The Record Newspaper - 31 October 2012 by The Record

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The behaviour of youth at school balls is often cheap, trashy and symptomatic of something gone very wrong, writes Dr Andrew Kania – Pages 10-11

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TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO

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Melbourne academic Dr Gerard O’Shea offers parents an inspiring message of hope – Pages 12-13

New Zealand priest brings unique ministry to those searching for a cure

Hands of healing - and faith

As assistants pray with a man in the background, Father John Rea SM, a Marist priest from New Zealand, listens as another man describes what he wants Fr Rea to pray over him for at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Gosnells on October 25. Fr Rea, who has a remarkable reputation for his healing ministry, including scientifically inexplicable healings of injuries, infertility and terminal illnesses, was in Perth over the last fortnight to attend numerous gatherings organised by the Catholic Disciples of Jesus community. STORY, PHOTOS - PAGE 6 PHOTO: PETER ROSENGREN

Relic of Jesuit missionary draws faithful crowds By Juanita Shepherd THOUSANDS of people flocked to churches across Perth as the right arm of St Francis Xavier, founding Jesuit and 16th century missionary extraordinaire, visited parishes across the archdiocese as part of the celebration of the Year of Grace. Accompanying the relic was Father Richard Shortall, a Jesuit priest from New Zealand, who said it was an honour to be travelling

with it. He told The Record it was the first time he has travelled with the relic of St Francis, a saint who is special to him as they both come from the same order. “St Francis is a fellow Jesuit, a brother and companion,” Fr Shortall said. “The Provincial who is the head of the Jesuit Order asked me to go with the relic. I was quite surprised and delighted to be asked.” In Perth, his travels with the

relic took him to St Francis Xavier Parish in Hilbert, Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Nedlands, St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth and the Redemptorist Monastery in North Perth before heading off to the Diocese of Geraldton. Together with Bishop Donald Sproxton and Hilbert parish priest Fr Kazimierz Stuglik, Fr Shortall concelebrated a children’s Mass at Hilbert in honour of the relic’s visit (see story, Page 7).

“Watching people of all ages, the old and the young, come and pray to St Francis was incredible,” Karen Hart, the co-ordinator for the relic’s visit to Perth told The Record. She said she had received a call from Bishop Sproxton in June who asked her to become the co-ordinator for the relic’s visit. She had never done anything like this before; after accepting Bishop Sproxton’s offer, Mrs Hart immediately began researching the saint; in

so doing, she embarked on her own journey. “The Year of Grace is about being Christ-centred and St Francis was about that,” Mrs Hart said. “It was remarkable to have Christ touching our lives through the relic.” St Xavier, the former Patron Saint of Australia, holds a special place in the heart of the Catholic faithful and wider Christian Church in Continued - Pages 8 & 9

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Unique insights for artists and viewers

Round-Up MARK REIDY

Faith Centre video on paths to holiness THE Faith Centre will be showing a DVD by Father Robert Barron, creator of the Catholicism Project, on Wednesday, November 7 from 6–7.15pm. The popular US priest will be presenting three intriguing paths to holiness, plus practical tips to guide you in your faith journey. To enquire/register: info@thefaith. org.au / 6140 2420 / www.thefaith. org.au.

Schoenstatt Fair will be a great day for the family

Willetton parish to host very special art exhibit

THE annual Schoenstatt Fair will be held on Sunday, November 4, from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Talus Drive, Mount Richon. Food, cakes, plants, books, prizes, bargains galore! Bring the family for a lovely day out and support the Sisters!

Charismatic weekend to focus on healing CATHOLIC Charismatic Renewal Perth is hosting the SET FREE Inner Healing Ministry with international presenters Mrs Diana Mascarenhas from India and Fr Elias Vella OFMC from Malta. The event will run from Friday, November 9 to Sunday, November 11. The conference is aimed at healing emotional and psychological wounds from the past. It will be held at the Newman Sienna Centre, Doubleview. Cost is $100 for the whole weekend or $40 per day. Registration is required. For registration or information, call Heather on 0432 309 142 or Win on

Art by Personal Advocacy group members John Verjans, Matthew Clark, Perea Barker and photography by Ryan Harvey will be exhibited at Willetton Parish on November 14. PHOTO: COURTESY WILLETTON AND BATEMAN PERSONAL ADVOCACY GROUP

(08) 9387 2808 or email: setfree@ hotmail.com.

Helpers needed for homeless Shelter ARE you interested in the welfare of Aboriginal people, particularly those at risk of being on the street with young families, who need a safe place to sleep at night. Can you give one night a week to sleep over at the Night Shelter, an emergency accommodation house located near Perth? An information

session about the Night Shelter is being held on Monday, November 12 at 7pm at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary Street, Highgate. For further information or to register your attendance, please email daydawn@perthcatholic.org.au or telephone Julie 9427 0324.

Quiet Afternoon with Christ and followers JUST as celebrations of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council wind down in Rome, the ecumen-

Charles Borromeo 1538-1584 November 4

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Though Charles suffered all his life from a speech impediment, his intelligence and zeal made him an outstanding figure of the Catholic Reformation. In 1560, he was named a cardinal and administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan by his uncle, Pope Pius IV, but was kept in Rome to assist with the reconvened Council of Trent. He helped draft the council’s catechism and liturgical books, and in 1563 was ordained a priest and bishop. Finally, in 1566, he was allowed to go to Milan, where he worked tirelessly to reform priestly training and lay catechesis. He also exhausted his own funds to provide relief during periods of famine and plague. He is the patron of seminarians and catechists.

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The Record PO Box 3075 Adelaide Terrace PERTH WA 6832 21 Victoria Square, Perth 6000 Tel: (08) 9220 5900 Fax: (08) 9325 4580 Website: www.therecord.com.au The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses of Western Australia and by subscription. The Record is printed by Rural Press Printing Mandurah and distributed via Australia Post and CTI Couriers.

Sunday 4th - Green 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1st Reading: Deut 6:2-6 The Lord is one Responsorial Ps 17:2-4, 47, 51 Psalm: My rock, my saviour 2nd Reading: Heb 7:23-28 Christ’s power to save Gospel Reading: Mk 12:28-34 Love God, love neighbour Monday 5th - Green 1st Reading: Phil 2:1-4 Unity in love Responsorial Ps 130 Psalm: Hope in the Lord Gospel Reading: Lk14:12-14 Repayment for hospitality Tuesday 6th - Green 1st Reading: Phil 2:5-11 Have the mind of Christ Responsorial Ps 21:26-32 Psalm: The Lord’s faithfulness Gospel Reading: Lk 14:15-24 Parable of the banquet Wednesday 7th - Green 1st Reading: Phil 2:12-18 The word of life Responsorial Ps 26:1-4, 13-14

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ism of the Council is being lived out in Perth. Lynne Campbell, a non-Catholic Christian is inviting Catholics, and all other interested believers to attend A Quiet Afternoon. The afternoon will be based on Ignatian spirituality, including time for sitting in stillness, listening to praise and worship songs and meditating on Biblical scenes. “It is not linked to any one church. It’s a springboard to help encourage anybody from any church to come along, to just take time for reflection and for stillnesss;

200 St. George’s Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Tel: 9322 2914 Fax: 9322 2915 michael@flightworld.com.au www.flightworld.com.au

WILLETTON will play host to an art exhibition on November 14 with four artists from Personal Advocacy groups set to exhibit their skills and unique perspectives. John Verjans, Matthew Clark, Perea Barker, all from WillettonBateman PA, will exhibit paintings; and Ryan Harvey, from Thornlie PA, will showcase his photography. One of the artists, John Verjans, had an exhibition two years ago. An advocate from the disabilitysupport group said art provided a valuable means of expression for adults with disabilities.It is hoped that government agencies will take note of the positive effect art has in the lives of many adults with an intellectual disability, particularly in lieu of the limited provision of activities for adults with a disability. The November 14 exhibition will be held at the John Paul Centre at the Parish of Sts John and Paul, Willetton, from 1-6pm. For more information, contact the Willetton Parish Office on 9332 5992.

READINGS OF THE WEEK

SAINT OF THE WEEK

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to gather with other people spending some time God’s presence,” Ms Campbell told The Record. Ms Campbell has previously been involved in the prayer meetings and pastoral work of the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community, a Charismatic Catholic outreach to the homeless of Perth.Two years ago, she convened a series on different Christian spiritualities, inviting guest speakers from different prayer traditions. “I was drawn to do it because I was drawn to learn more about it myself,” she said “and that [meet`ing] evolved into this program”. The Quiet Afternoon will take place at the church meeting room (located behind the church), at St Swithans Anglican Church, 195 Lesmurdie Road, Lesmurdie. For more information call Lynne on 0435 252 941.

Michael Deering 9322 2914

Catholic clarity for complex times CATHOLIC families and those searching for truth need resources to help them negotiate the complexities of modern life. At The Record’s bookshop you can find great books for the family at good prices. Turn to Page 20 for some brilliant deals NOW!!

Psalm: My light, my help Gospel Reading: Lk 14:25-33 Give up possessions Thursday 8th - White 1st Reading: Phil 3:3-8 Glory from Jesus Christ Responsorial Ps 104:2-7 Psalms: Seek God’s face Gospel Reading: Lk 15:1-10 One repentant sinner Friday 9th - White DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA (FEAST) 1st Reading: Ezek 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 Life-giving water Responsorial Ps 45:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 Psalm: God is a refuge 2nd Reading: 1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17 God’s building Gospel Reading: Jn 2:13-22 Zeal for your house Saturday 10th - White ST LEO THE GREAT, POPE, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (M) 1st Reading: Phil 4:10-19 Ready for anything Responsorial Ps 111:1-2, 5-6, 8-9 Psalm: Head raised in glory Gospel Reading: Lk 16:9-15 God or money?

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY, 25 NOVEMBER The celebration commences at 2PM at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. It comprises Eucharistic procession, Holy Mass and Consecration also Confessions before Mass. His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Hickey is the principal celebrant, Enjoy a family picnic on the lawns afterwards.

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‘Shrine Time’ for young launched at Mt Richon IT WAS A beautiful night for the inaugural new event of ‘Shrine Time’ held by the WA Schoenstatt Movement on Sunday, October 28. Fr Clayton Mitchell, the youth music ministry of Sacred Heart Parish, Thornlie and around 25 young adults came to a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration; Benediction; reflection and praise and worship at Mt Richon. Youth and young adults came from Armadale; Canning Vale; Pinjarra; Victoria Park; Greenwood; Glendalough, Nedlands and North

Beach. Shrine Time initiated a year ago in the Parramatta Diocese of Sydney to gather young adults in prayer at a place of grace. Now it begins in the Diocese of Perth. Elizabeth Smith, youth co-ordinator of St Francis Xavier Parish, Armadale said: ‘It was a fantastic way to mark the Year of Faith!’ Jing-Ping Wong, who came from Nedlands to be part of it, said: ‘To say that a group of young adults would spend their Sunday night on their knees in a little shrine on

a distant hill somewhere way out of town would sound unlikely. But that’s what I saw tonight. It’s called

The hour I spent in that humble chapel felt like being in Mary’s house. Shrine Time - and I experienced it for myself. And of course, central to the flavour of Shrine Time is

Schoenstatt’s own signature Marian spirituality! The Blessed Virgin Mary had always been a big part of my own faith journey. For me, Shrine Time was a reminder of her place in my faith, always supporting and intensifying my focus on the Lord Jesus. It was only a brief hour I spent in that humble little chapel, but the serenity of the atmosphere made it feel like I had been on a retreat in the house of Mary. It was relaxing and nourishing. We Catholics say ‘Hail Mary full of grace ...’: being there was like

bathing in some of that grace.” And as Emily Zieglaar from Pinjarra put it: ‘Nothing my friends told me about this place prepared me for how amazing this experience was!” From now on Shrine Time will be a regular event for young adults on the fourth Sunday of every month. We hope to see more youth at our next Shrine Time, on Sunday, November 25 at 7.30pm! For more information and an event reminder, please email the Shrine Time Team on shrinetimemtrichon@gmail.com.

Archbishop to kick off regular men’s gathering

THE RECORD ON MOBILE PHONES Information is now shared in numerous ways. Many people, especially the young, increasingly use mobile devices such as smart-phones to surf from information. Being able to access The Record’s web presence during a break between meetings or commuting on the way to work is now far simpler.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will be the inaugural speaker at the MenALIVE breakfast series beginning on November 15.

Future speakers are expected to include well-known Catholic luminaries from law, business, sport and defence. “It is unique in that the men will talk about their personal faith journey rather than their discipline or

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THE CATHOLIC men’s group known as menALIVE will kick off a Catholic Man Breakfast Series with Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB on November 15. The breakfast will be an opportunity to “get under the hood” of some of the most interesting and successful Catholic men in Perth, Perth co-ordinator, Kim Metcalf told The Record last week. Archbishop Costelloe was menALIVE’s first choice as the event’s inaugural speaker at Rydges Perth. Archbishop Costelloe’s recent contributions to public debate on same-sex marriage and child sexual abuse seem to have had a positive effect on registrations. Mr Metcalf reported that one man had found a flyer for the event in his suit jacket pocket, on the same day as the Archbishop’s thoughts on sex abuse, first published in The Record, were repeated on page one of The West Australian a week later. “He wanted to show his support and thought, ‘I better ring up and register’.” “The Archbishop will talk about his personal faith journey; even archbishops have them,” Mr Metcalf said. “We’re trying to get a little bit under the hood of who he is as a man.” Mr Metcalf hopes the breakfast will also provide an opportunity for men from different walks of life to network and build friendships. That has been menALIVE’s experience throughout the country, he said, in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and in Brisbane, where the first men’s breakfast was launched in 2010, where it continues to attract around 200 men.

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area of expertise,” Mr Metcalf said. Around 60 men from throughout Perth had signed up at the time of speaking to Mr Metcalf. Several Catholic schools had already committed to sending their male students, including a table of

prefects in the case of one school; no mean feat given that, due to scheduling constraints, the event falls right in the middle of exams. Six seminarians from St Charles’ Seminary have also committed to attend the event.

PHOTO: ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH

Tickets to the Catholic Man Breakfast are $50. Men are required to wear a long-sleeved, button-up shirt and dress trousers. For more information, contact 0414 537 023 or cmbs@menalive. org.au.

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Peace-maker packs thanks for Emmanuel GHANAIAN Bishop Vincent Boi-Nai SVD brought more than his years of expertise in conflict resolution with him when he visited Emmanuel Catholic College in Success last week. Bishop Vincent brought many thank you cards from his home diocese of Yendi when he visited the college on October 25; a token of appreciation for the school’s recent fundraising efforts for children in Ghana. Emmanuel raised over $2,700 during their recent Fast4Faith program in which students were sponsored to give up something for the week. Bishop Vincent presented the cards to college principal, John Bormolini. Year 7 student, Shawna Airoldi said their fundraising was aimed at providing necessary school items so that students could get a good education and, ultimately, jobs. Some of the money raised will also go towards the purchase of pushbikes, as some students have to travel up to 2km to attend class, Ms Airoldi told The Record. Students said they had been inspired by the bishop’s words and witness during his brief, Catholic Mission-facilitated visit to the school. “The Bishop shared with us a lot of wisdom and inspired us to keep helping our brothers and sisters in Ghana,” Anita, Year 11, said. “He helped us in gaining a better understanding of the Catholic Faith

Bishop Vincent Boi-Nai thanks Emmanuel Principal John Bormolini for his school’s support.

and we thank him for making the long flight over to Australia to share his knowledge with us all.” Bishop Vincent was the keynote speaker at the Mission Matters

forum on October 30 where he spoke about building peace through inter-faith dialoge. He also spoke at the University of Notre Dame’s Conversations

Truth needs to traverse contemporary culture WASHINGTON - “My dad used to say, ‘I know what happened 2,000 years ago. I need to know how to live my life today.’” These words, from Archbishop Robert Carlson of St Louis, are in a new US bishops discussion document, “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily”. It encourages preachers to connect the Sunday homily with people’s daily lives. Archbishop Carlson, head of the US bishops’ committee on clergy, shepherded the writing of the document, which he said had reviews by eight other USCCB committees. “Everyone gets a chance to put their oar in the water,” he told CNS. Excerpts were released on October 10. “The homily is intended to establish a ‘dialogue’ between the sacred biblical text and the Christian life of the hearer,” the proposed document says. “Preachers should be aware, in an appropriate way, of what their people are watching on television, what kind of music they are listening to, which websites they find appealing, and which films they find compelling,” it adds. “References to the most popular cultural expressions - which at times can be surprisingly replete with religious motifs - can be an effective way to engage the interest of those on the edge of faith.” It has been 30 years since the bishops last addressed preaching, in a document called “Fulfilled in Your Hearing.” The document is rooted in Pope Benedict’s apostolic exhortation, Verbum Domini. CNS

PHOTO: EMMANUEL COLLEGE

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Joyful tears for woman who spent 18 years in pain

mong the reported healings administered by Father John Rae during his recent visit to Perth, The Record has received a number of accounts. Here is one of them from Bernadette (See Page 6 for story on Fr Rea’s): “For the last 27 years, I have suffered one way or other with diseased sinuses and asthma. If not chronic allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis or asthma, it was acute infections and pain. I am sensitive to a lot of medications. I have endured numerous hospital stays for pain relief, chronic secondary complications, courses of intravenous antibiotics, hyperbaric medicine and 22 sinus operations. One of the surgical procedures was radical; my skull bone had to be cut so access to the sinuses was possible; this was the beginning of 18 years of constant pain. Three years after this surgery I was diagnosed with a condition called dysgammaglobulinemia. The treatment for this was every three weeks going into hospital for the day, for an intravenous infusion. I had this treatment for 13 and a half years before the decision was made to cease it. This treatment was not a cure, it was to try and manage the condition. I still suffered acute attacks of sinusitis and never understood the cause. I had heard about Fr John Rea and felt very blessed to be able to attend his Women Healing Rally while in Perth in August 2011. I received a blessing from Fr John and sat down to pray, when my forehead started to grow warm

New Zealand Marist priest Fr John Rea prays over a man during an evening service on October 25 at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Gosnells. The Record has received a number of personal testimonies to healings in Perth through Fr Rea’s ministry. PHOTO: PETER ROSENGREN

and tingle. That night I awoke at 3.25am and felt enclosed in a warm, peaceful cocoon – it was the best sensation I have ever felt. The next morning I awoke with no pain. As the day went on, people kept commenting on “how good I looked and asking what I had done”. As

the days went on it was becoming more difficult to adjust and claim this new life. After 18 years, in constant pain, to be suddenly pain free. Five days after my healing I was at Mass and for no reason my eyes just started to shed tears and my nose was running. I had no control so

in the end just let the tears flow and my nose run. Part of me was so scared that this was all too good to be true and the pain was going to return. Dear friends prayed with and over me and since then I have embraced my new life. I have always had great faith and

believed that God would not let me suffer all my life. I would often tell people, “Life is not that cruel, for me to be this sick in my younger years, I know I am going to grow old and get healthy”. How this was going to happen I never knew, I just lived in hope.”

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October 31, 2012

Healing

HANDS

Father John Rea SM always insists it’s Jesus who heals, not him. The accounts of those who assert they have received healing through his ministry, including of terminal illnesses, are remarkable. By Peter Rosengren

UNDREDS of people at a time turned out in churches and venues across Perth over the last fortnight all seeking one thing: a miracle. The miracle they were seeking was healing - either from serious or terminal illnesses, injuries or the deep hurts that life can bring. Visiting New Zealand priest Fr John Rea SM, a man with an extraordinary reputation for healing, led numerous Masses and prayer services across Perth where he and his helpers prayed over those hoping to be cured, whether of cancer or the guilt of having ended the life of an unborn child, to name just a few of the common problems he has been called upon for his ministry. Time will tell how many, or whether any, healings occurred during his latest visit, but the reports of healings from previous visits to Perth and around the world are too numerous to write off as just another case of religion blinding the credulous to reality. The Record has already received several individual statements of healing from Fr Rea’s latest visit. Around 250 or so people turned up at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Gosnells on Thursday evening, October 25, one of several evenings Fr Rea spent in the southern suburbs parish. As on previous occasions, his visit to Perth had been organised by the Disciples of Jesus, a Catholic, charismatic, covenant community based in Osborne Park. And, just as he has on previous occasions, Fr Rea emphasised that if a healing occurs he takes no credit; healings come from the Lord through his priestly ministry and through the prayers of those who assist him by also praying over those who come forward. During an evening which began with charismatic praise and worship, including speaking in tongues - interspersed with members of the congregation coming forward to offer personal accounts of what they believed to be miraculous healings Fr Rea and his assistants personally prayed over almost all present after the celebration of Mass. While he urged members of the congregation to be unconcerned about whether he or his assistants prayed over them for their requests, the majority made it clear they wanted the personal prayer of the priest whose reputation includes the apparently miraculous healing of the crushed hand of child prodigy violinist, Sarah McCracken, the healing of Down Syndrome in another New Zealand girl, problems such as infertility and numerous accounts of healed terminal illnesses, including cancer. However, in his homily, Fr Rea spoke extensively of another kind of healing - that of the family tree. As many turned up at the church, they took the opportunity to write down the names of family members going back several generations on supplied schematic diagrams. Many sought the healing of sufferings that seemed to begin in an earlier generation of their family. In his homily, Fr Rea spoke extensively of how the effects of events such as suicide, marriage

Fr John Rea SM, left, gives his homily on healing the family tree, and later prays over those attending Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church on the evening of October 25. Earlier in the evening, participants engaged in charismatic praise and worship, above. PHOTOS: PETER ROSENGREN

breakdowns, abortion and incest can skip down through the generations and bring suffering to the lives of other family members. His experiences of talking with those who have been healed from such things had led him to conclude that children who die from abortion grow to adult life in heaven. He recalled one woman who had told him how, experiencing deep grief for several years after aborting her daughter, she had found peace after experiencing an extraordinary vision of Jesus with her daughter who was several years older. There were also numerous instances where those who had taken their own lives or who had died without receiving a burial or prayer services seemed, in some instances, to be able to manifest their after-life sufferings to family members; some of these experiences could be very disturbing. He said he believed these were examples of the dead calling attention to themselves; they were not in heaven and needed prayer and the Eucharist celebrated their intentions. Among the examples were chil-

dren inexplicably manifesting the precise symptoms of sufferings or illnesses which had caused the death of someone in a previous generation of their family, even though they had never known the dead person. He recalled how, once preaching a parish mission outside Wellington, he had been called to a house where all the children in the family had often seen a lady,

His experiences have convinced him that children killed by abortion grow to adulthood in heaven. not a member of the family, walk through the house. The manifestations had become so common and the children so used to seeing them that they were no longer frightened – but all were convinced they were seeing something not of this world. The family dog had refused to

come inside the house for years. Catholic charismatics believed they had discerned that an abortion had happened in the bathroom of the home when previous occupants had lived there and that the baby was buried in the garden. He had celebrated Mass for the beings there and, as he did, the family dog entered the house. “My perception was that the presence was not evil but alien,” he said. Fr Rea’s naming of the medical problems waiting for healing in the congregation were specific. Among those he announced were present who needed healing he said, were people with arthritis - one a lady with an arthritic spine and two men with the disease in their ankles, one as the result of a sporting injury, the other the result of falling off the roof. A man and woman in the congregation also had arthritis in their wrists; in the case of the lady, it interfered with her beloved pastime writing letters, he said. Three individuals had blood problems, including high blood

pressure and diabetes. Another lady suffered from amnesia; two people had cancer of the blood - one a lady aged about 20 and a man who works in information technology. There was also a man present with kidney stones who wears a ring in his ear and who was wearing a dark t-shirt, he said. These were just some of the many instances he announced as being present on the evening. How he knows such things is not clear but it almost doesn’t matter. To those who flock to see him, it certainly matters little. Faced with the biggest problems life can throw up they are looking for hope, looking for relief. For everyone involved it’s something they can only leave in the hands of the Lord - and the healing hands of his priest.

A healing experience? Do you have a story of being healed through Fr Rea’s ministry? Let us know. Send your story to: editor@therecord.com.au.

PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE

therecord.com.au October 31, 2012

The strange power of Xavier

His 16th century life touched millions. In 21st century Australia, his relic still draws people to experience God’s love.

A student touches the cabinet containing the relic of St Francis Xavier - the saint’s right forearm - on October 26 at the church dedicated to the missionary Jesuit in Hilbert.

PHOTOS: JOANNE SHEPHERD

By Juanita Shepherd IN HONOUR of the relic of St Francis Xavier, St Francis Xavier Primary School in Hilbert celebrated a special children’s Mass to welcome the relic - the right forearm - into their parish and community on Friday, October 26. The relic of St Francis arrived in Australia on September 16 and has been visiting dioceses around the country. The staff and students of St Francis Xavier had been preparing for this moment since June, when they heard it would be visiting them as part of its Pilgrimage of Grace. It was an occasion of great jubilation with Mass being celebrated by Bishop Donald Sproxton together with the St Francis Xavier parish priest, Father Kazimierz Stuglik, and Fr Richard Shortall, who has been travelling with the relic. “It is a great privilege to have the relic in Perth and in Armadale,” Bishop Sproxton said. Before Mass, students coloured ribbons and placed them around the relic which stood on the altar. The ribbons represented the various countries that have a strong tie or devotion to this remarkable Jesuit missionary, countries such as India, Spain, Portugal, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, Japan and Indonesia. Mass was a beautiful and warm occasion in which the students actively participated, taking part in the First Reading and Prayers of Intercession, while the St Francis Xavier choir received a round of applause at the end of Mass. Fr Shortall captivated the congregation with stories about the missionary saint who was also a founding member of the Jesuits. “St Francis survived a raging storm,” Fr Shortall said. “But he lost his crucifix in the sea.” For a moment the priest was silent, with his young congregation hanging on to his every word. “After the storm, St Francis noticed a crab with a cross-shaped pattern on its upper shell and with the crucifix in its claws.” “I saw it on Wikipedia so it must be true,” Fr Shortall said with a touch of humour to his tone. After Mass, students from other

Students enjoy the unique experience of being in the presence of a relic at St Francis Xavier Church, above at left, and relax after the event. St Francis Xavier parish priest Fr Kazimierz Stuglik, left, dispenses Communion during the school Mass. Fr Richard Shortall, below. PHOTO: JUANITA SHEPHERD

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Catholic schools who had been invited together, with teachers, parents, nuns and priests, all joined together for morning tea. “We are very blessed to have people from other schools and parishes join us,” Stuart Munro, Assistant Principal of St Francis Xavier, told The Record. “It has been fantastic and we love that the kids really enjoyed the experience.” The children of St Francis all took part in a colouring competition where they drew St Francis Xavier; the pictures were on display during morning tea and received many admiring looks. Relic visits Perth parishes - Pages 8 & 9

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PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE

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October 31, 2012

Nedlands: Carmelite Convent

Purslowe Funeral’s staff prepare to bring the relic of St Francis Xavier into the Nedlands Carmelite convent, above left, where it was then venerated. The relic is placed carefully in front of the alter for veneration. PHOTOS: ROBERT HIINI

Nedlands: Holy Rosary Parish

Holy Rosary Parish in Nedlands was another of the parishes hosting the visit of the relic, where an honour guard of men of the parish helped co-ordinate veneration by parishioners and visitors. PHOTO: ROBERT HIINI

‘Relic a special connection between God and us’ Continued from Page 1 Australia. Throughout the tour, opportunities for veneration of the 406-year-old relic have been a big part of the program, allowing the devoted an opportunity to get close and personal with St Francis who was known for his kindness as well as the struggles that he faced as he brought Christ to the East. “People can relate to the struggles he has faced,” Ms Hart said. People of all ages seemed to feel a connection with the saint and the story of his life, especially the students of St Francis Xavier Primary School. Fr Shortall spoke to them about St Francis as a young man, relating the great missionary works of Xavier as well as allowing the children to connect with him. “He could hunt and fish,” he said about St Francis.

“He could also ride and fence - there was no cricket, footy, Fremantle Dockers and netball.” This announcement was greeted by laughter and more amusement followed Fr Shortall’s second comment about St Francis and his love for sport. “If he was around today, Hawthorn would probably pick him for their team,” he said. The relic, which visited several Perth parishes including St Mary’s Cathedral, was displayed in a reliquary, a large wooden cabinet made of Australian timbers with a glassed-in front. Four hundred years after his death, St Francis still continues to bring Christ into people’s lives even if it is somewhat unexpectedly when the relic has its own seat on an aeroplane. “I was on a Qantas flight from

Adelaide to Perth and I had the relic sitting right next to me,” Fr SHortall said. “Some people wondered what it was, but the flight crew and cabin crew knew what it was and they were thrilled,” Fr Shortall said. It may be easy to dismiss the relic of the remarkable Jesuit missionary as merely a hand - or even to think of it as something grotesque but, after listening to Fr Shortall, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind just how wonderful it was to have the relic of St Francis visit parishes throughout the country. “In some very special way, in the moment of death, the Hand of God has come down and touched St Francis, preserving his body,” Fr Shortall told his listeners. “When we touch the relic there is a special connection between God and us.”

Fr Shortall captivates the congregation with his stories about St Francis. PHOTO: JUANITA SHEPHERD

PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE

therecord.com.au October 31, 2012

Perth: St Mary’s Cathedral

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M ercedes College’s Year 11 Religion and Life students were among those who visited St Mary’s Cathedral to venerate the relic. Huge crowds visited the Cathedral for veneration on Sunday, October 28. PHOTOS: PETER ROSENGREN

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therecord.com.au

October 31, 2012

How to help Cafeteria Catholicism

R RESPONSIBILITY ites without

I have some friends who are practising Catholics but who say they disagree with some Church teachings. This disturbs me. How can I help them?

Schoolies weeks and school balls seem to have become more and more the realm of the yobs - students who think it's a lark to binge drink and squander huge amounts of their parents' money on trashy outfits copying cheap rock and movie stars. After 20 years watching school balls become more and more tasteless and immoral, it's time to face up to the fact that we have a real problem on our hands, writes Dr Andrew Kania ...

OST societies throughout the course of human history have incorporated into their cultural structures and identities some form of Rites of Passage that indicate that children have now successfully passed through a deliberate and educative process and have become worthy of taking their place in society as adults. These have been developed in order for a particular society to ensure its future security; where there is no responsibility among members who comprise a community, there can be no order and no development. Different demands were placed on the sexes according to what a society believed were the most pivotal skills that each sex could bring to their community. Hence, men were often taught to hunt and to defend; and women, how to cook, sew and rear children. For fear of shame, or bringing shame on the name of their families, both boys and girls strove to be considered by their peers and elders as men and women. On being deemed worthy of adult status, public ceremonies were performed so that the children could be affirmed by significant others. The critical message that Rites of Passage sought to affirm was that, by gender, an individual was either male or female, but it was by way of the choices that an individual made, that they became men or women. Furthermore, people looked for future partners in life according to the particular skill sets that a prospective husband or wife could bring to the marital union, and to the formation of a prospective family. In such societies, no father would wish his daughter married to a rake; no mother her son married to a woman of ill repute. Integral to the Rites of Passage, was a strong element of religion, for each needed to understand their place not only in the context of their society, but also in the cosmos. Big questions also needed to be asked and answered – questions such as why we die, and what happens to us after we are dead; as well as why the world was created, and who created the world. Whether one considers Rites of Passage an outdated social phenomenon or not, rites helped societies articulate what a community held to be worthy of esteem. But what has replaced these Rites of Passage in modern, western society, and what do these such rites tell us what we most value today? Take, for instance, the School Ball. What themes pervade this experience? As a teacher with over two decades of experience of attending school balls, I have witnessed generations of students come and go, fashions change, and musical forms veer in various directions. But a number of factors have remained constant. First, the expense of clothing keeps rising; the most expensive dress that I can recall was one that a young lady’s family had paid (in 1995) $5000 for – the

rule of thumb being that the more money one pays, the less material in the actual garment. What does such expenditure say about the impotence of our Catholic education system, with its expressed preferential option for the poor, if this profound message is so often bypassed by parents and students alike? Second, alcohol. The culture that derives from it is too often visible at school balls, whether the students have had access prior, during or after the ball. In many cases, parents have supplied alcohol at arranged parties; with a variety of intentions. What message does this send? On one occasion, at the very beginning of my career, a ‘thoughtful’ parent hired a bus to take a few dozen, half-intoxicated students from their before-party to the ball. When the bus arrived, the teachers had to deal with verbal abuse and unruly behaviour. The teachers were the villains on this occasion and those who supplied the alcohol, the parents, the heroes. These parents were ‘cool’ – and those who

did not go along with the ‘befores’, felt the sting of being ostracised for doing the right thing. The pressure that some parents are put under for doing good can be immense. Third: once, dancing was a social skill to be learned; today, at the school ball, it relies mainly on the ability to free oneself of any inhibition and gyrate to the rhythm. If you sit back and watch the ‘dance moves’, the more suggestive one becomes on the dance floor, the more one is

long as you have someone opposite you. Fourth: students seek more and more to emulate movie stars by arriving in expensive limousines. Hundreds of dollars are thrown away in an inane show of pretentiousness. Who is paying for this? In the past, parents would deliver and pick up their children from the ball; today, our children ‘ape’ the trashy rich. Aside from the general level of fun that may be had at the school ball, the

culmination in antics so disengaged from good education? Can it really be that the recompense to society for academic attainment are the actions of drunken louts, who may have an entry pass into university but have not learned kindness, patience, temperance or self-control. Had these ‘schoolies’ not gone to school at all, would their behaviour have been any more or less savage and unruly? Youth will follow if they see the message as authentic and consist-

The most expensive dress I can recall at a school ball was one for which the young lady's family paid (in 1995) five thousand dollars. What does this say? considered to be a good dancer. The music itself does not allow for any form of traditional dance; so if dancing lessons have been provided – for want of appropriate music – a young man and woman cannot actually dance together. Most students jump up and down either on one leg or two, while shaking their head. The only law of modern dance seems to be: do almost anything you like, as

standards that dominate the evening run contrary to the Gospel message that the school teaches throughout the year. How can this be addressed? The school and parents must show leadership: children will seek the easier path if that is the only path offered to them. One must also question the notion of many of our 'Schoolies' celebrations; for how can 12 years of schooling in our society find its

ent. They are also the best judges of hypocrisy; they know when the person standing in front of them actually ‘walks the talk’, and is alive with the message. I can recall a young woman telling me about her descent into a life of promiscuity, the catalyst for which was a singular action and comment from her mother. Brought up by her parents to place a value on chastity, her mother gave her the gift

of a condom on her 16th birthday and told her to be sure to use it when the need arose. From that moment on, the young lady in question had no doubt in her mind that all the moral education she had received from her parents up until then was sheer bunk; mere lip-service for what a child must be taught to believe, but which an adult expediently rejects. With so much brokenness and disconnectedness in families, our children are starving for example. Perhaps it is time for us to return to emphasising values through Rites of Passage – by ensuring that these are both a celebration and educative – that these rites uphold values we want our children to uphold and not merely echo the choir of hedonism which lulls the conscience and soul into thinking that all there is to being an adult is a ‘good time’, materialism, intoxication and the objectification of the human person. Why not invent a gap year for students where young men and women volunteer their gifts to society on service learning projects? Should

not society emphasise the other, and not merely what we can have? Can we not entertain the possibility of having our youth celebrate major milestones without the need to be intoxicated? Why not conduct projects where fathers and mothers, or significant others, show, by example, community concern and witness? Resounding down through the centuries, St John Chrysostom offers us a reminder of how to educate the next generation, talking and speaking about the most critical life-lessons: "Bring our children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Don't surround them with the external safeguards of wealth and fame, for when these fail — and they will fail — our children will stand naked and defenceless, having gained no profit from their prosperity, but only injury, since when those artificial protections that shielded them from the winds are removed, they will be blown to the ground in a moment." (Homily 21) Dr Kania is the Director of Spirituality at Aquinas College in Manning

Once they were important social steps along the path to adulthood. But after two decades witnessing school balls as a teacher, Dr Andrew Kania, above, questions what they have become.

HERE are probably quite a few Catholics in the situation you describe, each with his or her own personal areas of disagreement with Church teaching. They are undoubtedly good people but fail to understand a fundamental aspect of what it means to be a Catholic. They have sometimes been called “cafeteria Catholics” because they pick and choose what they want from the full menu of Church teachings, making their own intellect the standard of what is true and to be believed. The first thing we should remember is that the Church is not a human institution, formed over the centuries, which has come to hold certain beliefs. It is a divine institution, founded by Jesus Christ. And Jesus is God, the second person of the Blessed Trinity, who said of himself: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6). We can be certain that whatever he teaches is true. What is more, Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to keep the Church in the truth: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (Jn 16:13). Earlier, he told the apostles, “But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit ... will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (Jn 14:26). As a result, we have the assurance that whatever the Church teaches is true and it is important for us to believe and live it. In other words, the “menu” was written by God and it is not up to us to pick and choose which items we will accept and which we will not. What is up to us is to believe whatever the Church teaches because it comes from God. If Jesus himself taught us something directly, we would believe him. And if he teaches us something through his Church, we should believe it too. After all, when he sent the disciples out to teach, he told them, “He who hears you, hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me” (Lk 10:16). That is, we should have faith. What does this mean? It means to accept a truth, not because we see the reasons for it, but on the authority of the person revealing it to us. Is this reasonable? Of course it is. Virtually everything we know, we know by faith – human faith – by having read it or having been told about it by someone we trust. Almost everything we know about history, geography, science, current affairs ... we know in this way. And we believe it. This is reasonable, even though sometimes human writers can be mistaken. Historians can revise earlier versions of

Q&A FR JOHN FLADER

certain events, scientists can refine and modify their previous theories, and journalists, who get it right most of the time, often give us an amended version of events in the following days. But we still trust that what they tell us is true. How much more, then, should we trust God, who is the creator of all being and truth, and who can neither deceive nor be deceived. And how much more should we trust his Church, which teaches in his name, guided by the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth”. But, we may say, some of the Church’s teachings are hard to understand, like how Jesus Christ can be at the same time both God and man, or how there can be three persons in one God in the Blessed Trinity, or how a merciful God can allow the existence of hell. But so many truths in the world of nature are also difficult to understand, like why light

Some of the Church's teachings, like those on contraception, can be hard to live. But when we follow them we find the flourishing we need. has the properties of both particles and waves, and why there should be gravity at all. We accept these truths, even though we don’t fully understand them, and we know that this is reasonable. Scientists accept them and they don’t understand them either. Likewise, some of the Church’s teachings are difficult to live, like those on sexual morality, contraception, abortion, honesty, sacrifice, etc. But we know that they are true, and that when we follow them we find the human flourishing that we seek, both for us as individuals and for society. To have faith, then, is to accept all of the Church’s teachings because God has revealed them through his Church, not because we personally understand them or like them. This requires humility, because we must submit our fallible judgement to that of the infallible God and his Church. If we find it difficult to accept some teaching, we can pray for the gift of faith, for faith is always a gift from God. And we can ask Our Lord, as the apostles did, “Increase our faith!” (Lk 17:5).

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therecord.com.au

October 31, 2012

Going straight to the Our culture poses serious challenges to parents wanting to educate their children in the authentic person. Realising his first attempt with his nine-year-old son had been near-disastrous was the

Scenes from a night: parents, teachers and sexuality educators talk after Dr Gerard O’Shea’s talk on his approach to sexuality education for children, above.Dr O’Shea, centre, addresses the audience.

By Robert Hiini

r Gerard O’Shea says he believes in parents; possibly much more than they believe in themselves. On a late September evening, at the parish centre under St Mary’s Cathedral, a small but eager gathering of around 40 parents, religious, teachers and sexuality educators turned out to hear from one the Church’s most eminent sexuality education specialists. Throughout the night, his comments were peppered with tiny affirmations of parents’ essential role in being icons of love and the primary and unassailable educators of their children in the meaning of sexuality. Most parents want to do the right thing by their children, he said, and even those dismissive of Church teaching on sexuality have embraced the methods he has been tracing for around 15 years. “Let’s get serious. What the Church has to offer is incredible – people just don’t know it yet. Until we get out there and tell it, they’re going to be missing out,” Dr O’Shea told the gathering. “This is not something they do not want to hear, it is something they do want to hear and when you hear the truth it goes straight to the heart.” Dr O’Shea, now a senior lecturer at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, literally wrote the book when it comes to training children in a well integrated sexuality, authoring As I Have Loved You for parents preadolescent and adolescent children, published last year. Like every other parent on the

PHOTOS: ROBERT HIINI

planet, he has made his mistakes. “Don’t do what I did,” he said, remembering his first attempt to provide sexuality education to his eldest child, his now-25 year old son, when he was around nineyears-old. Keenly aware of his responsibility as a father, Dr O’Shea thought it would be a good idea to take his son for an ‘educational’ drive,’ following the traditional wisdom that sex education is principally about providing clinical details of sexual intercourse. “I wouldn’t have to look at him, he couldn’t look at me, and he couldn’t get away,” Dr O’Shea said of his intentions. “I gave him every detail in that long 45 minutes. I told him everything he would ever need to know about sex,” he said, remembering how his son had recoiled in horror. “It was the wrong approach.” Approaches offered by others, inside and outside the Church, were no better. On arriving at his first assignment as a school principal, he found the existing sexuality education program wanting. “It didn’t conform to Catholic teaching so I said, ‘we’re not doing it any more’,” Dr O’Shea said. “You can do that in Melbourne because every Catholic school is independent.” The responsibility fell to him to devise another way of going about it for his students and, most importantly, his children. Dr O’Shea decided to take his own medicine, sitting down with his wife to devise what they, as parents and as a married couple, wanted for their children: “We want our children to live a

fulfilling and happy life in time and eternity,” they wrote. “To discover their vocation ... to have an opportunity to follow it. “We believe their best chance of being happy is to live as God intended ... We want them to use the benefits and avoid the pitfalls of society [drugs, casual sex, exploitative relationships] ... to develop at their own pace ... [and] to be there for them as they need us; and remain part of their adulthood because they want us to.” It was the beginning of a project that would eventually see him go on to develop To Know, Worship and Love with renowned Melbourne

You can do that in Melbourne because every Catholic school is independent... bio-ethicist, Professor Nicholas Tonti-Filipini. The school program was first run at a Catholic school in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. About 20 per cent of the parents resisted the initial invitation to attend an information evening, so he rang them. Still, five parents resisted, so he paid them a personal visit. “The thing is, is it important?” he told the gathering. It was a program he would repeat every year thereafter, for ten years, before he retired from his school principal posting and was targeted

at Year 7s, with Year 6s and any other interested person from the school, invited to attend. The hard sell is not something he is afraid of. In one instance, his Archbishop asked him to calm a situation in which a group of angry parents had erupted at the local priest’s decision to ban procontraception, ‘pro-choice’ family planning groups from access to parish children. A group of outraged parents announced they would go ahead and contract their services offsite, anyway. In an effort at reconciliation, Dr O’Shea addressed the parents at a public meeting on the content and method of authentic Catholic sexuality education. It was the most frightening assembly he had ever stood before, he said, but the outcome of the night was one not even he could have envisaged. “I would open my mouth to say something and then they would shoot me down,” he remembered. “But after about 1.5 hours, almost all of them came up to apologise. One woman said, ‘you made me realise that when we are talking about sex education we are not talking about the act of sexual intercourse; we are talking about what it means to be human’.” The best place for kids to learn about healthy sexuality is not the school, Dr O’Shea said, it is in the home, with parents whose relationship mirrors their love. That education should follow the ‘Four Essential Principles of Christian Education in Human Sexuality’ in the Church’s landmark book of instruction in this area, The Truth and Meaning of Human

Sexuality, authored by medical and theological specialists and co-ordinated by Australian Bishop Peter Elliott. “Each child is unique and should be formed individually, that’s the first principle. How can that happen in a classroom? I just leave that there as a question,” Dr O’Shea said. The other principles stipulate that the moral dimension should always be included in explanations; that formation in chastity and timely information about sexuality be provided in the ‘broadest possible context of education for love’; and that information should be provided clearly and delicately at a time appropriate for the individual child. The age for beginning this kind of education with children varies anywhere from eight to 14. A firm believer in Maria Montessori’s developmental stages (said to occur around every three years), Dr O’Shea says parents will know when the right time arrives, usually around the age of nine: “There is a change of mood … they are bit irritable, a bit short with you; you know something is going on. “For some it happens around the age of nine, for some it is much older.” If at all possible, mothers should teach girls and fathers, boys. In both scenarios, parents should make a regular appointment with their child. “If you don’t do that when they are at the right age, if you come at them when they are 15, laying down the law, they’re not going to be listening because you didn’t have time for them prior to that,” Dr O’Shea said. “Don’t start with ‘oh, I’ll tell

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therecord.com.au October 31, 2012

heart of who we are meaning of sex, intimate relationships and marriage - in other words, what it truly is to be a starting point for a Melbourne academic to come up with a new and inspiring approach...

An audience member talks with Dr O’Shea, a senior lecturer at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family after Dr O’Shea’s talk for The Record at St Mary’s cathedral. Audience members chat, above. PHOTOS: ROBERT HIINI

you what happens’, start with a deep conversation with them that is ongoing and then you would have established your credibility as somebody worthwhile to talk with. “They can pin you to the wall but they start to see you as a person they can talk to about deeper things.” After the painfully awkward carride he experienced with his first child, Dr O’Shea said he realised that blunt and specific information about the act of sexual intercourse was not the place to start. This stands in stark contrast to contemporary secular approaches to sexuality education which put great emphasis on providing explicit, clinically precise information about sexual intercourse and harm minimisation at a relatively early age. But children recoil from information for which they are not ready, Dr O’Shea said, resulting in embarrassed hilarity in classroom situations and extreme discomfort and reticence when delivered by parents. Making a weekly appointment on Sundays with his youngest son, then-aged nine, was one of the best things he ever did. “Moral principles are felt before they are articulated … you build them through long apprenticeship and, eventually, you say what they are.” “It is about clear information, delicately given, but not all at once,” Dr O’Shea said. But neither is it the shamedfaced, puritanical approach to which some in previous generations were subjected. His generation was one which received the message the wrong way

round, he said: “Here’s the moral principle and here you apply it.” Context and honesty are key. “You can’t say ‘hey, I’ve got something to tell you. Come inside and we’ll kneel in front of the statue of Our Lady and light a candle’ … they’ve actually got to know what you’ve said”. Within 12 months, he had gotten through most of the things he needed to say to his youngest son (five years later, and his weekly appointments with his now-14-year-old son are still ongoing). The teaching content of his approach consists of four areas, or stages, as detailed in As I Have Loved You; it doesn’t begin with explicit information about sexual intercourse but about the nature and meaning of the human person (‘Changing and growing: puberty and fertility’, ‘Friendship, vocation, marriage and family’, and ‘Faith and morality’, follow). Human beings are spiritual and material, he said; they have a will and can choose to love and do what is right. “Love is what God does ... Jesus is the one who showed us that love in a human person has quite distinct realities behind it; you need a human body to love ... the human body is meant to express love,” Dr O’Shea said. From there, the course continues to save a more explicit discussion of sex for later, exploring how humans show love to one another through the corporeal works of mercy, and through true friendships as distinct from exploitative ones. An extensive conversation about the nature and meaning of friendship and vocation follows, culmi-

nating in an understanding that the best gift any person has to give is their self. “There’s something about this age [years 5-7] that is absolutely focussed on the major questions of philosophy, they love it ... What’s the difference between a rock and a tree and a dog and a human being? That’s matter to keep them going for ages. “You’re not directly hitting them with sexuality information at first, you are starting to make them think about these things ... Each of these levels has a sexuality and as you rise up the hierarchy of being, sexuality means something different at each

Each child is unique and should be formed individually. How can that happen in a classroom? level. You are starting to introduce that kind of understanding.” Love is defined for children as having been revealed in the Trinity and possessing five characteristics: it is free, permanent, unselfish, unlimited and embodied in a gift of self for the other. When this is understood, he says, “Now they are ready to hear the information you thought you had to start out with in the beginning. “What you’ve got to do is start to build the context and make the case for married love, bit by bit. It’s a long process and you can’t do it in

a three minute sound bite...” Parents should not underestimate their own abilities in this area, or those of their spouses. “Generally speaking, when I have spoken about this, parents say ‘I want to do this; I want to be a good parent’. I’ve never yet met anybody who didn’t want to do this.” He is regularly asked by mothers about how they can go about implementing the kind of education Dr O’Shea is talking about when their partner might not be on board. “My answer to that is, ‘have you given him a chance?’ There may be aspects of it where he mightn’t feel comfortable, but is your husband human? Okay, if he is, he probably loves his son.” After a brief break, Dr O’Shea fielded questions from the floor. He announced at the start that there were five or six questions which he always got and if he didn’t get all of them he would ask them of himself, so as to cover all bases. Turns out, he didn’t need to. What do you do when a child is exposed to hardcore pornography on smart phones, computers or tablets? one man asked. “So many of them have been,” Dr O’Shea said. “Depending on the age, sit them down and say, what you have seen is really bad; make them morally awake.” The same goes for when a child has not seen but heard highly explicit information from others. Before the age of nine, a child’s natural latency period means they are not ready for sexual information and they don’t want it, he said: “Now, if you doubt that, all you have to do is take even 12 months sitting in the chair of a principal

and watch people come to you whose children have been violated in that way. “Those children are appalled. They feel as if it is terrible and they want to be reassured.” When young children have been exposed to sexually explicit material, it is important to reassure them, to acknowledge the reality of it without going into details they are not ready for. “‘Some of (what you have heard) is true but some of what (was) said is not ... The time will come when we will talk about those things but it’s not now; you’re not ready to hear it’. “It will pass over most children but I am sorry to say that in about ten per cent of cases it’s not enough ... and you need to seek psychological help. “Generally you don’t have to because those children think ‘oh good, I don’t have to think about that’.” At the end of the night, audience members seemed reassured – and enthused. “You’re going to know how far you can go and when, because you are there,” he told one father. “Bear in mind that you have your son because God gave him to you, and he’s therefore given you the capacity to deal with things. “You’re going to be fine,” Dr O’Shea said. “I have no doubt.” A father’s perspective - Page 17 Dr O’Shea’s resource for parents, As I Have Loved You, is available from The Record Bookshop. For further information contact Bibiana on (08) 9220 5900 or via: bookshop@therecord.com.au

FUN FAITH With

NOVEMBER 4, 2012 • MK 12: 28-34 • 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

CROSSWORD

Across 1. The scribe said to Jesus, ‘Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true, that he is ____ and there is no other. 4. Jesus, said, ‘You are not far from the ____ of God.’ 6. One of the scribes who was listening to ____ speak asked Him the question, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments’?’

JESUS ONE NEIGHBOUR LOVE

GOSPEL READING Mk 12:28-34

One of the scribes who was listening to Jesus speak asked Him the question, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus answered, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one, only Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second commandment is this:’You must love your neighbour as yourself’. There is no other commandment greater than these.’ The scribe said to Jesus, ‘Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true, that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any offering.’ Jesus, said, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to question him any more.

Down 2. The second commandment is this: ’You must love your ____ as yourself’. There is no other commandment greater than these.’ 3. Jesus answered, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the ____ our God is the one, only Lord 5. You must ____ the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all

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’You must love your neighbour as yourself’. There is no other commandment greater than these.’ - Mk 12: 28-34

VISTA

therecord.com.au October 31, 2012

Synod sends Pope propositions The synod on the New Evangelisation has concluded in Rome with 58 propositions to reach out to the faithful and faithless.

EMBERS of the Synod of Bishops recommended the Vatican establish a commission to monitor religious freedom, develop guidelines for training evangelisers and ensure there is a Church in every diocese where confession is always available. At the end of the three-week world Synod of Bishops on new evangelisation, members of the gathering approved 58 propositions to give to the Pope; although synod rules say the proposals are secret, Pope Benedict authorised their publication on October 27. The propositions were designed as recommendations for the Pope to use in a post-synodal apostolic exhortation. Many of the propositions described current challenges and opportunities that the Church faces in sharing the Gospel, strengthening the faith and reaching out to lapsed Catholics. Other propositions asked Pope Benedict or individual bishops to consider undertaking concrete projects, including: l Establishing a Vatican commission to monitor religious freedom around the world, denounce attacks on religious freedom and promote a broader understanding of its importance as a basic human right. The propositions said, “The proclamation of the good news in different contexts of the world - marked by the process of globalisation and secularism - places different challenges before the Church: at times in outright religious persecution, at other times in a widespread indifference, interference, restriction or harassment.” During the synod discussions, bishops in different parts of the world described different relationships with Muslim neighbors, ranging from situations in which Christian minorities experience serious discrimination to cases of Catholics and Muslims working together to address social problems.

Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, top, and US lay theologian Ralph Martins, above second from left, attended the recent synod. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB was also a participant. PHOTOS: CNS

The synod propositions encouraged Catholics “to persevere and to intensify their relations with Muslims” in accordance with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. l Developing a “pastoral plan of initial proclamation” that would outline steps to help ensure that once people hear the Gospel, they are led to conversion and faith and are educated in Church teaching. It also should describe the “qualities and guidelines for the formation of Catholic evangelisers today.” l Asking that every diocese establish a parish or shrine dedicated “in a permanent way” to the administration of the sacrament of penance, ensuring “priests are always present, allowing God’s mercy to be experienced by all the faithful.” “The sacrament of penance and reconciliation is the privileged place to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness,” it is a place of healing and strength, and it is the sacrament that can bring people back into full

communion with the Church, the synod members said. As they did in the synod hall, synod members used several propositions to emphasise the importance of the family as the place where life and love are first given, where people are introduced to the faith and where they learn to live

Catholics need to transmit the truth but technical proficiency cannot take the place of the testimony of life. according to Gospel values. The Church’s new evangelisation efforts must help strengthen families and must try “to address significant pastoral problems around marriage: the case of divorced and remarried (Catholics), the situation of their children, the fate of abandoned spouses, the couples who live

together without marriage and the trend in society to redefine marriage,” synod members said. Recognising an increase in secularism around the world, synod members said that in many ways Christians are living “in a situation similar to that of the first Christians,” who were small minorities in cultures indifferent or even hostile to Christianity. Still, synod members said, “the world is God’s creation and manifests his love.” Even if Christians are just a little flock, they are called to “bear witness to the Gospel message of salvation” and “to be salt and light of a new world.” The propositions emphasised that while the primary task of the Church is to bring people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship lived and nourished in the Church, part of reaching out to others and witnessing to the Gospel involves serving the poor and sick, working for justice and protecting the environment. Synod members praised the

members of religious orders, who have been on the frontlines of evangelisation for centuries, as well as the activities of new movements and communities. But they stressed the importance of all members of a diocese coordinating their work with the local bishop, and they insisted on the key role of parishes as the places where most Catholics learn about and practice their faith. The propositions included a suggestion that parish priests or other designated parish staff visit families in the parish as part of their outreach. The propositions described the liturgy as “the primary and most powerful expression of the new evangelisation” and a manifestation of God’s love for humanity. “Evangelisation in the Church calls for a liturgy that lifts the hearts of men and women to God,” synod members said. During synod discussions, several bishops spoke about the importance of the Church learning the particular language and culture of social media and new technology to share the Gospel with people who increasingly spend their time online. In the propositions, they said Catholics should be trained “to transmit faithfully the content of the faith and of Christian morality” through the media, but they insisted that no technical talent or online presence could take the place of “the testimony of life” lived in accordance with the Gospel. Synod members described young Catholics not primarily as objects of evangelisation, but as evangelisers, especially of their peers. “As the media greatly influence the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of the youth,” they said, “the Church through catechesis and youth ministry strives to enable and equip them to discern between good and evil, to choose Gospel values over worldly values, and to form firm faith convictions.” - CNS

OPINION

EDITORIAL

On contra-liturgical parish music

t may not be popular to say it and, often in the Church, it seems there are some subjects we are all not supposed to talk about. But sometimes we must face up to our responsibilities. One significant problem in the life of the Church today is what we call liturgical music. The problem is that much of the liturgical music used in the average Australian parish is... awful. It is impossible to put any kind of figure on it, and the hymnals used in many parishes seem to vary quite widely. But, nevertheless, the problem is real. Much so-called liturgical music which seems to exist as a kind of default setting in Australian parish life is a serious problem because it serves to hamper the evangelisation that is meant to occur in a parish. In that sense, much of what is called liturgical music is anti- or contra-liturgical. Throughout the history of the Church, great attention has been paid to the liturgy as the central act of Christian worship. The liturgy is, after all, the highest prayer of the Church and the time and the place when the baptised come together to enter into communion with God, to adore, praise and worship the creator of the universe. In the liturgy we touch the other plane of existence and in its confines we are meant to glimpse our own true homeland. Whatever one may call it, one does not call the liturgy trite, nor should it be treated as if it is. Rather, it is a moment of surpassing drama, when heaven descends like lightning into our midst. Imagine for a moment the average young secular Australian adult - anyone up to the age of, say, 35 years. Imagine that, somehow, over a series of encounters, arguments and conversations of the kinds that friends have over such issues, one convinces a friend or an acquaintance to come and have a look at Sunday Mass in one’s parish or perhaps at what is called a youth mass in order to glimpse the Church. Young average Australians today may be part of the fabric of a culture that has no values and no belief in a fixed truth but the average young Australian is neither stupid nor moronic. In fact, they are usually very intelligent. Deep down, just like everyone else, they are searching for the truth to their lives - the truth of something they can hold on to with a certitude that they feel will lead them to happiness and fulfilment. These are the very people the new evangelisation seeks to speak to. Imagine that one could take such a person to an average Australian parish experience. Here the problem of the contra-liturgical musical mentality emerges more clearly. What they would experience, overwhelmingly, is the music adopted from largely American composers of the seventies who were themselves powerfully immersed in and influenced by pop culture that reduces the experience of the liturgy to the level of the trite. Those searching for inspiration or wanting to touch the eternal would find instead all too often the electric bass, the drums, the acoustic guitars and occasional wind instruPO Box 3075 ments deployed enthusiastiAdelaide Terrace cally but not necessarily terPERTH WA 6832 ribly proficiently, by parish musicians who often seem office@therecord.com.au like they are looking more for Tel: (08) 9220 5900 the opportunity of a gig rather Fax: (08) 9325 4580 than to lead the baptised to a sense of the ethereal. To argue that much of the average music used in the average Australian parish is not good enough or is actually toxic to the new evangelisation on the grounds that it is too influenced by contemporary trends in pop culture is not to argue that contemporary music is bad. Much contemporary music is good, but it is not composed by its creators with the intention of enabling the listener to sense the existence of mystery, to inspire or to recollect. The problem is that a sizeable chunk of current liturgical music is either mediocre or profane, which is to say that whatever it is, it is not of the timeless nor the eternal. Partly, the root of the problem has been parish and diocesan liturgistas, fired up with an inadequately-informed enthusiasms originating largely out of the seventies but possessed of enough power and influence to introduce changes that have progressively aided a decline in this dimension of the experience of liturgical life. The task of liturgical music and of parish musicians is to inspire and recollect, to create an atmosphere that will assist the faithful to enter into timeless mysteries, to introduce the baptised to the grandeur and the subtlety of a tradition that is two millennia old, not to copy Hillsong and Riverview who, in any case, do contemporary praise and worship music far better than any Catholic parish in the country. Why do we, the Church, with the astonishing liturgical musical tradition that we possess, feel that in order to be successful today we have to copy or emulate Hillsong or Riverview? Faced with the average musical experience in the average Australian parish and the atmospherics it produces, our imaginary secular young Australian searching for a sense of the sublime and of eternal truth will simply turn around and walk out because he or she understands with clarity the principle that one produces what one is. The experience of mediocrity in Church music probably leads powerfully in almost every case to the impression or conclusion that the Church is itself mediocre. The impression may be wrong but it is not obtuse to ask, by how far? If we wish to launch the new evangelisation we should also consider launching a renaissance of liturgical music aimed at lifting the mind and the heart to truth, beauty and goodness. A good glimpse can be already be seen in the liturgical musical excellence of our own St Mary’s Cathedral. It is possible. It always was.

Imagine one took someone searching for God to hear average parish music...

THE RECORD

therecord.com.au

October 31, 2012

LETTERS

Moving moment of light in the dark GRATITUDE and thanks are due to Ms Jacinta Jakovcevic, Director of Music, and Mr Tony Meyrick for the beautiful, final concert in the St Mary’s Cathedral Concerts Series for 2012 held on the evening of Sunday, October 21. This hour-long concert to celebrate October, the month of the Rosary, was remarkable for its varied programming and imaginative use of locations and lighting within the soaring spaces of the candlelit Cathedral. The audience was invited to fully participate by moving around to better enjoy the choral singing from the side chapels and to thrill to the rich voice of the Cantor, Daniel Mullaney, singing from the organ loft at the rear, and many did so.

I always enjoy sacred music and it was a particular pleasure on this occasion to hear choral singing in the Cathedral’s reverberating acoustics and to experience the resulting reverential and spiritual atmosphere. It was a wonderfully enriching, collective performance by all concerned. Keeva Verschoor SOUTH PERTH

Bishops should bring back fish-on-Fridays AT THE RECENT meeting of the Synod of Bishops in Rome, Cardinal Pell reflected on the role of fasting and penance within various religious traditions. In his address, his Eminence congratulated the hierarchy of England and Wales for the reintroduction of compulsory abstinence from the

eating of meat on Fridays. When the Australian Church decided to abolish the mandatory prohibition from the eating of meat on Fridays, the faithful were advised that, instead of undertaking this penance, they were obliged to undertake another specific penance or sacrifice. It is open to conjecture as to whether the faithful now customarily undertake such regular and specific penances or sacrifices. It is within the competence of the Australian Church to follow the example of the English and Welsh hierarchy and oblige the faithful to abstain from the eating of meat on Fridays. The reintroduction of this penance would be timely and would be a reminder to the faithful that we must all undertake fasts and do penance for our sins. Jeff Ahern CARINA, QLD

Blogs be damned: real life is difficult enough

Secular sloganeering is constantly goading us to be ‘brave’ enough to give in to what is easy and distracting us from the obligations that make us free. @ Home MARIETTE ULRICH

uty has become a dirty word in the postmodern lexicon—mocked as the province of uptight religious fundamentalists or thickheaded, macho, military men. Doing one’s duty is depicted as dry, lifeless and unpleasant (even hypocritical), and is often juxtaposed to “following your heart” and being “true to yourself ” – which sounds terribly noble (primacy of conscience, and all that), but it usually boils down to satisfying whatever appetite is foremost in your consciousness at any given moment. I was raised on this stuff—not by my parents, but by popular culture, which inevitably found its way even into the post-conciliar Church. Though I purport to know better, at times I lapse into following my heart, which invariably leads me to feeling scattered and lost—perhaps even into something approaching despair. Disclosure: as the November, 2012 US presidential election approaches, I have spent too much time reading about politics and the general predicament, not just of Canada’s nearest neighbour, but the world in general. The global economy, the upsurge in terrorism, religious persecution, and various other manifestations of the Culture of Death yields little about which to feel hopeful. Pundits (both sides) alternately predict that victory for the opposing candidate entails unmitigated catastrophe for the nation and the world. “With such narratives to hand, who would read novels?” asks Mr Bennett in the TV version of Pride and Prejudice. Alas, not the mum who has time only for depressing political prognostication. Not that politics and spirituality are entirely unrelated. Chaos, national or spiritual, tends to result when we put our fallen desires above what is objectively good and true. I’m not a fan of J F Kennedy, but his speechwriter at least came up with a pithy maxim, which (inverted and paraphrased) could equally be applied to our religious duty: Ask not what you can do for God (or why you should be doing it), but ‘What’s in it for me?’ We

In the lead-up to an election, much emphasis is placed on the macro, but it is far more important to be faithful in daily things, writes Mariette Ulrich. CNS

seem to have lost the sense of doing our duty because it is the right thing to do, looking instead for payback, even if it’s something as trivial as good feelings. Some days, I have great difficulty fulfilling my duties—the first of which, for any Christian, is prayer. My default mode is laziness, and the lazy man always finds it easier to follow his heart (or some other body part) rather than that which he knows to be the correct course of action. Thus on any given morning,

Every time I think, ‘I hate the world’, other words pop into my head: “For God so loved the world...” You know the rest. it is easier (mentally, if not physically) to open my laptop and click on the bookmarks for my favourite political bloggers than it is to choose the Divine Office online (which in turn is much easier to use than the multi-ribboned hardback version). Lord, open my lips (because sometimes I don’t have the strength to do it myself) … and my mouth will proclaim your praise. Note the auxiliary verb: “will” – as in, we must exercise ours in the fulfilment

of our prayer commitments, even when—most especially when—we don’t “feel like it”. My mouth will proclaim your praise, even if my heart is not in it. Is that hypocrisy? Some would say yes, and use it as an excuse not to pray. Others (the wisdom of the ages, the Church and her saints) would say there is honour and merit in duty; and if we consistently do it, our hearts will follow. Thus duty becomes a joy— funny that. Or not. God knows our hearts; he created them. And he always seems to provide what we need just when we need it. One dismal day, I received a commiserating email from another mum: “Every time I think, ‘I hate the world’ (and that is fairly often), the words that immediately pop into my mind are: “For God so LOVED the world ...” and you know how the rest goes. He has overcome the world. When I start to feel hopeless about its state, and to wonder how evil can be overcome, I remember that the first step is, as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta said, to “deal with what is at your feet.” I can’t advance on Washington … but I can, and must, say my prayers, do the dishes, and make sure everyone has a clean uniform for [school] tomorrow.” Well noted, and well admonished. At this time of year, we commemorate other significant dates: All Saints’ and All Souls’. Perhaps I would be better served (and able to serve) by reading more writings of the saints and fewer political blogs.

OPINION

therecord.com.au October 31, 2012

Teaching our children how to love

The first time he saw independent ethical reflection in his son, Peter Rosengren knew that things were changing...

Y TEN-YEAR-old son is growing a moustache but is very diffident in a school-boyish kind of way when I occasionally suggest he try shaving. I’ll leave it alone. Who am I to tell him to shave? Most of my adult life I’ve been bearded or moustachioed, fancying myself in the image of a devilmay-care, likeable scoundrel possessed of some kind of panache or a certain savoir faire. Alternatively, once or twice I have tried the tabcollared, stubble-faced look to try and cultivate the image of a Euro intellectual or a writer with far deeper emotions and insight than the rest of the human race. Astute readers may detect what role, if any, fantasy plays in my life. Lately, I have been noticing changes in him. One evening recently, we found ourselves both watching an episode of a documentary about prohibition on SBS. Until then I don’t think he had ever heard the word ‘prohibition,’ certainly not in connection with the banning of alcohol in the US in the 1920s and 30s. At the end of one episode, however, he had a good idea of the basic facts. Possessed of a good sense of humour, he was particularly amused by the fact that, at the height of prohibition, Chicago’s Police Commissioner estimated that about 60 per cent of his officers were involved, one way or another, in bootlegging. He also understood quickly that, whatever the reason prohibition was introduced, the effort to ban something many knew was causing serious social harm had resulted in one unanticipated effect: offering reasonably intelligent, small-time crooks an unprecedented opportunity to make a lot of money, leading eventually to widespread corruption and the creation of previously unseen criminal empires of enormous power and influence. My son also has the blood of the Han Chinese flowing through his veins and what seems like a very Chinese appreciation of strategy, so he seems to have an intuitive Chinese grasp of the importance of money and the ways to make it. Part of what held his interest was undoubtedly the gangland shootings and assassinations. Boys love that sort of thing. But at the end of the program he was interested enough to turn to me and ask a question. “Papa,” he said after reflecting for a moment, “What prohibition shows is that, basically, it’s impossible to ban something that’s small, easily concealable and popular, isn’t it?” For a second I was stopped in my tracks. For me, it was the moment when I understood that my son is changing. This simple and quite logical question was the first experience I could ever recall of his own independent serious ethical reflection or speculation. Of course, I have been bombarded over the years with his ‘what,’ ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions, sometimes driving me to near-annoyance that have come from a child who is a precocious reader. However, those were questions driven by a seemingly voracious appetite for data; for facts, figures and pure information. But this was the first moment – a sign, really – when I knew I was seeing his growing independence in thought. It was slightly unsettling, but it was good. He is growing up. The change I am noticing is connected to another recent event in my own life, but one that will affect his. In late September, The Record hosted an evening offered principally to parents and school teachers, especially teachers of religious education, presenting Melbourne academic Dr

Gerard O’Shea (see separate story by Robert Hiini on Pages 12-13) which attracted exactly 40 people to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish Centre. I was particularly interested in Dr O’Shea’s talk, although I had expected no interest from teachers of religious education and, probably, a total audience of no more than 15 – or thereabouts. Instead, at least three teachers of RE in Perth Catholic schools showed up and, pleasingly, the audience was overwhelmingly made up of parents of school-aged children and young Catholic adults.

saic title belies his book’s innovative, even revolutionary nature; nor should this be surprising. In fact, Dr O’Shea and his colleagues work at an institute globally associated with some of the widely-regarded stellar minds in theology. There are a growing number of John Paul II Institutes around the world but all share a theological focus on the family, marriage, gender and what it means to say that we are all created male and female in the image and likeness of God. Although it is likely that there

ters of morality, especially difficult ethics pertaining to love, sex and intimacy in human relationships, was rule-focused or impossibly idealistic, yet, paradoxically, occasionally puritanical. And yet, it was the global abandonment of objective, personal, moral responsibility flowing like a powerful cultural torrent out of the decade of 196575, most especially in relation to matters of sex, marriage and the value of human life, which transformed our culture and our society into a wasteland of meaningless-

For many, Catholicism is merely a tribal identification, but the truth is the Church alone has a vision of man and woman that is noble and hope-filled. After all, it was an evening about sex. The elapsed time between being unexpectedly offered an opportunity to present Dr O’Shea to a Perth audience and my own fiat might have been measured in milliseconds. Dr O’Shea, a former Catholic school principal and a lecturer at Melbourne’s John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and the Family, is one of those few individuals in Australia who really does work at the cutting edge of theology. In the last year, he has published a new and unprecedented resource for parents entitled As I Have Loved You - Christian formation of the young in human sexuality. The pro-

are few Catholic parents or teachers who would understand this, the subject of human sexuality and its intrinsic meaning, for want of a better way of describing it, is at the very heart of where our culture and our society are going. Why? Firstly, a personal experience. Ever since I first encountered the theology of the body in the late 1990s I had a deep intuition that it was the answer to many things which I had barely glimpsed until then. Until then, I had sensed intellectually – and believed – that the Church was right. But to most of my contemporaries and I, it felt as if the Church’s approach to mat-

ness and destruction, especially for the young. Obscuring this is the fact that we are basically affluent. As global societies have largely rejected the patrimony of what the Incarnation means, we have embraced affluence, materialism, scientism and what Josef Ratzinger famously described in theological shorthand as the dictatorship of moral relativism - which basically means that nothing or no-one can be allowed to stand in the way of what we want, either individually or socially. If one thinks of abortion, euthanasia, the human flotsam and jetsam created by the widespread destruction of family life

through divorce, the burgeoning rates of sexually transmitted infections among the very young, the breakdown in the idea that every human life is sacrosanct, the dissolution of concepts such as marriage to the point where the term has basically little or no meaning, the massive phenomenon of drug usage and addiction and, last but by no means least, the now-pandemic scale of sexual abuse of children and the young, it is not that hard to argue that most of the increasing personal and social dissolution we see daily is traceable to a loss of the sense of who the human person is. Alone among any institution in the world, I have found, the Church has the answers, for the Church’s answer to the proposition that we should do anything our urges tell us is that every boy, every girl, every man and every woman is actually made in the image and likeness of God. The implications of this, once understood, are truly cosmological. Our society, including most families in Catholic schools, assume the Church is an institution of limited relevance. For them, Catholicism is merely a tribal identification, like being Irish or Peruvian. But the truth is that it is the Church alone that has a vision of man and woman that can truly be described as realistic but noble, inspiring and ever hope-filled. The, in some senses, radical innovation of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body certainly caused raised eyebrows in some sections of the Church when the late Pope began his catecheses now known as the Theology of the Body but it is an innovation that, more than anything else I can think of, will powerfully help build a new kind of world which I know I will not live to see. Dr O’Shea’s book guides parents to lead their children sensitively and in appropriate ways towards the revelation of what the Church understands (and the editors of Playboy and Cosmopolitan are blind as bats to) about the human person, what we are destined for and what God is like. That’s because the Church sees everyone as a person while our society sees persons as means. In the process of employing Dr O’Shea’s book in their own family settings, many parents will find themselves journeying more deeply into the meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage and therefore understanding the nuptial nature of God’s relationship with us. One of the truly heartening messages from Dr O’Shea was his reassurance to single parents who feel overwhelmed or more alone in their responsibility to lead their children to the truth. They are, he said, the very ones who have been chosen by God to do this job. So, somewhat in parentheses, I take the opportunity to pass the message along here in a secondhand kind of way. During his talk, Dr O’Shea also reassured parents that they would know the moment when it was right to begin leading their children to the next stages of their lives. There is always, he said, a sign. The beginning of independent ethical reflection in my son after watching a documentary on prohibition turned out to be, strangely, the moment that made me see him in a new light, as a boy who is beginning to become a man. I do not want my son to be like the average outcome of a current State or non-government school education, which is largely the same as the average outcome our society expects in the young. I am a husband and I am a father. I want my son to be a son of the Church. I want him to be a son of his country. I want him to be different. I want him to be free. Peter Rosengren is editor of The Record.

PANORAMA

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Day with Mary 9am at Sacred Heart Parish, 50 Ovens Rd, Thornlie. Begins with Fatima video. 10.10am–Procession and crowning of Our Lady. Mass in honour of Our Lady with consecration of the parish to Her. 12pm–lunch break (please bring plate to share). 1pm–Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. 1.15pm–Sermon on the Eucharist. 1.40pm– Rosary. 2pm–Divine Mercy Chaplet. 2.10pm– meditations on the Passion. 2.30pm–afternoon tea. 3pm–Sermon on Our Lady. 3.20pm–Rosary and solemn Act of Consecration. 4.10pm– Benediction. 4.30pm–Enrolment in Brown Scapular and imposing of Miraculous Medals. 5pm–Finish–Ave Maria! Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286 or Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5214 or Michele 9497 1775.

UPCOMING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Latin Mass at Kelmscott – with Archbishop Emeritus Hickey 1.30pm at Good Shepherd Parish, 42 Streich Ave, Kelmscott. This must be a very special blessing for all during the “Holy Souls’’ month of November. Please bring a slip of paper with your special intentions written on it and drop in basket supplied before Mass. Enq: John 9390 6646. ‘The South African Gospel Choir’ Fundraiser 2.30pm at St Patrick’s Parish, South St, York. Restorations for church windows and African Missions. Followed by afternoon tea in hall. Tickets $20. For tickets and Enq: admin 9641 1477 or 0488 064 044. Direct donations to Bendigo Bank: BSB 633-000 ACC No. 144 591 682 and Your Name. All Soul’s Day – Memorial Service 2.30pm at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park Crematorium Chapel. Mass not included. Enq: Whitford Parish Office 9307 2776. Schoenstatt Spring Fair 9.30am-2.30pm at Schoenstatt, Talus Dr, Armadale. Food, prizes and bargains galore, fun for all the family. Please support the Schoenstatt Sisters. Enq: Mary 0400 553 140. Divine Mercy Mass 1.30pm at St Francis Xavier Parish, 25 Windsor St, Perth. Main Celebrant: Fr Anthony Van Dyke. Homily: All Saints and Holy Souls. Refreshments will follow afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Spirituality and The Sunday Gospels 7-8pm at St Benedict’s School Hall Alness St Applecross. Presented by Norma Woodcock. View a weekly short video broadcast at www. thefaith.org.au. Cost: collection. Accreditation recognition by the CEO. Enq: 94871772 or www. normawoodcock.com. Prayer in Style of Taizé 7.30-8.30pm at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach. Prayer, song and silence. www.taize.fr. Enq: Beth 9448 4888 or Joan 9448 4457. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 “Why developing positive relationships is important to Good Mental Health” Mental Health Parish Event 6-8pm at All Saints Parish Hall, 7 Liwara Pl, Greenwood. Seminar by Guido Vogels, a well known counsellor in the Perth Archdiocese. Please bring a plate of finger food to share. Tea, coffee etc provided. Enq: Barbara 9328 8113 or emmanuelcentre@westnet.com.au. ‘Commemoration of Kristallnacht’ Council of Christians and Jews WA Inc 4.30pm, Sylvia and Harry Hoffman Hall, Carmel Primary School, Woodrow Ave, Yokine. ‘Commemoration of Kristallnacht’ (“Night of Broken Glass”). Guest speaker: The Honourable Kevin Parker, former Vice-President of the International Criminal Tribunal, the Hague. Light refreshments served. Enq: Mary ccjwa@aol.com. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Annual Mass of the Legion of Mary 12.30pm at St Joachim’s Parish, Shepperton Rd, Vic Park. Rosary and Holy Mass at 1pm. All invited. Afternoon tea after Mass. Enq: Rosemary 9328 2726 or perthcomitium@bigpond.com. St Padre Pio Prayer Day 9.30am at St Patrick’s Basilica, 47 Adelaide St, Fremantle. Begins with Padre Pio DVD; 11am – Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy, silent Adoration, Benediction. 12.10pm – Holy Mass, St Padre Pio Liturgy (Confessions available). Bring a plate to share for lunch. Enq: Des 6278 1540. ‘Our Lady of Fatima Reunion’ - Our Lady of Fatima School Palmyra 6.30pm at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Foss St, Palmyra. For all pupils at the school, formerly St Gerard’s. RSVP before Nov 1. Enq: Sharon 9333 7900 or lawdavis.sharon@cathednet.wa.edu.au. Divine Mercy – Healing Mass 2.30pm at St Francis Xavier Parish, Windsor St, East Perth. Main Celebrant: Fr Marcellinus. Reconciliation in English and Italian available. Divine Mercy prayers followed by veneration of First Class Relic of Sr Faustina Kowlaska. Refreshments afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Prayer in the Style of Taizé 7-8pm at Sisters of St Joseph Chapel, 16 York St, South Perth. Includes, prayer, chants, and silent prayer. Bring a friend and a torch. Last Taizé prayer for the year. Bring a small plate to share for supper afterwards. Enq: Sr Maree 0414 683 926.

NEXT YEAR 2013 SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 Youth Inner Healing Retreat (live-in) 7.30am at St Thomas Moore College, 48 Mounts Bay Rd, Crawley. Led by Vincentian Fathers. Registration and Enq: Sonia 0410 596 520 or Sheldon 0415 841 737 or dmymau@gmail.com. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Our Lady of Lourdes 70th Anniversary Mass – with Archbishop Costelloe 9.30am at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 207 Lesmurdie Rd, Lesmurdie. Enq: Fr Kenneth 9291 6282 or 9291 8952 or 0434 934 286.

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.

Immaculate Cafe Immaculate Cafe is now open every Sunday 9.30am-1pm at St Mary’s Cathedral Parish Centre, downstairs after Mass. Coffee, tea, cakes, sweets friendship with Cathedral parishioners. Further info: Tammy on smcperthwyd@yahoo.com.au or 0415 370 357. Pilgrim Mass - Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation 2pm at Shrine, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Commencing with Rosary followed by Benediction. Reconciliation 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. Praise and Worship 5.30pm at St Denis Parish, cnr Osborne St and Roberts Rd, Joondanna. Followed by 6pm Mass. Enq: Admin admin@stdenis.com.au. EVERY FIRST SUNDAY Singles Prayer and Social Group 7pm at All Saints Chapel, Allendale Sq, 77 St George’s Tce, Perth. Begins with Holy Hour (Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary and teaching) followed by dinner at local restaurant. Meet new people, pray and socialise with other single men and women. Enq: Veronica 0403 841 202. EVERY SECOND SUNDAY Healing Hour 7-8pm at St Lawrence Parish, Balcatta. Songs of praise and worship, exposition of Blessed Sacrament and prayers for sick. Enq: Fr Irek Czech SDS or office Tue-Thu, 9am-2.30pm 9344 7066. 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 the everyday life of today for laypeople: Vespers and afternoon tea afterwards. Enq: Secretary 9457 5758. EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY Shrine Time for Young Adults 18-35 years 7.30-8.30pm in Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Dr, Mt Richon; Holy Hour with prayer, reflection, meditation, praise and worship; followed by a social gathering. Come and pray at a place of grace. Enq: Schoenstatt Srs 9399 2349. Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life 2-3pm at Infant Jesus Parish, Wellington St, Morley. Includes exposition of Blessed Eucharist, silent prayer, Scripture, prayers of intercession. Come and pray those discerning vocations can hear clearly God’s call. EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAY A Ministry to the Un-Churched 12.30-1.30pm at St John’s Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth (opposite church offices). With charismatic praise and prayer teams available. Help us ‘reach out to the pagans’ or soak in the praise. Enq: Dan 9398 4973. EVERY LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Filipino Mass 3pm at Notre Dame Church, cnr Daley and Wright Sts, Cloverdale. Please bring a plate to share for socialisation after Mass. Enq: Fr Nelson Po 0410 843 412, Elsa 0404 038 483. EVERY MONDAY Evening Adoration and Mass 7pm at St Thomas Parish, Claremont, cnr Melville St and College Rd. Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, evening prayer, Benediction, then Mass and night prayer at 8pm. Enq: Kim on 9384 0598 or email to claremont@perthcatholic.org.au.

therecord.com.au

October 31, 2012

LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH Be Still in His Presence – Ecumenical Christian Program 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 cuppa. Enq: Lynne 9293 3848 or 043 5252 941. EVERY TUESDAY Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal 6pm at Pater Noster Church, Marmion and Evershed Sts, Myaree. Mass at 5.30pm followed by Benediction. Enq: John 0408 952 194.

- Auslan Café is a social setting for anybody who would like to learn or practise Auslan in a relaxing and fun atmosphere. Light lunch provided. Enq: Emma emmanuelcentre@westnet.com.au. EVERY FRIDAY Eucharistic Adoration at Schoenstatt Shrine 10am at Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Drive, Mt Richon. Includes Holy Mass, exposition of Blessed Sacrament, silent adoration till 8.15pm. In this Year of Grace, join us in prayer at a place of grace. Enq: Sisters of Schoenstatt 9399 2349.

Novena to God the Father 7.30pm at St Joachim’s parish hall, Vic Park. Novena followed by reflection and discussions on forthcoming Sunday Gospel. Enq: Jan 9284 1662.

EVERY FIRST FRIDAY Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 11am-4pm at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. Exposition of Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 4pm finishing with Rosary. Enq: Sr Marie MS.Perth@lsp.org.au.

Ninth Annual Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal 5.30-6pm at St Luke’s Parish, 2 Parkside Rmbl, Woodvale. Novena from Tuesday, October 9 to Tuesday, December 4. A devotion of 30 minutes of public prayer with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Novena prayer, reflection and Benediction. Enq: Fr Francisco stlk@iinet.net.au.

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 0433 457 352 and Catherine 0433 923 083.

EVERY FIRST TUESDAY Short MMP Cenacle for Priests 2pm at Edel Quinn Centre, 36 Windsor St, East Perth. Enq: Fr Watt 9376 1734.

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

EVERY WEDNESDAY Holy Spirit of Freedom Community 7.30pm at Church of Christ, 111 Stirling St, Perth. We welcome everyone to attend our praise meeting. Enq: 0423 907 869 or hsofperth@gmail.com. Bible Study at Cathedral 6.15pm at St Mary’s Cathedral, 17 Victoria Sq, Perth. Deepen your faith through reading and reflecting on holy Scripture by Fr Jean-Noel Marie. Meeting room beneath Cathedral. Enq: 9223 1372. Holy Hour - Catholic Youth Ministry Mass at 5.30pm and Holy Hour (Adoration) at 6.30pm at Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary St, Highgate. Enq: www.cym.com or 9422 7912. Adonai Ladies Prayer Group 10am in upper room of St Joseph’s Parish, 3 Salvado Rd, Subiaco. Come and join us for charismatic prayer and praise. Enq: Win 9387 2808 or Noreen 9298 9935. 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 0417 187 240. EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY Holy Hour Prayer for Priests 7-8pm at Holy Spirit Parish, 2 Keaney Pl, City Beach. Enq: Linda 9341 3079. EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY Chaplets of Divine Mercy 7.30pm St Thomas More Parish, Dean Rd, Bateman accompanied by Exposition, then Benediction. Enq: George 9310 9493 or 6242 0702 (w). EVERY THURSDAY Divine Mercy 11am at Ss John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy and for consecrated life, especially in our parish. Concludes with veneration of the first class relic of St Faustina. 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. Group Fifty - Charismatic Renewal Group 7.30pm at Redemptorist Monastery, 150 Vincent St, North Perth. Includes prayer, praise and Mass. Enq: Elaine 9440 3661. EVERY FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Prayer in Style of Taizé 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. Taizé info: www.taize.fr. Enq: secretary 9448 4888 or 9448 4457. FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY Dinner and Rosary Cenacle - St Bernadette’s Young Adults 6.30pm at Hans Cafe, 140 Oxford St, Leederville. Begins with dinner, then Rosary cenacle at St Bernadette’s, 49 Jugan St, Glendalough. Cenacle includes 8pm reflection by Fr Doug and Rosary. Tea and coffee after. By repeating words of love to Mary and offering up each decade for our intentions, we take the shortcut to Jesus which is to pass through the heart of Mary. Enq: Fr Doug st.bernadettesyouth@gmail.com. EVERY THIRD THURSDAY Auslan Café – Sign Language Workshop 12.30pm at St Francis Xavier Emmanuel Centre, 25 Windsor St, Perth. Its Australian Sign Language

Catholic Faith Renewal Evening 7.30pm at Ss John and Paul Parish, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Songs of Praise and Prayer, sharing by a priest, then thanksgiving Mass and light refreshments. Enq: Kathy 9295 0913 or Ann 0412 166 164 or catholicfaithrenewal@gmail.com. Communion of Reparation All Night Vigils 7pm-1.30am at Corpus Christi Church, Lochee St, Mosman Park or St Gerard Majella Church, cnr Ravenswood Dr/Majella Rd, Westminster (Mirrabooka). Vigils are two Masses, Adoration, Benediction, prayers, Confession in reparation for outrages committed against the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Enq: Vicky 0400 282 357; Fr Giosue 9349 2315; John/Joy 9344 2609. Pro-life Witness – Mass and Procession 9.30am at St Brigid’s Parish, cnr Great North Hwy and Morrison Rd, Midland. Begins with Mass followed by Rosary procession and prayer vigil at nearby abortion clinic, and led by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Please join us to pray for an end to abortion and the conversion of hearts. Enq Helen 9402 0349. EVERY SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Discover Spirituality of St Francis of Assisi 12pm at St Brigid’s parish centre. The Secular Franciscans of Midland Fraternity have lunch, then 1-3pm meeting. Enq: Antoinette 9297 2314. 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. Vigil for Life – Mass and Procession 8.30am at St Augustine’s Parish, Gladstone St, Rivervale. Begins with Mass celebrated by Fr Carey, followed by Rosary procession and prayer vigil at nearby abortion clinic. Please join us to pray for the conversion of hearts and an end to abortion. Enq. Helen 9402 0349. 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. EVERY FOURTH SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Voice of the Voiceless Healing Mass 12pm at St Brigid’s Parish, 211 Aberdeen St, Northbridge. Bring a plate to share after Mass. Enq: Frank 9296 7591 or 0408 183 325.

GENERAL BIBLE SCHOLARSHIPS BJ Hickey Biblical Foundation These scholarships, offered to lay people residing in the Archdiocese of Perth, support biblical studies of any length and level, locally or overseas such as Jerusalem or Rome. You don’t need to be an academic! just someone with a desire to know the Scriptures better and help others with that knowledge. Application requirements can be found at www.thebiblicalfoundation.org.au. Enq: Michelle bible@perthcatholic.org.au. Applications close October 31, 2012.

Mary MacKillop Merchandise Available for sale from Mary MacKillop Centre. Enq: Sr Maree 041 4683 926 or 08 9334 0933. Financially Disadvantaged People Requiring Low Care Aged Care Placement The Little Sisters of the Poor community is 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. Resource Centre for Personal Development Holistic Health Seminar The Instinct to Heal Tue 3-4.30pm; RCPD2 Internalise Principles of Successful Relationships and Use Emotional Intelligence and Communication Skills Tue 4.30-6.30pm, 197 High St, Fremantle - Tuesdays 3-4.30pm. Enq: Eva 0409 405 585. Bookings essential. Is your son or daughter unsure of what to do this year? Suggest a Cert IV course to discern God’s purpose. They will also learn more about the Catholic faith and develop skills in communication and leadership. Acts 2 College of Mission & Evangelisation (National Code 51452).Enq: Jane 9202 6859. AA Alcoholics Anonymous Is alcohol costing you more than just money? Enq: AA 9523 3566. Saints and Sacred Relics Apostolate Invite SSRA Perth invites interested parties, parish priests, leaders of religious communities, lay associations to organise relic visitations to parishes, communities, etc. We have available authenticated relics, mostly first-class, of Catholic saints and blesseds including Sts Mary MacKillop, Padre Pio, Anthony of Padua, Therese of Lisieux, Maximilian Kolbe, Simon Stock and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Free of charge and all welcome. Enq: Giovanny 0478 201 092 or ssra-perth@catholic.org. Enrolments, Year 7, 2014 La Salle College now accepting enrolments for Year 7, 2014. For prospectus and enrolment please contact college reception 9274 6266 or email lasalle@lasalle.wa.edu.au. Pellegrini Books Wanted An order of Sisters in Italy is looking for the following: The Living Pyx of Jesus, Fervourings From Galilee’s Hills, Fervourings From the LoveBroken Heart of Christ, Fervourings From the Lips of the Master, Listening to the Indwelling Presence, Sheltering the Divine Outcast, Daily Inspection and Cleansing of the Living Temple of God, and Staunch Friends of Jesus, the Lover of Youth. If you are able to help, please contact Justine on 0419 964 624 or justine@waterempire.com. Acts 2 College, Perth’s Catholic Bible College is now pleased to be able to offer tax deductibility for donations to the College. If you are looking for an opportunity to help grow the faith of young people and evangelise the next generation of apostles, please contact Jane Borg, Principal at Acts 2 College on 0401 692 690 or principal@ acts2come.wa.edu.au. Divine Mercy Church Pews Would you like to assist, at the same time becoming part of the history of the new Divine Mercy Church in Lower Chittering, by donating a beautifully handcrafted jarrah pew currently under construction, costing only $1,000 each. A beautiful brass plaque with your inscription will be placed at the end of the pew. Please make cheques payable to Divine Mercy Church Building fund and send with inscription to PO Box 8, Bullsbrook WA 6084. Enq: Fr Paul 0427 085 093. Abortion Grief Association Inc A not-for-profit association is looking for premises to establish a Trauma Recovery Centre (pref SOR) in response to increasing demand for our services (ref.www.abortiongrief.asn.au). Enq: Julie (08) 9313 1784. RESOURCE CENTRE FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - 2013 COURSES 1) RCPD6 ‘The Cost of Discipleship’ This course combines theology with relationship education and personal/spiritual awareness by teaching self-analysis. 2) ‘The Wounded Heart’ ‘Healing for emotional and sexual abuse’ promotes healing and understanding for the victim and the offender. Holistic counselling available - www. members.dodo.net.au/~evalenz/. Saints and Sacred Relics Apostolate 300 first and secondclass relics available for public veneration in the following churches:

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 TO FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 All Saints Chapel, Allendale Sq, 77 St George’s Tce, Perth. before and after 12.10pm and 1.10pm Masses on both days. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1; SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 TO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 St Anne’s Traditional Latin Mass Church, 11 Hehir St, Belmont. 6.30pm Mass on Thursday and all weekend Masses. Blessing with relics during 12.10pm Mass on the Feast of All Holy Relics, 5 November. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 TO SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Sts John and Paul Parish, 5 Ingham Ct, Willetton. All Masses. Talk on relics during each Mass.

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

Religious items donations for Thailand Church Fr Ferdinando Ronconi is the parish priest at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Phuket,

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

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therecord.com.au October 31, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS Deadline: 11am Monday BOOKBINDING

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.

RESTORATION BOOKBINDING and conservation, general book repairs, Bibles, Breviaries, sad, old and leather bindings renewed. Tel: 0401 941 577.

FURNITURE REMOVAL

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.

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

EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL COUNSELLING The Resource Centre for Personal Development RCPD offers an accredited ‘Advanced & Graduate Diploma of Educational Counselling in personal/spiritual awareness and relationship education’ in 2013 - www.members. dodo.net.au/~evalenz/ - Enq: Eva 08/9418 1439 or 0409 405 585.

SERVICES

HEALTH LOSE WEIGHT SAFELY. Free samples. Call or SMS Michael 0412 518 318.

KINLAR VESTMENTS www.kinlarvestments.com.au Quality handmade and decorated vestments: albs, stoles, chasubles, altar linen, banners. Ph Vickii on 9402 1318, 0409 114 093 or kinlar.vestments@ gmail.com.

NATUROPATHIC SERVICE: For a natural approach to achieving good health, call Martin today on 0407 745 294.

PILGRIMAGES PILGRIMAGE TO ROME/ MEDJUGORJE including Sangiovanni, Rotondo, Pompeii, Lanciano, Dubrovnik. Departs June 2013. Spiritual Director Rev Fr Bogoni. Cost $3,999. Enq. Eileen 9402 2480 or 0407 471 256 oe medjugorje@y7mail.com.

MEMENTO CANDLES Personalised candles for Baptism, Wedding, Year 12 Graduations and Absence. Photo and design embedded into candle, creating a great keepsake! Please call Anna: 0402 961 901 or anna77luca@hotmail.com to order a candle or Facebook: Memento Candles.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION Esperance holiday accommodation, 3-bedroom house, fully furnished. Phone 08 9076 5083.

Home-based business. Wellness industry. Call 02 8230 0290 or www.dreamlife1.com.

BRENDAN HANDYMAN SERVICES Home, building maintenance, repairs and renovations. NOR. Ph 0427 539 588. WRR LAWN MOWING AND WEED SPRAYING Garden clean ups and rubbish removal. Get rid of bindii, jojo and other unsightly weeds. Based in Tuart Hill. Enq: 6161 3264 or 0402 326 637. BRICK RE-POINTING Ph Nigel 9242 2952.

ACCOMMODATION

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

RURI STUDIO FOR HAIR Vincent and Miki welcome you to their newly opened, international, award-winning salon. Shop 2, 401 Oxford St, Leederville. 9444 3113. Ruri-studio-for-hair@ hotmail.com

PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Ph Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

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, no hidden costs. Ring 9481 4499 for a quote. Check our website on www. excelsettlements.com.au.

TAX SERVICE QUALITY TAX RETURNS PREPARED by registered tax agent with over 35 years’ experience. Call Tony Marchei 0412 055 184 for appt. AXXO Accounting & Management, Unit 20/222 Walter Rd, Morley. Trade services.

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Suburb:

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C R O S S W O R D ACROSS 1 ___ the fatted calf 4 Roman governor who condemned Jesus 8 There is a basilica to this saint in Quebec 9 Mother of Jesus 10 Catholic news reporter __________ Roberts 12 It becomes the Blood of Christ 13 The ___ of Christ the King 14 Samson used one of these to kill 1,000 Philistines 17 ___, amas, amat 18 Isaac and Ishmael 22 OT prophetic book 24 Son of Eve 25 The Feast of Lots is also called this (Esth 9:24-28) 26 Son of Eve 28 OT prophetic book that precedes 22A 29 “Mater ___” 30 Tree Jesus cursed (Mk 11:14) 32 ___ Judgement 33 Christmas celebrates Jesus’ ___ 35 “It ___ upon a midnight clear…” 36 White silk garment worn by the Pope 37 “… no one can enter the kingdom of God without being ___ of water and Spirit” (Jn 3:5) 38 Where the altar is located 39 Catholic dancer/actor Patrick ___ 40 Our Blessed ___ DOWN 2 Longest of the prophetic books of the Old Testament 3 Non-cleric 4 Catholic actor of “Godfather” fame 5 Biblical physician 6 Prophet in Luke (Lk 2:36) 7 Housing for the patriarchs

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No Expiry Date: ____/____ Signature: _____________ Name on card: I wish to be invoiced Send to: The Record, PO Box 3075, Adelaide Terrace WA 6832 Thailand. He is in need of religious items such as rosaries and holy medals for his local congregation and visitors. If you are able to help, please post items to: PO Box 35, Phuket 83000, Thailand or, if you are on holiday in Phuket, bring your donated items with you to church and stay for Mass! Fr Ferdinando can be contacted on tel: 076 212 266 or 089 912 899 or ronconi.css@gmail.com.

Panorama

The deadline for Panorama is Friday 5pm the week before the edition is published.

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How are you celebrating the

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Send your stories to parishes@therecord.com.au

S L E U T H

11 “…___, holy, Catholic and apostolic…” 12 “Blessed is the fruit of your ___” 13 “… all have sinned and ___ short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23) 15 False god of the Old Testament 16 Catholic custom of dropping into the church for a few minutes to say a quick prayer 19 Ham’s father 20 Evil deeds 21 “He is seated at the right ___ of the Father.” 22 Paradise Lost? 23 “I will bless those who bless you and ___…” (Gen 12:3) 26 Catholic Oscar-winning actor of “Leaving Las Vegas” fame 27 Type of angel that Michael is 28 Number of choirs of angels 30 “…male and ___ he created them.” (Gen 1:27) 31 ___ Heart of Jesus 32 Tribe of Israel 33 Transport for Peter and Andrew 34 Gaudete colour 35 Stuff of creation 37 Catholic cartoonist Keane of “Family Circus”

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

TheTRecord he Record LastBookshop W in ord 1911 The

October 31, 2012, The Record

November Catalogue BOOKS ON THE SAINTS OF THE CHURCH

FROM

$14

WHAT PRICE WOULD YOU PAY FOR FREEDOM? In the exhilarating action epic FOR GREATER GLORY an impassioned group of men and women each make the decision to risk it all for family, faith and the very future of their country, as the film’s adventure unfolds against the long-hidden, true story of the 1920s Cristero War, the daring people¹s revolt that rocked 20th Century North America. Academy Award® nominee Andy Garcia headlines an acclaimed cast as General Gorostieta, the retired military man who at first thinks he has nothing personal at stake as he and his wife (Golden Globe nominee Eva Longoria) watch Mexico fall into a violent civil war. Yet the man who hesitates in joining the cause will soon become the resistance’s most inspiring and self-sacrificing leader, as he begins to see the cost of religious persecution on his countrymen . . . and transforms a rag-tag band of rebels into a heroic force to be reckoned with. The General faces impossible odds against a powerful and ruthless government. Yet it is those he meets on the journey, youthful idealists, feisty renegades and, most of all, one remarkable teenager named Jose, who reveal to him how courage and belief are forged even when justice seems lost.

BIBIANA KWARAMBA Bookshop Manager

THE TRUE STORY OF CRISTIADA

FOR GREATER

GLORY IN STOR

NOW

Telephone: 9220 5912 Email: bookshop@therecord.com.au Address: 21 Victoria Square, Perth 6000