The Record Newspaper 10 August 2011

the R ecoRd

Island Priest

They came from far and wide to celebrate with the remarkable Monsignor Sean O’Shea - Page 6

UNDA supports indigenous education programme

RAISING awareness about a programme known as the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience was a priority for University of Notre Dame Australia Aboriginal student Peter Dawson during a recent visit to the Broome campus.

Mr Dawson spoke to lecturers and students in Broome about improving Year 12 graduation rates for Indigenous students through the programme. AIME is an Indigenous organisation partnering university student volunteers in one-on-one mentoring relationships with indigenous high school students from Years 7 to 12. It treats indigenous culture as an asset.

“My role model throughout high school was my older brother and seeing the doors that he opened with a university degree from Notre Dame inspired me to seek the same level of education,” Mr Dawson said. “University students can help demystify the tertiary experience for indigenous people.

The director of Nulungu Centre for Indigenous Studies at UNDA’s Broome campus, Professor Lyn Henderson-Yates, emphasised that strategies which provided indigenous students with increased support were vital.

“Mentoring indigenous students is one such strategy that can play a significant role in assisting students to make the transition between secondary school and university,” she said.

Why I didn’t go to Confession

An American Bishop writes frankly about why he decided to stay away - Page 8

As the Bishop said to the actor ...

Welfare of humans outweighs policy: Migrant Office

The agency representing the Bishops on migrant and refugee issues has spoken out strongly on the ‘Malaysian solution’

THE welfare of all migrants is paramount and outweighs any policy which punishes 800 asylum seekers who in desperation turn to people smugglers for help, said Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office Director Fr Maurizio Pettenà. Following the announcement of the Australian

Government’s deal with Malaysia, ACMRO called on all political parties to strive for a more humanised approach to dealing with clandestine migration.

“We are very concerned that vulnerable people, including children, families and others in distress will be further paralysed by this deal at a time when they most need Australia’s help” said Fr Pettenà.

“The Malaysian solution reflects a domestic political notion that Australia is under threat from boat arrivals.

“In fact, these small numbers of boat arrivals are insignificant in comparison to our total migration programme which according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), included almost 170,000 permanent and

over 3.4 million visitor visas in 2009-10,” said Fr Pettenà

“Host to over 92,000 refugees, Malaysia has a much greater challenge than Australia in order to fully utilise the benefits that refugees can bring to destination countries. Australia could provide a much better life for these 800 people than they can expect in Malaysia,” he said.

A recent DIAC report (A Significant Contribution) concludes that refugees are an investment in Australia’s long-term prosperity due to their drive to succeed and young demographic profile; much needed if Australia is to maintain current standards of living in the face of an ageing population. “Australia is excellent at delivering resettlement services and has

the capacity to play a much larger role in the Asia-Pacific region. However, a genuine sharing of the responsibility for refugees should not involve trading lives in order to address people smuggling” said Fr Pettenà.

“Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini

[the Italian Bishop who largely created the modern Church response to refugees] in 1890 said that migration in almost all cases is not a pleasure but a necessity that cannot be avoided. History shows that clandestine migration such as unauthorised boat arrivals are not stopped by domestic policies or by changing political parties.

“Voters with this expectation will be disappointed. Clandestine migration to Australia occurs because of what is happening in

Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Sri Lanka”, said Fr Pettenà. “Those in need are still there, waiting in growing desperation.

“Any damage done to the people smuggler business model may result in even more drastic measures and exploitation, as asylum seekers find alternative means to get to Australia,” he said.

He said that ACMRO welcomed the news that recent boat people arriving between the announcement and the official signing of the deal would have their refugee assessments carried out in Australia “as all asylum seekers arriving here should be”.

“The government must pursue the welfare of migrants for their sake and for the sake of all Australia,” said Fr Pettenà.

Home: Archbishop Barry Hickey places his arm around the shoulders of Bishop John Brady, played by actor Noel O’Neill, in St Mary’s Cathedral on 2 August. For a few moments Mr O’Neill was Bishop Brady, reflecting on the tremendous difficulties of establishing a diocese in one of the most remote corners of the world.

Special liftout GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Franciscan homes in on mission for Mary

By RoBeR t Hiini

IT IS UNUSUAL for a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate to be sent back to their home turf, but Fr Giles –or Fr Giles Joseph Mary Atherton FI, as he is formally known, trusts in his superior’s decision.

the R ecoRd Contacts

Editor

Peter Rosengren office@therecord.com.au

Journalists

Mark Reidy mreidy@therecord.com.au

Tim Wallace

Robert Hiini

Advertising/Production

Mat De Sousa production@therecord.com.au

Accounts

June Cowley accounts@therecord.com.au

Classifieds/Panoramas/Subscriptions

Catherine Gallo Martinez office@therecord.com.au

Record Bookshop

Bibiana Kwaramba bookshop@therecord.com.au

Proofreaders

Chris Jaques Eugen Mattes

Contributors

Debbie Warrier John Heard

Karen and Derek Boylen Anthony Paganoni CS

Christopher West Catherine Parish

Bronia Karniewicz Fr John Flader

Guy Crouchback

The Record PO Box 3075

Adelaide Terrace

PERTH WA 6832

21 Victoria Square, Perth 6000

Tel: (08) 9220 5900 Fax: (08) 9325 4580

Website: www.therecord.com.au

The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses of Western Australia and by subscription.

The Record is printed by Rural Press.

the R ecoRd Contacts

After eight years of study in the US and Italy, Fr Giles’ first appointment since being ordained is as vicar of the Order’s community in Toodyay, 85km north-west of Perth. He celebrated his first Mass in Australia in his boyhood parish of St Anthony’s, Wanneroo on 30 July and was given leave to visit the family home.

The Friars of the Immaculate are a Franciscan order founded by St Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish priest who offered his own life in place of a stranger while imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz. Fr Kolbe was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 1982.

In his short time back in Perth, Fr Giles has been quizzed by students at his niece and nephew’s primary school.

The Year 5 students at Orana Catholic Primary, Willetton wanted to know what the priest did during the day; what happened at his ordination; and why he didn’t have a wife, among other things.

Fr Giles said he was happy to answer their questions: “After all, it’s not often you see a friar walking around the place.”

He was looking forward to continuing his community’s semi-contemplative way of life. “Prayer is our number one apostolate,” Fr Giles said. “It’s classic Franciscan.

“As St Bonaventure says, we want to be in union with God so that what we receive from him – what is overflowing, so to speak – we can share with God’s people.”

The Friars of the Immaculate operate television and radio stations in many parts of the world. In Western Australia, they host two hours of radio a week on Radio Fremantle as well as promoting Catholic books. They also hold a “Day With Mary” in a different parish each month. The

days, which include Mass, praying of the Rosary, talks, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration, are a mainstay in the friars’ promotion of consecration to Our Lady.

“As Paul VI said, you can’t be Christian if you’re not Marian,” Fr Giles said.

Appointed for three to six years, he said he was focused on tasks including the for-

mation of four new aspirants to the Orderone from overseas and three from Australia.

“At this point, I’m just here to be obedient; to help the community out with the projects that are already on course,” he said. “I’m an extra priest, which will take the number of priests at Toodyay to fourand there’s lots to do.”

Mother to reflect on finding meaning in suffering

UNA GLENNON , whose daughter Ciara was murdered in 1997, will speak about reconciling with a broken world at University of Notre Dame’s Fremantle campus on Monday, 15 August.

Ciara, then 27, was one of three young women to disappear in similar circumstances after attending night spots in Claremont. Police believe all were victims

of the same serial killer. The murderer has never been brought to justice.

Ciara’s Gift, the book Una wrote chronicling her quest to come to terms with her daughter’s death and return meaning to her life, was published last year. “I wake up each morning with a sense of gratitude knowing that whatever the day may bring I will be able to cope with it, because I have

been through the very worst and I have survived,” Una writes in the book. She will speak about suffering and loss and their surprising potential for personal growth. Bookings are essential for the talk, to be held in Foley Hall, 19 Mouat Street, from 5.45pm. To book, please call Stacie O’Neill on 9433 0591 or email Stacie. oneill@nd.edu.au.

US teens likely to adapt quickly to new missal, say catechists

WASHINGTON (CNS) - Although the phrase “consubstantial with the Father” might not roll off the tongues of Catholic youths, Church officials and catechists hope its meaning will sink in when it is said in the Nicene Creed later this year in the US. ‘Consubstantial,’ which means ‘of the same essence,’ is closer to the creed’s original Latin and Greek text and basically holds more theological punch than “one in being with the Father,” the phrase it replaces. It is one of several changes in Mass responses that are part of the revised edition of the Roman Missal to be implemented in US Catholic churches from 27 November. “Part of the intent behind the new translation is to re-mystify - in the best sense of the word,” wrote Fr John Terry, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

That sense of mystery and transcendence of God - or recognising that God is beyond human perception - is something children and teens should pick up from the revised missal said Maureen Kelly, author of What’s New About the Mass, aimed specifically at third- to seventh-graders, and What’s New About the Mass for Teens

Fr Giles ... Anticipating a life of semi-contemplation.

PHOTO: ROBERT HINI

Funding for extra beds welcomed

ARCHBISHOP Hickey congratulated the State Government for providing money for the street homeless during National Homeless Persons Week.

“The number of people sleeping rough in Perth has shocked many people. I believe the provision of a basic overnight shelter will meet with wide approval,” he said in a statement issued last week.

“It is good that the St Vincent de Paul Society has been chosen to run the shelter. The Society has always

worked at the level of the poorest people, and those living on the streets are the poorest of all.

“I hope some flexibility is built into the programme because the needs are great. Although funds are being provided for a men’s shelter, I know from years of living in the city that many women are homeless too and that the women’s shelters are generally full.

“Flexibility to adjust to the needs would be a wonderful feature of the programme. The funding is gener-

We do - all over again

A 75th anniversary is the inspiration for couples to renew their marriage vows at St Columba’s Church, South Perth.

The parish is holding a special Mass in October at the start of celebrations to mark the anniversary of the church’s foundation stone being set in place in 1936.

Parish priest Brian O’Loughlin said: “Any couples who were married at St Columba’s in the intervening years are welcome to attend the renewal of vows

during Masses on 29 and 30 October.” The Masses will be on Saturday at 6.30pm and Sunday at 7.30am and 9.30am.

Pope calls for prayers - and a new push for peace

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy

(CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI appealed for reconciliation and respect for human rights in Syria and Libya where the governments have used force to try to end prodemocracy protests.

“With deep concern, I am following the dramatic and growing episodes of violence in Syria,” the Pope said on 7 August at the end of his Angelus address to visitors gathered in the courtyard of the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo.

A government crackdown on protesters in Hama, Syria, on 5

August reportedly left two dozen people dead.

The United Nations has said “around 2,000 people are reported to have been killed in clashes in Syria since protesters took to the streets in mid-March demanding greater civil liberties.

The violent crackdown by the authorities has received widespread condemnation from the UN, including the Security Council and top officials, as well as world leaders.”

Pope Benedict also used his Angelus address to call attention “to Libya where the power of weapons has not resolved the situation.”

The Pope asked “Catholic faithful to pray that an effort for reconciliation would prevail over division and anger” in Syria and that the international community, which has been supporting protesters in Libya with NATO air strikes, would make a new attempt to find “a peace plan for the country through negotiation and constructive dialogue.”

Govts need to do more on homelessness

By RoBeR t Hiini

GOVERNMENTS across Australia are making the right moves but much more needs to be done, the head of Homelessness Australia (HA) told a rally last Saturday. HA CEO, Nicole Lawder addressed several hundred people who turned out for the Walk to Support the Homeless at Forrest Place, the culmination of this year’s Homeless Persons Week (1-7 August).

With 13,000 people experiencing homelessness in Perth on any given night (105,000 nationally), the need for community awareness is greater than ever, Ms Lawler said.

ous. Rather than specify only 10 men, perhaps the Government could say to the St Vincent de Paul Society: here is the money - see what more you can do with it.

“The Society’s history shows that they can make money go a long way.

“For years, we have needed a rough shelter with few rules to provide a safe and clean place to stay overnight.

“I thank the Government for making this possible.”

“If you don’t know there’s a problem, there’s not much you can do about it,” Ms Lawler said, adding that she hoped to promote a change of behaviour and attitudes towards the issue.

less shelter. Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi told the crowd that homelessness wasn’t just an issue in isolated sections of the community.

“There but for the grace of God go any single one of us,” the Lord Mayor said.

“There could be a turn or a slip up in our lives and it could be any one of us who is rendered homeless.”

The theme of Homelessness Week this year was Diversity in Homelessness which Minister McSweeney said reflected the diversity of places people in need look for help and the diverse walks-of-life from which homeless people come.

In spite of the serious subject matter, the Walk to Support the Homeless had a festive air, with live music preceding speeches and a brass band fronting the march.

Minister of Community Services, Robyn McSweeney MLC, detailed the State Government’s efforts to tackle the problem, including a recent joint venture with St Vincent de Paul for a ten-man acute home-

Organised locally by the peak body known as The Community Housing Coalition of WA, this year’s Homelessness Week included a Photographic Exhibition displayed at His Majesty’s Theatre featuring the work of nine homeless people.

Indigenous remain a priority

THE St Vincent de Paul Society has marked National Homeless Persons Week this year by drawing attention to the people who are locked out of Australian society, including the members of Australia’s first peoples.

“We welcome the Federal Government’s genuine commitment to halve the rate of homelessness and offer supported accommodation to all those who seek it by 2020”, said Chief Executive Dr John Falzon.

However, he added, the Society

remained “deeply concerned about the inadequacy of social security benefits, especially the Newstart Allowance.

“Being forced to survive on $34 a day increases a person’s vulnerability to homelessness.

“We want to remember the high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who experience homelessness in Australia,” he said.

“It is a grave injustice that the first peoples of this land repre-

sented 20 per cent of persons who required specialist homelessness services in 2009/10. This is a massive over-representation.”

National President Anthony Thornton said: “People are pushed into homelessness because of domestic violence, poverty and social inequality ... We should at least ensure that all people are given the basic right to housing. This would provide the safe and secure base from which together we can address other problems.”

A sign held by a participant in the Walk for the Homeless in Perth last Saturday. Homelessness is a growing problem attracting the attention of governments and organisations such as the Society of St Vincent De Paul.

PHOTO: ROB HIINI

The Walk for Support for the Homeless in Forrest Place last weekend.

Pope Benedict XVI

Faith is not justified by words alone. Two schools take their Catholicism to heart by practising good works Teachers embrace spirit of service

WHO knew working at a Catholic school would mean painting a Croatian village scene on the wall of a dementia ward?

Such was the recent experience of Nicole Ryan, one of 90 staff members at Emmanuel Catholic College, Success, to take part in the school’s inaugural Staff Christian Service Day, held last month.

Along with painting the mural at Villa Dalmacia, Spearwood, activities in which the school’s staff participated included: building animal-care boxes for the Darling Range Wildlife Shelter; working on a rehabilitation project of the Cockburn Wetlands Centre; making harnesses for Wheelchairs For Kids in Wangara; making dog beds for the Shenton Park Dog Refuge; sorting stock for St Vinnies in Rockingham; assisting refugees improve their language and numeracy skills; assisting disabled horse riders; and cooking meals for the Archdiocesan Shopfront drop-in centre in Maylands.

Linda Dimmock and colleague

Bronwyn Benjamin spent the morning at Koondoola Primary School, where about half the students are refugees and new Australians.

In the afternoon the pair went to the Edmund Rice Centre in Mirrabooka, which provides educational and development opportunities to refugee and indigenous families.

“They struggle to speak English and find daily tasks like shopping for food and taking public transport daunting,” Ms Benjamin said: “It makes me appreciate what I have; a truly humbling experience.”

Christy Coleman was among those who made more than 220 meals for The Shopfront, which is run by the Archdiocese of Perth to offer assistance to those in need.

“I had a fantastic day, not only giving our time and expertise to the community but also team building because it required staff to work together in a positive environment.” Ms Coleman said. “I had a fabulous day and felt rewarded helping those in need.”

Narrogin students make a difference

INSPIRED by the example of St Vincent de Paul, St Matthews School in Narrogin has taken the Gospel to heart with a program encouraging students to reach out to others and support people in need.

Mini Vinnies was initiated in 2008 by the primary school’s principal, Kevin Duffy, motivated by his prayerful reflection and enthusiasm to help others and inculcate the spirit of Christ in the hearts of his students.

In the first year about 15 students from the school were involved. This year there are 38 students, from years 4 to 7, willing to commit themselves.

Servite Sister Sahaya, who helps co-ordinate Minnie Vinnies, said students who joined the group committed to giving up their recess time every Friday and through the experience learned to live like Jesus, practising the charism of “compassion” in their daily lives.

Among the activities Mini Vinnies has supported are sponsoring children through the St Vincent de Paul Society and “Catholic Mission”, an organisation that gives support to mission countries.

Money has also been raised and

donated through Caritas for those affected by the floods in Pakistan, and more recently to assist those in Sudan and the Philippines.

As befitting the program’s names, the students actively support the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Narrogin.

This has included collecting winter clothing and having winter appeals for those who are homeless; providing bus tickets and lunches for those in need; collecting non-perishable foods at Christmas time.

In Term One this year the group collected stationary items to support the works of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in the Philippines.

In Term Two, the parents and friends Association of St Matthew’s School supported the work of the Minnie Vinnies by running a whole school disco”

The Mini Vinnies also visit nursing homes and aged care hostels to provide a little entertainment to the older members of the Narrogin community.

“By giving up their time and talents reaching out to the community they find joy and fulfilment,” Sister Sahaya said

Above: preparing meals for The Shopfront as part of Emmanuel College’s Christian Service Day

Right: assisting refugees at the Edmund Rice Centre in Mirrabooka.

PHOTOS: EMMANUEL COLLEGE

Students of St Matthew’s Primary, Narrogin, prepare for a performance as part of their Mini Vinnies commitment.

PHOTO: ST MATTHEW’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

New analysers enter service in East Timor

By RoBeR t Hiini

THE likelihood of correct medical diagnosis received a boost in East Timor recently, with the delivery of six brand new biochemistry analysers to the impoverished country.

The units were provided by St John of God Health Care and manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and will be deployed in laboratories and hospitals throughout the country.

Over one million people are expected to benefit from the use of the machines.

St John of God said the move should help to guard against incorrect diagnosis of malaria and high rejection rates of samples.

Delivery of the Vitros 350 analysers, collectively worth more than $500,000, has coincided with a renewed commitment to developing diagnostic services in East Timor. That renewal will see two pathology scientists employed in Dili to oversee implementation of training and development.

NGO worker, Lionel Rudd told staff at St John of God’s Osborne Park offices recently, that conditions on the ground in East Timor remain difficult for health workers.

“It is a beautiful country but

conditions are very basic in Timor and it can be very challenging to get things done,” Mr Rudd said.

St John of God Health Care has been active in East Timor for more than six years and the first phase of the Pathology Development Plan (PDP) started in 2005 to address problems with disease testing.

The challenges involved in transforming these services, which were very basic prior to the PDP, have included civil unrest and very basic infrastructure. At one point in 2006, pathology staff, including one pregnant woman, had no option but to sleep on laboratory floors having been displaced from their homes by violent uprisings.

St John of God will expand its presence in Dili by the end of the year, employing 15 expat caregivers and five local staff. The organisation currently has eight full-time nurses resident in the city.

The healthcare group says the “unerring dedication” from pathology scientists in East Timor has been essential in delivering better health outcomes across the country.

Anthea Ramos, International Health Manager, said: “It is a very exciting time for our development programs.”

More beds for aged care

ARCHBISHOP Barry Hickey celebrated the addition of 15 new beds in the aged care sector on 19 July, officially opening a new wing at a Southern Cross Care home in Forrestfield.

The Archbishop blessed Camillus

This

The

Address

Wing at Jeremiah Donovan House in Forrestfield before a memorial service to pay homage to the former site, Mt St Camillus and the work of the Camillian Brothers. The opening ceremony was also attended by residents and staff.

UK pharmacists concerned by ‘mandatory’ Pill

MANCHESTER, England

(CNS) -- Catholic pharmacists in the United Kingdom are concerned that new guidelines from an industry regulator will force them to dispense the morning-after pill against their consciences. They also are troubled that guidelines issued in late July by the General Pharmaceutical Council could lead to the dismissal of Christians from the pharmacy profession and even could prevent them from entering the field if they act on their beliefs by refusing to distribute the abortifacient drug. “Catholic pharmacists have the obligation to respect the fact that life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death by not supplying, or participating in the supply of, drugs for abortion or euthanasia,” said Anna Sweeting-Hempsall, a Catholic hospital pharmacist from Sunderland, England. “Until now, the conscience clause gave Catholic pharmacists the right not to compromise their belief.” But now “Catholic pharmacists who cannot accept being party to attacks on unborn life or the integrity of the mother are virtually unemployable,” SweetingHempsall added.

IMMACULATE HEART COLLEGE

Maryville Downs, Lower Chittering, WA

Is seeking applications for the position of:

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPAL

For

Applications for these positions close on Wednesday, 17 August 2011

St Columbans Mission

Our objectives are:

• To establish the Church where the gospel has not been preached.

• To help local Churches grow into evangelizing communities open to all peoples.

• To promote dialogue between Christians and those of other religious traditions.

• To facilitate interchange between local Churches.

Contact

Fr Patrick Mclnerney

Columban Mission Institute patrickmcinerney@columban.org.au

www.columban.org.au

A Johnson & Johnson instrument engineer delivers operator training on the new biochemistry analysers delivered by arrangement between the manufacturer and St John of God Healthcare for servic e in East Timor.

PHOTO: LIONEL RUDD

Term 4, 2011 and the whole of 2012 (with the possibility of extension).

is an Independent School, teaching the Catholic Faith. It will open in February 2012 with classes from Kindergarten to Year 3, expanding to Year 6 over the next three years.

The school will be situated next to the new Divine Mercy Church in Lower Chittering.

successful applicant will be a practising and committed Catholic with the ability to lead the school in its foundation years. Salary and terms will be negotiated. A secondment from another school may be possible.

For more information, please contact Fr Paul Fox (08 9571 1839) or Doris Anastasiades (08 9317 4019).

applications to Fr Paul Fox PP, Immaculate Heart College, PO Box 8, Bullsbrook WA 6084.

This island belongs to the Monsignor

By RoBeR t Hiini

Monsignor Sean O’Shea was the very picture of humility at a Mass celebrating his 50 years ministering on Rottnest Island, last Sunday.

After fears ill health would prevent his attendance, the Mass went ahead at the Island’s usual time of 11am at The Holy Trinity Church.

On several occasions the Monsignor looked slightly embarrassed as he graciously accepted the accolades and kind words he received from old friends and wellwishers.

It was 50 years to the day that he celebrated his first Mass on the Island after being appointed chaplain to the Port of Fremantle in 1961, a position he held for some 25 years.

For 20 of those years he was National Director for The Apostleship of the Sea.

He is said to have travelled around the coast of Australia some ten times in those years, offering support to the workers and volunteers in the centres he established.

Mgr O’Shea’s most recent successor, Deacon Patrick Moore, said the Monsignor’s work with seafarers was an answer to Christ’s command to welcome the stranger; ministering to men who led often difficult and lonely lives.

Who knows how many Mgr O’Shea has also welcomed into his own home, offering them his famed pikelets and Rottnest Fig Jam while regaling people with stories and engaging them with his own, jovial personality.

Deacon Patrick delivered the homily after reading the Gospel depicting St Peter’s attempt to walk on the Sea of Galilee in response to Christ’s beckoning.

He recalled what the Bishop said to Mgr O’Shea on the day of his ordination when presenting thethen Fr O’Shea with a book of the Gospels.

“Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practise what you preach.

“Fr O’Shea was listening very carefully and he’s followed that dictum through his life.

“He has been prepared, like Peter, to get out of the boat and take risks ... a call to all of us,” Deacon Patrick said. Indeed, the 85 year old’s life to date has been nothing if not event-

No man is an island, but this beloved Irishman comes close after half a century serving Rottnest

ful. As an 18 year old, he cycled 2,000km from his home in County Clare, Ireland to Fatima, Portugal to a random meeting with a kindly old lady who turned out to be the mother of Fatima seers, Jacinta and Francisco. It is said the children there introduced him to figs.

He was ordained at All Hallows, Dublin in 1955 and despatched to Western Australia in the same year.

Apart from his work with seafarers through Stella Maris, Mgr O’Shea also made his mark in parishes such as Cottesloe and Mosman Park and, in the early days, at St Mary’s Cathedral.

In the mid-1970s, he built Holy Trinity Church on Rottnest, perched on a hill overlooking the pristine Thomson’s Bay.

Such was the regard for the Monsignor that the US Pacific Seventh Fleet lent their helicopter and expertise to the task of installing the Whitechapel bells in the belltower. The Church was opened on Trinity Sunday on 25 June 1975.

More recently, in 2009, Mgr O’Shea was awarded the Des Sullivan Medal by WA Tourism Minister, Liz Constable, for outstanding service to Rottnest Island.

The same year, he was awarded the papal medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (“For Church and Pope”) for his dedication in serving the Body of Christ.

Before the final blessing at the celebratory Mass, Rottnest Island Authority Chairman Laurie O’Meara spoke for residents and visitors to the Island, describing “the Mons” as a “mobile tourism information centre.”

“What would Rottnest be without his wonderful contribution; his ready smile and his hearty life?” he asked. Mgr O’Shea said he was “lost for words”; something he also described as “a new experience for me.”

“It’s been a great privilege to meet so many people over the years; and to be of service,” he said.

Monsignor Sean O’Shea, practically a legend on Rottnest Island, in front of the Church in 2009 that the Monsignor built. His influence was so extensive it once included getting the US Seventh Fleet to lend a helicopter to lower the bells into position in the belfry.

PHOTO: ANTHONY BARICH

The papal cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for service to the Church and the Pontiff), bestowed upon Monsignor O’Shea by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

PHOTO: ANTHONY BARICH

The Monsignor makes his famous pikelets in his then-residence beside Holy Trinity Church when interviewed by The Record in 2009. He was surrounded by numerous friends and wellwishers, right, after the special Mass at Rottnest Island last weekend. PHOTOS: ABOVE: ANTHONY BARICH; RIGHT: ROBERT HIINI

We took history... and turned it into

Small: RRP $75.00

Large: RRP $95.00

a sign of Faith

WHEN St Mary’s Cathedral was partly demolished in 2008 to allow for its historic completion, plenty of the hardwood unique to WA and known as Jarrah used in its construction was discarded. The Record wanted to preserve as much of this precious part of history as it could, so we took discarded Jarrah and turned it into a range of beautiful objects that not only help to maintain a link with our past but also help to lift our thoughts to God. The St Mary’s Cathedral crucifixes are one such example of keeping history alive as we look with confidence to the future. These beautiful objects of devotion that were once part of St Mary’s Cathedral can now hang in pride of place, reminding us of the pioneers of the past and the faith we share with them.

St

Why the Church should pay families enough to live

The Catholic Church in Australia is the biggest employer in the nation – even bigger than the Federal government. This fact, not often mentioned, may surprise some people. One should be careful, however, to qualify what this means: the Church is really made up of hundreds of employers such as individual Bishops and dioceses, Religious Orders and institutes, primary and secondary education and healthcare systems, to name just a few. All of these are meant to be engaged in works inspired by the Gospel and the faith of the Church.

Currently, the Church in Australia pays its employees on the basis of the current industrial relations system which, under successive Liberal and Labor governments, has drifted inexorably away from collective bargaining mechanisms, involving organisations such as unions representing employees, and towards individual agreements between employers and employees. By its passive acceptance of the countours of the current industrial relations system, the Church has, in a de facto but real sense, also committed itself to treating employees in largely the same way that every other organisation in the country does.

In theory, this would seem to be quite normal.

Over the past 50 years or thereabouts, the face of employment in Australia and throughout developed nations has changed radically as women have increasingly moved into the workforce. One direct result of this is the change in common understanding of what a wage represents. At about half a century ago, Australian families were generally able to subsist on a single income. As more and more women moved into the workforce, corporate Australia realised that the spending power of women had increased vastly compared to the generation of mothers and grandmothers that preceded them.

“While it was never the intention of the Catholic Church to cooperate in this discrimination against marriage and family life, it is exactly where the Church has effectively ended up.”

THE RECORD

PO Box 3075

Adelaide Terrace PERTH WA 6832

office@therecord.com.au

Tel: (08) 9220 5900

Fax: (08) 9325 4580

The effect was not so much the economic empowerment of women as the rapid rise in retail prices and purchase costs that quickly saw it necessary to have two incomes to support a family and two incomes to undertake the purchase of a family home via a mortgage.

Now family life in its normal sense is economically under siege and artificially suppressed because of the intense contradictory pressures placed on women to fulfil three roles simultaneously: spouse, mother and fulltime employee in the workforce. This situation is the direct consequence of successive governments effectively embracing the Gospel of economic rationalism most often associated with laissez-faire capitalism – the idea that the market, rather than any other interfering body, such as a government or industrial relations commission, should determine almost everything in the social order. Despite the rhetoric, both the major parties effectively take their marching orders on employment policy from corporate Australia. In effect, the Church does too.

Single income families can no longer afford to own their own homes and find it near impossible, on average wage levels, to get by from week to week. The economic pressure placed upon, and discrimination against, single income families is so intense as to be a major national social problem with extremely serious consequences. It is one of numerous factors adding to the ongoing tragedy of marriage and family breakdown. It is a major social injustice. It also has important consequences for politics, economic stability and the future of Australia. While it was never the intention of the Catholic Church to cooperate in this discrimination against marriage and family life, it is, paradoxically, exactly where the Church has effectively ended up. The Church’s practice is, effectively, anti-motherhood, anti-family.

Paradoxically, the social and magisterial teaching of the Catholic Church is replete with observations, statements and exhortations to all regarding the essential ethical principles necessary to ensure that all work is dignified and human. To be a just employer, which by the light of Catholic social teaching it is not, the Church must abandon its current stance, and provide all its employees a wage calculated on the real needs of an average single income family. By doing so, the largest employer in the nation would be contributing to the stability - and flourishing - of family life at least among its own employees. By doing so the Church would actually be returning to putting its own teaching into practice. If this urgently needed innovation was introduced, it would place both moral and practical pressure on corporations and governments throughout the nation – rather than the other way round – to match the Church’s lead. The first beneficiaries would be families. But because the family is the social foundation and cement of society, it is the nation which would benefit from such a courageous decision.

Books are not dead

For the last couple of years I have been a frequent user of the Catholic library at Leederville. It is situated at the former convent of the Good Shepherd Nuns. It seem to be a place that many people are involved religious education studies. They have a vast array of religious books magazines video journals. What amazes me more is that so few people use it on a regular basis. The Librarians are delightful group of people who always go out of their way to be helpful. They have a beautiful chapel that you can duck into a few prayers. I am retired person who use this library frequently and I am amazed at the array of new books that are available and put on display and available for immediate loan. This library and the staff have given a lot of pleasure to me in my retirement years and I thank them. And ask the Lord to bless their work.

Ron Chandler NEDLANDS

A great read

Iam not a frequent writer to newspapers but I believe that when you see a job well done recognition should be given. After reading The Record last week a bit of praise is worth the effort. Firstly, I believe that the Record is a great Catholic weekly newspaper for me personally. It is a great news sheet and I look forward to reading it each week.

It is spiritusally uplifting to hear of the good things that are hap-

pening in our diocese. Recently, I considered taking a trip overseas to Rome and other pilgrimage destinations, in part to experience the great things God is doing for me and those I love.

Then I think God must be saying to me something like ‘How much more do I need to convince you of my love for you?’ What a patient and forgiving God we have.

I would also like to say what a wonderful Archbishop we have and to thank God for the courage and tireless work he does for the people of Perth, his flock.

Name supplied

Got something to say?

Send

Opinion If novelty replaces the Novus Ordo, the trads feel justified

It’s not just laity who get annoyed when they feel they’ve been let down by poor formation of clergy, writes Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Coyne ...

This morning, I attended Mass rather than concelebrated Mass.

Earlier in the week, I was unable to find a Saturday morning Mass anywhere in the area so I was pretty much going to have to miss Mass today. But late last night on the internet I found a church abut half an hour away that had an 8am Mass. This was doubly good for me because I wanted to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation if the priest had time after Mass since it had been a few weeks since my last Confession. But it was a little late to make any arrangement for concelebration.

I left around 7.15am and got there in plenty of time to spend some time preparing for Mass and, hopefully, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When Mass began, the priest, a guy about my age, came out and said, “Hello,” and then proceeded with the Mass.

The only problem was he had forgotten the Sign of the Cross. Well, maybe he was just a little distracted. I think we did the penetential rite but I’m not sure. There was no “Gloria” so I was beginning to think we weren’t going to be celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration since it hadn’t been mentioned yet but eventually we got there when he “prayed” a spontaneous opening prayer that did mention the Transfiguration.

Things kind of went downhill from there. I’ll spare you the details.

I will say I’m pretty sure it was still a valid Mass even though he changed the words of the Eucharistic institution - a lot, not just a few. There is a theological practice of the Church called Ecclesia supplet (“the Church provides”) where if a priest inadvertently forgets some of the words of the ritual form or changes them, the “Church” recognises the good faith of those gathered and their right to valid celebration of the sacraments and provides sacramental validity in the case of a human error or priestly malpractice.

This is done for the sake of the people of God and not as an excuse for the sloppy or ‘creative’ celebration of the priest or Bishop.

Even though the priest went way over the line in terms of his ‘creativity’ this morning, I think the intention of those us who came to Mass was to celebrate the Eucharist as the Church intends and so it was. As “Mass” progressed, I was both disappointed and annoyed. I wasn’t angry. I learned the trick long ago of moving into emotional “cruise control” when this stuff starts to happen.

I also began to wonder if I should say something to the priest afterwards. I mean, I was just there as a visitor, not as his Bishop or Vicar General. I was also on vacation so ... Nevertheless, I didn’t let it go. What I did or did not do,

I will leave between me and the priest. I hope it was helpful. I do know one thing. I certainly wasn’t going to ask him to hear my Confession. If he changed the words of the Institution Narrative, there’s no telling what he might do with the words of Absolution. I suppose I could have asked him before we began the sacrament if he would be so kind as to use the Church’s rite and not his own but then that opens a whole can of worms. So I didn’t go to Confession. I’ll try and make an appointment with a priest and go Monday. But isn’t it a shame that I couldn’t go to Confession?

Every time people ask me why some in the Church have a desire for the “extraordinary rite,” the traditional Latin Mass, I guess I can give them at least one good reason: Masses like this.

When one attends the Mass according to the Tridentine Rite, you know what you are going to get. There is no one being ‘creative,’ no one making up their own prayers or rite, and no question of validity. I am a child of Vatican II. From the time I was old enough to understand what was happening at Mass, it has been the Mass of Pope Paul VI. I have been formed in it. I have studied it. I love it.

Out of it, I have been ordained a deacon, a priest, and a Bishop to celebrate it for the people of God. I have no desire to celebrate the Tridentine Rite but any time I hear people criticise those who want the “traditional” Mass, I am more inclined to understand why they want this form of the Mass.

Perhaps if each priest were committed to the correct celebration of the present Mass of Paul VI - the Church’s rites and not the rite of Fr X - then maybe there would be less clamour for the “traditional” rite. Just a thought.

Bishop Christopher Coyne serves the Church as an auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Ordained a priest in 1986 and a Bishop in 2011, he is a former professor of sacred liturgy and preaching.

A journey has come to an end as the first Bishop of Perth, a foreigner by birth and education, was welcomed back as a son by one of his successors, into the fold of the diocese that he created ...

HOME

By Bridget SpinkS

Bishop John Brady, the founding Bishop of Perth, was finally laid to rest in the diocese he created in St Mary’s Cathedral crypt on 2 August during a Reinterment Ceremony following an evening Mass.

Although he is effectively only the eighth Bishop of Perth, it was as Bishop Brady’s ninth successor that Archbishop Barry Hickey concelebrated the special Mass together with senior clergy of the Archdiocese including Auxiliary

Bishop Donald Sproxton, Mgr Michael Keating, Vicar General Mgr Brian O’Loughlin and more than 40 priests of the Archdiocese.

The discrepancy is due to the fact that Bishop Joseph Serra OSB, who succeeded Brady after the turbulent Irishman’s departure from Perth, served only as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese; although banished by Pope Pius IX, Brady retained the title ‘Bishop of Perth’ until his death in 1872.

The Sisters of Mercy and the Benedictine monks, whose own links to Perth Catholic history stretch back to Brady, also attended the event. Their presence in Perth

is thanks to Brady’s missionary zeal: the Sisters of Mercy and some Spanish Benedictines who were living in Italy in the mid-1840s were among the band of 27 missionaries Bishop Brady brought to Perth in 1846.

More than 60 students from Mercedes College - a school founded on the work the first Sisters of Mercy carried out when Bishop Brady was establishing the Diocese - formed a candlelit guard of honour as Bishop Brady’s remains were carried into the Cathedral. Standing in the sanctuary before Mass commenced and dressed in a Bishop’s mitre and vestments, actor

Noel O’Neill brought Bishop Brady back to life for the congregation of several hundred.

Archbishop Hickey symbolically welcomed ‘Bishop Brady’ home and the prelates shared a dialogue on what it was like in the early days of the Perth diocese, providing the congregation with a way to appreciate the significance of the historic moment. The remains of Bishop Brady are now in St Mary’s Cathedral Crypt along with all the former prelates of Perth except for Archbishop Patrick Clune CsSRthe fourth Bishop (1911-13) and first Archbishop of Perth (191335) - who is buried in Karrakatta.

Several dignitaries attended the historic occasion including Anglican Archbishop Roger Herft; Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi; Heritage Minister John Castrilli MLA and the Irish Consul General in Western Australia, Michael Nolan.

Members of the Farrelly family, which has a strong connection to the foundations of the Perth Archdiocese, were also present. Their relative, Terrence Farrelly, was one of the lay catechists among the 27 missionaries who accompanied Bishop Brady to Perth in 1846 and is thought be a nephew of Bishop Brady.

Photos - Pages 10-12

Journey’s end: The jarrah ossuary containing the mortal remains of Bishop John Brady lies in the crypt of St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, awaiting reinterral, following the special Mass celebrated in the Cathedral on 2 August. GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Experience of walking in Bishop-relative’s footsteps a remarkable one indeed

By Bridget SpinkS

“Surreal,” is the way Bishop Brady’s great-great-grandniece Lorna Lavelle described the experience of being in Perth for the reinterment ceremony of her relative and being able to walk in his footsteps.

Lorna and her husband Patrick flew to Perth from Ireland especially for the occasion as did Lorna’s brother, Derek Hughes, who flew over to Perth from Sydney.

Up until last year, Lorna knew that she was related to the first Bishop of Perth and thought he was buried in Perth.

But when she asked her eldest son, Eoin, who came to Perth last year on a three-month working holiday - to look around and see

how he was remembered here at the Cathedral, he could only find a plaque at St John’s Pro-Cathedral in Victoria Avenue.

This led her to contact the Archdiocese’s archivist, Sr Frances Stibi PBVM, who advised her that his remains were buried in Amelieles-Bains.

This came as a surprise to Lorna because the family had bought a holiday house in the south of France in 2005 not knowing that the resting place of her great-greatgranduncle was just a 20 minute drive away.

In January, Lorna and Patrick Lavelle met Archbishop Hickey and Fr Robert Cross in Amelieles-Bains where Lorna gave permission to exhume the remains of Bishop Brady. Lorna said she was here in Perth representing the

whole Brady family, especially various members who could not make it including Lorna and Derek’s late mother, Anna May Hughes (née Brady), who passed away 13 years ago; their uncle, Fr Eddie Brady, 83, a missionary ‘White Father’ in Tanzania and their eldest brother, Eammon Hughes, who has been researching - and is well versed in - the family’s genealogy.

“It’s significant for the Church here but it’s also significant for the Brady family,” she said.

Lorna said Fr Eddie Brady has followed in Bishop Brady’s missionary footsteps ever since he found his vocation to the priesthood late in life.

“We all probably feel he is like Bishop Brady; he’s ascetic,” she said.

“He thrives on austerity.”

Rites of return: Flanked by Vicar General Mgr Brian O’Loughlin at left, Fr Jean Marie Noel, Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and, at right, Fr Robert Cross, Archbishop Hickey, the ninth Bishop to head Perth, censes the remains of his predecessor, Bishop John Brady, in St Mary’s Cathedral on 2 August. GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Lorna Lavelle, great-great-grandniece of Bishop John Brady, chats with a young participant at the special reinterment Mass. GRAHAPM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Bishop Brady’s remains are processed into St Mary’s Cathedral.

GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER Several hundred people, including officials and dignitaries attended the ceremony.

RetuRn

Catholics know how to turn on a ceremony, and they did it for Bishop John Brady in St Mary’s Cathedral.

Motto: BIshop Brady’s coat of arms shows a hand pointing towards the sun above the words Vincit pericula virtus . The Latin phrase means ‘Virtue conquers dangers.’ Ironically, while Bishop Brady may have been a zealous missionary, he was unable to see the gathering danger to his position caused by the extent of the diocese’s problems, such as debt. He was banished by Pope Pius IX in 1852.

In a poignant scene, Archbishop Hickey welcomes his predecessor, played by actor Noel O’Neill, back to Perth.

GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER Archbishop Hickey and clergy concelebrate Mass for the historic moment.

GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Numerous clergy were on hand for the evening’s ceremonies. Among those participating was Fr Robert Cross, below, who exhumed Bishop Brady’s remains.

Sr Frances Stibi PBVM, above, reads during the Mass. Sr Stibi is the Archdiocesan archivist and one of the acknowledged experts on Brady and the beginning of the Archdioocese. Also in attendance was Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft, above. GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Experience of walking in Bishop-relative’s footsteps a remarkable one indeed

By Bridget SpinkS

“Surreal,” is the way Bishop Brady’s great-great-grandniece Lorna Lavelle described the experience of being in Perth for the reinterment ceremony of her relative and being able to walk in his footsteps.

Lorna and her husband Patrick flew to Perth from Ireland especially for the occasion as did Lorna’s brother, Derek Hughes, who flew over to Perth from Sydney.

Up until last year, Lorna knew that she was related to the first Bishop of Perth and thought he was buried in Perth.

But when she asked her eldest son, Eoin, who came to Perth last year on a three-month working holiday - to look around and see

how he was remembered here at the Cathedral, he could only find a plaque at St John’s Pro-Cathedral in Victoria Avenue.

This led her to contact the Archdiocese’s archivist, Sr Frances Stibi PBVM, who advised her that his remains were buried in Amelieles-Bains.

This came as a surprise to Lorna because the family had bought a holiday house in the south of France in 2005 not knowing that the resting place of her great-greatgranduncle was just a 20 minute drive away.

In January, Lorna and Patrick Lavelle met Archbishop Hickey and Fr Robert Cross in Amelieles-Bains where Lorna gave permission to exhume the remains of Bishop Brady. Lorna said she was here in Perth representing the

whole Brady family, especially various members who could not make it including Lorna and Derek’s late mother, Anna May Hughes (née Brady), who passed away 13 years ago; their uncle, Fr Eddie Brady, 83, a missionary ‘White Father’ in Tanzania and their eldest brother, Eammon Hughes, who has been researching - and is well versed in - the family’s genealogy.

“It’s significant for the Church here but it’s also significant for the Brady family,” she said.

Lorna said Fr Eddie Brady has followed in Bishop Brady’s missionary footsteps ever since he found his vocation to the priesthood late in life.

“We all probably feel he is like Bishop Brady; he’s ascetic,” she said.

“He thrives on austerity.”

Rites of return: Flanked by Vicar General Mgr Brian O’Loughlin at left, Fr Jean Marie Noel, Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and, at right, Fr Robert Cross, Archbishop Hickey, the ninth Bishop to head Perth, censes the remains of his predecessor, Bishop John Brady, in St Mary’s Cathedral on 2 August. GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Lorna Lavelle, great-great-grandniece of Bishop John Brady, chats with a young participant at the special reinterment Mass. GRAHAPM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Bishop Brady’s remains are processed into St Mary’s Cathedral.

GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER Several hundred people, including officials and dignitaries attended the ceremony.

RetuRn

Catholics know how to turn on a ceremony, and they did it for Bishop John Brady in St Mary’s Cathedral.

Motto: BIshop Brady’s coat of arms shows a hand pointing towards the sun above the words Vincit pericula virtus . The Latin phrase means ‘Virtue conquers dangers.’ Ironically, while Bishop Brady may have been a zealous missionary, he was unable to see the gathering danger to his position caused by the extent of the diocese’s problems, such as debt. He was banished by Pope Pius IX in 1852.

In a poignant scene, Archbishop Hickey welcomes his predecessor, played by actor Noel O’Neill, back to Perth.

GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER Archbishop Hickey and clergy concelebrate Mass for the historic moment.

GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Numerous clergy were on hand for the evening’s ceremonies. Among those participating was Fr Robert Cross, below, who exhumed Bishop Brady’s remains.

Sr Frances Stibi PBVM, above, reads during the Mass. Sr Stibi is the Archdiocesan archivist and one of the acknowledged experts on Brady and the beginning of the Archdioocese. Also in attendance was Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft, above. GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Happiness flows in Cathedral as a dream is fulfilled

Archbishop Barry Hickey hosted a special dinner after the Mass for those involved with the project to return Bishop Brady’s remains to Perth as well as Brady family members. GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

Archbishop Hickey censes the altar at the commencement of Mass; the ossuary containing Bishop Brady’s remains can be seen in the foreground. Members of the congregation exhange the sign of peace during Mass. GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

A blaze of Western Australian wildflowers, almost certainly the same that Bishop Brady would have seen in Perth, displayed before the ossuary containing his relics.

Moment of prayer: Fr Robert Cross, Archbishop Hickey, Fr John Marie Noel and Dean Mgr Michael Keating sing the Salve Regina, the great Catholic hymn of supplication to Mary, as Bishop Brady’s remains are laid to rest in the Cathedral crypt. GRAHAM HALL, PHOTOGRAPHER

50,000 pay respects

An estimated 50,000 people attended the funeral of Bishop Vincent Kympat of Jowai in northeastern India, who died of a heart attack on 30 July. Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong hailed the prelate, who died at age 64, as a man of the people who worked for a laity-based Church. Fr Stephen Francis, diocesan spokesman, said the Bishop was keen on forming small communities in parishes. Bishop Kympat was the first Bishop of Jowai diocese, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. He was born 17 December 1946 in Moosutong, a remote village in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya state, which Christianity reached only a century ago, and ordained in 1977.

MALTA

Archbishop apologises

Malta’s Archbishop has apologised to the victims of two priests found guilty of sexually abusing children and for the Church’s delay in investigating the allegations. The apology came the day after a Malta court convicted them on 2 August. The Missionary Society of St Paul, the Order to which the priests belong, said the Vatican had removed one of the men from the priesthood and was studying the case of the other. The priests were convicted of abusing boys in the early 1990s at a home for boys. The allegations were made public in 2003. A statement posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Malta said Archbishop Paul Cremona intended to meet again soon with the victims to ask forgiveness. Both convicted men said they planned to appeal their convictions.

CANADA

Defence tries soft sell

Defence lawyers have argued at a sentencing hearing in Ottawa for Bishop Raymond Lahey that his collection of child pornography was smaller, less sophisticated and less hard-core than others examined by investigators. Authorities discovered 588 images of child pornography, 60 videos and a file containing fictional stories on the Bishop’s laptop and other devices in September 2009 at Ottawa’s airport. He pleaded guilty in May to possession of child pornography for importation Ottawa police detective Andrew Thompson testified that many of the images were considered “soft-core” but stressed some were “quite graphic” and included “torture and stuff like that.”

PAKISTAN

Sufi sorrow for deaths

Two Muslims have apologised for an anti-Christian rampage in the Punjab city of Gojra two years ago that left 10 Catholics dead. At an interfaith seminar at Sacred Heart Church in Gojra on 1 August, marking the second anniversary of the incident, two Sufi masters expressed regret for the violence, saying it went against the “spirit of Islam.”

Fr Aftab James Paul, director of the Diocese of Faisalabad’s Commission for Interfaith Dialogue and Ecumenism, said the apology was hugely significant: “Even though they weren’t in any way involved in what happened that day, the peer Sufis [Sufi masters] described Islam as a religion that does not condone killing and condemned the massacre”.

The World

Chinese pride threat to unity

BEIJING - Chinese religious authorities are threatening the Catholic Church’s basic identity by defying a series of excommunications and planning more illicit ordinations, according to an expert on Chinese Christianity.

“All this is the independent, prideful nationalism of China, which many Chinese people can easily fall into; even Catholic Bishops, I suppose,” said Dr Nathan Faries, author of The Inscrutably Chinese’ Church and a professor of English at the University of Dubuque, in the US state of Iowa.

China’s State Administration for

Religious Affairs last month called the Vatican’s “so-called excommunication” of two unapproved Bishops “unreasonable and rude.”

The Vatican was told to withdraw the penalties, saying Chinese Catholics would travel “the path of ‘independent, autonomous and self-governing’ Church principles and ‘self-election and self-ordination’ of Bishops”.

The state agency issued its comments after China’s state-backed Catholic Patriotic Association announced plans to ordain seven more Bishops without papal approval – adding to the three ordi-

nations made without papal mandate since November 2010.

Dr Faries, a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, said his book on Chinese Christianity came about through his experiences travelling, teaching and living in China, where he found many “very faithful clergy” in both underground and state-approved settings.

“I believe there is a lot of solid, faithful Catholicism in the Chinese Church,” he said. “I hope it is the norm, even at the level of these Bishops who seem to be acting directly against Vatican orders. I begin to doubt their obedience and

Stage nearly set in Madrid

loyalty at some point, but I would hope, and have to believe, the numbers of ‘opportunists’ in the Chinese hierarchy are relatively small.”

Faries said he did not excuse the actions of those who participated in the forbidden ordinations but he also stressed the need to understand the difficult position of officially registered Chinese clergy. In some ways, Dr Faries observed, the situation might be “similar to a lot of Catholic dissent around the world,” in situations where “people want to be Catholic, but they also have a kind of ‘independent’ spirit”. CNA

US health rule too narrow Tributes flow on Paul VI’s anniversary

WASHINGTON - The US Federal government’s proposed “religious exemption” to the requirement that insurance plans cover contraceptives and sterilisation for women was “so narrow as to exclude most Catholic social service agencies and healthcare providers,” according to the chairman of the US Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced that eight “preventive services” must be included in any health plan under the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

One of the mandated services is coverage of “all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilisation procedures, and patient education and counselling for all women with reproductive capacity”.

The department also released an “interim final rule” to “give religious organisations the choice of buying or sponsoring group health insurance that does not cover contraception if that is inconsistent with their tenets”.

In a footnote to the list of mandated services, a religious employer is defined as “one that: (1) has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose; (2) primarily employs per-

sons who share its religious tenets; (3) primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets; and (4) is a nonprofit organisation” under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

Cardinal DiNardo said under the rule, “our institutions would be free to act in accord with Catholic teaching on life and procreation only if they were to stop hiring and serving non-Catholics.”

He said the “failure to create a meaningful conscience exemption” underlined the need for Congress to pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act introduced by Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb, and Dan Boren, D-Okla, which would allow health insurance plans to exclude procedures that violate the moral or religious convictions of those providing or purchasing the plan.

VATICAN CITY - Catholics in Rome have paid tribute to Pope Paul VI who died 33 years ago on 6 August 1978, after holding the office of the papacy for 15 years.

“Paul VI built his spirituality on the Eucharist both celebrated and adored,” said Archbishop Giampaolo Crepaldi of Trieste at a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Paul VI was born Giovanni Montini in the village of Concesio in northern Italy. After a career in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, he became Archbishop of Milan in 1954 before being elected to the papacy upon the death of Pope John XXIII in 1963.

“Pope Paul VI, with a respectful attention to every cultural social and religious reality, was well aware of the mission the Lord had given him,” Archbishop Crepaldi said.

Among other things, Pope Paul VI’s reign was defined by the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council in 1965 and its legacy, his reaffirmation of traditional Christian teaching on artificial contraception in the encyclical Humanae Vitae in 1968 and his introduction of a new rite of Mass in 1970.

A helicopter hovers over the massive stage being built at the Cuatro Vientos military airport outside Madrid, where Pope Benedict XVI will say Mass as part of World Youth Day activities. Organisers expect at least 1 million pilgrims to attend the 16-21 August event.

PHOTO: CNS/PAUL HANNA

US Catholic healthcare institutions would be free to act in accord with Church teaching only if they were to stop hiring and serving nonCatholics, accroding to Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. PHOTO: CNS/GREGORY A SHEMITZ

Immigration needs faith view: prelate

US CATHOLICS have a responsibility to bring a “faith perspective” to the current immigration debate and to keep in mind the “whole story” of immigrants’ role in this country’s history, said Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez.

“When we understand immigration from this perspective, we can see that immigration is not a problem for America. It’s an opportunity. It is a key to our American renewal,” he said.

The Archbishop was one of several speakers during an annual conference in late July sponsored by the Napa Institute, which promotes Catholic thought and apologetics.

Archbishop Gomez urged participants to think about immigration as part of a larger set of questions such as: “What is America? What does it mean to be an American? Who are we as a people and where are we heading as a country? What will the ‘next America’ look like?”

He said Catholics needed to answer these questions in light of their faith perspective and beyond any political party view.

The Archbishop emphasised the need to understand the complete picture of the nation’s founding.

The story of the nation’s Founding Fathers was “not the whole story about America”, he said, pointing out that the “rest of the story starts more than a century before the pilgrims; it starts in the 1520s in Florida and in the 1540s here in California.”

The exploration and evangelisation in the South and West was often “the missing piece of

American history,” he said. He urged people to get to know the stories of French missionaries from Canada and Hispanic missionaries from Mexico.

“When we forget our country’s roots in the Hispanic-Catholic mission to the new world, we end up with distorted ideas about our national identity,” he said.

“We end up with the idea that Americans are descended from only white Europeans and that our culture is based only on the individualism, work ethic and rule of law that we inherited from our AngloProtestant forebears.”

The Archbishop expressed concern the country was heading into “a new period of nativism” which opposed immigrants and efforts to assimilate them.

Catholics had the responsibility to counter these perceptions and “lead our country to a new spirit of empathy” for immigrants, whom he said were people of courage, energy and aspiration willing to work hard and sacrifice and also share the values of faith, family and community.

He said immigrants would not only “bring a new, youthful entrepreneurial spirit of hard work to our economy” but also help to “renew the soul of America”.

The way the US shaped its immigration policies would be “determined by the choices we make as Christian disciples and as American citizens,” he said. “By our attitudes and actions, by the decisions we make, we are writing the next chapters of our American story.”

CNS

Alabama’s harsh law makes Christian charity illegal: Bishops

THE southern US state of Alabama’s new immigration law would affect every part of undocumented immigrants’ lives and make “the exercise of our Christian religion” illegal, according to the state’s Catholic Archbishop.

“Both supporters and opponents of the law agree that it is the broadest and strictest immigration law in the country,” said Archbishop Thomas Rodi of the Archdiocese of Mobile.

He has joined Bishop Robert Baker of the Catholic diocese of Birmingham, Bishop Henry Parsley of the Episcopal diocese of Alabama and Methodist Bishop William Willimon in a lawsuit challenging the law, due to take

Need for more international aid

LUSAKA, Zambia - Catholic agencies are reported to be among the leading organisations providing humanitarian aid to the droughtand famine-ravaged Horn of Africa.

Jesuit Refugee Service, Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Ethiopia and Caritas Kenya have helped thousands of refugees in northern Kenya and internally displaced people in Somalia since the water crisis hit in November, according to the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa.

AMECEA spokesman Father Chrisantus Ndaga said Catholic

humanitarian agencies also have worked in Djibouti and Ethiopia, running programmes that address agricultural and water needs.

Despite the efforts, Fr Ndaga expressed concern the drought’s severity and insufficient funding were overwhelming the agencies’ ability to make progress against what the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs calls the region’s worst food crisis in 60 years.

About 12 million people across Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya are in dire need of food, clean water and

basic sanitation; about 3.7 million more are at risk of starving in southern Somalia, the worst hit area.

In Ethiopia, the Catholic Relief Services-led Joint Emergency Operations Plan is feeding nearly 1 million people.

CRS Africa Team Leader Brian Gleeson appealed for more international assistance, saying the “spring rains earlier this year were erratic and weak and as a result farmers have experienced horrible harvests and pastoralists are seeing their livestock dying off.”

effect in September. The US Justice Department has also filed suit to stop the law, along with other groups.

The law, among other things, allows police to detain anyone suspected of being undocumented and mandates criminal penalties for those who transport undocumented migrants.

The law “attacks our very understanding of what it means to be a Christian,” Archbishop Rodi said in his letter to constituents. The law wouild make it “illegal for a Catholic priest to baptise, hear the confession of, celebrate the anointing of the sick with, or preach the word of God to, an undocumented immigrant. Nor can we encourage

them to attend Mass or give them a ride to Mass.”

Churches cannot let undocumented immigrants “attend adult Scripture study groups, or attend CCD or Sunday school classes,” the Archbishop said. “The law prohibits almost every activity of our St Vincent de Paul chapters or Catholic social services.”

He said some argued that frustration with the lack of action by Congress on immigration reform has given rise to state laws, such as in Alabama. “But once immigrants are in our midst the Church has a moral obligation, intrinsic to the living out of our faith, to be Christlike to everyone.”

CNS

for her severely malnourished sevenmonth-old son, Minhaji Gedi Farah, in a hospital in the Dadaab refugee camp in northeastern Kenya. Already the world’s largest refugee settlement, Dadaab has swelled in recent weeks with tens of thousands of recent arrivals fleeing drought in Somalia.

Among Bangalore’s marginalised, beloved sister

By Anto AkkArA Catholic News Service

BANGALORE - The residents of Chickanayakanahalli village in suburban Bangalore were ecstatic when the ambulance from the Sumanahalli Society arrived. Their beloved Sister Jean was back.

Montfort Sister Jacqueline Jean McEwan stepped out and a beaming Karilingappa Sekharappa rushed forward on his crutches outmanoeuvering two dozen other people with Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, and their family members who were eagerly waiting the nun’s arrival.

Sekharappa, 72, embraced Sr Jean with the stumps of his hands, his palms lost to the disease, decades ago.

Then a group of women, several

without fingers, started embracing the nun one after the other with tear-filled eyes. Healthier younger women clapped and smiled.

“This is like my dead mother coming back alive. These are tears of joy,” Sekharappa said, wiping his eyes with a towel.

When Sr Jean last saw the residents, none of them knew if she would see them again. She had been ordered by the government in early July to abandon her ministry and leave India within a week because her residency permit was not being renewed. No reason was given.

A desperate appeal by Claretian Fr George Kannanthanam, director of the Sumanahalli leprosy home, got the deadline for Sr Jean’s departure extended to 25 July.

But Sr Jean and others lost hope as the days passed without a response from the government.

More than 100 sisters, coworkers and priests came together to bid the British nun goodbye with a special Mass the day she was scheduled to depart.

But an hour before Sr Jean was to leave for the airport, the nun received word that the government had extended her permit for 30 days, allowing her to apply for the normal one-year extension. An official said the original order was a mistake and assured her she would be allowed to stay in India “without limit of time”.

As others in the village greeted Sister Jean, Sekharappa recalled how he arrived in Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka, in 1968, banished from his village

Children from the Chicago area participate in a demonstration near the White House in Washington in July calling for action on US deportation processes and the incarceration of illegal immigrants and their families.

PHOTO: CNS/RAFAEL CRISÓSTOMO

CNS

Montfort Sister Jacqueline Jean McEwan visits with B. Shanti, left, and her mother, Venkatalakshmi.

PHOTO: CNS/ANTO AKKARA

Asio Dagene Osman cares

PHOTO: CNS/PAUL JEFFREY

Croatian property stoush draws papal response

VATICAN CITY - In a case that also has created diplomatic tensions between the Vatican and Croatia, the Pope has intervened to settle a property dispute between a Croatian diocese and an Italian Benedictine community

In July, Benedict XVI authorised a Vatican official to act in the place of the Bishop of Porec i Pula, Croatia, in signing an agreement compensating the Benedictines for the monastery in Dajla they felt forced to flee in the 1940s.

The property, which included vineyards and an olive grove,

Great wealth found in historic Gospel

LONDON - The historic St Cuthbert Gospel, believed the oldest intact book produced in Europe, has been sold by the Jesuits to the British Library for $US14.7 million.

The British Province of the Society of Jesus agreed to sell the late 7th century Anglo Saxon manuscript to raise funds to restore a historic church and pay for educational work in London and Glasgow, Scotland.

The pocket-size Latin translation of the Gospel of St John was found inside the coffin of St Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, when the saint’s grave was opened in 1104. Experts believe the manuscript was placed inside the casket within 10 years of the hermit’s death in 687.

When King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, the Gospel passed into the hands of a private collector in 1540. By the 18th century, the book was in the possession of the 3rd Earl of Lichfield who gave it to Canon Thomas Phillips, who in turn presented it in 1769 to the Jesuits.

served as a parish until the then-communist government of Yugoslavia nationalised all Church property in 1948 and turned the monastery into a home for the aged.

The Benedictine monks of Praglia, Italy were given the property and established the monastery in the mid-1800s in the town on the Adriatic coast.

The Croatian prime minister, Jadranka Kosor, met with Bishop Ivan Milovan of Porec i Pula on 1 August and, according to Croatian news reports, promised to write to

the Pope asking him to reconsider making the diocese compensate the Benedictines.

The Vatican said in a statement the Pope’s naming of a special commissioner for the diocese was “aimed exclusively at re-establishing justice within the Church, albeit with only partial compensation.

The Vatican regrettted “this has been instrumentalised with an aim of presenting it in a political and demagogic light”.

The appointed commissioner, Archbishop Santos Abril y Castello, “on this specific issue, substitutes

the local ecclesiastical authority, making it possible finally to reach a solution to the controversy”, the Vatican statement said.

The statement did not say how much money the diocese and the parish in Dajla were to pay the monks, but did say the value of the portion of property already sold by the diocese was “much greater”.

Italian news agency ANSA reported the Benedictines were compensated in the 1980s after Yugoslavia signed a deal with Italy to pay Italians for property confiscated after World War II. Croatia

knows home is where the heart is

near the city of Dharwad when he was found to have contracted the dreaded disease.

“I was an orphan and beggar in Bangalore streets until I met Sr Jean in 1983,” said Sekharappa, who lives in an independent house in the village, one of five such centres across greater Bangalore.

Sekharappa’s home is one of 44 in the village that Sr Jean and her colleagues managed to secure in 2006 for people with Hansen’s disease through the Indian government.

“Sr Jean has been looking after us like her children. We felt orphaned and motherless when we were told that she had to leave the country,” he said.

Sr Jean said that as she travelled to the village she was eager to be

gained its independence in 1991 and signed an agreement with the Vatican to return Church property or provide compensation for it, giving the former monastery to the Diocese of Porec i Pula.

As the original owners, the Italian Benedictines asked the diocese for the equivalent of $US42.5 million, ANSA said. Although the diocese sold off much of the land around the monastery to a developer planning a golf course, a commission of Cardinals appointed by the Pope to mediate the dispute set the figure at $8.5 million. CNS

S Africa’s help for neighbour dismays

By Bronwen Dachs Catholic News Service

CAPE TOWN - South Africa’s financial bail out of its neighbour Swaziland is “grossly disappointing though not surprising”, says the spokesman for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier.

South Africa surrounds the landlocked Swaziland and dominates the kingdom’s economy, accounting for almost all of its trade. It agreed on 4 August to lend $US355 million to help its struggling neighbour through a budget crunch.

The Bishops’ conference said in June that any bail out of Swaziland should depend upon major reforms including changes in its system of governance “of royal favour and alliance which is a breeding place for corruption and greed”.

South Africa placed no conditions on the loan.

South Africa’s finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, said it was in his country’s interest to have a stable neighbour and it would not force reforms on Swaziland’s King Mswati III who faces widespread accusations of autocratic rule and gross fiscal mismanagement.

Cardinal Napier questioned South African president Jacob Zuma’s support for the bail out without conditions in an interview with the Catholic News Service from Durban.

“Zuma was in the fight for freedom in South Africa, so how can he just pretend there is nothing wrong in Swaziland?” the Cardinal said. “The king is a dictator.”

back so she could continue the work she began in 1982 when her Order ran the leprosy centre in Sumanahalli.

“I just could not think of leaving my people,” she said.

“If Sr Jean had not been there, we would’ve been drunkards, drug peddlers and rowdies.”

It is not just people with Hansen’s disease whom Sr Jean has inspired. She was credited by family members of people with the disease with assuring they received an education and built a solid foundation for a career.

“Whatever I am today is all due to this Mother,” said B Shanti, a

social worker of St John’s Medical College Hospital. Next to Shanti was her real mother, 70-year-old Venkatalakshmi, who had lost her legs, hands and eyes to leprosy and was seated on the steps to their house in the village.

“I still remember how Sister [Jean] took me away from the leper colony and sent me to St Teresa’s school,” Shanti said.

Shanti was born in a dingy leper colony in Sheshadripuram in the heart of Bangalore. But she was educated at an elite English school with the help of Sr Jean and a Catholic charity. She is one of hundreds of young people whose parents have Hansen’s disease who have benefited from Sr Jean’s efforts.

“Look at all of us. Do we look like children of lepers?” asked

M Govindaswamy, 38, another school graduate.

“If Sr Jean had not been there, we would have been drunkards, drug peddlers and rowdies,” Govindaswamy said.

Although some of the elders with the disease still venture into downtown Bangalore to beg for money, their children and grandchildren lead normal lives attending even elite schools along with other children with the support of the network Sr Jean has built.

Even so, Sr Jean finds children and grandchildren of people with Hansen’s disease continue to be marginalised in Indian society.

“The educated people are the biggest disappointment in my work as they still stigmatise the people with leprosy,” she said. “They are still scared about it.”

The Bishops’ conference urged reforms that included the lifting of a state of emergency imposed by the king that has curtailed freedom of expression, association and dissent since 1973.

“People in Swaziland told us that this is what they need to happen,” said the Cardinal who, with the president of the South African Bishops conference, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg, was part of a delegation of Bishops that visited Swaziland earlier this year.

The conference represents South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland. As well its financial troubles, Swaziland is rife with social ills.

It has the highest AIDS infection rate in the world, at slightly more than 26 per cent of the adult population; the world’s lowest life expectancy at 32 years; and an unemployment rate of 40 per cent. Seventy percent of the country’s 1 million residents live below the poverty line, which is set at less than $US6 a day.

The pocket-size Gospel sold for US$14.7m.

PHOTO: CNS/BRITISH LIBRARY

PersPectives

And with your spirit: a greeting of meaning

One of the aspects of the new translation of the Mass I find strange is the answer “And with your Spirit” after the priest says “The Lord be with you”. Why such an unusual expression, when “nd also with you” is more normal English?

There is a long history to this expression which occurs five times in the Mass: at the beginning, before the Gospel, before the Preface, in the Sign of Peace and before the Dismissal.

When Mass was said in Latin the priest greeted the people with “Dominus vobiscum” and the people replied “et cum spiritu tuo”, literally “And with your spirit”. When the Mass was translated into the vernacular after the Second Vatican Council, most versions translated the expression literally, English being one of the exceptions. Now we are simply joining the rest of the world in following the Latin more closely.

But what is behind this somewhat unusual expression? The greeting “The Lord be with you” goes back to Old Testament times. In the book of Ruth, Boaz says to the reapers, “The Lord be with you” and they reply “The Lord bless you”. It is a very spiritual greeting, a wish that God will be with the other person.

In Bavaria, Germany, people still greet one another in the street with “Grüss Gott”, literally “Greet God”, or “God greets you”. It is much more spiritual than a mere “Hello” or “G’day”.

The expression “And with your spirit” is found in several of St Paul’s letters. For example, his second letter to Timothy concludes, “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you” (2 Tim 4:22) and his letter to the Galatians finishes, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen” (Gal 6:18).

It is clear that the early Christians took up and used this expression. For example, the second reading for Holy Saturday in the Liturgy of the Hours is from an ancient homily which describes Christ descending to the Limbo of the Fathers. There he encounters Adam, who says,

Q&A

By Fr John Flader

“My Lord be with everyone” and Jesus replies to Adam, “And with your spirit”.

The phrase “And with your spirit” refers to the soul, thus acknowledging that man is not a mere material being but one with a spiritual, immortal soul. It is a testimony to the dignity of the human person, made in the image and likeness of God. And it is a wish that God may be in the soul of the other person.

When we use this greeting in Mass we can consider that we are in union with the Church of the first centuries.

Although “And with your spirit” can be said to anyone, as we see in the letters of St Paul and in Christ’s response to Adam, in the early centuries the Fathers of the Church applied it to the grace of the Holy Spirit present in sacred ministers by the laying on of hands.

In the fourth century St John Chrysostom says in a homily, referring to Bishop Flavian of Antioch: “If the Holy Spirit were not in our Bishop when he gave the peace to

all shortly before ascending to his holy sanctuary, you would not have replied to him all together, ‘And with your spirit’. This is why you reply with this expression not only when he ascends to the sanctuary, nor when he preaches to you, nor when he prays for you, but when he stands at this holy altar, when he is about to offer this awesome sacrifice. You don’t first partake of the offerings until he has prayed for you the grace from the Lord, and you have answered him, ‘And with your spirit’, reminding yourselves by this reply that he who is here does nothing of his own power, nor are the offered gifts the work of human nature, but it is the grace of the Spirit present and hovering over all things which prepared that mystic sacrifice” [Homily on Pentecost].

It is for this reason that since the early centuries only sacred ministers – bishops, priests and deacons – can greet the people by saying “The Lord be with you.”

In response to the minister’s blessing, wishing the people that God be with them, they respond with a similar wish, which is also a profession of faith in the special gift of the Holy Spirit received in the ordination ceremony, configuring the minister to Christ.

So there is a long history, one charged with meaning, in the simple greeting “And with your spirit”.

Not a faith of rules but of perfect love

For many of us, myself included, we can say easily and without much thought “I trust in God”, but in reality how many of us really do, and to what extent? There are some beautiful words from Christ in chapter seven of Saint Matthew’s Gospel: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your son asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.”

These are the words of Christ, the Son of God and God Himself. They should fill us with great hope. If we cannot believe these words deep within our being, there are no words we can believe. They are not easy. Yes, they are easy when everything is going as we desire but when life turns sour or when our plans tend to differ from God’s, it is then that we face the temptation to turn and walk our own way. All sin and vice is us deciding to walk our own way, not trusting that God’s only desire is to provide for us out of His love. We think we know what will make us happy; actually, we do know what will make us happy: to be loved and to give love in return. What we aren’t so clear on is working out how to love rightly in every situation. If God really is the personally loving God as Christ said, should we not be willing to hand our whole lives and its direction to Him? If we do not constantly come back to God as a God of love and learn from Him, we will begin to see Him and all of Christianity and its teachings as merely rules given by a harsh taskmaster. All this talk of trusting in God, though, is an unachievable ideal if we do not incorporate the grace of God into our lives. The secular world says that all you need to be happy is within, but this is wrong or, at least, it is incomplete. We are creatures, wonderfully made creatures, but still only creatures and fallen ones at that. We struggle to

Foolish Wisdom

“a foolishness wiser than human wisdom” (1 Cor 1:25)

By Bernard Toutounji

do what we know we should do. Our desire and our will are often in conflict. The only way to perfection, to reach the plan of God for our life, is with sanctifying grace. You might say to yourself, “I will be ok, I just need to toughen up” but without grace you will fail as certain as the sun will rise tomorrow.

We must ask for God’s grace every day; if necessary, we must pray for the desire to desire God’s grace. There is a popular image of Christ standing at a door knocking but the door has no handle. The door represents our hearts. The Lord stands and knocks but He will not force entry into our lives, only we can open the door to the Lord, and we can be assured that the moment we do, His grace will come flooding in. It is primarily in the sacraments that we receive this grace; these are the channels of blessing that Christ left for us. Frequent Holy Communion and Confession will feed and purify our souls. We should cling to the sacraments like we would to a life vest in the ocean. St Augustine once wrote, Pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on you”. This needs to be our plan for life.

Christ said, “be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect”. He would not have set us such a high goal if we were not given the means to do it. Never forget we are the creatures of a God of love, a God who loved us so much he died, not for humanity as some general concept, but for you and for me personally. The only way to our true happiness is through God’s plan. Sometimes God’s plan is difficult but there is no reward without a struggle, no crown without a cross. When we unite ourselves to the cross of Christ, our burdens are lifted and we will find the happiness we desire.

b_toutounji@optusnet.com.au

Convert deacon has a foot in both camps of life

Deacon Brenton Fry

Iam called to be a witness to the Gospel. I always had faith, although like a lot of people I went through a stage where I shut the door on God and only invited him in when I needed to. Now I recognise Him as a co-partner in my life.

When I was 13, I was diagnosed with Rheumatic fever which severely affected my ability to walk and I was in bed for two weeks. I had pain in my groin and hip joints. I shared a bedroom with my brother and decided to search amongst his things where I found a New Testament Bible. Something drew me to read the Gospel of St John. After I finished it, I felt so good I prayed to God, “If this is how heaven feels, take me now.”

Although I wouldn’t say that it was a miracle, I recovered completely. I have been married for 26 years. All my family know there is more to life than this life. My wife Genyese is a Catholic and she impressed me with the way she lived out her faith and brought up

our children Rebecca (25), Dylan (24) and Jacob (19) as Catholics. Originally of the Uniting Church, I decided to become a Catholic too and was baptised in 1998. The women in my life: Genyese, Rebecca, my mother-in-law and grandmother, are the custodians of the faith in my family. I also feel closeness to Mary as the mother of Christ. She supported Him at the foot of the Cross when almost all the disciples were scattered to the four winds.

I am a Captain and an army chaplain with the unit 6 RAR

in Brisbane. I have SAS and Commando training. Drawn by the examples of Bishops, priests and deacons I met through the army I decided to become a deacon. I was ordained in 2005 at St Joan of Arc Chapel on the Gallipoli army barracks. I feel, being married and a deacon, I have a foot in both camps. Both can complement one another but it is important that there is a balance. My wife supports me in my decision to be a deacon but also reminds me to spend time with the family!

Why I Became Catholic

with Debbie Warrier

conflicts.) I started to hallucinate and remember thinking I was sitting at the front of a church.

operation. The people there were in the grip of famine and civil war. We stayed in what used to be the US Embassy which was well protected and there was no reason to be afraid.

One hot night I was sleeping on the floor with my weapon near me and had this very real sense I was going to die. It was a very powerful experience in the negative. I thought, “God, don’t let me die on this night. I am not ready to die.”

There have been times in my life when my faith in God has been confirmed.

I saw a waterfall coming out of a stained glass window, splashing into a river and all these people

“One hot night I was sleeping on the floor with my weapon near me and had this very real sense that I was going to die.”

Once during SAS training, I was required to spend time in food and sleep deprivation. (a controlled environment and necessary part of training, preparing us for conditions that arise during real

looking at me. Despite not knowing what was going on, I felt calm and in communion with God for the duration of the hallucination.

Another confirmation of my faith came when I was deployed to Somalia with a small attachment of other soldiers. It was my first

I decided to pray the Lord’s Prayer in repetition. A wave of peace came over me, forcing the fear away.

As deacon, my role is to share my faith and walk alongside the soldiers as a representative of the Church. Each of us has a gift and mine is the time I am prepared to give to God’s people. I have the enthusiasm in spreading God’s Word shared by the newly ordained and ever since ordination have had a very strong sense that I am where God wants me to be. I don’t expect to convert others but know that some of my disappointments in the short term can become God’s victories in the long term.

THURSDAY, 11 AUGUST

Fr John Rea ministers in Fremantle

7.30pm at St Patrick’s Basilica, 47 Adelaide St, Fremantle. Prayer, Mass, and Healing service. Cost: collection. Enq: Michele 0450 457 887.

FRIDAY, 12 AUGUST

Youth Meeting with Fr John Rea

7.30pm at 67 Howe St, Osborne Park. For young people 13-18 yrs old. Discussion and prayer for healing. Cost: collection. Enq: Mike or Simone 9202 6868.

SATURDAY, 13 AUGUST

Men’s Breakfast with Fr John Rea

7.30-9am, at 67 Howe St, Osborne Park. Great opportunity to fellowship and individual prayer for healing and other needs. Cost: $10. Enquiries: Reg 0429 777 007. Divine Mercy – Healing Mass

2.30pm at St Francis Xavier Parish, 25 Windsor St, East Perth. Main celebrant: Fr Marcellinus. Reconciliation in English, Maltese and Italian. Divine Mercy prayers followed by Veneration of First Class Relic of Sr Faustina Kowalska. Refreshments afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771.

St Padre Pio day of prayer

9am at Holy Spirit Parish, 2 Keaney Pl, City Beach. Begins with DVD. 10.30am – Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy, Silent Adoration and Benediction.

11.30am – Holy Mass, St Padre Pio Liturgy, Confession available; 12.30pm – bring plate to share. Enq: Res 6278 1540.

SUNDAY, 14 AUGUST

Fr John Rea Healing Service

3-5pm at 67 Howe St, Osborne Park. Fr John has an internationally acclaimed healing ministry. He will be ministering through prayer and worship and a Healing Service. Cost: collection. Enq: Michele 9202 6868.

Eucharistic reparation

3pm at St Pius X Parish, Paterson St, Manning. The World Apostolate of Fatima Aust Inc invites you to attend a Eucharistic Hour. Enq: 9339 2614.

TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST

Spirituality and The Sunday Gospels

7-8pm at St Benedict’s School Hall, Alness St, Applecross. Everyone is welcome. Accredited - CEO - Faith Formation for ongoing renewal. Presenter: Norma Woodcock. There will be a collection. Enq: 94871772 or www.normawoodcock.com.

WEDNESDAY, 17 AUGUST

Fr John Rea Healing service

7.30pm at St Bernadette’s parish, 5 Rennes Lane, Port Kennedy. Experience Fr John Rea and experience his healing ministry. Cost: collection. Enq: Gaye 9593 4670 or Sharren 0434 581 372.

THURSDAY, 18 AUGUST

Fr John Rea Healing Mass at the Cathedral

7.30pm at the Cathedral, Victoria Sq, Perth. Fr John culminates his time in Perth with Prayer and Praise, Mass and Healing prayer. Enq: Michele 9202 6868.

SATURDAY, 20 AUGUST

“Youths and Peer Pressure”

2 Hour Youth Workshop

3.30-5.30pm at Lesmurdie Parish Centre, cnr Lesmurdie and Glyde Rds, Lesmurdie. Young people aged 13-17. Concludes with Rock Mass at 6pm. Speaker: Fr James Fanning. Coffee and tea available. Enq and RSPV: Gina Price on lesmurdieyouthgroup@hotmail.com or to the parish office on lesmurdie@perthcatholic.org.au.

“Meditation as Liberation” Community Day 10am-3.30pm at St Mary’s Parish, Yule Ave, Middle Swan. Led by Rev Stuart Fenner. Cost: $10. BYO Lunch. Enq: Secretary 9444 5810 or christianmeditation@iinet. net.au.

Healing Sessions – Fr John Rea

9am at Karriholm Christian Centre, Ellis St, Pemberton. Begins with Mass; Session 1: 11am “Two weeks in Acto”. Session 2: 2.30pm “The Impetus of the Beginnings”. Bring lunch and evening meal. Enq: Betty 0427 711 916 or hsofpemberton@gmail.com.

Healing Mass

7.30pm at Sacred Heart Parish, Guppy St, Pemberton. The

Panorama Editorial Policy

The Record reserves the right to decline and/or edit any items submitted for publication in Panorama. The deadline for submission of Panorama items is: 11am every Monday. Maximum words: 55.

Peter Rosengren Editor

Sacrament of the Sick will be administered to those who are seriously impaired by sickness or old age. Enq: Betty 0427 711 916 or hsofpemberton@gmail.com

SUNDAY, 21 AUGUST

Caritas East Africa Drought Appeal

2.30-5.30pm at Innaloo Sportsmen’s Club, cnr Birdwood St and Langley Cr, Innaloo. Jackadder’s Music Club and Innaloo Sportsmen’s Club will present an afternoon of fine entertainment. All profits will aid drought in Somalia, the worst in 60 years. Performing will be The UpBeats trio, Carmel Charlton and Sonja D’Anne. Cost: $8 - Tickets at the door. Enq: Carmel 9446 1558.

TUESDAY, 23 AUGUST

Spirituality and The Sunday Gospels Seminar

7-8pm at St Benedict’s School Hall, Alness St, Applecross. Jesus asks us to come as we are and to offer what little we have. Mt 14:13-21, First miracle of the loaves. CEO Accreditation - Faith Formation. Presenter: Norma Woodcock. Cost: collections. Enq: 9487 1772 or www. normawoodcock.com.

SATURDAY, 27 AUGUST

Healing retreat for couples

9.30am-5pm at Holy Family Parish, Lot 375 Alcock St, Maddington. Inner healing prayers for couples: a day for couples to understand themselves in the light of God’s Word by Vincentian Fathers. BYO lunch. Enq and registration: Melanie 0410 605 743 or m.fonseca@curtin.edu.au.

SUNDAY, 28 AUGUST

First Malaysian Norbertine Canon in 900 year history

9.30am at St Joseph’s Priory Parish, 135 Treasure Rd, Queens Park, WA 6107. The Norbertine Canons: celebrating the Feast of Our Holy Father, Augustine in a Solemn Mass in which Bro Christopher J Lim, will profess Solemn Vows of the Order. Enq and RSVP: Tina 9458 2729 or 9451 5586.

TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST TO TUESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER

27th Novena to Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni

7pm at Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett St, Embleton. Mass, Novena and procession. 31 Aug, 7pm, Novena and blessing of the children. 1 Sept, 7pm Novena and blessing of the sick and elderly. 2 Sept, 7pm Novena. 3 Sept, 6pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 7pm Mass. 4 Sept, 6pm Vigil Mass and Novena. Food Fete. 5-7 Sept, 7pm, Novena. 8 Sept, 7pm, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Concelebrated Mass and candle light procession. Enq: Office 9271 5528 or Gordon 9377 4472.

FRIDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER

World Youth Day Experience Sharing

7pm at Star of The Sea Parish Hall, 2 McNeil St, Cottesloe. Fr Rodrigo, together with two young people of the parish, would like to share their experience of the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. For this Fr Freddy and Fr Rodrigo invite all young adults to join them for that evening. Light refreshments will be provided.Enq: Fr Freddy/Fr Rodrigo 9384 2421.

SATURDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER

Day with Mary

9am-5pm at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, cnr Camberwell and Berwick Sts, East Victoria Park. Day of prayer and instruction based on the Fatima message. 9am Video; 10.10am Holy Mass; Reconciliation, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons on Eucharist and Our Lady by His Grace, Archbishop Barry Hickey, Rosaries and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Enq – Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

WEDNESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER

Women on the Fringe– Male and female actors and crew required 7pm at St Simon Peter’s Parish Centre, cnr Prendiville Ave and Constellation Dr, Ocean Reef. The first reading of this play was written by Gerald Searle of St Anthony’s,

Wanneroo. No experience needed. The play will be staged 2012 September: marginalised women because of gender, race and nationality, religion and moral standing – and transformed when encountered Jesus. Enq: Gerald 9404 7292.

SATURDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER

Anglican Ordinariate Group

11am at Holy Cross Tide in the courtyards of Notre Dame University, Fremantle. All welcome to pray the Stations of the Cross. Enq: Fr Ted Wilson 0349 5798 or Br Harry on 0417 180 145.

“Mary, Blessed Among All Women” - Catholic Women’s Day Retreat

9am-3pm at St Brigid’s Parish, 69b Morrison Rd, Midland. Day of reflection, prayer and spiritual enlightenment with the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Immaculate. Spiritual director: Fr Joseph. Lunch provided. Registration by 1 September. Enq: Lydia 0413 993 987 or catholicwomen.perth@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER

Love Ministry Healing

6pm at Our Lady of Mercy, corner Girrawheen Ave and Patrick Ct, Girrawheen. Love Ministry Healing team including Fr Nishan and other clergy. All welcome, come and be prayed over, healed from the past or present issues or stand in for a loved one who may be ill or facing problems at this time. Enq: Fr Hugh Thomas or Gilbert on 0431 570 322.

FRIDAY, 11 TO TUESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER

Pilgrim Tour To The Holy Land Jordan, Israel and Egypt. Spiritual Director: Fr Sebastian Kalapurackal VC from St Aloysius Church, Shenton Park. Enq: Francis – Coordinator, 9459 3873 or 0404 893 877 or Skype ID: perthfamily.

SATURDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2012

A reunion for Holy Cross Primary School, Kensington

Any ex-students or family members please contact Julie Bowles (nee O’Hara) on 9397 0638 or email jules7@iinet. net.au.

EVERY SUNDAY

Gate of Heaven Catholic Radio Join the Franciscans of the Immaculate from 7.30-9pm on Radio Fremantle 107.9FM for Catholic radio broadcast of EWTN and our own live shows. Enq: radio@ausmaria. com.

Pilgrim Mass - Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation

2pm at Shrine, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Commencing with Rosary followed by Benediction. Reconciliation is available before every celebration. Anointing of the Sick administered during Mass every second Sunday of the month. Pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation, last Sunday of the month. Side entrance to the church and shrine open daily between 9am-5pm. Enq Sacri 9447 3292.

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY

Divine Mercy Chaplet and Healing Prayer 3pm at Santa Clara Church, 72 Palmerston St, Bentley. Includes Adoration and individual prayer for healing. Spiritual leader: Fr Francisco. All welcome. Enq: Fr Francisco 9458 2944.

Divine Mercy

1.30pm at St Francis Xavier Parish, 25 Windsor St, East Perth. Main celebrant: Fr Alphonsus. Homily on St Maximilian Kolbe. Includes Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Reconciliation, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Divine Mercy prayers. Followed by Benediction and Veneration of First Class Relics of St Faustina Kowalska. Refreshments afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771.

EVERY SECOND SUNDAY

Healing Hour for the Sick

6pm at St Lawrence Parish, 392 Albert St, Balcatta. Begins with Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and prayers. Enq: Fr Irek 9344 7066 or ww.stlawrence. org.au.

EVERY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Prayer in style of Taize during August and September

7-8pm at Sisters of St Joseph’s Chapel, 16 York St, South Perth. Chapel doors open at 6.30pm. Everyone welcome to come along for prayer, using songs from Taize in the stillness of a candle lit chapel. Remembering Mary MacKillop Feast day. Mary MacKillop merchandise and books for sale in the Mary MacKillop Centre. Enq: Sr Maree Riddler 0414 683 926.

Oblates of St Benedict Meet

2pm at St Joseph’s Convent, York St, South Perth. For all interested in studying the rule of St Benedict and its relevance to the everyday life of today for laypeople. Afternoon tea provided. Enq: Secretary 9457 5758.

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life

2-3pm at Infant Jesus Parish, Wellington St, Morley. The hour includes Exposition of the Blessed Eucharist, silent prayer, Scripture and prayers of intercession. Come and pray that those discerning vocations to the priesthood or Religious life hear clearly God’s loving call to them.

St Mary’s Cathedral Youth group – fellowship with supper

5pm at Mary’s Cathedral, 17 Victoria Sq, Perth. Begins with Youth Mass followed by fellowship downstairs in parish centre. Bring a plate to share. Enq: Bradley youthfromsmc@gmail.com.

EVERY MONDAY

Evening Adoration and Mass

7pm at St Thomas Parish, Claremont, cnr Melville St and College Rd. Begins with Adoration, Reconciliation, Evening Prayer and Benediction, followed by Mass and Night Prayer at 8pm. Enq: Kim 9384 0598, claremont@ perthcatholic.org.au.

EVERY TUESDAY

Bible Teaching with a difference

7.30pm at St Joachim’s parish hall, Shepparton Rd, Victoria Park. Exciting revelations with meaningful applications that will change your life. Novena to God the Father, followed by refreshments. Bring Bible, a notebook and a friend. Enq: Jan 9284 1662.

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

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Holy Spirit of Freedom Community

7.30pm at The Church of Christ, 111 Stirling St, Perth. We are delighted to welcome everyone to attend our Holy Spirit of Freedom Praise Meeting. Enq: 0423 907 869 or hsofperth@gmail.com.

Holy Hour at Catholic Youth Ministry

6pm at 40A Mary St, Highgate, Catholic Pastoral Centre. 5.30pm Mass followed by $5 fellowship supper. Enq: Stefania 9422 7912 or www.cym.com.au.

Bible Study at Cathedral

6.15pm at Mary’s Cathedral, 17 Victoria Sq, Perth. Deepen your Faith through reading and reflecting on Holy Scripture by Fr Jean-Noel. Meeting room beneath Cathedral. Enq: Marie 9223 1372.

EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY

Holy Hour prayer for Priests

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

SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

Chaplets of the Divine Mercy

7.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Parish, Dean Rd, Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion accompanied by Exposition and followed by Benediction. Enq: George 9310 9493 or 9325 2010 (w).

ACROSS

4 “___ Dolorosa”

9 Catholic priest-explorer

10 ___ in the Garden

11 “…be and your no…” (Jas 5:12)

12 Make up for sin

13 The Parable of the Wicked (Mt 21)

14 Satan

17 Holy

19 Daniel was in the lion’s

21 The of saints

22 Catholic sports figure Lombardi

23 Pope of the fifth century

25 Moses parted it

26 Saves

29 Some houses

31 One of the seraphim or cherubim, for example

33 ___ Testament

34 Along with Timothy, he was a disciple of Paul

35 Abraham, in the beginning

36 First Catholic United States Chief Justice

DOWN

1 Jerusalem was its capital

2 “Tantum ___”

3 Catholic actress Dunaway

4 The Seed

5 Diocese in New Jersey

6 There were 40 days and nights of this

Walk With Him

15 M THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Wh (Solemnity) Mass during the day

Rev 11:19; 12:1-6, 10 A sign appeared

Ps 44:10-12, 16 The queen in gold

1 Cor 15:20-26 Life in Christ

Lk 1:39-56 Woman most blessed

16 Tu St Stephen of Hungary (O)

Gr Judg 6:11-24 You will not die

Ps 84:9, 11-14 peace for God’s people

Mt 19:23-30 Who can be saved?

17 W Judg 9:6-15 To anoint a king

Gr Ps 20:2-7 Joy to the king

Mt 20:1-16 Workers for vineyard

EVERY THURSDAY

Divine Mercy

11am at Sts John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and for the consecrated life, especially here in John Paul Parish. Concludes with veneration of the First Class Relic of St Faustina. Please do come and join us in prayer. Enq: John 9457 7771.

St Mary’s Cathedral Praise Meeting

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

7 Receptacle for the host

8 Greek prayer

15 Bless

16 Baptismal basins

18 Greatest king of 1D

20 First woman

23 See 1D

24 Structure for prayer and the celebration of Mass

27 She danced for Herod

28 Christmas celebrates Jesus’

30 “Do not put the Lord your God to the ___” (Lk 4:12)

31 Father of Cain

32 Actor and convert Cooper Lake City is found

18 Th Judg 11:29-39 Must it be you?

Gr Ps 39:5, 7-10 Trust in the Lord

Mt 22:1-14 Banquet all prepared

19 F St John Eudes, Priest (O)

Gr Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22

Wherever you go

Ps 145:5-10 Lord loves the just

Mt 22:34-40 Heart, soul, mind

20 St Bernard, abbot, doctor of the Church (M)

Wh Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 Al you have done

Ps 127:1-5 Walk in God’s ways

Mt 23:1-12 Do what they tell you

FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

Prayer in style of Taize

7.30-8.30pm at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach. Includes prayer, song and silence in candlelight –symbol of Christ the light of the world. Taize info: www.taize.fr Enq: Secretary 9448 488 or 9448 4457.

FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life

7pm at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. Mass, followed by Adoration with Fr Doug Harris. All welcome. Refreshments provided.

EDUCATION COUNSELLING

SELF AWARENESS and RELATIONSHIPS COURSE

For singles, couples, marriage prep 12 Mondays, first on 25 JULY, 5-7pm At the RCPD, Fremantle, cost $288 or $240 conc http://members.dodo.com. au/~evalenz/ Call Eva on: 0409 405 585.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

CATHOLICS CORNER Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for Baptism, Communion and Confirmation. Ph 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Rd, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat.

RICH HARVEST YOUR

CHRISTIAN SHOP Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, Baptism/Communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at 39 Hulme Ct (off McCoy St), Myaree. Ph 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat). We are here to serve.

KINLAR VESTMENTS

Quality handmade and decorated vestments: Albs, Stoles, Chasubles, Altar linen, banners, etc. 12 Favenc Way, Padbury. By appointment only. Ph Vickii on 9402 1318, 0409 114 093 or kinlar.vestments@gmail.com.

OTTIMO

Convenient location for Bibles, books, cards CD/DVDs, candles, medals, statues and gifts at Shop 41, Station St Market, Subiaco. Fri-Sun, 9-5pm.

CLASSIFIEDS

Deadline: 11am Monday

FURNITURE REMOVAL

ALL AREAS. Competitive Rates.

Mike Murphy Ph 0416 226 434.

SETTLEMENTS

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING real estate or a business?

Why not ask Excel Settlements for a quote for your settlement. We offer reasonable fees, excellent service and no hidden costs. Ring Excel on 9481 4499 for a quote. Check our web site on www.excelsettlements.com.au.

TRADE SERVICES

BRENDAN HANDYMAN

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

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Your handyperson. No job too small. SOR. Jim 0413 309 821.

BRICK RE-POINTING Ph Nigel 9242 2952.

PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd

For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Ph Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

PICASSO PAINTING Top service. Ph 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.

LAWN MOWING

WRR LAWN MOWING & WEED SPRAYING Garden clean ups and rubbish removal. Get rid of bindii, jojo and other unsightly weeds. Based in Tuart Hill. Enq 9443 9243 or 0402 326 637.

BOOK BINDING

NEW BOOK BINDING, General

Book Repairs; Rebinding; New Ribbons; Old Leather Bindings Restored.Tydewi Bindery 0422 968 572.

ACHES, PAIN, STRESS

RE FLEX RELAX MASSAGE

Mature Indian Masseur

Jai: 0438 520 993.

ACCOMMODATION

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

ESPERANCE 3 bedroom house f/furnished Ph 08 9076 5083.

OPPORTUNITIES

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Work from Home - P/T or F/T, 02 8230 0290 or visit www.dreamlife1.com.

IN MEMORIAM

KI RKWOOD (Arthur)

In loving memory of my dear Father, who died on 11 August 1991. Twenty years have passed since that sad day, but you remain ever in my heart and prayers, O my Pappa! May God be with you always, and with darling wonderful Mother also. I miss you both so much, but treasured memories bring comfort until we are again together with God. Moira Requiescant in pace.

The

Record Bookshop