The Record Newspaper 17 February 2000

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Kimberley nurses asked to rememl)er

hlew shop for Catholics about to open

Missioner brings experience

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The sick, like the pool; are always width us By Giynnis Grainger

Long queues snaked across St Mary's C.athedral last Friday night as the sick and frail come forward on the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes to seek healing from the hands of Archbishop Hickey and other priests present. "Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a place where Mary appeared last century to Bernadette, a place which has become a place of healing," Archbishop Barry Hickey told the 400 or so people present.

Archbishop Hickey administers the Sacrament of the Moatkg of the Sick in St Mary's las-t Friday. photo Pete( Posengren

Those who were seriously ill. such as those recovering from operations, people in wheelchairs, and the aged, received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick, along with many others. "As Jesus, our head. suffered, so must His body, the Church, suffer." Archbishop Hic.key said during the concelebrated Healing Mass offered on the World Day of the Sick. The queue to the Archbishc93 was

particularly long. Rosary. Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament were held before the 7.30pm Mass. Frs Tim Deeter and Peter St John laid their hands and prayed for those seeking healing from spiritual ills. The Archbishop said Lourdes in France d seen many miraculous ii with many more being physic.alhar cures, cured spiritually by the experience of visiting and praying there. "Today is the Day of the Sick in this Year of Jubilee and the Holy Father asks us to annoint the sick. "That has been a mission of the Church down through the centwies. Archbishop Hickey said, "we know that others have suffered as well and I we go out to them ini ai spirit of compassion and care. Thousands had dedicated their lives to the healing of the sick. he said, whose illnesses might be physical, emotional. mental or deeply spiritual. Many lay people had joined the health profession and looked to the •

inspiration of the Church to heal the "When I go to sleep, I think of the Emergency Centre at Royal Perth Hospital where people work through the night to care for broken bodies. "We pray for those who have given their lives for the healing of others." St Paul, too, had struggled with his own affliction. and rejoiced in his suffering, the Archbishop said. In tonight's reading, St Paul said: "I suffer, but I am making up for the Lord's suffering." "Just as Jesus' suffeling won salvation for the world. so we can offer up our suffering to God." Archbishop Hickey said. Humanity still goes to the doctor to find a cure. "But illness continues to be a reality and will continue to be a reality until the end of the world." he added. St John. of God Subiaco's World Day of the Sick Holy Door - Page it

Bishop Murphy-O'Connor to replace Cardinal Hume By Paulinus Barnes MANCHESFER, England (CNS) - Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has been appointed Archbishop of Westminster, succeeding the late Cardinal George Basil Hume. The appointment was announced last Tuesday, 15 February, at Archbishop's House. Westminster. It ended months of speculation following the death of Cardinal Hume in June. Archbishop Murphy-O'Connor, 6Z has been Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since November 197Z He was once described by the weekly Catholic magazine The Tablet as "everyone's favotuite bishop: human. genial, collaborative, imposing." He is known in his diocese and beyond as "Bishop Cormac." Archbishop Murphy-O'Connor has been the Catholic chairman of the AnglicanRoman Catholic International Commission since 1982.

Photo: CNS/Reutets

Archbishop COMM IiImpliy-Marter

He has also been chairman of the Department for Mission and Unity of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. In a statement at the press conference to announce his appointment, the Archbish-

op said he would hope to do in Westminster what he had been doing in Arundel and Brighton, "namely, teaching and preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and endeavouring to be a shepherd, a guide and pastor of the people." He said he would try to do this in collaboration with priests and clergy. "Collaboration has always been foremost in my ministry so far, and it will continue to be so in the years ahead," he said. "There is much to be done. and I accept very willingly the challenges that lie ahead because I know that with the help of God and the active cooperation of priests and people, we can fulfill what Christ, the Son of God. wants us to do and to be. "We are inclined to forget sometimes that the Church of Jesus Cluist is ever old and ever new. "Some tallc of 'gloomy times,' but I don't see it that way, because those who believe in and follow Jesus Cluist are invited to be ever more faithful. ever more true to him, as they bring his message of hope and rec-

onciliation to the people of our times." The new Archbishop referred to the decline in religious practice in England and Wales. 'While there is nothing that can take its place. an attempt has been made by, among others, the culture of consumerism. "This is a seduction that assumes that everything can be bought and sold and that even human beings are assessed by what they have rather than who they are. "The Church believes that Cluistian faith is the potent force that allows us to be freed from a view of the world that ultimately can enslave us," he said. Archbishop Murphy-O'Connor said he wanted to continue the cooperation he had begun tvith Anglican and Free Church colleagues. "I believe that the Catholic community has a distinctive and vital role to play, and we will fulfill it with all the generosity of which we are capable. Continued on Page 15

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St Valentine, but also Cyril and Methodius

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ost people have heard Rome, and the other in Rome marrying. Whatever the origins of of St Valentine even itself. Historical records are few. St Valentine's Day, if husbands though he is not men- In fact some believe the two Saints and wives are inspired to send tioned in the Roman Calendar of Valentine were the same person. love notes to each other on that the Saints. Apart from his evident and hero- day, who could object? He is connected in the popular ic love of God, there is nothing Our Roman Calendar lists two mind with love, a connection that that connects him with the begin- other saints for 14 February that is aided and abetted by the news- ning of the birds' mating season are not as well known, but ought papers and other forms of mass in Europe. to be. media. If we were logical we should They are two brothers, Cyril and What is not known is that St alter the date here in the Methodius, outstanding figures of Valentine had nothing or little to Antipodes. the 9th century Church. do with the reason we celebrate Nevertheless, because love of They were born in the Byzanthis day. In fact, little at all is God and for another is central to tine province of Thessalonica in known about St Valentine. the Gospel, we can read a spiri- Greece. According to The Catholic Ency- tual significance into this secular Both Cyril and Methodius were clopedia there are two Saints festival and thank God for the part of the exhilarating academic Valentine whose feast is celebrat- capacity of human beings to love. life of theology, philosophy and ed on 14 February. We have to take it further, and mathematics at Constantinople. Both were beheaded on the speak of faithful love and lifelong After ordination to the priestFlaminian Way, one at a place love between a man and a woman hood they became missionaries called Terni, 100 kilometres from who want to express their love by to the Slavic countries, especially

MISSIOr

Diocesan Director, Bunbury

Responsible to: Bishop of Bunbury and the National Director of Mt General Requirements: • An unaerstanding, sympathy and a proven regular practice of the Catholic faith. • A knowledge, commitment to and possibly experience of the Mission of the Church. • Experience in the fields of office management, particularly computer literacy, public promotion and an openness to the implementation of fundraising policies. • Enthusiasm. commitment and consistent self -motivated performance. • Extensive travelling can be required from time to time both in the Diocese and beyond. This is a rare opportunity to work in a highly motivated organisation, committed to clearly defined goals, with the possibility of considerable self-fulfilment from the good that is achieved by your efforts. A remuneration package (approx. $30.000 - $35,000 per annum) is offered based on a 35 hour week. Written applications should be received by 3 March 2000 to National Director, Catholic Mission PO Box A153 Sydney South NSW 1235 Tel: (02) 9264 3388 Fax: (02) 9283 5990 Freecall 1800 257 296 Email: catholicmission@bigpond.com www.CatholicMission.org.au

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YEAR 8 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS 2001 & OPEN DAY Aranmore College is a Catholic coeducational school of approximately 700 students in Years 8-12. Aranmore offers a caring, community environment that promotes the education of the whole person: the academic, spiritual. physical and moral dimensions of each child. You are warmly invited to attend our Open Day on Friday March 24. Students will lead guided tours between 1.30 and 3.30pm. Following Open Day is the Scholarship Examination. In keeping with the traditions of our Founders: the Sisters of Mercy (1903) and Christian Brothers (1942), the Aranmore College Board is pleased to offer three Academic Scholarships to students entering Year 8 in 2001.

St Francis of Assisi parish, Maida Vale, received eight new parish community members on Sunday 6 February, with something a little different - sugar cane. The parish's Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults team introduced the new candidates to the parish community, during the last Mass on Sunday; later, the parish council and other parishioners thanked and congratulated them for their faith. Sam Rose, an acolyte and RCIA leader, along with some of the parish council members, handed each one of them a sugar cane and wished them well. "May you find your life in the Catholic Church, as sweet as the sugar cane", Mr Rose said, while handing the sugar cane A sweet bunch: the Maida Vale RCIA candidates and their sponsors two weeks ago. to the candidates. All the eight members said they were and she was looking forward to joining more about the faith anti get settled in truly delighted with the reception they some parish associations. The parish Catholic Church, he said. "I would like to had received from the parish communicommunity thanked God specially for be part of the faith in which my wife and tY. the candidature of Faizal Menai. a Mus- children are brought up", he said and Ken Picot, who has been accompany- lim. added that he never wanted to displease ing his wife Patricia to the church for the "At the time of my marriage to Carol, any one in the process. last 46 years and helped her at the Legion 26 years ago, I promised her to underHe was so happy that his 76-year-old of Mary stall said he was looking for- take the responsibility of upbringing our mother, a devout Muslim had blessed ward to Easter so that he could become children in Catholic faith," Mr Mallal him on the occasion. a full member of the Catholic Church. said. He praised the Flame Congress for creJean Fredericks said her husband and "Hence I accompanied them to the ating a deeper interest in the Catholic the six children were very supportive church and now would like to know Church.

Catholics urge end to mandatory sentencing laws The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council this Tuesday called on the Federal Government to intervene in the mandatory sentencing debate. Other Catholic bodies joined the fray. The ACSJC's chairman, Bishop Kevin Manning of Parramatta, said the council deplored the practice. The debate was sparked by the death in a juvenile custody centre of a 15-yearold boy in Darwin who had been sentenced to 28 days imprisonment under

the Northern Territory's mandatory sentencing laws. Bishop Manning said the Federal Government should use all its powers to prevent such a tragedy happening again. The Catholic community did not want to see young people 'criminalised' by being jailed, but helped to change their ways. The Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes called on the Government to end the NT's laws.

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The Record, February 17 2000 Page 2

Perspective

By Father Geo Patrick

The Scholarship examination will be held at the College on Friday March 24, 2000 between 3.45 and 5pm. Scholarship application forms must be received by Friday March 17

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Promoter of Mission Activity in Australia and Overseas Catholic Mission - the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies promotes the work of mission overseas and in Australia. These long established societies of the Catholic Church are continuing an era of expansion in animation, education and fundraising services in Australia and particularly in the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury.

in Moravia. Methodius had a major role in inventing the old Slavonic alphabet and, as a direct consequence, the Slavonic liturgy. Both brothers spent themselves in the East and in Rome in spreading the faith and evangelising far and wide. St Cyril died in Rome as a monk, at the age of 42. St Methodius continued his missionary work for many years, translating the whole of the Bible in eight months. He became a Bishop in the See of Greater Moravia. Throughout the whole of the Eastern and Western Church these two brothers are still honoured today. They are as important, if less known, than St Valentine.

WEEKLY BIBLE SUBJECTS INCLUDE: Knowing the Love of God. Jesus is Lord. Healing Through Forgiveness. The Holy Spirit & His Gifts. Be Filled with the Holy Spirit (Why Tongues). The Blood Covenants. Divine Healing Belong to You. Bible Foundations of Prayer. Break Open The Word. Your Righteousness in Christ. The Authority of the Believer. Spiritual Warfare. Praying Effective Prayer. The Motivational Gifts. Discerning Charismatic Gifts. Faith+Works=Results. God's Angels in your world. Overcoming the Kingdom of Darkness. Your Victory in Christ. In the world not of the world. Turn the World Upside-Down with Faith in the Name of Jesus. Iniercessory Prayer. Practical SoulWinning for Practical People. The Great Commission. Branches Bearing Fruit. The Fruit of the Spirit. The Three Dimensions of Man. The 4 Loves: Agape. Eros, Storge, Philea. How to Raise Your Vision in God.

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Brother Shane Wood of the Diocese of Broome's Office of Justice, Ecology and Peace condemned mandatory sentencing as it was difficult to see how taking discretion in sentencing away from judges would solve the problem. "Judges need to have the opportunity to look behind the facts of a case to apply sentences that they feel appropriate - not just as a punitive measure, but also to . . . . provide for some rehabilitation," he said.

MARANATHA INSTITUTE Catholic Education Centre 50 Ruislip St, LEEDERVILLE

Adult Faith Education and Formation for Ministry An Information Morning about Maranatha's adult education courses will be held in the Seminar Centre on Friday, February 18, 9.30am to 12.00 midday. Come and hear about the wide range of opportunities available. COURSES BEGINNING SOON Tuesday February 22 9.30am - 12: LITURGY (Fr Vincent Glynn.

9 weeks) 1- 3pm: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, MYERBRIGGS (Sister Elizabeth Devine, 7 weeks) Friday February 25 9.30am - 12: ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT (Sister Elizabeth Devine, 7 weeks) 1 - 3pm: INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESIAMENT (Fr Nino Vinciguerra, 10 weeks) Phone and ask for a brochure: 9212 9311

Charities still fear impact of the GST By Peter Rosengren Charities opposition to the effect of the goods and services tax on their work increased in the last fortnight as university research indicated that costs to their operations would be far higher than initially estimated. The St Vincent De Paul Society wrote to all Federal Parliamentarians on 8 February asking them to "urgently press" for and insist on total exemption from the GST due to come into operation from July onwards. In an effort to force a response from Prime Minister John Howard, the Society also released a copy of a letter to the PM co-signed by Christian welfare and health system representatives in December last year but which has received no response. Australian Catholic Social Welfare Commission acting national director John Ferguson called on 10 February for charities to be exempt and for the compliance costs of the GST "to be minimised as a matter of urgency." His comments came the day an Australia Institute researcher said in a study that Australian charities would be substantially worse off from the GST in its

Aboriginal studies chair A josephite nun has become the first Professor in the Mary MacKillop Chair of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Notre Dame Australia's Broome Campus. Sister Clare Ahern was appointed to the position on 4 February Born and educated in Ireland, she came to Australia as a Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1960. She has had extensive teaching experience in the Kimberley region since 1976, including hi-lingual teaching and as principal of the Aboriginal community school at Warmun (formerly Thrkey Creek).

present form by lens of millions of dollars." Nevertheless, the Prime Minister's intention that charities should be no worse off could still be achieved, said Julie Smith, an economic researcher specialising in tax at the Australian National University in Canberra. In the study, Implications of the GST for Charities, Ms Smith said charities would not be worse off only "if substantial changes are made to the definition of what constitutes a 'charity' and its 'noncommercial activities.'" The Australia Institute paper argued: • the present common law definition of 'charity' was outdated and arbitrary; • present policy was based on the "soup kitchen" model of charities and did not recognise their need to finance their mission through business-like activities; and • a more appropriate focus for GST policy would be to prevent tax avoidance by sham charities. National SVP president, John Moore. told The Record on Monday the organisation would have no choice but to reduce its services to the needy to the tune of $1.8 million - what it expects the GST will cost it in administration and compliance costs.

In the SVP letter to MPs, Mr Moore said there would be no nett "gain or loss on the Budget by imposing a huge administrative burden on charities by forcing them to comply with the GST in the same way as businesses." But there would be "huge pain and loss to charities" and the people they served, he wrote. The organisation nationally stood to lose hundreds or perhaps thousands of volunteers "who are either daunted by the task or who felt they volunteered to help the poor and not to be bureaucrats," he told MPs. Mr Moore said the SVP had decided to make the mid-December letter to the Prime Minister public hoping to prompt a reply from Mr Howard. The letter to the PM said that signatories' research indicated "significant extra costs being borne by the Church and charitable sector to administer and comply with the GST." The simplest way forward would be a Gsr input certificate exemption scheme where Church and charitable organisa lions were excluded from paying the GST on anything they purchased, the signatories wrote, adding that such a move would be "cost neutral to Government."

Women consultants appointed Five women consultants will join six Bishops on a committee overseeing the implementation of recommendations on women's participation in the Church in Australia. The appointees include: Liz Hanney, of Warragul. Victoria. who is pastoral coordinator for the Sale Diocese, and Catherine Harris, of Birchgrove , NSW former director of the Affirmative Action Agency. Also appointed were: Elsie Heiss, NSW, member of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney; Mrs Teresa Lynch, of Whyalla, South Australia. and co-ordinator of Pastoral Associates in the Port Pine Diocese; and Sister Sonia Wagner, of Glebe, NSW, superior of the Good Samaritan Sisters. Bishop Michael Putney of Brisbane,

who chairs the Bishops' implementation committee, announced the appointments this week. Other bishops on the Committee are: Bishop William Brennan of Wagga Wagga; Bishop Barry Collins of Wilcannia-Forbes; Bishop David Cremin, an Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney; Bishop William Morris of Toowoomba; and Bishop David Walker of Broken Bay. Dr Marie Macdonald, who chaired the Ad Hoc Committee that prepared the recommendations as a result of the report Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus will act as an executive officer to the implementation committee. Its immediate task is to study the recommendations presented to the Bishops' Conference by the ad hoc committee and to report to the bishops in May.

Aquinas torch passes to layman

Br Tony Shanahan, the Province Leader of the Christian Brothers' Holy Spirit Province, left, passes over the candle symbolising the commissioning of Aquinas College's new headmaster, Mr Robert White, on Monday. Mr White is Aquinas's first lay headmaster since the College opened its doors as CBC Terrace in 1894. He succeeds Br Kevin Paull who has served as headmaster for the last 6 years.

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The Record. February 17 2000 Page 3

Group seeks nurses who worked in the Kimberley to record their experiences

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By Glynnis Grainger

A A Kimberley nurse working at the pointy end of medicine some years ago.

The Kimberley Nurses History Group is seeking nurses who have worked in the Kimberley region of WA. It is bringing together a history of Kimberley nursing and would like to collect the various stories from nurses who have worked up there. Nurses went to the Kimberley and worked as lay missionaries, at the leprosarium, in hospitals, with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, on Aboriginal missions and

on remote cattle stations. "There is an amazing collection of stories; some are funny, some are tragic and many heroic, yet they all record a profession which was part of developing the Outback and its people into what they are today," said Monica Harris, spokesperson for the group. "Our purpose is to record what this extraordinary group of people did and continue to do and ensure that Australians are aware of an important part of their heritage." The stories will be presented at a convention in Broome on 25 and

26 March and all ex-Kimberley nurses are invited to contact the group to contribute their story or attend the convention. Monica Harris originally went to the Kimberley as a lay volunteer and nursed in various locations in the region. She is currently working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations) from its Derby Base as the Primary Health Care Nurse. The group's address is PO Box 1338, Derby WA 6728, Fax 9191 1063, Email: kimgwyn@comswest.net.au.

Isolation and tragedy were always companions C an you get back out here now, there's been an accident, Paulie's dead and the other kid isn't looking too good!" I immediately rang the Royal Flying Doctor Service to have them on standby and headed out on the dirt road to this remote cattle station in the Kimberley. Much to my irritation, road trains slowed down my trip. Paulle. A nine year old Aboriginal boy. born and bred on this station. A gentle mother, a devoted family. Only this morning I'd given him eye drops before heading into town for supplies. It seemed to take an eternity to get out there. I pulled up at the homestead to be greeted by Paulle's parents my heart sank as I saw the hope

Monica Harris, a nurse with the Royal Hying Doctor Service, recounts one of many nursing incidents in the Kimberley that brought nurses face to face with tragedy.

In their eyes, "Monica's here, Monica's here, she'll fix Paulie." Paulie had been placed on a stretcher out on the verandah and looked so peaceful. A small bump on his head explained it all. The eyes that I had administered eye drops in this morning were now closed. He'd been long gone; my stethoscope placed over his heart was silent. His parents watched - eyes still saying yes, you can make him better. you always make us better. The truth was told, we united in grief yet I still hat to contend with another patient. Nursing in the

For many isolated people the local nurse was often the only source of medical help they could rely on.

bush doesn't allow time to grieve sometimes. The Royal Flying Doctor Service evacuated the other patient to Derby Regional Hospital. I then went back to the homestead to deal with Police statements, death certificates and everyone else. By then the Aboriginal community had rallied together and were in "sorry camp." I noticed the station manager's wife's arm was swollen and she was obviously in pain. When the accident occurred there was much panic; she'd run A patient is put on board a waiting aircraft shortly before being lifted out to down to the scene of the accident the closest medical facility - often hundreds of kilometres away. and in her effort to lift the vehicle lives touched by so many tralia. Those Kimberley women off Paulie's head she'd fractured extremes; the climate. isolation, have shouldered their pain and one of the bones in her forearm. beauty, joy.... and anguish. Whilst gone on with their lives; necessiBut she was experiencing more the job itself is extremely ty dictates reality in this harsh than physical pain. demanding, it is also extremely environment. Barely four years ago her own rewarding. They will always have a comson - Paulie's playmate - had been It is not an existence where one mon pain, a kindred suffering and killed in a bull catcher accident. can work shifts and detach one- both families have left part of Today she didn't have the luxu- self after hours. You become not themselves behind on the cattle ry of distancing herself from this just a member of the community run. accident as someone had to do but of the family as well. We nurses of the Kimberley consomething. to take charge. That story happened many tinue to walk with families in their There was much grief on that years ago. times of joy and times of grief. We cattle station that night. I subsequently left the Kimber- learn from our patients and our A nurse in the Kimberley expe- ley but was eventually lured back patients learn from us. riences much; the peoples, the by its peoples, its landscape and Life has gone on, we live out gorges, the cultures and the land- its mystique. these experiences and when the scape both challenge and inspire. Those Kimberley families have pain start to subside we are able The Kimberley peoples - Abo- moved from the cattle station to to then say God is good. riginal and non-Aboriginal lead varying parts of Western Aus-

Summer of fun for young Salesians

A total of 120 young campers headed off to the Salesian Summer Camps' two campsites on the Murray River called "Nanga" in January. Aged 12-15, the young people

were supervised by 30 Young Salesian leaders, aged 16-21. with seven adults for support. The two campsites were near enough to each other to allow the famous midnight flour and water ambush and the leaders had as much fun as the campers. Many new faces mixed with the old to enjoy canoeing, war-games, a casino, horse-riding, well-prepared youth Masses, team games,

indoor and outdoor meals, and a long hike. Other activities included a Baden Powell waterhole, a never-ending disco, a pillow fight. a fun concert, Father Mick's magic, and the discovery of a great rapid for the canoeists. "All agreed the ongoing training. planning and fund-raising were well worth it," Fr Paul Miles told The Record. He looks forward to seeing them all again next January

Aid candles hope to help and warm distant hearts

,

Who says a camp's not fun!

Friends made fast - Salesian campers gather for a group photo.

The Record, February 17 2000 Page 4

Aid to the Church in Need has sold and distributed 20,000 candles so far throughout Australia to provide pastoral relief to the needy and oppressed churches world-wide, Philip Collignon, the national director of ACN Australia said last week. Mr Collignon, above, and his wife, Debbie, prepare some of the candles for dispatch in their Sydney office. More than 500,000 Lumen Christi 2000 candles have already been sent around the world by ACN staff worldwide. A new supplementary prayer card will be included with each candle to celebrate feasts such as Easter, Pentecost, the Commemoration of the Martyrs, All Souls and the Epiphany. A total of 30,000 candles were recently sent to the Bishops conference of the Sudan.

Catholic goods shop to open c J.....•

By Peter Rosengren

products, including contemporary Christian and Catholic music and computer software to young families. "In a sense, I want to bring our faith into the twentyfirst century," Brenda said. Among the examples she listed were modern Catholic music. "There's some really good stuff coming out of the US," she pointed out, adding "Catholics often get left for dead as far as praise and worship go." Now there are many compact discs on the market which are either Christian or Catholic, which fill most categories of music that young people enjoy, and which contain uplifting and inspiring spiritual themes and David and Brenda Croft in their new shop Catholics Corner, Canning Vale. lyrics, she said. And with the computer occupyso on - meant at least a 30-minute Thursday. "So here we are." The drive into Perth. Formal wear for other reason is also simple. "I've ing a central place in almost every special occasions will be a signif- always wanted to do it." Brenda average family home, software icant part of the service offered. said, "andIsaid when we got mar- would be an important element As a business, Catholics Corner ried that this was something I of Catholics Corner, she said. "For example, we will be able to therefore aims to service and wanted to do at some time in my offer things on disc such as a guidenhance the spiritual lives of life." Catholic families living south of Catholics Corner, which was ed tour of the Vatican, the Catethe river - and there are plenty of unpacking stock for the shop's chism, papal encyclicals, and so them. opening on 21 February when on," Brenda said. With David's experience over 20 "It was frustrating to drive all The Record visited, also aims to the way into the city or areas north offer both a traditional and a dis- years as state manager of the WA of the city," Brenda said last tinctly contemporary range of branch of an international corn„

A Twenty-First Century business is about to serve the needs of Catholic families and young people living in Perth south of the Swan River. Compact discs of contemporary music for the young, guided tours of the Vatican on CD-Rom, videos, audio-tapes and CDs of those who decided to become Catholics telling their story. It's all part of the modern feel Catholics Corner is trying to engender as it launches itself on 21 February. "Being a Catholic's not 'daggy'," Brenda Croft told The Record from behind the counter of the new Catholic products shop she is opening with husband David in Canning Vale. But that's only part of the reason the Crofts are opening the shop. Living south of the Swan River, Brenda found that shopping for the sorts of things Catholics often go looking for - cards, christening presents, children's religious and catechetical needs, formal wear for First Communions, gifts, spiritual literature and art, music and

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pany behind them, the Crofts are optimistic they can make Catholics Corner work. Much planning has gone into sourcing products and services which can be offered through the shop. "I've been scouring overseas sources and I'm on the Internet all the time," Brenda said. Catholics Corner also plans to have a Web page set up in the near future with the option of electronic mail-order available to Web surfers. If anything the new business aims to offer a "cutting edge and 'with-it' approach," she said. "There'll be things in here they will never have seen before or knew were available, such as the Divine Mercy chaplet on tape." Meanwhile, if they visit the shop young families will find Catholics Corner is kiddy-friendly. Not only will there be a lot of kids' stuff such as puzzles, videos and books but parents will find a kids' corner with toys. Catholics Corner is situated at 66 Bannister Road, Canning Vale, and can be contacted on (08) 9456 1777 or on email at cathscorner@one.net.au

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Vatican marriage, family chief in Perth

A journey for the Great Jubilee

The head of Pope John Paul Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, Bishop Angelo Scola, visited Perth earlier this week as part of a tour of Australia in the leadup to the establishment of a campus of the institute in Australia, possibly in Melbourne. The Rome institute is part of the Pontifical Lateran University. Bishop Scola, far right, met with Archbishop Barry Hickey and Bishop Robert Healy, left, for discussions last Tuesday at the Church Offices in Victoria Square. He was accompanied by his secretary, Dr Philip Milligan. Bishop Scola, an expert in theological anthropology (human nature in relation to God) also visited the University of Notre Dame Australia while in Perth, and gave a talk in Northbridge at Manners Restaurant last Tuesday evening.

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The Record, February 17 2000 Page 5

No sin is beyond forgiveness Peter Dwan continues with his meditations on the readings for Sunday's Mass. This week the seventh Sunday, Year B

A Layman's Meditation

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oday's liturgy reiterates the to fight selfishness after we have been important message that God for- forgiven, a better quality of life for those gives sins. with whom we come into contact. This is central to the Gospel message, Our resolution to fight selfishness and must never be forgotten. implies a determination to love and It has been aptly said that Judas's sin serve others. in despairing of God's mercy was a In today's second reading (2 Corinthimore serious sin than his betraying ans 1:18-22) St Paul says: "I swear by Christ. God's truth, there is no Yes and No No sin is too great for God to forgive. about what we say to you. . . . The Son The theme is introduced in the first of God that we proclaimed among you reading (Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25). was never Yes and No: with him it was The Glenstal Bible Missal says: "A new always Yes and however many the creation, a new Exodus; these are two promises God made, the Yes to them all favoured images in the bible of God's is in Him." pardon for his people." In Christ, God's promise of forgive"When God pardons, he does it for ness has been realised. himself, of his initiative, out of love, and Our Lord instituted the Sacrament of not because of men's ultimate merits." Penance, saying: "Those whose sins you God's pardon transforms lives. It is forgive, they are forgiven." this transforming aspect which the That is why people who think their reading highlights when it says: "Thus sins are too great to be forgiven are not says the Lord....I am making a road in only being illogical, they are doubting the wilderness, paths in the wild." Christ's words. Just as a road in the wilderness makes This point is stressed In today's Gospel for a better quality of life for the people (Mark 2:1-12) which tells how Christ of the area, so our being forgiven is forgave the sins of the paralytic, and meant to make a better life for our- proved that He had the divine power to selves, and hopefully by our resolution forgive sins by curing him. When the

scribes heard Our Lord say: "My child, your sins are forgiven," they thought to themselves: "How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?" The scribes fully realised that Christ's words were an implicit claim to divinity. Our Lord proved His claim to forgive sins and hence to divinity by curing the paralytic. He said to the scribes: "But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins," he said to the paralytic - "I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go on home." We need to remember that Christ considers the healing of souls far more important than the healing of bodies. Two points in the Gospel passage make this very clear. Not only did Christ forgive the paralytic's sins before curing him, He indicated that the paralytic's cure was meant as a proof of His authority to forgive sins. We cannot summon up miracles of physical healing at will, but we can be certain that our sins are forgiven every time we go to Confession. May we therefore go to Confession regularly, and pray that those who have been away from the sacraments for years may soon approach the Sacrament of mercy to receive God's forgiveness.

To Jesus through Mary ... a column of Marian devotion Pope John Paul missionary intention for next month of March is a call to missionaries and all Christians to invoke with greater trust the help of the Virgin Mary. Mother of our Saviour, on behalf of all those who continue the mission of her Son. Fides, the news service of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, published this meditation last week on the role of Mary in this mission and in which she was the first to be involved in a unique and exemplary way.

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he Second Vatican Council gave ample attention to the role of Mary in the mission of salvation The Church looks to her in order to understand and live its apostolic work and invokes her particularly when speaking of missionaries. . . . Paul VI concluded his magna charter on the evangelisation of the modern world, again calling on Mary who, on the morning of Pentecost watched over with her prayer the beginning of evangelisation prompted by the Holy Spirit, and he prays: "may she be the Star of Evangelisation - above all in these times which are difficult but full of hope". (Evangelium Nuntiandi, 82). John Paul II, who devotes an entire encyclical letter to the Mother of the Redeemer (25 March, 1987), on the eve of the Marian Year, writes in 1988 a message for Mission Sunday focused on the presence of Mary in the universal mission of the Church. The Pope calls Mary "the first to be evangelised and the first to evangelise," and urges all missionaries "not to be discouraged by the difficulties of their apostolate, but to trust in Mary and follow in her footsteps".

One beneficiary of Mary, the Mother of God's missionary concern was Blessed Juan Diego, who had a vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico in 1531. Blessed Juan is depicted here in a work by United States south-western painter Ted De Grazia at the Mission of the Sun in Tucson, Arizona. Photo CNSCrosiers

China. said: "In every era and in all places Mary is the ineffable Helper and Animator of Catholic missionaries". The missionary's vocation blossoms at the feet of Mary. The departure, following the consigning of the crucifix, comes after homage to the Blessed Virgin at a shrine or in front of an icon. The missionary's activity is accompanied by persevering and confident prayer to the Queen of the Apostles asking her guidance and protection. The missionary method gives a special place to Mary. . .. Evangelisation of non Christians is also a school of illuminated and profound devotion to the Mother of Christ. Proof of this are the numerous shrines in missionary lands constantly visited by Christians as well as followers of other religions. A missionary of the Consolata working in Tanzania says: "When we open a new mission in a non Christian area, the first sign we put up is an image of the Consolata: the figure of the mother is easily understood and helps people to grasp the mystery of Jesus, Son of God made Man in the womb of the Virgin".

Mary's Protection

What Mary does for missionaries authority by the dying Jesus, when the "woman" receives from him, in the per- embraces the whole of their life and son of the apostle John, her universal activity. Her protection has a universal character and excludes nothing.... In the motherhood. But Ills in the Upper Room that Mary past the safety and health of missionar"the Mother of Jesus", around whom the ies were exposed to grave risks, many disciples gather as they waited in prayer died very young. Today the risks. . . are perhaps differfor the coming of the Spirit. . . . begins ent, but they exist and are more violent. her missionary task in the Church. Mary, as John Paul II underlines, "did . . . In the recent war in Guinea Bissau, not directly receive this apostolic mis- the capital's Catholic church dedicated sion", but she was and is "a unique wit- to Our Lady of Fatima, became a refuge ness to the mystery of Jesus" for people and missionaries. Although bombs fell on all sides, no one was hurt. (Redemptoris Mater 26). The Blessed Virgin continues her pres- It was as if, one girl said, a steel umbrelence and mission from heaven after her la kept them away. In the church the assumption, and so Vatican II writes: "Let rosary was recited continuously. More urgent and grave are the misthe faithful implore that she who aided Missionary Mary the beginnings of the Church by her sionaries' needs for the work of evangelisation. There is first of all the mission that the prayers may now, exalted as she is in the waysMission's horizons are broad, Ills called to travel are many heaven above all and saints angels, the Blessed Virgin carries out during the and diverse, and so are the obstacles. . . i ntercede with her Son in the fellowship earthly life of Jesus. . . . In his life she .. There is a danger of becoming immoof all the saints." shares his joy and suffering, his sure "May she do so until all the peoples of bilised in front of the pluralism of mishope and expectation. At the annuncia- the sion's vision and methods or forgetting human family whether tion her heart is filled with happiness. .. oured with the name of they are hon- that missionary activity must always tend Christian or When she presents Jesus at the Temple, whether they still do not know the Sav- to the proclamation of the mystery of the mystery of sorrow which awaits her iour, are happily gathered in peace and Christ, one and only Saviour. is revealed. But it will be on Calvary that harmony into the one People of God, to This situation requires a rediscovery of Mary. . . . will live the greatest suffering the glory of the Most Holy and Undivid- the missionary role of Mary, who gave and greatest love. the Saviour to the world and wishes to ed Ilinity." (Lumen Gentium, 69). So, the Mother of our Saviour expericontinue to do so This is why John Missionaries and Mary enced the travail of mission even before Paul II concludes his missionary encyclimissionaries and she is able to underThis explains why the path of mission- cal by entrusting to the Blessed Virgin stand them. aries and mission has a loving relation- the whole Church and "in particular There is then her mission with regard ship with Mary. . . . Cardinal Celso those who commit themselves to carryto the Apostles and the apostolic Church. Costantini, former Secretary of de Pro- ing out the missionary mandate in It starts at Cana and is confirmed with paganda Fide and a great missionary in today's world". The Record, February 17 2000 Page 6

We all need an occasional recharge of our spiritual batteries

With Penny Ashcroft

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he filtration system in our pool had become sluggish, the bubbles coming from the jets on the side of the pool weren't as effervescent as they normally would be, the water didn't appear to be as clear and sparkling. It was time to "backwash", to take the filter apart and thoroughly clean the pads. The results were seen almost instantly. After re-assembling the filter and turning the system on again a small amount of sediment spurted from the jets, but then things settled down and within a small amount of time, our pool was back to normal and the water was crystal clear again. It struck me afterwards that people can be a bit like our pool. Sometimes we too can become "sluggish" and weary. Life can seem difficult, our regular routines become boring, and generally speaking we could do with a backwash ourselves. Like the filtration system attached to the Imo' sometimes it isn't enough just to backwash. we need to take the whole filter apart and scrub away the sediment from the internal pads. I guess there are many ways we can go about this cleansing process. We need to consider our physic al. ment,i1 and spiritual dimensions. We can rid our body of chemical toxins by embarking on the appropriate diet, we can tackle the physical aspect by sensible eating and regular exercise, we can receive mental stimulation by beginning a new project or reading a new book. Often however, it is the spiritual dimension In our lives that we find harder to renew. Amidst the busyness of everyday life, work. taxi-ing to and from school, sport, and so on, we can slowly loose the impetus to keep up our prayer life, the lifeline to God that we need Over the years I have learnt to recognise the signs of the beginning of sluggishness. I might miss the odd time of morning or evening prayer, perhaps take time less frequently for meditation or some spiritual nourishment from reading, not go as regularly to Reconciliation. Usually it is towards the end of the year. when I feel worn out and over-tired. Last year however, it was towards the end of the year thatIattended a women's retreat, and also did a three week retreat, which was incorporated into my working life. It consisted of daily meditation and prayer, reading a passage of Scripture, being conscious of God's presence in my life in a myriad of ways throughout the day, and receiving support and guidance through spiritual accompaniment once a week. Ihave to say it made a huge difference.Ifelt re-energised and renewed and went into the Christmas period feeling like a new person. For any growth in our faith journey, it really is essential that we take time out for God. If, like me, you forget sometimes that He has told us not to worry about our life and what we are to eat or how to clothe our bodies, you can find yourself getting so caught up in the life's material aspects that God takes second place. In reality, if we are able to step out in faith, we can experience the fact that God is within us, that we do not have to struggle alone and unaided in living our life. One of the most powerful avenues of strength and renewal comes from receiving Communion. We have the opportunity, on a daily basis if we want, to receive that strength and support. Ihave a friend who mentioned being "addicted" to daily Mass.Ithought, "Wow, what a way to go",I felt inspired by that comment. It may not always be practical or possible for us to attend Mass daily, but knowing that the Bread of Life is there waiting for us whenever we can approach the altar, is an assurance that is comforting.

Holy door work shows the way to community

The Record

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ockingham parish priest, Father Finbarr Walsh, said last week in The Record his parish's creation of holy doors and its preparation for receiving Jubilee pilgrims had drawn the parish closer together. No doubt there has been a similar effect in many other parishes during the Great

ban areas, their social, economic and political structure diversifies with a consequent disintegration in shared interests. Jubilee 2000. It is akin to trying to put square pegs into These columns have several times holes to force or wish these groups round attempted to highlight the importance of - those more used to community into doing a common work as the most effecsocial dialects may be several speaking tive and humane way of building parish able to build bridges in any attempt to community. community but those who are build The point is so basic that it is easily overunaware of, or unable to cross, these looked. boundaries will see any attempt to Community has two bases: common dialect community as false and adding to force ideas, and the common work that they alienation. make possible. An 'ivory-tower' intellectual and an Outside of the common work of family life, the people most citizens know best 'ivory-tower' council labourer will be are those they work with in paid employ- equally fearful of one another. But if they both work together in the St ment, an area in which common ideas are necessary. Otherwise, no profitable or Vincent de Paul Society they will come to useful work will be done, just as when know each other better and community planning, building and using a Jubilee will flower. It also should be remembered that a holy door. It is well known that parish community parish community without great social or is at its strongest in young parishes where other works is not necessarily dead evanparishioners are of a common age group, gelically - the Christian witness of parishwith young children and - more often ioners in the neighbourhood, in than not - building a school, presbytery professional, sporting and community groups is more significant than we susand church. However, as parishes develop in subur- pect.

This is the true evangelisation of the wider community as leaven in the dough as Vatican II confirmed and intended. But no matter what the ethnic, age, employment and economic differences of a modern suburb, or the lack of visible great works, a parish community still exists because of the Sunday liturgy. Not surprisingly the word 'liturgy' comes from the Greek 'leiturgia' eleit-urgia' or 'public-work': in ancient Greece the first work of individuals gathered as a public was to offer worship and thanksgiving to the gods, which was done on their behalf by a ieiturgos' or priest. In the Sunday liturgy, the most significant work possible, we worship God according to a common understanding or belief. The more socially, economically and politically diverse a worshipping community - a multicultural community - the more important it is that the liturgy be conducted according to common belief and understanding. Otherwise, some individuals and groups will be marginalised and offended for not being represented in the common wor-

gfrounolli;e 7a4le Film protests are too late

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ccording to an article in The West Australian of 5 February, there have been protests by Catholics and Christians concerning the release in Sydney on 4 February of the film Dogma. One wonders why or how Ills only now that the film has been released that there have been protests. Moreover there was no mention of protest from any official Catholic Church body. Dogma is just one of several films released in the past few months which in the name of freedom of expression attack in one form or another the teachings of the Catholic Church. Another offensive film currently in our cinemas is Stigmata What is offensive about the Dogma film is not simply, as stated in the article, that it portrays God as a woman (a female rock star), Dogma ridicules many Catholic

ship. The more diverse a community locally and city-wide is, the more destructive it is to community if attempts are made to change liturgy according to personal or sectional interest In any event, the greatness of the Roman liturgy is that it is pitched at the level of the human and universal so that all can join in and worship on the basis of common belief. So, even if a city or rural parish has little opportunity for great social works, it is still a community-building community by the fact of worshipping God according the Roman Rite. The community worshipping God comes before all other communities in time and importance as the source and summit of the Christian life. When united in worship on the same understanding, the parish corrununity will be building its common work on solid foundations and not the dream of achieving community through one parish dinner after another where everybody ends up standing around trying to think of something new to say. • The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.

L'elfers

die Colifor

beliefs, insults the virginity of the Blessed getics in our schools and from the pulpit, Literature Classification, 255 Elizabeth St. Virgin and St Joseph and compares the for Catholics to defend their beliefs with- Sydney, NSW, 2000. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to sexual inter- out having them ridiculed and attacked in G. Gonzalez the sleekly packaged form of entertain- Willetton course. I recall an article in The Record, 23 ment or 'art'. Unless we are willing to object , the enterAugust, 1999, reporting that there was a new head of the Australian Catholic Film tainment industry will continue to churn n behalf of the Gosnells' parish. I Office, who was also consultant to the Bish- out films of this genre. would like to thank you for the The Catholic religion is considered a soft op's Media Committee. excellent piece in The Record last According to the article, one of the roles target and films which not only ridicule it our Holy Door, and the very good week on sacrileblasphemous and actually are commentary to but "provide of the office is to reproduction of the picture. the secular media on the Church's respons- gious, are the real money spinners today. While mention was made of the crests of Can we please have some guidance by es to various films and videos". It is also available for consultancy for film the Church in Australia on this matter, the Mercy and Josephite sisters, regretfuldistributors in their assessment for cen- preferably from the pulpit and possibly, as ly the St John of God Sisters were uninsorship and audience response and to rep- It is mainly young people who frequent the tentionally omitted. I would be grateful if that omission could resent the Catholic Church in the cinema cinema, in our Catholic schools.? noted: Sr Gabrielle of the St John of God be I appreciate that The Record does someindustry. has been the parish sister here for Sisters classificareviews and publish film times I may be completely mistaken but I don't the past 12 years; Sr Catherine and most of seem to recall hearing or reading of any tions based on the US Bishops' ratings but Natalie, both St John of God Sisters, did Sr protest at the distribution of any film from this is not getting to the wider Catholic work over the years in the local pastoral population. this office. for the aged. hostel Amaroo Those wishing to protest about Dogma By the time the average Catholic is made understand that the omission can So you Graham aware of these films they have already been can write to the distributors: Mr Burke, Managing Director, Village Road- would be felt if not corrected. With thanks released in our cinemas. It is difficult enough, in the present secu- show Limited, GPO 1411M, Melbourne, Father Joss Breen PP lar climate and with the absence of apolo- Victoria 3001, and The Office of Film and Gosnells

St John of God credits

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Families and wives take part in Jubilee for permanent deacons VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Jubilee for Permanent Deacons is the only Vatican-sponsored event for ordained ministers that includes an official program for the ministers' wives. The fact that permanent deacons are ordained and that the vast majority of them also are married underscores their unusual place in the Latin-rite Catholic Church. But questions surrounding the role and identity of the permanent deacon go deeper, touching deacons whether they are married or not and whether they minister in the Latin or the Eastern church. "A permanent deacon is not a high-class altar server, nor a low-class priest," said Mgr Anthony McDaid, an official at the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy. "The diaconate is a vocation and a niinistry, the ministry of Christ the servant." The Vatican invited the world's more than 25,300 permanent deacons and their wives to Rome for this weekend's 18-20 February Jubilee for Permanent Deacons. Although the Eastern Catholic Churches kept the permanent diaconate, for hundreds of years the Latin Church used the diaconate only as a transitional stage to the priesthood. The Second Vatican Council called for the return of a permanent diaconate in the Latin Church. Coming at a time when people already were struggling to articulate the specific identity of

the clergy, the move away from the diaconate as a temporary step toward priesthood created some confusion, Mgr McDaid said. A 1998 Vatican document highlighted the diaconate as an ordained ministry, the result of a sacrament. "which configures the ordinand to Christ, who made himself a deacon, that is, the servant of all." Klaus-jergen Kaus, a German deacon and secretary of the International Diaconate Center. said the diaconate is strongest where the Church as an institution wants to acknowledge its obligation to care for the hurting and wants to entrust their care to members of the clergy. "A priest is at the centre of the parish, leading the celebration of the Mass," Kaus told Catholic News Service. 'The deacon is on the margins, bringing those who are outside in." While the number of permanent deacons in the world has grown steadily over the past 30 years, the growth is extremely uneven geographically. About half of the world's permanent deacons are in the United States. Italy, Germany and France are the only other countries with more than 1,000 deacons. One of the biggest concentrations of permanent deacons in Australia is WNs own Millbury Diocese. with 10 deacons. Continued on Page it

tudy Theology at Notre Dame University in 2000! Interested ui learning about your faith, studying Theology, Professional Development? Units of study in Semester one include: Church History, Biblical Studies, Moral Theology, Systematic Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, Pastoral Theology, Spiritualit,- and New Testament Greek Enrolments for study at Notre Dame for mature age students and school leavers are being taken nOW. Ring the College of Theology on (08) 9239 5670 for further information, or email: diane(Owl.edu. au. Visit our Web site: WWW nd.edii. au The University of Notre Dame Australia 19 Mouat Street. Fremantle 6160

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More Jubilee Holy Doors

Open the doors wide at Subiaco, and find more! By Peter Rosengren

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he holy doors erected for the Jubilee Year at Subiaco's Church of St Joseph reveal the thinking, planning and sheer effort that have gone into their design and construction. So parish priest, Camillan Father Pat Holmes, needed no persuasion to round up those who were responsible when The Recordvisited earlier this month. The doors are highly visible in their festive colours as they face Railway Parade in Subiaco. But when they are opened another aspect becomes visible: the inside of the doors reveals a painted design that symbolises the key elements parishioners thought should be incorporated

Father Pat Holmes, second from the left with members of the St Joseph's holy door production team outside the doors and, right. inside. Photoc Peter Rosengren

in their design. Mrs Sherita Rodri- for St Joseph's, Ms Carmel Gengo, a city architect, designed the tilli, the co-ordinator of the parish exterior face of the doors, and holy door committee said. parishioner Joe Berry was the However the 'Michelangelo' craftsman. who painted the interior door Standing outside the Church faces said the Good Shepherd Mrs Rodrigo said she was happy image which is part of the overall with the way her vision translat- design was of special significance ed from the drawing board into to her. "It is important to me reality. because I only recently returned She had kept the design simple, to the faith with my husband." incorporating existing elements Mrs Megan Byrne said. of the Church into the design, The interior door on the left side such as the stylised cross which features the Holy Family in a copy covers both doors in bas-relief, of the stained glass church winand had chosen festive colours dows. for a year which is essentially fesVines, she said, are part of the tive. Church's history and used to decPlanning for the doors began orate the altar rail around the last July, and a parish question- sanctuary area. naire asked those attending Mass "And we are a living parish," she what they thought was important added. While the left door on the interior expresses something of the parish's spirituality, its opposite number expresses the part that is lived out. The Celtic cross symbolises the contribution to the parish of the many Irish clergy and Religious; the multicultural nature of today's parish is expressed through paintings of people from a variety of backgrounds. The hands symbolise blessing. reconciliation. apostolate, greeting, hospitality and resurrection in a Jubilee Year, she said. Others contributing to the doors' erection were Bill Harris. Richard Win Pe, Bob Peters and Claudia Di Biaggi°.

Nollamara begins and ends with leadlight learnt in Northern Ireland By Peter Rosengren

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n Ireland, the creation of leadlight glasswork is a booming business, with over 32 businesses devoted to the craft in Northern Ireland alone. That's an impressive figure given that the population of the North is approximately the same as Perth's. But out of Ireland has come a thing of beauty, not necessarily terrible either (Peace to W B Yeats!), to celebrate the Jubilee and grace the parish church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Nollamara. The Nollamara holy door entrance is undoubtedly different from the average parish holy door, if such a thing exists. Rather than a door which swings open on hinges, the parish has elected to create an entrance crafted out of leadlight glass. The artwork stands inside the church's main doors flanking both sides of the central aisle. Perth-based leadlight craftsman Paul Totten, 23, who is a former student of the parish school and also a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, was responsible for crafting the leadlight doors. Paul came back to Perth 12 months ago after spending two years abroad studying leadlight and stained glass creation with his cousin James, who runs his own business in Maghera, County Derry, in Northern Ireland. "Leadlight is a very popular medium over there [in Ireland] - ten times more than here," Paul told

Paul Totten standing beside his leadlight creations inside Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Nollamara. The two glass panels are the church's holy door entrance for the Jubilee Year.

The Record last week, explaining that it was widely used not only in churches but pubs, restaurants, hotels and homes too. One look at the holy door entrance is enough to see that Our Lady of Lourdes parish has reaped the dividends of Paul's time abroad. The two large panels, which measure 2.2 metres in width and 1.6 metres in height, display the Alpha and Omega symbols against a richly-coloured background of flowing streams of light. They are illuminated strongly by the natural daylight which shines in through the church's front doors. Paul said the streaming coloured glass passing through the Alpha and Omega symbolise the light of

The Record, February 17 2000 Page 8

Christ shining through the beginning and end. He designed the two large panels after consulting with parish priest Fr Joseph Walsh. Paul said he and Fr Joe pitched some ideas around before he came up with the final design. "It's always a joint design anywhere," he said. "Whoever is getting the leadlight done, they always have to have some sort of input - it's their piece." Paul started the design in midJanuary and had the whole leadThe latter uses glass cut to shape light pieces done within a week. "It was a hard week, but a week and then painted with the details nevertheless," he said, adding "I of the image and fired in a kiln. Leadlight, however, he said, uses work from home so I could spend shapes cut from pre-coloured glass. a lot of time on it." Leadlight is different from stained Among the techniques he studied glass. in Northern Ireland were sand-

blasting, or dry-blasting, using aluminium oxide and stencils to give glass a `frosted' effect. Paul said he was pleased with the final result. "It's simple, but the symbolism holds strong," he said.

Features

Josephite speaks from mission experience By Glynnis Grainger

A

Josephite nun from Western Australia working in Uganda was ambushed and nearly killed during her stay there. Sr Margaret Cuthane, a Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, told The Record last week she was driving from the west side of the Nile to the east and came to a rocky hill when a truck appeared. "Just when the truck came beside us, there were two shots through the window and a bullet lodged in the headrest of my seat," she said. "Fortunately we kept going and the car kept going. There was a bullet found in the engine block 700km later in the garage at Kampala. 1have also been held hostage in our own compound - we had to evacuate three times." Sr Cuthane will be sharing these and other more ordinary experiences as a missioner this year in

where Perth she is a mission pro- teacher and principal in Merredin moter with Perth Archdiocese's and Boulder," she said. Sr Culhane began her teaching Catholic Mission office, working career in Victoria and worked in with Sherie Sampson. She will be visiting schools as clinical pastoral education in highpart of the children's mission pro- rise public housing units on Sydney's lower north shore. gram. Uganda had been a war zone but Sr Culhane said she loved Africa and would go back "because the she went back to Kenya as she felt her work was unfinished. people are so wonderful." "There were 78,000 in Kenya She was in Uganda from 1993 to 1997 and in Kenya from 1998 to nine nationalities - most were July last year. Sudanese, Somali and Ethiopians With Australian Volunteers in the camp; they were the three Abroad, Sr Culhane worked as an kin groups. education co-ordinator in Kenya "Also, there were Rwandese, for about 22,000 students from Burundese, Congolese (Zairians), nursery (kindergarten) to sec- stateless Kenyans, Ugandans, ondary level in 33 schools. There Liberians and Eritreans - it was a were five nursery schools. 26 pri- very volatile situation. mary schools and two secondary "Even in these groups, there were schools under her charge. tribes - because of the tension they In Uganda, there were 1Z000 stu- had to keep to their own areas. "Last February, we had an outdents, and she helped establish 44 break of fighting between two schools and 26 nursery schools. She said she turned 50 while she tribes. "One tribe called the captain of was in the mission field. "I spent my time in Australia as a the tribe in Sudan. When the peo-

Martyrs multiplied in the third century. . . . and so did St Valentine T

he Roman Empire, which had stood unshakable for over 500 years. by the third century AD was starting to crumble. Internal problems and frequent civil war were coupled with growing pressure on the frontiers from barbarian tribes. This created a atmosphere of fear and unease among the inhabitants of the Empire. As people do in times of stress. Roman society began to look inwards. Interest grew in religion, particularly in mystery cults and exotic eastern sects. Christianity, encouraged by this spiritual trend, also continued to flourish, deepening particularly in the fields of contemplation and reflection. During the third century. the Church also began to face more serious and widespread persecution than ever before. Pagan Romans, who in the past had not cared greatly about religion, developed a new interest. The common people, spurred by fear and superstition, embarked on anti-Christian pogroms. Political leaders found the Christians a convenient scapegoat for the military and economic problems of the Empire. By 250, the Emperor Decius had ordered a systematic persecution. Every citizen was required to produce a certificate showing that he had sacrificed to the pagan gods, or face trial and death. Church leaders responded to the persecution, rather unfortunately, by fighting with each other. Christianity was only reprieved by timely barbarian invasions which distracted most of the populous. Nevertheless, the Church is nourished by the blood of martyrs. A great many ordinary people suffered and died for Christ. Their examples inspired so many converts that by the end of the third century, in many cities in the Empire, Christians formed more than half of the population. One of these was St Valentine martyred about 270 AD. Valentine is the patron saint of couples, lovers, happy marriages, beekeepers, epilepsy, fainting, plague, travellers and young people. Perhaps he should also have a special interest in the greeting card industry. With so many special causes, it is hardly surprising that there appears to have been

Sr Culhane, rear, with Somali refugees in northern Kenya.

pie in the camp heard about it. they took revenge. Sr Culhane said she was alive today because of her Muslim workers - every day her driver

Lipbi

ekist 2000

113 erth historian Dr Jennifer Skerritt sheds some light on Catholic history to mark 2000 years of Christianity. This week:

St Valentine (died c. AD 270)

A priest points out a tomb marked St Valentine at St Anton's Church in Madrid, Spain, last Monday, 14 February. The popular feast celebrated that day with the exchange of signs of love likely Photo CNS. Reuters has little or nothing to do with either of the two early martyrs of the same name.

more than one St Valentine. livo, or possibly even three, priests named Valentine were martyred during the third century; Valentine was a conunon name, and martyrdom was becoming increasingly frequent. While the saints Valentine were not towering intellectual figures in the Church or powerful leaders, they were good and holy men who must have been greatly revered by their congregations. One St Valentine was a priest and physician in Rome. He was arrested during the reign of the Emperor Claudius II, the Goth in AD 269 or 270.

According to various stories, he was accused of encouraging and aiding Christians already in prison, which seems like a reasonable occupation for a priest, and also of secretly marrying soldiers and their wives, in defiance of the Imperial Edict. Roman soldiers were not allowed to marry, although they were encouraged to have de facto wives.

would give her an update on where she could go. "The refugees were Christians who had been driven out of Sudan by the Muslims."

As they were also required to serve for a term of 25 years, those soldiers who were Christian or who became Christian, had no hope of a family if they did not marry in secret. Eventually this priest, Valentine, was arrested. He was brought before the Emperor, declared his faith and insulted Jupiter and Mercury. The Emperor, with admirable forbearance, had him committed to the care of a magistrate called Asterius, rather than executed immediately. Valentine then cured the blindness of Asterius' adopted daughter, and converted the entire family to Christianity. This was too much for the Emperor, who had Valentine beaten and decapitated on the Flarninian Way. This suggests that Valentine was actually a Roman citizen, because citizens could only be executed by beheading. Only Christians who were slaves or foreigners could be tortured or thrown to the

lions, except in special circumstances. This Valentine was also an epileptic, and after his dead became the patron saint of epileptics. In parts of Germany epilepsy was called St Valentine's sickness. The second St Valentine was the bishop of Terni in Umbria in Italy in 223 AD. A Roman philosopher, named Crato, hearing of his virtue and his miracles, begged him to come to Rome and cure his son. stricken by a dreadful illness. Although this Valentine knew that it was dangerous for him to come to Rome, he agreed on the condition that the philosopher and his family became Christian. Crato agreed, and his son was cured. He and his family became Christian, along with three of his philosophy students, young men from the city of Athens. As soon as the prefect of Rome heard of this, he had the bishop beheaded. The three Athenian students took his body back to Terni. Neither of these stories suggest a very particular interest in romance. It seems most likely that the connection came about through the feast day of Saint Valentine, February 14th. In Europe, it was commonly believed that the birds chose their mates for the rest of the year on this day. In addition the ancient Roman fertility festival, the Lupercalia was celebrated on the 15th of February. This pagan feast included noble youths running through the streets of Rome, striking everyone they met with strips of goat skin to make them fertile. Women who wanted children would deliberately stand in their way. The festival was very rowdy and popular. Early Church leaders had difficulty in keeping their congregations, who willingly faced the lions for their faith, away from the revelry. Consequently, in 496 AD, Pope Gelasius, realising that there was nothing wrong with celebrating love, decided to replace the Lupercalia with a Christian holiday. He placed his celebration a day earlier, on the 14th of February, the feast day of Saint Valentine. Valentine subsequently became known as the patron of lovers. The Record, February 17 2000 Page 9

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(The Light of Christ) Celebrate the true meaning of the new millennium with this beautiful Lumen Christi 2000 candle from Aid to the Church in Need. To date, over 500.000 candles have been sent out worldwide. Over 20,000 have been distributed throughout Australia. The campaign has also enabled us to send 30.000 candles to the Bishop's conferences in Sudan and Cuba for distribution amongst their suffering people. New Prayer Leaflet for the Year 2000. With each candle we enclose readings and prayers specially composed for religious feasts during the Jubilee year. The candle costs $10.00. stands at 15cm high, is about 6cm thick and comes in a special box of its own. Proceeds from the Lumen Christi 2000 campaign will help our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Chris, A beautiful gift idea for First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Baptism, birthdays and other occasions.

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Features, Book Reviews

The cord 100, years ago With Mary Busher,

• Perth Catholic Church Archives volunteer

Excerpts from the WA Catholic Record, February 17, 1900.

Geraldton farewell

A purse of sovereigns was

presented at a community farewell to Right Rem Dr Kelly, Bishop of Geraldton, who was about to leave the town to visit Rome. The mayor of Geraldton said both Catholics and Protestants subscribed to the fund . . . . The Bishop reviewed diocesan progress since his arrival In Geraldton 14 months earlier. A residence for the clergy was nearing completion in Geraldton to replace rented premises. Convent schools had been opened at Greenough (front and Back Flats) Cue and Northampton. When he took over the diocese measured 700,000 square miles. The inclusion of Port Victoria another added 500,000 square miles.

Boulder farewell D ev. Father O'Carroll, was I N..presented with a /100 testimonial on the eve of leaving the goldfields permanently for Ireland. One speaker, Mr Manion, noted that when Father O'Carroll arrived in Boulder about a year earlier, the parish was encumbered with a a debt of more than £1,500. In the time he had been there almost half this debt had been paid off. "More should not be expected of any man," he said.

Afghan Entertainment

ge number of visitors At m Cue attended, by Invitation, at the Afghan Camp

near the hospital for the festivities in connection with the celebration of the Feast of the Ramadan. The host, Moosa Khan. had gone to a great deal of trouble In preparing for the occasion and those who attended were highly entertained by the Afghan singing, dancing, wrestling, etc. No effort was spared for the comfort of the visitors, the entertainers being indefatigable in their attention. A tug-of-war between the Afghans and whites caused considerable amusement.

Opening of Perth Park Tearoom 'phis ceremony was the 1occasion for a large and fashionable gathering. The steamer Duchess was chartered to convey the guests from the Barrack Street jetty to that of the Park .... The room, which is built in chalet style, occupies a charming situation commanding broad expanses of the river that stretch away to their wooded banks far off and have as their background the blue line of the distant hills. The view is, indeed, of great loveliness.

Poems make a reader thirst for more Primary Loyalties, Poems of Politics and Society, by Hal Colebatch, Peter Kocan and Andrew Lansdown, Arawang Communication Group. Reviewed by Glynnis Grainger

T

he jewel in the crown of this collection is the poetry of Andrew Lansdown - 14 poems which leave the reader thirsting for more. All the poems, especially "After Reading a Newspaper" (almost haiku), "Home", about his wife Susan, "Impression" and "Sonnet of Thanksgiving" are insightful and succinct. The last two mention God, as also do the poems "Not in Truce", and "Waking and Always", about his daughter Naomi at six months, and "Reaction to a Retard" about a Downs Syndrome child he saw. Lansdown is a pro-lifer and a minister of religion; his prolife sympathies can be seen in his poem about an anti-abortion rally

he attended - "Pathetic Things". In this poem the "pathetic things" are the 1,000 pairs of bootees set out on the steps of Parliament House - "one pair for one tenth of the babies aborted each year." Not all of his poems rhyme some are in free verse - but all are so easy to read and very readable. I wish he'd published more. Well-known WA intellectual and writer Hal Colebatch contributes 12 poems, the most memorable being the first, "Arriving at Heathrow", the very brief, "Australian Election Morning Scene", and the delightful story of the author taking his eight-year-old god-daughter to the circus, "Getting into the Circus for Free". Colebatch's poem "The Miser-

able Fools" describes ordinary everyday things, such as using a set of tools, mending a broken chair, weeding a garden, or selling poppies on Armistice Day. But some of his longer poems are not so readable by the "man in the street" and contain references to historical figures and events, some obscure. Another poem, "Euthanasia Bottleneck," is a little too depressing. Peter Kocan has the biggest share with 15 offerings. Appropriate to the Australia Day holiday, is the poem "An Australian Garland", composed of nine vignettes on our country, each with a separate title. Certainly this is the best of his poems in the anthology, and the highlight of his writing for the little book. Yet, all of his poems are readable, like Colebatch's, some more than others.

so,,,3r1 r P POEMS OF POLITICS AND SOCIETY

I 131 eS

Priest's love of Aborigines manifested Grace Through Our Land, Reflections In verse for the turn of the Century, by Father Noel McMaster, Crystal Printing, Perth. Reviewed by Glyimis Grainger

F

,ather Noel McMaster is a Redemptorist who went to the East Kimberley in 1977 He has been a parish priest in Kununurra and Wyndham, and is now in Halls Creek. where he published this anthology of poetry. Fr McMaster says in the foreword: "In a generally down-to-arth manner I have endeavoured within these few pages to accent the more fluid, evolving character of nature and history as we continue to inherit them. "For our viable future in a new millennium and our hopeful engagement with transcendent destiny, proposed once more is the promise of a conversion transacted within the rhythms of underlying paschal grace. "Both elements, conversion and paschal grace, are from the Christian point of view fundamental to the hoped for reconciliation currently and enthusiastically espoused by many within our nation. "In this context I hope I have offered opportunities for reflection and some action during and Jubilee Year and beyond."

This book of poetry is set out in three sections - Cultural, Personal and Global - with six poems in the first two sections and seven in the last section. For "Cultural" substitute "Aboriginal Cultural", and Fr McMaster uses many images and

words from the local Aboriginal dialed. He even uses a photo of Senator Harradine with Aboriginal dancers outside Parliament House, Canberra, in front of this section. "Signs of the Times" (Christmas ,'98), a Christmas poem in seven parts, using the words of Christmas carols to begin each stanza, also ends with an Aboriginal phrase. Fr McMaster obviously loves the Aborigines he ministers to in his parishes in the NorthWest and he speaks of them fondly in his poems. His poem "Absolutely" is my favourite, as it talks about the media and radio and TV presenters who use this word ad infinitum on their programs. In the section titled "Personal" there is a lovely photo of a Stud's Desert Pea with a poem of the same name next to it. In "Global" he has written a short poem completely in the traditional jaru language of the Halls Creek region of WA. A photo of one of Paddy Carlton's paintings ends this section, bracketing a poem about the painting. Carlton is a well-known indigenous artist who in 1992 presented his "Ngabang Painting" to the parish of St Vincent Pallotti, Kununurra, for its new church where it now hangs. "Ngabang" is his language word for Father.

More a tinker's itch than a response to a real need tion within the next ten years, and from the same people who made the earlier ones. Since the threats which proponents of inclusive language perceive are entirely imaginary, they will never be satisfied. It is unfortunate that the editors, his is a new edition of the Australian Hymn Book having bewailed the practice of which appeared in 1977. previous compilers of hymnals in Why then is this edition thought "making changes with a heavy hand at the behest of their own to be necessary at all? literary taste (often less sound The editors tell us that they than that of the author) or of their received numerous "requests to modernise the language of own idiosyncratic theology" have hymns, to remove phrases and proceeded to do precisely that in imagery which had lost their this present work It will be obvious that I am force, to alter wording which entirely unconvinced that this ediseemed to make what the hymn tion was necessary and I considis saying applicable only to men er its objectives useless. and not to women and children However, it must be recorded and to reconsider names given to that many hymns appear in subthe Deity which seemed to assert stantially their original form and that God's nature is entirely mas- it is a very welcome innovation culine." that many psalms are included. That it was felt necessary to Equally welcome is an index at respond to these requests is my the back which includes a list of first criticism of this new edition. texts based on Scripture passages It is clearly a matter of tinker's and an index of subjects. itch rather than a response to a These are the positive features real need. of the book which I admire. Ifeel quite certain that there will It is also well produced and be demands for another new edi- admirably printed. Together in Song, Australian Hymn Book 2, published by Harper Collins Religious. Reviewed by Hugo Lindsay

T

The Record, February 17 2000 Page 10

Comment on this is surely unnecessary, not that banality is restricted to modern hymns. I regret to say that an edition of "Jesus loves me this I know" appears in this book and although rewritten apparently, by one David Rutherford McGuire, it does not seem to have improved much. With its banal sentimental tune and its banal sentimental words, it proves that bad taste is not a A usi rAtt3n ityrtth 8,4,k modern invention andIonly wish that the editors had felt able to H.rasitst, Edit Of! leave it out. There are plenty of precedents for doing so. Another and fundamental gripe that I have with this book is that it seems to me quite futile to attempt to produce a hymn book which can be used by all mainAs seems to be inevitable in stream denominations in this these days, much of the new mate- country. rial which is introduced to this The fact is that there are really book seems to me of poor quali- great differences of theology and liturgical practice between us and ty An example is Hymn 175 which other denominations in Australia. begins: Did you ever see a Kook• Hugo Lindsay is a member of aburra laugh?" St Mary's Cathedral Choir, a conThe second verse begins: Did vert to Catholicism, and a musician. you ever keep a cocoon?"

Jubilee for the Sick and Health Care Workers

Pope's words to fellow sufferers have special ring By Benedicta Cipolla

p

hysically weak but spiritually strong, the sick had their jubilee day in the sun with an empathetic Pope John Paul II. "Ihope this touching celebration offers all people, healthy and sick, the opportunity to meditate on the saving value of suffering," the Pope told 35,000 faithful at an 11 February outdoor Mass in St Peter's Square to mark the Jubilee for the Sick and Health Care Workers. Christ's incarnation gave meaning to suffering, so that "pain, illuminated by faith, becomes the source of hope and salvation," he said. Though medicine's fight against illness is crucial, the Pope said, "it Is also important to know how to interpret God's design when suffering knocks on our door." Turning to the 11,000 people who accompanied 4.000 sick pilgrims on their journey to Rome, the Pope urged all Christians to follow the example of the Good Samaritan. "We cannot pass by in front of those who are sick. We must stop, bow down before their infirmity

and generously share in it, thus lightening its burden and difficulties," said the Pope. A 17-year-old girl from Burundi, in a wheelchair since the age of 3 due to polio, was able to attend the event because of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, which offered to finance trips from 35 developing countries. "It was a unique opportunity for me," she said. "The image of the Good Samaritan will stay with me forever, and I will impart the Pope's message to others, because people are in need of help and prayers," she said. The ailing 79-year-old pontiff's personal experience with illness, including an assassination attempt, hip surgery and a neurological disease, made the 11 February Mass particularly moving, said Vatican officials and participants. "It won't be the biggest, the prettiest, the most picturesque, or the most telegenic of jubilee days, but perhaps it's the closest to the Pope's heart," Father Ciro Benedettini, a Vatican spokesman, said before the celebrations. After the homily, as the Pope anointed the foreheads and hands

, A nun comforts a sick man in St Peter's Square during a special Holy Year service on 11 February. Approximately 35,000 people attended,

of 10 sick people, several pilgrims in the crowd wiped away tears. Dr Zachary Berige of Tanzania said, "I've never seen anything like it." The Jubilee for the Sick and Health Care Workers coincided with the World Day of the Sick and the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. More than 4,000 people afflicted

by various ailments - including 1,600 confined to wheelchairs travelled to Rome for the event. Because of the special needs of the sick and handicapped, city officials and UNITAISI, an Italian volunteer association that co-ordinated the celebrations with the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, tried to avoid any logistical holdups. Rome's transporta-

lion company, ATAC, provided 137 buses for the three-day event, removing seats to accommodate nine wheelchairs on each vehicle. Italian law requires space for only one wheelchair on city buses. To ward off winter cold, UNITALSI placed a US $75,000 outdoor mega-heater, paid for by member donations, in St Peter's Square. And to be sure pilgrims in wheelchairs could easily find bathrooms, the city's sanitation company set up 226 handitoilets capped-accessible throughout the city. The outdoor Mass was part of three days of celebrations, which were to include an evening torchlight procession on 11 February and a Stations of the Cross service at the Colosseum on 12 February. A Franciscan brother from Rome said he hoped the jubilee event's enthusiasm would spill over into daily life. "We hope that this isn't only an isolated moment. Instead it should be continuous," he said as he took the handles of a wheelchair holding Brother Giovanni, aged 102, affectionately called "Grandpa" by his fellow Francis- CNS cans.

Olivia Newton-John sings for the sick St John of God opens By Benedicta Cipolla

T

he Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall was transformed into a concert stage as artists from all over the world donated their time and talent to the Jubilee for the Sick and Health Care Workers. Between performances from artists like Australian actress, singer and breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John and 92-yearold Cuban jazz sensation Cornpay Segundo, thousands of pilgrims listened attentively on 12 February to testimonials of spiritual triumph in the midst of physical pain. US volleyball player Kirk Kilgour. who led an Italian team to the country's national championship in 1975, said the 1976 accident People in wheelchairs gather in St Peter's Square for a special Holy Year Mass CNS Recife - that left him paralysed changed with Pope John Paul ll on 11 February his life forever. lowing day, he said he would not street leading from the Tiber "I found out very quickly that as have missed the concert for any- River to St Peter's Basilica. an athlete everything I did was thing. "Faced with certain human More than 60.000 people. physical." he said. issues, I think soccer can move Including 4,000 sick pilgrims. "But I learned quickly that my Into second place," Buffon said. thronged St Peter's Square, each arms and legs were not imporThe concert was broadcast live holding a candle and a copy of tant. It was the mind that made In Italy on state television and the Gospel of Luke, for prayers in me a man," Kilgour said to thun- around the world via satellite. several languages. derous applause from the audiEarlier in the day, jubilee celeEnormous television screens in ence. brations brought the sick to the the square showed a simultaneAndrea, an Italian boy from Colosseum. ous procession at the French MarNaples who has spent much of Once the site for the bloody sac- ian sanctuary at Lourdes. his young life in hospitals, rifice of Christians, the ancient At the end of the service. Pope recounted his admiration for Gian Roman amphitheatre was trans- John Paul II blessed the crowd Luigi Buffon, the Italian national formed into a symbol of hope. from the window of his private soccer team's goalkeeper. Organisers rendered the Colos- apartment and asked that Mary, No sooner had Andrea pro- seum handicapped-accessible for "health of the infirm," might make nounced Buffon's name than the the first time to allow wheelchair- the Holy Year a true year of grace. soccer star walked on stage, car- bound pilgrims to take part in a The Pope concluded the three rying an official team jersey and Stations of the Cross service. days of celebrations for the sick ball for the 9-year-old boy. The previous evening, a torch- and health care workers on 13 While Buffon was unable to stay light Marian procession illumi- February at his weekly Angelus. long due to a big match the fol- nated Via della Conciliazione, the - Catholic News Service

door to Holy Year grace

Dr Fong watches as the holy door is opened at St John of God, Subiaco.

constructed for this year 1) the hospital carpenters When people come into our t John of God Hospital. hospital they will have a sense Subiaco. last Friday morare moving into a holy they ning launched the Jubilee Year with a ecumenical service place. where God Himself comes into this place to provide on World Day of the Sick healing," Dr Fong said. Chief executive officer Dr "I hope that this place is Neale Fong led the service always a holy place where which was attended by about God's love is administered 60 patients and staff. Everyone through us. the doctors and walked through the hospital nurses and staff." Holy Door and hospital chapDr Fong said the holy door replain, Camillan Father Sean resented the door to God Bredin, then prayed inside for through Jesus Christ Himself . . all who were sick, both in Aus- . . Christ being the Light of the tralia and elsewhere through- World through which God's out the world. light shines through." The holy door, with a sheer He said holy doors were seen curtain with bows hung on it for as part of a rite of sanctuary in Friday's service, was specially the 15th century By Glynnis Grainger

S

Families and wives take part in Jubilee for permanent deacons Continued from Page 7 Having bishops who believe their dioceses need a deacon's service and having a pool of men willing to serve are the determining factors, Mgr McDaid said. "The idea has crystallised that it is absolutely wrong" to institute the permanent diaconate primarily as a response to a shortage of priests, he said. William Ditewig, a deacon and director of Pastoral Services and Ministry Formation in the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa, said surveys show "the vast majority of deacons

say they would not seek the priesthood if celibacy were optional - the diaconate and the priesthood are separate vocations." The Vatican's scheduling of a jubilee session for deacon's families is part of a growing awareness that in most cases the diaconate involves more than just the deacon and even more that just the deacon and his wife, Ditewig said. "The whole family is involved," he said, and part of discussion about the identity and role of the deacon is "getting a handle on how sacred orders and marriage go

together-- 90 per cent of us are living both." Kaus said deacons must remember that the sacrament of marriage came first in their lives; "therefore, you must first be a deacon within your family. You cannot take care of poor children and never see your own." The deacons said that even with their wives being involved in their formation and often in their ministry, the question of ordaining women deacons is not a burning issue in the diaconate community. Although the Vatican has made no definitive statement ruling out the possibility of

women deacons, its discussions about the deaconesses of the early Christian community make it seem unlikely. Cardinal Pio Laghi, who helped develop the Vatican norms for training deacons, said New Testament evidence and Church tradition suggest that the women referred to as deaconesses in the Bible were blessed by church leaders, but not sacramentally ordained. The sacramental configuration to Christ, he said in 1998, always has been reserved to men, whether in the role of deacon, priest or bishop. The Record, February 17 2000 Page 11

International News

Mass celebration ban on Ecumenical guidelines dissident Czech clergy In Brief

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) European bishops' conferences pledged to step up cooperation with non-Catholic Churches in guidelines issued with Protestant and Orthodox representatives. The 26-point guidelines on "practical and thematic cooperation" were issued on 6 February after a joint committee meeting in Prague of the Council of European Bishops Conferences and Conference of European Churches.'

Parents refuse GRENOBLE, France (CNS) A Catholic couple in France is appealing to international tribunals to overthrow a French law that requires them to pay their 23-year-old son a monthly allowance, despite the fact that he has left home to live with his girlfriend. Frenchman Pierre Rocca and his Irish-born wife. Hilary Fagan-Rocca. were dismayed when their son Eric joined a left-wing political group and appeared to reject his faith. The Roccas bought their family home in Grenoble partly because it was only 10 minutes' journey from Eric's place of study. But Eric has been living with his girlfriend in an apartment that costs more than 2,500 francs (US$386) a month to rent.

Muslim dialogue VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In a move toward improving Catholic-Muslim dialogue, the Vatican established relations with the Arab League. A Vatican statement announced Pope John Paul II's appointment of Archbishop Paolo Giglio as the Holy See's representative to the organisation. Vatican Radio termed the nomination "an event of primary importance in the history of relations between the Church of Rome and the Arab world ... on the eve of the Pope's apostolic trip to Egypt." Pope John Paul was due to travel to Egypt on 24 February for a three-day visit.

Crash kills nuns LUBANGO (Fides) - Two Catholics nuns were killed while another escaped unhurt when the helicopter in which they were travelling crashed shortly after take-off on 5 February at an air-field at Lubango about 1000 km south of the capital Luanda. It is feared at least 30 people were killed. The suspicion that the helicopter was purposely shot down has been excluded.

Family banned

SAO PAULO, Brazil (CNS) The bishop of Sao Joao da Boa Vista banned the family of Vanilda da Silva Timoteo from attending Christ the Redeemer Church for one year after the woman filed suit against the parish where she had worked for 13 years. Bishop Dadeus Grings Imposed the penalty after Timoteo, who was fired from her job at the parish, took legal action against the Church.

By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican said clandestinely ordained priests and bishops in the Czech Republic who have failed to reconcile with Church authorities are forbidden from celebrating Mass and the sacraments. After several years of Vatican efforts to regularise those secretly ordained under communism including more than 60 married priests - the time has come to clarify the status of those who have refused the Vatican's terms, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said in a statement released on 14 February. "Difficulties remain and a clarifying discussion is requested," the statement said, without specifying when or where such a meeting would be held. Meanwhile, it said, the Czech

faithful should know that Masses celebrated by those refusing the Vatican conditions are illicit and the sacraments they perform are of doubtful validity, it said. "These Masses, administration of sacraments and other liturgical celebrations are forbidden. Whoever, in fact, refuses the authority of the Pope and bishops celebrates illicitly," it said. "The Holy See addresses itself to those Catholics who have not yet complied with its indications and invites them to unite again with other Catholics under the guidance of the Pope," said the statement. It was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the doctrinal congregation. The problem of clandestinely ordained priests surfaced after the fall of Czechoslovakia's communist regime in 1989. About 250 priests and 16 bishops were ordained without individual Vatican

approval as an emergency pas- those performed by underground toral measure under communism; Bishop Felix Davidek. While voicof the 127 cases still pending in ing respect for the courage of 1996, more than half involved underground Church leaders under communism, the Vatican married priests or bishops. As a solution for many of the statement sharply rejected the priests, the Vatican offered a con- idea that a "clandestine Church" ditional re-ordination and techni- still exists in the Czech Republic. Catholics who characterise cally assigned the married men to Eastern-rite Churches, which themselves as clandestine "are have a tradition of married clergy. not persecuted like Christians in But some of the priests have the catacombs, in fact they give steadfastly refused even a condi- interviews to the media, publish tional re-ordination, saying the books and express in full freedom Vatican was showing lack of trust. their dissent from the Roman ponThe Vatican statement said it tiff," it said. The Vatican said the position of understood the psychological motives and the objections that married bishops was different had been raised and said Church from that of the married priests, officials had attempted to explain since Church law and traditions to these priests that conditional in the Eastern and Latin rites do re-ordination was the best way to not allow for married bishops. It said that the conditions for recend doubts about their status. It said, in fact, that the original onciliation offered by the Vatican ordinations had not always been to the married bishops were carried out validly. especially rejectei l

Irish bishop offers to collect weapons Stadium for IONDON (CNS) - Sinn Fein, the Irish Republican Army's political ally, rejected a bishop's offer to receive weapons from Northern Ireland paramilitaries to end the Impasse in the peace process. Alex Maskey, Sinn Fein assembly member, criticised "the pressure and sense of crisis" he said were created by unionist demands for weapons decommissioning by February and by British government moves to suspend Northern Ireland's new government in response to the paramilitaries' failure to disarm. While the bishop is responding to this sense of desperation in attempting to make a positive contribution, the most effective way of dealing with this issue is through calm and considered political dialogue and by allowing the International Independent

CNS Reuters

Bishop Seamus Hegarly

Commission on Disarmament to do its job," Maskey told the British Broadcasting Corporation. In making his offer, Bishop Seamus Hegarty of Derry said his

action was primarily but not exclusively directed to the Republican movement" with the understanding that weapons handed over to him would be put out of use in line with the disarmament commission's efforts. • Hopes for peace and stability in Northern Ireland must not be dashed, said Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh in the wake of a hotel bombing by a splinter group of the Irish Republican Army. The attack on a hotel in Irvinestown by the Continuity IRA was a "grim warning" of what might follow if progress in the peace process is impaired, said Archbishop Brady. The Continuity IRA is the only republican militia that has refused to call a cease-fire in union with the mainstream IRA and pro-British loyalist groups.

Prelate denounces Sudan bombing WASHING-11)N (CNS) - A a religious and ethnic war Sudanese bishop decried his gov- launched by Khartoum and ernment's bombing of a Catholic aimed at the destruction of my school he founded as evidence people," Bishop Macram Gassis that the conflict is aimed at of El Obeid told the first hearing destroying the Christian popula- of the US Commission on Intertion. "This terrible, heart-break- national Religious Freedom in ing incident is yet another piece Washington on 15 February. In the 7-8 February National of evidence, if more were still needed, that the war in Sudan is Islamic Front bombing at Holy

Cross School in Kauda, 14 children and a teacher were killed and "the number of injured is yet to be fully determined," the bishop said. He said the school has 360 students. He denounced the targeting of the school as an attack on the "the most vulnerable and most precious of our resources: our children."

Pope Mass

CAIRO, Egypt (CNS) - At the insistence of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Pope John Paul ll will celebrate Mass in a large-capacity sports stadium during his late-February visit instead of in a Catholic cathedral as originally planned. "It is clear that the president wants to give (the event) all its weight, notwithstanding the fears of the security services," said Father Christaan van Nispen. a professor at Cairo's Catholic seminary. The larger arena will also enable members of the country's Muslim majority to attend, he said. Archbishop Paolo Giglio, the Pope's representative to Egypt, said he thought the participation of Egyptian Muslims would be akin to the enthusiastic turnout of Muslim youth during the Pope's 1985 visit to Morocco. At Casablanca "there were lots of them, everybody singing. young and full of Archbishop enthusiasm,Giglio said.

Tragedy of child soldiers in African countries goes on PAJULE, UGANDA, 8 February (ZENIT-AVVENIRE).- The tragedy of children forced to serve in the military in African countries seems far away from the lives of residents of Western democracies. The Italian Catholic Newspaper "Avvenire" spoke with one of these young men, forced to mature too rapidly. We present the story to put a human face on the grim statistics. "Ilived with Joseph Kony, leader of the Resistance Army of the Lord, for three years," says John, a tall and skinny youth of seventeen, speaking in Acholi, his ethnic language. Fr Carlos, a Spanish priest, had brought him through the 39 degree C heat to the Catholic Mission of Kitgum, more than 500 kilometres north of Kampala. The young man smiles timidly and reveals that he was kidnapped by Kony's guerrilla rebels

The Record, February 17 2000 Page 12

"A.K.," 15, was 11 when he became a soldier with the Kamajoh, a civil defence Photo CNS/Martin Lueders force in Sierra Leone.

in November 1995. "They came to my village at night and destroyed all of the huts. I was captured along with several dozen young people. We arrived in the south of

Sudan, Camp Jabeleni. They submitted us to a severe indoctrination by which we were to erase our family and friends from our minds, and be re-born in the corn-

munity of 'chosen' ones." The principal training consisted in running across the camp for hours with a sack of stones slung over one's back. "Whoever gave up was killed," adds John, and continues, "When we went to fight, we all were a bit afraid. We knew that our orders were simple: kill. Kill our own people." Asked about the guerrilla leader Kony's identity, John closes his eyes, stops for a moment, and begins to babble. "Kony," he says, as if reciting a well-worn refrain, "is the supreme commander of the `olum.' He has power of life and death over each member of the guerrilla group. I saw him appear a few days after my arrival to Jabeleni; one Friday morning, for prayers. "Yes, we also had to pray, despite the fact that they made us into butchers."

International News

Leading moral theologian Richard McCormick dies CLARKSTON, Michigan. (CNS) Jesuit Father Richard McCormick, 7Z a leading US Catholic moral theologian of the 20th century, died of respiratory failure on 12 February. Following a severe stroke last June he had moved to the Colombiere Centre, a Jesuit retirement and health care centre in Clarkston. He was to be buried on 17 February at Calvary Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio, his hometown. A specialist in medical ethics, from the 1960s through the 1980s Father McCormick was one of the key figures in scores of far-reaching ethical debates over new medical technology, especially in the genetic, reproductive and end-oflife areas. A prolific author and popular lecturer, he spent most of his teaching and research career in moral theology at three institu-

lions: the Jesuit School of Theology in Chicago (1957-74), Georgetown University (1974-86) and the University of Notre Dame (198699). "Clearly he was one of the - if not the - premiere Roman Catholic moral theologians of the last half of the 20th century, and that's speaking modestly," said Mercy Sister Margaret Farley, Professor of Christian ethics at Yale University Divinity School and president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. "He was certainly one of the most influential moral theologians in this country," said William May, a former member of the International Theological Commission who teaches at the Pope John Paul ll Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington. Father McCormick was author, 1966-84, and a co-author, 1985-87

Misago protests at trial tactics KIGALI, (Fides) - Bishop Augustin Misago, usually calm and collected during the court hearings of his trial, raised his voice to protest when the prosecution attempted to exclude witnesses called by the defence. Who do you expect me to have speak in my defence" - the Bishop asked - "people from Uganda or eyewitnesses who can say what really happened?". The reference to Uganda was a reference to the thousands of returned refugees. Tutsi and progovernment, from Uganda after the installation of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, now in government. Bishop Misago, in prison since 14 April 1999 on a charge of complicity in the 1994 genocide, reacted in protest during the 3 February hearing of his trial when the prosecution attempted to reject as defence witnesses Archbishop Thaddee Ntihinyurwa of Kigali, Bishop Frederic Rubwejanga, and the Rector of Nyakibanda major seminary, Fr Smaragde Mbonyintege. The

prosecution said that for different reasons the three clerics should not be allowed to give evidence. At this point the Bishop. usually patient during the hearings, jumped up from his seat and launched his protest. Dressed in the Rwandan state blue prison suit, but with his pectoral cross plainly visible, the Bishop objected to the court about the negative attitude of the prosecution and attempts to exclude witnesses called to speak in his defence. The court ruled in favour of Bishop Misago, deciding to hear the Bishop of Kibungo and the Rector as witnesses and to question the Archbishop of Kigali as a person with knowledge of the facts. The testimony of the three men supported the innocence of Bishop Misago. Earlier during the 2 February hearing, the prosecution tried to reject another witness, the director of the Veterinarian School at Kaduha, whose testimony also backed the Bishop in several charges.

of Notes on Mora/ Theology, a thematic survey of current moral theology literature in several languages that appeared each year in Theological Studies. May said he often disagreed with Father McCormick, but the Jesuit theologian's Notes on Moral Theology were "required reading for moral theologians" and "a valuable service to the theological conununity." Sister Farley said the Notes will continue to have significant historical value. While Father McCormick regularly addressed the most controversial moral issues of the day, "he was never into waving red flags," she said. "His positions were always carefully thought through." Born in Toledo on 3 October, 1922, Richard McCormick entered the Detroit province of the Society of Jesus in 1940. He

US Jesuit Fr Richard McCormick, theologian and leading authority in medical ethics, who died on 12 February was ordained a priest in 1953. He earned licentiates in philosophy and theology from West Baden College, a Loyola University affiliate, a bachelor's degree and a

master's in English from Loyola, and his doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome in 1957. In 1973 he moved to Washington as Rose Kennedy Professor of Christian ethics at Georgetown University's Kennedy Centre for Bioethics. During his years in Washington, he became a significant public figure in the emerging field of bioethics, where new medical techniques of fertilisation, genetic selection, genetic manipulation and preservation of life at its end stages posed a host of new moral and ethical issues. In 1980 he published How Brave a New World/Dilemmas in Bioethics, a 440-page collection of essays on current bioethical issues. In 1986 he moved to the University of Notre Dame as Professor of Christian Ethics, a post he held until last year.

McBrien no to Catholic mandate NEW YORK (CNS) - One of the US's most widely known Catholic theologians has said he will not seek the mandate to teach that soon may be applied to professors on Catholic theological faculties throughout the country. Father Richard McBrien, former theology department chairman at the University of Notre Dame and a nationally known author and media commentator on Catholic Issues, said in the 12 February Issue of America magazine, "I do not intend to seek a mandate. ... For me it is a matter of principle." The requirement of a mandate from the proper Church authority to teach Catholic theology appears in the 1983 Code of Canon Law and in Pope John Paul ll's 1990 apostolic constitution on Catholic higher education. Ex Corde Ecclesiae ("From the Heart of the Church"). Application of the mandate in the US was a topic of intense debate over the past decade as the US bishops worked on norms applying Ex Corde Ecclesiae to US Catholic colleges and universities. Their norms. adopted last

Photo: civs Father Richard McBrien. November, are currently awaiting final approval in Rome. Father McBrien, 63, said his opposition to the mandate is a matter "not of defiance toward the Vatican or the bishops, but of an abiding commitment to the academic integrity of what are among the Church's most precious and valuable assets." He rejected the argument of some that the mandate is needed

to prevent Catholic universities from losing their Catholic identity and asked why, if the mandate is considered necessary, it applies only to theologians and not to the rest of the university's faculty and administration. "If there is an erosion of Catholic identity in our universities today, it is more likely to occur outside of departments of theology, not inside. . . . Nowhere is the challenge of defining and maintaining Catholic character taken with greater seriousness and made the object of greater corporate commitment than in these very departments," he said. Although the mandate was one of the most contentious issues in the development of application norms, during consultations of bishops with academic leaders over the norms "theologians have been left completely out of the loop," he said. The bishops have said they plan to consult with theologians in drawing up specific procedures for conferring or withdrawing a mandate, which are not spelled out in the implementation norms.

Congo rebels detain Archbishop VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican demanded the return of a Congolese archbishop to his archdiocese. calling rebel authorities' refusal to let him travel home a "regrettable incident." Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko of Bukavu was on his way home on 12 February from the capital, Kinshasa, when members of the rebel group Congolese Rally for Democracy seized him and sent him to Butembo, the Vatican's missionary news agency Fides reported. A 14 February Vatican statement said, "The Secretary of State, which requests the bishop's

return to his people without delay, will make use of diplomatic channels to remedy this regrettable incident, which seriously damages the rights of the Church." Archbishop Francisco Javier Lozano Sebastian, the Apostolic Nuncio to Congo. called the incident "unacceptable" in a 14 February Fides interview. According to Fides, the Bukavu Archdiocese has been under the control of the Congolese Rally for Democracy and Rwandan troops for several months. The Congolese Rally for Democracy, one of several rebel groups fighting against Congolese Presi-

dent Laurent Kabila, is allied with Rwanda. Fides cited a 1999 Christmas letter the archbishop sent to parishes as the cause of the group's action. The letter charged some Congolese with "organising wars with the resources of our country. These resources, which could be used for development, the education of our children, to heal the sick, to help us live in a more human manner, serve to kill us." Fides said the action against Archbishop Kataliko is part of Rwandan attempts to suppress the Church in the entire African Great Lakes region.

Vatican-PLO accord on religious freedom in Jerusalem 'dismays' Israel VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Vatican and Palestinian leaders, in a groundbreaking agreement on Church rights in Palestinian territories, said unilateral actions affecting the status of Jerusalem were "morally and legally unacceptable." Israel's ambassador to the Vatican immediately voiced dismay at the accord, saying It had strayed into controversial political issues that were still on the negotiating table. Signed by Vatican and Palestinian Liberation Organisation officials on 15 February, five weeks before Pope John Paul H was expected to make a historic trip to Israel and Palestine, the agreement called for an

internationally guaranteed statute for Jerusalem - which Israel has always rejected - in order to protect basic religious freedoms. Surprised Vatican officials said the stop in Jericho, a biblical city and one of the first handed over by Israel to Palestinian control, would be added to the Pope's 20-26 March Holy Land itinerary. The far-reaching "Basic Agreement" was signed after two years of Vatican-PLO negotiations and spelled out principles guaranteeing Church rights and religious freedoms in territories administered by the Palestinian Authority. Israeli Ambassador Aharon Lopez told

CNS he was "dismayed" at the agreement because - unlike a similar Vatican-Israeli agreement in 1993 - it had taken positions on controversial issues that "are at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict and are on the agenda of future negotiations." Meanwhile, Pope John Paul II will meet with Israel's chief rabbis at the former Chief Rabbinate, not at the Western Wall, said Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic delegate in Jerusalem. Archbishop Sambi said on 9 February he had met with the rabbis three times and they had said they would "feel more respected" if the Pope visited them there during his forthcoming visit to the Holy

Land. The meeting will take place in Ohel Slomo, the former Chief Rabbinate next to the Great Synagogue. • Two religious leaders - one Muslim, one Jewish - said Pope John Paul II's visit to the Holy Land should be used as an opportunity to repent for the Catholic Church's past wrongs. In a February US conference, Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen of Haifa, Israel, said the visit should be used to "repair and repent from age-long preaching of hatred" by Christians against Jews. Ibrahim Sarsur, head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, said he would like the Pope to apologise during his visit to the Muslims of the area for wrongs of the past. The Record, February 17 2000 Page 13

Asian Catholic News

India's modem-day Job finds new faith in God ERSAMA, India (UCAN) - Uttam nothing. No houses - only water Kumar Das, 44, was the richest and carcasses. I looked for my man in Tantia village, near wife, children and parents. They Ersama, until 29 October, when a are no more. What are wealth and cyclone hit the Indian state of riches? My wealth did not guarOrissa causing massive destruc- antee their lives," he said. tion and killing 10,000 people. "Before the cyclone ....I did not Tidal waves washed away every- speak to [the people in my village] thing he had - his wife, children, nor did my family have any corparents, house, cattle and crops - dial relations with the villagers. and left him clinging to a tree for "Now all have become my two days to survive. friends. I am one of them. I was Das told UCA News his experi- rich but my wealth did not give ence of a "second-life" in which me security, comfort or consolaGod has become the only power. tion. No more rich Uttam, and no "I only know that I was carried more poor villagers. All are equal away by huge waves for about before God's jury. three kilometres and was lucky to "I don't know what will happen get stuck on a palm tree," he said. to me. God has saved me and I "When the water began reced- hope he will take care of me. The ing,I saw another man calling me cyclone has made me surrender from some 200 metres away. . . . to God fully. My faith has We were strangers, yet we increased. Although I am alone, I embraced each other. We could feel God is with me and he will not talk for some time. . . . We find ways for me, as he is the most reached our village and found powerful one. I am no longer the

Uttam of the past, I am a new clays together looking for our lost Uttam. loved ones, helping each other to "[Before]Iwas mad after money, walk in the water, and eating grabbing land and power. I had coconut and tender palm leaves no time to think of God.Iwas busy and grass as a group. We shared acquiring more wealth. We were our sorrows. We consoled each wrong. My parents and I were other. preoccupied with accumulating "The villagers, whomI treated ill wealth and we found shortcuts to before, received me and accepted become rich .... Some of the vil- me," he said. "They shared with lagers became our coolies and we me whatever food, clothes and treated them ill by giving them shelter they had. I have become low wages and more work like any of the ordinary people "Now," he said "I feel all these who also get relief materials. were illusions.Iquestion God and "I sometimes feel that I should Ishout at him andIcry out.Ithink die, for I have no family of my God hears my cry. After every cry, own and all my wealth was A mother and her children cross a I sit alone for some time. Then I washed away overnight. . . .I feel flooded road in search of food in realise God's presence in me and completely naked before God and India's state of Orissa last November. in others. You know, man's power my people." But, he said, "If the not be the same for us again. . . . is nothing in front of God's power. cyclone scattered us, it also unit- We have to reconstruct our He is real. He is true." ed us. Now we are all one. We are homes, our villages. But you know His relations with others had all dependent on others for food we can't bring back the love that changed following the cyclone. and relief materials." we cherished with our children, "I found them as my friends and "Our village will take years to wives and parents. Only God is they accepted me. We have spent become normal, although life will our child, parent and joy."

Culture, dialogue key to I'm not anti-Indonesian: Bishop Belo India's future: Latins CHENNAI, India (UCAN) - to network with "like-minded India's Latin-Rite bishops say the people" and form advocacy Church in India must stress lay groups for social causes to enhanparticipation, inculturation and ce its relevance in the country inter-religious dialogue for effecThe Archbishop was re-elected tive evangelisation. Latin-Rite bishops' conference Such an approach will help the president for another two-year Church become sensitive to term. Since advocacy has now India's multi-ethnic, multicultural become "very important because and multi-religious society and of the power of the media," Archdiscover its indigenous identity, bishop D'Souza proposed that the the Conference of Catholic Bish- Church "enter into the culture of ops of India (CCBI) said during its the media so that it can evangetwelfth plenary assembly from 25- lise more effectively." 28 January. Archbishop Telesphore Toppo of More than 100 bishops, who met Ranchi emphasised that Chrisnear the southern Indian city of tians could become "better ChrisChennai to address the role of tians" only by becoming "better priests in the third millennium, Indians." resolved not to confine inculturaThe chairman of the Federation lion to mere adoption of a cul- of Asian Bishops' Conferences' ture's "signs and symbols" in the Office of Evangelisation said that liturgy, but to strive for "deeper evangelisation brings not only salImmersion, insertion and partici- vation but also social and ecopation." nomic freedom for people "where They also underscored that the Good News is preached." interreligious dialogue be made Archbishop Toppo, a member of an "integral aspect of evangelisa- Onion tribal people, cited his own tion" to promote "cooperative example. action for peace and harmony" "My parents never knew to read while showing "great sensitivity" or write, (but I have) become an to the local cultures and customs. archbishop, which is nothing but Saying that Christians in India the fruit of evangelisation," added are "second to none" in their patri- the archbishop, who heads more otism, the meeting urged that one million Catholics in the Catholics not to nurse a minority eastern Indian Chotanagpur complex. region. Besides the Latin-Rite, the Archbishop Henry D'Souza of Catholic Church of India includes Calcutta told UCA News on 28 the Oriental Syro-Malabar and January that he wants the Church Syro-Malankara rites.

Study Papua: Churches JAYAPURA, Indonesia (UCAN) and other religious institutions." - Leaders of Catholic and ProtesReverend Benny Giay, pastor of tant Churches in Papua (former- Gereja Kristen Injili di Irian (Irian ly Irian Jaya) have agreed to study Evangelical Church) told the the basis of local people's grow- meeting that local Churches ing demand for independence in should take the initiative to the resource-rich province. understand the independence Church leaders from 11 Christ- movement because all of its ian denominations in Papua, activists are Christians. Indonesia, reached the agreeSuch understanding is needed ment during a meeting on 29 Jan- if the local Church is to proclaim uary in Jayapura, the provincial the justice and love of God in the capital. land of Papua, he said. Father Jack Mote, vicar general Reverend Ruben Wehao, a of Jayapura diocese, told the Protestant Church leader who is meeting that local Churches a native of North Sulawesi, said should study the independence many non-Papuan Christians are movement to arrive at a common becoming restless with the indeunderstanding of what fuels it. pendence issue, so much so that With a common understanding prejudices have developed betwof the movement, said Father een Papuans and non-Papuans. Mote, "Church leaders could diaHe warned that if they are not logue with all concerned parties, well guided by Church leaders. such as the government, Papuan provocateurs could easily incite leaders, non-Papuans living here them to fight each other. The Record, February 17 2000 Page 14

DI East Timor (UCAN) - Salesian Bishop Carlos Belo has denied an alleged accusation by Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid that he is anti-Indonesia. Bishop Belo, apostolic administrator of Dili, made the statement on 8 February in response to the remarks of Wahid, who reportedly accused the Bishop of supporting an anti-Indonesia group in East Timor. During a meeting with Indonesian Catholics in Rome after visiting Pope John Paul II on 5 February. Wahid said he respects Bishop Basilio do Nascimento, apostolic administrator of Baucau, more than Bishop Belo. Responding to the accusation. Bishop Belo said. "I need to insist here that Iand all East Timor people do not hate Indonesia." On the

contrary, "We thank Indonesian people for living together during the 23 years of integration. If we hate Indonesia it means that we deny cultural and traditional relations with Indonesia," he said. He also denied that he supports an anti-Indonesia group in East Timor, saying that what he has strived for is to support the antiviolence movement. Bishop Belo said he respects Wahid as a model leader and a unifying figure of interreligious relations in Indonesia and Asia. Regarding Wahid's statement that he respects Bishop Nascimento more, Bishop Belo said. "Everybody has the right to express his or her appreciation for others. And for my part. I respect Gus Dur (Wahid's familiar nickname) as a very moderate Muslim leader of the century"

Bishop Belo said he has repeatedly expressed gratitude to the Indonesian people, especially those in western Timor. for helping East Timor refugees. He noted that Indonesians in western Timor helped East Timor refugees in 1975 and again they were helping refugees after the UN-referendum last August. • A delegation of religious and community leaders in west Timor. Indonesia, has urged the central government to continue its relief aid to East Timor refugees to avert looming conflicts from erupting. Divine Word Bishop Antonius Pain Ratu of Atambua led a delegation of 27 leaders of the Catholic and Protestant Churches, Islam and Hinduism, and others for a meeting with Vice President Megawatt Sukarnoputri on 4 February.

Chinese arrest Bishop in crackdown WASHINGTON (CNS) - About

150 security police arrested Arch-

bishop John Yang Shudao of Fuzhou, China, and his whereabouts are unknown, reported The Cardinal Kung Foundation. The archbishop, who turns 81 on 16 April, was arrested around midnight on 10 February, said a 13 February release from the Stamford, Connecticut-based organisation, an advocate for China's underground Catholic Church. During his life, Archbishop Yang has been jailed at least 30 years.

In 1955 he was first arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for refusing to denounce the Pope and cooperate with the government to form an independent Church, said the foundation. In 195Z Chinese Catholics split over the setting up of the government-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which rejects papal authority and elects bishops without Vatican approval. The archbishop remains part of an underground Church, estimated to number in the millions. In 1981, Archbishop Yang was

released after serving 26 years. He was arrested again in 1988 and served three more years, according to the foundation. He has been re-arrested "many times," the report added. Joseph Kung, president of the foundation, said, ". ... there are at least eight Roman Catholic underground bishops, scores of priests and lay persons now in jails." "In addition, many undergiound Catholic bishops and priests are also under house arrest or under severe surveillance."

Papuan Christians mark 145 years of Christianity

MANOKWARI, Indonesia (UCAN) - Thousands of Christians from different parts of Papua, Indonesia's easternmost province, took part in an ecumenical service commemorating the 145th anniversary of evangelisation in the region. "In Goftes Namen betraten wir das Land" (in God's name we set foot upon this land), said Augustinian Father Anton ll'omp of Saint Augustin Church in Manokwari as he set his foot on the beach of Mansinam island, 10 kilometres off Manokwari, on 5 February. The Dutch-born missioner was re-enacting the arrival of the first , VS/Dave Hrbacek ( ,re Spirit A drummer, depicted in a traditional Christian missioners on the wooden carving from the western island 145 years ago. European section of Papua New Guinea former- Protestant missioners Ottow and ly known as Irian Jaya. Geyssler arrived in Papua on 5

February, 1855, to propagate the Gospel. The date of their arrival is considered the beginning of evangelisation in the western part of New Guinea, a former Dutch colony which in the late 1980s became a province of Indonesia called Irian Jaya. On 1 January this year, Irian Jaya was renamed Papua. As they set foot on the beach. one of the missioners said, "In Gottes Namen betraten wir das land." ManokwariMeanwhile, Sorong Catholic diocese celebrated its 40th anniversary last December. The diocese's first Catholic missioners arrived in Sekeru village, south of Sorong, 2,745 kilometres northeast of Jakarta, in 1892.

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FEBRUARY 18 Australian Citizenship Council, Sydney - Archbishop Hickey Opening Mass for Corpus Christi College - Bishop Healy 19 Farewell Mass for Fr Harry Morrissey MSC, Langford Archbishop Hickey 21 Reception for High Commissioner for Britain - Rev Fr J Petry MBE 22 Visit to Prisons (Ministry of Justice) - Archbishop Hickey

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HOUDAY ACCOMMODATION WIN SUN SUM BREZ Kalbarri. 2 b/r, s/c home, Tel. Pat (08) 9572 3297

Seminar on GST for Parishes, Subiaco - Archbishop Hickey Opening Mass for Emmanuel Catholic College - Bishop Healy 23 Thanksgiving Mass for Holy Spirit of Freedom Community Archbishop Hickey 26 Mass for Youth Retreat (Holy Spirit of Freedom Community) Archbishop Hickey 27 Launch of Project Compassion. St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey 29 Meeting of RCIA Candidates - Archbishop Hickey Seminar on GST for Parishes. Subiaco - Bishop Healy MARCH 1 Mass at Curtin University - Archbishop Hickey

Archeiocesan Panorama BENEDICTINE OBLATES The first Jubilee meeting of St Gregory's Chapter will be held on Sun 20 Feb, 2pm at St Vincent de Paul Headquarters Bronte St. East Perth. Discussions will centre on the Combined Celebration for lay groups in May in the Doubleview parish. Oblate retreat in June and the six weeks of lectures in July/August: 'Psalms - an acquired taste' given by Fr David Barry OSB. Inquiries 9388 3026. BUSINESS PERSONS' MASS Will be celebrated at All Saints Chapel, Allendale Square, Perth on Fri 25 Feb at 7am, followed by a Breakfast meeting at the Alpha Cafe. Wesley A rcade. Cost of Breakfast S8.50. The Guest Speaker will be Brendan McKeague from the Christian Centre for Social Action. WERE YOU PART OF THE QUEENS PARK AND EAST CANNINGTON PARISH? The Catholic parish of East Cannington/Queens Park, St Joseph's Church and St Francis' Church are compiling the parish history for Jubilee 2000. If you attended either of these Churches and have photos, anything that may have some historical significance, please contact us. Post to Carolyn Pen at PO Box 354, Cannington WA 6987, or phone 9458 2729 Ext. 328 (Church Office). Any info submitted will be copied and returned immediately. 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS ST KEVIN'S. SERPENTINE The Catholic community of St Kevin's, Serpentine, is celebrating the 60th Anniversary on Sun 5 March. The ceremony will begin with a short blessing of a portrait of St Kevin at the Church, Richardson St. Serpentine, at 2pm, followed by a c oncelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving at the Clem Kentish Recreation Centre, Wellard St, Serpentine. Afternoon tea at the conclusion of Mass. Inquiries: Mary Marshall 9525 2454. NEXT CATHEDRAL YOUTH FORUM Sun 5 March after 5pm Mass. Speaker: Raymond de Souza. Teenagers and young adults are invited to the Cathedral Parish Centre to ask any questions about the Catholic Church, faith and morals you have always wanted to ask, but never had the opportunity. Join us for refreshments at 450 Hay St Perth - and fire your questions. Contact: Fr Paul 9223 1350 or Raymond de Souza 9453 9177.

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7.45pm.Wed 1 March at the Mercy Retreat House. 113 Tyler St. Tuart Hill. Lead co-ordinator Brian Moylan is speaking on reflections and directions of Christian Life Groups. No entry charge.

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MONTHLY NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF GOOD HEALTH - VAILANKANNI Holy Trinity Church. 8 Burnett St. Embleton on Sat 26 Feb at 5pm. All welcome. BULLSBROOK PILGRIMAGE The next pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook will be on 27 Feb, at 2pm. There will be Holy Rosary. homily. Benediction and the blessing of the sick. Confessions are at 11.30am before the Midday Mass. Please note new phone number 9277 5378 f or bookings on the bus from Perth. Highgate and Midland. Information: SACRI Association. PO Box 311. Tuart Hill 6060 or ring 9447 3292. RETREAT WITH A DIFFERENCE 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. 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. 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. Bring a Bible, notebook and biro. Cost: Voluntary contribution at door. All are welcome. Info: Richard 9212 9241. 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. 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 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.

Bishop Murphy-O'Connor to replace Cardinal Hume

Continued from Page 1 people today." Cormac Murphy"In a strange way, these are good O'Connor was ordained a priest times to be a Christian, good times in Rome in 1956, and was appointto be a disciple of Jesus Christ, ed bishop of Arundel and because his Good News and mes- Brighton in 1977 Prior to his ordination as a bishsage is real, is true, and is able to op he was rector of English Colset people free. "I believe that the people of our lege, Rome. He also was private countries need to hear this voice secretary and chaplain to the then-Bishop Derek Worlock of more urgently than ever. "When I became a bishop I Portsmouth, later Archbishop of chose as my motto the words Liverpool. He has been particularly inter‘Gaudium et Spes.' These words, meaning 'joy and Hope,' are the ested in youth work, sacramental beginning of the Constitution of programs and the development of the Vatican Council on The small communities. Arundel and Church in the Modern World. Brighton was the first English dio"I think the two gifts of joy and cese to initiate the "Renew" prohope are those most needed by gram and has begun a period of

preparation for a diocesan synod to be held in 2002. The new archbishop was praised by the editor of The Tablet, John Wilkins, who said in a BBC interview last Tuesday, 15 February, that Archbishop Murphy-O'Connor was a warm and approachable figure. "He makes you feel like a million dollars," he said. Some commentators suggested that the appointment was a stopgap. At 67, the new archbishop will have to offer his retirement at the age of 75. But the editor of the Catholic Times, Kevin Flaherty, said: "It would be wrong to think of him merely as a caretaker - that, after

all, is what people once said about I am aware that a robust Catholic Pope John XXIII, and we know faith and a rich Catholic heritage what he achieved in the Church." is to be found here." At the same time as Pope John Archbishop Nichols served as a Paul announced Bishop Murphy- special secretary for the 1999 O'connor's elevation to the See of Synod of Bishops for Europe. Westminister, he named Auxiliary Addressing the synod. he said Bishop Vincent Nichols of Westthat preaching about sin, death, minster as the new Archbishop of heaven and hell "in a new way, Birmingham, England. Archbishop Nichols had been and not using them simply to mentioned as a possible Arch- engender fear or conformity, is an bishop of Westminster after the important part of the new evandeath of Cardinal George Basil gelisation." The church's teaching about Hume. In a press conference in Birm- death and eternity can offer peoingham on 15 February, Arch- ple hope, he said. "Day by day, the key to true bishop Nichols said that in coming to Birmingham "I come to judgment is always mercy," he a diocese that I do not know, yet added. The Record, February 17 2000 Page 15

.4•111

Matthew Gibney Primary, High Wycombe

Students, staff and community aim high at Wycombe school M

atthew Gibney school in school, however, principal Judy High Wycombe will Boss, told The Record last week, commence celebrating was its vision statement which Its 10th anniversary on 25 Febru- emphasises nurturing potential in ary with a bush dance and a BYO all students, following the exampicnic supper. ple of Jesus Christ and an enviWhen it does it will be an occa- ronment focusing on self-esteem sion to celebrate how far the and individual success. school, which this time ten years The educational emphasis, ago was nothing but a level build- therefore, works to translate this ing site in the middle of farmland, into the ethos and atmosphere of has come. the school. Along with those who are curA good example is the 'buddy' rently involved with the school, system which sees older students all ex-staff, parish priests, parish- spend regular time with younger ioners or board members are peers helping them in a variety of Invited to come along and join in exercises. the celebrations which will comThe system does great things for mence at 6.00pm. both the older and the younger The school took its name from students, Mrs Boss, said: while the the third bishop of Perth, who was younger students learn somealso the founder of The Record, thing new, the older ones feel as now the oldest continuously-pub- if they are able to 'teach' their lished Catholic newspaper in juniors and contribute something Australia. to the school they call their own. Matthew Gibney Day, 1 NovemYear One students are paired ber, is therefore a big event in the with Year Sevens; Pre-primary life of the school. students with Year Sixes; threes It sees the whole school head off with fives and two's with fours. down to the parish Church of St All Year Seven students are Francis of Assisi in Maida Vale for members of the student council. a school Mass. Throughout the year they rotate Later, parents, grandparents and through the portfolios of assemseniors are invited back for morn- bly, environment, sport and class ing tea and a concert put on by representatives. the students in the modern underIn their roles they co-ordinate a cover area which was completed variety of school activities and in 1998. enjoy many opportunities for perChoral work is an important part sonal growth. of school life and a lot of fun. A When Matthew Gibney school carols evening held at the end of started back in 199111 had 29 stulast year, for example, saw a huge dents; today it has 252 in a single turnout of families for Christmas stream from Kindergarten carol singing. The key to the through to Year Seven, with the

Compilers are now a stamkonl educidifisal tool, and heaps of fun too.

Looking from the kindergarten playground towards the school - if this isn't fun, what is?

kindergarten the most recent to come 'on-line' in 1999. The growth reflected the efforts of the-then parish priest, Fr Patrick Turner, and parishioners who desperately wanted a Catholic school in their area. Father 'Rimer's successor Fr Pat Russell, who died in 1998, continued the tradition of wonderful support to the parish school. Key among these founders was Mrs Kathleen Howell who served first as interim chairperson of the school board and then later as the foundation chair. Still connected with the school, her contribution is also recognised in the Perpetual Kathleen Howell Christian Living Award which is presented annually to the student who has best lived out the school's ideals. Specialist teachers assist students in Italian and Music, while a Library and Multi-purpose learning area were opened in 1995. Computers are now an essential for providing Primary students with a comprehensive education. Using creative software which is fun to use and engages students' interest, the computers have been harnessed to reinforce and strengthen learning, particularly in English and Mathematics. Support programs are an important part of the education which is offered to all, particularly in literacy, and these, too, flow out of the values contained within the school vision statement. That vision, of course, is inspired by a common faith and Maida Vale parish priest Fr Simon Carson ensures that he visits the school weekly for class visits, paraliturgies or class Masses. Excursions - trips away from MGPS - and incursions - visits to MGPS by educational enterprises - are a fun way to educate, usually in the social studies and science areas. Among the interesting stimulation offered through school trips have been visits to the Hills For-

Year Seven students, also student council members, wave for The Record.

Buddying has benefits for both partners - the older and younger students.

rest Centre at Mundaring Weir, Scitech and the Museum, while visits from bodies such as Aboriginal dance groups, the Frog Opera, the Gymn Bus and an exhibition/presentation entitled 'Monsters, Meteorites and Mammals' give an idea of the menu offered to young minds. Bishop Gibney, who lived from 1839 until 1925, still lives on in spirit. He was a pioneer and a missionary, helping to set up the Trappist missions in the Kimberley, founding The Record and travelling extensively from Geraldton to Albany. However, wherever he

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At a Glance Principal: Mrs Judy Boss Address: 30 Munday Rd. High Wycombe WA 6057 Telephone: (08) 9454 4549 Fax (08) 9454 6936 Enrolment 251 boys & girls K-7 Email: adminagibney.edwa.netau

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went, he set up schools. He would be fascinated, surely, by today's schools - the inheritors of the tradition he helped establish and build.

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