PRAYER IS THE MEANS OF US GROWING CLOSE TO GOD, SAYS BISHOP SPROXTON
Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton was last week supported by 20 parish priests in celebrating the 2023 Catechist Commissioning Mass, held on 26 November at St Mary's Cathedral.
The Mass was a joint effort involving the Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) Catechist Service, Office of Christian Initiation, and Personal Advocacy Service and was attended by more than 400 people, including catechists, their families, Archdiocesan agency staff.
This year, the liturgy included a special quadrennial commissioning ceremony, acknowledging those who have achieved important milestones in their formation and service as catechists.
The ceremony saw 73 new catechists commissioned, four receiving the Archbishop's Award, and 33 receiving a Papal Blessing for dedicating ten or more years to serving as catechists and fulfilling ongoing formation requirements.
Catechists play a crucial role in the spiritual development of
individuals, young and old, within the Archdiocese.
They share their faith through providing religious education, and accompanying children and adults on their own faith journey. The Commissioning Mass serves as a public affirmation of the catechist's ministry within the Church.
This recognition assures catechists that they are not alone on their journey and offers an opportunity to reflect on their vital role in the mission of the Church.
In his homily for the Mass, Bishop Sproxton recalled the life-long impact of one of his early teachers, a religious sister who as a true catechist reinforced her teaching with experiences.
There is, said Bishop Sproxton, no greater lesson for the catechist to teach and pass on to children, and to anyone at any stage of their lives, than to pray.
“What I mean is that the catechist needs to demonstrate how to pray. There is a great difference between how to pray and what to pray,” he
said.
“Jesus is the Vine and we, the New People of God, are the branches that can be fruitful because we become close to him.
Becoming close to him, Bishop Sproxton continued, will mean we become more like him and be comfortable with him.
“When we draw close to Jesus, we come to know we are loved and become comfortable with God.
Then the fruit appears in us: Love for God and one another,” he said.
Prayer, Bishop Sproxton highlighted, is the means of us growing close to God.
Following the Mass, CEWA Catechist Service Team Leader, Dr Pina Ford, expressed her gratitude to the catechists for their inspiring commitment; she thanked all who value and support their work.
Dr Ford especially recognised the support of parish priests, and the generosity of the families of catechists.
The ceremony saw 73 new catechists commissioned, four receiving the Archbishop's Award, and 33 receiving a Papal Blessing for dedicating ten or more years to serving as catechists and fulfilling ongoing formation requirements. PHOTO: RON TAN / ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH.
GOVERNMENTS GIVE ‘TOO LITTLE’ CONSIDERATION TO CHILDREN WHEN MAKING DECISIONS: SURVEY
New research shows adults changing attitudes towards children.
In partnership with The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University and Curtin University, the Valuing Children Initiative conducted the ‘Exploring Australian Adults’ Attitudes Towards Children for a Better Future 2023’ survey which asked 1008 adults across Australia how they felt about children and young people, and compared results from the same survey conducted in 2016.
The report, which was launched Wednesday 25 October, made six recommendations including new mechanisms to amplify children’s voices, greater support for families to facilitate children’s development, school-based programs that empower children, better advocacy for children’s rights and further research that impact children’s lives.
Valuing Children Initiative founder and Centrecare Inc Director, Adj Professor Tony Pietropiccolo said interestingly adults’ attitudes about children reported in this research have changed to ‘fortunate’, ‘tech savvy’ and ‘honest’ with less ‘selfish’, ‘lazy’ or ‘spoilt’ than in the 2016 study.
“Adults also believe that governments give ‘too little’ consideration to children when making decisions while 75 per cent of adults agreed the best interests of children should be considered in all decision making,”
Adj Prof Pietropiccolo said.
“Mental health concerns ranked the highest issue children faced, followed by family, education, drug, and alcohol, while parents found financial pressure was their greatest concern when raising or caring for children,” he continued.
The research again highlighted that there is more to do for children and young people to address the epidemic of poor mental health.
“Adults are telling us that they want and need support in their families and that this is a community and societal issue that we all need to take responsibility for,” Adj Prof Pietropiccolo said.
“The VCI believes listening to children is not only their human right, but also gives children a sense of belonging and responsibility, which increases their wellbeing and agency in our community,” he said.
Adj Prof Pietropiccolo continued by saying that the VCI encourages to
the report in future policy decisions, to ask children their views by using a Child and Youth Impact Assessment Tool and to build a pathway to better understanding the needs of children.
“This ensures that we construct their world ‘with them’, not ‘to them’,” he said.
Six key recommendations of the report include
1. Amplifying Children’s Voices: Creating inclusive mechanisms such as Child and Youth Impact Assessment Tools to enable children to actively engage in decision-making, including shaping policies that systematically prioritise their interests across various sectors.
2. Supporting Parents and Families: Enhanced support for parents through programs and initiatives that offer parenting education, guidance, and resources to promote healthier family dynamics and facilitate children's development.
3. Increased Provision of Education Programs: Schools should introduce programs that empower children with skills to address modern challenges, including online safety, mental health awareness, and critical thinking.
4. Accessible Mental Health Support: Ensuring children have access to mental health support which is tailored to their individual needs. Including increasing youth mental health services both within educational settings and the broader community.
5. Increased Advocacy: Increasing advocacy to protect children’s rights and ensure that the issues affecting children, such as climate change, remain at the forefront of public discourse.
6. Future Research: Ongoing research is vital to understand evolving issues impacting children and shape adaptive policies. Future studies, extending beyond surveys, will involve in-depth interviews to explore different contexts and track evolving attitudes towards children over time.
Valuing Children Initiative founder and Centrecare Inc Director, Adj Professor Tony Pietropiccolo, far right, with staff at the launch of the ‘Exploring Australian Adults’ Attitudes Towards Children for a Better Future 2023’ survey, Wednesday 25 October. PHOTO: VCI.
UNDA VISITING SCHOLAR FINDS “ENLIGHTENING” INSIGHTS AT ARCHDIOCESAN ARCHIVES
The Archdiocesan Archives and Information Governance Office has recently been honored to have in their midst a distinguished visiting scholar, Professor Jurgen Overhoff, from the University of Münster.
Professor Overhoff was a visiting scholar at the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA), participating in a research initiative on the history of global and Australian Catholicism as he continues his research and interest in exploring the intriguing and enlightening concept of the Catholic Enlightenment.
This unique historical perspective encourages us to reflect on the Church's journey towards embracing aspects of modernity and its significance in the context of the 18th century (and throughout all modern eras).
Moreover, it underscores the importance of archives as a treasure trove of knowledge, preserving the rich history of the Catholic Church and its influence in Australia. Unlocking the Past: The Role of Archives
One of the most intriguing aspects of Professor Overhoff's research is
his emphasis on the importance of archives.
Archives, he asserts, are repositories of truth, where history and records are meticulously preserved in words and documents. They serve as windows into historical times, repositories of knowledge that unveil surprising observations.
During his visit to the Archives at the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, Professor Overhoff made a fascinating discovery.
He found remarkable parallels in the establishment of Catholic communities in Sydney and Perth, separated by 40 years of British colonisation.
These connections were unearthed through birth, baptism, and death certificates, showcasing how Enlightenment principles, including education and civilisation, left their mark on historical records. Inspiring Future Scholars to Explore Archives
Beyond his research, Professor Overhoff's mission is to inspire students to explore archives and delve into original sources.
He believes that while textbooks
are indispensable, archives offer unparalleled opportunities to uncover new insights continually.
His words, "It is okay to be happy with the books you have for your studies, but also go to archives where the original source is as it is so useful, and you will learn something new all the time," encourage students to embark on their journeys of discovery.
A Universal Enlightenment
Professor Overhoff closed his interview by sharing the concept of balance and tolerance as a fundamental element of the Enlightenment, transcending cultures, religions, and eras.
It calls for the respectful consideration of differing views and acknowledges the diversity of belief systems. This notion of enlightenment has timeless relevance, and it was popularised by Pope John XXIII, who used the Italian word "Aggiornamento," meaning "bringing up to date" or "updating," at the Second Vatican Council. His words reflect the Church's commitment to adapt, improve, and become more fervent, embodying both a venerable Catholic tradition AND the spirit of the Enlightenment movement.
Educational historian Prof. Dr. Jürgen Overhoff is a visiting UNDA scholar who has visited our Archdiocesan Archives for insights into Catholic Enlightenment in Australia. Image courtesy of University of Munster. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
NEW STUDENT HUB TO FORM THE HEART OF NOTRE DAME’S FREMANTLE CAMPUS
Work is underway to deliver the most significant and exciting student facilities upgrades in the history of The University of Notre Dame Australia. The refurbishment project will create a modern and vibrant Student Hub at the heart of our Fremantle campus.
The Student Hub project will see St Teresa’s Library, the Student Services Building, Craven Law Library, Bateman Courtyard and adjacent buildings transformed over the next 12 months into a contemporary and integrated new precinct, where students can come together to study, connect, collaborate, or simply relax between classes in greater comfort and safety.
Project highlights include:
• The full refurbishment of St Teresa’s Library to increase the amount of study space and offer improved seating configurations, access to power points, monitors, USB charging points and high speed 5G WI-FI network;
• Transforming Bateman Courtyard into a welcoming green space, with increased seating and shaded areas for year-round comfort;
• Rebuilding the Craven Law Library into a new Craven Law Centre, with a dedicated moot court facility, additional teaching and learning spaces and a dedicated HDR student study space;
• Adding secure swipe card access to a new 24-hour study hall, with kitchen facilities, parenting rooms
and seminar rooms;
• Creating more collaborative spaces and seminar rooms, with access to audio-visual equipment, as well as separate silent study areas with a mix of seating styles to align with different needs; and
• Providing a dedicated help-desk where students can access advice and support.
Notre Dame Vice Chancellor Professor Francis Campbell said the Student Hub would form the heart of the Fremantle campus, creating a space where students can enjoy being a part of a welcoming and engaged academic community.
The Student Hub project will see St Teresa’s Library, the Student Services Building, Craven Law Library, Bateman Courtyard and adjacent buildings transformed over the next 12 months into a contemporary and integrated new precinct, where students can come together to study, connect, collaborate, or simply relax between classes in greater comfort and safety. IMAGE: SUPPLIED.