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THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD. Perth, Western Australia
Western Australia's award winning Catholic newspaper
Thursday April 4, 2007
A GRADUATION: Bible College marks Page 2 its first crop of graduates
1937 190 2 . 20a 2004 2CC5
SILENCED? In Vietnam, Catholic clergy Page 14 had better be careful
HOW MANY? Pilgrims carry the cross Page 16 on foot to Perth churches
He is not here:This painting by Chinese artist He Qui shows women, the first wirnesses of the Resurrection, being told by the angel that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. It sums up the central event of Christianity - the death and Resurrection of Jesus, proving that death is not the end of existence, and that He really is the Son of God Who has died out of love for us and His Father Who sent Him into the world. But what happened in the days afterwards that were also to prove so momentous? Our special feature looks at the key events and the small group of players who had accompanied Him in His life and ministry - the one PHOTO. CNS/HE Ql • He called to change the world.
OUR BROTHERS, OUR SISTERS This week, Archbishop Barry Hickey opened a major outreach of the archdiocese: Daydawn - a collaboration with Perth Aboriginal elders to aid the first Aussies.
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A GREAT MAN PASSES Dr John Billings, well known Australian medical pioneer of a revolutionary method of harnessing fertility, has died.
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EASTER BLESSINGS
In the Catholic faith the bishops are the successors of the apostles. WA's own successors to the apostles speak on the central message of Easter - the Resurrection.
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MI
April 4 2007, The Record
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Revolutionary Billings dies at 89
in brief...
Bible literacy
Time magazine has a feature article on Bible-literacy classes in US schools. Last year Georgia became the first state within memory to offer funds for high school electives on the Old and New Testaments using the Bible as the core text. But privately produced curriculums are already used in 460 educational districts in at least 37 states. Polls suggest that over 60 per cent of Americans favour secular teaching about the Bible. - TIME, MARCH 2
Miss Party
Chinese orphans have long been given surnames that clearly identify them as such - Dang, meaning "party", or Guo, meaning "country" or "state", for example. But some cities are dropping the practice. The north-eastern city of Dalian said last year it would henceforth use only common Chinese surnames. Guangzhou, Dongguan and Taiyuan have followed. - THE ECONOMIST, MARCH 2
Muslim divorce
A female German judge has refused to hasten the divorce of a Moroccan couple by referring to a passage in the Koran that suggests a husband can beat his wife. "The exercise of the right to castigate does not fulfil the hardship criteria as defined by [German law]," the judge said. She subsequently stood down from the case. - SPIEGEL ONLINE, MARCH 2
"Holy Father,I want 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. For your FREE copy write to: Tyburn Priory, 325 Garfield Rd East, Riverstone, NSW 2765 (Printed with permission of Libreria Editrice Vaticana) j
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Papal knight leaves legacy to the world • By Sylvia Defendi
Revolutionary Australian medic Dr John Billings passed away on April 1 leaving behind a legacy of knowledge in Natural Family Planning that has impacted the world over. Dr Billings and his wife Dr Evelyn pioneered the Billings Ovulation Method in the 1950s.
Their work helped women to identify their fertile and non-fertile states based on their menstrual cycle. Since then, the two have spent over 50 years researching fertility, and establishing The World Organisation Ovulation Method Billings International (WOOMB) in Melbourne as a centre for research and teaching. The Billings pair travelled the world to establish teaching centres and train teachers to educate women and couples about the method, which is now taught in over 120 countries.
Dr Billings was also made a member of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1991 and won a Papal knighthood for his work. Marilena Scarfe, a teacher of the Billings Method in WA said the knowledge Dr Billings brought to the world was invaluable, because of its simplicity and success.
"Mother Teresa of Calcutta taught the Billings Method to all her nuns, so that they could easily and effectively assist the poor women they encountered," she said. She added that one "cannot use a thermometer in places where people can't even get sanitary water." Whether a woman is trying to space pregnancy or conceive the method has a success rate of 99% if guides are followed correctly and diligently. "It is also the most scientifically ratified method of natural fertility control," Mrs Scarfe said. The work of Dr Billings will continue to flourish, believes Mrs Scarfe, who has been one of the many voluntary teachers of the method for over 20 years. Director of Perth's Natural Fertility Services, Derek Boylen said: "The death of Dr John Billings is a great loss to the entire international Natural Family Planning community. "He contributed greatly to the field and will certainly be missed." Coordinator of Billings WA management, Kath Fenton said: "Although this loss is very saddening, it is also a joyful time, Lifetime partnership: John Billings and wire Evelyn. because his work has given us a new life. He has been the methods, in support of fami- such thing as Catholic ovaries instigator of all the research lies." Mrs Fenton added that and Catholic sperm. into natural fertility, and offers one of Dr Billings' favourite For further information phone: 1800 819 an alternative to contraceptive sayings was that there was no 841 or email: bnfpwapbigpond.net.au.
Graduates defy pop culture is By Sylvia Defendi
Archbishop Barry Hickey outlined the foundations of a new parish initiative on March 30 while celebrating the achievements of graduates from Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation (Acts2come). Intending to spark the faith of Catholic youth, Archbishop Hickey revealed his intention to provide a weekly 5pm praise and worship opportunity that will lead youth into 6pm Sunday Mass at St Joachim's. Having already discussed his plans with the Dean of the pro-cathedral, Mgr Thomas McDonald, the Archbishop said the initiative would begin at St Joachim's Pro-Cathedral and would ideally run as soon as possible. "Only five per cent of Catholic youth retain their faith once they have left school. This initiative would be a means through which youth could be connected with their schools and parish cornEDITOR Peter Rosengren cathrec@iinetmetau
Personal .Serrice (77.414frrii,nce
1
rea1is(.4o11r Ikeam!
2(X) Sr George's "Ferrace, Perth, WA 60(X) PO Box 7221, Perth Cloisters Square, WA 6850 Tel: (08) 9322 2914 Fax: (08) 9322 2915 Email: admin@flightworld www.flightworld.com.au
JOURNALISTS Anthony Barich Bronwyn Ciune Sylvia Defendi Paul Gray Mark Reidy
munities," he said. Should this program become successful, the Archbishop said, it could become a model for other parishes in the near future. Archbishop Hickey stressed the need for effective evangelisation and praised the evangelising efforts of the Acts2Come Bible College, which was begun in 2005 by the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community. He said it had been challenging to instigate active evangelisation within schools and parishes, and that he greatly appreciated the work of covenant communities. Michael Sandrini, Bernadette Forrester, Paul Firth, Simone Cummins and Joseph Lee graduated from the College that night and paved the way for the eight full-time and eight part-time students who were commissioned and have begun studies this year. Archbishop Hickey extended an invitation to these inaugural graduates to evangelise within parish communities. "These graduates learnt
Big moment: Simone Cummins with Archbishop Hickey.
PHOTO: SYLVIA DEFEND)
about the importance of ministry, of how to speak with youth and spark the spirit within their heart. The field is rich for the harvest," he said. The Mass was concelebrated by Fr Doug Harris and Fr Anthony Van Dyke before college principal Jane Borg said she was proud of the graduates, who against popular culture had followed their hearts.
ADMINISTRATION Justine Stevens administration@therecord.com.au ACCOUNTS Cathy Baguley
"We started with courses still being prepared for accreditation," she said. The College is now registered as a training organisation, has accreditation for a certificate IV in Christian ministry, a certificate III in Christian leadership and a certificate II in youth ministry. For further information on the Acts2Come College, contact Mrs Borg on: 9202 6859 or: principal@acts2come.wa.edu.au
CONTRIBUTORS Derek Boylen Hal Colebatch Anna Krohn Catherine Parish Johnny Heard
recaccounts@iinet.net.au anthonybarich@hotmail.com clunerec@linet.net.au The Record PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 - 587 Newcastle St, West Perth sdefendi@iinet.net.au (08) 9227 7080.- Fax (08) 9227 7087 Tel: cathrec@iinet.net au The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses of reidyrec@iinet.net.au
Western Australia and by subscription.
April 4 2007, The Record
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Special bond: Graham Clinch with Archbishop Barry Hiockey at the official opening of the Daydawn Advocacy Centre.
PHOTO: SYLVIA DEFEDI
Archbishop's love offering • By Mark Reidy
Whooping it up: Val Vez and Graham Clinch celebrate Daydawn's opening.
PHOTO: SYLVIA DEFENDI
The Daydawn Advocacy Centre is an offering of love from the Catholic Church to the Noongar people, Archbishop Barry Hickey told those who gathered for its official opening at Weld Square in Perth on March 29. Describing himself as a friend and an advocate of Aboriginal people, the Archbishop stood alongside indigenous elders and director Sister Dolores Coffey in a blessing ceremony that intermingled aspects of both the Christian and Aboriginal cultures. In between the opening sound of a didgeridoo and the final blessing, using an emu egg and gum leaves, elders Ben Taylor and Vivian Hansen shared with the crowd of almost 200 the historical significance of the land for the Noongar people.
Mr Taylor said that he remembered the area as a venue of gathering when he was young and believed that Daydawn was the "right place for a continued path of reconciliation..., a place where the heart of this land will be spiritually and culturally protected". The Archbishop then shared his frustration at the barriers that exist for indigenous people, especially in accessing accommodation, but had great hope that Daydawn would be not only a place of peace and acceptance, but would also become a strong voice for an often powerless people. He said that a team of volunteers, working under the direction of Sr Dolores, would also endeavour to obtain better opportunities for indigenous people in areas such as education, employment, health facilities and other services, despite the entrenched barriers that exist
within the community. The crowd then processed to the premises at 207 Beaufort Street, behind a cross made by Elder Mort Hansen, which was a reminder of the suffering of both Jesus and the Aboriginal people. Graham Clinch, visiting from Geraldton, said that he would utilise the Daydawn Centre in his trips to Perth, believing it was a great way to assist indigenous people in getting off the streets. Joe Jackamarra was also an enthusiastic supporter, saying that the Centre would be used as a meeting place to unite travelling families. The Archbishop said Daydawn will "seek to reflect the hope and joy of the Easter Dawn when Christ rose from the dead to change the world from a world of violence and suffering to a world that reflects his own kingdom, a kingdom of love, justice and peace."
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April 4 2007, The Record
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Jesus: Giving everything to God and to us By Bishop Donald Sproxton s we look back on our lives, we realise that a human life is so relatively brief. Some lives are shorter than others. Very often omeone's short life has had the most profound effect on us. I arrived home one evening this week to find a young couple in terrible distress. They have become known to me in the last few weeks as they have been using my veranda as a refuge most nights. Normally, they are quiet and they make sure that they leave the veranda tidy before they leave each morning to continue their lives on the street. I believe they do this out of a sense of gratitude. I learnt that shortly before I moved into the house in January, the young woman had given birth to a son, but because of their circumstances the infant was in care. That evening I met them and the woman was inconsolable. They had found out that their son had died three days before. She was wailing, "My son! My little boy!" The thought came to me how this little boy might have been the motivation for the couple to look at other options so that their family
could be built. Now with this little life ended, what is the future for this mother? It is not too difficult to make a link between this tragedy and the events that we are again recalling at Easter. The relatively short life of Jesus has had, and continues to have, a huge impact on the lives of people. He manifested throughout his life the compassion and mercy of God in his manner with people, as well as in his teaching. His many experiences of the testing of his love and faith were a preparation for the last test of Calvary: could Jesus be obedient? Could he give everything to God and to us? The Easter Vigil most powerfully gives us the answer: Yes, He has destroyed the power of death because he was obedient, and he offers us the same strength of spirit in our Baptism and all the other Sacraments. For this reason, we are able to know that Jesus Christ is the only saviour. Yet there is another part of the story of Easter. It is the passion of Mary. Of course her passion was different to that of her son, but she shared in the pain, as mothers do when their children suffer. Those three har-
rowing days between his crucifixion and the first day of the week were full of pain and confusion. Relief came in a form she could never have dreamt possible. She heard the reports of some women that they had seen Jesus alive, but only later did she see her son. The young couple who will be grieving the death of their son will find no relief to their pain. There can be no relief unless they hear that Christ is risen. It can only be through this announcement that their grieving will be eased, that they may reach some understanding about their son's short life and death, and that they may be able to discover that Christ can give them the strength to move to a new life. I pray that this Easter we are more open to hear and believe the only Good News: God has loved you so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to show the way to freedom through his life, death and resurrection, and that he provides all you need to have the new life. May we feel the deepest gratitude for the faith we have been offered. May you and all of your families and friends accept the blessings of God, our loving Father, at Easter.
4‘ The relatively short life of Jesus has had, and continues to have, a huge impact on the lives of people. He "
manifested throughout His life the compassion and mercy of God in his manner with people.
Preparing for life Ellen is participating in the Manage Your Income, Manage Your Life program launched in February 2004 by Centacare Wilcannia-Forbes and supported by Caritas Australia. Ellen is a Wiradjuri woman and lives in Dubbo with her husband, four children and four siblings. Wilcannia-Forbes Centacare's Manage Your Income, Manage Your Life program is a financial management program designed specifically for Indigenous communities. The program promotes leadership and aims to create community role models who in turn teach income management skills to others within the community. Many Aboriginal communities face major social problems including widespread poverty, low self-esteem, substance abuse and unemployment of young and middle aged adults. The key goal of the Manage Your Income, Manage Your Life program is to teach basic skills in budgeting. Self-sustained: Ellen, who participates in Centacare's program of education. PHOTO COURTESY CARITAS The program focuses on building self-esteem, supporting individuals to set goals and providing training in budgeting. The program highlights the need to prepare for the uncerU NDERSTANDING AND GENTLE COMPASSION tainties and pressures of life and emphasises the importance of savings. Ellen is a leader in TO ARRANGE A FUNERAL OR her community and she acts as a mentor and nurturer to help women and children reach their potential. OAKV_VOOD Ellen is a voluntary F UNE RAL S community worker A new standard of service and a lifetime of tradition. at Apollo House, a 506 MARMION STREET BOORAGOON community centre TELEPHONE (08) 9330 8300 in Dubbo where she 6 ROBINSON PLACE ROCKINGHAM assists with a literacy TELEPHONE (08)9529 3399 program that encourages students to read. 24 HOUR 7 DAY SERVICE SERVICING ALL CEMETERIES She also serves as a grief counsellor, busi-
ness counsellor and child supervisor during the school holidays. The Manage Your Income, Manage Your Life program has helped Ellen to create structure in her life by teaching her how to set goals and prioritise how she spends her time and money. "People in the community indicated they wanted to learn to budget because when you have little money your whole life gets turned upside down if you have any financial problem," said Ellen. "In the program we all feel safe enough to talk openly about money. We learn how to write a shopping list and we now understand that we should avoid making impulse purchases. I've learned it's not how much money you earn, it's what you do with it." Ellen now plans the weekly meals and there is no impulse buying. She is very organised and plans for pay day, looking at what bills need to be paid and how much money she has to work with. When asked about the benefits of being involved in Manage Your Income, Manage Your Life, Ellen says, "It has empowered us to look after ourselves. It has helped me to look at the way I'm handling things in my life and to see where I need to make changes to go forward ." The Manage Your Income program in East Dubbo is coordinated by Indigenous woman Lynda Edwards from Narromine, who with Caritas Australia's support is studying to become an accredited financial counsellor. The program has provided participants with new skills and increased confidence. It has helped them to make better decisions about their lives and according to Ellen has opened their minds to new ways of thinking. Your donation to Project Compassion will support the development of Indigenous communities like Ellen's.
April 4 2007, The Record
Page 5
The light that shines through all of us By Archbishop Barry Hickey Looking around the world today it is not hard to be persuaded that darkness has descended on us and is deepening. At a time when humanity has the ability to feed, clothe, house and educate everyone, the world is wasting massive resources on brutal and pointless killing. Much of the killing is done by governments against their own people (Sudan) and by terrorists against the women and children who are their neighbours (Iraq, Uganda, and West Africa in general), and by the world's armies. Elsewhere, resources and lives are wasted on drugs, alcohol, pornography, prostitution, abortion and other aspects of life that bring out the worst in human beings. When peaceful, happy lives are potentially there for the taking by the great majority of the world's people, the reality is that billions suffer needlessly. It is pointless to blame "the system" or to put one's faith in "the system" because it is plain that no system causes all the problems and no system can fix them. The world is in darkness so deep that people cannot even agree that we need light. What is the solution? The only solution is Jesus Christ, the light of the world. At the first Easter he showed beyond doubt through his death and resurrection that his light is greater
Young and old venerate: A young gini holds palm branches during Palm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Parish in Aooud, West Bank.
PHOTO: CNS PHOTO/DEBBIE HILL
than all the darkness the world can whip up in hearts and minds. It is a greater than death itself. But the manner of his dying and rising show us also that He did not come to rule by power. He came to invite us to let his
light and his love come into our hearts and minds so that our relationships with Him and with one another will be free of the darkness. In his kingdom, the light of the world will not stun the world. It will shine through the people of the world - and that
means through individuals who make the choice to live in the light of Jesus. When making our personal decision to live in the light, we do not have to rely on our own strength. We need only to be willing to be strengthened by Jesus. We don't need to rely on our own wisdom. Look around the world and you will find no wisdom, no system to lift the darkness, except the wisdom of Jesus. Ask yourself what light you are connected to, and you will soon realise the importance of being connected to the light of Christ.
44 When making our personal decision to live in the light, we do not have to rely on our own strength. We
need only to be willing to be strengthened by Jesus.
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April 4 2007, The Record
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Jesus alive on the web of blessings By Bishop Christopher Saunders
I
recently was told by a number of people in Broome that a certain famous country music singer had died. I hadn't come across this news in the press so I decided to check out the story. So, I went to the internet, as you do these days, and discovered a web site called Dead or Alive. The country singer in question is 'Alive' you will be happy to know - the web site told me in no uncertain terms. As I pressed the search button after typing in the performer's name a huge red lettered message 'ALIVE' beamed across the screen accompanied by a cartoon of a smiling face. Other names I typed in were less fortunate than my singer and a black lettered 'DEAD' headed the page accompanied by information on dates and the cause of death and a cartooned sad face. Feeling a mixture of mischief and curiosity I typed in the names "Jesus Christ" and "Jesus of Nazareth". There was no entry under these names. No doubt you have to
decide for yourself about this question of Jesus being DEAD or ALIVE, just as did the disciples of Jesus, Mary his Mother and the faithful apostles. There is no certainty about the resurrection of Christ where there is no faith. Faith alone will tell you that Jesus is alive and faith alone will sustain the hope that his resurrection promises for all of us. The realisation that Jesus is ALIVE is at the core of the Easter event and such a realisation changes your life. Christ's death on the Cross is built on the certainty of history and the testimony of the disciples. His defeat of the Cross, His defeat of the certainty of death revealed to us through faith, changes our lives because suddenly our lives are not futile. There is purpose in living and celebrating life. Knowing that Christ overcame death and sin which itself brings death means that the great disappointments of life and our often repeated weaknesses are not fatal. We can overcome and thrive because Christ has
brought us new life through God's forgiveness. We are consoled that death when it comes to us, as surely it will, is not final. Our eternal life is boundless and fulfilling and loving. The fear of death has a crippling effect on hosts of people in today's world. For them it is something to be pushed out of mind and never contemplated. On the other hand to witness the death of a faith-filled person is a huge privilege because it confirms what joy there is in the expectation of eternal life with Christ. In such circumstances Jesus is ALIVE to the person dying and also to those who believe in His victory over death. In that truth we can find peace. Our Easter faith leads us to the wonderful certainty that Jesus faced death and defeated it in life that we might live through Him and with Him and in Him. May you and your family celebrate the gift of Easter in your lives secure in your belief in this, the choicest of God's blessings.
Feeling a mixture of mischief and curiosity I typed in the names "Jesus Christ" and "Jesus of Nazareth". There " was no entry under these names.
Second half of Pope's WYD message to youth Witnesses to the love of Christ I would like to linger for a moment on three areas of daily life where you, my dear young friends, are particularly called to demonstrate the love of God. The first area is the Church, our spiritual family, made up of all the disciples of Christ. Mindful of his words: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" On 13:35), you should stimulate, with your enthusiasm and charity, the activities of the parishes, the communities, the ecclesial movements and the youth groups to which you belong. Be attentive in your concern for the welfare of others, faithful to the commitments you have made. Do not hesitate to joyfully abstain from some of your entertainments; cheerfully accept the necessary sacrifices; testify to your faithful love for Jesus by proclaiming his Gospel, especially among young people of your age. Preparingfor the future The second area, where you are called to express your love and grow in it, is your preparation for the future that awaits you. If you are engaged to be married, God has a project of love for your future as a couple
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and as a family. Therefore, it is essential that you discover it with the help of the Church, free from the common prejudice that says that Christianity with its commandments and prohibitions places obstacles to the joy of love and impedes you from fully enjoying the happiness that a man and woman seek in their reciprocal love. The love of a man and woman is at the origin of the human family and the couple formed by a man and a woman has its foundation in God's original plan (cf Gen 2:18-25). Learning to love each other as a couple is a wonderful journey, yet it requires a demanding "apprenticeship". The period of engagement, very necessary in order to form a couple, is a time of expectation and preparation that needs to be lived in purity of gesture and words. It allows you to mature in love, in concern and in attention for each other; it helps you to practise selfcontrol and to develop your respect for each other. These are the characteristics of true love that does not place emphasis on seeking its own satisfaction or its own welfare. In your prayer together, ask the Lord to watch over and increase your love and to purify it of all selfishness. Do not hesitate to respond generously to the Lord's call, for Christian
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matrimony is truly and wholly a vocation in the Church. Likewise, dear young men and women, be ready to say "yes" if God should call you to follow the path of ministerial priesthood or the consecrated life. Your example will be one of encouragement for many of your peers who are seeking true happiness. Growing in love each day The third area of commitment that comes with love is that of daily life with its multiple relationships. I am particularly referring to family, studies, work and free time. Cultivate your talents, not only to obtain a social position, but also to help others to "grow". Develop your capacities, not only in order to become more "competitive" and "productive", but to be "witnesses of charity". In addition to your professional training, also make an effort to acquire religious knowledge that will help you to carry out your mission in a responsible way. In particular, I invite you to carefully study the social doctrine of the Church so that its principles may inspire and guide your action in the world. May the Holy Spirit make you creative in charity, persevering in your commitments, and brave in your initiatives, so that you will be able to offer your contribution to the building up of the "civilisation of love". "Dare to love" by following the example of the saints Iinvite you to "dare to love". Do not desire anything less for your life than a love that is strong and beautiful and that is capable of making the whole of your existence a joyful undertaking of giving yourselves as a gift to God and your brothers and sisters, in imitation of the One who vanquished hatred and death forever through love (cf Rev 5:13). Love is the only force capable of changing the heart of the human person and of all humanity, by making fruitful the relations between men and women, between rich and poor, between cultures and civilisations. This is shown to us in the lives of the saints. They are true friends of God who channel and reflecrthis very first love. Try to know them better, entrust yourselves to their intercession, and strive to live as they did. I shall just mention Mother Teresa. In order to respond instantly to the cry of Jesus, "I
thirst", a cry that had touched her deeply, she began to take in the people who were dying on the streets of Calcutta in India. From that time onward, the only desire of her life was to quench the thirst of love felt by Jesus, not with words, but with concrete action by recognising his disfigured countenance thirsting for love in the faces of the poorest of the poor. Blessed Teresa put the teachings of the Lord into practice: "Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40). The message of this humble witness of divine love has spread around the whole world. The secret of love Each one of us has been given the possibility of reaching this same level of love, but only by having recourse to the indispensable support of divine Grace. Only the Lord's help will allow us to keep away from resignation when faced with the enormity of the task to be undertaken. It instills in us the courage to accomplish that which is humanly inconceivable. Above all, the Eucharist is the great school of love. When we participate regularly and with devotion in Holy Mass, when we spend a sustained time of adoration in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, it is easier to understand the length, breadth, height and depth of his love that goes beyond all knowledge (cf Eph 3:17-18). By sharing the Eucharistic Bread with our brothers and sisters of the Church community, we feel compelled, like Our Lady with Elizabeth, to render "in haste" the love of Christ into generous service towards our brothers and sisters. Towards the encounter in Sydney On this subject, the recommendation of the apostle John is illuminating: "Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth" (1 Jn 3: 18-19). Dear young people, it is in this spirit that I invite you to experience the next WYD together with your bishops in your respective dioceses. This will be an important stage on the way to the meeting in Sydney where the theme will be: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8).
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Admire the goodness of God By Bishop Justin Bianchini aster is so rich and so deep, and in connection to our lives so varied
that it is not easy to write a short message. We are truly blessed, because year after year as we celebrate the great mystery of Easter in the Liturgy, we become slowly and surely more immersed into this saving action of God. In this way Jesus Himself can do more for us than any words could teach or persuade. I was reading recently a reflection on a phrase Blessed Mary MacKillop wrote to her Sisters in 1884, "admire the Goodness of God". While she was not referring to Easter, I'd like to connect it to Easter and our lives. Firstly, let us keep in mind that Easter is not only Sunday or the Resurrection. It is also Good Friday or the suffering and death of Jesus. In fact it is the passing of Jesus from Death to Life that we recall and celebrate. Here truly, is the goodness of God to admire. The resurrection shows that goodness of God powerfully. Jesus had come so that we might have life and have it to the full. He
wants us to have a full life now on earth, however we will truly have life to the full when He raises us up to eternal life. The resurrection gives us a sure and great hope and a perfect future. Admire the goodness of God in this for a few moments. We look also at Jesus, God's Son on the Cross. In suffering and dying for us all, he showed, "No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends" (Jn. 15:13).
Again, could we pause and in our own human way admire the goodness of God? Likewise in our life when we stop and think, we see more clearly the good things that have happened to us and through us. We can do this at any time, but a good time would be at the end of the day. This leads us to thank God and here again we can quietly admire the goodness of God shown on a daily basis. Mary MacKillop's name in Religious Life is Mother Mary of the Cross. Even if she had not taken the name she was in fact a woman who bore a fair share of the cross in her
life. In 1884 when Mary wrote, "admire the Goodness of God", what was she referring to? The cross was very much part of it. The growing Community of Sisters in Sydney indeed had much for which they would be grateful. They were living in a time when the Sisters of St Joseph were expanding rapidly in a city and a Diocese which welcomed and supported them. At the same time, to put it mildly, they were experiencing difficulties in Queensland. As well there were still troubles in South Australia. Mary saw the seeds of sorrow sown in these other places had sprung into new life in Sydney. In asking the Sisters to admire the Goodness of God, Blessed Mary was reminding them to see the Goodness of God in what had been painful experiences. In good times and in bad therefore, there are opportunities to admire the goodness of God. If we have any doubts we go back to the core of our faith, Easter, which is both the death and resurrection of Jesus. Here we can't but admire the goodness of God. Happy Easter to one and all.
" We are truly blessed, because year after year as we celebrate the great mystery of Easter in the Liturgy, we " become slowly and surely more immersed into this saving action of God.
Salesians expand WYD horizons West Australian students given more opportunities to help others less fortunate By Anthony Barich
The Salesians are inviting West Australian students to be part of their national leadership program to help international pilgrims get to World Youth Day next year. The Salesians are fundamentally a congregation set up to work with youth in missions, schools, parishes and other communities around the world, and are therefore ideally placed as a network to get youth to WYD. The issue of helping Catholics from these countries get to WYD was discussed at an international meeting of the Salesians hosted by the Australian Province in Melbourne in February, where delegates were urged to "support it as much as possible". The Salesians also devised a plan to bring up to eight student representatives from their own schools to a leadership weekend to take an active role with the international pilgrims they sponsor to attend WYD. The Salesians have eight secondary schools in Australia - one in Sydney, two in South Australia, one in Hobart and four in Victoria but students from West Australian schools can get involved through Fr John Gandini, the former parish priest of St Joachim's in Victoria Park before it was turned into the Pro-Cathedral. Fr Gandini is now Curtin University's chaplain. Fr Bernie Graham, principal of St John Bosco College in Engadine, NSW and part of a four-person panel set up to facilitate this proc-
ess, says linking local Catholics
with those of the world fosters a form of evangalisation. "It links in our own kids with the wider world of culture and faith and the worldwide Church, and allows both groups to meet with one another," Fr Graham said. There are Salesians in Perth who have run a summer camp program - which Fr Gandini is involved in - so "there is a possibility of leaders from that group being involved," Fr Graham said. The Salesians, founded by Saint Don Bosco, are a missionary order scattered throughout the world, and closer to home in the Asian region including Japan, china, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, East Timor, Fiji and Samoa. Br Michael Lynch, head of the Australian Salesian mission office, said there is much interest in WYD among Catholics in the Asian region, especially in the Solomon Islands. However it could be costly - as travel estimates from East Timor alone would be around $2000. "Anecdotal evidence of those who have commenced seminary training in Australia, especially in Melbourne, in the last five years indicate that a high proportion of them have participated in World Youth Days," Br Lynch said. While less than a handful may end up being funded from these Asian countries, Br Lynch said the spirit of WYD would be brought back home, and could help individuals realise their vocations. "If people come then when they return it would be a leadership experience for them," Br Lynch said."People who attended them (World Youth Days) tell me the atmosphere is magic; so hopefully they can bring that spirit back to
Early faith: Children attend Sunday Mass at Balide Church in Dili, the capital of East Timor. their home countries. Previous World Youth Days have shown participants return to their home countries with a renewed enthusiasm and a wider vision of the faith, and as such it would be great if this experience were shared as widely as possible." He said that if a school in Perth wanted to sponsor a pilgrim from these countries, it would not be out of the question for that pilgrim to spend time in Perth at the school before or after WYD, if enough funds could be raised. Local schools and students who want to be part of the Salesians' leadership group can contact Fr Gandini on 9361 7224. The Salesian missions office is also accepting donations at PO Box 264, Ascot Vale Victoria, 3032, or email salmiss@ozemail.com.au.
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Priests and the Easter experience By Bishop Gerard Holohan Christ's love, their human love is gradually purified of selfishness. They discover these experiences to the extent that they pray daily about their marriages and families, and strive towards the ideals of the Christian vocation of marriage. Couples are empowered too to carry their daily crosses, particularly their marriage and family difficulties. Christ helps them to rise again after minor and major falls from their marriage ideals. He helps them to forgive each other, to bear each other's burdens, to serve each other, and to renew the tenderness of their love when this is needed [Catechism 1642].
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ne of the most moving elements in the celebration of Easter is the sight of our priests renewing their priestly commitment during the Mass of the Oils. Easter reminds us that Jesus instituted the priesthood at the Last Supper. It reminds us too that priests are called to be instruments of the Risen Christ for his people. It is important for the whole of the Church to reflect periodically upon priests' own experiences of the Risen Christ. It is these that strengthen the priest's capacity to serve others. A personal callingfrom Christ The calling to priesthood is a personal one from Jesus himself. The first to hear this call were the Apostles. Like the prophets of old, a priest's calling comes in various ways. Samuel, for example, heard his call more directly [1 Samuel 31. Elisha, on the other hand, realised he was called only when Elijah abruptly placed the hair cloak of a prophet on his shoulders [1 Kings 19:19]. There are other examples. Every priest has his own story of personal calling. It is always an interesting story. But it is Jesus himself who, through the Holy Spirit, has called. Love through self giving During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist: 'Take this all of you and eat it: this is my Body'. 'Take this all of you and drink it: this is my Blood'. The ultimate expressions of his self giving were his sufferings and death. At his ordination, every priest promises his life to Jesus and to the people assigned to his pastoral care. Imitation of the self-emptying love of Jesus is the ideal to which priests commit themselves. No priest would claim to have achieved this ideal. It is the vision towards which we struggle daily, conscious always of our weaknesses. It is through our personal struggles that priests develop the understanding needed to support and encourage others in their struggles to follow Christ. And it is our experiences of the Risen Christ helping us that teach us how to help others to draw on His power for their own lives. Personal Experiences of Christ Every Christian calling brings its own experiences of the Risen Christ to the extent that each of us responds. We can come to realise that we are having these experiences in various ways. For some, awareness can be immediate. For others, it may come only by looking back after a period of time, or by journaling. The Sacrament of Marriage Married couples, for example, find through the Sacrament of Marriage the power of the Risen Christ's divine love strengthening and purifying their married love. Through
The Sacrament of Holy Orders In a similar way, priests experience Christ personally to the extent that they live daily their priestly commitment. They are empowered to carry the crosses that come with their callings - particularly the challenges, disappointments and frustrations of parish life. Christ helps us to to rise again after we have fallen from the ideals of priesthood - particularly that of loving our people and each other with Christ-like self emptying love. The Word of God Priests experience the Risen Christ as we struggle each day to proclaim his Gospel effectively to congregations, groups and individuals. Like the Apostles, we have to watch our daily routines, for 'it would not be right for us to neglect the Word of God' [Acts 6:2]. We priests have to pray the Scriptures daily, particularly before Mass, and to study the insights of Scripture commentaries in order to grow further in our understanding. None of us can give others what we do not have ourselves. We know that faith is stirred or nurtured in others to the extent that they can see precisely where the Gospel and their personal lives meet. Helping our hearers to do this is a huge challenge. Unless they do so, they will not experience its power in their lives. There are other challenges as well. Some, for example, suggest that, to attract people today, we should say little about those teachings of Christ that people do not like to hear. Others suggest that we should not call people to convert and change. Then there are those who would have us preach a Christ so bland that one would wonder why he was crucified. In fact, to 'edit' the Gospel so as to appeal to people today would be to lack faith in Christ, whose teachings make up the Gospel. And, without conversion, people will drift away from the faith eventually. Jesus never compromised to attract people. Indeed, when crowds started moving away because of His teaching on the Eucharist, He also challenged his Apostles: 'What about you, do you want to go away too?' [John 6:67]. The Risen Lord helps us to remain faithful, and to acknowledge that faith and conversion involve the action of God - and that we are called simply to play our part in God's action.
To lead in love One of the spiritual gifts the Risen Christ gives his priests is that of building Christian community, and of leading it in love. This means helping our people to focus first upon the Eucharist, for Christ alone is the Head who builds Christian community. It also means calling people to live as followers of Christ in today's world: to teach his Gospel in their places of work, recreation and social contact by the witness of life and words. It means calling them to fulfil their baptismal roles within the Church, especially their parishes. Leadership in love is the calling to serve our people as Christ showed when, like a slave, He washed the Apostles' feet during the Last Supper. It calls us to work to be servants of the kind of unity the Holy Spirit alone can bring to our parishes, to reconcile differing views, to form people to fulfil their roles in society and in the parish. Leadership in love calls us to visit and care for the sick and the elderly. The care and encouragement of parents is a special priority. In all of this, priests have experiences of the Risen Christ. Leadership can also require suffering. There are always unresponsive people, the aggressive, the overly demanding and the disruptive. Most of all, leadership in love means being priests of the Good Shepherd who is constantly seeking to reach out to the lost.
The Sacraments We priests know that it is not us, but the Risen Christ, who works through us when we celebrate sacraments. It is He who baptises, changes bread and wine into his Body and Blood, forgives sin and strengthens the sick. A key part of our role, however, is to help people develop the personal faith needed to participate actively in liturgies; that is, by offering themselves and praying to God from their hearts. As we prepare our own hearts before celebrating a Mass or any sacrament, priests find Jesus touching us also. But we have to watch. If we allow other things to interfere with our preparation, there can be even the temptation for our liturgical celebrations to become routine.
Priestly spirituality The drive and energy of a priest comes from knowing 'Christ and the power of his resurrection' [Philippians 3:10]. Through this power, Christ energises, renews, consoles and strengthens hope. There can be another parallel with marriage here. The first joys of married life gradually diminish, and the strength and union within a marriage relationship grow or decline according to the degree of selflessness and effort of each spouse to make the marriage work. Similarly, the joys after ordination diminish, and the strength of the priest's personal relationship with Christ and his people, and his personal fulfilment, depend upon the selflessness and effort of the priest to respond to the spiritual gifts he has received through the 'laying on of hands'. The fulfilment and happiness of married couples and of priests come only with their self giving to those to whom they have committed their lives. The Eucharist As priests, our greatest and most personal experiences of the Risen Christ come through the Eucharist. The prepared heart experiences enlightenment, and strengthening resolve towards greater personal conversion; it experiences growing love for God, empowerment for the struggles against personal weaknesses, and deeper intimacy with Jesus himself. The Eucharist is the climax of our day, the moment when we are closest with Jesus himself. Prayer before Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament, also brings rich experiences of the Risen Lord. As Christ's instruments, rather than being our own masters, we priests go to Jesus to pray for the needs of our people. We also seek Christ's guidance for pastoral needs and questions, for how to deal with difficult and disruptive people, for better understanding of confusing situations. Christ's words: 'Come to me all you who labour and are over-burdened' apply in a special way to those serving his people in His manner. He strengthens us to carry on, consoles our disappointments and gives greater self-understanding. 'In the Person of Christ' The priest serves his people in 'the Person of Christ the Head'. We are instruments of Christ, whose power we celebrate and draw
upon through the sacraments. It is He who touches people's hearts through our efforts to help them to relate his whole Gospel to their lives. He touches their hearts through our efforts to express genuinely self-giving love in our leadership. Our challenges are never to water down the challenges of the Gospel, or to give our personal views; rather the teaching of Christ. We are aware of our need never to give in to temptations to dominate, to control others or to place our own convenience first. These are difficult challenges, as anyone would know, and the struggle is constant. Experiences like Christ in the Gospels As Christ forms his priest, the priest has experiences similar to Christ in the Gospels. At times he knows loneliness, disappointment, being misunderstood and criticism. He is moved, like the Christ who wept over Jerusalem, by the lack of acceptance of the salvation Christ alone can give, by those who do not practise the faith [Luke 19:41]. The Christ who has called the priests we have today is the Christ who would weep over the vast majority in our Diocese who have drifted from religious practice. Christ supports each of our priests in all of this to the extent that each opens his heart to Christ. Christ renews the priest through each Hour of the Divine Office as the priest opens his heart for this. We do so by recalling the joys and disappointment of the past hours of the day, and expressing our hopes and fears for the coming hours. Christ supports us too as we pray our daily 'spiritual exercises' of each day. Faith in Christ's promises Christ deepens in us also the hope that comes from his promises. The grain of wheat that dies to itself, for example, produces the hundred-fold: the seeds of the Gospel germinate even though results cannot be seen [John 12:24; Mark 4:29]. The priest's whole life is founded upon the promises of Jesus. Without faith in these, his life would be meaningless and futile. Our future fruitfulness The country priesthood is not for someone who needs large crowds for personal satisfaction; nor quick results to feel valued. Such motives would be more about us than about Christ and his people. It is for the humble servant, the patient, the persistent and the faith-filled. These are the qualities I see and admire most in the priests of our diocese. One of my deepest convictions is that, seen through the prism of Christ's promises, the future fruit of their ministries will be abundant. Of this I have not the slightest doubt. Please pray for our priests The priesthood instituted by Christ in the Last Supper that first Easter is a life of richness and deep joy. The glimpses I have given are some of the mosaic pieces on a path that leads the priest to the Risen Christ and all he offers. What the priest discovers as he follows this path is what he can share with his people. I want to thank the priests of our diocese this Easter for their ministry to our people. It is not easy, and can be very difficult at times. There can be times of personal problems also. But our priests are signs of the love of Christ in the midst of his people, the love of the Good Shepherd and of the Christ weeping over Jerusalem for those who have gone away from his flock. Let us all appreciate our priests who have renewed their priestly commitment once again this Easter. Let us pray that they continue to grow in their personal experiences of the Risen Christ so that they, in their turn, can continue to encourage and support those they serve in their quest 'to know Christ and the power of his resurrection' [Philippians 3:10].
44 The grain of wheat that dies to itself, for example, produces the hundred-fold: the seeds of the Gospel
germinate even though results cannot always be seen.
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When everything changed At Easter, do any of us have a clear picture of what it is that we remember, why we actually celebrate? Bringing together a variety of sources, author and lecturer (OLIN DURIEZ looks at the sequence of events beginning immediately after the Resurrection that lead to the birth of the Church at Pentecost. The scene is Jerusalem, a little-known corner of the Roman Empire. The date is AD33, the year that changed the world... SUNDAY, 5 APRIL (16 NISAN)
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ccording to the New Testament Gospels, the first resurrection appearances took place very early on the Sunday morning of 5 April. We must picture the women who had witnessed Jesus' hasty burial making their way back to the tomb to anoint his body in the customary manner. Such a picture would try to reconcile the various Gospel accounts. Some scholars
see the narratives as too contradictory to make this a worthwhile exercise; others see variations as inevitable in relatively independent accounts of events (even where a core of shared material is used). The anointing would usually be done immediately after death but of course the Sabbath, and with it the Passover, had intervened. They may have come in two groups, having arranged to meet up at the tomb. Mary
Magdalene and Mary the wife of Cleopas made their way from the place in which they were staying in Jerusalem, perhaps John's house. Salome may have joined them. From another direction Joanna and an unnamed woman (possibly a disciple called Suzannah) may have set out from the Hasmodean palace near the temple mount, where Joanna was part of Herod's household. Putting together the various New Testament accounts
we get an idea of the possible sequence. As the two Marys and Salome approached the burial area they may have felt earth tremors. This was relatively unremarkable, as such things were common close to the rift valley in which the River Jordan flowed. What was more pressing for them was the fact that they suddenly realised that they would not be able to roll away the heavy stone in front of the tomb. As they approached,
however, they noticed that the tomb had already been opened. Mary Magdalene, assuming the body had been taken, ran off to inform Peter and John, the two disciples who had remained in Jerusalem, leaving the two older women at the spot. At this point they were joined by Joanna and her companion. They decided to enter the tomb to see what might have happened. There, we are told, they were Continued overleaf
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After the Resurrection - nothing can be the same Moment of eternity
Life forever for us
Faithful to the end
Unearthly beings
The beloved - the Eagle
The denier - but the Chosen
Mother
In the breaking of the Bread
Apostle, Evangelist
His face? This image on the Shroud of Turin is increasingly accepted as that of Christ at the moment of his Resurrection.
Beyond death: From the moment He rises form the dead, Jesus begins to appear - probably first to His Mother.
Unlike the men: It was largely the women who had accompanied Jesus through His Passion: it was to them he appeared first.
Announcers: Usually portrayed in art as winged supermen, the angels in the Gospels are described as shining beings
Disciple: )t John, the 'beloved disciple,' would go on to be described as the Eagle his writing of God's love soared.
Forgiven: Peter denied Christ but Jesus forgave - and appointed him chief Shepherd of His sheep.
Greatest love: The greatest saint of the Church. Who else would Jesus have appeared to first after his death.
Friends: On the road to Emmaus Jesus joins two of His disciples - but they only recognise Him in sharing the Eucharist.
Matthew: The evangelist went on to write one of the four greatest books of faith - his Gospel of the life of Christ.
arms tightly around his legs. He told her not to cling to him. It seems that this was not a shyness of human touch, nor a reprimand, but a signal that his relationships had now changed with his resurrection - he would soon be leaving his disciples. They had to let him go. While the other women were contacting the various disciples with the angel's message, perhaps on their way to Bethany, they were hailed by Jesus. Thus both his first and second appearances were to women, who had no legal status as witnesses. It is only after this that Jesus appeared later in the day to the band of disciples, who seem to have gathered together in Jerusalem as a result of the women's unlikely stories, and were having a meal. Before this appearance, two of the larger group of disciples, Cleopas and an unnamed person, set off for a village called Emmaus, several miles away.
well have been to do with expectation. SUNDAY, 12 APRIL (23 NISAN) A fter all, you may see someone in the street who looks like a friend who has t is clear from the New Testament died, but you quickly dismiss the idea. documents that the disciples stayed It may also have been that Jesus was on in Jerusalem at least a week ordinary looking and that his head before following Jesus' instruction to was covered - it is usually his teaching, go to Galilee to meet with him there. his inherent authority and his relationThis may have been in keeping with ships with a diversity of people that are the custom of pilgrims to remain in noted in the New Testament. or near Jerusalem for the six days of We are given no description of a unleavened bread which followed the further appearance, this time to Peter Passover. We are not told the location alone, later that day. Around this time of the mountain where they were to too Jesus appeared James, as men- meet him. Many steep hills butt on to tioned by St Paul. However, the New the shore around the Lake (or Sea) of Testament documents do tell us in Galilee. John records the appearance some detail that Jesus appeared to of Jesus to Thomas, together with the Peter and the other immediate disci- ten who had already seen him, the folples (with the exception of an absent lowing Sunday in Jerusalem. As usual, Thomas) as they talked at a meal about the doors of the room in which they the overwhelming events of the day. were meeting were locked, for fear of The occasion was recorded in Luke's the city and temple authorities, so it is memorable words, likely that they met in the Upper Room As they were talking about these that may have been the property of the things, Jesus himself stood among them, parents of John Mark. Once again Jesus and said to them, 'Peace to you!' suddenly appeared. This time, after his But they were startled andfrightened familiar greeting of 'Peace be with and thought they saw a spirit. And he you,' he invited Thomas to touch the said to them, 'Why are you troubled, scars on his body. The quick-minded and why do doubts arise in your hearts? disciple responded with 'My Lord and See my hands and my feet, that it is I my God!' Perhaps more than the othmyself Touch me, and see. For a spirit ers he had thought through the deep does not have flesh and bones as you see implications of what was happening. thatIhave.' And when he had said this, His new conviction would soon carry he showed them his hands and his feet. him, according to credible tradition, to And while they still disbelieved for joy India and possibly also Parthia, where and were marvelling, he said to them, he would tell the story many times. Wave you anything here to eat?' They It was such convictions about the gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he resurrection appearances of Jesus that took it and ate before them. provided the impetus and dynamic for Some time later, when Thomas the dramatic expansion of Christianity rejoined the others of the Eleven, he in the 30 years after these events. was sceptical about the stories of Jesus' resurrection, and the visions of the BETWEEN WEDNESDAY, 15 women. When the others told him, 'We APRIL (26 NISAN) AND 13 MAY have seen the Lord,' his no-nonsense (24 IYYAR) response was, 'UnlessIsee in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my f the Eleven and other disciples finger into the mark of the nails, and from Galilee had set out the next place my hand into his side,Iwill never day, Monday, 13 April, they may believe.' He referred very specifically have reached the vicinity of the Lake of to Christ's horrific wounds from the Galilee by the Wednesday. They would crucifixion. have descended the steep Roman road
THURSDAY, 14 MAY (25 IYYAR)
He had instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the mysterious Holy Spirit came. After Jesus had gone they returned to the city, overwhelmed with joy.
Continued from VISTA 1
surprised to see two young men whose white robes were dazzlingly bright. (This is a normal depiction of angelic beings, or divine messengers in Scripture; they look like men, wearing the usual clothes of the period, not airy beings with wings.) One of the men told them that Jesus had risen, as he said he would. They were to inform the disciples, and Peter, that he was going before them to Galilee. At this the four women fled from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples. A great deal of running went on in those early hours, as a result of the extraordinary events which were, presumably, almost too much for the mind to grasp. Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene had found Peter and John in the city, and blurted out, 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.' Immediately the two men started running to the tomb, with Mary following behind. In the crowded Jerusalem streets, offering several routes north to the tomb, outside the city wall, Peter and John did not intercept the other women on their way from the tomb to tell the disciples, as instructed by the angel. John, probably younger than Peter, reached the tomb first, but Peter was the first to go right in. There he saw the empty grave-clothes. When John entered he 'saw and believed' that Jesus was risen. He noted 'the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself." This simple observation seems to have had a profound impact upon his faith. By now Mary Magdalene had reached the tomb, and lingered there while Peter and John went back. As she wept she experienced the first resurrection appearance of Jesus. Probably she dropped to her knees in amazement and joy and wrapped her
"As she wept she experienced the first resurrection appearance of Jesus. Probably she dropped to her knees in amazement and joy and wrapped her arms tightly around his legs." As they walked they were joined by a third person, whom they did not recognise at first. They told him about the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and how 'some women of our company amazed us' with their stories of an empty tomb and visions of angels.' Later, as they pressed him to stay with them, they recognised him as Jesus. This slowness to recognise him may
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Jesus three times asked Peter from Jerusalem to Jericho, if he loved him. After each then headed north along affirmation Jesus said, 'Feed the broad Jordan Valley. my sheep.' Peter thereafter It was in the area around was restored and acknowlthe Lake of Galilee that sevedged as a leading pillar of eral appearances took place. the Church among the aposOne of them is recorded tles, s the Eleven became in extraordinary detail in known, other evident pillars John's Gospel, and conbeing the brothers James and cerns a group from among John, Jesus' cousin James, the Eleven who are taken eventually, Paul. and, by a meeting by surprise During the appearances in with Jesus. Another is the Galilee it seems that Jesus occasion mentioned by then directed his close disciPaul, in his letter to the ples to return to Jerusalem. church in Corinth, in The purpose of the Galilean which a very large number appearances appears to have congregate. Because of the been to demonstrate his reslarge number, this may be urrection to a large number the meeting that Jesus had of disciples in the area in specified in Galilee. which he had done most of It is likely to have been his teaching in the past three the occasion when Jesus years of his ministry. He also commissioned his disciincluded them in his comples, men and women, to mission to go throughout the go and make new disciples world with his Gospel. in all the nations of the Undoubtedly the Galileans world. This commission is were more amenable to the the heart of the expansion spread of the message to the of the Church which began Gentile world than many just weeks later. Though in Jerusalem. Nevertheless the Church was initially it was to Jerusalem that he entirely Jewish, its leaders directed his immediate foleventually began to reallowers, where the Church ise that the 'good news' would be centred for a conabout Jesus was equally for siderable time. Judaism in Gentiles. the period before the fall of The meeting with Jesus, Jerusalem and the destrucrecorded only in the Gospel tion of the temple in AD of John, began with a group 70 was varied and manyfrom among the Eleven coloured. Some scholars Peter, John, James his brother, Thomas, Nathaniel, and It begins: Gathered with Mary, the mother of Jesus and the mother believe that the distinctive two unnamed disciples of the Church, the apostles received the Holy Spirit -just as Jesus had Jewishness of Jesus may have - going out fishing on the promised. The faith they preached and the communion of believers owed much to the Galilean ALL PHOTOS: CNS context, which was less rigid, lake one night. They caught they built went on to change the whole world. nothing, but spied a figure on the shore - in the freshness of morning Jesus had to all appearances, than in Jerusalem as day was breaking. He called out to a wood fire burning and called them to and Judaea. If this were so, the history them to fish on the right side of the have a breakfast of bread and fish. For and development of the Church would boat, and the result was a huge haul. the Gospel writers the ordinary and have been very different had it been Peter suddenly realised that it was the sacred were the same. The occasion centred in Galilee - where most of Jesus, and jumped overboard and was important in publicly restoring Jesus' ministry took place - rather than swam to him. The others followed with Peter after his failure on the night of in Jerusalem. the catch. It was a numinous setting Jesus' trials. Echoing the three denials
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n obedience to Jesus, the Eleven had returned to Jerusalem, accompanied by many close disciples from Galilee, including women. Either this day, or the evening before, Jesus appeared to the Eleven in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. It is not recorded how long they spoke. According to the account in Acts, Jesus referred to the baptism of water, offered by John the Baptist, which had signified a decisive repentance and a desire for inward as well as external purity. They would, he said, be baptised by the coming of the Holy Spirit 'not many days from now'. They probably asked him many questions. One was about the issue of the nature of his kingdom. The Book of Acts records them asking, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' This was a leading 'messianic' question. At that time there were various concepts of what a messiah would do. Popular with some groups was an apocalyptic or eschatological messiah, who would decisively change the world order by supernatural means. Jesus deflects the question, suggesting that this is not the main concern. Rather he focuses upon a task for which they would be agents, using their hard work and resourcefulness in the here and now, but drawing upon a divine supernatural power that was unprecedented in scale: they would 'receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'. At some point, perhaps at daybreak, he led them out of Jerusalem, over the Mount of Olives towards Bethany. It was here that he left them for the final time. They described the manner of his disappearance afterwards as being taken into a cloud. Luke says that, on the Mount of Olives, 'lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.'
FRIDAY, 15 MAY (26 IYYAR) TO SATURDAY, 23 MAY (5 SIVAN)
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day for the next ten days the apostles, the Eleven, were continually to be found in the temple 'blessing God'. They also met throughout the day in the Upper Room, where, one day during the period, they chose by lots a successor to Judas Iscariot, called Matthias, so that they became the Twelve once more. They were accompanied in the Upper Room by a large body of disciples, men and women, many from Galilee. They devoted themselves to prayer with great fervour and, I suggest, went over the events of recent days and, further back, of the most memorable incidents and teachings in the three years of Jesus' ministry. The Church was about to be born, and an unstoppable force created that would, over the next thirty years, despite resistance and brutal persecution, spread through the eastern Roman empire and into the western, and, to the east, reach India via the trade routes. This group of about 120 Jewish people, together with those remaining in Galilee, would shape the character of the future Europe, and their message would be carried to the utmost parts of the earth, as Jesus instructed.
AD33 - the Year that Changed the World, by Colin Duriez, is published by Sutton Books. RRP 559.99 hdbk
Page 4 • Vista
Opinion
April 4 2007, The Record
the family is the future
The banes and blessings of in-laws
1 Derek Boylen is the director of Catholic Marriage Education Services. Derek may be contacted at derek. cmes@perthcatholic.org.au
n my work as a marriage educator I often encounter couples who have in-law problems; they don't like them, they're not liked by them, they feel like they can never live up to the expectations placed on them, etc. Once upon a time (and still in some cultures today) in-laws were the most important factor when considering marriage. Marriage was a way of healing past hurts and forging new community relationships between families. In contemporary Australia most couples have the luxury of marrying for love. Unfortunately, because most couples marry for love they often overlook the small detail of their spouse's extended family. When we get married we don't just get to spend the rest of our lives with the one we love, we also get their parents, siblings, aunties, uncles, grandparents, etc. Sadly, in our society the media often portrays the perfect marriage as a wonderful exclusive relationship with no outside interference from anyone else. A relationship where two people should be able to do whatever they like without having to entertain the whim of others. As an example look at the movie Nine Months. A couple living in a defacto relationship have an unintended pregnancy. The movie deals with them falling in and out of love leading up to the child's birth and finally deciding to stay together. Friends
appear to give them various kinds of advice, good and bad, throughout the movie. Overall, it's fairly entertaining but the astonishing thing is that not once throughout the entire movie do you encounter their parents, siblings, aunties, uncles or grandparents. A movie about two people dealing with one of the most tumultuous times in their lives without the appearance of even one of the people who, in real life, would be most interested. Nine Months isn't the only example. Unfortunately, young couples who build their lives around this kind of fantasy are in for a big surprise. In the real world there are these awkward things called in-laws. They can be a bane or a blessing for every marriage and often both. The image of marriage portrayed by the media stands in stark contrast to that portrayed by Pope Benedict XVI in his most recent apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist where he states: "The Eucharist inexhaustibly strengthens the indissoluble unity and love of every Christian marriage. By the power of the sacrament, the marriage bond is intrinsically linked to the Eucharistic unity of Christ the Bridegroom and his Bride, the Church (Eph 5:31-32). The mutual consent that husband and wife exchange in Christ, which establishes them as a community of life and love, also has a Eucharistic dimension. Indeed, in the theology of Saint Paul, conjugal love is a sacramental sign of Christ's love for his Church, a love culminating in the Cross, the expression of his "marriage" with humanity and at the same time the origin and heart of the Eucharist." Just as Christ's (the Bridegroom's) relationship with his Bride, the Church, is meant for the salvation of the whole world, so too, do a husband and wife established "as a community of life and love" have a
role to play in the salvation of all. Including their in-laws. So the question remains: what to do with troublesome in-laws? The simple answer: not much. You can't do much to change them but there is plenty that you can do within your own relationship. Christina Graves, former director of Catholic Marriage Education Services, encourages couples to develop "we" language. When talking to family and friends use "we" instead of me. If you need to address troublesome issues then use "we" language. For example, "we don't like it when you just help yourself to everything in the fridge." It sends a clear message that this isn't just a problem for me individually or my spouse individually but rather "us" as a couple. Cultivating "we" messages also sends a powerful message to your spouse. It says that you share their troubles and concerns and you're on their side. Something else that can help is to always make plans together. If someone asks you if you're free on Friday night tell them you'll check with your spouse. Sometimes, when your spouse doesn't get along with your family, it can feel like you are the meat in the sandwich. However, as Christina Graves says, "there is no sandwich." We don't marry our mothers, fathers, brother or sisters. The one we promised to love, cherish and honour for the rest of our lives is our spouse, everyone else is on the outside. The first principle for marriage articulated in the bible is Genesis 2:24, "for this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife." When we get married our spouse becomes number one. If you'd like some other ideas that may help with in-laws then try these:
• Try to appreciate what's good about your in-laws. Look for and acknowledge those times when things go right. • Evaluate your own expectations. Ask yourself if your own expectations are realistic. • Be your spouse's advocate when something needs to be said. We can often get away with being more direct with our families than our spouses can. It's our job to speak up on their behalf. • Realise you're not in the same season of life. Try to see things the way they do. What needs are they trying to meet through their actions. • You have at least one thing in common with your in-laws, your spouse. Try to discover where else you have common ground. Maybe interests or hobbies. • Appreciate that they often feel as uncomfortable as you. In-laws can be very awkward but take solace that it's usually as awkward for them as it is for you. Lastly, let's look at the other side of the coin. If you find it difficult to get along with your son, daughter, brother or sister's spouse try to empathise with how they feel. Recognise that they are a new family and that there are new boundaries to be established. Try to see the good qualities in them that your family member appreciates and look for common ground. When we don't get along with a family member's spouse we put a lot of pressure on their marriage. When in-law relationships are going well they can be wonderfully enriching, supportive experiences. Many couples who have faced challenges in their marriage attest to how helpful it is to have supportive in-laws. It is well worth the effort to work on this important relationship.
despair when we have been promised so clearly and with such love that He is with us until the end of time? God loved us so much that he actually came among us to teach us Himself what He meant in all His Old Testament revelations. We were having trouble getting it - we always will probably - so he came Himself, not only to teach us but to show us. He came to rectify the mess we made at the very beginning of things by wanting to be more than we are and thus diminishing ourselves, not only living with us but dying for us, expiating a debt unpayable in purely human terms. We are still at it, trying to be more than we are; trying to exclude God from His very own creative mechanisms, trying to be
free of any restraint in our vain and greedy grabbing at that same apple that was our undoing at the dawn of time. One day we will realise that we are God's finest creation, but creatures nevertheless we remain. One day we will all realise that our free will confers upon us the inestimable dignity of choosing to love the One who created us, choosing to honour His commandments, choosing to live by His edicts. But until that day comes, we who believe will just have to keep on doing the best we can, trying not to become too much entangled in the world's crazy gyrations as we march onwards along that straight and narrow path that leads to salvation.
Alleluia - the war is won AF
Catherine Parish
@ home
Ileluia! Lent is over, the unbearable sorrow of Good riday swallowed up in the rejoicing of Easter Sunday. I suppose it is natural to feel all millenarianist and despairing at such a time of apparent hopelessness in the liturgical year. But the riotous joy of the Resurrection is suitably chastening to such unworthy doubts! We can all breathe again, for Christ has won. As with any war, there is a heck of a lot of cleaning up to do afterwards, and we are struggling on, dealing with the mess that sin always leaves behind in its wake despite Christ's victory. But just as the effects of sin carry on, so also do the effects of any good we do no matter how small; and we know that in the end good and God will
triumph. He cannot lose - He has already won the victory over sin and death once and for all. Taxes - well, we still have to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's; but we can cheat death. I love the paradoxical nature of our faith; death brings life, sorrow brings joy - we, the conservative (in the true sense of the word trying to conserve what is good in our culture) element are really the radicals, stepping out of time with the world, marching to a different tune, sometimes the object of ridicule, certainly the object of curiosity at times. We are not reactionary, but forwardlooking,ever forward,beyond death, beyond time, towards that eternal truth in which we place all our hopes. What right have we to
April 42007, The Record
Page 9
The World FEATURE
Adult stem cells saved my mum
A little boy's big message Here is the text of an essay by Erik Massenzio, a sixth-grader at Rev. George Brown School in Sparta, which took first place in a contest sponsored by the Respect Life Committee at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Sparta. It was titled "Adult stem cells saved my mum's life." • Erik Massenzio
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lany people are confused when it
Happy lad: Erik MassenZiO, a sixth-grader at Rev. George Brown School in Sparta, New Jersey., poses with Mgr Paul Knauer, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Sparta, and his mother, Hedy.
Sixth-grader's essay personalises benefits of adult stem cells • By Cecile San Agustin
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n a recent essay on stem cells, 12-year old Erik Massenzio managed to make the Church's teaching crystal clear: embryonic stem-cell use is morally unacceptable, while adult stem-cell use is acceptable and is saving lives now. The sixth-grader was writing from personal experience in "Adult Stem Cells Saved My Mum's Life," which took first place this year in a writing contest sponsored by the Respect Life Committee at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Sparta. Two years ago, Erik's mother, Hedy, was diagnosed with leukaemia. The outlook appeared bleak for her. But through an adult stem-cell transplant, which the young student describes in his essay, his mother was healed. Today, Hedy Massenzio is cancer-free. Erik said he "knew right away what to write about" when he and his schoolmates in grades 6-8 at Rev. George Brown School in Sparta were asked to write an essay on "How could a compassionate Catholic be against embryonic stem-cell research and yet support adult stem-cell research?" "It was my mum that inspired me to write this essay," he added. "We were all very touched by his essay. I cried and I knew of his mother's story," said Lucia McKeeby, a member of the
PHOTO: CNS/COURTESY OF THE BEACON
Respect Life Committee who conceived the idea for the poster/essay contest. She is also a fourth-grade teacher at Rev. Brown School. "With such a complicated topic, he also made it so simple. He made it easy for me to understand using his own personal example," McKeeby told The Beacon, newspaper of the Paterson Diocese. In addition to using his personal experiences through his mother's illness, Erik researched the material giving scientific facts by stating the differences between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. His mum, who worked for a chemist, also knew information about the subject. In Erik's essay, he points out that embryonic stem cells have yet to benefit humanity, but the benefits of adult stem cells have already made their mark and his mother is proof. "It is very touching for me that Erik wrote this," said Hedy Massenzio. "The whole experience we went through was a learning experience.I was just glad that he learned something." While adult stem cells saved Hedy Massenzio's life, Erik wants all to know that prayer is ultimately the most important part of this journey. During his mother's illness, the community of Our Lady of the Lake showed immense support to the Massenzio family through prayer. "I was extremely sick and it was a really frightening and trying experience for me and the family," she said. At one point, her illness was so advanced
that doctors told her to make final plans. Following that grave news, a healing Mass was held for her and several other parishioners struggling with illnesses. During the Mass, many laid their hands over Hedy Massenzio in hopes of healing her. The family was extremely moved by the outpouring of love and support by the parishioners and schoolchildren who attended the Mass. When Hedy Massenzio went to the doctor the next week, he told her she was in remission and the time was right for an adult stem-cell transplant to further help her healing. Through the National Bone Marrow Registry, she was able to find a match. The donor was a 21-year-old man who lives in Colorado and whom she has never met. "He had even forgotten he was on the registry," she said. "He signed up for it a few years ago for a friend." Through his stem-cell donation, Hedy Massenzio is now completely healed. Finding a donor was a miracle in itself but the Massenzio family has been given many miracles by seeing firsthand how powerful prayer can be. Erik hopes his essay will help many more people understand embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. "I'm just gladI could make other people understand and I hope many more people get the message," said Erik, who is considering becoming a doctor or a writer. -CNS
comes to the differences between _. embryonic stem-cell research and adult stem-cell research, and why the Catholic Church is against one and supports the other. They are two totally different things, which people need to understand. First, embryonic stem-cell research is killing a living person - there's no other way of explaining it. An embryo is a 5day-old human being. Scientists take this embryo and kill it to use its stem cells for research. Stem cells are cells that can grow into any type of cell or organ and are considered the most powerful type of human cell. These scientists say that using embryonic stem cells may help find cures for some diseases but they have not found any yet. Even if this would be true, embryos are human beings and we don't kill people for research experiments! Another way to get stem cells for research is from adults. This is the way the Catholic Church supports. Stem cells are taken from adults by surgically removing some of them from bone marrow or taken from blood in a way like when you donate blood. Another .way to get stem cells is from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby. The umbilical cord is loaded with stem cells and the cord would get thrown out anyway after the baby is born. Both of these ways do not harm the person who donates it. The only stem cells that have ever been used to cure people are these adult stem cells - not embryonic stem cells. My mum was one of those people that got cured of leukaemia by getting a stemcell transplant. My mum was so sick and chemotherapy couldn't stop the leukaemia from getting a lot worse, so she got a stemcell transplant. My mum's donor was a 21-year-old man who had a surgery to get these stem cells from his bone marrow and they were given to my mum. He is fine and was only feeling a little sore for a week or so. It did not kill him or have any serious effects on him. It has been two years since then and my mum is as healthy as ever! The way I see it is that if doctors and researchers can cure people like my mum using adult stem cells and no one has ever been cured using embryonic stem cells, why would we ever choose to kill defenceless people? Hopefully, someday the world will realise that it is against God's will to kill people, even if they are just embryos.
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The World
April 4 2007, The Record
JPII's sainthood cause advances Diocese of Rome concludes first phase of late Pope's sainthood cause w By Cindy Wooden
With prayers, song and formal oaths in Latin, officials of the Diocese of Rome concluded the initial phase of the process for the canonisation of Pope John Paul II. During this phase, more than 120 people who knew Pope John Paul were interviewed about his actions and character, and studies were conducted on his ministry, the way he handled suffering and how he faced his death, said Cardinal Camillo Ruini, papal vicar of Rome. "In the certainty of being loved by God and in the joy of responding to that love," the late Pope " found the meaning, unity and aim of his life," Cardinal Ruini said during a prayer service in the Basilica of St John Lateran on April 2, the second anniversary of Pope John Paul's death. The documents from the investigation were placed in four chests, latched, tied with a red ribbon, then sealed with red wax. They will be delivered to the Congregation for Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre poses in Aix-en-Provence, France on March 30. The French nun believes she was healed from Parkinson's disease through the intercession of Pope John Paul II, who also suffered from the disease. Saints' Causes for further study. PHOTO- CNS PHOTO/SERGE PAGANO, REUTERS "The Pope suffered in his flesh and he suffered in his spirit, find- cal poverty" and great freedom, John Paul's personal secretary for Pope an "extraordinary witness" ing himself increasingly obliged to which allowed him to stand up to almost 40 years; Polish President of Christ. reduce his commitments," Cardinal Poland's communist government. Lech Kaczynski; and Sister Marie"John Paul II was a member of Ruini said. His occasional "signs of His love for God was lived as love Simon-Pierre, the 46-year-old the friends of Jesus, that is, the impatience" were not the result of for human beings, leading the Pope French nun who believes she was group of saints. Membership in pain, but of his frustration at not to be an insistent voice for peace healed of Parkinson's disease this group was what gave meaning being able to continue the ministry and for the defence of human life through the intervention of Pope and direction to his life, to all he to which he felt called, the cardinal from conception to natural death, John Paul. did and said," Cardinal Dziwisz added. the cardinal said. Celebrating a televised Mass said. Cardinal Ruini described Pope Among those attending the early in the morning at Pope John "The people of God clearly recJohn Paul as a man of continuous, ceremony were Polish Cardinal Paul's tomb in St Peter's Basilica, ognise his sanctity," he said. intense prayer, "concrete and radi- Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, Pope Cardinal Dziwisz called the late Cardinal Dziwisz and others
Vatican disappointment at delay
Israel delays negotiating session on church's legal, financial status
Israel postponed a major negotiating session with Vatican officials on questions regarding the church's legal and financial status in the Holy Land. The Vatican expressed disappointment at yet another delay in the on-again, off-again talks, which began 15 years ago. The meeting of the joint commission on church-state issues had been scheduled for March 29 at the Vatican and would have been the first plenary session of the commission since 2002. On March 26, Israel told the Vatican the meeting would have to be delayed because it coincided with important developments in the Middle East. The Israeli officials cited the March 28-29 Arab League summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's trip through the region. Israel's ambassador to the
Vatican, Oded Ben-Hur, told Catholic News Service that the postponement was for technical reasons only, and that a new meeting would be arranged as soon as possible. In a statement made public March 28, the Vatican said it understood the reasons for Israel's decision, but expressed its regret at the delay and said the meeting should be rescheduled quickly. An informed Vatican source said that if Israel delays in agreeing to a new date for the meeting the Vatican would view it as a more serious setback. A letter giving a detailed explanation for the delay was sent to the Vatican by Aharon Abramovitch, director-general of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was to have led the Israeli delegation. One knowledgeable church source in Rome said the Israeli decision was especially discouraging, because it was part of a pattern of last-minute delays and cancellations over the years. In the church's view, there were
have pointed out that Pope Benedict XVI could beatify or even canonise Pope John Paul immediately, without waiting for the Congregation for Saints' Causes to conclude its work. Portuguese Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, congregation prefect, said that unless or until he hears otherwise from the Pope the congregation will continue the process according to established church law: first, studying the documentation gathered by the Diocese of Rome and assisting with the drafting of a "positio," or position paper, outlining how Pope John Paul heroically lived the Christian virtues. The 15 cardinals and 15 bishops who are members of the congregation will study the "positio" and forward their opinion to the Pope, he told the newspaper La Repubblica. At the same time, he said, "an ad hoc commission of experts with scientists and physicians of every religious orientation, even nonbelievers," will be convoked to study the records and testimony collected in the case of Sister Marie-SimonPierre, a member of the Little Sisters of Catholic Motherhood. "It will be up to them to establish whether or not it is a healing that is scientifically inexplicable," the cardinal said. "Only in the light of this scientific pronouncement will a later commission of cardinals declare whether it is a miracle that can be attributed to the intercession" of Pope John Paul. A declaration of heroic virtues and recognition of a miracle usually are needed before beatification. In the usual process, canonisation requires another miracle attributed to the candidate's intervention after the beatification. -CNS
Charity part of work
three main issues that need to be resolved: - Access to juridical due process through the Israeli court system. At present, Israel's position is that disputes concerning church property fall outside the jurisdiction of Israeli courts and are to be decided by the government. In the Vatican's view, this goes against the fundamental principles of the rule of law. - Arbitrary taxation policies against church institutions and properties. The church currently has de facto tax exemptions that predate the foundation of Israel, but they are not written into Israeli law. That means many church institutions are technically considered tax delinquent, and Israel can crack down on them if and when it chooses, the source said. - Restitution of some church properties, especially holy places. The most discussed site has been the site of a church shrine in Caesarea, which was destroyed in the 1950s. -CNS
The working world must not just be about competition and productivity; today's workers must also make room for charity and defending human dignity, said Pope Benedict XVI. "Today more than ever it's urgent and necessary" to live as Christians in the workplace and to become "apostles among workers," the Pope said. "Becoming more competitive and productive is not the only thing that matters," he said in a message to young people. "Paying charitable witness" in the workplace and elsewhere is necessary, he said. The Pope's message was read to participants gathered for the ninth International Youth Forum March 28-31 in the town of Rocca di Papa, south of Rome. If work is to become a Christian vocation and "a true mission," young people also need support found in parishes or lay communities, he said. Recent changes to the global economy and labour markets not only have created new opportunities for today's workers, but new
dangers also have appeared, the Pope said. He said some workers find themselves in worrying conditions such as exploitation and alienation. But the Pope also highlighted more common hardships experienced by young workers today: the difficulty of finding work related to one's studies or training, the need to travel far from home to find work and growing job insecurity. These latter two situations often have serious repercussions, he said, leading many young people to doubt they will ever be able to plan for the future, get married and build a family. These "complex and delicate problems must be tackled" where and when possible, using church social doctrine as a guide, Pope Benedict said. The Christian "gospel of work" promotes the growth of the individual and the community in a way that taps into a person's talents and uses them for the common good "in a spirit of justice and solidarity," he said. -CNS
April 4 2007, The Record
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The World
Tridentine Mass to be liturgically reconciled Tridentine Mass: Pope looks for bridge to tradition • By John Thavis
Sometime soon, Pope Benedict XVI is expected to broaden permission to use the Tridentine Mass, a long-standing request of traditionalists who favour the rite used before the Second Vatican Council. The move is aimed at ending a liturgical dispute which has simmered for more than 20 years. In the process, it could clarify how the Pope intends to implement what he once described as a "liturgical reconciliation" in the modern Church. The Pope will enunciate the new policy in a document to be released after more than a year of debate and discussion at the Vatican. The Roman Curia had mixed views on expanding the use of the Tridentine rite, and so did the world's cardinals and bishops - all of which has lent a certain drama to the outcome. From the outside, allowing the old Mass has been seen primarily as a concession to the followers of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who was excommunicated in 1988 for his intransigence on liturgical and other reforms of Vatican II.
Carmelite Father Casimir Borcz, facing the altar, celebrates a Latin Tridentine Mass at the Carmelite Monastery in Munster, Indiana. PHOTO: CNS But some Vatican officials believe that aspect has been overblown. More than making peace with Archbishop Lefebvre's followers, they said, the Pope is trying to make peace with the Church's own tradition. One big clue to the Pope's thinking came in his 1997 book, titled "Milestones: Memoirs
1927-1977" and written when he
was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, in which he sharply criticised the drastic manner in which Pope Paul VI reformed the Mass in 1969. The almost total prohibition of the old missal, which had been used for 400 years, was unprecedented in the history of the liturgy, he said in the book.
In effect, he said, "the old building was demolished" and a new one put in its place. Thus the liturgy ceased to be a living development and was treated as something manufactured by experts, which has caused the Church "enormous harm," he said. Even before he wrote those words, then-Cardinal Ratzinger had
caused a stir when he said it made sense for the priest to celebrate Mass facing the same direction as the congregation, in the preVatican II style, although he also said it would be confusing to turn the altar around once again. Over the years, he has sharply criticised what he sees as a tendency for the worshipping community to celebrate only itself. All of that led some to presume that, as Pope, he would preside over a rollback of liturgical reform. But the picture is not so clearcut. As Cardinal Ratzinger, he said he considered the new missal a "real improvement" in many respects, and that the introduction of local languages made sense. In one revealing speech to Catholic traditionalists in 1998, he said bluntly that the old "low Mass," with its whispered prayers at the altar and its silent congregation, "was not what liturgy should be, which is why it was not painful for many people" when it disappeared. The most important thing, he said at that time, was to make sure that the liturgy does not divide the Catholic community. With that in mind, knowledgeable Vatican sources say the Pope's new document will no doubt aim to lessen pastoral tension between the Tridentine rite and the new Mass, rather than hand out a victory to traditionalists. -CNS
Stranger danger should also apply to the Internet Police officer teaches students how to avoid Internet sex predators Police officer Steve DeWarns is convincing as a 13-year-old girl. In his Internet safety presentations, he logs onto his computer as "Cindy13," and chooses from a list of chat rooms. He quickly enters and exits, without typing a word. But DeWarns has not gone unnoticed. Online predators have captured his phony name and fabricated personal profile.
"They see it's a kid," DeWarns said. "Within minutes, I'm solicited by someone." He said the messages have ranged from a seemingly benign "Where are you from?" to a very forward "Do you like older guys?" to a disturbing "Do you want to see naked pictures?" DeWarns, a San Francisco Bay Area police officer with 16 years' experience, teaches Internet safety courses to parents and children around California. His demonstration is designed to show how quickly solicitation can happen. The parents and students are usually pretty speechless by the
news in brief Do not let God drift Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI asked young people not to let the question of God drift out of their lives. Dressed in red and gold vestments, the Pope carried a braided palm as he walked along the cobbled square at the head of a long line of cardinals, bishops and priests. The choir sang a "Hosanna," evoking the acclamation of the people of Jerusalem when Jesus arrived in the holy city. Some 50,000 people crowded into the sunlit square and applauded the Pope, who turns 80 on April 16. It was the start of the year's busiest period of papal liturgies. In his sermon, the Pope said Palm Sunday poses
end," he said. Nancy Libby, Safe Environment Project coordinator for the Diocese of Oakland, hired DeWarns for five two-hour programs in response to persistent requests for Internet safety training from diocesan volunteers and employees, DeWarns observed that predators have moved off the playground and into the chat room. Chat rooms are venues on the Internet where people talk about shared interests. The rooms are given titles that reflect the topics being discussed. Because users do not have to identify themselves, an online predator can assume any identity.
an important question for Christians of all ages: "What does it mean, in concrete terms, to 'follow Christ?"
Traditional Palm Sunday Each year thousands of pilgrims, locals, tourists and clergy gather for the traditional Palm Sunday procession, retracing Jesus' steps from the Mount of Olives to the Old City of Jerusalem. They waved palm fronds, commemorating the palm fronds Jesus' followers placed along his path. In Jesus' times, the palm frond was a symbol of victory, and placement along the pathway of someone considered worthy of this honour suggested a celebration and triumph. In the Old Testament, Joshua was also given this honour, and palm fronds play an important
DeWarns noted that a child might think he is communicating with another teenager, although he is really chatting with a 40 -year old man. As DeWarns' demonstration shows, these conversations can quickly turn inappropriate, even illegal. Parents' best defence is to take an active role in their children's Internet experience, DeWarns said. This includes learning their children's online interests and participating in the things they enjoy. It also includes monitoring, installing parental controls and placing computers in a well-travelled area of the home.
role in some Jewish holiday rituals. Date palms figure prominently in the famous Madaba mosaic map, which depicts holy sites in the Holy Land and is now located in Jordan; its image was engraved on ancient Jewish coins. The date palm was considered a staple in the Judean desert, providing food, shelter and shade. It was recognised as a symbol of the kingdom of Judea and, because of it, the city of Jericho was a major population centre.
Palestinians celebrate Dressed in their Sunday best, children grasped palm fronds decorated with yellow, orange, red and purple flowers as they followed their parents and grandparents some of whom wore traditional Palestinian
DeWarns said he urges families to create an "acceptable-use policy," addressing such items as prohibited Web sites and time limits for Internet use. He said the policy should include rules against divulging Internet passwords and other personal information to anyone except parents. DeWarns also takes his message to students, focusing on fifthand sixth-graders. He stresses that the "danger/stranger rule" applies online. You're taught not to talk to strangers. Anyone you meet online is a stranger," he said. -CNS
dress - around the grounds of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church on April 1. Other parishioners, undeterred by stormy skies, held small olive branches, praying as the procession wound its way around to the front doors of the church. Palm-frond arches decorated the church's centre aisle. "We feel happy we are celebrating together," said Abdullah Iskandar, 43, who is originally from the small village of Aboud but now lives and works in nearby Ramallah. On holidays, he and his wife and children return to Aboud to be with his family, he said. As in previous years, Christians from around the West Bank and Gaza had to apply for special permits to enter Jerusalem for the holiday. Father Firas Aridah of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Parish said he applied for 419 permits and received 310. -CNS
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Page 14
April 4 2007, The Record
Communist grip tightens on priests Perth priest feels his imprisoned countryman's pain • By Paul Gray and Sylvia Defendi
Catholic priest Fr Nguyen Van Ly has been sentenced to eight years in jail, after a one day trial, by the Vietnamese Communist Party Government. Victorian member of parliament Luke Donnellan has labelled the brutal prison sentence as "typical behaviour by a Communist Government". Perth Vietnamese Catholic clergy condemned the action but also cautioned that judgement should be reserved until more is known. Mr Donnellan, who met Fr Van Ly secretly while in Vietnam last year and describes the priest as a man of great spiritual strength, was scathing of the Vietnamese Government's actions. Vietnam has been lobbying the Vietnamese and Australian Governments to support its campaign for recognition at the World Trade Organisation, Mr
Donnellan told The Record. He said union leaders," Mr Donnellan said. the Vietnamese Government has "They simply want democratic achieved diplomatic success in this elections and freedom of religion." campaign during the past four to He said the jail sentences are five months. ominous. "The moment they succeed on "I'd be very scared if I was a the WTO issue, they go bashing up dissident in Vietnam right now," on their dissidents," he said. he said. Fr Van Ly has already spent 14 The jail sentences for Fr Van years in prison because of his calls Ly and others indicated a relentfor democracy and religious freeless determination by Vietnam's dom in Vietnam. Government to repress the Catholic Since early February this year, Church and other centres of dissihe has been under house arrest. dent opinion. Another four dissidents were Fr Van Ly has received worldwide also sentenced to prison terms by support from a variety of sources the Vietnamese Government at the including Amnesty International same time as the priest, according and members of the Democratic to a BBC report. Party in the United States. The reported charge against the Mr Donnellan described the priest was "spreading propaganpriest, whose brother lives in da". Australia, as "incredibly humble, Mr Donnellan said that the senbut determined". tences were part of a crackdown Mr Donnellan met Fr Van Ly duragainst members of the "8406" ing a 2006 parliamentarian's visit human rights bloc, a group of disto Vietnam, but needed to employ sidents from various backgrounds careful techniques to arrange the who have continually pressured chance to meet the priest, who has the Vietnamese Government in been under constant surveillance non-violent ways, to allow greater by the Communist authorities for freedoms for the people of their many years. The MP said Fr Van country. Ly is a considerate and very inspi"They are writers, senior relirational figure who has "incredible gious leaders and underground internal strength".
"You can just see the spiritual strength in his eyes," the MP said. Allegations persist that Fr Van Ly was at one time poisoned by Vietnamese Government agents in an attempt to reduce his strength or kill him. He could not keep food down for months after this incident, Mr Donnellan said. The Victorian MP said he has read many of the writings of Fr Van Ly and describes them as "very, very moderate." "Fr Van Ly is not calling for revolution or for killing anybody," Mr Donnellan said. There are 14 Vietnamese priests in the Archdiocese of Perth. Fr Minh Thuy Nguyen, Chaplain to Perth's Vietnamese Catholic Community, told The Record that there is hope for the situation. "This is a very delicate situation because there are two parts to this story; one is the government's control of the Catholic Church, but the other side is completely political. We don't know the whole story in this case," he said. "Ido not support the Communist Government or their treatment of Religious, but there is always two sides to the story and until we
know more about the other side of this particular story, it is difficult to comment." "Recently the Prime Minister of Vietnam visited the Vatican and last month a representative of the Vatican visited Vietnam, so I am hopeful that the present situation will slowly change for the better." Fr Hong Pham, assistant priest at Lockridge parish, said he supported his imprisoned countryman. "I will support him, because I was put in prison just like him, from 1977-1988, because of my religious beliefs. It is very common for priests to be jailed for long periods in Vietnam. "After 1975 when the communists took over South Vietnam, all religious were put in jail - priests, nuns, protestant pastors and Buddhist monks alike." "The Government says that they are imprisoning religious to protect them from the common people as a way of justifying their actions." "It is a very difficult situation. "The Government says that they have an open door policy, but that is only to allow financial support from other countries. As far as religious freedom is concerned it does not exist."
Perspectives letters to the editor
Well done Tina
Staggeringly fresh I wish to commend very highly Jonathan and Karen Doyle for what they have done for young people, parents and teachers. Their presentation four weeks ago was highly professional and coherent to any rational person. What is so useful about the messages they communicated to us, is that they are based on research and undeniable social data. That makes them all the more irresistible to those who are soaked in current social mores. Our Catholic Faith tells us what is right about our moral behaviour but this message is based on a critical analysis of the media and robust research data. What this couple has done in developing the `Choicez' message is staggeringly refreshing. I would like to support wholeheartedly the outrage of Tina Russo and Alex Leitch. They are gutsy people and it is credit to them that they took action. It is sometimes difficult to know to whom to complain and how to go about it but they knew and followed up their convictions with action. All credit to them and so much better for all of us.
I applaud Tina Russo on taking the initiative which most of us ought to take in these times of a great erosion of moral values and human dignity in the world as we know it today, and perhaps in particular in our own society. I sincerely hope that our schools, and rerhaps even our churches, will take the lead in bringing back these Dr Ti Middleton MBBS DipRACOG FRACGP values among our children as a start. Leederville West Along with banning certain advertisements on TV, there should also be tighter regulations on what is being depicted in of the PG classification should never be shown the billboards and shop windows, which greet in that situation. We are also appalled at the us in our shopping malls. material now being deemed suitable for the Also how about the advertising brochures Neighbours program which is screened during sent to our homes from our stores, many that prime-time television. depict male and female models with scanty Gillian and Jerome Gonzalez clothing or displaying revealing lingerie or underwear. Perhaps above everything else, we Willetton could firstly, look at current fashion and ourselves and stop the immodesty of dress that is so prevalent in our society today. Are we ourselves not advocating pornography, and sending the wrong signals to our Further to the front page story in The Record, children by our indecent way of dressing? March 29, 2007 regarding Mrs Russo's efforts to get action taken to prevent tv screenings of Clare Alexander disgusting adult shows in the early evenings to Hillarys protect children, by pursuing the TV networks responsible, I want to echo her sentiments that it is critical that all concerned parents act on her recommendations as soon as possible. The TV channel (and others) seem to conWe hereby record our support for Mr Alex tinue to sink to even lower levels of depravLeitch's opposition to the showing of an M15+ ity every evening of the week with apparently, movie on a Qantas flight. Movies other than until now, little opposition. On a slightly differ-
Wave is growing
Qantas warned, again
ent but closely connected issue, I wonder how many parents attended the Christmas play in Forrest Place last December, when troupes of young girls dressed in the scantiest of clothing and aged between about 8-14, performed what looked more like sexual dances, gyrating and twisting their young bodies in front of hundreds of onlookers. It really was impossible to reconcile their performances with the Nativity play which was taking place on the stage, but it surely must have given many young onlookers a warped impression of what the birth of Christ was all about. My friend andI spoke to some of the young mothers near us with much younger children and they too expressed their disgust at the way the young dancers were showing off their bodies - vowing not to return next year. We certainly won't be. So much for what is left of our Christian country. At the end of the play, I spoke with one of the organisers, expressing my absolute dissatisfaction and pointed out that the performance we witnessed - which was supposed to be a Christian production and gives the Muslim imams every reason to criticise Christians for their behaviour. I also emailed the Perth City Council who supported the production and pointed out that the 2006 Christmas play almost mocked the Christian message it was supposed to signify. I received only one response, informing me that the councillors were looking into my complaint. I have heard nothing further. I only hope that many other concerned parents managed to make time to do the same. Many voices taking action get to be heard but if only a few protest, then the efforts are generally wasted. Marie Slyth West Perth
And more support I commend your two readers who took their complaints to Channel 10 and Qantas. I feel TV is also responsible for the clothes that manufacturers are making available for young girls. It would be a good thing if parents boycotted those responsible for the availability of these, including the retailers of same. Then
there are the magazines in the homes that children read, some of which are printed for the young ones. More censoring is definitely needed with respect to this form of media. Name and address supplied.
God's house mistreated The setting was fabulous; a beautiful, old church. The weather was wonderful; a lovely, cool night. The singing was sublime; the Tenebrae Responsories, sung by the Quartessence group. Unfortunately, I arrived early. I say "unfortunately", because of the unholy din which followed Mass, as the Father's house was turned into a conversational marketplace. The noise was unbelievable, with no respect at all shown for Our Lord dwelling in the tabernacle. It still amazes me to think about it. Can someone tell me why God's house is treated like this? C.V. Phillips Burswood
Tina spoke for us all Thank you for giving us the opportunity to voice our opinion on Channel Ten's program Neighbours. Firstly, congratulations to Tina Russo and you for taking up this issue and printing the article on behalf of many parents who we know feel the same and are just so helpless to do anything. Hopefully parents will comment so they don't feel alone. We used to watch this soap opera which was a clean family program but like all other shows 'the sewege `(quote Mr Muehlenberg) gradually creeps into homes. By this time people are addicted to the program. The "Bold & The Beautiful" (Channel Ten) is another show that needs to be aired at a later time. Similar themes are viewed at 4.30pm. May we take the opportunity of expressing appreciation of the high quality of The Record and we pray God will continue to inspire you all to bring such great reading to our homes. Best wishes for the Easter season and God's blessings. Belle & Vilma Lyra Gosnells
April 4 2007, The Record
Page 15
P ANORAMA
a roundup of events in the archdiocese Thursday April 12 HEALING MASS 7pm, in honour of St Peregrine, patron of Cancer sufferers and helper of all in need, will be held at the Church of St John and Paul, Pinetree Gully Rd. (off South St) Willetton. There will be veneration of the Relic and anointing of the Sick. Enq: Noreen Monaghan 9498 7727. 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 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 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 r with Prayer Teams and supper afterward. A collection will be taken up. Please bring a plate. Enquiries Dan Hewitt, 9398 4973. Sunday April 15 TAIZE MEDITATIVE PRAYER 7pm - 8pm, Sisters of St. Joseph Chapel, 16 York St, South Perth. Everyone welcome to come and join in this beautiful way of praying through song, scripture and silence. Bring a torch and a friend. Enq: Sister Maree 0414 683 926. Sunday April 15 BULLSBROOK SHRINE 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 2.30pm, His Grace Archbishop Hickey will preside over the concelebrated Mass and Procession held at the Shrine, 36 Chittering Rd. To honour the Virgin of the Relevation on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of her apparition to Bruno Cornacchiola at Tre Fontane, Rome. Enq: Sacri 9447 3292. Friday April 20 CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL - CATHOLIC ADULT FAITH EDUCATION On Friday 20 April 2007, 7.30pm at Li Goody Bioethics Centre, 39 Jugan St, Glendalough, there will be a Catholic Adult Faith Education conducted by Fr Greg Donovan. All are welcome. Enq. Rita 9272 1765, Rose 0403 300 720. Friday April 20 LIFE IN GODS SPIRIT SEMINAR 7.30pm at Our Lady of the Missions, 270 Camberwarra Drive, Whitford/Craigie. Experience the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Be inspired by the talks given by Priests, lay people and Archbishop Hickey. Entire seminar costs $15 Adults, $10 Students and you receive a booklet with daily scripture lessons. CEO Accredited Course. To register please call the Parish Office 9307 2776 or Jenni Young 9445 1028 Friday April 20 CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL - CATHOLIC ADULT FAITH EDUCATION On Friday 20 April 2007, 7.30pm at U Goody Bioethics Centre, 39 Jugan St, Glendalough, there will be a Catholic Adult Faith Education conducted by Fr Greg Donovan. All are welcome. Enq. Rita 9272 1 765, Rose 0403 300 720. Saturday April 21 SAND SCULPTURE COMPETITION Scarborough Beach. Enter teams of up to 10 people to sculpt Christian symbols in the sand. Entry $15 team. Enjoy free festivities, BBQ facilities. Enter now for great prizes! Mario@disciplesofjesus.org Registrations: 8am; Heats: 9am,10am,11am; Final: 12.30pm. Sunday April 22 YOU, FAITH AND THE 21 CENTURY 3pm, Hosted by the Council of Christians and Jews Western Australia. Presented by Rabbi Bradley N. Bleefield, Rabbi in residence, Temple David. Jewish Community Centre, Woodrow Ave. Yokine. $5 Members, $10 Non Members. Sunday April 22 THANKSGIVING MASS Parishioners, past parishioners, friends are invited to attend Thanksgiving Mass and luncheon to cel-
ebrate the 50th Anniversary Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Chidlow. Mass at 11am followed by a light luncheon. Invitation only: Helen Ball (Giles) 9295 2965, Mary Ball (Love) 9295 1841, Marie McGuckin 9572 4343. Monday April 23 - Monday April 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. Thursday April 26 CATHOLIC POLICE OFFICERS ASSOC. MASS AND AGM Serving and former sworn/staff and families are invited to attend Mass and AGM at our Lady Help of Christians, 43 Camberwell St, East Victoria Park, Mass 7pm. Followed by short AGM, and light supper. RSVP 23/4/07 Peter Browne 9321 2155 or Insp. Paul Newman 9222 1474 or Des Noonan 9291 8641. Thursday April 26 NIGHT COURSES AT ACTS 2 COLLEGE OF MISSION AND EVANGELISATION Dare to learn more about your faith. Two night courses commence Thurs 26th April 7.30pm. The Bible timeline - a great introduction to the Bible in the context of your Catholic Faith - and our Youth Ministry Leadership Course - for developing Parish youth workers or in preparation for WYD08. Registration essential. Enq: Jane 9202 6859 or 0401 692 690. Friday April 27 WORLD YOUTH DAY PRAYER VIGIL 8pm - 6am. All night prayer vigil for World Youth Day at City Beach Parish. Come along for an hour or two, or for the whole night. Parishes and communities are invited to register to 'Host a Holy Hour' for the vigil. Details: www.wydperth.com Friday April 27 FATHER PAUL RAJ - SILVER JUBILEE Holy Family Parish Kalamunda are holding a celebration Mass and supper to honour the Silver Jubilee of Father Paul at 7pm, Friday April 27. Father's former parishioners are cordially invited to join us on this happy occasion. RSVP Maureen Humpheys 0419 049 496 or e-mail maurjohn@iinet.net.au. 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 1pm, 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. Sunday May 20 CATHOLIC POLICE OFFICERS BBQ Serving and former sworn/staff and families, are invited to a Marian BBQ/Picnic at the Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Dr, Armadale. Rosary at 12.30pm followed by BYO BBQ/Picnic. No BBQ available on site, will need to bring one if required. Enq: Des Noonan 9291 8641. 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. June 15 - 17 FESTIVAL OF PRAISE & WORSHIP - PEMBERTON The Holy Spirit of Freedom Community invites all to attend their 10th annual festival for the Bunbury Diocese. The weekend will include the Eucharist and Reconciliation, praise and worship, teachings and sharings, prayer ministry and fellowship. Enq: Meryl Guimelli 9772 1172, Baird on 9629 1044. 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. 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.
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Every Fourth Monday SCRIPTURAL PRAYER PROGRAM The Council for Australian Catholic Women (CACW) is offering a Scriptural Prayer Program developed in the Jesuit tradition. Led by Kathleen Brennan (ibvm). April 23, May 28, June 25. Emmanuel Centre, 25 Windsor St, East Perth. Enq: Michelle Wood 9345 2555. All Welcome. 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). 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
SERVICES • REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS Repairs to all sorts of books and leather bindings: reliable, reasonable rates. Ph. (08) 9293 3092. • MASSEUR Indian masseur offers reflex-relax massage. $30 for 60 min. Phone Jai 0438 520 993.
EVENTS MI RETREAT IN DAILY LIFE -5 TO 26 MAY 2007 A non-residential, one to one, retreat suited for those who need to continue their daily routine while seeking to deepen their relationship with their God. The retreat is conducted over 3 weeks, meeting with a Director twice weekly. Enq: Veronica Reutens 9310 1147 geeron@iinet.net.au or Anne Zevis 9335 8142 zevises@bigpond.com MI DIVINE MERCY The Feast of Divine Mercy will be concelebrated at St. Joachim's Church, corner of Shepperton Rd and Harper St, Victoria Park on Sunday 15 April. The Main Celebrant for the Holy Mass will be Fr. Brian O'Loughlin, Vicar General. All other priests are most welcome to attend and concelebrate. Program:1.30pm Holy Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Reconciliation will be available 2.30pm Holy Mass followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Veneration of a First-Class relic of Saint Faustina Kowalska, the Secretary of Divine Mercy. Afterwards in the Parish Hall for refreshments. There will be a selection of Divine Mercy materials available. Afternoon concludes with a video with Fr. John Corapi on 'God's Name is Mercy'. Enquiries John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.
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 nutrition 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 U Goody Bioethics Centre, 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 offices 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 Ice 6831. Ph: 0439 401 009. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
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April 4 2007, The Record
The Last Word
MARANATHA INSTITUTE FOR ADULT FAITH EDUCATION Archdiocese of Perth Catholic Education Centre 50 Ruislip Street Leederville
TERM 2 COURSES Commencement Date: 1st May 2007
Timetable :Tuesday 9.30am-12pm Gospel of Luke with Sr Shelley Barlow 1pm — 3pm Finding the Face of Christ in others withTerry Quinn Witness to faith: Samuel Cosica leads the Seven Churches walk with the Oceania cross with Br Luke McAuliffe, Anita Parker and Br Gregory Gaspi.
Walking in the steps of Christ The Stations of the Cross took to the streets of Perth for the annual Seven Churches Walk. w By Anthony Barich Pilgrims from around Australia took to the streets of Perth to deep-
en their understanding of and promote to a secular world the Stations of the Cross last Sunday. The annual Seven Churches Walk last Sunday had a World Youth Day edge, as it started with Perth's WYD coordinator Anita Parker giving an impassioned reading of Pope Benedict XVI's annual Palm Sunday speech, the day designated as World Youth Day.
Following in the footsteps of the early Church in Rome, about 60 pilgrims - from kids under 10 right through to pensioners - walked for over five hours from St Therese of Lisieux chapel at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Highgate to Sts Peter and Paul chapel at the Redemptorist Monastery, then St Brigids Northbridge, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, All Saints
Chapel in St George's Terrace, St John's Pro-Cathedral then St Francis Xavier Church. The Stations of the Cross reflections gave practical ways of how Catholics can live this out in their lives. The procession was led by the cross that was given to the people of Oceania at the second World Youth Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1987.
Thursday 9.30am -12pm Spirituality for Today with Sandra Dillon Friday 9.30am-12pm I Believe/ We Believe with Jan O'Connor
All courses run for 8
weeks
Cost $50
For Enrolments & further Information Office Hours Tues, Thurs, Friday 9am - 3pm Phone 6380 5160 Fax 6380 5162 Email maranatha@ceo. wa.edu.au Course Handbook available on request
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