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Archdiocese making strides to communicate PAGE 10
Ordinary people called to extraordinary things PAGE 14
In our comtemporary lives PAGE 21
Official magazine for the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth
Centre for Faith Enrichment
COURSES & EVENTS
TERM FOUR 2019
DAYTIME COURSES
EVENTS
Tuesdays, 5 – 26 November ∞ 10:00am – 12:30pm
Tuesday, 15 October ∞ 10:00am – 12:00pm (Room S1.01)
Matthew’s Genealogy: One Introductory Story of Jesus
Cost: $35, 4 sessions With: Sr Clare Sciesinski PBVM Location: Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview (Clune Lecture Theatre)
Over four weeks, we will explore why Matthew thinks that Jesus’ birth/origin/genesis needs to be seen through the lens of a genealogy. We will see how a list of names helps us to understand who Jesus is, where he comes from, and what his purpose is. We will unpack Matthew’s story in the genealogy in the light of God’s saving presence in humanity’s history through the prophets, the kings and other very unexpected and often what we might classify as unacceptable, people. CEWA Ongoing Renewal: this course has been approved for Knowledge
Mondays, 28 October – 2 December ∞ 10:00am – 12:30pm
The Good Life: An Introduction to Moral Theology
Cost: $45, 6 sessions With: Joe Tedesco Location: Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview (Clune Lecture Theatre)
God wants us to lead a life that is good. But why would this be so? What does a good life even look life? Is it simply following the rules? What happens if I can’t follow all the rules? Is there a difference between good for the religious person and those who are not religious or are not sure about their faith? These are some of the questions that moral theology deals with and that we will explore in this course. What better way to prepare for Advent! CEWA Ongoing Renewal: this course has been approved for Knowledge
EVENING COURSES Tuesdays, 19 November – 3 December ∞ 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Advent 2019: Christ and the Future of our Life Advent time comes to question our expectations for the future of our life. Are we Cost: 3 sessions, afraid of what our existence will face? Is Jesus Christ the person we are waiting suggested donation $15 for? Join us as we explore how the teachings of the Church help us to see the With: Mr Paolo Sala great things that God has prepared for us. Location: Kelmscott Parish CEWA Ongoing Renewal: this course has been approved for Knowledge
(42 Streich Avenue, Kelmscott)
Thursdays, 14 November - 5 December ∞ 7:00pm – 9.00pm
Advent 2019 – Making our hearts, homes and community ready for Christ
Cost: 4 sessions, suggested donation $20 With: Mr Derek Boylen Location: Ellenbrook Parish(cnr. Coolamon Drive and Strathmore Parkway, Ellenbrook)
Advent calls us to remember that the truth of the Incarnation was so profound that the early Church fell to her knees at these words: “and He was incarnate by the Holy Spirit, from the virgin Mary, and became man.” In the ordinary form of the Roman Rite, each week, we bow to these same words. These gestures acknowledge the profound mystery of the truth of the Incarnation. How does the infinite enter the finite? How does He, whom the very heavens cannot contain, enter the womb of Mary? These talks call us to embrace Advent as a special time for preparing our hearts, homes and communities to receive Christ. CEWA Ongoing Renewal: this course has been approved for Knowledge
Wednesday, 16 October ∞ 1:30pm – 3:30pm (Room S2.01) Thursday 17 October ∞ 5:30pm – 7:30pm (Room S1.01)
Plenary Council 2020 Listening and Discernment Sessions The second stage of the Plenary Council process invites us to continue to listen to what the Spirit is saying as we move from listening and dialogue into listening and discernment. Along with parishes in the Archdiocese of Perth, the Centre for Faith Enrichment will be hosting listening and discernment sessions as we discern how God is calling us to be a Christ centred Church that is: Missionary and evangelising; Inclusive, participatory and synodal; Prayerful and Eucharistic; Humble, healing and merciful; A joyful, hope-filled and servant community; Open to conversion renewal and reform. Join us on one or all the dates listed! CEWA Ongoing Renewal: this course has been approved for Knowledge Location: Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview (Clune Lecture Theatre)
ONLINE COURSE Thursdays, 5 - 19 December ∞ 7:30pm - 8:30pm
The Birth of Jesus and Christmas This user-friendly online course looks at the origins and ‘developments’ of celebrating Christmas throughout the world while always returning to ‘reason for the season’ – the birth of Jesus. CEWA Ongoing Renewal: this course has been approved for Knowledge Cost: $15 (3 sessions) With: Rev. Dr Charles Waddell
Visit www.cfe.org.au/courses-and-events for more information. For enquiries, contact us at cfe@perthcatholic.org.au.
F E AT U R E D T H I S M O N T H
6 Effective communications Is transformative
8
18 Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux Coming to Perth in 2020
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me! Let anyone who believes in me come and drink.”
FROM THE EDITOR
— John 7:38
Jamie O’Brien
12 Communication & Evangelisation A mission of love and hope
In this Issue 21 of The Record Magazine, we take a look at the topic of Effective Communication. With the recent release of the Australian Catholic Bishops 2019 Social Justice
27
Statement, Making it Real, Genuine Human Encounter in our Digital World, the topic is ever more relevant for our Church today. In his 2014 message for World Communications
Recipe
Day, Pope Francis challenged the Church to be “attentive
Halloumi couscous salad & Classic nicoise salad
to what is happening around us and spiritually alert”. He echoes Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who said that “effective Christian witness is not about bombarding people with religious messages, but about our willingness to be available to others ‘by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search
FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE
for the truth and the meaning of human existence’”. This has
From Bishop Don Sproxton
been an important message in the work of our Archdiocesan communications, because it moves us to work towards ensuring positive growth in spreading the Gospel message further and wider. We pray that we will all continue to
4
IN THIS EDITION Perth Archdiocese Communications Saints and Communications
work towards using effective means of communicating and
ACSRF
engaging with each other, while also finding new and positive
Communication & the Family
ways to increase our pastoral attentiveness to those in need.
Effects of the Digital Stampede
The Record Magazine is a magazine for the people and I hope
2019 Social Justice Statement
you will enjoy taking the time to engage with us. Please feel
Colouring Page
free to share your thoughts via editor@therecord.com.au.
Activity Page
10 14 16 18 20 24 28 29
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 3
THE BENEFIT OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
BISHOP ’S WORD
M
y secondment to the 1990 Year of Mission
reasoning of the positions that the Church takes.
Committee proved to be a wonderful
This magazine, The Record, and its weekly electronic
opportunity to understand how to go about
version, prolongs a media tradition of over a century in
pastoral planning.
Western Australia. The new style has received high praise
Archbishop Foley asked me to join the team so that the
and readers appreciate the thematic approach of each
perspective of a parish priest could help in the
issue of The Record Magazine.
engagement with parish priests and the parishes.
The new platforms for sharing stories via social media
The major event of the Year of Mission was the
offer us more effective means of communicating our
Archdiocesan Assembly where parishes sent
message. They provide the opportunity for dialogue that
representatives who met in small groupings and in plenary
can help shape the way we communicate with the young
sessions. The major projects that emerged from the
and anyone who is searching in life.
assembly were parish renewal, planning for the future
Effective communication is also developing within the
development of the Archdiocese and communications.
offices of the Archbishop and between the agencies of the
It has been quite interesting to see that these projects
Archdiocese. Networking enables regular flows of
have been discerned as still relevant in the Archdiocesan
information, and enables agencies and bodies the chance
Plan 2016-2021.
to access and benefit from programs and professional
We prepared for the Archdiocesan Plan through a
development that one or other agency may sponsor.
consultation phase in 2015. This enabled us to recognise
The rapid developments in the new media have been
the great strides that had already been taken in
embraced by our communications staff and choices are
communications since 1990, but it raised our awareness of
being made on which of these suit our message and ethos.
the burgeoning developments in new technologies and the
Our staff are also able to access demonstrations, training
potential these offer to the Archdiocese.
and problem solving and with support from the IT staff of
One of the great challenges for the Church today is how
the Archdiocese.
can we communicate effectively the message of the
It is certain that the work of improving communications
Gospel and our story to the people within and outside the
will continue to be part of the pastoral planning in the
Archdiocese. We cannot rely just on traditional media. The
Archdiocese when the present Plan is completed in 2021
stories that we are able to tell require the space for the
and the new Plan emerges in 2022.
+ Bishop Donald Sproxton AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PERTH
5
THE MOST EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS IS TRANSFORMATIVE The motto the Vatican chose for the Social Communications Day in 2017 really said it all: ’The truth will set you free.’ WO R D S Desmond O’Grady
E
ffective communications are essential for both democracy and the Church, because both require shared understanding of reality.
Years ago, I wrote an article saying that some priests had profited from a
Some claim that the prevalence of distorted communications
racket involved in the arrival of many
before the Brexit vote determined the result.
religious sisters from India to study
The Church’s unity is linked to a shared reading of salvation
in Rome or fill nearly empty Italian
history.
convents. Unfortunately, some of the
What constitutes effective communications may seem
Indians ended up badly in Italy.
obvious – send a clear message to those interested. But at a
Archbishop Mario Brini, Secretary
closer look, it is not so simple: for instance, it is one thing to
of the relevant Vatican office, hotly
convey facts and another to convey viewpoints which seek
contested the story both to me and
to convince.
publicly, saying I had inadequate
Facts can be verified, viewpoints involve interpretations and
evidence. Then I managed to find a
feelings which are more complicated matters.
religious sister who told me by phone
The most effective communications of all are transformative
that two religious sister witnesses had
– it changes the recipient’s life. St Paul benefitted from such
left to take a flight back to India. I
communication somewhere short of Damascus.
jumped into my small Fiat 600 which
I believe that writers should at least attempt to convey truth.
was the first ever to pass Ferraris and Lamborghinis on the
One of my heroes is George Bernanos, the French Catholic
road to the airport. Their habits enabled me to identify
novelist and monarchist who went to the Spanish civil war
them, and they went on to give me clinching evidence.
where the anarchist killed hundreds of clergy and religious
My luck held because an American, Father Edward Heston,
sisters. As expected, he denounced these atrocities but
had just been put in charge of the Vatican Press Office and
then, unexpectedly, also those of the forces of General
confirmed my story. It was said it was the first time that the
Franco, Bernanos was for those who suffered not for either
Vatican had to acknowledge the truth of a critical article.
‘side’ in the civil war.
Effective communication is also not just confined to words.
For journalists, truth often means simply accuracy which is a
“Always preach the Gospel, sometimes using words” is
kind of workaday truth.
attributed to St Francis of Assisi.
Even that often requires tenacity and luck.
Gestures can be eloquent and the Church has often resorted
6
THE RECORD MAGAZINE
to them as when Catholic processions in Communist Poland enabled a statement to be made despite restrictions on free speech. Or when Pope Francis launched a wreath of flowers off the tiny Italian island Lampedusa into the sea where many refugees had drowned. But words remain important. Words which are ambiguous, or just plain boring, can dim any message. And we have constant reminders that words can be venomous. It is sobering that lies can be communicated as effectively as truth. In our ‘post-truth’ era, some consciously
“
Always preach the Gospel, sometimes using words.
Pope Francis greets Msgr Dario Vigano, Director of the Vatican Secretariat for Communications, during a meeting with members of the Secretariat at the Vatican May 4. Addressing the group responsible for reforming Vatican Communications, the Holy Father said that courageous teamwork
manipulate lies, often using a modicum of truth to make the lies more plausible. This is a crucial issue. Ever since the Garden of Eden, there has been fake news,
is needed to best respond to new challenges. Photo: CNS/L'Osservatore Romano. ● Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, looks on as Pope Francis talks to journalists in 2015 aboard his flight from Rome to Nairobi, Kenya. The retired papal spokesman says Pope Francis' communications style differs
but social media has given it a new toxicity. Social media
from Pope Benedict's but both papacies reflect continuity based on pontiffs'
enables new voices to be heard, but also increases the
understanding of the church. ● Photo: CNS/Paul Haring. St Francis of Assisi. Source: Adobe. ● George Bernanos Source: Prabook.
volume and velocity of fake news which can trigger a veritable tsunami of hatred.
network, adding that the Church itself is a network based on
The Vatican, no slouch in social media itself (Pope Francis
the Eucharist and truth rather than on ‘likes.’
has 52 million Twitter followers), warned in its 2019 Social
It is a good diagnosis but leaves it to us to find how to
Communications Message that fully human networks are
use the internet more responsibly. It foreshadows an
needed rather than superficial networks. It is an invitation to
internet ascetics.
go beyond virtual contacts to contacts with people in
Many social media messages effectively communicate hate
the flesh.
together with over-simple response to complex issues. The
The message acknowledges that the internet can be a great
Gospel Good News is the final antidote to fake news. But it
resource but also warns against social media’s tendency to
could help to reduce, or break out altogether, from the use
foster fighting tribes which increase polarisation, ruining
of internet and slavish following of the 24/7 news cycle. Try
community. It turns to that ardent communicator St Paul
something else occasionally, including reading some history
who recommended speaking truth, not falsehoods, ‘because
for a perspective on the present era which is too present.
we are members one of the other.’
Desmond O’Grady is an Australian journalist and author
It wants the web, a word which suggests a trap, to become a
who resides in Rome.
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 7
SPECIAL REPORT
RELICS OF ST THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX COMING TO PERTH IN 2020 The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux which will visit Perth in 2020. The relics of St Thérèse, together with her parents Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, will embark on a four month pilgrimage across Australia, from February through to May. Photo: CNS
The relics of the French saint will be accompanied by the relics of her parents Sts Louis and Zélie Martin.
P
erth will next year be host to one of the most popular saints of modern times. The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, together with her parents
Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, will embark on a four-month pilgrimage across Australia, from February through to May. The relics last came to Australia in 2002 where they were met with an outpouring of adoration among the faithful. The family’s relics will also travel to Queensland, New South Wales and ACT, Victoria and Tasmania and in Perth will be hosted at Morley Parish (25 to 27 April) Nedlands Parish (27 to 30 April) Willetton Parish (4 May to 6 May), Gosnells Parish (6 & 7 May), Fremantle Parish (7 & 8 May) and St Mary’s Cathedral (8 May to 10 May). The pilgrimage was officially announced Tuesday 1 October by Catholic Mission, who are partnering with funeral directors InvoCare to bring the relics to 17 Australian dioceses in both metropolitan and rural areas.
NEWS
The announcement coincided not only with the feast day of St Thérèse of Lisieux, but also the beginning of the global celebration of the Extraordinary Missionary Month. St Thérèse, known as the Little Flower of Jesus, is the patron saint of mission. National Director of Catholic Mission, Father Brian Lucas, said as the Pope’s own mission agency, Catholic Mission is very pleased to be able to partner with InvoCare, who will undertake the secure transport and housing of the relics, to bring this opportunity to Australia. The devotion to relics among many Catholics is complex, but Father Lucas likens it to a secular example. “People might go to a charity fundraiser and bid
Blesseds Louis Martin and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, parents of St Therese of Lisieux. Relics
for a footy jersey signed by the team; something
of the French saints will next year tour Australia. CNS/courtesy of Sanctuary of Lisieux
tangible and practical that serves as a reminder of the people or the event,’ he said. “That’s what the relics of the saints are intended to do, to remind us and give us the opportunity to enter into the life of those saints and what they can teach us.” St Thérèse was born in 1873 and felt an early call to religious life. She entered the Carmelite order at age 15 after experiencing what she called her “complete conversion”.
“
Her struggle with weakness but her fierce determination to be loyal and faithful to God’s will is the legacy that everyone can participate in.”
“I think the connection between the relics of St Thérèse and [those] of her parents gives us an opportunity to consider the importance of relationships and family life.” While it is difficult to predict whether the February arrival of the relics will attract a similar response as in 2002, Father Lucas believes the pilgrimage will be a powerful moment of connection between Australians and an immensely popular and beloved saint. “I think the great legacy of St Thérèse of Lisieux is the example she gave through her writings of her connectedness to God,” he said. “Her struggle with weakness but her fierce determination to be loyal and faithful to God’s will is the legacy that everyone can participate in.” Father Lucas says the realisation of the simplicity of her message will give people a firm foundation for their own spiritual journey. “The pilgrimage of the relics in 2020 will be an
Her simple way of living, spiritual writings and
opportunity for Australians to come together, to
commitment to small acts of charity and love
have that sense of belonging, and to find
made her an immensely popular figure, and her
inspiration in the life of St Thérèse and her
canonisation in St Peter’s Basilica in 1925, just 28
parents.
years after her death, was attended by more than
“Ahead of the Plenary Council 2020, it affords us
60,000 people.
a chance for prayerful reflection and to feel a
Her parents, Louis and Zélie, became the first
closeness to God in the way St Thérèse did.”
spouses to be canonised as a couple in 2015.
For more information about the pilgrimage of St Thérèse of Lisieux and Sts Louis and Zélie Martin, visit catholicmission.org.au/relics
Father Lucas says the togetherness of the family is an important feature of next year’s pilgrimage.
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 9
PERTH ARCHDIOCESE MAKES STRIDES T O C O M M U N I C AT E E F F E C T I V E LY WO R D S Matthew Lau
The Archdiocese of Perth’s means of communicating to its faithful has vastly evolved over the past seven years from a weekly newspaper to a now multi-media platform.
I
n this current internet-driven
to The Record) was a mainstay of the
climate, digital effective
Archdiocese for 140 years.
communications is key to any
Thus came The eRecord in October
successful organisation. For our local
2014.
archdiocese, action began in 2012
Analysis from 2015 to 2017 indicates
with a review of The Record Newspaper.
there have been some 2000 articles
Progress was made in 2014 with the
published during that period, which
development of the Archdiocese of
included a variety of local, national,
Father Matthew Gibey was the first editor
Perth Communications Office.
international, movie and book reviews.
of The Record. Photo: Archdiocese of Perth
Communications Manager Jamie
Since then, readership has grown at
O’Brien said the advancement
The release of the Archdiocesan
an expediential rate by more than 200
required a complete overhaul of
Plan 2016-2021 presented the
per cent.
communications assets, starting with
implementation of a new Effective
Events within the Archdiocese are
Communications strategy to elevate
an analysis of reader demographics.
distributed via email as a weekly
communications to the next level.
“It was determined based on a ‘change
newsletter; this is still being assessed
The plan saw the birth of The Record
in readership’ and a need to address
and has recently been expanded to be
Magazine, as Mr O’Brien details: “the
the digital age,” he said.
promoted through Facebook.
142-year tradition started to grow
“That meant that there needed to
“With that, we have had to ensure
even more”.
be a whole new strategy as to what
checks and balances are in place to
By October 2019, there had been
that meant, how to communicate to
maintain appropriate credibility, in
21 bi-monthly editions printed,
different groups [clergy, religious, laity,
addition to the necessary safeguarding
covering themes of the Year of Mercy,
non-Catholic], while looking at how
standards,” Mr O’Brien explained.
Education, Health, Women, Social
to engage with social media and also
“This new method of promoting events
Outreach, Adult Faith, and Youth to
understanding timelines, such as when
has resulted in better coverage of
name a few.
people read news.”
events via The eRecord, not just for
The Archdiocese’s social media has
Initiated in 1874 by then-Bishop
agencies and organisations of the
flourished during this evolution,
Martin Griver, The W.A. Catholic
Archdiocese, but for all faith and social
embracing Facebook and
Record newspaper (later shortened
service groups.”
Instagram notably.
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THE RECORD MAGAZINE
By the beginning of 2017, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe’s Facebook page was created. The Archbishop of Perth has regularly delivered Christmas and Easter messages, as well as other content on various messages where necessary. “The development of videos by that time had started to grow, our audience were really starting to demand regular video content that was engaging and attentive to the situation at the time,” Mr O’Brien added. “It is vital to ensure we capture the essence of significant events in a video sense, and not just in The Archdiocese of Perth Communications Office team, from left: Amanda Murthy, Feby Plando, Matthew Lau, Bibiana Kwaramba, Joshua Low, Jamie O’Brien, and Theresia Titus. Photo: The Record
words and images.” Social media readership between all the Archdiocese’s channels has reached about 50,000 unique hits annually.
The Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG is the Vicar for Effective Communication
Photo: The Record
“
... to ensure checks
and balances are in place to maintain appropriate credibility, in addition to the necessary safeguarding standards.” “Social media has also served as an avenue for people to provide their feedback on topics, replacing the ageold method of letters to the editor,” he said. In 2018, readers of all ages and backgrounds were encouraged to relay their thoughts on The eRecord and The Record magazine by submitting a survey to the Communications Office. A Communications Advisory Group, chaired by the Very Rev Father Peter Whitely VG, has supported the Communications Office. All content has been vetted by Fr Whitely prior to distribution, with the additional support of a new print/broadcast editorial guidelines, and a new styleguide is hoped to be finalised by the end of 2019. “I am constantly in awe of our Archdiocesan Communication Office staff’s ability to keep up with and use the expanding means of communication to pass on the Good News of Jesus to the people of our Archdiocese and beyond,” Fr Whitely said.
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 11
EVANGELION: A MISSION OF LOVE AND HOPE WO R D S Eric Martin
In an audience with participants of a meeting for the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, themed Knowing God: Is it possible? Ways for a New Evangelization, Pope Francis says that to proclaim
“G
od is not the answer to an intellectual curiosity or to a commitment of the will, but an experience of love, called to become a story of love. Because - it is true first of
all for us – once we have met the living God, we must look for Him again. The mystery of God is never exhausted, it is as immense as His love,” Pope Francis emphasised. The Second Vatican Council sought to renew the Church’s life and activity in light of the needs of the contemporary world and
God is to witness to the joy of
emphasised the Church’s “missionary nature,” recognising that the
knowing Him, it is to help live the
Christian mission is one of evangelisation: to proclaim the Gospel of
beauty of encountering Him.
Jesus Christ is a sacred calling for each and every Christian. Indeed, the very word “Gospel” translates as “evangelion” in the original Greek version of the New Testament: Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to proclaim the Gospel, calling all people to conversion and faith: “Go out into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16,15), “that they may all be one...so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21). However, even though the call to take up ‘the great commission’ is clear, St John Paul II, in his 1990 encyclical Redemptoris Missio: On the permanent validity of the Church’s missionary mandate, writes that there is “a growing confusion” about the Church’s missionary role in sharing the Good News. “Some think “that any attempt to convince others on religious matters is a limitation of their freedom,” suggesting that it is enough to invite people “to act according to their consciences”, or to “become more human or more faithful to their own religion”, or “to build communities which strive for justice, freedom, peace and solidarity”, without aiming at their conversion to Christ and to the Catholic faith,” he states. The temptation, St John Paul II wrote, is to reduce Christianity to a form of human wisdom, a pseudo-science of well-being that causes
L E F T
T O
R I G H T
Dominican Sister Margaret
Scharf OP is currently the Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Perth. Photo: Archives
• “Go out into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16,15). Photo: Eric Martin • Evangelisation in Australia was historically associated with Missions in Central Australia, and though times
people to strive for the good of all people, but only in the humanistic sense, treating us as creatures made of flesh and blood without recognising the spiritual reality that underlies our true, eternal nature. In a recent homily delivered in Rome for the Australian Bishops 2019 Ad Liminia Apolostorum, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB highlighted the need for the message of evangelisation to be
and practices have changed, ‘bush preaching’ is
partnered with the sacramental responsibility of faithfulness and
still considered a life changing experience for those
obedience to God.
privileged to share their faith. Photo: Archives
“To say that we are called to return Christ to His Church and to return the Church to Christ is really to invite us, to paraphrase some words of Saint Augustine, to become in practice what we are in Sacrament and in theology: the living body of Christ, the living Sacrament of His
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THE RECORD MAGAZINE
healing, renewing and saving presence in the world,”
this end he gives them the Spirit.
Archbishop Costelloe said.
Dominican Sister Margaret Scharf OP is currently
As St John Paul II writes in Redemtoris Missio, “Our own
the Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation for the
times offer the Church new opportunities in this field with the collapse of oppressive ideologies and political
Archdiocese of Perth, a regular presenter for the Centre for Faith Enrichment and adjunct lecturer for
systems (such as the fall of Communism and the Berlin
the Catholic Institute of WA.
Wall in the 1980s); the opening of frontiers and the
“There are two themes to be identified in the process
formation of a more united world due to an increase
of evangelisation: the call the proclaim, with joy, the
in communications; the affirmation among peoples of
good news of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and
the gospel values which Jesus made incarnate in his
the call to be the Good News of the Gospel,” Sister
own life (peace, justice, brotherhood, concern for the
Margaret said.
needy); and a kind of soulless economic and technical
“Deepening our faith is a lifelong process, challenging
development which only stimulates the search for
us to take responsibility for caring for our spiritual
the truth about God, about ourselves and about the
life as we would our physical, mental and emotional
meaning of life itself.”
aspects of life.
“Our own time, with humanity on the move and in
“Under the Archdiocesan Plan 2016-2021, launched
continual search, demands a resurgence of the Church’s
by Archbishop Costelloe, there are new projects
missionary activity. The horizons and possibilities for
underway to support the whole person so that we can
mission are growing ever wider, and we Christians are
be the face of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, in our
called to an apostolic courage based upon trust in the
local communities, now and into the future.
Spirit. He is the principal agent of mission!” wrote St
Sister Margaret explained that one ministry in focus
John Paul II.
is the Centre for Faith Enrichment, directed by Dr
When the risen Christ met with his apostles, he
Marco Ceccarelli, which provides daytime programs
concluded with the ‘missionary mandate’: “All authority
at Newman Siena Centre in Doubleview and evening
in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go
programs in host parishes.
therefore and make disciples of all nations... and lo, I am
These programs provide the ideal stimulus for
with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:18-20;
learning and conversations in an adult faith formation
cf. Mk 16:15-18; Lk 24:46-49; Jn 20:21-23).
environment, fulfilling that desire for “the more,” or, as
This is a sending forth in the Spirit, as is clearly
Pope Francis wrote: “Once we have met the living God,
apparent in the Gospel of John: Christ sends his own
we must look for Him again. The mystery of God is
into the world, just as the Father has sent him, and to
never exhausted’ it is as immense as His love.”
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 13
S A I N T S A N D C O M M U N I C AT I O N S
Ordinary people called to do extraordinary things WO R D S Amanda Murthy
S
aints are somewhat the super heroes of the Catholic Church, lending their names to mark buildings like schools or hospitals, aiding with intercessions and
even performing miracles for the faithful. Pope Francis in his 2013 message on the occasion of the Feast of All Saints stressed that Saints are not ‘born perfect’ but rather are ordinary people who followed God “with all their heart.” “They are like us, they are like each of us, they are people who before reaching the glory of heaven lived a normal life, with
ST I SA D O R E O F S E V I LLE F E A S T D A Y 4 April P A T R O N S A I N T O F The Internet
A man with big ambition, St Isadore was regarded as the last scholar of the ancient world by 19th century historian Montalembert. Word is that he tried to record everything ever known, producing a 20 book opus Etymologies, also known as the Origins, and for thousands of years. St Isadore’s would be known as the encyclopedia of all human knowledge. Pope John Paul II declared him a Saint, and his sainthood did not go through the standard traditional canonisation process.
ST M A X I M I LI A N KO LB E
studied Buddhism and Shintoism with the intention to learn the
F E A S T D A Y 14 August
culture and better understand the people of that nation. With
P A T R O N S A I N T O F Amateur-radio operators, of
this newfound knowledge, St Maximilian published Christian
drug addicts, of political prisoners, of families, journalists,
faith-based articles through the Japanese edition of his
of prisoners, and of the pro-life movement.
newspaper, delivering the message in a way that was in
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend.
“Garden of the Immaculate,” which survived the atomic bomb.
― John 15:13
harmony with Japanese culture. In Nagasaki, he set up a St Maximilian then travelled to Malabar and to Moscow, but
A Franciscan priest in 1918, St Maximillian believed that the
was recalled back home to Poland in 1936 due to health
world was passing through a time of intense spiritual crisis and
deterioration.
that Christians need to fight for the world’s salvation with the
In 1941, he was arrested and sent to the concentration camp
means of modern communication.
at Auschwitz, where he helped and succoured the inmates. In
This prompted him to start a newspaper publication called
August of that year, a prisoner escaped, and in reprisal the
The Knights of Mary Immaculate, which spread widely both in
authorities were choosing ten people to die by starvation.
Poland and abroad.
One of the men had a family, and Maximilian Kolbe offered to
In 1927, St Maximilian founded a Franciscan friary he dubbed
take his place. The offer was accepted, and he spent his last
“city of Mary,” which attracted many lay people. The friary was
days comforting his fellow prisoners. On 14 August 1941, St
self-supported, publishing many periodicals and running its own
Maximilian took his last breath at the age of 47 years.
radio station.
In 1982, Pope John Paul II canonised him and the man he
Three years later, he made it a point to travel to Japan where he
saved was present at his canonisation.
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joys and griefs, struggles and hopes,” the Pope explained.
television, radio and the internet to communicate the Gospel,
However, Pope Francis noted that the difference is, that each
however, the Saints back then communicated the power and
Saint changed his or her life “when they recognized the love of
love of God through their presence on earth.
God, they followed him with all their heart, without conditions
Think of Raphael in the Book of Tobit, leading Tobias to his
and hypocrisies.”
soon-to-be-wife Sarah. Or, even more famously, Gabriel
“They spent their lives in the service of others, they endured
coming to Mary during the Annunciation and to the shepherds
suffering and adversity without hatred and responded to evil
to announce Christ’s birth.
with good, spreading joy and peace,” he added.
Here are stories of some of our favourite Saints who carried
Today, the world uses technology whether in the form of
the message of Christ through their words and actions.
ST F R A N C I S D E SA LE S
He faced much hostility, including death threats and would-be assassins after he volunteered to head a
F E A S T D A Y 24 January
mission to return the Calvanist Switzerland back to
PAT R O N S A I N T O F
the Catholic faith.
Writers, journalists and Christian unity
During his ministry in Switzerland, he wrote and
The former Bishop of Geneva holds the title
distributed religious tracts including his famous work
‘gentlemen Saint’ for his friendly and gentle ways.
titled “Introduction to the devout life” that resulted
Born in 1567 in the Savoy region, in what is now
to inroads among Protestants and helped between
part of France, St Francis de Sales was no stranger
40,000 and 70,000 return to the Catholic faith.
to unpopularity.
His feast day traditionally marks the release of the
Highly devoted to St Francis of Assisi from a young
Pope’s annual message for World Communications
age, the former Bishop of Geneva entered into the
Day. Pope Benedict XVI’s 2013 message reflected
priesthood in 1593 against his father’s wishes, who
on social networks and their potential to strengthen
had pre-arranged a marriage for him.
unity and harmony between people. He also warned
St Francis de Sales has studied rhetoric, humanities and law in preparation for a
that these enable a mindset that rewards popularity, rather than rewarding what has intrinsic value.
ST P E T E R C L AV E R
political career, however
St Francis de Sales began his own order after his
resolved to hold to religious
namesake, was named Bishop of Geneva in 1602,
F E A S T D A Y 24 January
celibacy and held a deep
after which he worked to restore Geneva’s churches
PAT R O N S A I N T O F
devotion to the Virgin Mary
and religious orders.
African missions and of interracial
for some time - but he kept
He died in 1622 in Lyons at a convent he had helped
justice, due to his work with slaves
this strong spiritual life secret
to found. Frances de Sales was canonised in 1665
in Colombia.
from the world.
and named a Doctor of the Church in 1877.
ST C L A R E O F AS S I S I F E A S T D A Y 11 August PAT R O N S A I N T O F
Television, eye disease, gold smiths and laundry
Order. Ten years after Clare’s death, the order became known as the Order of Saint Clare. In 1224, a rough army of soldiers from Frederick II arrived to attack Assisi. St Clare stepped forward to meet them despite her grave illness, holding a Blessed Sacrament in her hands and
St Clare gave up her comfortable lifestyle to be a Benedictine
pleading down on her knees for God to save the Sisters.
nun of San Paolo, under St Francis’ Spiritual Direction.
Miraculously, a sudden fright struck the attackers and they
Born in Assisi on July 16, 1194, as Chiara Offreduccio, St Clare
immediately fled as fast as they could without harming anyone
was said to come from a wealthy family. She dedicated herself
in Assisi.
to prayer from a very young age but it was at the age 18,
In her final days, St Clare witnessed a mystical experience on
when she heard St Francis of Assisi preach during a Lenten
Christmas day. Too sick to attend Mass, St Clare transported to
service that encouraged her to approach him, asking for
the prayers of the Friars in the new Basilica of St Francis in that
guidance on how to live faithfully according to the Gospel.
moment and was able to see and hear the orders of Mass
When her father attempted to bring her back home, St Clare
before her from bed as if she was present.
refused, professing her desire to serve only God. The sisters
On August 9, 1253, Pope Innocent IV declared Clare’s rule
became known as the “Poor Ladies of San Damiano” living
would serve as the governing rule for Clare’s Order of Poor
simply lives of austerity, seclusion from the world, and poverty,
Ladies. Two days later, Clare died at 59-years-old and Pope
according to a Rule which Francis gave them as a Second
Alexander IV canonised her as Saint Clare of Assisi. I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 15
Effective communication is essential when you’re trying to help people understand any complex subject. And, when it’s something as important to their future as superannuation, it also becomes essential.
HELPING PEOPLE PL AN FOR THE FUTURE BY LISTENING T O W H AT T H E Y N E E D
O
ver the last few years, Australian Catholic Superannuation has undergone significant changes in how we communicate. We’ve asked our Senior
Content Manager, Jessica Gibson, to take you through the insights we’ve gained as we have reviewed and revised how we help our members understand their superannuation.
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ACSRF
UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND SPEAKING TO THEM Traditionally, we spoke to members about their retirement. It makes sense, after all, providing for excellent retirement outcomes is our primary focus. For people who are close to retirement, this was great. It was information that was relevant to their specific needs. We had engaged that group well, but also saw the opportunity to help people who traditionally don’t engage with superannuation – really, anyone who wasn’t thinking about retirement. There are a lot of things that younger people need to know, like the long-term benefits of making additional contributions to super, and we weren’t structuring that message in a way that appealed to those people. “We spent a great deal of time learning about our members and their individual needs and started to group people together as we saw patterns develop,” said Jessica. For example, we found that people at the beginning of their career were really interested in learning about super, but the material we provided wasn’t right for them. So, we revised our documentation and contacts to provide information to those people that was relevant and timely.
TALK TO PEOPLE LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE TALK Superannuation is loaded with jargon, and we’ve been as guilty as anyone for falling into the trap of assuming that everyone has a working knowledge of how the industry operates. Jessica says that stripping super back to its basic concepts and helping people understand how it works was a big step toward communicating more clearly. “We made a concerted effort to remove the barriers to entry and help people truly understand all aspects of their superannuation and know what they need to do to make the most of it,” said Jessica.
MAKE IT RELEVANT Thinking about retirement when you’re in your 20s is,
something that’s reflected in our new website as well as the overhaul of our seminar series.
TALK TO PEOPLE IN THE WAY THEY WANT For years, we have encouraged our members to call us. We have an award-winning call centre and it’s a great experience. What we recognised, however, was that our members wanted to connect with us in different ways. Some prefer face-to-face contact at school visits or our offices. Others like email. Others still like to use Facebook, so we started to use Messenger to communicate with members and a web chat function directly from our website and member portal! We’re also exploring more ways to keep in touch with our members, but at the heart of it all is making sure that contacting us is easy and understandable.
WHY WE MADE THE CHANGE It would have been easy to keep doing what we had been doing, but it would have been a disservice to our members to keep treating them all the same. “This wasn’t about making a random change but about recognising that we have an obligation to our members, to help them plan for their financial future,” said Jessica. It also isn’t about making money but about serving all of our more than 90,000 members better. And, moreover, it was about helping people. That, truly, is our obligation as both a superannuation fund as well as an organisation that upholds Catholic values.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BEGINS WITH LISTENING Remembering that communication is a collaborative process is the most essential part of effective communication. “If we hadn’t spent time learning more about our members and their needs at different stages of life, we wouldn’t have known where to start with revising our strategy around how we help people,” says Jessica. “The way we see communication is as a back-and-forth process to help
admittedly, a stretch. But, with market swings and
people improve their future.”
economic news being top-of-mind for most people, we had
We spent time learning how people wanted to be talked to,
to provide content that provided timely value to the reader.
how they wanted to hear from us and figuring out what
If the news is screaming about a possible recession and you
they would find most valuable.
receive a communication about updating your beneficiaries
The results have been quite positive. We’ve improved how
(which is still important, don’t get me wrong), then as a
we speak to younger members, have found new channels to
business you’re missing an opportunity to make a
speak to people on and are getting people excited about
meaningful connection.
their future prospects instead of being intimidated by it.
Jessica says, “We started working with our investments
“This isn’t a one-change and it’s done situation,” concludes
teams to share regular market updates and reactive
Jessica. “We’re proactively looking for new opportunities to
analysis of things in the news to help people make better,
help people understand their super. It’s exciting to be able
informed decisions.
to make a difference like this at every stage of people’s lives
We wanted to make things simple and really break it down,
and meet their needs.”
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 17
THE WISDOM OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II
Gratissimam Sane, a focus on the family WO R D S Eric Martin
W
ritten in 1994 for the Year of the Family, Gratissimam Sane was a heartfelt appeal by the then Holy Father,
now Saint John Paul II, to demonstrate that among the many possible paths of people’s daily pilgrimage, the family is the first and most important. “It is a path common to all, yet one which is particular, unique and unrepeatable, just as every individual is unrepeatable; it is a path from which man cannot withdraw: indeed, a person normally comes into the world within a family, and can be said to owe to the family the very fact of his existing as an individual,” Saint John Paul II wrote. “Even if someone chooses to remain single, the family
Saint John Paul II as a young boy, Karol Wojyla, with his father. Photo: Supplied
continues to be, as it were, his existential horizon, that fundamental community in which the whole network of
“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live:
immediate to the most distant.” After all, pointed out St John Paul II, do we not often speak
the family is indeed, more than any other
of the ‘human family’ when referring to all the people
human reality, the place where an individual
living in the world?
can exist ‘for himself’ through the sincere gift of self - this is why it remains a social institution which neither can nor should be replaced: it is the ‘sanctuary of life’.”
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social relations is grounded, from the closest and most
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“The family, as a community of persons, is the first human ‘society’, which opens the spouses to a lasting communion of love and of life, and is brought to completion in a full and specific way with the procreation of children: the ‘communion’ of the spouses gives rise to the ‘community’ of the family,” he writes to the Church.
FAMILY
This fulfilment represents both a task and a challenge
Communication Day “So that you can tell your children
according to St John Paul II.
and grandchildren. Life creates history.”
“The task involves the spouses in living out their original
Pope Francis believes that memory - far from being static,
covenant: the children born to them (and here is the
inflexible recollections of the past - has dynamic and
challenge) should consolidate that covenant, enriching
transformative power that can influence and foster unity.
and deepening the conjugal communion (the sincere and
The passage, based on the Book of Exodus, highlights the
heartfelt communication) of the father and mother.”
importance of sharing meaningful memories, stories and
Not surprisingly, the wisdom of St John Paul II resonates
experiences, so that they may live on and transform the
with a particular branch of family communications theory,
present, the Vatican statement said.
called Joint Family Story Telling (JFST), where the process
The theme “reminds us that every story is born out of life,
of conjugal communion and family engagement is
from interacting with others,” it said.
explored in detail.
Stories are valuable resources which offer “great riches”
In her 2013 thesis on Joint Family Storytelling as a
to their listeners, it said. The insight, knowledge and
mediator of family communicating, US academic Patty
human connection fostered through effective storytelling
Ann Thompson explains that in the context of family
is an invaluable asset to the audience.
relationships, storytelling often occurs in the form of joint
“Communications is, therefore, called to connect memory
family storytelling or “collaborative constructions through
with life through stories,” it said, explaining how Jesus
which people [together] recount events by assigning plot,
used parables to convey “the vital power of the Kingdom
character, and setting in a way that helps them make
of God, leaving his audience free to welcome these
sense of and give meaning to the events and to their
narratives and apply them to themselves.”
relationship” (Koenig, 2002).
“These stories are not only alive in the past but continue
Pope Francis has also recently highlighted the important
to guide the lives and beliefs of Catholics today,” it said,
role of memory and storytelling across generations as a
adding, “The ability to generate change expresses how
way to bring people together in a world marked by discord
powerful a story is.”
and division, choosing the theme for the 2020 World
The Vatican announcement said the message will call for
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 19
ongoing dialogue with each other and with the past and will ask everyone to make communications be “an instrument to build bridges, to unite and to share the beauty of being brothers and sisters in a moment of history marked by discord and division.” Thompson (2013) goes on to explain that family storytelling is not just one behaviour in which families engage, but an interactive phenomenon through which family is created and maintained. Using narrative performance theory, “storytelling constitutes or performs family identity” Within this framework, then, family storytelling behaviours hold special importance because they contribute to creating and maintaining family identity. (Langellier and Peterson, 200a, 2006b). The roles and patterns of a healthy family prayer life, as espoused by St John Paul II meet the same criteria in detail, as each individual enters into a heartfelt conversation with God about the issues (both positive and negative) that are central to the lives of the other family members.
Saint John Paul II was Time Magazines Man of the year in 1994,
“Together with the words of Sacred Scripture, our prayerful
the year he wrote Gratissimam Sane. Photo: Supplied
reflections as a family should always include the personal memories of the spouses-parents, the children and grandchildren,” St John Paul II wrote. This forms a healthy family communication environment, strengthens family identity and brings both the individual and the family back to their foundational identity in God and his eternal love for us. “It must become a union in prayer: prayer needs to become a regular habit in the daily life of each family - prayer is thanksgiving, praise of God, asking for forgiveness, supplication and invocation,” the St John Paul II wrote. “In all of these forms the prayer of the family has much to say to God and it also has much to say to others - beginning with the mutual communion of persons joined together by family ties.” “Families should pray for all of their members, in view of the good which the family is for each individual and which each individual is for the whole family: prayer strengthens this good, precisely as the common good of the family. “Family prayer, life creates this common good ever anew: in prayer, the family discovers itself as the first “us”, in which each member is “I” and “thou”; each member is for the others either husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild.
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“
... family storytelling
is not just one behaviour in which families engage, but an interactive phenomenon through which family is created and maintained.”
The information age has seen the advent of the mobile phone, the rise of telecommunications, the internet, satellites launched into orbit to relay digital information around the globe and an ever-increasing push in first world nations, away from traditional manufacturing and into the service economy.
T
he retail sector is suffering in Australia and one of the key reasons touted by experts is the rise of online shopping with internet giants such as Amazon, Wish and eBay taking the lion’s share of the market: even the traditional
weekly shop is being reinvented with technologies such as click and collect and home delivery ever increasing in popularity. Gone are the days of CD sales boosting an artist up the music charts, with artists adding their strident calls to those of the big production companies to limit music and movie streaming services, which are affecting their profits from sales and royalties. Digital technology, especially in the field of communications, has profoundly affected the way in which people work, socialise, relax and interact with one another and with society. For example, as far back as the 80s and 90s, research in the field of communications focused on the effects of television (TV) on the family, both as a unit and as individuals, and this is one technology that demonstrates how the uptake of digital technology has infiltrated almost every aspect of our lives – including the family. In 2017, Australians spent an average of two hours and 27 minutes watching live TV and playing back recorded content, adding up to 74 hours and 58 minutes over a month – which is more than 1.5 standard working weeks spent watching TV! Findings have shown that this viewing is often split between family members, with men tending to watch ‘masculine’ programs such as news and documentaries.
WO R D S Eric Martin
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 21
While all studies evaluated suggest that offline family interaction continues to play a crucial role in self-esteem formation for young adults, in high conversation-orientation Women reported that they tended to leave the room when
families this trend continues with online family interaction.
such content was on, and reality shows, soap operas and
Where traditional, conformity-oriented families may
romantic comedies (classified as feminine programing) had
suffer is that there is a positive link between online family
the same effect in driving men from the room.
interaction and offline family interaction: conversation-
As such, it is no surprise that couples occasionally used
oriented families are more likely to successfully leverage
TV to distance themselves from disagreements, and
online communication into offline activities shared together
on nearly two instances each week, one spouse stifled
as a family.
the conversation attempts of the other when they were
Social media has even come to challenge traditional media,
watching TV together - families may even use TV to
such as television and newspapers, in the gathering and
purposely limit unwelcome communication.
dissemination of news.
In fact, TV was often used to prevent tense interaction
For instance, nearly 60 per cent of Twitter users reported
among family members; however, the results suggested
getting news via Twitter and nearly 10 percent of Twitter
tension increased with higher amounts of TV viewing, with
users reported using the app to get information about the
the noise TV creates in the house competing with other
2016 US presidential campaign within any given week.
activities (e.g. doing homework, sleeping, looking after
The 2016 American presidential campaign between Donald
young children).
Trump and Hillary Clinton was highly contentious, with
While social networking sites were once a space for
complete media coverage of the event, yet the essential tool
children and young-adults to communicate, they are
in sharing campaign information in this election was Twitter.
increasingly becoming a space for family interaction and
On the day of the election, Hillary Clinton had 10.4 million
research has shown that traditionally oriented families,
followers on Twitter and had sent nearly 10,000 tweets up
where conformity to family norms is expected by parents,
to that point - however, she was bested by Donald Trump
could be at a disadvantage when trying to utilise social
who had 13.2 million followers on the day of the election
media to bolster family communication.
and had sent more than 30,000.
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“The New York Times went so far as to say that Trump had mastered Twitter in a way no other candidate ever had, and Trump himself referred to his Twitter account as comparable
Despite this, technology advocates such as Google pioneers,
to owning his own newspaper.”
Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen, argue that developing
Furthermore, rapid and accelerating digitisation is likely to
countries will see immense economic productivity by
bring economic disruption in the form of unemployment: as
adopting new technologies.
computers get more powerful, companies have less need for
“As digital connectivity reaches the far corners of the
some kinds of workers - technological progress is going to
globe, new users will employ it to improve a wide range of
leave unskilled people behind as it races ahead.
inefficient markets, systems and behaviours, in both the
"
... offline family interaction continues to play a crucial role in self-esteem formation for young adults,
most and least advanced societies,” Schmidt elaborates. “The resulting gains in efficiency and productivity will be profound, particularly in developing countries where technological isolation and bad policies have stymied growth and progress for years... ” However, even with this optimism by those at the cutting edge, many researchers suspect that digital technology will not deliver this widespread economic growth, nor will it be a magic bullet for the world’s underprivileged: mobile phones may be more affordable today, but university fees, health care, insurance and housing are less so.
... conversation-oriented families are more likely to successfully leverage online communication into offline activities shared together as a family."
With advances in robotics and AI, the threat of technological unemployment is becoming a real concern to economists: as Oxford researchers Frey and Osborne (2013) estimate in their study of more than 700 different US occupations, within two decades, 47 per cent of today’s jobs will be susceptible to automation by computerisation and may become obsolete. These jobs span the blue-and-white-collar divide, from truck drivers and warehouse workers to accountants, loan officers, health-care managers, and paralegals and a greater percentage of the workforce has already begun to recognise that becoming technologically literate is an essential skillset in an increasingly digital workplace.
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 23
D
edicated to the whole Church
The Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference (ACBC) acknowledged the presence and impact of the internet in the way people
community of internet users, including those who are not digital
savvy, fall prey to hoax, fake news, privacy breaches and those who log
communicate, work, learn and do business,
on simply just to scroll through social
with the release of the 2019-2020 Social Justice
media feeds – the Bishops carefully
Statement titled, ‘Making it Real – Genuine Human Encounter in our Digital World.
explored ways in which the everyone can work together to best represent the Church’s important role in ‘building the city of God’ in reality and online. As the final chapter explains, “keeping
S O C I A L J U S T I C E S TAT E M E N T
LET’S GET REAL – IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO MAKE THE INTERNET A SAFE PLACE W O R D S Amanda Murthy
the doors of our Churches opened also means keeping them open in the digital environment, so that people, whatever their situation in life, can enter and so that the Gospel can go out to reach everyone. We are called to show that the Church is the home of all.” Although the statement was officially launched nationally on 3 September, it was the local launch on Thursday 26 September and attended by clergy, agency and school representatives from across Perth – which featured a panel discussion that provided an opportunity for deeper engagement, reflection and learning among all present.
Archdiocese of Perth Communications Manager Jamie O’Brien, Digital Branding Specialist Jamie Brook, and Director and Head of Video at Iceberg Media Andrea Bernardino headed a panel discussion at the Perth launch of the 2019 Social Justice Statement held on 26 September at the Newman Siena Centre. Photo: Josh Low
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SOCIAL JUSTICE
TOPICS EXPLORED AT PANEL DISCUSSION
“The Church community is the
Catholic Archdiocese of Perth
from all walks of life - whether it be
Communications Manager Jamie
people from different cultures, age
O’Brien spoke about the concept of
groups, sports or music groups or
community both in a digital and ‘real’
whatever it may be - and even with
world, when highlighting some of the
our Archdiocese’s publication The
key messages from the statement.
Record, we are able to physically go
“The call for ‘genuine human
out to the schools and parishes and
encounter’ as the title displays and the words of Bishop Terence Brady ‘we are
to produce content and stories that everyone can engage with online.
that caught my attention first,” Mr
“When our news is published (as for
O’Brien stated.
any content published in a public
“It takes a village to raise a human
forum), we have to also realise that our
in my life, as I very much relied on my [Church] community during my formative years,” Mr O’Brien recalled. “The issue of solidarity and democracy is also one that I reflected on, and this then posed the question, ‘how do we build online communities that are respectful and fair and without
the Perth launch of the 2019 Social Justice
actually connect with the community
called to community’ are two things
– I definitely say that was the case
Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton officiated
best place to connect with people
social prejudices and without social exploitation?
Statement held on 26 September at the
Mr O’Brien then encouraged those
Newman Siena Centre. Photo: Josh Low
present to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to connect with the wider community.
audience is no longer limited just to the 500,000 Catholics of the Archdiocese of Perth and its boundaries, but across the 4.3 Billion internet users,” he concluded. Director and Head of Video at Iceberg Media, Andrea Bernardino used her experience to share with those present some of the things that internet users should be aware of when creating an online presence, especially when it comes to the use of photos and videos. “Prepare yourselves – know what is real and what has been manipulated, be aware of the sites that are sending out the message of truth. “Know your exact purpose of being
F A C T S More than one million people worldwide use the internet for the first time daily, the world’s average internet user spends over six and a half hours online each day, five billion people use mobile phones globally, on average social media users spend over two hours on social media platforms daily. Today, there are 2.3 billion active Facebook users, 1.9 billion registered to You Tube and Instagram and WhatsApp platforms have gained 1 and 1.5 billion users respectively. – Social Justice Statement 2019.
online even before you start posting so that you can send out the right message and representation without confusing the audience, understanding that there can be repercussions to what we post,” she added. Ms Bernadino shared that the two recommendations from ACBC that she favoured most was ‘make your online presence one of dignity and respect and take care of yourself and others.’ “Why? Because it really encapsulates our first commandment which is to love God and to love our neighbour,” she concluded.
ISSU I SES 2U1E OCTOBER 1 9 JUNE 2019 25
1 Make your online presence one of dignity and respect. 2 Be present to others in the “real” and virtual world. 3 Take care of yourself and of others. 3 Every community should promote digital literacy. 5 We cannot leave our sisters and brothers behind. 6 The local community is a place to make the virtual real. 7 We must protect the personal data of citizens. 8 Join the call for transparency and accountability. 9 Truth and trustworthiness must be guaranteed. 10 We are called to be citizens of the digital world.
HOW TO BE GENUINELY PRESENT
IN THE DIGITAL WORLD TODAY
26
Digital Branding Specialist Jamie Brook shed some
“It’s also important to note that when you are on social
light on the issue of immediacy, accountability and how
media, you are taking the necessary steps to eliminate
internet users can share information online in a manner
the possibility of being reported, remembering always
with the most positive impact to their audience.
that you are not alone - at the same time being able to
“When people don’t have a lot of experience exploring
speak your mind in the way you have been brought up
the online world especially social media platforms,
to act (with dignity and respect),” he added.
there is naturally an element of fear associated,
Revealing that ‘very soon’, the social media platform
venturing into that digital realm – It is important to
Facebook will have more deceased profiles than living
remain true to yourself.
profiles, Mr Brook emphasised the importance of
“It is important to be aware that when you are speaking
staying together as a community and push to what we
on a subject online, there is a passion in the narrative
believe is the truth.
that tugs on the heart strings of the audience.
“And that is the Word of God,” he concluded.
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Summery salads are the perfect go-to dish as the weather
WHOLESOME SALADS
warms up. This Greek-inspired halloumi couscous salad and
R EC I PE S A N D PH OTO S Matthew Lau
can be served as either a stand-alone meal or a side dish to
French salmon nicoise are packed with hearty vegetables, and tantalise your taste buds. Both recipes serves four people.
HALLOUMI COUSCOUS SAL AD INGREDIENTS •
250g couscous
•
250ml vegetable stock
•
400g can chickpeas,
•
•
2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
•
one red capsicum,
•
250g pack halloumi cheese, thickly sliced and then halved lengthways
allumette jardiniere
•
t wo lemons, zested and juiced
•
one courgette, sliced on the slant
•
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
drained and rinsed
•
one aubergine, sliced on the slant
•
one large handful mint, chopped
75g pitted black olives
•
50ml extra virgin olive oil
•
one tub Greek plain yoghurt
METHOD 1.
In a bowl, pour the boiling stock over the couscous and mix well with a fork before covering with a plate to let stand for five minutes. Combine the olive oil, lemons and vinegar in a separate bowl to create the dressing. Fluff up the couscous with a fork, stir in the chickpeas and tomatoes and then follow with half the dressing. Mix well and pile onto a large serving dish.
2.
Heat 4 tbsp oil in a large frying pan and fry the capsicum, courgette and aubergine over a high heat for four minutes or until cooked. Carefully top the couscous with your hearty vegetables.
3.
Reheat the pan (add a little more oil if necessary), then sear the halloumi strips on each side until golden brown. Pile on top of your salad with a good sprinkle of mint and the remaining dressing. Serve each portion with a generous dollop of yoghurt.
CL ASSIC NICOISE SAL AD INGREDIENTS
•
250g punnet cherry tomatoes,
•
400g corn kernels, drained and rinsed
rinsed and halved
•
450g salmon fillet
•
400g baby new potatoes, halved
•
50g pitted black olives
•
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
•
150g green beans
•
25g capers
•
one lemon, zested and juiced
•
four large free-range eggs
•
one small shallot, finely diced
•
1 tsp Dijon mustard
METHOD 1.
Simmer the new potatoes in a pot for 8 minutes, then add the beans and boil for a further 2 minutes. Drain and refresh in cold water. Boil the eggs for 5 minutes, remove from the stove and run them under a cold tap until cool. Peel and halve the eggs with care.
2.
Season the salmon with sea salt and black pepper. In a lightly oiled hot pan, sear the salmon skin-side down for 4 minutes, then turn and cook for a further 2 minutes before setting aside, allowing it to cool enough to flake.
3.
Combine the shallot, olive oil, lemons, and mustard in a large bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper for the dressing. Add the lettuce leaves, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, olives, capers, and corn to the bowl – then toss to coat.
4.
Plate up the portions between 4 bowls, topping each with the eggs halves, flaked salmon, and garnish of your choosing.
COLOURING
28
THE RECORD MAGAZINE
ACTIVIT Y PAGE
ACROSS 1
4
Number of times each day the soldiers of Joshua marched around Jericho (Josh 6:3) Martyred Salvadoran, Bishop Romero
7
His Holiness
30 Days of fast and this
9
An end to repent?
33 It burned without being consumed 35 The ___ Dolorosa 37 “…world without ___. Amen”
13 Direction from Bethlehem to the Jordan
38 God is the Supreme Being who ___ all things and keeps them in existence
14 Enemies of ancient Israel
40 OT historical book
17 To do this is human, but to forgive is divine
She takes vows
3
One of the prophets
5
A queen from this country came to hear Solomon speak
6
First NT epistle
7
Aaron was anointed to be this (Ex 30:30)
8
They fill the church
9
Balaam spoke to one (Num 22:28)
10 Paul says this is “the pride of a woman” (1 Cor 11:15) 11 “…at the name of Jesus every knee should ___…” (Phil 2:10) 15 What the sea bottom became when Moses parted it
24 The Church is the ___ of Christ 29 Opus ___
12 First patriarch, to his friends?
1
23 Biblical animal of transport
26 Our ___ of Lourdes
10 NT book
41 “Silent ___”
18 “Do not put the Lord your God to the ___” (Lk 4:12)
DOWN
21 Fish part for Jonah
42 Novena number
23 Amos compared the women of Bashan to these animals (Am 4:1) 24 “Son of” in Hebrew 25 He left sad when Jesus told him to sell all he owned 27 Name of God 28 Number of loaves Christ had to feed the 5000 29 Lifeless biblical sea 31 A non-coveting commandment 32 Holy day cusp 34 “___ to us a child is born” 36 Evil deed 39 Son of Jacob ANSWERS
16 “…and there was no man to ___ the ground” (Gen 2:5) 19 “…___ lema sabachthani?” (Mk 15:34) 20 “…the Lord is with ___.” 21 Angelus call 22 “…and ___ us not into temptation…”
I S S U E 2 1 OCTOBER 2019 29
Front cover: Feby Plando
OCTOBER
ISSUE 21
2019
OUR MISSION STATEMENT The Record Magazine seeks to promote awareness and understanding of vocation – God’s particular call to each of us to live and become what we were created to be. There are many such vocations – marriage and family life, priesthood, religious life or being single – with the first and universal vocation being to holiness, as described by the Fathers of the Church in Lumen Gentium.
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