The Record Newspaper - 16 July 2014 by The Record

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Flying Bishop Modelling St Peter The first Bishop of Broome returns home to God - Page 3

Part 2 of Archbishop Timothy Costelloe’s speech on the Ministry of St Peter - Pages 10-11

The Record heads in new direction

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, centre, with Archdiocese of Perth Senior Communications Officer Jamie O’Brien, far left, Communications Manager James Parker, second from left and The Record Review Committee chairperson Jo Wilkie, far right, looking over historical editions of The Record. PHOTO: MAT DE SOUSA

SINCE 1840, The Record has served the Catholic community in Western Australia extraordinarily well. Week by week it has formed and informed the people of our archdiocese. It has reported on national and international stories of vital interest to us as Catholics, while also helping us to understand what is happening in our own archdiocese, with all its challenges, its history, its heroism and its possibilities. We owe a great debt of gratitude to those many dedicated laity and clergy who have, over so many years, guided The Record, ensuring that it appears week after week. Now the time has come for The Record to take a new direction. Changes in the way people access information, which have led to a decrease in subscriptions to The Record over an extended period of time, have prompted a review, not just of the newspaper itself but of the whole variety of ways in which our archdiocese seeks to share the

message of the Gospel. We must be courageous in seeking new avenues for this vital work of evangelisation. This has meant making difficult decisions about how we can best use our limited resources to achieve this aim. The last edition of The Record in its present weekly format will be published for the weekend of July 26 and 27. We will then have a short break from production of a month or so while special commemorative editions of The Record are prepared. These will chronicle the wonderful work of all those who have worked for The Record over so many years. Following these special editions, which will undoubtedly become collectors’ items, The Record will appear in a new monthly magazine format. This new publication, like its predecessor, will seek to be an instrument of formation and information for the Catholic people of our archdiocese. Hopefully, it will also reach a wider audience

and prove an attractive and effective way of spreading the Gospel. With the change from a weekly newspaper to a monthly magazine, the archdiocese will be able to redirect and devote its resources to improving our online presence. We are working hard to make our archdiocesan website more attractive to a wider group of people, including the young, many of whom are far

this present form no longer appear each week in our churches. It is true, of course, that not everyone has access to the internet; nor is everyone comfortable with using this kind of technology. For this reason, each week we will send an electronic newsletter to our parishes that will be printed in the parish and made available to those who would still like to receive a hard

“We must be courageous in seeking new avenues for this vital work of evangelisation.” more likely to use the internet to access news and information generally than they are to read a weekly newspaper. If our goal is to use the media to share the message of Jesus, we must try new methods and set out in new directions. Change is sometimes difficult and there will be many people who will be sorry to see The Record in

copy of the weekly news to take home with them. I hope people will enjoy the special commemorative editions of The Record that will be published soon. I also hope that you will look forward to and embrace the new monthly magazine when it begins to appear later in the year. I am confident that under the direction of our Media and

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C ommunications Manager, James Parker, and new Senior Communications Officer, Jamie O’Brien, who are both guiding the transition, the new publication will prove to be an invaluable resource for the deepening of our own love for the Lord and his Church, and a powerful way of spreading the Gospel message. I am sure you will all join me in thanking all the dedicated staff who over so many years have worked for The Record. I ask that you give your support to those who are now working so hard to help us with the transition to a new approach to spreading the Gospel through the written word. And I invite you to ask the Lord to bless our efforts as we seek new ways to “proclaim the wonderful works of God who has called us out of darkness into his own wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). - ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY COSTELLOE SDB ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH

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Sri Lankan cleric tackles the big issues

Round-Up JUANITA SHEPHERD

Vocations evening for those discerning For any man who is discerning a possible call to the priesthood, St Charles’ Seminary in Guildford is holding its annual vocations enquiry evening on August 17. Starting at 4pm, the evening is open to men within the Archdiocese who are interested and curious about joining the priesthood. The men who attend the vocations enquiry evening will be invited to meet seminarians who currently reside at St Charles’. Founded in 1942, the seminary serves for the formation of Catholic priests in WA. Beginning with a humble 20 seminarians, St Charles’ has since witnessed more than 400 men pass through the seminary and more than 160 have been ordained and five of its former students have become Archbishops or Bishops. To register for the vocations enquiry evening, call St Charles’ Seminary on 9279 1310.

Workshop to help those dealing with grief There is no easy way to deal with the loss of a loved one but Gerry Smith’s workshop held at Queen of Apostles Parish in Riverton aims to console and teach people how to deal with the pain of their loss. Mr Smith, a well-known grief counsellor and educator within the Archdiocese of Perth, will run the grief and bereavement workshop from 7pm till 8.30pm on July 21. Not only is the workshop for those who are struggling with their loss but also to aid anyone who doesn’t know what to say to someone who is dealing

Fr Fraccid Anthony OMI with some of the residents of his halfway home for the mentally ill in Sri Lanka. Fr Fraccid recently visited Perth, where he stayed at St Patrick’s Basilica Parish in Fremantle with his fellow Oblate priests. PHOTO: SUPPLIED workshop and felt that it was quite confronting, but a good experience,” Mrs Wisolith said. “It is very beneficial and helps people who have gone through grief and bereavement and those who are not sure how to handle things themselves.” Queen of Apostles Parish has held the workshop twice before; it includes a presentation by Gerry Smith who goes through the different stages of grief and points out what is normal and what may be signs that the person is slipping into depression. “I’ve also learnt from the workshop that you have to be a good listener,” Mrs Wisolith said. “Sometimes you don’t have all the answers and it’s not necessarily the right thing to say

with their grief. Parishioner at Queen of Apostles Tricia Wisolith spoke to The Record about her experiences with Mr Smith’s workshop, which began in the mid-90s. “I attended one such workshop in 1996,” Mrs Wisolith said. She was prompted to attend the workshop by her fear of dealing with death. “When I first started working at the parish I was a bit scared just in case someone called up and they were upset because they’ve lost someone and I wouldn’t really know what to say to them.” For a while Mrs Wisolith had never lost anyone that was close to her, but sadly she lost her grandfather and mother-in-law in the same year. “I then attended the

Communications and Media Manager James Parker jamesp@perthcatholic.org.au Editor Jamie O’Brien editor@therecord.com.au Accounts accounts@therecord.com.au Journalists Matthew Biddle m.biddle@therecord.com.au Mark Reidy m.reidy@therecord.com.au Juanita Shepherd j.shepherd@therecord.com.au Advertising/Production Mat De Sousa

Priest asks for help to support mentally ill Oblate priest Fr Fraccid Anthony OMI visited Perth recently, encouraging Catholics to assist the home for the mentally handicapped he runs in Sri Lanka. Fr Fraccid founded Sahana Medura, which means ‘garden of tranquility’ in 1993 as a

Send your Round-Up items to Juanita Shepherd office@therecord.com.au

READINGS OF THE WEEK

SAINT OF THE WEEK

James the Greater first century feast - July 25

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when you say it will all be OK. You just have to listen to the person.” Mr Smith presents his grief and bereavement workshop all over the Archdiocese and all are welcome to attend.

means of addressing some of the nation’s biggest problems at the time – suicide, substance abuse and alcoholism. He told The Record that while those issues have since subsided, there are new problems facing Sri Lankans today. “There is a psychological distress, which has been caused by poverty,” Fr Fraccid said. “There has been a skyrocketing of the price of essential commodities while the salary scales remain low, as well as corruption of the governing parties.” Sahana Medura is home to about 40 residential clients each year, who are gradually healed of their mental illnesses and helped to find employment. “There is no greater poverty than to have no respect for one’s own life,” Fr Fraccid said. “Through our training of counsellors, helping those who need psychological counselling and healing mental patients, we have brought happiness and joy for many individuals and families.” Together with a team of dedicated lay people, qualified clinical psychologists and psychiatrists, Fr Fraccid runs the “halfway home” without any government support. “At the moment Sahana Medura has about 40 residential clients who belong to both sexes,” he explained. “The dire need now is to have a separate house for females. Already the foundation has been started with the funds of generous people; we hope to build as we receive funds, since the whole project might cost about $30 million.” Visit www.sahanamedura.org for more information or to donate.

Jesus called James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to leave their livelihood as fishermen and follow him. Perhaps because of their zeal or temperament, Jesus called them “sons of thunder.” James was the first of the 12 to be martyred; he was beheaded in Jerusalem by order of Herod Agrippa about 44. He is the patron saint of pilgrims, laborers, rheumatism, several Latin American countries and Spain, where Santiago de Compostela has been a famous pilgrimage center since the Middle Ages. Some legends say James preached in Spain before his death; others say his relics were transferred there. “The greater” distinguishes him from the other apostle James, “the lesser,” who likely was smaller or younger.

Saints

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Monday, 21st - Green ST LAURENCE OF BRINDISI, PRIEST, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (O) 1st Reading: Mic 6:1-4, 6-8 Walk humbly Responsorial Ps 49:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, Psalm: 21, 23 God saves Gospel Reading: Mt 12:38-42 The sign of Jonah Tuesday 22nd - White ST MARY MAGDALENE (M) 1st Reading: Song 3:1-4 I will seek him Responsorial Ps 62:2-6, 8-9 Psalm: I will bless you Gospel Reading: Jn 20:1-2, 11-18 Mary! Rabbuni! Wednesday 23rd - Green ST BRIDGET, RELIGIOUS (O) 1st Reading: Jer 1:1, 4-10 I am with you Responsorial Ps 70:1-6, 15, 17 Psalm: A rock to save me Gospel Reading: Mt 13:1-9 The sower Thursday 24th - Green ST SHARBEL MAKHLUF (O) 1st Reading: Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 Living water Responsorial Ps 36:6-11

Psalm: Source of life Gospel Reading: Mt 13:10-17 Speak in parables Friday 25th - Red ST JAMES, APOSTLE (FEAST) 1st Reading: 2 Cor 4:7-15 We never despair Responsorial Ps 125:1-6 Psalm: Like a dream Gospel Reading: Mt 20:20-28 Drink the cup Saturday 26th - White ST JOACHIN AND ST ANNE, PARENTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (M) 1st Reading: Jer 7:1-11 Listen to God’s word Responsorial Ps 83:3-6, 8, 11 Psalm: My kind and my God Gospel Reading: Mt 13:24-30 Let them both grow Sunday 27th - Green 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1st Reading: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 A discerning heart Responsorial Ps 118:57, 72, 76-77, Psalm: 127-130 Consoling love 2nd Reading: Rom 8:28-30 Chosen long ago Gospel Reading: Mt 13:44-52 Hidden treasure

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Bishop John Jobst flies home to God THE DIOCESE of Broome was saddened by the news that its first bishop passed away peacefully at home in Innsbruck, Austria, last week. Bishop John Jobst, well known throughout the Kimberley as the “flying bishop” for his habit of piloting light aircraft to visit his far-reaching parishioners, died on Saturday, July 5 at the age of 94. The German-born John Jobst was bishop of the Kimberley region for nearly 37 years, retiring in 1995. A Pallottine missionary, Bishop Jobst’s love and care for Australia’s first peoples is well known, with many remarking on the man who did so much for Aboriginal people and who passed away as the Diocese of Broome began early celebrations for NAIDOC week (last week) a celebration of Aboriginal culture, history and achievements. He was a pioneer of remote education in northern WA and helped establish several schools in Aboriginal communities, and was also a founder of Notre Dame University in Broome and a passionate advocate of Indigenous land rights. Current Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders said Bishop Jobst was interested in schooling in remote Aboriginal communities years before Indigenous education became a government priority. “He was well known for using his pilot licence to cover his vast bush parish,” Bishop Saunders said. “He flew those aircraft around the Kimberley, from station to station and from town to town and some of the towns weren’t much of a town then,” he said. “But he was always willing to cart something, or go out of his way, or pick up someone who was sick or ill.” Bishop Saunders said his predecessor was a “fiercely determined” man. “He turned determination into an art form and failure was something that he didn’t live with very well,” he said. “Hence it was that he started eight remote schools in the Kimberley and was instrumental in getting the University of Notre Dame in Broome going.” His affection for the “top-end” and the people of the Diocese of Broome was well known, and he returned to Broome on several occasions following his retirement.

“I was told by his carers that his last words were about the Kimberley and wanting to return there. ‘I must go back to the Kimberley. I want to see them (the people). I want to see they are cared for,’” Bishop Saunders said. Born February 4, 1920 and baptised Johannes - John when trans-

seminary following his compulsory service and was ordained a priest on July 9, 1950. Appointed to Australia together with Fr John Lenmann, the young Fr Jobst began his ministry at Beagle Bay. He later went to the Pallottine Australian House of Studies as

He flew those aircraft around the Kimberley, from station to station and from town to town and some of the towns weren’t much of a town then. lated to English - he was the son of devout Catholic parents and was raised on a farm near Brennberg, Germany. On leaving school, he joined the Pallottines only to be drafted into the German Army at the outbreak of World War II. Bishop Jobst returned to the

Spiritual Director, leading to his appointment as Bishop of the Vicariate of the Kimberley in January 1959 and then Bishop of the Diocese of Broome in 1966. He also attended all four sessions of Vatican II. - A B C N E W S A N D C AT H O L I C COMMUNICATIONS, ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY.

Top, Bishop Jobst at work in the Kimberley and above, at a meeting with Pope John Paul II. The former Bishop of Broome also attended all four sessions of Vatican II. PHOTOS: ONLINE

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Teens revel in fun, faith and fellowship weekend THE GOSPEL of John took centre stage at the recent Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) annual ‘Stronger’ teens camp held earlier this month. The camp, which was held at Eagles Nest Youth Retreat Centre in Gidgegannup, presented an amazing weekend of faith, fun and fellowship, according to CYM director Anita Parker. “Participants and youth leaders came from parishes across Perth and one teenager even travelled from Melbourne,” Ms Parker said. “This year’s theme, ‘The truth will set you free,’ based on the Gospel of John 8:32, was an opportunity for participants to learn about freedom through their faith.” The presenters included CYM staff Vincent Haber, Eliza McKay, Anita Parker, and CYM chaplain Fr Mark Payton. A new presenter for the retreat was 2014 CYM scholarship student for Acts 2 Bible College, 18-yearold Aura Beccera. “All of the talks and activities built upon the understanding of how the Catholic faith gives us great freedom, joy and love in our lives today,” Ms Parker said. Ms Parker added that the spiritual highlights included the session ‘Set Free from Sin’ by Fr Mark Payton preparing the teens for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. “The desire for the teens to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation continued beyond the main session in the morning, and continued throughout the afternoon free time and evening prayer session,” Ms Parker said. The night of Adoration and prayer also allowed the young people the time and space to personally and prayerfully reflect on and deepens their own relationship with God. “The night was a dynamic evening with youth leaders available as prayer teams for the teens, while praise and worship music filled the room,” Ms Parker said. Social activities at the camp included ‘The Amazing Grace’, an interactive re-enactment of the TV reality show, ‘The Amazing Race’. Eliza McKay created an activitybased team competition that incorporated ‘road blocks’ and activities centred around the life of Blessed

Pier Giorgio Frassati – a patron of CYM whose feast day was celebrated the same weekend. The teens also showcased their talents in an evening talent show

The teens have their own 20-day challenge to spread God’s love with family and friends. and continued the fun night with toasting marshmallows around the campfire. Parents joined the participants for the final Mass on the Sunday and were able to capture a glimpse

of the culminated enthusiasm and joy of faith-filled teens, particularly with their passionate singing and dancing to the camp theme song Freedom after Mass. The teens now have an opportunity to continue their own spiritual growth with the parish teens youth groups as well as their own 20-day challenge to spread God’s love with their family and friends beyond the camp. Ms Parker said the weekend camp has allowed the teens to deepen their faith and develop friendships with other young people from other parishes. “It continues to build upon the parish youth groups and the teen rally nights held throughout the year across the diocese,” she said.

Above, the participants at the annual ‘Stronger’ teens camp hosted by CYM in Gidgegannup from July 4 to 6. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Above and right, teens at the weekend event enjoyed a mixture of prayer, presentations and social activities, all of which built on the understanding of how the Catholic faith provides freedom, joy and love in the lives of all Catholics. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

The last edition of The Record, Australia’s longest-running Catholic newspaper, will be published next week, July 23, 2014. God bless all our readers and supporters.

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Academic excellence a family trait By Matthew Biddle MYAREE Catholic Ben Anandappa says he’s both excited and nervous as he prepares to move to the United States to study chemistry at Harvard University next month. Ben graduated from Christian Brothers’ College (CBC) in Fremantle last year with an incredible Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 99.85. In April, Ben was notified of his acceptance into Harvard on a full scholarship, making him one of just a handful of Australian students at the prestigious university. He told The Record he has had a passion for chemistry since he first studied the subject in Year 8, and he plans to turn that passion into a career. “I hope to go into academia, so maybe become a professor in chemistry, and also to be involved in youth science initiatives because they were really helpful in inspiring me to do science in high school,” he said. Ben’s older sister, Annabelle, also excelled in Year 12, obtaining an ATAR of 99.90 and going on to study and graduate from a biomedical engineering degree at Columbia University in New York. She will also study at Harvard this year, as she commences a postgraduate course. Ben and Annabelle’s father Romello Anandappa said he was pleased that Ben had excelled in his studies and would be joining his sister in the United States. “I didn’t think that he would do so well but, because of his sister, he got encouragement and her exam-

Romello Anandappa, left, with his two children, Annabelle and Ben, who will both be studying at Harvard University next month.

ple helped him,” Mr Anandappa told The Record. During his children’s early years at school, Mr Anandappa, who was caring for his sick wife, supplemented their studies when they were at home, often teaching them material from a higher grade. “Although they went to school, I taught them virtually everything

at home,” he said. “It gave them a good foundation and it gave them the right skills to be able to concentrate and study. “[Ben and Annabelle] like to do their best, they’re not happy with just doing it for the sake of doing it, whatever they want to do they’ll do it to the best of their ability.”

Ben said his father had played an important role in the pair’s academic achievements. “Without him we wouldn’t have been able to do it,” he said. “He’s been educating us since a young age and helping us to go beyond the school curriculum.” The 18-year-old said the education he and Annabelle received at

home inspired them both to continue pursuing their studies. “Dad taught us to enjoy studying rather than think of it as a chore, and eventually we did it because we wanted to, rather than because our dad was making us,” he said. The family have been actively involved at Myaree parish since their arrival in Australia in 1997.

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Parenting study results lack credibility By Mark Reidy AN AUSTRALIAN study claiming children of same-sex parents enjoy higher levels of health and social wellbeing has captured attention across the globe, but advocates of traditional family structures have urged caution. Melbourne University recently released the findings based on data from the Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Families, which involved 500 children from 315 same-sex families. Researchers compared their results to a global index of child health, which measured children in areas of physical activity, mental health and behaviour, and claimed children of samesex parents scored, on average, six per cent higher in areas of general health and family cohesion. Lead researcher of the Melbourne study, Dr Simon Crouch, suggested that the positive findings stemmed from the equal distribution of work, with same-sex couples more likely to equally share domestic and income responsibilities than heterosexual couples. “It is liberating for parents to take on roles that suit their skills rather than defaulting to gender stereotypes,” he said. The attention generated by this study, however, is causing concern among proponents of male-female family units, such as Family Voice Australia (FAVA), who believe that “serious methodological flaws” have hampered its accuracy. FAVA researcher Ros Phillips pointed out that the gay and lesbian parents participating in the study were volunteers and not randomly selected and were also the ones reporting on the progress of their children. “Volunteer bias is a major problem with the study,” Mrs Phillips said. “Same-sex couples whose children have health or behaviour problems would be most unlikely to volunteer. Those who did volunteer, knowing that the results could be used to further the gay lobby’s agenda, would be reluctant to report unfavourably on their children’s progress.” Mrs Phillips also expressed concern that three of the five researchers involved were believed to be raising children in same-sex relationships and suggested the motivation for the study may have been partly political. Fr Joseph Parkinson from the LJ Goody Bioethics Centre in Glendalough agreed the study had several major flaws that invalidated its findings. “I have major difficulties with the study design and with the conclusions that can be drawn from this kind of study,” he said. One such problem was the small sample size of just 315 participants, Fr Parkinson said, as well as the “opt-in” nature of the study. “The researcher only sent material to same-sex couples, but he should have sent an equal number of invitations to heterosexual couples and... then you could maybe make some comparisons. My understanding is that that didn’t happen, so basically all he’s done is survey same-sex families,” he said. “The whole thing is flawed. There are so many biases in the study design to make it worthless.” Fr Parkinson, who has been reading university research proposals for the last 25 years, said he wouldn’t accept the research from an undergraduate student. “It has no credibility,” he said. “Looking at it purely from a research perspective, regardless of the subject of the research, the design of the project is so poor, so biased and so uncontrolled that the project has no validity and therefore the results have no validity.”

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Guildford fundraiser a sign of vitality St Mary’s Parish in Guildford held a successful fundraiser on July 6, raising more than $10,000 to help pay off the parish’s debt incurred from the cost of restoration work to the church in 2012. The parish hosted a lunch at Midland’s Italian Club, with a crowd of almost 200 people attending, including many from the Italian Association, Mamma Nostra. It was the third such fundraiser the parish has held in the past two years, with each event raising a similar amount. Parish priest Fr Blasco Fonseca told The Record the efforts so far to pay off the parish debt have been outstanding for such a small parish. “We’ve done very well, the debt is down to $13,000, which is less than we had expected,” he said. Fr Blasco, who is also the Vicar for migrant communities, said the fundraising events were also a good opportunity for the parish community to grow stronger. “The purpose is not just the fundraising, but also getting people together,” he said. “When I came to this parish people hardly ever got together for social events. Guildford is a small parish, so when people come together to support something... it’s a sign of a parish which is trying to stay alive.” Social occasions also assist the many people who are new to the parish, as well as those who are new to Australia, to feel welcome, Fr Blasco added. The church building is almost 80 years old, and in 2012 urgent repairs were carried out on the roof and walls, which had deteriorated over time.

Confraternity helps poor and needy

The results of Dr Simon Crouch’s study on same-sex parenting have captured worldwide attention.

The Melbourne findings contradict those presented by George Rekers, Professor of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioural Science at the University of South Carolina. In a 2004 study on homosexual parenting, adoption and fostering, Rekers concluded: “It is clearly in the interests of foster children to be placed with exclusively heterosexual, married-couple foster

“The whole thing is flawed. There are so many biases in the study design to make it worthless.” families because this natural family structure inherently provides unique needed benefits and produces better child adjustment than is generally the case in households with homosexual behaving adults”. He said witnessing and experiencing the innate and unique abilities and characteristics of each sex contributed to children’s positive development in later life.

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The Confraternity of the Knights St Peter and St Paul celebrated the feast day of its patron saints on June 29 at Good Shepherd Parish in Lockridge. The Confraternity was founded by Peter Portelli in Melbourne in 1996, and aims to honour members of the Christian faith for their many years of tireless, benevolent work with the poor and the needy in the community. The main objective of the Confraternity is to provide humanitarian support to those less fortunate than ourselves, the poor and the sick. Nick de Luca told The Record he joined the Confraternity in 2004. “At the request of Rino Aquilina, Prior of the Confratenity of St Peter and St Paul in WA, for a member, Fr Vinh Dong and Fr Dan Foley nominated me to be a member of the Confraternity,” he said. “When Rino passed away the following year, the Grand Master Mr Portelli appointed me as Consul for WA. Last year I was appointed as a Grand Prior. We now have 25 knights and dames from all over the Archdiocese. This year is my 10th year of being part of the Confraternity of the Knights of St Peter and St Paul, it is not about titles and glory, there is a lot of work to be done. There is nothing better than to serve God and be a witness to our faith. I have always worked to help others in whatever I can, following the teachings of St Peter and St Paul.” For more information about the Confraternity, visit www. nadurjana.com.

OBITUARY

therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

Henry’s eventful journey to Christ After serving in the Second World War and dealing with the death of his wife, Henry Sproxton found faith in God. THE FATHER of Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton passed away peacefully on July 6 at Little Sisters of the Poor in Glendalough. In memory of Henry Sproxton, the text of Bishop Sproxton’s homily from his father’s funeral on July 12 follows: The small portion of the Gospel of Matthew we have just heard has been chosen for this funeral Mass because it was the last word my father received in the scriptures before he gave up his spirit to God. “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me... my yoke is easy and my burden light.” It was during the celebration of the Mass with him on Sunday that I had the privilege to proclaim the Good News to him - that he has in Christ a powerful saviour on whom he could lean as he was dying, and that the burden laid on dad’s shoulders is light because it is the faith. The faith, which dad explicitly accepted early last year, was offered to him without conditions or demands. He experienced only gracious giving from God and the people around him at the Little Sisters. His response was to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus and from that point, his demeanour changed, becoming calmer and more reconciled to his situation, assured by the daily encounter he had with Christ in Holy Communion. This did not mean that he would no longer feel frustration, but he learnt to manage the irritations and difficulties his declining health imposed. Since dad passed over to eternal life on Sunday afternoon, we have found ourselves being flooded by so many memories of the places and experiences we have shared. Quite a number relate to travel. He loved to take us on holidays in our caravan, especially to Augusta. It was like going home, for it was to this region that his family migrated from Britain to make a new life. Things did not turn out as the family expected and their journey took them to other places, in other directions, searching for work and other opportunities. Making a journey, I think became a theme in dad’s life, formed as he was by those early experiences of being a migrant child and moving so often. The journeying spirit is one that is seeking and learning. Dad’s journeying spirit took him to new and difficult places. It took him to theatres of war in Timor, New Guinea and New Britain, in the company of outstandingly courageous brothers at arms. By stepping out, enlisting with the Army in 1941 with the reluctant permission of his father, he would became a foundation member of the Second Independent Company. He became part of a new family of commando brothers, an association that remained firm for over 70 years. The war and the 2/2 Commando Squadron (as it came to be known), were also formative for him and his comrades. The war ended when dad was only 22. He and the others have carried the deep scars of the war with them to their deaths. It was while on service in New Guinea that he was nearly killed, not due to the fighting, but simply because of a dental abscess. In an effort to remove the tooth and abscess, dad’s tooth snapped at the gum. The pain was intense and more anaesthetic was administered, when his heart stopped. “The b...s gone and died on us!” the doctor yelled. A medical orderly jumped in and turned dad on his side and pummelled him until his

Henry Sproxton passed away, aged 91, on July 7. His son, Bishop Don Sproxton, says his father was filled with a “journeying spirit”.

heart started again. Dad apparently sat up and for days bruising appeared all over him. From that day, dad had an uneven bite due to the badly mutilated jaw - something that would have annoyed him given his determination as a builder to have everything lined up perfectly! Dad’s journey continued into peacetime. It was not terribly long after he was discharged that he married our mother, Thelma. She was placed in his life to be in every sense his soul mate. He would have surprised his family when he brought a Catholic home for them to meet. However, dad related after mum’s death, that his mother came to love and respect Thelma. He has said many times as well how impressed he was by her faith. Dad’s journey through life, I believe, was fundamentally part of a plan, the plan of God. Set in his heart was the thirst to find the truth. To help him, he was given a partner in his wife. It was natural, then, for us to have a photo of them together on dad’s funeral booklet. Mum was a quiet and patient partner. She had qualities that complemented dad’s. Where he was very particular and precise, a perfectionist, she was able to be relaxed and content with what they had.

She was always faithful and loyal. He would say how grateful he had been to have her by his side. They both loved and cherished Kerry, my sister, and me, and they were able to welcome their grandchildren, Stephen, Catherine, Tim and Mikaela. Only dad would live to see his great-grandchildren. Their lives together in this life ended in 1996 and it seemed a catastrophe as mum had been his

trust in God, and God was faithful to him. There was no limit to the grace and strength he received from God. Dad was to live for another 18 years after Thelma’s passing. The themes of journey and blessing in his life lead us to think of his long struggle with illness. I have said to people that he was a living almanac of medical conditions and complications! Dad has been ill for nearly a third

Dad’s journey through life, I believe, was fundamentally part of a plan, the plan of God. Set in his heart was the thirst to find the truth. main carer for 10 years. We wondered whether dad would give up the struggle. But it seems to me that the words of our first reading from the Book of Lamentations were fulfilled in him. The author of Lamentations regained hope in his life when he realised that God continues to grant favours, even in the present moment, and that his kindnesses are never exhausted. Dad, though missing the support of ‘the love of his life’, found the strength to fight on. The seeking and searching spirit within him discovered

of his life. The words of the second reading spoke of the frail and failing body being trained to bear the sufferings during our earthly journey, so that we may be able to carry the weight of eternal glory. These words encourage us to never give up and to see in our experiences their power to train us and strengthen us. This, of course, requires faith the faith to know the presence of God in each moment because he loves us so intensely, and to know that only with the spirit of God being allowed to grow within us,

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

we have all that is needed to get through and to become what we are meant to be. Earlier I said that dad had explicitly accepted the faith last year. This occurred when he made his Profession of Faith and was baptised. He told me of his desire, unbeknown to him, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It came as a surprise. Although we would talk about the things that I would be doing or an issue in the Church that he had heard reported on the news, he never spoke about becoming a Catholic. Yet in many ways Jesus was preparing him for this big step. Throughout his life, Christ was very near, offering him what was needed for dad to know him. Evelyn Waugh once called this the ‘Twitch on the Thread’ - drawing our attention to the God who is there and calling us onward. Having run the race to the end, completed his journey to the Lord, let us pray for dad as he takes the final steps to be with God who loves him, and who has been his companion at all the stages of his journey. May eternal rest be granted unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

WORLD

therecord.com.au July 16', 2014

Three new auxiliary bishops for Hong Kong POPE FRANCIS has named three auxiliary bishops for the Diocese of Hong Kong, including the diocesan vicar general, the head of Opus Dei for East Asia and former regional superior of the Franciscan friars. The appointment of the three auxiliaries for the diocese, which has an estimated 547,000 Catholics, was announced at the Vatican on July 11. They will assist Cardinal John Tong Hon who turns 75 on July 31. The three new auxiliaries are: - Bishop-designate Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, 67, who was born in Shanghai and worked for an import-export company before entering the seminary and being ordained to the priesthood in

1978. After a two-year assignment as a pastor, he was sent to Syracuse University in the United States to earn his master’s in social communications. He returned to Hong Kong as diocesan communications director. Sent back to the United States in 1989, he earned a master’s in educational philosophy at Harvard University. Returning to Hong Kong, he was named diocesan director of education. For 10 years he also was director of the diocesan Caritas organisation and is a member of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which promotes and coordinates Catholic charitable activity. He has been vicar general of the Diocese of Hong Kong since 2009.

- Bishop-designate Stephen Lee Bun Sang, 57, a native of Hong Kong who studied in England, first at Oxford Polytechnic, then at the Architectural Association School

canon law from the University of Navarra, Spain, he did pastoral work in the Philippines, then returned to Hong Kong where he worked in schools and at the dioc-

The appointment of three auxiliaries for the diocese, with an estimated 547,000 Catholics, was announced by the Vatican on July 11. of Architecture in London. In the course of his studies, he came into contact with and joined Opus Dei. After working as an architect in London and Hong Kong, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest for Opus Dei in 1988. After earning a doctorate in

esan tribunal. Since 2011, he was been the vicar of Opus Dei in East Asia. - Bishop-designate Joseph Ha Chi-shing, 55, also a native of Hong Kong, where he attended Catholic schools. He entered the Franciscans and made his vows in 1988. After

studying at the diocesan seminary, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1990. After ordination, he studied spiritual theology at Rome’s Pontifical Antonianum University and religious education at Loyola University in Chicago. In addition to parish work in Hong Kong, he taught spirituality at the seminary and served as a consultant to the Vaticanestablished Commission for the Church in China. He has served as the Franciscan vocations promoter and novice master. From 2010 to 2013, he was the Franciscan superior for Hong Kong. At the time of his appointment, he was on the pastoral staff of the Church of St Bonaventure in Hong Kong. - CNS

Vatican launches revised Pope App THE PONTIFICAL Council for Social Communications has launched an updated version of “the Pope App” and presented it to Pope Francis. At a viewing to demonstrate its features with the council’s president, Archbishop Claudio Celli, and the project coordinator, Thaddeus Jones, the Pope expressed gratitude for all the media services the council makes available. The Holy Father thanked the council for enhancing the Vatican’s presence and participation in the digital world, Vatican Radio reported. According to the council’s president, the app’s new design simplifies access to content and allows people to be in ever closer contact with the Pope, his ministry and his message of God’s love, Released in the iTunes and Google Play stores on July 4, ‘The Pope App 2.0’ is free and available in five languages. Powered by News.va, the app features the latest papal news and information as produced by the Vatican’s own media services and can be downloaded on Apple and Android devices. The app allows you to follow live streaming of papal events, receive notifications of important events, view papal photos, videos, @Pontifex tweets, full texts of homilies and speeches, a calendar of events and links to all the Vatican media. All media contents are easily shareable and can be saved for later viewing.

Archbishop Claudio Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, centre, shows Pope Francis news on a tablet during a meeting on July 7 at the Vatican. PHOTO: CNS/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO VIA REUTERS

Lord Patten appointed head of Vatican media AFTER HIRING a consulting firm to study the Vatican’s communications structures, the Vatican has now set up an 11-member commission to increase collaboration and cut costs. Britain’s Lord Patten has been appointed as its president. Lord Patten, now 70 and former chairman of the BBC Trust and former Chancellor of the University of Oxford, will serve as president of the commission. A Catholic, Chris Patten was coordinator of Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to the United Kingdom in 2010. Australia’s Cardinal George Pell, Prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy and a member of Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals, announced the formation of the committee at a news conference on Wednesday. ‘The objectives are to adapt the Holy See media to changing media consumption trends, enhance coordination and achieve, progressively and sensitively, substantial financial savings,’ he said. The cardinal told reporters that there is currently little or no relation between the Vatican’s indi-

vidual media expenditures and the number of people reached around the world. For example, he said, at a time when fewer and fewer people around the world listen to the radio, the Vatican’s largest media employ-

At a time when fewer and fewer people around the world listen to the radio, the Vatican’s largest media employer is Vatican Radio which produces programs in 45 languages. er is Vatican Radio which produces programs in 45 languages. At the same time, he said, the success of Pope Francis’ Twitter account and the PopeApp developed for mobile devices by the Pontifical Council for Social

Communications — offering a combination of Vatican Radio and other Vatican media-produced news, photos and video — show a need to strengthen the Vatican’s digital outreach. The Vatican has nearly a dozen separate communication outlets and offices, many of which operate independently of one another. They include the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano; Vatican Radio; the Vatican television production studio, CTV; the Vatican Information Service; the Vatican press office; the Fides missionary news agency; the main Vatican website; the news.va news aggregator; the Vatican publishing house LEV; and the Vatican printing press. Irish Mgr Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, will serve as secretary of the commission, which has been asked to come up with recommendations in the next 12 months. - CATHNEWS

Britian’s Lord Patten has been appointed head of the Vatican’s 11-member commission for communications and media. PHOTO: CNS

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therecord.com.au July 16', 2014

The essence of the New Covenant

Dr Andrew Kania writes about The Way - a term first used and written about a century after the Resurrection of Christ.

MONG the early Christian communities the phrase that was most commonly used to distinguish the new Faith from that of the Old Covenant was, ‘The Way’. We see the term ‘The Way’ first used in the Didache (known also as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles), a piece said to have been written about a century after the Resurrection of Christ. In essence, the Didache represents almost a charter of Christian identity, informing the reader as to what is the essence of the New Covenant. Here lie the teachings of the Christian Faith in simultaneously their most simple and most profound form. The work opens with the passage: “There are two ways, one of life and one of death: and great is the difference between the two ways. “The way of life is this: first, you shall love God, who created you; second, your neighbour as yourself. Whatever you would not wish to be done to you, do not do to another. “The teaching of these words is this. Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies: fast for those who persecute you. For what kindness is it, if you love those who love you? Do not even the pagans do this? Love those who hate you, and you will not have an enemy” (Jurgens, 1970, p 1). Making the correct choice between good and evil, and thus between life and death, sets the pilgrim on his or her ‘way’ to God. Thus, early Christianity emphasised a notion of a change in the manner in which the individual lived life, rather than what was to become later a membership, perhaps very nominal to say the least, in a religion. Ironically enough, the institutionalisation of Christianity that occurred after the adoption of the new Faith by Emperor Constantine secured the welfare of Christians in the Roman Empire, but also resulted, in time, with the establishment of a State Religion. Christianity thus became at risk of losing the emphasis of a spiritual journey taken by the Faithful that had been The Way’s peculiar character under the early period of persecution. Perhaps as a response to the acceptance of Christianity as the religious mainstream of the Empire, not a few individuals sought the solitude of the wastelands and deserts to recollect and to contemplate. St Athanasius of Alexandria, the biographer of St Anthony of Egypt (the latter having been a leader of the Desert Fathers), writing at the time of the transition of Christianity from being the Faith of the catacombs to the religion of the ruling class, expressed poetically and poignantly the soulcentredness of ‘The Way’ in his Letter to Marcellinus. Athanasius wrote: “And it seems to me that these words become like a mirror to the person singing them, so that he might perceive himself and the emotions of his soul, and thus affected, he might recite them. For in fact he who hears the one reading receives the song that is recited as being about him, and either, when he is convicted by his conscience, being pierced, he will repent, or hearing of the hope that resides in God, and of the succour available to believers – how this kind of grace exists for him – he exults and begins to give thanks to God” (Athanasius, 1980, p 111). What must be stressed in the passage written by St Athanasius is that, although a person’s conscience convicts, God has the

Making the correct choice between good and evil and thus between life and death, sets the pilgrim on his or her ‘way’ to God.

potential to restore to exultation. For Athanasius, it is the mystical journey that is paramount. The individual has to purge his or her spirits, to seek deep within him or herself, to cast from within, out, what is not of God, and to build from without, in, what is of God. The mysterious figure known today as Pseudo-Dionysius (an individual deriving his nom de plume from the name of a disciple of St Paul’s, a judge who converted to Christianity, cf Acts 17:34), living around the 5th or 6th century, wrote a short essay, The Mystical Theology. In this piece, he introduced another notion of The Way. To Pseudo-Dionysius, God cannot be understood in any other way than by negation, that is when we attempt to speak about God with certainty, we, the finite creature, risk speaking incorrectly about the Infinite. In Pseudo-Dionysius’ words: “The Cause of all is above all and is not inexistent, lifeless, speechless, mindless. It is not a material body, and hence has neither shape nor form, quality, quantity, or weight. It is not in any place and can neither be seen nor be touched. It is neither perceived nor is it perceptible. It suffers neither disorder nor disturbance and is overwhelmed by no earthly passion. It is not powerless and subject to the disturbances caused by sense perception. It endures no deprivation of light. It passes through no change, decay, division, loss, no ebb and

flow, nothing of which the senses may be aware. None of all this can be either identified with it nor attributed to it” (Pseudo-Dionysius, 1987, pp 140–141). Such a ‘way’ of coming to be in relationship with God, became known as the via negativa, or the way of negation. In Greek, the term for this form of mystical theology is: apophatic (the Greek word meaning, ‘to deny’). This way of mystical understanding became characteristic of

The beauty of apophatic theology is that it does not seek to explain God – but gives God the space in which to be the Pantocrator, the Almighty. It is this form of mysticism that has now become more and more popular in a western world seeking to re-discover a sense of mystery once more in life. In the Western Church, via negativa has also been expressed in the writings of the Dominican theologian, Meister Eckhart, as well as in the anonymous work, The Cloud

Ironically enough, the institutionalisation of Christianity that occurred after the adoption of the new Faith by Emperor Constantine, secured the welfare of Christians in the Roman Empire... Eastern Christian theology, with proponents such as St Maximus the Confessor, St Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory Palamas and St Basil the Great championing this notion of understanding through ignorance; seeing Divinity most clearly in the shadow that the Divine casts. The influence of via negativa on the Eastern Church cannot be understated. God is capable of all in the East – because we are incapable of understanding Him. To rationalise God amounts to near blasphemy. The Scientific Revolution and the Faith/Reason debate have never taken hold in the Christian East primarily because of a Mystical Theology based on negation.

of Unknowing, and in some of the writings of St John of the Cross. Other western exponents of negative theology, such as Nicholas of Cusa and St Bonaventure credit their inspiration from many Eastern Christian sources. The converse ‘way’ of mystical journeying is known as via positiva, or cataphatic theology – this is the discussion of God through positive terms. For example, the cataphatic theologian would claim that God is good; whereas the apophatic theologian, that God is not evil. This distinction is important and not merely a matter of theological semantics. When Meister Eckhart stood and delivered his famous sermon on the theme that God is not

PHOTO: ATTRIBUTION HERE

good – he did so from an apophatic viewpoint. What Eckhart was trying to point out was that the Divine must exceed all known limitations of language, and therefore to claim that God was good, was to reduce God to mere human confines, such as: “my son is good”; “the play was good”; “wasn’t that a good piece of music?” According to Eckhart, God must be beyond goodness to be God – and therefore a God who was merely good could not be truly God. Although Eckhart’s logic may now make sense to the audience of the 21st century; to an uneducated audience listening to Eckhart in the vernacular, and trained to hear about God from a cataphatic viewpoint, such language amounted to scandal. To the audience: if God was not good, as Eckhart proclaimed, there was only one alternative – He must be evil. Eckhart, the apophatic theologian, was condemned, not over a theological error in this case – but over a difference in looking at the same ‘good’ God, in like manner as a person may look at the sun directly through a protective lens, or look at the sun from the shadows the sun casts upon the ground. In any event, Eastern theologians clearly emphasise that apophatic theology can only take place after the individual first has a grasp of cataphatic theology, otherwise the individual runs the risk of being lost in Divine darkness; and the Scriptures were given to humanity exactly to prevent such a disorientation of the soul.

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therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

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therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

Modelling the Ministry

of SAINT

PETER

The Record continues the speech of Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB who last month spoke at the 10th National eConference of the Broken Bay Institute and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. The Archbishop calls for each one of us to model our faith and life on the ministry of Saint Peter. Drawing on the words and experience of Pope Francis, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, Saints Pope John Paul II and John XXIII, the Archbishop also looks at the need for each one of us to follow the words of St Paul who tells us that we must have in us the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.

HE MINISTRY of Peter in the Church, realised in the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, must be, says John Paul, "a sign of mercy" for the ministry of the Bishop of Rome is "a ministry of mercy, born of an act of Christ's own mercy" (93). If Pope, now Saint, John Paul II wrote about this, then Francis, in a powerful and captivating way, is enfleshing this insight in his own way of exercising his primacy as Pope. This is particularly the case in terms of the insistence of Pope Francis on the centrality of God's mercy at the heart of his own life and ministry and at the heart of the Church's vocation as he understands it. Pope Francis very regularly remarks that he is himself a sinner. This, of course, is the case for all of us, and a similar expression might be often found on our lips as well. The danger is, unfortunately, that this might be little more than a ritual statement with little conviction behind it. It seems to me that we cannot accuse Pope Francis of this. We are told, for example, that when Cardinal Borgoglio was asked if he accepted election as pope he replied in this way: "I am a sinner but I trust in the infinite patience and mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ". He returned to this theme in the famous interview he gave to the Italian journalist Antonio Spadaro. In that interview, he reflected on Caravaggio's painting of Jesus calling Matthew, the tax collector. "That's me," he said, "I feel like him... This is me, a sinner, on whom the Lord has turned his gaze". Pope Francis gave visible witness to this deep awareness of his sinfulness when recently he went to confession in St Peter's basilica to one of the priests who was rostered on to hear the confessions of the faithful

during a penitential service. Having made his own confession, the Pope then went on to hear the confessions of others. We can be sure that all this is not empty words or theatrical gestures on the part of Francis. He is deeply conscious of his own sinfulness, as Simon Peter was. The Pope is also deeply conscious of having received the mercy of God, or as he himself puts it, of having the gaze of the Lord turned on him. Peter too knew what it was to have the Lord gaze upon him. In Luke's Gospel, it is when Jesus looks straight at Peter after Peter's denials that Peter remembers the Lord's prophecy that Peter would deny him - and he weeps bitterly. But in John's Gospel, on the shore of the Lake, the Lord turns his gaze on Peter again - and his eyes convey compassion, mercy, forgiveness and the promise of a new beginning: feed my lambs, look after my sheep. To be a Christian is to be someone who sees with the eyes of Jesus. To put it another way, to be a Christian is to be someone in whose eyes people experience the loving and merciful gaze of Christ. But it is only when we have allowed Jesus to gaze on us that we can begin to see as he sees, and people will see him in us. This, it seems to me, is what Francis is reminding us of and modelling for us as he lives each day, in all its variety, his ministry as Bishop of Rome. It is certainly what he is saying to the bishops and priests. During his trip to Brazil for World Youth Day, he told the Brazilian bishops that "we need a Church capable of rediscovering the maternal womb of mercy. Without mercy, we have little chance nowadays of entering the world of wounded persons in need of understanding, forgiveness and love". Sometimes people worry about

this stress on mercy, as if it could somehow devalue or even betray the idea of God's justice, or because it might lead the Church to betray its own teaching because of a fear of challenging people with a painful truth. In this regard, we might remember the words of Cardinal Kasper in a book which Pope Francis has said "has done me so much good", particularly because of its call for the Church to develop a deeper theology of "the mercy of God, this merciful Father who is so patient". In the book, Cardinal Kasper wrote that "mercy without truth would be consolation lacking honesty" and would be simply "empty chatter". But, on the other hand, he wrote, "truth without mercy would

confessional "must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord's mercy which spurs us on to do our best". Francis then goes on to say that "a small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but which moves through the day without confronting great difficulties". In saying this, Pope Francis is really directing our gaze to Jesus, as the Year of Grace invited us to do here in Australia not so long ago. Francis makes this invitation quite specific in Evangelii Gaudium when he reminds us that “Jesus’ whole life, his way of dealing with the poor, his actions, his integrity, his simple

We must make the Church more like a field hospital where the primary aim is to heal the wounds and warm the hearts of those badly hurt by life and sin. be cold, off-putting and ready to wound". And perhaps here there is an insight the Pope also is asking us to consider. In all our pastoral and evangelising activity, in all our outreach to others, we must keep the goal in mind - and the goal must surely be to lead people to God rather than to drive them away. We must, in one of Francis' most striking images, make the Church ever more like a field hospital where the primary aim is to heal the wounds, and warm the hearts, of those who have been so badly hurt by life - and by the ravages of sin. What will help? What will heal? What will open up a pathway to a new encounter with God? This, in fact, is the question Pope Francis poses when he reflects on the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. In Evangelii Gaudium 44, the Pope reminds priests that the

daily acts of generosity, and finally his complete self-giving, is precious and reveals the mystery of his divine life” (265). Furthermore, Francis tells us, “Whenever we encounter this anew, we become convinced that it is exactly what others need, even though they may not recognise it”. Francis, of course, is convinced that “We have a treasure of life and love which cannot deceive, and a message which cannot mislead or disappoint. It penetrates to the depths of our hearts, sustaining and ennobling us. It is a truth which is never out of date because it reaches that part of us which nothing else can reach. Our infinite sadness can only be cured by an infinite love” (265). But Francis is also convinced, as Benedict was before him and as John Paul II was before Benedict, that “it is impossible to persevere in a

fervent evangelisation unless we are convinced from personal experience that it is not the same thing to have known Jesus as not to have known him, not the same thing to walk with him as to walk blindly, not the same thing to hear his word as not to know it, and not the same thing to contemplate him, to worship him, to find our peace in him, as not to” (266). Francis sums this up by reminding us that “in union with Jesus, we seek what he seeks and we love what he loves” (267). And he further reminds us that “a person who is not convinced, enthusiastic, certain and in love, will convince nobody” (266). In saying all this, we can, I believe, be quite confident that this is the conviction on which Francis is building his pontificate. Realistically and genuinely conscious of his sinfulness, as Peter also was, Francis is aware of his own need for mercy and aware, too, that, as the recipient of God’s mercy, he must be a bearer of God’s mercy to others. But Francis, it seems to me, is also conscious that this mercy is experienced in his intimacy with the Lord and in his encounters with him, just as it was for Peter. Peter knew, when he was sinking beneath the waves as he was overwhelmed by the storm, that there was only one place to go: “Save me Lord, I am going under.” Francis is telling us the same thing. “How good it is,” he writes, “to stand before a crucifix, or on our knees before the Blessed Sacrament, and simply to be in his presence! How much good it does us when he once more touches our lives and impels us to share his new life! What then happens is that “we speak of what we have seen and heard” (1 Jn 1:3). The best incentive for sharing the Gospel comes from contemplating it with love, lingering over its pages and reading it with the heart. If we approach it in this way, its beauty will amaze and

constantly excite us. But if this is to come about, we need to recover a contemplative spirit which can help us to realise ever anew that we have been entrusted with a treasure which makes us more human and helps us to lead a new life. There is nothing more precious which we can give to others (EG264). Of course, Francis is right. If Jesus really is to be the model for each individual Christian and for each Christian community, we must spend more time reflecting on how Jesus relates to people, especially to those who are in great need. It is good to remind ourselves, as Francis does, that because of the mystery of the incarnation in Jesus, we see, expressed in a human way, God's way of encountering sinners. When Jesus found himself confronted by the woman caught in adultery who had been forcibly dragged before him, what was his first word to her? "I don't condemn you". Only then did he tell her to "go, and sin no more". Could it be that she could only hear the second word because of the first word she heard from Jesus' lips? And when Jesus saw the hated and rejected tax-collector Zacchaeus sitting up in the tree, what was the first thing Zacchaeus heard from Jesus? A word of welcome, of honour, of acceptance - and it was this that led Zacchaeus to a new way of life. Perhaps this is what mercy, misericordia, (that heart for the poor, and those who are suffering, excluded and in distress) looks like in practice. It is what Peter experienced when the gaze of Jesus fell upon him on the shore of the lake after the resurrection, and which changed him from a stumbling block to a rock of faith. It is what Francis is asking of the Church today. It is what Francis is showing us as he models the ministry of St Peter in our contemporary Church.

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therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

Could the Earth actually be in the centre of the universe after all? Prior to the 16th century it was believed that the Earth was in the centre of the universe, but this notion was dispelled when Nicolaus Copernicus seemingly proved the Sun is in the centre of the solar system. But a new film, titled The Principle, claims that it will bring to light new evidence that could throw into doubt everything the world believes about the universe, and God, as Matthew Biddle explains...

VERYTHING that the world believes about the Earth’s place in the universe could be wrong, according to a soon-tobe-released documentary. The Principle takes an in-depth look at the Copernican Principle – the foundational idea of the world’s views on the universe and existence, which states that the Earth is not in the centre of the universe, nor is it in a particularly favoured position. The film traces the development of cosmology from its beginnings through to the 16th century, when the Copernican Principle overthrew the established ideas on the universe. But, most importantly, it examines the astonishing new results from large-scale observations of the universe which call this foundational assumption about the nature of our cosmos, and our place in it, into question all over again. In doing so, the documentary looks set to become one of the most controversial films of modern times. The movie has already stirred up significant controversy in the US, with one of the scientists interviewed for the film claiming he was tricked into taking part, despite that fact that all interviewees signed release forms. The film is directed by American Catholic Rick DeLano, who says he’s been looking into the question of geocentrism – the theory that the Earth, rather than the Sun, is in the centre of the universe – since 2006. “The larger question of the Copernican Principle began to become the focus of my own research once the large-scale surveys of the cosmos began presenting us with increasing evidence of a special direction in the cosmos, related to our location,” he says. “The problem of so-called ‘dark energy’ caused a significant minority of even mainstream theorists to begin developing models which place Earth in a special, central location.” DeLano began working on the film in early 2011, and says the project quickly gained momentum. “We kept finishing the film, only to have opportunities to interview more scientists come up. The film really took on a life of its own,” he says. The crew interviewed some of the world’s leading atheistic scientists, such as George Ellis (University of Cape Town), Michio Kaku (City University New York), Lawrence Krauss (Arizona State University) and Max Tegmark (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Above, a statue of Nicolaus Copernicus, the 16th-century astronomer whose heliocentric model of the universe became the foundational idea of cosmology, replacing the previous Ptolemaic, geocentric model. PHOTO: ONLINE

DeLano says the media’s reaction to the film has been “comically absurd”, with various sources discrediting the documentary without even having seen it. “The amazing controversy it has stirred up just on the basis of its two-minute first trailer indicates we have clearly touched a nerve,” he says. “No one bothered to check with us when these hysterical claims of having tricked the participants, or hijacked footage off the internet, or deceptively edited the scientists, were credulously picked up and echo-chambered throughout the world. “The fact that the claims are so obviously, ridiculously, and laughably absurd, has presented us with a wonderful opportunity to tell the real story, which we have begun to do.” But rather than feel worried or concerned about the “media freakout” that has occurred, DeLano sees it simply as a certain fear of having established beliefs turned on their heads. “I think The Principle contains evidence so shocking, so challenging to the “everybody knows we’re nothing special” world view, that

the media attacks upon it will be seen, in the end, as a clear indication of how important, and dangerous, this film really is to that presently dominant world view,” he says. To understand the world view of the universe and the Earth’s posi-

“

the Earth is stationary and in the centre of the universe – a geocentric cosmology. Ptolemy’s model became the prevailing idea of scientists and cosmologists, with only small adjustments over the centuries. It wasn’t until the 16th century that an

[Viewers] can expect to be absolutely shocked, to have everything they thought they knew about our place in the cosmos challenged.” - Rick DeLano

tion in it, it’s important to recognise the development of the modern world’s cosmological ideas. The Alexandrian astronomer Ptolemy developed the first major understanding of the universe in the second century AD. Known as the Ptolemaic system, it states that

alternative to the Ptolemaic system was produced, based on the ideas of the Polish Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. The Copernican system places the Sun at the centre of the solar system, with the Earth and other planets moving around it – known

as a heliocentric cosmology. According to cosmology lecturer at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle Philip Matthews, although Copernicus’ views were first presented in 1543, it was much longer before they replaced the Ptolemaic system. “A century later it was Galileo Galilei who provided the first observational evidence of the heliocentric model when he looked through what was primarily a child’s toy, the first telescope,” he says. “He saw that Jupiter also had moons going around it, and that meant it couldn’t be the case that the Earth was the centre of the universe, because at least one planet had other things going around it. “The actual proof for the idea that the Sun was the centre of our solar system didn’t come until much later than that, but he was the first to give that observational evidence.” But Dr Matthews acknowledges that since then, the Copernican model, or the Copernican Principle, has evolved into something very different.“It’s changed now to mean something that’s referred to as the Principle of Homogeneity,” he explains.

VISTA

therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

“Homogeneity means that being on planet Earth is nothing special, in astronomical or cosmological terms... that’s what the modern Copernican Principle means now.” It’s that idea that the film-makers believe has been extended to suggest that there is no creator, as the Copernican “revolution” resulted in a movement away from God and towards science. “Two atheists interviewed in the film, Max Tegmark and Bernard Carr, explicitly state that the ‘multiverse’ is a logical extension of the Copernican Principle,” DeLano says. The multiverse hypothesis claims that since our universe seems incredibly unlikely, as it is too finely tuned within amazingly precise constants, then it must be just one of an infinity of other universes. DeLano says that if it can be shown that the Earth is indeed in a special place, and consequently that there is a creator, it would be “absolutely devastating” to arguments against creation. “If we are in a special, non-random location with respect to the large scale structure of the cosmos, the coincidences have just mounted past the point of credibility,” he says. “Somebody put us there.”

Makers of The Principle say the documentary will challenge long-established views on existence.

And that’s exactly what The Principle intends to show, by presenting evidence of a preferred direction in the cosmos, aligned with our apparently insignificant Earth. It also purports to show that there has never been an experiment performed that can directly measure or prove that the Earth moves around the Sun.

“[Viewers] can expect to be absolutely shocked, to have everything they thought they knew about our place in the cosmos challenged,” DeLano says. “Hopefully their minds will be opened to the possibility that the ancient, Earth-centered cosmology is, in important ways, beginning to re-emerge as a possible explanation

PHOTOS: ONLINE

for what we observe on our cosmos’ largest scales.” But Dr Matthews says while it is entirely plausible that the longestablished Copernican Principle could be wrong, there are bigger problems facing cosmology. “I think it probably is wrong, but even if it is proved to be wrong, it’s not that significant,” he says.

“One of the biggest problems we face currently is the nature of the universe itself, what it’s made of... that’s a much bigger problem than the Copernican Principle. “We’re a long, long way away from understanding the universe... and I don’t think we’ll ever be smart enough truly to understand it.” Dr Matthews says he’ll watch The Principle out of curiosity when it is released - perhaps with some sceptism - but also with a certain amount of hope. “If it promotes interest among lay people about the strangeness of the universe and the fact that science clearly hasn’t got all the answers, and that some form of supernaturalism is a necessary condition of understanding how the universe operates, then I think it will be a good thing,” he says. The documentary will only screen initially in the US, but if the hype surrounding it is anything to go by, it will also hit Australian cinemas soon after. Perhaps the film-makers’ claim that we’re on the brink of a scientific revolution is just a promotional ploy, but if they’re right, The Principle could be the catalyst to end centuries of debate over our creation and existence.

FUN FAITH With

JULY 20, 2014 • MATTHEW 13: 44-52 • 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

CROSSWORD

TODAY’S GOSPEL Matthew 13: 44-52

GOOD WORLD DISCIPLE HEAVEN WICKED Across

Down

3. Every teacher of religious law who becomes a ____ in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.

1. The angels will come and separate the ____ people from the righteous.

5. That is the way it will be at the end of the ____.

4. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the ____ fish into crates.

2. The Kingdom of ____ is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the look out for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”

WORD SEARCH HOW MANY WORDS FROM THE CROSSWORD CAN YOU FIND?

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

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.

REVIEWS

therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

Film gives new life to musical The success of Jersey Boys as a stage musical might be hard to match, but Peter Sheehan believes that the film version provides an equally entertaining spectacle full of incredible music.

HIS is the film version of the phenomenally popular stage musical Jersey Boys which was a hit worldwide, and has recently toured Australia. The film tells the story of four young men from “the wrong side of the tracks” in New Jersey who came together to form “The Four Seasons”, the famous rock group of the 1960s. The members of the group were Frankie Valli (John Lloyd Young), Tommy Devito (Vincent Piazza), Nickie Massi (Michael Lomenda), and Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen). The group’s sound is spectacular. When they make their sound, “everything drops away”. Only one of the four (Vincent Piazza) has never taken his role on the theatre stage. It is an unusual movie for its director, Clint Eastwood, to make. Eastwood, who is no stranger to jazz, is nevertheless best known for very different kinds of movies such as the raw-edged The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), Dirty Harry (1971) and Unforgiven (1992). The focus in this movie is on the drama behind the formation, the staying together, and the eventual split up of the members of the group. It is not on their songs, though the music of the group is always there, threaded throughout the film, and especially delighting us with the incredible falsetto voice of charismatic John Lloyd Young who plays Frankie Valli. Frankie became the frontman for the group, and the movie makes it clear why his high-pitched singing cemented the group’s fame. The Four Seasons became an icon for their generation, in defiance of their past. They learned the rules of existence on the streets where mobsters had influence, and the mafia held sway. Three of them ended up with police records. The roughness of their past, however, helped them to face the stresses of their fame. It is these aspects that Eastwood accentuates. When he does, the film becomes less a musical than a film which explores dramatically the complicated and trouble-prone life of the people behind the music. The mob connection gives the movie its sharpest edge, and is illustrated very well by Christopher Walken in the cameo role of Gyp DeCarlo, a mobster who weeps when he hears Valli sing, but knows when a financial loan is due and must be paid. The film starts with dark events and ends up in a grand finale with the whole cast joyously singing and dancing together. Eastwood exposes us throughout to the group’s hard times. There are debts to be paid, attempted robbery, agreements dishonoured, tax evasion, lost loyalties, domestic drama, threatening mob connections, and fractured relationships. They all feature in the telling of The Four Seasons story. In the movie, there is obvious tension in the gap between awareness of the group’s misfortunes, and the pull of the movie to lead you to think that with the group’s incredible talent, all will be well. It is to the credit of Eastwood that he depicts the dark side of the group, while the magic of the group’s music exists alongside it, but the tension associated with that gap is always there. The film uses a very interesting device, which has been used in stage versions, of having all four members at some time narrate their own version of their story. But the magic of the group rests indisputably in the joy and rhythm of its music, which are captured

Marvel’s Miracleman hard to take seriously

Marvel’s latest superhero film may not be its best. PHOTO: CNS

superbly in iconic songs such as Sherry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Walk Like a Man, and Big Girls Don’t Cry. Moments of genuine excitement are present in the film, but the impact of the group’s singing comes to be submerged in the drama of the story that pulls the viewer back. The sombre dramatic focus is not what supplies the real excitement of Jersey Boys. It rests in the music. However, the story of the band’s survival is effective enough to raise some intriguing questions. Why did The Four Seasons have so much to do with mobsters and criminal activity, when they developed an appeal that was so clean? This is a movie that will greatly entertain anyone who lived through the group’s rise during the 60s. Laying the film’s dramatic concerns aside, which Eastwood never lets go, it is very difficult not to give oneself over to the fabulous singing and rhythm of Jersey Boys. When The Four Seasons fill the screen with their voices in full force, their singing and the songs they sing are thrilling.

Vincent Piazza, Erich Bergen, John Lloyd Young and Michael Lomenda star in a scene from the movie Jersey Boys. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. PHOTO: CNS / WARNER BROS.

MIRACLEMAN, a 1980s British comic currently being reissued by Marvel, was an attempt at deconstructing superhero cliches. Violent and depressing, the series tells a story that’s often as dated and hackneyed as the Superman tropes it seeks to dismantle. It’s too graphic and sexualised for young readers, and too weird and overwrought for older ones. The title character first appeared in the 1950s, as a British version of DC Comics’ verbally selftransforming Shazam; Miracleman’s own magic cue being “Kimota!” Three decades later, the property was revived by Alan Moore, an eccentric English writer who would go on to create the celebrated graphic novel Watchmen. Moore’s exalted reputation among fans may account for the deluxe reissue of this earlier work. In Moore’s version, Miracleman’s alter ego, a reporter named Mike Moran, discovers that his entire origin story is a sham. Miracleman was considered groundbreaking when it first came out, and its ballyhooed reissue both in comic and deluxe hardback form - implies that a serious work of art has been unearthed. But the themes of Miracleman were, and are, nothing new. The image of the government as a shadowy manipulator of people and events was widespread in the popular culture of the 1970s, a decade before the revamped Miracleman appeared. As for conflicted heroes, they go back at least to film noir - even, arguably, to the Bible. Over the past 20 years, of course, the brooding, comic-book antihero has become a staple, from a dour Batman to the confused and conflicted Superman of the recent film Man of Steel. A lot of the writing in Miracleman is downright awful: “The crackling darkness rolls toward them across the sky, like a great black bull, stupid with pain, its flanks pierced by silver darts. They are titans, and we will never understand the alien inferno that blazes in the furnace of their souls”. Moore tries to show profundity by quoting Nietzsche on the superman. But bringing up the German philosopher - who was a gifted prose stylist if a questionable thinker - just serves to emphasise the weakness of Moore’s own authorship. At one point, the writing was taken over by Neil Gaiman, who went on to become a best-selling novelist. But - perhaps because he was considerably younger at the time - Gaiman doesn’t fare much better than Moore. Among other dubious content, the series includes a very explicit rendering of childbirth when Miracleman’s son is born. It was a controversial scene when the comic first ran, and remains in poor taste today. Despite its title and its new publisher, Miracleman, alas, is no marvel. - CNS

OPINION

EDITORIAL

Time to reflect on restoring humanity

link and you will have missed Pope Francis’ words to young people last weekend calling upon them to “reflect on reality, without fear, with intelligence”. This, he said, “is your service to others”. He went on to say, “I believe that this is the strongest moment for anthropological reductionism. What is happening to humanity at the moment is what happens when wine becomes brandy: it passes through a phase of distillation, in organisational terms. It is no longer wine, but it is something else: perhaps more useful, more qualified, but it is not wine! For mankind, it is the same: man passes through this transformational phase and ends up – and I am serious – losing his humanity and becoming a tool of the system, a social and economic system, a system where imbalance reigns. When mankind loses his humanity, what happens to us? What is no longer useful is discarded, because man is not at the centre. The idea, therefore, is to save mankind, in the sense of restoring him to the centre: to the centre of society, of thought, of reflection”. The Holy Father ended by saying that the restoration of “mankind to the centre... is not theology”, but is rather “philosophy and human reality”. Whether we like it or not, this anthropological reductionism is deeply affecting the history of Christianity. The decision by the Church of England’s General Synod to ordain women bishops was inevitable. This was always to be part of the natural progression in a litany of detours from Catholicism since the General Synod’s decision to justify the use of contraception back in 1930. That decision, many would now argue, has weakened the honour due to women and has been a major factor in bringing about the present-day objectification of women and a dramatic reduction of her divinely appointed dignity. Not only is Christ the Bridegroom now represented by a woman across Anglican churches, beckoning the lay faithful as the Bride to come and be one in marriage at the altar, but the seat allocated for the spiritual father, the bishop, is now also to be handed over to a woman. With women now representing both the divine bridegroom and spiritual fatherhood, it cannot be long before the Anglican Communion PO Box 3075 will have little choice other Adelaide Terrace than to bless two members PERTH WA 6832 of the same sex and pretend it is marriage. After all, this office@therecord.com.au is what is already being perTel: (08) 9220 5900 mitted, albeit very subtly. Is Fax: (08) 9325 4580 this part of the imbalance to which Pope Francis is referring? As a global family, the Catholic Church has chosen deliberately to reject bowing to popular demand, refusing to alter her teaching in many hot topics. And yet we must not be proud, like the prodigal son’s elder brother, but must reflect without fear and with intelligence on what is happening, showing love and great care to other family members. The Anglican Church, along with the Orthodox, is one of our closest siblings. This decision on women bishops makes the one-way journey towards ecumenism more challenging still. Yet we are obliged to take heed of Pope St John Paul II’s words in Ut Unum Sint where he states that “ecumenism is an organic part of [the Church’s] life and work, and consequently must pervade all that she is and does”. Our cry must never be about preventing women from taking up positions of leadership or management in the Church. In fact, the Archdiocese of Perth is profoundly blessed that more than half of its agency directors are women, each of them a pioneer and visionary in her own right. No, this is about safeguarding the anthropological fullness of humanity, as we believe God intended it to be. At a time when the Beatitudes are misunderstood, the Ten Commandments broadly rejected, and the sacred identity of man and woman as laid out in the first few chapters of Genesis greatly diminished, we have much work to do. Although some of The Record’s several thousand readers have expressed concern about the ending of a weekly paper, the general consensus that abounds is we cannot remain complacent about, and insulated with, the magnificence of the Church’s teaching and traditions. We need to listen to the words of our shepherd, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, as he supports us in our united mission to reach out more widely with the love of God revealed to us. The new evangelisation, first mentioned in the Second Vatican Council, then widely promoted by Pope St John Paul II as needing to be “new in fervour, new in methods, and new in expression”, knocks at our door more loudly than ever. The Record as a means of evangelisation is not ending but merely changing so as to speak more comprehensively into the sign of the times. Not only is the universal identity of humanity rapidly changing around us but so is the fundamental message of Christianity. For us to fail to respond to the people around us with renewed fervour, methods and expression would be to join in rejecting the very essence of the Gospel message. Please rest assured, our service will continue to be, in the words of Pope Francis to “reflect on reality, without fear”, and very much “with intelligence”.

therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

LETTERS

Today’s youth face many challenges ON leaving a student concert at Lumen Christi College one freezing night a couple of weeks ago, we seemed to be walking endlessly to our car, when a lovely young lady came up alongside and offered me a beautiful white and pink rose. It took me so much by surprise that, although I thanked her, I didn’t utter another word, and after a couple of minutes she walked on ahead. Should she happen to read this letter I should like her to know that this old couple greatly appreciated her sweet gesture. These days, it is so easy to disparage the younger generation, yet they are having to survive attacks from all sides because, in the 20th century, Satan did not just try to destroy Christ’s Church by attacking its shepherds, he also attacked the domestic church, the family. He did it very successfully by destroying traditional marriage, so that children, at best, have often been denied good guidance or role models. But how can the youth of today be reached in their desperate state, when Satan’s cunning influence has penetrated all the means of communication and spread the falsehood that God is an outdated myth to be ridiculed? How can they be reclaimed when they are under constant attack by evil influences on all sides?

Several Popes have recommended what must be the only remedy: Mary’s Rosary, with the help of her Miraculous Medal and Scapular if possible, all of which she herself has repeatedly recommended, until the day when the Virgin of Revelation finally crushes the snake underfoot, once and for all.

for “the least of these”. And I said nothing.

G Aquilina LYNWOOD, WA

MANY thanks to all those involved with The Record newspaper for all the good work you have done in informing us of the news in the parishes and around Perth. The Panorama section has been particularly useful in reminding us of the many choices we have to attend so many Masses, prayer groups, social functions and discussions etc. This Catholic newspaper will be greatly missed. God bless you all.

Time to say something in defence of innocent WHEN does saying nothing become saying something? I invite readers of The Record to reflect on the following scenario, inspired by Pastor Martin Niemoller’s composition, First They Came. First, they unconscionably demonised asylum seekers as “illegals” whose arrival in boats constituted an “invasion”. And I said nothing. Next, they inhumanely detained asylum seekers in the gulags on Manus Island and Nauru. And I said nothing. Then, they secretly turned or towed back the boats of asylum seekers to the transit country of Indonesia. And I said nothing. Then, they secretly repatriated Sri Lankan asylum seekers, handing them directly to their alleged persecutors. And I said nothing. Several nights ago, I dreamt that the Lord asked me at the Last Judgement what I had done

Mitchel Peters MARANGAROO, WA

Thank you for news and events coverage

Renee Leach TRIGG, WA

Something to say? LETTERS TO THE EDITOR office@therecord.com.au

As a global family, the Catholic Church has chosen deliberately to reject bowing to popular demand.

Guadalupe the source of many miracles, conversions

THE RECORD

A friend from Mexico often speaks of her devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and of the remarkable cloth image associated with it. What is so significant about this image?

HERE are a number of images of Our Lord and Our Lady around the world which are miraulous in themselves, independently of the devotion that has grown up around them. Two examples are the Shroud of Turin and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe dates back to the first half of the 16th century in Mexico. The Spanish at that time were having only limited success in converting the Aztecs, who held firmly to their traditional beliefs and practices. These included many tens of thousands of human sacrifices each year to appease their gods. According to the tradition, on December 9, 1531, an early convert named Juan Diego was walking near Tepeyac Hill outside Mexico City when he saw a beautiful, young woman whom he recognised as the Blessed Virgin Mary. Speaking in his native language, Our Lady asked Juan Diego to have a shrine built there in her honour. He approached the bishop, the Spanish Franciscan Fray Juan de Zumárraga, but the bishop was naturally sceptical and told Juan Diego to ask the woman for a sign. Three days later, on December 12, Juan Diego was hurrying past the hill to attend to his dying uncle when Our Lady once again appeared to him. He explained that he was in a hurry to look after his uncle but Our Lady put him at ease, saying that his uncle would be cured, as in fact he already was. Juan Diego then asked Our Lady for some sign that he could take to the bishop and Mary told him to go to the top of the hill where he would find some flowers growing. He did as he was told, even though December was

Q&A FR JOHN FLADER

not the season for flowers and normally nothing grew on the barren hilltop. To his surprise, he found some beautiful flowers in full bloom. Our Lady helped him arrange the flowers in his cactus fibre cloak, or tilma, and he went off to give them to the bishop. When he arrived at the bishop’s house and showed him the roses, an image of Our Lady suddenly appeared on his tilma. The image now venerated in the Basilica of Our Lady of

Eight million Aztecs were converted to the faith because of the miraculous origin and symbolism of the image of Our Lady on Juan Diego’s tilma. Guadalupe in Mexico City is the one that appeared miraculously on Juan Diego’s tilma almost 500 years ago. There are a number of extraordinary features of the image. The first is the very preservation of the fabric itself. Normally, a cactus fibre garment would deteriorate within some 20 to 40 years, yet here the fabric is still intact after almost five centuries. Another is the brightness of the image, which has remained

virtually unchanged over all these years. Various scientific studies have shown that the image was not painted, for it contains no pigment known to man. What is more, the image repaired itself after an ammonia spill in 1791 that damaged it considerably. And an attempt to destroy the image completely by exploding a bomb on the altar immediately beneath it on November 14, 1921, left the image unharmed, even though a wrought iron crucifix on the altar was bent double. Perhaps the most extraordinary feature came to light when the image was photographed and then magnified 2,500 times. In the partially closed eyes of Our Lady on the rough fabric, there appeared the reflection of all those present in front of Juan Diego when the image first appeared. They include the bishop, his entourage and a family, a total of 13 people. Because of the miraculous origin of the image and the symbolism on it, eight million Aztecs were converted to the faith in the next seven years, at a time when millions were being lost to the faith in Protestant Europe. It is no wonder that Guadalupe is the most visited Marian shrine in the world. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12, and that of St Juan Diego, who was canonised by Pope St John Paul II in 2002, on December 9. Our Lady of Guadalupe has, among others, the titles Queen of Mexico, Patroness of the Americas and Protectress of Unborn Children. For more, go to fatherfladerblog. wordpress.com or contact Fr Flader on frjflader@gmail.com.

OPINION

therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

God can’t help those who help themselves too much Putting our own interests ahead of God’s plan for us can negatively affect our families, communities and the wider society.

N 1998, “God helps those who help themselves” topped a US poll as the most widely-known Bible verse. The problem is these words do not appear in the Bible. My interest in the origin of this often quoted saying was triggered recently when a friend tried using it to utilise some ethical flexibility in a dilemma he was wrestling with. In the sixth century BC, a story credited to ancient Greek storyteller, Aesop, told the tale of a man who calls on the goddess Athena to help him when his ship was wrecked. But rather than receive the divine intervention he was hoping for, Athena tells him to start swimming. A century later, the same concept arises in a quote from Hippolytus, a Greek tragedy written by Euripides: “Try first thyself and after call on God; for to the worker God himself sends aid”. By 1651, the message had become more concise and English poet George Kerbert includes the quote, “Help thyself and God will help thee” when he compiled a book of popular quotes of the time. In 1698, this was adapted to

I Say, I Say MARK REIDY

the version we hear today, “God helps those who help themselves”, by English politician, Algernon Sidney. It was further popularised in 1736 when one of the USA’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, used it in his best-selling publication, Poor Richard’s Almanac. From this it has morphed into becoming one of today’s most widely known “Scripture verses”. In my research, it was interesting to discover that Franklin, who proclaimed to be a man of faith throughout his life, revealed another side to his spirituality in a letter to a friend one month before his death in 1790: “As to Jesus of Nazareth… I think the system of morals and his religion as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw, or likely to see, but I apprehend it has received various

corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity… I see no harm however in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and better observed.” Franklin, as with many of those responsible for the US Constitution, has been described by some historians as a “theistic rationalist” - one who believes in God, but claims reason should be

our Christian faith, but it can go tragically wrong if we begin to rely solely on our own intuition as to what we should be helping ourselves to. It is a concept I touched on in my column last week when I explored the spiritual danger of individuals attempting to fit God into their own world rather than the other way around. When enough individuals embrace this idea, families, then communities, then society, become

This concept is certainly not contradictory to our Christian faith, but it can go tragically wrong. applied to distinguish what parts of the Bible are divinely inspired and what are not. As a politician, scientist, inventor, author, activist and diplomat, Franklin was obviously a very influential individual - and a very motivated one. It is not difficult to see him embrace the idea that one needs to act first before God joins the party. In itself, this concept is certainly not contradictory to

moulded by them. If, then, this seed of individual interpretation is planted within a founding constitution, it should come as no surprise that the fruits of such “rationalism” will inevitably spread throughout that country. While the US founding fathers may have initially intended God to be the bedrock of their existence, they also opened the door for this to be manipulated by personal

interpretation. It is an influence that has not only reshaped America but, in one way or another, has now infected every other Western country, including ours. It is a spiritual descent so great that now the individual rights of a person override the biblical principles they were based on and serve to cater for personal desires. It is why countries have or are mandating laws allowing practices such as abortion and euthanasia. And now that we have reinvented or, more accurately, removed God from our foundations, we should only expect things to get worse. It is why I suggested to my friend from the first paragraph that he should be wary about justifying any actions based on the words, “God helps those who help themselves”. Not only are they not scriptural, but human nature makes it too easy to use them to prioritise our will over God’s. If my friend reads this he may believe I am blowing his minor moral dilemma out of proportion by linking it to evils such as abortion - but I just wanted to remind him that every flake of snow contributes

Give thanks to God in good and bad

Win Kealy says the support of a regular prayer group has taught her to trust that good will come out of everything.

How I Pray AS TOLD TO DEBBIE WARRIER

VERY Wednesday I attend the Subiaco Ladies Prayer Meeting at 10am to 12pm in the upper room of St Joseph’s Parish. I have just turned 74 in June. Our group meets for prayer, praise and fellowship. About 12 to 15 ladies attend and some come from as far away as Gin Gin and Glenforrest. There is a core group of four women (myself included) who have been praying together since the group’s inception in 1974. Where would we be without our prayer group? It has been an oasis of love, peace and support at times of crisis and times of rejoicing. Many of us began as mothers with young children and, as time passed, grandmothers. My husband died in 1988 and I am a mother of three daughters, Simone, Tanya and Suzi. I have four grandchildren. I am now retired but was a dental nurse, clerical worker and secretary at Subiaco Parish. Through it all God has been interwoven into my daily life. In the morning I read a scripture verse from The New Community Bible for Catholic Education. Then I pray: “Holy Spirit, at creation’s first dawn you came forth to give form and life to all. Hear me at the beginning of this new day. Shape my life today in the image of Christ; let nothing unlovely be found in me. Rim with your light my life’s horizon; dispel all darkness from my mind and soul; light in my heart the fire of love; be you, yourself, the light I radiate today and every day of my life”. After this I say the divine praises, followed by a prayer called, ‘My God I love you’, in which I pray for God’s calmness and stillness in my soul. I like to sit in my garden with a cup of tea and surround myself with nature as I pray. Nature helps me keep in touch with the Lord because he created it and it is good. At our prayer meeting we have had a series of talks. We have Bible studies where in group discussions

Mother of three and grandmother of four, Win Kealy says that prayer and praise is the answer to everything, because God has a plan for everyone and when we pray, he listens.

each member shares how the scriptures spoke to them. We have done ‘Life in the Spirit’ seminars and we draw from Catholic literature, like The Word Amongst Us, which is a daily meditation on the Church’s Mass readings. One of the recent books we studied was Lord I Hurt - The Grace of Forgiveness and Road to Healing by Anne Costa, which was a powerful tool in helping us look at unforgiveness in our lives. We began as a charismatic renewal prayer group and when I first joined I wasn’t outgoing but over the years I have come a long way into becoming the person God created me to be. I was born in Perth in a family of six. Mum walked to the East Perth parish every morning for Mass. She had a busy life but was always serene. Dad was a good man but

suffered from alcoholism for 40 of his 91 years. Both of them helped people. Dad was a staunch supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous and saw Christ in the lowest of the low, including the homeless. Through my parents I developed a strong faith as a Catholic.

the same height as the other two immediately afterwards. I believe that was the voice of God speaking to me. I remember prior to the time that Michael was diagnosed with his illness, I asked the ladies of my prayer group to pray for me to have

We pray for the deep conversion of our families and also for ourselves because we all need it. I was married for 19 years. When my husband Michael died from cancer of the pancreas I remember going to church and lighting three candles. As I prayed, I heard a voice say, “Do not be afraid. I will be with you always”. Of the three candles that were lit, the middle one suddenly became a high flame and then resumed

a good attitude towards our travel plans. We were supposed to go around Australia on a round trip of 14,000km which would, I envisaged, be very testing for me. On our return, we discovered that Michael had cancer. For the remaining three months before he died he stayed at home and the hospice staff did home visits.

In his final moments we were all praying the Rosary around his bed. The priest had given Michael the last rites. His breathing was gentle and my daughter’s friend passed some white orchids to her and she took them. It was so symbolic. At that moment, my dad said, “He’s gone, Win”. Michael’s last words were, “Come, Lord Jesus”. During our darkest times, we can see God’s hand and through our faith in him, we know we are not alone. Most of the ladies in my prayer group have gone through hard times. They are unsung heroes. God gives us the grace to do the impossible. Mother Mary is a great example to us because she did the impossible by dying to herself and doing God’s will. Our prayer group recently heard on a CD on reconciliation that most of the people in hell sing, “I did it my way”, but God wants you to do it his way. We all face challenges, like our children no longer attending Mass. At our meeting in Subiaco we pray for the deep conversion of our families and also for ourselves because we all need it. We have to live our faith and be a witness to God. As a group, we pray for God’s guidance in what he wants us to do. We find that prayer and praise is the answer to everything. During good times I say, “Praise the Lord” and during bad times I say, “Praise the Lord”. I trust that something good will come out of suffering. Faith is a gift and we are meant to be Jesus’ hands and feet in this world. There is a passage in the Bible that is particularly meaningful to our prayer group. It reads: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:11-14). God has a plan for all of us and when we pray, he listens.

PANORAMA

SCHOENSTATT CELEBRATES 100 YEARS All welcome, 9 Talus Drive, Mt Richon. More information - 9399 2349. August 1 - 7.30pm The Covenant of Love in its Depth Renewal of Crowning ‘Queen of the Family’ September 5 - 7.30pm The Covenant of Love in its Width Bring your Pilgrim Mother Shrine October 3 - 8pm The Covenant of Love in the Everyday Bring your Group Symbol

FRIDAY, JULY 18 Medjugorje - Evening of Prayer 7-9pm at St Denis Parish, cnr Roberts and Osborne Sts, Joondanna. In thanksgiving for Our Blessed Mother’s reported daily appearances at Medjugorje. Free DVDs on Donald Calloway’s life of sin, to his conversion and priesthood. Enq: 0407 471 256; E: medjugorje1947@gmail. com. SUNDAY, JULY 20 Auslan Café at Emmanuel Centre 10.30am at 25 Windsor St, Perth. Ever thought about learning language that will help you communicate with people who are profoundly deaf? Australian Sign language (Auslan) classes are held at Emmanuel Centre on the third Sunday of each month. Free classes include a light lunch. Barbara P) 9328 8113 or emmanuelcentre@ westnet.com.au. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 Evangelising with Catholic DVDs 10.30–11.30am at St Joseph’s Church, 29 Hamilton St, Bassendean, church library. Answering common Objections by Prof Scott Hahn. This DVD is for everyone to know how to answer questions about the Catholic Faith. FRIDAY, JULY 25 Fellowship Day Service The Australian Church Women 10.30am at St Peter and Emmaus, 56 Green St, Joondanna. Come and enjoy sharing in fellowship with other Christian women. Theme is Building up the Body of Christ. The guest speaker will be Mr Morris from LINC. A collection will be taken for the Winifred Kick Scholarship. Light lunch served. Enq: Meryon 6311 8007. Catholic Charismatic Renewal 7pm at Holy Family Parish, Como. You are invited by CCR Perth to ‘CCR Together’ event. Beginning with Rosary followed by Prayer and Praise. Evening includes teaching and fellowship, with Prayer Ministry available. Admission free. Collection will be taken up. Enq: Dan 9398 4973; Frank 0400 885 635 or daniel.hewitt5@bigpond.com”. FRIDAY, JULY 25 TO SUNDAY, JULY 27 Retreat – Marian Movement WA Redemptorist Retreat House, North Perth. To register and for further information, contact Yolanda 0413 707 707 or ynardizzi@choicewa. com. SUNDAY, JULY 27 Centenary Celebrations First Church 1914 8.30am at St Kieran’s Parish, 120 Waterloo St, Tuart Hill. Solemn concelebrated Mass by Bishop Donald Sproxton followed by brunch in the parish centre. Parishioners, former parishioners, visitors and friends are all most welcome. For those who like history, please do not miss out to see the beautiful blend between the old and the new. You will be amazed! Enq: Fr Gatt 9444 1334. SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 Day With Mary 9am at Sacred Heart Church, 50 Ovens Rd, Thornlie. Day of prayer and instruction based on the Fatima message. Video; 10.10am Holy Mass, Reconciliation, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration, two talks, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Stations of the Cross. Finish approx 5pm. BYO lunch. Enq: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9437 2792. SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 Youth Healing Retreat (ages 15–35) 9am-1.30pm at Holy Family Parish, 34 Alcock St, Maddington. Led by Fr Michael Payyapilly VC (Director of Sydney Retreat Centre). Morning tea and lunch provided. Enq: 9493 1703 or email vincentiansperth@yahoo.com or visit website www.vpvp.org.au. SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 Prayer in Style of Taizé Celebrating St Mary MacKillop’s feast day 7-8pm at Sisters of St Joseph’s Chapel, 16 York St, South Perth. Chapel doors open 6.30pm. Includes prayer, song, and silence in candlelit chapel. Bring a friend and a torch. Everyone welcome. Enq: Sr Maree Riddler 0414 683 926. Worldwide Marriage Encounter Anniversary A celebration to mark Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s 40th anniversary in Australia will be held at Bateman parish, commencing at 11am with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey, followed by a shared lunch in

the parish hall. Past and present members of the WWME movement will then share their experiences, as photos, videos and memorabilia will be displayed. Afternoon tea concludes the day. Enq: Max 9312 2300. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 TO MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 31st Novena to Our Lady of Good Health Vailankanni 6pm at Holy Trinity Parish, Embleton. Every day there will be a different priest to celebrate the Novena, Homily and Benediction. First day - Flag Hosting. During the week there will be blessing for the children and anointing of the sick. Last day - Bishop Mass followed by procession. Enq: Church Office 9271 5528 or Gordon 9377 4472, 0417 185 203.

REGULAR EVENTS EVERY SUNDAY Gate of Heaven Catholic Radio Join the Franciscans of the Immaculate from 7.309pm on Radio Fremantle 107.9FM for Catholic radio broadcast of EWTN and our own live shows. Enq: radio@ausmaria.com. Cathedral Cafe Cathedral Cafe open every Sunday 9.30am-1pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, downstairs after Mass. Coffee, tea, cakes, sweets, friendship with Cathedral parishioners. Further info: Tammy on smcperthwyd@yahoo.com.au or 0415 370 357. Pilgrim Mass - Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation 2pm at Shrine, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Starts with Rosary, then Benediction. Reconciliation available before every celebration. Anointing of the sick administered at Mass every second Sunday of month. Pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation last Sunday of the month. Side entrance to church and shrine open daily between 9am-5pm. Enq Sacri 9447 3292. Praise and Worship 5.30pm at St Denis Parish, cnr Osborne St and Roberts Rd, Joondanna. Followed by 6pm Mass. Enq: Admin on admin@stdenis.com.au. Mass with Sign Language Interpreter and PowerPoint 9.30am at St Francis Xavier Church, 23 Windsor St, East Perth. Enq: Voice 9328 8113, TTY 9328 9571, 0401 016 399 or www.emmanuelcentre.com.au. EVERY FIRST SUNDAY Singles Prayer and Social Group 6.30pm at All Saints Chapel, Allendale Sq, 77 St Georges Tce, Perth. Holy hour followed by dinner at local restaurant. Meet new people, pray and socialise with others. Enq: Veronica 0403 841 202. EVERY SECOND SUNDAY Healing Hour 7-8pm at St Lawrence, Balcatta. Songs of praise and worship, Exposition of Blessed Sacrament and prayers for sick. Enq: Fr Irek Czech SDS or office Tue-Thu, 9am-2.30pm on 9344 7066. EVERY THIRD SUNDAY Oblates of St Benedict’s 2pm at St Joseph’s Convent, York St, South Perth. We welcome all interested in studying the Rule of St Benedict and its relevance to the everyday life of today for laypeople. Vespers and afternoon tea conclude our meetings. Enq: Secretary 9457 5758. Holy Hour with Exposition 3pm at All Saints Parish, 7 Liwara Pl, Greenwood. Mercy Novena and Rosary during holy hour. Enq: Charles 9447 1989. Divine Mercy Holy Hour 3pm at Pius X Church, 23 Paterson St, Manning. Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy prayers, Rosary and Benediction. Please join us in prayer. Enq: Mrs K Henderson 9450 4195. EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY Shrine Time for Young Adults 18-35 Years 7.30-8.30pm at Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Dr, Mt Richon; holy hour with prayer, reflection, meditation, praise and worship followed by a social gathering. Come and pray at a place of grace. Enq: shrinetimemtrichon@gmail.com. Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life 2-3pm at Infant Jesus Parish, Wellington St, Morley. Includes Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, silent prayer, scripture, prayers of intercession. Come and pray that those discerning vocations can hear clearly God’s call. EVERY LAST SUNDAY Filipino Mass 3pm at Notre Dame Church, cnr Daley and Wright Sts, Cloverdale. Bring a plate to share after Mass. Enq: Fr Nelson 0410 843 412, Elsa 0404 038 483. LAST MONDAY Be Still in His Presence – Ecumenical Christian Program 7.30-8.45pm at St Swithun Anglican Church, 195 Lesmurdie St, Lesmurdie (hall behind church). Begins with songs of praise and worship, silent time, lectio divina, small group sharing and cuppa. Enq: Lynne 9293 3848 or 0435 252 941. EVERY TUESDAY Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal 6pm at Pater Noster Church, Marmion and Evershed Sts, Myaree. Mass at 5.30pm followed by Benediction. Enq: John 0408 952 194.

therecord.com.au July 16, 2014

Mercy Heritage Centre Perth Open Day Tours Free guided tours start at 10.30am and 12.30pm at the 1871 Convent. Other times by appointment with the Curator. Enter via the main entrance on 86 Victoria Sq. Enq: 08 9325 4155. Novena to God the Father 7.30pm at St Joachim’s parish hall, Vic Park. Novena followed by reflection and discussions on forthcoming Sunday Gospel. Enq: Jan 9284 1662. EVERY FIRST TUESDAY Short MMP Cenacle for Priests 2pm at Edel Quinn Centre, 36 Windsor St, East Perth. Enq: Fr Watt 9376 1734. EVERY WEDNESDAY Holy Hour - Catholic Youth Ministry 5.30pm at Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary St, Highgate. Mass followed at 6.30pm with Holy Hour. Supper $5 and fellowship later. Enq: 9422 7912 or admin@cym.com.au. Subiaco Ladies Prayer Meeting 10am in the upper room at St Joseph’s Parish, 3 Salvado Rd, Subiaco. We welcome you to join us for prayer, praise and fellowship. Phone Win 9387 2808, Colleen 9245 3277 or Noreen 9298 9938. Evangelising with Catholic DVDs 10.30-11.30am at St Joseph’s Church, 20 Hamilton St, Bassendean Library. No price too high. Enq: Catherine 9379 2691 or Merle 0414 794 224. EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY Novena to St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 7-7.45pm at Blessed Mary MacKillop Parish, cnr Cassowary Dr and Pelican Pde, Ballajura. Begins with Mass, Novena prayers and Benediction. Followed by healing prayers and anointing of the sick. Enq: Madi 9249 9093 or Gerry 0417 187 240. EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY Chaplets of Divine Mercy 7.30pm at St Thomas More Parish, Dean Rd, Bateman. Accompanied by Exposition, then Benediction. Enq: George 9310 9493 or 6242 0702 (w). Miracle Prayers 7.30pm at 67 Howe St, Osborne Park. An opportunity to receive prayers for healing of mind, body and soul. Enq: miracleprayers@disciplesofjesus. org or Michelle 0404 028 298. EVERY THURSDAY Divine Mercy 11am at Sts John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy and for consecrated life, especially in our parish. Concludes with veneration of the first class relic of St Faustina. Enq: John 9457 7771. St Mary’s Cathedral Praise Meeting 7.45pm at the Legion of Mary’s Edel Quinn Centre, 36 Windsor St, East Perth. Includes praise, song and healing ministry. Enq: Kay 9382 3668 or fmi@ flameministries.org. Group Fifty - Charismatic Renewal Group 7.30pm at Redemptorist Monastery, 150 Vincent St, North Perth. Includes prayer, praise and Mass. Enq: Elaine 9440 3661.

Healing and Anointing Mass 8.45am Pater Noster Church, Evershed St, Myaree. Begins with Reconciliation, then 9am Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, anointing of the sick and prayers to St Peregrine. Enq: Joy 9337 7189. Pro-life Witness – Mass and Procession 9.30am at St Brigid’s Parish, cnr Great Northern Hwy and Morrison Rd, Midland. Begins with Mass followed by Rosary procession and prayer vigil at nearby abortion clinic led by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Please join us to pray for an end to abortion and the conversion of hearts. Enq: Helen 9402 0349. Catholic Faith Renewal Evening 7.30pm at Sts John and Paul Parish, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Songs of praise, prayer, sharing by a priest, then thanksgiving Mass and light refreshments. Enq: Ivan 0428 898 833 or Ann 0412 166 164 or catholicfaithrenewal@gmail.com. Communion of Reparation All Night Vigils 7pm-1.30am at Corpus Christi Church, Loch St, Mosman Park or St Gerard Majella Church, cnr Ravenswood Dr/Majella Rd, Mirrabooka. Vigils are two Masses, Adoration, Benediction, prayers, Confession in reparation for outrages committed against the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Enq: Vicky 0400 282 357, Fr Giosue 9349 2315, John/ Joy 9344 2609. Holy Hour 7.30pm at St Bernadette’s Parish, cnr Jugan and Leeder Sts, Glendalough. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, music and chants, silence, readings and meditative decades of the holy Rosary. Tea/ coffee and cake to follow. Enq: Sean Tobin of Bl Elisabeth of the Trinity Choir 0439 720 066. EVERY SECOND FRIDAY Discover Spirituality of St Francis of Assisi 12pm at St Brigid’s parish centre. The Secular Franciscans of Midland Fraternity have lunch, then 1-3pm meeting. Enq: Antoinette 9297 2314. EVERY SATURDAY Our Lady of Sorrows Rosary 9am at St Denis Parish Church, cnr Roberts Rd and Osborne St, Joondanna. A warm invitation to those interested in praying Our Lady of Sorrows Rosary with us. Enq: parish office 9242 2812. Meditation on Jesus for Healing 4-5.30pm at St Bernadette parish hall, 49 Jugan St, Mt Hawthorn, Glendalough. Enq: Fr Gilbert at parish office. EVERY FIRST SATURDAY Vigil for Life – Mass and Procession 8.30am at St Augustine Parish, Gladstone St, Rivervale. Begins with Mass celebrated by Fr Carey, followed by Rosary procession and prayer vigil at nearby abortion clinic. Please join us to pray for the conversion of hearts and an end to abortion. Enq: Helen 9402 0349. Mission Rosary Making at the Legion of Mary 9.30am-2pm at 36 Windsor St, East Perth. All materials supplied. The Rosaries made are distributed to schools, missions and those who ask for a Rosary. Please join us and learn the art of Rosary making on rope and chain. Enq: 0478 598 860.

EVERY FIRST THURSDAY Holy Hour Prayer for Priests 7-8pm at Holy Spirit Parish, 2 Keaney Pl, City Beach. All welcome. Enq: Linda 9341 3079.

Half-Day Retreat 9am-1.30pm at Holy Family Parish, 34 Alcock St, Maddington. Led by Fr Parackal VC and Vincentian Fathers. Morning tea and lunch provided. Enq: 9493 1703 or email vincentiansperth@yahoo.com or visit www.vpcp.org.au.

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

EVERY FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAY The Feast - Praise and Worship, Inspiring Talk, Fellowship 4-6pm St Jude Parish Centre, 20 Prendiville Way, Langford. Afternoon tea and coffee provided. Enq: Grace 0420 921 268 or Fema 0415 144 971.

FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY Social Dinner (Young Adults aged up to 35) and Rosary Cenacle 6.30pm at St Bernadette’s Church, 49 Jugan St, Mt Hawthorn. Begins at 6.30pm with dinner at a local restaurant, followed at 8pm by a Rosary Cenacle, short talk and refreshments at the church. Great way to meet new people, pray and socialise! Enq: 9444 6131 or st.bernadettesyouth@gmail.com.

EVERY SECOND SATURDAY Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Succour) and Divine Mercy Chaplet (Chant) 8.30am at Our Lady of the Mission Parish, Whitford, 270 Camberwarra Dr, Craigie. Holy Mass at 8.30am followed by Novena. Enq: Margaret 9307 2776.

EVERY FRIDAY Eucharistic Adoration at Schoenstatt Shrine 10am at Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Dr, Mt Richon. Includes holy Mass, Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, silent Adoration till 8.15pm. Join us in prayer at a place of grace. Enq: Sisters of Schoenstatt 9399 2349. Healing Mass 6pm at Holy Family Parish, Lot 375, Alcock St, Maddington. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Healing Mass followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Enq: admin 9493 1703/www.vpcp.org.au. Eucharistic Adoration Voice of the Voiceless Ministry 7.30-9pm at St Brigid’s Parish, 211 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. Eucharistic Adoration, beginning with praise and worship and reflection on the scriptures. All welcome. Enq: adrianluke1999@ yahoo.com.au. EVERY FIRST FRIDAY Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 11am-4pm at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. Exposition of Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 4pm, finishing with Rosary. Enq: Sr Marie MS.Perth@lsp.org.au.

EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH SATURDAY The Feast - Praise and Worship, Inspiring Talk and Fellowship 3-5pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, Meeting Room 1. Afternoon tea and coffee provided. Enq: Grace 0420 921 268 or Fema 0415 144 971. EVERY FOURTH SATURDAY Voice of the Voiceless Healing Mass 11.30am at St Brigid’s Parish, 211 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. Bring a plate to share after Mass. Enq: Frank 9296 7591 or 0408 183 325.

GENERAL Divine Mercy Church, Lower Chittering Come join the “$500 club” by donating that amount towards completion of the Divine Mercy Church in Lower Chittering. Your name will be included in a plaque and you will share in Masses offered for benefactors. Donate online: www. ginginchitteringparish.org.au or send cheque to DM Church Building Fund, PO Box 8, Bullsbrook WA 6084. May God bless you! Free Divine Mercy Image for Parishes High quality oil painting and glossy print – Divine Mercy Promotions. Images of very high quality. For any parish willing to accept and place inside the church. Oil paintings: 160 x 90cm; glossy print - 100 x 60cm. Enq: Irene 9417 3267 (w).

Sacred Heart Pioneers Would anyone like to know about the Sacred Heart pioneers? If so, please contact Spiritual Director Fr Doug Harris 9444 6131 or John 9457 7771. St Philomena’s Chapel 3/24 Juna Dr, Malaga. Mass of the day: Mon 6.45am. Vigil Masses: Mon-Fri 4.45pm. Enq: Fr David 9376 1734. Mary MacKillop Merchandise Available for sale from Mary MacKillop Centre. Enq: Sr Maree 0414 683 926 or 08 9334 0933. Financially Disadvantaged People Requiring Low Care Aged Care Placement The Little Sisters of the Poor community is set in the beautiful gardens in Glendalough. “Making the elderly happy, that is everything!” St Jeanne Jugan (foundress). Reg and enq: Sr Marie 9443 3155. AA Alcoholics Anonymous Is alcohol costing you more than just money? Enq: AA 9325 3566. Abortion Grief Association Inc A not-for-profit association is looking for premises to establish a Trauma Recovery Centre (pref SOR) in response to increasing demand for services (ref www.abortiongrief.asn.au). Enq: Julie (08) 9313 1784. Free Rosaries For The Missions If you or anybody you know are going to the missions and would like to send or take Rosaries to spread the faith locally or overseas or for school or First Holy Communion, please contact Felicia 0429 173 541 or Hiep 0409 128 638. Saints and Sacred Relics Apostolate Invite SSRA Perth invites interested parties, parish priests, leaders of religious communities, lay associations to organise relic visitations to parishes, communities, etc. We have available authenticated relics, mostly first class, of Catholic saints and blesseds including Sts Mary MacKillop, Padre Pio, Anthony of Padua, Therese of Lisieux, Maximilian Kolbe, Simon Stock and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Free of charge and all welcome. Enq: Giovanny 0478 201 092 or ssra-perth@catholic.org. PERPETUAL ADORATION Perpetual Adoration - Kelmscott Perpetual Adoration is coming to Kelmscott soon. Come and spend an hour with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in the little side Chapel of Good Shepherd Church, Streich Ave. Adorers are needed. Please contact Tim 0413 785 680 or Fr Andrew 9495 1204. Adoration - St Jerome’s, Spearwood Adorers are needed. Please contact the office on 9418 1229. Holy Hour Slots at St Bernadette’s, Glendalough “Every Holy Hour we make so pleases the Heart of Jesus that it will be recorded in heaven and retold for all eternity” ~ Blessed Mother Teresa. Adorers needed for: Monday midnight-1am; Tuesday 10-11am; Wednesday midnight-2am; Friday 2-4am; and Sunday 1-2am. If you would like one of these hours or more information, please call the parish office. Enquiries: 9444 6131. Emmanuel Centre Volunteer needed Emmanuel Centre is looking for a volunteer approximately every six weeks to drive a trailer and ute to Canning Vale to drop off newspaper for recycling. The trailer is a self-tipper and the papers on the ute can be simply pushed over the edge. The days would be Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays. Please contact Fr Paul 9328 8113 (voice); 9328 9571 (TTY) or Mob 0401 016 399. Resource Centre For Personal Development 2014 Courses 197 High St, Fremantle. RCPD2 ‘Successful Relationships, Emotional Intelligence/ Communication Skills’; RCPD3 Part1 ‘Health – Mental, Physical and Spiritual’ ‘Understanding and Healing the Consequences of Emotional and Sexual Abuse’ Lecture and Discussion; RCPD11 ‘Therapeutic Workshop’; RCPD7 Part1 ‘Psychology and Christian Spirituality’; RCPD7 Part2 ‘Exorcists and Psychiatrists’. Volunteers required for Op/Shop Drop-In Centre. Enq: 9418 1439, 0409 405 585 www.rcpd.net.au. Maranatha Centre for Adult Faith Formation: Term Three enrolments at the Maranatha Centre are now open. Maranatha offers daytime and evening courses and Sunday sessions at the Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview. Courses run for 3,6 or 8 weeks and range in cost from $20 to $50. Deepen your understanding of your faith in a friendly, interactive environment with no exams or assignments! Enq: or to register www. maranathacentre.org.au or 9241 5221.

FINAL

PANORAMA INSERTION:

The final opportunity for insertion into the Panorama will be this Friday at 5pm. Thank you and God bless

CLASSIFIEDS

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CLASSIFIEDS Deadline: 11am Monday BEAUTY

FURNITURE REMOVAL

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SERVICES BRENDAN HANDYMAN SERVICES Home, building maintenance, repairs and renovations. NOR. Ph 0427 539 588. PAINTERS IN PERTH since 1933. AJ Cochrane & Sons 08 9248 8211. BOB’S PAINTING Registered and insured. Free quotes 0422 485 433 www.bobthepainter.com.au. PAINTER Registered with 35 years’ experience. Free quotes. Pensioner discount. Tony 0401 461 310. PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD For all commercial and strata property requirements. Ph 9444 1200. BRICK RE-POINTING Ph Nigel 9242 2952.

TAX SERVICE QUALITY TAX RETURNS PREPARED by registered tax agent with over 35 years’ experience. Call Tony Marchei 0412 055 184 for appt. AXXO Accounting & Management, Unit 20/222 Walter Rd, Morley.

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RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS RICH HARVEST - YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, Baptism and Wedding candles, etc. Visit us at 39 Hulme Ct (off McCoy St), Myaree. Ph 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat). We are here to serve. KINLAR VESTMENTS www.kinlarvestments.com.au Quality vestments, Australianmade, embroidered, appliqued. Ph: 9402 1318, 0409 114 093.

PILGRIMAGES (20 DAYS) HOLY LAND AND TURKEY (St Paul’s Footsteps, 7 Churches of Revelation, Ephesus, and Gallipoli) from Nov 17-Dec 6, 2014. Fr Emmanuel-tv (Spiritual Director). Contact us ASAP: fremmanueltv@hotmail. com; 0417 999 553, 9622 5411. MARIAN PILGRIMAGE Oct 10-27, 2014 Visit Fatima, Zaragoza, Montserrat, Lourdes, La Salette, Paray Le Monial, Nevers, Mont St Michel, Lisieux, Paris. Depart from Singapore. Price A$4,800 includes airfare (Emirates) 3/4 star accommodation all meals, all guided tours and admission to places of interest

HOUSE - Family with reference looking for 3-4x house to rent, preferably SOR. Preferred suburbs, Queens Park, Cannington, Beckenham, Bentley, Carlisle. Will consider other suburbs. Close to public transport. 0481 125 854.

OPTIONAL TOUR PRIOR TO ABOVE. Depart Perth Sep 26. Visit Rome, Assisi, Split, Medjugorje and 7-night Mediterranean cruise. To join above tour after cruise. Price for both tours A$7950. Tel. 9403 2763; 0409 112 501.

WANTED Mature-age gentleman, works fulltime at RPH. Surrounding areas near the city. Greg 0413 701 489.

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE, ROME - ITALY Departs Perth Oct 7-25, 8 nights Italy inclusive. Rome, San Giovanni

Rotondo, Assisi, Corato and more. Medjugorje 7 days 1 night Split. Cost $4,999 includes all flights, transfers, accommodation, airport hotel stay on departure and return to rest and shower. Bed/breakfast evening meals, excellent accommodation all with ensuite facilities, taxes, tipping, guide 24/7.Cost $4,999. Spiritual Director Rev Fr Doug Harris. Contact Eileen 9402 2480 mob 0407 471 256 email medjugorje1947@gmail.com.

15 days Pilgrimage: Turkey and Holy Land. Ephesus (Mary’s House), Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Cana, Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Mt Tabor, Jerusalem, Gethsemane, Bethlehem, Jericho, Dead Sea, Mt Of Olives, Mt Zion, Holy Sepulchre. Spiritual Director: Fr Gregory D’Almeida. Church: Holy Name / Tel: 9361 2000. Depart Perth: Sunday, Oct 18, 2015 Cost: AU$4,980. World Youth Day 2016:14 days pilgrimage to Prague, Krakow and Vienna. Hotel accommodation 3***/4****. Departs Perth: Friday, July 22, 2016. Cost: AU$5,900 per person twin/double share. 14-night cruise – MEDITERRANEAN: Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Russian Federation, Turkey, Croatia. Ports of call: Venice, Bari, Piraeus, Odessa, Yalta, Sochi, Istanbul, Santorini, Cefalonia, and Dubrovnik. Departs Perth on Saturday, Sep 12, 2015. Cost: AU$6,280 per person twin/double share. For Itinerary contact: Francis Williams T: M: 0404 893 877 or T: 9459 3873.

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C R O S S W O R D ACROSS 1 Faith-sharing program used in the UK, Australia, and South Africa 4 Son of Sarah 7 Holy holders 9 “Light from light, ___ God from…” 10 NT book 12 First patriarch, to his friends? 13 Home of Adam and Eve 14 Enemies of ancient Israel 17 To do this is human, but to forgive is divine 18 Fourth man 21 Where Vatican City is 23 Biblical animal of transport 24 Father of David 26 Son of Eve 29 NT epistle 30 Bread of the Passover 33 Goliath lost his 35 ___ of God 37 “Keep them fastened over your heart always ___ them around your neck” (Prov 6:21) 38 “You are the ___ of the earth” (Mt 5:13) 40 OT book that precedes Ruth 41 Sr Prejean 42 “In the ___ of the Father…” DOWN 2 “…the fish of the sea and the birds of the ___” (Gen 1:26) 3 He saw the wheel 5 Land with a queen in Kings 6 “When we eat this bread and drink this ___…” 7 Superior of convent 8 Genuflection joint 9 Catholic newsman Russert former host of “Meet the Press” 10 Paul says this is the glory of a woman (1 Cor 11:15)

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11 “… at the name of Jesus every knee should ___…” (Phil 2:10) 15 What the sea bottom became when Moses parted it 16 “… and there was no man to ___ the ground” (Gen 2:5) 19 “… to the ___ of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) 20 Tarsus, to Paul 21 The Archdiocese of Dubuque is here 22 Celestial being, to Jacques 23 Monk’s room 24 The feast day of St, Thomas Aquinas is in this month (abbr) 25 “Kyrie ___” 27 Catholic Composer Beethoven 28 ___ and abstinence 29 Catholic dancer and movie star Kelly 31 “a ___ of one crying in the desert” (Lk 3:4) 32 “Our Father who ___…” 34 He gave up his birthright to his brother 36 OT prophetic book that mourns the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple 39 OT book that is a collection for five sorrowful poems

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JULY 31 BIBIANA KWARAMBA Bookshop Manager

Telephone: 9220 5912 Email: bookshop@therecord.com.au Address: 21 Victoria Square, Perth, WA, 6000