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Vietnamese Bishop says renewed persecution awaits if asylum claims rejected
Please help our parishioners
Bishop Paul Cao Dinh Thuyen, centre, the retired bishop of Vinh diocese in central Vietnam, says indefinite imprisonment awaits many Vietnamese asylum seekers whose claims are rejected. Bishop Paul, pictured with Vietnamese Catholic Community Chaplain, Fr Huynh Nguyen, left, and Fr Dinh Van Quynh, urged the immigration department to accept the claims of 26 detainees in Northam. PHOTO: ROBERT HIINI
By Robert Hiini VIETNAMESE asylum seekers detained in Northam will face immediate and indefinite imprisonment if the Australian Government rejects their claims for asylum, a visiting Vietnamese bishop said in Perth this week. On November 4, Bishop Paul Cao Dinh Thuyen, the retired prelate of Vinh, spoke to 14 of many more detainees hailing from his diocese being held at the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre, 5km out of Northam’s town centre. In an exclusive interview with The Record, Bishop Paul said the fallout from rejected applications would not be limited to detainees. The families of detainees whose claims were rejected, Bishop Paul said, would also face police harassment and persecution from government officials. The government regularly threatened and imprisoned Catholics railing against suppression of
conscience; compulsory and inadequately remunerated land acquisitions; and advocacy for fisherman beaten for fishing in the eastern Vietnam sea, among other causes. The bishop said the detainees told him their greatest worry was “that they don’t know their fate”, particularly after 28 Vietnamese
go to interview”... and they lock the door and they have the official come to their place and get all their belongings and they send them back quietly,” Bishop Paul recounted the detainees’ having told him. In a letter addressed to the immigration department and handed to officials during the visit, the bishop
Our parishes have faced a brutal crackdown by Vietnamese police. Parishioners have been threatened and arrested, and have fled. who arrived in Australia by boat were sent back to Vietnam, midOctober. Ten of that number were returned forcibly for not having had a valid claim to asylum - information attributed to the defence department in an ABC report on October 26. “They have another tactic. They call people out and they said, “you
wrote that Vietnamese Catholics’ claims of persecution were real and substantive. “Our parishes of diocese of Vinh have been cracked down bloodily and brutally by Vietnamese police in Vietnam [sic],” the bishop wrote in the letter, co-signed by two other priests from the region. “The parishioners have been threatened to be arrested and
imprisoned. A few among them were so frightened that they fled to many places in the world, especially to Australia and now they are more frightened to go back to Vietnam, especially those who criticised the unfair and lawless acts of communist police and officials [sic],” the bishop wrote. His message to the detainees during his visit was principally pastoral, telling them they should pray to God and Our Lady for strength to face “the challenging time in the detention centre”. “You are assured of the support of our people in Vietnam and the people here too - the Catholic community here - to support you, but you should pray and thank God for everything that has happened,” the bishop recounted through a translator. “If you get refugee status and you are released into the community you should respect the law of the country where they support Continued page 6
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Carmelites honoured for All Souls Day
Round-Up JUANITA SHEPHERD
Parish group building bridges for refugees Pons Ad Libertatum (PAL), which is Latin for ‘Bridge to Freedom’ is an initiative started by Floreat Wembley Catholic Parish in 2003 to aid refugees who arrived in Perth. The original objective of PAL was to meet the needs of overseas students and their families who were stranded without any financial support due to internal upheavals in their own countries. “Edith Cowan University was next door at the time,” Philippa Ryan, secretary of PAL, told The Record. “International students at ECU had trouble in their own country; they couldn’t get back mainly due to political uprisings and there was a need to do something about it.” Planning an appropriate structure to assist the students and their families was put into place after discussions with the Catholic Migrant Service and other like-minded organisations. PAL was able to assist refugees who arrived from Sudan on the Commonwealth’s Humanitarian Entrants Program as well as numerous refugees from Somalia and Africa. Since its inception in 2003, PAL has raised over $47,000. The organisation has also provided interest-free loans for airfares, school fees, furniture, living costs, a sewing machine and three cars. Gilbert, now an acolyte who represented the Floreat Wembley parish at World Youth Day, received assistance from PAL. The eldest of seven children, he managed to escape the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 and found himself in a refugee camp for many years. “An international lawyer is one of the members of PAL,” Mrs Ryan said. “He helped bring [Gilbert] out to
All Souls Day at Infant Jesus Parish in Morley gained an added dimension this year, with the installation and blessing of a new memorial for the deceased Carmelite friars who served the parish faithfully during the past 50 years. It was also the sixth anniversary of the opening of the parish columbarium. About 400 people attended All Souls Day Mass, which was followed by the annual blessing of the niches of the columbarium by Fr Sunny Abraham. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Australia and after a while managed to get his family out as well.” Gilbert has settled down in Perth and is engaged to be married. “He even found someone who had a cow,” Mrs Ryan said. “It is a tradition in Rwanda as part of the dowry.”
Christian meditation retreat at Kalamunda The Christian Meditation Community of WA is holding a Spring Silent Retreat on November 16 from 9am till 4pm at the Holy Family Church on Burt Street, Kalamunda. “The retreat is about spring reflection on Pierre Teilhard de Chardin,” Anne
Zevis, treasurer of the Christian Meditation Community, told The Record. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French philosopher and a Jesuit priest known for his books, namely The Phenomenon of Man, The Divine Milieu and The Synthesis of Theology and Science.The retreat will also include a presentation by Gerard Overman, a retired lawyer. “de Chardin had a particular take on spirituality which was banned by the Church but not any longer,” Mrs Zevis said. The retreat will discuss the contribution of the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin on Christianity, and will focus on reflection and meditation. The retreat includes tea and coffee but lunch will not be provided and a suggested donation
Agnes of Assisi 1197 -1253 November 16
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Moved by the example of St. Francis of Assisi and her older sister, St. Clare of Assisi, Caterina Offreduccio left home at 15 to become a nun committed to living in radical poverty. She joined Clare at a Benedictine convent while their convent at San Damiano was under construction, and took the name Agnes. One account says her family’s violent effort to retrieve her was thwarted by a miracle, but this was omitted from her canonization documents. Around 1220, Clare became the abbess of a new foundation of Poor Clares near Florence, and supervised their expansion to Mantua, Padua and Venice. She also supported Clare’s struggle for the order to continue in complete poverty. The sisters are buried together in Assisi.
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Japanese experience for Lumen students Fourteen students from Lumen Christi Catholic College in Gosnells travelled to Japan for two weeks recently to encounter a different culture as part of their school program. The students were accompanied by two teachers, and visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara,
Taizé marks 10 years of prayer in Perth October marked 10 years of prayer in the style of Taizé at the Chapel of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in South Perth. As a regular participant wrote, “The Taizé chants are an instant invitation to prayer and truly draw us into God’s presence, making us increasingly aware of Jesus’ sacramental presence among us”. The service at St Joseph’s Chapel is held on the third Sunday of the month at 7pm. The next Taizé gathering will be held on November 17. After a summer break, the gatherings will recommence on March 16, 2014. For information, contact Sr Maree Riddler at mriddler@sosjwa.org.au.
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of $10 would be appreciated. “The retreat would be a good introduction to the practice of Christian meditation for those who are new to the practice,” Mrs Zevis said. For further enquiries, call 0429 117 242.
Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kurashiki and Okayama between September 27 and October 9. “The students got to experience a different culture, partake in different customs, try new foods and improve not only their language capability but also their self-esteem and confidence,” Masahiko Sumura, the school’s Japanese teacher told The Record. Teaching the students by travelling to different parts of the world is part of the Lumen Christi curriculum. In addition to Japan, students have also visited parts of Europe and Melbourne. “We also have an exchange home stay trip to Japan,” Mr Sumura said. Organising the trip to Japan was hard work for the teachers of Lumen Christi but well worth it. “The highlight of the Japan tour was when we went to the Kouraken Garden,” Taleisha Geerlings, a Year 9 student, said. “The Kouraken Garden was magical from the scenery to the thousand Koi fish swimming; the Japan tour was a great experience, I was very lucky and privileged and I thank Mrs Young and Mr Sumura for taking us on a trip that will remain with us for a lifetime.”
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Monday 11th - White ST MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP (M) 1st Reading: Wis 1:1-7 Wisdom is a friend Responsorial Ps 138:1-10 Psalm: Your hand leads me Gospel Reading: Lk 17:1-6 Increase our faith Tuesday 12th - Red ST JOSAPHAT, BISHOP, MARTYR (M) 1st Reading: Wis 2:23-3:9 Souls are at peace Responsorial Ps 33:2-3,16-19 Psalm: The Lord hears Gospel Reading: Lk 17:7-10 Merely servants Wednesday 13th - Green 1st Reading: Wis 6:1-11 Learn what wisdom is Responsorial Ps 81:3-4,6-7 Psalm: Justice for the lowly Gospel Reading: Lk 17:11-19 Take pity on us Thursday 14th - Green 1st Reading: Wis 7:22-8:1 Wisdom mirrors God Responsorial Ps 118:89-91 Psalm: God’s word forever Gospel Reading: Lk 17:20-25
Make no move
Friday 15th - Green ST ALBERT THE GREAT, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (O) 1st Reading: Wis 13:1-9 Author of beauty Responsorial Ps 18:2-5 Psalm: The glory of God Gospel Reading: Lk 17:26-37 The day of the Lord Saturday 16th - White ST MARGARET OF SCOTLAND (O); ST GERTRUDE, VIRGIN (O) 1st Reading: Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9 All-powerful word Responsorial Ps 104:2,3,36-37,42-43 Psalm: Sing God’s praise Gospel Reading: Lk 18:1-8 Constancy in prayer Sunday 17th - Green 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1st Reading: Mal 3:19-20 The day is coming Responsorial Ps 97:5-9 Psalm: Acclaim the Lord 2nd Reading: 2 Thess 3:7-12 No idleness Gospel Reading: Lk 21:5-19 The end not so soon
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Perth Anglican leader stands firm on marriage By Matthew Biddle THE ANGLICAN Archbishop of Perth has rejected calls to recognise same-sex civil unions and a diversity of sexualities in his diocese, saying that “sexual identity and theological diversity that permits abuse, promiscuity and exploitation is abhorrent”. Archbishop Roger Herft made the comments in a letter to members of the Church’s Synod dated October 28, in response to a motion put forward at last month’s Synod. Reverend Chris Bedding of the Darlington-Bellevue Anglican parish presented the motion, which
was supported by two-thirds of both the clergy and laity houses. The motion requested that the synod “recognise diversity within the diocese of Perth, both in our sexual identities and in our theologies of human sexuality”. It also wanted the Anglican Church in Perth to “acknowledge that legal recognition of committed same-sex relationships may coexist with legal recognition of marriage between a man and a woman”. But Archbishop Herft, who has led the Anglican Church in Perth since 2005 and rejected the same motion last year, said he could not accept its requests. “The rec-
ognition of diversity in identity and theologies can lead to a view that all sexual identity and theologies, however diverse they are, are acceptable,” the Sri Lankan-born
Fundamental Declarations and Ruling Principles of the Anglican Church in Australia regarding the Sacrament of Marriage”. In his address to the Synod on
The terms husband and wife, mother and father, have become gender neutral and interchangeable. Archbishop wrote. “The Church cannot formally accept certain behaviours.” Legal recognition of same-sex relationships, Archbishop Herft said, would have “unintended consequences in terms of the
October 5, Archbishop Herft said changing the definition of marriage would have far-reaching effects. “The architecture of society itself is changed,” he said. “It changes the grammar of basic relationships. Already the terms husband
and wife, mother and father, have become gender neutral and interchangeable.” While the Archbishop’s decision puts an end to media speculation that he would approve the motion, it will now go to the Anglican Provincial Council of WA for a final vote. Earlier in October, the newlyappointed Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, described same-sex marriage as an “unholy matrimony”, saying it was contrary to God’s law. According to the 2011 Census, there are more than 420,000 Anglicans in WA, and almost 3.7 million Australian Anglicans.
Kolbe kids set the wheels in motion ON OCTOBER 30, a number of Kolbe Catholic College students from Rockingham visited Br Ollie Pickett’s Wheelchairs for Kids warehouse in Wangara. The Rice House student leaders for 2014 presented a cheque for $1,793 on behalf of all the Rice House students from Kolbe. The money will cover the costs of making 12 wheelchairs. During their time at the warehouse, one of the volunteers, Bob, showed the students the process of making the wheelchairs. The Wheelchairs for Kids volunteers make about 300 wheelchairs every month. These wheelchairs are then sent around the world to underprivileged countries where disabled children do not have access to wheelchairs. Since its humble beginnings in 1998, Wheelchairs for Kids has built and donated almost 26,000 wheelchairs. There are more than 100 volunteers who assist in the production of the wheelchairs in WA. Most of the volunteers machine, assemble, control quality, box the wheelchair components and load the boxes into sea containers. Others make cushion covers, rugs and knitted toys to accompany the wheelchairs to their final destination. With no salaries to pay, nor administrative costs or vehicles to maintain, all money donated to Wheelchairs for Kids is used for production purposes.
Kolbe Catholic College students with Bob from Wheelchairs for Kids, a non-profit charity that builds wheelchairs for the underprivileged.
PHOTO: LEANNE JOYCE
Many families will go without food this Christmas ...
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For more information phone Linda on 0439 401 009, or 9358 2544. Donations to Linda’s House of Hope. PO Box 5640, St Georges Terrace Perth 6831 All donations are tax deductible.
Just over the Causeway on Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. 9415 0000 D/L 6061
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Students get stuck in at ‘horrific’ scene of floods By Rhys Collard WHEN disaster struck the village next to the school we were meant to be visiting in Cambodia recently, the local families were glad for our help but, for us, seeing these events unfold in front of our eyes was horrific. When we stepped off the plane at Siem Reap airport the humidity really hit us but we were excited about what the following days would bring. We were overwhelmed at who was there to great us; children from the CBE School in Cambodia were holding signs saying “Welcome Aussies from Australia”. While making our way to Tom Le Sap lake, we had to drive through deep water from a flood, but finally got on our boat and made our way upriver. On Wednesday, we had a group meeting to discuss the flood situation. Our group leader Carol told us that there had been so much water that it had caused a dam gate to burst open. The outcome was major flooding as the water headed towards a local village 10km away, next to the school that we were meant to be visiting. The water hit through that night and some people lost their lives. Hearing this saddening story, we agreed as a group that we would all donate money and buy food for the families that had been affected. After visiting the markets we loaded our tuk tuks with rice, vegetables and water and made our
Kolbe’s Lance Dann, Jessica Collard and Kenisha Franklin were among students who helped at a flood-affected village in Cambodia recently.
way to the school. As we made our way up the crowded road we were overwhelmed at the number of people who were there to assist. When we got to the school we organised food rations and cleaned up the schoolyard. The families were incredibly grateful for the
food that we had given them, but for us seeing these events unfold in front of our eyes was horrific, as we had never seen a disaster like this before. The following day we went out to the school to see the children and although they had just been through a horrendous experience
it did not seem to lessen their attitude as they greeted us with their warm smiles. We enjoyed playing games with them and even jumped on their trampoline. Before we knew it, it was time to leave, and we said goodbye to the children. We shared
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our culture and way of life with the families of the children, telling stories about some Australian animals and showing them some traditional Aboriginal dances. We also used this time to present the school with the money that we had raised for them.
Homeless mothers, Christmas mercy
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MERCEDES College students will be spreading some festive cheer to those who need it most this Christmas, delivering special hampers to young mums living at MercyCare’s Coolock Units. As part of the College’s Year 11 Children, Family and the Community Stage one WACE course, 15 students have been learning about homelessness and its impact on the community this semester, culminating in the creation of care package baskets to assist young homeless mothers in Perth. Mercedes College Technology and Enterprise teacher Carolyn Vlahov said the course had been supported by guest speaker MercyCare Youth Outreach Worker Christelle Venaille, who spoke to the students about the work of MercyCare’s Coolock Units Program which assists young mothers aged 18 to 25 who are at risk of homelessness. Throug h t he program, MercyCare provides up to six months’ accommodation and support services, teaching the young women important life skills in areas ranging from cooking and cleaning to budgeting, parenting skills, linking with community, emotional support and practical support and assistance to find and maintain accommodation or housing. Mrs Vlahov said the project always proved an invaluable experience for the students every year, opening their eyes to support people who most need help in the local community. “It’s about helping the girls understand that homelessness is an issue which affects many different groups in the community, beyond the stereotypical images we see of people living on park benches,” Mrs Vlahov said. “We are looking at how homelessness impacts
different groups across society for different factors such as domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse and unemployment holistically, and then focusing our efforts to help this particular group of young women with children.” Thanks to donations from the college community, the Mercedes girls have collated five enormous baskets of goods to assist the young mums – including items varying from home-made baby quilts and baby clothing and toiletries. Ms Venaille said while creating hamper baskets filled with goodies might seem like a small act of generosity, the young women liv-
The college girls get an understanding that homelessness is not a stereotype but affects all walks of life. ing at Coolock Units enormously appreciated the gesture, especially in the lead-up to Christmas. “Many of our clients accessing support through the Coolock Units Program don’t have very high incomes and they can’t afford a lot of the things that go into the baskets, so it’s a really nice thing to know that someone has thought about them,” she said. “The great thing about this program is it gives the students an insight into some of the issues that other young people not so dissimilar to them can face.” MercyCare is a leading Catholic provider of hospital, health, aged care, family and community services in WA. MercyCare employs over 1,350 staff and volunteers and delivers services at 20 service locations throughout Perth.
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All ye saints of Perth, bless the Lord PERTH’S Catholic homeschooling community continued a 20-year tradition last Friday, celebrating the Communion of Saints with a day of fun, festivity and costumery for the younger children, lovingly put together by parents. More than 60 children, aged between one and 15 years from around 50 different families from throughout Perth took part in the event. It began with a procession of the young saints in their homemade garb, praying for the Saints’ intercession with a litany. Honoured guest, Friar Gabriel FMI, proved a hit with the children, providing many of the day’s most popular activities including a tug of war, as well as a strong religious presence. This year’s All Saints celebration was also a fundraiser to collect funds for a charity one of the homeschooling families had established in the Philippines. A lolly and cupcake stall, a white elephant stall, and raffles were some of the numerous attractions on offer. PHOTOS: ROBERT HIINI
Souls remembered and prayed for
Fremantle Cemetery hosted almost 400 people for the occasion of All Souls Day on November 2 to pray for those already departed. PHOTO: MATTHEW BIDDLE
By Matthew Biddle ALMOST 400 people remembered their deceased loved ones at the annual Mass to commemorate All Souls Day at Fremantle Cemetery on November 2. Fr Michael Separovich led the congregation in the Rosary, said in alternating Italian and English parts, before Fr Andrew Chen OMI celebrated Mass. During his homily, the assistant priest of Fremantle parish said it was important to recall the lives of our deceased family and friends, highlighting the Mexican tradition of building a home altar to pray for the dead.
“It is a celebration, we’re celebrating the fact that our loved ones are living with God,” the Oblate priest said. The annual Mass and blessing of the graves also took place at Midland Cemetery. Additionally, Mass for All Souls Day was held at Karrakatta Cemetery on November 3, with Fr Marcellinus Meilak OFM the celebrant. There have been in excess of 40,000 burials and 60,000 cremations at Fremantle cemetery. Deceased Catholics will be remembered at parishes around Australia during the month of November.
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Unique vestment back at New Norcia AN EXQUISITE 18th century cope featuring elaborate floral designs in pastel silks and gilded silver embroidery has returned to New Norcia following almost 12 months’ conservation work. Highly respected Western Australian textile conservator Rinske Car led the project, which was funded by a grant from the Melbourne-based Copland Foundation. The Foundation, which has a special interest in assisting historic houses in the care of their contents, awarded New Norcia $50,000 for the conservation of a rare 19th century mitre as well as the cope. The cope, which is one of the largest and most significant pieces in the Benedictine community’s collection of over 800 vestments, is thought to be of northern Italian origin and is believed to have been a gift to New Norcia’s founder Rosendo Salvado on one of his five trips to Europe. It was used on solemnities and special feast days until the mid1950s. The successful application to the Copland Foundation followed two earlier surveys into the significance and preservation needs of the New Norcia vestment collection. These surveys, both funded by the National Library of Australia, were carried out by Ms Car and Dr Ian McLeod, the executive director of the WA Museum’s Fremantle and Maritime Heritage. To celebrate the return of the restored cope, Ms Car gave a special presentation on the project to the monks and guests at New Norcia. She explained that the work was based on the survey of the collection by herself and Dr McLeod. “There was also research into the history of the collection, followed by scientific analysis of their constitutions and consideration of preventive approaches that can be applied to their care,” Ms Car told those present. Abbot John Herbert OSB said the monks were most grateful to Ms Car for her meticulous work over such a long period and to the
The Benedictine community with textile conservator, Rinske Car, nearest the 18th century elaborate cope, and her colleague Margie Earle.
Copland Foundation for making the funding available. The restored cope will feature
The cope is believed to have been a gift to New Norcia’s founder Rosendo Salvado. in a special exhibition at the New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery in 2014 to celebrate the bicentenary of Rosendo Salvado’s birth.
Principal recognised for excellence PRINCIPAL of La Salle College, Wayne Bull, was one of six WA recipients of the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) announced on October 25. Mr Bull was the only Catholic school principal among the award winners. Sixty teachers from around Australia were recognised after NEiTA received 1,558 nominations. The La Salle College school board nominated Mr Bull for his “modelling of excellence”, community building, inclusivity of Indigenous students, and the many benefits which he has initiated within the school. On his appointment as school principal, Mr Bull introduced an additional foundation to the school’s charter, a “Commitment to Excellence”. He also introduced the Galileo program for gifted and talented students and initiated the Prometheus and Daedalus programs which offer after-school peer tuition and learning support. Mr Bull was instrumental in the creation of the Balgo Link Boarding program, which caters for the educational and pastoral needs of Aboriginal children from remote communities. The program has been directly responsible for producing the first secondary school graduate from the Balgo community.
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
La Salle College principal Wayne Bull (centre) with members of the Senior Leadership Team at the Graduation Mass and Ceremony. PHOTO: JOHN GILL
La Salle students also learn from the Balgo community and provide holiday programs for the community’s children. Mr Bull, who teaches history and religious education at La Salle, has been working as a teacher for 34 years.
Now in its 20th year, the NEiTA program gives communities the opportunity to formally thank their hard-working and inspirational educators and leaders. The Australian Scholarships Group (ASG) formed the NEiTA Foundation in 1994 to promote
public recognition of inspirational educators and leaders in Australian and New Zealand schools and early childhood centres. In early 2014, 12 teachers will be presented with ASG National Awards, $5,000 grants and sponsor prizes at a national function.
Please help Australia, bishop asks Continued from page 1 you and give you a chance to start a new life. “You have to live as a good Catholic, respecting the people here and the law of the country,” the bishop said. In his letter, the bishop acknowledged detainees had been well treated in the centre with good meals and “luxurious houses compared to those in Vietnam” but that they had not been living in freedom, “their earnest wishes and ours”. The letter contained the names of 26 Vinh parishioners held at the centre and thanked the department for their consideration and assistance. Bishop Paul was the Bishop of Vinh from 2000-2010, a diocese covering three provinces with a Catholic population of 520,000 (out of around 5 million) and 180 active and retired priests. The diocese is proscribed from operating schools, hospitals and orphanages by the state, Bishop Paul told The Record: “You can only pray in church. If you want to raise the social issue, you have a trouble,” he said.
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Singers hit the right note as church overflows By Matthew Biddle TWENTY-ONE students from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) provided a musical treat for Mount Lawley parishioners on November 2, singing Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem for the All Souls Day Mass. St Paul’s church was filled to capacity, with many people forced to stand at the rear of the church for the 6pm Mass celebrated by Fr Tim Deeter. The Classical Voice students, who were directed by Kris Bowtell and accompanied on the organ by Stewart Smith, have used the parish church for rehearsals, recordings and recitals over the past three years. Their contribution to the All Souls Mass was their way of thank-
ing the parish for its generosity and hospitality. Fr Tim described WAAPA as a “wonderful institution of learning and of culture”, and thanked the students for sharing their musical talents. “It reminds us of what great glory we have in the Church,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that we as a little parish don’t have the ability to put out music like this more regularly. “I think it’s a great reminder that people can give glory to God in many ways, some in preaching, some through teaching, some through helping the poor, and others through singing.” Maurice Duruflé was a French composer who was prolific in the first half of the 20th century. His Requiem was commissioned in 1947.
During his homily, Fr Tim reflected on the benefit of being prepared for death, which can come unexpectedly. “All of us have our imperfections, and if we die in our imperfections we cannot enter heaven,” he said. “Why? Because heaven is a place of perfection; perfect love, perfect peace, perfect harmony with God. “We come together to pray for the dead because we know well that they need our prayers as they pass through the process of perfection that we call purgatory.” After the homily, five candles on the altar were lit in memory of parishioners who passed away in the past 12 months. They will burn throughout the first two weeks of November.
Students from WAAPA sang Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem for All Souls Day Mass at St Paul’s Catholic Church on November 2. PHOTO: MATTHEW BIDDLE
No more lost laundry with unique bags KOLBE Catholic College students recently made laundry bags that will be sent to Australian Defence Force personnel who are stationed overseas. The sixteen Year 11 students made the bags as part of their Children, Family and the Community class, which encourages them to do something that can help others. In previous years, students have made soft toys that, through the connections of the school’s Defence Force liaison officer, have been sent to Afghanistan to help bring smiles to sick and injured children in hospital. This year they decided to make something for the officers. The students focused on trying to make the laundry bags as individual as possible, allowing the members of the Defence Force to be able to find their laundry in amongst the hundreds of others that are standard issue and all look the same.
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Students from Kolbe Catholic College took to sewing machine to make colourful, unique laundry bags that will be sent to Australian Defence Force personnel who are stationed overseas. PHOTO: LEANNE JOYCE
Author’s spiritual journey in print no fairytale By Mark Reidy
Maria de Mouilpied’s A Mother’s Letter chronicles her faith journey and is now available for purchase in hard copy and digitally. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
WHEN Perth Catholic Maria de Mouilpied received the inspiration to write a book in 2004 she thought it was to be a legacy for her children. She soon realised God had bigger plans. “I decided I would write in obedience and leave it to my children and they could do with it what they liked,” she told The Record. “But when I finished I was so very happy I began showing it to friends and some of them asked me how I could be sure God did not want other people to read it.” Initially, Maria did not respond to these promptings but finally, when it was suggested to her again, she felt a warm sensation within and her heart began to beat faster. The first section of A Mother’s Letter is the personal testimony of Maria’s joyous, difficult and, at times, mystical journey from nonpractising Catholic to her leadership role within the Perth Catholic Charismatic Renewal and produc-
ing her own radio show. The second and major section of her 410-page book is a compilation of the reflections and teachings she shared during the five years of her show, based on the Scriptures outlined by the liturgical cycle of the Church. Maria also shares extracts from her personal diary, describing intimate spiritual encounters, both joyous and frightening, on her path to a deeper relationship with God. When speaking to The Record, Maria said there had been many blessings along her journey, but also acknowledged the very difficult and lonely moments when she did not always understand her experiences. During these times, she explained, she was grateful to have the listening ear of a spiritual director to guide her. Maria said responses so far had been positive and hoped distribution to a wider audience would allow many others to be encouraged in their spiritual journeys.
“I hope that my very bare and personal sharing will touch hearts and inspire people to never give up... to let God guide them gently through the narrow pass which is the way of the Lord,” she said. “People should not push doors open, as they will open at the right time. The journey with the Lord should be peaceful and joyful, even if at times painful.” At her own expense Maria has printed 100 copies of A Mother’s Letter and will be donating all profits to Caritas Australia. She felt inspired not to receive any financial gain from her book because she sees it as a work for God. “I felt guided in writing it”, she said. “He has enabled me to do so, therefore in my heart it belongs to him.” Copies of A Mother’s Letter cost $25 and can be obtained by contacting Maria de Mouilpied on 0403 885 264 or via email: mariadm@ virginbroadband.com.au. The book is also available digitally on several websites.
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NATION
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
Pilgrimage continues to attract youth By Matthew Biddle AT A TIME when Church groups and ministries are finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain younger members, a Victorian event is proving that achieving such a goal is possible. More than 200 people from around Australia took part in the 23rd annual Christus Rex Pilgrimage from Ballarat to Bendigo during the last weekend of October. The three-day walk of more than 90km began on October 25 with a blessing at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat, before the pilgrims commenced the walk. The pilgrimage concluded on October 27 with a Solemn Pontifical High Mass in the Extraordinary Form to celebrate the feast of Christ the King (Christus Rex) at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo. Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne Peter Elliott celebrated the Mass, with the assistance of several priests who had completed the pilgrimage. It was the 21st time Perth’s Fr Michael Rowe has taken part in the pilgrimage. He was one of nine priests who completed the walk, with several others joining in for part of the journey. The pilgrimage was first held in 1991 with a small group of 25 participants, but has since grown to include pilgrims from every Australian State. This year, several pilgrims travelled from New Zealand to take part in the walk. Pilgrimage organiser Tien Nguyen, from Sydney, said although the numbers were slightly down on last year, the majority of pilgrims were of a younger age group and more than half the participants were first-timers. There were also more clergy involved this year, including two newly-ordained priests, which was an added bonus for the pilgrims. “With our smaller numbers, it meant that everyone had an opportunity to talk to a priest at some point or go to Confession,” Ms Nguyen said. The 27-year-old said there were several aspects of the pilgrimage that first attracted her to it as a pilgrim four years ago. “As a pilgrim, for me it was the Extraordinary Form of the liturgy, it was the ability to meet up with people from around Australia, it was the aspect of doing something completely different to sitting in a church or sitting in a youth room,” she said. The trek through the Victorian countryside is not for the fainthearted, but Ms Nguyen said complaints were rare among the pilgrims. “People are there for a pilgrimage in honour of Christ the King,” she said. “They understand that it’s not a fancy procession where you’re meant to be comfortable. They understand that they have to camp and that they’re going to have cold showers and they offer it up for Christ and for people they’re praying for. “A lot of them push on with injuries. Instead of complaining, they march on because at the heart of it all is basically worship of God. They walk the talk and there’s a great amount of courage and strength present over the three days.” Ms Nguyen told The Record that one pilgrim went to great lengths to take part in as much of the pilgrimage as possible. Simon Takita commenced the pilgrimage on Friday, before driving eight hours from Ballarat to Bowral to attend a wedding. He then drove back to re-join the pilgrimage the next day. Mr Takita’s efforts exemplify the great sense of anticipation and
Top, pilgrims make their way towards Bendigo; above, newly-ordained Fr James Kerr gives his first blessing to pilgrims; right, Mass is celebrated using a special tent loaned by the Archdiocese of Sydney. PHOTOS: PATRICK GIAM
excitement that many pilgrims have in the lead-up to the event each year, Ms Nguyen said. “I work my entire life each year around those three days because there is nothing like it,” she said. “It brings so many people together who usually would be isolated in terms of physical location and spiritual level as well.” The pilgrimage is based on the European tradition of walking for days to get to Mass, and shows the richness of the Church family, according to the Sydney school teacher. “You have people from all ages,” she said. “There was someone there with a three-month old baby, and there’s a lady who comes every year
who I think is 82 years old, and she still walks it with her walking stick. “It’s an amalgamation and a communal event in that people from around Australia, using their gifts and talents, pool all their resources and show forth the greater glory of God.” Seventeen-year-old Sean Reeves from NSW told The Record he enjoyed the pilgrimage and the chance to assist as a server at a Solemn Pontifical High Mass. “I like the pine forest Mass we do on the Saturday, that’s pretty nice,” he said. “It was pretty cold… and you don’t get the greatest sleep so you’re pretty tired.” He said he intends to continue going each year.
LOCAL
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
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Call to be flesh and blood saints, not superheroes By Carol Glatz SAINTS aren’t superheroes, they are regular people who just never left God’s side after encountering him and his love, Pope Francis said on the feast of All Saints. “Being a saint is not a privilege of the few, like someone getting a large inheritance. All of us have inherited through baptism the ability to become saints,” he said. “The saints are friends of God,” he said. But they “are not superheroes, nor were they born perfect. They are like us, each one of us.”
What makes them stand out, he said, is once they encountered Jesus, they always followed him. “The path that leads to holiness has a name and has a face, it’s the face of Jesus Christ; he teaches us to become saints.” Jesus shows the way in the Gospels, especially with the beatitudes, Pope Francis said. Saints were people who followed God “with their whole heart -- unconditionally and without hypocrisy; they spent their lives serving others; they put up with suffering and adversity without hatred; they responded to evil with goodness
and spread joy and peace,” he said. The kingdom of heaven is for those who put their trust in and derive their sense of security from God’s love, not material things, he said. The kingdom is for those
they aren’t violent, but are merciful; and they seek to be builders of reconciliation and peace,” the pope said. Saints always tried to reconcile people and help bring peace to the world, the pope said, and that
The kingdom is for those who have a simple, humble heart; who don’t assume. “who have a simple, humble heart; who don’t assume to be righteous and don’t judge others; who know how to suffer with those who suffer and rejoice with those who rejoice;
is what makes holiness beautiful; “it’s a beautiful path.” Saints “suffered lots of adversity, but without hating,” he said. “The saints never hated” others because love comes
Santa’s 75th year marked
Mercy centre to showcase outstanding trailblazers WHO WAS Sr Francis Goold? What is the legacy of Sr Mary Margaret Hehir? These questions will be answered at this year’s Perth Heritage Days (November 16-17) activities at the Mercy Heritage Centre. This year, the centre will be shining a light on a couple of the many incredible women who have lived and worked at Victoria Square during its 167-year history. Participants will learn about the remarkable Sr Francis, a pioneer Sister of Mercy who became the first principal of a Catholic secondary school in WA when she established the Ladies College at Victoria Square in 1848. Visitors will be able to learn, for example, that she turned her hand to repairing boots when two Perth cobblers both refused to repair the Sisters’ shoes anymore, declaring them ‘rubbish’. Many local people still remember the vibrant Sr Mary Margaret Hehir whose prodigious musical talent is the stuff of local legends. For decades, she shared her skills with budding musicians and scholars alike as she ensured that girls under her care triumphed in local eisteddfods. Participants in the Heritage Day sessions will be able to learn some of the details of how the lively young boarder, with extraordinary musical talent, became a teacher whom many former pupils still recall as one of the most influential figures in their lives. Bookings for the sessions must be made at Heritage Perth heritageperth.com.au. The centre is in the 1871 Mercy convent building located behind St Mary’s Cathedral.
from God and hatred “comes from the devil, and the saints stayed far away from the devil... The saints are men and women who have joy in their hearts and bring it to others. Never hate, serve others -- the neediest, pray and be joyful, this is the path of holiness.” After praying the Angelus, the pope asked for a moment of silence and prayer for the more than 90 people from Niger, most of them women and children, who died from hunger, thirst and fatigue while trying to cross the Sahara desert, heading to Algeria. - CNS
By Maria Mosole
The young Mary Margaret Hehir who later went on to become a Religious. Many locals still remember her prodigious musical talent and her generosity in sharing it with budding musicians and scholars alike. PHOTO: MERCY HERITAGE CENTRE
“THE BLESSING of unity still dwells amongst us, and oh, what a blessing”. This sentiment, penned by Catherine McAuley in 1841, resonated strongly with past and present students as we gathered in the College Chapel on Sunday, October 22 for the annual Old Girls Mercy Day Mass. As the College celebrates its 75th year, we participated in a moving Eucharistic liturgy, retraced our rich history and shared special memories of our time together at Santa Maria. An image of the foundress of the Mercy Order, the Venerable Catherine McAuley, reminded us of her vision and faith. Some 186 years ago in Dublin, Ireland, she laid the foundations for a group of women who, through their words and actions, made a tangible difference to the people and world around them. Just ten years after the founding of the Mercy Order, a group of eight Sisters embarked on the long journey to the Swan River Colony and, after outgrowing the Victoria Square site, ventured out into the virgin bushland of Attadale to establish Santa Maria College. Through a procession of candles commemorating the years 1938–2013, we recalled the many students, Sisters of Mercy and lay staff who have been part of the unique history of the College. From its beginning as school for 60 boarders and 13 day students, to the expansive, modern and inviting place of learning it is today, the charism of Catherine McAuley and the spirit of Mercy are still alive at Santa Maria College. Collectively, we give thanks to God and celebrate the “blessing of unity which still dwells amongst us.”
More information about Santa Maria’s anniversary - santamaria.wa.edu.au
Nothing maudlin about these Victorian children VICTORIAN homeschoolers celebrated All Saints Day with some creative costumes in honour of the Church Triumphant, our brother and sister forebears in heaven. There were children dressed as a multitude of saints, including St Don Bosco, the soon-to-be canonised Blessed Pope John Paul II, St Stephen, St Christopher, St Lucy and St Michael the Archangel. Madeline Murphy, the daughter of one of the organisers, Leonie Murphy, dressed in honour of St Lucy, the patron saint of ocular ailments. Madeline had problems with a sudden eye turn (squint) earlier this year and had it corrected by eye surgery. Her last appointment with the specialist a few weeks ago revealed the condition had been successfully treated.
A Victorian homeschool student doing a convincing St John the Baptist, sans locusts. SUPPLIED
Madeline Murphy dressed as St Lucy, martyred in 304AD, patron saint of ocular ailments. SUPPLIED
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VISTA
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
VISTA
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
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The sinner's guide to
NATURAL When The Record ran Simcha Fisher's How to ruin your marriage with NFP last year, it prompted something of a backlash. In authoring a new book on the subject, her motivation now, as then, is to let ordinary know they are not alone, writes Brandon Vogt.
FAMILY PLANNING
contracepting “one or none” crowd. At the same time, apparently it’s common knowledge that NFP-using couples have these huge, unwieldy, carbon-hogging megafamilies. It's enough to make you wish people would just mind their own damn business and let us raise our kids, isn’t it? But yeah, in communities with lots of Catholic families, you’ll see plenty of giant passenger vans parked in the driveways. There are a few reasons for this. One reason is that Catholics are taught to love children—to see children as something that will make our lives better, make the world more meaningful, draw us closer to God. So maybe we use NFP to space out our pregnancies to catch a breath in between, but we still like kids, and have them if we can. Another reason is, frankly, NFP can be hard. Some people try to avoid pregnancy, and either make a mistake on their charts, or else, in the heat of the moment, they tell their plans to take a flying leap—and have a baby even when they have a really good reason not to. So some big families are a result of “method error” or “user error” because charting really is harder than just popping a pill. But another very common reason is somewhere in the middle. Lots of people are ambivalent about conceiving, and they say they are putting off another pregnancy, but they get more and more careless about following “avoiding behaviour”. They don’t exactly plan to get pregnant, but they aren’t really trying hard not to. Maybe they're not absolutely smitten with bliss when they realise there’s another little guy on the way, but by the time the baby is born, they are thanking God that they were “careless” that one night, because look at this gorgeous baby. One final thing: one way that NFP is different from contraception is that it’s quite possible for the practice of NFP— for the self-discipline, the sacrifice, the prayer, the self-denial—to change our hearts. We may start out using NFP to strictly limit our family size for purely selfish reasons, and actually learn, through the practice of NFP, to be more welcoming of children, or more open to God’s will in general. Go ahead, ask me how I know!
I
F I RANKED my favourite bloggers by their laughs-to-post ratio, Simcha Fisher would certainly be near the top. She’s known for her deep insights on faith, sex, parenthood and femininity but what sets her apart is her humour. Wrapped around her wise and honest writing you’ll find heavy doses of sarcasm and selfdeprecating wit, a combo that leaves you sighing and chuckling in equal measure. Several months ago, I received an email from Simcha announcing her first book. Titled The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning, it looked really exciting. The book set out to explore two very deep and important topics—sex and marriage—but with Simcha’s typical candour and fun. I hoped it would breathe new life into natural family planning (NFP), an awesome life choice with a middling reputation. And Simcha did just that. Here’s Simcha’s own description of the book: “So, you’ve decided to use Natural family planning. Has it blessed your marriage? Deepened your respect for your body? Has it made your sex life fantastic? Do you and your spouse hold hands at sunset, and do pink flowers grow around your marital bed? If so, this book is not for you. “But if you’ve tried Natural Family Planning and have discovered that your life is now awful—or if you feel judged or judgey, or if you trust NFP but your doctor doesn’t, or if you’re just trying to figure out how the heck to have a sex life that is holy but still human—you’ll find comfort, encouragement, honesty, wit, and, most importantly, practical advice in The Sinner’s Guide to NFP. “An easy and lively read, thoroughly grounded in orthodox Catholic theology, this book is packed with refreshingly frank insights about sex, love, and marriage. The next time you ask yourself, ‘If NFP is wonderful, why am I so miserable?’—don’t panic. The Sinner’s Guide to NFP is here to help.” Fast-forwarding to a couple of weeks ago, I received another email from Simcha, this one more frantic than excited. She had accidentally launched her new book on Amazon.com, several weeks before planned, and asked if I could help get the word out. I of course agreed and joined with several other bloggers in spreading the news. Then we all watched as The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning shot up the charts. Amazingly, within 24 hours, Simcha's book became the #1 bestselling Catholic title on Amazon, even topping an obscure author in a white hat. Simcha graciously agreed to chat with me about her new bestseller, including the myths and truths of natural family planning and why humour is a good approach to the topic.
Right, prominent Catholic blogger and author of The Sinner's Guide to Natural Family Planning Simcha Fisher, front row second adult from left, pictured with other mothers in 2011, including US Catholic commentator Jennifer Fulwiler, back row far left. Above, NFP pioneers Drs John and Evelyn Billings pictured in 2007. Billings WA recently celebrated a special anniversary in the state - full story in next week's Record. PHOTO: ONLINE; PETER
BRANDON: Let’s start with the basics. What is natural family planning and how is it different than artificial contraception? SIMCHA: Natural family planning (NFP) is a method for avoiding or achieving pregnancy. It teaches a woman to recognise and track her body’s natural daily signs of fertility and infertility, so she and her husband can decide whether or not to have sex on those days. NFP is different from artificial contraception because it doesn’t do anything, either to your bodies or to the sexual act. It just helps you figure out how to cooperate with the way your body already works. But artificial contraception changes the nature of the sex act, breaking up the unitive and procreative aspects of sex, and introducing something new into the way your bodies work. Some people say that this difference is splitting hairs: if you’re trying not to get pregnant, you’re trying not to get pregnant—who cares how you achieve that goal? But there is all the difference in the
world. Imagine if you wanted to lose weight. You could eat in moderation and with pleasure, or you could eat everything and anything that you want, and then stick your finger down your throat before the food can hit your stomach. The goal is the same, but we can see how different the methods are! BRANDON: Most books on natural family planning are straightforward, impersonal, and bland, but yours is full of humour and vulnerability. Why this approach? SIMCHA: I remember first learning NFP after our third child was born and feeling so frustrated and alone. I read that NFP was “marriage building” and it might occasionally be “challenging” and it was important to be chaste and open to life. But how all of that was actually supposed to play out in our marriage, I had no idea. Since no one was talking about it, I assumed no one else was struggling. When I imagined putting up with that strain for another few decades, I wanted to just get a tubal and go to Confession later.
The purpose of this book is to reassure people that they’re not alone—that most couples struggle sometimes, as they’re learning how to love each other. I offer practical advice for how to make things better, and encouragement to embrace the Cross. Overall, it’s really a book about love. And yes, it’s full of jokes. Because sex is profound, but also hilarious. BRANDON: What are the biggest myths surrounding NFP?
cycle. The truth is, modern methods of natural family planning are so scientifically advanced, they are starting to be adopted by secular doctors. Another myth is that NFP is just the Catholic brand of birth control—that there are plenty of ways to avoid pregnancy, and that the Church, being misogynistic and backward, has decided to give NFP the green light because she knows you’ll end up with a million kids anyway. This is so silly, I don’t know where to begin. The Church's acceptance of NFP
and fun and you will barely even notice it because you will be so busy strolling down a beach at sunset while building your marriage. The truth is, there is joy and growth and holiness to be won through the practice of NFP. But many people have to hack their way through a jungle of misunderstandings and bad habits before they can meet on that beautiful shore! Helping people blaze that trail through the jungle is one of the main purposes of
Some Catholics say that the Church only permits NFP to be used in "grave", life-ordeath circumstances, like if your whole family has leprosy, or your entire town has just been washed into the sea... It is monstrously wrongheaded to assume you know the first thing about a couple just because you know how many kids they have... Catholics who define NFP as a scourge need to step away from the computer for some fresh air. SIMCHA: Oh, where to start? One oldie but goodie is that it’s the same as the rhythm method, and won’t work unless you ovulate on day 14 of your 28-day
to regulate births is completely consistent with every other truth she teaches about human sexuality. Yet another myth is that NFP is easy
my book. BRANDON: Some devoted Catholics grate against natural family planning.
What are their concerns and how would you respond? SIMCHA: Some Catholics say that the Church only permits NFP to be used in “grave”, life-or-death circumstances, like if your whole family has leprosy, or your entire town has just been washed into the sea. Most of this concern is based on a simple mistranslation of a word in Humanae Vitae. Angela Bonilla deconstructs that misunderstanding very nicely here. Another complaint is that most people who use NFP are abusing it, and don’t have a good enough reason to postpone a pregnancy—and that they might as well be contracepting. I refute this concern in the first several chapters of my book. God is calling us to holiness, not fertility contests. These matters are intensely private and personal, and vary so widely from couple to couple that it’s all we can do to keep our own hearts honest, without trying to manage other people’s consciences too. It is monstrously wrongheaded to assume you know the first thing about a couple just because you know how many
kids they have. I have to scratch my head when some Catholics see small families in the pews and blame NFP. First of all, some of those couples are battling infertility, and would have no children at all, if it were not for NFP. Second, I’m extremely sceptical that there are just gobs and gobs of couples willing to take on a labour-intensive, countercultural practice that requires self-sacrifice and discipline, just because they feel like spending an extra week in Cabo this year, and one more baby would cramp their style. Catholics who define NFP as the primary scourge of our time need to step away from the computers and get some fresh air. BRANDON: Many people note that couples practising natural family planning typically have more kids than those who don’t. Does this mean that natural family planning “fails” in its purpose? SIMCHA: It's funny, isn’t it? We have very strict Catholics bemoaning that NFP-ers are indistinguishable from the
BRANDON: What would you say to a young couple considering natural family planning but who are scared they might end up with 20 kids? SIMCHA: I would suggest finding the happiest Catholic couple you know, making friends with them, and asking for some advice. Making assumptions, jumping to conclusions, and acting out of fear—these are not the way to a joyful, meaningful life, whether we’re talking about family planning or anything else. What I’m trying to encourage, most of all, is for people to talk to each other. For Catholics to talk to other Catholics, laymen to talk to priests about the struggles they are enduring, priests to talk to laymen about the reason behind the Church’s teaching. And most of all, for husbands and wives to talk to each other, and for both of them to talk to God. Conversation, the communion of heart to heart, is where love is born. For more, check out Simcha’s blog at Patheos or her National Catholic Register blog. Her book, The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning, is available from Amazon.
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THE HISTORICAL RECORD
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
What’s in a
NAME?
The Holy Name Society was established in the 13th century to encourage reverence for the name of Jesus, as a means of counteracting the blasphemy that was common in society. Today, when there are arguably more examples of blasphemy surrounding us, the Society’s practices remain relevant, as Matthew Biddle explains...
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N THE 1950s, the Holy Name Society was one of many thriving sodalities that were a major part of Catholic parishes in Australia. With its disappearance from parish life, Catholics have forgotten a small, but important practice, according to an Australian Dominican priest. Father Jordan Perry OP says the Society’s decline resulted in the practice of bowing at the name of Jesus during Mass almost being completely forgotten. Fr Perry, who is based in Canberra, told The Record the practice is one that was established by the Church in the 13th century. “At the Church Council at that time, [Pope Gregory X] deputed our master general, Blessed John of Vercelli, to get people to all bow the head at the name of Jesus,” he explained. “There had been a lot of blasphemy and a lot of disrespect for the Holy Name, so he decided that the way to fix that was to put the Dominicans in charge of spreading devotion to the Holy Name.” Constitution 25 of the Second Council of Lyons in 1274 stated: “Whenever that glorious name is recalled, especially during the sacred mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head”. The practice is also prescribed in each edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), including the 2007 Australian edition, under the section of “General norms for all forms of Mass”. The GIRM is essentially the Church’s liturgical handbook, which provides instructions such as the correct way of celebrating Mass with a deacon and the duties of lectors. It states that: “A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together, and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honour Mass is being celebrated”. But the practice seems to have been forgotten by most Catholics, Fr Perry said. “When we were kids, whenever you heard the name of Jesus every head in the church would bow, but now… it’s not only forgotten, it’s almost deliberately ignored, which is terribly sad,” he said. “There’s a general malaise that we’ve allowed things to go this way for a long time. If you went into one of the schools now and mentioned this, they wouldn’t know what you are talking about.” Perth liturgy officer Karen Hart told The Record that although the GIRM does prescribe a bow of the head at the recitation of the name of Jesus during Mass, she believed most people are unaware of the
Above, from left to right, Ernie Farmer, Fr John Lynch, Cyril Berry, Mark Foley and Elgar O’Mahoney at a Holy Name Society diocesan union meeting. Right, the artwork on Beaufort St, Mt Lawley, is considered by some as referring to a blasphemous phrase. PHOTOS: ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH ARCHIVES; CITY OF VINCENT
instruction. “All acolytes have the prerequisite to read the GIRM within their Archdiocesan training,” she said. “However, I’m not sure whether Catholics in general even know the GIRM exists. “We need to keep in mind that the passing on of faith practice is primarily the responsibility of parents, which then calls into question their faith education.” Retired NSW priest Fr James Tierney has written about the days
“A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together, and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honour Mass is being celebrated.” where sodalities, including the Holy Name Society, the Sacred Heart Sodality, and the Children of Mary, were the backbone of a parish. “Sodalities were parish organisations which gave the support of social solidarity to the faithful for Sunday Mass and the sacramental life of monthly Confession and often weekly devout Holy Communion,” he explained. Each group had a monthly Mass that all members were required to attend, and on that Sunday they would later return to the church for evening devotions. “[By] 1967, the liturgical changes and the multiplicity of Masses
and the pace of life were working against the sodalities,” he said. “The monthly Holy Name Mass was only kept going by the zeal of a local lay apostle.” Fr Perry said the rapid decline of the Holy Name Society, as well as other sodalities, also meant the practice of bowing at the name of Jesus disappeared. “It was fairly quick, because constantly with the Holy Name Society every month the men were reminded of this, and then suddenly that was taken away, and people just got very slack, very quickly,” he said. “It wasn’t a Church move, it just happened. The Holy Name Society was in every Catholic parish in the whole of Australia, in New Zealand and most of the United States. Now it’s almost gone completely.” Church historian Katherine Massam’s book Sacred Threads: Catholic Spirituality in Australia 1922-1962 explains the objects of the Holy Name Society when it began in Australia. “Devotion to the Holy Name was a commitment to reverence for the name of Jesus, and so to speech free of blasphemy and obscenity,” she writes. “The four rules of the Society were careful speech, monthly communion and attendance at the society’s meeting, and wearing the Holy Name badge.” The first appearance of the Holy Name Society in Australia was in the Dominican church in North Adelaide in 1921. Four years later, at a meeting of the Church leaders in Australia, it was decided to spread the Society throughout the dioceses of the nation. In the Society’s handbook, published in 1932, it was stated that the aim of the Society was to “counter-
act all that is foul and to teach our Catholic men to love and reverence the sacred personality of Jesus Christ and his holy name”. In 1999, Victorian Barry O’Brien set up a modified version of the Holy Name Society that had members from around Australia called the Confraternity of the Holy Name of Jesus, which he ran for almost a decade.
It has since moved to Sydney, but it is unclear whether it continues. In July this year, one of the last branches of the Holy Name Society gathered for the final time in Ballarat, almost 70 years after it was formed. The Church tried to foster reverence for the name of Jesus to counteract the blasphemy that was rampant in the 13th century, and
THE HISTORICAL RECORD
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Eucharistic miracles proof of Christ’s Real Presence I have been fascinated by your account of the Eucharistic miracles of Buenos Aires and Poland. What is the connection between these and the miracle of Lanciano in Italy?
T
Top, a Holy Name Society rally in Bunbury in 1950; above, members of the Society’s executive in 1962. Left, Society members gather for the Perth diocesan union annual convention. PHOTOS: ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH ARCHIVES
Fr Perry said today’s world needed a similar way of discouraging blasphemy. “It’s a dreadful state we’re in now,” he said. “There isn’t a movie or scene without blasphemy in it, and because of the lack of devotion to the Holy Name and respect for the Holy Name, people just accept it. The kids in the playground in the
Catholic schools are all using blasphemy. Even Catholic actors like Mel Gibson are thinking nothing of using the Holy Name as a swear word.” Fr Tierney said the disappearance of the sodalities has been unfortunate, because a group like the Holy Name Society was “brilliant in its simplicity and effectiveness”.
“It encouraged men to persevere in practising their religion,” he said. “The Holy Name Society made boys feel that religion was a man’s business, and not sissy, not something to drop once they went to high school or left school. They saw other boys’ fathers believing in God, honouring him. Such example was a powerful reinforcement of the witness of their own fathers.”
HE COMMON thread in these Eucharistic miracles, as well as in the many others that have taken place throughout the centuries, is the fact that a consecrated host has changed into recognisable features of human tissue and sometimes blood. We know that after the consecration in the Mass, when the priest pronounces the words of Christ on instituting the Eucharist, the host becomes the Body of Christ and the wine becomes his Blood. We don’t see the Body or Blood, because they continue to have the characteristics of bread and wine, but we know by faith that they are there. Occasionally, sometimes to shore up the faith of people who doubted his Real Presence, Our Lord has performed a miracle to make clear that the Eucharist is truly his Body and Blood. In recent decades, some of these miracles have been subjected to scientific examinations which have resulted in extraordinary findings. Such is the case with the miracles of Buenos Aires in 1996, Poland in 2008, and even the 8th century miracle of Lanciano. The first great Eucharistic miracle was that of Lanciano, the ancient Italian city of Anxanum. It took place in 750AD in the church of St Legontian when a Brazilian monk doubted the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. After he had consecrated the Body and Blood of Our Lord, the host was suddenly changed into physical flesh and the consecrated wine into physical blood, which coagulated into five globules of different shapes and sizes. They are still on display in Lanciano, even though almost 1,300 years have passed since they first appeared. In 1971, the flesh and blood were examined scientifically by Dr Odoardo Linoli, Professor of Anatomy and Pathological Histology and of Chemistry and Clinical Microscopy at the Arezzo Hospital. He was assisted by Dr Ruggero Bertelli, retired Professor of Anatomy at the University of Siena. Their findings were truly extraordinary, and similar to the findings in the miracles of Buenos Aires and Poland. The flesh was identified under a microscope as human flesh from the left ventricle of the heart, showing clearly the myocardium, the endocardium and the vagus nerve. What is more, Professor Linoli was amazed at the evenness of the slice of tissue he was examining. He commented that only a highly skilled hand in dissection could have obtained such an “even and continu-
Q&A FR JOHN FLADER
ous” slice of heart tissue. This is especially intriguing if one takes into account that the first anatomical dissections reported in the medical literature took place only after the 1300s, some 600 years after the miracle. The blood was of type AB, the rarest blood type, which is found more commonly in the region around the Mediterranean. In Italy, between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of all people have type AB blood, whereas in Israel and the Middle East the percentage is between 14 and 15. The blood in the sample of flesh was also of type AB. Significantly, this is the same blood type identified in the Shroud of Turin. What is more, the proteins in the blood sam-
After the priest had consecrated the Body and Blood of Christ, the host was suddenly changed into physical flesh and the wine into physical blood. ple were in the same proportions as in fresh normal blood. One of the experiments conducted on the blood sample involved liquefying it and studying its capillary properties; that is, the rate at which it climbs a narrow tube. Professor Linoli found that the capillary properties matched exactly those of human blood taken from a man that very day. The fact that the flesh and blood have been preserved for almost 13 centuries even though exposed to the action of atmospheric and biological agents, and without any preservative, is itself a miracle. Professor Linoli’s findings were published in Quaderni Sclavo di Diagnostica Clinica e di Laboratori in 1971. In 1973, the Higher Council of the World Health Organisation appointed a scientific commission to investigate Professor Linoli’s findings. After 500 examinations, carried out over 15 months, the commission confirmed the earlier findings. These miracles and the scientific evidence that supports them can help to reaffirm our faith that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Our Lord at a time when many doubt it. - FRJFLADER@GMAIL.COM
FUN FAITH With
NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • LUKE 20: 27-38 • 32ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
CROSSWORD
TODAY’S GOSPEL Luke 20: 27-38
JESUS RESURRECTION MARRY ANGELS MOSES WIFE Across 2. Even ____ said that the dead are raised in the passage about the bush, where he calls God the God of the living; for all live to him. 4. Afterward the woman also died. In the ____, therefore, whose wife will she be? For all the seven had her as wife.” 5. There came some men to ____ saying that there is no resurrection
WORD
SEARCH HOW MANY WORDS FROM THE CROSSWORD CAN YOU FIND?
Down 1. They asked him “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a ____ with no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother...” 2. Those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither ____ nor are given in marriage. 3. For they cannot die any more, because they are equal to ____ and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
There came some men to Jesus saying that there is no resurrection,and they asked him “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife with no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children; and the second and so on until all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will she be? For all the seven had her as wife.” And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Even Moses showed that the dead are raised in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him.”
VISTA
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
15
Remembering the fallen ones Geraldton priest Fr Michael Morrissey has provided guidance and support to hundreds of Australian soldiers over the past 30 years. He’s also constantly aware of the need to remember those who have died in battle, as Juanita Shepherd reports...
N
EARLY 100 years ago, a bullet fired from the gun of Gavrilo Princip killed the Archduke of Austria Franz Ferdinand and plunged the world into what would be known as the Great War. Through a series of intricate alliances, countries banded together, soldiers marched over the poppy fields of Europe and ANZAC troops fought on the shores of Gallipoli. After four years of fighting, on November 11 at exactly 11am, the armistice was signed, ending the bloodshed that had ravaged the globe. Every year since, in honour of the defence forces and the bravery of soldiers, Remembrance Day is observed. With 30 years of experience in the army, Father Michael Morrissey, parish priest of Mullewa, Vicar General of the Geraldton diocese and senior chaplain to the Second Reserve Division, has a wealth of knowledge on the subject. “Remembrance Day isn’t about glorifying war,” he told The Record. “We’ve moved away from that image.” Fr Michael describes Remembrance Day as a time to honour those who gave their lives to defend the values and the freedoms that we accept in Australia today. “It’s not about celebrating a victory over someone who wanted to inflict a particular way of life on a group of people, especially during the Second World War,” he says. “It’s about remembering those families who never saw their children come home, who never had the opportunity to see their children grow up or to have their own children. “They went over as young people and never had the opportunity to finish their lives.” Fr Michael’s grandmother’s brother and his grandfather’s first cousin were both in their early 20s when they were killed in action on the western front. They are buried in Belgium. Year 12 Lumen Christi College student Regan Jacobs-Smith also has family buried in Europe. He visited the Commonwealth War Grave in France where his great-great-uncle Private Edward Regan lies. Private Regan, the youngest of six children, was killed on May 19, 1918, and among his personal belongings were found his religious medallions and his prayer cards. “As I reached the cemetery many emotions arose in me,” Mr JacobsSmith said. “Seeing the war grave of my ancestor whom I am named after caused me to reflect on how important family and ancestral history is.” By visiting his ancestor’s grave Mr Jacobs-Smith says he truly appreciated the monumental sacrifice that a soldier makes. “Knowing that my great-greatuncle’s values and his courage to fight for what he believed in was very powerful,” he said. Both Fr Michael and Mr JacobsSmith have ties to the Great War, but Fr Michael hasn’t forgotten the Australian soldiers of today. “Many have been to Timor, the Solomon Islands and the Middle East,” Fr Michael said. “They experienced some of the same issues that soldiers in the First World War experienced; it’s important to honour them.” Private Edward Regan was one of the eight million lives that the Great War claimed and while death brings
fear to everyone, the one comforting presence in the army is that of an army chaplain. Fr Michael grew up in Yalgoo on a sheep station before he joined St Charles’ Seminary followed by St Francis’ Seminary in Adelaide. He was ordained in 1981 and two years later answered the call of Bishop Foley for a Catholic reserve chaplain for the Pilbara regiment. He says the experience of being an army chaplain has made him a better person and a better priest. “Pastorally, it has helped me,” he
Remembrance Day is not about celebrating a victory over someone who wanted to inflict a way of life onto a group of people. It’s about remembering families who never saw their children come home. said. “You encourage focusing on Jesus himself and what would he do in the situation; being an army chaplain hasn’t diminished my identity as a Catholic priest, it has strengthened it,” Fr Michael has undergone extensive physical training as part of his role as a chaplain. “I’m not as fit as them,” he says with a laugh. “But that’s a good thing too, as you don’t want to show up a young soldier.” Fr Michael has passed a fitness test based on his age, and does a certain number of push-ups and sit-ups, as well as a walk which he has to complete within a certain time frame. Other courses Fr Michael has completed as part of his training
have taught him about life in the army, who to salute, how to relate to the soldiers, the names of different weapons and how they work so that he is able to converse easily with the soldiers. He also completed the Initial Chaplain Course in order to fully understand how his role worked from a religious point of view. “The one thing that has always struck me in my 30 years of being an army reserve chaplain is that [the officers] always respect you,” Fr Michael said. “Whether they believe in God or not they always respect the chaplain and they like having a chaplain in their unit.” Fr Michael was in Kuwait in 2006 before being posted to Afghanistan, where the Australian soldiers faced a number of issues. “It was a great experience,” Fr Michael said. “I would wander around the base and start talking to the men and they would say ‘Come on, padre, come and have a chat’.” Fr Michael would bless the soldiers before they went out on their operations and he would be there to welcome them back, but at times it was difficult knowing that the soldiers did not always return. “It can be emotionally draining but it is also fulfilling,” he said. “That’s my role as a priest; you’re the chaplain to all of them whether it’s the commanding officer or the most junior officer.” During his years as an army chaplain Fr Michael has developed a great rapport with the Commanding Officers (CO), the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSM) and the medics. “I can speak to the CO and the RSM in strict confidence about the troops and their wellbeing,” Fr Michael said. “It’s also important to talk to the medics, they deal with the physical and mental issues, and I look after the spiritual side.” Fr Michael views his role as an army chaplain as similar to that of
Top, Fr Michael Morrissey in the Australian army’s chapel in Afghanistan. Above, Regan Jacobs-Smith at the grave of his ancestor, Private Edward Regan, at the Commonwealth War Grave in France. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
a parish priest. One of the key characteristics in becoming an army chaplain is that the candidate must have worked as a parish priest for three to four years. “They want you to have normal, ordinary human experiences,” Fr Michael said. “People in the army are human beings and I have to simply be present to the soldiers and their families in a normal way that I would be in a normal parish setting.” Fr Michael recently spent six months in Kapooka training recruits for the reserves and fulltime army. He also enjoys going out to the bases and participating in the training, which is where he says the informal conversations occur. “Once they get to know you and trust you, they start having the serious conversations about marriage, relationships, sickness, and things they can’t handle in a particular situation,” Fr Michael said. “You have to be present for the soldier to help him out.” Fr Michael administers to the
needs of Catholic soldiers but he also talks to troops from other denominations as well as the ones who have no particular religious beliefs. He said that by talking to the soldiers his identity as a Catholic has been strengthened. “When you talk to someone who doesn’t believe there is still a common element,” Fr Michael said. “You share tears, sadness, compassion and I’ve found that the chaplain is the one they go to if they need to talk. “When I’ve seen Australian soldiers in practice and reality, not one of those soldiers would deliberately go out and harm someone else and as a chaplain I help them develop values and ethics.” While Fr Michael aids the troops on the bases he said that he asks the Holy Spirit to grant him strength and wisdom in order to fulfil his duty as an army chaplain. “As much as it’s a relationship with the soldiers, it is also all about a relationship with Jesus and God,” he said.
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OPINION
EDITORIAL
Choice of childlessness a shiny new sepulchre Time magazine’s August cover story, “The Childfree Life”, has generated a good deal of controversy and commentary. The photo that graces the cover of the edition pretty much sums up the argument: a young, fit couple lounge languidly on a beach and gaze up at the camera with blissful smiles—and no child anywhere in sight. What the editors want us to accept is that this scenario is not just increasingly a fact in our country, but that it is morally acceptable as well, a lifestyle choice that some people legitimately make. Whereas in one phase of the feminist movement, “having it all” meant that a woman should be able to both pursue a career and raise a family, now it apparently means a relationship and a career without the crushing encumbrance of annoying, expensive and demanding children. There is no question that childlessness is on the rise in the United States. Our birthrate is the lowest in recorded history, surpassing even the crash in reproduction that followed the economic crash of the 1930s. We have not yet reached the drastic levels found in Europe (in Italy, for example, one in four women never give birth), but childlessness has risen in our country across all ethnic and racial groups, even those that have traditionally put a particular premium on large families. What is behind this phenomenon? The article’s author spoke to a variety of women who had decided not to have children and found a number of different reasons for their decision. Some said that they simply never experienced the desire for children; others said that their careers were so satisfying to them that they couldn’t imagine taking on the responsibility of raising children; still others argued that in an era when bringing up a child costs upward of $250,000, they simply couldn’t afford to have even one baby; and the comedian Margaret Cho admitted, bluntly enough, “Babies scare me more than anything”. A researcher at the London School of Economics weighed in to say that there is a tight correlation between intelligence and childlessness: the smarter you are, it appears, the less likely you are to have children! In accord with the tenor of our time, those who have opted out of the children game paint themselves, of course, as victims. They are persecuted, they say, by a culture that remains relentlessly babyobsessed and, in the words of one of the interviewees, “oppressively family-centric”. PO Box 3075 Patricia O’Laughlin, a Los Adelaide Terrace Angeles-based psychotheraPERTH WA 6832 pist, specialises in helping women cope with the crushing expectations of a society that office@therecord.com.au expects them to reproduce. Tel: (08) 9220 5900 As an act of resistance, Fax: (08) 9325 4580 many childless couples have banded together for mutual support. One such group in Nashville comes together for activities such as “zip-lining, canoeing, and a monthly dinner the foodie couple in the group organises”. One of their members, Andrea Reynolds, was quoted as saying, “We can do anything we want, so why wouldn’t we?” What particularly struck me in this article was that none of the people interviewed ever moved outside of the ambit of his or her private desire. Some people, it seems, are into children, and others aren’t, just as some people like baseball and others prefer football. No childless couple would insist that every couple remain childless, and they would expect the same tolerance to be accorded to them from the other side. But never, in these discussions, was reference made to values that present themselves in their sheer objectivity to the subject, values that make a demand on freedom. Rather, the individual will was consistently construed as sovereign and self-disposing. And this represents a sea change in cultural orientation. Up until very recent times, the decision whether or not to have children would never have been simply “up to the individual”. Rather, the individual choice would have been situated in the context of a whole series of values that properly condition and shape the will: family, neighbourhood, society, culture, the human race, nature and, ultimately, God. We can see this so clearly in the initiation rituals of primal peoples and in the formation of young people in practically every culture on the planet until the modern period. Having children was about carrying on the family name and tradition; it was about contributing to the strength and integrity of one’s society; it was about perpetuating the great adventure of the human race; it was a participation in the dynamisms of nature itself. And, finally, it was about cooperating with God’s desire that life flourish: “And you, be fruitful and multiply, teem on the earth and multiply in it” (Gen 9:7). None of this is meant to be crushing to the will, but liberating. When these great values present themselves to our freedom, we are drawn out beyond ourselves and integrated into great realities that expand us and make us more alive. It is finally with relief and a burst of joy that we realise that our lives are not about us. Traditionally, having children was one of the primary means by which this shift in consciousness took place. That, increasingly, this liberation is forestalled and that people are finding themselves locked in the cold space of what they sovereignly choose, I find rather sad.
When secular myths are interrogated, it is with relief when we realise our lives are not about us.
THE RECORD
From time to time The Record samples editorial opinion from around the global Catholic press. The above editorial by Fr Robert Barron was published on Fr Barron’s Word on Fire website.
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
LETTERS
Pope’s love affirms, not denies, the truth YES, Mr Kiernan, I did get a bit enthusiastic in my letter of October 23 but it might be because I take the trouble to read the whole of Pope Francis’ remarks, not just the attention-seeking headlines presented by the media. Moreover, the man who found himself inspired by his interview with his fellow Jesuits had read the whole of it. Three times. The editorial alongside my letter made me sit up until I realised it agreed with what I had said more than contradict it. Its sentence “The Pope’s numerous, paradoxical statements presume a level of formation, intellectual rigour and above all, mystical openness to God on the part of the faithful hitherto absent in many media contributions around the Church in recent times” is the key. The Pope is speak-
ing to us as thinking, rational, praying adults and hopes we can see beyond the seeming contradictions. I say “seeming” because on closer reading, his stance on subjects which Mr Kiernan refers to, viz abortion, euthanasia, samesex marriage etc, does not in any way deviate from Church teaching which Pope Francis upholds anyway. It is just that there are other things, like the fundamental need for young people to be educated so as to be able to learn and pass on to future generations the truths and moral values vital for the human race. As for euthanasia, he knows we are all against this but his point is rather that we have tended to focus on these things, forgetting the main truth, namely, that God created us out of love, sent His Son to save us, yearns for our love in return and expects us to share this love and compassion with our fellow humans. Ever since Pope Francis was elected, there have been knives drawn, sadly by some who call
themselves Catholics – I refer to the disgraceful website of which I wrote in The Record seven months ago. No one is perfect, and the Pope is the first to admit his errors, but give the man a chance, please. He is, after all, the Vicar of Christ, elected under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We need to thank God for him and pray for him. [The full text of Pope Francis’ homilies is available at the Holy See’s www.news.va.]
Rosemary Chandler SHELLEY WA
Something to say? LETTERS TO THE EDITOR office@therecord.com.au
Easter was different this year: I felt the real loss of Christ After she began attending Whitford parish, personal difficulties struck and yet Alison Hodson says it was then God spoke to her in a new way. Why I became
Catholic
AS TOLD TO DEBBIE WARRIER
I
BECAME Catholic to be part of the extended body, to belong to the Church and to deepen my bond with Jesus. My bond with Jesus developed only when I became Catholic. I identified with God and I always had faith in Him but I didn’t have as close as a relationship with Jesus as I do now. I am married with three children and work as a bookkeeper. I was born in England and we emigrated to South Africa in 1975 when I was seven years old. My family was Church of England but never really religious. As a youngster, I got offered the chance to be confirmed in the Anglican faith but chose not to because I was lazy. My father didn’t like going to church so we didn’t go as a family. Interestingly, I did attend a Catholic high school because it was the only private high school in the area and somehow I still had faith. My sister and I went to Masses at the Catholic church occasionally and we both felt this pull towards Catholicism although we didn’t know why. Despite that, I remained Anglican for many years and was very comfortable attending services as an adult. In my mid-20s, I decided to be confirmed in that faith. Over the course of time I began experimenting with different churches, mostly Methodist. I got married but later divorced and my ex-husband’s family was Methodist. They would take my daughter Amber (now 17) to their church and I thought perhaps I should be going to the same church with her so as not to be confusing, which I did but in the end I found that I couldn’t integrate into that faith. Along the way I got remarried. My husband Russell is Catholic and so are my stepchildren, Megan (15) and Luke (11). Russell wasn’t really practising and his mother was very Methodist and had a close relationship with her church. So at some point we started going to the Methodist church again and we were very happy in this church with a lovely minister. This continued until we moved to Australia in 2008.
Alison Hodson, who was baptised an Anglican Christian and went on to be a practising Methodist, entered the Catholic Church in May. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
We intended to return back to the Anglican Church and enrolled our children in the local Anglican school. However, after attending a couple of local Anglican churches we both felt something was missing. In the end, we attended our local Whitford Catholic church, Our Lady of the Missions. It was during this time (2012) that Russell
We started attending Whitford parish. God spoke in a way I had not experienced before. and I were experiencing a difficult time in which our private business collapsed. I found God spoke to me in a way I had not experienced before at Our Lady of the Missions and eventually I became interested in becoming Catholic myself. My sister and I began attending the RCIA. In retrospect, her wanting to convert with me was a turning point but at the time I was still not fully committed to Catholicism. I even continued attending an Anglican church for a while because I felt like a traitor to my upbringing. However, half way through RCIA I began feeling Catholic and that converting was something I really, really wanted.
During this Easter the April services at the Church crowned those emotions. The whole process of what being Catholic is and the celebration of Jesus was just beautiful. There is a time during Easter when there is no mention of Jesus and I was just devastated because he was dead. I actually felt it. I lived it. It was soul destroying. That was another turning point for me becoming completely Catholic. I had never celebrated Easter like that before. When I returned for my next session at RCIA I asked the leader, Ann Cunneen, to talk about Jesus so I could bring Him back into my life. My sister and I were welcomed into the Catholic Church in May 2013. When you hit your 40s it is all about you and what you want so it seemed that the time was finally right. It felt like getting married. Although my perceptions of what being Catholic is haven’t differed that much, the stereotypes of Catholics themselves has changed. I didn’t expect the family feeling, the sense of community and belonging to such an ancient organisation. During our hardship in 2012, I felt such a pull back to the Lord and the Church. I wanted to cement this new relationship I had with Him. I didn’t know at the time what a journey it would be. I feel peace, love, a sense of direction and acceptance.
OPINION
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
17
Swap seats with someone who knows the Way Western notions of freedom are bound up with being in control but true joy is not for the grasping, writes Mark Reidy.
W
HILE addressing a crowd made up of pastors raised in either Mozambique or the United States, long time missionary Heidi Baker asked who had ever experienced true desperation in their lives. “Who has known starvation?” she asked. The only hands raised were from those born in Mozambique. “Who has watched a child die?” Again, only those from the African nation responded. Baker then asked those pastors who had been through such horrific experiences to pray for the others present. She believed that anyone who had sought God so desperately would have a deeper understanding of his fullness. In their position of helplessness, they had thrust God into the driver’s seat of their lives. They had become passengers, powerless to change their destination and having to completely entrust their lives to him. It is a concept that makes me ponder where I allow God to sit in my vehicle. As I am made in his image I know he is travelling within me in some capacity, but I also know free will allows me to choose
I Say, I Say MARK REIDY
the seating arrangements. Looking back, I realise there were many years when I had him locked in the boot – out of mind and unable to influence the choices I made. Perceiving him as a judgemental dictator, I was free to drive myself along any path I chose and embrace whatever desire I encountered – after all, God couldn’t even see me from where I had confined him. And when things didn’t go the way I planned I could pull him out like a spare tyre – use him to get through the rough terrain – and then slot him back into the dark recesses of my mind - at least until I needed him again. Eventually, as I discovered the world couldn’t fill the void within me, I invited God into the vehicle, albeit the back seat. He became the passenger I could turn to for a chat or some needed advice. It was a convenient relationship – for me at
least – as God had no way of reaching the steering wheel. All he could do was come along for the ride, no matter how sad the journey may have been for him. However, still not arriving at the destination of inner peace, I finally invited God into the front passenger seat. I still controlled the steering wheel, but when the road became rocky I could ask him to reach over and help steady the vehicle. As my trust in his co-piloting skills increased, I would, on brief
relinquish the steering wheel and allow him full control of my vehicle. It made me think of the people from Mozambique and realise I have never been desperate enough. There have been moments of vulnerability, but the handover has only been temporary. Living in a comfortable western society ensures that complete powerlessness is a rare occurrence - and never a permanent state of existence. Ironically, a privileged lifestyle becomes a barrier to my
I have never swapped seats with God. I have never been prepared to completely relinquish the reins. I have never been desperate enough. occasions, allow him to hold the wheel on his own – as long as he stayed in the passenger seat and I could regain control if I thought he was going off course. And that, it seems, is where I am stuck today. I have never swapped seats with God. I have never been prepared to completely
complete submission. I am like the rich man in Matthew’s Gospel (19:16-22). I am happy to obey the Big laws… do not murder, do not steal, do not commit adultery, etc, because I can fulfil them without handing the steering wheel to God. These do not force me into a position of vulnerability - I can still
maintain a sense of control over my destiny. However, my attitude quickly changes when I am asked to give up everything I possess and become completely dependent on the grace of God. And this does not refer only to material comfort - Jesus is asking the young man if he is prepared to unconditionally hand over the wheel of self-destiny. Is he willing to trust God in every aspect of his existence? It is a battle I can identify with. God makes a great navigator and I am prepared to listen to his directions – as long as he stays in the passenger seat. As for swapping places in total surrender - I find myself stuck on Jesus’ words in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me…” I cannot finish his statement, “…yet not my will but Yours be done”. How do I make that next step? How do I get to trust God enough to be willing to swap seats? It’s an on-going discussion I’m having with my co-pilot – but sometimes I think he’s just not listening.
God no longer first to go in hectic life World Youth Day 08 was great, says Thuc Hoang, but his greatest realisation came watching the UK’s Prime Minister.
F
OR THE PAST six years I’ve been serving as the youth music coordinator at the Vietnamese Catholic Community Centre. I’m also an active musician at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Claremont. When not helping out at the church, I work at a grocery business during the week. My days involve getting up before dawn and spending a lot of the time driving a truck around. I usually don’t tell everyone about my job. I really enjoy what I do, but the moment people find out that you drive a truck and have access to a fleet of large vehicles, your status suddenly gets promoted from acquaintance to friend. Sometimes it’s just to help people move house. Sometimes it’s a purchase at the local Harvey Norman and when the salesperson has asked them if they would like additional delivery, their response has been, “It’s okay – I got a mate with a truck”. And, once everything has arrived at its new destination, there is a parting exchange and we then go our separate ways. That kind of ‘on-call’ relationship was symbolic of my relationship with God as a young adult. As a child, I remember being brought up in a very devout family. Frequent Mass attendance and enrolment in Catholic schools ensured that strong seeds of faith had been planted in me. Then, in my early adulthood, God became less relevant in my life. When you turn 18, all of a sudden this freedom is bestowed upon you and you spend that part of your life experimenting with this new gift of choice and experience of decision-making. And, unfortunately, maintaining a healthy relationship with God wasn’t one of those choices. As you continue to explore the boundaries of this new independence, you occasionally find yourself in trouble. So, you call on your ever dependable, reliable friend, God. And, once he answers your prayers, it’s back to the same routine where his presence in your life is unrequired and inconvenient. This is how my spirituality continued for some time before a major world event in 2008 would impact on my life forever. I’d like to say that this event was the World Youth
Vietnamese youth music leader Thuc Hoang speaking to young people in Westminster on October 20.
Day in Sydney, but that wouldn’t be entirely true. Don’t get me wrong, WYD was an inspiring event, but my involvement as an organiser meant that I would not receive the same kind of spiritual nourishment as a pilgrim simply participating. And, during this period of my life, I’d yet to develop the maturity required to sustain my faith. WYD and other occasional incidences would provide a temporary injection of motivation but my spirituality was like a football. It would collect dust during most of the year, be brought out for a kick during the excitement of footy season before, once again, being thrown in the boot of the car, deflating until another motivating reason was found to take it out for a chip. The real reason behind my deci-
sion to commit to pursue my work within the Church can oddly be attributed to the global economic crisis of 07/08. When the world was plummeting into chaos, governments were looking to either
PHOTO: PETER BUI
to us in mysterious ways, and my moment of revelation would unexpectedly occur while watching a speech by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron. In 2010, the Conservative Party leader would
As the proverb says, God speaks in “mysterious ways”, and my moment of revelation would occur watching a speech about humanitarian aid. stimulate the economy or implement drastic austerity measures. In their efforts to balance the books, trimming foreign aid expenditure seemed like a responsible decision and one that would incite the least political backfire. As the proverb says, God speaks
reconfirm his pledge to meet UN humanitarian aid targets despite the volatility of the economy. While I don’t recall his exact words, his general proposition was that the world’s poorest people should not be the ones suffering due to the crisis born of the irresponsibility and
greed of the largest economies. That simple and sensible rationalisation led me to my epiphany. Religion has always been important in my life, but when life’s pressures began surmounting, my involvement and participation at my church was the first thing to trim. Following WYD in Sydney, I was heavily involved in my parish’s liturgical program, but this commitment would dwindle as soon as the demands on my time went up. Whether it was needing to work longer hours, a partner to please, a wedding to plan, a house to renovate or a new business to set up – it was natural to prioritise these ambitions ahead of ministerial work. Nowadays, I use that revelation as rationale for my continued work with the Church. My faith is fortified by Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:26, telling us not to worry about our possessions or what we eat. For, if God can feed the birds in the sky and clothe the flowers in the field, surely he will take care of his own children. It’s a fact of life that we’ll be presented with endless time-consuming objectives but the Kingdom is where our hearts should be set. Even though my contribution to the community is incomparable to the millions of people benefiting from Britain’s foreign aid policy, I draw comfort from my belief that my priorities are now in sensible order. I believe that being Catholic means maintaining and strengthening our faith as much as possible. When Pope Francis called us to “make disciples of all nations” at WYD RIO, I am also reminded of our obligation to perpetuate the mission of the Church. That’s why I’ve made a commitment to stay connected to the Church. Through my pastoral work I receive a greater sense of purpose and fulfilment. My spiritual health has improved and no longer resembles that inflating and deflating football. I hope my efforts also inspire and motivate others to develop that relationship with God, so that he doesn’t just act like that friend with the truck who is called upon in times of need. And, I long for others to see that continued faith and trust in God will sort out the chaos of our busy, modern lives.
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PANORAMA
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Divine Mercy Healing Mass 2.30pm at St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Windsor St, East Perth. Main celebrant is Fr Marcellinus Meilak OFM. Reconciliation offered in English and Italian. Divine Mercy prayers followed by veneration of first class relics of St Faustina Kowalska. Refreshments afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771. St Padre Pio Pilgrimage – Toodyay Church 8am- Buses depart to St John the Baptist Parish, Stirling Tce, Toodyay. 10.15am- DVD; 11.30amMass, Confession; 1pm- BYO lunch, tea and coffee provided; 2.30pm- Eucharistic procession, Rosary, Adoration, Divine Mercy and Benediction. 4 pm- Depart for Perth. Bus transport $17 p/ person. Enq: Leederville 9444 3617, Balcatta 9276 1952, Midland 9255 1938, Morley 9377 5017, Bassendean 9279 7261, Vic Park 9367 1366. Alliance of the Holy Family International Day of Recollection 11am at LJ Goody Bioethics Centre, Jugan St, Glendalough. The Alliance of the Holy Family International invites you to a Day of Recollection with Fr John Sebastian and ends with holy Mass. Please bring plate to share. Enq: Vicky 0400 282 357, Nick 0428 953 471 and Hilda 0417 779 590. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Commemoration of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) 5.30-6.30pm in Government House Ballroom, St Georges Tce, Perth. Reflect and respond on the 75th Anniversary of Kristallnacht. Hosted by Council of Christians and Jews WA, in the presence of His Exellency Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC, Governor of WA. Guest Speaker The Hon Justice James Edelman, Supreme Court of WA. Access from 5-5.20pm. RSVP by Mon, Nov 4: ccjwa@aol.com or PO BOX 1469, Booragoon, WA 6954. Annual Regional Chapter and Reflection Day for the Secular Franciscan Order 10am-3pm at the Edel Quinn Centre, 36 Windsor St, East Perth. Commencing with morning tea followed by Morning Prayer. Please bring a plate for a shared lunch. Mass at 2.45pm. Visitors welcome. Enq: Angela 9275 5658 or angelmich@ bigpond.com. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AND 19 Spirituality and the Sunday Gospels: End of 3-year Liturgical Cycle 7-8pm at St Benedict’s School Hall, Alness St, Applecross. Presenter Norma Woodcock. Everyone is welcome. Cost: collection. Last two sessions. Enq: 9487 1772 or www.normawoodcock.com. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Medjugorje Evening of Prayer Group 7-9pm at St Gerard Majella Parish, 37 Changton Wy, Mirrabooka. In thanksgiving, the Medjugorje evening of prayer group meets monthly in a different parish to spread Our Blessed Mother’s messages from Medjugorje. Free DVDs on Medjugorje. Enq: 9402 2480 or 0407 471 256 email medjugorje@y7mail.com. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 TO SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Parish Mission with Robert Haddad - Theme: “I Make All Things New” Rev 21:5 At St Paul’s Catholic Church, 106 Rookwood St, Menora. Friday, 15 - 7.30pm after 6.30pm Mass: “Why we need a new Apologetics, now!” Saturday, 16 - 9.15am: “The Pope: The Prime Minister of the New Israel”; Saturday, 16 - 11am: ”The Eucharist: The Fruit of the New Tree of Life”; Saturday, 16 - 7.30pm (after 6pm Vigil Mass): “Mary: The Ark of the New Covenant” Sunday, 17 - 11am (after 9.30am Mass): “A New Pope, a New Evangelisation and a New Apologetics: What’s New and Old about Pope Francis?” Free event open to all with CDs, DVDs and books available during the Mission. Enq: 9271 5253. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 St Patrick’s Stained Glass Windows Fundraiser / Garage Sale 8am-2pm at 5 Balladong St, York. Books, bric a brac, toys, clothes, kitchen ware, furniture, many household items. Raffle event. Sausage sizzle available. Enq: Janette 9641 2253. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Toodyay Parish Celebrates 50th Anniversary 11am at St John the Baptist Parish (est 1854) Stirling Tce, Toodyay. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will concelebrate Mass at 11am followed by lunch at St Pio’s Hall. Fr Pavol Herda and the parish community cordially invite all past priests, Religious, past and present parishioners and friends to join in this celebration. RSVP October 20, Barbara Moran 9574 5786 or oliomio@iinet.net.au. Auslan Café 10.30am-12.30pm Emmanuel Centre, 25 Windsor St, Perth. Auslan Café is for anybody who would like to learn or practise Auslan (Australian Sign Language) in a fun and relaxing way. FREE. Please RSVP if you want to stay for a provided lunch. Enq: Emma or Barbara emmanuelcentre@westnet. com.au 9328 8113. Taizé Meditative Prayer 7-8pm at Sisters of St Joseph Chapel, 16 York St, South Perth. Includes prayer, song and silence in candlelight-symbol of Christ the Light of the world. Bring: A friend and a torch! Enq: Sr Maree Riddler 0414 683 926.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Healing Mass and Adoration 7-9pm at Infant Jesus Church, 47 Wellington Rd, Morley. Led by Fr Varghese Parackal VC, Director of the Vincentian Fathers. Enq: Fr Sunny 92768500, Mario and Selina 9275 0831. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Information Session: Full Camino Walk 2014 10am at Our Lady of the Mission Catholic Church, 256 Camberwarra Dr, Craigie. An itinerary has been put together to Walk the full Camino starting September 1 to October 4, 2014 starting in France and finishing in Santiago, Spain. Enq: RSVP for catering purposes 9407 8156 or Shirleyann. poulton@gmail.com. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Peranakan Community Perth - Fair 9am-2pm at Fr O’Reilly Centre, St Norbert College, 135 Treasure Rd, Queens Park. Proceeds from fair will go towards St Norbert College’s “breakfast club” to feed students who come to school without any basic nutrition; Holy Spirit Freedom Community for their Perth’s homeless, abused, poor ministry and those who have been hurt. Those interested in helping or running a stall offering anything typically Peranakan, are welcome. Enq: Fr Christopher Lim 0437 307 170 or 9458 2729. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Talk - Creating a Life-giving Culture for Family Life 7.30-9pm at St Thomas More Parish, 100 Dean Rd, Bateman. Our series of talks keynote speaker is Dominican Sr Margaret Scharf. Based in California for 18 years offering retreats, most recently in Safety Bay. Enq: Sr Ann Cullinane 0418 130 200 or 9310 8248. Eucharistic Adoration with Holy Trinity Community 7pm at St Benedict Catholic Church, corner Canning Hwy and Ardross St, Ardross. Start with praise and worship. Enq: Yunita 0412 677 568, Bryan: 0406 671 388. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 Day With Mary 9am-5pm at Corpus Christi Church, 43 Lochee St, Mosman Park. Day of prayer and instruction based on the Fatima message. 9am-Video;10.10am holy Mass; Reconciliation, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration, sermons on Eucharist and on Our Lady, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Enq: 9250 8286.
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.
Cathedral Cafe Cathedral Cafe is now open every Sunday 9.30am1pm 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 on admin@stdenis.com.au. Mass with Sign Language Interpreter and PowerPoint 9.30am at St Francis Xavier Church, 23 Windsor St, East Perth. Enq: Voice-9328 8113, TTY-9328 9571, 0401 016 399 or www.emmanuelcentre.com.au. Tridentine Mass 8.30am at The Good Shepherd Church, 42 Streich Ave, Kelmscott. On Sunday, Dec 1, Mass will be celebrated by Emeritus Archbishop BJ Hickey. Enq: John 9390 6646. EVERY FIRST SUNDAY Singles Prayer and Social Group 7pm at All Saints Chapel, Allendale Sq, 77 St Georges 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 on 9344 7066.
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
EVERY THIRD SUNDAY Oblates of St Benedict’s 2pm at St Joseph’s Convent, York St, South Perth. We welcome all who are interested in studying the Rule of St Benedict and its relevance to the everyday life of today for laypeople. Vespers and afternoon tea conclude our meetings. Enq: Secretary 9457 5758. Divine Mercy Hour 3pm at St Pius X Church, 23 Paterson St, Manning. There will be Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy prayers, Rosary and Benediction. Please join us in prayer. Enq: Mrs K Henderson 9450 4195. EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY Shrine Time for Young Adults 18-35 Years 7.30-8.30pm at 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: shrinetimemtrichon@gmail.com. Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life 2-3pm at Infant Jesus Parish, Wellington St, Morley. Includes Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, silent prayer, scripture, prayers of intercession. Come and pray that those discerning vocations can hear clearly God’s call. EVERY LAST SUNDAY 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 For You My Soul is Thirsting (Psalm 62:1) 7pm at St Thomas Parish, 2 College Rd, Claremont. Tend to your thirst for God. Begins with Adoration, then 7.45pm - Evening Prayer; 8pm - Communion Service and Night Prayer. Come to the whole thing, or just to a part! Enq: Michelle: 0404 564 890.
LAST MONDAY 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 0435 252 941. 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. Bible Study at Cathedral 6.15pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Sq, Perth. Deepen your faith through reading and reflecting on holy Scripture with Fr Jean-Noel Marie. Meeting room beneath Cathedral. Enq: 9223 1372. Holy Hour - Catholic Youth Ministry 5.30pm at Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary St, Highgate. Mass followed at 6.30pm with Holy Hour. Enq: 9422 7912 or admin@cym.com.au. 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 at St Thomas More Parish, Dean Rd, Bateman. Accompanied by Exposition, then Benediction. Enq: George 9310 9493 or 6242 0702 (w). Miracle Prayers 7.30pm at 67 Howe St, Osborne Park. An opportunity to receive prayers for healing of mind, body and soul. Enq: miracleprayers@ disciplesofjesus.org or Michelle 0404 028 298. 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 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 Holy Hour Prayer for Priests 7-8pm at Holy Spirit Parish, 2 Keaney Pl, City Beach. All welcome. Enq: Linda 9341 3079. 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. FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY Social Dinner (Young Adults aged up to 35) and Rosary Cenacle 6.30pm at St Bernadette’s Church, 49 Jugan St, Mt Hawthorn. Begins at 6.30pm with dinner at a local restaurant, followed at 8pm by a Rosary Cenacle, short talk and refreshments at the Church. Great way to meet new people, pray and socialise! Enq: 9444 6131 or st.bernadettesyouth@gmail.com. EVERY SECOND THURSDAY RCPD Charismatic Prayer, Bible Study and Teaching 6-7.30pm, 2 King St, Coogee. Enq: Eva 0409 405 585. EVERY FRIDAY Eucharistic Adoration at Schoenstatt Shrine 10am at Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Dr, Mt Richon. Includes holy Mass, Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, silent adoration till 8.15pm. 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. Eucharistic Adoration - Voice of the Voiceless Ministry 7.30-9pm at St Brigid’s Parish, 211 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. Eucharistic Adoration, beginning with praise and worship; and reflection to the scriptures. All welcome. Enq: adrianluke1999@ yahoo.com.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 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. 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. Catholic Faith Renewal Evening 7.30pm at Sts John Paul Parish, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. There will be songs of praise, prayer, sharing by a priest, then thanksgiving Mass and light refreshments. Enq: Ivan 0428 898 833 or Ann 0412 166 164 or catholicfaithrenewal@gmail. com. Communion of Reparation All Night Vigils 7pm-1.30am at Corpus Christi Church, Loch St, Mosman Park or St Gerard Majella Church, cnr Ravenswood Dr/Majella Rd, 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. EVERY SECOND FRIDAY 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. RCPD Charismatic Prayer, Bible study/ teaching 6–7.30pm, 2 King St, Coogee. Enq: 0409 405 585. Nov 13, ‘History of Mary’s Apparitions’ DVD. Dec 11, God’s ‘Destiny of the Nations’ DVD and Intercession. EVERY SATURDAY Teachers, Parents and Friends Mission Outreach 10am at Morley Parish Centre, 47 Wellington Rd, Morley. Meet during school terms. Primary English teachers and prospective aides offer their services for a small remuneration and donations from the tuition are distributed to missionaries. “Come and See” sessions are offered. Enq: Maggie 9272 8263, margaretbox7@icloud.com.
Children’s Religious Education Program (Pre-Primary and Year One) 11am–12.30pm at Our Lady Queen of Poland Parish, 35 Eighth Ave, Maylands. The official Perth Archdiocese Parish Religious Education Program gives an opportunity to children attending non-Catholic schools age-appropriate religious education in a creative and fun environment. Families outside of Maylands welcome. Enq: Hayley 0423 008 500. EVERY FIRST SATURDAY Vigil for Life – Mass and Procession 8.30am at St Augustine 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. Mission Rosary Making at the Legion of Mary 9.30am-2pm at 36 Windsor St, East Perth. All materials are supplied. The Rosaries made are distributed to the schools, missions and those who ask for a Rosary. Please join us and learn the art of Rosary making on rope and chain. Enq: 0478 598 860. EVERY SECOND SATURDAY Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Succour) and Divine Mercy Chaplet (Chant) 8.30am at Our Lady of the Mission Parish, Whitford, 270 Camberwarra Dr, Craigie. Holy Mass at 8.30am followed by Novena. Enq: Margaret 9307 2776. EVERY FOURTH SATURDAY Voice of the Voiceless Healing Mass 11.30am 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 and Evangelisation (National Code 51452). Enq: Jane 9202 6859. AA Alcoholics Anonymous Is alcohol costing you more than just money? Enq: AA 9325 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 ssraperth@catholic.org. Enrolments, Year 7, 2014 La Salle College now accepting enrolments for Year 7, 2014. For prospectus and enrolment, please contact college reception on 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 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. Donate Online at www. ginginchitteringparish.org.au. Abortion Grief Association Inc A not-for-profit association is looking for premises
CLASSIFIEDS
therecord.com.au November 6, 2013
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CLASSIFIEDS Deadline: 11am Monday BEAUTY
PILGRIMAGES
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.
RESERVE YOUR SEATS FOR THE CANONISATION OF BLESSED POPE JOHN PAUL II AND BLESSED POPE JOHN XXIII. Pilgrimage to Italy and France (covering Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni Rotondo, Lourdes, Paris) from April 24 to May 15, 2014. Contact Fr Quynh at St Mary’s Cathedral: 9223 1371 / 0406 662065. Email: frquynhpilgrimage@gmail.com.
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.
RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS RICH HARVEST - YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, Baptism and Wedding candles, 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 vestments, Australianmade, embroidered and appliquéd. Contact Vickii for a quote - 08 9402 1318, 0409 114 093 or kinlarvestments@gmail.com.
FOR SALE RETIREMENT VILLAGE OPPORTUNITIES in Albany 4 new, 2-bedroom Independent Living Units with garage. Close proximity to church and all city amenities. From $230,000 to $295,000. Contact: Board of Management (08) 98474303 email: manager@stjosephslodge. com.au.
WORK WANTED TERTIARY-EDUCATED OLDER WOMAN seeking P/T work to supplement pension - secretarial, administrative, research, editing, tutoring. 9387 8605.
WANTED Daily Missal Circa 1958. Please phone 9470 6563.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE TREASURES OF THE PROMISED LAND. Book your seats for the pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel from: March 14-27, 2014, November 17-30, 2014. For details on above and other tours to: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Germany, Spain and Portugal (Fatima) Turkey and Greece, South America region, Asia region. Please email Sheila or Sue at info@alternativeevents.net or leave message for us on 08 6461 6183. Call or text on 0433 77 1979 / 0421 835 408. 17 DAYS: POLAND (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY), LOURDES, FATIMA, AND MEDJUGORJE. Departs Perth on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. Spiritual Director: Fr Emmanuel Tv Dimobi. 15 DAYS: CANONISATION OF TWO POPES: JOHN XXIII AND JOHN PAUL II, ROME, BARCELONA, MONTSERRAT MONASTERY, LOURDES AND FATIMA. Departs Perth on Thursday, April 24, 2014. Spiritual Director: Fr Vinh Dong. 17 DAYS: CANONISATION OF TWO POPES: JOHN XXIII AND JOHN PAUL II, ROME, SHRINES OF ITALY AND POLAND. Departs Perth on Thursday, April 24, 2014. Spiritual Director: Fr Irek Czech SDS. 16 DAYS: PETRA/ AMMAN, HOLY LAND AND MEDJUGORJE. Departs Perth on Saturday, September 6, 2014. Spiritual Director: Fr Nicholas Nweke. 12 DAYS: PETRA/AMMAN AND HOLY LAND. Departs Perth on Saturday, September 6, 2014. Spiritual Director: Fr Dariusz Basiaga SDS.
20 DAYS: POLAND, ITALY, LOURDES AND (PARIS OPTIONAL). Departs Perth on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Spiritual Director: Fr Tadeusz Seremet SDS. Call: Francis Williams on T: 9459 3873, M: 0404 893 877. Email: perthfamily888@gmail.com. Skype ID: perthfamily88.
SERVICES BRENDAN HANDYMAN SERVICES Home, building maintenance, repairs and renovations. NOR. Ph 0427 539 588. PAINTERS IN PERTH since 1933. AJ Cochrane & Sons 08 9248 8211.
C R O S S W O R D
BRICK RE-POINTING Ph Nigel 9242 2952. BOB’S PAINTING Registered and insured. Free quotes 0422 485 433 www.bobthepainter.com. au. PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD For all commercial and strata property requirements. Ph 9444 1200. VAN REYK MEDIATIONS Alternative Dispute Resolution. Contact Lisha Van Reyk on 0404 290 778.
FURNITURE REMOVAL ALL AREAS. Competitive rates. Mike Murphy Ph 0416 226 434.
PETITION NOVENA PRAYER TO ST JUDE O Holy St Jude apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power come to my assistance. Help me my present urgent petition and I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Three Our Father, three Hail Mary and three Glory be. St Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen.
ACROSS 1 Last word 3 ___ Pio 6 Bible book about the early Christians 8 Month of the Assumption (abbr) 9 Deborah sat under this tree (Judg 4:4-5) 11 Reverent attitude 12 “___ Dimittis” 13 Father, in the Bible 14 Catholic convert, actress Dunaway 15 James was mending these when Jesus called him (Mk 1:19) 17 Roman emperor who persecuted Christians 19 Solemn holy day 22 Day dedicated to Marian devotions (abbr) 23 Bk of the Pentateuch 24 Lot moved to this city (Gen 13:12) 27 Prayer counter 29 Satan’s realm 30 US state in which the Diocese of Nashville is found 33 Agape ___ 34 He gave up his birthright to his brother 35 Where Jerusalem was 36 Sign of papal office 37 Jonah was thrown into this 38 One of the three in 1 Cor 13:13 39 Sacred music 40 Patron saint of Norway DOWN 2 Fourth book of the Bible 3 Hemingway, convert to Catholicism, as known to his friends
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Continued from Page 18 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. Pilgrimage: Following Christ and His Saints Fr Tim Deeter and Fr Michael Rowe will lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Italy, Jan 6-31, 2014. Israel and Jordan, Rome, Subiaco, Genazzano, Norcia and Cascia in Italy. $7,850 from Perth is allinclusive except your drinks and souvenirs. Enq: casapgf@iinet.net.au or 9271 5253. Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation Competition Create a viral 30-second video that will promote Acts 2 College of Mission & Evangelisation and win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 2.7” 8GB Wi Fi. Enq: 9202 6859 or http://acts2come.wa.edu.au. Free Rosaries For The Missions If you or anybody you know are going to the missions and would like to send or take rosaries to spread the faith local or overseas or for school or first Holy Communion please contact Felicia 0429 173 541 or Hiep 0409 128 638.
PERPETUAL ADORATION Would You Not Watch One Hour with Me? Adoration - St Jerome’s, Spearwood Adorers are needed. Please contact Mary 0402 289 418. Holy Hour Slots at St Bernadette’s, Glendalough “Every Holy Hour we make so pleases the Heart of Jesus that it will be recorded in heaven and retold for all eternity” ~ Blessed Mother Teresa. Adorers needed for: Sundays 4-5am; Monday 2-3am and 3-4am; Thursday 4-5pm; and Friday 12 noon to 1pm. If you would like one of these hours or would like more information please call the parish office Enquiries: 9444 6131. Ever thought about volunteering for work in an office dealing with people with disability? Learn new skills like getting out newsletters, data entry, filing and interacting with people. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 9am-3pm. Training provided. Enq: Barbara Harris, Coordinator of Emmanuel Centre 9328 8113, TTY 9328 9571, emmanuelcentre@ westnet.com.au or 25 Windsor St, Perth, 6000.
Resource Centre For Personal Development 2014 Courses 197 High St, Fremantle. RCPD2 ‘Successful Relationships, Emotional Intelligence/ Communication Skills’; RCPD3 Part1 ‘Health – Mental, Physical and Spiritual’ ‘Understanding and Healing the Consequences of Emotional and Sexual Abuse’ Lecture and Discussion; RCPD11 ‘Therapeutic Workshop’; RCPD7 Part1 ‘Psychology and Christian Spirituality’; RCPD7 Part2 ‘Exorcists and Psychiatrists’. Volunteers required for Op/Shop Drop-In Centre. Enq: 9418 1439, 0409 405 585 www.rcpd.net.au.
PANORAMA
Deadline: Every Friday, the week before the edition, by 5pm. Panorama entries to be a max of 55 words so all notices sent to us can be included.
W O R D S L E U T H
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French-Canadian Catholic singing phenomenon The day of the Resurrection Given name of Mother Teresa Commandment that forbids taking God’s name in vain Not ordained Peter cast one out Jesus’ description of the Pharisees (Mt 23:27) Adam and Eve were afraid because they were this Lifeless biblical sea ___ Domini Reuben or Gad, for example NT epistle The Diocese of Thunder Bay is here Husband of Mary He went to heaven in a whirlwind In Mt 12:25, Jesus said this divided could not stand Father of Hophni and Phinehas Father of Cain Funeral ___
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
CHILDREN BOOKS
NOW IN STOCK Two lines of caption goes here. Avoid flat description. PHOTO: ATTRIBUTION HERE
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Rhona Davies • Illustrated by Marcin Piwowarski
ST PAUL EVERYDAY BIBLE
RRP: $20 This new Children’s Bible has been retold with a continuous thread. There are 365 stories, each accompanied by Bible quotations from a real Bible translation, giving readers a taste of the language and style of the original texts in translation. Includes an easily accessible encyclopaedia at the end of the book, which helps to explain the context and background to the stories, along with stylish illustrations. A wonderfully readable Bible for older children.
BIBIANA KWARAMBA Bookshop Manager
Telephone: 9220 5912 Email: bookshop@therecord.com.au Address: 21 Victoria Square, Perth 6000