The Record Newspaper 09 March 2006

NEARLY HERE: EWTN Catholic satellite TV comes to Australia

The Parish. The Nation. The World.

REAL HEROES Anna Krohn compares official and real Oz virtues VISTA 4

WOMEN IN CHURCH

PM opens UNDA Sydney

“A dream clearly meant to be realised”

The University of Notre Dame Australia owes a debt of gratitude to both the Prime Minister, John Howard, and the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, for their “support and encouragement” in the university’s establishment in Sydney, says the university’s vicechancellor, Dr Peter Tannock.

“Cardinal Pell’s vision for the rejuvenation of St Benedict’s and also Sacred Heart Parish at Darlinghurst has enabled Notre Dame to establish itself in Sydney,” he said at the official opening of the Broadway campus last Friday March 3.

Prime Minister John Howard said at the opening that it was “a great day in the role of the Catholic Church in the education of Australia”.

“Credit goes to the Catholic Church as for more than 100 years they had to maintain their education system without financial support,” he said.

“I hope the university goes from strength to strength and I wish all who learn and teach here great success in their lives after university.”

Cardinal Pell told guests that the opening of the Catholic university campus was a “true reason for celebration”.

“We celebrate with human optimism and Christian hope,” he said.

“It has been my privilege to be associated in some way or other with universities for over 40 years.

“I therefore know something of the highs and the lows, the solid achievement and missed opportunities of university life.”

Cardinal Pell said Notre Dame would “always be linked to Catholicism” because of “her constitution” and the location of the campus, on one of the oldest parish sites in Australia.

“More than ever our society needs to hear cogent arguments for moral realism, truth claims, the uniqueness of the human person and the reality of the Transcendent,” he said.

“Such is one task of a Catholic university.” He said he hoped the university would be “serious about the getting of wisdom”.

Continued on Page 10

Photos of official opening: Vista 2-3

DAWESVILLE CELEBRATES

Fire destroys Highgate hall

Centre was almost destroyed by fire on Sunday March 5, taking with it many of the parish’s documents and religious resources.

With the continuing growth of Mandurah a new parish has been formed, worshipping in a school and under the patronage of Blessed Damien of Molokai.

Parishioners who were in the adjoining Church were the first to notice the blazing building at about 3.30pm, and alerted parish priest Fr Peter Bianchini. “By the time anyone noticed, it was too late. As I stood there and watched, I knew there was nothing I could do,” said Fr Bianchini. No one was

inside the building when it burnt, however, Fr Bianchini said he was upset to find all office equipment, Catechetical

Lesmurdie Church sign vandalised

■ By Sylvia Defendi

The two metre high and four metre wide sign-post, located at the front of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Lesmurdie, was destroyed by an explosion late on February 23.

Parishioners, who lived over a kilometre away from the Church, were alarmed to hear the loud noise from the blast.

“The bomb dislodged one of the four panels spraying metal all over the road. Everyone was really worried that someone may have been hurt,” commented Parish secretary, Mrs Leigh May.

“I was devastated to realise that it was our parish sign that had been destroyed by the loud bang. The whole parish community was shocked, many were simply wondering why anyone would want to execute something so destructive on a parish such as ours,” said Mrs May.

Mrs May said the sign, which had interchangeable letters, was often tampered with by roaming vandals, adding that “destroying the sign was another thing altogether.”

While the parish community have voiced their concern, a spokesman for the Kalamunda District Police stated, “There was no evidence of a discriminatory motive behind the attack.”

“Other signs have been attacked in the area, but no one is sure whether there are links between those and this recent attack on our Church,” said Mrs May.

Reflecting on the recent attempt to burn down

Continued on page 7

Continued on page 7

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

■ By Emma Logan courtesy of The Catholic Weekly, Sydney

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Highgate’s heritage listed Sacred Heart Office and Meeting

material and St Vincent De Paul records, that were being stored there, destroyed.

Vandalism: Linda Murray and Sr Catherine O’Connor RSM in front of the destroyed parish sign on Wednesday.

Burnt out: hymnals destroyed by last weekend’s fire in Highgate’s parish hall. Melted chairs are in the background.

EWTN expands in Australia

■ By Paul Gray

American Catholic TV network EWTN hopes to roll out a major expansion of its satellite service to Australia, after a deal with a Sydney-based television service.

In what has been described as a major breakthrough for Catholic evangelism in Australia, the proposed roll-out would allow 24-hour a day, seven-day a week EWTN coverage in Australian homes, using a small satellite dish that does not require homeowners to secure permission from their local Council before installing.

Founded by Catholic nun Mother

Angelica 25 years ago, the Eternal Word Television Network has been a successful counterweight to more numerous Protestant television ministries broadcasting internationally from the United States.

EWTN currently broadcasts in a limited format through community TV stations such as Access 31 in Perth, and on CCTV, linked to Foxtel.

Under a new arrangement with the Sydney-based Italian Television Service, the full EWTN broadcast service is now to be made available around Australia.

Perth woman Moira Kirkwood, who has promoted EWTN as a personal apostolate since retirement, says that until now, the size of satellite dishes and the need for

local government approval before installing large dishes on the roofs of homes, have acted as disincentives for many people interested in the service.

But under the Italian Television Service arrangement, the full EWTN broadcast is to be available on an 80cm dish which can be installed on home roofs without the need for approval from local councils, she says.

Moira Kirkwood says EWTN has proven highly successful in bringing about conversions to the Catholic faith. “There is evidence from all over the world that this changes lives,” she says.

Under the new arrangement, customers can buy a dish costing $649, which also covers the price

of the first year’s EWTN coverage. Subsequent coverage will cost around $100 a year. Until now, full time EWTN coverage has required the purchase of a three-metre satellite dish, costing around $1000 and requiring Council approval.

In the United States, EWTN is a free service supported by voluntary donations.

Moira Kirkwood says that although American, EWTN is making concerted efforts to include international content on its broadcasts, with a number of Australian Catholics closely involved.

She said people interested in the new arrangement with EWTN should contact the Sydney office of the Italian Television Service on Freecall 1300 659 022.

Alpha courses an opportunity revealing God’s love

■ By Jamie O’Brien

Many Australians are looking for purpose and direction in life, and this could be supplemented by an Alpha course.

The comments were made at Alpha’s Breakfast launch at Claremont Baptist Church last week, where, together with 100 other churches, WA co-ordinators Jeff and Miranda Miller explained how Alpha will work and what a Catholic parish can do to be involved.

The invitation to come to an Alpha course is for everyone, said Archdiocesan Representative Carol Wright. Alpha courses have been conducted in Australia for over ten years. “They are especially good for those wanting to investigate

Christianity, or people who have recently come to the Church,” Mrs Wright said.

“In his inaugural homily, Pope Benedict XVI said that the purpose of our lives is to reveal God to men.”

Mrs Wright, who is from Our Lady of Grace Parish North Beach, said she has personally witnessed the Alpha course fostering this mission to evangelise and assist others in their personal relationship with Jesus, “while at the same time promoting an ecumenical togetherness,” she said.

“I believe that Alpha creates the opportunity in a very relaxed environment.”

While it is not liturgy based, said

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Mrs Wright, Alpha gives people the chance to find answers to their questions about life.

The course is for one night a week over ten weeks, addressing key issues relating to the Christian faith.

“I have personally experienced the dramatic impact on faith development and unity in every Alpha course I have been involved with since 2002.

“The enthusiasm and joy truly bear witness to the work of the Holy Spirit.”

For more information, visit the website at www.perth.alphainvitation.com or contact Carol Wright on 9448 9084 or 041 994 8411.

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Alpha Breakfast: Participants pray at an ecumenical gathering for the Alpha launch at Claremont Baptist Church.

Mother Angelica is the founder of the EWTN.

Photo CNS

Sydney welcomes Pregnancy Helpline policy

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Sydney’s Life Office has applauded Prime Minister John Howard’s announcement of a new multimillion-dollar initiative to support pregnancy assistance providers.

The Life Office said on March 2 that professional counselling, independent of abortion providers, would “provide women with the information that might not otherwise be available to them”.

The federal initiative will establish a National Pregnancy Support Telephone Helpline, which will pro-

vide professional and non-directive advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week; as well as grant Medicarefunded counselling opportunities to pregnancy assistance providers.

Women who had been pregnant in the previous 12 months would also be eligible for the counselling service. “The initiative will improve the availability of timely, confidential, professional pregnancy counselling for Australian women and their partners, including those in rural and remote areas,” stated a federal information brochure.

Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Tony Abbott proposed the initiative shortly after the RU486

Fr Michael marks his silver jubilee

■ By Fr Robert O’Bryan

People were standing in the aisles as the Silver Jubilee of Fr Michael Morrissey was celebrated at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Geraldton on January 29.

Visitors from New Zealand joined Bishop Justin Bianchini, together with fellow priests and many of his family and friends, to celebrate this milestone in Fr Morrissey’s ministry to the Geraldton Diocese.

Using the readings especially chosen by him for the celebration, Fr Morrissey explained how his love for God, and God’s love for him, had increased over the years.

“The readings, while they may not sound all that cheerful, signify many of the highs and lows of my ministry, both within my own journey and in the many people I have met during my Ministry”, he said.

“The Sacraments and rituals within the Church are a great source for getting to know and love God more and more.

“While funerals are often very sad, especially when one dies tragically, even by their own hand or that of domestic violence, they really show me the presence of a loving God.”

Bishop Bianchini spoke of Fr Morrissey’s dedication to the many positions he held in the diocese, especially as the Chancellor and adviser.

Fr Morrissey was born in Yalgoo in 1952 and was on one of five chil-

dren born to Harry and Margaret Morrissey.

After completing his secondary education at Aquinas College, Perth Fr Morrissey started studying for the priesthood at St Charles Seminary Guilford, before transferring to St Francis Xavier Adelaide, to complete his formal studies. He was ordained for the Geraldton Diocese by Bishop Francis Xavier Thomas DD at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Geraldton on January 31 1981. Fr Morrissey’s first appointment was to Bluff Point as Assistant Priest, until 1983 where he was appointed as Assistant Priest at South Hedland.

Fr Morrissey remained in the Hedland area until 1985, except for a short stint in Bluff Point, before accepting the role as Parish Priest in Karratha in 1986.

In 1992 he was appointed administrator of the Cathedral Parish where he still serves with the added role of Chancellor.

During his 25 years as priest Fr Morrissey has held many responsibilities including Chaplain to St Patrick’s College, Army Reserve Chaplain, and Diocesan Director on the Clergy Life and Ministry.

He has also served for many years on the Council of Priests as a member, and is currently secretary and chairman. He is also a Consultor for the Diocese of Geraldton, and is the Bishop’s representative on the Board of Nagle Catholic College.

debate, as a way of reducing Australia’s 90,000 abortions a year, adding, “There is a clear national consensus that the abortion rate is too high.”

According to the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute, 73% of Australians think the abortion rate is too high and 87% would like to see it reduced. However, 58% would not know where to refer a woman

for alternative services. “The government’s move to offer pregnancy support counselling is a long overdue and most welcome initiative,” said The Nationals’ Leader, Senator Ron Boswell. “Counselling will inevitably demonstrate that there are positive alternatives to abortion in Australia,” he said.

“We pride ourselves on being a compassionate society, yet until

today, those 90,000 women had virtually no professional independent advice they could turn to for support, assistance and information,” said Senator Boswell.

These new measures are expected to cost $51 million over four years.

The Medicare-funded item will commence on November 1, 2006 and the Hotline will commence within nine months.

Victoria to consider decriminalisation of abortion

Victoria’s Labor Premier, Steve Bracks, has confirmed that the decriminalisation of abortion will be on his Government’s agenda if it is re-elected later this year.

The confirmation concludes years of speculation over whether or not pro-abortion lobby groups strongly linked with the Left of the Victorian Labor Party would eventually force abortion on to the Victorian Government’s legislative agenda during the Premiership of Mr Bracks.

In Victoria, abortion is allowed under a judicial ruling, the 1969 Menhennitt ruling, which permits abortion to protect the life or health of a woman. However the right to abortion is not specifically guaranteed under state legislation, a state of affairs which has long-rankled with pro-abortion feminists.

Mr Bracks’ confirmation that a re-elected Labor Government would consider enshrining abortion rights in Victorian law came after several days of newspaper speculation over moves by a pro-abortion Labor member of the Victorian Parliament, Carolyn Hirsch, to put a private members’ bill before parliament.

Mr Bracks, who is a Catholic, reportedly pressed Ms Hirsh not to put up the bill, which she then withdrew. Pressed by the news media to explain his actions, Mr Bracks said he would not reveal details of a private discussion among colleagues, but said that if re-elected, his Government would consider abortion decriminalisation.

Following the recent RU 486 debate in Federal Parliament, Victoria’s abortion laws thus look set to become the next major target for abortion campaigners.

Perth to host RE educators conference

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Perth has been chosen to host the 2006 biennial Australian Association for Religious Education National Conference from October 1-4.

Planned to be held at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, the Conference aims to unite national and international religious educators and those working in the fields of education, spirituality, ethics and philosophy.

It also hopes to facilitate the exchange of research, experiences and opinions between different religious educators.

“Ultimately, the purpose of this conference is to form better religious educators. It is our children who will benefit most,” said State

JOHN HUGHES

President of the AARE, Chris Callus. The Conference attracts over 200 Australian and international delegates of different religious traditions, who come from a variety of primary and secondary schools, universities, and other education related institutions.

“In addition to providing qual-

JohnHughes

CHOOSE YOUR DEALER BEFORE YOU CHOOSE YOUR CAR

ity professional development of an international standard, we see this Conference as a vehicle by which we might reach out to, and forge links with, all religious educators in our State,” said Mr Callus.

Keynote international guest speakers will include Dr Robert Wilhelm (from the US) and Marion Agombar from the Centre for Research and Development of Religious Education in the United Kingdom.

“This Conference will offer the opportunity to explore the means by which we might empower our students to discover their mission or calling in life.

“Few would disagree that helping students find a sense of purpose and meanings of life is of critical importance,” commented Mr Callus

I’m John Hughes, WA’s most trusted car dealer

Do I guarantee that when people come to do business with me, they will be treated with courtesy, sincerity, professionalism and ef ciency?

I say “I want your business and I m prepared to pay for it” and “I stand behind every car I sell”. Is that really true?

Is it true that I have over 40 technicians who are dedicated to getting my used cars in rst class condition before sale?

Is it true that every year for the last 17 consecutive years I ve been Australia s top selling Hyundai dealer?

Is it true that if somebody buys a used car from me, I will pay for a pre-purchase RAC or similar inspection?

I have a warehouse selling cars under $10,000. Is it true that I offer a full money back guarantee within one week?

AARE State President Chris Callus.

Twenty five years a priest: Fr Michael Morrissey cuts the cake at his silver jubilee celebration of ordination to the priesthood.

Dawesville celebrates in new mass centre

Dawesville Parish chose Ash Wednesday to celebrate its first liturgy in the parish’s new Mass centre.

Dawesville Catholic Primary School, which celebrated its own inaugural Mass in February 2005, will serve the parish as a Mass centre until it can build its Church.

Bishop Gerard Holohan, bishop of Bunbury, concelebrated the liturgy with Parish priest Fr Leon Russell and Mandurah Parish Priest Fr Ian Johnson. Approximately 200 people attended the Mass in the undercover assembly area of the new School which has been set aside as a sacred space for Masses and liturgies.

Fr Leon Russell said that he was grateful to the Catholic Education Office and Director Ron Dullard in Perth for providing the facility. He was also appreciative of the cooperation of Principal Steve Dowie and the school board with the parish community.

Catholics in Falcon and Dawesville were originally part of the Mandurah Parish. With the growth of Mandurah, particularly in the southern corridor, Bishop Holohan suggested a southern Mass Centre.

Falcon Community Hall was

used as a temporary Mass Centre with the first Mass being celebrated there on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2003.

About 14 months ago Bishop Holohan declared a new parish of Dawesville under the patronage of Blessed Damien of Molokai with Fr

Leon Russell as the Parish Priest,.

At about the same time the CEOWA began building a k-7 school on land donated by the Perry Family with room on the plans for a future church.

The area now used for Mass is sufficiently enclosed to protect eve-

ryone from the elements.

Father Russell also thanked the Mandurah Council for the use of the Falcon hall and the South Mandurah Uniting Church “who openly and generously shared their church and community room with us whenever needed.”

He said worship would continue at the school until such time as a Church is built.

- from information supplied by Kaye Seeber

Sister helps girls to achieve a tertiary education

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Sr Zabibu Ndimbo, from Tanzania, landed in Perth on March 1 with a mission to raise awareness of the desperate plight of young pregnant girls in her district.

As head of the small Benedictine congregation in Riroda, Sr Zabibu has been aware of the steadily decreasing number of girls from the village entering university. Speaking through an interpreter, Sr Zabibu commented, “last year, 80 girls did not complete high school due to unwanted pregnancies, meaning that none from our village made it through to tertiary education.”

“Young people come from all over the country to complete high school. The problem is that there is no school based accommodation, so girls are forced to live amongst villagers - It is there that they become prey to men,” said Sr Zabibu.

Now in Perth, Sr Zabibu is assess-

ing the feasibility of building a girl’s hostel in her village of Riroda, as a safe haven for girls undertaking secondary education.

Over the next few weeks of her stay in Australia, Sr Zabibu will visit various schools and parishes across

Perth to increase awareness and raise the necessary funds.

“This is both a devastating and wide-spread problem; my hope is that if we are able to fund this project, other villages will realise just how possible it can be to assure

MacKillop college student wins a handy

scholarship, courtesy of firm

■ By Jamie O’Brien

Accounting firm RSM Bird Cameron has awarded Busselton resident and former Mackillop Catholic College student John Bruneton a $5,000 scholarship to assist him with his tertiary studies.

The scholarship was one of three on offer to Year 12 students in regional Western Australia.

The aim of the scholarship is to encourage students into the accounting profession.

This, together with work experience offered by the firm, allows students to complete their degree in

Accounting while receiving on the job training.

“RSM Bird Cameron knows how important it is to keep services in regional towns”, said Angus Smith, Principal of RSM Bird Cameron’s Busselton office.

“Anyone in business knows the challenge of recruiting and retaining staff in regional areas and, by offering this scholarship, we hope to attract people to work in the regional centres,” he said.

The scholarship was offered to Year 12 students who normally reside at least 100 kilometres from Perth and are interested in studying accounting at university.

The selection was based on academic performance as well as sporting and community involvement.

“John was an outstanding candidate as he has a strong interest in accounting and enthusiasm to learn”, said Mr Smith.

“We hope that local students are encouraged by John’s success and that they, too, will actively pursue a career within regional WA”.

Mr Bruneton will now commence his degree in accounting.

His scholarship offers $4000 per year for fees and $1000 per year for books. He will also take up a work experience placement at RSM Bird Cameron’s Busselton office.

a tertiary education for their girls,” said Sr Zabibu.

To offer direct assistance, contact Catholic Mission for more information, on 9422 7933

“This is both a devastating and wide-spread problem; my hope is that if we are able to fund this project, other villages will realise just how possible it can be to assure a tertiary education for their girls”

Keeping students on track: Sr Zabibu, stands with the school children and staff of the villiage of Riroda.

New beginnings: Bishop Gerard Holohan greets young Dawesville parishioners at the Ash Wednesday Mass, above, and prepares the blessing with Fathers Leon Russell and Ian Johnson and Acolyte Con Schaper.

Corpus Christi opens new admin building

■ By Phil Bayne

Corpus Christi College revealed its renovated Administration Building to the community on February 14.

The building was officially opened by Ron Dullard, Director of Catholic Education and was blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton. Dignitaries attending the opening ceremony included City of Melville Mayor Katherine Jackson, Simon O’Brien, MLC, Member for South Metropolitan Region, and Trevor Sprigg, MLA, Member for Murdoch.

A number of extensions were made to the building including the creation of two reception areas, open plan office space, additional offices and a refurbished staff room and uniform shop. The renovations have benefited the entire College community, with the creation of three extra classrooms and the expansion of the driveway in front of the College minimising congestion during peak traffic times before and after school.

Following the opening, the College celebrated its annual community Mass, led by Bishop Sproxton, celebrating the theme the ‘Journey of Our Students.’

“Tonight we celebrate the learning and growth journey offered by Corpus Christi College,” said Bishop Sproxton at the beginning of the Mass.

“We especially welcome our Year 8’s setting out on their journey. It is in celebration of what they might achieve over the next five years that our Year 12’s present our liturgy this evening.

“Each of our year groups are respectively further along their journey, up to our Year 11’s, who are within 12 months of taking on the senior student leadership role.

“The variety of opportunities offered by Corpus Christi College, is represented by the range of tasks undertaken by the Class of 2006 tonight.

“The learning and growth journey is so much more than simply achieving graduation. The concept of journey involves the wonder of each day and experience, not sim-

Meet Sr Philomena - Maranatha’s new director

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Following on from previous Director Fr Vincent Glynn, Sr Philomena Burrell PVBM was recently appointed as the new Director of Maranatha institute.

Located in West Leederville, the Institute offers courses, lectures, workshops and seminars for adult faith education in areas such as scripture, theology, liturgy, personal development, spirituality and ministry.

Regarding her appointment, Sr Philomena says she is delighted to pursue her interest in adult religious education. “People need to be offered more than what they may be getting at a Sunday sermon,” said Sr Philomena.

Having worked as a religious education teacher in secondary and tertiary institutions, Sr Philomena believes there is a great need for further religious education in an adult setting. “There is definitely a

Director:

demand for the courses – those who have enrolled, really appreciated the opportunity to expand on their faith,” commented Sr Philomena.

As the new Director, Sr Philomena has plans to establish evening and night courses, to provide those who may work with an opportunity to attend.

“My wish would be that those who hear about the Institute for the first time have the courage to

inquire and try the courses that are being offered,” said Sr Philomena. Maranatha Institute has been providing the Catholic community with educational opportunities for the past 22 years; and is the Archdiocese of Perth Institute for Adult Faith Education and Formation for Ministry.

For further information email; maranatha@ceo.wa.edu.au

Whitfords parish opens new café

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Our Lady of the Mission Parish Church in Whitfords has recently adopted a new way to strengthen their parish community with the opening of Glory Be Café

Parish priest Fr Joseph officially opened the parish Café after Sunday morning Mass on February 19, with an invitation for all parishioners to attend. The Café, located in the main hall of the Parish Centre, offers its Sunday Mass parishioners and any newcomers the opportunity to enjoy coffee and cake while meeting the various members of the parish community – all for a gold coin donation.

Parishioner Pat Fraser said she instantly began meeting people who she initially thought were newcomers, only to find they had been part of the parish for several years.

“I even invited some to our first Magellan get-together on the fol-

lowing Tuesday evening,” said Ms Fraser. “We have a large parish, it is often impossible to know everyone by name,” commented Ms Fraser.

Ms Fraser believes the Café’s success was immediate and provided a much-needed “opportunity to make

new friends and acquaintances” from within the parish.

“Anyone who is visiting Our Lady of the Mission Parish should pop into the Glory Be Café - a warm welcome awaits you,” said Ms Fraser. -Information supplied by Pat Fraser.

ply the reaching of a destination.” Corpus Christi Director of Faith Formation Mike O’Meara said the evening was a wonderful community gathering and celebration of the Eucharist and the College.

(L-R) Vaughan Sadler, Principal of Corpus Christi College, Ron Dullard, Director of Catholic Education, Bishop Sproxton and Simon Bowen, Chairman of the Board, Corpus Christi College in front of the College’s Administration Building.

Photo: Phil Bayne

Enjoying a cuppa: Parishioners of Our Lady of the Mission, Whitfords make use of the Glory Be Café.

Photo: Sylvia Defendi

New

Sr Philomena Burrell PVBM has been appointed Director of the Maranatha Institue.

Photo: Sylvia Defendi

letters to the editor

Around t he tabl e dnuorA t eh lbat e

Beyond the editorial boundary

While I share the concern expressed in the editorial (The Record, March 2) and while I realise that Christians should be alert to social and political wrongs, I can’t help feeling that, for a Catholic publication, too great an emphasis has been given to what is, essentially, a political issue.

Hugh Clift

Lesmurdie

Vote Yes Evans

Having just completed reading two books entitled The Criminalization of Christianity and The ACLU versus America. I concur with Tony Evans (Letters March 2) that as practising Christians we need to voice publicly and without fear our disapproval of anti-Christian commentary and behaviour.

Christophobia, like a cancer, is eating away at the moral fibre of western society.

I predict that the film version of The Da Vinci Code to be released later this year will further exacerbate the situation.

It behoves all Christians (and Catholics in particular) to make themselves aware of the arguments against the many falsehoods on which this novel is based.

In so doing they will be able to publicly challenge the undoubted lauding this film is bound to get from the many secular Christophobes that occupy positions of so-called “film critics” in the media.

Deric Davidson Bunbury

Vote No Evans

Mr Tony Evans (Letters, March 2) may well be concerned about “the modern disease of Christophobia”. He is, however, very wide of the mark when he claims that a recent Sunday Bulletin (February 26, 2006) by Father David Hore CSSR contains a “shameful example of the disease”.

Mr. Evans wants us to believe that the use by Father David of the term ‘BCE’ in the Sunday Bulletin is an expression of Christophobia.

Could I direct Mr Evans’ attention to the journal Biblica, published by the Pontifical Biblical Commission in Rome. Could I then direct his attention a little further to

Perspectives

articles in this journal which use the term ‘BCE.’

Mr. Evans would see that in a number of articles in Biblica the term ‘BCE’ is simply a shorthand which is acceptable to scholars from different religious traditions, both Christian and non-Christian.

Could I now ask Mr. Evans if he seriously believes that by allowing the use of the term in its journal, the Pontifical Biblical Commission is engaging in a trojan-horse campaign to spread the disease of Christophobia?

Mr. Evans’ call for readers to write to the Redemptorists and complain about Father David’s use of BCE is unreasonable and unacceptable. Perhaps in the future Mr. Evans might temper his no doubt admirable zeal with proper research and some plain common sense.

In regard to the publishing of Mr Evans’ letter, I can only conclude that it was a lean week for letters to the editor. If the letter was published because it was considered to say something reasonable about a current issue, then I hope that the decision to do this was simply an isolated error of judgment on your part.

Father John Hill CSSR, Rector Redemptorist

Monastery, North Perth

The girls that might have been

To suggest, as many have, that men had no place in the recent RU486 debate smacks of tyranny. To suggest that as a man who is against abortion, I have no regard for the well-being of women is absurd.

But the well-being of a woman (or man) is about more than the empirically-measured effectiveness of a particular chemical, and that is why The Australian’s editorial (February 17) “Common sense prevails”, declaring that the decision over RU486 represented “a victory for rationality” was so misguided.

The decision by Parliament simply advanced our society another step in the direction of brutality, which sees us as simply material animals without soul or spirit.

It did this because we have now turned what are moral questions solely into scientific ones. Medical experts will decide if a drug is “safe”, with reference only to biological safety and effectiveness.

The safety of a person’s soul and spirit is not within the remit of medical experts; the spiritual damage done to a woman who can now more efficiently and privately abort does not warrant consideration in this “brave new world”.

Now that RU486 is in the hands of the TGA, I imagine it will not be long before some enlightened senator arranges for its free availability over the counter.

We will then no longer be faced with the awful reality of abortion statistics, since no one will know for certain how many pills have been sold and used. Thus, pro-choice feminists can get it off the political agenda for good.

The “victory” of the women’s lobby was one of ideology over humanity and is on the head of the unborn.

It is a pyrrhic victory in that a multitude of women who might have made enormous contributions to our society and culture will not be born; it plays into the hands of

the fanatically paranoid demographers who would limit population growth to zero; and actually limits women’s freedoms by pushing them further into the control of an allmale financial oligarchy.

The Australian’s enthusiastic, almost gushing, support for the Bill prompted me to wonder whether there are any links between the Murdoch empire and the manufacturers of the drug - links that doubtless would not be disclosed.

Dean Britton Mirrabooka

South Park action call

The New Year’s edition of The Record experienced some distribution difficulties, and as a result many Catholics missed out on information regarding the South Park cartoon “Bloody Mary” episode which was scheduled to be broadcast on SBS Television on March 6. (It has since been deferred, but not cancelled).

This program is obviously a great insult to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Pope Benedict XVI.

If similar insults were made against a prominent mother in our society, SBS would be at risk of being sued. In December 2005, this program was pulled from airing in the US at one stage due to a deluge of complaints from Catholics.

SBS Television is adamant a complaint cannot be made against a program, which has not yet been broadcast.

The program sponsor is Lion Nathan’s beer Toohey’s Extra Dry.

The names and addresses of the Lion Nathan board members, and their product brands, can be found on the website www.lionnathan. com.au.

I propose that Catholics boycott Lion Nathan products until such time as they withdraw their support of this disgusting form of “entertainment”, and you should inform them of your intentions.

SBS cannot survive without it’s sponsors and letters of protest to other major sponsors is also recommended.

Pat Shea

Mullaloo

Editor’s note:

Record reader Gillian Gonzalez writes in offering the address of Lion Nathan, the parent company of Tooheys which sponsors South Park.

Lion Nathan Ltd

Level 30

363 George St

Sydney NSW 2000

phone no 02 9290 660 and fax 02 9290 6699

SBS’s details : Fax no 02 9430 3047

Tel 1800 500727

Mail: locked bag 028

Crows nest NSW 1585

e-mail : comments@sbs.com.au

Mrs Gonzalez informs us SBS do not respond to e-mails but comments are “noted” and brought to the attention of management.

One can also visit their website sbs.com.au

and lodge a formal compalaint although this involves quoting times etc and where the Code of Practice was breached.

A syllabus of error

One would think with millennia of biblical history and 2000 years of Christian tradition and apologetics to draw upon, those responsible for transmitting the Christian influence on Western civilisation to the next generation would have no shortage of source material, even with a subject so nebulously titled ‘religious studies.’

Not so it seems, according to a report in the national newspaper. Apparently the only modern Muslim thinkers included in the revised religious studies syllabus for NSW students are two radicals, Sayyid Qutb and Sayyid Maudidi, both credited with inspiration for radical Islam, including al-Qa’ida.

Although Qutb, an Egyptian extremist, was hanged in 1966 he still exerts a powerful influence on violent Islamists, including Ayman al-Zawahiri recognised as the intellectual force behind al-Qa’ida. Maudidi founded the Islamic political party, Jamaat-e-Islami committed to a one party Islamic state in Pakistan.

David Pipes, editor of US based Middle East Forum, has expressed surprise at the syllabus choosing to focus its studies on those he describes as “totalitarians”, saying “To pick these two writers is like representing modern German culture with Marx and Hitler”.

And its not just American intellectuals who are more than a little disconcerted at the syllabus contents. Ahmad Shboul, chair of Arabic and Islamic studies at Sydney University is also perturbed, saying “…political Islamists did not fit easily within the study of religion”. Professor Abdullah Saeed, director of the centre for the study of contemporary Islam at Melbourne University also expressed disquiet and that …” the inclusion of Qutb presents more problems than it solves”.

However it seems we can all relax at these alarmist views because Catholic educationist John McGrath, who helped write the syllabus reassures us that, “Qutb was a significant figure in 20th century Islam”. That’s nice to know. I’m sure all those NSW parents will now feel happy at Mr McGrath’s observations.

Barry Morgan Samson

Remembering Jerome Lejeune

As we recently debated the abortion pill, RU-486, we might have pondered the example of a great man from the recent past. Professor Jerome Lejeune was the French research doctor who discovered the chromosome causing Down Syndrome.

In France in the 1960’s there were doctors willing to abort pregnancies if the baby had Down. Lejeune opposed this whenever possible, including on national TV. His fame

led to Lejeune being invited to address the United Nations.

His speech followed others expressing views favourable to abortion. So in his speech Lejeune said, “Here we see an institute of health turning itself into an institute of death.” That evening he phoned his wife, saying: “This afternoon I lost my Nobel Prize.” His Downs discovery would normally have guaranteed a Nobel. But, sure enough, he never got it.

Such honours are not for those who won’t knuckle under to the mentality of death-for-convenience.

The walls of his medical school were defaced by graffiti: “Tremble Lejeune! The revolutionary student movement is watching you!” and “Lejeune and his little monsters must die.”

Lejeune died on Easter Sunday 1994. Pope John Paul II commented, “If God called him from this earth on the very day of Christ’s resurrection, it is difficult not to see a coincidence in this sign.”

It would be handy if all doctors everywhere believed like Jerome Lejeune – and, like him, lived by their beliefs.

A Jago Mildura

Honouring our priests

The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday which falls on April 13 this year commemorates the institution by Christ of the Eucharist and of the Priesthood.

This year we can show our pastors that we appreciate them by giving them a gift more precious than gold.

My suggestion is for faithful to approach their priest and offer him a modest Mass stipend with the request that he offer Holy Mass this coming Holy Thursday with the following Mass intention “For our priests and for vocations in our parish”.

By so doing the whole parish will have the opportunity to become involved on this special day in praying for both its present and future needs.

Hopefully, by sharing this suggestion with your friends and relatives the idea will spread and many more parishes will join in this year and in future years.

What a threefold opportunity:

1. To thank Almighty God for His gift of the priesthood,

2. To show our gratitude to our priests for accepting His call.

3. To encourage any suitable parishioners to consider the religious life

Mary mother of the Church, look tenderly upon your sons, our priests.

Pat Ryan London

Always there

In the interest of all aborted foetuses would any daily paper print this notice in its birth column? “Born this day to eternal life, 248 unwanted souls, in God’s care”. Even a Danish newspaper wouldn’t print it.

A Eastcott Mt Nasura

A new thrill in

For the first time in Australia and New Zealand a mainstream movie distributor is promoting faith-based DVDs. Roadshow Entertainment, the leading independent distributor of video’s and DVDs in both countries, has entered into a partnership with Heritage HM to produce Christian-flavoured family entertainment.

Heritage, a Queensland company, was founded in July 2004 with a vision to produce and distribute films that celebrate life, inspire the human spirit and move people towards God. Their partnership with Roadshow has now opened the door to a national audience.

family entertainment

■ By Mark Reidy

The official launch of this partnership in October 2005 effectively pre-empted concerns expressed by Pope Benedict in his message for World Communication Day on January 24 this year.

The Pope acknowledged the power of contemporary media when he urged those involved to resist the temptation to manipulate, especially the young, and to use their influence to protect rather than erode the fabric of society. He exhorted those working in the entertainment industry to co-operate and assist parents in their vocation of raising children by presenting edifying models of human life and love.

“How disheartening and destructive it is to us all when the opposite occurs. Do not our hearts cry out, most especially when our young people are subjected to debased or false expressions of love which ridicule the God-given dignity of every human person and undermine family interest,” he said.

Heritage had similarly recognised the growing vacuum of suitable family entertainment and had already begun to produce and gather a selection of faith-based alternatives.

Realising the potential of such a market CEO Rod Hopping approached Roadshow with their selection of movies and the response was enthusiastic. The DVD range is marketed under the Divine Entertainment (DE) label.

Mr Hopping told The Record that the DE DVDs cater for all members of the family.

“We currently have animations for children, extreme sports for youth, drama for adults, documentary and other genres all aimed at delivering something for every-

“We believe that story telling through film is one of the greatest tools available to engage the human spirit and take hold of the power of the imagination. We aim to produce films that inspire audiences worldwide”

one”, he said. With the influence of Roadshow, which has distributed films such as Lord of the Rings and The Matrix movies, retail giant Target has recently committed shelf space and signage to the DE label in all its stores.

Mr Hopping was excited at the national exposure that Target’s involvement offered and by the prospect of their titles soon being available in VideoEzy and Blockbuster stores.

In a statement at their launch in October Roadshow spokeswoman Roslyn Wilson underlined the pioneering nature of the association: “Currently nobody is catering for this growing market with a consistent flow of DVDs”, she said, “Divine Entertainment… is an Australian first.”

DE expects to deliver a minimum of two new titles each month whose intent, according to their website, will be “to encourage the value of life and the thrill of adventure.”

“We believe that story telling through film is one of the greatest tools available to engage the human spirit and take hold of the power of the imagination. We aim to produce films that inspire audiences worldwide”

Some of the titles currently available are:

1. “Time Changer” – The year is 1890 and Bible Professor Russell Carlislehas written a new manuscript. His new book is about to receive a unanimous endorsement from the board members at Grace bible Seminary until his colleague, Dr Norris Anderson, has “a difficulty with something’. A creative, imaginative “tale” of what the future

would be like if Christ was separated from Christianity.

2. “Changes” and “Follow the Leader” –This special edition features two DVDs of worldclass surfers sharing their stories of how they came to believe in Jesus. Combines breathtaking surfing footage in remote locations, contemporary music and dramatic interviews.

3. “The Lazarus Phenomenon” - Riveting truelife stories of people who have died and returned to life. Events are dramatised as those involved share their life changing “glimpses of eternity”.

4. “Once Upon a Stable” – Animated children’s story of a group of animals in a stable who see a strange star in the sky and hear that a king is coming. As they prepare they barely notice the small baby that has been born. They gradually realise that there is more to him than they first thought.

5. “MSI: Miracle Scene Investigation” – reveals the fascinating facts surrounding eight modern day miracles. The deaf hearing, the lame walking, the dead being raised to life? Decide for yourself.

For more information regarding Heritage HM, Divine Entertainment, a full list of DVDs available and how to purchase them,

Children and TV: the evidence continues to mount

■ By Mark Reidy

To browse through the website of the Centre on Media and Child Health (CMCH) can be a harrowing journey into the destructive potential of television and other entertainment media. Based at the Boston Children1s Hospital in the US, CMCH is dedicated to improving the understanding of and response to the effects of media on the physical, mental and social health of children. It is also a leading advocate in

the co-ordination of international research in this area.

As part of its role to educate the public about the risk factors of inappropriate television exposure to children, the Centre compiled a catalogue of studies conducted over the past four decades.

The results include:

● Five to twelve year old boys who watched less than four hours of television per week were more affected when viewing media violence (change in blood volume and skin) than boys who watched

more than 25 hours per week. This suggested desensitisation by prior media violence (Cline, Croft & Courier, 1973).

● Children who watched more television made more attempts to influence what was purchased at the supermarket (Galst & White, 1976).

● The more television watched the less likely a child would become involved in physical activity (Durant, Baronowski, Johnson & Thomas, 1994).

● Children who watched more television at ages three to five had

lower grades at six and were perceived as being less sociable (Burton, Calonico & Mc Serveny, 1979).

● Pre-schoolers who had behavioural problems in school had watched more television than those without behavioural problems. Children who were more aggressive had watched more violent action adventure programs and less prosocial programs (Singer & Singer, 1980).

● Imaginative play increased after children saw a low action/low violence program or no television but decreased after a high action/high

violence program (Huston-Stein, Fox, Greer, Watkins & Whitaker, 1981).

● Four to six year old children engaged in more aggressive acts after watching violence in cartoons (Road Runner) and using video games (Space Invaders) (Silvern & Williamson, 1987).

● Viewing frightening television, even programs deemed appropriate for pre-schoolers, raised children1s heart rates and caused symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, such as sleep difficulties (Groer & Howell, 1990, Crum, 1994).

life, the universe and everything

Searching for truly Australian virtues

■ With Anna Krohn

In Melbourne it is only a week away from the grand opening of the Commonwealth Games.

Aqua-clad Games volunteers bounce about the city streets like bright rubber life rafts on rivers of sombre commuters. Melbourne’s homeless people have governmentfunded beds for the fortnight of the Games – but is this charity or good housekeeping?

The Games mascot is the redtailed black cockatoo – and it is around this totem that we are urged once again to rally our true-blue “Aussie spirit”. Events like this highlight how clumsy and self-conscious public demonstrations of Australian identity can be. But perhaps it is appropriate that our most recent national symbol is an endangered species.

There are many talkback callers and columnists arguing that the

“digger spirit” is dying out with the last Anzacs - that Australian “values” are in danger of being swamped by “foreign” fanatics.

The Treasurer, Peter Costello recently warned that people who do not accept these “values” do not deserve Australian citizenship.

“There are some beliefs, some values, so core to the nature of our society that those who refuse to accept them refuse to accept the nature of our society..” (The Melbourne Age 24/02/06).

So what are these “values”? How authentically “Australian” are they? How do ordinary people live by these values in the flesh and blood of their ordinary lives?

Costello has a go at compiling a list:

“Values like economic opportunity, security, democracy, personal freedom, the physical environment and strong physical and social infrastructure.”

How do you sin against “strong social infrastructure”? Is it seditious to question “economic opportunity”?

Perhaps instead of looking for a list of lofty and vague “value statements” it is more helpful to ask how real Australians actually pursue truly good and noble endsthat is to ask what virtues they have characteristically admired and demonstrated.

This last Australia Day we saw some of these virtues writ large. And it had nothing to do with the “marketing” of a committee-formulated

Australian identity. Not surprisingly the examples came from the bush. In Victoria on Australia Day, five huge bushfires around the state engulfed and incinerated at alarming speed acres of bushland and pastoral property - singeing towns and enveloping hapless stock, wildlife and many livelihoods. Three lives were lost.

Many of us “townies” who had family living in country areas were out of the 45C sun and the danger of sparks, rivetted in a rather oldtimer way to the ABC radio station which was relaying throughout the day and night, warnings, news, and co-ordination of fire rescue teams around the state.

Though these stories are as familiar as Australian history - there was

Communism and capitalism are not equal

■ Guy Crouchback

Ireceived recently a newsletter from a society (not the admirable local one) studying and promoting the work of the great Catholic writer G. K. Chesterton.

It asserted that the countries of eastern Europe, liberated from the tyranny of communism, face an even more insidious threat from “consumerism.”

This strain of writing in Chestertonian and Distributist literature, I think represents a fallacy.

Although communism is virtually dead in Europe, and in Asia communist countries are mostly transforming into plain old-fashioned police-state dictatorships, it is a fallacy still worth correcting.

It creates a mental image of communism and “consumerism” - used here, I think, to mean the same thing as “capitalism” - as somehow equal and opposite errors, between which a righteous “third way” must be found.

Communism and capitalism are not equal and opposite. This goes beyond the fact that communism sends people to the Gulag and capitalism (or “consumerism”) sometimes makes and sells things people do not really need. Certainly, at times capitalism can have an ugly face. But it can also have an extremely benevolent one, and unlike communism it has brought life, not death, all over the world.

They are not spiritually similar or comparable, and do not compete in the way that, say, the Liberal and Labor parties are competing for office.

Communism (I will not talk

There is a difference in mental universes between a capitalist dream of becoming rich thought trade, owning a large yacht, mansion and Rolls Royce, and a communist dream of reshaping humanity through the use of coercive power.

about socialism here, because it is a word with too many different meanings) is an ideology demand-

ing complete devotion, not only in the field of economics and political power, but also in the spiritual

nothing hackneyed about them. In the midst of smoke, ash and desperation, without ceremony or media consciousnes were remarkable and moving narratives of Australians abounding in virtue.

Volunteer fire fighters travelled from across the state and from NSW and Tasmania - not to watch million dollar fireworks but to risk their lives with heroic courage for the wellbeing of others against the deadly firestorms.

So many families opened their doors to the evacuated that many of the allocated public halls were empty. People of all ages and backgrounds who couldn’t fight the fires went without sleep or comfort for days preparing food and drink for strangers.

Those who had lost property were given material aid from small businesses that often struggle to survive in rural communities. Neighbours looked out for and gave hope to each other. Those who saved a little gave to those who had lost everything.

Virtues of generosity, courage, perseverence, self-sacrifice, compassion and probably large helpings of faith, hope and love.

And in the midst of this, there was that hallmark of Australian virtue - self deprecating humour.

The family who returned to their burnt out farm - and boiled a billy on the ashes of their milking shed.

Japan’s elderly hit by winter’s cold

aspect of life. It claims not only truth, but morality - morality being, according to Lenin, what serves the cause of revolution. Communism has treated those who disagreed with it not merely as wrong but evil. There is a difference in mental universes between a capitalist dream of becoming rich through trade, owning a large yacht, mansion and Rolls Royce, and a communist dream of reshaping humanity through the use of coercive power.

Capitalism is a means of production. It makes no more sense to talk of a “third way” between communism and capitalism than to talk of a third way between apples and elephants. One can talk of “atheistic communism” committing no worse logical fault than tautology. But “atheistic capitalism,” makes no more sense than atheistic steam engines. Capitalism is morally and spiritually neutral, apart from the very important fact that for it to work properly it is necessary for people to be honest and sensible, to keep their contracts and not be criminal or excessively greedy. Capitalism, or “consumerism,” cannot deliver much beyond its own field, and it should not be blamed for this, any more than we should blame the Equator for failing to teach us good manners. It cannot necessarily make people better or preserve the environment. Those are tasks for humans exercising human faculties which include moral choice, wisdom, reason and love.

The responsibility for the moral functioning of capitalist societies does not lie in the economic sphere but beyond that. It lies with the churches, the law-makers, and the individuals who make them up.

A severe winter has exposed one of Japan’s greatest challenges as it struggles to cope with the world’s most rapidly ageing population. In Minami Uonuma, a rural town northwest of Tokyo, an 89-year-old recently widowed man died after falling into a well while trying to clear snow from his yard, and a 71-year-old man, Takeo Tokozumi, fell off his roof, shattering both his heels and ending up in hospital for months. On the outskirts of the northern city of Akita, an 80-year-old widow became trapped in snow while trying to board up her windows and froze to death.

Across Japan’s northwest the snow and cold weather have been blamed in the deaths of 85 senior citizens and the injuries of more than 1000 - many of whom were living alone or with elderly spouses. The number of such people in the country has doubled over the past decade, as the tradition of living with and caring for elderly parents fades. “In my neighbourhood,” says Mr Tokozumi, “most of the households are now elderly people living without their extended families.”

The cost of government assistance to the elderly leapt 71 per cent in the decade to 2003. Last year the country experienced its first post-World War II population decline and the proportion of people 65 and over reached 20 per cent. That figure is expected to rise to 29 per cent by 2025. - FamilyEdge e-magazine

Fire strikes Highgate

Continued from page 1

“I’m just glad that our 100 year old baptism register was stored in a fire-proof safe, making it one of the few critical possessions saved,” he said.

It took fire fighters two hours to conquer the blaze, leaving a severely singed office building by 5.30pm.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, however Fr Bianchini believes it may have been an accidental electrical fire.

“Financially, this could not have come at a worse time. The parish community is in the middle of fundraising for the restoration and maintenance of the Church, this disaster will definitely slow down the process,” commented Fr Bianchini.

Having celebrated the Church’s centenary merely a week ago, Fr Bianchini said the destruction was also a personal loss for the parish community.

“Many of the parishioners have memories attached to this building – various parish groups have held meetings in here for years,” said Fr Bianchini.

“Structurally, we are still waiting to know the true extent of the damage, however, it looks as though it may have to go. Until then, we will endeavour to erect a temporary demountable,” stated Fr Bianchini.

Aid speaker heads to Perth

Simon Stroud is coming to Perth, from March 8-16, to speak and answer queries, regarding the mission of Caritas Australia for 2006.

Having worked with Caritas partners in Southern and Eastern Africa, as well as in Latin America, Mr Stroud will provide an update

on all Caritas programs, particularly those concerning the rapid spread of HIV/Aids.

“There is still so much to be done to improve living conditions for communities,” said Mr Stroud.

Mr Stroud will also address the promise made by world leaders to reverse the spread of HIV/Aids by 2015, and what Caritas is doing to meet the Millennium Development Goals settled upon by world leaders in recent meetings.

Seminars will be held on:

• March 8, at the Christian Centre for Social Action. Bookings: 9472 4227

• March 14. Catholic Youth Ministry, Highgate. Bookings: 9422 7912

• March 16 – morning. Seminar Room, 40A Mary St, Highgate. Bookings: 9422 7925

• March 16 – evening. Board Room, 40A Mary St, Highgate. Bookings 9422 7925

Caritas steps in to provide support

Caritas Australia is providing psychological trauma support programs in the Solomon Islands where people have suffered years of violence and civil unrest.

In recent years, people have been forced to flee their homes, have been terrorised and have watched while their loved ones were beaten or killed.

Fighting broke out between the Indigenous people of Guadalcanal and new arrivals from the neighbouring island of Malaita in late 1998. This fighting was largely over land and jobs. Hundreds of people were killed and an estimated 20,000 Malaitans were forced to flee from Guadalcanal.

Then in 2000, an armed coup forced the Prime Minster out of office. The whole country was thrown into turmoil. Law and order broke down, corruption flourished, unemployment rose, thousands of people were displaced from their homes, many children were unable to go to school, health clinics struggled to stay open and people died of curable illnesses.

A ceasefire was signed in October 2000, though peace was very fragile. In July 2003 an Australia-led intervention force, RAMSI, arrived in the Solomons after the Solomons Government asked Australia for assistance.

Caritas Australia has been providing trauma support programs in the Solomon Islands since 2002.Trauma Support Workers are trained to help people feel safe enough to tell their stories and so to take the first steps to move forward with their lives.

Stephen Tom is a Trauma Support

Supervisor on the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

After receiving training in Trauma Support, Stephen returned to his village where he conducts sessions identifying trauma, exploring the causes of trauma and explaining how the Trauma Support Worker can help.

“I really like helping us all to get back to normal again. The Solomon Islands was a really nice place before the fighting, we are just trying to get things back like they were before,” he said.

Your donation to Project Compassion will help communities in The Solomons to rebuild their lives. Donations can be made by phoning 1800 024 413, on-line at www.caritas.org.au or by posting to GPO Box 9830 in your capital city

What your money will buy in the Solomon Islands

$100 can provide trauma counsellors in the Solomons with the resources to travel to communities in need of support.

$100 is enough to provide a team of Trauma Support Workers with food for a month

Fr Blasco celebrates 40 years in the vineyard

Father Blasco Fonseca, parish priest of St John the Baptist Church in Moora, celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination on Sunday February 26.

The celebration, held at St Joseph’s Primary School in Moora, commenced with a Mass and concluded with lunch and speeches.

Fr Blasco was born in India. As a young priest, he was called to Africa to join the missions. He regaled guests at his celebration with highlights from his time in Africa, and more recently, Australia.

Of Africa he said he could have written a book for every month he was there. Work included everything from heading a cathedral parish to missions that had no electricity.

After being in Africa for many years, Fr Blasco fell ill and moved to Australia where he was in hospital for two years. It is a testament to his faith that even during this difficult period, he could still see God acting in his life.

Once well, he faced new challenges as the parish priest of Holy Spirit Parish in Embleton. He faced these challenges head on

After a couple of years in Perth,

new challenges were on the hori-

zon as Fr Blasco was moved to the wheatbelt town of Moora, 174 kilometres north of Perth

Today Fr Blasco says his journey is continuing and he is always

learning new things. Guests at the celebration included family, a large number of parishioners from his former parish in Embleton as well as many people from Moora and outlying towns in the Parish,

including Jurien Bay, Dandaragan and Badgingarra.

Children from St Joseph’s sang at the Mass and participated by carrying up the Word of the Lord and performing a Liturgical dance. Banners were also made by the children, representing the different aspects of the ministry of priesthood.

Abbot Placid Spearitt of New Norcia concelebrated the Mass with Fr Blasco.

In his homily, he compared Fr Blasco to a wheat header as he harvests God’s crop of people. He told the guests that priests are the light of knowledge of God’s glory. When we pray for the harvesters of Jesus’ crop, we bring down the Holy Spirit on everybody, not just priests, said Abbot Placid.

After the Mass, which was held in St Joseph’s undercover area, guests enjoyed a lunch, which was provided by the parishioners.

While, it was hot, everybody had a great time and the day was a wonderful success.

Thanks needs to be given to the staff of St Joseph’s School together with the organising committee from John the Baptist Parish, Moora.

- From information supplied by Priscilla Kalmund

Church sign hit by attack

Continued from page 1

Kalamunda Catholic Church, Fr John Cranley, who was the temporary parish priest for Lesmurdie during the week of the explosion, said, “this was the second time in about two months that someone had attacked a Catholic Church in the area – which makes it all a bit suspicious.”

The sign, which was donated by the Knights of the Southern Cross several years ago, will cost about $4500 to replace.

Mrs May said she could not wait to have the sign erected once more.

“We will definitely put the sign back up, I even know what to put up as the first message – ‘God Holds No Grudges, Neither Should God’s Children,’” she said.

Caritas Trauma Support supervisor Stephen Tom. Photo: courtesy Caritas

Marking 40 years: Fr Blasco celebrates Mass on the anniversary of his ordination.

Sizing up the damage: Catholic Church Insurance’s Nunzio Papotto and Highgate Parish Priest Fr Peter Bianchini inspect damage to the parish hall caused by the fire.

Photo: Carole McMillen

The World

Opening up the airwaves to God

Pope Pius XI saw (radio) wave of the future

■ By Carol Glatz

The idea of capturing and carrying someone’s voice across oceans and continents was a radical idea at the turn of the 20th century, and one Pope saw the groundbreaking possibilities in such a project.

Pope Pius XI was fascinated by this “awesome invention,” and in the late 1920s he invited the inventor of the radio, Guglielmo Marconi, to build a radio broadcasting station on the grounds of the newly established Vatican City State.

Before radio, the Pope’s public addresses could only cover the venue at which he was speaking, maybe going a little farther if there was a good echo bouncing off Bernini’s colonnade in St Peter’s Square.

But on February 12, 1931, with a flick of a switch, the Pope’s words spoken from a tiny, bare-bones studio in Vatican City were heard simultaneously in New York, Quebec, London, Paris, and Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.

With Christ, the Word was made flesh; with radio, the Pope’s words were made trans-Atlantic and truly universal.

As one American newscaster told his audience as his co-workers filmed Pope Pius giving his first radio message, “The Pope, for the first time in 1900 years of Catholicism, has sent his voice throughout the world.”

While King George V used the British Broadcasting Corporation’s radio to convey his royal affection to his British subjects scattered across the continents on Christmas Eve 1931, Pope Pius used the Vatican’s

new radio to share his paternal affection “to all peoples and every creature.”

In his first radio message in 1931, everyone was the object of his pastoral care and concern.

In Latin, he addressed himself not just to Catholics, but to their separated brethren, “the dissidents,” even to nonbelievers, governments, the oppressed, the rich, the poor, workers, the persecuted and the suffering, sharing the Church’s message of peace and love and saying his prayers were with all the world’s people.

The radio became a powerful tool for evangelising, and it offered pastoral support and comfort, especially to Catholics and missionaries

in remote areas.

But those invisible radio waves beamed through the ether also turned out to be a powerful counterattack against totalitarian regimes and their chokehold on information and religious freedom.

Vatican Radio immediately expanded its programming from Latin, Italian, French and Spanish to German and English in 1937 as the threat of World War II loomed.

Nazi Germany even tried to jam Vatican Radio airwaves, but Catholics in France transcribed, printed and distributed “the voice of the Vatican” clandestinely.

From 1940 to 1946, Vatican Radio read out more than 1 million messages it received from family mem-

bers, soldiers and prisoners of war in an effort to reunite or assure families of someone’s whereabouts.

A similar initiative was repeated in 1999 at the end of the Kosovo War. The radio’s Albanian journalists mobilised to offer news, information and support to refugees, religious and humanitarian workers.

During his first visit to Vatican Radio on March 3, Pope Benedict XVI said that during World War II the radio let Pope Pius XII offer his “words of comfort, warnings” about the futility of war “and passionate exhortations for hope and peace” in a climate of conflict and fear.

When communism took hold of numerous European nations, “Vatican Radio multiplied (the

number of) programs and languages it broadcast so that proof of the closeness and solidarity of the Pope and the universal Church could reach the Christian communities oppressed by totalitarian regimes,” Pope Benedict said.

As the Berlin Wall went up and the Iron Curtain came down, Vatican Radio delivered news and the Gospel message in 17 Central and East European languages.

Though the Soviet empire eventually collapsed, today there is still no lack of political regimes hostile to full religious freedom.

Vatican Radio started broadcasting in Chinese in 1950, exactly one year before diplomatic ties were broken between China and the Vatican.

Today the radio’s Chinese program is a lifeline for the underground Catholic Church in China. The program’s five journalists from Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China get the news and the Pope’s latest document out to listeners immediately, either through radio or on the Internet. The Church’s written translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church into Chinese, for example, wasn’t published until the fall of 1996, but Vatican Radio’s Chinese program began translating and reading it and offering commentary to listeners the day after the Vatican released its first edition, years earlier.

Vatican Radio began broadcasting in Arabic in 1949, the year the ArabIsraeli war ended, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians without homes after they came under Israel’s control. The radio’s director of programs, Polish Jesuit Father Andrzej Koprowski, said Asian and Arabic communities still remain important priorities for the radio’s programming. CNS

‘Respect families’ urges Pope Benedict Pope gets an iPod

Vatican Radio employees present Pope with specially loaded iPod nano

A group of Vatican Radio employees gave Pope Benedict XVI a brand new iPod nano loaded with special Vatican Radio programming and classical music.

To honour the Pope’s first visit to the radio’s broadcasting headquarters, the radio’s technical staff decided the pencil-thin, state-ofthe-art audio player would make the perfect gift. Now that Vatican Radio offers podcasts in eight different languages, the Pope has the technological capability to plug in and import the radio’s audio files.

Pope Benedict visited the programming and broadcasting hub of “the Pope’s radio” on March 3 to mark the station’s 75th anniversary.

Hundreds of radio journalists, sound engineers and support staff lined the radio’s hallways to greet the Pope and present him with gifts, mostly special in-house productions such as CDs and books on the Church, religion and the Pope.

“We don’t have a huge gift to give

to the Pope, but we do have small signs of our work” to give him, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican Radio’s general director, told Catholic News Service.

Though the white iPod nano is tiny, it still made an impression on the Pope. When the head of the radio’s technical and computer support department, Mauro Milita, identified himself and handed the Pope the boxed iPod, the Pope was said to have replied, “Computer technology is the future.”

The Pope’s new audio player was loaded with a sampling of the radio’s programming in English, Italian and German and musical compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frederic Chopin and Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky. The back was engraved with the words “To His Holiness, Benedict XVI” in Italian. Once the Pope, who is also a pianist, gets the hang of the device’s trademark click wheel, he will be able to listen to a special 20-minute feature produced by the radio’s English program that highlights Mozart’s life and music to commemorate the 250th anniversary of his birth. -CNS

Business owners must avoid every form of worker exploitation, and they must recognise the importance of family life for their workers, Pope Benedict XVI told a group of Italian entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Upholding the importance of people in the workplace and in the world of business and respecting their needs and talents are values that “often risk not being pursued by business owners who lack solid moral inspiration,” especially in the current climate of “economic difficulties,” he said.

The Pope also praised an initiative by a group of young entrepreneurs to meld their business acumen with Catholic social teaching Pope Benedict made his comments during a March 4 audience at the Vatican with some 8,000 members of Italy’s Union of Christian Entrepreneurs and Business Executives.

Citing his first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est” (“God Is Love”), the Pope reminded his audience that justice and charity were “two inseparable facets of a Christian’s social duty” and that the lay faithful must work for a just ordering of

society. He said the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church is a useful and educational tool for all people who “intend to let themselves be guided by the Gospel in their professional and work-related activities.”

He praised a “charter of values” that had been drawn up recently by the union’s youth association. Of the six points outlined in the charter, the Pope said he most admired placing value on each person “for who he is and what he

can give, according to his talents, shunning every form of exploitation” of the worker.

The Pope also praised the recognition of the “importance of the family and of personal responsibility.” So as to better adhere to what the Church teaches about social justice in the workplace, the Pope said it was crucial that business owners “nurture and renew” their Christian formation and education.

Pope Pius XI, founder of Vatican Radio, seen at right, listens to the address of Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of radio, during a 1933 ceremony inaugurating the world’s first station for radio communication by ultrashort wave. PHOTO: CNS ARCHIVES

Pope Benedict XVI hugs a boy during an audience with Italian entrepreneurs and business leaders at the Vatican on March 4.

PHOTO: CNS

The World

Role of women to be discussed

Pope: It’s right to discuss women’s role in church decision-making

■ By Cindy Wooden

While insisting women cannot be ordained priests, Pope Benedict XVI said it is right to discuss how women can be more involved in church decision-making.

Meeting on March 2 with the priests of the Diocese of Rome, Pope Benedict spent two hours listening to their concerns and responding to the questions posed by 15 of them.

The following day, the Vatican released a summary of the priests’ questions and a transcript of the Pope’s remarks covering women in the Church, youth, family life and a variety of other topics.

Father Marco Valentini asked the Pope why the Church does not recognise that women’s experience, wisdom and points of view would complement those of the men in decisionmaking positions.

Pope Benedict said, “Everyone certainly has had this experience” that Father Valentini described of being assisted by women in growing in the faith. “The Church owes a great debt of thanks to women,” the Pope said.

Women not only have exercised a charismatic function in the Church, being prompted by the Holy Spirit to found religious orders, expand charitable projects and develop new forms of piety, he said; they have had “a real and profound participation in the governance of the Church.”

“How could one imagine the governance of the Church without this contribution, which sometimes has been quite visible, like when St Hildegard criticised the bishops or when St Brigid and St Catherine of Siena admon-

ished and obtained the return of the popes to Rome” from Avignon, France, the Pope said.

The contribution of women, he said, “always has been a determining factor without which the Church could not live.”

Pope Benedict said priestly ministry is reserved to men, but “it is right to ask” if it would not be possible “to offer more space, more positions of responsibility to women.”

In responding to the questions, the Pope frequently admitted he did not understand some of the words the Rome priests used or that he did not have all the answers.

Dealing with several subjects, the Pope emphasised the importance of individuals recognising they have been created by God, entering into a relationship with God and sharing that relationship with others.

He quoted the Old Testament reading used

on March 2 at Mass: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life.” The decline of Christianity in the West, he said, too often is presented falsely as a choice for life.

“It has been said - I’m thinking of Nietzsche, but also many others - that Christianity is a choice against life. With the cross, with all the commandments, with every ‘no’ it tells us, it closes the door to life,” he said.

But true Christian faith teaches people that the abundance of life comes not from hoarding it, but from giving it, he said.

“Human life is a relationship,” he said. “And the basic relationship is with the Creator, otherwise all relationships are fragile.”

“A world emptied of God, a world that has forgotten God, loses life and falls into a culture of death,” the Pope said. CNS

Racism in sport not acceptable says Pope

Pope joins soccer officials in calling for end to racist taunts

Pope Benedict XVI added his voice to an initiative to end racist taunts and banners in European soccer stadiums.

Before a March 1 match in Florence between World Cup qualifiers Germany and Italy, a message from the Pope was read to soccer fans in the stadium by Florence Auxiliary Bishop Claudio Maniago.

The message expressed the Vatican’s “appreciation for the initiatives against racial discrimination promoted to increase awareness of sport’s important educational role in the service of solidarity and peace.”

The written message, sent by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, also said the Pope encouraged “the joint efforts aimed at the promotion of a civilisation of love through patient dialogue and mutual respect.”

German and Italian soccer officials had said the March 1 exhibition match was dedicated to the fight against every form of intolerance and racism.

It came in response to a series of recent racist and anti-Semitic incidents in European soccer stadiums.

The Spanish premier league soccer team Real Zaragoza was fined more than $10,000 on February 28 after its fans launched racist insults against FC Barcelona’s striker from Cameroon, Samuel Eto’o.

Soccer fans and players in Italy also had displayed racist behaviour in games late last year. CNS

Women have gained much Vatican tells UN, but more needed

The worldwide women’s movement has been substantially positive, “even if it is still unfinished,” said the Holy See’s delegation in March 2 remarks at the United Nation’s 50th anniversary session of its Commission on the Status of Women.

“Attempts to replace present inequalities must be done in a timely and bold manner as well as with great care,” said the statement from the delegation, which is headed by Archbishop Celestino

the world in brief

Guantanamo rights query

Migliore, papal nuncio to the United Nations.

“All those who want to favour the progress of women must pursue it by the moral strength of their arguments,” it added. “They will never do so, if they insist on linking women’s freedom, dignity and equality to unsound policies that have handicapped women’s true progress in recent times.”

The Vatican delegation pointed to the continuing rise in the use of microcredit to better women’s eco-

After visiting Cuba, a top Vatican official said he is concerned with the lack of human rights protections for prisoners in the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said that “at Guantanamo human dignity is not all that respected.”

Though the cardinal was in Cuba on February 15-18, he did not visit the detention centre located on a US naval base at the southeastern end of the Caribbean island. However, he told the Italian news agency ANSA on March 6 that his council is concerned with the plight and conditions of all the world’s prisoners. “Even those who have

nomic lives. “This is a phenomenon which has had the support of local Catholic churches for many years,” the statement said.

“It is most encouraging to see poor women’s patience, honesty and hard work rewarded in this way in many places, and it is to be encouraged by attention to the reform of structures that will in turn assist the spread and continued success of new initiatives in this field.”

Still, there are several women’s issues that need to be addressed, the

committed crimes are still human persons” whose dignity must be respected, he said. Concerning the situation at Guantanamo Bay, the cardinal said, “It seems clear that in that prison human dignity is not all that respected. ... Is not the lack of rights perhaps trampling on the dignity of man?”

Time limit for abuse cases

The bishops of Colorado have endorsed a bill in the state Legislature that would put no time limit on criminal prosecution for the sexual abuse of children but would retain current time limits on civil lawsuits in such cases. The bishops had opposed the bill as originally written because it would have eliminated time limits for civil lawsuits as well as for criminal prosecution. It was subsequently revised to retain cur-

Vatican delegation said, especially in countries “afflicted by armed conflict, poverty or both.”

One issue is the aging of the world’s population. “Women still commonly live longer than men, but elderly women are sometimes shamefully overlooked by policymakers,” the Vatican delegation said. “Trafficking in human beings has a particularly negative impact on women,” the Vatican delegation said. “In some cases there are women and girls who are exploited

rent law on the statute of limitations for civil suits. In an interview in the March 5 national Catholic weekly Our Sunday Visitor, Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said that many who are seeking a relaxation of the statute of limitations on civil suits are tort lawyers profiting from “the litigation industry” or are motivated by anti-Catholicism.

“Unless Catholics wake up right now and push back on behalf of their church, their parishes and the religious future of their children, the pillaging will continue” because of costly litigation and settlements, he said.

Contraception not answer

Pouring more money into contraception will not solve the problem” of unintended pregnancy or reduce the number of abortions, the US bishops’ pro-life spokeswoman

almost like slaves in their work, and not infrequently in the sex industry.”

On a related matter, nearly half of the world’s estimated 185 million to 192 million migrants are women, and “it often happens that women migrants become the principal source of income for their family,” according to the Vatican delegation. The statement also decried that women and girls are “victims of systematic rape for political purposes.” CNS

said of a Guttmacher Institute report issued on February 28.

“Without any evidence, the report just asserts that increased access to contraception reduces the number of unintended pregnancies and therefore abortions,” said Deirdre A. McQuade, director of planning and information in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, in a March 1 statement. “But that assumption is unwarranted.”

The Guttmacher report, titled “Contraception Counts: Ranking State Efforts,” said there were nearly 3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States annually, resulting in 1.4 million unplanned births and 1.3 million abortions each year.

The balance of the pregnancies ended in miscarriages or other fetal deaths.

A Filipino nun places ashes on the forehead of a child at a Catholic church in Manila, Philippines, on Ash Wednesday, March 1. PHOTO: CNS

The Somascans arrive... at Munster

St Jerome’s Parish in Spearwood/Munster has become the headquarters of the first Somascan Community to be established in Australia.

Who are the Somascans and why have they come to Australia? The answer is twofold. The first reason is that our Archbishop Barry Hickey sent an official request to the Somascan Superior for the Somascans to come to Australia, well aware of their special charism and the role that this Congregation could play in the human and Christian context of the Archdiocese of Perth. The second reason is the verified existence of a human and social environment that is in keeping with the particular mission of the Somascan Congregation: the humanitarian and pastoral care of children and youth, especially in situations of need (like orphanhood, neglect or abuse, family breakdowns, drug addiction etc.).

Where did the name “Somascan” originate? St. Jerome Emiliani (or Miani) was born in Venice, Italy in 1486 to parents Angelo and Eleanor. His family was of ancient ancestry and politically influential in the famous ‘maritime republic’ of Venice, that during those years was reaching the climax of its power. Despite the family situation of prestige and wealth, Jerome’s childhood was marked by the tragic death of his father Angelo, when Jerome was just 11 years old.

Following the family tradition, Jerome undertook a military career which caused him to stray from his Christian upbringing. His mother, Eleanor, however, unceasingly prayed whilst watching over her prodigal son, hoping to set a plan for his future.

At the age of 25, Jerome was appointed governor of a stronghold of 300 men who were stationed in the Alps to defend the Venetian territory from the assault of 20,000 Germans who reached the fortress in August 1511. Despite their strong resistance they were conquered,

At the time of his death on February 8, 1537, while Jerome was taking care of the people affected by another deadly contagion, several miracles took place, so the people of Somasca and surrounding areas immediately considered him a Saint.

and Jerome was captured, chained and thrown into a dungeon, with the enemy’s expectation that the Emiliani family would produce a huge ransom for his deliverance. As this proved futile his captors abandoned him to his own destiny. It was then that his mother’s advice of seeking help from our Blessed Mother came to mind and his petitions resulted ‘in a miraculous escape in the early morning of 27th September 1511.

However, it took several more years before Jerome curbed his aggressive temperament and got

ready for the great task that God had in store for him - to become the ‘father of orphans’ - as he is known today.

Following a terrible epidemic and severe famine that swept through the northern part of Italy about 1528, Jerome felt the impulse to devote his life to the care of scores of orphaned children roaming the city of Venice in search of food and water.

This was historically considered the first ‘orphanage’ in Europe (and possibly the world). He quickly acquired the skills of a parent in

dealing wit the needs of the young.

As news of Jerome’s humanitarian accomplishments spread around the country, several bishops of Northern Italy requested him to do likewise in their cities.

It was at this time that both laymen and priests attracted by Jerome’s work volunteered to help him, thus the beginning of the “Company of the Servants of the Poor”), later recognised by the Holy See as the “Congregation of the Somascan Fathers”.

The adjective “Somascan” comes from the tiny hamlet near Milan

- Somasca, where Jerome spent the last years of his saintly life. At the time of his death on February 8, 1537, while Jerome was taking care of the people affected by another deadly contagion, several miracles took place, so the people of Somasca and surrounding areas immediately considered him a Saint.

Jerome Emiliani was officially declared a Saint by the Church in 1767 and his feast is celebrated on February 8. In 1920 the Pope proclaimed him “Father of Orphans and Universal Patron of Needy Youth”.

It is no coincidence that the followers of St Jerome Emiliani are housed at St Jerome’s Parish as the Emiliani family had a strong family devotion to the great “Doctor of the Bible” St Jerome of Stridon, from the coastal area of the present Croatia which the Romans used to call “Dalmatia”.

It is probable that Jerome Emiliani resorted to the spiritual help of his namesake patron after his conversion.

Another interesting fact is that the neighbouring parish of the Holy Cross in Hamilton Hill has for the past 11 years held Mass and procession in honour of the great St Jerome Emiliani around the anniversary of the Saint’s call to eternal life.

The followers of St Jerome, the Somascans, are currently present with their specific apostolate in 19 countries, spanning five continents.

The Parish Priest of the Community is Father Valerio Fenoglio CRS assisted by Father Johnson Malayil Joseph CRS, and Father Giovanni Fontana CRS.

Two morning Masses are held on weekdays, 9am Mass on Saturdays followed by the vigil Mass at 6pm. Sunday Masses are 8am and 10am and the Mass for Youth and the Young at Heart is held at 6pm.

A Somascan Youth Group is up and running and more and more members are needed, so please feel free to come and join us after the 6pm Sunday Mass.

Any enquiries about the Somascan Community and the groups involved in the Parish maybe obtained by phoning 9418 1229, by fax 9437 3939 or on the email address sjpar@bigpond.net.au.

Prime Minister opens Notre Dame Sydney campus

Continued from page 1

“The wise do understand that wisdom is worth more than sceptres and thrones; is to be loved more than health or beauty,” he said.

“Beside wisdom gold is like a pinch of sand, and silver ranks as mud.

“These are serious claims, politi-

MARCH

cally incorrect, rarely stated today in our acquisitive society, but we do hope that a goodly percentage of the Notre Dame graduates will be truly wise.

“May this university give glory to God and promote the spiritual and material good of a countless number of people for many, many

10 Blessing of St John of God Chapel, Subiaco - Archbishop Hickey Mass for Student Leaders at Kolbe College - Bishop Sproxton

12 Mass at School of Medicine, UNDA - Archbishop Hickey Ministry of Lector for future

generations.” The foundation campus of the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle and its sister campus in Broome have 5000 students.

The university has a special relationship with the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, whose senior officers are among its trus-

OFFICIAL DIARY

Deacons, St Mary’s Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey St Patrick’s Day Mass, St Patrick’s Basilica - Bishop Sproxton Multi-Faith Observance for Commonwealth Day, St George’s Cathedral - Fr Brian O’Loughlin VG

13-15 National Commission for Clergy Life and Ministry,

tees and board of governors. The president of the US university, Fr Edward Mallor, said at the opening ceremony that Notre Dame University is a “dream clearly meant to be realised, a dream for the country as a whole”.

Earlier this month Notre Dame University opened the doors of its

Canberra - Bishop Sproxton

15 Inaugural ECU Interfaith Service, Joondalup - Archbishop Hickey

17 Irish Club St Patrick’s Day Mass, Subiaco - Bishop Sproxton

18 Silver Jubilee Mass for Fr Joe Parkinson, Tuart Hill - Archbishop Hickey, - Bishop Sproxton

Broadway campus to its 450 foundation students.

Guests at the official opening last week included Archbishop Barry Hickey, the former Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Edward Clancy, the Chief Justice of NSW, James Spigelman, and the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore.

19 Mass for Association of St Joseph, Hamilton Hill - Archbishop Hickey Blessing of Pallottine Residence, Riverton - Archbishop Hickey Mass and Procession for St Joseph Association, Marangaroo - Bishop Quinn

First Somascans: Fr Johnson Malayil Joseph CRS, Father Valerio Fenoglio CRS and Fr Giovanni Fontana CRS. Photo: Supplied courtesy of the Somascan congregation

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PANORAMA a roundup of events in the archdiocese

9328 9736.

Sunday March 12

ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK

1 - 2 pm on Access 31 - Cardinal George Pell : Exclusive Interview by EWTNews Host Raymond Arroyo [The World Over]

Don’t miss this special program! You may wish to record it if you are going out. Your prayerful and financial support is needed to keep these wonderful programs on air at Access 31. Please send donations to The Rosary Christian Tutorial Association, PO Box 1270, Booragoon 6954. Phone 9330 1170 for information about various means of availability of EWTN in Perth.

Wednesday During Lent

SHARED MEALS

In preparation for the Easter Celebration, we are holding three more Shared Meals with a Topical Talking Point. The Venue St Kieran’s Parish Centre, Corner of Cape and Tyler Streets, Tuart Hill. The Time will be 6.30pm. The dates are: March 15, 22 and 29. The topical talking point about “Life after death” will be held on Wednesday March 29 - a fascinating and scientific documentary by the BBC. According to this documentary, “Life after Death” is just as certain as death itself. Don’t miss out! Please, put these dates in your diary and make every effort to attend. All you need to bring with you is a plate with food to share with others. Obviously, these discussions are meant for ADULTS ONLY. It’s not a PICNIC! I look forward to having good attendance. All welcome! Enquiries: Fr Michael Gatt on 9444 1334.

Friday March 17

ANNUAL ST PATRICK’S DAY MASS

At 10.30 am St Joseph’s Church, 1 Salvado Road, Subiaco. main concelebrant Bishop Don Sproxton.

Sunday March 19

LEGION OF MARY

Fremantle Curia extend to all Legionaries, Active and Auxiliary, an invitation to attend their ACIES which will be held at St Jerome’s Parish Church Munster commencing at 2pm. This is the annual occasion on which we recommit ourselves to our Blessed Mother. All are encouraged to attend. contact details Rhonda Haynes: Ph: 9314 1224 (Secretary.)

Tuesday March 21

MONICA AND AUGUSTINE GROUP

Following the overwhelming response to the first prayer and reflection session, the Monica and Augustine group will meet for prayer and sharing at St Thomas the Apostle parish hall, 2 College Road, Claremont at 7.30pm. Representatives from at least 6 parishes attended the first session, In addition to times of prayer and reflection, there will also be time for some small group sharing of personal stories and situations. Once again, the emphasis will not be on blaming, but

to follow St Monica’s example of prayer and good works and never giving up. All are welcome to stay for a cuppa at the conclusion. For futher details or RSVP contact Fr Brian O’Loughlin 9384 0598 or email claremont@perthcatholic.org.

au

March 24-25

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF FREEDOM COMMUNITY CHARISMATIC RETREAT

“The truth will set you free.” John 8:32. St Anne’s Parish Hall, 11 Hehir St, Belmont. Rally - Fri 24th March – 7 pm to 9.30 pm. Retreat Day - Sat 25th March – 10 am to 6 pm. All are welcome to join in the Friday evening rally and on the Saturday, times of praise & worship, sharing, talks and prayer including a Charismatic Mass at 4.30pm. After Mass there will be a sausage sizzle & salad provided during a time of fellowship. Tea & coffee provided. BYO sandwich lunch to share. For further details contact Glenn on 9228 1800.

Saturday March 25

NOVENA TO OUR LADY

The monthly Novena to Our Lady of Good Health will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett St, Embleton at 5pm followed by the Vigil Mass at 6pm.

Sunday March 26

LEGION OF MARY

Comitium of Perth extend to all Legionaries, Active and Auxiliary, an invitation to attend their ACIES which will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral Perth, commencing at 3pm. This is the annual occasion on which we recommit ourselves to our Blessed Mother. All are encouraged to attend. contact details Rosemary Bennett: Ph 9454 7831 (Secretary).

Thursday March 30

MOTHERS’ PRAYER MASS

For all Mothers and Grandmothers coming together to pray for their children. Fathers, Grandfathers welcome. This is a wonderful and necessary opportunity for God to hear and act upon the hearts and minds of mothers joining together as one here on earth. (Enjoy fellowship following the Mass over a cup of tea or coffee) here at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40a Mary Street, Highgate at 10am. For information regarding the Mass (if required) please contact Veronica Peake on 9447 0671.

Friday March 31

HEALING FIRE  BURNING LOVE

This Lent break down walls and receive God’s love and mercy. Our Lady of the Missions Catholic Church Whitfords, 270 Camberwarra Drive, Craigie 31st March, 2006 Friday 7.30pm - 9.00pm Daniel Garlett, from the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, will express the love of Jesus sacrifice in his talk on reconciliation and unity. Daniel uses the Didgeridoo in praise and worship to express the love

and unity of God’s Spirit with his people. Come and experience the fire of God‚s love through Praise and worship and healing prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information please contact Jenni Young 0404 389 679.

Sunday May 7

THE BOVE FARM MAY ROSARY RALLY

Celebration in Honour of Our Lady to be held at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Grotto, Bove’s Farm, Roy Road, Jindong. Hymn singing commences at 12.30pm. Holy concelebrated Mass led by Bishop Gerard Holohan commences 1pm, followed by Rosary Procession and Benediction. Afternoon tea provided All welcome! Bus bookings from Perth to Bove Farm can be made with Francis Williams on ph 9459 3873 or mob 0404 893 977. (Note: Roy Road runs off the Bussell Highway, halfway between Busselton and Margaret River).

Every Saturday

ART EXHIBITION

Art exhibition every Saturday at the Parish Hall, Star of the Sea church, Cottesloe, cnr of Stirling Highway and McNeil Sts beginning Saturday March 4, 10am – 4pm. All proceeds from the sale towards the extension of St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Is alcohol costing you more than just money? Alcoholics Anonymous can help. Ring 9325 3566.

Mondays NOVENA TO GOD THE ETERNAL FATHER

A powerful and beautiful Novena to God the Eternal Father, source of all graces, is conducted at the All Saints Chapel, Allendale Square, 77 St George’s Terrace (opposite London Court) every Monday at 11.40am and 12.40pm, followed by a Mass after each Novena. A short Scripture teaching on Jesus’ relationship with the Father is inserted as part of the Novena. This Novena, the only one in Perth, is conducted by Fr Douglas Rowe SFP the Chaplain of All Saints. Pray and ask for the heavenly Father to take care of you and your family problems.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett Street, Embleton. Daily Monday to Thursday 8.30am Holy Mass. 9am – 10am Adoration. Every Thursday night 11pm to midnight Adoration. Every Friday 8.30am Holy Mass followed by Benediction. Adoration continues till 6pm. Every Saturday 8.30am Holy Mass. 9am – 9.15am Adoration. Every Monday

Divine Mercy Chaplet after Holy Mass. Enq: 9721 5528.

REDEMPTORIST RETREAT HOUSE

190 Vincent Street, North Perth. Bookings now open for 2006 - 2007. Manageress: Mrs Janice Broderick. Fax/Phone (08)

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

■ REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS

Tydewi Bindery offer a reliable service to repair your Liturgical books, missals, bibles, to bind homilies and favourite prayers. Ph. 9293 3092.

■ HUMBLE MESSENGER

Shop 16/80 Barrack St (Inside Bon Marche Arcade) Perth WA 6000. Trading Hours: MondayClosed,Tues-Fri-10am-5pm, Sat-10am-3pm, Ph/ Fax 9225 7199, 0421 131 716.

■ RICH HARVEST  YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP

Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, baptism/communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at, 39 Hulme Court (off McCoy St), Myaree, 9329 9889 (after 10.30am, Mon-Sat). We are here to serve.

CROSS ROADS COMMUNITY

Term 1: until Friday 14th April for: Family & Friends Support Groups of Substance Abusers are on Wednesdays 7–9pm, Substance Abusers Support Groups are on Tuesdays 5.30 to 7.30pm & Fridays

All day Group for Substance Abusers is from 9.30am to 2pm including Healing Mass on Fridays @ 12.30pm during term. Ladies Groups are on Tuesdays 11am to 1.30pm. Rosary is from Tuesday to Thursday at 12.30 to 1pm.

BULLSBROOK SHRINE SUNDAY MASS PROGRAM

2pm every Sunday Pilgrim Mass is celebrated with Holy Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook. Reconciliation is available in Italian and English before every celebration. A monthly pilgrimage is held on the last Sunday of the month in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation. Anointing of the sick is administered for spiritual and physical healing during Holy Mass every second Sunday of the month. The side entrance to the Church and the Shrine are open daily between 9am and 5pm for private prayer. For all enquiries contact SACRI 9447 3292.

SCHOENSTATT FAMILY MOVEMENT: MONTHLY

DEVOTIONS

An international group focussed on family faith development through dedication to our Blessed Mother. Monthly devotions at the Armadale shrine on the first Sunday at or after the 18th day of the month at 3pm. Next event: March 19. 9 Talus Drive Armadale. Enq Sisters of Mary 9399 2349 or Peter de San Miguel 0407 242 707 www.schoenstatt.org.au

INDONESIAN MASS

Every Sunday at 11.30am at St Benedict’s church Alness St, Applecross. Further info www.waicc.org.au.

PERPETUAL ADORATION

Christ the King, Lefroy Rd, Beaconsfield.

Enq Joe Migro 9430 7937, A/H 0419 403 100. Adoration also at Sacred Heart, 64 Mary St Highgate, St Anne’s, 77 Hehir St Belmont. Bassendean, 19 Hamilton St and Mirrabooka, 37 Changton Wy.

THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE

St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth – each first Sunday of the month from 1.30pm to 3.15pm with a different priest each month. St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Windsor Street, East Perth - each Saturday from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, main celebrant Fr Marcellinus Meilak, OFM. Saints John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Drive, Willetton - each Wednesday from 4pm to 5pm. All Enq John 9457 7771.

BLESSED SACRAMENT ADORATION

Holy Family Church, Alcock Street, Maddington. Every Friday 8.30 am Holy Mass followed by Blessed Sacrament Adoration till 12 noon. Every first Friday of the month, anointing of the sick during Mass. Enq. 9398 6350.

PERPETUAL ADORATION AT ST BERNADETTE’S Adoration: Chapel open all day and all night. All welcome, 49 Jugan St, Glendalough, just north of the city. Masses every night at 5.45pm Monday to Friday, 6.30pm, Saturday and the last Sunday Mass in Perth is at 7pm.

ST CLAR E’S SCHOOL, SISTERS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

A short history of St Clare’s School is being prepared to celebrate 50 years of its work in WA. Any past students, staff, families or others associated with the school - from its time at Leederville, at North Perth, at East Perth or at Wembley - are invited to contact us with photographs, or memories. Privacy will be protected, in accordance with your wishes. Please contact Nancy Paterson on 0417 927 126, (email npaters@yahoo.com.au) or St Clare’s School, PO Box 21 & 23 Carlisle North 6161. Tel: 9470 5711.

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Beautifully

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