The Record Newspaper 19 December 1991

A 32-PAGE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

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Archbishop Hickey's Christmas message...

Guide us into the way of peace Hopes are always high at Christmas that things will get better, whether it be one's own personal life or the state of the world. That of course is the way it should be, since Jesus' birth is a great symbol of hope to the world.

But what is the reality?

During this year I have had the opportunity of inspecting works of art and essays by senior students in some of our Catholic schools.

Although the students

themselves were usually pain are heard. happy and friendly, their Is it unrealistic then to inner fears came out in hope that things will ever artistic expression where be better? Is Christmas a one saw a deep anxiety flight into a disneyland of about the state of the unreality where we world and about their spend a couple of lost own personal future. days only to awake to the They can't help but harsh reality of the absorb the impact of approaching new year? world-wide violence and Christians can never local wars, nor can they lose hope if they listen close their minds to the carefully to their Master, prospect of unemploy- for the promise of peace ment and personal is made again and again. frustration.

"Do not be afraid, lam So when they express with you," says Jesus. their inner feelings on "Come to me . . . and I canvas or paper, cries of will give you rest"; "Peace

I give you, my peace I The only trouble is that leave with you"; "Fear those signs of hope are not, I have overcome the quickly dashed by the world". pandemic outbreak of It remains true that we ethnic hostilities that must be signs of hope to seem endless. a world familiar with Bethlehem is the gentle tragedy, because the reminder that there can world has no other light be no real peace unless but Jesus. there is first of all deep Certain world events peace in one's own soul. encourage us to believe This often calls for a that peace may at last be personal conversion possible, like the collapse from destructive of an economic system thoughts and actions to a built on dialectic mate- child-like dependence on rialism, or the huge God. reduction in stockpiles of That is true whether we nuclear weapons. are speaking of world

A miracle of love...

One of the most special events that can happen in our lives is the birth of a new baby.

It is so important that families keep on celebrating this day of birth every year.

And so it is with God's own family, the Church.

We His people celebrate the Birthday of His Son Jesus each Christmas Day. A newborn baby is a miracle of love. The parents' love can know no bounds. It was that way with Mary and Joseph too.

newborn baby A becomes the centre of attention. It was the same for Mary and Joseph.

Their whole lives focused on their baby Jesus.

Love has great power. It stirs our heart towards courage, confidence and generosity. It strengthens us and gives us new life.

Yet we realise our own human, spiritual and moral resources are limited in the face of tensions and relationships, stress at work, unemployment or loss of a partner.

Refugees' plight reminder...

This crib at St Brigid's Church in West Perth hits home an important message — the plight of refugees, selfishness and self-centredness in today's world.

Here we see Joseph and Mary (with Jesus still to come), in a craft heading for a new destination — Egypt.

That flight into Egypt 2000 years ago made them refugees,

no different from the 17 million refugees in the world today.

Sadly only 18 per cent of these people have found a place to stay in rich countries. What about the others?

The fortress in the crib tells us that our attitudes can alienate us from people.

We can be killers rather than peace-makers. Jesus' coming reminds us of that.

peace or of peace in our personal lives.

It is no secret or surprise that the joyous time of Christmas provokes violence and family disharmony, fuelled by excessive drinking and unrealistic expectations that problems will simply disappear during party time.

Husbands and wives, please be especially attentive to each other over these days of Christmas.

Draw your spirit of

forgiveness and love from the Christ Child at Bethlehem, the Risen Jesus who now lives among us. Your children will love you for it.

On this my first Christmas as your Archbishop I wish you all the deep joy that comes at this time from the conviction that the Son of God has come among us to heal our wounds and raise us up.

Our Redeemer's compassion and love for us is our eternal hope.

By Bishop J. Jobst

personal These For many this will strengths and limitations mean slowly and earnare further tested by the estly working toward the low norms or standards ideal of a permanent of our society which relationship enriched in batter us on all sides.

Marriage — that Sacrament which offers Yet this is our reality. extraordinary gifts.

Jesus knows our struggle.

This may take many Maybe it wasn't all that years. Don't lose heart! different for Him. A quality of love that is born of God's Spirit and We all have a desire for shared with another is peace that springs from worth striving for. within us.

It will not grow cold if, Our Father has placed a like Mary and Joseph, desire in all our hearts to Jesus is the centre. right one relationships with Himself and each Home can then become other. a place of learning and

prayer and be the best place for children to experience love as total commitment.

I would like to appeal to you to open your hearts and your homes to the lonely, the single parent and to the unloved during this Christmas Season.

In doing this allow yourselves and others to experience true love and the beauty and joys of a Catholic home.

Perhaps this could be a means whereby our young people can learn

and understand the beauty and joys of Christian love before they finally commit themselves to a life-long and exclusive union in married love.

May the Holy Family be an inspiration and may we all enjoy the peace and blessings of Mary, Joseph and Jesus this Christmas.

I wish you every happiness for the Birthday of Our Lord and His unlimited love and protection for the coming year.

Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

There was no room for

the reth, an unknown Born a Jew, raised village of Palestine, as a Galilean, Jesus where he spent 30 had the features of a as a c.arpenter. years typical Palestinian happened in What of year 28-29 B.C. of the life of this darkthe Roman Empire. skinned man from However, this man Galilee, who died who practised the crucified "outside the carpenter trade for 30 wall" of the Sacred years hit the world City? something with In three years he unusual. came across with a His birth was a message that overrough combination of stepped the boundarevents that saw his ies of the then Roman parents forced to find province of Palestine. shelter in a sheThe colour of his pherds' cave outside and his Jewish skin Bethlehem to give were quickly race from protection him the cold winter winds. forgotten, and now 200 years later eveOnly a few months in the world rybody old, he was forced to He is one that thinks find refuge in another them. of country with his parBut is He really? ents: the old fox, When he was born, Herod the Great, was afraid of a possible Jesus ended up "outcoup d'etat by this side" because the harmless Judean- place was already too born baby, and overcrowded. ordered a random In developed counmassacre of the babies tries, like Australia, of the time. the reasons for refusThe natural equival- ing the modern Jesus, ent of America or Mary and Joseph are: Australia of the time 1. A growing uncerfor refugees was tainty: ecological Egypt. There the fam- problems, a badly ily settled for a while. divided development, Back from Egypt, he the massive growth of was forced to Naza- loan interest, disap• 4§1-441

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2 The Record, December 19, 1991 16

The Record, December 12, 1991

•

pointment in economical and political performance, uncertainty about the capacity of our country to affirm itself internationally.

2. The quality of life is going backwards, leaving less and less room for personal development.

3. The fear of the future: people are afraid to lose the acquired quality of life and their welfare, because newcomers create new pressures.

As a result we look for a scapegoat.

Perhaps many of us have lost our cultural identity and feel menaced by these people — foreigners, refugees, people uprooted in different ways — knocking at our door.

Their way of life seems to put extra pressure on our way of life.

Consequently our answer to their knocking is :"There is no more room . . ."

And our Christmas may end up with a refusal, like the one at Bethlehem.

4-:

the inn

By Fr Dino Torresan, CS "Ours is the century of refugees!" said Pope John Paul in October. Some 17 million have been registered as such by the United Nations.

Only 18% of them have found asylum in rich countries.

Their problems are enormous: separation of families, and a poverty which drives them to lose their identity.

We as a Church must extend solidarity and pastoral care to all immigrants, irrespective of their religion.

We must set up structures and develop credible strategies for their social and religious insertion.

It is necessary to work towards a society and a Church where the multiethnic character is lived as a positive resource and not as a nightmare.

"If I give my good bed away, where am I

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going to sleep?" The Gospel would comment: "There was no room for them in the inn "If I eat all my lunch, what will be there to give?" The Gospel would say: "I was a stranger, and you made me welcome!"

This is the two-fold option for Christians today. We can't simply sit on the fence. We can't burn both ends of the candle. The leukemia of non-commitment will be sapping our strength!

A prince went one day around the city.

He met a poor man who begged him — "Please give something to a poor brother!" The prince was touched by such a request and gave him a golden coin.

The following day the same scene was repeated and the same generosity was shown. It went on for seven days.

The prince however wanted to test how genuine was the beggar.

He dressed himself in rags, and went to 4.4

the beggar "Please, help a brother poorer than yourself!" But the beggar sent him away in a rude fashion.

The prince then threw away his rags, made himself known to the beggar and said: "So it is with you!

Brothers for you are only the rich people!"

In his anger, the prince demanded the return of the gold coins.

The doors can remain shut; and mankind behind them, walled in their selfishness and fear of each other, determined not to give in an inch of their territory.

What the first message of the birth of Jesus reminds me is: let us overcome our own weakness, which can make us very parochial and narrow minded.

Let us help those who have come to live in our midst to be part of our Australian life from within, not from the outside.

The second message is deeper: let us

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practise acceptance and inclusiveness, overcoming prejudices or ghetto attitudes.

With open minds and hearts, let us avoid useless, hurtful and unproductive c onfrontations. But rather, let us make an effort to find room for people and cultures that, although different, can make us richer as persons and as members of the Australian Church.

Anyone who believes that world peace won't be established until religious and cultural differences are obliterated, makes their own contribution to the problem rather than the solution.

The solution lies in the opposite direction: learn how to appreciate (and celebrate) particular cultural and religious differences and how to live in reconciliation within a pluralistic world.

Perhaps then we will find that there is still plenty of room in the inn . . .

Happy Christmas!! .)gr 440t4.

We cannot have peace without love

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By Bishop R Healy, auxiliary bishop

The message of peace films, on television and was first expressed by the in the press and the angelic choir on the night gurus of the media tell us they are giving people Our Saviour was born.

In the intervening cen- what they want. turies, it has been At the same time, repeated every Christ- people are saying that mas and we have their hearts yearn for reflected on it and peace. prayed about it.

The Christmas message Yet many people, lack reminds us that we the conviction that peace cannot have peace withis desirable and possible. out love. We are also In the news media there reminded that the focus are stories about conflict of our Christmas joy is in various regions of the our family. world.

The family is meant to There is violence in the be a haven of peace. We streets and in our homes. should be able to think of We celebrate violence in our family home as a

refuge from the trials and peace with tranquility in tribulations of earning a order. living in an environment If we continue the that is sometimes hostile. insights from the Book of Wisdom with those from According to the Book St Augustine, we can see of Wisdom, love, joy, and how simple caring resopeace are fruits of the lutions can help us bring Spirit and they are together the necessary by ingredients for peace in accompanied patience, kindness, good- our homes and our ness, faithfulness, humil- hearts. ity and self control.

With these thoughts I If we were able to enjoy wish you and your all these fruits of the families a blessed peace Spirit in our homes this this Christmas and the Christmas, what a wond- true love and joy that the erful Christmas it would Christ child brings with be for our families.

Him to share with us on St Augustine associated our human journey.

Babies and life's joy...

A child is born for us . . .

The birth of Jesus is a wondrous event that happened two thousand years ago.

What does it really have to do with us today?

And how can we possibly enter into the mystery of it all?

The prophet Isaiah says that we and all the peoples of the world are involved in it anyway.

It happened for us: "A Child is born for us, a Son is given to us . . ."

Parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters of a new born babe experience this personal

By Monsignor

John Barden, administrator of Geraldton diocese.

involvement.

Each in a particular fashion claim the little one as their own.

priest or relative and

have been drawn into the lively circle of love surrounding the little one.

And so a bond is Why not allow this formed, not from obligation or responsibility, but sense of belonging and from love. And so this intimacy with Christ to heighten our Christmas bond is lasting.

At its highest level the experience this Vear?

Christmas story is full of Why not hope and expect mystery beyond our to be touched more understanding: that the deeply by this Child's Word of God became circle of love than has man and pitched his tent ever happened to us before? among us.

At the human level it is Mere goodwill means more easily understood. settling for too little; a We all have rejoiced baby's love and this many times at the birth Child's love accomof a child, as a parent, plishes much more.

By Bishop Quinn

Our challenge This year has been the centenary year of Pope Leo XIII's Encyclical Letter on social reform.

It is also the 400th anniversary of the great Carmelite St John of the Cross a mystic and poet who experienced and taught so much on contemplative prayer.

Both social justice and contemplative prayer are part and parcel of the call that Christ makes to his disciples. And yet how far apart they seem in practice.

In social justice we are called by Christ to recognise the dignity of every human being, "Whatever you do to the least of these you do to me. . . ".

This involves respect for the lowliest employee in regard to working conditions, wages, security, family, holidays etc...

It likewise involves the employee in an honest work contribution, in mutual concern for fellow workers, attentiveness to safety practices, co-operation to make the whole exercise of shared capital and labour beneficial for the whole community.

In mentioning just these two simple instances of christian values in the workplace I just scratch the surface to show how "what you do to the least of these" has far reaching ramifications in the field of social reforms.

Responding to the call of Our Lord John of the Cross was led to another way of life.

A life of prayer. spiritual writings, guidance of others on their journey of Christian growth, fasting, penance, very deep inner union with God and a call to others to listen to the Lord.

Both responses to the Gospel are equally important. Jesus miraculously fed the hungry by multiplying loaves and fishes and changed the water into wine at the marriage reception at Cana.

Jesus also went away from the others in prayer and on the eve of his torture and death his companions fell asleep while he agonised in his prayer to the Father.

Christ not only calls us to see Himself in our neighbour. he wants us to see the Father in Him "He who sees me sees the Father".

Our Christian challenge is to respond in both ways to the call of Christ.

Some will offer service more recognisable as social, others will offer service more recognisable as personal.

But one without the other will leave us limping and dragging our feet as we follow in the Master's footprints.

To follow Jesus with gratitude for the call to be his people leads to heartfelt and loving unison with Him. And this leads to heartfelt concern and love for all those around us who like us have Jesus as Saviour.

May the new born Jesus bring us all to the joy of a fresh and deep commitment to his service in 1992.

Families have placed their trust with us for over 100 years.

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It's a reputation that will be continued with future generations.

And with innovations such as our Bereavement Education Division and our Pre-Paid Funeral Plan, Bowra & O'Dea strive to offer West Australian families even greater support.

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Albany has new deacon

Bishop Quinn congratulating deacon Gerard Lanigan.

Looking on is his wife Lilah.

Will these Seminarians ... ... ever be ORDAINED?

16,000 SEMINARIANS need your prayer and your giving

IN POLAND . . .

Ten thousand seminarians need your help to complete their training for the priesthood. We have already promised over $2.5 million for this year alone. Father Werenfried says: "Will you help them to take on the pastoral care of Poland, Russia, the Third World . and perhaps also the West?"

IN THE UKRAINE . . .

Squeezed into an old damp Communist Youth camp near Lviv, 250 seminarians await your aid. Lacking in food, heating, even blankets . . . They have 30 books between them. The Rector says: "Look! This is our library for our 250 future priests. Please help us, please tell your benefactors".

THE THIRD WORLD . .

Young men are queuing up to enter the seminaries. The buildings are too small and too old, the dioceses too poor to rebuild

them . . . Many more priests are needed to meet the spritual starvation of the people. The Synod of Bishops says: "We live in a time of hope . . . We should not forget to thank God that the number of students for the priesthood has risen 53 percent throughout the world in the last 13 years."

THROUGHOUT THE WORLD . . .

How will Mass be offered unless priests are ordained? The Church in Need is your Church: Help your future priests.

To: Aid to the Church in Need, PO Box 11, Eastwood 2122 Telephone and Fax No (02) 679 1929

I/We enclose S to help in the training of seminarians in: E. Europe D Africa D Asia D Latin America D

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Rev Address Postcode A copy of Where God Weeps by Fr Werenfried van Straaten, the founder of Aid to the Church in Need will be sent free of charge to anyone who gives a donation of $50 or more and ticks this box 0 AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED. A Universal Public Asso,iation within the Catholic Church, dependent on the Holy See, providing pastoral relief to needy and oppressed churches and aiding refugees.

4 16

The Record, December 19, 1991

The Record, December 12, 1991

With the ordination of Gerard Lanigan to the permanent diaconate, the Albany Parish now has four deacons, the greatest number of any Australian parish, according to Bishop Peter Quinn, the Bishop of Bunbury.

He said the Bunbury Diocese had 12 deacons and there would be a fourth in the Bunbury Parish soon.

"Many diocese have opted for lay workers but Bunbury is so far flung that we need deacons to assist in the remote areas especially when priests are not available," said Bishop Quinn.

Deacons can perform all functions of priests except for celebrating Mass.

"The four Albany deacons all completed a three-year training program a year ago," he said.

"They were recommended for training by the parish priest and the parish council and at the end of their course the priest and council made the final decision on whether they should be ordained."

The three other deacons are Jim Doyle, Dennis Conlan and Ernie Carey.

Gerard Lanigan said he had not been ordained at the same time as the others because he had decided to reconsider his commitment. "I didn't want to be half hearted,"he said.

When he participated, as an acolyte, in the ordination ceremony of the three others, his commitment had been strengthened and led to his subsequent decision to become a deacon.

On the night before his ordination, Gerard and his wife, Lilah, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with an anniversary Mass and family party.

Bishop Quinn and three priests concelebrated at the Mass.

Their six children, three boys and three girls, with their 12 grandchildren, came to Albany from far and wide. "Our greatest surprise was the arrival of son, Gary, who is an aerial crop duster in Griffiths, NSW," said Gerard.

His three brothers and the widow of the other and his four sisters all travelled from Perth for the celebrations.

Gerard was born in Moora and attended school at St Gertrudes Primary and St Ildephonsus at New Norcia where his father had a general store.

He joined the RAAF in 1943 at the age of 18 and underwent initial flying instruction in Canada which was culminated with the end of the war.

After two years at home, Gerard went to Geraldton but returned to Mogumber in 1949 when he met Lilah. They were married in 1951 at New Norcia by Abbot Gregory Gomez.

In 1956. they moved to a War Service property at Frankland where they farmed for 30 years before retiring to Albany.

At Frankland, Gerard was secretary of the parish council for most of their stay and was closely associated with the building of the Church in 1960.

Lilah was also active in the parish matters and for some years was chairman of the committee which ran the ABC Fete (Anglican, Baptists, Catholic) each year.

Gerard praised the ecumenical spirit between religions which had grown since his younger days.

The four deacons at Albany share duties such as assisting in the parish office, hospital and aged care centres visiting and Mass on a roster basis.

Christmas 1991 . . . Another siecial

Oh Please Co e, Em anuel

Recently there was a tragic death in our community. A young man, just 21, was found drowned in the river.

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I had the unpleasant task of accompanying the policeman to give the news to the parents.

My heart was breaking as I drove to the family, knowing the dreadful pain and anguish we were bringing them.

The parents saw us coming. The mother sat closer to her husband as we approached so Iknew they expected tragedy.

I knelt on the floor with my arm around her as the young policeman stumbled out his dreadful story.

"Your son was found in the river a few hours ago. He was drinking with his mates. He wandered off. They missed him.

The sergeant found him."

"Bob", I said to the old man, "Did you hear? It is bad news, sad, sad news. You have lost one son. He is finished."

He looked at me and I watched the eyes grow dull and his face turn heavy and weary as the realisation of his son's death penetrated.

Graciously he shook the policeman's hand, thanked him and with vacant eyes turned to me. "That's all we know just now, Bob," I said. "The police will find out more soon."

The mother gave a heartbreaking sigh, which released a flow of painful cries and screams of anguish.

I stayed there in my helplessness as she cried for her dead son and I watched the father, still and silent, in his grief.

Eventually the three other sons and the neighbours arrived and all wept, loud in their sorrow and I remained there too, crying with the family and the schoolmates of the young man I had known for 11 years.

"Oh, God", I prayed, "There is too much pain in Aboriginal families. It is too hard being a father, a mother, a brother or a sister in this community. It is too hard being a friend.

"Hearts are constantly being pierced here with the tragedies and struggles of life."

A police car arrives in the community and everyone anx-

iously watches, waiting for it to stop and bring the bad news.

"There is so much suffering. Where are you? You said, you had come to bring relief to the poor, to the sick, to the prisoners. We are waiting.

These people have waited too long in a country that has rejected them."

And as I prayed in my sorrow and pain,I knew there was a Jesus, who had waited for a death sentence in a cell and a mother who had cried tears of pain, waiting helplessly, as she watched her dying son.

I thought of so many of my friends and their painful waiting, of the mothers who pray every week for their sons, waiting for them to complete their prison sentences; of the wives and girlfriends who pray in hope, waiting for the day when their men will turn away from alcohol; of the young peopleI taught, who wait in confusion, hoping against all odds that one day, life may have some opportunities, providing them with better jobs and I thought of the children, who must hope, that the chaos that frequently fills their days, will disappear.

The pains and struggles of my friends weighed heavily on me and I longed for the Jesus, the great liberator, the compassionate God, to come and be good news for all of us who were waiting.

I sat in our little chapel the following day, aware again of my powerlessness in all this pain.Ihad just returned from taking breakfast to the family, who were incapable of organising themselves because of their grief.

Money was in short supply for everyone, because it was the end of the week, so the were neighbours unable to help.

I looked at the Aboriginal icons, Jesus waiting to die on a cross of boomerangs; Mary and her baby son, carved and painted in Aboriginal style; Joseph, decorated as an Aboriginal elder, standing close by and the Spirit carved in ironwood and painted in ochres, completing the scene.

As I contemplated the scene, the realisation came that this little chapel was loaded with waiting.

There was a Jesus, who waited on a

Cross and prayed, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me."

There was a Mary, hugging her son as she remembered the words of old Anna, who said when she saw Jesus, that Mary's heart would be pierced with sorrow because of his task in life.

There was a Joseph who carefully protected his wife and child as he waited for the next dream, the next mysterious call, alerting him to move them to a safer place, away from danger.

And lastly there was the carving of the Holy Spirit, a carving of a strong bird, • perched on a piece of wood, watching and waiting for space to enter people's lives and talking to God about them, when they could not find the words themselves.

The message was loud, we follow a God who knows what waiting and pain is all about, a God who had to cry out, a God who knows the anguish of those locked in poverty, a God who has been there.

By Sister Claire Ahern, RSJ, at Mirrilingki Warmun We knew so well, this God of sorrow but we were asking for the God of Advent, the God who walked with the sick, the poor, the outcasts, the unfree, the ones who needed help.

redundant, gifts that would bring new life to anyone suffering from dependencies or lack of opportunities, gifts what would enrich the lives of children and families.

We needed this God

We were asking of the God of Advent to come with his gifts that would bring peace and happiness, release from pain, hope to the youth, self-esteem to those labelled unskilled or

of advent, the God that could turn our hearts to hope and could assure us that all our waiting will end in joy.

Come, oh please come, Emmanuel.

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We follow a God who shows us that part of life is living through the pain, hanging in when there is no life but hoping, maybe slowly at first but eventually strongly believing, that this God will lead us through the dark tunnel to the resurrection.

The resurrection of the birth of a new baby, a son released from prison, a daughter breaking with alcohol dependency, : a husband being employed or the caring visit of. friends: • resurrections caused when the Spirit is allowed in, resurrections caused when hearts are broken and prayers are yelled or whispered in pain and sorrow, resurrec- r. tions often brought about by ourselves when we let the Spirit use us.

This was the God who listened to us as we prayed the office of the dead that night for our friend; the God who sat with all of us as we watched and waited, that evening, with the family; the God who inspired us to cook some meals; the God who in his agony asked for someone to watch and pray, the God who allowed people free choice. It was a God we knew well.

The gift of life

Christmas is a time of many things. Of love. Of sharing. And of giving.

Of all the gifts you can give, there are none more precious than the gift of life. Yet, of all gifts, the gift of life can be the least expensive and the most rewarding.

For unlike most gifts, it grows and keeps on growing.

It can take the form of vital sustenance - food and water, or of education, health, or a spark of hope for the future.

While our children might dream of that special toy - a bicycle, a doll or, in this age of technology, a computer the other children in our family are dreaming too. But their dreams are of the simple and basic needs that we so easily take for granted.

To choose the gift of life is the easiest gift decision you can make this Christmas.

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The Record, December 19, 1991 5

Greatest IrCIN gatherin

Margerite Fievez,

personal secretary to Cardinal Joseph Cardijn with Stefan Gigacz, present

international treasurer. Stefan was

from Melbourne.

By Fr John Jegorow

The Adelaide Grand Prix meeting was a washout this year but the YCW hosted the greatest gathering of its 50-year history in Australia's city of churches.

On the first Sunday of Advent the Young Christian Workers organised a feast of celebrations in Adelaide.

Fifteen hundred people attended the opening ceremony of the 8th World Council of the International Young Christian Workers movement.

All 1500 ate a meal, listened to speeches and danced the night away to the strains of an Aussie Bush band in the grounds of the Christian Brothers city college.

It was the first ever IYCW Council to be held in Australia. The Adelaide YCW hosted national teams from all continents.

Some 120 delegates from 40 countries attended a fortnight of talks and planning. The conference ended on December 18.

The YCW claims a worldwide membership of 200.000 in 56 countries.

Austrian delegate Maria Zwicklhuber said young people today are not looking behind the externals that are affecting their lives.

"Many feel incapable of doing something, even a small thing, to improve their lives," she said.

"The YCW gives young people friendship, participation and solidarity.

"In third world places like Africa and Asia, youth unemployment is 70 per cent," she added.

Among the special guests in Adelaide from Belgium was Marguerite Fievez, former personal secretary to Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, YCW founder.

Marguerite has spent 35 years with the YCW at every level of the organisation, beginning as a local leader in 1932.

In the past 15 years she has organised the writ-

ings of the founder for the Belgium Archives.

The World Council takes place every four years.

The opening ceremony also marked 50 years of YCW in Australia. It attracted members and 50 chaplains of past eras from every corner of Australia.

Bishop Martin Sutumorang from Indonesia preached at the opening Mass and said: "There is no more secular and divine because the Lord God confirmed His commitment to us by sending Jesus to live with us.

"This world and the world to come are one.

"Christ has transformed this world and calls us to personal and communal reflection of faith, to be faithful in transforming our lives and the world."

The Bishop was sent to the IYCW World Council in Adelaide by the Federation of Asian Bishop's Conference.

Father Hugh O'Sullivan, Chaplain for the Asia Pacific region, currently based in Hong Kong, launched his first book, called "The Clatter of Wooden Clogs."

Michael Campbell, former Australian YCW President launched the publication.

"Hugh O'Sullivan challenges young Australian workers to face up to the responsibility of finding solutions to the pressing questions of today," he said.

"He calls on everyone to live according to the truth that we are unique in God's creation and each has a personal mission to fulfil through their ordinary everyday lives."

The deceptive title does not immediately describe what the book is about. "What's a Worker Worth?" and "Tomorrow is Monday" come closer to the mark. But as the saying goes you can't judge a book by its cover.

You have to read it.

Father Hugh O'Sullivan shares his gathered wisdrom of 20 years among young workers.

He looks at questions

Above: Arch Bishot) Leonard Faulkner of Adelaide met YCW members of Yesteryear. From left: Bernard and Bernadette Lawrence, Barbara and Ivan Colgan, Brian and Kath Power. Outside St Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Left: Bishop Martin Sutumorang of Indonesia met West Australians Linda Baker and Susan Legina.

that are often asked and gives inspiring answers.

The answers come from real life experience and the well worn theory of the Young Christian Workers movement founded by a young Belgian priest, Joseph Cardijn.

As a teenager Cardijn went off to study for the priesthood while his school mates joined the working class masses and became little better

than caged animals in the town's factories and mills.

This troubled Cardijn.

Young workers in wooden clogs clattered on Belgian's cobble stoned footpaths past the Cardijn home.

It was a sound Cardijn would never forget.

While still at the seminary Joseph Cardijn vowed at the deathbed of his working class father that he would spend his

life for the worker. And so he did.

Father Hugh O'Sullivan has also spent his life talking with, listening to and being with young workers. He believes in them and inspires them to greatness in the ordinary everyday things of life.

Machines, technology and even fellow workers are capable of robbing the young apprentice,

the novice worker of her/ his God given dignity and destiny. People feel just like another cog in the works.

The book tells of the real worth of workers and makes you think.

Coinciding with the golden jubilee of the Australian YCW the book has a message for everyone. Anyone working with young people, no matter what organisafion or movement should read this book. The book is easy to read. It is filled with the drama of real life.

It invites people to do something about their own situation and gives an easy-to-follow plan of action. It invites workers Anyone wanting to to look forward to purchase a copy should Monday. ring 324 9552.

1500 at opening of 8th world meeting of this movement in Adelaide 6 16

The Record, December 19, 1991

The Record, December 12, 1991

^

The Great Schism VATICAN CITY: Glasnost means the end of communist repression but Catholics and Orthodox now must face a 1000-year-old problem.

arch" by the head of the Constantinople see.

During the early centuries after Christ, differences gradually emerged in East and West as Christianity expanded and its members grew apart In 1054 the ecumenical geographically, cultupatriarch (Orthodox) of rally and politically.

Constantinople and a Part of the problem was Catholic cardinal sent by the church's modelling Rome excommunicated of ecclesial structures each other. after those of the Roman Trouble since then has Empire's political divnever ceased. isions. When Rome was Christianity was ripped the capital of the empire, apart, causing political belief in papal primacy and theological problems was easier to accept. stretching into the But the empire's power November 28-December started shifting to Con14 special Synod of stantinople in the fourth Bishops on Europe, century, causing the which was trying to set a city's religious power basis for reuniting the and prestige to grow as continent based on its well, and it became Christian roots. recognised as the second The excommunications most important Chrissplit Christianity into tian jurisdiction.

Catholic and Orthodox.

The popes, fearful of a The break also estab- rival centre, began stresslished a de facto geogra- ing papal primacy and phic division. developing its biblical The Orthodox, gathered basis. around Constantinople Other theological issues — now Istanbul, Turkey became controversial, — controlled the eastern and the first major half of Christianity. rupture occurred 500 Catholics, gathered years before the Great The Hagia Sofia, once the gem of Constantinople's Orthodoxy, now a state monument to around Rome, controlled Schism.

Islam. the western portion.

Several Eastern jurisTo the Orthodox this dictions split over the diate Byzantine ecclesial growing anti-Latin sentiThe result was a swell of ments, Pope Leo sent geographic division is Council of Chalcedon's jurisdiction.

Byzantine support for Cardinal Humbert of still important. the patriarch. definition that Christ The head of the Con- Silva Candida to ConThey say Catholics are had a divine and human stantinople see, Patriarch stantinople. This turned The frustrated cardinal taking advantage of the nature united in one Michael Cerularius, out to be a mistake, then issued a decree fall of communism to person. retaliated by ordering all because the cardinal was excommunicating the reassert themselves in The dissenting Chris- Latin institutions in as intransigent as Patri- patriarch and left Conhistorically Orthodox tians held that Christ had Constantinople to adopt arch Michael. already stantinople. Historians territories. only a divine nature. the Byzantine rite. annoyed that the pope now argue that the VATICAN CITY, (CNS): Eastern and Central Catholics respond that Cultural and liturgical was not treating him as decree's legality Pope John Paul II, in a Europe. Bishops gave highly is Substantive theological the end of repression differences also arose. questionable, since Pope closing speech to the moving testimony to the issues also were at stake, an equal. allowed existing Catholic While Western Chris- such as the Latin use The cardinal composed Leo died before his envoy special Synod of Bishops "unshakeable fidelity" of communities in Eastern tians increasingly on Europe, lamented the local churches kept to a biting letter to give the issued it. unleavened bread in the Europe to re-emerge, adopted the Latin lan- Eucharist and the word- patriarch. a bsence of several Christ and Rome under permitting the universal At the time, however, Orthodox delegates but decades of persecution guage and culture as a ing of the Nicene Creed, church to institutionally It attacked the title the decree infuriated the said he hoped the cause unifying force, Eastern the basic statement of of and pressure, he said. meet their pastoral patriarch", patriarch. He called a unity would be "ecumenical Christians were building advanced Christian dogma. needs.

The unity of the church denied that the head of synod that condemned no their customs around Historically, the 1054 — based on the unity of Constantinop the patle Eastern Christians the cardinal and excomThe pope spoke during the bishops with the split is called the "East- local languages and objected to the Western riarchate held second municated him and the the synod's last full ern Schism" or the traditions. pope — helped East addition to the creed of place in the hierarchy other members of the session. He said the European This gave rise to separ- the words "Great Schism". churches expressed doubts and "and the Son" papal delegation. search for Christian resist the "violence and The seeds for the rup- ate religious customs and in the phrase about the about the legitimacy of unity was at the centre of ture, however, were liturgies, called Latin-rite Holy Spirit.

Michael's Patriarch Several reconciliation the synod's debate des- bullying" of the past, he for the west and Greekgerminating centuries election. efforts were made after- pite the fact that "not said. Likewise, this unity can help Catholic pastors before 1054, when Pope or Byzantine-rite for the The original creed said Patriarch Michael ward but failed, mainly everyone came". the Holy Spirit "proceeds refused and faithful who are Leo IX sent a high-level East. to accept the as popes and patriarchs "The absence of some "subjected to the disturdelegation to ConstantinA main spark that from the Father". With letter. The cardinal pub- found themselves fraternal delegates was a bances ople to discuss pressing caused the 1054 split was the addition it says the of today's lished it and also publicly aligned with rival unique 'emptiness' for society," he said.

Holy Spirit matters. "proceeds accusations by Constanattacked Byzantine emperors. the synod; but if expeThese included papal tinople that Rome was from the Father and the Christians for not acceptThe suffering of the East rienced and felt in this primacy and use of the Latinising parts of south- Son". ing the "and the Son" • Today's rift on pages spirit it may serve the European churches also title "ecumenical patri- ern Italy under imme- In an effort to curtail the wording in the Creed.

8 & 9. cause for which the highlights that martyrdom — the giving of synod has striven," the one's life for Christ and pope said. the truth of the Gospel — Five of the eight is still very much alive in Orthodox churches the world, he said. invited to attend the synod declined the invi- The pope, in an unusual tation, citing new ten- request asked synod sions with East European planners to draw up a Catholics. proposal for an organisaThe pope said Chris- tion that would be tianity was coming out of charged with implePLRSLOWE the second millennium, menting the synod's FU\ER.ki. unlike the first, "divided conclusions. The pope HOMES but wanting a new said he would like to unity". Ecumenism, have the proposal within Our family serving your family, since 1906. therefore, must be a part a year. of the new evangelisation North Perth 444 4835, Midland 274 3866, The organisation would sought by the church, he be Victoria Park 361 1185. Wannemo 409 9119, in charge of coNortham low 221137. said. ordinating European Mareena Purslowe and Associates, Subiaco, 388 1623 The pope said the synod evangelisation efforts had cast a light on the between Rome and local suffering churches of Catholic churches.

The pope's lament

"We thought that planning our funerals would be an uncomfortable business. But the Purslowe family made it very easy:"

The Record, December 19, 1991

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Orthodox leader takes VATICAN CITY, (CNS): Ecumenical relations between Catholic and Orthodox churches have been "seriously compromised" by recent actions of the Vatican and Easternrite Catholic churches, said Orthodox Metropolitan Spyridon Papagheorghiou of Venice, Italy.

Metropolitan Spyridon, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at the special Synod of Bishops on Europe, was one of five "fraternal delegates" to speak at the synod.

The synod hall was silent after Metropolitan Spyridon spoke.

As the next speaker rose

to begin, Pope John Paul II and the metropolitan embraced, at which point the synod members applauded.

Each of the Orthodox and Protestant delegates praised the advances in ecumenism since the Second Vatican Council but urged even greater interdenominational cooperation as the churches renew their evangelisation efforts.

Metropolitan Spyridon said the impression is "widespread" among Orthodox that the Roman Catholic Church is "progressively distancing itself from the Second Vatican Council" in respect shown to other Christian churches.

Many Orthodox, he

said, believe the Vatican and individual Roman Catholic groups consider traditionally Orthodox territories newly freed from communist oppression to be "mission lands" for Roman Catholicism.

"It is no longer a secret that the tiring work of reconciliation and of progressively drawing closer together the two churches, Roman Catholic and Orthodox, completed in recent decades, is now seriously compromised," Metropolitan Spyridon said.

The dialogue risks not only being temporarily suspended, "but perhaps also completely interrupted because of the extremely tense situation" between Orthodox

and Eastern-rite Catholic Churches in the Ukraine.

Romania and other areas of Europe, he said.

Metropolitan Spyridon gave the synod members a rundown on why the Orthodox churches of Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece declined invitations to attend the synod.

The first reason is "the rebirth of the Easternrite Catholic churches" and related violent disputes over church ownership in the Western Ukraine, "where the Orthodox Church is now almost nonexistent," and in Romania, where relations between Orthodox and Eastern-rite Catholics are "worsening every day".

Talks in jeopardy, says official VATICAN CITY, (CNS): A major Orthodox official said ecumenical dialogue c ould be suspended unless problems with eastern-rite Catholics in E astern and Central Europe are resolved.

Newly elected Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos I of Constantinople, citing tensions over property and charges of Catholic proselytisation, said that talks are at risk.

He was responding to a reconciliation plea by Pope John Paul II, who said in a message to the patriarch that tensions in Central and Eastern Europe show that Catholics and Orthodox must learn anew how to live together.

The Catholic-Orthodox tensions resurfaced at the November 28December 14 special Synod of Bishops for Europe when only three of eight Orthodox Churches accepted Vati-

can invitations to send non-voting delegates.

The main tensions concern church property disputes between Eastern-rite Catholics and Orthodox in several countries. The disputes began as communist rule weakened allowing greater religious freedom.

The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople is considered by most Orthodox as having a special position of prestige and honour, but he has no authority over local Orthodox churches.

Patriarch Bartholomeos was one of the the three Orthodox leaders to accept the Vatican synod invitation and he has been a promoter of ecumenical dialogue.

"It is in pursuing the dialogue that has happily begun that we can overcome the new tensions that have surged in Central and Eastern Europe," the pope said.

The pope prayed that "we exercise with still greater togetherness the ministry of reconciliation and spare no effort to gather everyone in the service of unity".

Patriarch Bartholomeos expressed hope for continued dialogue, but said it risks being ended "due to the inadmissable situation created by the Uniates in Eastern and Central Europe in their relationships with the local Orthodox churches which constitute the ancient traditional dominant Christian faith in the region".

"Uniates" is the Orthodox term for Eastern-rite Catholics because they are united to the papacy.

"Greater respect and fraternal trust ought to be demonstrated" by Eastern-rite Catholics, he added.

"We shall not cease to stigmatise . . . all pertinent illegitimate actions or breakings of faith,

'Learn to co-exist' VATICAN CITY (CNS): The pope's call came Catholics and Orthodox after only three of eight churches must learn anew how to Orthodox live together, Pope John accepted Vatican invitaPaul II said in a reconcili- tions to send non-voting ation plea to a major delegates to the special Orthodox official.

Synod of Bishops in "It is necessary that we Europe. relearn how to live in The pope prayed that freedom, with mutual "we exercise with still respect and charity," the greater togetherness the pope said in a message to ministry of reconciliaEcumenical Orthodox tion and spare no effort Patriarch Bartolomeos I to gather everyone in the of Constantinople. service of unity."

8

The Record, December 19, 1991

16 The Record, December 12, 1991

regardless of which side or position they might come from," said the patriarch.

Patriarch Bartholomeos' speech, however. said the Orthodox cannot be accused of proselytism when they establish a diocese in traditionally Catholic territory.

He cited the recent establishment of an Orthodox archdiocese for Italy, headquartered in Venice, "not for the sake of any sort of proselytising activity in the West, for such an intention is, as known, entirely foreign to our church and tradition".

Orthodox jurisdictions are formed "for the sake of caring for the multiple spiritual needs of the students or of the other Orthodox faithful established in Italy", said the patriarch.

The Vatican has used similar reasoning to justify setting up ecclesial jurisdictions in Russia.

The papal message was whose headquarters is in hand-delivered by Cardi- Istanbul, was one of the nal Edward I. Cassidy, three Orthodox leaders president of the Pontifi- who sent a delegate to the cal Council for Promot- Synod of Bishops. The ing Christian Unity. others were the ArmenCassidy ian and Georgian Cardinal attended November 30 Orthodox churches.

Orthodox ceremonies in Not sending delegates Istanbul, Turkey, to com- were the Russian, memorate St Andrew, Romanian, Serbian and patron of the Orthodox Bulgarian Orthodox Church and brother of St churches and the Peter, the first pope.

Orthodox Church in Patriarch Bartolomeos, Greece.

Successful

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church to task The second is "the creation of structures parallel to the Orthodox (structures) which have existed for centuries" in Russia, Siberia and Kazakhstan, where "the pastoral needs of the small flock of Roman Catholic faithful would not require them".

A Vatican statement responding to similar "accusations" made by the Russian Orthodox Church said it was unjust to place all the blame on Catholics for the property disputes and defended the appointment of Catholic bishops as solely a response to the religious needs of existing Catholic communities.

The Serbian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan

Spyridon said, decided not to send its delegate "in consideration of the positions taken by the Holy See regarding the bloody conflict between Serbia and Croatia, positions which it takes to be against itself", and because of the rebirth of the Eastern-rite churches and the "proselytism practiced to the detriment of Orthodoxy in general", he said.

The Bulgarian Orthodox stayed away to protest "repeated cases of aggression by the local Roman Catholic community and Vatican Radio, which accused the Orthodox hierarchy of collaboration with the communist regime and invited the Orthodox to return to the fold of the

one and true church", he said.

Father Federico Lombardi, director of programming at Vatican Radio, said that he had investigated the charges when they were made several months ago and found no transcripts of such a broadcast.

"It is certainly not a policy of Vatican Radio to be hostile to the Orthodox" nor to sow division among Christians, he said.

The Orthodox Church of Greece, the metropolitan said, did not send a delegate as a sign of "solidarity" with the Orthodox other churches and with Orthodox believers in

and Czechoslovakia Poland "who for a long time have been struggling for their survival" against the Eastern-rite churches.

nal Cassidy said.

Cardinal Cassidy said.

The cardinal said that in "But the empty seats that we hoped would be many East European occupied by delegates of churches communist other churches speak persecution delayed the urgently of the need for implementation of Vatigreater efforts," he said. can II teachings. He Orthodox churches in acknowledged that in Russia, Romania, Greece, general "not enough has Serbia and Bulgaria been done as yet" to put declined invitations to ecumenical principles attend the synod, citing into practice. new problems with local But he emphasised that Catholic churches. the Eastern-rite churches "We are ready to reach of Eastern Europe — out the hand of friend- whose legalisation after ship in a spirit of 50 years under commuChristian love, even nism has, in many cases, when necessary 70 times. brought ecumenical But we have the right problems to the fore — surely to expect the same have a rightful place in understanding, respect, the Catholic Church. consideration and love The Christian unity that we are ready to council, he said, has extend to others," Cardi- never sought to gain

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The Orthodox and Catholic Roman churches, he said, must find ways to increase the participation of "women in the service of the church" to reflect the Bishop Krikorian, the New Testament belief Austrian-based bishop that Christ destroyed for Armenian Orthodox obstacles created by sex, in Central Europe, hoped nationality and status. that there would be "The salvation and practical suggestions of men and prosperity made on the subject of peoples are much more evangelising Europe. important than the conco- servation of outdated included He operation in television rules and traditions," and radio programs, Bishop Krikorian said.

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The international theological dialogue, in which Metropolitan Spyridon serves as head of the Orthodox secretariat, is an indispensable tool for overcoming problems, he said, and it should continue.

emerging "like a phoenix from the ashes", Archbishop Kondrusiewicz said.

About 40 parishes are about to be registered; a liturgical commission, a lay formation institute and a Caritas office have been formed; and religious orders are getting new vocations, he said.

From 1992 to 1999, the Moscow church plans a program of religious instruction culminating in a year dedicated to Mary. who is seen as respon-

sible for the conversion of Russia.

But "there are many problems", the archbishop added.

"The present holders of power promise much but deliver little," especially in returning former church buildings, he said. There is still only one Catholic church in Moscow, there is no curia office building. seminary or episcopal residence. Above all. there are few priests — about 20 to minister to 250,000 faithful in an area of more

On another front — relations with the majority Russian Orthodox Church — the archbishop defended the Catholic Church from the

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exist. He also noted that the document was not a final one but a "first step". on a difficult subject expected to be taken up in greater detail next year.

The cardinal's speech was partly in response to a synod talk December 2

by Orthodox Metropolitan Spyridon Papahgheorghiou of Venice. Italy. who represented the ecumenical patriarchate of Constantinople.

Metropolitan Spyridon recited a list of recent Orthodox grievances in various places of Eastern The cardinal stressed Europe and said he Catholic that the Freising state- thought ment did not deny the Orthodox dialogue had "seriously right of Byzantine-rite been Catholic churches to compromised".

Archbishop Kondrusiewicz suggested that some Western dioceses might want to sponsor the reconstruction of "at least one church".

He also appealed to Western churches to send priests and c.atechists.

for their work for the development of the underprivileged

Optometrists

progress in dialogue with the Orthodox by "denying the right of existence to these churches".

Cassidy Cardinal sought to avoid possible misunderstanding of a Catholic-Orthodox dialogue session held last year in Freising, Germany. A final statement from that meeting rejected "uniatism". or the attempt to separate groups of Orthodox faithful from their churches in order to unite with Rome. That is no longer a method of Christian unity, it said.

than 1.6 million square kilometres.

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Prelate offers words of pride, cry for help VATICAN CITY (CNS): When the European Synod of Bishops listened to Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the apostolic administrator of Moscow, it heard words of pride and a cry for help.

The archbishop's eight-minute talk capulised problems and hopes of the reawaCatholic kened Church in Eastern Europe.

The church in the newly created jurisdiction of "European reis Russia'.

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regular local ecumenical prayer services, ecumenical institutes to train evangelists and theological dialogue toward Christain unity instead of trying to convert one another's members.

Not enough done to implement teachings VATICAN CITY: In East Catholic E uropean churches, not enough has been done to implement the ecumenical teachings of the Second Vatican Council, the synod of bishops was told.

But Cardinal Cassidy. head of the Christian Unity Council strongly defended the right of Eastern-rite Catholic churches to exist in predominantly Orthodox countries and said the Catholic side expects respect and understanding from its Orthodox partners.

The presence of several Orthodox delegates at the synod was a sign of ecumenical progress over the last 30 years,

requires regular

accusation that it is trying to make converts out of local Orthodox.

At the same time, he said, the church can hardly refuse if an Orthodox asks to be baptised.

"We cannot prevent Russians from joining our church. It is not proselytism to accept them," he said.

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Christ "obligated us to preach the Gospel to all peoples," and the church is only being true to its mission by doing so, he said.

The Record, December 19, 1991

9

If

Anglican-Catholic report not fully satisfying VATICAN CITY (CNS): The beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church are not fully represented in the final report of the first AnglicanRoman Catholic International Commission, said a Vatican response to the report.

Parts of the report, published in 1982, "do not satisfy fully certain elements of Catholic doctrine" and. therefore. "prevent our speaking of the attainment of substantial agreement".

"There still remain between Anglicans and Catholics important differences regarding essential matters of Catholic doctrine," the Vatican said.

The main sticking points include papal

primacy and infallibility, the sacrificial character of the Eucharist, the practice of the eucharistic adoration and the ordination of women.

The commission, known as ARCIC I and made up of bishops and theologians from both communions, held 13 sessions during the first phase of its work, from 1970 to 1981, before the 1982 publication of its final report. A second commission, known as ARCIC II, was established in 1982.

The Vatican's 12-page response to ARCIC l's final report was written by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The Anglican Corn-

munion had issued its official response to the report in 1988.

It said then that statements on the Eucharist and on ministry and ordination were "cot' sonant in substance wit.. the faith of Anglicans" and said statements on authority in the church were a "firm basis" for continued discussion.

The Vatican said some may object that its response "does not sufficiently tallow the ecumenical method by which agreement is sought step by step, rather than in full agreement at the first attempt".

But the dialogue commission, it said, did not ask for "a simple evaluation of an ecumenical study".

Rather, it wanted "an official response as to the identity of the various statements with the faith of the church".

More than four pages of the Vatican's response raise questions about how the final report discusses authority in the church, especially regarding papal infallibility, church teaching and dogmas, the role of the bishop of Rome and the interpretation of Scriptures describing St Peter's role among the Apostles.

The authority statements, it said, are "a first step", which include "certain signs of convergence that do indeed open the way to further progress in the future".

The "most notable progress" toward agreement

between Catholics and Anglicans in the dialogue concerns eucharistic doctrine, the response said.

Although the Roman Catholic Church "looks for certain clarifications which will assure that these affirmations are understood in a way that conforms to Catholic doctrine", it welcomed statements of agreement that the Eucharist is "a sacrifice in the sacramental sense" and that it is "the real presence of Christ".

The Vatican praised the ministry and ordination statements for acknowledging the sacramental nature of the priesthood and the distinction between the priesthood of all believers and the ordained priesthood.

ments with the faith of the church," it added.

Bishop Santer said he felt "a mix of encouragement and disappointment".

He was encouraged by the Vatican's "warm response" to the work of ARCIC I and by its acknowledgment of "notable progress" made on the doctrines of the Eucharist and on ministry and ordination.

"I'm disappointed that it has taken 10 years to produce a response which, with all its positive points, shows less sympathy and understanding of the nature of ecumenical dialogue than was shown by the Roman Catholic bishops of England and Wales in their response of 1985,"

he told reporters in Rome, where he was attending the special Synod of Bishops on Europe.

"The authorities in Rome seem to be asking not so much for agreement in essential matters of faith, which is necessary and must be possible, as for identity of formulations with current Roman Catholic teaching, which is neither necessary nor possible," Bishop Santer said.

"It appears that the people in Rome who have been primarily responsible for preparing the response do not themselves have experience of ecumenical dialogue," the bishop said.

Significant milestone BIRMINGHAM: Anglican Bishop Mark Santer of Birmingham, the Anglican co-chairman of ARCIC II, called the response a "warm welcome" to the work of ARCIC I. But he said "the authorities in Rome seem to be asking not so much for agreement in essential matters of faith, which is necessary and must be possible", as asking for explanations of the faith worded identically with "current Roman Catholic teaching, which is neither necessary nor possible".

The Vatican's response said the final report shows "points of convergence and even of agreement which many would

not have thought possible before the commission began its work".

"As such, it constitutes a significant milestone not only in relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, but in the ecumenical movement as a whole."

Archbishop George Carey of Canterbury and Bishop Mark Santer made similar comments in reacting to the Vatican document.

In its 1988 response to ARCIC I, the Anglican Communion gave an affirmative reply on several issues to the question: "are the agreements contained in the final report consonant" with the faith of your

church, Archbishop Carey said.

"In the case of the Roman Catholic response, however, the question to our two communions appears to have been understood instead as asking: 'Is the final report identical with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church?" the archbishop said.

The Vatican response "suggests that a difference in methodology may have led to this approach".

"If either communion requires that the other conforms to its own theological formulations, further progress will be hazardous," he said.

The Vatican response

seemed to anticipate such a reaction when it said, "the objection may be made that this reply does not sufficiently follow the ecumenical method by which agreement is sought step by step rather than in full agreement at the first attempt".

"It must, however, be remembered that the Roman Catholic Church was asked to give a clear answer to the question: are the agreements contained in this report consonant with the faith of the Catholic Church?" the Vatican said.

"What was asked for was not a simple evaluation of an ecumenical study, but an official response as to the identity of the various state-

Disappointment LONDON (CNS):— The Catholic co-chairman of the first round of the formal Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue said he was somewhat disappointed by the Vatican's response to the report of that round of talks.

Bishop Clark says he was disappointed that the Vatican had questioned ARCIC's ecumenical method.

"I think we achieved substantial agreement, and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith decides we didn't," Bishop Alan Clark of East Anglia said.

"I think there are two different cultures at work," he said. "We were working to get behind the words that divided us to find out what we really believed."

But he said he thought the congregation was "quite right" to ask ARCIC I, the first round of the Anglican-Roman

Bishop Clark also said the Vatican response could make future A nglican -Roman

Catholic International Commission, to clarify some of its positions.

10 The Record, December 19, 1991

16 The Record, December 12, 1991

Catholic dialogue awkward.

But he added that "I don't think any of us will give up."

ship with Scripture and tradition," he said.

Bishop MurphyO'Connor said he was not surprised that the In England, Bishop Vatican wanted further Murphy- clarifications on the Cormac O'Connor, Catholic co- issues of Eucharist and chairman of ARCIC II, ministry and ordination, said the Vatican response since ARCIC I had noted was helpful to his com- further study was mission's work. needed.

"It delineates very However, he acknowlclearly areas which edged that the Vatican's ARCIC II has to study, refusal to recognise the particularly in the area of two agreed statements as authority and also the consonant in substance role of Peter and the pope with the faith of Catholand the question of the ics would be a disapteaching authority of the pointment to many church and its relation- Anglicans.

Power among problem issues VATICAN CITY, (CNS): Papal authority heads the list of issues that remain unresolved as the Anglican and Catholic Churches work toward unity.

The final report of ARCIC I, acknowledges teaching on papal authority — including primacy and infallibility — is an area where agreement has been elusive.

ARCIC members agreed that a "universal primacy" would be required in a united church, but said Anglicans do not accept the Catholic teaching that the pope has divine assistance in judgment and thus can make infallible proclamations.

But the Vatican response insists on affirming Catholic teaching that the primacy of the bishop of Rome and the principle of infallibility were "positively intended by God" and derive from "the will and institution of Jesus Christ".

But it said the agreements are affected by the practice of some member churches of the Anglican Communion that ordain women.

While the ordination of women was not an agenda item for ARCIC I, it said, the question of who is being ordained is "linked with the nature of the sacrament of Holy Orders".

Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops and theologians on the commission said Anglicans recognise that "it is possible to think that a primacy of the bishop of Rome is not contrary to the New Testament and is part of God's purpose regarding the church's unity and catholicity".

That statement, together with others made by Anglican leaders supporting a special role for the bishop of Rome in promoting and protecting the unity of the church, are major moves towards healing four centuries of division between the churches, the Vatican response said.

Given such statements, it said, "one can rejoice in the fact that centuries of antagonism have given way to reasoned dialogue and theological reflection undertaken together".

But Vatican the response insists on affirming Catholic teaching that the primacy of the bishop of Rome and the infallibility of his doctrinal pronouncements were "positively intended by God" and derive from "the will and institution of Jesus Christ".

It therefore objected to an ARCIC I statement that the teachings of the First Vatican Council "need not be taken to imply the universal primacy as a permanent institution was directly founded by Jesus during his life on earth".

The Vatican response and Archbishop Carey's reaction to it make strong commitments to continuing the dialogue.

The Vatican quoted a 1989 joint statement by Pope John Paul II and then-Archbishop Robert Runcie of Canterbury: "We here solemnly recommit ourselves and those we represent to the restoration of visible unity and full ecclesial communion in the confidence that to seek anything else would be to betray our Lord's intention for the unity of his people."

Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

Frail but Mother ITeresa goes 51 on and on, says priest ••

Brother Andrew is an Australian priest who now travels the world and A ustralia giving retreats and generally spreading God's work as much as he can.

He's a long time friend of Mother Teresa, having spent • many years in India and in conjunction with her founding the • Missionary Brothers of Charity in Calcutta.

After 20 years with them he subsequently joined the Calcutta diocese to which he is still attached.

Brother Andrew recently returned to Calcutta and used the opportuntity to reembellish the 30 year old friendship and working relationship with Mother Teresa; he found her indomitable spirit achieving as much as ever. to According Andrew, Brother she's opened 10 communities in Russia with her sisters, with more on the way; 15 girls in Albania have joined her congregation, some having to be baptised because of strict religious repression there for many years.

Albanian law made religious worship a capital offence, but with a now freer attitude, the president asked Mother Teresa six re-open to churches; this she did but generously gave

, ,v. t.o.

one over to the muslims and even helped her sisters sweep and clean it for them.

"Needless to say Muslim-Christian relations in the new Albania are off to a good start!" quipped Brother Andrew.

Postulants are also coming from Rumania and Hungary and due to her personal contact with Fidel Castro, with both mutual showing respect for each other despite the disparity in their very different faiths, she has opened seven convents in Cuba within the last few years.

At 81 Mother Teresa, although still showing the frailty of her years and recent illness, still maintains extraordinary influence, said Brother Andrew, and mentian how oned American State Governor had 'phoned to ask her what final decision he should make regarding death penalty sentencing of a convicted murderer.

"Do what Jesus would do." she replied. A week later she heard he'd been given life imprisonment.

Recently she'd been to Iraq at Sadam Hussein's invitation to help with the war aftermath.

Consequently Mother Teresa's sisters are now there caring for the war orphans and the many maimed children, using their influence to get supplies through despite and embargos sanctions.

Two elected American politicians on the last day of a visit to India, expressed a desire to meet the poor.

The did more than that! Mother Teresa had them working in the home for the dying destitute, getting them to clean,

. .mft.4(04;§.10.

wash and shave men, feed those who couldn't hold a spoon.

Allowing them to see life as it really is for so many in India, earned her their gratitude with a letter stating: It has changed my life.

I'll never be the same again . . . ' Her sisters have been an example of Christianity to the Russians, who have seen them in their hospitals doing simple cleaning and loving.

"What we do here is very simple", wrote one young Indian sister, "We clean the toilets and smile at the patients!" With dramatic effect, according to the hospital director who says the hospital atmosphere has now changed.

The day before Brother Andrew's visit with Mother Teresa, she had spent hours at the bedside of a seriously injured young sister who had been hit on the street by a careering truck.

The next day she was due to go to Cambodia to try and iron out difficulties with their government over visas for her sisters and try and get greater freedom for her sisters to work with the poorest.

Brother Andrew said a rich reflection of Mother Teresa lies behind stories he then told of her.

One being how the State Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu, of West Bengal's communist government, who is himself a life-long, strongly committed practising communist known personally to Mother Teresa for years, contacted her and asked her to help place a large number of women who'd been put in jail because they didn't know what else to do with them.

.-40 .0,!

They'd been women trapped or kidnapped into prostitution but the dilemma with the government's limited social welfare resources was what to do with them.

So Mother Teresa, having been allocated state owned land use, took 40 women for whom she built a place for them and more to come.

Brother Andrew believes such ready co-operation between a Catholic nun and a committed communist over the desperate urgent plight of helpless vicitims, is fertile ground for social concern, liberaand tion evangelisation.

But this sort of material is not what the secular media wants, said Brother Andrew who'd been approached by a writer and media personality to supply any 'dark spots', some spicy or seamy bits for publicity their machines.

"Positive life-giving things are old hat now", he said sadly.

"We want a scandal and some flaws. And that too is commentary on spiritual health and sanity in today's western society".

Strangely enough, said Brother Andrew, one also finds it among Church men and women who can't bear to hear of Mother Teresa.

"I've found in my retreats and talks, people with whom her stories don't go down well.

"But those women she rescued from the Calcutta jail wouldn't share their views. . ."

The western world, media and Church are very vocal, stated Brother Andrew, and issues, power strug-

Brother Andrew . . long-tune friend of Mother Teresa.

gles and theological trends hold the platform.

"However the closer one gets to life's core, such as the oppressed, the women in jail, the people bursting out of years of Marxist enclosure, the more unreal many middle class or activist concerns appear."

Mother Teresa in contrast tells stories of life, love, of a world of poverty and oppression. Of finding light, vision and hope! he said. "She is not telling it as her own story, but one of awe in God's greatness."

Several times her eyes filled with wonder at it all and she said "It is God using nothingness to reveal His splendour." recounted Brother Andrew.

As for her own modesty, she is so convinced of her own and nothingness more, that her last words are a request to "Please pray for me that Idon't spoil God's work."

This, said Brother Andrew, is not the failure, murk or scandal that the TV producer and publisher were after.

As she left from their meeting, Brother Andrew said the practical woman in her couldn't fail to notice the abundant bananas growing in the Brother's garden.

"What do you do with these bananas?" she asks.

And then she's satisfied. . ."We give them to the poor."

Brother Andrew will be giving retreats at Betty Pealcer's 'Gracewood' — God's Farm which is for retreats set on 200 acres of woodland overlooking the Indian Ocean betwen Cape Naturalist and Cape Leeuwin.

A special feature of Gracewood is a beautifully furnished chapel built with local stone and where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, with daily Mass and Eucharist given through the resident director, Father Des Williamson OCD. For further details plase contact Betty on Pcaker

(097) 556 212 or PO Box 24, Cowaramup WA 6284.

The 1992 retreat dates with suggested donation: Feb 7 — evening meal to 9 Feb, 2pm ($65).

Feb 10 — evening meal to 14 Feb, 2pm ($100).

Feb 16-21 — intercession for priests retreat.

Feb 23 — evening meal to Feb 27. 2pm ($100).

Feb 28 — evening meal to March 2, 2pm. ($85).

Free Perth workshop at Leederville Parish Centre. (St Mary's, Franklin St).

Feb 4 — 7.30pm followed by sharing over a cuppa.

Feb 5 — 10am to 3pm including Mass.

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44$1t4.0*Z4

BROTHER ANDREW of Calcutta

Feb '92 Retreats Theme "Having nothing

— yet possessing all"

Perth workshop at Leederville Parish Centre on

Feb 4, 7.30pm, cuppa to follow Feb 5, 10am to 3pm inc Mass.

Bring your own lunch, cuppas provided. Free and open to all.

RETREATS AT GRACE WOOD God's Farm commence

Suggested donation

Feb 7, 6pm to Feb 9, 2pm Feb 10, 6pm to Feb 14, 2pm Feb 16-21 Intercession for Priests Feb 23, 6pm to Feb 27, 2pm Feb 28, 6pm to Mar 2, 2pm

$65 $100 $100 $85

Brother Andrew (Father Andrew) returns to Gracewood.

40kms south of Busselton for his annual retreats Brother will be available for private interviews and reconciliation, and offer Mass daily in the Stone Chapel

Details contact Mrs Betty Pecker, PO Box 24 Cowaramup WA 6284 The Record, December 19, 1991

11

Librarian's time up at Balgo

Bishop Jobst of Broome standing with David Harding in John Pujajanjke Pzyzrn school library at MuIan on a recent1 trip to the school.

Bishop's boycott bid

By Bernard Hart

can gather together in churches to celebrate the birth of the Christ child," he said.

The bishop asked Catholics of the diocese to call or write Smitty's president and chief executive officer, David Schwartz, and ask him to reconsider. If Smitty's opens on Christmas Citing growing commercialisation of Day, the bishop asked Catholics not to shop there Christmas and deteriorating family values, the that day. bishop issued a statement decrying plans by the Following Bishop O'Brien's announcement, Smitty's grocery chain to keep its doors open • scores of calls came in to offices at the diocesan December 25. centre.

Smitty's representatives said they will stand Diane Lane, a spokeswoman for Smitty's, said by their decision to remain open on Christmas calls to the company's headquarters have been despite the criticism. mixed. "Basically, we've felt they've been more "I feel this decision, based entirely on profit in favour of our staying open," she said. and materialistic motives, is totally unnecessary Bishop O'Brien said he has been concerned and insensitive because it does not take into for a number of years that stores are open on consideration the broader issues which are Sundays. involved," Bishop O'Brien said in his statement.

"The Lord's Day, which is meant to be a day "Christmas is the most celebrated day in the of church for people, a day for family, a day for lives of many people... It is a day when people relaxation and rest... is no longer that," he told should be free of any other obligations so they reporters.

PHOENIX (CNS): Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien has unleashed a storm of controversy in the Phoenix Diocese when he called on a local grocery chain to reconsider plans to open its doors on Christmas.

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12 16

The Record, December 19, 1991

The Record, December 12, 1991

POSTCODE

One of the greatest gifts anyone can give to another is the gift of their time.

To the people of the desert, structured time, like that of western culture, is irrelevant.

These people use time as they see fit.

There is a time to hunt — when they are hungry.

There is a time to learn — when the elders decree that a child is ready.

And there is a time to express their spirituality — when a baby is born, when the seasons change and when they believe they have grown distant from the land.

It is inspiring then to meet someone who has given so much of his time, three calander years, to work and live as part of an isolated desert Aboriginal Community.

Perth born, David Harding, worked as a mobile librarian across the wheatbelt of the state before accepting the position as librarian at Lurrnpa Catholic school at Balgo Hills in 1988.

In that one year he maintained the library at Balgo and also processed and catalogued books for the school libraries of Billiluna Station, Lake Gregory Station, Red Hill and Ringer Soke.

It was a demanding year and after the first term of 1989, David sojourned to Melbourne in search of new challenges.

However the lasting effect that these Communities have on people, weighed on David's mind, and at the end of 1989 he accepted the offer to spend more of his time working in the deserts of the Kimberley.

His willingness, to readily give up city life for the trials of the outback, for such a length of time demonstrate his commitment and skills and his emphathy and love for the people of these places.

"At Balgo you live a different culture you don't have other librarians to bounce ideas off and you are isolated from other people".

"40 years ago some of the older Community people still lived in the desert. In my short time

here I have seen them try to adapt to live with others in a Community and this has left a real impression with me".

David said.

When David began work at Balgo both Mulan and Billiluna were staffed by two Mercy sisters, the school buildings were limited and the school grounds sparse.

As these schools grew so did the facilities they could utilise for library space.

Thus David became not only a seasoned `accessioner' of books but a shelver, removalist and interior decorator for the Libraries as well.

David believes that the Libraries that he has worked in here are technically good but artistically lacking.

"The challenge for the new Librarian will be to continue to educate the children in effective Library skills and also creat a new atmosphere that is visually stimulating," David said.

"In a mainstream school the Library is a foreboding place with strict rules the students adhere to."

We have created the same rules here, but the students seem to enjoy visiting the Library more to browse, to read and utilise its resources," he added.

Overall David believes that he has been fortunate to live and work in Balgo, over such an extended length of time.

He says that he has been given an appreciation for a new culture and developed a great love of the Kimberley.

He knows that people living in the suburbs haven't been exposed to the things that he has and they are the ones, he believes, who have missed out.

"Living here has taught me not to take things for wanted".

"I have seen how the poor and homeless exist and they are the things you never forget" David said.

New challenges await David.

We will miss his humour and the positive way all the children have responded to him.

The people have loved David beacuse he always gave so much of his time.

Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

itac

"Ms Williams, you will just never guess who this is calling you," a breathless voice said when I answered the phone.

"It has been so long, 15 years or more since we talked.

"You can't possibly remember. And why should you remember me. Still, we were very close then."

By now,I recognised the voice and in my mind's eye I can see her red hair — strawberry blonde, and her blue, blue eyes. But her name. "Lord, give me her name!"

She went on, "So much has happened in 15 years, and today I had this really big need to connect with you."

Desperately I'm ticking off names in my head.Ihave picked up a clue in how she used the word "connect" that makes me think she has probably had some psychotherapy.

"My daughter is 17, and she is just like other teenagers, a real pain, but I'm coping andI take things a day at a time."

Still talking non-stop she asks, "Do you remember my mother? She never liked you. She never liked anyone who was my friend."

"Sweet Jesus," I prayed in panic, "her name!"

"Remember when you used to come to

my house late at night? I would call you when she went crazy like and would start beating on me, and you would come and bang on the door until I could get away from her and let you in.

"She never said the things to your face that she used to spit at me about you. Crazy like, she would offer you coffee and we would sit down together and talk, and she acted like nothing had happened."

Who could forget those nights! "He Is Able" is an old spiritual that sings of God's omnipotence. Frantically I called upon my able God, "Give me this child's name!"

Luckily, before she could test my memory, I said, "I remember about this time of year you would be busy making Christmas cakes.

We would decorate our Christmas trees with stars and Santas and angels and wreaths.

"Last

year, as

a

matter of fact, the last t wo wreaths I had got broken. Do you still make cakes for (To Christmas?" myself, "Help me Lord!")

From my friend, "I can't believe you kept those cakes all these years," and she began to cry.

"Ms Williams, may I call you Ethel? I can't

keep calling you Ms Williams. That was for whenI was young and your student. I'm all grown up now; at least more mature.

"There is a child in me that is still hurt, wounded, but I'm learning, and one day I hope to heal that suffering child in me.

May Icall you Ethel?"

I assured her it would please me. The "child within" was another clue. I was certain now that my friend had been and perhaps still was in therapy. From then on almost every sentence began with my name.

"Ethel, my grandmother finally died about eight years ago.

Remember how she just sat in that wheelchair? I took care of her all my life, just me.

"My mother was her daughter, but she had no time for her. Both my father and brother left home years ago, long before my grandmother died.

"My brother got in trouble over drugs. I have no idea where he is.

"My father divorced my mother and lives somewhere far away.

"There's another funny thing: For years and years I never understood that my mother was alcoholic.

I knew she drank, drank heavily, but I never put a label on it.

"I was out of touch with you when my mother attempted suicide. It was bad. I was bad too because, God forgive me, I wished she would die.

She got so much better, she married again.

"Ethel, what a relief.

Ethel, the chain around me was broken at last, and do you know what I did?

"I had a nervous breakdown. I spent three weeks in a hospital psychiatric ward.

"That was two years ago andIhave been in therapy ever since.

Therapy saved my life.

"Ethel, I really wanted and needed to connect with you, and I want us to start all over again.

"Maybe because it is almost Christmas and you helped me through the bad times of Christmas before.

"Can I come visit during the Christmas holiday?I want you to know my daughter.

"I know that you know who I am, but I bet you really don't know my name. Do you?"

I told her, "I this remember because it has not changed in 15 years: You talk without stopping — almost without taking time to breathe, and you are of course Laurie De (a Feore!" pseudonym).

By Ethel J. Williams

Xmas call God did that: He put her name in my mouth at that very moment.

I'm sure the gift of Laurie revisited will be one of my most treasured Christmas presents.

:f1 :#

THAT baby again Christmas is about babies, looking at and listening to babies, any baby, every baby.

What is it that mothers and fathers see when they look at a newborn baby? Do they gaze at it with wonder and awe, aware somehow of the revelation of a mystery that is far their beyond comprehension?

Do they see the baby as revealing to them something of God, as well as some truth about themselves?

To do that is truly to celebrate Christmas in a Christian way.

It is that revelation that is at the heart of the Bethlehem story.

In the midst of the sights, smells and sounds of the animals whose winter home this stable was, in the midst of the pain, the blood, sweat and tears of childbirth, Mary

and Joseph looked at their child and heard the revelation of God. So did the shepherds, who then went back out to their ordinary lives, praising the God who revealed himself to them in the person of a baby, the God who revealed to them something of their own greatness, of their divinity.

Recently, as we some of spoke changes I thought necessary in the church, a friend said that I was trying to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

"The baby and the bathwater" is an old analogy, of course, and used in all kinds of contexts, but in this context it seemed particularly apt.

It is my contention that, in the early church, when the baby at Bethlehem was most important,

l'4.41P§raff. <P!.**tP§<P!

they threw out the baby and kept the bathwater, and it is bathwater that has consumed all our time and attention ever since.

Some people came to the baby and they saw and heard the revelation of God; others saw the baby as a threat and determined to kill it.

What Herod failed to do, the church managed easily enough and modern society with its rampant adultism is doing it too in a much more brutal way as it threatens the life of the unborn, of the poor, the weak and the powerless; as it demeans and brutalises women; as it connives at war and firearms with which men play their games, games which victimise women and children.

The baby at Bethlehem was all impor-

.44:?!*.tzt!Atzf.

tant, not just tor what it told us about Jesus, but for what it said about God and about us, each one of us, that the uncreated God poured out all his creative energy into human flesh, that each one of us shares in both the isness of God and in God's and divinity creativity.

That is the essence of God's message spoken through the baby in Bethlehem; it is the essence of God's message that God speaks through each and every baby.

It is the message that God wants to speak through each and every person, but can only do so if we preserve the childlikeness that is apparent in a baby.

"Unless you become like a little child . . ."

That reality is something that Christians

iitzt4ot.4-4

have never been really able to cope with, so they threw out the human baby and all it meant.

They put a halo around the child in Bethlehem; they said that this child only was God made flesh.

Then they gave this child divine knowledge and divine powers to put him apart from other human beings; and today they lock up this person in tabernacles and in heaven and in dogmas so that he is apart from all human experience.

All that has given rise to doctrines such as the Trinity, the virgin birth, the immaculate conception, and original sin; none of which has any biblical foundation, and all of which have caused a great deal of guilt and pain among ordinary people, and have put Mary, the mother of

:#

Jesus, in a position ordinary where women cannot relate to her.

And Jesus in a position where he is no earthly use to anyone.

All of these things are the bathwater in which the baby at Bethlehem was washed, but it was the baby that was thrown out.

All of these are the evidence of the way the church has practised adultism too.

In effect, we have killed the baby; we have killed the child in each of us, and adultism is the result.

The truth about Jesus, God's Word made flesh, is this: ALL THAT JESUS WAS, WE CAN BE. If Jesus was the Word made flesh, God's creative energy for the life of the world, then we can be;

A §c:M4A(*:$tvtovtzt. ixtvtits ••

•

if Jesus was the Christ then we can be; if Jesus was the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, then we too are called to be that; we too are called to be saviours of the world.

There is absolutely no truth about Jesus that should not be truth about us too, if we really want it to be so.

But to be the saviours of the world and life givers to the world we must get rid of the bathwater and resurrect the baby.

Couldn't we, this year at least, put away all the good and holy thoughts we might have about the Christmas story, and spend our time looking at and listening to all that God wants to teach us in a baby, every baby.

John O'Keefe

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4p!.-%1;41

The Record, Deceiaber 19, 1991

13

Christmas 1991. . . Another si ecial

0412•Wfii.

• , ••

No place for Jack...

•

smell of stale beer than emanated from him.

He was the only one It was hot in our in church with space church at Midnight around him. mass. I mean HOT. I heard a bottle The temperature t ucked down the had not been below front of his singlet thirty for a month and clink against the holy the church was water font and saw packed. him proceed to wash The fans were whir- his face. ring desperately with Others had been little effect and as I sat content to dip in the wiping away the pers- tip of one fingertip! piration during the This water had been Scripture reading, I blessed as a sign of life thought "Isn't it mar- and Jack needed life vellous how so many but his fulsome use of people make great our church's ancient sacrifices to come to symbols was misunMass at least for derstood by some and Christmas" for Icould t hree "heavies" see a lot of faces I'd not (church bouncers!) seen since this time escorted him forcelast year. fully out the door end As I moved to the down the steps. pulpit to read the Like the Apostles Gospel I noticed some little children, with jostling near the main they were trying to door. keep Jack away from In the centre of the Jesus. little commotionIsaw a tattered black hat I'm afraid that this and knew that this little drama made me relic of former glory lose my place in the belonged to Jack who Gospel I had been lived in the bushes reading and when I looked again at the down by the river.

Most people avoided page all I could see Jack when they saw was "there was no him sitting on the room at the inn". footpath outside the When Jesus was hotel each day and his turned away, he went reception in church outside and was born. was no better.

When Jack was Some were offended turned away, he went by the fact that he had o utside and died. not removed his hat, They found him next others preferred to be morning floating face at a distance from the down in the river.

By Fr Bart King of Carnarvon

:14

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:111 14

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Christmas bow].

There were more than usual in the chapel of the psychiatric hospital that morning for Christmas seems to ring bells even for those who are a little divorced from reality — at least for most of them.

Peggy came, all four feet eleven of her, pushing Stan's wheelchair as usual while he carried her stick.

Bruce came too with the flowers he had broken off the gardeners' carefully-tended rose bushes. :14

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"These are for God," he said, "because he made them". And in came Suzie. "C-c-canI d-do the r-reading?"

Some sat silently with head down, lost in their own despression, most were even more jovial than usual and there were many hugs and kisses shared.

Nurses had been good enough to remind some of their people that it was Christmas Day and escorted people who were not allowed out of locked wards without supervision.

Just as we settled

.4-4

14 The Record, December 19, 1991 16 The Record, December 12, 1991

everybody down enough to begin Mass, in shuffled "Bottles" with a present w rapped in what looked like some of last year's Christmas paper.

"Bottles" had been a champion boxer in his younger days but too many hits to the head and too much emptying of the bottles from which he derived his nickname had damaged his brain and now he was in the grip of cancer.

"This is for you Father," he said. "I made it myself in the pottery class".

.3414f.

By Fr Bart King of Carnarvon

Knowing that such kindness deserves an instant response, I hurriedly unwrapped the parcel and beheld what must have been the least beautiful work-of-art the occupational therapy department had ever produced.

With his shaky fingers "Bottles" had endeavoured to shape a circular bowl but there were many

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more than one side to this circle.

Overall, it could be said that the bowl was brown but a number of splotches of other colours had somehow found their way into the clay and the surface, both inside and out, featured more bumps than a very cold goose.

Most eye-catching was a jagged crack that ran down one side and almost to the centre in the bottom of the dish.

"Thank you very much," I said. "What do you want me to use

this for?" "I thought you might use it for Jesus at Mass" was the earnest reply.

For a moment I thought of all the black cassocked people in Rome who wrote Canon Law and remembered that they said all vessels used at Mass must be "precious".

"Do you think that Jesus should come into a bowl with a crack in it?" I was stupid enough to ask.

"Bottles" swayed from side to side and said "He comes to us

Father and we are all a bit cracked".

Immediately decided that I had never seen a more "precious" bowl in all my life. "Bottles" and his bowl had taught me what Christmas was all about.

"Bottles" died three months later on Good Friday.

WhenIburied himI buried his precious bowl with him and I often wonder: If we were to open the grave now, would the bowl be still rough, ugly and "a bit cracked".

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METRO MASS TIMETABLE 7.30, Applecross: 9.30am, 6pm; Sat. 7pm.

Attadale: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

7.30, Armadale: 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

See also Page 18

A RCHDIOCESAN COUNTRY PARISHES SUNDAY

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

8.30am

BADGINGARRA BAKERS HILL

Sat. 7pm

BALL.IDU

11am

Sat. 7pm

BEACON

Phone (096) 85 1243

BENCUBBIN

Phone (096) 85 1243

9.30am

11am

Sat. 7pm 9.30am

11am

BEVERLEY BIND! BIND!

10am

BINDOON (Keaney Coll) Saturdays 7pm Sat 7pm

8am

BOLGART

fiam

BOULDER

Sundays 9am; Saturdays 6.30pm

Sat 7pm

10am

BROOKTON 6.30pm

BRUCE ROCK

9am

BULLFINCH

7pm

BULISBROOK

Sundays 9.30am

Sat 7pm

9am

6.30pm 7pm

7pm 9.30am

CALINGIRI COOLGARDIE

Sundays 9am

CORRIGIN

6.30pm

CUNDERDIN

Sat 6pm

Sat 7pm

9am

Barn

Sat 6pm

Sat 7pm

Barn

Sat 6pm

11am

11am

DALWALLINU

6.30pm

DANDARAGAN

8am

DOWERIN

Sat. 6pm

10am

Sat 6pm

10am

DUDININ

Sat. 6.30pm

10.30am

Sat. 6.30pm

10.30am

Sat 6pm

8.30am

GILLINGARRA

7am

GINGIN GOOMALLING

10am

Sat. 6pm

10am

GUILDERTON

noon long weekends and school holidays

HERNE HILL

Barn (every Sunday)

HYDEN

Sundays 9am

JENNACUBBINE

8am

Sat. 6pm

10am

8am

8am

JURIEN

4th Sun. 11am CERVANTES: 1st Sun. 10.30am

KALANNIE (Ang. ch.)

9am

9am

9am

KALGOORLIE

Sundays 8.10am, 5.15pm

KAMBALDA

Sundays 9am; Saturdays 6.30pm; NORSEMAN: Sundays 5.30pm

KARLGARIN

7.45am

Sat. 8pm

7.45am

Sat. 8pm

KELLERBERRIN

Sat. 6.30pm

8am

10am

6pm

6.30pm

7pm

8am

Sat 7pm

7pm

Sat. 8pm

9am

9am

KONDININ

11am

KOORDA

Phone (096) 85 1243

KULIN

Sat. 8pm

LANCELIN

5pm long weekends and school holidays

9am

MECKERING

8am every Sunday

MERREDIN

Sunday flarn; Saturday 7pm (weekly).

9am

Floreat Park: 8.30am, 10am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Fremantle: 7, 8.30, 9.45 (Italian), 11am, 5pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

10am

MILING

8am

MOORA

Saturdays 6.30pm; Sundays (1.4) 6.30pm, (2.5): 8am (3) 10am

MOORINE ROCK

10am

8am

8am

MT HAMPTON

10.30am

MT WALKER

6pm

MUKINBUDIN

Phone (096) 85 1243

MUNTADGIN

7pm

NAREMBEEN

7pm Sat.

9am

6.30pm

NEW NORCIA ABBEY

7.30, 9am every Sunday.

NORTPAM

Sundays 7.30, 9.30am; Saturdays 6.45pm

NUNGARIN

Sundays 10am

10am

Sat 7pm

PINGELLY 8am

Sat 6pm

8am

10am

8am

7pm Sat.

7pm

10am

8am

10am

8am

10am

8am

Sat. 7pm

8am

10am

8am

Sat 6pm

QUAIRADING

8am

SOUTHERN CROSS

Sundays 8.30am

TAMMIN

7pm

TOODYAY TRAYNING WATHEROO

6pm

WESTONIA

10.30am

WONGAN HILLS

6pm Sat.

WUNDOWIE WYALKATCHEM

8am 8am

YEALERING

7pm

YERECOIN YORK

6pm Sat.

8am

6pm Sat.

Glendalough: 8.30am, 5.30pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Girrawheen: 8, 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Gosnells: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat 6.30pm.

Greenmount: 7.30,9.15, 10.45am, (Pol.), 6pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Greenwood: 7.30, 9, 10.30am; Sat 6.30pm.

Guildford: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Gwelup: 11am.

10am

10am 10am

10am

10.30am

Dianella: 7.30. 9.30, 10.45am; Sat. 7pm.

Doubleview: 8, 10am, 5.30pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Dwellingup: 9.30am.

10am

7pm

7pm

Carilla: 8.15am.

Carlisle: 8. 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Carmel Monastery: 11am.

Chidlow: 7.30am.

7.30, Claremont: 9.30am, 7pm.

Cloverdale: 8, 9.30am: Sat. 7pm.

Coolbellup: 10am.

Como: 9am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Cottesloe: 10am, 5pm.

Crawley: (St. Thos.

More); noon, 5.45pm: Sat. 7.15pm.

East Cannington: 9am; Sat. 6.30pm.

East Fremantle: 7.30, 9.30am, 7.30pm.

East Perth: 9.30am.

East Victoria Park: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Embleton: 7.30, 9am; Sat. 7pm.

LEONORA/LAVERTON Every third Sunday. Notices posted.

MARVEL LOCH

Balcatta: 7.30, 9, 10.30 (Italian), 6pm, 7pm Sats.

(Croatian), 6.30pm (See also Gwelup.)

Balga: 8, 9.30am, 6pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

North Balga: (Majella School): 9am.

Ballajura: 8, 9.30am; Sat 6pm.

Bassendean: 7, 9, 10.30am.

Bateman: 8, 9.30, 11am; Sat. 6.30pm.

7.30, Bayswater: 9.30am, 5pm; Sat. 6pm.

Beaconsfield: 8.30.

10am, (Portuguese 7, 11.30am), 7pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Bedford Park: 8, 10am, 5pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Belmont: 10am.

Bentley: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Brentwood: 9, 11am, 7pm (See Willetton) Bullsbrook: Pearce RAAF: 9.30am (2, 4, 5); Church: 9.30am (1, 3); Gingin Sat. 6.30pm.

7pm Sat.

8am 6pm 9.30am

10am

Hamilton Hill: 8am (Port), 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Herne Hill: Barn.

Highgate: 7.30, 9, 10am (It), 5.30pm (Viet); Sat. 6pm.

Hilton: 7.30, 9am, 5.30pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Repat: Hollywood 7am.

Inglewood: 9am.

Joondanna: 7.30, 9am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Kalamunda: 7.30, 9am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Karragullen: 9.30am.

Karrinyup: 7.30 and 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Kelmscott: 8, 10am, 6pm; Sat. 7pm.

7.30, Kensington: 9.30am.

Kenwick: 7.30, 9, 10.30am, 5pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Kwinana: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Hope Valley: 6.30pm.

Wattelup: 9am.

Leederville: 8, 9.15 (Italian), 10.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Lesmurdie: 8, 9.30am.

5.30pm; Sat. 7pm.

Lockridge: 8, 9.30am: Sat. 6.30pm.

Lynwood: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat 6.30pm.

Maddington: 7- (after Easter 7.30, 9am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Maida Vale: 8, 9.30am, 6pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Manning: 7.30, 9am: Sat. 6.30pm.

Maylands: 8.30, 10am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Melville: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 7pm.

Midland: 9.30am, 7pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Mirrabooka: See Balga.

7, 9.

Monastery: 10.30am, 6pm.

Morley: 7.30, 9, 10.30am. 11.30am (It.), 6pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Mosman: 8.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Mt. Lawley: 8, 9.30am; Sat. 6pm.

Mt. Yokine: 8. 10am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Mundaring: 9.15am; Sat. 6.30pm. (see Chidlow).

Nedlands: 8, 9.30am: Sat. 6.30pm.

North Beach: 8, 10am.

6.30pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

North Doubleview: 7.30, 9.30am, 7pm; Sat. 7pm.

North Fremantle: 8am.

Osborne Park: 8.30,10.

10am (Italian), 7pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Ocean Reef: 8, 10am; Sat 6.30pm.

Palmyra: 7.30, 9.45am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Perth: (Cathedral): 7.30, 9, 10, 11.30am, 5pm: Sat. 6.30pm.

Queens Park: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Redcliffe: 8am; Sat 7pm.

Riverton: 7.30, 9am, 7pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Rivervale: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 7pm.

Rockingham: 8, 9.30am. 7pm: Sat. 7pm.

Rossmoyne Mission: 9am.

Rottnest: 8am; Sat. 7pm.

Scarborough: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

St Catherine Laboure, Bedford Ave: 8.30am.

Serpentine: 9.30am, 1st & 3rd Sundays.

Shenton Park: 9am; Sat. 6.30pm.

South Lake: 8, 10am; Sat 6pm.

South Perth: 7.30, 9.30am; Sat. 7pm.

Spearwood: 8, 10am; Sat. 6.30pm.

St Mary's Cathedral: (See Perth).

Subiaco: 8, 10am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Swanbourne:

Victoria Park: 7.45, 9 (Italian), 10.15am, 6pm; Sat. 7pm.

Wanneroo: 7.30, 9am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Wembley: 7, 9.30am, 5.30pm.

Wembley Downs: 8, 9.30am, 7pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

West Perth: 8.30am, (Italian), 10am 11.30am (Polish).

Whitfords: 8, 9.30, 11am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Willagee: 7, 9am; 7.15pm; Sat. 6.30pm.

Willetton: 7.30, 9, 10.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

Wilson: 9.30am; Sat. 7pm.

Yanchep: Noon, High School Library.

*** DEAF Mass Windsor St. 5pm. last Sun. ITALIAN Mass: Balcatta: 10.30am: Morley 11.30am; Fremantle: 9.45am; West Perth: 10am; Highgate: 10am; Leederville: 9.15am; Bassendean: (1st Sun.) 7.30pm; Midland: 11am (1st, 3rd); Osborne Park: 10am; Vic. Park: 9am; Bunbury (St Mary's): 10.30am 1st & 3rd.

UKRAINIAN Mass: Maylands: 10am.

POLISH Mass: Mavlands Polish Church: 8, 9.30am; 7pm. West Perth: 11.30am; Fremantle: (1st Sun.) noon; Northam: 2nd Sun 11am; Collie: 3rd Sun 11am; Bunbury 3rd Sun 4.30pm.

MALTESE Mass: Bassendean: 2nd Sun. 6pm.

PORTUGUESE Mass: Beaconsfield: 7, 11.30am; Hamilton Hill: 8am.

VIETNAMESE Mass: Highgate: 5.30pm.

CROATIAN Mass: North Fremantle: 10am; Bassendean: 1st Sun. 4pm; Balcatta: 7pm; Midland: 8am 2nd Sun; Bassendean 1st Sun. 8am.

SPANISH Mass: West Perth: Saturday 6..sOpm.

Sundays 10am The Record, December 19, 1991

15

:4

0' k

:4 .14

Woman of dignity, that's Mary I thought I had given a good talk on Mary as a model of discipleship.

During the refreshment period afterward, I saw Ruth heading toward me.

This 70-year-old, arthritic woman attending everything and always had a ready opinion about what she heard. "Good preparation" she began. "You really worked on that."

I agreed.

"But you're the victim of hindsight."

Iasked what she meant, and of course she told me.

-When you look at Mary, you know how everything's going to turn out, so you don't know what she really had to go through. You might miss what she was really like."

I asked Ruth what she thought Mary was really like.

"A woman who kept her dignity in spite of everything that happened to her." I didn't have to ask Ruth to e laborate she was already under way. Here is what she said.

It must have been

extremely difficult for How did Mary handle Mary to convince her all this pressure? She family and friends that looked after Elizabeth. her pregnancy was not Instead of defending the result of a sinful herself, she asserted indiscretion but the will herself.

Instead of going of the most high God. into hiding, she went into Who would have service. believed her?

Mary knew who she Even Joseph needed a was and what she had to special dream to accept give, and she would not Mary's story. be deterred just because The questions and others didn't believe her skepticism directed at or couldn't imagine God her could have crushed doing such a thing as she her self-image. After all, described. she was a teenager and It wasn't easy for Elizaher personality and self- beth either. assurance were just If were people beginning to take shape. suspicious of Mary, what

By Father Robert Kinast

would they think of Elizabeth allowing Mary to take care of her?

Indeed, what did Elizabeth think of Mary?

"Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. But who amIthat the mother of my saviour should come to visit me?" (Luke 1:42-43) These women recognised each other at a

level.

They deep respected and affirmed each other; together they maintained their dignity.

Elizabeth's response was no doubt a great strength to Mary when the time came for her delivery.

Worst of all, there was no suitable place in the town for her to stay.

It would have been hard enough to give birth to her first child amid so much attention, but according to Luke's Gospel Mary had to give birth in a strange town, forced to go there because of a foreign government's demand for a census.

She graced the situation by giving birth right there. She took the insensitivity of others and filled it with a new life. She took the inconvenience of the law and forth brought its fulfillment.

Every shred of her maternal dignity was stripped away in these circumstances. What did Mary do?

She took the absence ef her own family and

friends and used it to open her temporary doors to shepherds as travelling well as scholars.

The dignity of her motherhood came from within, from the experience of giving birth, from her union with God.

presented Jesus tor circumcision in the temple, they transformed a "customary ritual of the law" into a moment of reveleation, a pious man, Simeon, into a prophet and a true prophetess, Anna, into a teacher (Luke 2:22-38).

Her dignity did not depend on external comforts, public recognition or even simple courtesy, and her inner strength dignified others.

When she and Joseph

When it was all over, they returned to their home where they helped Jesus grow in wisdom and grace and the dignity of his mother, which he would later share with the poor, he rejected, the abused and even the victims of hindsight.

The Lord of Christmas

DISCUSSION POINTS Think about the many titles by which Jesus is known: Lord, Messiah, Saviour, etc. What title most strikes home with you? Why? Selected Responses From Readers: "Friend . . . A friend is a constant in one's life."

— Marylou Buddi.

"Right now, healer. There are a number of people in my family who are ill . . .1 just try to place whatever it is in his hands and I know he will heal it, regardless of whether it is the kind of healing I may be expecting." — Emily Freeman.

"The title I like best is the New Adam." — Lewis B. Polk.

"Prince of Peace . . . Princes are capable of waging great war and great peace. Jesus chooses peace." — Julie Tangredi.

"Jesus is a second father to me." — Dina Hallow, sixth grade.

"Jesus is Lord. He is the one who taught us about God. He died for us, too." — Jason Rado, sixth grade.

"Teacher . . . Almost every picture shows Jesus with crowds of people, teaching them." — Jared Stango, sixth grade.

"Comforter. Focusing on Jesus' image helps me find peace and comfort to get through the hard times." — Christine Codden.

By Father John Castlelot The stories of Jesus birth in the bible never were intended to be what we have come to call Christmas stories.

They were written for adult men and women who shared faith in Jesus as Saviour, Messiah and Lord.

Mature Christians who share that same faith today penetrate through all the Christmasy externals and see Jesus in the same light.

"Today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).

Those words profess mature Christian faith in the identity of Jesus and his meaning.

A parallel to these words is found in the bold statement of Peter "Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified" (Acts 2:36).

The first Christian writers were theologians, people who tried their best to express their experience of Christ in their lives.

They did not have as yet a precise, technical vocabulary with which to put that experience into neat, abstract propositions.

They used titles bor-

rowed from the religious language of others: "Saviour" and "messiah" were well-known Jewish titles for God regarded primarily as a saviour.

The Jews also looked forward to the coming of someone who would be God's agent in working out a plan of salvation.

Like the great King David, this agent was to be a royal figure, one anointed: chosen and empowered for his task.

"Anointed" in Hebrew is "mashiah", messiah.

The Greek equivalent was "cristos", Christ.

In ordinary and rather universal usage, a lord was a master, a ruler, a king.

And this is what the early Christians felt was

true of the risen Christ: "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16).

Yet, for the first Christians, all devout Jews, it had even greater significance.

Over the centuries the Jews had developed an almost exaggerated reverence for God's revealed name, which was written as the four letters YHWH. So sacred was it that the people didn't dare pronounce it.

When the synagogue lector came to these four letters he was instructed to pronounce a substitute name, "Adonai".

This name was ordinarily translated as "Lord".

When you read your Old

The art of giving

Testami nt and come across LORD. printed in block capitals, that represet ts Adonai and, behind I hat, YHWH. When the first Christians tr. inted to express their belief in the divinity of Chris . one of the most popular ways was to call him "Iprd". Their first real in iight into his identity came with their experierce of him as risen from the dead.

Paul 1 as preserved a very ly creed in his letter to the Romans.

He sap that he was sent to preadi the good news about Cod's Son, "descended from David accords g to the flesh, but established as Sonof-God-i i-power according to the spirit of

eat

holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:3-4).

However, lest the impression be given that Jesus "became" Son of God only at his resurrection, they applied the title "Lord" to him right from the beginning of his earthly existence. That is why Luke had the angels proclaim him as "Messiah and Lord" at the time of his birth. Always he was "Lord".

Today, at Christmas, we marvel that the baby in the rough straw-filled manger is, in the words of the last Gospel, the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:14). He is God's saving love enfleshed (incarnate).

•

But at Christmas — when we celebrate the Lord and CeleSay the words. It's brate each other — all right. You just they turn hate it when people philosophical.

By Carole Norris Greene

are too cheap to buy you a Christmas present!

And to add insult to injury, they hide behind lame excuses and pick this time of year to put the skids on their spending, just when the roulette wheel has your number up.

I understand how you feel.

All year long we watch people like this.

They're out to dinner every week, even eat at home like sultans, take long weekend getaways with their "significant others(2)" and watch enough rented videos to become bona fide film critics.

.1.40 ) t*;%!ACtIf

that they simply aren't ready to do it right?

When we appreciate the masterful stroke of the artist's brush or You catch them star- the precisioned moveing at you with this ments of athletes, we weak little smile on take for granted that their face, trying to they worked hard at it find the nerve (they over a period of time. already have the Gift giving at its audacity) to nonchal- finest is no exception. antly announce to It requires more time you, "Maybe we than money. shouldn't exchange Have you ever gifts this year. After planned a wedding or all, that's not what a conference.

Christmas should be You know then that about." (They're right, you can't begin preparations the week but unconvincing.) before and expect Before you sell them things to flow down the river, look at smoothly. it this way: Has it ever Most people, howoccurred to you that the turn-off people ever, underestimate involved. experience when it what's comes to trying to get Namely, themselves. the right gift is People themselves nothing more than are, or should be, their experiencinng a attached to every gift. terrible realisation And who can give

himself or herself all means at once to different For example. my people and not be four little nieces were exhausted? too young to really get You might ask: How excited by their Aunt Carole's christmas do I give myself?

Simply — by open- gifts last year. ing your awareness of They were looking others so keenly that for toys, but I gave you are able to focus each a different on how they are colour pure-bristle feeling, what makes hair brush and them happy, sad, matching combs, plus hopeful lovely barrettes. angry, grateful.

All year long, wheIt is after you've given yourself over to never I'd visit my these considerations sister, those children that you have the were always running opportunity to zoom late because so-and-so in on one or more had the brush last and affecting lost it. They'd end up aspects those you care about slipping into their and offer some ges- father's room to get ture which tells them his brush. of your often silent Inevitably they'd awareness. forget to put it back.

After you give your Then when he was attention to them, rushing to work and your gift is merely a couldn't find his sign of this and need brush, the fireworks not exceed your would start.

igtM(r4f4;401*ZtAt fAIVAZIA- AllPf.4*tP!.4

The Record, December 19, 1991 16 The Record, December 12, 1991

Feasts surrounding Christmas

I'll repeat the key Focusing on others comes naturally word here: "Opporwhen you're around tunity," for these are your immediate times for your to benefit also. family.

It's harder to do with If it's a spouse or a friends and relatives child you'd like to do you don't spend qual- more for but cannot, ity time with. take the person aside Consequently you and tell them how sweat. A lot. you feel. Go for a walk The answer to your or a drive. Find some what-to-give problem, way or place to be therefore, may be uninterrupted. Unsimpler than you derscore how much they matter. thought.

Maybe the best gift is An original poem or to commit to an a prayer, preparing a extended visit at a favourite meal or later time, and follow making a date to do through. something special In instances where together later on are you have this big all effective. heart and all the keen And remind anyone awareness in the who says you are world, but not the cheap that what they resources to do any are recognising is that more than you're you are free, and at already doing, your peace. And if they're opportunity is still to honest, they'll admit, show that you are and strive for, the aware. same.

14*(P.*(PSS.:4Pf§ft$M4tlf:

So perhaps there are connections between become children of God. The Word became flesh these saints' days and Christmas that have led and made his dwelling place among us." the Church to maintain this calendar sequence.

The message of Christmas is much more than Catholics who participate in daily Eucharist or St Stephen is known as the proto-martyr, the the babe in the manger. the Liturgy of the Hours in the week after first follower of Jesus to die for his faith. Stoned, It is the wedding of the human and the divine Christmas meet some unexpected saints. with Saul (later St Paul) watching, Stephen is forever.

The day after Christmas, December 26, is the said to have died with a prayer of forgiveness for Christmas celebrates the incarnation, the feast of St Stephen, the first martyr of the church. his killers on his lips, in clear imitation of his enfleshment of God, and all the implications of The next day is the feast of St John, the apostle master. that marvellous event — his continuing and evangelist.

Celebrating this feast the day after Christmas presence in our world, not now as the babe in The third day after Christmas is the feast of reminds us of the implications of Christ's birth. the manger, but as the risen one who lives and the Holy Innocents, those infants murdered by Stephen was killed because he was preaching reigns forever. the decree of King Herod when Jesus was taken the good news of Jesus.

The feast of the Holy Innocents seems more to Egypt by Mary and Joseph.

We, too, are called to spread the good news naturally related to Christmas since it Confronted by these three feasts immediately to others, and we must be willing to imitate the commemorates those infants who died when after Christmas Day, many people wonder why Lord even to the point of death if that is what Herod tried to destroy the newborn king. they are celebrated then. is required to be faithful.

Yet, this feast too reminds us that Christmas Why not some other time of year?

St Stephen thus reminds us that Christmas is not all "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World".

It seems to intrude on the feeling of "comfort was the beginning of a story that leads to Calvary The coming of Jesus into the world was, as and joy" that the Christmas carols lead us to and Easter.

Simeon told Joseph and Mary, a sign of expect during this season.

The feast of John the Evangelist also calls us contradiction.

The historical answer to this conundrum is to a different view of Christmas.

Though he came to bring usfullness of joy, his simple: These feasts were celebrated on these Older Catholics will remember that we used presence also brough conflict and suffering. dates even before Christmas was placed on to read the beginning of John's Gosepl as the last So these three feasts all help us to broaden our December 25, and originally they had no Gospel at every Mass. understanding of the meaning of Christmas. particular connection with the feast of Christ's That Gospel is still used in the third Mass of They celebrate the ultimate victory over birth.

Day. hristmas C suffering and death that Christ's coming made However, that happened centuries ago and John speaks of the coming of the Word of God possible. the saints' feasts could easily have been moved, into the world. "To his own he came, yet his own Maybe that's why the Church kept them on as so many other feasts have been changed did not accept him. these three days even after Christmas joined through the years.

"Any who did accept him he empowered to them.

By Father Lawrence Mick

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The Record, December 19, 1991 17

SUNDAY MASS TIMETABLE Continued from page 15

THE DIOCESE OF BUNBURY 1st

2nd

3rd

ALBANY (H/Family)

Sundays 9.30am Saturdays 6pm

ALBANY (St Joseph's)

Sundays 7.30am

ARTHUR RIVER

8.30am

AUGUSTA

Sundays 8am

AUSTRALIND

Saturdays 6pm; Sundays 10am

BALINGUP

10am

BORDEN

8.30am

BOYANUP

10.30am

4th

5th

10am (Winter 10.30) 8.30am

BOYUP BROOK

Sundays 9am

BREMER BAY

Sat 6pm

BRIDGETOWN

Sundays 8am (Winter 8.30)

BROOMEHILL

Sundays 8am

BRUNSWICK

Sundays 9am; Saturdays 7pm (Winter 6pm)

BUNBURY (St Pat's)

Sundays 7.30, 10am, 7pm; Saturdays 7pm

Sat 6pm

10.30am

BUNBURY (St Mary's) Sundays 9am BUNBURY (Carey Park) Sundays 8.30am BUSSELTON

Sundays 10am; Saturdays 7pm (Winter 6pm)

CAPEL

10am

COLLIE

Sundays 8am, 10am; Saturdays 7pm

CONDINGUP

8.30am

8.30am

COOMALBIDGUP

9am Sat. 6pm

DARDANUP

Sundays 9am Saturdays 7pm

DENMARK

8am

DONNYBROOK

8.30am

DUMBLEYUNG

Sat. 6pm 10am 10am

8am

Sat. 6pm

8am 10am

10am

10am

10am

10am

8.30am

DUNSBOROUGH

Sundays 8am

8.30am

DWELLINGUP

Sundays 8.30am

ESPERANCE

Sundays 7, 9am; Saturdays 6.30pm

FRANKLAND

6pm Sun

GAIRDNER RIVER

6pm Sun (Winter 5pm) 8.30am

GNOWANGERUP

10.30am 10am

GREENBUSHES HARVEY

8.30am

9am

CRANBROOK

GRASS PATCH

8.30am

10am 10am

10am (Winter 10.30)

Sundays 9am, Saturdays 7pm

JERRAMUNGUP

10.30am

KARRIDALE

Saturdays 7pm

KATANNING

Sundays 9.30am; Saturdays 7pm (Winter 6pm)

KENDENUP Saturdays 7.30pm

KOJONUP

8.30am

10.45am

8.30am

10.45am

KUKERIN

Sat 6pm

Sun 10am

Sat 7pm

Sun 8am

Sat 6pm

LAKE GRACE

9am

8am

6pm

10am

9am

LAKE KING

llam

9am

LAKE VARLEY

9am

llam

MANDURAH

Sundays 8, 9.30am; Sats 7pm (Dec 26-Feb 7, add Sun 7pm)

MANJIMUP

Sundays 9am Saturdays 7pm

MARGARET RIVER

Sundays 10am Saturdays 5pm

MOUNT BARKER

10am

8am

10am

MUNGLINUP

8am

9am

8am

8am

MURADUP

5pm

NANNUP

Saturdays 6pm

NARROGIN

Sundays 9.30am; Saturdays 6.30pm

NEWDEGATE

Sat 6.30pm Sundays 10.30am

NYABINGP

11.15am

ONGERUP

10.30am

PEMBERTON

Sundays 8.30am Sats 7.30pm (Winter 7pm)

PINGARING

Fri 7pm

PINGRUP

Sat 6.30pm

PINJARRA

Sundays 10am; Saturdays 7pm

RAVENSTHORPE

6pm

Sat 6pm

SALMON GUMS

8.30am

8.30am

STIRLINGS

6pm

6pm (Winter 5pm)

TAMBELLUP

10.45am

WAGIN

Sundays 10am Saturdays 6.30pm

WALPOLE

6pm Sat

WAROONA

8.30am

WELLSTEAD

Sat 6pm

WICKEPIN

8am

WILLIAMS YARLOOP

8.30am

10.45am

10am

8.30am

The Record, December 12, 1991

Sat 6.30pm

10am

8.30am

8.30am 8am

10am

8.30am

6pm Sat

8.30am

18 The Record, December 19, 1991 15

All times are regular for each Sunday unless otherwise noted.

GERALDTON: Cathedral; 7.30, 9.30am; 7pm; Sat 7pm.

Rangeway: 8am; 5.45pm; Sat 7pm.

Bluff Point: 9am; Sat 7pm.

Wonthella: 7.30am.

BUNTINE: 2nd Sat. 7pm.

CARNARVON: 9am; see Shark Bay; Sat 7pm.

CARNAMAH: Sats. 7pm.

COOROW: 7.45am (alt.)

CUE: 8am.

DAMPIER: 7.30am, Sat. 5pm.

DONGARA: 9.30am; Sat. 7pm.

ENEABBA: 7pm (alt.)

EXMOUTH: Base 9am; Town 10.30am; Sat. 6pm.

GREENOUGH: 8am.

KALBARRI: 5pm.

KARRATHA: 9am; Sat. 7pm.

LATHAM: 1st, 3rd, 5th Sats. 7pm.

LEEMAN: 5pm (alt.)

MEEKATHARRA: Sats.

6.30pm.

MINGENEW: 6pm.

MT. MAGNET: 10am.

MORAWA: 10am.

MULLEWA: Barri; Sat. 7.15pm.

NANSON: 6pm.

NEWMAN: 7.30, 9am; Sat. 6pm.

N ORTHAMPTON: 8.30am; Sat. 6.30pm.

NULLAGINE: 2nd Sun. 4.30pm.

P ARABURDOO: 10.30am; 7pm.

PERENJORI: 8am.

PORT HEDLAND: 8.30am; Sat. 6pm.

HEDLAND: SOUTH 8.30, 10am; Sat. 7pm.

TARDUN: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 9.30am.

THREE SPRINGS: 9.30am (alt.)

TOM PRICE: 8am; Sat. 7pm.

WICKHAM: 10am; Sat. 5pm.

YUNA: Sat 8pm.

YALGOO: 2nd, 10.30am.

6pm Sun

IURUP

NORTHCLIFFE

GERALDTON DIOCESE

8am 10am

8.30am

10am

C onvenient _phone nos._ PERTH (09) 325 9557 AR MADALE (09) 399 2143 FRE MANTLE (09) 335 2268 MIDLAND (09) 274 1159 MUNDARING (09) 295 1059 ROCKINGHAM (09) 527 1605 ROTTNEST (09) 292 5052 WANNER00 (09) 405 1110 ALBANY (098) 41 1129 AUGUSTA (097) 58 1990 BREMER BAY (098) 37 4091 BROOME (091) 92 1353 BUNBURY (097) 21 2141 BUSSELTON (097) 52 1687 CARNARVON (099) 41 1768 DERBY (091) 91 1227 ESPERANCE (090) 71 2091 GERALDTON (099) 21 3221 KALGOORLIE (090) 21 2353 KARRATHA (091) 85 1443 MANDURAH (09) 535 1847 MARGARET RIVER (097) 57 2264 MEEKATHARRA (099) 81 1120 MT MAGNET (099) 63 4050 NEWMAN (091) 75 1030 NEW NORCIA (096) 54 8018 PORT HEDLAND (091) 73 1687 SOUTHERN CROSS (090) 49 1049

Evenin Mass SATURDAY Metro

7 PM (cont)

6.00 PM Ballajura Bayswater Highgate Mt Lawley South Lake

Cloverdale Crawley DianeIla Embleton Kelmscott Lesmurdie Melville-Myaree North Doubleview Redcliffe Rivervale Rottnest Rockingham South Perth Victoria Park Wilson

6.30 PM Armadale Attaciale Balcatta Balga Bateman Beaconsfield Bedford Bentley Carlisle Cathedral Como Doubleview East Cannington East Vic. Park Floreat Pk Fremantle Girrawheen Glendalough Gosnells Greenmount Greenwood Guildford Hamilton Hill Hilton Park Joondanna Kalamunda Karrinyup Kenwick Kwinana Leederville Lockridge Lynwood Maddington Maida Vale Manning Maylands Midland Mirrabooka Morley Mt. Yokine Mosman Park Mundaring Nedlands North Beach Osborne Park Ocean Reef Palmyra Queens Park Riverton Scarborough Shenton Park Spearwood Subiaco Wanneroo Wembley Downs Whitfords Willagee Willetton

7 PM Bindoon Bluff Point Bridgetown Bunbury BusseIton (Nov/Apr) Carnamah Collie Dardanup Dongara Geraldton Harvey Karridale Katanning (summer) Mandurah Manjimup Merredin Mullewa (7.15) Pemberton (summer) Pin jarra Rangeway Wongan Hills

7 PM Applecross Bassendean

7.30 PM Brunswick Kirup

Country 5 PM Margaret River 6 PM Albany Australind Busse1ton (May/Oct) Cranbrook Katanning (winter) Nannup Northam (6.45) 6.30 PM Boulder BulLsbrook Esperance Kambalda Kojonup Meekatharra Moora Narrogin Northampton Wagin

SUNDAY 5 PM Bayswater Bedford Cathedral Cottesloe Fremantle Hamilton Hill Kenwick Mirrabooka 5.30 PM Crawley (5.45) Doubleview Glendalough Hilton Lesmurdie Wembley 6 PM Applecross Balcatta Balga Greenmount Kelmscott Maida Vale Mirrabooka Monastery Morley Victoria Park 6.30 PM North Beach Wembley Downs

7 PM Beaconsfield Brentwood Claremont Midland North Doubleview Osborne Park Riverton Rockingham Wembley Downs Willagee (7.15) 7.30 PM East Fremantle

Country 5 PM Kalbarri Kalgoorlie (5.15) 5.30 PM Norseman Rangeway 6 PM Mingenew 7 PM Bunbury Collie Geraldton Hope Valley

Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

Saying no to Christmas guilt

By Brother Cyprian L. ROWE FMS Months before Christmas, the Turner family in my community — parents and children — would size up the current needs of their community and their parish.

fit

tics:

Each family member wrote down a need that had been identified, as well as what he or she wanted to give to help.

For example, the youngest son put on his list the first year of this practice that a particular classmate needed a new pair of sneakers.

Slips of paper with these needs written on them were then put into a hat.

And one by one the family member reached into the hat and drew out one of the slips.

Each person was expected to spend only what he or she would have spent on other gifts for the rest of the family.

When the gift was given (and it had to be delivered personally whenever possible), a note was written to the family member who had first identified that special need.

This note along with a letter from each family member to every other family member would be exchanged as gifts on Christmas.

In their letters, the Turners told of their feelings for each other and what they could do in the next year to their make relationship better.

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At first, the Turners had their doubts this approach to Christmas would work.

It is hard to convince children that Christ rejoiced in those who gave and that it was no accident that other Christmases were next to boring once one got to cleaning up wrapping paper.

But the deepest problem, the adults c,ame to realise, was that they had always seen their value as parents in terms of the material things they could provide for their children.

Then one day, after Mass, Mrs Turner asked her husband,

"Why should we feel guilty if we don't purchase costly gifts to prove we care?

We've given the children everything they needed and almost they everything wanted. Its gotten to the point where we have to ask ourselves.

Aren't 'we' worth something?

Mrs Turner told her husband: "You've worked every day of our married life just so the children would want for nothing. I went to work as soon asIcould for the same reason. But we're going to stop right now.

"This is a game that

we are playing on ourselves.

"We're good parents: We love them, we share our faith with them, we try our best to listen and help to work things through.

"And we're not going to spend one more second believing that if we don't give them everything their little hearts desired we would somehow fail.

"If we are failures, it is only because we have not made them that understand human beings are the only real gifts; that Christmas is the only real gift.

"And maybe we did fail on that. It's so easy to fail on that. And maybe they will be disappointed this year because, like millions other Americans, the joy of Christmas will be that Christ will come to our house and find food on the table."

Over the next few weeks, the Turner talked about how they would try to turn this around. prepared They themselves and their children by prayerful reading of Scripture (only 15 minutes each night and 15 minutes of trying to see what the readings meant.

It worked.

They talked about it for several months.

They reflected as a family on the meaning of Christ's coming and the meaning of giving and receiving. the meaning of real need and the nature of the Christian life in a world of hunger and hopelessness and destruction.

What would Christ do? That was the question they tried to answer.

Everyone admitted that while it was strange not to have the Christmas tree as the centre of the

celebration, Christmas had not been so satisfying in many a year.

Days later, the youngest son told his father that on his first day back to school from the holiday he had seen that one of the poorest kids in the class had on a good pair of sneakers for the first time had been active in d playground game.

The boy was clearly pleased for he saw the power of generosity, his own generosity, a transformed life. He exchanged a smile with his father which required no words.

The truly good news today The angel who announced the good news to shepherds keeping nightwatch over their flock in the region of Bethlehem told them that the saviour who had just been born was not only Messiah but Lord (Luke 2:10-11).

What did the title "Lord" imply? Why should it figure in our of celebration Christmas?

The early Christians had a wonderful hymn that connected

Jesus' title as Lord to his incarnation, that is to his birth and all that flowed from taking on the human condition. It is found in St Paul's letter to the Christians at Philippi (2:6-11).

The hymn speaks of Jesus Christ, who was in the form of God but did not consider divinity something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself and took on the form of a slave.

He took on the

fullness of humanity, including death.

Now, being a slave might seem the opposite of being the Lord, a title that belonged to God as the source of all life.

The background for his hymn includes the figure of Adam, the first human being.

Like Adam, Jesus was in the form, that is the image and likeness, of God. But Adam did indeed grasp at divinity, as in various ways

By Eugene LaVerdiere, SSS we all do. We do this in all those petty revolts at being mere creatures that fill our lives.

Jesus was different from Adam. Jesus did not grasp at divinity but accepted humanity and everything that came with it.

That meant living totally in the service of his Father.

The hymn goes on to

say that because Jesus accepted this humanity and became the slave or servant of God to the point of dying, God exalted him above every other person so that absolutely every creature would confess that he — Jesus Christ is "Lord".

And there is a paradox.

By becoming the servant or slave of God, Jesus was connected with God as Lord of all and source

of all life.

That is why Jesus' birth was different from all others.

Recognising Jesus as Lord should move us to celebrate Christmas with people of all races, nations and cultures.

For this is not the sort of Lord who is simply above and outside our human experience and needs.

This Lord enters our human condition, breaking down the walls that divide

people.

Recognising that we all share in the one life that comes to us from Christ the Lord, we find peace. And that truly is good news today.

It is so very difficult to accept being what we are: simply human beings, all of us, in a world we must begin to share.

But somehow, on Christmas, it seems possible.

That is what Christmas is all about.

The Record, December 19, 1991

19

Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

:Have 3 you heard the IGood News.

It t :77-.47 7 -- '417It 1P 171

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By Stan Konieczny

Timaeus replied. "It is was T imaeus just that I cannot preoccupied with to think about seem early one bit of else than anything which news morning what happened last he overheard in his night. Have you heard neighbours courtthe news?" he asked. yard just as he was "What news is this?" leaving for the open Jonathan asked, eager market. for some inside It was a strange tale information. of a visiting couple "Last night. in a giving birth to their outside town, a stable stable a in first child born to a was baby outside of town. young couple visiting The neighbour's Nazareth," from brother-in-law, a sheTimaeus said. allegedly pherd, "Blessed are you, 0 learned of the birth our God, king of Lord, from an angel. the universe, who are Babies, angels, shegood and dispenses pherds and even mesgood," Jonathan repsiahs so filled his lied with the blessing mind that Timaeus uttered upon hearing walked right past his good news. old friend and assoThen he fired quesciate, Jonathan, who after question at tion had positioned himreporwould-be his near doorway a self in call they ter:"Did the market at a vanmidwife? the e Salom tage where he could Who are the parents? watch the comings Where exactly are of goings and they staying?" ehem.

Bethl "Please,I only heard "What is the rush, and pieces bits Timaeus? Are you in Timaeus lf." myse such a hurry to get hedged. "It seems the Jericho dates from couple came for the Gamiel the fruit-seller census. They stayed stop cannot that you a stable, because in for one moment and was no room in there greet an old friend?"

The husband inn. the Jonathan called out, a carpenter as works his barrel chest probut it Nazareth, in above voice his jecting are roots his seems and beyond the Bethlehem." in here nearby din.

"See," Jonathan bel"Good day, Jonathan, good day! I lowed. "See what happens when that would stop for you filth occupies your even if Gamiel had country and levies olives from Meroth,"

burdensome taxes.

They raise the taxes; the drought comes; the crops fail and what do you do? The scum forces you from your land and you have to work a trade strangers among instead of tilling your father's land.

"You become a refugee in your own the homeland," rotund man held forth.

"Wait, this is supposed to be glad Timaeus news," interrupted.

"How can we ever be glad while we are crushed and scattered by the Roman occupiers and their lackey, Herod?" Jonathan roared.

"Will you keep your down?" voice Timaeus cautioned.

"You know Herod has spies everywhere.

"Besides, he is sick. I hear he is headed for the Baths of Callirrhoe, looking for some relief from his ailTimaeus ments," offered, trying to soothe his friend.

"We would all be relieved if Herod drowns in the Baths of Callirrhoe," Jonathan raved.

"Be quiet, you fool.

You have no idea who might be listening," Timaeus fretted. toned Jonathan down a bit, saying,

"How can you help but be angry against that gang. You know that our priests in must Jerusalem depend on the foreigners' kindness because our holy vestments are held in the Romans' Tower of Antonia.

"And you know that Herod installed a Roman eagle over the temple gate and then slaughtered our brave youths who dared to destroy that cursed graven image," Jonathan recounted.

"That is past news which we have talked about time and time Timaeus again," interrupted.

"Yes, and time after time Herod keeps us down with his mercenaries from Gaul and Germany. He sells our people into slavery for the least of crimes. He . . . ."

"Stop it. Stop before you get us both an audience with some torturer," Timaeus pleaded in a tense voice. "Remember the words of the great teacher, Hillel: 'Judge not your neighbour until you are in his place," Timaeus added.

"Ihave no neighbour among the occupiers," Jonathan stated, "but you were telling me that I have a little neighbour out in the

hills. Where did you hear this news?"

Timaeus answered, neighbour's "My brother-in-law is a shepherd."

"Oh that lot. How can you believe the likes of shepherds?

They have no regard for a man's land, grazing their flock they wherever please," Jonathan blustered.

"I was saying," Timaeus continued with obvious agitation, "the shepherds heard the cries and the song of the angels." angels!

"Oh, Timaeus, my friend, you know that miracle workers, magicians, witches, angels and demons pass through these gates as often as the moon changes," Jonathan scoffed.

"Well, I must admit, I heard them myself last night," Timaeus shyly confessed. "1 couldn't sleep, and as I stared out my window a faint whisper caught my attention.

"It filled me with joy and peace and hope, yes hope in this time of drought and taxes and surveillance and census."

He added, "In fact, I wonder if the angels sang of Messiah."

"Meq. ;iah . . . Messiah;

• 20 The Record, December 19, 1991 16

The Record, December 12, 1991

•

Lord for here and now What the angel told the shepherds that first Christmas was that Jesus is the Lord.

Today "Lord" appears to rank high among the titles or names for Jesus.

People speak commonly of turning their problems "over to the Lord" or encourage each other to "take it to the Lord".

Jesus is also saviour, redeemer.

Prince of Peace — each title bringing into view some aspect of his role in human lives. But what is his role as Lord?

Images of royal grandeur could easily spring to mind with a term such as "Lord". Little grandeur awaited the shepherds that night, however. The king they met was of a different sort.

The risk in using a term such as "Lord" is that it might suggest in the back of one's mind that Jesus must be lofty and remote, uninvolved in the events of one's life.

But this Lord is present. That is what Christmas is about, what the incarnation is about: Jesus is one of us, close at hand, a Lord for the hereand-now.

Jonathan savoured the word.

"Well, I must be about my business. thank you for the news about our visitors. If you find out exactly where they are staying, let me

know. My Sarah makes a delightful dish of lentils which they might enjoy."

The friends parted as Jonathan crossed the market preoccupied with thoughts of taxes and Romans, babies and Messiahs.

• • •

••

Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

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A time for feeling close to others...

By Richard Cain You rush around from store to store, looking for just the right gift for Aunty Sally.

You spend hours transforming an unimpressive bush into the dazzling Christmas tree of your childhood memories.

You devote a hot Saturday afternoon to turning your yard into a festival of blinking lights.

You slave away baking mountains of cakes and savouries for co-workers, friends and neighbours.

You struggle over what note to write to a person on your Christmas card list whom you barely remember.

And finally, when it is all over, you swear it will be different next year.

But will it be? What are you really looking for in Christmas?

Like many others, Mike and Ann Westenberg find themselves each Christmas struggling to stay focused on what Christmas really means.

"A lot of pressure is put on the holiday by society to be materialistic," says Mike Westenberg.

"You barely have the kids in school and they are pushing Christmas sales.

There is a pressure that, in order to celebrate, you have to buy loads of gifts. But I don't buy into that."

When the Westenbergs asked themselves what they were really looking for in Christmas, they recognised that what they wanted was to experience the closeness of a family.

Although their family get together often, Christmas is the time they really celebrate being family.

"People reminisce," said Ann Westenberg. "All the photo albums come out at Christmastime — the kids when they were little. There is a retelling of the family stories."

For Dan and Laura Robinson, Christmas is a time for feeling close to others. "Christmas is the holiday when you celebrate connectedness with other people — especialy those you don't see often," said Dan Robinson.

Over the past few years, the Robinsons have given much thought to what they are really looking for in Christmas.

As a result, they have deemphasised the commercial side of Christmas in favour of making simple gifts and doing things for other people.

They also make a special effort to visit family and friends they otherwise do not see often. Sometime during the holidays each year the Robinsons travel to the small farming community where many of his relatives live to celebrate a big, old-fashioned Christmas.

Beneath these rituals — the travelling to the old home, the opening of the gifts one by one, starting with Dad, the songs and the tables laden with food — what Robinson is looking for is a warm feeling of belonging.

"When I think of Christmas,I think of a fire in the fireplace, you're relaxed with the ones you love," he said.

Like the Westenbergs and the Robinsons, Mike and Sarah Yaworsky, have been re-evaluating how they celebrate Christmas.

For them Christmas was becoming a reaction to negatives: "The buy, buy, buy tendency, the rushing around and the 'can't wait until this is over'," said

Mike Yaworsky. "I didn't grow up hearing that."

For him, the ideal of Christmas is best seen from the child's point of view. "Christmas was fabulous when I was a kid," he said. "It was like a day completely out of time.

"Grownups behaved differently. I felt cosy inside. Everyone worked hard to create a special mood of anticipation. WhenIcan get that feeling back. it's terrific."

What he is looking for in Christmas, he realises, is the coming of God's kingdom, a feeling that everything is right.

"I will always remember the Christmas of 1968 when the Apollo 8 astronauts broadcast their vision that the world is one and that people have the capacity to get their act together," he said.

The message from Apollo 8 was an echo of an earlier message from the sky, the angels' proclamation of peace on earth, he said. "In my mind, they've always been intertwined. All the earthly scheming and squabbling come to a stop so the world can tend to a lowly, helpless child."

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The Record, December 19, 1991

21

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Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

itifilat's for dinner? I By Linda Rome

On the telephone, in check-out lines, over the keyboards, the issues are hashed out.

Where are we havChristmas ing dinner?

Friends commiserate; strangers nod knowingly.

"We always go to my mother's house for Christmas dinner," one woman confided.

"She's never accepted my husband's family, so in the evening we drive 40 miles to have dessert with his folks. they Otherwise, would be hurt."

"I promised my father I would always keep Christmas," said an older man, now a grandfather himself.

"But my children want to celebrate with their own families, not here. It's a quiet Christmas, just my wife and myself."

"Christmas day is a zoo!" a young mother with three young children exclaimed.

"The children want to open gifts all morning, but we think it's important to go to Mass, so we work that in — while I'm putting together the turkey and stuffing, and cleaning up the house before my brothers and sisters and all 16 cousins arrive!"

She laughed. "I wouldn't trade it, but sometimes I think I'm crazy to do it."

The best and the worst in our family relationships can be brought out by this seemingly simple decision about where to have Christmas dinner.

On the one hand, Christmas is a time when we want to celebrate family, its closeness, and our love for each other, however flawed.

On the other side, we can't ignore painful realities: the unreasonable cost of overcoming transcontinental distance, two sides of a family too big to fit into anybody's home, families separated by divorce and any number of other situations which can mar the holiday feeling.

Yet sometimes we overlook or fear creative solutions that might cut down the stress of the withwhom -and -where problem.

First, figure out what's causing the problem. Who is unhappy? Or who are you afraid will be unhappy?

Do you feel manipulated into always putting on a big dinner when you would rather go to a restaurant?

Are you worried an alcoholic uncle or aunt will disrupt dinner or that the longstanding feud between your father and his brother will the over erupt pudding?

Are your problems more logistical? How will we seat 17 people at a table for six or be at my father's big dinner at 2pm and my mother-in-law's family dinner at 5pm when the families in

question live 150kms apart?

And don't forget all those brothers- and sisters-in-law, all who same the have problem!

So, be realistic — and don't feel guilty about it!

Consider the European custom: Spend Christmas day with your nuclear family, the day after Christwith your mas extended family. Or have a Christmas eve

brunch with one side of the family, Christmas dinner with the other.

Draw lots for whose house hosts dinner, have dinner catered; buy the pies if you can't bake; share the expense.

Arrange a conference call with your family across the country; make a video and send it.

If you're alone, invite friends or volunteer at one of the community

programs to feed the homeless. Try to include neighbours who don't have relatives nearby.

Don't serve alcohol if someone has a problem with it. Serve a buffet instead of a sitdown meal.

Accept that you can't please everyone.

Finally, remember families change and grow, and so traditions change and grow too. What worked, what was

right when your children were small, may need to be rethought.

Be flexible and encourage others to be flexible, too. Keep the spirit of Christmas, not the empty form.

When you finally answer the question.

Who are we having Christmas dinner with? I hope you'll choose wisely, sensibly, not from duty or obligation, but with love.

Lithuanian way

By Katharine Bird Lithuania, In Christmas is a family and religious affair.

Its main celebration comes on Christmas the when Eve extended family gathers to wish each other "Linksmu Kaledu" (Merry Christmas).

The ceremony begins, literally, with the breaking of the bread as the head of the family passes around Nativity wafers to each person present.

For family members, the wafers symbolise t he season's love, and harmony goodwill.

The Nativity wafers (unconsecrated, of course) come from the family's parish and are rectangular in shape with raised Nativity scenes.

The Christmas Eve dinner in many Lithuanian homes is set on a tablecloth which covers pieces of straw.

The straw helps family members "to remember the creche and to emulate where Christ was born", said Bita Lanys.

She is a Lithuanian by nationality who left her country in 1949. She teaches in publications-department.

Sometimes, she said, children play a game with the straw under the tablecloth.

They take turns pulling out pieces of straw and then match them to see who has the longest piece.

Traditionally, the child with the longest straw will have "good luck for the year", she recalled.

She said she tries to

follow Lithuanian customs as much as possible.

This becomes espeimportant cially when she has Lithuanian guests for the holidays.

The meal for Christmas Eve features 12 different dishes, in honour of the 12 apostles and the 12 days from Christmas to January 6 when the Epiphany formerly was celebrated. Fish is used instead of meat.

Usually the meal includes a borscht — a beet soup; a mushroom dish; and one or more dishes with fish. always Dessert includes a special dish made from milk and cookie dough and PoPPY seeds.

Ms Lanys remembers seeing her father grind the poppy seed with mortar and pestle. Other desserts

include poppy seed jelly role cake and Christmas cookies in traditional shapes.

After the festive meal, people adjourn to the Christmas tree to open gifts.

In Lithuania one gift for each child is the custom. And gifts are wrapped in ordinary paper and tied with bows made of fabric.

Her relatives back in Lithuania are amazed at the elaborate paper gift wraps and ties available in the West. made a pact with The Christmas Eve Poland which celebration ends with included his becommembers ing a Roman Catholic family going to Midnight and marrying the Mass, a mark of how Polish Queen Jadimportant faith is in wiga, a 12 year old Lithuanian girl. the celebration.

Jogaila was baptised Lithuania's Roman in 1386 and subseCatholic roots date quently was crowned back at least to the king of Poland. His 14th century.

Lithuanian subjects Then Lithuania's were baptised Catholgrand duke jogaila ics in 1387. At this s. s. ~ft r240§ . ipfkisti

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point, Poland and Lithuania were under a single ruler.

Lithuania is in Eastern Europe and shares a border with Poland.

For much of the 20th century, Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union.

Then, in September of this year, after the August coup attempt

against Soviet President Mikhail Gorbacollapsed, chev Lithuania succeeded gaining in independence.

Independence means that Christmas this year will have special meaning for Lithuanians: Their first Christmas as a free and independent many state in decades. .tf to

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The Record, December 19, 1991

The Record, December 12, 1991

1

Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

The She herd's Flute g Here is a Christian legend from Scandinavia about the birth of Jesus.

On the first Christmas night, in a cave stable behind the crowded inn at Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph rejoiced at the birth of their newborn son.

Not far off on one of Bethlehem's hillsides a young shepherd searched in the dark for a lost sheep.

Startled by a strange sound, the shepherd boy glanced up. He saw an angel, surrounded by light, smiling at him.

"The world's king and saviour has just been born," the angel told him. "Jesus is his name. You will find him in a cave stable behind the inn at Bethlehem. Take this flute as a gift to the newborn king. Play him a beautiful tune with its seven notes."

The angel held out to the boy a silver flute.

As the boy took the

By Janaan Manternach flute from her hand, the angel disappeared.

The shepherd boy lifted the flute to his lips and blew seven pure notes.

Excited, he started to run to Bethlehem.

Running too fast in the dark, he tripped over a rock and fell.

The flute slipped from his hand and struck another stone.

The boy picked himself and the flute up from the cold ground.

He blew into the flute, but it now had only six notes.

Angry and sad, the shepherd boy walked on fast, but carefully, toward Bethlehem.

Suddenly a wolf jumped out of the darkness and frightened him. He threw the flute at the wolf who turned and ran away into the night.

Relieved, the boy

picked up the flute and blew into it. Only five notes sounded.

The boy, angrier and sadder, walked on, but more slowly. He met one obstacle after another. As he struggled to overcome each threat, he damaged the silver flute still more.

By the time he reached the cave stable behind the inn at Bethlehem, only one note sounded.

The shepherd boy felt embarrassed that he had only a broken flute to give the newborn king.

As he stood outside the cave stable, looking in with warm tears trickling down his face, Mary noticed him. "Please come in," she said, motioning him toward her infant son. Joseph took his hand and led him to the manger.

Hesitantly the shepherd boy drew the broken flute from his pocket.

Standing beside the

manger he lifted it to his lips and blew softly. The one last note was all that sounded, but it was clear and beautiful.

The infant Jesus

opened his eyes and smiled with joy at the lovely sound of the single note. He reached out for the flute and touched it.

Marv, Joseph and

the shepherd boy smiled. Then the shepherd boy put the flute to his lips to play the last note again.

He blew softly and was startled by the

beautiful, pure sound of seven clear notes.

After he played a song of joy, he placed the flute in the manger as his gift to the newborn king.

Devotion to El Ninopa

By Patricia Elizondo A custom thrives in Xochimilco, an ancient town about an hour's drive from the heart of Mexico City.

The town is known for its canals edged with flowers and filled with colourful flat-bottom boats.

Literally "the place where flowers are sown", Xochimilco is wrapped in legends. It is also home of a continuing custom surrounded by legends: the devotion to "El Ninopa".

Weighing little more than the crocheted gowns and baby blankets in which he is dressed, El Ninopa is an image of the Christ child.

He was fashioned 400 years ago by a native Xochimilcan artesan at the request of Spanish priests.

The image was made in the likeness of the people of that land who affectionately named him "Nino Padre" (child-father), "Nino Patron" (childpatron) or "Nino Pan" (child of the place of Xochimilco): "Ninopa" for short.

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El Ninopa's tiny face, that of a child approximately three years old, is delicately crafted of a smooth, finely polished plaster, thought to be made with maize. It is as flawless today as it must have looked when the artisan sculpted it.

His appearance is unique. Although similar in size and shape to the image of the Christ child displayed in churches throughout the world at Christmas, El Ninopa has none of the European characteristics of other images.

The eyes are large, brown, encircled with thick eyelashes made of real hair. There is an intelligence in them, an unforgettable, sweetly haunting expression.

The Spanish priests saw in the Xochimilcans a people whose native religious expression was highly visual, accustomed to paying homage to gods they could touch.

To expedite conversion, the priests allowed the families to take El Ninopa home to their children.

Handled as if he

were a real baby, El Ninopa is dressed daily in one of the many outfits given him by the people.

Toys in great numbers are favourite gifts.

He is treated with utmost respect. His head is covered with a blanket whenever he is taken out into the night air.

It is said that on one occasion El Ninopa fell and cracked his forehead. Not knowing what to do, since this never happened before, his caretaker put him to bed that night. The following day, the story goes, he had not a scratch.

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The obligations of El Ninopa's caretaker, or "mayordomo", are numerous.

Familiesaccept responsibility for this role for the period of a year.

The waiting list of families covers the next 40 years.

Only the residents of the Xochimilco district are allowed to house El Ninopa.

The family that provides him shelter also dresses him and tends to those who seek him.

Daily the faithful request that El Ninopa visit their town, church, home or their sick.

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Wherever he travels, someone from the household must accompany him.

Juan Manuel Rubi waited 20 years for the privilege.

Speaking recently, almost at the end of his tenure, Rubi said he felt peace in his family, his home.

"Every morning," said Rubi, "my wife and I dress him around 5 am.

Often late at night there are still people waiting to see and hold him. By the time we close our doors for the evening, exhaustion takes over."

El Ninopa's small r: •

r: •

pink mouth is slightly open in a tender smile that shows two rows of minute baby teeth, a miracle of craftsmanship and the object of a legend that grew out of centuries of devotion.

It is said that when El Ninopa is sad —if, for example, the person being prayed for is about to die — his reflection reflects his sadness.

"If you can see the tiny teeth," say those who daily observe him, "it means your prayer will be answered."

"The sick have priority," explained Rubi.

"We always allow the sick first access to him."

Rubi recalled that on one occasion someone gave El Ninopa a special outfit she wanted to see him wear.

"The sleeve didn't fit," Rubi said. "My wife and I persisted, saying, "Be good, Ninopa, wear this."

Rubi added, "You may not believe me, but after 15 minutes of begging him, the sleeve did fit!"

El Ninopa's faithful exude peace, humility and a quiet joy. Daily they donate baskets of

fresh flowers. Nightly they join the crowd of 60 or more at a rosary

in his honour.

El Ninopa spends most of the daylight hours away from home. But he must be home by 8 pm. Those are the rules. After all, he is a child!

The toys, clothing, blankets and other articles people give him fill the second story of another house.

These gifts come from people who don't have much in the way of material things.

Their wealth is in El Ninopa's protection.

As one child responds to another, so the town of Xochimilco showers their Ninopa with transparent affection and the trappings of childhood.

The belief in El Ninopa as a powerful manifestation of God's mercy has taken root. Many attest to the healing of their sick, the restoration of their hope, the answer to their most heartfelt prayer.

All seem moved by the tender face of the child, the brilliant eyes, the enigmatic smile.

. :4411r4041*441r.I‘44:2111.***101S.:*4011.4101 ftlit4

The Record, December 19, 1991

23

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Love story with a difference THIS! is a real love story.

For many of us, it's not too hard to fall in love and marry someone who has all their faculties and physical abilities intact.

But it's a lot harder to make that commitment to someone when they are as severely disabled as Beryl Canavan.

And to realise that their% condition will continue to deteriorate. Clive Canavan however, the handsome man who wooed this attractive lady, is an outstanding man who is probably something of a rarity.

He too had his health problems, like Beryl, with an hereditary disease. His is a blood disorder.

But despite his own problems health (which are not at all obvious), he courted and married this determined little lady who has been in a wheelchair for the past 32 years.

That's how long it is since she's walked.

Beryl, who has Friedreich's Ataxia, is now 49 years old and has had the disease for the last 42 years.

It's a progressive neurological disorder her left which increasingly disabled and affected her eyesight to the extent she now has only three per cent vision with anticipated inevitable blindness in the not too distant future. Her speech too is now impaired.

Added to that, Beryl has now developed an associated diabetes which is an added burden, plus restrictive. Because of this she has to forego her favourite foods.

Clive too has had the added trauma and burden of cancer.

And it was finally his health, combined with the strain of Beryl's condition, which 10 years ago forced Beryl to domicile at the Quadraplegic Centre in Shenton Park.

But their love story didn't end there . . .

However to start from the beginning, Clive met Beryl through his role as a voluntary Red Cross driver when he used to pick her up from Midland to take her to Red Cross house.

That's where Beryl grew up while being educated at St Brigid's primary school.

Their first date was on St Valentine's Day in 1969 and they married nine months later.

Beryl and Clive decided not to have children because of their hereditary diseases and for the first year Beryl was able to cope with some chores, with Clive doing the meal preparations.

However with the disease's progression, Clive assumed the running of the house and in his capacity as a toolmaker sought work close to home so he could return during lunch break to prepare a meal for Beryl too.

Night shift was the answer when possible for Clive but even that had problems when a burglar broke in during the night. Fortunately Beryl slept through it! into take But account the difficulties which most can experience in a marriage, plus the added burden of physical

disabilities and the worry of poor health, and it begged a question: "How's it been?"

I asked Clive.

"Well I've never found it a drag!" responded Clive who, under the circumstances, would have to be a man in a million.

And then unselfishly — "It's been more of a struggle for Beryl than it could have been for me.

"Because she felt lonely when I wasn't there and helpless.

And vulnerable when I was on night shift."

And what about Beryl? How's it been for her?

Well she too is one in a million because being an independent soul by nature, the frustration of needing others to do for her has been a lifelong exacerbation.

But she's a determined little lady with a lot of courage and solid faith in God. And faith in herself too because her achievements have been considerable even if she hadn't been disabled.

In earlier days, Beryl had taken up painting with much enthusiasm by holding the paintbrush in her mouth. But with her deteriorating vision this had to be abandoned — which was a blow, and just something else she'd have to give up as the disease closed in.

However socially, says Beryl. she and Clive did anything else they wished. In fact, they used any excuse to get out to parties, theatres, restaurants, night clubs and excursions.

Including extensive travel around the state and overseas.

Clive Although doesn't admit to any difficulties, hassles and certainly not heroism, in fact he had to cut up Beryl's food, help feed, bathe her, and assist her with toileting and even turn her over in bed, plus lifting her in and out of the wheel chair and wherever.

He's the sort of stuff

saints are made out of and for her part. Beryl is a very special lady in her own right.

Instead of berating life and God for all her afflictions and in reality facing a fairly bleak future with rapidly deteriorating eyesight and ability to verbally communicate with others, Beryl has fought on.

She decided she'd like to write, and also do a Batchelor of Arts degree at the University of WA, so proceeded to do just that.

For five years she attended UWA, aided by volunteer drivers to take and pick her up and then give with assistance studies.

Beryl did four years of English and one of medieval history but it was the latter which "broke the camel's back".

The study involved was too demanding excessive with reliance on others' assistance, so she abandoned her studies but not so her writing.

With the addition of an improvised aid for typing — a prong attached to her forearm — Beryl's writing career started in 1974 and after seven years she produced her first

•,:

book, an autobiography titled: The Heart and Mind.

This was followed by a book of poetry: If Walls Can Speak. And then her latest which is a sequel to her autobiography — A Spirit Human Unconquered.

And that title, I suggest, epitomises Beryl and Clive who say that challenges excite them and obstacles don't daunt them.

I'd say that's a proven fact because their social life on weekends when Clive picks Beryl up from the Quad Centre, features activities which most of us don't attempt — well certainly not with the inclusive variety that they do.

For social stimulation they go visiting, but for excitement Beryl has undertaken gliding, water skiing, horse riding and skyOverseas diving. travel has been a lot of fun and apparently not difficult with Beryl's wheel chair, but with a decline in Clive's health they now need to take an assistant and this can prove costly.

However travel they do within the state in the campervan which is fitted with a hoist to lift Beryl in and out.

They're in a campervaning club for which Clive is Secretary/ Treasurer and Beryl is the only disabled person.

Beryl's books, the latter two of which were typed out by Clive, are available for purchase at $5 each for the first two and $7 for the recently published sequel, A Human Spirit Unconquered. with postage

within WA being $2 per book.

Book purchases can be made through Beryl at the Quadriplegic Centre, Selby Street, Shenton Park 6008.

Looking at the e xtraordinary dedication of Clive to Beryl which he dismissed with a "As long as I've been able to help then that's reward enough for me," and Beryl's refusal to give in to self pity with a resolute "If I start to feel sorry for myself I give myself a good talking to by realising there are others worse off than me, then pick myself up and get along with my life." then one can only feel profound admiration for this couple.

During the interview they held hands and called each other darling with an obvious love bond between them.

No complaints are

forthcoming from them as is often the way with people really who've suffered.

And sometimes it must be so hard for them to sift among the good things to praise, rather than condemn the bad. But they manage to do that, with Beryl giving praise to God for all He has Oven her.

And Clive's refusal to accept any trials with anything but love for Beryl plus a attitude positive towards anything he can do for her as being a pleasure rather than a is hassle, inspirational.

People think of saints as being holy people, usually celibate. and giving their

lives largely over to prayer — and preferably leading an aescetic life style!

But when I think of modern day saints I can feel, know, and touch and who walk the earth with me — or crawl if they can't walk, or nod if they can't talk — then I immediately think of people like Beryl and Clive.

THEY! are saints.

Because they have the

determination to succeed despite terrible odds.

g•

They have the true meaning of love by giving unselfishly to each other, without ever considering it a sacrifice.

They give each other mutual support — "I couldn't have coped with my cancer if it hadn't been for Beryl's encouragement," said Clive.

Their true committed married love has not only survived but been forged in steel their through adversities.

: g

While having much to whinge. moan and complain about — they don't! With Beryl praising God "for the many gifts he's given me".

They say they've had their fair share of happiness, but I'd say they got that by striving for it themselves. . . . it certainly didn't come knocking on the door.

Bervl's faith too is spiritual; because she thanks God for what He has given her without blaming Him for what He hasn't.

With all that — if they're not worthy to be called saints, who are?

24 The Record, December 19, 1991 16

The Record, December 12, 1991

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Love is indeed the most beautiful force on this earth.

It is the essence of life itself. The filling of the most gaping cavities within us.

An answer to our deepest yearnings and needs.

Well another year has gone and I'm quite dazzled with its speed.

And how's it been for you? Those months strung together with activities and life.

Undoubtedly for some it's been traumatic with the recession/depression.

And no doubt sickness for others and tragedy.

Yes life is a funny kaleidoscope isn't it? We all hop on its merry —go—'round and sometimes if it whirls too fast, one just can't get off.

You have to stick with it and hope the pace gets slower and the good parts better.

I've been one of the extremely lucky ones. For me it's been fabulous!

Sure I've had my hassle share the same as anyone else. But nevertheless life's been tv.,4 much more than kind.

To be quite honest, it's been full of just enough winter to appreciate the cosy warmth of the open fire.

There's been just enough sunshine to ,, rrftlYiy days. Enough—stz, filled clearest of heavens to hold me spellbound ati?rd` rtistry and awesome craftsrrKiship.

More than enough wonderful, fightf people to light up my days ad nigik,with the sparkle of their smiles . who/Kaye far oJtJreighed the horrible nasties I kri\w spread hate and discord wherev r they gorN / .9' God has given me bread knou to feed ,my f rni A hundredfold good time overthe bad and "ere there, any? It didn't se m so!)

A Springtime full of scented blossoms a ornelg Hi eartn. [.

Freedom to move aroun at will in-thisltraTnific tcou. of ours. hairtthat — a home: j ut,kUCH He has given me the sheer ora hou(elb A home full of the laughte and joithd only ildren can bring.

Four wonderful children.

Who make life sparkle.

I Sunbeams dance.

Music fill the house.

Who bring warmth and enormous Ixe t my life Whose love bathes me in a golden gi)w so wh ever I go am c defences against anyone.

Love does that to you.

If you find someone and they love you — then"The universe is yolurs.

There are no greater prizes to be given to you tha he itt To be loved, truly loved, by another human being is th mostire:treasure, pearl beyond price, that one can seek.

It's a funny thing because love cannot be bought. Only sough . ' t' every human heart must have to make them 'whole'. To mak And to turn them into warm and lovable human beings themselves. g to People who are not loved and who do not love, are cold and sterile, give others.

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They become chilled and unlovable, and often tend to cive out a poison wah onlyT further distances themselves from those who would wish to love them.

Without love our lives become barren. Cold and sterile. ut love makes you dance through the days with an energy as though you could achieve anything at all.

It flows through your body and mind like a stream of golden worm fluid which seem like a magical substance which can put you in touch with the essence of life, with its vitality, intense joy of living, sheer happiness, immense well being, and the feeling that this truly IS life!

In abundance.

Flowing over.

Spilling around everywhere to others.

And how does this incredible, almost indescribable feeling come about?

Merely by being loved by another. And loving them in return...

So for all lovers of children, spouses, friends and the human race in general you love for as long as you live.

Because with that your emotional seas will never run dry.

Your heartland never become a desert.

Your interior body never wizen up.

Your mind never become old.

Nor will your eyes be closed to the incredible beauty of God and some of his special human beings who they, like him, dispense so much beautiful warming love that the world becomes an infinitely more wondrous place in which to live.

Yet on this earth not everybody has access to the same amounts of human love.

There are those who are despised, rejected, unjustly oppressed, or simply overlooked.

Our world is fu 1 of lonely people who seem to have no warmth of / . ,# love in thiger lives to make days beautiful or nights sofN PeoplezTo do not see the beaytty and radiance sparkling from the little things in each day - the iamonds hidden in the grass.

9

at islwrong? \i'hy is it mat fo&nie people life is a path it by nshirte, whilst oth s see ' nlyia bleak gi‘ struggle to inch 'forward through the ste ce? \-,-___ , lk "I / 1 W hatever appen e pro fia Saviour who said: "II-kave code thatithey m life, an ave it to the Kill?"

4 , id He chant is mind? Has he ovqr1 d His promise? ...What has ' one wrong. °thing is wrong with God; /He is the same 'yesterday. today. and forever.

2 ,-

So why, if our God is a fair God, are there those Cvstiose joy is incomplete; whose hearts are barren. Whose lives are. as we read in the article to the left; 'cold and sterile'?-244.,f 7 If Jesus' wish in the Garden of GethSemane was )c might have His joy in our hearts "in all its fulln4s," w,hy this y absent, or hopelesslOdulled, in the lives of so r Kople?

- B7se of our faith to turn

A t John tells us that Ood is r God.

ith a whole hcart to God.

I eiand that hero lives in love, lives in

LovOs

at wilich wall seek - and with which we are all % If God is loz e, beg/follows that GO is the force without which we are not wh6le. Whose presence is th light revealing the diamonds in the gr Ye o live in love, we must live in.GOD. It is God w4?)tn,,_we must seckito know and to love above everything else if we<.ai to-R complet U 1 God wlouid have 4ur lives/filled with

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love if it were His choice alone.

)11 The choice is ou ./his is the meaning of free will. k If ke \ail\ ve if we yearn for greater fullness of life ... if we wish ce rather an crawl - then it is to Him we should be looking. hile we mäy not be equal on this earth in terms of worldly things possessions, relationships, pasts - we are equal when it comes to the greatestfiling of all: God's love. it our lives are full and we lack nothing. love of our God is unlimited and He created us in order that we receive it. /But the key word is receive.

A If we choose God and choose to follow Him with all of our hearts constantly being attentive to ways we can grow closer to Him - then His love will flow into our lives and fill them.

If we insist on walking our own paths and turning to God only when it is comfortable or when it suits us, then we cannot expect an abundance of His love to light our days; because while His love is unchanging and infinite, we will not be allowing it in.

We have a choice - every one of us.

Life can be a beautiful song; or a heartbreaking struggle. Or it can be an mediocre existence in between.

The greatest difference is the love of God ... and how much of it we allow into our lives.

4

The Record, December 19, 1991

25

ti' , GRANNY ROSS' CHRISTMAS CAKE This is essentially a teetotaller's cake as the brandy is optional. It makes a good-sized cake but if you want a bigger one, use the figures in brackets.

250g (350g) butter 250g (350g) sugar 6 (9) eggs grated rind of 2 oranges juice of 1 orange 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 up almond essence 2 tbsp (3 tbsp) brandy (optional) I (2) up baking soda 500g (750g) flour, sifted I tsp mixed spice (optional) I1 2 /kg (21 2 /kg) dried fruits 250g glace cherries, chopped 250g blanched almonds, chopped 220g crushed pineapple milk whole almonds (optional) Soak the washed fruit and nuts in the brandy overnight or longer (it won't hurt to sit for a week).

Cream the butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in juice, rind and essences. Sift dry ingredients. Mix with fruit and nuts and add to butter mixture. Add pineapple and mix well. Add a little milk if mixture is too dry.

Line a 23cm (28cm) round or square tin with butter paper or non-stick paper. Spoon mixture into tin. To ensure the cake has a flat surface suitable for icing make a slight dip in the middle by piling mixture to the sides. If you don't want an iced cake then decorate the top with whole almonds before baking. Tie a folded sheet of newspaper around the tin and sit the tin on more folded newspaper in the oven as this will protect the cake during the long cooking time. Bake at 150 C for 3 hours then 125 C for about 1 hour (4 hour total). A square tin will take slightly less time than a round one. Cover it with greaseproof paper after the first 2 hours if you think it is browning too much. The cake is ready when a skewer poked in the middle comes out clean.

Allow to cool then wrap the cake first in greaseproof paper then in a clean tea towel. Keep in a dry place.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES This is another 'Down Under' favourite and makes an excellent gift when presented in paper or foil candy cases.

225g cooking chocolate 25g butter 2 tbsp rum (optional) 2 tbsp cream (optional) 1 up vanilla essence 1 2 / cup sifted milk powder 2 tbsp sifted cocoa 2-3 cups icing sugar dried fruits or nuts (optional) coconut, or chopped nuts, OT chocolate hail (about ) cup) Melt chocolate and butter together in a bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool. Add rum, cream and essence. Mix in milk powder, cocoa and enough icing sugar to make a firm mixture. Add fruit and nuts if you wish. Form into balls about the size of a large marble and roll these in coconut, nuts or chocolate hail.

LOW ALLERGENIC CHRISTMAS CAKE This cake contains no sugar, wheat flour, eggs or milk but it does have nuts which could be substituted for more fruit if necessary. It doesn't keep long — a week at the most.

1 tbsp honey 125g green and red glace cherries 12.5g sultanas I25g currants I25g mixed peel 2 small cups water I grazed apple 125g almonds, chopped 1 cup cold mashed pumpkin I tsp almond essence 2 tsp grated lemon rind 3 tbsp corn oil 11 2 / cups soy flour 11 2 / cups rice flour 3 tsp baking powder I tsp mixed spice tsp nutmeg 1 2 / tsp ground cloves 1 tsp cinnamon extra almonds to decorate Bring honey, dried fruits and water to the boil in a large pot. Remove from heat. Add apple, almonds, pumpkin, essence, rind and oil. Sift in the dry ingredients. Mix well. Gently press in almonds to decorate. Bake in a greased and lined 2 / -2 hours. Test with a 20cm tin at 160'C for 11 skewer. Cool in the tin. Remove and wrap in plastic film and store in the refrigerator.

CHRISTMAS TANTILISERS

ESPRESSO TRUFFLES Prep: 30 minutes Cook: 3 to 4 minutes Chill: 7 to 8 hours Makes: about 44 These creamy truffles explode with the intense flavour of chocolate and espresso. They make wonderful gifts or a great ending to a meal.

1 cup milk 1 2 / cup heavy cream 11 2 / pounds good-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped I stick (4 ounces) butter, cut up and softened 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

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BRANDY BUTTER 90g butter, softened 1 cup icing sugar 2 tbsp brandy OT whisky 2 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp lemon rind, grated Beat the butter, then beat in the icing sugar until the mixture is fluffy. Beat in remaining ingredients.

Spoon mixture into a serving bowl and chill.

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Acknowledgement: Recipes from The Art of Making Christmas by Margaret Ubels (Collins $19.95).

15 The Record, December 12, 1991

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l r

26 The Record, December 19, 1991

2. With a small ice cream scoop or melon bailer, scoop chilled mixture into PA inch balls. Roll in cocoa to coat completely. Place on wax paper-lined jelly-roll pans. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator 2 weeks or in freezer 1 month. Serve at room temperature.

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1. In a 2-quart glass bowl, combine milk and cream. Heat in a microwave oven on High 3 to 4 minutes, or until boiling. Whisk in chopped chocolate and butter until melted and smooth. (If necessary, return to microwave oven on High about 1 minute to melt chocolate and butter completely).

Whisk in espresso powder. Refrigerate 5 to 6 hours, or until mixture is firm enough to hold its shape.

DAD'S CHRISTMAS PUDDING 250g raisins, chopped 250g sultanas 50g currants 150g prunes, chopped 125g mixed peel, chopped 50g glace cherries, chopped 1 apple, grated 1 large carrot, grated grated rind of 1 lemon 1 2 / cup brandy 1 cup flour tsp salt I tsp mixed spice 1 2 / tsp cinnamon 1 2 / tsp nutmeg 250g soft white brecuicrumbs I cup sugar 4 eggs, lightly beaten cup milk 1 2 / cup orange or pineapple juice 250g melted butter 1 2 / teaspoon baking soda Mix the fruit, carrot and rind together and pour brandy over them. Leave for 24 hours. If you are really short of time forget this step and put the brandy in with the milk. Sift dry ingredients together and add breadcrumbs and sugar. Add the dry ingredients to the fruit mixture. Mix eggs, milk, juice, butter and soda together and add them to the main mixture.

Grease a 1 litre basin thoroughly. Fill it with the mixture, leaving about lcm for expansion. If you are using a pudding steamer, cover it with a circle of greaseproof paper, making a soft pleat in the middle for expansion. Clip on the lid. If you are using a heat-proof bowl cover it with circles of greaseproof paper and foil that are larger than the top of the bowl. Tie it securely with string. Leave a large loop of string with which to lift the basin out later.

Place an old plate upside down in a large saucepan of boiling water. Carefully place the pudding basin in the pan. Make sure water comes two-thirds of the way up the basin. Gently simmer for 4 hours. As the water boils away replace it with more boiling water. Store in the fridge or other cool place. On the day you serve it, boil for another hour.

To flame, gently heat half a cup of brandy, Grand Marnier or oven-proof rum (don't let it boil). Pour it over the pudding and ignite.

• '41

V.-J Acknowledgement: Recipes from 365 Great Chocolate Desserts by Natalie Houghton (Harper Collins hb $24.95).

Infant Holy In ant Lowl

I

nfant holy, infant lowly, For his bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the babe is Lord of all.

Swift are winging angels singing, Noels ringing, tidings bringing, Christ the babe is Lord of all, Christ the babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping, Vigil till the morning new, Saw the glory, heard the story, Tidings of a gospel true.

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, Praises voicing greet the morrow, Christ the babe was born for you, Christ the babe was born for you.

POLISH CAROL

Here is a young man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman.

He was raised in another village, working as a carpenter until the age of thirty, when He became an itinerant preacher.

In all His life, He never wrote a book, held a public office, or attended a college.

He had no home or family of .His own.

Large cities were unknown to Him and He was never more than 200 miles from the place of His birth.

He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness.

He had no credentials, but Himself.

After three years as a preacher, public opinion turned against Him. His friends deserted Him, leaving Him to suffer the mockery of a trial at the hands of His enemies. He was sentenced to death and was nailed to a cross between two thieves.

As He was dying, His executioners gambled for His robe— His only possession on earth.

Nineteen centuries have passed since His death, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.

All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the kings that ever reigned, and all the governments that ever ruled, combined, have not influenced the life of man upon this earth nearly as much as that ONE SOLITARY LIFE.

Away in a Manger

A

in a manger, No waycrib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus Laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky Look'd down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, The baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, No crying he makes.

I love thee Lord Jesus, Look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle Till morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me forever And love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children In thy tender care, And fit us for heaven To live with thee there.

The Legend of the Christmas Rose

L

egend says that a little shepherd girl of Bethlehem followed after the shepherds who had received the angels' message and were journeying to the stable. All the shepherds took along gifts for the Christ Child; but the little girl had no gift to give. As she lagged behind the others, somewhat sad at heart, there suddenly appeared an angel in a glow of light, who scattered beautiful white roses in her path. Eagerly she gathered them in her arms and laid them at the manger as her gift to the little Lord Jesus.

This page by COLLEEN-McGUINESS HOWARD

The Record, December 19 1991

27

TOMORROW TODAY with Father Joe Parkinson

Facing truth As I shop for the Christmas dinner, I am struck by the colour and the gaiety of the shops in the mall.

The decorations are large and brightly coloured, and do not seem to stay inside the shops — they seem to flow outwards into the mall with a sense of excitement and anticipation which overcomes me.

Faces of Santa look back at me from all angles, with his snowy white beard and friendly smile, and maybe even a twinkle in his eye.

The streamers in gay colours seem to lure me into the shops with the promise of something ecstatic in store, and before I know it, I am grabbing and touching the assortment of gifts on display.

Sometime later I remember why I am at the shopping centre, and pull myself back to the food, vegetables and meat I am here to buy.

I head out of the gift shop with its bears and soaps and bangles and bows.

As I walk along, the faces of hard reality begin to hit me: small children crying from heat, hunger and exhaustion; mothers' bodies weighed down by the burden of troubles, children and parcels; faces lined with worry from having over-spent, that the tinsel called them and their children wanting more and more.

A lot of noise coming from teenagers sitting in groups.

An old man passes me by, the long years of NII

loneliness etched in deep lines on his face.

I turn my face away from these signs that make me uncomfortable andtegin to look for any signs of the Christ Child in the centre.

Isn't that what Christmas is all about? Yet nowhere is there a crib or nativity scene.

But then I remember Dom Helder Camara's words: "Our salvation is with the poor".

I remember the many people I have already passed in the shopping centre, the faces I turned away from because they were heavy with worries, loneliness and pain.

These are in fact the faces of the Christ Child — the Word made flesh — and while I was busy searching for Christ in a plastic stable, I did not

Probably that it is a time of mass consumerism and you would probably notice inconsistencies like Christmas cards showing snow-covered trees while we swelter in 36 degree heat.

The birth of Our Lord Jesus would not get much of a showing, or if it did, would it make much sense expressed in

The Catholic Youth Office will be open for

"Dare the Dream" enquiries only between Friday December 20 and Monday January 6

YOUTH OFFICE DIRECTORY

I pray this Christmas, Lord, that you open my heart and eyes more and more to your people, and give me the power to

the giving and receiving of gifts?

So what does Jesus' birth mean to us.

We begin to see the relevance of Christ's birth in our own lives when we reflect upon our past Christmas experiences.

Part of that reflection is the realisation that this mind-blowing thought has been reflected upon by many other most excellent people through our Church's tradition and history.

These people could have been anyone — they were nobody special — but the difference is that they knew the importance of Christ's birth and the effect it had on their lives.

It should be the same for all of us.

You might find yourself

PHONE: 328 9622 FAX: 328 7976

ANTIOCH 328 9622

CPY 328 8136

YCW 328 9667

CRYO 328 9622

YCS 227 7061

TYCS 328 4071

28 The Record, December 19, 1991 16 The Record, December 12, 1991

Young Christian Students workers Margaret Maasen and Annette Watkins. meet them in your name.

Therefore Christmas offers a time when we can concentrate on sharing, loving and genuine celebration.

We are also given the opportunity to work towards increasing our awareness that many people in many countries have little to celebrate, in real terms of love and peace.

A time to reflect on the real meaning of happiness, giving, and the chance to reflect on all

that is worth celebrating in the world and in my life.

Christmas, should be a time when there is a sense of peace and selfsatisfaction with oneself, for and a time community.

When Christ was born, the small child was the centre of attention, and we are called to re-live this centralisation of Christ.

We need to recall what He means to us, and what

example He offered in His life and death.

Hence the peace and love of Christ is always with us, and we need simply to stop long enough to reflect and remember this.

The fulltiming team of the Young Christian Students Movement wishes you a season filled with the love, hope and peace of Christ.

A nnette Watkins, Lisa Legena & Maragart Maassen

Gift of hope & love Imagine if you have never experienced Christmas before, and you turn up in Perth about this time of the year. What would you think?

Catholic Parish Youth worker Mladen Milicich.

see him passing by.

It reminds me that, at Christmas, God gave himself to us in Jesus, and that Ihave only to do the same.

I must give of myself because that is really all I have to give. I too am word made flesh.

I continue shopping, this time with my eyes and heart open, open to the Christ in the people continually around me and I begin to see these people in their essence. lam also able to think of the people of Christ that Icannot see, the prophets of the world to whom Christmas has no meaning in their poverty and loneliness.

thinking, so exactly how can we bring Christ back into Christmas?

We believe that it starts in our own home, in our work place, in our classroom, in our own lives!

It starts by saying YES to God, and witnessing this decision in our everyday actions.

Three simple lines to keep in mind over the Christmas season, so that everyone you meet will experience the gifts that God offers. Christmas is the gift of peace, Christmas is the gift of hope, Christmas is the gift of love.

Have a joyous and Christ-filled Christmas.

Paddy Devlin, Mladen Milicich CPY Fulltime Workers

Fellow CPY worker Paddy Devlin.

Family day To me, Christmas is that time of the year for family and friends to get together and celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ into our lives.

It is one of the few times of the year that my large family and extended family really make an extra effort to come together.

This may sound like an easy thing to do, but as one of my sisters now lives in France and most of my other brothers and sisters are married, it is hard to get everyone together at the same time.

Christmas also means a

great deal of preparation caught up in all the for the special day: commercial side of putting up the Christmas Christmas — the gifts, tree, writing cards, buy- eating and drinking — ing and wrapping gifts, and sometimes I tend to mum doing loads of forget the whole reason are cooking and plenty of we why of excitement. celebrating.

Unfortunately mum's If it was not for Jesus, loads of cooking means and the life He offers us, eating turkey and ham in we would have no reason new and inventive ways to get excited and carried well into the new year! away with Christmas.

Christmas Eve has ' This year I will try to always meant going to remember the true Midnight Mass, and meaning of Christmas: having a Christmas drink God sharing His life with with friends afterwards. us, reflected in the love Somehow, for me, given and received in my attending morning mass family. would not have the same spirit to it.

Louise Urquhart BedI find it easy to get ford/Mt Lawley Antioch

TOMORROW TODAY with Father Joe Parkinson

Seek wisdom A wise man from the east recently reminded me that one of the real c hallenges of life is not so much to find the answer to every question, but to ask the right questions in the first place.

One of the most common questions posed at this time of year is, "how relevant to us today is the birth of Christ in Bethlehem 2000 years ago"?

I think that we may gain much greater insight into the real meaning of Christmas if we ask the real question: "how relevant am I to the birth of Christ, God-with us"?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His relevance does not change because He, and the offer of life

He brings, does not change from one year to the next.

But I do. I am not the same person today that I was at this time last year, because so much has happened in my life since then.

I cannot change the commercialising of Christmas all by myself any more thanIcan stop the waves rolling onto the beach, and it may be just as futile to try.

If wisdprn consists of knowing the difference between the things I can change and those I cannot, I will approach the birth of Christ with wisdom only when I realise that its impact on me depends not on the relevance of Christ to me,

* ************ *********

•

The Chaplain and Staff of

•

Catholic Youth Ministry wish all readers a

Christmas & New Year filled with the blessings of God

but on my response to His offer of life.

And that, of course, is not reserved just to this time of the year — His offer of life is made day in and day out, all year long.

To celebrate Christmas in a truly Christian way, I cannot afford to dwell on the warm memories of Christmas past nor on past failures.

Neither can I place all my hopes in some distant future, if that would distract me from realising that at this moment, right now, Jesus Christ is exactly who He ever was and ever will be: God with us.

If on Christmas Day we celebrate the moment that our eternal and unchanging God chose to enter our life personally, then on every other day and in all the changes of life I am challenged to acknowledge His presence.

If on Christmas Day we celebrate something else, then it is not God but we who are irrelevant.

Fr Joseph Parkinson

The public is invited to the closing Youth Rally of next month's "Dare the Dream" Convention at the Superdrome on Tuesday, January 21.

Time running out As the 1992 Catholic Youth Convention "Dare the Dream" draws closer, there is mounting concern that all r egistrations are received by the final deadline of January 8.

Registration forms continue to flow slowly into the convention office in

North Perth, and organisers this week expressed their hope that all young people would heed the call to nominate now for the big event.

Despite the Christmas and New Year holidays, neparations for the convention will continue uninterrupted right up to

DARE THE DREAM JANUARY 17-21, 1992

4 WEEKS TO GO!

* *********************

Giving back to God Christmas for many is a time of giving and sharing, a time to be with our families, to celebrate the birth of Christ, and for a frighteningly decreasing number, a deeply religious experience.

Nevertheless, one could safely say that Christmas generally is a time of happiness.

So why, we may ask,

does the divorce rate rise along with the rate of suicides at this great religious celebration?

Why, for so many, is Christmas a time of stress, sorrow and pain?

For my part, I look forward to celebrating with my family — but then,Ihave a family.

Christmas is heralded as a time to be with

Tertiary Young Christian Students worker Michelle Sheehy.

family and friends, ignorantly, and dare I say arrogantly, assuming that the family is a place of harmony and safety for all.

Of course for many this may be true, but for a growing number of people this is not the case.

So holding up this image of "the perfect nuclear family" can only bring a feeling of inadequacy, if not despair, to many who find this cultural hegemonic idea unrealistic.

Christmas is also a time of giving, and of course our increasingly consumeristic society holds up this giving largely in terms of material goods.

Considering the great difficulties many people are facing, particularly in this time of recession, this situation will lead to sorrow for many.

The plastic credit card is held up by businesses as the key to buying goods one cannot afford.

One might consider

suggesting to business people that those with a Christian consciousness are called to consider consumers and the debt many may face, rather than simply their own pockets.

Of course, judging from past years and current television advertisements, one cannot but feel sceptical that the business sector will think of others in need.

As a Catholic, I am called to act for justice, and Christmas is a special time of need.

There are many ways we can choose to make Christmas a special time for others and not simply for ourselves.

We may choose really to give of ourselves, give to strangers, just as the innkeeper gave Mary and Joseph his stable on that first Christmas Eve. The many people working in the welfare sector at Christmas do this every year.

We may choose to invite someone without a fam-

ily or friendship group to share Christmas with us, to join us in our celebrations.

We may also choose not to buy into the consumerism attached to Christmas time, to give of ourselves rather than simply give a material possession.

If you are a business person, you may ask yourself, "What is my responsibility to our Lord this Christmas"?

As we celebrate the many gifts Christ gave us, we are called to ask, "What can we give back to God"?

And as we remember the words of Our Lord, "I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40), we must ask ourselves what we can do for His people.

I pray that one day we, all of God's people as one, can truly celebrate Christmas.

Michelle Sheehy TYCS Fulltime Worker

opening night on Friday, January 17.

A team of volunteers, under the guidance of coordinator Kristi McEvoy, will be working through the summer to make sure that the gathering is a great success.

Information letters have been sent to all delegates who have registered so far, and allocation of electives and community groups is the next major task on the agenda.

As with "Crossroads to Tomorrow" in January this year, all delegates will be placed in communities of around 30 persons for the majority of group work and sharing.

Community and sharing group leaders will begin their lead up to the convention with a formation program aimed at helping them build a strong sense of belonging in their groups.

Catholic Rural Youth Outreach

*** Student *** Accommodation Catholic first year university students from rural areas are invited to register interest in a shared accommodation project adjacent to Curtin University Enquiries and registration of interest may be directed to: Margarethe Byrne 4 Coolga Road Koongamia 6056 or by phoning (09) 221 1549 (office hours) (09) 294 3390 (after hours)

YOUNG FRANCISCANS WEEKEND

-11

AT

Eagle's Nest, Gidgegannup February 28 — March 2 (labour Day Weekend) Young people aged 18-30 years are invited to meet the Franciscans and get to know St Francis of Assisi.

INTERESTED? Then contact: Youth Office 328 9622 Father Finian 274 1159 Pat Meek 349 1474 Father Andrew 349 2837 The Record, December 19, 1991

29

ErrINIMIO

Christmas 1991 . . . Another special

A fowl situation..

CITY V ATICAN (CNS): As far as Vatican officials are c oncerned, Noah should have left his two doves behind when he loaded the ark.

Several millennia later, the dove — less poetically, the pigeon — has come home to roost at the Vatican, unfortunately by the t housands.

The birds landed in an unlikely controversy in September, when it was learned that the Vatican was zapping mildly pigeons to keep them off the porch of St Peter's Basilica.

Installed in 1990, the pest-control system emits a low electrostatic shock that birds soon learn to avoid.

"It's a very light impulse. It doesn't hurt them at all," one engineer basilica pleaded. It is used only in the covered entryway, not on the outside of the church.

But the Italian press had a field day.

"The Vatican Versus the Pigeons", headlined one newspaper.

Another quoted a well-known Roman priest and longtime animal defender as saying: "They're trying to do away with the Holy Spirit, which has traditionally been represented by the dove."

Feathers were ruffled among Italy's animal protection organisations, too, despite Vatican assurances that the system met all Italian and international standards to prevent cruelty to animals.

At the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the agency that manages and maintains the basilica, officials were stung by the criticism.

For them, the pigeon is simply one among a wide range of natural enemies that require constant surveillance and intervention.

"People going into

the basilica were being bombarded," Pierluigi Silvan, chief technician at the Fabbrica, said in an exasperated tone. Visitors who escaped the slimy droppings often walked out with a few feathers in their hair.

The birds were taking their toll on the architecture in the entryway, too, where they nested among the statues and stucco.

"Pigeon excrement is the most acidic corrosive that exists.

There's a chemical reaction in marble that takes place almost immediately.

People don't realise this," Silvan said.

Besides, their nests block the drainage pipes along the basilica roofline. They are vehicles for seeds that sprout into weeds, provoking cracks.

They are a problem — and their number is growing.

"Years ago, there was a lot more hunger in

Rome. The pigeons were eaten," Silvan reminisced. Now, the dinner tables have turned. According to one Italian bird expert, the pigeons have grown "fat and arrogant" on tourist corn.

For the

Vatican's

Square

Peter's a vast

pigeons, St is

dining table, especially during the busy season.

"Some people come here to feed them. In fact, there are those who love pigeons — but I've noticed that they never take one home with them," Silvan said.

The electronic birdbuzzer that protects the atrium of St Peter's uses wires wound around marble cornices, columns and statues. To date, no pigeon has been accidentally roasted, officials say. The birds have learned to stay away.

"Most of them flew around to the back of the basilica," Silvan said.

When the Fabbrica is not fighting feathered foes, it must deal with other animals and even the elements. Rain, for example, which use to wash the 13 giant statues atop the facade, now bears pollutants and pounds them in the porus travertine marble.

"Humidity is in some ways worse for provoking a chemical reaction with the smog," Silvan said.

Although Vatican City traffic is minimal, St Peter's is close to a neighbourhood of intense Roman Traffic.

The Fabbrica once considered removing the statues of Christ and his apostles, but decided that the church just wouldn't look the same without

them. To cover them would "ruin the a rchitechture," according to Silvan.

Hail and wind are enemies, too. They can damage or displace tiles on the basilica roof, which must often be repaired by workmen tethered to a rope — an ancient technique, but "you can't erect a scaffolding around the dome every time you want to fix the roof," Silvan said.

Currently, there is a major roofing project to replace rotting w ooden beams t hroughout the c hurch's upper reaches.

Lightning used to strike the dome frequently, until the first lightning rod was put up in 1815. Earthquakes are still the Fabbrica's nightmare.

A tremor once caused the roof-line statue of St John to turn at an

angle,and it has remained askew ever since.

Silvan made the point that the Vatican does not categorise all animals as pests.

There's been a family of Kestrels — small, reddish falcons — living for years near one of the basilica's clock towers, for example.

And even the pigeons have plenty of other places to go, such as the curved colonnade around the square, where thay can dive-bomb pedestrians all day long.

••

• •

On a recent morning outside the basilica, the only pigeons in evidence were wellbehaved. One curled up into the shadow of a niche. while another hopped politely between tourists on the steps. From the papal balcony in the middle of the facade, tiny feathers floated down.

Ballajura safer Ballajura is a safer place.

Eighteen teachers and parents their completed Senior certificate First Aid Course.

Lina Bertolini, grade 2 teacher at Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School arranged the course for interested parents and fellow teachers.

Lia Savage, St John Ambulance instructor spent 18 hours

over six weeks e xplaining correct basic aid to conscious and unconscious accident victims.

"Young people have died at a teenage party no-one because turned the unconscious drunk youth onto his side" Lia Savage told her students.

People interested in the next first aid course in the region should ring St John

Ambulance 277 9999.

on

The course qualifies successful participants to practise first aid for three years after which a renewal course is necessary to catch up on the latest innovations.

"Every teacher in a primary school should know the basics of first aid" said Sister Margaret O'Sullivan, principal of Mary Mackillop The 'students' prepare to practice mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the mannequin 'Annie'. (L-R) Mary Ryan, School.

Lee Hays, Joanne Crouch, Amando Triscari, Toni Carr and Lorraine Carlson.

,Aroje*.fotit ••

1P5.40A§41*§

30 The Record, December 19, 1991 16

The Record, December 12, 1991

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"

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THEPARIS S CENE

Archdiocesan Calendar 'MI

THANK YOU The PRESENTATION SISTERS wish to thank all who have joined with them this year, in celebrating the centenary of their presence in Western Australia.

The many masses, reunions andparish gatherings throughout the year were celebrated with great joy, gratitude, and enthusiasm.

The affirmation received by the sisters has been a source of special joy, and a mutual experience of Thanksgiving to Godfor our 100 years.

We wish all our friends God's choicest blessings this Christmas season, and throughout the new year.

IMMI •

11-111.1111 IMP

27

DECEMBER 21 Camillus House Mass, Archbishop Hickey.

7-1 • •

.1•4111M,.

25

JUMBLE SALE The Australia Burma Mission Relief Society will hold a Jumble Sale, at the Morley Market — Morley, next to the Bishop Street Newsagent, on Monday 30 December from 8am onwards.

Donations of bric-a-brac and other household items will be accepted most gratefully.

Enquiries 272 1379 or 342 1053.

22

Belmont farewell to Marist Fathers, Archbishop Hickey.

Aboriginal and Islander Community Mass, Archbishop Hickey.

Carols by Candleight, Archbishop Hickey.

24

Little Sisters Vigil Mass, Bishop Healy.

Ocean Reef Vigil Mass, Bishop Healy.

St Mary's Cathedral Midnight Mass, Archbishop Hickey.

1992 JANUARY 3 Meet Holy Sepulchre Kraught, Archbishop Hickey.

5 Bless Fishing Fleet at Lancelin, Archbishop Hickey.

6-21 Archbishop Hickey on leave.

12 Feast San Giovanni Battista Mass, Bishop Healy.

21 "Dare the Dream" Youth Convention close — Archbishop Hickey.

24-26 Students Weekend at St Charles' — Archbishop Hickey and Bishop Healy.

26 Wanneroo Citizenship Ceremony, Archbishop Hickey.

Why not include a Pilgrimage in your itinerary?

(/. * Gj•

Happy marriage, healthy people.

Common sense and family planning ... Call now

PILGRIMAGES

C? N A‘(°

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING 221 3866

DePaul Centre Visit, Archbishop Hickey.

Sisters of Mercy jubilee, Archbishop Hickey Catholic Tennis Association, Archbishop Hickey.

Starting and ending in Lc:idon every week from April until October.

LOURDES, ROME, FATIMA

Country clients welcome. Phone or write.

Phone (008) 11 4010 (local charge)

For details write to:

ST PETER'S PILGRIMS

Natural Fan* Planning Centre 29 Victoria Square

87A Rushey Green Catford.

London SE6, 4BC England Fax: 001144 1 697 2466

"riember ot the Aurtralian Council ot Natural Familr Planning Inc.

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Phone work: (097) 21 3077 home: (097) 91 2690

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for your mercy towards me ' and mine. N.D R

DEATH

BAPTISMS

THANKS

SPADARO, Dom Bartholomew OSB. Of the Benedictine Abbey, New Norcia, died tragically in a road accident on December 16, 1991. Aged 38 years. Requiescat in Pace. His funeral took place on Thursday, December 19 at New Norcia cemetery after a Concelebrated Requiem Mass was offered in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, New Norcia.

BOWTd & O'Dea Funeral Directors 328 7299.

BOUWA4AN Olivia Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret (McVeigh) was baptised in St Mary s Cathedral on December 18. Godparents Anita Bouwman and Leo McVeigh.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus hear our prayer. Saint Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. Saint Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us.

Say nine times for nine days then publish. Never fails.

RD With grateful thanks for benefits received. B.G.R. -Grateful thanks to Padre Pio, to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, to Our Lady of Revelation. From M.D.G. Grateful thanks to the Infant Jesus, Our Lady of Health, St Anthony and St Clare.

M.D.G. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, may your name be praised and glorified throughout the world and and fovever.

Amen. (say nine times a day for nine consecutive days and promise publication).

Many thanks for a special favour granted. M.D.G. Novena to St Clare. Ask for three favours, one business and two impossible. Say nine Hail Mary's if you have faith or not. St Clare pray for us.

Pray with lit candle and let burn to the end of the ninth day. Publish this notice. P.W. Thanks to Our Lady. Pray nine Hail Mary's for nine days lighting candle and letting it burn out on last day. Request three favours, publicise this devotion. E.Y. Grateful thanks to Our Lady, Holy Spirit and St Jude for petitions and Novena answered. M.D.

FISHER (Laurie) Molly and family thank relatives and friends for cards, flowers and attendance at the Mass of our loved husband and father.

PERSONAL Flipina 32, well educated, attractive, good soh, sincere, homelife, honest, loves cooking, gardening, travel, wants correspond with Aussie gentlemen, view friendship possibly marriage if compatible.

Replies to Miss E.G. 137 C. Ouano Street, Looc Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines.

SITUATIONS WANTED Caretaker all round handy person with building trades background and years of practical experience in the maintenance of buildings and gardens, seeks employment with someone who needs an honest, neat and reliable worker. For further information please phone John Calcei on 349 8789.

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THANKS My grateful thanks to Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, St Gerard, St Jude for prayers answered. O.E. Grateful thanks to Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady St Jude, St Clare and St Anthony for novenas answered. R.D. Grateful thanks to Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady, St Jude, St Clare and St Anthony for novenas answered. R.D. Thanks and praise to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Blessed virgin under her many titles.

St Joseph and all saints the Holy Trinity for prayers answered S L 0 Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need, to you I have great recourse from the depths of my heart, and humbly beg you to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me now in my present and urgent need and grant my earnest petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.

Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and three Glorias.

Publication must be promised. St Jude, pray for us all who honour in invoking your aid. Amen. This novena must be said for nine days consecutively and has not been known to fail. C.P. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Jude thank you for prayers answered. D.M.C. Thanks to Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart and St Jude. R.

In thanksgiving to Padre Pio, St Martin and the Mother of Jesus for many favours received. M.K. Sacred Heart, Our Lady, St Joseph, St Jude, St Anthony, St Therese, thanks for special help. Please continue to help.

RC Thanks to our Lady and Si Clair. Pray nine Hail Mary's for nine days lighting candle and letting burn out. Request three favours, publicise this devotion. P.R.

Chatter and laughter before Mass from Fred PRESHAW, Carine Sir, Recently at Sunday Mass in another Parish, I was astounded at the continuous noisy chatter a nd laughter before Mass commenced. There was Just no way people could enjoy a moment of quiet prayer before celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

If some people wish to chatter to their friends before or after Mass, could they do it outside, leaving the church quiet for those wishing to talk quietly to God. Celebration of the Euch-

arist should not be a f rivolous occasion.

I nstead all people should try to spend some time before hand in quiet prayer, asking Our Lord for the grace to offer a worthy sacrifice in the Mass.

All four gospels draw attention to hov.' in early scripture, God said "My temple will be called a house of prayer - It still should be a house of prayer.

People should please respect the desires of those who come to church, and not chatter i nside.

CORRECTION A report on Goldfields Centrecare (The Record December 5) wrongly attributed Catholic Education Office Service to Mr Greg Chidlow and omitted to note that the offices were blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy.

Daly's Derry is quite contrary •

from J HEALY Quinns Rock

Sir, I take extreme umbrage at your page four report (The Record Dec 5).

Bishop Daly is bishop of Derry. Derry of course being an anglicised version of Doire Colmcille the great sixth century saint and scholar who took the Catholic faith to the western districts of

Scotland, establishing his base at lona.

London's Derry did not become a phrase until after the seize in 1690 and was never accepted by the people of that district or the people in Ireland and in fact several years ago the title was officially dropped by the -powers that be-. The then Mayor of Derry visited WA two or three years ago.

The Record, December 19, 1991

31

Dream come true...

Fr John Martis SJ celebrates Mass at St Vincent's Kwinana just minutes after Bishop Healy ordained him priest.

During a 1980 posting on a wheat bin in country WA, John Martis made his decision to become a priest.

The decision was fulfilled last Saturday when Bishop Healy ordained him at St Vincent's church Kwinana, the second Jesuit priest to come from that parish.

He is one of four Jesuit priests ordained in Australia this year.

John Martis had toyed briefly with entering the Carmelites. During his first 10 years in Kuwait where he was born he had regularly served Mass for the Maltese Carmelites who served the small Catholic flock there including the Mar-

tis parents originally and philosophy, tutoring from Mangalore in India. at the college for the last For his secondary edu- of his six years there. cation John Martis was Entering the Society of sent back to India to in 1981 he made his Jesus board at the Irish Chriscommitment in first tian Brothers College at subsequently stud1983, three for Abu Mount philosophy, comyears until the Martis ying his earlier degree pleting family migrated to WA in teaching at St course, 1970.

Aloysius Sydney but also He attended Kwinana serving for a year in India High School briefly and before completing his then for three years the studies back at Parkville St Louis School in the Father Martis will be days of Fathers Des attached to the Corpus Walker and Daven Day. At the St Thomas More Christi diocesan semiCollege under Fathers nary at Clayton to help John Hamilton Smith with the formation ot and Bill Uren, now the students while he comJesuit provincial super- pletes further philosoior, he took a science phical studies with the degree in chemistry and prospect of teaching with an eye to writing philosophy to Jesuit started studies in English students.

Carrying gifts to the ordination ceremony are Coral and John Martis, their daughter-in-law Anne Martis and their grandson Matthew Leurs.

Lord, are you really walling ME ... to prayer and action in the service of Your Church t

to undertake challenging tasks to spread Your Love to families and people in need -

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to uphold the dignity and value of every person -

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to Radically Follow You as a

Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth?

I would like more information, please NAME: ADDRESS: TELEPHONE• VOCATION COORDINATOR SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH 5 KITCHENER STREET NORTH BEACH W A 6020

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37 SARICH COURT

OSBORNE PARK FAX. 244 2069 At St Pius Church Manning last Sunday Bishop Healy admitted Adelaide seminarian and sometime Record correspondent Ian Esmond as a candidate for diaconate and priesthood.

32 The Record, December 19, 1991 16 The Record, December 12, 1991 Mr

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