The Record Newspaper 30 November 2011

The missing Brady years

Long lost information comes to light -

Pages 3, 14 - 15

Disabled get help they deserve Launch of personal advocacy service endowment fund aims to ensure

By Mark reidy

WHILE many Australians find the burdens of parenthood ease as their children reach independence, for parents of children with intellectual disabilities their special responsibilities will never disappear.

At a time when family members caring for intellectually disabled loved ones are often driven to desperation by lack of government

Indigenous and Church share path to better future

WHILE there have been mistakes over the past 200 years, the Church has a rich tradition of defending the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and tackling the root causes of their disadvantage in Australian society, a leading Aboriginal advocate has said.

“I look to the Catholic bishops who said in 1972: it is as obvious as a tree on the Nullarbor that Aborigines have land rights ... ownership, employment, housing, education and bargaining power are also paramount rights,” Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda told the nation’s bishops during their plenary meeting in Sydney on 24 November.

Mr Gooda, a former head of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission with a long career as a public servant, spoke about the hope given to indigenous Australians by Parliament’s 2008 national apology.

“It’s a journey that, to steal the words of the Australian Catholic Bishops from 1972, moves us along the road ‘to the human liberty and dignity which Australia owes her people’,” he said.“It’s a journey that is not about looking back.

Continued - Page 4

resources and funding, the launch of an endowment fund designed to enable the Church to walk personally with adults with intellectual disabilities has been applauded by Archbishop Barry Hickey.

Personal Advocacy Service (PAS), an archdiocesan agency founded by Sr Eileen Casey RSM in 1989 in response to requests from parents who were seeking ways to enrich the personal and spir-

itual lives of their sons and daughters with intellectual disabilities, launched its fund on 15 November.

Archbishop Hickey said at the launch that it was the duty of everyone to reach out to those who were less privileged and often living on the fringes of the comunity.

The aim of the fund is to provide, through investment income, a guaranteed source of ongoing funding. The archbishop said that, by

being less reliant on outside funding sources, the agency to would be able to better plan for the furure.

Today there are 140 volunteers, known as advocates, supporting 108 people with disabilities, known as friends, through 18 parish-based support groups.

A short video presentation on Terry and his advocate Gus provided those at the launch with an insight into the unique and person-

al relationships that had developed within PAS’s programme.

PAS hopes to raise $2 million over the next three years so that interest on the capital can be used to fund both current operations and future expansion.

Anyone interested in contributing to the advocacy services’ work or in donating to the endowment fund can contact the agency on (08) 9275 5388.

Adelaide finding fails to deter

By TiM Wallace

THE Melbourne archdiocese’s process found his story of sexual abuse true; the Adelaide archdiocese’s process has found his complaint without substance.

Three months after the Traditional Anglican Communion’s prelate John Hepworth, a former Catholic priest, went public with

his tale of more than a decade of sexual abuse by older seminarians and priests from the time he entered, at the age of 15, Adelaide’s St Francis Xavier Seminary in the early 1960s, including being raped by a priest still serving in the Adelaide archdiocese, Adelaide’s Archbishop Philip Wilson might have hoped his announcement that the archdiocese’s investigation had

found no substance to the allegations, nor any basis for criticism of the archdiocese’s handling of the complaint, would be the end, or at least the beginning of the end, of a very public scandal.

Instead, the announcement heralded only the end of the beginning. The day after Archbishop Wilson informed the media, on Monday, 28 November,

Anglican primate

of the results of the inquiry by barrister Michael Abbott, Archbishop Hepworth made good on previous threats that, in the absence of satisfaction from the Adelaide archdiocese’s complaint process, he would file a police complaint. He had wished to avoid a police investigation, he said, because his motivation was to reconcile with the Church, and involving the

police was likely to draw the matter out over a period of years.

Archbishop Hepworth is the leader of a global movement of breakaway Anglicans seeking reunification with the Catholic Church. He says the abuse was the reason he fled the Catholic priesthood in 1972 and he had felt it necessary to explain his situation.

Broome’s Bishop Christopher Saunders catches up with Kimberly parishioners in Sydney to visit the Mary McKillop centre.

A door closes, another opens

By RoBeRt Hiini

AT THE very hour the Beaconsfield parish ended eight years and 56 days of perpetual adoration, St Jerome’s in Spearwood announced it would begin adoring the Blessed Sacrament seven days a week.

Adoration promoter and Glendalough parish priest Fr Doug Harris spoke to Spearwood Catholics at the 6pm vigil Mass on Saturday, 26 November, explaining the nature and benefits of adoration – both to individuals and the parish community.

Spearwood parish priest Fr Johnson Joseph Malayil CRS said he was happy to oblige when local Catholics approached him about beginning adoration.

He saw it as his priestly role and “privilege” to “encourage” them, he told The Record, and said heexpected the benefits of adoration would be reflected in the spiritual life of the community.

He would be open to perpetual adoration, he said, if the people came forward to support it.

The co-ordinator of the adoration in Beaconsfield’s Christ the King parish, Joe Migro, said he was saddened and disappointed perpetual adoration at the parish had come to an end.

Mr Migro said he had been involved since the adoration began, punctuated in the past six years by illness, when his role had been covered by fellow volunteers Yvonne and Giovanni Viglante.

“We must thank Jesus and the parish and parishes for supporting it for eight years,” Mr Migro said.

“Even in the early hours of the morning no-one was ever injured, assaulted or attacked. The Holy Spirit never failed us.”

The Beaconsfield parish council had voted to end perpetual adoration, citing practical challenges in its continuation.

Parish priest Fr Liam Keating SMA said the end of the adoration in the parish was “sad” but that its perpetual character had been broken by gaps between adorers, particularly in the early morning, and “the burden of maintaining it had fallen on the few”.

Sometimes, he said, only one adorer could be found for each hour and not the two that had been mandated for the sake of security. In eight years and 56 days of perpetual adoration at Beaconsfield, some 300 volunteers

“Even in the early hours of the morning no-one was ever injured, assaulted or attacked. The Holy Spirit never failed us.”

clocked up more than 71,000 hours of adoration. Fr Harris said he had seen individuals grow in virtue and holiness through adoration as well as witnessing corporate benefits in his own parish of St Bernadette’s in Glendalough.

Daily Mass attendance had grown from about 10 people to between 60 and 80, he said.

St Jerome Parish, Spearwood will have adoration seven days a week, 6am to 11pm and throughout the night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The parish invites anyone who wishes to join the roster to call the parish office on 9418 1229.

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Big day looming for Filipino Catholics

The Filipino Chaplaincy has organised a celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, 4 December at 2pm in Saint Mary’s Cathedral. The feast is a major holy day of obligation in the Philippines whose patroness is the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Mass will be concelebrated by Filipino priests of the archdiocese and other clergy. The choir from Couples for Christ-Australia will lead people in worship with some parts of the mass to be sung in Tagalog. A Filipino-style Christmas party to honour Archbishop Barry Hickey will follow, with participants being asked to bring a plate of Merienda (“afternoon tea-type”) food. For more information, contact Fr Armando Carandang on 0401 197 310 or via phone/fax 9361 5710.

Men’s prostate health seminar on offer

The Institute for Health and Rehabilitation Research at the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle campus is holding a free men’s health seminar on 6 December about issues relating to the treatment, management and diagnosis of prostate cancer. With statistics from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia highlighting that the condition takes the lives of more than 3,000 men around the country each year, the seminar (titled “Problems below the belt?”) will provide information about the range of health choices available to those who contract the disease. Those attending will be able to ask questions of speakers including urological surgeons. The seminar will run from 6-8pm at the institute’s headquarters on the corner of Phillimore and Henry Streets in Fremantle.

Maranatha end-of-year Mass and Graduation, St Mary’s Cathedral – Archbishop Hickey

Redemptorist Ordination to Priesthood, Monastery – Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton 4

Mass at Bandyup Prison

Archbishop Hickey

Filipino Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral

Archbishop Hickey

Mass for the Sick, St Mary’s Cathedral

Bishop Sproxton 30th Anniversary Mass, Emmanuel Centre

Sproxton

7

Opening and Blessing, Mercedes

7-13 Synod for Oceania, Rome – Archbishop Hickey

8 Novena Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral – Bishop Sproxton

11

Embrace the Grace Mass, New Norcia – Bishop Sproxton

12 Knights of the Southern Cross Reception for Scholarship Recipients – Mgr Brian O’Loughlin VG

13

Annual Thanksgiving Mass, Catholic Pastoral Centre – Bishop Sproxton

Perpetual adoration brings many benefits, both to individuals and the church community, says Glendalough parish priest Fr Doug Harris. PHOTO: R HIINI

Fog lifts on first bishop’s lost years

By Peter rosengren

ONE hundred and forty years after his death, the final two decades of the life of controversial Bishop John Brady, the first bishop of Perth, are finally beginning to come to light.

Bishop Brady arrived in Perth in 1843 but ended up in bitter disputes and severe debt, before finally being temporarily excommunicated. In 1852 he was banished from the diocese he founded by Pope Pius

Move from detention welcomed

THE AUSTRALIAN Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) has welcomed the federal government’s decision to allow asylum seekers arriving by boat to live in the community on bridging visas while their claims are assessed.

ACMRO’s director, Fr Maurizio Pettenà CS, said the decision showed “goodwill for which we are very grateful”.

“Australia’s commitment to uphold the dignity of those who seek asylum was stated when signing the 1951 refugee convention. These changes seem to reflect something of that statement,” he said.

ACMRO also welcomed the decision to grant work rights to those on bridging visas. “I believe asylum seekers who are given the opportunity to live and work in the community with support will see their lives greatly improved and the community all the richer for it”, Fr Pettenà said.

The policy will see asylum seekers released into the community as soon as it is deemed they do not present a security risk.

The government said the first group to be released were longterm detainees, all single men, previously accommodated at a range of detention facilities across Australia.

Those deemed “too vulnerable” to be given bridging visas, such as unaccompanied minors, had already been released under existing programmes and would continue to be given a high level of support.

IX. He died at Amélie–les-Bains in France in 1871.

Until now, researchers and archivists in Perth had been unable to fill in any details of his final 19 years.

However Irish priest Fr Kilian Mitchell OPraem, a Norbertine with a penchant for history, has collected reports and mentions he has found of Bishop Brady in various newspapers and diaries over several decades. He has supplied them to the Perth archdiocesan archives.

Perth archdiocesan archivist Sr Frances Stibi PBVM said she was delighted with the information unearthed by Fr Mitchell.

“I was really very excited,” she said. “The information is significant because there has been a gap in our knowledge of his activities in Europe and that’s the gap in his life we don’t have.”

Although the new information answered some questions, it also raised others.

“Over the last several years numbers of local historians have tried to discover what his activities in Ireland and Europe were when he was still calling himself Bishop of Perth and he wasn’t retired.

“This material has helped us to fill in some of the gap in his life once he was gone from Perth.

“He attended the first Vatican Council as Bishop of Perth; his name is in the official Vatican record. It’s obvious Rome didn’t

have any idea of encouraging him to resign, they just allowed him to be Bishop of Perth in absentia.

“If he’d been in bad standing with Rome he wouldn’t have been allowed to attend Vatican I as Bishop of Perth; it’s interesting.”

Bishop Brady’s remains were exhumed in France and reinterred in the crypt of St Mary’s Cathedral on 2 August.

Brady’s missing years - pages 12-13

Bags of love bound for East Timor

WHAT better way to teach students the love of God than by getting them to participate in it?

Year 7 students at Mater Dei College in Edgewater have been stuffing library bags full with educational supplies this semester, to aid those less fortunate.

The bags will be given to a small village community in East Timor. Limanaro is located several hours’ drive from the capital, Dili.

The village does not enjoy the largesse of donations from prominent charities, according to a college representative, and faces

a number of ongoing development challenges, in health and education, and a general lack of amenities and infrastructure. As well as donating items such as pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, paints, and exercise books, students have worked in groups

to decorate the library bags. The initiative is part of Mater Dei College’s religious education programme, which aims to develop “knowledge and understanding of the Gospel values through service to the needy within and outside our community”.

Mater Dei College students show the fruits of their efforts to brighten up the school day for their counterparts in the village of Limanaro.

PHOTO: MATER DEI COLLEGE

Hands with power to heal

By roBert Hiini

AFTER nine months of resistance, Gilbert Trutwein finally gave in. God, Mr Trutwein told The Record, kept sending people in need of spiritual and emotional healing his way.

Whether out-and-about with friends or down at the local shops, the stream of encounters with ordinary people and a persistent sense of calling led Mr Trutwein to establish Love Ministry Healing.

“I really didn’t want to do it but the Lord kept asking me,” Mr Trutwein said.

“Since then, it’s been amazing the help I’ve had.”

The idea of a regular healing service was embraced by Mr Trutwein’s fellows in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

LMH has been taking their healing services to parishes for more than a year now. A Mass and healing service are held at a different churches every few months, featuring the laying of hands and intercessory prayer.

The most recent healing service took place at St Bernadette’s, Glendalough, on 26 November.

Three Love Ministry prayer teams consisting of two to three people stood before the sanctuary as the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration.

A line of people running half the length of the church waited patiently for prayer as hymns were played by the ministry’s music team.

“Why shouldn’t we have faith?”

LMH spiritual director, Fr Hugh Thomas asked the congregation after a short Gospel reading. “The same Jesus who gave sight to the blind and drove out devils and made the lame to walk is here.”

“The power isn’t coming from me or from any of [the prayer team

members], it’s coming from Him. He is the one who will heal us.”

Members of the prayer teams listened intently to what each person who approached wished to pray for before laying hands on them and calling on the Holy Spirit to bring about transformation.

They encounter all kinds of ailments, Mr Trutwein said. A lot of people present with private anxieties and sadness but most ask teams to pray with them for loved ones. Future healing services will be announced in the Panorama section of The Record with more information available via 0431 570 322.

Gooda thanks the bishops

Continued from Page 1

“It’s about looking forward and moving forward as a nation, it’s a journey that can help build the healthy relationships necessary for an agenda of hope.”

Mr Gooda told the bishops the most important thing others can do for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is to go into communities and listen to them, rather than imposing structures.

“Relationships are built on understanding, dialogue, tolerance, acceptance, respect, trust and reciprocated affection, not intolerance, a lack of acceptance, a lack of dialogue, mistrust and a lack of respect and understanding,” he said. The bishops’ conference maintains a special Commission for Relations with Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, and a separate council for indigenous Catholics.

1st birthday a good one for men’s group

A GROUP of Willetton Catholic men celebrated the first anniversary of a group they founded to help men draw closer to God by gathering in a suburban café.

Last November 55 men attended a menALIVE weekend at the parish of Sts John and Paul in Willetton where the key message was, in the words of early Church father, St Ireneaus, “that the glory of God is truly experienced when men are fully alive.”

A year later, a group still meets every month to share their life journey and live the message they learnt a year earlier.

The membership of the meetings is as varied as the content. The group counts retirees, a pilot, a marine engineer, an accountant, a counsellor, a human resources professional, a university lecturer, a management consultant and process worker, among its members.

The usual meeting format includes time for common prayer, reading of the Gospel and sharing.

On a few occasions, members have presented a short reflection about their spiritual journey.

No matter what the subject being discussed, members say they find it heartening to experience the common bond when men share their experiences.

Organisers told The Record new members are welcome.

The group also supports the parish by assisting in serving at the monthly parish morning teas.

The group meets on the third Saturday of each month at 10.25am at the John Paul Parish Centre, Willetton. For further information please contact Jag Jaul on 0423 173 180.

Cruising for Christ this Christmas - will you?

Contact Catholic Mission to obtain your sticker and promote Christ on your bumper.

By Mark reidy

AN

is under way in Perth and participants won’t have to say a word. In the build up to Christmas, Catholic Mission has released a Christ is Christmas car sticker and is hoping Catholics across WA will embrace the promotion as a way of countering the blatant commercialism that has hijacked the spiritual significance of the season.

Catholic Mission Director Francis Leong is excited by the potential of the campaign.

“Can you imagine the impact if 5000 Catholics driving around the suburbs in the weeks before Christmas with this truth displayed on their windows or bumper bars,” he said.

“Who knows? This simple reminder may influence the attitude of someone stuck behind you in a traffic jam or at your local shopping centre.”

The campaign found its inspiration in a similar project in Geraldton several years ago organised by then diocesan director Rosemary Miles, who now works as a volunteer at Perth’s Catholic Mission office.

“Rosemary noticed how Christmas advertising seemed to start earlier each year and how commercialised it was,” Mr Leong said.

“She wanted to be countercultural to this secularisation and we decided to reignite the concept in Perth and across the entire state.”

Mr Leong said he was grateful for the support of Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton and the sponsorship of Mareena Purslowe and her associates at Purslowe Funerals who have helped get the project up and running.

“Bishop Don has been very enthusiastic in encouraging families to use their vehicles as mobile billboards of evangelisation,” he said.

Mr Leong is hoping Catholics will obtain stickers not just for themselves but also for friends and other family members.

Churches or schools are encouraged to assist by obtaining multiple copies and distributing them through parishes and communities. Any donations accompanying orders will assist children in Catholic orphanages across Africa over Christmas.

Stickers can be obtained by contacting the Catholic Mission office on (08) 9422 7933 during office hours or by emailing: cm@perthcatholic.org.au.

LMH members pray over Fr Hugh Thomas on 26 November at St Bernadette’s parish in Glendalough. PHOTO: ROBERT HIINI

UNDA to grow with contemporaries

By Tim Wallace

WITH the university sector moving to a full demand-driven funding system in 2012, in which public institutions will be able to leverage their status and scale to chase additional enrolments, the federal government will help level the playing field for the University of Notre Dame Australia through extra Commonwealth-supported places.

The private Catholic university

Mass closes a year full of God’s word

CATHOLIC students in state schools don’t usually experience religious education during school hours but in Rockingham they have been the beneficiaries of a scripture program over the last 12 months run by Our Lady of Lourdes parish.

And so it was that parish priest Fr Michael Separovich celebrated a special mass of thanksgiving for children on Sunday 27 November, marking the end of the 2011 Scripture Programme for children at state schools in the parish.

All students were actively involved in one or another aspects of the celebration of Mass.

Thanks to a dedicated team of voluntary cathechists, the children have been attending weekly classes after school in preparation for one of the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or Confirmation.

After mass, certificates were presented to students during a morning tea with their families.

Scripture classes for 2012 will resume in early March.

estimates the additional federal funding will provide more than 1,000 new places in health-related courses (including exercise science, preventive health, biomedicine and physiotherapy) over four years.

That extra support comes as part of changes the government expects will enable 50,000 more Australians to participate in higher education.

Notre Dame’s vice-chancellor, Professor Celia Hammond, said the increased support was appreciated;

the reforms, rather than a threat, were an opportunity.

“The changes are actually going to free up what we can do.”

In the past, public universities were funded by a system that capped the number of publicly funded places. This meant centrally determined restrictions on the courses they could offer and the number of students they could admit. One consequence was a perverse incentive for under-enrolment.

The new system has been likened to a “voucher” system and brings tertiary funding more into line with the approach to funding primary and secondary schools.

UNDA is one of just three “Table B” private tertiary bodies, though only about half its students are fully self-funded. About 80 per cent of places in medicine, and virtually all in nursing and education, as well as at the university’s Broome campus, are Commonwealth-supported.

Prof Hammond said the extra funding would enable UNDA to maintain its ratio of Commonwealth supported places as its student body grew to about 10,000 effective fulltime places.

UNDA aimed to be Catholic, excellent and small, she said, offering personalised education where students felt part of a community.

“Our tag line, which sounds trite at times but it’s true, is ‘to us you’re a name, not a number,’” she said.

Adelaide verdict fails to deter Anglican primate

Continued from Page 1

“Six months before I was due to chair a meeting of Traditional Anglicans around the world and present them a petition of unity with Rome, I realised I would have to go to the Vatican and present the petition,” Archbishop Hepworth said.

“I had already written to then Cardinal Ratzinger, as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stating what my background was as a former Catholic priest. I said if my background became an issue and I was asked to step aside I would immediately do so.”

His reason for going public with his claims in September, he said, was due to the completion of an inquiry

into his case in the Melbourne archdiocese, which resulted in an apology from Archbishop Denis Hart and an offer of compensation.

In contrast, he said, in Adelaide he had difficulty finding out on what basis the archdiocese proposed to proceed. In August he had been told its investigation was still preliminary – six months after he formalised his complaint, first made in writing in 2008, according to the Church’s national Towards Healing protocols.

“Initially we asked what the process was,” he said. “The archdiocese said it was the Towards Healing chapter on standards for clergy in Australia. We then pointed out that the relevant sections were not being

Australian bishops pray for Egypt’s suffering Copts

AS EGYPT’S Coptic Orthodox, Coptic Catholics and other Christians have faced violence from armed forces and Muslim groups recently, Australia’s Catholic bishops expressed solidarity with their suffering Christian brothers and sisters and all people of goodwill in that country.

Meeting for their national plenary in Sydney on 24 November, the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference assured Egyptians of their continuing prayers as the country’s first parliamentary elections in three decades approached. In recent months, sectarian violence has plagued the country;

in early October an estimated 25 Coptic Christians were killed by members of the Egyptian armed forces after protesting against the burning of a church in Cairo.

“Extreme violence and persecution have been a daily reality for the Christian minority in Egypt for decades and this has escalated over the past year.

“The bishops of Australia stand in solidarity with all people of goodwill in Egypt.”

The bishops said they particularly remembered “those who continue to suffer violence and discrimination, and those who have lost family members.”

followed. We were then told the process was a mixture of Towards Healing and Canon Law.

“At no stage did we discover what sections of Toward Healing were being applied or what the actual process was.”

He said the first he heard of the Adelaide’s inquiry findings being released was when a television reporter rang him. “I had an email from Archbishop Wilson’s secretary, dated November 28, but I didn’t see it until the next evening because I wasn’t in my office. I was in Queensland.”

Archbishop Wilson’s statement said the inquiry included interviewing 29 witnesses but the Archbishop was not one of them. “I was writ-

ten to by the archdiocese’s solicitor requiring me to attend an inquiry being conducted by Michael Abbott QC,” Archbishop Hepworth said. “My solicitor replied challenging Mr Abbott’s appointment, on the basis of previous aggressive engagements with him and also his lack of expertise in investigating matters of sexual abuse, and asking for the terms of reference of the inquiry.”

“Following that there were several months of exchanging letters, in which we failed to discover the terms of reference or scope of the inquiry, and I was told if I wanted to produce witnesses I would have to pay the whole cost myself. So we never reached that stage where I felt

able to take part in the enquiry.”

“I very strongly objected to a process where a Catholic archdiocese appeared to be retrying a process which had been completed by another Catholic archdiocese. Given the fact that many priest perpetrators were moved from diocese to diocese, there appears to be no protocol for dioceses to co-operate.”

The archdiocese said its investigation was complicated because the claims involved a priest who was still living, while Melbourne’s involved two priests who were dead.

Archbishop Wilson was not available for interview. The Adelaide archdiocese’s solicitor did not return repeated phone calls.

Fr Michael Separovich found a role for all at the mass closing the parish’s scripture program for Catholic students in state schools.

PHOTO: COURTESY LEANNE JOYCE

MILESTONES

Sister taught and radiated God’s love

SISTER AGNES RYAN , the last founding member of the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) congregation, recently passed away at the age of 96, but has left behind a legacy of passion that continues to inspire those who knew her.

Born in Bridgetown, WA on 11 September 1915, the fourth of 11 children, Sr Agnes embarked on a career in teaching after leaving school. It was a love that never left her.

In her late twenties, Sr Agnes once spoke with the national president of the Legion of Mary who mentioned to her that a new religious initiative was soon to commence in Launceston, Tasmania.

The following Sunday, she read an article in The Record newspaper about this fledgeling group in which the founder, Father John Wallis, was gathering women together for missionary work in Australia.

Believing that two references to this group within a few days was no coincidence, she wrote to Fr Wallis, her letter arriving on 4 July 1944, the first day that the small group was gathering together to form the MSS.

Sr Agnes (known as Sr Mary Magdalen in the pre-Vatican II years) joined them a few months later and was a rich contributor to the congregation’s first leadership team, adding her influence to its spirit and vision. Her gift for teaching was quickly

Obituary

Sr Agnes Ryan MSS

Born: 11 September 1915

Entered eternal life: 25 August 2011

recognised and she taught the other sisters in the area of catechetics and pastoral work, as well as training people to take on the mission of religious education in state schools.

Fellow Missionary Sr Corrie van den Bosch, who had known her for over 50 years, wrote recently that: “She became convinced of the importance of the formation of an informed and competent laity if the

She became convinced of the importance of the formation of an informed laity.

Church was to fulfill its mission in the world”.

In the early 70s, Sister Agnes was invited by the Archbishop of Brisbane to organise training and support for catechists, including children in state schools.

Fr Frank Lourigan, whom she recruited to assist in her work, said of her: “She was a remarkable woman who made a big impact in

the Brisbane Diocese … she was a vibrant breath of fresh air in the exciting 70s … an extraordinary dynamo.”

Her work was instrumental in laying part of the solid foundation that established Brisbane as a strong entity in later years as a resource that other parts of the Australian Church looked to for direction and support. She was a gift of grace at

Longtime educator

Sr Agnes Ryan MSS, above, and with an early group of the Missionary Sisters of Service, probably in the 1940s, at left.

a significant time … remembered fondly for the inspiration, vision, empowerment for ministry and her mission to establish an effective apostolate of religious education.

During her time in Brisbane Sr Agnes became the first woman in Australia to lecture at a seminary when she taught catechetical formation to future priests in Banyo.

Students nicknamed her “Sister

Vital”, because of the number of occasions she used the word in lectures. One former student said that her passion inspired many seminarians with an attitude of mission.

In later years, at an age where many are contemplating retirement, Sr Agnes undertook spiritual direction and formation, work that, as an avid reader and deep thinker, she loved the most.

She led courses in prayer and meditation and formed groups for discussion on books that nourished the spiritual life and a sense of mission; many of these groups are still meeting today.

Sr Agnes then moved to Melbourne and spent her last days in St Catherine’s Aged Care in Balwyn. Sr Corrie said that in the months leading up to her death, both staff and residents would be drawn to her room simply to be in her presence.

“Agnes loved her God passionately,” Sr Corrie recalled. “This was the source of both her joy and her suffering … yet all the time the Spirit of God drew her more and more deeply into the divine mystery. And the more deeply she was drawn, the more the divine lover’s love was evident in her love for those around her.

“You have now found the One whom your heart loves, and we rejoice with you. Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your God.”

Oblate a man of the parishes for over 50 years

FATHER JOHN DUNLEA OMI, who worked in Oblate parishes around Australia since 1958 and was both the parish priest and, more recently assistant priest, at the Oblate parish of St Kieran’s in Moe, Victoria for the past 15 years, died peacefully in Narracan Gardens Aged Care Facility, Moe on Monday, 26 September 2011.

Born in County Cork, Ireland on 22 August 1932, Fr Dunlea entered the Oblate Novitiate at Cahermoyle, Limerick in 1952 and later studied at the Oblate Seminary in Piltown, Co Kilkenny, where he was joined in 1954 by a young Don Hughes OMI who had travelled from Fremantle, Western Australia to begin theological studies.

Frs Dunlea and Hughes were among six Oblates ordained in the Seminary Chapel at Piltown on 15 September 1957. All had been granted special permission to be ordained at the beginning of their fourth year of studies.

Obituary

Fr John Dunlea OMI

Born: 22 August 1932

Entered eternal life: 26 September 2011

Fr John’s first appointment was to Fr Don Hughes’ home parish of St Patrick’s in Fremantle, where Fr Dunlea had a cousin, Fr John Coakley OMI, also working as an assistant priest in the parish.

After four years at Fremantle, he was appointed parish priest of Pickering Brook and Karagullen, an honour for such a recentlyordained priest.

In 1965, Fr John took up his appointment at St Kieran’s in Moe as parish priest. During his six years there he

oversaw the construction of a new church. On moving to South Australia in 1972, his community skills were put to work as the first parish priest in the newly-created parish of St David’s in Tea Tree Gully, where there was a new church and a small parish house but no school.

In his quiet determination he achieved the building of a parish primary school. Today the parish has three schools, a Catholic sec-

ondary college and a parish house.

In 1979, he returned to Fremantle for a two-year stay, followed by appointments to Lesmurdie. He stayed there until 1987 when he was again called upon to form a new community, this time in the new parish of St Eugene in Burpengary, Brisbane.

Kieran’s in Moe as parish priest, a position he held until 2008 when, after celebrating his Golden Jubilee the year before, he returned to Ireland for a sabbatical year.

He had been working alongside current parish priest Fr Bernie O’Brien as assistant priest at St Kieran’s since 2009.

Only two of Fr John’s fellow classmates remain – Fr Tony Quinlan OMI who is working as a parish priest in Edinburgh, Scotland and Fr Don Hughes OMI who is working at Mazenod College in Lesmurdie, Western Australia.

Reflecting on Fr John’s life during a tribute to his 50 years as a priest, Fr Don Hughes said, “Our Church in Australia and the Oblate congregation owes much to the priestly fidelity of Fr John Dunlea OMI.

Obituary

Fr Patrick O’Reilly OMI

Born: 30 December 1932

Entered eternal life: 9 October 2011

By Fr Don HugHes oMI

He left a strong but quiet mark on many parishes across the Australian continent. His success can be gauged by the number of parishes and communities who called on him.

Fr John returned to Lesmurdie briefly in 1995 as administrator before being appointed to St

“He has left his strong but quiet mark on many parishes across the Australian continent.

“His entire priestly ministry has been spent in parish life.”

Priest left spiritual, material, legacy of mission

seminary in Ireland where he was ordained on 25 September 1960. At the conclusion of his studies, Fr Pat was appointed to the Australian Oblate Province where he has spent his entire priestly ministry.

Fr Pat spent the first 14 years as a

RETIRED Oblate priest Fr Patrick O’Reilly OMI died peacefully at the John Hannah Hostel in Mulgrave, Melbourne where he had been a resident for the past six years.

Patrick O’Reilly was born in Co Monaghan, Ireland in 1932. He was educated locally and in England where he worked briefly before entering the Oblate Novitiate in Ireland in 1954. He undertook his priestly studies in the Oblate

successful preacher of missions and retreats – three years in Victoria and 11 years in Queensland. He quickly adapted to the difficult task as a missioner, moving from parish to parish. His success can be gauged by the number of parishes and religious communities who called upon him. During his

years in Brisbane at Eagle Junction he was the leader of the community for six years from 1971-1975.

Fr Pat was appointed parish priest of Sefton in New South Wales in 1976 and later parish priest of Moe and Rosebud in Victoria and

the parish of Lesmurdie in Western Australia. He was then appointed parish priest of St David’s parish in Tea Tree Gully, South Australia.

In all these appointments he showed untiring efforts in parish visitation. He was known for his kindness and experience with the Sacrament of Reconciliation along

with his well-prepared and welldelivered homilies. He also left legacies in all the parishes in which he served – some new buildings, some extended, some renovated.

In recent years he did not enjoy good health and eventually he moved to John Hannah Hostel in the Oblate parish of St John Vianney’s, Springvale North, Victoria. It was here that his Golden Jubilee of priesthood was celebrated with fellow Oblates and local community in 2010. He died here on Sunday, 9 October 2011.

We thank God for the life and priestly ministry of Fr Pat. In a special way we thank God for the strength he gave Fr Pat to bear with the sufferings of his final years. He was a wonderful example to us.

Oblate Fr Patrick O’Reilly OMI was an exemplary missionary.

PHOTO: OBLATES

Fr John Dunlea OMI also served in Perth parishes.

PHOTO: OBLATES

PHOTO: COURTESY MISSIONARY SISTERS OF SERVICE

Pope denounces exploitation

By John Thavis

VATICAN CITY – A few minutes after landing in Africa, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a stern warning against the “unconditional surrender to the law of the market or that of finance” in Africa and the rest of the global economy. His words were immediately seized upon by those wondering where he stood on the recent Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace document proposing a world political authority to regulate financial markets and to rein in the “inequalities and distortions of capitalist development.”

Congo priests need support

“ THE Church is a place of refuge and a sign of hope for the people.” With these words, Vincent de Paul Kwanga Njubu, Bishop of Manono in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, drew attention to the growing significance of the Church in this crisis region.

“We need a new beginning for the people,” he said.

For years, the eastern part of the Congo, with its wealth of resources, has been beset by struggles for power and influence. In frequently changing coalitions, away from the public eye, government troops and militias have waged a bloody war in which neighbouring countries also took part.

The populace has been terrorised; rape and plunder are the order of the day. The spiritual as well as material damage is immense. In the diocese of Manono alone, dozens of churches and buildings have been destroyed.

“The people expect everything from the priests,” said Bishop Kwanga Njubu. Some 22 priests and three religious sisters provide pastoral care to 200,000 faithful in the region. They, with their bishop, face enormous challenges: the Church seeks to help people rebuild their lives, to develop a reasonably intact system of medical care, and also to rebuild churches, community and social centres that have been destroyed.

It is indispensible, in Bishop Kwanga Njubu’s view, to give strength to the priests, who have suffered no less than others from war and terror. Days of spiritual exercises will help them to live their vocation with renewed vigour. ACN

In short, it seemed the Pope was speaking the same language as the document’s authors.

In his own document unveiled during the November trip to Benin, the Pope asks all members of the Church to “work and speak out in favour of an economy that cares for the poor and is resolutely opposed to an unjust order which, under the pretext of reducing poverty, has often helped to aggravate it.”

He specifically denounces business groups that exploit African resources and leave local populations impoverished.

Such admonitions are nothing new for Pope Benedict. The pope

has consistently taken a critical view of the global economic system and the disparities it has generated.

Above all, he has taken aim at the patterns of consumption that seem to be built into the structures of modern capitalism. He has done so repeatedly, in language that leaves no doubt about where he stands.

In 2007, for example, he deplored materialistic ideologies that tell people: “Take everything we can get in this brief moment of life. Consumerism, selfishness and entertainment alone are worthwhile. This is life. This is how we must live. And once again, it seems absurd, impossible, to oppose this

dominant mindset with all its media and propagandist power.”

The same year, he said economic models based on “irresponsible consumption of natural and environmental resources” were jeopardising the well-being of present and future generations. He has warned that “the consumer race and consequent waste” not only threaten supplies of resources but also tend to generate a spiritual vacuum among people in well-off countries. He views consumerism as an ideology, and the prevailing models of consumption and production as clearly unsustainable.

In his new document on Africa,

the Pope cites the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: “In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, neither the state nor any larger society should substitute itself for the initiative and responsibility of individuals and intermediary bodies.” But he also has said that current modes of regulating the financial system have failed, and new structures and institutions may be needed.

His language is very much in line with Bl John Paul II, who warned of an “idolatry of the market” and said there was a “social mortgage” on private property, which must serve the common good. CNS

Schooling in Africa for surer future

By KrisTin GoBBerG

VATICAN CITY – In his document on the Church in Africa, Pope Benedict XVI addresses the educational crisis on the continent, calling high illiteracy rates “a scourge on par with that of pandemics.”

“True, it does not kill directly, but it contributes actively to the marginalisation of the person

- which is a form of social deathand it blocks access to knowledge,” the Pope says in Africae Munus (The Commitment of Africa), signed on 19 November.

The document, which presents the Church’s role in the future of Africa, expands on themes from the 2009 Synod of Bishops for Africa, including education.

The document notes that the educational crisis is not limited

to Africa but is a worldwide problem. Africa, however, suffers more than other continents, with a literacy rate of less than 60 per cent according to international agencies. It calls for the development of educational programmes that rely on both faith and reason to prepare children for adulthood. It says it is important for students to be educated in the faith and to gain an understanding of

the Church’s social doctrine since religious education institutions “train children in the African values that are taken up by those of the Gospel.”

Bishops in Africa also have a responsibility to provide schooling for children.

“This is a matter of justice for each child and, indeed, the future of Africa depends on it,” the document states. CNS

Coptic bishop defends Cairo protests

By John PonTifex

A SENIOR bishop in Egypt has condemned the military’s crackdown on the latest demonstrations and defended the protestors.

Bishop Antonios Aziz Mina, the Coptic Catholic Bishop of Giza, a major city outside Cairo, accused Egypt’s military of shooting innocent people and of responding violently to peaceful protests. He said Christians and Muslims were united in the capital’s Tahrir Square in defence of human rights.

“The authorities have no right

to shoot peaceful people,” Bishop Aziz said. “Using violence against peaceful people is not acceptable. The authorities must explain their actions.”

His comments, made in a recent interview with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) came after reports that at least 26 people died with hundreds injured after three days of clashes between protestors and security forces.

Thousands have taken to the streets concerned the militaryled administration that took over from President Hosni Mubarak in

February will not leave power after elections due to begin next week.

Speaking from Egypt, Bishop Aziz told ACN: “The army has not learned the lesson that if you shoot people they will react. The more you attack them, the more they will react.”

He defended protestors, saying: “People have a right to speak out in this way. The only way they can make their point is by demonstrating. The rights of the people need to be defended. By making demonstrations, they are not making a political statement, they are calling

for justice.” He added: “The young people who began the revolution [that led to Mubarak’s downfall] no longer trust people in authority, especially the military. They were full of hope when the revolution began but now no longer.”

Relations between the Catholic Church and the regime hit a new low last month after senior clergy accused the government of being implicated in attacks on Christianled demonstrators in Cairo.

The bishop said the regime had defied calls by protestors to free up restrictions on Christian practice,

especially draconian legislation on building churches.

In September the European Union of Human Rights Organisations published a report claiming that nearly 100,000 Christians in Egypt had emigrated since the fall of President Mubarak. Bishop Aziz said that many Muslims joined Christians in opposing the regime’s style of government.

He said: “Christians and Muslims are all together in Tahrir Square now. They have the same desire for a new future.”

Students share a book in a classroom in 2010 at the Bander Boys School, a government-run primary school in Malakal, Southern Sudan.

PHOTO: CNS/PAUL JEFFREY

German dioceses order sale

WURZBURG – German Catholic dioceses have ordered the immediate sale of a Church-owned publishing house after reports it made millions selling erotic and pornographic titles.

“The board of management knows our mandatory requirements regarding this company’s value orientation, and that these are written into its statutes,” the Association of German Dioceses said.

“After monitoring the board, we have seen it is impossible to restrict adequately the internet-fuelled dissemination and production of media which contradict the ideals of the shareholders.”

Solidarity for South Africa conference

VATICAN – Pope Benedict XVI has appealed for the success of the United Nations climate change conference in Durban, South Africa.

Speaking to the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Benedict expressed the hope that “all members of the international community might reach agreement on a responsible, credible response,” to the phenomenon of climate change, which he described as “complex” and “disturbing”.

The Holy Father asked that leaders’ responses be consonant with the spirit and requirements of solidarity, taking into account needs of the poorest people and future generations.

The Holy Father’s appeal came after the traditional prayer of Marian devotion, ahead of which he spoke about the new liturgical season of Advent, which began with First Sunday Vespers. It was a theme to which he returned in his English-language remarks, as well.

VATICAN RADIO

The association announced its decision amid controversy over the output of Weltbild, Germany’s largest publisher, which includes Church documents and devotional works but also steamy titles such as Tempted by Sin

It said it received a report from board member Jesuit Fr Hans Langendorfer on his efforts to persuade the company to comply with “Church values” but had now instructed its Catholic co-owners to sell their shares “without delay”.

“The credibility of the publishing group and its shareholders has suffered,” the association added.

Based in Augsburg, Weltbild

employs 6,400 people and has annual book sales of 1.6 billion euros ($2.1 billion). It also owns book clubs and several nationwide bookstore chains.

The association of dioceses has owned 24 per cent shares for the past three decades; a further 13 per cent is owned by the Catholic archdiocese of Munich-Freising and 11 percent by the Augsburg diocese.

About a dozen more of Germany’s 27 dioceses also co-own the firm, along with the Church’s Berlin-based military diocese.

Weltbild insisted erotic material amounted to just a small fraction of its list and said media claims

“the Catholic Church profits from pornography” were “untruthful and defamatory.”

“Pornography is a clearly defined term in law - by this definition, neither Weltbild nor its associates earn millions from pornography,” said the company, which added it would take legal action “against its slanderers.”

Germany’s Deutsche Welle news agency reported that, in 2008, lay Catholics had sent share-owning dioceses a 79-page dossier on Weltbild, pointing out that it was “selling pornographic titles”, up to 2,500 having been found under the search for “erotik” on the site.

Painting the way to heaven in Havana

Software seeks to detect Bible authors

By Judith SudilovSKy

JERUSALEM – A Tel Aviv University professor has developed a computer program to help scholars distinguish different authors of the various books of the Bible.

Many books of the Old and New Testaments are thought to be composites but distinguishing among multiple sources has been a difficult process.

Nachum Dershowitz, comput -

er science professor at Tel Aviv University, said his computer algorithm can help unravel different sources by recognising linguistic cues such as word preferences to divide texts into probable author groupings.

Researchers used the program on the original Hebrew-language Bible, but said, with adjustments, it could be used on other parts of the Bible.

“Bible scholars have many clues

Bishop decries anti-Christian discrimination in Pakistan

By Eva-Maria KolMann

CHAIRMAN of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan Joseph Coutts has criticised extremism and growing intolerance towards Christians in Pakistan. Non-Muslim minorities have always been disadvantaged but the situation is “worse than ever before”, he told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Christians are treated as if they are “not Pakistanis”, although they contribute more to the general welfare of society than their low numbers would suggest. Large parts of education, health and social services, as well as development assistance, are in the hands of the Church and

are open to members of all religious communities. Christians must be recognised as “full and valuable citizens”, he demanded.

Christians are disadvantaged in job seeking as well as studies. as well as being put under increasing pressure to convert to Islam. Bishop Coutts of Faisalabad said he himself sometimes receives letters calling on him to convert to Islam.

He said not only Christians but the whole of Pakistani society suffers on account of growing extremism. In the north-west, for example, dozens of schools, particularly girls’, have been destroyed. In this way, extremists have been resisting the education of women.

They have threatened everybody

as to sources and styles, but what we are trying to do is to use the most objective methods,” said Dershowitz. “In any narrative an author may choose to repeat (certain words) for literary reasons ... other scholars may (look) at stylistic preferences. We are only looking at word usage.”

Dershowitz noted the research is part of a growing new field called “digital humanities” in which computer software is being developed

to give more insight into historical sources and programs to help attribute previously anonymous texts to well-known authors based on writing style.

He said such programs can even uncover the gender of a text’s author.

“The Bible presents a new challenge because there are no independently attributed works to which to compare the biblical books,” Dershowitz said.

who stands up against their ideology. But there are also signs of hope.

The majority of people in Pakistan desire to live in peace. There is a growing preparedness for interreli-

SHAKESPEAREAN DRAMA

Was Bard a Catholic?film sparks speculation

There is “little doubt” that William Shakespeare was a Catholic who was forced to hide his faith in Protestant England while leaving hints about his faith throughout his vast body of work, said an opinion piece in the Vatican newspaper. Taking a cue from renewed speculation about Shakespeare’s true identity sparked by the film Anonymous, L’Osservatore Romano wrote, “There may be questions regarding his identity, but not his religious faith.” The op-ed piece said that this view was at least partly shared by the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, and pointed out that shortly after the Bard’s recorded death in 1616, Anglican archdeacon Richard Davies wrote, “He died a papist.”

VATICAN

Former Boston Archbishop steps down

Cardinal Bernard Law, former Archbishop of Boston, has been replaced as archpriest of the Rome Basilica of St Mary Major, the Vatican announced. Cardinal Law turned 80 on 4 November, at which time he stopped being a member of Roman Curia agencies. Pope John Paul II appointed him to the position in May 2004, about two years after he resigned as Boston’s Archbishop amid criticism of his handling of clerical sexual abuse cases in the archdiocese. Since his appointment to the position in Rome, Cardinal Law has kept a relatively low profile.

BRITAIN

Public debt measures of most concern to poor

Austerity measures introduced by the British government to tackle public debt are hurting the poorest the most, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster told politicians at a 23 November meeting in the British Parliament. He urged them to be more creative in finding solutions to economic problems. He said cutbacks were already being “felt disproportionally by the most vulnerable,” and families in particular “need our support.” Higher youth unemployment, housing pressures and the impact of personal debt were bringing hardship and distress to those least able to sustain them, he said. “At the same time, some aspects of the distribution of wealth cause scandal and dismay,” he added in an allusion to huge bonuses still paid to those working in the financial sector.

MEXICO

Pope’s 2013 visit aims to bring courage amidst violence

gious dialogue. Pakistan has nearly 180 million inhabitants, of which approximately 1.2 million are Catholics. In Faisalabad alone, the Catholic Church runs 82 schools.

Mexico’s high level of violence will surely be addressed by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the country next year, said a Vatican official. The Vatican missionary news agency Fides reported that during a news conference in Merida, Mexico, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to Mexico, said the Pope’s visit “will bring us courage for the difficult times, in order to have the strength to fight against violence and help us unite for peace”. Mexico has experienced a dramatic increase in crime-related violence in recent years. In 2010 alone, close to 15,000 organised crime killings occurred, making it the worst year on record for such violence.

High up on scaffolding, a worker paints the entrance of La Reina Church in Havana. PHOTO: CNS/REUTERS

Growing extremism: Sunni supporter next to poster of convicted killer Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri during a rally in late October in Karachi.

PHOTO: CNS

REVIEWS

History of De La Salle in WA

Botthian and Amphian

De La Salle Brothers in Australia 1864-1867

by Br Rory Higgins

fsc

Review: Clement Mulcahy

Published by the De La Salle Brothers, Australian Province, 2011, this is a major work. It places the story of the Brothers of Christian schools within the context of the local and regional histories of the communities served by these men during the 19th century. The study has an international setting too with an investigation of the mission of Jean Baptiste De La Salle, and later expansion beyond Europe to North America, India and Singapore. Schools in Calcutta and Agra were to be the link between Singapore and the fledgeling foundation in the Swan River colony later known as Western Australia. While eventually (1906) the De La Salle Brothers opened a school in Armidale NSW, it was to be another 90 years after Botthian’s departure before they finally established a school in ‘the West’ despite ongoing efforts by Bishops Griver and Gibney to re-establish a foundation in colonial times.

La Salle College in Midland was founded in 1954 and a number of past staff, students and chairs of the college board joined present college members at the 3pm launch at St Mary’s Cathedral on 29 November 2011. Emeritus Professor Peter Tannock was welcomed by Brother Ambrose Payne fsc, Brother Visitor (Provincial) of the District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea, and other brothers visiting Perth for the occasion. The standard achieved in this hardback, illustrated edition of 344 pages reflects well upon author and printer. It has a comprehensive

bibliography, index, list of contents, appendices, tables and maps and is presented in a clear font.

Many locals would be unaware of the singular contribution made by the two De La Salle brothers in Perth and Fremantle in the 1860s.

Botthian and Amphian were domiciled with Bishop Griver and travelled out to their separate schools. In 1950, Michael Mannix of Wembley, then 98, could recall being taught by these men who also developed the Catholic Young Men’s Society

and supported the fledgeling St Vincent de Paul Society.

The book title conveys the thrust of the story which also embraces far flung schools in the northern and southern hemispheres. The dust cover links the main protagonist, Botthian Schneider, to the origins of the order and its approval by Benedict XIII in 1725 of Jean Baptiste De La Salle and his outreach to the marginalised.

Through the research, analysis and interpretation provided by the author, the reader gains a sense of mission of two men endeavouring to live out their commitment to the Institute proactively and not as mere neophytes. Br Rory has brought his material together in a compelling narrative. The reader is not being restricted to an analysis

The sacrifices and initiative shown by these resolute men are well captured by the author and provide a strong sense of conditions of the time.

of the institutional Church without regard for the human frailties, strengths or social attitudes relevant to the times.

The authoritarianism, unacceptable now, that permeated Catholic hierarchy in the 19th and 20th centuries and impacted upon the management of convents and monasteries according to the strictures of Canon Law and each congregation’s Constitution, is placed in context. The pressure for adaptation to better meet the needs of pioneering conditions as faced both by local bishops, their clergy and the

brothers, is well examined and the absorbing narrative loses none of its pace in meeting this test.

Archival material is used very effectively. In drawing on public and private archives and collections for photographic material, the author has provided an engaging pictorial record, including previously unpublished photographs and sketches.

The sacrifices and initiative shown by these resolute men are well captured by the author and provide a strong sense of conditions of the time.

The sandy stretches designated as streets that led towards the Bishop’s ‘palace’ where one classroom was located are captured as is the Fremantle Presbytery (demolished 1915) where Br Amphian was thought to have taught and then later visited to offer weekend catechetical lessons.

A longstanding member of the brothers and successful classroom practitioner, Br Rory Higgins, Master’s graduate from the University of Sydney, lives in the Philippines where he is Novice master for Asia and the Pacific.

The author has consulted archives nationally and internationally as well as De La Salle communities during this research and readers of this fascinating volume will be pleased with the final result. Sr Frances Stibi pbvm from the Archdiocesan Archives of Perth, and archivists from New Norcia, the Sisters of Mercy and the Christian Brothers, and the State Library are among those whose generous involvement has been identified by Br Rory.

The formal acknowledgements express a ready appreciation for local support given in the preparation of this book which brings together many aspects of history.

Available at The Record for $49.00

Keneally: failings underlying famine

Three Famines Starvation and Politics by Thomas Keneally Review: David Gibson

Drought is not the true cause of either the starvation or death linked with the famines so frequently witnessed in our world, according to Thomas Keneally’s Three Famines

The Australian writer makes the case that during a famine people indeed hunger, grow sick and die because food is inaccessible, but that numerous political, economic and human failings ought to be held accountable for that.

Rail-thin children introduced to the world by famine photography signify that much more has failed people than rainfall or crops.

In Keneally’s famine accounts, political leaders sometimes disturbingly concluded that meeting the needs of the hungry would interfere with other political goals they considered greater priorities. His book tells of government all too ready to believe the news of famine hunger within their borders was greatly exaggerated or were convinced hungry people brought this suffering upon themselves.

Added to that is a tendency among the better-fed to develop an immunity over time toward hungry people, that is to begin ignoring starving people in their midst. It suits governments “who naturally wish to be exempted from all blame” to argue “famine is due utterly to a natural disaster, or even to the previous sins of the victims themselves”, the author writes.

Keneally is the wellknown author

of Schindler’s Ark, a 1982 historical novel based on the life of a German Catholic industrialist who acted to save the lives of some 1,100 Jews from the Holocaust.

However, he is also the author of numerous nonfiction books, to which he now adds Three Famines, an analysis both of the causes of famine and the realities of human

In those who suffered these famines, those who denied the suffering, in those who told what was happening, there is a remarkable continuity.

suffering yielded by unrequited hunger. The book’s three famines include the Great Famine of Ireland that began in 1845, often called the Potato Famine; the deadly 1943-44 famine in Bengal located in the Indian subcontinent’s northeastern region; and an Ethiopian famine that occurred in two phases in the early 1970s and mid-1980s.

“Though these famines are in obvious ways diverse from each

other, they were also siblings,” Keneally says. He explains:

“In those people who suffered these famines; in those who denied the suffering or propounded theories to explain it, excuse it and so see it as necessary; in those who, against the wishes of government, told the world what had happened and still was happening, or tried to address the suffering by giving aid, there is a remarkable continuity of impulses and reactions.”

The painful truth about the relationship of disease and famine is reported by Keneally. A wide range of diseases and fevers “opportunistically strike the malnourished,” he says.

“If bacteria were sentient,” Keneally believes “they would look upon famine fields as arenas of near-miraculous chance, an opportunity for a vicious dance across grand reaches of humans, whose resistance to invasion has fatally withered.”

Keneally introduces readers to various heads of state and governmental officials who failed remarkably to respond to famine hunger. He also shows how the efforts of some government officials to do well by hungry people were thwarted by their superiors.

Some older readers, who in

Keneally’s words “were charmed” decades ago by the Emperor Haile Selassie, may be startled by his depiction of the Ethiopian leader. Selassie “dealt with minor famines by ignoring them” and he apparently hoped to treat famine as a state secret, fearing that reports of it could prove embarrassing to his country, Keneally indicates.

He tells of a newspaper article in which, speaking of famine, Selassie declared that “each individual is responsible for his misfortunes, his fate”. Still, the author makes clear that Selassie’s shortsightedness in the face of famine appears modest compared with that of the Marxist Mengistu Haile Mariam, who headed Ethiopia from 1977.

In his final chapter, Keneally shows readers how common famines are, including the many “created by flood.” Russia, China, North Korea and many parts of Africa have known famine well.

A recent famine in Darfur, western Sudan, is especially pertinent to the overall purpose of Keneally’s book. He writes that during the 21st century’s first decade, “Darfur was an example of the way armies, militias, race and government policy combined to create what the experts call ‘a humanitarian crisis.’” - CNS

Brady revealed:

Missing years The

ALMOST nothing was known of the life of Perth’s first Catholic bishop, John Brady, between the time he left Fremantle in 1852, banished under papal order, and his death in southern France in 1871.

Those 19 years have been a mystery to researchers looking into the man who founded the diocese and led the first Catholic missionaries to Perth.

Now, the efforts of Fr Kilian Mitchell OPraem, an Irish Norbertine priest based at Kilnacrott Abbey in Ireland, together with references collected by Archdiocesan archivist Sr Frances Stibi PBVM, have opened a window on the period and made it possible to construct a timeline of Brady post-Perth based on diaries, letters and various reports - often from Catholic newspapers of the day.

The timeline below is the first instalment in a two part series that will conclude next week. The fog surrounding Perth’s controversial first bishop is lifting.

4 October 1851

Cardinal Fransoni wrote to Bishop Brady: “It is inexplicable why, against the will of the Supreme Pontiff – namely that you should remain in Rome until your case was decided – and although you also well knew the responsibility for the Church of Perth had been handed over to Bishop Serra, you left the city like a fugitive and, under false pretext, you did not hesitate to undertake the journey to Australia.”

9 January 1852

As a result of the seemingly impossible situation in Perth, Bishop Serra wrote to ask Archbishop Polding, Metropolitan of Sydney, to come to Perth as he felt Polding’s presence would calm everyone down.

3 July 1852

After a long and arduous journey, Polding arrived in Perth.

4 July 1852

The following minute was written describing the event in the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Perth by Thomas Little JP, Acting Secretary to the Archbishop Metropolitan:

“On Sunday the fourth day of July 1852, appeared before the Most Rev John Bede Polding, Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of the Province of New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land, the Right Rev John Brady, Bishop of Perth in Western Australia, but suspended from his functions by Our Most Holy Father Pius the Ninth by a Motu Proprio dated 3/10/1851.

The Most Rev Archbishop

Metropolitan, being vested and prepared to celebrate Mass, proceeded to the Throne, and being seated thereon the Right Rev John Brady came to the Sanctuary, and having genuflected before the Blessed Sacrament, presented himself to the Archbishop Metropolitan, and on his bended knees read a declaration to the purport following:

1 His Lordship professed his unreserved and perfect submission to the Sentence of Suspension passed upon him by His Holiness Pope Pius IX.

2 His Lordship solemnly promised to abide under it until canonically absolved by the Supreme Authority from which it emanated.

3 His Lordship signified and declared, that he would follow and fulfill the directions and injunctions of the Most Rev John Bede Polding, Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land, as regards the time when, the manner in which, and the circumstances in connection with his proceeding to the Holy See, for the purpose of obtaining absolution from the Holy Father, and in obedience to the mandate of His Holiness.

4 Furthermore, His Lordship surrendered unto the said Most Rev John Bede Polding, Archbishop and Metropolitan as aforesaid, all right or title to, or possession of lands, goods and chattels, either held in his own name or in the name of others, for his own proper use, or for the use of others, with all Deeds, Documents, and other instruments, referring to, or descriptive of the same; and all this to be understood without restriction or reserve, as extending to and including all

lands, goods and chattels held by him in Western Australia.

5 And moreover, His Lordship expressed his deep regret for whatever disturbance, disquiet or dis-edification may have been occasioned since his return to this colony; and

6 Lastly, placed himself with unqualified obedience in the hands of the Most Rev the Metropolitan, as Representative of the Supreme Head of the Church on earth, our most Holy Father Pope Pius IX, whom God in his mercy long preserve.

This declaration having been made, the Archbishop addressed some words of paternal and affectionate admonition to the Right Rev Bishop, and assured His Lordship of the great consolation he derived from receiving this manifestation of submission and obedience, which he would transmit by the first opportunity, to the Holy See.

Then the Right Rev Bishop proceeded with his written declaration as above to the centre of the Sanctuary and, having genuflected, ascended to the altar, and on the altar subscribed his declaration with his name and title, then his declaration so signed was placed before the crucifix and remained there during the holy sacrifice of the Mass which the Most Rev the Archbishop commenced to celebrate and at which the Right Rev Bishop was present.

Now all this was done in the Church of St John the Evangelist ... in ... Perth in Western Australia, and to the truth of this record, the undersigned bears testimony, being witness to every circumstance mentioned therein.”

Before the end of the week Brady sought to recover his lost powers through the Civil Court but was unsuccessful. The following week the Rev John Coyle took Archbishop Polding to Court for wages owing to him and a letter of protest against Polding appeared in the Perth Gazette

1 August 1852

Excommunication

Polding was not prepared to put up with this lack of peace any further and so, on Sunday, 1 August 1852, the bell of the church was rung to summon the faithful, the book of transgressions was read and the anathema pronounced. Candles held by the congregation were flung down and the transgressors were locked out of the church.

Polding made the following pronouncement:

“All such parties we declare to be Excommunicated from the Holy Roman Catholic Church of God, to have no part in the prayers, sacrifices, sacraments, whilst living, and when dead to be denied the rites of and place of Christian burial.”

Finale

By request of Governor Fitzgerald, a passage had been arranged for Bishop Brady on the Eugene and so on 19 September when the Eugene was ready to sail, Serra’s agent Martin Butler mounted the deck to hand the impecunious Dr Brady £130 which had been agreed upon for his fare to Rome. Brady had promised to pay the passages of four families to Melbourne. Captain Beauvais descended upon

him and demanded the fares. Brady was penniless once more. He left Fremantle for Melbourne, never to return alive to Perth. Not long after that, Cardinal Fransoni wrote to Bishop Serra, enclosing a personal letter from the Pope addressed to Brady. It commanded him to leave Australia but arrived too late as Brady had already departed.

24 August 1853

Archbishop Paul Cullen of Dublin wrote to Cardinal Fransoni,

The only known contemporary likeness of Bishop Brady, dating from 1845. PHOTO: PERTH ARCHDIOCESAN ARCHIVES

One of the earliest known renditions, above, of St John’s pro-Cathedral in Victoria Avenue, the first - and Brady’s - Catholic church and cathedral in Perth. The picture may date to before 1856. Bishop Jose Maria Benita Serra, the Spanish Benedictine who replaced Brady, below. As Apostolic Administrator Serra controlled the diocese of Perth after Brady’s departure in 1852 but could not take the title Bishop of Perth. He left for Rome in 1859, resigning in 1861. Serra’s successor as Apostolic Administrator until 1869 was Bishop Martin Griver, who became Bishop of Perth in 1873. A 20th century likeness of Brady, right, thought by some to be a reasonable lifelike portrait.

“… in regard to Mgr Brady who is mentioned in the same letter, he has not yet appeared in Ireland. I feel however that he is not acting too well since I see that a Pamphlet has been put in circulation against Mgr Polding and in favour of Mgr Brady which displays a bad spirit. This Pamphlet is anonymous and the place of printing is not indicated. Since it contains all the correspondence which passed between the Archbishop and Mgr Brady it lies open to suspicion that it is the

work of the latter’s pen.” Although Bishop of Perth until the end of his life in 1871, Brady left Perth in 1852; Bishop Serra was then able to carry out his appointment as Apostolic Administrator from 1852 until his resignation was accepted in 1862.

He never assumed the title Bishop of Perth.

24 September 1853

Dr Richard Madden wrote to Dr Meagher, Vicar General

of the Diocese of Dublin, “…in the performance of his clerical duties – I mean, administering the Sacraments, assisting at the altar visiting the sick, promoting the education of the poor … in assisting the distressed, and, above all, in

dealing charitably and kindly with the poor natives – I can safely say that the conduct of Dr Brady was exemplary.”

27 September 1853

Again Dr Madden wrote to Dr Meagher, “On my arrival in the Swan River Settlement, of which I was Colonial Secretary, I found Dr Brady contending single-handed against the entire local Government … I found Dr Brady battling for his Mission stoutly and sincerely, not always discreetly or effectually … Without his pertinacity, and I would say daring, in confronting powerful opposition, in contending against adverse circumstances of the most formidable kind, the Mission would never have been established.”

1 October 1853

Archbishop Paul Cullen to Kirby in Rome, “… Mgr Brady is at present here in Dublin. He is fully repentant of all that has happened. Do me the favour of begging the Holy Father to deign to enable him to be absolved from the censures and irregularity incurred by the default for which he is now repentant. He does not say Mass any longer and has promised to be obedient for the future. Obtain this favour as soon as possible.”

23 November 1853

Archbishop Paul Cullen to Cardinal Fransoni, “… In regard to Mgr Brady I have already carried out the commission entrusted to me by absolving him from the censures and giving him the allowance assigned to him. He has retired now to make his retreat amongst the

Trappist monks of Mount Melleray. He says he will soon go to Rome …”

7 April 1855

The nominations for by-elections in Cavan took place in the entrance hall of Cavan Courthouse at 10 o’clock on Easter Sunday. The candidates and their supporters occupied the balcony at the top of the stairs. Hughes’ friends consisted of priests, some prominent laymen and one or two members of the established Church. In all, 16 priests are mentioned; 12 of them, including one Bishop – Bishop John Brady on the balcony with Hughes.

26 July 1855

The Examinations in St Augustine’s College, Cavan. The usual examinations came off last week before Dr Browne, Dr Brady, Rev John O’Reilly, Rev Patrick Magauran and Rev Edward Lynch. The solemnity that year was provided by the presence of two Bishops. Dr Brady, Bishop of Perth and a native of Castletara, was on an extended visit to Bishop Browne. He presented a chalice to the Academy where his nephew John Smith of Cavan Town was a student. Matthew and Patrick Gibney and Hugh Brady were present among the students.

10 June 1856

During a trip by students of St Augustine’s College to Bellamount Forest in the Anglo Celt, “… Dr Browne and Dr Brady, on their morning walk to the chapel were cheered loudly from the passing cars.”

Next week: Brady at Vatican I - but not in official photos.

PHOTOS: PERTH ARCHDIOCESAN ARCHIVES

The photo above was taken some time between 1856, when Cathedral House, at rear right, was built and 1863 when the Cathedral of the Immaculate conception, known today as St Mary’s, was commenced.

ALP vote will confirm what is already clear

AS The Record went to press earlier this week it was clear the push to officially adopt the legalisation of same-sex marriage was shaping up to be one of the major debates at the Australian Labor Party Conference in Hobart and would capture intense, but very predictable, media attention. The looming debate was set to crystallise both sides of the issue: those pushing for same-sex marriage seeing it as an issue of equality and rights, those opposing it as a defence of the unique spousal relationship between a man and a woman.

The debate, however, had already been won and lost before the conference. For some time now majority opinion across Australia has been strongly in favour on an issue it sees essentially as one of tolerance. The defenders of marriage have had to debate a strong sentimental attachment to one notion of tolerance rather than a rational argument about the actual meaning of marriage. A second problem is that the political defenders of marriage have largely relied on arguments ultimately based in convention and have therefore been incapable of mounting the sophisticated defence that it needs.

The reality of a culture which strongly inclines towards acceptance of same-sex marriage because of sentimental reasons has also had a limiting effect on those campaigning for marriage: in an increasingly morally relative society arguments based on defining marriage as a unique complementarity rooted in the realities of masculinity and femininity simply don’t cut it with a general population who tend to make decisions on the basis of whether something feels ‘good.’

As with abortion, it is almost impossible to win any arguments on the issue by appealing to the objective reality that abortion really does kill children and harms mothers and fathers. Those campaigning for marriage as a unique reality of masculine and feminine gifts have had to contend with popular culture transmitted and formulated by the media and the entertainment business. They have had to contend with a romantic fantasy which actually exists nowhere, except in Hollywood.

It is not popular to point out that marriage is a unique relationship offering a unique dynamism to children and society which other relationships, at best, can only mimic.

THE RECORD

PO Box 3075

Adelaide Terrace

PERTH WA 6832

office@therecord.com.au

Tel: (08) 9220 5900

Fax: (08) 9325 4580

One foundation of the push for same-sex marriage has been the idea that same-sex attracted individuals have had to contend with discrimination from Christians. Although a popular belief, like historical myths to do with the Inquisition, it is, not entirely but certainly overwhelmingly, a fallacy. Same-sex attracted individuals have in fact had to contend with the prejudices of conventional society, while the discrimination that has undoubtedly been experienced by many has been the result of very human tendencies to sequester anything or anyone who is different. The nation was once a country that embraced the White Australia policy and treated Chinese on its goldfields as the forward guard of the Yellow Peril but neither of these reprehensible views were the result of Christianity: they were the result of Anglo Saxon social conventionality. Today, many Australians are Aussies who happen to be of Asian descent. The same should be, and has largely become, the reality for individuals who experience same-sex attraction. But this says nothing about the inherent meaning of the idea of same-sex marriage.

On a rational level, while same-sex marriage appeals powerfully to many supporters, it remains objectively true to state that it cannot actually exist. In fact, it would merely be one more step in the process of degrading the actual idea of marriage to the point where marriage can be any relationship and, ultimately, that there is really no such thing as marriage. Like the introduction in recent decades of the widespread use of the artificial contraceptive, abortion or the introduction of no-fault divorce, same-sex marriage is only the latest development in a society absorbed for several decades in forgetting what marriage is really about and why it exists in the first place.

It is not popular to assert that the spousal, formal commitment between a man and a woman is a unique relationship that offers something no other relationship can offer. It is not popular to point out that same-sex attraction is clearly a psycho-sexual disorder, one among many, because of the substantial fluidity of human sexuality. It is not popular to point out that children need the experience of masculine and feminine spousal love and that this is of the deepest importance for their own growing. Nor is it popular to point out that this relationship - alone - offers a unique dynamic for children and society that other relationships can, at best, only partly mimic. And of course it is quite true that many who have entered marriage have failed in every way in carrying out what is really the most important job in the world. When the ALP comes to vote on the campaign to legalise homosexual marriage this weekend the vote, either way, will hardly be surprising. It will, strangely, have been won or lost on the basis of mere convention rather than any deep understanding of what marriage actually is.

With thanks from Coptic Orthodox

DURING a meeting at St Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the Church servants came and told me that a gentleman wanted to see me. I asked him to bring him to the office.

He introduced himself to me as one of our neighbours in East Victoria Park, also a Catholic. He said that he and his wife are pensioners but when he read about the Coptic appeal in The Record he said to his wife that it was a good cause to make a donation to. He gave me an envelope and asked if I could pass it on to the victims of the atrocity that occurred in Maspiro, Cairo on 9 October.

This moved my heart with joy, though the expression ‘joy’ is not the correct expression in this situation as I feel that we are, after all, one big Christian Family who feel for and support each other.

He refused to tell me his name or accept a receipt. I thanked him warmly. The same day, the church accountant informed me that he had received donations from people who read of the appeal in The Record as well. On behalf of the Coptic Community in Perth, I say ‘Thank you’ to everyone who supported us in this ordeal. Thank you to those who prayed or donated to us and thank you to The Record for bringing our plight to the public.

And thank you to Sarah Motherwell and her team who professionally helped covering the event.

I also wanted to make a correction regarding what was published in The Record of 9 November where the Coptic Orthodox Church was wrongly described as Monophysite ie believing only in the divine nature of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Christological statement of faith is that we believe in the incarnate word of God (the Logos) who has a full divine nature and a full human nature united without mixing, change, alteration or confusion, his divinity parted not from his humanity for a single moment nor for a twinkling of an eye.

After the incarnation he has a new nature that is the nature of the incarnate Logos. The exact expression that should be used to describe our church is Miaphysite, and in

this we have the same faith as the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches as was agreed upon in 1988 in St Bishoy Monastery, Egypt and 1990 in Chambesy, Geneva, with both families respectively. Thankyou for your understanding.

Rev Fr Abram Abdelmalek

St Mary and Archangel Michael

Coptic Orthodox Church

East Victoria Park, WA

A long wait for melting glaciers?

TIM Wallace (The Record, 23 Nov 2011) might be interested in the non-scientific views of someone who has come to conclusions about the climate change debate, based on what I smell.

In spite of what scientists profess, it is becoming increasingly evident that we simply do not know enough about this new science of climate change and that if global warming is a reality, it would seem to be an impossibility to prove that it is man-made.

Climategate I and II, which exposed the manipulation and withdrawal of data not conducive to the warmists’ cause, have resulted in a loss of credibility and scientists have only themselves to blame for the fiasco in Copenhagen.

May I suggest, that in relation to the “validity of the IPCC’s findings”, Mr Wallace turn his attention to the very latest IPCC Report, which has been described in The Weekend Australian editorial of 27 November as having “demonstrated an increasingly rational and cautious approach to climate science.” “It had been embarrassed by mis-

takes in earlier reports , such as the erroneous claims that Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035”.

In Australia, we have just had a carbon tax imposed upon us in the name of global warming, a tax that will almost certainly stifle our economy and contribute to worthless incentives, I suspect, like more solar panels and windmills, which require carbon-emissions to produce and boost.

I wonder if Mr Wallace would consider nuclear energy as a “prudent measure to wean the industrialised world off its addiction to fossil fuels”? Why is this clean alternative energy source, which could mean the deliverance of some of the most poverty-stricken nations, not proposed as a valid solution by those who would muzzle and silence anyone who would disagree with their doomsday predictions?

While the arguments of the sceptics have been informative and helpful, may I suggest that it has been the behaviour of many warmists that has significantly contributed to a healthy scepticism, a scepticism which Mr Wallace might just have to live with for while – perhaps until those glaciers have melted ….

Margaret O’Hagan APPLECROSS,

WA

A month of the holy souls

In 1879, the parish priest of Knock, Ireland, offered 100 consecutive Masses for the holy souls, and after the hundredth Mass a vision appeared on the gable of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph, St John the Evangelist, an altar with a cross, the figure of a lamb and angels hovering around. These events inspired a lay association in Australia, “Friends of the Suffering Souls”, to offer 100 Masses every day for all holy souls.

The average number of Masses offered every day is now 70 – one every 20 minutes. What a gift to the holy souls, but more “Friends” would be joyfully appreciated.

Please visitt www.knocknovena. com and join these compassionate friends.Enquries: shannons3s@ optusnet.com.au.

S Shannon Woodvale, WA

GFC the test for Mondragon Values must change for cooperatives to work, writes Guy Crouchback

IHAVE always been interested in the Mondragon industrial co-operative in Spain, which was the subject of an article in The Record on 16 November. It sounds an attractive idea. My main question about it is this: if it is so successful, why has the idea not spread farther?

It was founded by a Catholic priest, and has grown from five people in 1956 to 85,000, with some overseas subsidiaries. Yet it is almost the one and only one of its kind, and the only one on this scale. Has the Church done anything to support the setting up of similar co-operatives elsewhere? It has been very silent about it, if so.

Somehow, for reasons I am unclear about, this creative and apparently very successful enterprise has not spread beyond a couple of very isolated pockets.

Now it seems Spain is going to be drawn into Europe’s economic calamity, following Greece and Italy. Its unemployment rate is about 22 per cent and its youth unemployment rate about twice that. There seems to be little other hope on the horizon, and some of the media are talking in apocalyptic terms.

While this is bad news, there

may be a small silver lining to the black cloud: if the Mondragon cooperative can survive this, its general credibility will be enormously enhanced. So far Mondragon has undergone only a slight contraction, with employment down to 83,800, and anticipates a return to profitability this year.

I have written repeatedly about the fallacy of talking of a “third

Mondragon sounds like a good idea. My main question is, why has it not spread farther?

way” between Communism and Capitalism, which is like talking of a third way between apples and elephants: capitalism is a means of production, and claims to be no more than that; communism is an ideology which makes totalitarian claims on the whole moral as well as economic life, and the two cannot be compared. There is no compromise way between them.

What is plain is that communism

is dead and can never be resurrected - and nor should it be - and capitalism is in desperate straits. The co-operative movement, as I understand it, is not a way “between” the two, but something different.

I don’t think it can get off the ground if there is a strong union movement, fixated on higher wages on the Australian pattern, rather than on things like health and safety issues. Nor can it get off the ground with a class of bosses and managers whose sole concern is paying themselves as much as the enterprise will stand. A great change in values and attitudes will be needed. Yet we know that people can be inspired to do great things. Mondragon itself proves that.

I see nothing wrong with the cooperative movement except that it has worked on a large scale only in one Spanish town. We might do well to invest time and energy in finding out why it is so limited. If the Mondragon co-operative weathers the present economic storm, we need a panel of professional economists to study it and see why and to consider all the reasons – not amateurs like me pushing barrows and simply thinking it might be a good idea.

Tragedy of silent twins is the world we’ve made

A botched abortion procedure, already a

double tragedy, is yet another indictment of the culture of death in our society.

SEVERAL headlines in the media said it all on 24 November. ‘Medical bungle at Royal Women’s Hospital kills healthy fetus,’ read one in the Herald Sun

‘Healthy foetus accidentally terminated’, said another on the ABC website.

‘Royal Women’s Hospital investigates accidental termination of wrong twin in surgery error’, reported The Australian ‘Victorian mother’s twin baby agony after hospital botch’, was another in Brisbane’s Courier Mail

The story dropped off the breaking news lists and various newspaper websites quickly, overshadowed by the shenanigans in Federal Parliament over the appointment of new Speaker Peter Slipper.

But I cannot let it pass without comment, if only out of respect for the innocent victims.

@ home

Catherine Parish

The story makes grisly reading.

In Victoria, a woman 32 weeks pregnant with twin boys is told that one of them has a serious heart defect. She decides to terminate him while keeping the other child. A child is injected and dies; so far a routine procedure. However, the medical staff have injected the wrong child. When the mistake is discovered, the other baby is terminated also. The family is devastated.

The hideous irony of the story is that healthy fetuses are terminated every day, hundreds of them. The single thing that makes this story

newsworthy is that one of the two brothers was still wanted. Would we have heard about the termination of the unwanted twin at 32 weeks if his brother had not died with him?

I seriously doubt it. These stories are studiously kept quiet.

No-one bothers claiming that these twins were not babies; otherwise there is no story. The one

weeks. A child at 32 weeks’ gestation would almost certainly survive if born prematurely.

Never has it been made so glaringly obvious that in many minds it is no longer material that the innocent victim of abortion is undeniably a living baby. The only justification that is made for the procedure is that one child was wanted

“Never has it been so glaringly obvious that the victim of abortion is undeniably a living baby.”

difference is the relative predicted health of each boy.

Thirty two weeks’ gestation. This is unspeakable, almost impossible to imagine, when at 37 weeks a child is considered full term. Everyone knows that children born as young as 24 weeks survive regularly with the right care. Children have survived on rare occasions from 22

because he appeared to be healthy and one baby no longer wanted because he appeared not as healthy.

It is unutterably sad. None of the headlines or stories acknowledged the equal right to life of the unwanted baby. None of them described the unwanted baby’s death as tragic, only the ‘healthy’ child’s death.

Thirty two weeks is when a

Getting to know Joshua

A son diagnosed with autism has been able to help Renato Bonasera

learn some important lessons.

AS A DAD, I wonder about the role I am supposed to play in the lives of my children. I am conscious that I live in a society which often confuses the meaning of fatherhood and reduces it to just one of the ways one can parent.

Yet, I know that my role as a father is unique and irreplaceable in the lives of all three of my children, one of whom has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

For the past three years my wife and I have been getting used to the gift that is our son Joshua. At age three he was diagnosed with autism and it has been a tumultuous, yet rewarding, journey for all of us.

Any parent of a child with an ASD will tell you that early intervention is the key to a child’s “recovery”.

It is necessary to help the child find a way beyond the meltdowns, the anxiety and fears, social awkwardness and general confusion.

For my wife in particular, early intervention has meant countless hours of work and much love. She has set her own life aside in order to give Joshua the best he could have.

Joshua, like our other children, is a treasure, a precious gift that we would never wish away.

Now six years of age, we can see blossoming before our eyes a gentle, generous, protective, just and loving little boy who is extremely intelligent and insightful. There were times when it would have been difficult to see his giftedness stand out as much as it does now. I regularly marvel at what he is now revealing about his inner world and about the role I play as his dad.

Driving back home from a trip to McDonald’s one weekend, I noticed Joshua reading a page from a magazine that had been left in the car.

“Dad, what’s loneness” he asked, referring to the title of the article.

“Do you mean loneliness, Joshua?

Loneliness is when you sometimes feel all alone and sad. Do you feel lonely sometimes?” I asked.

Joshua proceeded to tell me that he sometimes felt lonely at school when his friends didn’t play his games.

He then paused and said the most touching thing to me which

I will never forget. “But when I come home, I take my sad face off and put my happy face on because I see your face.”

Despite my many inadequacies, Joshua knows a truth that at times fathers can forget; that despite human frailty, the bond that exists between father and son is one of the most beautiful and enduring bonds that exist - and it is a bond to be treasured and celebrated and which is greater than any autism.

He has also shown me that his ability to cope with his very stressful and anxious world is heavily dependent on the extent to which I walk by his side.

Over the last two years I have watched my son struggle with swimming lessons due to the anxiety they can cause.

Joshua had made little progress in his group classes. He spent most of the time practising creative evasive manoeuvres rather than following instructions.

We switched to private classes and though some advance was made, I was frustrated with the

lack of progress. So I decided to ask if I could join the instructors in the pool.

The bond that exists between father and son is one of the most beautiful and enduring bonds that exist.

Within two lessons my son had been inspired to glide, float, submerge his head completely and torpedo, not just because of the determination of the instructors but because he saw daddy get in the water and model it first. My presence was the key factor in helping him overcome much of his fear.

All our children possess a love for life, an energy that leaves one speechless (and exhausted) and  above all a need to be noticed, accompanied and loved by their

woman is longing beyond anything for the birth of the child she is carrying; the discomfort of the pregnancy is peaking, the babe is positioning him or herself for birth, and everything is pretty well ready at home.

This is truly an awful story on so many levels. How far we have come down the path of inhumanity and craven selfishness when such blatant acceptance of the terrible injustice and cruel double-standard inherent in the culture of death is so callously evident in our everyday newspapers? The one spark of light was that a few of the comments attached to the web stories reflected my own revulsion.

My heart breaks for the lost children, the confusion, the sorrow, the regret, the suffering, the tragedy this family has brought upon themselves. What a world we are making for ourselves.

Twilight flick undermines its own chaste virtue

By Katie Hinderer

BREAKING Dawn , the fourth instalment of the Twilight saga, has just been released in theatres.

What strikes me with this movie is that in trying to send one message, the author is actually sending a completely opposite one.

Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight, worked hard to keep her characters chaste until marriage.

They struggled with their desires and Edward’s hope to wait until they were married before they entered into a sexual relationship.

Kudos to Stephenie for writing a young adult novel that actually espouses values and maintains them through the story.

All that talk about chastity and values is about to be negated.

And so, after three books of remaining chaste, they marry in the first part of the fourth book, head off on their honeymoon and consummate their marriage.

parents, whether they have special needs or not.

Indeed, I have noticed all my children calling out, “Look at me, daddy” in their own way.

When my delightful four year old son Jacob performs acrobatic stunts in front of me and my two year old girl says “I need you, daddy”, they are both communicating more than they think.

My son is asking me to confirm that he has what it takes to become a man like me. And my little girl needs me to tell her that she is the beautiful princess of my heart.

If any father out there has been sold the lie that he is not needed by his children then I urge him to rethink. If any father has had his children taken away, whether justly or unjustly, might I suggest that it is never too late?

If in no other way than through a heartfelt prayer entrusting your distant children to the heavenly Father, you can still play a part in their lives.

Your children need you.

But the trouble comes in depicting this in a teen novel. The average reader of these books is not a married adult woman. Teen girls who are dating for the first time are reading this and finding it romantic, exciting and intriguing. And now … they are going to see it depicted on the big screen.

All that talk about chastity and traditional values is about to be negated thanks to this ‘surreal’ sex scene that every major tabloid, media outlet, magazine and fan site is talking about.

It is one of the most anticipated scenes and will no doubt be played over and over and over again. And that is an image that could end up doing more harm than all Edward’s chivalrous conversations in the books.

And with pre-ticket sales having already broken records, this is bound to be a movie that is seen by everyone and their mother. Unfortunately.

Fashionista Katie Hinderer writes Mercatornet’s Tiger Print blog at: www.mercatornet.com

Joshua plays guitar, assisted by his father Renato and brother Jacob.

PHOTO: COURTESY R BONASERA

SATURDAY

SATURDAY, 3 DECEMBER

Day with Mary

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

Retreat for Mothers

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

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

The Workers in the Garden of the Holy Family Christmas Reflection 10am-2pm at Aquin House, 26 Meadow St, Guildford. Activities for children in the morning, followed by rosary, Bible reflections, concluding with Mass. Please bring a plate for a shared lunch. All are welcome. RSVP Rose 0437 700 247.

NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY, 4 DECEMBER

35th Annual Rosary Procession

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

Celebrates 30 Years - Emmanuel Centre

4pm at Emmanuel Centre, 25 Windsor St, Perth. Celebrant: Bishop Sproxton. Emmanuel Centre is a self-help centre for people with disabilities and their families. 5pm BBQ. Please bring a plate of finger food to share. Enq: Secretary 9328 8113 or 9227 9720 (fax) or 040 1016 399 or mailto:emmanuelcentre@westnet.com.au.

Divine Mercy

1.30pm at St Francis Xavier Parish, 25 Windsor St, Perth. Main celebrant: Fr Varghese. Homily: The Holy Family. Refreshments afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771.

TUESDAY, 6 DECEMBER

Charismatic Renewal Farewell

Perth’s Night of Farewell

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

Advent Preparation - Spirituality and the Sunday Gospels

7-8pm at St Benedict’s School Hall, Alness St, Applecross. Advent is about the expectation of new light, new life, a new birth of Christ into our life. How do we prepare for this? Presenter: Norma Woodcock. Accredited - CEO - Faith Formation for ongoing renewal. $10 on registration. There will be a collection. Enq: 94871772 or www.normawoodcock.com.

WEDNESDAY, 7 DECEMBER

Refugees Information Evening - Catholic Migration Service

7.30pm at Infant Jesus Parish Hall, Wellington Rd, Morley. Who? How? Why? Do innocent people find themselves as refugees - and what happens to them? There will be a question and answer session and time for discussion. Enq: Brendan 9276 8336.

THURSDAY, 8 DECEMBER

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

12-1pm at Holy Spirit Parish, Keaney Pl, City Beach. Hour of grace – exposition of Blessed Sacrament during holy hour with rosary and quiet time. Enq: Margaret 9341 8082.

PANORAMA

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

THURSDAY, 8, 15 AND 22 DECEMBER

Bible Study of the Nativity

7.30-8.30pm at St Paul’s parish hall, 106 Rookwood St, Mt Lawley. Fr Tim Deeter will lead a study of the Nativity Gospels Matthew and Luke.

FRIDAY, 9 DECEMBER

Anniversary Mass of Archbishop Fulton J Sheen’s Death

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

SATURDAY, 10 DECEMBER

St Padre Pio Day of Prayer

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

Divine Mercy Healing Mass

2.30pm at St Francis Xavier Church, Windsor St, East Perth. Main Celebrant Fr Marcellinus Meilak, OFM. Reconciliation in English and Italian will be offered. Divine Mercy prayers followed by veneration of first class relic of St Faustina Kowalska. Refreshments later. Enq: 9457 7771.

Early Spiritual Exercises –Ignatian Spirituality

9am-12pm at Gonzaga Barry Lecture Theatre in John XXIII College, Mt Claremont. Presenter: Chris Gardner. Follow desires in life, faith and what God’s desires. Chris has been involved with Ignatian Spirituality for 25 years. Cost: $10 on entry. Enq and registration: Murray 9383 0444 or graham.murray@johnxxiii.edu.au.

WEDNESDAY, 14 DECEMBER

Chaplets of the Divine Mercy

7.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Parish, Dean Rd, Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion accompanied by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Refreshments afterwards. Enq: George 9310 9493.

Final CYM Holy Hour for 2011

5.30pm at 40A Mary St, Highgate. The final CYM Mass & Holy Hour. Begins with Mass, followed by Holy Hour at 6.30pm and a Christmas Party at 7.30pm. Bring a plate to share. RSVP to admin@ cym.com.au or on facebook ‘CYM Perth’.

UPCOMING

SATURDAY, 24 DECEMBER

Extraordinary Rite Latin MassChristmas Eve 8.30pm at the Good Shepherd Parish, Streich Ave, Kelmscott. Enq: John 9390 6646.

NEXT YEAR

MONDAY, 9 JANUARY TO MONDAY, 16 JANUARY 2012

Summer School

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

SATURDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2012

A Reunion for Holy Cross Primary School, Kensington

Any ex-students or family members, please contact Julie Bowles (nee O’Hara) on 9397 0638 or email jules7@iinet.net.au.

REGULAR EVENTS

EVERY SUNDAY

Gate of Heaven Catholic Radio

Join the Franciscans of the Immaculate from 7.309pm on Radio Fremantle 107.9FM for Catholic radio

broadcast of EWTN and our own live shows. Enq: radio@ausmaria.com.

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

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY

Divine Mercy Chaplet and Healing Prayer

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

St Mary’s Cathedral Youth Group –Fellowship with Pizza

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

EVERY SECOND SUNDAY

Healing Hour for the Sick

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

EVERY THIRD SUNDAY

Oblates of St Benedict Meeting

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

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life

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

FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAYS

Latin Mass

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

EVERY MONDAY

Evening Adoration and Mass

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

The Life and Mission of St Mary MacKillop

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

LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH

Be Still in His Presence –Ecumenical Christian Programme

7.30-8.45pm at St Swithun Anglican Church, 195 Lesmurdie St, Lesmurdie (hall behind church). Begins with songs of praise and worship, silent time, lectio divina, small group sharing and a cuppa at the end. Enq: Lynne 9293 3848 or 043 5252 941.

EVERY TUESDAY

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

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

EVERY WEDNESDAY

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

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Bible Study at Cathedral

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

Holy Hour - Catholic Youth Ministry

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

EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY

Holy Hour Prayer for Priests

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

Novena to St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

7-7.45pm at Blessed Mary MacKillop Parish, cnr Cassowary Dr and Pelican Pde, Ballajura. Begins with Mass, novena prayers and benediction. Followed by healing prayers and anointing of the sick. Enq: Madi 9249 9093 or Gerry 041 7187 240.

EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY

Chaplets of the Divine Mercy

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

EVERY THURSDAY

Divine Mercy

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

St Mary’s Cathedral Praise Meeting

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

EVERY FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

Prayer in Style of Taize

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

Group Fifty – Charismatic Renewal Group

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

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY

Communion of Reparation - All Night Vigil

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

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

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life

7pm at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. Mass followed by adoration with Fr Doug Harris. All welcome. Refreshments provided.

Catholic Faith Renewal Evening

7.30pm at Sts John and Paul Parish, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Songs of praise, sharing by a priest followed by thanksgiving Mass and light refreshments afterwards. All welcome to attend and bring your family and friends. Enq: Kathy 9295 0913, Ann 041 2166 164 or catholicfaithrenewal@gmail.com.

Healing and Anointing Mass

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

The Record reserves the right to decline or edit any items submitted for publication in Panorama.

Deadline: 5pm every Friday.

EVERY FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Healing Mass

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

EVERY FOURTH SATURDAY

Voice of the Voiceless Healing Mass

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

EVERY LAST SATURDAY

Novena devotions – Our Lady Vailankanni of Good Health

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

GENERAL

Free Divine Mercy Image for Parishes

High quality oil painting and glossy print – Divine Mercy Promotions. Images are of very high quality. For any parish willing to accept and place inside the church. Oil paintings - 160 x 90cm and glossy print - 100 x 60cm. Enq: Irene 9417 3267 (w).

Sacred Heart Pioneers Is there anyone out there who would like to know more about the Sacred Heart pioneers? If so, please contact Spiritual Director Fr Doug Harris 9444 6131 or John 9457 7771.

St Philomena’s Chapel 3/24 Juna Drive, Malaga. Mass of the day: Monday 6.45am. Vigil Masses: Mon-Fri 4.45pm. Enq: Fr David 9376 1734.

Mary Mackillop 2012 Calendars and Merchandise

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

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

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

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

Financially Disadvantaged People requiring Low Care Aged Care Placement

The Little Sisters of the Poor community - set in beautiful gardens in the suburb of Glendalough. “Making the elderly happy, that is everything!” St Jeanne Jugan (foundress)

Registration and enq: Sr Marie 9443 3155.

Priest Cenacle

Every First Thursday at Legion of Mary, Windsor St, East Perth. Enq: Fr Paul 0427 085 093.

Pilgrim Mass - Shrine of the Virgin of Revelation Programme scheduled for Sun, 25 Dec and Sun, 1 Jan 2012 will not be celebrated on these days. Normal programme recommences 8 Jan 2012. Eng SACRI 9341 6139.

Faith Centre Courses 2012 - 450 Hay St, Perth 1) RCPD2 ‘Internalise Principles of Successful Relationships and Use Emotional Intelligence and Communication Skills’. Mondays 5-7pm. Beginning 20/02/2012. Enq: Paul 040 2222 578. 2) RCPD4 ‘Increase Personal and Spiritual Awareness and Improve Relationships’. Study of psychology in theology. Mondays 10am-12.30pm. Beginning 20/02. Enq: Eva 040 9405 585. 3) The Holistic Health Seminar ‘The Instinct to Heal’. 197 High St, Fremantle - Tuesdays 34.30pm. Beginning 21/02. Enq: Eva: 040 9405 585. Bookings are essential.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

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

RICH HARVEST YOUR

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

KINLAR VESTMENTS

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

MISSION ACTIVITIES

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

THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING TO ST JUDE

O most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, people honor and invoke you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, for I am so helpless and alone. Please help to bring me visible and speedy assistance. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (state your request) and that I may praise God with you always. I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you by publishing this request. Amen.

CLASSIFIEDS

Deadline: 11am Monday

TRADE SERVICES

BRENDAN HANDYMAN SERVICES

Home, building maintenance, repairs and renovations. NOR.

Ph 0427 539 588.

PR OPERTY MAINTENANCE

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

BRICK RE-POINTING Ph Nigel 9242 2952.

PICASSO PAINTING Top service. Ph 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505. 9440 4358.

PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd

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

BOOK BINDING

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

FURNITURE REMOVAL

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

FOR RENT

ROOMS FOR RENT for young (18-35) Catholic women. House (Mt Hawthorn) walking distance to Glendalough parish and train station. Applicants should have a Catholic/Christian outlook on life. Two rooms available from Jan/ Feb 2012. Contact 0408 496 610 or 0421 818 887.

SETTLEMENTS

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING real estate or a business? Why not ask Excel Settlements for a quote for your settlement. We offer reasonable fees, excellent service and no hidden costs. Ring Excel on 9481 4499 for a quote. Check our web site on www.excelsettlements.com.au.

TAX SERVICE

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

WANTED

ONE TO THREE STATUES.

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

POSTIONS AVAILABLE

CARETAKER/GROUNDSMAN for Church and School at Lower Chittering. Suit active pensioner. Accommodation provided. Tel: Fr Paul 0427085093.

POSITION AVAILABLE AT OUR LADY OF GRACE CHURCH

3 Kitchener Street, North Beach WA 6020

ADMINISTRATION SECRETARY

2 DAYS PER WEEK (9am – 3pm) For details please visit our website at www.ourladyofgrace. com.au and select “Upcoming Events”. FOR SALE

CATHOLIC AND OTHER CHRISTIAN BOOKS FOR SALE. All donated. Donations appreciated. Balcatta. Call Colourful Dave: 9440 4358.

PICTURE FRAMING

Christmas special 25% off all custom framing till end Jan. Quality guaranteed. PRIME ART FRAMERS, 240 Main St, Osborne Park. 9344 8641.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

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

ACROSS

1 Easter is observed on the Sunday following the first full ___ of the vernal equinox

4 Liturgical year start

8 “He is seated at the right ___ of the Father.”

9 NT epistle

10 “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will ___ it up” (Jn 2:19)

12 One of the prophets

13 They brought spices to anoint the body of Jesus

14 Our Mother of ___

17 Catholic letters

18 Moved by God

22 Mother of Mary

24 Catholic actor and crooner, Crosby

25 “…___ without end. Amen”

26 Brother of Cain

28 “Bind them upon your heart always; ___ them about your neck.” (Prov 6:21)

29 Bread and Wine

30 Abbr for two OT books

32 Bishop’s symbol

33 What Samson did while his hair was shaved

35 God, in Paris

36 Son of Sarah

37 St Thomas’ surname

38 “…the Lord is with ___.”

39 A creed

40 “…the ___ will be first …” (Mt 20:16)

DOWN

2 ___ for the poor

3 Bk of the Pentateuch

4 Sign from Jonathan that David’s life was in danger (1 Sam 20:20–23)

5 Veronica’s covering

6 “There is a ___ in Gilead”

7 First place

11 20’s US Catholic politician

12 Fourth Evangelist

13 Peter did this after he denied Jesus (Mk 14:72)

15 Sign of papal office

16 Administer extreme unction

19 The soldiers put a scarlet one on Jesus (Mt 27:28)

20 Catholic Surrealist painter

21 Calais monastic

22 Celestial being, to Jacques

23 Direction from Nazareth to Jerusalem

26 “Love is not jealous, it does not put on ___” (1 Cor 13:4)

27 Michaelmas mon

28 Commandment pronoun

30 Nativity scene

31 What you should not cast before swine

32 Agency once headed by an uncle of Cardinal Dulles

33 Fourth man

34 “…___ this day be at my side …”

35 Second word in the name of a French basilica

37 OT prophetic book

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

This two-colour Missal contains the Order of Mass, all the scripture readings and prayers for each Sunday of 2012 in calendar sequence, the complete Easter liturgy and a treasury of prayers.