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Catholic 'big day out' By Peter Rosengren The Year of the Great Jubilee in the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth will culminate later this year in an unparalleled two-hour event with organisers planning to fill Subiaco Football Ground's 42,000 seats. In one of the largest events of its kind ever to be celebrated in Perth, Benediction before the expected massive crowd centring on the theme of Christ the King will conclude the afternoon's celebrations on Sunday, 26 November. Catholics around the archdiocese have been urged to begin thinking about organising groups from their parishes and schools to be present from 4pm-6pm at Subiaco Oval, Servile Father Christopher Ross told The Record last Monday. Fr Ross is the chairman of the committee organising the event. The Great Jubilee Celebration, as the event is being called, will focus on four themes - the first three consisting of the official Perth jubilee themes of Christians journeying through time, space and with others. The emphasis on Christ the King will make up the fourth and final part of the evening. Organisers want parishes and schools to see the mega-ceremony as the culmination of their own jubilee Year activities. While details of the evening have not been finalised a script for the event is in the process of being prepared.

Those organising the event are conscious that it will be viewed by people sitting in the stadium's seats and looking down towards the surface of the ground. Song, dance, music, dramatisation and common worship through Benediction will therefore aim to make the event spectacular and will involve the audience as much as possible, Fr Ross said. "That's not easy to do . . . . but we don't want people to just sit down and watch," he emphasised. "You can't do these things except on a grand scale . . . . we want to capture people's imagination as much as possible." it has to be big, with movement and action - it has to fit the size of this place," he said at the ground last Monday week. Fr Ross said the committee was aiming to organise an internationally-known guest speaker for the Eucharistic part of the evening. "We want a 'name' that will attract people to come," he said. Although there will be no Eucharistic procession, Archbishop Barry Hickey will conduct the Benediction ceremony in the centre of the stadium. The Archbishop will welcome people to Subiaco oval and speak later in the celebration as well. Fr Ross said the committee was hoping to begin the ceremony with the sound of horns, hearkening back to the use of ram's horns as described in the Old Testament. The term 'jubilee' originates in the Jewish word for a ram's horn - lobe!' - he said. However the committee also wants to add a distinctly 'Australian' flavour to the

Fr Chris Ross at Subiaco Oval - hoping large parish contingents will fill the stadium.

evening through the use of didgeridoos and, possibly, Aboriginal dancers. The Great Jubilee Celebration committee was also working on transport, logistics and the usual problems to be expected in organising such a large-scale event, he said. Parishes could regard travel to and participation in the evening as a way of making a symbolic pilgrimage, he suggested. While people would ordinarily go to Subiaco for weekend football games by themselves "we want to see whole parish groups come along," he said as he called parishes to begin thinking about the date

and organising their own groups to attend. The committee hoped to involve Catholic schools in a major way as well, Fr Ross said. Parishes could also see the celebration as the culmination of everything they have been doing in the Jubilee Year called by Pope John Paul II. "Everything they've done [in the parish] should all come to a head when they come to the central event," he said. "The tapering-off, or coda, could perhaps be the Christmas celebration [at parish level]," he suggested.

Roman custom returns in seven churches Lenten walk By Glynnis Grainger Around 300 people of all ages took part in last Saturday's Z5km Seven Churches Walk for Lent around the central city Catholic churches. This walk was based on the famous Lenten Seven Churches Walk in Rome, established by Pope Gregory the Great, and during which a great plague was said to have ended. Labor MP Ted Cunningham collected $1,020 in a quick whip around at Parliament House from 61 MPs and two journalists as sponsorship of his participation in the walk The money will go to

Mgr McDonald blesses the walkers.

Project Compassion. The walk began around 9.50am at St John's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Avenue. It then progressed on pilgrimage to All Saints Chapel in Allendale Square, Perth; St Brigid's Church in Fitzgerald Street. West Perth: the Redemptorist Monastery in Vincent Street, North Perth; St Andrew's Melkite Church in Glendower Street. Lunch was taken in Hyde Park before returning to the pilgrimage at Sacred Heart Church in Mary Street, Highgate, and concluding at St Mary's Cathedral. Victoria Square, for the Jubilee Indulgence. After Confessions at 8.15am. Father Paul Fox, the walk co-ordinator, said Mass at 8.45am in St Mary's Cathedral, after which Mgr Thomas McDonald blessed the pilgrims. Fr Pad Fox leads the walkers on pilgrimage from the Redemptorist Monastery in North Perth. "I think people should do it more often; we should be more water or food today - I am fast- fill the journey. "It is lovely to see more will come," Mary said. One involved and proud to be ing." Fr Fox, Sr Lisette, from the so many people participating and man pushed his wife the whole Catholic," Enrico, one of the pil- Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, and very invigorating," another pil- way in a wheelchair. A 20-seater grims, said at the Redemptorist five Franciscan Sisters of the grim said. "It is a wonderful thing. bus accompanied the pilgrims to Immaculate, took part in the walk The Stations of the Cross in each enable the elderly to rest. Monastery later. of the churchesIthink is marvel"I'm a little bit tired because of and led the prayers and hymns. "I was delighted with the The Stations of the Cross, with lous, particularly bringing peo- response and many people have my back," a Chinese-Australian pilgrim said. "I feel very happy two stations recited at each ple to get an indulgence. requested that a similar event be "It was good to have the Reli- held next year," Fr Fox told The and it is a lift in my spirits," his church, recitation of the Rosary wife said. "I try not to take any and hymns along the way, helped gious there. Next year, I hope Record

Human life is at stake in the cloning debate M

uch is at stake in the issue of human cloning. Many would have seen the film "The Boys from Brazil" a few years ago, about modern-day clones of Hitler who wreaked havoc wherever they appeared. Should scientists ever go down this path, we are surely in a nightmare world. At present most scientists are opposed to human cloning, but somewhere at some time someone may attempt it. The problem facing us at the moment is not the cloning of a human individual but the cloning of human cells to grow organs or tissue in order to treat a range of disabilities and diseases. Society is in need of tight ethical guidelines to mount and control scientific experimentation. The benefits of so-called "therapeutic cloning" may be attractive,

but the means currently being same or indeed any reason. The However, we still have a major pursued threaten human life. House of Representatives Com- objection to the production of Many scientists want to grow mittee is currently looking at human embryos for experimentahuman tissue and human organ framing guidelines for research tion or the use of "surplus" material by using what are called into cloning. embryos from IVF procedures. human embryonic stem cells or I was asked to present the This all comes down to our ES cells. Church's views to the Committee major recommendation that sciThere are two moral problems last week. entists move away from embrywith their use. They are now in Hansard and onic stem cells to examine the One is that at present ES cells will be considered seriously by potential of adult stem cells. are obtained from a human the Committee. They might find that they can be embryo which is destroyed or We do not want to stop research sufficiently differentiated to proseverely disabled as a result. that will be of benefit to people, duce the tissues for organ repair The second problem is that but we must oppose research that without threatening any human there is some possibility that ES takes embryonic life or puts it at life. cells themselves could, under the risk. The appearance of the cloned right conditions, develop into One of the scientists at the Com- sheep, Dolly, excited the world but embryos. mittee hearings was insistent that sent shivers down our spine at the The end does not justify the ES cells could never develop into possibilities she opened up for means. a human embryo, and further stat- cloning human beings. It is not morally lawful to destroy ed that they could be obtained Thankfully, the pressure to do so human embryos in order to treat without damaging or killing a is at present muted, and there is human conditions, nor is it moral- human embryo. little likelihood that the Parlialy lawful to terminate human life If eventually he proves to be cor- mentary Committee would ever even in its earliest stages for the rect, our position might alter. sanction it.

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The Record, April 6 2000 Page 2

Archbishop's

Perspective

Priests Eucharist call By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II urged the world's priests to grow in their love and awareness of Christ's presence in the Eucharist. "Let us rediscover our priesthood in the light of the Eucharist," he said. "Let us help our communities to rediscover this treasure," which is the "heart of the Church's life." The Pope's made his remarks in an annual letter to priests for Holy Thursday, commemorating Christ's institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood at the Last Supper. The Pope signed the personal meditation on 23 March while visiting Jerusalem's Upper Room. where Christ is thought to have dined with his disciples the night before his crucifixion. The letter was released during a Vatican press conference on 30 March. "In this holy room," the Pope wrote to priests, "I find myself imagining you in all the various parts of the world, with your myriad faces, some younger, some more advanced in years, in all the different emotional states which you are experiencing: for many, thank God, joy and enthusiasm, for others, perhaps suffering or weariness or discouragement." The Pope, saying he could spiritually see Jesus and the apostles sitting around

the table, invited priests to meditate often on that night 2,000 years ago when their ministry was born. He hailed the many priests in the last two millennia who witnessed to Christ by shedding their blood. "Such martyrdom has accompanied the entire history of the Church: it has also marked the century just passed, a century characterised by different dictatorial regimes hostile to the Church," he said. At the same time, the Pope acknowledged that "many times, the human frailty of priests has made it hard to see In them the face of Christ." But Christ knew, even at the Last Supper, that he was putting his "treasure in earthen vessels," the Pope said. "In choosing men like the 12, Christ was certainly under no illusions: It was upon this human weakness that he set the sacramental seal of his presence," he said. Though Christ's presence can be expressed in many ways, his presence in the Eucharist "will certainly be supreme," the Pope said. He urged priests to celebrate the Eucharist with fervour and to "dwell long and often in adoration" before Christ in the Eucharist. "Through the centuries," he said "countless priests have found in the Eucharist the consolation promised by Jesus on the evening of the last Supper.

CNS,Rt-

Pope John Paul 11 sits in front of a mural depicting Christ the Teacher during Mass on the Mount of Beatitudes on 24 March.

the secret to overcoming their solitude, the strength to bear their sufferings, the nourishment to make a new beginning after every discouragement, and the Inner energy to bolster their decision to remain faithful."

'Priests' vocations crisis over' Two new Vicars VATICAN CITY, 31 MARCH (ZENIT) - The 'vocations crisis' is

over and many priests who have abandoned the priesthood are asking to return to active service, said Cardinal Dario Castrillon Floyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy. Between 1970 and 1995, more than 9,500 priests were readmitted to their ministry, and the clergy congregation was currently studying many other applications, he said. The Cardinal's remarks came on 30 March as he presented John Paul II's Holy Thursday Letter to Priests. Cardinal Hoyos said statistics from the last 25 years demonstrate that the vocations "crisis is over." At the end of 1975, he said, the Church counted some 60,000 seminarians, compared with late 1999 figures of almost 110,000. The number of priestly ordinations worldwide is also up: nearly 9,000 in 1997 compared to slightly more than 6,600 in 1975. The cardinal said defections from the priesthood in the past 30 years have been exaggerated by the media. From 1974 through to 1997, about 1 per cent of priests left their ministry. "It is not really that big a number, but the press has made it

seem big. and in our hearts it feels big," he said. While the crisis of priestly vocations, which became acute after Vatican Council II, is improving in the diocesan sector, vocations to the consecrated life remain a problem. In 1975 there were 425,000 priests, whereas at present they number 406,000, a drop that is beginning to be compensated. Between 1997 and 1998 there was an increase of some 2,000 priests. Cardinal Castrillon illustrated the recovery with further figures: between 1964 and 1995, 1.14 per cent of the clergy abandoned the priesthood but 20 per cent of these have been readmitted. In 1975 there were 6,628 ordinations to the priesthood. The figure increased to 8,921 in 199Z The same can be said about seminarians. In 1975 there were 60,142; in 1997, 108,000; and in 1998, 109,828.

Virtually half of all priests worldwide are religious. At yesterday's press conference, Archbishop Czaba Ternyac, secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, underlined that the crisis among religious continues, and it Is difficult to predict when there will be a change.

for Perth clergy

"Ivo new Episcopal Vicars for Clergy, Fr Maurice Toop and Fr Tony Pires, have been appointed by Archbishop Barry Hickey. The appointments are for five years. Fr Toop is currently Parish Priest of Highgate and Fr Pires, currently Parish Priest of Armadale, in which roles they will continue. "As a guide. Fr Pires will mostly be available for priests South of the River, and Fr Toop, North of the River, but priests will, however, be free to choose to see the vicar outside their own area." Archbishop Hickey said. The two vicars will share responsibility for country priests. A suggested list of duties for the position of a vicar for clergy, decided by a Council of Priests' meeting in February, included visiting priests, and inviting them to share personal concerns in the same way as members of Religious Orders are given this invitation by provincial visitors. Priests should be made aware of issues they can raise with the vicar for clergy, who should contact newly-ordained priests and new priests to the diocese and be consulted about the appointment process. The vicar for clergy should be available to Religious priests upon request, care for sick priests and those isolated geographically, or for other reasons. He should be available for priests in difficulty. make visits to priests in between bishops' visits, support young priests, get to know all priests and provide feedback on students and pastoral placements.

Families 'will benefit' By Peter Rosengren Subject to seat availability, families wanting to attend the National Catholic Family Gathering in Melbourne later this month are being offered a 45 per cent discount off the full economy return airfare by Qantas. In a late-March letter to parish priests, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy suggested parishes send husband and wife teams to the gathering due to be held in Melbourne over the weekend of 28-30 April. Bishop Healy is a member of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Committee for Family and for Life, which is sponsoring the gathering. With the theme of Family: Dare to Dream, the gathering will be a major national Catholic event focusing on ways of promoting and supporting the family in the life of the Church and the nation. It will be held at Dallas Brooks Hall in inner-city Melbourne and the Governor General, Sir William Deane, will officially open the gathering. Bishop Healy asked Perth's priests to encourage families in

Bishop Robert Healy

their parishes to attend the event and suggested that sending husband and wife teams would benefit parishes in their efforts to promote family life. "It may even be possible for you to sponsor a couple to go to Melbourne," he wrote. "A husband and wife team sent from the parish to Melbourne would no doubt imbibe the wisdom and enthusiasm of the speakers . . . . and would be able to return to the parish and help

further the advance of family life and society. She said it was in the for their fellow parishioners," he family, ordinarily, that all members have the opportunity to said. Among the keynote speakers at reach their potential as valued the gathering will be Archbishop members of the Church and sociCharles Chaput from Denver in ety But, she pointed out, this does Colorado, who made international news last year as he comforted not exclude broken and singlefamilies of the Columbine high parent families. "The Church values all families, school mass shooting. Archbishop Chaput will also and workshops that are offered address a Youth Fest Dare to include ones with titles such as 'Ministry to Solo Parents' and Dream meeting at the gathering. Archbishops Leonard Faulkner 'Evangelisation in our Brokenof Adelaide and George Pell of ness'." The gathering follows on from Melbourne will also speak at the conference, which will present Pope John Paul ll's 1997 meeting more than 40 workshops focusing with families in Rio De Janeiro on different aspects of family life where he urged participants to use the three years up to the for participants to choose from. More information on the event Jubilee as an opportunity for can also be gained from Peter and evangelisation through family life. A Perth couple, Neville and MarVeronica Dymond of Toodyay, a Perth couple who are local con- ian Moran, are among presenters at the gathering, and will present tacts for the event Mrs Dymond said the gathering a workshop on Retrouvaille, a was important as the family was movement within the Church for the basic unit of society, "[It] the healing of broken or stressed appears to be, for a lot of the marriages. Further information, including media, under threat." She said the Melbourne gather- registration forms and conference ing would be an important signal brochures, are available from Mr that the Church sees the family as and Mrs Dymond, who can be a priority in the life of the Church contacted on 9574 2688.

Don't take your money to the grave The St Vincent de Paul Society hopes people will make bequests to the charity in their wills, in a renewed emphasis on this form of giving. Bill Gemmell has been appointed sponsorship/bequest officer for the Society and has updated a special brochure on bequests. "People have an opportunity to get their wills updated by a group of about 30 honourary solicitors who act on the Society's behalf," he said. The solicitors are located in Perth and around WA in the more major centres such as Bunbury, Albany. Busselton and Geraldton. "They get it done for a heavily discounted rate," Mr Gemmel! said. "If they have a simple will, it can be done at little or no cost, if a bequest is left to the Society. "Basically. we want people to ring me if they want a copy of

Bill Gemmell

the free brochure." Making a will was a very important part of life, Mr Gemmell said. "By being a donor, it is a way of extending your giving after you've gone." The brochure reminds its readers that "no one likes think-

He said donors could leave their legacy to St Vincent de Paul and specify what aspect of their work they particularly wished to assist or without specifying exactly how it should be used. For a trust, or further information on bequests, please contact Mr Gemmell at the Society of St Vincent de Paul for further details on (08) 9325 3472.

Parish pays prostitutes to listen CHICAGO, MAR 30 (ZENIT). Father Michael Pfleger of St Sabina's Parish in Chicago has come up with a novel method of bringing the Gospel to women victimised by prostitution. He is paying them to listen to the Gospel. 'We want to buy their time, whether it's for 10 minutes or 30 minutes, whatever it takes,' he stated.

'If you're selling yourself on the street, you're not in a relationship with God. "Obviously there's something missing, something out of whack with their lives; I'm not afraid to make that assumption." Fr Pfleger assures confidentiality in this program, whose outreach times will not be publicised, so as to protect the prostitutes from the intrusive eyes of

the media. He told the Chicago Tribune that parishioners 'ran out of the pews and started bringing money and placing it on the altar,' when he announced the plan during a Sunday Mass. 'It's time to start being the Church in reality, besides having church on Sunday mornings,' said Fr Pfleger.

Where in the World do you want to work? Overseas or in Australia, PALMS Cross-Cultural Program matches communities in need of particular expertise, with people willing to volunteer their skills. If you are prepared for a unique experience working and living in another culture for 2 years, contact PALMS. or come along to the Information Session: Thursday 13th April at 7pm St. Mary's Parish House. 40 Franklin St. Leederville 6007

PALMS Cross-Cultural Program PO Box 54. Croydon Park, NSW. 2133 ph 02 9642 0558 fax: 02 9742 5607 email: palmsccp@ihug.com.au

Wollongong couple, Glenn and Trish Mowbray, have been chosen to attend the World Meeting of Families as the official delegates of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference. Mr and Mrs Mowbray live in the parish of Albion Park-Oak Flats in the Diocese of Wollongong south of Sydney and they have four children, one of whom is disabled. "We don't know the details of what is going to happen at the meeting," Mr Mowbray said. Sr Elizabeth Delaney, Diocesan Chancellor for Wollongong, told The Record the couple take part in Interchange, with deals with respite care, and they take on two other children with disabilities. "They are a striking couple and they take it in their stride," she said. The couple also co-ordinate Marriage Encounter for the Diocese. "Trish was a catechist for children with special needs and is a schoolteacher," Sr former Delaney said. The World Meeting of Families will be held from 14-15 October.

arvest Pilgrimages

ing about their own mortality but, if you're over 18-years-old, you should make a legal will. "This booklet gives information on why it is so important to make a will, how to make or update a will and why you might consider leaving a bequest to the Society of St Vincent de Paul." Mr Gemmell said it was advisable to review a will every five years or sooner if family circumstances changed. Including a bequest to St Vincent de Paul is usually as simple as adding a codicil (an additional clause) to an existing

By Glynnis Grainger

NSW couple to represent Australia

A journey for the Great Jubilee THE PASSION PLAY PILGRIMAGE Rome • Assisi • Siena • Florence • Padua • Venice Innsbruck • Oberammergau • Liechtenstein • Einsiedeln Lake Lugano or Turin (Holy Shroud)

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18 0 0 8 19 15 6 The,Record, April 6 2000 Page 3

Aranmore job help for migrant kids Indigenous Aranmore Catholic College recently launched an innovative vocational education and training program which attempts to provide migrant students and their families with a better understanding of the Australian workplace culture. Known as the "Passports Program", the initiative, the first of its type in Australia, is the result of some 10 months of collaborative planning and development work undertaken by the school, community and industry representatives. While it is similar to other vocational education and training programs such as INS! EP and ONSITE, Passports differs in that it specifically targets students for whom English is a second language. The program has also been expanded to cater to the needs of Aboriginal students and students with disabilities. Passports aims to help students acquire the level of English language competence they need for effective workplace partici-

Participants in the Passports Program celebrate its launch last week.

pation. It also hopes to create wider social and workplace networks to enable such students and their families to participate in

Australian society, and to foster confidence, self-esteem and appropriate leadership qualities. Before they can graduate to the program, potential students must also undertake a 12 month intensive language course at the school's language centre. In the past it may have been difficult for parents to be fully aware of the opportunities available to their children due to language and/or cultural constraints. To address this potential problem, parents and/or guardians are also offered full Involvement in the program through translators and mentors from relevant cultural/language backgrounds who help explain the program and offer support services to both students and families. Aranmore Catholic College currently caters for students from more than 68 different nationalities. - Philip Bayne, CEO media office

Dardanup's faith in school pays dividends Less than six years ago it was the Bunbury regional office of struggling to justify its exis- the Catholic Education Office tence. of Western Australia acknowlToday, Our Lady of Lourdes edged the contribution funds Catholic Primary School in the from the State Government south-west town of Dardanup made to the building project. Is a thriving and integral part of Principal Michael Friday said the local community. the school had a great deal to A steady increase in enrol- be proud of in what it had ments at the school over the last achieved over the last five years. few years has resulted in the "Less than six years ago, we need for more and updated were fighting for our survival. facilities. Today we are a school that has In meeting this requirement, done better than survive as we the school last week celebrated have now begun to thrive," he the opening of a new adminis- said. tration building and classroom "The real measure of this and a refurbished library school's success is not in its resource centre. actual structure, but in its spir- Eileen 'Bub' Rodgers spends some time at the opening with head girl Father Evan Penberthy it. Kodie Kessell and head boy Ian Malpass. Mrs Rodgers first attended the blessed the new buildings and "We live in a world that is school in 1928. the five crucifixes that were Increasingly selfish in its outhung around the school. look, however here I am proud that others may benefit" Mr Fri- what it is today and each of us Local member of the Legisla- to be involved in a community day said that, in the future, peo- can be proud of what we all tive Assembly, Dr Hilda ihrn- where people still have a con- ple would be able to drive past have achieved.' bull, spoke at the opening. cern for others and a willing- the school and say 'I helped to - Philip Bayne, Sister Christine Clarke from ness to give of themselves so make Our Lady of Lourdes CEO media office

Singers hope to help

The Savoy Singers practice for a Government House performance that will will support the work of the HIV/AIDS Pastoral Care Centre at Burswood, a service to the community of Western Australia. The performance, which will include a Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire modified to include favourite songs from the War Years, will take place on Sunday 16 April from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets can be booked on 9330 3310. There will be no door sales but there will be concessions for pensioners and students.

Fr Quadros inducted as Karrinyup parish priest

Bishop Robert Healy presents the Scriptures to Father Benedict Quadros, the new parish priest of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Karrinyup, on Sunday, 19 March. Bishop Healy attended the 9.30am Sunday Mass to officiate at the induction of Fr Quadros as parish priest.

Phone counselling for suicidal gets researchers' tick In what is believed to be a first, the impact of telephone counselling on suicidal callers has been studied. A hundred taped suicide-related calls provided an opportunity for people independent of the counsellor (members of the University of Queensland evaluation team and Kids Help Line supervisors) to assess the impact of counselling on suicidal young people. The University team developed, with the help of Kids Help Line supervisors, a standardised rating scale. According to the Kids Help Line newsletter, this scale measured various aspects of the counselling approach and technique, but also provided a rating of the caller's emotional state at the beginning and end The Record, April 6 2000 Page 4

of the call. Callers were rated on four makes a real difference, at least in the shortdimensions: suicidal orientation, suicidal term, but it is not known how lasting the urgency, perturbation (level of distress) and improvements are. depressive symptoms. Kids Help Line data shows that 25 per The team was able to get a reasonably cent of suicidal callers contract with the objective picture of the immediate impact counsellor to call back again to work of the counselling session. through the issues underlying their suiciIt calculated a score to indicate the total dal tendency. distress level of the caller by combining the These include child abuse, family breakscores for all factors. down, relationship breakdown and probIt found that when this total score was lems at school, including bullying. used, 70 per cent of all callers improved by With young people, suicide is often a spur the end of the call and only seven per cent of the moment event and it is very reaswere worse. suring to know that the telephone counStatistically, the improvement was highly selling provided by Kids Help Line has the significant and indicated that the coun- capacity to settle young people at a time of selling session had had a big effect on the crisis. state of the caller. It is clear that counselling - Glynnis Grainger

users of Kids' Line on the increase By Glynnis Grainger

The proportion of Aboriginal children and young people making calls to Kids Help Line has steadily increased during the past five years from 1.5 per cent to almost 4 per cent of all calls. According to its newsletter, Kids Help Line is committed to the well-being of children and young people of all nationalities and in all regions of Australia. Considering that indigenous children make up three per cent of the total population of five-to-18-year-olds, this rate of use shows a surprising acceptance and widespread use of the service. In some regions of Australia, such as the Northern Territory, parts of Queensland and areas in Western Australia, young indigenous callers account for as many as 52 per cent of calls. Kids Help Line has recently completed an analysis of calls from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. The report. titled Towards a Talking Circle. provides a description of the issues and concerns of the 3,618 young indigenous Australians who have contacted Kids Help Line in the past six years. Ten issues stand out as the major concerns for indigenous callers and these ten problems (of a possible 35) account for over 70 per cent of calls from indigenous Australians. There are significant differences in the calling patterns of indigenous young people compared to their Anglo-Australian peers. For many issues, the concerns of indigenous callers are more severe. Indigenous callers are more likely to be experiencing conflict, disruption and ongoing problems in their relationships with family members, friends and partners. The proportion of calls relating to child abuse is 34 per cent greater for indigenous callers. Young people from indigenous backgrounds, particularly males, are more likely to call about bullying: the bullying tends to be more frequent and is often based on racial differences. The proportion of calls concerning homelessness is double the rate for Anglo-Australian callers. Indigenous youth are more likely to seek help about legal concerns. The majority of these callers are experiencing problems with the police or are involved in court action at the time of the call. Young indigenous callers make three times the rate of calls about employment and financial concerns, and are more likely to be experiencing a long-standing problem related to employment. Callers from an indigenous background call less often about sex-related issues, self-concept, and physical and mental health than their Anglo peers. The findings lead to several hypotheses. The severity of some of the calls may mean indigenous young people are experiencing considerable distress especially in the areas of relationship breakdown, child abuse and violence. Alternatively, this pattern may be indicative of indigenous callers not seeking help outside their cultural community until they are in crisis. A third explanation could be that these children and young people minimise or fail to recognise the significance of their problems until they become chronic or too big to handle alone. Many callers expressed discomfort about approaching agencies for help. Counselling, particularly with an unknown person, may be unfamiliar in Aboriginal culture. Kids Help Line will investigate the perceptions indigenous youth have of the service, its accessibility and what they want when they ring the service.

Mater Christi complete Seven years after its relocation to Yangebup from the original South Lakes site, Mater Christi Catholic Primary School celebrated the formal completion of its facilities which were blessed and opened late last week The ceremony also highlighted the successful growth and development of the school which currently caters to 625 students from kindergarten to Year Seven. Guests at the opening included Perth Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy, WA Senator Alan Eggleston, and Parish Priest, Fr Bryan Rosling. Joining the official party were current staff and students and a strong contingent of family, friends and parish priests from neighbouring communities including former Parish Priest, Fr Peter Bianchini. The Deputy Director of the Catholic Education Office, Ron Dullard, paid tribute to all who had contributed to making the new facilities a reality. He said the commitment and hard work of the local community was evident in the continued development of the school over the last 10 years. Bishop Healy led the congregation in the blessing and dedication of the school, Its staff and students, before blessing crucifixes that were placed throughout the buildings. Prior to unveiling the plaque

FAMILY ROSARY CRUSADE April 15 - May 7 2000 with

Father John Phalen CSC Albany, New York The Most Reverend Barry James Hickey Archbishop of Perth together with Bishop Peter Quinn. Bunbury warmly welcomes Father John Phalen. visiting Perth and Bunbury Dioceses. All the faithful are invited to participate in this event. PERTH APRIL Perth - St Mar!,-'s Cathedral- 7.30 pm. ‘Velcome and Sat 15 official launch by Archbishop Hickey. (following 6.30 Mass) EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION & RALLY Sun 16' Perth- Palm Sunday Eucharistic procession (led by Archbishop Hickey) and Passion Play. Assemble The Esplanade (Barrack St. end) - 1.30 pm Proceed up Barrack St to Forrest Place- 2pm Passion Play - 3pm

Bishop Healy presents one of Mater Christi's crucifixes to Mrs Patricia Daniels.

that marked the official opening of the new facilities, Senator Eggleston noted the high level of parent support. "Parent support is essential to a successful education and I understand Mater Christi Catholic Primary places a very high value on the contributions

Anti-profanity group begins A Victorian Catholic man has started a group to counter the many forms of profanity used in advertising and on television, radio, films, plays and the print media. Called Christians Against Blasphemy, John Roseman originally put an advertisement in the Victorian Sunday Herald Sun newspaper on Sunday, 6 February, at a cost to himself of around $1400. This resulted in three faxes, seven e-mails, 33 letters and five phone calls, all strongly supporting his stance. He also received $185 in donations, which he used to put an advertisement in the Canberra Times, on Tuesday, 22 February, which cost $189. He had four responses to the ad - one letter, two e-mails, and one phone call. To date the retired accountant has about 100 declared supporters and the group has been going for about a month. "The campaign still has legs because many people have told me that they are showing the advertisement to their friends and prayer groups," Mr Roseman said. Two ladies are taking up petitions under a photocopy of the advertisement. "Ithink the simple appearance of the advertisements may cause a lot of people to stop and think and reconsider their language," he said. "People are sick of it (blasphemy)," he told Thr Record. "We live in a multicultural society and everybody has to respect everybody else's beliefs. "Christians are not standing up;I have had support from only one clergyman - a Uniting Church Minister from Bendigo, Victoria." Mr Roseman said his approach was not fundamentalist and a lot of Catholic women's groups, such as the Catholic Women's League, were supporting him. He hopes to go international one day, putting ads in such newspapers as the New York Times and the London Times, but he says he needs a lot more support. He says in his advertisement that blasphemy is "an indignity towards God, breaks His second commandment and His directive in the 'Our Father.'" His supporters undertake to pray against blasphemy and not to purchase goods which are advertised during any blasphemous media event. "If it costs money, advertisers will act," the ad says. The group is an ecumenical body, attached to no particular church. Mr Roseman's Web site is: members.net-tech.com.au/roseman and his email address is roseman@net-tech.com.au. His telephone number is (03) 51 562 617 - Glynnis Grainger

'Leave lawmaking to MPs' VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II said judges should leave lawmaking to the legislative branch of modern democratic societies, especially concerning the right to life and biotechnology. Speaking on 31 March to judges participating in a congress of the Italian National Association of Magistrates, the Pope acknowledged that legislation sometimes lagged behind technical and social change. Because of this, he said, "jurisprudential interpretation of the law is Increasingly assuming the value of a source of power." But judges should not step in to rili legislative gaps, he said. "With good reason there is a reaction in many quarters against the idea of judiciary substitution in the face of omissions by the legislative power," the Pope said. Judges should be especially careful not to play lawmaker "when at

stake are human life and death. biotechnology, problems regarding public morality, and issues essential to freedom," he said. The independence of the judicial branch was central to a healthy modern democracy, he said, but did not free judges from the duty to respect values written in human nature. -The independence of the judiciary will never be able to be exercised by ignoring values rooted in the nature of the human being, whose inalienable dignity and transcendental destiny must always be respected," he said. Turning to criminal law, the Pope said prescribed punishments and their application must guarantee society's security without striking at the dignity of the criminal, "who is loved by God and is called to redeem himself if guilty." "The punishment can never shatter the hope of redemption," he said.

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Correction In the story about the soon-to-be 100-year-old lady, Mrs Lily Barber, last week, it was reported that Mrs Barber was taught by the Sisters of Mercy In Beaconsfield. In fact, it was the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition.

made by the local community," he said. Drawing the formal ceremony to a close, school Principal Greg Stinton thanked all those who had an involvement in ensuring the successful completion of the project. - Phil Bayne, CEO Media

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The Record, April 6 2000 Page 5

Our job? Attract others to Jesus New technology Fr Adrian Pittarello, Vicar for Migration, continues a series of reflections on the readings associated with the Lenten and Easter seasons

n last week's reflectionImentioned that the Lenten liturgies are better understood and appreciated when there are, in the parish, catechumens being prepared for the reception of Baptism. The Lenten readings and prayers, as we have them today, developed over the centuries when large numbers of adults were being prepared for Baptism and were fully received into the Christian community on Easter night. Perhaps no other reading illustrates this historical connection as the gospel reading of this Sunday. The Greek people who wished to see Jesus symbolised all those who, from a non-Jewish world, were asking to receive Baptism. It seems that it was the fact that pagan people wanted to see Him that prompted Jesus to exclaim: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." The religious authorities of Jerusalem and many other Jews rejected Jesus and wanted to put him to death. But people from the pagan world started putting their faith in him. In this Jesus was glorified. And so was the Father. To hear this passage of St

With Fr Adrian Pittarello John's gospel must have been of great encouragement both to the catechumens and to the Christian community. On the one hand the catechumens felt blessed by being admitted to Baptism; on the other the Christian community was confirmed that, by attracting new members to the faith, it contributed to the realisation of the Lord's prayer, "hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come." This should remind us as individuals, and even more as parish communities, of our duty to attract non-Christians to faith in Christ. Originally there were no 'missionaries' as such; that is, individual people (priests) who dedicated their life to preaching the gospel to the pagans. People were attracted to the faith by the example and lifestyle of their 'Christian' friends and by the love that they felt within the Christian community. An aspect which should have prominence in the Jubilee year is that we should become instrumental in con-

verting people to Christ - first of all those who have been baptised but who do not live their faith in a committed way; then those who do not acknowledge Jesus as God's Son and saviour of the world. Another reflection that the Gospel suggests is that it is in the context of his exclamation that "the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified" that Jesus says, "Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." Jesus speaks in an allegorical way. We should apply this allegory in many ways. We die many times in the course of our life. When we have been baptised we died to sin in order to let the resurrection of Christ live in us. When one gets married, one dies to a single life, to live a married and family life. When one changes job or moves residence, or undergoes any permanent change of life, one dies to the past and begins a new life. We should see all these changes as moments of grace, so that our life may produce much fruit. It is quite a humbling experience for us to try and assess how we die, and how much fruit we bear in terms of the number of people we bring to follow Christ!

To Jesus through Mary ... a column of Marian devotion By Glynnis Grainger

est Australian parishioners are asked to sign their names to be enshrined in the heart of a statue of Mary in an American initiative which is circulating world-wide. Based in Wichita, Kansas, the Queen of the World Centre is establishing a World Centre and Museum at the Castle of Fatima, in Portugal, to honour Mary as "Queen of the World." It is hoped to gather at least 50 million signatures from around the world, including five million from America, which will be placed on computer disk, and housed in a recess beneath the heart of of the statue. At the Castle, there is a life-size statue of the Maternal Immaculate Heart of Mary, in which the signatures will be stored. People should simply sign their names on the sign-up sheet with the intention of making an act of consecration to Mary and as a symbol of their desire to take refuge in her heart in these critical times. The West Australian contact person is Peggy Sinning, who said people must consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary first, before signing the sheet. This involved trying to say the Rosary every day and attending Mass and Holy Communion on the five first Saturdays, as urged by Our Lady of Fatima, Mrs Sinning said.

"Consecration is an act of the will whereby we entrust ourselves completely to Jesus and Mary. It also means 'to set apart as holy and give entirely'." she said. The collection of signatures goes on all this year. Priests and parishioners can contact Mrs Sinning if they are interested in it for their parish. "I am hoping that they will do it in other States (of Australia)," she said. "We know this will bring joy to Our Lady who so ardently desires to draw all to her heart that she may lead them into the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a 2000th birthday gift," Tony Catanese, from the Queen of the World Centre, Kansas, said. Parish priests may be asked to bless the names being submitted before they are sent to Kansas. Many Masses and prayers will be offered for the intentions of those whose names are placed in Mary's heart. Pope John Paul II has called Fatima "The Marian capital of the world." Pope Pius XII named Our Lady of Fatima "Queen of the World." The main purpose of the Centre is to fulfil the requests of Our Lady of Fatima for our consecration to her. The Museum will be officially dedicated and blessed on 22 August, the Feast of the Queenship of Mary. Mrs Simting's phone number is 9447 4107

The statue of the Maternal Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Prayer for addicts expands to northern suburbs Father Paul Baczynski is about to start prayer nights on the third Monday of each month in the northern suburbs for those affected by addictions. They will be held from Monday, 17 April, at St Dominic's Church, Phillips Grove, Innaloo, at the corner of Beatrice Street, from 7pm - 9pm. The program includes Mass commencing at 7pm, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and healing

prayers. This will be in addition to his nights held south-of-the-river on the first Monday of the month at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, East Fremantle. "There has been a lot of demand from the northern suburbs for us to hold a prayer night for them," Fr Baczynski told The Record. It will cover the same areas as the south-of-the-river program. "We give a

lot of spiritual and emotional support to people with a problem with drugs, alcohol or gambling, or any problem at home that they feel needs spiritual help," he said. "The people have said to me a few times it is nice to have the support of the Archbishop and priests." Fr Baczynski has had requests from Rockingham to start prayer nights there - Glynnis Grainger as well.

Confessors 'must be witnesses to God's mercy' VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Calling a can on 3 April. "Proclamation of the truth, priest's ministry in the confessional especially in the moral and spiritual "among the most significant expressions" order, is much more credible when he of his vocation, Pope John Paul II urged who proclaims ills not only an academconfessors to witness God's mercy to ic doctor of it, but above all an existenpenitents. tial witness of it," the Pope said. "This will not fail to increase trust (in The Pope encouraged reception of the the sacrament) among the faithful," he sacrament and urged individuals to said. "overcome a rather diffused tendency to In a message to Cardinal William refuse any salvific mediation, putting the Baum, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, individual sinner in direct contact with the Pope also encouraged priests to pro- God." mote indulgences by prescribing them The Pope prayed the Holy Year would in the confessional as penances. mark "a general return of the Christian The message was released at the Vati- faithful to the sacramental practice of The Record, April 6 2000 Page 6

confession." He encouraged Catholics to take advantage of the special opporhutities to earn indulgences - a remission of the temporal punishment for sins - during the jubilee. "I heartily exhort priests to educate the faithful. . .. in order that they take advantage of the great good of indulgences," he said. "Specifically, priest-confessors could very usefully assign the practice of indulgences to their penitents as sacramental penances, subject of course to the criteria of equal proportion with the wrongs confessed," said the Pope.

prepares to serve John Paul's New Evangelisation

With Paul Gray

are to Dream, the National Gathering of Catholic Families in Melbourne from 28-30 April, will be one of the most significant events for the Church in Australia in this Jubilee Year. Making it all the more significant will the presence, as keynote speaker, of one of the leading evangelists of the Catholic faith in the English-speaking world today, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, Colorado, Archbishop Chaput is a living exponent of the "new evangelisation" called for by Pope John Paul Ii in the lead-up to the Jubilee Year. The new evangelisation is a concept only now taking root amongst Catholic families and clergy of other countries. However, the input at the National Gathering by Archbishop Chaput and one other speaker at the cutting edge of the new evangelisation, the director of the Denver Marriage and Family Life Office, Christopher West, will go far towards helping promote it here. What does the new evangelisation mean for ordinary Catholics? The new evangelisation is the Pope's call for joyful witnesses to faith in Jesus Christ to take on the task of re-announcing who He is to a world which has largely forgotten the Christian message. The new evangelisation is especially necessary, the Pope believes, in the nations once deemed Christian - like Australia. Rooted in the teachings of Vatican II. it is a call to c.atechesis and conversion within communities badly in need of both. In particular, it is a call to catechesis and conversion using the tools of modern technological innovation. Both technologically and catechetically. Archbishop Chaput and his Denver archdiocese are at the forefront of the new evangelisation. The Archbishop likens today's Internet era to the invention of the printing press which turned society and history on its head. "The printing press changed the nature of our discourse about God 500 years ago and became the engine of the Protestant Reformation," he says. "In exactly the same way, the new information revolution will fundamentally affect our language of faith and truth. "These new media tools are the building blocks of a new global mentality and culture." A recent Chaput initiative was "Understanding and Living the Great Jubilee," a 10-week. Internet-based course of study open to anyone with a personal computer anywhere in the world. The use of sound (audio) files is an area of growing interest. Using free downloadable audio software. anyone in the world logging on to the Archdiocese of Denver's web-page (www.archden.org) can today hear high-quality sound recordings on a range of subjects. For example, the recent apology by Pope John Paul II for the sins of Catholics, and the in-depth Vatican document supporting the apology, Memory and Reconciliation, is explained in a series of three five-minute conversation-style interviews with a theologian. Another sound option is to hear Archbishop Chaput himself delivering his latest monthly talk on the Jubilee. He comes over as a soft-spoken, youthful man with a gentle sense of humour and a powerful message. "No sensible person would become celibate for General Motors or Microsoft," he says in one recent talk heard over the web. Similarly, "no sensible person should give himself as a celibate to the Church - if the Church is just an institution." The point, of course, is that the Church founded by Christ is not just another human institution. Sinful though her members are, the Church is a holy community of incomparable value because ills founded and sustained by God who is Love. That is the message of the new evangelisation.

Leading two lives is not as rare as you think T

The Record

This assumption lay behind the move to create mixed secondary schools as a means of improving relations between the sexes. But now research is indicating what every sane person since Adam and eve has known: adolescent boys and girls want This leads to the current grotesque situ- the friendship of their own sex, something ation where dogs and cats in the Western which can only help them perform better world can receive a high technology med- academically when educated in segregatical care while hundreds of millions ed schools. around the world have access only to the Yet another fantasy results from the failmost basic of medical and surgical ser- ure of people to analyse the conjugal relavices. tions between husband and wife in terms Elderly pets are operated on at a cost of of their having been made in the image of thousands of dollars to keep them alive God and instead see them as no more for several months. than two interacting biological bodies. This surely is living a lie, no matter what In this latter fantasty, the contraceptive the good intentions of the owners. pill seems rational and moral. Dogs and cats are animals but they are But the truth is far from this. The creation no more than that. Humans have an ani- of new, immmortal souls that sexual relamal nature but that is subordinate to their tions invites on the part of God is a matspiritual nature resting in their immortal ter so sacred and sublime that only God's souls. plans for the way these souls should come Not to notice or believe in this infinite into being can be followed. difference in natures is to truly live in a If we do not follow the plan for procrefantasy and is to live a lie, again no mat- ation that God has written into our natures ter the good intentions or the blameless then we truly live in a half-life and fantaignorance of the believer. sy. The cure rests in ceasing to lead two Modern social policy is a self-generating lives, one of which is a lie, and beginning mess of such fantasies: The truth of human living the reality that begins and ends in equality, based in our equal dignity as God, who will not go away. beings made in the image of God, is • The opinions expressed in this editorapplied to men and women at all levels of their being without regard to obvious dif- ial, and any other Record editorial, are ferences such as maleness and female- not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. ness.

here is a natural and never-ending fascination with people who are discovered to have led two lives. Why else are spy stories and accounts of two-timing spouses so interesting? So the revelation recently that a popular These events and characters are Darwin television newsreader had been embellished to create the lying for years about his participation in rearranged and we can see 'in our something fantasy, the 1968 Mexico Olympics was bound to eye.' mind's be headline news, not just in an Olympics' But fantasy is not just imaginative fairy year. or the Hobbit fiction of J. J. Tolkien. tales The revelation has already spawned often do we take indisputable facts How other stories of people living off the credarrange them in an interpretathen and it of other people's glory by claiming civic plausible but which, in fact, is is that tion honour. Apparently, there are men who or valid because the rearsound not falsely claim to be Vietnam War veterans. has taken place accoridng to Obviously, we feel sorry for people who, rrangement rather than their appearance their for whatever medical or psychological reaessence. othand son, have convinced themselves Another way is to create these 'factions' ers that they are something that they are to apply a false, or half true, principle is not. the interpretation of the facts presentto But this 'living a lie' is not quite as rare ed. as most of us think. The false or half true principle propels Clearly, one part of the dissimulator's life us into a fantasy land peopled by indisIs a fantasy world. There may be nothing putable facts but arranged according to a immediately dangerous about this weak- plausible dream. ness if it does not cause suffering to the So some people - believing that humans victim or to those he or she deals with. have an animal nature, which is one part The key aspect of fantasy is that it is fic- of what humans are - see that dogs are tion that is plausible, that is, the reader animals and conclude that dogs, cats and suspends commonsense belief to live any other member of the animal kingdom Imaginatively in a world that is plausible have the same rights as humans because because the building blocks of the story both possess an animal nature. If humans have certain rights, then so are recognisable events and characters in must dogs and cats, the allegation argues. real life.

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Single or plural, evil is still evil

&Pliers 10 /Ae Cofilor

unjustifiable separation,". . . . despite the best of intentions, reflect(ing) the prevailing attitudes of the era" (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, May 1998). Yes, the Church does make mistakes at times, history proves this. ccording to the latest news those in I am proud to belong to a very 'human' authority officially deny that there Church that has the courage to admit to was a "stolen generation" of Abo- past wrongs, seek forgiveness and then riginal children within my lifetime. commit to continued support in the future. is only if that inference their that seems It There are no better words than 'stolen 10 per cent of a generation was unethical- generation' to describe the barbaric ly seized in childhood does not consist of removal of children from their families. an entire generation being stolen. We should support our Bishops by recogPerhaps we should called it the "decima- nising past failures and mistakes and doing tion of a generation" in the spirit of accu- something to 'right the wrong'. We are called to "let the oppressed go racy. An ancient Roman collective to proclaim the year of the Lord's free, every in punishment was to kill one person ten of a convicted group; and their term favour" (Luke 4:18). "In a spirit of sorrow and forgiveness, we, was "decimation" Catholic Bishops of Australia wish to the Our Lord. and His Apostles, refer to their contemporaries as a "generation of vipers"; record our commitment to continue the Matthew 3:7. 12:34 & 23:33 as well as Luke healing process for the benefit of victims of the unjust policies of the past. to support 3:7. the just needs of indigenous people today This is not a blanket condemnation of and to contribute to the quest for national their entire generation or elders as being reconciliation" (Australian Catholic Bishlike unto vipers but indicated that a singi- ops Conference, May 1998). ficant majority of them were viper-like. Adrian Martino David Irving, a pro-Nazi Historian from Coolbinia the UK, once admitted that one million Jews and others were butchered in the 1933-45 Holocaust according to the extant atricia Malone (The Record, March records of the Third Reich but otherwise 30) writes the Government should denies that six million were so butchered. P"not become bogged down on But in terms of moral guilt, butchery is whether to say 'sorry' or not." _ Last Sunday's local newspaper, The Sunbutchery. Times, page 3, has big headlines which day Whether Australia faces on a national Federal Government tells stolen gensay: basis the moral guilt for either the "deci- eration of Aborigines: Sorry, you don't exist. mation of a generation" or a "stolen generI wonder what Patricia Malone has to say ation", the morality remains the same. about Pope John Paul praying for "God's It is vital that we as Australians, either forgiveness of the sins of Christians against first or indigenous Australians, eighth or Jews" (Record Editorial, March 30). After all, to follow the sentiments seventh generation Australians or a migrant like myself, combine a religious expressed in her last paragraph of her letzeal for social justice with a national desire ter - that present day Australians, in general, have done nothing wrong to for reconciliation in the near future. Indigenous people - present day Christians Elliott Levitt in general have done nothing wrong to Mt Lawley Jews. However,Ican tell her what Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak had to say about the rian Peachey (The Record, 30 Pope's apology Mr Barak called it a noble March) states that the slogan 'stolen act that had "raised the flag of fraternity to 30). generation' was politically invented full mast." (The Record, March 'fraternity" I of looked up meaning the for political purposes, and that "the and 'fraternise'. These words mean "brothCatholic Church has no reason to apolo- erliness, make friends". gise to the Aboriginal people". ThenIlooked up the meaning of the word He seems to be ignorant of the fact that Patricia Malone is heartily sick of reading the Church is regretful of past actions, ask- as used in the media, the word 'reconciliaing forgiveness of those indigenous fami- tion'. The word means "make friendly perlies who suffered the trauma of sons to one another".

Pope's example applies

Proud to belong

versy down through the centuries were motivated by the noble and Gospel imperative to put God first. That does not mean that they were right I have no doubt that Mr Egan and Mrs Bowen also are not motivated by any desire to put themselves before God. °wards the close of the nineteenth It is manifestly obvious that the deepest century some 500 children who had motivation of both of these people is to put been abandoned by their Aboriginal God first. mothers and Caucasian sires (they were Ican only hope and pray that my motives patently not fathers) gravitated to WA town- In life are similar. ships from Perth to Wyndham. By the same token I know, in the case of The Colonial Government had no statu- Mr Egan at least. that I have radically diftory authority to do anything whatsoever ferent ideas to him as to what is the best with or to those children. way to "put God rust" and bring His light Some missionaries were dealing with to our world. them on a voluntary basis but the governWe both cannot be right. ment could not - it had no laws by which There is no one alive today, not even His it could. Holiness, who can safely say whether There were no family structures to clothe. Richard Egan is right or I am right feed and shelter the children - they were That privilege belongs alone to God and abandoned. to those who will follow us and who, with A Royal Commission was held. In 1904 the benefit of the greater knowledge that after more than 2,000 questions and can only come through time and the grace answers from 42 witnesses (priests, police, of God, will be able to reflect back on the magistrates, station owners. Aborigines things we did during our time in history. and employers) had been recorded, the Our faith is not some sort of psychologifindings of that commission were pub- cal salve to our own hang-ups and psylished - i.e., the Roth Royal Commission. chological insecurities. The findings list abuse, near slave workHis Holiness is leading us in an extraoring conditions and cannibalism. dinary direction at the moment and I The Battye Library has a copy of the Roth believe fully under the influence of the Royal Commission. Holy Spirit. I urge any person seeking the truth of The events of recent weeks - the apology what the settler families of WA had to deal and the symbolism of the pilgrimage to the with and how they did it, to get a copy of beginnings of Christianity - have to be the Roth Report and read it from cover to numbered amongst the most significant cover because, as they say, "you can't positive events in the life of the Church believe everything you read in the news- since the Second Vatican Council or even papers." in the twentieth century In 1905 the WA Government enacted The most extraordinary lesson, it seems statute law whereby it granted itself the to me, of what His Holiness is leading us powers to assume control over the lives of to is the sense of abject humility we each those children. need to develop in our lives before God Neither I nor anybody reading this has the truths which only He can yet fully any responsibility for who our parents are and see. or what they did. He is also asking us to reflect on the sense Paul Clune of humility we need to develop before our Ardross fellow human beings - and whatever their faults and our own faults. Not too many years ago I can remember that Yassar Arafat was spoken of in Christof letters the ith reference to Richard Egan (16 March) and ian circles as though he were the Devil Johanna Bowen (23 March): incarnate. What Pope John Paul has done in recent There is no implication in the apology of either his Holiness the Pope or the Aus- weeks can only be described as extraorditralian Bishops that we should devalue the nary and a pointer to a whole new way of work of the thousands, even millions, of thinking not only in international relations religious men and women down through between nations but individual relations the ages who have dedicated the marrow between the likes of myself and the Richard of their lives to Christ and the lifting up of Egans of this world or between you, the reader, and the next door neighbour whose His children. For example, we can have no doubt that dog keeps digging up your garden. the priests, bishops, cardinals and Popes etlittnKe4 n P4ge fj who were involved in the Galileo controPlease Patricia, don't confuse the issue with all that talk about finding jobs. Anthony Conlan Lesmurdie

Read, and then decide

Both cannot be right

The Record, April 6 2000 Page 7

Parish Holy Doors

Mary's blue a hallmark at Dianella

Let the little children come to Me: Dianella 's ski/full depiction of Christ teaching little children.

Features

Welcome to continue A

t Holy Family parish in Maddington, parishioners of all ages and backgrounds have contributed to the business of creating holy doors with real gusto. The end result is holy doors flanked by spectacularly hand-painted window panels, each carrying an image related to the parish's Jubilee Year theme. Parish artist Mrs Elizabeth Rechidti has guided parishioners as they went about creating their doors and the associated panels. All window panels have the same image on each side, but their location is temporary; the central doors will remain permanent as an ever-welcoming gesture to all who enter the Church. At the end of the Jubilee, the panels will be placed on main side windows of the Church as a reminder of the Jubilee. The holy doors have a rainbow across the top representing God's promise to His people; across the bottom a farm gate represents the Shepherd's gate: Jesus is the shepherd and parishioners are the flock There are eight panels with a variety of images, including an Australian gum tree as the tree of life - each leaf is a national flag representing the nations from which parishioners have come. Another panel shows the Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist while another focuses on the Holy Spirit and includes a Southern Cross painted in Aboriginal style.

Maddington's holy doors: definitely the product of much thought and work

Opening hearts to Jesus' blessings and graces

he holy doors of the parish of established in 1974. In the Jubilee Our Lady of the Mission in panel the Alpha and Omega are at Whitfords stand for many the heart of the itinity triangle surthings. rounded by rays representing the But high on the list are these: the llinity; gold for the Fr the Creator, desire of parishioners to open their red for the Spirit of Love and blue hearts to all the blessings and graces for the Son, source of new life of Jesus during the Jubilee, and an through the waters of baptism. abiding concern to open their own Above and below are panels symdoors and reach out to embrace bolising the community's lifestyle everyone, especially those who the rays of the sun and the waves of have been away from the Church. Parish priest Fr Geoff Aldous, the ocean. Inside, an area has been assisted by Fr Paul Raj, opened and set aside to display themes linking blessed the doors at Christmas mid- the doors with the liturgy of the seasons. night Mass last year. Interestingly, weekly parish events The symbols on the doors represent the parish community. The lily - including births, marriages and In the centre of the parish panel deaths - have been begun to be represents Mary, the parish recorded on stones in the display area. Each stone also carries the patroness. The cross with its branches repre- name of a parish group, recognising sents the diversity of nationalities It dedication and service in building which have helped form Whitfords' up the parish. Christian community since it was Fr Geoff concentrates on not hitting the glass last Christmas. Now that's innovative.

An elegant simplicity Mary's signature colour, blue, features strongly in DianeHa's holy doors.

etween Dianella parish priest Fr Ossie Lewis and a dozen or so parishioners, a holy door for Our Lady's Assumption parish in Dianella was designed and erected for the Jubilee Year and what a door it is. Dianellans chose four images to place on their door to represent different facets of their parish's life. The image of Jesus teaching the little children represents the parish's support for its strong Catholic school of the same name as the parish and which stands adjacent to the parish church. An image of the world encircled by children holding hands reflects the parish's embrace of all its etlutic communities. A homely family scene represents the many groups that minister to the parish family through the Word of God. The fourth scene - strong loving hands represents all carers in the parish. All scenes, as well as the Alpha and Omega symbols and lettering of the door's theme are predominantly blue, enhancing the soft blue hues in the image of the parish's patron of Our Lady in her Assumption. A parish holy door prayer card has also been printed and distributed to all parishioners as a memento of the Jubilee.

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Tears as Bishop John Jobst, a successor of the Apostles, leaves WA shores

A mix of the aesthetic and the practical was the final choice made from among the many options available for the holy doors, left, of St Benedict's parish church in Applecross. And what stands today is a testament to the skill of Joe Thomas who constructed the striking but elegant painted steel structure. Steel was chosen for strength - most parishioners enter the church through its holy doors. The two crosses and the Alpha and Omega symbols are painted gold and crafted with calligraphic neatness. Inside, the doors look equally splendid. Parish priest Fr John O'Reilly highlighted the gold lettering of the Jubilee theme above the entrance with lighting so that they would not be lost against the glare from outside daylight Parish council member John Overman said: "These are doors of which the whole parish is justly proud. They are a line tribute to the excellent craftsmanship of Mr Thomas and a continual reminder of the spiritual importance of the Jubilee Year."

Jubilee spirit flutters proudly at Manjimup

lenty of teary eyes were seen in the chapel of St Michael the Archangel at the Catholic Education Office in Leederville last Saturday morning when Bishop John Jobst gave his formal farewell to the people of Western Australia. St Michael's was full of friends and associates who have known and worked with Bishop Jobst, a legendary figure for his work over nearly half a century in the Kimberley. He will leave WA for his native Germany this Sunday. Three Western Australian bishops - bishops Justin Bianchini of Geraldton, Peter Quinn of Bunbury, retired Bishop Myles McKeon of Bunbury, as well as eight priests also gathered to concelebrate Mass with Bishop Jobst. Archbishop Barry Hickey was present in the sanctuary during the Mass, and Perth Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy joined the bishops for the following reception. Basing his homily on the Acts of the Apostles where St Paul farewells the elders of the Church at Ephesus, Bishop Jobst looked back over his life in the Kimberley and Western Australia. In some ways it was, appropri-

Bishop Jobst catches up on Kimberley news with the Labor Legislative Council Member Tom Stephens, who is based in Broome.

Broome in WA's far north, one of Australia's most remote and farflung dioceses. His life and his work has been like that of few other bishops, dealing with a diocese beset by the continual challenge of remoteness, lack of resources for pastoral work and characterised by a largely Aboriginal. European and mixedrace population like few others in Australia. But whereas St Paul warned the Ephesians of the dangers from ravening wolves which would come to threaten the young Church, Bishop Jobst said he looked forward to the building up of the Church in the Kimberley. And the similarities between Scripture and Saturday morning's ceremony continued to the end. The biblical text tells how, at the end of the farewell speech where Paul tells the Ephesians he will Bishop Jobst, centre, is joined by the Bishop of Geraldton, Bishop Peter Bianchini, left, the former Bishop of Bunbury, never see their faces in this life Bishop Myles McKeown, and the current Bishop of Bunbury, Bishop Peter Quinn, to concelebrate a Mass of thanksgiving for Bishop Jobst's missionary work in Australia. The Archbishop of Perth, Archbishop Barry Hickey, was present in again they came forward to pray with him in tears and then escort the sanctuary. him to his ship. ately, a very German ceremony With teary eyes scattered with music during Mass drawn through the congregation Bishop from the works of composers such Jobst was also escorted out of St as Franz Schubert and Wolfgang Michael's Chapel by his fellow Amadeus Mozart, including Schubishops and priests. bert's famous Ave Maria. Afterwards, a morning tea was Later, Bishop Jobst told The held in the Catholic Education Record he had chosen the text Office which saw a former federal from St Paul because he too felt Minister for Education who is also like the Apostle as he said goodfather of the current federal Oppobye to the Church with which he sition leader, Kim Beazley Senior, has been associated for so long. pay tribute to the Bishop's life and He said he had found the entire work ceremony moving and was Mr Beazley Snr also launched the delighted by the large turnout limited edition of the Jobst memwhich filled the chapel. oirs which the bishop has pub"Naturally I was quite touched lished privately. that so many people attended," he It was, in the end, a sendoff worsaid, adding that as he processed thy for the Bishop, characterised out he could see that some people Bishop Jobst enjoys a moment of humour at the reception afterwards, as he did by many finalities. had tears in their eyes. St Paul had spoken of running his It was always going to be an emo- meeting many friends and acquaintances, right Photos. Phil Bayne ot CEO medsa race for the Lord to the end. Notional moment. Instead of the formal dismissal at Elders of the Church at Ephesus to his homily on the scene, following one present on Saturday morning the end of Mass, Bishop Jobst stood bid them goodbye, was read out to It line by line and then reflecting would have said anything else in front of the altar as the text from the sound of an organ playing qui- on similarities in his own life about this latter-day successor to which has covered nearly 50 years the Apostles. the Acts of the Apostles, which tells etly in the background. Earlier, Bishop Jobst had based as a priest and then Bishop of in detail how Paul sent for the - Peter Rosengren

A spark of Catholic life on Russia's southern frontier By Frank Brown

Not to be outdone by their city cousins, the parishioners of St Joseph's parish in Manjimup, above, have created a holy door to more than easily hold its own against any others in the state. The Southern Cross Jubilee logo of the Bunbury diocese has been placed on the doors with the alpha and omega symbols becoming visible on the inside as they are opened. The phrase "this is the gate of the Lord" has been attached to the outside of the existing portico which prominently frames the doors. On either side of the portico are two large colourful banners attached to bamboo poles and topped with coloured streamers in the diocesan colours of blue, red and gold. These are based on the idea of Bhuddist prayer flags which Bhuddists believe lifts people's spirits heavenwards.

nce a week, Father Con Doherty celebrates Mass in his socks for a shoeless congregation of about 20 children. The lack of footwear is a mark of Fr Doherty's informal style and of the necessarily intimate parish life in Nalchik, Russia, a mostly Muslim city located about 100 kilometres from Russia's breakaway republic of Chechnya. Lacking a proper church, Fr Doherty, a member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, uses a parishioner's living room for the children's Mass. A dining room table serves as the altar, confessions are heard in the bedroom and, in keeping with Russian tradition, everyone removes their shoes at the door. Before the breakup of the Soviet Union, this city of 250,000 never had a Roman Catholic community and, partly for that reason, building a parish has been tough going for Fr Doherty, 42, who arrived in 1997

Two wars in neighbouring Chechnya, too, have contributed to the region's instability and poverty, thus making it difficult for parishioners to think about much more than day-to-day existence. On a typical weekend, about 20 children

and up to 40 adults attend two Masses in Balkar peoples, Muslim groups whose power has increased since the 1991 fall of Nalchik Fr Doherty, a tall, earnest Irishcommunism. Ethnic Russians, Poles and man, is also charged with the care of five Germans have been steadily moving out of other Roman Catholic communities in the the area. region. Despite the instability caused by the war, But since fighting in the North Caucasus Fr Doherty said local residents were genregion resumed in August between sepaerally relieved at the resumption of fighting ratist Chechen rebels and the Russian milby the Russian Army. itary, Fr Doherty has been prevented from "When the Russians moved in, there was making the 12-hour bus journey to his most a sense of relief that Moscow was commitdistant parish, in Makhachkala on the ted to defending this part of the world," he Caspian Sea. said. "Kidnapping is the main danger," said Fr Parish life in the nearby city of Doherty, referring to Chechnya-based Vladikavkaz is also heavily influenced by gangs. Crime generally is a persistent probthe fighting and general lawlessness. lem in the area, despite a heavy military Fr Doherty celebrates Mass in the living room of Vladikavkaz's priest, Fr Stephen Rogers, and police presence that includes frequent a home in Nalchik. Photo: CNS/Frank Brown was forced to leave for eight months in armed checkpoints on major roads. 1998 when the local police said they could In reality, checkpoints serve as de facto to be much wanner in Nalchik than in other not guarantee his safety. toll booths, where traffic police levy fines Russian cities, said Fr Doherty. This is partAt one point, Fr Rogers said he was guardly because the Russian Orthodox Church is for real or Imagined infractions. in the minority and not nearly as political- ed 24 hours a day - even during Mass - by Catholic missionaries working in the area ly potent as in the rest of Russia, he added. four secret police agents. report, however, that officers are as likely Despite the hardships of work in the Once the parish is registered and Fr to ask for a blessing of the checkpoint as a Doherty begins to publicise its existence region, Fr Rogers said people's thirst for bribe. through planned radio announcements, the things spiritual is palpable. "Overall there is a real starvation for faith, Fr Doherty said he must register Nalchik's size of the congregation could double, estia real searching going on," said Fr Rogers, parish with the Ministry of Justice as mated one parishioner. required under Russia's 1997 law on reliNalchilc's three mosques, one synagogue 3Z of Scotland, adding that hopelessness, gion. The process is especially burdensome and one Russian Orthodox Church are an too, was widespread. "Many, many young people are just trying and slow in Nalchik, he said, because local Indication of the ethnic balance in the to get out of the country, to get married in officials are keen on weeding out Muslim region. Local government and business are dom- Italy or the States," he said. militants aiding Chechen separatists. - Catholic News Service inated by the indigenous Kabardinian and Generally, relations among the faiths tend The Record, April 6 2000 Page 9

Books and History The Record 100 years ago With Mary Busher, Perth Catholic Church Archives volunteer

Excerpts from the WA Catholic Record 7 April, 1900.

Industrial School The admirably conducted institution of St Kevin's Industrial School at Glendalough is under the care of the Oblate Fathers with Father O'Ryan as principal. The bakehouse is of the most modern construction and replete with every requirement to carry on the art of bread-making and also for the manufacture of cakes, rolls etc. The carpenters shop presents a busy scene with boys and good sized lads engaged in sawing, and manipulating timber for various practical purposes. In the tailor's department the work of patching, mending and making clothes Is superintended by a husband and wife, assisted by a number of the boys. There is also a shoemaker's shop.

Padre Pio miracle is really the Eucharist Padre No, by Fabrizio Contessa, published by St Pauls, RRP $13.95 Reviewed by Peter Rosengren

ow can any book adequately convey the giant stature of a figure such as Padre Pio of Pietrelcina? The answer is 'probably not,' but this little volume goes a long way towards conveying the essentials of the life of the amazing friar whose life changed millions of others and even now continues to do so. Today, Blessed Padre Pio of Pietrelcina is known throughout the world as the friar of the stigmata who was able to read consciences and to obtain in the obscurity of the confessional countless prodigies of conversion and healing. Every year, millions of people go on pilgrimage to his tomb and the memory of his sanctity continues to be the occasion of marvellous gifts of grace. The signs of the passion of Jesus In his flesh and the impressive series of healings obtained

Mannion Memorial Some definite steps will be taken shortly at Fremantle in regard to the erection of a memorial to the late Hon. WE. Marmion. Several beautiful obelisks and other designs have been submitted, and the choice has been referred to a meeting of subscribers. Some utilitarian members of the committee propose a fountain with a horse trough attached, while others suggest that a tablet should be erected at the Town Hall. Or that the choice should be left to the family of the late Minister, who, it is understood, would prefer that a window Inscribed in his memory should be placed in the new Catholic Church.

O'Gorman abroad

The Rev. Father O'Gorman is at present in London acting as agent and delegate for the WA Goldfields Reform League. The object of the League is to secure the erection of the goldfields into a new self-governing State and so get rid once and for all of the grievous injustices heaped upon them by the Perth Government. Father O'Gorman is meeting with widespread sympathy in influential quarters. . Another report quotes from the Kalgoorlie Miner. It stated that Cardinal Vaughan had asked Father O'Gorman to take a parish in London. But referring to a private letter, the report said the priest had written that he mimed "the bright skies of the South and the warm hearts of the Goldfields people."

For these, the book could almost be worth buying alone - but not for the point of being able to see the famed stigmata. There is, after all, the very real risk of a kind of 'religious voyeurism' - the desire to see an amazing thing or act of God just for the spectacle. And although the stigmata are

Touching, meditative writing The Gospel of Mary, by Fr Gabriel Amorth SSP published by St Pauls, RRP $17.95 Reviewed by Peter Rosengren

Jarrandale fruit The capacity of the soil at Jarrandale for orchard purposes Is evidently first class. Three apples brought thence this week to our office turned the scale at 31bs. The fruit was. besides with respect to flavour and all other desirable qualities, everything that could be wished for.

through his prayers eloquently point to our human limitations and the power of God working through instruments of His choice. The beatification of Padre Pio in May last year drew record-breaking crowds to Rome and the intercession of this holy friar continues to be invoked by the faithful from every land. At the end of this book are four prayers - of them, one asks Padre Pio to intercede for the graces needed by the pray-er, the other is a prayer that Blessed Pio used to say for all those who asked for his prayers and which any reader can also pray. The other two are a prayer to Jesus and one to Our Lady. If the mark of true religious literature is that it inspires the reader to want to draw closer to God, to dig as deep as it is spiritually possible to go and invite into one's self the presence of God, then these short prayers are quite probably the best single thing about this little book. This 80-page paperback is the story of his life, illustrated with colour photographs taken during one of the Masses he offered.

his little book, designed to be read one day at a time over month, could have a big effect on your life. At 124 pages, this paperback contains short meditations based upon the life of Mary, her role. her beauty. her total submission to the will of God in her life and many other things besides. They

are, quite simply, beautifully written. At the end of each chapter the reader will usually find two paragraphs which invite further reflection - one on Mary. one on us. Can we read these passages, day by day, and reflect on the meditations offered at the end of each without feeling something stir deep within ourselves? Each helps us to turn away from self-preoccupation to open our hearts to God through the most magnificent woman in history, she who is His Daughter, Spouse and Mother. The author's experience as an exorcist in the years following his ordination in 1954,

a reader might suspect, adds to his feelings and understanding of the subject upon which he has written so touchingly and meditatively. He is also a Mariologist - one who specialises in the study of Mary. In St John's Apocalypse it is Mary who is shown as crushing the Devil in the image of a serpent beneath her heel. Ills not surprising that someone who, in the lives of those he has ministered to, has had to confront and expel evil spirits in the name of Jesus. may well have a special love and devotion to the one who is portrayed as being God's agent of the Devil's defeat.

partly visible in some of the photographs their reality has already been attested elsewhere by countless witnesses; perhaps at such a moment it is worth remembering Jesus Christ's exhortation before St Thomas: Blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe. The best photograph, for this reviewer's money, is to be found on page 39 and shows Padre Pio's face at the moment of consecration during the Mass. He holds before himself the chalice containing the real presence of God, and it is the look on his face which will make any reader stop and say to himself or herself if they do not already know the answer. 'what is really going on here?' The answer is quite simple: it is yet another miracle, but a miracle of a kind far superior to visible signs on a stigmatic saint's hands. It is the miracle of the sacrifice of Jesus for all of humanity, one which is re-presented every day in every Catholic Church throughout the world. And then the reader should realise. Of course, this is what Padre Pio's life was really all about.

THE aspE OF RY

St Martin's cape went to a beggar - was it esus? M Lyt e m • e4rst t 2000 artin was a saint very much like our own archbishop; he opposed the death penalty and fought paganism. Martin was born in Pannonia, in about 325 AD. His father was a military tribune, quite an important position, and his family were pagan, as were many military families. Nevertheless from the age of ten, Martin wished to become a Christian. He took refuge in a Church, and demanded to be made a catechumen, against his parent's wishes. During the fourth century, the Roman Empire was beginning to collapse under pressure from barbarian hordes. Military service was made hereditary. Consequently, when Martin was fifteen, he was dragged, protesting, by his father to enrol in the army. Through his father's influence, he gained a place in the prestigious Imperial Horse Guard. Martin disliked the army although he served for five years. One day in Amiens, in France, he met a beggar shivering with cold. He took his heavy military cloak and cut it in half with his sword. He gave half to the beggar. That night he had a vision of Jesus, wearing half his cloak, sur-

The Record, April 6 2000 Page 10

rounded by angels. Subsequently, Martin was baptised and sought a discharge from the army, to pursue a religious life. When he was accused of cowerth historian Dr Jennifer Skerritt sheds ardice, he offered to stand some light on Catholic history to mark unarmed in the battle line hold2000 years of Christianity. This week: ing only a cross. Fortunately the enemy surrenMartin of Tours c. AD 325- 401. dered before the battle, and Martin was allowed to leave. He became a follower of St anxious for his ordination either. named Priscillian and six of his companions were condemned. Hilary of Potters, who gave him Nevertheless, they went ahead. Martin's diocese was mainly a piece of land at Liguge upon Martin insisted that they should which he established a great pagan, but he soon converted it be excommunicated, but not exemonastery, the first in Gaul by destroying pagan temples and cuted. idols. (France), which still exists. The Emperor and some of the The fourth century was not a other bishops did not agree. In 371 the people of Tours agitated for him to become their great age of inter-faith dialogue. The Emperor reprieved them, On one occasion, Martin was but when Martin left Treves, they bishop. They carried him off against his unable to demolish a pagan tem- were executed anyway. will, to stand before the other ple because it was defended by This was the first time men bishops of Gaul who were not Its congregation. were put to death for heresy by He prayed and two angels Christians. appeared, with spears and Martin was furious and excomshields. They drove off the crowd, municated the bishops involved. so that Martin could destroy the He later forgave them, in return shrine. On another occasion, Martin for a pardon from the Emperor wished to cut down a large fir Maximus for other criminals tree which the pagans wor- condemned to death. Later in life, Martin retired to a shipped. The pagan priests agreed, if cell on a steep cliff near Tours, Martin would stand directly in with eighty disciples. This was the beginning of the the path of its fall. They must have really loathed abbey of Marmoutier (Martini Martin's Monasterium, or him. Martin made the sign of the monastery). cross as the tree was cut, and it When he died, he was buried fell to one side, missing the Saint. in Tours and 2000 monks folA depiction of St Martin of Tours In 384 in Treves, a heretic lowed his body to the grave.

On Retreat with Justice and Peace head

Live in the present with intense love Each Lent, Pope John Paul II asks someone to preach a seven-day retreat for himself and his assistants. Pope Paul VI asked the future pope, Cardinal Karol Wotyla, to preach the 1975 retreat.. This year, that Pope asked the head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Archbishop Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, who spent 13 years in Communist Vietnamese prisons, to lead the spiritual exercises. After the retreat, which began on Sunday 12 March, Pope John Paul asked Archbishop Thuan to publish his reflections. Over this and the next two issues, The Record will publish the ZENIT news agency's reports, based on Archbishop Thuan 's notes of what he had to say to the Pope and his collaborators.

During the long nights of pressure,I conhese days of Exercises are a propivinced myself that to live the present tious time to sing our gratitude to moment is the simplest and surest way to the Lord, because "his mercy is eversanctity. reach lasting. He lifts the indigent from the dust This conviction inspired a prayer and the poor from the dung heap so that he may sit among the princes of his peo"Jesus,Iwill not wait,Iwant to live this ple." present moment filling it with love. We have not been chosen because of our "The straight line is made up of millions merits, but only by his mercy.I have loved of little points joined to one another. you with an everlasting love, says the Lord. "My life is also made up of millions of This is our security. This is our pride: seconds and minutes joined among themawareness of being called and chosen for selves. love, Archbishop Nguyen Van Thuan said. "IfIlive each second, the line will be In addressing the complex problem of sin straight and grace, Archbishop Thuan explained "IfIlive each minute perfectly, life will be that if we consider the names of the kings saintly. present in the book of the genealogy of "The road of hope is paved with many Jesus, we can see that only two of them small moments of hope. were faithful to God: liezekiah and Jer'The life of hope is made up of brief minoboam. utes of hope. The rest were idolaters, immoral, mur"As you, Jesus, who have always done derers. ... In David, the most famous king what pleases your Father. of the Messiah's ancestors, sanctity and sin "In each minute I want to say to you: were mixed: with bitter tears he confessed Ilove you, my truth is always a new Jesus, his sins of adultery and murder in the alliance with you. eternal and psalms, especially Psalm 51(50), which is "Every minuteI want to sing with the now a penitential prayer repeated in the Archbishop Francis Xavier Thuan at the University of St Thomas in St Paul, Minnesota in the Unitwhole Church: Glory be to the Father, and ,r7oto CfsiS, Dave hirvaceA. Catnu,i. Spin: Liturgy of the Church. ed States last September. to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. . ." the The women Matthew mentions at the lion. Today, as in the times of the Old and series of decisions between God and the Archbishop prayed. beginning of the Gospel, as mothers who New Testament, He acts in the poor of spir- works of God - an always new decision that During the subsequent months, when I transmit life and God's blessing in their it, in the humble, in sinners who convert to becomes a conversion. locked up in the town of Cay Vong, day was womb, also cause commotion. Him with all their heart. The temptation of the people of God under the constant control of the night, and All were in an irregular situation: Tamar On the second day of the spiritual exer- always consisted in not fully trusting God, police.Ihad one thought that obsessed me: in security and support find to trying in is a sinner, Rahab a prostitute. Ruth a for- cises, Archbishop Thuan emphasised that The people I so love, my people, have eigner, the fourth woman he does not dare life in a world of living contradiction another place. remained like a flock without a shepherd! to mention by name. This is the experience suffered by figures between progress and barbarism can only How can I contact my people, precisely glorious as Moses, David, Solomon. . . . as God. in hope and meaning real find 'wife the been He only says that she had at this time, when they are in such great This was the experience of the Patriarchs. need of a shepherd? of Uriah' - it was Bathsheba. and first Christians. referred to in Prophets, And yet, the river of history, full of sins The Catholic bookstores had been conchapter 11 of the Letter to the Hebrews, in and crimes, becomes a source of pure the schools closed: the teachers, fiscated: which the expression `by faith' appears 18 water to the degree we get closer to the fullexpression 'with faith' once. men and women religious, scattered: some the and times ness of time: In Mary. the Mother, and Jesus, uring my long tribulation of nine had been sent to work in the rice paddies, This is also the key to reading the lives of years of isolation in a windowless the Messiah, all generations are saved. others were in 'regions of the new econocell, at times illuminated by electric so many men and women who over 2,000 my' in the villages. This list of sinful men and women that for years of Christianity have given their life Matthew discloses in Jesus' genealogy does light for entire days, or in the dark The separation was a shock that was of even to the point of martyrdom. because suffocating was I felt I weeks. not scandalise us. my heart. destroying the heat and humidity. Among all these examples, the ArchbishIt exalts the mystery of the mercy of God. going to wait,Isaid to myself. not am I But who woman the Mary, highlighted op I was on the verge of madness. forgetting her plans, without God, chose Moreover, in the New Testament, Jesus the present moment, filling in live will I I was then a young bishop with eight chose Peter, who denied him, and Paul, years of pastoral experience. I couldn't fully understanding the mystery that was it with love. taking place in her body and her destiny. who persecuted him. But how? One night I understood: 'Fransleep. God and not God's works: this cis, it is very simple, do what St Paul did choose To Nonetheless, they are now the pillars of I was tormented by the thought of having is the most genuine response to today's the Church. to forsake the diocese, to let all the work I world, the road for God's plan to be ful- when he was in prison: write letters to the communities. When a people writes their official histo- had done for God be lost. filled in us, in the Church, in today's The next day, it was October of 1975, with ry, they speak of victories, heroes, and I felt a kind of revolt inside me, the Viet- humanity. gesture I was able to call a five-year old a greatness. namese Archbishop said. It is possible that those who choose God boy named Quang, who was a Christian, to It is marvellous to see a people whose One night, in the depth of my heart, I will have to go through tribulations, but tell his mother to buy me old official history does not hide the sins of its heard a voice that said to me: 'Why do you they Joyfully accept to lose their goods, tell him to calendars. ancestors, as is the case of the Chosen Peo- torment yourself this way? You must dis- because they know they have greater That same day, at night, in the dark. cern between God and God's works.' ple, continued the points for meditation. goods, that no one will be able to take from brought me the calendars and every Quang 'All that you did and would like to con- them. Awareness of the fragility of man and, October and November of 1975,1 in night of formation visits, pastoral above all, of God's love, are two important tinue to do: people my message from capmy wrote seminarians, men and women religious, guarantees of hope. tivity. laity, youth, construction of schools, misArchbishop Nguyen Van Thuan acknowl- sions for evangelisation of non-Christians. fter they arrested me in August of Every morning, the child came to collect edged that the whole of the Old Testament .. ., all this is excellent work, but these are 1975, two policemen took me by the pages and took them home. is directed toward hope: God is coming to God's works, not God. night from Saigon to Nhatrang, a 450 His brothers and sisters copied the mesrestore his Kingdom, God is coming to retrip. kilometre to leave all these works you wants sages. God 'If establish the Covenant. So began my life as a prisoner, without and entrust yourself into His hands, do it This was how the book The Way of Hope God is coming to construct a new people, immediately and have confidence in Him. timetables, without nights or days. was written, which has now been pubto build a new Jerusalem, to erect a new In our country there is a motto, which lished in 11 languages. 'He will give your work to others, who are temple, to recreate the world. With the A day in prison is worth a thousand says: much more competent than you. WhenI came out,Ireceived a letter from Incarnation, this Kingdom arrived. autumns of freedom. Mother Teresa of Calcutta with these 'You have chosen God, not his works.' But Jesus tells us that this Kingdom grows Imyself experienced this. While in prison, words: 'What counts is not the amount of related the Vietnamese Archbishop. everyone waits for freedom, every day, our actions but the intensity of love with slowly, in a hidden way, like the mustard This light gave me new strength, which every minute. seed . ... Between the fullness of time and which we do each one.' the end of times, the Church is on the road has completely changed my way of thinkMy mind was full of confused feelings: That experience reinforced in my interiing, and it has helped me overcome sadness, fear, tension. My heart felt laceras the people of hope. or the idea that we must live each day, each moments that physically seemed unbear- ated by the remoteness of my people. Today, hope is perhaps the greatest chal- able. minute of our life as though it is the last In the darkness of the night, in the midst leave behind everything that is accessory: lenge. Since that time, a new peace filled my Charles Peguy used to say: 'The faith I heart and stayed with me during 13 years of that ocean of anxiety, of nightmare, little be concentrated only on the essential. by littleIbegan to awaken:Imust face realmost like is hope." Yes, because in hope, of imprisonment. Every word, every gesture, every phone ity. I am in prison. Isn't this, perhaps, the faith that operates through charity opens every decision must be the most beaucall, great? to time something do best Ifelt human weakness, hut! would renew new paths in the heart of men, it tends to moment of our life. tiful How many times in my life will I have the realisation of the new world, of the my decision in the face of difficult situaWe must love everyone, we must smile at such an opportunity again? civilisation of love, that is nothing other tions, and I never lacked peace. everyone without losing a single second," this works, God's ThereTo choose God, and not The only sure thing in life is death. than to lead the world to the divine life of the Archbishop. the 'flinity, in its way of being and operat- Is the foundation of Christian life, at all fore,Imust take advantage of the occasions Next week more reflections that come my way each day to carry out ing, exactly as manifested in Christ and times. from prison. Iunderstand that, at all times, my life is a ordinary actions in an extraordinary way. transmitted in the Gospel. This is our voc,a-

God is our only certainty

The Secret of Sanctity

The Record, April 6 2000 Page 11

In terna ional News

Women Meditations In Brief

ark Jubilee

told the women to use their voices to spread Christ's message, WASHINGTON (CNS) - As Pope especially in today's secular and John Paul II celebrated Mass in modern age. "If we believe in the Gospel of Nazareth on the feast of the Annunciation, Catholic women life, we must speak out against all worldwide - including hundreds who mock the Gospel values," she in Washington - gathered to said. "And we don't need Roman observe the Church's Jubilee Day collars to do that." She said Pope John Paul's Lenten for Women. At a prayer breakfast before a 25 pilgrimage to the Holy Land is "an March Mass in Washington's incredible witness to what we Basilica of the National Shrine of must give out - forgiveness, faith, the Immaculate Conception, Har- hope and charity." Boston Cardinal Bernard Law, in vard law professor Mary Ann Glendon used the example of the his homily during the Mass, called late Dorothy Day's life to urge the the Annunciation "the turning women to "open their hearts to point in salvation history." The liturgy drew about 700 peothe grace of God." A convert and a founder of the ple, including many groups of Catholic Worker Movement, Day women religious. "Through the overshadowing of lived before her conversion during the 1920s in the Bohemian the Holy Spirit, the eternal Son of lifestyle that "has spread to all cor- the Father becomes flesh," the ners of life today." Glendon said. cardinal said. "God among us is "And that has taken a toll on flesh of her flesh." Sponsors of the Mass included women." She urged the audience to the US bishops' Committee on resolve "to reach out to all the Women in Society and the Domthys we know." Church; the National Council of Patricia McGuire, president of Catholic Women; Women AffirmTrinity College in Washington, ing Life; Catholic Daughters of the By Maureen Boyle

from Pope

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - For the first time in more than a decade, Pope john Paul 11 was to write the meditations for the annual Way of the Cross procession. The last time the current Pope wrote the texts for the stations of the cross service, held each year on Good Friday at Rome's Colosseum, was in 1984. The Vatican made the announcement on 31 March. St Leonard of Port Maurice, a Franciscan who set up almost 600 stations of the cross throughout Italy, began the Coliseum tradition at the close of the Holy Year 1750 during Pope Benedict XIV's pontificate.

Vatican X-rays VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Significantly raising its security Profile ahead of the arrival of Easter Week pilgrims. the Vatican installed airport-style metal detectors and X-ray machines around St Peter's Square. The new security measures were expected to be operational as soon as technicians finished testing the equipment, said Passionist Father Ciro Benedettini, a Vatican spokesman.

Archbishop hope BUKAVU. Congo (CNS) Exiled Congolese Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko of Bukavu was expected to return to his archdiocese following an agreement between local bishops and the local rebel authorities who expelled him, said a Church spokesman. "We have an agreement in principle. The president of the Congolese Rally for Democracy has asked us for a small delay in order to prepare for the archbishop's return. We expect he will return soon," said an archdiocesan spokesman.

Priest 'Innocent' GUATEMALA CITY (CNS) A diocesan priest accused of the murder of Auxiliary Bishop Juan Gerard' Conedera of Guatemala City reiterated his innocence, claiming he "saw nothing. . .. and did nothing." -AllI did was find my brother, Bishop Gerardi, murdered," he said Father Mario Orontes told reporters on 29 March from his hospital bed. Orontes had been ordered back to the country from the US to face charges of being an accessory to the 1998 murder.

Berrigan to jail TOWSON, Md. (CNS) Philip Berrigan, a 76-year-old former josephite priest and longtime activist, was sentenced to 30 months in jail on 23 March for malicious destruction of property in connection with a protest last December at the Warfield Air National Guard base in Middle River, Maryland. Berrigan and three others were protesting against the use of depleted uranium ammunition in military aircraft guns.

Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon. Americas; St Mary's Press; Magnificat magazine; the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; and Trinity College. The prayer breakfast and Mass marked the close of a two-day conference on "The Feminine Genius and the Culture of Life" sponsored by Women Affirming Life and the US bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. Draw-

ing more than 200 women from around the US and five countries, including more than 75 female college students, the conference offered prayer services, workshops and training sessions, all aimed at finding ways to promote pro-life efforts in their professions, parishes and communities. In a keynote address, Janne Matlary, a member of the Norwegian Christian Democratic Party and a professor at Oslo University, described the "feminine genius" as the unique difference between men and women and said secular society downplayed that notion. 'Women are told, 'We should be like men,' and in order to be like men, we must forgo or neglect motherhood," she said. Mallory, who is married and the mother of four, urged the women to define a "new feminism" which emphasises the family unit. She said that not only requires support from the Church, but the government as well. To retain the family as a natural unit of society, it must be supported by politics," she said.

UN Beijing review disappoints nuncio Dentists meet Pope By Tracy Early

NEW YORK (CNS) - Preparatory work for a special session of the United Nations to review results of the 1995 Beijing Conference on Women has been disappointing, according to the Vatican nuncio to the United Nations. Archbishop Renato Martino told Catholic News Service on 24 March that preparatory work had been slow and much of the language in the draft document expressed views the Vatican could not accept. "There are many things to which we object at this stage," he said. The UN General Assembly will have a special session in New from 5-9 York June to review developments since the Beijing conference, assess progress on its plan of action and set forth additional steps for meeting the needs

of women and assuring gender equality. Efforts to prepare a draft document for adoption at that session were undertaken at UN headquarters from 3-17 March, with the UN Commission on the Status of Women as the preparatory committee. But major portions of the document remained in dispute, and the committee planned several days of work in April and May and the week before the General Assembly session. Disputed sections included topics often debated in the past, as well as "sexual orientation," that could make Vatican acceptance of the document doubtful. The Vatican mission to the United Nations took an active role in the committee, however two of the mission staff involved in the committee sessions, told CNS in a joint interview on 27 March that It remained uncertain whether a

generally acceptable document could be produced. Although the review was not supposed to attempt a renegotiation of issues thrashed out at Beijing, some of the proposed language for the new document went beyond what was adopted there, they said. • Development policies should include special efforts to support the family, a Vatican representative told the UN Commission on Population and Development. Bishop James McHugh, of Rockville Centre, said on 28 March the family is "the basic unit of society" and "entitled to society's protection and support." "This includes assurance of a family wage and adequate housing opportunities for families and children," he said. The commission is a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council.

Downs' boy gets confession apology ROME (CNS) - An Italian archbishop asked forgiveness of an 11year-old boy with Down syndrome after the boy's parish priest refused to hear his confession. Archbishop Giovanni Marra of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucai del Mela visited the boy's home in the Sicilian village of Venetico on 27 March, saying he apologised "in the name of the whole Church." Venetico's 80-year-old parish priest, Father Nino Romano, had

refused the sacrament to the disabled child, identified only as Piero, during a March 25 first confession ceremony. "You don't give flowers to dogs," the priest reportedly said, paraphrasing Jesus' injunction against "throwing pearls to swine." He later explained that the sacraments should not be taken "without understanding." Though Piero cannot read or write, he was reported to be wellintegrated in the local school's fifth grade class. The sacraments

should not be denied to people who have "at least a minimal use of reason" enabling them to distinguish right from wrong, said Father Thomas Fucinaro, an official at the Vatican's sacrament congregation. "In those cases where there's a question, you'd want to err on the side" of granting the sacrament, he said. Archbishop Marra was reported to have heard Piero's confession. He also made the boy a peace offering: a rosary blessed by the Pope and a Bible.

VATICAN CITY. 28 MARCH (ZENIT) - Never before in history had so many dentists gathered in the Vatican. The majority of the 8,000 pilgrims were Italians. Tbday was the Dentists Jubilee, which was scheduled to tie in with an annual professional meeting, which ended on 1 April. When he was with them. Pope John Paul II not only referred to their "technical" work, but especially their "human" service, in support of those who suffered and experienced a time of need. Therefore, he encouraged them to become "promoters of solidarity," even at the international level. This was the Holy Father's first public audience after his historic pilgrimage to the Holy Land. At the beginning of the morning, the dentists crossed the threshold of the Holy Door and attended a Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, president of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. Pope John Paul II said that for the Catholic dentist, there is only one model, Jesus, the Good Samaritan par excellence. He invited them to give "scientific and technical help to countries that do not have access to current dental care."

Congo Catholics fast for peace from invasion) civil war

ROME, MARCH 28 (ZENIT) Fasting and abstinence for peace are the order of the day for Catholics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The initiative, promoted by various organisations among which is the Justice Commission of the missionary religious congregations, has met with extraordinary success. Thousands of Christians around the world, many of them members of NG0s, have decided to remember in this way the drama being lived by the people of this African country, in which the civil

The Record, April 6 2000 Page 12

war, aggravated by the intervention of neighbouring countries, continues to take innocent lives. The campaign began on 8 March and will end on 8 April, a day that will culminate with a meeting in the Roman Coliseum, where numerous early Christians met their death. Fr Francesco Zampese, a Xavierian missionary, one of the initiative's organisers, said on Vatican Radio that "the sorrowful cry of the African people in this region torments us in the depths of our spirit. Through fasting and abstinence, we want to cry out that this

situation is unacceptable. . . . Moreover, we want to denounce the world's complicity, which keeps silent in the face of this theatre of blood. "In the Congo (former Zaire) there is an invasion and occupation by foreign troops supported by Western powers. "This phenomenon causes tremendous instability and total Insecurity. Innocents are constantly massacred, day after day." The campaign of prayer and fasting hopes to create a new awareness in order to promote reconciliation, forgiveness, and

the pacification of "all the forces involved in the conflict." The humanitarian drama being experienced in the Congo is manifested in absurd massacres. "We are faced with limitless violence. The whole society is totally unstable, and children, youths, and elderly must hide in the forests and go out at night to search of isolated places, anywhere, as their homes are not safe. . . . This has caused a loss of the meaning of life and of hope in a better future. In spite of their will power, the people are really suffering."

nternational News

Pope tells of pilgri age joy By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II said he could not begin to express his joy and gratitude to God for having been able to make his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 'The joy and recognition which I carry in my heart for this gift of the Lord are beyond words," the Pope told an estimated 60,000 visitors at his 29 March weekly general audience in St Peter's Square. Pope John Paul renewed his prayers during the 20-26 March trip for peace in the Middle East and he made a special appeal for Pope John Paul II, back at the Vati- peace on the southern Philippines can from his pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Mindanao, where govLand, addresses a general audience ernment troops and Muslim guerin St Peter's Square on 29 March. rillas have been fighting. The

Pope said that throughout his visit to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories, he assured government and political leaders of his concern "for a just peace among all the peoples of the region." Reviewing the major steps of his pilgrimage from Mount Nebo in Jordan, to Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem, the Pope said the trip was "a return to the origins, to the roots of the faith and of the Church." "In this year 2000," he said, "Bethlehem is at the centre of the attention of the Christian world: that is where Christ the Lord, the light of the peoples dawned; that is where the proclamation of peace for all those God loves began." Pope John Paul said he went to a Palestinian refugee camp in

Bethlehem meditating on the fact that Christ came to live among the poor and humble. "For too long," he said, 3 million Palestinian refugees have lived in camps. "May the commitment of all finally lead to a solution of this painful problem." The Pope said his trip culminated in Jerusalem, the city where the passion and resurrection of Christ, the central event of salvation history, took place. "The stones of Jerusalem are silent and eloquent witnesses of this mystery," he said. Pope John Paul told of his important meetings with Christians, Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem. "Although there are great difficulties, Jerusalem is called to become the symbol of peace among those who believe in the

God of Abraham and place themselves under his law," the Pope said. • In Rome, the Jubilee is breaking all records in terms of numbers of pilgrims. On 1 April, at the last minute, 35,000 Italians came for an audience. Another 6,000 Czech pilgrims joined their ranks, the greatest number of Czechs ever to come on pilgrimage to Rome. In the rust general audience that he held last Wednesday, two days after returning from Israel, there were 60,000 pilgrims, figures which are much higher than usual. It is estimated that during this Holy Year, 20 million pilgrims will visit Rome.

'Suicide fits larger African pattern' Woman victim brought MBARARA (Fides) - "These sects are a tragedy, often politically manipulated to weaken the Church, but they also challenge Catholics". Italian Franciscan missionary, Fr Gianfranco Sisto. 32, working in Uganda for the past three years, was speaking to Fides, the missionary news service of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. Fr Sisto runs the Franciscan novitiate in Kakoba, a small village not far from Mbarara about 50 kilometres from Kanungu where on 17 March at least 500 members of the sect "Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God" were burned to death in a community suicide during a pseudo-religious service which the missionary termed "diabolical". In a 21 March statement the Ugandan Bishops' Conference said "Many of the victims of this horrible event were young people and innocent children. They were misled by leaders obsessed with a hateful form of religion totally rejected by the Catholic Church. The leaders took no notice of repeated warnings and reprimands given by Church authorities." Fr Sisto said until last December, the movement had a centre less than 200 metres from his novitiate. "The members were all very involved in the activities: they fasted, sold their possessions and gave the money to the leaders; they got up to pray at three in the morning. They had attracted many of the local people, but now the surviving members are under shock like everyone else here." He said similar sects are spreading not only in Uganda, "but also In Rwanda and Burundi and other countries in this region, where for years there has been powerful anti-Catholic Church propagan-

food for final 'banquet'

MBARARA (Fides) - Seforosa Uamurumba, aged 60, who left her family to join the Movement for the Restoration of the Commandments of God, was one of the victims of the sects' suicidal fire tragedy. on 17 March. Seforosa's husband and four children were among the first to reach the scene of the disaster. A year ago Seforosa decided to leave her family of four and husband Juanario, a catechist at the Uganda's Martyrs Catholic parish church in Mbarara, to follow the sect led by Joseph Kibwetere. Last week she had come home for a visit and said the family would not see her again. The family is quite well off and Seforosa had become one of the chief supporters of the sect providing food and other necessities. The day before the tragedy she had been seen buying large quantities of meat and other food for the 'banquet' which was then followed by the tragic torching. On the basis of information supplied to Fides, it appears that at Prisoners dig for bodies behind the house of a leader of the Movement for the the end of the banquet men, women and children were ushRestoration of the Ten Commandments in Rugazi, Uganda, on 27 March. ered into the inner worship place da. . . .These sects are manipu- he said he has "no idea how this lated to weaken the Church. defamation can be stopped. From Catholics are accused of being a the religious point of view we foreign Church, the authorities must be faithful announcers of the are suspicious of missionaries. Gospel.Ihave noticed that one of They are trying to blame the the things which seems to attract Church for the genocides in people to the sects are the elaboRwanda and Burundi, although rate services, with much singing ROME, 2 April (ZENIT) - On hundreds of Catholic church per- and dancing." 28 March, for the second time in sonnel, including priests and "One response could be to proas many weeks, the city of bishops were killed in the vide more inculturated liturgy, Nimule in southern Sudan. tragedy," he said. continuing the research already which is predominantly Christ"All this anti-Church propagan- begun, while remaining faithful to was bombed by the govian, da creates confusion among the the Gospel message, finding new ernment army of the Khartoum Catholics. When faith is not ways of adaptation to African spirIslamic regime. deeply rooted our Christians are ituality. The charismatic moveTwelve bombs fell over the easily misled by newcomers, with ment, for example, brings back span of one hour. One child was lured Catholics of the tragic consequences we wit- thousands wounded and at least one bomb ness," he said. At the political level away by sects," he said. fell near the hospital. "Once again, the bombing seems indiscriminate. We can only say that the government continues to terrorise the civilany real person, they have not the dead with its radioactivity. ian population," stated Mike been apologetic about the offence Phil Ox. the project's French direcFoley, director of the Jesuits caused. The cartoon Pope plays tor, has categorically stated that refugees Service (IRS). practical jokes and terrorises the he will not be toning down the The previous bombing took Vatican guards. project to protect people's feelplace on 14 March. One episode hinges on an "Erra- ings. Episcopalian Bishop Wilson ta" slip from the original edition He stated, "I do not think the Mop, whose diocese includes of the Bible, saying "Page 9: 'God Church has any problem irritatNimule, said that "Antonov mildoes exist' should read 'God does ing me sometimes. I support gay itary planes flew over Nimule not exist.'" rights and believe abortion is a for at least a week Another episode has a refriger- solution sometimes. We do not "They dropped 12 bombs on ator from Chernobyl brought to want to question the fact that peo14 March and totally destroyed the Vatican, where it fills the crypt ple believe in God and just want our church, killing a chaplain with snow for a ski slope and to question the establishment of brings dozens of Popes back from the Church."

UK Catholics protest Topeman' cartoon LONDON, 29 March (ZENIT) Both the BBC and Sky are considering airing a 26-part animated series depicting the Pope as a man with the emotional age of seven. The cartoon, entitled "Popeman," is currently being produced at a cost of some US $8,000,000 by Channel X, an independent company founded by Jonathan Ross. British Catholics are already protesting the series. While the creators say their Pope character is not based on

to be anointed with a special oil which the group leaders said had been given by them by the Virgin Mary. The 'special oil' was probably the petrol with which they were burned alive. Seforosa's family, among the first to reach the tragedy, say that probably only the leaders knew there would be a massacre. It was obvious that many victims had tried in vain to escape, because near the tightly sealed doors and windows of the building charred bodies were massed in heaps. It seems that the chief of the sect, Joseph Kibwetere, who made all new members sell their goods and hand over the money, had predicted the end of the world for January 2000. When the time came and nothing happened people were getting restless and suspicious, demanding the restitution of their money. It is thought that Kibwetere, faced with the anger of his members and with having to return the money, decided to murder them all. This suspicion is confirmed by Ugandan media which report that the leader was seen leaving the site before the fire.

Islamic North continues to bomb Sudan's Christians and seriously wounding 20 persons." Another person died the following day. According to the UN High Commission for Refugees. beginning last month, the number of refugees leaving Sudan for border countries has doubled. In a statement published on 24 March, Doctors Without Borders condemned the "deliberate targeting" of schools and hospitals by the Sudanese Air Force. A delegation of South African Bishops who came to Sudan on a solidarity visit "were impressed by the conditions in which the people live in southern Sudan," Fr Stephen Power said. Fr Power, a Jesuit, is director of WS in East Africa. "The Bishops were not convinced by the ingenuous explanations of the Khartoum regime about their continued war in the south, including high altitude terrorist bombings on weak civilian targets," he continued.

The Record, April 6 2000 Page 13

Asian Catholic News

Belo calls for refugees' return By Steve Steele ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) - The 100,000 East Timorese refugees residing in Indonesia-controlled western Timor must be allowed to return to their country and not be forced to resettle in other parts of Indonesia, said Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, apostolic administrator of Dili. "No forced resettlement must be permitted.Iknow that many want to come home, and they have not yet been given the freedom to do so," Bishop Belo said. The bishop called on the international community to exert pressure on the Indonesian government to not resettle the East Timorese should the

refugees not leave the camps in pound the crimes that have western Timor by the end of already been committed against March. Indonesia has said that it the people of East Timor," Bishop would cut off all humanitarian aid Belo said. to refugees by 31 March. About 250,000 East Timorese Bishop Belo made his remarks were either deported or fled to in a statement released on 27 western Timor to escape the vioMarch by his biographer, Arnold lence that erupted in the wake of Kohen, a consultant for the Office the August UN-sponsored referof International Justice and Peace endum on independence from of the US Catholic Conference in Indonesia. About 150,000 have Washington. returned to East Timor, but an Bishop Belo, who was awarded estimated 100,000 refugees still the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996, remain in western Timor. issued an earlier statement excluIndonesia is demanding that sively to The Florida Catholic refugees choose whether they newspaper, where he called on wish to become Indonesian citiCatholics in the United States to zens or be repatriated to East help rebuild East Timor. Timor. "Dispersing people in Indonesia However, Bishop Belo said the against their will would only Indonesian-supported militias, deepen the tragedy and com- which control the camps and

Churches step in to help Moluccans JAKARTA. Indonesia (CNS) Bishop Hadisumarta said that Churches in Indonesia's east- before the refugees' arrival, the ernmost province of Papua have local government, community stepped in as the local govern- and religious leaders had ment finds itself unable to deal agreed that Sorong should serve with the recent influx of people only as a transit place for fleeing violence in their coun- refugees. try's Moluccas Islands. "Since the day the refugees Bishop Francis Hadisumarta of were taken in. local people have Nianokwari-Sorong said in a 24 continuously pushed for their March letter to the Indonesian return." the bishop said. "Every bishops' conference that since day, they (refugees) were termid-March nearly 1,000 Indone- rorised by the locals." sians had fled to Papua, reportUnable to stand the pressure, ed UCA News, an Asian church refugees finally left Sorong with news agency based in Thailand. the help of Christians. Most of The local district government. he said, was caught unprepared them went to Thal on Key island, to tackle the sudden influx of a about 530 kilometres south of Sorong. large number of people. "It is sad. People who had been Those displaced from the Moluccas. all Protestants or expelled were expelled again." Catholics, came by boat from said Bishop Hadistunarta. 14-16 March from Bula. Jesuit Father Ignatius They were expelled and pur- Ismartono, executive secretary sued by Muslims in Ceram," the of the Indonesian bishops' Combishop said. mission for Interreligious Bula is a subdistrict town on Affairs, said Bishop HadisumarCeram island, about 270 kilo- ta needs about 95 million rupimetres south of Sorong, the cen- ah (US$12,752) to help refugees tre of Manokwari-Sorong who continue to flee to the dioDiocese in the western part of cese. Papua province. Army Lieutenant Colonel lwa While the government Budiman, head of the Maluku assumed no responsibility, provincial military command's some local companies accepted Information office, told the press 100 company workers (from in Ambon about the 22 March Ceram). So local churches were rioting on Buru and Seram the only hope for the refugees." islands in Central Maluku disthe bishop said. Protestants were accepted by trict. Rioting between Muslims and local Protestant communities, and more than 300 Catholics Christians in Waimulang village who had fled were taken to the on Burn island led to seven deaths and the burning of some cathedral church hall. They are packed like sar- 20 houses, he reported. dines, but there is nothing we In Bula sub-district, 21 houses can do about it. That is the only of Christian villagers were place we have," said the bishop, burned allegedly by Muslims, adding that Protestant refugees and Christians had to seek are living in similar conditions. refuge, UCA News sources said.

were responsible for last year's violence, are preventing the East Timorese from returning to their country UN officials estimate that at least 50,000 refugees, possibly more, wish to return to East Timor. International aid agencies attempting to deliver aid or to assist with the return of refugees to East Timor have been attacked recently. "Not only must the people in the camps in West Timor be given a free choice to return to East Timor, they must be given the food and water that they need. Starvation must not be allowed to begin. They must be helped immediately. The people should not be cruelly abandoned to hunger and violence," Bishop Belo said.

ndia gets its first low-caste bishop

HYDERABAD, India (CNS) - The appointment of India's first "dalit" (low caste) archbishop evoked mixed reactions among Church people in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. While some have criticised the Vatican for ignoring "ground realities" in transferring Bishop Marampudi Joji of Vijayawada to Hyderabad, others said his promotion as the state's metropolitan archbishop will bring "new life" to the 1-million-strong Church in Andhra. Expressing shock over the appointment, outgoing Archbishop Skunineni Arulappa of Hyderabad said, "Rome is being taken for a ride. Rome does not know the ground realities," reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. The recently retired archbishop

announced his successor's appointment at a press conference in the Andhra Pradesh capital of Hyderabad on 18 March. He later attributed Archbishop Joji's promotion to propaganda. "If I say something, it will be interpreted as oppressing the oppressed, meaning the dalits," he told UCA News. Claiming that 95 per cent of Hyderabad archdiocese's priests opposed the appointment, he gave his successor less than five years in his new post. The new archbishop "has not remained more than three to four years in one place," noted Archbishop Arulappa. Archbishop Joji, 5Z who was ordained a bishop for Khammam in 1992, was transferred to Vijayawada in 1996. Hyderabad's chancellor, Father Henry D'Souza, however,

Death of Syro-Malabar Cardinal 'leaves vacuum' By Shevlin Sebastian KOCHI, India (UCAN) - Cardinal Antony Padiyara's death has left a "great vacuum" in the SyroMalabar Church (SMC) and in southern Indian socio-religious circles, Church and political leaders say. They credit the first SMC major archbishop, who died in the southern Indian city of Kochi on 23 March, with guiding the Indiabased Oriental Church in troubled times. The prelate used his wit to fight a factional feud that hindered his Church's growth and a debilitating disease that affected his oratorical skill. "He encountered a lot of problems and hurdles, but he faced them all in a strong and sweet manner," his successor, Major Archbishop Varkey Vithayathil of

Ernakulam-Angamaly, told UCA News. In a condolence message on 23 March, Pope John Paul II thanked God for the "many blessings bestowed upon the Church" through the late cardinal's ministry. While the cardinal's death "saddened" him, the Pope expressed confidence that his "example will inspire" the members of the Church. The president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), Archbishop Alan de Lastic of Delhi, said in a circular that the Catholic Church in India has lost "one of the most distinguished archbishops," and "all of us (have lost) a dear friend." In 1998 the Indian government awarded Cardinal Padiyara the Padmashree (lotus honour), the nation's third highest civilian award, for his socio-religious contributions to the country.

West Papuans: Church needs to take land use stand

JAYAPURA, Indonesia (UCAN) Delegates to a Catholic Church meeting in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua agreed that the local Church should help indigenous people defend their land rights, a missioner says. The influx of migrants and business ventures, which often results in the seizure of land for resettlement or commercial purposes, threatens indigenous people, Maryknoll Father Vincent Cole told UCA News. The regional Church gathering on 10 February was attended by representatives from Merauke

archdiocese and Jayapura, Agats and Manokwari-Sorong dioceses, he said. Papua province was formerly called by the Indonesian name Irian Jaya. The land problem, Father Cole explained, is a sensitive issue and must be urgently addressed by the Church because "the life of the Papuans rests on the status of their lands." The missioner said he told meeting delegates that Indonesia's national development policy sides with capitalists to the disadvantage of the people. The US priest, who is working in

Renr4 April ,6 2000 Page 14

Bishop Belo celebrates Mass in Dil late last year. Photo CAS,ReL.

Agats diocese, southern Papua, said that the Papuans have been marginalised. "They have become beggars in their own rich lands," he said. According to Father Cole, the delegates from the four dioceses in the province agreed that the Church should assist the indigenous people or the people will lose their rights after one or two generations. He said he proposed the establishment of diocesan commissions or institutions to assist local people in dealing with land problems. • Many Papuans have rejected

the government's "two-children" family planning policy for fear that it could make ethnic Papuans extinct in Indonesia's easternmost province, an academic says. Mince Rumbiak, a lecturer at Cenderawasih University in Jayapura, said that the government's family planning policy with its slogan "two-children is enough" should not be implemented uniformly in all provinces. It is applicable only to Java and densely populated provinces outside Java, "but not to thinly populated provinces like Papua," she said.

described Archbishop JO as a "good administrator," although he remained noncommittal about the new archbishop's efficiency as a pastor. He said he foresaw trouble if the new archbishop failed to adjust to Hyderabad's cosmopolitan cornmtmity. In Vijayawada, he "deals mostly with villagers," Father D'Souza said. Archbishop Joji told UCA News from Vijayawada that he was grateful to God for making him the first dalit archbishop "not only in India, but in the entire world." His priority, he said, is to reorganise the archdiocese's pastoral setup so that development will reach the needy. "We should see to it that the Church is at the service of the public," he added.

Priest for sentencing HONG KONG (UCAN) - A priest of the "underground" Church in Wenzhou diocese, eastern China, most of whose clergy are under detention, is expected to be sentenced soon to a jail term, mainland sources say. There are also reports that Bishop Julius jia Zhiguo of Zhengding has been released and detained Bishop John Yang Shudao of Fuzhou was taken to Beijing. Church sources in eastern China told UCA News in midMarch that Father Paul Jiang Sunian of Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, who is not affiliated with the government-recognised Church, is likely to be sentenced in the months to come. The priest, 33, has been detained since last 25 November but was officially arrested on 23 December. He was charged with publishing about 120,000 hymn books, exceeding the limit of 100.000 individuals, for according to the sources. The priest will likely be sentenced to 1-2 or more years in jail. they said. Bishop James Lin Xili of Wenzhou, 81, and five of his priests were being detained in a guesthouse where government officials continually "talked" with them In efforts to persuade them to join the "open" Church, the sources added.

Official Engagements

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APRIL 2 -7 Post -Synod (for Oceania) Council. Rome - Archbishop Hickey 8/9

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Blessing of Palms and Solemn Sung Mass. 10.00 am St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey Palm Sunday Procession with Fr Phalen - Archbishop Hickey

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THANKS PRAYER to St Jude. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Amen. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us and St Jude. worker of miracles, pray for us. Say this prayer along with one Our Father and one Hail Mary for 3 days. P.

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Archcaocesan Panorama TALK ON ADORATION FOR CHILDREN Father Paul Baczynski will conduct a Talk on Adoration for children at St Joseph Pignatelli Church, 35 Davidson Road, Attadale on Sun. April 9, at 4.30pm.Talk and questions, prayer, meditation and singing. Benediction and Scripture readings, to which youngsters can relate. Opportunity for children of all ages, especially 8-14 years. Parents. grandparents and teachers are invited. Contact Joanne 9330 4778 or Moira 9330 1170.

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The Record, established in 1874, is distributed to Catholic churches. presbyteries, religious houses and subscribers throughout the Archdiocese of Perth and the Dioceses of Geraldton, Bunbury and Broome. Advertising rates Display: So col cm. Classifieds: $3 a line Thesday. first mail. Deadlines: Editorial: Advertising: Booking: Monday midday. Copy: Tuesday midday. Member: Aust Catholic Press Association: Aust Religious Press Association. The Record follows the Holy Spirit's teaching at the Second Vatican Council on the role of the Catholic print media. The Record will not return copy or photographs submitted for publication unless specifically requested in writing upon submission. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted and to edit such material for clarity and brevity without recourse to the author.

PRAYER VIGIL A peaceful prayer vigil with Rosaries and hymns is made outside the abortion clinic at 2 CleaverTce Rivervale every third Saturday of each month. from 11am to 12 noon. The next vigil will be on Sat 15 April. Please join us. Inq: Josef 9389 5325. MENTAL HEALTH A Mental Health group for carers and those living with mental health meets on the second Monday at the parish centre of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 28 Marda Way. Nollamara at 7.30pm. A reminder for Mon 10 April. Information: Pat 9275 2809 . THE FAMILY ROSARY CRUSADE The crusade, led by Fr John Phalen CSC (NY) will be launched on Sat 15 April. 7.30pm in St Mary's Cathedral by Archbishop Hickey. On Palm Sunday, 16 April a Eucharistic Procession, led by Archbishop Hickey. will assemble at 1.30pm - The Esplanade (cnr Barrack St) for 2pm start. We process to Forrest Place for the Passion Play at 3pm. Other events include a Mission over 3 nights at the Cathedral. Evangelisation Workshops and a Family Day at Aquinas College Oval. All are invited. See page 5 of The Record for more details. C ATHEDRAL YOUTH FORUM Sun 7 May after 5pm Mass. Speaker: Raymond de Souza. Invites teenagers and young adults to come to the Cathedral Parish Centre to ask any questions about the Catholic Church. Join us for refreshments at 450 Hay St, Perth and fire your questions. Contact: Fr Paul 9223 1350 or Raymond de Souza 9453 9177. COME AND SEE JESUS

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Relive the Passion of Jesus on Easter Saturday. 11am at the Fremantle Town Hall. Admission free.

[7grouno LA'eUaae We can only invite our neighbours to reciprocate by themselves showing humility

and respect towards us. We cannot demand humility of any person, any nation or any race. We can only encourage it by ourselves demonstrating it and living it. This is not a time to be blowing our trumpet to demonstrate how much holier we are than everybody else in the world, or even how much holier we are than the person sitting next to us, whoever that might he. Brian Coyne Nedlands

No security blanket

rian Coyne (16 March) thinks Catholics with fixed beliefs are but making a "security blanker of reli-

gion. I'm a Catholic, and Jesus Christ is my religion.

He is not a liar. He does not change. and, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, the Bishop of Rome is His Vicar on earth. Jesus is definitely more than a mere "security blanket", since His supernatural and eternal power and love are real, not imaginary or "mythological". Whoever doubts, can pray an Our Father and ten Hail Marys and "taste and see that the Lord is good". Indeed, "through Him all things were made". We believe in Jesus, the Divine Son of God, our most holy redeemer, or we don't. Baptism and confirmation do not obliterate free will (nor bestow "infused knowledge"). It is the devil who enslaves to sin: Jesus liberates though freely-willed faith in Him and in the truths of Divine Revelation. Alleluia! If we die in the state of grace, we go to heaven. The Holy Father has apologised for rele-

Stations of the Cross performed by the Disciples of Jesus Community. PRAYER NIGHT IN INNALOO Fr Paul Baczynski is now commencing prayer nights on the third Monday of every month at St Dominic's Church. 19 Phillips Grove. Innaloo (cnr Beatrice St and Phillips Grove). The prayer is for healing and also for those and their families affected by addictions.The program includes Mass, commencing at 7pm, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Benediction and healing prayers. The next evening is Mon 17 April. All are welcome. The first Monday prayer nights will also continue south of the river. JUBILATE DEO The Jubilee Convention of the Lay Fraternities. a ssociated with major Religious Orders will be held on 7 May at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, A ngelico St. Woodlands, commencing with Holy Mass at 10am, and finishing with Evening Prayer of Vespers at 4pm. Contact Adrian Briffa, 9446 2147 or email knight@watquik.com.au. JUBILEE 2000 RETREAT The retreat is held for young Catholics and includes Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, reconciliation, talks and social fellowship, it will be held at New Norcia from 13-16 April and is open to everyone. Details are available from the following numbers: 041 945 072, 9367 6303. 9385 6805. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Twilight Retreat on Fri 14 April. 6-8.30pm, at the Dianella Church of Christ, 68 Waverley St (off Alexander Drive). Participants are invited to soup and bread from 6-7pm and the program till 8.30pm. Suggested donation S5 at door. Inq: Vesta or Sam 9444 5810. AH 9242 2830. ANNIVERSARY MASS AT BULLSBROOK SHRINE The anniversary of the Apparition of the Virgin of the Revelation at Tre Fontane will be celebrated on Wed 12 April at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook. in the Shrine at 11am for the Holy Rosary and processing to the Church for concelebrated Mass. All are welcome. Bus bookings 9277 5378. Enq: SACRI 9447 3292.

_Thge ' L'ellers lo uSeCililar (C012100111'0122 vant gross failures to practice what Jesus preached about the love of neighbour during the course of Church history. Since Mr Coyne implies that such sins were produced by official Catholic faith, let us clarify the matter. No Pope has the authority to "apologise for" papal infallibility on faith and morality even if he wanted to, since the grace of office is supernaturally from and of God. (It is otherwise the gravest folly to be a Catholic.) Nor can the Pope - a mere man - change or abrogate revealed Divine Law, eg the ten Commandments, and he certainly cannot wave a wand and change the nature of God's creation. He does not have the authority to make up his own religion as he goes along ("the prisoner of the Vatican"): like the rest of us, the Pope is infinitely inferior to God. He is bounded by the teachings of the Apostles and Scripture as officially interpreted.

He is but the servant of the servants of the people of God - but when will all the baptised learn that we belong to Christ, not vice versa? Who died to redeem who? Jesus is the head of the Catholic Church. and the Pope is Jesus' vicar. Therefore, any who may fear that the papal apology for relevant past contraChristian (hence contra-Catholic) actions and attitudes may imply a de facto papal repudiation of any point of papally-promulgated dogma or doctrine on faith or morals, are not, repeat not, "using religion as a psychological crutch", to paraphrase Mr Coyne's "security blanket" jibe. Any such fears are merely totally unfounded. That is all. And any who hoped otherwise ought to raise their hope's horizons to expand their spiritual perspective. Trevor Boardman North Perth The Record, April 6 2000 Page 15

Our Lady of Lourdes School Nollamara

A school where honour is more precious than gold ur Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School has that warm welcoming atmosphere about it. Perhaps it's connected to the school's motto: 'Honour is more precious than gold.' Visitors to the school have often picked up these 'vibes' and through faxes, phone calls and letters have said that they have been made to feel very welcome by the principal, staff and students. Children at the school are extremely well behaved and display good manners, reflecting the teaching of Jesus: "fl-eat others as you would like to be treated." Meanwhile, dedicated teaching staff live out a genuine love of teaching and care for the children entrusted to them. As part of the ongoing mission of the Church, OWL sees the importance of evangelisation and continuing renewal of the entire school community Starting from this year, a three-year evangelisation program for staff, children, parents and community has been commenced. Together with the parish of the same name, OWL was established in 1958. The name shared by school and parish commemorates the 100th year of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Bernadette at Lourdes. Since its foundation and up to 1996, the principalship was in the hands of the Sisters of Mercy, with Mr Peter Panizza, the present principal, becoming the first lay principal appointed in 199Z OWL is a single stream co-educational primary school and two assistant principals work with Mr Panizza. Educationally, the First Steps program in English and mathematics has been adopted while collaborative learning has been Introduced throughout the school, as has the Primary Investigations program in Science. The curriculum framework, currently being implemented at OWL represents a

Year 4 students Joshua Milici, left, Michela Schisa, Anthony Di Vincenzo and Ashleigh Arrowsmitii display pots containing freshly-planted seeds - part of a religion lesson focussing on God's creation and prayers - while class teacher Assunta Vallelonga looks on in the background. part-time social worker. The multicultural

Social worker Marie Anne Bond, left, and PrePrimary staff Gayle Connell, Karen Clufferbuck and Justine Fracaro confer after class.

major step forward in the reform of school curriculum in WA. Teaching staff attend professional development courses in all subject areas and are well-informed on current educational thinking. Music is very much a part of the curriculum and a school choir has been established. Each year the school enters the choir, piano recitals and Christian dance sections of the Festival of Performing Arts. Located not far from Servite College in 'Mart Hill, OWL is also a part of the Servile music program and several musical instruments are taught to individual children by visiting teachers. A strong religious education program flourishes, with Fr Joseph Walsh, the parish priest, providing the opportunity for liturgical celebrations and support for the sacramental programs of Penance, First Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. The school has engaged the services of a

diversity of the school is also supported by offering lessons in Italian and Indonesian. OWL has developed, then implemented, a program which focuses on identifying and assisting children with learning difficulties in Junior Primary. Meanwhile, the school's commitment to identifying children at risk in the early years of schooling is highlighted by the regular use of an educational psychologist provided through the Non-Government Schools Psychology Service. School incursions, camps and excursions are an integral part of OWL life, enhancing each child's learning and social development. We have a very active Parent and Friends body and their role is a well-balanced mix of public relations and fundraising. Last year the P & F together with generous donations from parents and local business, raised $33,000 to air-condition the whole school. OWL is also enriched by a Board whose members contribute constantly and cooperatively. Extensive renovation and a building program has taken place over the last four years. In 1996 Stage 1 of the Capital Development Program saw the completion of a new Pre-Primary and Year 1 classroom. From then until 1998 Kindergarten toilets were completed, as was the new achninis-

Putting the playground to good ase.

tration building; a computer laboratory with seventeen computers was set up. By 1999 the final, completed, stage saw the upgrading of many of the classrooms, relocation of the library, a new centre courtyard, a covered walkway and a new toilet block Last year OWL successfully applied for Government funding to implement a fiveyear information technology plan, enabling the school to upgrade all computers in the computer lab and in the school office. Each class has a computer, a printer and cabling. These connections have enabled both Internet and intranet communication. A bustling, modern-day community of faith - that's OWL, Nollamara!

At a Glance Principal: Peter Panizza Address: 29 Marda Way, Nollamara, WA 6061

The new-look Our Lady of Lourdes following a four-year refurbishment Year One students proudly display their handiwork on the way back to completed in 1999. their own classroom last week.

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