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ISSUE 33 OCTOBER 2021
The Journey of Faith
Re-discovering our vocation to be a Pilgrim people VO CATI O N
S E RVA NTH O O D
E D U CATI O N
Glorifying God through Art
Service above self
Making Jesus real
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Official magazine for the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth The Record Magazine ISSUE 33.indb 1
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Photo: Adobe Stock
OCTOBER 2021
ISSUE 33 OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to provide news, features and perspectives for the Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Perth and Western Australia. We work to support Catholics to engage in the message of the Gospel and our coverage seeks to reflect the needs and interests of the Church – local, national and international – in a complete and authentic manner, reflecting always the voice of Christ in His universal Church.
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F E AT U R E D T H I S M O N T H
14 Vocation Gonzalo Skinner glorifies God through art
16 Making a Difference Never seeing a need without acting - Sam’s Story
18 Bishop Don blesses attendees at the National Aboriginal and Islanders Day mass. Photo: Ron Tan.
Servanthood Sister Emmanuel Crocetti PBVM retires
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“Blessed is he who is coming as King in the name of the Lord!” — Luke 19: 38
Religious Education Making Jesus Real to students everywhere
F R O M T H E E D I T O R Jamie O’Brien Welcome to Issue 33 of The Record Magazine.
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As we go to print, we are eagerly awaiting the commencement of the First Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia. It is a life-changing moment for the Church in Australia and
Recipe Tub Tim Krob (Red Ruby Dessert)
my team and I are honoured to be reporting first hand of its outcomes over the next few weeks and months. In this issue, we give you a brief look at the background of how the Plenary Council came to be, as well as the journey so far, coupled with some interesting facts and figures. We also feature the youngest Member, Matthew Brown, from the Diocese of Bathurst, while Br Ian Cribb SJ answers some questions about how the spiritual conversations process will benefit Members as they discern the questions before them. Don’t forget that these and many more stories are available at www.therecord.com.au. The Record Magazine is a magazine for the people and I hope you will enjoy taking the time to engage with us. Please feel free to share your thoughts via editor@therecord.com.au.
FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE From Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB From Bishop Don Sproxton IN THIS EDITION Why a Plenary Council? Plenary Council: Spiritual Conversations Modern Slavery Statement Launch Youngest Plenary Council Member Activity Page Colouring Page
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We must become, even more than we are already, a community of true disciples.
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At the Opening Mass of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, Sunday 3 October 2021, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB emphasised that the Lord is inviting us to reflect deeply and courageously on how we can better, as individuals and as communities of faith, be this living image of the life-giving God who, in Christ, is always seeking to be present and active in our world. On 21 November 1964, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, known to most of us as Lumen Gentium, was officially promulgated as one of only two dogmatic constitutions which were the fruit of the Second Vatican Council. Fifty-seven years later the Council, as Pope Francis reminds us often, remains a fundamental touchstone for our understanding of the life and mission of the Church in our contemporary world. It represents, indeed, a particularly eloquent sign of the Lord’s ongoing fidelity to his promise that the Holy Spirit, who is sent us by the Father, will as today’s gospel puts it, be with us teaching us everything, and reminding us of all that Jesus has said to us. We can be confident that the Lord remains faithful to this promise. And so, as we now seek to discern just what it is that God is asking of us in Australia at this time, our hearts do not need to be troubled and afraid. The Lord is always faithful.
Church is at the centre of the teaching of Lumen Gentium. The document draws powerfully on the Scriptures, on the rich tradition of the early theological and pastoral giants of the Church, and on the guidance of the Holy Spirit across the many centuries of the Church’s journey. We are, the Council tells us, “the People of God on pilgrimage towards our heavenly homeland (LG Ch 2), called to walk together in faith, with courage and hope.“ Our response to this call will determine the extent to which we become in practice what Lumen Gentium tells us we are in principle: “a kind of sacrament, that is a sign and instrument, of communion with God and unity amongst all people” (LG 1). This is the challenge which lies ahead of us, for surely God is asking us in Australia at this time to rediscover and live more faithfully our vocation to be a Pilgrim People, brothers and sisters in a community of disciples. We are on the way – but we are not there yet. We must, of course, do all we can to live in fidelity to this extraordinary vocation, but ultimately it will only be possible with the grace of God. Lumen Gentium reminds us that it is only in Christ that the Church is and can be a sacrament of communion and unity (LG 1). It is only with our eyes fixed on Christ that we can hope to be heading in the right direction. It is only when we are walking faithfully in his footsteps as our Good Shepherd that we can be confident we will not go astray.
The Second Vatican Council was the Church’s response to a fundamental question which both the world in which we live, and the Church herself, posed to her: “Church of Christ, what do you say of yourself? Who do you understand yourself to be?” As disciples we know that we must follow the Master. But we do not do so from a distance. We put the same question to ourselves today The Lord is closer to us than we are to as we solemnly inaugurate the Fifth Plenary ourselves. How often does Saint Paul remind us Council of the Church in Australia. We do so that we are the Body of Christ? That He is the with courage, with humility and with hope as head of the body which is His Church? That the the words of Jesus ring out today: “Peace I communion between Christ and His Church is as bequeath to you, my own peace I give you” intimate as the relationship between a husband (Jn 14:27). In the midst of the raging winds and wife? That the bread we break and the cup and crashing waves which sometimes threaten we bless are a sharing in the body and blood to overwhelm us we hear again the words of of Christ? That because there is one bread, we Jesus to his first disciples: “Take courage, I am are one body because we all partake of the one with you. There is no need to be afraid” (Matt 14:27). The nature and mission of the Lord’s bread?
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This, then, is who we are: the Pilgrim People, the sheep-fold of the Lord, the Sacrament of Communion, the Body of Christ. Reborn as members of Christ through baptism and united with Him through the Eucharist, we are drawn unfailingly into the divine life of the Trinity. Today, Jesus assures us that if we keep His word, His Father will love us and He and the Father will come and make their home in us (John 14:23). Drawn into the mysterious life of God, the Spirit, too, is with us to teach us and to remind us of all that Jesus has shared with us. And so, as Lumen Gentium tells us, borrowing some words from Saint Cyprian, “we are a people brought into unity from the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (LG 4). We are indeed, as individuals and as a community of faith, made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26,27) As this week we consider our life together, our pastoral care and our outreach in education, health and aged-care, our social services, our structures and governance, and many others things besides, the Lord is inviting us to reflect deeply and courageously on how we can better, as individuals and as communities of faith, be this living image of the life-giving God who, in Christ, is always seeking to be present and active in our world. He seeks to do so in and through us. Pope Saint John Paul II once wrote that, “our response to all the challenges and opportunities we face in our mission today will be hopelessly inadequate if we have not first contemplated the face of Christ” (cf NMI 16). Much of the work ahead will need, therefore, to be done on our knees, metaphorically if not literally. How can we be a missionary and evangelising Church if we are not listening to the Lord Jesus who says to us, as He said to His first disciples, “As the Father has sent me so I send you” (John 20:21)?
How can we be an inclusive, participatory and synodal Church if we do not reflect deeply on the hospitality of God made known in Christ, who draws so many people into His mission of preaching, healing and teaching? How can we be a prayerful and Eucharistic Church if we do not journey with Jesus into the hills to pray, or if we forget that when He asks us to celebrate the Eucharist “in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19), He is also asking us to become the Eucharist, giving ourselves away for others as He did? How can we be a humble, healing and merciful Church if we have not tasted the bitter gall of our failings and sins, and then, purified by the Lord, begin to reflect Jesus, the face of the Father’s mercy, healing and compassion? How can we be a joyful, hope-filled, servant Church if we do not contemplate Jesus on His knees washing the feet of His disciples? How can we be a Church open to conversion, renewal and reform if we fail to let the cry of Jesus, “Repent and believe in the Good News” (Mark 1:15), pierce our hearts? As we solemnly inaugurate the First Assembly of the Plenary Council today, I want to be so bold as to say, therefore, that perhaps the most important thing God is asking of us at this time is to return the Church to Christ and return Christ to the Church. What has always been true in theory and in principle, urgently needs to become true in the day to day experience of everyone who encounters us. We must become, even more than we are already, a community of true disciples. We must become a living icon of Christ who humbled himself, taking the form of a servant. We must learn from the One who is meek and humble of heart. We are being sent by Him as He was sent by His Father. If we remain in Him, as branches remain part of the vine, we will bear much fruit. Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus, Veni Sancte Spiritus – Come Holy Spirit.
+ Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB ARCHBISHOP OF PERTH
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Learning to hear God speaking through creation: celebrating NAIDOC week 2021
A healthly balanced lifestyle is something that we try to construct for our very busy lives. Good nourishment, good exercise and sleep, good relationships at home and work are all we need for a sense of satisfaction and positiveness in our daily living. Simply taking a walk in the early morning or after work has a remarkable effect on the body and mind. Getting some fresh air and walking in the bush and the natural environment seems to rejuvenate the soul.
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There is a sort of healing that takes place and a resting of the mind and emotions. You could say that we humans have known the therapeutic value of reconnecting with nature and the earth for thousands and thousands of years. The people who first came to our Great South Land have found that the land was like a mother: it gave food and pointed to how humans should live with each other, other creatures and the land itself. The land had stories to tell in its features, the hills, the water sources, the animals and birds. These
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stories were discovered by those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as they studied the land and its creatures. The stories enabled the people to connect with the forces that created nature and gave the people a way of finding the meaning of things and their place within the universe. In our Christian times, the spiritual quest has been helped by great mystics and saints who found that the natural world was a kind of sacrament that points to the One who is responsible for all of creation. St Francis of Assisi prayed in praise of our Lord for the beauty of the world, adding that our common home is like a sister with whom we share life, and a mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.” The theme of NAIDOC Week this year was Heal Country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people invited the entire nation to renew our care and respect for the land, and to listen to them as they talk about the healing they receive from their country. This healing occurs at so many levels for our brothers and sisters of the first peoples of Australia. They can teach us much about how we can be healed spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally by regaining the art of walking with all other creatures towards God. And learning to hear God speaking through creation. Creation points to God. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have received the knowledge about Jesus, as have all the people in every land on earth. They are joined with every other Christian and are our brothers and sisters because of their Baptism and initiation into their faith communities. We are all called to listen to the voice of the Spirit, especially in this privileged moment when we come together to celebrate the Eucharist. St John retained for us the memory of the miracle of the bread and fish. With a very small number of loaves and fish, Jesus was able to provide for a huge crowd. But the point was not that he should satisfy their physical hunger alone, but that those who
would listen to him should be able believe in Him who has come to be their Bread forever. The Bread that gives eternal life is Jesus Himself. The miracle began with Jesus being with the people, listening to them and their needs. He responded to their physical hunger by feeding them. He, then, taught them about another kind of hunger, a much deeper hunger. This hunger is for understanding life, knowing how to interpret life events with faith, of how to move from self-interest, to a greater vision of life in our lives. Jesus offered the grace for those who witnessed the miracle to see him as the Son of God, who provides the food to nourish faith and the relationship with Him. This is what the Eucharist is: the food that will nourish our faith along the journey of our lives. If we believe in the One who the Father has sent, all the concerns of our lives will fall into their proper place and we will be able to see their meaning and purpose. Our journey through life with Jesus Christ will be the most natural one we take. It will be like the refreshing and healing walk we take in nature itself. It will bring healing as we face the fear of looking into ourselves. It will be there that we will realise that will find God, loving us as we are and offering us the companionship to move beyond our self-interest to reconnection with life and the others with whom we walk in life.
+ Bishop Don Sproxton
AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PE RTH
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WHY A PLENARY COUNCIL? W O R D S Archbishop Mark Coleridge
ACBC President Archbishop Mark Coleridge from Brisbane gives a historical recount of the events that led to the calling of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
There have been times when I wondered if we would ever make it. But after all the delays and changes of plan, we have come at last to the First Assembly of the Plenary Council, which has quite a pre-history. The bishops took the decision to move to a Plenary Council in 2016, but the roots of that decision reach way back to the early 2000s. It was then that the late Archbishop Philip Wilson proposed that the time was right for the Church in Australia to prepare for some kind of national ecclesial event. This was in the wake of Pope John Paul II’s letter at the end of the Year 2000, Novo Millennio Ineunte, in which he urged that all the Church’s organs of communion be galvanised to prepare for mission in the new millennium. These were also the years when the full force of the sexual abuse crisis was beginning to be felt.
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At first, the bishops couldn’t agree on whether this was a good idea or this the right time or, if it was, what kind of ecclesial event would be best. So we entered upon a process of discernment which included the Year of Grace in 2012. This was a kind of retreat for the whole Church in Australia during which, taking our cue from Novo Millennio Ineunte, we sought to contemplate the face of Christ in the hope that this would equip us better to make a decision about a national ecclesial event. The Year of Grace worked better than we expected, but still at its end there was no clear agreement among the bishops about how to move forward. In 2013, however, two things happened that were game-changers. The first was the Federal Government’s decision
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to have a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse; the second was the election of Pope Francis. These two events converged to make the need for some kind of national ecclesial event to chart a course into a future in a time of dramatic change seem more necessary. Pope Francis then announced two Synods of Bishops, a year apart, both focusing on marriage and the family. The first of these Synods in 2014 included only the presidents of bishops conferences. It was followed by a time of fermentation which prepared for the second Synod in 2015. I was one of the two Australian bishops elected to attend that Synod. It was, for me, an extraordinary experience, in some ways an awakening. For the first time – certainly at a Roman Synod – I saw discernment in action. It was messy and unpredictable; at the halfway mark it looked very unlikely that we would achieve anything worth achieving. Yet at the end we did produce something which wasn’t the last word, but which was a real contribution to the ongoing journey of the Church. Part of why that Synod succeeded when failure threatened was the speech on synodality given by Pope Francis in those last days of the gathering – October 17 to be precise. It was an extraordinary speech at the end of a long and often tedious celebration of 50 years of bishops synods since the Second Vatican Council. It was while listening to the Pope that I had a kind of light-bulb moment. I thought: “Yes, now finally is the time for the Church in Australia to move towards a plenary council.” That’s what came to me with great clarity and conviction, which seemed to me at the time (and still seems to me) the work of the Holy Spirit. I returned to Australia and said as much at the next Plenary meeting of the Bishops Conference in November 2015. The Conference decided to set up a committee to make recommendations to the next Plenary
meeting of the bishops in May 2016. The committee’s recommendation was to decide for a plenary council, and that’s what the bishops voted for – not unanimously, but by a large majority. So we set out on a journey with three phases. The first phase was the preparation, which involved a great deal of consultation – Listening and Dialogue, as we called it. We were trying to listen to as many voices as possible responding to the basic question, “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” This was in the belief that only in listening to each other would we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. The second phase, which is upon us now, is the phrase of celebration, by which is meant the First Assembly in October this year. The time of fermentation after that, leads to the Second Assembly in the middle of next year. Then we will gather up the results of the assemblies and send them to Rome for Papal approval, which is to ensure that what has come from the Council is in harmony with the doctrine and discipline of the universal Church. This will lead to the promulgation of the decisions and decrees of the Council. A third phase of the journey will be the implementation of those decisions and decrees; and that could take a very long time indeed, as it has with the Second Vatican Council. It may also involve local synods to embed the decisions of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia in the local Churches. In Novo Millennio Ineunte Pope John Paul II described Vatican II as “the great grace given to the Church in the twentieth century”. As I look back on the journey that has brought us to this point and forward to all that lies ahead, I would say that the Plenary Council is the great grace given to the Church in Australia at the dawn of the twenty-first century. It was always the work of the Holy Spirit – and it will be no less as we move, like Abraham, into the future which God is preparing.
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The Journey So Far 2016 2017 2018
After years of discussions about a national event for the Catholic Church in Australia, the Bishops confirm they plan to host a plenary council, scheduled for 2020.
JUNE The Bishops' Conference appoints an Executive Committee for the Plenary Council, drawing together priests, religious and lay people from across Australia to advise the bishops on the Council process.
NOVEMBER The Plenary Council Facilitation Team, led by Lana Turvey-Collins, commences its work. It is confirmed that the Council be held over two assemblies – one in late 2020 and the other in the first half of 2021.
MARCH Pope Francis grants formal approval for the Church in Australia to host the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia. He also endorses the choice of Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB as president of the Plenary Council.
MAY The Listening and Dialogue phase, inviting people to consider the question “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?”, opens at Pentecost. The phase runs until March 2019.
JUNE The first gathering of the Local Coordinators Network is held, with representatives from dioceses and eparchies.
2019
2020
2021
JUNE The six National Themes for Discernment are announced, drawn from the voices heard during the Listening and Dialogue phase.
AUGUST Steering Committee formed to oversee planning for the Council assemblies, supported by various sub-committees.
JULY The National Centre for Pastoral Research publishes Listen to What the Spirit is Saying, a report on the Listening and Dialogue phase that ran to more than 300 pages. Diocesan reports would follow.
SEPTEMBER The Listening and Discernment phase opens, inviting people to reflect on the six National Themes for Discernment through prayer, listening, sharing and discernment.
MARCH Archbishop Costelloe officially “calls” more than 250 people to the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia. Canon law dictates a large proportion of the members; others were called from the local churches (dioceses, eparchies and ordinariates).
MAY Six papers on the National Themes for Discernment are published – prepared by groups comprising bishops, clergy, religious and lay people with expertise in the relevant thematic area. The papers will help inform the working document and Council agenda.
APRIL With the COVID-19 pandemic having reached Australia, the Plenary Council assemblies planned for October 2020 and April 2021 are postponed until October 2021 and July 2022.
NOVEMBER Mindful of the ongoing impact of COVID-19, it is decided that the First Assembly of the Council be held in “multi-modal” format, combining online and in-person participation.
FEBRUARY The working document for the Plenary Council, entitled Continuing the Journey, is published. MAY Fan the Flame prayer campaign launched for lead-up to opening of the First Assembly.
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JUNE The Agenda for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia is published. OCTOBER First General Assembly of the Plenary Council held.
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Plenary Council by the Numbers
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Plenary Councils have been held in Australia previously
84
years since the last Plenary Council
17,457 6
297
days that the Listening and Dialogue phase was open
archdioceses, dioceses, eparchies and ordinariates have members called to the Council Assemblies
people responded to the question “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?”
individual and group submissions were received during Listening and Dialogue
National Themes for Discernment emerged from the voices of the people
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220,000
279
70
Members are expected to participate in the two Plenary Council Assemblies
45
people participated in Discernment and Writing Groups
20
official advisers will support the Plenary Council members with their expertise
religious orders are represented among the Council’s Members
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GONZ BLESSED TO GLORIFY GOD WITH HIS ARTWORK
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W O R D S MATTHEW LAU
ockingham parishioner Gonzalo Velasquez Skinner is an experienced artist, glazier, installer and fabricator – carrying out a profession where he feels he is working for God. Across the Archdiocese of Perth, his works can be seen at Spearwood, Kelmscott, Ellenbrook, Cottesloe and Rockingham Parishes, as well as at Mandurah Catholic College. Raised in a Catholic family in a small peninsula called La Punta located in Lima, Peru, Gonz is the youngest of three sons who all attended a Catholic school. “On my Mum’s side, my grandfather was English and my grandmother French. On my Dad’s side, my grandfather was Spanish, and my grandmother was Italian,” he said. Gonz inherited his artistic flair from his mother, who used to paint, create art and crafts, ceramics, and cookery. “From a young age, I liked to draw. I remember drawing abstract patterns on small pieces of paper and gluing them on my wall. One time, my brother Aldo said to me, ‘Stop drawing silly things, that is not going to give you any money when you grow up’. But that didn’t stop me!” His mother continues to inspire him to carry out his work. “My Mum led me; she was always doing artistic work with different materials and different techniques since I can remember. I was always curious when I watched her and always tried to help and learn. Unfortunately, she passed away when I was 26. I miss her every single day of my life; however, her art lives on with me.” Throughout his life, Gonz has always placed high importance on his faith. “While I was in school, I attended Mass every Friday with the whole class. Mum used to talk to me about Jesus, but I started to pray more when I was 13 and my brother got sick with GuillainBarré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. “He never fully recovered from the illness, but he is fine and lives happily. “I used to go to Mass sometimes when I was young, but I started going every Sunday and praying more when I met my beautiful wife, Gianna; she was raised in a Catholic family,” he expressed. 14
“Over the past few years, I have attended a few programmes in our parish that have helped me to grow more spiritually. Currently, I spend one hour a week in Adoration – I enjoy that quiet hour in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” Prior to developing a design, Gonz prays to God and asks the Holy Spirit for inspiration. “I think if God has given me this gift, then He should be included in all of my projects from the very beginning,” he explained. “Who better artist than God himself that created the heavens and the earth! “After I finish an artwork, I pray again to give thanks to the Lord, and I offer my work to Him.” Gonz believes his career highlight is the opportunity to glorify God with his artwork. “Other highlights are having met amazing clients with great stories; on most occasions, we end up being good friends after my work is finished. “I also get the chance to help many people who I meet through my work, which I enjoy. I have also learned many things from very talented people like Gino Martini in Peru and Graciela de Calero in Colombia,” he added. “I have completed many works for convents and churches, and it gives me a special feeling from before I start until I finish. I feel that I am working for God; He is my client. “I also very much enjoy working in an empty church because I feel it is God and myself only, it allows me to pray and praise God. While doing my job, I put worship music on to sing along to.” A typical day for the artist begins with an early start in his workshop with a prayer before playing worship music to aid his efficiency. “Every day is different because I work with different materials, sometimes I am making stained glass, sandblasting glass, working with acrylic, creating a sculpture, etc. “I really enjoy my job, I feel fulfilled, that is why time flies for me! I feel tired at the end of the day, but in a satisfied way,” Gonz detailed. “I also like exercising, playing board games and cards with my family and friends – and I like to cook, always with music.”
● RIGHT Gonzalo Velasquez Skinner stands before his 2.8x2.2m stained glass artwork at St Jerome’s Church, Spearwood Parish. Photo: Supplied.
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NEVER SEEING A NEED WITHOUT ACTING – SAM’S STORY
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For many, a promotion to CEO at 23 would have come as a daunting, bewildering move. But for The University of Notre Dame Australia Communications and Behavioural Science alumna Sam Cook, her belief that we can make a difference drove her on with relentless passion. “When I can advocate on behalf of others, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment that is often reflected in the roles I occupy. This passion has put me on a unique path to leadership,” Sam says. After graduating in 2010, the recent graduate had been working in various marketing-related positions when she took on a volunteer role at One Disease, a not-for-profit with a vision to eliminate diseases from Australia, starting with scabies. “I found I was doing more of my volunteer job than my day job and the founder noticed. He eventually offered me a full-time position within the organisation as CEO.” “Mary Mackillop had a famous saying: “Never see a need without doing something about it”. This has always stuck with me. This internal confidence, like a fire burning in my belly, means I’m unrelenting with my convictions. Despite my naivety, I always believed that if there was a will, there was a way.” Four years passed and Sam found herself in Bangkok for her husband’s work, travelling the world on a much-needed break, and developing the seeds of an idea that would later become an advisory and capital firm called TWIYO Capital (The World Is Your Oyster). More recently, she also launched Flave, “a flavourpacked, fresh and convenient 100 per cent plantbased restaurant chain launching in Bondi this Summer. We’re on a quest to make it easier (and more delicious) for curious meat-eaters, flexitarians, as well as committed vegans to have a positive impact on the planet, one meal at a time.” It’s in these ventures that Sam walks the walk. Her firm beliefs about what it means to be an ethical leader are instilled within her, constantly affecting the way she interacts with stakeholders, employees, and even friends and family. “There is a saying, “you are the average of the company you keep”, and this is something I fundamentally believe in. If you surround yourself with people whose moral fortitude you applaud – from business advisors, employees, even friends – then no matter the issues or task at hand, you can rest assured that everyone is on the same page. Because of this, you can delegate more,
micromanage less, and have full faith that your team will act in accordance with the values of the organisation,” Sam says. This conviction to keep close those who align with her moral values is also evident when Sam discusses her university experience. “When I was deciding which university to attend, one of the major drawcards for me was that each student, no matter which degree, had to complete a unit in Ethics, Philosophy and Theology. This meant that each student shared a common underpinning that was unique to us; only Notre Dame students completed this compulsory Core Curriculum and I liked that. “I felt that it would give me an edge over other students when applying for jobs after graduation. My original assumption has been validated through my own personal career trajectory and is now known as ‘The Notre Dame Difference’.” Sam admits that wisdom can only come from experience, but says that her time at Notre Dame helped her to develop a more mature view of the world. “Not only was I trained to be a critical thinker, but also a compassionate one. Being in my early 20s and confronting existential questions that other students, or people in general, may never be exposed to, provided me with a solid framework to better understand and make decisions about the world around me. “Like a sailor equipped with his/her tools to navigate the seas, Notre Dame equipped me with theoretical knowledge and, most importantly, soft skills like honesty, justice, respect, community and integrity. These are skills that I believe have set me apart from other leaders and are something I take pride in both personally and professionally.” Sam’s people-focused approach to both her work and her life acutely epitomises Notre Dame’s emphasis on developing ethical leaders. This is evident in Sam’s commitment to advocacy and to giving a voice to those who have none. Her strong belief that individuals can affect real, tangible change and her conviction to – like Mary McKillop – never see a need without acting are illustrations of her true ethical leadership in action. “Still, to this day, I find myself in positions where I advocate for others, both personally and professionally. I believe I have Notre Dame to thank for a lot of that.”
● LEFT For many, a promotion to CEO at 23 would have come as a daunting, bewildering move. But for The University of Notre Dame Australia Communications and Behavioural Science alumna Sam Cook, her belief that we can make a difference drove her on with relentless passion. Photo: Supplied.
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JU E 2021 I S S U IES S 3U 3 EO 3C1T O BN ER
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‘LIFE SOURCE’ OF YANGEBUP PARISH RETIRES FROM FULL DUTIES W O R D S Matthew Lau
The name Emmanuel means “God is with us”, which “Because of her innate humility, Sister wouldn’t is certainly a presence Yangebup Parish has felt let the parish celebrate either her Silver or Golden over the past 31 years with a dedicated and selfless Jubilees of Profession. We are fortunate indeed to Religious Sister in its midst. have been able to pull this Thanksgiving Mass off!” Presentation Sister Emmanuel Crocetti PBVM has In 1990, Fr Peter Bianchini employed Sr Emmanuel recently retired from her Parish Pastoral Assistant and Sr Kathleen (now deceased) to work in the role, as the Mater Christi Church community newly-established parish and school during his sixgathered on 1 August 2021 to celebrate her year tenure as Parish Priest. enormous contribution. Fr Bianchini was succeeded by Fr Tim Foster, Fr Foundational Yangebup Parish Priest, Father Greg Donovan, Fr Bryan Rosling, and Fr Dat Vuong. Peter Bianchini offered the Mass to farewell and The only consistent element was Sr Emmanuel. appreciate Sr Emmanuel, joined by concelebrants Fr “Priests came and went, but Sister was our strength Bryan Rosling and Fr Jim Corcoran, with Auxiliary and stay,” Fr Rosling said. Bishop Donald Sproxton presiding. Sr Emmanuel is now 31 years into life at Yangebup Homilist Fr Rosling spoke volumes about Sr Parish, the place she calls home. Emmanuel, her background, and her remarkable During her time there, she has witnessed significant family – all four children of poor immigrant parents building projects including the re-location of Mater entered the Church as priest and religious. Christi Catholic Primary School, the building of the “Sister is an amazing woman who I admired and Parish presbytery in 1999 and the dedication of the loved for almost 18 years while I was Parish Priest church building during the year 2000 Great Jubilee, at Mater Christi,” Fr Rosling said. Emmanuel Catholic College and Hammond Park “As the several hundred Catholic Primary School grand openings, as well as people who filled the the Parish Centre. church for her Mass also Fr Bianchini described Sr Emmanuel as a “very kind love her and know her in and caring soul”. the everyday way we all know one another, it was ● BELOW Sr Emmanuel sat with important to reveal more Father Peter Bianchini, the priest about her: the tragedies, who brought the stalwart nun to Yangebup Parish in 1990. sacrifices and joys that Photo: Supplied. helped make her be the ● RIGHT This is a special person she is. moment for Sr Emmanuel (alongside Sisters Maria and Immaculata, and brother Fr Gaetano) as they meet Saint Pope John Paul II. Photo: Supplied.
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“Sister Emmanuel has been the life source of the parish because she has kept it all together with her knowledge and practicality. “She is always reliable, always there doing things,” he explained. “She is very creative. I still use resources for marriage preparation and baptism forms that Sister designed and printed for me way back then.” Josephine Crocetti was born as the youngest of five children in 1938 to Italian parents – Giuseppe and Concetta, in Beverley, WA. Siblings Sr Immaculata (deceased), Fr Gaetano (deceased), and Sr Maria (resides at Iona Presentation Convent) all chose to follow a religious vocation. The third eldest child, Antonietta, died of peritonitis as a toddler. Sr Emmanuel took her final vows in 1961, reaching a milestone of 60 faith-filled years as a religious sister this year. In an exclusive interview with The Record, she expressed how entering religious life has blessed her abundantly. “I had plenty of time to think about it after all my studies. After my dad’s death, I spent two years with mum in Bunbury housekeeping at the Cathedral Presbytery. “I just had that ‘feeling’ that I wanted to become a Sister, like my sisters,” she joked. Sr Emmanuel said her family was a major inspiration in her life. “I didn’t see much of my father because he was always away at work. My mother was a saint; she used to do many things for the church and held great respect for the priests. “I think it must be in our blood because my sister, Immaculata, was always tending to the church or chapel everywhere she went. She was a champion woman,” Sr Emmanuel added. “My other sister, Maria, was the same.
Historic picture of Sr Emmanuel Crocetti with her parents and siblings. Photos: Supplied.
She was always looking after the churches in the country towns of WA.” Sr Emmanuel taught at Iona Presentation College for numerous years before joining Yangebup Parish, where the early days in South Lake involved doorknocking to invite people into the church and school. “I know people who were baptised here and then married, and their children now attend here. I hope I can still be here. This is my parish; it’s my home – all my time and work has been amongst the people here,” Sr Emmanuel voiced. Marina Hayward, Parish Secretary from 2013 to 2021, has known Sr Emmanuel since she was 12. “Sister Emm is truly life-giving, nurturing, and completely selfless. Her commitment and service is her trademark. Her constant presence is comforting and reassuring for our community,” Mrs Hayward commended. “The delight on her face as [another] one of her exIonian students joined the parish in Yangebup was memorable when I arrived on the parish doorstep in the mid-1990s. We continued to grow our family from expectant mother-of-one when I arrived, to being [almost] full-time colleagues in the parish office 25 years later. “Our bond is so special, indicated perhaps no more so than her accompanying me to an ultrasound for one of my pregnancies to check the growth and and development of my baby, who is now 15 – the wonder and awe she experienced that day will stay with me forever, these two now share a very special bond,” she concluded.
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A key component of the Plenary Council’s Assemblies will help Members to consider the 16 questions that make up the Council agenda. Each day, some of those questions will be the focus of small group discernment, with about 10 Members engaging in what is known as “spiritual conversations”. What are spiritual conversations? And how do they work? Br Ian Cribb SJ, who led a retreat for the Australian Bishops in 2019, answers some questions about how the spiritual conversations process will benefit the Plenary Council Members as they discern the questions before them. What are the origins of the practice of spiritual conversations? The ultimate source of this practice is Scripture, in which we see countless examples of important conversations and moments or periods of discernment. Such examples begin in Genesis and run throughout the Old Testament. In the Gospels, we read of many important conversations Jesus has, including with the Samaritan woman and the rich young man. One of the most important conversations in the Gospels is between the Angel Gabriel and Mary in the Annunciation. That conversation is the very model of the steps in discernment. Within my order, the Jesuits, the process of spiritual conversation goes back to our early years, when members of the Society of Jesus were trying to discern the way forward when plans to go to Jerusalem were thwarted. Through work and prayer and conversation, the next steps became clearer.
PLENARY COUNCIL:
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How does it differ from other processes used for decision-making? The critical role that prayer plays in the various aspects of the spiritual conversations is an obvious difference from some other processes. But it’s also the disposition that we have to ourselves and to others with whom we are entering into this conversation. We come to the conversation praying for an inner freedom to engage with the process. We work from the premise that the Spirit of God is at work in the world, in the Church, in our mission and in every person. Our desire is to see what the Trinity is trying to do in the world today and to better collaborate in God’s mission. By doing that, we are entering into spiritual conversations. Without prayer, discernment is empty; we remain in our heads. What are the non-negotiables for such an approach? Like all conversations, the critical components are speaking and listening. It is intentional speaking and intentional listening that can create the necessary environment for a genuinely spiritual conversation. As part of a group, each person will do more listening than talking. That listening should be welcoming and non-judgmental. There should be a sense of respect for and trust in each other. The skill of deep listening involves suspending all judgement, quietening your mind and focusing on the other person. It involves you giving them your undivided attention to truly understand what they are saying. We are listening to more than words, to what is coming from the heart. Intentional speaking is also critical. That means thinking before you speak, choosing your words carefully and, in this context, that includes praying before you speak. People can practise developing mindfulness about what you say, when you say it and why. Body language matters, as does tone of voice.
SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS:
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What are the advantages of spiritual conversations? When a group enters into spiritual conversation, it leaves room for the Holy Spirit to work. It builds a sense of community and trust. It enhances respects for one another. It provides the chance for people to speak without interruption – something that can be hard to find today. It avoids having one person dominate a conversation. It allows us to listen to each other and learn from one another. How will spiritual conversations work in the Plenary Council Assemblies? The Plenary Council Members have already had a chance to experience spiritual conversations in the online environment, so they will be familiar with the process. They will have experienced leaders to guide them through the process, allowing all Members to fully enter into the time of discernment. That is critical to this working well.
Some of the questions being asked are significant and challenging. Will they be able to be answered through this process? The truthful answer is “I don’t know”, but this is a great method to address those questions. Pope Francis says in Let Us Dream that “To enter into discernment is to resist the urge to seek the apparent relief of an immediate decision, and instead be willing to hold different opinions before the Lord, waiting on that overflow. You consider reasons for and against, knowing Jesus is with you and for you.” It is important that Members understand that, that they know that an immediate decision isn’t always possible or desirable, but through prayer and conversation, a group can start to hear what the Spirit is saying.
There will be a chance for the groups to look at the pros and cons of the topic being discerned and to report back to a larger group, and then ultimately the whole group of Members, sharing the fruits of their conversation.
THE PATH TO
DISCERNMENT
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ARCHDIOCESE, CEWA IN JOINT SLAVE-PROOFING STANCE WORDS Matthew Lau
The Catholic Archdiocese of Perth and Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) have recently gathered to jointly launch their respective Modern Slavery Statements. Convening at the Catholic Education Office in Leederville on 30 July, stakeholders and advocates joined Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and CEWA Director of Finance and Infrastructure Dr Glennda Scully for an informal morning tea on the United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Archdiocesan Modern Slavery Liaison Officer, Deacon Greg Lowe, said the partnership aspect of this co-initiative was essential as it signalled to parishes and schools to work together on slaveproofing their parish centres and staffrooms, particularly in terms of the tea and coffee they purchase. To support the release of the statement, the West Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office (WACMRO) released a video featuring Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce.
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In the video, Archbishop Costelloe invites the whole Catholic community in WA to slave-proof their procurement and supply chains and further invites “every person to seriously consider ethical purchasing as a behaviour that we should all adopt as another way of putting our faith into action”. The Perth Archdiocese – with the support of the WA Catholic bishops and their respective Bunbury, Geraldton, and Broome dioceses – has joined more than 30 Catholic entities across Australia in reaching a noteworthy landmark in the Church’s efforts to eradicate modern slavery. The Archdiocese’s first anti Modern Slavery Statement was submitted to the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs in a Compendium of statements by members of the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN). In a message to ACAN members, Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference President Archbishop Mark Coleridge hailed the diocese’s achievement. “Australia can be a leading force in the Catholic world in seeking to eradicate modern slavery,
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human trafficking and forced labour,” Archbishop Coleridge said. “The Modern Slavery Statements of Catholic entities will form a compendium of Catholic principles and action for the advancement of human dignity and the common good.” By adopting the Pope Francis-inspired UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7, Australia and 190 other nations have pledged to take effective measures and end modern slavery by 2030. According to the Global Slavery Index, there are an estimated 15,000 modern slavery victims in Australia, and it is estimated that over 40 million people globally are trapped in some form of modern slavery or slavery-like conditions. One in four of them is a child. In CEWA’s Modern Slavery Statement, Dr Debra Sayce said Catholic schools could play a key role in efforts to eradicate modern slavery, human trafficking, and forced labour. “This is an important step in prioritising informed purchasing choices and opting for products that are produced in an ethical manner, by companies that support fair labour conditions, fair prices, community development and sustainable practices,” Dr Sayce said.
“By making socially responsible purchasing choices, we can work collaboratively towards the eradication of modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour.” The Modern Slavery Statements of Catholic agencies will form a compendium of Catholic principles and action for the advancement of human dignity and the common good. Addressing the 2020 calendar year, the statements set out the steps taken to assess and address risks of modern slavery in operations and supply chains, and the plans to better manage that risk in 2021 and beyond. “The shared goal of ending modern slavery needs to be a firm priority for our Catholic community in WA. With the support of Catholic school communities, we can meaningfully work towards a more equitable society now and for future generations,” Dr Sayce added. Information about how parishes and schools can start slave-proofing their goods and services procurement (including tea and coffee supply chains) will be released shortly at: http://www.wacmro.perthcatholic.org.au/
● BELOW Archdiocese of Perth and CEWA representatives gathered for an informal morning tea to launch their respective Modern Slavery Statements at the Catholic Education Office in Leederville on the morning of Friday, 30 July. Photo: Matthew Lau.
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MAKE JESUS REAL TO STUDENTS EVERYWHERE Discovering Jesus from 2,000 years ago into the here and now of today was the mission that Peter Mitchell, founder of the Make Jesus Real resource, took on when he authored the 176-paged interactive resource for the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office. The resource, originally catered to Year 5 and 6 students, has since been re-written by various authors nationally, using MJR as a reference. The resources include Spirit of Jesus written by Jason Perry for Years Three and Four, My Friend Jesus written by Liz Celegato for Kindergarten to Year Two students, and more recently the MJR 24/7 resource written by Perth’s own Marty Ogle and Gemma Thomson, catered as a secondary pastoral care resource that involves a student journal and a teacher e-learning guide. “When students graduate from Catholic schools, our hope is they have a real sense that God is present with them, and that they can sense this presence of the Spirit of Jesus through the people and events of their daily lives,” Mr Mitchell expressed. “Parents are encouraged to assist with the child’s homework when the book comes home and to discuss monthly topics with their child.” “We try not to call MJR a programme, but a Christian way of life,” he cited. Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, a former student of Mr Mitchell at the then Bedford Christian Brother High Preparatory School (now Chisholm Catholic College), reiterated that MJR
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is an accompaniment to the teaching to Religious Education in schools, adding that it is not an alternative to the subject. “Peter presents us with a way to bring together knowledge about our faith and the experience of living with faith through MJR,” Bishop Don stated. “It draws on the spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola. It has something to offer staff, students, and their families. “MJR has been demonstrated that it can transform our school communities. It has been taken on by schools in WA and the other states and it has become a key element in school evangelisation and strategic plans,” Bishop Don added. The Make Jesus Real book is divided into three sections: • Values and Attitudes • Spirituality of the Everyday • Reflective Journal Parents are encouraged to assist with their child’s MJR homework when the book comes home and to discuss the monthly topic with their child/children. There are more than 50 attitudes and values in Make Jesus Real and teachers can choose topics that the class will benefit from exploring. Some of the topics include self-discipline, good decision-making, friendship, positive behaviour management, having a sense of humour, handling your problems, resilience, being a giver rather than a taker, and being a team player at home and school.
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MAKING JESUS REAL NOW AND IN THE FUTURE ... The picture below illustrates some characteristics of Jesus that he showed in his life. These characteristics are mainly from the pages of the MJR.
ACTIV ITY In groups of two or three, give examples from the Gospel where these attitudes and values occur.
Kind
Matt 15:32
Welcoming
Appreciated being Thanked
Luke 9:48
Compassionate Matt 9:36
Friendly
John 15: 12-14
John 21: 8-12
Luke 4: 1-2
2 Corinthians 8:9
Being Determined
Concerned
Mark 11:15-17
Matt 14:14
Appreciated Children
Forgiving
Luke 19: 1-10
Mark 10: 13-16
Matt 4: 8-11
Organised a breakfa st BBQ for his friends
Mentally Tough
Giver
Won the Hard Ball
Luke 17:11-19
Generous with His time Mark 6: 31-34
Made Life Happen Luke 9: 12-17
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PLENARY COUNCIL’S YOUNGEST MEMBER LOOKS AHEAD TO HISTORIC GATHERING WORDS Michael Kenny
A quietly-spoken 20-year-old university student and youth minister from the regional New South Wales city of Orange is set to make history as the youngest Member of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
“I was a little hesitant at first because I didn’t really appreciate
Matthew Brown is currently in the first year of a double law and international studies degree at the University of Wollongong, but has returned to his home town to prepare for what he believes will be perhaps the greatest challenge he has faced so far in his young life.
youth to be represented”.
A proud graduate of James Sheahan Catholic High School in Orange, Mr Brown received a surprising phone call from the Diocese of Bathurst last year, inviting him to become one of only five Members on the Plenary Council from his rural diocese, including Bishop Michael McKenna. “I was school captain in my final year and loved my time there so much that I decided to take up a position as a youth minister in my gap year. It wasn’t long into my time in that role that I received the call from the Diocese”, he explained.
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what a plenary council entailed. But after some discernment, I knew this was such a landmark event for the future of the Catholic Church in Australia and such a great opportunity for Mr Brown attributes his strong Catholic faith and commitment to serving the community to his education at James Sheahan High, where he was heavily influenced by its dual charism of the De La Salle Brothers and the Mercy Sisters. “A real turning point for me came in year 11 when I volunteered for an immersion trip to the northern Sri Lankan city of Mannar, where I spent a week alongside my classmates teaching at a Lasallian school there”, he said. “I had spent a year fundraising for the trip and it was so rewarding seeing the impact that had as students benefited from having new computers and iPads thanks to the fundraising we had been involved with in Orange.”
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Mr Brown said he wants to build upon that spirit of serving
Mr Brown said he has been undertaking his university studies
those in greatest need through the Plenary Council – the first
largely online since the pandemic began and he is therefore
such event in Australia in more than 80 years.
very much at home as the Plenary Council shifts towards
“I really want to see a Church more open to serving the
largely online delivery.
marginalised, especially Indigenous Australians who have such
“While I was very much looking forward to meeting and
a beautiful spirituality we can learn from,” he said. “I also feel very much called to be a genuine voice for youth at the Plenary Council. I believe our young Catholics really want to see our Church heal from its dark past, especially around its history of clerical abuse where there is a real need for greater accountability. “In the interests of future generations, we need to move forward and build up a Church which is committed to a greater future.” Plans to hold an in-person gathering of 280 members of the Council’s first assembly in Adelaide from October 3-10 have been abandoned and replaced with each Member now participating in the assembly from their own homes. In some regions not affected by COVID-19 at that time, Members
socialising with other Members in person, I’m very used to working online,” he explained. “But certainly, depending upon the COVID restrictions in place by October, there may still hopefully be a way that we can gather in a Diocese of Bathurst hub, given our relatively small numbers.” Over recent months, Mr Brown has been speaking about the Plenary Council at local youth festivals, helping to encourage other young Catholics to engage with this historic event. “Youth ministry has really helped provide me with the skill set to step into this important role and I’m really looking forward to engaging with fellow Plenary Council members to serve our Church in such a special way,” he said.
might gather in small groups. ● BELOW, FAR LEFT James Sheahan Catholic High School graduate Matthew Brown, fourth from left. SECOND FROM LEFT: Matthew Brown attributes his strong Catholic faith to his education where he was heavily influenced by its dual charism of the De La Salle Brothers. THIRD FROM LEFT: Matthew Brown, centre, at a Rise Youth Conference with friends. Mr Brown says he wants to build upon the spirit of serving those in greatest need through the Plenary Council. FOURTH FROM LEFT: Matthew Brown says he has largely been taking his university studies online since the pandemic began and is therefore very much at home as the Plenary Council shifts towards a multi-modal delivery. Photos: Supplied.
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TUB TIM KROB (RED RUBY DESSERT) R E C I P E B Y Michelle Tan
INGREDIENTS Red Rubies • 1 Can of whole water Chestnuts • 1/2 cup tapioca starch • Red food colouring • Water • Ice cubes
Coconut Milk Syrup • 1/2 cup Sugar • 1/4 tsp Salt • 1 cup Coconut Milk • 2 pieces Pandan (Screwpine) leaf
METHOD 1. Cut water chestnuts into 1cm cubes. 2. Place the water chestnut pieces in a bowl with just enough water. Stir in five to eight drops of red food colouring until desired colour and let it soak. 3. In a pot, combine the Sugar, Salt, Coconut Milk and Pandan leaves and bring it to a boil. Ensure Sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from fire and chill. 4. Drain the coloured water Chestnut pieces and place in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle 2Tbsps of Tapioca starch and coat well. Add starch in batches until each piece is completed coated and no longer sticking together. Transfer the pieces into a strainer and shake off excess starch. 5. Prepare a large bowl of iced water. 6. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil and add 1/3 of the coated water Chestnut pieces into the boiling water. Stir briefly and wait for the pieces to float. Once floating, let the pieces boil for another minute. Scoop out the floating pieces and place in the iced water. 7. Check if the gel around the pieces have turned transparent. If not, return those pieces back into the pot and reboil. 8. Repeat boiling and ice bath until all pieces are cooked. 9. Drain the chilled Red Rubies and separate them in bowls. Spoon over the Coconut Milk until all pieces are covered. Add ice and serve cold.
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ACTIVIT Y PAGE
ACROSS
1 “I believe in God 33 Paul VI’s “A the ___…” Call to ___” 6 The Crown of ___ 35 “Bring Flowers of the ___” 10 The Good Thief 36 Vessel for 11 This archdiocese perfuming the altar is found in South Australia 12 ___ of sin 16 Dinah, to Esau 18 Prayer time 20 One of the seven deadly sins 21 Catholics Ted Kennedy and Alec Guinness 22 A Medici pope 23 Ezekiel scattered this to the wind (Ezek 5:1–2) 24 See 20A 26 Solemn holy day 28 Member of a certain religious order 32 Fate of John the Baptist
DOWN
2 Vestment worn under the alb 3 Son of Noah 4 They were found in Juan Diego’s cape at Guadalupe 5 The Diocese of Boise is here 7 Diocese in Montana 8 “And I will ___ you up on eagle’s wings” 9 French holy woman (abbr.) 13 The ___ of Forbidden Books 14 Land of St Patrick 15 Rerum ___ 17 Job’s wife told him to, “___ God and die” (Job 2:9) 19 Administer extreme unction 21 Wife of Abram 25 Breaks the seventh commandment 27 Tribe of Israel 29 Group of religious 30 OT historical book
31 “It is not good for man to be ___.” (Gen 2:18) 32 Hebrew for “son of” 34 Commandment number
ANSWERS
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