2013 – Sem 1 Issue
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
A University Catholic Society Publication
Page 1
Inside this issue…
COVER - The Resurrection Stained glass window from the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic church is located on High Street in Hackettstown, NJ, USA (in case you’re in the area sometime soon).
3 – Editorial 4 – President’s Piece 5 – The Road to Emmaus
6 – Church History: The Pilgrimage of Grace 7 – A Message from our Chaplain 8 -9 – Quinnessential 10-11 – Universal Church / Q&A with a Venezuelan and a Chinese 12 – Receive the Power 13 – Bruce Springsteen and the Easter Vigil Mass 14 – 5 Reasons Contraceptives Suck (Blog Article) 15 – A perspective on the Church from a non-Catholic view 16 – Smells Like UCS Spirit – The year gone-by in photos 17 – What’s Coming Up? 18 – General 19 – Final Papal Words
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Letters to the Editor The Road to Emmaus (RtE), encourages letters to the Editor. Seriously, we’re tired of writing our own material/value your opinions, and all that. Send your letter to ucs-president@guild.uwa.edu.au, the UWA Catholic Society Facebook page, or hand deliver it to the Editor - particularly if you’re good looking.
Page 2
Editorial - On Hope "Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." That’s what Facebook threw at me the other day. Who knew such a tragic mash of egotism and desperation (the common newsfeed) could deliver something of value? Granted, I was to thank, having liked The Shawshank Redemption page in the first place, but my opinion of Zuckerberg increased nonetheless. And as I thought about Andy Dufresne saying that quote, a guy who had spent twenty years wrongly imprisoned, a guy who had to endure rape and the sadism of prison officials, I thought that maybe I could be a bit more hopeful as well (having only spent two years at university enduring the apparent sadism of lecturers). The above foray into pop culture and social media aside (because let’s face it, it was only a lure for the oncoming Catholic hook), I really do commend the movie to you, but above that, I commend the image on the front cover, the stained glass artwork of the Resurrection – something infinitely more inspiring than a thousand Andy Dufresne’s breaking free from Shawshank Prison and reaching the Pacific (way to ruin it). Hope is the expectation of good things to come. It is the expectation of eventual triumph. Hope’s enemy is despair – the complete lack of hope. You and I are probably The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
more familiar with despondency, despair’s less extreme cousin. Despondency is a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope. Whatever your poison, despair or despondency, they hurt. They cause us to stress, to worry, and at worse, to give up. They have a very simple antidote though, yep, you guessed it, a week’s dose of Valium. That being a joke, the actual antidote, of course, is Hope. Christ for Christians (and in fact, for everyone (others just don’t know it (in our view))) is the ultimate expression of hope. Christ is Hope. Through His death and resurrection, He has set us free, and won for all of us, eternal life. And that’s the crux – the worst thing in the world, death, is no longer an end, but rather a passage to eternal living with our God. And that (finally), brings me to the point of this confused editorial if death, this huge, kick in the head, end of it all thing, that we fear so much, is not actually a death sentence (reader laughs), but part of the glorious procession home, what are we afraid of? What are we stressing about? Your final exam is causing you a near break down – when death, which is objectively a much worse thing, is not to be feared, because Christ has destroyed its finality. (NB, just because death
has been conquered, it doesn’t mean hope inspires us to do things like cross the Mitchell Fwy with a blindfold on – we still be prudent in life (ie. do it when there is minimal traffic (joke)), we just don’t be afraid). So my point – why are you stressing? Why are you despondent? Why don’t you hope? My fellow believers of the Risen Christ – death itself has no power over us (it still sucks, granted), why should failing an exam, or disappointing a parent be any different? Address it, sure, but don’t fear it, don’t stress over it and don’t worry about it. And to my less convinced readers, if you’re not willing to look to Christ this Easter season, look to a man who embodies the Christian virtue of hope, Andy Dufresne. “Andy Dufresne, who crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side. Andy Dufresne, headed for the Pacific.” I love it when Red says that. So friends, let’s try look past the smelly things we must endure in life while we strive for the Pacific. Finally, I do hope you enjoy the magazine, Joe.
Page 3
President’s Piece: Wandering and Wondering Whenever other people find out that I'm the President of the UCS, the question that always arises is “How did that happen?!?”. The honest, simple and seemingly outlandish answer is I just got involved and it happened, somehow. Seriously, I still wonder about it even now. So how did I get involved? Well, I rocked up to O-day bright and early, took a look at the colourful map detailing which clubs had pitched a tent where, and happily wandered among the masses of tents, obtaining various free gifts, pens, drinks and an awesome yo-yo as I searched for the tent of the only club on the list that seemed particularly appealing to me. After going 3 rounds around the James Oval, and not seeing so much of a whisker of this tent, I resigned myself to having successfully “lost” the club. You've probably pieced together that this was in fact the UCS. But that wasn't the end though. At about lunch time, as things were beginning to wind down, I bumped into a friend, among others whom I had met only a week previously, at a program known as Flying Start, run by UniSkills. We decided to expand our wandering territory in order to have some food, and one of us mentioned having seen a sign for a Chapel. So, we thought we'd find it before having lunch. We went up the stairs of the Guild village courtyard, past UniPrint and
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
found the chapel, empty, quiet and reflective. We were about to leave, when we thought we'd take a look and find the Chaplain's office on the way out. The door was ajar, with the sound of voices ringing out echoed down the empty hallway. Looking in, the Chaplain was sitting in his office, having lunch with some of the Committee members of the very club I had been trying so hard to find. We knocked, and he invited us in with a warm smile, asking us if we'd like something to eat (sound familiar?). A long chat ensued with them as I ate my lunch, after which a few of the UCS members took us to the elusive stall, and we signed up there and then. Once the semester had started, it turned out that my timetable had set an empty hour every day of the week, at exactly 12pm, which is the precise hour at which Mass is said in the Chapel. So I went, week in and week out. I came along to most of the other events, like pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. I attended club meetings and found myself a First Year Representative. I went to MidYear camp, and had an amazing time. Most of all I think, made a bunch of amazing friends whom I probably would not have known because they were doing wildly different courses. In the second semester, it was a lot of the same, except the
committee had to be changed, and I was elected as Treasurer, giving my position as First Year Representative to another of my friends. There was more work to do, but it was one of the best years of my life, and it just kept getting better and better. After a year of being Treasurer, the time came again to change the committee, and I was elected to the post that I hold now. In case you were wondering, the friend who accompanied me on that trip to the Chaplain's office is the very same person who holds the position of Treasurer today, Lewis Teixeira. Looking back in the last year of my undergraduate degree, I can say that being involved in a club has really defined my experience in university, and I think that my degree would be vastly incomplete if not for the contribution that the club has made to my own personal growth. As a leader in this club, it's been an amazing journey. I've seen this club and myself grow and change over 3 whole years. As I prepare to step down next semester, it gives me an incredible amount of joy knowing that there are new leaders emerging. The UCS will continue to grow, and you could be a part of this growth. Take it from me, being a part of a club is probably the best decision you could ever make in your life right now. Santana.
Page 4
The Road to Emmaus The twenty fourth chapter of St. Luke gives an account of two of Jesus’ disciples who were making their way to the village of Emmaus, on the third day after Jesus’ Passion. With the death of their saviour their hope had been shattered and they were disillusioned and depressed. Jesus Himself drew near them and started walking with them, but they did not recognise Him. Jesus asked them “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” The disciples, surprised that this apparent stranger did not know about Jesus of Nazareth, told Him that a prophet, mighty in deed and word had been handed over to the chief priests to be crucified. The disciples lamented because they thought that this Jesus was the one who would redeem Israel, but now He was dead. The women had found the tomb empty and saw a vision of angels who told them that Jesus was alive, but the other disciples did not see Him and doubted Christ’s resurrection. Then Jesus said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!” and, starting from Moses, he interpreted to them the things about Himself in the scriptures. Their hearts burnt within them as He opened the scriptures to them and they finally understood that the Messiah had to suffer, die and rise on the third day. As they drew near to Emmaus, they urged their travelling companion to stay with them, saying “it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over” (v. 29) He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took bread, blessed it and broke it. Now there eyes were opened and they recognised Jesus: “he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread” (v. 35). This chapter of scripture, from which our magazine takes its name, mirrors our faith journey. The Road to Emmaus is a road we are all walking. Some of us have just started this journey, others are nearing the end. Most of us are somewhere in the middle. The road started with Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, our redemption from sin, and its destination is the
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
risen Jesus: the promise of eternal salvation. Like the two disciples, it is easy for us to become disillusioned on this road. There are times in this journey when the burden becomes too heavy and we feel like giving up. We feel overwhelmed and confused by what is happening around us. Jesus’ presence with the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus is a reminder that even though sometimes we feel like we are losing control, He is always with us, to the end of the age (cf. Matt. 28:20). We may not always recognise Him or His ways, but we know that He has plans for us; plans to give us a future and a hope (cf. Jer. 29:11). We are not simply wanderers on this road, however. There are times when we despair, but as Jesus was known to the disciples in the breaking if the bread, so too is Christ made known to us in the most intimate way at every Holy Mass. Jesus says to the crowds in John 6:30 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." Christ’s Body and Blood is “food and drink indeed” (cf. v. 55). This is the bread which will sustain us on the road. It is not simply bread that nourishes us physically, like the manna that the Israelites ate in the desert and died: those who eat this bread will live forever (cf. v. 58). The Catechism calls the Sacrament of the Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). It is the “sum and summary of our faith” (CCC 1327). May this publication serve as guide to those who are walking the Road to Emmaus. Let us hold to the truths of our Mother, the Church, for “the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:14). May we follow the example of the disciples in Luke 24 and fervently partake in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, where Christ is made known to us whenever we have strayed from the road.
-Tom
Page 5
The Pilgrimage of Grace In light of the upcoming pilgrimage to the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, it seems fitting to consider another pilgrimage which is prominent in Catholic history. The Pilgrimage of Grace was a rebellion in 1536 in northern England, led by lawyer Robert Aske, who is thought to have titled it such in order to highlight the holy aims of the protest. These aims were to stop the attacks King Henry VIII was making on the Church, and prevent the dissolution of the monasteries.
England at the time was experiencing great change, brought about by Henry’s separation from Rome and Catholicism with the Act of Supremacy (1534), which placed the England’s monarch at the head of the Church of England. Following this, Thomas Cromwell, the King’s chief advisor, began the dissolution of the monasteries of England in order to transfer their wealth to the Crown. In northern England especially, where noblemen and commoners alike were devoted to the Church, this caused great unrest, and additional economic and political dissatisfaction
led directly to revolts, including The Pilgrimage of Grace. This uprising began well. In October of 1936 Aske gathered thirty to forty thousand pilgrims, who were well organized and heavily outnumbered the forces Henry ordered to overcome them. With no hope of disabling the pilgrim armies forcibly, Henry used a different tactic: delay. He pretended to consider the pilgrims’ concerns and encouraged them to clarify these, leading to the construction of the ‘24 Articles.’ These were submitted in December 1936 by the leaders of Aske’s pilgrims and outlined religious, political, social and economic grievances. Henry promised to pardon the pilgrims and ensure their concerns were considered in parliament within the year. Aske believed this was a great victory and returned home, while the gathered pilgrims fell into disarray. Capitalizing on this weakness, Henry used the threat of his army to order the leaders of the pilgrims, including Aske, to London, where they were tried, found guilty of treason, and executed. While ostensibly unsuccessful the Pilgrimage of Grace may have been the greatest internal threat confronted by Henry VIII during his rule. Furthermore, many of the pilgrims’ demands in the ‘24 Articles’ were later fulfilled; for instance, their call for the removal of Cromwell as delegated head of church matters was met when he fell in 1940. The story provides a powerful example of the need to confront wrongdoing regardless of the likelihood of victory. Lucy T.
The banner to the right, which bears the Holy Wounds of Jesus Christ, was a symbol of the Pilgrimage of Grace, and was carried throughout the pilgrimage.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 6
A Message from our Chaplain The UWA Catholic Chaplain, Rev Dr Armando Carandang, sends a special blessing and congratulations to the editor and all contributors to the first issue of The Road to Emmaus. It is a significant time to publish, for now is a special window of grace between the feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ and his sending of the Holy Spirit from the Father to mark the birthday of the Church at Pentecost. It is the opportune time for the Catholic Church’s outreach in UWA through the leadership, members and friends of the UWA Catholic Society to remind the academic community of God’s varied gifts to His children and the various forms of presence of His Spirit. As Pope Francis recently said, "Men of all times and all places want a life that is full and beautiful, just and good, a life that is not threatened by death, [or by a momentary falling in seeming darkness], but one that can mature and grow to its fullness. Man is like a wanderer who, crossing the deserts of life, thirsts for a living water, gushing and fresh, able to quench deeply his profound desire for the fullness of light, love, beauty and peace." Indeed we all feel this desire. Somehow we all want this fulfilled. In many forms we express this longing, if at times in circuitous or misguided ways. And yet Jesus gives us this living water, the Holy Spirit, who can quench the very depths of our thirst because it makes us partakers of the very life of God who is Love. Now as true sons and daughters of God we can have a relationship of confidence, freedom and trust in the love and mercy of God. Also now we can have a changed vision of others near and far; we can see them as brothers and sisters, people to be respected and loved. The Church of two thousand years from its very foundation teaches us through the Holy Spirit to look at everyone with the eyes of Christ, to love one another as Jesus loves and with Jesus’ love. This is how the Holy Spirit quenches the thirst of our lives, because it tells us that we are loved by God as His children, that we can love God in turn as His children and by his grace we can love one another and abide in the Love of the Father and of the Son. And so onward on our various roads to Emmaus with the Risen Christ who has ascended to his Father and our Father, to his God and our God and now sends us their Spirit of Love. The UCS sincerely thanks Fr. Armando for all his work as Chaplain. Anyone involved with the UCS would understand how Fr. goes above and beyond any requirement to ensure the functioning of our Catholic Society. We have Fr. to thank for our successful visit from the Archbishop. We’d be a very messy chaos without you – Ed.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 7
Quinnessential In a few weeks I will be embarking on a new stage of life when I properly join the workforce as an accountant. The months since my graduation in March have given me an opportunity to reflect on how I’ve reached this point in life. One of the things I’ve deeply reflected upon is the role my family, my Mother and Father in particular, have played in shaping the person I am today. Both my parents worked to ensure that I received a good Catholic upbringing. Attending Mass was never to be compromised, an effort was made to regularly recite the rosary, attending Stations of the Cross during Lent was important and Easter was about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ rather than a bunny who gave out chocolate eggs. And being a Christian person didn’t end at the Church door. The Church provided us a compass on how we approached life. Family was the first church I knew. Family was the first community I was a part of. It’s where I learnt right from wrong. When I broke the rules, there was a consequence. When I did something nice or performed well at school I was encouraged and congratulated. I learnt that self discipline was important to achieve long term success. It was my responsibility to be the best I could be since my parents were doing the best they could for me. They sacrificed buying a new car, sacrificed going on holidays and sacrificed purchasing the biggest and best TVs for the futures of my sister and I. They worked hard to provide the best education they could whilst also putting food on the table, keeping a roof over our heads, ensuring we were warm in winter and paid the myriad of bills to get by with a basic standard of living.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Like any other community, our family wasn’t perfect and there were hardships. I sometimes had to miss out on the things my friends had. I hated when mum had to go to work on the weekends. But she needed to. I would’ve liked to have seen my football heroes Peter Matera and Glen Jackovich play at a game instead of the on the TV. But that’s life. Without really knowing it as a child, my parents’ marriage played an important role in providing the stability I needed as I grew up to develop into the person I am today. Marriage and family go hand in hand and they provide the best model for people to raise their children. When we talk about “the institution of the family”, this is what we mean. Not an abstract concept or a theological debating point but a real, living, everyday experience that shapes all of us for good or ill. However, the institution of the family is under attack. On one hand we have the socially “progressive” lefties who have polluted the public discourse, with their selfish “it’s my right to marry anyone even if they’re of the same sex” argument. They permeate the Greens Party and sections of the Labor and Liberal Parties. These people think like individuals, with an “it’s my right” attitude. They fail to take into consideration the consequences of growing up without a mother or father. So far these people have failed in their attempts to legalise “Gay Marriage”, but will continue to push. But on the other hand we have the greedy, phoney modern conservatives who, as Paul Keating said, “preach the values of families and communities, while conducting a direct assault on them through reduced wages and conditions and job security”. These types are just as dangerous because they make the necessities of life an even greater struggle and in turn place enormous stress on marriage and the family. Using a few rogue union officials as an excuse, they want to smash unions, lower wages and conditions, mess with family time through things like abolishing penalty rates and introducing extended trading hours and, in some industries, increase the risk of injury and even death on worksites. Page 8
How is any of this good for working families? That’s why it’s important for young Catholics to become involved in the political process and do the work of God through this important avenue. Being part of the process could be as simple joining your local Labor or Liberal Party branch, or writing letters to your local MP. But it might also take the form of supporting another person who shares your values and beliefs to get elected. Perhaps you might be even interested in stepping up one day to serve your country through public life. But get involved!
political party and using our Catholic principles to guide our choices, we can make sure that the family unit is protected and supported as the Church teaches us it should be. So as I embark on the new chapter in my life, I’m thankful for the gift God gave me through my family. Without it I wouldn’t be where I am today. But I’m also aware that future generations deserve the same gift I have been given.
Catholic people cannot simply be involved in just one party or another. There is no “right” or “wrong” party for Catholic people to join or support. Both parties have good and bad elements to their policies and both parties have good and bad politicians in them.
And so I urge all of us to do everything we can, not just for ourselves, but in the service of our community. Join a political party. Make sure both parties have a strong Catholic presence. Engage in debates about politics and public life. And don’t doubt that committed people can change the course of a party, a state or a nation. The future depends on it.
But the important thing is that Catholic people be involved. By being members of a party, by contributing to debate, by voting inside and outside a
Michael Quinn
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
Comedy
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Page 9
Universal Church Go and make disciples of all nations!" (Mt 28: 19) Evidently, the Blessed Apostles and their successors answered the call, as within our Catholic Society, here at UWA, we have members from all over the world. A number of our friends have just recently joined us at UWA. Their presence has been welcomed – contributing to the richness we experience of our culturally diverse, but unified, holy Catholic Church.
Name: Kai Tang (Francis) Age: 25 What are you studying at UWA? Agricultural and Resource Economics, PhD Where are you from? China Why did you come to Australia? I like the weather and life style here, a place you could escape from the huge metropolis and enjoy the nature beauties. How long are you staying in Australia for? It depends. First I will finish my PhD here, for around three years. After that, I will see whether I could start my career here. What is the Church like back in your home country? Large percentage of Catholics in China is aged, but now increasing number of youths begin to know the church. So it is progressive.
The above picture is very E-harmonious. RtE is willing to play match-maker if any of our lady readers is interested in this future Doctor of Agricultural and Resources Economics – Ed.
What are the main differences/similarities between the Church in Australia and where you’re from? Quite similar in many aspects. Perhaps the most important different is that since the percentage of Catholics in China is quite small, so few churches in a city, but here much bigger number. What do you miss most about the motherland? Food, cuisine definitely. What do you like most about Australia? Nature beauties and lifestyle.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 10
Name: Ana Gutierrez Age: 18 What are you studying at UWA? Engineering Where are you from? Venezuela Why did you come to Australia? I had been planning to leave my country for a long time because of its economic and political situation. I decided to move to Australia for two reasons: I have family living here and because of all the opportunities this country has to offer. How long are you staying in Australia for? I just started university so I’ll stay for the next three years. I still haven’t decided what I’ll do after I finish my studies. What is the Church like back in your home country? I think that since the country has been suffering from political instability faith has become really important for Venezuelans. After all that’s happened with politics most of the people still find relief in God. What are the main differences/similarities between the Church in Australia and where you’re from? Around 80% of the population is Catholic so Mass is always full on Sundays and youth is more involved. Other than that there are no major differences. What do you miss most about the motherland? I miss people, especially my Mum and friends. I also miss speaking Spanish frequently. What do you like most about Australia? I like that this country has so many opportunities and that everything works really well in comparison to Venezuela. I also like my university, the people I’ve met and their cultural diversity.
Also, good luck to all the WYD pilgrims. The Editor hopes it comes back to Australia so he can afford to go again. Also, the image below is from the WYD website, so that mention should ensure Rio doesn’t sue UCS.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 11
Receive the Power In the same way that the words of a Priest can move one in to action, so can the lyrics of a song. During the homily of the closing mass in the 2008 World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI asked the young people gathered there ‘How are you using the gifts you have been given, the “power” the Holy Spirit is even now prepared to release within you?...What difference will you make?’ These words call into mind peoples faith and put to question the power of God in their lives, this sentiment is also reflected in the 2008 World Youth Day’s theme song, “Receive the Power” sung by Guy Sebastian. The main message being ‘receive the power to be a light unto the world’, these words too challenge people to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of those around them. This World Youth Day ‘theme song’ became a message for all the youth gathering in Sydney and around the world. It gave them a message straight from the heart of the Church in a welcoming and accessible manner. Music has the ability to move people in a way that mere words alone are not able to. Through song, people can become a part of the message being shared; they can join in the singing and praising of God. In this way, music has the power to bring people together. We see it everyday: members of a congregation getting together to lead the singing of the mass, individuals combining their talents to make music and to change the hearts of the faithful. Through the use of music, the Church is able to reach out to others. Through song, members of the Church are able to be united to those lead astray so as to share the message of the good news of God. In one song, the love of God can be shown and people can be brought into His light and into His praises. Just the other day on Facebook, I saw a post by a young school girl. Her friend was singing ‘Ave Maria’ by Beyonce in a school bathroom, no doubt having been forced by her friends to showcase what skill she has. Although she may not know it, she just sung a form of worship to Mary. Similarly, music can not only be used to worship, but also to teach the life and works of Jesus. Christmas carols are a great example of this as through these we can be taught about the birth of Jesus and the prophesies it fulfilled. Song is also used everyday to praise and worship God. We hear it in mass and we hear it at weddings, at funerals. Music has become such an integral part of our society that it only seems fitting that we use it as best we can to sing of God’s wonders. Throughout the mass music is used to heighten peoples emotions of wonder and awe, as well as to focus the congregation on the miracle at work. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, whether chant or hymn, the church reflects on the meaning of the Eucharist and the words of Jesus at the Last Supper; the origin of this part of the mass. This helps to bring into light the true meaning of this part of the Mass. Music is a powerful tool which the church uses to help people to connect with God and strengthen their relationship with him through the mass. Music has the power to move people to make change. It is an integral part of the Catholic Church and has been for the past 2000 years. The church should be proud of its rich musical history with key composers such as Palestrina and should recognise the important role which music plays in the religious lives of Catholics today. Rachel H.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Giovanni Palestrina – Italian Renaissance composer of sacred music.
Page 12
Bruce Springsteen and the Easter Vigil Mass This Easter, myself and five budding companions ventured east to Melbourne to achieve our long awaited ambition of seeing Bruce “the Boss” Springsteen live in show. Scrounging around and saving up every last dollar, we rustled up enough money to spend five nights in the heart of Melbourne CBD with plenty of spending money to spare. Not being an extremely Catholic individual, the thought of not being with family during Easter didn’t really faze me. However, for two of the additional five mates travelling with me, the celebration of Easter held a much greater importance and they were very keen in keeping with tradition. The first night consisted of attending the Thursday night blockbuster at the MCG and discovering the magnitude and density of Melbourne nightlife. Good Friday was spent exploring Melbourne CBD. There was somewhat light-hearted banter amongst the group in the morning due to one certain individual who had already broken Easter tradition by eating bacon with breakfast. Being quite tired from the extremely late night had before, me and the two other “non-cathos” in the group decided to skip Mass to in turn rest up for the big weekend ahead. At the time I remember feeling guilty about decision, but then simply reminded myself the fact that “if we weren’t in Melbourne, I wouldn’t have even thought about going to church”. Saturday we woke at 11 (bright and early for us) and went to Caulfield for the races. After losing our money for most of the day, the second last race of the day was a winner for our little syndicate and resulted in all of us making our money back, with some even making some profit, which left all in good spirits. This in my opinion was the main cause for all of us (bar one) attending the Easter Vigil Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral that night. Never being to Mass in a church of such size and aura in my life before, the occasion instantly felt very inspiring and sanctified for a person who usually groans at the thought of having to sit through Mass. However, not knowing my Easter masses like the good little Catholic school boy that I was taught to be, I didn’t realise the length to which Easter Vigil masses go for, and due to this one being as extravagant as it was, it went forever. At first I was immensely engrossed in the spectacle in front of me. The thousands of people in the congregation with their given candles alight, in the otherwise dark cathedral, combined with the hundreds of clergy and choir people singing the open hymns all added to the atmosphere. However after 2 and half hours of singing tremendously inconsistently pitched responses, I was dead. I questioned and debated greatly with my “catho” mates on why on earth they make the mass go so long and become so tedious. They simply told me that “it’s just how it is, all of that is what makes the Easter Vigil mass so great”. But I couldn’t understand or agree with any of that and it still pissed me off. The following night we made the 97km journey out to Hanging Rock to see The Boss. He was amazing. Three straight hours of pure passion, entertainment and excitement from a man in his mid-sixes to a crowd of over 30,000 who were in sheer admiration and awe of the musical genius and amazing human being that was Bruce Springsteen. It wasn’t until the $136 taxi ride back to Melbourne that it made me think that the three hour spectacle that I had just witnessed wasn’t too much different from the 3 hour mass that I had attended the night before. For those who don’t love Bruce like we did would question why the hell we spent all that money, travelled all that way and spent all that time standing and waiting for that man and that concert. It made me realise for those who have that passion and belief in the Catholic Church and its practices, that Easter Vigil Mass was their Bruce Springsteen concert. While it may not be the most alluring thing to some people, it still holds a very significant place in people’s lives and if approached in the right manner and outlook can have a very rewarding effect on all participants. – Anton C.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 13
5 Reasons Contraceptives Suck July 30, 2011 By Marc Barnes
1. Risk Compensation Did you know that sunscreen users have a higher incidence of skin cancer than non-users? Crazy, right? It’s because of the general principle called Risk Compensation; [the underlined things link to evidence for the claims made – Ed.] that when you feel more secure you engage in riskier behavior. People using sunscreen spend more time in the sun, and thus get skin cancer, because no sunscreen is a guaranteed protection. The same is absolutely true of the use of artificial contraception. You think you can’t get AIDS, herpes or – God forbid – a baby, so you have sex more often, and in riskier situations. And, since no contraception totally prevents S.T.Ds or pregnancies, contraception users have higher rates of pregnancies, abortions, and S.T.Ds. Which is the reason why, when we ship condoms over to third-world countries, the HIV rate gets worse. C’mon guuuuys… 2. Divorce Simply put, a contracepting couple is more likely to get divorced than a couple using some form of natural family planning. This can be attributed to all sorts of reasons. An openness to creating new life helps bring couples closer together. Women on the pill can’t find a man they are compatible partners with. But whatever the reason, the data is in. Those that use only NFP have a less than 0.2% chance of divorce. Compare that to the national average of 50% and you’ll understand what I’m talking about here. 3. Bad Sex I mean, really? You’d think this one would have been enough to put an end to it. Not to be too much of a hormonal 18 year old or anything, but it would’ve worked for me. The pill – and any other chemical contraceptive – makes women rather bored with the whole sex thing, and men less attracted to women. Condoms are just embarrassing everyone. Maybe if sex was awesome, our ridiculous divorce rate would be lower. 4. Being a Jerk to Women You ever noticed that the burden of contraception is entirely on women? Unless a married couple is using condoms every night of their life, then the lady is on a hormonal contraceptive. And thus she gets to risk any one of the long list of side effects – blood clots, strokes, breast cancer, nausea, breast tenderness, fluid retention, weight gain, acne, breakthrough bleeding, missed periods, headaches, depression, anxiety, other mood changes, and lower sexual desire – while the man gets infertile sex. I guess she might be taking one for the team, but what team? And even if she isn’t on the pill, every other birth control device, besides the notoriously ineffective condom, seems to be aimed at women, saying, “it is you who presents a danger, a risk, a problem that needs solving, your fertility that needs to be suppressed, your life and schedule that must change.” Thus we have patches and rings and shots and metals on strings and goodness knows what else, a whole array of weapons that take away a woman’s fertility, and it is women that pay. 5. Abortions There. My five reasons. I know, I know, bring on the com-box controversy. The above is from Marc Barnes’ online blog, Bad Catholic. Marc is a 20 y.o young American (see David Bowie song). RtE recommends you take a look sometime.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/badcatholic/
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 14
A perspective on the Church from a non-Catholic view. Lars Arne Bakke As an exchange student from a non–Catholic country, I have enjoyed this semester getting a peek into this strange church with its old, white cloaked men, Purgatory and rather baroque taste. This was something I have wanted to do for quite a long time. Since the Catholic Church tends to have far greater success in more temperate countries, it has never got a footing in Norway after the Reformation, and that’s why we actually know very little about it. More like an Italian curiosity which crosses our TV screen every time a new pope is elected or a scandal revealed. It might sound like I’m kidding, but the truth is that the Catholic Church does not concern us much. That’s why I have wanted to get an opportunity to get to know this church better, from the inside. Maybe some basic facts about me will do. I`m on exchange from Norway. The main church in Norway is a Lutheran protestant, but like Australia, it’s a very secular country. Further, there is quite a few spin-offs form both Lutheran and the Pentecostal movements, and a cocktail of American churches are also established, but in the more populated areas. The Norwegian Catholic Church established in 1843 and have now about 120 000 registered members, 2.3 % of the population, and it’s settled mainly in the major cities. Due to heavy immigration the latter years, the actual number is closer to between 200 -230 000 Catholics, close to 5 % of the population, which makes it the second largest denomination in Norway. I didn`t know that before reading up on this article. What then do I think of this church, which I have got to know? What has impressed me most is the ability to give answers to hard questions, rather than dodge it or jump to a conservative black and white answer. Whether that is something unique of the whole church or just Fr. Armando`s [the UWA Chaplain- Ed.] knowledge, or whether it is a lack of education of the people I have asked the same questions to back in Norway, it is hard to say. Further it is nice to see that the people are quite similar, and you can sense the same spiritual connection which I find in devoted Christians back home. Though, I guess that you have some narrow minded conservatives and some loud liberals as well roaming about. To sum up, this experience has been very enlightening on my part since getting to know other cultures doesn`t work very well through books. Lars
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Lars (and/or other Norwegians) as a child.
Page 15
Above: Start of year planning day allowed many of us to get our rigs out. Top Right: O-Day stall lured unlucky freshers. Centre: Good looking bartenders serve drinks at our End of Year Cocktail Party. Right: UCS BBQ Feeds 5000/4000/about 150. Right again but lower: Retreat to New Norcia. Below: UCS builds a boat for the CYM sandcastle competition. Boat is left at beach.
Bottom Right: Fr Armando has regular dinners at the White House for the UCS. Occasionally quail eggs are included in the Caesar salad – causes controversy. Below: His Grace, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, says Mass at the UWA Campus.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 16
What’s Coming Up? Rally for Life – May 21st, 7:00-9:00pm, Parliament House UCS will be attending the annual Rally for Life, to deplore the 1998 passing of the Acts Amendment (Abortion) Act, which removed offences relating to abortions in WA. As well as this, the UCS aims to provide a bus to help youth get in from Northern suburb parishes – together we can make this rally larger than the record last year attendance, and be the voice for the most vulnerable in our society. In WA 125,000 children so far have been deprived of the chance to give life a go. 125,000. The inconvenient truth behind murder for convenience. As Neil Young said, “There's one more kid that will never go to school Never get to fall in love, never get to be cool.”
Keep on rockin’ in the free world, hey.
UCS Mid-year Camp – June 24-June 27, Eagle’s Nest One of the premier UCS events, whatever that means/it means it goes off. Do you want to break free? Hanging out to unleash the inner Bohemian? Wanna get rhapsodic? Define: rhapsodic. ecstatic: feeling great rapture or delight. So yeh, take mine/Queen’s word for it, you’ll enjoy MYC. Now, before I ramble anymore, let me rock you (brilliant) with some photos from last year.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 17
There is a Catholic Mass, Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs at 12pm in the Chapel. Please feel free to come along and join us if you’re around. The UCS Clubroom in Cameron Hall (2nd floor) is open every Tuesday. UCS members are all welcome to use the clubroom. Food and drinks are near always in supply.
Like us on Facebook! (UWA Catholic Society)
A special thanks to all the people who helped make the UCS magazine, The Road to Emmaus, happen. In particular, to all our contributors who provided such quality content. Also, to Nick from UniPrint and Alex from the Pelican, cheers. And finally, a big thanks to you, our reader, who hopefully didn’t find the Editor’s attempted wit too irritating. Your Editor, Joseph Devitt (Please note, the views expressed in articles are those of individuals, and not of the UCS as a whole (that should save us)).
“Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair” – G.K. Chesterton
BACK COVER Stained glass windows from the same church as the front cover, featuring the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, St Michael, the Archangel and St Patrick.
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 18
The world needs this renewal! In so many of our societies, side by side with material prosperity, a spiritual desert is spreading interior emptiness, unnamed fears, a quiet sense of despair. How many of our contemporaries have built broken and empty cisterns in a desperate search for meaning the ultimate meaning that only love can give?....The Church also needs this renewal! She needs your faith, your idealism and your generosity, so that she can always be young in the Spirit! - 19/7/08 – Closing Mass, WYD Justice is trampled underfoot by weakness, cowardice and fear of the diktat of the ruling mindset. The quiet voice of conscience is drowned out by the cries of the crowd. Evil draws its power from indecision and concern for what other people think. – 25/3/05 – Good Friday Stations of the Cross Reflection, before the First Station. The ways of the Lord are not comfortable, but we were not created for comfort, but for greatness, for good.
Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. - Inauguration homily, April 24, 2005
And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood. – Mar 13, 2013. In his first address on becoming Pope. The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers. - Said during a gathering of Latin American bishops, 21 May 2007.
In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God's gifts!
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Let's not be naive: this isn't a simple political fight, it's an attempt to destroy God's plan. This is no mere legislative bill. It is a move by the father of lies to confuse and deceive the children of God. - On Argentina's gay marriage bill. Tomorrow I want to go to pray the Madonna, that she may protect Rome.- On becoming Pope. Read more at http://www.quoteauthors.com/quotes/pope-francisPage 19 quotes.html#huRbKyMyq7SZ7JDk.99
The Road to Emmaus, Sem 1 - 2013
Page 20