KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF CONTRIBUTION TO CATHOLIC FAITH, LIFE AND CULTURE
By Eric Martin
The Knights of the Southern Cross Western Australia joyously commemorated a rich history of immense contribution to WA at their Centennial Mass and celebration, on Saturday 12 February 2022, at St Mary’s Cathedral, taking the opportunity to reflect on the momentous changes that have occurred over the last 100 years.
“One hundred years ago, when the Knights of the Southern Cross were established in Australia, the social and religious context in which the Catholic Church found itself was very different to that of today,” Archbishop Timothy
Costelloe SDB said to the gathered Knights, family and invited guests.
“We are all aware, for example, of the fact that so many job advertisements at that time included the phrase ‘Catholics need not apply’.”
In early twentieth-century, Australia historical competition between religions (sectarianism) meant that colonial society was spilt in two - one side was British in origin and Protestant in faith, the other Irish, working class and Catholic – and conflict between these groups sometimes erupted “into a roaring blaze over issues such as home rule for Ireland, state aid for Catholic schools, socialism and conscription for overseas service in World War I.” (1).
For example, in 1905 the Australian Bishops were accused of supporting the socialist reform policies of the Labour Party (which at the time represented “nine out of 10 Catholics”), and in 1919, during WWI, then Prime Minister Billy Hughes claimed that “the Catholic Church was secretly against recruiting and that its influence killed conscription.” (2).
Historians write that at this time “Catholics saw themselves as a separate group in Australian society, Catholic and Protestant children went to separate schools and joined separate clubs to pursue sporting or cultural interests.” (3).
Supreme Knight of Australia, Dr George Sekulla speaks to the congregation during the Mass to celebrate the Centennial Mass on Saturday 12 February at St Mary’s Cathedral. PHOTO: RON TAN.
ALL SAINTS GREENWOOD NEW PARISH CENTRE A REMINDER ‘GOOD WORKS COME FROM GOOD FAITH’
encourage each other, and reach out in every way you can, especially into your local community, to help and support all those in need.”
Archbishop Costelloe was joined for the occasion by Greenwood Parish Priest Fr Elver Delicano.
In his homily, Archbishop Costelloe posed a question, ‘What is the relationship between faith and good works?’
To answer this question, Archbishop Costelloe drew inspiration from the letters of St’s James and Paul.
By Amanda Murthy
The blessing and opening of the All Saints Church Greenwood Parish Centre held on Friday, 18 February, provided Mass celebrant Perth Archbishop Costelloe SDB an opportunity to speak to the congregation about what a parish mission should be.
“The mission of any parish community is that the whole community, under the guidance of its Parish
Priest who the shepherd-leader of the community, are called to be a community of trusting, faithful disciples,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“Who help each other to grow in our love for the Lord, to grow more deeply aware of God’s great mercy and compassion, and who then, together, become a vital, active, generous and out reaching community whose trusting faith in God is there for everybody to see,” he continued.
“In the way you care for each other, forgive each other, support, and
“Saint Paul wanted to stress that we are not saved because of what we do but rather because of what we believe or, even more accurately, in whom we believe…. St Paul insists that forgiveness of sin and our eternal salvation is not a reward for good behaviour but rather is a precious gift, freely given to us because of God’s great love and mercy and not because God feels he owes it to us because we have behaved ourselves,” Archbishop Costelloe cited.
CATHEDRAL CHOIR AND MUSICIANS CONTINUE TO UPHOLD
FAITH AND TRADITION
PERTH PARISHES UNITE FOR SYNODALITY; DEADLINE EXTENDED
Five Parishes from across the Archdiocese of Perth have developed a joint response for the Synod on Synodality in Rome.
The parishes, which include Applecross, Attadale, East Fremantle, Myaree, and Palmyra have this week highlighted how their parishes are embracing Synodality.
Co-ordinator Dr Graham Mahony said the Synod is a boundless
beginning of Synodality for the Archdiocese.
“It is creating a progressive, practical model and pathway enabling our parishes and parishioners to journey together going forward on the pathway that God calls the Church to undertake for the third millennium, in our Archdiocese and the universal Church,” Dr Mahony explained.
St Mary’s Cathedral musicians and choristers continue to evangelise and positively impact the Catholic and wider community they serve.
In September 2021, the trebles of the Cathedral Choir travelled to Geraldton where they sang at the annual Geraldton Blessing of the Fleet.
During this trip, the group also took advantage by making several stops along the way, ending at the iconic Monsignor Hawes buildings – where they were joined by a convoy of pilgrims.
The trebles played at all the Masses at St Francis Xavier Cathedral –with some of these being organ Masses; the Solemn Sung Mass was a highlight as they played (and sang) with the newly formed new
The pandemic has not stopped the group from booking performances from historical commemorations such as the Dante 700 ‘Visions of Dante’ event last November at the Boola Bardip Museum, which showcased the life of Tuscan author Dante Alighieri through art, poetry, comedy, and song.
St Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir.
Last month, members of St Mary’s Cathedral Young Organists programme (aged 17 to 24 years old) visited Geraldton for Young organists’ ‘camp’ on 15 and 16 January 2022. This programme first began in June 2020 and provides training for young aspiring musicians enabling them to learn the craft of being a good organist functioning in Catholic Liturgy.
St Marys Cathedral Director of Music Jacinta Jakovcevic spoke about some of the highlights of the camp.
Dr Mahony continued by explaining that the Church is challenged by an ageing population of clerics and laity with only some 10 to 12 per cent of the 5.4 million Catholic population in Australia currently actively practicing.
“The practical step of parishes coming together within a Synodality framework and supporting each other, enables the establishment of a constructive framework to address the challenges to move forward in a progressive manner with clergy and parishioners creating new directions for communion, participation, and mission, hopefully visible and engaging for the wider Catholic population not currently participating,” Dr Mahony explained.
“We recognised the practical challenges facing the Church in multicultural Australia by providing input from parishioners for our Plenary Council which is due to reconvene in July 2022.”
COMMUNICATING IN A COVID
WORLD: THE CHALLENGE FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
the products that you need should be.
This is the situation in which many people from the local deaf community find themselves as COVID-19 begins to make its presence known in WA and reflects the experience of Deaf people across Australia over the last two years.
Imagine trying to navigate the world of COVID directives and health mandates without being able to hear what anyone is saying or struggling with the vocabulary to make clear sense of the scientists’ findings or the politicians’ statements. Imagine not being able to communicate with people at the shops to find out why there are gaping holes in the aisles where
The Record caught up with Emmanuel Centre employee and volunteer of over 30 years, Geoffrey Scott, to find out how COVID-19 has been affecting daily life for members of the Deaf Community here in the Archdiocese of Perth.
Geoff says that COVID has stopped him from doing many of his normal activities, such as swimming, playing water polo or going to parties, he has found it isolating and has kept away from friends and family during the pandemic.
“Yet just like everyone else, the community has been meeting up online, in the virtual space, chatting on Facebook and Messenger, which is still the best way to catch up at this time,” Geoff said.
“I have been lucky to be in contact with friends who have kept me updated, also, working here at The Emmanuel Centre means that Joe (the coordinator) has been helping to keep me up to date with the changes to what I need to have for work.
“For example, the team at work have helped me access my COVID Vaccine Certificate through MyGov, which would have been very difficult for me to find by myself.
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Attadale Parish Priest, Fr Don Kettle, centre back, with parish representatives from Applecross, Attadale, East Fremantle, Myaree and Palyma, during meetings to develop a submission to the Synod of Bishops. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
The Greenwood parish centre was a ten-year project in the making and can accommodate up to 300 people in the hall and veranda area. PHOTO: MICHELLE TAN.
Geoffrey Scott is an accomplished artist (with a Fine Arts Degree) and decorated international athlete, winning numerous awards for Australia in
Geoffrey Scott is an accomplished artist (with a Fine Arts Degree) and decorated international athlete, winning numerous awards for Australia in the pool. PHOTO: ERIC MARTIN.
GOOD SHEPHERD TO ALL YOUR FLOCK,’ SAYS ARCHBISHOP HICKEY
on Thursday 21 February
Below is the transcribed homily of Perth Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey, on the occasion of Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton’s Episcopal Ordination, Thursday 21 February 2002, at St Mary’s Cathedral. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZkOZM-MwrPU Your Excellency, Archbishop Francesco Canalini, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, I thank you for coming. It is wonderful to have the representative of the Holy Father with us for this important occasion. Bishops of the Province of Western Australia, archbishops and bishops from other diocese of Australia, we are delighted that you have come to Perth to welcome a new bishop into your ranks.
Many other bishops would have loved to come today,but were not able to do so and have sent their apologies.
I welcome too, the heads of Christian Churches in Perth, who have been gracious enough to come here in response to our invitation to be witnesses of solidarity to Jesus Christ with us. I welcome all of you here today, priests and religious, relatives of the new bishop; his father is here and his friends, his parishioners from Mirrabooka and other former parishes of his, the communities of the Neocatechumenate and the great crowd of people who have come here from our parishes and from other states of Australia.
This is a day of rejoicing, particularly for the Archdiocese of Perth. That is true to say, that we've all been looking forward for some time to this day. No one more so, than Bishop Healy. His resignation was accepted more than 12 months ago.
Allow me to acknowledge here on this occasion, Bishop Healy's generosity in carrying out his former duties all the time in this interim period until last week, when he sent his last papers to the shredders and left his office neat and tidy for the new Bishop.
Archbishop Barry Hickey anoints new Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton during Bishop Don’s Mass of Episcopal Ordination,
2002 at St Mary’s Cathedral. PHOTO: ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH.