Free
Catholic Life Publication of the Diocese of Sale
August 2016
ISSUE 195
A Krakow experience
A CROWD of about two million people attended the final Mass at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. Among the sea of flags there were around 25 pilgrims from our diocese, accompanied by a handful of clergy, seminarians, and teachers. The pilgrims all returned to Australia last week and are thrilled by their experience of this deep faith experience. More Page 5.
This issue highlights Trinity FAMILIES
College to vacate Sion campus - Page 3
Veteran priest no rough diamond - Page 7
St Pat’s reunion at Pakenham - Page 8
Our diocese is helping Broome - Page 13
Think of all the families you can help
You can assist families in the Greater Gippsland region for years to come by supporting Trinity Families. We direct funds to programs where there is the greatest need. Please give generously. To donate visit www.trinityfamilies.org.au or phone (03) 5622 6688 for a credit card deduction form.
Page 2 - Catholic Life, August 2016
The Federal Election and World Youth Day DURING the recent interminably long Federal Election campaign, I was speaking with several people about the issues involved and their reactions to the campaign thus far. One mentioned that they went online, as we do these days, to the ABC site and delved into the Election Compass site and plugged in all the variables. They were surprised at just where they were located on the spectrum. Whatever the validity of such devices, it does remind us of something when it comes to our electoral participation in Australia. When we vote, we rarely vote on one issue, we have referenda for such things. When we vote we have the difficult task of weighing up a constellation of issues. This is not an easy task. Although some would wish to reduce it to a simple choice, the reality is always more complex. Speaking with people after the election they spoke of how difficult it was to balance up all of the variables in deciding for whom to vote. The gift of wisdom was never more needed. As the Bishops’ statement about the election, A Voice of the Voiceless, said “We do so thankful that the electoral process will be free of the violence found elsewhere. our political system may have its problems but we have a stable democracy, which is not to be
taken for granted. “Nor is the quality of those who put themselves forward for election on to the Federal Parliament. We are in their debt for their willingness to serve.” Before the election I asked that people read and pray over this statement. The issues raised therein were sadly not particularly canvassed by the major parties. I was also saddened during the campaign itself that the phrase, “The Common Good” was hardly heard at all. It is easy to bemoan the lack of good political debate. It is too easy to see an election in ‘presidential terms’ as if we were all voting for Mr Turnbull or Mr Shorten. The Diocese of Sale is represented by five Federal seats: Gippsland, McMillan, Latrobe, Holt and Flinders, with all major parties being represented. From all of this two things come to mind. First pray for those in elected office. It is easy to criticise. Do we pray for those in public life often enough? St Timothy reminds us that “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Second actively seek to
Catholic Life PO Box 1410, Warragul Vic. 3820 Phone: (03) 5622 6688
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engage your local member in the issues: such as those listed in A Voice of the Voiceless; such as what can be done to promote the Common Good. In this way we engage not just at election time but at all times.
have 120,000 Catholics and 37 priests and five deacons. We are 24.4 percent Catholic. The Archdiocese of Przemysl was founded in the year 1375, has 1043 priests and 765,006 Catholics and is 96.4 percent Catholic. This is my first chance to be part of a pilgrimage to World Youth Day and I am looking forward to being part of it, and contributing to it. As always the joy of such an event, and its great challenge, is what to do when we return home. I would wish to assure you of my prayer, and the prayer of our local pilgrims for the Diocese of Sale. Please pray for us.
World Youth Day
One More thing
I AM writing this a couple of days before the Victorian Pilgrimage to World Youth day begins. In all there are about 25 pilgrims from the Sale Diocese, joining with about 300 other young people from the other three Victorian Dioceses on the Victorian Pilgrimage. We all meet up in Krakow on July 25. In the days before Krakow, I am on the pilgrimage that focuses on the Days in the Diocese, and we shall be visiting for the best part of a week, the Archdiocese of Przemysl in south-eastern Poland. Our diocese was founded on May 10, 1887, which means next year we turn 130. We
THE diocese in conjunction with the Catholic Education Office is in the process of hiring a Safe-Guarding Officer. This represents a significant step in our efforts in continuing to build a culture of safety within our diocese, and assists in our being compliant with State and Federal legislation as well as promoting the extensive good practice based upon our own Church guidelines. This is a hopeful step in a long journey. + Bishop Pat O’Regan Bishop of Sale
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PILGRIMS on a journey to Krakow. Fr Joseph Abutu, Cranbourne, (left) and Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan
Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 3
Deadline nears for Trinity Family funding CHARITIES seeking funding from Trinity Families this year have until the end of this month to apply. It has around $130,000 to give away in its annual disbursement which will be made later this year. This is a similar amount to what has been available in the past two years. Executive officer Colin Coomber said applicants
would be advised of success or otherwise by mid-October. All applications had to be on the on-line form on Trinity Families website www. trinityfamilies.org.au and prospective applicants could also read the distribution policy. He said that the main three provisos for a charity to be eligible to share in the funds, were that it had to have tax deductibility status, that the
program would broadly assist families, and that the program was in the Greater Gippsland area. The eligible geographic area comprised the municipalities
College to vacate historic Sion site as campuses amalgamate SALE – Catholic College Sale has announced plans to vacate the historic Our Lady of Sion campus and amalgamate on the St Patrick’s campus. The amalgamation will require a construction of new buildings to house Year 7 and 8 students who currently study at Sion. A master plan for the multimillion dollar development is being finalised. Several properties in Cunninghame St., Sale, opposite Gippsland Centre shopping centre, have been purchased to expand the land available to the college. The old double storey concrete St Patrick’s College building will be refurbished, the former John XXIII College building will be redeveloped, and a modern performing arts auditorium will be built on the site of St Mary’s Hall. Work is expected to begin later this year with stage one completed by the end of 2018 at which time it is expected all Sion classes will be relocated to St Patrick’s. The future of the triple storey Sion convent is yet to be decided. The Sisters of Our Lady of Sion established the convent school soon after coming to Australia from France in 1890 and the existing red brick building and chapel was
to help channel money back into the region. “Big national charities strip millions of dollars out of the region each year but little ever returns to assist needy people here.” He said basic family support services such as counselling, conflict resolution, suicide prevention, support for young families, the aged, troubled teenagers and children at risk were often under-funded and so Trinity Families had put a lot of money into supporting these areas in recent years. “Trinity Families can support the agencies running such programs to ensure that funds are available to provide free or reduced fee appointments to their needy clients.” More information about Trinity Families is on the website or can be obtained by calling 5622 6688.
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www.darrenchester.com THE historic Our Lady of Sion convent in York St., Sale. constructed in stages from Catholic College, later renamed Catholic College Sale. 1892. Since then Year 7 and 8 classes It was the mother house of the sisters with all novitiate have been at Sion campus with training taking place there and senior classes being held at St at one stage the sisters also ran Patrick’s. Over the years there has been an orphanage. St Patrick’s College opened in extensive development at the 1922 as a boys’ boarding school St Patrick’s campus involving the purchase of neighboring run by the Marist Brothers. In the mid-1970s a co- properties, closure of a roadway educational college known to create recreation areas and as John XXIII opened briefly construction of the large Bishop for Year 11 and 12 students Phelan stadium which was used next door to St Patrick’s as the for the ordination of Bishop Pat amalgamation of the Sion and O’Regan two years ago. The Sion site is owned by the Marists colleges was worked through. The three colleges Diocese of Sale. merged in 1977 initially as Sale
New professional standards officer
THE Diocese of Sale has appointed a professional standards officer. Bishop Pat O’Regan announced on Friday the appointment of Paul Munday. He will begin next Monday, August 22, based at the diocesan offices, Sion House, Warragul. Bishop O’Regan said Mr Munday was a highly experienced, qualified and skilled leader, having held many and various positions in leadership in Catholic settings and government organisations across Victoria and interstate. In this newly created role within the diocese, he would work across parishes and schools assisting with compliance issues and professional learning in the essential area of child protection.
of Casey, Cardinia, Baw Baw, Latrobe, Wellington, East Gippsland, South Gippsland and Bass Coast. Mr Coomber said he expected the demand for funds to be much higher this year because many charities were finding their traditional government sources of funding had been scaled back. There had been several queries in past weeks from charities who had not previously sought funding and in all cases they reported a drying up of traditional funding sources. However, applications had been slow coming in this year which indicated that there would be a flood of forms arrive in the next couple of weeks. He said that when Bishop Jeremiah Coffey established the charitable fund he recognised the need for a local organisation
Paul Munday The bishop said Mr Munday would work closely with Diocesan and Catholic Education Office staff in this regard.
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Two new Sydney bishops TWO new auxiliary bishops have been appointed for the Archdiocese of Sydney by Pope Francis. They are Mgr Anthony Randazzo of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, and the Fr Richard James Umbers of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei. Both men will be ordained at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney on August 24. Mgr Randazzo is currently a judge of the National Appeal Tribunal of the Catholic Church of Australia and New Zealand. Fr Umbers will become the first Opus Dei priest to become a bishop in Australia. He was born in New Zealand and was ordained in 2002.
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Page 4 - Catholic Life, August 2016
Panama surprise
THE announcement by Pope Francis that the next World Youth Day will be held in Panama in 2019 came as a surprise. Panama is off the tourist track and few airlines fly to the Central American country. Most pilgrims from Australia, Asia and Europe will be forced to make the trip in two or three stages just to get there. It was a surprise that WYD was returning to the Americas so soon after Brazil which was the immediate host before the latest event in Poland. However, the Pope is from Latin America and is probably keen to showcase to the world what the smaller countries can achieve on a world scale. Panama is best known for the canal built in the early 1900s to allow ships to pass between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and a United States invasion in 1989 to overthrow the Noriega dictatorship.
By the numbers
WHAT is it with all the cars we see driving around with no number plates? Virtually every day we see vehicles with no plates and on one or two occasions we have even seen police cars pass the vehicles without so much as a glance. Is there a booming racket in number plate thefts in Gippsland, passing the plates
Ex-local SJOG nursing director on to those who wish to refuel and drive off without paying? We also notice most cars which sit along the highway, often for days, after breaking down or perhaps the driver being charged by police, also have their number plates removed.
Marriage ed
PRE-marriage education is something close to our hearts and so it is good to see there are a couple more courses being held in Warragul this year for couples considering marriage. Group sessions of The 2ofUs program will take place on September 11 and November 12. Cost per couple is $230 and bookings should be made at www.ccam.org.au/ premarriage. CatholicCare also conducts the FOCCUS pre-marriage program at Warragul, Pakenham and Dandenong. Individual couples and facilitators meet over three one-hour sessions. Cost os $340 per couple or $300 concession. Call 5622 1188 for information.
A FORMER Sale woman has been appointed the new group director of nursing for St John of God Health Care Group. Cynthia Dowell (nee Chown) has Australia-wide responsibilities and considers herself a voice for nurses at the senior executive table. He is a former student of Sion College and John XXIII College (both now part of Catholic College Sale) who has made nursing her career since graduating in 1984. She is a daughter of wellknown Sale parishioners Alf and Vi Chown. Cynthia is passionate about her new role and the role that each of the St John of God Health Care Group’s 6000 nurses play in delivering contemporary nursing practice with the patient at the centre of it all. “As a leader in nursing I want to ensure that every nurse is given every opportunity to give their best and takes that to the patient’s bedside. “Our nursing care should be evidence based, highly valued by all who are delivering it and our nurses must have the tools and skills necessary to deliver that care.” She said part of her job was to keep the board and others in management aware of
Of all the decisions we make in our lifetime, making a valid will is among the most important.
Cynthia Dowell contemporary nursing practice and to promulgate the latest thinking through the hospitals and services. “I will speak on behalf of nurses in all key business decision making.” Cynthia worked her way up the ranks of nursing from inhospital training as a registered nurse at Mercy Private Hospital in Melbourne. She completed a Bachelor of Nursing at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1993. More recently with St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, she was the chief nursing officer and executive director of surgery and specialist services. She said that nursing had afforded her some excellent opportunities and she strongly believed that skills you developed in nursing could lead to whatever career opportunities a nurse might consider. “My goal at St John of
God Health Care is to lead a nursing culture that attracts and retains the best nurses, where nurses feel highly valued and integrated in the healthcare team. “I want to be part of something where our reputation is one of excellence for every patient, and their carers – every time.” St John of God operates 17 hospitals around Australian including the Berwick hospital and is currently building a new hospital in Kangan Drive, Berwick. Cynthia is not the only one of her family to do well in the world of health care. Her older sister Professor Jane Gunn is the current head of the Department of General Practice and deputy head of the Melbourne Medical School at Melbourne University. She is also an expert primary care advisor to the World Health Organisation’s Mental Health Gap Action Program.
Pilgrimage of Mercy This final testament speaks loudly of the values, causes and possessions we hold most dear. We bequest personal treasures and mementos to special friends and loved ones and ask them to care for them after our passing. If you hold the Church dear, you may consider leaving a percentage of your estate or a specific amount to the Diocese of Sale. The Diocese is grateful for the support of its benefactors, who have enabled the Church to grow in its service of its people, and invite you to share in this rich heritage.
AS part of the Year of Mercy Jubilee, the Diocese of Sale is hosting a diocesan pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale. The pilgrimage on Sunday, September 11 will be led by Bishop Patrick O’Regan. The pilgrimage will commence from Cathedral Hall (cnr of Macalister and Pearson Sts.) at 1.30pm and goes to the Port of Sale, passing by the edge of Lake Guthridge, continuing to Ramahyuck Aboriginal Corporation and arriving at the cathedral where there will be a ritual of entry through the Door of Mercy and a Liturgy of the Word in the cathedral. Afternoon tea will follow at the conclusion of the liturgy. Participants are asked to bring a small plate of afternoon tea to share. Details with flyers and liturgy outlines will be sent to parishes and schools. In the week leading up to the pilgrimage parish groups and
ICON of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. schools are invited to their own pilgrimages to the cathedral if they cannot attend the diocesan event on the Sunday. The pilgrimage liturgy may be adapted for use by these groups. Use of the cathedral must be booked with St Mary’s Cathedral parish office on 5144 4100). For further information, please contact diocesan pastoral coordinator, Sophy Morley 5622 6677 or smorley@sale. catholic.org.au
Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 5
Pilgrims return full of praise SOME 25 young people from Sale Diocese were among about 1.5 million others who descended on Krakow, Poland, for World Youth Day celebrations. For the first time, instead of travelling as a diocesan group, they combined with about 300 others from around Victoria. The journey to Krakow varied with some heading directly to Poland, some following in the footsteps of St Paul in Greece, and others by following the trail of St John Paul II in Italy beforehand. Some, including Bishop Pat O’Regan were able to participate in the Days in the Diocese which were held in the Diocese of Przemysl in southern Poland. Everyone arrived in Krakow about five days before the main events and participated in various activities including catechesis led by bishops and cardinals from around the world. More than a million young people took the opportunity to make a confession at one of the many places set aside around Krakow. There was a walking pilgrimage to Lagiewniki a neighborhood which features the Sanctuary of Divine mercy and a new sanctuary dedicated to the Polish-born Pope St John Paul II. The Saturday vigil walk to pilgrims outside the city of Krakow to a wasteland in Brezgi which was renamed Campus Misericordia. Here the 1.5 young pilgrims were joined by perhaps another million people from Poland and neighboring countries who wanted to attend the final Papal
Mass. The result was a seas of color, punctuated by thousands of national flags, united as one voice in the theme of mercy. After World Youth Day the Victorian pilgrims gathered in the town of Wisla near the Polish borders with the Czech
Republic and Slovakia for a two day retreat at which they were able to reflect on their experiences and their future in the Church. Some returned to Kakow to fly back home but others made the short journey to Vienna in Austria to depart from there.
Thoughts from Leongatha
THE World Youth Day pilgrimage brought me many new experiences, from different cultures and languages, to different people and ways of expressing their faith. I found great joy and hope for the future of the Church through this event. Through the diversity of World Youth Day, the young people share with others their spiritual unity in charity and mercy. World Youth Day has strengthened my faith and I did not feel alone in my vocation journey.” - Seminarian Paul Hiep Nguyen SALE seminarians Avinash George (left) and Hiep Nguyen (right) with Fr Joseph Abutu, Cranbourne.
ONE of the most important things that I will take away from my World Youth Day experience is the ability to express my faith through my everyday actions and interactions with other people. Simply by valuing and demonstrating qualities such as kindness, love, compassion and joy, we can embrace our faith and belief in God and share it with those around us. Ultimately, we can become ‘instruments of mercy’ rather than, as Pope Francis so fittingly put it, ‘couch potatoes’! - Katia Picinali
MARY MacKillop Catholic Regional College in Leongatha recently sent 11 students and two teachers to Poland for World Youth Day. This is their journey. “We were united by our faith with so many other young people from all around the world. It was a unique and amazing opportunity where the energy and vibrant atmosphere from everyone around us left an everlasting impression”. This pilgrimage has taught us to further see God’s mercy. We’ve had so many experiences of greatness both individually and together surrounded by millions, but especially with the friendships formed so quickly with such strong bonds within our small groups. Everyone was so supportive of their fellow group members through all of the highlights and struggles. Some of us were overwhelmed by the confession experience as we found it hard to open up, however we faced our fears and had the weight lifted off our shoulders. One of the most overwhelming challenges that we have been able to overcome during this amazing experience at World Youth Day was truly accepting our faith or understanding Catholicism and what it means to us; knowing that millions of people travelled from across the globe for one uniting event, inspires the thought of uniting through faith to achieve a common goal. When passing through Czestochowa we stopped to see the Black Madonna and many of us were overwhelmed by the amount of people that filled every inch of the church with people ready to praise and thank the Lord. Also at the Teen Life Concert in Kraków it was amazing to be able to break free and cleanse as we sang as loud as we could with everyone next to us. By witnessing everyone expressing their faith through music was a good way for us to connect with our fellow world pilgrims. A major highlight of our World Youth Day experience was definitely seeing the Pope drive past us on our long trek to the Field of Mercy. We found the trek the most moving part of our journey as it was incredible to have so many Catholics all walking for the same cause together as one. We wish to thank all you have made this pilgrimage possible. Whilst an experience like this is hard to explain to others, it is something that we will cherish forever and we encourage others to take up this opportunity if it comes their way. - Students from Mary MacKillop Regional College, Leongatha
• Pope’s message, Page 16
Page 6 - Catholic Life, August 2016
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On being the good companion ON one of Jesus’ many trips to Bethsaida, people brought a blind man to him and they begged Him to touch him. So Jesus took the blind man by the hand and He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” Mark paints a picture about companionship from these faithful friends who brought this man to Jesus. It is not the only time when we meet such faithful friends. On another occasion, others brought along their friend who was paralysed but, as they could not get near to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the
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Help us to help others Donate now to support charities aiding families Trinity Families needs your financial support to ensure that it can continue to meet the needs of families in our region. We need to greatly enlarge our financial base so we can continue our support to charities providing vital welfare services. Direct debits can be made to Trinity Families BSB 083-879 A/c 84343 9687 or you can use the form below to make a credit card donation. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible Roman Catholic Diocese of Sale Charitable Fund
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Reflections by Jim Quillinan paralytic was lying. Andrew, Peter’s brother spent a day with Jesus - the first thing Andrew did then was to find his brother Simon. He said, “We have found the Messiah!” and he took him to meet Jesus. (John 1:39-41). After Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman at the well, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. (Jn 4). There are other such incidents peppered throughout the gospels. How fortunate to have friends like these! I wonder would people say that of us? Would anyone say that because of us, they have come to know more about Jesus and his ways. We are, in the words of the hymn, Companions of the Journey – fellow travellers, fellow seekers of the truth, escorts, colleagues, friends and allies. We are here to help. In this Year of Mercy, we are reminded of that. We are reminded that a good companion is the bearer of the gift of love and unmeasured forgiveness and that is a rare gift . It means to love without judging, to forgive without even desiring improvement. A few weeks before he was elected Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said at the funeral of Luigi Giussani, founder of the renewal movement known as Communion and Liberation, “Christianity is not an intellectual system, a collection of dogmas, or a moralism. Christianity is instead an encounter, a love story, an
event.” Of course Christianity has a rich intellectual tradition and this living tradition is enunciated in dogmas and doctrines. They help us to “live in the truth”, as it were, at a particular time and place. But, in this Jubilee Year especially, we are called on to ask ourselves how are we living this love story we call Christianity? How do we make this love story a reality in our homes, in our community? How do I help others encounter with “the human face of God,” Jesus Christ? What are we doing to make known his love and mercy? Pope Paul VI offered us this wisdom about being companions on the journey. “Take a Christian or a handful of Christians who, in the midst of their own community, show their capacity for understanding and acceptance, their solidarity with the efforts of all for whatever is noble and good. “Let us suppose that, in addition, they radiate in an altogether simple and unaffected way their faith in values that go beyond current values, and their hope in something that is not seen and that one would not dare to imagine. “Through this wordless witness these Christians stir up irresistible questions in the hearts of those who see how they live: Why are they like this? Why do they live in this way? What or who is it that inspires them? Why are they in our midst?” - Pope Paul VI, On Evangelisation in the Modern World, 76.
Good questions aren’t they! How would we answer them?
Called and Gifted process continues AFTER the resounding success of the initial round of the Called and Gifted Workshops around the diocese, a follow up halfday session was held at the Sion Teachers’ Centre, Warragul, for those participants who wished to explore a deeper involvement in parish and diocesan life. Sixty people attended, from parishes across the diocese. Bishop Pat O’Regan addressed the group before the day’s sessions commenced, led by Called and Gifted presenter from the Catharine of Siena Institute Clara Geoghegan. Clara led participants through the charisms given by the Holy Spirit and how they might be used for the service of others.
She discussed the transition from faith to becoming an intentional disciple of Christ. Small group discussions considered various aspects of the call to discipleship. Further sessions explored the ways in which one’s charisms could be exercised in the service of parish or diocesan groups, including for the formation of a new diocesan pastoral council. Participants then convened in their parish or regional groups to consider some initiatives for their own faith communities. Another positive outcome of the day was the response of several participants, indicating their willingness.
Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 7
Veteran diocese priest is no rough diamond By Colin Coomber PAKENHAM – Veteran Sale Diocese priest Fr John Readman celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination last month. And while 60 years might officially be a diamond jubilee, he still looks upon it as his “golden years”. Since retiring from parish duties in 1997, he has lived out his priestly vocation serving the communities in which he had lived and assisting in various parishes when priests are away or ill. “All care and no responsibility!” he grins. “I have loved every moment of it.” Although Fr Readman no longer drives and therefore can’t assist with supply in other parishes, he helps out at St Patrick’s Pakenham parish by saying Masses at Shanagolden where he lives in a comfortable unit. He also works closely with the residential care facilities pastoral care worker Jane Parsons to visit other residents and have a friendly chat to them. “I think they like having a priest around the place.” Shanagolden has 66 independent living units as well as its aged care and high care facilities. He loves his Wednesday Masses when about 60 residents turn up, many with their wheelie walkers and some
in wheelchairs or beds. “It is a beautiful atmosphere in which we can really practice loving our neighbors,” he said. Fr Readman has been at Shanagolden for four years, and before than was four years at Narre Warren and nine at Lysterfield. He was born into a farming family at Shepparton in 1926 and shortly after the family moved to a soldier settlement farm at Kulwin in the Mallee. He was the seventh of 12 Readman children, 10 of which were girls. After about nine years the family moved to Hallam Valley for a year and then to Bealiba in central Victoria where 14-yearold John Readman joined the public service as a clerk in the Post Master General’s Department. At age 17 he began five and half years at the Redemptorist Fathers’ juniorate seminary at Galong, NSW, then spent a year doing clerical work at the Herald and Weekly Times in Melbourne. Bishop Richard Ryan accepted him to enter the seminary as a candidate for Sale Diocese and so he began at Corpus Christi College, Werribee, in 1949. He was ordained by Bishop James O’Collins at Ballarat in 1956 and after initial appointments to Lakes Entrance and Sale, Bishop Patrick Lyons appointed him the first diocesan
inspector of schools. That meant further studies and in 1958 he completed a primary teaching course at Mercy Teachers’ College, Ascot Vale. He returned to the diocese the following year, serving in Sale Cathedral parish and part-time in his role as schools inspector. His office was his car boot. He became curate at Maffra in 1966 and when he moved to Trafalgar in 1969 he was made full-time director of schools by Bishop Arthur Fox, and retained the position while moving to Neerim South and Drouin parishes. Fr Readman says his job as inspector was to visit every school each year to inspect what was going on and report back to the bishop. “It was really a big PR job, going around to visit schools run by sisters who struggled with enormous class sizes. I had no resources and they had even less.” The situation changed when the government guaranteed funding for Catholic schools which created a whole new level of accountability and a need to get more professional educators to administer schools. He recalls the appointment of the late Terry Synan as administrative director of the Catholic Education Office and eventually in 1977 Fr Readman relinquished his role which was taken up by Mr Synan.
AFTER 60 years as a priest in the Diocese of Sale, Fr John Readman is enjoying his lighter priestly role at Shanagolden in Pakenham.
In that year he moved to Sale to become Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral and then in 1980 moved to the newly created parish of Narre Warren which was rapidly growing due to the
Melbourne metropolitan area overflowing into our diocese. In later years before his retirement he also served in Bairnsdale, Neerim South and Cranbourne.
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Page 8 - Catholic Life, August 2016
St Patrick’s, Pakenham celebrating its centenary PAKENHAM - St Patrick’s Pakenham will be celebrating 150 years since the school was first established on the site on Sunday, October 23. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Pat O’Regan at 10.30am, followed by a Back to St Pat’s reunion. All past and present students,
teachers, parishioners and friends are invited! The original Catholic school in Pakenham was actually established at Toomuc Creek in 1851 or 1852. Part of the present site was acquired in 1864, and by 1866 (if not a little earlier), the first schoolhouse was built there.
The school closed in 1872 following the withdrawal of government assistance to denominational schools, and only reopened in 1888. From 1903 to 1934, the school had just one teacher, the legendary Elizabeth Hunt. The school was then entrusted to the Presentation Sisters until they withdrew in 1989. In preparation for the reunion, Patrick Ferry (with the help of a group of enthusiastic volunteers) has complied a history of the parish and school. A number of former students, teachers and parishioners shared their memories, photographs and memorabilia for the book. LOOKING at historical photographs and documents relating to When Sr Kath O’Neill was the history of St Patrick’s are (from left) Thérèse Bourke, Michael at St Patrick’s (1937-1944), Bourke, Teresa Che Ferry and Bev Hind. the sisters taught students from Grade 1 through to the Grade 8 would sometimes have lessons rode ponies to school. under the pine trees next to These would be “parked” in a Merit Certificate. There were only around 30 the old church. Sr Kath later paddock next to the church, but students, so just two sisters became principal of the school would sometimes escape. The boys loved this because taught everyone in the one (1982-1989). Hughie Bourke recalls that the sisters would stop class, and classroom! If the weather was fine when he went to school in the send them out on a round up! Hughie’s brother Michael also though, the junior students 1940s, he and other students remembers that Pakenham’s star footballer Norm “Widow” MISS Hunt and her students outside the Old Church circa 1904. Jackson would often play football with the boys after delivering bread to the convent. Mother Francis would usually oblige by holding off ringing the morning bell to let them finish! Joan Lewis remembers studying apple packing as part of science classes in the 1950s. The students would walk down to the cool stores, where they would be taught how to check the fruit for blemishes, wrap them in paper, and box them. The best students even competed against other schools SOME girls playing games in the playground between the Old at the Royal Melbourne Show. church and school watched over by one of the Presentation Anna Raos remembers that Sisters. It is dated about 1957 or 1958. when she was a young student teacher in the mid 1960s, the school community was still overwhelmingly IrishAustralian, with quite a few Dutch and Italian families too. No one though, could est 1956 pronounce her Polish maiden name (Olejniczak), so she was known simply as “Miss Anna”. It is timely that such memories be recorded for posterity, as so much has changed at St Patrick’s since those days. Two things have thankfully remained constant though. Firstly, St Patrick’s continues to be blessed with wonderfully dedicated teachers backed by supportive, generous families. Your investment enables CDF to assist funding of building projects in And the school very much CATHOLIC PARISHES | CATHOLIC PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS | CATHOLIC HEALTH & AGED CARE continues to keep what Fr Bernie Mahony describes as the “rumor of God” alive and well in Pakenham.
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St Patrick’s, Pakenham: From the wilds of the Australian bush to outer-suburban Melbourne c.1840 to 2016 by Patrick Ferry will be available for $35 from St Patrick’s Primary School. To pre-order your copy, or for more details about the reunion, please contact the school on 5940 2888.
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Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 9
AROUND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DIOCESE
of
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Inspiring Faith, Inspiring Learning
August 2016
Exploring religious identity I WAS privileged recently to be invited to moderate a panel discussion on religious identity at the annual Jewish and Catholic Friendship Dinner held in Melbourne. A panel of four professionals, two who identified as Jewish and two identifying as Catholic, were posed a series of questions about the whys and wherefores of their particular religious identity and how it was formed. Part of my role as moderator and questioner had been to get to know each of the panelists a little before the evening, to hear their individual stories and then to build the questions around not just religious identity generally, but specifically what it meant to each of them in their day to day lives. It was an extraordinary experience as each of the personal stories, naturally enough, was quite unique. The organizers of the evening had clearly done their own homework and chosen the panel members
well. One of the panelists had been raised in a family where her mother was Jewish and her father an Italian migrant. She attended Catholic schools and was, to all intents and purposes, raised as a Catholic. Her father had no family in Australia and she was, therefore, surrounded by an extended family of Jewish faith. At a certain point in her life, she chose to identify both culturally and religiously as Jewish. One of the Catholic panelists had found, when doing some research into her family history and background, that she had a significant Jewish heritage. Her choice, as a result of this discovery, was to explore Judaism, its culture, faith and language, but remaining firmly within her Catholic faith identity and working within Catholic education. Of the two other panelists one was a principal of a Jewish college and the other worked
in media, communications and politics. Each of the panel members recognized and spoke of the great diversity of belief and practice within their respective faith communities. As the evening progressed and topics such as the handing on of the faith story, tradition and practice was being discussed, it became evident that both of these faith communities face similar challenges. I t was equally as obvious that each of the panel members, all of them deeply committed to their own faith journey, shared many similarities when it came to their respective roles both publicly and privately. The particular difficulties associated with engaging youth in significant and appropriate ways in an ongoing commitment to their faith was shared by both groups. Engaging in public life as faith filled people also became a topic for discussion, with an exhortation by one panel
member for more obvious engagement in politics and policy making and debate (the dinner was held a couple of weeks after the Federal election!) The event was also situated right on the cusp of some 4000 young Australians heading to Poland for World Youth Day. This major event in the international Catholic calendar every three years, places a focus on one of the ways we, as a Catholic Church, work to engender in our youth a strong sense of Catholic identity and community world wide. The reports, from those attending, of the catechesis provided at the gathering has been wonderful. The Australian contingent has been privileged to be accompanied by our own Bishop Pat, along with Bishops Mark Edwards and Terry Curtin from Melbourne and also Archbishop Christopher Prowse, now of CanberraGoulburn. Their various
homilies and presentations have been roundly praised in dispatches. When reflecting on both of these recent events I am reminded of the quote chosen to open the panel discussion at the Jewish and Catholic Friendship Dinner Committing yourself is a way of finding out who you are. (We) find (our) identity by identifying. (Source unknown) - Maria Kirkwood Director of Catholic Education
Maffra’s happy peaceful place ed ra are excit ff a M in ’s S at St Mary iSTUDENTate in Nungurra. the Gunna l y b ip d ic e s rt u a p fu to py Peace nous word An indige ple, meaning Hap l and handsia o Kurnai pe gurra focuses on socg wellbeing of n in u ongo Place, N support the to ls il k s lop on s and deveers, ts. p n u e ro d g tu s ll r a u o with oth ork in sm Students wtanding of working s and forming e rs their unde nfidence in themselv o c . peers ch building s with their roups participate ea as ip h s n o ti la g h re Senior ities suc Junior andre engaged in activ , perceptual a ce week and woodwork, scien craft activities. , g d gardenin gram, cooking an g and personal motor pro ain a sense of belonginlishments in a Students g nt in their accomp achievemeositive environment. dents from the safe and p are some of our stu Pictured enior groups. S Junior and
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Inspiring Faith, Inspiring Learning
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Around Catholic Schools 2
Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden Back in the classroom, we hefted, estimated and then measured the biggest and the smallest. What did a kg feel like? What did a gram feel like? How many large AS teachers and learners we potatoes would be equivalent witness this all the time. to a child’s weight? It was The Stephanie Alexander a rich harvest – 16 kg of Kitchen Garden program has potatoes. We calculated how become a vital component of much money we would make this learning. at the market if we sold our Children made links to produce but decided instead many of the curriculum areas: to consume it ourselves. Science - Seeds to fruits, First up were baked English Literacy: report and potatoes. We discussed the procedural writing, reading use of aluminium foil as and researching recipes, a good conductor of heat. Mathematics: fractions, When the dollop of butter measurements, Religious dripped onto our fingers Education: appreciating the we had evidence of the gifts and wonders of nature, effects of heat (energy) on thanking God our creator. the molecules in the butter, This program ticks changing it from solid to all education boxes and liquid. therefore learning and We are still to use up all teaching becomes fun. our potatoes. Perhaps a The excitement has been recipe from another country palpable! Nearly a term to reflect the multicultural since we had first taken the nature of our school … The step to plant some old potato SAKGP is indeed rich in experiences. wedges with ‘eyes’. Children took turns to fertilise, water and weed. They took responsibility for their patch and carefully recorded the growth of the plants, measuring their height and graphing their results. Millimetres were quoted and used with gay abandon. Despite the robust plants, the children saw no evidence of potatoes and were not prepared for what was to come. The first to spy a potato on the surface began digging with her fingers. Soon she was joined by others eager to share in the discovery. Soil was turned over and over again as each digging yielded still more spuds. The frenzy of digging and shrieks of delight brought to mind the gold fields of old. TELL me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn – Benjamin Franklin
ST Patrick’s children enjoying their garden experience are (from left) Anne, Desiree, Daniel and Abuk.
An arts focus at Columba AT Columba Primary School in Bunyip great significance is placed on the Arts as a means of developing student’s critical thinking skills, self-discipline and empowering them to reach their full learning potential. During their time at Columba, students have the opportunity to participate in performing arts, visual arts and music lessons as well as becoming a member of the school choir or dance crew or learning to play the ukulele
and guitar. In past years, annual arts events have included a circus, musical and a cabaret, all enabling students to design, experiment, explore and create. The benefits of the Arts in education are indisputable. In the article, ‘Why the Arts are Important’, Dr Neryl Jeanneret (Associate Professor, University of Melbourne) states that the Arts are not so much a result of inspiration and talent but
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rather a person’s capacity for creative thinking and imagining, problem solving and creative judgement. Dr Jeanneret argues that from creativity and imagination the solutions to political and social problems will come. Dr Jeanneret emphasizes that teachers know that children understand more than they can verbalise and their understanding can be observed in activities other than verbal or written responses.
The Arts provide multiple ways for people to express ideas and feelings and develop their understanding of cultures and traditions. (Educational Horizons Vol.10 No. 5, 2009) The staff of Columba believe that arts education complements learning in all other curriculum areas and enables the students to experience joy and delight in self-expression. This term, Columba students prepare, with great excitement,
for the 2016 Columba Arts Festival with planning underway for exhibitions, performances, digital displays and the participation of staff and families in a community collaboration. The Arts Festival will showcase the work completed throughout the year and celebrate Columba students as collaborative, resilient and reflective learners. The patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning - Plato
Inspiring Faith, Inspiring Learning
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Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 11
Choice theory at Trinity OUR learning theme at Trinity Primary School in Narre Warren South is Ownership of Learning. We are currently working with child psychologist Mary Ellen Davis to explore and implement Choice Theory as a way for students to be engaged in creating safe, welcoming learning spaces, to understand their behavior
and to take ownership of their learning, managing themselves both in good times and bad. The students are beginning to recognise and implement strategies for managing change, as the school prepares to move into new open learning spaces. Students have been asked to challenge themselves and
FOUNDATION students Asher, Mia, Imogen and Noah learning about the Caring Habits.
OUR exciting new junior (F-2) opening learning space which will be finished in the next couple of weeks. Both the staff and students are very excited and eager to embrace the new space and the endless learning opportunities it will provide.
change their mindset when they encounter social and emotional difficulties within the classroom and playground settings. They are beginning to identify and reflect on personal characteristics which will allow them to be in control of their own behavior and relationships by focussing on the Seven Caring Habits which are responsible for bringing relationships closer together.
Students have been exploring that their Quality World is what is important to them, particularly in terms of their needs as they enter into a new learning environment e.g If it is too noisy are we meeting our needs? How can we change this? Who has the power to control this? The Behavior Car is being implemented as an effective way for the student’s to evaluate whether their current behavior is getting
them what they really want. This visual aide assists students in understanding that their front wheels represent their thinking and acting, and the back wheels represent their feelings and physiology. To change how they feel, they must firstly change what they do and/or think in a situation. It is the front wheels that will steer them in the right direction.
Positive learning partnerships ST Francis Xavier College has recently introduced a college-wide cultural approach known as Positive Learning Partnerships. This is encompassing of all members of the school community and asks that all interactions be guided by the phrase, cura personalis, care for the individual. It is exhibited through behaviours such as showing unconditional respect, keeping a calm and just manner and facing challenges together with optimism. In the classroom, this approach focuses on a shared commitment between staff and students to create the ultimate learning environment. Staff agree to deliver lessons that are engaging and challenging to all as well as model high standards that guide students towards success and in turn students agree to approach lessons with curiosity and creativity as well as self-regulate for success. A strengths focus underpins the Positive Learning Partnerships initiative by amplifying what is already going well and simultaneously using strengths as resources to draw upon when faced with challenges. All members of the school
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community are invited to identify their strengths and are encouraged to find creative ways to fine-tune them so that we can all flourish as a community. Self-regulation is another aspect of the Positive Learning Partnerships where the skills of wellbeing help students identify helpful and unhelpful thinking processes which impact on their learning. Teaching students to observe their thoughts through mindfulness practice helps students develop their self-regulation ‘muscle’ in order to manage their impulses and regulate their emotions in appropriate ways. Regulation of emotions in order to respond appropriately to external and internal events is critical for student’s academic success. This is achieved through teaching the skills of wellbeing in the same way that we teach Mathematics, Science or English. The College wide implementation of Positive Learning Partnerships across three campuses is an exciting future direction for St Francis Xavier College and one that we are embracing with enthusiasm and curiosity.
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Around Catholic Schools 4
Driving learning with the arts MAKING connections to the real world is a key factor in creating authentic learning and teaching at St Catherine’s Primary School Berwick. Our school pedagogy is based on an Integrated Inquiry approach where students make meaning of their world. Students are actively involved in constructing their understanding of concepts and essential questions. Learning takes place in a social context, with understanding constantly evolving. With this in mind, the Year 6 students recently inquired into the urban culture evident in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Linking the Arts, Geography, Digital Technologies and Interpersonal Learning, students and teachers pursued avenues to ensure authentic experiences were embedded in the phases of learning. Three community connections were paramount to this unit of work. First a visit to the city of Melbourne was planned to enable students to witness and experience the culture, architecture and artworks. This gave learners the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the city’s history but also highlight contemporary works that add to our diverse city. Then in preparation for the visit to Melbourne, an incursion with Kelli from Metro Trains was arranged. The purpose of this was for learners to find out about local facilities, their purpose, the need for such services for members of the community and to build student skill set in using such means of transportation. With such learning, the inclusion of train travel proved to be an authentic reality for learners with many wonderings responding to their needs as they transition to secondary and more independent stages of their lives. An additional part of the learning intention and success criteria for the excursion, involved students capturing key landmarks. The involvement of a professional photographer
from within our school community provided students with expert support in the art of photography using light, angle and creativity to capture a moment in time. The amalgamation of the learning and teaching saw students encapsulate viewers at our recent annual art show bringing the audience into a Virtual Urban Installation that showcased a miniature replication of landmarks, deconstructed photographs and a digital display reminiscent of the recent Ya Wei exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. Integrating authentic learning experiences often lends itself to the Arts as this area of the curriculum includes unique, expressive, creative and communicative forms that engage students in critical and creative thinking. The Victorian Curriculum also suggests that studying the Arts can assist learners to better understand themselves and the world. In every society the Arts play a pivotal role socially, economically and culturally and are a vehicle for confronting and exploring new ideas. Our Year 6 students certainly had the Arts at the heart with this masterpiece.
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STUDENT works depicting Melbourne landmarks are set out on display.
ADEN Dale tries his hand at photography while on a visit to Melbourne.
Inspiring Faith, Inspiring Learning
Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 13
Strong diocese volunteer presence in Broome SINCE 2000 there has been a strong link forged between the Diocese of Sale and the remote Diocese of Broome in Western Australia. The Diocese of Broome administers the Catholic pastoral and business operations of the Kimberley region. The strong link has been the result of the generous donation of time by parishioners of the Diocese of Sale working as volunteers in various positions.
and religious and the local community. Balgo, Kalumburu, Lombardina and Warmun offer accommodation to passing travellers and health providers working in the community. Volunteers at these locations all step up to the plate as B and B or motel managers. Located in the north of Western Australia, the region experiences a tropical climate, the seasons split between the
SALE couples catching up at Hall’s Creek while both on placement in 2014. They are (from left) Len Althaus, Lorel Donnelly, Brian Donnelly and Lyn Althaus.
VIN and Jenny Claxton, Sale, catch up on some sight-seeing while posted to Kalumburu. Six couples and two individuals have worked as volunteers in the Kimberley with several having more than one placement. Volunteers generally accept a six month term and can be placed anywhere the Diocese of Broome volunteer co-ordinator sees a need in a particular location. Volunteers are most likely to be placed at Balgo, Dampier Peninsula (Beagle Bay/ Lombardina), Kalumburu and Warmun. All locations are remote, the distance between the volunteers posting and a major centre ranges from 200-400km. Some locations are accessible only by plane and or sea during the wet season and even in the Dry road access can be over rough unsealed surfaces. The tasks for volunteers do vary from location to location. Common to all is the need to handle local finance, maintenance, liaise with priests
Wet, November to March and Dry, April to October. Outdoor activity is dictated by the weather. Wet season temperatures average in the high thirties and inland temperatures of 40 degrees plus are a common occurrence. This of course means not much happens outside after
10.30am. Sunrise is early around 5am and during the dry the sun sets at 5pm. Former Sale Diocese business manager Brian Donnelly and his wife Lorel, who also worked for the diocese in a role with the charitable fund have set out the normal tasks which have confronted them in their placements at Kalumburu and Warmun. 1. Kalumburu Our first volunteer term for the Diocese of Broome was a six month term at Kalumburu, June – November 2005. This was a challenging time, the local community store had been closed down, and so the mission shop was asked to keep supply of fresh fruit and vegies, groceries and meat available for the community. The shop hours were 7am to noon and 1pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Other tasks were maintenance of the airstrip (putting out lights for planes landing at night and grading the landing strip), refuelling planes, gardening and building and furniture maintenance. These were full days – up at 5.30am and bed around 8.30pm. Sunday was set aside for exploring the surrounding bushland visiting landmarks and aboriginal rock art sites. It is not well known that Kalumburu along with Darwin, Broome and Port Hedland was bombed by the Japanese during World War 2. Lorel was a catechist with the Diocese of Sale so with the encouragement of the parish priest in Kalumburu, Fr Anscar McPhee, she conducted a Holy Communion program. Lorel and the children would meet every Saturday afternoon under a beautiful tree in the mission grounds. The ceremony was held on a Sunday Morning at 7am and one of the children participated in the readings. 2. Warmun This year,we are currently more than half way through our third six month volunteer term at Warmun, previously known as Turkey Creek. It is located on the Great Northern Highway, 200km from Kununurra and 156km from Halls Creek. The climate is simply divided into the Wet and the Dry. The property we manage is the Warmun Retreat Centre (previously known as Mirrilingki) and is on a two
HERE is a list of recent Diocese of Sale Volunteers: Brenda Arnell (Inverloch), Kalumburu 2013 Don and Val Prigg (Tyers), Dampier Peninsula Monika Adomi (Cowes), Kalumburu Stephen and Ann Gaunt (Berwick), Kalumburu and Warmun Brian and Lorel Donnelly (Sale), Kalumburu 2005, Broome 2008 (2 months in Broome office), Warmun 2014, 2015, and 2016 Len and Lyn Althaus (Sale), Balgo 2014 Vin and Jenny Claxton (Sale), Kalumburu 2014, Warmun 2015 Vin and Judy Bibby (Drouin), Warmun 2008, 2015/2016, Kalumburu and Balgo
LYN and Len Althaus, Sale, with a couple of the parish elders at remote Balgo mission.
VIN and June Bibby, Drouin, are farewelled at Kalumburu after one of their several placements in Broome Diocese. hectare block. The Sisters of St Joseph established the property in 1986 to assist the adult Aboriginal population living in remote communities with education programs. The Diocese of Broome took over the management of the property in 2008. The accommodation available consists of 22 single accommodation (donga) rooms, a double room and three self-contained two bedroom cottages.
Maffra Sale Heyfield A BUSH picnic at Violet Valley near Warmun.
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There are four units for volunteers plus a managers unit. The property also has a wellequipped air-conditioned hall, used by visiting groups, the local community, businesses, organisations and schools. Our role is to manage the property including the surrounding gardens. We are also a weather collecting station for the Bureau of Meteorology in Perth, taking readings seven days a week at 9am.
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Page 14 - Catholic Life, August 2016
Feast of Assumption sometimes misunderstood THE Feast of the Assumption which we celebrated earlier in the week is one of the most misunderstood Catholic dogmas. The Assumption celebrates the belief that God assumed the Virgin Mary body and soul into heaven. Although talked about for centuries it took until November 1, 1950, for the Church to declare this as fact. Pope Pius XII exercised rarely used papal infallibility to declare the dogma in a document Munifecentissimum Deus. The Western world adopted
August 15 as a feast and holy day of obligation and it is interesting that the belief also spread into Orthodox Christianity where the Dormition (falling asleep) of the Mother of God is celebrated a few weeks later. Anglicans and Lutherans also celebrate the day without having any compulsion on members. The wording of Pius XII’s declaration is such that it leaves open the question of whether Mary died before being assumed into Heaven or was assumed prior to death. He declares that Mary
“having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” The Assumption is backed by the long-held theological argument that it was not fitting that flesh which had given life to God should ever undergo corruption. Back in AD377 St Epiphanius of Salamis wrote that no-one knew whether Mary died or not. Accounts of her assumption into Heaven had circulated since at least the 4th Century and is mentioned in ancient Ethiopian and Syriac texts. At the Council of Chalcedon
Deacons in Rome with Pope By Deacon Mark Kelly
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ONE of the major events of the Year of Mercy has been the Jubilee of Deacons (the Jubilee of Priests is in June) to which Pope Francis invited the deacons of the world and their wives at Rome during May. Seven Australian deacons (and three wives of deacons) represented Australia at the gathering. Days of reflection and visiting “Jubilee churches” of Rome culminated in Sunday Mass with the Holy Father in St Peter’s Square where the Pope reminded us that the terms “apostle” and “servant” can never be separated and that “They are like the two sides of a medal. Those who proclaim Jesus are called to serve, and those who serve proclaim Jesus,” he said; noting that Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve,” was the first one to show us this.” Pope Francis called us to be “available in life, meek of heart and in constant dialogue with Jesus, you will not be afraid to be servants of Christ, and to encounter and caress the flesh of the Lord in the poor of our time.” The previous day I was honored to be deacon of an English language Mass inside St Peter’s Basilica at which my wife, Hilary, was lector. Sale Diocese was overrepresented with myself and also Deacon Tony Aspinall who is co-ordinator of the diaconate in Australia. There are only about 150 permanent deacons in Australia, so it was illuminating to encounter several thousand of the 50,000 who now serve worldwide. Our ministries are wide and varied but they all have at their core the service of God’s people. PICTURED above: Deacons Mark Kelly and Tony Aspinall (Sale), Paul Simmons (Broken Bay), Mervyn Francis (Sydney), Jim Curtain (Melbourne), Peter McCulloch (Broken Bay), missing - Anthony Gooley (Brisbane) – who was busy being presented to Pope Francis.
in AD451 the Emperor Marcian asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the relics of Mary to Constantinople to be enshrined but the patriarch explained there were no relics in Jerusalem. He said Mary had died in the presence of the Apostles but her tomb, when later opened was found to be empty and the Apostles concluded her body had been taken up to Heaven.”
Why it took so many years for the belief to be enshrined in dogma is a mystery. Of the 358 proclaimed dogmas, including 255 by papal infallibility, few relate to Mary and this is the last. The previous infallibly declared dogma was the Immaculate Conception in 1854.
Quick calendar
What’s on & when AUGUST 6 – Transfiguration of the Lord 8 – Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 11 – Feast of St Clare 15 – The Assumption 17 – West region meeting, Berwick Parish Centre, 10.30am for 11am start 18 – Valley region meeting, St Mary’s, Yarram, noon 22 – Queenship of Mary 28 – Migrant and Refugee Sunday (See September 18)
SEPTEMBER 4 – Father’s Day 4 – Canonisation of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata (Mother Teresa) 5-7 - Australasian Catholic Press Association conference, Sydney 8 – Birthday of Blessed Virgin Mary 9 – East region meeting, Bairnsdale, 10am for 10.30 start 9 - 40th anniversary of ordination of Permanent Deacon Jim Erskine 10 – Ordination of Deacon Tao Pham to priesthood, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne 11 – Pilgrimage of Mercy to St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, 1.30pm 16 – Term Three ends 18 – Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Mass, St Agatha’s Church, Sladen St., Cranbourne, 2pm 19-23 Sale Diocese clergy inservice 23 – Feast of St Pio of Pietrelcina 27 – Feast of St Vincent de Paul 30 – AFL grand final eve public holiday
OCTOBER 1 – AFL Grand Final 2 – Daylight saving begins (Clocks forward one hour) 2 – Centenary celebrations of CWL Victoria and Wagga Wagga, Melbourne 3 – Term four begins 10 – World Mental Health Day (UN) 12 – South Region meeting, Wonthaggi, 11.15am 15 – Feast of St Theresa of Avila 21 – Valley region meeting, St Kieran’s, Moe, noon 22 – Memorial of St John Paul II 31 – All Saints Eve (Halloween)
NOVEMBER 1 – All Saints Day 1 – Melbourne Cup public holiday 2 – All Souls Day 8 – East region meeting, Orbost, 10am for 10.30 start 9 – West region meeting, Berwick Parish Centre, 10.30am for 11am start 11 – Remembrance Day 21 – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 22-25 – Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference plenary meeting, Sydney
DECEMBER 3 – Feast of St Francis Xavier 4 – Valley region Christmas lunch, Morwell 8 – Immaculate Conception 19 - 50th anniversary of ordination of Fr Bernie Mahony 25 – Christmas Day 26 – Boxing Day 27 – Public holiday in lieu of Christmas Day 31 – New Year’s Eve
Away for a weekend and need to check local Mass times? Use the QR scanning app on your smart phone and it will take you directly to the Diocese of Sale website
Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 15
Diocese CWL members celebrate centenary THE Sale Diocese combined its celebration of the centenary year of the Catholic Women’s League with the diocesan annual conference on June 1. The day commenced with Mass in St Michael’s Church, Traralgon which is also celebrating its centenary year. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Patrick O’Regan, Fr Bernard Buckley, Traralgon, Fr Hilarion Fernando OSB, Berwick and Mgr John Allman PA, Traralgon. Following Mass, celebrations continued in Mary MacKillop Hall with morning tea and a welcome by diocesan president Lena Zagame to Bishop O’Regan, the clergy and our general president Anita Toner and other members of the governing body, who had travelled great distances to attend. Bishop O’Regan spoke of his recent trip to the Vatican for a conference of recently ordained bishops – or “bishop’s school” as he called it. He said his discussions with other bishops at the conference had brought home to him the importance of his life’s experiences in preparing him for the role of bishop. He also paid tribute to the work of the Catholic Women’s League and its contribution to the life of the Church in Australia. He said its formation at a conference in July, 1916 coincided with the start of the Battle of the Somme in the First World War. Bishop O‘Regan said its formation had provided a glimmer of light and hope on one of the darkest days of human history. Spiritual Director Sr Mary Olofu, as usual gave a thoughtful reflection. She recalled that when she started with the group in 2014 the theme for the year was “To remember the past with gratitude”, and the theme for the following year was “To live the present with enthusiasm”. She paid tribute to CWL’s efforts to preserve the dignity of the human person through education of poor children, by providing developmental skills to so many people through LODWAR and financial support to different groups in Society. Sr Mary said this year the CWL calls itself “to look to the future with confidence,” in our God who has never abandoned us and in his faithful love and mercy will continue to lead us on. The conference was also given a presentation on the life and work of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey, the CWL’s inaugural president. Members travelled from east, south and west Gippsland and many ladies have been involved with the CWL for well over 50 years. It was great to see older members enjoying the friendships they have made over
AT the cutting of the centenary cake at the conference are (from left) Evelyn Stephens, Lena Zagame, Anita Toner, Margaret East, Bishop O’Regan, Pat Allaway, Moira Kelly and Elaine Carmody. many years through meeting at was also celebrating her 92nd conferences, retreats and other birthday. functions. Bishop O‘Regan also There was a great deal of presented Rose Woodhouse chatter and laughter over of Maffra, Mary Hargreaves lunch as they recalled past of Sale, and Noreen Norton of experiences. A raffle was Leongatha with certificates of drawn and won by Margaret appreciation on behalf of the Comrie of Fish Creek who CWL.
BISHOP O’Regan presents a certificate of appreciation to Rose Woodhouse of Maffra branch of the CWL.
Super contributions - the sooner the better I KNOW I’ve been banging the drum about superannuation recently, but the music hasn’t finished yet, by any means. The recent budget made some significant changes, most notably to the limits on how much we can contribute, annually and in our life time. The effect of these limits is to make it even more important to build your super as early in your life as possible. Superannuation is still the best and most reliable method of getting retirement ready. Tattslotto is only good for a few people each year! With concessional (pre-tax) contributions being limited to only $25,000 each year for everyone, it will get much harder for us all to build a retirement nest egg that will give us a “comfortable” retirement. That’s defined by the AFSA as about $59,000 each year, or $20,000 less for a modest lifestyle for a couple. For a single person it’s a fair bit less, but more than half. If we can earn 5 percent net of tax in our super we’ll need $1,180,000 today to live comfortably without drawing on our capital. To live modestly as a couple will require $700,000. Of course, we can draw down on the capital as we need, but many people are averse to this except through necessity. Now that we’re also limited to only $500,000 non-taxed contributions over our lifetime we don’t have the opportunity to build our super to the proper amount with a lump sum contribution, either. This article isn’t about how we live in retirement, but about how we can go about being as well off then as we can be. Contributing $20,000 in concessional contributions (employer and salary sacrifice) at 5 percent earning rate and 2 percent inflation will
generate a net loss because of the 15 percent tax imposed on contributions and earnings. Using the long term averages of 8 percent growth we end up with the following numbers: After 10 years with $20,000 contributed each year the fund is worth $234,000. After 20 years it’s worth $680,000 of which $400 is the superannuant's own money. It takes 30 years to reach the amount for just a comfortable retirement by contributing the maximum possible in pre tax contributions. How many young couple in their mid-30s can contribute $20,000 each year? They must start early and increase the numbers as they can. Now, with the $500,000 contributions, because these aren’t reduced by 15 percent tax when contributed, these work much better and generate more progressive returns. The law of compounding returns works to the contributors’ benefit big time here. But even then, after 10 years the half million is worth $726,000 and after 20 years it’s worth nearly $1.1 million on the above rates. There’s a real benefit in contributing early here. But how? General wisdom says the best process is to pay off the house. My thoughts are that any excess funds would be better spent into superannuation, with the proviso that people may need an equity buffer in their home. If young people can get over the emotional hurdle of not paying down a home loan, a pay increase may be better put into superannuation. The sooner the caps are reached the better the returns of your super fund. It’s that simple. If you wait until you’re 55, or even 50, before ramping up your super, the numbers just don’t add up to a comfortable
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Page 16 - Catholic Life, August 2016
World Youth Day
Pope urges young to be role models POPE Francis called on young people to model for adults the paths of mercy and respect during his July 30 vigil address at World Youth Day in Krakow. He said “We adults need you to teach us, like you are doing now, to live with diversity, in dialogue, to experience multiculturalism not as a threat but an opportunity. “Have the courage to teach us that it is easier to build bridges than walls.” He said many people found it easy to sit on a couch and tweet popular stereotypes like “All Muslims are terrorists” or “Immigrants steal our jobs.” The Pope acknowledged that it was a huge task to build bridges and said he knew many people might not feel up to it at first but added that Christians had an obligation to at least make an attempt. “Start small”, he urged. “Take the hand of someone next to you.” It was possible that no-one would accept the extended hand but in life you had to take risks. “One who never risks, never wins.” Referring to social media, the Pope said that if you could not say anything nice, you shouldn’t say anything at all. “We are not here to shout against anyone. We are not about to fight. We do not want to destroy. We do not want to
Vocations Awareness Week NATIONAL Vocations Awareness Week is held in Australia every August as a reminder to everyone to think about their vocation in life. Instead of just focusing on the priesthood and religious life, in recent years it has been widened to include secular vocations within the Church. People are asked to see their marriage as a vocation and the single are also urged to see how the dedication to their single state can be enriching to the Church and those around them. So what is your vocation destiny? Is it to be a diocesan priest, order priest, brother, sister, permanent deacon, hermit, half of a married couple or a committed single? Most people who marry do so without making
the connection that they have the opportunity, some say responsibility, to make their marriage a vocation in life. They can make their life-long commitment to their marriage an example to others around them by getting involved in their local Church and community and trying to live exemplary lives. It is the same for singles, be they temporarily in the single state because they have yet to find a life partner, or because of losing a partner through death or separation. Having a vocation in the Church is not just a physical state, it is also a mental state which leads you into a closer relationship with God.
Seminarian numbers on the rise hate anyone. “We have no desire to conquer hatred with more hatred, violence with more violence, terror with more terror.” At the following day’s closing Mass attended by more than one million young people, the Pope again urged young people to take risks and do not let obstacles get in the way of encountering the true joy of Jesus. “Do not be afraid to say to Him with all your heart, to respond generously and to follow Him.” “Don’t let your soul grow numb, but aim for the goal of a beautiful love which also demands sacrifice. “When it comes to Jesus we cannot sit around waiting with arms folded; He offers us life. BISHOP Pat O’Regan with the six seminarians studying to become priests for Sale Diocese. We cannot respond by thinking about it or texting a few words.” THE Diocese of Sale currently to undertake a period of deep a spiritual director to help has six men studying for the personal discernment. you through the discernment priesthood at Corpus Christi They must ask themselves is process. Maybe what you Seminary in Melbourne and God really calling them or are thought was a calling to be a it is always looking for more they responding to a whim? Is priest might really be to serve potential candidates. it their desire to become a priest as a brother in a religious order Not so many years ago there or is it something being urged or as a missionary. was a falling number of men on them by family or a mentor? Contact the diocesan looking to become priests and Like a good recipe, proper vocations director Fr Michael it looked as if the Church in ingredients are essential to a Willemsen on 5152 3106 or impact a concerted effort and Australia would be facing a good outcome. In discerning a email vocations@sale.catholic. call to the priesthood, prayer is org.au. focus on young people can have crisis in years to come. However, in Australia and the most important ingredient. Fr Michael and his team will in the life of the Church”. also many other countries there Potential candidates cannot help you with the discernment Following WYD08, the has been a rapid turnaround as actively discern a vocation to process and help you to find a bishops established the many young men have come the priesthood without a prayer spiritual director. Australian Catholic Youth forward to offer themselves life. If thinking of a future as Council, as a strategic advisory for a life of service to God, the They should spending time a priest, brother or sister in body, and created an Office Church and fellow Catholics. each day, not only talking to the religious community, it is for Youth to implement the Seminaries are full again and God through prayer but also suggested that you fi nd out Australian bishops vision for at Corpus Christi extensions listening in silence to give God as much as possible about the youth ministry, Anointed and are under way to increase the a chance to have input. communities you are interested Sent. Talk to God in your heart. Ask in. Commencing the Year of number of rooms available for its students to the priesthood. Him what are His plans for you. There is a vast difference in Youth in Sydney, the Australian Gone are the days when Read the stories of the Gospel serving as a missionary in the Catholic Youth Festival in seminarians stepped straight and the Letters of St Paul. Read Third World country, compared December 2017 will be the from school into seven years of some spiritual books. Make with teaching, or social work. largest national gathering of the study at a seminary. some notes in a prayer journal. Visit the particular orders and Catholic Church in Australia Young men who believe Find out more about what the religious communities which with an expected attendance of God is calling them to serve as priesthood is. Prayer is the interest you and talk to their 15,000. priests are encouraged to make essential fi rst step. vocations directors. Bishop Edwards said “The It is also important to have challenge for a World Youth their thoughts known and then Day host city is how to make the event fruitful 10 years on. Australia could well be one of AN OPTION for older married parishes to which they have can never move on to becoming the countries that has leveraged men is the permanent diaconate. been assigned. priests. World Youth Day in their Permanent deacons are Permanent deacons are Deacons can read the Gospel own country to the greatest ordained men who work in usually married men of middle and preach during Masses. potential.” various roles including school to mature age who have had They cannot hear confessions. Bishop Pat O’Regan preached and hospital chaplaincy and experience is the secular world If interested in this vocation, the homily during the gathering. assisting in parishes with and are seeking to bring their again contact Fr Willemsen at Prayers of the faithful were weddings, funerals and pastoral life skills to assist the Church. vocations@sale.catholic.org. said in five different languages work. They can perform the same au and he will put you in contact representing the multi-cultural Our diocese has five roles as the transitional deacons with one of our permanent nature of the Church in permanent deacons of which on their way to becoming priests deacons to discuss possibilities. Australia. three are still active within the but, as the name suggests, they
An Australian Year of Youth announced AUSTRALIAN Bishops joined more than 3000 young people at a national Australian gathering during WYD Krakow that included a launch of the ‘Year of Youth’, building on the legacy of World Youth Day 2008. The Year of Youth will celebrate the 10th anniversary of World Youth Day, Sydney and highlight how the Australian Church continues to tell the story of WYD08 in its local ministry. Bishop Mark Edwards, Australian Catholic Bishops Delegate for Youth said, “The years of preparation leading up to World Youth Day 2008 and its events have changed the landscape of youth ministry leaving a lasting impression on the Church. Local youth ministries have grown and diversified. The number of youth ministers has increased along with diocesan support structures.” Speaking during a press conference after the gathering, Malcolm Hart, Director of the Australian Catholic Bishops, Office for Youth, said, ‘the Year of Youth utilises the anniversary of WYD08 to highlight the
Permanent deacons
Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 17
Migrant and Refugee Sunday Welcoming people in spirit of mercy ON August 28, the Catholic Church in Australia will celebrate Migrant and Refugee Sunday, however in our diocese our celebrations will be delayed several weeks. Our diocesan migrant and refugee Mass will be held at St Agatha's Church, Cranbourne, at 2pm on September 18. As in past years, a large crowd of people representing many nations are expected to participate Pope Francis, in keeping with the theme for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, brings to the forefront the connection between the issues that migrants and refugees face and the message from the Gospel of Mercy. Since December 2015, Pope Francis has presented to us examples of how to live mercifully in our everyday lives. For us to know that, because God forgives us when we humbly approach Him, we also must forgive and be merciful to others. Fundamentally, Pope Francis wants the Jubilee Year of Mercy to be about encountering God, the merciful Father, in ever-new ways. As such, this Year of Mercy is providing us with an opportunity to ‘encounter’, to connect with others, in particular those with whom we would not normally associate. Pope Francis therefore has also been presenting to us, in different ways, how we ought to be treating our brothers and sisters in Christ, in particular those least among us. For us Catholics, during this Year of Mercy, there are important questions that we should be asking ourselves. How do we, as Catholics, respond to God’s mercy and love? Are we open to Mercy in our lives? Is our relationship with the Heavenly Father visible in the way we treat those around us, in particular the most vulnerable? Our relationship with God, in order for it to be authentic, ought to trickle down and affect our relationship with others. This encounter with the Merciful Father must also be an encounter with ‘others’, in particular those who are the least among us and live at the peripheries and margins of our society. In a special way, to encounter migrants and refugees both within our communities but also those abroad. Being a Catholic is not something we do only on Sundays. It is a lived experience every day of our lives. Likewise on Migrant and Refugee Sunday. We should not simply harbour warm feelings and express solidarity with
migrants and refugees on this day alone. We should use this Sunday as a platform where we in our Christian lives can bring to prayer and to the wider community the issues which migrants and refugees face, as well as all the good-news stories and blessings which migrants and refugees also bring. Drawing on the theme of the current Jubilee Year of Mercy for his message for Migrant and Refugee Sunday, Pope Francis draws our attention to the treatment of refugees globally and in our local communities, challenging us by asking whether our response towards migrants and refugees is grounded in mercy. That is, the mercy which God has shown us first. Pope Francis says, “Today, more than in the past, the Gospel of mercy troubles our consciences, prevents us from taking the suffering of others for granted, and points out a way of responding which, grounded in the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, find practical expression in works of spiritual and corporal mercy.” These words from Pope Francis ought to motivate us to identify with those in our community who are in need of strength and consolation. Many of the hardships we face in our everyday lives can be exacerbated for recently arrived migrants in our communities. They often experience a deep sense of loneliness, anxiety and fear. Many come from distant and different cultures, where one’s way of life can be completely different. These differences add to those feelings of anxiety, loneliness and fear. It is precisely in these situations that we need to be witnesses to the Gospel of Mercy and show a caring hand to those around us. It is about moving beyond ourselves. The world around us is becoming more and more selfish and self-centred. We have become an inward looking society. Christ, throughout his teachings in the Gospels, demonstrates that to live authentic Christian lives we need to be outward looking. Grounding ourselves in prayer, as Jesus did when he took those moments during his ministry to pray alone, and from there spread the Good News, as the Apostles did in the early church. It is often the simplest of things that can make the biggest of differences for migrants and refugees in our community; a simple smile, a short conversation after mass or at the shops, asking how they are, and if everything is ok. These little moments should
- 123RF Stock Photo
not be underestimated. This is the beginning of encounter that the Holy Father is asking from us. It is from here that we move forward together in solidarity. As Pope Francis notes, “Migration movements are now a structural reality, and our primary issue must be to deal with the present emergency phase by providing programs which address the causes of migration and the changes it entails, including its effect on the makeup of societies and peoples.” Mass movements of people escaping violence and persecution are an objective and unavoidable reality. As such, we ought not to get stuck in debating issues which prevent us from embracing this reality, and look towards concrete ways to help our brothers and sisters who are in need. We must always maintain at the forefront of all discussion and debate the need to put people first. Pope Francis indicates a way forward. He argues that we need to invest in mercy as an appropriate policy noting that mercy, in fact “nourishes and strengthens solidarity towards others” which translates into very concrete attitudes such as “Concern for fostering good relationships with others and the ability to overcome prejudice and fear [which] are essential ingredients for promoting the culture of encounter, in which we are not only prepared to give, but also to receive from others. Hospitality, in fact, grows from both giving and receiving”. Pope Francis does not advocate for a unilateral responsibility, that of simply opening all the doors, rather, he invites migrants to become responsible contributors towards a culture of encounter. This is especially the case when migrants responsibly assume their obligations towards those who receive them, gratefully respecting the material and spiritual heritage of the host country, obeying its laws and
helping with its needs. Mercy as an alternative policy opens the way to view migrants not merely for their political and legislative aspects, their economic implications and the concrete coexistence of
various cultures in one territory. These become necessary and complementary aspects. Mercy as a policy has the inner strength to look for a way forward renewing and transforming the whole of humanity
Merciful Father, Look with mercy on our brothers and sisters who live as migrants and refugees. May they find welcome and a home away from home here in the vast Australian land. Bless those who work and minister to help the migrants and refugees. May setbacks and oppositions not discourage them in their endeavors. Assure them of your merciful love and reward them with your abundant love. Help us, O Father, to be as merciful as you. May we offer them the welcome and assistance they desperately need. May your mercy help us to create a world where no one is a stranger and excluded. We ask this through your merciful son Jesus. Amen.
Patron saint of immigrants THE universal patron saint of immigrants is St Frances Xavier Cabrini. Born Maria Francesca Cabrini in 1850 in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, she graduated from school with a teaching qualification at age 18. She sought to join the Daughters of the Sacred Heart congregation but was refused because of her fragile health. After long discernment she founded the Institute of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880 at an abandoned Franciscan friary in Codogno. She longed to go to China but was encouraged by the famous words of Pope Leo XIII “Not to the east, but to the west” and with six of her religious sisters headed for New York in 1899. They faced the same challenge
of many of the migrants today; there was nowhere to stay and they were unable to speak English. Despite the early difficulties they went on to accomplish great things, founding schools, hospitals and orphanages while ministering to the practical and spiritual needs of immigrants from many countries. By the time of her death in 1917, Mother Cabrini had established 67 institutions in North, Central and South America, England, France, Spain and Italy. In 1946 she was canonised, and four years later was proclaimed the universal patron saint of immigrants. The Cabrini Sisters, came to Australia in 1948 at the request of Archbishop Daniel Mannix, of Melbourne.
Page 18 - Catholic Life, August 2016
For the Young and Young at Heart Colour in this ocean scene
Time for a laugh A LARGE company, feeling it was time for a shake-up, hired a new nononsense CEO. This new boss was determined to rid the company of slackers. On a tour of facilities, the CEO noticed a man leaning on a wall. The room was full of workers who put their heads down to their work as the CEO approached. Thinking this was an ideal situation to get the message across to employees that he meant business, the CEO walked across to the man leaning against the wall and asked “How much do you earn a week?” The man seemed surprised by the question but replied “About $300 a week.” The CEO reached into his wallet, drew out a stack of notes and counted out $1200. “Here’s four weeks pay,” he yelled. “Get out and don’t come back.” As the man scurried out the nearest exit the CEO looked around at all the employees who had all stopped work and were looking at him. “Does anyone know what that lazy good-for-nothing did around here?” From across the room came a voice “He was the pizza delivery guy from Dominos!”
immediately beneath them had to be taken to hospital after the chandelier fell on them during the night. TWO prisoners were making their escape over the roof of the prison when one of them dislodged a tiled. It clattered to the ground and a guard called out “Who’s there?” The prisoner who dislodged the tile replied “Meow”. A short time later the second prison also kicked off a tile and again the guard queried “Who’s there?” “Just another cat,” came the reply. A FOUR-year-old boy and his father went to the beach. There was a dead seagull lying on the sand. The boy asked his father, “Dad, what happened to the birdie?” His dad told him, “Son, the bird died and went to heaven.” Then the boy asked, “Did God throw him back down?”
THERE was a church that had a bell that no one could ring. One day, a boy came and asked the priest if he could try. He went up into the tower and ran straight into the bell face-first. The bell tolled loud and clear. The priest A WOMAN was preparing a French gave him the job. One Sunday, the boy ran straight THERE are many beautiful creatures and great scenery under the waves. dinner for dinner guests and sent her Maybe one day you will be lucky enough to go snorkling on the Great husband out to the local delicatessen toward the bell with his face and missed, so he fell off the tower and buy some fresh snails. Barrier Reef. Meanwhile colour in this picture. He bought the snails, then popped died. “Congregation,” the priest said into the hotel next door for a drink. One thing led to another and he ended before the assembled Masses. “Does anybody know this boy’s name? I up staying a couple of hours. don’t know him, but his face rings a Realising his mistake he rushes 1. Greenland is a self-ruled Department of Defence bell.” home, tips the snails out of the bag province of what country? headquarters called the Pentagon? onto the footpath and rings the A FROG goes to a fortune teller and doorbell. 2. What is the highest mountain 10. What distinguishes a British asks if he is going meet a young girl. His furious wife comes to the door in Africa? stamp from those of every other The psychic says, “Yes, you are.” and shouts “Where have you been country? The frog replies, “Where? In a bar the dinner guests will be arriving in 3. Name the boy who befriended or at a party?” a minute?” Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore. 11. A silkworm feeds on the The psychic says, “In biology “Come on boys,” he shouts to the leaves of what type of tree? class.” snails. “Only a few more metres and 4. Which American president is we are there.” reported to have cut down a cherry 12. What title was given to the MUM and Dad were trying to tree and then admitted it saying “I kings of ancient Egypt? console Susie whose dog, Skipper, A NEWLYWED couple were cannot tell a lie”? had recently died. booked in the penthouse of large hotel 13. Which state of the United “You know,” Mom said, “it’s not so and the bride expressed concern that 5. Which British saint is supposed States was purchased from bad. Skipper’s probably up in Heaven the room might be bugged because it to have slayed a dragon? Napoleon Bonaparte in 1803? right now, having a grand old time was near the Soviet Embassy. The husband assured her this was with God.” 6. What sign of the zodiac is 14. What was invented first - the Susie stopped crying and asked, not the case but she insisted he did a represented by twins? screw or the screwdriver? thorough search. He checked the light “What would God want with a dead shades, telephone, television and dog?” 7. What you call the meat obtained Check your answers below. even the electric jug but she was still from a deer? 13-14 correct, Excellent (sign up A COUPLE walking along the not satisfied. for Who Wants to be a Millionaire), beach noticed a man and a woman She asked him to check under the 8. What do you call the arms of 10-12 Good, 8-9 Average. kissing passionately. bed and to his amazement he located an octopus? The wife asked “Why don’t you do a strange-looking metal plate, held on If under age 16: 8 Excellent, that?” by four screws. 9. Why is the United States 6-7 Good, 4-5 Average. The husband replied “I don’t even Using a knife he unscrewed and removed the plate, unhitching a cable know that woman.” which was attached under it. THE doctor told a woman to take a Next morning when they were down having breakfast the manager blue tablet with water in the morning, asked if they had been disturbed by the red one with water at lunch and the yellow one with water at dinner. the earthquake. “What’s wrong with me?” she “What earthquake?” he asked. The manager said the quake had asked. “You are not drinking enough been felt through all the lower floors of the hotel and the couple in the room water!”
Test your knowledge
The answers
1. Denmark 2. Mt Kilamanjaro 3. Christopher Robin 4. George Washington 5. St George 6. Gemini 7. Venison 8. Tentacles 9. The building is five-sided like a pentagon
10. The stamps have no country’s name on them. England was the first country to have stamps. 11. Mulberry 12. Pharoah 13. Louisiana 14. The screw. Originally it was driven home by hitting it with a hammer, then some bright person decided to put a slot in the top and invented the screwdriver to make it easier.
Catholic Life, August 2016 - Page 19
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Your will be done Trinity Families asks you to consider assisting our work in funding charitable projects across the diocese. Remembering Trinity Families in your will by making a bequest is an effective way of ensuring that you do something to help those struggling families in our midst. If you need more information on bequests contact: PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820 Ph: 56 22 6688
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HOLY SPIRIT You who makes me see everything and shows me the way to reach my ideals, you who gives me a divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me; in this short dialogue I want to thank you for everything and affirm once more that I never want to be separated from you, no matter how great the material desire may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in Your perpetual Glory. (Mention your request). Thank you Holy Spirit for your love towards me and my loved one. Amen This prayer should be said for 3 consecutive days. After the 3rd day the request will be granted, no matter how difficult it may be. While making the request one must either promise to publish on granting the favour or promise to circulate copies of it to as many people as possible. This is to spread the wonder of the Holy Spirit.
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PAKENHAM - In response to Pope Francis’s call to meet people where they are St. Patricks Church, Pakenham is starting a unique Bible study experience suitable for both beginners and the experienced. Called the Great Adventure – Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible, it is one of the clearest, easiest, and most engaging way to help anyone make sense of the Bible and experience the life-changing power of God’s Word. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world have found new meaning in their lives after going through The Great Adventure. People from neighboring parishes are invited to participate in this meaningful and lively eight week program on Friday evenings (7.30pm to 8.45pm) beginning October 7. Cost is $20 or free depending on circumstances, everyone is welcome. For more information check http://stpatrickspakenham.com.au/ , call 0401 017 752 Rochelle and have a look at YouTube clip on Unlocking the Treasure of the Bible.
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THANK YOU St Jude. O Holy St Jude Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen.
Page 20 - Catholic Life, August 2016
CatholicCare Gippsland is here to help you when parents are in conflict following the breakdown of their relationship. This three hour session is designed to support parents after separation and assist them to develop the necessary skills to communicate effectively with each other about their children’s needs and circumstances. Building Connections seminars are available to parents any time after separation and can be helpful while parents are waiting to attend Family Court, Federal Circuit Court or Family Dispute Resolution. Sessions run for three hours and cost $10. They are held in Pakenham, Traralgon and Warragul throughout the year. The parenting after separation program, called Our Kids, is a six week course beginning in Pakenham and Warragul in October. Parents learn to focus more on their children’s experience of the changes in their lives and to develop skills that are helpful when making parenting arrangements. For example, parents become more aware of what they can do to limit conflict, rather than wishing the other parent would be more cooperative. The course is suited to parents who have parenting orders from the Family Court or Federal Court or who are waiting
to attend Family Dispute Resolution. The cost is $90 and each session runs for two hours. Multicultural beginner English conversation groups are run as part of CatholicCare’s refugee and settlement program. The program is free and is open to all people from a multicultural background. Currently a group is meeting
every Thursday during school term at Pakenham, with a morning group for women and an afternoon group for men. Information about all services in Gippsland is available on the web site: www.ccaregipps.org. au. For Greater Melbourne and Geelong services visit the web site www.ccam.org.au. Contact 1800 522 076 for further information or to make
an appointment. If you are unsure about whether you need any of CatholicCare services, you can speak on the phone with someone before deciding to make an appointment. CatholicCare supports all people regardless of their religious belief or background.
New CatholicCare counsellor PAKENHAM – A new family counsellor attached to the Pakenham office of CatholicCare Gippsland is Stephen Holthouse who brings with him wide experience. He has worked for CatholicCare in Melbourne as an employee assistance counsellor and has also worked for the organisation in Tasmania and Northern Territory. Mr Holthouse has experience in child protection services and his work has taken him into prisons and remote communities. He spent about four years in the army medical corps before returning to study to complete a Masters in Psychology in New Zealand in 2009. He plans to complete a Masters in Social Work at the end of this year. Mr Holthouse and his wife
A priest visiting the sick in Peru
Fuxin have a 15 month old son. He is in the Pakenham office two days a week to provide a full range of family counselling services, which includes
couples, individuals, young and old. Appointments can be organised by calling 1800 522 076.
NEW CatholicCare counsellor Stephen Holthouse (left) is welcomed by Gippsland manager Mark Tanti.
Honoring St Mary of Cross and Josephites Every confessor must accept the faithful as the father in the parable of the prodigal son. Confessors are called to embrace the repentant son who comes home and to express the joy of having him back again. Chosen to be the Mother of the Son of God, Mary, from the outset, was prepared by the love of God to be the Ark of the Covenant between God and man. She treasured divine mercy in her heart in perfect harmony with her son Jesus. The red and white beads represent the rays of light of the Divine Mercy. Cath Life Sale
FEELING stuck? We all feel weighed down or held back when life gets challenging. If you find yourself feeling sad or stuck, it’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to face problems alone. With support to work through your issues, you can find new ways to make life more manageable. You can figure out your problems and get your life and relationships back on track. Professionally qualified family counsellors at CatholicCare Gippsland work with individuals, couples and families from many different backgrounds. Issues include abuse, anxiety, change, grief and loss, family relationships, parenting, separation and divorce and trauma. Some people attend one session and others attend long term. Fees are charged based on income and options can be discussed when people are facing financial hardship. Privacy is important and confidentially is discussed at the beginning of all sessions. Other services in Gippsland include post separation parenting seminars, called Building Connections. All parents want the best for their children and this can be particularly difficult to manage
STUDENTS participating in the Mass at Newborough. THE parishes of Immaculate at St Mary’s Church. Heart of Mary Newborough Mass was followed by a and St Kieran’s Moe celebrated commemorative photo in the the Solemnity of St Mary of the school grounds. Cross MacKillop and the 150th Children were presented with anniversary of the foundation a Mary MacKillop Prayer card of the Sisters of St Joseph on and medallion. August 8. Staff and parishioners Students and staff of St enjoyed morning tea in the hall Mary’s and St Kieran’s and children enjoyed a snack Primary Schools, together with and an extended playtime in the parishioners, gathered for Mass school grounds.
Please donate generously to the appeal for
Trinity Families.
The Sale Diocese charity serving the families of Greater Gippsland. Details at www.trinityfamilies.org.au