 70 per cent of boys have viewed violent and deviant pornography by the ages of 12-13; nearly 100 per cent by the age of 18. "Studies are also showing that the formative male brain is seriously imprinted by such degrading pornography, and it alters the boys' sense of reality and feeds their acting out of aggressive behaviour towards girls." "One horrifying web-site we discovered, encourages young men to carry out coercive sexual attacks on women, by first doping them or making them drunk. The site then invites these same young men to post photos of their deeds with bragging comments. "How are these sites acceptable in our society? They provide evidence of crime scenes not of sexual freedom:'

Value-free Sex Ed's failure

I asked Melinda why contemporary value-free sex education programs did little to provide girls and boys with either strength or knowledge to counter such violence. She answered: "Because these programs seem to accept that sex is the primary currency of personal interaction. Set amidst the toxic culture all around them, girls simply become sexual crash dummies for boys rather than true intimates and equals. They are led to believe that providing oral sex at parties is the way to be wanted by boys. They know the plumbing but nothing about their own true worth. "This cheap and nasty experience of sex, if not downright violent and dangerous, does not encourage either the expectation of all the other dimensions of sexual experi-

GETTING REAL Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls This latest from Melinda Tankard Reist marshalls a diverse range of Australian contributors, writers and thinkers, all deeply concerned at the destruction of girlhood by culture, the media and predatory business. Incisive, insightful and on-target. This analysis shreds the pretences and resources parents.

VIsm 3

Australian author Melinda Tankard Reist, at left, and with The Record's Anna Krohn. Reist's latest book, an edited collection of essays from leading thinkers and Australian public figures, charts a reality that much of the media and our contemporary culture will find too uncomfortable, confronting or economically unprofitable: the sexualisation of girls and its destructive consequences for them and society in general. PHOTOS PETER CASAMENTO ence that are truly human: romance, imagination, waiting, commitment, tenderness and intimacy. "Girls feel they must imitate prostitutes, in their dress, in their postures and in their trading of sex for social acceptance. "Boys have few role models either. Their sports stars are encouraged to virtually pimp their girlfriends and wives for media attention. "Politicians and actors are encouraged to frequent lap dancers and carry out tawdry affairs as tokens of their

masculinity ... What today's teenagers

and children lack, is what the adult culture also lacks, not more graphic images but an education in humanity, common decency and respect". Getting Real identifies not only the role corporations, advertisers and publishers have in feeding and charging up the insatiable nexus between the titillation and expectation within the culture. It also links the sexualisation of girls to the medicalisation of beauty and what Renate Klein calls the "sickness industry". Klein writes: "Sexualisation has already

FIGHT LIKE A GIRL The Power of Being a Woman Author Lisa Revere challenges women to accept-and celebrate-themselves as God created them. Their femininity is actually their greatest strength. Instead of trying to adapt to an ill-fitting male model, women need to pick up the power God ordained for them and make their unique and much-needed mark on society, the world, and the church. RRP $16.95+ p/h

made (young women) dissatisfied with their `outside bodies, medicalisation now colonises their "inside" bodies" making young women the "perfect material" for the normalisation of the Big Pharm interests such as the normalisation of chemical abortion and contraception, plastic surgery and even anti-depressants. She adds, "this is where capitalism meets and exploits liberal feminist dreams of girl power". In Getting Real, Steve Biddulph writes: "We know intuitively, and sometimes from bitter experiences of our own, that

SO SEXY, SO SOON The new Sexualised Childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids Communication critical: Want to help your children navigate a sex-saturated culture? They'll need to learn your beliefs - not those all around them. Excellent resource. RRP $38.95+ p/h

What kind of future does she face? One of the most pressing problems for women and girls in affluent societies such as Australia is the relentless pressure to live and function primarily as sex objects. The pressure comes at girls from almost every quadrant of their lives, especially through the media and from those who see the opportunity to profit financially from eradicating childhood. To succeed, such forces need to de -construct authentically feminine traits of natural grace, elegance, beauty, charm - and perhaps most especially, intelligence - and replace them with false ideas and standards that de-emphasise their dignity as a person. The key to success? Getting girls to behave as men want them t o. When companies market G-strings and bikinis for five year-olds, top right, something is going badly wrong.

Dora the Explorer (above, at left) has been a universally popular cartoon figure with girls. But now she has been 'tweened (at right) in a move which has left many wondering 'why?'

if you hurt someone's sexuality you hurt their sour Getting Real and its contributors provide an urgently needed book, filled with wise and sharp insights into the recovery of the soul of our own society. Its contents may leave us horrified and ashamed, but its aim is to make us act. Anna Krohn writes for The Record from Melbourne and lectures at the John Paul IIInstitute for Marriage and Family. She can be contacted at: annakrohn@hotmail.com

MAGGIE HAMILTON

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WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR GIRLS?

Too much, too soon - how our kids are overstimulated, oversold and What's. oversexed Happening

to Our

TOO MUCN TOO BOON how our Ws are oversomuleted. oversold and oversewed

Over two years Maggie Hamilton interviewed girls, teachers, school counsellors, psychologists, and law enforcement and medical personnel to get an insider's view on what girls are experiencing at present from birth to the teenage years. Informed, revealed, compassionate and at times shocking, What's Happening to Our Girls? is a book for parents and all those who want to better understand and support girls. RRP $26.95+ IA

Traffic hazard May 20, 1880 Traffic problems in the Cathedral precinct are nothing new, but thankfully a bolting horse and buggy are no longer a hazard. The Rev Fr J O'Reilly had such an experience on one occasion when he left the Cathedral to return to Fremantle. The report noted: "As the journey was about to begin some harness problem startled the horse and he dashed down the hill from the Cathedral at a fearful pace. The angle at St George's Terrace was taken at a racing gallop but the sharp turning was too much for the occupants of the carriage. In accordance with the laws of centrifugal motion, Father O'Reilly and his driver were instantly shot from their places and picked themselves up at Dr Waylen's corner, not however so hurt as to require very urgently that gentleman's professional assistance Bishop Griver's Requiem November 11, 1886 Bishop Martin Griver died at his residence on November 1. His solemn requiem mass celebrated by Bishop Salvado, of New Norcia and was attended by civic and religious leaders and crowds of lay people. The Record reported: "The Cathedral presented a mournful aspect. Members of the local Hibernian Societies assembled in large numbers and the regalias which they wore, were covered with crepe. "The candlesticks, the large central cross, the statues of the Blessed Virgin and St Joseph, and the whole of the High Altar were shrouded in black drapery and the sacred edifice bore on every side the symbol of the house of death. After the dirge had been chanted, the mass de requie was celebrated. "At the elevation the gong was struck and the dead-bell tolled. A solemn stillness pervaded the Cathedral. At the intonement of the Requiescat in pace by the Rev. P.J. Gibney at the conclusion of the mass the scene was most impressive and the subdued feelings of the congregation found vent in audible sobs." "Preparations for the interment of the body followed. The priests in procession, accompanied by Dr Salvado and the Sisters of Mercy who held lighted candles, proceeded to the catafalque. The celebrant gave the Solemn Absolution. The coffin was then borne by members of the Catholic Societies to the vault in the Cathedral. And the mortal remains of the beloved Bishop who had long ruled the diocese, had found their last resting place beneath the roof which had so often echoed back to the faithful his words of warning and exhortation." - compiled by Mary Busher, Archdiocesan Archives

Vista 4

Mass, Mary and temperate in all filings, says Bill

PERSPECTIVES

Church a bride with sublime desire Body Language Spousal Prayer PartI

Bill Ward, Temperance Advocate The Temperance group has been around for over 100 years and began in Ireland. Members pledge to completely abstain from alcohol intake. I am now aged 82 years and have been proudly wearing the Temperance badge of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for 70 years. Most weekends there are terrible car accidents caused by drunken drivers. Young people are getting killed or injured unnecessarily when they are just starting out in life. It causes great cost and suffering to our community. These tragic events can be avoided by keeping your self-respect. When you drink too much you look terrible. You stagger all over the place. You often throw up, use bad language, tight, insult your friends and take drugs. By not drinking too much alcohol you keep your with Debbie Warner self-respect. You look good and you are pleasant company. Over all, you have a better life. When I was growing up in Ireland one of my brothers worked in the Guinness brewery and he never drank a pint. My parents were strict Catholics and brought up their four sons and four daughters to be teetotallers. They were good examples to us. We never missed Mass and said the family Rosary every night. In 1950 I came to Australia. My mother was heartbroken. I did go back to Ireland but only to visit and have been back 12 times. My first marriage didn't work out and I brought up the four of my nine children who were still living at home alone. I have remarried happily. Our marriage is recognised and validated by the Church which is very important to me. I am close to my family. My wife and I are parishioners at St Lawrence's Church in Clarkson. I am well known in my parish and always greet everybody. They go into Mass with smiles on their faces. WhenI return from a holiday I always get a warm welcome. I begin the day with a list of prayers that I say from the blue Pieta book. I attend the Mass daily and on the weekend I go to five Masses! I also say the Rosary every day. Anyone who says the Hail Mary is well on their way to being a member of Temperance. It protects you from the Devil who causes distractions. One of my favourite prayers is the Memorare of St Bernard which is: Remember, 0 most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help or sought Thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly onto Thee 0 Virgin of Virgins, my Mother: to Thee do I come, before Thee I stand sinful and sorrowful. 0 Mother of the Word Incarnate! Despise not my petitions but in Thy Mercy hear and answer me. Amen. During my career I had various jobs including that of barman and drinks waiter. I saw the trouble that alcohol abuse can cause. Many young people are obviously drinking too much and I think that peer pressure has a lot to do with it. I am happy to go to schools and talk to young people to encourage them to respect themselves. Those interested in joining Temperance can contact me on 9305 9628. Drinking alcohol is not a bad thing; excessive drinking is.

Howl Pray Now

September 23 2009, The Record

Recently, while preparing for a long drive, I decided to look through my old collection of tape series for something to listen to (yes, I still have a cassette deck in my car). My eyes landed on a box set called Passion for God by a Carmelite Abbess named Mother Tessa Bielecki. When I arrived at my destination before the tapes were over, I didn't want to get out of the car. Passion for God is an introduction to the spousal mysticism of St Teresa of Avila. Here's how the back cover of the series describes it: "Inside the great medieval monastery at Avila, Spain, one of history's great love affairs took place. For it was here, within these turreted stone walls, that the Christian mystic St Teresa surrendered her 'ensouled body' to God. What emerged from this divine union informs our spiritual lives to this day through the ecstatic 'spousal prayer' form that St Teresa embraced so

fiercely ... Mother Tessa takes listeners far from the hard pews of dutiful worship and into a lush marriage chamber, where God is mystically experienced as spouse!' Regular readers of my column are certainly familiar with the biblical analogy of spousal love as a way of understanding God's love for us. God's eternal plan is to "marry" us: the Church is the bride and Christ the bridegroom. "Spousal prayer" means, very simply, to open oneself wholly and completely to Christ, surrendering to him in a union of love like a bride surrenders to the loving embrace of her bridegroom. And, yes, as uncomfortable as this might seem for men at first, this includes us too. As John Paul II wrote in Mulieris Dignitatem, "According to (the spousal analogy), all human beings - both women and men - are called through the Church, to be the 'Bride' of Christ, the Redeemer of the world. In this way 'being the bride,' and thus the 'feminine' element, becomes a symbol of all that is 'human" (25). Don't worry, guys - it doesn't mean we have to wear a wedding dress or anything. It means, essentially, that we, as creatures, have to learn how to open and "receive" the love of the Creator. This is not a threat to our masculinity, but the key to authentic masculinity. Spousal prayer, as St John of the Cross put it, leads to "a total transformation in the Beloved, in which each surrenders the entire possession of self to the other with a certain consummation of the union of love. The soul thereby becomes divine, God through participation, insofar as is possible in this life!' Then he makes the analogy more explicit: "Just as in the consummation of carnal marriage there are two in one flesh, as Sacred Scripture points

out (Gen 2:24), so also when the spiritual marriage between God and the soul is consummated, there are two natures in one spirit and love" (Commentary on stanza 22:3 of the Spiritual Canticle). Oh, to what astounding God calls us! God is an eternal "explosion" explosion" of life-giving love, and he calls us to participate in it. That's where spousal prayer takes us - into the heart of God who not only loves us, but is love. When we see the union of husband and wife for what it is, we see that it is a "great mystery" that reveals the master plan of God to become "one" with us in Christ (see Eph 5:31-32). It's an icon of something divine, a window into heaven. And that's precisely why our sexuality is under such attack in our world: the enemy wants to blind us to the divine "iconography" of our masculinity and femininity. As Tessa Bielecki said so well in this tape series, we mustn't repress or try to annihilate our sexual desires. Rather, in and through Christ, we must sublimate them - that is, make them "sublime," noble, holy. Indeed, spousal prayer takes us on a journey of painful trials and purifications through which erotic longing becomes more and more a yearning for God, a path to holiness. This is what John Paul II was positing when he said: "The sexual urge is ... a vector of aspiration along which [our] whole existence develops and perfects itself from within" (Love and Responsibility, p 46). The great mystics of the church not only understand eros as a longing for God, they live it as such. They live eros as "prayer" For prayer, as Pope Benedict put it, "is nothing other than becoming a longing for God" (Mary: The Church at the Source, p 15). We'll explore this idea a bit more in the next column.

Saints with the cure for what ails Doctors of the Church just who are they? Can you please explain what Doctors of the Church are? How does someone come to be named a Doctor and how many are there?

By Fr John Flader

First of all, as you are probably aware, the word "doctor" in this sense does not refer to the person who treats your flu. Nor, of course, the one who fixes the ailments of the Church. The word comes from the Latin docere, meaning "to teach", so that a "doctor" in Latin is a teacher. In order for someone to receive the title Doctor of the Church there are three requirements: they must be eminent in doctrine, with a high degree of holiness, and be declared a Doctor by the Church. Only canonised saints can receive the title, so that so illustrious a writer of the early Church as Origen, who was never canonised, is not a Doctor of the Church. No martyr has ever been declared a Doctor, even though some, like St Irenaeus and St Cyprian, contributed much to the Church by their abundant and eminent teaching. It may be that the fact of being a martyr was esteemed so highly that no further title could add to their glory. While their doctrine must be emi-

The "Angelic Doctor," St Thomas Aquinas. nent, it is not required that they have produced copious writings. For example, while St Augustine and St John Chrysostom left numerous writings, others like St Catherine of Siena and St Therese of Lisieux wrote much less. It is up to the Pope to declare a Doctor of the Church. The first one to do so was Pope Boniface VIII who, in 1295, proclaimed the four original Western Doctors of the first six centuries: Saints Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome and Pope Gregory the Great. Corresponding to these were four original Eastern Doctors of the same period: Saints John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus and Athanasius. Although they had been considered as Doctors early on, Pope Pius V officially recognised them in 1568. Pope Pius V also declared his fellow Dominican St Thomas Aquinas a Doctor in 1568, and Pope Sixtus

V added St Bonaventure in 1588. The number of Doctors remained at ten until the 18th century, when the number was progressively increased up to the 20th century. At present there are 33 Doctors, the last three to be proclaimed being the only women. Pope Paul VI proclaimed St Teresa of Avila and St Catherine of Siena Doctors of the Church in 1970, and Pope John Paul II added St Therese of Lisieux in 1997. Other Doctors from the 4th and 5th centuries were Saints Ephraem, Hilary, Cyril of Jerusalem, Cyril of Alexandria, Pope Leo the Great and Peter Chrysologus. From the next five centuries are Saints Isidore of Seville, Bede the Venerable and John Damascene. From the 11th century are Saints Peter Damian and Anselm. Doctors of the 12th and 13th centuries are Saints Bernard of Clairvaux, Anthony of Padua, Albert the Great, Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas. St Catherine of Siena lived in the 14th century. The turbulent Counter-Reformation period of the 16th and early 17th centuries gave us such great Doctors as Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Peter Canisius, Robert Bellarmine, Lawrence of Brindisi and Francis de Sales. The last two doctors are St Alphonsus Liguori, who lived in the 18th century, and St Therese of Lisieux in the 19th. Of the 33 Doctors, 25 are from the Western Church and eight from the East. Of those in Holy Orders, 14 were secular and 16 religious. They included two popes, 18 bishops, nine priests and one deacon. Of those in religious orders, there were five Benedictines, three Carmelites, three Dominicans, three Franciscans, two Jesuits, a Cistercian and a Redemptorist.

September 23 2009, The Record

CHILDREN

Kids bitz

FREE WEEKLY GIFT KIDS BITZ ARTIST OF THE WEEK will receive a free gift from The Record Bookshop. All you need to do is post or email in a drawing, poem or colouring picture. Please post to:

ARTISTS ::La WEEK Donnie McGougan, 6, of Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School. "This is a Hummer car. I really like them."

Page 9

Justine Stevens, The Record, PO Box 75 Leederville WA 6902 or email: production citherecord.com.au Jacob Sala Tenna, Holy Rosary School Kindergarten.

Emma Fatharly, Holy Rosary School Kindergarten.

Cod made iree5 and grass • Pe made tlie sun to stake 014 ivnes strong and ve ttS 4e made 'mil DoLck to key .

Cfocl ottezde b,fkiverx and the e . #c ehzxcie el,e safr7 (Ma

Mackenzie Scaffidi, 5, of Good Shepherd Catholic Primary

School. "This is my cousin's house."

rivu:

ter CHILDREN'S STORY JESUS'TEACHING AUTHORITY IS QUESTIONED By Joe Sarnicola

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS St Wenceslaus St Wenceslaus (907-929) was the son of the ruler of Bohemia who had become a Christian. He was raised by his grandmother St Ludmilla, who was committed to teaching him to love God and to follow his commandments. She was aided by a priest in this endeavour. Wenceslaus' father died and his mother assumed leadership of the country. She was not as Christian as her husband and did not encourage the people to become Christians. Ludmilla told Wenceslaus that if he became the ruler to continue to serve God. Ludmilla was murdered, but Wenceslaus' mother was dethroned and he became the new leader. He said he would support God's law and oppose murder. He also tried to establish friendly relations with neighbouring countries. After being murdered by his own brother, Wenceslaus was declared a martyr by his people. We honour him on September 28

BIBLE ACCENT: The Gospel of Matthew is the first Gospel in the New Testament and covers the life of Jesus from his birth to his resurrection. For a long time it was believed to have been written by Matthew, a tax collector and one of the first Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Scholars now think that this Gospel was not written by someone who knew Jesus, but by someone who used the accounts of people who did know Jesus and who used information from such writings as the Gospel of Mark. The Matthew who wrote the Gospel was more likely a Greek man who had converted to Judaism. The book was probably written 40 to 60 years after the ministry of Jesus.

JESUS was teaching in the temple area when some of the chief priests and elders came up to him and asked him, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?"Jesus knew they were trying to trick him, so he said in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John's baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?" The men whispered to each other. "If we say 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet." One of the men, speaking for the others, said, "We do not know." So Jesus told them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things." Jesus continued with his teaching by telling the people a story. "What is your opinion?" he asked them. "A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" Many of the people answered at the same time. "The first," they said. "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you." Jesus stood up and pointed out into the crowd. "When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him." Jesus continued to teach using parables. He told the people about greedy tenants who beat a landowner's servants and even killed the man's own son. He reminded them of a passage from the Psalms that said, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." And he said to them, "Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

READ MORE ABOUT: Matthew 21 Q&A 1. Who asked Jesus about his authority? 2. What did Jesus say about the rejected stone?

KIDS ON MARRIAGE HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY? You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. - Alan, 10 No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. - Kristen, 10 WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED? Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. - Camille, 10 HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED? You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. Derrick, 8 WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MUM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON? Both don't want any more kids. - Lori, 8 WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE? Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. Lynnette, 8 (isn't she a treasure) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. - Martin, 10 WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE? When they're rich. - Pam, 7 The law says you have to be 18, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. - Curt, 7 The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. - Howard, 8 IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED? It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. Anita, age 9 (bless you, child) HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED? There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? - Kelvin, 8 And the #1 Favourite is HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK? Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck . - Ricky, 10

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September 23 2009, The Record

THE WORLD

Cardinal backs besieged West

Molokai hero's sainthood brings memories flooding back for girl

BY ANTHONY BARICH National Reporter CARDINAL Justin Rigali, the Archbishop of Philadelphia, has declared his unwavering support for controversial Theology of the Body (TOB) speaker Christopher West who has been lambasted by prominent theologians in the United States. West came under fire after agreeing to an interview with American ABC's Nightline program which West says quoted him out of context, especially about Pope John Paul II - who wrote TOB - and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner being his "two heroes". A fter ABC's story aired on May 7, a debate emerged even among those who saw through the program's exaggerations about West's approach to the late Pope's teachings on TOB. Several prominent theologians lined up to both back and criticise the work of West, who has been presenting the Church's teachings on sexuality for over a decade, including one trip to Perth when The Record hosted a sell-out event at the Catholic Education Office for three straight nights. Cardinal Rigali, Chair of the Episcopal Advisory Board for the Theology of the Body Institute that West founded, and the local Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where the Institute is located, sent a letter of support to West on September 17 with Bishop Kevin Roades of Harrisburg, saying that West's work is essential to help heal a "sexually wounded culture". "In light of recent discussions, we are happy to state our full confidence in Christopher, who continues to show great responsibility and openness in listening carefully to various observations and reflections on his work and in taking them into account; the prelates said, adding that West and his Institute are in communication with them. "We sincerely hope that

Cardinal Justin Rigali

Christopher West

Christopher will continue his much needed work in the Church. He does so with our enthusiastic encouragement. It is also our hope that more and more men and women - priests, deacons, religious and laity alike - will avail themselves of the valuable training and resources offered by the Theology of the Body Institute. "We are convinced that John Paul II's Theology of the Body is a treasure for the Church, indeed a gift of the Holy Spirit for our time. Yet, its scholarly language needs to be "translated" into more accessible categories if the average person is to benefit from it. "To do this is the specific mission of the Theology of the Body Institute, and we believe that Christopher West, the Institute's popular lecturer and spokesman, has been given a particular charism to carry out this mission. "With great skill as a presenter, with keen insight as a thinker, and with profound reverence for the mystery of human sexuality, he has been able to reach thousands in our sexually wounded culture with the Gospel of salvation in Christ." Peter Rosengren, editor of The Record, which is understood to be the only Catholic newspaper in Australia to carry West's column, also backed the controversial speaker. "Hundreds of thousands around the world and a growing number

of people, especially the young, are coming back to the Church as a result of West's work, including in the Archdiocese of Perth; Mr Rosengren said. West's work is also used by Perth's Catholic True Love Waits movement, which has also held packed-out workshops using West's work that has led to conversions. Chief among West's critics was David Schindler, Professor of Theology and Dean of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America and a former teacher of West's at the JPII Institute, who said that under West, Theology of the Body gets "reduced to a theology of sex. While he said he agrees with those who defend West's intention of fidelity to the Church, Schindler said he has experienced a "great number" who are uneasy with West's work, which he said "in many ways misrepresents the thought of John Paul II". Janet Smith, Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, was one of West's main backers. Though conceding West's methods are unorthodox, Smith said he has found success in reaching out to a modern culture many in the Church find uncomfortable doing. She also said that many negative comments about West seemed to be based on hearsay.

New austerity code for priests Indian archdiocese issues austerity code for priests, urges lay people to pray for them T HIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India - A southern Indian archdiocese has issued a code of conduct for priests and seminarians encouraging them to be role models for the faithful and warning them not to succumb to worldly pleasures. "It is time for introspection; said Auxiliary Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath of ErnakulamAngamaly, who issued the guidelines on September 13 as part of the Archdiocese's observation of the Year for Priests. The Syro-Malabar prelate told UCA News he prepared the code after consulting priests and lay people. "It's an attempt to remind priests what is expected of them. They have to be role models for the faithful and should not succumb to worldly pleasures; he said. The code appeals to priests to base their lives on the Bible and observe simplicity and transparency. It bars them from receiving expensive gifts from parishion-

ers for services. Fr Paul Thelakat, spokesman of the Syro-Malabar Church, told UCA News that some priests had received expensive cars from parishes. "The Church wants to curb such lavishness; Fr Thelakat said. The guidelines ask priests and seminarians not to use expensive consumer goods and to be simple in their food habits, dress code and travel. The code insists that all priests set apart a day a month for prayer and wants parishes to observe a day in a year as the priest day to be set aside to honour the parish priest and conduct special prayers for priests who have served the parish. The guidelines also direct priests to create a platform in every parish for interaction with lay people. They have to prepare sermons based on the Bible and take people's feedback to improve their content

and delivery. The Archdiocese, based in Kerala state, also plans to set up a tribunal to resolve disputes among priests. Several lay people interviewed by UCA News have welcomed the code. "I'm happy the Church has come up with the guidelines because some recent scandals involving priests and nuns have damaged the image in Kerala; Merlyn Thomas, a housewife, told UCA News. The 35-year-old Catholic woman wants the Church to issue guidelines for lay people as well. "Many things we follow in our private life are anti-Christian; she added. Augustine Joseph, retired college professor, blamed Church leaders for priests' extravagant lifestyle. "Many parishes have built churches worth billions of rupees. If the Church is sincere about its guidelines, it should bar all such practices; he said. The Archdiocese's move coincides with the federal government's recent austerity drive. It has banned ministers travelling in business class and lavishly furnishing their offices and residences, saying such excess was inappropriate in view of the drought in many parts of the country.

Blessed Damien de Veuster is pictured with youngsters at the settlement for those with Hansen's disease, or leprosy, on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. The Belgian-born missionary priest ministered to the isolated community on the island's Kalaupapa Peninsula from 1873 until his death in 1889. (NS

Woman whose father knew Fr Damien brings family back to Hawaii BY VALERIE MONSON Catholic News Service KALAUPAPA, Hawaii - As Sacred Hearts Fr Christopher Keahi handed out new "St" Damien prayer cards in St Francis Church in anticipation of the priest's October 11 canonisation in Rome, a guest with a most special connection to Hawaii's first saint sat in a middle pew. Emma Kamahana Dickerson's father David Kamahana was just 13 when he was diagnosed with leprosy and sent to Kalaupapa in 1888. There, he came to know Fr Damien. Many years later, David Kamahana would testify as a witness for Damien's cause for sainthood. "He said Fr Damien was very good to him; said Dickerson, now 85. "It was like he almost worshipped Fr Damien - he was a big man to daddy." For Dickerson, who now lives in Pennsylvania, the trip back to Kalaupapa was a reunion of sorts. To ensure that this precious chapter of family history would be remembered and passed down, she brought along three daughters and a granddaughter. For two days, they became part of Kalaupapa where the residents welcomed them like the ohana (family members) that they will always be. "David Kamahana's daughter? Oh my goodness!" cried Norbert Palea, who remembered her father and the general store that he operated in Kalaupapa for many years. Dickerson's story began on May 25, 1924 when she was born at the infirmary of Bishop Home, the complex for girls and young women at Kalaupapa run by the Sisters of St Francis. Dickerson was the youngest of nine children born to David and Alana Ahlo Kamahana. When she was just two days old, one of Alana Ahlo's brothers, Abraham Ahlo, took baby Emma home to Honolulu to become part of his family. She did not know of her birth parents until she was eight or nine years old. "I called my hanai (adoptive) father 'Papa,'" said Dickerson. "When he started telling me this, I was amazed. Oh! Papa, why are you telling me this now? 'Because you have to know as you grow up: he says. 'You have to know why you were brought here. Your mother said I should tell you:" By that time, Dickerson's birth mother had died and was buried in the family plot next to

two daughters who had died very young. There was another reason that Dickerson's adoptive father - the man who would always remain "Papa" - might have chosen to tell her about her Kalaupapa family at that time. David Kamahana, her birth father, the man who would always be "daddy; had asked that she visit him. Accompanied by her adoptive sister Rose, young Emma travelled to Kalaupapa by ship and was escorted by a policeman to a place for visitors. "My father came to see me, but there was a wire fence between us and we couldn't touch; she said. "He told me he wanted me to come see his store. Later on, I realised he must have had a lot of push - a lot of influence - to have me come to visit him." The Kamahana Store was just becoming a Kalaupapa institution. The new cement structure had been built in 1932; David Kamahana had his full name emblazoned across the front in raised letters, obviously proud of his accomplishment. "He had everything in his store - candies to clothing to caskets; remembered Dickerson with a laugh. "It was a general store, he bought the clothes from Montgomery Ward, but he also had a restaurant and a barbershop. He told me I could have anything I wanted." Later in life, Kamahana left Kalaupapa for Hale Mohalu, the residential complex on Oahu for people affected by leprosy. He eventually went to live with one of his sons and died in 1955. Emma For Kamahana Dickerson's daughters and granddaughter, this summer's visit was an emotional journey. The daughters - Yvonne Graham Solem, Thelma Dickerson and Barbara Ahlo Martin - had been to Kalaupapa before, although it had been many years since their last time. But for granddaughter Tina Paparo Ciarrocchi, it was her first time in the land of her great-grandparents. "What does this visit mean? I can't even describe it. It means everything to me. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime?' The Kamahana women received Communion from Fr Keahi at St Francis Church and later got the "deluxe" tour of Kalawao from Kalaupapa resident and retired painter Boogie Kahilihiwa, who remembered David Kamahana as a man who "loved his fish and poi." Over dinner at the Kalaupapa visitors' quarters, the Kamahana descendants talked about how the legacy of David and Alana Kamahana had become the strongest thread in their lives.

September 23 2009, The Record

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THE WORLD

Depriving end of life necessities 'inhumane' Directives provide moral, ethical guidance for families and health care organisations BISHOP Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Arizona issued a document last week to help Catholics make tough decisions concerning artificially administered nutrition and hydration that are consistent with Church teaching. The document, titled Directives for Catholics Concerning Artificially Administered Nutrition and Hydration. specifically addresses providing artificial hydration and nutrition for those facing illness who require artificial assistance. Emphasising that "a person should die from one's illness and not because a basic necessity of life was denied them: Bishop Olmsted said: "Food and water are basic necessities of life and should be provided to a person even if he or she is unable to manually feed themselves. "In fact, it would be inhumane to deprive someone who is thirsty a drink of water no matter who he or she is, or in what condition we find him or her. In short, a person should not die because of being deprived of nutrition and hydration, even if that nutrition and hydration is administered artificially." Bishop Olmsted adds that "Catholics are to be provided nutrition and hydration so long as that nutrition and hydration continues to be assimilated by the person's body and does not contribute to further grave complications and burdens," such as "in a situation where a person is actively dying, one's death being imminent." Fr John Ehrich STL, an expert in bioethics who serves on the ethics committee at St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Centre in Phoenix, told the Catholic Sun newspaper of Phoenix that the document coincides with many questions being

asked in the public forum about end-of-life issues. It also comes as the Greens are set to introduce a new euthanasia Bill into the West Australian Parliament on October 6 following the case of Perth quadriplegic Christian Rossiter, 49, being granted the right to refuse nutrition from his carer by the Perth Supreme Court. Bishop Olmsted's document, released to the public and health care institutions, addresses confusion about artificial hydration and nutrition that surfaced globally after the controversial death of Terri Schiavo, a brain-damaged woman whose husband won the right to discontinue her artificial nutrition and hydration. She died on March 31, 2005, 13 days after doctors withdrew nutrition and hydration. A wide array of critics and pro-life activists decried Schiavo's demise as murder. Bishop Olmsted describes the death as "tragic" in an introductory letter to priests, deacons and religious of the Diocese of Phoenix. "Etched in our memories are the photos and video images of Terri Schiavo as well as the knowledge of the horrible way in which her life ended: the Bishop wrote. "Terri was not dying and the ultimate reason her life ended was because she was not provided with food and water. She died of dehydration" The letter states that Catholics are not obligated to extend their lives but they are obligated to preserve them. A person is not to do anything - or omit anything - that may hasten death. Fr Ehrich said that the death of Terri Schiavo was an instance of euthanasia, condemned by the Church. Bishop Olmsted also referred to a 1998 meeting John Paul II had with bishops in the US in which the late pontiff stated that "the omission of nutrition and hydration intended to cause a patient's death must be rejected and that, while giving careful consideration to all the factors involved, the pre-

Bishop Thomas Olmsted

sumption should be in favour of providing medically assisted nutrition and hydration to all patients who need them". Fr Ehrich called attention to the distinction between preserving life and prolonging life. People have a duty to "avail themselves of the ordinary care which preserves their life: he said. "Nutrition and hydration is this kind of care, even if administered artificially" But that doesn't mean prolonging life when it's clear that death is imminent. "Most people don't desire to either starve to death or die because of dehydration, but they also do not desire to submit to every possible medical intervention as they approach death: Fr Ehrich said. "A person should die because of their illness or the illnesses that are present, not because they were denied nutrition and hydration," he said. The directives do not represent new teaching but are, rather, the application of existing Church teaching to specific circumstances. The directives state that in cases in which a person is actively dying or death is imminent, artificial nutrition and hydration "would be

Islam worries Eastern Patriarchs Pope calls special Synod to discuss Church crisis in the Middle East CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI has called a special Synod of Bishops to discuss the challenges facing the Church in the Middle East following a meeting with several Eastern Orthodox patriarchs expressing concern about the effect of militant Islam on Christianity. The Synod meeting, planned for October 2010, will help plan a pastoral strategy for Christians living in a region that is ever more heavily influenced by militant Islam and discuss the unique role of the Eastern Catholic churches, many of them centred in the Middle East. Pope Benedict announced the special Synod meeting on September 19, after an extraordinary meeting with the patriarchs of seven Eastern Catholic churches. The patriarchs had requested both the meeting and the special Synod. The Pope, in his remarks to the group, acknowledged that leaders of the Eastern Catholic commu-

nity had been looking for ways to have "more frequent contact with the Bishop of Rome in order to strengthen the communion of your churches with Peter's successor"; and that the October 2010 discussions would be particularly helpful as they would give primary importance to the bishops' Synod, which plays a key role in the ecclesiology of the Eastern churches. The Synod meeting should also address the problems that Catholic communities in the Middle East have in common, he said, specifically mentioning relations with other faiths - by implication, Islam - and the phenomenon of emigration. Catholic prelates in the Middle East have frequently, warned that the pressures of living in a Muslim society and the economic uncertainties facing the region have prompted many thousands of young Christians to leave their homes, imperilling the future of Christianity in the region. In his remarks on inter-religious affairs, Pope Benedict observed that the Eastern churches have a long history of surviving in the face of adversity. He remarked that "the Church as a whole needs that experience of coexistence which your Churches have matured since the first Christian millennium." The Pope observed that the

Synod should discuss the prospects for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, reminding the Eastern prelates that at the last meeting of the Synod of Bishops in October 2008, he had told the final assembly that when the Holy See calls for peace in the world, "our thoughts go out first and foremost to the regions of the Middle East" Participants in the September 19 meeting at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo included Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Melkite Patriarch Gregory III Laham, Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly, Armenian Catholicos Nerses Bedros XIX, Syrian Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan, Coptic Patriarch Antonios Naguib, and Latin-rite Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem; plus three major Archbishops who head other Eastern Catholic churches: Cardinal Lubomyr Husar of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil of the Syro-Malabar Church, and Archbishop Baselios Moran Mor Cleemis Thottunkal of the SyroMalankar Church. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone joined the discussions as Vatican Secretary of State, as did Cardinal Leondardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches.

A portrait of Terri Schiavo stands surrounded by roses to honour her during a vigil in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington to mark the first anniversary of her death on March 31.

PHOTO- (NS/LARRY DOWNING. REUTERS

unnecessary and unduly burdensome" and not obligatory. "The faithful should seek to have a well-formed conscience which can only be attained if they know the definitive teaching of the Church. This is the starting point," Fr Ehrich said, suggesting that people could give a copy of the Bishop's directives to their doctor or nurse and tell them that they want to make sure that their loved one is treated according to their principles. Fr Ehrich also said those same principles should be included in

any advance directives Catholics have in order for their loved ones and medical professionals to know how they want to be treated at the end of their lives. "The only way to be sure of doing the right thing is to follow the teachings of the Church in this area. Most people act in good faith, but often decisions of this kind are made based upon emotions or upon a desire to end a loved one's suffering," Fr Ehrich said. "This reality is understandable, but it also can lead to errors of judgement."

Pope Benedict condemns clericalisation of laity CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) - The special role of priests should be kept distinct from that of lay people even in parts of the world where there is a shortage of ordained clergy, Pope Benedict XVI told Brazilian bishops. Meeting on September 17 with bishops from the poor and arid northeastern area of Brazil, the Pope said the role of the priest "is essential and irreplaceable in announcing the Word and celebrating the sacraments." "It is necessary to avoid the secularisation of the clergy and the clericalisation of the laity," the Pope told the bishops at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. Dioceses in many areas of Brazil have come to rely on substantial involvement of lay ministers and other lay people to mitigate a shortage of ordained priests. "It is not a lack of priests that justifies a more active and consistent participation of the laity," the Pope said. Rather, lay faithful should live more fully their own responsibilities and appreciate the "specific and inimitable role of the priest as pastor of

the entire community: he said. Catholics should express and live their faith fully in daily life, including in politics, the Pope said, warning against participation in politics by priests. "Priests must stay away from a personal involvement in politics, in order to foster unity and communion of all the faithful and to be a point of reference for everyone: he said. Brazilian bishops must continue their efforts to encourage vocations and not assume that the present priest shortage is the usual state of affairs, the Pope said. "It's important that the current situation, in which many of you are forced to organise Church life with few priests, is not considered normal or typical of the future," he said. The clergy in the various dioceses should help each other out so that the faithful in all areas can have qualified ordained ministers to guide them, he said. The bishops were meeting with Pope Benedict and Vatican officials for their ad limina visits, required of heads of dioceses every five years to brief the Pope on the situation in their home territories.

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September 23 2009, The Record

REVIEWS

Book Reviews JESUS CHRIST Yesterday - Today - Forever By Anthony Percy REVIEWED BY MARK REIDY RecordJournalist If Fr Percy were a boxer he would be described as having "velvet gloves": He is clearly passionate in his desire to share his heartfelt knowledge that Jesus is as real and alive today as he was 2000 years ago, but he delivers his punches in such a gentle way that you don't even realise you have been hit. As attested by his earlier book, Theology of the Body Made Simple Fr Percy has a gift in connecting with the minds and hearts of young people. Similarly, in this publication, he conveys his message with such loving firmness and Scriptural precision, that it will arouse a deeper curiosity in Jesus for both experienced young Catholics as well as those who may not be in agreement with the teachings of the Church. At 84 pages, this book could be read at one sitting but to fully appreciate the journey of discovery that Fr Percy invites the reader on, one should utilise the short and precise chapters and take time to reflect on their simple but profound wisdom. Fr Percy is unwavering in his belief that it is possible to discover Jesus as intimately today as it was when he walked the earth, and is convinced that the answer lies within each of us. He is also clear in his understanding that such a life-changing revelation is a process that is dotted with temptation, testing and dying to our plans of self-fulfilment, but is adamant that such abandonment will lead to the discovery of who we were created to be, that is, "other Christs". Fr Percy's message may seem challenging in the context of a limited review, but his consistent presentation of God as a loving and merciful Father ensures that the reader will be left with a sense of great hope. They may even be a step closer to comprehending the words of St Augustine, "God is closer to us than we are to ourselves". RRP $19.95 + p/h Record Bookshop 9227 7080 bookshov'therecord.com.au

A FTER THE HEART OF GOD The Life and Ministry of Priests at the Beginning of the Third Millennium By Julian Porteous Following the Second Vatican Council, the Church witnessed many priests strugAFTER THE gling to come HEART OF GOD to terms with a changed social and ecclesial setting for their priestly ministry. The question of the nature, life and ministry of the priest became a matter of some real concern. This book on the priesthood is a reflection on the times and the needs of the Church and society. It is offered to priests to assist them in their own reflection on their lives and ministry and it is written in a particular way for seminarians as they look to their future service in the Church. It is hoped that this book will also assist lay people in understanding the nature and challenges of the priesthood at this moment in history.

RRP $29.95 + p/h Record Bookshop 9227 7080 bookshowtherecord.com.au

Book Review GODDESS UNMASKED: The Rise of Neopagan Feminist Spirituality By Philip G Davis Spence Publishing Company, Dallas, USA REVIEW BY HAL COLEBATCH Record Contributor In this book, Professor Philip G Davis, a Canadian academic, proves compelling with scholarship that the present-day "goddess" cults have no detectable linkage with any ancient pagan beliefs. Apart from being antiChristian anyway, they have no association with even the traditions and dignity of classical paganism. Advocates of "goddess" and other feminist and New Age religions have generally tried to claim some ancient lore behind their beliefs. However, on investigation, this dissolves. Evidence for the worship of a great or supreme Mother Goddess in the ancient world or in ancient Europe simply does not exist. The story that modern witchcraft cults are the descendants of something sometimes called "the old religion" (which has allegedly been slandered and driven underground by the oppressive forces of Christianity) is false and manufactured. In fact, this book shows that while these cults generally have the usual heritage of Gnosticism to be found in most Christian heresies, the ideas behind them were concocted by occultists - largely men - mostly in the last couple of centuries. Those

iODIESS 1111ASIII

responsible included as unsavoury a collection of disordered cranks, mountebanks, sexual predators and crooks as might be imagined. The very best were perhaps little worse than ridiculous. One of the saner and actually less unwholesome examples (compared with some) was the French artist Ganneau. He founded a movement called "Evadism", combining "Adam" and "Eve" in its title and styled himself "The Great Mapah," combining - you guessed it! - "Ma" and "Pa." As Davis tells it: "Garbed in a grey felt hat, a smock, and clogs, he preached eloquently of love, human fraternity and sexual equality and wrote condescending letters to the Pope." Then there were two pioneers of goddess worship who joined the Alpha and Omega Lodge: "the two feuded, however, and engaged in psychic and magical battles with each other in which cats were strangely prominent. Fortune accused Mrs Mathers of inflicting a plague of cats on her house by occult means and, after fighting one outof-body battle on the astral plane, reported finding cat scratches all over her back." This book provides additional evidence for the fact that people who adopt one crank belief tend not to let it go at that, but to gradually adopt the whole spectrum of them, whether they are compatible with one another or not. Fairly innocent, or at least naïve, sandal-wearers and vegetarian cultists could link up with practitioners of full-blown Satanism. The 19th century occultist and neo-pagan movements from which modern goddess worship sprang had links with the origins of both Communism and Nazism. The wicca cult in England, far from being ancient, appears to have been the creation of one Gerald Gardner, who died only in 1964 (typically, claiming a doctorate from the University of Singapore from a date before it existed), and who was an associate of the Satanist Alister Crowley. It was Gardner who concocted the spurious figure of nine million alleged victims of witch hunts. Much of English wicca actually seems concerned with men getting women

Movie Review LOVE HAPPENS

Movie Review Aaron Eckhart Jennifer Aniston

THE INFORMANT! B1JOHN MULDERIG

BY JOHN MULDERIG Catholic News Service Serious but overly slick, Love Happens (Universal) is a study of personal loss and recovery within a strictly secular context. Despite a complex performance from its star, Aaron Eckhart, and the admirably mature relationship at the heart of the plot, this romantic drama ultimately proves too timid, and too circumscribed by Hollywood conventions, for its own good. Eckhart plays widowed self-help writer and guru, Dr Burke Ryan. Since the death of his wife in an auto accident three years ago, Burke has dedicated himself to guiding others through the necessary stages of grief and on toward emotional resolution. As the film opens, Burke reluctantly returns, for the first time, to his wife's hometown of Seattle, where his driven but caring manager Lane (Dan Fogler) has arranged for the successful author - whose book bears the suspiciously pat title A-Okay - to give a week long seminar. Between enthusiastically coaching attendees to be open about their feelings, Burke retires to the privacy of his hotel room to brood and down vodka. Though his bitter father-in-law Silver (Martin Sheen) - whose sudden appearance in a line of autograph seekers comes as an unwelcome surprise to Burke - dismisses him as a hypocrite, as subtly portrayed by Eckhart, Burke comes across instead as a caregiver genuinely dedicated to his work but unable, as yet, to follow his own advice. After Burke literally bumps into Eloise ( Jennifer Aniston), a local florist working on an arrangement in the hotel hallway, the two share an awkward, nearly silent dinner date. The redemptive bond that eventually develops - despite this less-thanpromising start - is refreshingly chaste, though perhaps for negative reasons, since Burke is still repressing himself and Eloise is on the rebound from a characteristically self-destructive affair with a philandering musician. Whatever their motives for restraint, as Eloise encourages Burke to confront his past, and he wears away at her defenses, the

to take their clothes off (the late great English satirist Peter Simple created in his Daily Telegraph column gallery of targets a "thoroughly nice" British coven with Satan dropping in for tea and seed-cakes). Davis points out that these goddess cults have made considerable inroads into the mainstream Christian Churches, including parts of the Catholic Church, particularly in the US and Canada: "Where God the Father is supplemented by God the Mother, it seems the Mother Goddess is rarely far behind. Her appeal crosses many boundaries. In the larger denominations today, it is not only women in small groups who welcome her. Male theologians with international reputations have spoken up in her cause; some of the more prominent names include the Rev Matthew Fox of "creation spirituality" fame, and Professor Harvey Cox, the erstwhile secular theologian of Harvard Divinity School" Matthew Fox was, of course, invited to speak in Perth, not once but twice (at least), by the University of WA. I was assigned to report one of these lectures and was surprised that Perth could produce as many weirdos as were present in the audience. In 1993, Pope John Paul II warned American Catholic bishops against the sort of gender-polarising feminism which seems to be a first step towards goddess worship. The "Reimagining" conference held in Minneapolis that year was, Davis says: "an interdenominational assembly of Christians openly bent on destroying the historic Christian religion root and branch, and steering the churches into wholesale neopaganism." Davis' scholarship leaves nothing standing of the notion that goddess worship is an authentic religion. It is the invention of latter-day crooks, cranks and creeps. This book is both a valuable historical survey of the great currents of occultism which have had more influence on the modern world than is sometimes appreciated, and a valuable mental disinfectant.

Catholic News Service

Sometimes when you least expect it. .

Love Happens Love Happens featuring Jennifer Aniston and

Aaron Eckhart

groundwork is laid for a lasting, friendshipbased affinity. But, except through a moving performance by John Carroll Lynch as Walter, a hesitant seminar participant coming to grips with the death of his young son, director and co-writer (with Mike Thompson) Brandon Camp seems content, in his feature debut, to skirt the shores of bereavement, rather than sound its depths. Thus, at one point, Burke gazes longingly at a video of his wife but fails to break down in a way that might be unsettlingly - but more memorably - realistic. And some latereel shenanigans that see Burke sneaking into his in-laws' house are both shopworn and incongruous. Catholic viewers, of course, will be struck by the inadequacy of Burke's New Agetinted rhetoric as a substitute for faith in the promise of the Resurrection. And that may be another reason for the script's excessive caution. As St Thomas Aquinas taught: "From nature springs the fear of death; from grace springs audacity."

As adapted from journalist Kurt Eichenwald's 2000 book, The Informant (A True Story), Scott Z Burns' script recounts the unlikely adventures of upand-coming agribusiness executive Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon). A veteran researcher for conglomerate Archer Daniels Midland, as the film opens in the early 1990s, Whitacre is in charge of developing a new food additive called lysine. With the project stalled, Whitacre informs his colleagues that an insider at one of ADM's Japanese competitors has contacted him, offering, for the right payoff, to reveal the identity of the corporate spy who has been sabotaging the program. To Whitacre's surprise - his subsequent behaviour raises the possibility that he has concocted the entire incident - ADM's top brass invites the FBI to investigate, and Special Agent Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula) is assigned to place a bug on Whitacre's home phone. Cajoled by his wife Ginger (Melanie Lynskey), Whitacre takes advantage of Shepard's presence to turn whistleblower, revealing that ADM has been involved in an international scheme to fix the price of lysine. Supervised by Shepard and fellow agent Bob Herndon (Joel McHale), Whitacre goes undercover. But his eccentric delusions - he dubs himself Agent 0014 on the grounds that he is "twice as smart as 007" - continually complicate the investigation, while his reluctance to tell the whole truth leads to a series of jaw-dropping revelations. In fact, by his intense performance, both onscreen and via well-written stream-of-consciousness voiceovers that detail Whitacre's off-kilter outlook on life, Damon creates a curiously sympathetic egomaniac. Lynskey shows equal dedication as longsuffering Ginger, who stands by her man but also applies moral pressure when it's most needed, making for a marriage that succeeds against the odds.

September 23 2009, The Record

Page 13

THE PARISH

Mauritian saint honoured Exclusive preview

kicks off Trinity show

BY ROBERT HIINI Parish Reporter "IT'S like a big family," Elise Webb says of the 600-plus Mauritian Catholics who turned out to pray for the intercession of Blessed Pere Laval, Patron Saint of Mauritius, on September 13. She should know. She's been going to the Mauritian monthly first Sunday Mass since they started in Perth over 40 years ago and to the annual Blessed Pere Laval Mass from when it was first said by Fr William Foley (later Archbishop) at the behest of the Mauritian Association's Roger Lacase. Back in the old country, many worshippers make their way to Fr Laval's tomb from midnight on foot but Perth massgoers were content to gather at Our Lady of Mercy in Girrawheen for a procession with a bust of the Blessed, followed by Mass and gourmet Mauritian food sold to raise funds for charitable causes in Mauritius. Mrs Webb says that a highlight of the annual Mass and the monthly Mauritian Masses which take place at the Catholic Education Office in Leederville, is the songs sung in French, the vernacular language of Mauritius, by their regular choir. Like many migrants, she has something in common with Blessed Pere Laval in that both

Newly-ordained priest Fr Jean-Noel Marie receives the gifts from parishioners.

left their homeland in the service of others. Mrs Webb and her husband Douglas departed Mauritius in 1968 shortly after the country's independence from Great Britain was declared, seeking a better life for their children in the wake of political instability. Over 125 years earlier, Fr Jacques Laval made his way to Mauritius after being ordained a priest following a brief career as a medical doctor and a riding accident which caused him to reassess his direction. Working amongst many recently freed slaves, he did much to improve the spiritual and physical care of the islands' inhabitants,

improving sanitation, education and agriculture as well as making what is said by popular legend to be 67,000 converts on the island. Fr John Prindiville SJ, who has said Mass for the community since 1972, describes its members as being "great supporters of their local parish," hence the absence of a Mauritian chaplain for Perth. Elise Webb says that there are new faces amongst the community's stalwarts with many "good young couples" and increasing ethnic diversity. Got a parish story? parishes@therecord.com.au

McAuley's charism of living faith still strong BI- GI 1 \ NIS GRAINGI• R Parish Reporter BLESSED Mary MacKillop inspired women's refuge house The Sisters' Place in Fremantle, it was revealed at Mercy Day at Santa Maria College, Attadale on September 20. Santa Maria Old Girls' Association (OGA) members, a few students and friends attended the Mercy Day Mass and celebrations with Aquinas College Chaplain Fr Dat Vuong celebrating Mass and commentator, organiser, committee member and SMC teacher Maria Mosole (nee Randazzo) welcoming all to the special liturgy. Guest speaker Helen Cattalini spoke about the work she does at The Sisters' Place, a women's refuge in the Fremantle area, adding that its inspiration was Mary Mac Killop. "The women are generally those who people don't think to deal with," she told the OGA. "We don't ask any questions. We have many wonderful people who are providing the workforce for this place - there are many people out there (and) it is a wonderful community network:' The Santa Maria OGA donated $500 to The Sisters' Place to support the volunteer staff and its needy patrons. Money donated came from the proceeds of the movie night held earlier this year for My Sister's Keeper and a raffle run on Mercy Day. Mercy Day, Mrs Mosole said, recalled the faith and vision of the Venerable Catherine McAuley foundress of the Sisters of Mercy - 180 years ago in Ireland. and "Today's readings Communion reflection invite us, like Catherine and her fellow Sisters, to reach out to those in need and see the face of God in all," Mrs Mosole said. The theme of the Mass was "Faith in Action," and 2008 graduate Krista Low played the electric

Santa Maria students Cara O'Brien and Elle-Therese Ventris with Old Girls' President Gwen Wood.

organ for the hymns. Before the Mass Fr Dat said: "We give thanks for one another (and) we call upon God's love and God's mercy. After the Prayers of the Faithful he said: "Loving God, we thank you for the gift of your Son whose teaching gives us life. "Hear our prayers and give us strength and courage to follow in the footsteps of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy who have walked before us." In his homily, Fr Dat continued the day's theme, reflecting on the good work of the people who work at The Sisters' Place and other positive initiatives. "We are here to celebrate faith and service in action," the Aquinas College chaplain said. "Going to Mass we have something to give thanks for, as the word 'Eucharist' means 'thanksgiving": At the conclusion of Mass, Fr Dat prayed: "Help us to give our time and talents to those who are in need of a helping hand. "We pray for the courage to put our 'faith in action' and speak your message of mercy and compassion to all we meet. May we follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the

Above: Marianne Brockwell, Jo Flamer, Fran Macdonalds. Below left: Ida Ernhardt, feature artist at the TOBA exhibition. Below right: Attorney General Christian Porter and Diane Millar, executive officer of TOBA.

life, for ever and ever:' In 1822, Catherine McAuley was made independently wealthy through a bequest of her adopted parents. At 44 she was determined to use her new wealth to help the poor young women of Dublin who were often unprotected. She decided to build accommodation for these women, and later - in 1831 - the Order of the Sisters of Mercy was constituted, with Catherine as Mother Superior. Santa Maria College is a Year 5-12 Catholic day and residential school for girls, offering education inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley. Santa Maria College's motto is: Soli Deo Gloria: "For the Glory of God alone." The College officially opened on February 6, 1938 with 60 boarders and 13 day girls, with Sr Mary Bertrand the first principal from 1938 to 1960. The Chapel was finally completed in 1955 and is still popular for weddings. On October 25, 1981, the new boarding house was opened by Bishop Peter Quinn. A cultural centre was built in the late 1970s and was later developed

High society attend Trinity exhibition BY GLYNNIS GRAINGER Parish Reporter TRINITY College Old Boys' Association (TOBA) held its 2009 art exhibition last weekend, kicking off with an exclusive preview and cocktail party on September 18 at Gibney Hall at the College in East Perth. General viewing and sales continued over September 19-20. The artwork included paintings, jewellery, ceramics, pottery, glassware, sculptures and photography. More than 250 people attended the cocktail party, with the art exhibition officially opened by WA Attorney General Christian Porter. Mr Porter told the gathering he was an agnostic Anglican, Hale School old boy and lawyer who went out with Mercedes girls when he was 17 but married a St Brigid's girl. The exhibition was coordinated and the catalogue produced by TOBA executive officer Diane Millar, with the help of parents, Old Boys and past parents. Feature artist was Ida Ernhardt, who had eight of her oil and acrylic paintings exhibited and for sale. Born in Germany, and growing up surrounded by art, Ida learned to paint as she learned to walk. After she left school, she trained to be a pharmacy assistant and also studied fine art, script-writing, stage and fashion design. She has won many photographic awards. into a gymnasium. In the 1980s the convent was closed at the College, and the Sisters of Mercy moved into housing across the road from the College. Today, the College has 1002 students. Of those, 151 are boarders. Frank Owen became the first lay principal in August 1989 until June 2000 and was followed by Anne Pitos (2000-2008). Greg Clune is currently the

She migrated to Perth and settled with her husband, working as a pharmacy assistant and continuing to paint. Ida has two surviving children and, unfortunately, in 1989, while on a world holiday, her husband died suddenly in San Francisco. On her return to Australia she studied art at TAFE and in 1992 she toured Europe with 30 other artists and teachers. Her work has been included in many national and international exhibitions and collectors around the world own her award-winning work. Many of her paintings are based on the colours of "the rugged outback and plains of this harsh but beautiful country". Darren Taggart, President of TOBA, thanked Ms Millar and all the "hard-working volunteers" who helped put the exhibition together, the artists who returned to exhibit their work and the emerging artists who were exhibiting for the first time. Judges Rita Basilio (Trinity College Art Co-ordinator) and artist Lina Linton chose the winners of the $1000 President's art award, Robin Yakinthou, $750 Packers' art award, Linda O'Brien, and highly commended works by Kimberly Rae and Shamynka Rokylle. Year 12 Mercedes College student Dominique Bayens sang a number of jazz songs, accompanied by recorded backing music. Trinity College boys played popular classics on a grand piano. A story about your school? cathschools@therecord.com.au

principal, with Ian Elder due to take over in 2010. Last year was the 70th anniversary of the school. Former teacher at the College Patsy Farquhar (nee Sanders) attended the celebrations, as did original student from 1938 Pat McLaughlin (nee Rodoreda). The building under construction on the east side of the College will include a new learning centre - a library - and staff room.

Page 14

PANORAMA

September 23 2009, The Record

A roundup of events in the Archdiocese

Panorama entries must be in by 12pm Monday. Contributions may be emailed to administrationo)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 put into classifieds and charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisement. Friday September 25 MEDJUGORJE - EVENING OF PRAYER 7pm at St Brigid's Church, 69B Morrison Road, Midland. An Evening of Prayer with Our Lady Queen of Peace with Adoration, Rosary, Benediction concluding with Holy Mass. Approximate conclusion 9pm. Free DVD on Fr Don Calloway. All warmly welcomed. Enq: Eileen 9402 2480. Friday September 25 PERPETUAL ADORATION ANNIVERSARY MASS 7pm at Christ the King Church, Lefroy Road, Beaconsfield. The 6th Anniversary Mass of Perpetual Adoration will be concelebrated. Everyone is welcome. Perpetual Adoration is 24 hours a day except during Mass times. Enq: Yvonne 9430 7509. Tuesday September 29 DAY OF REFLECTION - MMP 10.30am at St Paul's Church, 106 Rookwood Street, Mt Lawley. Rosary Cenacle followed by Holy Mass and talks by Fr Timothy Deeter. Conclude 2pm. BYO lunch to share. Tea and coffee provided. Enq: 9341 8082. Wednesday September 30 TAIZE MEDITATION PRAYER 7.30pm to 8.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Bateman. All welcome to spend an hour in group prayer and relax after a busy work day in a candlelight atmosphere of prayer, song and meditation. Enq: Daisy/Barney 9310 4781. Thursday October 1 BOOK LAUNCH 7pm at 67 Howe Street, Osborne Park. After the Heart of God by Bishop Julian Porteous will be launched by Bishop Don Sproxton. Book signing and light refreshments. For catering purposes RSVP by 24 September to Jane 9202 6859 or principal@acts2come.wa.edu.au. Thursday October 1 GOD MADE MAN - THE DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST One night only. 7.30pm to lOpm St Mary's Cathedral Parish Centre, 450 Hay Street, Perth. Flame Ministries International invites you to experience this special one night only event with Catholic Apologist Robert Haddad. Thursday October 1 to Friday October 2 NATIONAL CATHOLIC CONFERENCE - PERTH Society of Catholic Teachers Australia and Acts2 College are hosting a conference for all those involved in education, evangelisation or just interested in the teachings of the Church. Speakers include Bishop Porteous and Robert Haddad from Sydney and Archbishop Hickey. This event will be held at 67 Howe Street, Osborne Park. Enq: Renato 0428 106 481. Friday October 2 and Thursday October 8 ST PEREGRINE HEALING MASS 7pm at Ss John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Road, Willetton. A Healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, Patron of Cancer sufferers and helper of all in need. The celebration will include Veneration of the Relic, and Anointing of the Sick. Enq: Noreen 9498 7727. Friday October 2 PRO-LIFE WITNESS 9.30am at St Brigid's, Midland. Mass followed by Rosary procession and prayer vigil at abortion clinic, led by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Enq: Helen 9402 0349. Friday October 2 THE ALLIANCE, TRIUMPH AND REIGN OF THE UNITED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY 5.15pm at St Bernadette's Catholic Church in Glendalough. Confessions, Parish Mass 5.45pm followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, hourly Rosaries, hymns and reflections, etc. Vigil concludes with Holy Mass at 12 midnight in honour and thanksgiving of the coming reign of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Enq: Father Doug Harris 9444 6131, or Dorothy 9342 5845.

Friday October 2 HEALING MASS - ANOINTING FOR CANCER SUFFERERS 7pm at St Peter's Church, 93 Wood Street, in Inglewood. Reconciliation, praise and worship, followed by a Special Healing Mass for those affected by cancer. Fellowship later, all are welcome. Friday October 2 C ATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL EVENING 7.30pm at Ss John and Paul's Parish, Pinetree Gully Road, Willetton. Songs of Praise, talk by Father Erasmus on A Personal Relationship with Jesus, followed by Thanksgiving Mass. Light refreshments later. All welcome to attend with family and friends. Enq: Kathy 9295 0913, Rose 0402 200 720, Maureen 9381 4498. Friday October 2 to Sunday October 4 BROTHER ANDREW'S NINTH ANNIVERSARY 7pm Friday to 2pm Sunday at God s Farm. Fr Paul Glynn will celebrate Br Andrew's Anniversary on Feast of St Francis of Assisi. He will also speak on St Francis' gift of wonder, Br Andrew and Spirituality versus Atheism. Hired Bus. Enq: Yvonne 9343 1897 or A/H Cheryl 94098747 and Betty 9755 6212. Saturday October 3 VIGIL FOR LIFE 8.30am at St Augustine's Church, Gladstone Road, Rivervale. Archbishop Hickey will be the principal celebrant at Mass, lead the Rosary procession and prayer vigil at the nearby abortion clinic. All are invited to join in and witness peacefully to the dignity of human life. Enq: Helen 9402 0349. Saturday October 3 D AY WITH MARY 9am to 5pm at St Jude Catholic Church, Barnstone and Prendiville Way, Langford. Day of prayer and instruction, based on the Fatima message. 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. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286. Saturday October 3 TRANSITUS CELEBRATION, ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI 6pm at Edel Quinn Centre, 36 Windsor Street, East Perth. You are invited to join the Secular Franciscan Order in WA and the Franciscan Friars in celebrating the Transitus (the passing) of St Francis with Vigil Mass and readings followed by supper. Enq: Angela 9275 2066. Sunday October 4 DIVINE MERCY 1.30pm at St Joachim's Pro-Cathedral, Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. Holy Rosary, Reconciliation and Sermon on St Faustina with Fr Alfonsas Savickis followed by Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction. Refreshments provided later in the Parish Hall. Enq: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608. Sunday October 4 KENWICK-THORNLIE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 10am at Thornlie and Kenwick Parish, Sacred Heart Church. Bishop Don Sproxton will celebrate Mass with a multicultural theme. This will be followed by shared lunch, Devonshire teas and entertainment until 3pm. Past members are invited to join present parishioners in the celebration. Enq: Office 9459 4459 or Jill 9251 3000. Tuesday October 6 EIGHTH ANNUAL NOVENA - OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL 5.30pm at St Luke's Church, Woodvale. Novena will run for nine Tuesdays finishing on 1 December. Booklets will be provided and private petitions are welcome. All welcome. Enq: 9409 2908.

Wednesday October 7 CHAPLETS OF THE DIVINE MERCY 7.30 pm, at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Dean Road, Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion. All are welcome. Enq: George 9310 9493 home or 9325 2010 work. Thursday October 8 KELMSCOTT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP 12 noon at Good Shepherd Parish Hall, 42 Streich Avenue, Kelmscott. Everyone welcome. Enq: Clive 9495 1919 or Barbara 9328 8113. Friday October 9 to Saturday October 10 R ETREAT /.30pm to 9pm, October 9 and 10 from 9am to 5pm at Goody Bioethics Hall, 39 Jugan Street, Glendalough. Mass, followed by talks with Fr Paul Glynn, an outstanding retreat master and writer. Fr Paul's books are on sale. All proceeds go to HIV children in India. BYO lunch. Enq: Bessie 0433 795 539, Annie 0422 083 716. Saturday October 10 ST PADRE PIO DAY OF PRAYER 8.30am at All Saints Chapel, Allendale Square, Perth. St Padre Pio DVD followed by 10am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy, Silent Adoration and Benediction. 1 lam Holy Mass, celebrant Fr Tiziano Bogoni, St Padre Pio Liturgy. Confessions available. BYO lunch to share. Tea and coffee provided. Enq: Des 6278 1540. Sunday October 11 THE WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA AUSTRALIA 3pm at St Thomas More Church, Dean and Marsengo Roads, Bateman. Enq: 9339 2614. Sunday October 11 A FUNDRAISING CONCERT 2pm at Infant Jesus Parish Hall, 47 Wellington Road, Morley. Concert to be held in the presence of His Grace Archbishop Hickey featuring local talent, The Julian Singers, and instrumentalists. Tickets $10, door sales or bookings. All money raised being directed to the Archbishop to provide assistance to the homeless. Enq: Mary 94433963. Friday October 16 HEALING MASS FOR CANCER SUFFERERS 7pm at St Denis' Church, Joondanna. Reconciliation followed at 7.30pm by Mass. You are invited to a Healing Mass with the Sacrament of Anointing and Veneration of the Relic of St Peregrine, Servite Friar and Patron Saint of those suffering from cancer. Enq: Fr Michael, Lumen Christi Centre, 0417 956 573. Saturday October 17 R EUNION FOR LA SALLE COLLEGE Class of 1974/76 Enq: Sue Wester (Sweeney) sue.wester0iinet.net.au or 0407 985 935 or Liz Bradley (Butcher) Ibradley(alinet. net.au. Sunday October 18 ANNUAL MASS AND AGM CATHOLIC DOCTORS' A SSOCIATION OF WA 10am at Mercy Hospital Chapel, Thirlmere Road, Mt Lawley. Mass will be celebrated by Rev Monsignor Kevin Long PhD. All health care workers and families are welcome. Parking marked C and K. AGM to be held during brunch from 11.15am to 12.30pm in the Mercy Conference Centre. RSVP: by 9 October to Suzanne 9242 4066. Tuesday October 20 FAITH ENRICHMENT SERIES 7.30pm to 9pm at St Benedict Parish Centre, 115 Ardross Street, Ardross. Norma Woodcock will give a talk on Peace at any cost and discusses why many do not experience peace, what may affect our notions of peace and strategies of gaining and maintaining our peace. Tea and coffee provided later. Enq: Orlando 0419 929 896.

Wednesday October 21 LESMURDIE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP SPECIAL MEETING 7.30pm to 9pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, 207 Lesmurdie Road, Lesmurdie. Guest Speakers Fr Kevin and Mrs Rula Cummins will talk on the role of a Chaplain in a hospital with in-patients who have mental health issues. Come along and learn all about this very special ministry. Enq: Barbara on 9328 8113. Every First Friday of the Month HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD A ND RELIGIOUS LIFE 7pm at the Little Sisters of the Poor thapel, 2 Rawlins Street, Glendalough. Mass celebrated by Fr Sawed' followed by Adoration with Fr Don Kettle. All welcome. First Friday of the Month COMMUNION OF REPARATION ALL NIGHT VIGIL 7pm to lam at Corpus Christi Church, lochee Street, Mosman Park Mass, Rosary, confession and Adoration with Father Bogoni and also books for sale. Enq: 0400 282 357. Third Sunday of the Month OBLATES OF ST BENEDICT 2pm at St Josephs Convent, York Street, South Perth. Oblates affiliated with the Benedictine Abbey, New Norcia welcome all who are interested in studying the rule of St Benedict and its relevance to the everyday life of today for lay people. Vespers and tea conclude the meeting. Enq: Secretary 9457 5758. 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 OFM. Refreshments will follow afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771. ALANON/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. Enq: 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. Enq: 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 stmarys4emerge.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 Enq: SACRI 9447 3292. Every 2nd Wednesday YEAR OF THE PRIEST HOLY HOUR 7pm to 8pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2 Keaney Place, City Beach. Reflections on St John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests. Light refreshments later in the Parish Centre. 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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September 23 2009, The Record

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ACROSS 2 Ishmael, to Jacob 7 ...the will be first.. ." (Mt 20:16) 8 City to which Paul was travelling when he was blinded 9 An Old Testament high priest 10 One of the Magi 1 2 Papal crown 1 3 Office of the Pope 1 4 A dove brought this branch back to Noah 1 5 God, in Paris 17 Chapter and 19 Where Vatican City is 2 1 St du Beaupre 2 2 Son of Rebekah 2 3 Biblical occupation 26 Reuben or Gad, for example 2 7 Commandment that forbids taking God's name in vain 29 of Contrition 30 Cain and Abel 3 1 "...hallowed be thy 3 2 9 AM IF

DOWN 1 Catholic actor Guinness 2 Book written by St Thomas More 3 Deacons, priests, and bishops 4 St Stein 5 Judas 6 Parish priest 1 1 Christian love

15 16 18

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ACCOMMODATION

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"Blessed art among women..." Tribe of Israel Wife of Adam Room in a church for sacred vessels and vestments Brother of Rebekah French clergyman Father-in-law of Moses Member of a religious order Catholic football great, Knute

2 5 What you do not use in unleavened bread 2 8 "...that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and

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HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION ESPERANCE 3 bedroom house f/furnished Phone 08 9076 5083. SHEKINAH FOUNTAIN B&B Busselton. Quiet area, opposite beach, safe for swimming, boating & crabbing. Lovely garden, children's play equipment, electric blankets provided & near wine region. Great holiday rates average $50 per night per person includes sumptuous continental brekky. Free tea, coffee & cooking facilities also. Discounts for pensioners, pastors, missionaries & weekly rates. HOSTED by Richard & Ann Pether. Ph: 975 111 26, or richann@westnet.com.au. HOUSE TO SHARE for clean living male, 5120p/w Riverton. Phone: 0449 651 697. ACCOMMODATION WANTED Reliable and honest Catholic man. Aged 41, looking for accommodation. Ph: Brendon 0406 516484.

BOOKS REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS General book repairs. Leather restorations. New bindings. Tydewi Bindery (08 9359 2 731.

HEALTH LOSE WEIGHT STAY HEALTHY. Herbalife. support 02 9807 5337

BUILDING / PAINTING BRICK RE-POINTING , Nigel 9242 2952.

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PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perrott 9444 1200. PICASSO PAINTING Top service. Phone 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.

COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOTHERAPY w ww.peterwatt.com.au Telephone 9203 5278

POSITIONS VACANT COORDINATOR, PART-TIME COMMUNITY VISITORS SCHEME (A Commonwealth Government initiative) This position involves recruiting, coordinating and liaising with volunteers to visit isolated elderly residents in aged care facilities. Must have experience in aged care, a love of the elderly and some computer skills. For more information ring Nuhra Life Enrichment Centre, Mt Lawley 9328 6272.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS C ATHOLICS 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. OTTIMO Shop 108, TRINITY ARCADE (Terrace Level) Hay St, Perth. Ph 9322 4520. Convenient city location for a good selection of Christian products/gifts. We also have handbags, fashion accessories. Opening hours Monday-Friday 9am-6pm.

PERSONAL CHRISTIAN SINGLES Change your life now. Join up and join in. Social activities. Drinks and games nights. Dating. Ph: 9472 8218 www.figtrees.com.au.

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Daily Mass Readings 275 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Cr Num 11:25-29 If all were prophets Ps 18:8.10.12-14 God's law perfect Jas 5:1-6 Comfort, luxury Mk 9:38-43.45.47-48 Do not stop him 28 M St Wenceslaus, martyr (0), St Lawrence Ruiz and companions, martyrs (0)

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MALACHI MICAH MOSES NATHAN SAMUEL

Zech 8:1-8 The Lord of hosts Ps 101:16-23.29 Will not despise prayers Lk 9:46-50 The least the greatest

29 T Ss Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels Feast P Wh Dan 7:9-10.13-14 One of great age [Alt. Rev 12:7-12 Blood of the lamb] I will bless you Ps 137:1-5

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30 W Jerome, priest, doctor, doctor of the church (M) Wh Neh 2:1-8 King grants requests Ps 136:1-6 Sing Zion's songs Lk 9:57-62 Spread the news 1 Th St Teresa of the Child Jesus, virgin (M) Wh Understanding brings joy Neh 8:1-12 Ps 18:8-11 Better than gold Lk 10:1-12 Come and go in peace 2 F The Guardian Angels (M) Wh Ex 23:20-23 An angel guardian Ps 90:1-6.10-11 Under his wings Angels present Mt 18:1-5.10 35 Cr

Bar 4:5-12.27-29 Ps 68:33-37 Lk 10:17-24

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September 23 2009, The Record

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MARIA GORETTI DVD DVD Region: Multizone DVD player required Running Time: 1 hr 45mins This powerful new feature film tells the dramatic and tragic story of the beloved saint of modern youth who died defending her purity at the hands of a knife-wielding attacker, Alessandro Serenelli. Actress Marina Pinto gives an inspirational and luminous performance as St Maria Goretti, revealing the deep spiritual life, great courage and profound charity that the young saint had. In Italian with English and Spanish subtitles, or English dubbed track. RRP $34.95+ p/h

Little Children 7.

A.D (2 DISC-SET) DVD DVD Region: All Regions Running Time: 6hrs Picking up where the acclaimed Passion of the Christ left off, A.D. vividly recreates the turbulent years following the death of Christ. The earliest experiences of the Christian church after Jesus ascension are powerfully dramatized in this remarkably authentic TV miniseries epic covering the years A.D. 30-69. This Biblically and historically accurate drama comes complete with an 56-page Study Guide providing a 12-week course. Performances from an all-star cast, together with the scope of the project, also make this great Bible-based family entertainment. RRP $49.95 + p/h

BEST OF LITTLE CHILDREN DVD DVD Region: All Regions Running Time: Ars 30mins

In this DVD, your children will learn to pray the Rosary, the Divine Mercy, the Angelus, the guardian Angel Prayer, the Memorare and many more. They'll learn about Scripture, the sacraments and the saints, and sing along to more than 15 songs. This DVD will help your children in their journey of faith. RRP $21.95 + p/h

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DVD Region: All Regions Running Time: 20rnins

This DVD is an excellent way to prepare your children for their first Holy Communion. It will also give them a better understanding of the Mass. They'll see and hear: Traditional and original sacred music, how the bread and wine are made for the Eucharist and much more. RRP $21.95 + p/h

SAINT FRANCIS DVD DVD Region: Multizone DVD player required Running Time: 3 hrs 25m1ns Filmed on location in Assisi and other places where St Francis lived and died, this feature film vividly tells the story of this greatly beloved saint from childhood to his death. Beautifully filmed with outstanding cinematography and fine acting talent, it stars Italian actor Raoul Bova as Francis and is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michele Soavi. Languages: Italian, English (Dubbed) RRP $34.95 + p h

PADRE PIO: NIGHT OF THE PROPHET DVD DVD Region: Multizone DVD player required Running Time: 1 hr 30m1ns The first full length drama on the incredible life of Padre Pio who had such great spiritual gifts as mystical prayer, bilocation and reading souls and who suffered the five wounds of Christ for 50 years. A beautiful and powerful film produced in Italy that has been widely acclaimed by film critics and Catholic publications as a deeply moving, highly authentic depiction of the holy and beloved stigmatic monk of Pietrelcina. Dubbed in English. RRP $29.95 + p/h

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO DVD DVD Region: Multizone DVD player required Running Time: 3 hrs 20mins Flavio lnsinna stars as John (Don) Bosco, the great priest and educator of youth from the tough streets of Turin, Italy. Beautifully filmed in Italy, this movie dramatises the many challenges that Don Bosco had to overcome from his childhood through founding his religious order, the Salesians, for helping to educate boys. His faith, creative imagination and profound charity shine through in this wonderful film. Languages: Italian with English subtitles. Dubbed in English. RRP $34.95 + p/h

CLARE AND FRANCIS DVD DVD Region: Multizone DVD player required Running Time: 3 hrs 20mins This outstanding movie is unique among films on St Francis because of the historical accuracy of the story and authentic spirit of joy and piety Francis was known for, as well as the major role played by Clare who is given equal stature with Francis. The two leads are played by very appealing performers, Mary Petruolo and Ettore Bassi, who give genuinely inspiring and beautifully moving performances of the daughter of a patrician family and the son of a rich merchant who leave all to follow Christ. RRP $34.95 + p/h

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