The Record Newspaper 22 December 2005

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Perth, Western Australia Western Australia’s Award-winning Catholic newspaper

Christmas 2005

The Parish. The Nation. The World.

Come into yourself awhile, and reflect

■ Archbishop Barry James Hickey

Among all the things you do this Christmas, please find time to think about your place in the on-going Christmas story.

It is worth remembering that the birth of Jesus had been foretold for hundreds of years. The three wise men were able to find him, and even Herod’s staff knew that he was to be born in Bethlehem.

When he grew up, he taught with remarkable wisdom and authority, and he confirmed his authority by the almost endless miracles recorded in the Gospels. He made the blind see, the deaf hear and the paralysed walk, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. He healed the lepers, fed hungry crowds, brought the dead back to life, and most of all he healed the spirits of sinners and enabled them to recover the fullness of their humanity in peace and love. He willingly accepted excruciating suffering to show us the extent of his love, and revealed the power of his love in the resurrection. Through his resurrection he stayed with us, fully and personally, and in a spiritual way in the Blessed Eucharist, and established the Church to carry his peace and love to all the world. He invites us to follow him through this life to eternity.

To make absolutely sure we would never feel alone, he gave us his wonderful mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to be our mother, to love us and guide us to Jesus.

In the 2000 years since the first Christmas, the Church has taken the story of Jesus to all corners of the globe. The miracles of the Gospel have been repeated time without number, millions upon millions of people have discovered the peace and joy of seeing the meaning of their life, and Jesus has become the foundation stone of our civilisation.

As we think about these things, the only question we have to ask is: Where do I fit into this story? Do I accept Jesus with gratitude and love? Do I honour him, or ignore him? Do I seek his help and follow his teaching? Do I join with his followers in regular acknowledgement of his greatness? In my heart, do I look at Mary and accept the love of her son, or do I look away and pretend that I don’t need him? Especially if you have been away from Jesus for a while, the Church offers you his gifts of forgiveness and love so that you can rejoice in the on-going Christmas story every day of your life.

I wish all readers of The Record a Happy and Holy Christmas.

- Messages from WA’s Bishops, pages 12 - 13

Archbishop Hickey

Artists and photographers show various scenes that remind us to consider out own place in the on-going Christmas story.

Champion of life retires

After

years promoting the culture of life and love through natural family planning, 23 of those years as Director of Natural Family Planning and later Natural Fertility Services, Mrs Ann O’Donnell has retired.

At a farewell morning tea last Thursday, Archbishop Barry Hickey spoke of the community’s “enormous debt of gratitude to Ann and Tom for their work”.

Ann’s husband Tom shared the work with her, both in accepting more responsibility for their young family in the early years and in being a board member of Natural Fertility Services.

Ann and Tom were recent arrivals from Scotland and had four children when she became a founding member when Natural Family Planning was formed at a big conference in Perth in 1968 in response to Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae, which reaffirmed the Church’s universal teaching about the relationship between life, love and human sexuality.

As Archbishop Hickey recalled at the farewell gathering, a lot of confusion had been generated in the lead-up to the release of the encyclical.

(At the time, the media were heavily promoting the contraceptive pill and the drug companies’ philosophy that the way to build strong marriages and happy families was to drug women every day, although they did not put it quite so frankly.)

Dr John Billings was invited from Melbourne for the conference which was sponsored by the Redemptorists and supported by Majellan Clubs to deal with people’s confusion and concern.

Dr Billings and his wife, Dr Evelyn Billings, developed the Billings Ovulation Method, the first of a number of accurate and reliable natural family planning systems to enable couples to achieve and space conceptions.

Last month an international conference in Rome awarded John and Evelyn Billings, who have been

married for more than 60 years, an honorary doctorate for their lifetime of scientific achievement in reproductive health.

In his response, Dr John Billings said that their method not only promoted a culture of life, but “its very nature also promotes a culture of love”.

It is a feature of natural family planning Ann O’Donnell recognised at the outset and promoted tirelessly for 37 years.

She gained a national reputation for her passion, her wisdom, her faith and her signature expression “the reality is….”as she dealt with the endless myths about natural family planning propagated in the media and all too often in the medical profession.

When it became necessary to create a national organisation to participate in Federal Government funds provided for family planning purposes, both Ann and Tom O’Donnell participated.

Archbishop Hickey referred to the lingering belief in the Catholic community that the Church had not got things right, but said that now there was a growing awareness that other approaches were not really supportive of marriage and there was a resurgence of interest in NFP.

Ann O’Donnell said that about five years ago things were moving very slowly, but a simple advertisment in The West Australian, asking “Trying to get pregnant?”

brought a stream of inquiries from women who, after years of taking the pill, could not conceive. Many were not Catholics.

She was pleased to observe that couples who formed this new client base quickly learned to appreciate the “culture of love” that goes with natural family planning.

At about the same time, she developed a series of programs for schools based on the Church’s teaching and curriculum. They were inundated with requests to present the programs in Catholic schools from 2000 onwards, and in more recent years there had been requests from non-Catholic colleges.

The new approaches had resulted in a four-fold increase in activity for teachers and presenters.

As well as training NFP teachers in WA, Mrs O’Donnell presented training programs for health workers in the Philippines and in Pakistan. She said she was grateful that the Church had taken the stand it did in 1968, and after 37 years of being involved in a society suffering massively from marriage and family breakdown, growing infertility, and lost understanding of the real beauty and love associated with human sexuality, she was even more convinced of the truth the Church’s teaching.

The final word came from Archbishop Hickey: “On behalf of the Church in Perth and on behalf of the Bishops of Australia, I thank you for your outstanding work.”

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CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

We Would like to take this opportunity to thank our friends who have supported us throughout the year and wish them a Happy Christmas and a Safe New Year.

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After 37 years of service with NFS, Ann O’Donnell has retired.

Archbishop made Doctor

■ By Jamie O’Brien

Archbishop Barry Hickey has been made an Honorary Doctor of Laws in recognition for his outstanding leadership of the Church in Western Australia, and for his exceptional service to Notre Dame University. The presentation was made to the Archbishop at the University’s December graduation ceremony last weekend.

More than 900 people were present for the occasion, including Fr Peter Bianchini and newly ordained priests Fr Andrew Bowron, Fr Clayton Mitchell and Fr Gavin Gomez, who received their Masters in Arts and Theological Studies.

“I am pleased to be already associated with the University as Archbishop, and now even more intimately by receiving this Honorary Degree,” the Archbishop said.

In his address, the Archbishop spoke about his own life as a priest and Bishop and his impression of Notre Dame.

“I had and still have great hopes

Season’s greetings

for this Catholic university,” he said. “I see it able to produce individuals who are well versed in the secular science who can bring to their thinking the principles of the Catholic faith.”

Notre Dame Vice Chancellor, Dr Peter Tannock also spoke about the life of Archbishop Hickey and his association with the University.

“He is fully informed about what it does and what it aspires to do,” Dr Tannock said.

“His relationship with the University leadership has been a great partnership.”

A long road for Deacon

■ By Jamie O’Brien

Ten years in a Vietnamese Communist Prison was not enough to dim the vocation of Perth’s latest deacon.

After previously being a De La Salle brother for more than 40 years, 57-year-old Deacon Hong Nguyen was ordained to the diaconate in front of more than 1000 people at the new Vietnamese Catholic Centre in Westminster on December 4.

Originally from Saigon, South Vietnam, Deacon Hong entered the De La Salle Brothers in 1963 at the age of 14.

The day he made his final profession, the Communist party took over South Vietnam.

Three years later in 1978 at the age of 28, he was captured, along with other Brothers from the De La Salle order and imprisoned for ten years.

The Government told the Order they were jailed because their building was being confiscated.

A number of other religious congregations – Dominicans, Cistercians, Redemptorists, and Salesians, along with Military Chaplains, Protestants Pastors and Buddhist monks were also imprisoned.

Deacon Hong said his time in prison was not long in comparison to other prisoners, some of whom stayed for much longer after he was released in 1988.

Deacon Hong told The Record treatment inside prison was very harsh, and recalls being beaten a number of times, including one time when he lost all his front teeth.

priests,” he said. Despite his experiences, Deacon Hong said he doesn’t hate the people who hurt him but finds strength from many of his experiences.

“I have used my experiences to help other seminarians,” he said.

It was while he was in prison that Deacon Hong also began re-thinking his vocation.

“I started to think that I could serve the people of God more effectively as a priest,” he said.

The University of Notre Dame Australia’s academic and administrativestaff wish everyone in the community a happy, SAFE and peaceful Christmas

“I suffered a lot inside prison but realised it was a God-given grace and that it was beneficial for my humility,” he said.

“Seeking advice from other inmates who were priests helped me not to be discouraged.”

Prisoners were often starved, but took comfort by dividing their day into two parts.

The first part consisted of prayer and contemplation.

The second part consisted of talking to the many other priests and religious who had been jailed on the basis of their religious belief.

“I learnt a lot from the other

In 1998, Deacon Hong realised he needed to leave Vietnam, after Police wanted him to spy on his Bishop and other priests.

Deacon Hong started to plan his escape but kept his intentions to himself except to gain the permission of his superior in secret.

A trained martial arts teacher, he and his team were invited to attend an international competition in Melbourne in April 1998.

All nine members of the group applied for refugee status immediately upon arrival in Australia and were granted temporary protection visas and, later, citizenship in 2001.

“This is now my home and I will stay here happily,” he said.

After spending time in Melbourne where he learnt English, Deacon Hong joined the De La Salle order in Marrickville, New South Wales and was later transferred to Bankstown.

During this time he would visit the prisons, meeting many young Vietnamese men who had committed drug offences.

It was during those meetings that Deacon Hong felt he wanted to be of service to other Vietnamese people

It wasn’t until 2003, after a meeting with Cardinal Pell of Sydney, that Deacon Hong decided that it was possible to change his way of service.

After speaking to Bishop Don Sproxton and dispensation was received from the De La Salle Order, Deacon Hong arrived at St Charles Seminary.

His time in the seminary had been one of happiness and blessing.

“My English is still very limited but I will do my best to serve,” he said.

Deacon Hong’s family are still in Vietnam, and his youngest brother is now a De La Salle Brother.

“For

Mission intention: “For people all over the world searching for God and truth: may they encounter the Lord Jesus.”

Deacon Hong Nguyen at last week’s ordination of nine priests. The 57-year-old has withstood physical and mental torture by Vietnamese Communists to lead a life of service to the Church.

Photo: Peter Rosengren

Dr Peter Tannock, Archbishop Hickey and Chancellor Neville Owen.

Christmas Edition Research may save lives

Church continues to oppose embryonic stem cell research

■ By

Paul Gray

The Sydney archdiocese has made a $100,000 grant to hasten the development of a medical research project that could radically improve the treatment of severe and extensive burns.

The grant has been made to Dr Pritinder Kaur of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne. Dr Kaur has pioneered research into the use of adult stem cells in the regeneration of the skin.

The cash grant to advance adult stem cell research is in line with the Church’s opposition to the use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes.

It is the second grant for adult stem cell research made by the Sydney archdiocese.

The first grant was given to a

Queensland research team from Griffith University. Announcing the new grant late last week, Cardinal George Pell said Dr Kaur’s work was emblematic of the remarkable progress being made in the field of adult stem cell research.

“The success and continuing promise of Australian work on adult cells casts doubt on the persistent claim that without relaxation of the restrictions on embryonic research and cloning, our best scientists will leave the country,” Cardinal Pell said.

“Adult stem cell research is advanced, safe, productive and morally incontestable – a strong contrast with its embryonic stem cell counterpart.”

A selection panel of experts from the scientific and bio-ethical fields judged the eight entries for the award, which was advertised nationally.

The panel included the retired John Curtin School of Medical Research professor Peter McCullagh and Prof Colin Thomson from the University of Wollongong.

The panel unanimously chose Dr Kaur’s work from among the entries received. Dr Bernadette Tobin, director of the Plunkett Centre for Ethics at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney and also a member of the selection panel, said Dr Kaur’s work on healing skin burns “has

the considerable strength of being a direct development of research she has already conducted.

“If her research shows that adult skin stem cells can be encouraged rapidly to expand and be transplantable to a patient with severe skin injury, it may become possible to diminish the very high mortality rate which is associated with extensive and severe burns.”

This latest development of work by the Church in Australia to promote therapies from adult stem cell research co-incides with the release of a new Federal Government report urging the removal of the ban on so-called “therapeutic cloning.”

Therapeutic cloning, technically known as somatic cell nuclear transfer, involves creating embryonic stem cells in a laboratory setting.

The head of the committee making the recommendation, former Federal Court judge John Lockhart QC, said on ABC radio that the main motive for the committee’s recommendations is the relief of human distress.

The committee has been criticised by the Right to Life Association for a lack of balance in its makeup. “It’s very interesting that the committee didn’t have one professional philosopher,” Right to Life spokesman Michael McAuley said.

Project Moses comes to Claremont

Claremont Parish has initiated an effort to make the Ten Commandments better known, and more respected and observed as a result.

St Thomas Parish Priest Fr Brian O’Loughlin VG encountered the initiative known as Project Moses while visiting his cousin in the US.

Many American churches and non-Government schools have introduced the concept to make the Commandments better known and Fr Brian decided it would go well here in Perth, but with a variation.

The recently-installed marble plaque which sits on a granite base has the Ten Commandments on one side and the Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount on the other.

The plaque in the grounds of St Thomas’ Church Claremont is clearly visible from College Road.

Fr O’Loughlin told The Record a number of pedestrians have already

stopped to admire it. The marble plaque has a history, in that it was once a tombstone in the priests’ section of Karrakatta Cemetary. With the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board anxious to prolong the life of the cemetery and tidy neglected areas, some tombstones have been removed to be replaced by grassed areas and brass plaques.

After the regular 9.30am Mass on Sunday December 4, Fr Brian blessed the plaque in the presence of a good number of regular parishioners.

The text of the Commandments and the Beatitudes is from the modern New Living translation of the Bible.

The translation was seen to be more engaging to children rather than the traditional translation, which is expressed in language more unfamiliar to them.

Many of the children attending St Thomas’ School will pass by the plaque daily during school terms.

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Fr O’Loughlin blesses the plaque on Sunday December 4. Photo courtesy Claremont Parish

REVERSAL

The Carlsons say a study group and a surgeon saved their marriage

It was just three years into their marriage, but Trent and Cheryl Carlson had reached their lowest point ever.

“Things were very ugly, and I couldn’t handle it anymore,” Cheryl said. She and her husband were growing apart, spiritually and emotionally. They bickered constantly. “I felt lonely in my marriage. Divorce was looking like a reality.”

Cheryl packed her twins into the car and went to her parents’ home on weekends to escape the pain.

She wondered how her marriage could come to such a bitter end after she and her husband had been through so much together - the practically miraculous birth of the twins, the joy of being new parents of two, and the difficult decision they made about their fertility. Why hadn’t that decision freed and satisfied them?

Baby A was giving all of his nutrients to Baby B. If it continued Baby A would not live to 26 weeks. The doctors gave both babies less than a 5% chance of survival.

Childhood Sweethearts

Trent and Cheryl met in high school in a rural community just west of Minneapolis when Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” was a favourite new song.

“We shared a locker next to one another,” Cheryl says. “We started off as really good friends.”

Through high school, they dated on and off/ a start-and-stop relationship that continued for the next 10 years. Trent says he would have liked to have married earlier, but neither of them felt ready. They finally wed in 1994 at their childhood church, St Timothy’s.

“We were both 28,” Cheryl said. “We knew it was meant to be.”

They had talked about children beforehand. Cheryl wanted to wait a couple of years. Trent wanted to wait five. Both were surprised to learn that they conceived during their honeymoon. They were even more surprised to learn that they were expecting twins. Both say they were scared.

At about 11 weeks, Cheryl began having cramps at work. Doctors worried that she might have an ectopic pregnancy. They sent her for a hightech ultrasound.

After the ultrasound, a physician gave them frightening news. Baby B had a growth on his neck indicating cystic hygroma, a lymphatic chromosomal disease. The doctor gave both babies less than a 5 per cent chance of survival. The physician recommended that the couple abort Baby B.

“They told me that if I did not eliminate Baby B, Baby A might also die in utero. I was in complete shock at having abortion offered to me,” Cheryl recalls.

“I will never kill my baby,” Cheryl told the doctor. “I don’t care what’s wrong. I am not eliminating my baby.”

When a second physician recommended abortion, Cheryl stuck to her decision. “I am not going to abort either of my children. This is in God’s hands,” she said.

The couple was then ushered in to meet with a counsellor.

“The counsellor led us to believe that there

was no hope,” Cheryl says. “We were told that if we did not abort Baby B, this is what was going to happen, and painted a picture of doom. The counsellor said, ‘You have the option today to eliminate Baby B’.”

At that point, Trent intervened.

“I don’t want to hear another person offer this to us today,” he said. “We are not going to kill our children. It’s not an option.”

With that, the Carlsons left the doctor’s office and began praying daily to St Jude, a popular patron saint many Catholics ask to intercede in what seem like near-hopeless cases.

“We had people saying Masses and praying for us all around the world,” Cheryl said.

The Power of Prayer

Four months into the pregnancy, Cheryl was placed on bed rest and had to resign her job.

Because of Trent’s recent career change, money was scarce.

The couple moved into the basement of Trent’s parents’ two-storey home. Every four to six weeks, Cheryl would go to the doctor for ultrasounds to monitor the babies.

At 24 weeks, something remarkable happened.

“I had gone in for my ultrasound, but it took the physician a long time to come back into the room,” Cheryl recalls. “I wondered what was wrong and was praying, ‘Dear God, let them be alive.”

When the physician - the same one who had recommended the abortion - walked into the room, the look on her face was one of disbelief.

“I don’t know how to explain this,” the doctor said, “but the cystic hygroma is gone. It’s perfectly normal. It’s as if it were never there.

I don’t know what to tell you.” “I do: Praise Jesus!” Cheryl answered, elated.

The good news, however, was tempered by bad.

Baby A was much smaller than he should have been by 24 weeks. The doctor determined that a “twin-twin transfusion” was taking place. Baby A was giving all of his nutrients to Baby B. The doctor told the couple that if it continued, Baby A would not live to 26 weeks.

Trent and Cheryl continued praying.

Three weeks later, when Cheryl returned for another ultrasound, the test revealed that Baby A had made a substantial leap in growth that the doctor had never before seen.

“We knew it was another miracle,” Cheryl said.

Nine weeks later, Cheryl delivered identical twin boys. Tyler - Baby B - was 4 pounds, 12 ounces; Grant- Baby A - was 3 pounds, 10 ounces. They remained in the hospital for three weeks. All medical tests showed that they were healthy boys, with no signs of disease or chromosomal abnormalities.

Sterile

Miracles or not, the stress of newborn twins took its toll on the couple.

Neither was getting much sleep, and their living arrangement was causing tension.

“I had switched careers,” Trent said.

“We were struggling financially. Marriage and twins within nine months was quite an undertaking.”

Trent felt that two children were enough, so he told Cheryl that he would like to have a vasectomy.

“Trent thought that I had gone to hell and back with the pregnancy, and he was determined that it wasn’t going to happen

again,” Cheryl said. Although both grew up Catholic, neither can recall ever learning anything about sterilisation as a grave moral issue. Deep down, though, Cheryl admits that she knew it wasn’t a good choice. After three months of fighting about the topic, she finally gave in.

“She didn’t want me to do it,” Trent says. “I kind of wore her down and she gave in.”

“Things were so stressful,” Cheryl recalls. “We didn’t have a healthy marriage, so one day I said to Trent, ‘We’re not going to be together forever. Just get it done.”

After Trent had the surgery, their marriage spiralled to its low point. Rather than allow them to be more intimate, the vasectomy did the opposite. When the fertility of their sexual “communication” stopped, so did communication in the rest of their lives.

They weren’t speaking. The couple had stormed heaven for the lives of their children but now they no longer prayed together as a family.

“We were growing further and further from one another,” Cheryl says. “Any talk of religion would turn into an argument. Even though I was married, I felt lonely.”

Trent describes a growing distance. “We were at two different levels of understanding about our faith,” he says. “I was always trying to have Cheryl pull back and slow down on her faith.”

New Life

One day, one of Cheryl’s friends phoned and invited her to take part in a study group. It was the first step in turning things around. “I wanted to grow in my faith,” Cheryl remembers. “While I was attending church, I wasn’t living a Christ-like example in how I was treating Trent. I felt that making changes of my own might change things for us as a couple.”

Trent wasn’t so sure. He thought that the

“We were growing further and further from one another. Any talk of religion would turn into an arguement. Even though I was married, I felt very lonely.”

group running the discussion - known as Familia - might exacerbate the difficulties they were having, so he made light of Cheryl’s involvement.

Cheryl was eventually asked to be a group leader with another woman. Every second Saturday, eight women gathered to read and discuss what the Church had to say about marriage and family life. During the seventh lesson, on natural family planning and contraception, Cheryl faced a crisis.

“Reading that lesson, I realised how badly we had hurt Our Lord with the vasectomy,” she says. I had an emotional breakdown and didn’t feel like I could continue as an animator.”

Cheryl talked about her concerns with the other leader and decided to continue. She also shared the reading with her husband.

“I remember that it seemed pretty logical,” Trent says. “It made a lot of sense.”

Stop laughing, father,

Of all seven sacraments, confession is the underdog.

Perhaps that’s why it’s my favourite.

■ By Susie Lloyd

I’ve confessed in boxes and reconciliation rooms, on park benches and while walking through the Alps; to traditionalists, liberals, and conservatives; to the wise, the mentally ill, the nasty, the sweet, and the understanding. So many different priests have lent me an ear, and God has worked his wonder through them all.

Of these, a few will never be forgotten. There is one more reason I’m a lifelong fan of the sacrament - there is no greater comedy source in the whole world than what goes on in that sacred box.

For years, I have been confessing to a gentle Polish priest.

“You’re supposed to yell at them and hit them!” He was truly exasperated. What kind of mother was I? Didn’t I know my own job?

Again and again, my script called for me to state the horrific ways I have lost patience with my children. Now, this priest happens to know and love our children. So he would try to encourage me by telling me how wonderful they were turning out. The good man didn’t intend it, but this usually led me to reproach myself even more. What kind of mother would treat “such dear, lovely children” so badly?

Then one day he went on vacation. His Polish substitute growled through my whole recitation. He was building to an eruption: “Don’t you come in here and tell me you yell at your kids, you hit your kids!” He paused to let it sink in. Oh, God, this is it, I thought. You’re sick of me. I’ve neglected that firm purpose of amendment for too long. Then he blew. “You’re supposed to yell at them and hit them!” He was truly exasperated. What kind of mother was I? Didn’t I know my own job?

One of the closets I frequented came with more than the usual

brand of privacy. The priest on the other side was stone deaf.

Nevertheless, he was a fine priest and a gentle one. I can’t remember the number of times he unknowingly interrupted me to ask, “Those are all your sins, dear?” One time I was still on the number of weeks since my last confession when he asked, “Those are all your sins, dear?”

I tried over and over to tell him no, I hadn’t yet begun. At one point, I even offered to change places with him as my side came equipped with a hearing aid. He took my static for a confession and absolved me. On the way home, my parents disputed about whether to send me back in. My mother was pro, my father, con.

Later, I grew accustomed to the face-to-face method, out of necessity. I was a student in a foreign

land. As far as I knew there was no priest in the vicinity who spoke English but one young man - a fellow student, but one who also was endowed with the power to forgive sins. So against a glorious Alpine backdrop, God again provided me a way of unloading my sins.

I hope they didn’t echo.

As a student in Rome, it was one-size-fits-all. On a Saturday afternoon, I would enter St Peter’s and look for the box that read: Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and, ah, English. As it turned out, the priest inside was from New York, like me.

But you wouldn’t know it at first.

“In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti,” he grumbled in a thick Italian accent.

But he couldn’t keep it up. “Hah! Got ya!” he said.

He told me his name and asked where I was from. Oh, really? Did I know a priest by the name of Father L? Indeed, I did - he was my sister’s confessor. “Oh! He’s a good friend of mine!”

He promised to give me one Hail Mary, no matter what. He was the garrulous type, so every Saturday afternoon we talked for a good halfhour before he handed me my one Hail Mary. I was getting more than a little complacent about my sins.

One Saturday afternoon, the confessional marked “English” had been moved. I located it and entered. The priest inside grumbled a Latin blessing in a thick Italian accent. I waited for him to crack up. He didn’t.

For some reason, he didn’t seem up to chatting. I had noticed there was no line. Well and good. I recited

my usual script and waited for my Hail Mary. He then proceeded to give me a guided tour of my place in hell.

Any minute now, I figured, he is going to crack up and give me a Hail Mary - but he never did. Just who that was on the other side of that cubicle I’ll never know, but I went straight from then on.

So many confessions, so many years.

I’ve lost count of them, but the highlights will never be forgotten. You can always tell a Catholic by the way he sits up when the subject of confession is mentioned. We’ve all got our stories.

Adapted from Please Don’t Drink the Holy Water: Homeschool Days, Rosary Nights, and Other Near Occasions of Sin by Susie Lloyd, Sophia Institute Press, October 2004.

Where the kids barely eat and need your help

It was in the midst of poverty that Sister Tone Qeta in Fushe-Milot, Albania, turned to Catholic Mission for help. Through funding provided by the Children’s Mission Partners program she has been able to give basic nutrition to children who otherwise would have had very little to eat.

She writes: “The children that frequent our kindergarten come from poor families that have on average four children. This project was born of the necessity to nourish these children who are deficient of vitamins, protein, carbohydrates etc.

“We, the Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul, have worked here for three years with the children aged from three to six years, managing a kindergarten.

“Our attention has been particularly focused on the education of preschoolers and the education of women, to help mothers rediscover their dignity.

“The variety of food we offer for the children is a luxury. We thank you from our hearts for the money you have sent. This money for our centre has been like precious manna. This year we had 58 children and the number is always rising.”

Fushe-Milot is in a part of the world we don’t hear much about in Australia. The village is becoming more and more populated as families leave the impoverished mountain regions in hope of a better life. But it lacks adequate social structures and is unable to cope with the influx.

Most adults are without employment, teenagers and young adults emigrate when they can and the children are left with very little, the streets being their main playground.

The Sisters found a need and are meeting it, fulfilling a basic element of God’s judgment: “I was hungry and you gave me food”. Their work is assisted by the Children’s Mission Partners program.

To become a regular donor to Catholic Mission’s work for children phone Freecall 1800 257 296 or go to www.catholicmission.org.au and click on the Children’s Mission Partners logo.

From the Perth Mission Office…

This Christmas, In a quiet place, We can reflect,

On the passing year,

Giving thanks

For the kindness Of ordinary people

In our parishes and communities beyond, For the prayerfulness of children In our schools and family circles, All inspired and moved By a missionary heart, To reach out and touch

To rebuild and heal The brokenness around, From tsunamis and earthquakes, To beach riots And suicide bombers, We are all called, all challenged, Not just the few, To listen prophetically, to Love unconditionally, Both victim and perpetrator, Were all children once, Reminding us,

Through the Infant Jesus, That the Life of one child, Any child, The unborn child, The child within, Is worth the Earth.

Francis Leong

Diocesan Director for Catholic Mission Archdiocese of Perth

Christmas, Catholic Mission in Perth invites you to make an offering to the Infant Jesus, by donating to Children’s Mission through the

As Australia prepares to shut down, relax and enjoy a hearty meal over the Christmas-New Year period Caritas Australia is asking for donations to help others suffering from starvation or who are threatened by it.

“Many people in Africa face acute food shortages right now,” said Caritas Australia director Jack de Groot.

Mr de Groot will be speaking at the 12.10pm Mass on Monday 26 December at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth.

The national Catholic aid and development agency’s Africa Appeal “will enable us to help communities throughout Africa, where ever the need is greatest,” he said.

“There are trouble spots that need our urgent attention because they have been overwhelmed by the combined effects of unanticipated levels of drought and devastation of their workforces by HIV/AIDS.”

Deatils of the appeal together with a donation form can be found below.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Boxing Day will be the first anniversary of the Asian tsunami and earthquake, to which the agency responded with a host of other organisations earlier this year.

Mr de Groot said Caritas Australia had raised more than $23 million throughout the course of the year.

“This has been used to provide emergency relief and to reconstruct communities that were destroyed by the tsunami, Mr de Groot said.

“In this type of work results do not come overnight and we expect to still be involved in reconstruction work for many years to come. “We thank our donors for the trust you have placed in us to achieve the reconstruction of communities in ways that not only reflect their needs but also deliver some improvements to

infrastructure which will have long-term benefits.”

He said that by September this year the agency’s funding had contributed to, among other projects, food distribution to 615,323 people in India and Indonesia; the rebuilding or construction of 27 schools in Sri Lanka; the repair of 3406 fishing boats in Thailand, Sri Lanka and India medical treatment for 414,341 people in Thailand, India and Indonesia; and the building or repair of 1124 houses in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia.

“Ten days before the anniversary of the tsunami, I was with communities in Aceh who have been so appallingly affected by the tsunami. All of them are in shelter and some are to be in permanent housing by the end of this month” Mr de Groot said.

To mark the tsunami’s anniversary Caritas Australia has produced a commemorative website showing its reconstruction work in action.

The site can be reached at www. caritas.org.au/tsunami/

Donations the Africa Appeal can also be made on-line at www. caritas.org.au or by forwarding the coupon below to GPO Box 9830 in your capital city.

Email

Caritas Australia Chief Executive Officer Jack De Groot.

Photos courtesy Caritas Australia

Sister Tone Qeta and Albanian children aided by the Children’s Mission Partners Program.

The Quest for Peace or: How telling lies destroys our world

The problem of t r uth and unt r uth concer ns all of The truth and untruth concerns all us, wr ites Pope Benedict X VI in his f irst message us, writes Benedict XVI in his first message as Pope f or the World Day of Peace on Januar y as for the World Peace on January 1, 2006. Delievered in what many are coming 1, 2006. Delievered in what many are coming to see as the character istic style of the ne w Holy to see as the characteristic style the new Father - g reat simplicity combined with g reat Father - great simplicity combined with great depth - it re flects on the gift of peace and the - it reflects on the peace and the obstacles placed in its path obstacles in its path.

In Truth, Peace

1. In this traditional Message for the World Day of Peace at the beginning of the New Year, I offer cordial greetings and good wishes to men and women everywhere, especially those who are suffering as a result of violence and armed conflicts. My greeting is one filled with hope for a more serene world, a world in which more and more individuals and communities are committed to the paths of justice and peace.

2. Before all else, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Predecessors, the great Popes Paul VI and John Paul II, who were astute promoters of peace. Guided by the spirit of the Beatitudes, they discerned in the many historical events which marked their respective Pontificates the providential intervention of God, who never ceases to be concerned for the future of the human race. As tireless heralds of the Gospel, they constantly invited everyone to make God the starting-point of their efforts on behalf of concord and peace throughout the world. This, my first Message for the World Day of Peace, is meant to follow in the path of their noble teaching; with it, I wish to reiterate the steadfast resolve of the Holy See to continue serving the cause of peace. The very name Benedict, which I chose on the day of my election to the Chair of Peter, is a sign of my personal commitment to peace. In taking this name, I wanted to evoke both the Patron Saint of Europe, who inspired a civilisation of peace on the whole continent, and Pope Benedict XV, who condemned the First World War as a “useless slaughter”(1) and worked for a universal acknowledgment of the lofty demands of peace.

3. The theme chosen for this year’s reflection

- “ In truth, peace” - expresses the conviction that wherever and whenever men and women are enlightened by the splendour of truth, they naturally set out on the path of peace. The Pastoral Constitution “Gaudium et Spes,” promulgated forty years ago at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, stated that mankind will not succeed in “building a truly more human world for everyone, everywhere on earth, unless all people are renewed in spirit and converted to the truth of peace.”(2) But what do those words, “the truth of peace,” really mean? To respond adequately to this question, we must realise that peace cannot be reduced to the simple absence of armed conflict, but needs to be understood as “the fruit of an order which has been planted in human society by its divine Founder,” an order “which must be brought about by humanity in its thirst for ever more perfect justice.”(3) As the result of an order planned and willed by the love of God, peace has an intrinsic and invincible truth of its own, and corresponds “to an irrepressible yearning and hope dwelling within us.”(4)

4. Seen in this way, peace appears as a heavenly gift and a divine grace which demands at every level the exercise of the highest responsibility: that of conforming human history - in truth, justice, freedom and love - to the divine order. Whenever there is a loss of fidelity to the transcendent order, and a loss of respect for that “grammar” of dialogue which is the universal moral law written on human hearts,(5) whenever the integral development of the person and the protection of his fundamental rights are hindered or denied, whenever countless people are forced to endure intolerable injustices and inequalities, how can we hope that the good of peace will be realised? The essential elements which make up the truth of that good are missing. Saint Augustine described peace

as “tranquillitas ordinis,”(6) the tranquility of order. By this, he meant a situation which ultimately enables the truth about man to be fully respected and realised.

5. Who and what, then, can prevent the coming of peace? Sacred Scripture, in its very first book, Genesis, points to the lie told at the very beginning of history by the animal with a forked tongue, whom the Evangelist John calls “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Lying is also one of the sins spoken of in the final chapter of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, which

International humanitarian law ought to be considered as one of the finest and most effective expressions of the intrinsic demands of the truth of peace. Precisely for this reason, respect for that law must be considered binding on all peoples.

’

bars liars from the heavenly Jerusalem: “outside are ... all who love falsehood” (22:15). Lying is linked to the tragedy of sin and its perverse consequences, which have had, and continue to have, devastating effects on the lives of individuals and nations. We need but think of the events of the past century, when aberrant ideological and political systems willfully twisted the truth and brought about the exploitation

The truth will set you free

ment of peace.”(8) On this demanding front the Catholic Church’s military ordinariates carry out their pastoral activity: I encourage both the military Ordinaries and military chaplains to be, in every situation and context, faithful heralds of the truth of peace.

9. Nowadays, the truth of peace continues to be dramatically compromised and rejected by terrorism, whose criminal threats and attacks leave the world in a state of fear and insecurity. My predecessors Paul VI and John Paul II frequently pointed out the awful responsibility borne by terrorists, while at the same time condemning their senseless and deadly strategies. These are often the fruit of a tragic and disturbing nihilism which Pope John Paul II described in these words: “Those who kill by acts of terrorism actually despair of humanity, of life, of the future. In their view, everything is to be hated and destroyed.”(9)

Continued from Vista 1 and murder of an appalling number of men and women, wiping out entire families and communities. After experiences like these, how can we fail to be seriously concerned about lies in our own time, lies which are the framework for menacing scenarios of death in many parts of the world. Any authentic search for peace must begin with the realisation that the problem of truth and untruth is the concern of every man and woman; it is decisive for the peaceful future of our planet.

6. Peace is an irrepressible yearning present in the heart of each person, regardless of his or her particular cultural identity. Consequently, everyone should feel committed to service of this great good, and should strive to prevent any form of untruth from poisoning relationships. All people are members of one and the same family. An extreme exaltation of differences clashes with this fundamental truth. We need to regain an awareness that we share a common destiny which is ultimately transcendent, so as to maximise our historical and cultural differences, not in opposition to, but in cooperation with, people belonging to other cultures. These simple truths are what make peace possible; they are easily understood whenever we listen to our own hearts with pure intentions. Peace

way, the followers of Christ, recognising the insidious presence of evil and the need for that liberation brought by the divine Master, look to him with confidence, in the knowledge that “he committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips” (1 Peter 2:22; cf. Isaiah 53:9). Jesus defined himself as the Truth in person, and, in addressing the seer of the Book of Revelation, he states his complete aversion to “every one who loves and practices falsehood” (Revelation 22:15). He has disclosed the full truth about humanity and about human history. The power of his grace makes it possible to live “in” and “by” truth, since he alone is completely true and faithful.

Jesus is the truth which gives us peace.

7. The truth of peace must also let its beneficial light shine even amid the tragedy of war. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, in the Pastoral Constitution “Gaudium et Spes,” pointed out that “not everything automatically becomes permissible between hostile parties once war has regrettably commenced.”(7)

Not only nihilism, but also religious fanaticism, today often labeled fundamentalism, can inspire and encourage terrorist thinking and activity. From the beginning, John Paul II was aware of the explosive danger represented by fanatical fundamentalism, and he condemned it unsparingly, while warning against attempts to impose, rather than to propose for others freely to accept, one’s own convictions about the truth. As he wrote: “To try to impose on others by violent means what we consider to be the truth is an offence against the dignity of the human being, and ultimately an offence against God in whose image he is made.”(10)

10. Looked at closely, nihilism and the fundamentalism of which we are speaking share an erroneous relationship to truth: the nihilist denies the very existence of truth, while the fundamentalist claims to be able to impose it

him from human hearts only leads a fearful and impoverished humanity toward decisions which are ultimately futile. This realisation must impel believers in Christ to become convincing witnesses of the God who is inseparably truth and love, placing themselves at the service of peace in broad cooperation with other Christians, the followers of other religions and with all men and women of good will.

established by the international community for promoting disarmament is bogged down in general indifference. How can there ever be a future of peace when investments are still made in the production of arms and in research aimed at developing new ones? It can only be hoped that the international community will find the wisdom and courage to take up once more, jointly and with renewed conviction, the process of disarmament, and thus concretely ensure the right to peace enjoyed by every individual and every people. By their commitment to safeguarding the good of peace, the various agencies of the international community will regain the authority needed to make their initiatives credible and effective.

ryone to work for a truly free and harmonious human family. The foundations of authentic peace rest on the truth about God and man.

History has amply demonstrated that declaring war on God in order to eradicate him from human hearts only leads a fearful and impoverished humanity towards decisions which are ultimately futile.

‘ ’

thus comes to be seen in a new light: not as the mere absence of war, but as a harmonious coexistence of individual citizens within a society governed by justice, one in which the good is also achieved, to the extent possible, for each of them.

The truth of peace calls upon everyone to cultivate productive and sincere relationships; it encourages them to seek out and to follow the paths of forgiveness and reconciliation, to be transparent in their dealings with others, and to be faithful to their word. In a particular

As a means of limiting the devastating consequences of war as much as possible, especially for civilians, the international community has created an international humanitarian law. In a variety of situations and in different settings, the Holy See has expressed its support for this humanitarian law, and has called for it to be respected and promptly implemented, out of the conviction that the truth of peace exists even in the midst of war. International humanitarian law ought to be considered as one of the finest and most effective expressions of the intrinsic demands of the truth of peace. Precisely for this reason, respect for that law must be considered binding on all peoples. Its value must be appreciated and its correct application ensured; it must also be brought up to date by precise norms applicable to the changing scenarios of today’s armed conflicts and the use of ever newer and more sophisticated weapons.

8. Here I wish to express gratitude to the international organisations and to all those who are daily engaged in the application of international humanitarian law. Nor can I fail to mention the many soldiers engaged in the delicate work of resolving conflicts and restoring the necessary conditions for peace. I wish to remind them of the words of the Second Vatican Council: “All those who enter the military in service to their country should look upon themselves as guardians of the security and freedom of their fellow-countrymen, and, in carrying out this duty properly, they too contribute to the establish-

The first to benefit from a decisive choice for disarmament will be the poor countries, which rightly demand, after having heard so many promises, the concrete implementation of their right to development.

‘ ’

by force. Despite their different origins and cultural backgrounds, both show a dangerous contempt for human beings and human life, and ultimately for God himself. Indeed, this shared tragic outcome results from a distortion of the full truth about God: nihilism denies God’s existence and his provident presence in history, while fanatical fundamentalism disfigures his loving and merciful countenance, replacing him with idols made in its own image. In analysing the causes of the contemporary phenomenon of terrorism, consideration should be given, not only to its political and social causes, but also to its deeper cultural, religious and ideological motivations.

11. In view of the risks which humanity is facing in our time, all Catholics in every part of the world have a duty to proclaim and embody ever more fully the “Gospel of Peace,” and to show that acknowledgment of the full truth of God is the first, indispensable condition for consolidating the truth of peace. God is Love which saves, a loving Father who wants to see his children look upon one another as brothers and sisters, working responsibly to place their various talents at the service of the common good of the human family. God is the unfailing source of the hope which gives meaning to personal and community life. God, and God alone, brings to fulfillment every work of good and of peace. History has amply demonstrated that declaring war on God in order to eradicate

12. Looking at the present world situation, we can note with satisfaction certain signs of hope in the work of building peace. I think, for example, of the decrease in the number of armed conflicts. Here we are speaking of a few, very tentative steps forward along the path of peace, yet ones which even now are able to hold out a future of greater serenity, particularly for the suffering people of Palestine, the land of Jesus, and for those living in some areas of Africa and Asia, who have waited for years for the positive conclusion of the ongoing processes of pacification and reconciliation. These are reassuring signs which need to be confirmed and consolidated by tireless cooperation and activity, above all on the part of the international community and its agencies charged with preventing conflicts and providing a peaceful solution to those in course.

13. All this must not, however, lead to a naive optimism. It must not be forgotten that, tragically, violent fratricidal conflicts and devastating wars still continue to sow tears and death in vast parts of the world. Situations exist where conflict, hidden like flame beneath ashes, can flare up anew and cause immense destruction.

Those authorities who, rather than making every effort to promote peace, incite their citizens to hostility towards other nations, bear a heavy burden of responsibility: in regions particularly at risk, they jeopardise the delicate balance achieved at the cost of patient negotiations and thus help make the future of humanity more uncertain and ominous.

What can be said, too, about those governments which count on nuclear arms as a means of ensuring the security of their countries?

Along with countless persons of good will, one can state that this point of view is not only baneful but also completely fallacious. In a nuclear war there would be no victors, only victims. The truth of peace requires that all - whether those governments which openly or secretly possess nuclear arms, or those planning to acquire them - agree to change their course by clear and firm decisions, and strive for a progressive and concerted nuclear disarmament. The resources which would be saved could then be employed in projects of development capable of benefiting all their people, especially the poor.

14. In this regard, one can only note with dismay the evidence of a continuing growth in military expenditure and the flourishing arms trade, while the political and juridic process

15. The first to benefit from a decisive choice for disarmament will be the poor countries, which rightly demand, after having heard so many promises, the concrete implementation of their right to development. That right was solemnly reaffirmed in the recent General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation, which this year celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of its foundation. The Catholic Church, while confirming her confidence in this international body, calls for the institutional and operative renewal which would enable it to respond to the changed needs of the present time, characterised by the vast phenomenon of globalisation. The United Nations Organisation must become a more efficient instrument for promoting the values of justice, solidarity and peace in the world. For her part, the Church, in fidelity to the mission she has received from her Founder, is committed to proclaiming everywhere “the Gospel of peace.” In the firm conviction that she offers an indispensable service to all those who strive to promote peace, she reminds everyone that, if peace is to be authentic and lasting, it must be built on the bedrock of the truth about God and the truth about man. This truth alone can create a sensitivity to justice and openness to love and solidarity, while encouraging eve-

16. At the conclusion of this Message, I would like to address a particular word to all believers in Christ, inviting them once again to be attentive and generous disciples of the Lord. When we hear the Gospel, dear brothers and sisters, we learn to build peace on the truth of a daily life inspired by the commandment of love. Every community should undertake an extensive process of education and witness aimed at making everyone more aware of the need for a fuller appreciation of the truth of peace. At the same time I ask for an increase of prayers, since peace is above all a gift of God, a gift to be implored incessantly. By God’s help, our proclamation and witness to the truth of peace will be all the more convincing and illuminating. With confidence and filial abandonment let us lift up our eyes to Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace. At the beginning of this New Year, let us ask her to help all God’s People, wherever they may be, to work for peace and to be guided by the light of the truth that sets man free (cf. John 8:32). Through Mary’s intercession, may all mankind grow in esteem for this fundamental good and strive to make it ever more present in our world, and, in this way, to offer a safer and more serene future to generations yet to come.

From the Vatican, 8 December 2005.

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

(1) “Appeal to the Heads of the Warring Peoples,” (1 August 1917): AAS 9 (1917), 423.

(2) No. 77.

(3) “Ibid.,” 78.

(4) John Paul II, “Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace,” 9.

(5) Cf. John Paul II, “Address to the Fiftieth General Assembly of the United Nations,” (5 October 1995), No. 3.

(6) “ De Civitate Dei,” XIX, 13.

(7) No. 79.

(8) Ibid. (9) Message for the 2002 World Day of Peace, 6.

(10) Ibid.

Preparing for war? Or turning swords into ploughshares? The decisive choice for these Iraqi youth amid the wreckage of war.

Christ’s birth surpasses society’s gifts

Catherine Parish @ home

When it all looks impossible and we despair of ever imparting any abiding faith to our children; when the world just seems too overpoweringly secular and attractive and just too darn easy compared to the rather more prickly way of being a Catholic; when Christmas itself to many of us has become no more than an excuse for overindulgence and overspending or just a tiresome necessity, it pays to turn back to that first Christmas night, to look back at the two quiet and unassuming people making their way obediently to Bethlehem under some difficulty at the behest of their secular rulers. Mary and Joseph were trying to live out their Jewish religion in adverse circumstances – their Roman conquerors tolerated the Jewish religion but only when it caused no trouble; if it did, the Romans ruthlessly suppressed it.

You could say that we are in a somewhat similar situation, Christians in a secular society that

tolerates our religious observances but whose practices and laws at the least frequently do not foster Christian attitudes, and at worst are highly inimical to remaining faithful to Catholic teaching ourselves and bringing up our children to do the same. It is not that we are faced with the prospect of torture or imprisonment – the pressures are rather more subtle - but in a wealthy, hedonistic, self-indulgent and selfish society it is very difficult to put God first, to be chaste, faithful and modest, generous and honest yourself, let alone convey why it is still vitally necessary to be so – those Ten Commandments are tablets that are hard to swallow these days.

Our Lord chose to be born into a family of modest means who were satisfied with the indifferent shelter of a stable when nothing else was available. His first visitors were shepherds who brought with them nothing but their wonder at what they witnessed. We do well to remember those two quiet but steadfastly faithful and practising Jews carrying within Our Lady’s body the fruit of her generous obedience to God’s will nine months earlier. Remember the Angelus – “The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Spirit…behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Thy word … And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us…” Not

diversity matters (contemporary human mobility and the stand of the Church)

a week later, or three months later, or at ‘viability’, but there and then at the moment of Our Lady’s “I do”. Don’t let the welter of gifts and food and partying obscure that first and best Christmas gift, the Word

Made Flesh, finally unwrapped for the world after nine months as Our Lady gave birth. Our prayer really should be that by the grace of God the seed sown by our example and teaching may

also eventually bring to birth in our children’s’ lives the living Word, the Eternal Truth, and a life-long sense of wonder at the magnificence of the gift of faith with which we have been blessed.

The chance meeting that changes us forever

Part two of an examination of the Vatican document Caritas Christi Ergo Migrantes

■ With Fr Anthony Paganoni, CS

Perhaps the saving grace of the document lies in its first four words: “the love of Christ towards migrants”. And as such, the word “migrants” opens the way to look at the contemporary human mobility as one of the distinctive marks of our times. Instead of “mark” I should rather say “tests”, “challenges”. These latter words are repeated throughout the document. We cite one example,

The challenge confronting us in today’s migrations is not an easy one because many different spheres are involved…All Christians must respond to this challenge; it is not just a matter of good will or the personal charisma of a few. (3).

The challenge appears to be unprecedented (34), even for the various offices of the Roman Curia. The document dwells at some length on the Oriental Catholics and on the legislation which is assisting their migrants, it moves on to Christians who are not in full communion with Rome and to the Muslim Diaspora. By doing so, however, the document has to contend with different departments of the Roman Curia (Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Pontifical Council for the Unity of all Christians and the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples). And that is possibly one of the reasons why the document’s wording is so careful not to tread on somebody else’s foot. Notwithstanding the rather complex Vatican inner workings, the beginning of the Instruction underscores its main thrust: the Church’s concern for the migrants is a share in the love of Christ for them. Does the document suggest that if the law is not

clear or its implementation rather shortsighted, the charity of the heart should fill existing gaps? And that is the main intention of the document’s author, it serves to introduce us to the heart of the Church’s concern for the stranger. However one looks at the whole thing, good intentions are not enough!

Luigi Petris, director of the central office for the care of immigrants run by the Catholic Bishops in Italy lists the various centres run by the Catholic Church. Then he goes on to add that there are 630 informal centres, supported by volunteers, for around 800.000 Catholic immigrants out of 3 million foreigners living and working in Italy. These are men and women, religious and priests semi-retired or with experience of pastoral work overseas, who, on witnessing the challenge of the displaced, are moved with feelings of compassion. This is usually done in conjunction with and with the open support of the National and Diocesan Directors of the Catholic Church.

“Never without the Other”, is the title of a book written by a Jesuit, Michel De Certau (+1986). In the course of his life he acquired a good range of interests: an historian, fascinated by the mystics, an anthropologist very attentive to the yearnings of the average person, untiring traveler through many countries and cultures. His discoveries led him to believe that the historian is one who nurtures a strong sense of benevolence for the “other” and the Christian is the one who would accommodate any other, any foreigner.

Certau has written with rare competence on the reasons which justify our openness to others and to the OTHER. This One in particular has the habit of approaching anyone caught up in the struggle to understand the surrounding world and the world within, as in the case of the Emmaus disciples. In the process they become blessed.

As at that meeting, any other encounter will by necessity be shortlived, but, as the disciples of Emmaus tell us, they will never be the same again.

Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange.

What is Christmas really about?

Patience and fidelity to Church pay off

■ By Fr Don Hughes, OMI

It was an unusual telephone request received in the parish office from the Kalamunda hospital: ‘Is there a Catholic Sister in the area?’

The request was answered and the telephone number of Sr de Lourdes, Presentation Sister, was given.

Later that evening Sr de Lourdes filled in further details.

She had just come from the hospital where a patient, Frank, had asked to see a ‘Catholic Sister’, because ‘two Sisters had been kind to him in his time of need’.

Let me tell you the story of Frank. I want to tell this story because it affected me greatly and strengthened my faith in the intercession of Mary and the power of her Green Scapular.

The story and its details might not be carefully recollected or ‘time line’ perfect however the outcome is quite clear.

Frank was born in 1931, a child of alcoholic parents. At the age of seven he was placed in Castledare Orphanage and eventually moved through Clontarf and then Tardun, leaving there at the age of 17 years.

He married young and with wife Pat brought up a family of seven, four boys and three girls. Frank became an alcoholic and the family split up. From here on the consecutive details are skimpy but the salient points of the story are true.

Frank lost track of his separated wife and family but heard that they had moved to Adelaide. He scraped together enough money to buy (in his own words) a ‘bomb’ of a car, which he drove to Adelaide in 1977.

He had little luck in tracing his family and in desperation went into the Catholic Cathedral there, broke down and pleaded with the Lord to help him. He walked out of the Cathedral and down Wakefield St where he met two religious sisters at the gate of the Mercy Convent. They could not help him materially but promised to pray for him. One sister gave him a pair of Rosary Beads, the other gave him a Green scapular and asked him to wear it and Our Lady would look after him. Frank told me how kind they were to him.

Our Lady did look after him. Through an extraordinary set of circumstances, Frank eventually found his wife and the children

and they all returned to Perth. However, family life was not easy and it was regularly disrupted by Frank’s drinking.

One son, Les, died aged 24. Frank blamed himself for that death. He placed the Rosary beads given to him by the Religious Sister, in his son’s coffin asking Our Lady to take his son to heaven.

After Sr de Lourdes spoke to him in the hospital she asked Frank whether he would like to see a priest.

He answered in the affirmative, hence my visit to him that morning. Frank gave me a kind welcome. We talked for a long time as I leamt the above story. I found my tears welling up - tears of delight and joy.

Time tells Kimberley facts

From Patrons to Partners and the Separated Children of the Kimberley - A History of the Catholic Church in the Kimberley, WA

By

Margaret Zucker.

2nd Edition, University of Notre Dame Press, Fremantle, W.A.

Available from The Record $27.95 plus postage

■ Review by Fr Cyril Hally SSC

T his story of the people and Church of the frontier Kimberley country in Australia’s north-west is both absorbing and important. The 1996 Bringing Them Home National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families contributed to our sense of a common Australian identity. Nowhere is this truer than in the Catholic community of the Kimberley.

In this second edition of the history of the Catholic Church in the Kimberley, a new chapter records the reactions to the Inquiry. The Diocese of Broome, the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers and the Sisters of St John of God all offered public apologies to the Aboriginal people.

The Diocese embarked on the public beginning of a journey towards reconciliation by

conducting a forum in a twoday Kimberley-wide gathering of Church personnel and people affected by the separation policies.

On the first day people told their stories. On the second day important initiatives were decided upon: a proactive Social Justice Group to monitor the directions taken by the Diocese; professional organisation of the Diocesan archives; Centacare to provide counselling; a National Evangelisation Team to provide pastoral services to youth; recording of people’s stories; and addressing issues of legal rights to land, compensation and restitution.

This new chapter also retells the story of the interaction of the Western Australian Government authorities and the Kimberley Missionaries, who were partly opposed, partly co-operative, from the time of the infamous 1905 Aborigines Act which ratified removal of children from their families.

Margaret Zucker interviewed many Aboriginal people who had been removed from their mothers as young children. Men and women recall that the sisters were like mothers to them; indeed many regularly send Mother’s Day cards to the nuns who looked after them.

But another said, “As an Aboriginal I fit in, but Broome is our home, but not our country, that’s the pain.”

While From Patrons to Partners is an example of first class historical writing it is also, due to the skill of

the author, the human story of the indigenous people of the Kimberley Mission and the Missionaries themselves travelling a long, rocky and treacherous road from the foundation of the Mission at Beagle Bay in 1891 to Bishop Saunders acknowledgment of the injury and lasting damage to the children separated from their parents, damage that has, to a greater or lesser extent, continued through the generations.

Mark Bin Bakar, Chairman of the Kimberley Stolen Generation Corporation, wrote: It is important for this history to be told and preserved as part of the reconciliation and healing process between the Aboriginal people and the Catholic Church in the Kimberley. It will be a valuable educational tool for the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, in the Kimberley and elsewhere, for understanding the background for many of the problems experienced at the present time by the Indigenous people in the area.

A final additional chapter consists of an address by Bishop Christopher Saunders, Bishop of Broome, to the Australasian Catholic Press Association Conference, in August 2004.

Not included in the address is the account of an interesting connection between the Kimberley and Mum Shirl and Fr Ted Kennedy of Redfern. Bishop Saunders originally joined the Columbans. Part of our formation at Turramurra involved pastoral work. Chris

My delight increased as Frank told me he played Australian Football for the South Fremantle Football Club, a club that had received my family’s loyalty for many generations. When contacted the club verified Frank’s involvement and sent him a get well card.

At the end of our chat I asked Frank whether he would like to receive the Sacraments. He answered with a joyful, ‘Yes!’. It was my privilege to administer the Sacraments to him.

Afterwards, Frank produced from the top pocket of his pyjama a somewhat dirty and dilapidated green scapular, the one given to him by the Mercy Sister in Adelaide 30 years earlier with the promise that Our Lady would look after him. What a reward for his fidelity to the Scapular, which was given to a Daughter of Charity in 1840 - the Scapular carried the inscription, ‘Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death’.

Six weeks later Frank died. I was privileged to be asked to preside at his cremation. During the previous six weeks Sr Eileen and Fr Dan Foley from the Lockridge parish who were both at his final farewell had cared for Frank. Prominent on the coffin was his numbered cap from the South Fremantle Club! The club was represented at the funeral. Later at the family unit I noticed the 1958 S.F.F.C. team photo where Frank stood proudly beside John Todd and other football greats. In the front row sat my own father, a vice-president of the Club at the time. In a touching eulogy, at the Crematorium, Frank’s youngest daughter, Clancy, spoke of the closeness of the family, especially when ‘they got their real father back twenty five years ago, the time of his last alcoholic drink!’.

- Fr Hughes is the new Rector of St Charles Seminary

rest is history. Significantly, he is Chairman of the Episcopal Committee for Aboriginal and Torres

chose Redfern. He discovered there is mission in Australia also. The

Strait Islander Peoples and of the Australian Catholic Social

Justice Council. The last chapter is his story over the last thirty years.

Fr Cyril Hally SSC is a noted Australian missiologist, who has taught for many years at the Columban Mission Institute in Turramurra, in Sydney, and is now based at the Australian Catholic University, Strathfield NSW Campus.

Book Review

The World

Forget the presents, give joy: Benedict

Real Christmas gift is bringing joy to others, not gifts, Pope says

■ By Carol Glatz

The real gift of Christmas is to bring joy to others, not expensive presents that waste both time and money, Pope Benedict XVI said on December 18 at Santa Maria Consolatrice Parish in Rome.

Joy can be spread in any number of simple ways: “a smile, an act of kindness, a helping hand, forgiveness,” he said. By bringing joy to others, joy will soon come back to those who gave it, he added.

“Joy is the real gift of Christmas, not expensive things that cost time and money,” the Pope said during his first visit as Pope to a Rome parish.

Santa Maria Consolatrice Parish is located in a working-class neighbourhood on the eastern outskirts of Rome. The 60year-old church had been the Pope’s titular church from 1977, when he was named a cardinal, until 1993.

Then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger frequently visited the parish to celebrate Mass and preside over confirmations. In his December 18 homily, the Pope thanked the nearly 1,000 parishioners for attending the Mass on the last Sunday in Advent and said his visit to the parish was “like coming home.”

He said the “friendships and affection” that have been formed over the years with parishioners and clergy at the Rome church “warmed my heart and still warm it today.”

The Pope dedicated his homily to three key words or elements in St Luke’s account of the Annunciation, in which the angel Gabriel tells Mary that God has chosen her to bear the Son of God.

The first word is rejoice, he said of the word Gabriel uses to greet Mary. “The first word of the New Testament, therefore, is an invitation to be joyful.”

The good news of the Gospel brings joy because it shows “God is not far away from us, unknown, inscrutable, perhaps dangerous,” he said. Instead, “God is close to us, so close that he made himself a child.”

In a world “dominated by fear, uncer-

tainties” and where God is absent, the words, “be joyful because God is with you” open up a whole new world of hope, the Pope said.

The second element the Pope highlighted from the Annunciation is the angel telling Mary, “Do not be afraid.”

While it might seem that Mary would be carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, the angel assured her, “Yes, you will be carrying God, but God will be carrying you,” the Pope said.

He said Mary, too, is telling the faithful to not be afraid in this world “full of fear: fear of misery and poverty, fear of disease

and suffering, fear of loneliness and of death.”

The last element the Pope highlighted was Mary’s acceptance of God’s will even though his plan for her seemed “too huge for a human being” to fulfil.

The Pope said Mary tells the faithful today to be courageous, to say yes to God even if “at times it seems so difficult” to do and it may be more tempting to follow one’s own desires.

But God desires the best for his children even if what he asks of them may feel “like an almost unbearable burden, a yoke that is impossible to carry.”

In reality, God’s will is not a burden, he said.

“It gives us the wings to be able to fly high” and to open one’s life to God and his guidance, he said.

After celebrating Mass, the Pope was driven back to the Vatican where he recited the noonday Angelus from his apartment window overlooking St Peter’s Square.

Before reciting the Marian prayer, the Pope called on the faithful to devote time to silence to better hear what God is saying.

St Joseph embodied a silence that reflected his deep “contemplation of the mystery of God” so that he would always be ready to carry out God’s divine will, the Pope said.

He added that St Joseph’s silence does not “demonstrate inner emptiness, but to the contrary, the fullness of faith that he carries in his heart and that guides his every thought and act.”

Such silent, reverent reflection is “much needed in a world that is often too noisy, that doesn’t foster meditation and listening to the voice of God,” he said.

‘I’m living proof adult stemcells work’ Lamps aim high worldwide

Moral use of stem cells helps

New York woman halt her cancer

■ By Kate Blain

Opponents of embryonic stemcell research often point out that using adult stem cells to treat disease is morally acceptable and has shown results. Pat Picher of Saratoga Springs believes she’s living proof of that.

Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1999, she was treated with adult stem cells harvested from her own body. In January, she will celebrate three years of remission from her cancer - the benchmark after which doctors predict that cancer will not return.

“Then I’ll start planning my trip to Hawaii,” Picher said in an interview with The Evangelist, Albany diocesan newspaper.

A homemaker whose husband, Deacon Gary Picher, serves at two parishes and two hospitals in the Albany Diocese, Picher was shocked to learn in the fall of 1999 that she had cancer. Initially, she underwent standard chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic systemwhich produces white blood cells. The primary function of white

blood cells is to fight infection. She was told that if the cancer did not recur in three years it probably would not come back. Two years and nine months later, it did. This time, Picher was given a much harsher form of chemotherapyand was surprised when told that she would be a good candidate for stem-cell therapy.

Picher likened using adult stem cells to “a bone marrow transplant, but there’s no donor.” Instead, she said, she had a special catheter put into her neck, then received a series of shots that caused her stem cells to be released from her bone marrow and circulate in her bloodstream.

Next, she was hooked up to a machine that performed a task similar to kidney dialysis: It filtered 10 million stem cells from her blood.

Half the cells were frozen for possible future use, while the other 5 million were kept for the next phase of Picher’s treatment. She received high-dose chemotherapy to bring her white blood cell count down to zero; then her own stem cells were returned to her body intravenously. “And that was it,” she said. “Then you wait for the stem cells to ‘take,’ and your white blood cell count to go back up.”

Many cancer patients struggle with the side effects of chemotherapy - nausea, vomiting, hair loss

and more - but Picher experienced no side effects except exhaustion.

Picher believes that if the use of embryonic stem cells had been proposed, she would have looked at other treatment options instead.

“I believe it is morally wrong,” she said of using living human embryos to retrieve stem cells. “From what I’ve been reading, there really is no solid proof that (embryonic stem-cell use) does much of anything. There’s much more progress with adult stem cells.

“The media feel, for some reason, that they should glorify the embryonic thing, and there’s no medical basis to do so,” she added. Since umbilical cord blood is also rich in stem cells and retrieving the cells from newborns does not involve taking human life, Picher would like to see more scientific interest in using cord blood.

Two years after her adult stemcell therapy, Picher was focusing on quilting, encouraging cancer patients who call her for advice and waiting for her three-year remission anniversary to arrive.

“Some days, I feel like I’m living on needles and pins, because this was the point (last time) where the cancer came back,” she said. “But I never lost faith. What’s going to happen is going to happen, and you can’t do anything about it except pray.”

Peace lamps unite churches, focus prayers for peace on Holy Land

Small, delicate peace lamps are being placed in churches around the world as the focus of a campaign for peace in the Holy Land.

Formed as a classic oil lamp or in the shape of a dove, they are made of ceramic in a small West Bank factory.

The peace project, conceived and planned by Father Raed Abusahlia of Redeemer Catholic Church in Taybeh, is aimed at uniting all Christians around the world in prayer for the peace of the Holy Land by placing a peace lamp in churches around the world.

Also involved in organising it was the Growing Peace Together Association in Florence, Italy, with the blessing of both Cardinal Ennio Antonelli of Florence and Latinrite Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem.

Originally, Father Abusahlia hoped to place one peace lamp in every church in Europe. The lamps would help focus prayers for peace in the Holy Land every time they were lit.

But as news of the peace project spread, other countries joined the initiative. Now, the pastor of the church in the small, Christian village hopes to put a lamp in each country and in every church

throughout the world, uniting the prayers of all people.

According to organisers, the lighting and presence of the lamp in the churches represents a powerful tool for educating parishioners about the conditions of the Christian communities in the Holy Land and the need to end the long conflict.

With the production of the lamps, the initiative also boosts employment among Holy Land Christians impoverished as a result of years of conflict and a lack of work. Produced in workshops in the Olive Branch Foundation in Taybeh, the ecumenical project employs more than 20 young men and women, Latin and Eastern Catholics and Greek Orthodox.

The hand-crafted and handpainted ceramic dove lamps come with 2.6 gallons of olive oil. The oil lamp is made by the Taybeh Church Group Cooperative and the olive oil is produced by cooperatives of the Palestine Fair Trade Association. In Father Abusahlia’s church in Taybeh, an oil lamp in the shape of a bluebird burns on the altar. It was given to the church by its sister parish in Florence.

The lamp, said the priest, will remain lit until there is peace in the Holy Land. In celebration of that day, the lamp will then be moved to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to those attending his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square.

The World

Vatican tree ‘all about good news’ No inquiry for now

Vatican’s Christmas tree reminds people Christ has come, Pope says

■ By Cindy Wooden

The shining lights of the Vatican’s towering Christmas tree should remind people that Christ, the light of the world, has come, Pope Benedict XVI told church and civic leaders from Austria.

The region of Upper Austria donated the 98-foot tree, which was lit during a December 17 ceremony in St Peter’s Square.

The Pope held an audience with the Austrian delegation in the morning, while US Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka, president of the office governing Vatican City State, presided over the evening tree lighting.

Pope Benedict told the Austrians, “At Christmas, in every part of the globe, the good news of the birth of the Redeemer echoes again: The awaited Messiah became man and came among us.

“With his shining presence, Jesus has shattered the darkness of error and sin and has brought humanity the joy of his blazing divine light; the Christmas tree is a sign and reminder of this,” he said.

During the audience, the Pope was given a lantern by 11-year-old Jurgen Lengauer. The Austrian boy lit the lantern on December 12 in Bethlehem and was to spend the next several weeks giving candles lit from it to Christian leaders all over

Europe. The Austrian broadcaster ORF, which sponsors the candlelighting program to promote ecumenical prayers for peace, chose Lengauer after he saved his 2-yearold brother from drowning in a swimming pool last summer.

Speaking at the evening ceremony, which featured traditional Austrian Christmas carols, Cardinal Szoka said the Austrian people donated the tree as an expression of their love for Pope Benedict and the universal Church.

“The strength of the people of the mountains is reflected in this tree,” he said. “From its birth until today, this tree has withstood strong winds and stormy blizzards, reaching a majestic and beautiful height.” CNS

Czech law challenge no bluff, say bishops

The Czech Republic bishops’ conference said it could seek international arbitration against a new religious law imposing “communist-style restrictions” on church activities.

“We can’t understand why the state wishes to tie the church down with these crazy, unnecessary rules,” said Martin Horalek, spokesman for the Czech bishops’ conference. “After the Velvet Revolution, it was generally believed the Church should have maximum freedom.

the world in brief

Major archbishopric

Since then, every effort has been made to reimpose communist-style restrictions by involving the state in church affairs.”

Czech President Vaclav Klaus on December 6 signed the law that gives government officials the right to veto the opening of places of worship and requires church charities to obtain ministry approval.

In a December 15 telephone interview with Catholic News Service, Horalek said the president failed to understand church objec-

Recognising the rebirth and vitality of the once-persecuted Romanian Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI has elevated its status to that of a major archbishopric.

Raising the Eastern-rite church’s status and granting it greater autonomy, the Pope also promoted Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras and Alba Julia to the rank of major archbishop.

The papal decision, announced on December 16 at the Vatican, makes the Romanian Catholic Church the fourth major archbishopric in the Catholic Church. The Ukrainian Catholic Church gained the status in 1963; India’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was granted the status in 1992; and

tions to the new law. “We must try every possibility here in the Czech Republic - but since our highest court has already ruled the law unconstitutional, we’re already considering an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights,” Horalek said.

“What danger can there be to the state if the Catholic Church sets up a charitable body somewhere, this isn’t a good signal for churches,” he said.

The Catholic Church has feuded

the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, also based in India, was made a major archbishopric in February. A major archbishop has authority similar to that of the Eastern Catholic patriarchs and the key decisions of their churches, including the election of bishops in their home territories, is made by their synods of bishops.

Drink driving immoral

Driving inattentively, after drinking or when one is tired is a sin that should be confessed, said the Jesuit director of an influential magazine. Poor driving “places at great risk one’s own life and the lives of others, certainly much more than seeing a provocative film, something people confess much more easily because they feel more at fault,” wrote

repeatedly with governments in the Czech Republic - the only East European country without treatylevel protection of church rightsover demands for the restitution of communist-seized church properties and clarification of the Church’s financial status.

In November 2002, the Constitutional Court accepted a church-backed petition that the new law, first passed in 2001, had violated religious freedom and European Union norms.

Father GianPaolo Salvini in mid-December. The priest is director of La Civilta Cattolica, a magazine reviewed by the Vatican Secretariat of State prior to publication. Father Salvini noted that in late November, Pope Benedict XVI publicly asked people to drive more carefully in order to save lives. While much of his article looked at statistics about driving habits and accidents in Italy, the Jesuit also looked at the moral, psychological and social issues involved in more and more people driving cars, mopeds and motorcycles.

International obligation

Catholics need to reach out to international university students and help them keep their lives guided by faith, Pope Benedict XVI said. The number of international students

Measure supporting traditional marriage defeated in New Zealand

A marriage amendment bill stipulating that marriages may occur “only between one man and one woman” was defeated in a 73-47 vote in New Zealand’s Parliament.

The Marriage Gender Clarification Amendment was presented by Gordon Copeland of the United Future Party. It was defeated at its first reading in early December.

Chris Finlayson, a Catholic member of the National Party, said he supported marriage as a union between one man and one woman but called the proposed legislation ill-conceived. During a speech, he said there is “nothing to clarify because the law is clear.”

Finlayson said an appeals court ruling denying a same-sex marriage in New Zealand in the 1990s demonstrated that samesex marriages are not permitted under the country’s Marriage Act. He also noted that 2004 civil union legislation “further clarified the position.”

Copeland disagreed and said the defeat of his bill on December 7 leaves the door open to future legal challenges, citing court rulings in Canada, the United States and South Africa that have extended marriages to include same-sex couples.

“That was exactly the risk which I had asked Parliament not to take since I believe that, when it comes to maintaining traditional marriage, Parliament should be risk-averse and make the law clear,” he said.

Copeland also noted that the failure to pass the marriage amendment shows New Zealand citizens that the majority of its members of Parliament were “not prepared to state clearly and unequivocally that marriage in New Zealand is reserved solely to one man and one woman.” The Maxim Institute, a New Zealand think tank, expressed disappointment at the bill’s failure to get past its first reading.

on college campuses is on the rise every year and often they face a number of problems, said the Pope. By being so far from home, they may be “at risk of having an identity crisis,” or experiencing “a loss of spiritual and moral values,” he said. The Catholic Church must continue offering pastoral care aimed at “addressing the needs of our brothers and sisters” who choose to study abroad, he said in a December 15 address to university students and campus ministers.

The Pope said it was also important for Catholics to deepen their own faith and to “rediscover the beauty of having Christ as one’s teacher of life” and “renew one’s own profession of faith.”

The Pope met with thousands of people, mostly young students, at St Peter’s Basilica after they celebrated their annual Mass in preparation for Christmas.

The Vatican Christmas tree is lit at the end of a candlelighting ceremony in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on December 17. Photo: CNS

I congratulate the City on decorations

■ Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton

As a boy, one of the “must dos” at Christmas was a visit to the city centre to see the Christmas lights and other decorations. As a family we never tired of this sort of annual pilgrimage, that is, until my sister and I reached our teenage years!

When I was given my first appointment as a newly ordained priest to St Mary’s Cathedral, I found myself in the midst of the city’s rush

of Christmas preparation. Once again I would go down Murray Street to see the street decorations.

I must say that this year’s set of decorations are exquisite and a great improvement over the previous decorations. The City of Perth needs to be congratulated on the

thoughtful work that has been achieved and which has resulted in very clear Christian themes being presented. This has been due to the personal conviction of the City Councillors and, I believe, a new realisation within our community that not all faiths are the same, and we would benefit enormously if each faith were able to celebrate its great feasts as we do Christmas and Easter. How much more enriched will our Society be when each faith is shown such respect. My pilgrimage to Cologne, home of the relics

of the Three Wise Men, has helped me focus on the fact that the Three Kings journeyed to Bethlehem from other lands and other traditions in search of the truth. It would be at the stable that their journey would end. There in the midst of filth and smell their quest was satisfied and they approached a babe, and falling on their knees worshipped Him.

For me, this is the most striking event of Christmas this year. Those wise men, because of their journey and deep respect, were able to discover the Christian faith which

would set them free to begin a new life. They had their first meeting with God who did not hesitate to assume humanity or to enter our world in such appalling circumstances.

I earnestly pray that all the readers of The Record and all our families will be caught up in the wonder of Christmas, as our faith reveals.

May our hearts be open to receive the Good Tidings: God’s love and mercy for you will bring you freedom from fear and new life, and you will love God with gratitude.

A chance to focus again - and stay focused - on what is important

■ Bishop Christopher Saunders - Broome

Mention to almost anyone that Christmas is just around the corner and they’ll gasp with astonishment and tell you how it’s sneaked up on them yet again.

The first Christmas certainly took Mary and Joseph by surprise. They had much to do too…. There was the challenge of a long journey to Bethlehem to fulfil the requirements of the law. They had a child due any day and they had nowhere to stay. With the gratitude of those who have next to nothing to their name they accepted joyfully the stable with its accompanying menagerie, earthen floors and ordinary farm

yard smells. No king was ever born into such impoverished surroundings. There was little to recommend this accommodation with its zero star rating but it was a roof over their heads and a windbreak from the winter chill. Keeping up appearances was certainly not a concern for the Son of Man as his family generated all the warmth and comfort you could ask for in an otherwise appalling situation. The Holy Family knew great joy in simplicity and solidarity. Indeed,

the Star of Bethlehem was the only one that rated in their lives.

I suggest that now would be the right time to set our priorities for the celebration of Christmas this year. I offer the following:

1. Be determined to put Christ back into Christmas. Focus on the feast as a faith/belief event: a holy time, not just a public holiday.

2. Establish a renewed pattern of praying leading into Christmas. Share more family prayers, remember to say Grace before and after meals, go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation,

read and pray through a passage of Holy Scripture every day, attend daily Mass whenever you can during Advent.

3. Get the Family together and discuss how you can make Christmas a simple affair for everyone. Reduce gift giving to one present only per person –keep it simple and inexpensive. Donate an amount to charity to help others.

4. Make Christmas Dinner special by inviting someone you know who otherwise will be alone or send around a meal to somebody who needs it. But keep it simple and inexpensive.

5. If you send Christmas Cards then make sure that they are to do with an appropriate religious theme, for example the Birth of Jesus, the Visit of the Magi etc. Christmas should not be trivialised by cheap commercial motifs. Christmas means the Christ-Mass.

6. Go to Church together as a family this Christmas. Remember to give thanks to almighty God for sending Jesus into the world so that we can know that we are loved.

I pray that the peace of Christmas and God’s choicest blessings will be with you and your family always.

Couple found life and real joy in God’s plan for life and love

Continued from page 6

However, Trent wasn’t ready to do anything about his vasectomy.

“He told me, ‘What’s done is done,” Cheryl recalls. “I was struggling with the fact that I had a failing marriage and my husband had had a vasectomy. I clung onto that little ray of hope. That was God.”

Cheryl also began living her faith more. She invested more time in prayer, began attending Mass during the week, spent an hour a week at Eucharistic adoration, often with her twin boys, and started praying the rosary daily.

She also began her first 54day rosary novena to the Blessed Mother.

“I wanted a 360-degree turnaround for Trent,” she says. “I wanted him to have a change of heart regarding the vasectomy.”

Near the end of the novena, something remarkable happened.

“One night, while we were lying in bed, Trent said he really regretted the vasectomy and wished it had never happened,” Cheryl recalls.

Cheryl began a second 54-day novena, praying that Trent would desire a reversal.

At about that time, some friends from their church invited them over to help build a doghouse and kennel. While there, the husband, Rob, broached the subject of vasectomies with Trent and shared his own story of his vasectomy reversal.

“We didn’t know about their experience,” Cheryl says. “They knew we were having marital problems, and I think that Rob suspected that Trent had had a vasectomy.”

Rob handed them some pam-

phlets from the One More Soul organisation (OneMoreSoul.com) on natural family planning, the health issues surrounding vasectomy surgery, and vasectomy reversal.

“We were both astonished at the negative health consequences of a vasectomy,” Cheryl says.

Not long after, Trent joined his own Familia study group and made the decision to have a reversal.

“A lot of things came together,” Trent says. “I felt that getting the reversal might help our marriage, and I never wanted to face God knowing that I didn’t do everything possible to correct this horrible choice.”

During a third 54-day novena, the couple unexpectedly received the money to undergo the reversal. On August 29, 2000, they flew to Dr Cary Leverett’s office in New Braunfels, Texas, for the procedure.

“Right before surgery,” Cheryl said, “the staff gathered around

Trent and prayed that God would guide the doctor’s hands and create new life again.”

Every night at dinner prayers, 6 year-olds Tyler and Grant would pray for a baby brother or sister.

Within three months, the Carlsons conceived.

The twins’ baby brother, Jordan

Aloysius, was born on August 2, 2001. “Every week, they tell me how glad they are to have a little brother,” says Cheryl. “I find myself looking at Jordan and am amazed at the second chance of life we got,” Trent says. “I can’t imagine life without him.”

Trent and Cheryl’s marriage is

back on track again, and both credit their intensive study of the Church’s teachings.

“It opened my eyes,” says Trent. “It has definitely increased my faith.” Cheryl smiles and says, “There’s nothing more attractive to a woman than a godly man.”

- Tim Drake writes from St Cloud, Minnesota.

Bishop Sproxton

Bishop Saunders

The three that shouldn’t have been: Dad with twins, Tyler and Grant, and Jordan.

Cheryl and Trent Carlson

Like the Magi, we too came to adore Him

■ Bishop Justin Bianchini - Geraldton

Christmas , 2005, is quite unique and new.

One of the reasons is because what is happening for us at this time of our lives highlights some particular aspect of the deep mystery of the Incarnation.

Recently, one of our women became a grandmother. Both the expectation as well as the arrival of her granddaughter made her very excited and joyful. “Christmas, will mean so much more to me this year”, she said.

This year, like seven hundred of the Bishops from around the world, I joined seven thousand priests and one million young people on the World Youth Day Pilgrimage to Cologne, with Pope Benedict.

We were all united in our common love for Jesus and in our desire to find him and know him more deeply. The theme of World Youth Day 2005 was ‘We have come to worship Him’ Mt 2:2.

The theme was a very fitting one because in Cologne cathedral there is a huge rich golden container which is said to house the relics of the three magi. Be that as it may, their memory is very concrete and as we know, they searched for the Messiah and journeyed to Bethlehem to “worship Him”.

While we do this each Christmas, “worshipping Jesus” has been highlighted for me this year through WYD. In fact it highlighted for me the priority in life of the worship of God.

Our eight young people and myself from the Geraldton Diocese, joined the Salvatorian group on pilgrimage for the three weeks. We had ample opportunity for worship. We worshipped Jesus in our daily Eucharist and with him worshipped God our Father.

This happened in such places as the Crypt of St Peter’s, Assisi, Padua,

St Marks in Venice, St Stephen’s in Vienna, the Church of the Infant of Prague, as well as shrines in Poland.

Our very journey or “pilgrimage” was in itself an act of worship of Jesus.

During our week in Cologne we worshipped Him – in the stadiums, parish churches, and with Pope Benedict at the huge Marienfeld.

A popular hymn of our group was “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above”.

I was getting the feeling that “this

worship” seemed to be over the top. However in various ways, I was helped to see things differently.

For example, Archbishop Vincent Nicholls from Birmingham Diocese in the UK put it very clearly in his talk or catechesis to us, “Worship and praise of God while the priority of our lives is not sufficient unless it flows over to practical love for others”.

Yes, worship of Jesus and our God is central, crucial and the priority of our lives. God is all – Creator and Provider of all – all powerful,

all loving, all faithful etc. we are dependent on God for all we are and all we have. Yes, God deserves our worship.

Jesus our God among us, even as a fragile infant, deserves our worship. As we kneel before Him like the Magi, we are even in more awe and wonder of how our God could do this for us in our world.

As we knelt before Him in Cologne, with the other million from two hundred countries we realised something else that was very important, namely, that we are

all brothers and sisters. Even more, those who could not be there, i.e. the poor, needy, suffering, downtrodden are our brothers and sisters. I know that the liturgies, prayers and hymns, especially “O Come All Ye Faithful”, will have new meaning for me this Christmas. I will also be more aware that adoring God, and the way I treat others, go hand in hand. As we wish each other “Happy Christmas” this year, may it be a prayer that our worship of Jesus deepen and bear even more fruit in the way we live.

In the trials of life we can offer Jesus as the way to freedom

■ Bishop Gerard Holohan - Bunbury

St Thomas Aquinas once wrote:

‘The only-begotten Son of God… assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.’

This statement, so central to our faith, is quoted by the Catechism of the Catholic Church when explaining why Jesus Christ came among us [Catechism 460]. St Thomas is expressing the teachings of the New Testament. In the Gospel of Christmas morning, for example, we hear [John 1:12]:

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.

The Letter of James tells us that Jesus gave us a new birth, and that we are ‘first fruits’ of his new creation [James 1:18]. In Peter we read

that, by God’s power, we ‘share the divine nature’ [2 Peter 1:4].

The decline in religious practice We are all aware of the current decline in religious practice. The Church now realises that one contributing factor has been that all too often people have learned the moral obligation dimension of the Gospel without sufficient emphasis being given first to the empowerment dimension.

This is contrary to how Jesus went about teaching his Gospel. It is one reason why the Catechism now is so insistent that moral catechesis be a ‘catechesis for the “newness of life” in him’ [Catechism 1697].

How many have given up religious practice because of one or more moral demands of Catholic faith. We think of the many areas of life

where so many today find living as Christ taught too difficult. Without sufficient faith in the empowerment foundation of Christ’s teachings, the moral demands can seem impossible dreams.

Jesus himself criticised the Pharisees for focussing solely upon moral obligations [Matthew 23:4]: They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them?

Not they!

We lay ourselves open to the same charge today if we present moral laws outside the context the Catechism outlines.

Our loved ones in moral difficulties

If our loved ones have given up their religious practice because of moral demands of the Christian message, we need to ask ourselves: ‘Do they appreciate that the Christchild came to help them live the message of his Gospel’ ‘Have they found some moral teaching too difficult to live because they are trying to live it without Christ?’

If the answer to either of these

questions is ‘yes’, there are two things we can do when opportunities arise.

First, we could try to correct the imbalance in their understanding of the Christian moral life. We could help them to see that Christ seeks to empower baptised followers to live his moral teachings. Baptised people share ‘in God’s own nature’. They are members of the Body of Christ. Christ seeks to make us ‘capable’ of living every aspect of his Gospel as we worship through the sacraments, and particularly as we pray [Catechism 1691-1692].

Second, we could remind them that anyone finding a moral teaching a ‘heavy burden on their shoulders’ can turn to Christ personally. He invites us to do this, using the word ‘yoke’, an Old Testament word for God’s law depicted as the source of true freedom [Matthew 11:30].

Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me… and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy…

This saying explains another way Christ offers his peace, promised that first Christmas. It is with this understanding of Christian morality that St John could write [1 John 5:3]:

… his commandments are not burdensome

A message of hope

Let us all reflect this Christmas on whether we are sufficiently open to the empowerment Christ came to give us. Where are the personal faults, failings and weaknesses that reveal our need to keep striving to open ourselves more to his divine power?

It is as we experience Christ’s empowerment in our personal lives that we can help others who have given up their religious practice to grow in appreciation for it.

May each of us become ever more aware that Christ came to ‘make us gods’. Or, to put it another way, may each of us continue to grow in the peace promised by the angels that first Christmas, so long ago.

Bishop Bianchini

Bishop Holohan

They have travelled far: The reliquary of the Three Kings in the Cathedral of Cologne, Germany, where more than 1 million youth gathered in August this year for the World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI.

Photo: Jamie O’Brien

Movie Review

Passion strikes chord with Narnia tale

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

■ By David DiCerto

It’s taken more than 50 years for a live-action version of Christian author CS Lewis’ beloved children’s fantasy, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, to finally make it to the big screen. And after viewing Disney’s captivating $150 million adaptation, it’s safe to say it was well worth the wait.

First published in 1950, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - the first in a seven-volume series known as The Chronicles of Narnia - has had several previous renderings, including a stage production, two British television series and an Emmy Award-winning animated feature that aired on American TV in 1979.

Produced in partnership with faith-friendly Walden Media, the movie not only stays reverently true to the story and spiritual subtext of Lewis’ tale, but is a cinematic work of extraordinary beauty that, much like the title’s enchanted armoire, transports viewers to a wondrous world of adventure, heroism and religious symbolism.

It also proves what Lewis believed about literature - that anything worth reading when you are 5 is worth reading when you are 50 - is equally valid for film, though Lewis himself had strong reservations about translating his Narnia books into live-action movies.

Set in World War II-era England, the story centres on four young siblings: Peter (William Moseley), the eldest of the Pevensie brood; sensible sister Susan (Anna Popplewell); duplicitous Edmund (Skandar Keynes); and plucky little Lucy (apple-cheeked newcomer Georgie Henley). Evacuated from blitzkrieg-bombarded London, the children are left in the safekeeping of an elderly and eccentric professor (Jim Broadbent) who lives in a large house in the country.

While playing hide and seek, Lucy happens upon an old wardrobe through which she stumbles magically into Narnia - a fairy-tale realm populated by talking animals and mythical creatures - and she later returns along with her brothers and sister.

Their appearance foretold by an ancient Narnian prophecy, the children set out to rescue an imprisoned faun (James McAvoy) arrested for fraternizing with Lucy.

Their quest eventually leads them to fight alongside Narnia’s regal lion king, Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), against the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swinton), who holds the land under an icy spell of eternal deep freeze (“always winter, never Christmas”).

From the moment Lucy first sets eyes on the snow-blanketed Narnian glade - with its iconic, out-of-place lamppost - fans of the book will know that they are in sure hands with director Andrew Adamson, who never allows spectacle to overshadow the story’s emotional core.

He also captures both the childlike wonder and indefinable, melancholic nostalgia for a world beyond our own that underscores all seven books.

Though a few of the processed shots are obvious, overall the special effects are impressive,

including a majestic - and amazingly realistic - computer-rendered Aslan.

Comparisons will inevitably be made to Peter Jackson’s superior The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Both productions involved added pressure of a fan base rabidly protective of the source material. Both films also use fairy-tale and mythic motifs to explore larger themes of good and evil, sin and redemption, and death and resurrection, far more overt here. This is best illustrated by the clearly allegorical Christ-figure of Aslan, “a willing victim ... killed in a traitor’s stead” only to come back to life in glorified form. (Though gentle at times, Aslan is not “tame,” but a wild and dangerous lion of Judah.)

Told with symbolic strokes, the deeply poignant sequence unmistakably traces Christ’s passion from Gethsemane to his dying on Calvary, here a stone table upon which Aslan is ritualistically slain. (Adults may

even feel their tear ducts swelling.)

Those first to witness the “resurrected” Aslan are women, and afterward Aslan “breathes” a new spirit of life into those Narnians turned to stone by the White Witch’s magic, echoing both Pentecost and the harrowing of hell.

While The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe lacks the character development and narrative depth, as well as the grander scale, of The Lord of the Rings (written by Lewis’ close friend, J.R.R. Tolkien), its simple, self-contained story works to its advantage as a film.

Though a few of the processed shots are obvious, overall the special effects are impressive, including a majestic - and amazingly realistic - computer-rendered Aslan.

The climactic battle may be too intense for young children, as may be scenes involving a pack of vicious wolves serving as Jadis’ henchmen. Hardest of all to watch is Aslan’s atoning death, surrounded by hellish legions seemingly conjured from a Hieronymus Bosch painting. His apparent “defeat” is trumpeted by Jadis’ victory cry, “So much for love.” Some parents may feel it inappropriately upsetting for a “family film,” but Lewis himself argued that it was proper not to shield children from knowledge that they are “born into a world of death, violence, wounds, adventure, heroism and cowardice, good and evil.”

The performances are all superb, especially those of the adorable Georgie Henley and Swinton, who

brings an understated iciness to her role, which she plays as a cross between Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen and Xena, warrior princess.

Unlike Lucy at the end, moviegoers won’t be left wondering if they’ll ever find passage back into Narnia; with six more movies planned, the

door is, thankfully, left ajar! The film contains some battlefield violence, intense scenes of child peril and menace, and several frightening sequences. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II - adults and adolescents.

- CNS

Our classifications: the bottom line

The Record’s movie reviews come from the Film Office of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

These reviews, and any other reviews which appear in The Record, do not purport to be the last word on films, videos and DVDs. The ratings focus upon family suitability rather than artistic or entertainment value. Parents (and grandparents and other guardians) must make up their own minds on what is appropriate for their family. The ratings used by The Record are:

A-I: for general patronage

A-II: for adults and adolescents

A-III: for adults

A-IV: adults, with reservations (an A-IV classification denotes problematic films that, while not morally offensive in themselves require caution and some analysis and explanation as a safeguard against wrong interpretations and false conclusions)

L: limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L supplements the A-IV classification

O: morally offensive

Tempted by a white witch: Tilda Swinton and Skandar Keynes star in a scene from the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Photo: CNS

ACCOMODATION WANTED

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Children of all ages. Child care, kindy and Santa visits includes rides and squirting. Discount to readers. Call fire Chief David 0431 869 455.

FURNITURE REMOVAL

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HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

■ DENMARK

Holiday House 3bdr x 2bath, sleeps up to 8. BOOK NOW. Ph: Maria 0412 083 377.

PANORAMA a roundup of events in the archdiocese

SUNG LATIN MASS

Christmas Masses at St John’s Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth; 12 midnight Sung Mass preceded by Rosary and Carols at 11pm, 7.30am Dawn Mass, 9.15am Day Mass, 11.15 Day Mass. Enq: Fr Michael Rowe 9444 9604.

Sunday, December 25

ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK

1  2 PM ON ACCESS 31

Christmas program: Entertainment with a Christian focus / the Scinta Family with Raymond Arroyo [The World Over]. For New Year’s Day we will present Resolutions / with Mother Angelica. EWTN is a perfect antidote to anti-Christian and anti-Family propaganda in circulation! This wonderful Network is to become more readily available in Australia, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Something for every interest and age group. Bring EWTN into your home, and keep your family Catholic! For information contact The Rosary Christian Tutorial Association, PO Box 1270, Booragoon 6954. Enquiries: 9330-1170

Saturday December 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE TO NEW YEAR’S DAY ALL NIGHT VIGIL & MIDNIGHT MASS

In honour of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Celebrant: Fr Dominic Maria FFI. Holy Spirit Church, Keaney Place, City Beach. Commencing 11pm Holy Rosary, Midnight Mass and Prayer of Dedication of the New Millennium to the protection of Mary followed by Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament and prayer till 8am Holy Mass. Tea/coffee provided. Parking in church car park.

Saturday December 31

NOVENA

Novena devotions to Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni will take place at Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett St, Embleton at 5pm followed by Vigil Mass at 6pm. The Most Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 10pm till midnight for adoration and thanksgiving. This will be followed by fellowship at the parish hall. Please bring a plate of finger food. Enq: 9271 5528 or 9272 1379.

Sunday January 1

DIVINE MERCY

An afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Peth on Sunday at 1.30pm. Holy Rosary and Reconciliation. Sermon: With Fr Andre Maria FFI on To Jesus Through Mary followed by Divine Mercy prayers and benediction. Enq: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.

Saturday December 31

SOLEMNITY OF MARY MOTHER OF GOD

Midnight Mass will be celebrated at the shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook on New Year’s Eve, December 31. A Candlelight procession to the Virgin’s Shrine precedes Mass at 11.30 pm. All are most welcome. Light refreshments will be served after Mass. N.B. Pilgrim Mass will not be celebrated at the Shrine on the afternoon of Christmas Day or of New Year’s Day. Enquiries: SACRI: 9447 3292.

Sunday January 1

DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS BENTLEY

The Divine Mercy Devotions normally held on the 1st Sunday of each month at Santa Clara Church, Bentley, will not be held on New Year’s Day, 1st January 2006. These devotions will resume on the first Sunday of each month commencing from February 2006.

Friday January 6

PRO LIFE PROCESSION  MIDLAND

The first Friday Mass, procession and Rosary vigil will commence a 9.30am with Mass celebrated at St Brigid’s Church, Midland. The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate will lead us. All are invited to witness for the sanctity of life and pray for the conversion of hearts. Enq: Helen 9402 0349.

Friday January 6

ALLIANCE AND TRIUMPH OF THE TWO HEARTS

First Friday/First Saturday reparation to the two hearts. Holy Mass at 9pm at St Bernadette’s Church, 49 Jugan St, Glendalough. Followed by an all night Eucharist Adoration with Rosaries, Hymns, etc, and silent Adoration. All are welcome to join us in making reparation to the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Saturday Parish Mass at 7.30am. 9444 6131/9342 5845.

January 6-7

TWO HEARTS DEVOTIONS

77 Allendale Square, St Georges Terrace, Perth. Devotion to the Sacred Heart on the first Friday of the month with Mass at 9pm followed by Rosaries, Hymns, prayers on the hour through the night concluding with Mass on Saturday morning at 7am in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Ph: 9409 4543.

Saturday January 7

DAY WITH MARY

St Pius X Church, cnr Ley & Paterson Sts, Manning from 9am to 5pm. A video on Fatima will be shown at 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. Includes sacrament of Penance, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons, Rosaries, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross. Please BYO. Enquiries - Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

Saturday January 7

WITNESS FOR LIFE PROCESSION

The next first Saturday Mass procession and Rosary vigil will commence with Mass at 8.30am at St Anne’s Church, Hehir St, Belmont. We proceed prayerfully to the Rivervale abortion centre and conclude with Rosary, led by Fr Paul Carey SSC. Please join us to pray peacefully for the conversion of hearts. Enq: 9402 0349.

January 8-15

SUMMER SCHOOL OF EVANGELISATION

In a world that is full of change, young people are called to put their hope in the one reality that never changes - Jesus Christ. Summer School allows a deepening of your personal relationship with Jesus, and being strengthened in your Catholic faith and mission through the power of the Holy Spirit. Follow the summer school link on our website www.disciplesofjesus.org/ for more details and application form. Or contact Jane Borg 0401 692 690, Julie Osman 0412 217 957.

Sunday January 22

DIVINE MERCY PILGRIMAGE TO BOVE FARM

Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary: 23pm Holy Hour to Jesus and Mary – Reconciliation will be available, 3-4pm Divine Mercy Holy Mass – Main Celebrants, Fr Doug Harris and Fr Paul Fox. 4-5pm Divine Mercy Way of the Cross, concluding with Benediction. 5-6pm Evening meal supplied, if required – barbecue at a cost of $5 each. 6pm Coach leaves Bove Farm. Transport from Perth and Willetton will be arranged. Tea and coffee and soft

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

■ FRANCE 3bdrm, 2bath, apartment with views to Med, sleeps 6, in bustling fishing port between Nimes and Narbonne. $800pw. Email: ruegarenne@yahoo. com.au or tel: 0407 957 259.

■ SHOALWATER

Holiday units, self contained, sleep up to 6, walk to the beach, near Penguin Island, very affordable rates. Bookings Ph: 0414 204 638 or bluewaterholidayu nits@dodo.com.au.

REAL ESTATE

■ LUMEN CHRISTI HOMES

Augusta Life Time Lease. Enquiries Catholic Diocese of Bunbury 9721 0500.

drinks will be available free for all, including BYO people. Enq: John 9457 7771 (SOR), Charles 9342 0653 (NOR).

January 20-22

16TH ANNUAL FLAME CONGRESS

A weekend conference on the healing love of Jesus. Theme: The Compassion of Christ. John 23rd College Auditorium. John 23rd Avenue, Mt. Claremont. Free Public Healing Rallies at 7.30 pm each night. Registered Day Sessions $65 all or $10 each: Saturday Sessions 10 am - 12 pm from 2.30 pm & 4 pm. Sunday Mass 10 am then Sessions 2.30 pm & 4 pm. For information call Flame Ministries International, 9382 3668 or email: congress2006@fl ameministries.org Web: www.flameministries.org

CROSS ROADS COMMUNITY

Cross Roads Community is closed until Tuesday January 10. Term 1 begins Tuesday January 31 2006 for: Family & Friends Support Groups of Substance Abusers are on Wednesdays 7–9pm, Substance Abusers Support Groups are on Tuesdays 5.30 to 7.30pm & Fridays All day Group for Substance Abusers is from 9.30am to 2pm including Healing Mass on Fridays @ 12.30pm during term. Ladies Groups are on Tuesdays 11am to 1.30pm. Rosary is from Tuesday to Thursday at 12.30 to 1pm.

TUESDAYS WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING

7pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish Centre, 450 Hay Street, Perth, WA. Take time to pray and be united with Our Lord and Our Lady in prayer with others. Appreciate more deeply the heritage of the Faith. Overcome the burdens in life with the Rosary, Meditation, Scripture, praise in song, and friendship over refreshments. Come! Join us! Mary’s Companion Wayfarers of Jesus the Way Prayer Group. Experience personal healing in prayer.

BULLSBROOK SHRINE SUNDAY PROGRAM

Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook. 2pm Holy Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Rosary. Reconciliation available in Italian and English. A monthly pilgrimage is held on the last Sunday of the month in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation. Anointing of the sick is administered for spiritual and physical healing during Holy Mass every second Sunday of the month. All enq SACRI 9447 3292.

ST CLARE’S SCHOOL, SISTERS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

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

ALL SAINTS CHAPEL

CONFESSIONS: 10.30 to 11.45am and two lunchtime MASSES: 12.10 and 1.10pm Monday through Friday. Easy to find in the heart of Perth, ALLENDALE SQUARE, 77 St George’s Terrace. Exposition: 8am - 4pm. Morning Prayer: 8am (Liturgical hours). Holy Rosary daily: 12.40pm. Divine Mercy Prayers and Benediction: Mondays and Fridays 1.35pm. St Pio of Pietrelcina Novena to the Sacred Heart and Benediction: Wednesdays 1.35pm. Lending Library of a thousand books, videos, cassettes at your service. Tel: 9325 2009. www.allsaintschapel.com

SCHOENSTATT FAMILY MOVEMENT: MONTHLY DEVOTIONS

An international group focussed on family faith development through dedication to our Blessed Mother. Monthly devotions at the Armadale shrine on the first Sunday at or after the 18th day of the month at 3pm. Next event: January 22. 9 Talus Drive

Classifieds Phone Carole

9227 7080 or A/h: 9227 7778

(Deadline 12pm Tuesdays)

OFFICIAL DIARY

DECEMBER

24 Midnight Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey Vigil Mass, Vietnamese Catholic Centre - Bishop Sproxton

25 Christmas Day Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey

Armadale. Enq Sisters of Mary 9399 2349 or Peter de San Miguel 0407 242 707 www.schoenstatt.org.au

INDONESIAN MASS

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

PERPETUAL ADORATION

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

PERPETUAL ADORATION AT ST BERNADETTE’S

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

THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE

St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth – each first Sunday of the month from 1.30pm to 3.15pm with a different priest each month. All Saints Chapel, Allendale Square, 77 St George’s Tce, Perth - each Monday and Friday at 1.35pm. Main Celebrant Fr James Shelton. St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Windsor Street, East Perth - each Saturday from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, main celebrant Fr Marcellinus Meilak, OFM. Saints John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Drive, Willeton - each Wednesday from 4pm to 5pm. All Enq John 9457 7771.

BLESSED SACRAMENT ADORATION

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

SUNDAY CHINESE MASS

The Perth Chinese Catholic Community invite you to join in at St Brigid’s Church, 211 Aberdeen St (Cnr of Aberdeen and Fitzgerald) Northbridge. Celebrant Rev Fr Dominic Su SDS. Mass starts 4.30pm every Sunday. Enq Augustine 9310 4532, Mr Lee 9310 9197, Peter 9310 1789.

CONFRATERNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Confraternity of the Holy Spirit has been sanctioned in the Perth Archdiocese, our aim is to make the Holy Spirit known and loved, and to develop awareness of His presence in our lives. If you would like more information please call WA Coordinator Frank Pimm on 9304 5190.

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY WALKERS

MPH walkers - walking across Perth Outdoors wearing the White band is a message that we want poverty to be stopped. For info on the walk contact Teresa at tgrundy@westnet.com.au 9458 4084 for info on the worldwide campaign and what is happening this week in Perth look at www.makepovertyhistory.com.au.

Please Note

The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment it considers improper or not in unison with the general display of the paper.

Wishing you Peace and Happiness at Christmas and throughout the coming year

Catholic Development Fund Chairman, Committee Members, Management and Staff in our Perth and Geraldton Offices.

CDF provides loans and investment accounts to parishes, schools, religious orders, aged care and health facilities etc., together with investment opportunities to the laity.

Catholic Development Fund

Perth Office:

21 Victoria Square, Perth, WA, 6000

Telephone: (08) 9223 1333

Geraldton Office:

7 Maitland Street, Geraldton, WA, 6530 Website

Telephone: (08) 9921 3221

www.cdfcatholicwa.com.au