.raut J UB I L E E 2 00 8 - 2 00 9
IF
, or there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus, who sacrificed himself as a ransom for them all. He is the evidence of this, sent at the appointed time, and I have been named a herald and apostle of it and — I am telling the truth and no lie — a teacher of the faith and the truth to the pagans:' ct
First Letter to Timothy 2: 5-7
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." -BISHOP MATTHEW GIBNEY 1874
the Parish. the Nation. the World.
Western Australia's award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday April 29 2009
www.therecordcom.au
Perth, Western Australia $2
THE GIFT OF MONSIGNOR HAWES
PHOTO CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL AND THE HOLY APOSTLES, SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, MULLEWA BY ANTHONY BARICH
Monsignor John Hawes was a convert, a master architect and devoted Priest in a little-known corner of the world. Even today, relatively few, apart from a steady trickle of avid tourists, know of the remarkably original and beautiful Church architecture he designed and built and which is scattered throughout the vast coastal and outback Diocese of Geraldton. The Record's Anthony Barich travelled the 'Hawes Trail' in March to report. Pages 7-17
The best gift of all: a miracle for a non-practising mother
Contents The gift of Mgr Hawes Seminary's vital role Perspectives Panorama Books for the Family
Pages 7-17 - Page 4 - Page 18 -Pagel9 - Page 20
It's a beatiful and timeless
story: how the cure of a mortally ill four year-old lead to an obscure sister's canonisation.
• By Carmen Elena Villa
AGNOSINE, Italy (Zenit) It was 12.20am, the first hour of October 3, 2001, when Sister Bianca Pasinetti's telephone rang. "Sister, we all are here. Vasco is
leaving us. Do something because we don't want him to die." Those were the words of Ettore Richini. He spoke of his 4-yearold son, one of the students at the school run by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Sister Pasinetti's congregation. Vasco
had been admitted to the hospital with meningitis. He had been in the hospital since the afternoon of September 29, when his mother Rita had returned to work in the afternoon after seeing that Vasco had a bit of a fever. As the Continued - Page 4
Page 2
THE PARISH
Mat EDITOR Peter Rosengren cathrec@iinet.net.au JOURNALISTS Anthony Barich abarich@therecord.com.au Mark Reidy reidyrec@nnet.net.au Robert Hiini cathrec@iinet.net.au PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING Justine Stevens production@therecord.com.au ACCOUNTS Cathy Baguley recaccounts@iinet.net.au ADMINISTRATION Bibiana Kwaramba administration@therecord. corn.au BOOKSHOP Caroline Radelic bookshop@therecord.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Debbie Warder Karen & Derek Boylen Anna Krohn Catherine Parish Fr Flader John Heard Christopher West Bronia Karniewicz Guy Crouchback
The Record PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 587 Newcastle St, West Perth Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax: (08) 9227 7087 Website: www.therecord.com.au The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses of Western Australia and by subscription. The Record is printed by Rural Press Printing Mandurah and distributed via Australia Post and CTI Couriers.
Walking with Him Daily Mass Readings 3 S 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER Wh Acts 4:8-12 An act of kindness Ps 117:1.8-9.21-23.26.28-29 Love without end lin 3:1-2 God's children in 10:11-18 The good shepherd 4M Wh
51 Wh
6W Wh
7 TH Wh
8F Wh
9S Wh
April 29 2009, The Record
Acts 11:1-18 Ps 41:2-3;42:3-4 in 10:1-10
Satisfactory account Thirsting for God A thief and brigand
Acts 11:19-26 Ps 86:1-7 in 10:22-30
Barnabas, a good man The Lord Most High How much longer?
Acts 12:24-13:5 Ps 66:2-3.5-6.8 in 12:44-50
Prophets, teachers May God bless us To save the world
God's promise kept Acts 13:13-25 Ps 88:2-3.21-22.25.27 Serve the Lord in 13:16-20 Welcoming Jesus Acts 13:26-33 Ps 2:6-11 in 14:1-6 Acts 13:44-52 Ps 97:1-4 in 14:7-14
The promise fulfilled Serve the Lord I am the way Pagans very happy Ring out your joy Let us see the Father
Former US ambassador ups the heat on Notre Dame Rejection of Notre Dame honour by US's leading layperson a slap in the face for beleaguered university. • By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON Citing concerns about plans to honour President Barack Obama despite his views on "fundamental principles of justice" that are contrary to Catholic teaching, former US Ambassador to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon has turned down the prestigious Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame. In an April 27 letter to Holy Cross Father John I Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, Glendon said she will not participate in the May 17 commencement exercises during which the award was to have been presented. The letter, posted on the blog of the magazine First Things, does not mention specific justice principles, but Glendon was critical of Notre Dame's decision to give Obama an honourary degree. Obama supports legal abortion and his administration recently proposed new regulations that would allow the use of federal funds for embryonic stem-cell research. Both are in direct conflict with fundamental church teaching. The Laetare Medal is presented annually to an American Catholic layperson for outstanding service to the Catholic Church and society. A spokeswoman for the Indiana university confirmed on April 27 that Glendon, who served as ambassador from 2007 until earlier this year, was the first person to accept and then later decline the award. Father Jenkins offered a two-sentence response on the university's Web site. "We are, of course, disappointed, that Professor Glendon has made this decision:' his statement said. "It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make the announcement as soon as possible:' Jen Psaki, White House Deputy Press Secretary, issued a statement from the
in brief...
New Perth group for homosexual men Archbishop Barry Hickey has announced the establishment of a group for Catholic men who experience samesex attraction. "It is unfortunately true that many men with a same sex attraction feel out of place in the Church: he said this week. "They fear condemnation and exclusion and often struggle to understand how the biblical vision of human sexual-
In an April 27 letter to Holy Cross Father John Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame, Glendon said she can not accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the university's May 17 commencement ceremony that will include President Barack Obama. PHOTO: CNS/GIANCARLO GIULIANI, CATHOLIC PRESS
White House saying: "President Obama is disappointed by former Ambassador Mary Glendon's decision, but he looks forward to delivering an inclusive and respectful speech at the Notre Dame graduation, a school with a rich history of fostering the exchange of ideas:' Glendon, professor of law at Harvard Law School, wrote that Notre Dame's decision to honour the president disregards a 2004 request from the US bishops to Catholic institutions and organisations asking them "not to honour those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles:' The former ambassador said she felt the bishops' request is "reasonable" and does not seek to "control or interfere with an institution's freedom to invite speakers and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes:' As a result, she wrote: "I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.' Glendon said she was also concerned
ity applies to them. "One of our trusted and experienced priests wishes to reach out to such men. He would like to begin a spirituality group to help them sort out their issues and recognise their dignity as full and faithful members of the Church:' Anyone interested in the group can contact Fr Brian on 9472 5625.
Perth Mass for Italian quake victims A Mass for the victims of the recent lAquila earthquake will be celebrated by Archbishop Barry Hickey on Sunday May 3. The Mass will begin at 6.30pm in
that the university had issued "talking points" that implied that her acceptance speech for the award would "somehow balance the event:' She quoted two statements from the university: • "President Obama won't be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former US ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal:' • "We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about:' Glendon wrote that a commencement is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. "It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame's decision - in disregard of the settled position of the US bishops - to honour a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice," the letter said. In light of reports that other Catholic institutions also are choosing to disregard the bishops' request, Glendon expressed concern that Notre Dame's example "could have an unfortunate ripple effect:' Glendon concluded her letter by saying that she would release it to the media without making any other comment "at this time The university has been under nearly constant criticism since announcing on March 20 that Obama would speak at the commencement. Bishops, clergy, alumni and Catholic organisations have mounted a campaign seeking to have the university revoke the invitation to the president, though students have been reported to be enthusiastic about and supportive of the president's upcoming appearance on campus. • University of Notre Dame alumni have also withheld a total of US$8.2 million in planned donations to the flagship Catholic university as a result of its decision to have President Barack Obama give the commencement address at its upcoming graduation ceremonies. The full text of Mrs Glendon's letter can be found on The Record website: www.therecord.com.au
St Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle, to pray for the 294 dead and those struggling to rebuild their lives after the April 6 quake that measured 6.3 on the moment magnitude scale. The devastating earthquake caused an estimated US$2.43 billion in damage. The Italian Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Gian Ludovico de Martino, and the WA Italian Consul, Di Giorgio Taborri, requested the special Mass which will be celebrated in Italian. The Archbishop invites any priest in the archdiocese to concelebrate at the Mass and asks that parish priests make their Italian community and parishion ers aware of the occasion. Priests are asked to bring their own alb and stole.
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April 29 2009, The Record
Page 3
THE PARISH
Vincentians issue urgent Archbishop to celebrate 25 years as bishop and 50 as priest call for furniture, beds A rchbishop Barry Hickey is set to mark a period which has seen him respond decisively to the needs of a diocese in a period when religious belief is, many would say, on the defence. In the process he has become one of Australia's leading bishops. This Friday, May 1, will mark the 25th anniversary of Archbishop Barry Hickey's ordination as a bishop, a successor of the Apostles in the life and teaching authority of the Church. A priest of the Archdiocese of Perth, he was ordained Bishop of Geraldton in St Francis Xavier's Cathedral on May 1, 1984. He held the position until he was installed as fifth Archbishop of Perth and Metropolitan of the Province of Western Australia at St Mary's Cathedral on August 27, 1991. Only small private celebrations were planned for Friday. A major public celebration will be held later in the year when St Mary's Cathedral will be completed and ready for important liturgical events. The celebration will combine the 50 years of his priesthood (he was ordained in Rome on December 20, 1958) and his 25 years as a bishop. His seven years as Bishop of Geraldton saw him expand the major interests of his years as a priest and lay down some of the patterns of his later years as Archbishop of Perth. As a priest he studied at UWA for a Masters degree in social work
and spent many years guiding the development of the Church's social welfare activities in new directions, and in taking State and national responsibilities in this field. His personal interest in Aborigines, migrants and refugees continued when he moved to Geraldton, where he provided facilities to enable the Aboriginal people to build their own community and take responsibility for the development and social integration of young people. He also took a leading role in seeking better treatment and better prospects for settlement for Vietnamese refugees, the first wave of so-called 'boat people'. Ensuring the availability of
Clarification
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AVAILABLE. Small, cheap and Effective. Call Justine at The Record on (o8) 9227 7080 or contact via: production@ therecord.com.au
In reference to the article printed in the March 4, 2009 issue of The Record: Michael Peters was appointed 'Chief Assistant Organist' by Fr Tim Deeter in 1999. He currently holds the posi-
enough priests for the parishes in the diocese was another successful feature of his program, and he constantly encouraged the people of the diocese to develop their faith and personal devotion. He established Australia's first 24-hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Lawrence's in Geraldton and took a regular weekly spot on the roster. His return to Perth as Archbishop saw the expansion of all these features of his work. He stabilised and then enlarged the Church's social welfare activities and created LifeLink and the LifeLink Foundation to ensure adequate funding for the various organisations and to enable parishioners and schools to make an effective contribution to this essential Christian work. The most recently introduced LifeLink organisation is the Daydawn Advocacy Centre to help Aboriginal people to get housing and other essential services. His concern for refugees is unabated and he takes a personal interest in the well-being of various ethnic communities. A major success in Perth has been his encouragement of vocations to the priesthood. Refusing to accept the prevailing gloom that we would have to learn to do without priests in every parish, he set about attracting vocations locally and from overseas. He re-opened and rebuilt St Charles' Seminary and established the Redemptoris Mater missionary seminary. The rate of ordinations in Perth became an inspiration for other States in Australia. His term has seen significant increases in the number of parishes offering 24-hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. tion of 'Assistant Organist' of St Mary's Cathedral and directs the Cathedral Singers Choir: a parishbased, volunteer group which is part of the Cathedral's music programme. Jacinta Jakovcevic is the Cathedral's Principal Organist and Director of Cathedral Music.
THE PARISH. THENATION. THE WORLD. Read it in The Record
The St Vincent de Paul Society's Osborne Park depot is desperately out of furniture, bedding, clothing and mattresses for people in need as the winter months approach. The value of welfare distributed from the Osborne Park Depot has increased by 85 per cent compared to same time last year, yet donations of clothing for the period January to March are down by 18 per cent on last year. For the three months - January to March this year - material donations are down by 2.5 per cent, while deliveries of welfare assistance have increased by 6.1 per cent, leaving the Depot empty. "These facts are the harsh reality of what the St Vincent de Paul Society is facing as it leads into a Winter Appeal for 2009, and with no furniture, bedding, clothing or mattresses for people in need, times are looking tough," said
Win
Gavin Dempster, Osborne Park Depot Operations Manager. "The public have always responded to our pleas for goods. Late last year we appealed to the public which enabled us to fill one 40 foot container and three twenty foot containers with mattresses with hundreds more in the depot - all of which are now gone," he said. "With the actual value of welfare deliveries up by 29.4 per cent and donation figures down, I'm not confident we will be able to respond to any calls for assistance in the coming months ahead if things don't improve." Mattresses and beds, lounges, wardrobes and household furniture, crockery and cooking utensils and winter clothing are desperately needed, but also need to be in good, useable condition and mattresses cannot be stained, ripped or torn. Pick-ups can be arranged in the metropolitan area by phoning (08) 9444 5622, or goods can be dropped off to the Depot at 59 Edward Street, Osborne Park. For more information call (08) 9475 5400 or for welfare assistance call 1300 794 054.
Audio 10-CD Set
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth
Author: Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) Read by: Nicholas Bell 12hrs 10mins. 10-CD set.
1 esus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI was recently pubised h in audio book format by Bolinda audio. This work is as tender as it is erudite and brilliant. In this bold, momentous work, The Pope - in his first book written as Benedict XVI - seeks to salvage the person of Jesus from recent 'popular' depictions and to restore Jesus' true identity as discovered in the Gospels. Every week for seven weeks (beginning Wednesday IIth March 2009) The Record Newspaper will be placing one audio CD set token in the paper. To enter, simply cut out and collect all seven tokens, over the seven weeks. Place all seven tokens in an envelope with your name, address and contact telephone number on the back and mail your envelope to:
I'm John Hughes, WA's most trusted car dealer • Is it true our company philosophy is "We are a friendly and efficient company trading with integrity and determined to give our customers the very best of service?" • Is it true I regularly publish testimonial letters from satisfied customers because of my tremendous reputation for outstanding service? JOHN HUGHES • Is it true that most of my sales are not from direct advertising, but from personal recommendation, repeat business and reputation?. • Is it true I believe that before anyone buys a pre-owned vehicle they should choose their dealer before they choose their car and that dealer should be me? and.. • Is it true that in 2008 I was Australia's top selling Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Kia dealer?. CHOOSE YOUR DEALER BEFORE YOU • Is it true that from January to December 2008 we sold 16,881 vehicles, which was an all-time record?. CHOOSE YOUR CAR
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Jesus of Nazareth CD Competition The Record PO Box 75 LEEDERVILLE WA 6902 Entries must be received by close of business on Friday, 8' May 2009. All entries received by this date containing all seven tokens (tokens must be originals cut out from the paper and not copies) will be placed in the Friday, 8th May 2009 draw. The winners will be notified by telephone and announced in the paper. Happy token collecting!
THE IPRECORD CDSet Token Week 7
Page 4
April 29 2009, The Record
THE PARISH
Seminary 'absolutely vital' for Church Seminary has 'absolutely vital' role in fostering discipleship, new Rector says at instalment Mass. • By Anthony Barich
ST CHARLES' Seminary has an "absolutely vital" role in the life of the Archdiocese and beyond in helping priests and seminarians find Christ in their time of weakness so they can bring others to Him, its new Rector said at his April 19 installation Mass. Monsignor Kevin Long, who started his new position after finishing his eight-year tenure as Rector of Thomas More College on March 8, said that the crucial role of seminaries is highlighted by the centrality of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. "Archbishops, bishops and lay people expect seminaries, seminarians, rectors and formation staff to ponder prayerfully, intelligently and prudently the absolutely vital role a seminary plays in the life of this Archdiocese, and beyond. No seminary, no priests, no Mass, no sacraments. It's really that simple," Mgr Long said. He said that young men unsure of themselves need only turn to the first disciples' experience after the Resurrection. "In today's Gospel (of St John), Our Lord's disciples are timid and vacillating, unsure of what Christ's Resurrection might mean, yet longing to believe in its truth," Mgr Long said.
Archbishop Barry Hickey concelebrates the Mass for Monsignor Kevin Long's instalment as Rector of St Charles Seminary with Mgr Long, right, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, far left, and Fr Christopher Power OSB, Prior of New Norcia. PHOTO FRANCIS CONSTANTINO
"They argue bitterly amongst themselves, and doubting Thomas stubbornly holds onto his disbelief. I wonder if any of them would pass scrutiny if they were to present themselves to the Archbishop as candidates for the seminary:' But these disciples' uncertainty reflects today's seminarians and
PFFWA
Invitation The Parents and Friends' Federation of Western Australia Inc. invites you to the 2009 Annual Conference/AGM on Saturday 23 May at Christian Brothers' College 51 Ellen Street, Fremantle followed by the Conference Dinner at Tradewinds Hotel
Conference Sessions/Workshops Registration 8.45am to 9am; Sessions and Workshops 9am-3pm $20 registration fee includes Conference papers, morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea. Speakers: • Dr Julian Dooley, ECU, Cyber Bullying and Your Child 'Meg Roche, "You Can Do It!Education" Social Emotional Learning • Stephanie Jackiewicz, CEO, Changes in Early Childhood Education • Brenton Holmes, Family School Partnerships Bureau, ACT What the Bureau Can Offer P&F's • Jim Smith, Catholic Earthcare, Sustainability and Green Schools Workshops: • Anne Harrison, Additive Alert, The Facts About Additives and What to Watch Out For •Dr Gavin Marsh, Pathways WA, Rai:sing Teenage Boys
Annual General Meeting 3pm to 5pm
Conference Dinner 7pm for 7.30pm Cost $65 per person at Tradewinds Hotel, 59 Canning Highway, East Fremantle After Dinner Speaker — Professor Celia Hammond Vice Chancellor, University of Notre Dame Australia Please RSVP by 15 May Phone 9271 5909 / Fax 9271 5901/ Email infoepff.wa.edu.au or on-line www.pff.wa.edu.au
priests at different stages of their faith journey; yet "it is in the midst of such uncertainty that the Risen Christ appears". "He bestows his gift of peace, the first and sure sign of Christ's resurrected presence. To this unpromising group of disciples is further committed the priestly ministry of
reconciliation, now guaranteed for all time by Christ's saving death and mighty resurrection," he said. "This seminary exists so that all people - saints and sinners alike - will hear Christ's invitation to accept the Easter Proclamation that our sins are forgiven, our lost innocence is restored, our broken
hope strengthened and the promised eternal life more than just a wishful thing:' "This seminary will have achieved its goal of forming holy, prayerful and loving priests if it first convicts each of us - students and staff alike - that we can stand before God as we really are, and there find acceptance, healing and the challenge of living a Gospel life. "The joy of our baptism is renewed and we are rescued from the pit of Hell's dark loneliness, as our Easter icon so beautifully and powerfully depicts. "The eternal and glorious light of Jesus Christ, risen and interceding for us, enfolds and embraces us. That is the good news of Easter, not only on this Octave day of Easter but for each and every day:' St John's Gospel that depicted the "struggle and squabbling which can mark the experience of Christians living together" would not be unfamiliar to today's lay, religious and clergy whose experience of Christian community seems to have been a sad litany of negativity, complaining, laziness, dishonesty, bitterness and jealousy'', he said. But the snapshot that St Luke's Acts of the Apostles paints - a "glowing picture" of the first Christian community in Jerusalem - is an accurate description of life at St Charles' seminary. "On its best days - and those in my limited experience far out number its bad days - Luke's snap shot provides a good description of St Charles Seminary. The whole group of believers was united heart and sour Mgr Long said.
Best gift a miracle for a non-practicing mother continued from Page 1
hours had passed, his temperature kept climbing so the family had taken him to the hospital. "After the child was a quarter of an hour in the hospital, they discovered that he had meningitis," Rita explained. "They asked us various questions. He fell into a coma; his kidneys were not working." The mother went on to recount: "We discovered it was meningitis H. Influenzae, a very aggressive bacteria that one generally doesn't catch - its one case in a million - we still don't know how he got it:' When Sister Pasinetti received Ettore's call, she promised her prayers and those of the community. Meanwhile, doctors encouraged Rita to disconnect Vasco from life support, warning her that if he stayed alive, he would be a vegetable:' "Keep him alive as long as possible was her answer. Ettore recalled what he felt in those moments: "A sadness, an impotence at seeing my son who was already going, and you cannot do absolutely anything.I think it is the hardest thing that I have experienced:' There was "nothing good" in the situation, according to Rita. "He had a bruise on his brain, rapid
heart rate purple spots all over his body:' Sister Pasinetti decided to bring a relic of Blessed Gertrude Comensoli (1847-1903), the founder of her congregation, to the child's room. She thought, "I won't make Vasco get better, but at least I will make them see that we are praying," the religious recounted. She arrived at his hospital room and left the relic under his pillow. "I stayed with Rita," she continued. "We prayed. She was truly desperate at seeing the child that way." Sister Pasinetti called the sisters of her community to urge prayers. They passed the word to call people to pray and people began to arrives at the parish church in the community to intercede for the child. Gaia, Vasco's 14-yearold sister, also went to the church to pray, not knowing that the sisters had called people together. "I went to the church to pray on my own - in a moment like that, you don't know what to cling to. I found the church full of people," she recalled. "When the prayer meeting ended, the people weren't going home Sister Pasinetti remembered. "They stayed to pray. I'd never seen something like that:'
'MN
St Gertrude Comensoli
The woman religious and her sisters started a novena to Mother Gertrude. Some days later, a doctor arrived to greet Vasco's parents with exuberance, something which struck them both as odd, since just an hour before, the child's condition was the same. "Vasco is out of danger," the doctor told them. "It was an unexplainable healing," Rita assured. Vasco, who today is 12 years old, says he does not remember anything about being sick, except the moment in which he woke up. "I looked at the sheets, I looked around me and I said, 'What am I doing here?' Then I said, "Mum, bring me my clothes because I want to go home: She was very happy. She almost cried and she
hugged me." When the child returned to school, he told the sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and his classmates what had happened: "When I was in the hospital, Mother Gertrude came by without letting herself be seen by the doctors. She came in and stood close to my bed." Today, Rita continues awestruck by what happened nearly eight years ago. Though she was a woman of faith, she did not often practise her religion. "I do not know how it was possible:' she said. "I ask myself many questions. I do not know why God chose us. What a lesson." Sister Pasinetti is sure it was a miracle: "And it is not easy because it asks you to change. In any case, here too the Lord loves everyone. He does not look if one is practising or not practising. The Lord has come for everyone:' Last Sunday, Vasco's family attended the canonisation of Sister Gertrude Comensoli in St Peter's Square. "I lost my mother one year after all of this," Rita noted. "I think that if she had died before this happened, I would have experienced it in a different way." "Now I am not afraid even of death, because it forms part of life:'
April 29 2009, The Record
Page 5
THE PARISH
"Predictable response" from drug study Drug use-abortion link • By Robert Hiini Research finding a 40 fold annual increase in drug-affected babies being born to Australian women between 1980 and 2005, elicited "the predictable response" from child health expert Fiona Stanley, says Julie Cook, National Director of the Abortion Grief Australia ( AGA). Professor Stanley, Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, was reported widely in national media last week as urging health professionals to do more to prevent unplanned pregnancies in drug-addicted women and improving antenatal care for those who go on to have a baby. The 2003 Australian of the Year was commenting on the results of a study she co-authored showing that 900 WA children in the same period were born with neonatal withdrawal syndrome — the result of prenatal drug exposure -manifesting in symptoms such as tremors, seizures, irritability and respiratory distress. AGA's Julie Cook says that Professor Stanley overlooks 'abortion trauma' as one of the underlying causes in the escalation of substance abuse in pregnant women and adds support to what she says is "the unspoken practice of stop-
in brief...
New bishops for Port Pine, Bathurst Pope Benedict XVI has appointed new bishops to the dioceses of Port Pine and Bathurst. Bishop Greg O'Kelly SJ, formerly the Auxiliary Bishop of Adelaide, has been appointed the new bishop of Port Pine in South Australia, which has been without a bishop since Bishop Eugene Hurley left upon being appointed to lead the Darwin diocese in July 2007. A replacement Auxiliary Bishop of Adelaide has not yet been announced, as Archbishop
N
Julie Cook
Fiona Stanley
ping "defective" women from having "defective" babies, among significant health and welfare providers." "Despite growing evidence of abortion being linked to substance abuse and other mental health issues, the medical community and the main-stream media, continue to ignore the needs of those traumatised by abortion," Ms Cook said. Referring to Fiona Stanley's call for "delaying conception in these women," Ms Cook said that possible manifestations of abortion trauma — such as the abuse of drugs - were being used to promote the practice of abortion,
creating a cycle of destruction that would make the problem even worse. While the causes and existence of abortion trauma remain hotly contested at the academic and clinical level, Ms Cook points to 24 international studies including results recently published in the prestigious British Journal of Psychiatry in December 2008. The Australian study showed that women who had undergone abortions were 3.6 times more likely to abuse hard drugs, twice as likely to be binge drinkers and nearly twice as likely to suffer depression compared with women who had miscarried who were 2.6
Philip Wilson is overseas for the Mass of Installation of his friend, Timothy Dolan, as the tenth Archbishop of New York at St Patrick's Cathedral on April 15. Port Pine is the third largest diocese in Australia in area covering nearly a million square kilometres. Bishop O'Kelly will serve about 250,000 people in the diocese, with 23 priests, 17 schools and 51 churches across 29 parishes. Bishop-elect Michael McKenna, formerly the priest administrator of All Saints parish in Fitzroy and Catholic chaplain to the University of Melbourne, is the new bishop of Bathurst having served two terms as general secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Bishop McKenna succeeds Bishop Patrick Dougherty, who retired.
Caritas
times more likely to abuse hard drugs. Ms Cook says that abortion trauma may also result in destructive behaviours such as selfmedicating and the conception of 'atonement' babies who may or may not be latterly aborted. She says the need for the training of health professionals in this area is paramount and that the Church should address the issue as a medical issue and not a political one. "Those acting out their pain in this manner can only expect harsh judgement and not the professional help they need because psychologists along with doctors and other counselling professions have not been trained in identification, early intervention or the treatment of abortion trauma." "The Catholic Church needs to start addressing abortion trauma as a serious mental health issue, not as a pro-life issue." "The Pro-life community does not have the expertise, the resources or the mental health focus to deal with the magnitude of the problem," Ms Cook said, adding that Catholic health and welfare institutions were better placed to address abortion trauma but were handicapped by a reliance on mainstream information sources for their knowledge of the subject. Abortion Grief Australia, which she directs, has been training health professionals across the nation at
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REGIONAL CO-ORDINATOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WA Part time (Perth-based) This is a great opportunity to live your work. This role offers you the opportunity to build the community presence and regional network of Caritas Australia in WA to enhance the partnership of the Australian community in the Caritas mission to reduce global poverty and injustice. While your position is based in Perth and you will fulfill the duties of the Diocesan Director for the Archdiocese of Perth, you will be part of the national Community Engagement Team and will receive guidance, support and direction in your work with colleagues across WA. Some evening and weekend work will be required and occasional travel will include country parishes, regional dioceses and interstate. Respect for the ethos and values of the Catholic sector including knowledge of Catholic Church structures and reporting responsibilities is essential. To be successful in this role you will also have recent experience in the areas of communications, marketing or fundraising and an interest and understanding of global aid and development issues. For a full list of the essential and desirable selection criteria please refer to the position description. Please ensure that you address the selection criteria when applying for this role. You can find out more about Caritas Australia and view the position description on our website at: www. caritas.org.au. Caritas Australia is piloting this exciting position for WA over a six months period with a view to making the role permanent after evaluation. Enquiries for this role can be directed to Ms Margaret Rice, Network Coordinator either directly on (02) 8306 3455 or via our toll free number 1800 024 413 between Wednesdays to Fridays. Applications should be directed to: jobs@caritas.org.au by Monday 11 May 2009.
Monday 4 May 2009 to Friday 8 May 2009 Between 7pm & 9.30pm each night Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church 82 Collick St Hilton
public and private hospitals, community health and welfare centres intensively for the past 2 years but its ability to do so is continually under stress with the organisation reliant on private donations. "We are a tax deductible charity but struggle to attract donations because people don't understand the significance of our work and we are desperately short of funds," Ms Cook said. Meanwhile, the number of abortions taking place in WA has increased slightly according to WA Health Department figures despite the wide availability of contraceptives and abortifacients such as the "morning after" pill. Family Planning WA's clinical services manager Deborah Wright was reported in the West A ustralian on April 25 as saying a recent increase in the number of abortions being performed in WA — from 8328 in 2006 to 8424 in 2007 — showed that 'women were accessing services rather than having unwanted children.' She said that more pro-contraception sex education was required as well as even greater access to contraceptives. The Health Department's figures also revealed that 45 abortions were performed in 2007 on fetuses of 20 weeks gestation or greater. Abortion Grief Australia can be contacted on 9313 1784 or at info@abortiongriefasn.au.
Come and receive the healing power of God through the ministry of Fr John Rae. Father John has a tremendous anointing in the areas of physical healing. Come and share in the blessings of Father's ministry and hear personal testimony of people who have been healed. Each evening there will be a different healing focus Monday Healing of the family tree Tuesday Physical Healing Wednesday Spiritual Healing (including relational and forgiveness) Thursday Emotional/Mental Healing (memories, stress, anxiety Friday Thanksgiving and General Healing Includes Prayer and Praise, Mass (teaching & witnessing), Individual praying over ministry, and Reconciliation will be available between 6.45pm and 7.30pm each evening.
Come and receive the healing that GOD has for YOU!
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April 29 2009, The Record
LETTERS Letters to the editor
Editorial
The Age of Unreason
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his is an age that falsely claims to be rational and scientific. It even claims to be able to ignore God because it is so rational and scientific. To those who know God, this is a sure sign of folly, but those who do not know God can hardly be expected to recognise their folly. It is the responsibility of those who do know God to know him better, to love him more deeply, and thus make his presence more visible to those who cannot see him. However, this God-blindness is not the only misuse of science and reason. This age is irrational and unscientific in all matters to do with sexuality, marriage, divorce and the associated wellbeing of children, teenagers and adults. The general population, the media, and public institutions all ignore the social sciences which examine the patterns of human behaviour and their effects on individuals and societies. Social scientists still accumulate their information, which becomes ever more consistent and precise, but there is a huge disconnect between this knowlthe edge, media and PO Box 75 public policy. Leederville, WA 6902 The gencathrec@iinet.net.au eral population can Tel: (08) 9227 7080 be forgiven Fax: (08) 9227 7087 for ignoring such data. The media, on the other hand, have a responsibility to be informed, impartial, reliable and truthful. Public health and public education authorities have even greater obligations to be informed and fully aware of the consequences of their policies. The most recent example of this seemingly wilful blindness occurred at the University of WA on Tuesday when health education students ran a 'health' campaign to persuade other students to use more condoms. In their media statement announcing the campaign, the State's future health workers quoted the WA Health Department's information that sexually transmitted infections
THE RECORD
were continuing to increase in people aged 18-24. (The increase is also occurring in people under 18 and those 24 to 35.) That was the justification for wanting more people to use more condoms. That has been the Health Department's justification for 25 years, and for 25 years it has failed to deliver public health's responsibility to reduce these serious infections in young people. However, it is almost impossible to generate any sort of discussion or debate about this failure. The Department, the politicians and the media simply refuse to allow discussion to move beyond condoms. Their argument is of the kind "it stands to reason that condoms will stop some infections". Well, they will, but the condom mentality encourages so much more random sex that the overall result is steadily rising rates of infection. When it is proposed that young people deserve education and encouragement to understand and live the deeper meaning of their own and other people's sexuality, the response usually is that 'we can't change people's behaviour: The truth is that human behaviour can be influenced and changed. Social scientists can tell them that in the US today about 70 per cent of women have sex before marriage; 45 years ago the figure was under 20 per cent. The primary influence that brought about that change was the contraceptive pill. It gave more power in the relationship stakes to predatory men and and to those women willing to have sex without commitment. They were safer and irresponsible men could demand that their example be followed. Condom campaigns have only exacerbated the problem by promoting promiscuity as the norm. It is not only STIs that result. There have been massive increases in divorce, in unwanted pregnancies, and associated abortions. Of course, 'it stands to reason' that the pill would prevent these things, and every time the figures come out the 'experts' clamour for more contraception. The truth is that the pill, like the condom, contributes to them and the social scientists have been publishing the information for years. It is time our 'rational and scientific' age began to listen.
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Policy created tragic conditions for fires
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here is no doubt that most of the blame for the bushfire tragedy of 2009 should go to the radical green lobby, the incompetence of planning authorities and Department of Sustainability and Environment who all facilitated conditions for the deadly inferno. The devastated areas used to be a few dozen farms, but in recent years, have become several small towns set amongst hobby farms and rural retreats for some two thousand or so people, surrounded by large areas of Crown Land. The DSE had done very little to reduce the fuel load of these gumtree forests. Fuelbreaks, of at least a width of 100 metres, are necessary between forests and settlements, but in the worst affected areas there were none, or they were too narrow to be effective. Many local councils prohibited cutting gumtrees near houses, they permitted building of houses in dangerous places and allowed tree-lined roads where the Country Fire Authority had warned it could not access fires for fear of entrapment by fallen trees. The fire that reached into Bendigo was along a corridor of Crown Land, full of gumtrees. How dangerous was that? The record temperatures and massive hot winds quickly brought a "hell on earth" and the misguided "choice" of many to "stay and defend" was sadly tragic. The Royal Commission here in Victoria must hear from as many as possible of these serious failures, and set up a new body, separate to the inept DSE, to be responsible for all fuel-reduction burning and clearing and with adequate power to safeguard lives, property and the environment in that order, without interference from the DSE or any unnatural fanatical group. Should the delinquents be charged with manslaughter and dereliction of duty? A fter all, people are more precious that pretty places! Fr Bernard Mcgrath Inglewood, VICTORIA
Who voted Obama in?
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urely a major indication of a nation's moral health is reflected in the priorities of its citizens at election time. People are understandably concerned over government economic policies, particularly in relation to families' ability to meet mortgage payments, look after and educate their children and similar issues, but a narrow focus on economics to the exclusion of other issues can lead to unintended consequences. Anyone claiming to be Catholic surely should find out where candidates for high office stand on moral issues, particularly on the most fundamental issue of all, the sanctity of life and abortion. A prime example is the recent success of the Democratic candidate in America Barack Obama. Very few, it seemed, bothered to scrutinise, or perhaps remained wilfully blind to, Mr Obama and his team's record on vital life issues. Now that he is President, apart from his own unequivocal pro-abortion stance, there are enough appointees in his administration to get a clear picture of where he intends taking America. It is more than disturbing to see the number of anti-
life appointees he has assembled to help administer America's direction for the next four years. It is tragic that so many of them are Catholic. Fr Alphonse de Valk is the editor of the Catholic Insight magazine in America. He is a former university historian and for the past 40 years has been a consummate archivist of articles and reports relating to life, the family and religious issues. In the current issue of Catholic Insight he has produced a comprehensive list of Obama appointees and their position on fundamental issues. The list is too long to record here. Suffice to say that at a rough count 21 of 36 appointees are pro-abortion. These people have all been appointed within the first 50 days of the Obama Presidency. At the same time the President has removed restrictions on late term abortion and reversed the Bush prohibition on stem cell research and experimentation on life at its most vulnerable. This administration would not have been elected without a considerable proportion of the US Catholic vote. One wonders what sort of mental gymnastics enables Catholics or anybody claiming to be Christian to vote for a government so openly hostile to not just Christian values, but to the most basic human values of the right to life. Barry Morgan Albany
Statistics give more truthful picture on what stops AIDS
T
he anti-Catholic journalists and letter writers know at least one thing about Christianity, and that is that Easter is the most important season in the Christian calendar. Readers must have noticed the concentration of flak received by the Church in general and Cardinal Pell in particular, regularly at that time of the year. Where the scribes of many shades come unstuck with the facts is when they prattle on, accusing the Church of being responsible for all sorts of problems in any country, over which the Church has little, if any influence. Botswana is a good example. It has an HIV population of 35 per cent. It is also awash with condoms. One doctor in a poor neighbourhood complained in a TV interview last year, that he had shelves full of condoms, courtesy of American aid agencies but no bandages. What influence would the Catholic Church have there, where its population share is five per cent? In Uganda, where the Catholic population is 50 per cent, the government has adopted a similar philosophy to that of the Church on the subject of AIDS protection. It has promoted a successful campaign focused on abstinence first, consequently the percentage of AIDS sufferers has sunk to five per cent. Frank Bellet Petrie, QUEENSLAND
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In brief MEXICO CITY (CNS) - Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico City prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe and cancelled Masses in the archdiocese on April 26 due to an outbreak of swine flu. The decision to cancel Masses followed instructions from the local health secretariat that all large gatherings be cancelled as authorities raced to contain an epidemic that threatened to spread well beyond Mexico. Cardinal
Rivera celebrated Mass on April 26 behind closed doors in the Metropolitan Cathedral for about 50 people who had been permitted to enter. In his homily, he called on the Mexican population to never lose hope and to mutually assist each another during the crisis. He also prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe for intervention, noting that she had helped during pandemics four times since 1554. "We beg for your protection and help for quickly overcoming the epidemic that has affected our nation," he prayed.
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April 29 2009, The Record
tracing an outback 1egen6
THE RECORD VISTA
t6e spirit in u5eS in 5t0ne 11ve5 on
Geraldton diocesan priest, Fr Brian Ahearn, stands near the Priest's House that Mgr John Hawes built to stay in while overseeing construction of the adjacent Church of the Holy Cross in Morawa.
Throughout the north of Western Australia, there still stand many buildings designed and constructed by a genius architect-priest, misunderstood in his day but revered now as a visionary. The Record's Anthony Barich followed the Monsignor John Hawes Heritage Trail and discovered the plight of not only the pioneering priest but the remarkable lives of the determined Catholic laypeople. Monsignor John Cyril Hawes and his trusty fox terrier, Dominie.
I
n a small town called Morawa 360km north of Perth in the middle of nowhere, there is the smallest presbytery in the world. It is a building no more than 5m x 5m, which Monsignor John Hawes - architect, foreman, carpenter, labourer, stonemason, priest - built from local stone as his residence during the construction, which he oversaw, of the Church of the Holy Cross, barely 20 metres away. This simple and starkly small building fits his persona. His many writings suggest that since his earliest years he felt that God was to be found in solitude and in the renunciation of earthly possessions, as he constantly harboured a desire to live the Franciscan way of poverty. Ineed, that's how he ended up. The presbytery in Morawa - called a "priest's cell" now by tourist brochures - is a mark of the man's humility. From 1915-1939 he built and designed 22 churches, chapels, presbyter-
ies, convents, orphanages and altars around the diocese of Geraldton. All of them reject any slavish imitation of "past designs", instead rendering each building to suit the local climate and environment. Hence they were seldom understood by his contemporaries, but are now greatly prized and well preserved due to their simple beauty and rough-cast homeliness. As a rural priest at a time the rest of the western world was undergoing the Great Depression, he was a true battler. He often worked on numerous projects simultaneously in towns hundreds of kilometres from each other. He was also a horse breeder, winning the Yalgoo District Jockey Club Maiden Hack Race in 1926 with a horse called "Babs". He celebrated Mass and performed baptisms, funerals and everything in between travelling by horseback around a rugged terrain that often gave no quarter. He often slept in the saddle while travelling the long distances. But the plight of Catholics in these rural areas to whom he ministered was just as challenging. Driving around these towns in the luxury of an airconditioned car, one can barely fathom the sacrifices made by the likes of Maggie O'Brien, mother of 11 children who hosted house Masses and various other events to raise money for a church for the local community in Kojarena, 20km east of Geraldton - all while her husband worked on a farm some 100km away. Monsignor Hawes was much sought-after by a community of rural Catholics crying out for their own place of worship in a harsh outback that afforded them precious little - a sacred place where they could not only pray before God but meet as a community of faithful. The Monsignor had been on the threshold of a successful architectural career having exhib-
ited at the Royal Academy in England, but felt the call to be a priest. Following a period of study in Rome leading to ordination to the Catholic priesthood, the Anglican convert met Geraldton Bishop William Kelly, who invited him back to design and build him a cathedral. What followed was a remarkable period of 24 years of toil, often in the most inhospitable climate. Of his time in Mullewa, a town 450km north of Perth where he built his own personal magnus opus, the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Holy Apostles St Peter and St Paul, he wrote: "I've come to this Godforsaken place called Mullewa, full of heat, dust and flies." Trained under the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement - a quiet aesthetic revolution that rejected the Victorian era's classical and gothic models, the priest-architect was years ahead of his time, and in some cases was rejected because of it. The first stage of St Francis Xavier Cathedral was completed in 1918 but stopped following Bishop Kelly's death. His successor Bishop Richard Ryan didn't like Hawes' style, preferring the Gothic structures popular in Europe at the time. Crestfallen, he was posted to Mullewa, where he poured himself into building Our Lady of Mt Carmel and the Holy Apostles Ss Peter and Paul, then built the adjoining presbytery to his own British tastes. Bishop James Patrick O'Collins was more congenial, appointing Hawes the diocesan architect and he designed St Joseph's Church in Perenjori while also working on plans for two other parish churches, supervising construction of Northampton's St Mary's in the Ara Coeli Continued on page 9
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April 29 2009, The Record
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A labour of love he poured his heart and soul into
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ore than any other church, convent or presbytery that Monsignor John Hawes built in his 24 years in the diocese of Geraldton, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Holy Apostles Ss Peter and Paul in Mullewa was a true labour of love. The Monsignor had just finished building the first stage of St Francis Xavier Cathedral on the request of Bishop William Kelly; but construction was stopped after the prelate died and his successor, Bishop Richard Ryan, did not like Hawes different style. He was banished to the outpost Mullewa, a busy but dusty railway junction at the centre of the agricultural and grazing industry. Busying himself riding a bay horse from town to town and visiting parishioners on scattered farms, he saw himself as a travelling Franciscan missionary. Disillusioned with his disagreements with Bishop Ryan, he poured his heart and soul into designing in 1921 his crowning glory. Until 1927 he toiled with sore, cracked hands with the help of locals, tormented by flies and scorching summer sun. "I've come to this God-forsaken place called Mullewa, full of heat, dust and flies," he is reported to have written. Indeed, the flies are still aggressive in this town, though the wildflowers that spring forth each year are a major attraction, as is Hawes' church and presbytery, during the tourist season from July to October. Still, he pressed on. He said in a letter to a friend: "I am building into these stones, a poor feeble church that it is, my convictions, aspirations and ideals as to what a church should be... my heart is in these stones!" The 80 students currently enrolled at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Primary School next door have a sight to behold every day, with every function of a parish church catered for in the church. The architecture itself is an act of evangelisation.
bringing forth bread and wine to the victorious Abraham; and the high priest Abraham offering a holocaust. The High Altar inside is solid masonry in the form of an early Christian sarcophagus as are found in old Roman basilicas, as he intended. "It resembles a tomb because the Mass was offered upon the top of the tomb of some recently slain martyr. Also, the Holy table symbolises both the altar of the Cross and the Tomb of Our Lord Jesus Christ," Hawes said in the souvenir for the church opening. It is inspired by Romanesque churches of the Mediterranean countries: squat and solid to keep out the sun, and 'organic, seeming to grow out of its surroundings', as local guides say. There is a nativity scene built into the right wall, cleverly lit with a purple glow by natural light flowing in from behind. Hawes donated the small pipe organ in the choir loft in memory ot his mother Amelia who died in 1927. In the north porch stands a war memorial for soldiers from the First World War - a rarity among churches in Australia - with a statue of Mary encased in glass and warriors carved into it.In the adjoining priest house which he completed by 1930 and built for himself as the town's first parish priest, the red corboda tiles give it a cosy cottage-like feel, and local documents say it owes much to Hawes' old mentor, the Victorian architect Charles Voysey, among others, of the Arts and Crafts movement. In the two bedrooms are photographs and articles owned or associated with Hawes, including his own designs for his vestments and the vestments themselves. When he left for Cat Island, he literally left everything there - his dilapidated briefcase even sits in the corner of a room. A man with a sense of humour, he could not keep his own personal conflicts out of his architecture. It is widely held that the gargoyle that stands out on the outside wall of the presbytery represents Bishop Ryan. Today, the house is a museum, and a small hatch where his beloved fox terrier Dominic could get in and out can still be seen. Hawes himself admitted in a letter that part of his character, "the English gentleman" revealed itself in the priest house's design, with its library, pictures, desk and trinkets.
The interior of the Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel and the Holy Apostles Ss Peter and Paul.
Left, the war memorial from the First World War, unique among Australian churches, that Hawes personally made; centre, bust of Donatello's "Laughing Boy" crafted by Hawes in 1898 while he was an architecture student in London. Right, the Mass vestments that he personally designed for his work in the Geraldton diocese. Both items are in the museum that is his old presbytery that he build adjacent to the Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel.
"I am building into these stones, a poor feeble church that it is, my convictions, aspirations and ideals as to what a church should be... my heart is in these Mass Rock stones!" Monsignor Hawes also felt a Around the doorway are pillars that make up the mystic number of seven - as the Monsignor wrote in the souvenir booklet for the opening of the church - according to the Book of Proverbs: "Wisdom bath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars." The recesses between the spiral-fluted columns are for statues of the four greater prophets - Isaias, Jeremias, Ezechiel and Daniel. Along the frieze above the colonnade are a series of 11 carved panels portraying the Seven Sacraments - baptism, confession, confirmation, last rites, holy orders and matrimony. The three central panels depict what Hawes calls the Holy Eucharist - as a Sacrament, as a sacrifice during the Mass and as the Real Presence in a Eucharistic procession. Other panels show Old Testament figures - Melchisedek, the "Priest of the Most High God",
special responsibility to the local Aborigines, and as they were rarely accepted in the town, he fashioned an altar out of a shoulder of natural rock that rises above a gentle slope of a hill, overshadowed by a twisted gum tree that, if it was around back then, must have provided muchneed shade in the oppressive heat. A small, humble twisted cross made of two sticks is fixed to the top of the rock. He intended to mark the place with a permanent Spanish-mission style archway and belltower with the words "Mission Dolores" carved in stone, but it was never meant to be. Still, the local Aborigines gathered for Mass at the sound of a bell, and their youth swept the area clean and decorated the altar.
Headstones Selby John Arnold, an altar boy, or "acolyte" as John Hawes inscribed on the boy's vault, drowned in tragic circumstanc-
Left, an angel near a devotional site, with the elaborate background to the tabernacle, which includes statues of the Three Kings from Christ's birth scene, shepherds and St Francis. Right, the grave Hawes built for his altar boy who died. Below left, depictions of sacraments and Old Testament stories and Latin inscriptions all done by Hawes above the main church entrance; the damaged Marian icon at the foot of the grave of the convent school girl who died.
es. Hawes had promised Selby's parents he would make the vault, made from local materials, which also has images of an altar candle and thurible inscribed on either
side. Elsewhere in the cemetery, which is no longer used in the town, is a gravestone with an altar built on the back of it for a young girl from the local convent school
who died. Hawes returned there every year to celebrate Mass at 6.30am on the tiny altar on All Souls Day. At the foot of the grave is a broken icon of Mary.
April 29 2009, The Record
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Stark simplicity speaks volumes to Hawes' successor Hawes' humility speaks to his outback successors.
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he tiny priest's house - if it could barely be called a house - near the Church of the Holy Cross in Morawa speaks volumes to Father Brian Ahearn about the humility of Monsignor John Hawes. The house - more of a room, or hermitage - also speaks to Fr Ahearn of the humility required of him as a rural priest, travelling in between towns where there has not only been a drift from the faith but a drift from the country. The presbytery, a stone's throw from the Church of the Holy Cross, was built by Monsignor Hawes to sleep in while he built the church itself. It is a study in the humility of a man who saw himself as a travelling Franciscan, living in the spirit of St Francis, who renounced all possessions to serve the poor. A heritage brochure describes the priest's house thus: "It is indicative of Hawes' contentment with small spaces and limited domestic faciities which was part of his romantic Franciscan temperament:' "I'm always conscious of the priests who have gone before me," says Fr Ahearn, a priest of 42 years who, while based at Dongara, travels between St Joseph's Church in Perenjori and St Paul's in Three Springs. "I always have pictures of them in my mind.., the tough, good work they've done in caring for the people years before I came along. There are some legends there.' Fr Ahearn is inspired by Hawes' "holiness and detachment from material things". Indeed, before the church was built, Mass was celebrated by visiting priests from New Norcia, Tardun, Mullewa, Three Springs and Geraldton in parishioners' homes in Morawa. The Central Hall and the old Morawa Hall were also used for Masses, baptisms and weddings.
The Church of the Holy Cross in Morawa, designed and built by Mgr Hawes. The left end extension was built in 1966 in a similar style to accomodate the boom caused by iron ore mining in the town.
Left, a rendering of the crucifixion to the side of the old sanctuary put in place by Mgr Hawes; right, Fr Ahearn in the Church of the Holy Cross, with the aisle extending from Hawes' section in the back to the front, where Fr Ahearn stands.
Monsignor Hawes' arrival at Morawa came at a time when his "good work" had really gathered pace with the arrival of a new bishop, a 38-year-old, blunt-speaking, ex-plumber, Bishop James O'Collins. When they first met
at the bishop's house, they were washing their hands when the prelate recognised Hawes as the man who designed Geraldton's cathedral. "So you're the architect," the bishop said in his brusque manner. "Well, with your architecture and
my plumbing, we'll put churches all over the diocese:' And that they did. Hawes, 55 by now, had hoped to retire to the Bahamas, but the increasing tide of work required soon swamped him. In 1932 he drew up the plans for
the Church of the Holy Cross in Morawa, a relatively busy trading centre of about 1000 people in the developing north-eastern wheatbelt. Hawes rode his bicycle from Mullewa to the Morawa district, often stopping to chat or celebrate Mass or prayers with the lonely men who led an isolated existence on their new blocks of land. He would then ride on to Yalgoo, celebrate Mass and return home to Mullewa. History repeats itself now as Fr Ahearn rides his bike from house to house encouraging people to come to Mass. But he retreats to humility when comparing his efforts to that of his predecessor's. "What I do is nothing compared to what Hawes had to go through:' he says. For the Church of the Holy Cross, Hawes used red Cordoba tiles redolent of Spanish mission architecture - a theme that runs through a number of his structures, including Nazareth House in Geraldton. He painted the architraves of the doors and the round arch over the sanctuary with blue and white stripes - a style also seen in the San Spirito Chapel in the Geraldton cemetary and on a larger scale at St Francis Xavier Cathedral. Many raffles, picnics, dances and other functions were held by local Catholic families to culminate in the opening of the Church of the Holy Cross. With the advent of iron ore mining in Morawa in the 1960s it soon became clear that the small church could not support the community of faithful, and an expansion fitting an extra 250 people was opened in 1966, in a similar style to Hawes'. Today, it has shrunk again, and while he can't hide his disappointment at the reduced number of faithful, Fr Ahearn still rides his bike, pushing on earnestly. "I'm disappointed there aren't more at Mass; we do our best to reach out to those who have drifted away. I like to visit on my bike, easier than walking...."
Craftsmanship reflects simple life during hard times Continued from Page 7
Church while travelling vast distances horse back as parish priest. He also submitted a design for St Mary's Cathedral in Perth, but was rejected, partly because Irish priests, of whom there were many in the Archdiocese, had all been educated in redbrick seminaries in Ireland and Europe that had flying buttresses - an outside arch made of stone that supports the wall to stop it from falling over. Mgr Hawes' design did not have these buttresses. Reports suggest he was shattered at the rejection, as his design would have proved cheaper to build. Despite the St Mary's Cathedral setback, he has become one of the most revered architects in Australia and many of the buildings he designed and/or built are herit age listed. Most are still in use. But by all reports he hated the praise heaped on him, and while he often struggled with the isolation, he also thrived in it. While living in the service of others, he sought at all times humility. When he retired to Cat Island in the Bahamas as a Franciscan monk called Friar Jerome in 1939, he even built and occasionally slept in his own tomb to remind himself of his own mortality. Worn out after his Australian experience, he built a stone hermitage for himself on a hilltop on Cat Island, but even there he was
Left, the original section of the Church of the Holy Cross that Mgr Hawes built; right, Fr Ahearn and the tiny altar and chalice that sit above the bed in the old dome-shaped presbytery that barely fits one person to sleep in, that Hawes built while overseeing construction of the Church.
urged by the local bishop to build churches and colleges, until in 1956 he was removed from the island and died in a Miami hospital. But, as per his request, he was brought back to the island to be buried in the tomb on the hillside.
Bishop James O'Collins, who made him the diocesan architect, had fond memories of him. After himself leaving to become Bishop of Ballarat, he wrote: "I always found Monsignor Hawes a most colourful character. He is an extraordinary person. It went very hard with me to allow him to stay in the
Bahamas. I grew to like him very much, and I, as the bishop, could never have accomplished the many works in the way of building in the diocese of Geraldton without him. "He was an architect, painter, sculptor, stonemason, decorator, poet, horseman and horse breeder."
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April 29 2009, The Record
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tracing an outback legenS
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• By Anthony Barich
hat Michelangelo is to architecture and heritage in 16th century Italy and Francis Greenway is to the colonial architecture and heritage in 19th century eastern Australia, Monsignor John Cyril Hawes will also be to 20th century architecture and heritage in Western Australia, if a group of dedicated community members succeed in their plans. The Monsignor Hawes Heritage Project is gathering steam as a dedicated group of outback Catholics unite to promote the legendary priestarchitect's work by tapping into the spiritual traditions that animated him. Interest in gathering local stakeholders to push for the conservation and promotion of Hawes' buildings has snowballed over the past six years. As the Project's website says, Hawes is an "unsung hero whose song needs to be proclaimed from the domes and spires of his many churches in the Midwest and Gascoyne". "Priest, architect, artist, artisan, craftsman, horseman, wood-turner, cabinet maker, builder and hermit, this renaissance man of the twentieth century has left his heritage indelibly imprinted in the Midwest and Gascoyne of Australia and in England and the Bahamas." Despite several books and a television documentary about Monsignor Hawes, his "poems in stone" - his heritage and buildings - have not received the recognition they deserve in our local communities as well as nationally and internationally, the Project's workers believe. A workshop held at the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health in Geraldton sought to put Hawes firmly on the regional, national and international stage, focused on how the Midwest and Gascoyne communities might "rediscover and promote the Monsignor Hawes heritage and in the process enrich our local communities". "Apart from seeking to conserve and promote the spiritual, material, social and cultural heritage of Monsignor Hawes, it is also hoped that the Monsignor Hawes Project will benefit the economies of the communities of our region." The Project has under-
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gone a transformation since a 2006 Strategic Plan was completed and a part-time Project Officer, Gemma Rafferty, was appointed. The board consists of Geraldton Regional Art Gallery manager Mark Lennard and colleague Catherine Belcher, Geraldton parishioner Laurie Graham, Geraldton Bishop Justin Bianchini, Mullewa parishioner Barb Thomas, the Shire of Morawa's Debbie McIlraith, Fr Michael Morrissey, the Shire of Carnarvon's Tony Dowling and Claire Savage of the Heritage Council of WA. Laurie Graham, a Geraldton man who's attended St Francis Xavier Cathedral since he was a boy, says the project needs a broad community appeal to gain the maximum support, so that the buildings can be properly maintained. "The buildings will have to be used be by the local community," he says. "The best thing you'd hope to come out of the committee's work is a recognition of the value of the buildings by the communities and that the long term maintenance and preservation of the buildings are assured; Laurie said. Ideally, each local church or building would be incorporated into the local town's tourism precinct, which in some cases, like Mullewa, it already is. To Laurie, the uniqueness of the buildings is in itself a striking aspect, and a reason to pursue their preservation. "They're not clones of each other, they've all just been made out of the local materials that were at hand. It's just a shame the church (of St Lawrence) at Bluff Point disappeared, though there's still bits of it there." The Mullewa Hawes Heritage Trail, for example, pays homage to the man himself - a 600m route linking the Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, following a rusty red brushedconcrete path. It includes details of his childhood, family, schooling and architecture; his dual roles as Anglican priest and architect back in England, his involvement in the Bahamas both before and after his Australian experience, and details revealing his own personal perspectives on life, Catholicism and the notion of being a missionary. For information or assistance offered for the Hawes project, contact projew
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April 29 2009, The Record
t6e spirit in 5-t0ne in t6e 6eart of C5eratRon § tanding in a prominent spot in don't. Some who I've met during the catheGeraldton's CBD, St Francis Xavier dral tour think the colours are a bit fancy, Cathedral is an impressive example but the others who know a bit of architecture, of early -20th century architecture by they know it has the Spanish orientation, a man revered today as one of the greatest in even from the inside, the lines and colours are like the Church of St Sophia that was turned his time, Monsignor John Hawes. But when Father Gerard Totanes first into a Muslim mosque in turkey." The crypt under the cathedral is not only a walked inside having been ordained in Manila for the diocese of Geraldton by Bishop Justin source of fascination for tourists but a sacred, intimate space for locals. Fr Totanes has celeBianchini in 2001, he was shocked. Archway after archway with bright orange brated many baptisms and nuptial Masses on and purple stripes greeted him. It was a stark the small altar built by Monsignor Hawes that contrast to what he was used to back in the backs onto recessed arches with urns containPhilippines, a strongly Catholic country. In ing relics of martyrs and saints, including Ss fact, it's in stark contrast to the exterior of the George, Sebastian, and John and Paul I, the Cathedral, which, like Hawes' other build- latter two believed to be popes. He once held a Holy Hour of Eucharistic ings, blends into its local surrounds with its adoration down in the crypt, which, decked earthy texture built by local stone. The style, as the photos show, is a signature out with candles, had an eerie but deeply of Monsignor Hawes. They also appear in spiritual, quiet, meditative feeling that God was truly present in the room. archways inside Holy Spirit Chapel, otherThe construction of the cathedral was wise known as Utalcarra Cemetery Chapel in Geraldton, and the Church of St Mary in Ara protracted. The first stage was opened in 1921, but was soon followed by the untimely Coeli in Northampton. Mgr Hawes drew up the plans in Rome death of Bishop Kelly, whose successor Dr in 1914 and brought then with him when Richard Ryan denounced the Monsignor's he arrived in WA in 1915 to be parish priest 'peculiarities' and discouraged further work for the Murchison Goldfields region. Bishop on the project. Rejected and humiliated, Hawes poured William Kelly met him while studying in Rome and invited him to design his cathe- himself into the Church of Our Lady of dral. After celebrating countless Masses in Mount Carmel and the Holy Apostles Ss the Cathedral, Fr Totanes, 39, assistant priest Peter and Paul in Mullewa. Bishop Ryan left at the Cathedral since he was ordained, has after three years, however, and Bishop James come to understand what Monsignor Hawes O'Collins restored him to diocesan architect, and the completed cathedral was opened was driving at in his peculiar design. "Honestly, the colours were a bit shock- in 1938. Hawes designed the cathedral, it is ing to me at first, it's grown on me. It seems said, to signify the strength and permanence that the Monsignor chose the colours as he of the Catholic Church, with distinct features wanted to convey that atmosphere of prayer, like the twin towers on the western front and now that I've celebrated Masses so many and a large dome at the other end over the times in the cathedral I can see that the was sanctuary. To the right of the communion rails is a right, as that's actually what I get. I get the spiral staircase leading down to the crypt, same feeling; Fr Totanes says. The 'zebra striping' on the walls and arch- in which the altar of the central chapel sits es, reminiscent of European churches like directly under the High Altar above. The Cathedral Chronicle of October 1936 Siena Cathedral, were originally black and white, but Hawes later suggested light grey notes that "in addition to his professional and deep orange, which brightens the build- services, (Hawes) made several valuable gifts, ing - though some find it so unusual as to be including the candlesticks for the High Altar and the coverings for the baptismal font". distracting. A statue of St Peter with the Keys to the Fr Totanes says the bright colours give a "warm feeling". "It's not like the huge cathe- Kingdom that Hawes did sits in the back right drals that are gloomy from the inside; he of the cathedral. Hawes wrote years later that all his best says. "Personally, the colours of the cathedral help put me in a relaxed mood. The building work was invariably the result of continuitself is small so it's intimate as well." But he al reworking, of re-stitching, pruning and admits that of the locals and those who are elimination until he was satisfied that he had passing through town, "some like it, others "caught the rhythm of a poem in stone".
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A bove, St Patrick's church hall, now the local Irish community's headquarters.
Clockwise from above: St Fancis Xavier Cathedral in the heart of Geraldton; Fr Gerard Totanes, assistant priest; the statue of St Peter that Hawes did; an altar with firs-class relics of St George, St Sebastian and Ss John and Paul, believed to be Popes; the interior of St Francis Xaviar Cathedral, with Navas' signature stripes. Also in the crypt is a Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows dedicated to World War II victims, with the names of the deadon the wall. These are not shown in these pictures.
Above, the inside of St Patrick's church hall, decked out with green as the headquarters of the Irish community.
Town bakers have seen Perenjori's rise and fall, while St Joseph's lives on
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hen John and Margaret Graham ran the Perenjori bakery for over 32 years, they knew every family in the pews of St Joseph's Church. Back then, the parish - and the community - was thriving. Most families had at least four kids, and the celebration of sacraments like baptisms and weddings were always packed to capacity. Even for regular Masses, "if you didn't get there early you'd be battling for a seat; Margaret says. John and Margaret could rattle off the names of all the families in the pews. While the community once thrived, the town, and therefore the parish community, is a shadow of its former self. Surrounded by a rich grain and sheep area, Perenjori, 350km north of Perth, has suffered what many rural towns have - farmers buy out other farmers, leading to fewer farmers in the area. Or people retire to the city or simply pass away. But Margaret and John aren't going anywhere. "We're called the 'oldies' of the town," she jokes, but they're both still very active.
After successfully lobbying the WA Lotteries Commission to fix areas of the church, he's working on another submission for more funds to paint it. The couple have been in Perenjori since 1963, and they cherish the church. "When tourists come in, they comment on how well-kept it is," she said. The locals still have liturgies weekly, with Good Samaritan Sister Anna Warlow, the sister of opera singer Anthony Warlow, teaching them how to run it. The local priest comes through twice a month to celebrate Mass. Monsignor John Hawes designed it in 1936 while he was also working on designing a church for the Geraldton suburb of Bluff Point and a modern-looking church for the agricultural centre of Three Springs, just under 100km away. The Three Springs church that Hawes designed was not built, but St Joseph's Perenjori is a much simpler design than his other elaborate projects. For St Joseph's he adapted Fr Benedict Williamson's book How
Irish community have taken over the church hall, but the locals still treasure the quaint old building.
to build a Church to his design for the gigantic stone canopy supported on two huge columns above the altar, behind which is a remarkable representation of Christ and His 12 Apostles - all carved out of local materials. Like Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Holy Apostles Ss Peter and Paul in Mullewa, his artistry at the front is an act of evangelisation. Margaret says that despite the simple design of the church compared to others, "it's a peaceful place". "We get people who come across from Three Springs saying they can pray better here as it's so peaceful. Tourists and visitors love it, whenever anyone comes through the town they admire it," she said. To Margaret, the most striking thing about the church is that "it's a Monsignor Hawes church; as the fact itself speaks volumes. Located north of the railway that splits the town, the church is tall, thin and white, surrounded by bush, with a small Dominican convent next door, still used for parish functions but now run by the Country Womens Association.
Left, JohrGraham outside St Joseph's Church in Perenjori.; right, impressively carved out depictions of Jesus and the 12 Apostles behind the altar.
t Patrick's Church in Geraldton is perhaps the unlikeliest of all the buildings Monsignor John Hawes designed in his 24 years in Australia. While every Hawes building is unique, this small, timber-framed corrugated iron former church is set apart, as it's not made from local stone as many others are. Helen Long, the secretary of Geraldton Bishop Justin Bianchini, says that the locals love the old building, that still stands adjacent to the newer one built in the 1960s. She admits that "most people get a shock as they really do think, 'I thought it was a little outhouse, some shed that's been shacked up for the school": "Then when they find out it was actually a Hawes building they're shocked again; she says. "Iknow the people of Wonthella are very attached to it; they love it. For me,I find it's a bit strange. It's very, very simple; Helen says. "Maybe it was built at a time when he was keeping things very simple,I don't know why he did it." Now the headquarters of the Irish Community in Geraldton, it has a gable corrugated iron roof with a lean-to roof to the south that covers a corrugated iron clad extension. A timber Celtic cross sits at the apex at the west end of the gable as a mark of the Irish community that has taken it over in recent years to look after it, as it was falling into disrepair. It was opened in the Geraldton suburb of Wonthella in September 1939 as a Catholic Church, and five months later Presentation Sister Therese O'Brien began primary school classes for local children. By 1943 there were 20 pupils enrolled at the school, which increased after the war. In the 1964 this was replaced by a new building to accommodate 100 pupils and 60 parishioners, but closed in 1968. Fr Johnny Carpenter, curate of the nearby St Lawrence the Martyr Church at Bluff Point, now celebrates Mass in this newer building every Sunday morning for the elderly parishioners who live nearby.
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April 29 2009, The Record
tracing an outback 1egen6 Church bulldozed, community thrives
Above, the original Church of St Lawrence the Martyr during construction. Below, parish chorister Maria Godley, Fr Brenton Taylor and groundsman Rick McAuliffe outside the old section of the church that still remains.
Most of Hawes' original church is gone, but a thriving parish survives.
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he Church of St Lawrence the Martyr in Bluff Point on the outskirts of Geraldton looks nothing like the original version that Monsignor John Hawes built in 1937, but the community is as vibrant as ever. Of the original church that Hawes built while he was simultaneously working on two other churches at Perenjori and Three Springs, only the transepts and central octagonal tower remain of the once cross-shaped Romanesque design. Bulldozers demolished the entire nave (pews section) of the church in 1967, and builders constructed a brick octagon next to what is left of Hawes' original design, including a bell tower. Today, St Lawrence's is a thriving parish. The day The Record attended Sunday Mass there, the adjacent Catholic primary school hosted a fete, where it seemed much of Geraldton had congregated on the day to share in the community atmosphere. The Sunday morning Mass that day was packed to the rafters. Maria Godley, parishioner and chorister, assured The Record it was like this every week. The very personable parish priest, Fr Brenton Taylor, is a convert from the Presbyterian Church who attended Scotch College in Perth. Today, he heads a thriving congregation. He often made
mention during Mass of the choir's superb efforts. The church at Three Springs was never built due to lack of funds after not unexpected wrangling with the local council, but the Anglican Church of St George across the road from St Lawrence's looks hauntingly familiar to Hawes' style. It also incorporates many of his characteristic styles, but is "fragile, sweet and light", a historical document says, while Hawes' structures are sturdy, heavy and earthy. There are Colonnades behind this church that were designed by the Monsignor in 1936 as a place of meditation. St Lawrence's is the first West Australian parish to start 24-hour perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament when Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey was Bishop of Geraldton.
From orphanage to aged care
Sisters of Nazareth Anne Rodger, the Superior, with Srs Josephine Tavale, Mary Lucey and Clare Breene.
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itting in the courtyard of Nazareth House at Bluff l'oint, Sisters of Nazareth Superior Mother Anne Rodger admits she could be forgiven for thinking she's in an exotic Spanish monastery. But we'd never have such ambition," laughs Sister Anne. But she loves the design. She's been here three times over the past four decades - once in the 1960s-70s and another stint in the '90s before she arrived again as Superior three years ago - and she loves coming back every time. Located on a picturesque coastal site on the northern outskirts of Geraldton near the mouth of the Chapman River, Nazareth House is of rendered brickwork, not painted but splattered with a mixture of mortar that appears to have been "splashed on", as Sister Anne lovingly describes, to blend in with the local red dirt - just as its designer Monsignor John Hawes wanted. It was envisaged by Bishop James O'Collins as the last link in a chain of establishments - like Tardun Agricultural College, which Hawes also did the floorplans for - for child migrants and orphaned boys. Infant boys were to stay there until age seven before being transferred to Tardun, while girls were to continue their academic training. However, World War II stopped these plans in their tracks and the Sisters took in the aged and infirm as well as orphaned children. "It's perfect for the climate that's why it was built; she says. The open quadrangle courtyard which the central building surrounds is an unusual design that Sister says would probably not be built today, but she says it's perfect. The high balconies block
out the sun, leaving the rooms cool... even though they've been renovated and decked out with modern conveniences like airconditioning. The Sister, who hails from Kalgoorlie, doesn't mind the rustic charm of the place, designed by Monsignor Hawes in 1939 for the Poor Sisters of Nazareth just before he left Geraldton for the Bahamas to retire as a Franciscan hermit. It was built and completed by 1941, after he left. "He had a vision to build things for the climate and to fit into the local surroundings; she said. "Everybody admires it. They see it as a very special building, standing (so distinct) out there; A local brochure describes it as possessing a "quiet dignity in construction which combines modernity with usefulness''. The Sisters arrived in Geraldton in January 1939 at the invitation of Bishop James O'Collins. In 1975 extensions were done and Larmenier Hostel opened adjacent to Hawes' building, in a similar colour so it blends in - just as he would have wanted. In 1994 a large extension was added to the north to provide more nursing home accommodation. Today, the seven Sisters (two of whom teach at the nearby St Lawrence's Primary School next to the church Hawes built) and other lay staff look after 26 elderly in hostel care and 45 in the nursing home. While Monsignor Hawes' original building was designed for the climate, the Sisters admit that it's not perfectly condusive to aged care, with all the levels. But it's impressive none-the-less. The first floor concrete block lattice balustrade adds to the deli-
Srs Anne Rodger, Josephine Tavale a nd Anastasia Ho inside the courtyard.
cacy of the colonnade and gives good ventilation, as the local shire proudly says. "The corner towers are two storey but present a three storey scale which terminate or buttress the corners of the building. The towers are monolithic elements, stepping in slightly to suggest a taper towards the top where they are capped with a tiled pyramid roof. Small narrow windows punctuate the otherwise solid walls of the towers; The central entry with large double doors is surmounted by a tall, three storey scale, Spanish Mission gable with rendered mouldings on the parapet, capped with a crucifix and niche housing a statue of Christ, watching over all who enter the aged care facility. The gable - the triangle formed by the sloping roof - is similar to that which the Monsignor designed for the elevated western end of the nave above the entry to Geraldton's St Francis Xavier Cathedral.
Well-hidden place of romance in outback scrub
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he Pallottine Monastery that Monsignor John Hawes designed was the most difficult of the priest-architect's buildings to find, hidden behind miles of dirt track... but there is an unmistakable romance about the place. Completely different from any of the other churches, priest houses or convent chapels he designed, it is instead designed like the Australian bungalow, with only a church bell atop the roof signifying that this is a place of religious significance. Then again, Hawes always built his projects
in accordance to the local climate and environment, and this is no exception. Heritage documents reveal that the monastery was constructed in 1938 as ecclesiastical housing to improve the facilities of Beagle Bay Farm, which was established in 1928 as a temporary agricultural asset to alleviate the financial difficulties experienced by the Kimberley Beagle Bay Mission. By 1948 the Pallottine Monastery began operation as a boarding school, primarily for Aboriginal children whose families worked on Murchison
sheep stations and in the Mullewa area. It still serves this function today, with only a plaque installed by the current Bishop of Geraldton, Justin Bianchini, set in stone as a testimony to the hard work of the Pallottines. The Pallottine Monastery is intrinsically linked to the priests of the order of St Vincent Pallotti, who spent his life helping the poor of Rome. The German branch of the Pallottine missionaries took over the Beagle Bay Mission in 1901 from the French Trappist Order to evangelise local Aborigines in Christianity.
The Pallotine Monastery, the next stop for The Record after the Christian Brothers College near Tardun.
April 29 2009, The Record
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tracing an outback legenS Curious exterior hides a heart of gold Transcendent beauty hidden inside cubist cemetery chapel on the way out of Geraldton. I vt takarra Cemetery Chapel, aka Holy Spirit Chapel, is perhaps the most deceiving buildings Monsignor John Hawes built. Built as a cemetery chapel and as a tomb for the remains of Archdeacon Adolfe Lecaille, whose sarcophagus is in the middle of the nave, the exterior betrays nothing of the glorious artistry inside, including a ceiling fresco not unlike Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel. Local records reveal that Lecaille was a Belgian missionary and was a founding priest in the Geraldton area who built seven churches over 10 years. When he died in Perth in 1908 he was buried there, but in 1936 his body was exhumed and laid to rest in the Holy Spirit Chapel. The Chapel also contains an empty grave that Hawes prepared for himself, before the lure of the Bahamas became too great. It took just three months to build in 1936; its cubic design reflects Hawes' interest in the 1930s Modern movement. Built concurrently with Northampton's St Mary in Ara Coeli, Holy Spirit (or San Spirito) Chapel is a strong reminder of the Spanish Mission style. The arches inside bear the Hawes' signature: purple zebra stripes, while above the altar hangs a Franciscan-style cross with a simple but intricate design of angels catching the blood of the crucified Jesus in a chalice, with women mourning him to the side. The inside is curiously lit by clever use of natural light, and the vaulted roof gives it a majestic atmosphere, with a sanctuary at the back. Peel back a red carpet behind the sarcophagus and an image of Hawes in priestly vestments reaveals itself, with an inscription in Latin that reads: "Pray for the repose of the soul of the Reverend John Hawes, Dean of the parish of Mullewa, architect of Geraldton Cathedral and builder of this and other churches." It is an eery reminder of Hawes' mortality; the chapel itself is a study in his own Franciscan spirituality - simple, humble, unassuming, until a venture into its heart reveals a special gift indeed.
Holy Spirit Chapel, or Utakarra Cemetery Chapel, on the road heading east out of Geraldton.
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Left to right: The sarcophagus of Fr LeCaille, a priest who also built churches. Hawes originally wanted to be buried there himself before the lure of the Bahamas grew too strong; the fresco on the ceiling and a Franciscan-style cross on the wall; an engraved brass plate image of Monsignor Hawes. Below, an altar at the back of the chapel, with Hawes' signature stripes.
algoo is the most distant eastern outpost of Monsignor John Hawes' scattered parish. He struggled with the searing heat unlike anything he had experienced before. In a letter to a friend, he said he "just flopped around and struggled to exist". He arrived shortly after emigrating from England. While renovated in recent decades, it is inaccessible unless one arrives in the town, located 200km east of Geraldton, while the general store or the hotel is open for half a day. The Monsignor ploughed away none the less, designing and building a convent chapel, called the Dominican Chapel of St Hyacinth, in 1920 for the Irish Dominican Sisters who lived in a wooden convent school overlooking the town. He travelled on horseback from Mullewa, 100km away, as a labourer with
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End of an era looming for rural agriculture college
a local builder during months of construction, as he was grateful for the Sisters' presence and concerned for their welfare. Every week he rode into town for Sunday Mass, but was always concerned about the effect his cracked and calloused hands would have on the silk vestments. The building, which now sits behind a barbed wire fence and a heritage plaque, is simple but has the trademark details of a Hawes building, with statue niches, vertical bar windows and a belltower lovingly crafted. After years of disuse, it became a neglected ruin until the chapel was restored and is now protected by the Shire of Yalgoo since 1980. All that remains of the adjacent convent is two chimneys. The simplicity of the building is a stark reminder of the harsh, lonely lives of the Sisters who lived and prayed there, in a chapel that was set so far out for so few.
St Hyacinth Convent Chapel.
hen The Record walked into the kitchen of Christian Brothers Agricultural School just out of the Tardun township, two Christian Brothers munching on sandwiches on their day off said the college will cease to exist at the end of this year. It's the sad end of an era for the school, which in 1927 the Agricultural Bank financed to "settle on the land those boys suitable for agricultural or pastoral pursuits". In 1935, Monsignor John Hawes drew up the floorplan for the permanent buildings on the request of his good friend and mentor Archbishop Patrick Clune of Perth. In between the financing and Hawes' plans being drawn up, hundreds of acres of York gums and thick scrub were cleared, and the local kangaroos and emus were replaced by hundreds of sheep, with temporary sheds erected until the school was built. When he drew up the plans, Hawes was in his late 50s and already working on St Francis Xavier Cathedral's completion and was also involved in the design and construction of several other churches around the diocese. But that was his status almost throughout his 24 years in Australia - pulled between several projects at a time. The design of the school reveals a continuing evolution of style. Like the Pallottine Monastery nearby the convent especially displays an adaptation of the Australian homestead design, with its two storeys and verandahs. However, some of his designs were not closely followed, as they were completed long after he'd retired to the Bahamas. The original plans for the Farm School weren't closely followed, as the great central tower was omitted. The central block was completed in 1942, four years after Hawes left for the West Indies. The chapel, at right angle to the south front, was built a year earlier. There also stands in Tardun St Mary's Convent, another adaptation of the Australian homestead style, that Hawes built for the Sisters of Nazareth. Until it was completed, they'd lived in a humble wooden bungalow at Tardun. A 4km drive further south of Tardun will reveal the original campsite, marked with mounted boxes incorporating historic photographs and accompanying information.
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April 29 2009, The Record
tracing an outback 1egen6
Clergy sank cathedral Perth might have had
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t must remain one of the great architectural tragedies of Australian life that the design for St Mary's Cathedral produced by Monsignor Hawes (above and at right) and which was blessed by Pope Pius X in a private audience with the Monsignor was rejected by predominantly Irish clergy who had been trained in European Gothic institutions and who wanted this, rather than his preferred Romanesque style with large windows and greater natural lighting suited to a Mediterranean climate such as Perth's - despite the fact that Hawes' clearly superior design would have been considerably cheaper to build. Also at play were his absence in England while he
was engaged in completing the design so that he could not lobby fellow clergy on the reasons why his was the best architecture for Perth's Catholic cathedral, and the undermining of his designs by personality conflicts and professional competitors such as the eventual winners, the architectural firm of Cavanagh's. In a letter he foretold the problems that came with the more expensive designs they wanted, which included flying buttresses for purely cosmetic purposes: "...but they must have their pet flying buttresses, also their spires, although by the time the towers for them rise to roof level all the building enthusiasm and flow of donations will probably have ebbed away."
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The church that escaped Hawes' direct influence Cute church in remote town bears distinct mark of Monsignor Hawes.
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he Church of St Andrew in Carnamah escaped the direct influence of Monsignor John Hawes when it was built in 1930 for 600 Pounds, but it still bears his mark. It was built at a time when the Monsignor had consumed himself in building the Priest's House adjacent to the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Holy Apostles Ss Peter and Paul in Mullewa - a very personal project of his, as he'd been stopped from continuing work on St Francis Xavier Cathedral by Geraldton's new bishop. Not only was Hawes immersed in the Mullewa project, but Bishop James O'Collins, who blessed the Church of St Andrew, was yet to confirm Hawes as the architectural consulter for the diocese. John Taylor, a modern architect who has produced over 50 conservation plans throughout WA for everything from
cathedrals to mine sites, said in his book Between Devotion and Design: The architecture of John Cyril Hawes, 1876-1956 that notes and sketches that remain today confirm that the Church of St Andrew was likely not the design that Hawes preferred. But Hawes certainly had an early influence on it. On a sheet of notepaper titled `Carnamah' that Hawes left, there is a sketch with his characteristic Romanesque windows, with the caption "as designed by the architect"; and another sketch illustrating a simple box structure and Gothic pointed head windows, bearing the open caption 'showing it as erected with improvements by a local genius!' Thus the construction of St Andrew's appears to have been done in Hawes' absence and prior to the direction of Bishop O'Collins. Taylor notes that elements Hawes used extensively in his other buildings are present in St Andrew's today: the modern style campanile (bell tower) with round head windows and an entrance incorporating recessing details around its doors.
Above, the exterior of the Church of St Andrew in Carnamah. Below, the church interior, and a simple statue of the loving image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus invites people to enter the confessional.
April 29 2009, The Record
Page 15
tracing an outback legenS
Architect priest's loathing of Gothic design gives way to creation of prayerful environment Hawes' strong character gives way to the Gothic design that he loathed.
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onsignor John Hawes' strong personality, loath to be a slave to architectural styles of the past, nearly got in the way of the Church of St Mary in Ara Coeli ('altar of heaven') in Northampton being built. A mark of Hawes' buildings is to steer clear of the gothic designs popular in Europe, opting instead for buildings more heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, the "quiet revolutionary" movement in England that rejected the beloved classical and gothic models. Instead, Hawes wanted a simple, rough-cast homeliness by using natural building materials with "restrained organic decoration'', as a Heritage Council brochure points out. The Church of St Mary in Ara Coeli, however, is one example where the local priest of the parish of Northampton, Dean Irwin, held sway over Hawes' preferred design, convincing the architect to design and build for him a gothic-style church. Dean Irwin wanted the church to be a commemorative building to Father Lecaille, a Belgian pioneer missionary and also an arthitect. In the end, Hawes didn't mind, so long as people found in the church a place of worship and reverence. "Icare not what, or how, debased the style might be, as long as it is an interior that will be an aid to people to pray," was his back-handed compliment during the solemn opening of the church in 1936. The gothic design could not hide, however, Hawes' trademark: using local materials - in this case red sandstone - so it blends into the local environment. The Cathedral Chronicle of October 1936 described the church thus: "As regards the exterior, it gains character from the rugged nature of the hammer dressed masonry, the deeply raked-out joints emphasising the charming and various colours of each stone. "The green tiles that cover the roofs give a very similar appearance to the green Westmorland slates of the north of England." The ochre-pink coloured striped arches - another Hawes trademark seen in St Francis Xavier's Cathedral and the San Spirito Chapel in the Geraldton cemetery - cover the arch over the sanctuary. Hawes believed that each of his church designs expressed a particular concept architecturally - in the case of the Church of St Mary in Ara Coeli, the soaring Gothic lines are believed to have been intended to convey spirituality to those who darken its doorways. The Sacred Heart Convent next to the church was built in 1919 to Hawes' specifications. With statues of Mary with the baby Jesus and Joseph guarding the steps ascending to the front door, it is now used as a backpackers' lodge, known for its cheap accommodation but immaculately kept bathrooms and bedrooms.
The Church of St Mary in Ara Coeli, designed to the gothic style that Monsignor Hawes loathed, but used at the request of the local priest so long as those who prayed in it could find an atmosphere of reverence.
Left to right: the baptismal font in the shape of a cathedral spire at the back of the church; a photo of Bishop JP O'Collins processing into the church for its opening with altar boys; the church interior as seen from the back, showing the pink-ochre coloured zebra stripes, a trademark of Hawes:
Left, the Sacred Heart Convent that Hawes designed, now used as a backpackers' hostel; right, the sanctuary of the Church of Mary in Ara Coeli.
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April 29 2009, The Record
tracing an outback 1egen6 Prematurely worn out, Hawes stays for one last stand Hawes' last stand.
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onsignor John Hawes was ready to retire to the Bahamas before he was even posted to Greenough as its last residential parish priest, but the obedient cleric stayed there for a time, regardless. At 62, he was "prematurely worn out", having built some 22 churches, chapels, priests' houses and other buildings, and wanted to return to the West Indies, where he had spent time before arriving in Australia in 1915. It is understood that Hawes built or designed the altar in the Gothic-styled Church of St Peter, built by Archdeacon Lecaille, for whom he built a tomb at Geraldton Cemetery. The cramped presbytery, now marked as Hawes' residence by the Heritage Trust, was crumbling, "decrepit and mouldy", but suited his Franciscan spirituality that thrived on poverty right down to the ground. Today, the whole townsite of Greenough is a historic relic. Tourists must pay just to get in to see the church, presbytery, residents' houses and the old police station and prison across the road (or track). Photos and old house implements still in place in their old houses next door to Hawes' presbytery honour local townsfolk, a reminder of the harsh realities faced by the priest and lay alike. Greenough was his last post before he left for the Bahamas, leaving everything including his trusty fox terrier Dominie, and his briefcase, which lies in the presbytery at Mullewa that now serves as a museum of his life. "I shall be only too glad to leave this prosaic and mundane land full of hotels, beer, wool and sheep... I am homesick for the Bahamas," he wrote in a letter to a friend. Though the man may have been burnt out by the time he left, his buildings survive today as some of the most important examples of practical architecture, years ahead of its time.
Clockwise from top left: the altar in the Church of St Peter in the old town of Greenough; Hawes' loungeroom with fireplace, preserved by the Heritage Trust; Monsignor Hawes' vestments inside his old presbytery where he lived as Greenough's last resident priest; the Heritage Trust's writing stamping Hawes' legacy on the wall; the exterior of the Church of St Peter.
Cunning strategy leads to homely cottage for bishop Bishop Hickey's home
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rchbishop Barry Hickey thought it such a shame that the Hermitage that Monsignor John :yril Hawes built in 1937 had fallen into disuse, he decided to live in it himself when he was Bishop of Geraldton. During this time, the then-bishop consecrated St Francis Xavier Cathedral, also designed and built by the Monsignor. It would be hard for a priest or bishop working in the diocese of Geraldton not to have an affiliation with something Hawes produced, as his works are scattered throughout the diocese. The Hermitage, however, is - apart from the priest's cell in Morawa that the Monsignor built while overseeing construction of the adjacent Church of the Holy Cross - perhaps the humblest of his projects. The Hermitage was built by a local contractor who owed him money, in a deal that Monsignor Hawes rather cunningly sealed. "The only way I am likely to get my money back is to let him wipe some of it off by putting in some work for me and he is a good capable carpenter, so my motives are not purely altruistic," Monsignor Hawes wrote to his bishop at the time.
Hawes designed the building as a cottage where he planned, "with not too serious intent", as historical records say, "to end his days as chaplain to St John of God Hospital across the road". His burning desire to return to the Bahamas ended up consuming him, however, and The Hermitage is now a disused building owned by the National Trust of Australia. The design shows the influence of Charlie Voysey, a Victorian architect who, like many in Hawes' era back in England, rebelled against the contemporary liking for Gothic designs. A steep-pitched roof, cottage windows with mullions, brick arches and exposed timbering - an unusual feature at the time - gives The Hermitage a homeliness which obviously appealed to the thenBishop Hickey when he was in Geraldton. The interior reveals an entrance gallery on one level, with a tiny kitchen, and a large stone fireplace and wooden stairway leading to a top gallery and main bedroom - all fitting nicely in such a small space. Hawes himself lived only briefly there while working on St John of God hospital across the road, before his abrupt departure to the Bahamas, where he became a Franciscan Friar and sought solitude. When he left, his friend Fr Jim Prendergast stayed there.
Clockwise from left: The Hermitage exterior, Latin writing inscribed on the woodwork that says, loosely translated, 'Forgive me, that I may be refreshed'; the top gallery seen from below.
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tracing an outback legenS
Simple church a preview to monastic Bahamas life Homesick, Hawes still injects passion and simplicity into humble outback church.
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hen Monsignor John Hawes built the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Nanson in 1939, his mind was already filled with homesickness for the Bahamas. By 1938, the Monsignor had already made his mind up that he couldn't stand living in Mullewa anymore, the "God-forsaken place with its heat, dust and flies'', and having already been in Australia for 23 years he believed that at 62, he felt "prematurely worn out". The ex-plumber Bishop James O'Collins, however, had other ideas, and wanted more out of his Monsignor, as he saw great value in his work. The energetic bishop posted Hawes to Greenough, where he lived as its first parish priest in St Peter's a Gothic-styled church built by Archdeacon Lecaille, whose tomb he built at the Geraldton cemetery. It is clear that his mind was on the Bahamas, where he eventually retired, as the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, and others built around this time, bear a resemblance to later structures he built in the West Indies where he became a Franciscan Friar. Nanson is a humble church that was also used as a school by the nuns who live in the adjacent convent. Like others in the remote areas around the diocese, it seems
Above, the Church of Our Lady of Fatima. Below right, the interior of the church, with simple seating and an old organ, not seen, at the rear of the church.
to almost come out of the ground as it's built from locally-quarried stone. It can be found in a dirt turnoff from Chapman Valley Road, coming down from Northampton, where he also built the Church of St Mary in Ara Coeli and the Convent of the Sacred Heart. Around the convent and church-school are a concrete iron toilet block, a corrugated iron clad Above: The convent adjacent to the agricultural shed and a number of c hurch, built in the style of an old garden sheds and rainwater tanks Australian bungalow, like the Pallotine that complete the humble outback Monastery near Tardun. A well maintained garden is at the forefront. scene.
Matriarch builds legacy with Hawes, relived by family
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t James' Chapel in Kojarena has been described by a descendant of the family who helped build it as a 'poor relation' of Monsignor John Hawes' other glorious buildings, but the story of its genesis is perhaps the most remarkable. It is the story of everyday Catholics getting on with the job of being Catholic - that is, teaching their children the faith and witnessing to Christ through their actions. In this case, it was showing strength in a difficult time, when Australia was experiencing the Great Depression. When land was being opened up in Kojarena for the first time, James and Maggie O'Brien - a descendant of a Spanish Benedictine missionary who came to Australia with then-Father Rosendo Salvado, the future bishop of Perth - were the first to take up land in about 1897.Despite their 11 children, their modest home always had room for a priest who would travel one and a half hours by horseback from the WalkawayGreenough area once a month on a Saturday and give religious instruction to the local children at their house. The priest would stay at the house and celebrate Mass on the Sunday morning followed by a big breakfast feast, which Maggie would prepare. It was invariably a gathering of all the local Catholics from the surrounding farming area. Maggie had been keen on a "little church" to be built and helped fundraise by hosting card parties, raffles and other community-building events. Monsignor Hawes designed in 1933 then built in 1935 St James' Chapel with two builders from Walkaway with local stones quarried and carted to the site by locals. It was a community effort. Once the stone church was built, Maggie would walk a few hundred metres up a hill from her property carrying all the equipment for Irish priest Dean Irwin to celebrate Mass, prepare the bed with fresh linen along with a jug of
Left, James and Maggie O'Brien, whose hard work, especially Maggie, paid off with a legacy that their descendants today do their best to honour by maintaining the church; the Chapel of St James basks in the mid-afternoon sun. PHOTOS ANTHONY BARICH
water, and trundle back the following day to pick it up. After each Mass, Maggie would screen the altar off with a large sheet, one of the locals would supply a piano and accordion for music, and the locals would arrive on horseback or horse-drawn vehicles to dance the night away. They would have two suppers through the night - one at about 11.30pm and another at 2am. And as there was never any power or water, everything had to be brought from the homestead down the hill. In the meantime she would prepare morning tea for all the parishioners after Mass."Grandma was a tough old lady - tough as nails," says Pat Mills, one of Maggie's grand-daughters who was baptised
by Monsignor John Hawes. "She brought up 11 kids while her husband developed another property out at Mullewa (some 80km away)." The tiny school in Bringo down the road also used the chapel as a hall. Mass was celebrated there until 1982 when it closed due to a shortage of priests, and termites started deteriorating the building and birds had taken up residence inside. Pat is one of 200 descendants who banded together in 2007 to raise $10,000 to bring the beloved church her ancestors built out of disrepair. They held another reunion last year and will do so again this year. The tradition that has now begun has brought the clan closer, as many had not seen each other since they were kids. Even today, the
church - called a 'Chapel of Ease' so it can also be used for community functions - has no power, water or toilet. One of the cousins, a descendant of Maggie and James, donated a generator, and a barbecue sits in the room adjoining the church that Hawes built for the priest to stay the night, awaiting the next O'Brien family reunion. "The project has been a most satisfying and happy one, as it has not only kept our grandparents and parents' dream alive, it has brought together this very large extended family, and created a close bond," said Pat Mills, Maggie and James' grand-daughter. "What is particularly encouraging is that the young relatives seem just as enthusiastic as the older generations."
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Mary can go into bat for us, if we pray to her
Professor Courtney Barth holomew
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usually pray silently and for other people rather than myself. The distance from my home to my office is just two Rosary decades away. I try to pray the Rosary every night.I frequently attend Mass in the evening after work. Too many people do not appreciate the true gift and treasure of the Eucharist. I am the emeritus professor of medicine of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. I am also a member of Dr Robert C Gallo's US multidisciplinary team of scientists, who co-discovered the virus of AIDS. As well as this, I have been a researcher on the mystery of Mary, the Mother of God. Many of the faithful are not taught to love and honour our Blessed Mother to the extent she deserves. with Debbie Warner She is the most i mportant woman in creation history. I am not making her the fourth person of the Blessed Trinity. However, she is the daughter of the Father, the mother of the Son and the bride of the Holy Spirit and in that way she is intimately connected with and chosen by the Holy Trinity. She played the co-redeeming role in God's plan for our salvation. She was the co-redemptrix (not co-equal) but subjugated to her Son. Redemtion began from the womb and was "finished' on Calvary where the suffering Redeemer was nailed to the Cross and the suffering mother stood beneath. Redemption comes from suffering. I have travelled to and researched all the Church-approved Marian shrines worldwide and their messages. I have also been a guest speaker at many Marian conferences and have written nine books on Mariology. My latest book is entitled The End of This Era - A Linkage of Science and Religion. In it I explore the origin of the universe and life. I believe life is sacrosanct.I also believe that the Book of Genesis is totally compatible with modern day science, except that a "day" in the Book is not a 24-hour day.Idevote chapters to international terrorism and suicide bombings, linking them with the AIDS virus, a microscopic international terrorist destroying life. Through my research I believe that the time of God's justice to the ever escalating degeneration of the world is close at hand. The ancient Mayans (known for their God-given knowledge of cosmology and astronomy) prophesised that there have been cyclical major cataclysms in the world at about 4000-5000 year intervals, including the Flood. They further predicted that the next major world cataclysm will be on 2012. Of course, the date of the "fire next time" as prophesied in Peter 2:3 can only be known to God. I also note that God always gives signs and warnings to His children before a great chastisement as, for example, the Aurora Borealis in 1938 before the start of World War II as prophesied by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917. Finally, the message of Our Lady given in Akita, Japan on October 13, 1973 (a Church-approved apparition site) to Sr Agnes Sasagawa, a Japanese nun of the Order of the Handmaids of the Eucharist was: "If men do not stop offending God, fire will fall from the sky and destroy a great part of humanity." I believe that the consecration of the world to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary can mitigate any chastisement.
Howl Pray Now
PERSPECTIVES
April 29 2009, The Record
Resurrection is real. Live it out Let our glory be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; in Him we have salvation, life and resurrection; through Him we are rescued and set free. - (Col 6:14)
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n the rapture of Easter night, Christianity puts on new splendour. All our sorrows, all our sins are left behind, and overcome. Catholics everywhere strain forward for this night, the summit of the year, and we hold onto memories of it to help us through any trouble we might face in the future. It is happiness, after all - an Easter hope - that is born of blood and suffering. It is real. We can overcome sin because Christ died for us, we are taught, and we can start afresh because He rose from the dead. What a peculiar thing to believe. Certainly, taking a moment out from the Maundy Thursday Mass that starts the Sacred Triduum, I caught myself. In the rites and liturgy offered on that night, Catholics recall the institution of the Eucharist, and prepare for the stark grief - the altar is stripped; the Most Holy Sacrament reposed - of Good Friday. It might have been the man in front of me. He looked and acted like a nonbeliever come along to sit beside his Catholic wife. He stood hesitantly. He did not kneel, and he waited alone, a little defiant, while everyone else went for communion. What could he see in our rites and our emotion, all of it intensified by Holy Week fervour? Certainly, without a firm belief in Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist the conviction that His body and blood, His soul and divinity are truly there
Being
Heard By John Heard after the consecration of the bread and wine - most of the Maundy Thursday Mass looks bizarre. Similarly, what do outsiders make of Good Friday? Why kiss a cross? It is like venerating an electric chair, after all, or saluting a noose. Why go without meat and other things? Without faith in Christ's resurrection, indeed, the Sacred Triduum is a sometimes vicious, baffling, otherwise aesthetically intriguing rehearsal of peculiarities and arcana. It is so much nonsense, arranged splendidly, for sure - few non-believers will fault the beauty of the musical and other traditions - and it does not appear to make a bit of difference. On Easter morning, men are still wicked. Regardless of what Catholics believe and celebrate, humanity carries on, broken and stumbling, and the world just seems to decline. In this context, Christians would do well to turn away from our rites, and start to do something a little more practical. Not for the Catholic, however, is that sort of thinking. Indeed, at this time of the year, many congregations will sing a version of Isaac Watts' beloved hymn, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, which sets out a totally different reading of the events of Easter. "Forbid it, Lord, that Ishould boast" Watts wrote and Catholics sing, "save in
the death of Christ my God... [T]he vain delights that charm me most: I sacrifice them to His blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, What grief and love flow mingling down; When did such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?" In the gritty, all too real, bloody facts of the Crucifixion, then, Christians grapple with the truth at the heart of all our Easter striving: the love that proves that God is Love. The Man, the suffering God, Who changed men so long ago in Palestine, and Who continues to transform our hearts - this is the One Who makes our Triduum sacred. Christ is the reason for our rites, and He is the only excuse for Easter. Knowing this, singing Watts' lines, I sang a little louder at Mass, and hoped that the man in front of me the non-believer - might come to be transformed too. I prayed for him, like Catholics pray for all non-believers on Good Friday, and I tried to temper my experience of the Triduum with a proper respect for what it might be like had Christ not come. How could this knowledge, this potential absence, make us better Christians? It should make us more profoundly grateful for the fact of Easter, and even more intense in our devotions. Watts, again, has the program: Were all the realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. John Heard is an Australian writer. -emaildreadnought.2gmail.com
Good morals is good medicine On his recent trip to Africa the Pope was widely criticised by the press for saying that condoms are not the answer to the AIDS crisis in Africa. Why doesn't the Church allow the use of condoms to reduce the incidence and transmission of AIDS?
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he reason the Church does not allow condoms, or any other form of contraception, is that they go against the God-given purpose of human sexuality. God made humans male and female and gave them the great gift of sexuality so that through acts of intimate love they could bring new life into the world. Through these acts they share in God's creative power in a way that is aptly called "procreation". It is truly an awesome gift. In view of this, the Church teaches that "it is necessary that each and every marriage act remain ordered per se to the procreation of human life" (CCC 2366). Expressed in another way, whatever is done in conjunction with the marriage act to render procreation impossible, like the use of a condom, "is intrinsically evil" (CCC 2370). If a couple used a condom to prevent the transmission of a disease like AIDS, even though the primary purpose of doing so was not to prevent procreation, their sexual union would still not be a truly marital act. Instead of giving and receiving each other completely in an act of love, they would be putting a barrier between themselves. If one of the spouses is infected, true love would demand that they not risk infecting their spouse through the use of a condom. To subject one's spouse to the risk of infection, should the condom fail, would not be a loving act. In saying this, I acknowledge that there are reputable moral theologians who take the view that a married couple
By Fr John Flader could use a condom to prevent the transmission of such a disease. But I believe the view I have expressed is more reliable and more faithful to the Church's teaching. Pope Benedict XVI himself, in an address to bishops of southern "The Pope is actually correct." Africa on 10 June 2005 said that "the Dr Green explained that condom traditional teaching of the Church has use is not only ineffective in lowering proven to be the only fail-safe way to the incidence of AIDS, it "may even prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. For exacerbate HIV infection levels due to a this reason, the companionship, joy, phenomenon called risk compensation, happiness and peace which Christian or behavioural disinhibition. People marriage and fidelity provide, and the take more sexual risks because they safeguard which chastity gives, must be feel safer than is actually justified when continuously presented to the faithful, using condoms." particularly the young." Another expert saying much the But independently of moral same thing is James Shelton, of the US considerations, condoms are not the Agency for International Development. answer in the fight against AIDS. In an article in the prestigious British While the Pope was criticised for his medical journal The Lancet on comments about condoms not being December 1, 2007, he wrote that one the solution, he was right. of the ten damaging myths about the Michael Cook, in an excellent article fight against AIDS is that condoms on mercatornet.com on March 21, made are the answer: "Condoms alone have the point that the incidence of HIV/ limited impact in generalised epidemics AIDS can actually rise with increased [as in Africa]." The success story in c ondom use. He cited the example of the reduction of HIV/AIDS is Uganda, Cameroon, the country to which the which in 1986 adopted a strategy Pope was flying when he made his dubbed ABC: abstain from sex before c omments to journalists. Between 1992 marriage, be faithful to your spouse in and 2001 condom sales there increased marriage, and if this is not possible, use from 6 million to 15 million, or 2 1 2 / a condom. Between 1992 and 2002, the times, while the prevalence of HIV HIV infection rate fell from 21 per cent tripled, from 3 percent to 9 per cent. to six per cent, linked to a 60 per cent The article quotes Dr Edward C. reduction in casual sex. Green, a Harvard expert on AIDS In the end, the Church and the prevention who is not a Catholic and Pope are right. Good morals is good describes himself as agnostic, as saying: medicine.
April 29 2009, The Record
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CLASSIFIEDS P ANORAMAS
A roundup of events in the Archdiocese of Perth Friday May 1 PRAISE AND WORSHIP 7pm at St Peter's Church, 93 Wood Street, Inglewood. Praise and Worship followed by Mass and fellowship. Please bring a plate. Eng: Priscilla 0433 457 352 or Catherine 0433 923 083. Saturday May 2 to Thursday May 7 PARISH MISSION 6.30pm at Bernadette Church, Glenda lough with Fr Tony Stephens, CPM from Kansas, USA. Topics will include Consider the importance of the Church in our lives, the Holy Eucharist, the mercy of God and the power of prayer. Holy Mass, benediction, Holy Hour, and mission sermons will run throughout the program. Eng: 9444 6131. Friday May 8 MONTHLY MASS IN HONOUR OF BLESSED MARY MACKILLOP 9.30am St Joseph's Convent Chapel, 16 York Street, South Perth. Embrace Mary MacKillop - engage the world. This year we are celebrating 100 years of making a difference 1909 - 2009. All are welcome to come and join in the Eucharist. Bring a friend. Eng: Sr Maree Riddler 9334 0933. Saturday May 9 ST PADRE PIO DAY OF PRAYER 9.30am at Villa Terrenzio, corner Cabrini and Marangaroo Drive, Marangaroo. St Padre Pio DVD, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy, silent adoration and benediction. Mass at 1 lam. Celebrant, Fr Tiziano Bogoni, with St Padre Pio liturgy. Confessions available. Shared lunch - bring a plate. Tea and coffee provided. Eng: Des 6278 1540. Sunday May 10 BULLSBROOK SHRINE HEALING MASS 1.30pm at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Road, Bullsbrook. Confessions in English and Italian followed by Rosary and Healing Mass. All welcome. Eng: SACRI 9447 3292. Wednesday May 13 CHAPLETS OF THE DIVINE MERCY 7.30 pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Dean Road, Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion accompanied by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and followed by Benediction. All are welcome. Eng: George 9310 9493 home, or 9325 2010 work. Friday May 15 CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS OF NORBERTINE CANONICAL LIFE IN WA Solemn Pontifical Mass 7.30pm at Church of St Joseph, 135 Treasure Road, Queens Park, followed by supper and an exhibition at the Fr O'Reilly Centre of St Norbert's College. The exhibition will be made available at the Priory's Chapter Room followed by the Parish of York. To help with catering, RSVP to parish @norbert.wa.edu.au or 9458 2729 ext 246. Saturday May 16 MOTHERS, FATHERS' PRAYER MASS 10.30am at St Bernadette's Catholic Church, Jugan Street, Glendalough. For mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. All welcome. This is a wonderful and necessary opportunity for God to hear and act upon the hearts and minds of parents and grandparents. Please bring a plate. Tea and coffee provided. Eng: Veronica 9447 0671. Saturday May 16 - Sunday May 17 WEEKEND RETREAT - CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL A weekend Retreat by Fr Gino Henriques, CSsR of the Redemptorist Congregation, on Joy of Christian Living. He is an international speaker who has preached to bishops, fellow priests, religious and laity through retreats, seminars and conferences. Eng: Kathy 9295 0913, Rose 0403 300 720 or Maureen 9381 4498. Saturday May 16 to Thursday May 21 BASSENDEAN PARISH MISSION 7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Joseph Church, 20 Hamilton Street, Bassendean, with Fr Tony Stephens CPM. Holy Hour, mission sermon and benediction, Sunday through Wednesday. On Thursday, 6.30pm Holy Mass close of mission followed by dinner. All invited especially persons away from the Church and wishing to return home. RSVP 9379 2691 before 18 May.
Sunday May 17 TAIZE MEDITATIVE PRAYER 7pm at St Joseph's Convent Chapel, 16 York Street, South Perth. All are invited to come and join in the meditative prayer remembering Sr Irene's McCormack's Anniversary. Time for silent prayer and singing the chants from Taize in a beautiful candlelit chapel. Bring along a friend and a torch. Eng: Sr Maree Riddler 9334 0933. Sunday May17 THE WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA HOLY HOUR OF REPARATION 3pm at St Mary's Church, James Street, Guildford. All are invited. Eng: 9339 2614. Monday May 18 FRANCISCAN SISTER VISIT 7pm to 8.30pm at Mercy Conference Centre, Victoria Square, Perth. Sr Ilia Delio OSF will give a lecture on What does it mean to live the Gospel in the 21st century? Donation 510. Tea and coffee provided after lecture. Booking: 9422 7919. Monday May 18 WOUNDED BY BEAUTY THROUGH ART AND MUSIC - TO FAITH 8.30pm at St Thomas the Apostle Parish Hall, 2 College Road, Claremont. The first of a series of talks that will show how music can reawaken the questions about meaning and happiness that our faith claims to answer. John Kinder will present Mozart's Requiem, illustrated with excerpts on CD. Eng: 6488 2192. Wednesday May 20 TAIZE MEDITATION PRAYER 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. Eng: Daisy/Burney 9310 4781. Friday May 22 to May Saturday 30 NOVENA IN PREPARATION FOR THE PENTECOST 7.30pm -8.30pm Holy Family Church, Lot 375, Alcock Street, Maddington. Novena to the Holy Spirit, talks on the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, prayers for healing. Special vigil starts at 6.30pm with Holy Mass on May 30 and continues till 10pm. Eng: 9381 5383. Friday May 29 AN EVENING OF PRAYER WITH OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE 7pm at St.Judes Parish, Prendiville Way, Langford, Adoration, Rosary, Benediction followed by Holy Mass. All warmly welcomed. Free DVD on conversion of Fr Calloway will be given out. Eng: 9402 2480 for Fr Bogoni. Sunday May 31 INTERNATIONAL FOODS AND FUNFAIR 2009 IN AID OF CHURCH OF ST EMILIE BUILDING FUND 10am to 3pm at St Emilie's Primary School, Amherst Road, Canning Vale, Bigger and better delicious International Cuisines, games, music, raffle, bargains, Lucky Draw with great prizes. Coupons on sale $10. Eng: Francis 0437 562 263, IkItt@yahoo.com or Dominic 0447 053 347, celestialorchids@gmail.com. PERPETUAL ADORATION Started at Highgate Parish March 2003, the Blessed Sacrament has been exposed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be willing to spend one hour a week with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament so that Jesus is never left alone. There are vacant hours, come be with Jesus. Eng: Helen 9444 7962 or 0413 845 893. SACRED HEART OF JESUS - PIONEERS Any Pioneers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus out there in society who would like to meet other members in prayer and reflection, we offer an invitation. Eng: John 9457 7771. Every Sunday DIVINE MERCY NOVENA 3pm at St. Aloysius Church, Shenton Park. Every Friday EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 7.30pm Holy Family Church, Lot 375, Alcock Street, Maddington. Prayers for healing and deliverance. Eng: 9381 5383.
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FURNITURE REMOVAL
ACCOMMODATION • ST ANNE'S CHURCH, BINDOON. For retreat, family, group or single $25 per night or $100 for family or group. BYO food. Tea/coffee provided. Tel 9571 1839 or 9576 0006 • ACCOMMODATION SOUGHT For student (17) from the country, preferably within easy travelling distance of Subiaco. Phone Ellis 0413 383 497. • DUNSBOROUGH Beach cottage, 3 bedrooms, sleeps 7, 300m to Quindalup beach. Great price for Dunsborough! Tel: Sheila 9309 5071 / 0408 866 593 or email: shannons3s@optusnet.com.au. • GUADALUPE HILL TRIGG www.beachhouseperth.com Ph: 0400 292 100. 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.
• ALL AREAS Mike Murphy 0416 226 434. 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. • OTTIMO Shop 108, TRINITY ARCADE (Terrace Level) Hay St, Perth. Ph 9322 4520. Convenient city location for a good selection of Christian products/gifts. We also have handbags, fashion accessories.Opening hours Monday-Friday 9am-6pm.
• BRICKLAYING 20 years exp. Quality work. Ph 9405 7333 or 0409 296 598. • PICASSO PAINTING Top service. Phone 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505. BOOK REPAIRS
Deadline: 12pm Monday
SETTLEMENTS / FINANCE • EFFECTIVE LEGAL Family owned law firm focusing on property settlements and wills. If you are buying, selling or investing in property, protect your family and your investment, contact us on (08) 9218 9177.
• REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS General repairs to books, old bibles & missals. 2ndhand Catholic books avail. Tydewi Bindery 9293 3092.
• FOR EVERYTHING FINANCE Ph. Declan 0422 487 563, www.goalfinancialservices.com.au Save yourself time, money and stress. FBL 4712
HEALTH
WANTED
Vir
• FREE Sample pack for Extra energy and Weight loss. Call - 02 98075337 or 0432 274 643. • COUNSELLING/PSYCHOTHERAPY www.christianpsychologistinfo Tel: 9203 5278. • EDUCATION & COUNSELLING Invest in your relationships and happiness for the whole family. RCPD courses beginning in Freo also family counselling and Austudy Appr. ADV. Dip in Christian counselling. 0409 405 585. LECTURE • FRANCISCAN THEOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY On Tuesday May 19, Sr Ilia Delio OSF will give a lecture on "Christian life in an evolutionary universe" at Burt Hall, St George's Anglican Cathedral, St George's Terrace, Perth: 7.30pm 9.00pm. Donation $15.
• CARETAKER/HANDYMAN BINDOON Accommodation provided. Suit pensioner(s). For details telephone 9571 1839 or 9576 0006. CHARITY CONCERT •
SHAN REFUGEE ACOUSTIC FUNDRAISER Inviting you to a premiere music event. Sunday, 24th May from 5pm till 8:30pm (Stay around later those who are not worried about staying up late before work.), Mojo's, 237 Queen Victoria St, North Fremantle. Tickets $10 at the door. Proceeds to Refugee Charity operated by JRS - registered Australian Charity. Under 18s are able to attend, however they must be with a family member such as a parent at all times. Line up: Simon Dowling, Donna Iverson, Josh Last, Kim McDonald and the Secret Ballot.
Performers at the upcoming Shan Refugee Acoustic Fundraiser (see above advertisement.)
MISSION MATTERS
Missionary reflections on this Sunday's Gospel; John 10:11 "...I am the Good Shepherd..." Catholic missionaries throughout the world, as 'good shepherds' amidst unimaginable human suffering and torment, are always laying down their lives for those whom they serve and love. Please pray for these 'good shepherds' in Sri Lanka who are currently making this ultimate sacrifice trying to protect the innocent in this cruel and barbaric civil war. As followers of Jesus, are we not all called to be 'good shepherds' for those who are persecuted and victimised in our own communities? How are we being 'good shepherds' to the boat people currently arriving on our shores? Interested in local or overseas missionary experience, then call Francis at Catholic Mission on 9422 7933
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• sain s to Lea on Cr,
aictrits for illness and disability
THE PROUD TREE Written by Luane Roche Illustrated by Chris Sharp This imaginative and creative children's story is told from the viewpoint of Rex, the tree that became the cross on which Jesus was crucified. This proud tree learns a valuable lesson in humility, sacrifice and the power of love. RRP $18.95
SAINTS TO LEAN ON
ST PAUL ON THE POWER OF THE CROSS A Bible Study Guide for Catholics By Fr Mitch Pacwa St. Paul returned to the theme of the Cross over and over again as he taught Christians about salvation and exhorted them to worship. Whether used for small-group study, interactive journaling, or personal spiritual growth, the easy-to-follow format of this study guide will inspire and enlighten you.
for the Holy Souls in Purgatory By Susan Tassone This book will guide you in praying for departed souls, reflecting on the reality of purgatory and remembering Jesus' Passion. RRP $30
hulk! J Croeschel.
By Jackie Andrews This is a stunning and moving photographic and textual reflection ex This beautiful children book is packed with all the Bible stories that every child- and adult-should read. Beautifully illustrated with colour pictures, the stories are each two papes long, making them especially accessibale for children. pressing the mystery of the Cross in the life of Pope John Paul II, who wrote the prayers and meditations that express the richness of his spirituality. RRP $21.95 NOW $14.95 ONLY AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST!
_ N ENC TEsTAmENT
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ARISE from DARKNESS ARISE FROM DARKNESS
MY LITTLE GOOD NIGHT PRAYERS BOX SET
This offers opportunities for making bedtime a cherished time, with themes such as God's presence, forgiveness, love, and kindness - including time in God's Word, fun songs, soothing rhymes, parent-child activities, prayers and praises. RRP $24.95 NOW $9.95 ONLY AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST!
LIVING BIBLICALLY A pilgrim's guide to finding answers to life's deepest questions
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am - 2.30pm on (08) 9227 7080 or via bookshop@therecord.com.au 587 Newcastle St, West Perth
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
By Janice McGrane, SSJ Come find comfort in your time of need with 11 inspiring and faith-filled spiritual companions. Author Janice McGrane gives a biographical sketch of each spiritual companion and then shares how each companion faced adversity in physical, mental and emotional pain. As you journey through your own pain—or walk a difficult path with a loved one—you will want to look to these spiritual companions and their stories to find your own meaning in suffering. RRP $28.95
100 NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STORIES FOR CHILDREN
RRP$19.95
Archbishop Barry J. Hickey $19.95 + P/H
Spiritual companions for illness and disability
NEW TESTAMENT MIRACLES: ART REVELATIONS By Sean Connolly
By Fr Benedict Groeschel Well-known author, psychologist and priest, Fr Benedict Groeschel, draws on his experiences dealing with people's problems, tragedies and "darkness" as he offers help and guidance for any Christian troubled or burdened by life. If you're struggling with fear, anxiety, grief, loss of loved ones, hurt, anger or anything that makes the road through life dark, then this book was written for you. Fr Benedict offers practical suggestions on how to keep going and even grow with the help of God's grace. RRP $25.95
In the lavishly illustrated books of this series for readers 8-12, colour reproductions of paintings, plus figures and details to illustrate Bible stories. Each painting is accompanied by an account of the story depicted and a line drawing that explains what is happening in the scene. RRP $38.95 NOW $19.95 ONLY AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST!
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