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Three more ordained for ministerial priesthood By Peter Rosengren Archbishop Hickey ordained three young men from the Neo-catechtunenal Way as priests for the Archdiocese of Perth in St Mary's Cathedral last Saturday morning, 9 December. The three - Jerome Tibon, Eugenio Zurias and Francis Sundararajan - were just part of the "wonderful harvest" produced so far by the Redemptoris Mater archdiocesan missionary seminary in Morley, the Archbishop said in his homily during the ceremony. Saturday's ordinations brought to 11 the number of men he has ordained for the Archdiocese so far this year. However four more deacons - three from St Charles Seminary and one from the Beds College in Rome - will be ordained this Friday, bringing the total to 15. Referring to the Morley seminary's role as a trainer of priests for missionary serNeo-catechumenal Way Deacon Eugenio Zurias kneels before Archbishop Hickey during the ordi- vice elsewhere and to recent years' highnation ceremony last Saturday in St Mary's Cathedral. Photo: Peter Rosengren er than usual number of vocations, the
Archbishop said: "We can say truthfully that God is blessing the Archdiocese and calling us to assist other places." Priests from the Morley seminary, run under the auspices of the Neo-Catechumenal Way, serve for at least two years in the archdiocese after ordination. However, while remaining priests of the Archdiocese of Perth, after two years they may be released by the Archbishop for work as Neo-Catechumenate missionaries elsewhere in Australia or overseas. If the case is the latter then 1Redemptoris Mater-trained priests will usually work somewhere within Oceania. Indicating the sorts of places in which the three new priests have already trained, and could conceivably be sent in the future, Missionary of the Sacred Heart Bishop Edward Collins of Darwin also attended the ceremony, while apologies were read out for Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome who had been detained there by Cyclone Sam. Continued on Page 8
To teach, live the Faith with the Church: Pope By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In order to fulfil their mission in the Catholic Church, catechists must live their faith and must present the faith to others in complete harmony with official Church teaching, Pope John Paul II said. "It is not enough to have an intellectual knowledge of Christ and his Gospel," the Pope said last Sunday, 10 December, during a Mass concluding the two-day Jubilee for Catechists and Religion Teachers. "To believe in Him means to follow Him," the Pope told the 7,500 jubilee participants and thousands of others gathered for the Mass in St Peter's Square. Catechists should model their lives after that of St John the Baptist, he said, undertaking a serious personal spiritual journey, living simply and showing great courage in proclaiming the Gospel. Catechists were called to make straight the paths to the Lord, to fill every valley and make the rough roads smooth, he said. "These 'valleys to be filled' remind one of the separation some make between the faith they profess and the daily lives they lead," he said. "The 'paths to straighten' call to mind the condition of some believers who, from the complete and unchanging patrimony of faith, cut out some subjectively chosen elements" and stray from the path of the
A crowd packs St Peter's Square to celebrate a Mass with Pope John Paul II marking the Jubilee for Catechists last Sunday. Photo CNS,Catholx Press Photos
Gospel and its moral values, the Pope said. Catechists must lead people to Christ and show them the path which the Church firmly believes leads them to Him, he said. "All the faithful have a right to receive from those who, by virtue of their office or mandate, are responsible for catechesis and preaching, responses which are not subjective but correspond to the constant teaching of the Church," Pope John Paul said. "May the Christian message, whole and
universal, permeate every environment and every level of culture and social responsibility" he said. Pope John Paul said the fact that an estimated 2.5 million Catholics work as catechists around the world "gives me comfort and hope." At the end of the celebration, Pope John Paul gave a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to five couples who are catechists and represented Africa, Asia, Europe, America and Oceania.
"With this gesture," he said, "I would like to underline that, in various languages and cultures, catechists are called to announce to the whole world the same truth: Christ, the only Saviour of the world, yesterday, today and forever." Meeting jubilee participants on Saturday, 9 December, Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, which includes responsibility for catechesis, told participants that leading people to Christ meant leading them to his Church. The subject of catechesis was not just the historical Christ and what he said and did 2,000 years ago, it was Christ's living body, the cardinal said. "You are called to live and to express the greatness of the mystery of the Church," a mystery of communion which crosses the boundaries of time and space and accompanies those who believe in Christ, he said. "The Church alone is able to guarantee every man and woman an encounter with Christ the Saviour, which overcomes any partial and subjective vision of the Christian mystery," he said. Without the guidance of Church teaching, Cardinal Castrillon said, one who reads the Bible "ends up finding only himself, his culture or, more generically, the dominant mentality of his age." The cardinal asked catechists to reconfirm their communion with the Church and to commit themselves to a "360-degree" evangelisation, "that is, wherever people are present with their sufferings and joys, their fears and hopes." Further report - Page 12
Merciless moneylenders bring usury to life 0
ne of the themes of the Jubilee Year, the reduction of world debt, has been taken up vigorously by the Holy Father himself, with some success. He has used his moral strength to convince a number of leaders of wealthy countries to reduce or even forgive completely the debts of countries that have no possibility of paying. It is hoped that such action would allow those countries to start afresh to build up their economic capacity for the benefit of their people. It would be a tragedy if those same nations were forced to take out new loans, only to be in the same desperate difficulties in a few years. Obviously other ways apart from interest-bearing loans must be found to promote sustainable economic development in poorer countries. The Pope has now turned his attention to the banks
in a recent general address, when he spoke of "merciless bank charges". His address was timely. Banks have come under criticism in Australia in recent years, being accused of abandoning their service mentality to people, moving away from small rural communities, downsizing their staff levels, making shareholders their main priority, increasing charges on bankcard transactions and showing no compassion for people in financial difficulties. It is not for me to say whether these charges are justified, nor whether they apply to all banks. Indeed we have much to thank the banks for the services they do offer. Nevertheless these accusations need to be thoroughly investigated in the interests of the community which has a right to know that all banks abide by the highest ethical standards. Disturbing figures are coming out about the
number of people around Australia who are struggling to pay their bankcard debts or small loans. These people are of particular concern because they have virtually no protection when it comes to freeing themselves from debt. Ihave heard heart-rending tales from people, "little" people, who are driven to desperation by debts they cannot pay. Even though the debts are not in themselves large, a default of a payment incurs penalty rates as well as a compounding of the interest. Some turn to private moneylenders to buy out their debts, only to find themselves more deeply enmeshed. Others gamble in a desperate attempt to find the money. Yet others steal or even turn to prostitution. They finally lose the battle, their goods are sold, they lose their house, often their marriage, their children, and their
mental and physical health. Usury is still with us, often disguised as penalty rates or compound interest. I raise this disturbing matter as Christmas approaches, because this is the time when many struggling families will go into debt to pay for presents for their children. People are very generous at Christmas, and no doubt tens of thousands of food parcels and children's presents will be collected and distributed over this time. I urge everyone to be as generous as they can be. At the same time let us be aware that the real solution to debt-caused poverty goes much deeper. Authorities must examine closely the practices of the moneylenders, especially those who loan small amounts at around 800 per cent interest. The Church has opposed usurious practices in the past and there is plenty of evi-
Archbishop's
Perspective dence that the time has come to do so again. "Merciless" was the word the Pope used to describe the attitude of the moneylenders to people in financial difficulties. He was spot on.
Women's Commission appointed promoting and facilitating the ly involved in her parish in integration of Christian values VVhyalla, SA, where she serves as One Western Australian has and ethics in government and in a parish pastoral associate. Dr Marie Macdonald from been appointed to the Australian workplaces across South AusBishops new nine-member Com- tralia, will be the commission's Brighton, Victoria - who was the executive officer for the Report mission for Australian Catholic chairwoman. Bishop Peter Connors of Bal- Implementation Committee on Women: historian and office manager, Dr Jennifer Skerritt, of Dun- larat, the chairman of the Bishops' Woman andMan. She also served Committee for the Laity, and Wol- as project co-ordinator for the craig. The Bishops announced the longong priest Fr Peter Comensoli research project preceding the commission's membership on who has just returned to Australia report. Mrs Colleen Muckan - a grandMonday. Also included is the Syd- after completing a Pontifical ney-based Deputy Chancellor of Licentiate in Moral Theology in mother and Church elder comFremantle's University of Notre Rome, will be commission mem- missioned by the Diocese of Townsville in September 1989. Dame. Sister Sonia Wagner, a bers as well. The position of executive officer Other members are: Good Samaritan Sister who served as a member of the Project Professor Patrick Duigan - the for the Commission will be adverManagement Group and the foundation chair and head of the tised early in the New Year, the Implementation Committee for School of Education Leadership Bishops said. Dr Skerritt told The Record on the Bishops' Woman and Man at the Australian Catholic UniverMonday she was both happy and report on the participation of sity, Sydney. Or Jennifer Skerritt women in the Catholic Church in Teresa Lynch - a full-time wife honoured by the appointment. A historian by training, Dr Sker- Board member of The Record. Australia. and mother currently studying Mrs Geraldine Hawkes, a co- part-time for a Bachelor of Social ritt manages Langley Medical Ser- "It's good to be able to contribute ordinator of an ecumenical centre Work as well as being extensive- vices at the Joondalup Medical In a valuable way on such an Centre as well as being a Important issue in the contempofund raiser for Pregnancy rary life of the Church," she said. Assistance. She also hoped to be able to In 1990 she gained a Bach- "provide a voice for women in the elor of Arts Degree with Church that is worthy of considHonours from the Universi- eration both in the religious and ty of Western Australia secular spheres." before studying successfully ORDER OF CANONS REGULAR OF PRtMONTRi: The announcement of the memin London for a Masters' bership of the Commission is the Degree in Archaeology. In latest step in a process that began finding unity with the brethren on the way to God ... 1999 she completed her Doc- in August 1996 when the Austorate in ancient history at tralian Catholic Bishops' ConferUVVA. ence announced it was to conduct If you would like to know She is also a columnist and an inquiry into women's particimore about life as a NorBy Peter Rosengren
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pation in the Church in Australia. In August 1999 the inquiry's
findings and data were presented to the Bishops under the title of Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus. By the time of its completion the report had considered contributions from 2,700 women around who made written submissions, spoke at public hearings or met in special target groups, and from approximately 800 groups, mainly of women, who also made written submissions. It had also considered views and data gathered nationally from 3,000 women surveyed at Mass one Sunday in 1996 for the Catholic Church Life survey. In WA, some appointments to the Commission were immediately criticised by the Thomas More Centre. Spokeswoman Gillian Gonzalez questioned the appointment of Dr Marie Macdonald, saying that ". . .. in her role as co-ordinator of the Research Project.... [she] has consistently defended the biased report and refused to release the statistical results from the analysis of the hearings and written submissions so that we can judge for ourselves whether the Report's dismissive comments about a minority of women happy with Church teaching and practice are factually accurate."
Bishops named for Adelaide, Lismore Pope John Paul II appointed Wollongong's Bishop Philip Wilson on Friday 1 December as the new Archbishop to succeed Adelaide's Archbishop Leonard Faulkner when he retires at the end of 2001. Just over a week later, on 9 December, he announced the appointment of Tasmanian parish priest Fr Geoffrey Jarrett as Coadjutor Bishop of Lismore to succeed Bishop John Satterthwaite. Archbishop Faulkner enthusiastically welcomed the announcement that the 50-year-old Bishop Wilson had been named Archbishop Coadjutor for the Adelaide Archdiocese's more than 50,000 Catholics. "He is one of the outstanding bishops in the Church in Australia," Archbishop Faulkner said, pledging that Adelaide's Catholics would welcome and embrace his successor. "As Bishop of Wollongong for the last four and a half years, and as a member of the Australian z
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Thanks to Jesus for Fr O'Reilly By Glynnis Grainger It was standing room only at the Mass of Christian Burial for Norbertine Father Peter Columba O'Reilly at St Joseph's Priory Church, Queens Park, on Monday morning, 11 December. Fr O'Reilly, the founder of St Norbert's College and prior at St Joseph's from 1959-1985, died last Wednesday, 6 December, aged 81. Glorious singing at the Mass was provided by the choir of the parish of East Cannington/ Queens Park, accompanied by organist Norbertine Brother Patrick Doolan, with the congregation in full voice. Norbertines, priests and religious of the archdiocese were among the approximately 650 mourners at the Mass. The principal celebrant, Norbertine Fr Peter Stiglich, said in his homily Fr O'Reilly joined the order at the age of 14 so when he was ordained at the age of 26, he had already spent 12 years in the community. Meanwhile "He had faith in me [as a student for the priesthood) from the very beginning, if anything else," Fr Stiglich said. "All sorts of people from all parts of the world and places are gathered here because we believe in the Resurrection. "He had a real simple confidence that God was on his side:
Father Peter O'Reilly his faith, his preparedness to wear the white habit, wrapped around his heart." Fr Stiglich said: "No-one said 'No' to Fr Peter O'Reilly and I am hoping God wouldn't; I asked for three vocations a year - he has a task ahead of him." "I thank Archbishop Barry Hickey. Bishop Healy and all those Sisters who made it possible to have a community in Queens Park and York," he said, "and all those who loved him and care for him for all those years. This was his place of prayer, and place of the locus of his religious life. "The Eucharist was the centre of his life - you could always see him mouth, 'Thank you. Jesus.' "I hope we will he as ready to say: 'Come Lord Jesus' when the Lord comes." Mr Des O'Sullivan, a former
principal of St Norbert's, said in his eulogy, "Fr Peter [O'Reilly] was quite a simple person; such was the richness of his life as Norbertine, priest and friend, he loved to think all things equal, but his life has been a fantastic record." Arriving in Western Australia on 9 May, 1959, with five pounds in his pocket, Fr O'Reilly started St Norbert's in 1965 with 24 boys, Mr O'Sullivan said. After being parish priest of Queens Park from 1975-1982, in 1985, he retired and went to Dianella, and in 1991 went to York as parish priest. "He was a gorgeous man, a mix of Irish calm with a deep spirituality" - a great priest and a special friend," Mr O'Sullivan said. A golden jubilarian priest, Fr O'Reilly was an inaugural member of the Canonry of St Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, from 8 December, 1995. Fifty-four years a priest, he was awarded the Cross "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" by Pope John Paul II for his 50 years' service to the priesthood. He was born in Annaclue, County Cavan, Ireland. on 5 October, 1919 and clothed in the white habit of St Norbert on 3 October, 1942. He was professed on 8 October, 1943, and ordained priest on 28 July, 1946, at Holy Trinity Abbey, Kilnacrott, Ireland.
La Grange beats Cyclone Sam's fury By Bill Worth With fresh memories still of Cyclone Rosita early in 2000. the arrival of Cyclone Sam in, the Kimberley last week brought weary resignation from Broome citizens and members of communities in the surrounding district. "We haven't yet repaired all the damage from Cyclone Rostta," said Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome and the Kimberley. "The thought of another cyclone with such a force as Sam - a category five - was a bit overpowering. However, that is what living in the Kimberley is all about. ... Living with the raw elements and surviving in a happy acceptance of whatever is dished out. In the end, as is usual, it comes down to trusting in Divine Providence." The Cyclone first threatened Kalumburu Mission, in the far north of the Kimberley Diocese. As it progressed down the coast the Catholic missions of Lombadina/Djaridlin and Beagle Bay were on serious alert. When Sam, with devastating winds of 280 kph at its centre, moved toward the coast on a collision path with the settlement of La Grange Mission/
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Bidyadanga, the decision was made to evacuate the 450 residents, mainly Aboriginals. Buses took them to the comparative safety of Broome, 165 kilometres to the north. Parish Priest, Father Patrick de Silva, and pastoral associate Mercy Sister Pat Sealy, also packed their utility vehicles with people and travelled to Broome through rain and gusting winds. The Broome Government High School and the Kimberley Camp School provided shelter. Over 500 millimetres of rain fell at La Grange Mission on the day of the approaching cyclone. "It was incredible. There were just sheets of heavy rain and gale-force winds that, even as
we left for Broome, were tearing giant limbs from the ghost gums and other trees," said Fr de Silva, who also records data for the Bureau of Meteorology. Only moderate damage occurred at La Grange. Some accommodation units used for visitors were demolished as well as a kitchen and three sheds. Few buildings in the Aboriginal community were affected but power lines were downed, water severed, and an electrical transformer smashed. The sewerage ponds also overflowed from cyclonic rainfall. Afterwards. Father de Silva celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for deliverance from the potential disaster.
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A white cloth, signifying the Rite of Baptism, is placed on Fr O'Reilly's coffin during his funeral Mass at St Joseph's Priory Church last Monday.
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The Record, December 14 2000 Page 3
East Victoria Park parish celebrates 65th birthday
East Victoria Park parishioners celebrate their 65th anniversary as a parish.
Catholics to join national survey When Archbishop Adrian Doyle of Hobart signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tina Ronde11 and Howard Dillon in Sydney last Thesday 5 December he committed the Catholic Church to its first ever participation as part of the National Church Life Survey. The survey, last conducted in Australia in 1996 and next planned for 20 May 2001, provides Christian church leaders and planners with the most comprehensive statistical overview of their congregations that they can get. Archbishop Doyle's signing on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Australia means that the next survey will be a joint Protestant-Catholic project. To this point the NCIS has been conducted among Protestant denominations every five years by the Uniting Church's Board of Mission and the Anglican Church's Anglicare NSW When the NCIS was last conducted the Catholic Church ran its own parallel survey of Catholic congregations, which later resulted in a joint publication entitled Taking Stock On that occasion, part of the information from the Catholic survey became an important part of the data collected and analysed for the Catholic Church's inquiry into the participation of women in the Church in Australia which recently resulted in the formation of the Commission for Australian Catholic Women. Also signing with Archbishop Doyle were the Uniting Church's Tina Rendell, Executive Director of the Board of Mission, and Reverend Howard Dillon, Executive Director of Anglicare NSW It is anticipated that over 500,000 Christian parishioners from over 20 denominations around Australia will be part of next year's survey. Speaking before the ceremony Mr Dillon said: "The NCIS 2001 will provide both Catholic and Protestant churches with the most comprehensive overview on the attitudes and interests of parishes and church leaders alike. The decision by the Catholic Church to become a partner in the NCIS 2001 is significant for all Christians in Australia." The NCIS office has established a web-site about the survey at: http://www.ncls.org.au - Peter Rosengren
Our Lady Help of Christians parish in East Victoria Park celebrated 65 years as a parish community last Friday, 8 December, with a dinner at the Teramo Café, Welshpool. According to parish priest Fr Brian Harris, it was a "packed house" and everyone enjoyed the beautiful food provided by John and Mandy Rappatoni. The tables were positioned so that all could move around and share the hospitality offered, he said. Last Sunday, 10 December, the Jubilee Mass was celebrated with the parish choir leading all in
songs of joy and praise. A morning tea and the cutting of a huge Jubilee cake took place after Mass and brought all the old and new parishioners together. "It was a moment of great jubilation," Fr Harris told The Record. The next Jubilee milestone will be the 70th anniversary of the parish's foundation. "Our thanks to the social committee of the council, Nuccia Eyres, Shirley Davies, Jacinta Dowsing and Theresa Hughes and to Bert and Mary Ellen Spadanuda for the film work," Fr Harris said. - Glynnis Grainger
Father Brian Harris cuts the cake.
Additions to Whiffords' centre blessed In a cool and welcoming courtyard, Archbishop Barry Hickey blessed and officially opened the new additions to the Parish Centre at Our Lady of Missions parish, VVhitfords. The official opening, on Sunday, 10 December, formed part of the annual parish picnic and included a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony with a welcome from Ben Taylor, a Nyoongar elder from the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. Martin Kane, chairman of the parish building committee, thanked the builder, Peter Henson, of Alpha Homes, plumber Paul Cooper, who donated his time and materials for the installation of plumbing and stormwater drainage, and architect John Loreck, of Montague Grant Architects. "We were very pleased with the church extensions that John designed for us in 1995 and again we are very pleased with this result," Mr Kane said. "John has exceeded the brief and produced a facility that is very welcoming and can be used for a variety of purposes." After the ceremony, Mr Loreck explained the challenges of the site.
"The original parish hall was built in a very utilitarian style and did not relate to the adjacent church, presbytery or surrounding grounds," he said. "We felt it was important that the extensions should respect the strong geometry of the original hall, yet present an inviting facade that would unify the presbytery and the church. "Also, the steep embankment adjacent to the hall required that the extensions be compact in nature to minimise earthwork costs." The result is an L-shaped administration and meeting room wing, with all rooms opening onto a new shady courtyard adjacent to the original hall. Large sliding glass doors have been incorporated into the wall of the original hall, so that the main parish hall also enjoys a relaxing courtyard aspect, Mr Loreck said. Archbishop Hickey blessed crucifixes and a tapestry, and one crucifix was placed in each room and the tapestry hung in the hall. - Glynnis Grainger
The new Whiffords centre additions, seen from the sunny side of the street.
Archbishop Barry Hickey blesses the additions.
Documentary will follow Perth youth in India Twelve young people from Perth, nine of them Trinity College students, have given up their summer holidays this year to spend five weeks in India doing things like washing dying people rescued from the streets of Calcutta, shaving patients and cleaning bed linen. They left Perth for India this week on Tuesday. And while they are there their experiences and impressions will be recorded on film for a documentary which is planned for later release to national Australian television. A journalist, a film director and a cameraman will accompany the group. Todd Flanagan, a teacher and freelance journalist from Trinity College, told The Record
this week that funding for the project had come from the Christian Brothers, 'llinity College and the Minister for Cultural Affairs through Screenwest. Mr Flanagan, the assistant co-ordinator for the trip, will also be the producer for the planned documentary. He said the group would work in orphanages run by the Salesians, at Mother Teresa's home for the dying in Calcutta and at Mithra, a hospital and orphanage run by an Australian nun in Madras for the physically and mentally disabled. The programme challenges the young Aussies to put their faith into action, he said.
Group members prepare for their trip to India.
Attadale celebrates Mass for Reconciliation
A large congregation gathered at St Joseph Pignatelli Church in Attadale on Saturday evening 2 December for a Mass of Aboriginal Reconciliation in the Advent spirit of the Great Jubilee. The Mass began in the church courtyard with a traditional Smoking ceremony organised by members of Perth' s Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Aboriginal elder Ben Taylor explained the significance of the smoking ceremony and invited all present to pass through the purifying smoke. The people then processed Into the Church to the sounds of the didgeridoo and clapping sticks. Once assembled, Mr Taylor gave a greeting in the Nyoongar tongue and then in English. He and fellow Aboriginal Robert Isaacs assisted at the altar in their role as acolytes. The Church and atri-
The Record, December 14 2000 Page 4
tory of European settlement in Australia and the strong spirit of reconciliation which has now taken hold in the country. He thanked Aboriginal people for their rich culture and deep spirituality At the presentation of the gifts, the altar breads were brought up in a coolamon, in which they were then consecrated and from which communion was distributed. The Aboriginal Our Father was recited by all present. After the Communion, an edited version of the Holy Father's address to Aboriginal people at Alice Springs in November 1986 Aboriginal Acolytes Ben Taylor and Robert Isaacs entering St Joseph Pignatelli was projected on to a large screen. Church on 2 December for the Mass of Aboriginal Reconciliation. Later, Mr Taylor unveiled a brass um was decorated with children's ed in gum leaves through which plaque, commemorating the Beelart-work and arrangements of the procession made its way to iar people, who were the indigegum tree branches, banksia cones the sanctuary nous owners of the parish land. and red flowering gum blossom, In his homily, the Parish Priest, The plaque will be affixed to the while the centre aisle was carpet- Fr Geoff Beyer, spoke of the his- wall of the atrium.
Northam Kirby centre opened The culmination of years of planning and months of hard work came to fruition at Northam on Sunday, 3 December, when Archbishop Barry Hickey blessed and opened the new PB Kirby Parish Centre. St Joseph's Church was filled to capacity for the 8am Mass which preceded the ceremony which more than 350 people attended. The old hall had served the parish for 74 years but over time had become dilapidated. In 1998, a generous bequest from former parishioner, the late Patrick Barry Kirby, made the new centre possible. Parish priest Father Robert Carrillo invited Mr Kirby's brother and sisters to unveil the commemorative plaque.
Archbishop Hickey presented a "plaque of gratitude to people of good will" to parish pastoral council president, Tony O'Driscoll. He also presented certificates of appreciation to the builders, Paul Spadaccini, and Stan Hughes. A morning tea was provided by the parish ladies, who had been providing teas and lunches durmg the six months of construction and landscaping. Mr Kirby continued his educalion in Northam after his family moved there in 1926. During the 1950s he studied law part-time at the University of WA and was one of the first residents of St Thomas More College. He graduated with a bachelor of law degree in 1961 and followed
a career with the Commonwealth Crown Law Department, becoming a Special Magistrate and Senior Crown Prosecutor. He retired in 1984 and returned to Northam to live, where he served the parish in many roles. - Glynnis Grainger
_
, —_
The new PB Kirby Parish Centre at Northam, left, which was blessed and officially opened by Archbishop Barry Hickey. Above, Pat Kirby's family: Sheila, left, Kath, Joe, Sr Monica, Genevieve, ha and Maragret in front of the photo of their late brother.
Plaques and a blessing for final resting sites Fr Gatt's line for
help ready to go
By Glynnis Grainger Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy blessed the burial site and unveiled commemorative plaques for two pioneer clerics from the 19th century last Wednesday, 6 December, in the Mercedes College grounds. Holy Ghost (Spiritan) Father Maurice Bouchet died of sunstroke, delirium and dementia two weeks after arrival in Western Australia by ship on 24 January
For some people, Christmastime can be a painful reminder of their loneliness and problems. The annual Christmas Help-Line for the lonely and those needing counselling and assistance over the Christmas season, will open again this Christmas from this Sunday 17 December to Sunday 31 December inclusive. Run by Father Michael Gall, parish priest of St Kieran's parish, Osborne Park, the Help-Line consists of a team of professionals for counselling and referrals, available 24 hours daily. Fr Gat told The Record. "Whatever the case may be, get to the phone and ring - we are there to help you!" Telephone numbers to ring are: (08) 9444 1334, (08) 9444 8650; telephone/fax: (08) 9443 8761, and Email: mic.haelgatt@angelfire.com
1846.
Subdeacon John O'Reilly, who is buried near Fr Bouchet, died on 14 February,
1847.
Archdiocesan Archivist Presentation Sister Frances Stibi, who worked for seven years on the project, welcomed those present and Spiritan Provincial Fr Wally McNamara, from Port Hedland, spoke on "Why are we herer Bishop Healy told the gathering, "These were two exceptional men who really Sr Frances Stibi, centre, leads prayers at the didn't succeed in doing anything." "Fr Bouchet was sick; they were two Mercedes College grave sites. remarkable people, and Bishops Salva- gregation, Sr Maim Kelleher, Vicar Gendo, Semi and Brady had a problem of eral Fr Tim Corcoran, Consul-General of poverty; they couldn't afford to put up a Ireland Michael Nolan, and Western plaque." he said. Geotechnics, the firm that discovered the "It was a very poor Church at that stage, graves with their equipment in July this because of their sacrifices and suffer- year. ings. Mercedes Principal Denise O'Meara "We thank them and it is really to thank and bursar Ian Barter also attended, with them that we put these plaques up." architect Stephen Hart, and Fr Noel bishop Healy expressed appreciation FitzSimons, from Mandurah parish, who to the Sisters of Mercy for "their kind- helped find the Spiritans' burial site in ness and generosity" for allowing the the South-West. Church to put the plaques in the grounds A small group of members from St of Mercedes College, near the Pro-Cathe- Mary's Cathedral Choir led by Fr Timodral. thy Deeter sang a hymn after the short Modern representatives of that very commemorative service. early community of 150 years ago attendSr Stibi told The Record last Thursday ed, as well as Abbot Placid Spearritt, she considered it to be a sacred site and from New Norcia, and Congregational said "Catholics can have their sacred Leader of the Sisters of Mercy Perth con- sites, too."
Catholics welcome Reconciliation report Three Catholic groups have welcomed the recent report of the Council for Reconciliation, which was tabled in Federal Parliament last Thursday, 7 December. The Bishops' Committee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island People has congratulated the Council for its valuable work of furthering the cause for national reconciliation in Australia. The chairman of the Committee, Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome, said that its efforts established a landmark in race relations. "It is no longer possible to ignore the quest caring Australians feel to right the wrongs of the past and restore justice to indigenous people." He said the document challenges all people to rid society of discrimination. The chairperson of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, Vicki Walker, congratulated the Council on its work. She said she hoped the Document of Reconciliation would be enshrined in legislation to address the social and economic disadvantage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Christian Brother Michael Godfrey, president of the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes said the government's commitment to what it terms "practical reconciliation" needs to continue.
*Knights
of the Southern Cross (WA) Incorporated
ICSC EDUCATION FOUNDATION The Trustee of the 1CSC Education Foundation Inc
(a project of the Knights of the Southern Cross) takes pleasure in announcing the award of scholarships to the following teachers of Religious Education in Catholic Schools for further study at the University of Notre Dame Australia in 2001.
Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy unveils the plaque which will commemorate the events surrounding the arrival and deaths of Spiritan Father Maurice Bouchet and Subdeacon John O'Reilly.
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The Record. December 14 2000 Page 5
Bethlehem Babe: the answer Record journalist Peter Rosengren continues a series of layman's reflections on the Sunday readings for Advent. This week the 3rd Sunday of Advent
R
ecently I interviewed several seminarians. Although each young man is a different story, one thing common to all kept mugging my attention. Deacon Eugenio - now Fr Eugenio was the first. "I am convinced that Jesus Christ is the answer," he said during the Interview, and that our society is denying life..., that's why it's important for me to preach and announce life." Those simple words, 'Jesus Christ is the answer,' kept resurfacing in my mind for days, partly because they echoed a fascinating bookIam reading on Pope John Paul II, George Weigel's Witness To Hope. One of Weigel's early key points about this philosopher-artist-Pope is that John Paul Ills convinced Jesus Christ is the answer to every question that is a human life. This Jesus, the answer to each of our lives, is soon to be born in a manger. And at Advent, Christmas, in a sense, is in the balance for each of us. We can let it come and go. Or we can glimpse the message of Advent through the eyes of St Luke (3:10-18) and St Paul (Philippians 4:4-7) in today's readings. We can see the expectant joy for a Messiah expressed in Zephaniah (3:14-
With Peter Rosengren 18) and the Psalm (Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6) as well. Zephaniah is described in the Jerusalem Bible as a minor prophet which could seem a bit like describing a nuclear warhead as less dangerous because it's small. In the first reading Zephaniah tells Israel to shout for joy. Although it was still approximately 650 years before the time when Jesus appeared, Zephaniah reminded Israel that one day Yahweh will stand in their midst. In Zephaniah's time, the 7th century BC, the land of Judah's future seemed bleak, dominated as it was by Assyrian rule and religious disarray. Sometimes it can be a bit like that for us, dealing with all the pressures of our daily life. Where Zephaniah had Assyrians, we have bills, mortgages and family disagreements and, all too often, a lack of real meaning in our lives and attacks on what we believe in most Importantly - our faith. But Jesus Christ is the answer to every life that is a question, yours and mine. None of these things can beat us.
St Paul's advice to the Philippians in today's second reading is to be happy in the Lord. The point is so important that he deliberately reiterates it. Christmas, the happiest moment of the year for many, is around the corner. We have to be happy and full of hope. If not, we are second-rate Christians not the sort of people whose own lives can inspire others. And,Idare to say, we should be audacious as well. St Paul also reminds the Philippians, and us, to ask God for what we need in prayer. Prayer. Have we tried it in Advent either ordinary prayer or an addition to our usual personal conversation with God? Try it and see what difference it makes to your own Christmas preparation. You'll be surprised. In the Gospel (Luke 3:10-18) many suspected John the Baptiser might be the Messiah. John dealt with that quickly, telling his listeners the Messiah would not baptise as he did with water, but with the Holy Spirit and fire. In other words, a baptism of God and the heart. Isn't that what each of us would really want at Christmas - inspiration? Advent and Christmas should focus us intensely on the meaning of our lives and what we do with them in relation to God. Each one of us is a walking question. This Baby we will soon find in the arms of his mother is the answer.
To Jesus through Mary . . . . a column of Marian devotion By Monte Mace
H
undreds of thousands of Catholics from around the world continue to flock to the small village of Medjugorje in former Yugoslavia 19 years after six children said the Virgin Mary appeared to them - even though the Catholic Church has not officially confirmed the apparitions. The Medjugorje apparitions differ from those in Lourdes, France; Fatima, Portugal; and in other countries because the apparitions here are said to have continued for nearly 20 years. Three of the visionaries, now adults, say Mary still appears to them daily wherever they are. Some 15 million people, Catholic and non-Catholic, have made the journey to this small farm village of 6,000 people 160 kilometres south of Sarajevo since the first apparition on 24 June, 1981, Father Svetozar Kraljevic, a Franciscan priest assigned to St fames Parish in Medjugorje, said. Many visitors report they experience miracles ranging from rosaries turning to gold to being healed of arthritis and other ailments. The Vatican has been investigating the reported apparitions but has never made a definitive judgment about their valid!-
Vicka lvankovic prays over a pilgrim outside her home in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in November. Photo: CN&Morrla Mace
whelmed him. "In the past,I have spent seven hours hearing confessions in one day," he added. "The grace that comes that is Medjugorje." Some pilgrims believe evil spirits are exorcised in the village. During the 11 November Eucharistic adoration, a young girl lying prostrate on the marble floor in front of the St James altar shrieked when the priest pointed the II/ gold crucifix and the Eucharist in her While the Vatican has never said that direction - even though her face was Catholics may not go to Medjugorje, it buried and she couldn't see. has told bishops that their parishes and A mother from Michigan brought her dioceses may not organise official pilson to Medjugorje because she said he grimages to the site. However, priests are was possessed. "He is full of anger and not forbidden to accompany lay-organhe worships the devil," she said. ised tour groups. Visitors climb Podbrdo Hill to visit the Despite the unusual physical occurrences at Medjugorje, many believers site of the first apparitions, marked by an say the real miracle of the phenomenon aluminum cross, and also Mount Krizeis the change of heart that takes place vac, where in 1933 on the anniversary of Christ's crucifixion, villagers erected a among visitors. "It is the on-going miracle of our day," Urn cement cross containing a relic of said Fr Kraljevic. "Why did Our Lady the original crucifix. On 9 November, Juan and Ruth Perez appear here? To make our world better. of Independence, Missouri, and her sisWe have to change." The depth of faith among visitors is evi- ter, Juanita Pantoja of Kansas City, Misdent. Catholics from many nations stand souri, made the rugged, two-hour climb In line for daily 5pm confessions in the up rocky Mt Krizevac and said they witwooden confessional booths outside the nessed the sun spinning in the sky, a phetwin spires of St James Church in the nomenon often reported by believers centre of the village. A daily English-lan- here. Juan Perez said he was healed of longguage Mass at 10am fills the church. Many visitors cry after receiving Com- time back pain and stomach problems in March while attending Mass in Medjumunion. "Last year, 1.300,000 came for Holy gorje. Following the March visit, Pantoja Communion here," said Fr Branimir said she no longer suffered from arthriMusa, also a Franciscan priest at St tis. James. He didn't believe in the appariMany people recite the rosary daily as tions until the faith of the visitors over- requested by the Virgin Mary, according The Record, December 14 2000 Page 6
to the visionaries. One visionary still witnessing the apparitions, Vicka Ivankovic, gives daily talks to crowds outside her home in the village. On 9 November, she told the crowd that the message from Mary was prayer, peace, confession and reconciliation. "The best weapon against Satan is a rosary in the hand," she said, smiling radiantly. "But do not say the words mechanically. When you go to confession, don't just confess your sins. Ask the priest for advice to go further spiritually. "Wear a blessed item at all times. Make Holy Mass the most important part of your lives." Wayne Weible, a former Lutheran from South Carolina, converted to Catholicism and sold his lucrative newspaper publishing business after hearing Mary's call to spread her message. "This is real," Weible said, describing himself as a sceptical former newspaperman. "Some will see miracles here. Some won't. But it doesn't matter. Sometime in the visit. the Virgin Mary is going to fill your heart in a special way.Iknow Medjugorje changes people." • The solemn feast of Mary's Immaculate Conception helps Catholics prepare for Christmas by focusing on the mystery of God who was born into the world to save it, Pope John Paul II said. "Mary precedes us and leads us to an authentic knowledge of God and to an encounter with the Redeemer," the Pope said on the 8 December feast as he led a Byzantine celebration in Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major. The evening service featured the chanting of the fifth-century Akathistos hymn, a 24-verse poem honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary's role in the mystery of Christ and the Church. Before going to St Mary's, Pope John Paul made his annual visit to Piazza di Spagna in the centre of Rome to pray before a statue of Mary. The statue, high atop a column in the square, was erected in 1856 to commemorate Pope Pius [X's proclamation in 1854 of the dogma that Mary was conceived without sin. The Pope prayed that Mary would . 'support us in the struggle against evil and in our commitment to good." He also prayed that "the fruits of this jubilee year would not be lost." "In your hands we place the future which awaits us, invoking for the whole world your constant protection," the Pope prayed. - Catholic News Service
Christian Pop: there's more to it than meets the eye
With Paul Gray
1AT
ho said the devil always get the best tunes? Whoever it was has obviously never listened to Caedmon's Call. Caedmon's Call are a young Christian band from Austen, Texas. They're just one of the many contemporary Christian rock and 'easy listening' music acts making mainstream-sounding pop music recordings today. 'C-Pop' (Christian pop music) this is sometimes called. It's music that to many people seems a most unlikely combination - a steady beat, musical techniques that appeal to today's youth and strong theological content. Some purists detest C-Pop. It's been criticised by Christian classical music-lovers who dislike the thought of Christians embracing popular secular music styles. And some secular pop critics have blasted it - they just don't like hearing Jesus praised, it seems. Christian pop is even opposed by some nonmusical Christians who think all music with a contemporary sound is inspired by the devil and shouldn't be encouraged. Personally, I find it hard to go past the argument that it's inevitable most young people these days are going to listen to modern music of some kind. So isn't it better they should be hearing songs with a Christian message, rather than the nihilism of much contemporary secular entertainment? The key issue, for Christian parents, should surely be whether or not Christian pop is likely to prove spiritually uplifting for their kids. Or will it prove distracting to their moral and doctrinal development? My belief is that with the assistance of proper instruction in the faith in the home, Christian music can be of great spiritual benefit to kids as they grow up. Take one small example: the issue of sinfulness and the sacrament of Penance. Many Catholic parents worry, today, that anything they say about sin or Penance will only be a turn-off to their kids' interest in the faith. How can we possibly talk to kids about sin and Penance in a way that's appealing to them? Well, listen to the song "Thankful" by Caedmon's Call. Regular listeners to Perth's Sonshine FM may have heard the tune. It's a catchy song, with a rhythm reminiscent of some of Paul Simon's tunes, backed by acoustic and electric guitars, percussion and harmonica. It also does a creditable job of 'selling' the theology of God's forgiveness. The song opens by saying how the writer, a longtime Christian, found some old letters he wrote years before, hidden in a chest. Re-reading them, he saw how little he has personally changed - the sins that worried him then still bother him now, and he feels in some ways he has made no progress towards God. But rather than making him feel depressed, the realisation makes him feel liberated. because it reminds him yet again how generous his God is. And how powerful, His forgiveness. This leads to the song's chorus-line, repeated several times above a steadily rising rock beat: 'I'm so thankful/that I'm incapable/ of doing any good on my own.' Caedmon's Call are just one group among many Christian artists today promoting intelligent theological messages to kids. You can sample many of these artists in Christian bookstores or on Christian radio. Time in. It's encouraging - and not just for the kids.
Key to evangelisation: first convert yourself
T
The Record
he Great Jubilee celebration of 2000 years of Christianity since the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ is drawing to a close rapidly. Where to now? The Jubilee year itself and the preceding three years focusing on God the Father, God the Son, and God the the Church as the Body of Christ offers to Holy Spirit have dominated the universal all humanity to find and live the real meaning of life. Church's consciousness and action. The added 'Lotto' bonus of the Holy Year Now we await and hope and pray for the indulgences has given us a further means fruits of this preparation. Since Pope John Paul II set the inunedi- of plugging into the power of God's grace. Only if we undertake this personal jourate preparations in motion for the Great ney of conversing with Jesus in prayer and Jubilee as early 1994, his object has been following him in living the will of God the to open the doors of human hearts to Jesus Father will the new evangelisation begin Christ so that the Holy Spirit can power a and continue. new period of evangelisation. This evangelisation will then express The objective has been not to develop a itself primarily in the action of individual detailed program, like some Communist lay men and women in their families, work Five Year Economic Program, but give and neighbourhoods. Christians, and especially Catholics, a Seeing how Christians love one another chance to convert themselves more close- and others, more unbelievers will have a ly to the person of Jesus, God and Man, so greater chance of responding to God's that they can open themselves to the grace and following Jesus in the Catholic action of the Holy Spirit more fully. Church. We were invited to focus on friendship The power of personal witness in the and intimacy with Jesus in the 1997 Year everyday life cannot be underestimated. If of Jesus, open ourselves to the Holy Spir- you are the only family in the street that it in 1998 and then approach God the dresses in its best clothes and leaves for Father in 1999, all to be summed up and somewhere at the same time every Sunexperienced again in the Holy Year 2000. day morning, then most of your neighWe were asked to take advantage of all bours are going to know that you are the helps, particularly the Sacraments, that Christians.
. .rounc
7aCk.. Lelfers 10
need to do the job of drawing the cart. Have we been strengthening ourselves for task of taking the Good News to the rest of Australia and the world? In the end, as the Church has known since the beginning, the most telling form Who knows what this knowledge could of communication is personal witness; it lead to when a crisis hits a neighbour and is the language that communicates no matthey are looking for spiritual consolation? ter what the culture, The power of personal witness was high- of the non-believer. language or history lighted at the Jubilee celebration in Rome Simple, isn't it? Except for the fact that it for catechists last weekend. American layman and vice-president of depends on each potential evangeliser IBM Timothy O'Malley, a man who would rust taking the road of conversion to Jesus know about the power of money, technol- within the Catholic Church. That's the ogy and political influence to help a cause, hard part. We have to meet Jesus and know him emphasised the role of personal witness first personally. in teaching and evangelising the Faith. The Catholic Church is the Church 'Technology is not a magic bullet,' he told religious educators. 'It will never where Jesus in his Body and Blood in the replace personal witness. Tools can never Sacraments can be normally and regularreplace the experience and example of ly met as directly as possible in this life we have guaranteed access to the winpeople of faith.' He then put the role of communications nings of a weekly, if not daily, spiritual technology in its proper place in catech- bonus 'Lotto' draw. Who would be mad esis and evangelisation: 'Tools can extend enough not to take it up? the reach of every catechist. Tools can Having met Jesus, we won't need to look enhance the resources and methods avail- for a program of evangelisation - we will able to every catechist." just live it. In common sense understanding, he was putting the cart behind the horse. • The opinions expressed in this editorThe question at the end of the Holy Year ial, and any other Record editorial, are not Is: have we been grooming, feeding and necessarily those of the Roman Catholic training the horse as horses expect and Archbishop of Perth.
Meet Tony, and 2000 mates
I A'e Cc/dor
Praise God, but no night club band
I
attended the Jubilee 2000 at Subiaco Oval and my disappointment with the entire program has prompted me to express my feelings. First, I would like to say that the venue was suitable for the huge number of people and the Greenwood Parish provided much appredated transport. The screen was an excellent idea. providing a visual commentary for the hearing-impaired. But for the sight-impaired, seated at the rear of the stadium, the words were far too small to be easily read. The band and its songs preceding events and speeches, was, in my opinion, the worst feature! I expected this special occasion to be one of heartfelt thanks and joy to the Lord. I expected songs of praise and a full benediction for all Catholics to participate in for the solemnity and gratitude to God for giving His son to the world. Instead, loud, ludicrous lyrics befitting a nightclub, assailed the congregation! Why? What were the organisers providing for the thousands of devotees and followers of Christ? Why couldn't the masses do the singing and praising? We were there to praise God - not be entertained by a night club-style band! And why weren't parents advised to keep their children from running amuck especially during the benediction? It was indeed an extremely slipshod affair and I'm sorry for the thousands of parishioners who felt as I did - cheated of the opportunity to en masse, thank and praise God for giving us His Blessed Son. Jesus. Ihope and pray that Christmas will provide all Catholics and Christians of Perth a truly beatific entrance into 2001! Danuta Callaghan Greenwood
Tony Christiansen and admirers. The double amputee is an inspiration to the 'able-bodied'.
"It's all about attitude. Believe in yourself, don't let anyone take your dreams away and don't ever lose the passion to share your life and what you have to offer with others." That was the powerful message delivered to more than 2000 Year Seven students by Tony Christiansen, a motivational speaker from New Zealand who visited Perth recently to share his experiences with the students from 44 of the State's Catholic schools. A double amputee who lost both legs following a railway accident at the age of just nine, Mr Christiansen has not let his
disability hinder him in the least - far from it. Apart from being the Managing Director of New Zealand's largest signwriting company, Mr Christiansen (a father of three) also holds a number of gold medals and records as a world class athlete, is a qualified lifeguard, second degree black belt in Tai Kwon Do, champion race car driver and pilot. Making good use of his signwriting background, Mr Christiansen stunned his student audiences as he left his wheelchair to scale his trademark scaffold from where he delivered his message - some seven feet above
Pflotos Phil Bayne
the ground. Through a combination of honesty and humour he left the 11 and 12 year-olds in awe. "The greatest thing about believing in yourself is that it doesn't cost anything to do so," he told them. The impact which Mr Christiansen had on his young audience could best be seen at the conclusion of his presentation when he was surrounded by a large group of students, all of whom were eager to introduce themselves and launch a barrage of questions. In a powerful display of admiration, a vision-impaired student
Tony on his platform.
sat for some time with Mr Christiansen, listening as he explained how his childhood accident happened. Taking the student's hand, Mr Christiansen also helped him 'see' the extent of his injuries while reaffirming his message that "your attitude dictates your altitude in life." - Phil Bayne, CEO Media
Girrawheen pupils earn top fundraiser spot The efforts of a group of Year Seven students from Our Lady of Mercy Primary School in Girrawheen who raised funds for the Australian War Memorial in Canberra were officially recognised earlier this week by the Governor of Western Australia, Lieutenant General John Sanderson. Presenting the school with a perpetual trophy modelled on the statue of the soldier that once stood in the Hall of Remembrance, Governor Sanderson praised the students for their dedication which resulted in their school being named as the State's top fundraiser under the Australian War Memorial Founda-
tion's national badge-selling initiative. Speaking of the War Memorial, Governor Sanderson said it was "a strong symbol of Australia" - a place of national significance that paid tribute to Australia's federation and the contributions of many Australians. He urged all of them to one day visit the Memorial, before presenting the trophy to Head Boy Michael Crisafio and Head Girl Vanessa Doll. In his address of thanks, Michael said the school was honoured to have received the trophy which is now proudly displayed for all to see. Head Boy Michael Crfsafio and Head Girl Vanessa Doll, with Gover- PM Bayne, CEO Media nor Sanderson and the trophy. The Record, December 14 2000 Page 7
Features
Features
olive me 'human' Cligukil.tfirtto
Five easy ways to lose the Festive Season doldrums W
By Tim Clark
ill it be electronic or paper this Christmas? We're talking about Christmas cards, of
course. In this wireless, digital, post-modern culture I often feel like an alien while the young people I work with, my own children in fact, are natives. I struggle to learn the language and customs they have grown up with in a world where hardly anything is more than a mouse click away. On the World Wide Web they can check their homework, research a paper, download a favourite song, buy a new pair of shoes and talk to six friends all at once. With a laptop and a cell phone, one can go virtually anywhere these days. SoIwonder, in this electronic age what is the best way to send holiday wishes - mailbox or modem? The Internet is "the" platform for every
sort of transaction. This Christmas you son they feel the same way. When you can purchase your gifts, buy groceries give a gift or send a card you give a litfor your Christmas dinner, even find the tle piece of yotuself, and it is made all quickest way over the river and through the more meaningful by the effort the woods to your grandmother's house involved. with the push of a button. Electronic cards are quick, free and So maybe electronic Christmas cards easy. According to Michelle, a secondare the way to go. year university student, that's precisely Before uploading my address book, the problem. though, I have been asking the college "There is little effort in typing your list students I work with what they think of names into a Web site," she says, "so little that it can be done in one visit. What they tell me may surprise you. In their words it's a "no brainer": paper Sending a card through the postal serall the way.Stephanie, a freshman, puts vice takes effort and forethought. Each it this way, "Despite the fact that tech- card has to be signed individually, nology is bombing (that means it's a which often inspires a personal note." These young people just might be on good thing), it's always nicer to receive to something. a card in the mail." The spirit of Christmas is a spirit of "E-mail, to me," she says, "is some other cheap way to communicate. Noth- giving, and all giving in the end is about ing can beat the personalised hand- some kind of personal sacrifice. written card." The gift also tells us something of the Stephanie's not alone. I checked with relationship. At Christmas we are every college student I could find - all reminded that "God so loved the world of whom responded via e-mail. To a per- that he gave his only begotten Son."
cards
Maybe in this way a simple card, handwritten and addressed, carries a deeper meaning. There is something else. Neil, a junior, says it this way: "Both types of cards may say the same thing, and I enjoy receiving both, but paper cards are more personal for some reason. Maybe this is simply because it is actually something I can touch." At Christmas we celebrate the mystery of the incarnation: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" as a human being, someone we could touch. It may be the thought that counts, but when that thought finds a form, even one as simple as a paper card, it can satisfy a basic human need to hold what is often beyond words. As a stranger in a strange land, I am learning to rely on the locals for advice, and the natives of this dot-corn world have been very helpful. It's going to be paper this year! - Catholic News Service
Arwaeh and Ibrahim go for marriage green light among bullets and tanks
Arwaeh el-Hodaly and her fiance, Ibrahim Wahbeh, walk on 3 December on a street Photo: CNS/Debbse Hill in Belt Jala, where they plan to live once they are married.
I was afraid to get married was financial." But one year ago, on 5 December. o some, their story may be remreturned from Haifa and Wahbeh iniscent of the Romeo and Juliasked el-Hodaly to marry him. et saga. It took six months to convince her But Arwaeh el-Hodaly, 24, says she and her fiance, Ibrahim Wahbeh, are parents to consent to the match and simply two serious, practical people finally on 20 August Wahbeh went to who are determined to marry despite officially ask for el-Hodaly's hand in the obstacles - both familial and polit- marriage. Their small engagement party was ical - facing them. After overcoming family opposition, held one week later and a 23 Decemthe couple has now had to struggle ber wedding date was agreed upon. Then the violence broke out and with the effects of the recent Mideast changed. everything relationship and violence on their El-Hodaly was no longer able to their future plans. Wahbeh, a 38-year-old Catholic with cross the checkpoint to Jerusalem and Israeli citizenship who lives in Wahbeh has only been able to come Jerusalem, and el-Hodaly, who is to Belt Jala thanks to a temporary Greek Orthodox and lives in Belt Jala, press card he was issued while he met more than two years ago at a stu- worked with a Japanese TV station. Oftentimes Wahbeh found himself dent conference in Bethlehem. The moment she met Wahbeh, el- paying an exorbitant price for a taxi Hodaly told her girlfriend that this back to Jerusalem after a visit with elHodaly as night fell. was the man she would marry. "I told her I would have a relationIn light of the situation they have ship with him and I would marry decided to postpone their wedding to him," she said. 21 January. "He was serious. He's not like other Instead of a fancy white wedding menImet who were not responsible gown. a burst of flowers and lavish and not practical. I need someone wedding party, el-Hodaly will wear a who is like me." traditional Palestinian wedding dress And so their courtship began, with and there will be a small reception Wahbeh coming to her home after after the ceremony. two weeks of phone conversations. "We need to show we are Arabs and Her parents had reservations: he we never forget we are Palestinian," was too old for her, they said, he did- she said. n't own his own home and though he Instead of marrying at the church was scholarly and had studied at where Wahbeh works in East Haifa University, his job in the ticket Jerusalem, which is now out of office at the St Peter in Gallicantu bounds for el-Hodaly's family, the Church would hardly provide enough couple hopes to marry at the Catholic money to support their daughter. Tantur Ecumenical Centre, which is The el-Hodalys are a financially located on the border of Jerusalem prominent family of Belt Jala while and Bethlehem so members of both Wahbeh comes from more humble families can attend. roots. In the meantime, with the rental But el-Hodaly was determined, and prices falling in the border area of she would cross the Jerusalem-Beth- Belt Jala, Wahbeh has decided to rent lehem checkpoint to visit him despite an apartment there since he spends the fact that she did not have an Israeli most of his free time there with elpermit to do so. Hodaly anyway. She refused to get one on principle, Theoretically Wahbeh could apply she said, since she believes Jerusalem el-Hodaly to get an Israeli identifor belongs to her as a Palestinian. allowing her to live with him card ty "My friends would help me. It wasJerusalem, but he refuses to do so i n n't easy to tell my family I was going reasons and el-Hodaly for ideological to Jerusalem to have dinner at a desire for any Israeli docuno has restaurant with Ibrahim," said elments. Hodaly. So for now Wahbeh will stay in Belt Finally they knew they would have although ills still unclear how Jala, to decide whether the relationship he will be able to move between the was heading for marriage. El-Hodaly knew what she wanted two cities once his press card expires and Wahbeh went to Haifa by him- at the end of December, since Israeli civilians are prohibited from entering self for a few days to think "I thought seriously about this rela- the Bethlehem area by the Israelis. "The future is gloomy," he said. tionship. To be totally committed and "I don't know what will happen. I obligated to one person is not easy I am a very independent person and I just want to go to work and have a needed space and time to think," he family life with love and warmth." - Catholic News Service admitted. "Maybe one of the reasons
Three more ordained for the ministerial riesthood T How much Christmas joy? A man prepares to sleep over a subway ventilation grill in front of a Christmas tree in Lisbon's city square in Portugal in 1996. Photo CNS/Reuters
By Janaan Manternach
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ere is a guaranteed way to ease Christmas-season doldrums, should you experience them. In nearly every community, shelters for the homeless include children, as well as adults. Volunteer, individually or as a family, at one of these shelters. Lavish the residents with time, concern and gifts. Christmas, for some, is not a joyous season.lWo of my closest friends, one a relative, experience depression and anxiety as soon as the season begins. Because of how Christmas affects me through my relative and friend, I've become sensitive to an undercurrent of "unhappy" and have found ways to ease the sadness while still maintaining my own enthusiasm and joy. Here are some things Irecommend for making Christmas a good season for all. • Focus on Jesus as the Prince of Peace and pray for calm and inner peace by meditating on the Sunday Gospel or other readings and/or praying, as a mantra, the name "Jesus." • Have a Christmas Prayer Party in which each guest comes with a description of an inner need wrapped as a gift. The "partying" focuses on unwrapping these "gifts," sharing them, lifting them up in prayer and promising to support each other during the season. Combine with a festive but simple dinner • Help an elderly person or couple in your family decorate. This can be heartwarming and fun. Many elderly people have decorations that possess loving and happy memories but don't have the energy to put them on a tree or on a mantle. Choosing this as an activity can take time, partly because it may mean a bit of house cleaning (which some of the elderly truly welcome and others resist), picking a tree (possibly with their help) and decorating it, followed by a Christmas tea with sandwiches and biscuits. This activity also requires the promise to take the decorations down when the season is over. • Another quite simple suggestion, but one that takes concerted effort, is to talk one-on-one with each of your family members for a few moments every day, asking a question like, "How are you doing?" "What are you thinking right now?" "If you had one wish for Christmas, what would it be?" "If you were to create a perfect Christmas, what would it be like?" • Read aloud together. This can ease the blues and feed the mind, heart and spirit with thoughts of survival, with vicarious experiences of compassion, with an awareness of different rituals and customs. Some good ones are: A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens. DK Publishing, 1997. The Night ofLas Posadas, Tomie DePaola. G.P. Putnam, 1999. The Christmas Box, Richard Paul Evans. Simon and Schuster, 1993. The Trees of the Dancing Goats, Patricia Polacco. Simon and Schuster, 1996. The Sign of the Beaver, Elizabeth Speare. Dell Publishing, 1984. If none of these stories suits your family's taste, visit your local library or bookstore for others. - Catholic News Service The Record, December 14 2000 Page
Continued from Page 1 Archbishop Hickey told three hundred or so people attending the ceremony that as many of them either knew the three or had been part of their formation, their enthusiasm for the three ordinations was no surprise. He said each of the three deacons had responded generously in their lives "to a call which is not easy to accept," one that involved both dangers and difficulties. Each would now have to go out into the world, preach the name of Jesus and invite others to answer His call, he said. In so doing they would risk rejection and hostility. "Yet, they will continue because Jesus will use them to call back the lost sheep," he said. Each had not only responded to his Baptismal call but to another, one inherent in the sacrament of Holy Orders. "They have been called to be ministers in a very special way of the mysteries of salvation - and they will dispense them," he said. The Archbishop prayed that, as priests, each would be not only good shepherds but fearless preachers. Top left Deacons Jerome Tibon from the Philippines, Francis Sundararajan from India and Eugenio Zurias from Venezuela prostrate themselves during the Litany of the Saints before being ordained by Archbishop Hickey. Left, the Archbishop prays over the three before the gathered congregation of several hundred people. Later, right, the new Fr Zurias distributes Communion to his family who had travelled to Perth from Venezuela to be with him for the momentous occasion, right.
The moment of ordination for Deacon Sundararajan. To his left is Deacon Tibon and to his right the alreadyordained Fr Zurias. Bishop Edward Collins of Darwin can be seen in the background. Photos Pete' Rosengren
Priests of the Archdiocese, including Fr Michael Moore, Redemptoris Mater rector, standing at left, welcome their new brother priests by laying hands on them and praying for them.
By Judith Sudilovsky
The Record, December 14 2000 Page 9
Features, Music Reviews
Soul music, old and new Perspectives - Dominic Perissinotto pipe organ, Anthony Pope - trumpet Recorded in the Basilica of St Patrick, Fremantle RRP $25 Reviews by Peter Rosengren
With Mary Busher, Perth Catholic Church Archives volunteer
Excerpts from the WA Catholic Record 15 December, 1900.
Boer War bagged
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ditorial marking the return of WA contingents from the Boer War "We fully share in the congratulations of the occasion, as we have also done in the sorrow for those who fell, or the sympathy with those wounded and disabled for life. Our men fought bravely and acquitted themselves well in the face of a formidable enemy. But they return to us discredited by association with a war, not only in its essence unjust, but barbarised by being waged against women and children. Personally, we understand, they were not engaged in the odious task of burning the roofs over defenceless heads and driving out upon the barren veldt helpless mothers and children. The war was one undertaken without scruple, to be brought to a successful issue without examining the means, or weighing the consequences."
Beagle Bay news
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rom a report by Bishop Gibney on a recent visit to the Trappist Mission at Beagle Bay: "About 75 acres have been cleared, grubbed and brought Into cultivation. Large paddocks have been planted with couch grass and are principally used for horses. Ten acres have been trenched, cleared and prepared for garden ground. Another five acres prepared for banana culture. This has been so successful it has been extended and there are no‘‘ 8,000 banana trees and shoots. There are also 52 coconut trees and GO date trees. The gardens are plentifully supplied with wells and, beside the fruit mentioned, they are planted with papias, figs, rock and watermelons, pineapples. pomegranates, pumpkins, sweet and English potatoes, beans, cabbages, tomatoes and an excellent vegetable called tam. Small scale experiments with rice, arrowroot and tobacco are also in hand? The Bishop's report recalled that 10 years earlier when he settled the Trappists at Beagle Bay, the Police Department had warned him not to go unarmed among the wild Aborigines. "NowI find them a Christian community, baptised, having giving up a plurality of wives, married according to the rites of the Church, resorting to the bush only when the Mission is short of means to employ and keep them. "Their natural mode of life has not been interfered with the married couples have their own camp, a few of them live In huts.
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t Patrick's Basilica in Fremantle and its Director of Music, Dominic Perissinotto, are two of the four stars of a compact disc launched at the Fremantle Church last Monday night. The other two are Perissinotto collaborator, Victorian trumpeter Anthony Pope, and the Basilica's magnificent organ. This is a debut CD for these two young but widely-accomplished artists and features works by their favourite composers: Boellmann, Persichetti, Vivaldi, Hovhanness - Elgar, Gobbons, Bossi, Telemann. It is a must-have for fans of fine music or an ideal Christmas gift. Brightest Morning - Christmas music from ABC Classic FM Universal Music RRP approximately $28-30
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ac.h year ABC Classic FM plays Christmas music in November and December which never fails to set the phones ringing with inquiries from listeners, so here is a collection which everybody will enjoy. It contains sumptuous carols from the choirs of Westminster Cathedral, Clam College, Cambridge College and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. There is also the well-known Australian carol, The Silver Stars, sung by the Sydney Philharmonia Motet Choir, Walking in the Air from the animated film, The Snowman; the traditional Scottish melody Rorate, played by Chris Duncan; and Night of Silence sung by Yvonne Kenny.
music that floods the airwaves. The leaders in this field in recent decades have been American churches and recording ventures that are overwhelmingly Evangelical and Protestant. Whatever criticisms people make about the US, they often forget that it is a nation with a deep stream of Christian belief running through it; it is a country where religion is still widely-respected. Hillsong appears to have drawn from the best of this culture and to have charted its own course for Australian-composed and recorded Christian music. It's work is exciting both because it offers an alternative and because it is done well. Jesus - Christmas Worship Down Under particularly reflects this and is very much contemporary music done with flair. This disc is also a mixture of traditional Christmas favourites arranged in a modern way but including newer compositions which reflect the faith of both composers and singers. _ 43ii4S1NIAS
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Jesus - Christmas Down Under Hillsong Music Australia. Also from Hillsong: United Live - Best Friend, and For This Cause
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illsong Music Australia is one of the growing number of initiatives in marketing contemporary Christian music both for its own worth and as an alternative to the blandness and drug or porn-inspired
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Like other ffillsong releases, it is also particularly suited to families and young people and at Christmas time makes an ideal gift. It could make excellent background music for the family in the days leading up to, and including, Christmas. The traditional favourites include Silent Night, beautifully sung by Darlene Zschech, Away In a Manger, 0 Holy Night and 0 Come All Ye Faithful, which have been beautifully arranged as a medley with the contemporary Jesus You Are AllILive For by Russell Fragar and Simeon Webster. All the music reflects 21st-century sound; modern and upbeat but also sensitive and full of joy, faith and wonder. I recommend it. Meanwhile, when was the last time anyone opened a compact disc and instead of finding insulting or revolting language and concepts, rinds the following dedication: "We pray these songs will stir your passion to live for Jesus our Saviour and our King and the one who will always be our best friend"? That's what's offered on United Live - Best Friend, which represents a youth-targeted and expressed collection of songs of worship. Recorded live in what can only be described as a concert-worship experience, Unitedis the sort of music that could more than hold its own against its airwaves competition. This is an album for those in their teens and twenties but well-worth the purchase; it will make you want to dance along in your bedroom to its catchy beat and lyrics. For This Cause, like United is a live recording similar in feel and content. This disc was recorded at the Homebush State Sports Centre in March this year and has all the feel of a youth rock conference - which is what it was. But there's something about it that leaves you feeling not drained and seedy but inspired, happy and optimistic. Take a look at the lyrics of any of the songs and you'll see how it's music that's switched on for God: This treasure thatIhold More than finest gold It is you Jesus. it is you. Like the other Christian contemporary music now increasingly available, these CD's are not only good in content, but perhaps more importantly, good to listen to, which makes them doubly enjoyable.
Witnesses to Church rejection of Nazism
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is Maximilian Kolbe and Edith Stein were two among the millions of Catholics and thousands of religious who were killed for resisting the Nazis during the Second World War. Maximilian Kolbe was a gifted Polish Franciscan priest who, while still a student, founded the Sodality of the Militia of Mary Immaculate. Before the War, he was the superior of one of Poland's largest Franciscan houses, with over 700 friars, and director of Poland's main Catholic publishing house. As a result of his anti-fascist publications, Pr Kolbe was arrest-
Photo CNS/John Pole
St Maximilian Kohe
The Record, December 14 2000 Page 10
ed by the Gestapo with some fellow Franciscans in 1939 after the German invasion, but later released. He was arrested again in 1941 for aiding Jews and assisting the Polish underground. This time, he was taken from Warsaw to Auschwitz. There he volunteered to die in the place of Franciszek Gajowniczek, a younger man with a family. Fr Kolbe was first starved, and then, when he took too long to die, was injected with phenol. His body was burnt in the ovens. He was canonised in 1981, in the presence of Franciszek Gajowniczek, by John Paul II. In contrast, Edith Stein was born into a wealthy orthodox Jewish family in Germany. But, in 1904, she renounced her Jewish faith to become an atheist. By 1916 she was recognised as a leading German philosopher. Nevertheless, after reading the autobiography of St Teresa of Avila, foundress of the Discalced Carmelites, she converted to Catholicism in 1922. When the Nazis came to power in 1933 she was forced to give up her university position because of her Jewish background. The following year she joined the Discalced Carmelites, and became Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She continued her
e4nSt 2000 Perth historian Dr Jennifer Skerritt sheds some light on Catholic history to mark 2000 years of Christianity This week: St Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) and St Edith Stein (1891-1942) writings as the situation in Ger- were dragged from their convent many became more dangerous. by the Gestapo and transported The prioress of her abbey to Auschwitz. They died together decided to send her to Holland, in the gas chambers a few days where she hoped Sr Teresa later. would be safer from the Nazis. Edith Stein was canonised in In August 1942, in response to 1998, and her writings are very the Dutch bishops' public con- significant for the role of women demnation of Nazi anti-Semi- in the Church. tism, Hitler ordered the arrest of The Church, and Pope Pius XII all non-Aryan Catholics in Hol- In particular, is often accused by land. the ignorant and the ill-intenEdith Stein, and her sister Rosa, tioned of having failed to oppose who had also become a Catholic, Nazism. The lives of these two saints alone show that this is not true, but in addition to Maximillian Kolbe, more than 2,500 priests died in Auschwitz alone. Individual Catholics, and the Church as a whole, opposed Nazism to the utmost extent of their ability It took the combined strength of many people of good-will and of many nations to finally crush the Nazis. It is unreasonable to expect Pope Pius XII to have been able to stop Nazism instantly and sinEdith Stein as a laywoman.pnoto CNS gle-handedly.
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Christmas Holiday Movie Reviews
Just your average Grinch By Anne Navarro
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irector Ron Howard brings the classic tale Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas to the big screen with mixed results. The original Dr Seuss' book and later the 1966 Chuck Jones cartoon adaptation of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" are so wonderful, one wonders why filmmakers would want to touch the tale even with a 39-and-a-half-foot pole. In the brightly decorated town of Whoville, the residents are busy with their yuletide preparations, which consist mainly of buying, buying and more buying. The Whos have caught the commercialism bug, all except for young Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), who thinks everyone is kerbobbled over the shopping and all the hoopla and wonders what the true meaning of Christmas is. Hoping to give the classic fable a more edgy feel, Howard went through eight scripts before Seuss' widow Audrey Geisel gave her approval. Seuss' original story is retold in the last third of the film, where viewers hear the familiar rhymes and see the mean-spirited Grinch disguise himself as Santa Claus, sneak into the town of Whoville on Christmas Eve and steal all the residents' presents. The first two-thirds of the film psychoanalyse why the Grinch hates Christmas, coming up with a story of unrequited puppy love on a fateful Christmas Eve that
the Grind', with glimpses of the familiar Garrey rubber face popping out every so often. The gravely voice he has created for the Grind), a cross between a dopey Jimmy Stewart and a wrathful Sean Connery, adds a lively dimension to the character. The pug-nosed, hare-lipped townsfolk dressed in their bright costumes and running anxiously around Whoville fade into the background, with none of the film's other stars making much of an impression. This includes Momsen, who shares no chemistry with Garrey and offers a winceworthy little ditty in which the 8-year-old laments the passing of her carefree days. Carrey gets to throw out numerous zippy one-liners (many aimed at chaperoning parents) with manic speed, but the film as a whole plays like a series of stretched-out skits clumsily strung together. And the elaborate and fanciful sets, with colourful stores and homes teetering perilously forward, appear dinky, like a poor man's "Wizard of Oz." The result is that Garrey takes in the viewTaylor Momsen and Jim Carrey star in a scene from "Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas." er, even if the rest of the film does not. Photo CNS/Unneetsa The US Catholic Conference classification is A -I1 for adults and adolescents. For better or for worse, moviegoers can to see more of Dr Seuss' books transexpect sent the spurned Grinch to the top of Mount Christmas.) Although the film's sentiment Crumpit to loathe the Whos and the yule- Is certainly good, it is a secularised expla- lated onto the big screen, as it seems pronation that omits the real importance of duction for 'The Cat in the Hat" is already tide holiday forevermore. The film's message is that what really Christmas, namely the commemoration of under way. As far as the Grinch goes, Carrey seems counts is caring for family, friends and Christ's birth, which was stated more neighbours, not the gifts or the glitter asso- explicitly in the cartoon by the depiction of to have stolen more than just Christmas. Because of some crass humour, including the East star in the sky. ciated with Christmas. Nearly unrecognisable under a well-craft- mild sexual innuendo, the US Catholic It is ironic, though, that a film that takes a swipe at commercialism is offering so ed green mask and hand-dyed yak fur. Car- Conference classification is All - adults and much tie-in merchandise, just in time for rey offers a surprisingly good rendition of adolescents. - Catholic News Service
Get into a flap, it's worth every minute of it safe haven from the tyrannical ringmaster, By Anne Navarro in exchange, he must teach Ginger and the plucky chicken and her hen pals rest of the girls to flap their way to freedom. However, with the egg count down, the must escape the cruel clutches of an egg farmer intent on turning them greedy Mrs Threedy (voice of Miranda into chicken pies in the delightful clay ani- Richardson) has hatched a plan that will make her and her henpecked husband mation feature Chicken Run. Not a day goes by that feisty Ginger (voice (voice of Tony Haygarth), filthy rich: chickof Julia Sawalha) does not try to break out en pies. Now escape is not only just a fanof the confining coop at Mrs Tweedy's egg ciful wish to feel green grass beneath their farm. Together with her feathered friends, webbed feet, but a life-saving operation. Can Rocky teach the flock to fly before it Ginger schemes and plans for their freedom, but her ideas always wind her up in is too late? With Chicken Run, directors Peter Lord solitary confinement, trapped in a garbage and Nick Park bring their innovative talent bin until she is allowed out. Weary and discouraged, Ginger has run in clay animation to their first full-length out of strategies. But one evening, looking feature film. Many will recognise them as Rocky sails over the fence of Tweedy's Egg Farm up in the sky, she sees an astonishing sight: the creators of the Wallace & Gromit shorts. in the animated feature -Chicken Run." a rooster flying straight over the barbed Witty dialogue and a splendid cast of voicAnd there are a few intense scenes that wire fence and landing in the chicken feed. es add to the quality of the fun film. Yet may momentarily frighten younger ones. It's Rocky the Flying Rooster (voice of Mel while "Chicken Run" is visually pleasing However, there is enough excitement and Gibson), who makes his living being shot and amusing, the plot lags in parts. creativity in the 80-plus minutes to make Some jokes (such as clever references to for an entertaining family outing. out of a circus canon, and is now a fugitive The US Catholic Conference classificafrom the greatest show on earth. Believing director John Sturges' 1963 film, The Great - CNS Rocky can actually fly, Ginger offers him a Escape) may go right over children's heads. tion is Al - general patronage.
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The planet is red but the action is grey By Anne Navarro
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n the year 2050, Earth has become an environmental disaster and Mars is looking like good real estate. Red Planet, the Johnny-come-lately of Mars movies, sends a crew of astronauts led by Commander Kate Bowman (CarrieAnne Moss) to the planet to investigate what went wrong with the "Mars Terraforrning Project" and repair it. The experiment was supposed to be producing oxygen in preparation for human habitation on Mars. A crash landing on the red planet leaves the crew with their communication and scientific apparatus down and
escape possibilities nearly nonexistent. With Bowman still on board the spacecraft and her all-male crew on the planet, the narrative predictably begins to pick off the men. One after another, obstacles are hurtled at the astronauts: dwindling oxygen supplies, arctic nocturnal temperatures, their own tempers and "AMEE," the malfunctioning military exploration robot that has turned into an evil ninja-like enemy. The mumbo-jumbo scientific babbling and less-than-extraordinary special effects create a lukewarm experience for the viewer. Val Kilmer stars as Gallagher, an uninteresting character who becomes the
central figure in the planetary exploration. There is a slight spiritual dimension to the film as one of the astronauts, Chantilas (Terence Stamp) comments that he could not answer the hard questions of life scientifically, but instead turned to philosophy and faith. But this plot digression, which could have given the film some weight, basically evaporates. If viewers don't expect much from this movie, they won't be disappointed. Due to some sci-fi violence, brief nudity, an instance of rough language and minimal crass language, the US Catholic Conference classification is A-I! - adults and adolescents. - Catholic News Service
Interrogation thriller text not up to actors' talents By Anne Navarro
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he stylish mystery drama, Under Suspicion, does its best to establish itself as a worthy psychological thriller, but is only partially successful. Directed by Stephen Hopkins, the fihn is a remake of Claude Miller's 1981 minimalist drama, Garde a Vue and relies mainly on the fine acting skills of veterans Gene
Hackman as Henry Hearst, a wealthy tax detract from the tense mood that Hopkins lawyer suspected of raping and killing two tries to build in the claustrophobic quesyoung girls, and Morgan Freeman, as tioning room. But the main action is in the police captain, Victor Benezet. Set during a interrogation room, where Benezet peels winter festival in present-day Puerto Rico, Hearst's alibi like an onion, until only the the film pits Morgan against Hackman in nub remains. However, the lack of edginess what at times is an intense and involving to their confrontations rules out any real tete-a-tete during a long night's interroga- tension. Due to a sexual encounter and tion. The problem is that the script is not intermittent rough language with fleeting as fine as Morgan and Hackman's talents. profanity, the US Catholic Conference clas- CNS The film's fancy editing and pulsing music sification is AIII - adults.
Pompons fly thick and fast in teen flick By Anne Navarro
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n s ewly elected cheerleading captain must face the music when he discovers her team's routines were stolen in the silly teen flick Bring It On. With their sixth national championship title within arm's reach, the ibro cheerleading squad from San Diego's Ranch Came High School plans to just go through the motions. In her first year as captain, the perpetually perky lbrrance (Kirsten Durist) wants to prove she can lead and continue the winning Tom tradition. Only Torrance's plastered-on smile turns into a frown when cynical new girl Missy (Eliza Dushku) arrives. Missy informs her that the team's routines were stolen by Toro's former captain from the Clovers, an inner-city hip-hop squad with all the right moves. Now, not only do the lbros need a new routine, but the Clovers threaten to out pompon them in the national competition. lbrrance faces a crisis of conscience and must convince her pert pompon pals to do the right thing, and do it in a matter of weeks. By-the-numbers plotting and bromidic dialogue make BringIt On a mostly runof-the-mill teen film. Meanwhile, the film's humour is sometimes a bit dark, as when a Nazi-like choreographer informs the team that "cheerleaders are dancers gone retarded." There is nothing particularly moving or intelligent about this film. However, it nonetheless manages to be slightly amusing, in major part due to Dunst Her performance helps elevate the fihn from mostly mediocre mush. Teen-age males may be the most appreciative audience, as there are plenty of skinny teen-age girls walking around the locker room in frilly underwear or in tight navel-bearing uniforms. Due to a few fleeting sexual references and some crude slang expressions. the US Catholic Conference classification is - CNS All - adults and adolescents.
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International News
Teaching faith 'depends Starvation on prayer and witness' looms In Brief
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (CNS) - Caritas, the Catholic development agency in Sierra Leone, is grappling with the problem of starvation that looms in a displaced person camp in the strategic town of Mile 91 of the West African state of Sierra Leone. Situated 145 luns from Freetown, the camp presently houses 35,000 displaced persons. "More and more people are flocking into the camp as the situation gets worse behind rebel lines," said Raphael Williams, assistant emergency aid co-ordinator of Caritas. Polygamous homes were especially suffering, he said.
Net swindlers ROME (CNS) - Swindlers posing as Italian and Vatican officials bilked construction companies for hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribe payments meant to secure Jubilee contracts, Italian police said. The scheme was uncovered when the construction companies complained they were not awarded contracts. Police said four men and a woman posed as representatives of the Italian state and the Vatican and used downloaded Italian and Vatican jubilee logos from the Internet.
Corruption call ASUNCION, Paraguay (CNS) - Bishop Juan Bautista Gavilan Velasquez of Concepcion has asked corrupt politicians to act "like Zacchaeus" and turn back to the people the money they illegally obtained. "Like Zacchaeus, we need to see corrupt politicians repenting and at least giving back the money to this people, poor and humble," said Bishop Gavilan during a Mass celebrated at the national Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Caacupe.
UN fascination NEW YORK (CNS) - The Vatican nuncio to the UN said in a 7 December New York address that nations and agencies at the United Nations do not always welcome the voice of the Church but are attracted to its message nonetheless. Archbishop Renato Martino said that even the enemies of Christ "seemed to recognise and be drawn to the truth which they perceived to threaten their status. . . . The voice of the Holy See, particularly at the United Nations. experiences this same reaction."
Pro-life cleric dies ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CNS) - Bishop James McHugh, who had headed the Diocese of Rockville Centre since early January, died of cancer on 10 December. He was 68. A leader in the US bishops' pro-life efforts, Bishop McHugh also had represented the Vatican at International meetings and at the UN on population and prolife matters.
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catechists must use every appropriate method and media to lead people to Christ, but they must remember nothing will work if it is not supported by prayer and the witness of a Christian life, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said. "The words of proclamation must be bathed in an intense life of prayer," said the cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal Ratzinger spoke last Sunday 10 December at the Vatican to participants in the Jubilee for Catechists and Religion Teachers. Because everyone needs salvation in Christ, "we are obliged to seek new ways of bringing the Gospel to all, he said. Cardinal Ratzinger cautioned, however, against the "temptations of impatience," of wanting a huge success or of wanting people to listen to Catholic catechists so the Church would become bigger and more influential.
"An old proverb says, 'Success is not another name for God,- he said. "Great things always begin from a small seed and mass movements are always fleeting." The only goal, he said, "is to make accessible and understandable the voice of the Lord" so that people will follow him and have the fullness of life. Catechists must proclaim what Jesus proclaimed: the kingdom of God, which means that God exists and God acts in the world and in the lives of each individual, Cardinal Ratzinger said. A key part of the Christian message is the prospect of eternal life and the guarantee that God's justice will prevail, he said. "This preaching also includes the announcement of judgment, the announcement of our responsibility. "Man cannot do or not do whatever he wants. He will be judged. He must given an accounting. This certainty is as valid for the powerful as for the simple." he said. God's justice and God's judg-
ment are "good news," especially for those who suffer the injustices present in the world, Cardinal Ratzinger said. Catechesis is not so much a matter of transmitting knowledge as it is a question of leading people to a relationship with Jesus, he said, and that relationship only can be established through prayer. "To speak of God and to speak with God must always go together," he said. Along with personal prayer, Catholics are called to express their relationship with God together through their participation in the Mass, the cardinal said. While the liturgy is a form of teaching, "our way of celebrating the liturgy is often too rationalistic," he said. By trying too hard to make everything understood, "the consequence often is the trivialising of the mystery, the prevalence of our own words and the repetition of phrases which seem more accessible and pleasing to the people."
But as the growing popularity of Asian forms of meditation show, "in our world today we have need of silence, of the mystery which lies above individuals and of beauty," Cardinal Ratzinger said. "Even if the participants do not understand every single word, they perceive the profound meaning and the presence of mystery which transcend every word," he said. While several speakers at the jubilee conference encouraged catechists to use new technology to proclaim the Gospel, none of their comments on the topic were as strong as the admonition of Timothy O'Malley, a vice president of IBM, who spoke on 9 December to the catechists. "Technology is not a magic bullet. It will never replace personal witness," he said. "Tools can never replace the experience and example of people of faith. But tools can extend the reach of every catechist. Tools can enhance the resources and methods available to every catechist."
Catholic-Jewish May meeting planned Moscow By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Catholic and Jewish leaders are planning a major dialogue session next spring to discuss the theme of reconciliation, officials in Rome said. The meeting of the International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee is tentatively set for 1-3 May in New York. The committee represents the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations. Seymour Reich, IJCIC chairman, met with Vatican officials in early December to discuss the theme and preparations for the New
York encounter. He said the preparatory talks had gone well, but that the agenda was still in the formative stages. Church officials hope the encounter will give new impetus to its dialogue efforts with IJCIC, an umbrella group of Jewish organisations. Vatican experts are also hoping it will signal a turn to more theological topics, which can transcend recent Catholic-Jewish disputes on historical questions related to World War II and other matters. 'The main theme is going to be reconciliation. We use that word and the Hebrew word 'teshuva.' There are many aspects to consider in Scripture, tradition and so
forth," said Father Remi Hoeckman, secretary of the Vatican's dialogue commission. "Teshuva" is understood by Jews as a process of repentance and freeing oneself from sin. Father Hoeckman said the Vatican's hope for a more theological emphasis in the dialogue reflects the fact that "we are in the Church, and we want to be able to meet dialogue partners on the level of our faith commitments." He added that the theme of reconciliation was also broad enough to include many questions. "How it will be approached will happen in the meeting. I'm not going to anticipate anything," he said.
parliament." The 69-year-old Archbishop was speaking after joining Lutheran. Orthodox and Baptist leaders in a partial boycott In mid-November of the main Independence Day service, which was attended in Riga's Lutheran cathedral by Latvia's President and Premier. He said the "passive protest" was intended to focus attention on moral and social issues. In his CNS interview, Archbishop Pujats said the action had
been directed against a planned liberalisation of abortion in Latvia, where pregnancy terminations already outnumber live births, as well as against a new tax on Church-run economic enterprises, which is expected to hit rural parishes severely. He said Church leaders also wished to highlight rampant corruption, and the ineffectiveness of police and courts against rising crime.
Abortion, crime lead to Latvian protest WARSAW, Poland (CNS) - A Latvian Archbishop has urged farreaching changes in his country after staging a public protest with other Christian leaders. "Our society isn't ready for the liberalism which exists in the West," said Archbishop Janis Pujats of Riga. "That we were together in this action shows all Christian churches are united. It should make people think a bit more - including the legislators in
meeting
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Ahead of Pope John Paul H's 2001 trip to Ukraine, a senior Vatican official met with the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow, said the Russian news agency Itar-Tass. It reported that Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Vatican's jubilee committee, and Patriarch Alexei H held talks in Moscow on 8 December at the Cardinal's request. While neither party commented on the meeting, the surmised agency that Catholic-Orthodox relations were on the agenda. On 11 December, Cardinal Etchegaray and the Vatican press office also declined to comment, or to confirm the meeting. The Moscow Patriarchate has not yet issued a reaction statement to the November announcement of the Pope's trip to Ukraine next June - part of a series of visits to mainly Orthodox countries the Pope hopes will culminate someday in Moscow.
German Catholic health care company in the red
10 years ago when Father Got- according to reports, in the Gertfried Keindl of the German Order man Bishops' Conference, which COLOGNE, Germany (CNS) - It founded a company to provide was unable to take any action, since the German Order is directcould be a gloomy Christmas for social services. The company took over ly responsible to the Pope. instituemployees of the 120 hospitals, However, the Bishops' Confersenior citizens' homes and drug tions which were running a deficit rehabilitation clinics run by the and turned them into profit-mak- ence says that it had repeatedly ing operations by the adoption of reported its concerns to the VatiDeutsche Orden (German Order) modern management methods. can. throughout Germany. Other religious orders handed Several German dioceses and The religious order formally over the operation of their hospiCaritas, the Church's social arm, known as the Brothers of the Ger- tals and other social institutions have said they are not ready to man House of St Mary in to the Deutsche Orden as result of Intervene to save Deutsche Jerusalem announced in late its reputation. Orden, although they may help November that it would be It claimed to have brought in out individual institutions. unable to pay December wages over half a billion marks (US $220 The order's spokesman, Michael or Christmas bonuses to its million) in 1999. Graf, told CNS on 4 December approximately 5,500 employees. But the speed of the develop- that he "can't deny" that the order The order came to prominence ment caused concern, not least, had taken on more than it could By Michael Lawton
The Record, December 14 2000 Page 12
manage. "Perhaps we dealt with things a little too carelessly in the past," he said. The immediate problem had arisen because a promised donation of DM 15 million (US $6.8 million) had not materialised, leaving the order without the money to pay its December commitments. Graf said the Deutsche Orden took the current criticism seriously and had a rescue package planned which would involve letting staff go, tightening up the administration, setting up a supervisory board and getting out of certain kinds of activities, such as training and international work.
International News
Affirmation ends Austrian theologian inquiry By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Ending an investigation of an Austrian theologian, the Vatican said it is the faith of the Catholic Church that Jesus instituted the seven sacraments, although He may not have determined their exact form. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a notification published in the 6 December edition of the Vatican newspaper, said some writings of the Austrian theologian Reinhard Messner question whether Christ himself established the Sacraments and downplay the importance of the Church in interpreting Scripture. Messner, who teaches at the University of Innsbruck, signed a 16-point affirmation of Catholic
doctrine prepared by the Congre- doctrinal Congregation's notifica- teaching and tradition of the gation, according to the statement tion said Messner's examination Church guarantee the correct published in L 'Osservatore of the relationship of Scripture, interpretation of Scripture, the Romano, the Vatican newspaper. tradition, liturgy and dogma is Congregation said. The 16 points, including an affir- important, especially for the The doctrinal Congregation said mation that the Church's inter- Catholic Church's dialogue with Messner erred when he insisted pretation of Scripture on matters other Christians. that the Bible should be used to of faith and morals is binding, However, the Congregation said, evaluate Church teaching and "must be held firmly" if a theolo- the will of Christ for his Church practice, rather than using Church gian is to be considered Catholic, cannot be discovered through teaching to interpret the Bible. the Congregation said. Scripture alone nor simply Messner's focus on Scripture as Messner's signature and through the scientific interpreta- the norm leads to his conclusion promise to reflect those beliefs in tion of Scripture. "Alongside that there is no way of knowing if his future writing ended an Scripture is tradition in the strict Christ intended to institute the almost three-year process of sense," the notification said. sacrament of the Eucharist when investigation and discussion with "Tradition is the transmission of he celebrated the Last Supper, the the Congregation. revelation, which was entrusted Congregation said. Messner's job in an ecclesiasti- by Christ and by the Holy Spirit He also has written that "from cal faculty within the State uni- to the apostles, in the life and the 'breaking of the bread' of versity requires him to have a teaching of the Catholic Church primitive Christianity no direct "nihil obstat" from the Vatican, through all generations up to line leads to our eucharistic celedeclaring that his teaching does today. Only this tradition provides bration." Yet, the Congregation not contain errors of faith. The the norm of faith," it said. The said, all four Gospels say that on
the night he was betrayed Jesus gave his body and blood to his disciples in the bread and wine. "According to the faith of the Church, Christ instituted the seven sacraments," the Congregation said. At the same time, "the concept of institution does not mean that Christ, during his life on earth, expressly determined the particulars of every sacrament as such." The doctrinal Congregation said there are similar problems with Messner's writing about the Sacrament of Penance, its institution by Christ and its relationship to non-sacramental forms of forgiveness. Messner's position, the Congregation said, raises "serious problems which touch the faith of the Church as such beyond the sphere of theological discussion."
Mixed UK reaction to Guardian campaign Heroic doctor dies from Ebola virus Pope receives martyrs' names By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican committee which organised Pope John Paul ll's commemoration of 20th-century "witnesses of the faith" presented the Pope with the eight volumes of names they collected. The bound volumes contain more than 13,400 names of men and women who gave their lives for Christ or in the service of the Gospel since 1 January 1900. The names came from 106 countries and were submitted by individual dioceses, national bishops' conferences, the Eastern Catholic churches, more than 300 religious
By Paulinus Barnes MANCHES1Eit, England (CNS) - Catholics have given a mixed reaction to calls from The Guardian newspaper in London for changes to Britain's 1701 Act of Settlement, which enshrines anti-Catholic sentiment into British law. The law requires that all future monarchs must be in communion with the Church of England - and forbids them from marrying "papists." Launching its campaign on 6 December, the newspaper said the act was outdated and could be in breach of Britain's obligations under European human rights law. But the paper's call was not universally welcomed by Catholics. A spokesman for Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster told the paper: "Changing the Act of Settlement would raise wider constitutional issues that would need careful thought and wide consultation." John Wilkins, editor of The Tablet, a London-based Catholic weekly magazine, said in an interview with The Guardian published 7 December: "There is a clear infringement of religious liberty. I think the act is a real anachronism and frankly insulting. "Iam sure Prince Charles thinks so too," Wilkins added. "That does not mean I support getting rid of the monarchy. There is a fear that this is the thread which when pulled unravels the whole constitution." Ann Widdecombe, a leading member of Parliament in the opposition Conservative Party and a convert to Catholicism, said repeal would be inappropriate as long as the Sovereign was also supreme governor of the Church of England. "The sovereign can't
By Benedicta Cipolla
Phcoo CNSTIeuters
Queen Elizabeth II makes her way to mark the opening of Parliament in London on 6 December.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The chief physician at a Ugandan Catholic hospital located in the midst of an Ebola outbreak area died of the virus. Matthew Lukwiya of St Mary's Hospital, Lacor, died on 5 December after reportedly contracting the virus from a patient. Ebola has claimed 156 victims in its latest outbreak in northern Uganda. The doctor, 43, was the first to sound the alarm over the epidemic when cases of hemorrhagic fever cropped up in
be anything but a member of the Church of England until it is disestablished - and that would remove the last fig leaf of any claim to be a Christian country," By Joseph Ngala she said. Another Catholic convert, NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) - A Charles Moore, editor of The colourful wedding ceremony held Daily Telegraph newspaper in on 3 December outside a Catholic London, said: "I would be pre- church that was burned down two pared to see the Act of Settlement days earlier signalled at least a reformed. I think a Catholic or a temporary respite in ChristianJew or a Muslim could in fact be Muslim fighting in the area. supreme governor of the Church The ceremony at Our Lady of England. It is not a theological Queen of Peace Catholic Church role, ills a question of a balance in the South B neighbourhood of of power in politics." mounting The act was introduced at a time Nairobi came amid days of two after calls for peace of widespread persecution of Catholics. It stipulates that only violence in which a woman died Protestant heirs of Princess and the church, a mosque and Sophia, granddaughter of King businesses were destroyed. Father George Smith, pastor, James I, may take the British tie the knot between helped throne. Neither Catholics, nor those who marry a Catholic, nor Agnes Majiwa and John Muthee those born out of wedlock, may outside the burned shell of the church in a two-hour ceremony. remain in the line of succession. Nearby, shopping centres which The Guardian said that the Act of Settlement violates article 9 of had borne the brunt of the viothe European Convention on lence returned to normal as shops reopened and hawkers displayed Human Rights. Scotland's Parliament backed a their wares along the streets. call to abolish the act in DecemThe once-imposing church was ber 1999 and will soon be debat- reduced to a wreck of stones and ing the issue again. twisted corrugated iron sheets in
orders, the Pontifical Missionary Works, the Congregation for Sainthood Causes and the organisation Aid to the Church in Need. The eight volumes were presented to the Pope on 4 December. The fact that most submissions included multiple names shows that religious persecution in the 20th century often included massive campaigns against believers, particularly under the Nazis and the Soviets, said Father Marco Gnavi, secretary of the Commission which compiled the names and stories. About 70 per cent of the names are of Christians from Europe and
the countries of the former Soviet Union, Father Gnavi told Vatican Radio on 6 December. Put together, the volumes recreate "a complex and united mosaic" not only of terrible oppression and suffering, but also of the life of the Church often written in blood, he said. Even the most persecuted local churches continued to preach the Gospel, he said. The "witnesses of the faith" could be proclaimed martyrs and saints, but only after their causes follow the normal process for sainthood, a process that ills up to local dioceses and religious orders to initiate.
mid-September. A front-page arti- the Catholic spirit of Lucille cle in the 7 December edition of Corti," a doctor in Uganda who the Vatican newspaper L'Osser- contracted AIDS from a patient. "He absorbed it and transmitted vatore Romano said Lulcwiya and his staff had saved more than half it in his total, maximum dedicaof the 200 people who checked tion to try to save the life of the into St Mary's with Ebola. sick," said Father De laco. The missionary emphasised that Comboni Sister Dorina Tadiello, a Doctor who worked with Luk- fighting Ebola requires "not only wiya, told the paper that he had a professional attitude but also "refused many job offers from very deep motivations of a human European hospitals because he character." Ebola was first identified in 1976 loved his people too much to in what was then Zaire. leave." The highly contagious virus In the Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire, Comboni Father causes massive internal bleeding Cosimo De laco said that Luk- that can lead to body fluids pourwiya, a Protestant, had "breathed ing out of every orifice.
Church burned in Kenyan violence
-rs A Muslim youth waves a machete while shouting at police in Nairobi on 1 December. Muslims and Christians fought in the capital of Kenya. the 1 December violence. Asked what had been salvaged in the fire, Father Smith, a member of the White Fathers missionaries, replied: "Only I and my heart." At the other corner of the same compound after the wedding, Father Smith celebrated a funeral Mass for parishioner James Githinji Kamau. Only the impos-
ing concrete cross at what used to be the entrance of the main church showed that Christians once visited the place every day for Mass. Our Lady Queen of Peace was one of the religious buildings to receive the full force of two days of vicious skirmishes between Muslims and Christians over a disputed piece of land.
The Record, December 14 2000 Page 13
Asian Catholic News
E battled Estrada told: do not fear truth
Bishop warns on exaggeration By Benedicta Cipolla VATICAN CITY (CNS) - An Indonesian bishop from the Molucca Islands, where MuslimChristian clashes have erupted sporadically since early 1999, confirmed instances of forced conversions by Islamic militants but warned against giving credence to exaggerated reports of violence. In an interview published on 7 December in the Vatican's missionary news service, Fides, Bishop Petrus Mandagi of Ambon said that on Kasiui Island "the Jihad militias are using force to try and make Christians become Muslims." The Ambon Diocese's crisis centre told Fides that the Islamic paramilitary group Laskar Jihad was holding some 700 Christians hostage in Kasiui mosques. "They are forced to renounce their faith and convert to Islam, under penalty of death," said the agency. But Bishop Mandagi urged caution. "Before speaking of a massacre there must be an
investigation," he said. For example, Fides said estimates of 100 deaths in a late-November Laskar Jihad attack on Kasiui were overblown. The agency said the crisis centre put the number of victims at nine. "Both Christians and Muslims tend to exaggerate the number of victims, and this increases the tension," said Bishop Mandagi, who was in Rome on a jubilee pilgrimage and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordiPhoto CNS,13ob Roller nation. Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi While Indonesian authorities have minimised Laskar Jihad's tr.ols local Muslims, who are also numbers at 800, he said, Protes- threatened and killed," he said. tants have gone too far in the other • A Catholic hospital in Padang, direction, saying the group num- western Indonesia, has refused a bers 15,000. Muslim group's demand for an "We think that in all there are Islamic chapel on its premises. about 7,000," said the bishop. The hospital, named after Pointing out that foreign soldiers Catholic national hero Comfrom Malaysia, the southern modore Yosaphat Sudarso, also Philippines, Pakistan, Afghanistan denied a report by a local Musand Libya are part of Laskar Jihad, lim-run tabloid that the hospital he said that "this would seem to was trying to proselytise nonbe proof of international Muslim Catholic visitors by creating a Catholic environment with crucisupport for the violence." "The militia influences and con- fixes installed in hospital rooms.
Feast days 'our chance for peace'
Cardinal Jaime Sin joins Philippine Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, left, and former President Corazon Aquino during a rally calling on President Joseph Estrada to resign on 7 December in Manila. Photo CNS/Reuters
JAKARTA (UCAN) - Leaders of religious councils and organisations in Indonesia have called on all followers of religions to take religious feast days in 2000 and 2001 as occasions to advance reconciliation and unity. "All segments of religious believers and all constituents of the nation should take the big holy days as moments to promote sincere reconciliation and stronger national unity in the future," they said in a press statement at the end of a 6 December meeting at the Religious Affairs Ministry office here. Christmas, Id al-Fitr, New Year, Lunar New Year, and Balinese Hindus' Galungan' fall close to one another this year. The leaders called on all followers to celebrate the feasts with intense "prayer to God to ask for God's mercy, blessing, protection from various calamities and crises
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) - charismatic group because they Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila perceive its leader, Mariano advised Philippine President Velarde, to be lacking in complete Joseph Estrada on 7 December loyalty to the Church. not to fear the truth even if it Velarde continues to support means accepting the message that Estrada, his spiritual advisee, he has lost the moral ascendancy despite the Bishops' call for the to govern as President. President's resignation. "Mr President, do not be afraid "In the arrogant and rude tones to resign, I will take care of you. of some priests, one finds great Resignation is not defeat, resigna- difficulty in detecting the voice of tion is a heroic act and only brave the Good Shepherd and the sermen can do that," Cardinal Sin vant of Yahweh," Bishop Bacani said at a 7 December Mass just wrote. before Estrada's impeachment "Unpriestly" behaviour drives trial opened in the Senate. people away from Church, he "I hope you answer personally said. At the Mass, Cardinal Sin our senators. We want the truth told priests, "We must not be from your lips and not through afraid to denounce evil even if it your lawyers," the Cardinal will mean being alienated from added during his homily. the powerful or being persecuted His conunents were reported by by the mighty." UCA News, an Asian Church He said that he too has been critNEW DELHI (UCAN) - A news agency based in Thailand. icised for his frankness about his The Mass along the Manila Bay stand on Estrada's Presidency, but Church leader has sought the sea wall was part of activities of explained that it was his duty to Indian Prime Minister's "quick the Estrada-resign movement that speak out as John the Baptist action" to end growing anti-Chrisincluded a "Jericho March" from spoke against Herod. tian violence in the country. the Mass site to the Senate and a "Six incidents in five days are "I am inspired by you, you are candle-lighting ceremony. the pride and joy of your Arch- rather alarming," Archbishop VinCardinal Sin called on the rally bishop, my priests,Ilove you all," cent Concessao of Delhi, the first participants to be brave because vice president of the Catholic the cardinal declared. God is with them "on the side of Bishops' Conference of India, "God loves us. ... we have been truth." wrote to Prime Minister Atal through so much suffering and no Behari He told youths not to be afraid Vajpayee on 1 December. matter what happens, God will to confront their elders and to Archbishop Concessao told shout their demand for good role not desert us," he said. UCA News a Church news agency Cardinal Sin concelebrated the based in Thailand that the letter models among their seniors. "We are here because we love Mass with 150 priests and six was prompted by the Prime Minyou and we want to make your bishops; 12 El Shaddai elders also ister's comment that the attacks in future bright and hopeful," Cardi- attended. • Meanwhile, President Estrada nal Sin told the more than 100,000 people in the cheering congrega- surprised Church and civic leaders when he announced the comtion. Cardinal Sin also reminded the mutation of all death sentences clergy that priesthood is not only during a trip to the central Philipa ministry of healing, forgiveness pines. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNS) He announced the move on 10 The Bishop of Jaffna returned on and mercy but also a prophetic December at the St Jude Thad- 6 December from a pastoral visit task. Priests and bishops were being deus Shrine in Bacolod City, 475 to rebel-held areas in northern Sri blamed in the media in the Philip- ldlometres southeast of Manila. Lanka. Church leaders welcomed the pines for leading the EstradaBishop Thomas Savunresign movement and for move during a pause in Estrada's daranayagam of Jaffna spent imposing their political stand on impeachment trial, but anti-crime three days in the area currently activists denounced it as a ploy held by the Liberation Tigers of laity. Auxiliary Bishop Teodoro for Church support. Tamil Eelam fighting for a sepaBacani of Manila, in his 7 DecemAs of November, 1,064 convicts rate state for Tamils, reported ber column for the Today news- - 25 of them women and six of UCA News. Countering media paper, cited priests who refused them minors - were under death speculation that the Bishop visitto say Mass for the El Shaddai sentences in the Philippines. ed the north-central Vanni jungle
Thousands of Indonesian Christians Join a candlelight vigil for peace at a sports stadium in Jakarta on 9 December. Photo. CNS,Reuters
facing the nation." They also urged all religious followers and all segments of society to "maintain national unity, create a har-
Prelate seeks PM's quick action on Hindu violence the past two years "were isolated. but being politicised." Vajpayee made the comment when the prelate paid a courtesy call on the premier on 20 November, the day after his installation as Delhi's new Archbishop. Citing six incidents after the Archbishop's meeting with the Prime Minister, the letter said the Church is "getting concerned over the recent attacks" because they are directed not only against Christians but also against minority Muslims and threaten the "secular fabric" of the nation.
Bishop visit to Tamil area 'pastoral, not political'
The Record, December 14 2000 Page 14
region to negotiate a peace deal with the Tigers, the Prelate told UCA News: "People are excited about my visit. They think that there is politics behind it." "I have nothing to do with politics. This was a pastoral visit to my people on the southern and eastern areas of my diocese," said Bishop Savundaranayagam, who travelled from Colombo to the rebel-held northern areas. He said it was his fourth visit to the Vanni.
monious atmosphere and defend the integrity of territory of the unitary state, from Sabang in Aceh to Merauke in Irian Jaya."
Cathedral dedicated LOIKAW, Myanmar (CNS) Some 30,000 Catholics joined the bishop of the central Myanmar Diocese of Loikaw in a Jubilee Year celebration and the dedication of their new cathedral, reported UCA News. Christ the King Cathedral, done in Myanmar artistic style, was dedicated and consecrated on 28 November, the feast of Christ the King, in Loikaw, some 350 kilometres northeast of Yangon. Bishop Sotero Phamo of Loikaw said in his homily that he was happy to see a large number of people attending the dedication of the cathedral, which can accommodate some 3,000 people, and the jubilee celebration the day before. Because of its traditional motif, the cathedral has been dubbed by some Catholics as a "real Myanmar cathedral." Traditional wood carving and sculptural works dot the church's interior. The Way of the Cross and the 15 mysteries of the rosary are also sculpturally depicted.
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15 Ordinations to Priesthood (St Charles' Seminary), St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Healy 17 Graduation Mass for the University of Notre Dame Australia Archbishop Hickey Diamond Jubilee Mass and Celebration for Sr Mary Berry RSM.
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20 Confessions. Manning - Bishop Healy 24 Midnight Mass, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey Christmas Vigil Mass, St Gerard Majella, Balga - Bishop Healy
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25 Solemn Mass of Christmas. St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey
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19 Opening of Marist College Chapel - Archbishop Hickey
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BULLSBROOK PILGRIMAGE The next pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation will be held at the Shrine on 31 Dec at 2pm. Reconciliation starts at 1.30pm. For bus transport please ring 9277 5378. The Midday Mass for the Jubilee Year will be celebrated each Sunday only until the end of December. Information: SACRI 9447 3292. CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR EVE MASS The Chinese Catholic Community invite you to join in their Thanksgiving Mass at 4pm on Sun 31 Dec at the Holy Family Church at the corner of Thelma St and Canning H'way. The Mass will be followed by a meal - S5 per head, children under five free. Please bring a present of about S5 per person/family for exchange of Christmas gifts. Information: Sr Margaret Ng 9477 4192. L ATIN MASS IN THE TRADITIONAL ROMAN RITE Christmas Mass times at St John's Pro-Cathedral are: Christmas Eve 7.30pm Sun 24 December, High Mass. Christmas Day 25 December 8.00am and 9.00am. For further information c ontact Fr Michael Rowe ph: 9341 6267. ALLIANCE OF THE TWO HEARTS ALL-NIGHT VIGIL Jubilee Year Double Great Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Fri 5 Jan at Our Lady of Mercy Church. Girrawheen (cnr Patrick Crt/Girrawheen Ave). Vigil begins at 9pm with Holy Mass, followed by Exposition, hourly prayers and reflection throughout the night.Vigil concludes Sat morning with Benediction at 6.30am followed by Holy Mass. Please join us. Refreshments provided. NEW YEAR'S EVE ALL NIGHT VIGIL AND MIDNIGHT MASS Celebrated in honour of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Principal celebrant: Archbishop Hickey. Sun 31 Dec to Mon 1 January 2001. Commences 11pm at St Mary's Cathedral, Victoria Square. Holy Rosary, Reconciliation, followed by Midnight Mass and Prayer of Dedication of the New Millennium to the protection of Mary, followed by Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament till 6.45am, Holy Mass (Tea and coffee provided throughout the night). FINAL CLEARANCE SALE AT HIGHGATE CONVENT Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions wish to advise there will be a final clearance sale of furniture, beds, kitchen goods, plants etc, Sat 6 and Sun 7 Jan 2001 from 8.30am. ECUMENICAL CEREMONY AT NEW NORCIA 8th Annual Ecumenical Ceremony with carols within the 12 days of Christmas with the Georgian Singers under the direction of John Beaverstock in the Abbey Church, New Norcia on Sat 30 Dec at 5pm. Celebrant: Abbot Placid Spearritt. Complimentary afternoon tea will be
served before the ceremony in the Monastery parlour from 3.30-5pm. There will be a collection to defray expenses. Inquires: Sally Osborn 9654 8018. PRAYER NIGHT Conducted by Fr Paul Baczynski at St Dominic's Church. 19 Phillips Grove, lnnaloo on Mon 18 Dec from 7-9pm.This prayer evening is for healing and also for those and their families affected by addictions. Program: Mass at 7pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Benediction and healing prayers. All are welcome. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THEIR IMPACT ON OUR DAILY LIFE This will be the subject of a series of talks at Gracewood - God's Farm, given by Dominican priest Fr Anthony Van Dyke. Also Exposition, daily Mass and Rosary. It begins 8pm. Fri 29 Dec and ends 2pm. 1 Jan 2001. The format will be a "retreat cum break -, as the afternoons will be free for a swim at the beach, a visit to the caves, or to enjoy the wonders of the local surrounding area. Inquiries: Betty Peaker, PO Box 24 Cowaramup WA 6284. Phone/fax 9755 6212. DISCIPLES SUMMER SCHOOL 2001 Interested in discovering more about Jesus Christ and your Catholic faith? Join us for one of our Summer Schools. Either 7-14 Jan or 1421 Jan at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School. Registration forms at the back of theChurch or ring Julie Osman on 9342 3707 (W), 9245 3701 (H) or 0413 303 769 (7am to 9pm) for further details. ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUP Cross Roads Community is holding a weekly support group for the addicted and those recovering from addictions. These will be held each Thursday afternoon from 1.30-3pm at 26 East St. East Fremantle. All are very welcome. For further inquiries please phone Glenda on 9319 8344. VIRGIN OF THE REVELATION CHURCH CHITTERING ROAD, BULLSBROOK Holy Mass 9am every Sunday. followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Rosary and Benediction (except for last Sunday of the month). Mass, Exposition and Rosary on Tues and Sat at 11am. A Plenary Indulgence may be gained during the Jubilee Year by visiting the shrine. ADORATION AND CONFESSION AT ST JOSEPH'S BASSEDEAN Adorers are welcome at St Joseph's Church. Hamilton St, Bassendean every Thursday. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed following the 6.45am Mass and concludes with the Rosary and Benediction at 7pm. Confessions every Saturday from 4pm to 6pm. Also on Fridays half-an-hour before and after the 7pm Mass.
Please send notices for the Archdiocesan Panorama two weeks before the actual event, to enable people to plan their participation. The Record. December 14 2000 Page 15
Official Farewell for Bishop Healy
Bishop Healy honoured for care of priests and Catholic schools By Peter Rosengren Several hundred people and most of the priests of the Archdiocese turned out at St Mary's Cathedral last Tuesday night to honour the lifelong toil and commitment of retired Perth Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy in the service of the Church. Catholics from everywhere converged on the cathedral to honour, thank and farewell a popular and respected man they have long regarded as a pillar of the Church. Later, Archbishop Barry Hickey, who had organised the Mass of Thanksgiving for his Auxiliary, described the Bishop as a loyal and faithful figure who had helped him guide the Church during his own time as Archbishop. 'And I've been pretty closely associated with him over the last nine years,' he said of the man who has been a priest for more than 50 years and a bishop for more than a quarter of a century Meeting regularly every week to discuss and decide how to chart the archdiocese's course, he and Bishop Healy had sometimes disagreed but they always managed to come up with a decision. Meanwhile, Bishop Healy has been especially noteworthy throughout his life in two areas: his care for his fellow priests and in leading Catholic education. As Vicar for Priests he always visited those who were sick and took their concerns to heart with one goal: to support them in their daily lives and work He had also been Vicar for Education and Chairman of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia for many
years. The Archbishop painted a picture of the qualities of the man who has made such a large contribution to the Church in the archdiocese: Bishop Healy's integrity, his deep spirituality and his love of priesthood. As Auxiliary he had been conscientious and made sure the work of leading the Church was done and he was always committed to the work of the Archdiocese. These were just some of the qualities which enabled him to present Bishop Healy with affection and regard' a framed blessing from Pope John Paul II which had been brought out to Australia by the Pope's personal representative, Archbishop Francesco Canalini. Bishop Healy has also been presented with several gifts from the Archdiocese as a 'thank you', including a wide-screen television, a video recorder, a mini hi-ft audio system, a collection of Irish musical greats and two DVD's - one of Les Miserables and the other of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Bishop Healy, for his part, said in reply that technology for the time being had conquered him. So far he had been unable to figure out how to work the television which had already turned itself on in the middle of the night at full blast and woken him from sleep. He thanked all those with whom he had been associated and the Archdiocese for its gifts, but pointed out he would still continue to work. 'I'll be around, perhaps to make some small return to the Archdiocese for what it
Archbishop Hickey Presents Bishop Healy with the framed papal blessing.
Photos: Peter Rosengren
Bishop Healy enjoying the warmth of friends and clerical colleagues last Tuesday evening.
has done for me,' he said. The evening saw not only friends and relatives but parish representatives from all over Perth turn out for the occasion, including a parish delegation from one of Bishop Healy's former parishes, Kalgoorlie. After Mass, the grounds of the Cathedral were transformed for a summer's evening garden party where Bishop Healy mixed to the sounds of a string quartet with all those who had come along for the evening. Earlier in the cathedral, former St Vincent De Paul Society State President John Meehan paid tribute to the Bishop commitment to the Church and his people seen through the eyes of a friend. He said the Irishman's adoption of Australia had made him a 'true-blue Aussie' who had won a place in the hearts of all he had worked with and known. 'You are a man of big proportions,' he told the Bishop in front of the congregation, 'in stature, heart, faith and as a pastoral leader and friend to many.' He urged Bishop Healy to enjoy his retirement 'in the knowledge that you have served your people well and that you stand extremely tall in our eyes.' And the Bishop's Aussie character had been proved recently when, stricken with
Vicar General Father Tim Corcoran, left, and the Dean of St Mary's, Monsignor Thomas McDonald, right, concelebrate Mass with Bishop Healy and other priests as Archbishop Hickey, top left, participates from his episcopal throne.
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illness on holiday in Ireland, 'the message we received was that you were desperate to get back home to Perth,' he said. One touching moment of Tuesday night's ceremony came when Bishop Healy prayed for those elderly who had been unable attend the evening, the dying, and the Archbishops he has served throughout his career. Bishop Healy was born in Cruttinclough, County Kilkenny, on 17 July 1925, the eldest of seven children. He entered St Kieran's Seminary in Kilkenny in 1943 and was ordained on 5 June 1949. In early 1950 he sailed for Western Australia, arriving in February and was appointed to both city and country parishes, serving from 1955 to 1965 in Boulder and Kalgoorlie. In 1975 he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Goody, serving in the same capacity under Archbishop Foley and was Administrator of the Archdiocese following Archbishop Foley's convalescence from a heart attack and again after the Archbishop died in 1991. In 1996 he was awarded an honourary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Notre Dame University.
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