POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI REMEMBRANCE MASS: FEAST OF EPIPHANY AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROCLAIM CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD, RECALLS ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has last week reflected on the words of the First Letter of John in talking about the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Speaking at the Remembrance Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Sunday 8 January at St Mary’s Cathedral, Archbishop Costelloe was joined for the occasion by Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Cathedral Dean Very Rev Dr Sean Fernandez and Assistant priests Fr Israel Quirit and Fr Richard Smith. “When in the first letter of Saint John we read that ‘…We will be like God because we shall see God as he really is’, the very next line is this: ‘Surely all those who entertain this hope must purify themselves, must try to be as pure as Christ…’ (1 John 3:3) Pope Benedict understood this deeply,” Archbishop Costelloe explained.
“How often did he insist that, in spite of what so many, both outside the Church and sadly sometimes
within the Church, seem to believe, the essence of Christianity, and of our Catholic faith, is not to be found in rules and regulations, important though these may be, but in a living relationship with Christ which transforms us and makes us more deeply human,” Archbishop Costelloe highlighted.
More than 800 people gathered at the 11am Mass for the occasion, following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday 31 December, aged 95, nearly 10 years after leaving the papacy to retire to what he said would be a life of prayer and study.
A large picture frame of Benedict XVI was placed on the sanctuary to mark the occasion, which was also the Feast of the Epiphany.
“Welcome to our solemn celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany, where we remember the gospel story of the wise men, coming to greet the newborn king of the Jews,” Archbishop Costelloe said at the
commencement of the Mass.
“In our tradition, we’ve always seen this as a symbol of the opening of the revelation of God made known to us in Jesus, not just to the Jewish people, but through the symbol of Wise Men to the whole world,” he continued.
Archbishop Costelloe also explained that Mass was an opportunity to gather in a very special way to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
“It’s very appropriate that we do so on this day in reading about him and in reading some of his writings over the last few days since his death, I’ve been struck by things he said about the epiphany and about the fact that it is the feast of the vocation of the Church, to proclaim Christ to the whole world,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
Archbishop Costelloe incenses the altar at the commencement of Mass, Sunday 8 January at St Mary’s Cathedral. PHOTO: JAMIE O'BRIEN.
SPECIAL REPORT - DEATH OF CARDINAL GEORGE PELL: GIANT OF THE CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA PASSES WAY SUDDENLY AGED 81
By Jamie O'Brien
Australian Cardinal George Pell has passed away this week Tuesday 10 January, aged 81.
Sources close to Cardinal Pell told The Record that he had been talking with the anaesthetist in hospital following the procedure when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest, at Salvator Mundi hospital in Rome and passed away shortly before 9 pm local time.
According to the source, Pell’s body will be flown back to Australia following his Vatican funeral, and he will be buried in St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, where he served as Archbishop for 13 years before moving to the Vatican.
In addition to being one of the Catholic Church’s tallest prelates, Cardinal Pell was also one of the most influential.
In a statement released today as President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said it was with great sadness that he learned of the unexpected death of Cardinal George Pell in Rome on Tuesday evening (Rome time).
“Cardinal Pell provided strong and clear leadership within the Catholic Church in Australia, as Archbishop of Melbourne and Archbishop of Sydney and as a member of the Bishops Conference for more than 25 years,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“His many strengths were widely recognised, both in Australia and around the world, as his Vatican appointments as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy and as a member of the Council of Cardinals, an advisory group to Pope Francis,” he said.
Archbishop Costelloe continued by emphasising that Cardinal Pell’s impact on the life of the Church in Australia and around the world will continue to be felt for many years.
“As we remember him and reflect on his legacy, I invite all Catholics and other people of goodwill to join in praying for Cardinal Pell, a man of deep and abiding faith, and for the repose of his soul,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
Born in Ballarat in June 1941, Cardinal Pell entered the seminary in Werribee 1960 and was ordained a priest in 1966 in Rome by Cardinal Gregorio Pietro Agagianian.
He quickly became a rising star in the Australian church and went on
to have a prominent ecclesial career, being appointed as auxiliary bishop for Melbourne in 1987 and as then as Archbishop in 1996.
In 2001, Cardinal Pell was appointed Archbishop, going on to be made Cardinal in 2003 now St (Pope) John Paul II in 2003, participating in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, who passed away 31 December at the age of 95.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher, ACBC Vice President, also confirmed Cardinal Pell's death with "deep sadness".
"This news comes as a great shock to all of us," he said on Facebook.
"Please pray for the repose of the soul of Cardinal Pell, for comfort and consolation for his family and for all of those who loved him and are grieving him at this time."
Shortly after his election in 2013, Pope Francis established a Council of Cardinals advising him on matters of church governance and reform, naming Cardinal Pell as one of the council’s first members and appointing him head of the thennewly established Secretariat for the Economy.
Cardinal George Pell kisses Pope John Paul II's ring during Mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican 22 October, 2003. PHOTO: CNS/L'OSSERVATORE
A MOMENT OF PRIDE AND GRATITUDE AT CENTACARE
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FREMANTLE
Centacare Employment and Training student Richard Nettles, has last month gifted the Archdiocesan agency with an indigenous artwork he had painted himself.
Richard Nettles has an artistic streak and a passion for indigenous art. He started attending Centacare’s SEE Program in October 2021, hoping to improve his language, literacy and numeracy skills and upskill. During his LLN class, Richard was
able to explore his creative talent through the program’s extracurricular activity day by making artwork and sharing his love for indigenous art with his peers.
In 2022, Richard decided to embark on creating the artwork. Every available moment he had, he would spend on painting. In presenting the artwork to Centacare, all his peers, teachers and Centacare staff were in awe and appreciated his generous gesture.
The painting was made of acrylic paint and glitter on an impressive 1200mm by 1200mm canvas. According to Richard, the artwork portrayed Centacare as a meeting place where people from different cultures and backgrounds come together.
FLAME CONGRESS TO ENRICH LIVES OF PERTH CATHOLICS
Flame Ministries International’s 33rd Annual Congress will be held from January 26th to 29th 2023, at Mater Christi Parish Community Centre, 340 Yangebup Rd, Yangebup, 6164. The theme is ‘Heart of Worship’ and the aim is to bring participants into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. Although the format of the 2023
Congress is similar to other years with in-depth day teachings and workshops, and powerfully Spiritled evening rallies, this year differs in the change of location and that it is directed towards the younger generation.
The keynote speakers are Fr Joseph Laundy, Chaplain, Catholic Youth Ministry, and Mario Borg, Director,
24/7 Youth Ministries.
But it’s not just the young who will gain from the Congress, the young at heart will also benefit greatly and are most welcome.
The Holy Spirit knows no boundaries of age and all speakers – including Flame’s Senior Directors Kaye Rollings and Cyrus D’Souza – will draw deeply on His guidance and power in the presentation of their messages and workshops.
Several generations of Perth Catholics have been blessed by the powerful messages delivered by local, national and international speakers through the years at Flame’s Annual Congress.
The Congress has become a wellknown and welcome event in Perth and attracts participants from across the state.
Those attending have often commented how their lives have been enriched and even changed by the power of the Holy Spirit working through the weekend’s workshops and rallies.
Richard Nettles started attending Centacare’s SEE Program in October 2021, during which he was able to explore his creative talent through the program’s extracurricular activity day by making artwork and sharing his love for indigenous art with his peers. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/CENTACARE
Flame Ministry musicians sing during the 2022 Congress. The 2023 Congress will be held from 26 to 29 January, at Mater Christi Parish Community Centre and the theme is ‘Heart of Worship’. PHOTO: MICHELLE TAN.
NORBERTINE FR PETER STIGLICH CELEBRATES
40 YEARS OF ORDINATION
in Western Australia.
By Maureen Tavani
More than 300 people last month attended the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Norbertine priest Father Peter Joseph Stiglich OPraem, Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Priory, Queens Park Parish and Prior of St Norbert College.
The celebrations began with a Mass on Friday, 9 December, attended by teachers and staff, parishioners and special guests including Fr Peter’s family from Melbourne, as well St Norbert College founder, Fr Stephen Cooney O Praem, who established the school in 1965.
Fr Peter Stiglich, better known in the community as Fr Peter Joseph, is well regarded for having played a significant role in the foundation of a strong Norbertine community
Fr Peter Joseph commenced his theological studies at Corpus Christi College, Clayton, Victoria.
In his position as Master of Ceremonies at both his parish and the seminary, he met the now Fr William Fitzgerald O Praem, who was also studying for the priesthood but at a different seminary.
Knowing Fr William was an excellent organist, Fr Peter invited him to play the organ at some solemn liturgical celebrations.
This acquaintance led to a shared interest in the Norbertine Order and, after visiting St Joseph’s Priory in Queens Park in 1976 and 1977, Fr Peter joined the Order in 1979. His 1982 ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Eric Perkins took place in St Dominic’s Church, East Camberwell, and was attended by Abbot Smith O Praem, Fr Peter O’Reilly O Praem
together with some 400 priests, religious and laity.
His parents, Arch and Moyra Stiglich, his brother Michael and sisters, Mary and Margaret were also present for the occasion.
In September 2022, while visiting Germany after attending the Prelates’ Meeting in Rome, which included an audience with Pope Francis, long-time friends Raphael Beuthner and his wife Martina chatted to Fr Peter Stiglich about his 43-year commitment to the Norbertine Canonry.
When Raphael enquired where Fr Peter drew his spiritual strength from and what challenges he faced as a 24-year-old, such as the very early mornings, Fr Peter replied that he grew up in a faithful Catholic family.
Norbertine Fr Peter Stiglich celebrates Mass on 9 December for his 40th anniversary to the priesthood. Fr Peter is well known for having played a significant role in the foundation of a strong Norbertine community in Western Australia. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/ST NORBERT COLLEGE.