The Record Magazine Issue #10 (October 2017) by The Record

Official magazine for the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth

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ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2017

Featured this month

Identitywa From little things, big things grow: Identitywa celebrates 40 years

Dr Terry Wilson Vicar for Social Outreach

FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE

“He went up to him and bandaged his wounds...” — Luke 10: 34

From Archbishop Timothy Costelloe From Bishop Donald Sproxton

4 6

IN THIS EDITION

8 Daydawn Advocacy Centre 10 The Shopfront 11 Catholic Ministry for Deaf & Hard of Hearing 12 Emmanuel Centre 13 Emmaus Community 14 Identitywa 15 Aboriginal Catholic Ministry 16 Personal Advocacy Service 17 Stella Maris 18 Centrecare Inc 19 Catholic Outreach 20 Centacare Employment and Training 21 WA Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office 22 Post Abortion Grief Counselling 23 St John of God Outreach 24 MercyCare 25 St Vincent De Paul Society 26 St Pat’s Community Supoort Centre 27 Catholic Homes 28 Southern Cross Care 29 Mercy Health 30 Colouring In 31 Recipe: Fiambre 32 Activity Page 33 Lifelink

FROM THE VICAR FOR SOCIAL OUTREACH Dr Terry Wilson Welcome to the Social Outreach issue of The Record Magazine. This issue has been dedicated to the more than 20 social outreach agencies and organisations across the Archdiocese and the Perth Catholic community, with the aim of telling a little of their story and good works. At the launch of the Archdiocesan Plan in 2015, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB recognised that many good organisations and programs exists but stated, “I want to strengthen these initiatives, encourage mutual collaboration and support, and also identify areas where the Church could contribute but is not as yet active.” Outreach and advocacy are a beautiful sign of God working in us and an important part of our faith development. They are inextricably linked and an opportunity for each of us to bear witness to the Gospel. The Record Magazine is a magazine for the people and I hope you will enjoy taking the time to engage with us. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas via the Archdiocesan Communications Office on 08 9220 5900 or via email to therecord@therecord.com.au.

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

As part of 2017 Mental Health Week, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB wrote to all Catholics across Perth.

WILL THEY SEE IN US THE FACE OF JESUS? Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our National Mental Health Week this year took place on Saturday October 7, with Sunday October 8, being World Mental Health Day. The theme for this year’s Mental Health Week was ‘Connect with Nature, Community and Self for mental wellbeing’. There was also a second complementary and culturally inclusive theme: ‘Connect with Country, Community and you for strong social and emotional wellbeing’. With the population of Australia now close to 24

The figures, and our own experiences, tell us that there

million, the latest statistics showing the rates of

is a growth in those affected by mental health issues.

Australians aged 16 to 85 affected with common

Among the factors for increasing numbers of people

mental illnesses include:

with mental health issues are:

• •

Anxiety disorders* 14.4 per cent, of which 10.8

•

Rising unemployment

per cent are male and 17.9 per cent are female

•

As workforces operate with less people, there

Depressive and Bipolar Disorders* 6.2 per cent,

is more pressure on remaining employees to

of which 5.3 per cent are male and 7.1 per cent

increase their productivity, with less resources

are female • •

•

Instant communication, now possible with

Substance Use Disorders* 5.1 per cent, of which

computers and smart phones, raises pressure

7 per cent are male and 3.3 per cent are female

to respond straight away

Any mental illness* 20 per cent, of which 17.6 per cent are male and 23.3 per cent are female

•

Substance abuse, including alcohol, grows by the minute

ARCHBISHOP’S WORD

•

There appears to be a rising number of teenagers showing mental health issues

•

Many people who are incarcerated can be affected with mental health issues; half the prison population have a mental health illness

•

Refugees living in limbo, never knowing from one day to the next what will happen to them, easily develop mental health issues.

Whatever the cause, our call, as followers of Jesus, is to care about people with mental health issues. I am sure that all of us have, at some time, encountered people with mental health issues. The stigmas, unfortunately, are still with us. We hesitate to talk about these important matters. This means, in effect, that when

I take this opportunity to remind everyone that God loves us just as we are and that it is important to remember to pray for those experiencing mental health issues, their families and people who provide support.

... Jesus met many people experiencing mental health issues, whom He treated with dignity and respect.

we meet someone with a developing mental health issue, we do not know how to deliver assistance.

It is also important to remember that those with mental

The question for each one of us becomes, when we

illness, who are required to be hospitalised, do appreciate

meet someone with a developing mental health issue,

visits from family and friends.

will they see in us the face of Jesus, or will they see

As a suggestion, parishes and schools can also invite

someone in fear?

people with specific knowledge to share that knowledge

I am sure Jesus met many people experiencing

with their faith community. We are fortunate that our own

mental health issues, whom He treated with dignity

Archdiocesan agency, the Emmanuel Centre, is in a position

and respect.

to offer scholarships for people in parishes, recommended by their Parish Priest, to undertake Mental Health First Aid courses and to become part of the Catholic Mental Health

Guests were surprised by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe (below) and Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey (top left) who remained after the Christmas Carols to socialise at Emmanuel Centre’s 2015 Christmas Party. Photo: Marco Ceccarelli

Network. This is an invaluable contribution to our care and concern for people with mental health issues.

+ Archbishop Tim Costelloe A RCH B I S H O P O F PER T H

The 2017 Social Justice Statement, Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business: Developing an Inclusive and Sustainable Economy was launched in Perth in September by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton. In his speech for the occasion, Bishop Sproxton spoke about the concerns of the Australian Bishops in regards to the economic situation of 25 years ago, and the ongoing concern to care for the poorest of the poor. The following text is an edited excerpt from his speech.

CARING FOR THE POOREST OF THE POOR:

Launching the 2017 Social Justice Statement

of course from the teachings of Jesus, and from the practice and experience of the Church right from the beginning. In the Ac t s of the Apostles, the problem that arose in the community about the care for the widows is recounted. Out of that came the decision to call together a group who are called the deacons to help these people who were vulnerable in the community. In some ways, even in the early years of the community, the needs of the

hat Gospel of Matthew (20: 1-7) is one that certainly highlights the

It is a very important statement from

widows had become invisible and

our (the Australian Bishops) point of

the Church needed to be asked to

importance of work, the importance

view because it comes from the heart

focus again on this group of people,

of living in an environment, which

of everything that is happening in the

vulnerable people who no longer had

I think you would say is what an

Church of Australia right now.

the means of supporting themselves.

economy is, an environment where

Bishop Vincent Long, who is the

This, I think, is one the major reasons

people are trusted and respected, and are allowed to work for their livelihood, but also to enable them to care for those in their responsibility.

chairperson for the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council has written a beautiful introduction to this Statement, which gives us a sense of

why a statement like this is made: to help us refocus and notice those in our community who are vulnerable and live in disadvantaged circumstances, and to

This statement, Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business:

why many things have been stated

respond to them.

Developing an Inclusive and Sustainable

within the document, why some of

The Statement also retells the story

Economy comes directly from the

the concerns have been raised, and

of more recent times, of the Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Australian Bishops, in response to the

why they are in fact very important

teachings in social justice but also of

work they have been doing in their

issues for the Church in Australia to be

the economy, of the right to property,

dioceses and the issues and concerns

reflecting upon, discussing and finding

the right to work, the importance for

that they have become aware of

ways of implementing strategies to

us to provide, through the structures of

through their various parishes and

overcome the disadvantage and plight

our society, ways of supporting those

agencies.

of many in our community. It all springs

who are in very dire circumstances.

BISHOP’S WORD

It takes us back to the Encyclical of Leo XIII – Rerum Novarum (15 May 1891) and the subsequent documents from the popes which helped us to focus again on some issues that are perennial and new challenges to the dignity of people caused by poverty and grave disadvantage.

These are just some of the facts which you will find in the document which will help us in our reflections. The bishops in this document provide a critique of the economic system. Five points that call for our reflection are: •

People and nature are not mere tools of production

The other thing that this statement reminds us of is that it’s 25 years since the publication of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement of 1992, entitled The Commonwealth for Common Good. This anniversary provided a reason to return to the subject of the economy and our role as a Church to critique and encourage a reform of the economy for the sake of the poor.

•

conomic growth alone cannot ensure inclusive and E sustainable development

•

Social equity must be built into the heart of the economy

•

Businesses must benefit all society, not just shareholders

•

he excluded and vulnerable must be included in T decision-making.

If we go back to that document and take note of some of the things said 25 years ago, then reflect on the current situation, we might not be too astounded that these perennial problems are still with us. Solutions have not been found for many of them. That document pointed out that household poverty was increasing in 1992; that unemployment was increasing; that there was a decline in the number of farming communities, and that hardship was ever increasing for disadvantaged groups within our society. It talked about what was considered to be a new reality, called ‘economic rationalism’, where the free market was seen as the overarching goal for our society. This approach advocates the reduction of government spending and intervention when it comes to work, employment and benefits for workers. Privatising some government institutions should be utilised in order to reduce spending.

At the base of this particular idea of economic rationalism, was the idea that individualism should be enshrined and promoted, that there should be an economic survival of the fittest in our society and at that time the idea that ‘greed is good’ was popular. Our document this year brings up a number of concerns. One that has been mentioned already is that three million Australians are living in poverty, including 730,000 children. There has been a greater increase in income for the top 20 per cent of households than for the poorest 20 per cent of households. The deregulation in the labour market has led to reduced security and benefits, and affected the permanency of employment, and the introduction of more and more short-term contracts. So job permanency has been affected. About a third of working Australians are living in poverty.

There is much in this document for us to read and reflect upon. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to now launch this document here in Perth. I certainly commend it for our reading, study and prayerful thinking, and how in our way, in our circumstances, can we bring about an inclusive and sustainable economy in our country.

Bishop Donald Sproxton AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PERTH

Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth

Most Rev Donald Sproxton Auxiliary Bishop of Perth Chairman, LifeLink

LifeLink was established by the Archdiocese of Perth in 1994 to provide financial and promotional support for agencies established or assisted by the Church. LifeLink’s social service agencies deliver professional services & caring support to thousands of people in need, right here at home in WA.

help over 34,000 Western Australian families & individuals in need – the unemployed, the Last year, LifeLink agencies reached out to

homeless, migrants & refugees, people with disabilities, people with mental health issues, families in crisis, people battling drugs & other addictions, abused women and children. The Archbishop’s Christmas Appeal is the only fundraising event conducted in parishes each year to help support our Archdiocesan welfare services – agencies that work on behalf of us all.

PLEASE… give generously on APPEAL WEEKEND

18/19 NOVEMBER, 2017

www.LifeLink.com.au

THE RECORD MAGAZINE

WA Catholic primary students open their hearts to those in need for LifeLink WORDS Jamie O’Brien

The importance of seeing others in need through Jesus’ parable of the rich man was the focus of Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB’s address to primary students at this year annual LifeLink Day initiative.

ore than 550 students from 73 Catholic primary schools across the Archdiocese of Perth came together on Wednesday 7 June at Newman College, Churchlands for the launch, which aimed to share with students our responsibility to help care for those who reach out for help and how the Church in Perth responds via LifeLink.

their support for LifeLink agencies, or by supporting people they encountered at school and elsewhere. “Mary Mackillop never lost her heart, and so her eyes were always open and on the lookout for people in need, and the people in need might be those that you go back to school with in the bus, or they might be the kid that’s sitting on their own at lunchtime with no-one to talk to,” he said. Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe referred to the words of Saint Mary Mackillop in his speech for the 2017 LifeLink Day Launch for

Prior to the event, students from across Perth Catholic primary schools made a gold coin donation to receive a ‘paper heart’ on which they were encouraged to draw a picture or write a message of support to someone in need in the community. With anticipation that students would collect 34,000 hearts - representing the number of people helped by LifeLink agencies each year, more than 40,000 hearts were then collected and united into the shape of a large heart on the Newman College school oval by the students and teachers present. The powerful visual demonstration aimed to show the students what can be achieved by working together to help make a difference in the lives of those who reach out for help. Addressing the students and staff present – as well as those watching the event via the LifeLink website livestream, Archbishop Costelloe referred to the words of Saint Mary Mackillop, ‘never see a need without doing something about it’, adding that students could help others through

Primary Schools, who said, ‘never see a need without doing something about it’. Photo: Ron Tan

In his presentation for the occasion, LifeLink Chair Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton highlighted the role of LifeLink agencies such as the Emmanuel Centre, Emmaus Community, Identitywa, The Shopfront and Djooraminda, in providing support to people in the WA community in need due to homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, domestic violence and other issues. “What we hope to achieve through LifeLink Day is to share with you how the Church responds to people in need in the community and to remind ourselves that Jesus taught us that we all have a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in need,” he said. “I’m pleased to say that you have all embraced and enthusiastically participated in LifeLink Day ever since it first began in 1999.”

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

Advocating for the vulnerable at the heart of Daydawn’s work WORDS Caroline Smith

ith multiple factors currently contributing to an increase

in homelessness, among other social issues, the work of agencies such as Daydawn Advocacy Centre in advocating for, and supporting, society’s most vulnerable, is more important than ever, according to its Director, Mark Reidy. The Archdiocesan agency provides support ser vices to Indigenous people, around issues such as housing and welfare, from its office in the Perth city centre. In this way, it follows a mandate of promoting ‘the rights of the individual and the full participation of the Indigenous population in society’, recognising that, for many Indigenous people, their ‘rights and legitimate aspirations are often difficult to attain’. Mr Reidy said the agency’s work often meant acting as a ‘buffer’ between individuals and government departments, providing the latter with knowledge about cultural issues and individual circumstances. He provided the example of people often living in big family groups in public housing, because of cultural obligations to care for family members. “There’s a cultural pattern of family looking after family, so if you get thrown out with your four kids, your aunty or so-on will say, come and stay with us. So people will pack in together, and that causes more problems,” he said. “There’s a real compulsion to help

THE RECORD MAGAZINE

your family out – it’s a good thing in one way, but it can have a negative impact as well.” Sometimes, their wor k meant t alk ing to p e ople ab ou t t heir circumstances and helping them make cont ac t wit h relevant departments and social ser vice agencies such as shelters, he added. “Our role is to assist and advocate for those who are often in very difficult circumstances,” Mr Reidy said. “So we have people come into the office sometimes who are looking for (public) housing. They could have spent hours on the phone with Centrelink, but they’d get frustrated and hungry. “Instead, we say, look, have a cup of coffee or tea and we’ll do this for you. I guess we try to be the last hope for people who don’t have many other options.” Volunteers who work at Daydawn – many of them lawyers and social work students – also help Indigenous people with referrals to financial management and issues of trauma and abuse. “One of the big things Daydawn Advocacy Centre has been involved in this year and last year is the Royal Commission: we’ve probably written up about 500 submissions, mostly through one of our lawyers, Raya,” he said. “Our main volunteer, Betsy, is the heartbeat of Daydawn: she has been working with people in the Noongar community for so long that she has their trust.”

With a downturn in the WA economy impacting on homelessness and other social issues, the work of agencies such as Daydawn in advocating for and supporting society’s most vulnerable is more important than ever, according to its Director, Mark Reidy. Photo: Caroline Smith

Prior to taking on the role of Director at Daydawn 18 months ago, Mr Reidy had worked both in the media and as a social and youth worker, helping people on the streets. “My role includes a bit of everything from balancing budgets to overseeing the work of volunteers,” he said.

For volunteers working at Archdiocesan agency, The Shopfront, each person who comes through its door is a guest: whether a local looking for social interaction, or someone coming from further afield in need of a cuppa and a bit of support and advice.

The Shopfront continues to provide a cuppa and a source of O support for those in need WORDS Caroline Smith

riginally set up in 2002 as a drop -in cent re for t he homeless, The Shopfront moved two years later from its original location to the suburb of Maylands, where it is open Monday to Friday, offering hot drinks and a small meal to those in need. In this way, it operates under a mandate of creating ‘a place where we respect the equal dignity of every person’, where those who visit are welcomed as friends and offered a space to hang out and talk. Additional support and referral ser vices are also available to guests, according to The Shopfront Director, Damian Walsh. “Our regular ser vices are small meals, a doc tor ’s clinic on Tuesday and help with finding accommodation. We also have an account with a local pharmacy, so as long as people have a script approved by Centrelink, we pay for it,” he said. “We also have clothing, so, rather than vouchers, we have bags of clothes and people can come in and look at them. We’ve got food hampers, a washing machine and a shower.”

The Shopfront Director, Damian Walsh. Photo: Caroline Smith

He said economic factors had placed a greater strain on homeless people and those looking for work and accommodation in Per th, and this had knock-on effects on agencies too. “Our visitor numbers are up about four per cent; the amount we’re

spending on accommodation is up 44 per cent; the number of food hampers being given out is up 25 per cent,” Mr Walsh said. “All the services are struggling in Perth, mainly because there’s a greater demand.” Nevertheless, The Shopfront would continue to offer help to those in need, Mr Walsh added, building streng th from the suppor t of volunteer workers and donations from local schools and other groups. “ O u r b i g ge s t s u p p o r t e r s a r e Catholic schools - Chisholm, John XXIII, Sacred Heart in Sorrento and Newman would be our biggest supporters,” he said. “ Twice a term, they ’ll give us something, normally cans of food and clothes. Then there are schools like Santa Maria, which give twice a year – both food and also cash. Aquinas, Trinity, Christian Brothers College Fremantle, once or twice a year will give us food. “But we sometimes have a challenge of making sure we have something to give our guest s: things come and they go.” He added that there were plenty of people across the Per th Archdiocese who would continue to need support from agencies such as theirs. “About 25 per cent of people who come in are homeless; 25 per cent are Indigenous; about 40 per cent have a mental illness; about 40 per cent would have some sort of drug or alcohol habit,” Mr Walsh said. “But there’s a crossover between those groups – you might be homeless, an alcoholic and Indigenous. Then we’ve got people who are just lonely, who live locally and just come in for companionship – that’s about 20 per cent. *Statistics courtesy Homelessness Australia

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

Fr Pitzen says that raising awareness in the Church community is important to bringing the deaf and hard of hearing into full participation in the Church. Photo: Supplied

Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the deaf and hard of hearing The Catholic Ministry with Deaf and Hard of Hearing People seeks to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the deaf and hard of hearing, along with challenging and equipping others to do the same.

orking together with the Emmanuel Centre, the agency’s aim is to empower those who are deaf or hard of hearing to be accepted as full members of the Body of Christ and be involved in the life of the Church, specifically directed towards deaf and hard of hearing people. Promoting the moral, physical, social and religious welfare of children and adults who are deaf and/or hard of hearing is at the heart of the organisation’s purpose. Chaplain for Catholic Ministry with Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Fr Paul Pitzen, said the organisation seeks to support activities within the Church and wider community that will empower deaf and/or hard of hearing people in Western Australia. “Many Deaf and Hard of Hearing want to learn more about their faith and their Church and so wish to attend courses and presentations that various organisations of the Archdiocese offer. Unfortunately, not all events are accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. “We produced a booklet looking at the needs of people who are hard of hearing and distributed it to every parish in the Archdiocese,” he said.

THE RECORD MAGAZINE

WORDS Josh Low

“We hope that this will encourage parishes to make the Gospel heard by those who do not hear the way the rest of the community does.” Fr Pitzen said raising awareness in the Church community is important to bringing the deaf and hard of hearing into full participation in the Church. “As an organisation, our aim is to provide assistance for people within the Church to recognise their gifts and talents and access services within the Church that are not currently accessible.” He added that his hopes were for an enhanced relationship between all parties in the Church community. “We are pleased that the Archdiocese has committed to ensuring that all videos on the Archdiocesan website are now captioned and made with Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as a policy requirement,” he said. “Our hope is that every parish/organisation will have an “Access and Disability Inclusion Plan” as a guide to offering full inclusion of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. Making such a plan would include such things as installing an efficient public address system, using PowerPoint presentations, installing audio induction loops or other assistive listening devices, and learning basic Auslan skills along with using down-to-earth language in any material produced together with captioned and Auslan video,” he concluded.

Changing the lives of those with disability at the Emmanuel Centre WORDS Josh Low

Providing a caring and supportive environment is the focus of The Emmanuel Centre, a volunteer-run, self-help centre for people with disabilities.

he centre’s mission is to walk with the person with disabilities and their families, and those who work with them, according to Gospel values and the pastoral directives of the Catholic Church.

Emmanuel Centre’s Co-ordinator says people’s lives are changed for the better because people are given dignity as they are seen as individuals with their own individual needs and capacities. Photo: Supplied

In doing so, the goal is to open their eyes to the presence of Christ in them and in the people around them, while advocating for and promoting the moral, physical, social and spiritual welfare of adults and children with special needs.

“Through our large volunteer base, we

One such example is the Wheatgrass

offer information, support, counselling,

Project, where participants learn about

advocacy, library lending and resources,

the process of plant growth from seed

The Emmanuel Centre was first established in 1981 by Sir Lancelot Goody, Archbishop of Perth, under the leadership of then Director of Centrecare, Fr Barry Hickey, later the Archbishop of Perth.

Centre but instead they practice a

The name of the organisation (Emmanuel), meaning ‘God is with us’, was given to constantly keep in mind who in fact, is directing the endeavour. With a number of support groups and organisations involved in running the centre, Emmanuel Centre Coordinator Barbara Harris said the histor y of Emmanuel Centre demonstrates what can be done with scarce financial resources. “From the beginning, the Emmanuel Centre has relied on God’s providence and the goodwill of volunteers and donors, with some help from the Archdiocese.

work experience and training,” she said. Mrs Harris added that funding and program models are not the defining elements of what is done at Emmanuel more settled approach, focusing on individual needs. “ The criterion for involvement in Emmanuel is that a person wants to be

to final product because they are actively involved throughout. Mrs Harris said the Emmanuel Centre has become a sort of family for many and has now grown into a community for people, and hopes it can grow to be a place where help and support can be obtained and given freely, without

involved. The programs of Emmanuel

favouring one over another.

Centre derive from expressed needs,

“The Emmanuel Centre, as a whole, has

aspirations, dreams and visions, rather than from available funding. “People’s lives are changed for the better because people are given dignity as they are seen as individuals with their own individual needs and capacities. “People are not seen as a category of disability with a set model of service,” she said. Ms Harris explained that people are able to learn and practise new skills

developed into a community, involving not only its residents and volunteers but a very large family of supporters who contribute a large amount of resources necessary to maintain its services. “The dream is that ever y Catholic parish, school, organisation or entity will accept that we are all made in the image and likeness of God; that we all belong to the Body of Christ and share

and develop hand/eye coordination,

our journey together, discovering Jesus

stimulating the brain by obser ving

in our breaking bread together like the

different processes.

disciples on the way to Emmaus.”

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

After visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Penrose Park in New South Wales in 1991, Brother Alan Archer, or Al as he is more commonly known, decided there and then that he would dedicate his life to God and to the service of others.

uring the next five years, Brother Al began volunteering at the Matthew Talbot Hostel in Kings Cross, Sydney, which at the time was a 500-bed hostel for homeless men. During his time there ser ving as a Night Super visor and Pastoral Carer, Brother Al claims he truly saw the work of God. “Let me tell you, this is where I truly witnessed God at work, there with the homeless, the addicted, among the rejected of society… this is where violence, sadness and miracles happened every day.”

To day, t h e Em m a us C o m m u ni t y is n ow registered as a charitable organisation and functions autonomously. There are more than 150 non-residential members and their families who form an integral part of the Emmaus Community, by sharing with each other the highs and lows of living with mental health issues. Today, 50 p e ople now c all t he Emmaus C o m m u n i t y, b a s e d i n Pe r t h’s s o u t h e r n suburbs, home.

BROTHER AL CELEBRATES 21 YEARS OF EMMAUS WORDS Daniele Foti-Cuzzola

Moved by his experience there, Brother Al continued to dedicate his life to helping the downtrodden when he moved to Perth in 1995. He was appointed manager of St Bartholomew’s New Crisis Care Unit, which provided shortterm and emergency accommodation for people with mental health issues. During this time, Brother Al met and befriended many people who were battling mental illness and shared their experiences of homelessness, loneliness, addiction and suffering. Unable to keep up with the demands for spare beds and resources, Brother Al embarked on a mission to provide long-term accommodation for adults with mental health issues that would allow them to live independently, with assistance and support, whilst being part of a collective communit y, and so, in 1996, the spiritual journey of the Emmaus Community began. Twenty-one years later, and Brother Al has continued to put his heart and soul into the Emmaus Community. In 2000, he sold a property that he personally owned, and used the proceeds to buy a modest house in Queens Park, which has become the first home and foundation of the Emmaus Community.

THE RECORD MAGAZINE

The majority of these people currently living at Emmaus had been separated from their biological families and were isolated by society because of their mental illness, but the Emmaus Community has offered them a second chance at life. “This is not a hostel or a crisis unit – it is a real home,” says Brother Al. “ T h is is a p l a ce w h e re p e o p l e c a n l i ve independently, with support, in an environment of love.”

It was in 1977 when a group of like-minded families banded together with the hopes of being able to give their children with disability more than what was available at the time. Together, they established Catholic Care, an organisation where their children received quality care and greater acceptance from their parish communities.

From little things, big things grow: Identitywa celebrates 40 years WORDS Daniele Foti-Cuzzola

orty years later, and now called Identitywa, the agency has grown into an organisation that supports more than 550 individuals and their families, and employs over 500 staff. Identitywa CEO Marina Re says there has been a commitment over a significant period to position Identitywa as one of the best disability service providers in Western Australia. “It is both an exciting and challenging time for us,” says Marina. “I believe we are well placed as a registered National Disability Service Provider (NDIS) to work with the new government to offer high quality supports to people with disabilities.” Identitywa offers support for all age groups. S e r v i ce s i n c l u d e 3 6 s h a re d li v i n g h o u s e s throughout the Perth metropolitan area, three houses where children and adults can take a break and comprehensive family support services. These services have proven to be of such value that the organisation has opened two dedicated hubs located in the north and south of Perth enabling staff to be closer to the people they support, providing important points of contact for families and individuals. “ We believe it is critic al we are present in communities we are working in and that we continue to increase our outreach,” Marina said. In addition to the new hubs, in March 2017, Identitywa relocated to a new corporate base in the Catholic Archdiocese-owned old St Brigid’s school in Northbridge. A $1.6 million refurbishment of the building was funded by a Lotterywest grant and included a state-of-the art training facility, new offices and meeting spaces.

Such a generous grant reinforces how invaluable Identit y wa’s work has been to the West Australian community. Marina Re says having the right people work with Identitywa is critical to its success. “We are always keen to identify people who want to be with us and who are interested in developing a meaningful career in the disability sector.” “Our motivation for employing the right people impacts on many different aspects of our work force. It s t a r t s a t re c r u i t m e nt and continues through induction and on-the-job training right through to recognition and oppor tunities for career progression. In the last year, we have offered almost 7000 hours of training which is a significant commitment by our Board and management to ensure our staff are highly trained. “We believe Identitywa has an exciting future and we look forward to continuing to enhance the lives of the people we support and their families,” said Marina. For more information about Identitywa’s range of services, including support with information about NDIS funding, and employment, call 9474 3303 or email reception@identitywa.com.au.

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

ABORIGINAL CATHOLIC MINISTRY – GROWING IN FAITH AND CULTURE G ui d e d by t h e m e s s a ge of g row in g in f ai t h and culture, living God’s mercy and justice, reconciliation, healing, leadership and community, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM), an agency within the Archdiocese of Perth, promotes the spiritual, cultural and social development of people of Aboriginal descent.

Helping its mob grow in faith and culture, ACM is inspired by St John Paul II’s words, when he visited Australia in 1986, "You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church Herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants Her to be until you have made your contribution to Her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others."

WORDS Natashya Fernandez

Coming Home Together Network, a network for Catholic organisations committed to reconciliation and Aboriginal engagement and partnerships. “Additionally, we connect with Catholic schools to connect our ministry’s vision with the work they are doing,” she explained. Since the beginning of the year, Ms Burrows said that ACM has been working tirelessly to guide and assist people spiritually and culturally in their lives. “We are working closely with parishes in their ministry with Aboriginal people and their journey of reconciliation, and have run cultural awareness workshops in partnership with the Centre for Faith Enrichment, and Centre for Liturgy. “A few highlights for us this year were the establishment of an Aboriginal AA Group, conducting Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid, in partnership with the Emmanuel Centre; and holding children’s faith and culture days. We are also currently in the initial stages of starting a youth committee,” Ms Burrows added.

Ms Burrows said her role has been instrumental in growing ACM’s mission over the last few years.

ACM’s main purpose is to provide pastoral visits to hospitals, homes and hostels; prepare children and adults for the sacraments; provide pastoral care support; the faith formation of Aboriginal people; support parishes in its ministry with Aboriginal people; and collaborate with organisations to promote its mission. ACM Director Vicky Burrows is the first lay director to take up this position. In her role to deliver the vision and give direction and support, she said that ACM is living up to its mission through its regular hospital and home visitation, sacramental presentation and funeral assistance. “ We als o p rov ide op p or t unit ie s to de ep en o ur communit y’s faith through resources such as our newsletters, conduct Sunday Eucharists, run monthly faith yarns at Clontarf Aboriginal College and have hosted

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“This has been done through relationship building and raising awareness of Aboriginal people and culture with various organisations. The ministry with Aboriginal people is the work of the whole Church and not just one ministry or a few people. “The Church, and its people, need to be in relationship with, and celebration of, Aboriginal people and culture; the life of our faith community will be deeply enriched by the experiences and faith of Aboriginal people.” To know more about ACM or speak to one of its pastoral care workers, visit Aboriginal Catholic Ministry at 5 Baker Avenue, Perth. Call them on (08) 9328 7529 or email acm@ perthcatholic.org.au.

People with intellectual disability with their volunteers and family at the Christmas adapted Liturgy Mass last year. Photo: Supplied

ersonal Advocacy Ser vice (PAS) seeks to enrich the lives of people with an intellectual disability. Established in 1989, the agency has worked tirelessly over the years to raise spiritual awareness and foster a sense of wellbeing for people with disability. Staying true to its mission to provide opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to be included in community life, by pairing them with a catechist volunteer or ‘advocate’ with whom they can develop a meaningful friendship, PAS also promotes spiritual development for those with intellectual disabilities and their integration into parish communities.

Operating in 13 parishes of the Archdiocese of Perth, and with a network of 125 volunteers, the groups meet fortnightly to help each other, with some of these friendships lasting for more than 20 years. PAS Director Ray Ryan said that the uniqueness of PAS is that it focuses on the development of the ‘whole person’ over a period of time, rather than on particular issues. “PAS provides a unique type of advocacy that is based on one-to-one relationships between people with intellectual disabilities and volunteers from the local community. “Through PAS, we have been able to raise awareness in local parishes that people with an intellectual disability have a right to express their spirituality through friendship and relationships, and contribute to the life of their Church community.

PERSONAL ADVOCACY SERVICE FOCUSES ON A BRIGHTER FUTURE

WORDS Natashya Fernandez

“We want to foster a sense of belonging for them and encourage parishes to welcome and integrate people with an intellectual disability into their parish community life,” he explained. Mr Ryan added that, through the years, PAS has developed a network of small, supportive groups to promote the dignity and value of these individuals, including celebrations such as an adapted Liturgy Mass, the Annual Community Celebrations and the Volunteer Appreciation event. “Our Annual Community Celebration in July saw more than 170 friends, volunteer advocates and family for a fun afternoon with companionship, singing, dancing and afternoon tea. This event was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. “PAS also held a Volunteers Appreciation event which took place during National Volunteers Week to support the advocate catechists,” he said. Mr Ryan added that, this year, PAS is also looking at other ways to encourage and assist parishes to actively engage people with intellectual disability in the Mass and parish community generally. “This may mean some coaching of congregations in ways of actively welcoming and getting people with intellectual disabilities involved in the liturgy in roles such as greeters, collectors, readers and the like. We want all Catholics with disability to feel a real welcome when they attend their local parish Mass. “We are in the planning stage of this new program and our aim is that it will roll out across the Archdiocese as we support and collaborate with parish priests and parish councils. This new initiative will be the main focus of our efforts over the near future,” he concluded. To know more about more about PAS, visit Personal Advocacy Service at 28 Holdhurst Way, Morley. Call them on (08) 9275 5388 or email admin@paswa.org.au.

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Since becoming chaplain at Stella Maris 11 years ago, Deacon Patrick Moore has witnessed quite a few changes to the Fremantle Port, including the size and type of ships coming in, as a result of the Port being dredged three years ago and, of course, changes in the Australian economy. “They made it nearly two metres deeper, and this means that we can take much bigger container ships,” he said. “In the past, a typical container ship would carry 3,000 to 4,000 containers; now, we regularly get ships that carry 7,000 to 8,000. So in the past where there used to be three ships, they’re now replaced by one. The crew sizes are the same though, with around 22 people per ship.”

Deacon Patrick Moore, Chaplain at Stella Maris in Fremantle. Above him is a stained-glass plaque which says ‘welcome’ in different languages, reflecting the many different nationalities who work at sea. Photo: Caroline Smith

STELLA MARIS REMAINS A

PLACE OF REFUGE AND SUPPORT FOR SEAFARERS WORDS Caroline Smith

This means that the number of seafarers visiting Stella Maris, located in the centre of Fremantle near St Patrick’s Basilica, has decreased. The main purpose of the agency is to provide a place of rest for seafarers where they can drop in and have something to eat and drink, contact their families back home, and seek spiritual or emotional support. “Jesus says feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless and welcome the stranger - so we’re called by the Gospel to have a concern for everybody and our particular task is to welcome the stranger,” Deacon Moore said. “And these seafarers have very difficult lives. Even on the good ships, they still suffer from loneliness, because it’s a long time to be away from your home.” On tougher ships, he added, seafarers might face cramped conditions, a lack of fresh drinking water, or bullying from fellow crew members – although the introduction of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006, which came into force in 2009, has provided some defence against this. “It’s made a big difference to seafarers’ lives, and made a big difference to the ability of local inspectors to ensure that proper standards are observed on the ship,” Deacon Moore said.

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“This is mainly in terms of accommodation for seafarers, their wages, that their food is adequate, that the water is clean.” Going on board ships to check such things was also part of Deacon Moore’s job as Chaplain, and he often visited seafarers on the ships as they were not always able to come ashore and visit Stella Maris. “We often get livestock ships with big Bangladeshi or Pakistani crews who are not allowed off, so I spend a lot of time onboard with them, because they want the same sort of amenities as everybody else, especially phone cards,” he said. “We always get a warm welcome, and the men are always good to talk with.” Deacon Moore said some recent additions to the Stella Maris Centre – including a new coat of paint and a stainedglass plaque on the wall – helped to inspire volunteers and seafarers who dropped in. “This plaque was in the window over the doorway at the St Patrick’s Centre. The people there were going to throw it out, but I liked it and so did the seafarers because it says welcome in lots of languages,” he said. “We had it framed and restored before it went up. We also have an oil painting of Jesus and the Seafarer up on the wall that reminds us of who we are – a Catholic organisation motivated by the Gospel.”

Supporting communities across WA still the focus for

Centrecare Inc WORDS Caroline Smith

Providing a wide range of social and professional services to people across Western Australia is an impressive task, but one which Centrecare Incorporated (Inc) takes on with more than 70 years’ experience.

as finance, business, migration law, counselling, community service and cultural diversity,” Mr Pietropiccolo said. “These members embody the skills and diversity necessary to ensure accountability, enhance ongoing and sustainable

pread across the state from metropolitan Perth to the

vision, policy formation and the long-term planning capacity

Goldfields and the South West, the agency provides

of Centrecare.

more than 70 different services – including counselling,

“This experience means people across WA can gain support

support, mediation and training – with more than 300 staff

with issues like accommodation, family disputes, domestic

to facilitate this.

and family violence, gambling, family functioning, and those

Part of this work includes ser vice provision to remote

relating to migration and youth concerns.

Aboriginal communities in WA such as Coonana, Tjuntjuntjarra

“Centrecare aims to be an example of unconditional care in

and the Ngaanyatjarra lands, along with weekly and fortnightly

action. It always seeks the common good and works towards

visits to the towns of Coolgardie, Menzies, Leonora and

achieving a society that is founded on the principles of justice

Laverton and Norseman.

and fairness for all,” Mr Pietropiccolo said.

Reflecting on Centrecare’s history and current role, Director Tony Pietropiccolo said the agency was guided by the Catholic Church’s holistic vision for community. “Our inspiration is drawn from the Christian message of love, hope and justice. We are encouraged by those individuals, irrespective of race or belief, who seek to create a society that transcends, dignifies and unites all people,” he said. It is this which underpins Centrecare’s goal of strengthening people and communities through the provision of professional social services, inspired by compassion and recognition for human dignity, he added. “The current Centrecare Board has experience in areas such

“Having started back in the 1940s, we hope to continue providing essential social services for all West Australians, based on these principals, and with a view to encouraging their full participation in our society.” Centrecare also runs workshops in many locations around WA, covering topics such as parenting, family disputes, mental health and domestic violence, as well as after-school activities for children. Its eleven offices are based in Kalgoorlie, Leonora, Esperance, Bunbury, and across the metropolitan area. Students who attained their Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) at Centacare were congratulated on their fantastic achievement at a graduation event held on 4 August. Photo: Supplied

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Established to provide pastoral care programs in the Archdiocese of Perth since the early 1990s, Catholic Outreach has grown immensely over the years and is known for providing quality services across the parishes.

Catholic Outreach winning hearts through its pastoral care programs across the Archdiocese WORDS Natashya Fernandez

ollowing its mission to assist parishes to set up and support pastoral care programs which enable volunteers to provide practical emergency short-term support, such as emergency meals, family support, bereavement support, visiting, gardening, transport and household help, Catholic Outreach has reached out to many people in need over the years. Director for Catholic Outreach, Peter McMinn, who has been at the helm since 1999, said the agency was set up because a lot of people in the Archdiocese were in need of help. “People will often want to reach out and respond to those in need within their community. We offer a more structured way in which people can do this. “The parish care program allows volunteers to feel secure because they’re part of a well-run agency. If you have a well-structured program, people will want to come back,” Mr McMinn said. With the aim of working with parish priests, coordinators and other members of the parish community to set up and maintain care programs, Catholic Outreach provides

on-going organisational and administrative support to parish care programs, including formation and training for coordinators and volunteers, facilitating gatherings of coordinators, assisting parishes by providing advice and facilitating their interaction with professional services from other relevant agencies in the Archdiocese, as well as assisting in the total Christian development of parishioners. With more than 140 local coordinators in 30 parishes, and hundreds of volunteers in service, each parish running a Catholic Outreach program benefits from approximately half a dozen coordinators who, in turn, assess the jobs required and instruct volunteers. Mr McMinn also added that volunteers have the flexibility to offer their services according to their schedules, capabilities and current circumstances, with the option of giving more or less at any time they choose to do so. At the recent volunteer orientation training session held at Rockingham parish, Mr McMinn discussed the role of coordinators and their primary duties. Topics of interest to volunteers included what we are, why we do it, who we serve, how we work, insurance, and FAQs. At the end of training, volunteers were invited to share a little of their stories, followed by fellowship. Mr McMinn said that these parish care programs help to build communities. Catholic Outreach also facilitates interaction with other professional services provided by the Archdiocese and, if needed, will correspond with government or other services to ensure that people receive the appropriate care they need. The agency’s services are offered to anybody, Catholic or not, who is loosely within the boundaries of a parish with a care program. To know more about the agency or to become a volunteer, visit Catholic Outreach at 40A Mary Street, Highgate. Call them on (08) 9422 7920 or email outreach@perthcatholic.org.au. Catholic Outreach Director Peter McMinn addressing the group of parishioners who attended a training session for Simon Peter Care, a pastoral care program, in March 2017. Photo: Supplied

CENTACARE EMPLOYMENT A more sustainable future for those inAND need TRAINING WORDS Josh Low

Having helped change the lives of more than 1,000 disadvantaged members of the Perth community, Centacare Employment and Training is looking to grow further to assist in building a more sustainable economic future for those in need.

office in West Perth and other training sites in Joondalup, Mirrabooka, Midland, Cannington, Gosnells and Fremantle.

Originally established in 1976 as a support service for unemployed and disadvantaged youth, Centacare last year celebrated its 40th anniversary and is now a leading training and education provider for disadvantaged members of the community.

Ms Phillips explained that the organisation currently assists people aged 15 to 64, many of whom come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

entacare Employment and Training is a not-for-profit registered training organisation (RTO) that delivers flexible education courses and fully accredited industry training programs.

The programs offered by Centacare include Skills for Education and Employment (SEE), Employability Skills Training (EST) and Vocational Education and Training (VET).

T he organis ation c ater s to people of all ages and backgrounds, looking to learn new skills or obtain the qualifications necessary to go on to further study, training or employment.

“They include youth at risk of becoming long-term unemployed, migrants and refugees from all over the world, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians who identify the English language, literacy and/or numeracy as a barrier to entering the workforce,” she said.

Executive Director of Centacare Employment and Training, Lee-Anne Phillips, said Centacare’s vision ‘to transform lives through education, training and employment’ is what lies at the core of its work.

Ms Phillips added that Centacare’s strategic plan for the next three years is ambitious, as it looks for new ways of assisting the disadvantaged in the community.

“We believe that education and training can help to break the cycle of adversity and create opportunities for a brighter future,” Ms Phillips said. “This is why we aim to provide quality, individualised employment, training and support services to unemployed job seekers in a manner consistent with our Catholic ethos, which encourages clients to work towards building a better economic and social livelihood for themselves,” she said. The organisation’s training and employment programs are delivered from several locations which include the head

“We will increase our education and training programs, adding new qualifications in order to align with government priorities, market demand and industry skill shortages to create new funding oppor tunities, and increase diversification in our community. “Despite major shif t s in government polic y, social perspectives and economic outlooks, we remain focused on our strong belief in the widespread benefits of providing for the disadvantaged and will continue striving to achieve our mission to ‘transform lives through education, training and employment’,” she concluded.

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

NEW WA CATHOLIC MIGRANT AND REFUGEE OFFICE SUPPORTING THE NEWLY ARRIVED AND OTHER MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES WORDS Natashya Fernandez

he new Western Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (WACMRO) seeks to promote the acceptance and settlement of new migrants and refugees into Australia. It aspires to support migrants and refugees in a manner that upholds their dignity enabling them to feel a sense of welcome and belonging in the parish and broader community.

In doing all of this, Deacon Lowe said as the new Director his role will work across the board in supporting the mission and the purpose of WACMRO. “I think the multicultural nature of the Church is a huge blessing and in order to further flourish we need to become even better at cross-cultural dialogue.

Inaugural Director Deacon Gregory Lowe said that this new initiative is an exciting and wonderful opportunity.

“The theology of hospitality and the philosophical stance of listening to the other is most helpful in this regard,” Deacon Lowe said.

“Together with the WACMRO Committee, we are here to oversee the delivery of care and welcome in such a way that the person or family would feel safe and, importantly, feel like they belong.

Working collaboratively with the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) in Canberra, Deacon Lowe said that ACMRO’s affiliation with Rome means that migration is very much at the forefront of the Holy Father’s thinking.

“According to the WACMRO Constitution, the office is here to assist migrant and refugee persons into their new life here in the Archdiocese of Perth; work with the migrant chaplains to address any concerns in the various communities as well as raise awareness of the migrant and refugee experience,” he explained.

“In fact, Pope Francis has just released a 20-point plan on how the Church should relate to this issue of our time and ACMRO will start work on this in the near future and, in turn, this will help WACMRO to fulfil its own Mandate as given by our Archbishop,” he explained.

WACMRO was set up with a purpose to provide referral services to people seeking assistance with Australian visas and immigration law, to initiate and support local parish groups, to work with the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO), to engage collaboratively with Archdiocesan agencies, and to collaborate with other Catholic and non-Catholic organisations to offer migration programs and services.

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With a new office in Victoria Square set to open in January, Deacon Lowe said that he can’t wait to get started, and be out and about in the parishes. “I look forward to working with the WACMRO team as we prepare for a busy 2018,” he concluded. To know more about WACMRO, please contact Deacon Gregory Lowe, Director, WACMRO. Call on (08) 9220 5950 or email greg.lowe@perthcatholic.org.au.

Having commenced earlier this year in July in the Archdiocese of Perth, the Post Abortion Grief Counselling Service has already seen a positive response.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB (centre) and Archdiocesan Special Projects Coordinator Mr Tony Giglia (far right) meet with representatives from the four organisations providing the new post-abortion grief counselling service, including, from left, Julie Cook from Abortion Grief Australia, Lisette Jas from Pregnancy Assistance, Rod West from Centrecare Inc and Celia Joyce from the Fullness of Life Centre. Photo: Jamie O'Brien

ith the initiative coming directly from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, the idea for the service came about after a gap in the services being provided by the Archdiocese in the area, together with a growing need for the service, was identified. Shadow Minister for Child Protection, Hon. Nick Goiran MLC, has previously said in an interview with The Record that there has been a serious lack of informed consent for those seeking to have an abortion. “There are situations in which people seeking to have an abortion haven’t been given informed consent," Mr Goiran said. “In part this is because those who are so-called ‘prochoice’ are not always giving pregnant mothers information about other options like foster care and adoption or about consequences like post abortion grief,” he said. “The problem is that nobody wants to talk about it. There needs to be more accountability and transparency.” Archdiocesan Research and Project Development Manager Mr Tony Giglia, said the aim of the Post Abortion Grief Counselling Service will be to provide support and healing to those who are now suffering these consequences. Having commenced in July 2017, the service is provided by the Fullness of Life Centre, Pregnancy Assistance, Centrecare Inc and Abortion Grief Australia, who have all signed a memorandum of understanding with the Archdiocese of Perth. “The ser vices are provided free of charge and those seeking the counselling service can be assured they are getting confidential quality support without judgement,” Mr Giglia said.

POST ABORTION GRIEF COUNSELLING SERVICE OPENS FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH WORDS Josh Low

“Our hope is that we can further provide a Christ-centred Church that understands the experiences of the people and where they are at in their life today,” he said. Abortion Grief Australia’s National Director, Julie Cook, emphasised the importance of reaching out to those who have experienced an abortion and are suffering. “Most health professionals don’t have the training to deal with the issue of post abortion trauma, and the women who are suffering are often so ashamed that they won’t talk to anyone about the grief they are experiencing.” “These initiatives help to raise awareness among people in general and the very fact that so many people are getting involved to reach out to those suffering with abortion trauma is a great witness and testament of hope,” she said. For more information on how to access the new post abortion grief counselling services, go to www.perthcatholic.org.au/ Organisations__Services-Healthcare-Health_Services-Post_ Abortion_Grief_Counselling_Services.htm

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

St John of God Health Care

Providing outreach services to those most in need

guiding principle of St John of God Health Care (SJGHC) is to demonstrate our commitment to serving people who are vulnerable, materially poor, powerless and marginalised. The organisations Social Outreach ser vices, within the Communit y Services arm of SJGHC, is a key way the organisation carries out this Vision by identif ying areas of need in the community and dedicating substantial resources to provide services directly to people in need of care. These services operate across Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and in Timor-Leste. Available to all member s of t he community, not just SJGHC hospital patients, the services are free of charge or provided at minimal cost. Service areas include: • early intervention for vulnerable young people through the Horizon House Program

“All of our services recognise the unique dignity of every person and are delivered with compassion to enable individuals to realise a brighter future for themselves.” More than 200 qualified and skilled caregivers work across 36 sites delivering care and support to communities in need

• specialised mental health care for families before, during and after pregnancy delivered by Raphael Services

across three states.

• community mental health care and support in Fremantle as well as services in Victoria

This included the provision of 138 beds

• accommodation services in western and inner Sydney for people with chronic mental illness

"Last year our caregivers provided care and support to more than 3,800 clients. to adults and young people, through our Horizon House and Casa Venegas programs, which accounted for almost 40,0 0 0 bed nights. Our community

ABOVE: Families in Perth and across Australia experiencing anxiety and depression can access free support from SJG Raphael Services. TOP:

• international health care capacity building in Timor-Leste.

mental health and Raphael Ser vices

SJG Horizon House supports vulnerable young

delivered more than 32,900 counselling

people across Western Australia and Victoria to

CEO Social Outreach Bev East said that the range of services had a focus on early intervention and capacity building.

sessions.

“ We fo c us o n e a r l y inte r ve nt i o n , particularly across our mental health and youth services, as we know that it can have significant and life changing consequences for a person’s emotional health and wellbeing,” she said.

where we can do more and how we

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“We’re proud to serve our community in this way and are always looking at can work more effectively to help more people in need.” For more information visit sjog.org.au/socialoutreach.

develop the skills they need to live a fuller life. Photos: Supplied

ercyCare is a leading Catholic provider of aged care, disability, family, health and community services. With more than 1,000 employees and 170 volunteers, MercyCare delivers some 40 programs and services, from 35 locations throughout Western Australia. MercyCare continues the traditions and provides services first established by the Sisters of Mercy and comprises of five core service areas: 1. Aged Care services 2. Early Learning services 3. Disability services 4. Family, Child and Youth services, and 5. Community Support services

MERCYCARE:

KNOWING EACH PERSON HAS A UNIQUE SET OF NEEDS

MercyCare’s positioning statement, 'Every Person Matters' distils the essence of the organisation into three carefully chosen words. MercyCare unconditionally upholds the value and dignity of each individual person. This is what drives the organisation forward and what makes the MercyCare experience different. With an increasing demand for our services, MercyCare is rapidly expanding. Some of our recent grow th initiatives include: Early Learning Services •

Extended opening hours for our child care centres, and before and after school care to reduce the stress for busy working parents

•

Opening of a new centre in Ellenbook

Aged Care Services •

Extensive refurbishment completed at MercyCare’s Catherine McAuley residential aged care facility in Wembley

•

Planning refurbishments for the residential aged care facilities at Joondalup, Kelmscott, Maddington and Rockingham currently underway

MercyCare is also working on several major projects to ensure continued delivery of the best possible service user experience. For example, at MercyCare’s historical Wembley site, both aged care and child care services are thriving. The children and residents spend time together working on arts and crafts, storytime, playing games and singing songs. Research has overwhelmingly shown that when generations come together, everyone can benefit. Children are exposed to the traditions and wisdom of older Australians while developing respect and empathy for older Australians. This is also an opportunity for older Australians to expand their social networks, alleviate boredom and isolation, and stay physically active, which benefits their overall health. Knowing each person has a unique set of needs, MercyCare takes the time to understand each one of our service users because we believe that when you get to know a person’s story, you can create a much better experience. Understanding the needs and motivations of the people with whom we work allows us to deliver exceptional services that go beyond meeting basic expectations. The foundation of our service user’s experience is to ensure that MercyCare instils a sense of support, togetherness, friendship, trust and belonging. We strive to meet our service users’ expectations of feeling empowered, independent, listened to and to continue to enable them to have an impact on life and society. MercyCare works in partnership with individuals and their families, as well as professionals (eg General Practitioner, Allied Health Professionals) to ensure access to our services is as quick, simple and stress free as possible. Our service is fast, friendly and we are ready to start helping immediately. Every person matters. Visit mercycare.com.au or call us on (08) 9442 3444.

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The St Vincent de Paul Society, fondly known as Vinnies, was founded in Western Australia in 1865. It is a grassroots volunteer based organisation with a large community presence which provides support to people experiencing disadvantage.

his amazing commitment and service to others, together with its longevity, has earned the St Vincent de Paul Society a solid and trustworthy reputation, and a highly respected and affectionate place in the hearts of Western Australians. The core work of the St Vincent de Paul Society is the emergency relief program which addresses the needs of people predominately in their own homes with respect, compassion and support. Home visitations are undertaken by more than 1,000 incredible members and volunteers who give of their time so generously to assist the most vulnerable members of our community. Last financial year, more than 38,000 Western Australians received assistance with essentials such as food, clothing, household items, utility bills, shelter, advocacy and friendship. The Call Centre is generally the first point of contact for people seeking assistance. In the last year, volunteers answered 31,268 calls from individuals and families seeking financial and/or material support. The emergency relief program, together with its financial counselling and youth services such as camps for children and teens, provides an integrated and holistic approach to people seeking support in alleviating crisis and disadvantage.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY RESTORING HOPE 26

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The St Vincent de Paul Society also has a range of specialised support programs across Western Australia, including retail shops and distribution centre operations, Western Australia’s only recovery-focused mental health service, services to prevent or alleviate homelessness, and a dedicated refugee and migrant program. The St Vincent de Paul Society’s mental health service is a recovery focused model – led by the belief that everyone should have the opportunity for recovery. Staff are led by the ‘clients’ need and what their goals are. Support workers tailor care to the individual and work to build life skills and reconnect people with family and the broader community. In WA, around 10,000 people are homeless, with 39 per cent under 25 years of age. The St Vincent de Paul Society supports people who are experiencing homelessness with a stable connection to their community and resources that allow them the opportunity to rebuild their lives and move out of homelessness. The unique, no barrier service model means people with complex needs are able to access the St Vincent de Paul Society’s support services. As the most visible face, the 48 Vinnies shops in Western Australia fund important revenue to support these programs and services that assist people in need. The shops rely on donated goods from the general public and are run predominately by volunteers. The St Vincent de Paul Society is reliant on the generosity of donors who appreciate the extent of its role in helping make a difference to so many people in Western Australia. For more information or to donate, visit www.vinnies.org.au.

St Pat’s Community Support Centre creating change through community S

t Patrick’s Community Support Centre (St Pat’s) is a homelessness support organisation that provides comprehensive, holistic support to disadvantaged and homeless people of the south west metropolitan area of Perth.

Established in 1972 by Brother Ignatius Hannick from the Church of St Patrick’s Fremantle (now St Patrick’s Basilica Fremantle Parish) with assistance from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Br Hannick began operating a soup kitchen to aid the growing number of people in need within the community. Since that time, St Pat’s has expanded its services to include accommodation for families, men, women and youth (130 beds); a fully-equipped health and dental clinic, a Day Centre which offers nutritious meals, along with specialist support services and opportunities for people to participate in social and educational activities. St Pat ’s also operates a number of programs that c ater to client populations that can be hard to reach such as people with mental illness, people living on the street, or those suffering alcohol or drug addiction. The organisation offers intensive casemanaged support to youth, families, men and women through a variety of residential programs. The Day Centre is the central hub of St Pat’s, providing a welcoming place for clients as well as emergency assistance in the form of groceries, clothing, shoes or financial aid.

Over the last year, St Pat’s has provided more than 32,000 meals, with more than 200 people coming to the Day Centre every weekday.

T h e Fr e m a n t l e Fa m i l y S u p p o r t

Ty p i c a l l y, t h e h e a l t h c l i n i c accommodates 3500 healthcare visits a year.

with appropriate support services.

St Pat’s is fortunate to benefit from the efforts of more than 140 volunteers who complement the work of the 40 dedicated staff.

vision statement: to build a community

S t P a t ’s a l s o w o r k s w i t h i n t h e broader community to facilitate a whole-of-community response to the issues around homelessness and disadvantage. T h e S o u t h We s t M e t r o p o l i t a n Partnership Forum brings together representatives from government, b u s i n e s s , p h i l a n t h r o p y, n o n government organisations and community members to tackle broader social issues affecting the community.

Network, established in 2015, is a coalition of support agencies, led by St Pat’s that connects families in crisis All of these programs have one central goal, best encapsulated by St Pat’s where people can live secure and independent lives. The dedicated team of volunteers and staff have a particular focus in empowering and enabling individuals to take control of their lives and to assist them as they build their capacity to live healthy fulfilling lives. As an organisation, it is committed to Catholic ethics and the charism of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and believes in the intrinsic worth of each individual and in creating a more compassionate community.

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

Catholic Homes - Enablers of

living with dignity and purpose C atholic Homes is a Christian based not-for-profit organisation who have been caring for Western Australians as they age for more than 50 years. Their care model ‘Care with Purpose’, is based on Montessori principles. The aim is to encourage people to remain active and busy for as long as possible, whilst continuing to do the things that bring them joy.

A purpose-built Comfort Care Centre was opened in early 2017 to provide end of life care. Offering home like facilities, the service is unique to Catholic Homes and the only one of its kind in Western Australia. It has been at or near capacity since its opening and has received exceptional feedback from residents and families. Additionally, a Short-Term Restorative Care service, an early intervention programme to help prevent, delay or reverse the need to enter long-term care was launched. This care service provides a range of services for up to eight weeks, depending on the needs of the client. Catholic Homes believes in supporting people to achieve their potential and is centred on knowledge of the persons past, their current abilities and physical, social and emotional needs.

Such an innovative and proactive approach to care earned it two Better Practice Awards in 2015 for its care model and the Circle of Men project – a support and social group for men in aged care. C atholic Homes’ Chief E xecutive John Fit z gerald, who commenced the role in mid-2017, says he has been extraordinarily impressed by the uptake of the organisation’s core values, joy, love and hospitality and how this is reflected in the quality of care. Mr Fitzgerald says he approves of the way residents are very much at the centre of the care picture, with staff acting as enablers of living so that each individual can continue to lead a fulfilled life. “I believe with Catholic Homes, people can age with dignity and purpose,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “I especially like the attitude of the people who work for Catholic Homes and the fact that staff are working here for the right reasons, in that they genuinely care about our residents. It is a remarkable blessing to have this opportunity to lead such a proactive and positive organisation,” he said. Catholic Homes services range from Care at Home, Short Term Restorative Care, Comfort Care, Day Therapy Services, Pastoral Care, as well as Respite and Private Services. For Home Care, funded home care packages are tailored to suit individual needs. Retirement Living and Residential Care is also provided, offering a safe and secure environment. 28

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Originally known as Southern Cross Homes, Southern Cross Care (WA) Inc. (SCC) was created by the Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross in 1966, who were committed to improving the lives of people in Western Australia.

oday, SCC is one of Western Australia’s leading not-for-profit aged care providers and is committed to helping West Australians access a choice of quality aged care and mental health services in one of their retirement villages, residential aged care homes, respite centres, community options homes or in their own home. Since 2008, SCC, through its affordable housing offering Southern Cross Housing Ltd. (SCH), has also provided affordable and supportive low cost rental tenancies for low-income seniors, people with disabilities and individuals with a persistent mental health disorder.

ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE IN AGED CARE WITH RESPECT, INTEGRITY AND COMPASSION As a registered ‘Growth Provider’ for the Department of Communities, SCH currently manage nearly 400 properties on their behalf. Providing more than just a place to live, SCH provides tenants with a safe and stable environment and the necessary support networks and tools to live independently with a good quality of life. In January 2017, SCC launched an in-home health and wellness brand ‘Southern Plus’ in response to clients’ increasingly complex health care needs, and their desire to remain independent and living in their own home for as long as possible. Southern Plus provides all clients with its unique ‘Same Face Promise’ service commitment, highlighting the benefits of a specialised, regular support worker and dedicated care team chosen by each client, ensuring the team and the client build a trusted and familiar relationship. Southern Plus’ broad range of in-home services includes allied health, clinical care, personal care, domestic care, transport and medication support. In the future, Southern Plus will also offer state of the art integrated health and wellness facilities in East Fremantle and integrated community hubs with affordable accommodation in Ridgewood and Currambine.

CEO Errol Turner explained to The Record Magazine that the purpose of SCC is to provide services with the goal of enriching and enhancing the quality of life of those they serve. “We are committed to providing compassionate, just and equitable services to the whole community, reflecting the moral and ethical principles of the Catholic Church. “Our core values are based on respect, integrity and compassion and we seek to serve with excellence in what we do. “We believe that every person is unique and listening to them and responding to their needs and aspirations is fundamental to us, while demonstrating and fostering empathy and sensitivity towards those we serve, their families and the whole community,” he concluded.

To know more about SCC or to find out about their services, visit www.southerncrosscare.com.au, or contact 1300 669 189 or email info@scrosswa.org.au. I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

ercy Health is a Catholic community not for profit provider of care, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and

grounded in a 2000 year history of caring for those in need. The organisation is a national service provider of health and aged care throughout Western Australia, Victoria, Southern New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. In Western Australia, Mercy Health cares for more than 300 people across six residential homes, with 78 independent living units.

Big idea grows from small household living aged care initiative In 2016, Mercy Health established an entirely new model of care at its not-for-profit homes in Edgewater and also Claremont, with plans to roll the initiative out across all its new developments across Australia into the future. Photo: Supplied.

In 2016, Mercy Health established an entirely new model of care at its not-for-profit homes in Edgewater and also Claremont, with plans to roll the initiative out across all its new developments across Australia into the future. The small household living model has proven highly successful in the Netherlands and other European countries, and is based on the concept of a social model of care whereby seniors live in a household of no more than eight people, rather than the larger group settings of traditional aged care services. According to Mercy Health, this strengthens individualised care that promotes independence and autonomy, enabling older people to live enriched lives, including those living with dementia. Mercy Health’s National Director Residential Aged Care Anita Ghose, explained that the concept is focused on creating a home-like, normalised daily living experience, which is facilitated by a dedicated multi-skilled team of care companions who assist residents with all their care needs and activities.

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“After many years of research and review into the caring of older people, and especially those living with dementia, this new model of care is built around relationships, personal enablement and choice, meaningful living and reduced loneliness, isolation and boredom,” Ms Ghose said. “Our focus at Mercy Health is on enrichment and better practices to support this, and when we researched the small household model and its proven benefits, we wanted to embrace it fully ourselves,” she said. The model involves individual households which contain a fully functioning kitchen and laundry along with a lounge, dining area and outdoor garden, and where each resident has their own room and ensuite. It’s akin to living in one’s own home where spaces that create socialisation and community engagement are promoted. Ms Ghose went on to say that the new model forms part of Mercy Health’s building designs for all new developments across Australia. “Each household is autonomous, the care team has total control of their own budget, they do all their own menus, cooking, cleaning and laundry together with the residents. We know that consistency of care, smaller living environments and strong social relationships are critical factors in enhancing wellbeing. “We are already seeing some very encouraging results for our residents in our small households, including an increase in weight, a reduction in medication and in falls,” Ms Ghose concluded.

COLOURING

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

FIAMBRE IS A COLD SALAD that is traditionally eaten in Guatemala on All Souls Day (Day of the Dead). Fiambre originated from the Guatemalan tradition of bringing dead family members their favourite dishes to the cemeteries for the Day of the Dead. As the number of deceased family members increased, and families mixed through marriages, more foods were brought to the cemeteries over time and eventually this combination of vegetables, meats and dairy were mixed into this all-encompassing salad, which made it easier to carry to the cemetery. Fiambre differs from family to family and this recipe can be altered to include yours and your family members’ favourite ingredients.

Ingredients Dressing • ¾ cup chopped parsley • ½ cup white wine vinegar • 2 tbsp. capers, drained • 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

FIAMBRE

• 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced • 1 cup olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste

G U AT E M A L A N S A L A D RECIPE BY Daniele Foti-Cuzzola

Fiambre • 400 grams boneless chicken breasts, poached and cut into cubes • 60 grams ham, cut into strips • 60 grams salami, cut into strips

Blitz ½ cup parsley, vinegar, capers, mustard and garlic in a blender.

• 1 cup peas, boiled

Drizzle olive oil until it has emulsified; season with salt and

• 3 medium carrots, cut into strips, boiled until tender

pepper and set vinaigrette aside. Toss chicken, ham, salami, beans, peas, carrots, celery,

• 3 ribs celery, cut into strips, boiled until tender

capsicum and mushrooms with ¾ of the vinaigrette in a bowl.

• ½ a medium capsicum, cut into strips • 1 cup button mushrooms, thinly sliced • ½ cup tinned baby beets • Medium green leaf lettuce, leaves separated

Method

Toss beets with remaining ¼ of vinaigrette in a bowl. Cover both bowls with cling wrap, and leave them to chill for 30 minutes to soak up flavours. Arrange lettuce leaves on the bottom of a serving dish, top

• ¾ cup mini gherkins, drained

with marinated meats and vegetables.

• ½ cup Spanish Olives, pitted

Garnish with beets, mini gherkins, olives, eggs, cheese and

• 4 boiled eggs, quartered

sprinkle remaining parsley.

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ACTIVITY PAGE ACROSS 1 Faith-sharing program used in the UK, Australia, and South Africa 7 Holy holders 9 “Light from light, ___ God from…”

38 “You are the ___ of the earth” (Mt 5:13)

10 NT book

40 OT book that precedes Ruth

12 First patriarch, to his friends? 13 Home of Adam and Eve 14 Enemies of ancient Israel

18 Fourth man 21 Where Vatican City is 23 Biblical animal of transport

31 “a ___ of one crying in the desert” (Lk 3:4)

11 “…at the name of Jesus every knee should ___…” (Phil 2:10) 15 What the sea bottom became when Moses parted it 16 “…and there was no man to ___ the ground” (Gen 2:5) 19 “…to the ___ of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) 20 Tarsus, to Paul 21 The Archdiocese of Dubuque is here

42 “In the ___ of the Father…” 2 “…the fish of the sea and the birds of the ___.” (Gen 1:26) 3 He saw the wheel 5 Land with a queen in Kings

26 Son of Eve

6 “When we eat this bread and drink this ___…”

29 NT epistle

7 Superior of convent

30 Bread of the Passover

8 Genuflection joint

24 Father of David

10 Paul says this is the glory of a woman (1 Cor 11:15)

41 Sr. Prejean

DOWN

17 To do this is human, but to forgive is divine

28 ___ and abstinence

35 ___ of God 37 “Keep them fastened over your heart always ___ them around your neck.” (Prov 6:21)

4 Son of Sarah

9 Catholic newsman Russert former host of “Meet the Press”

33 Goliath lost his

29 Catholic dancer and movie star Kelly

32 “Our Father who ___…” 34 He gave up his birthright to his brother 36 OT prophetic book that mourns the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple 39 OT book that is a collection for five sorrowful poems ANSWERS

22 Celestial being, to Jacques 23 Monk’s room 24 The feast day of St, Thomas Aquinas is in this month (abbr.) 25 “Kyrie ___” 27 Catholic Composer Beethoven

I S S U E 1 0 OCTOBER 2017

Cover images sourced

OCTOBER

ISSUE 10

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER & EDITOR Jamie O’Brien jamie.obrien@perthcatholic.org.au Mobile: 0455 099 652

ASSISTANT EDITOR Natashya Fernandez natashya.fernandez@perthcatholic.org.au Mobile: 0423 463 591

JOURNALISTS Caroline Smith caroline.smith@perthcatholic.org.au Mobile: 0413 824 828

Joshua Low joshua.low@perthcatholic.org.au Mobile: 0402 546 232

VIDEO JOURNALIST Daniele Foti-Cuzzola daniele.foticuzzola@perthcatholic.org.au Mobile: 0409 682 105

2017

OUR MISSION STATEMENT The Record Magazine seeks to promote awareness and understanding of vocation – God’s particular call to each of us to live and become what we were created to be. There are many such vocations – marriage and family life, priesthood, religious life or being single – with the first and universal vocation being to holiness, as described by the Fathers of the Church in Lumen Gentium.

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