The Record Newspaper 16 July 2008

Last weekend’s special Perth WYD Commissioning Mass saw thousands of youth say ‘yes’ to Archbishop Barry Hickey’s call for them to follow Jesus. The rest of the week saw extraordinary scenes in Sydney as unprecedented numbers gathered to be with the Vicar of Christ Down Under - and to hear his words. This week: the first of The Record’s special two-week coverage as we focus on the leadup to, and first days of, WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008.

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photo: courtesy getty images/ wyd 08

Saint for the week

Juliana Falconieri

1270-1341 feast – June 19

Juliana was the only child of a wealthy couple in Florence, Italy, who had built the church of the Annunciation there. She refused to marr y and was enrolled as a tertiary with the Servite order ; her uncle, St. Alexis

20 16th

Walking with Him Daily Mass Readings

ORDINARY TIME

Gr Wis 12:13.16-19 God judges justly

Ps 85:5-6.9-10.15-16 God is forgiving

Rom 8:26-27 God understands

Mt 13:24-43 S Sower of good seed

21 M St Laurence of Brindisi, priest, doctor of the Church (O)

Gr Mi 6:1-4.6-8 Walk humbly

Ps 49:5-6.8-9.16-17.21.23. God saves

Mt 12:38-42 The sign of Jonah

22 T St Mary Magdalene (M)

Wh Song 3:1-4 I will seek him [Alt. 2 Cor 5:14-17 A new creation]

Ps 62:2-6.8-9 I will bless you

Jn 20:1-2.11-18 Mary! Rabbuni!

23 W St Bridget, religious (O)

Gr Jer 1:1.4-10 I am with you

Ps 70:1-6.15.17 A rock to save me

Mt 13:1-9 The sower

24T St Sarbel Markhluf (O)

Gr Jer 2:1-3.7-8.12-13 Living water

Ps 36:6-11 Source of life

Mt 13:10-17 Speak in parables

25 F St James, Apostle, Feast Red 2 Cor 4:7-15 We never despair

Ps 125:1-6 Like a dream

Mt 20:20-28 Drink the cup

26 S Sts Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (M)

Wh Jer 7:1-11

Listen to God’s word

Ps 83:3-6.8.11 My king and my God

Mt 13:24-30 Let them both grow

Last Saturday's special commissioning Mass for WYD was attended by an estimated 3000 young people: pilgrims from Perth and wider WA and their international brothers and sisters stopping off in our city before heading for Sydney. This edition of The Record is devoted to reports on the leadup to WYD.

■ By Anthony Barich

OVER 3000 young people pledged to change the world through their love for Christ at the climax of Perth’s Days in the Diocese festival on June 12. With over 110 priests and ten bishops present from around the world at the Commissioning Mass for World Youth Day pilgrims, Perth’s Archbishop, Barry Hickey, asked the same question of the 3000 local youth and 600 international pilgrims that Jesus had asked Peter in the New Testament: “Do you love Him?” The answer was a resounding ‘yes’, with all the emotion fermented over six big days of festivities that kicked off with the ‘blessing of the fleet’ of buses travelling over 3000km across the Nullarbor to Sydney for WYD 2008.

Archbishop Hickey called on Perth’s youth and those from the other countries present to evangelise other young people with their love for Christ.

He said that when Jesus asked Peter to be his apostle, he did not say, “are you a good speaker, or financier”, or whatever their talent is; he said “do you love me?”

In an emotional address that saw many pilgrims reduced to tears, Archbishop Hickey said many youth of today feel much emptiness, and fill the void with pre-marital sex, material possessions like the latest phone or flat-screen television.

These, he said, do not bring freedom, only enslavement.

The only thing that can fill their hearts, he said, is Christ – and young Catholics are the ones to help other youth find Him.

Three days earlier, Archbishop Hickey launched Perth’s Days in the Diocese youth festival, welcoming international pilgrims on their way through to Sydney on July 10.

The festival drew much interest in the various Catholic agencies like True Love Waits, Caritas, Young Christian Workers and the Respect Life Office, which will provide avenues for youth to continue their formation beyond WYD08. Pilgrims from Spain, Switzerland, South Africa, the

Once it’s all over...

■ By Anthony Barich

United States, Vietnam, Ghana, India, East Timor, Italy, China, Pakistan, Scandinavia, Northern Ireland, Uganda, Germany and Gabon converged in Perth to discover the universality of the Catholic Church and its distinct flavour in Australia.

Young pilgrim Nacho Quijano from Santander, Spain, likely spoke for many of the international pilgrims when he said his trip to Australia is not as a tourist, but to “encounter the Catholic reality in Australia and to meet Catholics from around the world”.

Nacho, who travelled to Perth with a group of 30 others from Spain, said they have prepared for months and travelled 2000km to “discover that the message of the Church is universal”.

“I look forward to meeting the Pope, receive his message and make it my own,” he said,

The key to the success of both Days in the Diocese and World Youth Day has been prayer, and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal from New York facilitated a marathon 40-hour Eucharistic adoration at All Saints Chapel in Perth’s central business district.

A lay youth group called Sent Forth, from Orange County, US, helped the Friars run the 40-hour adoration, which is a timeless, ancient form of worship, according to Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, Brother Columba Jordan.

Brother Columba, 30, who had a thousand youth wrapped around his finger at the Days in the Diocese youth festival in Perth involving them in his songs, said adoration is a powerful way of helping youth realise Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.

“Pope Benedict XVI asked young people in his WYD message to pray for a new Pentecost for Australia, and young people

Evangelisation. Youth leaders can run it over six sessions providing an environment for youth to reflect, share and grow in their faith.

can’t do that without spending time with Christ,” said Brother Columba, who found the courage and clarity to follow his calling at WYD 2000 in Rome.

“The whole point of WYD is helping young people to have an encounter with Christ. If not, it’s pointless.”

Brother Columba says that even in his previous life as a web designer, he always felt the calling to Religious life, but lacked the courage until WYD. Like the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the Sent Forth group derive their strength from prayer and a communal experience.

Sent Forth leader Amador Vargas, 30, hopes the group draws more spiritual nourishment at WYD08 to continue their mission of evangelisation and work with the poor. “Those with the fire continue to enkindle it,” he said.

connection with the life of the Church,” she said.

YOUNG people will be catechised well beyond World Youth Day with a program for every parish, school and community throughout Australia. All parishes, schools and communities will be equipped with an easy-to-use evangelisation program called Rewired, developed by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s National Office for

National Office for Evangelisation director, Marita Winters, a veteran of three World Youth Days, said Rewired is for young people “deeply immersed in their faith and for those who haven’t had much to do with the Church at all”.

“As the Body of Christ, we all want to be able to tap into that level of excitement and raised spiritual awareness that is so often a feature of World Youth day, and to translate it into a deep and lasting

“It is an opportunity for young people in parishes, schools or in a university campus to invite their peers to look at their faith and tradition in a welcoming environment.”

She said the program is also a useful tool for a parish which wants to start a youth group.

Copies of Rewired are available from the National Office for Evangelisation website www.evangeliseaustralia.com or phone 02 92114470 within Australia, or toll free on 1300 4 FAITH (1300 432 484).

Sylvia

Above: Brother Columba belts it out at the Perth Days in the Diocese Youth Festival last weekend.

Below: Friar Gabriel, the skateboarding monk, heads heavenwards.

H

the diocese

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Celebration: Young Aboriginal dancers, who had performed in a traditional welcome to country, are borne aloft by WYD pilgrims as the spirit of celebration sets in well and truly. During the Days in the Diocese celebration, a festival of several days filled with activities for WYD pilgrims from WA and their foreign guests, more than a year of planning in the Archdiocese of Perth began to pay off. Thousands of young people, more used to feeling defensive about being a Catholic in an era driven by media and market-created values, began to experience the possibility that there is something greater about the purpose of their lives than as products and markets to be consumed for profit. The message of WYD? ‘God is real, he made you and he loves you exactly as you are. Meet him and follow him.’ It could hardly be comprehended by the media, but it offers them hope. PHOTO: A. BARICH

Win! a unique and historic St Mary’s Cathedral Crucifix

With the current restoration and completion of St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth, The Record has begun the project of reconstructing the historical 1865 Jarrah floorboards removed from the Cathedral into something most befitting of this holy wood – The St Mary’s Cathedral Crucifixes.

The Record would love to share this project with our readers and is giving away one exclusive 37cm St Mary’s Cathedral Crucifix, valued at $119.95.

If you would like to go in the draw to win this piece of Western Australian Church history, here’s how to enter:

Every week for seven weeks (beginning Wednesday 2nd July 2008) The Record Newspaper is placing one Cathedral Crucifix token in the paper. To enter, simply cut out and collect all seven tokens. Place all seven tokens in an envelope with your name, address and contact telephone number on the back and mail your envelope to:

St Mary’s Cathedral Crucifix Competition

The Record PO Box 75 LEEDERVILLE WA 6902

*Please note ammended dates for competition

Entries must be received by close of business on Wednesday, 27th August 2008. All entries received by this date containing all seven tokens (tokens must be originals cut out from the paper and not copies) will be placed in the Thursday 28th August 2008 draw. The winner will be notified by telephone. Happy token collecting!

JohnHughes

JOHN HUGHES

Gathered: Altar servers lead the entrance procession for the special WYD Commissioning Mass into the giant tent erected on the Esplanade; about 3000 were estimated to be in attendance.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

Proud:

Franciscan groove gets the Shopfront swinging

■ By Mark Reidy

AN enthusiastic crowd of over a hundred gathered together on July 8 at the Queen of Martyrs Church Hall to enjoy an evening of prayer and entertainment provided by a group of grey-robed, bearded and hip Friars.

The US based Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, who were visiting Perth en route to World Youth Day in Sydney, were joined by fellow American pilgrims, in providing the audience with a spiritually enriching concert filled with music, skits and testimonies.

The six Friars from New York and the 30 pilgrims, mainly from California, were responding to an invitation from The Shopfront Co-ordinator, Julie Williams, to be involved in mission work during their stay in Perth.

The Shopfront, established in 2001, is an initiative of Archbishop Hickey, provides marginalised people in the community with a welcoming place to spend time as well as providing assistance with accommodation, budgeting, addictions, violence, etc and also providing referrals to other agencies.

Ms Williams said that the Friars and pilgrims had spent time at Shopfront’s Maylands premises earlier in the day and had been, “over-

flowing with love, enthusiasm, song and laughter for those whose lives have been disadvantaged by poverty, loneliness, homelessness and mental illness”.

This reaching out, she said, was very much a part of the Friars ministry in places around the world and that their presence, both during the day and at the evening concert, had

provided all those they met with abundant blessings.

For further information on The Shopfront contact Julie Williams on 9422 7900 or Br Peter Negus (after 1pm) on 9371 9109.

Friars live Divine Providence to beat of God’s love

By Mark Reidy

WITH numbers decreasing in most Catholic religious orders in the western world, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal is bucking the trend.

The Order was established in New York in 1987, when eight men from the Capuchin Franciscan Order felt the call to renew the vision of St Francis.

With $800 in their pocket and the approval of Cardinal John O’Connor they began their mission to live out their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience within a community life of prayer and reaching out to the poor.

Living very much a life integrated with those marginalised through poverty and circumstance, the Friars of the Renewal have now spread across the world and have many priests, 350 Friars and 30 sisters, with several hundred people applying each year to join.

Successful candidates will adopt a lifestyle of simplicity in which they have no personal possessions, beg for food, sleep on mats, wear sandals, wake at 5.30am for prayer and offer practical assistance in homeless shelters, soup kitchens and other outreaches to the poor.

Despite adopting this very basic lifestyle, the grey-robed Friars, many with distinctive bushy beards, also evangelise in New York through Christian laced rap, punk and funk music in concerts that are attended by hundreds and are conducted in conjunction with holy hours of prayer.

There are a number of gifted musicians within the Order, the most well known being Father Stan Fortuna who will be performing in Sydney during World Youth Day festivities.

For more information on the Friars see www.franciscanfriars.com

In the spirit: Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and fellow US WYD ‘08 pilgrims, provide an off-the-cuff concert for friends of the Shopfront at the Queen of Martyrs Church hall in Maylands on July 8. The Shopfront, an initiative of Archbishop Hickey, offers a welcoming space to the marginalised. The Friars, a new arm of the Franciscan movement, began in 1987.

In the neigbourhood: Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at the Shopfront, where they entertained one and all. The Word: A Friar preaches the Word of God during Mass.

Commissioning Mass a flurry of colour and culture

Traditional and Australian: A representative of Perth’s Aboriginal people wearing a kangaroo skin and holding clapping sticks welcomes pilgrims and clergy to land, a traditional form of reception. The Commissioning Mass saw young people from every corner of the globe, every skin colour and every appearance come together in the common unity of Baptism to participate in the Eucharist before heading off to WYD.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

At last: PWYD Coordinator Anita Parker addresses audience members before the Commissioning Mass. Below: Pilgrims prepare to process with the Offertory gifts.

Rising like the Spirit: Archbishop Hickey places incense in the thurible at the commencement of the Commissioning Mass. PHOTO: PETER BUI

days in the diocese

the Church? Contact

           

Shepherds: Bishops from around the world accompany Archbishop Barry Hickey and Perth clergy into the giant marquee at the commencment of the Mass.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

Holy, holy, holy: Clergy from around the world, including ten bishops accompanying WYD pilgrims, concelebrate Mass with Archbishop Hickey, Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and Vicar General Brian O’Loughlin under the cover of the giant marquee erected on the Esplanade for the Commissioning Mass and the youth festival. Youth, below left, provided the choral - and musical - accompaniment for the Mass. Also concelebrating with the bishops were the majority of Perth’s clergy who were seated near the raised altar.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

the parish the nation the world

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Leadership Role in the Disability Services Sector

For over 30 years i.d.entity.wa has provided services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The Board is seeking to appoint a Chief Executive to take over the leadership of this organisation from the retiring Executive Director.

i.d.entity.wa provides accommodation services to 90+ people with intellectual disabilities together with family counselling and pastoral care, recreation and respite services. See www.identitywa.com.au for further information.

The Chief Executive will report to the Board and will be accountable for all matters related to strategic planning and development, leadership of all operations and services, management of relationships with funding bodies and overseeing finance, HRM, health and safety and property/ assets. Outstanding people management and team building skills are essential for this position.

Importantly, the Chief Executive upholds on behalf of the organisation the vision, mission, values and Christian ethos of i.d.entity.wa. A remuneration commensurate with the seniority of this position will be negotiated to attract an outstanding candidate.

Confidential applications may be made in Word format to applications@lesterblades.com.au quoting Reference LB30947, or mailed to Lester Blades Pty Ltd, Level 21, St Martins Tower, 44 St George’s Terrace, Perth WA 6000. Initial telephone enquiries to Geoff Blades or Tony Lester are welcome on 9221 0744.

(1)

Leon Astorga (1)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(Fra

(2) Lourdes (2)

extension to Medjugorje (6 nights)

Czestochowa (2) Auschwitz Wadowice Krakow (3) Shrine of Divine Mercy Budapest (2) Vienna (2) Prague (2)

Infectious Joy: Pilgrims, many waving national flags and other symbols, wave and cheer as bishops and clergy process out of the marquee after Mass. During his homily Archbishop Hickey had told youth that they were the hope of the future for the Church; that the wider Church was looking to them to embrace the Faith and go out into the world to evangelise it. Many were moved by what some described as an “exrtaordinary” homily by the Archbishop, with some in tears afterwards Record journalist Anthony Barich reported.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

Together: Youth from aorund the world pose for the press with their bishops and Perth’s Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and Archbishop Barry Hickey.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

Word of God: A WYD pilgrim prays the Prayers of the Faithful during the Commissioning Mass.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

world youth day

Cross and Icon fulfill their mission in Sydney streets

■ By Anthony Barich and Sylvia Defendi

EXCITEMENT around World Youth Day reached fever pitch in Sydney last week as Australian and international pilgrims flooded its streets to witness the final leg of the journey of the WYD Cross and Icon of Our Lady.

Hundreds of pilgrims followed the Cross and Icon as they travelled by ferry from Manly to Circular Quay, then walked with the symbols as they cut through the centre of Sydney’s central business district down Pitt Street, past Sydney Tower and down to Belmore Park.

There, every pilgrim got a chance to venerate the Cross and Icon, and many, including some from Texas, were moved to tears and embraced each other as others prayed and sang around them.

They were undeterred by local and overseas journalists snapping photos of them in their vulnerable moment.

From there the Cross and Icon were driven to Victoria Park for veneration before being processed to St John’s College, where they stayed for the rest of the afternoon.

It was the Cross and Icon’s last leg before they appear at the Opening Mass at 4pm on July 15 presided over by Cardinal George Pell of Sydney at Barangaroo, a disused shipping port in East Darling Harbour.

Between other major WYD events including the Stations of the Cross and the Final Mass, the Cross and Icon will reside at Hyde Park, adjacent to St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney city, from July 15-20.

Celebration was bursting out across Sydney city. As the Cross and Icon were making their way to Belmore Park, still more pilgrims gathered at Hyde Park to celebrate the WYD08 Countdown Clock ticking over World Youth Day.

The WYD Cross was given to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul II in 1984 to be carried as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity; while the Icon of Our Lady was his second gift to young people in 2003, to accompany the Cross.

The last leg through the streets of Sydney was the culmination of a global trip spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and around Australia since being handed to Australian representatives on Palm Sunday 2006 in Rome.

For a group of young PolishAustralians at the veneration at

Australia, and re-energnise what has laid dormant.

“We have small and vibrant churches in Australia, but we need them to be alive for future genera tions,” she said, adding that young people are drawn to Pope Benedict XVI just as they were to John Paul II, who started WYD.

She said the late pontiff’s lifetime of interest in the lives of youth con tinues to draw youth to the faith, especially from Poland.

“(John Paul II, then Karol Wojtyla), was actually upset when he was asked to be the next Archbishop of Krakow, because it would mean giving up his daily work with the youth of his parish,” Basia said.

“But when he became Pope, he maintained his love of youth, even through his illness. There was something in his eyes and his voice that just drew youth to him.”

Basia leads a 200-strong group registered for WYD in Sydney, and says pilgrims from Ireland, Canada, Poland and even Western Australia have joined their group.

Belmore Park dressed in traditional Polish dancing uniforms, WYD is the culmination of their life’s journey, and it has already triggered conversions before it’s even started.

Sydney Polish Catholic community WYD coordinator Basia Slusarczyk, 24, said that praying with her for World Youth Day has drawn her non-Catholic boyfriend to decide to go through the RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults) program to be baptised into the Church.

“He is attending WYD with me and I hope the week of events and the solidarity with so many Catholics from around the world will make him proud to be joining the Catholic family,” Basia said. With international pilgrims already bringing a buzz to the life of Sydney, Basia believes WYD08 will breathe new life into the Church in

“We are great lovers of John Paul II and realise the big impact he has had on each of us and the world,” said Agnieszka (Agnes) Jaszczyszyn, 34, the group’s other pilgrim leader.

But Pope Benedict is never far from their thoughts, and they con tinue to pray for the success of his mission in Australia.

“It is because of Pope Benedict XVI that we have WYD 2008 in Sydney – he kept the tradition going. The youth of the world are here because of him.”

■ By Anthony Barich and Sylvia Defendi in Sydney

Happy to be here: Young Polish-Australian women process with the WYD Cross and Icon through the streets of Sydney last Monday, the day before the official WYD program kicked off. One of them, Basia Slasarczyk, at far right, told The Record that in the process of praying with her for the success of World Youth Day her non-Catholic boyfriend had taken the decision to enter the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults process.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES/WYD08.

Welcome: A bishop welcomes Pope Benedict XVI with the traditional gesture of kissing his papal ring, an action symbolising acknowledgement of his spiritual authority as Vicar of Christ.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES/WYD08.

Procession: The Journey of the Cross and Icon through the streets of Sydney, Australia. World Youth Day is an invitation from the Pope to the youth of the world to celebrate their faith.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES/WYD08.

world youth day

The pilgrim spirit - it’s like nothing else you can have

Pilgrims bound for Sydney at Perth Airport should have been grumpy, writes Sylvia Defendi. But a funny thing didn’t happen on the way to WYD...

IT’S 2pm on Saturday afternoon and Perth Domestic Airport has just heaved with the collective sighs of over 100 stranded pilgrims. They, along with myself had been told that our noon plane was going to be delayed by another hour.

By that stage the seats had begun to annoy a good many and pilgrims wandered the area, got some shuteye on the ground or initiated a championship round of UNO.

I thought of this planeload of pilgrims and of the lady at the hourlong check-in queue. She, like many others had been trying to get to Sydney for three days. “If this plane is cancelled,” she told me in a foreboding manner, “it will be the third one in a row.”

These people should be angry, I thought. They should be walking round in circles like lost sheep. They should be complaining to the front desk. They should be disgruntled. But they weren’t.

Instead they were finding ways to entertain themselves, were getting to know other pilgrims, many from other countries, and chatting eagerly about what they would experience once they landed in Sydney.

And that’s when I realised, that these where not businessmen and women who may be missing a conference, these were pilgrims and this was the pilgrim experience.

For them, this was the hardship they expected to face in order to proclaim and celebrate their faith with others.

This was the spirit of WYD that had been brewing manifesting itself in the domestic terminal.

It didn’t stop when we were told the plane would not depart until 4.30pm.

No one budged when the clock ticked toward 6pm. And when the call for passengers travelling on flight QF580 to Sydney sounded across the terminal to say that our flight had been cancelled, all the pilgrims wanted to do was line up for the fourth time that day to book another flight.

It was obvious that all they wanted to do was get to Sydney and be part of it all, no matter how long or tedious the journey.

Once in Sydney the ‘pilgrim experience’ did not die down. There were an abnormal number of youth scouring Sydney’s streets day and night and Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral was packed to capacity.

As I tried to find a spot to sit within the crowded cathedral, I found pilgrims young and old sitting on the cold marble floors, leaning on pillars and sitting on kneelers.

They should have been exhausted. They should have been cramped. They should have been grumpy. But they weren’t. Instead they were

eagerly awaiting the words of the celebrant and honoured to be shar ing this Mass with people from all over the world.

The cathedral shone with a simi lar youthful vibrancy as that of a packed concert event and yet some how maintained the most tradi tional reverence.

The next day I walked to the Accreditation Centre where I was due to pick up my media pass. Over 300 people lined-up in a queue that wound its way outside the building and around the corner. Many more pilgrims waited in groups along the street for the queue to die-down.

Pilgrims, clergy and media wait ing for accreditation should have been restless, sore from standing and nearing the end of their tether. But they weren’t.

Instead they were chatting and giggling among themselves, intro ducing themselves to strangers in line and competing among them selves to see who could chant the loudest.

Almost 15 New Zealanders dressed in ‘All Black’ chanted a pre pared tune and cheered loudly to raise excitement.

Without warning a Portuguese group of 30 came down the street with banners and flags in hand chanting ‘Viva Benedetto.’ They even sang a Portuguese song in unison.

It was clear that the competition had started. Yet before anyone else could have a go, the New Zealanders had the crowds eating out of their hands with a private performance of the traditional Haka.

The line roared with excitement and in a typical scene everyone flicked out a mobile phone to tape the private show.

Having gained accreditation I left the queue in a hurry and raced down Pitt St where there was word of a procession to mark the end of the WYD Journey of the Cross and Icon. There at Belmore Park I

caught-up with another 200 pilgrim youth queuing to have their chance to venerate the WYD symbols.

A handful of photographers, myself included, elbowed their way into the crowd, who were singing along to hymns that could be heard from the nearby city centre.

The pilgrims should have been disgruntled at our shoving, I thought.

They should have felt awkward when photographers flocked to them like seagulls when they noticed a pilgrim getting emotional. But they weren’t, because that was the ‘pilgrim experience.’

Crowds, crowds, crowds: Perth WYD Officer Miller Lo, wearing glasses and near the front on the left hand side, helps carry the Cross through the streets of Sydney. The singing of hymns could be heard from as far away as several blocks writes Record journalist Sylvia Defendi, who was covering the event from Monday of this week onwards.

PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY IMAGES/WYD 08

Official duties: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wlecomes the Holy Father to Australia at Richmond Air Force Base in Sydney, as Cardinal George Pell, at left, chats with Vatican officials accompanying the Pope to WYD.

world youth day

Meet the family...

Are Catholic youth now no more than rag and bone men picking over the scrap heap of their family history? If so, Benedict XVI wants to help them meet their ancestors, writes

Tracey Rowland

■

By Dr Tracey Rowland

SOME people have described World Youth Day events as Woodstock for Catholics, and to some degree this is true.

There is usually a lot of sleeping on the ground and getting rained on while listening to music, making friends and even falling in love.

What will Pope Benedict XVI, successor of St Peter, the “vicar of Christ” and the head of the Vatican state, make of this? It is well known that when it comes to liturgy, he has no time for happy-clappy Masses.

He teaches that dumbing down the liturgy so that people can better relate to it is a form of apostasy, analogous to the Hebrews’ worship of the golden calf. For Pope Benedict, the liturgy is about the worship of God, not self-

worship or the worship of the parish or school community.

While he has nothing against building up the emotional bonds between members of a parish, he recommends that this be done at barbecues, picnics or nights at the pub, not in the middle of Mass.

In his pre-papal works, Benedict wrote that rock music had no place in a liturgical context, that rock concerts were pseudo-liturgies that lifted people out of themselves but gave them a counterfeit mystical experience that didn’t link them to God.

In scholarly essays he compares contemporary rock music to the music of the Dionysiac cults in ancient Greece, as does the English philosopher Roger Scruton, who is not a Catholic, but shares the Pope’s concerns about this musical form.

Scruton argues that rock music arrests people in a state of adolescent psychological immaturity.

Some Christians, particularly evangelical Protestants, take the view that there is nothing wrong with rock music per se, just that the lyrics can be a bit crude.

This has given rise to Christian rock bands that substitute biblical lyrics for explicit sexual references. Benedict and Scruton argue that there is something wrong with the form of the music itself, quite apart from the lyrics.

Critics of Benedict say he is a middle-class Bavarian snob who plays the piano, was raised on a diet of Beethoven and Mozart and needs to broaden his cultural horizons.

Whatever one makes of the criticism, it is true that Benedict has had a very strong classical education with an emphasis on languages, history, literature and music and has been

in the world of European high culture and the great European universities.

In our postmodern times, members of generation Y tend to be open to an

immersed

Ready to go: The giant marquee erected on the Esplanade for the Perth WYD celebrations and Commissioning Mass is flanked by the city skyline. With WYD being held for the first time in Australia, the Church in Perth and wider WA have never seen - or had to prepare - for anything like this before. In many ways it has been an organisational and logistical struggle but as of departure for Sydney earlier this week everything seemed to have gone off beautifully. PHOTOS PETER BUI

Testing, testing, testing: Technicians check the audio and visual links before the Commissioning Mass and Days in the Diocese celebrations. As many as 3000 young people were in attendance for the spiritual boost to their pilgrimage to meet Pope Benedict XVI in Sydney. Later, youth, above right, wave their national symbols and cheer.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

Welcome: Aboriginal dancers perform traditional dance for pilgrims. For those coming from overseas it was a fascinating sight, with many pilgrims saying they were looking forward to seeing and encountering the distinctively Australian characteristics of the nation’s life.

PHOTO: PETER BUI

world youth day

family...

expansion of their own cultural horizons and find Catholic high culture fascinating.

They are like children in an attic, rummaging through old boxes and finding treasures.

Benedict is like a venerable grandfather who recounts the milestones in the family history and talks about things other people are too scared to mention.

“The spiritual highs come not from drugs but from meeting people who are brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the world.”

In his homilies he presents youth with the historical and cultural capital they need to make sense of their place in history, including their place in the history of the Church.

He helps to meet their need to establish their own identity. It’s impossible for them to do this if they live in a twilight zone cut free from historical moorings.

However, if Benedict is right that rock festivals are a symptom of a universal human need for an experience of self-transcendence, then the Catholic Church needs to rediscover its own ways of meeting this need.

Benedict’s prescription is a combination of rigorous catechesis, which presents the Christian vision in its synthetic totality, with elevated liturgy, and of course, plenty of opportunities to meet other young Catholics and realise that one isn’t the last surviving practising member of the Church on the planet. World Youth Day engenders a sense of belonging to some-

thing greater than oneself, of being a member of a vast universal family that transcends all national boundaries.

The spiritual highs come not from drugs but from meeting people who are brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the world.

Email addresses are exchanged, along with pilgrim memorabilia.

There is Christ’s saying that unless we become like little children we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

In other words, you don’t get in if you are sitting around like Eeyore on a bad day, bored with life and feeling sorry for yourself.

While rock music might be off the agenda, at least at the official events with Benedict, there is nonetheless some common ground to be found with the spiritually lost generation of Woodstock.

While Benedict would not agree that one can find the answers blowing in the wind, he would probably empathise with the lyrics of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young: May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true, may you always know the truth, and see the light surrounding you, may you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong, and may you stay forever young.

Perhaps one of the unpredictable consequences of WYD/SYD is that for a week at least we might all remember how it felt to be young and idealistic, and we might put aside our own personal psychological baggage and allow ourselves to be awed by the presence of someone who, (even if we don’t think he is the successor of St Peter, or the vicar of Christ) is a person of great wisdom and warmth that transcends denominational boundaries.

Reprinted with permission of the author. Tracey Rowland is dean of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne and the author of Ratzinger’s Faith: The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI.

Here in the Church, all are beautiful

■

By

Anthony Barich

AUSTRALIAN community groups marshaled their forces to help up to 1000 pilgrims with disabilities receive key messages from the Pope, cardinals and bishops during World Youth Day Sydney 2008 in Sydney.

Carers, families and friends of people with disabilities - referred to by Pope John Paul II as the “Good Samaritans of our time, who by their generous and friendly presence, repeat the gesture of Christ” - received assistance throughout their WYD08 pilgrimage.

“People with a disability and their carers will not only be given the practical measures to ensure their full participation in all the events, but will be asked to take part in some very special ways,” said WYD08 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP.

Bishop Fisher said that WYD organisers invited Anthony Succar – a quadriplegic who has spoken out in The Record about his frustration at being “used as a tool” by pro-‘therapeutic cloning’ advocates – to be in the Offertory Procession at the Final Mass on July 20 presided over by Pope Benedict XVI.

Succar, who will bring the Eucharistic gifts to the Pope, is a stem cells spokesman for the Australian Catholic Young Adults Network, and an IT support analyst by trade.

Bishop Fisher said that another young man joined Succar in the same procession at the Opening Mass with Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, while a young deaf person gave a testimony at the Evening Vigil on July 19.

“The Catholic Church teaches reverence for all human life, and we have a special responsibility to provide care and support for those facing particular difficulties,” Bishop Fisher said.

In collaboration with the L’Arche community, a Catechesis site was also dedicated to these pilgrims in a central location during WYD08.

The L’Arche community also hosted several events during the Youth Festival including a twohour event on July 16 called “Celebrating people living with a disability” at the Paddington Town Hall.

Another Catechesis provided sign-language, known as Auslan, organised by the Ephpheta Centre, and featuring Fr Martin Kershaw, a signing priest from Ireland.

Signed reconciliation was also offered at a Catechesis venue and other churches, while a Special Needs Areas was available at both Barangaroo and inside Randwick Racecourse.

Sign language is provided at all major events in both AUSLAN and ISL (International Sign Language), and a dedicated accessible shuttle service from Central Station to Randwick Racecourse ran from early Saturday morning to Sunday evening.

A lay Religious order of the Catholic Church, the Order of Malta, provided up to 300 volunteers to assist pilgrims with disabilities at Randwick for the Vigil and Final Mass.

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s outreach program to people with disabilities helped produce 500,000 miniature crosses for the Journey of the Cross and Icon and one million communion hosts for the WYD08 Masses.

Perspectives

Faith guides, even when I can’t see

Tram Do

Ipray in the morning after waking up when my mind is still clear and in the evening to finish the day with prayer before sleeping. During the day I pray every time that I have a silent moment to myself.

This is not as often as you might think as one’s life becomes ‘occupied’ by work, the phone, the internet and other sources of information and entertainment. But I pray pretty much during the whole day. I give thanks or pray for help and support for others and myself through difficult situations.

How I Pray Now

with Debbie Warrier

I go to Mass every Sunday and most weekdays if I wake up in time. I find it a very relaxing way to start the day. I have my own altar at the end of my bed.

There is a Cross and statues of Our Lady of Fatima and St Anthony. I have a conversation with God. I believe that being able to focus is very important for prayer. I meditate, pray the Rosary daily and attend Novenas. During the weekend I attend retreats if I feel down.

I spent my early childhood in Vietnam where the communists suppressed any religious activities as well as expressions of faith. I experienced a lot of support from Catholics and non-Catholics enabling me and other fellow believers to continue our worship. Catholic private education and religious education were forbidden but there were always people helping us to continue and evade detection.

I was brought up in a family where praying was very important. My Dad went through so much in his life and he always believed without God we couldn’t do anything. He guided us to ask God for help during difficult times.

While he was in prison during the Vietnam War, my mum looked after us alone. I have two sisters and one brother but at the time it was only my sister and I.

My mum was always struggling yet she did not give up. She had a belief that Jesus, Mary and the Holy Spirit were guiding her and helping her. We moved to Australia when I was eleven.

In Australia there is religious freedom but it is difficult to practise our faith publicly. You get looked at weirdly when you make the sign of the cross before your meal in a restaurant.

In the office you get criticised or verbally attacked when you happen to mention your faith in the presence of someone who is against the Catholic Church. It is getting more and more difficult to stand up for one’s religion in an environment where ignorance and prejudice against practised faith is predominant.

I am 34 years old and my height is 120cm. I have worked in Library administration processing books for 13 years. I work with a colleague who is very tall and we help each other out so it’s balanced.

Sometimes I get angry about my physical limitations. I can be hot tempered and ask God, “Why me?” I get angry with Him because I think that it is unfair. But God always sends someone nice to help me out.

My faith helps me to refocus and not to be bitter or depressed about my situation. Faith guides you the way life should go even if you don’t see it right away.

debwarrier@hotmail.com

Body Language

a commentary on the intersection of Faith, sex and culture

By Christopher West

Contraception versus Natural Family Planning

For several columns now we’ve been reflecting on the Church’s teaching on contraception in commemoration of the fortieth anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s letter Humanae Vitae

We’ve observed that sexual intercourse is meant to incarnate the marriage commitment itself, and that an integral part of that commitment is openness to children.

So, does fidelity to the wedding vows imply that couples are to leave the number of children they have entirely to “chance”? No. In calling couples to a responsible love, the Church calls them also to a responsible parenthood.

Pope Paul VI stated clearly that those are considered “to exercise responsible parenthood who prudently and generously decide to have a large family, or who, for serious reasons and with due respect to the moral law, choose to have no more children for the time being or even for an indeterminate period” (HV 10). Notice that large families should

result from prudent reflection, not “chance.” Notice too that couples must have “serious reasons” to avoid pregnancy and must respect the moral law.

Assuming a couple have a serious reason to avoid a child (this could be financial, physical, psychological, etc.), what could they do that would not violate the consummate expression of their sacrament?

In other words, what could they do to avoid conceiving a child that would not render them unfaithful to their wedding vows? You’re doing it right now (I presume).

They could abstain from sex. There is nothing wrong with abstaining from sex when there’s a good reason to do so. The Church has always recognised that the only method of “birth control” that respects the language of divine love is “self-control.”

A further question arises: Would a couple be doing anything to falsify their sexual union if they embraced during a time of natural infertility?

Take, for example, a couple past childbearing years. They know their union will not result in a child. Are they violating their vows if they engage in intercourse with this knowledge?

Are they contracepting? No. Contraception, by definition, is the choice to engage in an act of intercourse, but then do something else to render it sterile. This can be done by using various devices, hormones, surgical procedures, and the age-old method of withdrawal.

Couples who use natural family planning (NFP) when they have a just reason to avoid pregnancy never render their sexual acts sterile; they never contra-

cept. They track their fertility, abstain when they are fertile and, if they so desire, embrace when they are naturally infertile.

Readers unfamiliar with modern NFP methods should note that they are 98-99% effective at avoiding pregnancy when used properly. Furthermore, any woman, regardless of the regularity of her cycles, can use NFP successfully. This is not your grandmother’s “rhythm method.”

To some people this seems like splitting hairs. “What’s the big difference,” they ask, “between rendering the union sterile yourself and just waiting until it’s naturally infertile? The end result is the same: both couples avoid children.”

To which I respond, what’s the big difference between killing Grandma and just waiting until she dies naturally? End result’s the same thing: dead Grandma. Yes, but one is a serious sin called murder, and the other is an act of God.

If a person can tell the difference between euthanasia and natural death, he can tell the difference between contraception and NFP. It’s the same difference.

I’m not equating contraception and murder. That’s not the analogy. Rather, Grandma’s natural death and a woman’s natural period of infertility are both acts of God.

But in killing Grandma or in rendering sex sterile, we take the powers of life into our own hands—just like the deceiver originally tempted us to do—and make ourselves like God (see Gn 3:5).

This is why Pope John Paul II concludes that contraception “is to be

How many children should a Fix the family, fix the globe

with Catherine Parish

It is always interesting to have a look at current management and leadership thinking, and I was flicking recently through the book Why Should Anyone Be led By You? by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones.

There, in the first few pages, is encapsulated the whole problem with western society at the moment.

Among other things, they speak of work as being degraded as a means to other material ends rather than as a means to a development of an ‘authentic self’.

But take their thesis and substitute the word ‘family’ for ‘work’ you have the whole crux of the bankruptcy of western culture.

The family, as the first “milieu both for the building and discovery of an authentic self and ... its disclosure” (page 4), has been completely downgraded as a vital and fundamental social structure, and hence we find the other lacks bemoaned in this book, a lack of constancy, meaning, authenticity and inspiration in the world, specifically among leaders.

The stability that characterises a society with firm and well delineated family structures and a clear and consistent moral universe enshrined in law is lacking in our society, and this instability has caused our working world to be peopled with individuals all striving to satisfy their own ends without regard often for the wider world they inhabit.

Where the notion of traditional fam-

ily, mother, father and children, surrounded by a supporting network of more distant relatives is denigrated or at best regarded as unimportant, there you will inevitably find a dearth of people who understand reciprocity, loyalty, self-giving and ‘the higher good’. of the inevitably hierarchical nature of authority, first learned in the family, there can be no understanding of real leadership.

benefits that can accrue from wise and judicious exercise of hierarchical leadership, there can be no appreciation of being a part of that hierarchy, and eventually of possibly taking one’s place at or near the top.

Where there is no experience of the security, effectiveness and happiness in a group that can be the result of a complete, lifelong and public commitment of the leaders to each other’s good and to the good of the other members of that group in good times and in bad, there can be no reflection of that positive, faithful long-term commitment in

enterprise.

An atmosphere of uncertainty and instability, where one becomes part of the division of assets, or even worse, a liability to be passed on to someone else if possible, is more conducive to developing a strong instinct of self-preservation along the competitive lines of survival of the fittest, rather than a more self-giving mode of living grounded in the confidence that one already belongs to and is valued and loved by a family, and fostered by the affirmative experience of learning to live in that disparate yet cohesive family group.

Who venerates relics - and why? couple have?

judged so profoundly unlawful as never to be, for any reason, justified. To think or to say the contrary is equal to maintaining that in human life, situations may arise in which it is lawful not to recognise God as God” (address Oct. 10, 1983).

If you have resisted the Church’s teaching on contraception, maybe it’s time to give it some more thought.

By Fr John Flader

The mortal remains and relics of several Saints and Blesseds will be in Sydney for the World Youth Day celebrations. Can you please explain why and how we venerate the relics of the saints?

First of all, let me explain what we mean by relics. According to the Vatican’s Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, the term “relics of the Saints” signifies principally “the bodies – or notable parts of the bodies – of the Saints who, as distinguished members of Christ’s mystical Body and as Temples of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16) in virtue of their heroic sanctity, now dwell in Heaven, but who once lived on earth. Objects which belonged to the Saints, such as personal objects, clothes and manuscripts are also considered relics, as are objects which have touched their bodies or tombs such as oils, cloths, and images.” (n. 236)

The Second Vatican Council confirmed the validity of venerating relics, saying that “the Saints have been traditionally honoured in the Church, and their authentic relics and images held in veneration.” (SC 111)

In order to substantiate the authenticity of relics, especially those of Saints who lived a long time ago, it has been customary for relics to be accompanied

by a brief note, often with an official seal, testifying to their authenticity.

Why do we value relics? The answer is surely that, as human beings with a body and soul, we take comfort in having with us the tangible, visible remains of the Saints or objects used by them. These somehow make the Saint very close to us.

For this reason we visit the graves of our deceased loved ones in order to pray for them there and to know them close to us. And we keep objects that they wore or used in their lifetime, along with photographs and other mementos of them.

When we venerate the relics of the Saints, we are doing nothing other than living this same spirit in our larger family, the Church.

In this regard, we should not forget that Jesus himself gave us visible ways of communicating grace, in the Sacraments. And he left us himself, bodily present in the Eucharist, so that we could receive him in Communion and pray before him present in the Tabernacle.

Right from the beginning the Church had the custom of venerating the tombs of the martyrs and of celebrating Masses there on their feast days. This led in the sixth century to the requirement that church altars have the relics of martyrs, usually from the bones, within or beneath them.

While the relics of martyrs are no longer strictly required on altars, the latest edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal stipulates: “The practice of placing relics of Saints, even those not Martyrs, under the altar to be dedicated is fittingly retained. Care

Growing closer to Christ in suffering, we discover ourselves more fully

Life...

with Bronia Karniewicz

Dictionaries say that suffering is something we undergo or are subjected to. Though the dictionary may not suggest that suffering is necessarily a negative experience, we can be certain that suffering is inevitable and whether it be physical, psychological or spiritual, our suffering is often an individual personal experience that strikes right to the heart of our being.

In The Gospel of Life Pope John Paul II said that our personal struggles are “Aggravated by a culture climate which fails to perceive any meaning or value in suffering, but rather considers suffering the epitome of evil, to be eliminated at all costs” Coupled with this failure to consider the value of suffering is a growing emphasis on the importance of autonomy and individualism.

The result of these attitudes is that we begin to lose sight of the importance of solidarity and charity. The demand for choice is increasingly overriding more fundamental principles such as the sanctity and dignity of all human life.

However, in Christ suffering is transformed and takes on a new and beautiful meaning.

In the original plan of God there

was complete unity with humanity. But this original justice was ruptured. With the sin of Adam and Eve, humanity separated itself from God. We entered darkness when the goodness of creation was wounded by sin and we needed the light of God’s elevating grace.

This is today seen as hopelessness of those who suffer. Because God wanted us to be in communion with Him again, in the fullness of time He allowed His only Son to be sacrificed for us. In this sacrifice Jesus experienced all the pain that the human being could suffer emotional, mental, physical and spiritual. When Jesus rose from the dead, he dispelled the darkness of our suffering through the light of the resurrection, the paschal mystery.

Why was this necessary? In God’s plan for the salvation of all, He sent His Son, born of a woman, to suffer and die for us so that from Jesus’ example we better understand this mystery. God wants us to experience this glory in our darkness. Jesus calls us to embrace our personal crosses and follow Him.

As we learn to do so, we find a fountain of grace and love that God

Our trust in God increases; we are purified and we grow more fully conformed to Christ (Phil 3:10, 1Pet 2:21.)

In growing closer to Christ in our suffering, we discover ourselves more and more fully and we rediscover the soul which we thought we had lost because of suffering.

We are not the only ones who benefit when we embrace our cross.

As members of the same ‘Body of Christ” when one member of the body is suffering the whole body suffers in solidarity (1 Cor 12:26)

When we ‘suffer with’ others we participate in Jesus’ sacrifice which results in an outpouring of grace not just for ourselves but for others.

Therefore my headache accepted out of love for God could help a starving Child in Africa. This is why St Paul said “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake” (Col 1:24) in this sense, those that are suffering sick and dying are a great treasure, of the Church.

Bronia Karniewicz is executive officer of the Perth Archdiocesan Respect Life Office.

should be taken, however, to ensure the authenticity of such relics.” (GIRM 302)

One of the more common uses of relics is to take them to sick people and to pray to the Saint whose relics they are for the cure of the person. In a very real sense, there is a scriptural justification for this custom.

For example, the woman in Matthew’s gospel who had suffered from a haemorrhage for 12 years sought to touch Jesus’ cloak in order to be cured. She said to herself: “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” (Mt 9:21; cf. Mt 14:36) Similarly, miracles were worked by St Paul “so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them...” (Acts 19:12)

If sick people are made well or other favours or even miracles are worked through the use of relics, this is not to be attributed to the relics themselves, as if they had magic powers, but rather to the intercession before God of the Saint whose relics they are.

It is always important to remember that while we hold relics in high esteem and we safeguard them carefully so that they are not lost or damaged, we do not worship them. We worship only God. In the case of the Saints and their relics, we venerate or honour them, because of their close association with God.

In this sense St Jerome, who died in 420, wrote in a letter to Riparius: “We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the Creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore him whose martyrs they are.”

Got a question? Email Fr Flader: director@caec.com.au

Good Night & God Bless

Volume 1: A Guide to Convent and Monastery Accommodation in Austria, Czech Republic and Italy

By Trish Clark

Convents, Monasteries and Abbeys have always been places that generously welcomed weary travellers. This tradition continues today and Good Night & God Bless takes you on a tour of religious hideaways offering tourist and pilgrimage accommodation throughout Europe.

Good Night & God Bless reveals these unique, atmospheric and affordable places which accommodate tourists or those pursuing a pilgrimage or spiritual retreat. This user-friendly travel book provides safe, affordable and comfortable accommodation information, local tourist information, places of pilgrimage, travel tid-bits and anecdotes against a fascinating backdrop of history and religion. An amazing reference guide for all those planning to travel to Europe!

$29.95+postage

The Rise of Benedict XVI:

The inside story of how the Pope was elected and what it means for the world

By John L. Allen

Pope Benedict XVI is now in Australia. In this book, Vatican correspondent John L. Allen gives readers exclusive access into the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, and the reasons why they chose him to be the Vicar of Christ, leading the Church today.

Allen also analyses the battle Pope Benedict XVI has begun against ‘the Dictatorship of Relativism’, his aim to renew the culture of the Church and the surprises and challenges his Pontificate will bring. An engaging book for those who want an inside scoop to Pope Benedict XVI.

$14.95+postage

Available from the Record Bookshop 9227 7080 or email bookshop@therecord.com.au

world youth day

This everlastingly young man

Record columnist Anna Krohn has been busy in Sydney during WYD giving catecheses at venues like Sydney’s UNDA Darlinghurst campus. And she knows a strikingly handsome, practical-joking, party-going young man when she sees one....

■ By Anna Krohn, in Sydney

“They don’t get it do they?” laughed a young pilgrim from Scotland as he watched the predictable TV news featuring 50 and 60 year olds waving about condoms and antiCatholic grievances.

What they don’t get, and what Pope Benedict XVI and many of the young pilgrims at World Youth Day do, is that the Christian life is not a passionless and dour moral “effort” eked out with tepidity and mediocrity.

Pope Benedict XVI in his many speeches to the young and in his first encyclical, targets the lazy secular assumption that joy and holiness for Christians are a drag. Still less is it the gawky optimism of the The Simpsons’ Ned Flanders.

However, this generation of pilgrims, more than any other also knows exactly how much sacrifice and courage it takes to challenge the push-button ease with which the “sexy”, the vapid and the intoxicating can be had.

These young pilgrims also know that most of their peers, both baptised and non-baptised, still struggle to see why they are so full of cheer and camaraderie while they sleep on concrete floors, trudge through crowded airports and wait in queues this week in Sydney.

That is why a rising star amongst the pilgrims is a strikingly handsome, party-going, practical joking young man who is also a blessed of the Church and by popular demand, is a leader of the World Youth Day pilgrims.

The fact that he died in 1924 does not cool their devotion to him.

His body and sealed coffin take pride of place this week at Saint Mary’s Cathedral while young people around the world say they want to “spend time with him” in prayer.

One person who wants to live in Pier Giorgio’s presence, is Joanne Grainger, Nursing Lecturer at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne.

Near her desk hangs an enormous sepia photograph of the striking Blessed. Jo talks of rediscovering her own faith inspired by Piero Giorgio while co-ordinating a massive Vocations Conference in Melbourne in 2003.

Later as Director of the Melbourne Archdiocesan World Youth Day pilgrimage she found how many organisations of young people and students had taken “Frassati” as their patron and guide.

She feels that the handsome and fun-filled young man inspires and accompanies her professional and personal life.

“Sometimes my students ask me if he is my boy-friend! But I do find myself praying for his intervention when I am dealing with a struggling student or when I interview a young person with personal problems.”

“He is so attractive and so accessible. It is possible to emulate him. His parents had a strained marriage. He fell in love with a girl, Laura Hidalgo, who was from the wrong side of the tracks. He knew what it was like to fail his exams. And yet his love of God was so evident” says Jo.

What is it about this everlastingly young man?

Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in the northern Italian city of Turin (Torino) on Holy Saturday 1901 into a well-educated, well-todo and socially influential family.

His father Alfredo was the founder and director of the national Italian newspaper La Stampa. His father was an agnostic, a strict liberal - who permitted his children to receive the sacraments and catechesis as long as they also upheld the principles of business ambition.

Pier Giorgio was considered by his father in this last matter to be a waster.

His wife, Adelaide was a well known painter who brought into the house access to high culture and the life of the era.

Like many households of the time, the Frassati home was ruled by strict discipline and rules. His father refused to hand out easy money to either Pier Giorgio or to his sister Luciana.

Despite his father’s complaints, Pier Giorgio saved up pocket money to give to others less fortunate than himself, several times handing over his own clothes or shoes. Even at an early age Frassati displayed an incredible determination to go beyond his mother’s simply socially-respectable involvement in the faith.

He joined and often lead every sodality and pious association he would find. He had a particular energy in dedicating himself to prayer and to Eucharistic devotion. He was an invigorator and stirrer up in many of these little groups.

He was not a brilliant student at any stage - not so much because he was not intelligent, but because he seems to have been involved in so many other activities which he combined with secret visits to the needy.

When he began his tertiary studies at the Torino Polytechnic in mining engineering he immediately plunged himself into the devotional and social activities outside the class-room.

His rowdy good humour and courage angered the many violent anti-Catholic groups and several times he was threatened by gangs of thugs and by the police. His group of friends were jokingly dubbed “the Seedy Fellows”, an impressive mixture of political activists, hikers, writers - but above all, prayers.

He could see that students then, as now, were driven by ennui to seek in sexual experimentation and selfishness passing excitement and intimacy. He countered this by introducing them to the core of the faith.

He used his famously hand-printed flyers to rally the young to excellence and lasting fun.

One of was addressed to the Student Association: Students!

Do you want to modernise and give new blood to the circle?

Do you want to live above all its life as an audacious Christian!

In 1919 he signed up for and revived the Italian Catholic Students association and the Federation and continued his work with St Vincent de Paul. He also became a Tertiary (Lay Member) of the Dominican Order. He prompted his peers to all night Eucharistic Adoration and then to take Christ to the poorest of the poor.

He began Catholic organisations with industrial workers. He began a group called the Savarola Club with the metal workers at the Fiat factory. He opposed the way the Catholic workers in Germany were being treated after the humiliating defeat of the Great War. He protested about the treatment of the Irish people who were seeking independence from Britain.

With some of his father’s entreprenurial talents in evidence, he began a daily Catholic paper called Momento - in which the social teachings of the Church, especially those of the great document Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, were re-printed and analysed.

When he died of polio, caught from his regular visits to the poor sick - his family could not understand what he had been doing with his life. His funeral procession was halted by the thousands who lined the streets of Turin who had been touched by his presence.

• "We who by the grace of God are Catholics… must steel ourselves for the battle we shall certainly have to fight to fulfill our program and give our country in the not too distant future, happier days and a morally healthy society, but to achieve this we need constant prayer to obtain from God that grace without which all our prayers are useless; organisation and discipline to be ready for action at the right time; and finally the sacrifice of our passion and of ourselves, because without that we cannot achieve our aim".

- Pier Giorgio Frassati, Turin 1922

Hosting such an event has its own ecological hurdles

■ By Anthony Barich and Catherine Smibert

WORLD Youth Day 2008 will be the most environmentally friendly event Sydney has hosted, says chief organiser Bishop Anthony Fisher OP.

Bishop Fisher, an Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, said organisers have been acutely aware that hosting such a big event “has its own ecological challenges”, ever since Pope Benedict XVI declared at the end of WYD05 in Cologne that the Harbour city would host the event.

He said that experts have been advising WYD08 organisers “from the start” on minimising risks to the environment and, “if anything, leave the environment better off at the end”.

It will be more environmentally friendly than any other event Sydney has hosted because pilgrims are mainly walking from

The Earthcare Event

To represent the voice of Catholics committed to the cause of protecting our planet, Catholic Earthcare Australia (www.catholicearthcareoz.net) will be hosting a convention at 8pm on Friday July 18 as part of the Youth Festival Programming.

Jacqui Remond, director of Earthcare Australia says that it’s important that Catholics recognise their role presented to them over generations since St Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creation.

The four speakers at the event include

venue to venue, and taking public transport. Pilgrims are being encouraged to take a “pilgrimage to St Mary’s Cathedral”, where Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s body is being kept in a wooden casket, via a number of pilgrim routes through the central business

“We pray that young Catholics may rediscover our call to an ecological conversion,” says Remond.

district of Sydney. Pilgrims around Australia also have been involved in a huge tree-planting program that will be a carbon-offset for those travelling to Australia by plane.

WYD08 airline partner Qantas also provided carbon offset program for the pilgrims

using the national airline.

“We have dedicated cleaning and waste management strategies to maximise the recycling and we have used, throughout, the minimum packaging that can either be kept or re-used,” Bishop Fisher said.

For example, torches in the pilgrim packs have environmentally unfriendly batteries but can be re-used so they “don’t end up being thrown out”.

“Pilgrims spent much of the time walking or on public transport, which means they’re not in cars polluting the environment,” he said.

“On a per capita basis this group will be far and away the lowest-polluting crowd for an event in Sydney.

“They’re using the very minimum of energy and are maximising the use of recyclable and biodegradable products.

Pilgrims have also been given a threeminute timer so they keep their showers brief to minimise water use.

Incorruptible: The body of Blessed Pier Giorgio, who died in 1925, was placed in a closed zinc-lined coffin and arrived in Sydney for World Youth Day. PHOTO: DANIEL MUNOZ, REUTERS

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Bishop Chris Toohey, Chair of Earthcare Australia; Erica Spry, a young Traditional Owner from Bardi country in the Kimberley; Amanda McKenzie, National Coordinator Australia Youth Climate Coalition; Anne Kajir, CEO of the Environmental Law Centre in PNG, recipient of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize.

world youth day

Pope’s retreat prepared him for WYD presence

Benedict XVI spent first full day in Australia resting, working on speeches.

■ By Cindy Wooden

SYDNEY (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI spent his first full day in Australia resting, going for walks and putting the finishing touches on the speeches he will make to young people gathered in the city for World Youth Day.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, papal spokesman, said the Pope woke early on July 14 and celebrated Mass for about a dozen staff members at the Opus Dei-run Kenthurst Study Centre northwest of Sydney. The Pope was staying at the centre until the evening of July 16, resting after a 21-hour flight from Rome.

“For those who have raised concerns about his health, there is nothing to be worried about,” Father Lombardi said after some newspapers said Pope Benedict appeared extremely tired upon his arrival on July 13 in Sydney.

After the morning Mass and a walk around Kenthurst, the Pope met with Sydney’s Cardinal George Pell and with Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher, coordinator of World Youth Day, the Jesuit said.

He said the Pope’s day was “serene and tranquil” with four separate walks in the gardens, including a long afternoon walk to a pond with his personal secretary, Mgr. Georg Ganswein.

In the early evening, seven musicians arrived to treat the Pope to an hourlong concert of classical music with pieces by Schumann, Mozart and Schubert.

Responding to questions on July 14, Father Lombardi said that, at least for now, no plans had been made for Pope Benedict to meet with Australian victims of clerical sex abuse, although the Pope told reporters on July 12 he intended to speak about the abuse crisis and to apologise to victims during his stay in Sydney.

France’s WYD in ‘97 showed French young had Faith: cardinal

During a French press conference in Sydney Record reporters Sylvia and Anthony managed to steal a few words from the Archbishop of Paris.

SPEAKING

the Church in Australia at a press conference on July 14.

The Cardinal spoke of the effect World Youth Day had on France in 1997.

“The population discovered that they were convinced by their faith and that there were many more devoted Christians than they originally thought,” he said.

But the greatest change came from youth, who drastically altered the way they viewed the Church.

“They discovered that the faith was not only for elderly people and that it can be shown in an intense way,” Cardinal Vingt-

Trois said. Asked wheth er he noticed an increase in the number of French Catholics post-WYD, Cardinal Vingt-Trois said that while church attendance is not sur veyed in France, many young adult profession als came to him after the big event praising WYD for imparting strength in faith.

“Many told me it was

a standout event in their lives and that their lives had been changed because of it,” he said.

There are currently 4800 French pilgrims in Australia celebrating WYD in Sydney.

And while WYD 2008 will soon be over, many are now looking to the future, and if it is anything like WYD 1997 in Paris, the youth of the world will be still talking about it years later, assures the French Cardinal.

“WYD does not just end when all the pilgrims vacate the host country, it is a slow burning fire that continues to make its mark for years to come,” he said.

Relaxing: Pope Benedict XVI walks with Sydney Cardinal George Pell, right, and Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher, left, on July 14 at the Kenthurst Study Centre.

Focused on Him: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass at Opus Dei’s Kenthurst Study Centre, 50 kilometres outside Sydney, on July 14. The Pope was spending three days of rest at the Opus Dei facility before joining World Youth Day pilgrims in Sydney. PHOTOS: CNS/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO

■ By Sylvia Defendi and Anthony Barich

through a very youthful interpreter, President of the French Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal

André Vingt-Trois, gave hope to

Vingt-Trois: Youth will be talking about it for a long time.

Pell offers hope when many think there is none

At opening Mass, Cardinal says his message is not just for Catholics but other Christians and other faiths.

■ By Anthony Barich

CARDINAL George Pell used his World Youth Day homily at the Opening Mass on July 15 to call non-Catholics and non-believers “back home” to Christ and His Church, and offered hope to those who are despairing.

The Mass, at Barangaroo - a disused shipping port in East Darling Harbour that held up to 150,000 pilgrims from 168 nations – kicked off a week of celebrations in Sydney for the XXIII World Youth Day.

He used the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel about the ‘valley of dry bones’ – one of the most terrifying images in the Bible, according to chief WYD08 organiser Bishop Anthony Fisher OP – to illustrate the promise of hope.

The ‘valley’ was in Ezekiel’s dramatic vision where the dead were preyed on by birds that had long since finished stripping off the flesh, in an “immense battlefield of the unburied”.

Ezekiel was urged by God to prophesy to these bones and as he did so the bones “rushed together noisily, accompanied by an earthquake. Sinews knitted them together, flesh and then skin clothed the corpses”, then God breathed life into them and “a great and immense army” rose.

Bishop Fisher earlier that day said the homily was particularly poignant for Australia, the country described by Pope Benedict XVI shortly after the 2005 WYD as having “moribund spirituality”.

More than the literal interpretation, which Bishop Fisher said is also apt to describe the drought Australia has suffered over the past 10 years, he said it represents more “a people in decline”.

“The promise Christ makes of new life for

our culture, our country, the countries from which the pilgrims come, for those who are suffering and those youth experimenting in drugs,” said Bishop Fisher, Cardinal Pell’s Auxiliary.

Bishop Fisher said the reading would give disaffected youth hope to get them over their fear, depression or anxiety.

In what Bishop Fisher said would be a very challenging homily by the cardinal, he said its message of hope for young people will be that World Youth Day will offer Christ and His Church as hope for them, “when they are feeling like dry bones, that there is hope for a new Spirit, of new life for them”.

Cardinal Pell stressed that his first priority was not those who are already strong in the faith, but “welcoming and encouraging any-

one, anywhere who regards himself or herself as lost, in deep distress, with hope diminished or even exhausted”.

He said the causes of any personal wounds – whether they be alcohol, drugs, family break-ups or even the loneliness of success - were “quite secondary” compared to Christ’s call to all those who are suffering.

The cardinal said his message was not just to Catholics but to other Christians and especially to those without religion. “Christ is calling you home; to love, healing and community,” he said.

He offered hope to “all of you who are tempted to say ‘our hope is gone, we are as good as dead’,” he said.

He said that while secular wisdom says that leopards do not change their spots, “we

Christians believe in the power of the Spirit to convert and change persons away from evil to good; from fear and uncertainty to faith and hope”.

The cardinal conceded that God remains mysterious, especially today when “many good people find it hard to believe”.

“Our task is to be open to the Spirit, to allow the God of surprises to act through us,” he said. “Whatever our situation we must pray for an openness of heart, for a willingness to take the next step, even if we are fearful of venturing too much further.

“If we take God’s hand, He will do the rest. Trust is the key. God will not fail us.”

Referring to the second reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians that reminds the faithful that everyone must declare themselves “in the age-old struggle”, Cardinal Pell urged the over 100,000 at the Opening Mass not to “spend your life sitting on the fence, keeping your options open, because only commitments bring fulfillment”.

He said being a disciple of Jesus requires discipline, adding that while “self control won’t make you perfect – it hasn’t with me – (it) is necessary to develop and protect the love in our hearts and prevent others, especially our family and friends, from being hurt by our lapses into nastiness or laziness”.

Bishop Fisher predicted the Opening Mass would be spectacular, reverent and beautiful. and there was much historical significance, as Cardinal Pell carried the crosier (pastoral staff) of one of his predecessors, Cardinal Patrick Moran, Australia’s first cardinal.

He also wore the Episcopal ring and pectoral cross of Archbishop John Polding, Sydney’s first Archbishop.

Torres Strait Islander drummers and dancers performed for the Gospel Acclamation hymn, and an indigenous welcome acknowledging Aboriginal ancestors, elders and custodians, preceded the Mass itself.

The entry of the WYD Cross and Icon also preceded the Mass, led by Missionaries of God’s Love Father Chris Ryan, who toured Australia with the symbols for months in the lead-up to World Youth Day.

When it comes to estimating numbers, give up

New registrations for WYD were still happening by the official beginning of the celebration, prompting increased estimates of participation.

■ By Anthony Barich & Catherine Smibert in Sydney for WYD

BY the beginning of the week WYD2008 organisers are expecting bigger numbers than previously hoped for, with spontaneous pilgrims arriving in Sydney unregistered even on the day of the Opening Mass.

On Tuesday WYD08 chief organiser, Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, told Zenit that pilgrims were still arriving in their thousands from overseas and Australia.

On July 15, the opening day of WYD08, there were still huge queues of thousands at registration areas in Hyde Park, Circular Quay, and Broadway.

“This is not Generation RSVP, this is Generation Y, and they just arrive and decide to register on the spot, and we’re getting them in the thousands,” Bishop Fisher said.

He said that over 100,000 international pilgrims have already arrived and organisers are confident of achieving their goal of having 100,000 Australian pilgrims, including 40,000 Sydney residents – two to three times the amount, per capita, that attended World Youth Days in Cologne and Toronto.

“Some of them we didn’t know about; they’ve been arriving unregistered and we’re past maximum capacity, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure they get into all the events, get transport passes and accommodation and food,” said Bishop Fisher, the youngest bishop in Australia.

24 year old Sabrina Dias from Mexico was one among those new registration cues because she was “visiting her family in Australia and happened to be here at the same time.”

“It’s an opportunity not to be missed,” she

said. Cardinal George Pell told members of the media he was looking forward to celebrating the biggest Mass of his life when he presided over the WYD08 Opening Mass at 4.30pm on July 15 as The Record went to press.

The Cardinal said he reported to Pope Benedict XVI on July 14 about the large numbers of international youth singing, praying and chatting around Sydney’s major landmarks including the Opera House, the Rocks, Circular Quay and up and down the major streets, excitedly awaiting his arrival at Barangaroo on July 17.

“Look at the streets of Sydney,” Bishop Fisher said.

“We’ve never had this before. People recall the (2000) Olympics (in Sydney)… we’ve never had this many young people full of the faith, of idealism, of enthusiasm for Jesus Christ, His Church and the future of our world.”

He said Sydney is the first WYD where thaere has been a large participation from the Pacific.

In Cologne 2005 there were 100 pilgrims from New Zealand, 10 from Papua New Guinea and less than 100 from the rest of the Pacific. This time there are 4500 from New Zealand, 2000 from PNG and up to 1000 from each of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and other small island nations, he said.

This was due, he said, to the contribution of local parishes and schools to the fares of the poor Pacific Islands. A contingent from East Timor was also made possible through local fundraising efforts.

Dressed in traditional tapa wraps in colours designed specifically for his parish group, Tonga Rui of Tonga told ZENIT that he is excited “at how WYD has been able to unite so many of the Oceanic region.”

Bishop Fisher added that the indigenous participation attending WYD08 will also be “way out of proportion to their population numbers” due to the support from local communities.

Aboriginal performers were headlining key events throughout the week as are those from the oceanic islands.

Some were late - but all were very welcome, regardless, like these young ladies from Tonga. By early in the week as WYD was beginning, officials were admitting it was looking entirely possible previous estimates of approximately 125,000 pilgrims from overseas would be well-exceeded.

Prepared: An image of Pope Benedict XVI and the logo of World Youth Day 2008 are projected onto the southern pylon of Sydney Harbour Bridge in this July 14 nighttime view.

PHOTO: CNS/TIM WIMBORNE, REUTERS

Dear God,

Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother.

Nathan

The newly appointed parish priest of a Catholic Church was visiting in the homes of his new parishioners after taking down their contacts at his first Mass at the parish.

At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home as the TV was on, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. So, he took out a business card and wrote “Revelation 3:20” on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday at Mass, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message,”Genesis 3:10.”

After Mass, he reached for his Bible to check out the citation, and broke up in gales of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”

Genesis 3:10 reads, “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked, so I hid myself.”

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, “I know what the Bible means!”

His father smiled and replied, “What do you mean, you ‘know’ what the Bible means?”

The son replied, “I do know!”

“Okay,” said his father. “What does the Bible mean?”

“That’s easy, Dad...” the young boy replied excitedly,” It stands for ‘Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.’

There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.

“Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk.

“Only the Ten Commandments.” answered the lady.

“Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world.There are those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good morning, Lord,” and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good Lord, its morning!”

kids pics

Kids bitz jokes puzzles

colour in

~ DEAR KIDS!~ ~ DEAR PARENTS/ GRANDPARENTS ~

If you have great kids recipes please share them with us and we will publish your recipe in kidz bitz with your name.

If you would like poems, drawings or photos published please send all to:

Justine Stevens, The Record, PO Box 75 Leederville WA 6902 or email production@therecord.com.au

KIDS COOKING

STAINED GLASS WINDOW SANDWICHES

Ingredients:

Egg-free, nut-free (omit peanut butter)

12 slices of fresh bread

Apricot, raspberry, blackberry or blueberry jam

Peanut butter

Butter or margarine

Sprinkles

Shape cutters (e.g. circles, stars, hearts, people)

Method:

Shape cutters (e.g. circles, stars, hearts, people)

Remove crusts from bread.

Spread six slices of the bread with spreads of choice.

Use butter or margarine to make sure the sprinkles stick.

Cut shapes from the centre of remaining six slices of bread and place on top.

Match up cut out shapes to make little sandwiches.

Serve on a large tray for maximum impact!

Notes: Couldn’t be simpler and look fantastic. Also a great idea to make boring lunchbox sandwiches a bit more interesting!

Serving: 6

STRAWBERRY MILO SHAKE

Ingredients:

2 strawberries

1 cup of pouring custard

2 teaspoons of milo

Grated chocolate

Method:

Mix the custard and milo

Mash strawberries and combine with custard mix

Grate chocolate over the top.

Serving: 2

WATERMELON LOLLIPOPS

Ingredients:

Fresh Watermelon Toothpicks or skewers

Method:

Slice watermelon into 1cm thick slices. Soak skewers if using in cold water then cut into ten cm lengths. Cut rounds into the watermelon slices using a shot glass or small cookie cutter. Push in a short skewer or toothpick. Chill for an hour or until ready to eat.

recipes from www.kidspot.com.au

from My Catholic Pray and Play activity book, available from The Record Bookshop

Lee, 3 years

Panorama

A roundup of events in the Archdiocese

Panorama entries must be in by 12pm Monday.

Contributions may be emailed to administration@therecord.com.au, faxed to 9227 7087, or mailed to PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902.

Submissions over 55 words will be edited. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 constitute a classified event, and will be charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment.

Friday July 18

HEALING FIRE BURNING LOVE MINISTRY

CHARISMATIC HEALING SERVICE

7.30pm – 9.30pm St Brigid, 221 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge. It is the Spirit that brings life, love, joy and healing. We welcome you to come and experience the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, Sacraments and prayer. For more information please contact Jenni Young 9445 1029 or 0404 389 679.

Sunday July 20

TAIZE MEDITATIVE PRAYER

7pm-8pm at Sisters of St Joseph Chapel, 16 York St, South Perth. Come be still and pray in a warm, candlelit chapel with song, scripture and silence, prayerful atmosphere. All welcome. Bring a friend and a torch Enq: Sister Maree Riddler 0414 683 926.

Monday July 21

ST PIO PRAYER GROUP DEVOTION MASS - WYD Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Dominica Ambrosia at the Capuchin Church in Sydney. Details and bookings travel to Sydney phone Nick 9378 2684.

Wednesday July 23

ST SIMON PETER PLAYERS – PUBLIC MEETING

7.30pm at St Simon Peter Parish Centre. An inter-parish Performing Arts Group seeks players and crew for its 2009 original production, The Story of the Three Marys, Mary of Nazareth, Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene. No experience necessary. Enq: Gerald 9404 7292.

Friday July 25

MEDJUGORJE EVENING OF PRAYER

7pm with Adoration, Meditation and Rosary at Santa Clara Parish, Palmerston Street, Bentley. All welcome to an Evening of Prayer with Our Lady Queen of Peace, followed by Holy Mass. Concluding 9pm. Enq: Eileen 9402 2480.

Sunday July 27

HOLY HOUR –PRAYING FOR PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE VOCATIONS

2pm to 3pm at Infant Jesus Church, Wellington Road, Morley, every 4th Sunday of month, prayer and Exposition of Sacrament. Let us continue to implore our God to rain down an abundance of new life into our Church, open our hearts and those of the young people of the world to really hear His Word for us now, today. Enq: 9276 8500.

Sunday July 27

PARISH SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION

10am at St Kieran’s Parish, Osborne Park, concelebrated Mass led by Bishop Donald Sproxton. Followed by lunch in the Parish Centre. BYO. Former priests and parishioners of St Kieran’s are kindly invited to attend. Enquiries Fr Gatt: 9444 1334.

Tuesday July 29

DAY OF REFLECTION-MMP CENACLE

10.30am to 2pm at Holy Spirit Church, City Beach. Rosary followed by Mass and talks. Celebrant Bishop Salesius Mugambi, Diocese of Meru, Kenya. Bring lunch to share. Tea and coffee provided. Enq: 9341 8082.

Thursday July 31

GROUP FIFTY PRAYER GROUP: WINTER RECESS July 10 to 24 inclusive, no meetings, recom-

mences 7.30pm 31 July with praise and Mass. Redemptorist Monastery, North Perth. Enq: V Roberts.

Friday August 1

WITNESS FOR LIFE

9.30am at St Brigid’s, Midland, join Archbishop Hickey and the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate for Mass. Followed by Rosary procession to the nearby abortion clinic. Please come to pray for the conversion of hearts. Enq: Helene 9402 0349.

Saturday August 2

PRO-LIFE VIGIL

8.30am Mass at St Augustine’s, Gladstone Road, Rivervale, with Rosary procession to the nearby abortion clinic, led by Fr Paul Carey SSC. Enq: Helene 9402 0349.

Saturday August 2

DAY WITH MARY

9am to 5pm, at Holy Spirit Church, Keaney and Bent Street, City Beach, Video on Fatima, Day of prayer and instruction based upon Fatima message. Reconciliation, Holy Mass, Adoration, Sermons on the Eucharist and Our Lady, Rosaries, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

Sunday August 3

DIVINE MERCY

1.30pm St Joachim’s Church Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. Rosary, and Reconciliation. Sermon on John Vianney, by Fr Harris. Followed by Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction. Refreshments, followed by Video/DVD, on The Power of the Rosary Part 2, by Fr Corapi. Enq: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.

Monday August 4

SEMESTER 2 PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME STUDY

Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation, Osborne Park, Assessment or audit. Sixteen Week courses in Scripture, church history, youth ministry, pastoral care, Christian leadership, evangelisation skills. See http://www. acts2come.wa.edu.au, or Jane 0401 692 690.

Thursday August 7 and Friday August 8

BLESSED MARY MACKILLOP VIGIL MASS AND FEAST DAY

6pm Vigil Mass at Sisters of St Joseph Chapel, 16 York St, South Perth. Australia’s Own Saint followed by a light supper. 10am

Friday, Mass. All welcome. Enq: Sr Marie Riddler 0414 683 926.

Friday August 8 – Sunday August 10

SEPARATED, DIVORCED WIDOWED - BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND

The next weekend program will be held at Epiphany Retreat Centre, Rossmoyne. To assist and support people in learning to close the door gently on a relationship that has ended in order to get on with living. Enq: Bev 9332 7971 or Margaret 9294 4892.

Tuesday August 12

COUNCIL OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS WESTERN AUSTRALIA: MYSTICAL AWAKENINGS; CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY IN JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY

7.30pm at Anglican Parish Applecross, 54 Simpson Street, Ardros (parking at rear) Rabbi Moshe Bernstein, Educational

Director, Council of Orthodox Rabbis and Educators, and Dr Nancy Ault, Lecturer in Practical Theology, Murdoch University, will discuss some of the developments and practices that have surfaced in contemporary Judaism and Christianity. Cost $5 members, non-members $10. Enq: ralphh@iinet.net.au

Saturday August 23

ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP

9.45am at Infant Jesus Church, 47 Wellington Road, Morley. Exposition, Rosary, Divine Mercy, Adoration and Benediction, Fr Meilak. Confession in English or Italian. 11am Mass, St Padre Pio Liturgy, Celebrant Archbishop Barry Hickey. Attending Priests invited to Concelebrate. 2pm shared lunch. Tea and coffee provided. Enq: Des 6278 1540.

Saturday August 23 LAUNCH OF THE TELEPACE AUSTRALIA INC

After 11am Mass at Infant Jesus Church, Wellington Road, Morley by His Grace Archbishop Hickey President of Telepace. Official announcement will be made during lunch. Bring plate. Enq: Rose 0437 700 247 or Des 6278 1540.

Mid October

DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE

Pilgrimage to Lourdes for nine days. Father Meilak will be the Spiritual Director. This invitation is open to anyone who would like to join us. Consider this wonderful place of healing for all humanity in body, mind and spirit. Lourdes celebrates 150 years this year. Enq: John 9457 7771.

Every Sunday

ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK: ACCESS 31 1pm - 2pm. 13 July, Creation, evolution and a rational faith by Christoph Cardinal Schoenborn OP, Archbishop of Vienna, with Raymond Arroyo. After several weeks of uncertainty, the good news is that the station will broadcast for the next 18 months.

Every Thursday JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE

7.30pm, July 31, Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation, Osborne Park using The Bible Timeline; The Great Adventure can be studied towards accredited course or for interest. Resources provided. See http:// www.acts2come.wa.edu.au/ or Jane 0401 692 690.

First Friday and First Saturday

COMMUNION OF REPARATION-ALL NIGHT VIGIL Corpus Christi Church, Mosman Park, 47 Lochee Road. Starting with Mass at 7pm on Friday with Father Bogoni and concluding with Mass at midnight. Confessions, Rosaries, Prayers and silent Adoration every hour. Please join us for reparation to The Two Hearts according to the message of Our Lady of Fatima. Enq: Vicky 0400 282 357.

Every Saturday VIDEO / DVD NIGHT

After the 6.30pm Mass St. Joseph’s Church, 20 Hamilton Street, Bassendean, a variety of Videos/Dvd’s will be shown. Videos approx. 30mins. Want to learn more about our Catholic faith? Bring the family along,

no charge. 19th July showing Conversion Story, Dr Scott Hahn; 26th July presenting, Conversion Story, Alex Jones. Enq: Parish 9379 2691.

Third Sunday of the Month

OBLATES OF ST BENEDICT MEET

2pm St Joseph’s Convent, York Street, South Perth, affiliated to Benedictine Abbey of New Norcia. All interested in studying rule of St Benedict, its relevance to lay people’s day-to-day life. Vespers and tea conclude meetings. Enq: 9457 5758.

Every Saturday

HOLY SPIRIT OF FREEDOM CHARISMATIC PRAYER MEETING

10.30am to 12.30pm at St Peter the Apostle Parish Hall, 91 Wood Street, Inglewood. All welcome. Enq: 9475 0155.

First Friday of Each Month

CFC PRAYER ASSEMBLY

7.30pm at St Joachim Parish Hall, Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. The Couples For Christ and its Family Ministries welcome all members who now reside or are visiting Perth to join the community in its monthly general prayer assembly. Enq: Tony and Dolly Haber 9440 4540.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Jesuit Volunteers Australia calls for parttime volunteers to respond to the needs of people in the community who live in marginalised circumstances. At the heart of this program is a reflective process, based on Gospel values, which underpins the work of the volunteers. To learn more: www.jss.org. au. Enq: Kevin Wringe 9316 3469 or email kwringe@iinet.net.au.

Every Sunday

LATIN MASS KELMSCOTT

The Latin Mass according to the 1962 missal will be offered every Sunday at 2pm at the Good Shepherd Parish, 40-42 Streich Avenue, Kelmscott, with Rosary preceding. All welcome.

Every Tuesday

THE GOSPEL OF ST MATTHEW - COURSE

7.30pm St Joachim’s Parish Hall, Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. Exciting revelations into the Gospel of St Matthew are being offered free of charge. Conducted by Fr Douglas Rowe SFP. Participants will be introduced into an insightful exploration of this fascinating Gospel. Light refreshments will follow. Please bring your bible and a friend.

BOOK DONATIONS WANTED

Can you help? We urgently need donations of Altar Vessels, Catholic books, Bibles, Divine Office, Missals, Lectionaries, Sacramentaries etc. Telephone: (08) 9293 3092.

Every 1st Tuesday of the Month

HEALING MASS

7.30pm at St Joachim’s Parish Hall, Shepparton Road, Victoria Park. Incorporating hymns, spiritual reflection and Novena to God the Father. Enq: Jan 9323 8089.

Classifieds

Classifieds: $3.30/line incl. GST 24 hour Hotline 9227 7778 Deadline: 12pm Monday

Dianella’s last June Sunday is for Jesus

AT Our Lady’s Assumption, Dianella, the last Sunday of June belongs to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

After the Rosary, a statue of Jesus is processed through the streets surrounding the church, and then returned to a place of honour.

Mass is celebrated after the procession, and the community gather for fellowship to conclude the festivities.

This year, despite the threat of rain, about 400 people turned out to honour the Sacred Heart of Our Lord.

- JOANNA LAWSON

MISSION MATTERS

Reflections on this Sunday’s Gospel; Matthew 13:27

As a missionary in sub-Saharan Africa for over seven years, I worked with many subsistence farmers who were caught in a terrible debt cycle created by their dependency on hybridised mono-crop seeds that were reliant on chemical fertilizers and pesticides for a viable return. These seeds were promoted and provided by a number of multinational chemical companies. I was shocked by the level of suffering created by such dependencies and the environmental degredation created. So ‘where does the darnel come from?’ My experience suggests that it comes from the greed of multinational companies that profit from the suffering of the poor and exploitation of their land. Some of these companies have plush offices here in Perth. Perhaps some of us are share-holders? The call to Mission impels us to speak out against profiting from the sowing of darnel and encourage these companies to sow the good seed instead.

Call the Mission Office on 9422 7933 should you want to explore this idea further.

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14-22 World Youth Day, Sydney - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton

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Making it special: Children from the Dianella Parish prepare to participate in the parish’s procession honouring the Sacred Heart. Approximately 400 people participated.

PHOTOS: COURTESY DIANELLA PARISH

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