The Record Newspaper 30 September 2004

KNEEL WITH POPE JOHN PAUL

General: That firm in faith Christians will be eager to dialogue with people who belong to a different religion.

Missionary: That the due presence of Catholics in national life and in the media of the Latin American continent may increase.

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Perth: 30 September 2004 Price: $1

The CDP Christian Party stands for protecting and restoring Christian values in our society. The best way to do this is to elect a CHRISTIAN Party to our Parliament. But we need YOUR help!

Now is the time for you to make a stand for moral values by voting CDP Christian Party 1.

CDP has THREE candidates for the Senate and candidates for ALL House of Representatives electorates WHO WILL STAND FIRM FOR CHRISTIAN VALUES.

CDPʼs wide ranging policies may be viewed at www.christiandemocratic.org.au/wa Enquiries on 1300 305 237

Make sure YOUR vote really counts. Support the CDP Candidate

We’re approaching the 40th anniversary of an earthquake

By Russell Shaw*

The bishops who debated, voted for and ratified it in 1964 didn’t, perhaps, fully comprehend the magnitude of what they were doing. The world’s media who had followed the developments of the Second Vatican Council had no idea what the bishops had just let loose. The faithful from all over the world, streaming continually into the Holy City on pilgrimage, saw and heard nothing except architecture and history. But an earthquake had just shaken the Church. Nothing could be the

same again. In a few short years, the 1960s cultural revolution and the Church revolution linked to the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) swept away any comfort zone for the Church. Rites, relationships and the very style of being Catholic all changed. This year, people with long memories may well sense the change when the 40th anniversary of that earthquake takes place this November.

But this anniversary links something both new and deep in continuity with November 1964 — and also, one trusts, with the future.

It is the ideal of holiness for all.

In fact, “The Call To Holiness” is the title of Chapter Five of the council’s Dogmatic Constitution

on the Church (Lumen Gentium), propagated on 21 November, 1964. Throughout this special ‘Vocation’ edition of The Record readers may find some of the sentences culled directly from that document.

Yet in speaking of this “universal call,” the council was making a powerful modern statement of a truth with ancient roots.

Consider the Epistle to Diognetus. Written around AD 200, this Christian document takes it for granted that lay people spread the faith to pagans by the witness of their lives. “The whole tenor of their way of living stamps it as worthy of admiration. . . . What the soul is in the body, that the Christians are in the world,” it says.

The Church never repudiated that. Over the centuries, nevertheless, this view of the laity dimmed, and minimalistic thinking prevailed. Lay people were expected to marry in the Church, baptise their children, make their Easter duty, avoid the grosser sins and hope they would squeak by into purgatory when they died. Much more than that was icing on the cake.

Holiness, conversely, became the default setting for those who became priests or religious. To be lay was somehow to be second best.

Gradually, change set in, encouraged by some notable figures.

St Francis de Sales wrote his Introduction to the Devout Life in the 16th century to help lay people find holiness. In the 19th

century, Cardinal John Henry Newman spoke up for the laity, and St Thérèse of Lisieux offered a practical program of spiritual growth — her “little way.”

In these and other ways, the stage was set for a series of remarkable developments in the first half of the 20th century.

Alongside older forms of lay spirituality — sodalities, confraternities, third orders — these decades witnessed innovations like Catholic Action (“the participation of the laity in the apostolate of the hierarchy”) and the radical Christianity of groups like the Catholic Worker.

The liturgical movement held out to lay people a vision of a more participatory form of

Continued on pages 8-9

‘The harvest is

but the workers are few.’

No.

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A rare vocation

By Catherine Smibert in Rome

When

Linda

Watson met John Paul II last week, it reminded her of the Gospel story about the woman of ill repute meeting Christ. She asked for his prayers for her work and for herself -- a former prostitute who has come to know the Lord.

“I couldn’t believe that I was actually standing in front of him,” Watson told me the day

Watson in by insisting that she could just try it for two months.

“Nobody would know and then you could get out,” she told Watson.

“As soon as you start, you’ve lost your dignity. You’re sold,” she recalled. “My first client was a high-profile media executive and straight away it was like I was sold off like a bit of meat to all of his mates.” Watson described how “out of control” things could become. She said

ing,” the prelate said. “I needed someone who knew the trade inside out. She was my angel of hope.”

So began this team’s ministry: rescue houses called Linda’s House of Hope.

They provide shelter, counselling, protection and more. Archbishop Hickey told me that Watson often has to work with victims from level zero. “Some of these girls come to my door with no underwear, no teeth

after her encounter with the Pope at an audience.

“It was pretty awesome,” she said. “I started off by saying in my second language of Polish, ‘Oh, my Holy Father!’

The experience was just humbling, exciting and everything wrapped up in one!”

Watson came off the streets after more than 20 years in the sex trade, only to convert and then, with the help of her Archbishop, to set up safe houses for prostituted women wanting to get out of the horrifying lifestyle.

The leading campaigner against the legalization of prostitution in her country, Australia, she was voted by the nation as being the “most inspirational woman of the year” in 2003.

But how did a woman who is now doing so much good, get involved in so much bad?

“Well, I was a struggling single mum with three children, who were sleeping on the floor,” Watson explained. “So when this wealthy-looking lady tapped me on the shoulder in the tearoom of my humble office and told me that I could make $2,000 a week just doing massages, it was very tempting.”

The woman, a madam, lured

the money and manipulation “was a sort of safety net that you’d put around yourself and if you tried to get out, or tried to put your foot out into a new life, where did you go to get respect back and rebuild your life?”

Getting out of the sex trade seemed impossible until she “invited God into my heart out of utter desperation.” It was the day Princess Diana died.

“For the first time I truly realized that wealth and power weren’t the answers to everything,” Watson said. “They certainly didn’t save her life.”

Linda decided to get a day job, but no one would take her. She then felt that God had given her a mission to save others who were stuck in prostitution. Again, no one would assist her.

“I don’t know how many hundreds of churches turned me away until I finally came to the door of the Catholic Archbishop’s office,” she recalled. “He saw my vision.”

For Archbishop Barry Hickey of Perth, that day was an answer to prayers. He told me that before he met Linda Watson, he was at odds as to how to make a difference in the sex-trade industry. “I knew that just sending in the average social worker to the field did next to noth-

WANTED: CLERICAL ASSISTANT

even,” Watson said. “Some guys knock their teeth out, so we have to get all that taken care of.”

With violence and drug use rampant and girls “doing eight to 15 clients a day,” Watson is furious to hear politicians proposing legalised prostitution.

“Prostitution destroys you,” she says. “You have no worth and feel like nobody could ever love you.” She says that she asks politicians, “Would you like this to happen to your daughters or sisters?”

“I am forever shocked, and I didn’t think anything could shock me,” Watson says of the victims. “They are so broken that they’re as good as dead. They’re walking zombies. If people saw this, they’d never want it legalised.” In her work, Watson draws inspiration from Mother Teresa, whose beatification she attended, and from John Paul II. “I know we all have very different backgrounds,” she says, laughing. “But I also know that we all love to love.”

Linda’s House of Hope can be contacted on (08) 9358 2544. Any donations will be gratefully received and can be sent to PO Box Z5640, Perth, St George’s Tce WA 6831.

The Knights of the Southern Cross (WA) Inc. are seeking a suitably qualified clerical assistant. Working 2.5 days a week (Mon to Wed) your duties will include: office reception, word processing, data base entry and maintenance, some DTP work and general administrative duties. You will need to be comfortable with a Windows-based computing system, familiar with Quicken and knowledgeable of Word, Access and Excel. Diligence, attention to detail and a good phone manner are also important attributes. The successful applicant will be able to relate to the members of nonprofit organisations and be supportive of the Catholic ethos.

Please mail your applications to:

The State Executive Officer PO Box Y3128 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6832

Or you can Fax to (08) 9225 6010.

All applications must be received by October 11, 2004.

Further enquiries can be made on (08) 9225 6011

GOLDEN JUBILEE FOUNDATION OF DOMINICAN FRIARS IN PERTH 1954 - 2004

17 Angelico Street, Woodlands

Tel: 9446 2055

Sunday 10th October 10.00 am

The priests and Brothers of the Dominican Order invite all former parishioners of Innaloo and Doubleview to join present day parishioners of both parishes and the Dominican Sisters to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the first foundation of the Dominican Friars in the Archdiocese of Perth in 1954. The Mass will be concelebrated by Bishop Sproxton and the Dominican Prior Provincial together with all the former Parish Priests who are still alive. The Mass will be followed by a catered gathering in and around the Parish Hall.

"all in the church, whether they belong to the heirarchy or are cared for by it, are called to holiness"

- from Chapter 5, Lumen Gentium, Vatican

Conversion of heart led former madam Linda Watson to the difficult vocation of helping other women to escape from prositituion and rebuild their lives. Here she meets Pope John Paul II on a recent visit to Rome.

New line in search for spouse

The Internet is a valuable resource for single Catholics in their search for a marriage partner, according to Fr John McCloskey a well-known priest, writer and teacher in the USA.

Fr McCloskey, who has an impressive record of leading large numbers of people into the Church, said that once people were satisfied that God was calling them to marry and found a family, the Internet was a useful place to begin the search for a spouse with whom they could grow in holiness.

He particularly recommended the US agency Ave Maria Single Catholics Online because it was well-organised and secure.

“I am a big advocate of Ave Maria SCOL because six women to whom I have recommended it in the last two years are now either married or engaged,” he said.

“What is important in today’s culture of death is that you not remain passive and that you use

every legitimate means to find a spouse who shares totally your Catholic faith, particularly in all that relates to the Church’s teaching on marriage and family.

“The beauty of Ave Maria SCOL is that it allows people to reveal the ‘inner you’ to one another before deciding to meet.”

Fr McCloskey pointed out that long-range correspondence leading to marriage was not uncommon in the days before the telephone and rapid transport. It was a natural way for people to explore their relationship.

Physical attraction had its natural place, but there were advantages if it was tested when people were first familiar with the values and personality of their friend and potential spouse.

In the present culture of ‘image’, working mostly or entirely on physical attraction as the basis for marriage often lead to moral, psychological and even physical disaster.

It was only the novelty of Internet communication that made people think they would be embarrassed to admit meeting their future spouse that way.

SCHOLARSHIPS

TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME AUSTRALIA

The Trustee of the KSC Education Foundation Inc (a project of the Knights of the Southern Cross) takes pleasure in again inviting applications from teachers of Religious Education in Catholic Schools in Western Australia to undertake further study for units in religious education or theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia in 2005.

Application forms and further information are available from:

The Trustee

KSC Education Foundation Inc

PO Box Y3128

26 St Georgeʼs Terrace PERTH WA 6832

Telephone (08) 9225 6011

Applications close on 12 November 2004

“Actually, I think people should be more embarrassed to admit that they met their spouses at a bar,” he said.

“My opinion is that there will be a much higher

rate of long-lasting marriages through Ave Maria SCOL than through meeting on a Saturday night at some bar.

“Nobody is required to limit their search for a spouse to the few hundred people of the opposite sex they might encounter in their eligible years.

“Ave Maria SCOL has already proved itself in a short time in that regard.

“Finding a spouse is a serious business, and Ave Maria SCOL should be seen as one of several means to achieve that goal. It has the advantage of taking less time and money and, perhaps, a lot fewer busted serious relationships before finding “the one”.

“I would go further and say

Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St. Benedict ARE YOU

● Looking for ʻthe moreʼ in life?

● Seeking a deeper relationship with God?

● Desiring a more meaningful way to live your Christian life?

If so we invite you to consider

● Sharing with us as we continue to seek God

● Joining with us as we respond to todayʼs needs in the spirit of the Good Samaritan

Visit our Website www.goodsams.org.au

Contact: Sister Veronica McCluskie sgs veronica@goodsams.org.au

Ph: 02 99807424

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that for the 35+ group it may be their best chance to get married to compatible, faithful Catholics because, with very few exceptions, the people registered with Ave Maria SCOL are serious about getting married.

“There are many safeguards in place to ensure that you are dealing with genuine people online. Predators are not welcome and are easily discovered if they do appear.

“No one should ever consider himself or herself “hopeless”. Everyone is a child of God and if it is God’s will that they marry, Ave Maria SCOL may provide a means to seriously explore that possibility. I have known several men and women in their late thirties or early forties who were close to despair about their marriage possibilities but who are now married or engaged through Ave Maria SCOL.

“As Rodgers and Hammerstein put it, ‘Getting to Know You’ is the key, and Ave Maria SCOL provides a high-tech way for people to get to know one another through written communication.”

Ave Maria Single Catholics Online can be located at www. avemariasingles.com

Although it is predominantly an American service, there are people registered from other parts of the world, and it would not surprise to see a sizeable Australian contingent as people realise the possibilities and take the plunge. Or, possibily, someone will create an Australian version.

Fr McCloskey is a former Wall Street Investment banker now based in Washington. His converts include former US abortion king Dr Bernard Nathanson, economist Larry Kudrow, and Senator Sam Brownback.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE STATE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (Full-time, permanent position)

A newly created position exists for a high level, experienced Personal Assistant to provide administrative and personal support through secretarial duties, including diary management and travel arrangements.

High level communication skills are required to liaise effectively with Government Departments, other community organisations, media, general public, members, volunteers and employed staff. Equally important are high level written skills for the preparation of agenda, minutes and reports as well as undertaking research activities for selected community projects.

It is expected that applicants, with strong computer skills, will be able to achieve objectives within a set timeframe, with discretion, initiative and confidentiality.

Applicants, supportive of the Ethos of the Society, will need a background in a similar role and a proven track record in supporting senior executives.

Located in Belmont, the Society is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a safe working environment.

Written applications to Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 473, Belmont WA 6984 or email to alan.jennings@svdpwa.org.au by 30th September, 2004.

PRINCIPALSHIP Infant Jesus School, Morley

Infant Jesus School is a double stream, co-educational school, with an enrolment of 540 students from K–7. This multicultural school was established in 1954 by the Dominican Order. The Carmelite Fathers have also been very involved in the school.

Infant Jesus has a whole school approach to learning outcomes with an emphasis on Literacy and Numeracy, as well as Information Technology. Specialist programs include Physical Education, Library and LOTE (Italian and Indonesian). The school is well resourced and receives significant support from all groups associated with the school, including the parish.

The successful candidate will commence on 1 January 2005.

Applicants need to be practising Catholics and experienced educators committed to the objectives and ethos of Catholic education. They will have the requisite theological, educational, pastoral and administrative competencies together with an appropriate four year minimum tertiary qualification and will have completed Accreditation B or its equivalent.

A Current Federal Police Clearance/100 Point Identification Check must also be included. The appropriate Police Clearance Consent Form is available from the Department of Education and Training website (www.eddept.wa.edu.au/ HRRecruitment/Downloads/PoliceClearance.pdf).

The official application form, referee assessment forms and instructions can be accessed on the Catholic Education Office of WA website: www.ceo.wa.edu.au Enquiries regarding the position should be directed to Roma Criddle, Consultant, Leadership Team on 9212 9268 or email: criddle.roma@cathednet.wa.edu.au All applications, on the official form, should reach the Director, Catholic Education Office of WA, PO Box 198, Leederville 6903 by Wednesday 13 October 2004.

MEN OF HOSPITALITY

LIVING AND PROCLAIMING GOD’S

HOSPITABLE LOVE

“…the suffering of my neighbour breaks my heart…” (St. John of God. 1540)

As lived out by St. John of God five centuries ago, our vocation is to give of ourselves completely and freely; to be a Brotherly presence; a symbol of hope for our world; proclaiming God’s Hospitable love. We are all called to a charism of Hospitality and love that promotes healing, advocacy and reconciliation for those suffering in our society.

Our core of Hospitality compels and urges us to deepen our relationship with God, ourselves and with those whom we share our lives, community and ministry.

WE ARE THE: BROTHERS OF ST. JOHN OF GOD

Will you accept God’s invitation to a life dedicated to Hospitality?

Contact: Br. John Clegg. OH. Vocations Director

P.O. Box BN 1055.

Burwood North. NSW. 2134.

Telephone : 02 9747.1699, Fax : 02 9744.3262

Email : jclegg@stjohnofgod.org.au

Everybody’s vocation is to know, love and serve God here on earth and to be happy with Him forever in heaven.

That was the answer to the second question in the old Australian Catechism used in schools less than 50 years ago. It still sounds like the answer to a Catechism question, which is no bad thing even though learning things by heart seems to be out of fashion.

The question to which the above was the answer was: Why did God make me? This is a very good question. For those who think they need it rephrased, it is: What is the meaning and purpose of my life? It is still a very good question and a very good answer that is true for everyone.

The only other question we need to ask is: How do I do that? How do I know, love and serve God?

For some the answers are easy, for others hard, but for all of us they are possible.

Watching little children, it seems clear that they are born with a memory of the God who breathed His life into them, an intuitive awareness of His presence. However, they are born into a world of physical relationships, and if this intuition is not confirmed by those around them living in that awareness, it is often forgotten.

It gives way to an option for atheism – a sad denial of what is at the core of every person, a denial which makes full personal development almost impossible; agnosticism – in many ways a worse denial because it forecloses on the prospect of ever opening the capacity for faith; or the ‘I believe there is something out there but I don’t want to think about it’ option – a state of mind that conditions people to ignore whatever signs of revelation God may send them.

Without limiting the possibilities of God’s grace, the solution to all of these states of mind is for people to choose to want to know God. One solution is to say: ‘God, if you’re out there, I want to know you.’ The more common solution is that people see the effects of the presence of God in someone else’s life and they want what they see. Either way, or any other way, once a person says “I want to know God’, the result is a foregone conclusion. God will find them.

Loving God is, in a sense, a result of knowing Him, but it requires a different approach by us. Love is a permanently positive state of mind about the beloved; we always see and think and feel what is good about them. That is why our love of one another is so often fragile and fickle; we are too easily distracted into fault-finding, or even just distracted. God, of course, is all goodness, totally good, infinitely good, in who He is, in what He does, and particularly in how

He loves us.

All we need to do is to remember that, call it to mind, dwell in it. There is a great example of how to do this in the Book of Job (1:6-22). After losing his possessions and his family in four disasters, Job tore his clothes, shaved his head, and prayed to God. He was acknowledging that the goodness of God is greater than the catastrophes that had befallen him. We are loving God and living in the security of God’s love when we remember that the goodness of God far surpasses whatever circumstances we call bad and whatever circumstances we call good.

Loving God is a permanently positive state about His goodness. We struggle to achieve it because we prefer to hang on to our own judgement about what should be happening in the world, but the more we thank Him and praise Him for the goodness we do perceive, the more we are able to see it. As we grow in this awareness, we can learn to say ‘thanks be to God’ when we don’t break a leg in an accident – and when we do. Eventually, we can mean the words of the Irish Te Deum “Thanks be to God for His own great goodness. Thanks be to God that what is, is so.” That is because whatever is, is no match for the goodness of God that always surrounds us.

Finally, if we know and love God we are serving Him, but he gives us the privilege of doing more. When the Jews asked Jesus (shortly before He told them He would give them His flesh to eat and His blood to drink) what they had to do to do the work of God, He replied: “This is the work of God, to believe in the one whom He sent.”

How do we do that? How do we carry it out? Exactly as He told us to, we love and serve others.

All things human are expressed in relationships. It will depend on time and circumstance and stage in life whether we express this love and service to spouse and family; or in spiritual leadership, education and example to others; or in caring for the sick and dying; or in feeding the hungry; or in visiting prisoners (in whatever sort of prison); or in standing by those unjustly treated; or by motivating human authorities to act justly; or in humbly accepting the responsibility to exercise human authority; or in the myriad other calls to which those who love God respond.

What is absolutely certain is that we do not serve God by gratifying self. It is by surrendering self to others in the name of the one whom He sent that we discover who we truly are, and it is through our true self that the goodness of God is poured into the world.

It is everybody’s vocation to enrich the world in this way.

Marriage

A married person is a woman or man who:

■ Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in his relationship with God

■ Lives a vow of faithful love to a spouse through the sacrament of marriage

■ Is committed to helping husband or wife grow to human and Christian maturity

■ Shares a relationship with a spouse which is self-giving, love-giving and life-giving

■ Seeks to form a family home

■ With husband or wife are the first teachers of their children in Christian faith and values

■ May serve the parish community as lector, catechist, musician, liturgist, minister of Eucharist, in care and welfare groups, and on committees.

■ May serve the Church community in ministries such as social work, health care, education, and lay missionary work, and the wider community wherever time, personal talents, resources and family responsibilities allow.

Then there were 4

By Catherine Cavuoto

Although our lives started out in very similar ways, our teenage years and early adulthood were vastly different and little did we know the whole time God was leading us in the same direction, to our vocation ... MARRIAGE.

Over 20 years ago Lucas and his family moved over from Adelaide to make Perth their permanent residence. Ironically, they moved into a house in Queens Park, only 4 doors away from where my family were living.

We didn't really have much to do with each other then, apart from his occasional cheeky comments, as he and his brother would ride past our house. But, a few years later my family moved to a different area and I no longer saw Lucas.

I come from a family of devout Catholics who have practised their simple faith for generations, and placed great value on Marriage and family life. My parents are a wonderful example of Marriage and I guess from the age of about 14, 1 had a real desire to one day be married and have a family of my own.

I was encouraged to pray to St. Joseph and ask him to help me find a good spouse (someone who would take care of me the same way he took care of the Holy Family). So I began my prayers to St. Joseph. I also prayed to my Guardian angel, requesting that he visit the angel of my future spouse and when the time was right, they would lead us to be together.

But, over the next few years I became very disillusioned. I thought I would never find someone and I tried to be open to the idea that maybe God desired for me to be a religious, although, in my heart I still secretly hoped to be married.

Lucas on the other hand was going through struggles of his own. His family did not practise any faith. Even though his parents had a strong marriage, after leaving school he was very influenced by the world. He didn't have any intention of ever being married or having a family. In his early 20's, after many hurts and disappoint-

ments, his life was unfulfilled and he searched for God. He converted to Catholicism and came to an understanding that God was calling him to marriage. He also had a sense that Our Lady was asking something of him and it would be revealed to him in time.

We could see clearly how God had directed us on a path toward each other and after we had both fully given our lives to him, the time was right for us to be together.

He spent his first four years as a Catholic serving God, getting his life on track and preparing himself for marriage (in many ways i.e. buying a house; finding a stable job; spiritually through prayer and discernment).

Three years ago we met at a prayer group run by Fr. Paul Baczynski. We soon learned of how we had been praying for each other through St. Joseph and our guardian angels and in April 2003

we were married.

(Amazingly, the calling Lucas had from Our Lady ceased once we were married.) There were many confirmations that we had found our true spouse. We both wanted the same things in life (morally, spiritually, even financially), we had both taken the 'True Love Waits' pledge, and we both had our foundation set in God and Our Lady.

We could see clearly how God had directed us on a path toward each other and after we had both fully given our lives to him, the time was right for us to be together.

Our greatest joy has been the birth of our first daughter Emily Therese. She is the fulfilment of many years of preparation.

God had not only been preparing us for our own vocation, he had really been setting us up to partake in his pro-creation... to give Emily the best chance at life here on earth and in eternity.

We thank God for our marriage, for little Emily and for the next little addition to our family due to arrive in March next year.

How a Marriage "Preaches" the Gospel

By Andrew and Terri Lyke

The love that others see in the day-to-day life of married couples actually "preaches" the Gospel. Just consider what marital love is. It is based on a promise made about an unknown future. It starts with faith in a goodness that will endure "'till death do us part." So it reflects God's own committed love.

St. Francis of Assisi said: "Preach the Gospel, always. And when necessary, use words." Perhaps his statement helps to clarify what is meant when we speak of baptized people "preaching" the Gospel to the world. We want to talk about how this happens in marriage.

As marriage educators, we ask engaged and newly wed couples to consider what their marriage might be like in 50 years. Then we tell them that were everything in their married life to unfold just as they envision it now, they would be short-changed, hoodwinked and cheated. A Christian marriage is shaped by God, who continues to shape it over time.

We also tell them that often in marriage they will have to bear their cross. Very often their heaviest cross will be each other. But in times of bearing the cross their actions will convey the Gospel message.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.... For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?... If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than

others?... You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48).

This teaching is key for married people. For there are times when a spouse is perceived as an "enemy." And it is at such times that love matters most.

At such times love is a decision for the good of the other and is not based on how one feels at the moment. When love endures in challenging times like this, spouses will find that their marriage is being shaped by God; their marriage is reflecting the paschal mystery of death and resurrection.

One might ask: "Why bother with all the suffering? Why not let the fun times roll until they run out, then trade for a newer, more exuberant love?" But that's the culture of divorce, which too often thwarts the potential of modern marriages.

Our response to the culture of divorce is the same message we give engaged and newly married couples: If your marriage is shaped only by your limited hopes, wants and needs, you will get no more than what you are capable of creating. However, if you submit to God's design by embracing your cross, the paschal mystery lives in you, and you will become more than what you can imagine. Only when married couples faithfully carry their cross and are willing to die to themselves for the sake of the other will theirs be transformed into marriages shaped by God.

The grace of the sacrament of marriage resurrects their love and recreates something fresh and new. And others see it and benefit from it. -CNS

Catherine, Lucas and baby Emily who followed God's path to one another.

Single

A single person is a man or woman who:

■ Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in his relationship with God

■ Has come to believe that the solitude of being single is the true and right way to faithfully live their baptismal call.

■ Lives Christian values alone, with family or with others who are single

■ May serve the parish community as lector, catechist, musician, liturgist, minister of Eucharist, in care and welfare groups, and on committees.

■ May serve the Church community in ministries such as social work, health care, education, and lay missionary work, and the wider community wherever time, personal talents, resources and responsibilities allow.

■ May be able to devote time and energy to the service of others, especially those in most need.

More than a useful life

It’s Christmas morning in 1992. A chaotic scene unfolds in a suburban home as the final preparations are made for the Christmas delivery Santa couldn’t make.

Presents are wrapped and stacked, tinsel garlands taped down. Festive reindeer antlers are slipped on. There may not be a sleigh, but there’s a big red truck, and scores of underprivileged children - naughty and nice - will still get their Christmas presents.

This is one of the proudest memories for Danusia Kaska, one of two newly-appointed national Vice Presidents of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia. Her fellow Vice President is former WA Police Chief, Brian Bull. In taking office, she becomes the first woman and the youngest person, at 28, to be elected to a senior position.

One might say that the wheels were set in motion for this achievement a long time ago. The daughter of Polish migrants, Danusia saw her parents assist others who were struggling, even sending parcels to people in need back in Europe.

‘My toys and clothes were always being given away ... so I had the understanding from a small child that people in need need to be helped.’

While attending high school Danusia began to help others, embarking on a personal ministry of volunteer work that continues to this day.

From Year Seven, under the supervision of a nun, she fed the hungry, visited nursing homes, and was touched by the courage of children with mental illnesses. She experienced her first visit to Ozanam House, a shelter run by the St Vincent de Paul Society in Melbourne, where she helped feed the homeless and listened to their stories.

As Danusia continued through high school she became involved with youth Masses and liturgy, was a Special Minister of the Eucharist at Mass every week and began volunteering at schools for disabled children.

‘I was just looking for something positive to do ... and if there

was something there, I would be doing it’, she explains, denying that it was too much for a young person to take on.

From Year Seven, under the supervision of a nun, she fed the hungry, visited nursing homes, and was touched by the courage of children with mental illnesses. She experienced her first visit to Ozanam House, a shelter run by the St Vincent de Paul Society in Melbourne, where she helped feed the homeless and listened to their stories.

Her involvement with the St Vincent de Paul Society began as she was finishing Year 12. With more time on her hands, Danusia decided she wanted to find an organisation that would nurture her calling to help those in need.

The answer appeared on a parish notice board, and she began attending regular meetings with ‘St Vinnies’. She describes the first meeting as daunting: an assembly of around twenty people with a forty-year age gap between herself and the next youngest person!

‘But they were so welcoming’, she reflects .‘And from that point on, every Thursday night, one of the other volunteers would pick me up and take me to the soup van, and every Saturday to Ozanam House.’

Wondering why there weren’t more opportunities for young people to be involved in the society, Danusia gathered a troupe of friends together and began her own group. It would be a few years before the Victorian State Council established it formally, but Danusia can still be recognised for helping to initiate what would become the Young Vincentians, or ‘Young Vinnies’.

Danusia continued running the Young Vincentians in her area until she felt herself called to a mission in the remote village of Nongkhai, Thailand, in 2002. She lived and worked in a hospice for children suffering from or affected by AIDS.

Conditions were poor and primitive, communication with the outside world was limited, and the children were sick and dying. Danusia describes it as one of the most moving experiences of her life.

‘I felt such a strong, stirring calling within me and I really knew that God was talking to me. I was really being a witness to my faith.’

Danusia’s enterprise in the community has also led to her involvement with other organisations, notably the Marists. She currently lives in MYAC house, a Marist community which places young people together to develop their ministry and faith.

‘I admire how Marist brothers work closely with young people’, she says.

She is an avid supporter of youth ministry, which she insists is vibrant and busy, contrary to criticism from some quarters.

‘It is sometimes implied that young people aren’t very active in the church today, that they aren’t very interested in following their faith. That’s rubbish! If you go to a Catholic youth ministry event, you’ll see how many young people are involved—try 2million people at a world youth day (in Rome, 2000). No rock concert,

no celebrity, no sporting person in the world has ever brought so many young people together like the Holy Father did.’

Danusia points out that many young people attend Adoration at the cathedral, Young Vinnies groups, youth Masses and prayer groups. She sees them work with charities such as MacKillop Family Services, Interchange North-West, and Exodus, an outreach community in West Heidelberg.

‘I meet more and more young people who are involved in these areas. It’s very inspiring.’

At the age of 28, Danusia has developed an impressive portfolio with her personal ministry. She was still stunned, however, by her appointment to the position of national co-Vice President.

Ironically, the gap that Danusia saw in her first St Vincent de Paul meeting ten years ago will be her main focal point as Vice President.

‘I’m 28. I’m not a Young Vinnie anymore—a lot of Young Vinnies are in college, or their early twenties. It would be nice if we could find more ways for people who have less time available, such as those in their late twenties, or thirties and forties, to participate.’

Aside from bridging the gap, Danusia feels it’s very important to unify what are, at the moment, two very separate ends of the spectrum: the young and the senior. This is crucial, for Danusia believes young people have a vital role to play as full participants in the Society and older people have a lot of wisdom to share.

When she met the International Society President and the International Society Youth Representative in Seoul in 2001, Danusia admired the respect and support they gave to each other.

‘That’s something I want to see emulated here’, she explains. ‘Young Vinnies should be more than the Vinnies of tomorrow. They are the Vinnies of today.’

By Danusia Kaska

Danusia Kaska

We’re all called

Continued from page 2

worship and Christian life. Pope St Pius X’s stress on early and frequent reception of Communion, coupled with public events such as eucharistic congresses, fostered eucharistic devotion. The flourishing of Marian piety was a reminder that the greatest saint of all is a laywoman and mother.

Many people had their faith shaken by the devastation of World War I and World War II, but for others these world calamities were incentives to undertake a deeper search for inwardness and the meaning of life. Secular institutes and new movements like Schoenstatt, Focolare, the Neocatechumenal Way and Opus Dei preached the gospel of holiness in the world.

Then came the Second Vatican Council.

The council’s teaching about the universal call gave systematic expression to the new insights: sanctity is possible — indeed, is willed by God — for lay people as much as for priests and nuns; the elements of everyday life — work, marriage and family, friendships, disappointments and successes, sorrows and joys — can be the foundation of an interior life built up by prayer, worship, sacraments, spiritual guidance and service to others.

The theological basis of the universal call is a deeper grasp of baptism. Having become God’s children, Vatican II points out, the baptized are meant to “hold on to and perfect in their lives that sanctification which they received from God.”

The various states in life — clergy, Religious, lay — are specifications of the Christian life begun in baptism. The divine call to holiness is present in them all.

The Church is hierarchically structured and includes different vocations, different charisms and offices, different states in life. But when it comes to what is most important — love of God and neighbour — all are equally called. “All Christians in any state or walk in life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of love,” the council taught.

Obviously, the clergy and Religious are called to be holy. But this call is “universal” — it extends equally to the laity, including married couples and parents, right where they are. “The forms and tasks of life are many, but holiness is one — that sanctity which is cultivated by all who act under God’s Spirit and follow Christ,” said Vatican II.

It would be naive to think the universal call has been universally heeded up to now. The parable of seed and sower still applies: “Some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground.

Other seeds fell upon thorns. .” Now as much as in 1964 — or 1064 or 64 — sanctity in the world, though possible, is hardly a cinch.

And, since Vatican II, new confusion may have arisen from the stress on “lay ministries.” While these are desirable avenues of sanctification, a near-exclusive emphasis on service within Church structures makes it harder to hear the call to holiness in the world – in the workplace, the profession, as a spouse or as a parent in the home.

Still, the ideal of the universal call persists — in the teaching of Vatican II

As this anniversary approaches it would be timely if we pulled out a copy of Vatican II (or looked it up on the Web) and contemplated the words of the Second Vatican Council: “Therefore all the faithful are invited and obliged to holiness.”

Behind each and every story in this edition of The Record is this fundamental principle – that we are not called by God to become good people. We are called to be saints, and sanctity is possible. We should aim high.

This is an edited version of an article by veteran journalist Russel Shaw, who was also press secretary to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops for 18 years.

How two blokes found New life

Encountering the Neocatechumenal Way changed two men’s lives

By Jamie O’Brien

Entering the church and becoming baptised as adults has been a non-stop roller coaster ride for Duane Wyatt and Mark Rehua.

41-year-old Duane is married with seven children – three girls and four boys – and believes it was their lives, along with the support of his wife Cathy and others that convinced him baptism was needed.

Born and bred in Perth, Duane grew up in the northern suburbs, coming from a non-Catholic family.

During this time however, little or no thoughts of the Church or God entered his mind.

“There was a point in my life where I did believe in God, I just had no aspiration to do anything about it,” he said.

At the age of 15, Duane moved to Geraldton to attend a Catholic Boarding School and completed Year 10. He moved back to Perth the following year, and took up an apprenticeship in a Sheet Metal Trade at TAFE.

Shortly before meeting his wife Cathy, Duane’s cousin died of Leukaemia.

“I couldn’t work out what had happened, but at the same time I didn’t blame God,”

Cathy was involved with the Neocatechumenal Way, and having seen how much it had helped her life, invited Duane to attend a celebration of the Eucharist.

“It was the first time in my life I heard that God loves and accepts me for the way I am,” he said.

In 1994, Duane attended a series of talks – or catecheses – within St Gerard’s Parish. But the impact of the word of God made no difference at this stage.

It wasn’t until he and Cathy were married in 1995 that Duane began regularly going to celebrations of the Neocatechumenal Way and he began to ask what God was really about.

40-year-old Mark Rehua tells a similar story to Duane.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Mark came from a non-Christian background, the eldest boy of four children.

After leaving school at 15, Mark says, drugs and alcohol led him further away from entering the church at a younger age. “I used to make fun of people going to church,” he said.

A couple of years later he met his wife Janette. Within 12 months, they were living together and had their first child.

“Doing what I did back then just seemed natural to what society was doing at that time,” Mark said. “I didn’t see a problem with it.”

“It’s not some magical step that once it’s over you’re a fantastic Christian, ...... It is definitely a continual process of coming to know Christ.”

Mates were killed in car accidents, parties ruled his life from Thursday to Monday and the near loss of his first daughter made no impact on what God was trying to tell him.

“However I do remember thinking that if there is a God he would let my daughter (Grace) live,” he said.

The birth of his second child and near break-up of his marriage still didn’t cause him to question the meaning of his life.

Migrating to Perth in 1994, Mark found the change in lifestyle a new begin-

Meeting the Way

ning after the difficulties he had experienced in New Zealand.

The family moved to Newman for better career prospects.

The only apparent connection with God in his life at this stage was the fact that Janette was going to church.

After 18 months in Newman, the family decided to move back to Perth, and came into contact with Francesco and Antonella Trentin, a missionary family from Italy who belong to the Neocatechumenal Way.

Regular contact with the Trentin family began to help Mark understand the events of his life in the bigger picture.

The couple attended a marriage preparation course – where they first met Duane and his wife Cathy – and an invitation to an all-night Easter vigil the following year began helping him to see that he needed God in his life.

In 1996 he attended the same talks Duane had attended two years earlier - given by Francesco and Antonella Trentin, together with Paulo and Elena Sala, (also a mission family from the Neocatechumenal Way) and the-then parish priest Fr Don Sproxton at St Gerard’s church in Mirrabooka.

Regular attendance at the Eucharist began to make an impact on Mark’s life.

“I came to an understanding that through the Church’s teachings there is another way to live life,” Mark said. He still didn’t feel complete and couldn’t receive Communion or go to

Reconciliation.

With the support of Francesco and Antonella Trentin and Paulo and Elena Sala and Bishop Sproxton, Mark and Janette married in the Catholic Church.

The entire organisation and preparation for the celebration took place in two weeks.

“It was a huge sign for me that God was really working in my life,” Mark said.

“God suddenly became something very real, whereas before he was non-existent.”

But the story of both men’s conversion doesn’t stop there.

In 2001 Mark and Duane began receiving instructions to be baptised.

In what seems to them now an amazing step taken through guidance from the Holy Spirit, Mark and Duane were baptised by full immersion at an all-night Easter Vigil in March 2002 in front of more than 300 people at St Gerard’s Parish.

“There was the fear of being in front of everyone,” said Duane.

“Afterwards it all proved to be nothing,” he said.

Though they have been baptised Mark and Duane both believe their conversion has not been an easy journey.

“It’s not some magical step that once it’s over you’re a fantastic Christian,” Mark said.

“It is definitely a continual process of coming to know Christ.”

Duane and Mark continue to walk in a catechumenal community in Mirrabooka.

By Jamie O’Brien

Since beginning in Madrid’s shanty towns in 1964, the Neocatechumenal Way has spread around the world, changing lives as it goes...

One of the ways the Church can put its faith in works of new evangelisation is by taking a look at what it has produced.

The Neocatechumenal Way is one of these works of new evangelisation that is bearing fruits. It was begun in 1964 in the shanty towns of Madrid, Spain, by two lay people, Francisco (Kiko) Arguello and Carmen Hernandez, both of whom were inspired by Vatican Council II. It has developed into a service to Bishops and parish priests as an itinerary for the re-discovery of Baptism and is based on the simple concept of living the Catholic faith in small parishbased communities.

In 1989 Pope John Paul II acknowledged the Neocatechumenal Way as “an itinerary of Catholic formation valid for our society and for our times.” He approved its statutes in 2002.

“How can we fail to thank the Lord for the fruits the Neocatechumenal Way has borne in the more than 30 years since it came into being?” the Pope said, at a meeting with Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez, in the same year.

“In a secularised society like ours, where religious indifference is spreading and many live as though God does not exist, there are multitudes who need to re-discover the sacraments of Christian initiation, especially baptism.” The Neocatechumenal

Way came to Australia more than 25 years ago when a team was invited to come to Melbourne from Rome. This included two lay catechists, Toto and Rita Piccolo, together with their young family.

Toto, an engineer, and Rita, a teacher, were 18 when they first became involved with the Neocatechumenal Way in their parish in Rome.

Eventually they felt called to

communities, each with more than 30 people of varied ages, backgrounds and experiences.

Former Mirrabooka Parish Priest Bishop Donald Sproxton said he met the Neocatechumenal Way when it had already been introduced to the parish.

“It was at one of the celebrations that saw how it had re-built marriages and helped individuals come to a better understanding

ate separate groups by ages in the parish was no longer necessary because the Neocatechumenal Way enabled young people to become actively involved in the celebration of the liturgy,”

“This meant that they received much more from the celebration of the Mass than perhaps they might have done otherwise,”

Bishop Sproxton said.

The Neocatechumenal Way is also being lived in the parishes of the Cathedral, East Fremantle, Whitford, Mosman Park, Kelmscott and Rockingham.

the young people and they have many problems, and come to you all poor and broken.”

“They come to know the Church is a mother where they can go for help and re-discover hope there,” said Bishop Sproxton.

Fruits of the Way also include vocations to the married life, religious life and the priesthood.

The Neocatechumenal Way has enriched the faith of churchgoers, brought the far away back to the Church, converted non-believers and helped troubled youth.

Neocatechumenal Communities usually form after a series of talks, or catecheses, in the parish, which announce the ‘Kerygma,’ a Greek word meaning the announcement of salvation.

Redemptoris Mater Seminaries, which have opened around the world in response to the increasing number of vocations from the Neocatechumenal Communities, are diocesan missionary seminaries.

More than 56 Redemptoris Mater Seminaries have opened in over 30 countries.

become itinerant catechists, ready to be sent anywhere in the world to evangelise.

“The name ‘catechumenate’ comes from the early church,” Toto Piccolo said.

“It was the process that people had to undergo before being baptised,”

‘Neo’ is due to the fact that the majority of people in different countries today that come to this experience have already been baptised.”

But they have no opportunity to live this reality,” he said. Here in Perth the Way was embraced by St Gerard’s Parish in Mirrabooka 18 years ago.

Today, Mirrabooka has four

of their faith and the relationship that God wanted to have with them,” Bishop Sproxton said.

“I became convinced that the Neocatechumenal Way, which follows a catechumenate process, is an excellent way of people coming to an adult faith.”

He said that during his time as parish priest at St Gerard’s, the brothers and sisters of the Neocatechumenal communities were of various ages and experiences.

“There was a place for each person regardless of their experience or their age, so saw that the community offered a place for people to grow together in faith... The need of having to cre-

“People become witnesses, a sign that attracts people from far away,” Rita said.

“In this way the parish becomes missionary,” she said.

Around Australia, families like the Piccolos are evangelising in parishes in Perth, Broome, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, and Darwin.

Perth has five families-in-mission; two in Mirrabooka, two in the Cathedral parish and one at Yanchep.

The Neocatechumenal Way has enriched the faith of churchgoers, brought the far-away back to the Church, converted non-believers and helped troubled youth.

“When some people come they don’t come all nice, all polite,” Rita said. “You start to talk to some of

The seminarians study together with diocesan seminarians and are ordained as priests of the diocese, but are also missionary priests, ready to be sent anywhere in the world.

Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Morley opened in 1994 and has already ordained 18 Priests and two deacons.

The Rector of Redemptoris Mater Seminary Fr Michael Moore met the Neocatechumenal Way in Melbourne in 1984, in what he says was a critical moment of his priesthood.

“Since then I have walked in a community with 30 brothers and sisters which continually nourishes my faith,” Fr Michael said.

“This sustains my priesthood.”

From death to life: Duane Wyatt, left, with his wife Cathy with Jeanette and Mark Rehua. The two men found new life through their desire to have a meeting with Christ. Photo: Jamie O'Brien

Archbishop John Myers of New Jersey applauds 28 kneeling young men who stood up to offer themselves to a vocation to the priesthood at a celebration of the Neocatechumenal Way. Photo: CNS

Priest

A priest is a man who:

■ Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in his relationship with God

■ Is an ordained minister of the Church

■ Proclaims and preaches the Good News and teaches the Catholic faith

■ Leads the Catholic community at worship and ministers the sacraments

■ Works to build up parish and other Church communities

■ May serve as a chaplain to universities, hospitals, prisons, schools, the armed forces, mariners and industry

■ If a diocesan priest, promises celibacy for the sake of God's Kingdom, and obedience to his bishop

■ If a religious order priest, vows poverty, chastity and obedience in a religious community.

By Father Nguyen

It was about 2.30am on a cold wintry morning. Awakened by the constant ringing of the phone, I fumbled for it in a dreamng state. It was an emergency call from the local public hospital. A patient was in great distress and was highly agitated. He desperately wanted to see a priest. After jumping out of the cosy doona and throwing some water over my head, I quickly grabbed my pastoral care ‘kit’ and drove straight to the hospital.

On the way, I was wondering about the patient. Who could it be? this person whom I was to

meet on the other side of the door? What would be his or her background? What distress or suffering would this patient be undergoing? I have to admit that I am not a morning person, but I remember to ask Jesus to bring His presence and healing to whatever situation I might encounter. Before I could finish my prayer I found myself checking in through the security door and following the officer along the corridors to the patient’s room.

Michael was a man in his early sixties, covered in medical tubes with an oxygen mask. He spoke to me between his gasping efforts. But it did not worry him. He just

wanted to make sure he was to be reconciled with God and everybody before being transferred to Royal Perth Hospital for the last attempt to revive his failing heart. He was fully aware of the risks involved and the slim chance of making it. He had prepared several different notes to go through, and he found one for me. As I listened to his life story and his journey of faith, I realised how much it meant for him to be assured of God’s love and forgiveness. When he was ready I helped him with the Sacraments for the Sick and Dying.

It was one of the most humbling experiences of being a priest,

Journey to the priesthood

By Fr Michael Merrifield

About seven years ago, I decided to enter St. Charles Seminary in order to search out what I felt might be a call from God to become a Catholic priest. I had the good fortune of being brought up in a strong Catholic family, and my parents always insisted that success in life ultimately depends on giving God the first place in our lives.

A privileged moment Prayer of Trust and Confidence

As a little child, my parents taught me to pray and I still recall moments when I experienced God’s love for me in a personal way. I have many happy childhood memories, and although my family certainly had its full share of conflicts, I always sensed that the bonds of love which held us together were far stronger than any forces that might have divided us

As a teenager, I recall going through a very painful period of loneliness, and I began to lose all sense of God’s presence and peace. At that time I was invited to participate in a Catholic retreat weekend for young people, and during that retreat I had a profound experience of God’s unconditional love and mercy. It was an experience that I will never forget, and in utter gratitude to God, I immediately decided to offer my whole

about the priesthood more seriously. Although I never received any blinding revelation about becoming a priest, I did sense that God was gently guiding me through the advice of a priest, who encouraged me to join the Seminary - simply as a more serious time of discernment.

My time of formation in the Seminary was very enriching and challenging.

Apart from deepening my knowledge of the Catholic faith, simply living in the Seminary community helped me to achieve a much greater understanding of myself and those around me. I am extremely grateful to all those who supported and encouraged me in my journey to the priesthood.

especially for me who was newly ordained. I will never forget the sense of deep peace and relief on his face after I counselled him and administered the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing and the Holy Communion. He seemed ready to go without a slightest worry in the world. He died two days later.

This is certainly one of the many familiar stories about priestly ministry that we hear, except this time, it happened to me. It is a most humbling moment and yet

also a source of great joy, for I was able to be at the right time and the right place in the Person of Christ. The little discomfort from the early phone call was nothing in comparison to the tremendous joy I felt. This is no doubt one of the most unexpected but fulfilling and satisfying aspects of being a priest.

Fr Francis Nguyen, one of the 12 Vocations Promoters in the Archdiocese, can be contacted in the Kalgoorlie Parish on (08) 9021 2100 for more on the fulfiment of the priesthood.

life to serve God, and from then on I began to actively participate in the life of the Church. In the years that followed, I took a more active part in my local Parish community of Mundaring, and then became part of a Christian community (the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community) which has a special ministry with young, homeless people. During my time in that community, I thought

On the August 22, I celebrated my first anniversary to the priesthood, and would like to express my heartfelt thanks, not only to those who made the occasion so special, but also to those who have given me so much love and encouragement in my first year of ministry as a priest.

[Fr Michael is one of the Archdiocesan Vocations Promoters. He can be contacted in Rockingham Parish/Fremantle Zone. Tel 9527 1605. Fax 9592 9703]

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear for you are ever near me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Thomas Merton

Deacon Michael Merrifield prepares for his ordination on August 22, 2003.

Anointing the sick and frail is one of the beautiful things about being a priest

Photo: CNS

Sister

A sister is a woman who:

■ Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in her relationship with God

■ Is committed to sharing in the life and mission of a religious community

■ Lives a vow of poverty, living simply and sharing her personal gifts, time and resources with others

■ Lives a vow of chastity, living celibacy as an expression of her love of Jesus and all people, but not in an exclusive relationship

■ Lives a vow of obedience, living attentive to Godʼs call through prayer and other people

■ May serve as a missionary to people of other cultures

■ May serve in education, health care, parish, youth ministry, spirituality, aged care, pastoral ministry, social work, and as a contemplative May be commissioned by her community to serve wherever there is any need, especially among those who are poor

Why be a sister today

Aquestion that is sometimes asked or subtly implied is why be a sister today? My answer is why not be a sister today!

.... In a world that puts emphasis on what we do instead of the person we are a sister is someone whose whole way of life should herald commitment. In speaking about being a sister I am not undermining the vocation to choose marriage or single life but witnessing to our place in the Church. Too often I have heard people play down the role of sister or brother for fear of people who may misinterpret us as saying our role is superior; no it is not but it is as important as marriage and single life. It is an option in life that is not spoken of too readily as a fulfilling way to live.

Yes, many of the works in which we are involved do not require a sister; a number of people could work in the area of teaching in which I am involved. Once again, you do not have to be a sister to work in nursing, media, medicine, catering, pastoral care, parish work or even to go on the missions. However, the choice to become a sister is one that is motivated by much more than what a religious does in his or her ministry.

There has been bad press about religious and priests in the media over the years and probably rightly so in some

cases, but does that mean that the rest of the people who choose this way of life should keep silent for fear of offending?

As religious we are not super-human but real people; struggling like everyone else, enjoying moments and living in relationship just like everyone else.

Religious life, when lived to its full potential is a life that brings many challenges, takes you where you sometimes would

rather not go, gives you times of insight, life-giving moments and fulfilment. All of these qualities can be experienced in any vocation.

As a sister the fulfilment comes in making your commitment to God every day. Asking the Lord to be with you as you start each day, to be with you in all that you do and say. And in the evening to sit down in community, sometimes tired and say, I met Jesus today in some of the places I never expected to meet Him.

Religious life is meant to be one of service to others, fuelled by prayer, commitment and most importantly a relationship with Jesus. This choice of life is lived out in community where prayer, the breaking open of the Scriptures and a shared vision is part of the day. The fundamental basis of religious life is our relationship with God, how we live that out in community and how we then take it into our ministries and workplace each and every day.

As religious we are not super-human but real people; struggling like everyone else, enjoying moments and living in relationship just like everyone else. I chose and continue to choose Religious life because it gives me life and enables me to bring hope and encourage life and love in others.

Fiona Jackson fmdm

From Flying Doctors to religious life

On May 26, Denise Braddon

IBVM (Loreto) made her final vows at St Nicholas of Myra Parish Church in Penrith. This day was a happy event, reflecting the variety of colours that has made Denise’s journey so interesting. She was born in Young, and was educated by the Presentation Sisters, Mount Erin High School, in Wagga. After studying for a Diploma of Fine Arts at Riverina College, Denise moved to Melbourne where she continued studying for a Diploma of Dramatic Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Denise went on to work backstage in live theatre and as a wardrobe standby on

feature films for a number of years. She travelled to SouthEast Asia, Egypt, Greece and

South America. By the late 1980s the film boom was slowing down, and Denise went to live in England for two years, working as a secretary while travelling around Europe and the Eastern Bloc countries, before the Berlin Wall came down. When she returned to London, Denise worked as a nanny to pay for her return ticket to Australia.

Back in Australia, Denise finished her film work with eight months on the television series Flying Doctors, before settling down to study for a Diploma in Education which she had intended to do 10 years earlier. While studying, she felt called to religious life and began to explore several

orders to discover whether this was the right direction. She felt most at home with the Loreto Sisters Institute, where the living out of the Ignatian Spirituality via the charism of Mary Ward attracted her.

At the beginning of the ceremony at which Denise made her final vows, she came into the church on the arm of her father. The variety of guests who attended the profession spoke of the wide range of lives touched by Denise.

The gentle and casual atmosphere of the celebration and reception echoed the words of the opening hymn, All were welcome ... just as Denise wanted it.

- Catholic Voice

Dying father pointed to God

Daughter of Red Army General credits father for vocational decision

Sister Teresa de Bouriatie, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of San Domenico, embraced the religious life in the Catholic Church thanks to her father, a general in the Red Army.

In a testimony posted on the website dedicated to consecrated life, Vidimus Dominum, Sister Teresa, 26, recounts the impact of her dying father’s last words. While lying on his deathbed after being seriously wounded in Afghanistan, he told his children “put God first in your lives.”

Sister Teresa was 12 at the time and she tells in her testimony that her father’s words impressed her as he was not a man who had ever shown religious sentiments.

The young sister works in Oulan-Oude, a Siberian city of 400,000 inhabitants, on the railway line to Mongolia, more than 5,600 kilometres from Moscow.

Together with two Polish nuns, Sister Teresa spends four days a week helping street children, prisoners and the sick whom she visits either in the hospital or at home.

Sister Teresa highlighted two difficulties of pastoral work. The first is the extreme material poverty in which the people she helps live, which is a challenge for people’s faith and intelligence. According to the sister, she can no longer give away new clothes and toys because “their parents resell them to buy vodka.”

A second difficulty she encounters in her apostolate is the intense activity of South Korean and US protestant movements.

Mary Ward (1586 - 1646) founder of the Institute of Mary.

Fiona Jackson (far right) celebrating with other Franciscans

A deacon is a man who:

■ Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in his relationship with God.

■ Is an ordained minister of the Church

■ May live a vow of faithful love to a spouse through the sacrament of marriage, or may have promised celibacy for the sake of godʼs Kingdom

■ Assists the bishop of his diocese, to whom he has made a promise of obedience, and may assist priests in their parish ministry

■ Proclaims and preaches the Good News

■ Serves and cares for those who are poor, or wherever the needs of the Church or people are greatest

■ Ministers at baptisms and funerals, witnesses marriages, and assists at worship

■ May be full-time or part-time in his Church Ministry

Deacon Archbishop ordains seven

By Jamie O’Brien

Perth Archdiocese is soon to have another seven priests after six seminarians from St Charles Seminary were ordained to the deaconate last Friday.

The seventh man ordained is from the Servite Fathers.

Andrew Bowran, Clayton Mitchell, Gavin Gomez, Kenneth Asaba, Nelson Po and Nicholas Nweke will carry out their ministry in the archdiocese of Perth.

Brother Oscar Auguilera, originally from Chile, will also carry out his ministry in Perth.

During his homily Archbishop Hickey said Deacons are expected to be men of service.

“There are many, many people who are without a shepherd,” he said.

Andrew Boman, originally from Quairading, Western Australia entered the seminary after living life as a farmer.

“For a long period of time I knew I was called,” he said.

Gavin Gomez, from Bangladesh, came to Australia in 1998 from England where he worked as an accountant.

His journey to the seminary began eight years before he entered the seminary in what terms an out-of-character expe-

rience. “I was involved in the music ministry at Greenmount Parish and through composing a song I was able to develop a more spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ,” Gavin said.

Clayton Mitchell, born in Perth, is originally from the Thornlie and Dianella Parishes.

Confirmation of his vocation came through his parish-based pastoral experiences at Whitfords, Thornlie and Lockridge.

“It was there that I was able to have real experiences of community and Church,” Clayton said.

“It encouraged the desire to give myself totally to the service of the Church,” he said.

Nigerian Nicholas Nweke, arrived at St Charles Seminary after various periods spent at

seminaries in Nigeria. He also worked as an Administrator of a Hospital until he entered a religious congregation in 2000.

After completing theological and philosophical studies in Rome, he came to St Charles Seminary last year at the invitation of Archbishop Hickey.

He says his time spent working in the hospital led him to his calling for evangelisation.

Nelson Po also came to St Charles Seminary through the invitation of the Archbishop.

For him, life in the seminary has been a real eye opener.

Nelson said his employment experiences at St John of God Hospital Subiaco and Royal Perth Hospital were very concrete for his life.

Originally from the Philippines, Nelson came to Australia in 1998, after having worked as an Industrial Engineer for four years.

“I have seen and experienced the many ways we can be in the Church,” he said.

“This will help me in my ministry in the future.”

Kenneth Asaba, from Kenya, originally entered the seminary in Nairobi, Kenya.

After finishing studies in Philosophy in Nairobi, he joined a religious congregation, which led him to Rome where he completed a degree in Theology.

After meeting Archbishop Hickey in Rome in 2000, Kenneth was invited to, study at St Charles’ Seminary, and be

ordained for the diocese of Perth. Kenneth says his pastoral experience, looking after migrants in Rome and also caring for the sick and elderly, helped him to grow more aware to the needs of others.

Brother Oscar Augilera didn’t want to waste time with his vocation, and after completing high school at Servite College in Tuart Hill in 1989 asked to enter the Servite Order.

It wasn’t until five years later that his vocation commenced and he entered the order in Melbourne in 1994.

During his formation, Oscar studied theology and philosophy in Rome.

“This was a very beautiful experience,” he said.

Perth permanent deacons may be ordained in ‘05

By Jamie O’Brien

The order of Permanent Deacon has been opened up as a vocation for married and single men in the Archdiocese of Perth.

Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program, Fr Peter Bianchini, told The Record that the first ordinations were expected to take place about Easter next year.

He said that at present Perth has 14 candidates, including one from the Bunbury diocese, going through training to become permanent deacons.

The Permanent Diaconate is one of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which re-intro-

duced the office as an important part of Church history. The Perth program started about two years ago when Archbishop Hickey decided to re-introduce the permanent Diaconate into the Perth archdiocese and advertised for those interested to come forward.

The 44 applications were then narrowed down to the present 14.

Fr Bianchini said the original concept planned for a threeyear program, but this has now extended.

“It is not all about theology, but also about Scripture, the Sacraments, and personal

and spiritual development,” Fr Bianchini said.

“There is also the practical element of learning what to do as a deacon.”

The 14 men meet once a month for a weekend. They come from a variety of backgrounds, including one single man and one who is widowed.

“Once ordained, the men will be able to carry out a number of tasks in the life of the Church,”

Fr Bianchini said

These include preaching and conducting weddings, baptisms and funerals.

However, Deacons cannot carry out anointing of the sick,

as this requires absolution. The Deacons can also carry out celebrations of the liturgy of the word and take communion to the sick and elderly.

Deacons can be teachers in parish programs such as the RCIA and other adult faith education courses. They can also take up positions such as Chaplains to hospitals or schools.

“They could also have diocesan roles,” Fr Bianchini said.

Around Australia, not all dioceses have the permanent Diaconate program.

The Bunbury diocese has carried out its own program for a

number of years. For the men who undertake the program in Perth, no prior theological study is needed, but the program does give credit towards a Diploma in Theology from Notre Dame. Candidates undertake their studies at either St Charles Seminary or the Diocesan Offices based at Highgate.

A single man can choose to go on to the Priesthood but he would need to undertake further study. Archbishop Hickey wants those who will be ordained next year to work in parishes.

However, Fr Bianchini said, “It will not necessarily be in their own parish.”

The seven candidates for ordination to the diaconate are presented to Archbishop Barry Hickey in St Mary's Cathedral last Friday evening, September 24.

Brother

A brother is a man who:

■ Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in his relationship with God

■ Is committed to sharing in the life and mission of a religious community

■ Lives a vow of poverty, living simply and sharing his personal gifts, time and resources with others

■ Lives a vow of chastity, living celibacy as an expression of his love of Jesus and all people, but not in an exclusive relationship

■ Lives a vow of obedience, living attentive to Godʼs call through prayer and other people

■ May serve as a missionary to people of other cultures

■ May serve in education, health care, parish, youth ministry, spirituality, aged care, pastoral ministry, social work, and as a contemplative May be commissioned by his community to serve wherever there is any need, especially among those who are poor

A 21st Century Jeremiah

By Br Paschal Corby

My name is Br Paschal Mary Corby. On entering religious life I chose this name after the example of St. Paschal Baylon, a 16th century Spanish Franciscan. He was a humble friar with tremendous devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady, sources of grace that I regard as essential to the fulfilment of my vocation. I added the name Mary according to the tradition of our order and in recognition of my total consecration to the Immaculate as promoted by my spiritual ‘hero’ and conventual friar, St. Maximilian M. Kolbe.

I am a simply professed friar of the Conventual Franciscan Order, an order that dates back 800 years to our founder St. Francis of Assisi.

As a conventual friar my day is structured around a daily horarium of community praying of the Divine Office and the sacrifice of the Mass.

As a friar in formation, much of the rest of my time is consumed by study. As a candidate for the priesthood, I attend Catholic Theological College. However, I also have the opportunity to do some pastoral work - visiting the elderly, bringing Holy Communion to the sick, assist-

ing at the Missionaries of Charity soup kitchen, promoting prayer and devotion. It is very tempting and easy to live a busy life, but St Francis warns us that in all that we do we should not ‘extinguish the spirit of holy prayer and devotion.’ Therefore I do what I can to develop the contemplative side of my Franciscan vocation, by spending time in personal prayer, reflection and spiritual reading, in Eucharistic adoration, and interceding for the needs of our busy world. Indeed without this personal relationship with Our Lord, our way of life is meaningless.

People ask me how I knew God was calling me to this way of life. It’s not an easy question to answer in words, but one that I feel at the depths of my heart. I was more than a little stubborn in responding to God’s invitation, discerning a vocation over nearly ten years. I could compare my experience to that of the prophet Jeremiah. He was a reluctant instrument in God’s hands, finding endless excuses and ignoring God’s call.

‘I used to say, I will not think about him, I will not speak in his name any more. (Jer 20:9)

Like Jeremiah, I struggled to

ignore my vocation, to drown it with noise, routine and the pursuit of an ‘ordinary’ life. After secondary school I deferred my studies, worked in a bank, studied medicine for six years (my lifelong ambition), graduated and worked through my internship, then took time off living with a religious community caring for intellectually disabled men. But throughout, I felt unfulfilled, and was troubled by doubt. In quieter moments I would reflect on God’s purpose for my life, and was ultimately overcome by the insistence of God’s call.

‘Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones. The effort to restrain it wearied me, I could not bear it.’

(Jer 20:9)

I have come to know this burning fire. It is the fire of love of God that, for me, can only be satisfied through my profession as a consecrated religious. I therefore can say with Jeremiah - ‘You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced.’ (Jer 20:7)

One of the greatest obstacles during my years of discernment was the perception of my own unworthiness. I had a mistaken notion that one needs to be perfect, or at least on the path to perfection, before they could even consider a religious vocation. Only gradually did I come

Simplicity is most attractive

By Br Oliver Tham

Iam free - free to love and free to serve, says Friar Oliver Tham from the Franciscan Friars. Oliver joined the Franciscans in 1994 after being struck by the humility and simplicity that he saw in other friars that he had met. He loved the authenticity and attractiveness of the Order’s founder, Saint Francis of Assisi, a saint unlike any he had ever known.

“One of the things that attracted me most was that Francis’s conversion experience came about through meeting and embracing a leper. That story moved me powerfully and inspired me

Br Oliver Tham

to take up nursing so that I too can care for the most needy and neglected in our world.” he said.

Oliver has loved bringing his Franciscan identity to his nursing.

“I have discovered that nursing is more than just a set of technical skills on a job. Of course, you can be a nurse with just that but because I am a friar and follower of Francis I want to do more than that; it is the pastoral dimension. It is sitting down with a patient and hearing their story as well as tending their symptoms.

Naturally, there are difficulties in religious life. It can be hard sometimes living in community with people with their own ways

and needs. Luckily. I have learnt to be patient - like those I care for at work. I enjoy my work and I enjoy my community of friars but most of all I cherish my own time of prayer with God. That is where it all comes from - where you are strengthened in your innermost heart.

Oliver believes that being a brother is a special gift in the Franciscans, an Order that has both brothers and priests.

“The freedom that we have to mix regardless of status and share as equals is something important to me”, said Oliver. “I like how the friars are free to meet a person at what ever level they

to realise that God calls us as we are, and I now recognise that it is particularly these weaknesses, these less-than-perfect quirks of my being, that allow God’s grace to work in me. As St. Paul says, ‘we are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.’ (2 Cor 4:7) Speaking specifically of the vocation to religious life, the Holy Father proclaims that, through the profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, consecrated persons ‘witness to the power of God’s love manifested in the weakness of the human condition. The consecrated person attests that what many have believed impossible becomes, with the Lord’s grace, possible and truly liberating.’

I do not know why God chose me for this vocation. I have no particular talents for the ‘job’. Neither do I know what my future holds. The vows, sincerely professed, free me from the need to control my life. Therefore I hope and trust in the Lord who has brought me thus far, to sustain me in my vocation and make it fruitful according to his will. And I humbly commend myself, and all who are discerning their vocation, to your prayers.

are and make them feel valued; it is a special gift of their simplicity and the way they do not care about who is a brother and who is a priest. Francis said even if you are a bishop or priests in the Order, we all have to remain brothers. I like this strong part of our tradition.

It is as part of this tradition of service that Oliver dreams of offering himself the most poor of all somewhere in the missions, using his skills and his Franciscan story.”

“To be a happy friar just like Francis was a happy friar, that’s what ultimately I want to be”, said Oliver.

Br Paschal visits with the elderly as part of his pastoral work

ONO.

Tel 0403 580 882.

BUILDING TRADES

BRICK

DUNSBOROUGH - New 4 x 2, great location, sleeps 9. Ph: 0407 409 787.

PERROTT

Sunday October 3

ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK

1 - 2 pm on Access 31.The life story of St Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, presented by Fr Charles Connor. There can be no more important mission than bringing souls to God. Please help us to do so, as we are in great need of funding to keep

PO Box 1270, Booragoon 6954. General enquiries: 9330 1170.

Sunday October 3

GATE OF HEAVEN

Please join us this Sunday at 7:30pm on 107.9 FM, Radio Fremantle, for more Global Catholic Radio. This week we will feature: 1. GK Chesterton: Orthodoxy (2) with Dale Alquist. 2. The Teachings of Jesus Christ: Expressions of Prayer with Fr John Corapi. Donations toward the program may be sent to Gate of Heaven, PO Box 845, Claremont, WA 6910. Programs subject to change without notice.

Sunday October 3

DIVINE MERCY

An afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary’s Cathedral Victoria Square Perth at 1.30pm. Holy Rosary and Reconciliation. Sermon: Fr Tiziano Bogoni on Saint Faustina Kowalska followed by Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction. Enq: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.

Tuesday October 5

BULLSBROOK SHRINE CELEBRATION

Father Giovanni D'Ercole will celebrate Holy Mass at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook at 3pm. It will be the last opportunity to hear Father, an inspirational speaker, before he leaves Australia to return to the service of His Holiness, the Pope, as Bureau Chief in the General Affairs section of the Secretariat

ROSARY BEADS

CUSTOM

Due to the large number of contributions to the Panorama section it is important to get your items in as soon as possible.

Email: administration@therecord.com.au or phone:

KYLIE 9227 7080.

Please note: deadline for panorama Tuesday 12 noon. The Record reserves the right to edit panorama items.

of State, Vatican City. You are warmly invited to attend. Enq: SACRI 9447 3292.

Tuesday October 5

FR GIOVANNI D’ERCOLE

Bureau Chief in the general affairs section of the Secretariat of State of his Holiness the Pope, Vatican. His final day in Perth will be at St Anne’s Church, Hehir St Belmont at 10.30am – 12noon. Rosary, Holy Mass, talks. BYO share lunch.

Thursday October 7

SUNG LATIN MASS

Feast of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Benediction. Low Mass at 1.10pm and Sung Mass at 6.30pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament to take place in St John’s ProCathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth after the Low Mass till before the evening Sung Mass. All welcome. Enq: Fr Michael Rowe 9444 9604.

Thursday October 7

THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

Members of the Legion of Mary, families and friends are invited to The Virgin of the Revelation Shrine Bullsbrook for their annual pilgrimage. Rosary at 11.30am followed by Holy Mass. BYO picnic lunch.

Fr Brian Ahern invites all Spiritual Directors to concelebrate the Mass and assist with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Buses are available at a cost. For bus details contact Harry Albuquerque 9417 2416. For Bus using the northern corridor contact Lou Colace 9458 8232.

Sunday October 10

SPRING IN THE VALLEY MASS

St Michael’s Church Great Northern Highway Herne Hill. Mass commences at 9am followed by morning tea. (St Michael’s Church is next to Swan Valley Sporting Club).

Sunday October 10

FATIMA H0LY HOUR

The World Apostolate of Fatima, will hold a Holy Hour at the Immaculate Conception Church, Canning Highway East Fremantle at 3pm. Come and make Eucharistic reparation to Our Lord Jesus Christ. All welcome.

Monday October 11

MENTAL ILLNESS MEETING

Do you or someone you know suffer with a Mental Illness? A meeting to share experiences and support needs will be held at 7.30pm Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Centre, 28 Marda Way, Nollamara. It is hoped to extend the present Parish level support offered by the Nollamara Mental Health Support Group to a Regional Network for Northern Suburbs Parishes. Come and hear about other groups in the Perth Diocese and share information. Enq: Barbara Harris at Emmanuel 9328 8113.

Thursday October 14

HEALING MASS

A healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, patron of Cancer sufferers and helper of all in need will be held at the church of SS John and Paul, Pinetree Gully Rd (off South St) Willetton at 7pm. There will be veneration of the relic and anointing of the sick. Enq: Noreen Monaghan 9498 7727.

Friday October 15 CELEBRATION OF ST TERESA OF AVILA

Virgin and Doctor: The Carmelite and Parish communities invite you to join them at Infant Jesus Parish, 47 Wellington Rd, Morley. Mass at 7.30pm followed by a talk by Fr John Follent, OCD. Tea and coffee will be served after the talks. All welcome.

Sunday October 17

DOCTORS/NURSES ANNUAL MASS

Doctors, nurses, health professionals & students are welcome to join us for Mass at 10am at Mercy Hospital Mt Lawley, followed by refreshments. RSVP by 8/9/04 on 9242 4066.

Wednesday October 20

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL

St Lukes Church, cnr Duffy Tce and Parkside Ramble, Woodvale. Nine Wednesdays from October 20, commencing 5.30pm for approx 30 minutes. Primary intention: World Peace.

Friday October 22 RIGHT TO LIFE FAMILY QUIZ NIGHT Perth Soccer Club, Lawley St, West Perth 7.30pm. Bookings 9221 7117.

Thursday October 28

MAJELLAN REUNION

Morning tea get together at 10am House Schoenstatt, 55 Tudor Ave, Riverton. Enq: Margaret 9457 8193 or Adele 9457 1620. All welcome to join us and reminisce.

DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOURS

The Divine Mercy Apostolate invites you all to come and join us by rolling out the red carpet for Jesus. St Mary’s Cathedral each first Sunday of the month from 1.30pm – 3.15pm with a different priest each month. There are now 17 parishes conducting Divine Mercy.To find out where and when, please contact John Murphy on 9457 7771.

RAFFLE CLOSING DATE

The Franciscans of the Immaculate wish to advise that the closing and draw dates for the car raffle under Permit no LS032156 has been extended to 31 December 2004 and 2 January 2005 respectively. Results will be published in the West Australian of 7 January 2005.

It's written on your soul

One day a young man in search for the meaning of his life met Jesus and asked Him: “Master, where do you live”. Jesus answered him: “Come and see”.

If you want to know a little more about the Salvatorians - come and meet us on the days of reflection organised for young men in our community house in Currambine.

So, come and see...

Please

do not rest content until all people know, love,and serve Jesus Christ as their Saviour

<<<>>> info@sds.org.au

"It is therefore quite clear that all Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of love, and by this holiness a more human manner of life is fostered also in earthly society."

- from Chapter 5, Lumen Gentium, Vatican II

Want to serve God more deeply as a lay person? Want to know the secret to a successful happy life? A new workshop being offered in Melbourne might help you.

The secret to a happy life is written on your soul. Every Christian, through Baptism and Confirmation received special gifts from the Holy Spirit called charisms. We often acknowledge charisms as something other people have – but they are gifts which we are all called to recognise and use in service to God and neighbour. We do not know how many charisms there are, but a few common ones are hospitality, leadership, knowledge, encourage-

of the adult education program at CAEM.

“One of the most powerful lessons for me as a leader has been the extraordinarily tangible evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. St Paul’s words take flesh,” she said.

“To one person is given the charism of hospitality, to another mercy, to another teaching. The discernment of a charism is accompanied by profound humility on the part of the recipient and a similarly profound respect from other participants who do not share the same gift but are in awe of the way in which the Holy Spirit is present among us. One Spirit, many gifts.”

Our talents serve God

As Christians we are called to offer everything we have – including our natural talents, personality, education and experience – to the

ment, service, teaching and faith.

Discerning your charisms can be a major clue in determining God’s plan for your life, as well as your role in God’s plan for humanity. Knowing your charisms can help you make better decisions, simplify your life, excel at work, free yourself from envy and better appreciate your family’s gifts.

Catholic Adult Education

Melbourne is offering a unique workshop in Melbourne. The Called and Gifted workshop has been developed by the Siena Institute as a tool for helping Catholics discern their gifts. The program helps people sort through their life experiences to identify patterns that may indicate a personal charism. It also provides assistance in developing these charisms.

“This is a very exciting time for us” said Clara Geoghegan, education officer with CAEM. “We would be delighted if people from as far afield as Western Australia were to be able to participate.”

“It will be the first complete training program for Called and Gifted Workshops to be made available in Australia and we are thrilled to have Sherry Weddell, author of the materials and co-director of the Catherine of Siena Institute to share her valuable and innovative work with us,” she said.

One Spirit, many gifts

Clara has been leading gift discernment in small groups as part

service of God and neighbour.

However charisms are not the same as skills or natural talents which can be used for good or evil, independent of our relationship with God. Charisms are special abilities given to us by the Holy Spirit which can only be used for good.

Equipping Parishes to Form Lay Apostles

The Called and Gifted workshop is designed for use in parishes. It can also be valuable to people working in other faith-related areas such as schools and hospitals. It has a range of applications from assisting in the formation of a parish pastoral council through to personal formation of parishioners. The workshop itself is run over a weekend. This is followed by a parish-based extended gift discernment program. Parishes are then able to formulate their own programs for faith formation with assistance from CAEM.

Three programs will be conducted in October. These include a Called and Gifted Workshop, a four-day Making Disciples Equipping Apostles seminar, and a training program for those who wish to teach the workshop. Further information is available from Clara Geoghegan at CAEM. Phone (03) 9412 3343 or email: cgeoghegan@melbourne.catholic.org.au

The journey home

The following talk about her journey to discovery of her vocation was given by newly-professed Josephite Sister Julie Della Franca rsj at the Australasian Catholic Press Association Conference held in Perth on 12 August this year.

We’re all in a process of telling our story.

From the moment our first breath announces our arriva, till our last breath begins to carry our soul.

When you’re old, you have got a story. When you are young you are getting your story.

You want every bit of it. You want to Taste it, Touch it, Smell the perfume of it and See it to believe it. You want to experience it engage in it. That’s what it was like for me and still is really. These are some of the things that have been my story. People who have influenced me, motivated me touched me with their compassion and led me with affirmations. These stories have been my watering holes, my sacred places, my experience, of my God.

Born an Australian, I am 2nd generation Italian, from my father’s people and 1st generation Dutch, from my mother’s people. I have 3 siblings, all here in the West.

I went to catholic schools until until 4th and 5th year. I was

only an instrument. And quickly learnt of the providence of God. On a train in Switzerland, an old man said “you only get that chance once, take it”

For 4 years I lived down the road from the little sisters of Carmel, an order who prayed and you could join them in prayer of the office. So began my days, 6am at the beach for a swim, with them, then Prayer, Mass, breakfast, prayer again and by 10am I’d head off to the youth office till usually 10 or so at night. I learnt to balance my contemplation and my extravert-ness, well at least to understnad that my source of life

being. From lovers on first dates, prostitutes on pick ups, frenzied bouncer beatings, homesick, homeless and lovestruck individuals. Music is a very powerful medium, to reach people universally.

People would seek solace on a pillar, within earshot. Stay a while, sing along, whatever, 2 legged wallets! I didn’t mind. One night, it was the blessing of the fleet in Freo and the atmosphere was really getting thick and nasty. And we had packed up, and one of the other buskers said watch this, pulled out his apalacian dulcimer, played some instrumental

seem to get victimized as much although I did get Dacked ! on the loading bay. But I learnt; mistakes become features. Oh!, what a lovely desk with this wonderful knot in the middle! How fortunate you are. One of the mysteries of my life is, how can my suffering, my weakness, be my feature, my strength? That this divine presence, my God, wants me, loves me, all of me.

But I have felt and experienced this love in tangible ways through people’s congruence, compassion and tenderness.

Nature has been a great source of nourishment for me and a

found a job at Activ Industries A place of work where people have intellectual disabilities: It was here I learnt Tolerance. These men and women were some of my greatest teachers. People who are often powerless in our society full of power. Yet have the power within themselves to battle daily prejudice, face their oppressor with compassion. Rise above their weakness, not to conquer but to hold with tenderness. Imagine if we were to seek the wisdom of a panel of people, who have intellectual disabilities, in a place like the united nations, we might resolve some of our fear of the need to defend ourselves.

Then came the Josephites. On telling my family I wanted to join the Josephites. I was in the Kitchen of my family home on a visit, my dad at first said, what have you got to show for yourself? I’ve built a family, houses, a home. I said I’ve been building hearts, he then went back to making his cup of tea. But they have always said as long as you are happy we are happy and have been very supportive along the way.

"Imagine if we were to seek the wisdom of a panel of people, who have intellectual disabilities, in a place like the United Nations, we might resolve some of our fear of the need to defend ourselves.”

vice and captain of the state netball team for two years where I learned to ‘Go for it.’

I lived in the Bullsbrook parish and we had the first Parish youth camp. I was on team for parish renewal weekends and healing weekends and Choice weekends.

I worked for an Agriculture Supply Store and learnt that Life is short, ‘don’t put up with put downs’; working where life is diminished.

I left home and got a job in CPYCatholic Parish Youth, where I learn to work with differences. Like the ingredients in a cake, where you need the combination to actually make the cake rise. Where faith and belief was put in me. I was a shy girl but rose to the occasion. We had the first CatholicYouth Conventions in W.A. many youth rallies, river cruises, retreats, camps, all of which were watering holes, places of nourishment for not only me, but many others. I was

comes from within and in the quiet. I would spend most days after work by Lake Monger or the sea, till the wee hours. And often watch the moon set on the sea.

At Holyoake, a family treatment centre for families with alcohol and drug related issues. I began as a volunteer, then became the co-ordinator of the Young Peoples Program. We would care for the carers and creatively meet people where they were at. Teaching tools of empowerment in the midst of family dysfunction. Watching young children seemingly smile for the first time. A very privileged place to be, at a place they become enabled to engage in the ‘life’ of life. Where my own suffering enabled my compassion.

Amidst all this I was Busking. I started playing guitar when I was 9 years old and I’ve been busking now for 20 years, in the streets, mainly at night time. I have seen people in all states of

music and the fear and anger dissipated, the fireworks began and people had changed. Many people all at once, responded to a change happening inside of themselves. Music has shown me how change comes from within. And we all have some innate desire to share something sacred.

I’ve traveled a lot, I was 6 when I lived in Holland for a year. In the 90’s, bought a car with a friend drove through Canada/ US, Mexico, UK several times, Turkey, Europe, Indonesia, Bali, even Cocos Island with Fr. John Jegorow ‘Jegs’. Oh! The stories! No matter where you go we’re all the same. We respond to dignity and respect. Have families, loved ones, feelings, wants and desires especially for peace.

Then I went on to do an apprenticeship in cabinet making, got my ticket and was the first woman in a factory of 40 blokes. Being a presence makes a difference. The naked pictures came down and the apprentices didn’t

great circle of life. From farming with dad; up to my armpits helping cows calving and watching the steam rise from their nose as they too take their first breath. To facing the pet Houdini, (the cow that always managed to get out), on the dinner plate!

Well then, there’s the men in my life. I dated a man who lived too far away, So I dated a man who lived around the corner but, then he stumped his whole house too far away.

My family were desperate, so my Oma met a man at the casino and set me up on a blind date, but he never cared for his shoes, so I dated a man who had good shoes and he just walked away, there’s more but you needn’t know them all!

What was hard, was finding someone who shared the same importance of faith. That was always the clincher. My experience of faith was the motivating factor.

I wanted more out of life and

Well I found Congruence. Finally I find myself in time and a place, where I find others who are facing and moving in the same direction I feel drawn to go. To be with the poor, wherever they are, whoever they are, to relieve suffering and bring hope. Where I can be contemplative, yet be apostolic. Women who mean what they say, and say what they mean. Women who are prepared to keep trying each new day. And who can celebrate life. Honour the present moment and the sacredness of each other. Who Savor and bring back ritual and symbol of the preciousness of life’s everday moments.

At present, I’m working in a Social Work capacity at St. Clair’s school in Lathlain. A high school for girls who don’t fit into mainstream. And will begin a Social Work degree next year.

I have a place to be a presence, a sanctuary of safety to heal and grow.

It’s not something we can build it’s someone we have to be.

So how do we engage people today, especially the young people of today. We can be the heroes of congruence. We challenge with compassion. Have the patience of forgiveness.

Nourish with the sanctuary of our presence. And above all; share with each other, our stories, our sacredness, at the altar of our lives, before our God in prayer.

Julie Della Franca, right, celebrates her profession as a Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephites) together with her parents Lucia and Charlie in July in Sydney.