The Record Newspaper 16 November 2011

ECONOMIC MIRACLE

Bishop’s pointed question inspired

Papal Secret

Australia’s special Year of Grace

Where is Jesus in all this?

By Bridget SpinkS

THE PERTH co-ordinator of the special Year of Grace for Australia announced by the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops in Rome during the Australian bishops’ ad limina visit in October is calling for ideas and suggestions for ways to begin the journey in the Perth archdiocese.

A retired laywoman and former principal of Catholic primary

schools in WA, Paddy Buckley emphasised at a meeting of Perth clergy on 10 November that ‘A Year of Grace: starting afresh in Christ’ was about seeking the face of Christ.

She said the year was not a guided programme but a journey, the inspiration for which emerged from a meeting of Australia’s bishops.

During that meeting there was a pile of folders on the desk with issues relating to governance, finance and planning for the bish-

ops to consider but at one point one bishop pushed the pile away and said “Where is Jesus in this?”

The question was central to the Year of Grace, to be celebrated starting at Pentecost 2012, she said, and should be applied to all aspects of public and personal Church life.

Australian parishes can expect a formal letter announcing the year, while a website is also on its way, containing material for priests, parishes and schools and including

liturgies, prayers and suggestions.

The year would be a way of thinking and reflecting on the face of Christ, she said, and ways to incorporate it into daily parish life could be as simple as setting up a display or a regular prayer at Mass.

She told Perth clergy the year, inspired by John Paul II’s 2000 Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte , will have three major themes: contemplating the face of Christ, building a spirituality of

communion and undertaking mission for the new evangelisation.

Miss Buckley will be based at The Faith Centre, 450 Hay St, Perth and can be contacted on 08 6140 2420

Addressing Pope Benedict in October, Archbishop Philip Wilson said the Church in Australia had received two graces in recent years, World Youth Day in 2008 and the canonisation of St Mary MacKillop. The special Year of Grace would build on this, he said.

Priest and friend: behind the Bropho headlines

AFTER prominent news reports last week about his role leading prayers at the funeral of convicted sex offender Robert Bropho, Perth’s Archbishop Barry Hickey spelled out the reasons he agreed to conduct the service.

Prior to Mr Bropho’s burial on Friday, 11 November, Archbishop Hickey explained in a statement that his participation was in a private capacity as a friend of the family and should not be interpreted as

tolerance of Mr Bropho’s crimes.

“There is some confusion about why I am doing the funeral of Robert Bropho,” he said.

“It is nothing to do with my office as archbishop nor does it mean I approve of his serious crimes. I am doing so as a friend of the family who know me simply as ‘Father Hickey’.

“Since the family was evicted from the Lockridge Camp I have come to know many members of

the Bropho family, especially the homeless ones to whom I offered shelter on my verandah over a period of seven years.

“I have already conducted four funerals of members of the Bropho family. They asked me to do Robert’s as well. As a kindness to his daughter and her family, I will say prayers at his graveside. There will be no Church service.”

Media critics included popular radio talkback host Howard Sattler,

who said Archbishop Hickey’s involvement legitimised Bropho.

While it is not known if Bropho was baptised Catholic, Canon Law states that all the baptised faithful are entitled to Christian burial.

Mr Bropho, 81, died in jail while serving a six-year sentence for convictions for rape and sexual abuse of Aboriginal girls as young as 11; one of his victims, a member of his family, committed suicide at the age of 16. Christian burial cer-

emonies and rites have been largely unchanged over two millennia and are based on the Church’s belief in the resurrection of the body.

In rare instances, Canon Law forbids Christian burial of “manifest sinners” if they have not given some sign of repentance before death.

Where there is doubt about the matter the judgement is the prerogative of the local ordinary.

Pope Piux XII exposed - Page 14

No, not a girl band

Members of St Thomas More Residential College’s choir in Crawley have issued their first CD and it’s good - Page 5

Why co-operation works - Page 17

Caring for the old with hope and glory

By Sarah Motherwell

WHEN staff and volunteers put on a right royal show for the wedding of William and Kate in April, the Little Sisters of the Poor in Glendalough hardly expected it would lead to their nursing home winning a major award for the quality of life given to residents.

The “Wedding Belles at Glendalough” bridal fashion show put on for residents was a major factor in the nursing home being awarded the 2011 Better Practice Award for Resident Lifestyle by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency (ACSAA).

On the day of the wedding, staff and volunteers donned wedding dresses from different eras and residents were treated to a breakfast fit for a queen (or king). A live viewing of the wedding on a large screen in the home’s main hall followed.

“One of the residents said it was the best day of her life,” a staff member said. “They were very excited and it gave them a lot of pleasure. They are still talking about it and saying they feel like they were at the wedding itself.”

She said she thought the wedding was “one piece of good news the residents latched onto because

it gave them hope in a time with so many dreadful events happening in the world”.

The Better Practice Awards are judged by a panel of aged care experts. This year, 41 awards were given across five categories. The Glendalough home was the only aged care home in WA to win a better practice award.

ACSAA’s chairman, Jim

Harrowell, praised the Little Sisters of the Poor. “Their efforts are testimony to the high quality care in Australia’s residential aged care industry and they are deserving of recognition,” he said. “The managers and staff at the Little Sisters of the Poor Glendalough Home are going above and beyond in providing the very best care for their residents.”

Volunteers sought to lend an hour or two

GO-GETTER Bernadette Jolly is not one to allow illness to dampen her zest for living life to the full. Despite being wheelchair-bound, she lives independently and maintains an active lifestyle, albeit with the support of medical and personal carers.

However, recent cuts to Bernadette’s funding have reduced

the hours of these services, leaving her with no support for her weekly shopping errands, medical appointments and social and recreational activities.

The latter is just as essential to Bernadette’s mental and physical wellbeing as the rest.

If you can spare three to four hours a week, or even every fort-

night, please consider volunteering to help Bernadette maintain her independence and positive lifestyle.

Bernadette, who lives in the Mount Lawley area, is waiting to hear from you.

Please call Bernadette, pictured at right, on 9271 0576.

BARBARA HARRIS

Sr Elizabeth Anne Lee said the award was an honour for the home. Ever since the order’s founder, Saint Jeanne Jugan, and the first members of her religious community began caring for elderly abandoned women in 1839, she said, the Little Sisters had always sought to ensure that residents had social stimulation and a sense of a family spirit.

Emmanuel centre uploads lessons

After leading the way in teaching the theology behind the new translation of the Mass to St Denis’ Parish, Joondanna, the Emmanuel Centre has posted one of its teaching videos to YouTube. Featuring members of Perth’s Catholic deaf community and the use of sign language and captioning, the video traces the historical origins of the Mass. Tabernacle and today showcases methods and resources used by the group to teach in the parish. These include display boards in the church foyer and a scale model of the original tabernacle and altar recorded in scripture, demonstrating continuity with worship today. Formation sessions on the new translation have been held for all the ministries of St Denis’s this year.

Scholarships available in youth ministry

For the third year in a row, Perth Catholic Youth Ministry is offering two scholarships to study Certificate IV in Christian Ministry, specialising in work with youth, at Acts 2 Come College of Mission and Evangelisation in Osborne Park. Successful recipients will receive hands-on experience in parish youth ministry for their study’s duration. Earlier this month, the Bishops’ Commission for Pastoral Life also announced a range of scholarships for study in youth and campus ministry in 2012 and 2013 to be offered through the Broken Bay Institute. Expressions of interest for PCYM’s scholarships can be emailed to admin@cym.com.au with applications to close on 2 December. Details about the Broken Bay Institute scholarships can be found at www.youthministry.catholic.org.au

17 Mass for Canning Aged Care Group, St Mary’s Cathedral – Archbishop Hickey Northern Zone of Priests, Ballajura – Archbishop Hickey Blessing and Opening, Iona Presentation College – Bishop Sproxton

18

Record Bookshop

Bibiana Kwaramba bookshop@therecord.com.au

Proofreaders

Eugen Mattes

Contributors

Debbie Warrier John Heard

Karen and Derek Boylen Anthony Paganoni CS

Christopher West Catherine Parish

Bronia Karniewicz Fr John Flader

Toutounji Guy Crouchback

Gathering of Catholic Secondary Principals WA – Archbishop Hickey

Ordination to Priesthood for Redemptoris Mater, St Mary’s Cathedral – Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton Principals’ Thanksgiving Mass – Mgr Michael Keating

19 Parish Mass at Lynwood - Archbishop Hickey

20

SACRI Mass – Archbishop Hickey

Schoenstatt 30th Anniversary Mass – Mgr Brian O’Loughlin VG

21-25 Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference – Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton

22 Consecration of St Matthew’s Chapel, Pearce RAAF Base – Mgr Brian O’Loughlin VG

WALK WITH HIM

20

P

Wh Ezek 34:11-12, 15-17 A true shepherd

Ps 22:1-3, 5-6 I lack nothing

1 Cor 15:20-26, 28 He must be king

Mt 25:31-46 Throne of glory

21 M The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (M)

Wh Dan 1:1-6, 8-20 Fit for king’s society

Dan 3:52-56 Glory and praise

Lk 21:1-4 The little she had

22 Tu ST Cecilia, virgin, martyr (M)

Red Dan 2:31-45 Leaving no trace Dan 3:57-61 Glory and praise

Lk 21:5-11 Not a single stone

23 W St Clement, pope, martyr (O); St

Columban, abbot (O)

Gr Dan5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28

Keep your gifts

Dan 3:62-67 Glory and praise

Lk 21:12-19 Because of my name

24 Th Ss Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, and companions, martyrs (M) S

Red Dan 6:12-28 Lion’s jaws sealed

Dan 3:68-74 Glory and praise

Lk 21:20-28 Desolation to come

25 F St Catherine of Alexandria, virgin, martyr (O)

Gr Dan 7:2-14 Like a son of man

Dan 3:75-81 Glory and praise Lk 21:29-33 Summer is near

26 S Dan 7:15-27 To know the truth

Gr Dan 3:82-87 Glory and praise

Lk 21:34-36 The cares of life

Volunteers, staff and residents of the Little Sisters’ home celebrating the Royal Wedding in April. PHOTO: LITTLE SISTERS

Brisbane’s prelate free to go, no word on Perth

By Peter rosengren

POPE Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane, who tendered his obligatory letter of retirement in July, appointing in the archbishop’s place an apostolic administrator who is just 18 months younger in age.

There is no word yet, officially or unofficially, as to when Pope

Benedict will announce a successor to Perth’s Archbishop Barry Hickey, who tendered his own resignation four months earlier than his Brisbane counterpart.

All bishops are required by canon law to offer their resignation to the Pope when they turn 75.

The man appointed apostolic administrator of the Brisbane archdiocese ad nutum Sanctae Sedis (at the pleasure of the Holy See) is

Men, your reward is in heaven, with a cash bonus now

By tim Wallace

The days when Australian Catholics comprised a largely Irish underclass, while an English protestant establishment held a firm grip on who got the best-paying jobs, are long gone, according to research indicating Catholic men, on average, earn more than others.

The study of the relationship between religious affiliation and remuneration, by Dr Michael Kortt, a business lecturer at Southern Cross University and Professor Brian Dollery from the University of New England, shows Catholic men benefit from a wage premium of 6.7 per cent compared to those reporting a Protestant affiliation.

Those of no affiliation suffer a wage discount, though not to a statistically significant degree.

The study, published in the journal Applied Economics Letters, was based on data from the Melbourne Institute’s Household Income Labour Dynamics Australia Survey It echoed the results of similar research in the United States, said the authors, who offered two possible explanations why Catholic men earnt more in the labour market.

“First, being raised a Catholic may have a direct productivity pay-

off as it may add to an individual’s human capital by instilling characteristics, such as discipline, that are rewarded by the labour market,” Dr Kortt said. “Second, being raised a Catholic may act as a signal to potential employers that Catholic men have certain desirable traits such trustworthiness.”

The authors said their results suggested religious affiliation was more statistically important than religious commitment. They also noted that married men enjoyed a substantial wage premium.

They found no evidence that attending a Catholic school contributed to an earnings premium, but acknowledged that education might partly explain the observed wages discrepancy.

Interestingly, they said, the results showed that each extra year of education was associated with a 6 per cent increase in wages for Catholic men but a 9.8 per cent increase for Protestant men.

The results took into account age, years of education, work experience, marital status, indigenous status, father’s occupational status when the respondent was 14 and whether the respondent was born overseas, attended a Catholic school or lived in a major city.

c t s , u n h e a l t h y b e h a v i o u r p a t t e r n s a n d b e w i l d e r i n g b o n d a g e s … .

This retreat is an opportunity to be SET FREE from such afflictions !

Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett, a former Anglican clergyman who joined the Catholic Church in 1965.

Bishop Jarrett has been bishop of the NSW north-coast diocese of Lismore since 2001 after having been appointed coadjutor bishop of the diocese by Pope John Paul II in 2000.

The change in Brisbane, the third-largest archdiocese in the nation after Sydney and Melbourne

(and largest of the dioceses waiting on news of appointment of a new bishop), may signal that the ecclesial chess pieces are beginning to be moved on the Australian Church board. It is intriguing that an administrator, rather than a successor, was appointed. There are now an estimated 10 dioceses in Australia awaiting appointment of a bishop.

The news was issued by the

apostolic nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazorotto, from the nunciature in Canberra on Monday, 14 November.

As apostolic administrator, Bishop Jarrett can carry out all the duties normally exercised by an incumbent but cannot incardinate or excardinate priests until the See has been vacant for a year. Nor can he appoint vicars or chancellors, or alter or suppress parishes.

Servers on retreat put away their altar egos

WRAPPING up your parish’s altar servers in rolls of toilet paper might not sound like the usual beginning to a retreat, but it does help break the ice.

Altar servers at Sacred Heart Church, Thornlie, did exactly that when they took part in their annual retreat on Friday, 4 November.

The retreat has been running for many years and is an opportunity for the children, who range in age from eight to 17, to spend time getting to know themselves and each other better, to hang out with old friends and new and to deepen

their faith. The parish has more than 50 servers who have taken up the commitment and challenge of the role to serve their community.

The theme of this year’s retreat was “Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you”.

Parish organisers also took the initiative and approached local businesses seeking donations to support the retreat; a number responded positively.

The evening started with all those attending being wrapped up in toilet paper to make their

way through an obstacle course. Graham Maher from Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, one of only four West Australian teachers chosen to represent the WA Catholic education system at World Youth Day, shared his World Youth Day journey to Madrid.

The assistant parish priest, Fr Clayton Mitchell, spoke on different forms of prayer from around the world, which led to lots of questions and sharing.

As on past retreats, the evening was topped off with a shared dinner of pizza, drinks and treats.

Two of Sacred Heart Parish’s altar servers share the lighting of candles during their retreat. PHOTO: GRAHAM MAHER

By RoBeRt Hiini

THE housing market is not the only thing expanding in the city of Rockingham.

Students charm in song and manners Footy star joins team to embrace the grace

The southern coastal city’s Star of the Sea Catholic primary school celebrated the addition of brand new buildings and the refurbishment of old ones on 10 November.

A jovial local federal member of parliament and Special Minister of State, Gary Gray, was on hand to celebrate; entertaining students, in passing, with tales of the antics of his own children.

The school’s past, present and future were united with the attendance of founding staff members and past principals, including Sr Catherine Brabender, John Downey and Nadia Maso.

The singing of the school choir and manners of the students earned them and the school plaudits from guests.

Student leaders Sabrina Beal and Joey Teague and their fellows welcomed parents and visitors and gave them the grand tour of their classrooms and facilities.

The building work resulted in a purpose-built junior primary facility, refurbished Year 6 classrooms and a new library.

It was funded through the federal government’s Building the Education Revolution programme.

The Director of Catholic Education in Western Australia, Ron Dullard, thanked the government for its funding.

AUSSIE rules stars have more often been in the news for drunken and debauched behaviour than for speaking at gatherings of Catholic youth eager to come to grips with the theological reflections of an elderly German theologian who also happens to be Pope, but former Hawthorn star and grand final winner Steven Lawrence will be among the lineup of speakers at this year’s Embrace the Grace (ETG) conference for youth at New Norcia from 7-11 December.

It will be the eighth time the influential conference for Catholic youth has been held.

ETG, an initiative of the Archdiocese’s Respect Life Office, is one of the largest Catholic conferences for young people in WA.

It usually attracts over 100 young people to the monastic wheatbelt township of New Norcia over three days to discover more about being a Catholic today, the culture of life and true human dignity.

Through speakers, prayers, recreational activities, music and drama, ETG gets into the big questions of life in countercultural fashion, challenging youth in positive and fun ways to realise that being a Catholic is and can be the most important part of their lives.

This year’s theme Of life and of beauty draws on a constant topic from Pope Benedict XVI: true beauty as a path to God in a world that appears to be rapidly abandoning belief in God or moral attitudes that spring from that belief.

Mr Lawrence has a unique perspective and range of life experience to offer to young people.

From being one of Hawthorn’s key assets in winning several grand finals, he felt called to a deeper role in life and became director of Evangelisation and Catechesis for the highly successful World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.

Other speakers will include Natalie Thomas, a Perth woman and graduate of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies in Melbourne. Further information is available at: www.rlo.org.au/etg or from the Respect Life office on (08) 9444 5320 or: respectlife@perthcatholic.org.au.

Questions? I’m glad you asked

ANYONE with questions about God, life, death and everything in between will get the chance to have them answered at a special Q&A session at St Thomas the Apostle Parish in Claremont.

Claremont’s parish priest, Fr Charles Waddell, will field questions in a relaxed setting for an hour from 9.15am on Tuesday 29 November (coffee from 8.45am).

The session, which has been convened by the parish’s women’s prayer group, is open to anyone from any faith background.

Organiser Julie Bevan said she had got a lot out of Fr Waddell’s teaching and homilies over the years and everyone was welcome including those who “feel like their faith is shaky or are not sure about certain aspects of the faith”

It is the first time in the group’s six-year history that it has run a Q&A session.

More information can be obtained from Ms Bevan on 0438 558 788.

Kiara Spencer and Tahnee Briene unveil the commemorative plaque at the 10 November blessing. PHOTO: STAR OF THE SEA

A full palette to spread the message

A RETROSPECTIVE exhibition of the best of Australia’s most significant thematic Christian art prize represents the first initiative by the Perth archdiocese’s recently opened Faith Centre to spread the message through cultural evangelisation.

The collection of winning entries from the Mandorla Art Award for contemporary religious art, running since 1985, is the first time the works have been shown together outside of New Norcia.

Opening the exhibition, Archbishop Barry Hickey said one of the ways for the Church and, by extension the new Faith Centre, to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ was through culture.

Each artwork was the fruit of contemplation, he said.

The retrospective exhibition is open until 20 November at the Faith Centre, 450 Hay Street. A calendar featuring the works is now available.

The 2012 awards offer a prize pool of $42,000 for artists who best interpret the theme ‘born of a woman’ taken from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians 4:4. Archbishop Hickey was joined for the occasion by Perth’s Anglican Archbishop, Roger Herft, and Uniting Church Moderator Ron Larkin.

Faith in sport is the winner

By RoBeRt Hiini

WHITFORDS and Bedford were riding high last Sunday, winning the soccer and netball titles at the second annual Soccer and Netball Tournament in Mirrabooka.

In the second meet in as many weeks at Mercy College, 14 soccer and five netball teams thrashed it out for trophies presented by soccer referee and Archbishop Hickey’s representative, Fr Robert Cross.

There was high drama early in the day with a sudden-death shootout between St Andrew’s, Clarkson, and St Peter’s, Bedford. Both also drew 2-2 in the previous meet.

Goalie Michael Finch of Clarkson was feted by the team for his role in their win. He said it was evident many teams had put a lot of effort into their preparation.

Affectionately dubbed by his fellow players as “the patron” for being its oldest member, Mr Finch said his multicultural team was a reflection of the diversity of his parish.

Last year’s champion teams, both dubbed the Mirrabooka Angels, were this year’s runners up.

Event organiser Fr Bonaventure Echeta said he had received a lot of positive feedback from young players and was looking forward to next year’s contest, “God willing”.

Lea Kuhaupt’s Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, which won the Mandorla Prize in 2004, above, and John Coburn’s Blue for faith, love and hope, which won in 1996.

College choir’s recording debut is decidedly More-ish

THE COLLEGIATE Choir of St Thomas More College, the Jesuitrun residential college at the University of Western Australia has been preparing these past three months for the launch of the choir’s first-ever recorded album –“Resonance”.

Among the 13 musical offerings are Mozart’s much loved Ave Verum, an Ave Maria by Sergei Rachmaninov, Sibelius’ wonderful melody now known as Be Still My Soul, and On Eagle’s Wings

The choir was encouraged to step into this brave new world by many worshippers at St Thomas More College’s chapel who had been moved by the beauty and the reverence of the choir’s offerings at Sunday evening liturgies.

Choral singing in three and four parts, and deeply reflective renditions of the responsorial psalm have been normal fare on Sunday evenings, and are much looked forward-to by Mass-goers.

The choir’s music both involves the worshippers, and then at times offers quiet and lovely moments for contemplation, especially after communion.

The choir launched its CD with a concert in the College Chapel on

4 November, before a packed audience of more than 250. Praise for that evening has been effusive. The choir and its leader, Ericius Tan, have been moved and excited by the response to their work.

The concert finished with a resounding “Our Father” in Swahili

(“Baba Yetu”). That is not, unfortunately on the CD, but perhaps it will make it on to the choir’s second CD. “Resonance” will be available at the end of November, and can be ordered from St Thomas More College on 9386 0111, or on the choir’s website: www.stmcchoir. com

Mandorla 2010 winner: Annette Allman’s Caring in a competitive world, based on the scripture theme ‘And who is my neighbour?’

PHOTOS: PETER ROSENGREN

Kicking out the jams, or the choral equivalent .... the Collegiate Choir of St Thomas More College. PHOTO:

MILESTONES

moments past, passing and to come Send

Little church shows big heart for 50th

DESPITE a population drain from the country to the city in recent decades, over 80 people celebrated a 50th anniversary mass in midOctober for St Michael’s Catholic Church in the wheatbelt town of Beacon.

Given that Beacon, situated about 320 kilometres north east of Perth and 70 kilometres south of the emu-proof fence, has a population of about 100, the turnout was a particularly significant.

And in true rural Australian style the mass was followed by a luncheon and cutting of a special cake at the Beacon Country Club.

Members of the congregation restored the frames of the Stations of the Cross that used to hang in the former Trayning convent for the anniversary, while a beautiful new banner to hang in the church was sewn by Cheril Blokland (Walke).

The anniversary was marked on Sunday 16 October, 50 years and one day after the blessing and opening by Abbot Gregory Gomez of the Benedictine monastery of New Norcia on 15 October 1961.

Part of a sprawling parish administered from Bencubbin, St Michael’s continues to see Mass celebrated in a five week rotation.

Other mass centres in the parish include Our Lady Help of Christians in Mukinbudin and Our Lady of the Assumption in Koorda; parish priest Fr Chien Quyet Nguyen oversees the parish from the Lord of the Harvest church and presbytery at Bencubbin.

Catholic families who have resisted the drift from the country

maintain the Church and a sacramental program is conducted in most years.

Despite, or perhaps because of, their relatively small numbers, parishioners feel fortunate to have a priest living in Bencubbin approximately 40 kilometres to the south so that regular weekly masses continue throughout the parish.

Abbot Gomez’s blessing in 1961

continued a long association with the Benedictine monastery.

The railway to Beacon was opened in 1931; the first mass was celebrated in the old town hall in 1935 by Fr Benedict Baranco OSB.

Regular mass was discontinued when the town’s Catholics became too few in number.

In 1953 mass was celebrated in the town’s CWA rooms; the hall was

also used for the first mission given at Beacon in the same year.

The building of St Michael’s was instigated by Fr Placid Sesma OSB; the project was supported by six Catholic families. In 1961 the cost of the building and furnishings was 4000 pounds, with 1400 pounds being saved by volunteers.

Tom and Shirley Mulcahy, who moved to Beacon in 1964,

recall hearing stories of the generosity of Mr Dick Shadbolt from Mukinbudin who lent vehicles to haul bricks for the building.

Fr Chien was given the honour of cutting the 50th anniversary cake at the Beacon Country Club.

Parishioners also thanked him for his assistance and enthusiasm in caring for the parish and their needs as members of the Church.

Balcatta celebrates milestone in style

By RoBeRt Hiini

WHEN it comes to celebrating milestones, Balcatta Catholics know how it’s done.

Marking their 50th anniversary with a special Mass, the launch of an anniversary book and dinner at the Sicilian Club, couples and friends danced into the night in celebration of the parish.

Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton joined Parish Priest, Fr Irek Czech SDS and other clergy, in celebrating the anniversary Mass.

Having grown up in Bayswater, Bishop Sproxton remembered what the area was like 50 years ago when Balcatta and surrounds were considered the very outskirts of Perth.

Together, parishioners who were willing to put their hand to the till, the Salvatorians who now administer the parish and the Capuchin fathers before them, had put their faith in God to make the parish what it is today, he said.

“Jesus Christ through this church, through the people of this community, is alive,” Bishop Sproxton said.

“He lives through the care you offer and the many ministries that have flourished in this community over the years.”

And when Fr Irek Czech SDS said the people were the real treasure of the parish at a special Mass marking Balcatta’s 50th anniversary on 13 November, it wasn’t a throw away line.

The parish’s third century namesake was martyred when a Roman prefect demanded he surrender the “treasures” of the church.

St Lawrence presented the people he had been ministering to, the poor of Rome, and was martyred for

his perceived insolence. Capuchin Father, Paul Bazzoli OFM Cap celebrated the parish’s first Mass on Sunday 19 November, 1961 at St Lawrence Church School.

Crippling parish debt eased in the early 1970s and thought shifted to building a new church - the parish’s current home for worship - which was blessed and opened by Bishop Peter Quinn on 6 July 1975.

The Capuchins left the parish in 1997 and were followed by the Salvatorian fathers

Current parish priest, Fr Irek, returned to the parish in 2010 after

being posted to Chisholm Catholic College as a chaplain in 2005.

Speaking in both English and Italian, Fr Irek thanked the Jubilee Committee and all the parishioners who volunteered photos and stories for the making of their anniversary book.

“May this book remind us about the mysterious presence of God’s providence among us over the past 50 years,” he said. “May it be a witness for the next generations of our dedication to God and his Church in the parish of St Lawrence.”

Half a century of faith: St Michael’s, top; girls enjoy lunch for the occasion; and Ruth and Ray Miguel cut the cake with Fr Chien. PHOTOS: COURTESY MICHELLE KIRBY

Parishioners of St Lawrence’s in Balcatta put on a great night at the Sicilian Club after their parish’s 50th anniversary mass.

PHOTOS: ROBERT HIINI

Vatican increases scrutiny of publishing process

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican’s Secretariat of State reportedly plans to exert greater control over publication of documents produced by Vatican agencies.

The move follows alleged disquiet within the Roman Curia after last month’s publication from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace which advocated the creation of a global financial authority.

According to a report by Vatican correspondent Sandro Magister on the L’Espresso religious affairs

website Chiesa, a meeting was convoked on 4 November by Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone to discuss the issue. He reportedly complained not to know about the document until after the media had been informed of a press conference to launch it.

The report also claims Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, president of the Institute for the Works of Religion, did not agree with the economic analysis in the publication. The summit conclusion was a

“binding order” that from now on nothing in writing was to be released without first being inspected and authorised by the Secretariat of State.

Details of the order were confirmed for Catholic News Agency (CNA) by Curia sources. Vatican insiders said production of the Justice and Peace document seemed to lack the expected degree of consultation and approval with the Secretariat of State and Congregation for the Doctrine of

the Faith. The document, Towards reforming the international financial and monetary systems in the context of a global public authority, attempted to analyse the present economic crisis and provide some possible solutions, including a tax on international financial transactions.

At the press conference to present the document, Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi stressed the publication was “not an expression of papal magisterium” and it would be wrong to attach the words “Pope

Benedict says” to any subsequent reporting of it. However, he did add the document was an “authoritative note of a Vatican agency”.

CNA learned some Vatican officials felt while Fr Lombardi’s formulation was technically correct, it was so nuanced it created confusion in the minds of media and general public about the authority of the document.

Consequently, all documents will now have to be cleared well in advance by the Secretariat of State.

Unseen spectre stalks Nairobi slums

By Patricia ZaPor

NAIROBI – Normally, Sunday Mass at Holy Trinity Parish in the Kariobangi slum is an energetic celebration that runs for several hours.

But when Comboni Father Paulino Mondo noticed parishioners were starting to faint before Mass ended, he realised it wasn’t exuberance that was making them weak. It was hunger.

Now, Sunday masses last no longer than an hour and 15 minutes, Fr Mondo said, and the usual socialising after Mass in the shaded churchyard had all but evaporated, as people quickly headed home to conserve energy.

“Within Kariobangi, dozens of people are dying every day” of hunger, Fr Mondo said. He said the situation is not only little known outside Kenya but is a hidden problem right in Nairobi where food is available but tens of thousands of people lack money to pay for it.

“People have lost their state jobs because they talked about it,” he said.

One recent Sunday, somebody abandoned two toddlers at the church, presumably because they were unable to feed them, he said. The babies were being cared for by a parish health worker while enquiries were made about the parents.

Spiralling food prices, low wages and high unemployment have put basic commodities out of reach of many. Since March, the price of sugar has jumped from about $6 a kilo to $12, Fr Mondo said. And though prices are lower in Nairobi supermarkets, there are only small shops in Kariobangi. Cooking oil that sells for $7 in a supermarket costs $12 in the slum.

Fr Mondo believes part of the problem is the revolution in Libya to overthrow Gadhafi meant Kenya’s main supplier of subsidised gas was cut off. Alternate sources were available but at much higher prices. A litre of gas that cost 86 cents in March now costs $1.20, he said, driving up the cost of goods.

Earlier this year, worldwide attention focused on the famine and drought affecting much of the Horn of Africa, including most of

Kenya’s rural areas. International aid groups are helping to feed and support Africans displaced by that emergency, including 460,000 people at the Dadaab refugee camp in northeastern Kenya. But, in the capital, Fr Mondo and his staff struggle without much outside help to feed people.

“The drought brought attention to Dadaab and Somalia, but not to the slums, where millions of people live,” he said.

“The governments of Africa take from the people, they don’t give,” he said. “So here, the government is ourselves.” He uses income from his daily 4am programme on the

Catholic radio station and from writing articles for religious publications to supplement whatever revenue the parish can raise.

The Catholic population in Kariobangi is about 69,000, and about 20,000 attend Mass each week. But assistance from Holy Trinity is provided to anyone who needs it in the densely packed slum, where hunger is pervasive.

Mosques and many evangelical Christian churches scattered around the slum of 500,000 people do not have the capacity to offer food and the social services available at Holy Trinity, Fr Mondo explained.

Pope sets priorities for African Church

By John thavis

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI is making his second trip to Africa this month, presenting an important document on the future of the Church on the continent.

Benin, a small West African nation with little international influence, has a 150-year history of Christianity. Its multi-ethnic and multifaith identity, and struggles for social justice, make it an ideal platform for the Pope’s message. The centrepiece of the visit will be his apostolic exhortation to the bishops of Africa during a Mass in Cotonou.

The 2009 special Synod of Bishops for Africa, which brought more than 200 bishops to Rome, focused on “the Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace.” The assembly ended with calls for spiritual conversion and social reforms, appealing for a fairer global order and telling corrupt Catholic politicians in Africa to “repent or resign” in the name of the common good.

The synod’s conclusions were summarised in 57 final propositions presented to the Pope for his consideration. Pope Benedict has already indicated some of his priorities for the Church in Africa. Closing the 2009 synod, he said if the Church wants to change hearts and minds on the continent, it must itself be a model of unity with “no divisions based on ethnic, language or cultural groups.”

The Catholic population in Africa doubled under Blessed John Paul II. In general, Pope Benedict has sought to consolidate the gains made under his predecessor, emphasising religious education as a fundamental element of firm faith.

Church agency co-sponsors stem cell conference

VATICAN CITY – The Pontifical Council for Culture partnered with NeoStem, a US company researching and marketing adult stem cell therapies, to sponsor an international conference, “Adult Stem Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture.”

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said in modern research all sorts of potential interests intertwined, including economic. Fr Tomasz Trafny, who works with the

Cardinal on issues of religion and science, said it was a struggle to find the right partner. While NeoStem was a business, it had “a very clear ethical statement” it would not destroy human embryos to obtain stem cells.

Stem cells have the potential to develop into many different types of cells and are used primarily to regenerate damaged tissue or systems in the body. NeoStem said adult stem cells are being used to

treat leukemia and other cancers, heart disease and autoimmune disorders.

At a Vatican news conference, Tommy Thompson, former US secretary of Health and Human Services, told reporters the discovery of stem cells, and the ability to obtain them from embryos, created “a great deal of confusion, a lot of heartache, some promise and a lot of discussion.”

Fortunately, he said, science

had proven adult stem cells could cure humans without destroying a human embryo.

“I just don’t believe man can engineer something superior to what the good Lord has already given us, our bodies. That’s what I love about this science; it’s about adult stem cells,” he said. Stem cell therapy relies on “the divine wisdom inside us to supercharge our bodies and go down that road to try to wipe away disease.”

Thompson was invited to speak about political implications of medical research. He said politically and economically it makes sense to support adult stem cell research.

The Catholic approach to sick and suffering always has a multidisciplinary approach of medical care and spiritual support, he said. But when dealing with technologies “on the frontiers” of research, ethical and cultural implications also should be discussed, he said.

Childrenplay in Nairobi’s Kariobangi slum where half a million people live amid dirt roads, open sewers, piles of garbage and intermittent electricity service. Food shortages mean dozens are dying of hunger every day. PHOTO: PATRICIA ZAPOR/CNS

Comboni parish priest Fr Paulino Mondo. PHOTO: PATRICIA ZAPOR/CNS

Bishops reject lay celebrants campaign

VIENNA – Austria’s bishops have rejected a call by dissident Church members for lay people to celebrate Mass in parishes with no priests.

They said some demands connected to “this call for disobedience at the initiative of priests and laity are unsustainable” and breach “the central truth of our Catholic faith.”

“As bishops, we are naturally concerned about our Church’s serious problems” the bishops said.

The Austrian branch of the We Are Church movement said lay people should start making up for clergy shortages by consecrating and distributing Holy Communion, preaching and presiding at Mass.

Attendance at church an optimism booster

By NaNcy Frazier O’BrieN

WASHINGTON – Past studies have shown those who attend religious services at least weekly tend to live longer and healthier lives. Now, new research indicates frequent churchgoers also face those additional years with more optimism and greater social support than other people.

A study of more than 92,000 post-menopausal women showed those who attended weekly were 56 per cent more likely to be above the median in optimism levels and significantly less likely to be depressed or characterised by cynical hostility.

The research study titled P sychological and Social Characteristics Associated with Religiosity in Women’s Health Initiative Participants ” was conducted by a team led by Eliezer Schnall, clinical associate professor of psychology at Yeshiva University in New York.

He said the study was a natural follow-up to earlier research showing those who attended weekly had a lower mortality rate over the period studied than those who attended less frequently or not at all.

The new study was “one of the first to look at” whether there were negative factors or social strains associated with frequent Church attendance, particularly among a large sample group. Schnall compared such factors to negative side effects sometimes accompanying the use of beneficial medications.

The research team postulated “maybe there could be some social strains having to do with religious identification, networks or associations,” he said. “For example, it could be a support system but discourage associating with others not of the belief system, a source of strife in marriages or fodder for disagreement” with other relatives or friends, he added.

Schnall told CNS researchers deliberately did not look at the specific religion of the women studied.

The bishops said they had discussed “heavy demands for change” at the plenary meeting. However, “the summons to disobedience has not only left many Catholics shaking their heads but also triggered alarm and sadness.”

“Disobedience is a word of struggle which nothing can hold back,” the bishops said.

“Whoever openly and willingly takes over the duty of celebrating sacred liturgy in the Church harms the community and shows a reckless attitude.”

We Are Church formed in 1995 following the resignation of Cardinal Hans Hermann Groer

amid sexual abuse allegations. It is linked to similar groups in other countries including Germany, Ireland and the US.

On its website, the movement said it campaigns for a “fraternal Church” and “full equality of women” as well as a “free choice of celibate or noncelibate lifestyle” and “positive evaluation of sexuality.”

It said the priest shortage was caused “by the official Church’s approval of outdated rules.”

“Every community has a right to a head or leader, and when the bishop fails to meet his obligation to ensure this, the community can respond by appealing to the uni -

versal priesthood and assuming responsibility,” it said.

In their statement, the bishops said the duty of obedience had its source “in the Bible and living tradition of the Church” and did not mean “being blind or slavish.”

They said debates were under way and were confident they would “find answers to questions asked today.”

“We are not ignoring tensions when we stress our main concern is to increase the number of baptised, earnestly seeking God and faith in Jesus Christ by deepening knowledge of the faith and living by the sacraments,” the bishops said.

Vatican comes alive with the sound of music

Officials crack down on Hanoi Redemptorists over property claim

HANOI – Redemptorists at a Hanoi parish have urged Catholics to keep calm after a mob led by government officials attacked a convent and church on 3 November.

UCA News, an agency covering news of the Church in Asia, reported tens of thousands of people attended special masses where priests appealed for calm.

Around 100 people, accompanied by security officials and press, attacked the convent.

They damaged a gate and verbally abused and physically assaulted several Redemptorist priests and lay people.

They fled after the church’s

bell rang out, bringing many to the scene. “We strongly condemn this violent, rude and organised attack,” Redemptorist Father Joseph Nguyen Van Phuong said.

He urged parishioners to “forgive them and avoid retaliation.”

He said the motive behind the attack probably stems from an ongoing dispute with government over seized Church property.

“We are determined to fight for Church property in a peaceful way and urge government to punish the rioters,” he added.

Local state-run media reported attackers were locals angry at parish opposition to a government-

run sewage treatment project close to the nearby Dong Da hospital. Church sources said on 27 October 40 Redemptorists and parishioners took to the streets to oppose the project and demand the return of several of the hospital’s buildings, convents from 1931 until the government “borrowed” them in 1959. The same sources said authorities plan to demolish the buildings.

On 7 November, hundreds of Catholics marched to the headquarters of the People’s Committee in Quang Trung ward to demand authorities respect private ownership and return what belongs to the church.

Bishop urges choice for clean air over costs and benefits

LOUISVILLE – Clean air deserves to be protected through strong environmental stewardship by making changes in daily life, said the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice Human Development.

Bishop Stephen Blaire of California urged an audience at the interfaith Festival of Faiths conference on 7 November to take steps to live simply, use natural resources wisely and reduce personal con-

sumption, air pollution and one’s carbon footprint to ensure clean air for all and ease effects of climate change on the world’s poorest people who contributed the least to climate change but are poised to suffer the most.

Citing the creation story in Genesis, he said human beings had the responsibility to “steward what God has given to us for the good of all the human family” and linked environmental justice to pro-life

concerns, noting that air pollution poses dangers to young children and children in the womb equally.

“People of faith bring a unique and important message: about the care of God’s creation, those most vulnerable to environmental injustice, on the margins of our societies and with fewest resources to protect themselves or advocate on their own behalf,” he said.

“We urge policymakers to move beyond cost/benefit analysis and

BRITAIN

British court defines priest as employee

A British court has ruled the Catholic Church can be held legally liable for the crimes of abusive clergy. The 8 November ruling by the High Court in London has for the first time defined in British law the relationship of a priest to his bishop as that of an employee to an employer, instead of seeing the priest as effectively selfemployed. This means a bishop and a diocese can be punished for the crimes of a priest.

The court was asked, as a preliminary hearing on a case, to rule on the question of whether the “relationship between a Catholic priest and his bishop is akin to an employment relationship.” Justice Alistair MacDuff said although the priest had no formal contract of employment there were “crucial features” that made a bishop vicariously liable for his actions.

GERMANY

German bookseller no longer selling erotica

A major bookseller owned by Germany’s Catholic Church has had its knuckles rapped by its clerical proprietors in the wake of accusations it was making profits from selling erotic books, and has amended its online shop to fix the loophole that made the products available. Weltbild, Germany’s second largest online book seller, found itself in the eye of a media storm after claims the search term “erotic” in its online store produced roughly 2,500 products.

Pope Benedict even seemed to be referring to the row when he told the new German ambassador to the Vatican he would make sure the Catholic Church in Germany was more decisive in fighting prostitution and the spread of erotic material and pornography over the Internet.

VATICAN

Pope appeals for prayers and generosity

Pope Benedict XVI has offered prayers for victims of recent flooding in Central America, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world and urged people to be generous in helping those suffering the effects of natural disasters. At the end of his weekly general audience, he noted various parts of the world had been struck by storms, flooding and landslides.

“Once again I want to show my closeness to all those suffering from these natural disasters, while I ask for prayers for the victims and their families and for solidarity, so institutions and people of goodwill work together with a generous spirit to assist the thousands of persons tried by these calamities,” he said.

UNITED STATES

US Catholic agency splits from diocese

Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois announced it would split from the Belleville diocese and offer adoptions and foster-care services to same-sex couples.

consider the common good,” Bishop Blaire said. “This requires all of us work together as individuals and collectively.”

“We ask God for prudence to make wise decisions in responding to the challenges of the environment and being faithful stewards responsible to God our creator,” he said. “In the end it just makes good sense to want to have clean air for our children and families to breathe and for future generations.”

“What you’re seeing at the state level in Illinois, what you’re seeing at the national level in Washington, is a consistent promulgation of policies and laws that are making it very difficult for faith-based agencies that believe that marriage is between one man and one woman,” the executive director of the Illinois Catholic Conference, said. The diocese said in a statement that the agency was unable “to remain faithful to the moral teaching of the Catholic Church” while adhering to the state’s civil union law enacted in June.

St Peter’s Basilica reflected in a horn prior to a general papal audience on 9 November.

PHOTO: CNS/PAUL HARING

Legion on the march to fill modern need

For 90 years the Legion of Mary has inspired devotion and service. One member explains why the longing for connection hasn’t changed.

By RoBeRt Hiini

IT MIGHT strike terror in the hearts of many Catholics but Judy Woodward says she loves knocking on doors and speaking with complete strangers.

She’s been sharing her faith through the Legion of Mary for more than 20 years now.

It’s not the only work they do, she says, and it’s not for everyone but it is something that she thoroughly enjoys.

Mrs Woodward joined over 200 of her fellow legionaries on Saturday, 5 November at St Joachim’s, Victoria Park, to celebrate 90 years of the Legion’s existence and the countless prayers and acts of charity offered by members during that time.

“There’s no good keeping your faith to yourself,” Mrs Woodward says. “You’ve got to share it with others.”

For 10 years she has been active in Legion’s Glendalough parish group, knocking on every door in the suburb, including the inner-city suburb’s many flats and apartments, at least twice in that time.

She’s been struck, she says, by the amount of lonely people, young and old, she has encountered along the way.

Although personal sanctification lies at the heart of Legion involvement, members are doing some of the most needed work in our fractured and atomised society.

“You’re touching people’s lives. It doesn’t matter whose door you knock on or whether they’re Catholic or not; we just greet them with love and friendship,” Mrs Woodward says.

“We very rarely get a rude answer and if they’re Catholic, usually they’re just in shock that we’re doing it.”

The Holy Spirit and the spiritual formation received at weekly Legion meetings coalesce to give Legion members the appropriate words to say.

“All of a sudden things would be coming out of your mouth and you’d be thinking ‘where did that come from?’” Mrs Woodward said.

“We listen to people; we don’t convert and we don’t preach.

“By our attitude and our love, we know Jesus will touch people.”

Mrs Woodward first got involved with the Legion in the mid-1980s.

In her 40s and with all her children then at school, she was already volunteering for charitable organisations but said she simply

Sectarian quips led straight to Mary’s heart

She was a protestant Christian who tired of her friends’ anti-Catholic jibes. Sunny Hung is a migrant in more ways than one.

MY ETHNIC background is Korean. I was born in the US and grew up in the Middle East, living amongst Muslims until I was nine years of age. I then migrated to Australia with my parents.

I witnessed the hardship associated with being in a migrant family, both in the Middle East and in Australia.

My mother was a Buddhist and my father a non-believer with no particular faith. Both my parents did not practise faith until they converted to Catholicism much later in life.

I was baptised and received my first Holy Communion in 1994 when I was 15.

At the time I had no formal education on the Catholic faith and hence had no real understanding of it.

Becoming Catholic is something that has happened gradually to me over the years.

I now live with my husband in Canberra where I am a dental specialist running my own specialist practice and a visiting lecturer at conferences/dental schools.

As a member of the Legion of Mary, I pray in a community weekly as well as in silence daily. Legion members pray the Legion prayers (called the Catena) every night individually. I also try and pray as I walk to work every day (the Our Father, Morning Prayer or the Hail Mary).

I pray during Mass for my family as well as the Church, for non-Catholic friends, for priests and religious.

I previously struggled to pray but after joining the Legion of Mary in 2010, my prayer life has matured and become more enriched.

Currently, I am doing a correspondence course through the Catholic Adult Education Centre in Sydney on catechesis. I want to be a catechist and to some extent I am already doing this through the Legion of Mary.

At this stage in my faith journey I am considering Confirmation. I have attended retreats and spoken to other Catholics and this seems like the next step.

Before converting I was a Protestant. Then I accidentally came across the Prayer of St Francis. It had a huge impact on me at the time and gave me much comfort. I didn’t know that he was a Catholic saint. His words of prayer, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace”, resonated with me.

“Faith is the source of happiness coming from my relationship with a large infinite being - God.”

Francis and St Pio have influenced my faith.

Friends and family have been a part of my faith journey. My mother had just converted to Catholicism and the antiCatholic sentiments of my Protestant friends drove me to read and study other faiths. This eventually led to me reading about the Catholic faith. During my readings I came across a book called Crossing the Tiber by Stephen Ray. Wow! I learnt so much about the Catholic faith and the profound history behind it (the author was a Protestant who had also read his way into the Catholic faith).

He and author Scott Hahn (a Protestant convert with a deep insight into Catholicism) have the spirit, courage and intellect to convert others and strengthen the faith of those already Catholic. I aspire to do what they do.

My parents have been with the Legion for a long time and are willing to give of their spirit. Their example (as well as Mother Mary’s intentions) led me to becoming Catholic and directly/indirectly led me to joining the Legion.

Without my faith I would be the living the “Niagara Syndrome”: going with the flow and seeing what happens.

“didn’t feel whole”. Then an invitation to join came through a local pilgrimage.

“I went along and thought, “this is a bit old hat for me but if God’s asking, I’ll give it a month,” she says. “That was in 1986 and I haven’t left yet.” .

For more information on the Legion of Mary, call 9328 2726.

Then a few years later I came across a moving image of Padre Pio. It literally somehow appeared on the internet when I was doing a literature search on teeth! I read about him and that made an impression too.

Now through the Legion I am learning about Mother Mary and have recently read about Medugorje and Naju (these have not been approved by the Holy See). I believe Mother Mary, St

Faith is my moral compass and gives me direction in life. It is the certainty that gives me inner confidence. It gives me comfort and reassurance but it is also an amazing taste of the infinite.

Everything on Earth, and life as an earthly being, has always been finite. Nothing on Earth is infinite as everything is prone to end or to face its limitations. Faith is the source of happiness coming from my relationship with a large infinite beingGod. AS TOLD TO

Convert Sunny Hung, ‘read’ her way into Catholicism with the help of Mother Mary.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

At the Legion of Mary’s anniversary Mass, members reflect on nine decades of faith and works.

PHOTOS: R HIINI

The Secret Life of PIUS XII

The Jewish New Yorker who has made it his life’s work to clear the name of Pope Pius XII of being anti-Semitic believes the wartime Pontiff actually went undercover to save the lives of Jews in Rome.

GARY Krupp came across the evidence in a letter from a Jewish woman whose family was rescued thanks to direct Vatican intervention.

“It is an unusual letter, written by a woman who is alive today in northern Italy, who said she was with her mother, her uncle, and a few other relatives in an audience with Pius XII in 1947.” Next to Pope Pius during the meeting was his Assistant Secretary of State,

Monsignor Giovanni Montini, the future Pope Paul VI.

“Her uncle immediately looks at the Pope and he says, ‘You were dressed as a Franciscan,’ and looked at Montini who was standing next to him, ‘and you as a regular priest. You took me out of the ghetto into the Vatican.’ Montini immediately said, ‘Silence, do not ever repeat that story.’”

Krupp believes the claim to be true because the personality of the wartime Pope was such that he “needed to see things with his own eyes”.

“He used to take the car out into bombed areas in Rome, and he certainly wasn’t afraid of that. I can see him going into the ghetto and seeing what was happening,” says Krupp.

Krupp and his wife Meredith founded the Pave the Way Foundation in 2002 to “identify and eliminate the non-theological obstacles between religions”. In 2006, he was asked by both Jewish and Catholic leaders to investigate the “stumbling block” of Pope Pius XII’s wartime reputation. Krupp, a very optimistic 64-year-old from

Reconciling the RIFT

Pope, Israeli religious leaders see a need for courage in peacemaking, writes Cindy Wooden

Long Island, New York, thought he had finally hit a wall.

“We are Jewish. We grew up hating the name Pius XII,” he says. “We believed he was anti-Semitic, we believed he was a Nazi collaborator - all the statements that have been made about him, we believed.”

But when he started looking at the documents from the time, he was shocked. And “then it went from shock to anger. I was lied to”, says Krupp.

“In Judaism, one of the most important character traits one must have is gratitude, this is very important, it is part of Jewish law. Ingratitude is one of the most terrible traits, and this was ingratitude as far as I was concerned.”

Krupp now firmly agrees with the conclusions of Pinchas Lapide, the late Jewish historian and Israeli diplomat who said the direct actions of Pope Pius XII and the Vatican saved approximately 897,000 Jewish lives during the war. Pave the Way has over 46,000 pages of historical documentation supporting that proposition, which it has posted

Dialogue is essential for religious leaders in the Holy Land, “a place full of memories sacred to our traditions” but a place that each day faces challenges to living together in harmony, Pope Benedict XVI told religious leaders from Israel.

The “movement toward reconciliation requires courage and vision as well as the trust that it is God himself who will show us the way,” the Pope said in welcome to members of the Israel Council of Religious Communities and Israeli government representatives.

The Pope met with council members when he visited Nazareth in 2009 and he invited them to the Vatican.

The council was established in 2007 and brings together leaders of 18 different religious communities, including Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze, Samaritan

on its website along with numerous interviews with eyewitnesses and historians.

“I believe it is a moral responsibility, this has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church,” says Krupp, “it has only to do with the Jewish responsibility to come to recognise a man who actually acted to save a huge number of

“We believed he was anti-Semitic, we believed he was a Nazi collaborator - all the statements that have been made about him, we believed.”

Jewish lives throughout the entire world while being surrounded by hostile forces, infiltrated by spies and under the threat of death.”

Krupp explained that Pope Pius used the Holy See’s global network of embassies to help smuggle Jews out of occupied Europe. In one

and Bedouin. The Christians on the council represent Greek, Armenian, Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox communities, the Anglicans and the Latin-rite, Armenian, Maronite and Melkite Catholic communities, as well as the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.

Israeli Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yonah Metzger told the Pope the group intends “to prove, once and for all, we can live in peace; we do so in mutual respect and appreciation.”

Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem, told the Pope: “We do not want this meeting to be merely a show. We earnestly renew our commitment to continuously promote justice, peace (and) respect for the dignity of every human being.” He said religious leaders are “acutely aware” of the limitations of their ability to influence the international and regional diplo-

such instance, the Vatican secretly asked for visas to the Dominican Republic – 800 at a time – to aid Jewish rescue efforts. This one initiative alone is estimated to have saved over 11,000 Jewish lives between 1939 and 1945.

Closer to home, the convents and monasteries of Rome, neutral territory during the war, were used as hiding places for Jews.

Krupp speculates that the wartime actions of Pope Pius XII, whose birth name was Eugenio Pacelli, can be further understood in the light of his own personal history. His great boyhood friend was Guido Mendes who hailed from a well-known Jewish family in Rome. Together, they learned the Hebrew language and shared Shabbat dinners on the Jewish Sabbath.

Later, upon his election to the papacy in 1939, AW Klieforth, the American consul general in Cologne, sent a secret telegram to the US Department of State explaining Pope Pius’ attitude towards Nazism in Germany.

The new Pope “opposed unalterably every compromise with

matic activity trying for decades to bring peace to the Middle East. However, he said, “as a religious council, we are aware of the power of faith and prayer and our responsibility to do more for reconciliation among our local communities.”

“Though the problems we face are numerous, many resulting from a seemingly intractable conflict or culture of violence, even so we, as members of this religious council, do not have the right to despair, to be tired or to give up,” Patriarch Twal said.

Sheik Mouafak Tarif, head of Israel’s Druze community, told the Pope that promoting brotherhood and rejecting violence and other attacks on human dignity are objectives held in common by the region’s religions. And, he said, the trip to Rome gave religious leaders the time and space they needed to discover more about their commonalities and

Translation aims to help improve unity in faith

Dear Father, after 40 years of using an English translation of the Mass that had simple, easy to follow English, why has the Vatican given us this new translation which in many passages is difficult to follow and has some cumbersome phrases?

TNational Socialism,” Klieforth wrote, after a private chat with the Pontiff in the Vatican. The two men got to know each other during Archbishop Pacelli’s 12 years as nuncio in Germany.

Pope Pius, explained Klieforth, “regarded Hitler not only as an untrustworthy scoundrel but as a fundamentally wicked person,” and “did not believe Hitler capable of moderation.” Hence, he “fully supported the German bishops in their anti-Nazi stand.”

Krupp describes the reputation of the wartime Pope as both glowing and intact until 1963, when German writer Rolf Hochhuth penned his play The Deputy. It portrayed Pope Pius as a hypocrite who remained silent about Jewish persecution.

The Pave the Way website carries evidence from a former highranking KGB officer, Ion Mihai Pacepa, who claims the tarnishing of the Pope’s reputation was a Soviet plot.

Krupp explains the communists wanted to “discredit the Pope after his death, to destroy the reputation of the Catholic Church and,

to build their friendships. Sheik Mohamad Kiwan, head of the 340 Muslim imams serving mosques in Israel, asked the Pope to help promote peace in the land so many religions consider sacred, a land “where at the same time, the shofar is blown, the church bells ring and the voice of the muezzin calls to prayer.”

In his speech to the group, Pope Benedict said, “In our troubled times, dialogue between different religions is becoming ever more important” for generating “an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect that can lead to friendship and solid trust in each other.”

“Justice, together with truth, love and freedom, is a fundamental requirement for lasting and secure peace in the world.”

Religious leaders have a responsibility to teach their faithful that a right relationship with God is a force for peace which must be

more significantly to us, to isolate Jews from Catholics. It succeeded very well in all three areas.”

But he also firmly believes that a fundamental revision of Pope Pius’ wartime record is now well under way. “The dam is cracking now, without question,” he says.

Ironically, perhaps, Krupp says

he meets more resistance when he speaks at Catholic parishes than in Jewish synagogues. “Many Jews,” he explains, “have been extremely grateful, saying, ‘I’m very happy to hear that. I never wanted to believe this about him,’ especially those of us who knew him, who were old enough to know him.”

obvious in the way believers live and interact with others, he said.

After the papal meeting, members of the council held a news conference. Rabbi Ratzon Arusi, chief rabbi of Kiryat Ono, Israel,

said in addition to trying to lead people to faith, Israel’s religious leaders are trying to promote “a belief in peace” among people who are weary of conflict, but suspicious of promises of change.

here is a long history to this translation. Although the Second Vatican Council retained Latin as the official Church language in the liturgy, it did allow a greater use of the vernacular. In the Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Council declared that “since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended” (SC 36).

Soon after, Council translations came to be prepared in the vernacular all over the world so the faithful could participate more actively in the Mass. This fuller participation was also desired by the Council which expressed the wish that “all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy”, which “is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit” (SC 14).

In the Tridentine Rite, now called the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, prayers were said by the priest in Latin facing away from the people, were barely audible and not intelligible to the faithful in the pews. In a sense they didn’t need to be intelligible as the priest was praying to God on behalf of the people, talking to God alone.

With the change to altars facing the people and use of the vernacular, they could now be aware of what was said and participate more consciously and actively in the Mass. This is one of the great blessings that followed the Council.

The principle that governed early translations was known as “dynamic equivalence” and outlined in the Instruction Comme le prévoit of the Consilium for Implementing the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy in 1969. According to this principle, translations should not be excessively concerned with structure, form and precise expression of the Latin, but more with conveying accurately in the vernacular the original intention of the Latin. The result was the translation we have been using for some 40 years. As you say, the English was easy to follow and flowed readily. Over the years, a new approach to

Q&A

By Fr John Flader

translations came to be developed, set out in the Instruction Liturgiam Authenticam of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2001.

Among considerations identified by the Congregation was the need to preserve the unity of the Roman Rite used by the majority of Catholics. If translations of the liturgical texts into different languages did not follow the Latin original closely enough, there could be significant differences and hence the unity of the liturgy could be lost, and along with it unity of the faith which those

“Now the new translation is being introduced, we can appreciate how much richer it is ...”

texts express. Following the principle lex orandi, lex credendi (the law of praying is the law of believing) people believe as they pray, so if their prayers are very different from those of another language, so may be their faith. As is clear, this would endanger the unity of Church worship and belief.

Because the English translation developed some 40 years ago was seen not to convey adequately the rich scriptural and theological content of the Latin, a new translation was seen to be necessary.

Now the new translation is being introduced, we can appreciate how much richer it is, obvious in such prayers as the penitential rite, the Gloria, the Eucharistic Prayers, etc where whole phrases and words were previously omitted. In short, this translation is more faithful to the original.

While at times the language can appear cumbersome and some of the wording strange, we will get used to it as we did the previous translation, and be assured we are once again praying with the full content of the Latin, in union with our brothers and sisters in faith throughout the world.

Photo of a prisoner at the Auschwitz museum near the former death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oswiecim, Poland.

PHOTO: PETER ANDREWS, REUTERS

Pius XII in the Vatican, opposite page; barbed wire fences are pictured at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, top; a red rose is placed on barbed wire at Auschwitz, above left; and flowers sit on the railway tracks leading into the former Nazi death camp.

PHOTOS: OPPOSITE: CNS; TOP: PETER ANDREWS, REUTERS; ABOVE LEFT: PETER ANDREWS, REUTERS; ABOVE RIGHT: CNS/KACPER PEMPEL, REUTERS

Pope Benedict XVI poses with members of the Israeli Council of Religious Communities at the Vatican.

PHOTO: L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO VIA REUTERS

editorial

Crime, punishment and compassion in the Bropho case

MOST of Perth knows him as Archbishop Barry James Hickey. To members of the Aboriginal community and the city’s destitute, he is simply “Father Hickey”, a man who does not turn them away. From the time he moved into the cottage beside Cathedral House in the 1990s he accommodated homeless campers on his verandah and at the back of his house under a carport. In defiance of more middle-class sensitivities that found the presence of these people troublesome and confronting, he even seemed to encourage their staying, rising in the middle of the night to answer those seeking shelter, providing cups of tea, a sympathetic ear or an electric cord strung out his window to provide the small comforts of an electric kettle or old TV. His concern about chronic homelessness, particularly among Aborigines, led him to set up the agency known as Daydawn Advocacy to lobby for housing. It has been an extraordinarily successful venture.

Those of us who work in offices nearby know that when someone of rough appearance wanders in off the street we have only to point to the building where Fr Hickey, for whom they are almost always seeking, can be found. Often, despite a schedule that would run the average chief executive ragged, he finds time to treat them as human beings. Where others might turn away, he sees in them the face of Christ.

Last week the archbishop found himself in a media maelstrom for conducting a prayer service at the burial of Robert Bropho, whose notoriety as a land-rights activist was surpassed only by his subsequent reputation as a sexual predator. That the archbishop should conduct a service for the convicted child molester, who died in jail serving a six-year sentence for abusing young girls, was regarded by some as highly inappropriate. High-profile radio talkback host Howard Sattler said his involvement “legitimises Robert Bropho and I don’t think that’s right”. The story, which made the front page of the West Australian, probably seemed to fit a well-worn media narrative of a Catholic prelate not taking the horrendous crime of child sex abuse seriously enough. Probably, also, the archbishop’s initial lack of any statement to explain his involvement (that he was doing it not in his capacity as archbishop but as a priest and long-time friend of the extended Bropho family) enabled some to jump to unflattering conclusions.

Here is an occasion when Archbishop Hickey’s presumed error of judgement marks him as a true disciple of Christ, not just to the victims of injustice but those who perpetrate it.

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Here is one of those bittersweet cases where a cleric’s presumed error of judgement actually marks him as a true apostle of Jesus Christ.

Those who have thought or spoken ill of the archbishop might have, in the midst of the understandable high emotion generated by the type of crimes committed by Bropho, overlooked a number of points quite fundamental to living a Christian life; namely, Christ’s commandment to love not just those who deserve it but also those who deserve it not at all; and to forgive those who do wrong.

There could be few needing the prayers of an archbishop more than Robert Bropho; though in this case the prayers of a humble priest were what he and his family got. Those tortured by the lack of any real justice for Bropho’s victims in this life might take some comfort in the Christian idea that death is not the end of the matter, and that in the greater scheme of things the person hurt most by Robert Bropho was Robert Bropho. Fr Hickey’s prayers for the repose of his soul in the next life was an act of charity for Bropho and his family.

Those who do not know Archbishop Hickey might not be aware that even his more ardent theological critics acknowledge him as a man of deep compassion; someone committed to his religious duty to provide pastoral care not just to the victims of injustice but also to those who perpetrate it. They might not understand this compassion has nothing to do with bleeding-heart naivety. They might presume his cloistered life has sheltered him from a true understanding of the depth of suffering that led one of Bropho’s victims, his 16-year-old niece, to hang herself. They might not know the archbishop has faced very directly the consequences of such desolation, such as when one troubled young woman hanged herself on his back doorstep.

Just days after the death of Robert Bropho, summoned by shouts of “Fr Hickey!” from outside his quarters, the archbishop attended the hospital bedside of another Noongar, a woman in her twenties whose life was cut short by the psychological and physical ravages of domestic violence and self-medication. She was pregnant at the time. Surrounded by her mourning relatives, he prayed over the dead young woman before placing a crucifix on the pillow beside her head.

Latoya’s death did not make the headlines. In her community it was not that unusual and, therefore, for the media, unremarkable. Yet it is the type of story that deserves the telling, and the retelling, until our respectable consciences are pricked. This archbishop has buried too many Aboriginal Australians well before their time. Their deaths, and their lives, might not excite the media; but, thanks be to God, they did not escape the attention of Fr Hickey.

Royal treatment one for the record

I ENJOYED reading the item regarding Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the kitchen of Clontarf College.

So much better than some of the doom and gloom that I often read about in newspapers.

That copy of The Record of Wednesday, 2 November 2011 will never make it to the paper recycling bin. I will keep it forever. I hope Queen Elizabeth got to eat and enjoy the kangaroo stew … I’ve never had it, but I believe it is very tasty.

SG Dodd MT LAWLEY, WA

Beauty is in eye of this beholder

CONGRATULATIONS to Elizabeth Bogoni for her magnificent spread on sacred art and architecture (“House of God”, The Record, 9 November).

She quotes Hans Urs von Balthasar and, even before reading her article, I had heard that he had written well on the subject of beauty. I have read only a few of his books, so my criticism in the 2 November issue of the appalling one entitled Dare we hope that all men be saved? – a question he dares to answer in the affirmative – may not be representative of his theology as a whole.

Fr David Watt MALAGA, WA

Morality the basis of good economics

GUY Crouchback wonders in his article (“Third Way not so different”, The Record, 26 October 2011, p16) why distributism has not become, as some people call it, the third way between capitalism and communism.

He mentions that capitalism has no conscience, morality or religion. Communism, on the other hand, makes claim to morality and conscience, good is anything that aids it, evil anything that hinders it.

Considering that Friedrich Engels, an originator of communism, did not appear to believe in God, it is difficult to concede that communism practises morality.

It was Karl Marx who converted the ideas of Engels into a system that managed to bring about the revolution. A problem arose soon after the revolution. Marx had not provided that “goodness” upon which people could live their lives in harmony.

GK Chesterton was the philosopher behind distributism. Hilaire Belloc was the man who put the ideas into what, at that time, he thought was a workable scheme.

The term “Chesterbelloc” was often used as a synonym for distributism. The details are to be found within the pages of Belloc’s book The Servile State

Both systems lacked a third person. The missing third person was needed to search for the “missing link” or “links”. These vital clues are, almost certainly, to be found within the literature.

Two things are essential even before the other links are put together in a workable form.

The dignity of the human person must firstly be recognised as being established on a sound base.

The second necessity is that the first commandment of Jesus Christ, to us, becomes much more widely practised by Christians and people of goodwill.

John McKay

EWTN’s eye in the sky

ONE of the many benefits of the development in technology is the ability to easily receive the US-based Catholic Eternal Word Television Network, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By installing a satellite dish that costs less than $500, a one-off cost, with no further recurring costs, one can watch EWTN on TV in the comfort of your home, any time of the day.

Alternatively, by logging onto www.ewtn.com and selecting Television, one can watch streaming TV on your computer at no cost!

I’ve also recently discovered a very well-kept secret - I can also receive EWTN radio on my smart phone, giving me the ability to listen whilst travelling in my car.

Believe me, if you would like to learn more about the rich treasures of our Catholic faith, try one of the above methods of connecting to EWTN.

Geoff Storey Hillarys WA

Criticism of Pell beyond the pale

IT IS with profound regret that I express my total disagreement with the headline of Tim Wallace’s article (“Prudence should be cardinal’s virtue”, The Record, 2 November 2011) which questions the very integrity of George Cardinal Pell. My regret is profound because I am an avid reader of The Record and generally more than satisfied with its quality wide coverage.

But with this issue’s unfair assault on our Australian cardinal through egregious captioning, I am dismayed to think there could be such low behaviour.

The claim that the cardinal’s “outspoken views on climate change put his intellectual credibility on the line” is a pugnacious attack on his person that goes beyond the pale. It uses the kind of belittling language that seriously detracts from the expected dignity duly accorded a Catholic prelate.

This is especially so, in the cardinal’s case, since in the speech specified, His Eminence is exercising his constitutional right to freedom of speech to search for truth while practising courtesy and acknowledging diversity. These criteria are clearly identifiable hallmarks of free speech. They do not deserve a polemical headline.

That speech referred to in the article is the one given by Cardinal Pell at the Global Warming Policy Forum in London. The speech was given on 26 October 2011 and a lengthy edited extract of it was published in The Australian newspaper the next day. In that newspaper’s report of this speech the central and undeviating thrust of the cardinal’s case is his “appeal to reason and evidence”, such that the view he holds on climate change among some other scientific issues, is that the evidence presented so far is “insufficient to achieve practical certainty”.

It seems to me here that Cardinal Pell is logically on pretty safe ground. Recall that before the discovery of radium on Christmas Day in 1898, the pioneer scientific couple in Paris posed the questions: What if there is a kind of matter in the world we never even dreamed of? What if the conception of science is wrong?

What this home-coming ad limina prelate was saying in making his central point in London is similar to what I heard as a thirdyear undergraduate of Melbourne University in my final studies of history and the philosophy of science, the science course subject, ie establish an hypothesis, look for the reasons which appear to support it, then find confirming evidence. Hence, the cardinal’s constructive guidance to critically evaluate evidence seeming to support scientific conclusions is itself an unambiguous scientific statement concerning science practice.

Thus the problem confronting Mr Wallace is his failure to make the distinction between what scientists believe and that which is scientific. It was this failure which gave rise to the outrage against Australia’s most senior prelate.

If our distinguished cardinal’s contribution to science is no more than encouraging his Catholic flock to evaluate the evidence, which supports reasons for the holding of scientific views, then in my opinion, George Cardinal Pell can stand tall alongside Louis Pasteur and Madame Curie.

Joseph E Sutherland MELBOURNE

Weather gives cause to doubt

TIM Wallace counsels prudence on the part of Cardinal Pell when making his contribution to the climate change debate (“Prudence should be cardinal’s virtue”, The Record, 2 November 2011). Certainly, there are those who criticise the cardinal for speaking outside his area of expertise. Yet we have Ross Garnaut, an economist, as our commonwealth government’s spokesman on climate change.

As it happens, Cardinal Pell gets some strong support from Albert Einstein.

In his book Out of My Later Years, he echoes David Hume’s no “ought” from “is”: “Yet it is equally clear that knowledge of what is does not open the door directly to what should be … Intelligence makes clear to us the interrelation of means and ends. But mere thinking cannot give us a sense of ultimate and fundamental ends. To make clear these fundamental ends and valuations, and to set them fast in the emotional life of the individual, seems to me precisely the most important function which religion has to perform in the social life of man.”

Einstein then affirms that the “highest principles for our aspirations and judgements are given to us in the Jewish-Christian religious tradition.”

Cardinal Pell’s interest in climate change was aroused by “the antihuman claims of the deep greens.” Their quasi-religious fervour is based on faith in science.

Einstein has interesting commentary in this regard: “To be sure, when the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large, scientific method in most cases fails us. One need only think of the weather, in which case prediction even for a few days ahead is impossible. Nevertheless, no one doubts that we are confronted with a causal connection whose causal components are in the main known to us.”

John Cooney COWWARR, VIC

Going back to the source a radical refreshment

The Mass is ancient, beautiful and timelessly relevant. We should want to translate that in the words we use.

IHAD an interesting discussion with my children on the way home from Mass last week. We had just had our first experience of the full revised prayers of the Mass. Previously, at various parishes we attend, there has been partial introduction of the new words and they seem to favour the shorter Apostles’ Creed rather than the revised Nicene Creed.

My youngest asked why Latin was used for the Mass for so long (naturally while I was negotiating a rather awkward intersection). My answer was that when Christianity was spreading through the Roman Empire, Latin was actually the official language of the Roman Empire.

Yes, but why did they keep using it? Well, partly tradition. But also because even when Latin became a ‘dead language’ not used for everyday communication, it was still the language of law and government.

@ home

Catherine Parish

But why? To guarantee consistent meaning, especially across countries where many dialects or variations of languages existed.

And so that different realms, countries and nations could communicate officially with ease and less risk of misunderstanding. Such diplomatic misunderstanding could easily lead to enmity and wars.

Also, very importantly, when a language isn’t developing through vernacular use, its vocabulary keeps its meaning over the years. For the Church, it has always been a way of guaranteeing the accuracy of the

expression of its doctrines. When the meaning of words matters, it is important to have that meaning cut and dried and not subject to the vagaries of changing linguistic fashion.

So, when we begin translating that Latin version of the Mass into living languages, such as English, it is necessary to periodically review it

ensuring accuracy. Looked at in this way, the revisiting of the Latin Mass in the latest translations by the Church is not anachronistic, but rather seems very wise and full of foresight.

It ensures transcendence over the ephemeral nature of everyday language and the possible clouding of meaning that can creep in with

If we try to keep up with fashion too much, we risk making something timeless appear ephemeral

to ensure that it is still saying what it should say. Just as we go through any important legal document periodically to make sure it is correct.

Going back to the original sources and reviewing them in the light of hundreds of years of prayerful tradition, rigorous scholarship and wisdom, is frequently the best way of renewing understanding and

changes of understanding. This is a novel idea to children of the modern relativist age where everything is transient, things go viral on the internet and then are forgotten; the pop charts are peopled with onehit wonders; fashions change in the blink of an eye.

Our world is geared to the ephemeral. Our economy thrives

on it. But it is a mistake to try and make our Holy Mass “relevant” in the same way.

If we do try to keep up with fashion too much, we risk making something that is timeless and eternally relevant appear ephemeral and subject to the changing winds of fashion.

We run the real risk of making our Mass and our Catholic religion look as if it is merely a construct of the times, and therefore able to be changed substantially to suit the times. Which, of course, it emphatically is not and cannot be.

The Mass is ancient and beautiful and timelessly relevant. It is, and must ever be, “the source and summit of the Christian life”. The new version actively seeks to convey a more harmonious idea of this. I believe it succeeds.

Now all we need are some suitably beautiful hymns to go with it …

Co-operation has a competitive edge

When the Church’s social teachings are actually put into practice they deliver extraordinary results, writes Race Mathews.

IN THE face of the global financial crisis that has Spain’s unemployment level standing at some 22 per cent, the Mondragon co-operatives offer an astonishingly successful alternative to the way we organise business and economies.

Revisiting recently for the fifth time, since the early 1980s, the great complex of worker-owned manufacturing, retail, agricultural, civil engineering and service cooperatives centred on Mondragon in the Basque region of Spain, it was impossible not to be impressed by the resilience that has enabled them to take their share of economic hits and emerge largely unscathed.

As Mondragon’s human resources director, Mikel Zabala, said, “We are private companies that work in the same market as everybody else. We are exposed to the same conditions as our competitors.”

For example, Mondragon’s Eroski worker/consumer retail cooperative – hitherto Spain’s largest and fastest growing chain of supermarkets, hypermarkets and shopping malls – has over the past two years experienced, for the first time since its inception in 1959, losses due to massively reduced consumer demand, and only now in the current financial year anticipates a return to modest profitability.

Fagor, Spain’s largest maker of white goods including refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers, has successfully managed down production by 30 to 40 per cent in the face of a precipitous contraction of the effectively discretionary consumer durables market.

The co-operative group’s Caja Laboral credit union – effectively Spain’s ninth largest bank – is recovering from a 75 per cent drop in its profitability, from 200 million to 50 million euros.

And, following a sharp reduction in the use by the co-operatives of temporary workers, overall employment has stabilised at about 83,800.

That so testing and ultimately triumphant an outcome has been achieved is attributable overwhelmingly to key attributes that set the co-operatives aside from comparable conventional enterprises.

Not to be overlooked, in the first instance, are the conceptual framework and enduring solidarity and subsidiarity values that are the legacy to the co-operatives of

their founder, Basque priest Don Jose Maria Arizmendiarrieta.

Internalised and in part secularised as the values and framework have so largely become, they stem directly from the unswerving adherence by Arizmendiarrieta, between his arrival in Mondragon in 1941 and the launch of the first of the co-operatives in 1956, to formation in the “see, judge, act” or “inquiry” study circle mould as developed by the Young Christian Workers (YCW) under the leadership of its long-time director, the Flemish priest and, later cardinal, Joseph Cardijn.

“The study circle,” wrote Cardijn, “does not exist for its own sake: its only meaning is in terms of action and organisation.

“The apostle said: ‘Faith without works is dead’. We must also declare that ‘The study circle without works is a dead study circle’. The study circle is not just a teaching business. It communicates a faith, a faith enthusiastic for social, moral and religious action and organisation. Such faith is itself impossible, inoperative, without such action and organisation.”

Here, finally, was the crucible from which Catholic Action as properly understood at last

emerged. Not without good reason did Pope Pius XI respond on being briefed by Cardijn in the Vatican in 1924 on his plans and aspirations for the YCW: “At last! Here is someone who talks to me about the masses, of saving the masses.”

As recalled by one of the five lay co-founders of the co-operative group, Jose Maria Ormaechea: “The Study Circles in Accion Catolica

Why is the Church in the English-speaking world so silent about the triumphant fruition of Mondragon?

and in JOC (Young Catholic Workers Movement) continued at progressively higher levels … under the aegis of the Diocesan Secretariat in Vitoria, Father Arizmendi organised specialist courses on sociology to which he invited economics professors … His ecclesiastical training led him towards being a practical apostle. He not only tried to give guidelines on what should be the model for the ideal enterprise, but he put

that social enterprise to which he aspired into practice.”

As well, practical advantage gives rise to enduring ties of loyalty to the co-operatives on the part of their worker members. As equal co-owners of their workplaces, members enjoy job security together with individual capital holdings, equal sharing of profits on a proportionate basis and an equal “one-member, one vote” say in governance. Members share at one remove in ownership of a unique system of secondary support co-operatives, from which the primary co-operatives draw resources including financial services, social insurance, education and training and research and development.

Reflective of the high priority attached by the primary co-operatives to the competitive advantage of cutting-edge research and development is the augmenting of the original Ikerlan research and development support co-operative with 13 sister bodies, specialising in the needs of particular aspects of manufacturing activity and product development.

And faced as recently by adverse trading circumstances, the co-operatives are able to

avail themselves of significant flexibilities. For example, nonmembers employed on a temporary basis can be put off until conditions improve.

Members can agree to forfeit or postpone entitlements such as one of their pay packets or the payment of interest on their individual capital accounts, or in extreme circumstances authorise individual capital account draw-downs.

Co-operatives experiencing reduced demand can transfer members to ones where it is increasing, without detriment to their rights or entitlements. Supplementary capital can be accessed from central intercooperative solidarity funds.

Meanwhile, on hold until the economy recovers are further major changes expressive of the ongoing commitment of the co-operatives to their origins and principles. These include agreed measures to enfranchise the 35,000 of Eroski’s 50,000 retail workers who are not already members.

Some 114 local and overseas subsidiaries owned or joint-ventured by the co-operatives are scheduled to convert to worker ownership on a case-by-case basis, consistent with their differing cultural, legal, business and financial circumstances.

In 2009, the United States Steelworkers union entered into an agreement with Mondragon to jointly develop manufacturing cooperatives in the US and Canada, that has yet to be given effect.

A record so remarkable gives rise inevitably to pertinent questions. What contribution to productivity and workplace wellbeing might not countries other than Spain have to gain from attitudinal change such as Mondragon has so successfully engendered? What also might be the gains if, in more instances, labour were to hire capital as in Mondragon, rather than capital usually hiring labour?

And why is the Church in the English-speaking world so largely silent about the bringing to triumphant fruition at Mondragon of the long struggle in the cause of its social teachings, by successive generations of its finest clerical and lay sons?

Dr Race Mathews is a former academic, federal and state MP, and chief of staff to federal and state ALP leaders. He is the author of Jobs of Our Own: Building a Stakeholder Society: Alternatives to the Market and the State

FRIDAY

FRIDAY, 18 NOVEMBER

Thanksgiving Mass in Honour of the Divine Mercy 2-4pm at St Jerome’s Parish, 36 Troode St, Munster. Celebrant: Fr Varghese. Includes exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and divine mercy chaplet followed by Mass. Enq: Connie 9494 1495 or Edita 9418 3728.

FRIDAY, 18 TO SATURDAY, 19 NOVEMBER

Christ the King Retreat and Healing Rally 7.30pm at Karriholm, Pemberton. Presented by the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community. Enq: Jo 9776 1241 or hsofpemberton@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, 18 TO SUNDAY, 20 NOVEMBER

“Creation - The Web of Life”

Reflective Weekend

6pm at St John of God Retreat Centre, 47 Gloucester Cr, Shoalwater. This reflective weekend will provide you with an ethic of environmental sensitivity as you further develop the model of stewardship in God’s creation. Finishes 1.30pm Sunday. Enq: Sr Ann 9310 8248 or 040 9602 927 or Sr Kathy 041 8926 590.

SATURDAY

SATURDAY, 19 NOVEMBER

Spanish Community – Book Review

6.30pm at St Brigid, 69 Fitzgerald St, Northbridge. Tratado de la verdadera devocion by St Luis Maria of Montfort. Luciano Ciciorelli is coming to present this book to the Spanish Catholic community of Perth. Begins with Mass followed by talk. Enq: Fr Jeronimo 9223 1351.

NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY, 20 NOVEMBER

Solemnity of Christ the King

2pm at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Includes Eucharistic procession, Mass and consecration - confessions available before Mass. Main celebrant Archbishop Hickey. Enjoy a family picnic on the lawns afterwards. Enq: Michael at SACRI 9341 6139.

Christ the King Celebration and Procession 8.30am Sacred Heart Parish, Guppy St, Pemberton. Celebrating 10th Anniversary. Includes Mass and morning tea followed by Eucharistic procession to Karriholm. Light luncheon served afterwards. Enq: Jo 9776 1241 or hsofpemberton@gmail.com.

The Voice of the Voiceless - Mass and Procession for Feast of Christ the King 4pm Holy Cross Parish, 1 Diane St, Hamilton Hill. Begins with Mass and procession followed by gathering in the hall. Bring plate to share. Enq: Frank 9296 7591 or 040 8183 325.

WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER

‘Searching for a Deeper Faith’

7.30-9pm at Gonzaga Barry Lecture Theatre, John XXIII College. Presenter Murray Graham (Inigo Centre Director). Enq and Registration: Murray Graham on 9383 0444 or graham.murray@ johnxxiii.edu.au.

FRIDAY, 25 NOVEMBER

Medjugorje Evening of prayer

7-9pm at St Simon Peter, Prendiville Ave/ Constellation Dr, Ocean Reef. Begins with Eucharistic adoration, holy rosary, benediction and concludes with Mass followed by light refreshments. Free DVD giveaway. Enq: Fr Bogoni 9402 2480 or 040 7471 256 or medjugorje@y7mail. com.

SATURDAY, 26 NOVEMBER

Love Ministry Healing

6.30pm St Bernadette Parish, 49 Jugan St, Mt Hawthorn. Begins with Mass, Love Ministry healing team including Fr Hugh Thomas and other clergy. Come and be prayed over, healed from the past or present issues or stand in for a loved one who may be ill or facing problems at this time. Enq: Fr Hugh or Gilbert 043 1570 322.

UPCOMING

TUESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER

Day of reflection

10.30am-2pm at St Bernadette’s Parish, Jugan St, Glendalough. Begins with Mass followed by talk.

PANORAMA

What’s on around the Archdiocese of Perth, where and when

Celebrant and speaker: Fr Tim Deeter. Bring lunch to share. Enq: secretary 9341 8082.

Pregnancy Assistance - Celebrating 15 years of Pro-life Service

6.30pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Sq, Perth. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Hickey. Enq: Helene 9328 2926.

SATURDAY, 3 DECEMBER

Day with Mary

9am-5pm at St Mary Parish, cnr Franklin and Shakespeare Sts, Leederville. Day of prayer and instruction based on the Fatima message. 9am video; 10.10am Mass; Reconciliation, procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic adoration, sermons on Eucharist and on Our Lady, rosaries and stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

Retreat for Mothers

9am-5pm at Holy Family Parish, Lot 375 Alcock St, Maddington. A day for all mothers to re-discover the meaning of motherhood in the light of God’s world. The retreat is lead by the Vincentian Fathers. Free. BYO lunch. Enq and registration: Melanie 041 0605 743 or m.fonseca@curtin.edu.au.

Singles Christmas Party

7pm-12am at Disciples of Jesus’ Venue, 67 Howe St, Osborne Park. $10 – bring plate to share. Enq: Barbara 9341 5346.

SUNDAY, 4 DECEMBER

35th Annual Rosary Procession 3pm at St Joseph’s Parish, 20 Hamilton St, Bassendean. Rosary procession in honour of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, followed by homily and benediction. Enq: Colin 9279 9750 or Fred 9279 4819.

Celebrates 30 Years - Emmanuel Centre 4pm at Emmanuel Centre, 25 Windsor St, Perth.

Celebrant: Bishop Sproxton. Emmanuel Centre is a self-help centre for people with disabilities and their families. 5pm BBQ. Please bring a plate of finger food to share. RSVP 30 Nov. Enq: Secretary 9328 8113 or 9227 9720 (fax) or 040 1016 399 or mailto:emmanuelcentre@westnet.com.au.

TUESDAY, 6 DECEMBER

Charismatic Renewal Farewell

Perth’s Night of Farewell

7.30-9.30pm at Holy Family Parish, Cnr Canning Hwy and Thelma St, Como. We will honour and thank a number of Perth priests who have faithfully served the Renewal for many years. Includes prayer and praise, Mass and a presentation to our guests of honour. Followed by a light supper. Enq: Dan 9398 4973 or dhewitt@aapt.net.au.

FRIDAY, 9 DECEMBER

Anniversary Mass of Archbishop Fulton J Sheen’s death

7.30pm at St Bernadette Parish, Jugan St, Glendalough. Begins with Mass, followed by a talk on the influence of Archbishop Sheen in respect to Eucharistic adoration by Fr Martin Lucia who met the Archbishop as a newly ordained priest. Enq Daniel 9291 8224.

SATURDAY, 10 DECEMBER

St Padre Pio Day of Prayer

8.30am at St Paul’s Parish, 106 Rookwood St, Mt Lawley. Begins with Padre Pio DVD; 10am exposition of Blessed Sacrament, rosary, divine mercy, adoration and benediction; 11am Mass, St Padre Pio liturgy – Confession available. 12pm lunch –bring plate to share. Enq: Des 6278 1540.

NEXT YEAR

MONDAY, 9 JANUARY TO

MONDAY, 16 JANUARY 2012

Summer School

The Royal School of Church Music in Australia (RSCM) will be hosting a summer school for all denominations next year. The programme will include workshops for church musicians and singers to help them to inspire their congregations towards a more enjoyable and meaningful participation in Church liturgy. Enrolments are now open and interested parties can find out more by going to www. rscmaustralia.org.au. Enq: Deirdre on 9457 4010.

SATURDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2012

A Reunion for Holy Cross Primary School, Kensington Any ex-students or family members, please contact Julie Bowles (nee O’Hara) on 9397 0638 or email jules7@iinet.net.au.

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.

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

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY

Divine Mercy Chaplet and Healing Prayer

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

St Mary’s Cathedral Youth Group –Fellowship with Pizza

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

EVERY SECOND SUNDAY

Healing Hour for the Sick

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

EVERY THIRD SUNDAY

Oblates of St Benedict Meeting

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

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life

2-3pm at Infant Jesus Parish, Wellington St, Morley. The hour includes exposition of the Blessed Eucharist, silent prayer, scripture and prayers of intercession. Come and pray that those discerning vocations can hear clearly God’s call.

FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAYS

Latin Mass 2pm at The Good Shepherd Parish, Streich Ave, Kelmscott. Enq: John 9390 6646.

EVERY MONDAY

Evening Adoration and Mass

7pm at St Thomas Parish, Claremont, cnr Melville St and College Rd. Eucharistic adoration, reconciliation, evening prayer and benediction, followed by Mass and night prayer at 8pm. Enq: Kim on 9384 0598 or email to claremont@perthcatholic.org.au.

The Life and Mission of St Mary MacKillop

9.30-11.30am at Infant Jesus Parish Centre, cnr Wellington Rd and Smith St, Morley. Cost: $15. Enq: Shelley 9276 8500.

LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH

Be Still in His Presence –Ecumenical Christian Programme 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 a cuppa at the end. Enq: Lynne 9293 3848 or 043 5252 941.

EVERY TUESDAY

Bible Teaching with a Difference 7.30pm at St Joachim’s parish hall, Victoria Park. Exciting revelations with meaningful applications that will change your life. Bring Bible, a notebook and a friend. Enq: Jan 9284 1662.

Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal 6pm at the Pater Noster Church, Marmion and Evershed Sts, Myaree. Mass at 5.30pm followed by benediction. Enq: John 040 8952 194.

Norma Woodcock’s Teaching Session 7-8pm at St Benedict’s school hall, Alness St, Applecross. Be empowered by the Gospel mes-

sage each week in a personal way. How can we live meaningful and hope-filled lives? Accredited - CEO: Faith formation for ongoing renewal. Catholic Education staff: $10 for accreditation. Cost: donation. Enq: 9487 1772 or www.normawoodcock. com.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Holy Spirit of Freedom Community

7.30pm at The Church of Christ, 111 Stirling St, Perth. We are delighted to welcome everyone to attend our Holy Spirit of Freedom praise meeting. Enq: 042 3907 869 or hsofperth@gmail.com.

Bible Study at Cathedral

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

Holy Hour - Catholic Youth Ministry

5.30pm at Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary St, Highgate. Begins with Mass, 6.30pm holy hour of adoration, followed by $5 supper and fellowship. Enq: cym.com.au or 9422 7912.

EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

Holy Hour Prayer for Priests

7.30-8.30pm at Holy Spirit Parish, 2 Keaney Pl, City Beach. All welcome. Enq: Linda 9341 3079. 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 041 7187 240.

EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY

Chaplets of the Divine Mercy

7.30pm at St Thomas More Parish, Dean Rd, Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion. It will be accompanied by exposition and followed by benediction. Enq: George 9310 9493 (h) or 9325 2010.

EVERY THURSDAY

Divine Mercy 11am at Sts John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Pray the rosary and chaplet of divine mercy and for the consecrated life, especially here in John Paul Parish. Concludes with veneration of the first class relic of St Faustina. Please do come and join us in prayer. Enq: John 9457 7771.

St Mary’s Cathedral Praise Meeting

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

EVERY FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

Prayer in Style of Taize

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

Group Fifty – Charismatic Renewal Group

7.30pm at The Redemptorist Monastery, 150 Vincent St, North Perth. Includes prayer, praise and Mass. Enq: Elaine 9440 3661.

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY

Communion of Reparation - All Night Vigil

7pm-1.30am at two different locations: Corpus Christi Parish, Lochee St, Mosman Park and St Gerard Majella Parish, cnr Ravenswood Dr and Majella Rd, Westminster (Mirrabooka). In reparation for outrages committed against the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Enq (Mosman Park) Vicky 040 0282 357 and Fr Giosue 9349 2315 or John 9344 2609.

Healing Mass

7pm at St Peter’s Parish, Inglewood. Praise and worship, exposition and Eucharistic adoration, benediction and anointing of the sick, followed by holy Mass and fellowship. Celebrants Fr Dat and invited priests. 6.45pm Reconciliation. Enq: Mary Ann 0409 672 304, Prescilla 043 3457 352 and Catherine 043 3923 083.

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life 7pm at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. Mass followed by adoration with Fr Doug Harris. All welcome. Refreshments provided.

Catholic Faith Renewal Evening 7.30pm at Sts John and Paul Parish, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Songs of praise, sharing by a priest

followed by thanksgiving Mass and light refreshments afterwards. All welcome to attend and bring your family and friends. Enq: Kathy 9295 0913, Ann 041 2166 164 or catholicfaithrenewal@gmail.com.

Healing and Anointing Mass

8.45am Pater Noster Church, Evershed St, Myaree. Begins with Reconciliation followed by 9am Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, anointing of the sick and prayers to St Peregrine. Enq: Joy 9337 7189.

EVERY FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Healing Mass

12.35pm at St Thomas Parish, cnr Melville St and College Rd, Claremont. Spiritual leader Fr Waddell. Enq: Kim 9384 0598, claremont@perthcatholic.org. au.

EVERY FOURTH SATURDAY

Voice of the Voiceless Healing Mass

12pm at St Brigid Parish, 211 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. Bring a plate to share after Mass. Enq: Frank 9296 7591 or 040 8183 325.

EVERY LAST SATURDAY

Novena devotions – Our Lady Vailankanni of Good Health

5pm at Holy Trinity Parish, 8 Burnett St, Embleton. Followed by Mass at 6pm. Enq: George 9272 1379.

GENERAL

Free Divine Mercy Image for Parishes

High quality oil painting and glossy print – Divine Mercy Promotions. Images are of very high quality. For any parish willing to accept and place inside the church. Oil paintings - 160 x 90cm and glossy print100 x 60cm. Enq: Irene 922 1247 or 9417 3267 (w).

Sacred Heart Pioneers

Is there anyone out there who would like to know more 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 Drive, Malaga. Mass of the day: Monday 6.45am. Vigil Masses: Mon-Fri 4.45pm. Enq: Fr David 9376 1734.

Mary Mackillop 2012 Calendars and Merchandise

2012 Josephite Calendars with quotes from St Mary of the Cross and Mary MacKillop merchandise. Available for sale from the Mary MacKillop Centre. Enq: Sr Maree 041 4683 926 or 08 9334 0933.

Saints and Sacred Relics Apostolate – Latin Feast of all Holy Relics

SSRA Perth invites interested parties: parish priests, faithful association leaders etc to make contact to organise relic visitations to their own parishes, communities etc. We have available authenticated relics, mostly first-class, of over 200 Catholic Saints and Blesseds, including Sts Mary MacKillop, Padre Pio, Anthony of Padua, Therese of Lisieux, Maximilian Kolbe and Simon Stock. Free. Enq: Giovanny 047 8201 092 or ssra-perth@ catholic.org.

St Denis 60th Anniversary St Denis Catholic Parish in Joondanna will celebrate its 60th Anniversary on 16 December 2011. We are collecting photos, memorabilia and stories for display during the celebration. Enq and arrangements: Barbara on 040 1016 399 or emmanuelcentre@westnet.com.au or 9328 8113 (w).

Our Lady of Guadalupe visits from Mexico

SATURDAY, 26 NOVEMBER

11.30am at St Mary’s Parish, 50 Franklin St, Leederville. Includes benediction with Fr Angel. 6pm at St Bernadette’s Parish, Jugan St, Glendalough. Includes healing Mass with Fr Douglas.

SUNDAY, 27 NOVEMBER

9.30am at Our lady of Mercy, Girrawheen Ave and Patrick Ct, Girrawheen. Includes Mass and enthronement with Fr Sam. 3pm at Notre Dame Parish, Wright and Daley Sts, Cloverdale. Filipino Mass with Fr Nelson. All dates include: hymns, short background of Our Lady of Guadalupe, divine mercy chaplet and prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe, DVD presentation and veneration of the image. Enq: Elsa 6540 2557 or Dante 040 4038 483.

Financially Disadvantaged People requiring Low Care Aged Care Placement

The Little Sisters of the Poor community - set in beautiful gardens in the suburb of Glendalough. “Making the elderly happy, that is everything!” St Jeanne Jugan (foundress) Registration and enq: Sr Marie 9443 3155.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

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

RICH HARVEST YOUR

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

KINLAR VESTMENTS

Quality handmade and decorated vestments: albs, stoles, chasubles, altar linen, banners, etc. 12 Favenc Way, Padbury. By appointment only. Ph Vickii on 9402 1318, 0409 114 093 or kinlar.vestments@gmail.com.

TAX SERVICE

Quality tax returns prepared by registered tax agent with over 35 years’ experience. Call Tony Marchei on 0412 055 184 for appointment. AXXO Accounting & Management, Unit 20/222 Walter Rd, Morley.

ACCOMMODATION

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

SETTLEMENTS

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELL-

ING real estate or a business?

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

FURNITURE REMOVAL

ALL AREAS. Competitive rates. Mike Murphy Ph 0416 226 434.

MISSION ACTIVITIES

Learn how to make rosary beads for the missions and special rosaries for family and friends. Phone: (02) 682 2 1474 or visit our website: OurLadysRosaryMakers.org.au.

FOR SALE

CHEAP, VARIOUS CATHOLIC/ PROTESTANT Books new/secondhand DVDs/CDs 9440 4358.

OTTIMO @Station St Market, Subiaco @Wanneroo Market, stall 40 (central mall) have all your Christian/Catholic Christmas books, gifts and all things beautiful in stock for you.

WANTED

ONE TO THREE STATUES.

1-2m high of Our Lady, Jesus and saints. Crucifix available (same height). Contact: Brother John - Carmelite - professed hermit (08) 9853 3112 or johnw9765@ optusnet.com.

RELATIONSHIP ED

HEALING THE HURTS WE DON’T DESERVE The Psychology and Spirituality of forgiveness. Week 2 – ‘The Truth will set you Free’ Resolve past hurt and find peace. Thu, 25 Nov – 10am-12pm. Cont till 15 Dec. $12/hr. Bookings essential. Call Paul 040 2222 578.

COUNSELLING by donation also available 25 Nov or 1 Dec. 10am12pm. Call Eva 040 9405 585.

The FAITH Centre; 450 Hay St, Perth. Offered by The Association of Educational Counsellors and Relationship Educators of WA Inc.

FOR RENT

ROOM FOR RENT – Catholic female wanted for south of river accommodation. Enq: 9398 4447.

Classifieds

ROOM FOR RENT for young Catholic woman. House (Mt Hawthorn) is walking distance to Glendalough parish and train station. Applicants should have a Catholic/Christian outlook on life. Two rooms available from Jan/ Feb 2012. Contact 0408 496 610 or 0421 818 887.

BOOK BINDING

NEW BOOK BINDING, general book repairs; rebinding; new ribbons; old leather bindings restored. Tydewi Bindery 0422 968 572.

TRADE SERVICES

BRENDAN HANDYMAN SERVICES

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

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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

BRICK RE-POINTING Ph Nigel 9242 2952.

PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd

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

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

Classifieds

Short. Sharp. Cheap. 9220 5900 office@therecord. com.au

over

12

13

21 Sacred image

(1 Cor 13:4)

22 ___ of David

23 Woman in the Book of Judges who killed Sisera

24 Angel’s hat?

27 One of the young men cast into the furnace

28 ___ to Damascus

29 Old Testament town that was home of the tribe of Ephraim

31 “Dies ___”

32 3pm prayer

34 Chant, as a monk

37 Vestment worn under the alb

38 Alpha and ___

39 Creche

40 NT epistle

The Way of Life

RRP $38

In English and Spanish

The Way of Life is a short feature film that brings to light the true meaning behind “The Camino of Santiago” pilgrimage. It focuses on inner feelings, strength of faith and finally the acceptance of one’s vocation. The film follows the story of a group of young people who go on a journey to search for the intangible. Along the way, step by step, the film explores how the journey changes them.

Christmas in Rome

A Celebration of the Nativity

RRP $30

English version included

Celebrate the birth of Jesus right from the heart of the Catholic Church. Relive the story of that glorious night when Christ was born … and hear about the centuriesold tradition of the reproduction of the Nativity scene. See the celebrations around Rome, the moving ceremonies presided over by Pope Benedict XVI and end with the unveiling of the Nativity scene in St Peter’s Square.

The untold story - AIDS, condoms and the Catholic Church

RRP $34

This amazing documentary will change the way people think about the Catholic Church, HIV/AIDS and condoms. Ideal for senior school religious educators, parents and everyone interested in this subject. Shot in Kenya, Mozambique, Mexico and Thailand, this documentary looks at what the Church is doing to fight AIDS. Told through the stories of those struck by the disease, it reveals the issues, controversies and prejudices they face daily.

“I highly recommend this inspiring documentary which shows how much the Church has really done to help those around the world suffering from HIV/AIDS. This is the story you won’t hear anywhere else.”

P Rosengren, Editor, The Record

Pius XII and the Holocaust

The Secret History of the Great Rescue

RRP $34

English version included

A revealing inside look at Pope Pius XII’s crucial role in helping hundreds of thousands of Jews escape Nazi persecution. See detailed documents and hear first-hand accounts of the clandestine efforts ordered by Pius. Plus, a Holocaust survivor tells his story of how nuns hid him in a convent in Rome and kept him and many others safe during the deportation of Jews.