PERTH CATHOLICS INVITED TO REFLECT ON QUALITY OF THEIR FIDELITY AT MASS FOR DECEASED PRIESTS AND CLERGY
By Jamie O'Brien
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe
SDB has called on Perth Catholics to reflect on the question of our own fidelity, in celebrating the Mass for Deceased Priests and Clergy.
Speaking Thursday 23 November at St Mary’s Cathedral, Archbishop Costelloe referenced the first reading from the Book of Maccabees.
“To our ears, sometimes it might sound a little bit extreme some of the things we read about what happened during this terrible time in the history of the Jewish people,” Archbishop Costelloe said, referring to the story of Mattathias and his sons.
“But I think we're being invited to reflect on the quality of fidelity and to ask ourselves - particularly as the liturgical year comes to a close, and
we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday 26 November, and then the following Sunday 3 December, we begin the season of Advent - to reflect on the question of our own fidelity as we in our own particular situations with the complexities of our own lives, try our best to live faithfully to all that God is asking of us,” he said.
Archbishop Costelloe was joined for the 12.10pm Mass by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, the Very Rev Fr Minh-Thuy Nguyen, Cathedral Dean, Rev Dr Sean Fernandez and several other fellow clergy from across the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Costelloe continued by emphasising that as we reflect particularly on those priests who in the last 12 months have died, but also on the long, long story of
bishops, priests and deacons in this Archdiocese, we're also invited to reflect on this quality of fidelity.
“And to give thanks to God for all of those bishops and priests and deacons, who, in spite of their own frailties, and struggles and difficulties, were able to be faithful, and faithful to the end,” he said.
Archbishop Costelloe then invited those present to ask themselves, ‘What is it that God is asking of me, in my situation, at this particular moment, in my journey of life?’ and
‘How can I be faithful to what God is asking of me?’
“Even when we sometimes confront the reality of our own infidelity, it's important for us to remember that though we may at times be unfaithful, God is always faithful,” Archbishop Costelloe reinforced.
Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe and Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG at the Mass for Deceased Priests and Clergy, Thursday 23 November at St Mary’s Cathedral. PHOTO: RON TAN/ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH..
CLERGY THANKED FOR MINISTRY, WISDOM AND CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT WITH CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has this month given thanks for priests and clergy who are no longer in full-time ministry at a special Mass. Bishop Sproxton was joined for the Mass, Thursday 16 November at the Pastoral Centre Chapel, Highgate, by concelebrants, Vicar General the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey and Geraldton Emeritus Bishop Justin Bianchini.
Also present for the Mass was Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, the Very Rev Fr Minh-Thuy Nguyen and Episcopal Vicar, Education and Faith Formation, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn, together with several priests who are no longer in fulltime ministry.
Speaking briefly about the life of retired Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Sproxton emphasised the opportunity for many retired clergy to continue to be engaged in the life of the people for whom they were ordained to
serve.
“This is a blessing for you to be able to do that for the years that you are able,” Bishop Sproxton said.
“We give thanks for the ways in which you have helped people across the Archdiocese in providing supply on weekends and on other occasions, which has been very, very important…” he said.
“That's one of the things that I'll be giving thanks for in this Mass today - because of your willingness and your generosity, to make yourselves available for that ministry, where you are able.
Bishop Sproxton continued by speaking to the clergy present about the ministry of Jesus, reflecting on the first reading from the Book of Wisdom and the Gospel from Luke.
“The presence of God among us is something that we trust, and we rely on and we reflect upon in our lives,” he noted.
“And in that reflection - of what has
happened to us each day, especially at the end of the day when we reflect upon the whole day and think of those things that come as a great blessing to us - we think of those things that have challenged us, because we realise that each day is an opportunity for renewal and growth.
Bishop Sproxton concluded by giving thanks for the presence of the Lord who helps us each day to keep growing.
“Growing in faith, growing in trust - and so we bring all of this to the Lord, in this Eucharist and we pray, especially for those who accompany us and help us in those various stages of our lives as priests.”
Bishop Sproxton paid special thanks to Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, the Very Rev Fr Minh Thuy Nguyen and his team for the work they are doing in supporting active and non-active priests and clergy in the Archdiocese.
Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, back row, centre, with retired priests and clergy who came together Thursday 16 November for a special Mass and luncheon at the Pastoral Centre Chapel, Highgate. PHOTO: JAMIE O'BRIEN.
2023 WANNEROO FIRES: ORANGE SMOKE AND FLAMES VISIBLE FROM BANKSIA GROVE CHURCH
A number of parishioners in the Wanneroo and Banksia Grove parishes were last week faced with evacuations following a huge bushfire that tore through the semi-rural area.
The firefighting efforts were hampered by unseasonably hot and windy weather, but the fire is now contained and controlled.
As many as 18 homes were lost in the blaze and more than 1,900 hectares (4,700 acres) of land including farms and residential buildings were destroyed.
The orange flames were clearly visible from Banksia Grove Parish, St John Paul II Church, which was only officially opened in January this year.
Banksia Grove Parish Priest Fr Vinh Dong said the blaze was at one stage between one and a half to two kilometres away from the Church.
“On the night when the fires were burning, I was ringing parishioners who were evacuated, and offered for them to come to the Church if they needed,” Fr Vinh explained.
“That Wednesday, during our regular Holy Hour from 6.30 to 7.30pm, I invited all those present to spend some quiet time with the Lord, asking him to be with us and all those affected,” he continued.
Fr Vinh said he personally knew of many parishioners who had to evacuate their homes and properties.
Wanneroo Parish St Anthony Church was also less than 2kms away from the blaze.
Wanneroo Parish Priest Fr Peter Porteous OSM said he does not believe fires have come this close to the Church previously.
“We’ve had parishioners within the Sinagra and Tapping area that
were evacuated, and I believe some experienced severe damage to their property, including the loss of sheds,” Fr Peter explained.
“We are very grateful to the Perth Catholic community for all the concern, and especially to the firefighters, voluntary or nonvoluntary. for all their efforts in doing their best to protect the community,” he said.
In a Facebook post of Saturday 25 November, City of Wanneroo Mayor, Linda Aitken took a ride in a DFES chopper to survey the fire zone, with the resulting aerial photos showing that fire truly is a force of nature.
“The blaze has left nothing behind but a scorched, blackened landscape.”
More to come.
The orange flames and smoke could be seen from Banksia Grove Church, Thursday 23 November. IMAGE: FR VINH DONG.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PALLIATIVE CARE IN THE MURDOCH COMMUNITY
St John of God Murdoch Community Hospice is proud to commemorate 25 years of commitment to providing compassionate end-of-life care.
Established in 1998, the Hospice has become an integral part of the community, addressing the diverse needs of patients and their families. It is the only freestanding purposebuilt hospice in Western Australia and in 2006 was seamlessly integrated into the Murdoch community, aligning its values with those of St John of God Health Care.
The 2021 completion of a $5 million upgrade underscores the Hospice’s dedication to providing exceptional facilities and high standards of care.
The interdisciplinary approach of the palliative care service brings together healthcare professionals and specially trained palliative experts to address the physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and cultural aspects of care for patients and their families.
The Murdoch Community Hospice cares for 520 patients on average each year, including public, private, DVA and self-funded patients, holding a strong relationship with the South Metropolitan Health Service.
St John of God Murdoch CEO Ben Irish says the Hospice has continued to evolve and expand to meet the needs of a growing community.
“Reaching this 25-year milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care, and the recent upgrade reflects our dedication to a positive patient experience,” he said.
“Since 2006, the Hospice’s integration with the Murdoch community has been transformative in the palliative care and end-of-life space, ensuring we meet the diverse needs of our patients.”
Murdoch’s Director of Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr Scott Lee,
highlights the broader impact of palliative care in our community.
“Palliative care is about holistic wellbeing, and we are proud to be a beacon of support for patients and their families in their challenging times,” he said.
“By caring for patients holistically, easing their distress, and addressing their psycho-social and spiritual needs, we instil hope not only in the patient but also in their families with the realisation that they can still enjoy life and discover meaningful reasons to embrace the time they have left.”
The Murdoch Community Hospice is also home to the Footprints Day Centre, which Nurse Unit Manager Jessica Wirrell says offers a range of complementary therapies to end-of-life patients, outpatients, and their families.
SJOG Murdoch Hospice Nurse Unit Manager Jessica Wirrell, Director of Nursing Sarah-Jayne Powell, Madam Mayor Katy Mair, St John of God Murdoch Hospital Chief Executive Officer Ben Irish, Clinical Lead Palliative Care WA Health Associate Professor Alison Parr, Director of Hospice and Palliative Care
Dr Scott Lee. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.