What's Inside... Dunblane massacre raises the question of the never-ending battle against evil - Page 8 The Blessed Virgin joins herself to God's plan of salvation in the Annunciation - Page 9 PERTH, WA: March 21, 1966
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History of the WA Presentation Sisters to be launched - Page 6 Evangelisation and our bishops- Page 3
Archdiocese in black as budget moves bite By David Kehoe The Perth Catholic Church paid its way last year for the first time in many years. The Archdiocese of Perth's financial administrator Dm Thomas told parish priests and representatives of parish finance committees gathered at the North Perth Monastery this week the archdiocese registered a final surplus for the 1995 calendar year of $121,737, a marked difference from the $1.2 million deficit In 1994. Mr Thomas said the archdiocese had budgeted for a $661.185 deficit in 1995 as part of a fiveyear plan to correct its financial position. The welcome figure was due to a higher than expected dividend from a Church investment and an above-forecast performance by the Archdiocesan Develop-
Jim Thomas
ment Fund, he said. However, he warned that a deficit of $140,000 for this year was still projected as part of the plan, which had been developed to bring in an operating surplus after 1997. The archdiocese spends money each year on interest payments on debt, administering the Archdiocesan Finance Office, the parish planned giving scheme, Archbishop Hickey's office and
the marriage tribunal, paying schools and, in particular, property and motor vehicle costs, Archbishop Hickey and the running St Charles Seminary, diocesan centre hierarchy." and contributing to the cost of The closure of some arc.hdiocethe Australian Catholic Bishops san agencies and tough beltConference and ecumenical tightening by others had also affairs in WA. All this cost $3.4 been crucial. million in 1995. He said the 1995 turnaround Operating income from interest contrasted with the $4.6 billion on loans, dividends (particularly deficit borne by the archdiocese a $1.3 million dividend from the In 1992. Deficits had been run for ADF), parish contributions, at least six years earlier but the Catholic Church Insurance exact amount could not be deterrebates and Lifelink fundraising mined as an income and expenbrought in $4.9 million. Lifelink diture account form of accountcontributed $183.996 in 1995. ing had been used before 1992 The consequent $1.5 million rather than the present accrual operating surplus enabled the accounting method. archdiocese to distribute $1.3 Nevertheless, accumulated million to the archdiocese's wel- operating losses, a heavy profare, pastoral and educational gram of spending on buildings agencies, leaving a final surplus and land and $10 million lost on of $121,737. a failed investment had left the Mr Thomas said the welcome archdiocese with a $58 million 1995 result would not have come debt in 1992. about without the "wonderful Mr Thomas said this debt had support of priests, religious been cut to $29 million by the orders, laity parishes and end of last year. The sale of
assets, particularly the sale of sub-divided land, had helped retire the debt, he said, and, as interest payments fell, it was anticipated that the surplus would increase. The improved financial situation of the archdiocese would hopefully continue as a result of continued support from the ADE an improved performance in the archdiocese's property portfolio, and a further increase in fundraising under the Lifelink Advent appeal program. Mr Thomas said Lifelink would be running a winter appeal for welfare services as well as its usual Advent appeal and be contacting past contributors by newsletter every four months to keep them informed of how their money is being used and encouraging them to donate further. A.new effort would be made to encourage Catholics to remember the Church in their wills and bequests, he added.
Invitation to Chrism Mass Kalgoorlie celebrates By Peter Rosengren Archbishop Barry Hickey has invited all Catholics in the archdiocese to experience a first attend the Chrism Mass in St Mary's Cathedral on Tuesday in Holy Week. Each year at Easter Catholics gather in parishes throughout the suburbs and country centres to celebrate the mysteries of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But the one Easter event missed by the most Catholics each year is the Chrism Mass, the special and wonderful liturgy where the chrism is consecrated, and the two other oils to be used throughout parishes for the rest of the year - the oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick - are blessed. And because it occurs only in the Cathedral, most Catholics in parishes do not witness it. But this year, all Catholics have been invited to the cathedral on 2 April at 7.30 pm where they will be invited by the Archbishop to renew their own commitment to holiness of life and service of the Church and society. Many priests of the diocese will renew their ordination vows before the Archb-shop at the ceremony. Chrism is a special oil, the most important of the three, consecrated by the archbishop of a diocese
Dean McDonald, left, and Angela McCarthy with olive leaves from trees in the grounds of the Chancery. The trees once supplied the oil for the Chrism Mass.
at Easter for use in baptism. confirmation and the ordination of priests and bishops. The oil of catechumens is used to strengthen those who are preparing to become Christians. It was used most recently in the Rite of Christian Initiation ceremony held in St Mary's Cathedral when 90 adults were presented to Archbishop Hickey to begin their entry into the Church. Their journey will culminate at Easter when they are baptised and, as part of the baptism ceremony, are anointed with the chrism. The oil of the sick is not direct-
ly linked with Easter but is traditionally blessed at this time along with the other oils. It is used in the annointing of sick and ill people, both in homes, nursing homes and in hospitals. The procession and presentation of the oils will be a central feature of the evening's ceremony with each of the oils. Archbishop Hickey's special invitation reflects the growing emphasis and something of a 'rediscovery' among Catholics of the Chrism Mass, as it is referred to in the Roman Missal. It is a unique and a special event tracing its origins back to the beginnings of the Church. Father Tom McDonald, Dean of St Mary's Cathedral, and Bateman parishioner Mrs Angela McCarthy, both members of the Chrism Mass Committee, said their main message to Catholics throughout the archdiocese was simple: come and be present to witness this ancient and magnificent ceremony. Fr McDonald said the Chrism Mass was a unique occasion. "It is to visibly demonstrate the unity in the Church of Perth and the archdiocese. People come to their bishop as the source of that unity, and priests come also to display that unity so you have people and priests gathering around their archbishop. That doesn't happen very often," he said.
100 years of parish life
Looking pack over the years at themselves, Kargoortse CBC -- old boys Ted Miller, centre and Jim O'Neill, right, examine school photo's from the glory days. Both men are 67 years old and both were 11 year-old classmates in 1940, the year the photos were taken. Ted's son, Bernie looks on. Archbishop Hickey remembers Kalgoorlie - Page 2; More pictures - Page 6