SYNOD 2023 -24: SYNOD MEMBERS URGE PATIENCE AS PROCESS CONTINUES
By Cindy Wooden
As the Catholic Church learns to be more "synodal," to listen to all its members, value their gifts and seek together the Holy Spirit's guidance, Catholics will need to be patient in awaiting responses to their questions and concerns, said several synod members.
After close to two weeks of discussion -- including on issues such as synodality itself, the role of women in the church, welcome for LGBTQ Catholics, better education and formation of Catholics and more collaborative relationships between priests and laypeople -- "there is a sense that things are tightening up, emerging, but through that process of hopeful patience," said Renee Kohler-Ryan, a synod member from Australia.
"It is going to take time, but it has to in order to give all of those issues the seriousness that they deserve," she said, on Tuesday 17 October at
the press briefing for the assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
"Are these issues being discussed in the synodal hall seriously and passionately? I testify, yes," said Jesuit Father Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, Dean of the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University in California.
"It is important to remember that the synod is a consultative body; it doesn't make decisions," he said. But "the process is important," and if synod members and the church at large do not focus on "niche issues" at this point, but on forming a synodal church, "it becomes possible for us to address these issues in a way that is constructive and not confrontational."
Especially as a theologian, he said, he sees this as a "privileged moment" in the life of the church, "an experience of a process of the church making and remaking itself in a way that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience." "I remain convinced that the process is
probably going to be more important than the outcome," the Jesuit said. The synodal process can help the church experience "a new way of being where people, no matter who they are, no matter their status, station or situation in the church, are able to be part of a process where they are not only heard, but they also are able to contribute to the process of discernment."
Kohler-Ryan insisted that the synod discussions, including about women, are much broader than the media would have people believe. With members from around the globe, including lay women and men -some of whom are mothers and fathers -- participating as members for the first time, the discussion about women is not focused on the possibility of women deacons, but on a myriad of issues related to their lives in the church and the world, including supporting their families and educating their children in the faith.
Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and head of the synod's information committee, told reporters some of the topics discussed in the synod hall late on 16 October included "overcoming clerical models" that prevent cooperation and shared responsibility, the importance of inclusive language, the example of Jesus including women among his followers, the relationship between leadership and service, and the possibility of allowing women to preach at Mass given that women were the first to proclaim Jesus' resurrection to the apostles.
Renee Kohler-Ryan, a synod member and professor at the University of Notre-Dame Australia, speaks during a briefing about the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican on Tuesday 17 October, 2023. PHOTO: CNS/LOLA GOMEZ.
CHURCH SAYS REFERENDUM RESULT SHOULD USHER IN NEW ERA
Despite the referendum to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution not succeeding, Australia needs to find a way to address the inequalities many First Nations people face, Bishop Charles Gauci has said.
Bishop Gauci, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, has issued a statement following last week’s referendum. He said although the idea of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament was not supported by a majority of Australians, “that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do something”.
The Bishop of Darwin said: “As I travel through the Northern Territory and beyond, I meet people from all walks of life who recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples – the traditional custodians of our lands and waters for tens of thousands of years – struggle with poor outcomes in health, education, employment and a range of other areas.
“Australians know those poor outcomes are not good enough in the nation of the alleged ‘Fair go’.”
Bishop Gauci said while the debate leading up to the referendum was “intense and, at times, challenging”, there was an “overwhelming consensus […] that more should be done to address the injustice experienced by so many First Nations people”.
He said that the Church, while not always living up to its own ideals, has been a driver of positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through its parishes, schools,
social services, and health and aged care services.
“At this moment in our history, it is time for the Church and its ministries to redouble our efforts to close the gap – not as a slogan, but as a commitment,” Bishop Gauci said. “That can only be done by, in the words of our recent Social Justice Statement, listening to, learning from and loving our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters.”
As the country processes the referendum outcome, Bishop Gauci said, “may we recognise and take up the challenge to create opportunities but also seek outcomes that will see inequalities in our country narrowed, a path to reconciliation pursued and a more prosperous nation emerge”.
Local Aboriginal elder conducts the Welcome to Country for the Aboriginal Sunday Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sunday 15 October. PHOTO: RON TAN.
HIGHGATE GROTTO BLESSED AND RE-DEDICATED AFTER COVID DELAYS
By Ali Biddiscombe
The Marian Grotto at Highgate Catholic Pastoral Centre has last month been blessed following several months of renovation and repair. Leading the blessing and re-dedication on 5 September was Yangebup Parish Priest, Fr Peter Bianchini, and attended by fellow colleagues from across the Archdiocese.
Blessing of the grotto took place following a restoration project which began in 2018, however this was delayed by COVID-19, and finally finished in 2022.
Restoration work on the stonework began when the structure’s stability was threatened by overgrown plants, causing the grotto to be cordoned off for safety while repairs were completed.
Faced with the prospect of fencing off the grotto permanently and honouring that it would be a great loss to parishioners and local cultural
history, a restoration program began.
A stonemason and an experienced builder were engaged to oversee the restoration of the statue to its original construction in 2022.
The process involved removing any corroded metal and stabilising the structure at the rear with iron rods, replacing perished limestone, returning stones and re-concreting to ensure that the grotto was restored “like for like,” a requisite stipulated by the State Heritage Office.
The project reached fruition at the end of 2022 thanks to contributions from The Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission and the Knights of the Southern Cross.
At the rededication ceremony stories were shared about how the grotto played an important spiritual role in the lives of Highgate parishioners and Sacred Heart Catholic School students, some of whom have posed before the grotto for communion and confirmation photos.
Former Sacred Heart Highgate student Barbara Johnson shared photographs of her own Holy Communion memories in front of the grotto.
Her photos show that for a period there appeared to be a tradition of leaving large seashells at the grotto which explained the large shell collection uncovered during the restoration.
For the sisters, the rededication ceremony reaffirmed a wonderful place of reflection in the convent garden where they had entrusted their future consecrated lives to Our Lady. On summer evenings the Postulants and Novices had enjoyed having their recreation by the Grotto.
After their Profession of Vows ceremonies in the chapel, the sisters too had photos taken in front of the grotto with their family and friends.
Fr Peter Bianchini blesses the Marian Grotto at the Catholic Pastoral Centre Highgate.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED / CATHOLIC PASTORAL CENTRE.
FIRST CHAPEL OF ST THERESE OF LISIEUX
CELEBRATES CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY
By Ali Biddiscombe
St Therese of Lisieux Chapel at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Highgate has this month celebrated the centenary of its consecration with a special Mass on Sunday 2 October.
The Mass was organised by Catholic Mission in partnership with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions and the Catholic Pastoral Centre.
Morley Parish Priest and celebrant
Father Greg Burke OCD, Carmelite Friars WA Prior, led the Mass assisted by National Director for Catholic Mission Father Brian Lucas, Coordinator of the Parish Renewal Program and CEWA Chaplain Fr
Nino Vinciguerra and Applecross Parish Priest, Fr Nelson Po.
The commemorative Mass was also attended by 42 including members of the Fellowship of St Therese of Lisieux who were affirmed for their on-going support for the Missions in the spirit of St Therese of Lisieux.
The centenary Mass marked the anniversary of the first chapel in Australia to be dedicated to St Therese of Lisieux and part of the Convent for the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, now known as the Catholic Pastoral Centre.
St Therese of Lisieux was a Carmelite sister whose spirituality inspired many religious congregations but particularly the sisters of Our Lady of the Missions whose Convent chapel
in Highgate was dedicated to her. She was proclaimed the Universal Patron of the Missions in 1927 by Pope Pius XI and became the Patron Saint of Catholic Mission. Two special speakers were invited to present the history of the chapel and a reflection on St Therese at the celebratory Mass.
Sr Shelley Barlow RNDM set the scene and gave important historical context to this commemorative Mass with her opening talk on the history of the Chapel.
Sr Marie Therese Ryder RNDM then gave a moving and inspirational reflection on the spirituality of St Therese of Lisieux.
Fr Greg Burke, main celebrant with Fr Brian Lucas, Fr Nelson Po and Fr Nino Vinciguerra concelebrating behind him. PHOTO: ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH.