The Record Magazine Issue 43 [April 2024]

Official magazine for the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth

ISSUE 43 APRIL 2024

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AND EDITOR

Jamie O’Brien jamie.obrien@perthcatholic.org.au

PRODUCTION

Michelle Tan michelle.tan@perthcatholic.org.au

ADMINISTRATION

Bibiana Kwaramba bibiana.kwaramba@perthcatholic.org.au

CONTACT

Phone

08 9220 5900

Email therecord@therecord.com.au

Address

21 Victoria Square, Perth WA Postal Address PO Box 3075, East Perth, WA 6892

SITES + SOCIAL MEDIA

www.therecord.com.au facebook.com /TheRecordPerth instagram.com /TheRecordPerth issuu.com/archdioceseofperth_therecord

PUBLISHED BY THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH

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.

DISCLAIMER

The Record Magazine is published quarterly. 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.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

We welcome unsolicited articles and photos; however, we do not guarantee replies to unsuccessful submissions. Please send all information to: editor@therecord.com.au.

MEMBERSHIPS

TheRecordMagazine is a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association and Australasian Religious Press Association.

NOTICE

The issue may contain images of deceased members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Images are used with respect and appreciation.

La Pietà, St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. Photo: Jamie O’Brien

EDITOR’S NOTES

CONTENTS

“You will come to know the truth and the truth will set you free...”

— John 8: 32

Welcome to Issue 43 of The Record Magazine. We hope you like our updated design. On our front cover, we feature an image of the La Pietà, the marble sculpture of Christ and the Virgin Mary at Golgotha by Michelangelo, now in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

In his 2024 Easter Message, Archbishop Costelloe invites us to remember that Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and alive with us, is at the heart of Easter, just as He is at the heart of the Church, and of every aspect of the Church’s life.

We feature outgoing Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, who retires from his role at the end of March. We thank Fr Peter, who as Episcopal Vicar, Effective Communications, has helped steer the charge in the development of The Record Magazine and the work of the Communications Office.

Don’t forget that these and many more stories are available at www.therecord.com.au.

08

Fr Peter Whitely: Life to the full

04 Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB’s 2024 Easter Message

06

Bishop Donald Sproxton’s 2024 Easter Message

12 Archbishop Emeritus Hickey launches memoirs inspired by history and experiences

14 Everyone invited to ‘come and see’: Embleton Holy Trinity Church celebrates 50th anniversary

16

Leaving a Lasting Legacy: The Power of Bequests

18 Sr Kerry Willison rsm commended for creativity and fidelity

10

New Vicar General announced for the Archdiocese of Perth

20

New Chapel to leave a lasting impression on Irene McCormack College community

22

Greenwood All Saints Church celebrates 50 years of hope, faith love and unity

24

2023 WANNEROO FIRES: Orange smoke and flames visible from Banksia Grove Church

26

Newly professed Carmelite Sr Marie-Chrissie ocd inspired to religious life from a young age

28 Recipe: Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken

30

Colouring Page: Resurrection

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY COSTELLOE SDB’S

2024 EASTER MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

When I was a young boy first learning about my faith both at home and at school, there was an unmistakable stress on the horror of sin, on how deeply offended God was by sin, and on the dreadful consequences of failing to turn away from sin and repent of the evil things we had done. While in my case this was balanced by an equally strong emphasis on the love and compassion of God, it seems that many people of my generation only really heard the first part of the message. Inevitably, this led to an understanding of faith based primarily on fear. This in turn led to an image of an angry God who demanded retribution for the offences committed against Him.

Sin is a dreadful thing, which leads us away from God and from those we love. It closes us in on ourselves and leads us to make the satisfaction of our own desires the decisive criterion of our decisions and of our lives. It leads us to think that we will be happy when we get what we want, no matter the cost to others or even, ultimately, to ourselves.

God, whom the Bible tells us created us in the divine image, cannot be content with this – but perhaps God’s discontent is not born of anger but of profound sorrow as God sees us do such damage to ourselves and to others.

Saint John’s Gospel hints of this when it tells us that “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son…..not to condemn the world but so that through Him the world might be saved.” (John 3:16-17). In the mind of God, it seems, we need saving from ourselves and, often, also from each other.

“God loved the world so much….”. This, rather than God’s anger, is at the heart of the gospel message and at the heart of the life and ministry of Jesus. At the Last Supper Jesus confirmed this for us when

He said to His disciples, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12). This way of love, the way that we are called to follow, comes to its highest expression when Jesus goes to the cross. Jesus gave everything –He held nothing back – out of love for us. And now, incredibly, He invites us to walk the same path of love, not just for ourselves but for the good of others.

The Lord is not speaking of a superficial love or a love that melts away when difficulties and challenges come. He is speaking of a love which, as Saint Paul reminds us, “is patient and kind, is never jealous, never boastful or conceited, never rude or selfish, does not take offence and is not resentful”. It is a love, St Paul goes on to insist, which “takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, delights in the truth, is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.” (1 Cor:13:4-7).

After the journey of Lent this year, during which we have had an opportunity to reflect more deeply on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, it is important we recognise that this call to “love as Jesus did” is the very heart of our faith and of our discipleship. Each one of us knows how difficult it can be to live this call to love with constancy and fidelity, but each one of us, in the depths of our heart, will also recognise that this is exactly what Jesus meant when He described Himself as the Way, and the Truth and the Life. His way is the way to true happiness and the fulness of life: that is why we follow Him.

Easter is a time when we are called to recognise once again the seeds of hope which lie in this call to love. It is true that we can easily be overwhelmed when we see the horrors which continue to unfold in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in Sudan, in Myanmar and in so many other places around the world. We

+ Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB ARCHBISHOP OF PERTH

can shake our heads in desperation as we encounter more and more homeless people living on the streets with no apparent solution in sight. We can fear for the future when we read stories of increasing violence in our schools, both secondary and primary. In the face of all these problems, we can feel helpless. But the triumph of Jesus over the powers of hatred and evil is a powerful antidote to this. It is the promise of a new and better way to live. It is a source of hope and equally a call to action. If we, as members of the Catholic community and the wider Christian community in our society, committed ourselves to taking the gospel of Jesus seriously and set ourselves to walk in His Way, to embrace His Truth, and live His Life, we would be a powerful force not only for good, but for transformation and renewal in our wider community.

Of course, we cannot do this on our own. We need to be a people of hope, not just individuals with hope; we need to be a community of service, generosity and practical assistance to those in need, not just individuals who do their best to help where they can; we need to be a communion of forgiveness and healing,

welcome and hospitality, and not just individuals who try their best without the support of others.

“There are three things that endure”, says Saint Paul, “faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.” (1Cor 13:13). If we can, with God’s grace, create true communities of love, that generous, outward-reaching, self-sacrificing love which marked the life of Jesus, then the hope of Easter, the hope of love’s triumph over hate and life’s triumph over death, can begin to be realised.

Dear friends, this Easter, I invite you to remember that Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and alive with us, is at the heart of Easter, just as He is at the heart of the Church, and of every aspect of the Church’s life.

He calls to us and asks us to make room for Him so that He can be the companion on our journey, enabling us by His presence among us to love as He did. I invite each and every one of you to open your hearts to Him, let Him be the way you follow, the truth you believe and the life you live - and do not be afraid, for He loves us with an everlasting love.

May you all have a Happy and Holy Easter.

BISHOP DONALD SPROXTON’S

2024 EASTER MESSAGE

As described in the Gospel, one remarkable aspect of Easter is that no one anticipated it.

The disciples did not fully comprehend Jesus’ statement about rising from the dead until some time later, when they either remembered it or came to their own conclusion.

But when it was discovered that He was missing from the tomb on that day, they were only shocked and perplexed.

The first to have seen Him alive were not believed by the others - yet these were people who believed in life after death.

They might well have accepted that a good man like Jesus would have ‘died and gone to heaven’.

What they were certainly not prepared for was that He had died but not yet gone to heaven, that He had come back to life here on earth and was once more with them.

When attempting to integrate the mystery of Christ’s resurrection into our own everyday lives, there are two terms that can be helpful. The first is “Fidelity”, and the second is “Presence”.

Jesus died on the cross because He was, above all else, a man of fidelity.

The Gospels emphasise the idea that Jesus was sent by His Father for the salvation of the world. This was how Jesus understood Himself and, certainly, how He spoke of Himself. We might well say that Jesus knew who He was, He knew what His Heavenly Father was asking of Him, and He was committed completely to His mission, no matter what the cost. He was a faithful man.

As disciples of Jesus, we, too, are being called to live faithful lives in imitation of Him: faithful to God, faithful to His Church, faithful to our families and friends, faithful to our brothers and sisters who, together with us, make up the family of humanity. During His own lifetime, the faithful Jesus was not always surrounded by faithful followers. In the

readings for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, we reflect on the cowardice, shame and infidelity of the closest disciples of Jesus, who deserted Jesus when He needed them most.

However, if we read the Gospels carefully, one thing is very clear: Jesus never fails His disciples. He never walks away from them, even when they walk away from Him. And He will never walk away from us, no matter how often we seek to distance ourselves from Him. Jesus is present, He is close to us, always holding His hand out to us, and never willing to give up on us.

Ultimately, this is what the Resurrection is all about. This man, who seems to be defeated by His enemies and destroyed by death, rises again to a new life, one which means He is no longer tied to the dusty roads of the Holy Land but is now with us, and among us, and within us.

He is here now, symbolised in the flame of the Paschal Candle, in the celebration of the Easter Mass, in the community of faith which we are. He is calling to us, inviting us to come to Him, encouraging us to open the doors of our hearts to Him, and seeking to unite Himself to us in the extraordinary gift of the Eucharist.

It is this risen Lord whom we receive at Easter and whenever we come forward for communion in the Mass.

His broken and now risen body, and His spilt and now life-giving blood, will be our food and drink for the journey.

They are the living sign of His desire to be present to us in a communion of life and love. That is His promise that, united to Him and in Him, we can become the people God has created us to be.

I pray that as you celebrate Easter with your family and loved ones, you will give thanks for the wonderful gifts the Lord has so generously given us, so that our lives and faith may be renewed.

+ Bishop Donald Sproxton

AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PERTH

Fr Peter Whitely: Life to the full

WORDS Jamie O’Brien

The enduring work of the clergy, the moving lives of the people and the dedication of the many staff and volunteers. These are just some of the moments that will stay with outgoing Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely.

Fr Peter has been in the role since 2013 and retires following his turning 75 in March 2022, the standard retirement age for priests and clergy.

In a special interview with The Record, Fr Peter says God has really shown him how to live life to the full. “It has been an amazing journey filled with the support of family and many friends, many blessings and some challenging times too,” Fr Peter said. “However I am grateful for all of it, and I know God has protected and guided me always,” he said. In the Catholic Church, the Vicar General is a priest who is appointed by the diocesan bishop to assist in the administration and governance of the whole diocese.

Once appointed, the Vicar General is to act with the mind of the diocesan bishop with respect to the scope of the authority of his ecclesiastical functions. In announcing the retirement of Fr Peter Whitely, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB paid tribute to Fr Peter’s dedication and commitment.

“Fr Peter has dedicated himself to this difficult role for eleven years with the commitment, pastoral sensitivity, common sense and fidelity which have always marked his life as a priest of our Archdiocese.

“We all owe him a great debt of gratitude and I am very happy to place my own sense of deep gratitude to him on record as I share this news with you.

The seventh of eight children and hailing originally from East Fremantle, Fr Whitely attended St Joseph’s Marist Brothers College in Subiaco, before entering St Charles’ Seminary in 1964 to complete the last two years of secondary school.

He furthered his education in 1966 when he commenced studies in philosophy, before studying theology at St Francis Xavier Seminary in Rostrevor, South Adelaide from 1969 to 1972.

Once completed, Fr Whitely returned to Perth and was ordained a deacon at St Mary’s Cathedral on 12 December 1971 by the late Archbishop Launcelot John Goody, who would later, on 2 September 1972, ordain him to the priesthood at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Claremont.

Following two brief pastoral placements in parishes at Claremont and West Perth (now Northbridge), Fr Whitely was appointed as Assistant Priest at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Scarborough, in 1973. “These were years where I learnt a lot,” Fr Peter recalled to The Record.

“Not just about how to live and be a priest, but about how the people live and why faith was important to them,” he said.

This placement continued for 13 months, before he was appointed Assistant Priest at St Mary’s

Fr Whitely was ordained a deacon at St Mary’s Cathedral on 12 December 1971 by the late Archbishop Launcelot John Goody, who would later, on 2 September 1972, ordain him to the priesthood at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Claremont. Photo: Michelle Tan.

Cathedral and Chaplain at Royal Perth Hospital from 1974 to 1978.

Fr Whitely followed this with another placement as Assistant Priest in Moora from 1978 to 1979 before receiving his first appointment as Parish Priest at the Kulin/Kondinin parish in 1980.

He remained there for more than five years before being appointed to the Kellerberrin parish for 13 months.

In 1986, Fr Whitely was assigned the challenging task of becoming the founding Parish Priest of the Bateman Parish where he oversaw the building of the parish’s first church in 1992.

“I remember being very moved by seeing the community come together, uniting as a parish, supporting my role in leading the building of the new Church,” Fr Peter said.

“I will always be grateful to the many people who gave so much of their time,” he said.

In 1997, he moved to Greenwood Parish where he remained for more than five years and followed this in 2003 with 10 years as Parish Priest of Applecross, where he once again oversaw the building of a second church in 2008.

Fr Peter said that his 30 years as Army Reserve Chaplain and 10 years as the Chaplain to the Indonesian Catholic Community in Perth, which he helped to establish, were also highlights of his ministry as a priest.

“I very much loved parish life. It is where as a priest you really get to see the heart of the diocese – the families, the religious, the youth, the elderly – all coming together for the sole purpose of sharing their faith with one another.

“I am especially grateful to all these people for sharing their faith with me, for making me the priest that I am today,” he said.

Fr Peter speaks with parishioners at Armadale. He retires as Vicar General at the end of March 2024. Photo: Michelle Tan.

Fr Peter meets Pope St John Paul II in 1986. That year, he was also assigned as the founding Parish Priest of Bateman, where he oversaw the building of the parish’s first Church in 1992. Photo: Sourced.

Fr Peter elevates the Bloody of Christ beside Fr Vincent in December 2022 . Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

New Vicar General announced for the Archdiocese of Perth

WORDS Jamie O’Brien

The Archdiocese of Perth has a new Vicar General. Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn will take over from current Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely at the end of March 2024 following his retirement. In the Catholic Church, the Vicar General is a priest who is appointed by the diocesan bishop to assist in the administration and governance of the whole diocese.

Once appointed, the Vicar General is to act with the mind of the diocesan bishop with respect to the scope of the authority of his ecclesiastical functions. In announcing the appointment of Fr Vincent for an initial period of six years, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said he asks that the Perth Catholic community offer Fr Vincent its full support as he takes up this new role, commencing 29 March. The eldest of six children, Fr Vincent attended early primary school firstly at Our Lady of Lourdes

Nollamara and then as a foundation student at the new parish of St Gerard Majella, Mirrabooka, in 1965, graduating from the former CBHS Highgate in 1975.

In 1976, he began studying for the priesthood at St Charles’ Seminary in Guildford and completed his training at St Francis Xavier Seminary in Adelaide. He was ordained a priest in December 1982 by Archbishop Lancelot Goody in St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth and went on to serve in the parishes of Carlisle, Leederville, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Nollamara, Embleton, and Floreat-Wembley.

It was upon the completion of his Licentiate in Sacramental Theology from the Pontifical University of Sant’Anselmo in Rome in 1991 and upon his return to Perth that Fr Glynn found his priestly ministry in the areas of education and faith formation.

In 2020, he became the inaugural Episcopal Vicar

In July 2020, Fr Vincent became the first Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation and a member of the Archdiocese of Perth Curia. Photo: Ron Tan.

for Education and Faith Formation, having been a Senior Lecturer in Sacramental Theology at Notre Dame University Fremantle for the 11 years prior.

From 1999 to 2005, Fr Vincent was the Director of the Maranatha Institute for Adult Faith Education (now the Centre for Faith Enrichment).

In 2011, after several years of part-time study, he gained a Bachelor of Laws degree from UNDA, a degree that he said broadened his understanding of many things and that he really enjoyed doing.

In July 2020, Fr Vincent became the first Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation and a member of the Archdiocese of Perth Curia. His appointment by Archbishop Costelloe SDB saw a new focus in the area of education and faith formation.

Most recently, he was a member of the Plenary Council and over the past nearly 18 months has been leading the charge with the Archdiocesan Assembly, scheduled for July this year.

Speaking to The Record about his new appointment, Fr Vincent said he is both honoured and humbled to be of service to the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of Perth as the new Vicar General.

“I look forward to continuing my ministry in this new role, supporting the Archbishop and his Office, as well as the different people I meet across the Archdiocese,” Fr Vincent explained.

“I trust that the Lord will continue to support and guide me – as I hope that each one of us will do also for each other - always being ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ across Perth,” he said. Archbishop Costelloe also emphasised that he is

grateful to Fr Vincent for taking on this new and challenging ministry of service in the Archdiocese.

“I ask you all to offer Vincent your full support as he takes up this new role, which will begin on Friday March 29,” he said.

Archbishop Costelloe with Fr Vincent, who served as MC for the Closing Mass of the 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival. Photo: Iceberg.

Incoming Vicar General, and Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn, third from left with CEWA Director Religious Education Deacon Mark Powell and students from Sacred Heart College Sorrento. Photo: Ron Tan/Archdiocese of Perth.

Archbishop Emeritus Hickey launches memoirs inspired by memories, history and experiences

WORDS Jamie O’Brien

The title of the recently launched memoirs by Perth Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey was inspired by the connection he continues to have with the Goldfields.

My Spirt Land was launched on Sunday 3 December at Mercy Village and present for the occasion were Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Vicar General the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely and Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn. Also in attendance for the launch were Archbishop Emeritus Hickey’s sisters Judy Clear and Patty Stidwell, in addition to some 75-fellow clergy, family, friends and former colleagues.

Born in Leonora in 1936, Archbishop Emeritus Hickey was educated at Presentation Convent in Wiluna.

The family later moved to Kalgoorlie while his father, Gregory Hickey, worked as a public servant in the mining industry, with Archbishop Emeritus Hickey going on to attend Christian Brothers College Kalgoorlie.

It was in the Goldfields where he built a desire to enter the priesthood, after deciding a career working

in the mines was not his calling.

He then attended St Charles Seminary in Guildford in 1950 before attending Rome’s Urbaniana University in 1955.

Ordained to the priesthood in Rome, he later attended the University of Western Australia from the age of 32 to gain a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Social Work.

He went on to hold leadership positions including as Director of Centrecare, Director of Catholic Immigration, Chairman of the WA Catholic Social Welfare Commission, State Chaplain to the St Vincent de Paul Society, and Chairman of the Australian Social Welfare Commission.

The then Father Hickey started out as Parish Priest at St Brigid’s Northbridge, and was Parish Priest at Highgate when he was appointed as Bishop of Geraldton in 1984.

In 1991, he was named Archbishop of Perth and served in the position for 21 years.

The title of the memoirs, My Spirit Land, explained Archbishop Emeritus Hickey, was inspired by the connection he continues to have with the Goldfields.

The title of the memoirs, My Spirit Land, explained Archbishop Emeritus Hickey, was inspired by the connection he continues to have with the Goldfields. Photo:Ron Tan.

He said he considered the region as “the most beautiful part of the world”.

“It looked dry and uninviting, until you got close and found that it was full of life . . . with beetles and lizards and spiders,” Archbishop Emeritus Hickey said.

“There were lakes everywhere, a lot of them dry, but after heavy rain, huge lakes would form.

“I would try to go out and have picnics on the lakesides with family . . . and be close to the fantastic Australian native bushland.

“My spirit land of the Goldfields reminded me so much of the presence of God in nature, and the presence of God among us.

“I thought that the wilderness was spiritual, and the wild animals, the camels, the emus, were all part of nature which reflected the goodness of God.”

In supporting the launch of the memoirs, Archbishop Costelloe referenced the words of Psalm 124.

“The instinct which has prompted Archbishop Hickey to write his memoirs has not been, perhaps, the experience of desolation and the absence of God, but rather the realisation that the long story of his life and of his ministry as priest and bishop reveals the wonderful, sometimes surprising and unexpected, but always challenging presence of the Spirit of God, leading him forward, step-by-step,”

Archbishop Costelloe said.

“The Archbishop Emeritus has now given us the opportunity to revisit this journey with him.

“In doing so, he is helping us to reflect on the way in which God might be accompanying us step-by-step along our journey of life.

“And at the same time the Archbishop Emeritus is giving us an opportunity to thank God that he has walked faithfully for so many years with the Lord by his side, has allowed the Lord to open his eyes and ears to the cries of the poor and needy, and has nurtured in him a generous and loving heart which has always driven him, and still drives him, to reach out to those who need him,” he said.

As Archbishop of Perth, Barry Hickey was responsible for founding several organisations to support the marginalised including The Shopfront, Daydawn Advocacy Centre, Pregnancy Assistance as well as the overarching promotional arm, LifeLink.

Archbishop Emeritus Hickey emphasised that one of his main priorities during his time as Archbishop of Perth was to ensure that there were enough priests to support the life of the Catholic Church in Perth.

In 1994, he re-opened St Charles Seminary at Guildford, and in the same year established Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary at Morley.

Archbishop Emeritus Hickey said the writing of his memoirs took almost three years with information

recalled from his memory along with conversations with his two sisters.

He said the book was a personal reflection of his life and in some ways revealed his most intimate thoughts.

“It’s written, not as a (record of) history, but as a stream of consciousness, things that jumped into my mind,” Archbishop Emeritus Hickey said.

“My memoirs are personal. They are my memories, history as I saw it. I write about my own experiences, about my public and personal life. “I write about the decisions I made, because they were my decisions.”

To purchase a copy of My Spirit Land, go to www.myspiritlandmemoir.com or email myspiritlandmemoirs@gmail.com

Copies can also be purchased at the parishes of Whitford, Willetton, Hamilton Hill and Kalgoorlie/ Boulder from Wednesday to Friday and credit card facilities are available.

Family and friends from across Australia gathered for the launch of My Spirit Land by Archbishop Emeritus Hickey at MercyCare Wembley on 3 December 2023. Photo: Jamie O’Brien

Front cover of Archbishop Emeritus Hickey’s Memoir. Image: Supplied.

Everyone invited to ‘come and see’: Embleton Holy Trinity Church celebrates 50th anniversary

WORDS Jamie O’Brien

May this simple place, where followers of Jesus gather in faith and with the hope that they can become more like Christ, be where they recognise their only Saviour and learn how to notice His presence working in them day by day, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has said.

Bishop Sproxton was speaking on 12 December 2023 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary and blessing of the renovations of Holy Trinity Church, Embleton Parish.

“And so come with joy to give thanks for the “glory of God being revealed in us,” Bishop Sproxton said. Concelebrating with Bishop Sproxton for the occasion was Episcopal Vicar Education & Faith Formation, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn, Parish Priest, Fr Patrick Toohey, South Perth Parish Priest, Msg Brian O’Loughlin, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Chaplain Fr Sebastian Fernando, Fr Armando Carandang, Msg Tim Corcoran and Syro-Malabar priest Fr James Anish.

Bishop Sproxton was referring to the recent

renovations to the Church which saw the inclusion of a new baptismal font by Perth artist Gonzalo Skinner, as well as the new baptismal area, installation of new confessionals, renovation of the narthex as well as the revitalisation of the pews. The renovations included upgrades to the ceiling and lighting, digital media, security, entrance doors, emergency lighting and air conditioning.

The project was managed by parishioner and infrastructure professional Terry Dewar – who took 12 months leave from his role as a CEO - and completed in 12 months.

Parish Priest Fr Patrick Toohey highlighted that the grounds of the Church have been renewed and refreshened as a sign of welcome to all.

“Everyone in Embleton is invited to ‘come and see’ ” Fr Patrick said.

“Everything that has been achieved in enhancing the beauty of the Church has been under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“Along with goodness and truth, beauty points to

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton elevates the Body of Christ, together with Embleton Parish Priest Fr Patrick Toohey elevating the Blood of Christ, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Holy Trinity Church, Sunday 12 December, 2023. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

God in his Trinity, which is the name of the parish,” he concluded.

Parish Historian Jackie Marrapodi explained to The Record that the Parish came into being on 1 March 1964, in an area which had been part of the Parishes of Bayswater, Bedford and Morley. Embleton was the smallest district in the metropolitan area and had been developed by the State Housing Commission between 1956 and 1962, to house mainly immigrants from post-war Europe.

The first Church, now the Parish Hall, was started with Fr Jeremiah McNamara.

“His charisma and zeal for his work gained him the love and respect of all who came into contact with him,” Mrs Marrapodi explained.

Fr McNamara’s early death in March 1968 was a great loss, not only to Embleton but to the Diocese as a whole.

Planning for a proper Parish Church building began in 1970, with Messrs Mazak, Seagar & Associates, chosen as architects and Bianchini & Sons as builders. Features included the Trinity-stained glass window above the altar which details the creative hand of God (the Father), the chalice and host (with a cross) for Jesus (the Son) and a dove and tongues of fire representing the Holy Spirit.

Construction on the Church began in 1973 and was completed in December of the same year, with the solemn dedication, blessing and opening taking

place on 12 December 1973 by then Archbishop Lancelot Goody.

Referring to the Gospel of Mark, Bishop Sproxton highlighted that we, like the people of Israel during the time of Christ’s baptism, need time to understand and absorb the gospel message. “And [our] God’s patience and desire to free us from the burdens we carry and enable us to grow in trust of His understanding and mercy,” Bishop Don emphasised.

Speaking about the new renovations, Bishop Sproxton said our understanding and trust in the mercy of God has led to the construction of a new Confessional here at Holy Trinity.

“It is positioned next to the New Baptismal area - a connection is made between the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance by this arrangement.

“The Sacrament of Penance opens the way to Christ to come to our hearts with the power to destroy sin, lift from our shoulders the heavy burdens and to sustain our faith and peace of heart. Jesus has the power to make straight what in us is crooked,” he said.

Parish Historian Jackie Marrapodi explained to The Record that features of the Church include the Trinity-stained glass window above the altar which details the creative hand of God the Father, the chalice and host with a cross for Jesus the Son and a dove and tongues of fire representing the Holy Spirit. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

Parishioner Peter Golding proclaims the second reading. for the 50th anniversary Mass of Holy Trinity Church, Sunday 12 December 2023. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

Embleton parishioners came together Sunday 12 December for the 50th anniversary of the Holy Trinity Church. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy: The Power of Bequests

Applecross couple John and Sue Noton-Dale had always been generous supporters of charitable and community causes throughout their lives.

So, it was a natural decision in their twilight years to think about how their good works could continue long after they were gone.

What resulted was a $1 million bequest to The University of Notre Dame Australia to establish the Noton-Dale Medical Research Scholarship.

In December, School of Medicine PhD student Ethan Williams was announced as the inaugural recipient of the scholarship, ensuring that the couple’s legacy continues to live on.

Ethan is examining new uses for artificial intelligence to improve patient care and quality of life, and the scholarship will help to support him financially during his studies for the next three years.

“Receiving the Noton-Dale Scholarship has been an incredible honour,” Ethan said.

“It will significantly improve my ability to commit time and resources to my research project at a time when there are many costs of living stressors. It also further motivates me to continue Mr John and Sue Noton-Dale’s vision and commitment to medical

research and improvement of the quality of patient care.”

As a nurse who grew up in the country, Sue NotonDale understood more than most the importance of medical services in the bush and beyond and dedicated herself to the nursing profession.

In later life she worked at St Joseph’s Hospital in Bicton, where she first met John.

John, who was born in Yorkshire, also had a strong interest in the medical profession as a young man. He served in the British Navy as a radio technician during WWII and wanted to study medicine following the war. But as things worked out, he ended up embarking on a career in civil aviation. After the couple married in 1987, they took a keen interest in the mission to establish Australia’s first Catholic University in Fremantle and were generous supporters of Notre Dame from its beginning in 1989.

The scholarship that they have established provides an opportunity for students who face financial barriers to follow their dream of making a difference in the world of medicine.

Some of Sue Noton-Dale’s children attended

Applecross couple John and Sue Noton-Dale had always been generous supporters of charitable and community causes throughout their lives. Photo: Supplied.

“We were pleased to recently meet Ethan and find his chosen field of research fascinating,” Sarah Dale-Squires said. “Both John and Mum would have been thrilled that the scholarship had been awarded to such a deserving and passionate student. They would have been very proud of him. We know that they would - like us - be intrigued and curious about the possibilities that can arise from Ethan’s research. We all look forward to following the progress of his AI research journey.”

Ethan said that he wished he had been able to meet the couple to thank them personally.

“I would immensely thank them for their generosity, keenly listen to their life story and ensure that our research can align with their vision,” Ethan said. “I would encourage prospective donors to strongly consider the impact that their support can have on not only the research student but also how research can shape the world around us for the better.”

Notre Dame’s Vice Chancellor Professor Francis Campbell has previously said that the couple’s gift speaks volumes about their kindness and generosity.

“It also, however, speaks to other qualities of their

character – qualities such as loyalty, steadfastness, vision, patience, dedication and self-giving – traits that we hope to form in our students here at the University. The fact that John and Sue have taken such an interest in Notre Dame as a university shows also that they clearly valued the importance of education, of research, of knowledge, of understanding, and of the seeking of truth and wisdom.”

In an era where the future can often seem uncertain, bequests offer a tangible way to shape the world for future generations. They remind us that our actions, no matter how small, can have a lasting impact and that the true measure of life lies not in what we accumulate but in what we give. The University of Notre Dame Australia welcomes the generous support of visionary people to help us fulfil our educational and research mission. Last year, more than 100 students benefited from scholarships thanks to the generosity of donors like John and Sue, who believe in the power of education. Should you wish to have a legacy confidential discussion, please contact The University of Notre Dame at bequests@nd.edu.au

A morning tea event was held in December to launch the inaugural Norton-Dale Scholarship. Photo: Supplied. a special ceremony to present Ethan with his scholarship.

Sr Kerry Willison RSM commended for creativity and fidelity

More than 30 years as Director of the Centre for Liturgy for the Archdiocese of Perth have come to a close for Sr Kerry Willison RSM.

The Mercy Sister was farewelled at a gathering, Thursday 23 November, hosted by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, together with colleagues, family and friends from the Archdiocese and across Australia.

Speaking at the farewell gathering, Archbishop Costelloe commended Sr Kerry for her creativity and fidelity.

“I am sure, many of us, in years to come will continue to marvel at the beautiful ways Sr Kerry has brought the liturgy to life but also in relation to the liturgical culture and spirituality of the Archdiocese,” Archbishop Costelloe said.

“The work of Sr Kerry, and undoubtedly her team, has overflowed across the Archdiocese and certainly the whole country,” he said.

Archbishop Costelloe continued by saying the Archdiocese owes Sr Kerry a debt of gratitude, particularly in relation to her work with the restoration of St Mary’s Cathedral, the final Mass of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in 2019 and

the Plenary Council Opening Mass in 2021. “This has been an extraordinary contribution and for that Sr Kerry can be very proud, and we are very grateful,” Archbishop Costelloe said.

Speaking exclusively to The Record, Sr Kerry – who has been in the role since 1992, said she has always been inspired by how the Catholic Mass and sacraments can change a person’s life by bringing them closer to God.

“It is about connecting people with the sacred, offering them opportunities to bring their pain, anxiety and difficulties into a sacred place, and feel some sense of peace or release.”

For Sr Kerry, being Director of Liturgy at the Archdiocese of Perth is, in many ways, about connecting people with the divine.

“Liturgy, to me, is prayer,” Sr Kerry said. Sr Kerry came to the liturgy role after years of teaching Religious Education in Perth schools, including St Gerard’s Catholic Primary School in Mirrabooka and St Mary’s in Leederville. Before that, she had joined the Sisters of Mercy after finishing high school – a decision shaped by her encounters with the Order during her childhood,

Sr Kerry, centre, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, far right and Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey, third from left. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

and the Sisters’ kindness to her and her family.

“I was taught by the Sisters of Mercy. I actually went to Our Lady of Lourdes (in Nollamara), and lived in the area, so I suppose they had an influence on me from my early years,” she said.

“Also, my mother was sick for a lot of years of my life and died very young in her forties… and the Sisters were very kind to my mother.”

After taking part in a retreat with the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 17, Sr Willison decided to enter the convent soon after.

The education she received within the convent provided her with life skills which she says have been invaluable to her to this day.

“It just gave me everything I needed as a young person,” she said.

With the aim of embarking on a teaching career, Sr Kerry later studied at Churchlands Teachers’ College – an experience she described as “fantastic” and which set her up well for supporting students in primary and secondary education, starting with four years at St Gerard’s (1981-84).

In 1985, she went on to St Mary’s (later Aranmore Catholic College) where she taught English and Religious Education before becoming Head of the Department.

“There was a wonderful group of teachers I worked with at Aranmore,” she said.

“We didn’t have all the Religious Education programs they have now to work from; we had to develop our own with the support of the Catholic Education Office.

“The staff gave me a Claddagh ring when I left there, and that’s always been a treasure of mine.”

In the early nineties, Sr Kerry would go on to accept an offer to study for a two-year Masters’ degree in Pastoral Ministry at Boston University, focusing on Eucharistic Theology.

“I loved the study and the libraries at Boston College,” she said.

“We had access to Boston University Library, and Harvard Library, there were just so many opportunities. I was also lucky enough to have opportunities to travel, so I travelled around America quite a bit.”

All this placed her in good stead to become Director of Liturgy at the Perth Archdiocese in 1992 – a role which she accepted on return from the United States.

Since then, Sr Kerry has been involved in other activities in the Archdiocese, including the rebuilding of St Mary’s Cathedral, as a member of the Arts and Furnishing Committee, and the Project Committee. She said a life-long love of art had helped her in these roles, which involved drawing up briefs for artists and discussing their ideas. She added that discussions around the statue of St Joseph were particularly illuminating.

“It was fantastic doing research on St Joseph,” she said.

“We really had to look into ‘what are we saying here? What are we presenting here?’ because art takes us to different levels.

“We have these romantic images of Joseph being an old man with a long white beard – the reality is people didn’t live that long in those times. Very few people would have lived long enough to have a long white beard and, also, Joseph was a carpenter, he would have had a solid build.”

Sr Kerry Willison, seated, first from right, with fellow Mercy Sisters, including outgoing WA Community Leader, Sr Carmel Daley rsm, first from left, Sr Delores Coffey RSM, Sr Margaret Tallon, RSM, Sr Janina Pascoe, Sr Ann McGuire and incoming Institute Leader, Sr Karon Donnellon RSM, far right, with Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

Sr Kerry, second from left with Centre for Liturgy staff, from left, Geraldine Schivardi, Alessio Loiacono, Caterina O’Loughlin, and back, Jocelyn Versace and Chris DeSilva. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

Sr Kerry hands over the keys for the office to incoming Centre for Liturgy Interim Director, Dr Carmel Suart. Photo: Jamie O’Brien.

New Chapel to leave a lasting impression on Irene McCormack College community

The opening of the new St Joseph’s Chapel at Irene McCormack College has marked a milestone in the College’s commitment to faith and community.

Opened by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB on Thursday 30 November, guests included Catholic Education Director of Religious Education, Rev Deacon Mark Powell, St Mary’s Cathedral Dean, the Rev Dr Sean Fernandez, St Mary’s Cathedral Manager, Victor Hoa, Director of Vocations, Fr Israel Quirit, Clarkson Parish Priest, Fr Dariusz Krzysztalowicz SDS, Director of the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Sr Maree Riddler, RSJ and former College principal, Robert Marshall. Also among the guests was the late Sr Irene McCormack’s sister, Bernadette. College Principal Peter Collins said in the evangelising mission of the school, they aim to nurture and enrich the religious and spiritual formation of students through prayer and liturgical experiences, celebration of sacraments, faith formation, and social justice activities.

“As part of our evangelising promise, our St Joseph’s Chapel will provide regular opportunities for students and staff to build a prayerful relationship with Jesus while experiencing the richness of Catholic traditions and rituals,” Mr Collins said. “The Chapel is a visible symbol that Christ is placed firmly at the centre of all of our endeavours,” he said.

The journey of the new chapel began following an idea to transform a disused computer laboratory just off the library into the Chapel. Consultations were then held with former Director of the Centre for Liturgy, Sr Kerry Willison RSM. Mr Collins paid thanks to Newman College teacher Mrs Nadia Napoli who connected McCormack College with Ray and Manny Sparta who owned the former Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Retreat House, Victoria Park.

Mr and Mrs Sparta kindly donated many items and in return simply requests prayers for their family.

“Secondly, we are indebted to St Mary’s Cathedral

Archbishop Costelloe with altar servers at the opening of the new Chapel at Irene McCormack College, Thursday 30 November. Photo: Supplied.

Archbishop Costelloe receives the offertory gifts during the Mass for the opening of the new Chapel at Irene McCormack College, Thursday 30 November. Photo: Supplied.

Dean, Rev Dr Sean Fernandez and Cathedral Manager Victor Hoa, for items obtained from the former St Catherine Laboure Church, Subiaco.

“Thirdly, and more recently, I am grateful to Mrs Carol Ormonde and Sr Carmel Wringe for an extensive number of items which were donated by the Sisters of Mercy from the Chapel in their former residence in Victoria Park, often referred to as de Montford’s House.

These historical pieces have been given new life and carry a legacy of faith which will provide a place of worship for generations to come.

Mr Collins emphasised the creation of the Chapel was an opportunity to strengthen the College connection to the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and Sr Irene McCormack.

“The window graphics celebrate the College’s unique faith story and heritage, which reflects the principle of the preferential option for the poor and

marginalised, witnessed by Sr Irene and our College Patrons

“The Altar relic is a Cross made of wood gifted by Mr Ben Bull and taken from the dilapidated remains of Irene McCormack’s childhood home, and is laser inscribed with her Morning Offering prayer. The Cross reminds us to be beacons of light for the poor and marginalised, just like Sr Irene.

“On the side of the Chapel next to the statue of Our Lady is a framed piece of wood, also sourced from Irene’s childhood home, and contains remembrance plaques to honour and remember students and staff who have passed to eternal life while attending the College.

The St Joseph’s Chapel concluded Mr Collins, is exquisitely simple, yet divinely sacred.

“The creation of the Chapel has been a collaboration of faith and love by many people in our community.

Irene McCormack College Principal Peter Collins speaks at the conclusion of the opening Mass of the new St Joseph’s Chapel Thursday 30 November. Photo: Supplied.

The new St Joseph’s Chapel at Irene McCormack College has marked a key milestone in the College’s commitment to faith and community. Photo: Supplied.

Greenwood All Saints Church celebrates 50 years of hope, faith love and unity

WORDS Jamie O’Brien

It was in early 1971 that Bishop Peter Quinn approached Fr Samuel of St Lawrence’s Balcatta to arrange for the celebration of Mass in the Hamersley area. The first Mass was held in the Glendale Primary School on 18 April 1971 with 64 parishioners attending.

These were the first days for the parish of Greenwood which recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of All Saints Church Greenwood. Celebrating the occasion on Saturday 4 November was Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey, who was joined by Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, Parish Priest, Fr Elver Delicano, Banksia Grove Parish Priest Fr Vinh Dong, Ocean Reef Administrator Fr Mariusz Adamczyk SDS, Chaplain Fr Demetri Roh, North Beach Parish Priest Fr Hyginus Ebede, Servite Priest Fr Francis Chukwu OSM and Yangebup Assistant Priest Fr Nicholas Deidler.

The Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely and Fr Vinh Dong both served as parish priests at Greenwood, while Fr Nicholas Deidler grew up at the parish. More than 350 parishioners past and present came together for the occasion, which included a

procession of several historical items for a display on the sanctuary.

Parish Priest Fr Elver Delicano said it was crucial to pay homage to those who laid the groundwork for the parish community.

“Our predecessors, the founding members of the Church, with unwavering dedication and sacrificial commitment, established this Church, sowing seeds of hope, love, faith and unity,” Fr Elver said. “Their commitment and perseverance in the face of adversity remind us to remain steadfast in our devotion to God and His calling through the intercession of All the Saints in Heaven especially the maternal protection of our Lady, Mary Help of Christians,” he said.

At the inaugural meeting of Catholics in the East Hamersley area, a steering committee was formed and the first Parish Council meeting, was held on 24 May 1972. The council was then known as the East Hamersley Parish Council. In January 1973, Fr Barry Whitely was appointed as the first parish priest with the Parish Council soon deciding to establish the parish as a separate entity as soon as possible, as Masses

More than 350 people from Greenwood parish came together Saturday 4 November to celebrate the 50th anniversary of All Saints Church. Photo: Lucy Harris.

had previously been held at St Theresa’s Church Gwelup.

The opening of the All Saints Mass Centre was celebrated by Bishop Peter Quinn on 15 December 1974 with some 450 parishioners attending.

In 1984, the appointment of new Parish Priest Fr Pat Ahern saw the commencement of the building of the new Church which was officially opened in August 1987. The official blessing and dedication Mass was celebrated by Archbishop William Foley. Architect Michael Broderick felt that the church must be “a fitting setting for modern liturgy and reflect the thoughts and values, that are the enduring aspects of the Second Vatican Council.”

The building was also designed to relate to the concept of “Church” for the urban Australian Catholic.

The new Church was designed to “help deepen the faith of the congregation and to provide a fitting space for the celebration of the liturgy for generations to come.” In plan form, the octagonal Church with its various wings resembles a fishthe early Christian symbol, or a bird, the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Fr Elver said throughout Greenwood Church’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, one undeniable truth remains - the divine grace that sustains us.

“It is God’s grace that has nurtured our faith, brought healing to the broken, and ignited a passion for service within us,” Fr Elver said.

“May this 50th Anniversary of our All Saints Parish serve as a reminder of the divine grace that has brought us this far and propel us forward into new dimensions of faith, hope, and service.

“With hearts overflowing with gratitude, let us continue to build upon the foundation laid by those who came before us, ever trusting in God’s faithfulness and guidance,” he said.

A parishoner carrys a wood etching of the Greenwood All Saints Church emblem, replicated from the dedication Mass booklet from when the current church was opened in the 1980s. Photo: Lucy Harris.

Parishioner Helen Medina processes into the Church with the Book of Life, a parish prayer book for those who had passed away. Photo: Lucy Harris.

The 50th anniversary display. Photo: Lucy Harris.

The orange flames and smoke could be seen from Banksia Grove Church, Thursday 23 November. Photo: Fr Vinh Dong.

A number of parishioners in the Wanneroo and Banksia Grove parishes were faced with evacuations following a huge bushfire that tore through the semi-rural area in November 2023.

The firefighting efforts were hampered by unseasonably hot and windy weather – with as many as 18 homes lost in the blaze and more than 1,900 hectares (4,700 acres) of land including farms and residential buildings destroyed.

The orange flames were clearly visible from Banksia Grove Parish, St John Paul II Church, which was only officially opened in January 2023.

Banksia Grove Parish Priest Fr Vinh Dong said the blaze was at one stage between one and a half to two kilometres away from the Church.

“On the night when the fires were burning, I was ringing parishioners who were evacuated, and offered for them to come to the Church if they needed,” Fr Vinh explained.

“That Wednesday, during our regular Holy Hour from 6.30 to 7.30pm, I invited all those present to spend some quiet time with the Lord, asking Him to be with us and all those affected,” he continued. Fr Vinh said he personally knew of many

parishioners who had to evacuate their homes and properties.

Wanneroo Parish St Anthony Church was also less than 2kms away from the blaze.

Wanneroo Parish Priest Fr Peter Porteous OSM said he does not believe fires have come this close to the Church previously.

“We’ve had parishioners within the Sinagra and Tapping area that were evacuated, and I believe some experienced severe damage to their property, including the loss of sheds,” Fr Peter explained.

“We are very grateful to the Perth Catholic community for all the concern, and especially to the firefighters, voluntary or non-voluntary, for all their efforts in doing their best to protect the community,” he said.

In a Facebook post of Saturday 25 November, City of Wanneroo Mayor, Linda Aitken took a ride in a DFES chopper to survey the fire zone, with the resulting aerial photos showing that fire truly is a force of nature.v

“The blaze has left nothing behind but a scorched, blackened landscape.”

A map of the affected area, from the DFES website. As many as 18 homes were lost in the blaze and more than 1,900 hectares (4,700 acres) of land including farms and residential buildings were destroyed. Photo: DFES.

City of Wanneroo Mayor, Linda Aitken took a ride in a DFES chopper to survey the fire zone, with the resulting aerial photos showing that fire truly is a force of nature. Photo: Linda Aitken/City of Wanneroo/Facebook.

Newly professed Carmelite Sr Marie-Chrissie inspired to religious life from a young age

WORDS Jamie O’Brien & Joshua Low

The Discalced Carmelite Community at Nedlands have recently celebrated the solemn profession Sr Marie Chrissie OCD of the Holy Trinity.

Celebrating the occasion on Saturday 20 January at the Carmel Monastery Nedlands was Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, joined by Vicar General the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, Morley Parish Priest and fellow Carmelite Fr Greg Burke OCD, Nedlands Parish Priest Fr Gavin Gomez and retired priest Fr Greg Donovan.

From a family of two brothers and four sisters, Sr Marie-Chrissie was born in Sabah, East Malaysia and recalled she found the Carmelites’ life of prayer very attractive from a young age.

“I was inspired to become a religious sister from young. My mother used to read to me about the saints and taught me to pray and love Jesus.

“I was so fascinated by religious communities that I decided to write to several of them and asked to be admitted to the religious life at the age of 12, thinking I was old enough to serve God like them,”

she said.

“However, they told me to continue my studies for the time being.

“Nevertheless, what inspired me were their words of encouragement and that they were praying for me,” she said.

Speaking during his homily for the occasion, Archbishop Costelloe explained that in our Catholic tradition, reaching right back to the early centuries of the Church’s existence, religious life has always focused on two things.

“The first is the profession of the three vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The second, for most religious orders and congregations, is the call to live this way of life within a community,” Archbishop Costelloe said.

“These three vows of chastity, poverty and obedience are often referred to as the evangelical or gospel counsels. This means, firstly, that they come to us from the teaching and example of Jesus,” he said.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB greets newly solemnly professed Sr Marie Chrissie OCD, Saturday 20 January at the Carmelite Monastery Nedlands. Photo: Michelle Tan.

Sr Marie-Chrissie explained that she felt her call to religious life become stronger over the years, following her initial enquiry.

Following completion of her studies of theology and philosophy in Indonesia, Sr Marie-Chrissie visited the Carmelites in Malaysia on the Feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux.

“When I visited the Carmelites in Malaysia, I felt there was something special there in the life of the enclosure. There is a sort of power inside that flows out and I could feel it. This hidden life to me was something beautiful.

“I think I’ve always felt that call from God to be His servant in Carmel, and I felt that it was what I was being called to in the future,” she said. “There are so many religious congregations, but the Carmelites gave me this aspect of prayer which I related to and found so important.

“It’s a part of their life, where they’re not just living and saying prayers every day, but living the Gospel through their own lives as a community, where in

each moment they offer their service to God and the Church.”

Sr Marie-Chrissie entered the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Malaysia in 2008, where she stayed for six years before being sent to Perth.

Sr Marie-Chrissie explained that that is what she loves about being with the Carmelites; helping the Church with a life of prayer.

She added that though they may be a small community, how they live their lives more closely to the Gospel by loving God and neighbour, is at the heart of the community.

“We know that through our life here living in prayer, we can offer something to the Church. Not just locally, but to the wider Church in the world.

“Just like the example of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her little way – doing simple little things with great love, and having the intention of doing everything for Jesus, no matter how small, because there’s a value in everything; that’s how we contribute to the Church,” she said.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB extends his blessing to the Discalced Carmelite Sisters of Nedlands, following the Solemn Profession of Sr Marie Chrissie OCD, Saturday 20 January at the Carmelite Monastery Nedlands. Photo: Michelle Tan.

Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken

RECIPE Michelle

Tan

Three Cup Chicken is a popular dish in Taiwanese cuisine. The name of the dish is derived from the base ingredients that is used to make an aromatic and savoury sauce: One cup of Chinese rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

RECIPE SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5kg Chicken thigh

• 8 slices of ginger

• 6 cloves of garlic

• 2 stalks of spring onion

• 4 dried chilli pepper

• 1 cup of fresh basil leaves

METHOD

SEASONING

• 1 cup sesame oil

• 1 cup Chinese rice wine

• 1 cup light soy sauce

• 3 tbsps dark soy sauce

• 5 tbsps sugar

1. Cut chicken thigh into 1 inch pieces and set aside.

2. Mince the garlic cloves.

3. Slice spring onion into 4 cm long pieces.

4. In a large bowl, mix the Chinese rice wine, soy sauce and sugar.

5. Heat the sesame oil in a pot over medium heat and sauté ginger slices until it turns brown.

6. Add in the garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute.

7. Add in the spring onion slices and dried chilli peppers. Sauté until fragrant.

8. Add in chicken pieces and stir fry.

9. When the chicken pieces are cooked, stir the large bowl of seasoning and pour it into the pan.

10. Turn up the heat and stir well to ensure the chicken pieces are evenly coated.

11. Lower the heat when the sauce starts to boil and simmer until sauce thickens.

12. Add in the fresh basil leaves and simmer for another minute.

13. Once cooked, serve on a bed of steaming hot rice.

DOWN

1 Baptismal basin

2 One of the seven deadly sins

3 Another name for Jacob

4 Jesuits’ motto (abbr.)

5 What Andrew and Peter did for a living

7 “___ us, O Lord…”

10 Sydney’s first archbishop, John ___ Polding

11 One of two names in a Catholic book publishing company

12 “___ Maria”

14 Symbol on the papal flag

16 “I will ___ up a righteous branch for David “ (Jer 23:5)

18 “___ Dei”

19 Biblical division

20 He housed Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

22 ___ Press, monastic publisher?

25 Second word in

the name of a Parisian basilica

27 Catholic songwriter Guthrie

28 Biblical language

29 Third of IHS

31 Palm product

32 One of the three theological virtues

33 ___ occasion of sin

35 One of St. Columba’s converts

36 Nod, vis-à-vis Eden

ANSWERS

3 Country in which Mother Teresa founded her order

6 Knights of ___

8 Gift bearers

9 Eve beginner

11 The Infant of Prague, for one

13 Commandment that forbids bearing false witness

15 “…___ this day be at my side…”

17 “___ Regina”

20 St. ___ Diego

21 Greatest king of Israel

23 Abner’s father (2 Sam 2:8)

24 Brother of Ishmael

26 Calais monastic

27 Lent markers

30 Holy ___ Society

32 Service book

34 Wood of Noah’s Ark (Gen 6:14)

37 ___ Father

38 Nickname of Catholic composer Haydn

39 Protection or liberation from the power of the devil

40 Spiritual program

SUBSCRIBE

To stay connected with all the latest news from across the Archdiocese of Perth and beyond.