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LOCAL NEWS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Has Our Lady in Rockingham performed a miracle?'

Bishops' President kidnapped VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II appealed for the release of the Colombian president of the Latin American bishops' council who was kidnapped along with a priest on November 11 by armed gunmen north of the capital, Bogota. The pope, in a telegram sent in his name on November 12 to the head of the Colombian bishops' conference, asked God to make the kidnappers reflect on what they had done, release their captives and renounce all forms of violence. He also assured Colombia's bishops of his "intense participation" in their sorrow and urged them to continue courageously to spread the Gospel and work for peace in the violencetorn country. Bishop Jorge

Jimenez Carvajal, 60, head of the Diocese of Zipaquira, was kidnapped with Father Desiderio Orjuela near the town of San Antonio de Aguilera. The two were reportedly travelling to a religious service in Pacho. 35 miles north of the capital. Bishop Jimenez heads the Latin American bishops' council, or CELAM, the administrative and coordinating agency of 22 national bishops' conferences of Latin America. There were no immediate claims of responsibility. Colombia's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym FARC, is reported to be active in the area where the kidnappings took place. In a statement released at the

Bishop Jorge Jimenez Carvajal meets Pope John Paul ll in this undated photo. Photo CNSNatican

Vatican, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Commission for Latin America, called the kidnappings "despicable" and an "inhuman act." Continued Page 2

THE RECORD

2 14 NOVEMBER 2002 No. 3333

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Bishop kidnapped pers that they had automatically Continued from Page 1 He appealed to those responsible incurred excommunication from the "to respect the life, liberty, human Catholic Church. "In prayer, we ask God to protect dignity and ministry" of Bishop Jimenez and Father Orjuela by "free- (the abductees) and to move the hearts of their captors to repent for ing them immediately." Cardinal Re said commission this crime," he said. "Once again we repeat that peace members were praying that God would help Colombia "reach the is built along the path of reconciliapeace and reconciliation it so needs tion and of respect for life and freedom," Cardinal Rubiano said. and desires." After nearly four decades of civil Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evange- war, Colombia has the highest kidlisation of Peoples, sent a telegram napping rate in the world, with more of solidarity promising prayers for than 3,000 people abducted last year. the Colombian church and for all Rebel groups use kidnappings to innocent Colombians "in whose raise money and push their political name Bishop Jimenez always agenda. defended - and defends - the Gospel The conflict also claims about values of peace and justice." 3,500 lives every year. At least 27 Colombian Cardinal Pedro Colombian priests and bishops have Rubiano Saenz of Bogota, head of been killed in the past decade by the national bishops' conference, rebel groups or drug traffickers, issued a statement condemning the according to the Colombian bishabduction and warning the kidnap- ops' conference.

'Don't blame resources' VATICAN crry, NOV. 11, 2002 (Zenit.org). - A key problem in the relation between the Church and the media isn't a lack of means but a lack of commitment, a bishops-sponsored congress concluded. Dino Boffo, director of the Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire, emphasised the point in an address during the closing ceremony of the congress "Media Parables: Creating Culture in the Era of Communication," held at the Vatican. Addressing some 8,000 media professionals gathered last Saturday in Paul VI Hall, Boffo rebuffed one of the most common excuses for the absence of Catholics in the media: lack of means. "The problem of the relation between the media and the Church is not resolved by multiplying the instruments, the media, or, with naive impetus, seizing completely the latest instrument to appear," he warned. "We have abundant means," he said. "It is one of the sectors in which we have received most in the past. However, we must ask

ourselves if we have understood the reason why we are present in them." "We must ask ourselves why, in practice, these instruments are undervalued, why there is a certain scepticism, a certain coldness," and an "inexplicable attitude" of "cultural obstinacy" in many Catholic environments, Boffo continued. It is "as if independent judgment and professionalism can only be found in principle in publishing businesses that are not our own," he added. He hinted that the Church has a good chance to promote "a critical, intelligent and adequate judgment of the media." "Marketing experts of the sector whisper that if Catholics knew the potential they have, the resource in their network, ... then yes ..." On Friday the director of La Croix, a French Catholic newspaper, encouraged Catholic communicators to handle the news with enthusiasm and professionalism. A journalist, he added, must have "enthusiasm and passion for the real world, not for a nostalgic world."

What's better than one spouse...? the continuing contradiction watching the world with The Record The legal reality of bigamy in Western Australia has surfaced again in the State Government's Adoptions Bill currently before Parliament. The legal recognition of bigamy was created in association with the Labor Government's Gay and Lesbian "reforms". First, de facto relationships (including homosexual relationships) were declared equal to marriage, and then provision was made for more than one de facto to have inheritance rights in cases of intestacy Regardless of whether the inheritance laws are ever used in this form, the legislation confirmed that while two marriages will continue to be illegal, two equivalents to marriage will not be. This, of course, is the predictable outcome of Attorney-General Jim McGinty's determination to declare unequal things equal. The need to acknowledge this

real legal recognition of bigamy arose in relation to the Adoptions Bill because single people can now apply for an adoption. To prevent one half of a couple applying for an adoption and being assessed as a single person, Clause 23 of the Bill insists that anyone who is married or in a de facto situation (these days, that means heterosexual or homosexual) must be assessed as a joint applicant with that person. It then provides that a person being assessed as a joint applicant with one person cannot be married to or in a de facto relationship with any other person. This could be a welcome sign that the best interests of children may actually get some consideration. On the other hand, considering the quality of "reasoned" debate we have heard in Parliament in recent years, ills not hard to imagine this being challenged as an affront to equal opportunity and equal treatment before the law. After all, if one is allowed to have two or more de facto spouses, or even one legal spouse and one or more de factoes, how is it that one can be discriminated against on this basis?

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t this time of the year the re of the Mass, espeially the Gospels, invite us to think about the Last Things, to ponder over what has been revealed about the end of our life on earth. What has been revealed about the mystery of death, and what does the Church teach? First of all we know that God has called all people through Christ's death and resurrection to eternal life with him. Through Baptism we are united with Christ as members of his body, destined to enter his Kingdom fully after death. We are to rise with him to a new life. That new life is already active within us in what we call the dynamism of grace. It transforms us, purifies us and draws us into a life of love. Death is the destiny of all living things. Death is a natural event, but for human beings this natural event is transformed by Christ into a supernatural event taken up into the death and resurrection of Christ. Our response to the love of God determines whether we accept or reject what God has prepared for us. It is possible for people to abuse their gift of free will by rejecting God and embracing evil. The Church teaches that without deep repentance they may be lost. However the Church does not say who or if any have been lost, as she does not want to put limits on the love of God. The possibility of being lost is nevertheless a reality that we cannot and must not ignore. After death there is the particular judge-

e ment of each person, and a universal judgement at the end of time with the resurrection of the body when Christ comes again. Those faithful to Christ who die in his saving grace will receive eternal life with God. For those who die imperfect, with attachments to sin, with less than perfect love, will be purified in Purgatory. The complete fulfilment of redeemed humanity is union with God in Heaven. These are what are known as the "Last Things". They remind us that we are called to go beyond death to eternal life. They also remind us that the action of grace requires our cooperation, and that we cannot simply drift along. The Holy Father has said repeatedly that we are called to holiness, to deeper and deeper union with God in a life of love, prayer and self control. For this the worthy reception of the Sacraments is essential. The faithful Christian need not fear death, only those things that take us away from God. We are surrounded by forces that would lead us astray. False teachings, pervasive atheism, encouragement to worship the false gods of selfish pleasure, sex, power, riches and comfort - all these things distract us from our fundamental call to follow Christ in his Church along the path of holiness and love, often through suffering and self sacrifice, along the path to eternal life with God. Consider these Last Things as we approach the Feast of Christ the King, whose Kingdom is not of this world.

Clergy appointments Archbishop Barry Hickey has announced the following clergy changes for the Archdiocese of Perth. Fr Peter Whitely, currently Parish Priest of All Saints Parish, Greenwood, has been appointed Parish Priest of St Benedict's Parish, Applecross from January 31, 2003. Fr John O'Reilly, present Parish Priest of Applecross, has announced his retirement after 24 years in the Parish. Fr Gerard Beeson, currently Parish Priest of St Helena's Parish, Ellenbrook, has been appointed Parish Priest of St Gerard's Parish, Mirrabooka from January 31, 2003. Fr Huynh Nguyen, currently Parish Priest of Corrigin/Hyden/ Kuhn has been appointed Parish Priest of St Columba's Parish, Bayswater from January 31, 2003. Fr Joseph Parkinson, currently Parish Priest of St Columba's, Bayswater, has been appointed Director of the LI Goody Bioethics Centre, to succeed Fr Walter Black, who remains a Consultant to the Bioethics Centre. Fr Gregory D'Almeida, currently Parish Priest of St Gregory's Parish, Wongan Hills, has been appointed Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Goomalling from January 31, 2003, to succeed Fr Doug Hoare. Goomalling includes the Centres of Bolgart, Dowerin and VVyalkatchem. Fr Michael Separovich, currently Catholic Chaplain at Royal Perth Hospital, has been appointed Parish Priest of St Anthony's Parish, Wanneroo from January 1,2003. He takes over from the Servite Fathers who are withdrawing from the Parish.

Fr Frank Christie OSM has been appointed Catholic Chaplain to Royal Perth Hospital from January 1. 2003 and will be assisted by Rev Richard Smith and Sr Cecilia Murphy OP Fr Charles Waddell, currently Assistant Priest of Kalgoorlie/Boulder, has been appointed Priest-inCharge of St Dominic's Parish, Innaloo from February 9, 2003. On December 15 he will leave Kalgoorlie to supply at Tennant Creek, Diocese of Darwin. Fr Tim Foster, currently Parish Priest of St Dominic's, Innaloo. has announced his retirement from the Parish, to take effect on February 9. 2003. Fr Tiziano Bogoni, currently responsible for the Parish of St Bernadette, Glendalough, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of St Joseph's Parish, Bassendean from November 22, 2002, with a view to becoming Parish Priest. Fr Doug Harris, currently Assistant Priest at St Mary's Cathedral. has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of St Bernadette's Parish, Glendalough, from November 22, 2002, with a view to becoming Parish Priest. Fr Harris is a member of the group known as the Missionaries of the Blessed Eucharist, and will promote Eucharist Adoration throughout the Archdiocese and beyond. The Parishes of Ellenbrook and Greenwood will shortly be vacant. Clergy are invited to indicate their interest in either of these two parishes to the Archbishop.

THE RECORD

14 NOVEMBER 2002

Miracle claim from weeping statue The family of a woman with stomach cancer believes she has been partially cured after visiting the weeping statue of Mary in Western Australia Her son, Chau Nguyen, said 82 year old Huynh Tien Thi from Sydney was given about two months to live before they travelled to Rockingham, south of Perth, to see the statue in September. Mr Nguyen and his mother are both Buddhists. Mr Nguyen said the cancer had spread throughout his mother's internal organs. "Before we made the trip, the doctor said she would have to take a large amount of morphine to combat the pain," her son said. But she didn't take any pain medication at all. "She wasn't sleeping well but one night she had a great night's rest," Mr Nguyen said. The next day she got the news that Mary was weeping and begged to see her. "Mum had been really tired and

a short car trip would exhaust her. "But after the four-hour flight to and from Perth, Mum was quite normal, she was excited and talking non-stop." The 85cm fibreglass statue weeps rose oil and is owned by Rockingham parishioner Patty Powell. Ms Powell bought the statue in Thailand eight years ago and first noticed it weeping on March 19, St Joseph' s feast day. It wept again on Good Friday. The statue resumed weeping in mid-August and has been shedding tears continuously since then. On the feast of the Assumption on August 15, Ms Powell told Our Lady of Lourdes parish priest Fr Henry Walsh, who has put the statue on display in his church. Scientists at Murdoch and Curtin universities in Western Australia have failed to explain the cause of the tears. Mr Nguyen said he and his mother stayed in Perth for two nights and visited the statue at

Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Rockingham for several hours. "When we returned, the doctor couldn't explain the improvement in my mother's condition," Mr Nguyen said. "She is in very little pain now." He said since their trip, his mother has been praying and visiting Mary's grotto in Burwood. Fr Walsh said it was a partial miracle. "From what I know, two of the three tumours in her stomach have disappeared," he said. Fr Walsh said the number of visitors flocking to see the statue remained steady. "We had the first official parish pilgrimage here last Sunday," he said. "We had about 150 parishioners and three busloads of people attend." Fr Walsh said a Vietnamese priest from Washington in the United States had visited recently to see the statue and collect some of the oil running down her face. The Catholic Weekly, Sydney

Rockingham statuette oil still flows Members of the Catholic comThe number of visitors to Our munity abroad and interstate Lady of Lourdes Parish in Rock- have made requests for cotton ingham has slid since the explo- swabs of the substance to be sent in to their residence. Fr Walsh says attention sive media mid-August, yet visitors from he is still such requests. There have also been reports of interstate and around the world continue to make their way over miracles occurring Fr Walsh comto see this miracle in our own mented. One concerned woman backyard. who had been suffering severe Our Lady of Lourdes Parish shoulder pains for a period of priest Fr Henry Walsh told The time until visiting the statue and Record that last week he received praying beside it. eight visitors from Sydney includFr Walsh has been encouraging ing 85 year old Fr Jackson from visitors who have received any Colombia, who has been a priest miracles or blessings in relation for 46 years. The woman organis- to the statue to contact the parish ing the trip from Sydney expect- with their story. ing her fourth child some time soon. The Record would also like to The statue of Our Lady purchased for $150 by parishioner hear of any miraculous encounPatty Powell, has been weeping ters with the statue. If you would like to share a story, then please consistently since August 14. The tears have been described phone 9227 7080 or fax 9227 7087 or email to cathrec@iinetnetau as a rose scented oil. By Stephen Spiteri

Debbie's imitation of life By Richard Apel

entitled artwork An acrylic "Nyungaburt" (life) by Debbie Nannup one of Moora's many talented indigenous artists was chosen recently to be exhibited at The Benedictine Conununity's New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery Debbie's piece is one of thirty selected from 187 entries to the prestigious 2002 Mandorla Art Award which was originally exhibited at Moore's building Fremantle, it is sponsored in the main by The Order of the Servants of Mary (Servile Friars) The 30 specially selected artworks are

now on display at New Nort:ia Museum and Art Gallery. The Exhibition, which was opened by Fr Christopher Ross, President of Servite College Perth last Saturday, will continue until November 24.

Debbie Nannup was encouraged to participate by Fr Stephen Giles, the Moora Parish Priest, who is keenly interested in local art pursuits, a collector, and dab hand at stained glass and other art mediums himself. Right: Debbie Nannup with her painting entitled, "Nyungaburt" (Life).

Appeal for generosity this Christmas season Archbishop Barry Hickey has appealed to Catholics to make a generous contribution to his Christmas appeal for Lifelink, setting a target of $350,000. The Archbishop spelt out the need for the appeal in a letter to families delivered in all parishes last weekend. The letters provided an addressed envelope for postal donations, and envelopes and other contributions will be gathered at parishes this weekend. In his letter, Archbishop Hickey provided the answer to the question "Who will turn to a LifeLink agency for help, and why?" by nominating:

. People seeking crisis accommodation these are indeed our brothers and sisters due to financial hardship, or women and who reach out to us for help," he said. The 12 LifeLink social service agencies children escaping domestic violence. . Children living in short-to-long term are Centrecare, Catholic Migrant Centre. accommodation because their parents i.d.entity.wa, Centrecare Employment & cannot care for them at home due to Training, Crossroads Community, Emmanuel Centre. HIV/AIDS Pastoral abuse or other factors. . Those with a physical or mental dis- Care, Anawim, Djooraminda, Catholic ability, or men and women isolated or Association for Deaf and Hearing estranged from their families and friends. Impaired People (WA), Natural Family . People with HIV or AIDS and those Planning, Samaritan Projects, and the battling drugs or other addictions, or new Shopfront in Maylands which even the parents or spouse of someone responds to emergency need. Donations of $2 or more are tax who has an addiction. "Whether we know their names or not, deductible and receipts are available.

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THE RECOKD

14 NOVEMBER 2002

ords o

W ISD M

with George Russo

41MIN.11,

was in London when Humphrey Carpenter's biography of J R R Tolkien appeared. I read the reviews and was anxious to acquire the book. It seemed that Tolkien began a genre of literature that spawned countless imitations, under the title of 'fantasy'. But, according to his reviewer, Bernard Levin, "This gave the work an ingredient which instantly sets it off from all his rivals, his pursuers, his imitators, and above all those who hate him" (I wonder whether the Harry Potter genre fits this category!) Knowing that there was a lot of nonsense talked about the meaning of books,I was anxious to read what Levin had to say about a book that filled more than a thousand pages, and contained serious meaning. As Levin said, lust to keep the reader's attention alone proves that it must be more than pure fantasy," andsalutes Tolkien's brilliant imagination. Like picking winners at the races, you want to know which horse can win, and how its current form measures up to the task. More importantly, you want to know why the horse is in that race field and whether your random selection is enough to pick the winner. Punters talk about 'credentials' especially in big fields, like the Melbourne Cup. Tolkien's fields are much bigger, and the names funnier. Frodo, Gandalf, Sunman, Gollum, Riongwaith, Samwise, Grond, Mithrandir, to mention a few. There must be at least 100 starters in the Tolkien classic. A lot more than the 24 of the Cup. And from this random selection of names Tolkien believes that a reader can sort out the winners; the good from the bad. Of course, a work as subtle as Tolkien's does not just hang name tags on characters, like they do with saddle-cloths. They are real charactors and, like real racehorses, some are tough performers, fighters, even heroes of the punters. and some play a double game, like traitors. Yet there is meaning in the complexity that Tolkien builds into the field of his characters. The Form, (very important in racing!) has "an inverted quest; the Fellowship sets out not to find the Ring, but to lose it, for it is the Ring that rules all the power in the universe and it must be destroyed if evil is not to win the day. It follows, then, that the book is an account of the journey to the fire, which alone can consume the Ring. "Of course, the analogy with racing has finished. But, the allegory is present and it makes you think. Tolkien is far too wise to offer a 'key' to the meaning; but the truth is there to get to, like picking the winner at the races. It has considerable affinity to picking winners. Why is this so? Levin answers: "It is a book that elevates courage, nobility, faith, honour, persistence, leadership and success without taint; and it has a Christian RING to it, the ultimate heroes are the ordinary little, unsung people. It defines GOODNESS, and leaves no doubt that however we try to define evil, we have no difficulty in defining good. Neither can we miss the optimism in The Lord of the Rings', nor the reason for it". Ills no accident, that Tolkien wrote the truth about the human race. One truth is evident that for all our sins, good will win over evil. There will always be a winning majority of good people over bad. Levin, again: "And Tolkien has noticed that truth, which anybody could do, but built upon it an edifice half a million words long. It is not a coincidence either that there are many battles in the Lord, and that the culminating battle is the one on which the whole edifice is built. For though 'Tolkien knows the atoms of goodness greatly outnumber those of badness, he also knows how powerful evil is and how difficult it is to conquer, and above all how to bear the knowledge that however many battles between good and evil are won by good, evil can never be finally destroyed." And this is why Tokien's books are such masterpieces.

'Lose Brother Andrew book discovered By Fr Paul Glynn SM think Br Andrew was a saint who The SONG of a could well be canonised. He was D famously and falsely accused of being an alcoholic. Though the charge was dropped with deep apology six months later he chose not to publish this retraction. He thought the accusation made him more acceptable to the many wounded people he ministered to. While a missionary in India, Fr Ian Trayery-Ball SJ was asked by Mother Teresa Ilkerww Andre.. Wirt, w..9 to be founder and first Servant General Newly Uncovered Wisdom of the Missionary Brothers of charity. He by chose to be known as Brother Andrew BROTHER ANDREW from then on. After the new Order was Co-founder blessed with phenomenal vitality growth with under his leadership he insisted that the Mother Teresa themselves to be elect one of Brothers of the Servant General. He spent the rest of his Missionary life writing about growth in likeness to Brothers of Christ and in giving retreats - mostly in Charity ow." Australia but also overseas. Not long before his death in 2000 the MC Order, both Sisters and Brothers had him come years. Brother made no frantic efforts to have it published, leaving it to God's decito India to lead their annual Retreat. Br Andrew tried to live as Francis of sion. He died peacefully thinking it Assisi lived. His worldly possessions fit- would not be published. The last years of his life were deeply ted into a small duffel bag. He lived poorly. Friends who put him up while he gave influenced by that seminal experience of Retreats discovered he slept on the floor. his beloved Poor Man of Assisi. St FranHe refused money offers, preferring to cis' extraordinary influence on Catholilive by trust in the good God's Provi- cism began when he heard the poignant dence. Friends thought it beautiful that plea of Christ: 'Rebuild my church. Franthe Lord called him home on the feast- cis, which you see in ruins*. Br Andrew day of St Francis of Assisi - which was heard those same words from Christ also the day that Mother Teresa began today when His church has seemingly become impotent. Only 5% of highschool her missionaries of Charity. Br Andrew gave over 50 retreats at and university students come to Sunday God's Farm, a Retreat Centre near wine Mass. Young Australians like other westfamous Margaret River, WA. Betty Peak- erners find little inspiration to join dying er who built the centre and still runs it Religious Orders or seminaries. Br Andrew writes that not a few has now published Br Andrew's last and most valuable book. It was almost his Catholic theologians and academics are lost book. The Brother had no financial all but secular humanists. He sees many organisation backing his work and the of the priests. Religious and lay activists hand written manuscript of this book who work for Aboriginal and other marlanguished, almost forgotten, for several ginalised people as strong on politically

14.

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Surprised by Truth

Readers' Testimonies

This week: Sister Nirmala Joshi Superior of the Missionaries of Charity

ister Nirmala, superior of the Missionaries of Charity, says she is ready to give up her life if necessary for love of God and of the poor. Her Nepalese parents were devout Hindus of the highest caste, the Brahmans. Educated in the traditional values of Hindu society, she discovered Christ and his Gospel unexpectedly. Here, Sister Nirmala spoke with missionary E Felix Lazcano.

Missionaries of Charity superior Sister Nirmala Joshi stands near a statue of Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India, on the 92nd anniversary of her birth August 26 Photo CNS/Reuters

Q: Who is Sister Nirmala? Sister Nirmala: Sister Nirmala is a child of God. Q: How did you come to know Jesus Christ? Sister Nirmala: I did not wish to convert to Christianity.I had no idea what it was about, and I was very happy being a Hindu. However, in my city there was no institute for girls, so I was registered at Patna Women's College, a Catholic institution. A few days after being there, a Hindu girl. an American student, knelt down and began to pray when the bells rang.Iremained standing and looking at her, and something happened: a gentle movement in my soul and I felt that the

correct sociology but weak on transcendental gospel values. He finds himself forced to use the desperately bad expression, 'Christless nuns". This wholesale dampening of gospel fire in the hearts of many of the new Catholic 'professionals' comes mainly he believes from the flight away from real and sustained prayer. Prayer! This is where he finds hope for our future and joy and new optimistic signs of the times. All over the Catholic world he uses people, often truly 'little people' who are meeting as prayer groups. They are people thirsting for those springs of living water, eager to experience the conversion and uncompromising love Jesus calls us to. This makes his last book brimful with hope. People who attended his Retreats found him a strong and severe guide who led them to believe the unbelievable - that, Christ offers each of us the personal, individual call to climb with Him up the Mountain of the Beatitudes where they experience the blessedness of the poor in spirit. This is precisely the kernel of John Paul's magnificent invitation in his 'At the Beginning of the Third Millennium'. God's Farm, which makes available dear cassette tapes of Br Andrew's Retreats there, has done seekers a big favour in bringing out this spiritually energising book 'The song of a Wounded Healer'. It is fragrant with three things you find in St Francis of Assisi. Br Andrew sees the three as pithy indications of authentic Catholicism: first, the centrality of the Eucharist and the Mass, the twin loves of Mary of Nazareth and our Father in Rome, and thirdly commitment to daily prayer. Fr Glynn is leading a retreat at God's Farm near Margaret River from 730pm Friday 22 November Sunday 24th. If you wish to take part ring Betty Peaker SFO on 9755 6212. The theme is the kingdom of God within us.

living Jesus came to me. From then on. I began to ask a lot of questions about Jesus and, after six and a half years I came to Calcutta, met Mother Teresa, and was baptised. Q: How do you feel about being Mother Teresa's successor? Sister Nirmala: It is something totally unexpected and unmerited; it is Jesus' grace.I am humble holding the position. It is a gift, so I accept it. Q: But your Job as superior general must not be at all easy? Sister Nirmala: Yes, if I depend on myself; but if I depend on God, and with the help of my Sisters. I can do it day after day. Q: What challenges does the congregation face after Mother Teresa's death? Sister Nirmala: The same: to live totally surrendered to God. This is our daily struggle. Q: What are the most salient characteristics of your spirituality? Sister Nirmala: To slake Jesus' thirst on the cross for all of us and to love the poorest of the poor. Love and service. The Missionaries of Charity make a fourth vow, in addition to the traditional ones of poverty, chastity and obedience: the free and wholehearted service of the poorest. Q: Are persecutions and difficulties frequent for Christians in India? Sister Nirmala: If we are Christians, we must be prepared to be persecuted. It is a matter of fidelity to what we are. He gave his life for us, and if we are not willing to give our life, what are we doing here? - Zenit

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THE RECORD

14 NOVEMBER 2002

Beagle Bay church rededicated Here is your church again - whole, strong and complete - Bishop Saunders tells Kimberley community at ceremony

When the historical Sacred Heart Church bells peeled for the first time in two years on 3 November there was plenty of joy and tears of happiness shed in the Kimberley community of Beagle Bay. A two year heritage restoration project was complete. On September 8th 2000 disaster had struck when the bell tower collapsed from the effects of prolonged usage and a cyclone. Built of handmade bricks and lime extracted from burnt seashells, the 1917 edifice had stood as a sturdy monument to early settlement and the history of the Kimberley. Visitors from various parts of the Kimberley and from Perth, interstate and overseas, joined community members for the blessing and rededication of the restored bell tower. Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome and the Kimberley said: 'This is a moment I thought, at one time, may never come. This was a monumental task for sure. To restore a piece of history, faithfully and

practically was a great challenge to all of us' Bishop Saunders said the insistence and encouragement to rebuild the shattered church building from people like Beagle Bay elder, Mr George Dann, was inspiring. So were the words of others like Steve and Penny Arrow of Arrow Pearls. It was Mr Arrow, he said, who had insisted the church was too valuable a part of Beagle Bay's heritage and that of the Kimberley not to restore. Many had responded in a very generous manner. The-then Governor General, Sir William Deane, volunteered to become the Patron of the appeal. Tom Stephens, now WA's Minister for the Kimberley, became instrumental in promoting the cause. Steve and Penny Arrow provided labour and expertise in clearing the site and rebuilding the tower. A skilled bricklayer, Doug Allen, who was in the Dampier Peninsula at the time, had the necessary expertise to master the intricate details of the project. Together with Joyce Jordan, acting as his labourer, he skillfully laid some 8,500 large and heavy

bricks, cutting hundreds of them to their businesses and statutory authorities. required shape for the windows and scal- Although many had been generous the proloped doorway'. ject would have been impossible without People from all over the country had held assistance from the WA Heritage Council, fundraising events or sent in donations. the Lotteries Commission, the Federal The architects for the project were firstly, Department of Environment and Heritage, John Taylor of Perth and then, after he went and Catholic Church Insurance. away for studies, Sue Thomas of Broome. "To the elders and people of Beagle Bay, "Behind the scenes, but in the forefront of including the Chairman, Mr Keith Kitchwork. was Ms Alison Hayden, the Diocesan ener and the Administrator, Mr Philip MatFinance Officer. To her already demandto the Parish Priests of Beagle Bay, ing job and heavy workload was added the sumoto, San at the beginning of this chalEugene Fr additional responsibility of applying endand Fr Simon at the end of project lenging lessly for funds, following up such applications and then acquitting the the project, I am happy to say 'here is your Church back again - whole, strong, comexpenditure." There were many people to thank - the plete. This is your house of prayer given Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community, Reli- for the greater glory of God. Thank you gious Orders, priests, and parishes, the and God's choicest blessings on all who Army and the Defence Department, com- enter here'.' munity based organisations, the of Shire Broome, Come, be a pilgrim of peace to the grace filled village of Medjugory. media,

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Bishop Saunders with local youth assisting at the rededication ceremony on November 3.

Perth man to head key family body New NFP President wants to take the message to the Internet In taking up his new role, Mr. Perth husband and father Mr Tom O'Donnell has taken up the O'Donnell said: 'If we are to be position of President of the Aus- successful, we must continue to tralian Council for Natural Fam- share our resources and work ily Planning (ACNFP) for the together. Technology such as the Internet will help spread the next two years. Mr O'Donnell has been asso- message further." "We should be constantly talkciated with the Natural Family Planning movement since 1969. ing about modern effective NatNFP, as it is known by its sup- ural Family Planning with porters, is one of the little known people me meet, even total success stories of the modern strangers. In today's society, Church. Scientific studies con- with its concern for a more ducted in numerous countries 'holistic', 'natural' but effective and settings have shown NFP to health care, it's so surprising be as statistically reliable as the when they say 'I've never heard artificial methods of contr-acep- of NFP, isn't that the Rhythm lion or family planning, but method?'... well, yes, if you're without the serious risks and still back in the 1950's.' 'We were fortunate to have a side-effects to women's health or the cost in unborn babies great number of young participants attending our latest conkilled. Many modern contraceptives ference in October, who were are not contraceptives at all but enthusiastic in wanting to learn are designed by their pharma- and share material on the proceutical manufacturers to kill motion of NFP. They are our the unborn child which has future leaders.' he continued. "The coming two years in some been conceived. Mr O'Donnell was elected to way will be a test of our surthis position at the ACNFP bi- vival. This can only be accomcontinued with annual conference held in Syd- plished co-operation, sharing, innovaney last weekend.

tive ideas and promoting our service." "In the competitive world of business it could be said 'We have a great product" so let us make a greater effort to sell it.". Past President, Mrs Susan Berg of the Broken Bay Diocese, handed over the reins after four years in the role. During Mrs Berg's Presidency, a new-look newsletter, The Natural News, was created. Nearly 60 teachers of Natural Family Planning from right across Australia attended the Conference. During the course of the weekend, teachers were able to meet each other, share commonlyfaced challenges and the solutions that have worked in various areas. There was great awareness of the different needs of rural and city teachers. The need to promote and educate the community about the natural, healthy benefits of Natural Family Planning was widely discussed, with the Internet being identified as a new medium which provided many opportunities to assist with this.

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If you would like to know more about life as a Norbertine priest or brother, please contact: Fr Peter I Stiglich, 0.Praem. St Joseph's Priory PO Box 354 Cannington WA 6987 Telephone: (08) 9458 2729 Email: norbert@iinet.net.au

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The Diocese of Broome has immediate vacancies for VOLUNTEERS to serve on remote Missions and Communities of the Kimberley. Single people and married couples considered. Duration of service - twelve months to two years. For further details and an application form please contact: The Diocesan Secretary Ph: (08) 9192 1060 Fax: (08) 9192 2136 email:secretary @ broomediocese.org PO Box 76, Broome WA 6725 VM1.11••

THE RECORD

6 14 NOVEMBER 2002

Opinion

R eflection

Catholic opinions from around Australia Q. What exactly is the Immaculate Conception?

Ze4r A. vtre,

R. This is a good and timely question, since the liturgical Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated on December 8. Our Lady, under this Don't be afraid of asking title of her Immaculate ConcepTIM DEETER a difficult question. Fr tion, is Patroness of both the Archyours to: Send and the Cathedral Church diocese of Perth. Dear Padre, PO Box 75 The Immaculate Conception of Leederville, WA 6902 Mary is confused by many Catholics and non-Catholics alike the mother of the Saviour, Mary of original sin.' (from Ineffabilis as having to do with the concep- was enriched by God with gifts Deus, the papal definition of the tion of Jesus. The Immaculate appropriate to such a role. The Immaculate Conception) Conception refers to the concep- angel Gabriel at the moment of The splendour of an entirely tion of Mary in the womb of her the annunciation salutes her as unique holiness by which Mary is own mother. Unlike the concep- 'full of grace'. In fact, in order for enriched from the first moment of tion of Jesus, this was not a vir- Mary to give the free assent ofher her conception comes wholly ginal conception. Mary's mother faith to the announcement of her from Christ; she is redeemed, in a and father (traditionally known as vocation, it was necessary that she more exalted fashion, by reason Saints Anne and Joachim) had be wholly borne (supported) by of the merits of her Son. normal sexual relations and con- God's grace. The Father blessed Mary mom ceived Mary in the normal way. Through the centuries the than any other created person 'in But her soul was preserved free Church has become ever more Christ with every spiritual blessfrom the stain of original sin: she aware that Mary, 'full of grace' ing in the heavenly places' and did not require baptism or any through God, was redeemed from chose her 'in Christ before the other means of removing original the moment of her conception. foundation of the world, to be sin. She needed to be free from That is what the dogma of the holy and blameless before him in sin, for it was entirely inappropri- Immaculate Conception confess- love.' (CCC 490-493; cf Ephesians ate that the all-holy God should es. as Pope Bt. Pius IX proclaimed 1:3-4) become incarnate in the womb of in 1854: The Catechism is saying several a sinner. Jesus, Who would save The most Blessed Virgin Mary important things here for our conus from sin, needed to be horn was, from the first moment of her sideration: (1) Mary needed from a woman who herself was conception, by a singular grace God's grace in order to give her free from sin. How could this hap- andprivilege of almighty Godand 'yes' to His plan for her to be the by virtue of the merits of Jesus mother of the Saviour. (2) The pen? The Catechism of the Catholic Christ, Saviour of the human race, angel Gabriel acknowledged that Church teaches us: To become preserved immune from all stain Mary was 'full of grace' when he

WORD on

A layman's meditations, by Peter Dwan

oday's liturgy presents the theme of using one's talents. We have a serious obligation to use the talents which God has given us. In the first reading, (Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31) we have a picture of a good wife. The book Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings and wise religious precepts to govern the daily lives of lovers of wisdom and of God. The verses chosen for today's reading are taken from the last half of the last chapter of the book and are a hymn in praise of the ideal wife. This is something unusual in the Old Testament where women played a rather minor role in public, civic or religious life. But the anonymous author of this section rightly saw to it that the part that a prudent, wise and industrious wife plays in a man's life, and hence in the life of the nation, deserved to be stressed and admired. The Glenstal Bible Missal says: "This text must be seen in context yet, looked at closely, it is not out of date. Women, today surely do not wish to be valued simply for their beauty. They want to take their place in the building up of the world. 'Beauty is empty', says scripture. Women, like men, find their worth in more enduring qualities." The reading says: "A perfect wife who can find her? She is beyond the price of pearls." The ideal wife is more precious to a man than all the jewels he could ever collect. "Her husband's heart has confidence in her? A good wife's husband can put all his trust in her, the care and management of his home is in safe and capable hands. The women of those days occupied their spare time with weaving and knitting. "She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy." The ideal wife shares with the poor. A Christian mother can have a great Page 6

Sunday

impact on her children just as St Monica did on her wayward son. St Augustine. In the second reading, (1 Thessalonians 5:1-8). St Paul says: "You will not be expecting us to write anything to you, brothers, about limes and seasons', since you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night." "It is when people are saying, 'How quiet and peaceful it is', that the worst suddenly happens...." Our own particular judgement and the end of the world will come at an unexpected time, and as St Paul reminds us: 'there will be no way for anybody to evade it." There are many things we shall be judged on, one of which is the use we have made of our talents. The gospel, (Matthew 25:14-30), is the parable of the talents. The parable tells of a man who was on his way abroad and entrusted his property to his servants, giving one five talents, another two, a third - one; each in proportion to his ability. The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who received two went and made two more, but the man who received one went off, dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money The master returned a long time after and went over his accounts with his servants. He rewarded those who had used their talents, but ordered the man who had buried his talent to be thrown out into the dark, where there would be weeping and grinding of teeth. , The parable tells us that while we have received different gifts, God expects equal effort from us all. The reward for work well done for God is greater responsibilities. The man who will be punished is the one who won't try.

visited her, showing that this state of grace already existed in her. (3) The Church has grown in its awareness of this doctrine, culminating in the definition of the dogma in 1854. However, it wasn't just 'invented': it is something the Church has acknowledged and celebrated for centuries, while encouraging theologians to discuss and debate the issue until it was proclaimed as a divine truth. (4) Like all other human beings, Mary needed to be redeemed by Jesus. However, due to the necessity of her co-operation in the divine plan of redemption, she was given an anticipated share in the merits of the death and resurrection of Jesus. How could Mary have 'an anticipated share' in the death of Jesus, when it didn't occur until years after her Immaculate Conception? Remember that for the eternal God there is no such thing as 'lime'. For God, there is neither past nor future; all people, places, and events are present to Him now. 'Ills is why God 'knows' the future - it is already present to Him. And this is why God could give Mary a share in the saving graces of the Redemption - it was already present to Him when He Invited Mary to share in His plan for our salvation. Just as we share in the merits of the Redemption after the historical event. so Mary was allowed the privilege of sharing in those

merits before the event, for Christ Jesus is 'the Lord God, the One Who is, Who was, and Who is to come' (Revelation 1:8). He is 'yesterday, today and forever,' and how and when all of us - Mary Included - share in His saving power is completely up to Him. Our duty is to imitate Mary in her obedience to that plan: 'I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me as you say.' (Luke 1:38) There is much, much more that can be said about the Immaculate Conception; indeed, volumes have been written about it. But perhaps this can be a start, allowing for future questions about related issues. By the way, the conception of Jesus is called the Incarnation the eternal Son of God becoming flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. I think that part of the confusion about the Incarnation of Jesus (celebrated Marc.h25 ) and the Immaculate Conception of Mary may he due to the fact that the Gospel reading for both feastdays is the same: the account of the Annunciation (Luke 1:28-38). Adding to the problem is the fact that although NiArch 25 is now termed The Annunciation of the Lord, before Vatican II it was called The Annunciation of Our Lady — no wonder people are confused! But hopefully we'll all be celebrating Our Lady's Immaculate Conception this December 8.

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY A column of Marian devotion

This week The Record continues with John Paul ll's Apostolic Letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae". -411rardP#'41e 4.-1111.41111.

—1110- AIL4Paillir

October 2002 - October 2003: since it serves as an excellent introducThe Year of the Rosary 3. Therefore, in continuity with my tion and a faithful echo of the Liturgy, reflection in the Apostolic Letter Novo enabling people to participate fully and Milleiinio Ineunte, in which, after the interiorly in it and to reap its fruits in experience of the jubilee, I invited the their daily lives. There are some who fear that the Rosary people of God to 'start afresh from Christ', Is somehow unecumenical because of its I have felt drawn to offer a reflection on the Rosary, as a kind of Marian comple- distinctly Marian character. Yet the Rosary ment to that Letter and an exhortation to clearly belongs to the kind of veneration contemplate the face of Christ in union of the Mother of God described by the with, and at the school of, his Most Holy Council: a devotion directed to the ChrisMother. To recite the Rosary is nothing tological centre of the Christian faith, in other than to contemplate with Mary the such a way that 'when the Mother is honface of Christ. As a way of highlighting oured, the Son ... is duly known, loved and this invitation, prompted by the forth- glorified'. coming 120th anniversary of the aforeA path of contemplation mentioned Encyclical of Leo XIII,I desire 5. But the most important reason for that during the course of this year the Rosary should be especially emphasised strongly encouraging the practice of the and promoted in the various Christian Rosary is that it represents a most effective means of fostering among the faithful communities. The Rosary, reclaimed in its full mean- that commitment to the contemplation of ing, goes to the very heart of Christian life; the Christian mystery which I have proIt offers a familiar yet fruitful spiritual and posed in the Apostolic Letter Novo Mileducational opportunity for personal con- le:nil° Ineunte as a genuine 'training in templation, the formation of the People of holiness': 'What is needed is a Christian life distinguished above all in the art of God, and the new evangelisation. prayer'. Inasmuch as contemporary culture, even amid so many indications to Objections to the Rosary contrary, has witnessed the flowering the 4. The timeliness of this proposal is eviof a new call for spirituality, due also to considerations. number of dent from a First, the urgent need to counter a certain the influence of other religions, it is more crisis of the Rosary, which in the present urgent than ever that our Christian comhistorical and theological context can risk munities should become 'genuine schools being wrongly devalued, and therefore no of prayer'. The Rosary belongs among the finest longer taught to the younger generation. and most praiseworthy traditions of ChrisThere are some who think that the centrality of the Liturgy, rightly stressed by tian contemplation. Developed in the the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, West, it is a typically meditative prayer, necessarily entails giving lesser impor- corresponding in some way to the 'prayer tance to the Rosary. Yet, as Pope Paul VI of the heart' or 'Jesus prayer' which took made clear, not only does this prayer not root in the soil of the Christian East. conflict with the Liturgy, it sustains it, To be continued next week

THE RECORD

14 NOVEMBER 2002

But do we really care about children in crisis? W

e don't need to read many items in our newspapers to get a clear picture of the problems facing our society, but getting serious discussion going about the causes and the solutions of our problems is more difficult. Last weekend, for example, Professor Fiona Stanley, Director of the Institute for Child Health Research, was reported from a Melbourne conference as saying that rates of childhood/teenage crime, neglect, sex abuse, mental health disorders, drug abuse, obesity, type 1 diabetes and suicide had deteriorated since 1970. She said these children were a more damaging social problem than the much-discussed 'ageing population'. The following day, almost by way of confirmation, it was reported that an OECD study had revealed that about 20 per cent of Australian adults cannot read well enough to cope with daily life. It was a reminder of Professor Stanley's point that childhood problems often persist through life. There are, of course, many causes of childhood problems, but the fact is that the biggest primary cause of ongoing suffering for children is family breakdown - that is, the behaviour of adults. This well-established fact was confirmed in another newspaper report (September 16) which summarised the findings of a London report which analysed 100 research projects over 20 years. The West Australian gave it the headline

But is it real meditation? -11- read with some interest 'Christian meditation is spreading', regarding the World Community for Christian Meditation. My question is, Is it really Christian meditation? I especially object to the reference of using 'mantras', in any way whatsoever, as being a Christian form of prayer. For one to liken the Jesus Prayer or the invocation, '0 God, come to my assistance, 0 Lord make haste to help me', to a mantra sounds blasphemous. A mantra is used by pagan monks to annihilate their thoughts and themselves. This does not resemble in any way, whatsoever, the purpose of Christian meditation. A Christian monk uses the Jesus Prayer or some other repetitive prayer to raise his heart and mind to God and eventually to arrive at union with God in charity. The claim is made, by those in the movement, that this is the way the Fathers of the Desert prayed. The burden of proof lies with the WCCM to show even one quote or example from the Desert Fathers that they prayed any form of prayer, even remotely resembling their claims. Here is a quote from St Athanasius' book on St Anthony of the Desert, who is the model of all the Desert Fathers, which appears to prove just the opposite: 'Day by day he sighed as he meditated on the heavenly mansions, longing for them and seeing the short-lived existence of man.' Elsewhere St Athanasius writes of St Anthony frequently reciting and repeating Psalms to repulse the demons, who tormented him during his prayer. I am sure, that if I had the time, I could produce much more evidence, showing the method of meditation used by the Desert Fathers, is the same method taught by the saints throughout the ages. One of these saints, Saint Teresa of Avila, who is a Doctor of the Church with regards to the interior life and prayer, wrote: 'As far as I can understand, the gate by which to enter this castle is prayer and meditation. I do not allude more to mental than to vocal prayer, for if it is prayer at all, the mind must take part in it. If a person neither considers to Whom he is addressing himself, what he asks, nor what he is who ventures to speak to God, although his lips may utter many words,I do not call it prayer. Sometimes, indeed, one may pray devoutly without making all these considerations because one has practised them at

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"Broken homes a child health hazard", with the sub-heading "Two unhappy parents under one roof better than solo home". The study revealed that children from broken homes were 50 per cent more likely to have health problems, twice as likely to run away from home and five times as likely to suffer abuse. Those living without their fathers were three times as likely to have difficulty getting on with other people and to struggle at school. As teenagers they were twice as likely to drink, smoke, take drugs, play truant and leave school without qualifications. They were nearly twice as likely to commit crime, have underage sex and thus become parents. In adulthood, children of broken homes were twice as likely to have no qualifications by the age of 33 and to be unemployed, and three times as likely to be caught offending and go to jail. Life is no better for their parents. Single mothers were poorer, more depressed and less healthy than married women, while lone fathers had higher death rates and more alcohol problems.

4c\ the

As always, these are averages and averages don't apply to individuals. However, this is all too often used by our society to avoid examining the behaviour of adults as a causal factor in the suffering of children. Abuse of children (physical, sexual or emotional abuse) is rightly condemned, but it is now known that the ongoing misfortunes suffered by children from broken homes are very similar to the ongoing misfortunes suffered by abused children ... and children from broken homes are five times more likely to suffer abuse after the breakup than children whose parents stay together. Society's public face - politicians, lobby groups and media commentators, mainly - find it easy to be pompous about child abuse, but that same public face is remarkably quiet about the adult behaviour which leads to family breakdown and thus to more suffering for far more children. It is not only the breakup of marriages that society needs to examine. It is also the irresponsibility, the infidelity, and the lack of the natural faith to make a commitment and persist in it. There are

many human weaknesses that challenge marriage and we need to develop public and private attitudes about them in ways that support people in stable marriages - the primary relationship goal of most people. Having abandoned the Christian understanding of the moral law, our society seems also to have abandoned its accompanying forgiveness of human frailty and its willingness to get up and begin anew. Despite the evidence that almost all of us want marriage and most of us achieve lifelong unions, the forces that despair about our ability to sustain marriages appear to have taken over public education. Neither of the two sets of guidelines for sexual education in public schools - the Commonwealth's "Talking Sexual Health" and the State Government's "Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships" - offers any guidance about the importance of marriage or any suggestions about how random sexual behaviour can seriously inhibit people's subsequent ability to create and sustain a lifelong relationship. It seems that rather than deal with adult behaviour our social institutions are willing to abandon another generation to divorce and its children to the intense suffering that flows from it. • The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.

Muslim." Perhaps Fr Michel could persuade the leaders of the Muslim faith to remove from their language, the Oxford Dictionary interpretation of the word Jihad and replace it with his. I'm sure the 99.9 per cent of Muslims would welcome the change. And I am sure it would be welcomed by 99.9 per cent of Christians also. he letters of Mrs Samson (10 October), K Brosnan Paul Kelly (17 October) and many oth- Geraldton ers are cries of help to the authorities Editor's note: On September 11 last year responsible for the Catholic education of US President George W. Bush spoke about our children. The debate rages on, year after year, and a 'crusade' against terrorism and the world concerned parents continue to feel voice- suddenly discovered that in Muslim dictionaries a crusade is a war to impose the less and ignored. Hence the suggestion of an education Cross on Islam. Thus we got the War on synod makes perfect sense as it would facil- terrorism' instead. Our dictionaries describe Jihad in an itate three way communication of parents, equally different way from the normal Church and school. For the sake of our children's future and Islamic meaning. Fr Michel made the point that a struggle that of the Church, urgent action is needinjustice or oppression can have a against ed. place in the true Jihad - just as we honour Geoff Storey our war dead - but a declaration of a vinHillarys dictive Jihad by a self-appointed extremist like Osama bin Laden is as meaningful as the declaration of a saintly suicide by the tuing the past few months we have Reverend Jim Jones. Our job is to learn to had visits from Fathers Frank Brennan understandpeople according to their sense and more recently from Tom Michel, both of virtue, not our historic view of their evil Jesuits. Father Brennan put forward the plight of refugees and he seemed to be giving the message that they were being treated inhumanely under the Howard government. I think time, and an open and non-political outcome, will show that due process has been carried out and those people who were entitled to remain in Australia were given that right. Father Michel, in his address to a gathering in Geraldton and in the Record (7 November) gave his interpretation of the WNDON, NOV. 10, 2002 (Zenit.org).word Jihad, saying that his interpretation The al-Qaida terrorist who masterwas also the interpretation of 99.9 per cent minded the September 11 attacks also of Muslim followers. orchestrated two plots to assassinate I wonder if the 99.9 per cent of Muslims Pope John Paul II in the Philippines, the would appreciate Fr Michel speaking on London Sunday Times newspaper their behalf. reported. Fr Michel explained that for 99.9 per cent Philippine intelligence documents of Muslims the 'greater Jihad is the interireveal that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, or struggle to submit every part of oneself 38, travelled twice to the country to overto god'. see the plans using either bombs or a He further states 'this is the truth of Islam, sniper's rifle, the newspaper said. The for the mother raising her family, the were in 1995 and 1999. plots storekeeper the classroom, the teacher in Mohammed, a top lieutenant of or the labourer. If they die in the practice Osama bin Laden, confessed in a taped of their faith, they will receive Paradise'. The Concise Oxford Dictionary tells us: Interview published in September that he was proud of the devastation he had "Jihad; a religious war of Muslims against nflicted on America. Still at large, he I who one (Infidel): Unbelievers unbelievers. has a US $25 million bounty on his head. does not believe in religion. (Hist.) adherent of religion opposed to Christianity, esp.

'mantras'. In this way, one will be lead "to contemplate the face of Christ in the school of Mary'. Ave Maria! Father Elias Mary El. Toodyay

Support for synod

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

other times. The custom of speaking to God Almighty as freely as with a slave - caring nothing whether one's words are suitable or not, but simply saying the first thing that comes to the mind from being learnt by heart by frequent repetition - cannot be called prayer. God grant that no Christian may address Him in this manner!' (Interior Castle, M. I. I, 9.) Even the grace of contemplation according to the saints is not attained by human efforts, but is a pure gift of God. One may dispose himself, so that if it pleases God to grant it to him, his soul will be ready to receive this grace, but the way one prepares for this is through discursive meditation, not 'mantras'. Father Freeman states that there is a "prayer of the heart" that is beyond thought, but one cannot reach 'prayer of the heart' without the preceding 'prayer of the head', as the will can only love what the intellect presents to it. The old saying, 'You can't love what you don't know', is just as true for prayer as it is for ice cream. This notion that prayer and contemplation is anti-intellectual or non-thinking is totally false. It isn't even Biblical, nor the teaching of the Desert Fathers. Pope John Paul II wrote In his recent letter on the rosary, 'Mary lived with her eyes fixed on Christ, treasuring his every word: She kept all these things, pondering them in her heart' (Lk 2:19; cf. 2:51). The memories of Jesus, impressed upon her heart, were always with her, leading her to reflect on the various moments of her life at her Son's side.' If one really wants to take up a truly Christian form of meditation, why not take the Holy Father's advice in his recent apostolic letter on the rosary, and pray this ancient prayer made up of 'mysteries' and not

Fr Michel and Jihad

Mastermind of September 11 also had Pope in his sights

THE RECORD

8 14 NOVEMBER 2002

THE RECORD

14 NOVEMBER 9

ethical investing

FEATURE

Profit with principle?

XXX

A growing group of investors is hoping to catch two commercial birds with the same dollar Management Ltd. in Hong Kong, aims to raise $50 million for an Asian fund focused on socially responsible and ethical companies. According to Reuters, $1 out of every $8 that is professionally managed in the United States now belongs to a socially responsible portfolio. The growing interest in ethical investment was evident when a media agency announced it would offer an ethical-news service to businesses, the Guardian reported on October 8. Agence France-Presse and its business wire subsidiary, AFX, are poised to offer a service devoted to social, ethical and environmental issues that can affect share value. The first news service of its kind, AFX Global Ethics Monitor will, in addition to covering stories, provide a database from organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch containing background information on issues such as corporate governance, the environment and human rights. "As a journalist covering business issuesI found, there was a big gap between financial coverage and issues that may have had business relevance, such as sweatshops, human rights and corporate responsibility," commented Luc Lampriere, executive director of the new service.

Investment is not immoral, but a constant problem associated with its practice is the dollar's ability to cause a certain degree of moral blindness in those whose interests are profit alone. Ethical investing is becoming increasingly popular. But the jury's still out on whether it can ever be fully achieved - after all what exactly is an 'ethical' company? More importantly, what companies stand up to the scrutiny of Catholic moral teaching?

Not all roses

small but growing group of investors is turning to funds that promise to invest only in those firms deemed socially responsible. One subgroup of these funds is run according to religious principles. The number of religious-oriented funds has more than doubled, from 16 in 1999 to 38 this year, Reuters reported on September 25. In that three-year period, their total assets jumped 21 per cent to $4.42 billion, compared to 11 per cent growth for the average fund. In terms of the return offered on funds, this group has had an average 0.5 per cent annual loss since 1999, better than the average mutual fund loss of 5.9 per cent. "The troubling times of the last year have had the effect of forcing many Americans to confront the way in which they lead their lives," said Rusty Leonard, founder and chief executive officer of Stewardship Partners Investment Counsel. "This soul searching has resulted in a new generation of religious investors." Even so, religious funds are a small sector of the market, with less than 1 per cent of the US$4.82 trillion in total assets for all mutual funds. Among the funds based on religious criteria there is wide diversity, the New York Times reported on June 29. The MMA Praxis Funds, for example, follow Anabaptist Christian ideals, and will not even invest in livasury bonds, since the proceeds go toward military spending. Another, the Noah Fund, is a $10 million fund started in 1996 that Is guided by evangelical Christian principles. The Ave Maria Catholic Fund, founded in May 2001, invests in stocks that are acceptable to Catholic principles. They rely on an advisory board to screen stocks before they are bought and to review companies' practices. At the time of the Times article, the Ave Maria Catholic Fund had $55 million in assets. Also active in the area is the US Interfaith Centre on Corporate Responsibility. The centre, run by Sister Patricia Wolf, is made up of a coalition of 275 investors and includes religious communities, pension funds, health care corporations, foundations and dioceses with combined portfolios worth an estimated $100 billion, according to the centre's Web site. The members pressure corporations to change practices deemed to be unacceptable. This is done through sponsoring shareholder resolutions, meetings with management, publishing reports, and also activities such as prayer vigils, letter-writing campaigns and consumer boycotts.

Growing popularity part from funds based on religious criteria, there is a larger group that promises to invest people's money according to a variety of ethical principles.

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In an interview published on October 29 on the Business Week Web site, Joyce Haboucha explained that she looks for companies with "engaged" directors, as much disclosure as possible, product and marketing quality, and good policies on the environment and the workplace. Haboucha is portfolio manager of the Enterprise Global Socially Responsive Fund, which has done better than the overall market in the two years since it was launched. The fund she manages avoids companies in areas such as tobacco products, nuclear power, weapons and gambling.

A recent poll in Canada reported that 73 per cent of respondents believed that mutual fund companies should use their influence to encourage companies to adopt socially responsible policies, the Toronto Star reported on October 16. A recent poll in Canada reported that 73 per cent of respondents believed that mutual fund companies should use their influence to encourage companies to adopt socially responsible policies, the Toronto Star reported on October 16. Ethical Funds Inc., based in Vancouver, British Columbia, cited these findings In launching seven new funds in October. At the same time, Phillips Hager & North Investment Management Ltd. rolled out a new series of socially responsible funds.

The four funds respond to demand from endowments and foundations. The Toronto Star noted that ethical investing doesn't always offer the same returns. Of the eight ethical funds rated by analysis firm Morningstar Canada, only one had an above-average rating, as of the end of September. The largest mutual fund in Canada to use socially responsible criteria, the Investors Summa Fund, has lost 16 per cent, twice as much as the median Canadian equity fund. However, the record over the last 10 years shows an average annual return of 8.8 per cent, a full percentage point higher than the median fund. Interest is also picking 11P in Asian countries for funds that use ethical criteria, Reuters noted on October 15. Euan Marshall, director of Kingsway Fund

investing thical produces its share of scepticism, of course. An article in the September issue of the Australian Institute of Public Affairs Review noted that it is sometimes difficult to define what is an ethical fund. A lot depends on the criteria used by each fund. Even then, complications can set in, as demonstrated in the case of one ethical fund that invests in a soap manufacturer. The British firm Cussons passed the ethical test for the Hunter Hall fund. Yet, one of the main ingredients of soap is palm oil, whose production contributes to the clearing of tropical rainforest, the article noted. The article also noted that putting money in ethical funds can mean accepting a lower return. Alcohol companies outperformed the Standard & Poor's 500 Index from June 1999 to June 2002 by 58 per cent. Over the same period, gambling stocks were 103 per cent above the average. Also superior in performance were defence and tobacco stocks. This sort of data no doubt was behind the recent launch of a "Vice Fund." According to the Wall Street Journal on August 24, Mutuals.com's Vice Fund definition of vice is pretty loose, allowing the fund to invest in everything from bourbon to bombs. Among the fund's largest stock holdings are tobacco giant Philip Morris; Anheuser-Busch, the largest US brewer; and Harrah's Entertainment, the world's largest gaming company, reported the Washington Times on October 29. The fund also owns shares of defence contractors such as Northrop Grumman. "Defence isn't necessarily a vice, but some people think weapons are," said fund manager Dan Ahrens. The fund has not invested in firearms companies, although he has not ruled It out. There is room for debate over what constitutes an "ethical" investment. But what seems undeniable is that growing numbers of ethically minded investors are willing to look beyond the bottom line in order to help society. - Zenit Editor's note: it is important that investors looking into funds which promote themselves as ethical investments scrutinise the nature of what constitutes an "ethical company". Many investment brokers promote companies that 'adhere to basic human rights" - for some people this may mean companies that develop products which may go against the basic Catholic principles of respect for all human life such as a pharmaceutical company that produces an abortifacient pill.

We are approximately 5,000 priests & brothers worldwide. We see ourselves as an international family. We have given ourselves to God for the most abandoned. We are involved in a variety of g missionary works in Australia and throughout the world. • parishes • education g • overseas missions • youth • prison chaplaincies hospital chaplaincies • social welfare J We are the s

Oblates of 2 4‘ Mary Immaculate

I Who are you? Are you, also, one g

1a vA) el r.

of us in spirit? For further information please contact: Vocations Director St Mary's Seminary 62-94 Jacksons Road Mulgrave Vic 3170 3535 ' Ph. (03) 9795 Fax. (03) 9701 0222

vocations@oblates.com.au

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1.111.1.61.

Local News

Perth

Catholic news from the Archdiocese of Perth

St Charles' Seminary celebrates 60 years Bishop Don Sproxton preaching to the gathering with his written homily.

St Charles celebrated a variety of anniversaries on its 60th.

Bishop Sproxton blesses the holy water.

Celebrating 25 years Fr Robert Carrillo, Fr Tony Pires and Fr Brian Boyle.

On Monday November 4, seminarians, deacons, priests and bishops from Perth, Bunbury and Geraldton. gathered at St Charles Seminary to celebrate it's 60th anniversary. Bishop Don Sproxton was the main celebrant, with Archbishop Hickey presiding. In his homily Bishop Sproxton congratulated the priests who 40th were celebrating their anniversary of ordination, Monsignor Michael Keating, Fr Tim Foster, Fr Laurence Murphy SDS: and those celebrating their 25th Fr Robert Carrillo, Fr Tony Pires,and Fr Brian Boyle. Bishop Sproxton is also celebrating his 25th year of ordination. He reflected on his recent visit to Rome for the newly ordained bishops. He was touched when the Pope reminded them that at their ordination when they placed their hands in those of the the bishops, it expressed not only the obedience of the priest to the bishop, but also the responsibility of the bishop to care for the priest he ordains. In times of crisis, priests should remember the support of the bishop's hands and cal on it. After the Eucharist the gathering moved to The Guilford Landing function centre for a meal. The tubilarians were each presented with a Framed Certificate of Appreciation by the Archbishop on behalf of the clergy of the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Hickey presides at Mass having just come back from Kalgoorlie

The Jubiliarians sit with Bishop Healy and Bishop Sproxton on the lawn area

Bishop Sproxton blesses the priestly congregation with holy water.

40 years: Mons Michael Keating, Fr Tim Foster and Fr Laurence Murphy.

Bishop Sproxton reading the gospel.

The St Charles choir sings, 'Lord, You Give the Great Commission'.

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14 NOVEMBER 2002 11

Local News

Perth

Catholic news from the Archdiocese of Perth

Peet and Co pitches in p

eet and Company Ltd have pitched in to help the State's largest charity, the St Vincent de Paul Society, providing services to those in need. St Vinnies recently announced that the Society's annual Street Appeal raised approximately $20,000 below that raised last year, and that it may be a struggle to cater for everyone requiring assistance this Christmas. After reading media coverage on the shortfall, Peet & Co Ltd, a West Australian land development company, offered to donate a minimum of $10,(XX) dollars, and up to $20,000 to ensure St Vinnies services are not limited. The amount donated will depend on how much St Vinnies raised at their inaugural Corporate Golf and Auction Day last Friday November 8. The day was organised in an attempt to make up some of the vital funds. The Society said the day was a big success with 70 participating, but the financial results have not yet been finalised.

St Virmies State President Brian Bull said that St Vinnies responds

to every genuine request for help, but can only do so with continual support from the community, volunteers and generous supporters such as Peet and Company Ltd. "St Vinnies helps West Australians to assist others in their own community who are down on their luck. It makes our work satisfying when we know we have companies such as Peet and Co Ltd working with us as we provide necessary support," said Mr Bull. Peet and Co Ltd Chairman Tony Lennon said that the company directors decided to take action to help St Vinnies because they did not want anyone to go without this Christmas. "If the dollars aren't there, some people may miss out on necessary services. "St Vinnies plays a vital role in the community so we decided to take this opportunity to show our support and help those in need," said Mr Lennon.

(Left to Right) St Vinnies State President Brian Bull, with Peet & Co heads Tony Lennon and Warren Hemsley

Just 'kicking it' with the boys

he inter-parish soccer season culminated in 16 teams turning out for a one-day carnival orgaznised by Bateman parish and held at Murdoch University on October 19. Teams turned out from St Andrew's (Clarkson). St Simon Peter (Ocean Reef), St John & St Paul (Willetton), Sacred Heart (Thornlie), St Mary MacKillop (Ballajura). St Thomas More College, Rostrata Soccer Club. Diamond Geezers. Indonesian Catholic Youth Organisation, Fremantle United, Knights, Pandewa, Vietnamese Catholic Community. with St Thomas More (Bateman) fielding three teams. Dawn saw the committee and volunteers set the fields of battle. Teams were drawn into four groups to vie for a position into the second round. All participating teams were social players of various ages, but the contests proved remarkably even. The early favourites St Thomas More A were held to a thrilling draw by St Thomas More C, and in each of two groups three teams were tied on points.

The cheering of the fans and encouragement of their priests from the sidelines was only dulled by the buzz of millions of fruit flies who gate crashed the tournament. Good planning and on-the-spot decisions saw the first round running smoothly and to time. The Second round started at 2.30pm, when flagging energy was kept buoyant by the chance to of a spot in the finals. The end of the day saw St Simon Peter face St John & St Paul in the finals, whilst Bateman A played Bateman B for third place. In a thrilling finish to the day, both finalists drew on reserves to give their team an edge before St Simon Peter clinched the St Thomas More Soccer Tournament 2002 with a 1-0 win. The carnival saw a late change in the Mass roster at St Simon Peter as PP Fr Bronek took over the 6.30pm Mass to enable soccer coach Fr Phong to stay for the final. A special mention here of the generosity of the CDF would not be amiss. Their contribution through the

last two years has helped to keep costs down for parishes and players. Brian Parry of the CDF presented 'We participated' trophies to all teams during the day. St Simon Peter got the rolling trophy and a cash prize, while the runner up and third place got cash prizes. This is the second year of the tournament, which strated with seven teams last year and in 12 months leapt to 16, with a few teams waiting in the wings, hoping for last minute cancellations. The organisation of this herculean task was undertaken by St Thomas More parish, with tremendous motivation and support from Fr Joseph Tran (assistant parish priest). The organisers and referees did a great job to handle twenty four games of 30 minutes each on the two fields provided by Murdoch University. . The sausage sizzle chefs were kept busy the whole day, having to rush out twice to replenish stocks to feed and quench the multitude. Charles De Souza

1. Captain of St Simon Peter receiving the trophy 2002 from Brian Parry (CDF) The jubilant winners of Soccer 2002 St Simon Peter (Ocean Reef) 3. Runners up Sts John & Paul (Willetton)

Perth Oratorio Choir's season for singing

The Perth Oratorio Choir rehearse for the 2002 Christmas Season.

e Christmas season starts Oratorio Perth Choir's annual open-air picnic performances of Handel's Messiah. This year sees a new venue. As well as performing once at Perth Zoo, the Choir will be going to Joondalup at the invitation and with the help of the Joondalup City Council. Among the soloists is Fiona Campbell, former star of WA Opera, welcomed back in Western Australia after a few years in England, including performances with the Royal Opera at Covent Garden. Perth Oratorio Choir is conducted by Robert Braham and joining the Choir are Vicki Wyn-Davies, soprano; Fiona Campbell, alto; Robert Hofmann, tenor, and Luke Gabbedy, bass. The Choir is accompanied by the POC Concert Orchestra concert master Graham Wood, OAM. The first performance will take place at Perth Zoo, South Perth on Sunday December 8. Gates open 6pm with the performance starting at 7pm. Parking h with

will be available off Labouchere Road and in Windsor Park, Mill Point Road. The second performance will be at Central Park, Joondalup on Sunday December 15. Gates open at 5pm with the performance starting at 6pm. Parking will be available at the Joondalup Council carpark. The audience is invited to bring rugs or chairs and a 'BYO' picnic. Tickets are priced at $20, $15 concession, $10 child and $5 per additional child. Tickets can be purchased at Zenith Music, Wesley Classics, Joondalup Council Administration, Whitfords One Stop Shop, Harmony Music Garden City, or from Perth Oratorio Choir by phone 9310 5980 or 9419 4030. Tickets can also be purchased at the gates. The Choir is glad to acknowledge the sponsors Healthway, promoting their message of a SmokeFree WA, the help of the City of Joondalup and Joondalup Rotary. For further information phone 9386 1927

Fun for all soccer fans at Murdoch University on Saturday October 19.

Page 11

12 14 NOVEMBER 2002

THE RECORD

International News Catholic news from around the world

"We want our cathedral back" SEVASI'OPOL, Ukraine (CNS) - A coalition of Ukrainian Catholics has asked the mayor of Sevastopol to return to the church a cathedral seized during the Soviet era and converted into a movie theatre. In the mid-1990s, Sevastopol's Catholics were allowed to use the building on Christmas and Easter each year. However, permission has been denied in recent years. Catholics have been trying to reacquire the building, making several appeals to the government and through the court system. Ukraine's Supreme Court is considering the case. In a November 1 letter to the city's mayor, a group calling itself 'A Cathedral for the Faithful' said the only obstacle blocking the return of the building to the church was 'the absence of good will' on the part of government officials. 'The realisation of the rights of some local religious communities to the restitution of religious buildings and the unjustified refusals to return religious property to others is a clear manifestation of discrimination on the basis of religion,' the coalition said in its letter.

Zest for Christ VATICAN CITY (CNS) - To build a better world, the cultural relevance of Christ needs to be proclaimed with even greater energy. Pope john Paul ll told a group of US Catholics. The Pope met at the Vatican on November 8 with representatives of the Pope john Paul II Cultural Centre in Washington. 'To build a world more worthy of humanity, it is urgent that Christ be proclaimed with joy and conviction as 'the way and the truth and the light,' which can illumine the life of each individual and the destiny of the whole human family,' he said. The Pope noted that the cultural centre is committed to showing the connections between the Gospel and human aspirations as expressed through culture.

By Pete Sheehan HICKSVILLE, N.Y. (CNS) - People who habitually eat too much or too little, or simply eat wrong, might be feeding the wrong hunger, suggests registered nurse Louise Sandberg, who is also a certified spiritual director. "We all have all kinds of hunger - hunger for the company of other people, hunger for physical touch, hunger for beauty, and most of all hunger for God," said Sandberg, who runs the Mary & Elizabeth Centre at Tabor Retreat Centre in the Rockville Centre Diocese. "The problem is we sometimes feed our stomachs when we need to feed those other hungers," she said, and the result is a society with a wide range of eating problems, including overeating, anorexia and bulimia, which is binge eating followed by purging. To help people return to a more reasoned and balanced understanding and use of food and to learn how to better satisfy those other hungers, Sandberg started the first "Food and Faith Retreat" at Tabor in August of 2000. So far, she has led four such retreats at the centre in Oceanside. "At the first retreat we had about 20, and we have had as many as 25," including people who stay at the retreat centre overnight and those who commute, Sandberg said. There is also a follow-up group for retreat participants that meets every six weeks. "I made the first retreat and I have been coming back ever since," said Denise Salatto, a reflexologist from North Babylon. A reflexologist is a practitioner who treats pain or stress using acupressure or massage. "I really like the follow-up group," she added. "It's really good to be with people who have been through this. I can share my experiences and I can listen to them." "Many people are taught to use food for many purposes other than nourishment," Sandberg said in an interview with The Long Island Catholic, Rockville Centre's diocesan newspaper. "Growing up, I was president of the Clean Plate Club, believing that I had to eat everything on my plate whether I wanted to or not or whether I was hungry. "So we are taught not to listen to our own bodies and what we need. Parents give children food

Soul food feast

Louis Sandberg says eating disorders may be a result of spiritual starvation. in church to keep them quiet.

We get lollipops after going to the doctor's office," Sandberg said. "When we grow up, we use a piece of cake as a reward when we finish our work. If we are lonely or sad, we might find comfort in food instead of seeking out other people or God, the ultimate comforter. We even speak of 'comfort food.'

"God intended for food to be enjoyable and nourishing." Such an unbalanced relationship with food has resulted in a high incidence of obesity and a society with numerous organisations and products to help people lose weight, many of which are not effective, Sandberg said. "God intended food to be enjoyable and nourishing," Sandberg added. "God doesn't

Photo: CNS/Reuters

want food to make us sick." group that uses the 12-step Frances Skinner of Garden City, method of Alcoholics Anonywho made the first retreat, said mous it is "very good at helping peo. But Food and Faith is distinct ple get in touch with what they from Overeaters Anonymous. are eating and how they are eat- although retreat participants ing. Then, they can try to change have included both members their eating habits." and non-members of the supAt the retreat, healthful meals port group. are served; they include vegeta"One thing that people like bles, high-protein foods and low- about Food and Faith is that peofat foods. ple feel more free than they Retreatants are also encour- might in an OA group to share aged to develop healthful eating their faith, their specific experihabits, including balance and ences of their own faith tradiavoiding sugar. tion," Sandberg said. "People who have eating prob"Food and Faith, in addition to lems are not bad people. Many helping me deal with overeatof them are good and holy peo- ing," said Salatto, "has helped ple," Sandberg said. "Some of the me in my relationship with God. saints had eating disorders. It has given me peace." Thomas Aquinas ate so much "One of the Scripture quotes that they had to cut out a wider we use," Sandberg said, is from section of his desk so he could chapter 55 of Isaiah: "Why spend sit there. And if anybody had a your money for what is not hunger for God it was he. bread; your wages for what fails The retreat includes a meeting to satisfy? Heed me, and you of Overeaters Anonymous, shall eat well. You shall delight known as OA, which is a support in rich fare."

Philippine government urged to "not be swayed" from peace process MANILA, Philippines (CNS) - Philippine church leaders are pushing the government to continue formal peace talks with a rebel communist group even if other nations labelled it "terrorist" Bishop Antonio Ledesma of Ipil said the government should "not be swayed" into abandoning the peace process because of pressure from the European Union or United States, which declared the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army "terrorists," reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Bishop Ledesma said on November 4 that the church longs for resumed peace talks "regardless of how groups are categorised or labelled." He said he would continue to advocate formal peace talks between the government and the communists through a loose alliance of civic groups and individuals. The alliance unites 10 Catholic and 20 Protestant bishops, about 70 religious con-

gregations, 1,100 nuns and priests and 10 for 15 years. Ople said the terrorist classi- they accused of committing "crimes against Catholic schools with 210 local and foreign fication would prevent Sison and other the people." non-governmental organisations and 100 party leaders from receiving financial supWhile Silvestre Bello III, chairman of the international churches. port for their separatist movement or from government peace panel, said the EuroBishop Ledesma said alliance members receiving asylum in another country. pean Union declaration may leave the want "to get the peace talks ongoing" so The foreign affairs secretary said that the cormmmists "no choice but to return to the that armed confrontation would cease. movement would be convinced "to give up negotiating table," Sison was quoted in the "The peace talks are premised on a pre- their armed struggle and join the main- Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper on condition that there is some kind of cease- stream of Philippine society and politics." November 2 as saying the terrorist label fire or cessation of hostilities, and that is The Communist Party of the Philippines would generate "fiercer armed revolution." really the most important thing," he said. was established in 1968 to wage a "revoluThe U.S. Office of Counter terrorism said In early November, Foreign Affairs Secre- tion of the masses against feudalism and the secretary of state designates "foreign tary Bias Ople announced that the 15- U.S. imperialism." terrorist organisations." According to the nation European Union had classified It began negotiating with the government U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, Communist Party Chairman Jose Maria after a church-inspired peaceful uprising actions that could result in a terrorist label Sison and the New People's Army as "ter- In Manila in 1986 led to the ousting of then- include assassination, gathering informarorists." President Ferdinand Marcos and the tion on potential targets, soliciting funds In August, the United States included the revival of democratic institutions. and recruiting people for a terrorist activiCommunist Party of the Philippines-New Representatives of both sides signed the ty People's Army in its own list of 35 "foreign Hague joint Declaration in the Netherlands Such designations expire automatically terrorist organisations" worldwide. In September 1992, paving the way for for- after two years, but an organisation may be Sison and leaders of the party's political mal peace negotiations. Talks were last designated again for additional two-year arm, the National Democratic Front, have stalled in 2001, soon after communist periods if it is found to meet the listed cribeen living in self-exile in the Netherlands rebels assassinated two legislators whom teria.

THE RECORD

14 NOVEMBER 2002

International News C atholic news from around the world

Proposed laws pose threat to religious freedom HONG KONG (CNS) - Church officials, lawyers, academics and rights activists in Hong Kong have lobbied against a proposed antisubversion law, saying it could endanger religious freedom and other rights. Anthony Lam Sul-ki, researcher of the diocesan Holy Spirit Study Centre, said the greatest danger of any anti-subversion law is the possibility that it would open a channel for mainland China's laws to be applied in Hong Kong. reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, ho said the proposed law could he taken to mean that as few as two Catholics who contact or sponsor a mainland Catholic community not recognised by the Chinese government could be charged with endangering national security. Lam added that since it would be an offence for anyone to manage such "unlawful" organisations the proposed law would deter people from working in church organisations in Hong Kong. He said China's national security law had been misused against Photo: CNS/Reuters people least able to topple the Hong Kong Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun. prominent Many country. Catholic figures were among lions from conducting political Hong Kong has expressed conthem, he said, citing as an exam- activities in Hong Kong and for- cern that the proposed anti-subwould legislation ple the late Cardinal Ignatius bids political organisations in version Kung Pin-mei of Shanghai, who Hong Kong from establishing ties undermine religious and other with foreign political organisa- freedoms and would prevent was imprisoned for decades. exchanges between Catholic Hong Kong is required to enact tions. According to the Basic Law, non- communities in Hong Kong and the anti-subversion legislation organisations, China. under the Hong Kong Basic Law, governmental Erik Shum Sze-man, legal advisthe mini-constitution that took Including religious ones, can effect on July 1, 1997, when Hong relate to their counterparts on the er to the Hong Kong diocesan jusKong reverted from Britain to mainland based on the principles tice and peace commission, said of nonsubordination, noninterfer- human rights could be restricted China. if the proposed legislation is Article 23 of the Basic Law pro- ence and mutual respect. Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of enforced. hibits foreign political organisa-

Eastern Catholics warn US on war with Iraq RABOUEH, Lebanon (CNS) - countries should be disarmed Patriarchs from Middle Eastern together, including Israel," the Catholic churches, meeting in seven patriarchs said. Lebanon, warned the United "The situation of the PalestiniStates against war with Iraq. ans is practically inhuman, and "Nothing justifies a war against the exactions they are submitted Iraq, whatever the pretexts and to can have no justification. The reasons invoked," the heads of the path to peace and security is perArmenian, Chaldean, Coptic, fectly clear: An end should be Latin, Maronite, Melldte and Syr- made to the occupation, which is ian Catholic churches said in a the source of violence in the region," they said. statement. The five-day meeting, held in the "There can be no just war, since men have the choice: to negotiate residence of Melkite Patriarch and arrive at peaceful solutions or Gregoire III Laham of Antioch, to unleash a general destruction," was attended by 33 Middle East said the statement released in church members and observers, including Patriarch Michel Sabearly November. The statement, issued after the bah, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, church leaders' 12th congress in and Cardinal Stephanos II GhatRaboueh, east of Beirut, criticised tas, patriarch of the Coptic "the policy of double standards" Catholic Church. Eastern Catholic leaders have of not holding Israel accountable to U.N. resolutions while con- staged annual meetings since the demning Iraq for not abiding by early 1990s. them. At their September 2001 meet"Equity demands that countries ing, they criticised the "blatant in the region are treated accord- Injustice" of the international ing to the same criteria - if we embargo against Iraq, which wish to finish with weapons of "culls its victims from among the mass destruction, all the region's Innocent, mainly children."

"For example, under the section on 'Assisting public enemy at war,' even if we oppose war with other countries, we can be accused of treason," he said. He stressed that no government can undermine human rights in the name of protecting its power. "We have to know the baseline of our rights," Shum said during a November 1 forum organised by the justice and peace commission. Father Louis Ha Ke-loon, director of the Hong Kong Catholic Social Communications Office and chief editor of the local Chinese and English Catholic weekthe ly newspapers, said legislation is a challenge to one's conscience and faith. He said the church supports democracy because it ensures that the government is responsible to the people. While the church respects and obeys the regime and encourages its followers to love one's country, the church will do whatever it needs to safeguard the higher values of human rights and freedom that come from God, Father Ha said. The Hong Kong government's Security Bureau is conducting a three-month public consultation on implementing Article 23. Meanwhile, the proposed legislation has evoked opposition from some scholars, media workers, lawyers, politicians and student groups. Scholars from eight universities and colleges have launched a signature campaign calling on the government to respect human rights and academic freedom and demanding rational discussion before the law is enacted.

Putting faces to numbers By Tracy Early UNITED NATIONS (CNS) Agencies of the Catholic Church are working to "put a human face' on refugees and migrants, the Vatican nuncio to the United Nations said on November Z Archbishop Renato Martino reported that last year in the United States alone, Catholic 319,541 aided agencies refugees and migrants with settlement, family reunification, education, legal and employment services and language classes. But he said agencies of the church were "not dealing with quotas or numbers but reaching out to help people in need." Archbishop Martino, speaking to a committee of the U.N. General Assembly reviewing work of the High Commissioner for Refugees, commended the agency "for its fine work in promoting and protecting the rights and well being of some of the world's most vulnerable persons." But he said it was distressing that many refugees "found borders that were dosed" and encountered violence, xenophobia and the denial of fundamental rights. Archbishop Martino noted that the High Commissioner for Refugees did not have a mandate to help people displaced within their own countries, but said they numbered 50 million worldwide and needed special attention. "The Holy See calls upon governments to recognise their responsibilities toward providing security and access to basic social services to all those displaced persons within their borders," he said.

Vicious sect attack disfigures man 15-month sentence for car theft. parishioners have suffered secFr Magill said there was no jus- tarian attacks and shootings for DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) - The tification for what happened to several years sectarian violence has increased in recent months. crucifixion of a Catholic man on the victim. the outskirts of Belfast was a secVigilante groups in Northern "My experience of talking to a tarian attack, said a priest in wide variety of people in this Ireland routinely mete out their Northern Ireland. community is that there is own style of punishment for "It may have started off for absolutely no support for what crimes in their neighbourhood, such as car theft and drug dealother reasons," said Fr Martin happened to McCartan. not authorised by the groups. ing Magill of the Church of the Nobody, but nobody, deserves Nativity in Poleglass, an area of such absolutely horrific and barVictims often are beaten with West Belfast. "But once they baric treatment. It has been dev- nail-studded baseball bats, realised who they had, the attack astating both for the individual which is believed to be what took on an extra viciousness." himself, but also for his family," happened to McCartan. Harry McCartan, 23, of Pole- he said. "There has been a huge glass was attacked by a gang of media interest in this, amount Association Defense Ulster An early on November 2. source told the Guardian news- andI welcome the media attenHis hands were nailed to a paper that loyalists were behind tion," Fr Magill said. wooden stile, and he was found the assault but denied leader"It has brought the whole issue bleeding profusely from his eyes, ship sanctioned it. of punishment beatings to the ears and mouth. He was taken to The source said the attack was fore. We have got to get to a sitthe hospital with blocks of wood in response to car crime in the uation where if there are antistill attached to his hands. staunchly Protestant Seymour social activities going on in an McCartan was so disfigured Hill area of Dunmurry, on the area they are dealt with by the legitimate legal authorities and from the beating that his father outskirts of South Belfast paramilitaries." could identify him only from a Loyalists, mainly Protestants, not the tattoo of his daughter's name on want Northern Ireland to remain Following the attack, Fr Magill his arm. a province of Great Britain while was part of an ecumenical delePolice said the attack was , nationalists, mainly Catholics, gation that met with the assistant linked to a rise in car crime in want Northern Ireland united police chief to request extra police in Poleglass and Lisburn the area. with the Irish Republic. McCartan was released from Fr Magill said that while his to address the car crime issue. prison in October after serving a By Clan Molloy

THE RECORD

14 14 NOVEMBER 2002

Reviews A Catholic perspective on popular culture

READING, LOOKING

Rare peek into the Inner Sanctum Brothers and Sisters: Glimpses of the Cloistered life by Frank Monaco pub. by Darton Longman

s a photo-journalist for an American magazine, the first monastery Iever visited was outside Sera San Bruno in Southern Italy. Erected in 1094 by St Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order. it was destroyed in the 1783 earthquake and later rebuilt. The approach to its isolated situation was marked by a signboard marked, 0 Bonitas (0 Goodness). St Bruno, it was said, saw goodness existing everywhere, "in you, in me, in everything: A monk finds peace and solitude through artwort. Inside the monastery gate, within view of the earthquake ruins of blessing and permission of the stay in a monastery for three days. the chapel, I was ushered before Papal See, an approach to one There seems to be a traditional the Prior. After a check of my cre- convent brought this reply form reckoning to this time. In the medieval past, it was assumed dentials, I was invited to stay and the Abbess: "The Sisters might possibly give that three days were required to given permission, with restriction, a grudging assent to some pho- make an impression on the intelto take photographs. The life of the Carthusian monk tographs of the house, and even to lectual, emotional and instinctive is known for its discipline and one or other Sister as long as she nature of a visitor. However, to cover the activities solitude. As photographs of them remained 'faceless'. I'm quite sure were rare, my magazine made some sisters would hide com- of the monks, unrestricted time excellent use of them and a set of pletely if they thought they were was given. I was permitted to prints sent to the Prior in return going to be photographed. spend 42 days among the nuns. for their hospitality was warmly AlthoughI feel slightly impatient During that time with the nuns acknowledged. at this attitude, nevertheless I feel there was a moment that will That was the start of my monas- I could not impose this on them: always remain with me; it took tic rile of photographs, and later, Eventually, with time and place among the Poor Glares. One asI was allowed through he gates patience, I was invited into the evening when their meal was of Benedictine, Cistercian and convents of the Benedictines, the over, and Grace had been recited, Franciscan monasteries, pictures Carmelites and the Poor Glares - a Poor Clare knelt before the were added to the file_ pictures an environment where men are Abbess and said, "I confess my intended to record, 0 Bonitas. almost completely forbidden - for fault to God and to you. Mother After my photographic book on a glimpse of the lives of those Abbess, and all the sisters, for all the monastic life of monks was women who had chosen to devote the faults and negligences I have published, the aim was to pro- themselves wholly to the service committed and all the bad examduce a similar book on the clois- of the Lord. ple and pain I have given you. I tered lives of nuns. With the A visitor is usually permitted to humbly ask you to forgive me and

Now and Then by AI and the Emmaus Community RRP S29.95

MUSIC

Golden oldies get a new treatment in Perth

espite the fact that this compact disc features recordings of some of the most popular traditional hymns of yesteryear it is still something new and very different Everyone will recognise the hymns; timeless favourites such as Sweet Sacrament Divine, How Great Thou Art, Soul of my Saviour, I'll sing a hymn to Mary. Firmly I Believe and Truly, Now Thank We All Our God, We Stand For God, Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All, and Hail Redeemer, King Divine. The CD concludes with a trilogy based on perhaps the

biggest favourite of all for many people - Amazing Grace. These three tracks would make this disc worth buying alone. Dominican priest Fr Jordan Perry OP first narrates the lyrics to this golden oldie. The next track is a beautiful acapella rendition, finally an instrumental version. What makes this such a different recording however, and perhaps not to everyone's taste, is the musical style. Gone is the familiar sound of a church organ one would not be surprised to hear on recordings of sacred music. What's 'in' is the sound and approach now popular on radio stations such as Perth's own Sonshine FM - saxophones, drums and other things such as contemporary classical guitar sounds of the kind made popular by groups such as Dire Straits. There's nothing wrong with this at all and for many people it will be a refreshing approach to hymns they have loved from childhood. For others it will be an Introduction to music that for a while seemed to have gone out of fashion. Just one word of warning, though. If you're looking for something for grandpa or grandma for a Christmas present this might not be quite their cup of

A hallway inside the cloister of a convent.

ask Our Lord to be merciful to me the pictures, there was one in parand give me the grace to renew ticular that caught and held my my vows with greater love and attention. It was of a nun in fullfervour than I have ever done length view, cleaning a window in the c.hapel. For some obscure reabefore: son, not sure of what I was lookShe then embraced each sister, saying, "God reward you, dear Sis- ing for.I started to search through monks. And ter, for your grace and patience: my file of monastic there it was, a picture of a monk This ceremony happens for In full-length view, cleaning a wineach nun on the eve of the dow in a cloister. anniversary of her taking the Further searching revealed the vows. side-by-side engagement that Not long after the picture-taking existed between monk and nun in among the nuns was over,Ibegan the cell, novitiate, worship, labour, to put together a portfolio of prints meals and recreation. They were for each convent in gratitude for engaged in the religious life like a their hospitality. While viewing family, like Brothers and Sisters.

tea. Imagine grandad popping Now and Then is that it has been ness. What was the solution for this CD into the player on Christ- produced by Perth's own people who want an indepenmas morning looking forward to Errunaus Community. dent life in a community setting? hearing his favourite hymn from Emmaus Community com- They prayed to the Lord for guidhis youth, such as Sweet Sacra- menced its spiritual journey in ance. Several avenues were tried ment Divine, only to hear a 1996 at a mental health crisis unit but to no avail. Then in 2001 the Jazzed up version with a drum- in Bentley, Western Australia. group acquired a huge old house Through the on a fair sized block of land. beat and years. brothscreaming After Easter. people who wanters and sisters ed to live a communal life style saxophone who had once moved in. solo. It might be stayed at the Hence the name of the comunit and were munity, Emmaus, taken from just a fractrying to cope Luke 24:16-31 "...the men on the tion too with mental road to Emmaus whose "eyes much. Illness whilst were kept from recognising" For living in the Christ ...until they shared bread younger listeners with him at supper." community, would drop in though, it Later that year, the group's may be just to share day to parish priest offered another the opposite. day experi- house; a presbytery in the parish ences. They of St Francis of Assisi - Ermnaus The unibecame a fam- Community's patron Saint. que sound ily and that Their ultimate goal is God's comes from meant stand- Will, while their mission is to the background of those who have per- ing by each other through the form communities within the formed it. One look at the lows as well as the highs. community where people living publicity instantly reveals this The realisation that they were with mental illness can share unusual disc's musical origins. one big family hit home, when at their lives in a loving and supThose who have performed and the end of the day people had to portive environment. Not bad, worked on it have deep roots leave brothers and sisters staring and well worth the look and lisworking with such giant names at four walls. ten. of the 70s, 80s and 90s as Earth Available at Gatto's in Perth, Society has led us to believe that Wind and Fire, Thelma Houston once you have your own little or by downloading an order and the Supremos, Petula Clarke, space everything will be okay. In form from the Emmaus ComThe Platters, ELO, Cliff Richards the new millennium, there munity see: website, and Shirley Bassey. seemed to be so much help and www.enunausconnmmity.co Another interesting aspect to yet so much isolation and loneli- m.au

THE RECORD

14 NOVEMBER 2002

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BEREAVEMENT CULLY Stanley James, Joy, Peter, Ann Margaret, Michael and families give grateful thanks for the many beautiful messages of sympathy received from relatives and friends, especially the Josephite Sisters and Catholic Womens League on the passing of their beloved Stan.

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official diary panorama NOVEMBER

End-of -year Thanksgiving Mass for Archdiocesan Liturgy Committees, Leederville - Archbishop Hickey

15-24

Celebrations for Silver Jubilee of Priesthood, Adelaide Bishop Sproxton

Mass for Feast of Vietnamese Martyrs, Balcatta Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Shenton Park - Bishop Healy Mass to Celebrate Centenary of St Brigid's Primary School, Midland - Bishop Quinn

Visit Confirmation Candidates. Divine Mercy College Archbishop Hickey Principals' Thanksgiving Mass and Dinner Archbishop Hickey

22-24

Parish Visitation, Ballajura - Archbishop Hickey

24-29

Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Sydney Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton

End-of-year Supper, St Charles' Seminary Archbishop Hickey

New head for Swiss Guard VATICAN CITY, NOV. 11. 2002 (Zenit.org).- The Swiss Guard's new leader hopes he can encourage his men to stay on for longer tours of duty. Until Saturday. Elmar Theodor Mader, 39, a native of the canton of Saint Gallen, was vice commander of the world's smallest military corps. Now he is its new commander. The Vatican preferred to promote a Swim guard from the same corps, rather than a member of the Swiss Army or police, as was the case of Mader's predecessor, Pius Segmailer.

Under Segmiiller's command, the Swiss Guard was given new disciplinary, promotional and organizational rules. Mader, married and father of three, has clear ideas about the future of the corps. 'There is no need for big changes,' he said. 'We must foster formation and education for recruitment, thus encouraging the new guards to stay among us one more year.' At present, Swiss Guards offer their service for two years. *Experience counts a lot in our work, and it is too bad to form a young man and then to see him go." he added.

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MISSIONARY IN PERTH Father Muhren is doing his farewell and retirement visits to Perth on November 16-21. Father has just completed 40 years of missionary work in Sarawak, Malaysia! He is keen to meet his many friends here. He will be celebrating the 11am Mass in the Carmelite Monastry, Dalkeith on Sunday November 17. There will be a social gathering afterwards. All invited. Please bring a plate. Further activities for the visit are planned. For more information, please contact Matthew Warner on 94476076. Sunday November 17 INDULGENCES...? WHAT'S THAT? What does ' indulgence' mean? Does it mean to be indulgent towards sin? Or atonement of the temporal punishment for sin? What are the biblical and logical foundations of such a Church teaching? Find out all about a very misunderstood article of Faith in the Catholic Church: indulgences. Sunday November 17 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCHOENSTATT SHRINE BLESSING To mark this special occasion families are invited to attend with their children, and to entrust them in a special way to the care, love and educational influence of the Mother of Jesus. Parents can also come without the children. 9 Talus Drive. Armadale 3-5pm. please bring a plate for afternoon tea. Ph: 9399 2349 Monday November 18 MOTHERS' PRAYER MASS For all Mothers and Grandmothers coming together to pray for their children. (Fathers. grandfathers welcome). Holy Rosary Church, Angelico St, Woodlands. For further information: Veronica Peake 9447 0671. Wednesday November 20 TALKS AT JOHN XXIII COLLEGE Keeping Our Love Alive. Presenter: Hasser Graham (Psychologist and college Counsellor) 7.30-9.30pm. S5 (donation unwaged).Transforming our Wounds (talk 6) Presenter: Murray Graham (Inigo Centre Director) 11am-1pm. Venue for both talks: Multi Purpose Room John XXIII College. Details Murray 9383 0444. Friday November 22 PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP 1st meeting on Friday 8 - 9pm. a Holy Hour praying with St Padre Pio at St Bernadette's Church, cnr of Leeder and Jugan Sts, Glendalough. Enq: Fr Doug Harris 9223 1350. Saturday/Sunday November 23/24 VOCATIONS RETREAT FOR MEN This is designed for those who are thinking of becoming priests possibly in the Archdiocese. Theme: "What really a priest is and what he does." Holy Trinity Church, Rottnest Island. Enq: Fr Armando (Diocesan Vocation Promoter) 9470 9113. 9266 3714. Fax 9221 1716. Email prvocation@hotmail.com <mailto:prvocation@hotmail.com Saturday November 23 ST LOUIS DE MONTFORT Fr Joachim O'Brien (Spiritual Director of The Legion of Mary, Melbourne) will be giving a talk on St. Louis De Montfort's 'True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin at the Venerable Edel Quin Centre, 36 Windsor St, Perth. The talk will commence at 2pm. Details contact Catherine: 9451 4045. Sunday November 24 CHRIST THE KING, ST CATHERINE'S CHURCH GINGIN 11-12noon Hymns by choir group. 12 noon -12.30pm Sung chaplet of Divine Mercy, 12.30-1.30pm BYO lunch. 1.30pm Eucharistic Procession. 2.50pm Divine Mercy Chaplet and three o'clock prayers. 3pm Holy Mass/Rosary and Benediction. 4.15pm consecrationNeneration Relic of Saint Faustina. 4.30pm Afternoon Tea provided. Coaches depart: Mercedes College Car park 9.30am. To book please phone Francis Williams 9459 3873 or Mob: 0404 893 877. Transport cost S15.00 per person (return). For more details phone

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Stargazing $cith Dr Moonunit Vacanstare PhD (Oxen) Dip. Fencing, specialist in crystal healing and dolphin relation therapy. Dr Moonunit also relaxes human beings with dolphins as well.

Pisces (the Fish)

Pisceans should avoid seafood restaurants this month. Signalling the busdriver for your stop by constantly banging your head on the window and grunting is a behaviour you should dispense with.

a roundup of events in the archdiocese John 9457 7771 or Fr Paul: 9571 1839. Sunday November 24 SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING Most Rev. Bishop Peter Quinn will preside over the ceremonies at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook. 2pm Holy Mass followed by Eucharistic procession. Enq: SACRI 9447 3292. Bus 9277 5578. a/h 9342 3826. cost S7. Monday November 25 REFLECTION DAY FOR WOMEN Schoenstatt Shrine. Armadale. 9.45am-12noon. talks given by Sister M lsabell. Schoenstatt sister of Mary. Ph: 9399 2349 Thursday November 28 MOTHERS' PRAYER MASS For all Mothers and Grandmothers coming together to pray for their children. (Fathers. grandfathers welcome). Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church. 57 Tudor A venue South. Riverton. For further information: Veronica Peake 9447 0671. Saturday November 30 YOUTH RETREAT Everyone has a vocation. Come and discover yours! The servants of the Holy Family invite all young people to attend a half-day retreat on Saturday from 2.15pm to 6.00pm. The retreat will include Mass at 2.30pm. at Our Lady's Assumption Church. Dianeila, 356 Grand Promenade, next to Dianella Plaza. The celebrants will be His Grace. Archbishop Hickey and Fr Ossie Lewis. Please bring your Bibles, refreshments provided. For enquiries contact sister-in-Christ Bernadette: 9275 7765 Saturday November 30 HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE Hear from the experts - Catholic mothers who are raising joyful. faithfilled children. Catholic books and tapes available. Archbishop Hickey will give a short talk at 10.45am. Holy Name Church Hall. Marchamley Place, Carlisle, 9.30am to 3pm. Cost S10 (family S15). morning tea provided. BYO lunch. ENQ: Lorraine 9446-9682 Saturday November 30 TWILIGHT RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS Saturday from 3 till 8pm. Our Journey through Advent. Concluding with Carol singing at the Shrine. Please bring some food to share for tea. Ph: 9399 2341. Sunday December 1 DIVINE MERCY An afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary's Cathedral,Victoria Square, Perth at 1.30pm. Holy Rosary and Reconciliation, Sermon Fr Michael on st Francis Xavier. Followed with Divine Mercy Prayers. Friday 6 - Sunday 8 December ON FIRE WITH THE SPIRIT A powerful weekend experience that will change and enrich your life. Friday 7.30-9.30pm. Saturday 1.306pm, Sunday 1.30-6pm at the parish hall, Church of the Holy Rosary, 17 Angelico Street, Woodlands. Teaching and ministry by Bernard Yap and the team from the Blessed Sacrament Prayer community, Singapore. Contact: Celine: 9446 2147, Julie: 9446 3089. email:jkwhitely@wn.com.au Tuesday December 10 SHEEN SOCIETY Sheen Society celebrating the cuase for canonisation of Archbishop Sheen. Mass at Trinity college chapel 7.00pm, Celebrant Archbishop Hickey followed by refreshments and a video presentaiton of Archbishop Sheen. Please contact Daniel on 9291 8224 to indicate your attendance. December OUR LADY'S COLLEGE. VICTORIA SQUARE REUNION Our Lady's College, Victoria Square, reunion planned for Class of 1955. Any interested persons please contact Julie Howe (Aitken) as soon as possible. Phone/fax: (08) 9457 7801

Page 15

THE RECORD

16 14 NOVEMBER 2002

The Last Word

Beacon shone a light of love The following is an edited version of the launch of Built on a Hill, a history of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, by the HON. DAVID MALCOLM, Chief Justice of Western Australia. The Chief Justice launched the history by Geraldine Byrne at the Town of Cambridge Chambers in Floreat on Sunday November 3.

s we are reminded in the preface to the book, the Good Shepherd philosophy is based on the conviction that 'one person is as important as the whole world'. This philosophy is just as important today as it was 100 years ago when the Sisters arrived in Western Australia. At that time, although Perth was still a small town, problems were arising with social dropouts and delinquents. The group causing the most concern was teenaged girls and young women and the many respectable and married women who had become destitute. Although the legislation allowed magistrates to deal with male and female children until the age of 16 years, there was no institution suitable for girls committed. A September 1894 prosecution against two young girls just past their sixteenth birthdays amused the concern of some influential Perth women who approached the Premier. Sir John Forrest urging the government to set up a reformatory and industrial school for girls. This influential group included the then Chief Justice's wife, Madeleine Onslow. Jane Alexander and Edith Cowan. A section of the Lunatic Asylum at Fremantle was set aside for young girls and it was later stated that a house on the outskirts of Perth would be rented for an industrial school. It was at this time that Gibney Matthew Bishop approached the Victorian Provincial House of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to establish a Convent in his diocese, no doubt influenced by the Sisters' successful record of social work. Ms Byrne's book details the protracted negotiations that took place, resulting in the arrival of the Mother Provincial, Mother Mary of the Visitation Kennedy and Sister Mary of St Pierre McCarthy in Fremantle in September 1902. The second chapter of the book deals with the two years the Sisters spent in Adelaide Terrace. During this time there was increased pressure for larger quarters and the foundation stone of the Convent in Leederville was laid on Sunday, November 15 1903. The move to the spacious and impressive Leederville premises took place in September 1904. By 1905, there were over 70 'penitents' living at Tara. Many of the women were married and came not only from Australia, but also from New Zealand, Scotland, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, India, Germany, England and South Africa and ranged in age from 11 to 70 years. When it came to the notice of the Colonial Secretary J D Connolly that the Convent did not have a likeness of its namesake, he arranged finance for the sculpturing of an appropriate statue which arrived from Italy in early 1908. Connolly brought forward , an Act of Parliament for the mart

clothed in the new habit and veil. Education remained a high prior ity with the Community. In late 1966, construction began on a new school building for St Clare's. The former Maryville hostel was refurbished as a hostel for schoolgirls and renamed Rosmunde. New offices were completed within the main complex to provide long-term treatment and a training program for moderately delinquent girls aged between 13 and 18 years. Neuville was one of the first residential treatment faciliA History of the Sisters of the ties for disturbed girls in Western Good Shepherd Australia. In September 1968, a transition house in St Leonard's in Western Australia Avenue known as Warana was opened for girls going to work in 1902-2002 the business world. Kevin Horgan became the first layman to be appointed to a full time administrative position with the Congregation of the Good Shepherd in Australia in 1968. Mr Horgan made a considerable impact on the management and receipts of the laundry service and set up an advisory board in 1970 to revamp the system by using Commonwealth Government social welfare legislation to secure funding for more appropriate living quarters for the elderly and handicapped women. The Koondoola Neighbourhood Centre was opened in March 1983 to service an area that had been identified as one with great social needs and scarce community services. This then highlighted the need for recreational resources and opportunities for teenagers in the area and led to the formation of Koondoola and Girrawheen Youth or KAGY. As the numbers of the Community reduced, it had to be decided whether the magnificent buildings and facilities created for the Congregation's work were still required. The time had come to agement of child welfare in 190Z St Aldan Phelan, the new Prioress Convent. These plans were put on consider selling Tam and entering laying down the acceptable stan- who arrived on April 15 1920 from hold whilst negotiations were into arrangements more suitable dards for institutions. The Child New Zealand, tried a number of undertaken with the Perth City for the Community's present and Welfare Act was amended in 192Z small measures to improve the Council for their purchase of a future needs. By October 1984, it replaced in 1947 and amended Community's finances, which strip of land that ran to Lake Mon- was reluctantly realised that after again in 1959 and 1967 before the remained more than 6,000 ger from the Congregation, 80 years, the laundry at Tara was Department of Community Wel- pounds in debt. However, required for the construction of a no longer a viable proposition fare was established in 1972. Con- stronger measures were required road to improve access for the and it was closed on November 30 1984. On May 20 1985, agreenolly also influenced the State and on February 6 1921, it was public. Once this was settled, the Con- ment was reached to sell Tam to Government to ask the Sisters to decided that the first major take charge of the proposed refor- appeal on behalf of the Good gregation received payment of the Archdiocese of Perth for $2.5 matory school for girls and in June Shepherd Sisters since their 795 pounds and plans proceeded million for the use of the Catholic 1908, the Children's Court sent arrival in the State 18 years pre- for the provision of a Church. The Education Centre, with two blocks the Sisters three young girls even viously was required to eliminate Chapel was planned to accom- to be carved out for the Sisters' though it would be some time the outstanding debt. A fortnight modate three hundred and was Convent in Ruislip Street. The before permanent accommoda- long fete in October was decided opened on October 11939. Dur- sale made it possible to go ahead tion for the Reformatory would be upon, to be called The Westralia ing the wartime years, the Sisters with the proposal to form a secFete. After setbacks and much had to cope with many unexpect- ond Community of the Sisters of ready. State Premier Newton Moore, anxiety when a major influenza ed emergencies. At this time there the Good Shepherd at Balga. laid the foundation stone for the epidemic broke out in September, were 26 children in the reformaThe end of an era came on May Reformatory on February 7 1909. the Fete was a success and the tory and 164 penitents, plus 26 29 1986 when the last Mass was In his speech the Premier praised Committee were able to present women in religious life, 2 long- celebrated in the Sisters' Oratory the Sisters work and stressed that the Convent with a cheque for term boarders and 9 labourers. in the Convent and the TabernaFrom the 1940's only teenagers cle and Altar were then removed the institution was not sectarian. 8,000 pounds. As the Great The Reformatory was constructed Depression reached Western Aus- were admitted to the Community. to Nanson Street in Wembley. The to the west of Tara and was to be tralia in 1929, the laundry income In 194Z it was announced that the Community of the Good Shepknown as St Mary's Class. It was ceased to rise for the first time in Reformatory was to be closed so herd were appropriately present many years. It was not until 1937 that the old St Mary's building and participated fully in the rust opened on June 20 1909. The reputation of the Sisters in that the laundry's income again could be renovated and made into and only time a Pontiff officially Perth reached a point where some exceeded 10,000 pounds. During a hostel for working girls. A block opened a building in Australia, Perth residents considered the this time the number of penitents with two houses on it at Water- when Pope John Paul II opened Home of the Good Shepherd as a in the Sacred Heart Class man's Bay was purchased with a the Catholic Education Centre in suitable home for their aged rela- remained constant at around 129, Lotteries Commission grant in its new home at Tara on Novemtives. The Sisters offered a caring with another 25 to 30 in the Refor- March 1950 for holiday visits. ber 30 1986. In April 1956 construction began environment and an example of matory. The hospitality of the Sis• copies of the book can be purspirituality for those who would ters was well known and the on a two room schoolhouse, Home of the Good Shepherd which reflects the greater empha- chased from the Good Shepherd otherwise face a lonely old age. The original plans for the Con- seems to have been an early port sis on teenagers and their prob- Sisters Office at 52 Ruislip St, Leedvent had included a front balcony, of call for other congregations of lems. The students of St Clare's erville at a cost of $33 for paperwhich was excluded at the time the Church planning to establish were girls of varied backgrounds, back and $55 for hardback due to cost. With further accom- themselves in Western Australia. ability and attainments, but most- (including GST). Please ask for Sr In 1935, the Provincial, Mother ly State wards over 14 years of age Naomi McClements or Stella modation being required for the Sisters, the Prioress commis- Mary of the Archangels spent a with some record in delinquency. Hoareau. A cost of $5.00 will be The 1960's saw great changes sioned the extension and con- month at Tam and was involved in in discussions for the building of come to the Sisters. By the end of charged for postage within the commenced struction November 1919. Mother Mary of a Chapel in the grounds of the February 1970, all the Sisters were metro area.

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