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ISSUE 24 APRIL 2020
SOUL N U R T U R I N G T H E S P I R I T UA L PRINCIPLE IN US M A R R I AG E
M E NTA L H E A LTH
M US I C
The Meaghers' and Tedescos' journeys PAGE 15
Young people: Anxiety and Depression PAGE 22
Grace Feltoe and Hugh Lyndon PAGE 24
The Record Magazine is the official publication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth
Grab your free copy of
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“This Handbook is designed to speak directly to the young person and is offered, not only to Catholic teenagers, but to all young people, parents, carers, educators and all who might find it useful as practical and informative resource to help respond to their deeply felt desire and responsibility to protect, educate and safeguard young people.” — Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB For your FREE copy, contact the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Office on 08 9221 7761 or email safeguarding@perthcatholic.org.au
F E AT U R E D T H I S M O N T H
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COVID-19 Masses being streamed online
26 8 Prayer The effect on our soul
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength.”
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— Matthew 22:37
F R O M T H E E D I T O R Jamie O’Brien In this Issue 24 of The Record Magazine, we take a look at the
St Thérèse of Lisieux How the ‘Little Flower of Jesus’ blossomed
theme of Soul. The past few weeks and months have been a trying time for many. Following weeks of devastation from the bushfires,
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the effects of COVID-19 are now well and truly upon us. Unfortunately, the situation has meant that it was not possible to print this issue of The Record Magazine. So, while churches across Perth and the rest of the nation have temporarily closed - many Masses and other services are now being
Recipe Beef Tataki
streamed online. It is testament to the fact that Church still has life - it still has a ‘Soul’!
FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE
In this issue, Sr Margaret Scharf explains why it is important
From Archbishop Timothy Costelloe
to nurture the soul and how we can do that. Ali Biddiscombe
Mirrabooka Parish’s 50th Anniversary
speaks with musicians Hugh Lyndon and Grace Feltoe about their experience of sharing their talents as students, teachers and cantors. Amanda Murthy looks the Sacrament of Marriage, and shares the experiences of two Perth couples - one recently married and the other married for nearly 50 years!
4 6
IN THIS EDITION What is a Soul? Australian Bushfire The Mystery of Marriage Catholic Homes
Don’t forget that these and many more stories available at
Rite of Election
www.therecord.com.au
Depression and Anxiety
The Record Magazine is a magazine for the people and I hope
Music and the Soul
you will enjoy taking the time to engage with us. Please feel
Plenary 2020
free to share your thoughts via editor@therecord.com.au.
Colouring Page
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I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 3
A R C H B I S H O P C O S T E L LO E 2 0 2 0 E A S T E R M E S S A G E
“PEACE BE WITH YOU”
In his 2020 Easter Message, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe says Easter Sunday is God’s answer to the despair of those first followers of Jesus and it is God’s answer to the deafening silence and distressing void which fills our lives now. Photo: Ron Tan
Dear brothers and sisters,
O
nce again, the great celebrations of our
was a God to believe in and to love. But where was that
Christian faith have arrived. In this Holy
God when Jesus needed him most? The disciples could only
Week, we remember the final days of Jesus’
conclude that Jesus must have been wrong. It really was
life, when His love for us is shown in such a
too good to be true after all.
powerful and uncompromising way as he is lifted up on the
And then Jesus rises from death to new life. Easter Sunday
cross. The indestructible power of that love is confirmed
is God’s answer to the despair of those first followers of
when Jesus rises from the dead. And because of this, the
Jesus and it is God’s answer to the deafening silence and
words of Jesus, which he spoke so often during his life and
distressing void which fills our lives now. The God revealed
which were his first words to the women at the tomb on
in Jesus is not a god who waves a magic wand and takes
the day of his resurrection, are words which speak directly
away all pain and suffering. The God of Jesus comes to
to us: Do not be afraid.
meet us, as Jesus did so often during his life, to be with us
These are words which we need to hear from the Lord
in our distress, our suffering and our confusion in order to
every day, but at this time of crisis they take on a new
lead us, if we let him, to a new and richer life.
significance and become powerful words of hope as the
If we let him - this is the promise and the challenge of Easter.
fear and confusion generated by the Covid-19 pandemic
It is the gift which God holds out to everyone: the gift,
spread across the world.
perhaps, which is hidden in the confusion of these dark
Pope Francis recently reflected on this fear and distress
days. It is true that we will not be able to gather together as
when, in a dark, deserted and rain-swept Saint Peter’s
communities of faith to celebrate this holiest of weeks. It is
Square in Rome, he led a prayer service in which he spoke
true that the chance to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood
of the “thick darkness (which) has gathered over our squares,
when we celebrate the Eucharist is denied to us. It is true
our streets and our cities; it has taken over our lives, filling
that on Easter Sunday we are not even able to be with our
everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void, that
extended family and friends and celebrate the Lord’s
stops everything as it passes by; we feel it in the air, we notice
resurrection with joy around the Easter table. But it is not
it in people’s gestures, their glances give them away. We find
true that the Lord has abandoned us, just as it was not true
ourselves afraid and lost”.
that he abandoned his first disciples. They had to learn to
In these words, the Pope gives expression to what is surely
look for him in new ways. They had to let him surprise
an almost universal human experience in these days. We
them, as he did for the two disciples on the road to
do, indeed, feel “afraid and lost”. So many of the things, big
Emmaus, by coming to them in ways they had not expected.
and small, which give structure to our daily lives, have been
It will be the same for us. And as we do meet him in strange
taken away from us. We don’t know when, or in some cases
and unexpected ways, and learn to know him more deeply
even if, they will be returned to us.
than we do at present, we can look forward to the joy of
The Easter story tells of a very similar and equally terrifying
coming together again around the Eucharistic table to share
experience. The first followers of Jesus, who had placed all
with our brothers and sisters all the ways in which our
their hopes in him, had the very ground pulled out from
hearts burned within us because we had met him along the
under them as they saw Jesus arrested, tortured and killed.
winding road we are all travelling together.
On the day after that first Good Friday there was, for them,
And so, in the words of the risen Christ to his disciples,
“a deafening silence and a distressing void”. It wasn’t just the
“Peace be with you”. I wish you all a happy and hope-filled
loss of Jesus, agonising though that was. It was the loss of
Easter, and one that is made a little easier because we know
hope and loss of faith. Jesus had told them of a God who
that we are all being supported by each other’s prayer. May
was unbelievably compassionate, merciful and loving. This
God bless you all.
+ Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB A RCH B I S H O P O F PER T H
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“We are set apart to be a people who will show, in a special way, the presence of God,” Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton told more than 650 parishioners of Mirrabooka on the celebration of its 50th anniversary.
Set apart to be a community that belongs to God WO R D S Jamie O’Brien
B
ishop Sproxton, who celebrated the Mass at St Gerard’s Church on Sunday, 23 February 2020 for the 50th anniversary, was joined by concelebrants, Parish Priest Fr Giouse
Marini, Assistant Fr David Adan Ramirez, Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation, Fr Vincent Glynn, Redemptoris Mater Seminary Rector Fr Michael Moore SM, and retired priest Fr John Hogan for the occasion. “I said at the beginning of the Mass that we are celebrating our faith above all, that we are giving thanks to God for our faith,” Bishop Sproxton explained.
Mirrabooka parishioners past and present, back row, Helen Bass,
“Our faith teaches us that we have been set apart, we are a
Elaine Thompson, Camille Bradley, Aurela Bosco and Frances Mullen
Catholic community and we have been set apart, not to be
(nee Hillis) and front row, Merle Miller, Maureen Glynn (mother of Fr Vincent Glynn), Nan Hillis and Elanora Panaia (nee Bosco), came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of St Gerard’s Church, Mirrabooka Parish on Sunday, 23 February. Photo: Jamie O’Brien
elite, but to be a community that belongs to God and at the same time is meant to present God in a special way to the world,” he said. As part of the 50th anniversary, the parish community came together for three different occasions, including the Mass on Sunday, 23 February. The first occasion, on Thursday evening, 21 February, included a speech by new Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation, Fr Vincent Glynn, who was growing up in the area at the time the Church opened on 22 February 1970. Speaking about his experiences, Fr Glynn said his memories of the early days of the parish, which began in 1965, were mostly of the young families of migrants from Ireland, England, Scotland and Italy coming together around the
Parishioners look at photos on display for the 50th anniversary of St Gerard’s Church, Mirrabooka Parish. As part of the 50th anniversary, the parish community came together for three different occasions. Photo: Miriam Romiti
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THE RECORD MAGAZINE
Parish Priest Fr Peter Quinn (Bishop Quinn) and Mercy Sisters Brigid and Paul (Sr Mary O’Connor) to form a new Catholic community in what was then an outer suburb of Perth and surrounded by bush.
PARISH LIFE
Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton speaks to more than 650 people who came together for the 50th anniversary of St Gerard’s Church, Mirrabooka Parish on Sunday, 23 February. Bishop Sproxton was Parish Priest at Mirrabooka from 1993 until his episcopal ordination in 2002. Photo: Jamie O’Brien
“It was a place where faith was given, nourished and
at least four nationalities are represented. Gatherings make
supported by the involvement of parents and children in
for a very generous and flavoursome experience.”
the day-to-day life and building up of the new Catholic
The second occasion, on Friday, 22 February, showcased
community. It was a faith community that sowed the seeds
the parish’s Post-Confirmation Program (PCP). The program
of my vocation to the priesthood,” Fr Glynn said.
works with youth across the northern suburbs with the aim
“The Church is present in this suburb of Mirrabooka, which
of creating a supportive healthy environment for young
is the Indigenous word for the stars that form the Southern
people as they pass through years characterised by many
Cross. The A-Frame stained-glass windows have the
physical, psychological and emotional changes.
Southern Cross looking down over the congregation that
Nineteen-year-old Alex Nolan, who is a teaching student at
gathers in this Church.
Curtin University, spoke about his experience of being in the
“These stars guided many explorers and sailors in their
program. Alex, who completed five years in the program in
journeys. I would hope that this church and parish
2018, said the many lessons he learnt during his participation
community would continue to be a guide for all those
in the program continue to guide and direct his life today.
searching for Christ in their life and a refuge for all those
“PCP showed me a way of life that the world does not
who may have lost their way in life,” Fr Glynn said. “This unique church of St Gerard Majella, which is the home of a Catholic community, is a place where Christ can be encountered in the Word of God, in the celebration of the Eucharist and in the community gathered together singing and praying,” he said. Miriam Romiti, who came to the parish in 1988, also recalled her experiences of the parish to The Record. Miriam, who was the first paid Parish Secretary, worked for nearly 12 years with several parish priests – including Fr Geoff Aldous, Bishop Donald Sproxton, Fr Steve Durkin, Fr Minh Thuy Nguyen and Fr Chien Nguyen.
provide,” Alex said. “We learnt about the commandments, we shared meals together, we received the sacraments together but, most importantly, we came closer to God. “It is because of this that I am able to go through my day-today life and draw upon the many lessons that helped me to appreciate and understand the presence of God in my life. “I am a firm believer in the importance of youth being provided with solid faith formation – education in any specific area is great – but what we need is direction and guidance on what God, the scriptures, the teachings of the Church mean and how we can apply them to our day-to-
“When we first came here it was a time of many young
day life,” he explained.
families,” Miriam recalled.
Parish Priest Fr Giosue Marini, who first came to the parish
“Of course, these children grew up and moved on, but the
as Assistant Parish Priest in 2007, said the occasion was a
parish is still filled with young families from many countries
great honour for all those who have served and contributed
around the world. If you have a group of six parishioners,
to the parish community in some way.
Nurturing the Soul WORDS Sr Margaret Scharf OP
F
urther, the soul is defined as ‘“the innermost aspect of [ourselves], that which is of greatest value in [us],
that by which we are most especially in God’s image: ‘soul’ signifies the spiritual principle in [us]” (CCC 363). It is for this reason that we are concerned for the human dignity of all people; that is, the desire of all people to come to the fullness of who they are meant to be, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Just as we must nurture the body with food, rest and cover, so must we nurture the soul. One of the most fundamental ways is to gift ourselves with intentional time and space to allow ourselves to just be. Some of us find this place in the quiet of our own garden space, and others
T H E C AT E C H I S M O F T H E C AT H O L I C
go to places that seem to “soothe the soul”, such as the beach and the beautiful sunsets,
C H U R C H R E M I N D S U S T H AT: ” T H E
forests and streams and other places which are
H U M A N P E R S O N , C R E AT E D I N T H E
special to us. Sometimes, this special time of just
I M A G E O F G O D , I S A B E I N G AT O N C E C O R P O R E A L A N D S P I R I T U A L” ( C C C 3 6 2 ) . T H I S M E A N S T H AT W E A R E COMPRISED OF BOTH THE PHYSICAL ASPECTS AS BIOLOGICAL BEINGS AND THE SPIRITUAL , WHICH IS GOD’S SPIRIT IN US FROM THE MOMENT WE WERE CONCEIVED, AND WHICH RETURNS TO GOD WHEN WE DIE.
being for a while leaves us speechless, with no words to explain the experience. We just know that something or someone has moved us. When I experience those times, all I can say to God is “Thank you”. At those times, the words of Meister Eckhart, a 13th-century Dominican mystic, echo in my heart: “If the only prayer you can say in your entire life is ‘Thank you’, this would suffice”. A grateful heart is the beginning of the journey to seeking the Source of it all. There are two aspects to this sacred journey and the nurturance of the soul – the personal and the communal. Personally, we know of those graced moments when we know that God is with us, for which we are grateful. There are also those Godencounters we share with the Faith community, such as the Sacred Liturgy (Mass), during which the soul is fed by the Word of God in the Readings and the Eucharist, when we come to the altar of God to be fed by the Body and Blood
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THE RECORD MAGAZINE
“
of Jesus Christ. Celebrating the Sacraments
Regular connection with a spiritual director
is an opportunity to partake of “soul food”.
can assist you to realise the sacred relationship
Another important way to nurture the soul, and
you have with God, and to share the journey of
to seek help with the spiritual journey, is to avail
deepening that friendship with God, in which
ourselves with the companionship of a spiritual
Spirit speaks to spirit, and which calls each
director. A director doesn’t “tell you the way to
person to become more “fully human, fully
go” but, rather, seeks to help you listen to what
alive”: made in the image and likeness of God.
the Spirit of God is saying in your life, to help
What is the Spirit saying to me? I can sometimes
you to know God who dwells within you. In Irish
work that out by myself, and can also admit
Celtic terms, a spiritual director may be called
that engaging another in the search for the
an “Anam Cara”, which means “soul-friend”.
God-thread in the story is very important. One time, a young woman (who identified as
. . . T O AVA I L O U R S E LV E S W I T H THE COMPANIONSHIP OF A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR... TO HELP YO U L I S T E N T O W H AT T H E S P I R I T O F G O D I S S AY I N G I N YO U R L I F E .
a non-religious person) met me for spiritual direction. She began her story of taking a hike in the desert region. At the end of the day, she rested on a flat rock watching the sunset, the emotion evident in her voice as she retold the event: “The scene was so beautiful and I felt something at the core of my being. Tears were streaming down my face and I didn’t know what to think. What I want to know from you is: Is this God?” After a long conversation, she was able to grasp the idea that God was reaching out to her with every one of those kinds of moving experiences, that there was something going on within her: a Spirit to spirit encounter. Spiritual direction offers people the opportunity to discover the language of the soul with a trustworthy person who can hold the sacred story, and to work on spiritual growth with as much commitment as is allotted to taking that walk in the park for physical and mental wellbeing!
Margaret Scharf OP, D Min (Spiritual Direction) Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation, Archdiocese of Perth
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 9
C O V I D - 1 9
S P E C I A L WO R D S Eric Martin
R
E Churches have been
closed, weekly and daily Masses are being streamed online and reception of the sacraments such as baptism, confession, marriages and funerals are extremely limited.
P W
O
R
T
hile the effects of COVID-19 have well and truly had a significant impact for the Perth Catholic community, the Archdiocese as a whole is still open for business.
It was a little over a month ago, on 4 March, that the first of several statements were issued in relation to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID–19) following public health advice from state and federal governments. “In my capacity as the Administrator of the Archdiocese of Perth, I am issuing the following directives, effective from Wednesday 4 March 2020, to all clergy, religious and the lay faithful across the Archdiocese of Perth,” Bishop Sproxton said last month.
NEWS
“These preventative measures should be appropriately
not make this decision lightly,” Archbishop Costelloe shared.
communicated to the congregation and the broader
“We make this sacrifice now for the well-being of our
Catholic community.”
community because, as Jesus himself tells us, ‘by this
At first, the directives included instructions that all
everyone will know that you are my disciples – that you
Holy Water be removed from the stoups in Churches
love one another as I have loved you.’”
and Chapels; that Offertory gifts be in closed vessels or,
Archbishop Costelloe went on to explain that the normal
where this is not possible, vessels should be appropriately
“Sunday Obligation” to attend Mass on either Saturday
covered; the Sign of Peace be omitted at all Masses and
evening or Sunday does not apply to anyone at this time,
that the distribution of Holy Communion under both
with the exception of priests.
species to cease.
In response to this news, the Perth Archdiocese further
Perth was the first city in Australia to experience a
mobilised the world of digital communication to ensure
death caused by the virus, after 78-year-old James Kwan
that the Catholic community is able to participate in the
contracted the disease on board the quarantined Diamond
celebration of the Eucharist.
Princess cruise ship.
The weekend of Sunday 22 March saw the first in a series
By 19 March, the virus was starting to spread across the
of livestream broadcasts of Sunday Mass produced for the
nation and Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB released a
faithful of Perth.
Pastoral Letter in which he addressed a heartfelt appeal
“At a time when the whole world seems to be falling into
to Catholics, to prayerfully and respectfully adhere to
a darkness of fear and uncertainty as the Coronavirus
the decisions of the Church regarding COVID-19 health
spreads among us, we read in this Sunday’s Liturgy that
precautions.
Jesus is the bringer of light,” Archbishop Costelloe SDB
“The decision I have taken, reluctantly and deeply conscious
said, during his first live homily.
of its gravity, to temporarily suspend all public Masses in the
Mass is now being streamed daily by the Archdiocese
Archdiocese of Perth, is based on my deep conviction that as
of Perth, celebrated by priests of St Mary’s Cathedral,
a Christian community we must act in the best interests of all
at 12.10pm to the Archdiocesan website, YouTube and
the members of our society,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
Facebook, as well as St Mary’s Cathedral website and
“We have a duty to remain responsive to the advice and
social media platforms.
directives of our government and our public health officials.
This week, Western Australia saw the number of cases
As both Catholics and citizens we wish to be responsible and
of people with COVID-19 slowly rise to 527 as at 3pm
cooperative members within our society.
Tuesday 14 April. Nationally the total of positive cases
He explained that these measures were designed to slow
rose to 6,400.
down the transmission of COVID‑19.
There are currently 32 confirmed COVID-19 patients in
“I know that this decision will cause great distress to some,
Perth metropolitan hospitals (down from 54 this time last
and perhaps many of you. I want to assure you that I did
week), with 12 in ICU.
Camera crew prepare to film Archbishop Timothy Costelloe celebrate Mass during the Easter period. Photo: Sourced
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 11
BUSHFIRE
The 2019/2020 fires at Yanchep burnt out of control for six days across 13,000 hectares from 11 December.
I
Badly burnt but battling on, bouncing back from the bushfire WO R D S Eric Martin
12
THE RECORD MAGAZINE
Photo: DFES Incident Photographer Morten Bo
n what has been one of the worst
c o m m u n i ti e s a ff e c t e d h a s b e e n
b u s h fi r e s e a s o n s i n r e co r d e d
extraordinary. This has been Australia
history, Australia has been afflicted
at its best, and we all stand with those
with a natural disaster of almost
who have been most stricken and with
biblical proportions – with some
those who are putting their lives on the
19,000,000 hectares of farmland,
line to fight the fires.”
national park, and state forest
Though the fires have finally stopped
torched by the flames.
burning – thanks to large swathes of the
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge,
Eastern States being recently inundated
President of the Australian Catholic
by record levels of rainfall – the long-
B i s h o p s’ C o nf e r e n ce , r e l e a s e d a
term effects of the natural disaster
statement in January regarding the
continue to be felt, as small towns and
then-ongoing crisis.
rural communities struggle to pick up
“Australia is facing an unprecedented
the pieces.
calamity as fire engulfs the land in many
Per th has also felt the heat of the
places. We have all seen the apocalyptic
flames this summer, with the parishes of
images, even if we are not in the areas
Baldivis and Yanchep/Two Rocks being
most affected. Lives have been lost,
particularly affected.
homes and towns have been destroyed,
The fires at Yanchep burned out of
smoke has shrouded large swathes of
control for six days across 13,0 0 0
our country,” Archbishop Coleridge
h e c t a r e s f r o m 11 D e c e m b e r,
stated.
threatening homes, forcing evacuations
“ T h e e ff o r t s of fi r e fi g h t e r s h ave
and destroying the landmark Yanchep
been heroic. The resilience of the
service station.
BUSHFIRE
Up to 400 firefighters were called in to try
In support of all those affected by the
and contain the flames.
fires, the Per th Catholic communit y
The blaze in Baldivis, started accidentally
came together at St Mary’s Cathedral on
on 9 January by sparks from a broken boat
Australia Day, 26 January for a special
trailer wheel, burned through some 1,330
Mass for the victims and survivors of
hectares and destroyed a shed, with the
the bushfires, and for all who have been
strong sea breeze driving embers up to
affected in any way by this disaster.
400m ahead of the fire front, making it
The special Bushfire Mass was celebrated
extremely difficult to contain.
around the country with all funds raised
W H E N E V E R W E A R E FA C E D
Situations included closure of the Kwinana
donated to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal.
Freeway by the Department of Fire and
In his homily for the Mass, Archbishop
W I T H G R E AT S U F F E R I N G
Emergency Services (DFES) because of
of Perth Timothy Costelloe SDB invited
thick smoke from the fire in Baldivis and
the congregation to be “the light in the
an emergency warning was issued, asking
midst of darkness the country is facing” by
residents to leave their homes for the
giving generously to the Vinnies bushfire
temporary evacuation centre at the Mike
relief fund to support bushfire-affected
Barnett Sports Complex in Rockingham.
communities.
“I would encourage each of you to maintain
“The darkness which descended on people
your prayerful support for all who have
as the thick smoke blotted out the light of
been impacted by the bushfires, and to
the sun, and the shadow of death which
consider how you may contribute to
enveloped so much of our land, have been
lending your support to the St Vincent
frightening, destructive and deadly.
de Paul Bushfire Appeal,” Archbishop
“ Whenever we are faced with great
Costelloe said.
suffering or tragedy it is understandable
“ O R T R A G E DY I T I S U N D E R S TA N D A B L E I F W E A S K O U R S E LV E S W H Y G O D ALLOWS SUCH TERRI B LE T H I N G S T O H A P P E N .”
EST. AREA AFFECTED (HA)
FATALITIES
Total: 18 982 688
Total: 34
HOMES LOST Total: 3042
NT 0
5
QLD
6 800 000
0
WA 0
2 500 000
SA
1
2 200 000
3
151
NSW
490 000
Australian Bushfire Statistics 13 FE B RUA RY 2 02 0
48
25
VIC 5
2439
5 400 000
396
150 000
TAS 0 36 000
2
ACT 1
0
56 688
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 13
St Vincent de Paul volunteers from the Sussex-Inlet Conference go to work in Kiama, distributing supplies to the fire affected. Photo: Supplied
dioceses across Australia and it is incumbent on us to offer a missionary response and to enable those who want to prioritise their friends, families and fellow Australians affected by these devastating bushfires to do so,” Fr Lucas added. “We are still working on the facilitation of a national network connecting people affected by the bushfires with people who can help with tasks such as preparing meals, clearing properties, if we ask ourselves why God allows such terrible
rebuilding communities, as well as pastoral and
things to happen,” Archbishop Costelloe added.
counselling support.”
“We are tempted, perhaps, to doubt whether all
David Harrison, Catholic Mission’s Wollongong
that Jesus tells us about God, that he is a loving
Diocesan Director – an area heavily impacted by
Father who cares for his children, can actually be
the crisis – said the local and international response
trusted.
had been heartening.
“Or perhaps, even if we do not doubt, we still cry
“Communities right down the south coast are doing
out with anguish, or understand and identify with
it really tough at the moment, but it’s inspiring how
those who do cry out with anguish, as Jesus himself
so many – from local parishes to celebrities – have
did: ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned
pulled together to support those who have lost
me? Why have you abandoned us?’,” he continued.
everything,” Mr Harrison said.
Archbishop Costelloe emphasised that while God
The mission organisation announced on Monday,
may seem to have allowed for the sufferings to
13 January that it will partner with Vinnies during
happen, it is important for us to trust that God is
the relic pilgrimage of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her
also joining us, lending us his strength and offering
parents, Louis and Zélie Martin.
us the saving power of his presence in enduring
The partnership will allow Vinnies to collect
our sufferings.
during the relics’ four-month pilgrimage which
seem to be in contradiction to each other, are in
commenced on 22 January.
fact two deeply human and completely harmonious
C atholic Mission is inviting those who are
responses to great suffering,” he added.
14
donations and raise funds for their bushfire appeal
“The two sayings of Jesus on the Cross, which
attending the relics’ four-month pilgrimage
“It is faith, trusting faith, which enables us to
across 17 dioceses in Australia – including the
commit ourselves and our lives into God’s hands
Archdiocese of Perth – to donate and reconsidered
at moments of great suffering and pain.”
plans to raise funds for its global mission projects.
Father Brian Lucas, National Director of Catholic
“We recognise that it is difficult to focus on the
Mission, said the unique circumstances called for
need abroad when an unprecedented crisis of
contingency.
such scale is happening here in Australia,” Fr Lucas
“We have many supporters in badly affected
stated.
THE RECORD MAGAZINE
The mystery of marriage, a journey of a lifetime for the Meaghers WORDS Amanda Murthy
T
homas and Emily Meagher, who exchanged vows last June, believe that they would not have met, fallen in love and dedicated their lives to one another if not for the calling they received from God.
“We wouldn’t be married if we didn’t believe God had called us to this vocation of marriage and all that implies,” Emily said. “It was important to both of us throughout this discernment process to do a lot of reading, researching, listening to sermons on marriage, meditating and asking God for guidance. “Without faith in Christ, who with His Church is the exemplar of marriage, Thomas and I would have never taken this step,” she reaffirmed. The couple’s journey began three and a half years ago, through their passion for the Church and a deep desire to learn more about the person of Jesus, which Emily stated was something they only started “scratching the surface of” when they first met. The couple admitted that one of their biggest strengths and challenges as a couple is striving to let God in, to be the centre of their marriage.
“Sometimes we get distracted with lesser goods like work or study but nevertheless, we try our best to be vulnerable and honest with one another, keeping one another accountable in our spiritual journey,” Thomas said. “We are reminded of that in Word, Sacrament, prayer and by a broader community of friends that understand the radical implications of the Gospel - Friends in Christ’s body that will challenge us when we become complacent. Thomas candidly recalled the moment he decided to propose to Emily. “We both understood marriage as a vocation; one which
Tom and Emily Meagher pose for a photo with Father Mark Baumgarten at their wedding reception on 29 June 2019. Photo: Supplied.
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 15
Family first
D
etermined to gain greater opportunities in the land down under, Italian-born Raffaele Tedesco packed up his suitcase at the tender age of 16, embarking on a solo move to
Perth.
Tom and Emily Meagher entering St Mary’s Cathedral for their wedding Mass on 29 June. Photo: Supplied.
“When I was 29 years old, I remember feeling accomplished in my career, but felt a part of me was incomplete, as I had always longed to start a family of
is ultimately about building up the body of Christ, the
my own,” Raffaele recalled.
community and one another. We knew that marriage takes
It was the same year that a close family friend brought
sacrifice and the kind of love that we see displayed in a crucified God,” he added. Recognising the gift of marriage, the Meaghers had some advice for couples who are preparing for Holy Matrimony.
the two together and, as the saying goes, ‘the rest was history.’ The couple bonded almost instantly, Antonietta, 20 at the time, recounting their first and subsequent dates –
“Always prioritise Mass and receiving the Sacraments, pray
Sunday Mass and lunch with her family, with occasional
fervently and be present in a tight-knit community.
walks from work to the train station.
“Don’t take your vocation lightly because discipleship,
From early on, the couple made it a point to discuss
whether you are married or single, is challenging and it will
the importance of marriage, their Italian culture, kids,
cost you a great deal but, if you do it with the right person,
faith, family and it wasn’t long before they got married
it will be an incredibly joyful and fulfilling life that you
at Christ the King Church in Beaconsfield on Valentine’s
promise to live with one another,” Emily said.
Day of 1970.
Marriage. Make it Work Relationship Counsellor, Educator, Researcher and Director at the “Centre for Life, Marriage and Family” Derek Boylen gives The Record readers some tips on how to identify a healthy marriage, maintain it, and celebrate it!
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EACH MARRIAGE IS CALLED TO BE A SACR AMENT
This means that all healthy marriages are meant to mirror God’s love for His people by the love spouses have for one another. When we look at a healthy marriage, we should be inspired by the way that the couple loves, the deep respect that they show for one another, recognising their spouse as made in the image and likeness of God and loved infinitely by God. Healthy Catholic marriages are called to inspire us and restore our hope that love is possible. And let’s face it, when we spend time with strong married couples, we do feel inspired.
MARRIAGE
past them! “We made many sacrifices, as most couples do for their kids, but our ultimate goal was to find the joy in our marriage and family life, which we have,” Antonietta said. “Raf and I were just so grateful for the opportunities we were able to get, and we were so happy to be able to give our kids these, and more opportunities.” Fifty years later, the Mosman Park parishioners of Corpus Christi Church collectively concur that it is their faith, family and community that have kept their love going strong. “The best part of our marriage for me is seeing our family
“
grow and flourish – taking care of my kids, and now my grandkids, seeing them succeed and doing all of this with the love of my life – it makes all the sacrifices worth it,” Raffaele said. T HROUGH T HEIR FA I T H , FA M I LY A N D C O M M U N I T Y THE Y HAVE KEPT THEIR
“We may not be the most romantic couple, but we find the importance in our faith and family life – we are so blessed to have so much and we do not take those things for granted,” Antonietta concluded.
LOVE GOING STRONG.
“It was a simple traditional wedding, but it was one of the best early memories we shared together,” Antonietta recounted. The Tedescos had three children – Joseph, Maria Ellena and Anna Tedesco – who they described as the “best gifts from God”. When asked about their fondest memory as a couple, the duo harmoniously shifted the attention to their 1982 trip to Italy, Switzerland and Germany. A trip which enabled them to reconnect with family, visit Lourdes and even witness a glimpse of former Pope, Saint John Paul II arriving at St Peter’s Square in a helicopter, only to walk right
IS FAITH IMPORTANT IN A MARRIAGE?
WHAT A HEALTHY MARRIAGE NEEDS?
Faith is an essential part of building a healthy fulfilling
Communication skills, problem solving, intimacy, fertility,
marriage. Couples need to seek out others who have built
spirituality, financial management, parenting skills, and
successful marriages and those who have expertise in
so on, just to name a few. No one is expected to be an
marriage if they want to strengthen their marriage. Also,
expert in all these areas of life.
on our wedding day, God promised the gift of His grace
Couples who have strong marriages also know when
to strengthen and support our married life. The way we
to ask for help. It’s always a strength to know when to
access that grace is through faith. Committed Catholic
ask for help for our marriages. We live in an era where
couples who practise and talk about their faith almost
there are more services, research and programs to help
always discover the many amazing ways that God is, and
couples than ever before. Couples should seek help
wants to, work through their married life.
when they need it.
For more information, call the Centre for Life, Marriage and Family on 08 92415000 or email admin.clmf@perthcatholic.org.au
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 17
WE A LL H AV E OUR OWN ME A NIN G OF SOUL . SOME BELIE VE IT IS THE SPIRITUAL PART OF A PER SON A F TER THE Y H AV E PA SSED AWAY O R T H E E N E R G Y A S S O C I AT E D W I T H A N O B J EC T, P L AC E O R A B S T R AC T C O N C E P T.
S P E A K I N G
I
O F
S O U L
s it only humans who have a soul? What about
We talk about places having a soul and there
buildings, communities and organisations? These
is no denying we get certain feelings about our
thorny questions have been the subject of
environment. Sometimes it is difficult to rationalise
much reflection for poets, playwrights, artists,
why we may feel uncomfortable in certain
theologians and philosophers for centuries and
buildings and at ease and peaceful in others.
they often come up with contradictory answers.
Churches, for example, are often places of serenity,
Bernadette Brady, Executive Manager of Mission
even if you are not of the faith. But then is it a
at Catholic Homes, shares: “What is common,
question of whether the place has soul or is it the
however, is an acknowledgement that the mystery
interaction between humans with souls and the
of soul endures beyond our ordinary life. In
space that creates that sense of soul?
humans, soul becomes an integrative energy,
Recently, Catholic Homes has been reflecting on
uniting and connecting body, mind and heart and,
this question of where does soul live. The not-for-
for Catholics and other Christians, it is created and
profit aged-care provider recently launched the
given to us by God”.
redevelopment of its St Vincent’s site in Guildford.
CATHOLIC HOMES
The new building embraces a shift from the
Hospital and a home for the aged. It was then later
traditional aged-care model to a modern approach.
transferred to Catholic Homes in 1993 and, over
The contemporary design nestles into its historic
time, the facility was developed into a traditional
Guildford location just as the settlers did in 1829 in
aged care facility.
the Swan River colony.
While Bebo Moro reigns over the Swan River
The original Bebo Moro homestead remains on-site
alongside the new two-storey building in all
at St Vincent’s. The historic building was originally
its glory, the old facility has been marked for
constructed in three stages between 1839 and
demolition in April 2020. Parts of the original
1930, and many of its historic features have been
building have been repurposed, including artefacts
restored, including the Flemish bond brickwork,
from the chapel while the crucifix remains in
sash windows, bullnose verandahs, decorative
storage until its final resting place in the new
skirting boards, plaster arches, and jarrah
development is determined.
floorboards.
A sacred space has been created in the new building with a beautiful, custom-crafted portable altar to enable services to be carried out in various locations around the site. The altar reminds us that God is wherever we are and wherever we gather. On Friday, 28 February, the new building was blessed by Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton. Local Wadjuk Noongar Elder Uncle Ben Taylor Cuermara conducted a traditional smoking ceremony. An Industry Open Day, held on 6 February, was a great opportunity to share the success of the
Just as the Bebo Moro homestead represents the historic significance of the era, so too does the name Bebo Moro, which is a Nyungar word for “bend on the river”. The restoration epitomises the
development with those who helped make the project a triumph, including members from the hospitality, technology, architecture, design and art industries.
grandeur of the era while honouring the souls of its past and present staff and residents. Catholic Homes’ community-based wellness and re-ablement program is housed in Bebo Moro and the Day Therapy Centre and is facilitated by a team of Allied Health professionals under the Home Care packages. Kylie Steele, Catholic Homes’ Executive Manager Home and Community Care, says: “Our Short Term Restorative Care program and Home Care Packages include access to the Wellness and Reablement Programme, including the Day Therapy Centre. Our personalised programs offer a range of services, including podiatry, occupational therapy and physiotherapy to assist existing Home Care clients to continue doing the things they love”.
“Wherever we gather, especially to intentionally focus on nourishment for our souls, things such as rituals and symbols help us reflect on our understanding of God. In a contemporary culture
The programs are also open to eligible members of
that is full of change and unpredictability, it is
the community.
good to be reminded that God is at the centre of
The St Vincent’s site was purchased in 1957 by the
all things and accompanies us on all our journeys,”
Daughters of Charity and run as the St Vincent’s
Bernadette said.
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 19
The Church believes that no-one comes to faith without being called by God – God initiates, God calls and God converts, said Dr Carmel Suart, Director for the Office of Christian Initiation.
RITE OF ELECTION 2020
D
r Suart addressed the St Mary’s Cathedral congregation during her opening speech at the start
of the Liturgy on Thursday, 5 March. “Our celebration today recognises that God is indeed calling people into the life of the Church, through the process of Christian Initiation,” she said. The annual Rite of Election liturgy this year saw 65 Catechumens receive the Rite, and 34 Candidates be formally recognised. The Liturgy was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton, who was joined by concelebrants Vicar General Father Peter Whitely, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy Fr Brian McKenna, Cathedral Dean Rev Dr Sean Fernandez and assisted by Permanent Deacon Trevor Lyra. Representatives from parishes across the Archdiocese of Perth participated in various parts of the liturgy, including the Rite of Election community choir, assisting in the presentation of scrolls, and leading in the prayers and readings of the day. Speaking to the congregation during his homily, Bishop Sproxton drew attention to the first reading of the day, which perfectly explains “God’s plan for us”.
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FINAL STAGE TO BECOME ONE WITH THE CHURCH WO R D S Amanda Murthy
SACRAMENTS
“The reading (Isaiah 43:1-13) presented the plan of God for each person, beginning with our creation by his hand, done from the deepest of love,” Bishop Sproxton recounted. “The prophet realised that we are created in the image and likeness of God. Added to this, he understood the significance of our names. The names that we have indicate that we are unique and unrepeatable. “The experience of our families shows very clearly that there are no repeats of human persons, even our names clearly differentiate us, we are unique and God knows and loves each of us by name. God chooses to deal with each of us personally in an ongoing
“
way throughout our lives.”
... God chooses to deal with each of us personally in an ongoing way throughout our lives.
C L O C K W I S E
Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton
interacting with candidates during the Rite of Election Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, 5 March.
●
Archdiocese of Perth’s Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, greeting the candidates at the Rite of
Bishop Sproxton went on to state that it is that uniqueness that makes every person’s journey of faith so “special
Election Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 5 March.
●
The
symbolic items used at the Rite of Election Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday 5 March. Photos: Ron Tan.
and inspiring”.
“Among these will be the rites when
“It is through the hearing of those
you will be presented and entrusted
stories that we come to know and
with the Apostolic Creed and the
love God at work within us,” Bishop
great prayer of Jesus: the Our Father.
Sproxton cited.
“We rejoice with you and we pray
Addressing the catechumens and
earnestly for you as you come near to
candidates personally, Bishop
the great celebration of the victory of
Sproxton bestowed his blessings,
Christ over sin and death in the Easter
with prayers that their final stage of
Vigil.
the process towards Baptism and full
“We are your brothers and sisters in
initiation into the Church will be filled
the faith – my prayer is that we grow
with some beautiful moments ahead
in faith together,” Bishop Sproxton
of the Easter Vigil celebrations.
concluded.
“There are a few beautiful moments
The congregation enjoyed light
ahead before you arrive at the Easter
refreshments and were seen
Vigil celebrations,” he continued.
networking after the Mass.
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 21
Isolated and in need of expression, Australia’s battle with anxiety and depression WO R D S Eric Martin
Depression and anxiety, feeling safe in your
To put this into perspective, only some seven per cent
own home and being exposed to physical
of people without GAD meet this criterion: anxiety and
violence are just some of the topics addressed
depression are clearly linked, even though the hormones
in the results of the Commissioner for Children
that govern the disorders are regulated differently by
and Young People’s survey of some 5000 WA schoolchildren across Years 4 to 12.
A
the body. Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, John Tiller MD, in his study, Depression and its comorbidities: The Medical Journal of Australia, writes that
nd those results are, according to the
the first episode of depression in a person’s life follows a
Commissioner, a worrying snapshot of young
psychosocial stressor, and that after three or more episodes,
people’s mental health.
it becomes increasingly likely that subsequent episodes are
Writing in The West Australian on Thursday, 20 February,
spontaneous rather than following an external event.
Commissioner for Children and Young People, Colin Pettit,
In other words, after three experiences of depression
stated he was “particularly concerned about the number of
caused by something that happened in life, that person
children with mental health and safety concerns”.
is much more likely to experience being depressed for no
More than 50 per cent of girls and more than 20 per cent
apparent reason.
of boys surveyed reported that their mental health and
Prof Tiller explains that most instances of depression and
wellbeing was a source of stress, with 60 per cent of girls
anxiety are explained by a genetic vulnerability but neuro-
and 50 per cent of boys feeling sad or depressed for two
inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative pathways have also
consecutive weeks.
been found to have a causative effect.
In Australia, researchers estimate that up to 25 per cent
What is more worrying, is that the research also shows that
of all patients seen by a GP suffer from anxiety or a
40 per cent of Australians with anxiety or depression did
depression-related disorder, with some 90 per cent of
not seek treatment in the previous year, “and of those who
individuals with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) also
did, only 45 per cent were offered a treatment that could be
suffering from depression.
beneficial”.
About 85 per cent of people with depression also
He states that, “despite the high prevalence of depression
experience significant symptoms of anxiety, with half of
and anxiety, and notwithstanding Australia’s universal
the older Australians with a history of GAD meeting the
health insurance scheme, service utilisation in this country
criteria for a major depressive disorder.
is low”.
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“I think that the stigma around depression and anxiety is, slowly, decreasing: there’s greater community education and awareness around how people are affected. “Most adults these days would know of someone or have a family member who is affected: so, without doubt, I think there is a much greater community awareness and a greater willingness to access things like a mental health care plan through a GP, or engage with private counselling services,” he explained. “However, that’s not to say that there aren’t still stigmas that are present and that there is still a reluctance around people coming forward when they might be experiencing those symptoms. Mr West shared that some two thirds of the people seen by Access Wellbeing Services are women, with only one third of those presenting being men. “I think without doubt this shows that women are more emotionally attuned and find it easier perhaps to come and talk to someone about the mental health issues that they might be facing,” Mr West said. “There are still a lot of beliefs about masculinity that prevent men from seeking help: she’ll be right, I’ll just battle my way through - until everything completely falls apart, which is sad. “Because what we do see is that people who come in at an early stage, the likelihood of them being able to better manage that on their own is far greater than people who leave it until later.” Rod West is the Executive Manager of Access Wellbeing
“Depression and anxiety impacts on the people around them:
Services, an organisation of the Catholic Church that deals
their work can be greatly affected; they may have a fear of
with employees’ mental health. Rod is on the frontline of
losing their job; financial issues can increase; their ability to
the fight against depression in WA and he spoke to The
parent could be negatively affected.”
Record regarding the reality of trying to tackle mental health
Mr West explained that many of us carry work with us even
issues in Perth.
when we go home: that with mobile phones that double as
“What we see is an increasing presentation of people
work stations it is becoming increasingly hard to put effective
who either come with a formal diagnosis of depression or
boundaries in place.
anxiety, or who talk about experiencing what we would see
“The world we live in and the time and space that we have
as symptoms of depression or anxiety,” Mr West said.
to actually take a breath and process what’s happened to us
“And it’s difficult to identify whether that’s due to greater
and our emotional responses are disappearing: we’re always
community awareness and a greater individual awareness of
on the go and there is not the space perhaps we used to have
the symptoms of depression and openness around coming
to reflect on how we’re going, how we’re coping and do we
to see a clinician for assistance.
have the right strategies in place for everything to be on an
“What we don’t see enough of is people being able to
even keel,” Mr West said.
accurately identify that they are dealing with some kind of
“It’s pretty unrelenting unless we put some strategies in
depression or anxiety early and rather than say, well I’ll see
place to find some space for ourselves: trying to find a place
how it goes for a couple of weeks (or months on end), I’m
for you and your loved ones, friends or a partner without
going to go and see a GP, or go and see a counsellor, or speak
those incessant reminders of the outside world: social media,
to a friend, parents or a sibling,” he shared.
phone calls, emails, etc.”
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 23
M U S I C
A N D
T H E
S O U L
WO R D S Ali Biddiscombe
“As a juxtaposition of the fast-paced and stressed world we live in, music within the liturgical sense has now become, and will continue to provide, a stillness and reflection we need.” — Grace Feltoe
M
usic is often described as a feeding of the soul – this connection between the soul and music arguably stemming from the
1950s and 60s where traditional gospel music first met jazz, rhythm and blues in African America. It is often discussed as an element of worship with potential to touch our souls, expressing that which we cannot always articulate in words, but
24
which goes some way in explaining our spirituality
nurturing music and feeding of the soul. Grace,
and feelings towards it.
24, is an experienced cantor and has been singing
Others describe music within worship or
seriously since she was 14, completing a double
prayer at home as a form of meditation offering
major in music at the University of Western
both giver and receiver profound moments of
Australia. She began cantoring at St Patrick’s
transcendence, potentially lifting and bringing
Basilica in Fremantle and has also sung at St
their “souls” closer to God.
Paul’s Church Mt Lawley Parish, New Norcia
It can be both an intensely personal journey
Benedictine Monastery, and now St Mary’s
and a shared congregational experience often
Cathedral.
accompanied with an understanding of sentiment.
Hugh, 36, started his music ministry as a
This sentiment certainly resonates for both
chorister in Westminster Abbey, London, which
cantor Grace Feltoe and music educator Hugh
led him to study Music Education at Trinity
Lydon, who are both charged in quite different
College in Dublin. After moving to Perth in
fields of their Catholic music ministries with
2010, he sang in several choral groups and is
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MUSIC
Photo: Marli van der Bijl
individually receive from God give us a chance to profess an aspect of God’s beauty, love and grace. One of mine happens to be music, and an avid love for singing. It comes from a very emotional and spiritual place for me.” “When I experience beautiful music, it hits the very core of me – my soul perhaps - and provides a truly heightened connection to my own emotions and sense of expression. “In these moments, it can help me to express a prayer of thanksgiving or petition that sometimes words can’t describe, and other times the emotion is the prayer itself.” Hugh acknowledges that he may hold a minority view in that music can generate incredibly strong emotional and spiritual responses within an individual which the purely spoken word struggles to replicate. “I regard the soul as the source point of all of our emotions, decisions and choices. With regards to music, it is the part of us that responds to sound
... music can generate
in a way that generates an emotional and spiritual
incredibly strong
“Regardless of the genre of music I am performing,
reaction,” he said.
emotional and spiritual
my goal is always to generate the strongest
responses within an
As a practising musician and leader in a Catholic
individual, which the
Aquinas is forging, where Sacred Choral music
purely spoken word struggles to replicate.” currently charged with the growth of sacred choral music at Aquinas College. Grace and Hugh
possible emotional response in the listener.” environment, Hugh’s hope is that the path that is at the heart of the College community and identity, becomes far more commonplace. “We should be able to replicate the choral community found within the UK. They have been doing this for over 500 years, so we have some way to go here in Australia,” Hugh said.
are testament of how essential music in ministry can be to the nourishment and feeding of our spiritual souls. Grace chose to use a quote by CS Lewis to explain how music and the soul are connected for her. Lewis said: “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body”. “I think this is the most glorious and beautiful thing to know – that we were made in the image and likeness of God, and our soul manifests the animation and life of our being,” Grace said. “The good in us and the many gifts we each
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 25
The effect of prayer on our soul WO R D S Theresia Titus
I N T H E C AT EC H I S M O F T H E C AT H O L I C C H U R C H , P R AY E R I S D E F I N E D A S “A V I TA L A N D P E R S O N A L R E L AT I O N S H I P W I T H T H E L I V I N G A N D T R U E G O D ”.
A
26
ssociate Professor Glenn Morrison at
the life of the soul, identifying that at the centre of
the School of Philosophy and Theology,
life is to be close to the Father’s heart like Jesus (Jn
The University of Notre Dame Australia,
1:18),” Prof Morrison said.
explained that prayer is an invitation for the believer
“We need prayer to sustain the life of our soul
to sacredly communicate with God in the depths
and to nurture the life of our mind, heart and
of faith, hope and love, “a spiritual practice” into
strength so that we can learn to forgive through the
the love-life of the Trinity, “so that we may adore
forgiveness of Christ, to rejoice at the return of a
the Father, walk in the light of the Son, and breathe
lost son and daughter, to give thanks to God for the
hope through the hope of the Spirit”.
beloved we have lost through death, and we need
“Prayer speaks intimately about the meaning of life
to pray so that we can remember the sacrifice of
and the revelation of God [as] they interplay with
Christ’s gift of self for the world.
THE RECORD MAGAZINE
PRAYER
“We need therefore to pray so that we can hear
Prof Morrison also encourages those who pray
the questions that God is asking us such as
to take a brief moment to study the scriptures so
‘What are you looking for?’ (Jn 1:38) or ‘Whom
that “people of faith learn a vocabulary of prayer,
are you looking for?’ (Jn 20:15),” he said.
theological, scriptural and liturgical language”.
Prof Morrison also explained that praying
“The Gospels narrate how Jesus relates
continuously could affect the soul, which is “the
intimately to his Father in Heaven, and teach us
life-force of the human body” however “fragile”,
how to pray, such as the Our Father (Mt 6:9-13).
easily trembled, shivered and panted in the face
Moreover, the Gospels teach us how to develop
of suffering, in threefold.
our attitude to talk to God,” he said.
“First, our souls become attuned to talking to
“Given that prayer is at the heart of our being,
God and entering into the love-life of the Trinity.
it is not surprising that Jesus shared with his
Second, the soul learns to be spontaneous in
disciples how to live a prayerful and blessed life
its life of faith through obedience to God’s will,
such as being ‘poor in spirit’ (Mt 5:3), ‘to hunger
giving charity to others and learning to be poor
and thirst for righteousness’ (Mt 5:6) and being
in spirit [to need God in all things],” he said.
‘merciful’ (Mt 5:7).
“Third, the soul becomes forever changed by
“The Gospels help people how to spontaneously
the grace of God. This speaks of conversion, a
open their hearts to God in prayer and so Jesus
radical turnabout to live a life of responsibility,
will invite us to see that to pray to God is to
generativity, creativity, goodness and covenant
come to him with all our suffering, hopes and
with God.
burdens (Mt 11:28-20),” he continued.
“Through such conversion, the soul learns that
Prof Morrison emphasised that for prayer to
at the heart of life is to seek spiritual growth…
be beneficial for our soul, it must be said “not
in the ways we speak courteously and care for
entirely for oneself” but “by praying for others,
others; to encourage and build up the life of
for our beloved ones, the Church and even
others in selfless ways.
strangers”.
“In sum, the effect of prayer on our soul is the
“Where prayer is saturated by our own desires
eternal progress to be a person in Christ, that is
to selfishly enrich and benefit our own lives,
to say, to seek friendship with God,” he added.
the ego triumphs over the soul. In contrast, the
“
A RADICAL TURNABOUT TO L I V E A L I F E O F R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y, G E N E R AT I V I T Y, C R E AT I V I T Y, GOODNESS AND COVENANT WITH GOD.
act of praying is deeply personal and at once deeply communal,” he said. “To benefit the soul, forming a daily examination of our lives in the morning and in
the evening will help to open the soul to the conscience and the will of God [in silence] (1 Kings 19:12).” It is through praying in silence, Prof Morrison believes that the soul “resonates a taste for the scripture, to learn from the tradition of prayer, and reflect upon how to think and feel with the imagination of Christ”. “In and through prayer, we can be certain that God will reveal to us that the day of salvation is today, is ‘now, if we listen to God’s voice (2 Cor 6:2),” he concluded. Illustration: Feby Plando I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 27
W
H
E
N
T
H
E
‘Little Flower of Jesus’ B
L
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WO R D S Theresia Titus
Students carry the relics of St Therese of Lisieux during its tour of Australia. The tour of the relics to Perth has been postponed because of COVID-19. Photo:
Supplied
Z
élie and Louis met in 1858 in a small French town
“She developed strong problems with her attachment
called Alencon where Zélie was a successful lace
because she had lost maternal figures so often during those
maker while Louis was a watchmaker by trade.
years of early childhood,” Sr Deborah said.
They were married and had nine children, three of whom
“After the death of her mother, she turned naturally to Our
died during infancy and one during childhood, which left
Lady, before whom they always gathered every evening for
Marie, Pauline, Celine, Leonie and Thérèse.
family prayers.
Theirs was a family which knew what suffering meant.
“She also turned to her second sister, Pauline, to whom she
Sr Deborah Sachse, Prioress of the Carmelite Monastery in
was close to and as she chose her to be another primary
Nedlands, said Zélie and Louis nurtured their children with
maternal figure in her life,” she continued.
great warmth, love and firmness. “The children expected to be corrected when they were wrong, simply by having their faults explained to them. Their parents’ expressions of disapprovals were usually enough to correct their behaviour because of the close bond they had with their parents,” she said. “Each child was kind of an individual, there wasn’t a one way that fits every child and the parents sought to understand each child’s needs and personality, and attend to each as needed.” Sr Deborah also emphasised how the family devotion to their faith and God had shaped Thérèse and her teachings. “The family was a middle-class family in a very classconscious society and they were very devout to their faith; the parents would attend early morning Mass of the workers every day,” she explained. “They had a devotion to Our Lady, prayed regularly, read liturgical readings as well as the Scriptures for the next day at night, and Thérèse’s love of Scriptures was fostered. “The primary source of nourishment for her life were the Scriptures, the depth of her teaching was really rooted in Scriptures and that was certainly developed within her family,” she added. When Thérèse was born on 2 January 1873, Zélie was already beginning to suffer symptoms of breast cancer,
However, when Pauline and Marie entered the Carmelite Monastery in Lisieux, Thérèse, who was 10 years old at the time, reached her final straw. “She suffered a mental and emotional breakdown from the repeated loss of maternal figures, [although she was close to her father as well],” Sr Deborah said. Thérèse’s pivotal point came when she felt the statue of Our Lady at her home was smiling at her and received her moment of grace after a midnight Christmas Mass in 1886. The strong character and personality she once had were restored. Sr Deborah believes that the visitation of the relics of St Thérèse and her parents is “a real celebration of the family, how in the most ordinary life lived every person can attain great holiness”. “It’s a real encouragement for people today; their faith has been assailed in so many ways and is something that Thérèse understood because she lived in great spiritual aridity and dryness,” Sr Deborah said. “The message is that holiness and closeness to God can be obtained by everyone, simply by enjoying faith, love and being sanctified in ordinary lives. Nothing but ordinary is asked of us as ordinary events of life can bring enough challenges, for example, accepting those who wrong us and
which prevented her from breastfeeding her daughter.
putting up with irritations of life.
Zélie and Louis had to send Thérèse to a wet nurse named
“You can easily dismiss and think that everyone can do it,
Rose, which was difficult for both the mother and daughter
but how many of us are committed to do it daily? We want
as they had to break the strong bond they already had.
to avoid the person who just rubs us the wrong way while
By the time Thérèse was weaned and reunited with her
they are the ones Thérèse would deliberately befriend with,
mother, she was already attached to Rose, which meant she
deliberately gave her loveliest smiles to.
had to break her bond with her “second mother”.
“Thérèse is so encouraging but when we take her seriously,
She quickly bonded again with Zélie, but their time had to
she is also incredibly challenging and yet, on the other side
be cut short when Zélie died at the age of 45 when Therese
of that, every time she failed, she just turned to God and
was a mere four years old. It was a “shattering shock” to her.
was open to God,” she concluded.
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 29
PLENARY 2020
ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE ANNOUNCES LAY DELEGATES FOR PLENARY COUNCIL WO R D S Amanda Murthy
P L E N A R Y C O U N C I L P R E S I D E N T, P E R T H A R C H B I S H O P T I M O T H Y C O S T E L L O E S D B , S A I D T H AT I N I N R E S P O N S E T O T H E D R A M AT I C C H A N G E S C A U S E D B Y T H E C O V I D -19 PA N D E M I C , T H E B I S H O P S O F A U S T R A L I A H AV E M A D E T H E “ D I F F I C U LT, B U T N E C E S S A R Y ” D E C I S I O N T O P O S T P O N E T H E F I R S T A S S E M B LY O F T H E P L E N A R Y C O U N C I L ( P C ) .
T
he announcement came shortly after
for the Plenary Council assemblies.
Archbishop Costelloe wrote to more than
“We were grateful for and impressed with the faith
250 other Catholics across the country, calling them as delegates for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
“At a time in our Church’s history, we’ve not seen before, with the suspension of Masses across the country and around the world, the announcement of our Plenary Council delegates is a source of great joy for the People of God in Australia,” Archbishop Costelloe said. “Bishops across the country worked locally with leaders
30
and the calibre of the people who were nominated. We could quite easily have filled several quotas with the names that were put forward,” the Archbishop added. Among the list of lay delegates already selected, 64 per cent are women and the average age of those delegates is 48 – with the youngest just 19 years old. The Perth lay delegates selected were Emily Hardbottle, Damian Walsh, Dr Angela McCarthy and Dr Marco Ceccarelli.
in their diocese to design a process to consider names of
Access the full list of Plenary Council delegates at
people who were nominated or applied to be delegates
www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/delegates
THE RECORD MAGAZINE
PLENARY
EMILY HARDBOTTLE
I’m very excited that the PC delegate roles
Youth Coordinator of St Benedict’s Church, Applecross Parish
so that most groups within the Church are
have been given to a wide range of people represented. “The PC is important, as we are reaching
“I think it’s so important that young
a critical point within the Church. There
people in the Church are represented on
are many negative things that the Church
the Council, and I’m excited that I was
has experienced in the last 10 years, and
chosen to do that. Young people are the
engagement with the Church has fallen
future of the Church, and so it’s important
as a result. We need to learn from our
they are in decision making roles as much
mistakes and learn how to better engage
as possible. We want to keep young
people so that they feel welcome and part
people in the Church and engage them.
of the Body of Christ.”
DR MARCO CECCARELLI
Church that walks together, where the
Director of Centre for Faith Enrichment
to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking in
faithful listen to each other and all try the voices of the group. This demands a
“I have seen the fruits that have come
certain vulnerability on our part, which
from the first two Plenary Council phases
can be unsettling.
(Listening and Dialogue and Listening
“I hope the Plenary Council will explore
and Discernment) when those who
ways to initiate, support and strengthen
participated did so by including prayer
the faith of the laity, including men and
in their session and took a “synodal”
women, youth, families, the elderly, the
approach. What I mean by synodal is a
disabled, and the poor and marginalised.”
DAMIAN WALSH
and then as a community listen to the
Director of The Shopfront
want us to.
Word of God and respond as He would “At this point, I am unsure of what the
“We are all challenged – especially
logistics for the upcoming assembly
in this time of collective anxiety of
are, nevertheless, I want to be a listener
COVID-19. It is important to be sure
and a reflector of what the Holy Spirit
that we are a strong community where
is calling us as Church to be. This will
the weak, not just the strong are
call and challenge me to be discerning,
listened to, heard as equal partners
prayerful and collegial player.”
DR ANGELA MCCARTHY
confidence that the voice of the Church
UNDA Senior Lecturer, Theology
“My hopes for the PC are formed from
will be heard. an experience of participatory difficulties
“Having been involved in PC preparations
in the Church, namely in the category of
of various kinds for the past two years, I
young people (my students) and women
can say that we need to have confidence
who I work with. I am hopeful that we
that the voice of the Church in Australia
will move towards a more participatory,
will be heard.
inclusive and synodal Church, however,
“I would encourage the community to be
this will require a great deal of prayer,
positive, to listen to the Holy Spirit, to
humility before God and a strong sense of
pray, engage with each other and to have
justice in addressing the needs of others.
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 31
JAPANESE BEEF FILLE T TATAKI R E C I P E A N D P H O T O Matthew Lau
During my time as a professional chef working in yakitori and izakaya-style restaurants, one of my all-time favourite dishes to serve has to be Beef Tataki. The technique of quickly searing the meat at extremely high heat locks in the eye fillet’s juiciness – the steak is best “done” extra rare to celebrate the most tender cut of beef. The ponzu sauce packs a punch, making Tataki a tantalising entrée. P R E P T I M E : 15 minutes S E RV E S : 2
INGREDIENTS
• 200g beef eye fillet • 1 dash sesame oil • 25ml soy sauce • 30ml rice wine vinegar • 30ml mirin • 15ml lemon juice • Flaky sea salt • Freshly cracked black pepper • Spring onions, thinly sliced to garnish • Toasted sesame seeds, for garnishing
32
THE RECORD MAGAZINE
METHOD 1. Pre-heat griddle till scorching hot. In the meantime, season the beef generously with sea salt, black pepper, and sesame oil. Prepare an ice bath. 2. Seal all sides of the fillet in the smoking pan till coloured but still rare. Plunge into the ice bath to halt the cooking process – allow to cool. 3. Whisk together the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, mirin, and lemon juice in a mixing bowl to form the ponzu sauce. 4. Using a sharp knife, thinly slice the steak across the grain. Lay the slices on serving dishes and drizzle with half the ponzu-style dressing. Scatter over a garnish of spring onions, drizzle with more of the dressing, and then top with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Serving suggestion: Complete the Japanese appetiser experience by serving your Beef Tataki with sliced pickled daikon radish, Japanese-style cabbage salad, and salted edamame beans.
Easter Sunday
SaintAnnesHelper.com
COLOURING
I S S U E 2 4 APRIL 2020 33
Photo: Adobe Stock
APRIL 2020
ISSUE 24
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER & EDITOR
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.
Jamie O’Brien jamie.obrien@perthcatholic.org.au
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DISCLAIMER
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The Record Magazine is published bi-monthly. Views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of the publisher or Editor. The Editor may refuse copy or material, including advertisements, for publication. Inclusion of an advertisement in The Record Magazine does not reflect endorsement or responsibility from the publisher or Editor.
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