PERTH PLENARY COUNCIL MEMBERS BLESSED AND REMINDED TO HAVE FAITH AND LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT
By Michelle Tan
Setting aside time for reflection and united prayers, Perth’s Plenary Council members gathered on 7 June for an intimate Eucharistic Mass, celebrated by Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton.
Mass was part of members’ preparation before the Second Assembly of the Plenary Council which will take place in Sydney from 5-9 July 2022. Bishop Don said a special prayer of blessing for God to grant them grace, guide their hearts and minds as they “walk in the Spirit” and represent the faithful of the Archdiocese of Perth and religious orders.
Members were presented with a symbolic gift of unique hand-painted candleholders as a reminder that God’s light will be present to guide them. In his homily, Bishop Don noted the daily reading from 1 Kings 17 was a
providential word.
“The thing that struck me in this first reading was the jar of meal and how it was obviously about to run out. And yet, an extraordinary miracle was about to happen,” Bishop Don said.
“Elijah heard from the Lord and, in faith, he obeyed, asking the woman and her son to share the little they had, believing that the ingredients would be replenished in abundance.
“I think this is really that experience that we're counting on for our Church, as we go through the process of the Plenary Council.
“We need to gather in faith because the Holy Spirit is in the Church and, when we distill all the voices of people and listen to the voice of the Spirit, He will help us to see what is really needed for the Church and how blessings can be abundantly received through the work that we do in the Church.
“We need to continue to believe that the Lord will provide, reform
and renew this country in a way that answers the deep needs and pastoral needs we are facing in this country.
“On the weekend, I was at the Maylands parish for a pastoral visit. This area of Perth is undergoing great changes as old buildings are being demolished to make way for new apartment blocks. Even though the parish only has a small community, they have a sense of optimism for growth as they reach out to the wider community.
“As Pope Francis says, we should be missionary disciples and bring Jesus Christ into the lives of people.
“There is going to be a very large field of opportunity in Maylands for evangelisation. I found it very, very encouraging that they could easily have been saying to me, we're dying, we aren't able to provide even for our people, how can we have this vision of looking beyond. “But they do. And it was certainly very, very wonderful to hear that faith in them, that the Lord will provide the bounty, the Lord will provide what is needed for their faith, and for their strength to be missionary disciples.
“As we gather today in this Salvatorian Spirituality Centre in Currambine, we can also be encouraged by their founding father, Blessed Francis Jordan who, in his day, did so much to empower ordinary people in the Church.
“I would hope that, as we pray for the Spirit to work in our country and to work in the Church of Australia, God will raise new things, because of our openness to the Spirit that we display through the Plenary Council.
Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton celebrated the Eucharistic Mass on 7 June. PHOTO: MICHELLE TAN.
NATIONAL COMPETITION TO BREAK DOWN STIGMA ON MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH
This Men’s Health Week, enter St John of God Raphael Services Healthy Men, Healthy Minds photo competition and help raise awareness of men’s perinatal mental health and the free emotional support available to new dads who might be struggling.
Take a snap of the special moments between a child and significant man in their lives and enter it in the competition for the opportunity to win a DJI Mini SE drone or one of two $50 Coles Group and Myer vouchers.
St John of God Raphael Services offers free early intervention counselling, therapy and support for parents, enabling mums and dads to thrive - emotionally, physically and as a family.
St John of God Raphael Services Director Community Mental Health Services, Anna-Marie Thompson, says up to one in 10 men experience anxiety or depression when they welcome a new baby or when their partner is pregnant.
“New dads may experience perinatal mental illness even if their partner
does not, and they’re twice as likely to experience perinatal mental illness if their partner is suffering,” she says. “Male role models come in all shapes and sizes, but the relationship between a child and the significant man in their life is crucial to shaping their understanding of the world."
Anna said it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression so you can recognise them in yourself, your partner, friends and family members, and encourage them to seek help.
“Through Healthy Men, Healthy Minds, we want to let dads and other male role models know that it’s okay to ask for help if they’re struggling with the emotional challenges of parenting.
“Accessing the right support early can help parents get their family life off to the best start possible.”
The Healthy Men, Healthy Minds photo competition will run from 13-26 June. A public vote will choose 10 finalists and a panel of judges will select the winners which will be announced on 7 July on the St John of God Health Care website
and Facebook page.
For more information and to enter the competition, visit www.sjog.org. au/healthymen. Terms and conditions apply.
Fact box
Signs and symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression
• Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
• Trouble relaxing and falling asleep
• Anger and irritability
• Withdrawal from relationships
• Loss of interest in activities that are normally enjoyable
• Changes in appetite
• Engaging in risk-taking behaviours
• Increased use of drugs and alcohol
What to do if you are concerned about your emotional health
Men or women who are experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression are encouraged to make an appointment with their GP who can connect them to treatment and support through providers such as St John of God Raphael Services.
A young dad with two kids. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
CALM AMIDST THE STORMS: THE CHURCH’S
RADICAL REFORM SERIES
Cardinal Mario Grech is the man Pope Francis has placed in charge of the worldwide 2023 Synod of Bishops. In his latest podcast, The Tablet Correspondent Christopher Lamb talks to Cardinal Grech about the tensions that have been unleashed by the process.
The Synod, says Lamb, was never going to be plain sailing and disagreement among bishops about the direction of the Church has now spilt out into the open in ways not seen for centuries. The German synodal process, which is focussing on Catholic sexual teaching, the use of power and the role of women, has been the target of heavy criticism by a number of bishops who believe it is on the path to schism. On the other hand, synod reflections in Catholic communities across the
world have seen repeated calls for the Church to re-imagine its pastoral priorities and tackle these contested issues.
But, says Lamb, the Maltese Cardinal was remarkably calm and upbeat during their conversations.
He sees the synod as offering a space for disagreements to be aired, where nothing is swept under the carpet and no one is excluded.
The task of the Church, he stressed, is to listen to what the Holy Spirit is trying to say at this moment in history.
“Nothing really worries me in so far that we respect the fundamental principles of the Catholic Church,” he tells me.
“Synodality offers that space where we can share our fears and our joys, our certainties and our doubts, our
dreams.
“Obviously, there are dreams that can be realised, others that cannot. There are dreams that can be realised tomorrow, others need more time.” What really hurts him, explains Lamb, are those who see this as simply a project of the Francis pontificate which can soon be forgotten. No, Cardinal Grech insists, the synod is “laying the foundations of the Church for tomorrow.”
Producers: Silvia Sacco and Jamie Weston
Listen via Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/ podcast/calm-amidst-the-storms/ id1606911480?i=1000562510507
Pope Francis speaks as Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary-General of the Synod of Bishops, looks on during a meeting with representatives of bishops' conferences from around the world at the Vatican in this 9 October 2021 file photo. PHOTO: CNS/PAUL HARING.
HUGH RYAN REMEMBERED FOR KINDNESS AND COMPASSION TOWARDS OTHERS
Mr Ryan attended a Sisters of Mercy boarding school in Donnybrook from the age of four where he made lifelong friends, some of whom were present at his funeral to walk by his casket, along with his four nephews. He moved to St Ildephonsus’ Boys School in New Norcia to complete his secondary education, gaining his certificate at the young age of 16 and being named Dux of the college in what was a competitive year of academic students.
Mr Ryan was known to be incredibly intelligent and gifted. He was an avid reader, passionate about languages and possessed an excellent memory. He also had a love for intellectual discussion and his skill for public speaking was well honed.
As a young student, Mr Ryan represented Western Australia on occasion for debating, being an active participant in school debating teams. On graduating high school, he gained his qualification from Teachers’ College and took up his first teaching position in Collie where he met his future wife, Joy Mitchell.
Hedland in 1971 to be correspondent for The Northwest Telegraph. The family became involved in the community, helping fundraise for the school and parish.
On their return to Perth, Mr Ryan continued his work for The West Australian in 1973 and became Chief of Staff.
Through his networking, he was offered the position of Press Secretary and Speechwriter for a government minister and was soon offered a position by then state Premier, Sir Charles Court.
In this new role, he was given the opportunity to travel extensively within Australia and overseas.
A defining moment in his life was when he undertook a personal development course in 1985. It gave him the inspiration and desire to teach these skills to others to share how he had been empowered. He did this for several years before working under the next Premier, Richard Court, Sir Charles Court’s son, as Press Secretary and Speechwriter once again.
By Grace Feltoe
The Requiem Mass of well-known Ocean Reef parishioner Hugh Ryan, teacher, writer and communications and media professional, was celebrated at St Simon Peter Church, Ocean Reef, with family and life-long friends present, paying their respects to a man who lived a full and faith-centred life. Mr Ryan was born on 1 January 1940 in Bridgetown as one of four children, though, sadly, his mother, Angela, passed when Mr Ryan was only 18 months old. The siblings remained close throughout their lives, despite physical distances, and were present at his funeral in May.
During this time, Mr Ryan resolved to become a journalist and gained a new position in 1962 at the Kyambram Free Press, Victoria.
He subsequently re-located to Victoria alone, with Joy and her family following some six months later and they married on 23 June 1962.
Daughter Carmel was born the following year and six months later they moved back to Collie to be closer to their families.
It was there Mr Ryan gained a position with The Collie Mail.
In 1970, the family moved to Perth to settle in West Leederville for a year so Mr Ryan could commence his new position with The West Australian Newspaper before heading to Port
Throughout the years, Mr Ryan had an increasing desire to help the Church, alongside his deepening faith. This led him to develop a seminar, in line with the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, to develop skills of meditation. He regularly held seminars and supported those in the RCIA program.
Before retiring in December 2009, Mr Ryan finished his career with a very happy period working for the Church, writing, sub-editing and proofreading for The Record, all the while being Press Secretary to then Archbishop of Perth, Barry Hickey.
Hugh Ryan was a well-known teacher, writer and communications and media professional. He was noted for being the Press Secretary and Speechwriter for two of Western Australia’s Premiers before devoting his later years to the Church and Archdiocese of Perth. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.