JESUS CHALLENGES OUR NORMAL WAY OF THINKING, ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE TELLS ARCHDIOCESAN STAFF
By Jamie O'Brien
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has last week joined with Perth Archdiocesan agency and organisation staff in praising God for sending so many good people, with such large hearts, to work across the Archdiocese.
Speaking Wednesday 19 July at St Mary’s Cathedral, in the presence of some 150 staff from agencies, parishes and organisations alike, Archbishop Costelloe spoke about Jesus as the model for all Christian leadership and service.
Archbishop Costelloe was joined for the Mass by con-celebrants Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, the Very Rev Fr Minh
Thuy Nguyen, Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn and assisted by Catholic Education Director of Religious Education, Deacon Mark Powell.
Also joining in the celebration was Cathedral Dean, Rev Dr Sean Fernandez, Co-ordinator, Parish Renewal, Fr Nino Vinciguerra, Tribunal Director, Fr Greg Carroll and South Perth Parish Priest Fr Brian O’Loughlin.
Referring to Jesus as the one who so often turns everything upside down, Archbishop Costelloe said that one of the best and most accurate visual presentations of Christian leadership and authority is found in the image of Jesus on his hands and knees, performing the humble and even demeaning task of washing the feet of his disciples.
“…a perfect example of the way in which Jesus challenges our normal ways of thinking,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
Speaking about the Gospel reading of (the day) Matthew 11, verse 25 to 27, Archbishop Costelloe continued by saying that it is important for us to understand that there is nothing sentimental about what Jesus is saying.
“In this context, we might understand Jesus’ reference to the learned and the clever as a reference to those who through their hardness of heart and their sense of their own importance, are in fact, blind to the reality of God present and active in the world, and in the lives of those God loves, which is to say, everybody,” he said.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has last week joined with Perth Archdiocesan agency and organisation staff in praising God for sending so many good people, with such large hearts, to work across the Archdiocese.. PHOTO: RON TAN/ARCHIOCESE OF PERTH..
ADVANCED STANDING FOR ACTS 2 COLLEGE OF MISSION & EVANGELISATION GRADUATES
Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation is excited to announce a new Agreement that will allow graduates with the Diploma of Catholic Youth Ministry (11013NAT) to apply for one-year advanced standing into the Bachelor of Theology degree at the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA).
Having had a similar agreement with the University of Divinity since 2018 with its previous diploma and continuing with the current one, Acts 2 College was keen to establish an advanced standing relationship with UNDA.
“Our graduates have consistently found that their studies with us have given them a good foundation for their theological studies at UNDA,”
Principal Mrs Jane Borg reported. The Diploma of Catholic Youth Ministry was revised in late 2021 and is now the key qualification for youth ministry at Acts 2 College.
The diploma forms students both theologically through scripture, catechism, and spiritual development; and for ministry. Ministry training includes working with youth, strategic Catholic youth ministry, communications, evangelisation skills, working legally and ethically, events management, personal and professional leadership, liturgy, and presentation skills.
A practicum component of 220 hours over the year provides opportunities to develop these skills while sharing the knowledge with the young people in schools and youth groups.
Acts 2 College, said Principal Jane Borg, has developed a reputation for excellence in training, particularly in youth ministry.
Many graduates, Mrs Borg continued, are currently ministering to youth in many parishes and schools within the Perth Archdiocese, as well as
more widely across Australia.
“UNDA lecturers have been impressed with the high standard of the Acts 2 College graduates” Lecturer, School of Philosophy and Theology, Dr Peter Christofides said.
“This has inspired UNDA and the College to enter into this agreement that will see Acts 2 College graduates enter the second year of the Bachelor of Theology degree at UNDA”.
“The School of Philosophy and Theology, Notre Dame Australia has partnered with Acts 2 College of Mission & Evangelisation to offer a pathway for the Diploma of Catholic Youth Ministry graduates into the Bachelor of Theology” said Dr Lawrence Pang, Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Theology.
Many graduates, explained Acts 2 College Principal Jane Borg, are currently ministering to youth in many parishes and schools within the Perth Archdiocese, as well as more widely across Australia. PHOTO:SUPPLIED/ACTS 2 COLLEGE.
2023 WYD: CEWA STAFF BEGIN PILGRIMAGE WITH CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Catholic Education WA staff have this week embarked on a 114km Camino ahead of the World Youth Day pilgrimage in Lisbon, Portugal from 1 to 6 August 2023.
The Camino (the way) to Santiago is a 1,000-year-old pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago.
This Cathedral houses the tomb of the Apostle Saint James, which as of the 9th century, turned it into one of the most important Christian sanctuaries, receiving pilgrims from all over the world.
Iona Presentation College Deputy Principal, Ryan Shelton, who is the World Youth Day CEWA facilitator said the group consisting of 15 office and school staff had undergone a 12-month formation program which both involved the physical and spiritual aspect.
“The physical part involved a lot of training and practice for the Camino de Santiago and the spiritual formation took place individually and in a group setting,” Mr Shelton said.
Since arriving in Europe, the group has spent time in Porto, Portugal, exploring the history and connections there.
Catholic Education Western Australia Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce spent a day at Fatima.
The group then transferred across the border to Tui, Spain, the birthplace of Perth Bishop Rosendo Salvado and the start of Camino de Santiago on Monday, 24 July.
The Camino is scheduled to take six days from Tui to Santiago de Compostella.
“We have been to Mass at the Tui Cathedral, explored the city, visited the home Salvado grew up in and completed our last couple of practice walks,” Mr Shelton said.
“The group have also gathered for nightly reflections where we have each considered our spiritual preparedness. One of the highlights of our Camino will be on Tuesday 25 July which is the Feast of St James,” he continued.
“…I am so proud of the group and the way in which they have so professionally thrown themselves at every experience thus far. Personally, walking the Camino has been a dream of mine for over 10 years, there is so much anticipation for what I am about to do,” he concluded.
Dr Sayce explained the group is in amazing countryside, with glorious weather and the anticipation of beginning the Camino is high.
“Spending time with God, with self, with others and the creation as we begin the well-trodden journey to Santiago is a most wonderful gift,” Dr Sayce said.
St Mary’s College Broome staff Hannah Davies said there are a lot of emotions for what lays ahead.
“There is a feeling of excitement, anxiousness and a feeling of being at peace for the journey that we are about to commence,” Ms Davies said.
CEWA staff spend time in reflection and formation prior to undertaking the Camino Santiago. PHOTO: RYAN SHELTON / CEWA.
VENICE CARNAVALE THE THEME FOR PERSONAL ADVOCACY SERVICE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Personal Advocacy Service Office
Administrators Michelle Gunning and Christine Neville have spoken firsthand to The Record to recount the highlights of the PAS Annual Community Celebration.
“The fine weather matched the happy faces on Sunday 2 July as 160 volunteers and people with intellectual disabilities gathered at Aquinas College for the PAS Annual Community Celebration.
This event is the highlight of the year for Personal Advocacy Service
and our groups spend much time preparing table centerpieces and masks, practicing our two chosen songs and talking about what will happen on the day.
It was great to see so many wearing all manner of masks to match our Venice Carnevale theme.
We also had plenty of gondoliers in attendance to steer our gondola prop through the blue satin fabric waters in our photo booth for some special group photos.
It’s fair to say our voices raised the roof with our singing of popular favourites ‘That’s Amore’ and ‘Volare’. Let’s not forget the energetic dancing
on the dance floor, especially those able to still do the Twist and the even funnier Chicken Dance.
Our special thanks to Aquinas College, who provide the venue free of charge and whose caterers prepare glorious food for a heavily subsidised charge.
Our DJ Adam Penn comes every year and throws himself into the fray on the dance floor, mixing with our friends and volunteers.
We are also grateful to the City of Bayswater and Bunnings, Bayswater for donations.
Personal Advocacy Service Thornlie Group posing for a group photo. PHOTO: SUPPLIED./ PAS.
By Michelle Gunning and Christine Neville