CHRISTMAS 2022: GOD’S GIFT OF HIMSELF IN CHRIST IS THE GIFT OF FREEDOM, SAYS ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE
By Jamie O'Brien
Eager though we are to give gifts generously and sincerely to those we love, God’s desire and determination to give us the gift of himself in his Son is infinitely greater than ours. This was the message of Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB at the 2022 Christmas Day Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sunday 25 December.
Joining Archbishop Costellloe for the 11am Mass was Cathedral Dean, the Very Rev Dr Sean Fernandez, which was attended by nearly 800 people.
Media outlets were also present for the occasion, waiting eagerly to interview Archbishop Costelloe at the conclusion of Mass. “As we gather tonight in the midst of the season of Christmas gift-giving, it is right that we, as Christians,
should see in each gift we give and receive, a reflection of God’s gift of himself to us in Jesus,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“Hopeful though we are that the gifts we give will be received with delight and gratitude and used well, God’s desire that we receive his gift of himself in Christ with delight and gratitude and that this gift might enrich our lives as it is intended to do, is infinitely greater than ours,” he continued.
Archbishop Costelloe continued by explaining that ultimately, God’s gift of himself in Christ is the gift of freedom.
“It is the gift of new sight, which allows us to look at the world with the wide eyes of Christ rather than the narrow field of vision which so often holds us back,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“It is the gift of freedom from that paralysis of mind and heart
which prevents us from walking confidently in the footsteps of our good Shepherd,” he said.
Personal Advocacy Service End of Year Mass and function
Personal Advocacy Service welcomed 130 volunteers, guests and friends with intellectual disability to Newman College for its Annual End of Year Mass and function.
Speaking with The Record, a representative from the Archdiocesan agency said the whole PAS community were delighted to have Episcopal Vicar, Education and Faith Formation, Fr Vincent Glynn celebrate the Mass in the college chapel.
“Our Friends and volunteers participated in the Mass in various ways, including altar serving, liturgical movement, laying the altar cloth and lighting the Advent candle,” the representative said.
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB blesses the nativity scene on the sanctuary of the Cathedral at the 11am Christmas Mass, Sunday 26 December. More than 800 people came together for the 11am Mass. PHOTO: RON TAN
GOD'S WORD, MERCY MUST BE SHARED WITH EVERYONE, SAYS POPE FRANCIS
By Carol Glatz
The Word of God, which heals and raises people up, is meant for everyone, Pope Francis has said.
Jesus "wants to reach those far away, he wants to heal the sick, he wants to save sinners, he wants to gather the lost sheep and lift up those whose hearts are weary and oppressed," the Holy Father said.
"Jesus 'reaches out' to tell us that God's mercy is for everyone," he said in his homily during Mass in St Peter's Basilica speaking Sunday 22 January, the church's celebration of Sunday of the Word of God.
During the Mass, Pope Francis also formally installed seven men and women in the ministry of catechist and three others in the ministry of lector. Pope Francis gave each of the lectors a Bible and the catechists a crucifix.
In his homily, the Holy Father said the Lord invites everyone to conversion and invites his disciples to actively "spread the light of the word" to everyone.
Jesus is "always on the move, on his way to others," Pope Francis said.
"On no occasion in his public life does he give us the idea that he is a stationary teacher, a professor seated on a chair; on the contrary, we see him as an itinerant, we see him as a pilgrim, traveling through towns and villages, encountering faces and their stories."
Jesus preaches in places where there are "people plunged into darkness: foreigners, pagans, women and men from various regions and cultures," showing that his word "is not only destined for the righteous of Israel, but for all."
"Moreover, if salvation is destined for all, even the most distant and lost, then the proclamation of the Word must become the main priority of the ecclesial community, as it was for Jesus," he said.
"May it not happen that we profess a God with an expansive heart yet become a church with a closed heart - this, I dare say, would be a curse," he said.
"May it not happen that we preach salvation for all yet make the way to receive it impractical; may it not happen that we recognise we are called to proclaim the kingdom yet neglect the Word, losing ourselves in so many secondary activities or
discussions." "Place your life under the Word of God," he said.
"All of us, even the pastors of the church, are under the authority of the Word of God. Not under our own tastes, tendencies and preferences."
The word of God "molds us, converts us and calls us to be united in the one church of Christ," so the faithful must ask themselves, "Where does my life find direction"? "From the many 'words' I hear, from ideologies, or from the word of God that guides and purifies me?"
When people recognise God's presence and make room for his word, "you will change your outlook on life."
After the Mass, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus with visitors in St Peter's Square.
Before the prayer, he said that following Jesus is a journey that requires leaving the status quo behind.
"What must we leave behind? Our vices and our sins, certainly, which are like anchors that hold us at bay and prevent us from setting sail," he said.
Pope Francis leads a ceremony for the installation of lectors and catechists during Mass marking Sunday of the Word of God in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Sunday 22 January, 2023. PHOTO: CNS/VATICAN MEDIA.
SENIORS AND STAFF SHARE THE LOVE FOR AUSTRALIA AT MERCY PLACE MONT CLARE
A trio of care companions at a popular local not-for-profit aged care home will celebrate their love and loyalty for their adopted country on Australia Day, as the not-for-
profit aged care home reflects on the nation’s 60,000 years of history.
Carers Marevic Desamparada, Anisha Maharjan and Priyanka Gyawali, who hail from the Philippines and also
Nepal, have lived in Perth collectively for over 20 years and say they adore their adopted country just as much as the seniors they care for at Mercy Place Mont Clare.
Care Assistant Anisha Maharjan, who originally hails from Nepal, arrived in Western Australia in 2016 with her husband, leaving behind her family but, as she puts it, gaining a second family when she began working for Mercy Health.
“I love the life here in Perth and particularly enjoy going to the beaches and joining friends for an Aussie barbecue, just as much as I love caring for the residents and hearing about their lives and the parts of the world where they were born and grew up,” says the 27-year-old.
ST JOHN OF GOD HEALTH CARE PAYS INCREASE TO REGISTERED NURSES AND MIDWIVES
St John of God Health Care has confirmed it will pay a three per cent increase to all registered nurses and midwives in Western Australia. The increase will be effective midJanuary and paid in the first pay cycle in February.
The organisation entered into negotiations with the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) in late October 2022, but has decided to award the increase now, while negotiations for the full enterprise agreement continue, to ensure its
registered nurses and midwives remain competitively remunerated relative to the market, following the recent announcement of Premier Mark McGowan of an increase for public sector nurses.
St John of God Health Care Acting Group CEO Bryan Pyne said the increase would mean St John of God Health Care nurses and midwives would continue to be paid (on average) more than their public sector counterparts and would not be disadvantaged simply because of the timing of the EBA negotiations.
“Our nurses and midwives have done an incredible job over the past three years during COVID and continue to work in challenging circumstances.
“We want to send a clear signal to our caregivers who provide outstanding care to our patients that this is recognised.”
Mercy Health Carers Marevic Desamparada, Anisha Maharjan and Priyanka Gyawali, who hail from the Philippines and also Nepal, have lived in Perth collectively for over 20 years and say they adore their adopted country. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
St John of God Health Care has confirmed it will pay a three per cent increase to all registered nurses and midwives in Western Australia. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS CONNECT AGED CARE RESIDENTS
The Salesians of Don Bosco are this year marking 100 years of Salesian presence and ministry in Australia with celebrations planned throughout the year.
On March 30, 1923, a group of Salesian missionaries arrived with high hopes in Fremantle, Western Australia, and were later joined by Salesian Bishop Ernest Coppo. Their intention was to work with Indigenous people in the Kimberley in the education of young people. Due to unforeseeable circumstances and difficulties they encountered, some Salesians returned to Europe
disappointed, while others moved to Melbourne to minister to Italian immigrants.
They also helped in the education of poor and abandoned young people in Victoria.
These few determined Salesians moved forward in hope, trusting entirely in God’s will, for their new mission in Melbourne.
With much gratitude to these dedicated first Salesians, the Australia-Pacific Province of Mary Help of Christians will celebrate its centenary with pride.
A highlight of the celebrations will
be the launch of a commemorative book by Fr Frank Moloney SDB on the history of the Salesians in Australia.
An opening Mass for the centenary and blessing of the newly-minted memorial of gratitude to all benefactors has launched celebrations this week at Rupertswood in Sunbury, Victoria.
On Saturday, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will ordain five Salesian deacons in St Francis’ Church in Melbourne.
In April, Salesian Rector-Major Fr Fernández Artime Ángel will make a visit to the Australian province.
The original group of Salesians before setting out from Turin, Italy, in 1923. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/SALESIAN PROVINCE OF AUSTRALIA.