The Record Newspaper 18 March 2008

Saint of the week

Patrick

c. 389-461

feast – March 17

Crosiers

Congregations flock as healing priest visits Perth

■ By Mark Reidy

Stewardship

Born in Britain, Patrick was carried off by raiders and enslaved in Ireland. He became prayerful during six solitary years as a herdsman. After escaping, he made his way to Gaul, on the continent, where he trained as a priest. In a dream he was called to evangelize Ireland, and in about 432 returned as a bishop. For nearly 30 years he was the apostle to the Irish, bringing an organized church into existence in a pagan land. Toward the end of his life he made a 40-day retreat in Mayo that gave rise to the famous ongoing Croagh Patrick pilgrimages.

© 2008 CNS

© 2005 CNS Saints for Today

Quote: “Very early in the morning after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with precious oils. The reward of this good and conscientious steward was to be among the first to know that Jesus had been raised form the dead! Alleluia!” Stewardship by Sharon Huekel

For further information on how stewardship can build your parish community, call Brian Stephens on 9422 7924

Walking with Him Daily Mass Readings

16 Passion (Palm) Sunday

Red Isa 50:4-7 No resistance

Ps

Trust in God Phil 2:6-11 Death on a cross

26:14-27:66 I shall rise again

17 Monday of Holy Week

Vio Isa 42:1-7 True justice

Ps 26:1-3.13-14 My light, my help Jn 12:1-11 Costly ointment

18 Tuesday of Holy Week

Vio Isa 49:1-6 Called before birth

Ps 70:1-6.15.17 You are my rock

Jn 13:21-33.36-38 Night had fallen

19 Wednesday of Holy Week

Vio Isa 50:4-9 A listening disciple

Ps 68:8-10.21-22.31.33-34 Lord, answer me

Mt 26:14-25 Not I, Lord, surely?

Chrism Mass: Thursday of Holy Week (morning) or another day towards the end of Lent

Isa 61:1-3.6.8-9 The Lord’s anointed

Ps 88:21-22.25.27 David anointed

Rev 1:5-8 The Alpha, the Omega

Lk 4:16-21 Jesus anointed

EASTER TRIDUM

20 Holy Thursday

Wh Ex 12:1-8.11-14 Day of remembrance

Ps 115:12-13.15-18 Cup of salvation

1 Cor 11:23-26 I passed on to you

Jn 13:1-15 The hour of Jesus

21 Good Friday

Red Isa 52:13-53:12 Crushed for our sins

Ps 30:2.6.12-13.15-17.25

You are my God

Heb 4:14-16.5:7-9 Humble submission

Jn 18:1-19:42 Jesus’ Passion

VISITING SYDNEY

Despite having witnessed or received testimony of thousands of apparently miraculous healings over the past three decades, New Zealand Marist priest, Father John Rea continues to be surprised by God. Father Rea, whose healing ministry has taken him to many countries, recently spent three weeks in Perth conducting numerous rallies to large congregations.

“We cannot place God in a box” he told those at a service in Pemberton’s Sacred Heart Church on March 8. He emphasised this by reading from numerous letters he had received, as he did at each of his Perth appearances, testifying to healings that had been received through previous rallies.

These clearly demonstrated, he said, that God does not work to a formula.

Reported healings ranged from ailments such as insomnia, sore backs, learning difficulties and crooked teeth to asthma, arthritis, deafness, blindness, infertility, multiple sclerosis and cancer.

The Wellington based priest pointed out, the healings could be instantaneous or gradual and/or for those physically in attendance or through their intercession for others.

Fr Rea pointed out that all such modes of healing, could be found in the New Testament, which he described as the greatest healing manual ever produced. “The one constant for each occurrence, whether now or in Jesus’s time, was faith - whether it is the faith of the recipient, the person praying or the one interceding” he said.

In an exclusive interview on March 9, Father Rea told The Record, he knew from the age of 11 that his calling was for the priesthood.He was ordained 53 years ago. He did not discover his ministry in healing, however, until curiousity drew him to investigate the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in 1974.

It was then that he understood the significance of Jesus words in the Gospel of Mark, when he said that one of the signs of believers would be that, “they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.”

During Rea’s rallies he insists that all those who come to him for prayer and anointing with oil should then be prayed over by prayer teams. In this way, he says, recipients will recognise that he is not the one responsible for any healing and that all glory must be given to God, the only source of healing.

In a 2003 interview Father Rea said that he once thought of himself as a channel, but now recognises himself as a catalyst, drawing people together in prayer for God’s healing.

Today he sees himself primarily as an evangeliser and believes that he has been given the charismatic gifts of healing, faith and words of knowledge so that he can bring witness to the power of God.

When asked about sceptics who question the validity of modern-day miracles, especially in places such as the secular media, medicine and science he gives a knowing wry smile.

He believes that to acknowledge the reality of supernatural healings is to become exposed to the existence of God and that would mean having to radically adjust the way one lives one’s life. It is a lot less confronting, he said, to ignore or

rationalise such a reality. Fr Rea told The Record he had been notified, at that point, of 16 healings that had occurred during his visit.

Perth man Reg Firth, Coordinator of the Disciples of Jesus, a Catholic charismatic community, told The Record his son Mark had been healed by Fr Rea of a rare form of cancer.

He said Mark began experiencing pain in his shoulder during a trip across Australia in January 2008.

After arriving in NSW he attended a chiropractor and five different physiotherapists but found no pain relief. One suggested he have the shoulder scanned when he returned to Perth.

With the intensity of pain increasing each day, Mark was hospitalised in Perth

on February 3 and stayed for one month. Medication seemed to be unable to effectively reduce the pain level.

Prayers and masses were offered locally and around the world during his hospitalisation, as well as during daily visits from St John of God sisters. Mark’s parish priest, Fr Vincent and other priests celebrated the eucharist for his recovery as well.

Doctors found a tumour and on February 19 he underwent a six-hour

operation to attempt removal. Firth said the surgeon later announced that he was unable to remove the entire tumour as there was a significant danger of cutting nerves that control the right arm, hand and fingers. But, he said, it would be necessary to remove the remaining tumour otherwise it would regrow and crush the nerves.

Doctors said that the situation was very rare and the location was highly unusual. A second operation was set for February 28.

Mr Firth told The Record that on February 26 Father Rea and several other people prayed with Mark at the hospital, with Rea specifically praying that the tumour disappear within 24 hours. When surgeons operated on Mark on February 28 there was no sign of the tumour. Scans conducted by doctors confirmed that it had disappeared.

Surgeons had no explanation for what had occurred, Mr Firth said.

Meanwhile, after Perth priest Father Paul Carey began to experience spells of dizziness and increasing unsteadiness on his feet he consulted a doctor and was referred for a CAT scan, which occurred on February 13.

Fr Carey, a well-known Columban missionary, told The Record the results indicated a 15-by-5mm growth on the right side of the brain.

He said that on February 25 he was examined by a neurosurgeon, who referred him for further medical scans of the brain.

At the same time, he said, many friends were praying for him and he also received prayer and the laying on of hands from Father John Rea on three occasions.

Father Rea prayed that the lesion would pulverise and be absorbed and pass through his system.

When the results for the MRI arrived on March 7 the findings indicated, “The area of suspicion on the previous CT scan shows no evidence of a lesion on this examination… no evidence of posterior fossa mass. No cause is seen for clinical presentation.”

Father Paul’s doctor told him there was no further need to see a doctor.

Healing prayer: New Zealand Priest Fr John Rea prays over congregation members at the North Perth Redemptorist Monastery on Thursday March 6. Hundreds filled the Church for the Mass and healing prayers afterwards.

PHOTO: PETER ROSENGREN

Together: Perth man Mark Firth and family. Mark’s father, Reg, told The Record his son had been healed of a rare tumour after prayers from Fr John Rea, a New Zealand priest with a healing ministry.

Focolare head dies at 88

■ By Cindy Wooden

ROME (CNS) - Chiara Lubich, the 88-year-old founder and perpetually smiling symbol of the Focolare movement, died early March 14 after what Pope Benedict XVI said was “a long and fruitful life” marked by her love for Jesus.

Lubich died in her room near the Focolare headquarters in Rocca di Papa, south of Rome.

In a telegram, Pope Benedict offered his condolences to her family, members of the Focolare movement and all those “who appreciated her constant commitment for communion in the church, for ecumenical dialogue and for brotherhood among all peoples.”

The Pope also expressed his thanks to God “for the witness of her life spent in listening to the needs of contemporary people in full fidelity to the church and to the pope.”

Pope Benedict asked that all those who admired “the marvels that God worked through her” would follow in her footsteps, keeping her vision alive.

Lubich’s funeral was scheduled for March 18 at Rome’s Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.

Lubich had been extremely frail since November 2006 when she was treated at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for a lung infection.While she was still in the hospital, Pope Benedict had sent her a personal letter,

while in early March, Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople went to visit her in the hospital while he was in Rome.

In a statement, the Patriarch said, “with her life she has and continues to give much to the whole church.”

While the Focolare movement, formally known as the Work of Mary, began in the 1940s with Lubich and a small group of female friends, it opened an ecumenical chapter in 1961 and began forging ties with Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and others in the 1970s.

The movement now counts more than 2 million adherents in 182 countries.

Lubich was born in Trent, Italy, on January 22, 1920, and was christened Silvia. Her admiration of St Clare of Assisi led her to adopt the name Chiara, the Italian form of Clare.

She had said that her first awareness that God was calling her to something unusual came during a 1939 gathering of Catholic young people in Loreto, Italy, site of the house that a pious tradition holds is the house in which Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth.

The Focolare biography of Lubich said, “While visiting the shrine, Chiara experienced an intuition of what her vocation would be: a reproduction of the family of Nazareth, a new vocation in the church, and she sensed that many others would follow her way.”

In 1943, after consulting a priest, she privately took vows consecrating herself to God and gradually began forming a circle of friends who read the Gospels together.

A year later, as World War II raged around them, they began asking themselves, “Is there an ideal that does not die, that no bomb can destroy, an ideal we can give our whole selves to? Yes, there is. It is God,” she wrote.

“We tried to put into practice the sentences of the Gospel, one at a time,” Lubich said.

Gradually, the women decided to form a community and share everything they had with each other and with the poor.

They sought a sense of family gathered around a hearth - “focolare” in Italian.

Many of the early Gospel readings and discussions were held in bomb shelters. More and more, the group began to focus on Christ’s commandment to love one’s neighbor and his prayer that all would be one.

The community grew, men

became involved, other houses were formed and families started joining, too. The bishop of Trent granted diocesan approval to the group in 1947; it became recognised internationally by the Vatican in 1962.

Lubich was awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1977 and the UNESCO Peace Education Prize in 1996.

Pope John Paul appointed her to serve as an observer at four synods of bishops in the 1980s and 1990s, and she served as a consultant to the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

World Youth Day

Anyone able to help this cause will be sent a complimentary Papal Rosary of Pope Benedict XVI, and a Holy card with a prayer for World Youth Day. We ask you to join the Holy Father and the Catholic community in prayer for the success of this unique and faith filled event.

To send your donation please fill out the coupon below and tick the box* if you would like to receive the complimentary Papal Rosary and prayer card.

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0Yes please send me the Papal rosary and Holy card*

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2008

End: Chiara Lubich, the 88-year-old founder of the Focolare movement, died early on March 14 in her room near the Focolare headquarters in Rocca di Papa, Italy. She is pictured during a meeting in Rome in 1997.

CNS PHOTO/ALESSIA GIULIANI, CATHOLIC PRESS PHOTO

■ By Anthony Barich

THE R ECORD WEBSITE

When one Father Matthew Gibney started The Western Australian Catholic Record in 1874, he did so with a mandate to counter “the continued and prevailing prejudices and “supply Catholics with information on subjects affecting their religion and of current interest”.

The newspaper, started by the man who would later be Bishop of Perth, soon became the biggest-selling newspaper in the State, with the largest circulation of any paper int he State.

Now, in March, 2008, The Record continues the charism of its founder, launching its ministry onto the global market with its new website, giving comprehensive cover-

Our People

This details The Record staff, including the Editor, journalists, production, finance and administration departments. The email address of each person in charge of each department is given for contact purposes. The phone number to access all these people is the same: 08 9227 7080.

Search

The “Search” option enables you to search our website for any term, subject or person that is mentioned in any of our World Youth Day, Panorama, Parish, Nation, World, Perspectives and Vista items. Searches can be restricted to our website.

age of the parish, the nation and the world – still countering prevailing prejudices that are arguably stronger than ever before and still supplying Catholics with information on subjects affecting their religion and of current interest.

The printed newspaper format of The Record , the newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, remains, in the minds

Home Page

Welcome to The Record’s brand new website, courtesy of Monk Media. You will be struck immediately by the major headline story that will appear on the paper accompaniedf by a brief introduction, a photo and a link.

If you log on to our site you will be able to read more and explore more photos from the topic.

A selection of the major stories from that week follow, with a smaller headline and introduction.

The menu to the left, which remains regardless of what page you go to on our website, allows you to go straight to the section of the newspaper you want - World Youth Day, the Parish, the Nation, the World, Perspectives, Vista and Panorama.

Under this appears a series of notices of the latest events that have been published on the Panorama section of the website also appears beneath.

Advertising

In this section, advertisers are given advertising rates for colour and “mono”, sizes of advertisements and general advertising information such as material submission, loading and discounts for both The Record and Discovery newspapers.

The Record is distributed weekly throughout Catholic parishes around Western Australia and by subscription, except for six weeks a year when we print Discovery in place of The Record

Discovery is a magazine-style newspaper which The Record prints and distibutes for free with support from the Catholic Development Fund and the Catholic Education Office.

Over 65,000 copies of Discovery are distributed six times a year throughout the Catholic education system in Western Australia - that is, to its pupils, teachers and ancillary staff, as well as all Catholic parishes.

and hearts of many around Australia, as the most comprehensive source of local, national and international Church news in the country.

The Record’s new website, www.therecord. com.au/site, gives an exclusive selection of the best stories in the coming weekend’s edition – from the parish, the nation, the world.

A website link to a local not-for-profit Catholic agency will also be displayed with advertisements.

A search engine is located in the top left just below our logo. This will search for any word in any story that has been published in the parish, nation, world, perspectives or World Youth Day sections.

The homepage also serves as a website map, allowing you to go straight to other sections inlcuding “About The Record”, “Our People”, “Advertising”, Contact Us”, “Archives” and “Links” to other Catholic agencies.

All this should serve as an effective evangelisation tool for you, your friends and family. Happy Internet surfing!

Contact Us

Got an enquiry, question, constructive criticism, praise or information for us at The Record and Discovery?

It’s all very welcome.

The “Contact Us” link enables you to contact anyone on The Record’s staff via email, simply by clicking on the link and filling in details of your name, email address, message subject and the message itself.

When finished, just press “Send” to send off the enquiry or message.

This “Contact Us” link page also displays our street address, postal address, phone number fax number.

Nice and easy!

With a distribution of 65,000 copies, the actual readership of Discovery comfortably exceeds 200,000 in both the metropolitan and rural areas of Western Australia.

With an emphasis firmly on young people and their families in both junior school and high school, Discovery is the ideal publication for businesses to promote themselves and their products in a wholesome environment.

A PDF of The Record’s rates can also be downloaded from the website. Click on “Record Rates PDF” at the top of the “Advertising” section of The Record’s website. For all advertising enquiries, including website banners, please contact Justine on 08 9227 7080 or email production@therecord. com.au. This information is also on The Record website’s homepage and “Our People” section.

THE R ECORD WEBSITE

Logon / Panorama

While all users are given a glimpse of the main stories of each edition, users can gain access to comprehensive coverage of what’s happening locally and beyond our borders by registering with a password of their own choice which is free, for now.

The logon will also give readers the opportunity to advertise their events for free in the Panorama section, but any offensive or inappropriate postings will lead to the immediate cancellation of the registration.

The five most immediate latest events on the Panorama section are automatically posted onto the menu column on the website’s homepage.

Here is step-by-step guide to adding in Panorama items regarding events happening in the Catholic community:

Once you have registered and logged on:

1. Click on “Panorama” in the menu bar on the left of the website’s home page.

About the Record

The section titled “About The Record” outlines our mission statement, our ideal for ourselves as agents for the civilisation of love, the necessity of bringing about a culture of life, our professional development, the information we seek to impart and special editions like “discovery” we put out bimonthly.

The current mission statement is in line with the motto that was originally on the front cover of the first editions of The Record: “Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ.”

To contact Paul Bui about your website design needs, contact Paul at info@monk.com.au or call 9228 8965.

2. A monthly view calendar will appear. Click on the cross symbol on the applicable date.

3. Fill in your details of Event title, Event description (no more than 60 words).

4. Select the “General” Category, select the start time, month, year and finish time of the event.

5. Select the duration of the event (days, hours, minutes).

6. Fill in the contact details for the event, including email address and website (if applicable).

7. If the event is daily, weekly or monthly, click the cross symbol that is in line with the words “Repeat event” and new options will appear.

8. Choose to repeat the event or not; how many occurrences you want and the date you want the repeat notice to end.

9. Finish the whole process by clicking “Add Event”.

The Record Bookshop

We will have a service on www.therecord. com.au/site to enable people to buy books online from our bookshop within a month, but for now the bookshop manager Natalie Thomas can be contacted by clicking on “Our People”, scroll down to her name and click on her email address. It should open your email system to a new letter with her address in the address box. If not, you can always copy the address and paste it onto a new email. Or, of course, write it down for future reference...

The Record Bookshop aims to bring the best Catholic resources to Perth, to help our customers grow deeper in their knowledge and practice of Christianity and their relationship with God and the saints.

The Record Bookshop is also committed to promoting resources from Australia and around the world that present a true and accurate reading of our human experience and our present culture, and aim to promote a society that has the dignity of the human person at its centre.

A website, and a simple maid as our model

editorial

The launching of The Record’s website, which is now up and running, is a milestone in the development of a paper that was started in the latter half of the nineteenth century and is now Australia’s oldest Catholic weekly. It is hard to believe that the visionary founders of The Record could have imagined an electronic age defined by such phenomena as the Internet, the global and instant interconnectedness, it sometimes seems, of practically all the information that the world posesses.

The Record, started in 1874, had very clear goals. In an age when important news took days, weeks and sometimes years to travel, it was important for the Church to inform the distinctively isolated Catholics of Western Australia of the life of the Church and, by so doing, to build and foster a sense of identity.

Knowledge really is power, and what the Catholics of Western Australia needed at the time of its foundation was knowledge that empowered them to claim their spiritual patrimony with all its accompanying riches.

Some of the goals of The Record would have changed down through the years, but in essence the key ones have remained the same.

Today, The Record, as when it was founded, offers the Catholics of Western Australia very

much what it did at its beginning, an ongoing coverage of the life of the Church at every level. This news is of vital importance, not only to Catholics but to the rest of the world.

And while the issues affecting Catholics more than one hundred and fifty years ago have in many respects changed or disappeared, many more have taken their place.

It is clear that what is needed today by Catholics, in an age that has fled religious belief, is a Catholic media that is neither bland, nor anodyne, nor routinely devoted to reporting the ‘parish pump’ at the expense of the life-determining issues confronting Catholic families, parents, teachers, workers and young people.

It must also be innovative, positive, encouraging and especially counter-cultural. But most of all it should offer hope.

of our website, which we plan to become a hub for the Catholic community here in WA and further afield, will be another develpoment.

The Record’s bookshop, which aims to assist families struggling against the treacherous tides of a corrosive culture war, will soon be online as well, offering an exciting range of resources not previously seen in WA that will help make the difference - and offer hope.

When Bishop Matthew Gibney founded The Record he described its role in the following words: “Be indefetigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ.”

They are fine, if somewhat daunting words, and we attempt to continue to honour them and walk in the tradition that Bishop Gibney, of blessed memory, envisioned.

Meanwhile, following on from the launch

And we have chosen a patron too! Joan of Arc is one of those phenomena that come along in the history of the Church and of nations for which there is no simple explanation.

And perhaps because of the mystery of the tale that surrounds her, today’s world remains occasionally fascinated by the Maid of Orleans who went on to become the patron saint of her beloved France and an enduring source of inspiration to all who struggle against difficulties down to this very time.

But today’s world scarcely knows what to make of Joan and, having deleted God from the list of possible explanations, finds it more convenient to think of and attempt to define her in terms of the new gods of the age: a psychiatric diagnosis as a well intentioned but naive and seriously delusional individual who would have been better off confined to a locked ward and medicated into happy

oblivion would be the likely explanation of today. What Joan really was - a messenger from God, an agent provocateur of Divine Providence - is closed to a modern mind that cannot quantify a miracle or measure its atomic weight, or broadcast it to the world on cable television.

But perhaps the surest sign attesting to her divine mission lay not in her astonishing victories over the English during the Hundred Years War in the fifteenth century but in the simple paradox of who she was: a peasant who drove a king to action, a girl who defeated one of the greatest military forces in the known world.

Another indicator of the authenticity of Joan, should any be required, is that in key aspects her story mirrors that of the heavenly bridegroom with whom she had fallen in love: betrayed by those close to her, put on trial and finally executed by, among others, her own, including the morally corrupt clerics of her day.

The tragedy of Joan was paradoxical to the end, but in an inspirational way. Like Christ her victory was sealed in her death, and in her death, Christ conquered.

Joan is, by any standard, a model worth embracing. So it is that The Record sees her spirit as a guiding light.

We can think of no higher compliment to her than to look to her for inspiration.

Foley Village boosted

The opening of Southern Cross Care WA’s new community centre at Foley Village on February 28 represented just how far the organisation has come since its first venture in North Perth in 1966.

Perth Vicar General Fr Brian O’Loughlin blessed The Larmenier Community Centre and was witnessed by over 200 people, including Foley Centre residents.

The name of the centre was chosen due to its historical links to the site, originating from when The Sisters of Nazareth operated as Nazareth House on the Foley site from 1956. They purchased 16 acres of land from the City of Fremantle for £4,500 and built a 100 bed hostel for £136,000.

In 1978, they added 25 more hostel beds and a 40 bed nursing home. One of those hostels was named Larmenier after the founder of the Sisters of Nazareth, Victoire Larmenier

In March 1991 Southern Cross Homes acquired the site and its facilities and, at the request of the Sisters, renamed it Archbishop William Foley Village.

For the next 15 years it provided excellent residential care and was for a time the site of the corporate offices of both Southern Cross Care and the Knights of the Southern Cross. In 1999, 10 independent living units were added.

Due to more stringent building standards being introduced by the Commonwealth and increasing public expectations, Foley Village ceased providing residential care from 2005 and the decision was taken to redevelop the site as retirement village.

The opening of the centrepiece of that village, The Larmenier Community Centre, was

in brief

Devastating costs for poor: NSW St Vinnies

Housing costs are becoming a bigger problem for the poor in Australia, according to the St Vincent de Paul Society in NSW. The Society is “very concerned for a grow-

Rome (3)

A

Departing:

• 8 May with

• 15 Jun with

• 27 Jul • 10 Sep • 8 Oct • 26 Oct*

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Departing:

• 29 Jul • 12 Sep • 10 & 28 Oct*

Visit

Sea of Galilee (4) Nazareth Jerusalem (6)

►

A 19 day pilgrimage from $6190

Departing:

• 8 May with Fr Brian Mascord

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cause:

so named to retain the links with the Sisters of Nazareth.

Foley Village offers a warm friendly atmosphere with many of the local Hilton residents now living in the village.

It is close to Fremantle and located next to Our Lady of St Carmel Church. Foley Village Stage 1 and 2 are now completed with Stage 3 about to commence construction and due for completion in 2009. The Village currently consists of 45 units, 42 of which have been sold and occupied. Once Stage 3 is finalised the Village will offer a total of 77 units plus a respite centre.

Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc is a not for profit organisation.

ing number of families living on incredibly tight margins,” said the NSW State President Barbara Ryan. “For these Australians the slightest creep in living costs can prove devastating, in many cases resulting in family breakdown, depression, anxiety and even homelessness,” Mrs Ryan told the Catholic Weekly in Sydney.

Lourdes (3) Loyola Santo Domingo De Silos (1) Burgos Leon Astorga (1) Sarria (1) Santiago De Compostela (2) Coimbra Fatima / Anniversary (3)

►Optional Medjugorje Extension

►Why not extend on Visitations of Mary

Departing:

• 2 Jun with Fr Darius Basiaga

• 2 Oct* with Fr Richard Healey

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Be part of this magnificent event at which the Church will manifest its faith in the Eucharistic presence of Jesus Christ. Toronto (2) Niagara Falls Montreal (2) Quebec (7) - Eucharistic Congress

►Optional Extension to New York (2),

A 14 day pilgrimage from $6390*

Departing: • 11th June 2008 with

Get fired up about Cross, Icon

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Parishioners from around the Archdiocese were encouraged to make the arrival of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon a major focus of their parish as build-up to the big event in May.Matthew Hodgson, Journey of the Cross and Icon coordinator for Perth, said the Cross and Icon brought life to WYD on a local level as it represented Pope John Paul II’s gift to the youth of the world. The Cross and Icon will visit the state of WA twice, from May 21 to 26 and then again from June 4 to 9.

Thirty three hosts, including parishes, community groups and schools, have been chosen to welcome the Cross and Icon to the state with a multitude of planned events for each day of the journey through WA. “But there is no reason why all can’t be involved and experience the power of these two symbols,” Mr Hodgson said. “We would like parishes, who are not as yet involved, to contribute to the events being planned by a near-by host as well as to those events that are being planned for the Archdiocese as a whole,” he added.

Asked what the main priorities for the up-coming events were, Mr Hodgson

responded “attendance and awareness of the events in nearby areas.” According to Mr Hodgson, the next step for surrounding parishes or schools would be to assist in organising local events.

“There is much still being prepared and it is never too late to help,” he said, adding that he encouraged all to use their skills to assist fellow parishioners or neighboring host parishes with their events. “The catholic community comes from all walks of life, so there are many skills to be found.” Mr Hodgson invited in particular all those who felt WYD was not for them to contribute and be part of this international youth event.

“When people work together it breaks down whatever barriers exist. People will pull together despite not knowing those from a different parish or school,” he said. In fact, Mr Hodgson said some of the better-planned events have come from a combination of parish and school communities, such as those forged between Rockingham parish and Kolbe Catholic College; Lesmurdie parish and Mazenod College or even St Partick’s Basilica, CBC Fremantle and Notre Dame University. For more information, or to register to help, contact the WYD office on 9422 7944, or email wydperth@highgateperthcatholic.org.au

Day 1 Wed 21 May 8.00 am – 12.00 pm Mazenod College + Lesmurdie Parish 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm C.B.C. Fremantle

5.00 pm – 7.00 pm NDA

8.00 pm – 1.00 am St. Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle

Day 2 Thurs 22 May 8.00 am – 12.00 pm Lumen Christi College 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm Chisholm College 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm John XXIII College

Day 3 Fri 23 May 8.00 am – 2.00 pm Mercy College 2.00 pm – 7.30 pm Ballajura Parish 8.00 pm – 6.00 am Neo Catechumenal Communities

Day 4 Sat 24 May 8.00 am – 10:30am St John of God Subiaco Hospital 11.00 am – 1.45 pm Claremont Parish 2:30 pm – 5:15pm Woodvale Parish

5:15 pm – 7.00 am Whitfords Parish + overnight sleep out

Day 5 Sun 25 May 8.00 am – 11.00 am Hakea Prison

Noon – 3:30pm Mary MacKillop Centre: Josephite Sisters 4:30pm – 8pm Balcatta Parish

Day 6 Mon 26 May 8:30 am – 2 pm Social Justice Groups

5.00 pm – 8.30 am Rockingham Parish + Kolbe College pilgrimage walk to Mandurah

Day 7 Tues 27 May 8:30 am Handover + Message Stick to Bunbury Diocese

Days 8-10 Wed 4 June 11.00 am + all day Kalgoorlie (Handover + message stick)

Days 8-10 Thurs 5 June 1.30pm – 3.00 pm St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Merredin

Days 8-10 Fri 6 June 9.00 am – 11.00 am Northam Community Event 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm St Thomas More College UWA 4.00 pm – am City, Northbridge YCS/YCW

Day 11 Sat 7 June 8.00 am – 12.00 pm Thornlie Parish

Good

Southern Cross Care records administrator Rose Greene and community care coordinator Sandy Crowe display the friendship that ecompasses the organisation.

Running for WYD

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Eleven Italian athletes will bring a message of peace to the youth of Australian in a most unconventional way in the lead up to World Youth Day in Sydney.

Apeace torch ignited by the Holy Father in Italy will be run from Melbourne to Sydney from July 6 to 14 this year.

The ‘Fiaccola della Pace,’ as it is known in Italian was an initiative of the 60,000 youth who make an annual pilgrimage from a small Italian town to Loretto each year.

Supported by the Office of Migrants and the National Youth Association in Italy the torch began its journey to Loretto in 1997.

It was accepted by then Pope John Paul II in 2000, and has since been lit by a Pope before embarking on a journey. Wanting to unite their operation with the youth of the

world, the peace torch was present at WYDs in Rome, Toronto and Cologne, and will soon add Sydney to the list.

A festival in Melbourne will welcome the beginning of the journey, which will see eleven athletes running for approximately an hour each in rotation.

From Melbourne the peace torch will make its way to Morwell (155km), followed by Bairnsdale (134km) on the second day, Orbost (90km) on the third day, Genoa (143km) on the fourth day, Bega (115km) on the fifth day, Batemans Bay (147km) on the sixth day, Canberra (30km) on the seventh day, Unanderra (192km) on the eighth day and will arrive in Sydney (82km) on the ninth day.

Runners are joined by a further 19 others, which make up the rest of the travelling group and look after media coverage, medical needs and group entertainment.

Each parish or community, which is visited along the way, is invited to join the team for festivities. Any locals who are interested in running the peace torch are also welcomed to join in the initiative.

Each day of the journey begins with the blessing of the torch at 6am, which then departs with one of the runners, who is followed closely by the rest of the team, until it arrives at destination at around 5pm that day.

When the torch arrives at its final destination in Sydney it will mark the beginning of an Italian festival for all WYD youth. At this festival a statue of Our Lady of Loretto and a San Dominano cross will be given to Cardinal George Pell and to the youth of Australia.

“Approximatley 10 million youth will come from Italy for WYD and we are looking forward to uniting them with the Italian youth of Sydney and all the other youth of the world under the common desire for peace,” organiser Paulo Cesanelli said.

Nursing students in Vietnam

Nthree weeks trekking

the North Vietnam Highlands as part of their practicum placement.

14 second year students hiked to very remote villages in the Mai Chau region, where locals have little access to or knowledge of basic modern medicine. Whilst there, they visited hospitals, gave health assessments and taught hygiene and health education.

They also gave many medical and general supplies to the villages, including bandages, surgical equip-

ment, gloves, toothbrushes and soap.

Nursing student, Kristie Ballagh, said that though sometimes the trip was hard going and demanding it was an experience that she would never forget.

“Working in the village clinics with limited resources, we had to draw on all the knowledge we had learnt over the past two years”.

“At times difficult and almost always challenging, it is an experience I have come through with increased confidence in my abilities as a health care professional. After experiencing life in the villages I now hope to focus my stud-

ies towards community and public health care,” said Ms Ballagh.

Senior lecturer and group supervisor, Heather Gluyas said, “The main objective of the trip was for students to develop professionally and personally, through experiencing a health care system outside Australia, and to deliver care to patients where ethnicity, culture economic and social factors are unfamiliar.”

The School of Nursing hopes to take second year students to the Mai Chau region every year so they gain valuable experience and the villages receive continuing medical support.

Helping hand: Nursing students in Mai Chau Region working with local health care professionals.

Peace: The Italian peace torch is held by one of the athletes who brings its message to many along the way.

Walk with Him

I

Tam injuste condemnatus, Tacens pro me reo passus, Sic ut jure agerem.

So wrongfully condemned, you suffered In silence for me, the guilty one That rightfully I would do the same.

II

Jesu lignum mortis sumens, Volens meum vitae valens, Te ducente tollerem.

Jesus, taking up your cross of death, Would that I, willing with your lead, Take up mine that leads to life.

III

Oneratus meis tantis

Es peccatis peccatoris; Humo surgis etiam.

Loaded down by so much sin Of this sinful one, you fell; And yet you rose up from the ground.

IV

Per dolentem dulcem matrem Solum amem te amantem Cumque illa lugeam.

Through your sweet, grieving mother May I love only you, Lover, And join her as she mourns.

V

Patientibus fac semper Ut compatiar clementer Quod in quibus pateris.

Make me always feel compassion Kindly on those suffering, For it’s you in them who suffer.

VI

Quam deformis jam sum factus, Vulnerate Sacer Vultus, Ductus desideriis!

O Sacred Face, all wounded, How disfigured I’ve become, Misguided by desire.

VII

Quoties levasti lapsum, Attamen delabor rursum? Salva casu altero!

How often have you lifted me The fallen one; but then again I’m down. Save me by your second fall!

VIII

Menti, Domine, insculpe, Verum cordi et inscribe, Quod dolere mereo.

Into my mind, my Lord, engrave, Within my heart firmly inscribe That it’s I who ought to grieve.

IX

Deus meus, tam afflicte, Humi jacens ab amante Cor contritum accipe!

My God, so struck down, prone Upon the ground, accept from now A loving one, a contrite heart —

X

Quod ex homine exutum, Cupiens nil creatorum Nudet totum propter Te!

A heart stripped of human bonds, Longing for no created thing, May it be bare fully for you!

XI

Mores mutans tecum figi Nunc dilecto quaero cruci Et amplecti Dominum. Changing ways, I want to be Nailed with you – Ah! Cross now loved! — And to cling to you my Lord.

XII

Velum templi motu scissum; Heu! infidum et cor meum!

Jesus misit spiritum!

The earthquake tore the temple’s veil; Oh! so too my faithless heart! Jesus breathed his last!

XIII

O Maria lacrimosa, Veniam maerenti roga, Accipis dum Unicum.

O Maria, in your tears, Ask forgiveness for me mourning, As you clasp your only One.

XIV

Bone Jesu immolate, Tecum terram fac subire Ad surgendum iterum.

My good Jesus, Sacrifice, Make me go below with you To rise again – with you.

*Written in his youth by one of the older priests in the Archdiocese of Perth who wants to remain anonymous. The recent translation into English is near literal. The Latin original can be sung to the traditional tune of Stabat Mater.

The Last Supper

The Garden of Gethsemane

The Passion and Victory of Christ have inspired artists and the faithful for two millenia. Here Peter Schipperheyn’s Stations of the Cross, permanently displayed at the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle, complement a poem written in Latin and English by one of the priests of Perth.

Before the Sanhedrin

Jesus before Pilate

Jesus carries the Cross

Jesus scourged and crowned with thorns

Jesus is helped by the Cyrenean

The Good Thief

Jesus nailed to the Cross

The women of Jerusalem

Mary and John

Jesus dies on the Cross

Jesus is buried

Jesus rises from the dead

Considered by many to be the finest preacher in the history of Christianity, St John Chrysostom’s words on Christ’s victory over death are timeless. They are still often read out at Easter in many churches throughout the world

■ by St John Chrysostom

Let all pious men and all lovers of God rejoice in the splendor of this feast; let the wise servants blissfully enter into the joy of their Lord; let those who have borne the burden of Lent now receive their pay, and those who have toiled since the first hour, let them now receive their due reward; let any who came after the third

hour be grateful to join in the feast, and those who may have come after the sixth, let them not be afraid of being too late; for the Lord is gracious and He receives the last even as the first.

He gives rest to him who comes on the eleventh hour as well as to him who has toiled since the first: yes, He has pity on the last and He serves the first; He rewards the one and praises the effort.

Come you all: enter into the joy of your Lord. You the first and you the last, receive alike your reward; you rich and you poor, dance together; you sober and you weaklings, celebrate the day; you who have kept the fast and you who have not, rejoice today. The table is richly loaded: enjoy its royal banquet. The calf is a fatted one: let no one go away hungry.

All of you enjoy the banquet of faith; all of you receive the riches of his goodness.

Let no one grieve over his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed; let no one weep over his sins, for pardon has shone from the grave; let no one fear death, for the death of our Saviour has set us free: He has destroyed it by enduring it, He has despoiled Hades by going down into its kingdom, He

has angered it by allowing it to taste of his flesh.

When Isaias foresaw all this, he cried out: “O Hades, you have been angered by encountering Him in the nether world.”

Hades is angered because frustrated, it is angered because it has been mocked, it is angered because it has been destroyed, it is angered because it has been reduced to naught, it is angered because it is now captive.

It seized a body, and, lo! it encountered heaven; it seized the visible, and was overcome by the invisible.

O death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen and you are abolished. Christ is risen and the demons are cast down.

Christ is risen and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen and life is freed.

Christ is risen and the tomb is emptied of the dead: for Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the Leader and Reviver of those who had fallen asleep.

To Him be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Easter fire: A Bulgarian Catholic worshipper lights candles during an Easter service at St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Rakovski, Bulgaria, about 120 kilometres miles east of Sofia, last year.

Easter: a source of Po

Easter reminds us through the resurrection that God has power over life and death, and has the power of eternal life.

If we pause to think about it, we realise there is no other power like this, no other person who can exercise power like this, and nothing that is as important as eternal life.

We also remember that this God of power and might is the God who loves us, the one who was born in the stable at Bethlehem.

But even the awesome power of the resurrection is not the full story

of Easter. The full story is that Jesus has made the power of the resurrection available to us through the Sacraments. As Pope Leo the Great said, ‘what was present in Christ at the resurrection is made present to us in the sacraments’.

This is what we should think about most at Easter because Jesus wants us to enjoy the life of the sacraments throughout our lives. Let us not waste it.

The sacramental life begins at Baptism. When Jesus was baptised in the Jordan, the Blessed Trinity was revealed to mankind: Jesus was

present, the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove; and the voice of the Father was heard identifying Jesus as “my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased.”

After the resurrection, Jesus told the Apostles to baptise all people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus, through the power of the resurrection the life of the Blessed Trinity is made available to us. At his first appearance to them after the resurrection, Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive sins, and thus gave us the Sacrament of

Reconciliation so that when we are weakened by sin we can call on the power of the resurrection to recover the grace of God in our lives.

On the day of the resurrection, Jesus reaffirmed the Sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist he had instituted at the Last Supper. He spoke at length to two disciples who did not recognise him, but in the evening “they recognised him in the breaking of bread”. We grow in our recognition of Jesus each time we receive Holy Communion, the bread of eternal life.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the

Believing in the Resurrection Uncovering the

“I knew this event had a historical, theoretical side, but I wasn’t fully aware of its practical power.

I had much to learn about applying the resurrection to life.”

- Dr Gary Habermas

Two thousand years after his death, why do billions of people around the world continue to believe that Jesus rose from the dead?

American philosopher Dr Gary Habermas, a Protestant, has been travelling around the UK in the week before Easter speaking and debating on the Resurrection.

How do our most cherished doctrines fare when tested in the blistering fires of real life? In 1995 my wife Debbie had the flu. When it didn’t go away as quickly as it should have, we were sent to the hospital for tests. The first sentence I remember the doctor uttering was, “You’ve got some serious problems here.”

My heart sunk into my stomach and both turned instantly to water. I had to sit down. Little did I know that my belief in Jesus’ resurrection was about to be severely tested by the sting of pain and grief. Debbie was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Four months later she passed away at the age of 43 years, after just celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary.

I had lost my best friend. Companionship became my most noticeable lack, sometimes seeming unbearable.

Further, all four children lived at home. Witnessing their pain was another huge hurt. Did they have to suffer like this? Would watching their mum die leave extended scars? Would they blame God? I was suffering a double dose of grief. I often thought that I could not have experienced any worse pain.

During Debbie’s suffering, I regularly took refuge in the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. It had been my major research area for 25 years. So I appreciated the student who asked, “What would you do now if Jesus hadn’t been raised from the dead?” I knew this event had a historical, theoreti-

cal side, but I wasn’t fully aware of its practical power. I had much to learn about applying the resurrection to life.

Jesus’ bodily resurrection occupies the very centre of the Christian faith. After His death to pay for our sins, Jesus was raised from the dead. He appeared to many in His own, physical body that was now immortal (I Cor. 15:1-20). This is not only the theological and evidential core of Christianity, it is intimately related to our daily walk with God. Paul fearlessly asserts that our faith is vain if Jesus was not raised (15:14, 17). He adds that the truth of this event ensures the resurrection of our loved ones, too (15:18-23). Without it, we may as well seek pleasure as our life’s goal (15:32).

The resurrection of Jesus is supported by an awesome array of historical information. Even skeptics who reject the inspiration of Scripture typically admit a number of crucial facts. For example, they almost always agree that Jesus died by crucifixion. His earliest disciples believed that they had seen Jesus afterwards. Their lives were transformed by this conviction. They proclaimed this message shortly afterwards in Jerusalem.

Modern critics additionally concede that Paul (Saul) and Jesus’ brother James had both been antagonistic to Jesus’ teachings. But they, too, were later convinced that they had also seen the risen Jesus.

Virtually all contemporary scholars recognise these and other facts, whether or not they believe the Gospel message about Jesus. They also grant that attempts to invent alternative scenarios have failed. In other words, they usually realise that those who have tried to explain all of this in natural terms have failed to prove their case.

Here we must note that these facts are not true simply because the critics say so. The best reason for believing them is that there is plenty of historical confirmation for each one.

What are some of these reasons?

Today, most scholars think that Paul provides the key testimony for Jesus’ resurrection. We have a number of

unquestioned writings from his pen. In them he passionately explains that he was converted by an appearance of the resurrected Lord (I Cor. 9:1; 15:8; Gal. 1:16). Jesus also appeared to many others (I Cor. 15:3-7), and His apostles were giving the same report as was Paul (15:11-15). Later, Peter, John, and James specifically approved Paul’s Gospel message (Gal. 2:1-10).

In explaining the content of his Gospel preaching, Paul chose words from ancient Jewish tradition. The message he had “passed on” to his listeners was precisely what he had “received” (I Cor. 15:3). It is widely held that Paul obtained this material from Peter and James during his first trip to Jerusalem about 35 AD. Paul got “acquainted” with Peter while staying with him for fifteen days (Gal. 1:18). Paul’s term here means that he questioned or examined Peter, and the immediate context indicates that the subject was the Gospel message.

So Paul was in a great position to know what happened after Jesus’ death and he provides an excellent historical trail for us. He had met

A C th d th G w th c th a w h te

the risen Jesus. Later, he questioned other eyewitnesses who had also seen Him. They examined Paul’s teaching, too, all very soon after the events. Then Paul reported the message to his audience: Jesus had gloriously risen from the dead!

How did all of this help me during my greatest suffering, while my wife Debbie was dying? Why was this happening to us? Like Job 38, I imagined God confronting me with His answer. And I knew immediately what He would ask me: “Gary, did I raise my Son from the dead?”

“Of course You did, Lord,” I would respond. (I had to be true to my nine books on the subject!) “But why is Debbie dying?”

“Gary, did I raise my Son from the dead?” the ominous question would come again.

“Yes, Lord, but . . . .”

“GARY . . . DID . . . I . . . RAISE . . . MY . . . SON . . . FROM . . . THE . . . DEAD?”

I imagined God repeating the exact same question until I got His point. If God raised His Son then there was an answer to Debbie’s suffering, even if

Easter message

Archbishop Barry Hickey

On fire: Dr Gary Habermas, above, has an academic passion for studying and explainin Unlike some popular contemporary novelists, he believes it really happened. This one e research of the world’s artists and thinkers for two millennia, as demonstrated by this 1

Apostles with the result that through Confirmation we have the gifts of he Spirit available to us.

The Sacrament of Marriage, decreed by Christ when He revealed hat couples are joined together by God and must not be separated, was strengthened by the power of he resurrection so that couples can call on that power to ensure that hey live their promise to love one another for as long as they live.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders was revealed in Jesus bestowing on his Apostles all of his authority to each, to heal, to forgive, and to

give us His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. The Anointing of the Sick is a renewal by priests of Christ’s laying on of hands to heal the sick.

In these sacraments, the amazing spiritual power of the resurrection is a daily gift to us, a gift that will change our lives and transform our world if only we will let it.

Following Him: Pope Benedict leads thousands in reflecting on the Way of the Cross at the Collosseum in Rome on Good Friday last year. PHOTO: CNS

Evidence

I didn’t know what it was. But I did know this much: if Jesus was raised, then Debbie would be raised someday, too (I Cor. 6:14; Phil. 3:21).

It was sufficient to know that, because of Jesus’ resurrection, we would be together again, and for all eternity. This is the force of resurrection faith for all who trust in Jesus Christ. This answer was sufficient in 1995 and it remains so today. Through all of my pain, this truth has never failed to comfort me, providing tremendous peace.

Dr Gary Habermas is the author or co-author of over 30 books and 100 articles and reviews in journals and magazines. In the last 12 years he has given over 1500 lectures in about 100 universities, Bible schools, and colleges. He holds a PhD in History and Philosophy of Religion from Michigan State University as well as an MA in Philosophical Theology from the University of Detroit. He currently acts as ‘Distinguished Research Professor and Chair’ in the Department of Philosophy and Theology at Liberty University, where he has taught for the past 26 years. His main areas of research include the philosophical study of miracles, neardeath experiences, the historical Jesus, and the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus.

“The resurrection of Jesus is supported by an awesome array of historical information”

- Dr Gary Habermas

WA Bishops’ Easter meassages - Vista 4

ng the historical reality of the Resurrection. event has consumed the imaginations and 4th century icon, at right.

PHOTO: CNS

The Bishops of

O Death, where is your sting?

Easter - not Christmas - is the greatest Christian celebration of the year. Every Bishop is a successor to the Apostles, the small band of unlikely individuals specially chosen by Christ for the mighty task og going out into the world to announce the news that Death had been conquered forever by Christ. The Bishop of your Diocese is one of the Apostles. Every Easter The Record publishes each serving Western Australian bishop’s message to the people of his diocese. And it is with pleasure that we do so again.

When the hardest is the best thing we can do

The recent National Apology to the Stolen Generations has given rise to a great deal of discussion about reconciliation in our land.

Among those who supported the historical moment there has been talk about making the past right, acknowledging the injustices enacted by the discriminatory laws, saying sorry for the hurt caused and making reparation for wrongful acts.

There has been much said about the hope for a new beginning in forging equitable relationships between Indigenous and nonIndigenous people, restoring trust between governments and Indigenous people, and healing the wounds of a harsh history.

I found some remarkable similarities in the public discussions about this historical event and the wonder that we remember and celebrate each Easter. I am uplifted by the bright promise of building a just future heralded by hopeful hearts since that moment in Canberra. It was a healing, liberating experience. At the same time I see in the death and resurrection of Jesus, a promise come true that gives substance to the hope for which all humanity longs.

For some years, certainly since the ‘Bringing Them Home’ report of 1997, there has been the hope of reconciliation for Aboriginal people centering largely on the Stolen Generations but by implication including all Indigenous people in the quest for A Bran Nue Dae, as the Kimberley musical calls it. There are signs that this Nue Dae is now a possibility for us as a nation. In the achievement of reconciliation with one another there is the prospect of healing and peace unknown in previous generations.

God’s promise, as revealed in scripture, of new beginnings with the human race is enabled by Christ whose death and resurrection seals in trust the covenant between God and humanity. To know Christ is to know God and to know that his love is healing, unconditional and without bounds. To know and love Christ is to be united in love with God so as to find meaning in our existence, to appreciate the mystery of suffering in our midst, and to acknowledge the power of God’s forgiving Grace.

God calls us to holiness, to change our selfish ways that burden us and others so readily. He invites us to renounce sin and to forge a new relationship with Him made possible in Christ. As an Easter people we celebrate that it is God who “brings us out of darkness into his own wonderful light.”

I wish you and your family every blessing, every joy and every wonder that the feast of Easter so generously offers our world.

+Bishop Christopher Saunders Bishop of Broome

He grows stronger in us as we grow stonger in Him

The best part about being a Christian is knowing Jesus Christ. Not just ‘knowing about’ him but ‘knowing’ him personally. He is Risen, and can be experienced by all who truly seek him.

For St Paul, nothing in this world could compare with knowing ‘Christ and the power of his resurrection’ [Philippians 3:10]. As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection this Easter, it is good to ask ourselves ‘how well do I know him?’

How can we come to know Christ?

We come to know people through our experiences of them. We come to know Christ through our personal experiences of him.

Broadly speaking, we open ourselves to experiences of Christ as we pray, worship and strive to live daily as he taught. More specifically, we do so by relating these ways to our daily lives.

Being freed by Christ from weaknesses

Are there hurts I have experienced in the past that are affecting me today? Perhaps as a result of how I was treated by my parents or siblings? Or some experience in my school years or in early adulthood? Perhaps the hurt is a result of a marriage that did not work out.

Whatever the cause, I can experience and come to know Christ by offering him the hurts of my life, asking for his healing. This will come, though not necessarily quickly, depending upon how deep the hurt is. His healing power goes to the root of the hurt and heals gradually.

In the same way, we experience Christ if we offer him our confusions, habits that frustrate our efforts to live his teachings, and temptations to break God’s commandments. Through his power Christ will replace

inner conflict with peace, and guilt with forgiveness.

Then there are the human weaknesses that affect our relationships with God, with others and with ourselves. These include selfishness, resentments, desires that lead us to break God’s laws and judgementalness. All of these are examples of the human sinfulness from which Christ frees us.

Being freed by Christ to live his teachings

None of us is the person we are capable of being. Who of us could not be a better parent, friend, priest or spouse? Who amongst us could not be more Christlike in our love, forgiveness, understanding, justice and mercy? Selfishness, for example, may not hamper us, but we are still not the loving person we are capable of being.

These are a few examples of areas in our lives where we can offer our efforts to Christ. Over time, the power of his resurrection takes us beyond what is possible through human effort alone. We are freed to ‘new life’.

The great prayer of Jesus

Easter recalls the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Mass. This is the most powerful of all prayers, for it is the prayer of Jesus himself, the Son of God. He makes our prayers his own as we join him in celebrations of the Mass.

His resurrection power grows in our lives as, in each Mass, we offer our lives – our weaknesses and struggles, and our efforts to become more like him. This power strengthens as we pray about our lives daily.

May we all know the Risen Christ

My 2008 Easter wish is that each of us comes to know Christ ever more personally by opening our lives more fully to the power of his resurrection, particularly during this year’s Easter ceremonies.

A happy Easter to all!

+Bishop Gerard Holohan Bishop of Bunbury

Constant message: The morning of the Resurrection is depicted in “He Is Risen,” a painting by contemporary Chinese Christian artist He Qi. His artwork blends Chinese folk customs and traditional Chinese painting techniques with Western painting methods.

PHOTO: CNS/COURTESY OF HE QI

the West speak

Christ has abolished Death forever

Nothing can separate us

As I write this message, we have just received the news that the body of the Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho has been discovered in Northern Iraq. I am sure that the prayers of the people of the Archdiocese of Perth go out for the brothers and sisters of the Chaldean Rite living in Iraq and Australia.

We hope that what has been condemned universally by leaders around the world and within Iraq will not lead to the fragmentation of the society in Iraq that is being delicately rebuilt.

Historically, Christianity has an important place in Iraq as an agent for peace and harmony.

Archbishop Rahho’s death in these days of penitential preparations for Easter is, of course, very symbolic. The death of Jesus Christ was meant to silence the message he came to give.

The world has continued to have a problem with the Christian Gospel and generation by generation there has been a sustained effort to silence the Gospel and negate its power to free people.

But it is interesting to note that the need to destroy Christ in His message continues.

Emperors, powerful conquerors, Radical Islamists, Communists and the secularists of today pit themselves against Christ and the Church.

Christ remains, as does His Gospel.

Easter is the celebration of the victory of Christ over death in all its forms. The very word “Easter” relates to this Christian celebration of the cornerstone of faith: this Resurrection of Christ.

It carries no other meaning, for all former meanings have long since been eclipsed by the Christian one.

Having been raised from the dead, Christ is no longer subject to death. He is now master over death.

No wonder, then, the confidence we find in St Paul. He understood that Christ not only died for us but he rose from the dead and now pleads for us. So he wrote with absolute confidence:

“Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph by the power of him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35,37).

This is my prayer for this coming Easter: that we will grow in the hope Christ offers as he calls us to renew our faith.

Christ is victorious and his power to save us will not be overcome.

+Bishop Don Sproxton Auxilliary Bishop of Perth

This mystery takes time to mature in our life

Soon we will celebrate again the most important event of the whole year, namely the Paschal Mystery.

In our Priests Retreat early in January we were led by our Director, Fr. John Chalmers, to reflect more deeply on this Mystery and its meaning for our lives.

Fr John began by enlarging our understanding. He helped us see that while the Paschal Mystery was basically the Dying and Rising of Christ – the passing of Christ from Death to Life - it was also much more.

Putting it in terms of days it meant not only the prominent days of Good Friday and Easter Sunday but Holy Saturday as well.

It also included the Ascension and the days leading up to the Ascension. As well it encompassed the coming of the Holy Spirit and the days of waiting for that Spirit at Pentecost.

A strong point that our Director wanted to make was that Jesus didn’t pass immediately from Death to Life. There was the waiting time for him, for his mother and for all his followers.

It is the same for us. Things don’t change overnight. While the Cross is there in various forms in our lives, it will in Christ certainly lead to life. There needs to be the patient waiting first.

Then when life does come it is not yet full and perfect.

Any eventuating life and growth that does come is special in itself and gives joy. It also brings with it the future promise of life without end in Christ.

In the meantime there is more waiting. There are the forty days before Jesus Ascended to his Father in Heaven. This too is a time of waiting.

The waiting, although it calls for much patience, it is not just passive.

Encouraged and taught by Jesus’ Ascension what

we can do is day by day bring our crosses, our hurts, our limits and frailty (as well as our gifts, joys and hopes) to our God.

We can as it were let them Ascend to our God – to God’s loving embrace.

We wait again then as Mary and the Apostles waited. And just as surely as it was for them it is also with us.

The Holy Spirit comes to keep drawing life and good from what is happening to us and in us.

I want to add something about the Holy Spirit and the image of the Holy Spirit right at the beginning of the Bible in the first two verses of Chapter one of Genesis. These lines speak of the formless void, the chaos and darkness of initial creation and how the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters.

Our Retreat Director used another word which is pregnant with meaning.

He spoke of the Holy Spirit “brooding” over this water and chaos.

What a wonderful image! As hens and birds brood over their eggs and bring forth life, so too the Holy Spirit brooding over us and our world will certainly continue to bring forth life and goodness and hope.

So the Paschal Mystery speaks of the power of Jesus and his Cross and Resurrection. It also speaks to us of the power of the brooding Holy Spirit.

As I’ve tried to emphasize the Paschal Mystery also speaks of waiting – both waiting patiently on the Lord as well as with that Lord.

Understanding the Paschal Mystery in this way has been much more complete for me, much more hopeful and hope filled. It is the big picture of Jesus’ saving work.

It is a total and wonderful framework for our lives.

It has been a help to me since that Retreat and I trust even more into the future.

I send my Easter wishes to one and all. I pray this Eastertide (which is the fifty day period including Pentecost) that Jesus will reveal to us all even more of the meaning of this great Paschal Mystery.

+Bishop Justin Bianchini Bishop of Geraldton

The Holy Spirit comes, as Christ promised: Fr Sean Gann baptises Jeannine Roswell during the Easter Vigil at Christ the King Church in Commack, New York, on April 7 last year.

PHOTO: CNS/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ, LONG ISLAND CATHOLIC

Briefly...

Murphy off to Christmas Island Detention Centre

Mgr John Murphy from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conferences’s Migrant and Refugee Office will make a pastoral visit to the Christmas Island Detention Centre during Holy Week and Easter.

Mgr Murphy will celebrate Easter and Holy Week liturgies with the faithful of Christmas Island, and will also use his week-long stay as an opportunity to visit the detention centre.

Sex advertisements offend men too: male writer

A male writer has written in Melbourne’s secular daily The Age condemning the use of “sexy” billboard imagery in public places.

Melbourne commuters have complained recently about prominent billboards advertising the sex industry, including one sign for a new city strip club which is clearly visible by motorists driving near the MCG. Writer Simon Castles added his voice to the complaints, arguing that while such imagery is certainly demeaning to women, it is also offensive to men.

Men in today’s society “are bombarded daily by such pictures designed to distract, arouse and awaken sexual feeling,” Castles writes. “Who really wants that when you’re, say, meeting a client, picking your kids up or sitting in your car with your mum?”

The writer complains that a daily bombardment of erotic images is shaping male sexuality, and that average men have their sexuality “honed by an illusion.” Castles says neither gender can “capture an illusion,” but says that in our culture, strip clubs succeed commercially because they “sell men the idea that you can”.

Exorcism on Catholic TV

A program on exorcism will screen on Catholic community television next month. In its regular update, the Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting says that a documentary titled “Exorcism” ties in with the feast of St Mark, in whose name the earliest of the Gospels is written. “One of the strong features of this Gospel is its preoccupation with the presence of evil and demons, and these days many people, especially the young, are interested in demonology and evil possession,” the Office says. The documentary sorts out fact from fiction in regard to evil, demons and the ritual of exorcism, it adds. Exorcism, the documentary will screen from Sunday April 13 to Saturday April 19 on Aurora Community Television, which can be seen on Foxtel Digital and Austar Digital Channel 183.

the Nation

ACU further commits to interfaith dialogue

■ By Paul Gray

Australian Catholic University has appointed two distinguished scholars, one a prominent a Jewish leader and the other an internationally recognised Jesuit expert on Islam, to its Asia-Pacific Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue.

They are Rabbi John Levi AM, an author and co-founder of the Australian Council for Christians and Jews, and Rev Dr Daniel Madigan SJ, an Australian currently based at Georgetown University in Washington.

The appointments are the latest sign of the national Catholic university’s growing commitment to inter-religious dialogue.

The university founded the AsiaPacific Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue in 2006, and last year appointed a Turkish expert in the Koran, Dr Ismail Albayrak, to its Fethullah Gulen Chair.

In an email interview from Washington with The Record, Dr Madigan said projects like the APCID are especially significant today. “I think it is extremely important for the Church to be identified publicly and officially with efforts at mutual understanding,” Dr Madigan said.

Hospitality is an essential element in dialogue, and last year’s appointment of Dr Albayrak is a sign of such hospitality, he added. “We are ready to listen to Muslims and to learn from them how they see their own faith.”

Dr Madigan, who has had ongoing roles in inter-religious work at the Vatican for the past 10 years, says Catholic openness to non-Catholics is rarely wasted. “Those Muslim professors who have come to Rome over the years have been greatly affected by such hospitality and have reciprocated it, thus learning a

great deal about Christianity, not just as it is formally written but as it is lived.”

The ACU’s inter-religious dialogue centre was set up to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between Christians and other religious communities in the Asia-Pacific region.

“There is another ‘civilisation’ of people who know that they still have much to learn and so are open to others, who can see and admit their historical failings without losing faith or hope, who do not believe that violence and harsh division will resolve our world’s problems.

Dr Daniel Madigan

However, religious dialogue itself remains controversial in sections of the Australian community, with some media voices urging a tough line against Islam.

One former federal parliamentarian, John Stone, has even advocated a curb on Muslim immigration to Australia. Meanwhile some think that a fundamental “clash of civilisations” between Islam and the West must be resolved.

Asked what he thought about the term “clash of civilisations” which was coined by political scientist Samuel Huntington, Dr Madigan answered: “Most of those who use this terminology have not read and have scarcely understood what Samuel Huntington was getting at in his book.

“I think there is a clash of civilisations,” Dr Madigan continued, “yet the civilisations are not in my experience defined by religion. There is one ‘civilisation’ of people who believe that they have all the answers and so nothing to learn, that they have little or nothing to be ashamed of or to ask forgiveness for, either in the present or in history – people who believe that the violence they do is justified and even divinely sanctioned, and that they can do no wrong.

“They inevitably see themselves as innocent victims.

“Though they may have been victimised, they know also they have been victimisers.”

Dr Madigan says in his experience there are Christians and Muslims in both these ‘civilisations.’

Samuel Huntington pointed out that civilisations are not closed and that people can and do change their civilisational identities. However “few people noticed” when Huntington said this, Dr Madigan added. He said changing people’s civilisational identities is the purpose of dialogue.

Dr Madigan is a consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims at the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue at the Vatican. He is also international visiting fellow at the Woodstock International Centre at Georgetown.

From 2000 to 2007 Dr Madigan was a professor of Islamic studies and inter-religious dialogue at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. There he was also the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Religions and Cultures, designed to prepare people to work in the field or interreligious dialogue.

Originally from Melbourne, he held numerous posts in Australia including executive director of Jesuit Publications, a role at Catholic Communications in Melbourne and teaching at St Aloysius College in Sydney.

Today he has impressive expertise in Islam, with his book The Qur’an’s Self-Image: Writing and Authority in Islam’s Scripture being

published by Princeton University Press in 2001.

He is widely regarded as one of the non-Islamic world’s leading experts in Muslim scripture.

Dr Madigan says it was the Jesuit tradition of obedience that first led him to study the Koran.

Ordained in the mid-1980s, he says he volunteered to work in Pakistan “at least partly wishing to avoid an academic career.”

Dr Madigan worked in Lahore and Multan in Pakistan where he oversaw a library specializing in the study of religions, and became editor of a bi-lingual Urdu/English journal of theology and spirituality.

But in the late 1980s the Australian Jesuits handed responsibility for these Pakistan projects to Sri Lankan Jesuits. At this time Dr Madigan was meant to travel east to undertake study to work in China.

“At the last minute, a letter came from our headquarters in Rome asking me to do Islamic studies instead. So instead of Hong Kong, I went to Cairo to do Arabic.”

This eventually led to his undertaking a PhD in Islamic religion, with a dissertation on the Koran, awarded by Columbia University in New York in 1997. He also became an exchange scholar and fellow in residence at Harvard University during the 1990s.

Dr Madigan’s knowledge of Islam and his experience around the world have led him to a strong belief in the importance of dialogue, which he does not see just as a job for Popes and bishops, but as one of more global importance.

“We have a tendency to measure progress by what is happening in Rome and what the Pope is doing,” he says. “Yet interreligious dialogue is obviously not one of the Pope’s main jobs, even though following Vatican II it is one of the Church’s constant concerns.”

From university seminars to “hello” at the bus-stop, interfaith dialogue counts

Dr Daniel Madigan SJ says there are several important interfaith projects happening around the world, one being a “very important” Turkish Muslim movement led by a man called Fethullah Gülen.

This movement has been setting up small institutes in various European and American cities to promote dialogue between the Abrahamic faiths.

“In many places (these institutes) work closely with Catholic groups and a number of their members have studied Christianity at the Gregorian University in Rome,” he says.

This group has helped to fund the chair at Australian Catholic University, and they have a similar chair at John Carrol University, a Jesuit institution in Cleveland, Ohio.

There is also a Forum between the Muslim ulema and the Catholic Bishops in the Phillipines, where Catholic and Muslim leaders meet regularly to discuss matters of mutual concern, Dr Madigan says.

Meanwhile at the University of Southern California in the US, the Institute of Advanced Catholic Studies has sponsored collaborative research projects between Muslims, Christians and Jews. There are also are standing regional dialogue committees of Catholics and Muslims. The US Bishops have published some of the agreed statements from these dialogue committees.

Several Catholics are also involved in an annual meeting hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury where a group of Muslim and Christian scholars hold a four-day seminar to study each other’s sacred texts on important

issues. Britain has also seen a number of “very fruitful” dialogues between Catholic scholars and Shi’ite Muslims, held at the Benedictines’ Ampleforth Abbey. He says Catholic scholars have been invited several times to Iran to teach about Christianity in the Iranian National Institute of Philosophy.

There have also been academic exchanges between Iran and the pontifical universities in Rome. The Gregorian University, for example, has had an annual exchange of professors with the University of Ankara in Turkey for more than 20 years.

In recent years dozens of Muslim students from 12 countries have come to Rome to do Masters degrees in the study of Christianity and Muslim-Christian relations.

“All this may seem largely academic, yet what is essential to it all is the personal relationship that develops when people speak to each other of their faith,” Dr Madigan says.

“There are many such relationships and friendships throughout the world. The informal ones are often more significant than those I have listed here, and everyone has a chance to be involved.

“Even a kind word to a stranger in a supermarket, or an act of courtesy on a bus is an essential element of interfaith dialogue.”

In a strongly worded article for the British Jesuits’ online journal Thinking Faith, Dr Madigan forcefully put his view of the controversial topic of seeking dialogue with ‘moderate Muslims.’ There he described the term ‘moderate Muslims’ as “patronising,” and said people in the West sometimes seem to be looking for

Muslims who “don’t take it all too seriously” and who are ready to tell us what we want to hear.

“It is against ‘moderates’ of this kind in the Catholic church that bishops fulminate at election time. ‘Cafeteria Catholics’ – take the bits you like and leave the rest – are roundly condemned, but similarly picky Muslims are celebrated,” Dr Madigan wrote.

“The presumption seems to be that a commitment that takes seriously the whole Islamic tradition is incapable of dealing with the modern world.

“In fact,” Dr Madigan argues, “the opposite would seem to be the case. The reactionary and intransigent ideologies that drive terrorism and puritanical repression are not drawing on the whole Islamic tradition, but rather on a truncated and impoverished reading of it.”

Dr Madigan has written many publications and papers on Catholic-non Catholic relations, including a 2007 paper on the Vatican document Dominus Iesus, and a presentation at Ankara University in Turkey last year called “From Regensburg to the Blue Mosque: Pope Benedict’s Journey.”

At the Paul VI Institute in Brescia in Italy last year, he also delivered a paper entitled “Pope Paul VI’s ‘Map’ of the Church in Dialogue: are we still following it?”

Pope Paul VI remains much in Dr Madigan’s thoughts. He told The Record that “Pope Paul VI, in his first encyclical Ecclesiam Suam, said that the first task of dialogue is to listen - and not only to what people are saying but what they have it in their hearts to say.”

Essential Catholic Resources from The Record Bookshop

Does the Bible really say that? Discovering Catholic Teaching in Scripture

By Patrick Madrid

Do Christians have absolute assurance of salvation? Is the Rosary really a biblical prayer? Is the Church’s teachings on the priesthood, divorce, homosexuality, Purgatory, the Angels, the Saints, the Sacraments, and the Divinity of Christ really based in Scripture? Patrick Madrid leads readers through an investigation of what Scripture has to say abpout these and many other topics, revealing the biblical roots of Catholic teaching.

$24.95+postage

Memorise The Faith and Most Anything Else! Using The Methods of the Great Catholic Medieval Memory Masters

By Kevin Vost

We can only live by the truths we remember. That’s why 700 years ago St Thomas Aquinas devised the ‘memory mansion’ method, based on techniques taught by the ancient philosophers, to help him recall the teachings of the faith. It’s so simple and easy, anyone can do it, young and old! In Memorise the Faith, Kevin Vost takes you through this technique so you can instantly recite the 5 proofs of God’s existence, the 10 Commandments, the 7 Cardinal Virtues, the 9 Beatitudes, all 73 books of the Bible in correct order, and many other teachings of the faith. The book also includes how to teach this system to children. Not to be missed!

$29.95+postage

Children’s Illustrated Bible

By Victoria Parker

Victoria Parker retells the best-loved stories of the Old and New Testaments in simple language, with clear explanations of their meanings. This Bible also includes colour maps of the Biblical world and fact panels that give insight into the customs, people and places of Biblical times. Ideal for helping older children explore the Holy Bible and the meaning of its stories.

$24.95+postage

By Lisa Bevere

Fight Like A Girl: The Power of Being A Woman

In a culture that gives mixed and sometimes degrading messages on ideals of femininity, Lisa Bevere challenges women to embrace the God-given power of their femininity and make their unique and much needed mark on society, the Church and the world.

$26.95+postage

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Pocket Edition

Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a concise reference book for communicating the Catholic faith and the Gospel message. With beautiful artistic illustrations, this is a superbly designed hardback book that presents the essentials of the Catholic faith in question and answer format.

$12.95+postage

130 Fun Facts From God’s Wonder-Filled World

by Bernadette McCarver Snyder

130 Fun Facts is a fascinating foray into facts and tidbits about saints, symbols, the earth, fauna and computers. This book is great entertainment for kids.

$19.95+postage

World Youth Day ’08

Over 10,000 Catholics expected to descend on Perth foreshore for...

Days in the Diocese extravaganza Days in the Diocese extravaganza

■ By Anthony Barich

Get ready for the World Youth Day extravaganza as 10,000 Perth Catholics young and old (mostly young) are expected to descend on the Esplanade in Perth CBD to officially welcome over 3000 international pilgrims to launch Days in the Diocese.

Days in the Diocese is the big curtain-raiser for the main event in Sydney when Australia welcomes Pope Benedict XVI for the first time in his pontificate for WYD from July 15-20.

Every Catholic school, community, congregation and parish in the metropolitan area is invited to attend the free international youth event on Thursday, July 10, right in the middle of university and school holidays.

Local and international bands, speakers, dancers and other performance artists will be on show as Perth’s Catholics show the rest of the city the joy of living as Christians.

The day represents the formal welcome for the international pilgrims – including several bishops from around the world, priests, friars and nuns, as well as thousands of lay people.

Switzerland alone is sending a bishop, several priests and

132 pilgrims to Perth, while the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal from the United States and a large contingent of over 50 pilgrims and Schoenstatt priests, nuns and seminarians from Germany are also on the way to Perth for some enculturation before they hit Sydney for WYD.

There is also a sizable contingent coming from Cape Town in South Africa and other African nations are sending pilgrims and priests.

The main event, WYD, was initiated by Pope John Paul II and is the largest youth event in the world, with more expected at Sydney in July than descended on the Harbour City for the 2000 Olympics.

Organised by the Catholic Church, World Youth Day gathers young people from around the world to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures.

In August 2005, Sydney was chosen to host the XXIII World Youth Day. Pope Benedict XVI in Cologne made the announcement at the conclusion of the XX World Youth Day in August 2005.

Through the WYD08 experience, young people from throughout the world will make a pilgrimage in faith, meet, and experience the love of God. The young people will have an

opportunity to rediscover their baptismal calling and the centrality of the sacraments of the Eucharist and reconciliation, and so discover a new apostolic zeal to witness more fully the Gospel in the modern world - all in the context of the beauty of Australia and the hospitality of the Australian people.

To preview all this, Perth’s Days in the Diocese launch includes stalls for exhibitions from the many Catholic ministries active in WA and a “V-Space” – a vocations area for those discerning or curious about religious life.

There will also be a major “immersion” of indigenous culture for the thousands of international pilgrims to learn about Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with potential painting workshops and didgeridoo lessons.

The next day, on July 11, is Frassati Friday, named after the celebrated Italian saint Pier Giorgio Frassati who is seen as a special patron for youth around the world as he combined his enjoyment of life and sports with strong faith, serious charity and a commitment to social justice. He died at age 24. Details are being finalised to fly his body to Sydney for veneration by young people at WYD in July.

Frassati Friday will be a day where locals host international pilgrims in community service events that will immerse them in Australian culture.

Holy Spirit at centre of Catechesis

Youth to be enlightened on what being a Catholic in the world really means at WYD

World Youth Day Sydney 2008 organisers have released the themes and accompanying scripture verse selected for each day of Catechesis – the daily teaching sessions during the week.

Bishops from around the world will lead Catechesis on Wednesday 16, Thursday 17 and Friday 18 July in over 300 Sydney Churches and venues.

The central theme for the three days of Catechesis is Holy Spirit and Mission, and the days will be broken down into “Called to live in the Holy Spirit” (Wednesday July 16), “The Holy Spirit, soul of the Church” (Thursday July 17) and “Sent out into the world: the Holy Spirit, the principal agent of mis-

sion” (Friday July 18). The Scripture verse for July 18 is also the theme for WYD08.

“Catechesis represents the spiritual heart of World Youth Day, when young people from various backgrounds and circumstances unite to listen, reflect, discuss and pray in harmony,” said WYD08 coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, an Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney.

“I encourage all pilgrims who are attending WYD08 to begin reflecting on the Catechesis themes now, so that come July, they are spiritually prepared to witness the Spirit and gain as much as they can from their WYD08 experience,” Bishop Fisher said.

The WYD08 Catechesis themes and Scripture texts for each of the Masses were selected by the Pontifical Council for the Laity (PCL), the Vatican body that oversees World Youth Day preparations.

For further information contact the Perth World Youth Day Office on: 9422 7944.

Chic clergy couture for World Youth Day 2008

World Youth Day 2008 will provide specially designed vestments for the world’s Cardinals, Bishops, priests and deacons to wear during the week-long event in July.

The 700 specially designed chasubles – the outer garment that covers the celebrant from the neck down - will be produced for Cardinals and Bishops celebrating the Opening Mass and the Final Mass. Around 3000 stoles – the strip of cloth worn around the neck that hangs down past the waist – are being produced for priests and deacons to use throughout the WYD08 week.

“The vestments are an earthy red colour to reflect Australia’s unique landscape,” said Fr Peter Williams, WYD08 Director of Liturgy.

“They feature the Southern Cross on the front, signifying Australia as the Great Southern Land of the Holy Spirit.

“This is reinforced by the indigenous image on the back of the chasuble – Marjorie’s Bird – also representing the Holy Spirit.”

Fr Williams said it was the first time His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will visit Australia and the first time that a World Youth Day will be held here.

“We want to ensure we reflect our unique landscape, history and cultural influences when the international spotlight is on Sydney for this great event.”

Marjorie’s Bird was created by indigenous artist Marjorie Liddy from the Tiwi Islands in Northern Territory.

The vestments are currently being produced in Bergamo, northern Italy by Solivari, a company specialising in liturgical vestments.

The Perth WYD Crew: Perth WYD Office workers, from left, Miller Lo, Matthew Hodgson, Silvana Scarfe (bottom), Jeanette D’Castro, YCW’s Katherine Radosevich (back) and Tammy Nguyen model their range of clothing to rug up for World Youth Day in Sydney in July. Much of the clothing will come in handy for the big sleep-out on Randwick Racecourse before the final Mass with Pope Benedict XVI.

World Youth Day ’08

D e ar s e c u lar Dear secular columnist, World Yout h Youth D ay RO CKS! Day ROCKS!

A pilgrim strikes back for ‘Benedetto’

On March 9, Mike O’Connor, a prominent columnist in Brisbane’s Courier Mail, wrote a damning opinion piece on World Youth Day following reports that the Federal and NSW State governments were spending millions of taxpayer dollars on an event for a Pope who leads a “religious group” that represents just 25 per cent of the population, adding that most churches in Brisbane are empty; and argues that WYD “is not” going to reverse the decline in the Church’s appeal in this country or elsewhere. Jamie O’Brien, former journalist of The Record, now based in Brisbane and a seasoned WYD pilgrim, begged to differ. This is what he wrote to Mr O’Connor last week.

Dear Mr O’Connor, I write in response to your column about World Youth Day – The Courier Mail, March 10, 2008.

I am 27, an enthusiastic and practising Catholic as well as a former journalist of The Record, the Catholic Newspaper of Western Australia. I go to Church twice a week, I work full-time in the media and am a regular young bloke: I enjoy a beer, a cigarette and the company of family and friends. Quite basically I am your average bloke... but hang on a minute - I’ve been to World Youth Day so perhaps I am a little different.

I challenge you on your comments about World Youth Day 2008 and its attendance by Benedict XVI.

I sincerely believe that you have been misled into thinking that World Youth Day is a waste of time and money.

I have attended, along with a number of my close friends, World Youth Day in Toronto (2002) and Germany (2005). In addition to that I was also present when John Paul II visited Israel in March 2000. I have also attended local pilgrimages in Australia a number of times when I was living in WA.

In all those experiences I paid for the trip (each one was at least $2500) and/or its related expenses myself.

I worked hours at a supermarket and tutored to assist not only with my ever increasing university and living expenses, but also for the trip, which I was keen to find out where it could lead.

To be fair, I remained open to the possibility of either disliking it or refusing it as a waste of my time.

Even though I was a practising Catholic I still had the normal reservations of any youngster but am thankful that I at least showed the intelligence to learn. I can only hope there are other young people who will do the same.

When I travelled to Israel (and Rome) in 2000 I was a mere university student in search of life beyond what the world offers – drugs, alcohol, sex, all your usual nuances the Catholic Church rejects, and I accept this wholeheartedly as I have seen how they breed an inherent evil on life. The trip to Israel and Rome that March 2000 left me with more wisdom and insight than any university degree could have offered.

I ask you, what would you rather, Mr O’Connor: a society of youth with an increasing willing desire to partake in a pilgrimage in Australia or overseas, or a society of youth

messing with drugs/alcohol/sex and in need of government and taxpayers’ money to pay for all their medical expenses when things have gone wrong. I am almost certain it would be more than the $150 million you are crying over.

In essence I have understood, and I think you have too, that there are two options for young people today: life or death. I don’t think I could have made a better choice than I did by opening myself to that experience in 2000.

During each pilgrimage overseas I have fond memories of the chants of “GIOVANNI PAULO” or “BENEDETTO” by millions – yes millions – of young people as they waited to listen to every word uttered by John Paul II and more recently Benedict XVI.

I have a good recollection of some of the words offered. In 2002, John Paul II spoke about Salt, Light and Leaven – that young people in the Church are the salt of the earth and need to be a sign to others in the face of their societies, whether it be at school, university, at home or work.

That took place in the face of so much adversity and destruction of life, yet it was possible to come away from that and be closer to God. Perhaps you can find these homilies on the Vatican website and taste a little of what I heard.

In a society where prostitution, abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty and divorce are almost the norm, young people today are desperately seeking an answer that no politician, psychologist or doctor can give them – the love and dignity offered from Christ and His Church.

World Youth Day 2008 will be an opportunity for young people around the world to see what Australia is really like and to reinforce to those who have no understanding or knowledge that Christ exists that just because it isn’t cool or the fashion to go to Church, it is pos-

sible to listen to what is on offer.

Let’s be honest, the Church isn’t full with youth at the moment, so why not provide an opportunity for young people to find a better path in life? The government would love it - at least that way our taxpayer money wouldn’t be going towards funding patients with mental health issues from drug and alcohol abuse.

The issues of celibacy, contraception and divorce have already been addressed: John Paul II and Benedict XVI have both released numerous encyclicals that say one and the same thing; the destruction of life is evil. Turn away from sin and listen to the Gospel. If you’re at all interested Mr O’Connor; I can organise for you to listen to the experiences of youth who have attended World Youth Day till your ears drop off; but what would you rather; English, Italian, Spanish, French or the other multiple languages of those who attended?

The millions the NSW Government injects into World Youth Day will be more than well spent; I am certain the event will inject millions in return back into the Australian economy, not to mention the impression it will leave on the scores of youth who attend about our beautiful country.

I can’t wait to go to Sydney for World Youth Day. Not only will I be in the company of millions of youth who share the same or similar ideals as myself; I will be able to listen to a man with more wisdom, insight, compassion and understanding than, to my mind, anyone in a position of power in the world; as well as a week free from all the drugs and alcohol.

I will wait for your call, and will be happy to share photos, experiences and tales of World Youth Day that could possibly change your opinion.

Sincerely,

Jamie O’Brien Pilgrim

Catholic and loving it: Former journalist for The Record Jamie O’Brien and his sister Christina at the day the world’s youth met Pope Benedict XVI for the closing Mass at Cologne, Germany, in 2005.

Wednesday March 19

TAIZE MEDITATIVE PRAYER

7.30 – 8.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 100 Dean Road, Bateman. All are welcome to come and spend an hour in group prayer and relax after a busy workday in a candlelight atmosphere of prayer, song and meditation. Enq: Daisy/Barney 9310 4781.

Wednesday March 19

CATHOLIC MENTAL HEALTH GROUP LESMURDIE

Starting at 7.30pm. People with mental health issues, carers and friends are invited to the Lesmurdie Catholic Mental Health Group meeting held at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall, 207 Lesmurdie Rd, Lesmurdie at 7.30pm. Further information contact Madge 9291 6397.

Friday – Monday March 21-24

HOLY WEEK 2008 IN THE T RADITIONAL LATIN RITE

 PERTH

10am and 1.30pm on Good Friday - Stations of the Cross at St John’s Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth. Good Friday, 3pm, Solemn Liturgy of the passion and death of Our Lord, at Cathedral Parish Centre, 450 Hay St, Perth. Easter Sunday

7.30am, 9.15am and 11.15am Holy Mass at St John’s Pro-Cathedral. 5.30pm Mass, Easter Monday at St John’s Pro-Cathedral. Inquiries: Fr Michael Rowe: 9444 9604.

Friday-Monday March 21-24

HOLY WEEK TRIDIUM IN THE TRADITIONAL LATIN RITE

All at At Brigid’s Church, corner Aberdeen and Fitzgerald Sts, Northbridge. Maundy

Thursday, March 20, 8pm, Latin Mass followed by Adoration. Good Friday, March 21, 7.30pm Ancient Ceremonies of Tenebrae. Holy Saturday Vigil, March 22, 9.30pm, ceremonies and Latin Mass of Easter. All welcome. Inquiries, Fr Micahel Rowe: 9444 9604.

Friday March 21

DESOLATA SERVICE WITH MARY IN HER SORROW

7.30pm. This Liturgy is held on the evening of Good Friday in St Denis Parish Church, Roberts Street, Joondanna. We are invited to share the pain and grief of loss with Mary as we reflect on Mary’s sorrow and hope of that first Good Friday.

Friday March 21

ANCIENT CEREMONIES OF TENEBRAE IN HOLY WEEK

7.30pm at St Brigid’s Church, corner Aberdeen St and Fitzgerald St, Northbridge. Sung at the close of the day, in order to signify the setting of the sun. Candles are extinguished gradually as the office is a funeral service commemorating the death of Jesus Christ. Inquiries: Fr Michael Rowe: 9444 9604.

Friday March 21

GOOD FRIDAY CEREMONIES  CATHOLIC AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE  BINDOON

11am - Stations of the Cross, 2.30 pm Solemn ceremony - The Lord’s Passion. Confessions from 10.30am and after Stations of the Cross. To book the coach telephone Stephen 0413 382 568. All are welcome! Enq: Fr Paul 9571 1839.

Sunday March 23

ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK : EVERY

SUNDAY, 1  2 PM ON ACCESS 31

March 23: Easter, the most important Christian observance / Fr Benedict Groeschel with Fr John Lynch [Sunday Night Live] The Rosary Christian Tutorial Association wishes viewers all the joys and blessings of the Holy Easter Season. Postal address: PO Box 1270, Booragoon 6954. Enq: 9330 2467.

Monday March 24

WALK FOR VOCATIONS

3pm Holy Mass. At the Schoenstatt Shrine, 9

Panorama

A roundup of events in the Archdiocese

Talus Drive, Armadale. Main celebrant Bishop Don Sproxton. At 4.30pm “way of light” tracing the footsteps of the Risen Lord, presented by various religious communities as well as representatives from WYD and CYM. At 6pm sausage sizzle. At 7pm Rosary of light Adoration and Benediction. Please BYO folding chair. Enq: Sr Lisette 9399 2349 or email: shrine@elink.net.au.

Thursday March 27

HEALING MASS

You are warmly invited to this Mass beginning at 7pm in the Infant Jesus Church, 47 Wellington Road, Morley. Refreshments will follow in the parish centre. All welcome. Let us come together and pray for God’s healing and peace for ourselves and our loved ones. Enq: Linda 9275 2992, Thelma 9276 5949 or Darren 9276 8500.

Friday March 28

MEDJUGORJE  EVENING OF PRAYER

Commencing at 7pm. An evening of prayer with Our Lady Queen of Peace at All Saints Chapel. Allendale square, St George’s Terrace, Perth. Program: Adoration, meditation and Rosary, followed by Holy Mass, concluding 9pm. Enq: 9402 2480.

Friday March 28

ST COLUMBA’S SOUTH PERTH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS 19082008

All past and present pupils, families, teachers and principals are invited to join in the centenary celebrations at St Columba’s in 2008. The first event will be a centenary celebration Mass & reunion, followed by supper and a walk through the school. Mass starts at 7pm at St Columba’s Church, South Perth. Enq: St Columba’s Primary School 9367 3666 or email: admin@stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au.

Sunday March 30

EMBRACE THE GRACE BEACH REUNION

Fellow participants from all Embrace the Grace’s are invited to Scarborough Beach BBQ area (right off the amphitheatre facing the ocean) at 11am. Bring lunch, bathers and sport equipment. Friends are also welcome. RSVP by March 20 by calling 9375 2029, or email- respectlife@p erthcatholic.org.au.

Sunday March 30

DIVINE MERCY

St Joachim’s Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Park. Program: 1.30pm Holy Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Reconciliation will be available. 2.30pm Holy Mass. Celebrant will be Monsignor Thomas McDonald, other priests are welcome to concelebrate. 3.30pm Benediction. 3.45pm veneration of 1st class relic of St Faustina. Afterwards, refreshments in parish hall and a selection of Divine Mercy materials and DVD’s will be on offer. Enq: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.

Sunday March 30

RUBY JUBILEE  PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME. Starting at 8.30am. Father Michael Gatt will be celebrating his ruby jubilee on his anniversary day at the same time of his ordination. Concelebrated Mass will be held at St Kieran’s Church, corner of Cape and Waterloo Streets, Tuart Hill. Friends and former parishioners of Fr Gatt are most welcome to attend the Mass followed by a brunch in the parish centre. Enq: 9444 1334.

Monday March 31

UNIVERSITY NOTRE DAME AND CARITAS AUSTRALIA

PRESENT: “THE ECONOMICS OF CHARITY WHO CARES”

5:45pm - 8.00pm at the Santa Maria Lecture Theatre (ND 1/103) 19 Mouat Street, Fremantle. An evening with: Jack De Groot CEO of Caritas

Australia, Dr C. Lucy Morris CEO Community Vision Incorporated, David Gilchrist senior lecturer & associate dean of School of Business. Light snacks and beverages: Cost $10. RSVP essential by Friday 28 March. Enq: 9433 0611.

Saturday April 5

DAY WITH MARY

9am to 5pm St Bernadette’s Church, Cnr Leeder & Jugan Streets, Glendalough. A video on Fatima will be shown followed by a day of prayer and instruction based on the message of Fatima. Includes Sacrament of Penance, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons, Rosaries, procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross. Please BYO lunch. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

Friday April 4 to Sunday April 6

GOD’S FARM RETREAT

“The God of unconditional love, now and in the life to come” is the topic retreat master, Fr Tony Chiera VG will share with us on this quiet weekend retreat, assisted by Dr Michael Jackson. Fr Tony celebrates Holy Mass daily and reconciliation. 7.30pm to Sunday 6 April 2pm, at God’s Farm, 40kms south of Busselton. Map available Our hired bus goes directly from Perth to God’s Farm and return. Prompt bookings ring Yvonne 9343 1897. Reservations call Mrs Betty Peaker sfo PO Box 24, Cowaramup 6284. Phn/Fax 9755 6212.

Friday April 25

MEDJUGORJE  EVENING OF PRAYER

7pm-9pm an evening of prayer with Our Lady Queen of Peace at Our Lady’s Assumption Parish, 356 Grand Promenade, Dianella. Program: Adoration, meditation and Rosary, followed by Holy Mass. Enq: 9402 2480.

Saturday April 26

WORLD YOUTH DAY QUIZ NIGHT!

Join the young people of Holy Spirit Church to make this quiz night an unforgettable one! Holy Spirit parish hall. 2 Keaney Place, City Beach, 7:15pm. Tables of 8. Tickets - $10. BYO drinks and nibbles. Tea and coffee available. Enq: Melissa 9446 9682

Sunday May 4

THE 2008 B USSELTON MAY ROSARY CELEBRATION IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY

12.30 pm at Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine, Bove’s Farm, Roy Road, Jindong, Busselton. Holy concelebrated Mass led by Fr Tony Chiera commences at 1pm. Rosary procession and Benediction following Mass. Afternoon tea provided. All welcome! For bus bookings from Perth contact Francis 0404 893 877 or 9459 3873. Note: Roy Road runs off the Bussell Highway, approximately halfway between Busselton and Margaret River.

Friday June 6 to Friday September 26

PASTORAL CARE COURSE

For ministry with the mentally ill. 17 week course will run on Fridays, 8.45am to 3.30pm from Friday June 6 to Friday September 26. This course involves information sessions on schizophrenia, bipolar, suicide awareness, eating disorders etc plus group work and ward visits. Course donation of $100 is invited. Applications close 2nd May. Enq: Bob Milne, Graylands Hospital, pastoral centre 9347 6685 or 0413 325 486.

CALLING PAST YCW MEMBERS

Were you a past member of the Perth YCW, or would you like to be informed about the actions and activities of the YCW today? The Perth YCW is in the process of creating a newsletter to “keep you in touch” with the movement, and we would like to hear from any past YCW members and/or supporters who would like to be kept on our updated mailing list. Please email the Perth YCW at perth@ycw.org.au or call Katherine

Panorama

or Vincent on 9422 7910 by Friday April 11th, 2008. We look forward to hearing from you!

CLUB AMICI

Club Amici aims to build community amongst Catholic singles, couples and families by organising social events for people (some events are specifically for people in their 20s and 30s). If you would like a copy of our latest calendar or to be on our mailout list please contact Therese 9405 6735 or email clubamiciwa@yahoo.com.

First Friday of the Month

WITNESS FOR LIFE

Pro-Life Mass at St Brigid’s, Midland starting at 9.30am. Followed by Rosary, procession and prayer vigil at abortion clinic. Led by Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Enq: Helene 9403 2444.

Every First Friday

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

7pm Mass at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins Street, Glendalough. Celebrant Fr Albert Saminedi. 7.30pm Holy Hour Adoration with Fr Don Kettle. Refreshments to follow in the hall. All welcome.

Every Tuesday

THE GOSPEL OF ST MATTHEW

Exciting revelations into the Gospel of St Matthew are being offered in a free of charge Bible course being conducted by Fr Douglas Rowe SFP St Joachim’s Parish Hall, Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. The course will be held every Tuesday at 7.30pm. Light refreshments will follow. Please bring your bible and a friend.

PERPETUAL ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Is in its fifth year at Christ the King Church, Lefroy Road, Beaconsfield. 24 hours per day, except at Mass times. All are invited to spend an hour with Jesus truly present. Entrance is from the porch, near the altar on the Lefroy Road side of the church. Enq: Joe 9319 1169.

Third Sunday of the Month

OBLATES OF ST BENEDICT MEET

Venue: St Joseph’s Convent, York Street, South Perth at 2pm. An annual retreat is held at New Norcia, Trinity Sunday Weekend. Oblates are affiliated with Benedictine Abbey New Norcia. We celebrate our 50th Anniversary September 2008. A golden celebration. All welcome. Vespers and afternoon tea conclude monthly meeting. Enq: Secretary 9388 3026.

IS YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER UNDECIDED AFTER SCHOOL?

Is your son or daughter unsure what to do in 2008? Acts 2 College offers them a productive year discovering God’s purpose for their life while learning practical life skills. They will develop practical life skills in addition to learning more about the Catholic faith and deepening their own faith in God. Scholarships available. Contact Jane Borg on 9202 6859.

First Sunday of Every Month

HEALING FIRE BURNING LOVE MINISTRY

Celebrate the Sunday Mass at St Bernadette’s Church, Cnr Jugan and Leeder Streets, Glendalough commencing with praise and worship at 6.30pm and Mass at 7pm. We have healing prayers after the Mass so please invite all those in need of the healing love and power of Jesus. Enq: Jenni Young 9445 1028 or 0404 389 679.

Every First Friday of the Month

7.30 pm honouring St Pio of Pietrelcina with Novena to the Sacred Heart and Prayer of Union. Join in every first Friday, St Joseph’s Parish, 20 Hamilton Street, Bassendean.

Panorama entries must be in by 5pm Monday. Contributions may be faxed to 9227 7087, emailed to administration@therecord.com.au or mailed to PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902.

Submissions over 55 words will be edited. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 constitute a classified event, and will be charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment. Please do not re-submit Panoramas once they are in print.

Art Exhibition

Local Artist, Margaret Fane, will hold an exhibition of her paintings in St Joachim’s Hall, 122 Shepperton Road, Victoria Park on all the weekends in April 2008 – Saturdays from 9am to 4pm and after the 6pm Saturday evening Mass and on Sundays from 8am to 4pm and after the 6pm Sunday evening Mass. Margaret studies Art and Spirituality in Rome. She has held successful exhibitions in many parishes of the Archdiocese. Her paintings are in oil and watercolour and range from $40.00 to $4,000.00. This exhibition is a fundraiser for the completion of the Cathedral.

ACCOMMODATION

■ FAMILY/GROUP ACCOMMODATION

www.beachhouseperth.com Call 0400 292 100

■ TO LET

Mandurah furnished holiday apartment in resort complex. 3 bdrm, 2 bath. Phn 9381 3495 or email: valma7@bigpond.com.

■ ST ANNE’S CHURCH, BINDOON Accomm for retreat/family/group or single tel 9576 0975.

BOOK REPAIRS

■ REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS

General repairs to books old bibles & missals. 2ndhand Catholic books avail. Tydewi Bindery 9293 3092.

BUILDING TRADES

■ BRICK REPOINTING Phone Nigel 9242 2952.

■ PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD

For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

■ BRICKLAYING

20 years exp. Quality work. Phn 9405 7333 or 0409 296 598.

■ PICASSO PAINTING

Top service. Phone 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.

FURNITURE REMOVAL

■ ALL AREAS

Mike Murphy 0416 226 434.

HEALTH

■ DEMENTIA REMISSION

Do you, or your loved one, suffer Dementia. Get into Dementia Remission like me! http://www. wgrey.com.au/dm/index.htm or (02) 9971 8093

WEDDING MUSIC

■ CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY

■ KINLAR VESTMENTS

‘Modern meets tradition.’ Quality hand-made & decorated. Vestments, altar cloths, banners. Contact: Vickii Smith Veness. 9402 8356 or 0409 114 093.

PROPERTY

■ THINKING OF SELLING OR BUYING PROPERTY IN 2008

First Class Service

Accurate Caring and up to date advice

Premium Marketing

Acton Applecross – The Number One Sales Force Joel White 0404 096 214

■ PREMISES REQUIRED

We are looking for premises NORTH of Perth where we can hold daytime clinics for our clients. We require premises for a period of three to four hours during one day of the week; where we can see the clients privately and also has a waiting room. A Doctors surgery would be ideal. Similar offers would be appreciated.

Our teachers are highly qualified in the field of Fertility education and management in the Billings Ovulation Method. Please contact Billings WA 0409 119 532 Marilena Scarfe.

IN MEMORIAM

■ WEIR IMELDA

15/11/1920 - 13/03/2008

Much loved Grandmother to Catherine and great grandmother to Brandon and Nathan. You were so special to us in many loving ways. We are glad you are at peace with the Lord, and with your daughter and husband. We will miss you so much.

FOR SALE

Performed by the ‘Simply Classical Quartet’ 9444 1630. Demonstration CD available.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

■ CATHOLICS CORNER

Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for baptism, communion and confirmation. Ph: 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Road, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat.

■ RICH HARVEST  YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP

Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, baptism/communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at 39 Hulme Court (off McCoy St), Myaree, 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat). We are here to serve.

■ REED ORGAN, MASON & HAMLIN

 LISZT

3 Manual (5 octave) &

Chaldeans mourn martyred Archbishop

■ By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI called the kidnapping and death of an Iraqi Archbishop “an act of inhuman violence that offends the dignity of the human being”.

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul, 65, was kidnapped on February 29 in an attack that left his driver and two bodyguards dead.

The Pope had made several public appeals for his release.

Catholic leaders in Iraq said on March 13 that they had recovered the Archbishop’s body after the kidnappers told them where they had buried him.

Police were unclear if Archbishop Rahho had been killed.

The Archbishop of Mosul had no bullet wounds, his body showed signs of decomposition and he appeared to have been dead a week, reported the British news agency Reuters.

Archbishop Rahho’s funeral and burial were held on March 14 outside Mosul, a northern Iraqi city considered to be a stronghold of alQaida, according to The Associated Press. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed al-Qaida for the Archbishop’s death.

The Vatican announced on March 14 that Pope Benedict would celebrate a memorial Mass for the Archbishop on March 17 in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.

In a March 13 telegram to Cardinal Emmanuel-Karim Delly of Baghdad, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Pope Benedict said that after being informed of “the tragic death” of the Archbishop, whom he called a “zealous pastor,” he wanted to let Chaldean Catholics and all Christians in Iraq know that he is close to them.

The Pope also said he was praying that the Lord would show “his mercy so that this tragic event would serve to construct a future of peace in the martyred land of Iraq.”

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said Pope Benedict was informed immediately of the recovery of Archbishop Rahho’s body.

“We all had continued to hope and pray for his liberation,” Father Lombardi said.

“Unfortunately, the most absurd and unjustified violence continues to weigh on the Iraqi people and particularly on the small Christian community, to whom the Pope and all of us are particularly close in prayer and in solidarity at this moment of great pain.”

Father Lombardi said the Vatican hoped “this tragic event” would lead

to a greater commitment by all, particularly the international community, to work for peace in Iraq.

Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad told the Italian Catholic agency SIR that the kidnappers had informed church leaders on March 12 “that Archbishop Rahho was very ill,” then a few hours later they phoned again to say he had died.

“This morning (March 13) they telephoned to tell us they had buried him,” Bishop Warduni said.

The Church sent several young men to an area just outside Mosul where the kidnappers had said the grave was located, and the body was recovered.

“We do not yet know if he died of causes tied to his precarious health or if he was killed,” Bishop Warduni said, referring to the Archbishop’s

heart condition, for which he needed medication daily. “The kidnappers told us only that he was dead.”

Chaldean Bishop Rabban al Qas of Arbil told the agency AsiaNews: “It is a heavy cross for our Church ahead of Easter.”

Archbishop Rahho was kidnapped after leading the Way of the Cross service at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Mosul.

He was in his car with his driver and two bodyguards when the kidnappers attacked.

The three people who were traveling with him were killed.

The kidnappers’ demands reportedly included a $1 million ransom.

While mediators were in contact with the kidnappers early on, police and military intelligence officers were unable to find them.

Prelate grieves

■

Paul Gray

The president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has condemned the unnecessary death of an Iraqi Archbishop.

The Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul was murdered after being abducted by armed gunmen on the last day in February. Two weeks later his body was discovered in an empty lot in the city of his See.

Archbishop Philip Wilson responded to the news with feeling, expressing sympathy to the Chaldean Catholic community and to Archbishop Rahho’s family. “Such senseless killing is always shocking and inflicts a deep wound on our shared humanity,” he said.

Chaldean Catholics are the majority Christian group within Iraq, though Christians overall represent a small minority in the predominantly Muslim country. Archbishop Wilson asked Australian Catholics to pray for the repose of Archbishop Rahho’s soul. He also asked them to intensify prayers for peace in Iraq through Holy Week and Easter. “Our prayers are with the people of Iraq who continue to suffer so much,” he said, describing the death of Archbishop Rahho as a heinous criminal act against a respected leader. “We join with Pope Benedict XVI in expressing the hope that this tragic event will reinforce the commitment of the international community to bring real and lasting peace to Iraq.”

St Mary’s Cathedral already winning over hearts

St Mary’s Cathedral is winning over hearts, and there’s still a long way to go in its completion

■ By Anthony Barich

St Mary’s Cathedral is uniting the West Australian community, and it hasn’t even been completed yet.

St Mary’s Conservation and Completion Appeal manager Brett Mendez told The Record that the Archdioce’s Appeal Office has received financial and written support from other faiths including the Jewish community, Greek Orthodox, the Anglican Church and the Uniting Church.

Meanwhile on a parish and school level, Catholics have organised walkathons, dinner parties, quiz nights and other communitybuilding events to fundraise for St Mary’s Cathedral.

As a result, the Appeal is financially “on track”, he said, with $22 million of the required $25 million already raised.

“St Mary’s Cathedral means a lot to many people, and that is reflected in the support we have received

from right across the spectrum of Perth’s community,” Mr Mendez said.

However, he urged Perth’s Catholic community not to let up on its support, as “the last three million is the hardest to do”.

People walking up Murray Street in the CBD will see an impressive whitewashed front façade and a polished western tower of the 1865 portion, which has been completely refurbished, with a new slate, with a cross at the apex.

The old Carillion bells will remain in the tower.

The north and south transept walls have been totally removed from the triforium down to make way for the new nave, with the top part of the walls braced with steel.

Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, Mgr Thomas McDonald, said it was a “highly successful operation”, with no cracks or shifting during the process.

Excavation has also begun for new parish centre under the cathedral, and is so far half completed. Donations can be posted to St Mary’s Cathedral Conservation and Completion Appeal, GPO Box C125, Perth 6839.

Alternatively, email admin@stmarysappeal.com.au, call 08 9427 0322 or fax 08 9427 0379.

Grieving: Mourners hold pictures of Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul during his funeral in a village outside Mosul, Iraq, on March 14. Archbishop Rahho, who was kidnapped on February 29, was found dead on March 13. PHOTO: CNS /REUTERS

Money well spent: The Murray St end of St Mary’s Cathedral is already looking impressive with the facade having been stonewashed, while the spire with a cross at its apex stands out like a beacon. St Mary’s Cathedral Appeal director Brett Mendez says it has united the Perth community.