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New workers for God Feature: A true hero of the Church dies. Pages 8&9
Berth mums in 1 : line for international award for Rosary CD for children page 3 Good Shepherd Sisters celebrate WA centenary page 10
Adventurous priest makes amazing bone discovery in WA page 5
Number of seminarians in WA: St Charles' Seminary Redemptoris Mater Seminary Number of Deacons: St Charles' Seminary Redemptoris Mater Seminary St Charles' Seminary students and new deacons from left lirsardsa Crawford, TM Lam, JOIN Daly and Illichati
By Bronwen Clune Four deacons were ordained last Friday night in a ceremony at St Mary's Cathedral. Family and friends gathered to see Brandon Crawford, Thi Lam, john Daly and Michael Merrifield ordained into the diaconate by Archbishop Barry Hickey. The Archbishop concelebrated Mass with Bishop Sproxton and 25 priests from the Perth Archdiocese. Archbishop Hickey said that the people of Perth continued to be blessed with a good number of seminarians. We are grateful to God for calling these men from many different places in the community," he said. "We are very privileged that they want to give their lives through their holy orders to serve God and the people of Perth." New deacon John Daly spent eight years prior to entering the seminary working between a job as a field assistant to a diamond operator and volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India. Brandon Crawford worked in real estate in Mandurah before entering the seminary and Michael Merrifield was involved with the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community. which works with homeless people. Thi Lam and his family were Vietnamese refugees and have been in Perth for nearly ten years. The deacons will be given a pastoral placement in February, but it is not known where
Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Morley, recthey will be placed. Deacon John Daly said they were all excited at the prospect of tor Father Michael Moore said they also becoming involved with parishes around continued to have large numbers in their seminary. Currently there are 19 seminariPerth. All four deacons will be ordained into the ans and two deacons. Sagayaraj Arokiadoss priesthood in August next year. St Charles' and Abraham Martin. The deacons are Seminary in Guildford reopened in 1994 working at the Mirabooka and Yanchep after closing between 1977 and 1993 due to parishes respectively, and will be ordained a drop in vocations. Since reopening it has In December. Fr Moore said six new seminarians were enjoyed large numbers of seminarians and new buildings were opened in May this year expected to join them next year and a drop to accommodate the needs of the modern in numbers did not appear likely in the seminarians who tend to be older and to future. "I would estimate that between us and St come from a professional background. Currently there are 12 seminarians and Charle's seminary about 28 new priests nine deacons including the four newly have been ordained into the priesthood since 1994." said Fr Moore. ordained from St Charles'.
Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton and priests from the Archdiocese of Perth concelebrate Mass
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3 October, 2002
No. 3329
Record 111
Canonisation a call to lay Christians message that holiness can be achieved in ordinary daily life and VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Before an validates his call to Opus Del memexpected overflow crowd in St. bers to become *canonizable saints.* Peter's Square on October 6, Pope Archbishop Julian Herranz, an John Paul II will proclaim Blessed Opus Dei member who heads the Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer a Vatican's canon law council, said the saint, crowning official church caninisation should not be seen as recognition of the Opus Dei strictly about Opus Del or even its founder's life and work. founder but as an emphasis on the The caninisation also marks a mile- universal call for lay Christians to stone in Opus Dei's efforts to shake live the Gospel in their daily lives. a sometimes-controversial reputa*In that sense, he will be a saint tion that it has blamed mainly on who embodies the Second Vatican ignorance and the relative newness Council,' which emphasized the role of its 20-year existence as the of the laity, the archbishop told church's only personal prelature, Catholic News Service. sort of a diocese without geographiPope John Paul has been a strong cal boundaries. supporter of Opus Del over the years Celebrating the event in a way and has named several of its memorganizers said was emblematic of bers to key positions at the Vatican Blessed Escriva, each of the expect- and as heads of dioceses. ed 300,000 pilgrims was to be asked Unlike the storm of criticism that to donate at least $5 to a fund for surrounded Blessed Escriva's 1992 educational and literacy projects in beatification, accusing him of moral sub-Saharan Africa. defects and Opus Del of cult-like 'We asked ourselves what he practices, the caninisation preparawould have liked for this celebra- tions went virtually unnoticed in the tion,' said Marco Carroggio, head of world's media in the months before the Opus Del press centre in Rome. the event. 'He would have wanted an act of Carroggio said he was pleasantly service, well clone and in a spirit of surprised by the absence of fresh professionalism and that has great criticism. He noted a recent article usefulness.* In the Italian magazine Religione e Blessed Escriva, who died in 1975, Societa (Religion and Society) that founded Opus Del (Work of God) as said Opus Del was now 'fashiona young priest in Spain In 1928 to able' in Italian political and cultural promote the call to holinoss in evory- circles after 'decades of demonizaBy John Norton
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Perth Opus Dei families heading to Rome SU% eral Perth Opus Dei families are heading to Rome for the caninisation of Josemaria Escriva. Thousands are expected to turn out in St Peter's Square for the event on October 6. The organisation continues to grow worldwide and Perth also has a growing number of members. The Record will have full coverage of the caninisation in its next edition. including some Letters from Rome. from local families.
day life. The group was named a personal prelature in 1982 and today numbers about 83,000 lay members and 1.800 priests in about 60 countries. Another 2.000 diocesan priests are associated with Opus Del, as well as tens of thousands of 'cooperators.' who include non-Christians and offer support through prayers. apostolate work and financial contributions. Beatified in 1992, Blessed Escriva's caninisation was cleared last year by the Vatican's approval of a miracle attributed to his intercession. It Involved the medically inexplainable 1992 cure of a Spanish physician suffering from a progressive skin disease as a result of years of exposure to X-ray radiation. Father John Wauck, a U.S. Opus Del priest who teaches in Rome, said Blessed Escriva's caninisation 'ratifies' his
lion.' including a 1980s' government probe for alleged occult activities. Before the beatification, former Opus Del members had accused Blessed Escriva of moral defects, including vanity and a hot temper, and claimed their testimony had been excluded from the caninisation process. The criticism "was a public version of the devil's advocate role,* said Father Wauck. *Anybody with a gripe had their say.' He said the caninisation should dispel any doubt about Blessed Escriva's sanctity because the act is considered a definitive church teaching. At the same time, he said. Christians can take hope from the fact that the Opus Del founder reached sanctity in spite of and maybe because of his lifelong battle with a quick temper. 'I think it would be a disservice to
Marriage breakdowns The Fremantle Branch of the Knights of the Southern Cross will be conducting a series of talks about marriage breakdown. The talks will take place on three consecutive Thursday evenings during October in the East Fremantle Parish Hall. The Catholic community is not immune to marriage breakdown . so three informed key speakers, each with different, but important views and experiences will be giving new Insights, understanding and compassion for those traumatised by the pain of marriage breakdown. The first speaker on October 10 will be Mr Kevin Fahie, of Men's Confraternity Incorporated, an organisation assisting men who have experienced a breakdown of marriage. On October IZ the speaker will be Jane Power, who has been a practising lawyer in the family law and
juvenile justice areas since 1984. She will share some of her experiences In the Family Law Court. The third address on October24 will be by Rev. Father Geoffrey Beyer. Father Beyer is a Catholic priest who is an Anglican convert and is married; one of the first four married priests in Australia. He is a Judge in the National Appeal Tribunal of Australia and New Zealand, and an Associate judicial Vicar and is second in charge of the Metropolitan Marriage Tribunal He is Parish Priest at Attadale. Fr Beyer will speak on the Church's role in reviewing marriage breakdown, annulments and areas relating to marriage breakdown. The evenings will begin at 730pm and end with question time and tea and biscuits at approximately 9.30pm For further information ring Tony Jakovich on 0417922241 or A/H 93374425.
Blessed Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer is pictured in this file photo dated Sept 23, 1966. Blessed Escriva, founder of Opus Del who died in 1975, will be canonized by Pope John Paul II October 6.
the founder to say he had no defects,' 225,000 requests for tickets for the Father Wauck said, noting that caninisation Mass. Pilgrims from Blessed Escriva once asked that only Italy and Spain. Blessed Escriva's the words 'el pecador (*the sinner') home country. represented the be written on his tombstone. largest groups, followed by those *Sanctity is for people with defects,' from the United States, Mexico, GerFather Wauck said. 'At the same many and France. time, he was a man of enormous The caninisation was to be the high charity and a willingness to ask par- point of a week of celebrations. don.' Father Flavio Cappucci. postuThe Opus Del founder's body. in its lator of Blessed Escriva's cause, said original wooden casket, was to be his holiness was evident also in its moved from the small chapel in fruits: At least seven deceased Opus Opus Del's Rome headquarters. Del members, including several where it usually rests, to a nearby fathers of families, had lived such church for veneration Oct. 3-10. holy lives that the group has started The day after the caninisation. collecting material for their saint- Bishop Javier Echevarria Rodriguez. hood causes. head of Opus Del. was to celebrate In addition, he said he had collect- a thanksgiving Mass in St. Peter's ed evidence of 48 unexplained med- Square for pilgrims, followed by an ical cures attributed to Blessed audience with the pope. Escriva's intercession and has pubIn more than a dozen churches lished the stories of 18 in a book throughout Rome, organisers planned called 'A World of Miracles." Most of about 30 thanksgiving Masses those cured were not Opus Del presided over by cardinals, bishops members. Father Cappucci added. and Vatican officials in 18 different Carroggio said that by late Sep- languages. including Arabic. Chitember Opus Del had received nese. Japanese and Indonesian. •
V
POSITION VACANT- DIOCESE OF BROOME
The Diocese of Broome invites applications for this full-time position. commencing January 2003.
DIOCESAN CONSULTANT AND PARISH PASTORAL ASSOCIATE The Diocesan Consultant would be a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Team, working closely with the Bishop and assisting him with Pastoral Planning in the Diocese. As the Parish Pastoral Associate the applicant would work closely with the Broome Parish Team setting suitable goals for the Parish and developing strategies to bring about those goals. For further inquiries regarding remuneration and a full description of these roles contact: Bishop Christopher Saunders. Diocesan Office, PO Box 76. BROOME WA 6725 Telephone: (08) 9192 1060 Fax: (08) 9192 2136 Email: secretaryebroomediocese.org Written applications, including Curriculum Vitae, listing at least three referees. including one from a Parish Priest, should be forwarded to the above address. Applications close Friday 18th October.
DIOCESAN YOUTH CO-ORDINATOR The Diocese of Broome is seeking an energetic person to fill the full-time role of Youth Co-ordinator for the Kimberley region. The position is based in Broome working with local youth to develop and deepen their faith life and involvement with the Church. A knowledge of the liturgy, a commitment to evangelisation and an openness to working with indigenous youth are essential. A love of the outdoors and musical ability would be an advantage. For further information please contact: Bishop Christopher Saunders Diocesan Office PO Box 76. BROOME WA. 6725 Telephone: (08) 91921060 Fax: (08) 9192 2136 Email: secretary@broomediocese.org Written applications. including Curriculum Vitae, listing at least three referees. including one from a Parish Priest, should be forwarded to the above address. Applications close Friday 18th October 2002.
ILRecord
3 October, 2002
Perth CD wins acclaim Two Perth mums head for international recording success with their CD aimed at teaching young people the rosary. By Neil Smith
T
wo Perth mothers have been chosen as finalists in an International media award for their CD recording of The Rosary for Youth. Brenda Croft and Jenny Knight are to visit Washington in the US later this month for the presentation of the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA) awards. They are in a four-way contest in which Catholic music and video recording organisations vote for a winner in a
similar forum to that used for Hollywood's Academy Subsequently in May 1999 the pair produced The Rosary Awards. for Youth, which has received similar acclaim and sold The pair won international acclaim in 1998 for their more than 40,000 copies worldwide. The success of this recording, The Rosary for Children. It sold more than appealing production lies partly with its ability to impart many of the teachings of the Catholic Church in a non100,000 copies worldwide. The Rosary for Youth is a follow-up version, and designed confronting way. They have since gone on to produce a for an older demographic. They leave Perth for the pre- third successful CD in February 2001 - The Stations of the sentation on October 23, and are due to return on Novem- Cross. It takes the listener through a narrator on Jesus' walk to Calvary - through his pain-filled falls and rising ber 2. as He shoulders the sins of humanity in His expiating carTheir visit to the US will also include an appearance on Mother Angelica's Eternal Word TV Network (screened in rying-of-the-Cross on behalf of mankind. For information, Perth on Channel 31) and speaking engagements in Wash- contact Perth Catholic Productions, PO Box 1779, Canning ington, Iowa and Alabama. The UCMVA awards will be Vale, WA 6970; phone 9259 0797. fax 9259 4054. or refer presented in a gala evening similar to the Academy Award to the Web on www.perthc,atholic productions.com.au. epresentations, at the Catholic University in WaShington on mail info@perthcatholicproductions.com.au. October 26. The mission of the UCMVA is to support, Excellent policy with Home & Contents encourage, and promote the development honest cover of all forms of Catholic music and video. I
d
"Combined with the tremendous power of the rosary, children's prayer is an even mightier tool to bring peace to a universe in crisis."
The awards are designed to recognise those who have demonstrated excellence or significant accomplishments in the field of Catholic evangelisation through music. video and media. Brenda and Jenny produced The Rosary for Children bec.au they believed in the intense power of prayer - especially the prayers of innocent children. "Combined with the tremendous power of the rosary, children's prayer is an even mightier tool to bring peace to a universe in crisis." Brenda said this week. The recording was unique because young children prayed the joyful. Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries, interspersed with a narrator painting a word-picture of the life of Christ. It is woven together with an original love song to Mary. augmented by sound effects. Its novelty had made it a big hit with children around the world, and many schools used it as a relaxation tool for the children at the start of the school day. Brenda said she had been inspired to create such a recording after hearing existing tapes used by the school that her children, aged five and four, were attending. "I got together with Jenny, and with Jenny Knight (left) and Brenda Croft listen to a copy of their CO scores of volunteers, and some profesnominated for a major international award. sional help." Brenda said.
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3 October, 2002
Re'cord
nversion ries...
I
t was on the Day of Atonement October 6 1973 when the Egyptian Army crossed the Suez Canal and threatened to invade Israel. Yom Kippur (The Jewish Day of Atonement) is the most solemn day of observance In the Jewish liturgical calendar. This is the anniversary of God's Creation of the Heavens and our Earth., preceding the first Sabbath Day. Furthermore, it is the occasion for our Divine Landlord to review the conduct of His human, tenants once again; or eventually cancel the lease of His bad tenants! On that fateful sunset (ending the day by Jewish tradition] in that Western Australian springtime in 1973, 1 was then a 34-year-old long term, non-practising Jew engaged to a
with Tony Evans Dorothy L. Sayers (18931957) is best remembered - if she is remembered at all - as the creator of one of the great detective characters of English fiction, Lord Peter Wimsey. Her novels have become classics of the genre and have been popularised further in t elevision adaptations. She was a leading member of the Crime Writers' Club of which Chesterton was the president. Largely influenced by Chesterton. Sayers became a notable convert to Catholicism and wrote and lectured prolifically on religious subjects. Her fearless and forthright defence o f the Faith and her no-nonsense approach won her many converts and not a few critics. Her renowned radio drama series on the life of Christ A Man Born To Be King, broadcast by the BBC and later by the ABC, created much controversy at the time because an actor spoke the words of Christ never before permitted on stage or radio. Sayers was also a successful stage dramatist and scholar: her translation of Dante's Divine Comedy was, for many years. a standard work published in the Penguin Classics series. One of her many books well worth reading today is a collection of essays under the title
Christian Letters to a postChristian World from which the following short extract Creed of Chaos is taken:
"It is worse than useless for Christians to talk about the importance of Christian morality. unless they are prepared to take their stand upon the fundamentals of Christian theology. It is a lie to say that dogma does not matter; it matters enormously. It is fatal to let people suppose that Christianity is only a mode of feeling; it is vitally necessary to insist that it is first and foremost a rational explanation of the universe. It is hopeless to offer Christianity as a vaguely idealistic aspiration of a simple and consoling kind; it is, on the contrary, a hard, tough, exacting and complex doctrine, steeped in a drastic and uncompromising realism. And it is fatal to imagine that everybody knows quite well what Christianity is and needs only a little encouragement to practise it. The brutal fact is that in this Christian country not one person in a hundred has the faintest notion of what the Church teaches about God or man or society or the person of Jesus Christ. ...If Christian dogma is irrelevant to life, to what in Heaven's name is it relevant? - since religious dogma is in fact nothing but a statement of doctrines concerning the nature of life and the universe. If Christian ministers really believe it is only an intellectual game for theologians and has no bearing on human life, it is no wonder that their congregations are ignorant, bored, and bewildered." Page 4
life-long practising Roman Catholic. My own parents were born about 1910, had fled their respective ultra-Orthodox Jewish heritage and households, and embraced humanism and socialism; as did many New York Jews of their Depression-blighted generation. I was reared in The Bronx (New York) and during my teenage years was active in a secular Zionist youth movement [Hashomer Hatzairl; which was affiliated with the Israeli Mapam (Socialist Labour' Political Party. On October 6, 1973, that unexpected war news from Israel was a profound shock to my system. During the subsequent 48 hours, many dramatic alternatives passed through my head, including the possibility of going Immediately to Israel to offer myself for active military or alternative service there I needed to re-consider my world-view in a most comprehensive and self-critical manner. I was -buffeted" during the next forty eight hours! NONE of the following happened to me during that most significant period of time: distinct visions, specifically audible voices, definitive messages in any overt form which I could detect using any of my five senses. I am a reasonably articulate person but I remain unable to describe in any detail what this buffeting effect was like. During the subsequent fortnight, after that initial 48 hours, after Yom Kippur. 1973.1 discussed what I called my "conversion experience" with my fiancee, her Parish Priest and others. Furthermore, I rapidly read through the New Testament. During that fortnight, my Q. RecentlyIattended a Mass where a mere 22 people were present and no less than four extraordinary ministers distributed Holy Communion (to the remaining 18) while the priest sat down. Is this permissible?
or by email: cathrec@iinet.net.au together with a picture of yourself. Maximum 450 words
ened. In the formal study of theology, one's faith must always precede all other factors and grow equally with an increase in one's technical knowledge of Greek, Hebrew, exegesis, Christian dynamics and history. In 1973, I sensed and have retained a consistent impression that my Messianic "Conversion Experience" was perhaps a metimoya (Greek - encounter with the Christ). Subsequently, I have consistently wanted to enter more comprehensively into the Body of Christ as much as it is possible for this individual to do so. sychologically, one could make comment upon my having had a life-long and most pleasant association with Roman Catholics; and being familiar with the more obvious religious practices. Furthermore, my fiancee's life long Catholicism was possibly a catalyst for my path to conversion. It was as if the Divine message was system-
reading speed and level of literary comprehension were perhaps superior to what they been either before or since. The only phrase I can associate with these events is: 'Christ is the answer!" Subsequently, we were married with a Nuptial Mass and some months later,I was sacramentally received into the Roman Catholic Church. I became an active member in my parish and other Catholic organisations. In 1982, 1 was commissioned as an Acolyte and subsequently continuously served in that cap. 1citl, y wife has frequently commented that "you are a better Catholic that I am"; which is an overstatement. 1 iowever we (adult) converts commonly seem to display a special zeal in expressing one's faith perhaps to compensate for what has been absent in our previous way of life: often a futile but comforting exercise. Over the passing years, I have continued to investigate the Holy Scriptures and explore theological matters. After my retirement from the public service, in 1991, I began and successfully completed a (Graduate) Diploma in Theological Studies. Having learned something more about my Christian faith I have been greatly strength-
long interest concerning many aspects of that subject; essentially a discipline exploring Divine intervention into human affairs. For me, at least, from a purely historical point of view the authentic Christian Church, and its doctrines and practices, was founded in Apostolic times with its headquarters in Rome. The Eastern Orthodox Churches are equally ancient and Episcopal, but the (historically) recent Reformed, and other, Christian Chun:hes lack that historical linkage and would have been unlikely to gain or sustain my adherence. Emmanuel is a compound Hebrew word expressing a complete and most profound sentence; ie 'God is with us!" If any single word is needed to sustain the faith of converts, or any Christian believer, let it be Emmanuel. Yehshua HaMasiach (Jesus the Messiah) has consistently been present in the lives of each of us, be it either in times of pain and poverty or when pleasure and prosperity are apparent, awaiting for the time when an individual can fist perceive Him.
-41 Elliott Levitt
I.P, BA, Dip Th
St, FAI.W. K.H.S.
Have a conversion story to tell? Send it to The Record, PO Box 75, Leederville WA 6902,
M
1987: ch. 2. art. III-A). A few years ago I was celebrating Mass in a small country parish in another diocese. There could have been no more than 40 to 50 people present, yet there were four extraordinary ministers ready to assist with Communion. Meeting with them before Mass, I decided that I would (uistribute the Host to everyone, and two ministers would administer the chalices. Thus the other two ministers would not be needed. All the
p
atically seeking me out piecemeal culminating, a la gestalt, during those dramatic events of 1973. As an undergraduate in the 1960's, I majored in History and have sustained a life-
while lay people are distributing Communion, and when 'extraordinary ministers' have become 'ordinary' and regular to the point where their use is seen as essential, something is seriously wrong. (Note that I use the proper title 'extraordinary ministers' in referring to those whom some call 'special ministers' or simply 'Eucharistic ministers). The intent of the Church is that lay assistance with the distribution of Communion be a response to an extraordinary
R. Of course it is not. As recently as September 23, 2002, Pope John Paul mentioned this abuse when speaking to the bishops of western Brazil during their visit to the Pope at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo: 'Among the objectives of the liturgical reform established by Vatican Council II was the need to have all the faithful participate In liturgical ceremonies.' There has arisen, however, a 'confusion of functions in regard to the Don't be afraid of asking priestly ministry and the role of Fr TIM METER a difficult question. the laity.' Send yours to: Symptoms of this confusion, according to the Holy Father, Dear Padre, PO Box 75 include 'the distribution of ComLeederville, WA 6902 munion by the laity, to the exclusion of the priests.' Such a grave abuse, he said, 'often originated ministers agreed that this was need, not an ordinary event. The in doctrinal errors, especially in sensible. Instruction on Certain Questions regard to the nature of the liturOutside the church after the regarding the Collaboration of gy, of the common priesthood of Mass, however, in the presence the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Christians, of the vocation and of many parishioners (including Sacred Ministry of Priest (Ecclemission of the laity, and also in children), a woman (who was not siae de Mysterio: 1997) states: regard to the ordained ministry one of the four ministers) furiThe canonical discipline conof priests.' ously upbraided me for 'usurp- cerning extraordinary ministers The Pope said that one of the ing' the role of the extraordinary of Holy Communion must he corconsequences of this phenome- ministers and then went on to rectly applied so as to avoid gennon is 'the tendency to "cleri- loudly proclaim that the Pope erating confusion. calise" the laity. Although the was wrong to not allow women The same discipline establishes liturgy is the action of the whole priests. that the ordinary minister of Holy Mystical Body of Christ, not That same day she personally Communion is the bishop, the everyone has the same function, complained to her bishop about priest, and the deacon. because not everyone partici- my 'insensitivity' to lay ministers, Extraordinary ministers of Holy pates in the same way in the and the upshot was that I was Communion are those instituted priesthood of Christ.' banned from ministering in that as acolytes, and the faithful so The Church teaches: It should diocese. I wrote a letter to the deputed in accordance with above all belong to the celebrant bishop about the situation but Canon 230, no. 3 (which says: priest to distribute communion. never received a reply. When the necessity of the (Instruction on the Worship of I tell that story to illustrate why Church warrants it and when the Eucharistic Mystery, the Holy Father is concerned. ministers are lacking, lay perEucharisticum Mysterium: When priests are sitting down sons, even if they are not . . .
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acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely . . . to distribute Holy Communion in accord with the prescriptions of law.) The Instruction goes on to say: Extraordinary ministers may distribute Holy Communion at Eucharistic celebrations only when there are no ordained ministers present. or when those ordained ministers present are truly unable to distribute Holy Communion. They may also exercise this function at Eucharistic celebrations where there are particularly large numbers of the faithful and which would be excessively prolonged because of an insufficient number of ordained ministers to distribute Holy Communion. This function is supplementary and extraordinary and must be exercised in accordance with the norm of law. Thus. the Instruction says, to be avoided is the habitual use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at Mass, thus arbitrarily extending the concept of 'a great number of the faithful.' (nos. 1 & 2) Certainly there are times when extraordinary ministers are needed due to the numbers of communicants. In large parishes those times are usually every weekend. And in those parishes where the Precious Blood is offered to the people at Communion time, it is usually necessary for extraordinary ministers to assist with this while the priest administers the Host. IBut treating extraordinary ministers as a regular and permanent fixture of each and every liturgy, whether weekday or weekend, no matter how many or how few people are in attendance, is not in accord with the law and is not in the spirit of Vatic,an
111 Record
3 October, 2002
A priest in the lion's den By Dan McAloon
SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) - A priest's hobby in flying and spelunking led Australian paleontologists to one of the most important finds in recent history. Father Ken Boland, a Blessed Sacrament priest from Melbourne, made the discovery in February in Western Australia's Nullarbor Plain, a vast area of more than 200,000 sq.kms. For the past 20 years, Father Boland and his "caving" friends - speleologists - have made annual expeditions to the Nullarbor, keen to explore and map the vast plain, as well as Blessed Sacrament Father Ken the world carved out by innu- Boland sits at the controls of an merable caves, tunnels, and sub- ultralight aircraft, which he used to terranean rivers and lakes that survey the Nullarbor Plain in Westhoneycomb the limestone ern Australia. pvto Ch.5. M, ,• plateau below. Earlier this year, while flying inspection. On the cavern's over the Nullarbor in an ultra- floor the priest and a companlight plane, Father Boland ion saw bones they did not noticed a deep cave that immediately recognize. "We amused his curiosity for further walked a bit closer, and we could see the teeth in the skull, exploration. Access to these nether regions, stabbing incisor teeth and a big Father Boland explained, is slicing cheek tooth." the priest through a 'blow hole." a place said. His friend recognized the where the surface plain has dissolved or collapsed. The friends bones as those of a Thylacoleo returned to the cave and, led by carnifex, the fabled marsupial Father Boland. lowered them- lion, a predatory mammal that selves in for a more thorough lived in Australia until the end
of the last Ice Age. The Thylacoleo was the largest carnivorous mammal to have lived in Australia and the largest marsupial carnivore in the world. The discovery was extremely rare because it was a perfectly preserved skeleton - not a fossil - undisturbed since the time of its death about 50,000 years ago. The skeletal remains were "in absolutely pristine condition.' Father Boland said. "WhenI showed the photos to the director of the museum here, he nearly jumped out of his seat," Father Boland said. So important was the discovery to paleontologists that several universities hurriedly organized an expedition to retrieve the remains. The expedition also found skeletons of up to 10 different species of extinct kangaroos. The exact location of the cave was kept a secret for fear of poachers claiming the remains for sale on the international black market. Father Boland's marsupial lion is now a prize exhibit at the Museum of Western Australia. and the results of the DNA testing to determine its age are expected later this year. With all the excitement of the discovery now passed, Father Boland said he has returned to
the job of aerially surveying the Nullarbor's surface. "Of course, any hole in the ground might well be a doorway to another fantastic prehistoric find. There are a lot of blow holes out there and by the time we're finished we'll
know where they all are. Then it's just a matter of dropping in to have a good look around," he said. The priest said the Nullarbor is "a place of profound mysteries and natural beauties. There's stuff out there still waiting to be discovered."
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The bones of Thylacoleo carnifex, a predatory marsupial lion, lie in pristine condition on the floor of a cave in the Nullarbor Plain in Western Australia. Photo CNS,Ft Ken Boiand
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Message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace, given to Marija Pavlovic Lunetti for the village of Medjugorje and the world on September 25, 2002 "Dear Children! Also in this peaceless time,I call you to prayer.
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Opinion 4SitReflection
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I Say, I Say.. I
n his novel Any Old Iron, the late Anthony Burgess painted a memorable picture of a man psychologically destroyed by war. The book is the saga of a Russian Jewish immigrant family living in Britain before and after World War H. One family member, a young man, can't get over having witnessed a massacre of children and their families in the Balkans - an atrocity connived at by members of his "own side," the Allies. This highly intelligent, well-intentioned and "non-religious" fellow is driven to a nervous breakdown because he cannot come to grips with the depths of the evil he has seen. He winds up in a mental institution in Israel after the war. But salvation comes for him. in the form of the prospect of a return to mental Ili (iitii, in words from the Bible. The author, Anthony Burgess, shows us a moment where a secular psychiatrist tries to help the recovering soldier to understand that whatever
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evil he has seen, it is not HIS responsibil- (32:35) where it is written: "Vengeance is ity as a human being to set it right. mine, and recompense; Their foot shall "Vengeance is mine" - a quotation attrib- slip in due time. For the day of their calamiuted to God - are the words the doctor uses ty is at hand, And the things to come hasto make his point. He argues that whatev- ten upon them." There seems a difference er you might think about the beliefs of the in tone between these two texts. Jewish people who gave us the Old TestaOne is an exhortation to patient forbearment, they were wise in understanding ance in its hearers, the other, a reminder that revenge and vengeance simply do not that God surely will repay those who comwork. psychologically, for human beings. mit evil. Yet essentially, the message is the Those words are still wise for today's same. world. A.s a simple matter of psychological It is not human business to go about good health - quite apart from whatever exacting revenge. It is God's, and God's religious doctrine the world believes - the alone. principle of leaving vengeance to God is By themselves, these texts are sufficient sound for everyone. proof that Christianity and Judaism, if folAs a matter of interest, the words lowed to the letter, will never contribute to "vengeance is mine" appear in both the a worsening of conflict and war in the Old and New Testaments. In Romans 12:19, world. St Paul writes: "Beloved, do not avenge In their pure form, they can only be a yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God: force for peace. Rather than causing "imbefor it is written. 'vengeance is mine, I will hovers" to be put to the sword. the urge repay; says the Lord." human beings everywhere not to re,liond This refers to the book of Deuteronomy to the provocations and evils in the world.
with Paul Gray Obviously, these words from the Bible have significance for Australians today as they try to discern the correct moral path to follow in the event of war. Precisely what that significance will be is a matter for careful reflection and discernment. One message, however, is clear. If a policy of war is adopted by the nation, it must not be a policy motivated by vengeance. Not all war policies, of course, are based on the visceral human desire to see blood flow for blood. Other motives can come into play - such as the need to neutralise a dangerous source of terror and instability in the world, for example. But if blood does start to flow, the need for true moral discernment amidst the din and heat of argument will only grow. That's why revisiting the sources now of what we believe about vengeance, violence and God's will for humanity Is becoming vital. It's a message we may need to learn to share.
10 JESUS TI ROUGI I MARY 'A column of Marian devotion
on
Sunday
A layman's meditations, by Peter Dwan
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oday's liturgy takes for its theme worthy of praise." Action is also called the Lord's vineyard, and bids us for, imitating the example of the saints consider what is required of us if St Paul wrote: "Keep doing all the things we are to be good tenants of the vine- that you learnt from me and have been yard. taught by me or have heard or seen that The theme is introduced in the first I do." reading (Isaiah 5:1-7) in which Isaiah The gospel (Matthew 21:33-43) is the describes Israel as the Lord's vineyard. parable of the vineyard. The parable conUsing the image of a wine-grower who jures up the whole drama of Israel, that had done everything he could to make elect and rebellious people now placed his vineyard fertile and productive, Isa- before a final decision. iah describes God's care for and interest Its meaning is clear for every Jew well in his Chosen People. versed in Scripture, because the image God's vineyard produces wild sour of the vine is used in the Old Testament grapes (useless for making wine) instead to designate Israel. And everyone knew of real grapes. from memory the "song of the N, ine\ r The reading says: "What could I have of Isaiah 5,1-7. done for my vineyard that I have not But the parable as told by Jesus con(lone? I expected it to yield grapes. Why tained a new point - the sending of the did it yield sour grapes instead?" son, introduced by this moving word: His Chosen People produced vices "They will respect my son." instead of virtues. Without doubt a human owner would God then said: "Very well,I will tell you hesitate to risk the life of his son by sendwhat I am going to do to my vineyard; I ing him alone to face some rebels who will take away its hedge for it to be grazed have just killed his servants! on. and knock down its wall for it to be This improbable aspect of the story is trampled on.Iwill lay it waste, unpruned, designed, for what is more unlikely to undug; overgrown by the briar and the the human reason than the sacrifice of thorn. I will command the cloud to rain the Son of God? no rain upon it." Verse 43 states precisely that the kingFr Kevin Sullivan OF'M comments in dom will be taken away from the unfaithThe Sunday Readings, Cycle A. p345: ful servants and given to "a nation "The Chosen People of Isaiah's day were producing fruits of it." well aware of all that God had done for In reality, this does not refer to a them in the past. "nation" in the geographical and ethnic But the return they made for this divine sense, but to that "holy nation", the new benevolence and love was a reluctant people, the "race" born from above of cold service at its best, and a complete which the apostle Peter speaks (1 Peter forgetfulness of him and his past favours 2:9-10). at its worst." When we read these severe judgeWe Catholics have been given far more ments of Jesus on the Old Israel, we must than the Jews were. not forget that such judgements are Does our conduct show that we are directed against the New Israel to the grateful? degree to which is ceases to bear fruit In the second reading (Philippians 4:6- and betrays its mission. 9) St Paul tells us how we can be good We Australian Catholics need to realise tenants of the Lord's vineyard; don't that we aren't producing the fruits worry, ask for what you need with prayer expected of us. and thanksgiving, and if we do, the peace Only 17% of Australian Catholics attend of God will guard our hearts. Sunday Mass monthly and only 14% Besides prayer. we need study so that weekly. We aren't sharing the Faith as we we can fill our minds "with everything should. that is true, everything that is noble, Our mission mindedness leave much everything that is good and pure, every- to be desired. Shall we produce the fruits thing that we love and honour, and every- expected of us, or shall we risk being thing that can be thought virtuous or replaced by other tenants? Page 6
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he twin but different use of words for God and man can be seen with regard to the perfections of God and his mercy, inasmuch as the Lord admonished us to be holy as the Father, perfect as the Father, merciful as the Father. In reference to God we are talking about absolute attributes and their origin, and so we can say that God is perfection, that God is mercy. Referred to human beings, these same attributes have a limited, dependent value. They are a participation in the divine attributes conceded by the grace of God. The same concept holds also for the attribute "mediator." Referred to Jesus as its originator it has an absolute value. Referred to us it has a limited, subordinate, participatory value. Thus the word Mediatrix attributed to Mary no longer frightens us. It has a relative and subordinate sense, as a participation in the unique mediation of Christ. Certainly, given Mary's universal mission, it has an extension that it does not have in any other human creature. In the light of this concept, not only do we not hesitate to call Mary Mediatrix of All Graces, but we also call the apostles, missionaries, those who preach or witness to the Gospel mediators. Pastors, parents who educate their children in the Christian faith, and catechists are all mediators. Whoever exercises some form or another of the apostolate, even in that precious and hidden form which is the apostolate of prayer and suffering is a mediator. It is clear In all these cases that we are dealing with a form of mediation that is subordinate to and dependent on that of Christ, who never ceases to be the unique mediator by the fact that he makes others participants in this, his prerogative. These are the concepts which the Second Vatican Council very clearly sets forth precisely with regard to Mary, about whom one can say that, even if that Council did not proclaim the dogma of the universal mediation of Mary, it expressed all of the principles on which it is based. It says in fact: "the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source. The Church does not hesitate to profess this subordinate role of Mary which it constantly experiences and recommends to the heartfelt attention of the faithful, so that encouraged by this maternal help they may more closely adhere to the Mediator and Redeemer" (LG 62). The extension of the participation of Mary in the mediation of. Christ is proportionate
to the participation that she had in all the works of the Redeemer and in the mission that she is still carrying out as our mother. Saints and theologians insist that we have received Christ, the fount of every grace. from Mary. Thus we also receive all the graces that come to us through her. Her divine maternity-and it is always a good thing to keep this in mind-is the principal source of all the works of Mary and hence even of her mediation. The mi.ssion that Mary is now carrying out toward humanity is summed up in this way by the Second Vatican Council: "Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation." And again: "She cares for the brethren of her Son who still journey on earth, surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home" (LC 62).
These expressions are very clear and render it legitimate to call Mary Mediatrix of All Graces, when the significance of her dependence and participation in the unique mediation of Christ is well understood. For this reason the Christian people have always had recourse to Mary in every necessity. Reflections
About Mary -It is clear that every Marian title does not obscure but throws light on the mission of salvation and grace which comes from Christ. The official texts of the Church contain with clarity the foundations for calling Mary Mediatrix of All Graces. Other than the citations from Vatican II which we have reported, we recall: Adiutricem populi of Pope Leo XIII (1895); Ad diem illum of St Pope Pius X (1904); Miserentissimus of Pope Pius XI (1928); the radio message of Pope Pius X11 on May 13, 1946. About us - We must understand both the extension and the limits of the Marian titles. We should never fear that, praising Mary, we subtract something from Jesus. Quite the opposite. We glorify the source of all the goods received from Mary. Let us invoke the Virgin with faith; the fact that she intercedes to obtain for us every grace is not a major difficulty but a major help in obtaining them.
THE GOSPEL OF MARY
From The Gospel of Mary - a month with the Mother of God by Fr Gabriel Amorth SSP. St Paul Publications. RRP $23.50
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The Cardinal's virtue was love
The Record
ords such as 'another saint has gone to heaven' and 'one of the great heroes of the Church in modern times' sprang spontaneously to the lips of cardinals and bishops around the world when Vietnamese Cardinal PO Box 75, Leederville, 'NA 6902 Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax (08) 9227 7087 Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan died cathrec@iinet.net.au on September 16. (See pages 8-9) What made him so greatly admired was the power of his love. ing: namely, that God is love and we are, fore understood as an emotion, but it is Jailed for 13 years by the Communists too, because we are made in the image more than that. The emotion of love is a when they took over South Vietnam (nine and likeness of God. If we are not living blessing that makes it easier for us to love, of those years in solitary confinement) in love we are living outside the truth of but on its own it is not enough. Cardinal Thuan (then the Bishop of Ho our humanity and, in that case, it is little In the first hot flush of being thrown into Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon) decided wonder that things go horribly wrong jail, it would be unlikely, perhaps even that if Christian love meant anything he when love is not our inspiration and moti- impossible, to experience an emotional would have to love his jailers. He did, and vation. attachment to one's jailers. One has to with such dramatic effect that he convertThey remind us, too, that love is the choose to love, and then to persist in that ed some of them. When they were trans- meaning of suffering. Love is the meaning choice. One has to desire to see, be deterferred, his love converted their of our suffering, of Cardinal Thuan's suf- mined to see, and seek only to see the replacements until such time as official- fering, of the suffering of Mary at the foot goodness in one's jailer if the decision to dom decided to stop the transfers before of the Cross, and of the suffering of Jesus love is to be sustained. all the warders were converted. on the Cross. Suffering on its own has no Loving God is the greatest aid to loving He is not the first person either to have meaning. It is merely the opportunity to one's neighbour, particularly when the learned great lessons or to have practised practise love in difficult circumstances. going gets tough. It is said of St Peter them heroically in prison, but his is one of That is why St Francis of Assisi prayed that Claver, who showed extraordinary devothe outstanding examples on record both he be allowed to suffer much so that he tion to the physical and spiritual needs of for its perfection and its duration. could love much. slaves dumped at Cartagena in what is The great value of saints such as CardiCardinal Thuan and all the other saints, now Colombia during the 17th Century, nal Thuan - and the reason the Church most of whom suffered a great deal one that on the rare occasions that his love upholds them as the true heroes of way or another, also remind us that love wavered in the face of grotesque infechumanity - is that they embody the truth In its highest form is a state of mind, an tions he could renew his dedication by of mankind that we in easier circum- attitude, a choice of the will. reminding himself that to be repulsed by stances have so much trouble rememberIt is all too easily experienced and there- the image of God is to reject God himself.
A non-Catholic view of statue
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Few of us are called to practise virtue to such an heroic degree, but it would be a terrible shame if we wasted the example of the many heroes God raises up in our midst. The hardest task most of us are called on to perform is to be constant in our love for our spouse, our children, our parents - the people for whom an emotional love is part of our nature. All too often we find it easier to be critical rather than loving, resentful rather than loving, and judgmental rather than loving. The saints are there to remind us that the answer to any problem is to be found in the choices we make about our state of mind, our attitude, and finally our behaviour. The only state of mind for which we have responsibility and over which we have any capacity to exercise choice is our own. If we want to live in a world of love we simply have to choose it. Cardinal Thuan did not find a world of love in jail. He fashioned it out of the love that God has already given us. We are asked to do the same within our own families and communities. Only then will we have the riches to reach out to others. • The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.
Youth leaders meet istry. shared ideas and dioceThe Australian Network of san reports, discussed World Diocesan Youth Ministry Youth Day and its future Coordinators (ANDYMC) held Implications and developed their annual conference in new and ongoing ANDYMC Perth on September 17 to 22. projects. Members met to discuss issues relating to young peoKaren Lunney, coordinator ple and the Church. of Broken Bay Diocese was Dioceses represented appointed as the new included Melbourne, BunANDYMC Executive Officer, bury, Toowoomba, Rocktaking over from Michael hampton, Hobart, Brisbane, Hart of Brisbane Archdiocese Sydney, Parramatta. Broken who held the position for Bay, Maitland-Newcastle, four years. Canberra-Goulburn and Perth Adam Morris, Coordinator with visiting representation of Canberra-Goulburn DioBishop Bianchini from the National Council for cese was appointed as from Young Catholics ANDYMC Networker taking over the role Christchurch. New Zealand. from Justin Rofe of Sandhurst Diocese Archbishop Barry Hickey from the Arch- who has held the position for the last two diocese of Perth visited the conference on years. the Friday and Bishop Justin Bianchini Joy Philippi of Rockhampton and Derek from the Diocese of Geraldton, a member of the Bishops Committee for Laity, cele- Boylen of Perth will remain on the Execbrated Eucharist with the coordinators utive committee as Treasurer and Secretary respectively. during the week. The conference will meet next in Diocesan coordinators were in-serviced on diocesan youth and young adult min- Toowoomba Diocese next year.
am writing in response to Bronwen Clune's article in the September 12th edition of "The Record" (page 2). I am not a Roman Catholic but visited Our Lady Of Lourdes in Rockingham yesterday to see what I consider to be a supernatural phenomenon. *It I was quite moved by seeing the Weeping LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Madonna, and very impressed by the sin(11) cerity of Patty Powell for allowing others to observe the event. \ NC\ I was also impressed with the article because it puts matters into context as for possible reasons this could be occurring. Please allow me to make a personal observation, which I hope will be of interest to deceased and those on the sick list. Then my acolyte gave me names. The next step was you. Sometimes when I enter a place of wor- taken when the St Vincent de Paul asked for ship. I feel intimidated by the scale of archi- prayers. From there is snowballed. with names tecture. That is to say. many cathedrals and church- gleaned from reading the Record, Fremantle es make me feel insignificant. That is per- Community, Pregnancy Assistance. I'm not sure if the world and its people are haps as it should be. but in contrast to staring up at large vaulted ceilings and massive stat- valuing prayers more or whether I'm noticues, when I laid eyes on the Weeping ing it more. When that dreaded question comes now I Madonna I was surprised how tiny it (she) can hold my head high and proudly say I'm is. Yet in spite of its diminutive stature. the an intercessor". And I feel doubly blessed, if the questionWeeping Madonna has created a huge controversy.Iam especially pleased the Madon- er doesn't know what an intercessor does or Helen Margaret Flynn was born in Perth na has bamboozled the "academic" is, because then I can talk about God. on the 27 April 1929. the eldest child of When it comes to Our Lady and the Saints, John and Agnes Flynn and sister of John, community. The controversy has also irritated some of the best explanation I've heard and now use Phyllis, Frank and Agnes. my friends who say it's all a "con". They myself is something we use with other peoHelen attended St Joachim's School in haven't seen the Madonna but seem to feel ple on earth. Victoria Park and completed her Leaving If you want to approach someone in author- Certificate at Victoria Square. She entered a need to get angry about it. Pardon me for writing this unsolicited let- ity here on earth, and you have a mutual the Sisters of Mercy when she was eighter. I had a day of deep reflection yesterday friend if you're like me you might ask that teen, with Sisters Mary Martin Kelly and and came away from Our Lady Of Lourdes friend to put in "a good word for me!" Ring Mary Louis Savage, who were also from a bell? with a lot to think about. the Victoria Park parish. Meeting and talking briefly to Patty Powell In earthly terms this is the greatest of "jobs" When Helen was received into the Conand then reading your(and other)articles with the best "conditions". The Boss allows gregation she received the name Ephrem. from "The Record" rounded off my visit very you to write your own conditions, full or part Sister Mary Ephrem was one of the first well. time, you can clock in and out at will, change Sisters of Mercy to attend Claremont It is refreshing to get away from the whop- from day to day, he is always there. Teachers College and she became an outpers told by the mainstream media and read His only real request is for you to clock in standing teacher and Primary School some forthright articles such as in "The on Sundays, and he certainly prefers you to Principal. Schools at which she taught Record". I wish you and your associates all clock in at least once in every 24 hours. ncluded East Victoria Park. Bayswater, i the best. So pensioners, retirees, those seeking Queens Park, Belmont, Redcliffe, employment,I suggest you might try this, in Armadale (Principal) Norseman, KalgoAlan G. Rossiter Guildford conjunction with, in place of, or while apply- orlie. Santa Maria and Donnybrook (Prining for other jobs. cipal) and she ended her teaching career In my own journey Ihave found two other at Ursula Frayne College where she was things. a remedial teacher. or more years than I dare remember The first is the ability to shut up. and just Sister Mary Ephrem's simplicity of mind when meeting new people sooner or and heart, discernment, caring, sensitivilater came the question, "What do you be with God in silence. He just might have something he wants to ty and gentleness endeared her to all and do for a living?" I would bow my head and mumble "I'm on say. especially to the many children under One of my favourite Hymns - often sung at her cam. a disability pension". Reading was impossible, my medications interfered with my con- first communions - and always before comAs a Sister of Mercy, the quality of mercy centration span, but somehow I muddled munion we pray "0 Lord I am not worthy." In Sister Mary Ephrem was not strained, And the more I pray the more I realise this but flowed spontaneously and generousthrough the days. Each Sunday an acolyte brought me com- truth. "0 Lord I am not worthy". ly. This was especially evident in regard munion and a parish bulletin. Ann Worner to the students who struggled to learn. It I started praying for those recently Joondanna was on them in particular that she con-
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Great Mercy teacher dies
JDF: Intercessor
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Obituary centrated her efforts, energy and time, and this proved to be a very fruitful part of her teaching ministry. Sister Mary Ephrem was immensely proud of her family and had a great affection for each one of them. She was the family member with whom all were in touch and she with them. She was the sister, the aunt, the great aunt, so small in physical stature but so big in spirit. She was also a very loyal member and close friend of the Sisters in her religious community. This gentle woman had an extraordinary sense of gratitude to God for all that life had given her, and she often expressed gratitude to others for small things. She had a great gift of simplicity and directness which was coupled with a love of nature. The Convent garden will miss her presence and care of it, and the birds, all of which she could name, will miss her around 23 Kitchener Rd. Sister Mary Ephrem died peacefully on Saturday August 31 after heart surgery. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated by her brother Father John Flynn and eight other priests before a very large congregation in St Joachim's Church, Victoria Park on lhesday September 3. May she rest in peace. Page 7
reaLIW ITO
Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, on a visit to the United States in 1996, talks to seminarians in New Orleans. A former political prisoner in his native Vietnam, the cardinal went on to head the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
rch A man whose great love converted his jailers, Vietnamese CARDINAL FRANCIOS XAVIER NGUYEN VAN THUAN died in Rome recently as "one of the great heroes of the Church in our time," according to ACBC chairman Archbishop Francis Carroll. The Record is grateful to the Sydney Catholic Weekly and CNS for help with these reports on a saintly man.
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ardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. who was jailed by the communist regime in Vietnam for 13 years without trial, has died in Rome after a battle with bowel cancer. He was 74. The cardinal, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. had been a patient in Rome's Casa di Cura Pius XI clinic for several months. He had undergone two cancer operations, including one in Boston last year. Pope John Paul II sent messages of condolence to Bishop Paul Nguyen Van Hon, president of the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam, and to the cardinal's 100-yearold mother. Elizabeth. who lives in Sydney. He said Cardinal Thuan was a 'pastor full of zeal for the Gospel, always faithful to the Church even in the difficult time of persecution'. The cardinal had accepted his final illness with 'serenity and a spirit of intense participation in the cross of Christ", the Pope said. The president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Francis Carroll, a friend of the cardinal, described him as 'one of the mat heroes of the Church in our time". Archbishop Carroll, who is Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, said: 'Two qualities of the cardinal that stand out in my mind are the extraordinary serenity of spirit he had after his time of imprisonment, and his constant message of hope.I know that he carried those right to the end of his final illness, in which he suffered terribly. 'The Vietnamese people in Australia and around the world see him as a great leader and a great inspiration. They will draw great strength from his life and fideli'T ty to the Gospel and to the Church.' Cardinal Thuan, who was Archbishop of Saigon, had been the president of the Council for Justice and Peace since 1998 and a cardinal since last year. He came from a prominent Vietnamese family. His uncle, Ngo Dinh Diem, was the first president of South Vietnam. Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan had been a priest for 10 years when President Diem was assassinated in 1963. He became Bishop of Nha Trang in 1967. Bishop Thuan was named as coadjutor bishop of Saigon in 1974, only a few months before the communist takeover. Page 8
In 1975 he was arrested by the new rulers and imprisoned without trial. His commitment to love touched the hearts of some of his guards and he converted a number of them, telling them of his faith in God. And while in prison he fashioned a small cross out of wood and wire.
He wore the cross and chain every day for the rest of his life because they reminded him that "only Christian love can change hearts; neither weapons, nor threats nor the media can do so".
Fr Tranh was a priest under the cardinal when he was the bishop of Nha Trang. and a fellow prisoner for almost a year. Sydney's Vietnamese Catholic community celebrated a memorial Mass with the cardinal's family and their guests at St Luke's Church. Revesby. at 11am on Sunday. September 29. Archbishop Carroll was the main celebrant. The cardinal had strong ties to this country. He described Australia as his second homeland during a visit in 2001, and thanked Australia for welcoming his parents. Elizabeth and Thadeus, who fled persecution in Vietnam after the communist takeover in 1975.
When he was free again, he covered the cross in metal in such a way that the wood could show through. He wore the cross and chain every day for the rest of his life because they reminded him that 'only Christian love can change hearts: neither weapons, nor threats nor the media can do so'. Notes on hope and spirituality that he wrote on smuggled pieces of paper became his first book about his experience, The Road of Hope: A Gospel from Prison. Cardinal Thuan was also the author of Five Loaves and Two Fishes, Prayers of Hope: Words of Courage and several other books. Pope John Paul II presided over the funeral Mass for the cardinal in St Peter's Basilica on Friday, September 20.
In his homily, he said Cardinal Thuan had been unable to speak during his last days in the hospital but kept his gaze fixed on a crucifix, praying silently. 'His secret was an unshake- able trust in God, nourished by prayer and suffering accepted with love,' the Pope said. Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, secretary of the Council for Justice and Peace, said Cardinal Thuan was 'an extraordinary Christian who lived the Gospel to its roots'. The bishop added: 'He was a man of hope, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. For me his death is a great sorrow. But his voice will continue to be heard.' CNSReuters Fr Joseph Tranh, a close friend of the late cardinal and Vietnamese Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Tinian, head parish priest of Fairfield, celebrated Mass at the Church of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, died on Sepof Our Lady of the Rosary to coincide with the funeral. tember 16 in Rome after an extended battle with cancer.
He was grateful to Australia for assisting in his release and counted many Australian priests as well as bishops as his proven "faithful friends in good and bad times'. Bishop William Morris, acting chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, paid tribute to Cardinal Thuan last week as an 'extraordinary human being'. 'My experiences of meeting him four or five times in Rome and here was that he had a lovely character,' he said. 'He was an extraordinary human being with a great depth of spirituality which came out of the furnace of suffering. 'That depth of suffering allowed him to experience the resurrection in a personal way, and then to touch the lives of people he came into contact with, whether it was the guards he converted, or the people he later worked with. 'He challenged people around the world on issues of social justice with extraordinary graciousness and compassion.' Bishop David Cremin, Vicar General and senior auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Sydney, said the late cardinal was a man of 'simplicity and prayerfulness'. 'He was extraordinarily friendly and had great concern for people,' he said. Bishop of Wollongong, Bishop Peter Ingham, said he felt privileged to have been a friend of the cardinal and his family. 'I often thought perhaps he would become the next Pope,' he said. "That was a little dream I had, but it wasn't to be. 'I had the highest regard for him, he never ceased to impress me and it is very sad that we have lost him from this life. 'But what a great welcome he would have received when he got to heaven.' A measure of the esteem in which Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan was held was the Pope's request that the cardinal lead the Lenten retreat for the Pope himself and the Roman Curia for the Jubilee year. The Cardinal spoke Italian. French, Spanish. Latin and some Russian as well as Vietnamese and English. Being multilingual held him in good stead in his work in recent years, as he travelled the world promoting International justice and peace. While he was president, the Council for Justice and Peace lobbied for debt relief for developing countries and for better measures to fight the illegal arms trade. Cardinal Thuan also oversaw the publishing of the first compendium of Catholic social doctrine 'as a service to the world'. Humanity needs a moral social code from which to proceed, to help counter injustices and the threat of exploitation, both in the developed and developing world, he said. From the depths of his experience Cardinal Thuan said that it is faith in God that will ultimately ensure our happiness and joy in life.
Pope John Paul ll bestows a blessing on Vietnamese Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan during the consistory ceremony on February 21 in St. Peter's Square. Ptooto: GNS/Reuters
Anne never gave up A
nne Nguyen Thi Ham Tieu, younger sister of Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. travelled the world lobbying for the release of her brother when he was in prison in Vietnam. She was working in the South Vietnamese embassy in Canberra in 1963 when she received news of the death of two uncles, one of whom was the country's first President. Ngo Dinh Diem. She wanted to go home but an aunt urged her to stay away because the situation in South Vietnam was dangerous for the family. Francois, then a priest, also urged her to stay away. Maybe she could best help the family from here, he told her. He was right. Anne studied political science and languages at the Australian National University and later became a schoolteacher. After 10 years she secured Australian citizenship. It was 1973 and she immediately went to visit her family in Vietnam.
The Australian Catholic bishops gave the family their full support, and regularly petitioned the Australian Government to help get Cardinal Thuan released.
Fellow travellers in suffering and joy
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Anne Nguyen Thi Ham-Tieu spent years lobbying to help free her brother, then the archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City, from his communist captors in Vietnam.
The Australian Catholic bishops gave the family their full support, On her return to Australia, worried and regularly petitioned the Ausabout her parents' safety she took tralian Government to help get Carsteps to sponsor their migration dinal Thuan released. here. Many others helped, including forThey arrived on Anzac Day 1975, mer Prime Minister Malcolm Frasfive days before Saigon, capital of er, Amnesty International and the South Vietnam, fell to the commu- International Society for Human nists. Rights. Next came the news that her arch"Iwent all over the world lobbying bishop brother was in prison. for his release and everywhere peoAnne led the campaign to lobby ple were so kind," Anne told The for his release - a job that took 13 Catholic Weekly last year. years. She even gave Pope John Paul II a
letter requesting his intervention when she was granted an audience with him in 1984. In 1988 Archbishop Thuan was released after 13 years in jail. Anne was reunited with her big brother at the Papal Nuncio's residence in Bangkok. She said that only her faith sustained her as she completed the tasks she felt compelled to undertake as a dutiful daughter and sister. "Always there was the sustenance of my faith, often a sense of a guardian angel beside me," she said.
he cardinal was always joyful and had such strong faith in any occasion, says his close friend Fr Joseph Tranh. "He was very gentle, and very kind, and even when he was suffering he always wanted to share what he had. what he was." Fr Joseph Tranh. the parish priest of Our Lady of the Rosary. Fairfield. and Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan were fellow travellers in suffering, victims of religious persecution in communist Vietnam. They were arrested a month apart and languished in solitary confinement in adjacent cells for almost a year. But they were also fellow travellers in joy On one stiflingly hot day, sympathetic guards cut a hole in the wall between them to allow air to circulate. It was a most precious gift. "We could communicate: we could talk. say Mass together and have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament together," Fr Joseph recalls. "We shared our food." Fr Joseph's sister smuggled in communion hosts and wine under the guise of biscuits and fish sauce, taking over the job that Fr Joseph had done while he was still free. He was a priest of the Nha Trang diocese when Cardinal Thuan was its bishop. Fr Joseph had been ordained in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. He was soon made the rector of the minor seminary, which was in the bishop's house. "I had the opportunity to live with him for five years." says Fr Joseph. "I was arrested one month after him; in jail I was in the room next to him for 11 months. So we were very close." One precious memory is of being asked to conduct an eight-day retreat in jail for his bishop. Fr Joseph's own story is as harrowing and as poignant as Cardinal Thuan's. He was in jail for seven years and then under house arrest for 12 months. Then he was thrown into jail a second time but made his escape, eventually finding his way to Malaysia. He came to Australia in 1986 after two years in a refugee camp in Malaysia. By his own reckoning, Fr Joseph secretly said 1600 Masses in jail.
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Local News
3 October, 2002
Fr Bruce Jones: a people priest Obituary
Fr Bruce
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ather Bruce Jones, former parish priest at East Fremantle and Bruce Rock, died peacefully on Thursday last week, September 26, aged 67.
Priests close to him said he died very peacefully, certain of the love of God. Archbishop Barry Hickey said that shortly before he died. Fr Jones asked that during his homily he would particularly "thank his brother priests for their support and their prayers". The Archbishop was the principal celebrant at the concelebrated Requiem Mass in the Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon and honoured the request. It was a request which mirrored the view of him expressed by his brother priests who described him as person always Interested in other people, one who was generous with his time and talents. Fr Jones was born in Wudinna, South Australia, on May 3, 1935 and was baptised Samuel Bruce (ones, but was always known as Bruce. He was educated at Wudinna State School and Rostrevor College in Adelaide before completing his final year at Aquinas after his family moved to Westeim Australia. He began his working life as a primary school teacher in country towns, including Pithara and Dalwallinu. Fr Pat 'Rimer, now of Woodvale. was parish priest at Wongan Hills and recalls Bruce Jones being among the
first group of people in the Archdiocese to become acolytes. In 1976, at the age of 40, he exchanged the school for seminary and began four years of study at St Paul's in Kensington, Sydney, leading to his ordination on August 14 1980. He was an assistant priest at
the Cathedral until 1984 when he was appointed assistant at Whitford. He became Parish Priest at Bruce Rock on June 9. 1985 and moved to Bedford/Inglewood in May 1990. Fr Jones had serious health
problems in 1991 and underwent a coronary bypass, after which he moved to East Fremantle in 1992 and became parish priest there in 1994 and held the position for six years. Fr Jones was a strong supporter of the Redemptoris Mater seminary, seeking placements of seminarians, deacons and priests. "He was very kind to them and taught them a lot," said the Rector, Fr Michael Moore. Some years ago he began a Neo Catechumate group in his parish, for his own spiritual development as well as for the parish. Friends said he had a special love for people with little or no English and always looked for ways to help them. In his 22 years as a priest he performed almost 1000 marriages, a rate of almost one a week, an achievement which was attributed to his great interest in people. Outside his priesthood and his help for people, Fr Jones had a deep interest in horses of all kinds and especially thoroughbreds.
Centenary for Sisters large congregation of religious and supporters gathered at St Joseph's, Subiaco, and it the former monastery on Sunday to celebrate the centenary of the arrival of the Good Shepherd sisters in Western Australia. A packed church saw the Archbishop of Perth Barry Hickey, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton and 11 priests con-celebrate a Mass to mark the centenary. Later hundreds gathered for an afternoon tea at the monastery in Leederville that was the former convent of the Good Shepherd nuns in Perth and the refuge they had for wayward girls (now the head(luarters of the Catholic Education Office). During the Mass, Monsignor James Nestor delivered a homily in which he paid tribute to the nuns' work in the state over the years. Archbishop Hickey and the Good Shepherds' superior. Sister Naomi McClements cut an anniversary cake. The Good Shepherd order traces its origins to The Order of Our Lady of Charity and the Refuge, founded by Saint John Eudes, in France in 1641, out of his concern for young girls and women who were abandoned and uncared-for in the society at that time. They first came to eastern Australia in 1863 and the first to come to WA arrived on October 10, 1902. The Leederville monastery was the focus of the nuns' work for many years, and was where they established residential care, rehabilitation and training services, an industrial-vocational school and a laundry. New service developed in response to changes in society. The former industrial school dosed and became a hostel for girls from the country working in Perth. then subsequently as open hostel for teenage girls In care and later a day care centre. Holiday houses were bought at Waterman to provide respite for the sisters and residents. Education of secondary school-age girls referred for residential care led to the establishment of St Clam's School. Changes in society made residential care unnecessary and it was phased out in favour of community based care and facilities. By the 1980s, the ministry of the sisters was expanded to include a prison ministry at the Government's Banyup women's prison. St Clare's school has been relocated a number of times to North Perth, East Perth and Wembley, but
Two of the guests at the celebration inspect a mannequin in the original Good Shepherd sisters habit
a new permanent site is planned at Lathlain next year. The Good Shepherd sisters maintain a presence at Leedervile and now also have a community in Dianella. The original Good Shepherd vision of Saint John Eudes and the original superior, Sister Mary Euphrasla lives on in their continuing work in education. welfare, prisoner rehabilitation, ministry with migrants, pastoral care - where ever there is the greatest need. The nuns also took the opportunity during the celebrations to unveil their new official logo and to open a museum depicting their activities in WA.
Family landmarks in couple's anniversary
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Mass at St Joseph's, Subiaco, to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Jim and Ada Stewart was highlighted by the presentation of a Papal blessing - and several family landmarks. The Stewarts, who were wed at St Joseph's and who now live at Victoria Park, received the Papal blessing from Father John Gandini. Fr Gandini was returning to St Joseph's - his boyhood parish church and the one in which he made his first Communion and
Confirmation. He is now the parish priest at St Joachim's, at Victoria Park. The Stewarts' anniversary 1\4,1`.', was the first he had celebrated in his boyhood church since his ordination. It also marked the return to health of the Stewarts' son. Peter. Peter is the convenor of the Christian Centre for Social Action at the converted East Victoria Park post office. He has been seriously ill for some time, and made a remarkable recovery to attend his parents' anniversary Mass.
Jima and Ada Stewrat (left) with their Papal blessing
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Celia Joyce and the Good Shepherd's Provincial, Sr Anne Dalton, of Melbourne.
Archbishop Barry Hickey and John KobeIke, representing the WA government.
Hundreds gather for Bunbury bishop's celebration By Carole McMillen bury. Now 83, and crowd of several hundred attended the cel- after seven spinal ebration of Bishop Myles McKeon's 40 operations, Bishop years as Bishop at St Patrick's Cathedral in McKeon may be winding down, but he Bunbury on September 12. always be Bishop McKeon was appointed Bishop of Bun- will bury on March 25, 1969, and he retired in Febru- remembered and celebrated for the man ary 1982. He is the only surviving Bishop left in Australia he is. who attended Vatican Council II. Notre Dame funcHe was consecrated Bishop on September 12, tion 1962, and joined Vatican Council on September 14, Bishop McKeon will 1962. "It was awe inspiring, andI was astounded at be guest of honour, my surroundings and what lay before me, but once along with Mgr that passed it was down to serious hard work" he Michael Keating and said. Fr Russell Hardiman, Bishop McKeon wanted to be among the people who were present at whereever he was serving. Visitation to him was the opening of Vatican of key importance to his role as priest and Bishop II, when Noire Dame Bishop McKeon Well wishers attended the celebration from celebrates the 40th around the state, and spoke highly of him Bishop anniversary of the council on October 11 from Holohan made the congregation aware Bishop 7.30pm to 9.30pm. A theological reflection by Sr Janette Gray will be McKeon was a man worthy of celebrating regardless of his title. Although retired, Bishop McKeon followed by presentations and discussions about still says Mass at 10.30 every morning at the Ocean the way forward in hope. Star Hostel for the aged. He oversaw the construcThere will also be a display of council memoration of the hostel during his time as Bishop of Bun- bilia in Foley Hall.
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Local News
11 ReCord
3 October, 2002
Timor needs to beat the 'dreamers' A visiting Saelesian Brother gives an insight to the challenges faced by the people of East Timor
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of the finest centres of education, the Polytechnic in Dili, was destroyed. "As a nation we are deeply indebted to Australia and the international community for their assistance in peace enforcement, peacekeeping and nation building," Bro Lopes said. But he added the rebuilding had highlighted that East Timor was a nation with more than its fair share of -dreamers."
espite many problems, East Timor has progressed far in three years since the devestation of the militia-led riots, a visiting Salesian educator, Brother Marcal Lopes said in Perth last week on his way "Dreams are fine if they home after visiting all Australian lead to practical states. Br Lopes said that in just 10 clays benefits. But it's my the militia had all but wrecked observation many the whole country. dreamers have their feet I n just 10 days, a great deal of East Timor's infrastructure - its firmly planted in houses, shops, schools and so on mid-air." - were burned, smashed or looted during the rampage by proBr Lopes said: "Dreams are fine Jakarta militia and their retreating If they lead to practical benefits. TNI (Indonesian Army) mentors. But it's my observation many "About 80 per cent of Dili, the dreamers have their feet firmly capital, was destroyed. planted in mid-air. Some villages were wiped out. "I am a practical person. I see Many schools were torched - one the challenge is for us to turn
Brother Lopes dreams into reality." He said one major challenge was to provide jobs for the 70 per cent of the population who are unemployed. There were big needs to improve health care and communications He hoped overseas companies would help establish industries.
Australia needs to regain its values C
ontemporary politics and rhetoric about asylum went to the heart of Australian values. Father Mark Raper SJ. provincial-elect for the Jesuits In Australia. told a big audience at the Catherine McAuley Oration in Perth last week Australia and Australians had undergone great changes in 20 years. Fr Raper said. Steady economic growth at around 4 per cent a year had led to constant promises of a higher quality of life - of more cafe latte and endless wine tastings. But regional and rural communities have suffered while some urban centres may have benefited - although urban crime was said to have grown out of control. Social change generated uncertainty. The arrival of new people also changed society - particularly if they were different appearance, had different cultural ways and different religions. Fr Raper said government in such situations could show real leadership. managing the pace and effects of change, or could blame an external threat, blaming the victims and appealing to fear. The Opposition Labor Party was little better - it had all but nothing of substance or principle to say on the matter. Fr Raper compared attitudes toward bushfire victims in eastern Australia last summer, with that toward people arriving on Australian shores seeking asylum. Responses to bushfire victims reflected all that was best in the Australian community _ "we all feel one with the bushfire victims and stand with them in spirit; we ask what we can do to help" But in the case of refugees and asylum seekers "we do not meet these people as individuals. They are spoken about stereotypically. Our fears are evoked, not allayed.
Father Raper
Crafted information "Our politicians carefully craft information about the detention centre riots without reference to underlying causes - an approach reflected in the media. "Where is full disclosure of facts, the personal stories that could evoke our deeper understanding? "The political face is obdurate, and our leaders play upon our fears. "A sense of hopelessness can pervade those who are concerned in the community because of the hardness of heart displayed." Fr Raper said refugees were not new. They have been around for as long as intolerance and oppression. •There would continue to be refugees as long as conflicts continued.. "It is ironic in this era of globalisation that although most wars are internal, the forces of globali-
sation make refugees a global matter. "Modern transportation and communication as well as the dramatic flows of capital and the shifting needs of labour forces all tend to globalise the refugee problem." Fr Raper said. "During the cold war, refugees were trophies. "Now they are threats to securitY "Rather than searching for ways to protect the rights of asylum seekers, many states try by all means either to ignore or to block them - introducing harsh legislation to protect their borders. "Refugees demonstrate the worst in human society - and the best. The willingness to oppress others, and the willingness to assist. "Refugees are drenched in human value. Only a society without values will ignore refugees." Fr Raper said.
Much was also needed to by training general teachers, increase the rural production, while his Salesian school is trainwith 75 per cent of the population ing tradesmen and teachers for eking out an existence as subsis- trades.The Don Bosco Fatumaca tence farmers.Offshore oil rev- school at Bacau, 1501(ms from enues would help East Timor to Dili, of which Bm Lopes is princifinancial independence, but these pal, has sections covering carfunds were still a couple of years pentry, electrical, machine tooling away. Meanwhile. United Nations and electronics. surveys showed 60 per cent of It has 270 students, aged from 16 the rural population lived below to 20 - all boarders - has charges the poverty line, and 40 per cent S10 a month in fees to cover three of urban dwellers. Illiteracy meals a day for the students, buy exceeded 40 per cent. fuel for electrical generators, buy Only 20 per cent of villages have materials for the workshops, electricity and many villagers had maintain and repair school equipto walk four to five kilometres for ment and cover daily running water. There was a great deal to costs. Br Lopes said most of the be done in education - with the school's graduates go into work. illiteracy rate compounded by the He said the Australian governfact 40 per cent of school-age chil- ment, army and non-government dren do not attend schools. organisation had been generous The education system is beset In their support. by a lack of teachers. The Australian Salesians MisMost teachers in Indonesian sion office had also provided colonial times came from Java much support in cash and kind to and and have since left. Salesians on the ground in East Marist Brothers, including Br Timor, assisting schools, health Stephen Bugg, of WA, the former clinics, and self-help projects. principal of Newman College, are "And with God's grace, we will making a significant contribution do it, he said.
Death penalty weakens respect for human life The recent reawakening in the Bunbury diocese of media and public debate about the death penalty prompted Bishop Gerald Holohan to write to all parishes about Catholic teaching on the subject. "For Catholics," he said. "the proposal for a referendum on the reintroduction of the death penalty is a proposal to weaken yet again respect for human life in Western Australia. "Official teaching of the Catholic Church states that the death penalty is immoral unless there is no other way of effectively defending people against an unjust aggressor. Our prison system means that this exception does not apply in Western Australia. These teachings are contained in both the Pope's Gospel of Life (56) and the Catechism (2267) "The death penalty violates the Fifth Commandment; You shall not kill. It would be a double standard for society to condemn someone who deliberately took the life of another, and then for society to do the same thing itself. Society would be living the standard of the murderer. Killing the Innocent "Evil though the death penalty is, a worse evil has been the execution in the past of convicted people who were found later to be innocent. A recent overseas example is the discovery through DNA testing that dozens of convicted deathrow inmates in the United States did not commit the murders of which they were convicted. Some today suggest that the death penalty could serve as a deterrent against murder. Yet criminological studies show murders have not declined in places where the death penalty is practised. Disrespect for Human Life Leads to Violence Respect for people leads to respect towards people. There is growing disrespect for human life in our society, and this is leading to growing violence and to other examples of disrespect towards people. These include domestic violence, violent home invasions, streets unsafe for walking at night and gang violence.
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The death penalty, along with abortion, is legislated violence. So will be the killing of embryonic stem cells if this becomes legally permitted. And legislated violence strengthens tolerance for other kinds of violence. A society that kills criminals is a society that despairs of its capacity to rehabilitate and to empower people to change for the better. Some argue for the death penalty for reasons related to vengeance. However, we need to remember that vengeance is not one of the nobler human characteristics. Often, the desire for vengeance comes as the result of growing anger and frustration at the apparent increase in murders in our society. However, emotional reactions are not always the best responses or motivations for legislated change. A respect for the sacredness of human life is a nobler human characteristic, along with such human qualities as love and mercy. If we promote these qualities in society, violence and murder will decline. Respect for life The mission of the Church is to promote the values of God in society through democratic means. These values bring hope and meaning to all who live them. We need to promote respect for God's Commandments in discussions and debates on questions such as the death penalty. We need also to speak to and write to community leaders, the media and members of parliament. We need to do all that we can to reverse the decline in respect for the sacredness of human life. Page 11
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400,000 people in need 0
fficial estimates show that more than 400,000 people in Perth need attention for mental health disorders. Authorities say however most are unaware of their condition that can range from depression, brought on by a natural shyness, to schizophrenia and psychotic conditions. Their plight is to be highlighted during Mental Health Week this week. There are a number of organisations in the community designed to raise awareness and assist those suffering from the disorders. One of them, the national group, Grow, was established by a Sydney priest more than 40 years ago. Grow is a community mental health movement organised and led by people recovering and recovered from mental illness, or from various other personal inadequacies or problems of life. Ages range from 20 to 80, hut most are from 35 to 55. Because of the strictest confidentiality provisions in its charter few people get to hear of Grow. It is a sharing and caring community of people using its 12-step program and group method to help each other overcome maladjustments and inadequacies, develop enduring friendships and to grow toward maturity. To a person seeking personal growth and fulfilment, it is a school of adult education for life. lb those suffering from stresses and crises. it is a way of preventing breakdown and possible hospitalisation. Grow members meet once weekly for two hours, but they also provide a network of phone contacts for people who need to talk out their problems. The self-help and friendships generated are an important step on the path to recovery for many people. There are around 140 people attending meetings regularly at 18 centres in the Perth metropolitan area and six country centres at Geraldton, Merredin, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Albany and Mandurah. Its services are free. More information can be obtained by phoning 9328 3344. • Grow, is non-denominational. was founded in Hurstville, a Sydney suburb, in 1957 by Roman Catholic priest, Father Con Keogh. Fr Keogh suffered a breakdown and needed to be hospitalised for almost a year in 1954 when he returned from 11 years studying in Europe and was caught up in a world of philosophy and theology, and a number of controversial social issues. On his release from hospital, he was helped back into society by attending AA - although not an alcoholic. He found the group therapy a help, and was soon able to return to light duties in a parish. But while at AA he met and made friends with others, who like him were not alcoholics but recovering mental health patients. They arrived at an idea to form a special group (initially called Recovery, but later to become Grow) to work more systematically through their special needs. Pagp,12
Local Medical Roundup Parliamentarians in Canberra have passed through the House of Representatives the legislation aimed allowing the use of embryonic stems cells for research - despite strong opposition f rom the Church. The legislation stil l needs the approval of the Senate. Two major steps have been taken in the past weeks to increase awareness of the dangers of embryonic stem cells as a medical tool.
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1 Cell research good - but not using embryos T
Father Joe Parkinson and Or Michael Shanahan at the seminar held at the L J Goody Bioethics Centre in Perth.
he Catholic Church believes stem cell research is good and should proceed, Father Joe Parkinson of the L I Goody Bioethics Centre has told a seminar at St John of God Hospital, Subiaco. The seminar - organised by the Catholic Association for Nurses (CAN) and the Catholic Doctors Association (CDA) - also featured Professor Alan Harvey, of the Western Australian University's department of anatomy, who summarised the potential role of stem cells in neurological treatments. Fr Parkinson emphasised that there were a number of fields of stem cell research that were acceptable and that could be beneficial and ethical, and emphasised the discrimination between them and embryonic stem cells. The Church remained diametrically opposed to research techniques that involve the taking of human life. The Church and some scientists worldwide believed human life begins at the moment of conception. Fr Parkinson said: the developing embryo therefore is worthy of the same love, dignity and right to life as you and 1" He went on: 'lb kill that embryo in order to use its cells (embryonic stem cells) for research or any other purpose is ethically unacceptable." Scientific research needed to proceed for the health of mankind, but not expense of the most frail and vulnerable of our brothers and sisters, he said. Fr Parkinson said: Our Catholic response to this issue needs to be wholehearted." He urged all Catholics to express their beliefs and to write submissions and be as effective as they could he in opposing Government legislation. But he said in doing so. Catholics needed to he transparent in reflecting their respect for all human life. While this included the life of the embryo, it also included the lives of politicians, scientists and others who may have differing opinions to them. Catholic arguments about the dignity of human life were only as strong as the witness of their own attitudes to the human lives around them. Professor Harvey said there were multiple avenues of research into the treatment of damaged neurological tissue - many showing great promise. Embryonic stem cells were only one of those avenues, and that there had not yet been even one study to support the theory that they may be of any use to a person with neurological injury. He said: "The quest of why we suddenly need to use human embryonic stem cells for experiments that have not yet been fond to have been even remotely successful in animals remains unanswered. "Clearly further research into avenues that do not involve embryonic stem cells is a necessity of medical research." The seminar at St Johns closely followed another organised by the two groups on September 8, and featuring, Dr Nicholas lbntiFilippini, a lecturer at the Melbourne University and the recently established John Paul II Institute, in Melbourne. In his lecture, The culture of Life; the human genome and the edges of Life. Dr Tonti-Filippini enthralled an audience and demonstrated his wisdom that has gained him an international reputation as a bioethicist.
Issues from Canberra's debate A booklet on human embryo stem cell research published by the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute in South Australia takes to task the discredited scientist, Professor Alan Trounson. It was Professor Trounson who gave a video recording to Federal Parliamentarians purporting to show a remarkable medical breakthrough using embryonic stem cells to treat a laboratory rat. It was subsequently disclosed the experiment with the laboratory rat used older cells taken from an aborted foetus. The booklet has been written by Dr John Fleming, a PhD and director of the institute, Dr Gregory Pike, PhD and deputy director, and Selena Ewing, BHSc, a research officer. It deals with the parliamentary debate, relating how the perceptions of some parliamentarians are wrong and the potential consequences if the legislation passed into law. The book says the drivers of the legislation have been demands by scientists to gain access to live human embryos for research and that public claims that research will provide cures for all sort of pathological conditions.
However it says lobbyists for the legislation cloning. In their conclusions the authors say have failed to draw the public's attention to Professor Trounson has been a persuasive the potential for destructive research on advocate for legally permitted destructive human embryos for a much wider range of research on human embryosto allow the harpurposes. vesting of embryonic stem cells. The authors say the booklet aims at bringThey say he has done in this in context of ing the attention of Federal and State parlia- extremely optimistic claims being made for mentarians, and the community as a whole, the development of wonderful new therapies to the wide range of uses to which embryos for the treatment of serious illnesses and dishave been put and are being put by scientists abilities. They say he also supports the around the world. They content that not all destructive use of embryonic human beings embryos used in experiments have been for a wide range of other experiments. destroyed. They say their conclusions are consistent They quote examples of implantation of with views expressed by Professor Trounson embryos after three of their eight cells have in a senate select committee inquiry in 1986. been removed for pre-implantation genetic The authors say the Bill asks Parliament to diagnoses. They examine some of the results cross an ethical line that it has no moral right Professor Trounson's work, particularly a to cross. report of his in May 2001, where they say he And if it does cross that line, the Parliament gave a good description of the range of will have committed itself to an inhuman research intersts he sees as important. series of events from which it will prove difThese included infertility research into fer- ficult to turn back tilisation, intra-cytoplasmic sperm transfer Copies of the booklet can be ordered by and embryo development, as well as research contacting the Southern Cross Bioethics Instion chromosomal abnormalities, gene expres- tute on phone (08) 8297 0022 or by faxing (08) sion, artificial eggs and sperm, gene develop- 8371 1391, Or by e-mailing ment, energy metabolism and therapeutic scbi@bioethics.org.au
International News Karachi killings condemned Hong Kong ReCord
3 October, 2002
KARACHI, Pakistan (CNS) — The archbishop of Karachi said the latest killing of Christians and ongoing threats against their communities will not prevent Christians from continuing justice and peace work. Archbishop Simeon Pereira visited the office of the Committee for Justice and Peace, a joint initiative of the Archdiocese of Karachi and the Church of Pakistan, hours after two gunmen killed six Catholics and one Protestant and injured two other people on September 25, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. He later told reporters that he empathizes with the families whose 'near and dear ones' were victims of the attack, but he urged the Christian community not to allow hatred and revenge to take root in their hearts. 'The killers are our brothers, whether they wish to be or not. Let us grieve for those who have committed this heinous crime, whose motives are unknown,' Archbishop Pereira said. Zafar Icibal, administrator of the committee, said the two attackers came to the office about 9:30 a.m. They gathered everyone, tied their hands, put masking tape over their mouths, then shot each of them in the head before escaping. Rahim Bakhash Azad, a lawyer's assistant associated with the committee. told UCA News he was the first to reach the office after the incident and saw the bodies lying on the floor in pools of blood. Six people died on the spot and one died later in a hospital, Azad said. One injured man was in critical condition with a head wound from a bullet, while another who was beaten was recovering, he added. Azad said the attack was 'clear retaliation from al Qaeda and pro-Taliban organizations! This was the fifth major attack on Christians since Pakistan joined the U.S.-led crackdown on the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan and the al Qaeda group, blamed for the September 11 attacks in
mourns loss of cardinal
A Christbn holds a crucifix during a rally against religious violence in Karachi, Pakistan, September 27. Black flags flew over churches in the city as hundreds of people mourned the killing of seven charity workers two days earlier. the United States. article on the country s blasphemy laws. However, Archbishop Pereira was Dominican Sister Naseem George, reported as saying the killings could be president of the Major Superiors Leadlinked to the murder earlier this year of ership Conference of Pakistan, said the committee's former chairman, Ivan Christians lived in fear that an attack was Moon. Imminent At a press conference, Archbishop There was fear that something would Pereira, Auxiliary Bishop Evarist Pinto happen, but nobody was able to guess and Church of Pakistan Bishop Daniel what and where. It is terrible,' she said. Sadiq of Karachi announced three days Now we think no Christian is safe, of mourning during which all church especially the Christian organizations institutions would remain closed ahead that are working for the rights of the peoof the September 30 funeral for the vic- ple. We are worried about the safety of tims. Muslim nongovernmental organi- our workers,' Sister George said. zations also announced they would close The attack came just after Archbishop their offices for three days. Pereira appealed to the governor of According to those familiar with the Sindh province for Catholic churches Committee for Peace and justice, the and schools to be exempted from use as group focused on social and labour election centres for the October 10 genissues, helping workers to obtain basic eral election. The Election Commission rights. The group also published a mag- earlier approached some Catholic instiazine, which had recently featured an tutes with such a request.
All quiet on the Western front WARS \\N„ Poland (CNS) -The Catholic archbishop of Moscow has criticized the United Nations and European Union for failing to condemn the expulsion of priests from his country 'We need support, and we're distressed the international institutions haven't uttered a single word in our defence,' Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz said in an article in Poland's Rzeczpospolita daily. 'The expulsion of five priests has been a massive blow which our church won't quickly recover from. Fear is growing among our faithful: the archbishop said. In a midSeptember statement, Archbishop Kondrusiewicz said he was 'urgently requesting help' from human rights supporters worldwide not to allow 'a new strangling of
freedom of conscience.' But he told the Polish newspaper he was alarmed by the lack of global reaction. 'From the beginning of this conflict, we haven't heard a single voice from Brussels or the United Nations,' Archbishop Kondrusiewicz said. 'If this policy is continued. there'll be no priests, and our church's development will be halted or even reversed. There are now structures, churches and chapels which will have no one to look after them,' he said. The archbishop said the Russian government had cut the period for priests' visas from a year to three months and said he had requested a meeting at the Kremlin to discuss the situation. 'Two Protestant pastors and two Muslim clergy have also been barred from Russia this
year.' he said. "Four priests have come to my own diocese this year, and I've lost eight. who've either left or died. At the moment, we need at least 30 more -- I've appealed to priests not to be afraid to come: the archbishop said. Archbishop Kondrusiewicz said he was increasingly concerned about Orthodox Church influences on Russia's Foreign Ministry, which grants visas to foreign priests, and worried that neighboring countries were now copying Russian restrictions. This repression is causing suffering not only for the Catholic community — it will also weigh heavily on the social understanding so much needed in Russia,' Archbishop Kondrusiewicz said. The archbishop said political extremists were exploiting Orthodox opposition to the
creation of Catholic dioceses earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Catholic bishop of western Siberia said Russian authorities were 'using religion for political pressure' and urged the European Union to condemn the latest restrictions. 'Lacking any higher values. Russia's post-communists are trying to instrumentalize Orthodoxy's cultural and historical heritage to cement the state's foundations,' Bishop Joseph Werth of the Novosibirsk-based Transfiguration Diocese told Germany's KNA news agency. The bishop added that he believed 10 more priests could also be facing expulsion. The majority of Russia's 270 Catholic priests are foreign. The church has 248 regand parishes istered organizations.
Mother Teresa honoured for her Christian virtues VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Members of the Congregation for Saints' Causes agreed on September 24 that Mother Teresa of Calcutta heroically lived the Christian virtues during her lifetime. The congregation's meeting was reported widely in Italian newspapers, and sources confirmed the positive outcome. Pope John Paul II is expected to approve the publication of the decree of 'heroic virtues' in December. Another congregation meeting on October 1 and was expected to include discussion about a miracle attributed to Mother Teresa's intercession. If the miracle is approved, as it is expected to be, that decree also would be pub-
lished in December, clearing the way for Mother Teresa's beatification in 2003. However, the Italian news agency ANSA said it also was possible that Pope John Paul could order the immediate publication of the decrees - bypassing the normal December Vatican meeting at which decrees are read and making an even earlier beatification possible. The miracle involves the medically unexplained healing of an Indian woman's abdominal tumor. Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, died in 1997 Pope John Paul waived the normal five-year waiting period before the official canonization process could begin.
Mother Teresa
At the funeral of Cardinal John Baptist Wu Chengchung September 28, his portrait was carried by Fftoto. CN&Reuteis relatives. HONG KONG (CNS) As Hong Kong Catholics mourned the death of their cardinal. a senior Vatican official expressed good will toward China and hope for more dialogue between the local church and Hong Kong government. Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. represented Pope John Paul II and presided at the September 28 funeral Mass for Cardinal John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung of Hong Kong. reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Cardinal Sepe. the highest-ranking Vatican figure officially to visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since the territory reverted to China in 1997. visited Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa soon after the funeral. Cardinal Sepe was accompanied by Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun. who was coadjutor bishop and automatically became Hong Kong's ordinary when Cardinal Wu died on September 23. At a press conference on September 30. Bishop Zen said the meeting two days earlier between Cardinal Sepe and Tung was purely a 'courtesy call' and that there had been no discussion of any political matters. Cardinal Sepe said in a statement that his visit to Hong Kong had 'no political mission' and that he was bringing the pope's blessing to Bishop Zen and Hong Kong's faithful. The statement also said the pope 'wishes to give his blessing to the people in China and especially to the people of Hong Kong.' Cardinal Sepe's homily at the Mass cited an apology the pope made on October 24, 2001, for mistakes made by Western missionaries in China. The papal apology was read at an international conference at Rome's Gregorian University marking the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci in Beijing. The Italian cardinal also expressed appreciation for China's culture and people by lauding Cardinal Wu for blending Christian faith and Chinese culture in a way 'in which none of the great moral tenets of his culture were lost.' Cardinal Sepe said Cardinal Wu was a great Christian, a devout cardinal and a faithful son of China. The pope praised Cardinal Wu for his humility and loyalty to God and to his church. Cardinal Sepe said. Cardinal Sepe's press statement noted that the Hong Kong church is 'mature and united.' showing the fruit of labors performed by the late cardinal. In that statement, he also expressed a hope that 'collaboration between the government and the church will continue and be strengthened through dialogue.' In a Chinese homily during the funeral, Bishop Zen recalled how the 77-year-old cardinal struggled to live through some painful moments due to bone marrow cancer. As he ended Bishop Zen was in tears, as were many Catholics who sobbed throughout the homily. Many more wept as they bid farewell to the cardinal's body with three traditional Chinese bows. Some 3,000 people attended the funeral in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which has a capacity of 1,200. aige. 13
3 October, 2002
Reviews
Record II
Smart gadgety action flick By Anne Navarro
'The Bourne Identity' (Universal) is a wellcrafted thriller that takes such timeworn elements as amnesia and clandestine CIA operations and whips them up into an engaging character study with a fast-paced espionage yarn to back it up. Adapted from Robert Ludlum's 1980 novel, director Doug Liman provides suspense with ongoing chase scenes and chilling close calls that deflect attention from the film's predictable spots. Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne, an ambiguous character who is a CIA agent highly trained to be a killing machine. The dramatic opening scene has Bourne's body fished out of the Mediterranean Sea by some Italian fishermen who treat the two bullet wounds in his back and discover a capsule encoded with a Swiss bank account embedded in his hip. Aside from his physical wounds, Bourne can't remember who he is or what he would be doing with a Swiss bank account. The only thing he has to go on are his instincts when the boat docks and he heads for Zurich. The audience, however, is clued in quickly Jason Bourne (matt Damon) tries to keep a low profile as he tries to figure out his identity in The Bourne to his real identity. Back at CIA headquarters Identify. Photo Universal Studios In Langley, Virginia, Ted Conklin (Chris Coop- memories), he also can't figure out why someWith Bourne a bigger-than-life character and er), the CIA chief of a top secret cloak-and- one would burst through his window to try to Marie his sidekick, the other characters dagger operation is trying to do damage kill him. As the film progresses, Bourne begins remain in the background. Damon. however. control for the operation Bourne botched. to discover who he is and what he does. distinguishes himself by allowing Bourne's Bourne had been sent to kill a former African Tension builds inside him as well as in the conflicts and complexities to boil just below leader who had been blackmailing the agency. movie. A CIA agent being hunted by his own the surface. He still looks like the boy next Conklin's orders are clear he wants Bourne kind creates an intriguing conflict for the audi- door, but this boy can take down two beefy dead. pronto. ence: On whose side should the viewer be? As German police officers without any trouble. In the safe-deposit box in the Swiss bank. the fllm's hero and central figure. it would he Damon is also convincing as he slips in and Bourne finds several passports. including an natural to sympathize with Bourne. But in real- out of other languages, particularly French American one identifying him as Jason ity he is no different from the assassins com- and German. Potent° works well with Damon; Bourne. a sophisticated gun and loads of cash ing after him, even if he's temporarily forgotten she is restrained and believable as she in varying currencies. Loading the money and that. embarks on this wild cross-country escape, passports into a red sack. Bourne heads for Inevitably, a romance stirs up between clearly signaling that she has nothing more in the American consulate, assuming it's his best Bourne and Marie, but it remains a sidebar her life. bet. But word already has gotten out that he with the action front and centre. All the eleWith locations from Paris to Italy to Prague is a wanted man, and he is greeted by securi- ments of an action thriller are firmly in place. (which doubled as Zurich), director Liman ty goons, whom he narrowly escapes by pay- from a daredevil car chase to bone-crushing shows off his chosen spots to their best advaning a down-and-out. attractive German fight sequences. These scenes can become tage. The energetic camera work keeps pace woman. Marie (Franka Potente). $10,000 for a quite intense, especially since the sound with the narrative's quick twists and turns, effects are so prominent. The impact of a and for the most part the action doesn't let up. ride to Paris. Bourne is baffled by his uncanny ability to punch is piercing as is the sharp noise made Due to recurring harsh violence and some fight off several men at once using highly effec- when a furious kick makes contact with bones. profanity with an instance of rough language, tive fighting techniques. Once in "his' apart- Viewers sensitive to this type of violence may the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops clasment in Paris (which doesn't trigger any he put off by its ferocity. sification is A-IV -- adults, with reservations.
Don't let this one pass you by for 45 years, then returned to Ireland. to the little town of Kenmare. in the Kerry hills, that he loved so dearly. Fr Tom had many country appointments. He spent some years as a curate in Northam, his first parish, and then as priest in charge of Quairading in the wheat belt. He loved the migrant people of Irish Town and Grass Valley, This is the life story of an ordi- where many of them settled in nary parish priest. Father Tom camps. He visited them often: Gaine is a simple, unambitious. would go out there each Sunday loveable Irishman, who came to morning to say 8am Mass. The hall would reek of alcohol, Western Australia in the 1950's and spent his life's energies in as every Saturday night they parishes of the archdiocese. He would hold a dance in the hall. I was simply the parish priest; the was privileged to meet quite a few good man who pottered about his Eastern European Bishops who parish, lived among his flock, bap- would come to Northam and I tised them and married them, was always enthralled and filled attended the sick and buried the with respect for them and their dead, prayed for their souls and ordeals". His sympathies went out to listened to their problems. celethem, as they did to all the strickbrated Holy Mass and administered the sacraments every day to en people of his own flock. his parishioners. He became in At Quairading, he 'felt every way possible an essential part of their lives. very much at home'. The theme of the book is love: Being a country lad himPauline love that was 'kind and patient, seeing no evil and doing self, he related well to only good'. Not only did he love the "Down to earth, matthe people of WA and share their values and aspirations, but he also ter of fact, no-nonsense loved Ireland. type of people'. He was appointed to many places and loved the people, but At Quairading, he 'felt very he never lost his Irishness. As this much at home'. Being a country book recalls, his life and work was lad himself, he related well to the that of a loving father among a "Down to earth, matter of fact, nofamily who responded to his lov- nonsense type of people'. He was ing care. delighted with the pastoral work He served the diocese of Perth in spite of the very hot summers, Winter Has Passed, by Thomas Game and Elizabeth Gatton. Cost: $15 plus $4.50 for postage and handling from E. Brennan 4/4 Maybole Crt, Greenwood WA 6024. Cheques made to E Brennan Reviewed by George Russo
Page 14
and the hardships of the farmers, especially during the droughts. He details these in his book, and demonstrates his love for the country and its people. In 1979 he was appointed to Girrawheen as the first parish priest. It was a tough assignment with many new migrant families, many problems and much poverty. Nevertheless, he loved the people and soon attracted them to himself by his magnetic zeal. Many Mass centres sprang up, and a college (Mercy) with a large student enrolment, and there were several primary schools in the parish, all served by him. His biggest problem was coping with the drugs among the young and the vandalism. "It is disheartening to wake in the morning and go over to the church for early morning Mass only to find one or other of the windows smashed, graffiti all over the side of the church, and the presbytery broken into". This happened many times, and caused much frustration to the parish priest. His views on the Second Vatican Council and its effects on the priests are illuminating. He writes well of priests who, he says "are first and foremost, ordinary human beings with the same faults and failings, blessings and giftedness, as any group of people". From his experience, he finds them "men of integrity and humility, with a deep love of god, who struggle with the oft-times unrealistic expectations that are placed upon them." He also men-
tions 'the loneliness and despair', as well as 'the joy and contentment, peace and happiness' that accompany the life of a dedicated priest, and he acknowledges "the love" that a good priest receives in his ministry to others. But he is not afraid to criticise his fellow-priests when they overstep the mark, such as abusing the power they have as parish priests. "I have known young priests who have been broken in mind and spirit by a parish priest lording it over them." How well we know of that fault, not at all uncommon. Nevertheless, in his own case. 'as a young priest', he was 'lucky', and lived and worked with priests whom, he confesses, he "came to love and respect". He writes at some length about the changes that followed Vatican and the loveable Pope that called the Council, Pope John XXIII. Such issues as birth control, the role of the laity, and authority generally, are discussed openly. As this book amply demonstrates there are many men in the priesthood today whose simplicity, patience, kindness and understanding give eloquent testimony to the love of Christ and his flock. Without their spiritual help the nation would he poorer. For many priests Fr Caine make clear, celibacy can be a deep sorrow and an obstacle rather than help in serving God in the priesthood. Perhaps, something may be done in the future. Certainly Fr Gaine thinks so. Read it for yourself in this fine book
f
FILM RATINGS
Here is a list of recent films the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting has rated on the basis of moral suitability. USCCB classification: Al general patronage; All - adults and adolescents; AIN - adults; AIV- adults, with reservations (this indicates films that, while not morally offensive in themselves, are not for casual viewing because they require some analysis and explanation in order to avoid false impressions and interpretations); 0 - morally offensive. About a Boy. AM Austin Powers in Golcimemher, AM Big Fat Liar, All Birthday Girl, AIV The Bourne Identity, All The Dangerous lives of Altar Boys, AN Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood. AM Eight Legged Freaks, All E.T The Extraterrestrial. All The Importance of Being Earnest. All Insomnia, AIII Lilo and Stitch. All Mr. Deeds, All Murder by Numbers. AN The Powerpuff Girls Movie. All Signs. All Stuart little 2, All The Sum of All Fears. AN The Sweetest Thing, 0 Unfaithful. AIV We Were Soldiers. AIV
welAview LIODElOODECID \\*deem( to...
St Joseph's (Priory
. . by Carole McMillen www.members.iinet.au/norbert/indexhtm The Norbertines are a monastic religious order founded by St Norbert some 900 years ago. Worldwide they are a large order but in Perth they have but a small presence. (There is a link for their international site). This site explains the history and development of the order through the years and covers their arrival in Perth, Western Australia. It explains clearly their role in the education of youth, through the development of a boys and now a co-ed college In Queens Park, and their ministries through the parishes in Perth. Out of their rich spiritual treasury they are able to draw 10 brief guidelines which point to the way Norbertines develop their spirituality. These points are beautifully if not poetically explained. The life of a Norbertine is embodied in this quote from St Augustine: "Live together in harmony and charity. In each other honour God, whose temples you have become."
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official diary OCTOBER 5
Mass for "True Love Waits" - Bishop Sproxton
6
Mass to celebrate 50th Jubilee of Parish of St Denis. Joondanna - Archbishop Hickey Mass for Divine Mercy Apostolate, St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey Ecumenical Service to commence Mental Health Week. Wesley Uniting Church - Rev Fr Rodney Williams.
8
Meeting of Heads of Churches, Wollaston College Bishop Sproxton
9
Summit on Evangelisation, Parish of Port Kennedy Archbishop Hickey Meeting with Focolare Movement - Bishop Sproxton
10
Council of Priests' meeting at University of Notre Dame Australia - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton
12
Mass for Marian Movement of Priests, Sacred Heart College - Archbishop Hickey Ordination to Diaconate, North Beach Archbishop Hickey
13
Catenians Provincial Presidents' Mass, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey Mass for Mental Health Week, Emmanuel Centre Archbishop Hickey Confirmation. Bruce Rock (at Quairading) Bishop Quinn
15
Blessing and opening of House for Missionaries of Charity - Archbishop Hickey
16
Presentation of Certificates to Cantors and Psalmists, Bateman - Archbishop Hickey
17
Presentation of bursary cheque from St Vincent de Paul Archbishop Hickey Baptisms and Confirmations, Chisholm Catholic College - Archbishop Hickey St Luke's Day Ecumenical Service. St Mary's Cathedral Bishop Sproxton
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a roundup of events in the archdiocese
Monday October 7 COUNTRY DAY OF REFLECTION The day will be held at St Mary's Church. Bruce R ock, commencing 10am (morning tea 9.3010am). Rosary Cenacle, talks, Confessions concluding with Holy Mass at 2pm. Speaker Fr Hugh Thomas CSsR. Theme Mary and the Eucharist. B YO lunch, tea/coffee supplied. Contacts: Margaret Foss 9065 1034, Cec Aurisch 9061 1269, Metro 9446 1935.
tree Gully Rd, (off South St) at 7pm. There will be veneration of the relic and anointing of the sick. Information: Noreen Monaghan 9332 8292.
Thursday October 10 WORKSHOP FOR PARISH MUSICIANS A genda: basic principles for planning Eucharistic Liturgies. who sings what and when, developing a parish repertoire, resources. Our Lady of R osary Parish Centre, Cnr Angelico St & Williamstown Rd, Woodlands. 7.30-9.30pm. Register by: Monday 7 October. Archdiocesan Liturgy Office, GPO Box P1217, Perth WA 6844. Phone: 9221 1548, Fax: 9221 3694. Email: litrcia@nw.com.au.
Saturday October 19 NEXT DAY WITH MARY Queen of Apostle Church, Tudor St South. Riverton. 9qam-5pm. A Video on Fatima will be shown a t 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the message of Fatima. Incudes Sacrament of Penance. Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration. talks Rosaries, procession and Stations of the Cross. Choir practice Tuesday October 8. 7pm. All are welcome. Please BYO. Inq: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5214.
Friday October 11 FEAST OF THE MATERNITY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD Sung Latin Mass. 6.30pm St John's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave. Perth. All welcome. Inq: Fr Michael Rowe 9444 9604.
Saturday October 19 VOTIVE MASS OF ST PADRE PIO Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Throne in the Traditional Latin Rite celebrated by Archbishop Hickey in St Mary's Cathedral at 10am. All welcome. Confessions heard before and after Mass. Inq: Fr Michael Rowe 9444 9604.
Sunday October 13 SPRING IN THE VALLEY Join in the celebration of Mass, followed by morning tea and a craft sale. Mass is at 9am at St Michael's Church, Herne Hill located on Great Northern Highway (next to Swan valley Sporting Club). Sunday October 13 EUCHARISTIC REPARATION There will be a Holy Hour at 3pm in the Church of Our Lady's Assumption. Grand Promenade. Dianella for the parishioners and the World Apostolate of Fatima. Fr 0. Lewis will officiate. All are welcome. Sunday October 13
PRAYER SERVICE A Prayer Service against sickness and evil is held every second Sunday of the month at St John's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave. Perth, 2.30-4.30pm. Sunday October 13
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK MASS, DAY OF REFLECTION Emmanuel Centre 25 Windsor Street, Perth. Sunday 12noon to 4pm. Mass at 3pm. followed by refreshments. Ph: 9328 8113 (voice) 9328 9571 (TTY). Tuesday October 15 MARANATHA INSTITUTE Term 4 Courses are beginning. Enrolments or information phone 9212 9311 Tuesday, Thursday 9am-3.30pm and Friday 9am-1.30pm and we will send you a Course Booklet. Tuesday October 15 ANNUAL MAJELLAN MASS Held at St Joseph's Church, Subiaco on Tuesday at 7.45pm. Enq: 9387 5294 October 15 DAY OF INTENTION Sponsored by the Catholic Women's League, Morley. We will be praying for world peace and healing in the Church at Infant Jesus Church, 47 Wellington Rd. Morley. We begin at 9am with Mass and conclude with Benediction at app. 2pm. Thursday October 17 HEALING MASS A Healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, patron of cancer sufferers and helper of all in need will be held at the Church of SS John and Paul, Pine-
October 18-20 R ETROUVAILLE/REDISCOVERY A self-help communication program for marriages with serious communication problems, c ommences with a live-in weekend. Confidential inquiries: 9242 4423.
Sunday October 20 C ATHOLIC DOCTORS ASSOCIATION MASS The association Mass and annual general meeting will be held at the McCauley Centre Chapel at Barret Street, Wembley. Mass will be at 9am, followed by a brief AGM and hearty breakfast. A warm invitation is extended to all doctors, families and associates. RSVP Natalie 9242 4066 by October 14. October 25-27
MAJELLAN RETREAT The October Retreat will be held at St Joseph's Convent, Penguin road, Safety Bay. Sister Jan Gray will facilitate, cost is S80 and a deposit of S20 or full amount to be forwarded to Mrs Glenis Ottaway. 164 Leake St. Belmont, 6104. Ph: 9277 5652. Sunday October 27 ST CATHERINE'S CHURCH. GINGIN
Feast of St Jude. 12noon BYO lunch. 1pm Procession through streets with statue of St Jude, R osary, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Sacrament of Penance available. 23pm Thanksgiving Mass to St Jude. 3pm after-
noon tea provided. Coaches depart from St Mary's Cathedral 10.30am. Transport arrangements: Francis Williams 9459 3873. Cost 614 return. Details: Fr Paul 9571 1839. Sheila 9575 4023, Margaret 9571 3387. Sunday November 17 CENTENARY ST BRIGID'S MIDLAND/MIDDLE SWAN Past students and staff of St Brigid's are invited to attend a celebration Mass, a luncheon and an Historical Exhibition at 11am. Please contact the school office with your address and an invitation will be sent (also for catering purposes). Memorabilia gratefully accepted. Roberta Chapman, Centenary co-ordinator 9389 5283. EVENTS AT THE SCHOENSTATT SHRINE 9 Talus Drive. Armadale PH: 9399 2349. email: shrine@bigpond.com.au. For Young Men: Saturday. October 12. 4-7pm Sharing in the spiritual fatherhood of God. Saturday November 2. 4-7pm Discovering the doors God opens to us. For Young Women: Sunday October 13, 2-5pm The God of love waits for an answer of love. Sunday November 3, 2-5pm God's call to holiness; In search of our halo.
Page 15
Little Flower performs a miracle
Saint ThprPAP
By Micahel McCormack
A boy who doctors doubted would ever have proper use of his legs has walked for the first time pfter his mother touched his legs with the relics of a saint who died more than a century ago. While Barbara Chigwidden is not claiming a miracle, her son's transformation has amazed doctors and other medical specialists at Wagga Wagga. Three-year-old Damian was born with a rare chromosome disorder which severely slowed his physical and mental development. His parents, who have had 14 children, were faced with the awful prospect Damian might never walk The fact Damian could hardly talk further deepened their anxiety. Deeply religious, Mrs Chigwidden took her youngest child to Wagga Wagga's main Catholic church. Saint Michael's Cathedral, when the relics of St Therese of Lisieux passed through the city as part of an Australian tour earlier this year. "I wasn't praying for a complete cure, just that he be able to walk to make things easier for us all." Mrs Chigwidden said. "Damian. who was nearly three, was becoming difficult to carry everywhere" Mrs Chigwidden made sure Damian's legs brushed Damian Chigwidden walks unaided after visiting the relics of St against the relics, which are contained in a reliquary, an Therese - doctors describe it as a "miracle". ornate box donated by the people of Brazil in the 1920s, made of Jacaranda wood and gold and then covered in 15, Xavier 13. John 11, twins Margaret and Philip 9, Joseph Perspex. 7. Sophie 5 and Damian 3. Another child. James, died of That was March 19. On March 31 - Easter Sunday - cot death 10 years ago aged just 2 months and Mrs ChigDamian, to the astonishment of his family, walked for the widden's last baby. Rose, was stillborn. first time! The family has always believed in the powers of St "We were all in awe." Mrs Chigwidden said. Therese (1873-1897), praying to her morning and night. "There he was - a boy who never before had taken as A large portrait of St Therese hangs in the family home. much as a step without someone holding him tightly Mrs Chigwidden said she had had nine Masses offered walking right across the room. to thank St Therese. "I had hold of the back of his bib and brace trousers and "I am just delighted by Damian's progress." she said. he just kept walking. "He was always a little joy ... a bright-eyed, happy child. "By the Thesday he was walking everywhere. unaided." I would have been happy for him to have taken just one Mrs Chigwidden said Damian's speech had also small step. To think he can now walk is just marvellous improved markedly since she held him to the relics. and we have St Therese to thank for it." "I am not saying it's a miracle, hut it certainly is a great favour in answer to prayer," she said. Mrs Chigwidden said Damian's paediatrician had not previously seen a medical condition similar to Damian's. "Everyone was surprised Damian had even survived. The first prognosis was that he would be severely retarded with little speech - lucky to be saying Mum or Dad by age five." she said. "Earlier this year all he could do was bottom shuffle to get around. His talking was quite delayed. "To see him now, walking and talking ... it's really terrific." The Chigwiddens live at Ganmain. 55 kilometres west of Wagga Wagga, having moved to the village (population 578) from Sydney in 1990 seeking a less hectic place in which to raise a family. Barbara Chigwidden and Damian at home with a picture of St Paul Chigwidden, a builder and carpenter, and Barbara's children are Patricia 22, Carmel 21, Paul 18, Mary 17, Peter Therese to whom they will always be grateful.
S
t Therese, better known as
"The Little Flower" was born at Alencon, in north-west France, in 1873,
the youngest daughter of watchmaker Louis Martin and his wife Zelie who died when Therese was just four. In 1877 the family moved north to Lisieux. Therese gained special permission to enter the convent of the Carmelite nuns aged just 15. All five of the Martin children A nun visits the reliquary of St Therese who reached when it was in Bunbury. adulthood became nuns. On the night between Holy Thursday and Good Friday in 1896, Therese experienced her first haemoptysis (spitting up of blood) from tuberculosis. Over the next 18 months, her condition steadily deteriorated. In the months prior to her death, she prayed for the grace to "spend my Heaven doing good on Earth" and promised that after her death she would send "a shower of roses" from Heaven. Offering her sufferings for the salvation of souls. Therese died of tuberculosis on September 30. 1897. at the age of 24. Upon her death, the nuns received permission to distribute Therese's autobiography, comprised of material she had written at the command of her superiors and the request of one of her sisters in the monastery. Published on the first anniversary of her death as The Story of a Soul, the initial printing of 2000 copies quickly sold out. In the following years, hundreds of thousands of copies of her autobiography were printed. and it was translated into many languages. As people read about this unknown nun and sought her intercession, letters started pouring into the Cannel reporting favours received through her prayers. By the time she was beatified on April 29. 1923. the Carmel was receiving 800 to 1000 letters daily. St Therese was canonised by Pope Pius XI on May 1Z 1925.
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