ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE 2023 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE:
IN COMING TO KNOW HIM, WE COME TO KNOW GOD
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
One of our popular Christmas Carols begins with these words: What child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap, is sleeping? Very quickly, the carol moves to an answer: This, this, is Christ the King, the babe, the son of Mary.
Each year, as Christmas comes around, we are invited to let this same question - what child is thisarise in our minds and our hearts, and to reflect on the answers which emerge.
The question is, hopefully, one which matters to us. It is certainly one which matters to the Lord Jesus. You will recall the time when Jesus asked this very question of His apostles: who do you say that I am?
When Simon Peter, the leader of the twelve apostles, responded to Jesus on their behalf, he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. It is an answer which
is not so very different from the one given in the Christmas Carol. And it is the same answer which has been, and continues to be, at the heart of the Christian faith. Jesus is God among us as one of us. In His humanity, He is accessible to us, just as we are accessible to each other. We can know Himand grow in our knowledge of Him - just as we come to know each other. And we can love Him - and grow in our love for Him - just as we can deepen our love for those closest to our hearts.
But Jesus occupies a unique place in human history, for His humanity both conceals and reveals His divinity, if only we look and listen with the eyes and ears of faith. In coming to know Him, we come to know God. Jesus said so Himself. “To have seen me,” He once said to one of His apostles, “is to have seen the Father”. When, especially in the pages of the gospels, we hear Him speak we are hearing the words
and voice of God. When we see Him bringing hope and healing to people, we are witnesses to the compassion of God in action. In every encounter He has with people, we are being given an insight into who God really is, and what it is that God seeks to do and be in our lives.
This is why Jesus can proclaim Himself to be the Way, and the Truth, and the Life: not just one of many ways - but God’s way; not just one truth competing with others - but God’s truth; not just one option for life - but Life itself, the divine life, offered to us as a gift. Our Judaea-Christian tradition rests on a profound belief: that we are made in the image and likeness of God. This truth reaches its highest expression in Jesus Christ who is, quite literally, the perfect living, human image and likeness of God. In Him we see who and what we are created and called to be - and in him we find a companion on our life’s journey who can, if we let Him, enable us to be who and what we are called to be.
This Christmas, like every Christmas, we are invited to hear once again God’s call to us, made real and concrete in Jesus, to come to Him when we are weary and overburdened and find our rest in Him; to remain among those people who once walked in darkness but who now walk in the light; to allow ourselves to hear deep within us the echo of His voice telling us not to be afraid for He is with us. What child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap, is sleeping?
This Christmas, like every Christmas, we are invited to hear once again God’s call to us, made real and concrete in Jesus, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has said. PHOTO: SOURCED.
ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE ISSUES PASTORAL LETTER CONCERNING TRIDENTINE MASS
PERTH Archbishop Timothy
Costelloe SDB has this week published a Pastoral Letter concerning Pope Francis’ motu proprio, Traditionis Custodis.
The Pastoral Letter, published Monday 4 November, refers to recent changes in the universal law of the Church in relation to the celebration of what is often referred to as the Tridentine Mass or the traditional Latin Mass. The availability of the Traditional Latin Mass, explains Archbishop Costelloe, quite severely restricted in the years following the Second Vatican Council, was permitted on a much wider basis by Pope Benedict XVI, following his motu proprio issued 7 July 2007, titled Summorum Pontificum.
However, 16 July 2021, Pope Francis issued a new motu proprio, Traditionis Custodis, on in which he promulgated new laws for the Church in relation to the
celebration of the Mass according to this rite.
A motu propio refers to a document issued by the Pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him.
In the case of Traditionis Custodis, Pope Francis has emphasised that the regulation of the liturgical celebrations of the diocese ultimately belongs to the diocesan bishop.
The motu proprio rules that the diocesan bishop is the one that shall determine that Traditional Latin Mass group do not deny the validity and the legitimacy of the liturgical reform, dictated by Vatican Council II and the Magisterium of the Pope. Furthermore, the diocesan bishop is to designate one or more locations where the Tridentine lay faithful may gather for the eucharistic celebration – but not in Cathedrals or parish churches.
Diocesan bishops should also establish designated locations for the Tridentine Mass, with readings to be proclaimed in the vernacular language, using approved translations by the respective Episcopal Conferences. Traditionis Custodis also decides that the Bishop should entrust appoint a priest with the pastoral care of these groups of the faithful – someone who is skilled in the use of the Roman Missal 1962 and possess a knowledge of the Latin language sufficient for a thorough comprehension of the rubrics and liturgical texts, be animated by a lively pastoral charity and by a sense of ecclesial communion. This priest should have at heart not only the correct celebration of the liturgy, but also the pastoral and spiritual care of the faithful.
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has this week published a Pastoral Letter concerning Pope Francis’ motu proprio, Traditionis Custodis. Photo: PHOTO: MATT BIOCICH/CEWA.
NEW ALBUM FOR BENEDICTINE PIANIST FR ROBERT NIXON OSB
A compilation of original pianobased music is the foundation of New Norcia based Benedictine priest Fr Robert Nixon OSB’s new album.
Fr Robert’s musical work is wellknown to many people through his role as organist at New Norcia, and his regular musical soirees.
The album, entitled Celestial Void, is a compilation and released by US label, Moon Coil Media.
The new album has already attracted favorable attention from reviewers, both in Australia and internationally.
Fr Robert, who hails from Mt Isa, Queensland was ordained in January 2018 by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB. He studied music and education prior to entering the monastery, later working as a professional musician and music teacher for a number of years.
Celestial Void, is available through the New Norcia giftshop: https://
shop.newnorcia.com.au/products/ celestial-void-fr-robert-nixon-cd.
Or listen to the new album here https://mooncoilmedia.com/ product/father-robert-nixonosb-celestial-void-cd/
2023 SALVADO PILGRIMAGE
The annual St Joseph’s Camino Salvado Pilgrimage from Subiaco to New Norcia is now taking bookings for 2024.
The pilgrimage is next year being offered on two occasions, including from Sunday 25 August to Sunday 1 September and then again from Sunday 8 to 15 September.
The Camino Salvado is a pilgrimage conducted under the auspices of St Joseph’s Parish Subiaco, following the tradition of the famous Spanish Camino de Santiago from Subiaco to the unique monastery town of New Norcia.
Co-ordinator Graeme Wishart explained that pilgrims walk in the spirit of Dom Rosendo Salvado, a pioneering monk from Santiago in Spain who established the monastery in New Norcia.
“We follow his inspirational journey of 1846 to connect with country and community,”
Mr Wishart continued.
“The pilgrimage is an opportunity to travel lightly, to walk free of the daily routines, to meet people, to make friends, to enjoy and celebrate God’s creation,” he said.
The pilgrimage attracts a variety of people, Christians and non-Christians of all ages. For more information and registration, visit www.caminosalvado.com or contact 0418 742 701.
The orange flames and smoke could be seen from Banksia Grove Church, Thursday 23 November. IMAGE: FR VINH DONG.
SR KERRY WILLISON RSM COMMENDED FOR CREATIVITY AND FIDELITY
MORE than 30 years as Director of the Centre for Liturgy for the Archdiocese of Perth have last week come to a close for Sr Kerry Willison rsm.
The Mercy Sister was recently farewelled at a gathering, Thursday 23 November, hosted by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, together with colleagues, family and friends from the Archdiocese and across Australia.
Speaking at the farewell gathering, Archbishop Costelloe commended Sr Kerry for her creativity and fidelity.
“I am sure, many of us, in years to come will continue to marvel at the beautiful ways Sr Kerry has brought the liturgy to life but also in relation to the liturgical culture and spirituality of the Archdiocese,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“The work of Sr Kerry, and undoubtedly her team, has overflowed across the Archdiocese
and certainly the whole country,” he said.
Archbishop Costelloe continued by saying the Archdiocese owes Sr Kerry a debt of gratitude, particularly in relation to her work with the restoration of St Mary’s Cathedral, the final Mass of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in 2019 and the Plenary Council Opening Mass in 2021.
“This has been an extraordinary contribution and for that Sr Kerry can be very proud, and we are very grateful,” Archbishop Costelloe said. Speaking exclusively to The Record, Sr Kerry – who has been in the role since 1992, said has always been inspired by how the Catholic Mass and sacraments can change a person’s life bring them closer to God.
“It is about connecting people with the sacred, offering them opportunities to bring their pain,
anxiety and difficulties into a sacred place, and feel some sense of peace or release.”
For Sr Kerry, being Director of Liturgy at the Archdiocese of Perth is, in many ways, about connecting people with the divine.
“Liturgy, to me, is prayer,” Sr Kerry said.
Sr Kerry came to the liturgy role after years of teaching Religious Education in Perth schools, including St Gerard’s Catholic Primary School in Mirrabooka and St Mary’s in Leederville.
Before that, she had joined the Sisters of Mercy after finishing high school – a decision shaped by her encounters with the Order during her childhood, and the Sisters’ kindness to her and her family.
“I was taught by the Sisters of Mercy."
Sr Kerry, centre, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, far right and Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey, third from left.
PHOTO: JAMIE OBRIEN.