PERTH, WA April 6, 1989
Registered by Australia Post Publication No WAR 0202
Number 2630
POST ADDRESS: PO Box 50, Northbridge, 6000 W.A. LOCATION. 26 John St, Northbridge (east off Fitzgerald St). TELEPHONE: (09) 328 1388
FAX (09) 328 7307
PRICE 60C
Problem No. 1 PRE-SCHOOLERS CAN WATCH AS MANY AS 54 HOURS IN A WEEK
Scourge of the gog e box Recent studies claim the average person watches nine years of television by the age of 65. Most are surprised to learn that so much time can be "wasted" in front of the "idiot box". The rising popularity of video games is not about to draw youngsters and parents away from the TV screen. It is arguable television is the most powerful
ironing, dad catches up parents to redirect their with the sporting high- children's energy away lights and children are from the television. deeply engrossed with the latest video game in the bedroom. Father John Jegorow Many households have reacts to some facts one or two sets playing at he gathered in a the same time for up to research of studies seven hours per day. Premade in Australia and North America. schoolers can watch as many as 54 hours in one week. Experts tell us the most In the first seven years. important learning takes a child soaks up the place in the first seven values and beliefs of the years of life and urge people around.
mass communication force unleashed on people. Millions are instantaneously in touch with a distant event. Few adults monitor, supervise or limit the hours their children spend before the television. Television watching has changed over the years. It is no longer a family affair. Mum has glimpses of the movie from the kitchen or while she's
Too much television can mean that children will absorb a foreign culture and learn values contrary to that of the home.
The all consuming experience of watching television prevents children from creating their own fantasy world and entertaining themselves. It limits the child's real life experience and substitutes an adult create'. television fantasy. The best learning for
children should involve all the senses and enable direct involvement.
If a child spends 50 hours passively watching television, it's reasonable to expect their development to be significantly retarded. It is time that will not be given back. Teachers find children start school with unreal expectations after years of cartoons and 'exciting' television. Their expectation is "please entertain
me" otherwise "school is boring-.
Before worrying about the poor quality of television programs parents should measure the hours television robs in their home. Despite the protests. the "on/off" button should be rediscovered in favour of talking. board games. crafts, jig-saws, homework. playing, reading. walking and family night prayers!
Yes sir! Two ladies, too
Problem No. 2
Straying away from faith
Just over 100 years since Pope Leo XIII made the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre open to women, Perth saw the first two Australian women join the 42-strong local section that so far is established only in WA. Helen Medina and Carmel Stefanoff were invested along with Max Bowen, Brian Fox, Chris Jansen, Denis Lane, Ken McKenna, Brian Sachse, Peter Tuinder, Vin Warrener. The 20-minute ceremony took place during Mass celebrated by Grand Prior Archbishop Foley in St Mary's Cathedral last Saturday. in the presence of the Lieutenant, Clifford Holloway. The first investiture had taken place for 14 knights in September 1985, followed by a second for nine knights including a priest in 1986, a third group including one priest in
The faith development of children can b helped enormously if they see a parent activel involved in parish life. That's the opinion of Father Gerard Holohan in a two part article on: Young people — why do theN top? The articles were published in the Catholic Education Circular recently. In his articles Father Holohan takes an in-depth look at the problem and admits that the reason for the young straying away from their faith is a hard question to answer. He appreciates that the problem has made many Catholics and parents guilty. And he realises that a lot of soul-searching takes place as a result of the young ones straying away from their faith. Father Holohan does not offer any cures but has a few suggestions. As he says: "No single group within this community has all the answers to the questions. but all have much to offer in complementary ways to each other." He concludes that the question of young people's faith, therefore, should he a cause for dialogue rather than criticism within the faith community. • See Pages 6 and 7 for articles
1988.
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Carmel Stefanoff being invested with insignia. More pictures on Page 12.
The knights support the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in the maintenance of schools, hospitals and a seminary in the Holy Land.
Helen Medina with her insignia. With expansion the group hopes to participate in specific town projects in the Holy Land. A group pilgrimage sets out in October this year for the Holy Land and Rome. As a section of the Lieutenancy of England and Wales. office hearers are Father Pat Ahern. master of ceremonies: Kevin Rosam, chancellor, John Walsh, treasurer: Peter Maguire. lay master of ceremonies: James Kenny. councillor.