NEW PATHWAY INSTALLED AT ST MARY’S WITH SPECIAL DEDICATION TO ARCHBISHOP
By Amanda Murthy
St Mary’s Cathedral has completed a pathway project, which included a surprise dedication to Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, who celebrates his tenth anniversary of his appointment as Archbishop of Perth on 20 February.
St Mary’s Cathedral Dean Father Sean Fernandez said the footpath project was first initiated by former Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey during his tenure, to provide parishioners with better access to and from the underground carpark.
“We finally got around to completing this project and with the help of Colgan Industries, completed the addition of the archbishop’s coat of arms in four and a half weeks.
“I had the idea for the coat of arms as a way of marking changes/ additions to the Cathedral and helping us place them in time. I also thought it enhances the beauty of what is an ordinary structure.
“The addition of the coat of arms came as something of a surprise to Archbishop Costelloe, and it was fitting to have it installed in his tenth year as Archbishop of Perth.
We were happy to have something in stone to mark this milestone and
to help celebrate the archbishop’s leadership of the diocese in challenging times.
Colgan Industries Construction Manager James Mason commended first year apprentice Rebecca Wiley, for her artistry on the coat of arms logo, and Dorothy Colgan who painted the piece.
Archbishop Costelloe’s coat of arms include the words ‘’Via et veritas et vita’’ - a Latin phrase meaning "the way and the truth and the life". The words are taken from Vulgate version of John 14:6 and were spoken by Jesus Christ who was describing Himself.
Archbishop Costelloe (left) stands with St Mary’s Cathedral Dean Fr Sean Fernandez and Cathedral Manager Victor Hoa. PHOTO: MIHCELLE TAN.
UKRAINIAN CATHOLICS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS SEASON WITH VISIT FROM ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE
Teacher and Ukrainian Catholic Dr Andrew Kania has recalled to The Record the special visit by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB to Ukrainian Catholic Parish St John the Baptist Maylands, and also explains the community’s unique traditions and customs.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last year joined in Christmas celebrations with the Ukrainian Catholic Parish of St John the Baptist, Maylands.
The Ukrainian Catholic festivities commenced on Christmas Eve at the home of Parish Administrator Fr Ihor Holovko and his family, including wife Olena and daughters Victoria and Sophia.
Christmas in the Ukrainian tradition, explained Dr Kania, is celebrated multi-dimensionally.
After the liturgy on Christmas Eve, the family Christmas meal commences after the first star appears in the night sky; a 12-course meal is prepared and set, with an extra plate set on the table for any extra guest who may come in to
celebrate Christ’s birth as did the shepherds in Bethlehem.
The extra plate and chair also symbolises family members and friends who cannot be at the Christmas meal.
The Liturgy of Christmas Day is an explosion of colour and sound. The faithful attend wearing their vyshavanka - the intricately embroidered shirts; ancient chants and carols are sung.
The news of Christ’s birth is spread across the community with teams of carollers, going to visit and sing at all of the homes of the parishioners, knocking on the doors, reading Christmas poems, leading within the homes the carols, sharing drinks and food, and then moving on to the next home. Christ is Born!
So Ukrainian tradition announces and celebrates.
What is especially poignant is how the carollers go to visit parishioners who for ill-health, cannot attend the liturgy, or visit those homes, where for other reasons parishioners have not been in regular attendance at
Church.
Christmas is a time of bringing together and of healing.
So famous is Ukrainian Christmas carolling that the Ukrainian, Carol of the Bells is now sung throughout the world.
The Christmas Day Mass saw the Church filled with the faithfulmany of whom attended in their vyshavanka.
At the door of the Church stood, Mark Petrowsky, and Stephanie Parin, who, on behalf of the Parish held a platter shrouded with Ukrainian embroidery and on which was a specially baked loaf of bread (that had been baked by Ludmilla Zemunovic), and a vessel containing salt. This is the traditional welcome in Ukraine for honoured guests.
Bread is a holy food for Ukrainians, a product rising from the dark-soiled steppes, a sign of Christ’s prayer, of God giving what we need to sustain our lives, both physically and spiritually. (cf. Matthew 6: 9 - 13, RSV)
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last year joined in Christmas celebrations with the Ukrainian Catholic Parish of St John the Baptist, Maylands. PHOTO: BOHDAN WARCHOMIJ.
SPECIAL REPORT: EVA SKIRA AM ANNOUNCED AS NEW COMMISSIONER
AND CHAIR-ELECT OF THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Ms Eva Skira AM has been appointed as a Commissioner and Chair-elect of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA), replacing Bunbury Bishop Gerard Holohan DD, who retires Friday 3 June 2022.
“It is a great privilege to be appointed Chair of CECWA, particularly at such a pivotal time for education and the broader community,” Ms Skira said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be guided by the knowledge and wisdom of Bishop Holohan, whose chairmanship of CECWA has been much admired. I believe Catholic schools make a significant contribution to Western Australia and I look forward to working with Dr Debra Sayce, the Executive of CEWA, and CECWA to further the important endeavours of Catholic education in Western Australia.
“One of the main things that Catholic education offers is a very deep understanding of what it really means to be a Catholic, it underpins the whole moral framework of how we live our lives, our code of conduct,
our integrity,” Ms Skira explained. “Catholic education is about understanding and recognising the importance of faith at an individual, micro, and macro community level. It’s one of the things that motivates me, Catholic education in schools is an incredibly powerful means of formation and I feel a great sense of calling to this role.”
Bishop Holohan has served as Chair since 2013 and will be retiring not just as Chair of CECWA, but also from his role as Bishop of the Bunbury Diocese.
He has welcomed the appointment of Ms Skira, affirming her wealth of leadership experience and commercial acumen, as well as a strong personal belief in Christcentred education.
A Member of the Order of Australia, Ms Skira joins CECWA after a distinguished career in governance and finance, including many significant non-executive board appointments (across a range of industries) such as, Director at Western Power, Chair of Macmahon Holdings, Deputy Chair of the Board
and Chair of Trustees at St John of God Healthcare Group, Chair of the Water Corporation and Deputy Chancellor of Murdoch University. She is also a Member of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
“Eva brings to CECWA her experience of leadership, a deep understanding of governance in the not for profit and business sector, and a personal commitment to serving for-purpose organisations aligned to her vibrant Catholic faith,” said Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, in his role as Chair of Members of Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA).
“The Bishops of Western Australia considered the skills, attributes and education sector knowledge considered important for the role. In addition to demonstrated expertise leading a large, complex governance environment, the Bishops and CECWA sought an individual with a personal commitment to the mission of Catholic education and experience in organisational improvement in a Catholic organisation.”
Ms Eva Skira AO has been appointed as a Commissioner and Chair-elect of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA).
PHOTO: MICHELLE TANV.
CATHOLIC MISSION CELEBRATES 200 YEARS OF GLOBAL MISSION ACTIVITIES
In 2022, Catholic Mission will celebrate key anniversaries as a global mission agency. These celebrations include 200 years of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, and the beatification of its founder, Pauline Jaricot.
With great anticipation, Catholic Mission is looking forward to celebrating these momentous occasions with donors and supporters throughout Australia. “2022 is special year for us, as it marks significant anniversaries in our history,” says Catholic Mission National Director, Father Brian Lucas.
“We will also celebrate Pauline Jaricot’s beatification, a key milestone on the journey towards being recognised as a saint. Pauline Jaricot is the founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which in Australia is known as Catholic Mission, and we continue to be guided by her great
love of prayer and charity in all our mission activities.”
The beatification ceremony for the Venerable Pauline Jaricot will be held in in Lyon, in May. As a young, faith-filled woman who desired to support missionaries around the world, Pauline Jaricot founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in 1822.
“As the first Pontifical Mission Society, it is a cornerstone for our work here at Catholic Mission which focuses on supporting communities in need around the world,” says Fr Brian.
The launch of a new monthly newsletter, Mission Today Digital, nurtures that missionary spirit by sharing a unique insight into what Catholic Mission, and its generous supporters, are doing to change the lives of those most in need.
“It’s your window into mission,” says Fr Brian.
“We invite you to walk with us on this missionary journey. Each
month we’ll take you behind the scenes of Catholic Mission as we share the work we are doing around the world and meet some of the people who are making this happen.”
“Supporters can sign up to receive the January edition of Mission Today Digital on our website.”
The celebration of the beatification of Pauline Jaricot, and her founding of the Propagation of the Faith, also coincides with a unique series of significant anniversaries for the agencies of mission that have been at the service of global mission.
“The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, The Society of Missionary Childhood and the Society of St Peter Apostle received their pontifical and universal status as the Pope’s Missionary Societies one hundred years ago, in 1922,” says Fr Brian.
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Catholic Mission celebrate their 200th anniversary as a global mission agency, and the beatification of its founder Pauline Jaricot in 2022. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.