Sandpiper Catholic Newspaper - April 2015

Catholic Newspaper of the Sandhurst Diocese since 2004

Free

Issue 122 • April 2015

Inside:

Diocese farewells Fr Jim P5

World Day of Prayer P8 Coptic priest Fr Sourial Youssef presents Bishop Les Tomlinson and Fr Tony Shallue with framed papyrus scrolls of the Gospel story of Moses.

United in Christ Coptic Christians in the Sandhurst Diocese have welcomed Bishop Les Tomlinson to the St Anthony Coptic Monastery in Heathcote, where Bishop Les joined in praying for an end to the violence and persecution of Christians in the Middle East, and expressed unity and solidarity with the Coptic Christians in presenting a donation for the families of the 21 martyred Copts executed in Syria recently.

Full story – Pages 12-13

St Pat’s Day fun P15

The fund for everyone Catholic Super – providing superannuation services to members and employers for more than 40 years.

Industry super fund returning all profits to members Superior investment performance Competitive fees Flexible investment options

Brisbane | Canberra | Geelong | Hobart Melbourne | Perth | Sydney

Superannuation and pension products Low cost and flexible insurance Financial planning advice

1300 655 002 | www.csf.com.au Authorised by CSF Pty Limited (ABN 30 006 169 286; AFSL 246664), the Trustee of the Catholic Superannuation Fund (ABN 50 237 896 957). This information is about the Fund and is general information only.

It has been prepared without taking into account your personal investment objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any way as, investment, legal or financial advice.

CS389 Dec2013

News

Page 2 – www.sandpiper.org.au

April 2015

Inspire youth back to our communities

Send us your stories!

SandPiper Catholic Newspaper is an open newspaper, receiving contributions for publication from across the Sandhurst Diocese. If you have a story to share from your school or parish, please submit a report to editor@sandpiper.org.au Stories should be no longer than 450 words and an accompanying photo with caption is recommended. Photos should be highresolution (just as they come off your camera) and not embedded within Word documents.

(Please note: Items submitted for consideration are subject to space availability and editorial judgement and submitting an item does not guarantee publication).

SandPiper contacts: SandPiper Vision: SandPiper aims to develop a sense of community, linking faith and life through dialogue.

Advisory Board: Fr Michael Pullar (Chair), Margaret Brodie and Joe Van Dillen.

Editor: Damian Griffin.

Postal address: The SandPiper, C/- The Chancery, PO Box 201, Bendigo, 3552.

Street address: (No mail to this address) 172-174 McCrae Street, Bendigo.

Email: editor@sandpiper.org.au Phone: (03) 5442 8531 Fax: (03) 5441 8278 To Advertise: Email editor@sandpiper.org.au for an advertising pack, or call the editor for further information.

To Subscribe: (View the full edition online for free at www.sandpiper.org.au, or pick up a free copy at Sandhurst Diocese Catholic churches, schools and hospitals). To pay for a home delivered SandPiper, contact the editor.

SandPiper Catholic Newspaper

Chancery contacts: Chancery and Diocesan Ministry: 174 McCrae Street (PO Box 201) Bendigo Vic 3552. Ph: (03) 5441 2544, Fax: (03) 5441 8278, Website: www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au Bishop’s Secretary: Margaret Watson, margaret. watson@sandhurst.catholic.org.au Adult Faith Education Co-ordinator: Lyn Breen, adultfaith@sandhurst.catholic.org.au Marriage Tribunal: tribunal@sandhurst.catholic.org.au Youth Ministry Worker: Darcey De Losa darcey.delosa@sandhurst.catholic.org.au website: www.sym.org.au/ Business Manager: Cameron Fraser, cameron.fraser@sandhurst.catholic.org.au Personal Assistant to Business Manager: Sally Holmes, sally.holmes@sandhurst.catholic.org.au Diocesan Development Fund: Postal address: PO Box 201, Bendigo, VIC, 3552.

Telephone: (03) 5441 2544. Fax: (03) 5441 8278.

Email: ddf@sandhurst.catholic.org.au Diocesan archivist: Donna Bailey, archives@sandhurst.catholic.org.au

Disclaimer: SandPiper is a free newspaper published monthly (except January) by the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst. It is distributed through all diocesan Catholic schools and parishes. Views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of the Diocese.

SandPiper may refuse to accept advertisements for publication; however, inclusion of an advertisement in SandPiper does not reflect an endorsement from the Diocese. Readers should rely on their own investigations to determine the suitability of advertised products and services. No responsibility will be taken by SandPiper for the accuracy or otherwise of representations, statements and information contained in advertisements. No responsibility will be taken by SandPiper to ensure that advertisements do not infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. SandPiper accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form that is not in accordance with the instructions received by SandPiper.

Bishop Les Tomlinson

I

n this very special first week of April, we walk with Jesus through his death and resurrection.

Once more we experience the fact that God so loves us that he gave his Son for our salvation.

Pope Francis explains: ‘In the Incarnation, in the earthly life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, the gate between God and man, between heaven and earth, opens once for all of us. ‘The Church is like the hand holding open this gate, thanks to her proclamation of God’s Word, her celebration of the sacraments and her witness of the faith, which works through love’. (Pope’s message for Lent 2015).

We know that Pope Francis is concerned about the ‘globalisation of indifference’ and he has called on those in consecrated lives to ‘wake up the world’. Surely 2015 is a time when all Catholics should work on renewal of our hearts and minds.

In Australia, we have great examples of parish renewal within the complex and challenging culture in which they take place, and I am sure that, in this diocese, we can say the same.

But we also have parishes in our country and elsewhere, where little is happening and things are kept just ‘ticking over’.

Perhaps there are parishes that remain trapped in a past, which has long since ceased to exist. If we were to look at one word which would be vital to me in discerning what sets a parish on the road to renewal, that word would be ‘community’.

We need to develop a true sense of community in the Catholic Church today and move away from a Catholicism that was very much individualistic. Where piety becomes individualistic it runs the risk of becoming somehow magical or external or it runs the risk of being totally subjective.

But Christianity is not just a religion about individuals. The sacramental life of the Church is always the celebration of a community. Perhaps we still have to recognise that in our practices.

The entire sacramental practice in our parishes has to be seen as something which takes place within the framework of a worshipping community and which leads to the Eucharist as the central element in our communion with Christ and with one another.

The future of our Church will depend not just on individuals, bishop or priests or charismatic laymen and women, but also on new and robust communities of faith and worship. We urgently need faith communities that embrace our young people.

The incarnation of Christ: God becoming one of us will always find its deepest roots in the local situation. Jesus lived at a particular time; he walked on specific lands; he encountered actual people; he died and rose from the dead at a moment in history.

“

The message of Jesus Christ is a message which must combine idealism, conviction and vision, alongside mercy and compassion and support for the weakest.

– Bishop Les Tomlinson

Our incarnate God likes to do things personally and this is why parish life is such a vital and essential dimension to every diocese.

A parish is a family of families, giving shape and flesh to the presence of Christ in a local place.

The message of Jesus Christ is a message which must combine idealism, conviction and vision, alongside mercy and compassion and support for the weakest.

Is that the image of the Church, which we are presenting today, especially to our young people? Or do we still come across as a negative Church? Do we come across perhaps as a Church on the retreat; timid in presenting our vision for fear that we may be unpopular?

In a polarised society, where different cultures experience difficulty in living alongside one another, where the powerless encounter oppression, where inequality abounds, we are called to offer a concrete model of community.

The Year of Consecrated Life this year coincides with the Synod on the Family.

Family life and consecrated life are both vocations, which bring enrichment and blessings for all.

They are spaces where human growth comes about through relationships, and they are also places of evangelisation. Each can help the other; and each can work towards the building of community in our parishes.

By the transformative power of Jesus’ resurrection, fi rst available to us in baptism but offered to us throughout our lives, we don’t

have to be people who are selfishly focussed on our own comfort, wealth, or position.

Instead, we can become people who are willing to forgive, who are understanding and who are attentive to others’ needs.

We don’t have to be people who have no interest in religion, who sit back and let others take care of their parish, who maybe even doubt the love that God has for them.

Instead, we can become people who value our faith, who take an active role in building up our parish communities, who see the signs of God’s love that are all around them.

As Jesus rose to live a new life, we can rise to live a new life. If we choose to use it, the power of Jesus’ resurrection can make each one of us the person God intends for you and me to be.

Bishop’s calendar April, 2015 5

Easter Sunday. 11am Mass at Cathedral

8-9

Melbourne meetings

12

Divine Mercy Sunday, 1.30pm Mass at Holy Rosary, White Hills

19

Confirmation at Rutherglen and Chiltern

22

CEO Staff Induction

25

Confirmation at Pyramid Hill

26

Confirmation Cohuna

at

Kerang

“I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”- Jesus John 16:33

and

News

April 2015

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 3

Parade brings a chance to shine T

he theme for the Myrtleford Festival Parade was 1915.

Marian College’s theme for 2015 is “You are the Light of the World”.

The Marian float had students from the Cadets presenting scenes from 1915 that represent the many different ways that our soldiers, and Australians involved in the Great War, shone their light during the darkest hours in 1915.

The Nano Nagle Lantern symbolises the founder of the Presentation Sisters who taught the children of the Irish poor, using this light in the hedgerows of Ireland.

It also symbolises the College’s theme “You are the Light of the World”.

“What a fabulous reward for our efforts winning the trophy for the most amusing float” said Mrs Maria Fin, Deputy Principal Community.

“It was also wonderful to see so many Marian students on other community floats for the Festival Parade,” she said.

Top: Marian College Float. Bottom left: Group photo of Marian students and staff involved in the Myrtleford Festival Parade. Bottom right: Toby and Diana Francese on the Marian College float.

Sandhurst hosts a regional first

By Jenni Kennedy Catholic Education Sandhurst

THE Contemporary Learning Working Group (CLWG) – a working party of Catholic Network Australia (CNA) – met for the first time in a regional Diocese when it met in Sandhurst from March 16-20.

The CLWG meets three times a year and works on developing resources for Catholic Educators around Australia.

The group is made up of representatives from most Dioceses across Australia and is a fantastic way of not only helping other Catholic Educators but the benefits of smaller Dioceses networking with larger Dioceses are immense.

This group has undergone a number of role changes over the years, but has always been

interested in helping teachers use technology more effectively.

The group met, on this occasion, in Bendigo at the Catholic Education Office. The meetings were held on the 18th and 19th with about 20 people in attendance.

The resources are housed on a web portal with the following link: https://staff.cna.catholic.edu. au/ but you must be a registered Catholic staff member at a school in Australia to access it.

The portal has links to many useful resources for teachers and for their students. Scootle and ePotential are two resources that are extremely beneficial for schools.

There are also a number of resources that the group hasworked on that you don’t need to go through the portal to see – our Digital Citizenship website for example – cnadigitalcitizenship.weebly.com/

Caring at a time of need

151 McCrae Street Bendigo 12 Victoria Street Eaglehawk

P. 5441 5577 www.williamfarmer.com.au

A tradition that continues...

While in Bendigo, the group were able to visit two schools (one virtually), attend the Art Gallery and take a tram ride amongst other things – all after hours, of course!

Catholic Network Australia met for the first time in a regional diocese when came to Sandhurst last month.

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

– Ma hew 24:4-5

News

Page 4 – www.sandpiper.org.au

April 2015

Jubilee couples show the way Violet Town’s John and Julie Ryan (nee Barber) celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on January 5, with a special presentation of a Papal Blessing.

Parish Priest Fr Tony Hill made the presentation during Mass at St Attracta’s, Violet Town, which is held twice a month.

John said the blessing was especially meaningful as, “my mum and dad got theirs at 40 years as well.”

“They got married in 1939, and got the papal blessing just before Dad died”.

John and Julie married at St Augustine’s Church in Keilor in 1975.

John said receiving the blessing was a great honour and it now took pride of place in their home.

“It’s probably more than a great honour, to be honest. It’s like the crown on our married life. Everyone who comes in can see it when they come in to the kitchen. Even the neighbours (who aren’t Catholic) stop and have a look at it.”

John and Julie are active in their parish, with John helping to provide Communion Services when Mass is not available.

“We’d like to keep our community together,” he said.

“It’s a great little community.”

Congratulations Ian and Carmel Bell on 50 years of marriage!

Ian and Carmel were married on February 27, 1965, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church Cobram.

Ian and Carmel met in Cobram when Ian worked there in the bank.

The couple and their three daughters – Tania, Melanie and Natalie – moved all around the state with Ian’s work.

“We’ve lived in 17 houses in 12 towns,” Carmel said.

The family, including their nine grandchildren, will join to celebrate their Golden Jubilee.

Good for you.

Good for your community.

We don’t just insure Catholic organisations. We also arrange a great range of quality insurance products for individuals.

And keeping with Church values, we support the Catholic community by channeling profits into a range of community programs.

Visit our new and improved website to learn more of CCI’s dedication to the wider Catholic community. catholicinsurance.org.au/community

Image: St Canice’s Kitchen Rooftop Garden, Elizabeth Bay NSW

Home

Contents

Car

Personal Accident

Travel

Landlord

Caravan

Catholic Church Insurance Limited ABN 76 000 005 210, AFS Licence No. 235415 (CCI) arranges this insurance as promoter of the underwriter Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 (Allianz). We do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Before deciding please refer to the PDS available by calling 1300 655 003; or from www.catholicinsurance.org.au.

“Lord Jesus, when you died on the cross you took all that weighs me down. At this very moment I come before you. You know what is troubling me. I want to put all of this at the foot of your cross. In return I pray that you touch my heart which is hur ng and make me experience your touch and healing.” Bishop Joe Grech.

News

April 2015

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 5

Tributes as Fr Jim Nihill farewelled KNOWN for his love of the country and farming life, Fr Jim Nihill was farewelled in the country Church he was ordained in when the Diocese joined for his Requiem Mass on March 10.

Top: Bishop Bernard Stewart ordains Fr Jim Nihill at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Elmore in 1966. Descending: A Young Fr Jim and in the latter years of his ministry.

Bishop Les Tomlinson during Fr Jim Nihill’s Requiem Mass.

More than 140 people joined family and friends of Fr Jim at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Elmore for the solemn celebration, following Fr Jim’s passing on March 3.

Bishop of Sandhurst Les Tomlinson concelebrated the Mass with Fr Rom Hayes and Mons Frank Marriott, who read a moving eulogy.

“Jim was obviously a farmer’s son and maintained his love for the land and its people. He enjoyed mixing and talking and praying with the farming stock,” Mons Frank said.

“One of our last journeys was by the river road to Bendigo. About 3kms out of town, he demanded I stop. The car had hardly braked, but he was out, over the fence and deep within the paddock. He reappeared holding precious specimens of the harvest and endeavoured to instruct me on the virtues of those wheat heads.

“I suggest that the farm had enriched his Faith life, deeply implanted by his family home. That Faith and

Fr James Nihill Born: 20 Apr 1940 Ordained 23 Jul 1966 St Kilian’s 23 Dec 1966 Geraldton on loan 17 Jan 1973 St Kilians 14 Feb 1976 Parish Priest Pyramid Hill 17 May 1980 Parish Priest Euroa 22 Jan 1983

Bishop Les Tomlinson during Communion (left) and pall bearers carry the coffin of Fr Jim (right).

Prayer life had a number of challenges – knocks – personal issues – to overcome and to fulfil Paul’s word “every knee shall bend before me, every tongue shall praise God.” “On one occasion, Jim described his life to the people of Muskerry, saying he’d spent a third of his life in gaol! Eight years at St Pat’s at boarding school, eight years in the seminary and six years at Beechworth prison!

Fr Jim was also known for his sporting prowess, and Mons Frank recounted tales of Fr Jim’s success on clergy golf days, and also from his footballing days.

“He kicked six goals from the wing one day, played in two premiership teams, reported to the late Monsignor De Campo with a broken arm one Saturday and survived a bruising engagement with yours truly at Rushworth on another Saturday, much to the spectators’ delight – ‘the priests are at it on the northern wing!’.”

Mons Frank said he would be remembered for his “loyalty to people, particularly the down-and-outs, generosity in gift giving to others, loyal to the Service of the Sacraments, even when health was failing.”

Parish Priest Corryong 20 Jan 1990 Parish Priest Beechworth 13 Jan 1996 Resigned from Beechworth 01 Jul 2000 Assistant Priest at Wangaratta 29 Aug 2000 Assistant Priest at Kennington 24 Feb 2001 Priest in Residence Elmore Admitted to Bethlehem – 2011 Died 03 Mar 2015

Catholic Social Teaching sheds light on gambling policy Executive Director at Catholic Social Services Victoria Denis Fitzgerald discusses how Catholic Social Teaching seeks to address problem gambling.

A

round three-quarters of adult Victorians gamble at least once a year. Nearly half buy lottery tickets, and 43% participate in raffles, sweeps and competitions.

21% of adults play the poker machines, and 16% wager on horses or greyhounds.

For most, this is an innocent pastime – the Melbourne Cup sweep, for example, is an integral part of workplace festivities.

But there is a dark side. Around 38,000 adults, 0.7%, are problem gamblers , and two-thirds of them spend most of their gambling money on Victoria’s 30,000 pokies.

The impact of the problem goes deeper. Up to 10 people – family, relatives, employers, etc – are adversely affected by each problem gambler; and one-sixth of Victorians in prison had been sentenced for a gambling-related offence.

Gambling clearly raises moral issues.

Catholic teaching is that it is not wrong in

itself. Rather, gambling becomes morally unacceptable when it prevents a person from providing for their own needs and those of others.

In addition, there is a social justice dimension, and it is here that Catholic Social Teaching can provide illumination.

The principles of this teaching have been developed over the centuries, as the Church has read the signs of the times, and analysed them in light of the Gospels.

They include: • Respect for the dignity of each person: so, the autonomy of decision-making is important, but we should not interfere with the exercise of proper judgement; • The importance of the common good: our regulatory system should enable all sections of society to flourish; • Subsidiarity: decisions should be made at the most appropriate level; for

example, local communities should have a say in matters that affect them; • Preferential option for the poor: the most vulnerable need to be front of mind.

The problems of vulnerable gamblers, that affect our community as a whole, indicate that the current situation does not accord with these principles, which throw light on a number of questions: • Should poker machines be made safer for problem gamblers, eg, by limiting each spin to one dollar, and limiting the hours of opening?

• Who should make decisions about the presence of poker machines in a locality?

• How should the revenue from gambling be applied?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gi of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23

News

Page 6 – www.sandpiper.org.au

Teachers talk at Hub

April 2015

Young leaders join in Melbourne

By Jenni Kennedy

Catholic Education Office Sandhurst

WHEN staff from eight regional Catholic schools in the Sandhurst diocese came together for a professional conference last month ,the focus was on engagement.

The group of Catholic Primary schools from Heathcote, Echuca, Cohuna, Kerang, Pyramid Hill, Inglewood, Rochester and Elmore makes up the Northern Plains Cluster of Schools.

The conference named “The Hub” was held at St Mary’s Primary School in Echuca and included an opening Mass, conference dinner and two days of workshops aimed at improving educational outcomes for all students.

Highly respected educator, Mr David Anderson, presented the keynote address. “I am passionate about learning,” he said. “21st Century learning for students and teachers makes a sustained difference to practice, professional learning communities and leadership that transforms learning for all.”

Principals Noel Dillon, Holy Rosary Heathcote and Jasmine Ryan, St Patrick’s Pyramid Hill.

Mr Noel Dillon, principal of Holy Rosary Primary School in Heathcote said the conference was a wonderful opportunity to bring together staff from the eight schools.

“Staff shared their expertise through presentations, networking with other schools, and reflected on the outstanding, cutting edge learning and teaching that is happening in the Northern Plains Schools,” he said.

More than 15 workshops took place over the two days, including topics such as improved engagement in numeracy, literacy and inquirybased learning to name a few.

Student leaders Riley Saxon, Skye McNamara, Caitlin Shipman and Grace Middleton.

By Joyce Dinan Sacred Heart School, CORRYONG

the National Young Leaders Day at the Convention Centre.

SCHOOL Captains from Sacred Heart School travelled to Melbourne to visit a “buddy” school in the city and to join 4500 other student leaders at

Riley Saxon, Skye McNamara, Caitlin Shipman and Grace Middleton attended the day where the message was that “everyone is a leader, you just need to be passionate about something you believe in and get started”.

While in Melbourne, students showed a video clip they had made about Corryong and their school for the students in Footscray.

There was a trip to the beach where wind surfers filled the horizon and an experience of Little Saigon, an Asian market.

Same-sex adoption?

Alison honoured with inaugural service award

L

ong time St John of God Hospital stalwart Alison Cooper has been presented with the inaugural St John of God Award, when the hospital celebrated St John of God Day on March 6.

Following Mass in the Chapel, guest speaker Monsignor Frank Marriott spoke on his time in the Church and memories of the hospital, before he presented Alison with her award.

Staff and volunteers were able to be nominated for the award, based on their demonstrating in practical ways the hospital values – hospitality, compassion, respect, justice and excellence. Alison was helping the hospital before it even opened, from 1959. She has been a volunteer and auxiliary member since that time, putting in many hours to support patients and the hospital.

The other eight nominees were Mandy Salter (Hotel Services), Lyn Davis (Rehab ward clerk), Lucy Coburn (T.L.C volunteer), Bronwyn Ross (Hotel Services), Louise Harrison (Rehab Nurse Unit Manager), Cameron James (Allied Health assistant), Ronnie Graham (coffee shop volunteer, chapel, auxiliary, Minister of Communion), and Anne Wieczorek (Pastoral Services Practitioner).

St John of God Hospital’s Director of Mission Denis Byrne with Award winner Alison Cooper.

ANZAC Day A reminder the hospital is holding its annual Anzac Day service for patients, staff and visitors on Friday, April 24, at 3.30pm. The service includes a guest speaker, and there is also an amazing wartime photo display showing over the two week period, in the Atrium, with free entry. All welcome.

By Natasha Marsh Archdiocese of Melbourne

On the same day that he was sworn in as Australia’s first Minister for Equality, Martin Foley announced he would ‘waste no time’ in amending Victoria’s adoption laws, ‘bringing Victoria into line’ with New South Wales, Western Australia, the ACT and Tasmania, which amended their laws to allow adoption by same-sex couples.

Currently, section 11 of the Victorian Adoption Act 1984 states that an adoption order may be made in favour of a ‘man and woman’ who are either: • married for a minimum of two years • in a relationship recognised as a traditional marriage

by Aboriginal community elders, for a minimum of two years • living in de facto relationships, for a minimum of two years.

The review seeks to remove the phrase ‘man and woman’ from section 11 to allow samesex couples to adopt children.

As part of the review process, the government called for submissions from all interested parties, which closed on Monday, March 23.

Fr Joe Caddy, Chief Executive Officer of CatholicCare (the Melbourne agency of the Catholic Church

that handles adoption), and Matthew MacDonald, Executive Officer of the Life, Marriage and Family Office made a submission on behalf of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

The submission highlights it is in the best interests of the child to be raised in a stable, monogamous relationship by a mother and father. This claim is supported by numerous bestpractice sociological studies.

‘The genuine, committed and exclusive love between a man and a woman, grounded in marriage is the foundation of family life and promotes the optimum welfare and development of children,’ it reads.

It reminds the government that the various studies seeking to undermine this sociological reality have all been criticised by peers for ‘inadequate-sized sampling, reporting bias and other methodological flaws …

Choosing to ignore the available evidence is a grave error,’ it says.

It reasserts that adoption laws should be constructed to reflect what is best for children.

‘Adoption is about the best interests of the child, not about the rights for same-sex couples. It is not just or fair to impose such an agenda on adopted children,’ it reads.

‘A child should not, by a deliberate action of our government or its agents, be placed in a situation where he or she is knowingly being deprived of either a father or a

mother when this is not in their best interests.’

As well as this, the submission points out that when the statistics of adoptions currently taking place in Australia are taken into consideration, the review is unnecessary.

‘Given the numbers of children adopted on an annual basis compared with the [greater] number of adoption enquiries, there would seem to be no need to broaden the pool of potential adoptive parents beyond those who are married,’ it reads.

CatholicCare currently stands alone as the only non-government agency providing adoption services across Victoria. ‘We have extensive experience in the care and placement of children and continue to be involved as a significant non-government provider of adoption and related services,’ it reads.

In the event the government does change the Adoption Act to allow same-sex couples to adopt, the submission asks that provision be made for ‘appropriate legislative protection for faith-based bodies’, such as CatholicCare, to continue to provide adoption services in keeping with their religious practices.

The review will be conducted by Eamonn Moran PSM QC, who will report to Minister Foley by Friday, May 8.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. – Revela on 3:20

News

April 2015

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 7

Putting a stop to bullying

By Jenni Kennedy Catholic Education Sandhurst

SENIOR students from St Luke’s Catholic Primary school in Shepparton participated in the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence on Friday, March 20.

For the fourth year in a row, students took to the streets of Shepparton for the annual event that provides a focus for all schools to say “no” to bullying.

Students marched in the Maude Street Mall, chanting “Take a stand together – Bullying no way!”

The slogan aims to

strengthen the message that bullying and violence at school and in the wider community is not OK at any time.

Students further raised awareness about this important issue by surveying members of the public about bullying and handing out information from the “Bullying No Way” website from the Queensland Department of Education.

For further information about this important initiative and for school resources visit the “Bullying. No Way!” website www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/national-day/ .

Lachy, Jett and Matt from St Luke’s Catholic Primary School in Shepparton put the spotlight on bullying.

The Challenge of being a Disciple today: An introduction to the Gospel of Mark Fr Brian Boyle MONDAY MAY 11 7.30 – 9.00 pm

THURSDAY MAY 14 7.30 – 9.00 pm

De Campo Hall (CEO Buildings) 120 Hargreaves St

St Brigid’s Centre (CEO / Parish Buildings) 71 Ryley St

BENDIGO RSVP: NO COST: PROGRAM

WANGARATTA

adultfaith@sandhurst.catholic.org.au ‘Ph 03 5441 2544 OR message www.facebook.com/lyn.breenministry Free Faith Education Evening.

Presentation: 7.30 (50 min) Cuppa: (10 min) Discussion: 8.30 (30 min)

Bishop of Sandhurst Les Tomlinson’s Easter Message is now available to view on the Diocesan website at www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au/ Also available are Easter Mass times

SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS from

$6790* * Plus airfares

The Gospel of Mark is the first written account in Christianity of the mission and preaching of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the shortest of the four Gospels and perhaps the most accessible of the four with its simple narrative structure. Mark proclaims Jesus as the Christ. This key proclamation begins in his prologue (1:1) and again at a key incident in the story where Peter confesses his faith in Jesus (8:29).

This introductory talk on the Gospel of Mark looks at x x x x

Some issues and questions about Mark’s Gospel to get us going Structure of the Gospel and some key themes Mark 1:1-13, the Prologue of the Gospel Mark 16:1-8, the Epilogue of the Gospel, as the two bookends of the story.

Mark presents us with the challenge of being a disciple of Jesus today. This is the year of Mark for our Sunday readings and so this could be a good opportunity to see in some detail who Jesus is for Mark. All welcome.

N O RTH E R N E U R O PE

A 20 day pilgrimage departs 27th August 2015 with Fr Anthony Denton Be uplifted on this journey encompassing Northern Europe’s most holy shrines and breathtaking Alpine scenery.

Father Brian Boyle is a lecturer in Scripture at Catholic Theological College in Melbourne. He is a priest of the Diocese of Sandhurst and is the Bishop’s Vicar for Education in our diocese. He is very interested in adult faith education and in opening the treasures of Scripture with and for other adults.

Featuring: Amsterdam • Bruges • Brussels • Altotting Salzburg • Zurich Russia Extension Available HARVEST PILGRIMAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST A COPY OF OUR 2015 BROCHURE CONTACT HARVEST

Toll Free: 1800 819 156 • www.harvestpilgrims.com * Costs have been based on prices as at 30 September 2014 and must remain subject to change without notice based on currency exchange rates, departure city and minimum group size contingency. Prices are based on twin share or double rooming.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destruc ve heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swi destruc on. – 2 Peter 2:1

Page 8 – www.sandpiper.org.au

News

April 2015

Christians unite for day of prayer ST JOSEPH’S Church Cobram was the host church on Friday for the annual World Day of Prayer which was attended by about 60 people from local Christian churches.

The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement where Christians of all traditions come together to observe a common day of prayer on the first Friday of March each year.

More than three million people in 170 countries participate in a service with the theme of a different country each year.

This year the theme was the Bahamas and St Joseph’s was suitably decorated with a background of tropical fruit, flowers, water and two flamingos, the national bird of the Bahamas.

The service included hymns and various prayers including prayers read by 15 people representing 15 islands of the Bahamas.

The Bahamas consists of more than 700 islands, cays and islets, of which 30 islands are inhabited.

The gospel of Christ washing the feet of his disciples was acted out by three people and speaker Vincent Moar from St Joseph’s took up the same theme in his address.

Mr Moar said the Bahamas was not the tropical paradise most people imagined it to be, as the people faced problems of poverty, domestic violence, refugees in detention

Vita Janssens, Sally Pinnuck, Heather Demmery, Chris Moorhead and Anna Creighton celebrate World Day of Prayer.

camps, single mothers, HIV/Aids and cancer, problems familiar to Australians.

He said Christ’s message in washing his disciples’ feet was for people to wash each other’s feet, that is, to help one another to the extent that it takes you out of your comfort zone, even to the stage where it hurts.

“Are we as individuals, and as one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, doing enough?’’ he said.

“Are we going out of our comfort zone?

Are we actually washing feet?’’

Next year St Margaret’s Anglican Church, Cobram will host the World Day of Prayer when the theme will be Cuba.

Carmel Natale, Bernie O’Dwyer and Veronica Perra with speaker Vincent Moar.

Ross and Joan Smith, Edna O’Kane, Bernadette West and Rosemary Collie.

Residential Workshop and Retreat – VATICAN II: 50 YEARS ON The Second Vatican Council concluded exactly 50 years ago and the Church that we are experiencing today is a product of the major decisions made by the Conciliar Fathers. It has been described as the most momentous religious event of the 20th century. The world’s Roman Catholic bishops sought to reimagine the role the Church could play in a rapidly changing world. This workshop-retreat will begin by exploring the historical and socio-cultural-political contexts which gave rise to the Council. It will then look at some of the key players and dynamics which took place in the aulas of the Vatican from 1962-1965. The main part will focus on some of the overarching themes of the principal documents promulgated and how these have been received by the local churches in the last five decades. The weekend will comprise of lectures, group work, AV, with time for socialisation, liturgies, personal prayer and reading.

PRESENTER: Dr Edmund Chia B.A. (Lewis), M.A. (UMCP), M.A. (CUA), Ph.D (Nijmegen) Senior Lecturer, Theology ACU. DATE: Friday, May 22 (6pm) — Sunday, May 24 (2pm).

VENUE: Pallotti College, 80 McNamaras Rd, Millgrove 3799 PD Hours: A PD Certificate for 10 Lecture hours awarded upon completion of a brief assignment.

REGISTRATION: Phone (03) 5966 2585 or REGISTRATION Email admin@pallotticollege.com.au COST: $190 Single, $360 Couple, includes accommodation, workshops and all meals.

Graduates Phil Billington, Gerardine Prendergast and Maria Radanov.

Graduates take a bow SANDHURST Diocese Pastoral Ministry students have graduated from theological studies through Catholic Theological College (CTC) - University of Divinity.

Sandhurst Pastoral Ministry students Joe and Margaret Van Dillen, Terry and

Sandra Westaway, Gerardine Prendergast, Maria Radanov, Phil Billington and Matthew Percival have been awarded the Graduate Certificate in Theology.

The graduation was held at St Michael’s Uniting Church on Collins Street, Melbourne, on March 20.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlas ng God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow red or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. – Isaiah 40:28

News

April 2015

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 9

Around the Diocese

send your event photos to editor@sandpiper.org.au

The Social i Justice i Leadership d i team atSt Francis i Primary i School Nathalia cooked pancakes for the whole school to enjoy to celebrate Shrove Tuesday on February 17. The Social Justice Team comprises Will Sheehan, Ella Brereton, Sara Kolundizija, Dylan Madden, Holly Boyd, Nicola Oliver, Riley James and Ella Johns with Tam Perry - Wellbeing Officer.

Father Jim Mulroney, Deputy Editor of the Hong Kong Catholic Newspaper, The Sunday Examiner, enjoyed a brief visit to the Sandhurst Diocese last month. He stopped past the Chancery with Mons Frank Marriott to say hello on the Feast of St Joseph.

Bishop Les Tomlinson joined with priests of the diocese in wishing Fr Paul Purcell a very happy 88th birthday last month. Fr Paul is Priest in Residence at St Kilian’s Bendigo.

Happy birthday Fr Paul!

Thirty-three Year 7s commenced at Marian College, Myrtleford, in 2015. The college gathered in prayer and community to start the new school year around the Theme, ‘You are the Light of the World’ (Matthew 5: 14-16) following on from the International theme ‘Year of Light’.

Feathertop Chalet manager Patrick Murphy sent through this fabulous suggestion for what to do with your old SandPiper!

Mt Feathertop Chalet is situated right on the Ovens River, a favourite spot for Rainbow Trout anglers.

Either that, or Feathertop is nearby to a teeming fish farm ...

As part of its Italian program, students at Sacred Heart School, Corryong, paraded with their masks at a Carnevale celebration on Shrove Tuesday. This was followed by an abundance of the traditional pancakes prepared by parents and students.

YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Just

Where Designs come to Award Winning Custom

Built

Cabinets Free measure and quote in the Bendigo area 176 Murphy Street BENDIGO 3550 Ph 5441 7786 www.bourkeskitchens. com.au

$46

Inc GST

84mm x 52mm ($460 for 11 editions) For further details, contact

editor@sandpiper.org.au or 03 5442 8531

PERSONALIZED Goulburn Valley CHAUFFEUR DRIVE Limousine Services T 1300 13 9740 • E chauffeur@limousinesatcall.com.au • Baby seats available • Credit cards accepted • Accounts and tax invoices available • Stretch limousines, mini buses, coaches, town cars

“Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing to sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemp on. Get rid of all bi erness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.” – Ephesians 4:29

Youth Ministry

Page 10 – www.sandpiper.org.au

April 2015

Pope’s message for world’s youth

T

he message of Pope Francis this World Youth Day is wonderfully encouraging and inspires us to take the plunge, calling Christianity a “project for life that is capable of captivating our hearts�.

We’ve picked out a few of the best lines because it’s an easy read!

Dear young friends, this search for happiness is shared by people of all times and all ages. God has placed in the heart of every man and woman an irrepressible desire for happiness, for fulfilment.

Have you not noticed that your hearts are restless, always searching for a treasure which can satisfy their thirst for the infinite?

Dear young men and women, in Christ you find fulfilled your every desire for goodness and happiness. He alone can satisfy your deepest longings, which are so often clouded by deceptive worldly promises. As Saint John Paul II said: “He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.

It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives�.

God does not look to appearances, but to the heart.

We can also say that it is from the heart that we see God. This is because the heart is really the human being in his or her totality as a unity of body and

soul, in his or her ability to love and to be loved.

We need to show a healthy concern for creation, for the purity of our air, water and food, but how much more do we need to protect the purity of what is most precious of all: our heart and our relationships.

This “human ecology� will help us to breathe the pure air that comes from beauty, from true love, and from holiness.

Once I asked you the question: “Where is your treasure?

In what does your heart find its rest?�. Our hearts can be attached to true or false treasures, they can find genuine rest or they can simply slumber, becoming lazy and lethargic.

The greatest good we can have in life is our relationship with God. Are you convinced of this? Do you realise how much you are worth in the eyes of God? Do you know that you are loved and welcomed by him unconditionally, as indeed you are? Once we lose our sense of this, we human beings become an incomprehensible enigma, for it is the knowledge that we are loved unconditionally by God which gives meaning to our lives.

Youth is a time of life when your desire for a love which is genuine, beautiful and expansive begins to blossom in your hearts. How powerful is this ability to love and to be loved!

Do not let this precious treasure be debased, destroyed or

spoiled. That is what happens when we start to use our neighbours for our own selfish ends, even as objects of pleasure.

Hearts are broken and sadness follows upon these negative experiences. I urge you: Do not be afraid of true love, the love that Jesus teaches us and which St. Paul describes as “patient and kind�. Paul says: “Love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.

Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things�.

You young people are brave adventurers! If you allow yourselves to discover the rich teachings of the Church on love, you will discover that Christianity does not consist of a series of prohibitions which stifle our desire for happiness, but rather a project for life capable of captivating our hearts.

You will discover that God can be “seen� also in the face of your brothers and sisters, especially those who are most forgotten: the poor, the hungry, those who thirst, strangers, the sick, those imprisoned. Have you ever had this experience?

Dear young people, in order to enter into the logic of the Kingdom of Heaven, we must recognise that we are poor with the poor. A pure heart is necessarily one which has been stripped bare, a heart that knows how to bend down and share its life with those most in need.�

Be Inspired!

D-Group booming in Shep

By Mikaila Hicks Shepparton

T

he year has started off well for Shepparton’s Stronger D-Group, with many familiar faces returning, as well as newcomers joining the group.

Our first D-Group was a movie night on February 7, where we firstly gathered together for prayer, creating a Fingerprint Tree Canvas as a symbol for our D-Group.

We enjoyed watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and then spending time reflecting on friendships, team work and family afterwards.

On February 15 the Stronger Team attended a leadership day in Benalla

which included a Bible study led by Fr Rob Galea and a talk by Steven McKinley, on the importance of being welcoming as leaders and how to be hospitable to others at our Stronger Youth events.

We had our first topic night and youth-led Mass for the year on February 21 where we focussed on the meaning of Lent and how we can work on doing more rather than just giving up things, like chocolate.

On Friday, March 6, we took a busload of our youth to Wangaratta for our first Stronger Rally of the year.

We were happy to have our very own Rosee Kennedy and Chris Gilroy MC the evening, as well as Hugh Drum share his testimony.

It was also great to have so many of our Shepparton Youth involved throughout the Rally, from performing in the Stronger Youth Band, helping out with the Media Team, leading small group discussions and promoting the sale of Fairtrade chocolate as part of the Stronger Justice Stall.

As the school holidays are approaching we are excited for our last event of the school term, running our first-ever Amazing G-Race event, which will be on Friday, March 20.

We have had many teams sign up for the race and we are looking forward to a fun night, which will begin with a youthled reflection and end with a fun-filled evening of challenges and food.

The full text can be found at w2.vatican.va

Focused on You

Looking for a

G E TAWAY ?

Then Feathertop Chalet is the perfect venue for you

$ YHQXH IRU DOO VHDVRQV

‡ /RGJH VW\OH DFFRPPRGDWLRQ ZLWK HQVXLWH LQ HYHU\ URRP

)DFLOLWLHV LQFOXGH

‡ 2IIHU 'LQQHU %HG %UHDNIDVW SDFNDJHV IRU LQGLYLGXDO IDPLOLHV DQG JURXSV

‡ 7HQQLV &RXUWV

‡ 6HOI FDWHULQJ RSWLRQ DYDLODEOH

‡ 'LQLQJ 5RRP %DU

‡ 3HUIHFW YHQXH IRU IDPLOLHV UHXQLRQV UHFUHDWLRQDO LQWHUHVW JURXSV IXQFWLRQV FRQIHUHQFHV

‡ 2Q VLWH 6NL +LUH 2XWOHW

‡ &DOPLQJ VHWWLQJ QHVWOHG RQ WKH EDQNV RI WKH 2YHQV 5LYHU

We are seeking more members of the public to act as Ministers of Communion (Eucharistic Ministers).

‡ ,QGRRU +HDWHG 6ZLPPLQJ 3RRO ‡ &RQIHUHQFH &HQWUH

‡ ô FRXUW %DVNHWEDOO &RXUW ‡ ,QGRRU *DPHV +DOO ‡ %DUEHTXH 3LFQLF $UHD ‡ 0LQL *ROI

Providing counselling and family support services for couples, families and individuals throughout the diocese

Feathertop Chalet Harrietville

Appointments/enquiries phone:

Website: www.feathertopchalet.com.au

Bendigo ...................03 5438 1300 Echuca.....................03 5438 1300 Shepparton ..............03 5820 0444

Phone: 03 5759 2688 - Fax: 03 5759 2690 Email: reservations.feathertop@westnet.com.au Address: 22 Bon Accord Track, Harrietville 3741

Interested in finding out more?

x Surgical, medical x Maternity x Cardiac services x Rehabilitation x Rehab gym x Remedial massage x Hydrotherapy pool x Quiet ambience x Luxury private rooms

x Total care

Please call James Breene Volunteer co-ordinator Ph 5434 3207

Ph 5434-3434 or Ph 1800 640 240

www.sjog.org.au/bendigo Hospitality Compassion Respect Justice Excellence

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by tes ng you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

Youth Ministry

April 2015

Stronger revived in Wangaratta!

Galen students Bronte Morrow, Cameron Whinray, Ryan Holt and Ellie Hourigan with Stronger Rally event organiser Darcy De Losa.

STRONGER has had its first gathering for 2015 with a Rally in Wangaratta attended by about 150 young people from around the Sandhurst Diocese.

The Rally focussed on Stronger’s theme for 2015, “Revive: I will make all things new”.

Taken from Revelations 21.5 “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold I am making all things new”.

Stephen McKinley gave a talk sharing how he has seen his life revived by living as a disciple of Jesus.

Hugh Drum from the Media team also shared how

he lives out his faith through his work with the Stronger Technical Production Team.

Hugh has been a large part of making Stronger look and sound amazing and it was exciting to hear how this is a way that he lives out his faith.

Young people at the Rally had a chance to be inspired, discuss their faith and also buy Fairtrade Easter eggs in support of Caritas.

The Rally was supported by students and staff from Galen Catholic College and by the Parish of St Patrick.

Anointed and resent

THIS passage from Luke is the guiding text for the revised edition of Anointed and Sent: “The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour’. (Luke 4:18-19) This scripture sets the tone for the document which aims to provide “a vision for ministry with young people aged 12-30 in the Catholic Church in Australia. It calls the entire Church to accompany them as maturing disciples through their school and post-school years into adulthood, and to help them find their place in the Church and the world.”

In it young people and those working to engage young people are encouraged to embrace faith, knowing that ‘it is imperative that the Church proclaims the Gospel to the young in ways that they can understand, ways that can enable them to grasp the hand of Christ who never

ceases to reach out to them, especially in their dark times.’ (St John Paul II) This is achieved by encouraging the fostering of the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person, drawing young people into responsible participation in the life and mission of the Catholic faith community. And then empowering them to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in today’s world.

The handbook is an easy-to-read guide to youth ministry in Australia explaining what the key focus areas are, and the role they play in providing a balance of formation and service.

Focus areas of youth ministry are listed as Prayer and Worship, Evangelisation, Catechesis, Pastoral Care, Community Life, Justice and Service, Leadership Development, and Advocacy.

If you are interested in a copy of Anointed and Sent for your ministry or group, contact Darcy De Losa on 0409 777 242 or darcy.delosa@sandhurst. catholic.org.au

find your local youth led mass!

)$,7+ g 086,& g )5,(1'6

stronger L!VE is a new initiative from stronger youth for young adults 18+ come and join us for faith discussion, music, meal and fellowship

join us

APRIL 15

EUROA Saturday, May 2 6pm, St John’s SHEPPARTON Saturday, May 9 6pm, St Brendan’s

in bendigo with

bendigo for homeless youth at the bridge hotel 6.30 pm For more info, contact Darcy

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 11

BENDIGO Sunday, May 31 6pm, St Kilian’s WODONGA Saturday, April 25 6pm, Sacred Heart

BENALLA Saturday, April 11 6.30pm, St Joseph’s GOLDEN SQUARE Saturday, May 18 6pm, St Mary’s EAGLEHAWK Sunday, April 26 10.30am, St Liborius

on 0409 777 242 or follow us @strongeryouth

Sandhurst youth led mass #STRONGER2015

@strongeryouth strongeryouth.com

April 2015

Special Feature

April 2015

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 12-13

A prayer of unity with the Coptic Christians

Coptic Orthodox cross with Coptic writing that reads ‘Jesus Christ Son of God’.

A brief overview of the Coptic Church

“They only said ‘Jesus help me ...’ The blood of our Christian brothers is testimony that cries out. Be they Catholic, Orthodox, Copts, Lutherans, it doesn't matter: They're Christian!” – Pope Francis

B

Bishop Les Tomlinson venerates an icon at St Anthony’s Coptic Monastery..

ishop Les Tomlinson joined Coptic priests and monks at St Anthony’s Coptic Monastery in Heathcote last month in prayer and in solidarity for the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.

Bishop Les and Father Tony Shallue made the special visit to the monastery to also deliver a financial contribution on behalf of the Sandhurst Diocese to the families of the 21 martyred Coptic Christians whose murders were filmed

by Islamic State militants in a gruesome video titled A Message Signed with Blood to the Nation of the Cross.

The video depicts 21 Christian men, hands bound behind them, being led one-by-one along a beach in Libya to a point where they are forced to bow down with their heads in the sand, and there they are beheaded, crying out Ya Rabbi Yasou ‘Lord Jesus!’, some reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

Coptic Pope Tawadros II has included the 21 as saints on the Coptic calendar. The Vatican said Pope Francis telephoned Tawadros II to personally offer his solidarity.

Pope Francis offered Mass for the 21 men on February 17, where he prayed for “our brother Copts, whose throats were slit for the sole reason of being Christian, that the Lord welcome them as martyrs, for their families, (and) for my brother Tawadros, who is suffering greatly.”

Pope Francis also said “They only said ‘Jesus help me ...’ The blood of our Christian brothers is testimony that cries out. Be they Catholic, Orthodox, Copts, Lutherans, it doesn’t matter: They’re Christian!”

Bishop Les joined Fr Sourial Youssef in prayer at the Coptic Church, praying for an end to the persecution of Christians and for peace in the Middle East.

At the conclusion of the prayers, one of the monks began the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, to which everyone joined in praying in a spontaneous and deeply moving moment of prayerful unity.

Bishop Les then enjoyed a detailed tour of the church, and found much of the rich symbolism to be very similar to the Catholic Church.

Beautiful stained-glass windows depicting saints adorn the church, with easily identifiable commonality in the symbols used to depict them.

One window showing Mary and the Infant Jesus is very similar to our own Diocesan Patron, Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Rich tapestries and carpets are also throughout the Church, with a large veiled curtain separating the sanctuary. During the Consecration, the priests perform the consecration behind the curtain before communion is given to the faithful – a practice very similar to the use of the rood screens or altar curtains found in European Christian churches until about the 6th century.

Several of the doors and wall panels also boast beautifully carved depictions of Bible scenes, which were hand-carved by a monk who once lived at the monastery.

The visit also follows a recent statement from Chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue, Archbishop Christopher Prouse, who wrote to Coptic Orthodox Christians in late February to formally “express our solidarity with all Coptic Orthodox Christians in Australia and beyond”.

“We pray for them, their families and friends, and communities,” he wrote.

Mat Mikhail, who assisted with English translations, with Fr Sourial Youssef and Fr Matta as they present Bishop Les Tomlinson and Fr Tony Shallue with framed papyrus scrolls of the Gospel story of Moses and of Mary.

Fr Sourial Youssef, Fr Matta, Bishop Les Tomlinson, Fr Tony Shallue and visitor James Stewart join at St Anthony’s Coptic Monastery to pray for an end to the persecution of Christians and for peace in the Middle East.

he word Copt is derived from the Greek word Aigyptos, which was, in turn, derived from “Hikaptah”, one of the names for Memphis, the first capital of Ancient Egypt.

T

The modern use of the term “Coptic” describes Egyptian Christians, as well as the last stage of the ancient Egyptian language script. Also, it describes the distinctive art and architecture that developed as an early expression of the new faith.

The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark who brought Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero in the first century, a dozen years after the Lord’s ascension.

He was one of the four evangelists and the one who wrote the oldest canonical Gospel.

Christianity spread throughout Egypt within half a century of Saint Mark’s arrival in Alexandria as is clear from the New Testament writings found in Bahnasa, in Middle Egypt, which date around the year 200 A.D., and a fragment of the Gospel of Saint John, written using the Coptic language, which was found in Upper Egypt and can be dated to the first half of the second century.

In 451 A.D., the Coptic Church split from the Roman Catholic Church due to the Coptic belief that Christ is one united nature stemming from two natures, divine and human, “without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration” (from the Coptic divine liturgy).

In contrast, Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Protestants believe Christ is one person who shares two distinct natures, the human and divine.

Page 14 – www.sandpiper.org.au

News

April 2015

Knights back for fence fix

By Tom Brodie Knights of the Southern Cross

Under the leadership of the Shepparton Branch of KSC –Des Drum and Tom Dumaresq organised a group of members, former members and volunteers to go and help Brian and Mary Kelly whose property was burnt out by the fires in late December 2014.

Knights of the Southern Cross assisted Brian and Mary Kelly re-fence their property following bushfires.

Around the Diocese

The team did two days of fencing, repairing old fencing and erecting new fences.

The Kelly’s lost 98% of their farm; only the house, garage and machinery shed were left standing.

They lost 20 km of fencing. Twentyfour years ago they lost 75% of their farm and the KSC branch helped them to re-fence then and some of those workers attended again this time.

Brian and Mary are deeply grateful for the help they have received.

They are leaders in the Creighton’s Creek Community and in the Parish of St John’s, Euroa.

Vinnies name vice president GRAHAM West, a leading not-for-profit consultant, has been elected as the new President of the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia.

Mr West (inset) has over 20 years’ experience working in gove r n me nt and not-for-profit agencies.

He has been a long-time member of the Society and was formerly the CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society in NSW and, more recently, the Society's National VicePresident. Mr West said: “We are one of the largest human rights organisations in Australia, responding to need wherever it is found.”

send your event photos to editor@sandpiper.org.au Students from St Joseph’s School, Rochester received the Sacrament of Confession on March 18. Pictured with Fr Peter Austin are classroom teacher, Ashlea O’Connor and candidates Justice Powles, Payton Tiller, Sadie Martin, Makenna James, Connor Gallagher, Ethan Howard and Harry Moon.

m

St Joseph’s School Rochester celebrated St Joseph’s Feast Day on March 19 with Mass, a pizza lunch provided by the P and F and a family barbecue in the evening. A highlight of the day was when the children competed in their teams for the prized ‘golden hammer’ award. Delany was the successful team. A day filled with excitement and celebration!

Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. 18 And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:17-18

News

April 2015

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 15

St Pat’s Day brings feast of fun Marian College, Myrtleford

St Mary’s Golden Square & St Monica’s Kangaroo Flat O On Tuesday, March 17, the Parish o of St Mary’s, Golden Square and St M Monica’s, Kangaroo Flat, celebrated S St Patrick’s Day in great form. Many o of the parishioners, wearing green, g gathered together to celebrate this sspecial day. It had been many years ssince they had done such. A map was o on display to mark the location of their IIrish roots. The food choice was of ttypical Irish cuisine, that is, Irish stew a and beef and Guinness pie. After tthe meal, there was much gaiety as tthe parishioners sang along to some ffamiliar Irish ballads. There was also a raffle with prizes from Ireland. Such a fun day was had by all. Many thanks tto Pauline and Kevin Rooke (left).

Ms Angela Baldwin presenting Ebony King (Year 11) with her prize for taking out the Fashion on the Field title, Tara Breen (Year 8), Amie Antonello (Year 11).

The Gomez community at Marian College, Myrtleford, organised a ‘green day’ of fun and activities on St Patrick’s Day to raise funds for Caritas Australia. More than $300 was raised on this day – a fantastic amount for this worthy cause.

Students and staff dressed in either an Irish theme or just green. Fashions on the field took place on the ‘green’ and a cake and lolly stall was held at lunchtime.

St Pat’s Day cake and lolly stall.

Photos by Michael Guinane

Diocesan Chancery For the purpose of taking this superb photo of a traditional St Patrick’s Day green beer, a select group of staff from the Chancery whipped down to our local Irish pub, Pugg Mahones, to capture this spectacular image. Selecting the perfect glass, with correct hue of green, quality of froth and capturing it in just the right light required several attempts. Special thanks to everyone involved for their patience and persistence in getting it right.

– Editor

FUNERAL DIRECTORS KENNEDY and TODD Traditional latin Mass, St. Patrick’s Wangaratta.

5pm each Sunday with a cuppa and supper afterwards.

All welcome.

For further info please go to Web: www.wlms.blogspot.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/spwangaratta Twitter: @SPWangaratta

BENSTAY ACCOMMODATION datiion!!

A mmodat dl Acco i dly i ’s Pet Frien Bendigo 1 – 2BR Unit, suit couples, small families, secure yard.

1 – 3 BR House, suit families, large secure yard.

Competitive rates, discounts for families Phone: 0458 266 800 / (03) 5448 3645 Email: benstayaccommodation@gmail.com

Dan Kennedy Serving Benalla, Nagambie, Seymour and District Prepaid funerals available 24 hour service - 7 days a week Nagambie 5794 2759, Benalla 5762 2461

BENDIGO FUNERALS SIMON MULQUEEN FUNERALS & PREPRE-PAID FUNERALS 29 Miller Street Bendigo www.smfd.com.au 5444 0400

Specialising in: • Residential & • Sub-Divisions TOM MAHER 0408 910 497 Rural Property • Project Management Principal • Property Management tom@maherrealestate.com.au • Auctions Licensed Estate Agent 8 King Street, Bendigo VIC 3550 (03) 5444 3312 office@maherrealestate.com.au www.maherrealestate.com.au www.maherrealestate.com.au

For a rollicking good time!

Come an enjoy an Irish-themed country getaway in the world-renowned Heathcote wine region! Real farm/real views/BBQs/country life/sleeps up to 12

$60pp for 2 nights!

www.killarapark.com Shane O’Sullivan (03) 5441 8415

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” – John 14:6

News

Page 16 – www.sandpiper.org.au

April 2015

Learning to listen to the ‘small voice of the spirit’ World War II story tells of a German widow who hid Jewish refugees in her home. Her friends became very worried when they discovered what she was doing. ‘You are risking your own well-being and your life,’ they said. ‘I know that,’ the woman responded. ‘Then, why….?’ they asked. Her answer was to the point. ‘I am doing it,’ she said, ‘because the time is now and I am here.’

We do not know what happened to the German woman in this story. We do know that she was a truly free and fully alive human being.

She was not crippled by fear, by hopelessness because of what was happening around her or by feelings of inadequacy. She lived – fully.

She did what she could to make a difference, in the place where she lived, surrounded by a world that appeared to be permanently shattered. In doing this, she also brought life to others.

Jesus lived, died and rose from death to life, bringing true freedom and fullness of life, to everyone who would accept these gifts.

He promised the Spirit to be with us on life’s journey, a helper and guide.

A

The ‘still small voice’ of the Spirit is heard deep within human hearts, and in the big and small events of our days. It is the Risen Christ calling each one of us to true freedom and fullness of life.

His disciples are his friends, and they are ‘life-bringers’ for others. The call is there in every moment and every situation, in the place where we are, and the time is now. Can we hear it?

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you…love one another.”

(John 15:12-17).

You may like to read one of the Gospel resurrection stories; in the Gospel of Mark (Mk 16:1-20); the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 28:1-20); the Gospel of Luke (Lk 24:1-53); John’s Gospel (Jn 20:1-29).

You can read via an iTunes App, Android or online. You can also view a movie version of the story: • Catholic Bible Lite - Bible ‘Just 1 Word’ App (also in Android). Website: www.just1word.com Search for App by name. Open any book of the

Bible with free English translations OR we recommend the ‘New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition’ (NRSVCE). Cost

$7.49 each. The font size can be changed for easy reading.

• The Jesus Film Media App (also Android) allows you to choose from different movie

versions of Gospel stories for viewing. www.app.jesusfilmmedia.org – Lyn Breen, Adult Faith Education Sandhurst

Conference to embrace ecology

The Holy Father’s Universal Prayer Intention for April 2015 is: “That people may learn to respect creation and care for it as a gift of God.”

Dear Reverend Father and/or Parish Leader, We come together in this coming Easter Season to celebrate creation and our communion in the Body of Christ. In April 2015 we would like to invite your parish community to join Pope Francis’ universal prayer intention for creation and prepare for his upcoming encyclical on ecology and climate change. Our concern for creation is above all a concern for life and what is life-giving.

This concern for creation is especially urgent in this time of climate change. There is a strong scientific consensus that climate change is caused by human action and will very likely have catastrophic consequences if not addressed. Climate change is here and now, affecting all countries, but the poor and those without reserves suffer the most. Saint John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have spoken of the urgent need for action on this moral issue (see Catholic teachings on climate change: bit.ly/PopesClimate).

The invitation to your parish is twofold: 1. INVITATION TO PRAY: As Christians we believe in the power of prayer, so we encourage you to include the Holy Father’s prayer intention (“That people may learn to respect creation and care for it as a gift of God”) into your community’s liturgy throughout April. Also, you can find several resources with a Care for Creation focus attached to this letter and online at bit.ly/care4creationmonth, that you could incorporate into the prayer life of your parish: Rosary meditations, Holy Hour meditations, litany to the Holy Trinity, daily meditations, etc.

2. INVITATION TO ACT: Pope Francis told us: “On climate change there is a clear, definitive and ineluctable ethical imperative to act.”

So we have prepared a Catholic petition addressed to the world leaders who will meet in a U.N. Climate Summit at Paris in December 2015, to urge them to commit to ambitious, pro-life action and solve the urgent climate crisis. We hope that you can join us in promoting the petition within your parishioners. Instructions are available online at bit.ly/catholicpetition As Catholics we choose respect for life, and we are called to turn from how we have caused damage to ourselves, others, and creation, to realize how we have missed the mark and inadvertently caused death or destruction, and to make life-giving choices. We ask forgiveness, reconcile and recommit ourselves to life so to begin again. We lift our voices for life and creation, now and in the future, with our faith in Resurrection.

Please visit bit.ly/care4creationmonth for more information and resources, such as posters and petition forms to print and promote in your parish.

Thanks and God bless you, The Global Catholic Climate Movement Note: the Global Catholic Climate Movement is an international network of almost 100 Catholic organizations working on the climate change issue, to care for God’s creation, for the poor –who are the most vulnerable to climate disruption–, and for our children –who will face the worst impacts in the coming years–. For more info: www.CatholicClimateMovement.global

W

ith Pope Francis soon to issue an encyclical on the environment, Australia’s premier conference on mission will adopt a very green hue when it begins in Sydney in May. The ‘Mission: one heart many voices’ conference, to be held at the SMC Conference Centre in Sydney’s CBD, is set to be a stirring exchange of ideas, boasting some of the world’s forefront minds on mission, theology and ecology.

A raft of experts will lead the conference, including the world-renowned missiologist Father Stephen Bevans; Catholic Earthcare Australia National Director Jacqui Remond; science and theology expert Fr Denis Edwards; Indigenous leader Professor Patrick Dodson; and highlyrespected theologian and archaeologist, Fr Eugene Stockton.

The conference, presented

by Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia, will take place amidst an air of anticipation surrounding Pope Francis’ eagerly awaited encyclical on the environment, expected to be released in coming months.

Catholic Mission Deputy National Director Peter Gates says the conference will combine both reflection and foresight.

“As did its inaugural version in 2013, ‘Mission: one heart many voices’ will draw heavily on the words of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium,” he says.

“In particular we are called to ‘run the risk of a face-toface encounter with others’.

The conference embraces this calling ahead of the coming encyclical, with multisector dialogue that aims to contribute to the ‘revolution of tenderness’, to which Pope Francis claims we are all summoned. This revolution of tenderness is never more critical than in our interaction with each other and our environment.”

Mr Gates says that, with a slate of thoroughly engaging

keynote addresses and workshops, the conference is a must for leaders of mission across the many ministries of the Church, including the parish, health and aged care, education and social services sectors.

“This is the premier conference on living the Joy of the Gospel and leading mission in the context of today,” says Mr Gates.

“This year promises to be an even more dynamic and engaging event, especially in tackling one of the most important issues of our time: the environment. What better time to bring together so many brilliant voices than in anticipation of an historic encyclical on that very issue?”

The ‘Mission: one heart many voices’ conference will run in Sydney from May 18-20.

Registrations are still open for this groundbreaking event.

For more information, or to register, visit www. mohmv.com.au or call 1800 257 296.

May the words Therefore, of my mouth if anyone and the is inmedita Christ he onisofa my newheart crea be on; pleasing the oldinhas your gone, sight, theOnew Lord,has mycome!

Rock and – 2 Corinthians my Redeemer.

5:17– Psalm 19:14

News

April 2015

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 17

Diocese joins for Chrism Mass BISHOP of Sandhurst Les Tomlinson celebrated the annual Chrism Mass on March 24 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Chrism Mass, or Mass of the Holy Oils as it is also known, is a particularly special Mass in which the Bishop blesses the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick and the oil of chrism. The first is used for adult catechumens and infants, the second for anointing the sick, and the sacred oil of chrism for Baptism, Confirmation, the Ordination of priests, and the consecration of altars.

All three are basically an olive oil with chrism spices, traditionally balsam.

Bishop Les Tomlinson breathes upon the Oil of Chrism during the Mass of the Holy Oils.

The oils are brought to the altar.

Bishop Les Tomlinson’s homily

W

e seek a profound renewal of all that makes us instruments of Christ in our society today.

So we approach this celebration with great humility. Here we are to receive the gifts we need if we are to continue to fulfil the great invitation we have been given.

At this Mass we also gather together as Bishop and Priests of the Diocese of Sandhurst in company with the faithful, to strengthen our Communion with each other and to bless the Holy Oils that will be used in the coming year in the Diocese. We also welcome those who have joined us for this beautiful Mass.

The readings today indicate that those who follow the Lord are sent.

In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah we hear the prophet’s acclamation that he has been ‘sent to bring good news to the poor’.

This acclamation is continued by Christ himself in the Gospel of Luke, in which Jesus appropriates the Old

Deacon Stephen Bolling reads the Gospel.

Testament call to acknowledge that ‘the Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me and sent me ‘to bring Good News to the poor ‘ In the Opening Prayer of the Mass, we asked that by sharing in the consecration of Christ - a consecration in the Holy Spirit - we might become witnesses to his resurrection, to his new life, in our society today. Chrism is the outward sign of that consecration.

Chrism, the word, which shapes the very title ‘Christ’, and indeed the word ‘Christian’, is at the heart of this ceremony, for in blessing and using Chrism we are bound to Christ both in his life and in his mission. Through Chrism we are a consecrated people, set apart for a task, which is consecrating the world to God, through our prayer and through our witness.

At Baptism, Chrism proclaims that by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we have become, in the Son, the Father’s beloved sons and daughters. We are called to embody in our daily actions, in our flesh, the fullness of life

Parishioners gather during the blessing.

as our creator means it to be.

At Confirmation, this baptismal grace is deepened by a further anointing with Chrism.

Enriched with the special strength of the Holy Spirit, we are more firmly united to Christ and called to be his true witnesses, spreading and defending our faith by word and deed. Today we hear and respond afresh to this vocation.

Chrism was also used at our Ordination as priests and bishop.

We look forward to September when Stephen Bolling is due to be ordained a priest, using the Chrism consecrated today.

Through the laying on of hands the Lord chooses men to become sharers in his sacred ministry, acting in the person of Christ the Head and in the name of the Church. Today I want to thank you, my brother priests, for all your faithfulness and ministry.

Let no one doubt, the priests of our diocese are good priests, sincere and generous.

However, we priests are thoroughly human, and we do sometimes have flaws. Yet we are glad to be priests, glad

Representatives of each parish brought oil to be blessed.

to serve the Church we love, willingly seeking renewal today.

We are greatly encouraged by those wonderful priests who have ministered before us so remarkably well, and by the enthusiasm of those who are stepping forward to test their vocation in seminary formation.

The promises of our Ordination, which priests renew today, are a pledge to work together, maintaining a strong and visible unity with the bishop.

We promise ‘to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, not seeking any gain but moved only by zeal for souls’ and ‘to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and other liturgical rites.’

Indeed, these are two of the great callings of the priest by which the Church is both formed and nourished: to preach the Word and to celebrate the Mass and the Sacraments, thereby making present for all people, the saving sacrifice of Christ.

A request which I put to you today with all my heart is: ‘Pray for each other; pray that the Lord

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.– Psalm 119:105

may pour out his gifts abundantly upon all priests and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest.

Today the oil of Catechumens, the oil of the Sick and the newly consecrated Chrism will be taken from here to every parish in the Diocese. May they affect a deep renewal in the lives of all who are anointed with these oils, in the lives of all who accompany them with their love and prayers and in the lives of all who administer these sacraments.

Then we will be ready to face all the challenges of our age with serenity, determination and vigour.

Let us, with all our hearts, say in word and in witness of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the second reading of today’s Mass, that He is and always will be ‘the Alpha, the Omega, the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’ (Rev. 1:8) Together, let us now continue our Mass praying that Jesus will give us a deeper experience of the unity of the Priesthood.

World News

Page 18 – www.sandpiper.org.au

April 2015

Attacks follow bishops’ peace march TALIBAN homicide bombers blew themselves up at two Christian churches during Sunday Mass in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore, leaving at least 15 people dead and more than 70 injured last month.

Novices and Sisters of The Daughters of Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary in Larantuka. © Aid to the Church in Need

Indonesia insight INDONESIA

By Oliver Maksan

I

ndonesia is a country of superlatives; it consists of more than 17,000 islands, extends over more than 5,000 kilometres and has a population of about 250 million. The main islands or groups of islands are Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and the Moluccas.

About 300 different ethnic groups live there, mostly Malays. There is also a clear majority when it comes to religious adherence: according to the 2010 census, 87.2 per cent profess to adhere to Islam, 9.9 to Christianity (Catholics 2.9), 1.7 to Hinduism and 0.7 to Buddhism.

The constitution of the Republic of Indonesia guarantees religious freedom. The officially recognised religions are Islam, Christianity (Protestantism and Catholicism), Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

According to Franz Magnis-Suseno, a Catholic priest, Jesuit and philosopher, Indonesia is “probably the only country with an Islamic majority in which Muslims can be baptised.”

Magnis-Suseno, born in Silesia in 1936, has lived in Indonesia since 1961. In 1977 he took on Indonesian nationality.

He is regarded as an expert on the country and an important

bridge-builder between the religions.

When visiting the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Father Magnis-Suseno said: “In Indonesia, Islam varies quite considerably in its intensity and orientation.

There are extreme forms, but mainstream Islam tends to be moderate and pluralistic, in other words it is recognised that other religions exist in the country.”

Nevertheless the Jesuit believes that constant efforts to maintain good contacts with moderate Muslims are absolutely essential for Indonesia’s 25 million Christians: “When you want to build a church, good neighbourliness is just as important as it is in critical situations.

In my estimation, Catholics enjoy better relations with Muslims than Christians of other denominations because we are ethnically more diverse and hence rooted in the locality. But it’s necessary to work actively to establish good relations with Muslim personalities. I am always saying to our pastors, devote at least ten per cent of your time to getting into conversation with your Muslim neighbours.”

The number of Catholics, which the Jesuit estimates at 8 million, is growing, he claims, as is the number of Catholic priests: “The churches are full, the quality of the indigenous clergy is high.”

This attack came only a month after bishops in Pakistan called for an end to the persecution of Christians, and for the Pakistani Government to provide protection for minorities.

Fr Dennis George, a priest of the Archdiocese of New Delhi, attempted to join a demonstration on February 5 against the desecration and attacks on five Catholic churches in the Indian capital as well as months of harassment of Christians throughout the country.

“Three policemen tried to drag me away, but I resisted. Then half a dozen of them lifted me up—with one even choking me by the neck— and put me in the police bus,” he said when retelling his story to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need on March 5.

The unrest did prod India’s political leader into action. “My government will not allow any religious group, belonging to the majority or the minority, to incite hatred against others, overtly or covertly,” declared Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, February 17.

Bishops in Pakistan call for an end to persecution of Christians.

The March 15 attacks have drawn condemnation from Pope Francis, who made an appeal for peace in Pakistan and for solidarity with the country’s persecuted Christian minority. He also accused the world of, “trying to hide” the persecution of Christians.

“With pain, with much pain,” said Pope Francis to the crowd of pilgrims and tourists gathered for the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, “I learned of the terrorist attacks today against two churches in the city of Lahore in Pakistan, which have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries,” for which a Taliban splinter group, calling itself Jamatul Ahrar, has claimed responsibility.

The twin attacks took place on churches only a few hundred metres apart from one another in one of the largest Christian neighbourhoods of the city, Youhanabad.

Pope Francis went on to say, “These are Christian churches: Christians are being persecuted.

Our brothers’ and sisters’ blood is shed only because they are Christians. As I assure you of my prayers for the victims and their families, I ask the Lord, I beseech the Lord, source of all good, for the gift of peace and harmony to this country.”

Concluding his appeal, Pope Francis prayed, “That this persecution against Christians, which the world tries to hide, might end, and that there be peace.”

Muslim Imam Kobine Layama with Catholic Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga. © Aid to the Church in Need

INDONESIA

By Antonia von Alten

POPE Francis will be visiting the Central African Republic at the end of November this year.

This was recently confirmed by Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, in an interview with the Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need.

The announcement of the papal visit was for him personally a sign of the goodness of God and a consolation, he said.

“He comes to us as a father – precisely at a moment when we have just been through a long

crisis that has left deep scars behind.”

He is hoping that the papal visit will bring new strength to the people of the Central African Republic.

From 2012 until 2014 the Central African Republic was plunged into chaos and anarchy, in a state of near civil war between the Seleka rebels and the anti-Balaka militias.

However this conflict, though often described as a conflict between Christians and Muslims, is not in fact a religious conflict, Archbishop Nzapalainga insisted.

The Seleka rebels are above all mercenaries from Chad and Sudan who speak neither French nor the language of the country, Sango, he explained.

Sandpiper

Pope to visit central Africa

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all crea on, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Romans 8:38-39

World News

April 2015

Vatican endorses force against IS THE Vatican’s most senior diplomat at the United Nations in Geneva has endorsed the use of military force to stop the so-called Islamic State (IS), which is committing atrocities against Christians and other minorities.

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi said that if a political solution cannot be found then the use of force will be necessary.

“We have to stop this kind of genocide,” Archbishop Tomasi said in an interview with the Catholic news website Crux.

“Otherwise we’ll be crying out in the future about why we didn’t so something, why we allowed such a terrible tragedy to happen,” he said.

He added that Christians and minorities in the Middle East targeted by IS needed “more co-ordinated protection, including the use of force to stop the hands of an aggressor” and that “some responsibility [to act] is clear.”

The archbishop stressed, however, that any action

should be supported and led by the UN, and must involve countries from the Middle East.

This support by the Holy See for the use of force is unusual. The Vatican has opposed recent military interventions in the Middle East.

Last year, however, Pope Francis said it is “licit to stop the unjust aggressor” when asked about United States’ military action against IS. Archbishop Tomasi appears to be locating the call for military action within the Just War tradition (formulated by Saints Augustine and Thomas Aquinas) that puts forward moral criteria for the use of force. These include that war be the last resort, undertaken by the proper authority and that bringing about peace is the aim.

The archbishop’s comments on military force came on the same day he presented a statement “Supporting the Human Rights of Christians and Other Communities, particularly in the Middle East,”

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12 Kerang St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 92 Nolan St 2pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions and Holy Rosary.

3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet Celebrant: Fr Eugene Dela Corte Numurkah St John’s Catholic Church, Tocumwal Road.

10.30am Holy Mass 2.30pm to 4.30pm Adoration, Confessions and Blessing of Divine Mercy Image.

3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet 4pm Holy Rosary 4.30pm Benediction.

Main Celebrant: Fr Michael Grace Rochester St Joseph’s Catholic Church Fraser Street 1pm-1.30pm Confession (several priests).

1.10pm Holy Rosary 1.30pm Holy Mass (Exposition at the end of Mass) 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet 3.45pm Pro-life Rosary 4.15pm Benediction 4.30pm Veneration of St Faustina’s First Class Relic.

Main celebrant: Fr Peter Austin

DIVINE MERCY NOVENA A novena beginning on Good Friday is also available to pray in preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday.

Visit www.ewtn.com.au/devotionals/mercy/novena. htm or email the editor@sandpiper.org.au

White Hills Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 2 Hamelin Street, Bendigo 1pm Confessions 1.30pm Holy Mass 2.30pm Adoration, Holy Rosary, Confessions 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet Confessions also available on Saturday at 5.45pm Main Celebrant: Fr Ted Harte Shepparton St Brendan’s Catholic Church, 121 Knight Street 1pm DVD: Tears from Heaven

Copts recognise 21 slain as saints

THE Coptic Orthodox Church has announced that the murder of the 21 Egyptian Christians killed by the so-called Islamic State in Libya will be comco-authored with Russia and memorated in its Church Lebanon, to the UN in Geneva. calendar.

The statement drew 70 signatories including the United Kingdom, United States and France. Archbishop Tomasi said it was the first time the plight of persecuted Christians had been addressed at the UN in this way.

“We are not fighting for Christians simply because they’re Christians,” he said.

“We start from the foundation that they are human beings with equal rights.”

IS, which is made up of radical Sunni extremists, is believed to have slaughtered Christians and other minorities with impunity and displaced thousands of nonMuslims in its attempts to establish a “caliphate”.

Last month the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said he would accept UN-led military intervention in Libya, after Islamic State (IS) jihadists beheaded 21 Coptic Christians there.

2pm Exposition and Confession (several priests) 3pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3.30pm Holy Mass Celebrant: Fr Joe Taylor Myrtleford St Mary’s Catholic Church Lawrence Street 2pm Exposition, Holy Rosary and Confession 3pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3.15pm Holy Mass Celebrant: Fr Peter Ferwerda

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 19

Pope Tawadros II announced that the names of the martyrs will be inserted into the Coptic Synaxarium, the Oriental Church’s equivalent to the Roman Martyrology.

This procedure is also equivalent to canonisation in the Latin Church.

The martyrdom of the 21 Christians will be commemorated on the 8th Amshir of the Coptic calendar, or February 15 of the Gregorian calendar. The commemoration falls on the feast day of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

Militants of the Islamic State released a gruesome video entitled A Message Signed in Blood to the Nation of the Cross in which they released a warning saying they were “south of Rome.”

They then proceeded to behead the Christian men, some of whom were seen mouthing

the words “Lord Jesus Christ” moments before their death.

On February 17 Pope Francis offered Mass for the repose of the souls of the 21 Egyptian Christians killed by ISIS militants, praying that man learn to reject his evil temptations, and choose what is good.

The Pope prayed for “our brother Copts, whose throats were slit for the sole reason of being Christian, that the Lord welcome them as martyrs, for their families, (and) for my brother Tawadros, who is suffering greatly.”

Call for fair, just redress system

P

roviding redress to survivors of child sexual abuse no matter where or when it occurred, no matter who was responsible, no matter the nature of the abuse, is a crucial social issue we as a nation need to settle during the course of this Royal Commission.

Bearing witness to the tragedy of institutional child sexual abuse requires both recognition of the history and practical steps by institutions and governments, to take responsibility for their failure to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice.

That such abuse has occurred at all and the extent to which it has occurred in the Catholic Church are facts of which the whole Church in Australia is ashamed.

In taking responsibility for this history, our redress and civil litigation submission is a plank of the reform agenda being undertaken by the church.

Like the Commission’s consultation paper, nothing in our submission is set in stone.

We, like so many others, are here to be part of the conversation – to do what we can to achieve the end result of a workable, practical scheme that upholds individual dignity and helps rebuild broken lives.

Our submission aims to achieve two fundamental objectives: One, that all survivors of child sexual abuse across Australia can receive redress based on the same criteria and conditions, determined independently and easily accessible, regardless of the circumstances of the abuse.

Two, that the survivors of child sexual abuse who decide to take a claim to court are treated with compassion and dignity, that their claim is not blocked by limitation periods and that there will always be an entity backed by insurance or assets against which the claim may be brought.

If these objectives can be met, then an approach to redress built on fairness, independence and compassion should be able to achieve what many survivors and their advocates have been calling for. It should be able to address the concerns identified during the Commission process about the Church’s current redress processes, Towards Healing and the Melbourne Response, and deliver redress and ongoing help for survivors regardless of the circumstances of the abuse.

In brief our proposal, largely supporting what is set out in the Royal Commission’s Consultation Paper, calls for: • a single national redress scheme led by the Australian Government and with the participation of state and territory governments and non-government institutions; • direct financial redress capped at around $150,000; • financial redress that takes account of the severity of the abuse and the impact of the abuse; • additional funding for counselling and psychological care; • for those survivors who wish it, a meaningful and genuine apology delivered as a direct personal response from the relevant church leader; • an application process for accessing the scheme that is as clear and simple as possible, and • claims determined on the balance of probabilities.

Regarding civil litigation we have consistently maintained that a fair, independent and generous redress scheme is a better option for survivors of child sexual abuse than the adversarial litigation process.

We also understand, however, that despite the difficulties, some individuals will wish to pursue a claim through the courts.

For these individuals, there are two particular impediments that should be addressed: limitation periods and identifying an entity to sue.

We agree with the Royal Commission’s suggestion of reform to the limitation period and suggest it be extended to 25 years after the claimant turns 18 with a further extension available at the discretion of the Courts.

Secondly regarding the significant issue of identifying the proper party against which to bring proceedings, we suggest legislation should be introduced imposing a requirement on all unincorporated associations which appoint or supervise people working with children, to establish an incorporated entity able to be sued on behalf of the institution.

It would be an entity against whom any victim of alleged abuse who wished to sue could proceed.

In addition to these changes, the Council supports the Royal Commission’s proposal for the introduction of a statutory duty to make institutions liable for child sexual abuse unless the institution can prove it took reasonable precautions to prevent the abuse.

We need laws in our country which hold all institutions, large or small, accountable for the protection and safety of children.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Justice News

Page 20 – www.sandpiper.org.au

April 2015

Bishop defends remote communities

C

hairman of the Bishops Commission for Relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Bishop Christopher Saunders, has posed the question ‘What choice?’ to Prime Minister Tony Abbott after his comment that Aboriginal peoples are living in remote communities as a ‘lifestyle choice’.

“Where is the lifestyle choice?”

Bishop Saunders asked.

“Communities are under-serviced and patently there is insufficient listening to the voices of people in Aboriginal communities. We are forcing Aboriginal people out of their ancestral lands to live in regional towns. The reality is that when a community is closed down people and their families have nowhere to go, so they end up on the streets, separated

from their land, heritage, family, culture and spirituality.

“It is a basic human right to choose where you live, but it seems that our government is giving people in Aboriginal communities the ‘choice’ to live in a community with only limited resources and services.

“After 200 years of colonisation and dispossession, surely out of fairness, we owe something to Australia’s First Nations in the way of respect

and recompense. Recent research has found that where Aboriginal communities are supported to serve as models of landscape management or as the source of new community initiatives, they have far better outcomes in health and education. Like other Australians, they have the right to access basic municipal services.”

Today the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) said, ‘The Prime

Minister’s use of the term “lifestyle choices” is an insult to Aboriginal people.

To dispossess another generation of our people will deal a further blow to health, education and living standard disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Additionally, the burden on other communities will increase as people are forced to move.’

Food for life program to give life to communities

By Lauren Harris, Bree Poar and Shannon Holzheimer – Year 10 Journalism St Mary of the Angels Secondary College

WITH one third of the Peruvian population living in poverty, the importance of food production and food security is essential.

It is this focus that has led to the three projects that Caritas has been working on in Peru; the focus of an address delivered to Year 7-10 students on Wednesday 25th February.

Father Rom Hayes who translated for our guest speaker Lucho, together with Kerry Stone spoke passionately about Caritas’ commitment to working with the poorest of the poor and the importance of working with whole communities rather than individuals.

The first of the three projects involved the production

of the Cherimoya tree (Custard apple).

Caritas is teaching the Peruvians cropping techniques by helping to get better seeds and finding better conditions for growing.

The result is that farmers are producing much bigger trees and better fruit.

The second project Caritas has co-ordinated is in the village of Muzga which is 2500m above sea level. Before the involvement of Caritas, the nearest water source was over one kilometre away and was so scarce that it was reused multiple times for washing clothes and use in the kitchen before finally being boiled and drunk.

To improve the community’s situation, Caritas has assisted in the installation of a water pipe to get water from the Amazon River upstream to the people.

This has resulted in water being available to grow Cherimoya fruit trees.

Caritas visitor Lucho with Fr From Hayes and students at St Mary’s Nathalia.

Caritas is also involved in supporting a project to assist villagers in the mountainous region of Jucal, a village 3600m above sea level.

Unable to grow fruit trees due to the high altitude of the mountain environment, animals are a central part of the population’s subsistence.

Cows are versatile because they provide cow dung for fuel and are a

central source of meat for the mountain families.

Because of the isolated nature of the community, the quality of the herd needed to be improved.

The introduction of genetic versatility has drastically increased milk production. Another important food source are guinea-pigs.

They are regarded as a delicacy and they “breed like rabbits”, said Fr Rom who translated for Luca.

Caritas is not only concerned with improving food production but has a project focussed on improving relations.

They address issues to do with self-esteem and focus on ways of enabling women to establish equality.

Lucho concluded by thanking the St Mary’s students for helping to improve the situation of Peruvians through their Caritas fundraising.

The social justice team, led by Emily Trewin, reminded students of the importance of Lucho’s story in showing us the work of Caritas in action.

Call to help Vanuatu recovery What’s happening IN mid-March, the island nation of Vanuatu which has a population of 250,000, was devastated by the largest cyclone to have ever hit the country.

Thousands of homes, communities and livelihoods across the island have been wiped out.

The international Caritas network has responded with strong support.

Caritas Australia’s Pacific Programs Manager, Stephanie Lalor is on the ground to help co-ordinate humanitarian relief efforts,

along with Mark Mitchell, Humanitarian Programs Co-ordinator for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

“It was certainly an eerie feeling as we flew in – coming into a capital city without much lighting, it was quite clear a lot of the town had been severely affected,” Ms Lalor said.

“I awoke in the morning to devastation around me. I’m actually living with a member of our partner organisation the Diocese of Port Vila. She’s in an area severely impacted and has half the roof blown off her house.”

“Caritas Australia has a long running partnership with the Diocese of Port Vila and has been supporting programs over a number of years, including programs that reduce risks to disasters,” Ms Lalor said.

Caritas Australia has had a very generous public response to the Pacific emergency. Ms Lalor says, “We are very thankful for the outpouring of concern, generosity and solidarity for our Pacific neighbours in this time of need.”

“After responding to the immediate needs following

the cyclone, we are committed to accompanying Vanuatu and other Pacific nations that remain so vulnerable throughout the cyclone season,” said Ms Lalor.

“We are encouraging our supporters to raise funds for our current Project Compassion Lenten appeal which helps vulnerable Pacific communities, such as Vanuatu, build back stronger and prepare for future disasters,” Donate today www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion.

to Australian aid?

IN 2014, the government cut the Australian aid program by a staggering $11.3 billion over four years.

This means that next year’s aid budget will be cut by 20%.

These cuts are devastating for people in the world’s most vulnerable communities.

The cuts take Australian aid to its lowest level in six decades. Sadly, these cuts will lead Australia to become one of the least generous nations in the world relative to our economy.

Non-government organisations like Caritas Australia are

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8

one of the channels of Australian Aid. Although agencies are yet to learn the exact extent the cuts will have on this year’s (and future) budget, there is no doubt they will impact on Caritas’ ability to maintain its partnerships with the most vulnerable.

If ever there was a time to support Project Compassion, it is now! You are also urged to visit www.caritas.org.au/act/ australian-aid to learn about Caritas’ campaign for more and better aid, and to write to your local MP to express your disappointment with the aid cuts.

News

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 21

Learning to breathe, pray

By Margaret-Mary Flynn Cathedral Parish

M

ost of us are very good at being givers, whether it be a present, or the gift of time, work or energy. Often our struggle is not so much with generosity, but with circumstances that don’t let us give as much as we might like. We feel good when we volunteer to help those going through hard times.

When my little grandson trips and hurts himself, I pick him up, cuddle and soothe him, check the damage, and generally restore joy and peace in his little life. Off he goes, and we both feel good.

But we are not always so comfortable being receivers. When I came a purler on my wet hallway floor, I felt really foolish, and grateful that my mishap went unobserved! I didn’t want anyone to see me needy and vulnerable. Only my

>> Crossword

Diocesan Calendar April 5 EASTER SUNDAY April 13 School Term 2 begins.

April 15 Stronger L!VE for Young Adults 18+ Bendigo May 11 The Gospel of Mark, Fr Brian Boyle, De Campo Hall Hargreaves St Bendigo May 14 The Gospel of Mark, Fr Brian Boyle, Wangaratta.

May 9-10 CTC – Sandhurst Grad Cert Theology weekend: Sacred Scripture: A Foundation for Pastoral Ministry

pride was hurt, as the saying goes, but hurt pride is cheerless comfort.

When the Risen Jesus returns to the Apostles, they are hurt, ashamed, and afraid. They are vulnerable and in need of help.

Some of them were wondering what an empty tomb meant.

Where was home now? Each was sitting alone in a crowd, absorbed in what had happened to them, or what would happen, and they had lost sight of Jesus.

So it was to a gloomy Upper Room that Jesus came. He brings them the gifts of peace and joy: “Peace be with you,” he says.

Then he breathes on them, and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

When we let ourselves lose sight of Jesus, we drift from home.

Focussing on the past or the future, we can become trapped in regret or anxiety, where neither peace nor joy can be found, or received.

We become discouraged, afraid to believe in better times, and self-absorbed.

We need Jesus to come into our locked room, but don’t know where to begin to find strength and hope in the face of our difficulties.

Simply sit quietly, let your heart turn to Him. Breathe in, and pray “Peace be with you.” On the outbreath, pray “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Make this your breath prayer often. Trust that grace is at work in the depths of your being, even when nothing can be seen or known.

The empty tomb is God’s sign and promise of utter faithfulness. We are never abandoned.

Let the prayer of the Risen Jesus make of us all joyful receivers, and givers of His peace.

ACROSS 1 Fiftieth day after Easter Sunday (9,6) 8 A refreshing drink (5) 9 Legal system based on custom and precedent (3,6) 10 Type of Eucharistic Celebration incorporating another sacrament (6,4) 11 Type of cheese (4) 14 Feast Day on the Sunday following 1 Across (4,7) 17 Abbreviation denoting a company or association legal status (3) 18 A religious sister (3) 19 Foundress of modern nursing (England) (11) 20 A wild animal’s resting place (4) 21 Saint of Lourdes, parents to be canonised this year (10) 25 Musical production based on a mythical Scottish village (9) 26 Barcelona architect to be beatified this year (5) 27 Commune and ancient monastery just south of Paris (2,4,3,6) Crossword solution Page 22 May 18 Church & Mission, Cardinal Wilfred Napier (Africa, HELDER CAMARA LECTURER) day and evening, Shepparton May 22 Stronger Rally Bendigo May 24 PENTECOST May 30 Catholic Charismatic Renewal: Scripture Day, ‘Jesus “The Way”’, Fr Rob Galea, Mons Peter Jeffrey Parish Centre, Shepparton.

June 23 eConference 2015 ‘Religion: catalyst for violence or peace? Probing the Abrahamic traditions for answers’; Mohamad Abdalla

(Griffith University QLD), Amy-Jill Levine (Vanderbilt Divinity School, US), Dorothy Lee (Trinity College, Melbourne Uni), Terry Lovat, (Oxford Uni, Broken Bay Institute) June 26 School Term 2 ends.

July 13 School Term 3 begins.

July 18-19 CTC – Sandhurst Grad Cert Theology weekend: Foundational Theology for Pastoral Ministry July 24 Stronger Rally Shepparton August 8 Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Scripture Day, ‘Jesus “The Truth”’, Fr Rob

April 2015

DOWN 1 Oceania’s first martyrsaint (5,6) 2 Group of nine (5) 3 Delightful or casting a spell (10) 4 Franciscan friar who coined a “razor” theory of logic (5) 5 Recent digital TV term that enables viewers to watch programs later (4-5) 6 Unidentified Flying Objects (abbr) (4) 7 Life of wealth and pleasure (Italian) (5,4) 12 Superheroes greatest foes (11) 13 Pretending to be asleep or quietly hiding away (5.5) 15 Britain’s capital during the Roman Empire (Latin) (9) 16 Towns in Victoria and Tasmania (9) 22 Monastic prayer in mid afternoon (5) 23 St Martin’s diocese and place of pilgrimage (5) 24 PNG Western District capital (4)

Galea, Mons Peter Jeffrey Parish Centre, Shepparton.

August 12 Retreat Day & Reflection Evening, “Contemplation – Living in a world of chaos’, Dr Donna Orsuto (Rome, HELDER CAMARA LECTURER), Retreat Day, Refection Evening, Wangaratta August 15-16 CTC – Sandhurst Grad Cert Theology weekend: Foundational Theology for Pastoral Ministry September 18 School term 3 ends.

September 18-20 Stronger Retreat

>> A Taste aste oof Sa Sandhurst d u st

Margaret Mary Mar Flynn Fl nn brings us recipes that celebrate the food of our Sandhurst region!

The last of the summer stone fruits are with us, and this delicious cake celebrates orchard and hedge-row.

It can also be made with plums, peaches or even tinned fruit halves. And if your blackberrying days are past, cheat and use a punnet.

Nectarine and Blackberry Cake

1 ½ cups plain flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt ¾ cup of caster sugar 180g butter 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla Scant ½ cup milk 6 nectarines, halved and pitted 1 cup blackberries 4 tablespoons caster sugar, extra Preheat oven to 180 C. Line a 20x30 cm lamington tin with baking parchment.

Beat the butter and ¾ cup caster sugar together until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time.

Add the vanilla. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together, then use a wooden spoon to mix into butter mixture, alternately with the milk.

Spread the cake batter into the prepared tin, and arrange nectarines on top in 4 rows of 3, spaced evenly.

Sprinkle with the blackberries, then with 1 tablespoon of extra caster sugar.

Bake in oven for 25 minutes, then sprinkle over the reserved 3 tablespoons of caster sugar, and bake a further 15-20, or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

This cake best served warm with cream or Greek yoghurt, cut into 12 squares.

September 19 Ordination to Priesthood: Rev Stephen Bolling Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo October 5 School Term 4 begins.

October 16-18 Catholic Charismatic Renewal Annual Seminar: “Jesus: the Way, the Truth and the Life”, Fr Francis Otobo, Melbourne Uni campus, Dookie October 20 The Experience of God’s Compassion in Daily Life, Margaret Silf (UK, HELDER CAMARA LECTURER) Reflection Day & Reflection Evening, Bendigo.

October 31 Catholic Charismatic Renewal, ‘Jesus “The Life”’,

Fr Rob Galea, St Joseph’s Parish, Quarry Hill, Bendigo.

November 27-29 Catholic Charismatic Renewal: Family Outreach Weekend. “Spirituality in the Park”, Fr Francis Otobo, Holiday Park.

LATE NOVEMBER Justice… Cardinal Rodriguez (Honduras, HELDER CAMARA LECTURER) details tba.

December 3-5 ACYF Australian Catholic Youth Festival December 18 School Term 4 ends.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and pe on, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6,7

News

Page 22 – www.sandpiper.org.au

>> From the Seminary

April 2015

>> Disability inclusion

Echuca parish builds on inclusivity Terry McKiterick, parishioner of St Mary’s Parish, Echuca talks about the accessibility upgrades at his local parish and how this has enhanced participation in the liturgy for people with disability.

Sandhurst Seminarians join Bishop Les Tomlinson and Fr Brian Boyle.

Trustees visit Corpus Christi Seminarian Adi Indra is studying for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College, Carlton.

T

he board of trustees of Corpus Christi College visited the seminary for the first time in 2015 on Friday, March 6.

It was also the first visit of the newest members of the board: Bishop Patrick O’Regan of Sale, and Auxiliary Bishops of Melbourne, Bishops Terry Curtin and mark Edwards OMI. The day for the bishops started with a meeting, which was followed by Mass at the Sacred Heart Church. Archbishop Denis Hart was the principal celebrant and Bishop Terry Curtin was the homilist.

In his homily, Bishop Curtin spoke about the love of God that transforms our ‘heart of stone’ into a ‘heart of flesh’.

“The parable of the vineyard reminds us of God’s compassion towards humanity,” Bishop Curtin said.

“God comes back again and again to see us, the tenants of his vineyard, because he is faithful to us. Let us ask God for the gift of compassion so

we can see things as God sees them.

Compassion will change our lives.”

Olek Stirrat, a first-year seminarian for the Adelaide Archdiocese, said he was thrilled to be part of the seminary community.

“It was really amazing to see the bishops coming together to be with us,” he said.

Mass was followed by lunch at which Archbishop Hart formally welcomed 13 first-year seminarians. Each was given a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the College Crest badge.

Archbishop Hart said that at the meeting the trustees had agreed to build additional rooms for the college.

“It is great to see the seminary community is flourishing. We are grateful to God that more young men are responding to the call to the priesthood,” he said.

The board of trustees is scheduled to visit the seminary twice a year. Their next meeting is scheduled for November 2015.

D

uring Lent 2002, the parishioners were invited to explore the potential of renewing their Church building and to offer their guidance in setting out their aspirations for renewal.

More than 60 parishioners responded and offered their thoughts on many aspects of our liturgical life: the importance of the altar, table, baptismal font, lectern, assembling and participating.

It was realised, too, that some parishioners were excluded from participating in active ministry because of physical disability. To mention a few challenges, the lectern was not accessible to people in wheelchairs or who have trouble negotiating stairs. Also, people with hearing impairments could not properly hear the proclamation of the Word or the priest’s homily.

In the following years, two ramps were installed. One ramp is for access from outside the building, with the second ramp giving access to the sanctuary (including the altar and lectern).

This second ramp has also become part of the processional way in which the Book of the Word is taken to the lectern.

It is also used by those who are troubled by stairs – even two or three steps can trip people up. When the ramp is used with confidence and not embarrassment, nobody in the assembly finds its use in any way remarkable.

A hearing loop was installed a couple of years ago and is effective in the whole of the church, not just in a limited area. No

>> Library learning centre review

headphones or gadgets are necessary, but modern, programmable hearing aids are required.

Only the user is aware that he or she is using the loop. Most users are very happy with the ability to now hear the liturgy, especially the homily and readings. One parishioner joyfully told me that it was the first time she had heard a homily in many years and she was very excited by this.

We are continuing to explore the use of our visual monitors to enhance our liturgies and to give messages that might otherwise be hidden somewhere in the Bulletin.

We have also recently created a prayer space in Our Lady Chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament is now permanently reserved.

This chapel is freely accessible via the outside ramp and a cleared aisle space leading to comfortable chairs and, if required, kneelers.

It is all a work in progress.

Daniel Gile’s comment: On a recent visit to the parish, I was impressed they were enabling people with disability to be actively involved in church ministry.

It is important to remember that all people (including people with disability) are called to actively serve in the church and that access to church facilities (such as the sanctuary) can facilitate this. This would also enable the opportunity for priests with disability to say Mass (as witnessed recently).

I hope that all parishes can in the near future consider making their sanctuaries accessible so all parishioners can serve at Mass.

If you have a story related to church and disability that you’d like to share in Sandpiper, please contact me (Daniel Giles) on luke14. bendigo.region@gmail.com (don’t forget the dots!) or 0439 562 286

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Blood brothers a book about peace BLOOD BROTHERS

By Elias Chacour.

his is the true story of Courageous Peace; peace in a world of war and turmoil, peace born of the determination to bring faith to life.

T

This story is about the life of one man, Father Elias Chacour, a Palestinian Melkite Catholic working for peace in Israel.

Elias’ life starts with a childhood many of us would relate to, “Time passed almost seamlessly from one harvest to another, marked by births, deaths and holidays. I felt safe and sheltered here, as if the very arms of God embraced our hills like the strong, overarching stones of our church.”

Life in their village is poor but “beneath the surface poverty the life of the spirit is rich”.

Elias listens to the stories of his faith sitting on the lap of his mother playing with her “doves and fishes” necklace.

Her favourite is the Beatitudes and this Gospel shapes his family and the rest of his life. His faith is further nurtured by his father whose trust in God is so strong that there is the question – is he naive or truly courageous? It is Michael, his father, who constantly says, “The Jews are our blood brothers”, thus the title of the book.

His idyllic childhood shelters him from the conflicts in the region around him but, when conflict comes to Birum and his family is made homeless, there

is no more shelter. He attends an orphanage (his parents are still alive) to complete his schooling and then studies for the priesthood and is ordained.

His first parish is in the village of Ibillin in Galilee, where the former priest has left the church in shambles and stolen everything of value.

Needless to say he is not welcome. He has been requested by his Bishop to give it a month. With sheer determination he sets about constructing a world of peace and brotherhood within the village. He and a small group of Sisters end up ministering to the whole village not just the Catholics. He initiates rebuilding projects and

recreates the community. Word of his work travels further afield as other villages seek to rebuild and feed some hope back into their community.

Then life takes another twist and he is sent to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The people he befriends there shape and form him and he takes more steps publicly, and increasingly internationally, to promote brotherhood between the Moslem, Jewish and Catholic faiths.

This man’s life bears witness to the fact that we can all make a difference in our own communities and our everyday lives, especially when we act with courage and faith.

Archbishop Elias Chacour has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times.

S

Advertise with SandPiper! Great rates, great results! Call (03) 5442 8531 or email: editor@sandpiper.org. au

These and other titles are available for free loan at the Library Learning Centre, 118 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo. Open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.

Phone (03) 5442 6108 or Fax: (03) 5442 9463. Email: library@ceosand.catholic.edu.au or search online at: web.ceosand.catholic.edu.au

The Lord is my light and my salva on—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

s an dp i t

April 2015

www.sandpiper.org.au – Page 23

THE GOOD SHEPHERD J

esus takes care of us just as a good shepherd takes care of his sheep. He knows each one of us, and we know him and are glad to follow him wherever he leads.

John 10:11-15

O

ne day Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd, who is ready to die for his sheep. A man who is hired to look after the flock does not really care about it, because he knows that the sheep do not really belong to him. When the hungry wolf appears, the man runs away, and the sheep are worried or scattered. I know each of my sheep by name, and they know the sound of my voice. they will always follow me, and I am ready to give up my life for them.”

Discussion

A

shepherd is someone who looks after sheep.

What do you think makes a good shepherd?

A good shepherd cares for all the needs of his sheep; finding them pasture and water and shelter from the weather, and protecting them from wild animals and danger. He watches over them at all times and knows each of them individually.

What did Jesus say about the hired man? A hired man was paid to look after a flock of sheep.

The sheep did not belong to him, and he didn’t particularly care about them. So when a wolf appeared, the hired man worried more about his own safety and abandoned the flock.

How would you describe a sheep to someone?

They are timid and gentle animals, which like to be kept together within their flock. They are not particularly clever and get themselves into all sorts of trouble unless someone takes care of them.

Jesus is the “Good Shepherd,” and we are his flock. He told this story to make us understand that he cares for us as much as the shepherd cares for his sheep. He watches over us at all times and knows each of us by name. He goes before us to guide us and keep us from all harm. He takes care of all our needs, and we can trust in his goodness.

Jesus’ love was so strong that he was willing to suffer and die on the cross for our sakes. His sacrifice meant that we can follow him to his heavenly kingdom, where we will share eternal life with him.

Prayer

J

esus, you are the Good Shepherd and we are your flock. Help us to know your voice and always follow you.

E E L G D A S E E

R V O P R H K S I

D O O F E E A F O

D I F L H E T L T

T K R C E E T S S OC K P E H L E O HV E A S T EWS

E R U T S A P E T

T G L Good Shepherd C pasture flock R sheep water I shelter I love voice K R

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

GO GO

www.sandpiper.org.au

April 2015

SOLAR FOR $0 DEPOSIT SOLAR $0 DEPOSIT LOCAL FORFORPEACE OF MIND LOCAL FOR PEACE OF MIND COLA SOLAR FOR QUALI T Y & VALUE COLA SOLAR FOR QUALITY & VALUE

&

COMMER

CIAL

L.E.D COME SPEAK TO LIGHTING OUR FRIENDLY STAFF

AT ELMORE FIELD DAYS SOLAR HOT WATER ONE-STOP SUSTAINABILITY AgriBusiness Pavillion SOLUTIONS AP-36 OR CALL

1300 374 357 TO BOOK A FREE SITE ASSESSMENT

VR1985258

R

L A I T N E D I S E