MARY MACKILLOP SISTERS CELEBRATE 1700 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE
Thirty-one Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart have this month gathered to celebrate a total of 1700 years of service.
The Sisters gathered at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney to celebrate their Golden and Diamond Jubilees marking 50 years and 60 years since their first profession. From the opening events and processions at both Jubilee gatherings, the dialogue, hymns and prayers were of friendship, joyful worship and thanksgiving – for years lived, for commitment given, for Josephite life and ministry.
Sixteen Golden Jubilarians travelled from Timor Leste, Peru, Halls Creek in the Western Australian Kimberley, Perth, Adelaide, Penola, Melbourne, Launceston, Brisbane and Sydney to acknowledge this milestone and
renew their vows with Sisters, friends and family.
Western Australian Sisters Alma Cabassi, Nola Goodwin and Maree Riddler were among those who celebrated their Golden Jubilee.
The Sisters had made their first profession 50 years ago at Baulkham Hills, Sydney, Goulburn and Hobart.
Congregational Leader, Sister Monica Cavanagh, reflected that as young Sisters, the Golden Jubilarians had in the words of Pope Francis, “bought a pair of walking shoes and set out on uncharted paths”.
“Their mission had called them to take risks and to move into unfamiliar territory,” Sr Monica said.
“Their ministry totals 800 years and those years include education at all levels, social justice, parish pastoral involvement, chaplaincy and pastoral
care in various settings, music and liturgy as well roles of congregational leadership,” she said.
Fifteen Diamond Jubilarians also gathered in September to celebrate their commitment of 60 years as Sisters of Saint Joseph and a total 900 years ministry.
Time together was spent reminiscing, in catching up with lives lived in different areas of Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Scotland and Peru. Those Sisters who were not able to attend were remembered and shared the experience via the live streamed Mass.
Sr Monica Cavanagh spoke of the journey that these Sisters had set out on 60 years ago which had taken them into situations that they possibly never dreamed of on that first Profession Day.
Principal celebrant, Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long, assisted by Fr Peter Hudson, congratulated the Jubilarians on their vowed commitment.
The Jubilarians were invited to renew their vows by Sr Monica, and their renewed commitment was met with applause from the Congregation. In concluding the occasion, Sister Monica thanked all the Jubilarians “for the women you have become and for sharing your gifts and lives with us”.
Encouraged and supported by God’s unconditional love the Jubilarians continue in the footsteps of the Co-founders of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, St Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods.
From left, WA Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Maree Riddler, Nola Goodwin and Alma Cabassi celebrated their Golden Jubilee this month at a special celebration at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
CHURCH OPENS CANONICAL INVESTIGATION INTO BISHOP SAUNDERS
The Holy See has initiated a canonical investigation into former Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders, with Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane appointed to oversee the investigation.
Bishop Saunders stood aside as Bishop of Broome in March 2020 after media reports that Western Australia Police had begun an investigation into allegations of
sexual misconduct.
He strongly denies the allegations. At the conclusion of its investigation, Western Australia Police confirmed that no charges would be brought against Bishop Saunders.
Bishop Saunders later tendered his resignation to Pope Francis, which was accepted in August 2021.
A letter being read at Masses in the Diocese of Broome this weekend,
signed by Apostolic Administrator, Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrisey and Archbishop Coleridge, says the Church investigation “could not happen” until the police inquiries ended.
“The investigation is now underway,” the letter states, before indicating it is not known how long the investigation will take. However, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith “has granted an extension beyond the normal three months for such an investigation”, the letter explains.
Archbishop Coleridge, who has appointed a group of qualified persons to conduct the investigation, has also issued a decree stipulating that Bishop Saunders is to reside outside the Diocese of Broome “for the duration of the investigation”. The public announcement of the investigation coincides with the time when the first Masses celebrated this weekend in the Diocese of Broome would commence.
MULTI-FAITH SERVICE TO SUPPORT CALL FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE
By Thea Omerod
An open letter to Prime Minister Albanese advocating for climate justice policies, has been signed by more than 70 high-level Australian and Pacific clergy and leaders from diverse faith traditions.
On the morning of its publication, Thursday 13 October at 9.30 am, a multi-faith service will be held
in Perth’s St Mary’s Cathedral in support of their calls for an end to approvals for new coal and gas projects and to public subsidies for fossil fuel industries.
The service will feature chanting, congregational singing, meditation and prayers from a range of traditions. Supporters of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, who are organising the event, will welcome people of
all faiths and none.
Similar events are being held across Australia and the Pacific in a day of action showing grassroots endorsement the open letter. Some supporters will hold prayer, meditation and fasting vigils throughout the night.
The signatories are concerned that Australia ‘profits from exports that are causing the climate crisis’. They believe the new Government should fully respect the rights of First Nations peoples to protect their Country, and that Australia should re-start contributions to the United Nations climate finance. The latter had lapsed under the previous government, despite it being an agreed obligation under the Paris Accord.
Signatories are also calling for support for an international Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Holy See has initiated a canonical investigation into former Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders. PHOTO: MATTHEW
A multi-faith service will this month be held in Perth’s St Mary’s Cathedral in support of calls for an end to approvals for new coal and gas projects and to public subsidies for fossil fuel industries. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
THE PELL DIARIES: VOLUME I – IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
By Michael Britton
There exists plenty of riveting and insightful books one can choose to peruse when coming to terms with the “bad hand” that Our Eminence, George Pell AC was dealt in the Victorian courts and in the views of Victorians and some Australians more generally.
His three-part Prison Diaries are a must-read for every single Roman Catholic.
His travails in being stripped searched and naked, his suffering in a tiny prison cell and his almost enduring eternal optimism are a source of faith for all Catholics across the world. His message in Volume I of his Prison Diaries state that: “No matter what you are going through, the Father has allowed it, for one reason or another.”
There are other books worth reading such as Keith Windschuttle’s book on The Persecution of George Pell which is a forensic, Erasmus-like read from the sidelines of the trial. However, upon reading of his kind friendships he grew with wardens, prison staff and other prisoners (from between the walls) one can’t help but feel heartened by this sad but important experience. It does still bring tears to one’s eyes to read of the Cardinal’s prison clothes that didn’t fit him, a bed
too small, cold meals served late, less than one hour per day outside his cell as well as demeaning “butt” searches.
These diaries demonstrate he obliged, always. Although, as with any human being, not always enthusiastically. Other notable works have also prevailed as best sellers, one includes Gerard Henderson AC book Cardinal Pell, the Media Pile-On and Collective Guilt as well as Jesuit Father Frank Brennan’s book Observations on the Pell Proceedings. Both essential reading.
It would be improper not to note other books written on Pell by his protagonists for fear of being called biased.
However, every single of these simply lack much academic merit in reading as they were written well in first-person (that feeling of the journalist rather than any evidence), are highly superficial, emotive and were written well in advance of many of the trials that Our Eminence faced. These works came to presupposed conclusions long before any real legal proceedings commenced or even concluded.
For these works, if Pell floated, he was guilty, if he sank, he was innocent. You might consider this ironic if you believed the Church once did this.
Many of us have read each of
these books in depth and have to remark that the works of Henderson, Windschuttle and Brennan are both outstanding and remarkable.
Let us not especially forget that Fr Brennan and Our Eminence have had plenty of public “stouches” over a range of theological, contentious and contemporary issues; which makes Fr Brennan’s work on following, reporting and support of Pell’s case quite remarkable.
Not entirely, but somewhat.
The Cardinal kept a Prison Diary for every single of one of his 406 days in goal.
And while the works of others are remarkable, his prison diaries offer an insight not often seen into the life of a Cardinal, let alone one unjustly condemned to prison by questionable and likely collaborative forces.
Whether deliberately, by providence, enlightenment, divine intervention or even in deliberately, the Cardinal has written three Prison Diaries. “Funnily” enough, each of his diaries accord with the three main section of the Apostles Creed: The Father (Volume I), the Son (Volume II) and the Holy Spirit (Volume III).
The Father who allows such travails to sometimes test us and to reaffirm and strengthen our faith.
His Son, who suffered a gross conspiracy in the darkness of the night where suffering, anxiousness and anticipation are difficult.
As well as the Holy Spirt (Volume III) who speaks truth to those who hear it.
It would be far too easy, as many have done, to review his Volume I: Prison Diary: “The Cardinal Makes His Appeal” as Thomas More-esque, although in a romantic way it is nice to think of it as such.
His Eminence is also far too polite to equate his sufferings to those of St Thomas More of or Dreyfus and many others accused of crimes they did not commit.
Instead, Volume I opens with a real jeremiad.
His Eminence recalls how our Father put Job to the test, along with many others.
Australian Cardinal George Pell holds a copy of his book, "Prison Journal," during an interview with Catholic News Service at his residence in Rome in 2020. PHOTOS: CNS/ROBERT DUNCAN.
OBITUARY: FR MAURICE TOOP REMEMBERED FOR DEDICATION TO MINISTRY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
One of the last remaining clergy of the original 1944 group of entrants to St Charles Seminary, Perth priest Fr Maurice Toop will be remembered as a dedicated, hardworking and loyal priest, following his passing on 13 August 2022, aged 91.
In this special obituary written by Fr Toop himself prior to his passing, readers of The Record gain a special insight into his work ministering to Aboriginal people and the numerous parishes where he served.
“I was born in Nedlands on 8 May 1931 and grew up in the NedlandsHollywood area with my brother Eris. Peter arrived to our great delight some years later.
They were happy years, although much of it under the dark cloud of the war.
We attended St Therese’s school in Nedlands with the Loreto Sisters and were close to our much loved Parish Priest Monsignor Moss.
At the age of 13, I went to St Charles Seminary to complete my schooling, and having completed the Leaving Certificate, I continued the Seminary
training for the priesthood.
In 1950 Bill Foley (later Archbishop) and I were sent to the Collegio Brignole Sale in Genova, Italy.
We were ordained to the priesthood on 12 September 1954.
My first assignment was to Northbridge, St Brigid’s Church, under the wise guidance of Monsignor Edmund Sullivan.
The parish was about 90 percent newly arrived Italian migrants. I loved it and I learnt so much from those courageous, hardworking and vivacious people.
After five years I was appointed assistant priest at Highgate under Bishop Rafferty, who asked me to concentrate my pastoral ministry on the many Italian families who were settling in Highgate and North Perth at the time.
Five years later I was appointed to Boulder, and soon after to Kalgoorlie.
The Little Sisters of the Poor arrived in 1968, initially to care for the many old miners and prospectors who lived in makeshift camps scattered in the bush.
Later the Sisters took on the care of elderly indigenous people who were living in squalid conditions on the Native Reserve and in the bush around the towns.
This was demanding, and a new and often dangerous challenge to the Sisters, with many of the people speaking little or no English, caring for the old meant caring for their whole families as well.
I became closely involved in this ministry with the Sisters, and I received permission from Archbishop Goody to engage in this ministry to the ‘fringe dwellers’ full time.
For a few years I lived between the “Round House” in town and at Grant’s Patch with a mixed group of men, women and children. We began cutting firewood to sell in town, as well as collecting gems stones for tourists. We got together a small fleet of ancient utes and small trucks as well as chain saws. I incurred a large debt and had to leave this people, whom I loved dearly, several of them who had got back their sobriety through AA. I was encouraged by the Gospel story of Jesus healing two men possessed by demons at the expense of a huge number of pigs. It was worth it all for those souls.
In 1979, I was appointed to Osborne Park Parish St Kieran’s Church, a great parish with a long Irish tradition and a large Italian population; I was very happy there. During this time, we built the new Church. In 1984, I was invited by then Bishop Hickey to the Diocese of Geraldton to engage in a ministry to indigenous people. This didn’t work out, and I then went on to supply in several parishes in the Murchison, Pilbara and in LavertonLeonora region.
One of the last remaining clergy of the original 1944 group of entrants to St Charles Seminary, Perth priest Fr Maurice Toop will be remembered as a dedicated, hardworking and loyal priest, following his passing on 13 August 2022, aged 91. PHOTO: MICHELLE TAN.