The Record Newspaper 10 January 2002

PREPARING FOR ST THERESE Photographic exhibition: Our Lady of the Mission, Whitfords 12-18 January, in the Parish Centre. Opening times: Saturday 9am to 8.30pm, Sun 9am-7pm, Mon-Fri 9.30am to 8pm Continue your discovery of the Little Flower on Page 4

Perth: January 10 2002 Price: $1

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GO years a priest! By Peter Rosengren More than 120 people turned out at St Anthony's Church in Wanneroo last Saturday morning to help a much-loved Perth cleric celebrate more than half a century of life as a priest. Fr John Chokolich, who arrived in Perth as a child migrant from Croatia. was celebrating his 60th anniversary of ordination. Among fellow priests who were present for the celebration were Archbishop Barry Hickey. retired Bishop Peter Quinn of Perth and Perth Auxiliary Bishop-elect Donald Spmxton. Someone who recently celebrated his own 50 years of priesthood, Fr Patrick Cunningham. was also present. In his homily Father Chokolich named his inspirations as his parents, his uncles who raised him when he came to Australia. priests of the archdiocese and the Mercy Sisters and Christian Brothers who educated him and prepared him for studies for the priesthood. Outside the entrance of the new St Anthony's Church hung a framed photograph taken in 1933. It showed the young John Chokolich as an altar server at Mass in the Old Slavonic language celebrated at Wannemo by a future Archbishop. Fr Launcelot Goody. Archbishop Chine had called in to visit the family home in 1932 and asked the young John whether he had thought of becoming a priest. He had a need, he said. for 6 Croatian-speaking

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and to Italian prisoners of War. priests to serve the Croatian comHe had returned to Australia in munity in Kalgoorlie and in Perth 1946 and was appointed as an parishes. assistant priest to Monsignor The young Chokolich had said Langmead in Osborne Park he would love to be a priest and From the Monsignor he had was then sent to CBC Perth that a priest can't get peolearned because there was no seminary ple back to church by preaching for the archdiocese. but by being a true friend to them And how can I forget the Mercy - in their joys and their sorrows. Sisters of West Perth?" Fr He had endeavoured to base his Chokolich asked on Saturday. priestly life on friendship own had he The Penny Catechism all - Catholic and non with learned by heart was due to them. to have Jesus as the cenCatholic, Meanwhile, to catch up on years tre of his life, and to listen to peoof lost education the Christian ple. brothers took it in turn every afterMeanwhile, he had also tried to young the tutor to term noon of Fr Chokolich last Saturday Archbishop Prendiville's follow Chokolich in various subjects. for a priest: devotion to advice had Chokolich young The said. However the seedbed of his one's daily Mass and the in study to Rome to off gone then vocation had been his parents' Propaganda College and been Eucharist. Devotion to Mary, and marriage. 'loyalty to the Man in White in "My parents were simple coun- trapped by the Second World Rome, The Pope, the Vicar of to chaplain a as up ending War, try folks, without any formal eduworking for the RAF Christ." cation. But to me they reflected Jugoslays natural virtues and the wonderful supernatural virtues that flow from the sacraments of love they had received - the graces of Baptism, of Confirmation, of Marriage and of Holy Communion," he told the congregation. His mother's daily prayers were lengthy, but his father's were always brief. His favourite religious act was to bless himself before everything he was about to do. To him the sign of the Cross reminded him of the Blessed and of the price Christ paid for our salvation," Fr Chokolich said. it was through his influence that I chose the cross, with the words 'in this sign thou shalt conquer' for my ordination card'" he !Wends gathered over 60 years turn out for Fr Chokolich's celebration.

Linda Watson sorts through 216,6 ments destroyed by fire and water.

Following a firebombing attack Linda's House of Hope, a refuge for women and girls trying to escape prostitution, is appealing for Perth people to help rebuild the damaged part of its premises. House of Hope proprietor and founder, Linda Watson. estimated the Boxing Day arson attack caused approximately $20.000 damage to a rear bedroom that was used by a resident. She called for Perth people to assist either with financial donations or with furnishings to replace those destroyed by fire, smoke and water. tax are Donations deductible; cheques or money orders payable to Linda's House of Hope can be sent to PO Box Z5640, Perth St George's Tce, WA 6831. Linda's House of Hope can be contacted on (08) 9358 2544.

Patrick and Veronica celebrate 50 years of marriage On 5th January 2002, Patrick and Veronica Antonio of Thornlie attended the Saturday Vigil Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Thornlie, to celebrate their 50 years of marriage. Also joining them were their children, Marie-Therese, Steven, Benedict and some friends and relatives, They renewed their marriage commitment to each other and Fr Patrick Lim presented them with a papal blessing for the occasion. The following day, Sunday, 6 January, about 85 relatives and friends attended a garden party at Hawks Hill Valley, Kingsley, at the house of Patrick's sister, Shirley Whittle. Patrick and Veronica's children reproduced and cooked the nibbles and food that they had 50 years ago. The Antonios were married by Monsignor Edmond Moss at Holy Rosary Church, Nedlands, on 5 January 1952. Photo: Fr Patrick Lim.

Draft US Catechesis Directory circulated the guidelines and principles that shape catechetical ministry in this WASHINGTON (CNS) - The country. But that is not all: A first draft of a new National Direc- national directory is itself a teachtory for Catechesis was sent to all ing tool that establishes the sure US bishops on 4 January foundation and the necessary forThe directory will be a basic mation needed for those who catstatement of what should be done echise." in religious education in the UnitDaniel Mulhall, assistant secreed States. tary for catechesis and inculturaIt adapts and applies to the US lion in the US Conference of situation the church's General Catholic Bishops' Department of Directory for Catechesis, which Education and a staff coordinator Pope John Paul II approved in of the directory project, said 1997. It also draws extensively 15,000 copies of the draft have from the Catechism of the been printed in English and 2,000 Catholic Church issued by Pope in Spanish. The text, which runs John Paul in 1992. more than 100,000 words, has When completed, the National been printed on newsprint in a Directory for Catechesis will 96-page tabloid. replace the National Catechetical Mulhall said more than 150 dioDirectory approved by the bish- ceses and eparchies - dioceses of ops in 1977 and published in 1979 Eastern Catholic churches - have under the title Sharing the Light named consultation coordinators of Faith. who will organise local meetings Like the earlier directory, the of diocesan and parish catechetinew one will serve as a guide for cal officials and others to discuss all those who have catechetical and critique the draft. responsibilities in US dioceses They have been asked to conand parishes, especially those vene their consultant groups in responsible for organising and one to three meetings, about fivesupervising diocesan and parish to-six hours per meeting, for incatechetical programs. depth small-group and plenary Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of sessions on the directory. New Orleans, chairman of the All participants in the diocesan five-bishop Editorial Oversight consultations are to receive Board, which was formed in 2000 copies of the draft at least three to oversee the writing of the direc- weeks ahead of time so they can tory, said in a cover letter that the read the entire document and national consultation on the draft write their own individual comtext is to be carried out from Jan- ments, which will also be collectuary to April. ed and submitted to the national "As you read this draft" he said, office along with the results of the "please keep in mind that a group meetings. The deadline for national directory is to provide submitting responses to the By Jerry Filteau

Seventh-grade religious education students at St Thomas More Church in Munster, Indiana, sort gloves, hats and food for the needy as part of their class service project

national office is 15 April. Included at the end of each section of the draft text is a boxed set of evaluation questions, asking the reader to judge the section on overall quality, tone, readability and balance between theoretical content and practical directives. Open-ended questions ask readers to suggest additions or deletions in each section or make other comments on it. "Some dioceses have asked for as many as 700 copies, some as

few as five,* Mulhall said. He said their approaches vary widely, with some dioceses planning a series of regional gatherings and others having a single session for representatives throughout the diocese. Some dioceses are seeking input from all parishes, while others are asking only diocesan staff to review the document, he said. He estimated that about a third to half of the dioceses conducting consultations are planning to hold

sessions in Spanish as well as English. In addition, he said, about 25 Catholic colleges, universities and national organisations have asked to participate in the consultation. Archbishop Hughes' committee is to review the responses in June. A final draft could be brought to the bishops for debate and vote as early as their meeting next November. Once the bishops approve it, it must be sent to the Holy See for final review.

Pontiff prays for strength in his ministry By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Amid continuing questions about Pope John Paul II's health, the 81-yearold pontiff publicly prayed for the strength to continue his busy ministry. The Pope obviously struggled through his long speech on Christmas Day, but moved with greater ease and spoke more clearly on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

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A small Italian newspaper's 30 December report of the Pope's allegedly failing health was ignored by most media until the Pope himself spoke on 31 December. "I ask God for the strength to continue for as long as he wants in faithful service to the church of Rome and the whole world," he prayed at a thanksgiving service marking the end of 2001. The papal prayer came immediately after he had told the con-

gregation that 2001 had brought the number of Rome parish visits he had made up to 300. There are 34 parishes in the diocese still to go. But, while mentioning the parish visits and planned 2002 trips to Bulgaria and Toronto, many media also referred to the 30 December Libero newspaper report that Pope John Paul would preside over the canonisation of Blessed Padre Pio, the Italian Capuchin. before the end of Feb-

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Pope John Paul II appears stronger and clearer at the Vatican's New Year's Day Mass on 1 January.

Texan woman's death penalty criticised AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) - The director of the Texas Catholic Conference has criticised the decision of a Texas prosecutor to seek the death penalty for a woman who drowned her five children last year while suffering from postpartum depression. In a 3 January statement, Holy Cross Brother Richard Daly, executive director of the conference, said "this tragic case has caused enough pain and suffering for all the individuals and the families affected. We do not need another victim but, rather, healing."

Jury selection began on 7 Jan- usually cite concern for the vicuary in the case of Andrea Yates, tims' family as a rationale for charged with capital murder in seeking the death penalty. the drowning deaths of her five "No one in the families most children. Yates was diagnosed Intimately affected by this horwith postpartum depression fol- rible crime has sought the death lowing the birth of her fourth penalty for Mrs Yates," it said. child, attempted suicide twice "In this instance, the prosecuand has been hospitalised for tors are re-victimising the . . . treatment several times. She families by making them focus admitted drowning her chil- on saving Andrea from the dren. Her attorneys said she death chamber rather than getwould plead not guilty by rea- ting on with their healing," the son of insanity group said. "These two families In his statement, Brother Daly do not need another casket, quoted Texas Murder Victims' another funeral." The Texas Families for Reconciliation. The Catholic Conference is an arm group noted that prosecutors of the state's Catholic bishops.

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ruary because he was not sure how much longer he would live. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls assured journalists that "the pope's health condition is stable." Navarro-Valls also said the canonisation of Padre Pio before spring is out of the question. Before a date is set, the Pope must convoke a meeting of Cardinals in Rome. The date for that meeting had not been chosen as 2001 ended.

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Laughter in Paradise young Vietnamese priest arrives in a local A parish. On Saturday evening he is hearing confessions for the first time.

A boy enters the confessional and says: "Father I have sinned.I am an altar boy and I did somersaults in the sacristy." The priest hesitates and asks: "I do not understand. What is somersault?" The boy gets up: "I'll show you father". He comes out of the confessional and does a somersault. An old lady, sitting there on a bench, waiting to go to confession, watches the event with a puzzled face. She gets up and leaves, stopping only to tell someone coming into the church, "Don't go. You're not going to believe what Father is giving for penance."

Knights of Malta face up to rivals on the Internet By John Thavis ROME (CNS) - After surviving wars, piracy, property confiscation, revolts and periodic exile over the last 900 years, the world's oldest chivalric order is facing a thoroughly modern challenge: copycats on the Internet. It's a growing problem for the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta. known less formally as the Knights of Malta. Established to care for pilgrims during the time of the Crusades, it lives on today as a lay Catholic religious order, a worldwide humanitarian network and a sovereign state. The order holds observer status at the United Nations and maintains diplomatic relations with 92 countries. Its 11.000 knights and dames contribute time and money to the needy, enjoy social prestige, and on occasion get to wear some very snazzy uniforms. No wonder counterfeit orders have sprung up, with similar names and symbols. "They're an absolute pain. These are self-styled orders that are trading in on our name and reputation. Just go to the Web and you can find many of them," the Knights grand master. Fma Andrew Bertie. said in an interview at the organisation's Rome headquarters. The Internet has made it easier for less-pedigreed - some Knights call them "bogus" Orders of St John to promote themselves, raise funds and recruit members. Some of the orders trace their roots to obscure historical chapters of the Eastern empire, which the Knights of Malta consider spurious. The increased Internet presence of "noble orders" that sell memberships and titles has prompted legal actions and

Wiechec

A doctor discusses mammogram procedures with a technician in a state-

of-the-art medical clinic at the Rome headquarters of the Knights of Malta.

online scam alerts. The Knights of Malta now have their own four-language Web site and have successfully won court battles to protect their Identity in Austria, Switzerland and France, Bertie said. On Rome's fashionable Via Condotti, you might pass by the headquarters of the sovereign state without noticing, unless the flag happens to be flying from the first-floor balcony. Next door to a Hermes boutique, its offices occupy much of a Renaissance palazzo - all that's left of a territorial realm that once stretched throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. Bertie, a slender 72-year-old Englishman elected to head the order in 1988. greets visitors with decorum and a dry sense of humour. Asked how one addresses a Grand Master, he said almost apologetically, "I suppose the easiest is, 'Your Highness.In an office decorated with paintings of historic battles, antique swords and a couple of elephant tusks, Bertie lit up a Gauloises and, one by one. deflated myths or misconceptions about the Knights of Malta.

"\\e don't go around soliciting embassies all over the place to increase our prestige. We have diplomatic relations where we need them for our charity operations, so we can import medical supplies and equipment into a country, for example," he said. He said the order expects every able-bodied member to contribute their time regularly to local humanitarian projects, such as clinics, homes for the elderly, annual trips with the sick, or summer camps for the disabled. The Knights' headquarters in Rome is typical in this regard: Tucked into the basement of the building is a state-of-the-art clinic open to anyone. Part of the Knights' mission always has been defending the faith. But unlike the time of the Crusades, that is no longer accomplished through military means, but through quiet dedication to church teachings. Bertie said. "Our militarism today is in making sure our clinics and hospitals are run according to Catholic ethics," he said.

Vatican thanks retiring Carey By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican thanked Archbishop George Carey of Canterbury for his "commitment to fostering and deepening AnglicanRoman Catholic relations" as head of the Anglican Communion for more than a decade. "We know he has a very full schedule ahead of him prior to his retirement, but would like at this time to express our profound thanks for the many blessings of his years of leadership as archbishop of Canterbury," the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity said in a Jan. 8 statement. Carey, 66, Archbishop announced he would step down on 31 October, three years before he was due to retire. He was appointed 103rd archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader to the world's 70 million Anglicans, in 1991. In a statement, he called his tenure "demanding yet wonderfully absorbing and rewarding." "I feel certain this will be the right and proper time to stand down.I look forward to exciting

Kevin Flaherty, editor of the opportunities and challenges in the coming months, and then to Catholic Times, a weekly newsfresh ones in the years that fol- paper for Britain and Ireland, said Archbishop Carey's coollow," he said. The Vatican's Christian unity headed leadership prevented council said the archbishop had greater divisions within the visited Pope John Paul II "more Anglican Communion over a than any of his predecessors." series of controversial issues. "His time as archbishop of The Anglican head met the pope at the Vatican five times, includ- Canterbury has seen the first ing for a three-day visit in 1996. ordinations of women priests in "The image of him kneeling the Church of England, and it is with an Orthodox leader along- a remarkable tribute to his leadside the pope as they together ership that he has managed to opened the Holy Door at St. avoid further divisions within Paul's Outside the Walls to the church by his calm and begin the jubilee year is firmly rational approach." Flaherty planted on our memories," the said. Ann Widdecombe, a Conservcouncil said. Cardinal Cormac Murphy- ative member of Parliament O'Connor of Westminster, pres- who left the Church of England ident of the Catholics Bishops' over the ordination of women Conference of England and and became a Catholic, also Wales said the Anglican leader acknowledged the archbishop's "has had to live through some leadership skills. "I think he has had a very difficult times" during his tenure, adding, "I am sure there mixed tenure." she told the will be very many, like myself, British Broadcasting Corp., "but who will express their appreci- Ithink it would be ungracious at ation of his considerable the point at which he is retiring achievements in a most not to acknowledge that at least demanding role and who will the church has been held miss him when he steps down together through what has been a monumentally difficult time." as archbishop."

Chaplain promoted for sainthood cause By Jean M. Schildz ST. LOUIS (CNS) - Father Emil Kapaun, an Army chaplain who died in a North Korean prisoner of war camp, is being promoted as a candidate for sainthood by one of his seminary classmates. Because of Father Kapaun's countless acts of courage and compassion while a POW, others are alive today to tell the priest's inspiring story. Msgr. Patrick Molloy, a St Louis archdiocesan priest, is working with both the US Archdiocese for the Military Services and Father Kapaun's native Diocese of Wichita, Kan., to advance the cause of Father Kapaun's canonisation. Publicising his case, he also is searching for those willing to pray for a miracle through the chaplain's intercession. Mgr. Molloy first heard about his classmate's extraordinary exploits when attending the 1957 dedication in Wichita of a high school named in Father Kapaun's memory. At the event were several men who had been imprisoned with the priest. "They all were in great admiration of what he had done," Msgr. Molloy recalled. He recently revisited the subject when reading a military newsletter given to him with a firsthand account of Father Kapaun's life in the POW camp. Father Kapaun often represented the difference between life and death for many prisoners. He would organise raids on the enemy commissary, sometimes going alone, to help combat the devastating effects of dysentery on the men. The chaplain would bring back whatever food he could get to the starving Americans. If caught, they would have been shot, "but they were never caught," Mgr. Molloy said. At the chaplain's direction. the POWs would pray to St Dismas for protection. The saint, known as "the good thief." was one of two men crucified with Christ who asked his forgiveness and was promised paradise. Due to dysentery, the POWs often lost control of their bodily functions. When they were too weak to take care of themselves, it was Father Kapaun, whom the men called "padre," who carried them to the latrine and cleaned their soiled

Sainthood is being advocated for Father Emil Kapaun by his native Diocese of Wichita, Kansas. Photo CNS/St LOURS Review

clothes. These and other acts of love endeared him to the men, the priest said. While imprisoned, the POWs often grew depressed. "When the men lost hope, they would just sit down and look at the wall," Mgr. Molloy said. "They were just impervious to anything that was said or done, and they died. They gave up." A Protestant chaplain, with a family back home, began staring at the wall. The men tried everything they could to persuade him to live. Then they called in Father Kapaun. He knew that "the deepest thing in a man who is really religious (would be) his faith." Mgr. Molloy said. "So he said simply, 'I always said those Protestants were no damn good.' Right away, he reacted. The adrenaline began to work" The Protestant chaplain survived. was freed at war's end and returned home. "And he gives Emil credit for saving his life. Some of the fellas." Mgr. Molloy added with a laugh. "when they told the story, said. 'This might stop him from being canonised."' After several months in camp. Father Kapaun became ill from phlebitis. which proved fatal. Eventually he was taken away to die. "As he was being carried out by the guards, they said he asked their pardon for anything that he may have done that offended them." Msgr. Molloy said. The chaplain died May 6. 1951. at age 35.

MEN OF HOSPITALITY LIVING AND PROCLAIMING GOD'S HOSPITABLE LOVE. "...the suffering ofmy neighbour breaks my heart..." (St. gohn of God. 1540) As lived out by St. John of God over five centuries ago. our vocation is to give of ourselves completely and freely: to be a Brotherly presence: a symbol of hope for our world: proclaiming God's Hospitable love to all. We are called to a charism of Hospitality and love that promotes healing, advocacy and reconciliation for those most marginalised by our society.

Our core of Hospitality compels and urges us to depth our relationship with God. ourselves and with those whom we share our lives. community and ministry.

WE ARE THE

"BROTHERS OF ST. JOHN OF GOD"

WILL YOU ACCEPT GOD'S INVITATION TO A LIFE DEDICATED TO HOSPITALITY? Br John Clegg (OH) Vocations Director PO Box BN 1055 Bmwood North, N.S.W. Telephone: (02) 9747 1699 Fax: (02) 9744 3 262 Email: provincial@stjolm.com.au Website: www.stJohn.com.au lhe Record, January 10 2002 Page 3

Preparing or Therese

Two books are great introductions for young T

herese Martin, better known as St broken dreams and empty hearts, so much Therese, is coming to Perth. The loneliness and even despair. Therese spoke relics of this extraordinary woman about a 'little way' because she knew herwill soon be here (31 January to 11 Febru- self and accepted herself, 'warts and all. ary). She wanted to do the great things for God She was a saint who did not grow old; she most people do - but she knew her limitadied at 24. tions. But that did not mean she threw in She experienced the difficulties of grow- the towel. ing up and between the ages of four-andBy myself I cannot do all the things I a-half and fourteen she was terribly want to, yet everything in my heart tells me sensitive. I must not give up," she said. She matured during her adolescence and She found the secret: God can do all early womanhood into a beautiful person. things, with him nothing is impossible. He She was kind and considerate, a confi- is the God of surprises. When we come to the end of our own dante and yet was a great mimic and was fun to be with. resources, we come to the beginning of his. Therese was happy to hand over her life One of her sisters said of her that Therese had the capacity to have you in floods of to God, to take him at his word, to trust him. tears or bent over with laughter. It was this belief in his love for her that Fr Eugene McCaffrey, an Irish Carmelite, made all the difference. Love changes everything. has written two books, which open the personality of Therese for children and young To love someone is to invite them to grow. people. To know you are loved, that you are speThe Little Flower ($4) is suitable for chil- cial, that someone really cares - what betdren up to about Year 6 in primary school ter way to put a spring in your step and a while The Song of Youth ($7), a beautiful- song in your heart!? ly-produced book, an extract of which is The only thing small about the 'little way' produced below, is suitable especially for is that it makes sense to 'ordinary' people. adolescents and young adults and even for And if Therese has any lesson for us today, adults. it's that it's ok to be ordinary. She wasn't They will be available at the various afraid to be herself. venues, which the relics will visit and prior Love jumps barriers; it can make us as big to the visit can be purchased at the parish as God and God as small as us. of Morley (9.30am-12.30pm, Monday-FriTo have the heart of a child is not the day). same as being childish. Let's be honest, no one likes to feel small, There was nothing small about Therese and one of the most hurtful things we can or her outlook on life: do to anyone is to make them feel that way. "I want my heart." she said. "to be as big Nowadays it's hard to believe that small the Alps." Is anything but small! And it was. God, who reads hearts, fulTbday 'big' is the word most often used in filled all her hopes and dreams. advertising. She recalls a simple incident in her own We live in a world of 'more, better and life. One evening one of the nuns wanted best': the faster we run, the higher we climb, to light candles for a procession. She had the more we achieve - the happier we will no matches, only a little lamp with a tiny be! glimmer left in it. And yet, just look around you, so many Nevertheless, from the charred wick. she

St Therese of Lisieux, right, and Sisters at their Carmelite Convent. succeeded in lighting all the candles of the community. One faint spark such as this, she reflected. "could set the whole world

on fire." And the cause of it all, the last breath of a dying wick! Life is not in the wick or the candle - it is in the burning!

Volunteers needed for relics visit

The chairman of the organising committee in the Infant Jesus Parish in Morley has called for volunteers to help over the 3 days the relics will be at the church. The Morley church will be open for the full 24 hours of each day for the visit. Mr Graham Pittaway said volunteers are being sought to assist with Security. Ushers, Parking. Memorabilia. the Exhibition, Hospitality, Cleaning. Finance. It is envisaged that rosters of 2-hour shifts will require an enormous number of persons. Those able to assist can leave their details with Angela at the Parish Centre on (08) 9276 8500.

Timetable for visit of St Therese's relics to West Australia THURSDAY JANUARY 31 2002 St. Therese's Relics arrive in Australia at Perth Airport. (No official welcome here, due to security) 2.30am Archbishop Hickey to welcome the Relics outside Infant Jesus Church. Morley. This is followed by reception into the Church. INFANT JESUS CHURCH cur Wellington Rd and Smith St. Morley, (08) 9276 8500 Veneration of the relics at Infant Jesus Church will be continuous except during lituigical services specified below. 3 am Solemn Mass of St Therese (Archbishop presides). 4am Veneration begins (Veneration consists of Prayer before the Reliquary. It will be interspersed with readings from the Saint.) 7am Morning Prayer of the Church 10am Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick 12pm Mass of St Therese 3pm Veneration animated by young people 5.30pm Evening Prayer of the Church 7. 30pm Solemn Mass of St Therese 10.45pm Night Prayer of the Church iipm Night Vigil. This will be an extended period of veneration, during which there will be readings from St Therese and time for silent prayer. It will also include two periods of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1 2002 1-2 am Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament 4-5am Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament 7am Morning Prayer of the Church 10am Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick 12pm Mass of the Passion of Our Lord 3pm At this time of Veneration, we will reflect on St Therese's devotion to the Passion 5.30pm Evening Prayer of the Church 7.30pm Solemn Mass of the St Therese 10.45pm Night Prayer of the Church llpm Night Vigil. (as on Thursday) SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2 2002 1-2am Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament 4-5asn Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament 7am Morning Prayer of the Church 10am Sacrament of Reconciliation (Second Rite) 12pm Mass (Presentation of the Lord) 3pm Veneration animated by young people 5.30pm Evening Prayer of the Church 730pm Youth Mass (Mass of the Sunday) 12.50am

The Record, January 10 2002 Page 4

10.45pm 11pm 1-2am 4-5am 7am 7;30am 8.30am 9.15 am

Night Prayer of the Church Night Vigil. (as on Thursday) SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3 2002 Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament Morning Prayer of the Church Morning Mass (Mass of the Sunday) Final Veneration Departure ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL, PERTH (08) 9223 1351

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3,2002 9.45am Rites of Welcome 10am Solemn Sung Mass 11.30am Sung Mass 12.30-5pm Veneration of the relics including reading from the Story of a Soul on each hour for 15 minutes 5pm Mass 6pm Close MONDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2002 7am Mass 7.30-11am Veneration of the Relics 11am Holy Hour and Benediction 12.10am Mass 12.45pm Rosary 1- 6pm Veneration of the Relics and readings from the Story of a Soul 6pm Close TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5,2002 7am Mass 730am Rosary 8.30am Rites of farewell OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL PARISH Cur Collick and Laidlaw Streets, Hilton (08) 9314 7733 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 52002 10.30am Rites of Welcome 11am Mass of St Therese 12-7.30pm Veneration 7.30pin Evening Prayers and reflection with St Therese 8-9pm Veneration 9pm Close WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 62002 6.30am Silent Prayer with St Therese 7am Mass of St Therese 730-h am Veneration

llam Mass of St Therese 11.30am-730pm Veneration 730pm Evening Prayer and reflection with St Therese 8-9pm Veneration 9pm Close THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7 2002 730am Mass and Farewell ST PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL 18 Parkfield Street. Bunbury (08) 9721 2141 11.30am Arrival at St Patrick's Cathedral 12.05am Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral 12.35pm Veneration 5.30pm Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral 6.15 pm Veneration of Relics FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8 2002 7am Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral 730am Veneration of Relics 12.05pm Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral 12.35pm Veneration of Relics 5.30pm Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral 6.15pm Veneration of Relics SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9 2002 7am Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral 8.30am nansport of Relics to Carmelite Convent CARMELITE CONVENT GELORUP (08) 9795 7807 9am Veneration of Relics Noon Mass at Monastery 12.30pm Veneration of Relics SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10 2002 730am Mass at Monastery 8.30am Relics depart Carmelite Monastery Bunbury CARMELITE CONVENT Nedlands (08) 9386 3672 llam Welcoming Ceremony 4pm Evening Prayer of the Church 6pm Mass 9pm Night Prayer and Office of Readings lOpm Close MONDAY FEBRUARY 11 2002 6.30am Opening of the Church 7am Morning Prayer 9am Rosary Aloud Mass 10am 2pm Farewell Ceremony. Relics leave for Adelaide

Pope calls new bishops to be brave missionaries By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Celebrating the feast of the Epiphany, Pope John Paul II ordained 10 new bishops and asked them to be "courageous missionaries" in their service to the church on four continents. The Pope said he expected the bishops to lead the church's new chapter of evangelisation in the third millennium and urged them to "put out into the deep" as they take the Gospel around the globe. "Do not fear the shadows of the world, because you are sent by 'the light of the world,'" he said in a sermon. The nearly three-hour ordination Mass in St Peter's Basilica on 6 January appeared to tax the stamina of the 81-year-old pontiff. At the imposition of hands above the head of each bishop, the Pope used only his right hand; his left arm shook uncontrollably, a symptom of a longstanding neurological disorder. At the start of the ordination rite, the Pope interrogated the bishops, asking them if they were ready to minister for the church "even to the point of death." He asked if they would preserve the faith, obey the pope. give special attention to the poor and seek out the "lost sheep" among their flocks. To each question. the 10 prelates answered. "Yes." The Pope later prayed that the new bishops be zealous. responsible and pure of heart in their pastoral ministry. Then he presented them with the book of the Gospels, placed episcopal rings on their right hands and gave them each a mitre and staff. Despite a weak voice and unsteadiness on his feet. the Pope made it through the liturgy and smiled broadly as he greeted the new bishops afterward. The newly-ordained included six Europeans. three Africans and an Asian. all of whom were recently appointed to their posts. Five hold Vatican positions and five are resident bishops: • Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto. the new apostolic nuncio to Senegal and apostolic delegate in Mauritania. • Italian Archbishop Claudio Gugemtti. the new apostolic nuncio to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. • Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana

of the Philippines, the new apostolic nuncio to Papua New Guinea. • Archbishop Giovanni cl'Aniello, the new pontifical representative in Congo. • Bishop Daniel Mizonzo of Nkayi, Republic of Congo. • Bishop Louis Portella of Kinkala, Republic of Congo. • Bishop Marcel Utembi Tapa of Mahagi-Nioka. Congo. • Bishop Franco Agostinelli of Grosseto, Italy. • Bishop Amandio Jose Tomas, auxiliary bishop of Evora. Portugal. • Italian Bishop Vittorio Lanzani, delegate of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the office-in-charge of construction matters for St Peter's Basilica. In his sermon. the Pope asked the bishops to be guides for the faithful, just as the star guided the three wise men to Jesus after his birth - an event the church celebrates today as the Lord's "epiphany" or manifestation to the world. The Pope said the symbol of the guiding star remains a powerful one In the modern age, though it "risks being made banal by its use for consumerist purposes." The star that we contemplate above the Christmas creche still speaks to the hearts and minds of people in the third millennium. It speaks to the secularised person. kindling in him an awareness of his condition as a wayfarer in search of the truth and the absolute," he said. The Pope began the custom of personally ordaining bishops soon after he was elected and has continued the practice almost every year since then. Addressing a crowd of visitors in St Peter's Square after the Mass, the Pope greeted participants in an annual Italian Epiphany parade. which featured children dressed as animals, adults in costumes of the three magi and a giant bowl of papier-mache spaghetti. The Pope also sent greetings to some Eastern churches, including the Russian Orthodox Church, which follow the Julian calendar and celebrated Christmas on 7 January, 13 days after Christmas in the West. The Pope assured them they were in his thoughts, and he prayed for the gift of full communion among Christians. The date 6 January marked the church's celebration of a world mis-

Pro-life priest to visit Perth Most West Australian Catholics have never heard of Fr John Nariai. currently the pastor of the southern Japanese parish Taruzumi, or of the town in which he serves. But this month Perth audiences will have the opportunity to hear Father Nariai, who is also the Director of the Humanae Vitae Research Institute of japan. speak on his pro-life work. Ordained priest in 1967, Fr Nariai has worked in various parishes in Japan. His main assignments were pastorfounder of Tamazato Catholic Church in Kagoshima city: Editor of the diocesan paper; Kindergarten director and pastor at Makurazaki: Director-announcer at Radio Veritas in Quezon City. Philippines and Port chaplain and priest-in-charge of foreigner residents. He is now pastor of Taruzumi and directs the Humanae Vitae Research Institute.

Father Nariai has been active as a pro-life priest since his ordination. but especially so since meeting Fr Paul Marx of Human Life International in 1995. He is fluent in English. Fr Nariai will be speaking in two venues in Perth: First, in a live Interview in 'The Layman's Hour' with Raymond and Theresa de Souza (Radio Fremantle, 107.9 FM) on Sunday 20 January at 730pm and on Tuesday 22 January in a public address at the headquarters of the Legion of Mary, the Edel Quinn Centre, 36 Windsor Street, East Perth, also at 730pm. The topic will be challenging: The Responsibility of Catholics in the Pro-Life Movement." Fr John Nariai has been brought to Perth by St Gabriel Communications and the WA Council of the Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy.

sionary day for children, when special attention is given to the needs of children who endure the hardships of poverty and war. The Pope said the day also highlighted the role of young people in evangelisation around the world. The Vatican's missionary agency, Fides, said the Pontifical Missionary Works of the Holy Childhood was one of the most effective ways the Church helps "children to help children." It said that in 2001, the society distributed $13 million in subsidies that funded more than 2,600 projects in 115 countries. The projects included missionary formation, religious instruction and pro-life work, it said. Other church projects have helped children suffering from AIDS in Africa, street children in Latin America and Asia, and child soldiers.

Ten new bishops from Europe, Africa and Asia, lie in prostrate during their ordination at the Vatican on 6 January. The Pope has personally ordained bishops almost every year since his election.

12th annual flame congress 2002

"So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come."

Sacred Heart College Hocking Parade, Sorrento

January 17th to January 22nd evening rallies, daytime sessions, accommodation, 2 FREE family concerts.

a nd e xper ience a special t ime of

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Dynamic messages by dynamic speakers will change your life and circumstances: Archbishop Hickey. Raymond de Souza. Eddie Russell. Steve Peake. Kaye Rollings.

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Free Family Concert 1Thurs Jan 17th 7.30 pm. Congress Free Sessions: Fri Jan 18th 7.30 pm - Sat Jan 19th 7.30 pm Sun Jan 20th 7.30 pm Mon Jan 21st 7.30pm Free Family Concert 2 Tues Jan 22nd 7.30 pm. Registered sessions: Sat 9 am - 6 pm. Sun 9 am - 6.15 pm @ $60 pp. Call fmi for for brochure and details.

Children's Ministry for Syr old upwards. Accommodation @ $25 pp per night includes breakfast. More Information: See Brochure or call Linda on 08 9382 3668 - Fax: 08 9382 4080 Email: fmi(cPflamem stries.org - Web Site: ww,.% .flameministries.org

Message from Archbishop Barry James Hickey in support of the Flame Ministries family concerts.

I congratulate Flame Ministries on the addition of a family concert to its outstanding Congress program. It will be a wonderful opportunity for people to see the musical, lyrical and dramatic abilities of young people who have created original works for an audience of all ages. It will be a night of wholesome fun demonstrating that music and comedy are even better when applied to worthwhile subjects. I recommend it wholeheartedly to families and young people.

By Min CD - /maw -

ree Family Concerts

7.30pm Thur Jan 17th & Tues Jan 22nd. musk drama comer/7 fun

witness

The Record, January 10 2002 Page 5

Baptism is a call to serve Peter Dwan continues with his meditations on the readings for Sunday's Mass. This week the Baptism of the Lord

A Layman 's

Meditation

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n this feast of the Baptism of kindly. Are we like Christ? Christ, baptism is presented The reading concludes: "I have both as a call to service and also appointed you as covenant of the peosomething that makes us pleasing to ple and light of the nations, to open the God. eyes of the blind, to free captives from In the first reading (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7) prison, and those who live in darkness we have one of the oracles of Isaiah. from the dungeon." The New Testament and Christian traChrist came to open the spiritual eyes dition have always seen these oracles of people and free them from the capas Messianic prophecies. tivity of sin and ignorance of God. They were fulfilled in Jesus Christ and Are we a light to the nations by helpin him only ing evangelisation both in Australia and The reading begins: "Thus says the overseas? Lord: Here is my servant whom I Is the example we give an eye openuphold, my chosen one in whom my er? Do we try to share our Faith with the soul delights." spiritually blind? God is his support and strength, for it Do we even realise that this is our duty is God who has chosen him and in him as baptised Catholics, or are we blind God is pleased. to the fact that evangelisation is just as These words were repeated from much part of Catholic living as attendheaven when Christ was baptised by ing Sunday Mass? John the Baptist. Do we realise that those living sinful This is why the passage was chosen lives may well change their behaviour for today's liturgy. if we would only open their eyes by The reading continues: "I have introducing them to Christ? endowed him with my spirit." The second reading (Acts 10:34-38) In the Old Testament, the spirit of God has been chosen because of the referhad been bestowed on kings, priests ence to Christ's baptism. and prophets. The context of this reading Is given in It is given to the servant because: "he Acts 10:1, 11-18. may bring true justice to the nations." Cornelius, a pagan Roman officer, stalie will proclaim the will, the law of tioned in Caesarea. in Palestine, who God, not only to the Jews, but to all admires the religion of the Jews, is told nations - his jurisdiction will be univer- by an angel to send for Peter. sal. Peter in the meantime has seen a The reading says: "He does not cry out vision from which he learns that the or shout aloud or make his voice heard Gentile is as welcome into the church in the street." as the Jew. Unlike oriental despots, Christ will Peter comes to Cornelius and baptisaccomplish his missions quietly and es him.

Peter then addressed Cornelius and his household: "The truth I have now come to realise," he said, is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him." Do we realise that God doesn't have favourites? Apparently not, for we act as though we think he does. In the second reading, St Peter, speaking of Jesus said: "God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil." Today's Gospel (Matthew 3:13-17) records that when Christ came to the Jordan to be baptised by John the Baptist, John tried to dissuade him saying: "It is I who need baptism from you and yet you come to me." But Jesus replied: "Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands." St Matthew acids: "At this. John gave in to him." After Christ was baptised, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him, and the voice of God the Father was heard saying: "This is my Son the Beloved, my favour rests on him." After the humiliation of baptism. Christ was showered with glory by God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Being a child of God, being anointed with the Holy Spirit and going about doing good were three things which went together in the life of Christ. May these three thing also go together in our lives, as we try to live out the Christian life implanted in our souls at baptism.

To Jesus through Mary .. . . a column of Marian devotion

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trip of about 170 kilometres (106 miles) would have required five or six days on foot (people used to go by foot, hut they were used to walking, something which we have completely lost in our day). And then, finally, there was the great encounter which we generally refer to by the word 'Visitation.' I call it the 'Great Encounter' because it was not a matter of a private visit between relatives. In the Gospel, there is no place for episodes of purely personal value; the Gospel is the preaching of the good news, the proclamation of the salvation brought by God; it is not historiography. Right away we have here a lesson that the evangelist wanted to impart to us and which has perennial value: from the moment when Mary conceived the Son of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, wherever she went, there is also the presence of Jesus and the Spirit. Just look at what Elizabeth immediately experienced as soon as her very young cousin set foot in her house and greeted her. I have no idea of the timbre of Mary's voice, hut I know well the efficacy of her presence. And this is not the only first for Eliza- The Visitation (detail). Portuguese XVI centubeth who had had many others: she is ry. Museu Nacional de Ade Antiga, Lisbon. the first who, in the presence of Mary is lection of them. At this point it is clear filled with the Holy Spirit. that the protagonists of this encounter She is the first to exalt Mary on account are the babies whose two mothers were of her maternity: "Blessed are you among carrying them in their wombs. women and blessed is the fruit of your John leaps with joy in the presence of womb!" his Lord, fulfilling the prophecy spoken She is the first to recognise in Mary the by Gabriel to Zechariah, namely, that the Mother of God, calling her "the mother baby would be sanctified even in his of my Lord"; she is the first to announce mother's womb. an evangelical beatitude: "Blessed is she And thus Jesus begins his great work of who has believed." sanctification. The Bible is full of beatitudes; ills the He has barely been conceived, but he book of beatitudes. is not just a clot of blood as some modOne has only to think of how many em pro-abortionists pretend who have Psalms begin with the words: "Blessed is no qualms about approving murderous the one who. . ." laws legalising the killing of babies in This is true also of the Gospels, which their mothers' wombs; he is the Son of contain more than the eight beatitudes God! from the Sermon on the Mount, even This is a lesson that every woman who though these have a particular program- conceives a child should always bear matic value of their own. clearly in mind. I imagine that Elizabeth, who uttered There is also another aspect that needs one of the first, must have had a good col- to be underscored in this marvellous The- ReCOici; J' anuary 102002 ria'gb 6

encounter of such great prophetic and sakific value: it reminds us of the biblical episode that seems to be an anticipation of it. When the Ark of the Covenant, which God took possession of, covering it with a cloud to indicate his very presence, was brought to Jerusalem by King David. it at one point came to a halt. When Uzzah dared to touch it to keep it from tipping over, he died suddenly. King David hesitated for a moment, terrified before the holiness of the Ark, and then made it remain in the house of Obededom for three months, the same period which Mary spent with her cousin. Afterward, when he decided to have it brought definitively to Jerusalem, he felt deeply his own unworthiness and exclaimed: "How can the ark of the Lord come to me?" (2 S 6:9). This whole episode was a prophetic sign. The true Ark of the Covenant is Mary, to whom the angel had said: "The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." And Elizabeth, filled by the divine presence, repeats the humble sentiments of David: "Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" This realisation of the plan of God, which from its veiled anticipation in the Old Testament finds its fulfilment in the New, is stupendous. The Visitation provides us with one of the more joyous episodes in the life of Mary. And there aren't many of them! The exultation of Elizabeth and that of John the Baptist tell us clearly of the joy which the presence of Mary brings, wherever she goes, wherever she is welcomed. This is true because with her there is always the presence of Jesus who gives the grace of salvation, and the presence of the Holy Spirit who enlightens us and helps us understand the great mysteries of God. From The Gospel of Mary, by Fr Gabriel Amorth SSP. St Paul Publications, RRP $23.50 Book review: Hail, Holy Queen Page 10

The weighty responsibility of being a religious educator

With Bronwen Clune

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t's not a surprise to most people to learn that many young Catholics abandon their faith after they leave school. Well that's when a lot of young people stop attending Mass at least - they might not have had much faith long before that. But for me, the sheer numbers of teenagers turning away from Catholicism is not the saddest part to the story. Rather it's that so many of these people have no real understanding of their religion. They are rejecting something they know so little about. I think a lot of parents and teachers alike have a lot to answer for in fulfilling their responsibilities of teaching youths about their religion. Religious Education teachers are fast becoming the important link between young people and the Church. in a role that should not be undervalued. With so many non-practising Catholic parents sending their children to Catholic schools, school is often the only place that students are offered any religious guidance. And in today's climate of casual sex and driii.; taking, RE teachers have an increasingly htigr responsibility on their shoulders. I know of a dedicated RE teacher who is not afraid to teach his students about what the Catholic Church teaches on some fundamental and often sticky issues - from sex before marriage to it's stand against homosexuality. And not just that they are wrong, but rather why they are wrong. He has had earned a lot of respect for telling his students how it is, or at the very least they respect him for not watering down issues and talking down to them. He knows then that at least if they do stop practising their faith he has planted the seeds of Catholicism, so that one day down the track something might just twig for them and they'll remember what it was they learnt. Young people today aren't afraid of asking the hard questions - and that is a good thing. But it also means as adults that we must be sure of our answers. And, more importantly, that the answers we give them are correct. I'm sure most people have a story to tell about something they might have been told in an RE class - I know a lot of girls in my year were amazed to he told seriously misleading information abour pregnancy. Although I can think back and remember quite a few more important and compelling things that we learnt,Iknow a lot of girls who use that as an example of just how ignorant the Church is. Of course, the Church isn't ignorant, rather it was the mistake of a young and slightly overenthusiastic RE teacher, but that is not how it is remembered by so many. Teaching an RE class certainly wouldn't be a walk in the park in these days, but with true dedication and devotion on the part of the teacher, it could certainly be one of the most rewarding. And for those parents whose children do attend Catholic schools, I think they should also have a hard think about what guidance they give their children in terms of their religion. It is not right to let that responsibility go on the basis that they receive religious education at school. I would assume that parents whose children go to government schools realise the responsibility lies with them to teach their children about their faith. If we all make the effort to teach young people, together,Ithink, we would have more success at keeping young people practising their faith. We have a good 2000 years behind us, so let's not let all that knowledge die with us.

Playing Russian Roulette with people's lives This guest editorial lust who really cares?" appeared in the 27 December issue of the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington. It appeared in response to a local advertising campaign and was written by staff writer Richard Szczepanowski. It contains some interesting statistics.

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atholics for a Free Choice - an organisation that one can rightly argue is neither Catholic nor for free choice if they do not agree with the choice - has launched an advertising campaign in Metro subway stations and bus stops during this Christmas season. The organisation is spending money to let Metro users know that it "cares." And what is the object of Catholics for a Free Choice's care crusade? Peace on earth? No. Feeding the hungry? No. Housing the homeless? No. The group has decided to spend its money to lambaste the nation's bishops - and by extension the entire Catholic Church - for not promoting condom usage to stop AIDS. The ads, a series of 50 bus shelter placards and 225 subway posters, have the messages. "Catholic people care. Do our bishops? Because the bishops ban condoms, innocent people die" and "Catholic people care. Do our bishops? Banning condoms kills." li,1 1( ally they are accusing the nation's bishops of killing innocent people. This lie would be laughable were it not so offensive. Tom Grenchik, the director of the Archdiocese of Washington's Office of Pro-Life Activities, calls the accusations

The Record PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax (08) 9227 7087 cathrec@iinetnet.au

"wrong and disingenuous allegations." Wrong and disingenuous are very good terms for this campaign. First off, the Catholic Church's teachings on condom usage, birth control and sexuality are just that - church teaching. They are not the whim nor the fancy nor the invention of the nation's bishops. It is the obligation of the bishops to uphold and instruct the faithful in what the church teaches. Our bishops have not banned condoms, but church teaching opposes the use of artificial contraception. The bishops teach us that what the Catholic Church advocates - abstinence before marriage and monogamy during marriage - are the only surefire ways to prevent AIDS. "The Catholic Church continuously advocates the only lifestyle that completely prevents the HIV virus through sexual transmission and protects people from AIDS." Grenchik said. It is what Catholics for a Free Choice endorses that can hurt people. Condoms do not save lives. Consider the following: • Dr Harold Jaffee, chief of epidemiology for the national Centres for Disease Control, once said, "You just can't tell people it's all right to do whatever you want as long as you wear a condom. It (AIDS) is just too dangerous a disease to say that." • Dr Robert RealeId, chief of retro-viral

research at the Walter Reed Army Institute, noted that, "Simply put, condoms fail. And condoms fail at a rate unacceptable for me as a physician to endorse them as a strategy to be promoted as meaningful AIDS protection." • "Saying that the use of condoms is 'safe sex' is in fact playing Russian roulette. A lot of people will die in this dangerous game," is the position of Dr Teresa Crenshaw, a member of the US Presidential AIDS Commission and past president of the American Association of Sex Educators. Those are statements you won't see in the Catholics for a Free Choice "care" campaignA recent study by Johns Hopkins University - in which it supports widespread distribution of condoms - concedes that condoms "reduce" rates of HIV infection and "slow" the spread of AIDS. Notice, it does not say it prevents the disease or saves lives. Planned Parenthood, on its Web site, concedes that condoms have between a 2 and 14 per cent failure rate. That is, as Dr Crenshaw notes, playing Russian roulette. The New York bishops - who are count- • The opinions expressed in this editorial, ed among the bishops Catholics for a Free and any other Record editorial, are not Choice claim are responsible for the death necessarily those of the Roman Catholic of innocent people - issued a statement Archbishop of Perth.

Arounof&e 7ct4k. T

Reconciliation needed too

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ope John Paul's formula 'No peace without justice and no justice without forgiveness' expressed in his message for World Day of Peace, is certainly strong and compelling.

There's something about this formula however that leaves me unconvinced. What this is. I discern, is that forgiveness is presented as something complete in itself and independent. Can this in fact be the case? I see forgiveness as part, indeed a sine qua non and indispensable part, of something greater, namely. reconciliation. I also see another equally sine qua non and indispensable part of reconciliation, and that is sorrow. For me, then, a more convincing formula would read: No peace without justice, but no justice without reconciliation, and no reconciliation without sorrow and forgiveness. For when sincere sorrow is expressed for wrong done and welcomed with true forgiveness, reconciliation occurs, and once there is reconciliation justice can prevail and flourish, and once justice prevails and flourishes, peace can descend and pervade, remain and endure. Like God, one can be ever willing to forgive, whether it be a terrorist, rapist or arsonist. But if the terrorist, rapist or arsonist remains unrepentant, even gloating over the evil done, can reconciliation in reality be achieved? And therefore, logically, justice and peace? Fr John B Flynn, SAC Riverton

Video sent to parishes

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, ollowing the positive response to my letter in the Record (27 December 2001) regarding abortion, it has been suggested that every Parish Priest in Perth be sent a copy of 'Pro-choice - The Hard Truth' so as to expand even further the potential audience for this video. To that end, all Parishes in Perth have now been sent a copy and any interested parishioners need only approach their Parish Priest Paul Kelly Wilson

God condemns no-one

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n a letter to the West Australian a lesbian asked if the God of love would condemn her. My answer is that God does not condemn anyone. Our relationship with God depends upon how we respond to that magnificent love. One could either accept and live in that love - not necessarily an easy thing to do with all the attractions and pressures around - or, reject it for whatever reason. This acceptance or rejection is solely up to the individual and so any condemnation could only be self-inflicted. The writer also asked Christians to stand up for what they believe and this is precisely what they - and others - have been doing. Unfortunately, the only way this could be done is through the columns of the newspapers. There does not seem to be any other democratic way because Mr McGinty has handled this whole process in an apparently unprincipled manner. At the outset he barred - locked out many concerned people ('homophobes, according to some Labor members) from participating in the debate. Then in Parliament, he gagged our elected representatives except those who agreed with him. A conscience vote? No way. The issues involved in Mr. McGinty's bill are more serious than Bell Towers and Convention Centres. His chosen group of 'advisers' has made every effort to satisfy their 'rights' as they - and only they - see them. Ican see the argument for the age of consent being the same for boys and girls. However, does a woman who intends remaining single have the 'right' to be given - yes, given - a child by whatever means possible? If so, does it not follow, that a single man or two men or whatever combination suits some people, should also be granted the very same right - including the 16 year old boy? It has now become clear that one set of rights provides grounds for yet another set of rights. While this escalation takes place, we find that responsibility becomes less relevant. We have heard Labor's Mr Hyde, an extremist. We are now waiting anxiously for Labor's Dr Jekyll to step in and take

saying that human sexuality curricula must "reflect sound scientific and psychological information, the teachings of the church, and ... emphasise the value of each individual person, the gift of sexuality, parental involvement and the importance of family." "We believe that hoping for abstinence while simultaneously encouraging the illusion of 'safe sex' through condom use simply does not and will not work," the New York bishops said. "Sexual abstinence is the only known 100 per cent effective method of preventing unintended pregnancy and HIV transmission. Sex is not a game. But if you treat it like a game, it can have very harmful, long-term consequences. We are confronted with a disease that kills. This is not the time for rhetoric or lame excuses. It is not the time to take the easy way out. It is time to speak the truth." The truth, as Grenchik aptly puts it, is this: "The Catholic Church was one of the first institutions to commit time and resources to love and serve people living with HIV/AIDS, and is the single largest provider of AIDS care worldwide. In fact, the Catholic Church provides 25 per cent of all AIDS care (around the world)." So, the answer to Catholics for a Free Choice is: Yes, the bishops and the Catholic Church most certainly do care. The real question is: Do Catholics for a Free Choice care? By what they advocate, the answer, sadly, Is apparently not.

Lefle.rs lo control. Will the good doctor spend some time listening to the concerns of the many wonderful so-called 'homophobes' that live In WA - seniors, young men and women, mums and dads? We could only hope so. M. Lyons Carlisle

Where support went

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erry Ryan asks, and wonders why the CDP did not attract more support of electors (letters 3 January). A question with many answers. Terry. Answers? One is that votes don't grow on trees, particularly for parties which do not promise material rewards. Even Christians can and do put material considerations before anything else. Another answer is that most people try to pick the winner and vote accordingly, hence the pre-election polls. which can be guided one way or another. Then the important matter of organising and resources ie. money and manpower, all necessary adjuncts. When comparing the previous Liberal government's abortion law with present government bills,I seem to remember that the vote on abortion was a free, ie a conscience vote - not so for this government. It is instructive to note, that this destructive government was elected via the preferences of one minor party. How is that for unintended consequences? From my experience, my opinion is; beware of the minors, look at the greens etc, etc! Peter Bertola Esperance

Surprise on population

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ith its collective brain dumbed down by decades of media trivia, relativistic morality and instant gratification, the world long ago succumbed to the sterile logic of contraception and its corollary, abortion. A major plank of the pro-abortion lobby to justify their horrendous policy is the claim that the world is overpopulated; somehow in their warped logic this provides some sort of virtuous gloss to their dark and terrible trade. The most surprising thing about this is the almost universal acceptance of it as if it is true.

Colifor

It is not, and some simple arithmetic shows it to be what it is; a facile distortion of localised events to justify the unjustifiable. The world is not overpopulated. A very simple calculation helps to clarify the ratio of people to available land. If the world's population is assumed at six billion and every man woman and child stood army style in regimented rows one meter apart they would only cover an area stretching along the coast from Yanchep to Rockingham and inland to Northam. There would not be another person anywhere on the earth: grouped together everybody would fit into that small area. Critics will dismiss this example as impractical. It is, but it also helps to counter the ludicrous propaganda that the world is fast running out of space. It is not, and with the right social and political conditions the dreadful images of hunger and privation we are constantly bombarded with could be a thing of the past. Fremantle has a population of 25.000 people living in an area of 18 square kilometres. Dividing 6 billion by 25,000 and multiplying it by 18 gives a figure of 4 .3 million square kilometres, which is 54 per cent of the area of Australia. The world's population could be housed at a Fremantle standard of living with its parks, gardens, golf courses, a major hospital, boat harbours, port, industrial areas, old jail now a cultural centre, beaches, major roads, railway, etc, and would only occupy half of the area of Australia. Once again there would not be another man, woman or child anywhere else on the earth. In nearly every, if not every, case of suffering supposedly due to excessive population, the true cause will be something else. Tribal or ethnic hatreds, unseasonable weather, inadequate water storage and distribution, globalism and manipulation of markets, the list is long but always comes back to injustice. The greatest injustice of all is abortion and anybody trying to justify it by the nonsensical claim of overpopulation is only compounding a crime by a lie. Barry T Morgan Samson , The Record, January 10 2002 Page 7

Features

Perpetual adoration is the way to go - and always completely safe at night By Fr Doug Hams 111n any situation in our world, our best reaction is to give our lives wholeheartedly to Christ, through prayer and penance. Prayer should especially be in the presence of Jesus Himself - in the most Blessed Sacrament. That is the foundation of the worldwide movement for Perpetual Adoration. At the height of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI wrote a prophetic encyclical entitled Mysforlorn Fidel. In the encyclical, the Pope states that the Eucharist is reserved in our Church as the "spiritual centre" of the parish. In this encyclical he also writes: "Anyone, therefore, who approaches this august Sacrament with special devotion and endeavours to return generous love for Christ's own infinite love, experiences and fully understands . . . how great is the value of converse with Christ, for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road to holiness: Pope Paul said he wrote this encyclical "so that the hope aroused by the Council that a new era of eucharistic piety pervade the whole Church be not frustrated." He pleaded with pastors and bishops to "tirelessly" promote devotion to the Blessed Sacrament so that a new era of eucharistic piety pervade the whole Church. The Life of our Souls Pope John Paul II, in his letter On the Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist. (1980), wrote: "The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic adoration. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of His love." The Holy Father put his words into action by beginning perpetual adoration, with the Blessed Sacrament exposed, on 2 December, 1981. Since then, there has been uninterrupted, continuous adoration in the little chapel at St Peter's in the Vatican. In the prayer to open this chapel, the Pope prayed for every parish in the world to have perpetual adoration. In the 1940s, a priest in the US started perpetual adoration in his parish to pray for the safety of the men in the parish who had gone to war; not one of these men was

Fr Doug Harris

killed. As a result, a neighbouring parish, which had already lost 20 men in the war, decided to start perpetual adoration; afterwards, not one man died. San Marcus parish, Guatemala, has perpetual adoration, and not a single priest or parishioner was harmed during the recent civil war there. In the four surrounding parishes, the priests were killed and the villages wiped out The Eucharist is Our Risen Lord with all the power of His resurrection flowing out to all who come to His Eucharistic presence. His words are the same today as ever "Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid!" (Mark 5:50). Perpetual Adoration Worldwide Over 2,500 parishes around the vorld now have perpetual adoration. About 500 of these are in the Philippines. Cardinal Sin has asked every parish in the Archdiocese of Manila to have perpetual adoration. The United States has about 1,100 chapels of perpetual adoration. The Republic of Ireland has about 150 chapels; Bishop john McGee of Clone diocese, the only man to be secretary to three Popes, has personally established 33 of these chapels. South Korea, with a Catholic population of less than one per cent, has 70. Perpetual Adoration WA Perpetual Adoration came to Western Australia when the parish of St Lawrence, Bluff Point, Gerald-

ton, started Perpetual Adoration on 16 July, 1988. The parish priest was Fr Brian Ahern. Since then, Perpetual Adoration started at St Gerard Majella's, Mirrabooka, when Fr Geoff Aldous was parish priest; and St Brigid's, Midland, when the parish was administered by the Order of Friars Minor. Since that fateful day of 11 September, the Society for Perpetual Adoration in the US has been almost inundated with requests from priests and laity for perpetual adoration in their parishes. Let us seriously pray that more chapels of perpetual adoration will open here in WA. There are only 168 hours in a week. The vast majority of parishes have two, three or four times more people than there are hours in the week. The practical advantage of perpetual adoration is that it opens up all 168 hours of the week. This makes it very easy for anyone to choose one of the hours during the week to make a holyhour of prayer. When each hour is covered it also makes the Blessed Sacrament available to anyone at any time. When people know that they have an opportunity to visit Our Blessed Lord any time they desire, it is extraordinary how many people respond. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the answer to all the ills in the Church and human society. From the Lamb flows the river, crystal clear, which provides the healing and the medicine for all the nations (Rev.22:1-3). How to do it The purpose of this article is to appeal to those priests and laity who "know" the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and want to proclaim Him "Lord of Lords and King of Kings" through perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. What I do is speak at all weekend Masses on the value and spiritual benefits of spending a quiet, personal, holy-hour of prayer in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. After the homily each person is given an invitation. Those wanting to participate in perpetual adoration by spending an hour a week with Our Lord, sign their name and

Eucharistic adoration at St Domink's Church, Innaloo.

give their telephone number. The invitation includes a request for a committee to help organise all the hours so that each hour is covered and Jesus is never left alone. A meeting of these people is held in the parish, to teach them how to organise perpetual adoration, in a smooth effective way that will last for years to come. If there are vacant hours, these hours are advertised; and committee members approach people to volunteer. Also, a smaller parish may combine with another. Because of the faith of the laity and the hunger for prayer, enough people almost always make themselves available for perpetual adoration. When asked "What will save the world?" Mother Teresa replied: "My answer is prayer. What we

need is for every parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in holy-hours of prayer." Some think it is dangerous to make adoration in the middle of the night. Never once that Iknow of has anyone been harmed while either coming to or going from Eucharistic adoration. Sacre Coeur in Paris has had perpetual adoration for over 100 years without a single incident. St Joseph's parish (Bakersfield, California) has perpetual adoration. Since it was established. the Parish Priest has been astonished by the total lack of vandalism and crime, as it is a very rough area. Fr Doug Harris is an Assistant Priest at the Cathedral with the special role of encouraging Perpetual Adoration. He can be contacted on 9223 1350.

Blessed Margaret credited for executive's return of sight

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By Nancy Frazier O'Brien

hen Mary Jane Owen lost her sight 30 years ago, it changed her life. But not in the way you might expect Now executive director of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities, Owen's loss of vision was her first experience with a disability. She now also uses a wheelchair because of spinal cord damage and has partial hearing loss. Then a professor at San Francisco State University, she describes her former self as a "terrible snob, an elitist scholar, a person who had actively excluded people with disabilities from the graduate program in which I was involved." But God had lessons to teach, and the path that Owen followed over the next 30 years now has led to the return of her sight She calls it a miracle and attributes it to the intercession of a 13th-century nun whose blindness and crippled limbs prompted her parents to abandon her. Blessed Margaret of Castello was blind and had a twisted back The Record, January 10 2002 Page 8

and legs when she was born to a noble Italian family in 1287 Her family kept her locked away and eventually abandoned Margaret, who joined the Third Order Dominicans and became known for her holiness before her death at the age of 33. In her disabilities work, Owen said she prays to Blessed Margaret and the Holy Spirit before every talk and every time she is called to write about her "new vision of our shared vulnerability and its relationship to God's plan for his children." But she never prayed specifically for her vision to return. "I had long ago ceased to even consider I needed sight to share the good news or represent the gifts that God has given to each human being," she said. When her eye surgeon, Dr Thomas Clinch, proposed surgery that would relieve the pain of blisters and bleeding in her eyes, he told Owen not to expect any improvement in her vision. He told her, "That would be a miracle and I'm not about to perform a miracle," she said. Four operations later, Owen's vision is fully restored in her right eye. A recent

Mary Jane Owen with a picture of Blessed Margaret of Castello to whom she prays

accident damaged her left eye, and surgery to regain her vision in that eye has to wait until Ills healed in about seven months. Being able to see for the first time in 30 years has been quite an experience. "Everybody is so beautiful, so different," Owen said.

"I had kind of forgotten." One day shortly after her sight returned, "I spent 15 minutes Just watching water splash in the sink," she said. Owen said many people with whom she had dealt over the years did not realise she saw only shadows, because she had learned many techniques at the Orientation Centre for the Blind in Albany, California, that helped her not act like a blind person. In training newly-blind adults, the centre insists that people "never stop gesturing, always have expression in their face and look at people," Owen said. "I got the best blindness training." Over the years, "I came to see my blindness as truly a gift which had altered my life forever," she said. "The surface and appearances of the world were no longer that Important.I was unaware of garbage in the streets upon my visits to Rome (and) did not have to acknowledge that Ino longer looked as young as whenIhad last seen myself." "For 30 years Ihaven't been able to access all the information I've wanted," she said. "It's wonderful to be able to read and study."

Features

Couples for Christ model takes root in Viet parishes Cardinal Paul Joseph Pham Dinh Tung leaves St Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi after Christmas Mass on 25 December. Photo. CNS,Reuters

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lch ay family apostolate minister of Ho Chi Minh City archdiocese says ristian families need to strengthen their faith so they can face challenges in Vietnam's consumerist society Ta Dinh Viii and his wife launched an effort to renew the family apostolate eight years ago by introducing to the Vietnam Church a program modelled after the "Couples for Christ." Vui first worked as a youth minister for several years in the archdiocese, but after he and his wife got married and had a son, the couple got involved in the family apostolate. The 54-year-old layman recently spoke with UCA News about his activities and experiences of family ministry. UCA NEWS: Why did you become involved in family ministry? TA DINH VUI: For three reasons - my experience in my own family, the needs of families around me and the calls of Church pastors. Pope John Paul II said, "The family is the first and foremost path the Church must follow." In 1987,I felt God preparing and urging me to go in another direction. My wife and I began exploring family ministry, but our first attempt was not so successful. We had to wait for the Holy Spirit to start a new thrust of family ministry within our Church, modelled on the "Couples for Christ" movement so popular in some Churches in Asia. Our model was introduced in 1993 and has since proven beneficial to many parishes through the humble and discreet work of zealous lay ministers. They have been helping Catholic families become more active and committed to introducing the Gospel to other families. What are Catholic families like in Vietnam these days? Vietnamese families, including Catholic families, have long endured many

human conscience - fraud, greed, sexual abuse and drug addiction. Is family ministry now well accepted? Family ministry is still not given due attention. Many parishes do not yet organise regular activities for married couples. However, (Archbishop Jean Baptiste Pham Mirth Man of Ho Chi Minh City) is very supportive of post-marriage ministry, marriage prepara•• tion for young people and parish-based Vietnamese Catholics pack into Notre Dame activities for Church-based groups such as Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City in April, 1998. family heads, Catholic mothers and so on. Faced with challenges posed by today's individualistic mentality and consumerist when their general assembly stressed that society, families must solidify to fulfil their Church renewal should begin with renewal members' vocation as lay Christians. This within families. Fourth, renewing the living awareness will motivate individuals and environment of the family and the related families to undertake more initiatives and community. plan activities that nurture their Christian How well does the model work? faith. Only a nurtured faith can give them Our model has been applied in six diocethe courage to swim against the current. ses including this archdiocese. We enjoy the What is family ministry all about? blessing and support of bishops and priests Our family ministry model combines four as they realize that we want to help them basic elements. First, proclaiming the build up the Church. Every week, families Gospel to all family members so they can gather to pray and share the Word of God, renew themselves and live in accord with study the themes related to Christian and the law of love. Second. self-renewal as a conjugal life, share their experiences of famstep toward renewing Catholic families. ily life and socialise. Third. Church renewal along the lines that This lifestyle is rooted in renewed faith the Asian bishops stated in January 2000 and an experience of the Holy Spirit within the community A three-month c.atechetical program is needed for couples to deepen their Christian life and prepare themselves for renewal. What else does family ministry involve? Family ministry demands the engagement of both husband and wife. People are often so busy making a living that it is not easy for spouses to get involved in something together. But everything has its costs, especially when spouses choose to live their love for each other. God, family and everyone else. According to a Vietnamese saying, "A happy couple can dry up even the Eastern Sea." When Catholic women get involved in family ministry they have more chances to rediscover their dignity and status in relation to their husbands. They become more self-confident and dynamic in the life of their own communities. How does this ministry help the Church in Vietnam? Parishes have happier and more devout families who are caring more for A Vietnamese Catholic woman lights a candle to the Virgin Mary at a Catholic religious shrine in Ho their children and neighbours. Families Photo. CNS/Reuters read the Bible every day. Chi Minh City.

difficulties and challenges. They had to live in an environment badly-affected by war for nearly 50 years. During the early years of reconstruction of our reunified country, they suffered more hardships. Afterward, an open-door policy introduced our country to a market-oriented economy. Married life, parent-child relations and children's education are at risk from widespread poverty, the lure of money and the replacement of traditional values with the new values of a "technological" civilisation. Moreover, the renewal of Christian life initiated by the Second Vatican Council is yet to penetrate the mindset and lifestyle of families. Many Catholics still think in terms of "respect men, despise women." This does not foster smooth communication between husband and wife, or between parents and children. Most adults care so little about their own formation. They do not tap inner strengths and increase their knowledge to fulfil their roles as husband or wife, parent or grandparent in a constantly changing situation. Few families have enough unity and solidarity to resist dangers that threaten conjugal life, life itself and the education of youth, such as divorce, abortion and many negative social influences and vices that erode

Condemnations of'Jews without basis: Vatican document By Cindy Wooden

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sing New Testament condemnations of some Jews to support contempt for Judaism as a whole violates the teaching of the New Testament, said a new Vatican document. Nowhere in the New Testament can one find passages reflecting "an attitude of scorn, hostility or persecution of Jews as Jews," said the new document from the Pontifical Biblical Commission. The document, The Jewish People and their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible, was released in Italian and French in early December. Commission members said their document was meant to contribute to JewishChristian understanding by explaining the Importance of the Jewish Scriptures for Christian faith and providing a context for Christians reading references to Jews in the New Testament. In an introduction to the 207-page document, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, president of the commission, said the text had to take Into account "the context of present history in which the drama of the Shoah," the Nazi Holocaust, placed the relationship between Christians and Jews in a new light. The Holocaust, he said, raised two questions for biblical scholars:

• "After all that has happened, can Christians still tranquilly advance the claim to be the legitimate heirs of the Bible of Israel?" • "Did the New Testament's presentation of the Jews and the Jewish people perhaps help to create a hostility toward them that contributed to the ideology of those who wanted to suppress them?" The document's conclusions, Cardinal Ratzinger said, are clear • Renouncing a claim to the Hebrew Scriptures "would dissolve Christianity itself," and it would do nothing to improve Jewish-Christian relations because the Scriptures are the most important thing Christians and Jews share. • "The rebukes addressed to the Jews in the New Testament are no more frequent nor harsher than the accusations against Israel in the law and in the prophets, therefore within the Old Testament itself." Separate sections of the document examine references to Jews, their tradition and practices in each of the Gospels, particularly their accounts of Jesus' passion, in the letters of Paul and in Revelation. The vast majority of the references are positive, underlining the fact that God's covenant with the Jewish people will be fulfilled, that Jesus was a Jew sent first of all to save God's chosen people and that his disciples were Jews, the document said.

This ancient fragment of text is part of the Dead

Sea Scrolls. Photo CNS/Courtesy Israel Antiquities Authority "The writings of the New Testament never present themselves as an absolute novelty but on the contrary show themselves to be solidly rooted in the long religious experience of the people of Israel," it said. "The writings of the New Testament recognise that the Scriptures of the Jewish people have the permanent value of divine revelation," the document said. The New Testament never claims that the

Jews have been rejected by God and, in fact, it affirms that God will save Israel. The condemnations of Jews found in the New Testament are addressed to a handful of leaders who do not recognise Jesus as Messiah or to Jews who have violated God's law, it said. The varying degrees of positive and negative references to Jews and Judaism found in the various Gospels reflect the degree to which individual Christian communities were tied to their Jewish roots and the level of persecution they suffered at the hands of the wider Jewish community once they became Christian, the document said. Literature and culture also play a role, the commission said. "The invectives and accusations made against the Scribes and Pharisees are analogous to those found in the (Old Testament) prophets and correspond to the literary genre of the time," the commission said. Even the harshest accusations, it said, remain tied to a particular historic situation and to particular individuals; expanding the condemnations to all Jews of all times would be to ignore the fact that God works within history and progressively leads his people toward salvation. The Old Testament is the Word of God, so a Christian reading of it does not mean "wanting to find in every passage direct references to Jesus and to Christian realities." The Record, January 10 2002 Page 9

Book Reviews

Worthy of permanent place on any bookshelf Hail, Holy Queen. The Mother of God in the Word of God by Scott Hahn. Publishers: Doubleday. RRP: $41.80 Reviewed by Barry Morgan

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his is an exceptionally valuable book for those wanting to deepen their knowledge of their Catholic faith and Our Blessed Mother's central role in God's plan of salvation. As Fr Kilian Healy, 0.Carm. says in the foreword. . . "it would be a mistake to consider this a bedside companion." "Its rich content needs to be pondered and digested. It could serve as a textbook for a class in Marian studies." It can also sprve as a kind of oblique rebuke to those of us who may be tempted to lose heart at the contemporary erosion of faith and consequent dwindling of numbers within the church: bringing to mind the words of Our Lord - "Oh ye of little faith." We tend to forget that in recent years there have also been significant numbers of conversions of our 'separated brethren' from the Protestant denominations. A feature of these conversions is that it has brought into the Church a number of intelligent, articulate people who take their Christianity very seriously. Raised on a regime of intense biblical study, they know their Bible very well; far better than a lot of us who grew up in the Faith. Now, having found their true home within the embrace of Holy Mother Church, they are applying the same lively zeal to their new lives as Catholics. Scott Hahn, the author of this

tants who've thought and taught, . . . that Catholics are not even Christians. . . . Conversion to Catholicism means hardship, sacrifice, and often loneliness. It means following Jesus all the way THE MOTHER OF GOD IN THE WORD OF GOD to the Cross." He now teaches as a Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. With conviction and qualifications like that, you expect, and get, a very good book on Our Blessed Mother and her role within the Church. In his introduction, he uses a childhood memory to emphasise that we should never be ashamed of our mother, and how much more we should never be ashamed to be seen with Our Heavenly Mother, the Mother given to us by Christ. Then from chapter 1 through to chapter 8 and the appendix, he immerses the reader in what he describes as a journey. . . "with Mary, toward our common destination, our common home in the heavenly Jerusalem." He reminds us of the extraordinary bond between mother and child, where for the first nine months they are literally inseparable: and after birth, how the infant's eyesight is so limited as to only see its mother, how its ears hear the beat of her heart and the high tones of her voice. He reminds us of John Paul's description: "God in His deepest mystery is not a solitude, but a family, since He has in Himself fatherhood, sonship, and the essence of the family, which is love." His explanation of a covenant. Its history throughout the ages book, is one of these. In a fore."Confronting this fact is a gut- and the final covenant through word elsewhere, he describes his wrenching agony for staunch, Christ, drives home the tremenconversion in the following terms Bible-based Evangelical Protes- dous privilege of belonging to

God's family in the church. Likewise, his explanation of Christ as the new Adam gives us a deeper insight into that phrase. The recognition of Mary as the second Eve was firmly established from the very beginnings of the Church. He quotes Tertullian at the beginning of the third century: "For it was while Eve was yet a virgin that the ensnaring word had crept into her ear which was to build the edifice of death. "Into a virgin's soul, in like manner, must be introduced that Word of God which was to raise the fabric of life; so that what had been reduced to ruin by this sex might by the selfsame sex be recovered to salvation. "As Eve believed the serpent, so Mary believed the angel. The delinquency which one occasioned by believing, the other effaced by believing." It is remarkable to meditate on the fact that the whole of human history, yours and mine and countless numbers of other's destiny, hung on the response, more than two thousand years ago, of that one woman - Mary, a young virgin, in a provincial backwater of the mighty Roman empire. He finishes with an appendix that focuses on. what else could it be but the rosary; that endless circle of praise and supplication to our virginal Mother who, no matter what our faults and failings, continues to intercede for us on our earthly pilgrimage. There is also a further very helpful fourteen pages of sources and references. This is an excellent book; worthy of a permanent place on the bookshelf of anybody seriously interested in learning more about Our Lady.

A century of heartache plishment, of renewed statehood links. When the "enlightenment" for the Jewish people, of life in all came, this character of the Jew its facets in every part of the enabled him to cast off the world. The maps illustrate to despondency brought on by what ends of the earth Jews had mediaeval religious power seekbeen thrust or had migrated to ers, and link them from every corfind a system of society enabling ner of the globe into the same one them to give expression to a free- nation Israel in the Land of Israel. dom of development in all fields On the way the Western World ir Martin Gilbert has a rep- of public, academic, commercial began to realise their worth, their utation for writing as a and political endeavour. talent, their wisdom, their selfS scholar, cartographer, hisBoth inside end pages reflect sacrifice, their self-reliance, their torian and narrator, and he has this expression by listing an extra- patience and highly-motivated attracted a multitude of admirers ordinary number of Jewish Nobel commitment to integrate as active around the world. Laureates. participants in their countries of It is no exaggeration to express The Jewish people have been settlement. that to see a book with the name variously portrayed as a religion, Yet, the century has been fraught Martin Gilbert as author, editor or a race and a nationality. with wars from which there was contributor, means that it is worth Today with the State of Israel, no escape. In their aftermath, the reading. the third Commonwealth in the lessons that could have been In the book under discussion, history of the Jewish nation, they learned went unheeded, and the assortment of pictures in an have come home to build, man's inhumanity to man attractive volume balanced by progress and develop a democra- reached the zenith of a fierce frenheadings, summaries, historical tic way of life, to overcome the zy. The world could well have analyses and maps, the author discomfort and mental torment learned the lessons to advantage, once again demonstrates talent. which have been the hallmark of and by not having done so, was There has to be a team of advi- Jewish existence from earliest destined to experience them once An Ultra-Orthodox Jew prays at the Western Wall following an unusually heavy snowfall in Jerusalem last January. sors and scholars to accomplish times. more. Photo CN&Reuters such a task as the one reflected in In the lands of their dispersion, Martin Gilbert covers many dif- of Israel, its immigration which story is fascinating for all students this magnificent work. they carried their books and ferent strains of the Jewish expe- has defied all sociological prob- of etImicity, to understand how a Equally important is to know prayer shawls and devoted time rience from the pogroms of Russia lems, absorbing millions of Jews homeless people of differing where the material for such a to learning. It gave them hope in to the sweatshops of the New in what is known as "The Ingath- backgrounds, of cultures east and book is accessible, to be familiar a future return. It gave them the World, from the Communist rev- ering of the Exiles." west, can still work together as a with the institutions of learning strength to overcome the cruel- olution to a free and unfettered Pictures of collective dancing family without tension, and create from where it can be obtained, ties, the tortures and compulsory life in America. alongside land reclamation and a state after two thousand years of and to know where to find the conversions intended to destroy He has introduced his readers to building each tell its own tale. wandering. museums and exhibitions whose them, to weaken their influence. a panorama of Jewish personaliThe pictures and the text also Above all to perceive, in the spirarchives provide the most approThe author illustrates how Jews ties who have enriched every treat the wars the Jewish popula- it of the Jew, that with determinapriate pictures and documents for remained steadfast in faith. branch of the arts and sciences, tion had to have in order to tion and faith, nothing is such a presentation. They became known as the and across the board of daily avo- achieve it. The century has seen a impossible. Sir Martin Gilbert The author's acknowledgement "People of the Book." It enabled cations, have given joy to millions cementing of Jews from east and must be congratulated for this litof these sources itself tells a story them to endure the hostility of through a unique entertainment west, from London to Baghdad, erary response. It is a guide for of the extent to which his investi- centuries. They found spiritual Industry called "showbiz," in from Europe to the African conti- the picture-lover, a teacher for the gations had taken him. comfort in ethical and moral lit- vision and in sound, captivating a nent, from the USA to Asia. student, a blueprint for the chasThe subject deals with a centu- erature, in their study of Bible, Tal- global audience in all languages. In religion, politics, the military, tened and scorched among ry of heartache, of deep human mud and Rabbinic sources. However, to meet the Jews of the trade and commerce: all is pre- minorities suffering from the suffering, of man's inhumanity to It made them an ethical people liventieth Century must of neces- sent in this valuable record. The heavy hand of persecution. man, also one of supreme accom- with family ties and communal sity focus its attention on the State

From the Ends of the Earth The Jews of the Twentieth Century by Martin Gilbert. Published by Cassell & Co Reviewed by Rabbi Dr Shalom Coleman CBE. AM. Hon. LLD.

The Record, January 10 2002 Page 10 low

Movie Reviews and Ratings

Making larceny a lark

Movie Ratings

By John Norton

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eing a thief has never looked so cool. Or slick, suave, smooth and stylish. Director Steven Soderbergh's breezy remake of Ocean's Eleven (Warner Bros.) combines a starstudded cast with a jaunty story that adds up to escapist entertainment. However, like the original lightweight caper, Ocean's Eleven treats larceny as a lark. The film doesn't exactly present criminals with any ideas they could actually put into practice, but it does make thievery look easy and desirable. So, how did Soderbergh and George Clooney convince the hefty cast to take salary cuts just to be in this film? The answer is that, although the audience may have fun watching it, the cast seemed to have a lot more fun making the film. And though these A-list stars can't be compared iconographically to the! original film's cast of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., et al. (affectionately known as the Rat Pack), seeing them bounce off each other is diverting nonetheless. The plot revolves around the preposterous notion that a group of thieves can rip off not one or two but three major Las Vegas casinos in one night, stealing more than $160 million from a highly secure vault 66 metres underground. No sooner has smooth-operator Danny Ocean (Clooney) been released from a four-year prison stint than he begins to round up his crew, each

CNS/Wamer Bros Pictures

Matt Damon and George Clooney have their hands full in the remake of the film "Ocean's Eleven." one a specialist in a certain area Gould). Although he initially begs er outshine their heartthrob counoff, Rueben agrees once he real- terparts in just about every scene. critical to the success of the job. About 45 minutes into the pro11-ekking the country to gather izes the casinos are all owned by his crew, Ocean first pulls in casi- Terry Benedict (a beautifully ceedings, "the girl" flounces no dealer and fellow ex-con Frank restrained Andy Garcia), who across the screen: Julia Roberts is (Bernie Mac) from Atlantic City; knocked Rueben off the hill as Tess. Ocean's ex-wife, and now girlfriend to Benedict. then in Hollywood he recruits real estate king of Vegas. She doesn't have much to do Every scene is in some way relatcard sharp Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt). From the Windy City he gets ed to the eventual execution of except wear fabulous clothes and jewellery and look pretty in perLinus Caldwell (Matt Damon), son the robbery. But Soderbergh skips the usual fect lighting. of a legendary con man; in FloriDue to some fleeting sexual refda (naturally) he locates an old suspense-building tricks of most retired hustler, Saul Bloom (Carl heists in favour of showing off his erences, some profanity and a few Reiner). And in Las Vegas he suc- good-looking, well-dressed cast, instances of rough language, the cessfully pitches his plan to mon- who seem relaxed and sponta- US Conference of Catholic Bisheybags Rueben Tishkoff (Elliott neous. Veterans Gould and Rein- ops classification is AM - adults.

Four couples in crisis By Anne Navarro

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n the intriguing psychological drama Lantana (Lions Gate), the world grows smaller and smaller as four couples facing a variety of personal crises are caught up in the police investigation of a missing person. Directed by Ray Lawrence and written by Andrew BoveII, the Australian film is complex and intelligent, challenging the audience as it confronts unpleasant truths about relationships, marital infidelity and human foibles. The film incisively probes the psyches of the characters, who are realistically depicted and wonderfully fleshed out by the ensemble cast. And although "Lantana" ends on a cautiously upbeat note, the casual moviegoer may find its heavy subject matter an exacting experience. The film opens with the camera gliding through a dense growth of lantana. a noxious, spiky weed that runs rampant in rural areas of Australia, revealing a woman's body in the undergrowth. It's impossible to identify the corpse, so suspense is built as the viewer is led to wonder if one of the principal female characters may wind up dead. Slowly the characters' connections are revealed. Psychiatrist Valerie (Barbara Hershey) is still severely grieving over the murder of her young daughter two years earlier. Her overwhelming sorrow has begun to chip away at her marriage to university faculty head John (Geoffrey Rush), whom she privately suspects is being unfaithful. She even goes so far as to speculate that he may be involved with a

client of hers, a haughty gay man (Peter Phelps) who, as if sensing her discomfort, takes perverse pleasure in detailing his relationship with a married man. Another of Valerie's patients is Sonja (Kerry Armstrong), the wife of police detective Leon (Anthony LaPaglia). Sonja fears that Leon is cheating on her, and she is, in fact, correct Although he loves Sonja very much, Leon seems to be experiencing a midlife crisis and decides to have a fling with Jane (Rachael Blake), a woman he met at the salsa dance classes he and Sonja take together. Separated from her husband, Pete (Glenn Robbins), Jane lives alone. Her next-door neighbors, out-ofwork Nik (Vince Colosimo) and nurse wife Paula (Daniela Farinacci), work hard to make ends meet and feed their three kids. All these characters are faced with some frustration or unhappiness that to them seems insurmountable. Midway through the film, when one of the female characters goes missing, the tension reaches a boiling point. But although Lantana may seem like a thriller on its surface, it is more accurately a keenly observant study of trust and betrayal. Problems arise as the trust between the couples slowly erodes. Curiously, the one couple who trust each other completely is Catholic, or at the very least Christian, as a crucifix hangs in their bedroom. Because of a few sexual encounters including extramarital affairs and intermittent rough language with some profanity, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is AIV - adults, with reservations.

Cruise-Cruz Vanilla Sky woeful and pretentious By Anne Navarro

It

anilla Sky (Paramount) is a woefully misguided and pretentious Tom Cruise vehicle with Spanish siren Penelope Cruz adding little to the proceedings. Audiences may be tempted to watch this confounded mess to see firsthand what all the buzz was about concerning the Cruise-Cruz love affair. Yet few are likely to think it was worth the trip to the movie theatre. Writer-director Cameron Crowe pretty much carbon-copied Alejandro Amenabar's 1997 Spanish romantic thriller Open Your Eyes for this updated version. However, Crowe seemed more concerned with exhibiting his own rock-'n'-roll tastes - the score features songs from Peter Gabriel, U2, REM, Bob Dylan. Sinead O'Connor and many more - than actually informing the hero's own existential crisis. And although it is initially intriguing, Vanilla Sky grows increasingly incomprehensible. The elaborate narrative plays head games with reality vs. illusion, character identities and who's really dead or alive. The final cockamamie explanation, involving cryogenics and something called "lucid dreams," yields a totally unsatisfying conclusion that only compounds the already stupefying elements of the movie. And Crowe's attempt to comment on casual sex in the 21st century is just as opaque. Cruise is rich, handsome womaniser David Aames. Having inherited a fortune and a publishing empire to which he pays scant attention, David is "living the life" with women falling at his feet. Julie (Cameron Diaz) is one

such lady, a clingy, jealous lover who, despite not being invited, shows up at David's birthday party anyway, just in time to see him fall for the lovely Sofia (Cruz). In the throes of unrequited love. Julie coaxes David into her car and then promptly drives the two of them off a bridge. Months later. David, whose face was disfigured from the nasty accident, hides behind a rubber mask (picture Phantom of the Opera, but far sillier) talking to a therapist (Kurt Russell) who reveals David has been charged with murder, but exactly who he murdered is unclear. Suddenly. David appears as before - without scars - and using his wily charms to pursue Sofia. From here forward, the film flips back and forth, sideways and back, between several worlds with annoying fast cuts and narrative jumps. As the movie's lines between waking life and the dream world start to blur, the viewer fidgets, wondering how in the world this could possibly all come together. And when the answer finally comes, it isn't worth the wait, much less the energy or time to pay attention to the details in order for the explanation to make the little sense that it does. In Vanilla Sky, Cruise seems to equate a serious role with character disfigurement. Yet in true Hollywood style, David's facial deformity is far less unsightly than it needs to be to make an impact. Due to a few sexual encounters and vulgar references, brief violence including suicide and recurring rough language with some profanity, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-IL! - adults.

NEW YORK (CNS) Here is a list of recent films that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film andBroadcasting has rated on the basis of moral suitability. Al - general patronage; MI adults and adolescents; MIT adults; AIV- adults, with reservations (this indicates films that, while not morally offensive in themselves, are not for casual viewing because they require analysis and explanation in order to avoid false impressions and interpretations); 0- morally offensive. A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Al! All, AM Amelie, All American Pie 2,0 An American Rhapsody, All Atlantis: The Lost Empire, All Beautiful Creatures. 0 A Beautiful Mind, All Beauty and the Beast, Al Behind Enemy Lines, AIV Black Hawk Down, AN Black Knight, All! The Body. AN Born Romantic, AM The Business of Strangers, 0 Captain Corelli's Mandolin. AN Charlotte Gray, AIII The Deep End, AM The Devil's Backbone, AIII Domestic Disturbance, All Don't Say a Word, AIV The Face: Jesus in Art, Al! The Fast and the Furious, 0 Fast Food Fast Women, AIII Final, Al!! (no rating) Happenstance, All! Happy Accidents, AIII Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, All Hearts in Atlantis, AM Heist, 0 Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Al Joy Ride. AN Kandahar, All Kate & Leopold, All The King Is Alive, Al!! King of the Jungle, AIR Kiss of the Dragon. 0 Lantana, AN The Last Castle, AIII Liam, Al!! The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, AIII Love, Honour & Obey, 0 Lumumba, The Luzhin Defence, AN The Majestic, Al! The Man Who Wasn't There. AIV Maybe Baby, Al!! Maze, AIII Me You Them, AW Monster's Ball. AN Monsters, Inc., Al Mulholland Drive. 0 Not Another Teen Movie, 0 Novocaine. API Ocean's Eleven, Al!! The One, AN On the Line, All Original Sin, AW The Others, Al!! Our Song, AN Out Cold, AN Pandaemonium. AIII Pavilion of Women, All! A Question of Faith, AP/ Rat Race, Al!! Riding in Cars With Boys, AM Rock Star, AN The Royal Tenenbaums, AIII Serendipity, AIII Session 9, AN Sidewalks of New York, AN The Simian Line, AM Spy Game, AIII The Tailor of Panama, AN Texas Rangers, API 'Ruining Day, 0 The Trumpet of the Swan, AI Vanilla Sky, AIII Waking Life, AIII Zoolander. AIII

The Record, January.10 2002 .Page .11

nternational News

Promote peace, evil HI T11 nun improves will not prevail: Pope In Brief

BIRMINGHAM. Ala. (CNS) Doctors have upgraded the condition of Mother Angelica, the 78-year-old founder of the Eternal Word Television Network in Birmingham, from serious to fair, said a 7 January EWFN press release. She had a blood clot removed from her brain on 24 December in a Birmingham hospital after suffering her second stroke in less than four months. The 7 January release said that she remained in intensive care. A week before the second stroke Mother Angelica had taken a fall which broke her arm and elbow, sending her to the hospital, said the release. She suffered the second stroke at the monastery where she lives in Hanceville. Alabama. a fter returning from the hospital. it said. Mother Angelica, a Poor Clam of Perpetual Adoration, had a stroke in September which affected her left eye and slightly paralyzed the left side of her face. The September stroke forced her absence for three weeks from her TV show, "Mother Angelica Live." When she returned to the show she joked about the eye patch she was wearing because she could not close her eye properly. EWFN, which specializes in religious programming. is available to more than 70 million US households on cable television and by direct broadcast satellite. Its programming is also carried by radio stations in the United States and abroad.

Fast food query BALAYAN, Philippines (CNS) - Philippine Catholics are split over the construction of a McDonald's restaurant on the grounds of a historic church. Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Balayan. 45 miles southwest of Manila, has leased 480 square yards of its property to one of the American chain's franchises, Father Ernesto Mandanas of the cathedral parish told LICA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. The priest said that the US S1,400 monthly income from the lease would help support an archdiocesan centre for elderly and sick priests and youth c.atechesis. Father Mandanas said a government restriction imposed in December would he lifted soon, allowing construction of the two-story restaurant to continue. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources prohibited work on the structure, which had begun in November after a rival food chain questioned the lack of an environmental clearance for construction. The municipal government later ruled that clearance is required only after construction is completed, Father Mandanas said. He called the 10-year contract with McDonald's "a stroke of blessing" and said half of the rent would go to Lipa Archdiocese's centre for retired and sick clergy.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - While world events make it difficult to look toward the future with hope, those who believe in God must use every opportunity to promote peace in the certainty that evil will not prevail, Pope John Paul II said. At his 1 January Mass marking the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and World Peace Day, the Pope made a special appeal for an end to hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians. "'The voice of blood' cries to God from that land; the blood of brothers spilled by brothers who recognise the patriarch Abraham; sons, like every man, of the same heavenly Father," he said. Pope John Piml said that, believing in the same God, Christians, Jews and Muslims are called by God to renounce violence always. "No one, for any reason, can kill In the name of God, who is one and merciful," he said. "God is life and the source of life," the Pope said. "To believe in him means witnessing to him with mercy and forgiveness, refusing to exploit his holy name." Pope John Paul told the congregation in St Peter's Basilica that he realised it was difficult to reflect on peace in a climate of widespread worry because of the recent dramatic events which have shaken the world." "But no matter how humanly difficult it may seem to look toward the future with optimism. we must not give in to the temptation of discouragement." he said.

Another prayer, in Portuguese, was offered that terrorists would be freed "from the spirit of vengeance for injustices they may have suffered and from every form of fundamentalism." Speaking in Chinese, another reader prayed for religious leaders throughout the world that they would never show tolerance for any form of terrorism. "convinced that terrorist violence is contrary to faith in God the creator and contrary to human dignity." Reciting the Angelus after the Mass, Pope John Paul again pleaded with people of good will to stand up with courage, justice and love to those, "guided by perverse interests, who aim to make the Pope John Paul II arrives at St. Peter's Basilica for New Year's Mass on 1 world a theatre of war." ?augers January. The pontiff decried violence in the name of God. "Together we must firmly -On the contrary, we must work "In the name of God.I renew my Oppose the temptations of hatred for peace with courage, certain heartfelt appeal to all, believers and violence which give only the that evil will not prevail." the Pope and nonbelievers, so that the twin illusion of resolving conflicts, but said. terms 'justice and forgiveness' In fact bring real and permanent relationships los.ses," he said. mark "Justice and forgiveness, these always "Forgiveness, as opposed to the are the two pillars of peace." he between individuals, among said, referring to the theme of the social groups and between peo- instinct of responding to evil with evil, is an attitude which, espeWorld Peace Day message that ples." the Pope said. cially for Christians, has deep reliof nations prayer that leaders of state around A was sent to heads the world and published in early and international organisations gious motives, but it also has a would promote justice and for- rational basis." the Pope said. December. "The rule of doing unto others Justice and forgiveness are not giveness "in the face of the sericontradictory, but complemen- ous problems which afflict our as we would have them do unto us is valid for all, believers and tary, and are essential for creating times" was mad in Arabic. lasting peace, the Pope said. A prayer in Hebrew asked that nonbelievers." he said. "This ethiTo turn a cessation of hostilities families and nations, "although cal principle, applied on a social into peace, right relationships tried by useless carnage and out- and international level, is the way must be restored with justice. he raged by serious violence, would to build a more just world." said. And "only forgiveness can be helped to understand that the • Pope John Paul II asked Chrisquench the thirst for vengeance capacity to forgive is at the basis and open the heart to an authen- of every project for a fraternal tians to adopt a New Year's resotic and lasting reconciliation society which is more just and lution: work and pray more Intensely for peace. between peoples." marked by solidarity."

BUDAPEST. Hungary (CNS) The head of the ecumenical Taize community urged young people to "overcome hopelessness" and experience the "miracle of forgiveness." "Today more than ever, the human family needs to enter a time of trust and comprehension - it is essential for Christians to be servants of trust, not masters of worry," Brother Roger Schutz, the Swiss Protestant prior of Taize, told some 70,000 young people attending Taize's European youth meeting in Budapest. "It is not only those with great responsibilities who determine the future of the human family. In

every country. so many of the humble of this world are preparing new roads forward. They do not need prestigious abilities to achieve this," he said at the close of the 28 December-1 January conference that drew participants from more than 60 countries. In a separate message. Pope John Paul II urged participants, who included 2Z000 youngsters and 300 priests from his native Poland. to be "watchers for the morning" and to "offer humanity the gifts characteristic of the young: hope, joy, the ability to serve and give oneself." Founded in 1940 and based in central France, Taize is operated

By Cindy Wooden

'Young people hope, forgive:' Taize

by about 200 Catholic and Protestant monks and nuns from 25 countries; the religious take vows of celibacy and simplicity. The community, which the Pope visited in 1986, has staged youth meetings annually since 1978 in various European cities to build links among Christians of various denominations. In a letter circulated in 58 languages, Brother Roger said easing world poverty was a "basic necessity to make peace on earth possible," adding that the summons to forgiveness was "the most striking thing about the Gospel." "It can require vigilance," Brother Roger said.

Five tips to improve life, by Aussie author By William Cone HUNTINGTON, Indiana. (CNS) - "How do you want your life to be different next year than it was this year?" With that question, author and speaker Matthew Kelly embarked on a journey of faith with a capacity crowd at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Huntington. An Australian, Kelly, 28, is the author of seven books, including his latest, The Shepherd. His Matthew Kelly Foundation, which has a quarterly newsletter. The Beacon. works to reach people with spiritual nourishment and encouragement. The 14 December talk focused on five practical ways to build family spirituality. He chose that topic because "we're in the middle of a culture war, and the No. • .1 tapget in that culture war is the

The Record, January 10 2002 Page 12

family. It is being targeted. . . it is being divided, it is being destroyed by our modern culture," Kelly said. Life changes occur when habits change, he said, so he offered five tips that can help families renew their spirituality. • Ask the right questions. "The best thing you can do for your children is to teach them how to make good decisions. The most important thing we do every day is make decisions. Why? Because decisions create habits, and habits create character, and your character is your destiny. If you don't know how to make good decisions, you're in big trouble," Kelly said. • Pray together as a family. There are hundreds of ways for families to pray together, hut Kelly said the best seems to be when

families study the Sunday Gospel together during the week • Create a family culture. One way to do that, Kelly said, is to have dinner together as a family. "If you can't get together as a family one night a week then there's a problem. Do you have a family in that house of yours, is that house of yours a home or is it just a hotel where strangers pass through?" • Simplify. Kelly talked about his recent move to Cincinnati and the excess stuff he had acquired. "Here I am, I'm a single guy living in a house on my own andIcouldn't believe how much junk I had accumulated in four short years," he said. • Develop a spirit of service. Those who are most happy are making a difference in other people's lives. Kelly said.

Publisher dies in US ST LOUIS (CNS) - Redemptorist Father Daniel L Lowery, former president of Liguori Publications, died on 22 December at South Point Hospital in St Louis. He was 72 years old. He had been hospitalised for almost two months because of complications from lupus. Following a funeral Mass on 27 December at the Liguori Mission House in Liguori, Missouri, Father Lowery was buried at the Redemptorist cemetery in Liguori. During his more than 45 years as a priest, he held numerous Redemptorist posts and in the early 1960s taught moral theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington. From 1981 to 1987 he was president-publisher of Liguori Publications, the Redemptorist editorial house. He also wrote several books on religious and moral themes, including "Following Christ: How to Live a Moral Life." From 1999 until his death, he was superior of the Liguori Mission House in Liguori, a residence for 18 Redemptorist priests and brothers. He also had his own Web page in which he daily answered questions on personal and moral problems. Father Lowery was ordained June 29, 1955. From 1963-68

he was associate editor of the Lip,uorian magazine.

Internationa

News

Pope, Anglican, discuss ways of drawing closer By Cindy Wooden WIGAN CITY (CNS) - From praying together for peace to promoting wider use of the Anglican Centre's library in Rome, Pope John Paul II and the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury's personal representative in Rome discussed ways to promote closer cooperation among Catholics and Anglicans. Anglican Bishop Richard Garrard met the Pope on 4 January at the Vatican, his first meeting with the Pope since his November installation as director of the Anglican Centre and representative of Archbishop George Carry of Canterbury. spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Bishop Garrard said he and his wife were "surprised and honored" to have a private meeting with the Pope when they had been expecting to be part of a

small group. The bishop also said he was impressed by how much Pope John Paul knew about his multiple tasks as director of the Anglican Centre, as Archbishop Carey's representative and as an assistant to both the Anglican and Episcopalian bishops whose territories include Italy. But the main focus of the audience, he said, was on the Anglican Centre and its work of Anglican-Catholic promoting understanding in Rome. "The Holy Father spoke particularly of the need to use our library as a place where Catholics can learn more about Anglicans and where Catholics and Anglicans can meet." he said. The Pope also asked if Bishop Garrard was ready for the 24 January interreligious gathering in Assisi to pray for peace: the bishop will speak at the gathering in the name of Archbishop Carey. "I have already completed a

draft of the talk. so I was happy to be able to say I was ready," Bishop Garrard said. The bishop said he sees great promise for improved relations through the work of the new Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission. a group of bishops appointed by the Vatican and the Anglican Communion to promote common activities to build on the theological agreements reached over the past three decades. And, personally, he said. "I will take any opportunity to (.0 anything possible to improw relations." While the movement toward unity has stalled, largely because of the priestly ordination of women in some churches of the Anglican Communion, people must not forget how much has been accomplished. Bishop Garrard said. Now he is preparing to lead prayers for peace with the Pope in Assisi.

'Priests cannot be forced to use females as servers' By John Norton

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In an English-language document, the Vatican said bishops cannot require their priests to use female altar servers. While upholding bishops' authority to permit use of female servers in their dioceses, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments said the use of male servers should be especially encouraged, in part because altar boys are a potential source of priestly vocations. The document, a 27 July letter responding to a query from an unidentified bishop, was published in late December in the congregation's Notitiae, a periodical that frequently contains liturgical rulings. The bishop, who was considering whether to authorise the use of female altar servers in his diocese, had asked whether a bishop "would be able to oblige his priests to admit women and girls to service at the altar."

The congregation said. "Such an authorisation may not, in any way, exclude men or, in particular. boys from the service of the altar, nor require that priests of the diocese would make use of female altar servers." It said it considered its letter "normative," meaning that ruling would apply in all such cases. Quoting the 1994 Vatican document that first permitted female altar servers, the congregation said it continued to be "very appropriate to follow the noble tradition of having boys serve at the altar." "Indeed, the obligation to support groups of altar boys will always remain, not least of all due to the well-known assistance that such programs have provided since time immemorial in encouraging future priestly vocations," it said. The congregation underscored the bishop's freedom to decide whether he would allow female altar servers in his diocese.

Morning-after pill 'irresponsible' By Art Babych

OTTAWA (CNS) - A Catholic health official said Canadian doctors who skirted health regulations by writing prescriptions for the morning-after pill "just in case" it was needed were being irresponsible. Dr Richard Haughian, executive director of the Catholic Health Association of Canada, said Health Canada requires a prescription because of the possible side effects of the drug and that its use should be decided on a case-by-case basis. "If physicians do it for Plan B (the brand name of the drug).

where does it end?" Haughian said. "What's to prevent them from doing it for other types of medication in other circumstances?" He was reacting to a report in a Canadian newspaper on 3 January that quoted medical officials as saying many physicians are quietly writing prescriptions for the emergency contraceptives, which need to be taken by women within 72 hours after intercourse to be effective. The practice of writing such prescriptions is not considered illegal but is not routine, the newspaper reported. Currently, Quebec and British

Columbia allow pharmacists to sell emergency contraception without a doctor's prescription. But Haughian said offering justin-case prescriptions for the morning-after pill doesn't allow for an assessment of possible side effects. "The potential impact of high hormone doses is particularly troublesome and frequently the impact of long-term use of the pill is not addressed." he said. "We have an ethical problem with the use of the pill but we also have a problem in terms of health and health care for the individual women and children involved," Haughian said.

- CMS

IVner, F

, c „.

Samantha Marino, an attar server at San Pedro Parish in North Port, Florida, greets Fr Patrick Organ in a traditional martial arts pose.

Port. for her altar serving. "Samantha has been dedicated NORTH PORT, Fla. (CNS) - For and consistent," said Father 12-year-old Samantha Marino, Patrick Organ. pastor of San Pedro the discipline that it took to earn Parish. "She reflects the dedication of a black belt in the martial art of tae kwon do helps her earn all 50 altar servers we have. She respect in the liturgical art of altar exemplifies what an altar server should be: responsible and faithserving. ful. The honour is also a reflection she concentration in lessons The The Priestly Association of St the parents' values and examof be her help do kwon tae in learns John Vianney was founded by a he said. ple," said. she server, altar good a former head of the Campos DioOrgan is no stranger to Father don't I Mass. in attention pay "I cese, Bishop Antonio de Castro benefits of martial arts. While the there sit just I talk. or around fool Mayer, who joined Archbishop told in seminary, he was one step away Lefebvre in the unauthorised and listen to the Gospel," she from earning a black belt in judo. diocesan Catholic, Florida The ordinations of four bishops in "It gives you discipline and DioVenice the for newspaper John Pope led 1988. The action self-respect and respect teaches cese. Paul II to excommunicate them. others. It is good for young for the by honored was Marino The current head of the Campos Florida council of the Knights of people," he said. "But I won't take group is Bishop Liciano Rangel. "altar her on untilI take more training." The association is affiliated with Columbus in June as the Marino has been taking tae Venice the for year" the of server about two dozen priests: aligned do lessons for nearly three kwon July, In group. age her for Diocese with it are two religious orders of and practises twice a week years by additionally honoured was she women and an estimated 30,000 her parish, San Pedro in North for two hours. faithful. By Josh Noem

Followers of Lefebvre set to return VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Vatican officials and leaders of a Brazilian group of followers of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre are engaged in talks that seem set to bring the group back into full communion with the Catholic Church. Mgr Camille Perl, secretary of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei," said on 3 January that the talks have been under way "for months, but I do not know when all the details will be resolved." Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, president of the commis-

sion established in 1988 to promote the reconciliation of the traof followers ditionalist Archbishop Lefebvre, has been leading the discussions with the Priestly Association of St John Vianney in Campos, Brazil. Archbishop Lefebvre, who died in 1991, rejected the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council as well as many of its teachings on religious freedom and ecumenism. His followers insist on celebrating the Mass only according to the Tridentine ritual in place before the council.

'Remote chance of contracting meningitis' from communion cup FORT WORTH, Texas (CNS) - Health officials said parishioners who drank consecrated wine from the chalice during a 30 December morning Mass at St Vincent de Paul Church in Arlington are considered to be at an "extremely remote risk of contracting bacterial meningitis," even though a woman who drank from the chalice died two days later of one form of the disease. Linda Pfleger, a 49-year-old elementary school teacher from Arlington who developed meningococcaemia during the weekend of 29 December, died 12 hours after being brought to the hospital of multiple complications and infections from the dis-

ease. Her memorial service took place on 3 January at St Vincent de Paul Church. Tarrant County Public Health Department officials released a statement on 2 January, saying that anyone who drank from the chalice during the 9.15am Mass on 30 December and had symptoms of low-grade fever, headache and stiff neck within the week, should consult their physician to possibly obtain a two-day series of antibiotics that can reduce the risk of infection. Meningococcaemia is caused by a bacteria that infects the bloodstream and can cause a form of meningitis when the bacteria attacks the spine.

The disease is commonly spread by coughing, sneezing, kissing and immediate sharing of unwashed eating utensils. Riding in a car, attending public gatherings and casual contact do not provide sufficient exposure for the illness to spread. The incubation period - the time from exposure to the germs and the onset of symptoms - is two-to-10 days, with an average of three-to-four days. Father Tom Craig. pastor of St Vincent de Paul, said in a statement issued by the Diocese of Fort Worth that the standard procedure for cleaning the Communion cups between Masses included washing them

with soap and water. County health officials said churches did not need to stop using a shared Communion cup because the risk of contagion was so "very, very remote." But one nearby Catholic church, St Maria Goretti in Arlington, announced it would temporarily suspend offering wine in the Communion cup simply to ease parishioners' concerns. Last year eight parishes in the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, temporarily withheld the Communion cup because of an outbreak of meningococcaemia that killed two teenagers. The Record, January 10 2002 Page 13

Asian Catholic News

Indian government accused of harassing teachers RANCH!, India (UCAN) Catholic and tribal leaders in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand say the government has stopped salaries to teachers in minorityrun schools to harass Christians and force them out of service. Some 8,000 teachers from schools run by religious minorities held a rally and sit-in demonstration Dec. 18 in the state capital of Ranchi to demand their salary unpaid for 40 months. Jesuit Father James Toppo, who led the demonstration, said the state's pro-Hindu government "doesn't want to see minority schools existing here." The Ranchi archdiocesan education director said more than 80 percent minority schools in the state belong to Christians, mostly Catholics, but since the teachers

are not paid they find the situation unmanageable. Running the schools has "become a great problem for the Church because we cannot collect tuition fee from students due to the state's free education policy," he told UCA News. Shibu Soren, leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party, accused the government of "trying to finish off all the minority schools since it doesn't want children of tribals and the poor to receive education." Stephen Marandi, opposition leader in the state legislature, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (IMP, Indian people's party) favors only "BJP-related voluntary organizations." The government, he said, was trying to hand over state-run res-

idential schools to the pro-Hindu groups aiming to advance the cause of Hindu nationhood. Following a protest rally four months ago in Ranc.hi, some 1,160 kilometers southeast of New Delhi, the state legislative assembly formed a special committee to address the plight of the teachers. Niranjan Kumar Sandil, a Catholic and leader of the teachers' union, said the committee suggested appropriate solutions, but the government has failed to implement them. Nearly 9,000 teachers of minority schools in the state live in a "very bad condition," he told UCA News. "Our condition is worse than that of beggars." Jharkhand, ruled by a BJP coalition, was carved out of Bihar state in 2000. It follows Bihar state's

policies in education. The nonpayment of salaries stems from a 1978 Bihar legislation that made education free up to 10th grade in a system where the state paid teachers' salaries and the schools' maintenance expenses. The system worked until 1990 when the government changed and payment of salaries became irregular. The salaries stopped 40 months ago. Since coming to power, the IMP government has neither changed the policy nor released funds to pay the back wages, which Catholic leaders say shows the "state's negative attitude toward Christian schools." According to Father Toppo, the Bihar government has argued that the salaries are "given as grant-inaid" when the state has money

Journalists pledge to highlight human rights !COLOMBO (UCAN) - Catholic among the participating journaljournalists from South Asian ists who expressed their commitcountries have pledged to expose ment and appeals through a final regional human rights violations statement Reviewing the impact of globaland challenge exploitative globalization in order to build a just ization in South Asia, the journalworld. ists appreciated "several positive Forty-eight journalists from aspects of globalization which Bangladesh, India, Nepal. Pak- have enhanced human life" istan and Sri Lanka attended the through commerce and industry, South Asian Catholic Press Asso- Information technology, electronciation (SACPA) seminar on the ic media and cultural exchanges. "Role of journalists in a globalHowever, the Church media ized world" Dec. 10-15 in Colom- workers expressed their painful realization that most of the benebo. In their statement, the partici- fits of globalization are reaped by pants affirmed that journalism is the developed nations and the their special vocation and that as rich in developing countries "due "watchdogs of society" it is their to unjust structures, thereby makduty to expose evil. They called ing the gap between the rich and on Church leaders to help the poor ever wider." Catholic journalists in carrying The journalists appreciated out their duties by establishing efforts by Church leaders, journalists and NGOs in exposing the media councils in all dioceses. Among other topics discussed at negative effects of globalization, the seminar were the role of the especially rights abuses. media in a globalized world, cenThey expressed the hope that sorship in journalism under the democratic, social and political Influence of globalization, and protest movements of "victimized politics and journalism. people" will make legitimate Priests as well as laypeople were demands for equality and fight

Pope prays for priest DIMATALING, Philippines (UCAN) - Parishioners in a remote southern Philippine town have been encouraged by a papal appeal for the release of their kidnapped assistant pastor, the parish priest reports. Sacred Heart Father Janusz Burzawa told Our Lady of Fatima parishioners after the Christmas Eve Mass in DimataLing that Pope John Paul II prayed for kidnapped Sacred Heart Father Giuseppe Pierantoni on 23 December. The people are happy that everybody is praying and doing something to alleviate Father Pierantoni's plight, Father Burzawa said. They "would be very happy if he is released" the Polish missioner added. Three men who attended the 17 October evening Mass at the parish church in Dimataling, 825 kilometers southeast of Manila in Zamboanga del Sur province, seized Father Pierantoni at gunpoint after he finished the service.

against the evils of globalization. Affirming their commitment to freedom, equality and justice. the Catholic journalists urged national leaders to "judiciously intervene and monitor globalization generally imposed by transnational corporations" and to safeguard the interests of victimized people. They also called upon all journalists, religious leaders, NGOs and other organizations "to work towards alleviating hunger and poverty and fight the dehumanization resulting from globalization." The Church workers cited as major concerns the blasphemy laws in Pakistan, the rise of religious fundamentalism in the subcontinent, the poor conditions of the dalit (low-caste people) in India, trafficking of women and and children in Nepal Bangladesh, and terrorist attacks In Kashmir and Bangladesh. The SACPA statement strongly condemned the increasing marginalization of the poor and the Internal and trans-border refugee

problems in South Asia. The journalists also stressed the need for both Church and secular print media to study issues objectively. report facts impartially, especially in conflict situations, and reflect the aspirations of victimized peoples. They also encouraged more Catholic women to enter journalism to play their specific role and combat various forms of exploitation. fehan Perera. media director of the National Peace Council, an NGO in Sri Lanka. noted that national media has "almost without exception" been partisan in presenting the Tamil-Sinhalese civil war in his country. The seminar resource delegate said the same partisanship applied to international media's coverage of the war in Afghanistan. "It is the duty of a Catholic journalist to cover all sides of a conflict and educate readers that ethnic conflicts are global issues that can be solved peacefully." he said.

Christians, Muslims, baton-charged "You people do not know what MULTAN, Pakistan (UCAN) Pakistan Rangers baton charged the situation going on over here. some 1,500 Christian and Muslim The borders are very sensitive. I peace marchers at the Indian bor- can not allow any kind of demonder. stration," he said. However, Asma Jahangir, former The peace marchers were assaulted Dec. 31 in Wahga town president of the Human Rights that borders India as border Commission of Pakistan, told UCA guards were preparing for the flag News that they got permission lowering ceremony. from the home secretary. The marchers, who carried "We are here to show the world white flags and a peace candle that we (Pakistanis) do not want they intended to light at the bor- war. It will destroy both countries, der outpost, were stopped by Pak- even South Asia. Ultimately poor istani Rangers at a barricade people will suffer from the war," around 50 meters from the main she told the rally. "We do not want gate but most were able to cross our government to use resources for arms but for the development the barricade. However, at the final barricade of the people." the marchers, including women, Joseph Francis, a Catholic politwere stopped again, baton ical leader, told UCA News, "The charged and assaulted by the peace march was held to show rangers, according to organizers. the international community and More than 15 Church-based India that Pakistanis are against organizations and human rights the war and for peace, although groups had joined the march that many people are supporting war." started from the Press Club in "We want to show that there is Lahore, about 15 kilometers from another voice, which is for peace," Wahga. Lahore is 630 kilometers he said. Tanvir Jahan, a member of Paksouth of Islamabad. Major Faisal, in charge of the istan's human rights commission, border Rangers, told marchers told UCA News that the attack on that his superiors did not inform peace marchers "will definitely him about the demonstration. create a negative impact and will

The Record, January,10 2002 Page. tot

destroy the government's efforts for peace." Organizers noted that during the march some bystanders were shouting slogans against India and that Pakistan is ready for war. Many people have been leaving their homes from the border area. "We are very frightened due to the tense situation between Pakistan and India," said Ashiq Muhammad who lives near the border town. "Although the military did not ask us to leave, our people are leaving. I have young girls but I have no where to"go.Ihave no relatives in Lahore city where I can leave my family," he told UCA News. He said there are some 80 villages near the border and that half of them have been evacuated. "We have experienced the previous wars. So we know what war Is. We can not support war. We are praying for peace," he added. India and Pakistan have been at odds since their independence from British rule in 1947. They have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir which both nations claim.

and that the teachers have no right to demand it. "The present Jharkhand government also follows a similar stance, although they have not made any public statement on the non-payment so far," he said. "Along with teachers in Christian schools, those in schools run by Sikhs, Muslims and Jams are also categorized as minority schools. They also do not get salary but teachers in government-owned schools do," Father Toppo added. According to Sandil, Catholic missioners established schools in the interior villages more than 100 years ago to provide education for the backward and tribal people. Even today such places are beyond reach of government machinery, he said.

Escriva on compact disc

MAKATI CITY, Philippines (UCAN) - A compact ask (CD) was recently launched to mark the upcoming birth centenary of Opus Del founder Blessed Josemaria Escriva. Distributed Processing Systems. Inc. (DPSI). based in Makati City, south of Manila. presented copies of "The Greatness of Ordinary I.ife" Dec. 18 to Monsignor Joseph Duran, regional vicar in the Philippines of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei. The first 2,000 copies of the interactive of the CD-ROM computer disks are being Issued in time for the centenary of Blessed josemaria's birth Tan. 9, Monsignor Duran said. The project features Blessed josemaria's biography with more than 300 photographs and 18 video clips averaging 20 seconds each. The 14 audio sections include music, testimonies. narration and talks of Blessed Josemaria in English. It has a search function for his nine published works and Includes information about the Opus Del or Work of God. Blessed Josemaria of Barbastro. Spain, began Opus Dei in 1928, three years after his priestly ordination. He invited people to "be saints and apostles in the thick of the world," especially through sanctifying their work The initiative grew despite denunciations from others in the Church who at that time found it unorthodox to call on the laity to aspire to holiness. By the 1940's, he was training laymen with university degrees and professional experience for priestly ordination for the Society of the Holy Cross that he also established. Opus Del started apostolic work in the Philippines in 1964. The prelature has more than 3,000 members in the country. It has some 760 Priests and about 82,000 members in more than 87 countries. Pope John Paul II created a "personal prelature," the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Del, in 1982. Norberto Chincuangco, DPSI pirsident, said the CD project was conceived four years ago with partner Aletheia Foundation, Inc.

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Flame Congress, Sacred Heart College - Archbishop Hickey

Archdiocesan Panorama MENTAL HEALTH The mental health group for carers and those with mental health concerns meets on the second Monday. The next meeting will be at 7.30pm on Monday 14 Jan in the parish centre of Our Lady of Lourdes. 28 Marda Way. Nollamara. Inquiries: Pat 9275 2809. ATTENTION PRO-LIFERS! Hear the leading Priest for Life from Japan. Fr John Nariai, the Director of the Humanae Vitae R esearch Institute, speaking on The Responsibility of Catholics in the Pro-life Movement. Hear him in Radio Fremantle (107.9 FM) in a live interview in The Layman's Hour with Raymond and Theresa de Souza on Sun 20 Jan at 7.30pm. To make a comment and/or ask a question. just ring 9494 2100. His public address will be held on Tue 22 Jan at the Legion of Mary Centre. 36 Windsor Street. East Perth at 7.30pm. Organised by St Gabriel Communications and the WA Council of the Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy. Inquiries: 9202 1300. POST ABORTION SYNDROM? The unspoken consequences of abortion have been ignored by legislators for too long. Hear Melinda Reist. secretary of Senator Bob Harradine (Tasmania) and Mrs Julie Cook (leading Perth Pro-Lifer) speaking on the tragic consequences for women and families brought about in the aftermath of abortion. Switch on to The Layman's Hour with Raymond and Theresa de Souza. Radio Fremantle (107.9 FM) on Sun 13 Jan 2. To make a comment and/or ask a question, just ring 9494 2100. PRAYER SERVICE A Prayer Service against sickness and evil is held every 2nd Sunday of the Month at St John's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth. Time: 2.304.30pm. Next Service: 13 Jan. Service includes R osary. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. All are welcome. NEXT DAY WITH MARY Holy Cross Church. Ommanney St. Hamilton Hill, Sat 19 Jan. 9am to 5pm. A video of Fatima w ill be shown at 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. Includes Sacrament of Penance, Holy mass. Eucharistic Adoration. talks. Rosaries, processions and Stations of the Cross. Choir practice Thurs 17 Jan, 7pm. All are welcome to this beautiful day with Our Lady, with your Blessed Mother Mary. Please BYO. Inq: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5204. ST CATHERINE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. GINGIN Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Sun 10 Feb. Program: 1pm: Holy Rosary, Exposition. hymns,

Benediction and blessing of the Sick. 2.30pm: Procession to Our Lady of Lourdes grotto for formal opening and blessing of the new grotto and statues by Archbishop Hickey. 3pm: Concelebrated Mass at the grotto (main celebrant Archbishop Hickey). Coaches depart St Mary's Cathedral. Victoria Square for Gingin 10.30am. Return 6.30pm. Bus bookings: Francis Williams 9459 3873 or mob 0404 893 877. Transport cost per person S13.50 (return). BYO lunch. tea/coffee provided. Details: Margaret 9571 3387. or Sheila 9575 4023. or Fr Paul 9571 1839. BULLSBROOK MONTHLY PILGRIMAGE Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook. Sun 27 Jan. 2pm. Reconciliation from 1.30pm. followed by the Rosary procession, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the blessing of the sick. Prior to the pilgrimages at 1.15pm is the third of a series of Catechetical meditations by Bruno Cornacchiola. the founder of SACRI. All are welcome. For bus transport ring 9277 5378. Information: SACRI 9447 3292. EVENING WITH IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA Discover or re-discover some of the joys and subtleties of Ignatian Spirituality. Sr Judith Roemer, an internationally -recognised authority. will lead an enjoyable and informative program. Hosted by CLC WA (Christian Life Community. St Thomas More College, UWA Crawley, Wed 23 Jan. 7.30pm. Inquiries: Anne Zevis 9335 8142 or A nn Troup 9397 7373. PRAYER VIGIL A peaceful prayer vigil with Rosaries and hymns is made outside the abortion clinic at 2 Cleaver Tce, Rivervale every third Saturday of each month. from 11am to 12 noon.The next vigil will be on Sat 19 Jan. Please join us. Inquiries: Colin 9409 4543. TWO FREE FAMILY CONCERTS IN JANUARY 2002 Endorsed by Archbishop Hickey. Flame Ministries International will present two free family concerts called 'My Word the Message' as part of the 12th Annual Flame Congress from 17-22 January 2002.The concerts will feature the original music from the recent international release of fmm's debut CD of the same name. Concert Dates: Thurs 17 Jan. 7.30pm and Tues 22 Jan. 7.30pm at the Sacred Heart College. Hocking Parade, Sorrento. B&B Accommodation is also available for out-of-town visitors. Please call Linda at Flame Ministries International on (08) 9382 3668 or E-mail: fmi@flameministries.org for details.

Italian bishops approve low-gluten hosts for celiac sufferers By John Norton ROME (CNS) - In a policy move that reflects differing medical opinion in Europe and the United States, Italy's bishops approved a low-gluten Eucharist host for sufferers of celiac disease. The bishops' national liturgy office, backed by the scientific committee of the Italian Celiac Association, said the amount of gluten in hosts specially made by a German firm met church law requirements but would not provoke health problems in celiac patients. In a statement posted on the bishops' Web site in December, the liturgy office asked priests who have parishioners with celiac disease to obtain the special

hosts and take precautions to prevent their contamination through contact with regular hosts. The statement said the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith explicitly approved the German low-gluten hosts in an August letter to the Italian Celiac Association. The Italian decision differs from the policy of the bishops' conference of the United States, where medical science generally advocates that celiac sufferers adopt a totally gluten-free diet. The US bishops' liturgy committee recommends that celiac sufferers receive Communion under the form of wine. Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or nontropical sprue, is a genetic disorder that causes

inflammation of the intestines whenever a person eats food with gluten in it. Gluten is a protein found in flours made from barley, oats, rye and wheat. The hosts approved by the Italian bishops are made using wheat starch and contain 0.0374 milligram of gluten, which the Italian Celiac Association said "can be consumed daily with absolute tranquility" by people with the disease. According to Catholic Church law, bread used for the Eucharist must be only wheat. In 1995, the Vatican's doctrinal congregation ruled that lowgluten hosts are valid as long as they contain enough gluten to allow the bread to be made, no other ingredients are added and

the procedure does not "alter the that mounting scientific evidence nature of the substance of bread." indicated that even a small In 199Z bishops in England and amount of gluten might be danWales, where celiac rates are gerous to people with celiac disamong the highest in the world, ease. established a certificate that celi"Many would hesitate to recomac sufferers can use to present a mend the use of low-gluten' low-gluten host for consecration, committee said, adding the hosts," especially when they are travelonly viable solution" that "the are they where ing or in regions not known by the priest. The cer- seemed to be offering consecrattificates are issued by the person's ed wine to celiac sufferers. parish priest. The question was thrown in the Tom Horwood, spokesman for spotlight in the United States early the Catholic Church in England last year when the parents of a 5and Wales, said the bishops also year-old Boston girl with celiac have identified at least one regional manufacturer of low- disease left the Catholic Church gluten hosts that meet church law after their pastor would not allow them to substitute the wheat host requirements. with a rice wafer for her first ComBy contrast, the US bishops' liturgy committee said last spring munion. The listcbri:t•ja

ary 10 2002 -Page .15.

The Last Word

Spanish-American pop singer not shy of True Love Waits role By Maryiynn G. Hewitt and Father Joe Horn

J

ad Velasquez has two platinum records and a gold, has been nominated for an American Music Award, has had 16 No. 1 singles, earned seven Dove awards, and is now on tour for Christmas and Navidad - her new holiday recordings released in English and Spanish. She's also a model and spokeswoman for a multimillion-dollar hair care campaign and has recording contracts for Christian and secular music. And she just turned 22. "That sounds so old, doesn't it," she said with a laugh in an interview with The Michigan Catholic. Detroit's archdiocesan newspaper. Among her favourite songs for the holidays are White Christmas and It Wouldn't Be Christmas. "Those songs bring me back to when I was a little girl and watched Holiday Inn with my Dad," Velasquez said. "I love singing songs about love in a pure and idealistic way because it's sung about these days in such nasty ways." Another project she has been a part of is raising money for victims of the 11 September terrorist attacks. She joined other Latin artists, including Ricky Martin,

Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan and "one of the artists where parents Shakira, to record El Ultimo Adios can pick up my record and know (The Last Goodbye) as a tribute they don't have to listen to it first single. The fact she was asked to before giving it to their six-yearperform with such big-name old." recording artists shows she's For several years, Velasquez was made a name for herself. the national spokeswoman for Velasquez knew the career she True Love Waits, an organisation chose as a young teen would that encourages teen-agers to take entail a lot of work. a pledge to abstain from premar"I've had a lot of responsibility ital sex. since I turned 15, probably more "It's still a ministry I totally thanI should have had at 18 or 19, believe in. I made the promise I think," she said. "But the Bible whenI was 13 and it's not fun. But says, 'To whom much is given, I believe in everything it stands much is required.' When God for," Velasquez said. "Someday, I puts something in life so precious, want to fall in love, get married he gives you the tools you need to and have children and I know it take care of it and watch over it." will be worth it." In some ways, she was prepared In the past two years, she's been for the life she's chosen. Much of able to share her cultural heritage her childhood was spent in the with a whole new group of fans, car, travelling from her family's including her grandparents, who home in Texas to churches across only speak Spanish. Llegar a Ti, released on Sony the country as her Dad made his Discos, was her debut in the Latin living with gospel music. Whether she is recording for market and was certified platWord, a Christian label, or for inum after 1 million records were Sony Disco, what she sings is root- sold. And in the last year, she's ed in her Christian faith, learned some new life lessons Velasquez said. At a time when others her age with the divorce of her parpromote sexuality along with ents."We're only human. That's their music, Velasquez said her what I learned about my Mom Christian music "reflects me as a and Dad - we're not perfect," she person." I'm not the perfect little said. "I wish my parents were still girl, or woman, but I try to have together. But I can't be bitter at my life reflect my faith," she said. them or God or blame my career She said she is grateful to be for it."

Jaci Velasquez, 22, has had 16 No. 1 singles and is now en tour for a new holiday recording released in English and Spanish. "etc. ,j;NS

Shenzhen Catholics greet new church with joy A sfter years of waiting, Catholics in Shenzhen, outhern China, finally witnessed the opening of their first church. The opening of St Anthony's Church has brought much joy because local Catholics now have a place that they can call their own, several Catholics told VGA News at the opening on 18 December. Shenzhen, a former fishing village just across the border from Hong Kong, is a "special economic zone" the newly-opened China created two decades ago. Some 1,000 local and 300 Hong Kong Catholics attended the opening ceremony and Mass, presided by Bishop Liu Jinghe of Tangshan, Hebei, northern China. Concelebrating the Mass with him were Bishops John Huo Cheng of Fenyang, Shanxi province, and Paul Jiang Taoran of Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, as well as 40 priests from different parts of the country, including

Chinese Catholics pray the rosary at a small shrine outside a church in Sheshan, about 30km from Shanghai, on 25 October. Photo CNS, Reuters

Hong Kong. Bishop Liu spoke on behalf of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church in China. In a welcoming speech, the bishop congratulated Catholics of

Shenzhen for their dedicated efforts to build their new church. At the same ceremony, an official from the Shenzhen United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China said that it is important to guide reli-

gious followers to adapt to social- Shenzhen, said, "We are all very ism, to love the country and the happy to see this big and modern Communist leadership, and to church. It is much bigger than the serve the best interests of the one in my hometown." whole nation. Zhang, another parishioner, Reiterating what President pang said, "Finally, we have a proper Zemin said at a national confer- church to worship God. It will cerence on religious work from 10- tainly increase Catholics' sense of 12 December in Beijing, the belonging to the Church." He said official highlighted the policy of he would travel an hour to attend defending the nation against for- Mass there every Sunday. eign infiltration in the name of The new church shares a 'sisreligion. terhood" with St Anthony's St Anthony's Church sits on a Church in Hong Kong diocese, 4,000-square-metre plot. Its mod- which contributed to the new ern-style exterior resembles a church's construction. boat that symbolises God's salvaCheung, a visiting Hong Kong tion for all. parishioner, said, "We hope to fosBesides the new church, there ter a closer relationship with are two chapels in the Shenzhen Catholics here as we are one big area of Guangdong province. One St Anthony's family." was converted from a former Catholics constitute some 10,000 Church-run orphanage, and the of Shenzhen's nearly five million other is inside a shopping centre. people. Most people in Shenzhen Both are located far from down- migrated there from all over the town. • country seeking work opportuniJohn Li, who came from the ties when it became one of four northern part of Guangdong Special Economic Zones (SEZ) province 10 years ago to work in that China established in 1980.

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