Catholic Life - February 2013

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Catholic Life Publication of the Diocese of Sale

Speculation on Benedict’s successor - Page 3

February 2013

ISSUE 169

New Oblate provincial’s Moe link - Page 4

Special feature - Page 9

Bishop Coffey celebrates 80th birthday BAIRNSDALE – Bishop Jeremiah Coffey celebrated his 80th birthday last month with two functions at St Mary’s parish centre.

Family and friends gathered on New Year’s Day which was his birthday and then clergy and religious gathered for a separate function on January 28.

Bishop Coffey’s sister Ita Williams and a niece Grace Coffey travelled from Cork, Ireland, to be with him for the New Year’s Day celebrations.

They were able to stay at Paynesville for a fortnight and caught up with him on most days.

The bishop moved to Paynesville to live when he retired as Bishop of Sale five years ago but for the past 12 months has been living at Eastwood Retirement Home, Bairnsdale.

His health has much improved following a successful surgery for liver cancer and a stroke at the end of 2011.

BISHOP Emeritus of Sale, Jeremiah Coffey visits the Mitchell River silt jetties with his sister Ita Williams and a niece Grace Coffey who both travelled from Ireland for his 80th birthday.

Cathedral stage two SALE - The second stage of restoring St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale, is under way.

The first stage of the restoration project was successfully completed last year.

This largely involved repair work to roof the which was not readily visible but was a necessary and urgent undertaking.

Stage one also involved an extension and renovation of the toilets and kitchen areas.

The second stage mainly involves a repair to the render covering the external walls of the cathedral and a complete cleaning and repainting of the cathedral both inside and out.

The inside painting will take

place mid year and includes repairing much of the beautiful decorative work above the sanctuary and altar.

The last time the cathedral was painted was in 1993. Deterioration over subsequent years is evident, especially on the south side, facing the highway, that is blackened in many places as the result of traffic emissions and weather.

Dean of the Cathedral Fr Andrew Wise said it was gratifying to observe last year the way the people of the diocese came together with the parishioners of the Cathedral Parish, to financially support this restoration project for the “Mother” Church.

The cathedral represented our common Catholic unity and identity together in Christ as we gathered together in faith around the bishop.

“In a marvellous way Catholics from one end of the diocese to the other responded last year to the Cathedral fundraising appeal.”

He said it was evident that the beautiful Cathedral was deeply valued and appreciated by the Catholic people of Gippsland and beyond to Melbourne. Support for the restoration project was principally shown through generous donations, the Cathedral special collection appeal and the successful diocesan fundraising ball held in April

last year.

Fr Wise thanked everyone for their generous support.

It was planned that the main fundraising effort for the stage two works would come from ongoing donations to the fund and through the 2013 Cathedral special collection which would be taken up throughout the diocese on Sunday, February 26.

He asked people to generously support this special collection.

“Your assistance is greatly needed and valued in offsetting the large costs involved in restoration works for a 125 year old cathedral church such as St Mary’s Sale.

“I am sure that we can count on your support to enable our cathedral to remain as beautiful as possible to the glory of almighty God, as we continue to move further into the 21st century; This is the third century of testimony of the cathedral to the strong faith and devotion of the Catholic people of the Diocese of Sale.”

Your generous gift will go on giving A donation to the Bishop’s Family Foundation will aid needy families in the Diocese of Sale by funding much needed counselling and other programs.

Send tax deductible donations to: Bishop’s Family Foundation, PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820 Phone 5622 6600 for more information

Page 2 - Catholic Life, February 2013

W

e are returning to our everyday routines at the beginning of 2013. Hopefully we are refreshed by the summer break. The Year of Grace and the Year of Faith would suggest an effort for us to BE and not simply DO in our response to life’s many struggles.

To BE – what we truly are because of our Baptism/Confirmation/Eucharist…..sons and daughters of God and not simply robotic functionaries.

To BE – human beings of inestimable dignity because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus alive in our depths.

To BE – the People of God – true Catholic people – close to the Church and her sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

To BE – servants of each other, especially the poor and oppressed in our communities and beyond.

To BE really is a call to conversion in Christ. All our DOING in charity must flow from this deeper awareness.

In his Lenten Message for 2013, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, meditates on the link between faith and charity. He makes the point that “the entire Christian life is a response to God’s love”.

He goes on to say that “when we make room for the love of God, then we become like him, sharing in his own charity.” He concludes advising us of his “wish that all of

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DIOCESE OF SALE

Grace and Faith in Lent - Reflection 3 To God’s People in the Catholic Diocese of Sale you may spend this precious time (of Lent) rekindling your faith in Jesus Christ, so as to enter with him into the dynamic of love for the Father and for every brother and sister that we encounter in our lives.”

In these first days of Lent, let us, therefore, make some practical resolutions to make sure the foundations are in place for a 2013 full of GRACE and FAITH, inseparably bound together in CHARITY. Have you thought of: • Re-introducing in your lives and parish/school communities the ANGELUS prayer.

• Making the FRIDAYS of Lent special times of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

• Finding times for longer periods of SILENCE, at home or, even better still, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in your parishes.

• Becoming MORE ACTIVE in the St Vincent de Paul Society’s activities in your parish.

• RECONCILING yourself to

your family and friends wherever needed.

• Going to MASS and CONFESSION more often and with greater attentiveness.

• Encouraging SILENCE in the Church, especially before Mass.

• Praying the ROSARY in a more meditative manner.

• VISITING the sick and lonely in your family and parish with plenty of time to listen and pray.

• Reading the SCRIPTURE, especially the readings at Mass, with greater attention and prayerfulness.

Lent prepares the Church to celebrate the Easter Mysteries of our faith in a worthy manner. It strengthens us for the faith journey of 2013 and beyond.

• We need strength during the child sex abuse enquiries of the State of Victoria and the upcoming Royal Commission to stand alongside the victims and understand their sad stories. We need courage to strengthen structures that respond fully to this abomination.

• During the Year of Grace and Faith, we want to thank the Lord Jesus for his initiatives of love towards us. We are to find new ways of evangelising or announcing this Good News to the world.

• One significant way is that, at the end of this year, the Diocese of Sale will launch its Diocesan Pastoral Plan based on Family Evangelisation. Let us pray that the Lord will bless this work of pastoral outreach.

• Every family, parish, school and community in the diocese needs to face the challenges of 2013 with courage and faith in the Lord Jesus. Some seem to have a small burden of life to carry. But for others, 2013 is a year of enormous importance for all sorts of reasons. We pray for our troubled world and for all people.

Let us place ourselves in the presence of the Divine Mercy and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the New Evangelisation, as we walk into 2013 together as one in Jesus, the Saviour.

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance” (1Peter 1:26) + Bishop Christopher Prowse Catholic Bishop of Sale

New youth minister A YOUNG Meeniyan man Jarryd Atkinson has joined the staff at the Catholic Education Office as its youth minister.

It is a gap year appointment until he heads off to university to study architecture at RMIT next year.

He was a school captain at Mary MacKillop College, Leongatha, last year.

Catholic Life PO Box 1410, Warragul Vic. 3820 Phone: (03) 5622 6600

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Jarryd, 18 last week, has started visiting secondary schools across the diocese and this week is attending at retreat at Healesville with Year 12 students from Catholic College Sale.

Previous CEO youth worker Danelle Dias has started university this year.

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Catholic Life, February 2013 - Page 3

Pakenham woman is selected for study group A YOUNG Pakenham woman has been selected as one of 17 participants in the national Young Catholics Interfaith Fellowship.

Liz Lillas Roberts was named in December and this month will travel to Sydney for initial formation.

Over two years, the young women will study a Graduate Certificate in Theology in a format which will allow them to live their day-to-day lives, continue in their careers while receiving rich academic and spiritual formation in interfaith relations, Catholic leadership and theology.

The academic program will be enriched by a residential component which will provide time for prayer, meditation, reflection, personal growth and fellowship as a group at the Mount St Benedict Centre in Pennant Hills, New South Wales.

Director of the Office for the Participation of Women Donella Johnston, said the quality of the applications was so outstanding that the original plan for 10 participants was hastily and happily altered to cater for larger numbers.

KWR-Iona priest has treatment KOO WEE RUP – Parish priest of Koo Wee Rup and IonaMaryknoll parishes Fr John Allen is undergoing treatment in Melbourne for a serious illness.

In the meantime the parish is being run by Deacon Tony Aspinall with other priests filling in for weekend Masses.

Bishop Prowse has asked people to pray for the healing of Fr Allen.

Death of priest’s long-time

housekeeper THE former long-time housekeeper for the late Fr John Phelan has died.

Patricia Lloyd gave years of devoted service as housekeeper in various parishes.

She died at Casey Hospital on January 31 and her funeral took place at Koo Wee Rup last week.

Bishop - More bequests are needed CATHOLICS need to be more aware of opportunities to make bequests to the Church in this diocese, according to Bishop of Sale Christopher Prowse.

He said that in the past bequesting land and money to the local parish or diocese was a common practice but it was rarely done nowadays.

Many of the fine churches and even schools around the diocese were able to be built because of the generosity of Catholics who were able to make significant contributions through their wills.

He said the diocese had been blessed by these perpetual gifts which had been made by

faithful people who wanted to ensure that the mission of the Church would continue.

Bequesting had been strong even through tough economic times and it was a pity that most people no longer remembered the Church in their wills.

Bishop Prowse said that openended bequests to the diocese

enabled the money to be put to the best use at the time.

People who want to find out more about bequesting or appropriate wording for their wills were free to call the bishop’s personal assistant Cathy Dougan on 5622 6600.

Seminarians pay visit to the bishop STUDIES have resumed this month for the five seminarians studying to become priests for the Diocese of Sale.

The five met with Bishop Christopher Prowse at Sion House last Thursday.

The senior seminarian Deacon Siju Xavier expects to be ordained a priest in October.

The newest seminarian is Stanly Devasia who arrived from Kerala, India, in January.

Vin Mannes is the only Australian-born seminarian for our diocese, with three coming from India and one from Vietnam.

Breaking news:

Benedict XVI announcement a surprise LENT will be dominated this year with speculation about who will replace Pope Benedict XVI as Pope.

The Pope announced yesterday that he would step down on February 28 - the first Pope to resign from office in about 600 years.

Pope Benedict cited poor health as the reason for his decision.

The move seems to caught everyone unaware and the College of Cardinals now has to organise the election of a new Pope, who is expected to be announced before Easter.

While Australia has three cardinals, only Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell will have a vote on papal succession because he is the only one under 80 years.

The German-born Pope Benedict is 85 years and has been Pope for the past eight years.

In recent times his health has not been good and he was seen at the midnight Mass last Christmas to be using a motorised chair.

He has indicated that following his retirement, he intends to entered a cloistered monastery and live the remainder of his life in prayer and contemplation

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

MEETING with Bishop Prowse are our five seminarians (from left) Avinash George, Heip Nguyen, Stanly Devasia, Deacon Siju Xavier and Vin Mannes.

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Page 4 - Catholic Life, December 2012

New Oblate provincial visits

Clarification

IN the last issue’s item about Fr Tim McInnes funeral we mentioned his oft-repeated claim that he was the only Sale-born person to be baptised, confirmed, ordained a deacon and ordained a priest in the cathedral.

Sr Margaret Daly RSJ, the sister of the late Bishop Noel Daly, who was Bishop of Sandhurst points out he fulfilled the same criteria mentioned by Fr McInnes.

It got us thinking that perhaps Fr McInnes used to claim he was the only “living person”.

Sadly neither of the men can make that claim any more.

Sr Margaret does make her own claim - the only Sister of St Joseph born, baptised, confirmed and educated at St Mary’s School, Sale!

Patronising

INTERESTING to note the media releases and bits and pieces about St Mary of the Cross MacKillop being named Australia’s second patron saint.

All neglect to mention the other patron saint which is Our Lady Help of Christians whose feast day is May 24.

Having co-patrons is not unusual and between 1927 and 1976 we had two others, namely the patron saints of missions Sr Therese of Lisieux and St Francis Xavier.

Interestingly, the relics of

both these former co-patrons have toured our diocese in recent years.

They officially ceased to be co-patrons when Australia ceased to be a mission country.

Another snippet of information for trivia buffs – Australia was the first country to have Mary as patron saint under the title Our Lady Help of Christians.

She became patroness even before Federation of the various colonies.

Charity success

FUNDRAISING for Olivia’s Place, a proposed pregnancy advice centre in Warragul which we featured in the December issue, is in full stride.

The novel baby bottle donation containers raised more than $7500 and there are still about 100 bottles to come back.

So far the girls organising this charity have raised more than $22,000 towards the target $125,000 needed to establish the centre.

Hopefully the rest of the collection bottles will come in soon.

THE new provincial of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate is Maltese-born Fr Leo Mifsud.

He took over as provincial on Friday, replacing Moe-born Fr Harry Dyer, OMI. Interestingly, Moe was the first appointment after ordination for Fr Mifsud and it was there that he first met Mr Dyer and convinced him to become an Oblate.

The two men were involved in the parish senior youth group which operated for those over 18 years.

Fr Mifsud was in Moe for three years from July 1982 and has worked in various roles all around Australia.

As well as serving in parishes, he taught from some time in Queensland and at Mazenod College, Mulgrave, In more recent times he has served as an army chaplain in Darwin, has been parish priest in Adelaide, and rector of St Mary’s Seminary, Mulgrave.

NEW Oblate provincial Fr Leo Mifsud OMI (right) visited Bishop Christopher Prowse at Sion House, Warragul, last week.

Morwell supports appeal MORWELL - A long chain of events has led to Morwell’s Catholic community working strongly together to raise funds to put a roof onto a school building in Nigeria.

Early in 2012 Fr Francis Otobo was appointed to the Morwell parish and comes from a community in central Nigeria where he was ordained a dec-

Of all the decisions we make in our lifetime, making a valid will is among the most important.

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.

ade ago.

Fr Otobo attended a retreat in Sydney and visited the Mary MacKillop shrine and had a feeling he had to do something for the poor community that he had left to come to Australia. In his homeland a school building was started and walls erected before the money ran out, leaving the children to be educated in the open air.

During a spirituality meeting at St Vincent’s on his return Fr Otobo mentioned this desire.

Word soon spread and led to the Morwell parish social committee rising to the challenge, and with the approval of parish priest Fr Hugh Brown, a goal of $2000 was suggested.

In the words of one Morwell parishioner “it’s nothing short of a miracle the way the whole community has worked together” and the appeal reached a grand total of $12,000.

Midway through the appeal, more than 200 people gathered for a shared meal (take a plate and pay an entry) from the Morwell community with strong support from friends in Moe, Newborough, Churchill and Traralgon.

This dinner effort contributed $4000 to the appeal. Both Fr Brown and Fr Otobo spoke during the dinner and thanked the gathering for their support. Not surprisingly, Fr Otobo broke into song during his address – this being a feature of his week-

ly sermons.

Donations have come in from many sources with support from the children and staff of Sacred Heart and St Vincent schools in Morwell and Lumen Christi, Churchill.

St Vincent’s school held a soup and slice luncheon with teachers paying $10 each.

Grades 2 and 3 held a donation day while Grades 4 and 5 had wonderful support for a chocolate raffle. Lumen Christi held a Mary MacKillop Mass where children brought donations and raised $197. Sacred Heart school has given $1000 from bingo funds.

There has been strong parishioner support to the cash donations and special after Mass collections. Leaving collections have been held at Boolarra and Yinnar churches.

Further support has come from St Vincent de Paul Conference, Catholic Women’s League, Knights of the Southern Cross and the Morwell Parish Social Committee.

Just prior to Christmas, Fr Brown arranged for the transfer of funds to the bishop in Nigeria so the classrooms could be completed.

The principal organisers say “the money raising was very important” but the working together of the Morwell community to this appeal is a great example of the old-age spirit of the parish.

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Catholic Life, February 2013 - Page 5

Mary, Full of Grace and Faith is Marian conference theme TRARALGON - The 17th annual Marian Conference at Traralgon will be held on Saturday, May 11.

As part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of Sale Diocese the conference this year will be a festival of devotion to Our Lady who is patroness of the diocese and St Mary’s Cathedral.

The theme approved by Bishop Prowse will be Mary, Full of Grace and Faith.

All diocesan organisations with a Marian devotion are being invited to participate, as are all those people who have visited the various sites of Marian apparitions around the world, such a Lourdes, Knock, Fatima, Medjugorje, and Guadalupe.

Former members of the Sodality of Our Lady which operated among boarders at St Patrick’s College, Sale, and possibly other centres are also being encouraged to participate this year.

Of special interest will be the presence of an icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe which will be brought from Melbourne. There have been claims of miraculous healings among those who have prayed before the icon.

The story of Our Lady of Guada-

lupe is a fascinating one because the apparition occurred in what is now Mexico in 1531, less than 20 years after Spanish forces conquered the Aztec empire.

A “lady from Heaven” appeared to a humble native American at Tepeyac, a hill not far from the sprawling Mexico City.

She identified herself as the ever virgin Holy Mary and requested that a church be built on the site.

When the local bishop hesitated and asked for a sign, the native was told

by Our Lady to go to the top of the hill and pick an assortment of flowers for the bishop.

The man put the flowers in his tilma, a cloak made of cactus cloth, and when they were emptied, a colored picture of Our Lady was clearly evident on the cloth.

The type of cloth used is normally poor quality and decays away in about 20 years but now 481 years later the image is still clear.

The basilica built in her honor and to house the precious tilma, draws between 18 and 20 million pilgrims a year, making it the most visited Christian sanctuary

Fundraising for Divine Mercy Church Lower Chittering Western Australia Fundraising is is continuing, Fundraising continuingsosowe wecan canresume resume construcconstruction of Divine the New Divine tion of the new Mercy Church in Lower Chittering Mercy in of Lower Chittering, on be thethe outskirts of on the church outskirts the city.

This will first church the city. This will Divine be the fiMercy rst church to the dedicated to the in thededicated Perth Archdiocese Divine Mercy in the Perth Archdiocese and State of and state of Western Australia.

Western Australia.

The church has been designed by Peter Anthes and is The church has been designed

by Peter and isby being constructed on land donated to the Anthes Archdiocese being constructed on land donated to the Archdiocese the Prindiville Group. byThe the aim Prindiville Group. has been to design a most beautiful church The aim has been to design most beautiful church which is uplifting and yet veryafunctional for Holy Mass, a whichofiswelcome uplifting and yet very functional for Holy Mass, place pilgrimage.

The church will eventua place of welcome and pilgrimage.

Theseveral church years will by ally be clad in local stone collected over eventually be clad in local stone collected over several parish members. years by priest parishFrmembers.

Parish Paul Fox is appealing for donations and Parish Priest Father Paul Fox is appealing for donations prayers. www.ginginchitteringparish.org.au and prayers. www.ginginchitteringparish.org.au

THE tilma with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is still clearly visible after more than 480 years.

Hurray, its finally school time

PREP teacher, Bronwyn Power, Ava and Olivia completing a puzzle.

TRARALGON - St Michael’s Primary School came to life again for the beginning of the 2013 school year. The school was abuzz with the sounds of excitement, laughter and anticipation.

Monday last week was an exciting milestone for all the school’s new Prep children who arrived at school with their new uniforms, shining shoes and full school bags.

This year the school community also welcomed a new principal Cathy Blackford who was previously at Churchill.

The first day of school is an

important stepping stone in the lives of Prep children and their parents. It is a busy and exciting time for not only the preps but also their teachers, Bronwyn Power and Jodie Wyers. This is the beginning of a partnership between St Michael’s and the new preps and their families as they begin their journey of ‘Learning for Life’.

It is a significant milestone when the seeds for a love of learning, a positive sense of self and a feeling of belonging to a new community are planted.

Mrs Blackford said, “Our Preps have settled well and we

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Page 6 - Catholic Life, February 2013

New evangelisation retreat and mission at SFX BERWICK - The St Francis Xavier College campus at Berwick was the venue for the fourth 10day retreat and mission led by Bishop Christopher Prowse and Br Lalith Perera.

They were assisted by Sr Mercia Perera and a six member team.

They are members of the Community of the Risen Lord, an evangelising community, from Sri Lanka.

Their coming was sponsored by the CRL communities in Australia, with assistance from Our Lady Help of Christians, prayer community and Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

The generosity, of the college, in making available, the assembly hall and facilities was a great blessing.

A free professionally run childcare service was available for all weekend sessions. The generosity of many provided a great variety of food to feed the many participants.

Celebrating the power of God in worship on the Friday night and teaching from Mark 6:6-13, Br Lalith prepared the way, for the retreat.

He encouraged people to not rely on self, trust in the Holy Spirit, not be dismayed by lack of faith around you, because the Church and Australia need you.

Learn to hold onto the promises of God and pray with faith in Jesus who can do all things.

Bishop Prowse taught on maturing as catholic evangelisers on Australia Day, in the years of Faith and Grace.

Firstly, the centrality of Jesus, the giver of all Grace and the foundation and giver of Faith, is paramount. From John 19:2734, Jesus gave His all, to point of blood and water. Find him in the Eucharist. He is married to us, the Church the new Eve. Secondly, the Church, the

BISHOP Prowse, Br Lalith and Sr Mercia Perera, and Inuk at the mission. dwelling place of Jesus; not a Church, through “YOUCAT” in their poverty of spirit, whethplace of competition between or the Catechism. er in jails or in a hectic secular groups or individuals, parish Bishop Prowse shared the world. centred. Pray, for the Pope, in great power of scripture startHe spoke of the fruitfulness the discerning role of Peter. ing with John 1:16 “From His of inviting people from many “Where Peter is, there is the fullness we have received grace places, to opportunities at times Church” St Ambrose. upon grace.” 1 Thess 5:24 like Christmas and Easter to Third, Missionary in nature; “That, if God has called us, He hear the words of Jesus.

Acts 1:.8 ‘Go you will be my will not fail us”.

He said, seek the lead of the witnesses’.

He urged everyone to spend Holy Spirit and step out. You Bishop Prowse drew on John some time each day with scrip- will be popular and unpopular.

4:5-42, the meeting with the ture and like Mary, ponder in On Sunday one of the team Samaritan women at the well silence, to hear what God is Inuk, gave testimony to the and the Emmaus story in Luke saying. Know that Jesus will power of Grace that trans24:12-35, which was stress- be Lord in our life if we allow formed his life, from unbelief ing the call to “propose” not to Him. All that is needed is that and hostility to God, to a willforce. we ‘Repent and believe in Je- ing servant, always ready to Seek the vision of Jesus; seek sus, as Saviour. share the great love of Jesus his face and contemplate Him. Br Lalith spoke of sharing the Br Lalith, spoke of the need Allow Jesus to break through faith in his home city through of a servant nature in all leaderthe cultural barriers and human meetings open to all and always ship, allowing God to build an failings. Give witness, to the inviting in all manner of places. inner attitude of love that is not truth of Jesus. That He is Lord He spoke of the love of Jesus disturbed by others behavior or of all creation. when you reach out to people, doesn’t crave praise.

Give testimony, often in the quietness of living out the Gospel. Stand for the dignity of every person, married life and family life. Meet people where IN Frank O’Loughlin’s Book, they are, lead them on to Jesus. This Time of the Church, he Seek the wisdom of the writes that: It is necessary to keep taking steps forward believing that the Christ who showed himself ‘Lord’ in the culture out of which we are passing, will show himself ~Servicing Gippsland~ ‘Lord’ in the culture into which Maffra 5147 1954 we are passing’. has not abandoned us, there is Discovering the Lord in our still much that is positive about Sale 5144 1954 culture, our world today is an “the world” we live in and that Heyfield 5148 3354 important work for all of us – it we share with people of all culBrad Pal Col is what New Evangelisation is tures and faiths and those who Our Family Caring For Your Family With 25 Years Experience all about – to proclaim Christ profess none. and to seek out Christ who is Discovering the presence of already present, being sensitive the Spirit, discovering what is to the presence and activity of ‘of Christ’ begins when we God in our world. celebrate what’s right with our When Pope Paul VI asked us world, what gives us hope, what to begin anew the proclama- is positive in building up human tion of the Gospel to the people relations, where we see people of our time, that call has been working for fairness and justaken up by his two successors. tice, for the care of creation, for The task we all share is not peace, for the care of those who only to proclaim Jesus and his have so little. message but to discover what is When we are able to celebrate 287 Commercial Rd 303 York St., ‘of Christ’ in our world today, what is right in our world, we YARRAM SALE that is to seek out, to discover, may develop the energy and the 5182 5722 5144 9898 celebrate and encourage and vision to address what may be thus build on the Spirit’s pres- wrong! ence and activity in our world, If we are to be better evanYarram, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, the culture of our time. gelisers, we must first realise Sale, Pakenham, Jindabyne For many, discovering Christ that “New Evangelisation” is Phone 0417 376 483 in the culture of our time, in not just about what the Church our world today, is quite a chal- has to give but also about what lenge. the Church might have to learn There’s a lot of doom and from the world, from our culgloom around at times – bad ture.

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Allowing the word of God to take us out of selfishness and trying to fill our needs, ourselves.

He shared the beautiful writing of Edith Stein (St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) and her translation of Dark Night by St John of the Cross, showing the need to not gloss over suffering; to allow suffering to be a redemptive prayer, sharing it with Jesus; seeking his love and compassion and healing.

“Being refreshed by God” was the theme for Monday to finish the long weekend.

From Tuesday to Friday teachings, were in different churches, talks were on “The power of Faith to move mountains’; ‘Planting the Kingdom in your heart and seeing it grow into a fruitful tree’; ‘Everything is possible to those who believe’; Learning to touch others through the anointing on your life’; and in the final weekend, “Creating change within and without, via the inner journey’.

A number of people shared the transformation in their lives when they had turned to Jesus and asked Him to rescue them, or come into their life. Their lives were turned, from depression, brokenness anger and unforgiveness, to peace and restoration.

DVD’s of all sessions are available to purchase at $10 weekdays and $15 for each day of the weekends. Order from Brian 0422 386 310 or Subo 0419 320 920.

Being a new evangeliser

Reflections

by Jim Quillinan and their journey for meaning in life, when we are willing to learn and journey along with them.

We will become better evangelisers when we become more sensitive to God’s presence and activity in the world, when our discovery of the work of the Spirit in our culture enables us to proclaim our message in terms people can understand, and thus our proclamation may touch and enrich the lives of the people of our time.

New Evangelisation asks us to be discerning enough to recognise and celebrate goodness wherever we find it and humble enough to rejoice in and build on it.

In this way we can often be lead deeper into our own faith tradition, we come to appreciate it more. In this way we can also keep taking steps forward believing that the Christ will show himself ‘Lord’ in the culture into which we are passing’ and thus we will be more authentic signs of God’s vision for our world.

Catholic Life, February 2013 - Page 7

Shanagolden’s first Mass

AFTER the first Eucharist at Shanagolden are (from left) Pakenham parish priest Fr Bernie Mahoney, Catholic Homes director of Catholic identity and mission Maria Egan, and Geoff Crawford.

This allows the community to stay strong and for St Patrick’s parishioners who move into Shanagolden to remain linked with their faith community.

Jane Parsons a long-time parishioner shared her delight that the initiative allowed her to keep in contact with fellow parishioners who move into retirement villages and aged care facilities. It is also welcoming of ‘new’ parishioners who may move into community and those who may be of another faith tradition.

Anyone interested in learning more about Shanagolden are welcome to call the residential

services manager Leonie MacLeod on 5945 3800.

Townville bishop battles cancer BISHOP of Townsville Michael Putney has returned to work following treatment for stomach and liver cancer.

The 66-year-old has incurable and inoperable cancer and has indicated that he intends to keep working for as long as possible.

He was ordained Auxiliary Boshop of Brisbane in 1995 and was appointed Bishop of Townsville in 2001.

KRISTEL Krella, a 2010 Graduate of St Peter’s College, Cranbourne, has recently been awarded a lucrative Monash University Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded for Academic Excellence and Equity and is worth $6000, which Kristel can opt to have paid directly into her bank account or pay off her HEC Fees.

Kristel is studying for a Bachelor of Arts, at Monash Universities Clayton Campus, in Psychology and Sociology.

She tells us that she then intends to undertake her studies for Honours in 2014 with Post Graduate Studies in Psychology.

Kristal works part time at the moment and will this year undertake volunteer work with the Salvation Army to give her more experience in her area of study.

Although Kristel was unsure in what she wanted to do career wise when she completed her Year 12 studies, she “is certain now that this is what I want to do�.

Kristel was one day trying to fill in some time and decided to give a go to attaining a scholarship, something she had never considered doing before.

She was really surprised and obviously very excited when she got the letter a couple of weeks ago telling her of her se-

Krystal Krella lection.

She recommends “anyone undertaking further study considers taking the time to seek out what scholarships are available and giving it a go�. It has proven to be very worthwhile for her.

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PAKENHAM - “Let’s make history� were the words declared by Fr Bernie Mahony of St Patrick’s Parish as the community of residents and fellow parishioners gathered for the first Eucharist at Shanagolden on January 9.

Shanagolden is the newest aged care facility, retirement village and community respite care that has been built on McGregor Rd. in Pakenham by Catholic Homes for the Diocese of Sale.

Fr Mahony began the Mass by thanking all present for being part of this new beginning and explaining how important a milestone this was for St Patrick’s Parish.

Shanagolden is very much part of the parish and there will be a close link between the facility and the community.

Director of Catholic Identity and Mission for Catholic Homes Maria Egan said “It is very much part of our dream that we integrate each of our facilities into the local Catholic community. We have Catholic primary schools, Catholic secondary schools and support parishioners at each stage of their life and this just takes it to the next level of Catholic Aged Care.�

Fr Mahony commented on how well cared for the residents appeared. Each Wednesday the daily parish Mass will be celebrated at Shanagolden followed by a cup of tea and a chat.

Monash scholarship for excellence

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Page 8 - Catholic Life, February 2013

Facing the challenges as the school year begins

DURING my primary and secondary education I always loved the start of the school year.

To me the excitement of new books, which had to be carefully covered with brown paper, the smell of the stationery items, the newness and cleanliness of everything was intoxicating.

Unfortunately, that’s pretty much where it stopped! The actual experience of school was often disappointing.

I struggled with regimentation and the repetition of things I already knew or had picked up very quickly.

Then, there was the anxiety and fear of failure associated with the things that were not so easily absorbed. But I do remember believing, quite clearly, that every year was a new start and that, perhaps, this year would be different.

As I matured I realized that with each new beginning the responsibility for the experience to be different rested mainly with me. I could make it different if I was able to carry the early excitement with me into all the other experiences.

The memory of those experiences, disappointments and challenges helped me when I decided to make teaching my profession.

I tried to remember what it was like at the beginning of each year and therefore be receptive to the different ways in which the children I taught

Talking Catholic Education with Maria Kirkwood might be feeling about the challenges ahead.

In education generally and, of course, Catholic education specifically, we have started on the journey of a new year.

As Catholic communities this year we complete The Year of Grace and move into the Year of Faith.

The theme for Catholic Education Week will be Faith in Action.

There are many challenges ahead for all of us. For the teachers and leaders in our schools and colleges there is the ever-present need to make each place of learning an authentic Catholic community that celebrates and actively lives out the gospel values that are an integral part of our being as Catholics.

Each school community aims to achieve this with respect for its history and particular identity, bearing in mind always the uniqueness of the experiences of those who make up that community.

Members of the Catholic Education Office will be working to help principals and leaders

make sense of the many curriculum developments, leadership and compliance expectations that will come from a range of quarters, as well as assisting schools to focus on the faith and spiritual development of staff and students.

New programs, new expectations but always the same emphasis on the privilege of being someone charged with care of the young and the vulnerable.

In the words of Henry Adams, “A teacher affects eternity”.

As educators we continue to be engaged in the changing face of curriculum development and delivery, wellbeing of students and staff and, for each local area, the specific issues relating to place and space and the best use of precious resources for which we are all accountable to ensure they are used in the best interests of the students in our care.

The coming year will be, no doubt, full and exciting. With the announcement of the Federal election, to be held later this year, we can expect more information on the funding model that will affect our system of

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schools.

We cannot underestimate the impact this may have and we will all be called upon to play our part in ensuring the best outcome for Catholic schools.

The Catholic Church (along with many other organisations in Australia) will face the issues to be raised and publicly aired through the Royal Commission

Prep boy ends up as teacher’s principal

DON Bosco Primary School principal Brendan Marrinon with Margaret Johnston who retired at the end of 2012 after a teaching career of 47 years.

NARRE WARREN - At the end of the 2012 school year, Don Bosco Primary School, Narre Warren, farewelled a much loved and respected classroom teacher, Margaret Johnston, as she retired from teaching.

Miss Johnston began her teaching career in 1965 at St Mary Magdalene’s Primary School, Chadstone.

Unbeknownst to her, one of her pupils who was in her class on her first day of teaching would also be present on her final day as a teacher, but this time in his role as her principal!

She announced at the end of year staff luncheon, “The first grade I taught in 1965 was a Prep grade. I am so pleased that one of those Prep students I taught back then can be here today, and that student is Brendan Marrinon.”

Both Miss Johnston and Mr Marrinon were unaware of this amazing coincidence until quite recently when they were having dinner and reminiscing about her career when they realized that he had been one of her first students.

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into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

What we must ensure is that, whilst these are significant big picture challenges, we cannot be distracted from the day to day importance of nurturing the spirit and life of our Catholic schools in the diocese, confident of the presence of grace by virtue of our commitment.

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Mr Marrinon has often said that Miss Johnston was one of the teachers who inspired him to become a teacher.

Although she had very little (no) training before her appointment at St Mary Magdalene’s, both Mr Marrinon and her remember the class as being quite big (about 50 students) with classes being conducted in a hallway.

He can remember that particularly during “Show and Tell,” there was often much laughter and fun.

Although neither have a class photograph, Mr Marrinon still has his Prep report, which it has to be said is not all that flattering!

After completing her secondary education Miss Johnston was offered a teaching position at Chadstone where there were many immigrants from the United Kingdom at the time.

After spending seven years at St Mary Magdalene’s, she taught in many Catholic schools in the Melbourne area and in Queensland. She also spent a few years as a teacher librarian, where she undoubtedly shared her passion for reading.

Miss Johnston taught at Don Bosco from 2003 to the end of 2012. Her junior grade farewelled Miss Johnston by singing a special song to her at assembly and one of her past students in an older grade led a very well prepared and clever presentation at the school’s end of year Mass.

The community at Don Bosco will miss Margaret’s professional dedication and wish all the best in her retirement.

Catholic Life, February 2013 - Page 9

Open Doors into the Future

You can make a difference Appeal for your generosity

CHILDREN from the Matuba village in Mozambique.

THANKS to your support, Caritas Australia funds the Matuba Children’s Centre. This Centre provides education, food and life skills for orphaned and vulnerable children, like Ditosa, 12.

Ditosa lives in the village of Matuba, near Chokwe in Mozambique. Her parents died of AIDS-related illnesses, so Ditosa and her little sister, Fique, 7, are cared for by their grandmother and aunt who are both HIV positive and too weak to work.

An extremely poor community, most of the houses in Matuba are built of mud bricks. There is no sewerage system, so the toilets are deep holes in the ground surrounded by reed screens. Until two years ago Ditosa’s family had to walk two kilometres to collect water from a water pump. Now with one installed in the village, there are two taps which dispense clean water for the community.

Without having to walk such a long way to collect water, Ditosa’s daily routine is now much simpler. On the days she attends school, she enjoys sharing what she has learnt with her grandmother.

“I like my grandmother because she takes care of me; she helps me wash and gives me clothes,” said Ditosa.

Many children in this area have lost one or both of their parents to AIDS. In Mozambique, an estimated 11.5% of adults live with HIV and there are approximately 670,000 children aged 0-17 orphaned to AIDS (UN 2009). In Matuba, the proportion of people with HIV is even higher. Five years ago, when Caritas Chokwe offered free HIV tests in Matuba, over 50% of the people who came forward for testing were HIV positive.

Director of Caritas Chokwe Mama Cacilda said “Lots of local people go away looking for work. They contract HIV while they are away and bring it back to the community, and it spreads.

Many are sick and many parents have died of AIDS, leaving children with no food or education.”

With a generation missing and many grandparents struggling to provide for grandchildren, in 2007 the need for a centre for orphaned and vulnerable children was identified. Caritas Chokwe coordinated the project and Caritas Australia supplied the funding for the Matuba Children’s Centre.

Here, children learn computer skills and crafts such as sewing and jewellery making, and receive extra help with their study. The centre also provides children

and family members with antiretroviral drugs to help manage HIV/AIDS. There is a chicken house, where they learn how to raise chickens for food and to sell, and a workshed where they learn carpentry and make wooden stools. The centre also has a vegetable garden where the children help to grow vegetables to eat and to sell.

DITOSA learning at school.

In the kitchen, lunch is prepared every day by community volunteers. This is often the children’s only meal for the day. Hygiene is also an important aspect and to help with this, a toilet and shower block was installed. “I teach the children that they always must be clean,” said Elvira Mabundi, Centre Coordinator.

Ditosa’s favourite things to do at the centre are carpentry and jewellery making, and she appreciates the extra help she receives with schoolwork.

“I like coming to the centre because it helps me. I come to study and I get something I don’t get at school. What I enjoy most is making earrings and necklaces,” she said.

As Ditosa’s grandmother and aunt are both too sick to work, their family depends on the kindness of more distant family members. So the food, medicines and support they receive from the centre are a lifeline.

With your support, Matuba Children’s Centre opens doors for children and young people. Here, they find hope for the future and a safe place where they can grow.

Your donation to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion gives expression to the Gospel imperative to pursue justice and help those suffering from poverty and disadvantage in more than 30 countries around the world.

To donate, support or fundraise for Project Compassion 2013 please visit our website at www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or Ph: 1800 024 413

EVERY year, Caritas Australia asks for your support and every year we witness faith in action when we receive your generous response.

In 2012, you helped us break records.

We aimed for $10 million, but together we raised more than $10.7 million!

This is unprecedented and we are humbled to see this demonstration of almsgiving throughout the sacred Lenten period. We wholeheartedly thank the Australian community for your generosity.

One of this country’s largest humanitarian fundraisers, Project Compassion brings together thousands of Australians in solidarity with the world’s poor.

In 2013 our message of hope remains as powerful as ever. Through opening the doors of opportunity, the lives of young people, their families and communities are transformed.

This year, Project Compassion’s theme is based on the opening quote by the Holy Father, “Open doors into the future”.

As in previous years, this Lent, Caritas Australia will engage with the Catholic community through Project Com-

passion.

Every day, Caritas Australia staff and volunteers work to open doors all over the world. This leads to better health, better education, better nutrition and safer environments to live in, and these open doors lay the path to achieving our vision: • A just and fair world, • A world in balance, • At peace and free of poverty; • A world, which the Church in Australia helps build, • Where all human beings can live in dignity and • Communities are architects of their own development.

It is the hearts, minds, actions and generosity of the Australian community, who hold a key to our vision; the key to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

It is humbling, that even in times of personal hardship, such as we have just witnessed with the bushfires that ripped across the country, Australians are always prepared to open the doors to their hearts and express their faith through acts of charity.

PLEASE SUPPORT

PROJECT COMPASSION PASSION Your donation helps open pen doors to a better future re for the world’s poorest st llike ike Ditosa in Mozambique. e.

1800 024 413

www.caritas.org.au

All donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Photo credit: Erin Johnson

Page 10 - Catholic Life, February 2013

Vicar General tells supporters about Ochobo visit AFTER almost 12 months of fundraising and with $12,500 invested, the Project Ochobo team were pleased to meet with Vicar General Fr Peter Slater in January after his return from an overseas trip that included a stop-over in the village of Ochobo, Nigeria.

The team has recently received plans from Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Otukpo that outline the anticipated stages of pumping water from a small river to the villagers of Ochobo.

Bishop Apochi gave Fr Slater a guided tour of the area while experiencing life around the Cathedral of Otukpo.

Fr Slater, who is parish priest of Berwick, began a Bible Study Tour in November and took the opportunity to digress to Nigeria.

Sale Diocese has priests from not only Nigeria, but Sri Lanka and India, among other countries working in parishes and fitting in with the Gippsland culture. Fr Slater saw the opportunity to see and experience the Nigerian culture.

The Nigerian Priests from the Diocese of Otukpo, Fr Joseph Abutu (currently serving Korumburra, Leongatha, Foster and Yarram parishes) and Fr Francis Innocent Otobo, (currently serving Morwell and Churchill parishes) both negotiated with Bishop Apochi on the details of Fr Slater’s arrival at Otukpo.

Fr Slater was warmly welcomed and proudly showed the Project Ochobo team photos of the seminarians traditional dancing in tribal outfits before he was presented with his own decorative traditional jacket.

THE Project Ochobo team (from left ) Barney and Joy O’Meara, Ray Ludenia, Terry and Vic Ferrone, Fr Peter Slater, Jan and Ken Loughnan, Hazel Rossi and Maree Ludenia. Absent, Dianne Stewart.

He was impressed with the devout culture of the people’s faith. On Sundays there were three Masses at the Cathedral, one in English and two in tribal languages.

The Project Ochobo team were amazed to hear that between 1500 and 2000 people attended each service, with the majority walking long distances from surrounding villages, farms and towns.

Each service takes longer than our western Masses; the homilies are long and well drilled altar servers are always ‘at the ready’. Each Mass includes delightful rhythmic singing – with only light drumming as an accompaniment. Communion is taken in the traditional manner of kneeling at the altar rails.

Bishop Apochi made time to conduct Fr Slater to the site of the water source, about 2km from the village of Ochobo.

An interesting observation made by Fr Slater was that the Bishop was also “very hands on with the operations of his parishes”.

The Project Ochobo team appreciated the first hand descriptions and photos of Fr Slater’s visit to Ochobo and the Otukpo Diocese and look forward to further correspondence from Bishop Apochi giving the team updates about the ultimate aim of their project: supplying water to the villagers of Ochobo the home of Fr Abutu.

BISHOP Michael Ekwoyi Apochi with Fr Peter Slater standing near the river at Ochobo.

THE river where the pump will be located.

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Quick calendar

What’s on & when February 13 – Ash Wednesday (Day of Fast) 13 – Project Compassion Lenten Appeal beings 13 – Catholic Life publication 20 – West Region meeting, Nar Nar Goon, 10.30am 21 – Valley region meeting, Traralgon Parish Centre, noon 26 – Cathedral restoration appeal (all parishes)

March 4 – Deadline for March Catholic Life 6 – South region meeting, Leongatha, 11.15am 11 – Labor Day Holiday 13 – Catholic Life publication 18 – St Patrick’s Day solemnity 19 – St Joseph solemnity 19 – Central region meeting, Drouin, 7.30pm 24 – Palm Sunday 28 - Holy Thursday 28 – Term one ends 29 – Good Friday 29 – Special collection for Holy Places 30 – Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil 31 – Easter Sunday

April 7 – Divine Mercy Sunday 7 – Daylight saving ends (turn clocks back 1 hour) 8 – Deadline for April Catholic Life 8 – Annunciation 15 – Second term begins 16 – East region meeting, Lakes Entrance, 10.30am 17 – Catholic Life publication 18 – Valley region meeting, Morwell, noon 21 – Good Shepherd Sunday 21 – Special collection for Education of Seminarians Bursary Fund 23 – World Book Day (UN) 23 – Diocesan pastoral council meeting, Sion House, Warragul 25 – Anzac Day 26 – St Mark Feast Day

May Bishop’s Family Foundation appeal month 3 – Sts Philip and James Feast Day 6 – Deadline for May Catholic Life 11 – Annual Marian Conference, St Michael’s, Traralgon 12 – Ascension 12 – Mother’s Day 13 – Our Lady of Fatima 14 – Central region meeting, Trafalgar, 7.30pm 15 – Catholic Life publication 15 – Release of Bishop Prowse’s pastoral letter on new five year pastoral program for diocese 19 – Pentecost 22 – West region meeting, Nar Nar Goon, 10.30am 24 – Our Lady Help of Christians solemnity 26 – Trinity Sunday 31 – Visitation of the BVM Feast Day

June 2 – Corpus Christi Sunday 3 – Deadline for June Catho-

lic Life 7 – Sacred Heart of Jesus solemnity 8 – Immaculate Heart of Mary memorial 8-9 – St Vincent de Paul Society annual collection for the poor 10 – Queen’s Birthday Holiday 12 – Catholic Life publication 20 – World Refugee Day (UN) 20 – Valley region meeting, St Kieran’s, Moe 24 – Birth of John the Baptist solemnity 26 - South region meeting, Leongatha, 11.15am 28 – Second term ends 29 – Sts Peter and Paul solemnity

July Peter’s Pence collection month 3 – St Thomas Feast Day 8 – Deadline for July Catholic Life 9 – Ramadan begins 15 – Third term begins 17 – Catholic Life publication 22 – St Mary Magdalene memorial 23-28 – World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro 25 – St James Feast Day

August Social Welfare – CatholicCare Collection month 5 – Deadline for August Catholic Life 6 – Transfiguration of the Lord solemnity 8 – St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day 9 - International Day of Indigenous Peoples (UN) 12 – International Youth Day (UN) 13 - East region meeting, Bairnsdale, 10.30am 14 – Catholic Life publication 15 – Assumption solemnity (Holy Day) 15 – Valley region meeting, Traralgon, noon Mass, followed by meeting 17 - Diocesan pastoral council meeting, St Michael’s Parish Centre, Traralgon 20 – Central region meeting, Warragul, 7.30pm 21 – West region meeting, Nar Nar Goon, 10.30am 22 – Queenship of Mary memorial

September 1 – Father’s Day 1 – Priests’ Welfare Foundation annual Father’s Day Collection 2 – Jewish New Year 2 – Deadline for September Catholic Life 4-6 – Australasian Catholic Press Association conference, Melbourne 6-8 – Australasian Religious Press Association conference, Melbourne 11 – Catholic Life publication 14 – Federal election 14 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross Feast Day 20 – Third term ends 21 – International Day of Peace (UN)

Catholic Life, February 2013 - Page 11

Beware the super death trap THE beneficiary of a life insurance policy held within a superannuation fund recently had to wait nearly 12 months to get the payment to which she was entitled.

She is not alone in suffering the delay in payments this way – there are many similar cases where payments must by law be delayed, in some cases for a considerable time.

This is because of the laws governing distributions from superannuation funds which bind trustees.

When someone dies there are emotional issues and not the least, financial pressure also. It is a time when a life insurance policy pay-out would be welcome.

However the laws governing these pay outs mean that unless the superannuant has prepared correctly, the payment can be delayed. Since SuperChoice was introduced some years ago, all employer superannuation funds must have life insurance available for members, for at least $50,000, so this is a problem that will only become bigger over time.

Any superannuant has the option of nominating to whom his or her benefit should be paid if they die before retiring. Normally superannuation in this case forms part of the state and is treated accordingly, with some exceptions.

The law imposes on a trustee of a superannuation fund the obligation to ensure that any person who may have a claim on the estate is considered. In most cases this is straight forward – there may just be a surviving spouse and children. In many cases it is far more complicated.

Where the deceased is in a second marriage there may be an ex-spouse and other children who may believe they have a claim on the estate. The trustee must take steps to identify any such potential claimants, and then consider their position.

This in itself can take time – the trustee must look at the deceased’s whole life and check if there are any family or associated persons who may have a legitimate claim. They must be asked if they have a claim or not.

Once the trustee and we’re talking superannuation trustee, not the executor of the estate still, has reached a decision he must allow each potential claimant 28 days to consider his decision and lodge an objection if they choose.

The trustee then has up to 90 days to consider the objection and issue a further determination. If there is another objection (by another potential beneficiary) then the process starts again and takes another 118 days.

Where there may have been an acrimonious divorce these objections are not rare. They can be spiteful and in some cases are pursued simply to cause mischief.

Nevertheless, delays of nearly a year can occur before the payout reaches the estate. Not only can this cause financial

DOLLAR$ & SENSE with David Wells

hardship, in some cases it may also delay the winding up or distribution of an estate. Quite often the insurance payout may be the largest portion of the estate, too.

There is a simple solution to all this, and that is to lodge a “Binding Nomination” with the trustees that directs them to pay the balance of the superannuation fund to a specific person or persons in a fixed proportion.

A normal nomination does not bind the trustees, but they must comply with a binding one, which is executed similarly to a deed. If your superannuation fund will allow it, make sure you have lodged a binding nomination.

You owe it to yourself and those to whom you wish to benefit from your fund if you die. It is cheaper to prevent the problem arising than for someone who may not care, to manage it.

Unfortunately some super funds do not accept binding nominations, so ask your fund if they do. If they do not I

strongly suggest that you look at an alternative.

• This report is intended to provide general advice. In preparing this advice, David Wells and Baillieu Holst Ltd did not take into account the investment objective, the financial situation and particular needs of any particular person.

Before making an investment decision on the basis of this advice, you need to consider, with or without the assistance of an adviser, whether the advice is appropriate in light of your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.

Fine tune numbers for paper SCHOOL principals are asked to advise any adjustments in the number of issues of Catholic Life to be delivered each month in 2013.

A change in enrolments could mean you will have to adjust numbers.

Just email the number of issues you want to catholiclife@ sale.catholic.org.au.

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Page 12 - Catholic Life, February 2013

The coal mining community of Wonthaggi THE State Coal Mine at Wonthaggi had a 50 year history from 1909 to 1968.

This was similar to Walhalla’s 50 year history of gold mining, which ended as Wonthaggi began.

Up to this time black coal mines run by private enterprise in south west Gippsland were scattered, undercapitalised and liable to strikes. The Victorian government decided in 1909 to begin the Wonthaggi mine as a state enterprise to ensure supplies of black coal were available. The coal was needed mainly for the railways, and supplies from NSW were not reliable.

In remarkably quick time a tent town was erected and mining began. Once the mine was properly established, over 1500 miners were employed, and half a million tons of coal a year was being produced.

The town soon had proper, permanent housing, and accommodated about 8000 people, the fifth largest town in Victoria.

But this initial success masked some longer term problems. Soon there was overproduction: the surplus the railways did not need for its own locomotives was never successfully marketed to the Melbourne public as loose coal for heating, boilers and other uses.

Moreover, the coal at Wonthaggi, though of good quality, occurred in blocks that had severe slippages, so that seams could not easily be mined on the same levels, which greatly increased costs of mining.

The Wonthaggi mine developed as a union influenced enterprise, which brought its own problems. Andrew Reeves has recently published a book Up From the Underworld on the Wonthaggi mining community.

In Wonthaggi the same group of militant miners came to dominate the union, the local ALP branch, and the Wonthaggi Borough Council.

They were also very influential in the Co-operative Store, the Workingmens’ Club, the local hospital and the local medical benefits’ society. It was a community totally dependent on the mine, which had its good and bad aspects.

Wonthaggi was a company town with one employer, the government, and one union, the Victorian Coal Miners Association, a branch of the Federated Miners Union. This monopoly situation did not leave much room for manoeuvre.

Gippsland Gistory H with Patrick Morgan

WONTHAGGI coal miners at work in the underground mine.

The Wonthaggi miners how the communists exaggerformed a tight knit community, ated grievances for ideological with a history of industrial de- reasons. mands and disruption, which Although there were genuine led to constant tension between problems and need for reform, the union and the mine manag- the persistence of disruptive acers. A series of strikes occurred tion and strikes suggests union in the 1920s and 1930s. demands were being used for Underground miners tend to ulterior ends. It is strange that be more radical than open cut in his book Andrew Reeves ones, such as at Yallourn in the writes more favorably about Latrobe Valley. Union leaders militant than about moderate at Wonthaggi preferred direct action to gradual reform and negotiation.

Many Wonthaggi miners came from Britain and Scot- WOULD YOU DATE YOU? land, and brought with them by Anthony Buono, published the ideological belief, common by Servant Books, distributed in the British pits, that there by Rainbow Books, paperalways existed an implacable back, 138 pages, rrp $23.95. class struggle between workers and bosses. Co-operation was WHO would have thought that not high on the agenda. you need a book on dating?

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He says many people are undemands, which naturally inrealistic in their dating, hoping creased the credibility of the to attract someone who would militant union leaders. not normally be interested in The Communist Party line them, while rejecting all those was that conditions in Wonthag- who would. gi mines were worse than those Dating can become a routine in the Soviet Union, which was of repeated mistakes based on not remotely true, and showed wrong assumptions.

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union activities.

By this stage the communist and extreme left union leaders at Wonthaggi had become so powerful and influential that some of them became leaders of the national executive of the Federated Miners Union.

There were more strikes in the later 1930s and early 1940s, and a disastrous explosion in 1938 in which 13 miners died.

During the Second World War the militant miner leadership opposed the war effort in its early years, because the Soviet Union was then allied with Nazi Germany, whom we were fighting.

The union policy of disrupting our war effort which was not in the interest of local miners. The ALP members now sensibly opposed the militants rather than working with them as in the past.

But when Hitler invaded Russia in the 1941 the communist leadership suddenly changed its position, supported the war effort, opposed militant action, and inaugurated a ‘no strikes’ policy, for ideological rather than industrial reasons, for the rest of the war. These were decisions which had nothing to do with actual conditions at Wonthaggi.

In the great national coal strike of 1949 the Wonthaggi branch was naturally in the forefront of the campaign, sup-

porting a nation-wide strike to bring the country to a standstill for no good reason except to further communist aims of maximum disruption.

The strike was a disastrous tactic, soon beaten by the firmness of the Chiefly Labor government. By backing a pointless strike the Communist Party lost its remaining credibility.

The strike was particularly suicidal for Wonthaggi because the future of the mine was itself uncertain. Ordinary workers deserved better than this.

Coal was less needed after the Second World War, as diesel oil was increasingly used to replace it in rail transport. Union militancy meant the Victorian government was less likely to keep in existence a marginal mine which had caused it so much trouble. Output gradually declined and the mine eventually closed in 1968.

But against all expectations, the township of Wonthaggi survived and eventually thrived.

Today it is the centre of an expanding retail and tourist region, and the headquarters of the Bass Shire.

• Andrew Reeves Up From the Underworld: Coalminers and Community in Wonthaggi 1909-1968, Monash University Publishing, Clayton, 2011

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Talking about Books it is never too late to start making the necessary changes.

SAVED BY BEAUTY - A Spiritual Journey with Dorothy Day, by Michael O’Neill McGrath, published

by World Library Publications, distributed by Rainbow Books, hardback, 98 pages, rrp $64.95.

THIS book is an interesting one because if combines some of the thoughts of celebrated American Catholic activist Dorothy Day with the talented artwork of Br Michael McGrath.

Day was an outspoken journalist, a convert to Catholicism, who was a co-founder of the Catholic Workers’ Movement.

In her lifetime she was a thorn to many within the Church but in 2000 her cause for canonisation was accepted and she is now officially known as a Servant of God. The book tells the basic story of Day and the author has revisited many of the places she visited and worked to illustrate the book.

Some of her writing is reproduced in the book but it is really the artwork which carries the most weight.

It is the sixth book by the

author who is a talented writer and speaker, as well as an artist who loves to make connections between art and faith.

PRAYERS FOR LITTLE HANDS - GOODNIGHT, published by Lion Hudson, distributed by Rainbow Books, cardboard pages, 8 pages, rrp $9.99.

THIS board book is probably the most simple prayer booklet available for young children.

There is a four line prayer spread over their eight pages which simply say “I thank you God for those I love, And for the fun we share, I snuggle in my cosy bed and say goodnight to bear.”

There are four jigsaw pieces which pop into place on each double page. Even here youngsters do not have to be able to recognise the difference between shapes because the image of each piece is printed on the spot where it fits.

We imagine that such a book would be suitable for children aged between one and three and the solid cardboard pages mean that no damage will come to the book if the youngster decides he or she wants to tuck it under their pillow.

Catholic Life, February 2013 - Page 13

Youth office gearing for a very busy year THE Youth Ministry Office is gearing up for an exciting and jam-packed year for youth ministry in Australia.

There is so much happening for young Catholics here in the Diocese of Sale, nationally, and of course World Youth Day 2013 in Rio that we will all have a full dance card this year.

All year we will be building to the first ever Australian Catholic Youth Festival to be held in Melbourne December 5-7.

The festival, celebrating the young heart of the Church in Australia, is a fantastic opportunity for year 9 to 25 year olds in our diocese to experience all the joy and vibrancy of our faith.

To find out how your community can get involved make sure you send a representative to the special information session on March 7 (details below).

Rio is beckoning for many young people the dioceses of Victoria join together to head to WYD to meet the Pope.

Registrations for pilgrims will

close in March so if you know anyone who is still tossing up the idea to make the pilgrimage please give Jess Denehy a yell ASAP on 5622 6600..

Retreat experiences for young people are also on the agenda this year with a special retreat for Year 11 and 12 students planned to June 21-22, and our annual school holiday youth camp for secondary students September 23-25.

Our annual diocesan youth gathering will again embrace the Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The Bishop will invite the young people to join him at the Cathedral on November 3.

We hope you and the young people of your community will join us on this amazing journey!

Long weekend youth ideas LONG weekend ideas for your youth group Forest Edge Music Festival, Neerim East: weekend of music and camping hosted by Christian Youth Camp Ministries, March 8-10; www.forestedge. org.au Light to the Nations Easter Youth Pilgrimage, Appin, NSW, camping under the open

skies and joining in an awesome celebration of the Easter liturgies hosted by the Disciples of Jesus Community; www. lightthenations.org.au State Youth Games, Lardner Park, Warragul: action-packed weekend of sports and activities organised by Youth Vision Victoria. June 7-10; www.stateyouthgames.com

Catholic youth festival

By Cassie Gawley THE Australian Catholic Youth Festival is an event which provides young people with the opportunity to come together to celebrate the young heart of the Church of Australia, to hear music by Australian artists including Fr Rob Galea, meet other young people from across the country, make new friends, talk about their lives, discover more about evangelisation and have a whole lot of fun!

ACYF will be held in Melbourne from December 5- 7.

Expected to attract 3000 young people, the festival will be the largest national youth gathering since World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.

An information session is being held on March 7 for parish, school or youth group leaders who would like to learn more about the festival in order to promote it to young people and encourage them to attend this historic event.

More information about the festival can be found on the ACYF website www.youthfestival.catholic.org.au or by calling Jess or Cassie at the Diocesan Youth Ministry Office on 5622 6600.

Loch celebrates significant dates LOCH - Parishioners at St Vincent’s Catholic Church in Loch had a cuppa after Mass on January 20.

The intention was to celebrate any happy event that the parishioners experienced throughout the months of December, January and into February.

While 30 people were tucking into lamingtons and ginger fluff sponge, Maree Ludenia read out the long celebratory list that was compiled over previous weeks.

It included various birthdays, in particular an 87th, Ken and Jan Loughnan’s wedding anniversary, Ann and John Larkins became first time grandparents to baby Mabel, Hazel and Jim Rossi are expecting a great grandchild in February.

And finally great tidings from

THE small Loch community comes together after Mass to celebrate happy events with Fr Peter Kooloos (centre). two people that St Vincent’s light the one big candle on the have been offering prayers to cake it was the children who help them through their cancer decided we should sing “Happy treatment. Both Rob O’Shea everything to us”. It was to the and Patrick Masterson have re- tune of ‘Happy Birthday’; it ceived news this week that they worked very well. And ‘yes’ all the children had a turn at bloware in remission.

Then, when the time came to ing out the candle.

Celebrating 30 years of RCIA

By Rita Elswyk THE Sale Diocese covers a large and varied part of our state. There are 29 parishes in all, scattered over widely different areas, some isolated by mountains; some near the sea and others so much closer to Melbourne than Sale that they could easily be part of the Archdiocese.

We have farming, mining, fishing and industrial communities; corridor towns that are bursting with growth; Latrobe Valley towns that have lost their major employers and other services.

Add to this mixture the vast differences between our borders and you have a unique setting for our story…….

It appears that the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults first began in our diocese when Fr Peter Slater introduced it to the Bairnsdale parish in the early 1980’s.

The parish of St Agatha’s in Cranbourne started the catechumenate on July 20, 1983.

In the next 10 years, most parishes took up the challenge of implementing the RCIA. Our story as a diocese really begins with the appointment of Sr Audrey Thompson RSJ as pastoral associate for our diocese in 1992.

Around that time Bishop Coffey wrote to all parishes advising “….the Catechumenate has lacked a diocesan face because the role of the bishop in the process has been minimal” Bishop Coffey then invited all parishes to the very first Rite of Election for our diocese to be held in Morwell on the Febru-

ary 28, 1993. Our cathedral in Sale was under renovation and would not be available on this occasion.

This historic first Rite of Election was a wonderful, joyous celebration and those present will never forget the music and warmth of the occasion. There were 12 catechumens and 13 candidates presented to Bishop Coffey before a full church..

We now had the support of our bishop and were getting to know each other as well.

In June 1994, we went a step further and had our first Mystagogia Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral.

In July 1995, Sr Audrey brought us together again for a diocesan seminar which included RCIA workshops and inspiration from Anne McMillan.

Sadly, Sr Audrey’s time in our diocese came to an end in December 1995. A small group met together in order to plan the 1996 Rite of Election and Mystagogia Mass. We did not want to lose the sense of diocese which had developed.

Many representatives from our diocese attended the national conference at Harrietville in August 1996 .Following the conference, RoseMarie Black took on the role as diocesan RCIA coordinator until 2011 with Rita Elswyk taking on this role in 2012.

As we look back from those early days to 2013, we rejoice that the RCIA is alive and well in the Sale Diocese.

Twenty years ago we met to celebrate our first Rite of Election.

We hope that many people will attend this Sunday (February 17) at 3pm we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this ceremony at the cathedral.

In the past 20 years we have welcomed over 900 people into the community of the Catholic Church.

We give thanks to God for 30 years of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. We are blessed with the gift of new life and faith in Christ.

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Page 14 - Catholic Life, February 2013

For the Young and Young at Heart Neptune puts his foot down

Time for a Laugh

A MAN walked out to the street and caught a taxi just going by. He got into the taxi, and the cabbie said, “Perfect timing. You’re just like Brian.”

Passenger: “Who?” Cabbie: “Brian. He’s a guy who did everything right all the time. Like my coming along when you needed a cab, things happen like that to Brian, every single time.”

Passenger: “There are always a few clouds over everybody.”

Cabbie: “Not Brian - He was a terrific athlete. He could have won the Grand Slam at tennis. He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star and you should have heard him play the piano. He was an amazing guy.”

Passenger: “Sounds like he was something really special.”

Cabbie: “There’s more.

He had a memory like a computer. He remembered everybody’s birthday. He knew all about wine, which foods to order and which fork to eat them with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out. But Brian, he could do everything right.”

Passenger: “Wow. Some guy then.”

Cabbie: “He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams. Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them.

“NO daughter of mine is going out dressed like that!”

But Brian, he never made a mistake, and he really knew how to treat a woman Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age . . . . . and make her feel good. He would never answer her back even if she was in the Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wrong; and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too. He was School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the perfect man! He never made a mistake. No one Post entries to Catholic Life, PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820 could ever measure up to Brian ...”

Brain tester - What’s the missing number?

Passenger: “An amazing fellow. How did you meet him?”

Cabbie: “Well, I never actually met Brian. He died WINNER of our December ... I’m married to his widow.” colouring contest was Sarah A PRIEST was invited to Rainey, who attends St attend a house party and Mary’s Primary School in decided he would dress Sale. formally complete with his It was a magnificent priest’s collar. effort - complete with some A little boy kept staring at glitter ink to complement him the entire evening. a Christmas scene of Santa Finally, the priest asked the little boy what he was decorating his Christmas staring at. scene.

The little boy pointed to We look forward to many the priest’s neck. entries each month this year.

Our Santa contest winner

When the priest finally realized what the boy was pointing at, He asked the boy, “Do you know why I am wearing that?”

The boy nodded his head yes, and replied, “It kills fleas and ticks for up to three months”.

THERE were two cows, chatting over the fence between their fields.

The first cow said, “I tell you, this mad-cow-disease is really pretty scary. They say it is spreading fast; I heard it hit some cows down on the Johnson Farm.”

The other cow replies, “I am not worried, it doesn’t affect us ducks.”

MY wife asked me to go down to the shops for her and gave me a long list of stuff to buy. She wanted ingredients for soup including cauliflower and peas. She asked me to get a new bulb for the fridge, some elastic to repair the waistband on her jogging pants as well as calling at the local farm for eggs and the vets for a breath freshener for the dog who poisons us every time he yawns. To remember it I wrote it out as follows: soupacaulifridgeelasticeggspeashalitosis.

A PRIEST parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn’t find a parking spot.

Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: “I have circled the block 10 times. If I don’t park here, I’ll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses.”

When he returned, he found a parking ticket with this note “I’ve circled this block for 10 years. If I don’t give you a ticket I’ll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.”

A PRIEST waited in line to fill his car with petrol just before a long holiday weekend.

After finally getting to the pump and filling the tank he went in to pay for the fuel and the attendant said “It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.”

The priest chuckled, “I know what you mean. It’s the same in my business.”

ANSWER: In each segment, the difference between the inner and outer numbers is 9, with the highest and lowest numbers alternating each step. Therefore the correct answer is seven.

Catholic Life, February 2015 - Page 15

Catholic Life Classifieds wanted known Let’s leave something for those in need

The Bishop’s Family Foundation helps families by funding charitable projects throughout the Diocese of Sale.

You can help by making a bequest in your will.

If you need more information contact

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VOCATIONS

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Priests & Deacons Are you considering a vocation as a priest or deacon for the Diocese of Sale?

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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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SERVICES will be held in over 170 countries and islands on Friday, March 1, when some three million people will be taking part in a World Day of Prayer.

In the Sale Diocese, services will be held at the various locations listed at www.worlddayofprayeraustralia.org/locate-a-

Classified Ads 1, 2, 3 step advertising 2... Check cost at right hand side

3...Post form with appropriate amount.

Please send cheque or money order with advertisement to:

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We are the only newspaper other than metropolitan dailies to deliver from the outer eastern suburbs, through Gippsland to the NSW border.

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service.

This year the service focuses on the women of France. In keeping with their theme, they pray for the women and men who dare to cross borders to study or work drawn by the promise of a job and a better life.

They thank God in gratitude for those who have succeeded.

They pray with alarm and concern for those who are caught in the dangerous trap of human trafficking. They ask God to help them reach out to these people so that they can be free and live in dignity.

They pray for the courage to face the reasons why people are driven from their homes through wars, natural disasters, damage caused by climate change or a failed economy.

They pray that they will be serious about identifying causes and steadfast in finding solutions. They pray that they will be responsible and generous in caring for one another.

On this World Day of Prayer, they come united to voice their needs and express their concerns to God. Their story reflects some of our own concerns in Australia.

Therefore their call for prayer resonates with us, as we echo the phrase from the story Jesus told in Matthew 25:35 “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”.

Further information and resources can be found on the World Day of Prayer Australia website www.worlddayofprayeraustralia.org

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Page 16 - Catholic Life, February 2013

Award to SFX student

Staff meet for opening Mass

TAYLAH Algie receives her award from Anthony Byrne, MHR, Holt.

BERWICK - St Francis Xavier as well as a keen supporter of College’s Taylah Algie was pre- fund raising activities, in particsented with a 2012 Leadership ular, the Juvenile Diabetes Reand Community Spirit Award search Foundation with which from the Federal Member for she has a close association, havHolt, Anthony Byrne at a pres- ing been diagnosed as diabetic entation night held in December prior to commencing primary at the City of Casey Chambers. school.

Taylah was nominated as a reTaylah was one of 57 recipicipient of the award for her out- ents across the electorate, each standing commitment to the St a representative of one school.

Francis Xavier College commuIt is no surprise to her family nity, particularly the Berwick that she was acknowledged for campus during 2012. her community-mindedness, as Taylah was a House Captain, she first assisted in aged care however her leadership extend- facilities while still in primary ed beyond this role. She was school with other family memalso an active member of the St bers.

Vinnies committee on campus

STAFF from the schools of Iona-Maryknoll and Koo Wee Rup Catholic parishes in Partnership, gathered at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Iona, on January 29 to celebrate Mass in

preparation for the new school year.

Fr Janeesh Jose, from Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Narre Warren, was the celebrant on the day.

The three parish schools are St John the Baptist, Koo Wee Rup, Columba School, Bunyip, and St James, Nar Nar Goon.

Vanuatan workers lead singing KOO WEE RUP - Thirty Vanuatan singers played and sang at St John the Baptist Church at Koo Wee Rup during 9.30 Mass in December.

It was a truly moving and spiritual experience.

They sang five hymns and then after Mass continued to play and sing to the delight of

parishioners before heading back out to work in the fields.

These men were here for the asparagus harvesting season which has now ended.

They arrived in September and most have now returned to their families in Vanuatu to return again next year.

Huge thanks must go to Frank

and Donna Bombaci who organized and transported the men to Mass.

We hope that they will participate again later this year.

Koo Wee Rup is the main area in Australia where asparagus is grown and from there it is exported around the world.

A special medallion

Seminarians studying in Nigeria

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MEDAL winner Jorja Owler with principal Paul Mulqueen and Trudy Duxbury.

- Photograph Bryan Petts-Jones

By Jessica Chambers up”.

Ms Duxbury said she was A ST Gabriel's Primary School working on aboriginal culture Prep student received a medal with the students when she from Prime Minister Julia Gil- found out about the competition lard after winning a national and thought it “fitted perfectly”. coloring competition.

She said the prep to grade Jorja Owler, along with the three students colored in an inentire school entered The Na- tricate lizard dot-painting style tional Aborigines Islanders Day picture and the grade four to Observance Committee Week sixes wrote short stories or poSchool Initiative competition. ems about reconciliation.

The judging panel received “It was really special for the more than 91,275 entries to the kids to see that a prep had won coloring-in and short story writ- it,” Ms Duxbury said. ing competitions and 20 awards “It will inspire them... you were given out in each state. don’t always win it, but you can Teacher and librarian Trudy give it a go - and Jorja gave it a Duxbury said Jorja was sent her really good go and won it.” medal and an mp3 player last month and when she found out • Reprinted with permission she had won “her little face lit from Latrobe Valley Express.