The Record Newspaper 26 December 2007

THE R ECORD

The Parish. The Nation. The World.

This is the year that was

From the spectacle of young men stepping forward to serve the Church as priests for life to the launching of a campaign to defend the status of women and girls in WA, The Record communicated the living reality of the Church on the local, national and international stages in words and pictures. Pages -

THE FEMININE TOUCH

The Vatican has called for women religious to engage in Eucharistic Adoration and to adopt priests as their spiritual sons.

Page 4

COLD AS ALL HELL

A priest from the Diocese of Dunedin in New Zealand has one of the most unusual jobs in the Church - as chaplain at the South Pole.

Page 3

HERE IT COMES

The first of many events planned for Perth in the leadup to WYD will kick off in February - on the beach. And it’s not too late to book for Sydney, either.

Page 2

Friends: Pope Benedict XVI greets a young woman at a gathering with Italian youth at Loreto in September The event astonished organisers

one fifth of that number were expected to attend. This moment was just one of the many outstanding events of 2007 in

Perth WYD 2008 to start on the beaches

Perth’s World Youth Day preparations will kick off in earnest for 2008 on February 23 with a bigger and better Sand Sculpture Competition

Many more parishes are expected to participate in the February competition that, last time around, was won by Whitfords Parish and saw Channel 7 and 6PR Radio personality Adrian Barich as the master of ceremonies.

Looking forward to the February event Perth’s WYD coordinator Anita Parker told The Record that last year’s participating parish teams were actually so competitive they conducted training sessions days before the event - so determined were they to win for their parish.

The challenge has been thrown out to another parish or organisation to cover themselves in glory this coming February.

Anita says the fact that she has recently taken on four full-time employees at the Perth WYD office is a reflection of the Archdiocese’s support and recognition of the importance and magnitude of the task at hand.

“The response from the community has been good so far, but a lot more work needs to be done,” Anita said of the Perth WYD Office’s tasks in the months to come.

Anita was appointed as WYD Coordinator in 2006 on a two-year secondment from being a Religious Education, music and maths teacher at Mazenod College in Lesmurdie. Meanwhile, there’s still time to organise to be at WYD in July.

“Many more people are yet to decide on going to World Youth Day and actually confirm their attendance, but it’s important for them to know that it’s not too late,” she said.

“There are still flights and bus seats available.”

The work Anita and her staff do is vast and varied; it includes: supporting WYD groups in parishes; planning for the arrival of the WYD Cross and Icon in Perth from May 21-26 and June 4-9 ; coordinating the billeting of international pilgrims and organising all thew pre-WYD events in the archdiocese, including the Days in the Dioceses program shortly before the Sydney event.

When it arrives in WA the WYD Cross and Icon will travel to Mazenod College, Lesmurdie, Fremantle, Notre Dame Uni, CBC Fremantle, Lumen Christi College in Gosnells, Chisholm College in Bedford, John XXIII College at Mt Claremont, Ballajura, Neo Catechumenal Communities, Claremont, Woodvale, Whitford, the Mary MacKillop Centre and Rockingham on May 21-26.

From June 4-9 it will go to Kalgoorlie, Southern Cross, Northam, Merredin, Thornlie, Perth, Northbridge, Balcatta, Spearwood, Applecross, the Swan River, Bateman, Prendiville College and Lockridge.

● The Sydney week promises to be a fantastic exchange of culture and a week of spiritual renewal.

For under $400, you can register for the week in Sydney and experience all the World Youth Day 08 has to offer.

So you want to know what is going to happen there?

● Monday July 14 2008 – Registration day. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims will arrive into Sydney, settle into accommodation and pick up their registration back pack and event passes for the week.

● Tuesday – Opening Ceremony. Cardinal Pell will preside over the official opening ceremony followed by a youth concert that runs into the night.

● Wednesday – Friday mornings: Catechesis (Teachings on the theme of WYD08 by the top Cardinals and Bishops from around the world). Local Perth teams are invited to ‘animate’ these session by providing music, serving and reading at the Mass celebrated.

● Wed – Fri evenings: Youth Festival time! Sydney city and greater Sydney area will be abuzz with thousands of performers from around the world. The rappin’ monk from New York city, Social Justice forums, Taize prayer sessions, vocations expo and many more events will be running.

● Thurs – The Arrival of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on the waters of Sydney Harbour followed by a public motorcade through the Sydney CBD.

● Friday evening – A public reenactment of the ‘Stations of the Cross’ throughout the Sydney CBD including the Botanic Gardens, the Opera House and Darling Harbour.

● Saturday – the large scale pilgrimage walk to the Vigil Sleep out at Randwick racecourse. The pilgrims will have 4 walking options, one of which involves Sydney Harbor bridge being closed to traffic for pilgrims to walk across.

● Saturday night – Vigil sleep out on Randwick racecourse with Pope Benedict XVI presiding over the evening ceremony and a youth concert to see pilgrims through the night.

● Sunday morning – Closing Ceremony and Papal Mass. 500,000 people expected for this event.

Holy Spirit, Angela!

After more than 10 years of ministry in schools and parishes across Australia

Shine Creations’ Angela Bendotti has released her debut CD.

■ By Mark Reidy

Fr Wayne Bendotti told over 250 people at the launch of his sister’s CD on November 28, that the night was not about what she does, but more about who she is.

The enthusiastic crowd that gathered at St Pius X Church in Manning for the public debut of Angela Bendotti’s, Holy Spirit Take Our Hand soon realised what Fr Wayne was referring to as they were treated to a number of faith inspired songs from the CD.

Accompanied by students from St Pius X Primary School, Miss Bendotti combined reverence and passion in a performance that demonstrated not only her own relationship with God, but also a desire to inspire others with their spiritual journeys.

Combining her gifts of singing, song writing, performing and skills on the Keyboard, Miss Bendotti thoroughly engaged the crowd and left them wanting more, which led to steady sales at the conclusion of the evening.

The Holy Spirit Take Our Hand Music Book which contains music for the songs, words of the reflections that feature on the CD and tips on how to use the songs and reflections in parishes, classrooms and for personal use, was also launched on the evening.

Long time friend Joanne Parker revealed to the audience that Miss Bendotti’s desire to bring others to a deeper understanding of Catholic Liturgy began during her time as a music teacher during the mid 90s when she began explaining to her students why certain parts of the Mass were sung and why certain songs were played.

This led to a vision for teaching liturgy in schools, which has eventuated in the establishment of SHINE Creations, a ministry she began in 1999. An acronym for, Something Hidden IN Everyone, this ministry now also educates through workshops, formation days and retreats and has culminated in the CD and book.

In an interview with The Record, Miss Bendotti said that she believed that if Catholics truly understood the gift of liturgy and celebrated it with the full, conscious and active participation that is intended, then the Body of Christ, the Church, would be radically changed.

She said that this approach is not about changing liturgy, but rather embracing the vision of the Second Vatican Council as she believes was done in “Sacrosanctum Concilium” (Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy), a document that changed her own life.

Miss Bendotti’s prayer is that her music and reflections can in someway draw others to worship and a greater appreciation of Church Liturgy.

The CD and Book were also launched in Pemberton on November 30 at the Sacred Heart Church, which was a very personal and joyous experience for Miss Bendotti who was born and raised in the town. The evening was highlighted by a spontaneous response from children in the audience to step forward and join her in singing and performing songs from her CD.

In 2008 Miss Bendotti will attend St John’s University in Minnesota, USA, after being accepted on a full tuition scholarship into the highly competitive MA Liturgical Studies program. As to whether she will be producing any more music after that… “God willing”, is her reply. To purchase the Holy Spirit Take Our Hand CD and/or Book, contact Joanne on 0417 988 386 or email Angela at angelabendotti@hotmail. com

CD’s- $25 /Books $20, plus postage. Payments can be made by Cash, cheque or Credit Card (Visa/ MasterCard).

Rosengren cathrec@iinet.net.au

JOURNALISTS Anthony Barich abarich@therecord.com.au

Defendi sdefendi@iinet.net.au

Gray cathrec@iinet.net.au

Reidy reidyrec@iinet.net.au

Here at last: The World Youth Day cross is carried at a rally of some 7,000 people in Sydney in July after it arrived in Australia the same day.

CNS PHOTO/ RUSSELL MCPHEDRAN

Plaudits for some serious talent: Angela Bendotti enjoys sharing her music at the launch of her CD, “Holy Spirit Take Our Hand”. PHOTO: MARK REIDY

Antarctic priest’s job? To fire up hearts at the South Pole!

New Zealand Catholic chaplain embraces Antarctica’s adventures, serving and evangelising where few ever get to go

■ By Kathleen Casey

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand

(CNS) - Not many changes from his last trip to Antarctica, reported a priest from New Zealand: The ice runway is nearer to the base, it’s colder than 10 below zero, but the sky is blue, he added.

“I’m watching a DVD - I was up last night with someone who was not well,” Father John Harrison of the Diocese of Dunedin said in a telephone interview from Antarctica’s McMurdo Station.

The US-run station has Antarctica’s only church, the Chapel of the Snows, and 2007 marked the 50th anniversary of Catholic priests working there alongside Protestant ministers.

The Diocese of Christchurch has supplied chaplains to Antarctica for 40 years. Today, chaplains serving there come from plentiful applicants around New Zealand and are funded by the US National Science Foundation.

They need good health, adaptability, ecumenical experience and an ability to get out among the workers. Most priests say they love the stimulation Antarctica offers.

The chapel is a tribute to faith. McMurdo Station was built by the US Navy and opened in 1957.

At first, there was no plan for a chapel among the Quonset huts being erected. Engineers immedi-

In Brief

Stamp collectors rejoice

Australia Post has joined WYD08 and is issuing a range of products to mark the largest gathering Australia will host.

WYD08 is a week of Catholic and cultural youth events held in Sydney during July 15–20 2008 and Australia Post has released a range of Christmas cards, a souvenir stamp sheet and a postage paid envelope available for purchase on its website and in its retail stores.

“WYD is delighted to have Australia Post on board,” Danny Casey, Chief Operating Officer, World Youth Day 2008, said in a statement.

“Australia Post is designing a great range of products that will encapsulate not only the first visit by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI to Australia but also the atmosphere and enthusiasm of

ately thought this was wrong and reduced the length of each hut by about a yard.

From materials saved they built the first chapel, St. Dismas, named for the criminal described as the good thief crucified alongside Jesus.

That chapel eventually burned down, as did the second, while the third was being built. Fire is a huge hazard in Antarctica, since the coldest place on earth is also very dry.

With the US pouring resources into Antarctica, numerous North American ships visited Lyttelton, New Zealand, in 1957.

Friendships with local sea chaplains led to a request for a priest to assist the Protestant chaplain at McMurdo over Christmas.

Fr Ron O’Gorman of the Christchurch Diocese traveled on an icebreaker and was the first New Zealand priest to celebrate Mass in Antarctica on Christmas DayDecember 25, 1957.

The next year Fr Ted Brosnahan became the first priest to fly the three-plus hours to the smaller U.S. base at the South Pole.

In 1969 Mgr James Harrington was there when the first women went to the South Pole.

It was minus 57 degrees Fahrenheit that day.

Fr Dan Doyle is an 11-season veteran of Antarctica and coordinator of New Zealand’s ice chaplain program.

“When I went there first, people had tragedies, imagined tragedies, and they were feeling the pain of being away from home several months at a time without any easy contact,” he said, recalling the earlier years.

“They got three minutes once a month on a ham radio - talking to

over 500,000 young people in Sydney for this great event.”

Australia Post will continue its support until the event in July 2008. “WYD will be a great moment in Australia’s history,” said Noel Leahy, Philatelic Group Manager of Australia Post.

The Australia Post WYD Christmas cards feature religious images, including the Icon of Our Lady – the painting handed to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul II in 2003.

Currently the Icon is accompanying the World Youth Day Cross on its pilgrimage tour of Australia.

The Christmas cards are available at www.auspost.com.au/philatelic/stamps.

Designs for the philatelic range will be available in early 2008.

the whole world.”

Chaplains had to pass on all bad news, a task since eliminated by email and direct phone calls.

But Father Doyle said the chaplain’s role has not decreased.

“As the communications improved, so the number of people got bigger - at first there (were) 400, now there are 1000-plus. You are dealing with more people, but less intensively. When it was 400 you knew everyone,” he said.

For the past three years the Blessed Sacrament has been reserved all year at both McMurdo Station and the South Pole, where respectively 100 and 30 people spend the winter.

In terms of international law, Antarctica is no man’s land. With no territorial authority, marriage certificates cannot be issued, but new relationships multiply. Women number about one-third of base workers and do all sorts of jobs.

When a couple breaks up, they still need to live and eat in the same place, and chaplains do much relationship counseling. They also drop in on people at work.

“The chaplain’s the only person who can go anywhere at any time,” said Father Doyle.

“Some who are lost and lonely sit on their own at night ... a lot of chaplaincy takes place in the dining room, where people gather.

“It’s a very privileged position. We get an entry into people’s lives.”

Awesome and unforgiving, Antarctica can get into the blood: Lured by the pastoral challenge, Marist Father John Jolliffe is returning for season five.

“The pastoral opportunities and the need are very big when people are away from home in an isolated place, in close quarters with others,” he said.

“If someone dies in their family, they may not be able to get off the ice, and it’s helping them in their grieving. If we weren’t there it would be very difficult -- they wouldn’t want to bring down the morale of those they are so close to.

“People get ‘Dear John’ letters. Stuff they haven’t dealt with, like divorce, comes up when they are away from distractions of life.

“It’s like the soul can be opened up,” he said.

Risks are high in Antarctica, and chaplains train in critical-incident stress management.

Father Jolliffe said he was in a tracked vehicle that began to sink

on the ice. The same day three tourists died when their parachutes failed on a jump.

Fr Doyle said: “People fall down crevasses, get lost outside and freeze to death, and there are aircraft accidents.”

However, adventure beckons. Father Jolliffe has led 11-hour tours for flight crews, volunteered on the deep-sea diving team’s safety line, and run in the annual International Round the World Race.

“You run three-and-a-half kilometres round the South Pole with your survival gear on,” he said.

“It’s 10,000 feet above sea level and very cold - heavy clothing, thin atmosphere.

“So I can say I have represented New Zealand to the extent of completing the course. Not many New Zealanders have done that,” he said.

New Zealand chaplains are valued in Antarctica. Creagh Glacier and Coleman Peak are named after deceased former coordinators, Fathers Gerry Creagh and John Coleman.

“We are trusted by the Americans: We have a name for confidentiality, good common sense and pastoral care,” said Fr Jolliffe.

Australia’s Best Car Dealership

Carsguide customers have voted the John Hughes Group ‘Australia’s best car dealership’.

The Dealer of the Year reader’s choice competition was conducted by Carsguide, Australia’s biggest automotive online vehicle classified brand.

The survey asked car buyers to rate dealers according to their range, service, knowledge and price. Mr Hughes and his group, described by happy customers as a “breath of fresh air”, were clear winners.

Mr Hughes, who employs 485 people in Perth, said he was extremely proud of the win. “Particularly when told we were nominated by our customers. This is an Australian wide recognition of the passion of all of our employees in achieving this outstanding level of customer service.”

Our company philosophy. “We are a friendly and efficient company trading with integrity and determined to give our customers the very best of service.”

Way down south: Fr John Harrison, a priest of the Diocese of Dunedin, New Zealand, stands next to a sign at the South Pole in 2003. Fr Harrison is in his fifth year as a chaplain at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, where 1000 people or more work each year on National Science Foundation projects or in support services for the researchers. PHOTO:

Thousands at Perth-trained priest’s funeral

Priest served East Fremantle, Spearwood parishes

Two thousand people attended the funeral of Perth-trained priest Fr David Thexeira in Singapore on Tuesday December 18.

Before serving as a priest in Singapore Fr Thexeira was stationed at East Fremantle and also for two years at Spearwood.

Fr Thexeira, who studied at the Redemptoris Mater Diocesan Missionary Seminary in Morley, died after suffering a brain aneurism and returned to the Father on December 13. He was 51.

He had been battling for survival for about 10 days after the aneurism struck him early in December, while on his way to holiday with his family.

In this short time so many around the world had been praying for his safe recovery that the family had organised an Internet blog page with official news about his health and the progress of his illness.

Born in Singapore on November 6, 1956, he joined the NeoCatechumenal communities in his parish at the age of 23.

Fr David Thexeira

After some years in a Neo-Catechumenal community he began to discern God’s call to the priesthood, and entered the seminary in 1992. Prior to that he had been a successful Singapore Airlines employee. His formation to the priesthood brought him to Perth in 1994, where he received his formation at Redemptoris Mater.

He also continued to attend a NeoCatechumenal community, joining the first community of St Gerard Majella at Mirabooka.

During his eight years in WA, first as a seminarian and later as a priest, he continued to listen to God’s Word and to be nour-

ished by the Sacraments at the community in Mirrabooka, receiving strength for his pastoral activity.

Ordained a deacon at St Mary’s Cathedral in 1998, he was stationed at East Fremantle for about one year, where he was assistant to the late Fr Bruce Jones.

After his ordination in Singapore on July 15, 1999, he returned to Perth, and was stationed at St Jerome’s in Spearwood, where he was to assist the late Fr Barry Whitely whose health had begun to fail.

Interviewed by the local Singaporean paper just days before his ordination to the priesthood, Fr David said, “to give my life to God is not to deprive myself of something. In fact, I have received much more than I’ve ever wanted in my life...”

For two years he stayed at Spearwood, much loved by the parishioners, before leaving for Singapore, where he remained until his death.

The number of prayers received through the Internet and others who prayed for his

recovery, as well as the support shown for his family in the sad moment of his departure, witness to Fr David’s popularity as a muchloved priest and instrument in God’s hand.

We strongly believe he is now united to the Father, welcomed by Christ who greeted him with the evangelical greeting, “well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have shown you are trustworthy in small things... come and join in your master’s happiness” (Mt 25: 21).

Two Masses have been celebrated in Perth for the repose of his soul.

In Spearwood, Mass was celebrated on Monday December 17, while in Mirrabooka on Wednesday December 19, the Mass was presided over by Archbishop Barry Hickey. The Funeral Mass was held in Singapore on Tuesday December 18, with the participation of Fr David’s former rector Fr Michael Moore SM and two fellow priests from the Perth Archdiocese.

Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Vatican calls for ‘spiritual mothers’ to adopt presbyters as sons

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - With a letter to the world’s bishops and a 40-page illustrated brochure, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy is encouraging eucharistic adoration for the holiness of priests and is recruiting “spiritual mothers” to pray for priests and for vocations to the priesthood.

The project launched last month aims to highlight the link between the Eucharist and the priesthood as well as Mary’s special role as the mother of every priest, said a letter

from the congregation’s top officials.

Cardinal Claudio Hummes, congregation prefect, and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, congregation secretary, said that as part of a wider effort to address the challenges facing priests today, they wanted to

promote perpetual eucharistic adoration “for the reparation of faults and sanctification of priests.”

But they also hoped to promote “a commitment on the part of consecrated feminine souls,” who, following the example of Mary, “might wish to spiritually adopt priests in order to help them with their selfoffering, prayer and penance.”

The letter asked bishops to promote in their dioceses “a movement of prayer,” centered on perpetual eucharistic adoration and involv-

ing priests, religious and laypeople. They said they hoped that “a prayer of adoration, thanksgiving, praise, petition and reparation will be raised to God incessantly and from every corner of the earth.”

The 40-page brochure, Adoration, Reparation, Spiritual Motherhood for Priests, was focused specifically on encouraging women to pray for priests.

“The vocation to be a spiritual mother for priests” is not well known enough and so it is sel-

dom practised, even though it is “fundamental and vitally important,” said the brochure, prepared by Archbishop Piacenza.

All women, whether married, single or consecrated, can become spiritual mothers for priests, it said.

The brochure ends with the story of the Mater Ecclesiae cloistered convent established by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in 1994 as a centre for contemplative nuns who would pray constantly for the Pope and his ministry.

We

SUBJECTS: Revealing a

Bishops praised over stunning abortion drop

90 per cent decrease reported in Croatia

ZAGREB (LifeSiteNews.com)

- Croatia has experienced a very dramatic drop in the abortion rate from 1989 when the nation’s 51,289 abortions were nearly equal to the number of live births.

The latest statistics, from 2005, indicate there were 4563 abortions - a drop of nearly 90 per cent since 1989.

Significantly, the law on abortion has not changed.

“The culture of death in its many forms has assaulted that nation relentlessly, has crucified that church relentlessly,” said O’Brien.

“They have maintained a dynamic orthodoxy in their seminaries, in their clergy, in their religious orders. There is no vocation crisis in Croatia.

“And they are united totally with the Holy Father. The fruits of this are more than evident. They are a sign for the West.

“When you have been bombed, when you have been imprisoned, when you have seen your own lay people and priests tortured and exterminated, you do not let yourself be intimidated by the subtle nuances of dissident theologians.

The main reason for the change of hearts and minds on abortion in the country has been the strength of the leadership of the Catholic hierarchy, according to pro-life activists and others familiar with Croatia.

Dr Antun Lisec, the director of Human Life International in Croatia, attests that his many successes in saving the lives of unborn children in the country comes thanks to the superb support and cooperation of Catholic bishops and priests in the nation which is over 80 per cent Catholic.

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“The corrupt moral theology, so dominant in Western Europe and the Americas has little or no influence. The people have tasted death in many forms and they recognise it when it comes in theological disguises.”

When dealing with the issue of embryonic stem cell research, the bishops also addressed the underlying issue of IVF.

Canadian Catholic novelist and painter Michael O’Brien, who won the Croatian national Buvina award for achievement in faith and culture, has travelled to Croatia three times in order to do research for his latest novel just released by Ignatius Press.

During his trips O’Brien had frequent contact with the nation’s Catholic hierarchy and told LifeSiteNews.com that their success in fighting the culture of death is not surprising given their outstanding courage.

In 2005 the bishops noted that IVF, the source of most of the worlds embryos for embryonic stem cell research, is “a serious crime against conceived human lives and their dignity”.

Jim Hughes, vice president of the International Right to Life Federation, said: “Thank God for their leadership.

“Hopefully their efforts will resonate throughout the world to give courage to other bishops and faithful to speak up in defence of human life,” he said.

Cardinal Hummes

Milk Grotto brings hope, faith, and... babies

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) - The rows of framed letters and baby pictures are testimony that the Milk Grotto - where Mary is said to have nursed Jesus as the Holy Family fled to Egypt - has been much more than a pilgrimage to many couples.

One picture on the wall of the Milk Grotto’s chapel shows a mother from Argentina happily nursing her newborn baby. In another letter a mother from Spain wrote, “Carmen is a gift from heaven.” A couple from Ireland wrote, “In thanksgiving and deep gratitude to Our Blessed Lady for our dear son Jamie.”

Another mother from India described how she and her husband had given up on a child after nine years of trying to conceive. Now, she wrote, after the birth of their daughter, her “whole life will be a life of thanksgiving.” From Venezuela another woman wrote how after five miscarriages she gave birth to a “miracle baby, Leonardo Jose.” One after another, parents from such far-flung places as Sri Lanka, the United States, Canada, Bermuda and England have written about the miraculous birth of their children after having prayed using the “milk powder” from the grotto.

“Throughout the centuries this has been a place of special devotion for women ... who are trying to conceive,” said Franciscan Brother Lawrence, an American who oversees the grotto and chapel for the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. According to tradition, he said, a few drops of Mary’s milk dropped onto the cave floor as she stopped to nurse her child. “Women who can’t have children have a very hard time. With this prayer they are filled,” he said.

Some people have even brought their babies back to the small shrine inside the grotto to give thanks, he said.

The grotto is at least 2,000 years old and

the early Christians came to pray here, he said, but the first structure was built over it around 385. The faithful have venerated the spot for its powers as early as the fourth century, he said, and local women of all faiths and denominations come here to pray for children, taking with them bits of the “milk powder” from the soft limestone found throughout the grotto.

Holes the width of a finger can be found in several spots in the grotto ceiling of the newly renovated shrine, where over the years people

UK Cardinal scores key win over Catholic hospital bureaucrats

Head of London hospital quits after Catholic ethics code is passed, Cardinal aims for “flagship pro-life” service

■ By Simon Caldwell

LONDON (CNS) - The head of a London Catholic hospital popular with celebrities quit his post following the adoption of a new code of ethics banning doctors from making abortion referrals and from handing out contraceptives and the morning-after pill.

Lord Bridgeman, who remains a director, stepped down as chairman of the board of directors of the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth after a board meeting on December 12. He was replaced by Charles Fitzherbert.

Lord Bridgeman’s resignation, confirmed in a December 17 statement by the hospital, is the latest in a wave of resignations following the adoption of the code in November. He was unavailable for comment.

The revised code was ordered by Cardinal Cormac MurphyO’Connor of Westminster after it emerged that the hospital had been flouting church teaching and permitted sex-change operations.

The code was to be implemented by the spring but some executives refused to approve it.

They argued that it would be unworkable, unpopular with staff and that it would cost the hospital

valuable revenue because doctors who pay to use the premises would take their practices elsewhere.

The executives said it would be better for the hospital to abandon its Catholic constitution and for Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor to resign as patron.

But Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, refused and said in October that he wanted to turn it into a “flagship pro-life hospital” and “a sign of our convictions.”

The code was then adopted by a majority vote at a private meeting in November, and in early December two directors - Dr Martin Scurr and Lord Fitzalan-Howard - resigned in protest.

Dr. Scurr, in his letter of resignation to Lord Bridgeman, said that “the Catholic Church must withdraw from involvement in frontline health care here in the UK, as it appears to be unable to reach the degree of tolerance that has been reached elsewhere in the world.”

The hospital was founded by the Catholic Church in 1856 and was initially run by the Sisters of Mercy. In recent years, the hospital’s maternity unit has become popular with celebrity mothers; model Kate Moss and actresses

Emma

to

conceive have visited the shrine and take back the powder with them, and people have written attesting to the powder’s power to heal illnesses and reverse breech babies, he said. The renovations on the shrine, which were started three years ago and completed at the end of 2006, have revealed sixth and seventh-century Byzantine mosaic floors. The walls and ceiling were cleaned of soot from centuries of oil lamps and candle-burning. The structure was made handicapped-accessible, and a larger chapel was added on the second level to accommodate pilgrim groups who want to celebrate Mass there. A local Mass is held every Wednesday afternoon in the small church adjacent to the grotto. The Sacramentine Nuns hold a round-the-clock prayer vigil in shifts at a special altar behind a glass window in a cordoned-off part of the shrine.

Faithful of all religions and denominations continue to venerate the grotto, said Brother Lawrence. Every denomination has a different form of prayer with the powder, he said, but according to Catholic tradition both the husband and wife must drink a bit of the powder mixed with milk or water for nine days and recite the prayer for the third joyful mystery of the rosary, said Brother Lawrence.

have scraped out the fine dust to take home with them.

About 10 years ago when Brother Lawrence came to the grotto the Franciscans began preparing small packets of the limestone powder to give people for a small donation. They do not sell the powder online, he said, because the number of requests would be overwhelming and expensive to fill. Plenty of limestone to last for years is in blocked-off places in the grotto, said Brother Lawrence. Sometimes friends and relatives of a couple trying to

“They pray from their heart asking Our Lady of the Milk for intercession in healing,” he said, noting that he has heard of 1700 babies born in the last 10 years and has read every one of the 400 letters that have been sent to the shrine, including 60 in the last six months. “The joy is immense. When you have faith you can move mountains.”

Brother Lawrence said he knows there are people who are skeptical about the powers of such holy relics, and the powder’s mystery probably will not work on those who do not have faith.

Moved by the desperate plight of Christians in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East, the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has been supporting the country’s beleaguered Christian population. Sadly, due to ongoing violence and oppression, the proportion of Christians in the Holy Land has plummeted from 20 percent to as little as 1.4 percent in the last 40 years.

ACN is helping to keep faith and hope alive throughout the region by providing urgent aid to priests, religious and lay people, offering subsistence help to refugees and building and repairing churches and convents. Please help us strengthen and rebuild the Church in the land of Christ’s birth.

A beautiful, handcrafted crib, made of olive wood in Bethlehem, will be sent to all those who give a donation of $20.00 or more to help this campaign.

I/We enclose $................ to help keep Christianity alive in the Holy Land and Middle East.

0Yes please send me the little olive wood crib*

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Cate Blanchett and

Thompson have given birth

children there.

Cardinal Murphy OConnor

Holy ground: Franciscan Brother Lawrence stands amid baby photos and testimonies from people who have visited the Milk Grotto chapel in Bethlehem, West Bank. Pilgrims, especially women who want to conceive, have visited the grotto for centuries..

PHOTO: CNS/DEBBIE HILL

This is the year that was 2007. Take a trip down memory lane and see what each month had to offer your local community and the world at large. Sylvia Defendi looks back on a year full of changes.

Controversy began the new year as Geraldton Bishop Justin Bianchini said his local St John of God Hospital was not denying its Catholicism by covering up crucifixes at the request of Muslim and even Catholic patients.

“The fact that we are Catholic means we do respect people, we are more open not narrow minded” he said.

Each parish celebrated their 2006 Christmas in a unique way, but Our Lady of the Mission parish in Whitford managed to draw over 8000 people to Christmas day Mass with a host of liturgical events throughout the day.

A full-scale nativity story, that was played out by parishioners, included real camels, donkeys and the youngest parishioner played baby Jesus. Glendalough parish priest Fr Doug Harris started up a new Association of Christ’s Faithful in

January. Called the Apostles of Perpetual Adoration, the association aims to evolve into a religious order with a particular focus on Jesus in the Eucharist.

The Perth branch of Flame Ministries International and Archbishop Barry Hickey were used in a scam email during January that attempted to use both names to defraud people of money.

Meanwhile, Western Australian Missionary of God’s Love seminarian, Br David Callaghan walked in New Norcia founder Bishop Rosendo Salvado’s footsteps by walking almost 170km on his long journey from Duncraig to New Norcia.

International community L’Arche began building a community in Perth, which holistically supports the well being of those with intellectual disabilities in the vein of French

founder Jean Vanier, who began the organisation over 40 years ago. Overseas, the Pope set the stage for new developments in January when he convened a two-day meeting to discuss the problems of the Church in China.

The free-wheeling discussion included Vatican officials and diplomats as well as representatives from the Chinese Catholic Community including Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong. At least 10 elderly Chinese bishops died in 2007, including the country’s oldest prelate, Bishop Joseph Meng Ziwen of Nanning, who was 103 years old and passed away in January.

A clandestine bishop unaffiliated with the government-recognised church, he spent several years in a labour camp and government prison but continued his pastoral ministry even after he turned 100.

Too many crosses to bear: People visit the Hill of Crosses near Siauliai, Lithuania, on January 3. A December 28 fire damaged some of the crosses, but people have begun restoring the famous site by bringing new crosses to burnt areas.

PHOTO: CNS/INTS KALNINS, REUTERS

From top left, clockwise: The Missionary of Charity Sisters celebrate Christmas in the Goldfields, making the liturgy come alive for the children; diocesan priest Fr Douglas Harris, who started an association called the Apostles of Perpetual Adoration, in the chapel of the former St Ildephonsus College during the Disciples of Jesus Summer School at New Norcia; Three parishioners of Whitford Our Lady of the Mission parish process on camels as the Three Wise Men during Christmas celebrations.

The year of the pig started February with fireworks, while Perth seminarians set a record and teachers accross the state began the new year with some advice from Archbishop Barry Hickey.

February began by welcoming the year of the pig, with Chinese New Year celebrations making their way to Our Lady of the Mission parish in Whitford.

Perth seminarians set an attendance record in February when St Charles’ Seminary in Guildford and Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Morley recorded such high attendance that both seminaries began finding it hard to accommodate them all.

Perth’s Catholic Mission Office called for members of the community to sponsor youth from third world countries during February.

The project was launched to assist those poor who wanted to attend WYD in Sydney in 2008 but did not have the means to do so.

Advocates of ‘emergency contraception’ were puzzled by the results of research, which emerged in February, showing that the morning after pill had done nothing to lower pregnancy or abortion rates.

The report appeared in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

At a comissioning Mass for teachers at the start of the new school year, Archbishop Barry Hickey told Perth’s new teachers in Catholic schools that their primary role for students was evangelisation.

For the first time, Perth Catholics’ donations to Caritas Australia passed the $1 million mark during the 2005-2006 financial year. They were congratulated in February for their immense efforts.

Perth’s Respect Life Office announced the appointment of a new executive director in February.

Bronia Karniewicz, a student of the John Paul Institute for Marriage and the Family was appointed to replace founder and previous executive director Clare Pike.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Bishops’ Committee for Family and for Life published a 20-page booklet containing answers to 20 frequently asked questions regarding marriage in the Church.

Overseas, Spanish Cardinal Antonio Javierre Ortas, aged 85 and former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, who in 1994 issued the rules officially stating that local bishops could allow women and girls to be altar servers, died on February 1 in Rome.

Lonely girls, but not for long: Associated Press reported on January 12 that China would have 30 million more men of marriagable age tham women in less than 15 years as a result of its one-child policy where sex-selective abortions target women. This snapshot gives a glimpse of the culture of the mainland.

Clockwise, from left: Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton at the 50th anniversary of Bayswater parish, where he was also photographed in his First Holy Communion class; a scene from Into Great Silence, a documentary by film maker Philip Groning about Carthusian monks at a monastery in the French Alps, which was well-received by Perth Catholics and others; Trinity College welcomes new principal Ivan Banks, as he is blessed by Archbishop Barry Hickey. In the same month, the Archbishop called on Catholic educators to make the children in their care “biblical people”.

With 500 days to go until WYD 08, March was celebrated by youth all over, while Perth enjoyed the skills of Imact World Tour and many were called to religious life.

At a forum hosted by The Record during March, Canberra based sex educators, Jonathan and Karen Doyle told parents and teachers to set the agenda when it came to sex education, warning that if they did not someone else would.

Cardinal George Pell of Sydney launched the 500-day countdown to WYD 2008 in front of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney in March and encouraged pilgrim groups to register online for the event.

Youth performers, Impact World Tour arrived in Perth in March with four teams of skateboarders, BMX riders, musicians, dancers, cultural artists and athletes.

They performed in venues across Perth and not only entertained but also delivered a Christian message of hope to the young audience.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Barry Hickey officially launched the appeal for the completion of St Mary’s Cathedral, which was first built in 1863.

The life and work of Pope John Paul II was the inspiration for the establishment of a new community for religious, laymen and women to be officially founded in June.

Called the Missionaries of the Gospel, the new religious order was initiated by former Respect Life Office director, Clare Pike, who will become one of the JPII sisters in June.

Two new deacons were also ordained by Archbishop Hickey at St Joachim’s Pro-Cathedral in March.

Both had studied at St Charles’s Seminary, however deacon George James, aged 28, originally came to Perth from India while 32-year-old deacon Arnel Taracina hailed from Manila.

Meanwhile at the Women’s Forum Australia Perth forum, women inspired each other with stories of survival and courage against the odds and in the face of enormous pressure to harm themselves and their children.

Over 300 women congregated at the UWA Octagon Theatre to debunk the overarching myth of choice that tells a woman that she has the freedom to choose abortion or prostitution and that there is therefore, no harm when consent is ‘freely’ available.

During March, Perth’s Young Christian Worker’s national secretary Sara Kane joined youth representatives from around the globe to dialogue with experts at the ninth International Youth Forum near Rome to discuss how to achieve unity between one’s professional and Christian life.

Here it is: An artist’s rendition of the completed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, otherwise known as St Mary’s Cathedral. The image was launched in March with its fundraising appeal that needs $25 million for the completed project.

From top left, clockwise: Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton., CYM director Robert Hiini with his predecessor Fr Don Kettle with Jonathan and Karen Doyle, who addressed a forum The Record hosted, setting the agenda on sex ed; Perth’s YCW national secretary Sara Kane with South Australian Adam Crouch in Rome for an InternationalYouth Forum; US Mother Celine of the Visitation, the first non-French superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor.; Pope Benedict XVI at a prayer session on a Lenten retreat for the Vatican officials at the Vatican; WA Church officials launch the Cathedral Appeal.

April focused people’s attention on Christ crucified and in the Eucharist as Perth joined in the Adore Conference and the world was given ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ by Pope Benedict XVI.

Revolutionary Australian medic Dr John Billings passed away on April 1 leaving behind a legacy of knowledge in Natural Family Planning that impacted the world over.

Dr Billings, together with his wife Dr Evelyn, pioneered the Billings Ovulation Method in the 1950’s.

DayDawn Advocacy Centre began operating in April. It was initiated by Archbishop Barry Hickey whose mission was to establish an organisation that would obtain better opportunities for indigenous people in areas such as education, employment, health facilities and other services. The Beaufort St advocacy centre is run by director Sr Dolores Coffey, who said, on the day of its opening, it was the dawning of a new day for Perth’s indigenous people.

The Stations of the Cross took to the streets of Perth for

the annual seven churches walk during April. Following in the footsteps of the early church in Rome, about 60 pilgrims walked for over five hours from St Therese of Lisieux Chapel at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Highgate to six other Churches.

The procession was lead by the cross that was given to the people of Oceania at the second WYD in Argentina in 1987.

Clergy were given a key regular role in Catholic Education in April when Archbishop Hickey announced Catholic primary and secondary schools were to be accountable to their parish priest for their religious activities, including the teaching of RE.

The Adore Conference came to Perth in April and focused on Jesus in the Eucharist.

The conference, which was run by the Oblate Apostles of the Two Hearts, saw more than 400 people march through the streets of Northbridge in a display of faith.

Overseas, the Pope approved publication of a text by the International Theological Commission that critiqued the traditional concept of limbo and said there were good reasons to hope that babies who die without being baptised go to heaven.

In April - just before celebrating his 80th birthday - the Pope published “Jesus of Nazareth,” which made the case that Christ must be understood as the Son of God on a divine mission, not as a mere moralist or social reformer.

In six months, the book had sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.

Grand reverence, old-school style: An Ethiopian Christian visits the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the old city of Jerusalem on April 5, 2007.

From top left, clockwise: Altar boys and girls climb to the top of a hill during Stations of the Cross on Good Friday in Dili, East Timor, on April 6; Perth pilgrims build impressive sand sculptures at a WYD promotional event at Scarborough Beach; Catholic sexual educators the world over grieved as Dr John Billings, pictured here with wife Evelyn, died; Archbishop Barry Hickey with one of the people he specifically wants to care for through the Daydawn Advocacy Centre, which began operating in April.

During May the Melkite Catholic Church in Perth celebrated an ordination while Amnesty International was caught changing policy and The Record launched an attack on prostitution in WA.

As St Mary’s Cathedral continued to transform, parish Mass-goers were called to give generously towards the conservation and completion of Perth’s Cathedral in May with the launch of the parish appeal.

Former Judge of the Roman Rota, Monsignor CormacBurke urged Catholics in Australia to play a bigger role in counter acting divorce among friends and family members, when he visited Melbourne in May.

With the support of his wife, Fr Kevin Cummins brought the rich traditions of the eastern Catholic Church to Perth as the Melkite Catholic community celebrated his ordination to the priesthood.

Meanwhile, Australian Idol winner, Guy Sebastian won the World Youth Day competition, which called the public

to submit their unique entry for the WYD 08 theme song. Winning entry ‘Receive the Power’ was written and composed by Sebastian.

At 29 years of age, young Perth priest, Fr Thai Vu accepted his appointment as the new priestly vocations director for the Archdiocese of Perth.

He replaced Fr Armando Carandang.

Pro-life campaigners accused Amnesty International’s leaders of ‘acting like the despotic regimes they are supposed to campaign against’ after it emerged that the organisation had secretly adopted a pro-abortion stance in May.

The Record took matters into its own hands during May, when it launched a full-scale assault on the state government’s decision to decriminalise prostitution.

“Prostitution is the new slavery that destroys the women and girls trapped in it. Attorney General Jim McGinty wants to decriminalise the sale and purchase of women for sex.

“In Western Australia, what will this say about what women are really worth?” The Record asked its readers in May. Within Australia, the 47-year old National Enquiry Centre merged with the new national Office for Evangelisation during May, in a bid to increase the Australian Church’s effectiveness in spreading the faith.

Overseas, the return of prominent US evangelical philosopher and theologian, Francis Beckwith to the Catholic Church, his childhood home, provoked a storm of controversy in the evangelical community during the month of May.

Seat of wisdom: The Vatican library was closed from July 14 for major renovations. The library’s ever-growing and massive collection of ancient and modern volumes has put too much stress and strain on the 16th-century building. The interior of the library is seen in this undated file photo

PHOTO: CNS/CATHOLIC PRESS

From left, clockwise: The Archdiocese of Perth’s new vocations director, Fr Thai Vu, stands strong at Bateman parish where he resides; Kalamunda couple Luke and Vanessa Van Beek become the first to offer Celebrate Love seminar in the UK; Pope Benedict XVI embraces a group of children during his visit to Fazenda da Esperanca (Farm of Hope) drug rehabilitation centre in Guaratingueta, Brazil, on May 12; Irish Mgr Cormac Burke addressed the JPII Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, calling on Catholics to play a bigger role in counter acting divorce.

June saw a new porch for St Mary’s Cathedral, a new Church for Armadale, two new bishops for Melbourne, a new head of Caritas Internationalis and a new link with the Church in China.

In the last week of June parish priest of Armadale Fr Kaz Styglik, Archbishop Barry Hickey, Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and hundreds of people turned out for the official opening and dedication of the new St Francis Xavier Church in Armadale.

Throughout June Fremantle’s Basilica of St Patrick underwent extensive restoration just in time to prevent the whole structure from being demolished.

News of rapidly advancing research into the therapeutic benefits of stem cells in placentas from full-term pregnancies rendered the cloning legislation before WA Parliament obsolete.

And youth were at the forefront of protests against WA’s cloning bill as 300 of them protested with placards outside

Premier Alan Carpenter’s office in late June. In the US, President George Bush vetoed a bill to expand federal funding for medical research on human embryonic stem cells in June and issued an executive order calling on federal agencies to strengthen the nation’s commitment to research on adult stem cells.

Work on St Mary’s Cathedral’s grand processional entrance began on June 19 with the spectacular relocation of the preserved front façade of the southern porch, which swung into place with the assistance of a large crane.

Bishop Peter Elliott, a former Anglican, and Salesian priest Fr Timothy Costelloe were ordained as Auxiliary Bishops of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne on June 15.

World-wide Catholic aid agency, Caritas Internationalis

appointed its first female secretary general in early June, Lesley-Anne Knight. Overseas, in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, a Chaldean Catholic priest, Fr Ragheed Aziz Ganni and his three subdeacons were killed by a group of armed militants. In June, the Pope issued a 55-page letter to Chinese Catholics, setting out new guidelines to favour cooperation between clandestine Catholic communities and those officially registered with the government.

The Pope’s letter strongly criticised the limits placed by the Chinese government on the Church’s activities, but it invited civil authorities to fresh and serious dialogue.

Italian Cardinal Angelo Felici, aged 87 and a former head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes, died on June 17 in Italy.

Impressive: The southern porch of St Mary’s Cathedral is slowly swung into position at the western end of the Cathedral, where it will be the front entrance to the completed structure.

PHOTO: TERENCE BOYLEN

From top left, clockwise: Thirty-eight men lie prostrate during their ordination as priests for Opus Dei at the Basilica of St Eugene in Rome; Catholic nuns plant trees in a field symbolising a deforested area during a program marking World Environment Day in Manila; over 300 Perth youth, Catholic and all others, in a show of strength protesting the WA Labor Government’s proposed Bill allowing the creation and destruction of embryos; Cathedral organist Jacinta Jakocevic prepares as St Mary’s Cathedral choir readies itself to move out of the Cathedral building.

The World Youth Day Cross made its first appearance in July, as did two new Sisters and Deacons. July was also the month for openess to the Latin rite of Mass and strong faithfulness to the Church.

Thousands of young Catholics braved Sydney’s winter chill in July to welcome the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady on the first day of the symbols’ nation-wide pilgrimage in the lead up to World Youth Day 2008.

A delegation of New Zealand Maori Catholic youth awaited the arrival of the Cross and Icon in full traditional costume at a hangar at Sydney airport.

Perth pair Clare Pike and Beatrice Yong were accepted into a newly formed Association of Christ’s Faithful – The Missionaries of the Gospel - by Archbishop Barry Hickey in July. The Association, which is on its way to becoming a religious order, was founded in Perth and is set to continue the work of Pope John Paul II’s plan for the new evangelisation. July also saw the ordination of Ernesto Cerrutti and Manoel

Lopes Borges to the diaconate by Archbishop Hickey.

Over 200 clergy, religious, laity and youth turned up at Bateman parish during July to join the nation in a holy hour of power for the success of World Youth Day 2008.

Meanwhile at the 2028 Congress held in Canberra during July a leading US Church figure, Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, told Australian students and young adults that his generation failed its duty to stand up for what was right, but that this generation could learn from the mistakes of the past and have the power to rebuild a civilized society by 2028.

In July the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith reaffirmed that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church, even though elements of truth can be found in separated churches and communities.

Protestant leaders worldwide voiced dismay over the document. Also in July, Pope Benedict’s apostolic letter to widen access to the Latin-language Tridentine Mass provoked a sharp reaction among Jews because of an unresolved dispute over language in the rite’s Good Friday liturgy.

While the term “perfidious Jews” was not part of 1962 Tridentine rite authorized for use by the Pope, it still contained a prayer for the conversion of Jews that asks God to end “the blindness of that people.”

The Pope said Mass celebrated according to the 1962 Roman Missal should be made available in every parish where groups of the faithful desire it - though he said the new Roman Missal, introduced in 1970, remains the ordinary way of Catholic worship.

Thanksgiving: Ernesto Cerutti from Redemptoris Mater Seminary of the NeoCatechhumenal Way takes the hand of Archbishop Barry Hickey in thanks following his ordination as deacon on July 6. Ernesto was ordained to the diaconate with fellow Redemptoris Mater student Manoel Lopes Borges

PHOTO: JAMIE O’BRIEN

From left, clockwise: Members of the God’s Squad Motorcycle Club joined hundreds of churchgoers and Bishhop Kevin Manning of Parramatta to welcome the WYD Cross and Icon; Bishop Peter Feng Xinmao of Hengshui baptises a man at Jingxian Cathedral in China’s Hebei province at Easter, highlighting the issue of Pope Benedict XVI’s letter to Chinese Catholics; Archbishop Barry Hickey blesses the altar at Armadale’s new parish Church during its opening; People dance during a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana, during his two-day pastoral visit to the small village of Ekumfi Nanaben.

A Gift for her

August was a month of mixed blessings, with the announcement of a new historical commission, medical school and the unfortunate farewell of three Camillian priests.

After 151 years the Catholic Church Office in Perth closed at the end of August in preparation for renovations. The original building was built by Benedictine monks in 1856.

In an unprecedented event, all the bishops of New South Wales and the ACT decided that the time had come for reform in the Catholic schools of their diocese.

They issued a 28-page pastoral letter in August revealing their plan for a long tern reform of the existing educational system.

Under construction during August, the University of Notre Dame Australia’s new medical school in Sydney highlighted the extensive growth of the Catholic University, which also boasts another medical school at its Fremantle campus. As the impending federal election heated-up, over 100,000

church members gathered at various venues across the nation to watch a live webcast featuring then Prime Minister John Howard and Labor leader Kevin Rudd answering questions from various religious leaders.

During August, independent doctors verified that an Australian boy had been cured of multiple sclerosis and lymphoma after the family prayed to Bl Mary MacKillop. With this alleged miracle, the notable Australian’s sainthood cause took a great leap forward.

The Archdiocese of Perth farewelled three Camillian priests, Fathers Nilo Deligero, Dado Haber and Reggie Jamorabon, who departed for Sydney. The order had been in Australia, caring for the sick, since 1963. Archbishop Barry Hickey said he fought hard to keep the three Camillian priests who had to

leave due to the Order’s restructuring. August saw the establishment of an Archdiocesan Historical Commission in Perth to research the life, times and contributions to the history of the Church in WA of successive Bishops and Archbishops. Overseas, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, aged 80 and the Jewish-born former Archbishop of Paris who defended the right of believers to have a say in public debates, passed away on August 5 in Paris.

Canadian Cardinal Edouard Gagnon, aged 89 and former head of the Pontifical Council for the Family and former president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, died on August 25 in Montreal, while Frenchborn Assumptionist Father George Tavard, aged 86 and a noted ecumenist, died on August 13 in Paris.

Rock star: Pope Benedict XVI greets young people from the Archdiocese of Madrid, Spain, from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy on August 9.

PHOTO: CNS/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO VIA REUTERS

From top left, clockwise: Odhran O’Brien takes on a 50,000-word thesis for his Masters at the University of Notre Dame, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Perth’s Historical Commission; Camillian priests and dedicated hospital chaplains are farewelled by Archbishop Barry Hickey and wellwishers; the Archbishop celebrates Mass at East Fremantle’s St Anne’s Church, which unveiled its new statue for the local Croatian community; Bishop David Choby of Nashville celebrates Mass at the altar at the Priests Circle in Calvary Cemetery to mark the end of the annual retreat for the seminarians.

September

September saw families outraged over explicit sexualisation from both the local community and on a national front, whereas interfaith dialogue was at the forefront internationally.

Tired of using outdated American resources from the 80s ‘Loving for Life,’ the school-based educational arm of Billings WA launched their own locally produced educational DVD, with a new wave of relationship education based on Christian sexuality, that was unique to WA.

Meanwhile Women’s Forum Australia launched another resource for teens in the Faking it report, which uncovered the dangers of women’s magazines and the sexulaisation of young girls in modern society.

Explicit sexual material took a beating when Channel 10 TV show Californication was slammed by many Catholics because of an opening scene appearing to mock the Church.

Perth’s Catholic Youth Ministry opened its arms to a new team member in September with the arrival of Olivia Lavis.

She started her new role as local ministries project officer; and 13-year-old John XXIII College student, Matt Bonser won the World Youth Day logo competition, which requested a logo for Perth’s Days in the Diocese program.

The logo depicted symbols representing Western Australia, the faith and the notion of embracing pilgrims into the state in the spirit of Christianity.

A hundred years worth of students and teachers converged on Iona College in Mosman Park during September to celebrate a centenary of education.

In remembrance of Iona’s founding moment, 500 guests welcomed a horse and cart carrying past students, representing the five founding Presentation nuns in habit, across the school grounds. During September, reaction by the Chinese

government to the Pope’s letter to Catholics was muted, but several more bishops were ordained with the approval of both the Holy See and the government-sanctioned Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China.

The Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission issued a statement in September saying that “difficulties in the life of the Anglican Communion,” particularly the blessing of same-sex unions in British Columbia and the acceptance of women bishops in some Anglican provinces, forced Anglicans and Catholics to recognise that progress toward full unity would be slower than many of them had hoped.

Meanwhile Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki, aged 96 and a Polish-born Jesuit who worked more than 50 years as a missionary in Zambia, died on September 28.

Grand reference: Abbot Antoine Forgeot, centre, of Our Lady of the Assumption Abbey in Fontgombault, France, bows in prayer as he celebrates Mass on September 2 with the faithful and the monks of Clear Creek Monastery near Hulbert, Oklahoma. Abbot Forgeot traveled to the monastery to inspect the progress of the construction of the new monastery.

PHOTO: CNS/DAVID CRENSHAW, EASTERN OKLAHOMA CATHOLIC

From top left, clockwise: Young people dip the WYD cross in the water near the Great Barrier Reef during a ceremony aboard the HMAS Broome off Cairns, on September 22; 500 guests welcomed former Iona students dressed as Presentation Sisters on horse and cart to mark a centenary of their involvement in education; Mercedes and Trinity College students pictured at the launch of a DVD produced by Loving For Life, the school-based educational arm of Billings WA.

October

THE R ECORD

Controversy over the venue for WYD in 2008 as well as protests in Perth against the decriminalisation of prostitution meant October was filled with more battles than celebrations.

Amidst controversy about the racing industry being inconvenienced, overseas pilgrims were told to relax in October as the Sydney WYD Office confirmed Randwick Racecourse as the venue for World Youth Day’s global gathering in 2008.

A media frenzy over the Australian Jockey Club’s public spat with WYD organisers initially had some pilgrims concerned.

In the defence of family and of life, the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference severed all ties with Amnesty International in October, due to the human rights organisation’s changing its neutral stance on abortion. Meanwhile, Adelaide Bishop Greg O’Kelly slammed Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews from the pulpit in an impassioned defence of the right of African refugees to live in Australia.

The Immigration Minister had decided to reduce the pro-

portion of African refugees from 70 per cent to 30 per cent of the annual intake of refugees and asylum seekers. Protest continued throughout October as many denounced the state government’s Bill to decriminalise prostitution in WA. Up to 300 protested at a rally on the steps of Parliament House on October 17 with signs galore.

Plans for Bunbury’s new Cathedral surfaced in October highlighting a structure double that which it replaces. The original Cathedral of St Patrick in Bunbury was destroyed by a tornado in May of 2005.

The Record featured the heartfelt tale of those British child migrants, who 60 years ago came to Australia as orphans, during October. 147 child migrants landed on Perth’s shores to help populate the nation, however, their tales of hardship

in the ensuing years were far from rosy. Venezuelan Cardinal Rosalio Castillo Lara, aged 85 and president of the Pontifical Commission for the Revision of Canon Law, died on October 16 in Venezuela. On the same day retired Bishop Ignacy Jez of Koszalin-Kolobrzeg, Poland, aged 93 and a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, died in Rome - one day before he would have been named a cardinal.

Jesuit Father James Martin, believed to be the world’s oldest Jesuit at age 105, died on October 1 in Washington, while Holy Ghost Father Lucien Deiss, aged 86 and a liturgical music composer and a liturgical consultant at the Second Vatican Council, died in his native France.

US-born Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli, aged 73, the Papal nuncio to Australia, died in Florida.

Good times: Sister Marian, who coordinates the adoption service of the Missionaries of Charity, plays with orphan children at the “Sishu Bhavan,” or Children’s Home, near the Missionaries of Charity Mother House in Calcutta, India.

PHOTO: CNS/ANTO AKKARA

From top left, clockwise: Gunila Ekberg, Europe’s expert on human trafficking and prostitution, addressed a Perth forum at Notre Dame University while WA was debating prostitution law reform; Colette Grienke displays one of the tens of thousands of crosses being made by volunteers at the Mary MacKillop Outreach Centre in Sydney, Australia. The tiny crosses stamped with a WYD logo are being distributed across Australia during the tour of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon; British child migrants Laurie Humphries, Michael Madigan and Bill McGrath hold an image of the boat that brought them to Australia.

November

November saw changes of all kinds sweep the globe: from stem cell discoveries to new cardinals and a second encyclical by Benedict XVI. In Perth many took vows towards religious life.

Following the Church’s withdrawal of support for Amnesty International, Mercy College in Koondoola became the first school in WA to register with the newly-formed Benenson Society in November. Established by Sydney-based Jesuit Fr Chris Middleton, the new group was established specifically to provide an alternative social justice group for Catholics who could no longer be affiliated with Amnesty’s pro-abortion policy.

Those who mourned the loss of Perth school-girl Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia Shu were given some solace in November when the new Chapel of the Innocents at Yangebup’s Mater Christi parish, was erected and dedicated.

In November thousands of people flocked to see visiting Italian preacher Friar Elia, a former Capuchin Franciscan,

who is believed to suffer the stigmata. The Archdiocese of Perth celebrated the ordination of four more priests after Archbishop Barry Hickey ordained Arnel Taracina, George James, Ernesto Cerutti and Manoel Borges at Infant Jesus parish in Morley on November 16.

However, those men were not the only ones to take vows in November. Perth woman Vedette Lendich, married with two children, became a member of the Sister Servants of the Sacred Cross before Archbishop Hickey at Good Shepherd parish in Lockridge on November 17.

Also vested in the sanctuary was Perth Bishop Harry Entwistle of the Traditional Anglican Communion. The Sister Servants are a new congregation who accept women from Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox backgrounds with-

out requiring them to change denomination. November saw the release of the Pope’s second encyclical, “Spe Salvi’ (on Christian hope) which warned that without faith in God, humanity lies at the mercy of ideologies that can lead to ‘the greatest forms of cruelty and violations of justice.’

The Pope’s most important set of appointments also came in November with the announcement of 23 new cardinals.

Separate studies from teams in Japan and the United States also showed that human skin cells could be reprogramed to work as effectively as embryonic stem cells, thus negating the need to destroy embryos in the name of science, while in Tokyo, Japanese Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, died aged 77.

All in adoration: Ernesto Cerruti, Manoel Borges, George James and Arnel Taracina prostrate themselves before Archbishop Barry Hickey during their ordination Mass at Infant Jesus Church in Morley. On the right is Pavol Herda who was ordained a deacon. Also kneeling to the left are Marist Father Michael Moore, rector of Redemptoris

Mater Seminary, Bishop Peter Quinn, Bishop Donald Sproxton of Perth and Fr Don Hughes, rector of St Charles Seminary in Perth.

From top left, clockwise: Hundreds marched from Ballarat to Bendigo for the annual Christus Rex Pilgrimage in Victoria, including The Record’s Anthony Barich; A new Sister becomes a member of the Servants of the Sacred Cross at Good Shepherd parish in Lockridge on November 17; the new Chapel of the Innocents is unveiled at Yangebup’s Mater Christi parish in memory of murdered schoolgirl Sofia RodriguezUrrutia Shu; Bunbury unveils the designs for its new Cathedral precinct; and St Mary’s College in Broome won three of the five categories at the Youth on Health (YOH) Festival extravaganza.

December

The year 2007 has almost ended, but some key events stood out in December, beginning with a very successful fundraiser for the coming World Youth Day in Sydney.

The World Youth Day Ball was celebrated at the Italian Club in North Perth on the first day of December, with hundreds of young people enjoying themselves while contributing to the cost of sending pilgrims to Sydney for the weeklong Catholic youth exravaganza.

The lead up to WYD in 2008 also saw Tiwi Islander Marjorie Liddy telling a group of transfixed youth at the Catholic Pastoral Centre how she managed to inspire thousands of young people with her indigenous depiction of the Holy Spirit (see image on right).

Having been entered into a WYD competition by her parish priest, Mrs Liddy’s design was chosen as the image to be displayed on WYD 2008 prayer cards around Australia.

But December was not all about WYD, as news of a first-ever

national association for Catholic bioethicists spread to Perth. The newly formed association was formed to provide resources for state based bioethical expert centres like the LJ Goody Bioethics Centre in Glendalough and will hold an inaugural meeting in Melbourne, early in 2008.

“There was a recognition that this needs to happen locally in Australia,” Dr Nicholas Tonti-Filippini said of the association.

Perth journalism student Joanna Lawson travelled to India in December to establish Branches, a project aimed at helping the exploited working poor in Goa.

She also began writing a weekly column in The Record detailing the struggles and satifaction of initiating such a worthy project.

Looking overseas, December saw the death of Austrian Cardinal Alfons Stickler, who at 97 was the world’s oldest living Cardinal.

Conga fun: Tammy Nguyen and Keryn Pespana whoop it up at the World Youth Day Ball at the Italian Club in North Perth. PHOTO: PAUL BUI

From top left, clockwise: Four generations of women - Lillian pictured with her daughter-in-law Margaret Overman and her grand daughter Nicole who holds Lillian’s first great-grandchild, Lily Jacinta; Perth woman Joanna Lawson embraces a child during her mission work in Goa; a priest celebrates a weekday Mass at a chapel belonging to the Catholic community in Shenyang, China; a photo of a pro-life demonstrator in the US highlights a story The Record published about the overwhelming research into the devastating effects of abortion on men.

PANORAMA a roundup of events in the archdiocese

Panoramas

Panorama entries must be in by 5pm Monday. Contributions may be faxed to 9227 7087, emailed to administration@therecord.com.au or mailed to PO box 75, Leederville, WA 6902.

Submissions over 55 words will be edited. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 constitute a classified event, and will be charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment. Please do not re-submit Panoramas once they are in print.

Monday December 31

NEW YEARS EVE MIDNIGHT MASS AT THE SCHOENSTATT SHRINE

Address: 9 Talus Dr. Armadale. Adoration from 9pm onward 11pm Rosary and End of Year prayers 12 midnight (Perth’s) Fireworks, followed by Holy Mass. Please bring some goodies to share afterwards. Enq: 9399 2349

Monday December 31

NEW YEARS EVE  EMBLETON

There will be Eucharistic Adoration at the Holy Trinity Church, Embleton from 11pm till midnight. This will be followed by a get together at the parish hall. Please bring a PLATE of finger food. Enq: Monsignor McCrann 9271 5528. or George Jacob 9272 1379.

Monday December 31

NEW YEARS EVE  CITY BEACH

New Years Eve Midnight Mass at Holy Spirit Church, City Beach. Adoration at 11pm followed by Midnight Mass.

First Friday January 4

ALLIANCE AND TRIUMPH OF THE TWO HEARTS

Holy Mass and Eucharistic Vigil at St Bernadette’s Church Glendalough. Confessions at 5.15pm. Parish Mass at 5.45pm (Celebrant: Fr Doug Harris) followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, hourly Rosaries, hymns and reflections etc. Vigil concludes with midnight Mass in honour of the BVM (Celebrant: Fr Doug Harris). Enq: Fr Doug Harris 9444 6131 or Dorothy 9342 5845.

Saturday January 5

DAY WITH MARY

St Mary Star of the Sea Church, Cnr Stirling Highway & McNeil Street, Cottesloe. 9am to 5pm.

A video on Fatima will be shown at 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based on 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 lunch. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

Sunday January 6

DIVINE MERCY

An afternoon with Jesus and Mary will be held at St Joachim’s Church, on the corner of Shepperton Road and Harper Street in Victoria Park. Starting at 1.30pm. Program: Holy Rosary and Reconciliation, Sermon: by Fr Dominic Mary, FFI on “The Three Wise Men” followed by Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction. Afterwards refreshments in the parish hall, followed by a video/DVD with Fr John Corapi – ‘Questions & Answers’. Enq: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.

Sunday to Saturday January 6 to 12

THE SUMMER SCHOOL OF EVANGELISATION 2008

Is a unique week long Retreat and formation experience that will set hearts on fire. Open to everyone over 16yo and is the ideal preparation for World Youth Day. Night rallies open to the public. 67 Howe St, Osborne Park. See http://sse2008.disciplesofjesus.org/ <http://sse2008.disciplesofjesus.org/ for brochure/registration or Enq: 0401 692 690.

PERPETUAL ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Is in its fifth year at Christ the King Church, Lefroy Road, Beaconsfield. 24 hours per day, except at Mass times. All are invited to spend an hour with Jesus truly present. Entrance is from the porch, near the altar on the Lefroy Road side of the church. Enq: Joe 9319 1169.

First Sunday of Every Month

HEALING FIRE BURNING LOVE MINISTRY

Celebrates the Sunday Mass at St Bernadette’s Church, Cnr Jugan and Leeder Streets, Glendalough commencing with praise and worship at 6.30pm and Mass at 7pm. We have healing prayers after the Mass so please invite all those in need of the healing love and power of Jesus. Enq: Jenni Young 9445 1028 or 0404 389 679.

Every First Friday of the Month Mass 7.30pm honouring St Pio of Pietrlcina with his Novena to the Sacred Heart and Prayer of Union. St Joseph’s Parish, 20 Hamilton Street, Bassendean. Join in every First Friday.

Third Sunday of the Month

OBLATES OF ST BENEDICT MEET

Venue: St Josephs Convent, York Street, South Perth at 2pm. An annual Retreat is held at New Norcia, Trinity Sunday Weekend. Oblates are affiliated with Benedictine Abbey New Norcia. We celebrate our 50th Anniversary September 2008. A golden celebration. All welcome. Vespers and afternoon tea conclude monthly meeting. Enq: Secretary 9388 3026.

Every Tuesday WEEKLY PRAYER  MARY’S COMPANION WAYFARERS OF JESUS THE WAY

Starting at 7pm at St Mary’s Cathedral Parish Centre, 450 Hay Street, Perth. Appreciate the heritage of the Faith united with others asking Jesus and Mary to overcome burdens in life. Receive healing in prayer through the Rosary, Scripture, meditation and praise in song. Followed by friendship and refreshments. Prayer is powerful. Come join us!

First Friday and first Saturday of each month COMMUNION OF REPARATION  ALL NIGHT VIGIL

Corpus Christi Church, Mosman Park 7pm-1am, 46 Lochee Rd, Mosman Park. Mass, Rosary, Prayers, Confessions and silent adoration. Contact: Catalina 0439 931 151.

First Sunday of each month DEVOTIONS IN HONOUR OF THE DIVINE MERCY

The Santa Clara Parish community welcomes anyone from surrounding parishes and beyond to Santa Clara Church, cnr of Coolgardie and Pollack Sts, Bentley. The afternoon commences with the 3 o’clock prayers, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet, reflection and concludes with Benediction.

Every Saturday PERPETUAL HELP DEVOTIONS

4.30pm. The half hour perpetual novena devotions to the Mother of Perpetual Help continue each Saturday at the Redemptorist Monastery Church, 190 Vincent St, in North Perth. Reconciliation available before and after the devotions. All welcome.

Every Sunday BULLSBROOK SHRINE

Sunday pilgrim Mass is celebrated with Holy Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 2pm at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Road, Bullsbrook. Reconciliation is available in Italian and English before every celebration. Enq: 9447 3292.

BOOK DONATIONS WANTED

We are seeking donations of Catholic books, Bibles, Missals and Divine Office books any age, any condition. Tel: 9293 3092.

Every First Friday HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

At Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins Street, Glendalough. 7pm Mass with celebrant Fr Albert Saminedi. 7.30pm Holy Hour Adoration with Fr Don Kettle. Refreshments to follow in the hall. All welcome.

Second Friday of each Month

GENERAL PRAYER ASSEMBLY

The Couples for Christ and its Family Ministries welcome all members who now reside or are visiting Perth to join the community in our monthly general prayer assembly 7.30pm, St Joachim Parish Hall, Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. Enquiries: Tony and Dolly Haber (08) 9440 4540.

Every Fourth Sunday SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

The Perth Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order assembles every fourth Sunday at 2.30pm in the Chapel of RSL Care, 51 Alexander Dr, Menora. Enquiries John 9385 5649.

Every Fourth Sunday WATCH AND PRAY

A Holy Hour is held at Infant Jesus Parish, Morley from 2-3pm with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The hour consists of some prayers and Scripture but mostly the hour is silent prayer for Vocations. All are welcome. Please encourage others to come and pray. Prayer - it works! Enq: 9276 8500.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Ignatian Volunteers Australia calls for part-time volunteers to respond to the needs of people in the community who live in marginalised circumstances. At the heart of this program is a reflective process based on Gospel values, which supports the volunteers in their work. To learn more: www.volunteers.jesuit.org.au Contact Kevin Wringe, Perth Coordinator (08) 9316 3469 kwringe@iinet.net.au .

Every First and Third Monday of the Month

ST TERESIAN PRAYER GROUP

The St Teresian Prayer Group meets every 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month, 7pm at Infant Jesus, Morley. Enq: Darren Miranda 9276 6358 after 1pm.

Every Third Saturday of the Month PRAYER FOR LIFE

Father Jim Shelton leads prayers from 10am to 11am at Abortion Clinic in Rivervale. All welcome. Enq 9279 1549 or 9403 2444.

Every Wednesday

HOLY HOUR, BENEDICTION

Holy Hour 4pm to 5pm. Held at St Thomas, 2 College Road, Claremont. Followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction. Personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is Adoration of Jesus’ gift of Himself, of His love for you, for you loved ones and for our world. Come and Thank Him.

Every Tuesday THE GOSPEL OF ST MATTHEW

Exciting revelations into the Gospel of St Matthew are being offered in a free of charge Bible course being conducted by Fr Douglas Leslie Rowe S.F.P. at St Joachim’s Parish Hall, Shepperton Rd, Victoria Park. Participants will be introduced into an insightful exploration of this fascinating Gospel. The course will be held every Tuesday at 7.30pm. Light refreshments will follow. Please bring a friend.

N.O.W NIGHT OF WORSHIP

On the initiative of Fr Charles Waddell PP and the assistance of Flame Ministries International, a new and exciting service called “N.O.W” (Night of Worship) has begun at 7.15pm followed by Mass at 8pm every Sunday at St Thomas the Apostle Church corner of College Road & Melville Street, Claremont. “NOW” is aimed at attracting people back into the Church and to the Mass as well as attracting regular Mass goers both youth and families. Come and join us each Sunday for a new experience of dynamic and joyful worship.

Every Sunday

LATIN MASS

The Latin Mass according to the 1962 missal is offered every Sunday at Our Lady of Fatima, 10 Foss St, Palmyra at noon. All welcome.

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

A Christmas Invitation

Spend some time with Jesus on His birthday (and any other day!). St Anne’s Church, 11 Hehir St Belmont is open for Eucharistic Adoration 24 hours every day. Enq: Sandra Robinson 9277 2872.

KALGOORLIE BOULDER PARISH CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES 2007

St Mary’s, Kalgoorlie, Monday 24 December, Family Vigil Mass, 7pm; St Mary’s, Coolgardie, Monday 24 December, Vigil Mass, 6pm; All Hallows, Boulder, Monday 24 December, Midnight Mass, 11.30pm with Xmas carols; St Mary’s, Kalgoorlie, Tuesday 25 December, Christmas Day Mass, 8am; St John Vianney, Kambalda, Tuesday 25 December, Christmas Day Mass 9am; All Hallows, Boulder, Tuesday 25 December, Christmas Day Mass, 10am; St Joseph, Norseman, Tuesday 25 December, Christmas Day Mass, 12.30pm; St Mary’s, Kalgoorlie, Wednesday 26 December, Mass – Public Holiday 9.30am.

KALGOORLIE BOULDER PARISH

NEW YEAR MASS TIMES 2008

St Mary’s Kalgoorlie, Tuesday 1 January 2008, New Year’s Mass, 9.30am; St Mary’s Kalgoorlie Wednesday – Friday, Weekday Mass, 6.45am.

First Friday of the Month WITNESS FOR LIFE

Pro-Life Mass at St Brigid’s, Midland, 9.30am followed by Rosary, Procession and Prayer Vigil at Abortion Clinic, led by Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Enq: Helene 9403 2444.

First Saturday of the Month WITNESS FOR LIFE

Pro-Life Mass at St Anne’s, Belmont, 8.30am, followed by Rosary and Procession and Prayer Vigil at Abortion Clinic, led by Fr Paul Carey SSC. Enq: Helene 9403 2444.

ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK

Every Sunday, 1 - 2 pm on Access 31

Sunday December 23: DECEMBER 30: Day after Christmas stocktaking / Joanna Bogle, Ned South and Carlos Caso-Rosendi with Marcus Grodi [Journey Home]

The RCTA extends to all our viewers every good wish for the New Year.

The Rosary Christian Tutorial Association, P.O. Box 1270, Booragoon 6954. Enq: 9330-2467

ACCOMMODATION

■ FAMILY/GROUP ACCOMMODATION

www.beachhouseperth.com Call 0400 292 100

■ TO LET

Mandurah furnished holiday apartment in resort complex, 3 brm, 2 bath. Phn 9381 3495 or email: valma7@bigpond.com

BLINDS

■ BLINDS SPECIALIST

Call AARON for FREE quotes 0402 979 889.

BOOK REPAIRS

■ REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS

Leather restorations; 2ndhand Catholic books @ Tydewi Bindery: phn 9293 3092.

BUILDING TRADES

■ BRICK REPOINTING Phone Nigel 9242 2952.

■ PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD

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

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

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FURNITURE REMOVAL

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GIFTS

Advent calendars, Nativity sets cards, candles, religious items for baptism, reconciliation, holy communion, confirmation. Exclusive range of gifts, handbags, fashion accessories and many more. Opening hours: 8am - 5.30pm Monday-Thursday; 8am-7pm Friday, 10am-3pm Saturday; 12pm-4pm Sunday. We offer personal shopper services too. OTTIMO, Shop 102 and Shop 107-108, Trinity Arcade, Terrace Level, Hay Street, Perth. Phone: 9322 4520.

HEALTH

■ DEMENTIA REMISSION

Do you, or your loved one, suffer Dementia. Get into Dementia Remission like me! http://www.wgrey.com. au/dm/index.htm or (02) 9971 8093

■ HEALTH AND WELLNESS

A New Sample Pack of wellness, weightloss, and energy products. Natural – free delivery & Followup Call 02 9807 5337

IMMIGRATION

■ MIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA

Guidance and visa processing for Skilled, Family or Study Visas . Call Michael Ring or Ajay Trehan Registered Migration Agent (MARN # 0212024)Phone: 02 8230 0290 email: michael.ring@bigpond. com

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

■ CATHOLICS CORNER

Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for baptism, communion and confirmation. Ph: 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Road, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat.

■ RICH HARVEST  YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP

Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, baptism/communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at 39 Hulme Court (off McCoy St), Myree, 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat). We are here to serve.

VDP receive 100 calls a day

■ By Sylvia Defendi

While the St Vincent De Paul Society celebrates an increase of $50,000 in the lead up to Christmas, an average of 100 emergency calls are still being received each day.

With Christmas looming the Society’s Emergency Relief Call Centre is inundated with calls for assistance from members of the community.

“Ninety-five per cent of the calls for assistance are requests for food, with a quarter of those callers asking for Christmas hampers,” media spokesperson for the Society, Lucinda Ardagh said.

With many still experiencing hardship during the festive season and well after the Christmas period, the society continues to encourage community support for those in need.

To help change someone’s Christmas story and donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Christmas Appeal please call 13 18 12 or log on to www.vinnies.org.au.

■ KINLAR VESTMENTS “modern meets tradition” Quality hand-made & decorated vestments, altar cloths, banners

Contact: Vickii Smith Veness 9402 8356 or 0409 114 093

WEDDING

MUSIC

OR

World must know about the lifechanging impact of Christmas: Pope

As Christmas drew nearer, Pope Benedict XVI departed from his tradition of reflecting on an Early Church Father on Wednesdays so that he could point to the enduring impact of Jesus’ birth upon the world.

That God’s son became a man means that mankind is able to become truly human, that this message of salvation must be shared and that peace will come to the world, Benedict XVI explained.

“On the one hand, Christmas is a commemoration of the incredible prodigy of the birth of the only-begotten Son of God from the Virgin Mary in the grotto of Bethlehem,” the Holy Father said, “on the other, it also exhorts us to wait, vigilant and prayerful, for our own Redeemer, Who on the last day ‘will come to judge the

living and the dead’.” Looking at the state of the world today, Pope Benedict XVI departed from his prepared remarks, to focus on justice.

“Perhaps today, we faithful truly believe in the Judge; we all expect justice,” he said.

“We see so many injustices in the world, ... and we expect justice. ... We hope that whoever comes can bring justice. In this context we pray to Jesus Christ to come as a Judge. ... The Lord knows how to come into the world and create justice.”

“Hoping for justice in the Christian sense means ... that we too begin to live under the eyes of the Judge, ... creating justice in our own lives,” the Pontiff said. If we live our lives in a just way, “we can open the world to the coming of the Son and prepare our hearts to welcome the Lord Who comes,” remarked Pope Benedict.

The Holy Father also focused on the fact that Jesus’ birth is a matter of history..

 CNA

Working hard: The St Vincent de Paul’s Emergency Relief Call Centre mostly receive requests for food, a quarter of which are calls for Christmas hampers. St Vinnies still need your help to meet their needs.

PHOTO: SVDP

On a song and a prayer

The YMCA Youth HQ on the corner of Oxford Street and Leederville Parade looks like your typical youth hang-out: kids skateboarding up ramps, and inside a heavily-grafittied wall a dozen or so youth have gathered for a rock concert of six bands, including Rock, Blues & Roots and even Jazz.

But out the back of the shed, though, four young men, who form a progressive metal band called Apocalypsis, are praying in a van.

They’re about to step on stage for their first ‘secular’ gig, outside their comfort zone that has previously consisted of playing in front of Catholic audiences, like at the Goliath music extravaganza, where they received a huge response.

So it was that on December 13 they played songs inspired by their Catholic faith: songs about God, forgiveness, heaven, hell, death and judgement. They didn’t know what to expect, but one thing was for sure, they weren’t going to back away from their Catholicism.

Already nervous leading into the event, towering lead singer John Vandermark found a “spiritual battle” going on in his mind and heart as he was performing to an audience he knew was largely oblivious to his band’s message.

He says he felt a force making him forget his words when he knew them back to front, “like something was trying to stop me”.

He need not have worried. He had the support of his band members Chris Laundy, Sol Laskowski and drummer Roger O’Neil; plus the prayer support of the Disciples of Jesus Community they hail from, without which, John says, he could not have struggled through.

“As my faith grows with the band’s, we’re getting more confident in stepping out into the world, to show that we’re not all talk,” John said.

By the way, Chris wants to play second guitar, so they’re looking for a Catholic lead guitarist. Contact the boys by emailing apokalypsisband@hotmail.com.

-Words/Photos By Anthony Barich