The Record Newspaper - 05 December 2012

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W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A’ S A WA R D - W I N N I N G C AT H O L I C N E W S P A P E R S I N C E 1 8 7 4

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MARY’S ROLE IN A YEAR OF GRACE

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB on following Mary’s example - Pages 10 & 11

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Science can only point to a created universe: philosopher - Page 15

Caritas calls on Federal government to prioritise indigenous communities, to ...

Walk the good talk

Synchronicity: Marie Maunich, Paul Kurtis and Daniel Chan from Caritas Australia prepare for the screening of the documentary Walk As One at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Highgate last week. During the screening a petition was circulated calling on the Australian government to prioritise indigenous peoples in Australian aid. Full story - page 4.

PHOTO: SARAH MOTHERWELL

Release the children, students urge government

By Robert Hiini AUSTRALIA should uphold its own international commitments and immediately release all children held in immigration detention centres, the Perth Young Christian Students said this week.

Around 40 young people, some aged 12 and 13 years old, took part in YCS’ silent protest in Perth’s central business district on Sunday.

Meeting on the lawn outside St George’s Anglican Cathedral, the students marched in pairs, carry-

ing banners calling for an end to the practice of child immigration detention, through both the Hay and Murray Street malls.

“We are young people, and so relate to the young people in immigration detention and believe it is our duty to protect their rights,” Year 11 student Frances Houwen, a member of Ursula Frayne College’s YCS, said last week.

“We feel it is often difficult for our voices to be heard, despite our want to make a positive difference to the world. In a similar way, chil-

dren in immigration detention do not have the opportunity to voice their experiences.

“We are here to be their voice and to provide them with the basic human rights that every child deserves according to the Convention for the Rights of the Child, which Australia has signed,” Ms Houwen said.

In a statement to media last week, YCS said children deserved a childhood and alleged the Australian Government was breaking its commitment to the convention.

As a first world nation, and now a temporary member of the United Nations’ Security Council,

We must protect the most vulnerable, not cause them extreme psychological damage.

Australia has a responsibility to show humane leadership.

“We should be protecting the

human rights of the world’s vulnerable, not causing them extreme psychological and other damage,” the statement said.

“End child detention once and for all. Give them a real childhood.

See them as people, not simply asylum seekers.”

YCS began its End Child Detention campaign after its national conference earlier this year.

Their silent protest in the CBD was coordinated by Ursula Frayne student Annie Purbrick, 15.

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December 5, 2012

Joy contagious for the Howard family

Round-Up JUANITA SHEPHERD

Pater Noster Myaree makes 50 years ARCHBISHOP Timothy Costelloe SDB will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pater Noster Parish in Myaree on December 16. A Mass will mark the milestone at 9.30am followed by morning tea.

The parish has extended a welcome to past clergy, parishioners as well as teachers, students and alumni who taught at or attended the parish school when it was Corpus Christi in 1962 and, more recently in 2007, as Pater Noster Campus of Mel Maria.

Greenmount to thank parish volunteers

Flame Congress to set hearts on fire

Adam and Lisa Howard (nee Irvine) celebrate their children’s formation in the Faith with proud grandmother, Ann Irvine, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Rockingham on the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday, November 25. Children from the PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) read the Mass readings and displayed their workbooks to an applauding congregation.

FLAME Ministries International is holding its 23rd Annual Congress at Aquinas College over the weekend of January 18-20, 2013. The theme of the event is Faith, Grace and Divine Blessings, with guest speakers including Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey and Catholic Apologist Stephen Spiteri.

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Lessons and Carols at St Paul’s in Mt Lawley ST PAUL’S Parish in Mt Lawley will hold its second Lessons and Carols festival telling the Christmas story in word and song on Sunday, December 16 from 7 to 8.15pm.

Parish Priest Fr Timothy Deeter told The Record this would be the second such service at the parish.

“The first was in 2010 and it was very successful, so we have decided to do it again,” he said. “We will be having several prominent members of the community reading scripture lessons, and several soloists singing, along with organ accompaniment

by Alessio Loiacono and string accompaniment by The Mill Point Trio.

Floreat-Wembley turns on the Christmas cheer FLOREAT-WEMBLEY Catholic Parish is holding its annual parish Christmas Lunch on December 9. Hosted by the Parish Council, the lunch is for seniors and for all who will be on their own over Christmas. The lunch will be held at the parish centre at noon and no cost is involved. Promising to be a special treat, the menu will include roast chicken, baked ham and all the trimmings as well as Christmas pudding which will be served.

Music will accompany lunch.

Kalamunda’s focus on Advent for good cause HEALTHCARE provider Mercy Care and Holy Family Parish in Kalamunda are selling packs of four pillar candles with prayers so

Ambrose c. 340-397 December 7

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Accounts accounts@therecord.com.au Journalists Mark Reidy m.reidy@therecord.com.au Robert Hiini r.hiini@therecord.com.au Sarah Motherwell s.motherwell@therecord.com.au Juanita Shepherd j.shepherd@therecord.com.au Advertising/Production Mat De Sousa

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Mariette Ulrich Fr John Flader Glynnis Grainger

The Record PO Box 3075 Adelaide Terrace PERTH WA 6832 21 Victoria Square, Perth 6000 Tel: (08) 9220 5900 Fax: (08) 9325 4580 Website: www.therecord.com.au The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses of Western Australia and by subscription.

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Crosiers

The son of a Roman official in Gaul, Ambrose was practicing law in Rome when the emperor appointed him governor of the province whose capital was Milan. When that church see became vacant, Ambrose was chosen bishop by acclamation. A catechumen like many of his people, Ambrose was baptized, ordained and consecrated bishop on the same day, Dec. 7, 374. He battled paganism and the Arian heresy, publicly challenged rulers in the Western and Eastern empires, championed hymns as a form of praise, wrote theological treatises and was beloved by his people for his generosity and accessibility. He also baptized St. Augustine of Hippo. One of the four doctors of the Latin church, Ambrose is the patron of bees, stonemasons and catechumens.

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European pilgrimage with Fr Tiziano Bogoni FATHER Tiziano Bogoni of All Saints’ Chapel in Perth’s CBD is leading a pilgrimage to Rome in June 2013. The pilgrimage will feature a number of destinations in Italy, including San Giovanni Rotondo and Pompeii. Also featured

This time, Santa will receive at Whitford SANTA CLAUS will visit Our Lady of the Missions parish in Whitford to receive gifts from parishioners.

A parishioner who is visiting the parish from Spain will dress as St Nicholas. Arriving at the conclusion of Mass, he will accept nonperishable food items, pre-loved toys, books in good condition and other gifts from the congregation.

He will also talk about the life of St Nicholas, the patron saint of the poor and underprivileged. The event culminates on December 8 and 9. Everything that St Nicholas collects at Whitford will be passed on to charities around Perth, including St Vincent De Paul.

Sunday 9th - Violet 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C) 1st Reading: Bar 5:1-9 The glory of God Responsorial Ps 125 Psalm: Like a dream 2nd Reading: Phil 1:3-6,8-11 I pray with joy Gospel Reading: Lk 3:1-6 Prepare a way Monday 10th - Violet 1st Reading: Is 35:1-10

Your God is coming Responsorial Ps 84:9-14 Psalm: Mercy and faithfulness Gospel Reading: Lk 5:17-36

Obvious faith Tuesday 11th - Violet ST DAMASUS I, POPE (O) 1st Reading: Is 40:1-11

Console my people Responsorial Ps 95:1-3,10-13 Psalm: Sing a new song Gospel Reading: Mt 18:12-14

Search for the stray Wednesday 12th -Violent OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (O) 1st Reading: Is 40:25-31

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Poor worm, puny mite Responsorial Ps 144:1-9,15 Psalms: God’s good to all Gospel Reading: Mt 11:11-15 Baptist is commended Friday 14th - White ST JOHN OF THE CROSS, PRIEST, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (M) 1st Reading: Is 48:17-19

The way you must go Responsorial Ps 1:1-4,6 Psalm: The two ways Gospel Reading: Mt 11:16-19

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Elijah like a fire Responsorial Ps 79:2-3,15-16,18-19 Psalm: Protect this vine Gospel Reading: Mt 17:10-13

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Editor

families within the parish can make their own wreaths for Advent.

Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season and is a time of expectant waiting for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means ‘coming’. Advent Sunday heralds the beginning of Advent and it is also the first day of the liturgical year in the Church. Holy Family Parish hopes to sell as many wreaths as possible as the proceeds go to Aid to the Church in Need.

THROUGHOUT the year, Mass at parishes around the diocese run smoothly thanks to the efforts of numerous volunteers, from lectors through to parish council members and others who give their time.

This year, the Parish of St Anthony in Greenmount is hosting a Parish Volunteers BBQ on December 15 at 7.00pm. The parish’s volunteers and their families are invited to enjoy an evening of food and drink to acknowledge their effortless help for the efficient running of the parish.

READINGS OF THE WEEK

SAINT OF THE WEEK

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Send your Year of Grace stories to parishes@therecord.com.au

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Care expands for dementia sufferers

By Sarah Motherwell AMID growing concerns over Australia’s ageing population, Southern Cross Care (SCC), one of the largest providers of aged care in Western Australia, has opened another respite centre to meet its increasing number of clients.

Last week, SCC officially opened the Tony Quinlan Respite Centre in Hilton, the only centre in the area that offers five days of activities as well as overnight and emergency beds for people with dementia.

The centre is the third SCC day centre in Perth and was named after SCC board member Tony Quinlan, who retired last month after 12 years of service.

Dementia describes a collection of symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and personality change, caused by disorders affecting the brain and interfering with the ability to perform everyday tasks.

There is currently no prevention or cure for the condition, which is more common in people after the age of 65 years.

According to Fight Alzheimer’s Save Australia, the most rapid growth in dementia in WA will be in the next eight years, with numbers predicted to increase by 375 per cent during the next 40 years.

SCC chairman John Bryant said the dementia-specific centre and its staff would care for people with dementia and provide support to their families.

“We want to provide a warm and friendly environment where those who stay can feel relaxed and welcome, whether they visit regularly or just on a one-off basis,” he said.

Tony Quinlan said SCC had

Tony and Pamela Quinlan at the launch of the respite centre in Hilton for dementia sufferers. Mr Quinlan has just retired after 12 years of service on the board of Southern Cross Care, which operates the facility.

PHOTO: S MOTHERWELL

achieved its reputation for high quality care through the passionate work of all those involved in the organisation.

“Those who tirelessly strive for

excellence in the care and accommodation of the aged in our community - theirs is truly a labour of love,” he said.

Fr Paul Raj blessed the centre

Vatican judges found tech ‘hard to believe’ EXPLAINING why they found a Vatican computer technician guilty of aiding and abetting the papal butler who stole private papal correspondence, Vatican judges said they found much of his testimony hard to believe.

On November 10, the Vatican court found Claudio Sciarpelletti, 48, a computer technician in the Vatican Secretariat of State, guilty of obstructing the investigation into the leak of Vatican documents.

The court gave Sciarpelletti a two-

month suspended jail sentence. As is the normal practice at the Vatican and in Italy, the judges released a detailed explanation of their findings and their sentence weeks after the verdict was delivered.

The 11-page explanation of the Sciarpelletti decision was published on December 1, the same day that Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, announced that Sciarpelletti’s lawyer had dropped his request for an appeal of the guilty verdict.

Immaculate Heart College Through Mary to Jesus: “The Way, the Truth and the Life” John 14:6

Immaculate Heart College in Maryville Downs, Lower Chittering, is seeking two suitably qualified Early Childhood teachers for the commencement of 2013.

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS This is a co-educational independent College that teaches the Catholic Faith. It opened in January 2012 and is enjoying a rapid growth rate, with classes from Kindergarten to Year 4 in 2013, and to Year 6 over the next few years.

The successful applicants will be practising and committed Catholics with Early Childhood teaching qualifications. They will join a dynamic, enthusiastic and committed team of educators. For more information, please contact the Principal, Dr Angela EvangelinouYiannakis, on 08 9571 8135.

Applications close Monday 14th December 2012.

Applications may be emailed to: angela.e-yiannakis@ihc.wa.edu.au or posted to: The Principal Immaculate Heart College PO Box 8 BULLSBROOK WA 6084 For more details on the College, please visit our website: www.ihc.wa.edu.au

Neither the defence nor the court contested that a file folder with a sealed envelope, marked with the butler’s name and containing papers related to the leaked documents, was found in Sciarpelletti’s desk at the Secretariat of State.

However, the judges described Sciarpelletti’s trial testimony and earlier statements to investigators as to how he had obtained the envelope and whether he knew what was in it as “not credible” and “not truthful”.

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and a plaque to mark the occasion was unveiled by City of Fremantle councillor Bill Massie.

The scale of the nation’s dementia problem is significant: a

report released in November by Alzheimer’s Australia estimated that as many as three million Australians will develop dementia between 2012 and 2050.

Pope reaches out to world via @Pontifex TO CELEBRATE the launch of his new Twitter account, Pope Benedict XVI will tweet the answers to a handful of questions from his followers. The Pope’s rare question-and-answer exchange on the social media site shows the Church doesn’t just want to teach the truth, but also to listen to others, said Archbishop Claudio Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. The archbish-

op and other Vatican officials spoke at a news conference on December 3 to reveal the pope’s new Twitter account @Pontifex.

Starting on December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Pope will send messages in eight languages, including Arabic, from eight different Twitter accounts. @Pontifex is the English feed while the other language accounts use an extension of the main handle. - CNS

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December 5, 2012

Caritas walks the walk - and talks - for Indigenous

By Sarah Motherwell CARITAS Australia put its best foot forward last week when it launched its campaign to advocate on behalf of Indigenous communities around the world and in Australia.

The film, Walk As One; Connecting with our world’s Indigenous Peoples, was shown at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Highgate on the 26th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Alice Springs on November 29, 1986.

The film is the story of two young Bolivian men who come to the Northern Territory to meet with local Aborigines.

Caritas Australia has been promoting its Walk as One program to connect Indigenous communities around the world and to highlight the marginalised circumstances in which they live.

According to Caritas, there are about 370 million indigenous people living in about 90 countries around the world today.

While Indigenous people make up about five per cent of the world’s population, they also make up 15 per cent of the world’s poor.

Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot came to Perth especially for the screening where he praised Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s actions in actively seeking out the views of the nation’s nongovernment organisations (NGOs) Mr de Groot said Ms Gillard had sought out the advice of NGOs about how to overcome poverty since Australia was appointed a seat on the United Nations Security Council and had met with him to

Left to right: Perth MLA John Hyde, Caritas Australia Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot, City of Vincent Councillor John Pintabona and University of Notre Dame Adjunct Professor Peter Kennedy attended the screening of Walk as One at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Highgate.

PHOTO: SARAH MOTHERWELL

discuss ideas in early October. As part of the screening, a petition calling on the Government to prioritise Indigenous peoples

in Australia’s aid program was circulated. The petition has received half of its desired one thousand signatures.

Marian Kickett, a representative from the Unity of First People Australia (UFPA), opened the event.

Australian politician Ernest “Ernie” Bridge established UFPA, which is supported by Caritas Australia, in 1997.

“ … Churches in the Middle East are threatened in their very existence…

May God grant ACN strength to help wherever the need is greatest.”

Pope Benedict XVI

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Made of olive wood from the Holy Land, this delightful little crib scene is powerfully evocative of Christ’s birthplace.

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(Size: 10 cm x 8 cm) Please tick this box if you would like to receive the crib o Aid to the Church in Need …. a Catholic charity dependent on the Holy See, providing pastoral relief to needy and oppressed Churches

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Students gather hampers for needy CATHOLIC secondary students and Fremantle’s Notre Dame University have been hard at work thinking of ways to help others this Christmas.

Students at Kolbe Catholic College in Rockingham kept Society of St Vincent de Paul volunteers busy late last month with a treasure trove of Christmas hampers for needy families in the area.

Each year, Kolbe College students and staff support the Society’s efforts to assemble the hampers.

Forty two of the college’s pastoral care groups were given baskets and guides for how to put together a hamper to help make Christmas special for those struggling with the pressures of daily living.

Each group was given a profile of a typical family or household.

On Tuesday, November 27, members of the Student Ministry Team, assisted by Mr Pat Branson, transported the baskets to the local Society depot for distribution in the lead up to Christmas.

Society staff and volunteers were gratified by the students’ efforts.

Meanwhile, bringing harmony, joy, peace and hope to those in need was front and centre of the University of Notre Dame Australia’s annual Christmas Appeal held on its Fremantle Campus.

Coordinated by Campus Chaplain, Fr John Sebastian OMI, more than 50 baskets were filled with items such as clothes, food, blankets, toiletries and toys ready for donation to this year’s St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.

The Appeal provides assistance to more than half a million people

Rockingham students with the hampers they assembled, above and at right. UNDA’s Talia Dunn and Stacie O’Neill, with some of the hampers headed for the Vinnies Christmas Appeal, below.

PHOTOS: KOLBE: LEANNE JOYCE; UNDA: UNDA

nation-wide who struggle to make ends meet over the Christmas period. UNDA has been assisting the Society in its mission for the past eight years.

The theme of the appeal for 2012 is In every face of despair, we see a face of hope.

Fr John praised the efforts of UNDA’s community.

“These hampers mean a lot to underprivileged families, not only because of what they receive in the hampers but they also provide them with an understanding that there are people in the community who think and care about them,” Fr John said.

“In this time of liturgy, we think of those less fortunate who are not able to fully celebrate the festive season due to the daily struggles of life they face.

“Through this initiative, the University and wider community can contribute to the important work the St Vincent de Paul Society undertakes. It really underpins the spirit of Christmas here at Notre Dame.”

Notre Dame will be celebrating Mass on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24 in Malloy Courtyard on its Fremantle Campus.

Christmas Carols will commence at 6pm with Mass to follow at 6.30pm.

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December 5, 2012

At 25, Greenwood is hale and hearty A quarter-century is a major milestone in anyone’s terms, and All Saints parishioners were proud to celebrate theirs.

By Debbie Warrier

A BRIEF shower of rain early in proceedings did little to dampen the enthusiasm of parish priest Father Vinh Dong and parishioners as principal celebrant Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB celebrated Mass in honour of the 25th Anniversary of All Saints Church, Greenwood on November 24 this year.

Assistant priest Fr Quynh Do and resident priest Fr Tam Lai also assisted with celebration of Mass along with three other priests with previous connections to the parish.

Fr Vinh Dong welcomed the Archbishop on behalf of the congregation to what he declared was “… the best church in the diocese of Perth – or perhaps the second best next to your Cathedral.”

Prior to the building of the present church, the first parish priest, Fr Barry Whitely, arrived four decades ago, Fr Vinh said.

According to parish records, there had been 4,910 baptisms, 594 weddings and countless requiem Masses and liturgical celebrations at the parish since.

In his homily, the Archbishop encouraged the congregation to focus on three areas during the parish silver jubilee: looking back with pride and gratitude, and looking forward with hope.

“What would God want the parish to be?” he asked parishioners.

Reflecting on his recent visit to Rome with over 260 other bishops for the Synod of Bishops, he said they had examined the New Evangelisation for the transmission of the Christian faith.

The bishops agreed that the message of Jesus was the same as it was 2,000 years ago but what had changed was the context.

Fifty, 40 and even 30 years ago the values of faith were in harmony with society, Archbishop Costelloe said. As this was no longer the case, he challenged the congregation to ask themselves, “How can we find new ways to give the gift of faith?”

He encouraged parishioners to think, pray and talk about the New Evangelisation.

Parishioner Bill Leonard gave a brief history of All Saints Parish.

He said original meetings had to be held in parishioners’ homes and the first priest lived in Pullan Place in Greenwood; baptisms were held in

St Theresa’s Church in Gwelup. Fr Barry Whitely proceeded to build a great community and the immediate needs of parishioners were met with the building of the Mass centre in Hillwood Avenue, Warwick,

According to parish records, there have been 4, 910 baptisms and 594 weddings in the last 25 years. until the mid-80s.

“Today, we are celebrating the building of our beautiful church, which was consecrated 25 years ago, in 1987,” Mr Leonard said.

Outdoor parish celebrations over the years included the moving enactment of the Passion and Death of Christ on Good Friday,

and the family-orientated Vigil Mass at Christmas.

“Often, we have seen over 3,000 people attend on these occasions, a witness to the life of Christ,” Mr Leonard said. He thanked the 300 or so volunteers who helped make the vibrant parish work, adding, “You are the Church in action”.

Choir Director Estelle Dragun and the choristers provided uplifting music for the occasion. Prior to Mass, Mrs Dragun described her choir members as beautiful and committed people.

A slideshow of photos taken through the course of parish life was shown to all present. The changing face of the parish community at All Saints was evident by old photos of the all-boy altar servers that contrasted with three of the five altar servers being girls that evening.

Former parish priests including Fr Pat Ahern, Fr Peter Whitely, Fr

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and Greenwood parish priest Fr Vinh Dong cut the celebratory cake for the parish’s 25th anniversary. Among the many present to celebrate were religious sisters, at left, altar servers, below and ladies helping with the preparation of food and refreshments.

PHOTOS: COURTESY, TRICIA ANDERSEN

Vincent Conroy and present parish priest Fr Vinh Dong were also seen.

There was a kaleidoscope of snapshots shown of previous and present assistant priests, seminarians, religious, parish groups and events as well. Afterwards, a well-

attended parish party was joined by Archbishop Costelloe.

“You are sitting on a pile of wealth,” said Fr Cyprian Malongo, previously at All Saints as a seminarian, in reference to the richness of parish life he had experienced.

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Vatican II: rupture is ‘heresy’

By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CIT Y (CNS) Traditionalist and progressive camps that see the Second Vatican Council as breaking with the truth both espouse a “heretical interpretation” of the council and its aims, said the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

What Pope Benedict XVI has termed “the hermeneutic of reform, of renewal in continuity” is the “only possible interpretation according to the principles of Catholic theology”, Archbishop Gerhard Muller said in remarks published on November 29.

Investigation to ask if care pathway is used to kill

“Outside this sole orthodox interpretation unfortunately exists a heretical interpretation, that is, a hermeneutic of rupture, (found) both on the progressive front and on the traditionalist” side, he said.

What the two camps have in common, he said, is their rejection of the council: “the progressives in their wanting to leave it behind, as if it were a season to abandon in order to get to another church, and the traditionalists in their not wanting to get there,” seeing the council as a Catholic “winter”.

A “council presided over by the successor of Peter as head of the visible Church” is the “highest expres-

sion” of the Magisterium, he said, to be regarded as part of “an indissoluble whole”, along with Scripture and 2,000 years of tradition.

The doctrinal chief ’s remarks were published in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, to present the seventh volume of The Complete Works of Joseph Ratzinger. The volume collects both published and unpublished notes, speeches, interviews and texts written or given by the future Pope in the period shortly before, during and just after Vatican II. Archbishop Muller specified that by “continuity” Pope Benedict meant a “permanent correspond-

ence with the origin, not an adaption of whatever has been, which

Reform and renewal in continuity the only correct interpretation, conservatives and liberals both wrong. also can lead the wrong way”.

The term aggiornamento or updating - one of the watchwords of the council - “does not mean the secularisation of the faith, which

would lead to its dissolution”, but a “making present” of the message of Jesus Christ, he said.

This “making present” is the “reform necessary for every era in constant fidelity to the whole Christ”, he said.

“The tradition of apostolic origin continues in the Church with help from the Holy Spirit,” he said, and leads to greater understanding through contemplation and study, intelligence garnered from a deeper experience of the spiritual, and preaching by those who, through the “apostolic succession have received an assured charism of truth”.

Big cats go wild for their German Shepherd

By Simon Caldwell MANCHESTER (CNS) - The British government has opened an independent inquiry into allegations an end-of-life protocol is operating as a euthanasia pathway.

The inquiry will investigate complaints of families who say relatives have died after being placed, without their knowledge, on the Liverpool Care Pathway.

The framework, intended for people in final hours of life, often involves sedation and withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment which, under British law, includes food and fluids.

Critics say it is being used to hasten the deaths of terminally ill and elderly patients who are not imminently dying.

Norman Lamb, Care and Support Minister, said in a November 26 statement that the inquiry would also review how cash incentives, paid to state-funded National Health Service hospital trusts to hit targets on the percentages of

Critics say the protocol is being used to hasten deaths of terminally ill and elderly patients. patient deaths on the pathway might have led to “bad decisions or practice”.

“It is vitally important everyone can be confident in the findings of this work and that we learn lessons where they are needed so we can ensure end-of-life care is as good as it can be,” said Lamb.

A November 27 statement by the Catholic Communications Network said Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark welcomed the review.

It said he had passed on “specific concerns raised with him by some clinicians” and had called for such an inquiry in a September 27 letter to the government.

Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury also issued a November 27 statement praising the intervention of Fiona Bruce, the member of Parliament for Congleton, within his diocese.

Bruce had pressed the government to open the inquiry following her experience of one of her parents dying on the pathway.

Bishop Davies added: “All of us need to have confidence that medical and nursing practice is upholding in our hospitals the value and dignity of human life until the moment of natural death.”

Pope Benedict XVI pets a lion cub during an audience with circus performers and music bands in Paul VI hall at the Vatican on December 1. The performers set up in St Peter’s Square late last week at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

PHOTO: CNS

Cardinal awarded for saving

By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) - The late archbishop of Florence, Italian Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa, has been recognised as Righteous Among the Nations by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem for the role he played in a wide-

Cardinal Dalla Costa continued rescue efforts despite the arrest and torture of some clergy. spread network set up to rescue Jews following the Nazi occupation of Italy.

During World War II, Florence was the scene of a major rescue mission in a joint effort by Jewish leaders and members of the Catholic

An image depicting Pope Pius XII is seen displayed at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.

PHOTO: CNS

Church. Described in the testimony of one of the Catholic rescuers as “the soul of this ‘activity of love’”, Cardinal Dalla Costa guided, initiated and encouraged Catholic clergy to participate in the network.

He recruited rescuers from among

the clergy, supplied letters to his activists so they could go to heads of monasteries and convents to ask them to shelter Jews, and sheltered fleeing Jews in his own palace for short periods until they were taken to safe places.

Following the December 1943 arrest of the Jewish activist members of the network, the Church under Cardinal Dalla Costa continued in its rescue efforts, despite the arrest and torture of some clergy.

Through its joint work, the network managed to save hundreds of local Jews as well as Jewish refugees from other countries.

The title Righteous Among the Nations is bestowed on those “few who helped Jews in the darkest time in their history”. A public commission, headed by an Israeli Supreme Court justice, examines each case and is responsible for granting the title. Those recognised receive a medal and certificate of honour. The cardinal’s name will be engraved on the Wall of Honour in the Garden of the Righteous at Yad Vashem.

Officials at Yad Vashem said they have been unable to identify any next of kin for the cardinal, and so the medal and certificate will remain at Yad Vashem.

8

WORLD

therecord.com.au

December 5, 2012

Vatican favours Palestine recognition

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican praised a United Nations vote making Palestine a nonmember observer state but called for full recognition of sovereignty as necessary for peace in the region.

One 138 member states voted on November 29 to boost Palestine’s status from “entity” to “non-member state” - the same status held by the Holy See - in an implicit recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. Israel, the US and Canada were among the nine states that voted against the motion and 41abstained.

The vote reflects the “sentiment of the majority of the international community” in favour of a “more significant presence to Palestinians within the United Nations”, the Vatican said in a written statement on November 29.

But Palestine’s enhanced status at the UN “does not constitute, per se, a sufficient solution to the existing problems in the region” the Vatican said. Such a solution would require “effective commitment to building peace and stability, in justice and in the respect for legitimate aspirations, both of the Israelis and of the Palestinians”, it said.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders need to restart peace “negotiations in good faith and to avoid actions, or the placing of conditions, which would contradict the declarations of goodwill and the sincere search for solutions which could become secure foundations for a lasting peace”, it said.

In its statement, the Vatican noted its 2000 agreement with the Palestinian Authority supporting “the recognition of an internationally guaranteed special statute for the city of Jerusalem”.

The agreement aims to safeguard “the freedom of religion and of conscience, the identity and sacred character of Jerusalem as a holy city, (and) respect for and freedom of access to its holy places”, the Vatican said.

It said the international community, too, needs to pitch in and encourage “the adoption of suit-

A Palestinian man reacts during a rally in the West Bank city of Ramallah on November 29 when the UN General Assembly approved a resolution to grant Palestine observer status, implicitly recognising a Palestinian state.

PHOTO: CNS

able initiatives which may help to achieve a lasting peace that respects the rights of Israelis and of Palestinians. Peace needs courageous decisions”.

Palestine’s enhanced status gives it the right to speak at UN meetings and sponsor and sign resolutions, but not to vote on UN resolutions.

Non-member observers may petition to join the body as full members.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy to the Vatican said the UN motion was merely “symbolic” and that the general assembly does not have the power to confer statehood.

The resolution “does not, and cannot, establish a Palestinian state or even grant it recognition”, the embassy said in a November 30 statement. At present, 131 of the

193 UN member states have recognised the state of Palestine.

“Israel is prepared to live in peace with a Palestinian state. However,

ment that the currently unresolved question of Palestinian statehood was already addressed in UN Resolution 181, which was passed

The Vatican approves of Palestine’s new status but says it is no solution to entrenched problems. for peace to endure, Israel’s security must be guaranteed: The Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state and must be prepared to end the conflict with Israel,” the embassy said.

It said Israel was open to direct dialogue with Palestinians, saying peace can only come from direct agreements between the two parties and that “turning to the UN distanced the chances for peace”.

The Vatican said in its state-

on November 29, 1947, exactly 65 years to the day of the Palestinian observer status vote. The United Nations’ Partition Plan for Palestine is the “juridical basis for the existence of two states, one of which has not been constituted in the successive 65 years, while the other (Israel) has already seen the light”, the Vatican said. It reiterated Pope Benedict XVI’s call for the two-state solution to “become a reality, not remain a dream.”

The ‘Catholic’ label should mean bona fide: Pope VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Warning that Catholic charitable activity must not become “just another form of organised social assistance”, Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules to strengthen the religious identity of Catholic charities and ensure their activities conform to Church teaching.

The Pope’s apostolic letter on the “service of charity,” issued motu proprio (on his own initiative), directs bishops in overseeing charitable works in their dioceses.

The document, dated November 11, was released by the Vatican on December 1.

Charities approved by the Church or supported by Church funds “are required to follow Catholic principles in their activity and they may not accept commitments which could in any way affect the observance of those principles”, the Pope wrote.

The staff members of such charities must therefore “share, or at least respect, the Catholic identity” of their agencies, and exemplify “Christian life” and faith.

Bishops are to provide these employees with “theological and pastoral formation” through special courses and “suitable aids to the spiritual life”.

Catholic charities are forbidden to “receive financial support from groups or institutions that pursue ends contrary to the Church’s teaching” or to “accept contributions for initiatives whose ends, or the means used to pursue them, are not in conformity with the Church’s teaching”.

To ensure that the Church’s charitable agencies reflect “Christian simplicity of life”, each bishop is to set their salaries and expenses at levels “in due proportion to analogous expenses of his diocesan curia”.

West Bank celebrates pseudo-statehood

By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) - In the West Bank, church bells rang at the midnight announcement that the UN General Assembly had voted to grant Palestinians observer status.

Young and old Catholic Palestinians joined others in Ramallah where the announcement was celebrated into the wee hours of the morning.

“We were very happy when this announcement was made,” said Father Firas Aridah, whose Jifna village parish is five miles from Ramallah. “We saw that our dignity may be hurt, but it will be healed.

We are not abandoned. People are with us. We have rights just like everyone else, and we can live in calm and peace.”

At last, he told Catholic News Service on November 30, Palestinians were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Fr Aridah said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ UN victory, just weeks after clashes between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, was very important for the Palestinian leader, demonstrating that he could unite his people without resorting to violence.

“Gaza was celebrating with us.

Everyone can now look to President Abbas as the one who will unify Gaza and the West Bank, and they

know that he did not use guns (to achieve the vote), he used diplomacy and peaceful demonstrations,” said Fr Aridah.

In a November 30 statement, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which includes churches in Israel and the Palestinian territories, described the UN vote as “an incentive for peace” that marked a “significant shift to meet the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians”. The patriarchate congratulated Abbas, calling him a “moderate man and a man of peace”.

Bernard Sabella, a Catholic member of the Palestinian Parliament and retired professor of sociology at Bethlehem University, said the UN vote could herald “some more serious thinking on the part of Israel” regarding Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

“It is not enough for us Palestinians to celebrate and be happy about it, there are also the Israelis (to consider),” he said.

Though the vote left him feeling “a little optimistic”, he said it remained to be seen what would happen following the Israeli elections in January. Observers predict the election of a right-wing government. Sabella said although the strong vote served to boost Abbas’ standing among Palestinians who had lost some respect for him because of stagnation in the nego-

US Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, right, and Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem, visits with kindergarteners in Beit Sahour on November 28.

CNS

tiations with Israel - its overall ramifications remained uncertain.

“We have to wait and see if President Abbas will go to Gaza when he returns from New York and really put the reunification effort into effect. That is the real hope and expectation,” he said.

Abbas leads Fatah, which controls the West Bank. Rival Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in 2007 following its Palestinian legislative election victory in 2006. Hamas initially formed a national unity government with Fatah. Following a week of internal fighting in which

it is estimated that at least 118 people were killed and more than 550 were wounded, Hamas took control of Gaza, expelling Fatah officials. The rift has plagued the Palestinians ever since.

Sabella praised Abbas for mentioning Gaza specifically in his speech at the UN, in effect sending a message to Gazans and others that he was there as their representative to also speak about their pain.

The UN vote was also significant in that it indicates an international interest in supporting a “pragmatic Palestinian leadership”, Sabella said.

“The international community is saying something that everyone is seeing, which is (the need for) a two-state solution, and Israel is refusing to see that.”

In an interview with Vatican Radio, Franciscan Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, custos of the Holy Land, said that “even the Israelis, the majority of them, at least according to the polls that I’ve read in the newspapers, took this step for granted, and they don’t see it so negatively, like the Israeli government is.”

“Everybody is aware that the solution of two peoples and two states, as complicated as it is, is the right path that needs to be taken.

And the sooner begun the better it will be,” he said.

Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal told Vatican Radio the UN vote was “a step forward.” “I am sure that the day that we have a Palestinian state, made by Palestinians, governed by Palestinians, by Mahmoud Abbas, to start with, will benefit Israel, because Israel will have another nation with which to dialogue and come to agreements with for the wellbeing of the whole area,” he said. “We mustn’t be afraid,” he added. “We have to overcome this mutual mistrust and say: We can live in peace, two states, side by side, like the Holy Father has called for more than once.”

WORLD

therecord.com.au December 5, 2012

9

Syrians face makeshift welcome In war’s wake, many Syrian refugees have nowhere to go. Catholics are doing their best to help, Paul Jeffrey reports.

A refugee child from Syria stands outside a makeshift shelter in the village of Jeb Jennine, in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on November 22. No one is sure how many have already arrived.

By Paul Jeffrey BEIRUT (CNS) - When Syrian refugees arrive in Lebanon, help begins with a phone call to the UN refugee agency - if they can get through.

In most refugee areas, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has no fixed office; its staffers make only sporadic visits for which refugees make appointments over the phone. It’s that phone call that is the problem.

“We have called UNHCR several times, but they never answer the phone, and there’s no permanent office to go to,” said Ghaziya al-Houmaydan, a refugee who, six months ago, fled bombing in her hometown of Homs, Syria and who now lives in a tent in the Bekaa Valley.

Hessen Sayah, project manager for Syrian refugees for Caritas Lebanon, the local Church’s charitable agency, said she hears about the problem all the time.

“People call our Caritas hotline to ask for help with calling UNHCR, saying it’s always busy or no one answers.

“We tell them to call again. And we take their names to tell UNHCR about them, especially the most vulnerable or urgent cases, like people who need medical assistance,” Sayah told Catholic News Service.

“And once you get UNHCR on the phone, it can take up to two or three months to get registered,” she said. “But if a family has needs now, Caritas is here to help them.”

No one is sure how many refugees from Syria have already arrived in Lebanon. According to the UNHCR, more than 131,000 Syrian refugees were either reg-

istered in Lebanon or had made appointments to be registered as of November 16. The UNHCR said nearly 316,000 additional Syrian refugees have registered or have registrations pending in other neighbouring countries.

Sayah said she thinks the official number for Lebanon is too low.

“We can’t get an accurate count, because many are afraid to register.

I think the number is at least double what the UNHCR says,” Sayah told CNS. Many refugees are reluctant to register because of misconceptions about the implications.

“When we first arrived in Lebanon, people told us that if we registered, we wouldn’t be able to return home. We planned on returning, so we put off registration,” said al-Houmaydan, who acknowledges she received bad advice.

Sayah said some Syrian minorities, such as Christians and Kurds, are reluctant to register with the UNHCR. “They’re afraid that if they register, their names will be given to Syrian security or, if the situation improves, they will not be able to return. We can’t force them to do it, but we try to convince them that it’s better to be registered,” Sayah said.

On top of Syrian nationals who’ve been forced to flee to Lebanon and other countries, Iraqi and Palestinian refugees living in Syria have also fled the fighting.

Caritas has helped them, too. It persuaded the government to grant longer visas to the Palestinians and has continued its work with Iraqi refugees in the region.

“Almost all the (nongovernmental organisations) here are involved

in the Syrian refugee crisis, but Caritas isn’t neglecting the Iraqis,” she said. Like Syrian nationals, they get help from Caritas in the form of food parcels and coupons, cooking equipment, hygiene kits, baby kits, blankets, mattresses, children’s school fees and, as winter approaches, heaters and winterisation kits to better seal their homes against the cold.

Caritas has a mobile clinic that

and girls who have been victims of human trafficking.

Logistically, it would be easier to monitor and provide services to many refugees if they were housed in a massive camp setting.

That’s what the neighbouring kingdom of Jordan has done in establishing the massive Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq, where as many as 45,000 Syrian refugees are living, with more arriving every

This family asked not to be named in case they have to return to Syria.

tours the Bekaa Valley offering free consultations and medicines to all refugees. Its staff includes a gynaecologist and a paediatrician.

Psycho-social support is also provided, Sayah said, especially for children who have been traumatised by the violence they witnessed. Caritas, which has years of experience working with migrants in Lebanon and is the only NGO present in Beirut’s infamous underground migrant detention facility, also keeps an eye out for women

CNS

day. But, in Lebanon, the government has opposed the idea of big camps, in part because Lebanon’s political culture - with deep links to Syria’s political factions - is sharply divided over how to respond.

“There’s a power struggle in Lebanon, and nobody can agree on something like this,” said George Antoun, the Beirut-based Middle East regional director for International Orthodox Christian Charities. “Lebanon doesn’t control its borders, and it has a long and

PHOTO: CNS

porous border with Syria. People fear a refugee camp might become a base for Syrian militants, or a place that could be attacked by a certain faction within Lebanon, and that would create conflict. It would be hard to prove who attacked the camp, and it could bring Lebanon back to civil war.”

Sayah said she’s not optimistic about the near future. The UN predicts Lebanon will have 300,000 Syrian refugees by June, but Sayah reiterated that she thinks the official numbers are too conservative.

Najla Chahda, director of Caritas Lebanon Migrant Centre, told CNS despite some delays in response, the agency supports UNHCR as it tries to respond to the refugees’ overwhelming demand for assistance.

“UNHCR is a vital lifeline to refugees in desperate need,” said Chahda. Caritas “depends on the protective and humanitarian services of UNHCR.” Meanwhile, as more refugees flow in, the demand for living space and services is testing the country’s capacity to host them.

“These days you cannot rent a house, because the prices are increasing day by day. And even if you can afford it, it’s hard to find a place that’s available,” Sayah said.

“Many families now coming to the Bekaa Valley are searching for agricultural land to rent where they can put up a tent. Or they’re moving in with families who have already built their tents.

And many Lebanese families have welcomed Syrian families into their own homes.

They’re not relatives, they’re just people in need, and they’ve been welcomed. But the welcome is wearing thin.”

10

THE YEAR OF GRACE

therecord.com.au December 5, 2012

therecord.com.au

December 5, 2012

Mary in the Year of Grace

THE YEAR OF GRACE

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In this article published by the Archdiocese of Perth's Faith Centre and written for Australia's Year of Grace, A rchbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB reflects on Mary's role in this special year and what she has to offer each of us.

Who is Mary, this woman who listened to to word of God and put it into practice, asks Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB? What place can she have in our Year of Grace?

T

HE words which Mary speaks in the story of the miracle at the wedding feast in Cana in St John’s Gospel can be taken as words which she addresses to all of us: “Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you” (John 2:5). In this Year of Grace, Mary once again points us away from herself towards her Son. Just as she contemplated him lying in the manger, sitting in the Temple among the doctors of the Law, and lying lifeless in her arms on Calvary, so she invites us today to contemplate his face so that, in the words of Pope John Paul II, our witness to him will not be hopelessly inadequate but will be a living response to the needs of the people of our own time (see Novo millennio Ineunte 16).

Who is this woman who listened to the word of God and put it into practice? What place can she have in our Year of Grace? Perhaps that prayer which is so often on the lips of Catholics, the Hail Mary, might help us to understand her place in our lives and in our faith as we seek to “start afresh from Christ”.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

When Mary first hears these words of the angel Gabriel she is, according to St Luke’s Gospel, “deeply disturbed” (Luke 1:29). Some scholars suggest that “terrified” might be a better translation. Perhaps it is the sudden appearance of the angel which frightens her, but it is more likely to be the nature of the greeting Gabriel offers her. For those who are familiar with the writings of the ancient prophets, it is possible to see in this greeting a recognition

that Mary is one who in some way captures in herself the dignity and the vocation of the Chosen People of God. No wonder Mary, a simple Jewish girl but one who is no doubt steeped in the traditions of her people, is terrified.

This fear is perhaps intensified by the angel’s assurance to Mary that “the Lord is with you”.

This phrase would be very familiar to a devout Jewish girl. It is used over and over again in the Old Testament when someone is being asked

by God to undertake a daunting task. It is what God says to Moses, for example, when he asks him to lead the Chosen People out of Egypt (see Exodus 3:12).

it is not always easy to welcome the sometimes disrupting, challenging and daunting presence of God in our lives. She understands our fear.

As the angel seeks to reassure Mary, telling her not to be afraid, he explains to her what God is asking of her: that she should conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus.

On hearing this news Mary becomes confused.

“How can this be” she asks, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34).

Like Mary, we too can become confused as God’s plan for us unfolds and we realise that it is not what we had ourselves planned for our lives. “Surely” we think, “God cannot be asking this of me. What he is asking is beyond me. It

The words which Mary speaks in the story of the miracle at the wedding feast in Cana can be taken as words she addresses to all of us: "Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you".

The angel’s greeting, then, is not a simple one: it is the announcement of a special vocation. God has stepped into Mary’s life in a profound and unexpected way – and she is frightened.

It can often be the same for us. In many different ways, we too can become aware that God is asking something of us and we can become frightened. Are we going to be able to respond?

Do we have the courage and faith we will need?

What if it is all too much for us? At such times it can be helpful for us to remember that Mary, too, was frightened and unsure. She knows that

is not what I had thought my future would be.”

As we open our lives to God, this is often the pattern of our response. At first, we are frightened and upset, and then we become confused and uncertain. How did Mary move from this to her wonderful response of faith – “Here I am, the servant of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me”? (Luke 1:38).

The answer can only be found in the words the angel speaks to her – words that Mary allowed herself to believe: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). With

these words Mary came to understand that she did not have to rely on herself. Rather she could rely on the power of God at work in her – and it was this that enabled her to say “yes”, to give her “fiat”.

The same words are spoken to us. They are the words that reveal the deeper meaning of our Baptism and our Confirmation. The Holy Spirit has come upon us. The power of God does overshadow us. And because of this we can, with Mary, give our “yes” to God if we too allow ourselves to believe and put our trust in God. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

In Luke’s gospel, when Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, she breaks out in a joyful song which we know as the Magnificat. “My soul magnifies the Lord,” she exclaims, “and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour” (Luke 1:46,47). Mary then goes on to make this prophecy: “all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). That prophecy has been richly fulfilled of course.

Still today, we dedicate grand cathedrals and humble parish churches in her honour. Still today, in many cities around the world, street corners are marked by shrines built to house her image. Still today, countless thousands flock to her shrines in such places as Lourdes and Fatima. Still today, people faithfully and devoutly pray her Rosary.

In the Gospel tradition, it was Elizabeth who first proclaimed Mary “blessed” among women and who immediately linked this to Jesus, the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb.

PHOTO: THE ANNUNCIATION BY LEONARDO DA VINCI, CIRCA 1472-1475 .

Mary is blessed, yes, because she is the Mother of God. She is blessed because of the child she carries in her womb and to whom she will give birth. This is what the woman cries out in St Luke’s Gospel: “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you” (Luke 11:27). But Jesus responds to this by saying “Blessed rather is the one who listens to the word of God and puts it into practice” (Luke 11:28). For St Luke, of course, whose Gospel tells us the story of the Annunciation, Mary is the first to hear the word of God and respond to it with faith. St Augustine will say much the same thing when he writes that “Mary first conceived Christ in her mind and heart through faith before she conceived him in her womb” (St Augustine, Sermo 25).

We may not be able to imitate Mary in her role as the Mother of Christ, but we can imitate her in her response to God’s word and God’s invitation. And if we do, we too, like Mary, can become instruments of Christ’s presence in the world.

Holy Mary, Mother of God. It was at the Council of Ephesus, in 431AD, that Mary was solemnly declared to be the Mother of God. There was, according to the written accounts at the time, great rejoicing in the streets of the city as the people celebrated this recognition of Mary’s role in their faith.

To say that Mary is the Mother of God is to say something wonderful about Mary. It is to say something even more wonderful about Jesus. The child who is conceived and carried in Mary’s womb and who is born of her

in Bethlehem is more than someone who will grow up to be especially close to or favoured

by God. He is more than a great prophet who can unveil the mysteries of God to us. He is, rather, God himself who has come among us so that we, through our communion with him, can become one with God. The early Fathers and Doctors of the Church will speak about this as our “divinisation” or “deification”. St Athanasius, who lived in the 4th century, wrote that “God became man so that man might become a god” (St Athanasius, De Incarnatione 54:3). It was, perhaps, his way of explaining what Jesus meant when, in St John’s Gospel, he prayed that his followers

Mary’s Son, Jesus. We are also affirming our faith in our own ultimate destiny. We are giving voice to our basic Christian hope.

Pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

People who are not really familiar with our Catholic tradition sometimes suggest that Catholics give too much prominence and honour to Mary. Some even suggest that we treat her as though she were a god herself. Why, they ask, should we pray to her. Surely we should only pray to God. In reality, of course, we all ask people to pray for us. In times of stress, difficulty or uncer-

Some think we Catholics give too much prominence to Mary.

As believers in the Resurrection, it makes perfect sense to ask someone we know is already in heaven to pray for us. might “all be one, just as you and I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me” (John 17:21).

This wonderful destiny is possible only because Jesus, who unites us to himself through faith and the sacraments, especially Baptism and the Eucharist, is truly divine. Our communion with him is our communion, our at-one-ment, with God. In proclaiming Mary, then, as the Mother of God, as we do each time we pray the Hail Mary, we are proclaiming our faith in the divinity of

tainty we turn to those we love, trust or admire and ask them to say a prayer for us. It is an instinctive expression of our sense of connection with each other and of our desire not to be alone in time of trouble.

As believers in the Resurrection, it makes perfect sense to ask those whom we acknowledge to be already with God in heaven to also support us by their prayers. If they cared for us in life, why would we think they no longer care for us in heaven? And if it makes sense to ask our relatives, friends and fellow Christians to pray for us, why would we not ask our heavenly

friends to do the same?

This is what the last part of the Hail Mary is all about. It is simply a request to Mary, the Mother of the Lord, to support us with her prayers. If she is the Mother of Christ, and if, as St Paul insists, we together are the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27), then Mary as the mother of Jesus is the mother of his Church, his body.

She is our mother. As she cared for and loved Jesus, so she cares for and loves us. It is our firm conviction, born of the Church’s experience over two thousand years, that this care and love is expressed through her prayer for us. And as the famous prayer, the Memorare, puts it, “never was it known in any age that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided”. We come to Mary with confidence, entrusting ourselves to her prayer, knowing that she has our best interests at heart. Mother of the Lord and mother of the Church, she accompanies us through life and prays for us from a heart which beats in unison with the heart of her Son. Perhaps there is no better expression of Mary’s heart, and of her message for us, than the words she addresses to the stewards in the story of the miracle at Cana. In this Year of Grace, we are invited to listen to her as she says, also to us, “Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you” (John 2:5). She beckons us to contemplate the face of her Son and start afresh from him.

If we do, our witness to him will not be hopelessly inadequate but will enable us, his Church, to respond to the urgent needs of our own time.

12

REVIEWS

therecord.com.au

December 5, 2012

Have yourself a very adult Christmas Christmas in our own time is very much a time for children. But it is overwhelmingly a time for adults as well.

O

NCE again, the lead up Foolish to Christmas is upon us; Santa is out in full force, shopping centres Wisdom BERNARD TOUTOUNJI are playing Bing Crosby and the ‘spirit of giving’ is in the air. You may be planning to attend the local Christmas Carols at some point. If it is a religious caroling event, the children may be dressing up as shepherds and angels; if they are the larger ‘commercial’ carols you will be more likely to see the little ones dressed as elves and reindeer. However, Christmas is celebrated though, it is well and truly a season that lights up the faces of children everywhere.

From a marketing point of view, Christmas is like manna from heaven. The car parks are crowded, the food courts are full and the EFTPOS terminals are running hot. While many families, including my own, go with the ‘Kris Kringle’ method of present giving, (meaning that each adult buys for one other adult in the family), the children always receive individual presents from all the members of the family.

Outranking gifts from mum and dad, however, are the gifts children receive from the jolly man in the red suit. Once based in the historical personage of the gift giving St Nicholas, from the early 20th century he has strangely morphed into a man living at the North Pole with a large team of magical elves and flying reindeer.

How is it that Christmas has become the pre-eminent season for children? Is it because the true meaning of the season revolves around a little baby, that we seem to have given over Christmas to those aged under twelve? Christmas is a wonderful time for children and no one would want to take that away from them; it may even inspire children towards good behaviour throughout the rest of the

Christmas gifts were inspired by Nicholas of Myra. How on earth did he morph into a fat man in a red velvet suit from the North Pole? year (for which parents are most probably glad). I wonder, though, if adults are conscious enough to allow Christmas to carry a deeper meaning for themselves and not fall into the trap of thinking that Christmas is a time for children.

Much more than being a toy party, Christmas is a season for adults; that baby in the manger has more to say to adults than anyone in primary school. The Christian story holds that the child born of Mary is actually God himself, but why would God send his Son to the earth as a child?

In one sense it was probably because babies are cute and everyone drops any defences in the presence of children but, in a deeper sense, the coming to earth as an infant indicates a level of humility and childlike trust which most adults need to strive for in pursuing God. And, as the story reveals, this baby was not to remain a baby but, from the moment of birth, was on a trajectory towards death. Here was a child who was actually born to die.

At his presentation in the temple as an infant he was recognised as one who would be responsible for the fall and rise of many and as a sign that would be rejected.

Just listen to the words of the classical Christmas carols currently ringing out in every shopping centre in town. One tells us to fall on our knees at the birth of the Christ child and in another we ask to be saved from Satan’s tyranny and the depths of hell! That’s right … in your local department store they are playing hymns about heaven, hell and the mysteries of salvation. And as that happens we think it is all about gift-buying and children sitting on the knee of a fat man in red velvet.

More than being a season for children, Christmas is a season for adults. Christmas is about a child but it is not for children. To appreciate the depth of Christmas, one must have an adult faith which is open to God’s revelation in the way that a baby is open to the care of its parents.

If we overly dress up Christmas as something merely for children then we rob both children and ourselves of the depth of hope that Christmas should inspire in all of us. It is right and proper that Christmas lights up the eyes of little ones but if the birth of the saviour doesn’t also light up the eyes of their parents then it risks being no more than a party without a purpose. www.foolishwisdom.com

Pope signs off on third volume of book that has also been a

PERSONAL MISSION Pope Benedict is considered to be one of the leading theologians of his era. The final volume in his Jesus of Nazareth series has just been released. It may yet turn out to be his magnum opus, report CNS’s Carol Glatz and Francis Rocca ...

T

he Nativity story, like the whole story of Christ, is not merely an event in the past, but has unfolding significance for people today, with implications for such issues as the limits of political power and the purpose of human freedom, Pope Benedict writes in his third and final volume on the life and teachings of Jesus.

Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives is only 132 pages long, yet it includes wide-ranging reflections on such matters as the significance of the Virgin Birth and the distinctive views of nature in ancient pagan and Judeo-Christian cultures.

The book was formally presented at the Vatican on November 20, and was scheduled for publication in English and eight other languages in 50 countries on November 21.

In the book, Pope Benedict examines Jesus’ birth and childhood as recounted in the Gospels of Sts Matthew and Luke.

His interpretation of the biblical texts refers frequently to the work of other scholars and draws on a variety of academic fields, including linguistics, political science, art history and the history of science.

The book’s publication completes the three-volume Jesus of Nazareth series, which also includes From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration (2007) and Holy Week: From the Entrance

into Jerusalem to the Resurrection (2011).

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said at the November 20 book launch that the three books are the “fruit of a long inner journey” by Joseph Ratzinger, whose personal views they represent.

While much of what the Pope says is accepted Catholic dogma, the texts themselves are not part of the Church’s Magisterium and their arguments are free to be disputed, Fr Lombardi said.

In his new book, the Pope argues that Matthew and Luke, in their Gospel accounts, set out to “write history, real history that had actually happened, admittedly interpreted and understood in the context of the word of God”.

The Pope calls the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection “cornerstones” of Christian faith, since they show God acting directly and decisively in the material world.

“These two moments are a scandal to the modern spirit” which expects and allows God to act only in ideas, thoughts and the spiritual world, not the material, he writes.

Yet it is not illogical or irrational to suppose that God possesses creative powers and power over matter, otherwise “then he is simply not God.” The Pope enriches the Gospel accounts with personal reflections as well as questions and challenges for his readers.

Copies of the Italian version of Pope Benedict XVI’s new book, The Infancy of Jesus, are seen during their release at the Vatican press office on November 20. The book is the third and concluding volume of his work, Jesus of Nazareth. PHOTO: PAUL HARING, CNS

For example, considering the angel’s appearance to the shepherds, who then “went with haste” to meet the child Saviour, the Pope asked “How many Christians make haste today, where the things of God are concerned?”

Pope Benedict examines the political context of the time of Jesus’ birth, which featured both the so-called Pax Romana – the widespread peace brought by the Roman ruler Caesar Augustus – and King Herod’s thirst for power, which led to the slaughter of the innocents.

“Pax Christi is not necessarily opposed to Pax Augusti,” he writes.

“Yet the peace of Christ surpasses

Broken world of men’s lives BOOKS Fight like a man

by Gordon Dalbey Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. USA, 315 pages.

Reviewed by Mark Reidy

A

merican author Gordon Dalbey was brought to tears when he first read the words, “Get on your knees and fight like a man”.

Dalbey has been a leading figure in the Christian Men’s movement for several decades, having already penned two widely acclaimed books Healing the Masculine Soul, and Father and Son. In Fight like a Man, he fervently advocates that God’s Kingdom on earth can only be restored when men face the pain of their ‘father wound’ and surrender themselves to God. Dalbey describes the ‘father

wound’ as the absence experienced by generations of men who have lived a broken relationship with their fathers. It is a wound, he claims, that cannot be healed by any other person, no matter how genuine and dedicated.

“Only Jesus can heal the father wound because only he can overcome our sin nature and restore relationship with the true and present father of all men,” he explains.

In his introduction, Dalbey acknowledges the groundbreaking effects of the secular men’s movement of the early 1990’s, but believes it was destined to wane because, while it recognised the ‘father wound’ that was robbing men of their true identity, it did not have the resources to redeem them.

This is the crux of Dalbey’s potentially world-altering view.

He believes that the secular men’s movement “dropped the sword of truth”; it is now the duty of Christian men “to pick it up and fight for all God’s worth”.

Dalbey’s passion for the cause shines through as he combines his experience as a pastor and father with anecdotes and stories from his many years as a leader in the Christian Men’s movement to provide convincing reasons why surrendering to Christ is the key to

Dalbey’s passion shines through as he combines his experience as a pastor with anecdotes from his many years as a leader in the Christian men’s movement.

‘Redeeming Manhood for Kingdom Warfare’, the subtitle of his book.

The 315-page book is specifically aimed at Christian men and designed to help them gauge how far they may have journeyed from

REVIEWS

therecord.com.au December 5, 2012

13

Indulgence on offer for a grace-filled year of Faith A friend mentioned that he had read that there were special indulgences for the Year of Faith but could not remember what they were. Can you help us?

T

the peace of Augustus as heaven surpasses earth.”

The political realm has “its own sphere of competence and responsibility”; it oversteps those bounds when it “claims divine status and divine attributes” and makes promises it cannot deliver.

The other extreme comes with forms of religious persecution when rulers “tolerate no other king-

dynamic of religion toward selftranscendence which involves the search for truth, the search for the true God,” the Pope writes.

The Pope also argues that the star of Bethlehem was a true celestial event.

It “seems to be an established fact”, he writes, that the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn happened in 7-6 BC, which “as we have seen

The three Jesus of Nazareth books are the fruit of a long inner journey by Joseph Ratzinger. dom but their own,” he writes.

Any sign God announces “is given not for a specific political situation, but concerns the whole history of humanity,” he writes.

The Pope writes that the Three Wise Men symbolise the purification of science, philosophy and rationality.

“They represent the inner

is now thought likely to have been when Jesus was born”.

A key topic in the book is the role of human freedom in God’s divine plan for humanity.

“The only way (God) can redeem man, who was created free, is by means of a free ‘yes’ to his will,” the Pope writes. It is precisely “the moment of free, humble yet mag-

nanimous obedience” such as Mary and Joseph showed when listening to God, “in which the loftiest choice of human freedom is made”.

Jesus, too, in his human freedom, understood he was bound to obedience to his heavenly father, even at the cost of his earthly life.

The missing 12-year-old, rediscovered by an anxious Mary and Joseph in the Temple, was not there “as a rebel against his parents, but precisely as an obedient (son), acting out the same obedience that leads to the cross and the resurrection”, the Pope writes.

Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection is a story filled with contradiction, paradox and mystery, the Pope writes, and “remains a sign of contradiction today”.

“What proves Jesus to be the true sign of God is he takes upon himself the contradiction of God,” Pope Benedict writes, “he draws it to himself all the way to the contradiction of the cross.”

- CNS

can be healed by the Father God’s true definition of manhood.

But ultimately it is a book of hope and redemption.

Dalbey explains how the character of man has been distorted and defined by a world that has separated itself from God which has created either violent or over-feminised alternatives. Neither are what God intended, he claims, but he is adamant that there is a way out.

Dalbey does not resort to statistics and studies to emphasise his ideas. But he creates an awareness of both the subtle and obvious ways individuals and society have drifted from God’s blueprint by intertwining entertaining and relevant life snapshots with Scriptural wisdom.

The battle that we are all a part of, and what defines us, Dalbey announces in chapter one, is this, “Do you know God as your Father and yourself as His son?”

In latter chapters, Dalbey explores specific issues such as racism, addictions, false religion, living by Law alone and appropriate

relating to women, but not before providing the reasons and steps required for men to move forward from the shame and brokenness that have stemmed from imperfect relationships with their fathers.

“Whatever part of a man is not surrendered to Father God,” he writes, “becomes a chink in his armour.”

This is a book that should be read by every Christian man because it addresses the foundational issues of many individual and societal ills.

However, it could also prove invaluable to women in their attempt to understand not only the brokenness in men’s lives, but also by providing hope of a way forward. It is a book he has written not only for today’s generation, but for those yet to come.

To go through life without knowing God is “like dying of starvation at a banquet”, Dalbey writes. In Fight like a man, he has provided us with a life-changing menu. Bon appetit.

Generations of men have been affected by broken relationships with their fathers, writes author Richard Dalbey. However, the US evangelical writer is adamant that hope - and healing - springs eternal through faith in God the Father.

HE special indulgences were granted in a Decree issued by the Apostolic Q&A Penitentiary of the Holy FR JOHN FLADER See on September 14, 2012. It was signed by Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro, the Major Penitentiary, whom many Australians will remember as the secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Canberra from 1975 to 1978. He was appointed Major Penitentiary on January 5, 2012.

The Apostolic Penitentiary is one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia and is responsible for matters relating to indulgences and the forgiveness of sins. Among its areas of competence is the absolution of excommunications latae sententiae reserved to the Holy See, including the direct violation of the seal of confession, of which I wrote in a recent column.

The Decree quotes Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei, which mentioned that the Year of Faith is “a time of spiritual grace that the Lord offers us, in recalling the precious gift of faith” (PF 8).

Thus the Year of Grace in Australia complements the Year of Faith in the universal Church, and it is important to take advantage of all the graces God will give us during this year.

One great source of grace is the special indulgences offered by the Church. As the Decree states, “Because it is above all a question of developing to the highest degree – insofar as it is possible on this earth – holiness of life and hence of obtaining, in the highest degree, purity of soul, very useful will be the great gift of indulgences ...”

The Decree states that all the faithful will be able to gain plenary indulgences throughout the Year of Faith which extends from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013, if they are “truly repentant, duly confessed, communing sacramentally, and who pray according

There are several ways of receiving this indulgence. If restricted by illness, prayers and the offering-up of sufferings can suffice. to the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff ”. As usual, the indulgences can be applied to the souls of the faithful departed.

As I explained in an earlier column on indulgences (cf J Flader, Question Time 1, Connor Court 2008, 2012, q 81), when gaining the indulgence the person must be in the state of grace, must receive sacramental Communion preferably on the same day but at least a few days before or after, go to sacramental Confession some days before or after, and pray for the intentions of the Pope.

How can one gain the special plenary indulgences for the Year of Faith? The Decree lists four ways, and the indulgence can be gained each time the person does them: a) Take part in at least three instances of preaching during a Mission, or at least three classes or talks on the documents of the Second Vatican Council or the Catechism of the Catholic Church; b) Visit by way of pilgrimage a Papal Basilica, a Christian catacomb, a cathedral or other church designated by the local bishop for the Year of Faith, and take part there in some sacred function; or at least pray there for some time, concluding with the Our Father, the profession of Faith in any approved form, and prayers to Our Lady and the patron saints of the place; c) Participate in a solemn celebration of the Eucharist or Liturgy of the Hours in any sacred place on the days determined by the local bishop, adding the Profession of Faith in any approved form; d) Visit the place of one’s own baptism and renew there the baptismal promises, using any approved formula.

In addition, diocesan bishops and bishops of the Eastern rites can impart the papal blessing with a plenary indulgence on a day to be chosen by them for the principal celebration of the Year of Faith.

Each person should consult his or her own diocese for these places and dates.

Those who for serious reasons are unable to attend these celebrations can gain the plenary indulgence if, united in spirit to those present at them, they recite an Our Father, Profession of Faith and other prayers in keeping with the objective of the Year of Faith, offering up their sufferings or discomfort.

So the Church makes readily available these special sources of grace in the Year of Faith and we should take advantage of them.

- frjflader@gmail.com

FUN FAITH With

DECEMBER 9, 2012 • LK 3: 1-6 • 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YR C)

CROSSWORD

Across 2. A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the ____, make his paths straight!

4. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be levelled, winding ways be straightened and rough roads made smooth, and all humanity will see the ____ of God. 5. In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, Pontius____ was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of

Galilee and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis,.

Down 1. During this time the word of God came to ____ the son of Zechariah, in the desert.

3. John went through the whole Jordan area proclaiming a ____ of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

6. He did this as it is written in the book of the sayings of ____ the prophet

SALVATION ISAIAH LORD BAPTISM JOHN PILATE

GOSPEL READING Lk 3: 1-6

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea; Herod, tetrarch of Galilee; his brother, Philip, tetrarch of the territories of Ituraea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene; and while the high-priesthood was held by Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the desert. He went through the whole Jordan area proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight! Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be levelled, winding ways be straightened and rough roads made smooth, and all humanity will see the salvation of God.

WORD SEARCH

SALVATION ISAIAH LORD BAPTISM JOHN PILATE

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SHAKEIRA FERDINAND, AGED 6

SEND YOUR COLOURED IN PICTURE TO THE RECORD AT PO BOX 3075, ADELAIDE TERRACE, PERTH WA 6832 TO BE IN THE RUNNNG TO WIN THIS WEEK’S PRIZE.

Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight!

Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be levelled, winding ways be straightened. - Luke 3: 1-6

VISTA

therecord.com.au December 5, 2012

15

Is God really unavoidable?

Science points only to a created universe, says a Jesuit philosopher fascinated by the intersection of faith and reason ...

The Whirlpool galaxy and the Companion galaxy are seen in this image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Recent discoveries now mean science has to acknowledge the universe had a beginning, says philosopher Fr Spitzer, a Jesuit. Problem for atheists: that means a creator too.

PHOTO: NASA, CNS

By Peter Finney

A

merican Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer – a philosopher, accountant, f or m e r u n i v e r s it y president and leadership consultant – always has had a fascination with the intersection of faith and reason.

He’s smart enough to have debated physicist Stephen Hawking, an avowed atheist, on national television over the scientific underpinnings of the beginning of the universe and the theological arguments for the existence of God. In a recent address in New Orleans, Fr Spitzer said the exciting news for the new evangelisation being called for by Pope Benedict XVI is the recent discoveries in “space-time geometry”, prompting eminent physicists to assert the cosmos had to have a beginning and thus had to have a creator.

On the occasion of Hawking’s 70th birthday in January, physicist Alexander Vilenkin, director of the Institute of Cosmology at Tufts University, read a paper asserting just that. Science journalist Lisa Grossman, writing in New Scientist, pithily described Vilenkin’s presentation as “the worst birthday present ever”.

If the rate of expansion of the universe is greater than zero – something virtually all physicists agree on – “at the end of the day we will reach an absolute beginning point prior to which the universe and multiverse (a combination of universes) were nothing”, said Fr Spitzer, founder and president of the Spitzer Centre for Ethical Leadership in Michigan.

“Physical reality itself was nothing, and the one thing we

know about nothing is that it’s nothing,” he said, eliciting laughter from his audience at the annual dinner of the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of New Orleans on November 8.

“The second thing we know about nothing is that nothing can only do nothing, and if the only thing nothing can do is nothing, then the whole of physical reality, configured as universe or multiverse, was nothing.

“It could never have moved itself to something by itself, because the

Science journalist Lisa Grossman pithily described Vilenkin’s presentation on why the universe had to have a beginning as “the worst birthday present ever”. only thing that it could do when it was nothing is nothing.”

The scientific evidence points only toward a created universe, he said.

“There is something else, and that something else has to transcend the universe and be powerful enough to literally create it,” he continued.

“And then, as you begin to investigate the cosmological constants, the initial conditions of the universe and multiverse, and when you look at the finetuning paradoxes that virtually every physicist, including Stephen

Hawking, has admitted, then that creator is not just transcendent and powerful but really, really smart.”

Why this is important, Fr Spitzer said, is that it gives Catholics another reason to evangelise a culture that is mired in materialism and “its loss of the sense of eternal dignity”.

Fr Spitzer said when he teaches college students, someone usually poses the question about the existence of God and whether we really know “that Jesus walked and talked upon this earth”.

“And then the rest of the classroom goes, ‘Yeah, do we really know?’” said Fr Spitzer, who retired in 2009 as president of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

“The answer is, ‘Yes, I think we do know,’” he said.

“What’s my point? This contemporary approach is given to us almost as a gift from God. “Alexander Vilenkin says in the final part of his essay that a good argument will convince a reasonable man and that a proof will convince even an unreasonable one.

“Well, now that the proof is in place, cosmologists cannot even hide behind the possibility of a past eternal universe.

“They must confront the reality.”

All this allows us to answer “our kids’ questions” about the evidence for God. Fr Spitzer said even recent studies about near-death experiences point to God. Dr Eben Alexander, a Harvardtrained neurosurgeon, wrote about his experiences after being in a coma for seven days with his cortex completely shut down.

“He was clinically dead and he was monitored the whole time and

Fr Robert Spitzer.

that they are transcendent. You are not simply molecules and atoms.”

Fr Spitzer, who also is founder and chairman of the Magis Centre of Reason and Faith in Irvine, California, said the early Church transformed the Roman Empire by preaching the Resurrection, the intrinsic and eternal dignity of every human being, love as the greatest commandment and the redemptive view of suffering.

“We are grounded in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is with us,” Fr Spitzer said. “Human beings are transcendent and destined for eternal destiny and dignity. We must evangelise it.”

- CNS PHOTO: CNS

he actually had these experiences,” Fr Spitzer said.

“He could show definitively there was no physical activity that produced it. There are really good studies taking place in multiple hospitals that give evidence that human beings survive bodily death, that we have a soul that literally leaves the body.”

This is riveting evidence that God exists and is moving in the world, and Fr Spitzer said, “it’s a chance for re-evangelisation”.

“But then it comes right back to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the resurrection into glory, into unconditional love,” he said.

“We do have to make it contemporary. But as we point and point again, our eternal destiny becomes clearer and clearer even in the midst of the darkness of secularism. It falls upon us, as Church, to move once again to begin the process of re-evangelisation, of healing the culture and of reminding everyone

Peter Finney is executive editor/general manager of the Clarion Herald, newspaper of the New Orleans Archdiocese.

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16

OPINION

EDITORIAL

Meet the real crisis of marriage

F

amous for being the architect of the surge strategy in Iraq, US General David Petraeus, as nearly everyone knows, has confessed to having an affair with Paula Broadwell. Both are married to others and have children. An investigation has entangled others in this apparently endless scandal: a general, a Florida socialite, even an FBI agent.

While one can argue that none of this is our business – unless national secrets were compromised – it certainly contributes to a suspicion of people in high places that already permeates our society. No matter how noble, how celebrated, how values-oriented, even how prayerful someone is, we have seen again and again how the mighty fall – usually in the glare of the paparazzi and with all of the fingerpointing that is part of the popular sport of celebrity gossip.

What gets ignored is the fact that this isn’t just the comeuppance that comes to celebrity. The disregard of marriage vows is widespread in society – not just in the media and popular culture, but also in our communities. Ask not at whom the finger points. It points at us.

Indeed, the statistics on marriage, divorce, cohabitation, the number of children now raised without both biological parents present and, of course, all the attendant casualties of “no fault divorce” are significant.

The US has the highest divorce rate in the Western world. More than one-fifth of Americans get divorced before they’ve been married five years. Half of all marriages end in divorce.

Thirty per cent of all marriages involve someone who will be a stepparent, yet almost two-thirds of those marriages fail. The impact of divorce on children is multiplied by successive failures. Marriage itself as an institution is failing, with both civil and sacramental marriage rates down, and rates of cohabitation and children born out of wedlock way up. Contrary to stereotypes, all of this impacts those with limited education and income more than those who are wealthier and more educated.

Infidelity is not the only cause, but experts say it is significant. Accurate numbers are hard to come by, but an estimated 28 per cent of married men have had affairs, as have 18 per cent of married women.

More common may be the kind of “serial monogamy” predicted by the futurist Alvin Toffler: a series of partners in marriage or cohabitation.

PO Box 3075 The impact of all of this on Adelaide Terrace the institution of marriage, PERTH WA 6832 on children and on society as a whole is incalculable. Each marital collapse has a ripple office@therecord.com.au effect on the larger commuTel: (08) 9220 5900 nity. Children, even adult chilFax: (08) 9325 4580 dren, lose a sense of trust and stability, and this earthquake increases the chance of future instability as the children of divorce and betrayal struggle to achieve and maintain fidelity in their own lives when those they trusted let them down.

As the bishops are acknowledging with some of their recent marriage projects, it is this crisis that ultimately is the greatest threat to the institution of marriage. While gay marriage may seek to redefine marriage, heterosexuals have already done a pretty good job of showing that they themselves have little faith that “what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mt 19:6).

Strengthening marriages may be one of the most critical challenges the Church faces today.

For Christians, the greatest danger is being tepid.

THE RECORD

Courage can sometimes seem impossible. That’s why it’s courage.

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he ordinary man and woman in the street face a lifetime of difficulties and these can all too often seem crushing. Too often, the events of life, no matter how deeply good our intentions, can appear to crumble and disappear into the dust. When our best efforts are unable to rectify the problem, when the sacrifices we have made for the good of those we know and of the world appear to have come to naught, our courage can disappear. Worse still, we can see those whose intentions are vengeful, shallow, vain, ambitious, malicious or malignant appear to triumph. It could be that at such times we can take solace in the fact that someone else went through much worse at the hands of those he loved most, only to ultimately appear victorious on the other side of life. Not even death could hold him.

Courage is a virtue but this does not mean it comes easy. Quite the contrary, courage is to go on when all else seems to have failed. Our life is not about any particular victory save the victory that is for each of us, as yet, uncertain. Courage is to maintain the virtue of simple thankfulness and acceptance in the perspective of eternity. It is to hold on to faith in the darkness and to resolve to fight the wars of love. And we must always remember: it is always a possibility for every one of us.

From time to time The Record samples editorial opinion from around the Catholic media. The above editorial on marriage appeared in the December 2 issue of Our Sunday Visitor, a national Catholic newsweekly based in Huntington, Indiana in the US. It was written by the editorial board.

therecord.com.au

December 5, 2012

LETTERS

Thanks for provocative look at the Reformation THE Record has published many worthy articles, but the republished review by Archbishop Chaput of ‘The Unintended Reformation’ by Brad Gregory is absolutely outstanding.

When I was searching for the fundamental reason for the rise of

Nazism and the second World War, I was confronted by this problem: “... the basic enigma of the second World War is how such atrocities could have been committed by a people who were perhaps the most highly educated on earth, and who were certainly one of the most cultured, and it ought to be apparent that World War II is much more than the responsibility of Hitler or a condemnation of the German people. It is a damning chapter in

the annals of mankind.” Anyone who wishes to come to terms with such considerations - including the ongoing decadence of our civilisation, would be very well-advised to read Archbishop Chaput’s review of Gregory’s book.

I will certainly be ordering a copy of the book and I would encourage other readers to do likewise.

Hugh Clift LESMURDIE, WA

Our sister bees teach us a mighty lesson A bee sting is painful but looking inside a hive at perfection in design and purpose always brings Joao Albano a step closer to a divine creator ...

A

t the bottom of our garden are several beehives and, since Spring, they have never failed to capture the attention of my gaze and my mind as I watch the bees either rocketing skywards as they leave the hive in search of pollen and nectar or descending just as quickly in haste but with method to return to the hive. It is astonishing that they never collide.

To look inside a beehive is to glimpse something remarkable. It is to glimpse one of the clearest signs ever of a living architectural purpose which is the foundation of nature and the created world. For atheists, a beehive should be a problem of massive proportions.

When I use the word ‘purpose’, I am using it deliberately, as anyone who reads this column will automatically understand. For me, a purpose springs from an intention; an intention can only emanate from a mind.

At about this time every year I find myself preparing to rob the hives of the honey the bees have so frenetically stored since early Spring. I have a veil and a smoker which is basically a tin can with a nozzle for the smoke to exit as it is drive by a hand-operated bellows.

The children are always excited.

The robbing of the hives is something of a ritual which also means several things: honeycomb in large chunks dripping with freshly stored honey, the turning of the handoperated separator into which we put three uncapped frames at a time so that the centrifugal force will spin the honey out of the frames to eventually run out into several buckets, the collection of beeswax and its melting into large blocks which we give to an uncle who makes candles for our parish and as gifts for friends.

Before preparing to rob the hive I put on thick socks which I wrap around the bottoms of my trouser legs and then put on large heavy rubber gloves to protect against stings. I wear a thick, long-sleeved shirt or a jumper (unpleasant in summer) and then finally put on a plastic helmet which looks very much like the sort of pith helmet you would see on a sahib somewhere in the Punjab in the 1870s.

It is covered with a veil which keeps the bees away from the glint of the eyes and the possibility of stings about the head.

But I do not mind all that much.

Stings are painful, certainly, but those who keep bees become used to the sudden sharp pain which signals that a lone bee has breached the defences. A sting can be quickly scraped away with a fingernail or a knife, lessening significantly the pain and annoyance. As Americans would say, bee stings come with the territory.

The hive is a matrix of perfection,

in its own way. It is also, chillingly, the perfect totalitarian society, built and maintained on the very best principles of utilitarianism, far better at achieving the purpose for which it was designed than the philosophy (in either its ‘act’ or ‘rule’ variations) originated by John Stuart Mill. Inside the hive, there is no love at all.

Within its confines, every life has a purpose; when it no longer satisfies that purpose it is ejected from the hive or killed. To be ejected from the hive, in any case, means certain death.

The Queen controls her hive with her own distinctive pheromone which, as long as it is being emitted at normal levels, is the sign for the other bees that she is healthy and productive. But when she gets to six or seven years of age, after having laid more than her own body weight in eggs every day of her life, she begins to fade.

The bees detect the fatal sign in the weakening of her pheromone and begin to raise a new Queen. When she hatches she will either fight to the death with the ageing Queen or leave with a majority of the hive

These bees were prayed over in the middle of a suburban street late one night by a GP. They’re Franciscan. for a new home. This is when bees swarm.

A hive is also a petticoat dictatorship. Almost all the bees are female except for a tiny number of stingless males - drones - who are, by comparison, fat, lazy and do no real work. Drones leave the hive each day and gather in what is called a ‘drone zone’ (lovely name) to wait to detect the pheromone of a virgin Queen. When they do, they take off in pursuit en masse. When they catch her as many as 20 or so will mate with her in mid-air but the act of mating is fatal and, one by one, each drone falls away from the Queen and dies.

Every bee in a hive, each of which has an average population of 7,000 or so, has a purpose. Some clean the hive, others guard it, others collect pollen and nectar, others act as scouts, others regulate temperature and humidity using what we would call evaporative air-conditioning, others again attend to the Queen, feeding and cleaning her.

The scouts and collectors can range within a radius of about 6km and, mysteriously, always return unerringly to the hive to let the others know to within inches where they have found pollen and nectar.

The whole thing functions like a perfect mechanism.

That bees can create honey from the nectar they collect throughout the Australian bush never ceases to amaze me. Mainly, we are surrounded by jarrah and marri so the honey reflects which of these are flowering at the time. Looking into a hive and working with it, I feel a real sense of reverence at creation that I can’t really define. But I feel closer to the purpose and meaning of things nevertheless.

I toil over the hives. They are all Langstroth design and I use the smaller-framed boxes, referred to as WSP-size, named for the Australian manufacturer - apparently - Wynn Pender. To give some idea of what is involved, every hive is made of several boxes. The bottom one or two are the brood chamber where the Queen lays her eggs. Above these are the boxes, usually called ‘supers’, where the honey is stored.

Every super holds eight frames.

Each frame can hold as much as 2.5 to 3 kilos of honey. That’s about 20 kilos of honey per super. If a hive has three supers that works out to about - very roughly - 50-60 kilos per hive and about 250-300 kilos per robbing of the hives.

We spend the day with an old curtain spread on the kitchen floor, the separator being worked - usually far too vigorously and with many arguments as to whose turn it is - as the honey thickly flows out of the bottom tap into the waiting plastic buckets. There are numerous interruptions to the production schedule, mainly for tastings, so that our little family is hardly what you might call a model of industrial capitalist order and efficiency. We are, after all, a cottage industry and therefore un-Australian.

But that doesn’t matter. Our bees are un-Australian too and also appear to be strongly Roman Catholic. The latest hive, collected from a rabbit hutch in Willetton, is also - interestingly - Franciscan.

Strange, I know, but true. They were prayed over late at night in the middle of the street by a general practitioner. I have no idea what the neighbours thought. Another hive is made up of Italian bees, whose appearance is more yellow in colour than the Caucasian bees who are much darker and far more aggressive. Whenever I open their hive I half expect to see them drinking red wine, kissing each other, shrugging and saying ‘eh!’

Witnessing this unceasing marvel of perfection and purpose never leaves me indifferent. I can see why monastic life and beekeeping seem to go hand in hand. John Paul II was right: work dignifies man.

Together with our bees, our little family tends the bush, so to speak, reaping the benefits of the mind of the Creator. Sometimes, bent over a hive, I straighten up, look at the sky and ask “What are you?” But, of his existence, I can have no doubt at all.

OPINION

therecord.com.au December 5, 2012

17

Michael saw what I didn’t: God’s love A chance encounter with a down and out homeless man was not, perhaps, random. It turned out to be a lesson for life ...

S

EVERAL years ago I met a young man who was homeless and drunk. He taught me more about the heart of God than any sermon I had ever heard.

Michael was sitting on a bench drinking alcohol when I approached him. He looked me up and down and then fired a question at me.

“Are you a Christian, buddy?” he slurred over his bottle.

I stalled, not sure how to answer a man who appeared to be experiencing difficulties in his life, but hesitantly I told him I was. I prepared myself, from prior experience, for a barrage of abuse about how a God could abandon him and allow his life to fall into such a downward spiral - but I was wrong.

He broke into a big smile and threw his arms around me. “Don’t ya just love Jesus?” he yelled out for the world to hear, “Isn’t he the greatest?”

I was taken by surprise. Michael’s clothes were dirty, he smelt like he

I Say, I Say MARK REIDY

hadn’t washed for a long time and I don’t think he knew where his next meal was coming from. My first thought was, “How could YOU be happy with God?” He invited me to sit down and then shared his journey with me.

His childhood had been one of violence and misery. “I became a bad dude,” he said as he put down his drink. “Look at what I done to meself.” He rolled up his trousers to reveal a large, devil-like face on his thigh. “And my body is covered with pentagrams too. I was really bad, ya know.”

Michael’s life had drifted from being a sad little boy to crime and drugs and then to the practice of ritualistic satanic activity.

Eventually, he found himself serving time in jail and things became worse when he had to spend ten months in solitary confinement. In his dark and lonely cell he became engulfed by the hopelessness and despair he had been running from all his life. With nowhere to go or no one to turn to, he picked up a book that had been left.

It was a spiritual book and on its

I never saw Michael again but I pray I never forget the glimpse of God’s heart that I was given through him. first page it made a promise that if the reader prayed to God and then randomly opened the book, they would find the answer they were looking for. “You’re making some big claims,” he yelled skyward, “Let’s

see how good you are.” He paused and opened the book to discover these words: “You believe that you are a wicked man and could never be loved by anyone. Know this, I love you and I have forgiven you for all you have done.”

Michael recalled the tears that began to stream down his face.

He said he could not even begin to describe the love that embraced him that night. He felt cleansed and renewed. The remainder of his time in confinement was spent reading the Bible from cover to cover.

“I still do wrong things,” he said, as he nodded at his drink, “but now Jesus is with me. Every morning when I wake up, I see him standing at my feet with his arms open. He loves me, ya know, even when I mess up. Can ya think of a better way to start the day? He gives me a hug and I know I’m gunna get through.”

I realised then that Michael had a far deeper and truer understanding of the heart and nature of God than I did. I attended church regularly

and in the eyes of the world I was seen to be living out my Christian duties, but underneath I did not know God with the intimacy that Michael knew him.

I was like the dutiful brother in the story of the Prodigal son, but Michael was the brother who had discovered the authentic love of his Father and had allowed himself to be embraced by it. I lived with a false understanding that I had to earn God’s love through my actions.

Michael knew he would not always get things right in this life, but his Father’s love was not conditional.

He knew in his heart that no matter what he did he could never live outside of God’s love. And because he understood the intimacy of this love, he desired to embrace it more deeply and allow it to gradually transform him from within.

I never saw Michael again, but I pray I will never forget the momentary glimpse of God’s heart that I was given. m.reidy@therecord.com.au

Talking to God about others A Vietnamese Dominican religious, Sr Nguyen Hong is 38 and discovered her vocation in her teens. Life has been full of ups and downs but, she tells Debbie Warrier, she knows she made the right choice ...

I

GREW up in the Dong Nai province in Vietnam. When I was a child my father was very sick. He smoked a lot and this caused problems with his lungs. My mother asked my five sisters, brother and myself to go to church to pray for him. I thought if I joined a convent and became a nun I would be closer to God and I would have a lot of time to pray for my father to get well. So I joined the Dominican sisters in 1992 when I was 18 but after two years my father died. I was really sad. I wanted to leave the convent and return to my family. In time, I realised that everybody has to die. Now my father could bless my family and he would always be beside me. I also liked the mission of the congregation and wanted to be like St Dominic because he helped poor people everywhere. I decided to stay and took my final vows in 2003.

My congregation ran a boarding school for children from broken families and I worked there as an assistant teacher from 2004 to 2009. During this time I also studied theology for two years.

After that I went to Australia and studied English for nearly one year.

During this time I lived in Darwin and stayed with two Australian Dominican sisters. After school I would have to go home and speak only in English which helped me to learn the language. Once my studies were finished I returned to my convent in Vietnam.

I did not return to work at the boarding school. Instead, my Superior asked me to work as a formator (supervisor of the formation of aspirants) in 2010. That meant I was put in charge of the young girls who just wanted to try life in the convent. I took care of about 60 aspirants with the assistance of another sister. I did this job for one and a half years. It was hard but the aspirants loved me. They would come to my room and share their problems. I always made time to give them advice.

Sometimes the problem was to do with their teaching in the school.

At other times they had just arrived in the convent and were homesick.

Alternatively, an aspirant might

My Vocation DEBBIE WARRIER

be uncertain about her vocation.

I remember one told me she was unsure whether or not to stay at the convent.

I told her to take her time as she had just come to the convent and was missing her family. I asked her to stay for a month because by then she would have made friends and would know about life in the convent. I encouraged her to go to the chapel in her spare time and talk to God. He would tell her what to

Her daughter is ill, her husband has returned to Vietnam and has another girlfriend.

But I believe God will help her and a miracle will happen. do. In the end, half a year passed and when I asked the same girl if she wanted to leave the convent she said, “No!” I would do whatever I could to help the Aspirants and after that I would give them to God. Then my Superior asked me to return to Australia in 2012 to work for three years.When I have finalised all the arrangements to permit me to work (such as a police clearance certificate) I will assist parents with homeschooling through Wanslea Family Services.

In the meantime, as a Dominican sister I go out into the community and help people. If people tell me their problems I talk to God about them. For instance, I met a woman in Northbridge who was a single mum with two children aged five and three. Her daughter is ill and her husband has returned to Vietnam and now has another

Sr Nguyen Hong with Christmas decorations. As a Dominican, her call is to talk with God and talk about him to others.

She also does a fair bit of talking to God on behalf of those she encounters in her life as well.

PHOTO: DEBBIE WARRIER

girlfriend. The woman was very sad and asked me to pray for her.

I really love her family and always ask God to help them and make them strong.

God is very merciful and knows the needs of everyone. I believe he will help her and a miracle will

happen. If her situation does not get better now, it will improve in the future – even if it is just that her sadness is lifted and she feels confident and empowered.

I know that I made the right choice to be a Dominican sister.

I really want to share with others

my experience and knowledge.

Through my vocation I can do a lot of the things that I dreamed of doing – like teaching and helping the poor. To be a Dominican nun or Dominican priest you have to talk with God and talk about him to others.

18

PANORAMA

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 One Day Faith Renewal Retreat – Part 3 9am-4.30pm at Holy Family Parish, Lot 375, Alcock St, Maddington. Cost free. Morning tea and lunch provided. Enq: Admin 9483 1703.

Divine Mercy – Healing Mass 2.30pm at St Francis Xavier Parish, Windsor St, East Perth. Main celebrant Fr Marcellinus.

Reconciliation in English and Italian offered. Divine Mercy prayers followed by Veneration of first class relic of St Faustina Kowalska. Refreshments afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771.

Padre Pio Prayer Day (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) 8.30am at St Bernadette’s Parish, 49 Jugan St, Glendalough. St Padre Pio DVD in parish centre.

10am - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy, Adoration and Benediction.

11am – Mass, St Padre Pio Liturgy, Confessions available. 12pm - lunch (bring a plate to share).

Enq: Des 6278 1540.

Hour of Grace – Feast of the Immaculate Conception 12-1pm at Holy Spirit Church, Keaney Pl, City Beach. Hour of Grace in honour of the Immaculate Conception at Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during the hour with Rosary and quiet time. Enq: Admin 9341 8082.

UPCOMING MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 A History on the Sisters of St Joseph in WA 6pm at Michael Keating Room, cnr Cliff and High Sts, University of Notre Dame. In Her Footsteps: a History of the Sisters of St Joseph in WA from 1920 –1989 by Mary Cresp. The book tells the story of the service of the Josephites to the Catholic community as they responded to changing demands and challenges while remaining true to the vision of their founder, St Mary MacKillop.

RSVP and Enq: lmccarthy@sosjwa.org.au or 9334 0999.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 Advent Preparation 7-8pm at St Benedict’s School Hall, Alness St, Applecross. Spirituality and The Sunday Gospels presented by Norma Woodcock. Everyone is welcome. Cost: collection. Accreditation recognised by CEO. Enq: 9487 1772 or www. normawoodcock.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 Healing Mass in Honour of St Peregrine A healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, patron of cancer sufferers and helper of all in need, will be celebrated in Sts John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton on Thursday, December 13 at 7pm. There will be veneration of the relic of St Peregrine and anointing of the sick. Enq: Jim on 9452 1539.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 Pater Noster Myaree 50th Anniversary 9.30am Mass celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB followed by cutting the anniversary cake and morning tea. Began in 1962 as Corpus Christi, but renamed Pater Noster at the end of 2007. Parishioners, teachers and students, past and present, are invited to attend the Mass and morning tea. Enq: Parish Office 9330 3584.

NEXT YEAR 2013 SATURDAY, JANUARY 5 Day with Mary 9am-5pm St Pius X Parish, 23 Paterson St, Manning. Day of prayer and instruction based on the Fatima message. 9am Video; 10am Holy Mass; Reconciliation, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons on Eucharist and Our Lady, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 TO MONDAY, JANUARY 28 Youth Inner Healing Retreat (live-in) 7.30am at St Thomas More College, 48 Mounts Bay Rd, Crawley. Led by the Vincentian Fathers.

Registration and Enq: Sonia 0410 596 520 or Sheldon 0415 841 737 or dmymau@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Our Lady of Lourdes 70th Anniversary Mass with Archbishop Costelloe 9.30am at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 207 Lesmurdie Rd, Lesmurdie. Enq: Fr Kenneth 9291 6282 or 9291 8952 or 0434 934 286.

St Louis Parish Boyanup – Mass Celebrating 100th Year Anniversary 10am at St Louis Parish, cnr Bridge and Thomas Sts, Boyanup. Begins with Mass followed with luncheon at Hugh Kilpatrick Hall. RSVP for catering purposes. RSVP and Enq: Frances 9731 5058.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17 St Joseph’s School Waroona - 70th Anniversary Celebration Mass 10am-3pm at St Joseph’s School, Millar St, Waroona. Is inviting all past students, staff and families to help celebrate its 70th anniversary at the school. Begins with Mass celebrated by Fr Chiera, Vicar General of Bunbury Diocese, and will be followed by a day of fun, food and festivities.

Please pass on this information to anyone you

know from the school in the last 70 years. Enq: Admin 9782 6500 or www.stjoeswaroona.wa.edu. au.

REGULAR EVENTS EVERY SUNDAY Gate of Heaven Catholic Radio Join the Franciscans of the Immaculate from 7.309pm on Radio Fremantle 107.9FM for Catholic radio broadcast of EWTN and our own live shows. Enq: radio@ausmaria.com.

Immaculate Cafe Immaculate Cafe is now open every Sunday 9.30am-1pm at St Mary’s Cathedral Parish Centre, downstairs after Mass. Coffee, tea, cakes, sweets, friendship with Cathedral parishioners. Further info: Tammy on smcperthwyd@yahoo.com.au or 0415 370 357.

Pilgrim Mass - Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation 2pm at Shrine, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook.

Commencing with Rosary followed by Benediction.

Reconciliation available before every celebration.

Anointing of the sick administered during Mass every second Sunday of the month. Pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation last Sunday of the month. Side entrance to church and shrine open daily between 9am-5pm. Enq Sacri 9447 3292.

Praise and Worship 5.30pm at St Denis Parish, cnr Osborne St and Roberts Rd, Joondanna. Followed by 6pm Mass.

Enq: Admin admin@stdenis.com.au.

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY Singles Prayer and Social Group 7pm at All Saints Chapel, Allendale Sq, 77 St George’s Tce, Perth. Begins with Holy Hour (Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary and teaching) followed by dinner at local restaurant. Meet new people, pray and socialise with other single men and women. Enq: Veronica 0403 841 202.

EVERY SECOND SUNDAY Healing Hour 7-8pm at St Lawrence Parish, Balcatta. Songs of praise and worship, exposition of Blessed Sacrament and prayers for sick. Enq: Fr Irek Czech SDS or office Tue-Thu, 9am-2.30pm 9344 7066.

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY Shrine Time for Young Adults 18-35 Years 7.30-8.30pm in Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Dr, Mt Richon; Holy Hour with prayer, reflection, meditation, praise and worship; followed by a social gathering. Come and pray at a place of grace. Enq: Schoenstatt Sisters 9399 2349.

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life 2-3pm at Infant Jesus Parish, Wellington St, Morley.

Includes exposition of Blessed Eucharist, silent prayer, Scripture, prayers of intercession. Come and pray those discerning vocations can hear clearly God’s call.

EVERY LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Filipino Mass 3pm at Notre Dame Church, cnr Daley and Wright Sts, Cloverdale. Please bring a plate to share for socialisation after Mass. Enq: Fr Nelson Po 0410 843 412, Elsa 0404 038 483.

EVERY MONDAY Evening Adoration and Communion Service 7pm at St Thomas Parish, Claremont, cnr Melville St and College Rd. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and evening prayer. 8pm Communion Service (including night prayer). Enq: Kim on 9384 0598.

EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAY A Ministry to the Un-Churched 12.30-1.30pm at St John’s Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth (opposite church offices). With charismatic praise and prayer teams available. Help us ‘reach out to the pagans’ or soak in the praise. Enq: Dan 9398 4973.

LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH Be Still in His Presence – Ecumenical Christian Program 7.30-8.45pm at St Swithun Anglican Church, 195 Lesmurdie St, Lesmurdie (hall behind church).

Begins with songs of praise and worship, silent time, lectio divina, small group sharing and cuppa. Enq: Lynne 9293 3848 or 043 5252 941.

EVERY TUESDAY Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal 6pm at Pater Noster Church, Marmion and Evershed Sts, Myaree. Mass at 5.30pm followed by Benediction. Enq: John 0408 952 194.

Novena to God the Father 7.30pm at St Joachim’s parish hall, Vic Park.

Novena followed by reflection and discussions on forthcoming Sunday Gospel. Enq: Jan 9284 1662.

EVERY FIRST TUESDAY Short MMP Cenacle for Priests 2pm at Edel Quinn Centre, 36 Windsor St, East Perth. Enq: Fr Watt 9376 1734.

EVERY WEDNESDAY Holy Spirit of Freedom Community 7.30pm at Church of Christ, 111 Stirling St, Perth.

We welcome everyone to attend our praise meeting. Enq: 0423 907 869 or hsofperth@gmail.com.

therecord.com.au

December 5, 2012

Bible Study at Cathedral 6.15pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, 17 Victoria Sq, Perth.

Deepen your faith through reading and reflecting on holy Scripture by Fr Jean-Noel Marie. Meeting room beneath Cathedral. Enq: 9223 1372.

Holy Hour - Catholic Youth Ministry Mass at 5.30pm and Holy Hour (Adoration) at 6.30pm at Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary St, Highgate. Enq: www.cym.com or 9422 7912.

EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY Novena to St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 7-7.45pm at Blessed Mary MacKillop Parish, cnr Cassowary Dr and Pelican Pde, Ballajura. Begins with Mass, novena prayers and Benediction.

Followed by healing prayers and anointing of the sick. Enq: Madi 9249 9093 or Gerry 0417 187 240.

EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY Chaplets of Divine Mercy 7.30pm St Thomas More Parish, Dean Rd, Bateman accompanied by Exposition, then Benediction.

Enq: George 9310 9493 or 6242 0702 (w).

EVERY THURSDAY Divine Mercy 11am at Sts John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy and for consecrated life, especially in our parish. Concludes with veneration of the first class relic of St Faustina. Enq: John 9457 7771.

St Mary’s Cathedral Praise Meeting 7.45pm every Thursday at the Legion of Mary’s Edel Quinn Centre, 36 Windsor St, East Perth. Includes praise, song and healing ministry. Enq: Kay 9382 3668 or fmi@flameministries.org.

Group Fifty - Charismatic Renewal Group 7.30pm at Redemptorist Monastery, 150 Vincent St, North Perth. Includes prayer, praise and Mass.

Enq: Elaine 9440 3661.

EVERY FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Prayer in Style of Taizé 7.30-8.30pm at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach. Includes prayer, song and silence in candlelight – symbol of Christ the light of the world. Taizé info: www.taize.fr. Enq: secretary 9448 4888 or 9448 4457.

Holy Hour Prayer for Priests 7.30-8.30pm at Holy Spirit Parish, 2 Keaney Pl, City Beach. All welcome. Enq: Linda 9341 3079.

FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY Young Adults (18 to 35) Dinner and Rosary Cenacle 6.30pm St Bernadette’s Parish, 49 Jugan St, Mount Hawthorn. Begins with dinner at a local restaurant.

8pm - Rosary Cenacle, short talk and refreshments at the parish. Enq: st.bernadettesyouth@gmail. com or 9444 6131.

EVERY THIRD THURSDAY Auslan Café – Sign Language Workshop 12.30pm at St Francis Xavier Emmanuel Centre, 25 Windsor St, Perth. Its Australian Sign Language - Auslan Café is a social setting for anybody who would like to learn or practise Auslan in a relaxing and fun atmosphere. Light lunch provided. Enq: Emma emmanuelcentre@westnet.com.au.

EVERY FRIDAY Eucharistic Adoration at Schoenstatt Shrine 10am at Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Drive, Mt Richon. Includes Holy Mass, exposition of Blessed Sacrament, silent adoration till 8.15pm. In this Year of Grace, join us in prayer at a place of grace.

Enq: Sisters of Schoenstatt 9399 2349.

Healing Mass 6pm at Holy Family Parish, Lot 375 Alcock St, Maddington. Begins with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; Rosary; Stations of the Cross; Healing Mass followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Enq: admin 9493 1703 or www.vpcp. org.au.

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 11am-4pm at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. Exposition of Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 4pm finishing with Rosary. Enq: Sr Marie MS.Perth@lsp.org.au.

Healing Mass 7pm at St Peter’s Parish, Inglewood. Praise and worship, Exposition and Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction and anointing of the sick followed by holy Mass and fellowship. Celebrants Fr Dat and invited priests. 6.45pm Reconciliation. Enq: Mary Ann 0409 672 304, Prescilla 0433 457 352 and Catherine 0433 923 083.

Healing and Anointing Mass 8.45am Pater Noster Church, Evershed St, Myaree.

Begins with Reconciliation, then 9am Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, anointing of the sick and prayers to St Peregrine. Enq: Joy 9337 7189.

Catholic Faith Renewal Evening 7.30pm at Sts John and Paul Parish, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Songs of Praise and Prayer, sharing by a priest, then thanksgiving Mass and light refreshments. Enq: Kathy 9295 0913 or Ann 0412 166 164 or catholicfaithrenewal@gmail.com.

Communion of Reparation All Night Vigils 7pm-1.30am at Corpus Christi Church, Lochee St, Mosman Park or St Gerard Majella Church, cnr Ravenswood Dr/Majella Rd, Westminster (Mirrabooka). Vigils are two Masses, Adoration, Benediction, prayers, Confession in reparation for outrages committed against the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Enq: Vicky 0400 282 357; Fr Giosue 9349 2315; John/Joy 9344 2609.

Pro-life Witness – Mass and Procession 9.30am at St Brigid’s Parish, cnr Great Northern Hwy and Morrison Rd, Midland. Begins with Mass followed by Rosary procession and prayer vigil at nearby abortion clinic, led by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Please join us to pray for an end to abortion and the conversion of hearts. Enq: Helen 9402 0349.

EVERY SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Discover Spirituality of St Francis of Assisi 12pm at St Brigid’s parish centre. The Secular Franciscans of Midland Fraternity have lunch, then 1-3pm meeting. Enq: Antoinette 9297 2314.

EVERY FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Healing Mass 12.35pm at St Thomas Parish, cnr Melville St and College Rd, Claremont. Spiritual leader Fr Waddell.

Enq: Kim 9384 0598, claremont@perthcatholic.org.

Vigil for Life – Mass and Procession 8.30am at St Augustine’s Parish, Gladstone St, Rivervale. Begins with Mass celebrated by Fr Carey, followed by Rosary procession and prayer vigil at nearby abortion clinic. Please join us to pray for the conversion of hearts and an end to abortion. Enq. Helen 9402 0349.

EVERY LAST SATURDAY Novena Devotions – Our Lady Vailankanni of Good Health 5pm at Holy Trinity Parish, 8 Burnett St, Embleton.

Followed by Mass at 6pm. Enq: George 9272 1379.

EVERY FOURTH SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Voice of the Voiceless Healing Mass 12pm at St Brigid’s Parish, 211 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. Bring a plate to share after Mass.

Enq: Frank 9296 7591 or 0408 183 325.

GENERAL Free Divine Mercy Image for Parishes High quality oil painting and glossy print – Divine Mercy Promotions. Images of very high quality. For any parish willing to accept and place inside the church. Oil paintings: 160 x 90cm; glossy print - 100 x 60cm. Enq: Irene 9417 3267 (w).

Sacred Heart Pioneers Would anyone like to know about the Sacred Heart pioneers? If so, please contact Spiritual Director Fr Doug Harris 9444 6131 or John 9457 7771.

St Philomena’s Chapel 3/24 Juna Dr, Malaga. Mass of the day: Mon 6.45am. Vigil Masses: Mon-Fri 4.45pm. Enq: Fr David 9376 1734.

Mary MacKillop Merchandise Available for sale from Mary MacKillop Centre. Enq: Sr Maree 041 4683 926 or 08 9334 0933.

Financially Disadvantaged People Requiring Low Care Aged Care Placement The Little Sisters of the Poor community is set in beautiful gardens in the suburb of Glendalough.

“Making the elderly happy, that is everything!” St Jeanne Jugan (foundress). Registration and enq: Sr Marie 9443 3155.

Is your son or daughter unsure of what to do this year?

Suggest a Cert IV course to discern God’s purpose.

They will also learn more about the Catholic faith and develop skills in communication and leadership. Acts 2 College of Mission & Evangelisation (National Code 51452).Enq: Jane 9202 6859.

AA Alcoholics Anonymous Is alcohol costing you more than just money? Enq: AA 9523 3566.

Saints and Sacred Relics Apostolate Invite SSRA Perth invites interested parties, parish priests, leaders of religious communities, lay associations to organise relic visitations to parishes,

communities, etc. We have available authenticated relics, mostly first-class, of Catholic saints and blesseds including Sts Mary MacKillop, Padre Pio, Anthony of Padua, Therese of Lisieux, Maximilian Kolbe, Simon Stock and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Free of charge and all welcome. Enq: Giovanny 0478 201 092 or ssra-perth@catholic.org Enrolments, Year 7, 2014 La Salle College now accepting enrolments for Year 7, 2014. For prospectus and enrolment please contact college reception 9274 6266 or email lasalle@lasalle.wa.edu.au Acts 2 College, Perth’s Catholic Bible College is now pleased to be able to offer tax deductibility for donations to the College. If you are looking for an opportunity to help grow the faith of young people and evangelise the next generation of apostles, please contact Jane Borg, Principal at Acts 2 College on 0401 692 690 or principal@ acts2come.wa.edu.au Divine Mercy Church Pews Would you like to assist, at the same time becoming part of the history of the new Divine Mercy Church in Lower Chittering, by donating a beautifully handcrafted jarrah pew currently under construction, costing only $1,000 each. A beautiful brass plaque with your inscription will be placed at the end of the pew. Please make cheques payable to Divine Mercy Church Building fund and send with inscription to PO Box 8, Bullsbrook WA 6084.

Enq: Fr Paul 0427 085 093.

Abortion Grief Association Inc A not-for-profit association is looking for premises to establish a Trauma Recovery Centre (pref SOR) in response to increasing demand for our services (ref.www.abortiongrief.asn.au). Enq: Julie (08) 9313 1784.

RESOURCE CENTRE FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - 2013 COURSES Resource Centre for Personal Development Holistic Health Seminar The Instinct to Heal Tue 3-4.30pm; RCPD2 Internalise Principles of Successful Relationships and Use Emotional Intelligence and Communication Skills Tue 4.30-6.30pm, 197 High St, Fremantle - Tuesdays 3-4.30pm. Enq: Eva 0409 405 585. Bookings essential.

1) RCPD6 ‘The Cost of Discipleship’ This course combines theology with relationship education and personal/spiritual awareness by teaching self-analysis.

2) ‘The Wounded Heart’ ‘Healing for emotional and sexual abuse promotes healing and understanding for the victim and the offender. Holistic counselling available - www. members.dodo.net.au/~evalenz/.

Religious item donations for Thailand Church Fr Ferdinando Ronconi is the parish priest at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Phuket, Thailand. He is in need of religious items such as rosaries and holy medals for his local congregation and visitors. If you are able to help, please post items to: PO Box 35, Phuket 83000, Thailand or, if you are on holiday in Phuket, bring your donated items with you to church and stay for Mass! Fr Ferdinando can be contacted on tel: 076 212 266 or 089 912 899 or ronconi.css@gmail.com.

Good Shepherd Parish History I am compiling the history of the Good Shepherd Parish and everyone who has been a part of building the Good Shepherd community is invited to write their story and include photos. An editor has been engaged and the deadline to receive your story is January 30, 2013. Please forward on email: goodshepherdparishhistory@gmail.com.

Any enquiries ring Nick De Luca on 9378 2684 or 0419 938 481.

WANTED: Christmas Crib Figurines needed for new parish.

Contact Fr Francis on 9296 7088 or hn1002004@ yahoo.com.au.

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The deadline for Panorama is Friday 5pm the week before the edition is published.

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CLASSIFIEDS RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS CATHOLICS CORNER Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for Baptism, Communion and Confirmation. Ph 9456 1777.

Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Rd, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat. RICH HARVEST - YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, Baptism/Communion apparel, religious vestments, etc. Visit us at 39 Hulme Ct (off McCoy St), Myaree. Ph 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat).

We are here to serve.

KINLAR VESTMENTS www.kinlarvestments.com.au Quality handmade and decorated vestments: albs, stoles, chasubles, altar linen, banners.

Ph Vickii on 9402 1318, 0409 114 093 or kinlar.vestments@ gmail.com.

MEMENTO CANDLES Personalised candles for Baptism, Wedding, Year 12 Graduations and Absence. Photo and design embedded into candle, creating a great keepsake!

Please call Anna: 0402 961 901 or anna77luca@hotmail.com to order a candle or Facebook: Memento Candles.

FURNITURE REMOVAL ALL AREAS. Competitive rates.

Mike Murphy Ph 0416 226 434.

BOOKBINDING RESTORATION BOOKBINDING and conservation, general book repairs, Bibles, Breviaries, sad, old and leather bindings renewed.

Tel: 0401 941 577.

TAX SERVICE QUALITY TAX RETURNS PREPARED by registered tax agent with over 35 years’ experience.

Call Tony Marchei 0412 055 184 for appt. AXXO Accounting & Management, Unit 20/222 Walter Rd, Morley. Trade services.

Deadline: 11am Monday SETTLEMENTS

HEALTH

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING real estate or a business?

Why not ask Excel Settlements for a quote for your settlement.

We offer reasonable fees, excellent service, no hidden costs.

Ring 9481 4499 for a quote.

Check our website on www. excelsettlements.com.au.

LOSE WEIGHT SAFELY with good nutrition. Free samples.

Call or SMS Michael 0412 518 318.

ACCOMMODATION

SERVICES

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION Esperance holiday accommodation, 3-bedroom house, fully furnished. Phone 08 9076 5083.

RURI STUDIO FOR HAIR Vincent and Miki welcome you to their newly opened, international, award-winning salon. Shop 2, 401 Oxford St, Leederville.

9444 3113. Ruri-studio-for-hair@ hotmail.com.

PILGRIMAGES EXODUS PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND 5th November 20th November, 2013. Are you interested in being part of our 16 DAYS OF EXODUS PILGRIMAGE (following the footstep of Moses) to the HOLY LAND (Egypt, Jordan and Holy Land) for just $4,100 from November 5-20, 2013? If interested, please for early reservation/booking and other inquiries, contact: Fr Emmanuel (Spiritual Director) on: 0417 999 553, fremmanueltv@hotmail.com. Trinidad on: 0420 643 949, dax_gatchi@ yahoo.com. Nancy on: 0430 025 774, rncarfrost@hotmail.com.

PILGRAMAGE OF MERCY -Depart May 11, 2013. Fatima/ Poland/Czestochowa/ Auschwitz/Divine Mercy./ Vilnius Lithuania/Rome/ Gennazzano.

Fra Elia (Stigmatist) Civitavecchia (miraculous Madonna shrine) Subiaco/Medjugorje 5 countries Exceptional value all inclusive $6,890. Fr Bogoni (Spiritual Director) Yolanda 0413 707 707/ Harvest toll free 1800 819 156 23 days.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

NATUROPATHIC SERVICE: For a natural approach to achieving good health, call Martin today on 0407 745 294.

BRENDAN HANDYMAN SERVICES Home, building maintenance, repairs and renovations. NOR. Ph 0427 539 588.

WRR LAWN MOWING AND WEED SPRAYING Garden clean ups and rubbish removal. Get rid of bindii, jojo and other unsightly weeds. Based in Tuart Hill. Enq: 6161 3264 or 0402 326 637.

BRICK RE-POINTING Ph Nigel 9242 2952.

PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Ph Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

PRIME ART FRAMERS - CUSTOM FRAMING With 20 years’ experience, we offer unparalleled advice and service for all your custom framing requirements. We also have an extensive range of framed artwork and mirrors. Hurry in for our Christmas special 20% off all custom framing. Ends Jan 31. Quality guaranteed. PRIME ART FRAMERS, 2/240 MAIN STREET, OSBORNE PARK. 9344 8641 or www.primeart. vpweb.com.au.

Home-based business. Wellness industry. Call 02 8230 0290 or www.dreamlife1.com.

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23 Jesus referred to himself as this, rejected by the builders 24 August 1, Feast of St Peter in ___ 26 Celestial being 28 Saucer for the Eucharist 29 “I will raise you up on ___ wings …”

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17 Bishopric 19 Denial of faith 21 Peter’s ___ 22 Catholic novelist Koontz 23 The Last ___ 24 Those with Orders 25 Gregory I sent missionaries to convert these barbarians 27 Biblical tooth action?

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December 5, 2012, The Record

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esigned to help you keep the Word of God close to your heart in your daily life. Pray with it, share it and make your life a daily celebration with the word of God. Grow in God’s love, being nourished daily by his word, the bread of life.

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