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Maida Vale parish shows it is the little things that count By Father Geo Patrick St Francis of Assisi parish, Maida Vale, sent more than 200,000 used stamps to the missions last year to boost aid funds. "Sixteen used stamps could pay for the cost of one antibiotic injection for children in the third world countries," parish secretary Beth Jeppe said recently. A cataract eye operation could be paid for with $27 The "Used Stamps for Mission" project sent 218,000 stamps last year to four mission associations. This January. 10,511 stamps have been received. The habit of collecting the used stamps began in December 1998. After reading an article on how used stamps help the International Blind Mission. Beth Jeppe asked parishioners to drop the philatelic items into a box kept in the Church portico.
Bob Couley, who had been collecting stamps for many years brought his whole collection and handed them over. At first, the parish sent the stamps to the Victorian-based Christians Blind Mission International and to the Jesuit Mission. Mrs Jeppe then approached the parishioners for the addresses of other mission centres. Now, the stamps go regularly to the Salesian Missions, Aid to the Church in Need, St Columban Mission Society, and the Divine Word Mission. The Salesian Missions wrote back and said the money raised has been earmarked for the relief and education of people in East Timor. The parishioners are surprised that the used stamps, generally thrown into the dustbins, could be of use to help carry out the Church's missionary activities.
sequently asked the regular staff to do the same" Parishioner Patrick Pilot said the help stamps render to missionary works is far beyond our comprehension and can "almost work miracles." Parish council chairman Peter Gale said the project had infused a radical missionary spirit among parishioners, giving them "a sense of participation in the missionary growth of the Church." The parish newsletter publishes the number of stamps received on a weekly basis. The parish also has regular contact with the missions through letters. Parish secretary Beth Jeppe, left, and Ken and Amanda Allanson with used "When I ever I cut an used stamps ready to go. stamp and place it in the box for Ken Allanson brings around "I did a few days of relief work the Missions, I remember Jesus' 500 stamps every Sunday from on my office's mail desk. I sal- saying - whatsoever you do to the his office at Centrelink in Can- vaged the stamps from the mail least of my brothers, you do unto nington. opened on these days and sub- me," a parishioner added.
Pope's family institute to open in Australia By Peter Rosengren A branch of Pope John Paul II's Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family is to be established in Melbourne. The campus will teach postgraduate masters and doctoral degrees focussing on family life and marriage. The Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family is a graduate institute of the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. The move will be the first time the Lateran has established a campus in Australia and the wider Oceania region. The Archdiocese of Melbourne's Vicar for Health, Dominican Father Anthony Fisher, told The Record last week the campus might also offer degrees in associated bioethical areas. Fr Fisher said the Rome institute's "rector magnificus," Bishop
Angelo Scola will be touring Australia this month as part of the process of establishing the campus, which is likely to be located In the central city area of Melbourne. Bishop Scola will give a lecture In Perth this Tuesday, 15 February, at Manners Restaurant in Northbridge. Pope John Paul founded the institute in 1982, an indication of his view that marriage and family are centrally important in the daily development and lives of human beings and societies. Since then, the Institute has spread to Italy, Spain, the United Fr Anthony Fisher States, Brazil, Mexico, Benin in based on the Catholic view of Africa, and India. Fr Fisher said the Institute human beings, marriage and the would promote theological and family. Other campuses of the pastoral studies on marriage and institute around the world the family in the areas of philos- already offer masters and doctorophy, theology, the human sci- ate degrees on theology in marences such as psychology and riage and family, bioethics, and pastoral studies in marriage and sociology. It would promote pastoral care family.
Shorter certificate and diplomaIt is possible similar initiatives level courses are also offered for could be mounted in Australia, those who do not undertake the he said. full program of studies associated He noted that Pope John Paul II with these degrees, he said. had said he wanted the Institute Fr Fisher also noted that over- to exist in all the continents of the seas campuses of the institute world, "and he has repeatedly had tended to develop spe- noted that there is one continent cialised areas of study within the that doesn't have it." overall framework of marriage Fr Fisher said part of the role of and family studies. the Institute would also be "to He said further talks with the promote the extraordinary theoAustralian government and indi- logical contribution this Pope has vidual bishops were yet to be made to the understanding of finalised on issues such as formal marriage and the family." recognition and accreditation of "It is a genuinely international courses. institute," he said. One of the Melbourne campus's He hoped there would be a congoals would be to address what stant flow of prominent philosothe Church perceives as particu- phers and theologians to give lar needs in Australia for studies short courses. in marriage and family, he said. The Australian Catholic Bishops In the United States, for exam- Committee for Family and Life is ple, workshops and seminars are sponsoring a National Catholic offered for a variety of groups Family Gathering in Melbourne such as family organisations, at the end of April under the politicians, and bishops on theme: Evangelisation through Catholic teaching in these areas. the Family.
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Preachers should stir up praise, love of God T
lie latest world count of religious adherents shows that Catholics are by far the most numerous among Christians, well over a billion people, and that the majority live in Latin American countries. I think we should be a little cautious about raw numbers, because they only represent those who call themselves Catholics they don't give any indication of the level of faith or of practice. Nevertheless, when we think of the numbers of Catholics throughout the world, we can see that they couldbe a mighty power for good. If we all lived our faith as we should, we could under the Holy Spirit, change the face of the earth. The latest statistics also reveal that the fastest growing group of Christians are the evangelicals or "pentecostalists". With their dynamic preaching,
their call to conversion to Jesus Christ, their outpouring of joy and enthusiasm, their stirring music and their friendliness to one another and to potential converts, they obviously touch a chord in many people, especially those who are not satisfied with what modern materialistic society has to offer. We have traditionally been suspicious of religion that is based too much on emotional experience because, after being taken to an emotional 'high", one must come down again. But let us not dismiss the evangelical movement too easily. There are lessons to be learned. The first lesson is about accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. This is central to the life of Catholics, yet we rarely speak in such explicit terms about accepting Jesus into our lives, or turning
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our lives over to him. Maybe our preaching and teaching is at times a little too heady. It needs the witness of personal faith in Jesus. Unless people sense our love for Jesus, they may not listen to our words about him. The other lesson is that emotion has a place in religious practice. It is not wrong to be joyful in the Lord, or tearful over our sins, or overcome with love for Jesus our Saviour. Singing affects our emotions powerfully. Let us sing with all our heart! Let our preachers let go occasionally and stir us up to love and praise our Lord and King. We can certainly learn many lessons from the evangelists, especially in our efforts to reach those who have drifted away from the Church or those whose lives are lived in the emptiness of the
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The number of Catholics in the world reached 1.045 billion, about 1Z4 per cent of the global population, the Vatican reported. The statistics, from 1998, were included in an updated pontifical yearbook presented to Pope John Paul II on 5 February. The number of Catholics represented a new high, up about 40 million from 199Z and the percentage of the global population marked a slight increase, too. The Americas, considered as a single continent by the Vatican, had the strongest concentration of Catholics in the general population, with 63.1 per
Perspective tures and the Sacraments, both of which are to be found in the Church, in which we are all brought together as the Body of Christ.
cent. It was followed by Europe with 41.4 per cent. Oceania with 26.9 per cent. Africa with 15.6 per cent and Asia with 3.1 per cent. Of the total Catholic population, 49.5 per cent lived in the Americas, 27.8 per cent in Europe, 11.4 per cent in Africa, 10.5 per cent in Asia and 0.8 per cent in Oceania, the Vatican said. The statistics showed a slight increase in the number of priests worldwide, which went from 404,208 in 1997 to 404,626 in 1998.
The number of seminarians also rose. from 109,171 in 1997 to 109,828 in 1998. The increase in the number of candidates for the priesthood appears especially satisfactory in the churches in
Africa and America, particularly in Latin America. In Europe the situation has remained unchanged in the western area and has shown a strong resurgence in the east," a Vatican statement said. Worldwide, the statistics showed a continuing increase in the numbers of permanent deacons, lay missionaries and catechists. The number of people officially involved in the Church's pastoral activity in 1998 was 3,692.582. That includes 4.439 bishops. 264,202 diocesan priests. 140.424 religious priests, 25.345 permanent deacons. 57,813 non-priest religious men, 814.779 religious women, 30,772 members of secular institutes, 56.421 lay missionaries and 2,298,387 catechists.
A priest who built hearts and communities
Father Stephen Kelly served in many WA parishes and was known as "the builder" during his times as parish priest. Born in Derrylusk, Ballybay, County To register phone Monaghan, Ireland. on 25 June, 1918, he 9212 9264 or 9212 9257 died at Safety Bay, on 19 January, aged 81. Ordained on June 10, 1945, Fr Kelly arrived in Perth on April 10, 1946. At the Requiem Mass for Fr Kelly, Fr Tony Chiera said "His great passion was to bring people together so that they would find God, companionship and Clinical Psychologist hope.... There are presbyteries, schools, • Trauma. Accidents • Addictions/Smoking convents and parish centres all over the • Anxiety, Stress, Panic Cessation Diocese that owe their existence to the • Depression • Sexual Concerns building, planning, and investment skills • Pain/Adjustment • Relationship Problems of Fr Kelly," he said. Day/Evening Appointments, Private Health Fund Rebates However, he noted, "For many of us he Como Suite 2. 11 Preston St 9367 0010 is 'Fr Kelly the builder of human hearts,' Mirrabooka 29 Yirrigan Drive 9344 5088 (whose) gentle words, loyalty and humour lifted the spirits of many of us." The principal celebrant at Fr Kelly's WANTED: funeral was Bishop Peter WORKERS - VOLUNTEERS Quinn of Bunbury, who said CATHOLIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE IUNIBERLEY WA he "publicly thanked God The Diocese of Broome has immediate vacancies for VOLUNTEERS for Fr Kelly's to serve on remote Missions and communities in the Kimberley as: dedication, catechists, house parents, farm labourers, handymen, housekeepers, nurses, domestic staff, mechanics, plumbers, carpenters administrators. bookkeepers, secretaries, general hands, electricians, tutors. Single people and married couples considered.
ROGER LAVELL
For a period of twelve months to two years Please contact: Bishop Saunders - Fax (08) 9192 2136 or: The Diocesan Volunteer Coordinator - Ph: (08) 9192 1060 or write to: Catholic Volunteer Service, Diocesan Office, PO Box 76, Broome WA 6725 Please include with your application a recent reference from your Parish Priest, or name a person involved in Church ministry as a referee for you.
The Record, February 10 2000 Page 2
Archbishop's
World's Catholic population increases By John Thavis
Perth Archdiocesan Catechist Service presents
modern world without God. I must mention here, lest we all suddenly become pentecostalists, that they suffer from two major defects. One is the belief that Scripture alone is enough. We know that the Scriptures came from the Church and are guarded and guided by the Church. Without that guidance people can go badly wrong in their private interpretation of the Bible. The second is their neglect, even rejection, of the role of the Sacraments as a source of grace and holiness. We believe that the Seven Sacraments are not only ritual signs of the saving grace, but they actually contain and produce the very grace they signify. We also believe that they come from Jesus himself. So, we need both the Holy Scrip-
Obituary obedience and service." "Fr Kelly was a model of faithfulness to the Church and the Diocese, facing the cross of Christ and bringing the faith alive for many people by what he said, what he did and who he was," he said. After Perth postings Fr Kelly was parish priest at Pemberton, Busselton, Manjimup, Albany, Brunswick. and Pinjarra before retiring in 1989. In March, 1951, he became parish priest of Pemberton, where he renovated the church, built a new presbytery and a school. As a young priest, he soon endeared himself to his new parishioners by working extremely hard. He formed a great bond with his people and spent many hours actually working shoulder to shoulder with them - at times setting the pace - to reduce the debt on the parish. He created immense loyalty among parishioners, who named the parish centre after him. From 1958-69 he was parish priest of Busse1ton where he purchased land for future development. In 1970 he was appointed Manjimup parish priest, inheriting a run-down parish. He set
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Father Stephen Kelly
about spiritually and structurally rebuilding the whole place. At that time Manjimup had a three-year Catholic high school run by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Planning to upgrade this to a five-year High School, he gained the services of Sr Elizabeth Murphy. Together they worked extremely hard to establish Kearnan College, which opened in 1972. This building program was completed in two years - hence his name "the builder." When he left Manjimup in 1979 he left a parish with a strong faith community and in a comfortable financial position. - Glymis Grainger
Correction
It was incorrectly reported in last week's Record that following Fr Thomas McDonald's appointment as a Monsignor. Archbishop Barry Hickey would no longer be parish priest of St Mary's cathedral. However the Archbishop always remains parish priest of his cathedral. Archbishop Hickey said Mgr McDonald would take his place as parish priest and representative on various official occasions, both religious and civic. The mistake was made by the reporter.
New women's religious order arrives in Perth By Glynnis Grainger Five nuns of a relatively new order, the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate have arrived and set up a convent in Toodyay. Mother Maria Anna Pia, Sr Maria Agnes, Sr Maria Veronica and Sr Maria Carmel arrived before Christmas, and Sr Maria Caterina Pia came from Italy on 14 January. All Sisters are originally from the Philippines. Archbishop Barry Hickey has given the nuns a convent for their use in Toodyay. They will work in their apostolate in collaboration with the male branch of the order, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, also in Toodyay with whom they share the same Franciscan family and
the same charism and spirituality. The Sister's leader, Mother Pia, is scheduled to leave for Italy as soon as she hears from the Mother-General in Rome. Sr Maria Veronica will be in charge and will become the new Mother of the community. Only three of the five sisters are fully professed. Last Friday they saw Archbishop Barry Hickey and he blessed them as a complete community. He celebrated Mass in Rome at our House and talked with the Mother-General there," Mother Pia told The Record last week. "He welcomed and received us, blessed us and accepted our ministry here." Franciscans of the Immaculate take vows of poverty, chastity and
obedience, and live in a community life of prayer, poverty and penance, totally consecrated to Mary according to the example of the Polish Conventual Franciscan martyr, St Maximilian Kolbe. Their most important apostolate is with the mass media - printing, Marian radio and television broadcasts, computers. They organise the movement known as the "Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix," and disseminate Marian publications through bookstores, exhibits, films, and audio and video cassettes. "We plan to visit families in Toodyay on farms and have started to visit some houses near our convent, not necessarily Catholics," Mother Pia said. "We live by charity and depend
The Sisters at The Record last week: Sr Maria Agnes, left, Sr Maria Veronica, Sr Maria Carmel, Sr Maria Caterina Pia, and Mother Maria Anna Pia.
on donations," she said. The Franciscans have opened missions in Africa, Brazil, USA, England, the Philippines, and Russia. They
opened a mission in Nigeria late last year. "We can teach, but not in our own schools, as we cannot own property," Mother Pia said.
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Archbishop Barry Hickey formally presents Monsignor Tom McDonald with the Vatican documentation conferring the Dean of the St Mary's Cathedral new status as a Prelate of Honour bearing the title 'Monsignor' at the Cathedral's Saturday Vigil Mass. Earlier, he said the honour recognised the Dean's personal worth and his important role as Dean of St Mary's. The new 'Monsignor' Thomas McDonald received a sustained standing ovation from those attending Mass when he announced his new status at the end of the 10am Mass next day in the Cathedral. An appreciative giggle also swept through those present as the Monsignor explained that the document signed by the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, on behalf of Pope John Paul 11 was dated in November last year. "So apparently I've been a Monsignor for more than two months and didn't even know it!" Monsignor McDonald said. Those attending the Mass were clearly pleased by the honour accorded the Monsignor, who has been Dean and Administrator of St Mary's since February 1992. - Peter Rosengren
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1800 81 • 156 The Record, fOnjary410 2000 Page 3
Summer fun for campers on Vinnies, Rice camps By Glynnis Grainger
Sitting high on Ellen Daniel's shoulders and enjoying the fun on an Edmund Rice camp is Tessa Wales.
January is traditionally the month when camps for children are held. A total of 130 tired young adult volunteers and 130 exhausted, but smiling, children meant the annual Edmund Rice summer camps had just ended. Five camps held throughout January were attended by children aged eight to 16. Careful planning by individual camp teams and the support of the Christian Brothers meant that the camps provided a week of fun and friendship for all. Edmund Rice Camps provide children with a holiday break who might not have the opportunity because of pressures they face. These children have the chance to have good times, be themselves and grow in a supportive, positive environment.
Some of those who attended the Edmund Rice camp last month: Cliff Hawkins, left, Aaron Hook, Susan McGuane and Andrew Boxall.
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Activities varied from camp-tocamp but included hours at the beach, sports, craft sessions, rockclimbing, workshops and teambuilding activities. The organised activities all went well, but the children and leaders seemed to have just as much fun doing the nightly dinner clean-up, with music and singing. Volunteer leaders attended orientation and training days prior to the camps. During the year they take responsibility for their own training and also raise funds required for the camps and activities. "You are giving so much and get- Those attending the Young Vinnies Camp make with the big hello. ting so much, that the whole camp These included swimming, fish- come to WA as part of their serfeeling just makes you appreciate ing, surfing, a low ropes course, vice, attended to help out. different things in life," a volun- various arts and craft activities, The camp was only possible teer leader said. such as making tie-dyed t-shirts, through people's generous dona"You leave your normal worries ten-pin bowling, and one of their tions of time and money. behind." Many children had been favourite activities, getting Young Vinnies thank all who camp regulars for years. dragged behind ski boats on helped. Fifteen of the campers graduat- inflatable tubes on the Logue This year, Young Vinnies hope to ed this year and thanked the Brook Dam. run four more camps, so anyone organisation and leaders for American and Canadian stu- Interested in helping please conmany years of happy memories. dents, members of the Disciple- tact Stephan or Leticia at St VinElsewhere, on 25 January, 40 ship Training School who had cent de Paul on 9325 3472. young children between the ages of eight and 12 embarked on what would be a very memorable week In their lives. Families on the St Vincent de Paul support list had the opportunity for their children to spend a week on camp doing activities most wouldn't be able to do. The Young Vinnies camp was run over four days from the 'Riesday to the Friday at Camp Mornington, Harvey. with a dedicated group of 14 volunteer leaders who faced a challenging week. A number of activities helped develop self-esteem and teamwork amongst the children and Young Vinnies campers enjoy stepping into the water at Harvey. these proved a great success.
Youth forum takes on the big issues By Peter Rosengren
Those looking for answers and those just interested to hear what would be said turned up for the first Cathedral Youth Forum after last Sunday's 5pm Mass. The forum, which includes an apologetics aspect, is a joint Jubilee Year initiative of the Friends of the Cathedral organisation and Perth layman Raymond de Souza's St Gabriel's Communications. As Mr De Souza explained to those present, apologetics has nothing to do with apologising; it has an older meaning Raymond de Souza speaks at the first meeting of the Cathedral Youth Forum last Sunday. explaining what the Church teaches. The forum's main function was there- and for straight answers to direct ques- Why doesn't the Catholic Church accept fore answering questions from young tions. divorce like other Christian churches? Catholics as well as showing how the "In the world of today there's much Why do so many young people leave the myths and misconceptions many have confusion. People are searching for the Church today? Why do Ihave to confess about the Church and what it teaches are truth and it's only the truth they'll be sat- to a priest - can't I confess directly to about as connected with the truth as fish isfied with. It's the truth which us God? sets are with bicycles. free. A smattering of parents and about 35 "By inviting questions I'll also be able "Often people in general water down young Catholics attended the forum last to direct people to develop a study of the the faith in order to make it fit in with Sunday night in the Cathedral Parish Church," Mr de Souza told The Record the thinking in vogue today, (but) even Centre at 450 Hay Street in the city. later. though the world may change, Jesus' In future, sessions will be held in the One of the prime movers behind the message will never change." parish centre after every First Sunday forum, Cathedral assistant priest Father He said it was hoped to run a retreat evening Mass at the Cathedral, beginPaul Fox, said he hoped it would lead to for youth later in the year, possibly at the ning about 6pm. Refreshments are also a deepening in faith and commitment Eagles' Nest venue, and suggestions had provided. and develop leadership among the already been called for other activities Any young people, youth groups or young people of the Cathedral parish. for the forum. youth leaders who are interested in the He agreed there was a hunger among Mr de Souza fielded questions such as: initiative can contact Fr Fox on 9325 9577 young people If we can believe in the 'big bang' theo- or Mr de Souza on 9453 9177 for further for the truth ry, did Adam and Eve have belly buttons? details.
NOR ER TINE CANONS ORDER OF CANONS REGULAR OF PREMONTRE
living the tradition of the 'Acts of the Apostles' ...
fellowship worship service The Record, February 10 2000 Page 4
If you would like to know more about life as a Norbertine priest or brother, please contact: Fr Peter J Stiglich, 0.Praem. St Joseph's Priory PO Box 354 Cannington WA 6987 Telephone: (08) 9458 2729 Email: norbert@tinet.net.au
Street focus for young people's retreat Life on the streets, prostitution and drug addiction will be discussed at a weekend retreat for students in Years 11 and 12 later this month. Run by the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community, the retreat entitled "Sex and Drugs: 'No love' or 'Know love?'"will be held at the Emmanuel Centre in Perth from 25 to 27 February. In an open letter to young people in Perth, Archbishop Barry Hickey invited them to consider going on the weekend which "is being led by young people who
know the harsh realities of the drugs and sex scene on the streets of Perth." "Come and hear the good news from their pretty unusual perspective," the Archbishop wrote in a letter which is printed in retreat publicity materials. Not only students are invited to attend; family and friends aged 15 to 19 will also be welcome. One of the retreat's organisers, Mary Anne, said that the nature of the Community's work would
make the weekend retreat a very "different experience for young people." Accommodation will be made available and transport can be arranged if needed. Those attending will only need to bring a sleeping bag and toiletries. The cost of the retreat will be by donation. Anyone interested in attending may contact Glenn Ebsary or Elena Baltic! on 9228 1800 in Perth or 9776 1734 at Pemberton.
Complaint procedure published By David Kehoe Rank and file Catholics may make complaints against theologians in Australia alleged to have contravened Church teaching under guidelines just published by Australia's Catholic bishops. The Examination of Theological Orthodoxy an Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference statement of policy, was published in full for the first time in the January 2000 edition of the quarterly periodical, the Australasian Catholic Record. The bishops committee for doctrine and morals developed the policy. According to conference secretary, Father Brian Finnigan, the policy was agreed to at the April 1999 plenary meeting of the bishops in Sydney. This was the meeting that published a pastoral letter that accepted Pope John Paul ll's November-December 1998 criticisms related to a "crisis of faith* In the Australian Catholic Church. Committee for doctrine and morals secretary, Bishop David Walker of Broken Bay Diocese in northern Sydney, told Perth's own Record weekly newspaper, last lliesday the policy was a "positive step forward." He said it had been in preparation for up to three years before April 1999 in consultations with Australia's professional associations of Catholic doctrinal and moral theologians. Bishop Walker said the three associations had agreed with the policy He said individual bishops in their dioceses were not bound by the policy but, as it was a joint effort between the bishops conference and the three associations. it was likely that individual bishops would see it as "an appropriate way to handle these issues."
with the Church's teaching. If the theologian is clearly established, Bishop Walker said the objecstatement of the theologian is in the context of the theologian's tive had been to ensure that fairavailable in any published form approach and methodology." ness was assured in dealing with or on any audio or audio/visual concerns and complaints, and "When the experts are satisfied means of communication, it shall that the theologian's statement that any doctrinal difficulties be sufficient for the purposes of and its meaning have been clearwere examined in the context of [the complaint] that the com- ly established," the policy said, the theologian's approach and plainant produce such material "the experts examine the text in methodology and by professionfor presentation to the Bishop." ally competent people. question, give their opinions and But opinions expressed by the- evaluate whether it is in conforThe policy sets out in detail the ologians in private communica- mity with the doctrine of the process by which Australia's bishops engage in "trustful dialogue" tions such as telephone Church." with theologians over doctrinal conversations may not form the The experts' report is sent to the difficulties about which the bishbasis of a legitimate complaint, bishop who then makes his judgeop has a "concern." the bishops said. ment, after further consultation The steps to resolve bishops' The policy said a Bishop dealing with the theologian if necessary, concerns and lay, priestly or reliwith a complaint "may choose to as to whether or not the complaint gious complaints are similar. avail himself" of the assistance of proven. is the Committee for Doctrine and The policy begins by pointing "If the theologian refuses to Morals of the Australian Catholic out that "The People of God have the decision of the Bishop accept Bishops Conference Committee. the right 'to receive the Gospel . . the Bishop may initiate in . . message in its purity and entireHe can also make use a panel of with the norms of accordance ty— and that "the pastors of the experts drawn from theologians Church have the duty and right to "with the required competence in canon law an administrative or judicial procedure" against the safeguard the integrity of faith their disciplines." theologian. and morals." This panel can be chosen from The policy also says the Pope's Australia's bishops said the minBishop David Walker a list of experts established by the istry of the diocesan Bishop as Doctrine and Congregation for the Doctrine of for Committee teacher in the faith community into divisions." When a bishop Morals after having received the Faith can always intervene meant that "among the principal receives a complaint from any nominations from academic insti- and entrust a case of concern or duties of bishops, the preaching member of the Church, the poli- tutions and professional associa- complaint to a bishop especially of the Gospel occupies an emi- cy states, "he is to explore everya tions. if "the influence of a publication reasonable measure whereby nent place." These experts then determine exceeds the boundaries of an satisfactory pastoral resolution A bishop "would do very well to may be found." exactly what was said or written individual episcopal conference approach theologians for their and then "ensure that the exact or when the danger to the faith is "Only when other methods of meaning of the statement of the particularly grave." assistance," the policy said. A bishop also within his local pastoral care have failed to diocesan Church. as "the vicar resolve the complaint is the C ELEBRAT I NG J UB I LEE 2000AD and ambassador of Christ" has Bishop to commence" anothprocedure, policy said. er the the responsibility "to guard and rr, No complaint can be made Interpret the Word of God and to r— make authoritative judgments as "unless it is made in writing rri to what is or is not in conformity and signed by the complainant." with it." BRINGING ABUNDANT LIFE 7:1 I N THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT When "members of the Church The complaint should conallege a statement of a theologian tain "(a) the name of the com--4 B ALLAJU RA Is contrary to the teaching of the plainant; (b) the name of the WEEKLY BIBLE SUBJECTS INCLUDE: Church" a bishop's authority. theologian: (c) the details of Knowing the Love of God. Jesus is Lord. Heating Through Forgiveness. The Holy Spirit & His Gilts. Be Filled with "which transcends particular the statement made by the G") the Holy Spirit (Why Tongues). The Blood Covenants positions and oppositions, must theologian; (d) the circumAn In-depth Divine Hearing Belong to You. Bible Foundations of unite all in the integrity of the stances in which the statePrayer. Break Open The Word. Your Righteousness in Charismatic Gospel which is the 'word of rec- ment was made: (e) the Christ The Authority of the Believer. Spiritual Warfare Bible Seminar. onciliation— so that tensions with- reasons why, in the opinion Praying Effective Prayer. The Motivational Gifts. Discerning Charismatic GI . Failh.Worts=Results in the life of the Church of the complainant, the stateGod's Angels in your world. Overooming the Kingdom of 7.45pm each r— community do not "degenerate ment is not in conformity Darkness. Your *tory n Christ In the %%odd not of the Wednesday from rri world. Turn the World Upside-Down with Faith in the Feb 23rd to June 11th rri Name of Jesus Iniercessory Prayer. Practical SoulBlessed Mary MacKillop. Winning for Practical People. The Great CA)MlneSSiOn. BranCheS Beanng Fruit. The Fruit of the Spirit. The Three Pelican Parade, Dimensions of Man. The 4 Loves: Agape, Eros, Storge. Ballajura. c=, Philea. Row to Raise Your Vision in God.
"Set My People On Fire
St Lawrence & St Theresa Parish Pilgrimage A 27 day pilgrimage journey departing Wednesday 3rd May 2000
Jerusalem (4 nights) Sea of Galilee (3 nights) Tel Aviv (1 night) • Fatima (3 nights) • Avila (1 night) Loyola (1 night) • Lourdes (3 nights) • Florence (1 night) Assisi (2 nights) • San Giovanni Rotondo (2 nights) Rome (3 nights) Fully escorted from Australia by Fr Tadeusz Seremet SDS from the Salvatorian Community Fully inclusive $6500, twin share per person Single Supplement $1045
For further details contact: Melinda Di Blase, Travel Consultant Travelshop.com.au, Shop 8, Garden City Shopping Centre, 125 Risley St, Booragoon WA 6154 Telephone (08) 9316 1444, Fax (08) 9316 2290 E-mail: melindad@travelshop.com.au
LLJ
F REE REGIS TRAT ION - A love Offering will be received each week. Weekly Study Notes for Registered Delegates at S3pp Retreats S4Opp
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Leave alegacy... for generations to come THE UNIVERSITY OF
NOTRE DAME
A USTRALIA
Notre Dame, Australia's first Catholic university, has the potential to be a vital contributor to the work of the Church in Western Australia and the region in the future. The University is already a major force in the education of our future priests and Catholic school teachers. Your legacy will assist in providing young people with an excellent academic and professional education that promotes Christian faith and values. We will allocate your gift for whatever purpose you specify. This might be support for a needy student, a contribution to the education of a seminarian, assistance to the library for book purchases, or support for special programs. The names of all benefactors who offer assistance to Notre Dame through a memorial gift are placed in our Book of Remembrance and prayed for whenever Mass is offered in the University's chapel. If you would like further information on the Notre Dame Bequest Program please contact the Development Office at Notre Dame on 9239 5692
Please remember Notre Dame in your Will Please send me further information on the Notre Dame Bequest Program Name Address Telephone Mouat Street (PO Box 1225), Fremantle WA 6959 Tel (08) 9239 5555 • Fax (08) 9239 5544 enquities@nd.edu.au • www.nd.edu.au
The Record, February 10 2000 Page 5
How will we answer question? Peter Dwan continues with his meditations on the readings for Sunday's Mass. This week the sixth Sunday, Year B
A Layman's Meditation
T
oday's liturgy reminds us that we must choose our company very carefully this week and for the rest of our lives. It is entirely our own choice whether we spend the week and the rest of our lives with the leper whose cure is recorded in today's gospel (Mark 1:4045) or with St Paul, from whose first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1) the second reading is taken. However, the readings show the momentous consequences of our choice. The first reading (Leviticus 13:1-2, 4446) tells of the sad fate of Palestine's lep-
recorded in today's gospel. We would think that having received such a wonderful blessing, gratitude would have led the cured leper to do whatever Jesus asked of him. The gospel passage shows that this wasn't the case, and that, in fact, although Christ told the leper not to talk about his cure, the cured leper "started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere." The passage tells us that as a result of the cured leper's disregarding our Lord's instructions: "Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all round would come to him." The last verses of the gospel passage are dynamite! We might say it was only natural for the leper to talk about his cure, yet the gospel passage is really telling us that by disregarding Christ's instructions, the cured leper hindered Our Lord's mission. for "Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him." We may presume that if the leper had
ers.
They were to wear their clothing torn, their hair disordered, and shield their upper lip and cry, "Unclean, unclean." The reading concludes: "As long as the disease lasts he must be unclean; and therefore he must live apart, he must live outside the camp." Lepers were, in other words, condemned to a life of isolation, unable to mix with other members of the community. It is only when we realise the lepers' sad fate that we come to appreciate what a great blessing Our Lord bestowed on the leper whose cure is
known the consequences of his talking about his cure, he would have thought twice before talking about it. Failure for whatever reason to heed Christ's commands always hinders God's work. A large part of the explanation as to why so many people throughout the world do not know Christ is that too many Catholics disregard Christ's command: "Preach the gospel to every creature," and fail to do their fair share when it comes to helping the missions. Just as people came to Christ when He could no longer go openly into any town, people still come to Him, despite too many Catholics not pulling their weight when it comes to evangelisation. In the second reading, St Paul says: "I try to be helpful to everyone at all times, not anxious for my own advantage but for the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved." Are we people who always try to be helpful? All too often it seems as though we are too anxious to secure our own advantage. A parish would, understandably, want to reduce its debt, but this shouldn't be done by ignoring the directive of Vatican II that every parish give a definite percentage of its income to the missions, where evangelisation is being hampered by lack of finance. Our response to the challenge will show whether we can truly claim St Paul as our companion and say with him his words quoted above.
To Jesus through Mary ... a column of Marian devotion
C
hurch leaders and an Australian cardinal representing Pope John Paul II urged young people at a national Marian festival to follow Mary and be steadfast new evangelisers" of Asia. At the 27-29 January National Marian Festival on the Holy 'ninny in Manila, speakers addressed the role of the Trinity in what Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila called an unclear and frightening future." Papal envoy Cardinal Edward Clancy of Sydney, Australia, who represented Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Cebu, bishops, priests, nuns and laypeople also gave talks. During the closing Mass, Cardinal Clancy called youth to be builders of a new humanity by becoming "lovers of prayer, generous to brothers and sisters, and promoters of peace under the Blessed Ilinity with the guidance of Mary." During the festival's closing Mass at Rizal Park in downtown Manila, Cardinal Sin said under Mary's guidance Filipino Catholics can be "the human tabernacle of the Spirit's singular presence and action in the history of salvation." He told the festival delegates it was time to take to heart the Pope's expression "the Asian Millennium," because few of Asia's billions of people have heard of Christ and his Gospel. "To us in the Philippines, with about 70 per cent of the Christians in Asia, the duty to proclaim Jesus is given first of all," Cardinal Sin said. "The Lord awaits our response, our generosity, our self-giving, the drawing forth of our desire and prayer, the 'laying of our lives on the line,'" he added, citing the martyrdom of Pedro Calungsod. The 16th-century Filipino teenage catechist is to be beatified on 5 March. Young people comprised about 80 per cent of the 10,000 delegates from around the country who gathered for the festival
Cardinal Edward Clancy
featuring lectures, workshops, song, dance and liturgy. During the festival's opening, Cardinal Sin said that the message that most needs to be embraced at the start of the new millennium is: "Be not Afraid!" "Serious economic problems, rising prices and jobs lost, seemingly uncontrollable violence, rape, kidnappings and ambushes," were among reasons he cited for a climate of fear in the nation. Seeing "a government seemingly without direction" and "an unclear, frighten-
ing culture" heightens the feeling of insecurity, he said. According to Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando, the prime values of charity, justice, honesty and truth have been systematically excluded from Philippine political culture. During his 28 January talk on the Blessed Trinity and society and politics, he said the ethos and morality of the political system had failed to sustain and promote the dream of the February 1986 "people power uprising" that deposed the late president Ferdinand Marcos. "Vested interests brought our nation into a market economy which did not improve the standard of life of the poor," Archbishop Aniceto said. Auxiliary Bishop Teodoro Bacani of Manila told his 27 January session on the ninity and family life that couples needed to prepare for marriage so each spouse married knowing the place of the Thrifty in marriage and the family. He urged couples to draw inspiration from the Trinity to overcome the difficulties of living together for life, which he said were aggravated by "the tempting prospect of ending a failed marriage and seeking another partner." He cited a bill in Congress that would legalise divorce and advocated for the spread of Christian family movements and associations. Cardinal Vidal pointed delegates to Mary's search for the profound meaning of the will of God. He noted her "acceptance of God's will and perseverance in the faith." The Marian festival was the first national gathering of Catholics and other Christians to celebrate the Jubilee of the Year 2000. The three-day festival began with opening addresses from Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Antonio Franco and Cardinal Clancy at the Philippine International Convention Centre in downtown Manila. UCANews
Korean Catholics fire off 250 million rosaries to heaven SEOUL (UCAN) - Lay Catholics in January. He said the number was more South Korea and overseas prayed more than double the goal of the council when than 250 million rosaries during six It asked Catholics throughout the counmonths to prepare for the Jubilee of the try on 1 June to offer 100 million rosaries Year 2000, a lay Catholic spokesperson in preparation for the Jubilee Year. says. He added that the council also received From 1 June to 24 December last year, a message from the Korean Catholic 259,391,315 rosaries were recited by community on Saipan island of Micronelaypeople in all dioceses of the country, sia in mid-December saying that they the spokesperson of the Lay Apostolate also recited 35,940 rosaries as part of the Council of Korea told UCA News on 19 movement. Moses Ryu Deok-hee, presiThe Record, February 10 2000 Page 6
dent of the lay council, said in the 16 January issue of the Taegu archdiocesan weekly Catholic Shinmun that "such an outcome indicates the power of Korean laypeople. In this spirit and effort we will make the Jubilee more meaningful." According to the council, the top three dioceses are Kwangju archdiocese with some 46 million rosaries, Suwon diocese with 42 million and Seoul archdiocese with 40 million.
Pope John Paul II continues radical tradition of good Pope John
With Paul Gray
T
he Vatican has declared another miracle. After the miraculous healing of Sister Caterina Capitani, a nun dying from complications after stomach surgery in 1966, the way has been cleared for Pope John XXIII, the father of Vatican II, to be beatified. How was this news greeted in the Catholic world? Publicly at any rate, among many bishops, priests and others professionally associated with the Catholic Church in one or other of its many institutional forms, it was greeted surprisingly politely. Surprising, considering the one-time adulation of John XXIII - the man who "opened the windows" on the Catholic Church by calling the Second Vatican Council. This was the man, remember, who was seen by many as sent by God to blow the dust out of an overly conservative institution. Was the sudden prospect of his imminent sainthood enough to send Catholics dancing with joy into the aisles of Churches around the globe? Hardly. To many conservative Catholics, "Vatican II" has merely meant a carte blanche to play fast and loose with the best traditions of the Church, a license to "monkey with the creed." as the Catholic writer Hilaire Belloc put it years before Vatican II, and an encouragement to mess around with the rubrics of the Mass, and for individual Catholics to behave in an irreligious, and sometimes even immoral way. To many liberal Catholics, Vatican II has generally been seen in a more positive light - as symbolising Pope John's laudable aim of renewal of the faith. 'If only the Popes since John XXIII had been more sympathetic to renewal.' they lament to themselves . . . . It is easy to see from this that many people have often got it wrong about three issues. Many have got it wrong about Pope John XXIII, many have got it wrong about the Council, and many have got it wrong about the Popes who came after John. Pope John, as the testimony of Sister Capitani's cure reveals, was clearly a man who was close to sainthood in his lifetime. The Council he engineered was a muchneeded move towards putting the Church on a necessary footing for dialogue with the modern world. And the Popes who have followed after him have not been opponents of his legacy, but active admirers and promoters of the work John tried to do - particularly the present Pontiff, John Paul II, who followed John Paul I in taking a name that honoured Pope John and the Pope who competed the Council and oversaw its first implementation, Paul VI. We must learn to see that the so-called "conservative papacy" of John Paul II is in fact not a conservative one at all, but lies exactly in line with the radicalism of Pope John XXIII. This is the essential leap of understanding more Catholics today must make, in the wake of a range of decisions made by the present papacy, including the move to beatify Pope John XXIII. As well as "internationalising" the faith by papal trips, this papacy is about calling on the Christian faithful of the world to renew their faith in Christ and announce it joyfully to the contemporary world, using all the modern methods of communication available. As John Paul II himself has written: "In the history of the Church, the 'old' and the 'new' are always closely interwoven. The 'new' grows out of the 'old,' and the 'old' finds a fuller expression in the 'new'." There is no essential tension, then, between the papacies of John XXIII and John Paul II. Isn't it time all sides got the message?
Yes to genuine refugees, no to queue jumpers T The Record he protest camp alleged Afghan refugees established in a Bateman park last week is another poignant example of the difficulties Australian immigration officials face. And reports last weekend that some illeBut a qualification is usually added that gal migrants at Derby's Curtin Air Base this cannot be done at the cost of social had sewn parts of their lips shut to ensure peace in the receiving country. the success of their hunger strike over livIn the case of illegal immigrants from ing conditions just adds to the list of Afghanistan, Iraq, the Rwanda-CongoSolomon-like problems Australian offi- Burundi triangle, China and the Balkans. cials have to deal with. to name only some more notorious trouFortunately, with recent indications from ble spots, the first presumption must be the new President of Indonesia, Abdur- that they are genuine refugees. rahman Wahid, that Indonesia will But if they are from nations without any resume cooperating with Australian offi- longstanding history of persecution, then cials in stopping the transmigration of ille- the first presumption for people jumping gal immigrants through the Indonesian the immigration queue by sea or air archipelago, the recent invasion of illegal should be that they are not refugees. migrants will probably taper off. Relatively well-heeled people from these Nevertheless, the problem of illegal nations should be put on a plane within a Immigration will not go away, particular- week and sent home. ly if Indonesia's social cohesion weakens If this form of firm action is not taken any further. then Australia will be quickly seen as soft Now and and in the future, Australian target for immigration smugglers. Immigration policy must be based on reaThe government will then have to deal son and the interests of the common good all the social tensions that will develwith rather than an emotion that prevents Australian immigration policy from discern- op within Australia as large numbers of ing the deserving from undeserving illegal migrants are interned before repatriation. among illegal immigrants. One criteria that could be applied could Catholic Church teaching naturally borrowed from the practice of the be places priority on welcoming genuine refugees and encouraging migration from Department of Foreign Affairs. That department issues travel advices to poorer to more affluent countries.
Arouno T Christians are well suited
p
redictably, the decision of our Federal Government to appoint a Christian agency as the provider of employment service, has generated a lot of criticism. Nevertheless, one could hardly conceive of a body better suited for this arduous task than a Christian organisation. The Christian institutions have always been the leaders in the provision of the social and welfare service throughout the centuries. Motivated, as non-profit organisations, by a sincere desire to help those in need, they have carried out their work in the spirit of love, compassion and the human understanding.
prospective Australian travellers waling against travel to a country suffering war or social unrest. Any illegal immigrant coming from a country that has been the subject of such a travel advice in the previous year or years could be assumed to be a refugee prima fade; but those from countries not listed could be sent back immediately. At the same time, it is not axiomatic that all illegal migrants from countries afflicted with social unrest are genuine refugees. It has been a well-k nown tactic since the first refugees took flight in history to plant spies and agent provocateurs in the ranks of fleeing refugees. How else did Nazi war criminals escape Germany after World War II? In the case of Afghanistan, it must be taken into account that the Taliban have not been the strongest in stopping the opium trade to the West. Not before have fundamentalist regimes fallen for the temptation of turning a blind eye to the drugs trade, if not deliberately promoting it, in the hope of weakening Western civilisation. For a drug lord to use a legitimate refugee stream to send key drug personnel to
gaae . . . . Surely, as such, they should qualify for the task of an employment service administrator. Many critics of the appointment fear that the doctrinal beliefs of a Christian organisation may display a religious bias towards their non-Christian employees and clients. This, one feels, is hardly likely because of the conditions of the agreement by which the agency is bound. Perhaps the most absurd critique comes from those who claim that the religious nature of the organisation engaged in government contract may "alter our cultural base". Surprisingly, this absurd nonsense is being peddled around despite the fact that our national culture has evolved from and is steeped in, Christianity, and that our population is predominantly of Christian persuasion. Engaging in attacks on Christianity and its values has become a favoured activity for many of its critics.
another cowitry would be the smallest of their vices. In such circumstances, Australia needs an immigration policy that allows genuine refugees to stay after the most stringent of investigations. Genuine. refugees must be accepted readily once all reasonable doubt has been eliminated. But anyone paying big money to criminals, who inevitably will be connected to the drug trade, to enter Australia from relatively peaceful countries must be returned within days. After all, there will almost certainly be fellow countrymen and women who are waiting patiently to have their application to migrate to Australia processed. Anything less than immediate repatriation will make Australia a laughing stock in the world community It is a matter of good government for any nation to control entry to their own nation. At the very least, failure to control migration is an offence against the common good of the local society which has a right to an orderly and peaceful development. If illegal immigrants are genuine refugees, then it is Australia's reputation as a peaceful society that they are risking life and limb to enjoy. • The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.
Lelfers /0 /Se CC/IYOP Often entrenched in positions of influence in our institutions, these people often promote the interest of radical minorities. They are hostile to Christian concepts and are intent on shaping our society to their modern, trendy ideological design. They have been remarkably successful in their pursuits because of public indifference and apathy. Let us not ignore but challenge the voices that try to subvert our traditional values. Joe Stekl Gosnells
Banner clarification
B
rian Coyne (The Record, 13 January) expressed delight in seeing many people attend the New Year's Eve celebrations, Midnight Mass and All Night Vigil at St Mary's Cathedral with much enthusiasm - sentiments that are shared. However, a few details in the same letter relating to the banner towing planes on
New Year's Eve need to be clarified. The two hired planes with banners flying, flew a return trip from Coogee Beach to Mullaloo Beach (not just Cottesloe) with the message and invitation "Year 2000 - I am Jesus - the Way -11-uth - Life" and "12am Mass & Vigil Tonite - St Mary's Cathedral". Wherever the pilots saw a large crowd of people on a beach they circled two or three times giving maximum message exposure. It was estimated 80-100,000 people saw the banners as they awaited the last sunset of the year. The message displayed was not the Jubilee message itself as was reported. People who reported back were thrilled at seeing this unique witness to our Catholic faith. The venture proved to be very successful and was covered by sponsors organised by Fr Paul Fox and his All Night Vigil Committee at the Cathedral. Stephonle Crees All Night Vigil Committee member
Pope John, Marmion, New access to Vatican Museums beatification date set
ry, visitors were restricted to an elite lines and speed up the ticket-buying process. group of nobles and intellectuals. Today, three million people from all The new bronze door, situated to the VATICAN GUN (cNs) - After openthe each visit life museum of walks of the old entrance, which will now left ing the Holy Doors of Rome's four major basilicas. Pope John Paul II year. Over the years, the steep increase he used solely as an exit, leads visitors opened his fifth door of the Jubilee: in visitors led to daily havoc at the one into an ultramodern space capable of handling 2,000 people at a time. the new entrance to the Vatican Muse- door used as both entrance and exit. wound often that lines nfamous I Once visitors have paid the $US9 11111S. caused block the around way their fee at newly computerised entrance At a ceremony last Monday, the Pope in hopes ticket booths, a spiral ramp takes them pushed open the museums' new many tourists to rise at dawn Chapel up to a glass-roofed room with a closebronze door to inaugurate the of getting into the Sistine before crowds impeded views of up view of St Peter's dome. revamped space. From there, tourists can enter the Praising the museums' role as a "tem- Michelangelo's masterpieces. presiSzoka, Edmund Cardinal US itself, or take advantage of museum people, all for art of ple and culture" for Commission Pontifical the of dent food court, complete renovated the the Pope said "the museums are, on a the financed which State, City Vatican pizzeria. a with cultural level, one of the most signifisaid The new entrance will also remind cant doors of the Holy See opened to $1.1S24 million, three-year project, eliminate would entrance new the of the museums' "connection visitors the world." to the Christian faith and The Pope said the new the 2000-year history of entrance was not only the Church," said Cardifunctional, "but symbolic nal Szoka. of a more 'capacious' Directly inside the new entrance, that is, more welentrance, a statue by Italcoming, to express the ian sculptor Giuliano renewed will of the Church Vangi titled "Crossing the to dialogue with humanity Threshold" depicts the in the sign of art and culPope guiding a man into ture, making its entire patthe third millennium. rimony available to all." Cardinal Szoka said the During the 1500s, when sculpture "interprets the Pope Julius II began the message of the supreme Vatican's collection, only pontiff on the centrality papal guests were allowed and dignity of the human person at the dawn of the to view the artwork of the third millennium." Holy See. At the time of the museums' modern incepArtists Jubilee P' Vatican - Page 11 tion in the late 18th centu- Glass and metal covers the new entrance to the Vatican Museums. By Benedicta Cipolla
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Pius IX and Pope John XXIII will be beatified in a 3 September cemmony, along with three other churchmen. Archbishop Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Sainthood Causes, made the announcement on 7 February as he presided at a memorial Mass on the anniversary of Pope Pius IX's death. Pope Pius, who reigned from 1846 to 1878, convoked the First Vatican Council, solemnly declared the dogma of Mary's Immaculate Conception and led the Church during the rocky period in which the papacy lost its temporal control over Rome and the papal states. Pope John, pontiff from 1958 to 1983, convoked the Second Vatican Council. An Irish Benedictine abbot, the French founder of the Marianists and an Italian archbishop will be beatified along with the two Popes during the September Mass, a congregation official said on 8 February. Benedictine Abbot Joseph Columba Marmion was born in Dublin in 1858 and served as a pastor and seminary professor in Ireland before entering the Benedictines in Belgium in 1886. He was a well-known spiritual writer, focusing on Christ. Father William Joseph Chaminade was born in Perigueux, France, in 1761 and was ordained a priest In 1785. Exiled to Spain during the French Revolution, he had a vision of a new religious order dedicated to and Inspired by Mary's example of service. He founded the Society of Mary after returning to France. Archbishop ibrmnaso Reggio of Genoa, Italy, was the founder of the Sisters of St Martha. He died in 1901 at the age of
n.
The Record, February 10 2000 Page 7
Jubilee Banners and Holy Doors
ubilee Banners and Holy Doors
Gosnells' Holy Door virtually and really
Columba's proclaims Rockingham's Jubilee pilgrimage shrine: Please consider! St a Great Jubilee message
designated as official pilgrimage sites from which pilgrims To: Everyone in Perth - large groups can gain the special Jubilee indulgence, is offering someor individuals From: Our Lady of Lourdes parish thing a little different. Fred Harrison, a member of Church, Rockingham the parish's Jubilee committee, Subject: This Jubilee Year told The Record last week that Message: Please come down and anyone and everyone would be visit us anytime you like. We'll welcome for pilgrimages to Our make you completely welcome. Lady of Lourdes church. here's an invitation in the And why not? The indulgence air from the parish of associated with the Jubilee is, at Rockingham for the its heart, an act of love and kindJubilee Year. ness for those in need. With parishes all over the By fulfilling the conditions for Archdiocese well into their the indulgence, a pilgrim can Jubilee activities now, the south- win for anyone who has died ernmost of the eight churches remission from temporal punBy Peter Rosengren
T
W
hile parishes have been busy throughout the archdiocese erecting their holy doors for the Jubilee, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament parish in Gosnells has gone one step further: their holy door now also exists in cyberspace. The electronic development means that those entering the parish website will find themselves electronically face to face with the parish holy door. A 'Rim Wambeck photograph displays the door as it can be seen at the parish; below it are explanations of each of the many symbols - representing different groups and ministries active within the parish - which have been incorporated into the impressive design. Erected in natural wood and featuring a marble-looking cross on a rich crimson background, the door has 25 symbols emblazoned. These run from the central depiction of the Infant Jesus and Mary - symbolising both the Blessed Sacrament parish and the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus - to the crest of parish priest Fr Joss Breen's congregation, the Dominicans, as well as those of the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart who have been associated with the parish. Other symbols represent such diverse activities as education, charismatic and other prayer groups, music ministry, missions, catechists, and the Young Christian Workers. The door can be visited on the website at http://users.highwayl.com.au/-joss/doorcletail.html - Peter Rosengren
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Rockingham: ready and waiting for pilgrims
islunent for any sins they have committed, or remission for punishment due for personal sins. It's a powerful act when you think about it, a little bit like throwing a spiritual rope to someone trapped in a well: you have done something in solidarity for one of your departed brothers or sisters and offered them some help. Mr Harrison went even further than issuing an open invitation; he urged parishes throughout the Archdiocese to actively consider coming to Rockingham. "We're not far from anywhere in the metropolitan area," he said. "But we are far enough to retain the charm of a country seaside town." "We've got beautiful safe beaches only a few minutes from the church, and plenty of green and shady parkland right next to the beaches." These factors alone would make a trip to Rockingham ideal for a family outing or even a parish picnic, he said. if anyone happens to come during school holidays our large shopping centre will be open seven days a week," he added. Mr Harrison said Rockingham's beautiful church was large enough to accommodate even a large pilgrimage, and "our jubilee committee will ensure all visitors are warmly welcomed." So, he added, if your parish has not organised a pilgrimage yet, please consider Rockingham" One of the main features of Our Lady of Lourdes Church is the magnificent wooden Holy Doors (see right) which will greet pilgrims for the next 11 months or so. Emblazoned with the same words to be found on Holy Doors everywhere - This is the Gate of the Lord' - they have also been decorated with art works
from parishioners of Our Lady Preparations had not only of Lourdes and students at the included erecting holy doors, he two Catholic schools in the area: said. Kolbe Catholic College and Star Among other projects, the of the Sea Primary School. parish improved the grounds of Done in a variety of media - the church and installed picfrom Texta or crayon on paper turesque flower beds for its visto oils and acrylics - talented itors. young minds have come up with The jubilee committee has what they contemplate the prepared its welcome for visiJubilee and its meaning to be. tors and a sub-committee is At the top of the left door, ready to provide groups coming beside the Alpha symbol, is a on pilgrimage with refreshpainting of Jesus the Good Shep- ments after their visit, he said. herd. Fr Walsh said he was hoping Opposite this, beside the that through visiting the RockOmega symbol, Is a painting of ingham church, other parishes Mary holding the Infant Jesus would come to experience a and simply inscribed with the sense of the wider Church. touching words: 'Save souls.' "Ihope they'll leave with a feelThere are seven paintings on ing of peace and that they have each door ranging in subject come together as the Church," from dolphins at play in the he said. crystal blue ocean to those bear- it will also be good to see ing an Aboriginal creation communities of the same theme. Church and the diocese visiting Rockingham parish priest, one another, promoting unity In Father Finbarr Walsh, told The the Archdiocese," he said. Record the creation of the holy Anyone interested in visiting doors and the preparation for Rockingham church on pilthe receiving visitors from other grimage should contact Fr parts had had an interesting Walsh on 9527 1605. in the effect parish. So there it is. "Working together as a comOur Lady of Lourdes parish in munity to prepare the church has drawn the parish closer Rockingham will be delighted to receive your RSVP soon. together," he noted.
over Swan waters By Peter Rosengren
Our Lady of Lourdes Holy Door: a parish community building project
Holy Door? Holy bell tower! Ferries and pleasure craft on the Swan River will be unable to fail to notice the spectacular Great Jubilee 2000 banner running almost the entire height of the bell tower beside St Columba's church in South Perth this year. The banner will be visible from St Columba's across the Swan to the city for the rest of the year. And if the curiosity of any is aroused, leadinr• them to visit the church for a closer look, they will find a second surprise too the meticulously-crafted holy door (see below) inside the front of the church. Parish priest Father Michael Casey told The Record recently Mercedes College students and art teachers designed the banner; an independent company manufactured it The holy door, meanwhile, which has the same basic symbolism as the banner outside, had been largely crafted by one of the young members of his congregation, he said. The church's own stained glass 'Rose' window is represented at the top of the banner. The little circle under the cross, and the alpha and omega are meant to call to mind the shamrock St Patrick is said to have used to explain the Trinity to the Irish people. The flowing and interwoven design running from top to bottom is drawn from the famous Celticproduced translation of the Gospels known as the Book of Kells. It also calls to mind the Trinity and the Old Testament image of the healing waters flowing out of the Temple in Jerusalem - in this instance the healing graces which flow to us from the Cross of Jesus, the instrument of our redemption, Fr Casey said.
Time of Grace, Reign of Light panel. Artist Joe Faitley
The Save Souls Madonna and Child panel. Artist Mary-Lou Noid
Jesus, the alpha and the omega, is the salvation of all who believe in Him.
Jesus the Good Shepherd panel. Artist: Anonymous
St Irenaeus of Lyons had a solution to the publishing boom in early Christian times L e4itst zong ike so many early saints, Irenaeus BC. In 177 AD, St Irenaeus was on a miswas born into a Greek family in sion to Rome, with a message for the Asia Minor. More unusually, he Pope, St Eleutherius, from his bishop, may have been born into a Christian Pothinus, and the Gallic Christians, when persecution broke out in the city family. He was familiar with St Polycarp, who of Lyon in Gaul. St Pothinus perished, with many of his was alive when Irenaeus was a child or flock. When St Irenaeus returned to a very young man. Irenaeus wrote: "I can tell where the Lyon, he was consecrated bishop. Lyon, or Lugdunum as it was then blessed Polycarp sat to talk, how he came in and went out, how he lived, known, was a Celtic town sacred, what he was like, how he spoke to his according to its followers, to the god Lug. It was also the capital of one of the people, and what he told of the contacts he had had with John and other people three Roman provinces of Gaul and an Important and influential centre in westwho had seen the Lord." This places St Irenaeus at a pivotal ern Europe. Lyon, however, is a long way from point in the life of the Church when there were no longer any living wit- Jerusalem. That it had a significant Christian community at such an early nesses to Jesus' time on earth. This meant that the written records of date is testament to how rapidly ChrisChrist's life, and the Letters and Acts of tianity spread after the Resurrection. According to St Jerome, St Irenaeus the Apostles became more significant. As a young man, St Irenaeus worked also died a martyr. It seems most likely that he was one of first among the Churches of Asia, where he gained a reputation for settling dis- the victims of a massacre of the Christians in Lyon which occurred in 202 AD putes. He then became a missionary in South- under the Emperor Septimus Severus. ern Gaul. Southern Gaul, or the modern Although St Irenaeus was famous for south of France, was a Celtic region making compromises on matters that which had close cultural connections were not vital (such as the dispute over with Greece because It had been settled the celebration of Easter on a Sunday, or by Greek colonists in the sixth century on the same day as the Jewish Passover)
The Record, February 10 2000 Page 8
erth historian Dr Jennifer Skerritt shed P on Catholic Church history to mark some light 2000 years of Christianity. This week:
St Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 120-200.) he was inflexible on important matters. He is famous for opposing Marcion, a schismatic leader in Rome, and the heretical Gnostics There are many variations of Gnostic heresy, which reappeared in various guises every few hundred years with monotonous regularity. All Gnosticism relies on hidden or secret knowledge which is given only to members of the sect in question. The main branches of second century Gnosticism, those which St Irenaeus opposed, were Dualists. They believed that only the spirit was good, and that the physical world was evil. Man, as a pure spirit, was trapped and corrupted in the physical world by an evil creator god, and could only be released by a good spiritual god.
They suggested that Jesus, as the Good God, never really became man, but only pretended. Only one of St Irenaeus' works against the Gnostics has survived, a collection of five books called Adversus haereses (Against Heresies). It was originally written in Greek, although only its Latin translation is now known. The only other writing of St Irenaeus known to modern scholars is an Armenian translation of a short work called Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching which was probably used to instruct those preparing for baptism. St Irenaeus, and the other Church fathers were so successful in their opposition of Gnosticism that the early sects and their writings were largely forgot-
ten. Almost all that was known of them came from the writings of St Irenaeus. when he refuted their doctrines. This changed when the remains of a Gnostic library. written on papyrus, was discovered in Egypt at Naj' Hammadi in 1940. These discoveries increased respect for St Irenaeus in the academic world, as it was found that he had represented even those he opposed accurately and fairly. The Gnostic library illustrated one of the problems of the Church in the second century. Many religious books were in circulation. These included not only the four Gospels, and the other books of the New Testament, hut also other works of lesser quality and a large number of Gnostic writings. They all claimed scriptural authority. St Irenaeus helped establish the validity of those books of the Scriptures which we know as the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
The modern Canon of the Bible owes a great deal to his influence. The Gnostic sects relied on secret, unwritten traditions that they claimed Jesus, or some other divine agent, gave only to them. Against this, St Irenaeus showed that the Christian bishops in different cities could trace their authority back to the apostles and none of them were Gnostics. If Jesus had taught Gnostic teachings, the apostles would surely have followed
them, and passed these doctrines on to their successors. St Irenaeus illustrated this point by listing the bishops of Rome, back to the martyrdom of St Peter. St Irenaeus even mentioned the unique position of authority of the bishop of Rome. Other lists of bishops were also created at this time. 4 as countermeasures against the Gnostics. The Bishops, as the direct successors of the apostles. provided the only reliable Interpretation of scripture; all Catholic bishops hold their authority through this direct succession from the Apostles. St Irenaeus loved to contrast the unchanging rock of the Catholic Church, with the shifting, fighting heretical sects of the second century. Although the Gnostic sects have vanished, and are only occasionally revived by misguided university academics, other heresies have taken their place. By the Grace of God, the Catholic Church endures. opposing such errors with prayer and reason, until they are defeated, like the second century Gnostics.
South Perth's elegant Holy Door featuring Jesus as the Alpha and Omega.
The Record. February 10 2000 Page 9
WA News and Features
1
The Record 100, years ago
With Mary Busher, Perth Catholic Church Archives volunteer
Excerpts from .the WA Catholic Record, 10 February, 1900: "the Northampton schools of the Presentation nuns at Northampton are making very remarkable progress. Notwithstanding their recent formation they already number 110 pupils. It has therefore been found necessary to enlarge the community so as to provide a sufficient teaching staff. An addition to the building will also be made in order to accommodate boarders." When did the twentieth century begin? - A writer in The Record, 1.0. Carroll posed this question 100 years ago. He wrote: "This query is put outside the pale of debatable questions in chronology by fully three-fourths of our people, who believe, that the twentieth century doesn't begin until the first day of January, 1901. Either somebody has told them so - for there are many people who let others think for them and thereby they get their ideas ready made - or their common oracle. the newspaper. has issued its fiat, and settled the matter for all time. And yet a little study will show that not only has the question been legitimately debated, but that the weight of the argument is considerably against the advocates of the first of January. 1901. To add some weight to this assertion, I may mention that Germany, through her Federal Council, has recognised this year, 1900, as the first of the twentieth century." "The common era devised by Dionysius in the sixth century, though misleading in a few non-essential particulars is nevertheless, the era adopted in the Gregorian Calendar. This is the calendar now in use among us and all civilised communities. And until we either alter or abandon it we are bound to abide, equally by its imperfection as well as by its perfections. England adopted it holus bolus by Act of Parliament in 1751. Should it be shown therefore, on the reckoning of the Gregorian Calendar that t he twentieth century began on the first of January 1900, we are bound by Statute 24, George II. 1751 to adopt that view of the matter, even though ills not chronologically correct. The Gregorian Calendar is plain enough on the point and leads to but one conclusion - that 1900 is the first vear of the twentieth century. The era of Dionysius is misleading in so far as it fixed the date of the birth of Christ (anno Christi) about four years later than it actually occurred. This error does not affect the present question." Gold output - "The gold returns of the Colony keep advancing. In January 1900 output exceeded 143,819 ozs, at 546,515 pounds „valued oss, 8s.5d." s•
Remember China Church' By Glynnis Grainger Archbishop Barry Hickey told 200 ChineseAustralian people at a special Chinese New Year Mass to "think again of the Church in China." Held for the first time in five years at Holy Family Church, Como, there were six concelebrating priests including the Archbishop. They were Fathers Adrian Pittarello, the Vicar for Migration; Patrick Lim; Reginald Hynes; Budi Agustriono, and Gerard Neagle. The procession of the Archbishop, priests, acolytes, and lay people bearing gifts entered through two special doors, the second one a Holy Door, designed by Augustine Lai, with 12 themes, one for each month. The Holy Door can be dismantled and will be re-erected once a month on the last Sun- Archbishop Barry Hickey exits the Chinese Holy Door at Como last weekend. day of each month at Holy Family Church. The Chinese Church is "suffering from seri- offering of himself in sacrifice that reconciled ous internal divisions, one loyal to the Holy the world to God His Father and won for us Father, the other obedient to the State," Arch- eternal life." bishop Hickey said in his homily. "Over the past 2000 years millions of people "Some progress towards a solution has been have followed Jesus, having known Him made, but recently there have been setbacks through the Scriptures and through their in the ordination of patriot Bishops against the prayers." wish of Rome, and the imprisonment of "The Risen Lord has been companion and Catholic Bishops, clergy and laypeople." Saviour to countless souls in their journey The Archbishop gave his homily in English through life." and it was interpreted into Cantonese and "While many have followed Jesus faithfully, Mandarin for the congregation. forces of evil have opposed them and sought "In the Chinese calendar, the year 2000 to undermine the work of salvation." occurred a long time ago, but we Christians -This battle, this cosmic battle for the souls all celebrate the same event, the Incarnation of mankind, will continue to rage until Christ of God among us in the person of Jesus Christ," comes at the end of time," Archbishop HickArchbishop Hickey said. ey said. We should "realise that following Jesus will "This year, therefore, is a year for rejoicing. The coming of Jesus into the world changed not always be easy," he said. "We may feel within us the joy of knowing it forever." "He gave us a way of life that brings peace Christ, but find that faith demands a struggle; and joy. an example of how our life should be we may willingly follow Christ but find that lived, a promise of eternal salvation and an following Him requires that we take up our
cross daily. . . . This glorious celebration of 2000 years of Christianity should be an opportunity for us to commit ourselves again to following Jesus our Saviour. "What does that mean for us?" the Archbishop asked. "Firstly, it means living like Him, living a life of love where we give ourselves to others, our family, our friends, to strangers and to the poor. "It means abandoning a selfish way of life to live for others and see in those we serve the person of Jesus Christ. "It also means, most importantly, that we worship God as supreme in our lives. "Jesus continually reminded His listeners to honour God. If we honour God we will accept His Will as the light of our lives. "God's Will, as revealed to us fully by Jesus, must direct our actions and govern our choices. "At times our desires will conflict with God's Will. In these cases God must be served, obeyed, honoured and loved." Archbishop Hickey said, "Last century was, In my view, a terrible century." "Despite the marvellous technical advances, there has never been a century when so many lives were taken by war, violence, famine, or abortion." "It seems that there has been an upsurge of evil, that has undermined the voice of conscience, that inner echo we all have of God's truth within us." "If we are to be a positive influence for good in our world, we must all be sorry for our own sins and be reconciled with God so that we can live our Christian lives with greater authenticity." "Let us pray sincerely that God's grace will touch hearts to be converted to Jesus Christ in the unity of His Church." Archbishop Hickey concluded by wishing "all a very happy New Year."
Aussies asked to help Indian poor The Jesuits have called for Australians to support their poorer brothers and sisters in India through the work of the Jesuit mission and schools there. It is difficult to imagine what life would be like if you could not read and write, had little or no employment, lacked social security benefits and experienced months of hunger. The vast majority of children in the Australian Jesuit Mission in India are severely disadvantaged all their lives from lack of educa-
tion. These children are denied than 40,000 children have to be education because their commu- subsidised as their parents cannities are too poor to build not afford to feed and clothe them schools, provide books and writ- properly, or pay school fees of $20 a year. Donations to help educate ing materials, and pay teachers. The number one priority of the these children are tax deductible. Those willing to support the Australian Jesuit Mission in India is to educate as many people as Jesuits can make their cheque payable to Australian Jesuit MisIts limited resources will allow. Thousands of families are now sion Overseas Aid Fund - Educabetter off because many priests tion Appeal and post it to the and nuns, nurses and teachers, National Director, Fr Tom O'Donohave lived and worked with the van, Australian Jesuit Mission in people and supported them dur- India, PO Box 193, North Sydney. - Glynnis Grainger ing the learning process. More 2059.
Priest writes own Jubilee advert Father Frank Moynihan, from St Mark's parish, Inala, Brisbane, is a man who likes to use the media. Fr Moynihan paid $1200 for a full-page advertisement in his local suburban newspaper earlier this month to promote the Christian message of the Year of Jubilee. Headed "2000 Years Since the Coming of Christ," the featurestory length advertisement was
on page 16 of The Satellite news- nist. "If we had put it on page three paper and had some colour work it would have cost more," he said. He concluded the piece with the on it. A map of the Holy Land and a words: "It is this joy we share with sketch of Jesus Healing a Leper, you our friends and neighbours by Rembrandt, are featured on the In this Year of Jubilee." "St Mark's Parish, Inala, offers page. Fr Moynihan, 70, told The this memory of Christi's] 2000 Record he wrote about 2000 years among us. Our hope for Peace and Understanding in this words for the advertisement. He said he had a piece in The Year of Jubilee [by] Fr Frank Leader for 27 years - as a colum- Moynihan." - Glynnis Grainger
A new Congregational Prioress and four councillors have been elected to lead the Dominican Sisters of WA. The new prioress is Sister Marlene Laracy. Sisters Regina O'Neill, Perpetua Gill, Anita Willmon and Mary Ryan to assist her for the next four years. Sr Marlene replaces Sr Joan Camille, who has led the Congregation for the past eight years. For the past 12 years, Sr Marlene has been Principal of Holy Rosary School, Doubleview, and prior to this, Principal of St Dominic's School, Innaloo.
The Director of the Catholic Education Office in WA said policies governing Catholic school outings would be reviewed following the death of a Mercy College student on a swimming trip. Coroner Ian Martin said last Thursday in Perth that the Catholic Education Commission should issue guidelines recommending ratios of students to teachers during beach trips, the provision of flotation equipment and plans for emergency procedures. His comments came as he_hanjed down his findings into the drowning death of teenager
School safety policy review Dominican team elected
The Record, February 10 2000 Page 10
Anthony Nhat Anh Nguyen at Margaret River in November 1998. "We will be reviewing our school camps' policy and duty of care documentation taking into account the coroner's recommendations," Mrs Therese Temby told The Record on Friday. Mr Martin found that the death had been avoidable and criticised two teachers involved for allowing Mercy College students to swim at a dangerous beach and not supervising weak swimmers closely enough. - Peter Rosengren
Patriarch to Archbishop
Philip Shields, wearing his Patriarchal Cross, presents Archbishop Hickey with gifts from Patriarch Teoctist of Romania.
Perth layman Philip Shields was able to return the compliment to Archbishop Barry Hickey from Patriarch Teoctist of Romania recently. Mr Shields visited Romania to witness Pope John Paul H's visit to the country last year. While there he met the Patriarch who is the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church and presented him with three gifts from Archbishop Hickey. Later he told The Record the Patriarch was dearly pleased Catholics from as far as WA were interested enough to visit Romania for the occasion. In return he asked the Perth layman to present Archbishop Hickey with 3 personally dedicated books: the first a jointly researched Catholic-Orthodox-Protestant history of persecution under the Romanian Communist regime, the second a history of monasticism in the country and the third a biography of the Patriarch. Patriarch Teoctist also conferred the Patriarchal Cross on Mr Shields. - Peter Rosengren
Jubilee for Artists
Church is Camera woman uses her lens to history's capture sacredness of joy, love patron of By Stan Konieczny
/
t is an eternal quest: creatively to use available materials to express profound feelings and experiences. In her years of focusing a lens and editing film clips, Helen Hempstead has seen many Images she would classify as sacred. These range from children who are joyful despite squalid living conditions to an elderly couple giving a thumbs-up sign as they ride a motorcycle during Mardi Gras. "When you think of sacredness, it is in the love and joy of the people we are sometimes lucky enough to capture on tape," she reflected, adding: "Every project is new and offers a new opportunity to capture such sacred Images. You just have to keep an open mind. Modern technology offers artists undreamed of avenues of expression through electronic media, and Hempstead is a member of the generation of artists who use media such as video to express sentiments of joy, love and faith. "With video, you take an idea and bring it to life. Video is multifaceted. You have the words of the script and the background music that you hear, along with the pictures you see. All these elements come together to tell a story in video," explained Hempstead, co-owner of Cor Productions in St Louis, Missouri. "When I think of artists,I often think of paint and canvas hanging on the wall," said Hempstead, who has done some drawing and painting. 1can also see myself as an artist in the visual realm because video takes something from inside and, using the tools available, puts it before an audience." For eight years, Hempstead has collaborated with others as writer, producer, editor and technician to express messages great and ordinary through the artistic medium of video. After graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans and serving as a Jesuit volunteer for a year in East Los Angeles, Hempstead worked as an intern with Sacred Heart Productions in St Louis. "It was a great first experience," she recalled. These videos focused on social-justice issues and value-centred stories. "They were great
stories to tell, giving voice to people who might and trust that the project is going to turn out with help from your co-workers. Part of the joy not have a voice otherwise." In 1994, she and three co-workers formed and surprise is going through the process and seeing how it turns out." Cor Productions. Hempstead also depends upon divine colCor does a considerable amount of work for nonprofit, faith-based groups, producing cate- laboration. "Many times, beforeImeet a client, chetical, vocational and mission promotion I turn it over to the Holy Spirit," she explained. "It is good to know that Iam not the only one videos, as well as instructional and motivawith answers. In editing,Isometimes find that tional videos for commercial firms. Part of the artistry and skill of video for Hemp- we have all of this footage, andI say, 'OK, Holy Spirit, help me to make the best use of this. stead comes from collaborating with others. Many good things have come out of this. about the work I "One of the greatest things "SinceI give my work over to the Holy Spirdo is that it is not individually creative, but colit, there is a lot of God in it." laboratively creative,' she explained. - Catholic News Service Hempstead added: "There is also much faith
Videographer Helen Hempstead says, "I can. . . . see myself as an artist in the visual realm because video takes something from inside and. . . . puts it before an audience. . . . Since I give my work over to the 4 t 1.', :,,„ • , :, Holy Spirit, there is a lot of God in it."
Creativity is part of the human spirit By Father David O'Rourke, OP
A
number of years ago I asked an artist, a friend of mine named Harriet, to create large banners for the sanctuary of our Berkeley church to suggest the process of creation, from God's first ordering of chaos up to the supreme act of creation, the birth of Christ. Obviously, this was a big challenge - not least because we were already into October, and the banners had to be ready for the first Sunday of Advent. I wasn't sure the project was possible. But! knew Harriet would give me a straight answer. "Can you actually do something like this?" I asked. "Let me think about it," she said. Since she and her husband had six growing children at home, I knew that the thinking could easily get sidetracked. But to my pleasure and surprise, I received a call a couple of days later. "We're ready to go." "Great," I said. "Where are we going?" "To our back yard. We've got to build a pool. Ten feet by 12 feet." Even over the phone she must have heard my jaw drop because she added: "Now don't panic. It's only got to be 3 inches deep." A few hours later, as she directed her husband and children in marking the outlines of the pool with 2-by-4s, she explained the process. What she was going to do was spread different colours of printer's inks on the surface of the water. And then we would carefully lower the canvas onto the surface of the water for a few moments until it picked up the colours. "We want to recall creation, so I am
With the gelatin mix beginning to lump and going to set the inks in swirls that look like star constellations in the sky," Harriet the mounting November wind threatening to turn her artist's canvas into a tie-dyed sail, coexplained. "But it's windy,"I added needlessly, as a cold ordinating every moment and move required winter wind from the Golden Gate rolled right the firm hand of an Emperor Nero. Harriet was not found lacking. through her back yard, leaving us huddled and shivering. "Brian, rake that dark purple ink - gently! -'The wind will make waves and mess it all clockwise. OK, now everyone, ev-ry-one! Lower the cloth slowly. . . . like this. . . . on. up." "No it won't," she added confidently. "The . . . to . . . . the . . . . sur . . . . face." Bending carefully, we set the taut cloth atop Jello will firm the water and keep the colours the ink-streaked water. In place." Then, almost miraculously, the different "Jello?" I said. What we were building, it turned out, was a shades of magenta and purple began to bleed visibly through to the back 120-square-foot gelatin patch. When we raised the cloth, the design that And the artist's creative touch was to swirl the colours onto the firming surface in just the had looked dark and gloomy on the surface of right places but before the thickening water the dark water now appeared bright and almost alive. really set. I couldn't believe it. It worked. An hour later, with a garden hose bringing And a week later we already had one wonhot water from the laundry into the plasticlined pool, and all of us with cold feet and derful banner behind the altar recalling God's muddy shoes, we began frantically dumping creation. For me, however, the best mirror of creativiand dissolving packages of gelatin into a large ty was this family itself. bucket of hot water. Harriet and her husband somehow manThen we had to stir the gummy mess throughout the quickly cooling pool of hot aged not only to bring a family to life but also to continue that creative effort all through water with garden rakes. education. their "This is crazy" I added in my usual helpful The children, now adults, have nearly all way. become professional artists. "Keep still and rake," she said. One recently had his work featured in the "It will work fine as long as you keep workNew York Times. ing!" Creativity, it seems, is just below the surface Harriet's husband wasn't quite sure that I n many a human spirit. bathing in ice-cold gelatin was his idea of how No wonder the church chose to celebrate to spend a Saturday afternoon. "If this is what the creation was like," he com- artists during the Jubilee Year on 18 February. Since its early years, the Church has encourmented, "I'm surprised that God bothered." Democracy and meekness of spirit certainly aged its artists to bring that creativity to life. My friends showed how this can happen have their places in the world. But the artist's studio - or backyard gelatin right in the family's back yard. patch, as it were - is definitely not one of them. - Catholic News Service
great art
By Father Lawrence Mick F , I j very year ye in a city near my home the local artists' group sponsors a "Starving Artists Sale." The works are done by local artists, and prices are usually quite reasonable.I have come upon similar sales in other regions. and the term "starving artist" commonly is used. The term's familiarity hints at the difficulty of making a decent living as an artist. Many parents admire their children's creative abilities yet discourage them from pursuing art as a career, fearing that their children will live in poverty if they do. Catholic Church The through the centuries has played an important role as a patron of artists. The recent restoration of the magnificent paintings of Rome's Sistine Chapel and the attempts to reconstruct the frescoes in Assisi's basilica after the' were damaged by an earthquake are reminders of the treasury of artistic works that were inspired by the Bible and often funded by the Church. Last Easter. Pope John Paul II issued a "Letter to Artists" addressed to "all who are passionately dedicated to the search for new 'epiphanies' of beauty so that through their creative work as artists they may offer these as gifts to the world." This salutation indicates a basic theme of the letter. that artists provide us with "epiphanies." This term means manifestations of the divine. The Pope viewed art as a way to express and experience God's presence in our world. He noted that the creative impulse in every person flows from our likeness to the Creator; our efforts to improve our world are a sharing in God's creative work Every human being is an artist in one sense, because all of us must use our creativity to shape our own lives into things of beauty. But some people have special artistic gifts. They share in a special way in God's act of creation. The Pope saw a deep kinship between art and Christianity because of the Incarnation. The Son of God took flesh, thus revealing in created form God's presence in our world. Artists continue this incarnaIlona' activity, enfleshing beauty, truth and the divine presence in material forms. These forms include the work of architects, painters. sculptors, poets, musicians and various others. They all have the potential to lift up human experience and lead people to God. Sometimes they do this even when the artist did not intend a religious theme. Pope John Paul calls art "a kind of bridge to religious experience" - even in situations "where culture and the Church are far apart" (No. 10). The Pope insisted that the Church needs artists, and he appealed for a new partnership between art and the - CNS Church.
The.Recorct, _February, 10 .2009. P,ago _11,
International News
In Brief Body trade stopped BALTIMORE.: (CNS) - A decision by a Maryland company to stop procuring and distributing body parts obtained from aborted foetuses is drawing praise from pro-life supporters. The Anatomic Gift Foundation announced in late December it would "no longer procure or provide human tissue derived from elective pregnancy terminations for research and education." The Anatomic Gift Foundation acknowledged that it has dealt in body parts from abortions in the past. The tissue was used in research into AIDS, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, Its statement said.
Award to bishop WASHING (CNS) Bishop Macram Max Gassis of El Obeid. Sudan, received the 12th annual William Wilberforce Award from Prison Fellowship in ceremonies on 2 February in Washington. The award honoured Bishop Gassis' efforts to raise international awareness of religious persecution in Sudan, according to Chuck Colson, the former Watergate figure who is chairman of Prison Fellowship Ministries.
Hot Rome meals VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican launched a new program on 3 February to provide Rome's poor with piping hot tortellini every day throughout the jubilee. Titled "Papal Charity for the Jubilee," the initiative provides 500 lunches per day: 200 at St Peter's and 100 each at the basilicas of St john Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls.
Kung criticises CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) - A theologian said the shortage of priests, the estrangement of women and young people from the Catholic Church. and episcopal intimidation by the Roman Curia has put the Church in a . 'very unhealthy situation." Fr Hans Kung, 71, a priest and professor of theology at the University of Itibingen, Germany, whose licence to teach as a Catholic theologian was withdrawn by the Vatican in 1979, made his remarks in comments to The Southern Cross, South Africa's Catholic weekly newspaper.
Brady warns ARMAGH, Northern Ireland (CNS) - A Northern Ireland archbishop warned that interruption of the peace process would be "tragic" as a lack of progress on disarmament threatened to bring about suspension of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh spoke just days before the British government announced it would legislate to suspend the powers of the Northern Ireland executive, or coalition government, because armed groups were not decommissioning weapons.
End resign debate ca By Benedicta Cipolla VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A highranking Vatican official called for an end to debate on papal resignation. In a 2 February article in the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Archbishop Agostino Marchetto of the Vatican Secretariat of State said "all this buzz on the subject should be silenced." Though media "buzz" has been humming for some time over whether Pope John Paul II might one day resign, Archbishop Marchetto's comments came in direct response to three recent articles by Italian history professor Alberto Melloni. The Archbishop
referred at length to a 29 January opinion piece by Melloni in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. In the article, Melloni said that while Pope John Paul was perfectly fit to continue as leader of the Church, "there will come a day when he or one of his successors will feel unfit." And in a clear reference to the current Pope, whose schedule, although scaled back in recent months, remains taxing, Mellon! said "killing that man by imposing an agenda too demanding for his age is a form of 'white euthanasia." Archbishop Marchetto rebutted Melloni's article point by point, saying the historian descended into "the cerebral, too cold ratio-
nalism of analysis, ... the reduc- saying "considerations we would tionism of the figure of the suc- define as good manners" should cessor of Peter, and a rather silence the debate. The furore over the possibility of negative judgment of the Roman Curia and the Pope's closest col- the Pope one day resigning arose laborators" - the very ones, said in January after the Italian press the Archbishop, who Melloni misreported a statement by Bishclaims are committing the sin of op Karl Lehmann of Mainz, president of the German bishops' "euthanasia." "Physical weakness, however, conference, as calling for the pondoes not mean incapacity," said tiff to step down. Bishop Lehmann and several the Archbishop. In response to Melloni's point Vatican officials immediately that bishops generally resign at declared Pope John Paul fully age 75, Archbishop Marchetto capable of continuing in office. Canon law allows for a papal said such an argument "means losing the sense of the unique resignation, and a sick Pope can position of the Bishop of Rome in delegate much of his authority to aides. the Catholic Church." The last pope to step down of The Archbishop called the ongoing controversy over papal resig- his own accord was St Celestine nation a breach of etiquette, V in 1294.
Save democracy with the Faith: Pope 'Forgotten
WASHINGTON (CNS) - In an The annual prayer breakfast address delivered by his apostolic draws thousands of all denominuncio, Pope John Paul II told the nations as well as the President US National Prayer Breakfast on 3 and First Lady. When economic and political February in Washington that people of faith with political authori- systems fail to respect the spirituty bear a moral responsibility to al nature of mankind, immense save democracy from self- suffering results, as the last century shows, he said. destruction. Those who believe in Christ "Democracy is our best opportunity to promote the values that have a moral responsibility to will make the world a better place reflect his teachings in all areas of for everyone." he said. "But a soci- life, the Pope's address said. "As one who is personally grateety which exalts individual choice as the ultimate source of truth ful for what America did for the undermines the very foundations world in the darkest days of the 20th century, allow me to ask: Will of democracy." His address was delivered by America continue to inspire peoArchbishop Gabriel Montalvo, ple to build a truly better world, a the Apostolic Nuncio to the 115. world in which freedom is
ordered to truth and goodness?" said the Pope. "Or will America offer the example of a pseudofreedom which, detached from the moral norms that give life direction and fruitfulness, turns in practice into a narrow and ultimately inhuman self-enslavement, one which smothers people's spirits and dissolves the foundations of social life?" The Pope said the world looks to the US for leadership on "the great civil rights issue of our time," that of "cherishing every human life and in providing legal protection for all members of the human community, but especially those who are weakest and most vulnerable."
Bruno issue still smoulders for Church ROME, February 4 (ZENIT) After four hundred years, the death of Giordano Bruno continues to stir up a debate. The anniversary of his execution at the stake in Rome's "Field of Flowers" after being condemned as a heretic by an ecclesiastical tribunal will be on 17 February. Both inside and outside the Church proposals have been for-
warded to ask for his "rehabilitation." This was the motive for a discussion in which Cardinal Poupard. President for the Pontifical Council for Culture, took part. held at the offices of the Italian magazine, La OWN Cattolica. According to the French Cardinal, when the Bruno case is analysed the problem is not one of "rehabilitation," since his thought and philosophy, were not
Christian. "It is rather a question of analysing the Church's attitude towards him," he said. "Once the incompatibility of Bruno's philosophy has been acknowledged, it is necessary to confirm the respect for his person and his dignity. His burning in the 'Field of Flowers' is certainly one of these historical moments, of these actions that today can only be deplored with clarity."
Sudan' NEW YORK (CNS) - Bishop Paride Taban of ltirit. Sudan, feels as though the world has forgotten his country. Civilian populations are bombed, Christians are enslaved and forced to convert to Islam, and the Church is persecuted, but hardly anyone pays attention, he told the Catholic New York paper of the Archdiocese of New York. "The worst thing is the bombing of poor, innocent civilians for many years, and nobody is taking action against it." he said. He called on the US bishops "to make regular visits so they know the plight of the people." "When they see their faces, they'll know what we're talking about," he said. The conflict between the Islamic fundamentalist government in Khartoum and southern rebel groups seeking autonomy for the largely Christian and animist population began in 1983. Famine and the war have claimed some 2 million lives.
Emotions still raw 20 years after El Salvador slayings By Mike Lanchin SAN SALVADOR (CNS) - Felipe Alvarado winced as he looked down at the scraps of clothing and scattered bones, all that was left of his 17 neighbours killed by Salvadoran soldiers almost 20 years ago. Among them was his 19-yearold daughter-in-law, Dolores Soriano. "It feels like they have just killed her.Ifeel the same pain, the same anguish, for what they did to her, without any cause," said the 70year-old peasant, his eyes red from crying. On 11 September, 1980, he and his wife buried the girl, then six months pregnant, in a makeshift grave near their home in the village of Santa Rosita, in the central province of San Vicente. Eight years after the end of El Salvador's civil war, the relatives of the 75,000 estimated victims of the fighting have come no nearer to obtaining justice, say human rights and Church groups. A post-war amnesty, a lack of interest on the part of politicians and pressing needs for many ordinary Salvadorans have blocked the way to reopening old wounds, they say. Alvarado said that after the mas-
The Record, February 10 2000 Page 12
This photo show the 1984 trial of rive ex-members of El Salvador's national Photo CNS/Reuters guard accused of murders of four Church women in 1980.
sacre, family members recovered Soriano's body in the late afternoon on the banks of a river, where the soldiers had left her before moving on in their rampage through the area, purportedly in search of leftist rebels. She had been raped before being killed, according to her father-in-law. In January, Alvarado and his neighbours were back at the site of the grave. After three days of court-ordered digging, government authorities exhumed the remains of all 17 vic-
tims. All but four were young women. Once identified, the victims' relatives were able to give them a decent burial in a Catholic graveyard in the next village, Santa Clara, where most now lived. Carolina Constanza, co-ordinator of the program of exhumations for the Madaleine Lagadec human rights centre in San Salvador - which joined the relatives in petitioning for the exhumations - said: "For now, the relatives can give their loved ones a Christian
burial, that's all. With the amnesty still in place, anything more will be impossible." El Salvador's amnesty was rushed through congress in early 1993, a little more than a year after the civil war ended and only days after a UN truth commission published a report on human rights violations during the conflict. The amnesty effectively pardoned those identified as responsible for the abuses - mostly military officers, some civilians and a handful of guerrilla leaders. Among the most celebrated cases investigated by the truth commission were the 1980 killing of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the 1989 massacre of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her teen-age daughter. The amnesty proscribed any prosecutions or investigations arising out of these or any other crimes. In late 1999, the InterAmerican Human Rights Commission of the Organisation of American States ruled that El Salvador's amnesty was passed in contravention of the country's obligations under international law. The commission recommended the law's repeal, a move praised by human rights campaigners who helped present the case to the commission.
International News
Pope marks Jubilee with 35,000 members of Orders By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Religious men and women gain more than they lose when they take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Pope John Paul II said. "Far from being a renunciation which impoverishes, (the vows) constitute a choice which frees the person for a fuller realisation of his potentialities," he said on 2 February during a Mass in St Peter's Square celebrating the Jubilee for Consecrated Life. The vows also give an important message to the world, he said: "Those who vigilantly await the fulfillment of Christ's promises are able to communicate hope to their brothers and sisters, often distrustful and pessimistic regarding the future." Attending the Mass were some 35,000 religious men and women, dressed in a wide variety of habits. The liturgy, celebrating the feast of the Presentation, began with a traditional candle-blessing ceremony. In his homily the Pope said his worldwide travels had enabled him to see firsthand the good being done by religious in every part of the world, particularly with the poor and marginalised. "You give thanks to God for the good (you have) done and at the same time you ask pardon for whatever defects have marked the life of your religious families," he told the religious. "You interrogate yourselves.
Pope John Paul II gives Communion to religious women at a special jubilee celebration for those Photo: CNS/Reuters in consecrated life on 2 February.
at the beginning of a new millennium, regarding the most efficacious ways to contribute, with respect to (your) original charisms, to the new evangelisation, reaching the many people who are still ignorant of Christ." the Pope said. Climbing down from a vantage point atop a crowd barrier, a young Franciscan nun in full brown habit beamed broadly about her experience at the Mass. "I enjoyed it so
US priests' AIDS story cops statisticians' flak By Jerry Fitteau WASHINGTON (CNS) - Independent experts have questioned the value of a survey and the validity of some statistical comparisons used by The Kansas City Star in a three-day series about Catholic priests with AIDS. One of the Star's most provocative and widely reported statements was an assertion that the rate of deaths from AIDS among priests is four times that of the general populace. Experts found that comparison questionable on several counts. The paper also reported results of the 800 responses it received from a survey on AIDS and sexuality of priests that it mailed to 3,000 priests. On a question of sexual selfidentification, about 15 per cent of the respondents described themselves as homosexual, 5 per cent as bisexual and 78 per cent as heterosexual. The paper reported that 0.5 per cent of the priests who responded said they had HIV or AIDS, and 0.4 per cent said they might but have not been tested. Dean Hoge, director of the Life Cycle Institute at The Catholic University of America in Washington and one of the nation's leading sociologists of religion, told CNS he would view the results of such a survey "as being only estimates." "A 27-per cent response rate is not very high," he said. On the 0.5 per cent of respondents who said they had AIDS (four people) and the 0.4 per cent (three people) who said they possibly did, but did not know, Hoge commented, "I'd he very hesitant about (drawing
Photo CNSCathottc Key
A three-day series in the Kansas City Star revealed that Jesuit Father Thom Savage died from illness due to AIDS last year.
any conclusions from) tenths of a per cent in a study as biased as this." In its efforts to compare rates of AIDS deaths among priests with rates among others, the Star used comparisons with the general population. Mgr Francis Maniscalco, communications secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, said it was invalid to compare figures on priests - a group consisting of adult males over 25 or 26 - with those of the general US population. NewsWatch, the online media watchdog publication of the Washington-based Centre for Media and Public Affairs, sharply criticised the Star series. In an article co-written by the centre president, Robert Lichter, and David Murray, research director of the Statistical Assessment Service, NewsWatch said its analysis of annual AIDS death rates among adult males came out to "about 4 per 10,000, the same rate that the Star estimates among priests."
much!" said 24-year-old Italian Franciscan Sister Cristina Banfi. "It was a real living of the communion of the Church. One thing that the Holy Father said that struck me was his emphasis on the beauty of the variety of charisms" in the Church "I also like how he called us to communicate joy to people who are often in such need of it," she said. Sr Francine Maas, a member of the Missionary Sisters
of Our Lady of Africa, said, "I was glad to see so many people here, young people as well." Sr Maas, who works in an AIDS prevention program in Tanzania, said the new millennium would bring a profound rethinking of consecrated life. "At this point we're struggling, we're trying to find the new way that apostolic feminine religious life is moving," she said. "We're working on it together with the Spirit to try to find the way he wants us to go - it's definitely going to have to change." In an interview marking the Jubilee for Consecrated Life, Father Timothy Radcliffe, Superior General of the Dominicans, said religious communities, faced with a serious vocations crisis, should be more concerned with quality than numbers. "I prefer three vibrant communities to 10 which fight for survival," he told Avvenire, the Italian Catholic daily, on 2 February. At the heart of renewal for religious communities in the new millennium must be a recovery "of authentic simplicity and poverty." the Dominican said. "Over the centuries many religious congregations have become rich, a fact which one can always justify with our many 'Important' projects: but religious life has been more vital and attractive when we have been genuinely poor," he said. The papal Mass capped four days of jubilee events in Rome for religious. Other activities included 10 hours of eucharistic adoration at the Basilica of St Mary Major.
Christians' sins paper 'soon' By Benedicta Cipolla VATIC. \ N CITY (CNS) - International theologians have completed their document on the Church's "sins of the past." The fruit of three years of work by the Vatican's International Theological Commission, the approximately 50-page document was expected to be released by late February, in time for a Lenten "day of pardon." Pope John Paul Ills expected to preside over the 12 March ceremony. The Pope has called for the Church, especially during Holy Year 2000, to examine "the sinful-
ness of her children, recalling all those times in history when they departed from the spirit of Christ and his Gospel." Dominican Father Georges Cottier, secretary of the commission, told Catholic News Service on 3 February that the date of publication was no coincidence. While he did not say whether the text might influence what the Pope would say 12 March, he said the commission decided to release the text a few weeks before the day of pardon on purpose. "We hope it will help people to reflect before the ceremony," Fr Corner said. While the document
was not due to go into detail on specific historical events, it was expected to mention themes which the Pope has said merit special focus: actions contributing to the division of Christianity: violence carried out during the Crusades and the Inquisition; anti-Jewish attitudes and the Nazi Holocaust: and inadequate attention to modern-day evils such as communism and dictatorships. But the Vatican has emphasised the distinction between the innate holiness of the Church and the sometimes sinful actions of its individual members, saying the Church as an institution cannot sin.
Schoenborn concern with Austrian 'fissure' VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn of Vienna expressed concern at the political "fissure" splitting Austria and dividing the country from its European neighbours. Amid European Union outcry over the inclusion of a far-right political party in Austria's new government, the Vatican reserved judgment. "The Holy See does not have a tradition of pronouncing preventive judgments on people or programs," Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican's Secretary of State, said on 3 February. "When a gov-
ernment's plan is made known. then a judgment can be made," he said. European Union political sanctions against Austria took effect from 3 February. In a statement on 4 February Cardinal Schoenborn said "One is trying to isolate a country which on the contrary is destined to be the heart of the continent because of its geographical and historical position." The cardinal said it was necessary that the political centre "maintains (its) strength - we must not lose the capacity for dialogue." The Austrian Church will
not interfere in the political process, he said, but "will play its role as the conscience of society.: Inviting Austrians to pray for the good of the country he dedicated a Mass in Vienna on 4 February to the political crisis. Austria's partners in the European Union all expressed grave concern over the inclusion of Joerg Haider's Freedom Party in the country's new coalition. Haider's comments playing down Nazi war crimes and expressing hostility to immigration have drawn widespread international criticism.
'Saints and ancestors aren't the same' CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) - Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Bloemfontein questioned the suggestion by some African Catholics that Christian saints are the same as ancestors in African cultures. "Traditionally, Africans did not have a highly developed concept of a Supreme Being - if he was believed to exist at all. Consequently, there was no connection
between God and the ancestors," Archbishop Tlhagale said in an article in South Africa's Catholic weekly, The Southern Cross. Saints and ancestors have a crucial place, Archbishop Tlhagale said, noting that saints have become "an integral part of the expression of the faith of Christ's followers.... They attract the faithful to want to be like them. And this is God's will for the spiritual
and moral building up of the family of the Church," he said. In the African world view, death is a transformation process that confers a status on the deceased by which they acquire supernatural powers in their own right, without reference to God, he said. "African ancestors, however, are expected to heed the cries only of their descendants because they were family," he said.
The Record, February 10 2000 Page 13 1 14
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Asian Catholic News
Timor truth commission call Indonesian President meets Pope John Paul II
By Dennis Coday
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNS) East Timorese leaders say forgiveness is vital to restoring their ravaged homeland, and they want VATICAN CITY (CNS) - After the Catholic Church to take a lead meeting Pope John Paul II at the by heading a South African-style Vatican, Indonesian President truth commission. Abdurrahman Wahid said he Bishops Carlos Filipe Ximenes hoped that before he returned Belo of Dili and Bastlio do Nacifrom a European tour the counmento of Baukau should head try's former army chief would such a commission, just as retired resign from his Cabinet post. Anglican Archbishop Desmond Speaking to reporters on 5 FebTutu did in South Africa, said Jose ruary following a private audiRamos-Horta, who is being called ence with Pope John Paul and the "de facto foreign minister of meetings with representatives of East Timor." "Hatred is consuming," Ramos- Forensic expert Chris Griffith holds a cracked skull exhumed from a mass the Catholic peace group San Horta said. "Hating someone or a grave outside the town of Passabe near the East Timor enclave of Oecussi on Egidio, Wahid repeated his call nation is all consuming - at an 4 February. The site holds an estimated 60 bodies of victims believed killed for General Wiranto's resignation. "I hope he decides to resign Individual level. On a pragmatic during last September's violent campaign by Indonesian Army-backed militia. before I come back. But if not, we level, if we want to rebuild East resistance army in East Timor's for the Church, he said, was to will implement what we decided 'I'irnor, we have to ensure peace mountain jungles fighting Indone- take a lead in the establishment and stability. To ensure peace and sian soldiers. of a truth commission modelled before: Who is prosecuted or stability we have to reconcile with Captured in 1993. he spent six after the South African example. investigated by a court should be people who were on the wrong years in jail before returning to East Timor must embark on a Inactive and be replaced temside," he said. East Timor in September. national dialogue for reconcilia- porarily," he said. "If he is found guilty, we will "It is obviously difficult to disGusmao and Ramos-Horta were tion, and the Church should take Implement whatever the judge cuss reconciliation, but we In Thailand from 1-4 February as the lead in this, he said. believe we, our people, are capa- part of a three-week tour of East "You have to make a personal decides," said Wahid, who was ble of reconciliation." said Jose and Southeast Asian nations. choice about forgiveness," expected to return to Indonesia Gusmao, who many say will be Ramos-Horta said he was not Ramos-Horta said. "But at a on 13 February. A moderate Muslim and "layEast Timor's first elected presi- yet seeking such aid from the national level it goes to the greater man," Wahid, 59 years old, visited dent. Gusmao formerly led a Church. The more critical need need of stability in the society." the Pope at the end of his tour of the European capitals. Currently coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, ATAMBUA, Indonesia (UCAN) - the contest because his Confucian government provide electricity to Wiranto was military chief when A Chinese boy from western parents encouraged him. "My their village, build irrigation violence erupted in East Timor Timor whose parents are Confu- father and mother promised me trenches, and erect a custom last year following an August cian will be among three Indone- that If! won the writing contest house, the priest said. Independence referendum. sian Catholic children to meet and went to Rome, they would be An Indonesian inquiry named Atambua's 23,000 inhabitants Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in baptised as Catholics," he said. depend on water pumped up the general among people to be May. Elsewhere, a priest of Atambua from a downhill stream. investigated concerning the vioJeffry Yap, 12, a grade six student diocese has persuaded his rural Meanwhile, Japanese Catholic lence, which left hundreds of peoof a Catholic elementary school parishioners to share water from bishops have sent a team of agri- ple dead and caused a massive in Kefamenanu, Atambua dio- a spring in their village with peo- cultural experts to help East refugee crisis. cese, is one of the three winners ple in Atambua town. East Timor was among the topTimor farmers develop marketof a writing contest for IndoneFather Edmundus Nahak. parish oriented modern farming. ics Wahid discussed with the sian Catholic children organised priest of St Peter Church in LahuThe five-member team of the Pope, the Vatican said. by the Karya Kepausan Indonesia rus, east of Atambua. told UCA Japan Agricultural Support for In a 5 February statement. Vati(KKI), the Pontifical Missionary News on 14 January that locals East Timor, accompanied by a can spokesman Joaquin NavarroAid Societies of Indonesia. claimed the spring belonged to Divine Word priest, have arrived Valls said the Pope and Wahid "I am proud about what I the Lahurus people based on a at Atambua. Fr Amfotis told UCA "exchanged opinions on the preachieved in the writing contest. I belief the water sprung up after News that the team came with 20 sent situation in Indonesia, with am happy with the talent that God their ancestors sacrificed a girl. trucks for land transportation in specific regard to interreligious has given me." the boy told UCA They finally agreed to the pro- East Timor areas regarded to have dialogue and the peaceful coexisNews. Yap said he did his hest in ject on condition that the district farming potential. tence between the country's
Timor boy to meet Pontiff as aid rolls in
diverse communities." Meanwhile, although the media has often depicted the violence in Indonesia's Molucca Islands as interreligious strife, local Church officials have said such a view is too simplistic. Wahid agreed, saying "both Christianity and Islam are manipulated by people who are ambitious politically." Archbishop Renzo Fratini, the Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia, praised Wahid's efforts at dialogue, calling the president "manna from heaven." In a 5 February interview with the Vatican's missionary news service, Archbishop Fratini said "The President's visit to the Holy Father is of great significance for peace, unity and religious harmony in Indonesia." "The religious implications of the encounter are evident: Wahid represents moderate Islam and the visit will help to consolidate the path of dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Indonesia. . . ." He said he is sure the encounter will send a clear signal of reconciliation for the internal struggle in the country, particularly the present conflict in the Moluccas. Indonesia was described by the international news report of "Radio Vatican" as "a country in search of a stable democracy, menaced by the risk of a coup d'etat at the hands of the military." • The Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See, Irawan Abidin, wrote in a Jakarta newspaper article that while the Vatican had no army "it has moral and spiritual influence which has helped to change the world for the better: a power for peace, dialogue and reconciliation." The ambassador wrote he also admired John Paul II for his concern, not lust for Indonesia's Christians but its Muslims as well.
Protestants Send priest-killer back to jail: bishop Hindu claim urge peace rejected
JAKARTA (UCAN) - Leaders of Protestant Churches are asking Christians in Indonesia's riot-torn Maluku islands not to be provoked but to pray and support the reconciliation efforts mediated by the government. The Jakarta-based "Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja di Indonesia" (PGI, communion of Churches in Indonesia) made the appeal on 23 January after recent clashes on Haruku isle, east of Ambon, capital of Maluku. In a 25 January press statement PGI leaders warned Maluku Christians against "provocateurs who want to perpetuate conflicts among Maluku people." Signed by PGI secretary general Reverend J. Pattiasina, a Maluku native, the statement called on Maluku Christians "to be always proactive in striving for solidarity to respond to reconciliation efforts mediated either by the government or by Maluku communities elsewhere." Church leaders urged security personnel to continue to maintain neutrality in peacekeeping efforts.
KIDAPAWAN, Philippines (CNS) the Ilaga anti-communist vigi- of the body at the scene. Bishop - Bishop Romulo Valles of Kida- lante group that killed Fr Favali. Valles wrote to Estrada that Norpawan led appeals to Philippine The bishop also petitioned berto Manero's continued freePresident Joseph Estrada to recall Estrada to deny the application dom and the release of his his pardon of one of the killers of for pardon of two other Manero brothers would jeopardise prosean Italian missionary and to pre- brothers convicted in the murder cution of co-accused Arsenio Vilvent the release of others. - Edilberto and Elpidio - who lamor Jr, who was caught in 1998 Church leaders "appeal to your could be released in February. and is on trial in Kidapawan. sense of justice. We appeal for the Bishop Valles' appeal to Estrada He said the prosecutors in the urgent reconsideration of the par- Included statements and declara- Villamor case "are short of reason don" given to Norberto Manero, tions of PIME Fathers, witnesses to encourage the witnesses to Bishop Valles wrote. in the murder case and represen- come forward and to testify again" Fr 'Mho Favali, a member of the tatives of Father Favali's family with news that the three Manero Pontifical Institute of Foreign Mis- and friends in Italy. brothers may be free. sions, was killed in 1985 in KidaWitnesses said Edilberto Norberto Manero is reportedly pawan, 912kms south-east of Manero shot Father Favali in the living in Tulunan. Manila. UCA News reported that head in front of parishioners in The brothers "have never given Bishop Valles issued his letter to Tulunan, and Norberto Manero evidence of sincere repentance," Estrada on 31 January after he scooped up some of the priest's Bishop Valles told Estrada, and learned that the 500 prisoners the brain from the ground and dis- Church leaders "really do not see president pardoned on 28 Decem- played it for the crowd. Other any valid ground for granting parber included Manero, leader of accomplices reportedly ate parts don."
Death-row prisoners revere St 'Therese's relics MANILA (Fides) - Thirty three men sentenced to death for crimes ranging from murder, to drug trafficking and rape celebrated the Jubilee at the national penitentiary at Muntinlupa, thanks to the determination of Bishop Ramon Arguelles who succeeded in taking the relics of St Therese of Lisieux into death row. It is believed the prayers of the young St Therese led to the repentance of a hardened murderer about to be guillotined.
he Record, FebriAry. 40 2000 ,-,Poge 14
On 1 February a white truck carrying the reliquary of St Therese entered the jail accompanied by Bishop Ramon Arguelles chairman of the National Jubilee Committee and Auxiliary Bishop Jesse Mercado of Manila. After Mass in the prison chapel Bishop Arguelles insisted that the relics be brought to death row, particularly to the cell of 33 men scheduled to be executed soon. While the Bishop led the praying of the Rosary, the 33 men qui-
etly took it in turns to pray near the reliquary, touching it gently with their hands, their heads bowed in humility. Prison chaplain Father Silvio Borres SI said "It was a very touching event in the lives of those on death row. . . ." The relics were then brought to the medium security compound where about 4,000 men are housed. As it entered the inmates smothered the reliquary with flowers.
NEW DELHI. India (CNS) India's bishops denounced pro-Hindu groups' allegation that a priest in central India used beatings to force Hindu student boarders of a Churchmanaged hostel to become Christians. The allegation is a "mischievous handiwork of anti-social elements," the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India said in a 4 February press release. In early February, Indian newspapers reported the claims against Father M Abraham of Ujjain Diocese in Madhya Pradesh state. Syro-Malabar Bishop Sebastian Vadakel of Ujjain told UCA News on 4 February the trouble started after the priest In charge of the hostel in Rajgarh town, 627 kilometres south of New Delhi, punished some boys on 31 January for making "a lot of noise during study time." According to the bishop, nothing happened for two days, but on the third day, pro-Hindu activists took the boys to the local police station to lodge a complaint. They called press and television reporters to witness the event.
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FEBRUARY 11 Healing Mass, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey 13
Mass to celebrate 50th Anniversary of Polish Community, St Brigid's - Bishop Healy Celebration for the Feast of St Girolamo Emiliani, Hamilton Hill - Archbishop Hickey
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Heads of Churches Meeting - Archbishop Hickey Reception of Bishop Scola - Archbishop Hickey. Bishop Healy
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HOUDAY ACCOMMODATION WIN SUN SUM BREZ Kalbarri, 2 b/r, s/c home, Tel. Pat (08) 9572 3297
THANKS
ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE WEST Leederville. Furnished 2 bedroom appartment available end of March. 5 min walk to West Leederville station, close to Leederville station. $120 p/w + bond. Carport avail. 9382 4205.
I WILL pray with you for healing of the body, mind or spirit. Phone Michelle 9276 2637.
BRICK re-pointing. Phone Nigel 9242 2952 MACCA'S Building and Maintenance. No job too small. Phone 9451 1481 .
THANK you St Jude for answering my prayers. L.S.
MUSIC TUMOR
THANKS Sts Jude, Anthony, Joseph and Therese the little flower. Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception. Thanks for favours received.
TEACHER of Piano & Electronic Organ has some vacancies for students of any age. Enjoy learning music. Phone Thelma 9316 4493.
KIWI Signs and Advertising Ring Graham on 9244 2944
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PUBLIC NOTICE
Visit to Prisons (Ministry of Justice) - Archbishop Hickey Seminar on GST for Parishes. Subiaco - Archbishop Hickey Opening Mass for Emmanuel Catholic College - Bishop Healy
FURNITURE REMOVALS A ll areas. Mike Murphy 1800 807 929.
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Thanksgiving Mass for Holy Spirit of Freedom Community Archbishop Hickey
Archdiocesan Panorama
HEAUNG
THANK you Dear Mother for request granted for my daughter. Thank you again. V.G.
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BUILDING TRADES
Opening Mass for Mater Dei College. St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey
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David Kehoe PO Box 75. Leederville, WA, 6902 587 Newcastle Street, West Perth, WA, 6005. Phone: (08) 9227 7080. Fax (08) 9227 7087 e-mail: cathrec@iinet.net.au Publisher: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. The Record, established in 1874, is distributed to Catholic churches. presbyteries, religious houses and subscribers throughout the Archdiocese of Perth and the Dioceses of Geraldton. Bunbury and Broome. Advertising rates Display: $6 col cm. Classifieds: $3 a line Deadlines: Editorial: Tuesday, first mail. Advertising: Booking: Monday midday. Copy: Tuesday midday. Member: Aust Catholic Press Association; Aust Religious Press Association. The Record follows the Holy Spirit's teaching at the Second Vatican Council on the role of the Catholic print media. The Record will not return copy or photographs submitted for publication unless specifically requested in writing upon submission. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted and to edit such material for clarity and brevity without recourse to the author.
PICKERING BROOK PILGRIMAGE. FESTIVAL Pilgrimage 2000 and Annual Fruit Harvest Festival in honour of Our Lady of Grace will be held at the Catholic Church grounds Merrivale Rd. Pickering Brook, Sun 5 March, to be celebrated by Archbishop Hickey. Procession starts 4.30pm. Open Air Mass 5pm, followed by BBQ. open air dancing. children's games etc. Meat packs. hot dogs. drinks and fruit on sale. All welcome. MENTAL HEALTH The mental health group, for carers and those living with mental health meets on the second Monday. 7.30pm at the parish centre. Our Lady of Lourdes parish, 28 Marda Way Nollamara. The next meeting is held on Valentine's day, Monday 14 February. Inquiries to Pat on 9275 2809. TALKS ON ST MARK'S GOSPEL Fr Pat Ahern will be offering a series of three talks on St Mark's Gospel at St Joseph's Parish Centre, Salvado Rd. Subiaco. The talks will be held on 14. 21 and 28 March at 7.30pm. Participants should bring a Bible, notebook and biro. Cost: Voluntary contribution at door. All are welcome. Info: Richard 9212 9241. DAY WITH MARY Held at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parish. 77 Seventh Ave. Maylands on Sat 19 Feb from 9.30am to 5.30pm. BYO lunch. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. It includes Holy Mass, Eucharistic adoration, R osaries, organ music, hymns. confessions, processions and Stations of the Cross. Choir practice Thurs 17 Feb at 7pm. All welcome. Inq: 9574 5204, Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. FRIDAY NIGHT PRAYER MEETING, LEEDERVILLE The meeting has recommenced for 2000, the Year of Jubilee. The prayer meeting is held at 8pm on Fridays. at the Bethel Centre, 236 Railway Pde. Leederville.There is parking access from the rear of the building off Cambridge St. and the entry is from the side lane. All are welcome. HEALING MASS AT WILLETTON The Mass in honour of St Peregrine, patron of cancer sufferers and helper of all in need will be held at the Church of SS John and Paul. Pinetree Gully Rd, (off South St) on Fri 18 Feb at 7pm. There will be veneration of the Relic, anointing of the sick. Info: Noreen Monaghan 9332 8292. PLANNING PRAYER & WORSHIP DURING THE YEAR OF JUBILEE A Jubilee Liturgy Workshop on the themes of the Great Jubilee will be held on Wed 23 Feb and repeated on Wed 1 March in St Mary's Parish Centre, Leederville. 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Contact Kylie. Archdiocesan Liturgy Office for inquiries or registration on 9221 1548. email: litrcia@nw.com.au
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THE BEGINNING EXPERIENCE This is a program for widowed, separated or divorced persons. It seeks to close the door gently on the former relationship to begin a new life. The next weekend will be held from Fri 10 March to Sun 12 March. Information: Imelda 9457 0263. C ATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER PICNIC This is for the 'Oldies' and their families. Sun 20 Feb from 11am onwards at St Charles Seminary. We're celebrating 20 years (maybe you go back that far). We love to see you. Info: Jill & Terry Dwyer 9447 7948. BYO picnic lunch and drinks. Kitchen facilities available. HOLY FACE OF JESUS PRAYER GROUP We are meeting on Tues 15 Feb at Holy Trinity Church. 8 Burnett St, Embleton, beginning at 7.30pm with Adoration, followed by prayer meeting. Please bring a plate to share a 'cuppa'. FAMILY PRAYER CRUSADE Palm Sunday Procession and Passion Play. 16 April. 2-4pm. Plan to be a part of this important event. Come! Join us for a Eucharistic Procession led by Archbishop Hickey through the city streets. We will begin at 2pm sharp from the Esplanade and process up Barrack St to Forrest Place. After Benediction and Address by Fr John Phalen CSC (International Peyton Rosary Crusade), a Passion Play will be performed in Forrest Place. Contact: Fr Paul 9223 1350. PRAYER VIGIL A peaceful prayer vigil with Rosaries and hymns is made outside the abortion clinic at 2 Cleaver Tce Rivervale every third Sat of each month. from 11am to 12 noon. The next vigil will be on Sat 19 Feb. Please join us. Inquiries: Damian 9341 8256. RENEWAL RETREAT IN CANTONESE Fr Antonio Chung (originally from Hong Kong) will be conducting a "Renewal Retreat for the Holy Year" in Cantonese. 18 Feb, 9am-1pm: 19 Feb. 9am-5pm: 20 Feb, 9am-5pm at Mary MacKillop Centre. 16 York St, South Perth. Information: Sr Margaret Ng 9478 1038. R ETREAT WITH A DIFFERENCE Hear the truth from young people who know the harsh realities of the sex and drugs scene on the streets of Perth. "No Love or Know Lover a weekend retreat entitled "Sex and Drugs! Why Not!" for students in Years 11 & 12 and their family and friends between the ages of 15-19. Presented by the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community. Accommodation provided, transport also available. Venue: Emmanuel Centre. 25 Windsor St. Perth. Date: 7.30pm Fri. 25 Feb - 3.30pm Sun. 27 Feb. Cost by donation. Contact Mary Anne on: (08) 9776 1734 or (08) 9228 1800.
For an advertisement of this size we charge For weekly insertion (twice or more) For bi-weekly insertion (twice or more)
$255 per insertion $270 per insertion
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$294
For detailed information about advertising in The Record please ring Eugen on 9227 7080 The Record, February 10 2000 Page 15
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Primary Girrawheen
Part of the Our Lady of Mercy school buildings, looking towards the Pre-Primary section of the school.
The world asks, and Our Lady of Mercy is ready to respond 0
ur Lady of Mercy Primary School opened in 1973 under the auspices of those pioneers of Catholic education and formation in Western Australia. the Mercy Sisters. When it did, it was known as Girrawheen Catholic Primary School. Within a short time, though, the name had changed to reflect something of the outlook and charism of its founders, and the hopes and ideals of the community it served. Today it offers the whole range of primary-level education in two streams from Kindergarten through to Year 7 to approximately 490 students. Appropriately, Our Lady of Mercy bears the Sisters' congregational name and endeavours on a daily basis to carry on their spirit and tradition as a much-needed answer for a world which is badly in need of answers. But what is the answer? In part. it is summed up by the school's vision statement: "Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Primary School seeks to promote Christian education in the spirit of Mercy, which,
through strength and gentleness, encourages confidence, freedom and openness: This Sisters of Mercy tradition, which continues today to mould and shape the school's outlook, is a blessing and part of its rich resource-list of spiritual assets. But OLM also has a philosophy about what it does and what it is aiming for as a school. Education is always about more than summing up facts, and the school's philosophical vision is fixed firmly on developing the child spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Students first of all receive the benefit of religious education and sacramental preparation, fundamental reasons for the school's existence. Academically, they receive the best that primary schooling can offer: specialist teaching of Japanese for all grades: special education - provision for children with special needs; English as a second language for those who are new to Australia: and the First Steps program which sees parents and staff receiving training in language and mathematics strategies.
Pre-Primary children enjoy the fun of slides.
Just as schooling is about more than adding up figures, so physical education is about more than jumping rope. Specialist staff teach in the dance and PE programs. Specialists also assist students in netball, football, soccer and cricket. From this year computers will be stationed in all classrooms, so parents at Girrawheen may experience vague feelings of inade- School bags point to rooms full of students. quacy in the near future as their young children teach them how to use this Grabski heads a lay staff, reflecting the changeover to lay leadership that has most essential of modern machines. swept the Catholic system in the last two But parents should not feel inadequate. In fact, they are central. It is due to their decades. Under this continuing leadership, the efforts that much else has been achieved, most notably the addition of numerous school community is committed to recognising the rights of individuals to be treatbuildings to the school over the years. The year 1997 saw the retirement of Sis- ed with justice and dignity and to ter Agnes Ferrie after 18 outstanding years developing a sense of responsibility for the environment within which it lives and at the helm of Our Lady of Mercy. Her departure saw the last Mercy princi- moves. As they do, students are also prepared for pal leave, but not a sense of the Mercy tradition which lives on today. Now, Mr Stan their lives in a rapidly changing world and their parents are supported as the primary educators of their children. In the final analysis, the foundations which are laid at OLM are helping to provide students with the skills, the faith and values they need to one day give the world some of what it needs most - answers.
At a Glance Principal: Mr Stan Grabski Address: 55 Hudson Ave. Girrawheen WA 6064 Telephone: (08) 9342 4509 Fax (08) 9343 1998 Enrolment 490 boys & girls Year Seven teacher assists students working on a learning exercise.
Happy students from last year turn on a big smile for the camera.
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