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PERTH JPII ORDER TO BE FOUNDED: A young woman with a vision Page 4
BOOK WYD FARES NOW OR MISS OUT: Pilgrims need to get organisedPage 9
Perth, Western Australia • $2
FOR OUR CHILDREN: Catherine Parish on the courage of conviction Page 16
Cathedral drive launched Parish representatives prepare to pass on the message - and the vision - to their communities
ARCHBISHOP BARRY HICKEY set out his vision for St Mary's Cathedral on Thursday evening March 15 and called Perth's parishes to get behind the drive to complete the building first begun in 1863. Meanwhile, Western Australia's CHIEF JUSTICE WAYNE MARTIN, also present at the launch of the Parish Fundraising Campaign at John XXIII College, delivered a stunning summary of why cathedrals are much more than mere pieces of architecture.
Report, photos: inside front & back cover Photograph courtesy Ron Tan Photograph,
TWO ORDAINED DEACONS
Two more young men were ordained to the diaconate in Perth on Tuesday March 20, another step in their ongoing journey to sharing in the priesthood of Jesus.
Pages
INDEX Caritas Report Editorial, Letters The World FAITH IN THE WHEATBELT Movies: 300
- Page 4 - Page 8 - Pages 10-11 - VISTA 4 - Page 12
READY FOR A CHANGE
More than 300 women at the first Perth WFA forum heard speakers from across the political spectrum urge them to help others choose life - for themselves and their children.
Pages 6 & 7
im
March 222007, The Record
Page 2
Completion of a vision
Night to remember: Hundreds of parish representatives, pictured above and below, and key fundraisers turned out at John XXIII College on Thursday evening, March 15, to participate in the parish launch for the completion of St Mary's Cathedral. The evening became the point from which parish representatives will take the vision of completion back to their own communities. PHOTOS RON TAN PHOTOGRAPH
Welcome: Cathedral Dean, Monsignor Thomas McDonald, above, is introduced to a Cathedral supporter, while among those speaking were, centre, Perth Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass.
Archbishop calls parishes to help complete Cathedral of th • By Anthony Barich
W
estern Australia's Justice Chief Wayne Martin has urged Perth Catholics to financially support the St Mary's Cathedral Conservation and Completion Appeal as the city desperately needs a spiritual "heart" due to rises in crime and loss of morality in society. Chief Justice Martin said it was no coincidence that the rise in crime and the prison population and the
number of laws passed by our parliament, lawyers, courts and disputes that are brought before them have coincided with a significant decrease in active participation in religious worship and fellowship (see complete speech on opposite page). Addressing over 700 people at the St Mary's Cathedral Conservation and Completion Appeal launch last week at John XXIII College, Chief Justice Martin said: "It seems to me highly improbable that these things are coincidental. "It is much more likely that there is a causal connection between the
decline in religious participation and the decline in spirituality and
ethical conduct and the increased need for lawyers and courts. He
The Project THE COMPLETION OF Si MARY'S WILL INCLUDE:
• Increased seating capacity to 1200 seats inside and, using the external piazza areas, 1600 in total • Full conservation and restoration of the Cathedral building and artworks - including the wonderful stained glass windows and Our Lady's Chapel • The Organ will be fully restored with new pipes added • A new Spire will be added and the existing spire and bell tower fully restored
urged Catholics and well-wishers to "dig deep" to support what is not
• The most significant feature inside will be the relocation of the Sanctuary and Altar to the middle of the Cathedral. This will afford full participation in the Sacred Liturgy. There will be 14 rows of pews which completely surround the Sanctuary providing uninterrupted views • Full disability access, air-conditioning, undercroft parking for 100 vehicles and bus access will be incorporated • A new Parish Centre will be built providing a venue for functions and events for up to 250 people. In addition, there will be new offices, choir rooms and kitchen facilities • Directly beneath the Altar, a new crypt will be built where all the Bishops of Perth will be laid to rest.
March 222007, The Record
Page 3
Jesuits attack Fisher on conscience • By Paul Gray
The Jesuit-owned national Catholic publication, Eureka Street, has jumped on a recent paper on conscience by Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher, publishing two critical responses. As reported in The Record on March 8, Bishop Fisher had said in a key Vatican address that it beggars belief that there are Catholic institutions in some places which are "collaborating in abortion, IVF, sterilisation and euthanasia." He also said that papal teachings against abortion and euthanasia are an example of "infallible magisterial" doctrine which demands the unconditional "obedience of faith." Writing in Eureka Street Extra, Canberra priest Fr John Ryan described one of the statements made by Bishop Fisher in his Vatican paper as "noxious," and accused the Bishop of failing to give a wider and "nuanced" treatment of the topic of conscience. Describing himself as "a simple priest," Fr Ryan said that the "flourishes of learning" within Bishop Fisher's Vatican paper, as well as the venue where it was delivered, "might lead some to presume the presence of great wisdom." Fr Ryan said he would "dare to add" a dissonant voice, and said that Bishop Fisher's paper failed to show any appreciation of what he called "post-Freudian insights into the human person and condition". He said Bishop Fisher has introduced a "disturbing dichotomy...between Church and world". He said it was hard to escape the impression from Bishop Fisher's paper that, in the opinion of the Bishop, the human personal subject is inferior to some nebulous objec-
tive reality. Eureka Street has published a second article, by philosophy professor Max Charlesworth, which also criticises Bishop Fisher's paper. Prof Charlesworth's article, titled "Bishop misses mark in assault on understanding of conscience," says that Bishop Fisher is attempting to diminish the role of conscience which emerged with the Second Vatican Council. He nominates contraception and homosexuality as two issues on which some Catholics disagree with the Catholic Church's teachings. Prof Charlesworth says that Catholics "need to discriminate between mistaken and valid teachings of the magisterium".
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Good timos: Youth enjoy the CYS's River Cruise last week on St Patrck's Day.
Youth groups join forces on river Youth work together to put on St Patrick's Day River Cruise
The Archdiocesan Agency Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) and the Perth arm of the national Young Christian Students Movement (YCS) joined forces to put on a river cruise for almost 250 young people last Saturday night. River cruise punters participated in a night of fun, socialising and dancing as the MV Stirling made its way down the Swan River from Barrack Street Jetty. With a chartered boat decorated in white and green, food provided by Heaven Sent caterers and a professional DJ, youth spent the threehour cruise enjoying the scenery and the music in an entirely alco-
hol-free environment. The River cruise was attended by Catholic high school students, YCS group members from throughout the Archdiocese and Catholic youth in their 20s and early 30s. Event organisers Victoria Burrows (YCS) and Robert Hiini (CYM) said that the idea to launch a joint venture came from the realisation that there was so much duplication in youth events in Perth. St Patrick's Day represented an excellent opportunity to hold a fun and social event together. With YCS handling advertising and promotion, CYM took care of bookings and catering in an event that embodied the idea that being Catholic and having fun in a positive, alcohol free environment are indeed possible. YCS and CYM wish to thank all who helped at the event.
Today, as you read this, poverty and oppression are driving Christian faithful from the Holy Land. But you can help give our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ a reason to stay. Through a program we developed to support the distribution of rosaries handcrafted of local olive wood by Catholic artisans, Aid to the Church in Need is reaching out to faithful in need across the Holy Land. We provide a simple, dignified, and effective means for struggling faithful to keep food on the table for their families. Please help us strengthen and rebuild the Church. A beautiful, handcrafted rosary made of olive wood from the Holy Land will be sent for an offering of $12 or more to support the projects of Aid to the Church in Need in Bethlehem. Please tick the box if you would like to receive the olive wood rosary*. =0
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Send To: Aid to the Church in Need, PO Box 6245 Blacktown DC NSW 2148 Phone/Fax No: (02) 9679-1929 E-mail: info@aidtochurch.org Web: www.aidtochurch.org BLOCK LETTERS PLFASF The olive wood rosaries are lovingly, handcrafted by poverty stricken families Mr/Mrs/Ms/Sr/Revin Bethlehem and your donation helps Address: them survive.
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March 222007, The Record
JP Ifs work will flourish under new community New Perth community follows in JPII's footsteps
denoting official recognition by the Church. A John Paul II Sister, as women religious members of the Missionaries of the Gospel will be called, will eventually be recognized by her royal blue dress and white veil. Miss Pike told The Record that she believed the Holy Spirit had inspired the late Pope especially for these times and that his extraordinary contribution to the Church and secular society needed to be continued. Pope John Paul II had an extraordinary ability to communicate the Gospel in a way that related to peoples' lived experiences," said Miss Pike. "And the community hopes to take up the challenge of this way in addition to providing the support and formation necessary for people to live the Good News of the Gospel." "We want to be instruments of God's love in such a way as JPII was, including affirming the dignity of every human person, helping each and every person to realize that they are a unique and unrepeatable gift from God who is
The life and work of Pope John Paul II is the inspiration for the establishment of a new community for religious, lay men and women to be founded in Perth on June 23. The community, to be called the Missionaries of the Gospel, has already attracted several expressions of interest regarding religious life from several people in Perth - men and women. Laity from further afield have also expressed interest in being members. Soon to be John Paul II Sister, Clare Pike, the former Director of the Respect Life Office said that its establishment had been inspired by the way Pope John Paul II lived and spread the faith and would seek to continue his work. The Missionaries of the Gospel hopes to become an Association of Christ's Faithful during the June ceremony which will be celebrated by Archbishop Barry Hickey. An Association of Christ's Faithful is a Canon Law term
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Founder: Clare Pike is keen to enter the new community
While the enthusiastic new group is keen to see the community flourish, they ask for the Church's prayers during this formative period. Those interested in finding
i .
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out more about the new community are invited to attend an information evening at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40a Mary St, Highgate, on April 13 at 7pm.
High up in the Andes Caritas brings hope of freedom from tyranny of the land
"Holy Father,Iwant to ask you something!" Pope Benedict XVI answers questions on Vocation. Marriage, understanding Holy Scripture, and speaks of the Last Supper and the meaning of EASTER.
made to experience great joy and who is called to communion with Him." "It's a new way of being in the Church, which we hope will bring about a change in culture and build a civilization of love." Apart from receiving interest from the public, the late Pope also knew of its existence. In late 2004 Miss Pike wrote to the Pope with the intention to form the community and received a response of prayer and encouragement. The initial group of religious women members will travel to Poland in July for a year of formation. "It is important for the community to be founded on a deep understanding of the people, culture, history and language which formed the late Pope," Miss Pike said, adding that she is looking forward to listening to people who knew the popular Pontiff and to learning their language. "It will be very beneficial to read the late Pope's documents in his language of origin and to bring resources for the community back to Perth," she said.
A
dolpho Ricapa Rodriguez, 35 is from the village of Jucul which is located in the Andean mountain ranges of Peru, 3,360 metres above sea level. He is married to Margherita and they have three children. Families in Jucul live a subsistence existence. Farmers have to plant crops on mountain sides, often many hours from the village, requiring them to walk great distances each day to tend them. In 2000, Caritas talked with the villagers and helped them to identify their goals for the future and key activities they needed to undertake to improve the community. Caritas helped form a village committee. In 2005 Adolpho was elected president by his fellow villagers. The staff of Caritas Huacho, with support from Caritas Australia, have worked closely with Adolpho and the other village leaders to provide training on new techniques for growing crops and improving the breeding of their cattle and sheep. Today farmers grow potatoes, corn, beans and wheat. Adolpho hopes that by work-
ing with Caritas Australia's partner, Caritas Huacho, one day they will be able to produce enough crops to have leftover produce to sell to communities further down the mountains for additional income. In addition, Caritas
provided four bulls, twenty cows plus sheep for the community. This has improved the herd's gene pool which has enhanced the quality of cow meat for consumption. The quality of the sheep's wool has also improved and
can now be sold to surrounding communities for extra income which is used by families to buy additional vegetables, clothes and books. A dairy herd has been established to produce milk. With improvement in the quality of the cow breed, eight litres of milk can now be produced each day. This increase in the quantity and quality of the milk has made a significant difference to the health of the community, especially the women and the children. Women are beginning to participate in these development activities and are now being included in community decision making. This has increased their confidence and added to the success of the cattle and sheep program. "Caritas has shown the community how to share, listen and respect each other. The people now have a lot more confidence in themselves which is why we were able to establish the dairy herd," said Adolpho. Your donation to Project Compassion will ensure communities such as Adolpho's have food security and can look forward to the future with confidence and hope.
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The Record PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 - 587 Newcastle St, West Perth - Tel: (08) 9227 7080,- Fax: (08) 9227 7087 The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses of Western Australia and by subscription.
March 222007, The Record
Page 5
Deacons promise chastity and devotion • By Anthony Barich
During the ordination they received the laying on of hands by the Archbishop, the prayer of consecration and the calling down of the Holy Spirit before sealing it with the order of the diaconate. "In this they will understand the Spirit of the order is the spirit of service to the Church, to the people of God, to the Eucharistic altar and to the poor," the Archbishop said. "A deacon is called to proclaim the Word of God, to proclaim His love and to call people to repentance." The Archbishop will now send them to the Holy Land, specifically Jerusalem, to "increase their knowledge of Jesus in the context in which He came, and to experience it in prayer and contemplation", which was a profound experience for him. Deacon James, who started his vocation in a Carmelite minor seminary in Bangalore, India aged 14, spent his early seminary life
The chastity that will sustain Perth's two newest deacons on their way to becoming priests next year will arise entirely in the spiritual realm. Such were the words handed down by Archbishop Barry Hickey at Tuesday night's diaconate ordination of St Charles seminarians George James, 28, and Arnel Taracina, 32 at St Joachim's ProCathedral. Quoting Pope Benedict' XVI's most recent Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist, Sacramentum Caritatis (Sacrament of Charity), Archbishop Hickey said the renewed commitment to chastity that the two new deacons pledged to him on Tuesday night is only possible in the "spiritual realm, and the powers of the Spirit are strong, so we are confident they will thrive".
in contemplation rather than in ‘ `external activities", but is now happy to be in Perth as he would prefer being a diocesan priest rather than monastic. He chose Perth over an invitation from Canada after 10 years with the Carmelites, during which time he also undertook a psychology degree at Bangalore University. Like Deacon Taracina, he has found a big culture shock coming from his home country, but profoundly thanks his fellow seminarians at St Charles, where he arrived in August 2003, for integrating him into the Australian culture. Deacon Taracina's vocation was inspired by his ":very religious" mother, whom he stayed with during his two years of discernment in southern Manila. His mother's influence was even stronger as Deacon Taracina lost his father to a car crash when Arnel was aged four, his younger brother died of serious asthma aged 16 and his
Focus: New deacons George James (left) and Arnel Taracina at their ordination.
PHOTO: ANTHONY BARICH
two sisters had their own families. Deacon Taracina, who also started in the minor seminary aged 14, found his connection to Australia through Perth's diocesan vocations director Fr Armando Carandang,
who his rector in the Philippines introduced him to and to whom instructed him to finish his theology in his home country before coming to St Charles' Seminary, where he arrived last year.
Iconographer displays his works of art for all to see tif DD
• By Sylvia Defendi
OLE
1101412.6 5 54
After almost 40 years of painting traditional Icons, Sydney based artist Michael Galovic has launched his new book, Icons and Art, in Perth. The first book to be published by an Iconographer living in Australia, Icons and Art was launched at St George's Anglican Cathedral on March 17, following a Sydney launch in December last year and was accompanied by a small selection of exhibited Icons. The hardcover book contains images of Icons, religious and non-religious art produced by Mr Galovic over the years.
PRILs6111P0117 ;4, aRi.;te.:1 DIED 251aPE11)21)
Inspired by the monasteries of former Yugoslavia, Mr Galovic graduated from the Academy of Arts in Belgrade in 1974. "I was always drawn to their mystical beauty. Icons are quite diverse from any other form of art," Mr Galovic said. Perhaps most importantly, however, Mr Galovic said he was reliant on his theological knowledge in order to produce an image. Most of his artworks can be found in Catholic churches across the country and currently at Central TAFE Art Gallery for the Mandorla Art Award. Copies of Icons and Art can be purchased from the Art Gallery of Western Australia or by visiting Isww.geographicsgroup.com.
St John of God Hospital Murdoch Artworks: Michael Galovic with his works at St George's Anglican Cathedral.
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March 222007, The Record
Page 6
Pro-woman, pro-life
Women's Forum in Perth
Labor MP urges audience to get clever inside parties Approximately 300 women from around Perth came together at the University of Western Australia for the first public event organised by Women's Forum Australia on Wednesday March 14. The Record's SYLVIA DEFENDI and ANTHONY BAR1CH were there to report. One thing motivating many women, they found, is dissatisfaction with the women's movement.
on personal freedom, but "governments have banned quite a few things for the common good". She also quoted the British House of Lords Rawlinson Report that dismissed the free choice myth: "The philosophy of choice (in regards
• By Anthony Barich
Women deserve to be told the truth. That was the resounding message from the Womens Forum Australia event attended by over 300 women at the University of WA's Octagon Theatre last week, and at a smaller-scale event witnessed by approximately 80 women in Bunbury the night before. Ten speakers, all of them women and including three State Members of Parliament, addressed the UWA forum on the myths that have led women into the trap of abortion and suggested practical solutions to changing the culture. Christian Democratic Party representative Madeleine Goiran, a teacher and mother of three, stressed three ways of effecting change: seek the truth in all matters, insist on prevention and let your local member of parliament know where you stand on life issues, and why. She echoed the thoughts of Canberra-based writer and researcher into women's health Melinda Tankard Reist, who called for removing structural conditions that compel women into the trap of abortion. Mrs Tankard Reist, WFA's founding director, quoted the Elliot Institute for Social Sciences Research, based in the US, that said 80 per cent of American women who have had abortions would not have done so had they been properly educated about their options
Get involved: All women who are pro-life should join the political party of their choice and seek to influence everything
from its policies to its preselection results to ensure a truly women-friendly and child-friendly legislature, said WA State Labor MP Kate Doust. Her message was broadly supported by women such as Liberal MPs Barbara Scott and Katie Hodson-Thomas and Christian Democrat candidate Madeleine Goiran. pHoro ANITHON,̀ PAPpru
and the risks involved. "No matter what your position is on abortion, surely you would agree that women should not be told lies?" she said. Liberal Member for the South Metropolitan Region Barbara Scott stressed that women deserve to be told the truth as she dismantled the three myths that have trapped women into abortion: 'My body, my choice'; 'The foetus/embryo is
not human' and 'Values should not influence our laws'. Mrs Scott said the very contention 'my body' was false, as scientific evidence has proved there are two bodies involved - which is not a personal belief but a scientific fact. She said the line 'I can do whatever I like with my own body' is also problematic as not wearing seat belts are also restrictions
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to abortion) is flawed where all options are weighted in favour of abortion. Women who now regret a previous abortion might have taken another option if alternatives, and the necessary support to take one of those alternatives, had been offered." The contention that the foetus is not human is also false as its individuality can be confirmed by a DNA test. "In real-
(all or v TahecaRtehcroerccla n e(Ot8n)e9t2a2u7 7080
ity, we are all just a 'bunch of cells'," she said. "It really is only the external appearance that is different." She also debunked the argument that values should not influence our laws, saying this contradicts the primary purpose of government, which is the implementation of value systems through laws for the good of the community. Labor South Metropolitan Region MP Kate Doust said she and her fellow pro-life parliamentarians often felt lonely, but said their spirits were lifted considerably by the presence of the hundreds of women at the UWA forum. Mrs Doust testified that numbers in the pro-life cross-party group are increasing, but warned that many members simply do not have the time, inclination or interest to be educated on issues they are voting on - "They just walk in and vote". "We wanted to break that, and educate them on the implications of what they're voting for," she said, urging women to impact on social legislation by joining both Labor and Liberal parties to choose and influence the pre-selection of prolife candidates. Liberal member for Carine Katie Hodson-Thomas broke down in tears when telling of her friend who adopted her child out to a couple who could not conceive. Mrs Hodson-Thomas, who was involved in the 1998 WA abortion debate, said her colleagues told her she had "sold out" on her female constituents, but her own experiences of having children firmed her convictions. Local anti-prostitution advocate Linda Hawkins said abortion isn't the only thing women get trapped into, but prostitution was linked to the latter. "We are dissatisfied with the current `women's movement," she said.
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March 222007, The Record
Page 7
Women's Forum in Perth
Pro-woman, pro-life
Women tire of the 'choice' lies and betrayals Women inspired other women with their stories of survival and courage against the odds in the face of enormous pressure to harm themselves and their children. By Sylvia Defendi
Balding men and wacky science experiments had little to do with the myth-busting efforts of over 300 women who congregated at the University of Western Australia's Octagon Theatre for Perth's first Women's Forum. They were there to debunk the overarching myth of choice; the one that tells a woman she has the freedom to choose abortion or prostitution and that there is, therefore, no harm when consent is 'freely' available. And none did so as powerfully as guest speaker and Perth beauty consultant, Karina Felton, who delved into the gritty reality of
Finding life and light: Karina Felton won a standing ovation from her audience following her story of surviving abortion's devastation.
Broad church: Women of every age and background attended the WFA forum. Pregnancy counsellor Lydia Fernandez, right, author Bernadette Black and WFA organiser Melinda Tankard-Reist listen as women share their experiences of facing a culture that sells women consistent myths and misrepresentations about abortion. PHOTO: SYLVIA DEFEND!
ness, and I had reached it," she added. However, not all her pregnancies ended in death. Mrs Felton yielded one son, who she credits with keeping her alive during her self-destructive phase. These days Karina has found peace, however she does state that it is impossible to recover from an abortion experience - "you just learn to live with it." "It has been a long, hard road to forgiveness," she said, "not from God because that is instant, but from myself, for killing four babies." The misleading choice to abort was not on the cards for teenage mother Bernadette Black, who spoke at the Women's Forum on her experiences as a 16-year-old mother. However, the inspirational teen
mum spoke of the difficulty she faced as she chose to keep her baby son. While marketed as a viable choice, the decision to continue with a pregnancy did not look as easy at first glance as booking into an abortion clinic to eradicate the 'problem.' Indeed Mrs Black was faced with hardship, as people tried to force her into abortion, and perhaps most devastating, with the constant notion that she had wasted her life and that of her child by deciding to give the gift of life. Desperate for an inspirational sign, which at the time did not exist, Mrs Black vowed to one day provide others, who choose to take responsibility for their actions, with the inspiration she once needed. Now a wife and mother to three, Mrs Black chose to become the best mother possible, completed
her education and authored her inspirational account of triumph, Brave Little Bear.
Unwanted pregnancy became the hot topic of the night as Lydia Fernandez, head of Pregnancy Assistance in Perth and Julie Cook, from Abortion Grief Counselling Association, spoke of the many distressed women who contact the agencies searching for a voice of support. "I once told a woman how we could support her through the pregnancy, she replied, 'all I needed to hear was one person that said that I could keep my baby,' Ms Fernandez recounted. In wake of Western Australia's bid to de-criminalise prostitution, a representative from Linda's House of Hope spoke at the all-woman forum on the devastating effects the supposed 'choice' to enter pros-
titution has on all women. "Former Perth madam, Linda Watson, who runs the agency, as seen the drugs, disease, violence and suicide that become part of many women's lives each year," commented the representative. Much like the abortion debate, Ms Watson's spokesperson revealed the reality of the 'choice' to enter prostitution, as she spoke of the 'easy' money made available to w )men who are in dire need and cannot see any other alternative. "Advertisements in the personal employment columns of newspapers constantlyentice young women to enter prostitution through their promises of fast money, with the added incentive that no skills or qualifications are required to do this work," she said. "If society excuses the behaviour of prostitutes, pretending that they provide a 'necessary and harmless service,' she warned, "then why should they pass up $200,000 a year in a brothel for $20,000 a year in a supermarket." "However, it is not glamorous to wake up in an alley and not know how you got there, to have your face kicked or acid put in your shampoo by other prostitutes who are jealous if you earn more than them," she concluded. Mrs Felton quoted Haile Selassie, the former Emperor of Ethiopia at the conclusion of her speech, who once said, "Throughout history it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better and the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph." All the women who gave their testimony or advocated their cause during Perth's Women's forum was intent on making their voices heard, so that the experiences they endured could serve as a true example of the type of 'choices' society is really offering women.
PHOTO ANTHONY BARICH
each of her four abortions. She also won a standing ovation from her audience for her story. "We need to be educated and arm ourselves with the truth so that we can debunk the single biggest lie ever told to women since the Garden of Eden. That lie was the same as it is now - the right to choose," Mrs Felton told the audience. Mrs Felton, who openly calls herself an abortion survivor, does so because her 'right to choose' almost stole her life. She was 18 when she had her first abortion and recalled desperately wanting to keep her baby. "As the date of the termination approached, my behaviour became more and more erratic. I was drinking heavily and hoping for some way out of killing my baby," she said. Post abortion, Mrs Felton entered what she terms the abortion cycle, which saw her miraculously survive a suicide attempt, bulimia, alcoholism and a further three abortions. "I don't even remember being upset afterwards," Mrs Felton said of the subsequent abortions. "I suppose there is a limit to inner dead-
The Record's SYLVIA DEFEND' and ANTHONY BARICH asked some of those attending the WFA meeting what they thought of the evening... "Overall, the forum was encouraging as it brought women together. It was also empowering to know that there is an organisation out there for women who are pro-life." SARAH WARREN 20, student "It was refreshing to hear things that I believed being highlighted. It is great to hear this point of view presented, because you certainly don't get it through regular media." MARIA RICO 56, community support worker "I loved being in a room filled with women who were all pro-life - it was so inspiring! The forum was very well organised and I relished the opportunity to share these values with my 16-year-old daughter." MARGARET LAUNDY 51, full-time mother "Fantastic! The quality of speakers was outstand-
ing. I was particularly glad to hear from such a cross-section of women in political positions. It made me realise that all women, Liberal or Labor, are working toward common goals." DANIELLE CLARKE 37, full-time mother "It was horrible to hear that some women thought they had no other choice than to abort, and at the same time amazing to hear from the women who had decided to go through with the pregnancy and coped so well." SARAH LAUNDY 16, student "This forum provided a venue for women to come together so that the pro-life passion doesn't die. For this reason this sense of community and solidarity must continue. The forum also inspired me to help those less fortunate and I will be looking at volunteering my time at Perth's Pregnancy Assistance agency." NGA NGUYEN 27, pharmacist and FertilityCare practitioner "The honesty of the speakers struck me, how brave they are to get up in front of hundreds of people and tell their personal stories." TOPSY BRADY 67, retired pre-primary aid. "The outstanding speaker, who spoke on the
problem of de-criminalising prostitution, made me realise the real effects of such a proposition. It was horrible to think that it could make the industry seem even more attractive to the parties involved." CAFIVJNE NEVIN 22, accountant "The forum made me aware of the real pain being experienced by so many women across the globe, because of abortions, most of which were unwanted." CHERYL LYRA 28, midwife "It was empowering to hear all those testimonies, but to see so many young women in the audience was very encouraging." SHARON BALSARINI 48, small business owner "We should talk about these issues more, particularly in schools, so our younger generations can be more educated. I was previously unaware of how terrible abortion can make women's life until I heard tonight's testimony." JOLANTA GAGATEK 49, assistant teacher. "It was inspirational and professionally run." NATALIE THOMAS 27, admin officer.
Page 8
Perspectives letters to the editor
Archbishop Hickey
th e
Following is the text of talks posted by the Archbishop on his website www.perthcatholic.org.au last week and this week. A fresh talk is posted each Wednesday.
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$10104A, Sunday Mass
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eople often tell me they don't need to go to church to be good. They can say prayers at home. True. We can all say prayers at home, but the reality is that if we do not have the habit of going regularly to Church - I prefer to say: to Mass - it won't be long before we forget to say prayer at home. We go to Mass on Sunday, or its Vigil - Saturday evening - for many reasons. The first is to fulfil the divine commandment to worship God, and to do so not just as an individual but a part of a community, part of those who seek to follow Jesus. We are told in Scripture that the early Christians came together on the first day of the week, that is - on the Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead, to pray and to worship God. This is a very solemn obligation that we cannot afford to ignore. The Church says it is so important that we are committing a grave offence against God if we miss Mass because we can't be bothered. If we don't come together with our fellow Catholics to worship God, we won't bother to pray at home either. Before long we will start adopting the values of the world rather than the message of Jesus. To get an idea of what Mass is all about, we have to think biblically. We are re-enacting the Last Supper where Jesus spoke of his death and offered his Apostles himself, under the appearances of bread and wine, as their spiritual food. This all becomes present again at Mass where Jesus makes us one with him. Please don't ever miss it. I'm Barry Hickey, Catholic Archbishop of Perth.
How to Change the World
I
t's odd to think that we Christians have a mission to change the world. It sounds a bit arrogant, even preposterous. How can people like you and me change the world? It is more likely that the world will change us. Look at the way Christians are marginalized today, how our voice is not heard any more by the leaders of this post-Christian society. Time and again the Bishops make statements, or we write to politicians about an issue, or get all fired up about something and write to the paper. If Christians, still a majority in Australia, are so ineffectual in changing society, what of those countries where Christians are a tiny minority, as in Pakistan. Iheard recently of a Christian who was in gaol for saying something critical of the official religion of Pakistan, Islam. They burned his house down. He is still in prison, and even the local Bishop says he hasn't a chance. And yet it is still true that we are called to change the world. The early Christians did it for a while and they had the mighty Roman Legion to contend with. Their secret was not in public agitation or in lobbies for change. It was simply that they lived in a pagan society as people faithful to Christ. They forgave one another, they loved the stranger, even their enemies, they married with Christian love in their hearts and taught their children about Jesus. They even resisted pagan ways with their lives in times of persecution. The new way of life caught on. Think about it. The example of a community that really followed Jesus was their most powerful weapon for change. That is still our most powerful weapon. We need to show by the way we live that Jesus is our way, our truth and our life.
editorial More Cousins go
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
he West Coast Eagles and their supporters should not be too upset about losing their Cousins. The way the contraceptive mentality is eroding families, there will soon be very few players or supporters who have any cousins at all. It has been calculated that by 2050, 60 per cent of Italians will have no brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts or uncles. Australian families are not entirely out of this race to the extinction of relations. It's all drug related, of course, but there is massive denial of the idea that drugging women every day will do us a lot of harm.
0
.‘")
Fr Lyons RIP
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hank you for your words of appreciation for the life and work of Fr John Lyons, deceased, a faithful priest of the Archdiocese. You mention Fr John's studies at St Patrick's College, Manly. Before entering St Patrick's John Lyons spent five years at the fledging WA seminary, St Charles' at Guildford. He entered Year 11 in 1945 where he completed his secondary education and then studied Philosophy for three years. The seminary had begun in 1942. Fr John was one of the 163 priests ordained after spending some time at our local seminary. As your readers pray for the happy repose of Fr John, I ask that they continue to pray for those studying for the priesthood at their local seminary. (Fr) Don Hughes, OMI, Rector.
Pray for rain T fully agree with John 1Gilmour's letter (The Record, March 8) regarding praying for rain. I think prayers should be said at every Mass for rain, as fresh water is the life of the world. We had a priest in Beverley a few years ago, Fr Peter O'Reilly, who was very good at praying for rain - he always seemed to get results! So I think not only Seventh Day Adventists should pray for rain but all Christians as well. John English Beverley
Bunbury Caritas I wish to correct the amount given by the people of the Bunbury Diocese to the Tsunami appeal. The total given from this Diocese was $256,739, not $82,519 as published in your report at the time. Ray Lowe Diocesan Director of Caritas, Bunbury
Vocation focus
T
he Record (March 8th) presented two articles promoting vocation, one to the priesthood, the other to religious life. I wholeheartedly agree that such promotion addresses a crit-
March 222007, The Record
Fearless St Patrick our Editorial in the The Record of March 8, 2007 on the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery through the dedicated campaigning of William Wilberforce is very timely. You draw well deserved attention to the parallel between slavery and the current social evil of abortion and the need to support the campaign for its abolition. Seeing that we are currently celebrating the annual feast of St Patrick, I thought it pertinent to point out that Patrick was the only Christian leader to condemn slavery outright as the pernicious evil that it was. Patrick had the personal experience as a youngster of sixteen of being captured by pirates and sold as a slave to a farmer in Ireland where he spent six years herding pigs and sheep. In later life as a missionary bishop in Ireland he was incensed that some of his young Christian converts in Ireland were similarly captured under the authority of Coroticus, a Christian chieftain living in the Severn Valley in Britain. Patrick wrote an 'open letter' to Coroticus in the course of which he condemned slavery outright and Coroticus personally for engaging in this nefarious trade. The letter caused such a stir in Britain that the local bishops complained that Patrick's criticisms reflected also on them. Patrick did not in the least resile from his comments. The late Professor Eoin McNeill who was the outstanding historian of the last century in Ireland, commenting on the life and work of St Patrick, said it was his view that, "With the notable exception of Moses, no other religious leader in history identified so closely and so significantly with the people of his adopted country as did St Patrick". MSGR Sean O'Shea Holy Trinity Church Rottnest Island
PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax (08) 9227 7087 cathrec@iinet.net.au
ical need in the Church today. What is just as important, however, is the emphasis that should be placed on the baptismal vocation of all the baptised. Vocation to the priesthood must be promoted in the context of our baptismal vocation and as but one avenue for fulfilling that basic calling. Concentrating our attention on priestly choice is not so much a matter of putting the proverbial cart before the horse; it is more like trying to sell the cart without the horse and without a set of wheels. The vocation of the baptised is derived from the Incarnation of the Son of God and from His vocation or mission from the Father to reveal the love of the Trinity God and to bring about the salvation of all. vocation, Our post Resurrection, is to incarnate the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and, in our Eucharist, to bring our efforts and to renew our covenant commitment to that vocation. It is an unfortunate perception that when the vocation to the priesthood is extolled, the vocation of the laity, the Body of Christ, is diminished; when the celibacy of the priesthood is exalted, the married vocation, an image of the Trinity relationship, is belittled. Preaching on the meaning and importance of who we are
as the Body of the Risen Christ should be given pre-eminence and precedence over the promotion of any particular role an individual baptised person might choose. I believe that our young priests (and not so young) are most likely to come from among those who have understood and practised the vocation of service implied in their baptism, and who will see in the priesthood a way of life in which they feel they might best follow their baptismal vocation. Neil K Smith Bull Creek
What they say...
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ydney will host World Youth Day in July 2008. It's promoted as a Catholic event and the Pope will be there. Organisers predict a turnout of "up to 500,000 pilgrims". W YD 2008's official Committee of prominent Australians includes Federal MP's Malcolm Tumbull and Patrick Farmer. In a speech to WYD delegates in Rome, Mr Turnbull said, "Let us pray that WYD 2008 fills the world with Christ's love..." Yes, Christ loves young people. Do Mr Turnbull and Mr Farmer love young people? If so, how young? They both voted for the Cloning Bill in December 2007. Thus condemning multiple young (embryonic) Australians to use as medical research material - then to be discarded like dead laboratory rats. Arnold Jago Mildura
A counter-cultural Record - Try it, you'll like it.
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Courage and the Cross Christians in the Middle East: A Special Aid to the Church in Need Report This report assesses the crisis for the Christians across the Middle East and offers an eye-witness account of the little-known plight of the faithful in the Holy Land, who are desperately in need as they struggle forward trusting in God. Reports and photos by John Pontifex. succession of crises is threatening the survival of the Faith in the sacred lands revered as the cradle of Christianity. Bitter civil war in Iraq, political strife in Lebanon and increasing tension in the Holy Land are forcing a mass exodus of Christians. No longer are they able to cope with the escalating oppression and religious hatred. As religious zealots battle it out for supremacy in Iraq, thousands upon thousands of Christians have fled for their safety. Bishops report that up to half of the faithful have sought sanctuary abroad. Similar fears over the long-term survival of Christians haunt the Holy Land, where the people are caught in the cross-fire between Palestinian Muslims and Israeli Jews. For generations, Lebanon has been a place of sanctuary for Christians, who until recently have been large in number and significant in influence. But again, with a clash ensuing between the government and Islamist groups, the Christian community is experiencing increased instability, which is leading to yet more emigration. For Christians in these countries and many others across the Middle East, the decision to leave the land of Jesus, Our Saviour and the Bible, is extremely painful. In their hour of darkness, the Christians of the Middle East are turning to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for help. Working alongside other Catholic agencies, the charity is keeping faith and hope alive by providing urgent aid to priests, religious and lay people, helping with refugees, supporting children with catechesis and education and by building and repairing churches and convents. In a moving account of the faithful's struggle against oppression, Archbishop Fouad Twal, the Coadjutor Patriarch of Jerusalem, said, "We live in the place where Jesus carried the cross and was crucified. He rose from the dead. Now it is our turn to carry the cross and we have to believe that we too will one day experience our own resurrection - but only if we remain true to him."
Highly skilled: A Bethlehem carpenter at work on PHOTO: AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED devotional statues.
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March 222007, The Record
Page 2 • Vista
Breaking down the barriers of despair
The Holy Land Christians in Israel/Palestine are turning in hope to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) as the survival of the Church hangs in the balance amid increased religious extremism and state-sponsored oppression. A polarisation of some Muslims and Jews towards extremism has created a situation in which, paradoxically, Orthodox and Catholics feel like aliens in the very place Christ made his own. Within just 40 years, the proportion of Christians in the Holy Land has plummeted from 20 percent to as little as 1.4 percent. In an interview with ACN, Patriarch Michel Sabbah said that people in the West Bank were living in "a large prison." He hit out against the ongoing construction of an 8-metre-high (more than 26 feet) wall within the West Bank which, combined with a network of road-blocks, earthworks etc, has almost completely cut off many towns and villages. Essential services have been crippled and unemployment is soaring. Meanwhile, pressure from Muslim extremists intensified with attacks on at least five churches in the West Bank and Gaza in
the wake of Pope Benedict XVI's speech in Regensburg, Germany, in September 2006. Patriarch Sabbah stressed the importance the faithful attached to protecting their churches. He said: "Everywhere you go, people feel deprived of their dignity. The only place in which they can feel dignified is the Church." AID to the Church in Need has offered key support for churches affected by violence in the West Bank. Among them is the Greek Catholic Church of St John the Baptist, Nablus, which was targeted after Pope Benedict XVI's Regensburg speech. Armed men burst into the church compound but the deacon refused to hand over the keys. His bravery did much to save the church. The men set the church doors ablaze after dousing them in petrol. Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Church and the altar and sanctuary area sustained damage. Speaking to ACN, parish priest Father Yousef Saadeh said he wanted to renew hope among the Christian community. "Life here is hard. We are afraid we will suffer in the future," he said.
Walls of hate: Beit Hanina in Nort Jerusalem. Cut-off: A young Palestinian girl wait to enter Jerusalem at the Belt Hanin checkpoint. PHOTOS: CNS/DEBBIE HILL
Christians need to stay in the land of Christ
Lebanon C
hristianity was so strong in Lebanon that the country was seen as a sanctuary for the faithful. Not any more. Within just 25 years, the Christian community has dwindled by up to 40 percent. During the summer of 2006 the Israel-Lebanon conflict sparked further emigration. But there is hope. Saida's new bishop, Elias Nasser, still in his 40s, is determined to rebuild the Church. And he is turning to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The charity has given emergency assistance for displaced Christians and there is ongoing support for priests, sis-
ne very O urgent ACN
Religions in Lebanon ters and seminarians willing to risk their lives for the Gospel. One especially urgent ACN project is support for a kitchen at a huge orphanage run by Melkite Catholic sisters in the diocese of Jaboule in Bekaa Plain in the centre of Lebanon. Speaking to ACN, Bishop Nasser said: "We need to stay in this region because Christ Our Lord performed his ministry in this area of Tyre and Sidon. Recently, Pope Benedict said: "I follow with heartfelt concern all that is happening in the Middle East, where the possibilities for a solution to the crisis besetting the region alternate with tensions and difficulties that cause fears of new violence."
Muslims are the majority but Christians make up more than 40 percent of the population.
project supports a kitchen at a huge orphanage run by Melkite Catholic sisters in the diocese of Jaboule in Bekaa Plain, in the centre of Lebanon.
MUSLIMS Sunni
Shiite
2 70 0
26° 0
CHRISTIANS Maronite other Catholics 21% DRUZE
Beiru
2 0% Sidon Religious breakdowns by location are estimates. Lebanon has not had a census since 1932.
6%
Source: International Religious Freedom Report 2005 US, Department of State e2006 CNS
Since the beginning of the conflict in March 2003, Iraq's population has fluctuated as a result of death and displacement.
-111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 ,
Faith is stronger than fear
Dahuk
Ninewa
Iraq
number of families dispaced in 2006 per governorate
Erbil
C 0-2,000 2,001-4,000
K irkuk
Sulaymaniyah
4,001-6.000 (
Salah al-Din
Syria
6,001-8,000 8,001-10,000
based on 6 peopleff
Diva la
AID to the Church in Need has offered emergency assistance to Christians desperate to flee the religious conflict and dire poverty engulfing Iraq. Bombing, kidnapping and a savage process of ethnic cleansing have traumatised the Christian community who as a tiny minority are powerless to protect themselves. The mass emigration sparked by the crisis has led Bishop Andreas Abouna of Baghdad to report that up to half of Iraq's Christians have fled for their lives. With about 40,000 Christian refugees flooding into Syria, Church leaders are trying to pro-
vide shelter, food and medical support for people who are homeless and afraid. ACN is working closely with Bishop Antoine Audo who, as leader of Chaldean Christians across Syria, has initiated a humanitarian aid program for refugees, especially in the capital, Damascus. The scheme includes teaching the Faith to youngsters, providing food parcels, and funding for emergency hospital operations. He said: "There is a big need to help the people and we are doing whatever we can. We are very grateful to Aid to the Church in Need for all your help." The bishop
underlined the increasing dangers for Christians still in Iraq. Christians - and others - have received death threats and women and even girls were being forced to wear the veil in accordance with Islamic law. ACN is also helping in Iraq itself, supporting sisters, priests and seminarians who are witnessing to their faith despite many church attacks and kidnapping of priests. The faithful are devastated at the forced closure of up to a dozen churches, monasteries and other church buildings in the Al Dora district of Baghdad, known as 'the Vatican of Iraq'.
Baghdad
Anbar
Jordan
Kerbala Babylon NUMBER OF IRAQI CIVILIANS KILLED
Qadissiya
3,709
3,590
Wassit
Missan
3,345
3,149
Thi-Qar
Najaf
3,009
2,669 Muthanna
About 1.6 million people have left Iraq since March 2003. May '06 June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Won-. tannin Pagano, Assistant-.Wynn kw Ira, Rent,
Basrah
Nearly 100,000 people currently flee to Syria and Jordan each month.
Oct.
02036 CNS
Vista • Page 3
March 222007, The Record
Severed: Israel's planning to build a wall that would put about two-thirds of this road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem under Israeli control leaving many Christian families isolated.
Wall severs Christian community
T
town of of Christmas carol fame, could not be more different to the one of modern day Palestine. Increased security fears and a massive security wall inside the West Bank mean Bethlehem is largely cut off from its two life-lines: foreign tourists and Jerusalem, a mere five miles away. The fact that Bethlehem is in effect shut off from the outside world affects everyone living there but Christians are suffering the most because it is they who have depended most on tourists. According to UN statistics, the monthly average of tourists entering Bethlehem has slumped from
Toe
'little
nearly 100,000 to fewer than 10,000 - all in the space of just four years. The 200 tourist buses that arrived every day have dwindled to barely a dozen. This in turn has sparked a mass emigration of Christians from Bethlehem. In 2000, half the population of urban Bethlehem was Christian but in the years since at least 10 percent fled abroad. As one man said: "It is easier to leave for the United States than it is to go to Jerusalem." In response, Aid to the Church in Need has set up an initiative to help producers of olive wood rosaries, cribs and other devotional items by offering their goods to
other costs which are so difficult to pay because of soaring inflation. He can at last afford shoes for the children. Greeting ACN, he said: "You are saints at ACN.I don't know how to thank you. "What ACN has done is a miracle from God." ACN wants to continue its work so that more Christian families like the Jaraises feel able to live in the land they call home - the place where Christ was born. Olive wood rosaries and cribs are available from the Australian office of Aid to the Church in Need. Ph 02 9679-1929 or order online at www.aidtochurch.org.
ACN benefactors across the world. The scheme has offered a life-line to a growing community of olive wood carpenters and their helpers. ACN staff visiting Bethlehem met Jalal Jaraises and his family. A 45-year-old widower with three young children, Jalal was thrilled when he was asked to produce Christmas cribs for ACN. The orders flooded in so fast that Jalal drafted in five neighbouring families to help with the work. 6,000 cribs later, Jalal is now able to start rebuilding his modest home, where he lives with Elias, 12, Daniel, 10, and nineyear-old Mariana. No longer does Jalal live in fear of utility bills and
Imagined terrorists lose their daughter G
eorge Sa'adeh will never forget what happened on March 25th 2003.
Departed: George Sa'adeh with a photo of his beautiful 1 2-year-old daughter Christine, may she rest in PHOTO: AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED peace.
It was the day his 12-year-old daughter Christine was killed. The Sa'adeh family were driving into the centre of Bethlehem to do some shopping early one morning when Israeli security forces mistook them for potential terrorists and sprayed their car with bullets. Christine was killed instantly. Her father received nine bullet wounds but survived. George says no meaningful attempt has been made to bring his daughter's killers to justice. Looking lovingly at the pocketsized picture of Christine he keeps in his wallet, George said, "The most important thing is to forgive but we are asking for justice. "We need to build a new bridge of understanding, of peace and justice." This, to him, is key to his role as deputy mayor of Bethlehem municipality. He praised Aid to the Church in Need, which helped rebuild the bell tower of the Syrian Orthodox Church close to the heart of Bethlehem and
is supporting the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Seminary in nearby Beit Jala. Aid to the Church in Need is running a Middle East appeal to help keep Christianity alive in the Holy Land. A beautiful, hand crafted olive wood rosary, made in Bethlehem by Christian families in need, will be sent out to anyone giving a donation of $12 or more to help this cause. Please send donations to: ACN, PO Box 6245 Blacktown DC NSW 2148. Ph 02 %79 1929 or visit www.aidtochutch.org.
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March 222007, The Record
Rural Ministry FEATURE
Church life in the country - a blessing untold Earlier this month Archbishop Barry Hickey said the rapid promotion of seminary graduates is 'on the cards'. In Easter Week Fr Geoffrey Aldous will complete four years of country parish life in the Perth Archdiocese — most recently at Northam — and will be replaced by his assistant, Fr Andrew Bowron, who was only ordained in December 2005. Being a parish priest can be a tough gig, but as Fr Geoff Aldous testifies, it is also a life of great joy. f "the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age... are also the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ" (Vatican II, "The Church in the Modern World", par.!), I'm sure it would be true that these same concerns of people in the rural church are the concerns of the church of the whole Archdiocese. So after four years of ministry in the Wheatbelt covering at different times the parishes of Kellerberrin, Corrigin-Kulin, Wongan Hills-Dalwallinu, Toodyay and Northam, I share these thoughts or reflections under the headings suggested by the opening and challenging words of that great Vatican document. Perhaps they are of particular significance at this time when the Archbishop has expressed his concern about providing priests for our rural areas ("New Priests go Country" - The Record, Mar ch 15,).
The joys One of my greatest joys is in visitation - meeting people 'where they're at' - whether it's knocking on doors in the towns or visiting around the farms. The joy is in being accepted and welcomed and seeing God's Spirit at work in the lives and activities of ordinary people, whether they be church-going or not, Catholic or otherwise. It's invariably an enriching experience, always with the hope of enkindling or sustaining little sparks of faith. I also enjoy celebrating Mass with small communities, sometimes only "two or three gathered together in the Lord's name." Occasionally (it's happened for me several times) there are none! If you've driven 50 or more kilometres you have to think of something else to do! But the average Sunday Mass attendance in Wheatbelt towns is probably between 10 and 20, so the liturgy is usually pretty 'relaxed'. Sometimes the priest has to
Memories: Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton stands with Fr Geoff Aldous and newly appointed acolytes at the Baker's Hill parish church
One of my greatest joys is in visitation meeting people 'where they're at' - whether it's knocking on doors in the towns or visiting around the farms" - Fr Geoff Aldous move on quickly to Mass in another place, but otherwise, particularly if it's difficult for people to get together at any other time, the Mass gathering is also the opportunity for socialising, a bit of general parish business and perhaps a little extra catechesis for children or others. Of course every Mass Centre is different and has its own 'charism' or 'personality', so that also provides a bit of spice and variety. An additional bonus for me, being a nature lover, is the opportunity in the country to take in the delight of God's handiwork - the clouds and the crops, the trees and the twilight; little stops along the way to check out the flowers in spring or the stars on a cloudless night; and oftentimes take a stroll and offer the "Prayer of the Church' in union with all creation.
The griefs There seem to be many sorrows, or perhaps it's just that more people know about them. There are personal tragedies loss of loved ones, so often young people, on the roads, through
farm accidents and increasingly through suicide - which in small towns become the grief of the whole community. The presence of the Church, and the hope that comes through our faith, are particularly important in times like these.
The anxieties Farming today, as I'm sure it always has been, is marked by anxiety. In Australia it's the traditional droughts and floods and fires, and we've had the latter again recently, with, in some cases, the whole property being burnt out, fences lost, the landscape devasted and live-stock having to be destroyed. Along with these are the financial anxieties, and people leaving the farm after many generations. All this, of course, affects the life and morale of the church community. As well as the dwindling rural population, life for people on the land can be extremely busy, complex and fragmented (perhaps even more so than in the city). With fewer people to do the work, those remaining still want
to keep going to all the sporting and other activities that support the life of their community. And people travel so much for all sorts of things. With children growing up and going off to boarding school, Uni or work, parents can spend a lot of time away in the city. So with all these things, as well as the growing irregularity in Mass attendance of many Catholics, it's not always easy to sustain the life of little church communities. Many fear that they will lose their church or at least the availability of a priest for Mass.
The hopes Because of the above (the griefs and anxieties) this is where our sense of Christian hope is fundamental. We are in a missionary situation, so the faith must not only be kept alive, but nourished and sustained. My hope is that each community will have a strong core (even if only a few people) of those committed to their Catholic identity and sense of mission, but at the same time working with
on December 17, 2006.
other Christians and people in their area to further the work of God's Kingdom. This requires a lot of support and on-going formation, which is not always easy to achieve (given the constraints of time, distance etc.) But we have some good things going for us... There are the Deanery gatherings where people can share and learn together, and an annual gathering of all the country priests with the Archbishop or Bishop. Then there are the Archdiocesan agencies (Catechetical, Liturgy, Finance etc.) that 'bend over backwards' to help and travel up to country parishes. Sometimes, too, there are occasions when people from city parishes visit their 'country cousins' for a picnic, retreat or just an outing with Mass in a country church. These are wonderful opportunities for mutual sharing and support and perhaps can lead to a fuller sense of 'twinning' between rural and metropolitan parishes. Finally, I put a lot of hope in the ongoing work of the Josephite Sisters in their "MacKillop Rural Network" ministry. Working with the Sisters, my brother priests and the wonderful faith-filled people we have in every community, we rejoice in the good little things that happen - those moments of grace that encourage us to continue living the faith tradition of those who have gone before us. Fr Aldous has been given permission by Archbishop Hickey to serve Geraldton Bishop Justin Bianchini on loan for three years at his
-*a
March 222007, The Record
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Get in quick while you can • By Anthony Barich
The Perth Archdiocese's World Youth Day coordinator Anita Parker has told Perth's Parishes that there is an urgent need for groups to lodge their interest to buy airline tickets to next year's global Catholic Youth event in Sydney. "We want to book everything as soon as possible," she told 150 representatives from parishes and Catholic organisations at the WYD Diocesan meeting at the Little Sisters of the Poor house on March 14. In July next year, the month of WYD, it is estimated that domestic flights in and out of Sydney will be running at 95 per cent capacity, meaning only five per cent of seats are expected to be available for WYD pilgrims if pilgrims don't book early enough. The number of seats that are expected to be available at that time, based on 2006 data from Perth to Sydney is just 2792, yet Perth's expected number of pilgrims, including all West Australians and international pilgrims coming to Sydney via Perth, is over 7000. Miss Parker also met with Federal Government representatives, NSW and WA state Government representatives and Sydney WYD Coordinators in Perth on March 12 addressing the transportation problems that will occur nation-wide in mobilising such a large population of people for this event in a short period of time. This meeting initiated the WA State Government's awareness of WYD '08 and alerted the transport departments about the impact this event will have nationwide and that the Federal Government is facilitating support to ensure that we can make the event run as smoothly as possible. "The demand for flights from Perth into Sydney will be high as well as demand for flights into Australia" Miss Parker said. "There is a need for WA pilgrims to coordinate their groups early to ensure they are ready to book their flights from the start of July 2007 when the flights become available and open to the public. If you book early, you will ensure that your group will travel at the time you would like to travel." If local and overseas pilgrims are in Perth for the 'Days in the Dioceses' events the week prior to WYD in Sydney we will need to book flights that are currently run-
B. Blue Mountains, Canyons & Caves (2 or 3 Night options)
C. Catholic Encounters (3 Nights/4 Days)
Featuring: The Blue Mountains • Katoomba (2) • Scenic Railway • Wentworth Falls - Faith Trek • Pulpit Rock • Grose Valley - Grand Canyon
Katoomba (3) • Scenic Railway • Wentworth Falls - Faith Trek • Pulpit Rock • Grose Valley - Grand Canyon • Jenolan Caves exploration • Cathedral Chamber - Underground Mass
Featuring: Grand Pacific Drive • Wollongong Cathedral • Kiama (1), Benedictine Monastery • Kangaroo Valley • Fitzroy Falls • Goulbum Cathedral. Canberra (2) • St Christopher's Cathedral • Galong Redemptorist Monastery • Penrose Park Marian Shrine.
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Featuring: Grand Pacific Drive • Wollongong • Kiama (2) • Jamberoo Abbey • Minnamurra Rainforest • Penrose Park Marian Shine • Goulburn • Oberon (1) • Jenolan Caves • Cathedral Chamber - Underground Mass • Blue Mountains • Katoomba (2) • Scenic Railway • Pulpit Rock • Wentworth Falls - Faith Trek • Grose Valley - Grand Canyon
Featuring: Recreational / Retreat Centre (3)A range of leisure based or faith oriented youth camp lodging and Religious retreat centres within close proximity to Sydney region. Ali centres are in bush/and settings or peaceful beach locations where young people are given the opportunity to prepare, process, reflect or simply have fun. (aeybookngsr...-Tinsidp
Sydney fly-pilgrimages: Options available pre- or post-WYD, available in forward or reverse IMAGE COURTESY HARVEST PILGRIMAGES itinerary order.
fling at close to capacity over those days. Ideally groups will know by June 2007 the size of their group and the transportation they would like to book for tour packages. Parishes and organisations were given WA-specific tour packages developed by Harvest pilgrimages. These include flying, taking a bus over and other optional tours pre-WYD to enable people to leave a few days or a week earlier and post-WYD to avoid the congestion and high prices. 'Perth Days in the Dioceses 2008' activities may conclude earlier in Perth to enable pilgrims to begin their travel to the east
coast earlier and they were encouraged to explore options of taking 1-5 day additional pilgrim packages both pre- and post-WYD '08 to ease the travel concerns that are occurring nationally. Both Qantas and Virgin airlines are under pressure to put their Boeing jumbo jets used for international flights into Domestic lines to use during the weeks preceding and following WYD to cater for the Australian pilgrims set to descend on Sydney from around the country and those from overseas traveling to the Harbour City via other Australian capital cities.
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The Bishop of Broken Bay has paid tribute to his predecessor, Bishop Patrick Laurence Murphy, who died aged 86 this week. The retired Bishop Murphy was a loyal and dedicated churchman who saw value in collaborating with other churches before most people did, said Bishop David Walker who succeeded Bishop Murphy in the Broken Bay diocese in 1996. "Before ecumenism came of age in the Church, he was already involved in it in a significant way." Bishop Murphy was the first bishop of Broken Bay. The diocese was created in 1986.
Respect Aussie law, Muslim leader urges An influential Muslim leader says imams who cannot comply with Australian law, and who justify its breach, should leave the country. The president of the Lebanese Muslim Association, Tom Zreika, said the last thing Australia wants is "angry men and women following radical but charismatic cults, like figures who promote breaches of the law and -.-iolence on the preposterous justification that they are simply acting in self-defence in a time of war." Australian Muslims "are not at war, and we need some of our imams to stop being negligent," Mr Zreika said.
Vatican wrong Brennan says Vatican authorities have been wrong in the way they have dealt with "the AIDS pandemic," said Jesuit Fr Frank Brennan during a Sydney spirituality lecture titled "Answering in Good Conscience." Fr Brennan also said some Catholics, including Cardinal George Pell, believe that Catholics should stop talking about "the primacy of conscience." Others think there is a need for more emphasis on "the primacy of the individual conscience over against the directives, witness and actions of bishops and the Pope." Fr Brennan added: "I am one of those others."
Burnside broadside against Andrews A prominent human rights lawyer, Julian Burnside QC, has accused Federal Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews of betraying his Christian principles by sending 82 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers to Nauru as a deterrent to people smugglers. "Mistreating innocent people in order to influence the conduct of others is morally beyond redemption," Mr Burnside wrote. Earlier, Mr Andrews defended the Government's action, saying that some asylum-seekers have drowned after trying to sail to Australia in unseaworthy vessels. "So we want to deter people from taking that sort of approach to Australia," Mr Andrews said.
Suspect Catholic', Age columnist urges Politicians should be forced to declare their religious beliefs when offering themselves for election to parliament, in the same way that MPs must de ' re pecuniary columnist and financial interests, wro in Melbourne's The Age ne's dper. Terry Lane, a longtime op inent of the influence of religion on public life, described Pope Benedict's la' -t encyclical as a "fatwa," and suggested there is little difference between Catholic politicians following the teachings of the Pope, and Muslim politicians following the edicts of Iran's Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
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March 222007, The Record
The World Flexibili for Palestine urged Palestinian legislator says new Cabinet likely to succeed • By Judith Sudilovsky
Catholic Palestinian legislator has praised the new Palestinian Cabinet and said it was likely to ucceed. "This is a good start," said Bernard Sabella, a Fatah member of the Palestinian Parliament. He said that "in effect it is a government which combines the more practical and pragmatic elements of Fatah, the independents and second-rank Hamas" members. Fatah and Hamas are Palestinian political factions with radical members and representation in government. Sabella said the Cabinet, or new unity government, had "almost unanimous" support from Parliament, an indication the political factions wanted an end to the violent infighting. Fatah and Hamas in mid-March concluded months of negotiations, during which their armed factions also clashed in the streets of Gaza and the West Bank, leaving dozens dead and many more injured. Parliament approved the 25member Cabinet, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in the members. Israel quickly called for the international boycott of the Palestinian government to continue and said the new government still failed to recognise Israel's right to exist or to condemn violence against Israel. After a Hamas government was elected over a year ago, the international community boycotted the Palestinian territories, which
Heartfelt: Catholics offer prayers for peace in Iraq, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon during a special Mass in Amman, Jordan, in January. PHOTO CNS/ALI JAREKJI. REUTERS
caused havoc in the economy and prevented thousands of civil servants from getting paid. The Palestinian government has pledged to honour previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Ha'aretz daily newspaper said in a column that the government was the "last nail in the Fatah coffin" and that Fatah now has become the closet ally of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail
Haniyeh, a member of Hamas. Sabella said: "Hopefully the money will come in, irrespective of the Israeli position." He said it is "very clear" to all parties involved, including Hamas, that "unless we deal practically and pragmatically with our Israeli neighbours, we can't go forward." The United Nations said it was encouraged by the formation of the new government, and Norway was the first country to officially recog-
nise it. Great Britain also expressed a willingness to be flexible with the government, but the United States said it would continue with the boycott. Sabella does not expect Israel or the United States to immediately recognise the new government, but he does expect other governments to take the necessary steps. "My advice to the US is to wait and see before adopting a final position," he said.
"There should be more flexibility shown by Washington and Tel Aviv in terms of dealing with the new government." According to Israel Radio, 60 per cent of Israeli respondents in a poll believe Israel should talk to the new Palestinian government. Nadia Hilou, a legislator in Israel and Catholic Arab member of the Labor Party, urged the Israeli government to "find a way" to begin discussions with the new Palestinian government. "We have to start creating an element of dialogue," she said. "I suggested we don't miss this opportunity. "Here is the moment. "There are divisions, there will always be, but who said it would be easy? "It is hard." Hilou said there is no magic trick which will bring talks without Hamas' acceptance of Israel. But, she said, "I believe that with the process will come the recognition." Meanwhile, Sabella said, both the Israelis and Palestinians must now focus on reinforcing a more "peace-oriented environment". One move would be the joint release of prisoners by both sides, he said. Hundreds of Palestinians are in Israeli jails and the Palestinians are still holding an Israeli soldier kidnapped last summer on the Israeli border with Gaza. "People speak openly of releasing prisoners," said Sabella. "This can happen and it should happen. "As we prepare to organise our house internally, we need to send a signal to Israel that this is a government interested in making peace not war." -CNS
Pope offers hand to troubled youth
Fight for life in Mexico
Pope tells youths at detention centre joy involves discipline, freedom
Catholics launch fight against loosening abortion laws in Mexico City
w By John Thavis
(CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI visited a Rome juvenile detention centre and told young people that true happiness involves discipline as well as freedom. The Pope celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casal del Marmo Prison for Minors on March 18, then met with the 49 young detainees in a gym. Greeting them individually, he gave each one a blessing and a rosary. The young people, including many immigrants and nonCatholics, said they were moved by the fact that a Pope would take time to visit them. "When they told us you were coming, we were shocked," one young man said in an official greeting to the pontiff. "We couldn't imagine someone as
important as you would come to see us." He said the young people at the centre knew they had made mistakes, and "we know we have to pay, but the price is high and we suffer a lot".
God also offers everyone the chance to "change tracks and make a new beginning". The Pope's visit brought a ray of hope and festivity to the routine at the detention centre, according to officials there. The Pope smiled when told that one of the girls had broken down in tears when she learned she was being released, and would miss the papal event. The Pope delivered his sermon mostly off the cuff, reviewing the Gospel parable of the prodigal son who returns home after his spendthrift habits fail to bring fulfilment. The lesson, the Pope said, is that
"freedom when it is interpreted as doing as much asI want, or living only for myself" is not enough, and that life is more satisfying when lived also for others. A fter reconciling with his father, the prodigal son understood that "work, humility and everyday discipline create true happiness and true freedom" and that "a life without God doesn't work," the Pope said. In this sense, the Pope said, the Ten Commandments should not be understood as obstacles to the good life, but as signposts along the right path. The Pope later reminded the youths that "whatever errors we commit, even if they are big ones, do not diminish God's love for us." God also offers everyone the chance to "change tracks and make a new beginning," he said. "The secret is to let God occupy the first place in our lives," he said. Before leaving, the Pope told the young people he wished he could stay longer, and promised to keep them in his prayers. -CNS
Catholics and civic organisations have launched a campaign against a Mexico City proposal to legalise abortion during the first three months of pregnancy. The proposal "has awoken the conscience of civil society in this city," said Armando Martinez, president of the College of Catholic Lawyers in Mexico City after Mass in Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral. Martinez said the proposal would violate the Mexican Constitution, and he pledged to file a challenge before the nation's highest court if it is approved. Abortion in Mexico is currently permitted only in cases of rape; however, in Mexico City, it is also allowed if the mother's life is in danger. Lawmakers said they will discuss the bill in coming weeks. But it is expected to be approved. Martinez said the Mexican College of Catholic Lawyers has
united with other civic organisations to form the "We Are Life" coalition, which has been organising a protest for March 22 in front of the city assembly. The coalition also has been planning to lead a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on March 25 to pray for the bill's defeat. Martinez's announcement follows numerous statements from the Catholic Church criticising the bill. The Mexican Bishop's conference has called on the city assembly to "reaffirm its respect for life." The Mexico City Archdiocese said in a statement that city legislators are drafting laws "that go against human dignity". The nation's ruling National Action Party has opposed the bill, one of its top officials calling it a "murderous law". However, Victor Hugo Cirigo, head of the Democratic Revolution Party in the assembly, has vowed to push the bill through, telling the press that "no church or religion will impose its will on the city." -CNS
March 22 2007, The Record
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The World
South Africa feeling pressure from refugees Church officials: South Africa unprepared to help Zimbabwean refugees • By Bronwen Dachs
s
— -1 outh Africa is unprepared ' to meet the needs of thousands of people fleeing political and economic problems in neighbouring Zimbabwe, Catholic officials in South Africa have said. "Every day more and more people seek our help, and the blankets and food that we distribute are quickly used up," said Pierre Matate, coordinator of projects for Emmanuel Cathedral Parish in the Durban Archdiocese and the head of Durban's refugee services. Matate, who was a political refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, called on South African churches to open their halls at night to give Zimbabweans shelter. "This is a crisis situation, and they (Zimbabweans) are traumatised," Matate told CNS in a telephone interview from Durban. "If we could provide them with a place to sleep for awhile, it would give them the peace of mind they need to get on their feet again," he said. Matate also denounced the racism shown refugees seeking help
Queued to enter: South Africa is unprepared for the stream of refugees seeking refuge from Zimbabwe. in South Africa and neighbouring countries. "Refugees are not at all welcome in South Africa," Matate said. "We are darker-skinned than South Africans which sets us apart." Matate said if xenophobia
could be overcome Zimbabweans would be "easily integrated" into South African society because their languages are similar, and Zimbabweans are familiar with South Africa. Over three million Zimbabweans have sought eco-
nomic and political refuge in South A frica, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zambia and Malawi, according to the UN news agency IRIN. Over a million Zimbabweans have left for the United States, Canada and
the United Kingdom, reported IRIN. More are likely to flee following the recent arrest and beatings of opposition demonstrators, including main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said Kabelo Selema, head of the justice and peace department for the Southern A frican Catholic Bishops' Conference. Zimbabweans also were the largest group of asylum seekers who arrived in South Africa in 2006. Selema noted that the South A frican government is "making things easier than they were in the past" for Zimbabweans seeking refuge. New asylum seekers are registered and issued a temporary residence permit that allows them to stay in South Africa to look for work while their applications are heard. Meanwhile, in a March 13 statement, the South African Council of Churches, of which the bishops' conference is a member, said the relief measures offered by churches in South Africa and neighbouring countries "are unable either to stem the tide of migrants or to meet their dire needs." "As a result, the situation in Zimbabwe threatens to destabilise the entire" southern African region, the council said. Political leaders in southern A frica "have a responsibility to engage in actions that enhance peace and security for all people of the region," it said. -CNS
Activist says Northern Ireland making slow but steady progress But police cover-ups and security concerns still present (CNS) - Progress for human rights and equality under the law is moving at a slow but steady pace in Northern Ireland, said a leading human rights activist. "You have to keep your patience going," said Maggie Beirne, director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice, at a Washington briefing on March 15 for officials of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. While it is hard to get people in Northern Ireland to agree on major
political issues, there is growing cooperation on the neighbourhood and local levels to achieve common goals, she said. Beirne's committee is an independent body that monitors human rights and promotes equality in administering criminal justice in Northern Ireland, where political issues have been marred by decades of conflict between Catholics and Protestants. The key issue is whether Northern Ireland should remain under British rule as part of the United Kingdom or whether it should join Ireland. The Protestant majority generally favours remain-
news in brief Guilt a growing problem Many people today seem to have a difficult time recognising sin, but at the same time the number of people suffering from "guilt complexes" seems to be growing, Pope Benedict XVI said. "We see a humanity that wants to be self-sufficient, where not a few maintain they can do without God and still live well, and yet so many seem sadly condemned to face dramatic situations" of emptiness, violence and solitude, the Pope said. "Today it seems that a 'sense of sin' has been lost, but in return 'guilt complexes' have increased," he told priests and seminarians participating in a Vatican-sponsored course on the sacrament of confession. Only Jesus, who died
ing under British rule while the minority Catholics mostly favour union with Ireland. The committee has its headquarters in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. As an example of the slow but steady progress, Beirne said she attended a neighbourhood council meeting to vote on the building of a recreational centre. Council members were divided 11 to 11 on the issue of political union, but they could agree on the need for such a centre, she said. "They couldn't decide whether the leisure centre should be in the United Kingdom or Ireland. But
"to defeat forever the power of evil with the omnipotence of divine love," can free people from "the yoke of death" that oppresses them, the Pope said. The sacrament of confession, he said, makes the love and mercy of God visible and gives people the grace they need to continue fighting sin.
Quick translation urged The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and a committee of congregation advisers have urged the quick completion of the new English translation of the Mass. The Vox Clara Committee, a group of English-speaking bishops who advise the Vatican on English translations, met on March 12-15 at the Vatican. A press release about the meeting repeatedly
they all agreed it should be in their neighbourhood," she said. Beirne said that there have been some improvements in narrowing the employment gap between Catholics and Protestants but there are still types of jobs that seem to be reserved primarily for one group or the other. Protestants remain the majority in those hired for the police and other public security forces, she said. A statement issued by the justice committee said that 76.4 per cent of Protestants of working age have some kind of income as do 67.9 per cent of their Catholic counterparts. It noted, however,
referred-to hopes that the translation of the Roman Missal, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 2002, would be completed quickly. The International Commission on English in the Liturgy, or ICEL, is preparing the translation in several sections. When individual bishops' conferences approve the texts translated into English from Latin, they request Vatican permission to use them. The new translation of the Order of the Mass, which contains the main prayers used at every Mass, has been approved by all the English-speaking bishops' conferences.
Comment on politics ok When the Pope, Cardinals or Bishops publicly comment on issues being debated
that at Tesco, the British retail food chain which is Northern Ireland's biggest employer, only 32.9 per cent of the workforce is Catholic, about 10 per cent less than what was expected under government models developed to promote fair employment. Beirne said that much of Northern Ireland remains "a generally segregated society" when it comes to housing. Progress has also been slow in improving the security situation as there is still evidence of "collusion," mistreatment by police and cover-ups of such incidents by government officials, she said.
by legislators they are not interfering in politics, but exercising their obligation as pastors and their rights as citizens, said an influential Jesuit magazine. "When churchmen intervene in the public debate, they do so in ways and with instruments similar to those used by any other citizen," said La Civilta Cattolica (Catholic Civilisation) in an editorial reviewed by the Vatican Secretariat of State before publication. The mid-March editorial used as its starting point the heated public debate in Italy over comments made by church leaders on proposed legislation recognising unions formed by cohabiting couples, including homosexuals. Church leaders have been accused of trying to impose the Church's moral teaching on the laws of the nation. -CNS
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March 222007, The Record
Reviews
TraveIlin towards true freedom CD REVIEW
The Freedom Train CD, RRP $25 + postage Available from The Record The cover of The Freedom Train, a locally produced offering from the music ministry of Catholic Charismatic group Flame Ministries International, displays the image of a train ready to leave a station inviting everyone to hop on board and take a ride. The ride is a journey of 12 original tracks described as "cutting edge" by Eddie Russell the founding director of Flame Ministries International. All the songs are the work of various members of FMM. The musical style captures several genres from the rocking and upbeat Rise, to the acoustic laden Adore to the bluesy Freedom Song. Other tracks include: Above All Things, You Are the Light, Set My People on Fire and You Broke the Chains. All of the tracks on this album were presented at the launch on the 18th of January 2007.
r Freedom Album comes strong off the heels of FMM's successful debut CD, My Word the Message. David Harp, a senior director of Flame Ministries International describes what My Word the Message meant to him, "The music reached deep in to my soul giving me strength and great joy. Listening to the CD in my c r and room inspired my praise to God for his love for me and gratitude in my heart for saving me and giving me hope for the future." The Freedom Album has no less potential because all the songs were written with that same message of hope and freedom given to everyone through Jesus Christ. While working in secular bands, FMM composer and musician Damien Doherty had a profound conversion to Christ in 1997 when God called him to leave that all behind and follow him. Since then Damien has written a mini musical and composed numerous songs that give glory to God. One of the tracks that Damien wrote on this album is Rise. He explains what lead him to write the song.
Flame music ministry Hop on: ,lame Music Ministry takes iisteners on a ride with their new album.
"I was inspired by Eddie Russell's preaching on revival fire one night. I was also frustrated at the complacency and apathy I could see among young Catholics", says Damien who has served in FMI for 7 years. "I feel it's the best song that God
has inspired me to write and it's also my favourite." Damien plays bass guitar and is one of the lead vocalists on this album. A WYD 08 version of Damien's Rise has recently been submitted to the organising committee of World
Youth Day 2008 in Sydney and is in the running for the event's theme song. Patrick Carre, music director for FMM while on mission in Mexico during 2004 was invited by Claravision Catholic TV Mexico City to perform songs from My Word the Message. The broadcast reached a live audience of 25 million people from South America to Alaska. While in Mexico, Patrick was inspired to writeI Long to See Your Face which appears as track 5 on The Freedom Album. "After returning late one evening from a healing service, I was suffering from jetlag and couldn't sleep. Still in awe of the power of God and what he had done, I picked up a guitar left for me in the room and started strumming. "I wanted to glorify the Holy Trinity and wrote the first verse there and then," says Patrick who is also a music producer with his own recording studio, Rocket Productions. FMI's Flame Music Ministry released The Freedom Train in conjunction with the seventeenth annual Flame Congress at John X XIII College Auditorium, Mt Claremont in January this year.
Spartan quest - just a stylised gore fest Movie Review 300 • By Harry Forbes
NEW YORK (CNS) - Fans of the 1962 film "The 300 Spartans" are in for a vastly different experience with "300" (Warner Bros.). This is a noisy, testosteronecharged retelling of the legendary Battle of Thermopylae (482 BC), gussied up with graphic novel trappings, as ancient Sparta's meagre 300 soldiers led by King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) fearlessly go up against the vast Persian army headed by the formidable Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). They would ultimately fail, but their bravery would inspire other Greeks to withstand the Persian incursions on their land. During a tense meeting between the two leaders, Xerxes - rather like Satan tempting Christ offers Leonidas riches, security and more, if only the latter will kneel before him. Needless to say, Leonidas demurs. Back home, Sparta's Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) futilely attempts to sway a corrupt politician, Theron (Dominic West), with influence in the Spartan Council to bolster her husband's troops, even allowing him sexual favours. Needless to say, the Spartans go out fighting to the last, and the film relishes every fatal blow and well-aimed spear. With the graphic novel of Frank Miller (Sin City) as a springboard, director and co-writer Zack Snyder takes a highly stylised approach. Snyder's dialogue - written in tandem with Kurt Johnstad and Michael B Gordon - is undemandingly simplistic, with the focus
Off I go: Giovani Antonio Cimmino, left, Lena Headey and Gerard Butler (right) ( NS star in a scene from the movie "300."
squarely on the action sequences. Performances are fine, given the limited opportunity for nuance. Butler - who, you may recall, played The Phantom of the Opera - generates the requisite gravitas as the powerful leader, and his Scottish burr is not too distracting. Headey has a few good moments, but powerful as Spartan women are said to have been, it's the men who dominate here. Most of the film is shot in sepia tones, striking at first, but soon becomes tiresome. Leonidas and his impossibly buffed soldiers facing off against digitalised weapons, strange creatures, and seemingly thousands of enemy troops, though the pervasive battlefield
violence is somewhat tempered by the often genuinely artful cinematography. The film also can be experienced in the giant Imax format. The film contains much slowmotion fighting with bloodshed, impalings, and decapitations, an adulterous episode with an implied rough sexual encounter, brief upper female and rear nudity, innuendo, some exotic dancing with a lesbian kiss during a brief orgy sequence, and skimpy male attire throughout. Rated L - limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling.The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.
Our classifications: the bottom line
The Record's movie reviews come from the Film Office of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. These reviews, and any other reviews which appear in The Record, do not purport to be the last word on films, videos and DVDs. The ratings focus upon family suitability rather than artistic or entertainment value. Parents (and grandparents and other guardians) must make up their own minds on what is appropriate for their family. The ratings used by The Record are: A-I: for general patronage A-I!: for adults and adolescents A-I!!: for adults A-IV: adults, with reservations (an A-IV classification denotes problematic films that, while not morally offensive in themselves, require caution and some analysis and explanation as a safeguard against wrong interpretations and false conclusions) limited adult audience, films whose problematic content L: many adults would find troubling. L supplements the A-IV classification morally offensive 0:
March 22 2007, The Record
Page 13
Opinion
Where the eyes of heaven are firmly fixed say, i say • By Mark Reidy
H
ave you ever had one of those moments when you can almost tangibly perceive the presence of Christ, when you sense that if He physically walked the earth today, that this is where He would be? I was privileged enough to have one of those moments. I was attending the funeral of Courtney, a homeless 23-year-old who had died in her sleep in a car park at the rear of a small inner city church. Unable to find any other accommodation, it was the place she called home. And it was in this small humble building, next to where she took her last breath that we gathered in her honour. I could not help but think of Jesus' words as the parade of tattered, scarred, tattooed, toothless,
Non*: Though sometimes alone, it is in the battlefield of life that the deepest friendships are forged. and unkempt social outcasts filed silently in, "When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind..." These were today's lepers - of course Jesus was there amongst them. It was where He belonged, or rather; it was where they belonged - embraced by His love.
There was no fanfare, no fancy clothes and no one of social importance. There was only the lonely, the rejected and the lost; those addicted to drugs and alcohol, the mentally ill, those caught up in prostitution, violence and crime - those who shared a fellowship of brokenness.
These were the ones who gathered together to shed tears and share memories. They were her family, the ones who had loved her, had fought with her and had shared her struggles. They were the ones who knew from experience the pain she had endured, and each carried with
them a cherished fragment of her broken life. They listened reverently as the Pastor spoke of her difficult life and of her journey into the arms of a loving and merciful God. They sang "Amazing Grace" with heartfelt passion. They laughed and they cried as many shared precious glimmers of the love and hope that Courtney had given them. A hardened teenager wept uncontrollably, revealing that she wouldn't be alive today if her closest friend hadn't come into her life. Each one present was familiar with the darkness of loneliness and fear. They shared an emptiness that fortunately most of us will never know. It was what bonded them together. The deepest friendships are said to be those forged on the battlefields of life. Some held one another and soaked up each other's tears while others sat alone and wept in silence. Jesus alone knew their hearts. These were the lost sheep that He spoke so lovingly of. Of course the Good Shepherd would be close by. He would have been standing amongst them as they gathered around the small cross that had been erected at the place where she died. He would have cried with them. The world may not have skipped a beat as one of its insignificant members was laid to rest that day, but I think I know where the eyes of heaven were firmly fixed.
It's not about pouring money into poor places Secretary General of Pontifical Society for the Missionary Childhood says there is a 'fatigue' about our concept of mission • By Sylvia Defendi In an effort to revive the spirit of the Missions, Fr Patrick Byrne, secretary general of the Pontifical Society for the Missionary Childhood, visited Perth last week with a message of thanks and encouragement. During his seven-day stay, Fr Byrne visited Perth's Catholic Mission Office, St Charles' Seminary in Guildford and the Catholic Education Office to offer his sincere thanks for funds raised. Perth's Catholic Mission office was proud to present the pontifical mission society with a quarter of a million dollars, which was collected from parishes, schools and individuals during 2006. While thanking the community for their generous spirit, Fr Byrne also highlighted the need to foster a strong missionary spirit. "There is still support for what we do outside our own diocese, but there is a certain fatigue," he said. "What we need is a renewed concept of mission. It is not about pouring money into poor coun-
tries; we have to work in partnership." Fr Byrne described the reciprocal nature of the missions as first and foremost spreading the love of Christ through prayer and social awareness. "It is then that we give of our excess, once we have built a Christlike connection with our disadvantaged brothers and sisters worldwide," he said. He added that having a true missionary spirit goes well beyond monetary aid. "It is not just about funds," he said. "That is why we ask that people have a missionary spirit, where they pray for, fund, but also assist the needy in a hands-on way, even by simply being aware of what they are buying," he said. "You could ask whether the diamond on your ring was acquired through serious conflict in the appalling African diamond industry, where many children are killed for the precious stone." Director of Perth's Catholic Mission Office Francis Leong said most people were surprised to realise just how involved and passionate the Vatican was on such necessary world-wide issues. "The Pontifical Mission Societies, for which the Catholic Mission Office works, really do demonstrate Christ's teaching - 'If you love me, feed my sheep'," he said.
All funds raised were channeled through Fr Byrne's Vatican office in support of over 3000 child health, welfare, education and orphanage projects in developing countries around the world, all of which he oversees. Fr Byrne said that funds collected from West Australians were being used, primarily, to assist street children and refugees, build and maintain refuges for children in India, where they are housed and educated; rehabilitate children who have served as child soldiers and assist AIDS babies who are orphaned as a result of scant necessary medication. As one who consistently visits all projects world-wide under the banner of the pontifical society, Fr Byrne believes it is useless to merely dump funds in needy areas, without following up projects and assessing their benefit to society. Having just completed his eighth year as secretary general and as the Pope's representative for children at the UN, Fr Byrne maintains that he is optimistic, but says that AIDS continues to ravage the world. As the voice of many children who have no voice, Fr Byrne said the concept of mission still meant a lot and was just as relevant in today's society as it was hundreds of years ago. "Essentially, we want people to realise that they are receiving faith by giving to the needy, that what they give in material goods is being reciprocated," he said.
Fr Patrick Byrne at The Record last week.
e-- Couples Corner
PHOTO: PETER ROSENGREN
with Derek Boylen
Hints for a Happy Marriage
Husbands need to accept influence
Marriage researcher Dr. John Gottman suggests that men need to accept influence from their wives. Women are usually much better at this they are often well practiced at accepting influence from their husbands. However, if a marriage is to be a true partnership then men need to listen and allow themselves to be influenced by the needs of their wives.
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CatholiiconMarri Educat Serviacgees tic.
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Page 14
March 222007, The Record
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P ANORAMA continued
Monday March 26 SPIRITUALITY AND JUSTICE: BEING HUMAN IN A CHAOTIC WORLD. 5pm -8.30 pm at the Perth Theological Hall, Worship Centre, Murdoch University (including light refreshments and worship) Registrations to 9360 6880 or a.watson@murdoch.edu.au. Wednesday March 28 MOTHER'S PRAYERS MASS Our Lady of Grace Church, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach, 9am for all Mothers and Grandmothers. Fathers and Grandfathers welcome. This wonderful and necessary opportunity for God to hear and act upon the hearts and minds of Mothers, joining as one here on earth. Coffee and tea available after Mass, please bring a plate. Enquiries Veronica Peak 9447 0671. Thursday March 29 TAIZE MEDITATION SERVICE At Our Lady of Grace, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach at 7.30pm, due to Holy Thursday being the first Thursday in the month. Friday March 30 HEALING FIRE - BURNING LOVE HEALING SERVICE Our Lady of the Missions, 270 Camberwarra Drive, Whitfords/Craigie. Come and experience an intimate encounter of Jesus love for you during our Healing Eucharistic Service with Fr Giosue Marini. 7.30pm - 9.30pm and every last Friday of the month thereafter. For more information please contact Jenni Young on 0404 389 679. Saturday March 31 MONTHLY NOVENA The monthly Novena to Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett Street, Embleton at 5pm followed by the Vigil Mass at 6pm. Enquiries 9271 5528 or 9272 1379. Sunday April 1 DIVINE MERCY An afternoon with Jesus and Mary will be held at St Joachim's Church, corner Shepperton Road and Harper St Victoria Park at 1.30pm. Program: Holy Rosary and Reconciliation. Sermon: with Fr Johnson Malayil on Good Friday before Easter Sunday, followed by Divine Mercy Prayers and video on Holy Rosary with Fr John Pirapi. Enquiries John 9457 7771 and Linda 9275 6608. Friday April 6 CATHOLIC AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE - BINDOON Good Friday ceremonies at 11.00 am - Stations of the Cross, 2.30 pm - Solemn ceremony of The Lord's Passion. Confessions from 10 am and after Stations of the Cross. All are welcome! For more details contact Fr Paul 9571 1839. Friday April 6 PASSION PLAY Holy Spirit School oval, Bent St, City Beach. Dramatic depiction of the Stations of the Cross, with a cast of 32 actors from Disciples of Jesus Community. The presentation lasts about 40 minutes and is accompanied by narration and songs. All welcome. Enquiries to Janny Firth on 9245 2662 or 0420 635 919. Saturday April 14 DAY WITH MARY St Thomas the Apostle Church, 2 College Road, Claremont 9am-5pm. A Video on Fatima at 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. Includes Sacrament of Penance, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons, Rosaries, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Enquiries Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286. Sunday April 15 CHARISMATIC RENEWAL HEALING MASS CCR Perth present their third Regional Healing Mass. Held at the parish church of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 175 Corfield St, Gosnells, at 5.30pm with Prayer and Praise, followed by Mass, concluding with Prayer Teams and supper afterward. A collection will be taken up. Please bring a plate. Enquiries Dan Hewitt, 9398 4973. Sunday April 15 CORRIGIN CONVENT REUNION As the school rooms are to be demolished a reunion of all past pupils of the Corrigin Convent parents and friends will be held on April 15 at 10.30am in Corrigin. Please contact Gwenda Walton PO Box 92 Corrigin or 9063 2740 after hours. Sunday April 22 THANKSGIVING MASS Parishioners, past parishioners, friends are invited to attend Thanksgiving Mass and luncheon to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Chidlow, Mass at 11am followed
Classifieds: $3.30/line incl. GST
by a light luncheon. Invitation only: Helen Ball (Giles) 9295 2965, Mary Ball (Love) 9295 1841, Marie McGuckin 9572 4343. Monday April 23 - 30 R U COMING TO DINNER? Australia-wide ALPHA program begins in Perth churches, parishes and centres. To join St John's Northbridge course (Sunday nights) ring Harry 9444 4626. Sunday May 6 BUSSELTON MAY ROSARY CELEBRATION In Honour of Our Lady held at Bove's Farm, Roy Road, Jindong. Singing at 12.30pm. Mass led by Fr Tony Chiera, commences at 1 pm, followed by Rosary Procession and Benediction, refreshments provided. Bus bookings from Perth to Bove's Farm can be made with Francis Williams 9459 3873 or 0404 893 877. Friday June 15 GOOMALLING 100TH ANNIVERSARY Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Goomalling is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. If you have any old photos or information that might be relevant to this celebration, please contact Fr John Daly on 9629 1147 or Mrs Carmel Baird on 9629 1044. Fortnightly BIBLE REFLECTIONS The 'Workers in the Garden of the Holy Family' are conducting fortnightly Bible reflections at St Mary's Church, Parish Centre (40 Franklin St, Leederville) commencing at 7pm, April 18, May 2, 16 and 30, followed by refreshments. For enquiries phone 9201 0337. Every Forth Sunday SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER The Perth Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order no longer meets at the Pro-Cathedral but instead assembles every fourth Sunday at 2.30pm in the Chapel of RSL Care, 51 Alexander Dr, Menora. Enquiries John 9385 5649. Every Month MONTHLY SCRIPTURAL PRAYER PROGRAM The Council for Australian Catholic Women (CACW) is offering a Scriptural Prayer Program developed in the Jesuit tradition. This form of prayer can lead to more reflective living, greater spiritual depths and promotes lay spiritual leadership in the Church. Led by Kathleen Brennan (ibvm). February 26, March 26, April 23, 7.30pm, 49a Vincent St, Highgate. Enq: 9345 2555. Every Saturday HOLY HOUR St Francis Xavier's Church, 25 Windsor Street, East Perth, every Saturday afternoon from 2.30pm a Holy Hour will be held with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet and prayers plus Reconciliation and Benediction. Every Sunday BULLSBROOK SHRINE Mass celebrated with Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 2pm at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Reconciliation in Italian and English before every celebration. Monthly Pilgrimage last Sunday of the month. Anointing of the sick during Mass on the second Sunday of the month. Side entrance of Church and Shrine open daily 9am and 5pm for private prayer. Enq SACRI 9447 3292. Every Monday WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS The Emmanuel Centre are offering to help people who gain weight because they are using medication for their mental illness. The group helps participants to manage their weight safely and healthily. Mind-Body-Life meets at the Emmanuel Centre on Mondays from 12.30-2.30pm. Free. The group starts with a weigh-in, then a talk on nutri tion and healthy eating tips, goal setting and then half an hour of exercise. Enq: Amanda - Emmanuel Centre, 9328 8113. Every Wednesday ADORATION, EVENING PRAYER, BENEDICTION St. Thomas Church, 2 College Road, Claremont Adoration 1 pm to 5.30pm. followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction. Personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is Adoration of Jesus' gift of Himself, of His love for you, for your loved ones and for our world. Come and thank Him. Every 1st and 3 Friday of the month CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL Every 1st Friday of the month, Praise and Worship Evening held at St John and Paul's Church, Pinetree Gully Road, Willetton at 7.30pm and every 3rd Friday of the month, Catholic Adult Faith Education by Fr Greg Donovan held at LJ Goody Bioethics Centre,
24 hour Hotline 9227 7778
Deadline: 12pm Tuesday
A DVERTISEMENTS ACCOMMODATION • ACCOMMODATION WANTED Retired Catholic married couple wishes to house sit for part of Victorian Winter (June-Sep), somewhere close to Edgewater. References available. Sober habits and will take good care of your home. For further information please contact strathcarmel@bigpond.com or telephone (03) 5439 6235 • DENMARK Holiday House 3bdr x 2 bath, sleeps up to 8. BOOK NOW. Ph: Maria 0412 083 377. • FAMILY/GROUP ACCOMMODATION Fully furnished luxury beach houses, Perth metro. Visit www.guadalupehill.com Call 0400 292 100.
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REUGIOUS PRODUCTS • CATHOLICS CORNER Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for baptism, communion and c onfirmation. Ph: 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Road, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat. • RICH HARVEST - YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, baptism/communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at 39 Hulme Court (off McCoy St), Myaree, 9329 9889 (after 10.30am, Mon-Sat) We are here to serve.
• BLINDS SPECIALIST Call AARON for FREE quotes 0402 979 889.
BUILDING TRADES • BRICK RE-POINTING Phone Nigel 9242 2952 • PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perron 9444 1200. • PICASSO PAINTING Top service. Phone 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.
DEMENTIA REMISSION • DEMENTIA REMISSION Do you, or your loved one, suffer Dementia. GET into Dementia Remission like me! http://www wgrey.com.au/dm/index.htm or (02) 9971 8093
SERVICES • REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS Repairs to all sorts of books and leather bindings; reliable, reasonable rates. Ph. (08) 9293 3092.
IN MEMORIAM III FRANCIS TERVOE KELLY Born Geraldton WA 27-11-1916. Died at home 12-3-2007 Balcatta - R.I.P. "a Boanerges of Faith, Fidelity and Friendship".
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Must be submitted by fax, email or post no later than 12pm Tuesday. For more information contact 9227 7778.
Official Diary MARCH 23
Annual School Mass, Emmanuel Catholic College - Archbishop Hickey Opening and blessing at Holy Rosary School, Doubleview - Bishop Sproxton
24
Mass for Day of the Unborn Child, St Joachim's Pro-Cathedral Victoria Park - Archbishop Hickey
25
50th Anniversary Mass of Catholic Education for St Anthony's School Greenmount - Archbishop Hickey
29
Blessing of Daydawn Advocacy Centre - Archbishop Hickey
30
Graduation and Commissioning Mass for Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation - Archbishop Hickey
APRIL 3
Chrism Mass, St Thomas More Church, Bateman - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton
Panorama entries must be in by 5pm Monday. Contributions may be faxed to 9227 7087, emailed to administration@therecord.com.au or mailed to PO box 75, Leederville, WA 6902. Submissions over 55 words will be edited. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 constitute a classified event, and will be charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment. Please do not re-submit Panoramas once they are in print. 39 Jugan Street, Glendalough. All are welcome, Enq: Rita 9272 1765, Rose 0403 300 720. AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS If a loved one's drinking is worrying you - please call Al Anon Family Groups for confidential information meetings etc... Phone Number 9325 7528 - 24 hrs. LINDA'S HOUSE OF HOPE APPEAL To enable us to continue to provide and offer
support for girls wishing to leave the sex trade we need your help. We have achieved already new offfices which are now complete at the rear of the shelter and are fully functional. Donations are also required to complete the internal layout of the shelter itself. Please send donations to Linda's House of Hope PO Box Z5640, Perth, St George's Tce 6831. Ph: 0439 401 009. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
March 222007, The Record
Page 15
Completion of a vision
St Mary's not just a project, but symbol of a city's heart This is the speech delivered by the Chief Justice of Western Australia, the Hon. WAYNE MARTIN, at the launch of the Parish Fundraising Appeal for the completion of St Mary's Cathedral, at John XXIII College on March 15.
A
ccording to the running sheet for this evening's event,Ihave been allowed 5 minutes in which to excite, motivate and enthuse you, and to urge your support for this historic project. So it seems the organisers have a rather more optimistic view of my powers of persuasion than anyone who has ever heard me argue a case in Court. When I think about the reasons why the courts and the legal profession of this State are so busy, andI look back over the 37 years since I started law school, and at the dramatic increase: • in crime • in the prison population • in the number of laws passed by our parliament • in the number of lawyers in our community • in the number of courts, and •in the number of disputes that are brought before our courts, it
occurs to me that it is no coincidence that all this has occurred over the same period that there has been a perceptible decrease in morality, ethics and spirituality which has itself coincided with a significant decrease in active participation in religious fellowship and worship. It seems to me to be highly improbable that these things are coincidental, and much more likely that there is a causal connection between the decline in religious participation, and the decline in spirituality and ethical conduct, and the increased need for lawyers and courts. And not even the most ardent fan of the legal profession and the courts, if there is such a person, would argue that an increased need for courts and lawyers is a good sign for our community. And over the same period, our city has become a series of dormitory suburbs spread over about 80 kilometres connected by freeways. I fear we are in danger of becoming a city without a heart, both physically and metaphorically. And if our city loses its heart, what hope is there for its soul? We need great projects like this to bring people together in the heart of our city. We must encourage people to come together as a community, to stimulate the respect and mutual obligation which goes with a sense of community. And we should never underestimate the importance of sym-
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"I fear we are in danger of becoming a city without a heart, both physically and metaphorically. And if our city loses its heart, what hope is there for its soul?"
Significance: Chief Justice Wayne Martin, above, urged parish representatives to remember the importance of symbols in influencing public PHOTO: RON TAN attitudes.
bolism in influencing public attitudes. If one thinks of iconic places of worship such as St Paul's in London, St Peter's in Rome, Notre Dame in Paris, St Stephen's in Vienna to mention just a few, we all immediately bring to mind a mental picture of those buildings which are not only symbols
of their cities, but also symbols of their city's commitment to spirituality, ethical principles including justice, and Christian fellowship in particular. Our colonial predecessors understood this very well when they committed large portions of the resources of a relatively poor colony to the construction of two symbolic and iconic cathedrals for our city. Tonight we gather to follow their example, and commit a much lesser portion of our much greater resources so that St Mary's Cathedral can be refurbished and properly finished at last, so as to complete the vision of our forebears. So when we contribute the money needed to complete this inspiring project: • we're not just enabling the completion of an iconic structure which will be a landmark for our
city, although we will be doing that, • we will not just be revitalising the eastern precinct of the city, although we will be doing that, • we will not just be completing the largest place of worship and fellowship in the State and the premier place of worship and fellowship for the Catholic community of the State, although we will be doing that, • but we will also be creating an enduring and prominent symbol of our community's commitment to a spiritual and religious ethos and the moral principles that go with that commitment. That symbol will have lasting benefits that go well beyond bricks, mortar and glass and will influence principles and standards which define the essential character of our community.
"This is not just a building project; it is a vital symbol of our character as a community..." This is not just a building project; it is a vital symbol of our character as a community, and there can't be anything much more important than that. So I implore you to dig deep and to give your full support to this inspiring project.
•
NO%
Scenes from a night: Archbishop Hickey meets religoius sisters attending the function, left, the venue begins to fill, above, and Parish representatives enjoy pre-function drinks.
PHOTOS. RON TAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Immaculate Conception, a place of prayer in the city's heart just a building project but a "vital symbol of our character as a community." Setting out his vision for the completion of a process that began when the foundation stone of St Mary's was laid in 1863, Archbishop Barry Hickey told those at the launch that the Cathedral has never been considered complete - architecturally, aesthetically or liturgically, and while $15 million has been raised already, a further $10m at least is needed to complete the project, estimated to be done by late next year. The parishes appeal will be coordinated by Parish Gifts Committee
chairman Fr Brian O'Loughlin, Perth's Vicar General. The Archbishop appealed not only to the Catholic community but to the general community, in particular to the business sector, saying that the project will not be allowed to reduce any of the extensive social welfare programs the Church provides for all West Australians regardless of their creed. The project will increase the seating capacity in what is already Perth's biggest church, improve sight lines and acoustics in a new interior design to "meet liturgical needs".
Archbishop Hickey said he had at first been frustrated with delays in building approval, stemming from the Heritage Council of WA's forensic-like investigation of the building, which is heritage-listed. But he was now thankful for the thoroughness of their investigation and approval of its upgrading. Costs have escalated exponentially, adding to the Archbishop's frustrations, as estimated construction delays and material cost increases over the past year have added $1.5m to the project. Whilst originally intended as a renovation, the entire roof of the
1930s section now needs replacing, costing about $1m, which was unexpected. Maureen Colgan, deputy chair of the St Mary's Cathedral Fundraising Appeal Committee, told those attending there is a "sense of urgency (about the project) and we need you to walk this journey with us". Since the building of St Mary's Cathedral started 144 years ago there have been three development stages, the third executed by Archbishop Clune in 1930 was only partially completed due to the onset of the Depression and the subsequent scarcity of funds.
It has been 77 years since any major work has been undertaken on the Cathedral, which is now badly in need of repair. The Bell Tower foundations require urgent attention, while the towers themselves are now considered unsafe. The first stage of the Cathedral, completed in 1865, is noticeably suffering from age, water damage and structural weakness. The third stage, completed in 1930, needs complete rewiring and the mosaic Sanctuary floor needs restoration due to damage caused by the 1968 Meckering earthquake.
rat
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March 222007, The Record
The Last Word
Take a risk - right the wrongs Catherine Parish © home
I
t is hard to stay buoyant sometimes when so much of what we hear about seems to show what a sorry state our society seems to be getting
into. Intuitively as well as empirically the evidence is mounting that our social structure is under pressure and deteriorating and that until we get our acts together and reclaim our society and our families things won't improve. It is so easy to be complacent, shaking our head over cups of coffee and then going on with our lives. When will we have the courage to really stand up and be counted? How many people have rung up, television polls to express their discontent at daylight saving? How many of these people actually take the time to write letters, sign petitions or apply other legal pressures to the government to make the system change? There are so many issues more pressing than daylight saving that never make it to the television polls and yet people sit back in their comfortable homes and just let the juggernaut roll on by. How can we, who are called to be examples of our faith, actively live out our Christian beliefs when conflicting issues of monetary gain, convenience and fear of social censure dominate our families and society as a whole? There are of course many who do live a truly Catholic life but they are the unsung heroes of society. They have convictions and are not prepared to compromise, but also understand how flawed we all are as humans. They lead by example not by reproach, and selfsacrifice underlies so much of what they do. When material gain, whether it be state-oriented or personal,
OH SINGAPORE
WOW COULP 7011? i1011 $1141T NOT KILL i
Opposed: People protest against the execution or Australian o ug trafficker Tuong Van Nguyen at a Singapore government building in Canberra.
"When, as a miserable corollary of atheistic materialism, the value of a human life begins to be measured solely on the economic contribution that a person makes — then we become less than human and our treatment of each other, especially our regard for the weakest, the poorest, the most vulnerable among us, becomes positively inhuman." is the principal driving force in everyone's life, society disintegrates. Instead of succumbing to this inhuman creed we must be prepared to speak out when we see human values being subverted, and not just over a cup of coffee or an aside whine at our local book club. We can exercise our rights as citizens to protest in letters, petitions and peaceful demonstrations
where issues such as the dehumanising cloning laws are being propagated. To sit back and pretend there is nothing one can do or using the contemptible excuse that "all politicians are corrupt so what's the point?" To stifle any stirring of conscience before we act is despicable. What has happened to our
Catholic consciences that we are being sucked into this wrongheaded thinking? It is no good protesting that we are not, because if we weren't, then there would be sufficient numbers of voices raised in active opposition to such things as embryonic stem cell research, cloning, abortion, euthanasia and the institutionalised dawn-to-dusk daycare of children to, at least, give our politicians pause for thought before they blithely support all these proposals. We are struggling to give our children a different compass by which to live their lives. That is what our Catholic faith is, after all - not just something to do on Sunday. It is a whole way of living with love and the Catholic Church has
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supreme concern for the human condition and love for people as unique individuals at its core. It is up to us to make it very clear to our children why some things will never be right. And to do that we have to have the courage of our convictions and be seen to be trying to live what we are teaching. None of us, thank God, is going to be crucified for speaking out against injustice in Australia but we do take a risk when we challenge the social norms. But when we do question them or offer others a new way of living by example we can make a huge difference for ourselves, and, more importantly, for our children.
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