The Record Newspaper 04 January 1996

What's Inside...

Year-long celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia begin in Perth this Sunday. The Sisters story is told on Pages 8 and 9 PERTH, WA: January 4, 1996

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Call for youth to pledge chastity

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sible behaviour and avoidance of pregnancy; that contraception will eliminate Archbishop Hickey has called on the need for abortion; and that women young people throughout the Perth have the right to take the life of their archdiocese to pledge to commit unborn child.

"On the presumption that most young themselves to pre-marital chastity, people are sexually active - the truth is support for the permanency of mar- that many young people do want to wait riage and opposition to abortion. until they are married, and a great number His invitation to youth came in St do so," he said.

Mary's Cathedral last Thursday at a spe"But they are under pressure to accept cial Mass offered in reparation for abor- the lower standards as they are presented tion on the Feast of the Holy Innocents. within what they read, hear and see. They The pledges promise to treat sexual are subjected to intense pressure to conIntercourse as an act of love that belongs form. Would that the pressure were the to marriage; commitment to the perma- other way around." he said.

"On the presumption that sex education nency of marriage in mutual love and fidelity; rejection of casual sexual relation- will lead to responsible behaviour, the ships and of abortion; support for women truth is that it is not sex education but under pressure to have an abortion; and moral education that will change and compassion for those who have had one affect behaviour."

He added, "On the presumption that conand are in need of healing and inner traception will eliminate the need for peace.

Apart from the young, Archbishop abortion, the truth is that contraception Hickey also called on teachers in Catholic and abortion are linked. Abortion schools to "be absolutely faithful to the becomes the solution when contraception Church's teaching about life, and to be its fails."

Archbishop Hickey again attacked the best witnesses" and urged parents, religious and priests to "combine an uncom- argument that abortion was a matter of a promising attitude to abortion with great woman exercising a right over her own body. compassion for women in distress."

"On the matter of women's rights, the Only by combining these two things, he said, "will we begin to change hearts and truth is that no-one has the right to take innocent life. A child in the womb has a minds."

Archbishop Hickey said the extent to life that is separate from the mother's life which abortion had become acceptable in and has rights of its own," he said.

He also rejected the suggestion that a supposedly Christian country was bewiloccasions such as the Mass in reparation dering; it said little for the strength of Christian principles and much for the were condemnatory of women, saying that determination of those who support abor- Catholics must combine staunch opposition to the practice while reaching out to tion.

The archbishop also issued strong calls offer compassionate support to women for Catholics and other Christians to exert tempted to see it as the answer to their pressure to end the wholesale killing of problems.

He also committed the Church to continunborn children in Australia.

"It is time for true Christians to reverse uing its stance in defence of life but said this ugly trend and bring society back to a that it was sad that other churches who deep respect for the sacredness of human were former allies of the Catholic Church on this and related issues had now drifted life in the womb," he said.

Archbishop Hickey attacked as false away although new allies from sometimes those presumptions which, he said, are unexpected quarters had also been found. commonly used to sustain and justify "Whatever our alliances or support, we abortion but do not stand up to close must continue to stand for the truth," he scrutiny. said.

These were the belief that most young Several hundred people filled the people are sexually active; the presump- Cathedral to attend Mass and hear the tion that sex education will lead to respon- Archbishop speak.

Two pages of reviews of movies on show during the school holidays - Pages 10-11 Comment on the latest Vatican document on sex education begins to surface - Page 3

Pilgrimage to a promised land ends in baptism joy

By Peter Rosengren

Mass at St Kieran's parish Church in Osborne Pat* last Saturday evening was a once-in-alifetime special occasion for the nine members of the Abbaszadeh family (above) who were all baptised into the Catholic Church by parish priest Father Anton Hesse. Just an-Wed in Australia as refugees three months ago from Pakistan, Perth's newest Christians and their friends were delighted after having escaped persecution In their home country of Iran and having lived as refugees in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, for the last three years. (Top photo): Rebecca Abbaszadeh is annointed with the oil of chrism by Fr Hesse while younger brother Samuel and sister Lydia await their turn. (Middle L to R): Joshua jnr, Lydia, Samuel, Rebecca, Mary, Christopher, Cyrus, parents Esther and Joshua Abbaszadeh are presented to Fr Hesse for baptism while god parent Sr Joan Paul looks on. (Below): Joshua shows his joy at his baptism.

Full report - Page 2

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The sleeping giant that needs to wake up ustralia would be a better to Mass is the communal act of rowing parents know too well, islation and social policy in the place if we all lived our Faith Divine Worship that gives us the when we could expect the Faith light of Christian values.

A to the full. drive and A neighbouring Bishop told me

recently when looking at the great crowds in this Cathedral at Christmas, that he had said to the people, "If every Sunday were like this we would take over the world"!

He has a point. If all Catholics were to take their Faith seriously, they would become an enormous force for good in the world.

My Bishop friend was trying to persuade the people to attend Mass every Sunday, not just at Christmas or Easter.

He did not, of course, want the practice of Faith to stop there.

Simply going to Mass is not the full expression of our faith. Going

the idealism to be a moral force for good in our society. Faith and life must meet.

Again and again we are told that the main vocation of the lay Catholic is to influence the temporal order through upholding Christian principles and values, and to live a truly loving life.

This is not proselytising. It is living the Gospel. Indirectly it will Influence people to ask about our motivation and our Faith, but its main aim is to make sure that the "temporal order" as Vatican II refers to it, is founded on truth, compassion and justice.

Living our Faith sincerely and openly is so very important today. Gone are the days, as sor-

No quick end to island fight The eight-year-old conflict on Churches on the island in this the island of Bougainville north regard had not been good, it of Papua New Guinea is unlike- added. "What proved disappointly to be resolved in the near ing in this ongoing crisis was the future, according to a back- Inability - or was it just failure? ground briefing paper on the of the Churches to provide moral Bougainville crisis just released guidance," it said.

The discussion paper concludby the Australian Catholic ed by saying that whatever the Social Justice Council last mistakes attributed to Christian month. missions in the Pacific it had But council chairman Bishop always been agreed that they freKevin Manning, bishop of the quently brought peace to waning northern NSW diocese of clans, although they were not Arrnidale, said that, with a sec- successful in achieving this on ond meeting within a year the island of Bougainville. between all involved parties on Bougainville has been the site the disputed Pacific island moot- of an ongoing battle between the ed, study of the paper could armed forces of the Papua New assist the protagonists involved Guinea Defence Force and the to focus their discussions.

Bougainville Revolutionary Army Entitled Bougainville: A Chall- over the issue of secession from enge for the Churches, the paper PNG since 1988. aims to provide a comprehensive A peace conference set up by background to the causes of the the PNG Prime Minister, Sir conflict, factors which it says Julius Chan, in October last year, should be taken into account in but boycotted by BRA represenattempting to resolve it. tatives, failed to resolve the It also says Churches based on Issues. Further negotiations in Bougainville have a critical role the PNG capital, Port Moresby, to play in achieving peace and a resulted in the formation of a non-violent resolution of the Bougainville Transitional Goverguerrilla war. nment made up of ex-BRA repreBut the record of the various sentatives.

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to pass down to the next generaLet us not accept too readily the tion almost automatically. pressures to keep our religion It is a real struggle today, as private. Our faith is meant to young people have to deal with affect our lives and influence the competing values and ideologies debates that affect the rest of that undermine Catholic truth. society.

In order to reveal the relevance This New Year is a good opporof the Faith we need to live it, tunity for us to examine whether now more than ever. we keep our beliefs and stanThere is considerable pressure dards to ourselves or whether we these days to relegate religion to seek to bring them to bear on the the private sphere, to exclude it decisions that we make, especialfrom politics, business, commu- ly when those decisions affect nity organisations, art, literature others. and entertainment.

If we do not promote our The result of this separation is Christian principles and vision, that religion loses its power to set others will promote theirs. There standards and priorities. Again I are many people with views conam not talking of proselytising trary to our own who do not hesbut of influencing public life, leg- itate to influence public life. We

Archbishop's

Perspective should do no less. I wish all readers of The Record, and the entire Catholic community, a happy and bright New Year and I pray for God's blessing on you all.

Miracles mark path to faith

By Peter Rosengren At 6.30pm Mass on Sunday evening at St Kieran's parish, Osborne Park, a ceremony was conducted before the onlooking congregation which is often seen In parish churches everywhere.

It was a baptism, the entry of an individual into the kingdom of God and the possibility of eternal life with Him. But what was unusual about this baptism, performed by parish priest Father Anton Hesse, was that he baptised not one, but nine, people from Iran. And all of them were from the same family.

The Abbaszadeh family Joshua, Esther and their seven children, have been living in Australia just on three months.

Before their arrival, they were refugees, waiting in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan, for three years to find a home.

They had arrived there escaping religious and political persecution in Iran, a country which has become notorious for its treatment of religious minorities and groups that do not belong to the dominant Islamic Shi'ite grouping.

Their reception into the Catholic Church and the Christian community marked the end of an odyssey which has lasted close to two decades.

Joshua, a former employee of the administration headed by the Shah of Iran thrown from power by the Khomeini-led Islamic revolution, had lost bis job and salary, been imprisoned and tortured on a number of occasions.

His wife Esther had also been severely beaten up in the wave of persecution against other religious groups.

The Abbaszadeh children Joseph, Cyrus, Mary, Rebecca,

Baptism for the Abbaszadeh family was not only an occasion of great joy for them but also for the community of St Kieran's parish in Osborne Park

Samuel, Lydia and Christopher were evicted from school for refusing to subscribe to the religious orthodoxy of the day and for expressing interest in Christianity.

Eventually, the family found its way to Pakistan, the girls by air, the boys crossing the desert on foot.

Joseph said the family had chosen Australia for freedom from persecution. Their desire to become Christian had early beginnings. In Islam, Christ is regarded as a prophet, and Mary, his mother is regarded as a saint.

But for the Abbaszadeh's. Christianity also had a significance which had led them to the point where the whole family embraced it.

Before fleeing to Pakistan, the family had read from the Bible regularly and Joseph said that they found spiritual truths there which spoke to them at their deepest levels, particularly during the worst moments of persecution.

And in Iran, Esther Abbaszadeh's brother had several children, she said, each of whom had died as infants. However, when he had named the last three with Biblical names, Mary, David and Jesus, these had all lived.

The Abbaszadeh's are also quite firm about the miracles they had witnessed in Pakistan.

While the whole family lived crowded into two tiny rooms, one of their boys had become sick and was close to death. The situation was so bad that the family were told by the doctors that nothing could be done for him.

Although not yet formally Christians, they prayed to Jesus and overnight, literally, their son was cured.

For the three years that they lived there, the Abbaszadeh's attended a Catholic Church, in Father Michael Gaff of Manning, a Squadron Leader chaplain secret for fear of persecution.

They were ministered to and In the Royal Australian Air Force, and who manned his assisted as refugees by a Catholic phone on Christmas Day to help the lonely and despairing in the community, spread his Christmas cheer to take 11 stu- priest, Fr Sumfil de Silva, who dent Chinese pilots to visit RAAF base Pearce as part of their helped them with whatever he Christmas break. With Fr Gaff in front of a PC9 trainer are could, despite the fact that in Pakistan the Church and the Zhang Hanping, Un Jin and La Hai Bing.

Room at the Gall inn

Christian community are very poor. It was from Fr Sunnil that the Abbaszadeh's received instruction, although they delayed baptism for fear of local reaction and persecution.

Not even their landlord knew that they were attending a Christian Church. If he had, they are in no doubt about what the outcome would have been - eviction at the very least, more persecution and, they say, probable deportation back to Iran.

When Joseph and Esther and the rest of the family learned that they had been accepted by Australia, they set to learning English.

Remarkably, their textbook was the Rust (Iranian)-English Gospel of Mark, which each of the children memorised.

During the ceremony at St Kieran's it was clear from their joy this was one of the most important moments in their lives.

But it was not only• the Abbaszadeh's who were over the moon.

Just as delighted were Fr Hesse and three Good Shepherd sisters who were all involved in the Abbaszadeh's arrival in Australia and their entry into the Church.

Sr Joan Paul, who helped prepare the family for baptism, also acted as godparent together with Mr Joseph Abdi (affectionately called "Uncle") a family friend who has helped the family to settle down.

Also present were Sisters Tania de Jong RGS, an advisor with the Catholic Migrant Centre's Community Refugee Support Scheme, and Sr Loretto Gray Centrecare, who RGS from helped with accommodation.

Following baptism, the family was also confirmed and received their first Holy Communion.

The evening ended with a celebration supper in St Kieran's parish hall put on by parishioners and prayer-group members.

For Perth's nine newest Christians, it certainly was a dream come true.

Poor man of Assisi makes another Christmas visit

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard The nativity of Christ was made larger than life at St Brigid's Midland at Christmas midnight Mass with an enactment of the Mass of St Francis of Assisi as first given to the people of Greccio in the 12th century.

It's actually a play by Ian Asphar, adapted by David Crann of the Therry Catholic Drama Society, translated by Eugenie and produced with the assistance of the ladies of the Italian Choir and St Brigid's Choir.

On the sanctuary in front Also involved in the presentation were Midland of the altar were kneeling Antiochians and parish- figures of straw partially ioners, not to mention the clothed, in fidelity to St Franciscan Friars them- Francis' Mass Greccio selves. people poor where Several Italian ladies, returned with gifts of clothdressed as Poor Clare ing, fruit, food, flowers, and Sisters, chanted hymns vegetables, and St Francis enunciating love of God, then clothed the stooks of interspersed with Italian hay (representing the poor) and English chanting, and in the gifts of garments. dialogue between Friar According to tradition, Bernard (who tried to entice "then the people saw, St Francis out of poverty), understood, prayed and and St Francis, during gave thanks, and went into which he embraces true the night, carrying lamps poverty and says he will and candles - taking the travel the world so that all light into the world." out may embrace that poverty.

Aid legend to retire after 18 years service Australian Catholic Relief national director Michael Whiteley is to retire in March this year after 18 years at the head of the charitable Catholic organisation when his term as president expires.

Mr Whitely became national director in 1978 after a two-year stint as a member of the organisation's National Committee.

Since then he has become one of the most well-known figures in the world of Australian non-government aid organisations and has been influential in the move to re-orient charitable institutional efforts to a more political and social justice-based approach.

Australian Catholic Bishop's Conference chairman Cardinal Edward Clancy and ACR chairman Bishop George Pell both paid tribute to Mr Whiteley for his contribution to the growth of the Australian Church's involvement in long-term devel-

Mr Whitely told The Record he felt it was time for an infusion of fresh blood into the organisation.

He said that he would be leaving ACR without any regrets or any lack of commitment to the work of ACR and the field of overseas aid.

Although he had no clear plans for the future and would take some time off to consider what he wanted to do, Mr Michael Whiteley Whitely flagged the possibility opment assistance and emer- of taking up previous involvegency aid. Cardinal Clancy said ment with the St Vincent de Mr Whiteley had been a dri- Paul Society.

He said that among the major ving force in all ACR's areas of activity and his resignation had achievements of ACR under his directorship had been the been accepted with regret.

ACR is now active in more Increase in the organisation's than fifty countries and sup- public profile.

He added that now ACR was ports a range of aboriginal projects in Australia. It has also seen as an agency that was not heavily promoted development only interested in raising aid education and Third World money for emergency support social justice issues under Mr but for its advocacy in important social justice issues.

Whiteley's direction.

Antiochian Justine Howard, left, as Mary with baby Olivia Zaffino as Jesus among the stooks of hay in the Midland church draped in garments brought by the poor in imitation of St Francis's actions

It's the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty Just when we thought it was safe ber and size of conflicts will escato crawl back into our moral late to the point where internationcocoons another United Nations al security could be jeopardised," International Year has crept up on he said.

Mr Whiteley said political will us - this time as the International was needed by both communities Year for the Eradication of Poverty.

And, according to Michael and governments - especially in the Whiteley, retiring national director financially wealthy countries, and of Australian Catholic Relief, most that this applied especially to which needed an of the conflicts raging in the world Australia today have poverty as their basic Increase in its allocation of government funds to overseas aid.

Cause.

"What we need is the political will Speaking in Sydney on New year's Eve to mark the beginning of the to immediately move towards the the accepted (by all political parties) for Year International Eradication of Poverty, Mr Whiteley target of 0.7 per cent of Gross said there was also now a desperate National Product being allocated to need by over half the world's popu- overseas aid. The sad reality is that lation to have more equal access to the Government has not shown this such basic necessities as food, leadership and as a matter of fact our allocation to overseas aid conwater and health care.

"This poverty will only be eradi- tinues to decline - it is now only cated when the international com- 0.33 per cent of GNP," he said.

The Government also needed to munity takes much more seriously its obligation to support programs urgently review the way its aid was with the sole aim of making essen- currently spent as it was effectively tial services available to all who misdirected and failing to reach its potential effect. need them." he said.

"Providing a scholarship to a uniHe said that while it was unrealistic to expect that poverty could be versity in Australia might be valueradicated within twelve months it able to an individual from Africa or was nevertheless possible to start Asia," he said.

"However, the amount involved the process that would see, before the turn of the century, a much could provide education for 100 more equitable distribution of the people who are currently desperately poor simply because they are world's wealth.

"If this does not happen, the num- illiterate."

Stained glass an irrepressible art

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard Sketched, robust bodies reminiscent of the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, and scenes from the New Testament, plus drawings from nature meet your eyes as they wander from a variety of tools of craft, to life size cartoon drawings, and fall on beautiful stained glass.

For the first time, a thousandyear tradition of stained glass is currently being exhibited at the Access Gallery of the Art Gallery of WA until February 1Z Described as "educational and emotional," the exhibition highlights the artistry of two wellknown Western Australian stained glass artists, Ken Wildy and Ian Frith, who believe ills their "moral obligation" to educate and inspire not only this generation but also the next.

"In terms of craft," state Wildy and Frith, "stained glass owes its inception and existence totally to the Christian faith, and visiting the exhibition will enhance understanding and engender a greater use of this medium to teach the faith."

This is Barry Standley, manager of the Bowra & O'Dea Pre-Paid Funeral Plan.

At first, it may seem a strange idea to pre-arrange your own funeral. But these days, many people want to protect their families from the financial and emotional burden of having to arrange a funeral at difficult time.

To find out more, or for a copy of our informative Funeral Plan booklet, Ken Wildy (left) with his Iffesize cartoon of the 1985 completed window of Our Lady Queen of Heaven from Sts John and Paul Centre, Willetton. Ian Frith (right) with his cartoon of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane with Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the Mother of God, installed this year in St Xavier's church, Boyup Brook.

telephone Ban-v Standlev on 384 2226.

A TRADITION OF TRUST

OWRA & O'DA FUNERAI DIRECTORS Member 'FDA

The Record, January 4,1996 3

Let Rhonda, PAM inspire you!

By Rhonda Hamersley, leader of The Catholic Youth & Young Adult Performing Arts Ministry.

Most young people in society find it difficult to be a part of Church today.

They either see it as an impersonal institution - a place of hierarchical structure: as a community of well-meaning adults who follow God in a way which only they themselves understand: or

even as a building situated towards the middle of town where their grandparents worship and their parents once went.

These may seem harsh words but they have been well documented and debated within church groups. It is estimated that there are around 60,000 young Catholics in Perth, and only a few of these attend Mass regularly.

One characteristic of inspired leadership is to respond to the

Members of PAM rehearse for the Seize the Day youth convention

SEIZE THE DAYREGISTRATION FORM Please Return to REPLY PAID 16, Catholic Youth Convention, P.0 Box 141, North Perth, WA 6006.

Surname Christian Names Address Post Code Ph D.O.B

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Male

Female _

Cost - Just $165 for the full seven nights and six days! A deposit of $40 should accompany your registration with the balance of $125 due by Friday January 5, 1996.

needs of those in our communi-

ty.

Is the Archdiocese doing this? . . . .Yes!!

The latest initiative of the Catholic Youth and Young Adult Office is the formation of a group of talented young people that will be known throughout Western Australia as the Performing Arts Ministry (PAM).

The aim of PAM is to make a difference, to reach thousands of young Catholics where they are and bring Jesus into their lives in a way which they understand through the most universal language of all - music and drama.

We want to make clear the message that we young people can be as much a part of the Church as anybody!

The "Seize The Day" Youth Convention starting on Sunday January 14 (more information below) will mark the beginning of PAM's public ministry, which will see the re-introduction of the popular Catholic Youth Rallies, as well as parish workshops, camps and country visits.

PAM aims to empower young people. I can never have a greater power than when I realise the love God has for me and that He wants to know me personally.

For this reason we in PAM believe that our message does not end when we leave the stage - we care deeply about sharing our faith, as much by how we live our lives and relate to others as by what we do when the spot-

The PAM band hard at it getting ready for the youth convention

light is on us. We see ourselves as more than just talented artists: we are Christians striving to know God better and be the best we can for Him, realising that He touches each of us differently according to where we are.

God calls us to excellence in person as well as excellence in performance. When we appear excited, it is because we are excited, when we appear passionate. it is because we are passionate.

We are not exempt from problems or worries but we react to them different y as we let God in to help us dea with them.

WHAT IS A YOUTH CONVENTION? Young people Parishes Parents

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EAGLE'S NEST 1406 O'Brien Rd. Gidgegannup Set in 17 hectares of natural hush adjoining Walyunga National park, and just 45 minutes from the city, Eagle's Nest can take

groups of up to 55 in perfect surroundings for youth retreats, Christian living camps or other youth formation programs. Priority is given to Catholic parish youth groups, schools and other church youth organisations.

The following dates are still available for 1996

SEIZE THE DAY Convention Video

January 1, 2-5, 6-7. 8-12, 13-14, 15-17, 22-26,

(Dates in: bold = weekend, Italics = unconfirmed, underlined = school holidays

Fehr

28-31 1-2, 3-4, 5-9, 10-11, 12-13, 13-15.

18-20, 26-29

March 1, 3-8, 10-13, 17-20, 20-22, 25-29 April 1-4,4-5.6-7.8-12.13-14, 15-19.

DO NOT SEND CASH BY MAIL! I have enclosed a cheque/money order for being for... . ..Deposit only ...Part Payment. Full Payment

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Catholic Youth Information Centre

Then borrow the new‘video which will answer all your questions

Due to severe financial restrictions, The Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry is unable to register anyone who has not paid in full by this date.

I wish to order a T-Shirt ($25) and have included this in my registration fee (or will pay the balance by January 5, 1996) .

T-Shirt Size M L XL MY CRITICAL CONCERN COURSE CHOICES ARE (Please choose four)

We want to be able to say: "Sure, God has given us these gifts and we are using them to serve Him. but God gives special gifts to everyone and He can move powerfully through anyone who chooses to use their gifts for Him".

No longer will people be able to stand back in awe and say: "I'd love to have what they've got!". because the message of PAM is that God is a personal God, and what we've got, He wants everyone to have.

To all those going to the "Seize the Day" convention. I'll see you there!

14-20 January 1996

Out now!

Telephone Catholic Youth Ministry 328 9622 Ask for Penny

20-21, 22-23, 23-25, 25-26, 27-28, 29-30 May 1-3, 4-5. 6-7 13-1Z 19-23, 25-26, 27-30 June 1-2, 3-7, 8-9, 10-13, 15-16, 17-20, 2223, 24-27 29-30 July 1-4, 5, 6-7, 8-12, 13-14, 15-19, 20-21, 22-26, 27-28. 29-31 August 3-4. 5-7 7-9, 11-15, 17-18, 19-22, 24-25. 26-29, 30. 31-1 2-6, 7-8. 9-11 15-18, 18-20. 21-22.

Sept 23-26, 27-29. 29-30 Oct 1-4 5-6, 7-9, 10-11. 12-13, 14-18, 19-20, 21-25. 26-27, 28-31 Nov 1. 2-3. 4-7. 9-10, 11-15. 16-17, 18-22, 23-24, 25-29, 30-1 Dec 2-6, 7-8, 9-13, 14-15, 16-17, 18-22, 27-31

For bookings and enquiries. phone Eagle's Nest direct on 574 7030

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The FleCcirtl,' January 4, 1996

The-grace to imitate Holy Family Yet the family is in trouble.

Even allowing for the troubles of any particular family, the family is in trouble simply by being in Australia. Forces are at work in our multi-cultural society which are striving to turn it into a child-destroying and family destroying culture. . . . . The Bible speaks of family Today's Gospel says: "Herod in its opening chapter (Genesis intends to search for the child 27-28): "God created man in the image of Himself, in the image of and do away with Him." Those God He created him, male and words, written 2000 years ago, female He created them. God are applicable today. Forces of blessed them, saying to them "Be evil have arisen in our time to fruitful, multiply, fill the earth destroy both the child and its source. The source of both child and conquer it.""

Here the image of God is put and family is sex and marriage. before us as family, not as indi- Both are under attack.

Sex is trivialised by contracepvidual, and should we have any doubt about that, the Christian tion (and we are only just beginrevelation puts the doubt to rest. ning to witness Mother Nature's For it tells us that the God of rebellion against such interferwhom we are the image is a fam- ence). Marriage is increasingly ignored in order to promote sex ily.

God is Three and God is One - without children or commitment.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit in an Pregnancy is violently separatunited, loving relationship. ed from both by abortion. striThe Christian truth of family life has to be told in season and out of season. The following are excerpts from a homily given on the Feast of the Holy Family by Father Gerard Dickinson at St Mary's Cathedral

emphasises four basic values of the family: • The family is a community husband and wife, parents and children, relatives. The task of the family, he says, is to develop as a community of love: . . . "With love, the family can grow and reach its full stature."

• The family is a school of humanity . . . . In this school each family member learns to care for the others . . . . requiring of each member a generous spirit of sacFr Gerard Dickinson rifice - the kind of sacrifice that dently justified by the 'Rights of brings happiness and a sense of Women' lobby, without any fulfilment. thought given to the rights of the • The family is a place of recunborn and defenceless child. onciliation. Wherever people live These evils are contagious and in close, intimate contact, there insinuating to the point where are bound to be times of stress even good marriages are being and difficulty. . . . it is so easy to infected. ignore one another's needs and In the best of cultures and 'civil- sensibilities. Hurt can follow and, isations' the family has been hon- if not attended to. can fester and oured throughout history. Pope become disruptive. "I am sorry" John Paul II has persistently and "I forgive" are part and pardrawn our attention to this and cel of loving.

School's out. . . and in again Monday. 18 December, was the first day of the annual Christmas holidays for many school teachers. But it was the first day of school for over 90 new teachers who will be teaching in Catholic schools in 1996.

The teachers attended an orientation day at the Catholic Education Office in Leederville.

All teachers new to Catholic schools are required to attend one of these orientation days where the ethos of the Catholic education system is explained.

Pictured, right, during the morning tea break were Andrew Glavert, left, who will be teaching at Christian Brothers' Agricultural School. Tardun, and Michael Podgorny and Michelle 1Rigg who will be taking up teaching posts at St Cecilia's College, Port Hedland.

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Aid to the Church in Need is practically the only Catholic organisation whose primary aim is to assist the Church where it is in great need of help. It is a Universal Public Association within the Catholic Church approved by the Holy See. • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • II • • • II • • • • • • • • •• • C heques payable to: AID to the CHURCH IN NEED, (Est. 1947), • • P.O. Box 11, Eastwood, 2122. Phone & Fax: (02) 679 1929.

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• The family is a vital cell of society. It is in the family that young people should be able to learn the values of respect, justice and love, in a non-threatening environment - values that are significant to, yet patently lacking in, large sections of modern society. . . . The truly Christian family promotes authentic social life more effectively than any single entity.

I am well aware that families are not perfect and will not always achieve the high ideals of the Christian family; but it is important to strive towards these ideals - building community. deepening love and respect, promoting reconciliation, and nourishing one another's gifts.

In our efforts our greatest hope is God. He has honoured family life by giving it. Let us pray for the grace to imitate the Holy Family and for help to restore the family to holiness, health and happiness.

•

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The Record, January 4, 1996

5

Why look elsewhere for local talent?

By Peter Rosengren Corpus Christi parish Church at Mosman Park received a gift from parish resident and artist Betty Lupton recently when Monsignor Sean O'Shea, the parish priest, went hunting for something to fill and decorate the front of the Church.

Now, hanging on both sides of the Church, and just in front of the sanctuary, are large original paintings, done in acrylics, of the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist. and of the Sacred Heart.

The two superb paintings were, remarkably, turned out in just three weeks after Monsignor O'Shea first approached Betty Lupton, a Corpus Christi parishioner who gained her Diploma in Fine Art 25 years ago.

"I always felt guilty about the plain and ordinary backdrop behind the baptismal font when families took photo's after baptisms, " Monsignor O'Shea said, indicating the large brick wall that stands behind the font.

"But," he said, "as they say, I'm not backward in coming forward andI knew the good lady had talent, so I approached her to see if she would do it."

"You were game," Betty chipped

in dryly at this point in the interview as we sat in the Church admiring her handiwork "Well, I'd seen some of her work so I wasn't flying blind," Monsignor O'Shea grinned.

Mrs Lupton said she had been sick for most this year and the chance to do the paintings had been a real tonic.

"I was up at five every morning for the three weeks it took to do them - it's the best time to work," she said.

She said the painting of the Sacred Heart was similar to most standard paintings of the subject but with her own portrayal of how she thought Jesus would be and look And the baptism in the Jordan shows a very lean, almost scruffy John the Baptist, toughened by his years in the desert and not the romantic figure which is sometimes seen.

Even Monsignor O'Shea had a hand in the preparation of the canvasses, stretching them himself and doing the framing.

Mrs Lupton, who has taught art in the largest diocese in the world, Kiribas - a group of atolls that stretch for over 1,000 miles said that she had dedicated the paintings to her father, Jack Marshall.

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Three year old Corpus Christi parishioner, Tim Masarei, (left) and older sister Kate (5) meet their special friend Jesus. Inset: artist Betty Lupton

Use of New Norcia's resources discussed Its never difficult to attract people to New Norcia, even If it's a simple "come visit us" invitation.

So annual New Norcia Study Days get an assured following from history buffs down to the "let's just go and soak up some solid, interesting information" folks.

Fifty-seven people attended last year representing a cross-section of religious and laity from academics to varied occupations. They came eagerly and left much richer after discussion papers delivered by Dr Rowan Strong, Associate Lecturer in Church History at Murdoch University. and Sally Anne Hasluck who has been investigating the possibility of an outreach program of public education at New Norcia.

As a result of the papers, animated discussions took place with an input of interesting ideas regarding the use of New Norcia's archival material and the whole town of New Norcia.

Dr Strong's emphasis was on New Norcia's archives.

He has been given a brief

by the archives, research and publications committee for the Benedictine Community of New Norcia, to assess the archives for their potential for researchers, with a primary emphasis on academic work without neglecting non-academic background and interest.

Expressing interest in New Norcia's farm and satellite stations, maps. role in Catholic education in WA. relations with other Catholics and the colonial government, Dr Strong expanded on these and subsequently engaged the assembly in group discussions which then reported back to the general audience with their findings.

After a typical hearty New Norcia lunch, people meandered through the museum At the study day: Mike Anspach, seated, Or Rowan Strong, left and art gallery under the rear, Dom Benedict Mudd, and Sally Anne Hasluck. guidance of Catherine Stone and Sue Brennan, while Mrs Hasluck's paper was They have asked for a archivist Wendy Pearce tailored to assist the report on ways this could took others through the Benedictine Community's be undertaken so. ideas archives, and Dom hope to make its resources could be developed for Christopher walked with available to school students assessment, including comthe curious to show off New in an accessible and cur- parisons with programs in Norcia's latest improv- riculum-related way in the others states, such as that at ements. near future.

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lo lAeo Church the final arbiter of Bible meaning was pleased to see (The Record. 28

I 'December) the world renowned bibli-

cal scholar Father Joseph Fitzmyer SJ make extensive reference to the Pontifical Biblical Commission's 1994 document The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church.

However, while the commission does consider the historical-critical method as valuable it not only warns about the danger of Catholic exegesis becoming "lost, like a stream of water, in the sands of a hypercritical analysis" but also calls for it (Catholic exegesis) to contribute to an "ever more authentic transmission of the content of the inspired Scriptures".

Unlike Fr Fitzmyer, I do not consider a terse description of "liberationist and feminist approaches" as a validation of them. If anything it is the noting of the limitations of these innovative approaches which is of significance.

Finally - quoting Father Aidan Nichols, of Cambridge University (The Splendour of Doctrine): "only the Church as the Bride of Christ is the adequate reader of Scripture considered as the Word of God written whose riches belong at the feet of Christ, the Word of God incarnate, the true centre of biblical revelation" - I believe the official Church, through its Magisterium - Pope and Bishops - not individual biblical scholars, as the authentic interpreters of the Bible.

John R. Barich Ardross

A reconciling thought irst of all, congratulations to you and FF your staff for an outstanding Christmas Record. The Record is becom-

ing one of the best weeklies in Australia keep up the good work The Mass timetables are greatly appreciated, especially by travellers, but would it be possible to have a list of times for Reconciliation?

Nowadays, it seems that many parishes don't worry about letting people into the secret of when a priest will be available to hear Confession.

I know that it would need the co-operation of all parishes in WA, but perhaps it could be arranged, even before next Easter - a time when many Catholics make an extra effort to go to Reconciliation.

Peter Wells Thornlie

Signs of times debate found it difficult to understand Mr I Said's attitude (The Record, December) towards "Solidarity with the 7

modern world" and "Women in the Church".

Even with all its "false Gods" the modern world needs the Catholic Church to help understand what it is to live the life of Christ.

For its part, the Church needs to become more relevant to the modern world especially to our young generation.

Regarding your comment: "Misguided gender equality battle for women's ordination?" Who is misguided? It is easy and safe to refer to the issue purely as one of "women's ordination".

Because women are not being 'heard' by the hierarchy of the Church, the Church lacks the fullness of human reflection, male and female, in the forma-

tion of its' doctrinal, moral and pastoral life.

I feel deeply that the struggle for equality is not only for women, but also for the Church and for the credibility and integrity of the Gospel in the modern world.

Karen Shervington Donnybrook

Wisdom of the simple ather Tony Chiera (The Record, F December) decried the prominence given Mr Said's letter (7 December) and 14

states he doubts there will be much listening while Catholics engage in simplistic condemnation.

Perhaps simplicity is an attitude fast disappearing in the life of the Church in modern times. Perhaps those who think simply - not foolishly - have a clearer vision of right and wrong than some confused and confusing academics.

It appears Mr Said (whom I do not know) has been rebuked for voicing his concern regarding existing evils in today's society Maybe there are many who agree with Mr Said and applaud his simple effort and genuine concern to denounce the harmful actions he mentions.

Yes, the world listens to the Church. It watches and waits to see if the Church remains firm to its teachings or is swayed by a secular society Some may be upset and sincerely question as the Church holds true to its principles, but it grows in stature and credibility for those genuinely searching for the truth.

As Mr Said quoted, and others before

him have quoted, "The Church is in the world but not of it". A simple quotation with a depth of meaning!

While discerning and openly referring to the evils which do exist hopefully we the Church - all of us - will prayerfully and with solidarity fulfil our mission in our own particular way, to spread the Gospel message of faith, hope and love.

A confused world is waiting for many witnesses to heal its wounds and to spread joy where there is so much sorrow.

Peg Matthiesson Waroona Editor's note: Recent correspondence has shown that the question of how the Church engages the world is still a hot topic 30 years after the Second Vatican Council document on the Church in the Modern World. Gaudium et spes. Most are at one in the belief that the Church must evangelise the world. But the key question, around which most disagreement turns, is how it should be done. The Record invites further letters on this point, particularly those which go deeper into the how of engaging the world without being compromised.

Landmines policy ustralia's churches have collected signatures on a petition to A get anti-personnel landmines banned 210,000

worldwide.

So far, Australia's official policy is not to ban land mines. The people of Australia want this policy changed.

Arnold Jago Mildura

Epiphany reminds us of our pilgrimage in faith

By Peter Dwan BA he Feast of the Epiphany this T Sunday is regarded so highly in many countries that it is cele-

brated as a holy day of obligation.

This is not so in countries such as Australia where the Feast of the Epiphany is transferred to the Sunday between January 1 and 8.

The word "Epiphany" comes from the Greek word for "manifestation," and marks Christ's first manifestation of Himself to the gentile world in the persons of the "Magi," or "wise men," who had come from the East to seek the newborn King of the Jews.

In the early centuries, Christ's birth was celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany.

When the Feast of Christmas was introduced, it was envisaged that the Epiphany would remain the greater feast, for while Christmas marks Christ's first revelation of himself to the Jews, the Epiphany marks his first revelation to the Gentiles.

Although popular piety highlights Christmas, liturgically the Epiphany remains the greater feast.

That the Magi undertook a long and difficult journey in search of Christ, that they travelled as a group, "found the Child with his mother Mary," and that they offered the Infant King expensive gifts are four points of interest among the many aspects of the Epiphany that provide much food for thought.

The Magi only found Christ after a long and difficult journey.

Right from when they saw the star and concluded that a new King had been born, they followed that star.

Evidence that it had been a long journey is found in the fact that after questioning the Magi about the time of the appearance of the

star, Herod deemed it necessary to kill all male babies up to the age of two years to ensure killing the newborn King, presumably on the assumption that the kings had been travelling for up two years. But God foiled Herod's plan by sending an angel to tell St Joseph to take Jesus and Mary into Egypt.

The Epiphany is the "Feast of Converts," who, in many cases, have had to make a long and difficult pilgrimage of belief before "they found the Child with his mother Mary," in the Catholic Church. Different converts have been guided by different "stars."

One such star for over 14,000 Australian converts, has been the Catholic Enquiry Centre in The three wise men - left, right and left rear - as shown in the crib at St Sydney. By our prayers and our John of God Hospital in Subiaco, 1963 donations, we can help ensure the Catholic Enquiry Centre will illo group reunions, St Vincent de patiently explain that by having continue to be a brightly shining Paul Society conferences, Legion people say the Rosary, they are "star," which leads many to of Mary Praesidia or Catholic having them meditate on the Christ.

The centre's postal Women's League or Majellan principal events of Our Lord's address is PO Box 363, Marou- groups for mothers. Opportuni- life.

Besides the Rosary Bouquet. ties to join such groups are great bra, 2035, New South Wales. which had started out in 1977 as The Magi travelled as a group. graces from God. The Magi "found the Child with simply a Crusade of Rosaries, It is providential that today converts are travelling to the Church his mother Mary. We must had, by 1979, changed its orientain groups, through the Rite of remember that the whole basis tion completely, and was embracChristian Initiation, (RCIA) which of Marian devotion is summed ing numerous Masses, Benedihas been introduced into many up in the words "To Jesus ctions and Holy Hours.

All-night Vigils before the Australian parishes. It is up to us through Mary."

Saints down through the cen- Blessed Sacrament exposed must to help by our prayers the catechumens and candidates involv- turies have highlighted the surely rank as the most dramatic ed in the RCIA. Some are also in importance of going to Jesus living out of the crusade's motto: a position to offer their services through Mary. Unfortunately, "To Jesus through Mary.

Those wanting further informain parish RCIA teams, either as many today advocate going to Our Lord directly rather than tion about the Rosary Bouquet catechists or sponsors. for Our Lady's Birthday. or/and It isn't just converts who need going to Jesus through Mary.

The Rosary Bouquet for Our who are prepared to help the to travel the long and difficult road to Heaven in groups. We Lady's Birthday, despite its great crusade in any way may contact need to avail ourselves of the success, does have its critics. The Rosary Bouquet, PO Box 86, strength which comes from People would tell Australia's Eagle Heights, 4271, Queensland.

When the Magi reached membership of Catholic organi- notable promoter of the bouquet, the late Bern Foley and his Bethlehem, they offered the sations and movements.

If we are wise men and women, widow, Margaret, that, instead of Divine Child the expensive gifts we shall avail ourselves of oppor- promoting devotion to the of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

If we are wise men and women, tunities to join small prayer Rosary, they should be doing we shall show a similar generosgroups, the World Apostolate of something for Our Lord.

However, the Foleys would ity towards Our Lord, both as Fatima (Blue Army) Cells, Curs-

individuals and as parish communities.

The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen of the United States once commented that there is little use in being individually generous if we are corporately selfish.

Vatican II directed that each parish and diocese should give a definite percentage of its income' to the missions.

Failure to comply with this directive can have serious repercussions.

In mission lands, it can mean that many projects which could have been funded have not been undertaken.

For example, in Africa. priests have been unable to employ as many catechists as they need.

In mission countries, a catechist is the priest's right-hand man or woman, and instruct those seeking to be received into the Church.

Africans today are turning to because but Christianity, Catholic missionaries are hamstrung by lack of finance, 4,000.000 of the 7,000,000 converts in Africa annually join Protestant Churches.

No less serious can be the repercussions for the Church in mission-sending countries.

Australian Catholics are rightly concerned about the number of people, especially young people. who no longer attend Sunday Mass.

A number even decide to join religious cults which make considerable demands on their members.

The Feast of the Epiphany 1996 is a time for serious reflection.

Are we Catholics going to show the idealism that will inspire our young people or shall we continue with our mediocrity and run the risk that out young people will decide to go and seek idealism elsewhere?

The Record, January 4, 1996

7

Sisters of Mercy 150 years

1846- 1996

The Sisters of Mercy - 150 years downunder, starting in Western Australia

Perth the beachhead for Irish missionaries of low in Australia

Ireland in the late 18th and him gathering the poor children early 19th century was a land of every Sunday for religious members of the Sisters of Mercy landed at Fremantle to begin the wretchedly poor, helplessly sick instruction, and of his care for work of the Sisters of Mercy in and uneducated people. It was a their material needs, stayed with Australia making, in one sense, world of religious, economic and her always, profoundly influencPerth the mother house of the socio-political divisions which ing her life.

After her father's death, CathSisters in Australia. A Perth Sister were utterly opposed to each of Mercy tells the story of how other: Catholic-Protestant; rich- erine's mother immersed herself the Sisters of Mercy came into poor, underprivileged-influential. in the social world of her Catherine was born in Dublin Protestant friends and family, being to promote works of mercy on 29 September 1788, to James gradually selling off the property and how they came to Western and Elinor McAuley. her husband owned to maintain Australia.

A loving man, her father was a her extravagant lifestyle. skilled craftsman, prosperous On Elinor's death, just six years atherine Elizabeth McAuley landowner - and devout Catholic after her husband, Catherine and founded the Sisters of Mercy His wife, Elinor, a lady accom- her sisters and brothers were In Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. plished in the social graces of her placed in the custody of ProtIn doing so, she established day, was intelligent, charming estant relatives. Within a year, badly needed services for the and refined.

Catherine was community that were both creFrom her father, Catherine again homeless ative and unique for her era.

Inherited a sensitivity and love and at the tenCatherine worked tirelessly to for the poor, for James was der age of 20 Introduce a new emphasis on deeply conscious of the terrible knew first-hand community care for the needy, ignorance and poverty of his fel- what insecurity. standing firm in the face of strong low Christians and the obliga- uncertainty and societal opposition - to women tions of his own wealth and for- powerlessness controlling wealth and holding tune. was. Her Catholic beliefs were positions of power and influence, Catherine's father died when often misunderstood and Cathand to her Catholic faith. she was five, but her memory of erine had to hold on to the faith given her by her father, without having had any formal religious instruction until her mid-teens.

In 1799, Catherine was adopted by an elderly Quaker couple who took her to live with them at Coolock House.

These people greatly influenced Catherine's life as they had a great love of the Scriptures and also demonstrated a real sympathy for the needs of the poor.

It was Catherine's privilege to go about and distribute alms in the name of the Callaghans. So Impressed were they by Catherine's goodness that they were baptised into the Catholic faith before their death.

Catherine became their sole heir, inheriting a fortune which enabled her to realise her lifelong ambition: to establish a house in which she could educate and care for the poor and provide a residence for homeless girls.

In 1822, at the age of 44, Catherine bought a property in the heart of Dublin and set about establishing her house for the poor, despite ridicule from her relatives, who nicknamed the house "Kitty's Folly".

Catherine's name for the property was "The House of Mercy."

Mercy - misericordia, or bringing one's heart to misery and wretchedness - had become her mission in life.

She soon gathered around her a group of women anxious to assist her in her work. She enlisted the help of wealthy Dublin friends and, on completion of the house In 1827, she and two others moved into the house on the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, 24 September.

It was never Catherine's intention to form a religious order. Her plan was that women could come dv„Vitt, to her for help for a time and then move on. was adamant that her work a rrtroi beShe with the poor in their own sur-.1zecot‘‘‘‘k\Wiii.' roundings, that she and her group were needed to go out into #4,4„. /4"ii the community to help, rather than be closed in a traditional Tric.44 Wetts,1915" convent.

Perth artist Tricia Walsh's depiction of the landing of the Sisters of Mercy in The House of Mercy provided 1845 at Fremantle shelter and elementary education 8 The Record, January 4, 1996 150 years ago next Monday Irish

for homeless girls, helping them to become independent and preparing them for future employment.

Catherine and her helpers educated poor children, provided accommodation for homeless women and cared for destitute women and children. Whatever need presented itself, Catherine would try to respond to it.

In time, her religious advisers persuaded Catherine that her work for the poor would have permanence only if it were formally carried out within a rollgious congregation.

Aged fifty-two, she entered the

19th century Ireland, the new rich were resented, resisted and thought to be English sympathisers but Catherine saw their potential for doing good.

In the days leading up to Catherine's death in 1841, a young Sister named Ursula Frayne nursed Catherine in her Illness. Four years later, she became the leader of the pioneering band of Sisters of Mercy who established the order in Australia.

Born Clara Fra-yne on 15 October, 1816, in Dublin, Ireland, Ursula Frayne had entered the new Institute of Mercy at Baggot Street. Dublin, in July 1834, three years after its official beginning as a religious order.

Ursula gained experience in pioneering the Mercy order in newly-discovered lands, having been leader of the first band of Mercies to travel to Newfoundland.

The Sisters of Mercy who courageously volunteered for the Mission to Western Australia were practical women of compassion and vision.

Ursula Frayne was chosen as their leader and Mother Superior at the age of 29. She was accompanied by three sisters. Catherine Gogarty. Anne Xavier Dillon and Ignatia de la Hoyde, and two novices. Aloysius Kelly and Baptist O'Donnell. With them was Catherine O'Reilly. a postulant to be. aged 21.

They were part of a group of 28 missionaries on the barque "elizabeth" brought to the Swan River Colony by Bishop John Brady. the first Catholic Bishop of Perth.

The group had responded to Bishop Brady's call for assistance in his vast diocese of Western Australia, peopled, as he had claimed, by large numbers of

Catherine McAuley's goodness led her Quaker friends to become Catholics Presentation Sisters to begin training for religious life, and was professed in 1831 on 12 December marking the beginning of the Religious Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy.

During the next ten years until Catherine died, Mercy convents were established throughout Ireland, England and the Americas and, in 1846, in Western Australia.

In her day, the poor -were thought of little consequence. But she thought differently. In her day. the poor lacked knowledge, education and opportunity - it was thought that if the poor wanted these things enough, they would find a way to get them.

In the early 19th century, ignorance of the true teachings of one's faith, ignorance of the Gospel message, led to acts of shameful neglect, bloody vengeance and atrocities. Most are satisfied with their spiritual ignorance. Catherine was not satisfied.

She felt compassion. In early

St John's Pro Cathedral last century with the first Convent of Mercy, built in 1848, behind it.

Mother Ursula Frayne, leader of the first Sisters of Mercy in WA and Australia

colonists and Aboriginal people, said were needing their care, many in need of education, and were not to be found. support.

The cottage was school by day Also in the group were the and convent by night. But the Spanish Benedictine priests - deterioration of Sister Mary Fathers Serra and Salved°, other Catherine Gogarty's health made priests, brothers and lay cate- life more difficult for all. The chists who were to labour under priests and catechists were scatenormous difficulties to support tered to the North and South and the Catholic faith of the early set- the Sisters undertook visitation of tlers in this State, and to bring homes, prison visiting, as well as Christianity to the Aboriginal Instruction of adults in their faith people. They landed in Freman- and teaching children in school. tle on 8 January. 1846.

These early days in the young After the arduous journey the colony were full of other, unexgroup had endured, they had still pected difficulties. The Sisters more challenges to face. Hard- faced problems and lack of supships such as the heat, poor port from sources they had least health, homesickness and, indeed, human limitations were to test their efforts and dedication to the task.

On that hot January day of their arrival, they realised that the good Bishop Brady was not practical - no provision had been made for their accommodation,. expected. In their drive to provide But, fortunately a kindly education, help, support and care Methodist woman. Martha Crisp, for the most needy in the comprovided a home with her until a munity, they often encountered cottage in St George's Terrace misunderstandings, disagreebecame available. ments and conflicts of interest The name given to this first with Church authorities and the home, the Convent of the Holy Bishop himself, on issues such as Cross, was prophetic. Perth had money, control and style of operonly been settled for fifteen years ation.

The Sisters, nevertheless, conand the population was sparse. tinued to advocate for the people with primitive conditions.

The thousands of settlers and they were committed to helping, Aboriginals which the Bishop and had established at least four

The present Convent of the Sisters of Mercy at Victoria Squat., Forth, built in 1871

schools within weeks of their first arrival. They conducted May devotions and prepared a number of people for the sacraments.

At the end of July, Sister Mary Catherine died and the Sisters moved to another cottage at the

moved to Melbourne to establish the Sisters of Mercy and their works there.

Sister Mary Baptist O'Donnell, who succeeded Ursula, died at age 45, after a short period in office.

The Sisters endured heat poor health, homesickness and human limitations to test their dedication' corner of Adelaide Terrace and Victoria Avenue, where they began giving residential care to Aboriginal and other children at the Benevolent Institution.

In May 1848, the first Convent of Mercy, situated behind the Pro Cathedral, was officially opened.

In 1853 a new boarding school was opened - one of Ursula's big achievements.

In 1857, Mother Ursula Frayne and Sister Anne Xavier Dillon, with Sister Mary Joseph Sherlock,

Her successor, Mother Aloysius Kelly - also one of the original pioneers - led the community for many years, during which four schools were operating. In 1868, St Joseph's Girls' Orphanage was established.

One of the novices who came to Perth in 1848 was Sister Mary Francis Goold, who later began secondary education in Western Australia, establishing Mercedes College - now the oldest Catholic secondary school in Australia.

The site at Victoria Square - the cradle of Catholicism in Western Australia - has a long association with the Sisters of Mercy.

For many years they made their Profession of Vows in the Pro Cathedral and their first convent is still in use as the Frayne Wing at Mercedes College.

A significant milestone of development was the profession of the sister, Australian-born first Vincent Brennan professed in 1864.

In the nineteenth century, the Sisters of Mercy moved to many apostolates and places in Western Australia - they cared for Aboriginal children in Perth in the early days, worked in Fremantle soon after their arrival, and in Geraldton during the 18805.

A statue of St Michael the Archangel guards the graves of the plower Sisters of Mercy in the garden of the Victoria Square convent

Relatives and friends gather in 1914 to celebrate the golden jubilee of the profession in Perth of the first Australian-born woman, Sister Mary Vincent Brennan, centre, as a Sister of Mercy.

Schools were opened and families supported in Guildford, York, Toodyay, Bunbury. Victoria Park, Coolgardie and West Perth. They conducted the Girls' Orphanage at Victoria Square from 1869 until 1901, when they took over the Subiaco Centre which they are operating to the present day.

They were responsible for the Boys' Orphanage at Subiaco from 1876 until 1897.

The West Perth branch convent of the Sisters of Mercy was formed in 1888 by Sister Mary John Stewart, and named an independent foundation in 1896.

While all other foundations in Western Australia by the Sisters went on to become independent. they gradually amalgamated with the Perth Congregation.

The West Perth Congregation maintain their independence to this day as a separate congregation.

They have been active in the whole range of community support given by the Sisters of Mercy, teaching in 20 city schools, two country schools, working with Aboriginal and Prison Services. establishing an Aboriginal Crisis Centre, providing parish workers. social welfare, two child care centres, three hostels for the aged and rented units for the aged.

In the last 150 years, the work of the Sisters of Mercy in Western Australia is still a living and active example of the aims of Catherine McAuley. They have actively supported families in the community, in education, health care, social welfare, parish work, counselling and advocacy.

This has included establishing schools, colleges, and teacher programmes; aged training health care and accommodation; caring for children in need of home support and emotional healing; supporting families in times of crisis and providing specialised facilities and progranunes for them; working to improve the support offered by government to the marginalised, disadvantaged and needy in the community.

Today and into the future, the challenge for the Sisters of Mercy, now reduced in number, is to enable lay leaders to continue in the Mercy tradition, the works they began, while they try to discern how best to respond to some of the contemporary social needs of people.

The Record, January 4, 1996

9

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Holiday Movie Reviews

Clever values-centred humour is a big hit

By Gerd Pare of CNS

In "Father of the Bride, Part II" (Touchstone) the prospect of being called gramps plunges Steve Martin into a mid-life crisis.

But that's only the half of it; it's double trouble because he's soon informed his wife is pregnant, as is his daughter.

This zippy, warm-hearted comedy returns viewers to the family of George (Martin) and Nina Banks (Diane Keaton).

With the same-cast 1991 movie a solid hit, a sequel is no surprise.

Both movies, by the way, are remakes of the 1950 and '51 Spencer Tracy-Elizabeth Taylor comedies, "Father of the Bride" and "Father's Little Dividend."

The surprise is that this sequel is an enjoyable, wholesome movie that depicts family life in a positive, life-affirming way. For once, the dreaded "d" word does not apply - and just when you thought every movie family was automatically dysfunctional.

George does get a little wild and crazy when first told his precious married daughter Annie (Kimberly Williams) is going to make him a grandpa.

He's far too young, he thinks.

Quickly getting a dye job, snappy threads and snazzy shades, he gets frisky with his startled wife In the kitchen and before you know it they are expecting their own little bundle of joy.

As George grapples with feeling

too young to admit to being a grandfather, but too old to be pushing a baby buggy all over again, Nina and Annie run interference between dear old dad and decorator Franck (Martin Short), who is costing George a fortune building the baby's "suite" and staging an elaborate twice-as-nice baby shower.

The screenplay by Nancy Meyers and her director-husband, Charles Shyer, hands the movie to Martin, who uses his comic body language to best advantage and gets nearly all the funny lines.

This is an old-fashioned domestic comedy with lots of heart, in which problems are resolved with relative ease, especially since the relatives love each other a lot.

The only eyebrow-raisers beyond mild sexual references consist of the depiction of a character named Mr Habib (Eugene Levy) as tyrannical and greedy, followed by a disparaging remark about Annie's baby possibly ending up with an apparently unacceptable name like Sophie Zachman.

Those who took offense with Disney's depiction of Arab characters in "Aladdin" might claim this Disney movie is now an equal-opportunity offender, slighting Arab and Jew alike, although one wonders why the filmmakers would set themselves up for such criticism.

By and large, however, this is a pleasantly paced story about

Martin Short (top) reprises his role as interior designer and party organiser Frank Egglehoffer with Diane Keaton (left), Steve Martin and Kimberly Williams Photo CNS Reuters

families, aging gracefully and The predictable labour room accepting life's little surprises scenes are tasteful and don't go with hope and optimism. George to extremes - and Jane Adams' and Nina hardly seem an aver- performance as a very youngage middle-class family; given looking but determined obstetritheir plush home, the word cian hits just the right notes in "wealthy" springs more to mind, characterising a caring profesbut they don't put material pos- sionalism. sessions before their devotion to All in all, this is one sequel that loved ones. isn't a dreary shadow of its pre-

decessor, and its values-centred humour is welcome on the big screen.

Due to mild sexual innuendo, the US Catholic Conference classification is A-II - adults and adolescents. Well worth going to see, if only to find out how to avoid your looming mid-life crisis.

Take the family too.

Toys hits the spot for young and old

Teens will love the Dumbo line

NEW YORK (CNS) - Toys come to life in their own little community when humans aren't around in the animated fantasy, "Toy Story" (Disney).

The toys belong to 6-year-old Andy whose favourite is Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), a cowboy doll who is the accepted leader of the other toys.

Kept in Andy's bedroom, they have a fine old time whenever the boy leaves the room.

But they all fear being replaced by a new toy, which happens when Andy gets Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), a shiny plastic spaceman, as a birthday present.

Buzz takes Woody's place on Andy's bed as the boy's new favourite.

Woody retaliates by making fun of Buzz who carries on as if he were truly a space ranger and not a toy.

Eventually Buzz and Woody get lost in a trendy pizza parlour and are picked up by mean little Sid, Andy's nasty neighbour who enjoys destroying toys.

The situation becomes frighten-

ingly ominous when the pair are locked up in Sid's bedroom with its array of grotesquely wrecked toys.

How they escape certain destruction to get back to Andy has some harrowing scenes which little ones may find upsetting.

For the rest, however, the fun with Mr Potato Head, Slinky, Etch-a-Sketch and other familiar children's toys is imaginative and well-paced, though without the deeper emotional resonances of classic fairy tales.

Directed by John Laseter, the computer animation is marvellously done, with the toy figures having a sense of reality which cannot be matched by animated line drawings.

The result is something that parents will probably enjoy as much as their youngsters and that's no small achievement in today's movie fare.

The US Catholic Conference classification is A-I - general patronage. Cleverly done and well worth the look. The outstanding animation will fascinate.

and outbursts of violence. The only thing that's lacking are the gangs which are the main focus of other similar pictures of alienated youth.

Viewers can see the depravity in this but the film makes no judgments and consequently has no moral weight.

What the movie does provide, however, are self-justifications of criminal behaviour and sexist attitudes that most viewers will find clearly repugnant but which some lost souls in our troubled society may, alas, find appealing.

But director Larry Clark's only concern is making his mindless scenario seem realistic by using a lot of hand-held camera shots in filming a cast of adolescent non-actors in tawdry rounds of New York City locations.

The result is an empty exercise in hopelessness, lacking compassion and insight, let alone any sense of perspective.

Because of its exploitative treatment of sex, violence, substance abuse and rough language, the US Catholic Conference classification is 0 - morally offensive.

Lack of judgement leads nowhere in 'documentary' act Going to extraordinary lengths for media attention, Miramax has rejected the industry's adultsonly NC-17 rating to distribute without any rating and through a subsidiary the low-budget "Kids"(Excalibur).

With or without a rating, the movie is a box-office bust. The dreary exploitation piece portrays a mindless day in the socalled life of a group of inner-city youths whose anti-social behavlour is used more for shock value than any human insights or social commentary, 10

The Record, January 4, 1996

Certainly the bleak prospects for jobless, under-educated high school dropouts in today's technological world is a serious concern for society, but "Kids" has nothing more on its mind than a sensationalistic teen freak show.

The movie affects a semi-documentary style in its depiction of aimless youths alienated from home, school and the human race.

They have grown up wild, with no sense of social morality, filling their empty hours with sex, drugs, cheap booze, petty larceny

The elephant at the centre of Disney's "Operation Dumbo Drop" is nearly as heavy as the forced humour in this comedy.

Actually, the film is earnest in depicting a story of eventual multiracial harmony, but it's a lot to ask a pachyderm to carry its one-joke premise.

It's 1968 Vietnam and by-thebooks Captain Doyle (Ray Ilona) has arrived in a remote village outpost friendly to the United States to replace culturally sensitive Green Beret Sam Cahill (Danny Glover).

When the village loses its revered elephant, Cahill convinces the powers that be that he and Doyle should personally get a new elephant 'to the village to keep up morale.

The trouble is the big beast is hundreds of miles away, across enemy-infiltrated territory, and Is inseparable from a mistrustful orphaned Vietnamese boy (Dihn Thien Le).

Surprisingly, director Simon Wincer's movie of military misadventures is based on a true story Wincer downplays the customary battlefield violence of wartime movies to concentrate on how Cahill gently bonds with the orphaned boy.

The result is some broadly humourous strokes and a lot of warmhearted sentiment.

Due to some restrained military shootouts, brief sexual reference and instances of scatological humour, the US Catholic Conference classification is A-II - adults and adolescents. This film is worth taking the teens to - and is warm and fuzzy in the right places, even If it won't win an Oscar.

Gentlemen, step aside, and make way for our hero, Mrs Errol Flynn NEW YORK (CNS) - Fast, fearless and female, Geena Davis does a gender-bender on swashbucklers as captain of her own pirate ship bound for "Cutthroat Island" (MGM).

Produced and directed by Ms Davis' husband, Renny Harlin, the fast-paced adventure tale opens in 1668 Jamaica, where Morgan Adams (Ms Davis) is too late to save her captain father from his murderous brother, Dawg (Frank Langella).

Inheriting her father's ship - and part of a treasure map the dead man had ingeniously concealed on his body - Morgan teams up with dashing thief Shaw (Matthew Modine) to outrace Dawg to the jewels and dubloons hidden somewhere on Cutthroat Island beyond treacherous waters.

On the way Morgan must weather not only squalls at sea after strife on shore but assorted blackguards, traitors, mutineers and the dubious romantic attentions of sneaky Shaw.

Her boat, for lovers of sea-lore, is a wonderfully finished man-o-war which adds just the right note of 'pzazz' to this movie.

Harlin keeps the action fast and furious In this lavish spectacle, filmed on Malta and in Thailand with an eye to period

detail and souped-up sword fights.

Modine and Ms Davis are up to the physical demands of the roles, although her high-pitched voice works against the tough image she must project as a pirate boss. In fact, Ms Davis appears more comfortable fending off attackers than carrying off emotional exchanges.

As her nemesis, LangeIla is a fairly routine villain, but Stan Shaw, Maury Chaykin and Rex Linn make colourful crew members with several tricks up their sleeves.

Not a character-driven movie, or even one tightly focused on plot, it is content to provide frequent doses of escapist entertainment as boisterous buccaneers engage in death-defying stunts often accompanied by fiery explosions.

There is no shortage of ship and shore violent conflicts, but they have more a quality of derring-do than of showcasing bloodshed.

Successful swashbucklers are few and far between, but Harlin's interesting camera angles, taut editing and the opulent visuals may make his wife a latter-day Errol Flynn.

Due to frequent stylised violence and some sexual innuendo. the US Catholic Conference classification is AM - adults.

Geena Davis stars in -Cutthroat Island"as pirate Morgan Adams, a character whom the US UO11111111,

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Tale of a White House love well worth the effort to see Reviewed by Frances Brown

For decades the American obsession with the private life of anyone famous in American society has filled thousands of newspaper and magazine columns.

In recent years it seems there has not been enough high society gossip to satiate the public appetite so it has spilled over into loungemoms with a plethora of daytime television talk shows probing the confessions, infidelity and betrayals of ordinary people.

So in the new romantic comedy from Rob Reiner (When Harry met Sally), The American President it seems incredibly naive that Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), the widowed president of the United States thinks his romance with the tough, environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening) will not have a bearing on opinion polls.

The president's staff all know it will because even any minor changes in his life leave him open to character attacks.

Shepherd is obviously an astute and ruthless politician. He would not be the president if he were not. So why he seems unaware of the impact on his political life of his affair is unclear.

I can understand the desire of any public figure to have a private life but in American politics it seems everything is scrutinised.

Traditionally Americans have had a special reverence for the office of President, quite unlike anything in Australian politics But in the US, debates about the character

US President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) is applauded by staff and officials in a scene from United Artists romantic release The American President

of people in public office have become increasingly important as shown in the sexual misconduct allegations which nearly scuttled Bill Clinton's presidential campaign and in the case of Anita Hill's allegations of sexual harassment against supreme court judge Clarence Thomas.

In this film it is right wing congressman Bob Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss) who questions Shepherd's character and family values when it is revealed he and

Sydney share a bed in the White House.

Reiner's president could be Bill Clinton except that Shepherd is much less of a pragmatist. Shepherd is not trying to pass anti-gun laws because it is the popular thing to do. He believes it is the right thing to do.

Here Reiner evokes the memory of every baby-boomer liberal cause since the death of John F. Kennedy with careful shots panning across a portrait of the slain presi-

dent at the appropriate moments. Bening as the lovely Sydney is disappointing. She has the clout to swing the congress to vote for a radical environmental bill but this tough cookie can hardly string a few sensible words together when she has to deal with the President as a political adversary and as a lover.

Douglas is surprisingly good in the role as President, again displaying a talent for good comic timing which he first showed in three 1980's films with Kathleen Turner.

His role is a welcome departure from his other thoroughly unlikeable characters in films where he is usually shooting people (Falling Down), assaulting women (Basic Instinct), having extra-marital affairs (Fatal Attraction) or being the greedy corporate raider in Wall Street.

See The American President for the mat comedy which carries the film through it's highly entertaining first half hour and for Michael J Fox who plays the President's policy adviser. (His character is based on Clinton's senior adviser George Stephanopoulos whose romance with actress Jennifer Grey made good copy).

But what this film really offers are a sugar-coated solutions to the intractable problems that divide the United States.

I can't help but think the film would have more impact if the tables were turned.

The dramatic possibility would be greater If it was Shepherd - leader of the most powerful nation on Earth - who was unable to get a grip on his relationship with the feisty woman with whom he has fallen in love.

So what's a misogynist dinosaur like you doing in a place like this?

Pierce Brosnan, the latest actor to portray British secret agent 007, makes a suave, if not inspired, James Bond in "GoldenEye" (United Artists), the 17th movie in the series.

In an eye-popping opening, Bond and his 006 partner (Sean Bean) sabotage a Soviet

weapons facility, but the partner is shot point blank just before Bond makes a spectacular - as in sheer fantasy - escape.

Nine years later, Bond's steely female boss (Judi Dench) orders him back to Russia to unmask and undo shadowy arms dealer !anus, after a military state-ofthe-art helicopter is boldly hijacked by Janus' fearless female Soviet pilot, Xenia (Famke Janssen).

The deadly enemy is preparing to launch a secret satellite weapons system - target

London. Unfortunately for Bond, he comes into Xenia's clutches, which is a tight spot since she enjoys fatally crushing men with her iron thighs.

However, he's made an ally of a computer programmer (Izabella Scorupco) who just might be able to derail the weapon system's computer commands in time.

As directed by Martin Campbell, characterisations and narrative are unimportant, as the death-defying stunts and special effects scenes are the movie's sum total.

Over 33 years the Bond movies, once novel for ingenious gadgets and superheroics, now must pump everything up to compete with violent cinema of the '90s.

The body count here is also high, but at least the violence is largely restrained and implied, with more attention given to huge

explosions and impossible escapes from death. These overlong action set-pieces tend to prove that sometimes less is more.

Brosnan makes a dashing and agile Bond, though no shadings of character are even suggested below his alert exterior.

He's still a ladies' man, but one who must submit to a tongue lashing by his boss, who sizes him up from her perspective as "a sexist, misogynist dinosaur."

The bottom line is that "GoldenEye" is an eyeful of glossy escapist fare, more fantasy than reality. Due to much stylised violence and mayhem, brief bedroom scenes and some sexual innuendo, the US Catholic Conference classification is A-IV - parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for chil- Pierce Brosnan stars as James Bond in 007's 17th movie adventure dren under 13.

The 'Record, Janutlry 4, 1908

11

To Jesus through Mary. . . .

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Often when the eyes of the world are on Pope John Paul II, the eyes of the Pope are on Mary.

He has been seen with a rosary in his hand as he rides in the popemobile; he has visited the world's major Marian shrines; he prays the rosary with people who pop his compact disc into the stereo.

The Pope began 1995 with documents and speeches looking at the role of women in society as a preparation for the United Nations women's conference; as the year drew to a close, he shifted his emphasis to women in the Church, and to Mary in particular.

With the first Sunday of Advent approaching, the Pope at his general audience on November 29 offered Mary as a proof of the God-given dignity of women and as a model "to encourage all Christians to open themselves to the saving power of the grace of God, for whom nothing is impossible."

From the earliest days of his pontificate, Pope John Paul has shown his devotion to the Mother of God in word and example, as well as in his coat of arms and his motto: "Totus Tuus"

("Completely yours"), addressed ing the teaching on an all-male to Mary priesthood was infallible.

While he hasn't specifically The series of audience talks he referred to the documents in the began in early September audience talks, the Pope has offered another example of just repeated one of their arguments: how closely he sees the Church's If Jesus had wanted women life tied to that of Mary. priests, he would have begun the After more than a year of audipractice by ordaining his mother. ence talks about the Church's But the fact that Jesus did not structure and mission, he told choose women as his Apostles visitors, "I now feel the need to does not mean they were not to turn our gaze to the Blessed have a role in the Church, he Virgin, she who is the perfect said. realisation of the Church's holiThe Gospel of Luke, he said in ness and its model." the first talk, "mentions the presThe talks have looked at scripence in the Upper Room of some tural references to Mary scant women, thus showing the importhough they may be; at Marian tance of the feminine contribuPope John Paul's coat of arms with teaching in the early Church; and .1' for Mary emblazoned on the tion to the Church's life from the at popular devotion to Mary and 1 very beginning. This presence is its expression in music, art and shield closely linked to the perseverpoetry. active, faith-filled woman. The But, more than anything else, Pope has used the audience ance of the community in prayer Pope John Paul - in the early part series to refute claims that the and harmony.

"These traits perfectly express of the series that is expected to Church offers women a narrow two basic aspects of women's run for about a year - has choice between virginity and focused on Mary as a model of motherhood as well as to make specific contributions to ecciesial Christian values and behaviour clear his belief that there is no life," the Pope continued. "Better suited to outward activity, men for both men and women.

Christian basis for discrimination need women's help to be At the same time, he realises against women. brought back into personal relathat In singing Mary's praises, The audience series began 15 some of the traditional phrasing months after Pope John Paul tionships in order to progress toward the union of hearts." rings off-pitch in modern ears.

Issued his document explaining Servile Father Aristide Serra, a He has not by any means why the Church ordains only professor at Rome's Pontifical dumped references to Mary as men to the priesthood. The series Theological Faculty Marianum, sweet, loving and docile, but nei- had just hit its stride when the helped Pope John Paul prepare ther does he hesitate to offer Congregation for the Doctrine of the current audience talks.

Mary as an example of a strong, the Faith issued a statement sayHe said the Pope's principal

Signs of peace give hope: Pope today, at the threshold of the year 2000, come to knock!" he said.

"It is in this hurt world that the VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope i nfant Jesus. in all his love and John Paul ll's Christmas Day bout with the flu overshad- frailty, appears! He comes to free owed a strongly worded those caught up in hatred and Christmas message in which he slaves of particular interests and divisions," he said. described a "hurt world" of The Pope said he was particurefugees and war victims, as larly encouraged that peace well as emerging signs of appeared to be emerging in such peace. troubled areas as Northern In his traditional message "urbi Ireland and the Middle East. et orbi" (to the city of Rome and It was while the Pope read the to the world) read from his apart- message and had begun to recite ment window on Christmas Day Christmas greetings in various the Pope recalled: languages that he had to give a • The "scattered families" of hurried blessing and quickly left Bosnia, still anxiously awaiting the window, suffering a bout of the results of peace; flu. But he recovered within 24 • The refugees of ethnic conflict hours. in Rwanda and Burundi; Earlier in the day the Pope had • The victims of civil conflict in cancelled his participation in the Sri Lanka, southern Sudan, and annual Christmas morning Mass Algeria; in St Peter's Basilica. But the • The population of Iraq still world's suffering people were suffering under "long years of nevertheless remembered during the Mass. Prayers were offered embargo."

He also cited the plight of for children suffering forms of Kurds, saying that in Kurdistan violence, for the elderly and inhabitants were facing yet lonely, and for the homeless.

The Pope, saying midnight another winter "in the most difficult conditions." Turkey and Iraq Mass the night before, recalled have for years repressed a that Jesus was born in a stable, Kurdish movement for an like the homeless. Yet his birth was full of divine glory reflecting autonomous state.

Christmas is the celebration of an inner holiness, he said. welcome and love, the Pope said.

He said Christ's birth proBut he suggested that, like Mary claimed peace on earth, and this and Joseph in Bethlehem, many year the peace agreement in the in our modern world are being Balkans seemed to reflect that hope. But the peace brought by turned away.

"In the great inn of the whole Christ was not only the absence human community, as well as in of war it goes deeper, reflecting a the little inn of our own hearts, new covenant between God and how many poor people even all human beings, he added.

By John Thavb;

12 The Record, January 4, 1996

• • • a column of Marian devotion concern is "to spread and make known the teaching of the Second Vatican Council" about Mary, which "the majority of Catholics have not assimilated."

"If we want to speak of Christ in a complete way, we must speak of his mother," Fr Serra said. "If we want to speak of the Church, we must speak of the mother of the Church."

"She is part of Christianity," he said. "She is not the centre, but she is a central figure."

Fr Serra said Pope John Paul's obvious devotion to Mary is one reason why more and more theology students are specialising in the study of Mary.

A second reason, he said, is that devotion to Mary and how the Catholic Church explains her role in the Christian community is one of the major issues left to be resolved in the Church's ecumenical dialogue with other Christians.

Pope John Paul hinted in midNovember at the tack he would take in addressing the connected ecumenical issues.

"Human affection for and devotion to the mother of Jesus surpasses the Church's visible boundaries and fosters sentiments of reconciliation," the Pope said. "As a mother, Mary desires the union of all her children."

Bethlehem Christmas sidelined by Palestinian freedom celebrations

By Judith Sudilovsky BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) - In a small chapel in Shepherds Field, far from the rejoicing crowd on Manger Square, seven Catholic volunteers joined hands during part of Christmas Mass.

Here, they said, they feel the Christmas spirit; outside, well, outside is something else.

Those foreigners who were determined to try their luck in Manger Square found it ,to be a different experience than what they had expected. can't tell if this is a celebration for the liberation of Palestine or Christmas," American Jennifer Danover said. "I'm here for Christmas, and it is disappointing to lose the feeling of Christmas.

I'll see how it is at midnight Mass. Maybe I'll get more of the feeling of Christmas there."

But for the Palestinians, Christmas Eve was a continuation of the celebrations since the withdrawal of Israeli troops the previous week.

Dazed tourists tumbled into various restaurants, seemingly seeking sanctuary for some sustenance and to gain their bearings.

"This is more of a political celebration than a religious one," said Cindy Yiu of Hong Kong as she squeezed her way through the throngs. "It's OK, but I want to know how they really celebrate Christmas without the political issue. And most of them here are not Christian."

Haeefam Al Hrub, a Muslim from Amman, Jordan, said he had come for the Christmas celebration because Jesus was a prophet of peace, but also to celebrate the liberation. The celebration of freedom, he said, was more important than the Christmas celebration.

Despite the crowds, no major Incidents were reported, but some youths were taken into the police station for harassing women, and a few people received medical attention for

A Chrfstian Arab girl holds one corner of a large Palestinian flag as she and her schoolmates parade through Manger Square under the bell tower of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Photo CNS, Reuters

breathing problems. Police also were quick to remove drunks from the crowd, although they had requested that there be no alcoholic beverages in Manger Square.

The Israeli and Palestinian authorities cooperated with the procession of Patriarch Sabbah, who was accompanied from the Patriarchate in Jerusalem by mounted Israeli policemen up to Rachel's Tomb, just outside Bethlehem. From there he was escorted by Palestinian horsemen carrying Palestinian flags.

"The message of Christmas is also a message of freedom and

joy and salvation," said Patriarch Sabbah in his Christmas message earlier in the week. -This year is the first year in history the Palestinian people are free and able to decide for themselves.

But freedom for Palestinians is not a message of rupture with the Israeli people who are our brothers .... it is the beginning of a reconciliation of the two people."

The entry of the Palestinian Authority into Bethlehem just before Christmas gave the event a spiritual dimension, which corresponds to the religious feeling of the Holy Land, he said.

International News

Rocket man relies on St Jude for his success of lost causes and a saint to whom Sacco has a special devotion.

WORCES1ER, Mass. (CNS) - It "I asked him for the impossible, was a spiritual experience, a flying in space, and he came humbling experience, one that through," Sacco said. astronaut Albert Sacco said Sacco asked Father Peter changed him forever..

Scanlon, vicar of the Campus Sacco, who heads the departMinistry Board in the Worcester ment of chemical engineering at Diocese, for prayers for himself.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the rest of the crew. said he had those feelings when Father Scanlon celebrated Mass he looked out of the space shuttle at the Worcester Polytechnic Columbia at the cosmos and at Institute's Religious Centre for the Earth. the astronauts each Sunday from He and six other astronauts the first launch date until the spent 16 days in space in October mission ended. and November on a manned Space launches are risky and space science laboratory. the astronauts know better than "It was just so awesome," he anyone else what those risks are. told the Catholic Free Press, In a sometimes emotional gathernewspaper of the Diocese of ing with his family, he talked Worcester in the US. After seeing about those risks, he said. the vastness of space, it would be His brother-in-law then gave difficult not to believe in a him a Creole cross, and his sister greater force in the universe, he gave him her first Communion added. cross, which had been given to He said the crew of the her by their mother and which Columbia agreed that if people Photo CNSCathonc Free Press she always wore. could take just one revolution Astronaut Albert Sacco works on a project aboard the space shuttle Columbia in October around the Earth and see how He said several astronauts wear special it is. there would be far moment in October when the on it. He was part of the backup achieve." Sacco said he felt he crosses or medals into space.

Columbia was launched from the team which watched the launch. had a good chance to be picked Astmnaut Kathy Thornton. who fewer problems in the world.

"I was devastated, crushed," he for USML II because of his expe- has made trips into space three Sacco's personal space odyssey Kennedy Space Centre. When included times of frustration and US Microgravity Lab I was said. "It was one of the few things rience and training. He said he times, buys a new St Christopher disappointment before that launched in 1992, Sacco was not that I wanted to do that I didn't put his faith in St Jude. the patron medal each time.

By William T. Clew

Vatican Internet a hit with the world

By John Mavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican's new Internet site was swamped with online traffic over the Christmas holidays, leaving Church officials amazed and pleased.

More than 300,000 people from 70 countries logged into the site on the World Wide Web in the 48 hours after its inauguration on December 25, Vatican spokesman Joaquin NavarroValls said. Al lis peak, the user rate was more than 20,000 people per hour.

Nearly 1,000 of the electronic visitors left messages. They ranged from theological observations to suggestions for flu remedies for Pope John Paul II. The Vatican's address is: http://www.vatican.va The Vatican opened its Internet "home page" by offering the pontiffs Christmas message and greetings in more than 50 languages. Visitors to the interactive electronic bulletin board were also welcomed with a colour graphic of a painting of the Nativity and a Christmas card written in the Pope's own hand.

The web site is to be steadily expanded over coming months. eventually offering documents, researr:h material and graphic images from dozens of Vatican

'Mediaeval' labour force put at service of the computer age

It's a challenge," Sister Otte told the St Cloud Visitor diocesan ST JOSEPH, Minnesota. (CNS) - newspaper. "I think of it as a During the Middle Ages, monks library card catalogue. I have to and nuns laboured daily, for think what needs to be on that hours at a time, copying delicate card for them to use it."

She said her lack of familiarity manuscripts by hand for their with some people and events has monastic libraries.

In St Joseph. the Sisters of St. made the cataloguing more diffiBenedict have adapted the prac- cult.

"It's been a real education for tice to modern times.

With computers and bar-code me," said the nun, who spent scanners, four nuns are digitising most of her professional life information for a Virginia compa- teaching music to grade school ny that specialises in converting students and repairing machines old databases for businesses. for her convent's media operalibraries and government agen- tions. "When some of these things were going on, we were in cies.

Electronic Scriptorium Ltd. convents where there was no employs monastic scribes from access to televisions or radios.

New York to California. In addi- The only information we got was from the kids we knew" departments. Vatican officials tion to these Benedictines, comLast year, Sister Otte completed pany president and founder said they were surprised by the a 12-month computer corresponhas hired memEdward Leonard number of users and the volume bers of a dozen different reli- dence course in just 12 weeks. of e-mail received to date.

The sisters took a crash course Many of the messages came gious communities. via the telephone last June taught Currently, Sister Edna Otte and from the United States, including by company staff members. three colleagues are busy archivone from a girl named Sarah.

Paid by the entry. they have who told the Pope not to worry ing more than a million phoin a dozen computer mailed back to 192Z for tographs, dating about his Christmas Day bout each containing about 600 disks, the New York Daily News.

They with the flu. She suggested he try entries. her father's remedy: drink plenty key in dates and other details, When the Daily News receives capand must condense photo of water and chicken broth. the sisters' work, the newspaper words or fewer. tions to 10 Eventually the Vatican plans to "It's very time consuming, but will combine their entries with create separate home pages for each Vatican department, including the Vatican Museums and Library, which would make a wealth of information available to the online public.

Northern The other bishops attending the LONDONDERRY. The Vatican press office, which Ireland (CNS) - Retired Bishop meeting were from the Irish is carrying out the Internet pro- Edward Daly said an Irish cardi- Republic, he said. Their names ject in collaboration with the nal acted as a go-between, pass- were not mentioned, nor was the Secretariat of State, said that in ing peace proposals from top IRA meeting site or exact date of the its first stage the home page will leaders to then-British Prime meeting. offer the Vatican's daily news Minister Harold Wilson during Bishop Daly said the Catholic bulletin, its in-house information the 1974-75 cease-fire in hierarchy was contacted by the service, the news from Vatican Northern Ireland. guerrilla leadership because the Radio and reference information.

According to advance informa- IRA thought that the proposals it It will be possible to retrieve tion on a documentary film had already presented at a files, texts, images and sound scheduled for release on Irish December 1974 meeting to recordings at the Internet site - television on January 4, Bishop Protestant clergymen had not though the languages may vary.

Daly said he and two other bish- been conveyed to London.

Gradually, papal and other doc- ops who met with the IRA men He said the IRA men believed uments will he made available, asked the late Cardinal William the proposals were being along with statistical and Conway of Armagh to carry the blocked by officials in Britain's' Northern Ireland Office in Belfast research information. An elec- peace plans to Wilson. tronic mail service for each The IRA group appeared to and were not receiving the attenVatican office will complete the include the organisation's entire tion they deserved.

"They wanted some means of project. command. Bishop Daly said.

By Joe Towalski

digitised photographs on special compact discs, said director of photography Eric Meskauskas.

The electronic archive will speed searches for particular photos, he added.

Sister Otte said she averages three hours a day. four days a week, on the project. The rest of the time she does foot care for elderly nuns at St Raphael's Convent in St Cloud.

Electronic archiving fits the sisters' lifestyle because of its flexibility. They can fulfil their obligations of prayer and living communally, and still use their skills.

Three years ago, Leonard. a former computer company account executive and environmental activist. helped Trappist monks in Virginia fight development of a country club next door and also modernise their fruitcake business.

He realised then, he said, the untapped potential in religious communities for the painstaking work of electronic archiving.

"Members of religious orders are honest, have a strong work ethic, have a high level of education compared to others in the work force, and pay close attention to details." he said.

Irish bishops go-betweens 20 years ago getting a document to Downing Street, to the Prime Minister at the time, and they wanted us to assist them to do that." the bishop said.

"We went to Cardinal Conway and we reported everything that had happened and he undertook to contact Downing Street," he said.

Bishop Daly said he felt the IRA men he met were anxious for an end to the conflict and for some kind of dialogue.

It was nearly another 20 years. however, before another ceasefire led to the first open contacts between the British government and the IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein, The Becogi.JAn.uary 4; 1996 .13

International News

In Brief Priest, nun murdered KINSHASA, Zaire (CNS) - A French priest and a Belgian nun were murdered in separate incidents in Zaire shortly before Christmas.

Missionaries of Africa Father Robert Besson, 68, was stabbed to death in Kisangani on 21 December. On the same day, in Kimpangu, on the border with Angola, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Christiane Sellekaerts was killed in a shooting incident. Robbery was the presumed motive in both attacks.

Quinn retires WASHINGIUN (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of San Francisco Archbishop John Quinn.

A bishop since 1967 and archbishop since 1972, he has long been one of the leading figures in the U.S. hierarchy.

He was one of seven bishops around the world assigned by Pope john Paul in the 1980s to write the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Giving to the end SEOUL South Korea (CNS) Before he died of injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident Irish Capuchin Brother Liam O'Dea said he wanted his vital organs donated to transplant patients.

He was taken to Seoul's Samsung Hospital after the accident, where he died. The 27-year-old brother's kidneys, eyes, pancreas, some bones and heart valves were removed after his death, allowing transplants to be given to four Korean patients, "A silent, gentle, humble and faithful person, he really was a hidden treasure among us," a fellow Capuchin said.

Popular Pope VAFICAN CITY ((AS) - Pope John Paul II encountered a record number of people in 1995 - well over a million at the Vatican alone.

About half the total attended the Pope's weekly general audience, an event that is increasingly popular among visitors to Rome, according to Vatican statistics released on 27 December.

The 75-year-old Pope held 44 general audiences in 1995, attended by 536,500 people.

That's an average of 12,000 per audience, about 38 percent more than five years ago, the Vatican figures show.

In addition, the Pope held hundreds of personal meetings with individuals or small groups, attended by 185,700 people in 1995.

Osaka post TOKYO (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has appointed Father Jun Ikenaga, former Jesuit provincial for Japan, as coadjutor archbishop in Osaka, Japan.

Archbishop -designate Ikenaga will have right of succession to Archbishop Paul Hisao Yasuda, 74. The Osaka Archdiocese has nearly 55,000 Catholics and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1991.

14 " The Record, January 4, 1996

Parents are fed up: Trujillo

By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican's latest document on sex education, more than a critique of teaching methods, is a sign of the Church's deep alarm over the "sexual revolution" and its effects on late 20th century society.

The text (The Record on December 28) immediately stirred controversy by calling on parents to regain control of sexual education for their children, if necessary pulling them out of school programs that do not conform to the Church's teaching.

It listed both valid and objectionable teaching techniques for parents and instructors. But behind these "do's and don'ts" loomed a much larger issue, underlined by the document's authors in a little-noticed article published afterward in the Vatican newspaper.

Modern society had become so "eroticised," so permissive and so

Things didn't go quite as Italian (other languages were sexually irresponsible that it simply could not be trusted with our planned, but the results have due out in January), and initial children's sexual education, been disastrous anyway, he reaction from Italian commentawrote Cardinal Alfonso Lopez wrote. Children are now largely tors and sex education experts Trujillo and Bishop Elio Sgreccia, learning about sex through TV was mostly negative. The text the two top officials of the shows and videos, erotic tele- was termed unrealistic, counterPontifical Council for the Family. phone services and sex-based productive and "out of touch with In the eyes of Cardinal Lopez advertising. "All you have to do is reality."

Even some Catholic leaders Trujillo, a Colombian prelate open your eyes and look seemed surprised by the docucalled to the Vatican in 1991 by around," he said. said, often ment's tone and substance. Rosa Schools, he Pope John Paul II, the problems began with the sexual revolution approached the problem the Jervolino, a former education of the 1960s, spurred by the mar- wrong way, trying to provide minister in Italy who has often merely scientific "health" infor- defended Church causes, noted keting of the birth control pill.

At first, the idea of a "right to mation that ended up, in effect, the Italian bishops' conference pleasure" detached from respon- apologising for immoral behav- had strongly supported sex education in schools. sibility seemed like a liberation iour.

"Personally, I also think it's funIn a situation this dramatically to many young people. That mistake has caused lasting damage bad, Cardinal Lopez Trujillo damental to explain that for safe to the moral health of individuals wrote, parents had no choice but sex, besides abstinence, the conto challenge poor sex education dom also exists," she said. and couples, he said.

But that's a position neither the But in Cardinal Lopez Trujillo's programs and make sure their view, there was a wider political children received their main bishops nor the Vatican endorses.

People are starting to wake up, agenda at work here. He said that instruction at home. That's not a by using sexual freedom to break "cloister" mentality, but a first Cardinal Lopez Trujillo said. At down the child-parent and family step toward a healthier future, he least some parents have had enough, he said, and that's "the relationship, the sexual revolu- said. tion's leftist authors were primThe sex education document beginning of hope" for the longing young people for "the real which spurred the cardinal's range solution: education, startremarks was published only in ing in the home. political revolution."

Vatican clarifies role in solution of Jerusalem's political status

By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) - A top Vatican diplomat has restated the Holy See's view of Jerusalem as a religious crossroads amid speculation that Pope John Paul II had privately supported Israel's assertion that the city is its political capital.

The Vatican's secretary of state for foreign affairs, Archbishop Jeas Tauran, said the Vatican "has no competence" to enter the debate over Jerusalem's political status.

There is a two-fold dimension to the character of the city of Jerusalem, political and religious, the Vatican official said during a four-day visit to Israel in the middle of last month.

The archbishop was answering speculation raised in Israel about a possible new Vatican policy concerning Jerusalem. Leah Rabin, wife of the assassinated prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, suggested the Pope had confirmed to her that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel in their 14 December meeting.

"In the political aspect is included the issue of territorial sovereignty and in that field the Holy See has no competence to enter," Archbishop Tauran told an audience of retired professors and diplomats at a lecture organised by the Israel Council for Foreign Affairs.

According to the agreement

signed between the Vatican and Archbishop Tauran met with Israel, the Holy See agreed not to Prime Minister Shimon Peres, enter into the issue of territorial Foreign Minister Ehud Barak, sovereignty, he said.

Minister Shimon Religion However, on the religious side Shitreet, President Ezer Weizman Jerusalem must be a "crossroads and the chief rabbis of Israel. . . which implies the three reliHe also met with local church gions should live here in peace leaders, visited Bethlehem with each other," he said.

University and Gaza, where he "The most religious part of the met with Palestine Liberation city, the Old City, should have Organisation Chairman Yasser international guarantees which Arafat. allow this part of the city to preHe discussed the issue of a serve its uniqueness and sacred- visit by Pope John Paul to Israel ness," he said. with Israel's two chief rabbis The Holy See believes the but said the pontiff wanted to Israelis and the Palestinians need come as a pilgrim and not as a to resolve conflict by a negotiated statesman. solution of the political problem Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert while bearing in mind the two- said his target date for the fold dimension of the city, he Pope's visit was the year 2000 said. but there was a possibility of In a statement, the Vatican said moving it forward.

Archbishop Tauran's visit served Archbishop Tauran also visited to underline the Church's contin- Mr Rabin's grave and the Yad ued interest in the Middle East Vashem Holot Memorial. process, which must involve not A second Vatican statement on only political but also religious the visit, issued on 21 leaders.

December, said Archbishop "An important role awaits the Tauran insisted in his meetings religious communities that live in with Israeli authorities on the the Holy Land and throughout free circulation of priests, relithe Middle East, especially in gious and lay Catholics among making sure that the peace the Palestinian various accords are transformed into autonomous zones. making peace among peoples," During his visit, the archbishthe statement said. "This role will op also met with Nabil Sha'ath, be even more important for the the Palestinian Authority's minnext stage of the peace process, ister for development and coopwhich involves the very delicate eration. They discussed, among problem of the Holy City of other things, the future status of Jerusalem," it said.

Jerusalem, the Vatican said.

US pm-lifers welcome donor move STAFFORD, Virginia, (CNS) The American Life League has praised an American Medical Association panel's suspension of a 1994 policy statement that said doctors could harvest the organs of newborn anencephalic babies before they died.

"I would like to commend the American Medical Association for taking a step back into the real world where human rights are acknowledged as belonging to all human beings, regardless of age, state or condition of development," league president Judie Brown said last week. Anen-

cephalic children are born with a brain stem but with no upper brain, skull or scalp. Most die within a few days of birth, although some have lived for months or even years.

From 1988 to 1994 the AMA position was that retrieval and transplantation of organs from anencephalic newborns was ethically permissible only after a determination of death "in accordance with accepted medical standards and relevant law."

In June 1994 the AMA council on ethical and judicial affairs

issued a new opinion, stating that "it is ethically acceptable to transplant the organs of anencephalic neonates even before the neonates die, as long as there is parental consent and certain other safeguards are followed."

It also argued that the early harvesting off organs from anencephalics would provide more healthy organs to use to save other children's lives.

The suspension of the 1994 policy came after strong objections to it from within the medical community as well as from prolife organisations.

Catholics beat man to death ATAMBUA. Indonesia (CNS) - Parishioners at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Atambua beat a Protestant man to death after he allegedly received Communion during a cathedral service.

Reports said a group of churchgoers seized Hendrik Letto, after he received a consecrated host at the cathedral on 26 November, UCA News. an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, reported on 29 December.

According to reports, other parishioners then took him outside and beat him to death in front of the cathedral.

An unconfirmed report from Letto's home village, about 110km south of Atambua. said that Letto had been studying Catholicism because he wanted to convert.

In Kupang, capital of East Nusa Tenggara province, government officials expressed concern over the killing.

Provincial Governor Herman Musakabe called on Catholics to refrain from violence.'

"Host desecration is a penal case and it could be handled according to law," the governor, a Catholic, said. "Do not take laws into your hands," The Reverend Andreas Yewangoe, head of the regionthe al organisation of Communion of Churches in Indonesia, deplored the host desecration, but said that Mr Letto acted as an individual, not as a representative of his church.

The Protestant spokesman added that ecumenical cooperation between the Catholic and Protestant churches has developed well in the region.

The Atambua cathedral incident prompted a Catholic youth forum in Kupang to release a statement calling on government and judicial authorities to find "the root of all host desecration cases."

The forum also suggested that church activists improve security measures in churches during Mass.

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Oh holy Mary. Mother of God. Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times).

Holy Mary I place this cause within your hands (three times). Thanks for prayers answered. Fran.

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church With some Catholics doubting the teaching of the Church against the ordination of women, The Record begins publishing excerpts from The Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

1536 Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate . . . .

Why is this sacrament called "Orders"?

1537 The word "order" in Roman antiquity designated an established civil body, especially a governing body. Ordinatio means incorporation into an ordo.

In the Church there are established bodies which Tradition, not without a basis in Sacred

Scripture, has since ancient times called taxels (Greek) or ordines.

And so the liturgy speaks of the ordo episcoporum, the ordo presbyterorum, the ordo diaconorum. Other groups also receive this name of ordo: catechumens, virgins, spouses, widows 1538 Integration into one of these bodies in the Church was accomplished by a rite called ordinatio, a religious and liturgical act which was a consecration, a blessing or a sacrament.

Today, the word "ordination" is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, presbyters, or deacons, and goes beyond a simple election, designation, delegation, or institution by the community, for it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a "sacred power" (sacra potestas) which can come only from Christ himself through his Church.

Ordination is also called consecratio, for it is a setting apart and

an investiture by Christ himself for his Church. The laying on of hands by the bishop, with the consecratory prayer, constitutes the visible sign of this ordination.

The priesthood of the Old Covenant The chosen people was constituted by God as "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

But within the people of Israel.

God chose one of the twelve tribes, that of Levi, and set it apart for liturgical service; God himself is its inheritance.

A special rite consecrated the beginnings of the priesthood of the Old Covenant. The priests are "appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins."

1540 Instituted to proclaim the Word of God and to restore communion with God by sacrifices and prayer, this priesthood nevertheless remains powerless to bring about salvation, needing to repeat its sacrifices ceaselessly 1539

and being unable to achieve a definitive sanctification, which only the sacrifice of Christ would accomplish.

1541 The liturgy of the Church, however, sees in the priesthood of Aaron and the service of the Levites, as in the institution of the seventy elders, a prefiguring of the ordained ministry of the New Covenant. Thus, in the Latin Rite, the Church prays in the consecra tory preface of the ordination of bishops: God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . by your gracious word you have established the plan of your Church.

From the beginning, you chose the descendants of Abraham to be your holy nation. You established rulers and priests, and did not leave your sanctuary without ministers to serve you.

1542 At the ordination of priests,

the Church prays: Lord, holy Father when you had appointed high priests

to rule your people, you chose other men next to them in rank and dignity to be with them and to help them in their task. you extended the spirit of Moses to seventy wise men . . . . You shared among the sons of Aaron the fullness of their father's power.

1543 In the consecratory prayer for ordination of deacons, the Church confesses: Almighty God . . . . You make the Church, Christ's body, grow to its full stature as a new and greater temple. You enrich it with every kind of grace and perfect it with a diversity of members to serve the whole body in a wonderful pattern of unity.

You established a threefold ministry of worship and service, for the glory of your name. As ministers of your tabernacle you chose the sons of Levi and gave them your blessing as their everlasting inheritance.

The Record, JanuarV 4,1996 15

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APOSTLES OF CHRIST CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Fellowship night will be held on Wednesday, 10 January 1996, 7.30pm after 7.00pm Mass at Saints John and Paul Catholic Church, Pinetree Gully Road, Willetton. Praise, worship, fellowship and refreshments. All welcome.

DIVINE MERCY St Mary's Cathedral, Victoria Square, Sunday 7 January at 1.30pm. Programme: Rosary, Divine Mercy prayers, Benediction.

Sermon on "The Four Last Things" by Fr Rutkauskas. Film: "Heavenly Joy" by Mother Angelica.

Information: Adam 448 0002, John 457 7771.

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST FESTIVAL, HIGHGATE The St John the Baptist Festival, to be conducted at Sacred Heart Church, Highgate, will commence with a three-day Tridium on Thursday 11 January and run through Friday 12 January and Saturday 13 January 1996 with the participation of Fr Angelo Gatto.

At 10.30am on Sunday 14

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January a solemn Mass will be cocelebrated by the parish priest Fr Maurice Toop, with Fr Gatto and with the Vicar of the General Perth Archdiocese Monsignor Michael Keating.

The singing will be lead by the Italian Choir directed by Mr Valenti. At 5.00pm, with a local band accompanying, a procession will move along parish streets to finish in the renewed school grounds.

Eucharistic Benediction celebrated by Archbishop Barry Hickey will conclude the day's liturgical festivities. A musical evening will then be held in the school grounds.

Drinks available.

Founded in 1978 and continuing a tradition born in Casale Maccabei, in the Province of Benevento in Italy where the veneration of St John is a tradition, the St John the Baptist A ssociation believes that spiritual gifts are important for each human being. If we participate in the festivities in honour of St John the Baptist and live a life which traces for us a way towards the Gospel teaching, then we have the beginnings of a wholesome and better life.

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This Congress is presented with the approval of His Grace, Archbishop Hickey to equip delegates with the know-how and inspiration for effectively sharing your Faith.

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Areas to be covered will include the Family, Youth, Parish Renewal, Schools and One to One sharing of the Faith.

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If you wish to grow in your faith, and want to know how to share it effectively, this Congress is for you.

JANUARY 7 Disciples of Jesus Mass, Aquinas College Archbishop Hickey 9 150th Anniversary arrival in Perth Sisters of Mercy/Benedictine Monks, Procession and Mass, Mercy Chapel - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Healy 10 Disciples of Jesus, Lecture, Aquinas College Archbishop Hickey 14 Procession St John the Baptist, Highgate Archbishop Hickey Mass, St John the Baptist, Highgate Monsignor Keating 16 Youth Convention Mass, Queens Park Archbishop Hickey

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Official Engagements

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PRINCIPALS MICHAEL QUIN & KAREENA BALLARD PROPERTY SALES - RENTALS - STRATA MANAGERS

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Why not include a 4 Pilgrimage in your itinerary?

4, 5 and 8 day pilgrimages starting and ending in London.

Sat Jan 27th 7.30pm - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Christ Crucified" Sun Jan 28th 7.30pm - Fr. Pat Lynch - "Go!" Daytime Workshop Sessions:

Fr. Pat Lynch is the author of the popular book; "Awakening The Giant" and the founder of the Sion Community in Birmingham, England. He is a preacher of note in Catholic and Protestant Churches and a regular speaker on Radio & Television in England & Ireland.

Fr. Gino Henriques is based in Singapore and the head of Evangelisation 2000 Asia-Oceania. He is an author and dynamic international preacher. He has been instrumental in beginning a large Youth Movement in India which involves training for Colleges & University Campuses through music, drama & ministry in Schools.

Rev. Dr. Russell sage is a Preacher and Missionary associated with the Vineyard Churches. He is in demand around the world in Catholic & Protestant Churches. He has a powerful healing gift which has witnessed many miracles.

Eddie Russell FMI is a recognised Catholic Evangelist and Preacher who has preached in Australia, Singapore and England. He is the author of several programmes and seminars on the Christian faith and has spoken in both Catholic and Protestant Churches. He is the editor of an International Christian Magazine called Blaze.

Guy Sutton-Mattocks FMI is a recognised Catholic Evangelist and Preacher who has preached in USA, England, Australia and Pakistan. He is the author of several articles and seminars and has spoken in both Catholic and Protestant Churches.

Frank Tassone Ftal is a recognised Catholic Evangelist and Preacher with many years experience in Youth Ministry. He is the author of several articles and a Seminar/Retreat for Youth. He has preached in England, Australia and Singapore.

Tues Jan 23rd 10am - 12noon Guy Sutton-Mattocks FMI "Beyond The Cross" 1pm - 3pm - Fr. Pat Lynch "Empowered for Proclamation" Wed Jan 24th 10am - 12noon - Frank Tassone FMI. "New Hope, New Nation" 1pm - 3pm - Fr. Gino Henriques "Vision, Planning & Strategy" Thur Jan 25th 10am - 12noon - Eddie Russell mt.

"Malachi 3" 1pm - 3pm - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Called To Mission" Fri Jan 26th 10am - 12noon - Frank Tassone FMI. "Warrior or Wimp" 1pm - 3pm - Fr. Pat Lynch.

"To The Victor Goes The Crown" Sat Jan 27th 9am - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Understanding The Anointing" 11am - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Walking In The Anointing" 2pm - Fr. Pat Lynch. "Forming Strong Leaders" 4pm - Fr. Pat Lynch. "Models Of Leadership" Sun Jan 28th 2pm - Fr. Gino Henriques "20th Century Disciples" 4pm - Fr. Gino Henriques "Transformed In Christ"

THE PROGRAMME Evening Celebration Rallies: Mon Jan 22nd 7.30pm - Fr. Pat Lynch "Blow The Trumpets in Zion" (Awakening The Giant) Tues Jan 23rd 7.30pm Fr. Gino Henriques "Catch The Vision" Wed Jan 24th 7.30pm - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Signs & Wonders" Thur Jan 25th 7.30pm - Fr. Pat Lynch "Building On The Rock" Fri Jan 26th 7.30pm - Fr. Gino Henriques "Arise Australian Youth"

Please send our Che.ue/Mone Order to.

( Registered Delegates Only)

REGISTRATION FEES *** All daily sessions for the entire week = $100 *** Earlybird Discount for payment on or before Jan 1st 1996 = $90 *** Pensioners/Unemployed/Students = $65 *** Single Sessions = $8 per session. * ** You can register on the day, but due to limited seating it is advisable that you do so early to guarantee your seat at the evening sessions.

Flame Ministries International PO BOX 8133 Subiaco 6008

For Brochure or Enquires Phone (09) 382 3668 Today