PERTH CATHOLICS ENCOURAGED TO ENGAGE WITH FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE AT LOCAL SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT LAUNCH
By Ali Biddiscombe
The 2023 Social Justice Statement encourages us to think about what we do individually and as Catholic communities, to develop new ways of engaging with First Nations people, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has said.
Speaking at the Perth launch of the 2023 Social Justice Statement, Thursday 31 August, Bishop Sproxton spoke about his time as Parish Priest of Mirrabooka in the late 90’s when he supported the recruitment of a first nations woman to the role of education assistant at local school. This year’s statement, Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, was launched Thursday 17 August.
While the Social Justice Statement is a teaching document of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, a large part of this year’s statement was
written by members of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, highlighting part of the message’s exhortation to “listen”.
Facilitated by Justice, Ecology and Development Office Director Carol Mitchell, the Perth Launch opened to an emotive vision of ‘You’re the Voice’ at the Newman Siena Centre in Doubleview, with a Welcome to Country provided by New Norcia born Benedictine Sr Veronica Willaway OSB.
“The statement is a critically important message for us all to respectfully and prayerfully discern,”
Mrs Mitchell said.
“It follows the gracious invitation from the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart and is timely given the approaching Referendum on the First Nation Peoples Voice to Parliament on Saturday, October 14.
“It was a privilege to have Aunty Veronica Willaway, Aunty Donella Brown, Aunty Cheryl Lennox-Bradley and Lyn Odegaard also share some
of their personal stories of truthtelling and hope, so we may Listen, Learn and Love.”
Mrs Mitchell acknowledged Bishop Sproxton’s many roles nationally and locally within the church as she welcomed him to speak.
In opening, Bishop Sproxton said we were given a year to digest, to reflect and to discover ways in which to implement some of the ideas of the annual statement.
He suggested as we approach the referendum – that we have an obligation to engage in research - thinking and in dialogue with others, to be clear as to which way we think we should vote as we have seen very little improvement or a closing in the gap, with our Indigenous population.
“You will find practical ideas on how we as a church can re-engage, or perhaps, develop a new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with whom we live,” he said.
“This is something for us, regardless of what happens at the referendum vote, to be thinking, of what need we do individually, but also as Catholic communities, to develop new ways of engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people … in our local communities.”
Bishop Sproxton said there were suggestions on new levels of engagement our local Archdiocese could implement including appointing more local Indigenous liaison officers to engage with schools, parishes and the community.
Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton speaks at the Perth launch of the 2023 Social Justice Statement, entitled, Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on Thursday 17 August. PHOTO: ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH/MICHELLE TAN.
NEW CATHOLIC HOMES AGED CARE RESIDENCE BLESSED BY ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE IN BELMONT
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last week officially blessed and opened the new Catholic Homes Sr Mary Glowrey Residential Care in Belmont, Wednesday 14 September.
approach that focuses on wellness, independence and choice," he said. "We are proud to offer the full continuum of care at Sr Mary Glowrey, including ageing-in-place, dementia care and palliative care, in a comfortable and home-like environment that makes the most of its location."
The 96-place residence, located near the Swan River just off Great Eastern Highway in Belmont, offers relaxed, riverside living for older people who need high-quality care and support.
It features open-air courtyards with covered balconies, a tree-lined sensory garden space, a wellness centre, staff and meeting/training rooms, and a coffee bar.
In addition to a suite of new technology including smart televisions, climate control and energy efficiencies, the residence is fully self-contained with an onsite commercial kitchen and laundry.
"Sister Mary Glowrey Residential Care reflects our values of joy, love and hospitality, as well as our innovative ‘Care with Purpose’
Acting Chief Executive Ben Foster said the new residence was a testament to the organisation's commitment to providing modern aged care services that cater to the community’s needs and preferences. Mr Foster said the residence was named to honour the life of a pioneering Australian female doctor who followed her vocation into religious life to care for the poor and marginalised.
KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE IS KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST! BJ HICKEY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS TO OPEN ONCE AGAIN
year 2024.
Offered to lay people residing in the Archdiocese of Perth, the scholarships are intended to help those wanting to further their biblical studies of any length at any level, locally or overseas.
Applicants need not be academics or have an academic background – they do need to have a passion to know and further their understanding of the scriptures and to help others with that knowledge.
strongly encouraged to submit their applications by Friday, 27 October 2023. Reports from those who benefited from the scholarship last year recently came in, the winners all had overwhelmingly positive experiences,” Dr Ceccarelli said.
“We hope people will take advantage of the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Scripture by attending a course, a conference, a symposium or another enriching education experience,” he said.
By Dr Marco Ceccarelli
The Centre for Faith Enrichment (CFE) has renewed its call for applications for BJ Hickey Scholarships for the
CFE Director Dr Marco Ceccarelli said that the scholarship continues to give lay people extraordinary opportunities to delve into the richness of the Bible here in Perth, interstate and overseas.
“BJ Hickey Scholarship applicants are
The BJ Hickey Scholarship was originally set up by Perth Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey, who continues to play a central and fundamental role in the committee.
Archbishop Costelloe with Catholic Homes Board Chair John Ogilvie, Acting Chief Executive Ben Foster and Belmont Cloverdale Parish Priest, Fr Michael Quynh Do. PHOTO: JAMES DI STEFANO / CATHOLIC HOMES.
Vinita Weaven receives a scholarship certificate from Emeritus Archbishop and founder of the BJ Hickey Scholarship, Barry James Hickey and Episcopal Vicar for Education and Adult Faith Formation, Fr Vincent Glynn, to undertake an online Bible Studies course at Notre Dame University as part of a Certificate of Theology Program. PHOTO: RON TAN / ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH.
PERTH YOUTH UNITE POST WORLD YOUTH DAY TO SHARE IN MUSIC, PRAYER
By Ali Biddiscombe
The energy and sharing of experiences of youth who attended World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon continued to ignite fire and passion for Christ in a successful UNITE Rally in Fremantle on Friday, 25 August.
More than 500 people aged five to 70 packed the Drill Hall at the University of Notre Dame Australia Fremantle Campus in the spirit of WYD as celebrations across the world wind down.
Organised by the Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) the crowd were treated to an evening of music, interviews, drama, fellowship and dance!
Special guest Father Rob Galea headlined on centre stage as well as The House Band, a hip hop dance crew and a drama by the youth mission team.
On a side stage young pilgrims shared their memories and joy of participating in a pilgrimage, where youth from all over the world and
cultures came together, in a series of interviews.
Fr Rob, as he is affectionately known, told The Record that music is a universal language and he considers himself an evangelist at heart.
“I just want to impact people; for them to have the same experience I have of loving and knowing Jesus,” Fr Rob said.
“This is my vocation to proclaim Jesus in word and in sacrament and there is no more powerful way than proclaiming the word through music!”
Fr Rob continuing by saying the enthusiasm and the joy at the UNITE Rally event was unbelievable and he was struck that for a youth event there were people of all ages participating in the event.
“The minute you play music there is an instant connection. People are connected. I also believe music has something in connection to heaven.
“We know through the Book of Revelation that music is present in heaven and this is the same thing that happened in Perth – there was
an instant connection with the music.
“I used worship music, even secular music and pop music. It is about speaking to the hearts of people through the language of the heart and I left feeling extremely encouraged and also so happy about what is happening in youth ministry in Perth. They are doing work that is impacting lives of all generations, not just the young!”
CYM Director Adam Phillips said the aim of the event was for the pilgrims to come back from WYD and share their experience with the Archdiocese, to recapture the excitement they had experienced in a final evening of celebration.
“Providing an event like this is a rallying call to bring young people together, to say hey, you’re not alone, there are other young people in our Archdiocese and that faith is important to and it’s giving them that space and place to belong,” Mr Phillips said.
CYM Youth Worker Johannes Alexander leads the Unite Rally on guitar, Friday 25 August. PHOTO: ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH/MICHELLE TAN.
STATEMENT ON VATICAN INVESTIGATION TO BROOME
EMERITUS BISHOP CHRISTOPHER SAUNDERS
“The allegations against the former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, broadcast on Monday evening are very serious and deeply distressing, especially for those making the allegations. It is right and proper for them to be thoroughly investigated.
The Catholic Church’s investigation into allegations against Bishop Saunders could not commence until the Western Australia Police Force concluded its inquiries.
The Church’s subsequent investigation established by the Holy See (Vatican) last year was overseen by Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge but entrusted to an experienced and independent specialist investigations organisation.
Its comprehensive inquiries examined several serious allegations. That independent report has been provided to the Holy See, with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith continuing the investigation. We will respect the enduring confidential nature of this process by not commenting on specific allegations that have been raised. Bishop Saunders, who has maintained his innocence, is able to respond to the report by communicating directly with the Holy See.
In due time, the Holy See will make its determinations. It is hoped that this will not be unduly delayed. After what has been a long and painful process for so many, it is important that a just and authoritative
finding be made.
Only then can the process of rebuilding the Church community in Broome, begun under the leadership of Bishop Michael Morrissey, the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, continue to make progress and bring healing.”
The ACBC released a statement Wednesday evening, noting that following a request from the Western Australia Police, the Church is taking immediate steps to provide them a copy of the Vatican-initiated report into Bishop Christopher Saunders. The Church and Western Australia Police remain in ongoing and collaborative contact in relation to this matter.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral in Broome. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
JAMIE
MICHELLE
BIBIANA