2022 LIFELINK CHRISTMAS APPEAL: ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE URGES EVERYONE TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND PUT FAITH INTO PRACTICE.
By Michelle Tan
“Let's roll up our sleeves and put our faith into practice to help our brothers and sisters through direct involvement. These were the words of Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB at the 2022 LifeLink Christmas Appeal Liturgical Launch. The special Liturgical Service was held on Thursday 3 November at St Mary’s Cathedral, where Archbishop Costelloe was joined by Parish Priests and Appeal Representatives from across the Archdiocese.
LifeLink Chairman and Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton also joined in the occasion and shared that we should “show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in need by sharing our resources to create an
environment of equality.”
During the liturgical celebration, guests were invited to prayerfully reflect on scripture from the Second Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians.
In his address, Archbishop Timothy reminded guests that “Being generous when times are good is easy. Being called to be generous when we ourselves may be struggling is when we truly are provided an opportunity to ‘walk in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd.”
“As Christians, we often speak of ourselves as disciples of Jesus. And rightly so because that is exactly what we are. One of the simplest and most accurate descriptions of the Church is in fact this - that we, the Church, are a community of disciples of Christ. The word disciple, of course, means follower. So, we
might equally say that the Church is the community of those people who have decided to follow Christ.”
“Above the Archbishop's chair is my coat of arms which carries the motto Via Veritas Vita. These are three words, which Jesus used to describe Himself. I am the via - the way. I am the Veritas - the truth. And then He also says, I am the Vita, the life. These three words are really very important for us as we reflect on what it really means to be a disciple.”
“The way of Jesus is the path that we're called to tread. The truth of Jesus, the teachings He leaves us, the God He reveals to us.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe addresses the attendees of the special liturgical service. PHOTO: RON TAN.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: AUSTRALIAN ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE TELLS POPE FRANCIS
‘THE
CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA IS
ALIVE.’
In their first private one-on-one conversation, Perth Archbishop and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the Most Reverend Timothy Costelloe SDB, told Pope Francis, “The church in Australia is alive!” PHOTO: VATICAN MEDIA / CNS.
In their first private one-on-one conversation, the president of the Australian Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, S.D.B., told Pope Francis, “The church in Australia is alive!”
The archbishop revealed this in an exclusive interview with America, which was conducted over Zoom from his residence in Perth, Western Australia, and will be published in two parts.
In Part I, the archbishop talks about his audience with the pope and also his takeaways from Australia’s Plenary Council, over which he presided, and that many now view as a trial run for the global Synod on Synodality.
He also shares his reflections on the Frascati meeting, in which he participated, which recently released its report in preparation for the continental assemblies of the second phase of the Synod on Synodality. In Part II, the archbishop goes deeper into Australia’s Plenary Council,
which has spent the last four years consulting with Catholics in Australia about the most important issues of the church today, and the top three priorities that have emerged from their deliberations: Indigenous people, the abuse crisis and the role of women in the church.
PART I
The audience with Pope Francis
The Salesian archbishop, 68, was received in a private audience by the pope in the papal library of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Oct. 6. Recalling the audience, he said: “Pope Francis was very kind to me. He strikes me as a very gentle man. When you’re talking to him, he’s engaged with you.”
“He probably listened more than he spoke. He asked me about the Plenary Council and about the life of the church in Australia. We talked primarily about that council and the Synod on Synodality,” the archbishop said.
When I asked if Francis was
concerned about the situation of the church in Australia given all that’s happened there in recent years, including some 60 members of the Plenary Council staging a protest during its proceedings, he responded:
“I wouldn’t say he was concerned about the church in Australia, but he was interested to know. I talked about the reality that we had struck some difficult moments but that— and I believe this very strongly—the prayerful atmosphere we created, an atmosphere which generated a real sense of respect for each other, enabled us to navigate all of those difficulties…. I said that at the end of the council assembly there was a real sense of energy and enthusiasm, and I finished up by saying in Italian, “La Chiesa in Australia é viva!” It’s alive. And he said, “I am so pleased to hear you say that, I like that word ‘viva.’”
STUDYING AT NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY NOW A TICKET TO THE WORLD
Having to choose between study and travel is no longer an issue for students at The University of Notre Dame Australia, who now have the option of combining both, thanks to a landmark student exchange agreement with its founding partner in the United States.
As part of the University’s goal of becoming a highly connected international institution, the University is delighted to announce its inclusion in the highly prestigious Global Gateway Network hosted by the University of Notre Dame in the United States.
This is a ticket to the world for our students.
The Notre Dame Global Gateway Network includes hubs in London and Jerusalem where our students may study. UNDA students will also have the opportunity of studying on the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Indiana.
Guided by a new Strategic Plan, the University is delighted to be able to use its networks and connections to provide every opportunity the world has to offer to our students,
staff and the University community.
Not only will UNDA students have the opportunity to study at these amazing locations, the University is also looking forward to welcoming students from around the world to its Australian campuses in Sydney, Perth and Broome.
Under the partnership, students who are offered this opportunity, will not incur any additional tuition fees and their marks from their host university will be counted towards their degree at home.
UNDA Vice Chancellor Professor Francis Campbell said COVID-19 had impacted the travel plans of many young people from around the world and the exchange program was a fantastic opportunity for them to see the world without having to interrupt their studies.
“With international borders reopened and students once again able to explore the world, this is the ideal time to launch this partnership which will provide our students with unique learning opportunities”,
Professor Campbell said.
“We are delighted to have reached
this agreement with our close friends in the United States, which opens up a world of opportunities for students from both of our institutions.”
“We also know how important travel is to allow young people to experience different cultures and customs, which gives them new perspectives on the world they live in, while also helping them to grow into more tolerant and understanding human beings.”
“We value international learning experiences for our students as it provides the opportunity to enjoy new cultures, consider different perspectives on global challenges and make connections that can benefit them personally; their eventual profession and their communities”.
In welcoming the expanded partnership, University of Notre Dame USA President Rev John I. Jenkins, CSC, said, "From the founding of the University of Notre Dame Australia, Notre Dame has prized the partnership between our institutions."
Guided by a new Strategic Plan, the University is delighted to be able to use its networks and connections to provide every opportunity the world has to offer to our students, staff and the University community. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
A NEW ERA BEGINS FOR VINNIES WA
On 1 July, David Kennedy took over as State President of the St Vincent de Paul Society in WA.
David follows Gladys Demissie, who served as State President from 2018 to 2022 and helped steer the Society through the COVID pandemic and brought members, staff and volunteers closer together.
In this special interview, David and Gladys speak candidly about their commitment to Vinnies WA.
When you look back on your term as State President, what are some of your biggest achievements?
The approach I’ve tried to take is the idea of ‘One Society’. It doesn’t matter whether someone gets paid for what they do or whether they volunteer their time, the fact is, we’re all here because we have signed up to what the Society is about.
My term has been the COVID term. I’m just so proud of the way that we’ve been agile and flexible. We were all
trying to adapt, but not lose sight of why we’re here.
I’m also proud of the work we did through the State President’s Housing Fund, which has supported stay in a motel, until she finally got a rental. That is a memory that will stick with me.
How did you manage it all?
I told myself I made a commitment. Being State President is a role of service. It’s front and centre for me. They talk about the stars being aligned, and it was just the perfect time for me. It was so important to give almost all of myself, because I’m so connected to what Vinnies stands for.
I’ve been really grateful for Susan Rooney, because we’ve worked really well together. She’s a very skilled CEO and very respectful of this position. I can walk away thinking that maybe not everything worked out, but I think I’ve made a difference.
You were only the second woman to lead the Society in WA. How did
that affect your work?
When I was first on some of the sub- committees, it was very male dominated. I thought there were some barriers to break down.
But only recently, someone stood up at a meeting and acknowledged that two women – Susan and I – lead this organisation. It’s really significant that he said that.
I think diversity is important. I’m proud of our State Council and the diversity. You can’t have everyone agree with you.
You can’t expect others to jump on board if you’re not prepared to think there might be a better way of doing this and I just might have to learn. Success only happens when we’re all in it together.
Is there a particular philosophy that guides the work you do as a Vincentian?
I am a Vincentian because of my mother. It’s what I saw in her. She was always doing this sort of work. I’m about faith in action, so not just having faith but doing something about it. I want to live a life that makes a difference to someone. It doesn’t have to be written about or published, but it’s just something that you know.
Do you have any advice for your successor, David Kennedy?
David is a no-nonsense guy, but he’s also humble and passionate. His heart is in the role and he will do a great job. What will you do now?
It is a big change. I’ve been involved with so many issues, so it will be interesting just to step back into a Conference. I will take some time just for me. I’ve planned a trip to Melbourne to see my daughter and another trip to Singapore. I think I’ll do a bit more travel, even if it’s just around WA.
New Vinnies WA President David Kennedy enjoys golf, swimming, cycling, oil painting and some minor consulting work with old client friends. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.