PALMYRA PARISHIONERS REMINDED TO KEEP FAITH ALIVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AT 100TH ANNIVERSARY
By Jamie O'Brien
God is great and has done marvelous deeds over the long history of this parish, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has recently told Palmyra parishioners.
Speaking at the Mass to celebrate the 100 anniversary of the parish, Sunday 23 July, Archbishop Costelloe explained that all current members or friends of the parish, or past parishioners, know that the parish community of today is the inheritor of the extraordinary commitment of the clergy, the religious and the laity who over one hundred years have built the community of faith. “You would also understand that it is the task of today’s parish community to keep this faith alive so that future generations will receive what we
faithfully pass on to them with gratitude,“ Archbishop Costelloe explained.
“This is why Pope Francis would ask us not only to look back in gratitude, which we do in a special way today, but also to live the present moment, with all its challenges, with passion and remain open and hopeful as the future unfolds,” he said.
Highlights of the past 100 years were displayed in a special video created for the anniversary by parishioner Harry Neesham, highlighting how the the suburb of Palmyra was established in 1912, when Mr J Charles bought and subdivided 425 acres and laid out a township. Families moved into the area over the next 10 years and in 1923, then Perth Bishop Matthew Gibney determined there should be a parish established.
This parish was to be serviced from North Fremantle and would extend from Petra Street to Canning Bridge and south to Spearwood. The Oblate Fathers purchased two acres on the corner of Foss Street and Hammad Street, intending to expand but subsequently agreed to sell their land to the Parish for what it cost - £150.
Father Humphrey Kearin was appointed Parish Priest and upon receiving financial guarantees from 40 families the parish set out to build a hall. The hall was to serve as both school and church and the naming would be the privilege of the person donating the altar. Mr John Blencowe and his wife donated the altar and named the parish St Gerard’s.
Archbishop Costelloe with Palmyra parish priest Fr Benedict Lee, second from right, Episcopal Vicar, Education and Faith Formation, Fr Vincent Glynn, together with acolytes and altar servers. PHOTO: JAMIE O'BRIEN.
VOCATIONS WEEK: JESUITS HIT THE SPOT FOR SAMUEL
By David McMahon
Perth man Samuel Vermeulen is at a departure gate at Sydney airport and we’re talking about the next big step in his life.
He’s preparing to enter the Australian Jesuits and is heading off to begin his novitiate in the Philippines.
He says profoundly: “The heart of Jesuit spirituality is realising how much God has given you.”
“I was probably about 19 or 20 when I started to really understand where my life was going.
“There were many different factors – all seemingly separate but still inter-connected in a way – that brought me to the Jesuits.
“The starting point of that journey was my fierce interest in what I would describe as Christian radicalism from a young age, even before I was Catholic.
“I was very inter-church when I was young. I grew up Pentecostal but then I fell off the Pentecostal train after being drawn to the social implications of the Gospel and the Church.
“I think my conversion to Catholicism at 17 was prompted by a desire to follow the social teaching of the Catholic Church, a big inspiration in the process of my conversion.
“I had a significant interest in
Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement and I was also influenced by the late Jesuit, Fr Daniel Berrigan SJ, who had links with them.
“His peace activism, for which he spent a total of seven years in prison, was part of his consistent ethic of life which led him to protest against war.
“When I started discerning religious life, I had a pretty natural leaning towards the Jesuits.
“I had friends involved in politics and friends who identified as queer, so I found that trying to navigate that in a Christian way was really difficult.
“As a young person dealing with a lot of very challenging things in the secular world, I found that the Jesuits were the ones who were consistently talking about these things in a way that was not just faithful but charitable as well.
“That said, the Jesuits helped me find my way through those important issues. That was an added attraction to the Society.
“I always had an interest in missionary work and that was a big motivator for me. My grandfather was a missionary in Papua New Guinea and he was a very big influence on me. He didn't showboat it around or anything, but his experiences
were a significant part of our family history. Zeal for the Gospel was always present in my family.
“I grew up with a very white upper middle-class kind of Christianity and then when I started taking the Christian faith seriously, I realised that It was quite radical in terms of not just loving the poor but loving your enemy as well. It was about loving those who are regarded by some as quite difficult to love –the dispossessed, the widow, the orphan.
“I think that was why I started gravitating towards Christians who were conscious of that. I was lucky enough to meet young Catholics who also had that concern. I spent time in other churches too – a Lutheran Church and a house Church as well. But Christian radicalism and that side of things isn't just restricted to political activism. It needs to be strongly tied to spirituality and mysticism as well, which I found was more the case in the Catholic Church.
“At this pivotal point in my life and exploring my vocation, what really drives me is a combination of all those factors. I know whatever happens next, it won't be me doing the guiding or making the decisions, it’ll be God.”
Perth man Samuel Vermeulen at a departure gate at Sydney airport before heading off to the Philippines. PHOTO:SUPPLIED/SOCIETY OF JESUS.
SOUND OF MUSIC DELIGHTS SENIORS
The sound of the most exquisite music could be heard at Mercy Place Lathlain in late July, as residents were treated to a mini concert as part of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s (WASO) community outreach program.
More than a dozen residents, and a number of lucky staff, were captivated throughout the 45-minute performance, which saw a spectacular string ensemble perform an intimate concert of exhilarating and joyful music, from Beethoven to jazz as well as a number of popular classics, all of which sent seniors on a trip down memory lane.
And according to Mercy Place Lathlain Service Manager, Ven Gireddy, residents absolutely loved every minute of the concert.
“The performance was very well received, it was a huge treat for our seniors and they thoroughly enjoyed
it,” said Mr Gireddy, who confirmed the performance was also a first for one staff member who had never experienced the thrill and joy of a string quartet before.
“We had some residents swinging their hips and others who live with dementia extremely animated and joyous, our seniors were totally captivated and I think they could have listened to them all morning.”
Alena Tompkins, WASO Executive Manager, Community engagement, explains that the organisation runs a program of concerts within Perth’s aged care centres to bring music to older people who ordinarily wouldn’t be easily able to access it.
“As the State Orchestra, we are dedicated to reaching as many West Australians as possible with our musical experiences, from concert halls and classrooms to hospitals and aged care,” she says.
“Our aim is to bring joy and nurture participation in our community, because we believe everybody deserves the opportunity to experience live music, and our professional musicians are always very happy to perform in aged care homes. Performing at Mercy Place Lathlain was particularly fulfilling for them as they were so warmly welcomed.”
Mercy Health is a Catholic community not for profit provider of care, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and grounded in a 2000 year history of caring for those in need. The organisation is a national service provider of health and aged care throughout Queensland, Southern New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.
More than a dozen residents, and a number of lucky staff, were captivated throughout the 45-minute performance, which saw a spectacular string ensemble perform an intimate concert of exhilarating and joyful music, from Beethoven to jazz as well as a number of popular classics, all of which sent seniors on a trip down memory lane. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE STUDENT WINS 20TH ST GEORGE’S CATHEDRAL ART AWARD
Year 11 Corpus Christi College student Ava Komnick has been named Overall Winner and People’s Choice Winner of the prestigious St George’s Cathedral Award 2023 for her outstanding ‘Portrait of a Man’, oil on canvas painting of her grandfather.
“Using a subdued colour palette, I created a quiet and contemplative work that reflects the tranquillity of my grandfather's presence,” Ava said.
“Every brushstroke carries the weight of memories shared, and the wisdom he has imparted.
“Subtle variations of light and shadow dance across his face revealing the wisdom gained through a lifetime
of experiences,” she said.
St George's Cathedral Art is a premier annual art education event in Western Australia, attracting entries from all school sectors across Western Australia with 5 entry categories.
The St George’s Cathedral Art Award provides an outstanding opportunity for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to present their work to a prestigious panel of judges, peers and community.
Principal Jeff Allen said the school is delighted for Ava on her outstanding achievement.
“It is a great honour to be name Overall Winner of the St George’s
Cathedral Art Awards among immensely talented group of student artists,” Mr Allen said.
“At Corpus Christi College we celebrate the success of all our students; artistic, academic and athletic. We are extremely proud of Ava’s undeniable talent and dedication,” he said.
Corpus Christi College encourages every student to pursue their interests, reaching beyond their limits, with the help of staff who believe passionately in supporting them through every stage of their development.
Year 11 Corpus Christi College student Ava Komnick has been named Overall Winner and People’s Choice Winner of the prestigious St George’s Cathedral Award 2023 for her outstanding ‘Portrait of a Man’, oil on canvas painting of her grandfather. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE.
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