The Record Newspaper 10 August 1995

What's Inside ....

How to get men to keep their promises? An American solution spreading to Australia provides an answer - Page 5 Croatia's bishops support their country's reconquest of the Krajina as a just reclamation of stolen land - Page 2

PERTH, WA: August 10, 1995

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Bishops condemn the pill agai

By Peter Roseng en Natural family planning is not only a legitimate method for controlling the size of families, it is also more effective than contraceptive instruments such as the pill. the Australian Catholic Bishops Committee for Family and For Life has said in its latest pastoral letter to Catholics.

The fourth pastoral statement to be issued by the committee. entitled God's Gift of Life and Love, reaffirms the Church's traditional opposition to contraception and its support for natural methods of contolling family size.

Coming nearly thirty years after Pope Paul VI's heroic encyclical, flumanae Vitae. the letter calls on all Catholics, whether married or single, to come to a new appreciation of the importance and sacredness of married love and the Church's teaching on the transmission of life.

Welcoming the release of the letter. Archbishop Barry Hickey said that, contraception aside, natural family planning stood on its own as an effective and drug-free method of family planning.

He asked all clergy to also encourage young people to know what it is about.

The Church teaches very clearly that artificial contraception is wrong of its very nature and cannot be used by Catholics.

Silence about this matter could, and I'm sure, has, given the impression of a 'de facto' toleration of contraception by the Church," he said.

Also supporting the letter's release, Ann O'Donnell, Director of Natural Family Planning Services for the diocese of Perth, said that the advantages for couples who used the method included freedom from drugs and devices; freedom from unhealthy side effects; and no effect on future fertility. It was also a viable and effective method, she said.

Natural family planning is a method of birth regulation which relies on the accurate identification of the woman's natural cycles of fertility and infertility. The fertile phase in a woman's cycle can be recognised by a number of symptoms; this information can be used by couples to achieve or avoid a pregnancy as they desire.

Couples may be fertile for up to nine days within an average cycle so the amount of abstinence from sexual intercourse required by couples may vary depending on the specific cycle characteristics and their motivation to avoid pregnancy.

The pastoral letter also quotes the British Medical Journal, which says that while no method of fertility regulation, natural or technological, is 100 per cent reliable, modern methods of natural family planning have been found to be highly effective in

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Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church continue: abortion, euthanasia and suicide. Use them in spreading the Gospel in the workplace, family and neighbourhood- Page 15 Archbishop Hickey reflects on the end of World War II, reminding Australians that peace comes from within - Page 2

Heavy metal put to angelic Christian ends, for once

avoiding pregnancy among women from varied cultural, educational and economic backgrounds.

A number of studies have found the pregnancy rate to be less than 1 per cent among couples who did not want any more children, which was comparable to the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill and considerably higher than rates achieved by condoms and diaphragms, it said.

Planning a family was one of the responsibilities of married couples and they should always be free to determine their family's size, the letter said.

It explores the life-giving, unifying and dynamic aspects of married love and also explains some of the basic facts of natural family planning.

Presented in a short format, it explains not only the reasons for supporting natural methods of family planning but also quotes women and men who tell how it has benefitted their marriages.

One woman, Jennie, quit the pill and together with her husband began instruction in natural family planning.

We changed because I was sick of the side effects of the pill, so we weren't expecting the impact on our relationship that is already evident. Now our family planning is a shared responsibility. We communicate about our decisions more openly andI dont feel burdened like I used to when the onus was always on me," she said in the letter.

The bishops also point out that many couples are turning to natural family plan- Chris Curtin with the Iron Maiden at Aquinas College. ning to escape the burdensome side-effects of chemical contraception. They say that a major advantage of the use of natural methHis Art Master, Paul Jacobs, believes it's

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard ods is that they are not complicated and the largest scale work by a high school stucan be taught to anyone. dent he's seen and said Aquinas was proud Their letter says the use of natural methNo! This windmill is not a version of Don of Chris' effort and inspiration behind its ods also foster marriage-supporting charac- Quixote's dream but an impressive 5.4m- construction from the design through to the teristics in husbands and wives such as high iron and steel angel. finished product. self-awareness, self-control and communiAnd they may be windmill blades but But don't imagine this tall, lanky blonde cation skills which are essential for matu- they represent her wings. young man will be planting his sculptures rity and stable marriage relationships.

Aquinas College Year 12 Applied Art stu- around Perth because, although obviously Abstinence also encourages spouses to dent Chris Curtin certainly explored his artistic by nature, he intends returning to communicate about their sex life and to fund of creativity when he imagined her his family's farm at the end of his studies. appreciate its overall place in their mar- and scoured his family farm, Mirrola, in But he hopes one day to come back to riage, it says.

Beverley to gather materials, which his Aquinas and view again 'his angel' which Speaking from Adelaide, committee father then trucked down to Aquinas. he'll be leaving there for others to contemchairman Archbishop Leonard Faulkner The angel's face is a tractor seat, and her plate and admire. said the document's release was part of an form is made up from combine harvester But there's one more special touch to add ongoing series of statements by the Com- points, header teeth, corrugated iron gratmittee on family issues arising out of last ing from drench dips, washers, deep rip- - that of a garden which he'll establish near his angel's feet - which should make it year's International Year of the Family. ping points and other metal components.

Anyone interested in discovering more Named the Iron Maiden, the angel, set something of a contemplative area, espeabout natural family planning can contact into a half a metre depth of concrete out- cially in its beautiful and serene setting. either the Natural Family Planning Centre side the college's metal work centre, stands The sculpture features in the Aquinas Art in Perth on (09) 221 3866 or the Billings tall against a clutter-free backdrop of Exhibition which opened this Thursday Ovulation Method on (09) 339 5981 (coun- Aquinas' spacious grounds, the Canning from 9 am to 3.30 pm and concludes next try caller's, freecall 1800 81 9844 River and a beautiful blue sky, holding a Thursday 17 at 1.30 pm. with special viewFull text - Pages 8-9 book containing the rules for Eternal Life. ing this Sunday from 2 - 5 pm.

Peace comes from inner conversion to Christ

E Bishops of Australia made after the end of the Second nity. He has even called on the 1 111 1-ilave issued a statement on World War, because the signs of UN forces to disarm the aggresthe occasion of the end of the militarism and domination by sors.

Second World War with a call for lasting peace.

The Holy Father himself has Issued a message on the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in which he calls on young people to be "alert to the signs that the culture of hatred and death (that is) growing". He reminded them that most of those killed in war are young people.

Our 'IV screens have been full of pictures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki these past few days, and we have been reminded of the atrocities committed on our doorstep during the war in the Indian/Pacific region.

One would expect great rejoicing over the defeat of imperialistic forces fifty years ago, ushering in a new period of peace and security, but such is not the case.

Our celebrations are muted.

Our desire to mark the end of the World War is tempered by other events: East Timor, Bosnia, Rwanda, the Sudan, to name a few.

The end of the First World War was claimed to be "the war to end wars". No such claim was

major powers were already too But his words have fallen on obvious. deaf ears.

In the face of naked aggression Hatred, violence, numbing by powerful forces, one is under- a trocities and the spirit of standably tempted to resort to revenge still prevail. Are these arms to crush the aggressor. In the only sentiments that can certain limited circumstances issue forth from the human national military self-defence is heart? St Paul says that the Holy necessary and noble.

Spirit can bring forth "love, joy, But war is almost a self-defeat- peace, patient endurance, kinding response, because it rarely ness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity". (Galatians 5: 22settles the matter finally.

The Holy Father asks us as fol- 23). Clearly, there is another lowers of Christ, who himself way.

The truth is that human history was put to death by occupational forces, to search for other ways does not need to be a history of dealing with the forces of of wars. aggression, and with the whole The bleak prospect is that it increasing culture of death. might continue to be so, unless In addressing young people, there is a radical change in the the Holy Father asks them to human heart. "reject sterile and violent ideoloIt is one thing to point to world gies", and "renounce every form injustices like widespread of extreme nationalism and intol- poverty, the control of economic erance". "It is along these lines". and financial power in the hands he says, "that the temptation to of a few as the causes of war. But violence and war slowly but the real reasons go deeper into surely appears ". the human heart. That is where He frequently calls on the par- the power of Christ enters. ties involved in the Bosnian conJesus confronted what St Paul flict to work for peace, to negoti- calls the "dominion of darkness" ate with a view to pFotecting and overcame it by his death and human rights and human dig- resurrection. He established his

Bishops back Croat attack ZAGREB. Croatia (CNS) - Croatia's Catholic Bishops have defended their country's successful military attack on Serb-held territories in Croatia.

It was a -legitimate action of Croatia to liberate its own territory." said Cardinal Frani° Kuharic of Zagreb, president of the bishops' conference.

The cardinal expressed the hierarchy's views in a nationally televised speech last Saturday.

The August 6 edition of Glas Koncila. the weekly newspaper published by the bishops, contained an editorial supporting Croatia's action as the Government declared victory, saying it controlled the capital and key cities of the self-proclaimed Krajina Serb Republic. a strip of land along the Croatian border with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Cardinal Kuharic said the rebel Serb occupation of Croatia was illegal and caused hundreds of thousands of Croats to be -illegally and brutally expelled from their homes."

The cardinal asked Croatian fighters to uphold the Government's position that the human rights of noncombatants and wounded soldiers be respected in military operations.

The bishops' comments came shortly after Croatian troops began a major offen-

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The Record, August 10, 1995

Perspective kingdom of love and peace and invited us to enter through genuine conversion of hearts.

It is clear that no political solution alone will bring lasting peace. There must be a deep change in vision and attitude among peoples around the world and their leaders, and a rejection of racism, ethnic superiority, military domination and the spirit of revenge. The only way such a change in attitude will be maintained is through following the way of Christ.

Are we entitled to feel optimistic that such a change will occur? If we judge from a purely

From a purely human perspective the outlook for peace is bleak. But Christians are not to be pessimistic, because Jesus Christ Our Lord has already overcome the world. While we work for world peace, we must recognise the need for our own inner conversion.

The prophetic words of Zachary about the Messiah ring out: "He will give light to those in darkness, and those who dwell in the shadow of death, and guide us into the way of peace. " (Luke 1:79) Was this the prophecy St Peter had in mind when he tells his readers to lake it as a lamp for lighting a way through the dark until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds (2 Peter 1:19)?

Student composers praised

sive to regain territory held by rebel Serbs opposed to Croatia's 1991 declaration of independence from Yugoslavia.

At the time of the Croatian attacks, Serbs controlled about 30 percent of Croatia and about 70 percent of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Serb leaders have said that their rebellions are justified in order to protect Serb minorities in both newly independent countries.

United Nations officials and representatives of humanitarian agencies said the fighting resulted in the fleeing of as many as 200.000 Serbs into Serb-held Bosnian territory. Some described the fleeing has a humanitarian disaster.

Cardinal Kuharic said the Croatian decision to regain the territory was sparked by the incapacity of world organisations to protect victims of Serb actions.

-The principles of justice are still not upheld by international institutions to such an extent that they always protect the victim and deter the aggressor," he said.

-In the assessment of situations and the acts of those in power in the world, interests are more present than principles," he added.

Glas Koncilia said its support of Croatia's military actions -is not a blessing of war or weapons but a prayer for the defenders, for the people who sacrifice themselves against evil."

Zsott Eder, 11, of St Paul's primary School, Mt Lawley, helps launch the Performing Arts Festival at the Catholic Education Centre.

A Catholic School's Performing Arts Festival adjudicator, Andrew Sneddon, has given strong words of encouragement for two boys who performed their own works on the opening day of the festival.

Mr Sneddon praised Mazenod College Year 10 student, Hayden Wilson's performance as "excellent". Michael Fragomeni, a Year 7 student at Padbury Catholic Primary School, was also praised.

Hayden Wilson's composition was of the first two movements of a longer work entitled "Picasso's Circus".

Hayden is enthusiastic about his work

and already has to his credit the composition of the theme song for Mazenod College. His compositions of previous years have won him a scholarship to attend classes part-time at the Conservatorium of Music to further his talent.

Correction: In last week's report on the festival on page 6 of The Record, the venue for the Liturgical Music Festival on 21-22 August was incorrectly reported in copy supplied to The Record. It will be held at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Angelico Street, Woodlands.

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human standpoint the answer is 'no'. There is little to justify such optimism. Christianity in Western countries is in retreat, its values mocked and its adherents ridiculed. The culture of death is growing with the increased a cceptance of abortion and euthanasia. Family life, The guardian of morality, is increasingly under pressure.

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Land mine policy 'incomprehensible'

By Peter Rosengren Australian Catholic Reliefs representative in Cambodia has condemned the Australian Government's policy on the international crisis created by landmines as senseless.

Speaking in Perth, Ms Onesta Carpene, said there was no alternative to a total and universal ban on the production and distribution of anti-personnel landmines.

The Australian Government's failure to support such a ban is incomprehensible to me," Ms Carpene said.

While acknowledging the work

Onesta Carpene

being done to disarm mines by the Australian Government in Cambodia and a number of other countries, she said that it made no sense to spend millions of dollars disarming mines without at the same time supporting a complete ban.

She said the Australian Government supported only a ban on their use against civilians as distinct from military personnel.

The Government's support had to be total rather than partial, she added.

Nevertheless, she reported that the Government was now willing to support an international ban on all landmines that did not selfdestruct after a set period.

Ms Carpene was visiting Perth together with Australian Catholic Relief director Michael Whitely as part of a national tour to seek community support for the ban.

Australian Catholic Relief is one of approximately 80 Australian organisations calling for a total ban on anti-personnel landmines. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the Australian Medical Association, aid agencies and other church and community groups are also supporting the campaign.

As part of the campaign Ms Carpene is also publicising a national petition that is part of the international campaign to ban landmine production during

the review in September of a 1980 UN treaty that banned indiscriminate weapons of warfare.

The treaty has so far been ineffective. Ms Carpene's visit also coincided with the release of a statement by the heads of Western Australia's three largest religions calling on the Federal Government to review its policy regarding the international proliferation of landmines.

The Anglican Archbishop of Perth, Peter Carnley, the Moderator of the Uniting Church, Mrs Lillian Hadley and Archbishop Barry Hickey asked the Government to give unconditional support to a total international ban.

Bishops thank Aussie heroes Australia's Catholic Bishops have issued a pastoral letter calling on Catholics to make 15 August, the solemnity of Our Lady's Assumption into Heaven and the 50th anniversary of the end of World %Val. II. an occasion for prayerful commemoration.

Signed by Edward Cardinal Clancy. President of the bishops' conference, the pastoral letter reflects on the events of the war, issues of freedom and tyranny, the horrors of war, the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. and remembers those who fought in the war and those who lost their lives as a result of it.

"We give heartfelt thanks to God for the heroism of those men and women who fought for our country and its allies." the bishops said.

"At the same time, we must not exclude from our prayer's those who were Australia's enemies. It is an essential feature of Christian belief and practice that our love should be allinclusive and that we should live in a spirit of forgiveness. reconciliation and repentance." they said.

However, in condemning events such as the genocide of the Jews under Nazi rule, the bishops also said Australians should view the war in perspective and not ignore or forget the responsibility of the Allies for atrocities such as the fire-bombings of Dresden and Hamburg.

"In condemning the evil deeds of our opponents, above all the genocide committed during the Holocaust, we should not overlook indefensible

actions carried out by our own side, including the obliteration bombing of cities.

"Who could have envisaged the full extent of the horror involved in the blitzing and firebombing of cities? Nobody foresaw such an apocalyptic event as the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima or Nagasaki."

The bishops noted that while Australians could be thankful that the world had been spared another global conflict, there had nevertheless been 187 conflicts since 1945 that had killed more than 40 million people.

Citing the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Cardinal Etchegaray, they said that only sixty days of actual peace had been experienced by the world since the end of the war, while there were

currently 41 conflicts raging throughout the world.

The bishops also supported Pope John Paul ll's calls for peace and disarmament and said they recently supported a total ban on the production and use of anti-personnel landmines. The bishops are also opposed to the resumption or continuation of nuclear testing anywhere in the world, the letter said.

In Rome last Saturday. Pope John Paul recalled the -nightmare- of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and said it should lead all people to renew their commitment to peace and to the negotiated settlement of disputes as he offered prayers for the victims of the bombing and renewed his pleas for peace in BosniaHerzegovina.

Angela Papalia, left, and Anthea Jordan from Our Lady's Assumption primary school in Dianella hand out paper cranes symbolising peace before the peace service at St George's Anglican Cathedral last Sunday.

Anglican Archbishop Peter Carnley, left, the Japanese consul in Perth, and the Moderator of the Uniting Church in Western Australia, Lillian Hadley, release doves at St George's Anglican Cathedral last Sunday as a sign of peace to remember the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

ATTENTION: PARENTS Help your child to deal with anxiety and to grow in CONFIDENCE Sr SELF ESTEEM Notice improvement in schoolwork and see a happier child.

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Dates: Tuesday 29 August 7.30-9.30pm or Sunday 10 September 2-5pm Bookings & Enquiries: The Secretary, Institute of Human Development Phone: 349 6959

"I wanted to be sure Mum was happy with her funeral.

So I asked her."

FAMILY LAW Cross of Reparation The annual Cross of Reparation is flown over Australia on Thursday August 17th.

Feast of Our Lady's Hidden Mystical Wounds.

Pilgrims meet in Alice Springs where a special mass of Reparation is offered for the victims and perpetrators of abortion.

For those who would like to join in the Spirit of this Pilgrimage on Thursday August 17th, there will be a Walk of Reparation commencing at 10.15am from the Mercy Centre, 69 Morrison Rd. Midland and ending with a Ivlass of Reparation at 11.30am at St Mary's Church, James St. Guildford.

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WILLIAM CARR LL.M Barrister & Solicitor Level 8 1 50 St George's Terrace PERTH WA 6000 Tel: (09) 481 8844 Accredited by the Law Society of Western Australia and the Law Institute of Victoria as a Family Law Specialist

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The Record, August 10, 1995

3

[Companions for the needy TOMORROW TODAY

With the despair of some people about our young folk today, there are glimpses among their ranks telling of solid commitment to assist others, such as those with the Companions Volunteer Community.

The CVC is run by the Mercys, Jesuits and Christian Brothers, it has two operations in Victoria and Western Australia, and is based on four 'pillars' of a simple, spiritual lifestyle, working for justice, and living in community.

Currently there are two CVC members living at their Wembley base, a young woman from Perth, Anne Wayne, and Matthew Wilson from rural Victoria who spent two years at Melbourne University, living in the Jesuit-run Newman College.

Matthew works at Fremantle parish's St Patrick's Care Centre five days a week, which is a drop-in centre for 18 year olds upwards on low incomes within the Fremantle area.

They provide a midday meal, ablution block, table tennis, pool table, board games, reading material. TV, and social interaction plus social work services dealing with issues such as psychiatric, housing, finance, employment and addiction problems.

Matthew's role is to help wherever possible and said although it can be emotionally draining, it's also good to know you may have been able to help some people "and I think I'm learning a lot."

Social justice is part of his spirituality he believes, and extending his interest to "people out there," Matthew also helps out once a week (independent of CVC), on the Mobile Needle Exchange Van which operates throughout various suburbs daily and nightly.

It exchanges clean needles for dirty, swabs, sterile water, and offers advice on vein care. STD's and HIV. This service is run by the AIDS Council, and in Matthew's view it is valuable and well utilised.

But "It blows my mind the number of different people who use the service!"

Businessmen in suits and BMW's. students in private school uniforms, middle aged housewives - and a cross section of all levels of society seek out the van, said Matthew, who went on to say that he didn't

see it as a bad thing, "because most people don't realise the most lethal drugs freely utilised, are tobacco and alcohol."

Anne is a UWA Honours graduate in history who's spent some time travelling overseas and working in Ireland and England.

But having a professed desire for "integrity of belief and to lead a truly committed Christian lifestyle," Anne opted for a year to live in community ("very difficult," she concedes), to develop her spirituality, and work full time for justice for marginalised groups.

Within their community, Matthew and Anne set aside a half day each Friday for education and formation, and being in the CVC has distinct advantages of gaining exposure to areas otherwise unavailable to seek out. said Anne, such as feminist theology and creation spirituality, and speaking to Father Walter Black of the Bioethics Centre.

Anne does voluntary work at Anawim, an Aboriginal women's refuge in East Perth, and also at the Subiaco Christian Centre for social action.

The latter is involved with education and advocacy "challenging the structures that lead to oppression and injustice," said Anne, "but we're committed to non-violence and protest against war, land mines, campaigning against the death penalty, and changing the justice system to a more just one, so that both parties, victim and offender can be reconciled."

And despite being exposed at Anawim to things such as "rape, violence, and serious illness, it's a joyful place to work in where there's life and incredible forgiveness underneath it all. and I'm privileged to work with the Aboriginal people."

Admitting she's expanded. and received SO much more than she's given them, Anne said she experiences God through the world, and that "God is right here in the midst of the work I'm doing.

"I am being a part of what Jesus called us to do, which is restoring right relationships."

Her work there entails admitting the women when they arrive, working out a plan for what they want while there, and driving them to social security, the courts, and for medical attention.

Leaders explore journey

Above, Matthew Lane, right, with Paul Knott at St Patrick's Care Centre in Fremantle and, below, Anne Wayne, left, at Anawim with young Donnelle and Justin Michael, watched

by Rhoddessa Kelly and Muriel Bowie, right.

Uni ball looms

The University of Western Australia's University Catholic Society, along with students from other universities, is well advanced in its preparation for its annual ball.

The ball is to be held at Mulberry Farm on the Swan River at 7.30 pm 6 September. The night is open to all young Catholic adults, so consider making up a table and coming along.

Tickets are good value at S45, which includes a buffet meal and unlimited soft drinks, wine and beer. For more information and ticket purchase don't hesitate to call Trish 479 7119, Liz 364 3291 or Mike 401 6517. It promises to be a very special evening.

Lunch and Mass with Us

Organising a prayer session at the Luke 18 weekend Youth leaders from various Luke context of leaders working together 18 groups throughout the metropol- in groups. itan area gathered together at This was a great opportunity for Eagle's Nest, Gidgegannup, on the the leaders to interact with other weekend of 21-23 July to experience leaders from different parishes and the Eutychus Journey for the first enabled them to encourage and time. support each other in the work they Based-nn the story of Eutychus, are doing. The weekend highparticipants followed Eutychus' lighted the many gifts. talents and journey of exploration as he seeks strengths that the leaders of Luke to find out more about Jesus.

18 have to offer in their ministry.

Guided along the journey by Coordinators of Luke 18, Liz and Michael Celenza, the weekend was Mike Foley were generously filled with fun. surprises, games and assisted in the running of the week'different' activities. It was set in the end by Gaye and Ian Margetic and 4

The Record, August 4 ^ 1995

Come to the Youth and Young Adult Office for Mass and lunch with the staff of the

Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry each Thursday at 12.15pm 30 Claverton Street North Perth Bring your own lunch

1996- A YEAR THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE

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Changing promise givers to promise keepers

By Peter Rosengren A movement that has swept the United States Christian world looks set to take off in Australia, bringing with it a renewed commitment on the part of men to their wives, their families and their faith.

A recent inaugural meeting of Promise Keepers, the name of the new movement, held at the South Perth Church of Christ, Como, saw about 100 men from a crosssection of denominations attend together with several clergy.

Cross -denominational and open to all men, Promise Keepers sets out to assist men to keep the promises they have already made in their lives at times like baptism, confirmation and marriage.

A movement for lay men, Promise Keepers challenges men

to become what it terms 'difference-makers' in their homes, their relationships, their churches and even their countries.

"For too long men have been promise givers," local founding member Reg Firth said, "now they have to be promise keepers."

Men who become part of the Promise Keepers movement are committed to seven promises.

They commit themselves to honour Christ; to pursue vital relationships with a few other men; to practice spiritual, moral and sexual purity; to build strong marriages through love and biblical values; to pray for spiritual leaders in their own church; to reach beyond racial and denominational boundaries for unity; and to be obedient to God's commandments of love and evangelism.

Jews an Christians to meet A proposed ecumenical organisation for Christian and Jews in Western Australia hopes to help the two groups improve relations and realise what they share in common, according to Greenwood parish priest, Father Pat Ahern.

Fr Ahern is the Catholic representative on a working group for the establishment of a Council of Christians and Jews in Western Australia.

He said the council was due to be launched in September, but cautioned that it was not a body designed to win converts from one faith to the other.

"Its part of a world-wide network." he said. "It's purely dialogue. It's not meant to be political and it's not meant to be missionary in the sense of proselytising."

Fr Ahern said he hoped the council would promote a common understanding of things that were shared by both faiths and a better understanding of each other.

"We're hoping for ... on-going meetings covering such things as aspects of liturgy and major festivals. religious music, culture and history," he said.

Fr Ahern said Christianity had developed out of Judaism and "we're beginning to realise more and more that there's common ground coming through."

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference had issued outlines for Catholic-Jewish relations

in 1985, a first for the conference.

The outlines had been issued for a number of reasons, including a background increase in r acism against various ethnic groups; a growing interest in inter-faith relations, especially with the increased numbers of refugees entering Australia; the use of fundamentalism in Scripture interpretation; and the large number of Holocaust survivors in Australia.

The objects of the WA council are to promote the education of Christians and Jews to better appreciate each other's distinctive beliefs and practices; to promote the study and research of historical conflicts between Christians and Jews; to promote education in the fundamental ethical teachings common to Christianity and Judaism; and to provide a forum for issues of common interest.

Father Ahern said that his own interest in Christian-Jewish relations went back over many years.

He has been the Catholic representative in Perth for the Catholic biblical apostolate and has travelled to Israel four times.

He said one of his most interesting trips had been in 1977 when he had travelled to Israel with a group made up half of Christians and half of Jews. One of the group which travelled to the Holy Land was the former chief rabbi of the Perth Hebrew Congregation. Rabbi Coleman.

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Each promise is spelt out. For example, the first of the movement's promises entails a commitment to honour Christ through worship, prayer and obedience to God's Word in the power of the Holy Spirit, a promise that a man would have made at baptism, or even at marriage.

Promise Keepers simply helps men to honour their commitments.

Mr Firth said the movement started with just 72 men in 1990.

Five years later American organisers are expecting 500-600,000 men to attend Promise Keeper's rallies throughout the United States this year.

US Promise Keepers rallies are often held in football stadiums because they are the only kind of venues big enough to hold the number's being attracted to meetings.

Stadium's filled with in excess of 50,000 men are now a normal and achievable - goal on the part of the movement.

The movement started in Australia 12 months ago.

Hearing of the American phenomenon, Melbourne men travelled to the US to see for themselves what the movement was like. Impressed by what they saw, they brought it back to Australia.

US Promise Keepers: a front row A recent rally in Brisbane saw for Christ 600 men attend while another in As a result of Promise Keeper's Melbourne saw 400 participate. being founded in WA there were "It's a small beginning, but it's already 8 men's groups meeting just started." said Mr Firth. regularly and a similar number of "The idea is also to support one women's groups, he said. another in our Christian work" Using a Promise Keepers book Mr Firth said the ultimate as the basis for discussion. the objective of the movement was to meetings cover a range of topics create small groups of men that encapsulated in the movement's meet on a regular basis to sup- goals. port and encourage each other in Mr Firth can be contacted on keeping their Christian promises. (09) 245 2662.

Redoubtable Dr Cassidy to speak Delegates to the recent state conference in Perth of the Catholic Women's League had their conference appetites whetted late last month when they told Dr Sheila Cassidy, (whose incarceration and torture in Chile attracted world attention many years ago), would be the keynote speaker at their forthcoming national conference to be held at Aquinas College this October.

Sister Anne Noonan OLM, guest speaker at the recent state conference, told of her time in Burma and her work with the poor.

CWL members were given an outline of the atrocities committed by the military after the country was placed under martial law in 1988. and she asked for prayers for the people of Burma and Vietnam.

A call came from the CWL national president, Georgie Bruce-Smith. to carry on work started by Blessed Mary MacKillop and to help realise the objectives of the CWL, which are to promote the spiritual, cultural. intellectual and social development of women.

In September. 30,000 women from around the globe will be a ttending the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in China's capital, Bei-

Anne Martin, front row left, of Mt Barker, Judy Mason of BusseIton, Lorraine Hughes of Dumbleyung, and Karynn Kammann of Manjimup at the recent CWL state conference. ling, and two representatives of the Catholic Women's League Australia will be attending. with delegates working very hard to promote the moral and social issues that we claim as Catholic women," Mrs Bruce Smith said.

She also told members Australia's Catholic bishops were keen for women to dialogue with them as part of their current consultation with women.

The CWL stated its support for the Choice for Families National

Australia Remembers Mass

A special Australia Remembers Mass has been organised by the Knights of the Southern Cross for St Mary's Cathedral on Tuesday 15 August at 7.30pm to give thanks for the end of World War II 50 years ago on that date.

The Mass will ask for God's blessings and Our Lady's protection for Australia and be offered for the souls of all who lost their lives through that Ii

1,var and all wars. The organisers hope the Mass will help younger Australians understand how the young people of 50 years ago secured their future.

The Australia Remembers Mass will also honour August 15 as the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven as well as the date Mary. as Queen of Peace, prevailed over World War II hostilities.

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Association by encouraging membership. Delegates were asked to be aware of strategies for lobbying the Federal Government in the lead up to the next election.

They were also told the CWL was flourishing throughout the state.

Mrs Anne Power was installed as CWL State President for a further 12 months.

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The Record, August 10, 1995

5

The joy of forty years labour and many parish friendships

By Peter Rosengren

OUR WO IS A LAM? TO GUIDE ME AND A LAGIAT FOR

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Two priests celebrated 40 years of priesthood with Masses last weekend in Osborne Park and Lockrike, both marking milestones of commitment to Christ and the Church.

They were Fathers Dan Foley of Lockridge and Anton Hesse of Osborne Park Both were ordained by the then bishop (later Archbishop) Goody of Bunbury on August 6, 1955.

Franciscan Father Michael Brown of Midland was also ordained with them.

Reflecting on his 40 years of service, Fr Foley said that it was great just to see old friends again.

"You often wonder, as a priest, how the people you've been with in parishes - especially the young - are and where they've gone." he said.

"Looking back, the great thing about celebrating anniversaries is to hear from so many people I've been with in the parishes."

"They've been good years,

happy years, and one of the joys of being a priest," he said.

Fr Foley was initially appointed to the then busy parish of Leederville after his ordination and held a series of appointments in mainly metropolitan parishes.

However, he was also the pioneering priest at Kambalda.

64km south-east of Kalgoorlie, and spent 5 years there building it up.

"It was an interesting experience to start a parish off from scratch," he said.

"It was also my first experience of a mining town, and a bit of an eye-opener from my point of view."

Fr Foley also studied Scripture in the Holy Land.

Both men can lay claim to being pioneers in their own unique ways.

Fr Hesse also spent time on the goldfields and would often go out on the Trans Line, the railway line across the Nullarbor, travelling on the tea and sugar train to say Mass for the settlers' gangs.

"In the early days I would go out to say Mass on the line and occasionally end up sleeping underneath a truck" he said.

"It was pioneering stuff. You carried your Mass kit in one hand and your clothes in the other." Asked if he could ever have been anything other than a priest, he said he thought not. "I don't think so. It was from a very early stage that I started off and wanted to serve God," he said.

He also described himself as being very much a "hands-on" type of priest working in the parishes.

"I'm very much a field man," he said.

"Ihave enjoyed very much the interaction of priest and people and their love and their loyalty."

He said that one of the good things about his experience of the priesthood had been God's goodness and enjoying the spiritual journey of his parishioners as much as his own. Archbishop Hickey attended both Masses.

Fr Anton Hesse, above, thanking his friends and parishioners for their good wishes; below, Fr Dan Foley wonders what will happen next as he stands with parishioners after their 'Sister Act Ill' performance in his honour; and right, a 'way we were in 1955' combination: young Frs Foley, left, and Peter Quinn, followed below by the 'way we are now' at Fr Foley's anniversary celebration with Fr Quinn now a bishop. Has Fr Foley discovered the secret of eternally youthful looks?

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The Record, August 10, 1995

Australia Remembers The Knight's of the Southern Cross invite you and your family to join with them ON THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION, Tuesday, August 15, 1995 at Holy Mass at ST. MARY'S C ATHEDRAL at 7.30pm Principal Celebrant: Archbishop Barry J. Hickey The organisers hope that by linking generations of Australians, younger Australians will know and understand how the young people of 50 years a go secured their futures. It is hoped that the emotions captured by the Australia Remembers campaign will live on in the hearts of all Australians for many generations to come.

On August 15th at the Mass we will ask for Gods blessings and Our Lady's protection. We will pray in earnest for the theme of reconciliation in this International Year of Tolerance, especially among the many ethnic cultures that now make up our society.

Many people have been scarred by wars in their own countries. What a wonderful way to celebrate our own desire for reconciliation and peace with each other!

In this "International Year of Tolerance'. we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of peace since World War II. Together with the Army, Navy and Air Force on this Feast on the Assumption, we ask the Queen of Peace for continued protection of Australia.

Psychologists, Counsellors, Therapists

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WORKSHOP I - REACHING THE HARD-TO-REACH CHILD Date: 7.30pm Friday 1 September to 3pm Sunday 3 September WORKSHOP II- HEALING THROUGH PLAY Date: 7.30pm Friday 8 September and Saturday 9 September 1995 9 am - 4pm WORKSHOP III - THERAPEUTIC STORYTELLING Date: 9am - 3.30pm Monday 18 September 1995 BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES: The Secretary, Institute of Human Development Phone: 349 6959

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,Xe/kze44y First seek God's kingdom...

While reading last week's cover article on the leadership row of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, I noticed one thing missing - namely God. What does God's word say about the issue of material poverty? Doesn't the ousted president, Brian Murnane, know the Gospel incident where Judas chastises Jesus for allowing a woman of ill-repute for annointing his feet with perfume?

"You shall always have the poor with you ..." the Lord rebukes (John 12:8). This world is a place of dualities - cold and heat, love and hate, beautiful and ugly, honour and shame, rich and poor - need I go on?

I'm not suggesting we shouldn't bother helping the poor (I'm a practical supporter of the Society myself) but the fact remains that we will always be surrounded by poverty, and in our particular country we find a state of spiritual poverty, which is for more tragic than material want.

Mr Murnane is seeking to address the real causes of poverty, and to my mind the major cause is simply human greed and selfishness. This problem can only be saved by the hearts of individuals beim; softened by the love of God. Therefore, the best way to combat greed would obviously be to spread the good news of God's unconditional love. I'm sure this is the ultimate aim of all the volunteer welfare work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul - to bring people to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - even if it is in a more inconspicous manner.

I firmly believe in the words of our Lord: "First seek the kingdom of God... and everything shall be given to you." (Matt

Confession: potent force The Bosnian crisis has degenerated beyond the capabilities of the "United" Nations and NATO to act as much more than helpless accessories and the conflict could spread beyond the Balkans given the indignation the atrocities have aroused in the Islamic nations.

Is it sheer coincidence that a Bosnian village has been the place where the Blessed Virgin Mary has revealed the only possible resolution to this terrible threat to world peace?

Mary's messages at Medjugorje have been given to children in the plainest terms, which anyone can understand, but it is a deplorable fact that many Catholics remain unmoved.

Mary's appeals to the Church are perfectly clear: pray, fast, repent and become reconciled to God before it is too late to avert a world-wide disaster.

"Open your hearts to Jesus. Put the cross at the centre of your life. Jesus is giving you special gifts from the cross.

Take them and live. Meditate on the Passion of Jesus. Unite your life to Jesus. Pray daily. Pray to the Holy Spirit and consecrate each day to Him. Have family prayers each evening. You must protect yourselves against evil through fasting and prayer, especially

gram in what we were give to understand would be an objective assessment of religion in the 90's. The irresponsible and haphazard editing of the section on "Montserrat" gave a completely distorted 6:33) view of what we are on about.

The day that the Mass was filmed hapThomas H. Eslam pened to be at the beginning of National Highgate Aboriginal Week For this reason we had someone playing the didgeridoo as an expression of our solidarity with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters. None of this shown. The super-impoI am a devoted mother of three children Introduction was during the Elevation of Reading a of sition and for the past six years my husband. given the impression have could Mass the myself and my family have been under a change the Mass. to trying were we that see. lot of mental and physical strain. You was that this situation the of reality The my oldest son has been an addict (subGriffiths' Bede from taken was Reading stance abuse). and was Compassion of River The book I and him on up given never have We our before and Mass the before long done have prayed continuously to the Sacred comwas Mass The morning prayer.

Heart placing my trust in Him to help our pletely according to the Roman Canon and son and to come into our son's life. the Mass Early July he was in a very bad way - as the Eucharistic Prayer was from Reconciliation. for he had been many times before threatenWe are not trying to introduce any Buding his life as well as others. elements into our Christian way of dhist On Saturday morning 8 July I spoke to him over the phone. He said: "Goodbye, life. We're merely entering into dialogue life was just too hard". I searched for two with Buddhism and Buddhists as recomCardinal Arinze. holy pictures, one of the Sacred Heart and mended by the Pope and any misconcepmuch very regret We the other the Immaculate Heart of Mary. program. We this by conveyed tions We had moved two years ago and I had SBS to have expected have not would I As them. hanging to around got not based on superficial so something made cleaned the pictures and hung them I and religion of ignorance obvious quite prayed constantly to the Sacred Heart.

Sunday afternoon, my son rang. He was spirituality. inebriated and affected by drugs. He Fr Roger McGinlay asked to see me but I said no. I continued Fr Michael lkitifsud to talk with him over the phone, pleading "Monserrat", Millgrove with him to seek help as I had done many times before - he hung up.

That evening he rang, asking to go somewhere for help. We took him to Bridge House where he went voluntarily and stayed there for ten days. He is now in The recent troubles of Mr Rob Riley and an ongoing rehabilitation live-in program. how he handled the consequences are an We are taking one day at a time and object lesson to our St George's Terrace want to thank the Sacred Heart of Jesus captains. and His Blessed Mother for their help.

Mr Riley publicly apologised in a humParents who have been through a simi- ble manner. What a contrast to the proceslar experience will tell you how frustrating sion of 'forgetful' "I did no wrong" high flylife can become when all human advice ers of both sexes. Not a skerrick of and help fail. remorse there.

Faith and providence prevailed - in If there is or was, it is/was well hidden. helping our son to seek help.

Although not agreeing with Mr Riley on some issues, I believe he has shown a Name and address supplied. quality largely absent from our society as a whole - humility.

The example of humble contrition for a personal failing should go a long way in amelioration.

We would like to express publicly our I hope his people, and every one else, profound disappointment with the quite learn the lesson of alcohol's danger. on SBS unprofessional program "Insight" Peter Bertola television on 3 August.

We were asked to be part of this pro- Gairdner

Never despair

Lesson to all

Superficial report

attack on Poland, should have been also charged. They should have been charged because of the mass killings of Polish POW's; because they tortured their own citizens and the citizens of other nations; because they deported, just as Hitler did, the peoples of the Baltic, the hundreds of community prayer. Communities of thousands if not millions of non-Soviet prayer are necessary in all parishes. who had to be eliminated. peoples Spiritual renewal is needed for the The British annihilated the French fleet entire Church." at Mers el Kebir, as they did not wish to If these appeals are heeded, then continue the war after the armistice with "through fasting and prayers you can Germany was signed. Over 1,000 Frenchstop wars." men died in that unprovoked attack Not a Our required response to the world's lesser war crime than many others. terrible godlessness involves a wholeThe fire-bombing of open German hearted and thorough-going spiritual cities, had those been committed by Gerreconciliation with our Saviour and I mans or Japanese, would have resulted in believe there is something which war crime trials.

James Bacque's book, Other Losses, is parishes could do to greatly assist the an indictment of the US Army Command spiritual renewal of the Church: reinfor conniving with Eisenhower to facilitate state the Litany of the Sacred Heart the demise of near one million German every Friday.

POWs in captivity.

I firmly believe the Church is in dire The USA and the British, to an extent, need of this Litany. To those Catholics were responsible for the forced also who accept Mary's declaration that of ethnic Russian, Tartar and deportation "monthly confession will be a remedy who decided to take up soldiers other for the Church in the West", I suggest arms against the USSR. As they served in that the regular, fulsome, open confesGerman units they should have been sion of this penitential rite would reinaccorded, under the Geneva Convention. force regular personal confession and total protection of the states which took be a potent force in the Church's strugthem prisoner. gle against the subtle as well as the blaWith the use of gas, arms and amid beattant evils which threaten to destroy our ings, those unfortunates, together with civilization. their wives and children were delivered to the Red Army which often on the spot Hugh Clift them. murdered Lesmurdie No one expects miracles. But would it not be nice if a gesture were to be forthcoming from the nations, who only sat in judgement on those who lost the war but were never subjected to scrutiny themMy wife and I would like to congratulate selves, to account for what they did, which was not quite the right thing to do. For, the following:• The editor, for his new-look Record, believe me. Hiroshima. Nagasaki, Dresand the vast amount of news he has made den, Tokyo, Mers el Kabir were not places where nice things were done in the right available to us. all in one paper; • Nana Howard for her wonderful arti- way.

On the 50th anniversary of the dropping cle "Ancient light shines softly in Como of the bombs, let's pray for the souls of Church". in The Record (29 June).

• Colleen Mc-Guiness-Howard, for her those killed so needlessly and for those article "The Little Angel of Northbridge". who committed those horrible sins, so that their sins may by forgiven, even if atonein The Record of 29th June. is ignored. ment Well Our best wishes to The Record. done.

John C Veszely Nollamara G.E. Howard North Perth Editor's note: I am assured by Colleen that Mr Howard is not a relative of hers.

Looking good

Light of nations

Of double standards Your articles on the 50th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings are a potent reminder of military and political leaders' inhumanity to mankind (27 July).

Justice and humanity should dictate that when one expects the Japanese to apologize and pay compensation, just as the Germans did to victims of the Holocaust, perhaps the Americans, British, Russians etc., should make similar gestures. I would find nothing at all wrong for the USA to declare that its fire-bombings of Hamburg.

Dresden, Tokyo and the dropping of mass destruction terror weapons on unprotected women and children was criminal.

History tells us that neither Hiroshima nor Nagasaki was a purely military target.

A quarter of a million Japanese died in the two cities. The only military dead were some 250 soldiers and about an equal number of Allied POWs. The most disgusting aspect from a Catholic's point of view is that the US Air Force used the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the Far East, in Nagasaki, as a target-marker and exploded the bomb over it.

More and more people all over the world view the bombing of defenceless women and children as a "pointless apocalypse". There are people who see little difference between war crimes, for which too many people had been tried and executed and the crimes perpetrated against the inocents of the cities bombed without mercy.

All those who committed acts classed as true war crimes, not only German or Japanese, should have been tried.

The Soviet leaders, partners of Hitler's

I should like to commend our brothers and sisters who are so concerned for our environment; but in a world of so much pollution caused by man's interference in the natural God-given gifts so necessary for our life here,I find the debate on burning candles a little irrelevant other than the need for providing fire-safe areas and stable stands. Let he who does not drive a car emitting stinking exhaust fumes, or use electricity or gas cast the first stone.

Guerric of Igny commenting on Luke 2: Lighting our votive candles reminds us of Simeon taking in his arms Jesus, "who was latent in a body as light is in wax", declaring him the light of the nations.

As we light our next candle, let us remember "the lamps our Lord commanded us to have in our hands", "enkindled from the candle alight in Simeon's hands". "Come to him and be enlightened so that you do not so much carry lamps as become them, shining within and without for yourselves and your neighbours".

"Before God our lamp is a singleminded resolve to please him alone to whom we have commended ourselves."

"In order to light all these lamps for yourselves, approach the source of light and become enlightened - I mean Jesus who shines in Simeon's hands to light up your faith."

Let us then approach in awe, love, faith and prayer the Lord, God Almighty and the Lamb shining in radiant glory for our world in the New Jerusalem, laying before Him our worries and fears, giving thanks and praise for He alone can change the hearts of men and give new life. Let us with Jesus offer our lives as a Mass for the life of our world. To God alone be all honour and glory forever.

Susan Lambert Kalamunda The Record, August 10, 1995

7

God's Gift of Life and Love: A Pastoral Letter to Catholics on Family Planning from the Australian Catholic Bishop's Committee for the Family and for Life

A life open to love and children Planning Families: The Responsibility Of Married Couples

Married couples should regard it as their proper mission to transmit human life and to educate their children: they should recognise that they are thereby cooperating with the love of God the Creator and are, in a certain sense, its interpreters. (Gaudium et Spes. N 50) Planning a family is one of the responsibilities of married couples and they should always he free to determine the size of their family (Families: Our Hidden Treasure. p.

23).

The fertility of a couple is a special bond between husband and wife and part of the intimate, exclusive giving of themselves to each other in marriage. Some couples are happy to leave the size of their family to God's providence. generously choosing to raise a large family, exercising their freedom to take no action to avoid conception.

There are other couples anxious to have a child or a further child, who find they are unable to achieve a pregnancy.

There are times when, for reasons relating to health, economic factors or the well-being of other children, a couple judge it would be wiser not to bring a child into the world at this time. In relation to such decisions, the Catholic Church recognises that natural family planning (referred to as NFP) is a legitimate means for regulating birth and an expression of responsible love.

In order to understand why the Church actively promotes natural methods of family planning and does not condone the use of contraceptives or procedures which lead to the termination of life already conceived requires an understanding of the sacred nature of the marriage bond and the role of marital love in the lives of couples.

What Is NFP? Natural family planning is a method of birth regulation which relies on the accurate identification of the woman's natural cycles of fertility and infertility. The fertile phase in a woman's cycle is recognised by a number of symptoms, including observation of the vaginal discharge of cervical mucus and body temperature.

Once a couple learns how to recognise the woman's fertile phase, they can use the information to achieve or avoid a pregnancy as they desire, without the use of chemical agents or devices.

The primary methods of natural family planning are the Billings Ovulation Method and the Sympto-Thermal Method.

The original Calendar Rhythm is another natural method and, although less reliable, is still used by some couples.

8

The Record, August 10, 1995

Disillusioned with the chemical body-polluting pill, many health-conscious people have taken to NFP

in the very being of man Marital Love is Life-giving inscribed and of woman. By safeguarding

The communion of husband and wife through the act of conjugal love is a source of life, not just to the couple but to all who come in contact with them. Authentic love by its very nature extends outwards drawing others into its circle, thereby expanding the communion of love.

Most of us know of married couples whose homes are places of warmth and hospitality. People love to gather there and draw strength from the love they share with the wider conununity: extended family, neighbours, people in distress. Pope John Paul II refers to this dimension of married life as the civilisation of love.

The life-giving nature of marital love can be felt in many ways, but it has special significance in the procreative element of married life. When a couple express their love through the act of intercourse, they enter a language of love which speaks of chaste intimacy, permanency, faithfulness, unity and the willingness to 'surrenderall' and 'accept all'.

It is a fundamental statement of the meaning of the marital communion. Thus we speak of sexual intercourse not just as one act among many actions in married life (like working, doing domestic chores). but as a special kind of embodiment of all the love that the couple brings to the marital relationship. Through this one act, a couple says: "I give my total self as a woman and call forth in you the fullness of your manhood"; "I surrender myself completely as a man and acknowledge the fullness of your womanhood."

It is within this faithful "yes" to one another at such a profound depth of human intimacy that the creation of new life becomes a possibility. Through this intimate language of love. God joins with the couple in being "co-creators" of life by imparting the spark of divine life to the couple in the creation of a new human being.

Indeed, by its intimate structure. the conjugal act, while most closely uniting husband and wife capacitates them for the generation of new lives, according to laws

both these essential aspects, the unitive and the procreative, the conjugal act preserves in its fullness the sense of true mutual love and its ordination towards our most high calling to parenthood.

(Humanae Vitae, N 12) It is within the context of this loving and life-giving communion that the Church affirms the inseparable connection between the two meanings of sexual intercourse in marriage: the unitive meaning and the procreative meaning.

The Church's great respect for the physical union that takes place between married couples and its unique place as a sign and source of communion in the fidelity of the marital relationship, provides the essential context for understanding the Church's teaching on family planning.

Married Love is Unifying 'When my husband andIcome together to physically expiwNb our love,Iam conscious of something sacred happening. For us, sexual intimacy is a sacred 'rite' thmugh which we renew and regenerate the love bond between us. This love is a delicate balance between the nourishment we give each other through our intimacy and the nourishment we pmvide to other people in our lives including our children. (Sue, aged 36 years) The gift of married love is the unique and distinctive expression of human intimacy. Through the covenant of marriage, the life of a woman and the life of a man become intertwined in a profound and pervasive way. So total is their self-giving to one another that they live no longer as two individuals but as 'two in one flesh'.

Furthermore, this intimacy is experienced in a profound way.

Not just confined to the physical or genital act of intercourse, the married couple's intimate loving involves a way of relating that permeates their entire lives. Through countless routine interactions in daily life, a husband is called to respond to his wife as 'the woman of his life', and she to her husband

Natural family planning: children are ths fruit of a true love and grow 14411tin that love. as 'the man of her life'. Their sexual way of relating and the unity and permanency it implies makes their love different to every other man-woman friendship they may encounter. This is the 'exclusivity' of married love which sets it apart from all other human relationships.

Loving and Life Giving: A Dynamic Unity Watching our three year-old son play with his building blocks, at timesIam tempted to interfere and help him. Yet somehow this would intrude on his discovery and diminish his accomplishment.

Clearly the more loving action is to keep a watchful eye, ready to affirm and appreciate. I think the difference between family planning by natural means and artificial means can be described in similar terms. While contraceptive methods can control fertility, natural methods allow us to manage the gift of fertility which comes from God. Controlling fertility engenders a sense of dependency and ultimately our sexual selfappreciation is diminished. Managing our fertility through natural methods empowers us to responsibly plan our family without undermining our need to be fully present to each other as sexual, fertile beings. (Chris. father of three children) Many people ask: "What's the difference between choosing not to conceive through NFP and choosing not to conceive through contraceptive intercourse?" After all, they say, the result is the same: a pregnancy is avoided. In responding to such questions, the Church highlights the deeper meaning of the act of sexual intimacy rather than just its biological consequences.

Reconcile, and revisit teaching It is nearly thirty years since the encyclical Humanae Vitae was first published. In that time, a number of marvellous developments have occurred. The work of researchers has refined methods of Natural Family Planning to a high degree of reliability, making their practical application a great deal easier than was the case in the 1960s. We have seen, too, the emergence of movements and organisations of married couples who in various ways are exploring the intricacies of married love and assisting each other in the journey of married life.

Ills with hope and enthusiasm that we wish to draw the attention of the whole community to

these developments and, in particular, to the experience of those couples who have discovered for themselves the benefits of natural family planning and the wisdom of the Church's teaching concerning the transmission of life.

At the same time, we recognise that many people harbour deep hurts relating to this area of Church teaching. Often these hurts have been aggravated by poor communication and confusion within the Church itself. At times couples have felt judged and criticised by church leaders.

Conversely, many leaders have felt attacked by their own people. To all parties we offer our empathy and invite the channels

of reconciliation to be opened up so that together we may examine this teaching afresh without recourse to blame and criticism.

We call all the people in the Church in Australia - married. single, clergy, religious - to a renewed appreciation of the sacredness of married love and of the great sign of love and life which our couples witness to us.

For it is only within the context of a deeper understanding of the meaning of married love that we can fully appreciate the Church's teaching on the transmission of life.

Archbishop Leonard Faulkner Chairman, Bishops' Committee For the Family and For Life.

The promotion of natural methods of family planning by the Church goes hand in hand with the promotion of an attitude to sex, to love, to life itself. Without this attitude it is possible that NFP will be used with a contraceptive mindset. The letter of the law will he adhered to, but the spirit could be lost. This is an inadequate expression of the Church's teaching on responsible family planning.

The Church cannot condone contraception because it alters the meaning of the sexual act itself. To deliberately and wilfully cut off one's fertility in the very moment that life could begin creates an intrinsic contradiction.

On the one hand, a spouse is surrendering his/her whole self. Yet in the midst of that surrender there Is a denial experienced by the couple who, in effect, say to each other No,I will not offer you all of me. No, I will not accept all of you In this way an implicit "falsehood" becomes embedded in an activity which opposes its intrinsic value as a source and expression of unconditional love.

The very act which has the capacity to express the completeness of the couple's self-surrender instead becomes an act of holding back of one's deepest self. It is out of respect for this deep communication between a husband and wife in marriage that the Church cannot condone contraception. By its stance the Church is protecting the precious meaning of the marital covenant and the promotion of life.

highly effective in achieving pregnancy in many situations.

By education in NFP, diagnosis and correction of reproductive abnormalities by competent doctors can be facilitated. Couples are given the best possible opportunity of conceiving by following the natural indicators of fertility, particularly the essential ingredient of fertility, the cervical mucus secretion.

Apart from being very successful in alleviating infertility. NFP avoids the physical and moral dangers of modern techniques of assisted reproduction.

Waiting is An Expression of Married Love

What makes NFP unpopular to many in the community is that it involves abstinence, a time of - waiting". We live in a society where we have grown to expect instant availability - fast food, fast service, quick-fix solutions, instant gratification. Even sex has become a commodity to be had - NOW! Our culture makes it difficult to appreciate the value of waiting.

It is true that this is not always easy for couples and is part of the many sacrifices entailed in married living. The immediate frustration of waiting must never be allowed to eclipse the enduring value of waiting.

Yet, the call to patiently endure Is a feature of many aspects of the Christian life and is always aimed at bringing about an even deeper joy and love. There are times in marriage when intercourse may oot be an act of love, e.g.. when one partner is ill, just prior to or just Hope for the Childless after the birth of a baby, tiredness. or when there is illness in the famCouple ily. The greater act of love in these Sometimes great sorrow is expe- c ircumstances might he to refrain rienced by many married couples from who are denied the joy of children. be intercourse, to "wait" and just with and for each other.

Modern methods of natural fertilA bstinence calls for both husity regulation have proved to he band and wife to communicate about their sex life and to appreciate its place in their overall marriage. In particular, it calls for the hu.sband to be attentive and interesterl ieiwthe wife's fertility - thus appreciating her womanhood in a deeper lie feels trusted by being invited A couple is possibly fertile into an area of life from which he often feels excluded. She discovers for up to nine days within an a serenity in knowing that she is average length cycle. The loved for who she is, without havamount of abstinence ing to change or deny her fertility. required by the couple varies their use of NH', couples depending on the individual speak of abstinence as a way of developing mutual respect for one couple's specific cycle characanother. teristics and their motivation Waiting can lead them to to avoid pregnancy. If they explore other non-genital signs of require maximum effectiveaffection for expressing their love. ness, they must apply the There are many ways of saying love you" and unless we use all method correctly. t hese ways, the ultimate expres•

Abstinence: how much is required?

sion, intercourse, loses its signifi- The benefits of Natural cance. Special gestures of kindness, cuddles, kisses, loving Family Planning Methods caresses or just being held are all Jennie, who was challenged by ways of showing love for one's NFP, offers the following observaspouse and can be a "re-discovery" of the romance that first brought tion: Six months ago we quit the them together. Through appreciat- pill and began instruction in using ing their gift of fertility a couple NFP. We were pretty nervous about it because none of our grow in understanding and love. friends were using NFP and we had heard some of our parents' friends complain that it wasn't reliOpenness to Life is a able. We changed because I was Communal Affair sick of the side effects of the pill so Children have a special place in we weren't expecting the impact the life of the family and the life of on our relationship that is already the community. Their very exis- evident. Now our family planning tence testifies to the love of their is a shared responsibility. We parents. and is cause of joy in the communicate about our decisions community. (Families: Our Hid- more openly and Idon't feel burdened likeIused to when the onus den Treasure) was always on me. Also.Ifeel betIn the Christian way of life, chil- ter. healthier. Ilike being in tune dren are viewed first and foremost with my body ... and Neil does too! as a gift, not a burden. They are a Many couples testify that by sign of new life, openness and hope to the whole Christian com- encouraging a "lifestyle of communication", NFP positively fosters a munity.

In asking couples to welcome deeper married love because the the gift of children we as a Christ- procreative responsibility rests not ian community must be prepared on one person alone but on the to encourage them in this task by couple. Through learning about giving moral and practical support their fertility couples come to learn such as financial and prayer sup- more about each other and in parport. baby-sitting, working for fam- ticular their capacity to be co-creily-friendly policies and celebrat- ators in new life. This awareness ing together the special times in of fertility leads a couple to regard their sexual intimacy as significant, the life of a family. as a loving activity which has purOften in our modern society parents can feel as though public insti- pose and may be creative. In each tutions and policies oppose an cycle it invites them to reassess openness to children. All too often their decision about whether or commnunities adopt a materialis- not to extend their love to include tic ethic whereby things and a new child. objects are placed above people.

Natural methods are not compli"Having" and "doing" override the cated and can be taught to anyone. importance of "being".

These methods foster self-awareThe special moments of human ness, self-control and, communicaexistence, like conception and tion skills: all qualities which are birth, thus become burdens which essential for maturity and for interfere with the efficiency of establishing the stable relationship daily living. Sexual expression is of marriage. Through encouraging reduced to the pursuit of pleasure the development of such qualities, and the possibility of conceiving a the use of natural family planning child seen as interference rather has the power to strengthen marthan as a gift of married love. riages.

Widespread promotion of contraFurthermore. these natural ception has led to acceptance of a mentality which separates procre- methods respect the health of the ative responsibility from the mari- woman who would otherwise be tal love-union. Through this sepa- subject to the damaging sideration we are experiencing a loss effects of chemical contraceptives. of appreciation of children who Many couples with no particular are sometimes portrayed as being religious persuasion have turned to NFP precisely for this reason. an intrusion into one's lifestyle. by the physical risks Disillusioned These attitudes affect us all. A prejudice has developed today. of contraceptives and attracted to a even in some Catholic circles, more "holistic" approach of workwhereby large families are made ing with their bodiliness, many to feel peculiar or unnatural. A health conscious people have fourth or fifth pregnancy is greeted embraced NFP. with sympathy from well-meaning friends instead of joy and encouragement.

Such attitudes can cause parents to lose heart and to consider something "wrong" with their being pregnant or wanting more children. The community, both family and neighbourhood. needs to work together to help identify with the couple the psychological and practical tasks of child rearing and how the couple might receive the necessary support. To deny this need can lead to isolation and pull the couple apart at a time of bringing about new life in the family.

Faithfulness to the teachings of the Church concerning what Pope John Paul II has termed the Gospel of life, that is the sacred value of all human life from its beginning to its end. is something for which all are responsible (Evangelium Vitae).

As a community our attitudes and actions must foster a life-giv-

ing climate conducive to the freedom couples need lo welcome children and the pmsibility of children as a vital part of their relationship.

The Way Forward - Step

by Step

It is indeed heartening that all Australian couples now have access through a local NFP service centre or through telephone contact to professional teaching advice on natural family planning methods.

We conclude by calling upon all members of our faith community to do all that is within their means to affirm the life-giving nature of married love and to foster a climate which will give credence to the Church's teaching on the sacredness of married love and its openness to the transmission of life.

To find out more about NFP: Billings Ovulation Method 1 800 335 860-, Melb: 9481 1722 Symto-Thermal Method 1 800 114 010; Syd: 390 5100

Many factors affect a couple's capacity to undertake natural family planning: their communication, the stability of their relationship, stages of faith and maturity.

Each couple is unique. As with all Her teachings. the Church recognises that while upholding the truths that guide Christian morality, we must also accept that a person's understanding and acceptance of the Church's teachings can be a gradual process.

The first step for a couple may be to seek accurate information about natural family planning methods and to learn how to use them.

The inherent goodness of NFP works on the love in the relationship and draws the couple together as one. We cannot judge the suitHow reliable is NFP? ability of couples who come to No method of fertility regulalearn, they vary from indifference tion, natural or technological. is to God and to the child, through to 100 per cent reliable. Internadeep devotion to God and God's tional studies conducted by the lovinv plan for them.

World Health Organisation There are also couples who have shown that modern methwould reject any attempt at formaods of natural family planning tion but who will always accept are highly effective in avoiding NFP teaching because that is what pregnancy among women with they came for, however imperfect varied cultural, educational and their motives for doing so. The task economic backgrounds. of our faith conununity is to bear A number of studies have witness to the truth in love and to found the pregnancy rate to be lovingly invite others to seek and less than 1 per cent among coulive the truth. ples who did not want any more In writing this letter we wish to children. This rate is comparapublicly acknowledge those couble to the effectiveness of the ples who have faithfully followed contraceptive pill and consider the teachings of the Church in this ably higher than rates achieved area. by condoms and diaphragms.

Your witness and experience Among couples who are have helped to bring the Church to "spacing" their children, preggreater depths of understanding nancy rates are typically higher about the sacred nature of married as one would expect. acknowledge those love. We also NFP is suitable for couples at couples who have sincerely strugall stages of the woman's reprogled with this teaching and have ductive life (regular or irregular not, for whatever reason, been able cycles, during breast-feeding. to embrace this method with sucpost-pill. pre-menopause. or cess. sub-fertility). Since NFP is a With compassion we recogise -behavioural method" of family that at times some couples have felt planning its effectiveness in burdened by the Church's position. avoiding pregnancy varies With love, we invite you to explore according to the couple's motiafresh natural methods of family vation.

(Refer to British Medical Jourplanning and join with us in this nal. 1993; 307:723-726 for more journey of growth and developdetail) ment as our Church learns more and more about the nature of married love.

We also acknowlHe//o Albany. . . We're as edge and thank all and researchers those close as your phone teachers of NFP. many of whom have NATURAL FAMILY dedicated their life's PLANNING work to making the teachings of the (008) 11 4010 (local call charge) Church a practical (Metro callers please use 221 3866) reality.

Natural FarnaN Planning Centre 29 Victoria Square Member of the Australian Council of Natural Famik Planning Inc.

billings O VULATION

METHOD

A Simple And Effective Way To Achieve Or Avoid Pregnancy Naturally A CCREDITED TEACHERS STATEWIDE INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION OVARIAN MONITOR SCHOOL & COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS PHONE ENQUIRIES

FELICITY HOWELL - 339 5981 LISA BRICK - 271 9841 MARILENA SCARFE - 493 5004 JANET PAGES-OLIVER - 299 7562 COUNTRY CALLERS - 1800 81 9841 BUNBURY -09791 3696

The Record, August 10, 1995

9

International Features

Bethsaida rises from the sands of time came under Israeli control that anybody walked," he said. In their excavation the early church symbol of hope, Mr Strickert actually began looking for the site. archaeologists have discovered that Beth- said.

1 Benedictine Father Bargil Pixner was saida is older than previously thought, Based on the characteristics of 160 coins BEFHSAIDA, Israel (CNS) - Excavation the first to survey the site, located on a hill going back to Old Testament times. They of the biblical town of Bethsaida has about three kilometres from the shores of have found a layer from the Early Bronze found at the site, ranging from pre-Alexander coins to Roman coins from the time of proven to be a gold mine of information the Sea of Galilee.

Age (3000 BC-2700 BC), and remnants, Emperor Trajan, Mr Strickert said he about daily life in the time of Jesus for the At the place where fierce fighting had including a palace, of the Old Testament believed the city was destroyed by the archeological team working at the site. taken place between Israel and Syria, Fr kingdom of the Geshurites. later earthquake. Mr Arav, however, still "The finds here are not so much provid- Pixner found shards of pottery littering the So far the team has uncovered two com- believes the city was destroyed earlier by ing evidence about the life of Jesus and the hillside. The actual excavation began in plete houses from the time of Jesus. the Romans. five apostles who lived here, but they are 1987.

The finds show that houses were built "Even this small fishing village had giving us a lot of good background about "This is almost certainly the site of with a fenced-in courtyard and a large international connections," Mr Strickert what life was like here during Jesus' time," ancient Bethsaida and so it is quite signifi- kitchen with abutting side rooms. said archaeologist Rami Arav, an Israeli cant for Christians," said Monsignor One house also had a wine cellar, and in said. 'This has helped to understand the who teaches archeology at the University Richard Mathes of the Notre Dame Center front of the other house an anchor lies lifestyle here and also helped to see that of Nebraska.

In Jerusalem, which has expressed its will- where it was left by its owner more than these people lived in a mixed community with Christians, Jews, pagans and emperor They were very simple people who had ingness to build a place for meditation at 1,000 years ago. simple things," Mr Arav said. During Jesus' the site. "This is the birthplace of Peter and But the find which the team said had cultists. time the Sea of Galilee reached the bottom Andrew." been most exciting was the engraved image "A lot of time we imagined them all livof the hill, he said, and about 2,000 people Unlike other New Testament cities such of a cross found on a shard of pottery in the ing separately but more and more we are lived in the little fishing village. Based on as Nazareth, Capernaum and Sepphoris, living quarters of one of the homes. realising that they interacted and cooperfinds of lead weights and other fishing Bethsaida was never rebuilt after it was 'There are very few examples of Christ- ated with each other," he said. implements, fishing in the time of Jesus was destroyed either after the Jewish Revolt ian crosses in the first century," Mr StrickMr Strickert said he discounted the not very different than it is now, he said. against the Romans in the year 77 or after ert said. assertions of another group of archaeolo"Jesus spent most of his life up here in the an earthquake in the year 115, depending 'The cross became popular in the year gists who said their earlier excavation of Galilee with the apostles," said Fred Strick- on which version you believe.

300 with (Emperor) Constantine. the El Arg site at the bottom of the hill and ert, chairman of the religion department of "This is very lucky for us because that 'The cross was used by other groups but closer to the shore of the Sea of Galilee is Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and means that the top layer Is from the time of not like this," he said. "It's not just a crude the real Bethsaida. co-director of the Bethsaida excavations. Jesus," Mr Arav said. stick etching. This cross is most likely evi'They did find some Roman pottery and When he died in Jerusalem some of the However, the exposed top layer has also dence of a Christian community in Bethcolumns there, but with the landslides and apostles stayed in Jerusalem but others been subject to some erosion. saida." came back up to spread the Gospel.

"Look at this beautiful pavement," Mr The relatively large symbol is made up floods during the earthquake these shards "Phillip and Andrew stayed in Bethsaida Arav said, sweeping an arm over roughly of a central circle with four triangular- would have been swept downhill to that and became part of the community," Mr hewn, dull grey, square stones jutting shaped lines at right angles on opposite site," he said.

Strickert said. unevenly from the earth. 'This is a beauti- sides of the circle.

I f people were building a town down Although many people had speculated ful floor of the inside of this house.

A smaller example of a cross formed there later, they would have taken about the location of the ancient town, it And over here are stones of a road from from an anchor etched onto a pottery han- columns and pottery from the abandoned was only after the 1967 war when the area Jesus' time where he may actually have dle was also found. The anchor was an site instead of making new ones," he said.

By Judith Sudilovsky

New mission methods for unchanging truth he Protestant and Catholic nature of from the Dominican seminary, are happy T cultures surrounding the Czech to answer the children's questions.

Republic in central Europe may lead to the Towards evening they sometimes bring

impression that the new republic, recently their mother or father along. The adults separated from Slovakia, is a Christian are curious and sometimes concerned as to who is talking to their children. That country. evening the discussion might continue in But a history of anti-Catholic feeling from the days of Austrian rule and more the pub. Here the men sit in their working recent Communist domination has left clothes, even on Sundays, comfortable and Czech Christians apathetic, according to satisfied.

Mostly they are rather reserved towards the religious aid organisation, Aid to the the Catholic missionaries. As for the parish Church in Need.

For the Catholic Church the euphoria of priest who comes from the nearby village founding of the new republic gave way to on Sundays, they don't know him and disillusion, then a resolve to persevere in don't particularly want to either. They've a new evangelisation of the country. generally had enough of zealous evangeFather Voitech, a priest for ten years, five lists coming through the village singing of them underground and the last five as foreign songs to their guitars, and from the Dominican treasurer in Prague, is a priest Jehovah's Witnesses and other traditional 'Chapel truck' catechists with children in Bohemia in the Czech Republic last year. in a hurry. He has retained his enthusiasm sects who go from house to house. "polishand stamina and as a result prefers to ing up the door knob". sion means experimenting, trying to make have invited the chapel trucks along.

"We have to simply be there, without the Church present in an area where there ers have too much rather than too little on his They see it perhaps as a welcome change, plate, for example, the finances of the being in any way offensive, otherwise is no church and no priest It might also with the Dominicans helping with the Czech/Slovakian Dominican province, we'll ruin everything, especially in the de- involve helping a new priest get estab- games. responsibility for two parishes - one in the Christianised communities." This then is lished or daring to attempt a fresh start Twenty children, aged between eight industrial city of Smichov and the other in the pattern of a gentle evangelisation. with people. If it works then the chapel and fourteen, run through the woods with Take Kublov, for example, an idyllic vil- truck and its crew get invited back again painted faces, fringes on their shirts and the forest - and last but not least the lage in the Beroun area with its tidy court- and their work begins to take on the usual Indian feathers in their hair. After the chapel truck.

The Catholic Church is far from being a yards and flourishing gardens, its one aspect of a popular mission in the Catholic game the younger ones listen to the story self-evident element of society in the new state-owned and two private shops, and its areas. of Noah's Ark, while the older ones talk Czech Republic, despite the existence of inn. The people now only live partly from The chapel truck missionaries find a about truth.

Christian parties and the personal friend- agriculture; most of them work in the fac- much more ready response in the schools.

It is wonderful how quickly a relationship between President Vaclav Havel and tories of the local town. The mothers walk The Dominicans have been allowed by the ship of trust is established; perhaps it is leading underground priests in the times their children to school or kindergarten in Education Ministry to contribute to the due to the natural authority of Father the mornings and collect them again at religious education in the schools. of communist persecution.

Joachim, another Dominican.

One of the catalysts of the drive to re- midday.

Many of the religion teachers today As a late vocation he is not only experiNo-one seems to be in a hurry, and yet were the teachers of Marxist social studies enced in talking to young people but evangelize the Czech Republic is activity, and a symbol of the new flexibility and it's not often that people stand on the in past times and themselves feel inade- above all he is a witness of how seriously activity of the Catholic Church is the street corner for a chat. From the corner of quate to give any kind of instruction about Christianity is to be taken. Before the their eye they observe the chapel truck, religion. They do a quick course and gain evening camp fire one of the boys, the chapel truck This "mission bus", as Fr Voitech likes to parked by the village hall. Late that after- a smattering of knowledge of Islam, biggest and the loudest, goes up to the call it, was donated by Aid to the Church noon two schoolgirls pedal round in big Church history, ethics and similar topics father and asks him to hear his confession. in Need in 1991 and has been working circles in front of the bus. Finally, curiosity and then cram the children with this.

"It is not the whole flock that we are under his supervision since then to bring overcomes their shyness and they start At best this is no more than passing on a shepherding," Fr Voitech said. "We are religious instruction to both young and chatting to Brother Michael. They talk few facts. Thus for the first time the chapel seeking out the individual lost sheep. We about school. One of the girls is frightened truck team offers a serious course of reli- all know of the need for a new evangelisaold.

The bus travels from its base in Prague at the prospect of a hip operation. They gious instruction, often with the support of tion in Bohemia, after all Cardinal to a village. With the permission of the won't venture into the library, however. the Dominican nuns who run a school in Tomashek has called for a decade of evanmayor it parks on a central square and Then it's time to go home for supper.

Moravia. gelisation. The chapel truck has helped us opens its doors for anyone who might be "In my parish in Prague there are fifty In the summer holidays camps are to find, and even invent, new forms of catthousand people and two hundred come organised. Many of the towns organise echesis and evangelisation. This mobile passing.

Above all in the afternoons, when the to church on Sundays - that's 0.4 per cent. two-week camps for the schoolchildren, in church, this mission bus gives us pastoral children come back from school, their eye From this village of a hundred people we which they are kept busy learning all and technical possibilities we would never is caught by the video on the TV screen saw two children - what more can we kinds of practical and social behaviour. have found on our own. and curiosity draws them in. Inside there expect?" That is Father Voitech's comment Through an advertisement placed in the "And I can't promise that we'll be satisIs a little library where they can browse on the day's result.

Czech scouting newspaper, which is non- fied even with these current methods," he and read. Two helpers, usually volunteers In these circumstances a popular mis- denominational, a number of camp lead- adds.

10 The Record, August 10, 1995

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A case of the faithful's infallibility

By Br Christian Moe FSC EN I taught in the Catholic College of Education, Sydney, students sometimes asked me, "Where do we find the story of the Assumption in the New Testament?"

I had to tell them it is not there. Unlike the account of Our Lord's Ascension, there is no description of Our Lady's Assumption in the New Testament.

The Church does not derive its faithknowledge of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven from any historical account in the New Testament.

Nor does this knowledge derive from any immediate post-New Testament record that might be considered historical witness to an apostolic tradition.

It is not until the sixth century that we first find accounts that either derive from, or develop into the legends that were later so popular and left their mark upon so much of mediaeval and later art, in East and West.

For some people, this may constitute a problem. low can the Church propose belief in the Assumption as a dogma to be believed as part of the deposit of faith, if it is not contained in the Scriptures or in any source that can be strictly regarded as apostolic tradition?

Pope Pius XII answered that question in his apostolic constitution Alunificentisstmus Deus in 1950 in which he defined the dogma of the Assumption.

I shall refer to this again in a moment.

But first let me look at the Assumption as historical fact.

The Assumption is not historical fact according to the rigours of contemporary historical science; for something to be considered historical we need to eatablish when and where it happened from the testimony of reliable witnesses who have personal knowledge of the happening.

None of these conditions seem to be fulfilled in the case of the Assumption.

Yet, if it is a matter of faith, it must also be a matter of fact; and if the Assumption happened in the sense that Our Lady ceased to live an earthly life and was taken bodily into heaven, then this cessation of earthly life must have happened somewhere - Jerusalem or Ephesus or somewhere else: and at some time in the 40s or 50s of our Christian era or perhaps even earlier or later.

Cardinal Ratzinger. in 1977. speaking from a scientific concept of history, said that "the definition is a theological, not an historical affirmation"; a Dominican marlologist of a few years past (Friethoff in 1958), looking to a wider definition, said.

"The Assumption of Mary is an historical event that actually took place in time".

True, .there are legendary accounts derived from apocryphal writings (early Christian literature which the Church has not accepted as inspired and canonical, though not necessarily heretical or otherwise reprehensible) of the Assumption.

These legendary accounts are today generally treated with scant respect, though Cardinal Newman is much kinder in his treatment of them. Though these accounts have inspired beautiful art and devotional writing, the Church does not base her belief upon them.

The belief of the Church - not only the Latin Church of the West, but the Churches of the East, Orthodox and others - from the sixth or seventh centuries and possibly earlier, derives not from these accounts but from her own Spirit-guided instinct.

Let me set out from Munificentissimus Deus the grounds on which this belief in the taking up bodily of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven is founded: "This truth ... is based on the sacred writings, ... is thoroughly rooted in the minds of the faithful has been approved in ecclesiastical worship from the most remote times ... is completely in harmony with the other revealed truths, and ... has been expounded and explained magnificently in the study, learning, and Wisdom of theologians..." Pius XII had said the same when addressing the cardinals in a consistory immediately before his procnouncing the solemn definition.

It seems to me that belief in the Assumption is a clear case of the infallibility of the faithful in believing; because there is no doubt that Christians of both East and West have cherished such belief for a thousand years and more before it came to he solemnly defined in 1950.

Belief in the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven was clearly "in possession".

It is also a clear case of the development of doctrine; and this is how Cardinal Newman saw it in the final pages of his famous book of that title. (One could say that Newman wrote himself into the Catholic Church while working on this book).

The terms of the definition owe nothing to the legends charming though they may be, as Newman himself points out in a thought - that is. Mary's being the perfect beautiful page on the subject - which type or model of the Church - he writes: were current for so long.

"In Mary the Church is already saved it To return to the earlier question: where has already ascended into heaven." is the doctrine of the Assumption witFriethoff, quoted earlier, viewing the nessed to in Scripture? more widely, writes, "It is sufficient issue Cardinal Ratzinger writes: "On the basis sources of revelation to contain this the for the inteof the New Testament, through in other revealed truths" a included truth gration of Luke 1:45 and Ephesians 2:6 this XII also made. which Pius point affirmation (that is, "in Mary. death was The truths in question are, as documents swallowed up by Christ's victory" and that in her, "everything resisting faith has been pertaining to Vatican I pointed out, her conquered without remainder through the Immaculate Conception and her perfect death of earthly life") refers transparently and perpetual virginity. to Mary; and developing another line of To conclude: Cardinal Ratzinger

Rosary bouquet will celebrate the birthday of Mary, Queen of Peace

r

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard

Perth Catholics and others will have the chance to celebrate the birthday of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Our Mother, Patroness of Australia, on September 8 with the preparation of a Rosary Bouquet to he presented to Our Lady at Mass in her honour at St Mary's Cathedral on that day.

The feast of her birthday, observed for the last 1,500 years, was first introduced in Jerusalem in the fifth century and is celebrated by many Christian Churches to give thanks, love and honour to Our Lady and in the process, promote Christian unity.

Spokeswoman for the Rosary bouquet organisers, Margaret Bowen, urged this week for people to join in the bouquet and attend at the cathedral on September 8 and, if not, attend a Mass somewhere else that day "in thanksgiving for so much and to entreat her Son for peace in the world.

"Our Lady is also Queen of Peace, and never has it been so greatly needed in a strife-torn world so eager for war, selfdestruction, and destruction of others," the organisers said, "but after her birthday why stop there? Why not continue to say a

Rosaries for the Bouquet Tuesday 5/9/95 to Thursday 7/9/95 Tues

Rosary or at least a decade daily for her causes?"

An opportunity is being given to be part

of the 48-hour Perpetual Rosary Bouquet that will be presented as a birthday scroll at the Mass, as a gift from the people of Western Australia.

Archbishop Barry Hickey, who is praying for the success of the rosary bouquet, is encouraging the "thousands of Catholics in the Archdiocese" to take part in it.

In its seventh year, the rosaries for the bouquet, which are for Our Lady's intentions only, are said continuously from Tuesday, September 5 at 6 pm until its conclusion on Thursday. September 7 at 6 pm.

As before, the scroll has been drawn up with the 48 hours divided into one-hour slots and individuals or parishes are requested to submit their chosen time slots to the organisers: Margaret Bowen, 6 Sweeting Street, Woodland 6018. phone/fax 446-1935: Janis Mackin 2551382, and Kathy Varady (096) 22-2766.

To help, The Record is providing a timetable, right, which families and parishes can make use of in developing a bouquet that can be cut out and sent to the above address.

describes the definition of the Assumption as a form of canonisation. "the highest form of canonisation".

Whereas in the case of other saints canonisation implies the Church declares that their souls now enjoy the vision of God, in the case of our Blessed Lady the definition of the Assumption declares infallibly that the Blessed Virgin Mary. as Queen of all saints, enjoys the bliss of heaven and the company of her incarnate Son in her fully restored person, body and soul.

"Blessed he her glorious Assumption."

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11

International News

Irish want celibacy debate, despite Pope DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) - Some

87 per cent of respondents to an

Irish newspaper poll have said there should be a debate in the Catholic Church on priestly celibacy even though Pope John Paul II has pointed out the strength and excellence of an unmarried clergy.

The Irish Times survey also showed strong support for a national synod on Catholicism in Ireland.

Eighteen per cent said celibacy for priests should be retained.

O f respondents who were more than 65 years old, 30 per cent favoured retaining celibacy.

On the question of a debate on celibacy, 9 per cent said there should be no debate and 4 per cent had no opinion.

Bishop Brendan Comiskey of Ferns is due to travel to Rome this month for meetings with Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, head of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops, to discuss his publicly expressed doubts about the Church's rule on celibacy.

The call to Rome came in a letter that included a directive to the bishop to agree, in writing, to refrain from speaking publicly on the celibacy issue.

Vocations' fire hits new order OTTAWA (CNS) - Although they have yet to be granted official canonical status, the Ottawabased Companions of the Cross are growing faster than some of Canada's established male religious orders.

Five Companions, ranging in age from 25 to 30, were ordained in Ottawa in June. By the northern autumn. the Companions expect to have 30 more candidates for the priesthood - three more than the city's century-old St Paul Seminary drew from 11 Canadian dioceses.

"I think a lot of priests are looking for community life," said Father Rick jaworski, 33, a member of the group since his ordination five years ago.

Father Bob Bedard, an Ottawa diocesan priest, started the Companions of the Cross as an informal grouping of four seminarians 11 years ago. Then-Archbishop Joseph-Aurele Plourde gave Fr Bedard approval to organise.

More than a decade later, the Companions are still waiting for formal recognition from Rome as a society of apostolic life.

Today, there are 48 seminarians and priests involved, to various degrees, in the community.

The Companions have provided six of the Ottawa Archdiocese's 21 newly ordained priests since 1985.

"We have no specific ministry," he said. "We are a bunch of single men, living and working together, who do work in evangelisation and minister to the poor and (to) alienated Catholics.

"I guess you would call us charismatic in that we are open t o intervention by the Holy Spirit," he added.

One Companion, Father Roger Vandenakker, hosts a weekly television program, "Food for Life," while another, Father Ed Wade, established a new Catholic men's organisation, Mission of the Redeemer.

The Companions also have spawned a lay association, in which 150 members have committed themselves to fasting, tithing and daily prayer.

12 The Record, August 10, 1995

Bishop Comiskey was quoted as saying the letter "was not an invite. It was a command performance."

The Catholic Press and Information Office in Dublin said it was unlikely the Vatican would take any immediate disciplinary action against Bishop Comiskey.

The meetings with Cardinal Gantin would likely be "an exchange of views," it said.

"This is an extraordinary case," the bishop was quoted as saying.

"There is no matter of doctrine or faith involved. All the country was talking about celibacy and breaches of it."

"I thought it would be daft of us to remain silent," he said.

The bishop said that to end the drop in vocations the Latin-rite Catholic Church must allow a married priesthood.

"Where there is no priest there is no Eucharist, and where there is no Eucharist there is no church," he said in an interview published in the June 11 Dublin Sunday Tribune.

Pope John Paul has called priestly celibacy a timely challenge for contemporary society and has called instead for stronger Church-wide vocations

efforts. Bishop Thomas Flynn of Achonry, spokesman for the Irish bishops' conference, said he would need "some convincing" before accepting the idea of married priests.

He said the protestant Church of Ireland, part of the Anglican Communion, allowed priests to marry but was also experiencing a vocations decline.

The Irish Times poll also indicated strong support - 81 per cent of those surveyed - for a national synod on Catholicism comprised of clergy and lay people.

Most said they thought the conclusions of such a synod should be accepted by the bishops as guidance, and 53 per cent said they thought it should be binding guidance.

Support both for a debate on celibacy and the synod was s tronger among rural than among urban residents, according to the survey.

The newspaper poll was based on a survey of 1,000 people on the electoral rolls in 100 different places throughout Ireland. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 per cent.

Another Irish Times poll also revealed that 66 percent

favoured removing the ban on divorce from the Irish Constitution.

Retaining the ban was favoured by 26 per cent, while 8 per cent expressed no opinion. A referendum is planned in November to decide on the ban.

The survey showed many in favour of granting divorce after a three-year separation period.

Government ministers have been at odds as to whether legislation should require a three-year or four-year separation period before granting a divorce.

Forty-three percent favoured a three-year delay, 14 per cent preferred four years and 31 percent favoured one to five years.

The survey found a 3 per cent decrease in support for removing the divorce ban since a similar survey was taken in May. Jack Jones, chairman of the Market Research Bureau of Ireland, which conducted the survey, said it was still too early to predict the outcome of the referendum.

ewmanl Talbo 'on Pope's list'

By Patrick Downes

IN BRIEF

Warlords condemned VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The bishops of Burundi have condemned in a pastoral letter "warlords" who recruit and arm teenagers to terrorise members of rival ethnic groups.

"The search for power, the spirit of vengeance and the habit of violence" are at the basis of the civil strife between Hutus and Tutsis, the bishops said.

The Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire reported July 30 that the Catholic Church, and particularly Hutu priests and nuns, had been targeted by the Tutsi-dominated army in the previous two weeks.

Mercy election DAYTON, Ohio (CNS) - Sister Doris Gottemoeller was reelected president of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas on July 27 at the order's chapter in Dayton.

It will be her second four-year term as president of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, which was founded in 1991 to strengthen the Mercy mission by uniting more than 6,400 sisters from North, South and Central America, the Caribbean. Guam and the Philippines.

State rules BEIJING (CNS) - The first issue of an official Chinese Communist Government magazine on China's religions and religious policy was published by the state Religious Affairs Bureau in Beijing last month.

Religion in China, a quarterly. focuses on propagating religious policy, rules and regulations, and on religion-related work of the Chinese government, the semiofficial China News Service reported in Beijing July 19.

The Communist Government seeks to subjugate all religions so that they may serve the interests of its atheist state and persecutes all those that refuse to be subject.

HONOLULU (CNS) - There were three people Pope John Paul 11 especially wanted to beatify during his pontificate. Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels has said. Now there are two, according to the cardinal.

The Pope reached the first third of his goal on June 4 in Brussels. Belgium, when he beatified Father Damien de Veuster, the 19th-century Belgian missionary to Hawaii who became known as the "Leper Priest."

Still on the agenda are England's Cardinal John Henry Newman and Ireland's Matt Talbot.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Cardinal Danneels, Archbishop John Paul II has reorganised nine of Malines-Brussels, was in dioceses - Guwahati, lmphal, Hawaii in mid-July to visit Shillong, Silchar, Tura. DibruMolokai, where Blessed Damien garh, Diphu. Tezpur and Kohimar ministered and died, and to par- in north-eastern India to correticipate in ceremonies surroundspond to new state boundaries ing the return of part of the famous missionary's body from and their capitals.

Belgium to its original burial site Throughout the area, Salesian on Molokai. priests and brothers are involved In an interview with the Cardinal John Henry Newman, photographed by Louis Barraud. in the evangelisation of the Hawaii Catholic Herald the carindigenous people. many of dinal said, "Every time I went to 19th-century Anglican intellec- faith relations going into the third whom follow traditional animist see (the Pope) in the past 10 religions. tual who converted to Catholi- millennium. years, he always asked me - he, cism and became one of the cenHe said he was going to China not me - 'What shall we do with tury's leading theologians, and at the invitation of the Chinese Fr Damien?"

Irish layman Matt Talbot, a government but "it's walking on A major obstacle to the beatifi- recovered alcoholic who died in eggs for me, because you never LIVERPOOL, England (CNS) cation was the loss decades ago 1925 after a life of prayer, know what their intentions are." of key documentation for the David Alton, parliamentary penance and care for others He said he was scheduled to defender of pro-life causes and only authenticated miracle attribaddicted to alcohol or drugs. meet with members of the Chi- perhaps Britain's best-known uted to Fr Damien, a dramatic Each of the three represented a nese Government's Bureau of Catholic politician, plans to quit overnight cure of a French nun particular interest or concern of Religious Affairs and with bishsuffering a fatal disease. the House of Commons at the Cardinal Danneels said he the Pope's, Cardinal Danneels ops of both the government- next general election after his believed the Pope personally said: "Father Damien because he approved patriotic church and seat was abolished in a review by broke through the impasse by is a model, a martyr, of Christian the underground church still tied Britain's Boundary Commission, deciding to recognise the mira- charity; Cardinal Newman to Rome. which has effectively redrawn because he is a model of intellec"I asked to be allowed to go cle's authenticity "by tradition, Liverpool's political map. which is as sure as these (lost) tual righteousness, intellectual also to the underground church.

He is well known for his tenaclarity; and Matt Talbot, who was documents."

Without that permission I cious opposition to Britain's aboraddicted to and drugs, alcohol "I think we did it (the beatificawould not go," he said. "I could tion) with the intervention of the this being a very special problem not go to the patriotic church and tion law. In 1987 he unsuccessIn our time."

Holy Father," he said. not to those martyrs of the under- fully tried to reduce the time limit He said the Pope has also Cardinal Danneels also spoke ground church who have been for abortions. He also has battled expressed to him a strong desire in the interview about his pend- faithful to the Pope. I cannot go against euthanasia and Sunday to beatify Cardinal Newman, a ing visit to China and about inter- and not see them." shopping.

New dioceses

Pro-lifer out

International News

Some Christians forgive and pray for Smith

the 100 or so people who turned out for the weekly services opposed such a sentence.

A CNN-Gallup-USA Today poll conduring the trial found 68 per cent of ducted Sentenc(CNS) UNION, South Carolina ing Susan Smith to death for killing her two Americans polled favoured the death young sons last October would not have penalty. South Carolina is considered to be brought the boys back -and would reflect at least as tough, with a governor and attornegatively on us as Christians," according ney-general who vowed to be tougher on to Father Richard Harris, pastor of Union's, crime when they were elected in 1994.

St Augustine parishioner Marion Byrd, a tiny Catholic parish. native, opposed capital punishment Union life to sentenced was Smith On July 28, in prison after she was convicted of killing and said he thought life in prison would be her children by rolling her car into a lake no break for the mother, who killed her 3while they were strapped in their car seats. year-old and 14-month-old sons.

-To my way of thinking, life in prison is Fr Harris. pastor of St Augustine Church, was among those who gathered for a series like a thousand deaths," he told the New of prayer services sponsored by the Down- Catholic Miscellany, newspaper of the town Ministerial Association during the Charleston Diocese. "She will have to think Smith trial. They were held in the hope of about her terrible crime every day." softening altitudes in the rural Southern Fr Harris said the ministers decided to town about capital punishment. hold the prayer meetings to help project a Many residents, tormented by a crime positive image of the town, which has at its too horrible to imagine and pestered by entrance a sign that reads: "Welcome to intrusive press coverage, reacted by advo- the City of Hospitality." cating the death penalty for Smith. Most of At the July 25 meeting at Duncan Acres

By Paul Barra

'End food' decision debated

By Patrick Nolan DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) - An Irish Supreme Court ruling that the feeding tube that has kept a comatose Irish woman alive for the past 23 years could be removed has sparked debate in Ireland.

The 45-year-old woman suffered serious brain damage during a minor gynaecological operation and has been in a near-permanent vegetative state.

She is due to be transferred to a hospital where the tube will be removed.

The court was told that she could die within two weeks after the procedure.

Archbishop Desmond Connell of Dublin said the court's ruling gave rise to moral and social concerns.

-The judgment of the Supreme Court is of prime importance and will clearly require to be studied before a statement can be made," he said.

John Costello, lawyer for the woman's family, said no decision had been made as to when feeding should be stopped.

"The family is exhausted," he added. "They have gone through

United Methodist Church, Father Lennart Pearson, pastor of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, said it took more than hospitality to make a good community.

"This is an ecumenical gathering, but one of the things we have in common is the need for forgiveness," he said.

Since the murders and the town's inundation by reporters, "things will never be quite the same for any of us," Fr Pearson said.

At the final prayer service, Fr Harris stressed the need for healing in Union.

"In this humbling and unbelievable tragedy which has befallen our city - where our tradition is that no one is a stranger and that all are welcomed - we move gently among ourselves to find His strength and His path to peace, unity and healing," he said.

Another parishioner, Myrna Kennedy, said she was astounded at the strength and number of voices of her neighbours who advocated executing Smith.

-This is supposed to be the Bible Belt,"

she said. Yet I'm so surprised at how many people I've encountered favour the death penalty. They've said hateful things."

The town was understandably torn up over the killings, but, she said, residents were responsible for their own anger.

"We are the perpetrators of our own vengeful and hostile feelings," she said.

In Washington, an expert in criminal law and procedure said the life sentence for Smith was an appropriate end to the case.

"I'm appalled that the local prosecutor sought execution," said Fred Bennett, an associate professor at The Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law. -It was a political move to appeal to local sentiment."

Prof Bennett said the death penalty was not appropriate in Smith's case as testimony during the trial showed Smith had profound mental problems and had endured a tormented upbringing.

-If we are to reflect Jesus Christ in our lives, we have no alternative than to forgive," Fr Harris said.

Defend not only unborn: Law

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (CNS) - Boston's Cardinal Bernard Law has praised the Knights of Columbus for their support of pro-life issues but said such efforts must encompass not only the fight against abortion but concern for the poor and the weak_ The cardinal addressed 2.000 people gathered for the Knights of Columbus states dinner, held during the fraternal organisation's 113th annual convention last week in Kansas City. The Knights are the United States equivalent of Australia's Knight's of the an awful lot. This is not a deci- Southern Cross. sion they have taken lightly."

"The evil of abortion is clear The family won a ruling to enough." Cardinal Law said, have the feeding system with- praising the Knights for being "peerless" in their support of life drawn.

The Irish attorney-general and at its most vulnerable.

However, he said, -we cannot the institution where the woman is being cared for appealed the proclaim the gospel of life selecruling to the Supreme Court. tively." urging concern too for the lives of the poor and weak. which upheld the decision.

"I believe that abortion is the Family Solidarity said that the ruling was the greatest blow to primordial evil of our time," he human rights since the court said. "but we must be consistent decided that the Irish Constitu- our credibility depends on consistion permitted abortion in certain cases.

On the other hand. the Irish Council for Civil Liberties welCASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy comed the decision.

(CNS) - A new method of historiSupreme Court Chief Justice cal writing and research is necesLiam Hamilton said the issues in sary to highlight the many ways the appeal were not about women have made meaningful euthanasia but related to the contributions to the development question of whether artificial of society, according to Pope John feeding and antibiotic drugs Paul II. might be withheld from the By focusing on extraordinary woman who had no hope of or catastrophic human events, recovery. "the history that results is almost Justice Seamus Egan said in a exclusively that of the things men dissenting judgment the removal have accomplished," the Pope of the feeding tube would result said on July 30 during his midday Angelus address. in death in a short time.

"It would be opportune to how not "It matters history in a less unilateral rewrite he worded," is it euphemistically way," he said, continuing a series said.

"Instead of calling euthanasia by tency." real name of direct killing, they Its John The cardinal said Pope Paul II's encyclical Evangelium prefer to speak about relieving the Vitae "is a precise reaffirmation of pain of those who no longer enjoy the value of human life and its the 'appropriate quality of life."

The aim was to make both not inviolability. It is an appeal to respect. protect. love and serve just legal but "socially acceptlife - every human life." able," he said.

The encyclical was "a direct "And yet, deep in the heart of challenge to our culture - the cul- the human conscience. the Holy ture of death - and to each of us Spirit continues to challenge this with regard to the choices we abuse of true freedom, continues make and the positions we sup- to call for honesty about the true port politically. nature of abortion and euthana"Think of Rwanda and Bosnia," sia, continues to trouble the peace he said. "Think of immigration of mind of those who would build reform and welfare reform and a culture of death and dishoncapital punishment. What a chal- esty." he said. lenge it is to truly proclaim and Catholics must not be afraid to truly believe the 'Gospel of Life.— confront society with the truth In a homily during the conven- about life, Archbishop Keleher tion's opening Mass. Archbishop said. -Western materialistic James Keleher of Kansas City. thought must hear us say that life Kansas. condemned the mislead- Is beautiful because it is made in ing rhetoric used to describe abor- God's image and likeness, it is tion and euthanasia. precious because it comes from "Today they speak of 'innocu- him. It is not ours to manipulate, ous medical procedures' when only to receive with gratitude. they really mean dissecting a enhance as we can, and respect child in the womb ...." he said. from beginning to end."

Highlight women in history, Pope says of talks in preparation for the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women in September.

Men owed "an enormous debt" to women who, throughout history, had made daily contributions not only to family life but to the smooth functioning and development of social, political and economic structures, the Pope said.

"With the intent of contributing to filling this gap." he said, the church paid -homage to the multiple, immense - even if frequently silent - contribution of

women in every sphere of human existence."

In particular, the Pope said, women had made outstanding contributions as educators - of their own children at home and of other people's children at schools and universities throughout the world.

Women, he said, had a special gift of making education more than "a dry transmission of notions" by looking at the concrete needs and abilities of their students and by seeing education as a process that involved more than just the intellectual development of their students.

Culture of death in Brazil shown in growth of pauper burial

By Peter Howard Wertheim

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNS) - Church workers in Brazil are worried about what they see as a growing indifference to death in some parts of the country.

In rural areas and in cities, people are buried without identification - many of them the victims of street violence.

Earlier this year, Cardinal Eugenio Sales de Araujo of Rio de Janeiro celebrated a Mass in memory of 132 people buried as paupers, nearly all victims of violence. He said he wanted to call attention to indifference in identifying the dead and in investigating the crimes that took their lives.

A Catholic social worker, investigating at the cardinal's request, reported that hun-

dreds of corpses were being trucked en masse to a cemetery in nearby Santa Cruz.

"The corpses are put into plastic bags and, to save bags, the corpses are thrown into the earth and the bags used for transportation of other corpses," said the social worker, Maria Cristina Noronha de Sa, who is also a member of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

She said government authorities were to blame for the "inhuman way these people are being buried."

Ms Noronha de Sa also said the state's Legal-Medical Institute, which is in charge of autopsies, gave her a list of 230 dead people, of whom 132 had no name.

"Most of these people had been victims of violence, and many were not exactly paupers," she said. "They were citizens who simply disappeared without a name."

She said a person whose birth was registered in Sao Paulo but who died in the streets of Rio might be buried as a pauper.

"The state police institutions are understaffed and badly equipped to identify the dead," she said. "The Felix Pacheco Institute, responsible for issuing ID cards with photos and fingerprints, often fails to identify people as requested by the Legal-Medical Institute, and that's why they are sent to be buried as 'John Does,— she said.

Ms Noronha de Sa said that was the fate of an executive she knew who was kidnapped and killed.

For a year, she said. "his family tried to find him by visiting hospitals and police stations until they found out that a pauper with similar physical characteristics of the executive had been buried in Santa Cruz cemetery. After the exhumation of more

than 30 corpses. he was identified through an analysis of his jaws."

In the Brazilian state of Piaui, city officials in the state capital of Teresina have identified 153 clandestine cemeteries.

Thousands of people are buried in them without the knowledge of authorities - the majority of them babies who died from diarrhea.

Social workers said poverty was part of the problem. Poor people could not afford to register a birth or death, which could cost as little as $10. taey said.

In rural areas, a simple coffin costs about S70. Brazil's minimum monthly wage is $ 100.

Teresina health secretary Silvio Mendes said that "83 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty, earning less than 50 per cent of the minimum wage."

The Record, August 10, 1995

13

International News

Ultra-orthodox pray for Rachel's Tomb Mr Peres inspected the entrances and The site also has become one symbol of the Cave of the Patriarchs, the burial place the religious concerns interwoven with of Abraham, Itzhak, Rebecca and Leah, is exits and was briefed by Israel Defense located in Hebron. Religious groups have Force officers about the various possibiliIsrael-Palestinian relations.

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) The worshipers were responding to a promised to organise prayer protest ties for a solution which would ensure safe access to the tomb for worshippers.

Hebrew prayer sounded through the call in late July in the religious newspa- marches to these holy sites as well. streets of Bethlehem as thousands of pers to go to the tomb to "beseech the mother, from betray a "We cannot One possibility under consideration is ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered at Rachel's Lord our God" with personal prayers that whom was born the nation of Israel and at that the Palestinians would be responsiel'omb on the outskirts of the city. the site would remain in Jewish hands. whose tomb the Jewish people have ble for the security outside the tomb while The crowd overflowed into the street The prayers were combined with a spe- prayed at for 3,000 years," said Moshe the Israelis would control security inside. late last month where the men prayed on cial penitential prayer service for the New Libowitz at Rachel's Tomb.

Rachel's Tomb is the only holy site in one side of the divided boulevard and Month of Av. "We have no objections to Jews coming the area which is not considered holy by women on the other, under the awnings The status of Bethlehem, as well as to Bethlehem to pray at Rachel's Tomb, Muslims, said Rabbi Kolitz. of Arab store fronts. other Palestinian cities in the West Bank, it's their right," said Bethlehem Mayor Mr Peres noted that there will be no The tomb is the burial place of the is on the agenda of the peace talks Elias Freij. "But they have no right to close matriarch Rachel, the second wife of between the Palestinians and the Israelis. up the road and stop Arabs from crossing transfer of sovereignty, only autonomy, so Israel's Government will ensure the safety Joseph who died giving birth to her son In addition to Rachel's Tomb, some the roads and stop traffic." of worshippers.

Benjamin.

Minister week Foreign Israeli groups oppose giving over control Earlier in the Israeli soldiers wearing flack jackets It is considered a holy site by Jews, and of other West Bank cities such as Hebron Shimon Peres toured Rachel's Tomb, many barren women come to pray for and Nabulus to the Palestinian Authority. guided by Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Yitzhak and carrying automatic weapons guard the site. children at the tomb.

Joseph's Tomb is located in Nabulus and Kolitz.

By Judith Sudilovsky

Unity not built 'on politics' r

By Cindy Wooden

fragility, have afflicted her members during their pilgrimage through history."

"This is especially true for the sins which, including on the part of Catholics. were committed against unity," the Pope said.

After acknowledging the sins, he said, the Catholic Church and its dialogue partners must be willing to seek forgiveness, grant pardon and work toward "the purification of historical memory" so that old offences did not block progress toward unity.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A continuous renewal of the Roman Catholic Church is essential to the church's attempts to foster unity with other Christians, according to Pope John Paul II. In everything that is human and earthly about the Church, constant reform is necessary, the Pope said on August 2 at his weekly general audience.

"It is a reform which regards both customs and discipline," he said.

Ecumenical dialogue was not a While holding firm to the faith political process aimed at creathanded down from the Apostles. ing one huge church, he said, but t he Pope said, the Church "it is rooted in the determination realised that it was founded by to conduct a life more conformChrist as an always growing and ing to Christ." developing pilgrim people.

Therefore, the holiness of indi"This involves an adaptation to historical circumstances, but also viduals and communities and above all, progress in carry- Involved in dialogue was essening out its vocation as an ever tial for unity, he said. more adequate response to the Because certain doctrines and r ,quirements of God's plan for practices were more essential sdIvation," he said. than others, those involved in Another attitude fundamental official dialogues must be well to the search for Christian unity, prepared and able to discern he said, was an acknowledge- how various proposals fitted into ment of "the weaknesses and fail- the fundamentals of Christian ures which, because of human faith, he said.

Pope prays again for the Balkans The Pope called on the interVATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II prayed for the vic- national community to persevere tims of the fighting in Bosnia- In its attempts to mediate the Herzegovina, reminding visitors conflict. to the Vatican that this summer Throughout the previous was a time of death rather than week, there had been reports vacation for people in the that Serbs from Serbia and CroaBalkans. tia as well as Croat forces had "I follow this tragedy every moved to reinforce the position day, and I carry in my prayers of their counterparts in Bosnia, the indescribable sufferings of leading to fears the fighting those peoples: the loss of chil- could engulf all of the former dren, the mortal weariness of the Yugoslavia. aged, the fear and courage of the "In that part of Europe, the women, the extermination of the men," the Pope said on August 2. right to life of thousands of our He asked national leaders and brothers and sisters is at stake," the officials of international the Pope said. agencies to continue their efforts "No one can decide who has to promote a negotiated end to the right to live and who must the fighting.

A te," he said. "The choice "May the search for justice. belongs to God, who 'gives life to respect for others and pity for all all and breath to every living people without distinction thing.' May he inspire feelings of inspire the decisions made by peace and humanity in everyone." the leaders of nations," he said.

'Pay' for racist harm DETROIT (CNS) - Black Catholic clergy and religious from 14 countries wrapped up a six-day conference in Detroit in the United States late last month by calling for financial reparations "for the harm done black people in North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Africa."

Reparations should come from not only governments but institutions - including the Church - that have benefitted from racism, according to Precious Blood Father Clarence Williams. He made the comments as chairman of the second Pan-African Roman

Catholic Clergy Conference held between July 21 and 28.

"As we prepare to begin the third millennium, so many celebrations are planned. but we haven't addressed the sin of racism over the last five centuries that has helped deform the image of Christ for much of the globe's population," Fr Williams said, who is also director of the Office of African-American Ministries for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

While many people acknowledge and confess racism, there was also "an obligation to make amends," he added.

Catholic paper in UK challenges John Major over ad National Condom Week, "It is quite unscrupulous in its MANCHESTER, England (CNS) - A Catholic newspaper August 7-13, is organised by the ridicule of the Catholic Church," has urged Britian's Prime Minis- British Safety Council, a self- he said. ter, John Major, to dissociate him- described independent charity. It The Universe urged its readers self from a condom campaign lists Mr Major as a supporter. to write protest letters to Mr which it said mocks Pope John James Tye, director general of Major, the British Safety Council Paul II. the council, said the aim of the and the Advertising Standards The call came in the August 6 campaign was to increase use of Authority, a government-sponedition of the national Catholic condoms to prevent the spread of sored watchdog for the advertissexually transmitted diseases ing industry. weekly, The Universe.

A front-page story headlined and AIDS. The newspaper also printed a "If it can help with the popula"Why Mock Our Pope," reported page one open letter to Mr Major. that a poster advertising National tion explosion, so much the betAs a supporter of National Condom Week featured a picture ter," he said.

Week, "did you know Condom He said he did not think of the Pope under the slogan: "Eleventh Commandment: Thou Catholics would find the poster that one of the posters to publicise this event will be deeply offensive. shalt always wear a condom." to Catholics and is offensive "We haven't had a single comThe Vatican opposes the use of likely to breach the Advertising plaint from the general public," condoms or any other contracepStandards Authority guidelines?" tive device, whether for prevent- he said. ing AIDS or pregnancy. It teaches Monsignor Kieran Conry, it asked. faithfulness in marriage and director of the Catholic Media The open letter urged Mr chastity outside of marriage as Office in London, said the poster Major to ask the condom week the moral - and most effective - would be deeply offensive to organisers to withdraw the material offensive to Catholics. means of avoiding AIDS. Catholics.

14 The Record, August 10, 1995

"And if they refuse, will you ask them to remove your name from the list of supporters?" it added.

"If the answer to this last question is no, maybe you could explain to the Catholic community why you feel it right to associate yourself with the mockery of a much-loved and wellrespected religious leader?" it said.

A spokeswoman at 10 Downing Street, Mr Major's London residence, said the prime minister, although a general supporter of National Condom Week, had not seen all the publicity material that accompanied it, and he had no control over it.

A recently released seven-year study of 400 gay British men showed that seven out of 10 did not use a condom.

US bishops publish environment resource kit WASHINGTON (CNS) - The United States bishops' Office for Environmental justice is distributing a resource packet designed to help Catholic churches make environmental concerns a part of their everyday parish life.

Called "Peace With God the Creator, Peace With All Creation," the package is the second of three the office will distribute to parishes as part of the bishops' response to growing and serious global, regional and local environmental problems.

"Environmental justice concerns should be integrated into the life of the parish and not treated as something new and separate," said the introduction to the resource packet. which included homily helps, prayer cards, clip art and brief background papers for parish use.

"Whether parishioners are concerned about family life, health care, poverty or commuting problems, these issues have environmental aspects and dimensions and can be folded into already existing parish efforts," the introduction added.

"A new program is not always the answer."

The package also included a letter from the chairmen of the two committees involved in the campaign - Bishop Daniel Reilly of Worcester, Massachusetts, head of the US bishops' international policy committee, and Auxiliary Bishop John Ricard of Baltimore, head of the domestic policy committee.

"The parish is the key to Catholic engagement with environmental concerns," they said.

"The parish community is both the heart and hands of everyday pastoral ministry, where we come together as community to praise God and celebrate the Eucharist - the central act of our faith life."

The bishops said the first resource package, "Renewing the Face of the Earth: A Resource Packet for Parishes," was designed to offer "suggestions and recommendations for parishes to initiate their own environmental justice programs." while the second was "designed to strengthen a parish's initial efforts by providing additional ideas to the entire parish and specifically to each parish committee as they consider this issue."

BUILDING TRADES C ARPENTER/HANDYMAN QUALJRED tradesman, any type of work, phone 483 6042.

CARPET CLEANING North and South of River. Winter S pecial 4 rooms, for 59 Dollars, with free deodorising. Call Al of Mitey Clean 332 6271.

UPHOLSTERY: lounge suite repairs, recover dining and kitchen suites, etc. Phone L & K Upholstery 457 6996.

MASTER plumber and gas fitter, Lic No. 140, bathroom renovations, sewer conversions, all maintenance work, new houses. Good r ates, all hours. Contact John on 457 7771.

SWIMMING POOLS, service, maintenance, equipment, painting (free quotes).

KAVANAGH'S POOL SERVICE, ph 349 0223. Since 1974.

PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd for all your residential, c ommercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perrott 444 1200. ' QUALITY PAINTER & DECORATOR Neat and tidy tradesman with 15 years e xperience.

Phone Thomas Hoey on 342 0073 f or competitive quotes.

Reg no. 4477.

20 YEARS EXPERIENCE Domestic - Industrial Roofing - Metal Asbestos - New Repairs Professional Workmanship Guaranteed

4P7**1

-

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

FOR SALE

FURNITURE CARRIED, housefuls, units, flats, offices, including single items, small medium and large vans available with 1 or 2 men, all metro areas and near country. Mike Murphy 008 016 310 (free call all areas); or 24 hour 480 5006.

MASSEUSE: Bethany Clinic, professional masseuse, dealing with skeletal and muscular pain. sporting injuries, stress, relaxation and deep tissue massage, acupressure.

Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm. Ring Orial 479 7120. $5 discount pensioners.

This service is definitely non-sexual.

FIRST Holy Communion and Baptism outfits, for boys and girls. We have the largest and best range in Perth. We are a one stop shop. We have everything you need. We are the specialists in raw silk garments.

The Rosa Linen, 267 William Street Northbridge Tel &Fax (09) 227 5634 FOR SALE Toyota Corolla, white, 5-door hatch, automatic, air conditioned, tinted windows. Late 86 model. 84,000km. Top condition. Lady owner. $9800.

Phone 381 9259 or 381 8568

WINTER SUNSHINE, SUMMER BREEZES, Kalbarri, comfortable, selfcontained accommodation by the sea, within walking distance of shops and entertainment, S140 for t wo; S210 for four; for seven days. (09) 459 8554.

THANKS

MAY the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored and glorified, loved, praised and preserved throughout the world now and forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us. St Jude, hope of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days_

HOLY Spirit, thou who makes me see everything and shows me the way to reach my ideal. You have given me the divine gilt to forgive and forget the wrong done to me and who are always in my life with me. I want to thank you for everything and confirm I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desire may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in perpetual glory.

Amen. Say this prayer for three consecutive days asking only one favour.

Thank you Holy Spirit. c.d.s.

THANK You St. Jude for help granted, please continue your help still needed for others.

THANKS to Sacred Heart of Jesus Our Lady and St Jude for the favour I have received. MD.

THANKS

DAUGHTERS of Charit urgently need good quality nick-nacks, household goods, utensils, etc Our shops are at 561 Beaufort Street, Mt. Lawley, 421 Street, O xford Mt. Hawthorn, 317 William Street, Northbridge, 12 Street, R obinson R ockingham or ring Sr. Clare 227 6616.

WANTED Not used or no longer required clarinet,' saxophone for 91 year old dad to play, cheap.

Phone Gerry Jorissen (096) 51 1381.

T HE P ARISH Continued from Page 16 S CENE UNIVERSITY OF NOIRE DAME S unday 27th August - Notre Dame Open Day for prospective students and all interested in N otre Dame.

10am-5pm.

Special session at 1.30pm "Surviving and Succeeding Year 12 and Beyond" presented b y Dean of the College of Business, Professor John Wood.

C ATHOLIC BIOETHICS COURSE The next Bioethics Course for C atholic doctors and medical students is being held at the LJ Goody Bioethics Centre from 7

Peter Watt PSYCHOLOGIST

Close noon Wednesday.

Phone 227 7778 (24 hours)

PUBLIC NOTICE

WANTED

335 7075

E YEJP-3i•j OCATC HER KJJ

Minimum $5 first 28 words.

E LECTRICAL, contractor rewires fans, power points, lights, lic 004003. Phone Stephen Tierney 354 2263. R ESOURCE Centre for C ONCRETE Worker, all Personal Development types, addition slabs, drive- Teaches/Counsels individways, sheds etc, no job too uals, couples or groups to small, first class tradesman, promote good relationships free quotes, 309 5413 or and teamwork A personal awareness and parenting 015 384 485. c ourse beginning in HANDYMAN, painting, gar- September. dening, pruning, tree lop- Ring Eva 418 1439. ping, rubbish re-moved, clean windows, houses, will do contract work ACCOMMODATION 377 2314, Martin.

Credit cards welcomed.

AVAILABLE GRAHAM WILSON complete garden care, lawns HAMERSLEY, person to mowed, edged. yard share large 4 bedroom cleanups, gutter cleaning, house must be neat and pruning, weeding, phone tidy with mature outlook, 349 4800 or 349 6921. $60 per week plus expenses. Phone 381 5558 duri- -; business hours.

MANNING female student working lady to share 3brm hse, fully furnished, own f* tho .reeele.s.

4 room S50pw plus expens e s, close to Curtin Uni. Continuous Concrete Garden Phone 313 1113 after 6pm. edging in vanous colours For obligation free quote Pbosie John on 331 2409

C-l NaciocolriNiC4 KALALms

Enquiries/ Appointments

/7 7778 Hort%

1 58 Canning Hwy East Fremantle

PERSONAL

IN MEMORIAM

FIL1PINA professional lady, 5 0, would like to correspond with a Catholic man, any age. View marriage.

Write to: Cleo Roderiguez, Dyla Radio Station, Pier One, Cebu City, Filipines 6000.

DOOGUE (Thomas): In fond memory of our father, grandfather and greatgrandfather Thomas Doogue, who died in K algoorlie on August 9, 1938, after more than 30 years' combined service with the Royal Irish Constabulary and the West Australian Police Force. We r emember him in our prayers. May he rest in peace.

THANKS NOVENA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Most Holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with a lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine.

Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, good Jesus that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger, comfort me in my afflictions, give me health of body. assistance in my temporal needs, your blessings on all that I do and the grace of a holy death. Merciful Jesus I consecrate myself today and always to your most Sacred Heart. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus I trust in you and believe in your love for me. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like your heart VN.

6.30 to 9pm on the 22 August (Life & Death Issues) and 5 September (Screening in P regnancy) by the Catholic Doctors Association.

HEALING MASS A Healing Mass in honour of St. Peregrine, patron of cancer sufferers and helper of all in need will be held at the Church of SS John and Paul, Pinetree Gully Rd., (off South St.) Willetton, on Friday, August 18th at 7pm.

There will be Veneration of the Relic and Anointing of the Sick.

For further information please c ontact Noreen Monaghan, Tel. No. 332 8292.

(performing ,Vts for Catholic Schools and Colleges

Concert Band Festival, Sacred Heart, Sorrento. 7.00 pm, 15-16 Aug Instrumental Solo, Zenith Music, Claremont, Daytime, 17-18 Aug Creative Dance Festival at the Octagon Theatre, University of WA at 8.00 pm, 15 Aug Liturgical Music Festival, Church of the Holy Rosary, Woodlands, 7.00 pm, 21 Aug Drama Festival, lona Presentation College, Mosman Park, 7.00 pm, 23 Aug GREAT PERFORMANCES

Counselling/ Therapy

AUDIENCE TICKETS AT THE DOOR

RYAN (Frank), 14-8-77. In loving memory of Frank whose anniversary occurs 1 4th Aug, Loving husband of Sheila. fond father of Moya, son-in-law Patrick, John (dec) and Helen, Grandfather of Louise, Paul & David (dec). Our Lady of Fatima please pray for him.

RJ.P.

CHARISMATIC

MASS SE HEALING SERVICE 7pm Sunday August 13th The evening will consist of: Praise & Worship, Holy Mass & Healing Praver. lhe Celebrant will be

Fr. Michael Brown OFN1

"Holy Family Church" Thelma Street, Como.

Flame Ntinistnes I, ' '••••• - -

Social Trainers 3 part-time (48 hrs per f/night)

Residential Aide 1part-time (32 hrs per f/night)

Sleep Shift Aides 2 part-time (7 shifts per f/night) Catti , .,Ires the alxwe-mentioned staff to v. in a new group home. The house, in the Leederville arim. will accommodate two men, who have an intellectual

The positions are for a three month period, with a strong possibility of becoming pennanent employment. It is envisaged that after 3 months, the service will move to another house in the northern suburbs, and a third gentleman will join the group, and that the house will become a permanent part of the orwmisations residential services. .Npplicants must be experienced in working with people who have an intellectual disability. and they will be required to support the ethos of the organisation. Social Trainers and residential aides must be able to work -1( and afternoon shifts.

Enrolled Nurse (Night Shift 56 hrs per f/night) 1 - position also exists tbr a nurse in a group home that is for adults with multiple disabilities. The home is in the northern suburbs and provides both permanent and respite care.

Job Descriptions and Selection Criteria are available on request by telephoning 474 3303.

Written applications addressing the selection criteria should he received by Monday 14th August 199c addressed to: The Executive Director Catholic Care PO Box 5 South Perth WA 6151

UTMOL1( (41C peope disobites

The Catechism of the Catholic Church The Record continues its regular column publishing excerpts from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, focusing on topical as well as strictly religious themes. Following on from last week's teaching on the right to defend oneself, abortion, euthanasia and suicide are the subject of today's excerpts. Naturally, the excerpts do not take the place of an extensive reading of the Catechism.

Abortion 2 270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must he recognised as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.

2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion.

This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.

Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.

2 272 Formal co-operation in an abortion constitutes a grave offence. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae" "by the very commission of the offense" and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable

harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

2273 The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation.

2274 Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.

Euthanasia 2276 Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.

2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of

handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

Suicide 2280 Everyone is responsible

for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life.

We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honour and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.

2 281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbour because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human soci-

eties to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God. 2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish. or grave fear of hardship. suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives.

By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.

The Record, August 10, 1995 15

For all your painting

PICASSO needs: domestic and commercial, interior PAINTING & and exterior repaints DECORATING Renovation work.

All work guaranteed Ref. available

REG. NO. 3622

Call Carlo on 444 6797 Typesetting, Word Processing, Laminating A3 and Printing Services.

No job too small Reasonable rates Pick up and delivery most areas.

Phone/Fax 271 8130 or please leave a message.

RETREAT

SILENT RESIDENTIAL DIRECTED at ST. JOSEPH'S, PENGUIN ROAD, SAFETY BAY from FRIDAY 11TH to SUNDAY 13TH AUGUST for PERSONS SEEKING TIME, DIRECTION, SPACE to be with their deepest selves and in that time to be even more deeply with their God.

Costing $120 el Inclusive

providing INPUT, INDMDUAL SPRITUAL DIRECTION on days, LEISURE and TIME FOR GOD.

ENQUIRES 451 2712

Led by Marius, Teresa and Bridget

MI

Telephone

r11

A dvertising

22 77 778

KEYBOARDING SKILLS COMPUTERS/TYPEWRITERS Learn in

week,!

Willetton Senior High School Night & Nound. aPPTI wed Training Cows, Primary to Adult

Introductory 15 hrs x $4

Intermediate Advanced Time, .t

$60 1 5 hrs x $3 $45 1 5 hrs x $3 $45 1hr day/evening

THE PARISH SCENE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION

W ill be celebrated at the Bullsbrook Church, "Virgin Mary Mother of the Church" 36 Chittering Road, Bullsbrook. (a) Sunday August 13 with Holy M ass at 11am followed by Marian Procession. (b) Tuesday August 15 with Rosary at 10.30am, Holy Mass at 11 am.

For bus reservations for the Sunday Pilgrimage please ring 444 7565, 458 6302 for bus to a nd from Bullsbrook via Marangaroo, Tuart Hill, Perth, Highgate and Midland. 339 401 5 for Fremantle bus.

The Sacri Assoc, will not provide Tuesday the for b uses Pilgrimage, however Public Transport is available through Transperth - M3 timetable. Bus No. 311 stops in front of Church.

Sacri Assoc. Inc. P.O. Box 311 Tuart Hill, WA, 6060. 444 2285, 447 3292.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION "A view of Marriage Preparation - Insights from the Annulment Perspective" talk given by Father Greg Carroll LCL Judicial Vicar.

V ENUE: Holy Rosary Parish Centre, cnr. Elizabeth & Tyrell Sts. Nedlands.

D ATE: Tuesday 15th August, 1995.

TIME: 8pm.

Open to all parishioners, teachers - Parents and students are welcome.

HEAUNG MASS/TALK AT THORNUE

Carver Alan Ames (back from his talks in the U.K.) will speak about his conversion experiences after the 7pm Mass at the Sacred Heart Parish, Ovens Road, Thornlie, on the feast of the Assumption, 15th August.

Enquiries Michael 459 1256, Russel 274 6018.

NEWMAN SOCIETY Euthanasia; On Tuesday August 2 2, at 7.30pm in the Senior C ommon Room, St. Thomas Moore College, Crawley, Mr Eric Heenan, Q.C., will give a lecture on the legal aspects of euthanasia.

Newman meetings open to all interested. Contact No. 446 7340.

BREAKING THE CHAINS If you want to experience what the Israelites felt when David was appointed King, come and see this video about what the President of Zambia has done and what we can do to support h im on Apostles of Christ Charismatic Fellowship Night, Wednesday, 16th August 1995 a t 7pm, Sts. John & Paul C atholic Church, Willetton.

R efreshments & Fellowship after. All welcome.

DIVINE MERCY PRAYERS Every Friday at 3pm. Chapel of Catholic Education Centre. 50 R uslip St Leederville.

Information: Quen 447 6076.

Continued on Page 15

.ommenie 21st Atic.. I I th Str.WSHS

Official Engagements

phone 332 1066

AUGUST 10 & Confirmation, Greenwood 13 Monsignor Keating 11-13 Visitation and Confirmation, South Perth Archbishop Hickey 12 & Confirmation, Kalgoorlie 13 Rev Fr G Carroll 13 Confirmation, Gosnelis Monsignor McCrann 15 "Australia Remembers" Mass, St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey 17 Interview on "Crossing the Threshold of Hope"

by John Paul II, Sonshine Radio Archbishop Hickey 18 Confirmation, Mercedes College Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Palmyra Monsignor Keating 20 Procession and Benediction for Feast of Assumption, Mundaring Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Kenwick Monsignor Keating Confirmation, Rockingham Monsignor McCrann Confirmation, Kelmscott Rev Fr G Carroll 21 Launch of Report "Invitation to the Banquet" (Catholic Association for Special Education Support) Archbishop Hickey 23 Servite Mass, Feast of St Philip Benize, St Mary's - Archbishop Hickey

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME AUSTRALIA ENROLMENTS ARE NOW OPEN

NOTRE DAME COURSES Undergraduate and postgraduate courses are offered in tbur Colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Theology.

FOR

Bachelor of Arts

SECOND SEMESTER 1995

Bachelor of Arts (Communications)

Second Semester commences on 21 August

Bachelor of Arts (Education)

and for

1996 COURSES Enrolments opened on 1 August.

Offers of places and scholarships for 1996 are being made progressively until quotas are tilled.

You are invited to the

NOTRE DAME OPEN DAY Sunday 27 August 10am - 5pm • Tours of the Campus • Academic Staff available for individual consultations

Bachelor of Arts (Environmental Studies) Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Bachelor of Arts (Theology) Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Business (Accounting) Bachelor of Business (Management) Bachelor of Business (Marketing)

The University of Notre Dame FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO ENROL CONTACT AMANDA WHEELER 19 Mouat Street, Fremantle

Telephone (09) 430 0500

16

The Record, August 10, 1995

4100)

Bachelor of Education Bachelor of Theology Diploma in Education Diploma in Theology

Notre Dame offers Masters and Doctoral programs in Arts, Business, Education and Theology.