The Record Newspaper 14 December 1995

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Christmas with The Record

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PERTH, WA: December 14, 1995

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The Record will publish a bumper Christmas edition next week full of reading to make your 1995 celebration of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ as full of spiritual joy as possible.

The traditional list of Sunday and Saturday vigil Mass times throughout Western Australia will again be published to help with Sunday Mass attendance in 1996, along with bishops' Christmas messages.

Bishop Belo 'ciotilod7r even t :hfilsen still at risk of assassination

By Brian Coyne, Media Officer, Catholic Education Office

Bishop Belo said he would "work more for democracy in our OTTAWA (CNS) - East country and in the world, and Timorese rights activist Bishop always for respect for human Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo said rights."

The bishop also said about 70 he will continue to work for democracy and human rights in young Timorese were arrested East Timor, despite the threat of earlier in the day after they wrote the word "freedom" on a wall in assassination.

"I'm not afraid to die," said the the capital of Dili - marking the anniversary of the bishop, who has survived two 20th attempts on his life. We die only Indonesian invasion of East once and I'm ready to die even Timor.

'The people are praying, thinknow."

Bishop Belo. 47, made the com- ing about what happened 20 ments from East Timor in a tele- years ago." he said. "It was a sad phone news conference with and dramatic event and (they) Canadian journalists on are suffering now as a result of December 7 Canadian Catholic the occupation."

Two days earlier, he said, 12 News reported.

The bishop received the John other young people were arrestHumphrey Freedom Award from ed after gathering at a home "to the Montreal-based International show that the United Nations Center for Human Rights and should pay more attention."

"In Canada, you can walk and Democratic Development for his defence of human rights in East talk freely - here it's different," said the bishop. "We have no Timor.

Bishop Belo was unable to opportunity to say what we feel, attend the presentation ceremo- what we have in our hearts." ny in Montreal and delegated The bishop said he had no Father Mateus do Rosario da doubt that Indonesian authorities Cruz, chairman of the East Timor were listening in on the teleJustice and Peace Commission, to phone press conference. accept the honour on his behalf.

"It is natural, it is normal here."

By Art Babych

he said. The Catholic Church and Amnesty International have reported that almost one-third of the population of East Timor some 200,000 people - have been killed since the Indonesian invasion. The Indonesian Government claims a much lower number.

Bishop Belo said he believed the situation would not improve in the near future. "I am not a prophet. but what I see is that we will continue to suffer." he said.

An auxiliary bishop Of Melbourne, Bishop Hilton Deakin. said last month after a visit to East Timor the chances for any act of self-determination

by East Timorese did not look good at this stage.

He said there was constant harassment without due process, especially of youth in places like Dili as well as elsewhere, normally after nightfall, and accompanied by torture, at its highest level since a visit he made in 1992 shortly after the Santa Cruz massacre.

There was an "extraordinary hunger" for spiritual leadership, formation and prayer life in many parts of East Timor.

In our lifetimes we are each exposed to many "special moments" - those deeply moving, emotional experiences where our being is moved to its core.

Who would have expected it to occur at a Friday morning school Mass? Yet, for many people it seems that is precisely what occurred at a Mass last Friday at Holy Rosary Church in Nedlands.

It was a Mass to commemorate the work of the Mary Ward Centre at Loreto Primary School, Nedlands and the transfer of the centre to John XXIII College, Mt Claremont, from the beginning of 1996. The Mary Ward Centre exists to provide educational opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities.

In a position of honour in the front pews were the children of the Mary Ward Centre and, seat-

ed behind them, their parents.

Monsignor James Nestor began the Mass and then three children with quite severe speech difficulties made their way to the lectern where they intoned the words of the Kyrie: "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy".

At other points in the Mass these very special people took the place of honour bringing the gifts up to Monsignor, leading us in the Prayers of the Faithful and in the final procession.

I was present at the Mass to take photographs and write a story on the Mary Ward Centre.

As I moved down through the nave during the final recessional hymn, "Here I am Lord", my eyes glanced across the congregation.

I have never before experienced such deep tears of joy in the eyes of so many adult Australians in one place.

This was not one of those big moments of triumph in our lives.

Continued on Page 2

The seven students from the Mary Ward Centre take pride of place at the Mass celebrated to mark the transfer of the centre from Loreto Primary School to John XXIII College

Lose your life on the frontier, and gain it has been working as a principal Kimberley work so that it In Kimberley schools for the past achieves the same success for the More than 100 years ago, young 12 years, is seeking dedicated, people of the Kimberley as the Irish-Australians got their chance skilled and trained teachers who early pioneers in Catholic educaof an education to fit them for the can help give the young men and tion in Australia made the system alien English culture that sur- women they teach the same sort work and opened the doorways rounded them in Australia thro- of chance that Catholic children to opportunity for the sons and daughters of the poor Catholic ugh the self-sacrifice and ideal- were given in the past.

Other Kimberley Catholic immigrants who, for a long time, ism of the Irish teaching orders and Australia's own home grown schools are looking for similarly were virtually second-class citidedicated teachers (See page 15 zens in Australia.

Josephite Sisters, Catholic Australians in their The Josephites, Christian Bro- for advertisements).

This article is an appeal late 30s and older will have some thers, Sisters of Mercy, Presentation Sisters and others gave addressed to those Catholic real understanding of the start in Catholic children hope when the teachers who would like to give life that the nuns, brothers and surrounding culture was stacked something extra of themselves priests of the great teaching orders gave us. for a while. against them.

Prior to their arrival and selfless The rewards for the sacrifice The challenge of finding a way in an alien culture is no different you are being asked to make are endeavour, education for many today for the Aboriginal children difficult to quantify, although In fact, most - Catholic families of the Kimberley, something the there are some financial incen- was a luxury that even the greatSisters of St John of God and the tives to assist lay teachers who est wishing and self-sacrifice on the part of parents could not buy.

Pallotine Fathers have been help- take up the challenge. ing Aboriginals do for a century.

One of the intangibles is makToday, if you take a quiet The principal at Ngalangangp- ing this special part of the moment to stop and look about um School, Sr Denise Casey, who Catholic education system in the you, young Catholic men and

By Brian Coyne, CEO media officer

Children of Ngalangangpurn (Mother and Child) School at Warmun in the Kimberley. Aboriginal children need the same helping hand Irish Catholic children in Australia received for more than 100 years.

women - as well as their families - take their rightful place in wider Australian society on an equal footing with everybody else.

We are not discriminated against because of our cultural values, our spiritual values or our lack of education.

A Catholic Australian today has as much chance of making a success of their life as virtually any other person from the mainstream of Australian culture.

We contemporary Catholics have a debt that has to be repaid for the start in life that each of us has been given.

One place in which it can be repaid is by assisting others gain the self-esteem and basic educational qualifications that were denied to us - and if they were not denied to us directly, they were denied to our parents or our grandparents.

Continued on Page 2

Future challenges clear in Bunbury plans ast year about this time I useful guide to me and my advisL invited all parishes to take ers on pastoral planning. The Bishop Quinn's part in a consultation on future results were summarised and

planning for our Diocese.

We looked at statistics and movements in population, the number of ordained Priests we might have and the different ways parishes might be structured and pastoral services continued.

This consultation followed a consultation and study of our situation conducted several years earlier and which had already guided us to certain changes. For example we have had a Deacon and two Sisters responsible for parish administration and other sisters and lay people as parish assistants.

The result of last year's reports which amounted to many hundreds of pages from all over the Diocese gave us a lot of information on your thoughts for future planning. I thank all of you who contributed for your ideas and proposals. The have been sifted through and analysed and offer a

presented to the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Bishops Council of Priests and have given the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee an indication of what we need to provide for in the future.

Where Priests are fewer, parishes will sometimes not have a Priest in residence or Mass every Sunday. This calls for the parish lay community to assume responsibility for continued pastoral care and community worship as well as the management and administration of parish business affairs.

From your responses to the consultation and from discussion with the Priests Council and proposals from other Diocesan groups it becomes increasingly clear that there is a willingness to take on these responsibilities but a need for more people to be given training and formation so that good will can be supported

number of participants from around the Diocese.

In addition we have employed a full-time coordinator for the pastoral training initiatives of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission and the Committee for Adult Faith Education.

A Brown Josephite Sister has been taken on to offer adult faith formation and training in ministry to people in smaller and remote communities. This coming year we plan on offering a more substantial training programme in pastoral ministry, hopefully giving men and women the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles in parish life. by skills. For this reason we have We shall be inviting parishes to endeavoured to offer formation recommend suitable candidates programmes for Parish Pastoral for ordination as Deacons. Our Councils and Parish Finance aim will be to commence this Committees. We have had liturgi- education and formation procal formation programmes for gramme by July 1996. We are acolytes special ministers and called to share in the mission of others. We have introduced the Christ and the current thrust of January summer schools and our the Church is to call on the good 1994 and 1995 schools in will and charisms of the lay Bunbury have drawn a good members of the Church to make

Advent Pastoral

that mission more fruitful and widespread.

The mission we are called to share in is carried out in a parish through worship - community life - proclamation of the word service.

For worship we need to train readers, musicians, liturgy teams, acolytes and special ministers.

For building community we need hospitality and visitation teams, social life committees, visitors to the sick and housebound.

For the proclamation of the Gospel we need catechists, group leaders, adult faith and Scripture group leaders.

For parish service we need to offer assistance to support people in crisis, work for justice, help the needy and to train pastoral care groups.

Christ promised the Holy Spirit to His disciples and it is with confidence and gratitude that we make these small but significant steps into the future. May we be united in prayer asking God's blessing and guidance.

From strength to strength at '21'

Above, ADF foundation and long-serving member, Bernie Prendiville, cuts the 21st cake

THE 6th ANNUAL FLAME CONGRESS 1996 j

"BLOW THE TRUMPETS IN ZION" Mon. Jan. 22nd to Sun. Jan. 28th John 23rd. Lecture Theatre.

John 23rd Ave. Claremont.

Six International Speakers: Fr. Pat Lynch: Head of the Sion Community in England An international speaker and author of the popular book, "Awakening The Giant" dr "Is There A Way Through Suffering."

Fr. Gino Henriques C.Sc.R. An international speaker, author dr Head of Evangelisation 2000 Asia-Oceania, Singapore.

Rev. Dr. Russell Sage: International Evangelist dr Missionary associated with the Vineyard Churches.

Eddie Russell FMI: Author dr International Catholic Evangelist.

Guy Sutton-Mattocks FMI: Author dr International Catholic Evangelist.

Frank Tassone FMI: Author dr International Catholic Evangelist. *** All daily Sessions for the entire week = $100 *** Eartybird Discount for payment on or before Jan 1st = $90 *** Pensioners/Unemployed/Students = $65 *** Singe Sessions =$8 per session.

FOR BROCHURE - PROGRAMME INFORMATION - PHONE:

Flame Ministries international (09) 382 3668 2 The Record, December 14, 1995

Celebrating the Archdiocesan Development Fund's 21st birthday recently were members of the ADF Board and friends. The ADF, founded in 1974, has become a financial mainstay of archdiocesan development in its 21 years, helping to build schools, parishes, churches and aged-care facilities.

Over 3000 parishioner hold accounts with the ADF. Clockwise: (above) ADF systems manager, Don Ford, Jane Pilkington and ADF accounts manager Mike Papineau smile The Big Smile; (above, right) Margarethe Eccles and Caroline Rose'Meyer chat with ADF property officer Rod Cousins, and (right) Jim Thomas, financial administrator of the archdiocese, with Sr Joan Buckham of the CEO, ADF manager, Des Dwyer and CEO director Therese Temby.

Tears of joy for kids Continued from Page 1 This was one of those small triumphs where seven young boys and girls proudly and courageously took their place as spiritual equals with their brothers and sisters in their local school and parish community.

This was one of those moments when all the words in Scripture, all the wisdom that resides in the teachings of the Church, all the millions

of dollars spent each year in Catholic education came to have a simple and poignant meaning in action and liturgy.

The parents and teachers of each of these special children who understand the meaning in the word "love" in a very special way were being joined by their wider community and were able to share for a moment a deeper understanding of the meaning in this word also.

Lose and gain your life

Continued from Page 1 cuss the possibilities further, please ring any of In going to the Kimthe t principals at the berley today there Is schools mentioned in the much less required in accompanying advertiseterms of personal sacriments fice than what was Veronicaon Page 15, Sr involved when the pio- Broome Ryan at the Catholic Educatneering nuns and priests ion Office on (091) 92 went there but there is 2275, or Geoff Hendriks still some personal sacri- at the Catholic Education fice involved.

Office in Perth on 388 If you would like to dis- 4269.

Operator, dial heaven please What gives this kind hearted, compassionate, priest a buzz on Christmas Day is not the turkey and the trimmings, or the tinsel on the tree, but a telephone line which connects him with those who feel desperate or lonely enough to ring a perfect stranger.

Running down his line, between 2 pm and 8 pm on Christmas Day, is all the warmth and expertise that ebullient Father Gall of Manning parish, has.

If he can't solve it. then he directs people on to others areas of expertise - say Centrecare or elsewhere - but he just doesn't let it go at that.

No way. Fr Gall records their name and number (if they wish) and then follows them up to find out how they are further down the track.

Then how does this priest who's certainly a lot better than Santa Claus for all those who ring, feel after he's taken others' problems on board?

Absolutely wonderful, he enthuses.

Fr Gaff

"For at least a month afterwards I am all aglow with happiness and joy that I've been able to help all those people."

"It's the most marvellous feeling."

Well whichever way you look at it. Fr Gait's work on Christmas Day, simply has to be splendid example a of Christianity in action by this compassionate priest.

His telephone number is (09) 450-4171.

Fr Attard, Mary's priest, dies

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard

Fr Attard: great love for Christ, Our Lady and the Church.

"I always say Mass and the Rosary, as though it was my last.

- because you never know when you will be called," Father Lawrence Attard said recently. Fr Allard died at his Guildford presbytery on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

People acquainted with Fr Allard said this week his most outstanding quality was his dedication to his priesthood which he revered, and his enormous love for Our Lady - in order to bring souls to her Son. Involved in many apostolates, multi-lingual Fr Attard left behind him large numbers of people who respected, admired and loved him as being someone they could look up to and hopefully emulate in his striving for holy perfection.

Marie Kvesich who helped him at his presbytery and cared for him after his quintuple by-pass heart operation earlier this year described him as "an understanding priest, always available to people and to help; a good.

kind, compassionate priest who commanded a place of honour dearly loved his priesthood and within the family, and from this belief stemmed his affinity with who was Catholic to the bone."

Guildford parishioners told Mary, they attested, while cultihow he brought his beloved dog vating in them this same love.

Sasha with him 12 years ago, "He always instilled in us the when he took up his posting with need to pray for deceased loved the dog attending daily Mass, sit- ones and his Mass diary was ting in front of the altar, except on fully booked weeks ahead," one said.

Sundays.

His love of children could be Fr Allard was born on the feast of Our Lady's birthday, seen in a bottomless lolly jar for September 8, in 1925 in Kallcara, them after the Sunday Mass.

Malta, educated in St Aloysius Yolanda Nardizzi of the Marian College, the University of Malta, Movement believes Fr Attard's and was ordained on 22 love of Our Lady drew him to the Marian Movement of Priests September 1951.

He came to Australia in 1965 to from its inception in WA in 1980 work with Maltese migrants. In "and he has been loyal to the 1968 he became parish priest of Movement and Cenacle work Swanbourne and in 1973 was ever since, virtually to the very same week he died." assistant priest at Osborne Park.

His presence greatly enriched In 1975 he was made PP of Wongan Hills, and became PP of the Cenacles, Mrs Nardizzi conGuildford in 1983 until his death. tinued "And because he loved Proudly Australian but not for- Our Lady so much, he had a getting his Maltese heritage, Fr never ending source of informaAllard, his friends said, worked tion about her, presenting the tirelessly and always made him- various highlights and her influself available to the people, while ence in his life; we will always be never forgetting who he was and indebted to him."

SACRI Association president what his priesthood stood for.

He always believed a mother Vince Lombardo said Fr Allard

Melbourne Catholic church inspires Christmas stamps The splendid stained glass windows of Our Lady Help Of Christians church in the northern Melbourne suburb of East Brunswick in Victoria has walked on to the national stage by supplying the images for this year's Christmas stamps.

The stained glass windows have captivated the eyes of generations of worshippers there and now spread the Christmas message far and wide.

Needless to say, the parish is delighted by all this attention.

Parish priest. Father Victor Farrugia, is particularly pleased as he has been directing parish moves to restore the church to a state of grandeur in time for its centenary celebrations. Part of the work included restoration of the stained glass windows.

How did it reach the notice of Australia Post? Fr Farrugia said the art photographer who did the work for the booklet on the restoration project had heard that Australia Post was looking for suitable windows for the Christmas stamps and suggested they look at the windows.

Apart from the honour reflected on the church. Fr Farrugia is happy for another reason. "These stamps will help to put Christ back into Christmas.- he said.

Artist Dianne Cook from Australia Post's graphic design studio designed the stamps.

- Manny Candappa, courtesy Kairos.

was a warm, loving person, a friend to his family as well as members of SACRI. Maltese-born Franciscan Fr Marcellinus of Midland said Fr Allard was much loved by the Italians and the Maltese to whom he would bring the Word of God on his regular ethnic radio broadcasts, and who proved a man of great help to people, visiting them in their homes and hospitals, while treating with impunity his own health - "he merely wanted to use all his energy to work for God." Divine Mercy spokesman Adam Zydek cites Fr Allard as being a symbol of a true soldier of Christ in the Church, which was "undergoing such a difficult period."

People had to look up to someone to gain strength "and he definitely was one of those courageous and inspiring men."

Secretary of Mama Nostra Association, Dominic Lerace, said Fr Allard was "a wonderful person as a man and a priest, while always being a friend to the Association's members.

Fr Attard's funeral was held at St Mary's Cathedral today.

Anti-landmine letter call In a follow-up move to its recent the petition, anti-landmines Catholic Bishops Committee for Justice, Development and Peace is throughout Catholics asking Australia to take part in a national letter-writing campaign appealing for Australian Government support for a total ban on anti-personnel landmines.

The committee has also described the campaign as a pro-life issue, raising it to the same level as its previous public statements and campaigns on matters such as abortion and euthanasia.

Committee secretary Bishop Kevin Manning said the campaign was being organised as a follow-up to the highly successful petition to the Senate signed by over 200.000 Australians.

"In the past four months the Catholic community has made a

very significant contribution to the Australian campaign on landmines," he said.

I n all, petitions bearing about 240.000 signatures have been presented to the Federal Parliament. of which more than 80 per cent have been collected by Catholic parishes. schools and organisations."

He said that the aim of the letter writing campaign would be to reiterate to political representatives that Australians were concerned about the suffering and damage done to human lives by the mines and that they believed Australia should be at the forefront of efforts to ban their production.

Australian Catholic Relief, the Church's official aid agency, has material that people may want to include in their own letters on the issue. It is available by ringing (02) 9956 5799.

When you're experiencing loss, one comfort is knowing who to turn to.

The Holy Family, inspired by the windows of Our Lady Help of Christians church, East Brunswick, Victoria. Picture courtesy Australia Post

Qualified welcome for housing reform

Father David Cappo, the retiring director of the Catholic Social Welfare Commission, the Australian Catholic bishop's watchdog on welfare issues, has welcomed the Federal Government's housing reform agenda announced this week

by Prime Minister Paul Keating.

"This agenda will result in private rental housing becoming more affordable for low income families and opens the way for some families to use lump sum assistance to purchase homes," Fr Cappo said.

"Whether in public housing or private rental situations, people can now expect to pay no more than 25 per cent of their

gross income on rent. This is a most welcome initiative and will bring significant relief to many families who are currently disadvantaged in the housing area," he said.

But Fr Cappo warned that the government's housing reform agenda also carried a degree of risk "The shift of focus from housing stock to the needs of people and the need for a variety of flexible regional arrangements must not in any way be a signal to reduce government commitment to increase the supply of public housing in Australia," he said.

Nevertheless, the reform wou-

Id be helpful in taking what he termed "enormous pressure" off the public housing waiting lists, freeing public housing for those most in need.

He also flagged the question of whether the States and Territories would commit themselves to the on-going growth and development of public housing stock under the new arrangements as a major concern.

Three days earlier, Fr Cappo had released the ACSWC's own position paper on home ownership and public policy in Australia, entitled Housing in Australia: More than Bricks and Mortar.

For over 100 years, WA families have relied on Bowra & O'Dea. Our reputation for professionalism and genuine care has seen us become this state's largest funeral director.

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The Record, December 14, 1995

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Think of gathering the family

by Penny Ashcroft from the Youth & Young Adult Office. he Christmas Season T brings with it a time of waiting, the counting of days,

excitement, anticipation and preparation, as we wait to celebrate the birthday of our Saviour.

It would be wonderful if, throughout Advent, we were able to focus on preparing for Christmas Day for that reason alone - but as we all realise, the world makes that very difficult.

Waiting is a reality in our lives - we wait for service in shops and banks, we wait for taxis and our birthdays (well, those who are young enough to still look forward to them), most of us really dislike waiting, perhaps that is why we invented instant coffee and microwave ovens.

As much as we are tempted to fight against it, we all know that waiting is a fact of life - take a cake out of the oven too soon and it will flop, a banana takes time to ripen, we wait nine months for a healthy baby to be born and sometimes a relationship needs time to be reconciled. Waiting is also necessary for a true appreciation of Christmas.

Because we dislike waiting so much, we can get swept up in the urgency to prepare all and experience all, and so by

Catherine Hoyt, 10, of Silver Spring, Maryland, in the United States, peeks behind the window of an Advent calendar from the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Opening a window each day of Advent is one activity that can bring a family together during Advent in readiness for Christmas.

Christmas day everything is old So how do we slow down and hat - the tree (if 'real') has try and keep Christ in begun to wilt and the children Christmas and in our preparahave seen a dozen different tion?

Father Christmas', we have One way can be to really get shopped till we dropped, lis- Into the spirit of Advent as a tened to Christmas Carols for family. The family's main meal hours, and are really quite tired can be a special event in itself of the whole notion of sure it can be chaotic at times Christmas. (we've had a toddler tip a plate

SEIZE THE DAYREGISTRATION FORM Please Return to REPLY PAID 16, Catholic Youth Convention, P.O.Box 141, North Perth, WA 6006.

Surname Christian Names Address Post Code Ph D.O.B

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Cost - Just $165 for the full seven nights and six days! A deposit of $40 should accompany your registration with the balance of $125 due by Friday January 5, 1996.

of food over her head more than once!) - by making an Advent Wreath, lighting the candles at our evening meal, saying special advent prayers at that time, we can include a powerful and symbolic gesture that makes waiting for Christ on Christmas day more of a reality.

WHAT IS A YOUTH CONVENTION? Young people Parishes Parents

Then borrow the new video which will answer all your questions

SEIZE THE DAY Convention Video

Due to severe financial restrictions, The Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry is unable to register anyone who has not paid in full by this date.

DO NOT SEND CASH BY MAIL! I have enclosed a cheque/money order for being for...

4 ...Deposit only ...Part Payment..Full Payment I wish to order a T-Shirt ($25) and have included this in my registration fee (or will pay the balance by January 5, 1996).

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4 The Record, December 14, 1995

14-20 January 1996

Out now!

Telephone Catholic Youth Ministry 328 9622 Ask for Penny

According to an American, John Roberto, the Advent Wreath was once a wagon wheel, a wheel removed and rendered useless and inactive.

It was the sacrifice of an everyday object, taken for granted and ever rotating, now stopped and brought indoors as a sign of a different time, a sacred time, a time to halt action and turn inward. The symbolic reality of the Advent Wreath can help us turn inward, to bring together our minds and our hearts.

The making of an Advent Wreath each year can become a family tradition and tradition is what family is all about.

Many parents, after introducing a special way of celebrating a particular event, will hear their children say "oh. we always do that in our family!" 11-aditions, or rituals, are an essential part of family life - they give a sense of belonging, and even the most ordinary family events can become meaningful and significant.

One of the ways we experience God is through the events of everyday life, in our family, our work, our relationships.

There are many occasions throughout the year that we can use to celebrate being Christian. Advent can be a time of immersing ourselves in the true spirit of the Christmas Season, a time of waiting and purpose.

Catholic Youth Information Centre

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The following dates are still available for 1995-1996

(Dates in: bold - weekend, Italics = unconfirmed. underlined - school holidays Dec 27-31 January /, 2-5, 6-7, 8-12, 13-14, 15-1Z 22-26, 28-31 Fehr 1-2, 3-4, 5-9, 10-11, 12-13, 13-15, 18-20, 26-29 March 1, 3-8, 10-13, 17-20, 20-22, 25-29 April 1-4, 4-5. 8-7. 8-12. 13-14. 15-19, 20-21. 22-23, 23-25, 25-26, 27-28.

29-30 May /-3, 4-5, 6-7, 13-17, 19-23, 25-26. 27-30 June 1-2, 3-Z 8-9, 10-13, 15-18, 17-20, 2223, 24-2Z 29-30 July 1-4, 5, 0-7. 8-12. 13-14. 15-19, 20-21.

22-26, 27-28, 29-31 August 3-4, 5-7, 7-9, 11-15, 17-18, 19-22, 24-25. 26-29, 30. 31-1 Sept 2-6, 7-8. 9-12, 15-18, /8-20, 21-22, 23-26. 27-29, 29-30 Oct 1-4, 5-8. 7-9. 10-11. 12-13. 14-18, 19-20, 21-25, 28-27, 28-31 Nov 1, 2-3, 4-7. 9-10. 11-15, 18-17, 18-22, 23-24. 25-29, 30-1 Dec 2-6. 7-8. 9-13, 14-15, 16-17, 18-22.

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For bookings and enquiries, phone Eagle's Nest direct on 574 7030

Senator fights on for life causes

By Peter Rosengren Tasmanian independent Senator Brian Harradine last week issued harsh criticism of the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Crowley, Senator Rosemary accusing her of "inept" handling of a Bill before Federal Parliament and of attempting to evade her ministerial responsibilities regarding the trials of new abortion drugs in Australia.

"She has displayed an attitude to this which is inconsistent with her responsibilities as a Minister of the Crown. The Prime Minister and (Senator Crowley's) other ministers should have required her to act on this major question of public policy in accordance with the dictates of ministerial accountability," he said.

Senator Harradine was speaking to The Record following Senator Crowley's refusal to give priority to the Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill which Senator Harradine was attempting to amend.

Senator Harradine's amendments would have placed restrictions on the trial of abortion drugs in Australia so that the restrictions could only be lifted with the express approval of the Minister.

But Senator Crowley had refused to give priority to the Bill because

she had known that he would propose amendments which would ensure that abortion drugs would not be imported, trialed, registered or listed without her approval, he said.

Senator Harradine said that by doing this she was trying to avoid being placed in a position where she would be forced to expressly approve or disapprove trials of such drugs.

Senator Crowley is the Minister responsible for the Therapeutic Drugs Administration, the body which oversees the trial and experimentation of all new drugs in Australia.

Senator Harradine also criticised the government for breaking previous commitments made in parliament concerning such trials.

He said that despite explicit promises to the contrary, the government had allowed a situation to develop in which the trials of abortion drugs could be approved by the bureaucracy, in this case the TGA, ministerial express without approval - as had recently occurred with the RU-486 abortion drug trials.

An abortifacient, RU-486 is a synthetic steroid that breaks down the nutrient-rich lining of the womb during pregnancy, effectively causing it to break down and destroy the

intended to make the womb unreceptive to the embryo because the lining is inadequate for it to attach.

Senator Harradine said that on the last day of Parliament "a cat and mouse game ensued.

The Liberal and National Parties let it be known they supported my amendment.

Strangely the Greens and Democrats let it be known that whilst they had misgivings they would not vote for it.

He added that as the day wore on it had become apparent that as many as three Labor ians would abstparliamentar Senator Brian Harradine ain from voting and that three embryo in the process. If Democrats were also expressadministered after fertilisation ing "serious reservations," but before implantation, it is about voting for Senator

Crowley's Bill without accompanying amendments.

He also claimed Senator Crowley had previously told the TGA to treat any application for marketing of RU-486 in Australia like any other drug.

"Her statement would not be agreed with by the majority of people in Australia and she is Ministerial her avoiding responsibility by doing this," he said.

RU-486, also known as the 'morning after' pill, is marketed under the names Mifepristone giant pharmaceutical by Roussel-UCLA. Senator Harradine said that in addition to being an abortifacient, RU-486 also had considerable health risks attached to its use.

Church the key in profile struggle: US priest

By Peter Rosengren Each year somewhere in the vicinity of 80,000 abortions are carried out in Australia. In the United States, the figure is 4,000 a day.

Worldwide, the figure is something like 10 million a year, while the last twenty years have seen over 100 million people perish in the womb - possibly as many as 200 million. Nobody knows the precise figures because there are just too many to count.

But it is not all going one way.

Father Frank Pavone, national director of the US organisation, Priests for Life, has a full-time job travelling the United States and occasionally visiting the rest of the world, spurring priests and laity on in the defence of unborn life and against euthanasia.

In Perth last week he was speaking to both groups to reinvigorate the efforts of those who have decided that this issue is important enough to do something about.

And, as ever, he was issuing an open invitation to everybody else to join the ranks. His message: the war is not over yet.

"My message . . . . is that we have no more urgent moral problem to rectify than that of the killing of human beings - whether they be the unborn, which of course is the primary problem - and also the threats against those who are too ill to be considered by some people to be equal to the rest of us," he said.

Society's value on human life was the critical issue of the day.

"If, as is the case in abortion and euthanasia, we start saying well, certain people do not have the right to life or certain people are not equal to others, well then, we undermine the foundation on which everything else stands," Fr Pavone said.

Speaking to priests as a priest, Fr Pavone said he often quoted Dr Bernard Nathanson, the architect of abortion in the Unites States who just this year converted to Catholicism.

"He addressed a group of clergy in New York a few years ago and after he described all the strategies that he and his friends used to get the abortion movement started, he

Father Frank Parcae looked at us and said "we would have never gotten away with what we did if you had been united, purposeful and strong" - 'you' being the clergy," Fr Pavone said.

"And I say to the priests today that the promoters of abortion, and we can include euthanasia, will still not get away with what they're doing if we become more united, purposeful and strong," he said.

And he said that the Church was the biggest threat to the abortion industry.

"They know that the biggest obstacle in their way is the Church - the Church which has stood for two thousand years, precisely for the dignity of the human person - and the Church shows no signs of going away," he said.

"So I say to the priests, at the moment when not only the Church, but civilisation itself, needs us the most let's not back away in cowardice. We need to keep proclaiming this. Another thingI say to them very strongly is: we are the ones who are the defenders of women," he said.

On Thursday, December 28, Archbishop Hickey will celebrate Mass in reparation for abortion at St Mary's Cathedral in Perth at 730pm.

Human Life International, which organised Fr Pavone's visit to Australia, has asked that people attending Mass donate baby clothes to help mothers of the unborn.

The Mass will be preceded by a pro-life Rosary at 710pm.

Christmas.

A time for reflection

More than just a season of goodwill and giving, Christmas is a time to share. And a time to reflect upon our family around the world.

In particular, it's a time to think of people in Third World countries ... their own, or perhaps as refugees in someone else's ... living their lives with a minimum of shelter, comforts and possessions. Or with none.

Will you share your Christmas with those in other countries who are homeless, hungry or who suffer oppression and injustice?

Through our sharing, may we understand that the greatest gift of all is to love one another.

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Josie does it her way, and shows everyone how to follow

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard Maybe she has been totally vision impaired for the past 13 -ears, but it certainly hasn't 'topped St John of God Sister ;osie Cutler from sailing through ife and knocking down chalenges as though they didn't mist.

Photographed here with her First Prize win of a crocheted quilt and Second Prize of a wicker basket in the section for the Association for the Blind at this year's Royal Show, Sr Josie also does pottery, as well as a computer course, and - would you believe it - golf.

How does she play golf? Quite easy, she explains, and says her

sighted caddy merely has to tell her the distance she has to shoot the ball - anything up to 123 metres from hit off - and she aims in the direction she's told. Easy?

Well that depends...

Learning the computer is done with a voice pack, and, having had keyboard skills from way back, Sr Josie says she only has to learn to stretch her fingers to encompass the extra keys - and it really won't be a problem.

She's a little publicity shy, but what we do know about her is that she's won a few awards, and used to walk the 3.5 kms from the Belmont SJOG convent to the Association for the Blind daily, from 1982 when she lost her vision until 1994. Now residing

Future of report unclear The future of two reports submitted by the Australian Catholic Theological Association to thp Catholic Bishops' Conference on the current thinking of scriptural scholars and theologians regarding Pope John Paul ll's encyclical Ordinatio Sacerrlotalis is now unclear, following the latest affirmation from Rome of its infallibility.

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, issued

by Pope John Paul in 1994, declared that the Church was unable to ordain women to the priesthood and, by so doing, violate the Church's tradition and the model established by Christ.

It came at a time when pressure has mounted in recent years for the Church to ordain women as priests.

Bishop Eugene Cuskelly, secretary of the Bishop's committee on doctrine and morals, told The Record that the reports had not been commissioned by the Australian bishops but had been an initiative of ACTA. ACTA had decided it wished to submit a study on the status of

current theological and scriptural thinking on the issue to the bishops and had done so, he said.

Fr Tony Kelly CSs11. president of ACM and president of the Yarra Theological Union, confirmed that the reports had been forwarded to the bishops and that ACM had been thanked by them for their work.

However he could not discuss the specifics of the two reports, he said.

But they were a summary of scriptural and theological thinking in relation to the question of the ordination of women - more along the lines of a briefing." he said.

However he was surprised at the recent declaration by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the teaching's infallibility.

"I'm surprised that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith could declare something to be infallible," he said.

The proceedings of a Congregation do not settle matters of doctrine."

in West Leederville, she breezes through another challenge of changing trains twice to get to the Association where she is busy doing crocheting and pottery and volunteer pastoral care at the Braille Nursing Home.

The beautiful quilt she made was simple too, and oh yes, just to fill in time, she's quite a dab at soap making.

Enthusing about life, Sr Josie describes it as "Wonderful! and certainly worth while living."

She loves meeting people whom she says give her inspiration, and her advice to anyone out there (especially with disabilities), is to "Keep trying and push yourself to get everything out of life you can."

For St John of God Sister Josie Cutler, losing her sight in 1982 turned out to be the beginning of an interesting and rewarding life, not its end.

Celebrating school's growth The school community of St Jude's Catholic School, Langford, turned out in force last Wednesday for the blessing and opening of its latest extensions.

Mrs Therese Temby, the Director of the CEO, performed the opening and and emphasised recent comments by Archbishop Hickey that education is a threefold partnership which is shared between parents, schools and the parish.

At left: The school choir at St Jude's Catholic School during the official opening of the new administration, library, general purpose learning area and other extensions.

Tribute to gifted sport educator Regina Hunt has been teaching physical education and sport at Mercedes College in Perth for longer than she cares to remember.

In fact, it is 21 years and last Friday evening Regina was presented with a special plaque commemorating her years of dedicated service in sport and physical education by the Director of Sport for Associated and Catholic Colleges, Mr Rob Langer.

Regina is pictured receiving the plaque at the end-of-year celebrations (Right) attended by over 80 teachers and principals at the Royal Flying Squadron, Nedlands.

During her time as a physical education teacher, Regina has won a reputation as an especially gifted educator in her field.

And, this one makes 600!

New mausoleum ready for WA Monsignor Michael Keating blessed the crucifix and the newly built mausoleum (see right) at Karrakatta last week. which was officially opened by the Premier. Richard Court.

It not only represents Western Australia's first, but the world's best, in the opinion of Mr Michael Gangemi who's been pushing for a mausoleum in WA since his arrival from Italy in 1942.

Delighted with the result of this magnificent buikliw.; which will provide 500 crypts, the ossernhly nnplrinde,! the finished result bee!) cnrr,fi0

Iiil •

Seated in the front row, Fr Sullivan - Spiritual Director of the Lesmurdie Legion of Mary Praesidium, Our Lady of Lourdes - has every reason to be proud of these Legionaries, because they've just held their 600th meeting.

President of the Eastern Districts Curia Joe Kirby in the rear, simply glows with pride at the good work these wonderful people have done and, judging by their enthusiasm - they look set to kefip.on dpinf „ I

6 The Record, December 14, 1995

area, as well as Mediterranea, and Scandinavian regions to complement the Australian aspect.

The complex and precincts are landscaped to blend in with the traditional character of the Karrakatta Cemetery

&tiers 10 Iheo Colllar Christmas gift Parishioners can help priests for Archbishop W

n recent years, Perth has played host to I the most extraordinarily gifted priests of our times - priests of such holiness and

evangelical spirit as Father Emilio Tardiff, Fr Stefano Gobbi, Fr Paul Maria, Fr Jozo Zovko, and now Fr Frank Pavone, to name just a few.

Why is this so? Why is God sending His modern day Prophets to Perth? What has happened to ignite this spiritual fire?

These holy priests have one constant explanation - we have an Archbishop who has the wisdom and courage to pierce through the darkness and gloom and call forth God's light and truth.

Archbishop Barry James Hickey is Our Blessed Mother's gift to Perth. Our Lady is calling forth her many priestly sons to support and encourage her bishops.

I pray that the faithful of Perth recognise the tremendous grace given to us, in these difficult times.

Come, let us shower His Grace with a bouquet of Christmas greetings, both spiritual and material.

Thank you Archbishop Hickey! May God bless you with strength and long life.

Philip Haydon Woodlands

The grace to conquer Nothing highlights the signs of the times more so than the epidemic of youth suicide which is with us. It is the single largest cause of male death in the 18-24 age bracket in Western Australia (1993 ABS) with females attempting at a ten times greater rate but with less deaths.

These are the fruits of an increasingly self-absorbed and greedy western world, the reality of Australia.

Many would have the Church compromise with this corrupt world - accept its false values, its deceptions and empty promises.

Against this background, the Archbishop gives a clarion call (The Record, 7 December) to follow the teachings of the Church and go out into the gravely ill world and convert it: to be a light in this darkened late twentieth century.

Sustained by the sacraments and prayer whereby we receive grace - which is of the supernatural order - we will conquer as surely as we suffer.

So deluge the Archbishop with letters of support (Most Rev. B I Hickey, St Mary's Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth WA 600 fax: (09) 221 1716, ph: (09) 325 9177) and with your prayers. He needs them both.

Peter Leahy Wembley Downs

The world can listen

M

r Said's letter (The Record, 7 December) contains a clearly unbalanced view of the world. Hence,I find the prominence given to it in The Record, puzzling.

Mr Said condemns the modern world as having "lost its way", and equates our

hile it was heartening to read of Mrs A Devlin's concern for our sick and retired priests, the particular situation referred to is not as bleak as may have appeared to your correspondent.

I am sure the individual priest mentioned does not wish his personal situation to be discussed in these pages further other than to clarify that his present location is temporary.

It may be opportune to remind Catholics of our Archdiocese that they do in fact to some extent support our sick and retired priests through the annual parish assessments - though, of course, individual parishioners would be welcome to donate or bequeath to that specific fund at any time.

It would be unfortunate if the publication of the particular letter would in any way lead readers to believe that the concern for the welfare of retired or sick priests was not a priority for the Archdiocese and its Archbishop.

Under Canon Law, all Christ's faithful, clergy and laity, have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church, Including "the worthy support of its ministers".

In this Archdiocese, upon retirement some priests choose to provide for them-

selves, others are part of a housing cooperative, others take advantage of places offered through a generous co-operative arrangement with the St John of God Sisters, the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Knights of the Southern Cross, and other Catholic aged persons organisations.

Places for the frail aged and those requiring special care are at a premium.

This is the case for priests and religious as it is for the rest of the community, The Archdiocese is fortunate in having the cooperation of those in the Catholic community who provide these services, however, at times places are just not available.

With the majority of priests of this Archdiocese in the upper age bracket the demand will no doubt increase and this remains a concern for the Archbishop and the whole Church Community.

If anyone wishes to raise any matter in this regard please write to me care of the Catholic Church Office, Victoria Avenue, Perth 6000.

Father Tim Corcoran Vicar for Priests Editor's note: Since receiving Fr Corcoran's letter, The Record has learned that the priest in question will be taken in care by the Little Sisters of the Poor.

world with St Paul's idea of "darkness". I invite him to reflect a moment on what he Church calls the "signs of times", those stirrings of grace in our world.

The renewed efforts to preserve our environment, the universal cry for justice and the struggle for women's contribution to church and world, are but a few of these "signs". The thirst for spiritual values grows daily.

No doubt, there are destructive evils wearing their way through human life. But Christian hope proposes more than a "wringing of hands" or despair. "Where sin abounds, grace even more so."

When it is all said and done, we either believe in the victory of Easter or not. God is present in the darkness of human history or there is no hope at all.

The Church exists for the world. It is the mission of the Church to inculturate the Gospel in every age. Certainly the world needs to listen to the Church, but I doubt that there will be much listening while Catholics engage in simplistic condemnations.

The world listens to the Church when the Church. holding true to its principles, offers practical and compassionate solidarity.

Fr Tony Chiera Donnybrook

tims might be recruited. A bit more money might become available for prevention and rehabilitation programs.

The Australian Government is frightened to tax cask wine realistically.

A government more interested in appeasing vested interests than in rescuing young people from addiction is a weak government.

Arnold Jago Mildura

Taxing social problem riask wine is the cheapest mind-altering drug in Australia.

It's destroying thousands of Australian lives today.

If cask wine was taxed realistically (on an alcohol-content basis) a few less vic-

Definition widened

S

everal of your readers have shown a strong desire to become involved in debate over the Censorship Bill introduced by the State Government.

Their interest in the overhaul of Western Australia's censorship laws is welcome.

However, there is a need to correct some of the claims they have made.

Let me reassure your readers that the Bill will prevent the exhibition of X-rated movies in any cinema, hall, function room or similar venue.

The definition of public place has been widened to ensure that private possession means that X-rated movies may only be shown in the privacy of one's home - and even then it will be an offence to allow them to be shown to a minor.

As far as the sale of child pornography is concerned, a person may be charged with trading in child pornography if he/she has any copies whatever in his/her possession.

In addition, the Bill automatically assumes intent to sell if a person is in possession of 10 or more copies - thus putting the onus of proof onto backyard operators.

One of your correspondents referred to

the mail-order business in X-rated material based on Canberra.

Any pressure from the community onto members of Parliament needs to start at this point - because as long as that business exists, the Australian Constitution will allow interstate trading.

Censorship is one of those sensitive social issues where there is a clear divergence of opinion. The State Government has come down strongly on the side of protecting the community generally and children in particular, without taking away the rights of adults.

Cheryl Edwardes MIA Attorney General

Vatican Radio call hank you for the good record in the T Record. This is a different letter from the usual! Not an opinion, but a request

Who can help me with information on the English-language short-wave transmissions from Vatican Radio.

Matters of interest would be transmission times, frequencies, satellite information (if any), quality of reception and availability of programs.

I suppose most of the information could be obtained by writing to the radio station, but to save Vatican time and finances, I thought it better to first ask the local Perth community.

Are there any regular listeners around?

Please contact: Bram Ziegelaar, 17 Inglis Crt. Kwinana, 6167

Plea to grandparents ongratulations to Children's Court Magistrate Mrs Susan Gordon for her C speaking up for children. "The tree grows

as the twig is bent". "Look before you leap". "Take one false step and where will the road lead you". These were maxims of my childhood.

So please teach the children how to make choices. Tell children life is like a supermarket - you can choose what you put in the basket - but - "Is the thing you are choosing worth the good name you are losing." Look it over - think it out.

I've done quite a bit of jail visiting, looking up young friends of the "hippie" classification who regard me, I'm happy to say, as "grandma". "Me mates were doing it" and "It seemed a good idea at the lime - It seemed smart". See? No making of choices. Because they had no good examples from parents to do so quite often.

They have been cast too young on the stormy seas of life. And here Iput in a plea to grandmothers. Quite often their mum has gone off somewhere with her de facto and Dad with his but they know where Gran is because she writes to them, rings them up on their birthday. knits them a pullover maybe.

And abortion - if Gran was there to turn to in their hour of need then maybe teenagers would go first to Gran for help, not the abortionist. Grandads are needed too, especially for the young children to get them out of doors and involved in outdoor activities, camping, fishing.

V Heiberg Bunbury

Grandmother gives up her family Christmases for God

By Peter Finney jnr NEW ORLEANS (CNS) - Thais Corriere candidly admitted that Thanksgiving dinner with her family this year was difficult, about as emotionally wrenching as anyone could imagine.

And she realises that Christmas Day her first Christmas separated from her family - could be even more difficult.

Mrs Corriere. a 55-year-old widow whose husband was murdered nearly nine years ago, can't understand why God has called her to leave her five children and four grandchildren to enter the cloistered Discalced Carmelite monastery in Mobile, Alabama. There, her only future contact with her family will be through a screen.

But as she packed the few boxes of her belongings that she would take with her on her 240km hip into a new world, she

spoke about answering a call deep within her soul. "I think the call to be a religious was there in earlier years, but I was the only child and my mother was never supportive of it and I wasn't a defiant kid," Mrs Corriere told the Clarion Herald, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans late last month.

"I always pushed it to the back," she added. "Then I went to college and met the manI would marry and have five children with." After her husband, Samuel, was killed in 1987, "the desire just kept popping up, except this time it wasn't for a teaching order," Mrs Corriere said. "I just felt called to a contemplative life."

She said there was ample precedent in the history of the church for widows to enter religious life:There is a Discalced Carmelite in Illinois who left everything behind, and she had 10 children and 11 grandchildren, and she now has 22 grandchildren," Mrs Corriere said. "Maybe

that's what made my mother superior take a chance on me."

The toughest aspect of her decision was the impact it will have on her family, Mrs. Carriere said. She will be able to visit with her family, but only at the monastery, separated by a screened partition. She will be able to talk occasionally by telephone.

Her children, she admits, are split about her decision. "I have a couple of children who are not happy about it, but they support me and say, 'If this is what you have to do . ," Mrs Corriere said. "Some are not very happy nor supportive.

"Not seeing the grandchildren will be the hardest thing," she added. 'There will be many grandchildren to come that I know I will never have the opportunity to hold and play with. "My eldest grandson is making his first Communion this year. I'm very sorry that I won't be there for so many things. . . . Who knows what the Lord has in store for me?"

Thais Carriere: packing away the secular work,

The Record, December 14. 1995 7

ittitaf An antiphon for your card, sir?

Glorp, to Ood . . . (Ehristmas 1gg5

By Cori Fugere Urban (CNS) - Sister of St. Joseph Catherine Leary, a parish pastoral minister, acknowledges that she could easily get caught up in "the external" at Christmas - making and buying gifts, writing Christmas cards and decorating.

So to stay in keeping with "the spiritual," she is particularly fond of the "0 Antiphons" - the expressions of deep longing for the coming of the Messiah.

"They root me in Advent and remind me this is what (the season) is all about: being present to God's presence in my life," said Sister Leary, who works at Holy Name Parish in Springfield and lives in South Deerfield.

The "0 Antiphons" are seven prayers that are recited on the days immediately before Christmas, beginning on December 17. The prayers - scriptural texts just a few lines long - begin with "0" and include the desire for Christ to come.

He is addressed by a different title on each of the seven days; 0 Wisdom, 0 Lord, 0 Root of Jesse, 0 Key of David, 0 Rising Dawn. 0 King of Nations, 0 Emmanuel.

Five years ago, Sister Leary began a special annual project to silkscreen one of the "0 Antiphons" onto about 120 cards that she designs and sends to friends, relatives and co-workers. Also a master weaver, she creates a few small banners that match the card to be given as gifts and used as Christmas tree ornaments.

It takes her about three hours to cut the card design for the "0 Antiphon" and another hour and a half with using the help of a friend to silkscreen one colour.

Sister Leary, 52, said she has always liked the "0 Antiphons," but she became especially interested in them during the liturgical reform of the early 1960s.

"In 1962 when I was in the novitiate, (the church) was big into liturgy reform." she

told The Catholic Observer, newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield. That Christmas, a book she was given, The Church's Year of Grace, described practices she says the church "had kind of let go." The "0 Antiphons" especially moved her because of the "longing for God that they express."

So far, she has completed five of the "0

By Earl Weirich The Christmas letter is a folksy missive from friends and relatives - and some not so relative, such as people we can't remember or never heard of. The letters usually are of a generic nature (that way they can cover everybody) and brimming

Sister of St Joseph Catherine Leary hand makes 0 Antiphon cards for friends and family at Advent The inscription reads, -Come, desire of Nations, bind in one the hearts of all." CNS pcture

Antiphons." She does not make them in the order they are prayed, but in the order she "feels like it."

Sister Leary added that the "0 Antiphons" are a countdown to Christmas, and, if people take Advent seriously and diligently prepare for the feast, they can offer them the encouragement to "hang in, there are only a few days left."

over with welcome news to stir the emotions.

Aunt Gertrude in Ohio, for instance, told us last year that the cat's tail got caught in a mousetrap just the week before and also that she doesn't have nearly as many dizzy spells since she went off her oatmeal and grapefruit diet to lose weight.

I wouldn't want anyone to think that I'm some kind of Scrooge. Not at all. I love

receiving Christmas cards. It's just that I can become as dizzy as Aunt Gertrude used to get before she went off her oatmeal and grapefruit diet when I try to place all of the people they talk about.

No sir, don't take me off the Christmas card list. And especially from the ones who tuck those heart-warming personal messages inside. Like the ones I always get from Becky, the young woman I hired right out of college to work for me in the public relations field some years back.

She was far away from home and I became like a father figure to write a Christmas letter to all our friends. I'd have to write it, she advised; she was too busy.

What in the world could I write about?

I've never been on an oatmeal and grapefruit diet, and I don't go fishing. Besides, who would care?

Write about something meaningful, she persisted. I refused. Absolutely. No way.

It was about 10 days til Christmas when I sat down at the computer to compose our Christmas letter about "something meaningful."

In fact, we had visited my wife's favourite aunt down in Louisiana earlier that year, one I hadn't met since we had been married. I could write about our visit. It had turned out to be meaningful. Full of sentiment.

My letter was warm and fuzzy and about family. It went like this: "I was still plenty nervous as we approached the home of Ginger's aunt, but moments inside the house this kindly woman quickly dispelled all my fears with her friendliness. She even insisted that we stay for dinner with her and her husband.

"By the time we sat down around the table I was feeling as if I'd always been part of the family - until the aunt interrupted my rush of conversation to say to my wife: 'Honey, please pass the mashed potatoes to whatzisname."'

OK. but it had a lot of meaning for me.

Christmas in the eternal city is like nowhere else

By John Travis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - There's no snow, only one tree and the Santas are a bit tattered, but Christmas in Rome and the Vatican offers some unique opportunities for sightseeing and reflection.

Where else can you go "presepio-hopping" from church to church, to see artistic and folkloristic Christmas creches that seem to get more elaborate every year?

The "presepio" is a tradition begun by St Francis of A.ssisi, who used live figures in his Nativity scene in the 1200s.

Today the creches are mostly miniature and may feature running water, mechanised skyvaults and hundreds of village figurines. Somewhere in the middle stands a more-or-less humble manger, where a statuette of the baby Jesus is placed on Christmas Day. Children bring their baby Jesus figures to St Peter's Square in mid-December, where Pope John Paul II blesses them and talks about the value of the creche tradition. He is rumoured to have at least two set up in his own room.

Even casual tourists will enjoy a visit to Piazza Navona, where from early December dozens of market stalls sell the creche figures. Made of ceramic, plaster or wood, they make nice seasonal souvenirs. Besides the standardissue Holy Family, on sale are butchers, bakers and fishmongers - enough to recreate a scene out of 19th-century Naples, where many of the statuettes are still made.

The Vatican. at this Pope's

request, now offers a larger-than- during the Christmas season life-sized "presepio" in St Peter's when children would gather to Square. Unveiled on Christmas sing to it.

Eve, it is nestled below the Pope's But in 1994 the statue was own Christmas tree, the largest of stolen, to the great dismay of many gifts that arrive annually Romans. The Franciscans who for the pontiff. run the church have now disThis year, an 85-foot-tall fir from played a copy, and the songs southern Germany was donated again fill the church. to the pope by a Bavarian The "Bambinello" offered gilt princess in memory of her hus- and jewels, but Rome provides a band. After being strung with yel- year-long visual tribute to the low and white lights - the Vatican Nativity in many of its other colours - it was to be inaugurat- churches. The Italian painter ed on December 16 with singers Pinturicchio's masterpiece, and dancers in native Bavarian "Adoration of the Child," comcostumes. missioned by a pope's nephew in Music is in the air throughout the 1400s, has just been restored Rome, with Christmas concerts at In the Church of Santa Maria del every price range. The Vatican's Popolo. annual song and music show In the Basilicas of Santa Maria mixes carols and orchestral Maggiore and Santa Maria in selections, in a fund raiser for Trastevere, cycles of early new Rome churches. This year Renaissance mosaics contain John Denver leads the lineup; touching scenes from Christ's ticket prices range from $30 to birth. $800.

Those tracing the legend of St. The budget-minded can simply Nicholas of Bari - the prototype wander Rome in the weeks of our Santa Claus - can visit the before Christmas and listen to Church of San Saba on the the "zampognari," shepherds Aventine Hill. There, 13th-centufrom nearby mountain villages ry frescoes depict three penniless who play their bagpipes near maidens lying naked in a bed; St street shrines of the Madonna.

Nick, aware of their predicament, Street Santas, on the other is shown throwing gold through hand, have never caught on big their window from a bag he's in Rome. The few that exist often carrying.

Pope John Paul II prays at Rome's Spanish Steps during a traditional serwork in pairs - which should On Christmas Eve, of course, vice marking the feast of the Immaculate Conception Photo: CNS make any child suspicious - and the place to be is St Peter's seem to be in it for photo profits. Basilica, where the Pope cele- tional holiday bread with Polish Christmas, he delivers a series of Besides that, they're skinny. brates midnight Mass in a two- compatriots, and he usually gives short Advent talks from his apartOver on Rome's Capitoline Hill, hour-long ceremony. But the an off-the-cuff sermon about life ment window on Sundays, about the annual pilgrimage to the smaller churches around Rome in his homeland. A few hours the real meaning of Christmas Church of Santa Maria d'Ara offer impressive liturgies in cozi- later he's on camera around the and the need for spiritual reflecCoeli is proceeding this year, er settings: the Irish Dominicans' world during the lengthy mid- tion. As he speaks, the din of though the guest of honor is sung Mass at San Clemente, for night liturgy in St. Peter's traffic is heard in the background missing. For centuries, a jewel- example.

Basilica. He invariably delivers a - many Romans are taking bedecked statue of the baby The Pope celebrates Christmas simple sermon about the advantage of expanded preJesus, called the "Bambinello," privately and publicly. Early on Saviour's arrival in a manger.

Christmas Sunday shopping In the weeks leading up to hours to do their gift-buying. was venerated there, especially Christmas Eve he eats a tradi-

8 The Record, December 14, 1995

Features

When the shock therapy of the Holy Spirit worked. . . .

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard ithout a doubt, those W who've really suffered know the pain and ultimate

refinement of its fire; of being honed and shaped to something finer, more resilient, but also more flexible.

Human beings can grow from adversity and the challenge to overcome difficulties.

But others retreat into a hole, close the entrance, and spend their lives blaming their lot on someone else, if not God. I've just met a man who has suffered for the major part of his 38 years, much of it caused by mental illness.

But he's made it, and one of the greatest things about him is his fierce love of the Holy Spirit, whose light was around him and whose strength was there for him throughout his terrible years of pain, misery and confusion.

Three years ago he quit his medication for mental illness. It was part of his final bid to undo the shackles that bound him, those who didn't help or worked against him - and a system which said he simply had to fit into the common mould.

Recently arrived from Ireland.

Thomas Regan is that man and multi talented he certainly is.

A linguist, artist, sculptor. pianist, songwriter, guitarist, author of a trilogy and a script writer, he was born into an academic family and was expected to follow suit. Expelled several

times from his "conservative Catholic school" for wearing his hair a little too long, or a different coloured overcoat, Thomas believes it proved to be a very reactionary Catholic environment for a young child and its influences were "very, very powerful."

This influence fashioned his sense of duty, Thomas said, but the sense of duty was to succeed, "get a career, a job, wife, kids and fit in!""

So in the midst of trying to do that when studying economics, Thomas confessed to "cracking because I'm an artist and knew then I was. So I went through 16 years of fighting mental illness, drugs, and electric shock treatment before I finally gave it all up and am now the man I always wanted to be."

But Thomas sees it as a tragedy that it takes a man until 38 years of age "to realise what he is on earth for."

He believes that if one's life is going in a direction that is so wrong, one should stop and think and go in another direction.

He now takes neither tablets, nor sees doctors or psychologists and attributes his breaking free, to the help of the Holy Spirit "He's the one I prayed to."

"I put all my faith in Him, and urge people to call upon Him and get the answers they want.

"The Holy Spirit, whom I sought on the advice of an Irish spiritual healer and also my brother, is the bringer of truth ...

but not necessarily the bringer of peace, because sometimes He brings trauma to strengthen us "But ultimately He brings peace."

From the age of 22 to 25 Thomas admits to being "very, very ill, and after that period I was on psychiatric drugs and went into hospital on other occasions, but it was mainly during those three years."

Thomas conceded to being in mental hospitals about 14 times in the space of ten years, which he describes as "Purgatory! You can't imagine what it was like!

And on top of that you have your family continually pulling and dragging at you to make you see (what they perceive to be) cornmonsense."

He said not one of them acknowledged he was an artist nor urged him to choose his own life, "so that's why I live in Australia, because I'm so sick of It all."

Having produced two albums and two CDs, Thomas is currently writing a screen play for a film based on one of his books, Journey Into Light Thomas' advice to others is that you have to be what you want to be, to have faith in God. "and He will lift you up. but you have to stand up for yourself in this world because if you don't, you will stay on the ground."

At certain points in one's life, one can reach depths of a nature so unknown that "your prayers may not seem strong enough," he

Thomas Regan: through the purgatory of mental illness to life in the Sp** says. "And it's at that point you have to come to terms with God who made you and you have to look upon Him in a different light.

"He is a powerful God, a disciplinarian God. and He allows us to suffer in order to turn us back to him, because once you follow Him, whatever suffering you go through. He will make it bearable, because He is there."

Now at peace, Thomas says he'd decided for once in His life that God accepts Him exactly as He is, and notes that throughout the Bible, the ones God chose as saints weren't always perfect, or

the great names in history. "He chose some of the weaker, and the sinners. He chooses His own to do His work."

It's God who chooses men's vocations, Thomas asserts, and steadfastly believes it was God who got him out of his illness.

To those who suffer, he urges them to realise it is God who loves us as individuals, in our uniqueness, "and there is no greater role for man than loving your God and your neighbour, while the Holy Spirit is always there, so real, with a light to guide you."

Waiting, praying for the most important of joys

of the chaplains of St Gertrude's College. When I came back from Spain, I was appointed guest master and doorkeeper of the Monastery and curator of the Monastery art gallery and also did some teaching work.

In October 1954 I was sent to was born in the village of Laguarres (Provincia de our Mission at Kalumburu and remained there for four years.

Huesca, Spain) in 1908.

In the family there were four While there I did a lot of manual brothers.I went to the Monastery and spiritual work and wrote of El Peiego as an aspirant to be The Mission's Chronicle and a monk on the 13th of November went to Staunton island to offer 1921 . . . . On the 10th of Holy Mass while they were November 1925 I made my establishing the lighthouse on the island, which is very small. I monastic profession.

On the 30th of November 1925 think I was the first priest who I took the boat (Abooltan) at ever went there.

When I came back tho New Marseilles to come to Australia together with Abbot Catalan, Norcia in 1958 I did many of the three students and two young things that I used to do before girls as aspirants to join the going to Kalumburu.

Benedictine Sisters at New In my spare timeIstarted estabNorcia . . ..I was ordained to the lishing a small little park you priesthood on the 21st of now see around the Church, as I December 1933 by Archbishop did in St Mary's orphanage, Prendiville. planting trees outside and inside From then on . . . .I was put on where Ihave a garden and a little the roster of preachers in the orchard - things that disappeared Church on Sundays and taught when the present Weld's square Latin, Spanish, Italian and was established . . . . Now, in my Church History to the retirement, I follow all the comMonastery's students. munity acts in the Chapel and in The future Cardinal Knox was the Church - at the same time my first pupil. On the 13th of reading the Catholic papers and November 1935 I was appointed the chronicles of the monastery rector of St Mary's orphanage and praying a lot to be sure that until March 1945 and again in the Good Lord will grant me a 1948 until 1951 when on the 8th very happy and peaceful death of November I took the boat to and a very high place in heaven visit my relatives the first time which is the most important since 1924. business, since He created us for During all these years I was one that happy end.

Dom Maier Enjuanes of New Norcia recently celebrated 70 years as a Benedictine monk and put in writing his reflections on those seven decades of work in God's garden.

I

Dom Maier &Manes with a portrait of himself in the New Norcth monastery

The Record, December 14, 1995

9

Movie Reviews

Move over, Little Babe: reviewed by Penny Ashcroft abe is a heart warming and humourous movie that generates a wonderful feeling of well-being.

It is a story about two personalities who have been blessed with unprejudiced hearts - a pig named 'Babe' and his owner, Farmer Hoggett.

They, along with Mrs Hoggett and a company of live, conversing animals - including two Border Collies, an Indian Runner duck, a spoilt Blue Persian cat and a flock of sheep - create a light-hearted but poignant look at a pig who manages to buck the system. A pig who goes to extraordinary lengths to find acceptance.

James Cromwell is wonderful in the role of farmer Hoggett and he and Magda Szubanski, a well known Australian comedienne who plays his wife, make a unique couple. James' character is very taciturn, well-respected and loved by his animals.

Magda, with her well rounded figure and marvellous personality is a perfect foil for him.

Other main characters include Fly - a well-bred sheepdog who Babe adopts as his mother, Maa - the matriarch of the sheep flock and Babe's first real friend on the farm - and Ferdinand the duck, who spends most of his time trying to avoid becoming Christmas dinner by emulating the rooster and becoming the "alarm clock" for the farmer and his wife.

There are all kinds of animal species living on the Hoggett farm. Each animal has

a job to do and tries to do it well, knowing his or her place in the world.

They aim to keep their owners happy, but understandably, the pressure for some of them to avoid becoming Christmas dinner, can lead to some interesting antics!

Babe's gentle approach to barnyard life creates a few challenges, but also endears him to most creatures he comes in contact with.

In the biased world of a farm where each animal has its pre-ordained place, comes a pig who takes all other creatures at face value, and by treating all the animals as equals, he not only changes their lives for the better but denies his destiny (to become food for the table) and becomes an entrant in the sheepdog trials in the process.

The storyline makes its point subtly and with humour, and as it unfolds it is very easy to forget one is watching animals perform rather than human beings.

We come to see that, even when we have a difficult time fitting in, if we are courageous enough to dare to be different, amazing things can happen.

One of the most wonderful sounds in the world in laughter, and the ninety minutes or so of `Babe' was punctuated by bursts of laughter from the viewers.

When leaving the theatre comments overheard were in the vein of "wasn't it brilliantly done?", "that was great".

I loved the story and my thirteen-yearold and her friend thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

We can highly recommend it as a great time out for the whole family.

iss Piggy

James Cromwell as Farmer Hoggett with friend Babe: biggest US opening for an Australian film since Crocodile Dundee

Don't be afraid to get Major Benson showed how up and leave this one Major Payne:

reviewed by Br Luke Salcer, VMS

previewed Major Payne with I a group of families with children ranging in ages from 4 to 15.

Scott Bakula as New York private detective Harry D'Amour In Lord of Illusions

trayed as spineless, trance-like zombies. Then the film gave reviewed by A, Twigger glimpses into the cult lifestyle.

Everything about it was evil, from t is some time since I the pictures scrawled on the screamed at horror movies walls, the symbols, the rotting like Poltergeist so, with some carcasses, the blood stains, and trepidation, I approached The all emphasised with slow motion I llusionist for the sake of my and close-ups on the slicing of review. human flesh.

But, after only fifteen minutes of To the sound of eyes being the latter, I tugged on my hus- gouged we left.The film-makers band's sleeve and whispered showed every evil thing connect`let's go' as neither of us could ed with Satanism and seemed to bear any more. glory in the detail.

The story line began out in the It's unthinkable that this film dessert at a satanic commune. was funded and made to make a The cult members were por- profit.

Lord of Illusions:

I

10

The Record, December 14, 1995

I listened carefully to their reactions as the film progressed.

Reactions were varied. Adults laughed at the dialogue and the children laughed at the action. I came out of the preview with mixed reactions. Yes, it was a very funny film. Yes, the acting was very good. Yet, I had this uneasy feeling: "Is it a film that could be recommended for the families of Perth?"

The censorship rating given to Major Payne is PG, Parental guidance for persons under 15 years - medium level coarse language and medium level violence.

Herein lies my dilemma. I enjoyed the film very much and it appears, from the reaction of the audience, so did those attending the preview.

ButIwould have to sayI would have grave doubts recommending the film for children under 15 years of age.

Let me say again, the film is very funny and the acting of Damon Wayans (Major Payne Mo' Money and The Last Boy Scout) and Steven Martini (Cadet Alex Stone - making his film debut) is outstanding but the film could have been just as funny without the fairly consistent coarse language and violence.

Major Payne is really an 'updated' re-make of the mid1950's film, The Private War of Major Benson, which starred Charlton Heston. Major Benson, when it was released was nominated for an academy award for best screenplay.

The screenplay for Major Payne was written by Dean Lorey, Gary Rosen and Damon

Wayans (who, of course, stars in the film), and who believe that in the re-write for the 1990's. coarse language and violence was needed! This probably says more about the age we live in that the writers.

After an army career of distinction Major Benson Winifred Payne is dismissed from the army - "He's killed everyone, there's no more to kill."

Payne finds himself accepting a position at Madison Academy with the junior ROTC cadets who in the Virginia Junior Military Games have finished last for the past eight years.

Yes, you have guessed it, Payne's job is to take this motley, unlikely group of cadets to victo- Karyn Parson and Damon Wayans in ry. Payne uses his insensitive Major Payne army style on these unsuspect- quick and rather unbelievable. ing cadets.

This miraculous transformation It is here that I have a problem would not be noticed by chil- the apparent violence perpetu- dren. ated upon these cadets, to see So again, I ask myself, if the them through to winning the film was targeted at a family games, is excessive and unneces- audience, why did the producsary; the same outcome was suc- ers, Eric Gold of Mo' Money cessfully achieved in The Private fame and Michael Rachmil, of War of Major Benson without Lassie, Coneheads and Nowhere the violence. to Run, have to resort to the vioEnter Dr Emily Walburn (Karyn lence and coarse language? They Parson of Class Act) the psychol- are obviously very talented ogist for Madison Academy. She directors. challenges Payne to be more Good performances from understanding to the cadets, Damon Wayans - each time he with varying success. appears on the screen is enough Here for the first time in his life, to make you smile: you actually Payne must make a decision, come to like the character as the between falling in love with film moves from reel to reel, Emily, or remaining the irre- Steven Martini (who would sistible force he has always been. appear to have a career ahead of The outcome of this `inner him in acting) and six-year-old fight' is interesting, and the sub- Orlando Brown, who plays tle change in the character of Cadet Tiger (previously Payne, would be lost on children appeared in episodes of the televiewing the film. vision productions ER and In preparation to win the covet- Hardball) and who really steals ed military games, the battles the film, help rescue the film between Payne and the cadets, from the category of, "It's been whose sole aim is to get rid of done before . . . . and better!!!" him, are very well directed by Be warned that if you are plan-, Nick Castle (Dennis the ning on taking your family to this Menace). very funny film it does contain Yet, the transformation from language and violence that some `nobodies' to `somebodies' is too would see as offensive.

=MINN

Book Reviews

Others thought of, as Mary did Mary MacKillop Unveiled, Large type edition, Collins Dove,

by Lesley O'Brien.

Reviewed by Grenville Murray. et me say at the outset that L the large print edition of Mary MacKillop Unveiled is a

good read.

It tells a story that is almost unbelievable in its drama, more especially since practically all those deeply involved in the telling might be assumed by the innocent bystander to be on the same side. Sadly they were not.

In the hundred-and-fifty years since Mary's birth, Australia has become a nation, and intercolonial rivalry has been replaced by interstate one-upmanship.

But it is, happily, at a political and sporting level rather than at a spiritual one. As someone who wrote on the same subject over sixty years ago observed, one wonders what the actors in the drama said to each other when they got to heaven. Oh, to be a fly on the wall!

Mary MacKillop's story is a fascinating one. Born of Scottish migrant parents in Melbourne in 1842 and dying in Sydney in 1909, her life-span covered the most spectacular period in the development of the Australian nation.

At a time when women were seen (perhaps) but seldom heard, she achieved the impossible - the founding of a purely Australian religious Congregation. free from many of the European notions of "correct" nuns' behaviour - and in doing so matched the spirituality of older Orders while meeting head-on the problems of a

growing nation-to-be: alcohol abuse, prostitution, orphan children left to their own devices, old people similarly left, because, as she said "Never see a problem without trying to remedy it."

Lesley O'Brien has kept the interest going all the way through. The publishers have had the inspiration to use a large type, so that reading is made easier for those who find small print a strain on their eyes.

The photographs are correspondingly larger than in the first edition and the text and illustrations have been extended to include the beatification itself and what preceded it, making an interesting prologue and epilogue to the story of Mary's life.

I dare say most Catholics are by now at least superficially aware of Mary MacKillop. She was a remarkable lady, very human, with all the ups and downs of health and spirits common to the human race.

In the face of the treatment she received from those who should have known better, it seems a miracle in itself that she didn't buckle under, but in spite of all she maintained a total trust in God, and with it the ability to continue her efforts for His sake, when numbers of others fell by the wayside.

Ms O'Brien has feelingly depicted this in the text which is always alive, using small details such as the expelled nuns in 1871 wearing wigs to hide their short hair, or Mary jumping on a horse and fording the swollen creek, to bring home to us that we're reading about real people solving real problems, not plas-

ter figures with clasped hands and eyes lowered.

In reading this biography it is to be seen that most of the problems with which Mary and the Josephites had to contend, at least at a secular level, are the problems of today also.

Children are still neglected, old people are often lonely and sad, alcohol (and drugs) are freely available in the night spots and schools and on the beaches, and the family unit is still as fragile as it was in the nineteenth century - not because the breadwinner is dead or far away working, but because the gap between young and old has widened so much more. In many cases, apathy had set in.

It was not possible for Mary MacKillop to be apathetic. Every facet of her character shows her love for and care of all who needed help, no matter what the reason.

Although not mentioned in this book, the story is told of a poor priest, down on his luck, possibly at odds with his bishop, who once said, "If our Blessed Lord would come down to earth he would stay with the Sisters of St Joseph." Since Mary's spirit was embodied in these sisters, we may assume she'd have been there to open the front door for him.

There are one or two small nitpicks. It was Prince Alfred, not Prince Albert who visited Australia in 1868.

Bishop Gibney's name was Matthew. His predecessor, Bishop Griver was Martin. The Father General of the Jesuits was Fr Anderbedy, nor Fr Andeby. The Josephite Superior General referred to as Mother

Lawrence appears as Mother Laurence in works published elsewhere.

Some at least of these errors occurred in the first edition, and

should have been noticed and corrected. But they don't distract from a well-written book, almost as fascinating as a work of fiction.

Cappadocian gang of three shone reason's light on faith

orget the title, as if the book and then with his younger broth- drawn into the affairs of the day.

He became something of a politiF was about some obscure er, Gregory.

His main influence was Hell- cian. and a theologian par exceltribe of Mexican Indians.

It is in reality an impressive book, a lucid and readable introduction to three of the most famous Fathers of the Church; St Basil, St Gregory of Nyssa and St Gregory of Nazianzus.

Written by Jesuit theologian, Anthony Meredith, and aimed at the non-specialist reader, the book gives a refreshing account of these fourth century fathers, their teachings and their lives.

Fr Meredith has an enviable gift for clarity and compression. leaving out all long-winded accounts of oriental technical jargon.

Instead, he spices his narrative with telling quotations and anecdotes from their lives.

In the beginning he places his characters in their historical setting. namely, Cappadocia, a district to the east of central ,Asia Minor. This was a Greek speaking culture, and the author traces the two most formidable influences on the three Fathers to the pagan philosopher, Plato. and his ( :hristian disciple, Origen.

St Basil (330-379) was born of a inoileratei wealthy family of landed aristocrats. f us early education was carried out by his lather at home, and then by a teacher of rhetoric at Antioch.

He later went to Athens University where he met and studied with Gregory of NaziaThe Cappadocians. published by Geoffrey Chapman. by Anthony nzus. As a teacher, he was influMeredith SI, $29. Reviewed by George Russo. ential, first, among the Athenians,

enic literature from which he lence.

Interestingly, for our times, both taught his students to gain profit, and he remained tolerant tow- the Gregorys were married men, ards pagan Greek scholars all his ordained priests and became bishops of the Catholic Church. life.

With his friend. St Gregory of St Gregory of Nazianzus was also Nazianzus, he collaborated in a the son of a bishop who ordained work on Origen "to show the har- him to the priesthood. On the mony between, and usefulness other hand. St Basil preferred the for the intelligent Christian of. monastic ideal, started his own the nature of God, the under- monastery and gave the comnnistanding of Scripture and the nal ideal to his rruhils. All three became great saints. freedom of the will". lived Cappadocians The Nor was he only a scholar. as the author shows, setting up hos- through a period during which pitals for the poor. providing for the shape and attitudes of the their needs himself and exhort- Church were being forged. By the time they were born the Council ing others to do the same.

While Basil was ill for most of of Nicea in 325 had already his short life, his young brother taken place. but its creed had not was strong. St Gregory of Nyssa been universally accepted. All was educated by his older broth- three helped with its acceptance er in both philosophy and theol- and constantly explained its meaning And, above all, tf, ogy.

Gifted in scientific. learnim4, he firmly at firmed the divinity of became bishop of Nyssa. and. Holy Spirit, and the robc in like his brother, left fc)r posterity Church One vvonders in ft many • theological works. Both these brothers refuted the errors Church. under of their time. and were at pains to hostile secuiar t explain the nature of God the their examples might Father. and his Son. heeded. Perhaps the c The third great character was St for our modern the, Gregory of Nazianzus, a poet and would he to work out a coliefen, man of action. Perhaps, that is the Christian response to the modreason why he appealed so ern pagans. much to Cardinal Newman. He 1 recommend the book unrehad the sensitivity of the poet. servedly for !P)rqries, and. for a and the desire for seclusion and theoittxit.di Ailments P letters but, like Newman. was "musr.

"Ar 4: eft.; r The Record, December 14, 1995 11

To Jesus through M VATICAN CITY (CNS) Modern feminists could learn a lesson from Mary, who played an important role in Church history while being true to her feminine qualities, Pope John Paul II said at his weekly general audience at the VAtican on December 6.

Mary's approach of humility and service contrasts with the "selfish" goals of some feminist groups, he said.

Mary did not need to copy masculine traits in order to have an important influence on her contemporaries and generations to follow, the Pope said. He said her attitude of cooperation remained the best model for "the role and function of the woman in history.„

.

"'In recent times, some currents of the feminist movement, in attempting to favour the woman's liberation, have tried to make her similar to the male in everything," he said.

Pope John Paul said that was a mistake, because while God created women equal in dignity and value, to men he also gave a different and specific nature.

"The woman's identity cannot consist in being a copy of the man," he said.

He said Mary embodied these feminine qualities and the proper style for women's cooperation with divine design. He said, for example, that Mary avoided arrogant claims or the satisfaction of personal ambitions, offering sim-

Abortion bill awaits Clinton decision WASHINGTON (CNS) Boston Cardinal Bernard Law and other opponents of abortion challenged President Clinton not to veto a bill approved by the Senate on December 7 that would for the first time since Roe vs. Wade outlaw a specific type of abortion.

In a 54-44 vote, the Senate passed a bill banning so-called partial-birth abortions.

With a provision for saving the life of the mother, the bill differs slightly from a House version approved on November 1 in a 288-139 vote. But House leaders said they expected the Senate version would be acceptable. ensuring it would be sent to Clinton.

"It is encouraging, though not surprising, that the Senate voted last night to ban the direct killing of children who are in the very process of being born alive," Cardinal Law, chairman of the US bishops' Committee for ProLife Activities, said in a statement.

"What is astonishing is that 44 senators are still willing to defend this grotesque late-term procedure that cannot clearly be distinguished from infanticide," he said.

"I urge President Clinton to allow the ban on partial-birth abortions to become law, so our nation can begin to restore partial sanity to its abortion policy" Cardinal Law said.

When the House bill passed, Clinton had indicated he would veto any version that did not include an exception for the procedure to be used to protect the mother's health.

"Will the president really defend even pulling babies alive from the womb in order to abort them?" asked Douglas Johnson, of the National Right to Life Committee, in a statement.

As described by supporters of the legislation, a partial-birth abortion involves the doctor grabbing the feet of the fetus with 12

forceps and pulling the body, up to the head, through the birth canal. The doctor stabs scissors into the base of the skull. A catheter is then used to suction out the brains, causing the skull to collapse and allowing easier removal of the head to complete the procedure.

Supporters say if the fetus were just a few inches further out before the scissors are applied. the procedure would clearly constitute murder.

Opponents of the bill argue that by the time the fetus reaches the birth canal, death has occurred as a result of the anaesthetic given to the mother. But that claim has been strongly contested by anesthesiologists.

In November Dr Norig Ellison, who is president of the 32,000member American Society of Anesthesiologists, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that some types of general anaesthesia might sedate a fetus to a degree but would not harm the fetus.

The Senate bill was amended to provide an exception permitting the procedure to be used "to save the life of the mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness or injury, provided no other medical procedure would suffice for that purpose."

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court let stand a ruling on December 4 that said the state of Colorado cannot refuse to pay for abortions for victims of rape and incest.

Without comment, the justices declined to hear an appeal of lower federal court rulings saying as part of participating in the Medicaid program, Colorado must pay for abortions in those cases where indigent women seek abortions after becoming pregnant as a result of rape.

And in Poland legal abortions have been sharply reduced under 1993 regulations.

A report by the health ministry said 782 abortions had been registered in 1994, compared to 1,208 the previous year.

The Record, December 14, 1995

. . . a column of Marian devotion ply her "humble service with trusting and total openness in the divine design of salvation."

He said this was not merely a passive attitude, since Mary thought hard about her role before giving her consent.

She offers an example to "those who in our age propose selfish models for the affirmation of the feminine personality," he said.

The Pope said one quality innate to women and well-exemplified by Mary was a sense of motherhood, which he said was sometimes undervalued in today's society.

Factors contributing to this, he said, were family needs that required some women to work, as well as "an erroneous concept

of freedom that sees the care of the child as an obstacle to women's autonomy and self-fulfillment."

But biological regeneration was not the only way women could express their "vocation" to motherhood, he said.

He cited the role played by women religious, as well as all those who opened their hearts to the poor, the sick and the needy.

In his teaching the previous week, the Pope reminded the world that Mary, the mother of God, was proof of God's esteem for all women and a model of his plan for the role women were to play in the Church and the world.

The life of Mary, if read in the

light of the Gospels, "constitutes a valid response to the desire for the emancipation of women."

He said the sociological and pastoral aspects of the Church's teaching about Mary had become more and more important as people tried to understand the role women should have in the Church and in society.

The reaction of the feminist movement to everything that had hindered women's personal development and their sharing in the life of society was sometimes legitimate and had contributed to a more balanced vision of the question of women in the modern world despite the excesses of the movement.

Beware over-acted irrelevance in Mass, liturgists warned

By Charles Wood NO'I'RE DAME, hid. (CNS) Godfried Belgian Cardinal Danneels of Malines-Brussels said liturgical renewal should be pursued with attention on the "profound and significant" sacredness of the Mass and without too much emphasis on innovation and relevance.

Otherwise, the gathering is trivialised into a human community that is "celebrating itself," he said, speaking December 2 at a symposium on liturgical renewal at the University of Notre Dame.

Cardinal Danneels's talk on "Liturgy 30 Years After the Council - High Point or Recession?" was a major highlight of the event.

The symposium, which had as its theme "To Worship the Living God in Spirit and in Truth." marked the 25th anniversary of the university's Centre for Pastoral Liturgy.

The cardinal compared the various elements of the Mass to the musical technique of theme and variation. is theme liturgy's The unchangeable, he said. It is "the 'incarnation' of a divine project in history and in the world of human persons via sacred symbols."

What are proper, effective variations? "Discernment here is not always so simple," he acknowledged. "Far from being ruled out. creativity is actually called for" but that creativity faces limits, he said.

Liturgists must remember that "one cannot simply transform and rearrange the whole thing," he said. And they must recognise that "there are levels of compatibility and incompatibility, and there are prayers and practices which are not appropriate" for

cality." One positive instance of richer visual symbols is that a baptism in the midst of a congregation better represents "reception into the church" than one that "takes place in an almost empty church building."

Speaking against theatrics in the proclamation of Scripture, Cardinal Danneels said that "reading is not acting," adding that an overly dramatic reader kill a liturgy." "can 1 Because the Mass is "God's feast," believers must remember Cardinal Goctfried Danneels that "we attend the liturgy at Christian liturgy, he said. The God's invitation" and should not use of bread and wine in the manipulate it "for ends which lie Eucharist is a critical example of outside it." a dimension of the Mass that Singling out forms of liturgical should not be changed or adapt- manipulation. he said, "The ed to different cultures. establishment of all sorts of the"The Last Supper is not just a matic Sundays and thematic celcommon, human religious meal. ebrations has little or no future, It is the meal the Lord ate with except in the death of the liturgy his disciples the night before he as such. Liturgy ought certainly suffered," said the cardinal. So not to serve as a sort of 'warm up' inculturation could not go as far for another activity, even a as substituting, for example, "rice church activity." and tea" as if any natural symThe liturgy is "profound and bols would be fitting. significant" in itself as an "indisBut he also gave an example of pensable source of grace and a modification of the liturgy of power for life." the Eucharist that might enrich A liturgy that has no "consethe entire Mass to make the point for the way Christians quences inappropriagainst that caution is off the mark." he lives their live ate change "does not mean that who say liturgy those But said. we must exclude any kind of flexrealise that must life symbolises ibility." he correct." entirely not is "this The Eucharist "is no longer the "makes prehigh point it should be" in the said, for the liturgy mysteries of salvaMass, and there is too little "time sent firstly the and deeds of tion, words the So, meaning. its to interiorize" Christ." he asked, "Why not have the These sacred mysteries make or Benedictus or Gloria up the "themes which, while they Magnificat after Communion?"

He also said that continued cannot be changed, do remain renewal is needed to enrich litur- open to possible variation," said gies with more "room for imagi- Cardinal Danneels. nation" and better ways to Further, -to be able to establish "involve the human body" with- the boundaries between theme out "introducing rhetorical gestic- and variations, a thorough liturgiulations and building in theatri- cal training is indispensable."

Theologians can still ask 'why?'

By Barb Fraze (CNS) WASHINGTON Although Catholic theologians must teach that women may not be ordained priests, they may continue to explore the teaching privately, said a member of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

"There's a difference between publicly dissenting. . . . and to continue to investigate the reasons why," said Cardinal Godfried Danneels of MalinesBrussels, Belgium.

"The Church does not say that you cannot think anymore," he said, but "in their public teach-

ing, they (theologians) have to be loyal to the Church." The cardinal said it would be "very surprising" if discussion would stop.

Cardinal Danneels spoke to Catholic News Service about the recent statement by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which said the Church teaching that women cannot be priests belongs "to the deposit of the faith" and has been taught "Infallibly."

The cardinal, who was in Washington on December 6 during a visit to the United States, also spoke briefly about the situation in Bosnia and the problems facing the Church throughout the world.

He noted that in May 1994, Pope John Paul II declared that the Church's teaching that women may not be ordained priests "is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful."

"For me it was clear," he said, noting that other popes besides the current pontiff had taught the same thing.

Cardinal Danneels said he was not sure it was necessary to issue the recent statement, since reaffirming it could be "provocative" and it "didn't add anything."

However, he noted, someone posed the question. or "dubium," about the word "definitively." so the doctrinal congregation had to answer.

4-

International News

'Church needs to explain diaconate better'

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Catholic Church needs to explain better and in greater depth the theological identity of permanent deacons and how they differ from priests and from lay people, said the of members Congregation for the Clergy. met The Congregation November 28-December 1 to discuss a draft of guidelines for the selection, training, ministry and life of permanent deacons.

Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia, a member of the Congregation, said the meeting did not include a discussion of the possibility of ordaining women deacons, although the issue was raised.

While the discussions covered a broad range of issues, an

emphasis was placed on clarify- ation's meeting to discuss the some historical evidence seems understand what their husband ing the theological identity of the diaconate came so soon after the to indicate that the wives of dea- is doing." the cardinal said. deacon, Cardinal Bevilacqua told Canon Law Society of America cons and of priests - when mar- Canon law requires the consent issued a report saying it would ried men were ordained to the of a wife before her husband can Catholic News Service.

The deacon's identity as a man be possible for the church to priesthood - automatically were be ordained to the diaconate.

Cardinal Bevilacqua also said called deaconesses, although ordained for service to the bish- ordain women deacons.

The report clearly stated that there was no special liturgical the Congregation discussed a op and to the body of priests and as a special minister of the ordaining women deacons and ceremony or appointment to proposal that permanent deacons be allowed to confer the church to the poor and weak in ordaining them priests were two office.

Because more than half of the sacrament of the anointing of the society has been outlined in pre- completely separate issues vious Vatican documents, but canonically, theologically and in world's permanent deacons are sick.

"The reaction was that deacons in the United States, the country's "there is still a lot of confusion," the tradition of the Church. do it," he said. "This cannot permanent the with the for experience Congregation the While the cardinal said.

"How are they different from Doctrine of the Faith issued a diaconate was highlighted during sacrament is reserved to a priest. priests? How are they different statement in November saying the Congregation's meeting, the There is no indication that it can be done by anyone but a priest." from the laity?" are common the ban on women priests was cardinal said.

Only two sacraments can be The very common practice in questions, he said. "A deacon is infallible. the Vatican has not different from a lay person who ruled out the possibility of US dioceses of involving dea- administered by someone who is cons' wives in their training and not a priest: matrimony', in which works in the church because of women deacons.

"In history there were women often in their ministry "received a the couples are the ministers and the sacrament of ordination. His service is a ministry flowing from deacons, but that does not mean favourable reaction from cardi- the priest, deacon or designated sacramentally nals and bishops from other lay person officiates; and bapwere they ordination." tism, which can be administered The cardinal said it was "just ordained" like male deacons are, countries," he said. a deacon as well as a priest. by they that normal only is "It fact, In said.

Bevilacqua coincidental" that the Congreg- Cardinal

Moral crisis hits doctors, priests, lawyers: cardinal

By Nancy Frazier O'Brien (CNS) WASHINGTON Physicians must work for the "moral renewal" of their profession at a time when "medicine has grown increasingly mechanistic. commercial and soulless," Cardinal Joseph Bernardin told Medical American the Association on December 5.

"Failure to ground the profession in a strong set of moral values risks the loss of public respect and confidence, and with that the profession faces the further erosion of its independence," the Chicago archbishop said in a major address to the association's House of Delegates, in 3-6 December held Washington.

"Society's stake in medical care Is too great to sustain the present level of professional autonomy if confidence in the profession declines," he added.

Cardinal Bernardin was invited to address the AMA House of Delegates because he is head of an archdiocese with more than 100 health care agencies, a member of the Administrative Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops

Cardkal Joseph Despartlks and a board member of the Catholic Health Association.

But he also brought a personal perspective based on his treatment for pancreatic cancer earlier in 1995. "I am the beneficiary of the best care your profession has to offer," he said.

After the talk. Cardinal Bernardin told reporters that doctors found "no trace of cancer" in his latest round of tests.

He said he was undergoing "a of program maintenance chemotherapy" involving weekly injections for the next two years, and that the side-effects, were "tolerable."

In his talk. Cardinal Bernardin said the "moral crisis" is affecting not only medicine but other professions as well, including law and the priesthood.

For physicians, it means that "more and more members of the community of medicine no longer agree on the universal moral principles of medicine or on the appropriate means to realise those principles," he said.

Doctors "caught up in a web of economics, politics, business practice and social responsibility" no longer know how to act, he added.

The cardinal said a covenant "exists between physicians and their patients, their profession and their society." Through it, the medical profession promises to "remain true to its moral centre."

That covenant requires doctors to place "the good of the patient over the interests - financial or otherwise - of the physician, insurance company, the hospital or system of care," Cardinal Bernardin said.

Cure's name to go up in lights on the big screen

By Jamie Bambara BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) - The life of St John Vianney is still relevant to Catholics today more than 100 years after his death, according to a Catholic man who has written a screenplay about the 19th-century saint known as the Cure d'Ars. "St John Vianney actually encountered Satan and fought demons for more than 30 years," said writer Alexander LaPerchia.

Today, LaPerchia said, too many people, Catholics included, do not believe in the devil despite the presence of evil all around.

Titled "Satan and the Saint."

LaPerchia's screenplay explores that theme.

St John Vianney, whose feast day is August 8, "always exhorted his parishioners to be on the guard against Satan." said LaPerchia, a member of St Luke Parish in the New York borough of Queens. "Just look around at the world today. Satan is running wild.

"I really believe that this is his century, from World Wars I and to the Holocaust, to the AIDS epidemic, to ethnic cleansing.

Saying you don't believe in the devil is exactly what he wants, because then you don't realise his influence."

The saint's message is twofold, LaPerchia said in an interview with The Tablet, newspaper of the Brooklyn Diocese.

"First, it is that Satan exists and is at work in the world destroying souls. The second is that through love and goodness, you can overcome evil and the forces of darkness."

Born near Lyons, France, in 1786, John Vianney spent his 40 years as a priest at a parish in the

small village of Ars-en-Domes.

He became known as a preacher and confessor and some days would spend 18 hours in the confessional. His church became a place of pilgrimage after stories of his gifts and prophetic powers became widespread. He died in 1859 and was canonised in 1925.

LaPerchia wrote his screenplay on the saint with Rhode Island screenwriter Vernon Craig. It was the result of two-and-a-half years of research and writing.

He said Ireneusz Wykurz - who produced Pope John Paul ll's play The Jeweler's Stop during the Pontiff's New York visit in October - has promised to help with movie production. including securing location sites in Poland. where the film will most likely be shot.

He added that he plans to invite the Pope to film a two-minute introduction to the film.

LaPerchia hopes to find a Catholic actor with a strong spiritual life to play St John Vianney.

"I think ifs the type of project that may appeal to an actor who's a devout Catholic, who might want to do it just because of its message," he said.

The film's budget is currently $5 million. "It could go higher," Chinese LaPerchia said.

Investors have pledged funding, he added, and major studios, like Disney, Columbia and Savoy, are considering the film for national distribution.

He said he expected his screenplay to go into production before the end of the year.

His companion book is a biography compiled on the research undertaken for the script. He is looking for a publisher and hopes it would be released simultaneously with the movie.

Dotting i's and crossing t's now a Slovak necessity purely Hungarian-speaking regions," including in church services.

The Slovak language measure was WARSAW, Poland (CNS) - With the signed into law on November 28. The implementation of a law sharply restrict- Hungarian appeal was issued on ing minority language rights in Slovakia, November 20, after the Slovak parliament Hungarian bishops have sought assur- approved the bill. Slovak defenders of the ances that the rights of ethnic Hungarians law say it is in keeping with the constituwill be protected. tion.

"The Hungarian bishops' conference The Hungarian appeal, addressed to the observes with great anxiety events since Slovak bishops' conference president, was the acceptance of the language law" said published in the Hungarian Church's Uj the conference president, Archbishop Ember (New Man) weekly and was given Istvan Szeregely of Eger. extensive coverage by the country's secuHe said the law could be used to tightly lar media.

It added that while the Slovak law made restrict the use of minority languages "in

By Jonathan Luxrnoore

no direct mention of religious rites and Slovak territory and prescribes fines of up liturgies, these would also be regulated to $20,000 for grammar mistakes or illegal use of foreign languages in public. under separate decrees.

A November 16 European Parliament "We are afraid this will affect the language of worship," the appeal continued. resolution also condemned the law as a "We therefore ask our fellow bishops to do sign of "disrespect" for democracy.

The minority's rights have been a key their best to protect the minority lanissue in cross-border relations since the guages:* The language law removes the previous break-up of Czechoslovakia three years right of Slovalcia's 560,000-strong ago.

The November language law was conHungarian minority to use Hungarian in administrative matters in areas where they demned by Hungarian Premier Gyula comprise at least 20 percent of the popu- Horn as a violation of the European lation.

Convention on Human Rights and of an It also requires foreign radio and TV sta- agreement on minority rights signed by tions to use Slovak when transmitting in Hungary and Slovakia last March.

The Record, December 14, 1995

13

International News

In Brief Goa bishop announced TRIVANDRUM, India (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has appointed Bishop Cyril Baselios Malancharuvil of Battery as archbishop of Trivandrum and head of the Syro-Malankara Church.

Archbishop Baselios, 60, will be the third prelate to head the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, which joined the Catholic fold from the Jacobite Church in 1930 under the leadership of the late Archbishop Ivanios.

Charity heads VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The executive committee of Caritas International's has elected Luc TmuiHard to a four-year term as secretary general of the Vatican-based network And, in early December, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Paul Cordes as the new president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," the Vatican office that promotes and coordinates Catholic charitable activity.

Bishop's plea LIMA. Peru (CNS) - The president of the Peruvian bishops' conference, Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alzamora, has made an appeal to terrorists to surrender "to achieve a truly peaceful and fair society."

Cardinal Vargas Alzamora addressed his December 6 message to terrorists who remained at large after the recent capture by Peruvian police of the second-in-command of the Marxist guerrilla Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement.

Polish caution WARSAW, Poland (CNS) Poland's Catholic bishops urged a "spirit of reconciliation" after the November 19 election of an ex-communist as president, but voiced concern that supporters of the country's former communist regime have regained a monopoly of power.

Swiss bishop VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has named Father Kurt Koch, 45, to head the Diocese of Basel, Switzerland. vacant since June when Bishop I i,sjoig Vogel resigned because he got a woman friend pregnant.

Bishop-designate Koch, a Basel priest, was elected to head the diocese on August 21 by the 16 priests forming the cathedral chapter. said Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Candolfi of Basel.

Corruption query MEXICO Crry (CNS) Mexican 'bishops have called on the government to fully investigate allegations of corruption by the family of former President Carlos Salinas de Gortari and to consider calling the former president to testify in the matter.

"If proof exists, then the authorities should take action." Archbishop Norberto Rivera of Mexico City told reporters during a December 3 press conference.

14

Golf wars split an idyllic community of the season - even to grin and bear the bottle rockets that tend TEPOZTLAN, Mexico (CNS) - to jar one's slumber at the crack The sound of bottle rockets of dawn.

This year's noisemakers signal exploding in Teportlan echoes traditional Christmas celebra- the alarm that state police may tions and a new conflict that has be about to raid the town, which has been taken over by an apparsplit the community.

The normally festive noisemak- ent majority of residents opposed ers now often signal a call to the to an unpopular plan to build the barricades in an increasingly bit- resort and a high-tech industrial ter dispute over a proposed golf park on what were once commuresort development on local land. nal farmlands.

The nature of the standoff, plus Since settling in Mexico in 1984, I have spent several Christmas the fact that Teportlan is easily seasons in Teportlan and know accessible to foreign journalists the town and surrounding vil- living in Mexico City, has brought lages fairly well. My wife and I Teportlan's "golf war" to the were married in nearby attention of the world. The story Cuernavaca and we bought our has made the pages of The New first home, a tiny fixer-upper in York Times on two occasions Teportlan's Atongo valley, in since the town hall was taken over by local residents in early 1989.

Now, after a hiatus of four years September. living elsewhere in Mexico, we Teportlan's pastor, Father have returned to Teportlan to Filiberto Gonzalez. a dynamic purchase a small country house grey-haired Mexican diocesan on a piece of land in the village priest in his late 40s who was of Tepetlapa. With Christmas ordained in the Diocese of approaching, we would normally Spokane, Washington, supports be preparing to enjoy the gaiety the local protest as a social jusBy Mike Tangeman

Time for Church to explore economics

By Agostino Bono ROME (CNS) - As the world increasingly spins to the tune of dollars, yen and marks, bishops are focusing on economics as a major moral battleground.

"Economics has become the new frontier of the Church," said Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Catholic concern is surfacing at a time when many political, social and financial experts see economics as the main factor in uniting the world, with money moving more easily across borders than political ideologies and religious beliefs.

The process is called economic globalisation: Money becomes transnational. finding a home where it can make the best deal.

The result, according to many experts, is that turning a profit already has super eded political concerns in worle decision making. A basic tenet if this new situation is that the world revolves around three economic poles: the United States, Western Europe and Japan. All are developed regions.

Many church leaders, especially those from poor nations, say that globalisation is only widening the gap between the haves and the have nots, with wealth and power increasingly concentrated in fewer countries.

Globalisation is taking place "in a world in which everything seems to be running too fast and crushing the poor above all," said

The Record, December 14, 1995

Cardinal Etchegaray.

Some politicians and economists agree.

For Stefano Zamagni, dean of the economics department at the University of Bologna, Italy, globalisation has produced wealth that has no national home and "nations without wealth."

For Ruud Lubbers, former Dutch prime minister, "five years after the Cold War, the world is not as nice a place as it should be in poor countries."

The cardinal. Lubbers and Zamagni were among the church leaders, politicians, economists. bankers and businessmen meeting in Rome from November 30December 1 to thrash out the relationship between Catholic social ethics and economics in the post-Cold-War era as capitalism molds a new world order.

Where do morality and market forces mesh? Does competition leave room for compassion? globalisation Economic "requires us to modify our conceptual designs and to update the categories of our thinking," said Zamagni.

But the starting points for bishops and economists are not always the same.

Auxiliary Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez of San Salvador, El Salvador, said that economists often engage in abstract analysis while bishops have the poor "knocking on their doors" every day.

Economists and church leaders "have ignored each other for too long," said Cardinal Etchegaray.

lice cause. But his bishop, Bishop Luis Reynoso Cervantes of Cuernavaca, is on the opposite side of the issue, supporting the resort as an employment "gift from God." The opponents say they are resisting the imposition of a project from outside by rich developers in league with corrupt officials without having held a referendum to sound out community support.

But there is a climate of violence - first introduced by the government's use of state riot police against the protesters which grows as the government digs in its heels and refuses to give in to local demands. A threatening mood of "for-us-oragainst-us" has now pervaded the town of Teportlan.

In the dark of night, some of those opposed to the project spray paint "traitor" or "sell-out" on the homes and businesses of those who support it.

To increase the pressure, the protest committee which holds the town hall refuses to issue

commercial licenses or construction permits to locals who do not support their cause.

The committee itself barely has control over mobs armed with clubs that assemble every time the church bells or bottle rockets are sounded in alarm. vigilante Neighbourhood groups man the barricades at the entrances to town, refusing passage to those who are not party to their cause and threatening to beat anyone who tries to get past the barrier.

In one recent incident, a shootout occurred after the butcher shop owned by prowas development citizens destroyed by an angry mob, leaving one Teportecan semi-paralysed from gunshot wounds.

While it seems clear that a compromise solution will eventually be found in Teportlan - such solutions always seem to emerge in Mexico sooner or later - the damage done to relationships between neighbours through the polarisation taking place may be longstanding.

Sisters take on Japan

More than 1,000 South Korean nuns rally outside the Japanese Embassy in the capital Seoul earlier this month to demand that the Japanese Government compensate Korean women forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during Work/ War II. They criticised Japan's plans to solicit voluntary contributions to compensate the victims.

Opposition to female mutilation growing

By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) - Debate over the practice of female genital mutilation in Egypt is fuelling a new discussion about the religious roots of the dignity and rights of women, said an influential Jesuit magazine.

The practice, sometimes called female circumcision, was highlighted at recent UN conferences as one of the clearest examples of the harm women and girls suffer simply because they are female.

In its December 2 issue, the Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica. had a detailed eightpage explanation of what the practice involves.

The two Jesuit authors said almost 90 percent of women in Egypt have undergone genital mutilation.

Muslim clerics have been the strongest opponents of Egyptian government efforts to ban the practice. In Egypt, Muslims and Coptic Orthodox - the largest religious groups in the country continue the practice, although Coptic clerics have become increasingly vocal against it, the authors said.

Usually, girls in Egypt undergo genital mutilation when they are

about 10 years old. The instrument used is a razor or a scalpel: usually it is done without anaesthesia or any successive medication; the haemorrhage is blocked with the help of rags or ground coffee placed on the wound," the article said.

"In that way, once she is of age. she can marry without difficulty, and men do not have to be afraid of her - by that is meant afraid of her sexual desire," the article said.

Serious bleeding, urinary tract infections, infections in the reproductive organs that can lead to sterilisation. and even death can result.

In addition, the Jesuits wrote, "the shock and pain are such that fear for everything related to sexual union can take hold of her.

However, some Muslims oppose the practice and have been trying to convince people that "it is impossible for Islam to authorise such mutilation" because the woman "is a creature of God and her body deserves respect and admiration as it is."

Some go further to argue that "to modify a woman's body in that way is almost an act of submission to the devil because it means transforming what God created, which is good."

Close 5pm Monday Phone 227 7778 (24 hours)

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Upper Primary Teacher

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The successful applicant must be prepared to support the Catholic ethos of the school.

SWIMMING POOLS, service, maintenance, equipment, painting (free KAVANAH'S quotes) POOL SERVICE, ph 349 0223. Since 1974.

Written applications to The Principal, St Joseph's School, PO Box 19, Wyndham 6740.

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M ASSEUSE: Bethany Clinic, professional masseuse, dealing with skeletal and muscular pain, sporting injuries, stress, relaxation and deep tissue acupressure. massage, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm. Ring Orial 479 7120. $5 discount pensioners.

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C ARPENTER/HANDYMAN qualified tradesman, any type of work, phone 041 9916 458.

MY heartfelt thanks to St Jude for prayers answered.

J.N. 0 Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of To you I have need. recourse from the depth of my heart and I humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance.

Help now in my present and urgent need and grant my assistance. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be evoked. Say three Our Father's, Hail Mary's and Gloria's. Say for nine days. Thank you St Jude. J. N.

WYNDHAM

Ngalangangpum School was established in 1979 in answer to a direct request from the Wannun Aboriginal Community. The school is situated midway between Halls Creek and Kununurra in the Kimberley region.

Applications are invited for the following positions, commencing Term 1, 1996:

Year 1/2 Teacher Year 4/5 Teacher Secondary Teachers Support Teacher The support teacher will work in the library, TESOL and special needs area.

Applicants must be committed to the ethos of Catholic education. Knowledge of First Steps would be an advantage.

Applications to Sr Denise Casey, PO Box 1100, Kununurra WA 6743, Ph: (091) 68 7886 Fax: (091) 67 8832.

CONCRETE Worker all types, addition slabs, driveways, sheds, etc, no job too small, first class tradesman, free quotes, 309 5413 or 015 384 485.

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Pujajangka-Piyirn School LAKE GREGORY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA John Pujajangka-Piyirn School is co-educational catering for students from Pre-primary to Year 10 with an approximate enrolment of 70. The school is situated within the Mulan Aboriginal Community 300kms south of Halls Creek. Teacher housing will be provided to the successful applicants at subsidised rental.

Adult Educator The Adult Educator will: co-ordinate adult education and training services; link secondary and adult education training services; consult with officials visiting the community re adult training; and provide administrative support to the Principal.

The successful candidate will have teaching, administrative or trade skills. This is a challenging position working with young people and excellent communication skills are essential.

Conditions and terms of contract will be commensurate with the Independent Schools Award and the Catholic education system in WA. For further information, please contact Eleanor Watson, Principal, by Phone: (091) 68 8943 or Fax: (091) 68 8944 or forward a curriculum vitae, including three referees, to PMB 6, Halls Creek WA 6770.

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THANK you St Clare. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored, glorified, loved today and every day for ever and ever.

Amen, K.McG. NOVENA to St Clare. Ask for three favours. Say nine Hail Mary's for nine days with a lighted candle. Pray, whether you believe it or not. Publish on the ninth day. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored, glorified, loved today and every day for ever and ever. Amen. T.S. THANKS to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Clare, St Jude and St Anthony for the favours granted. C. and L.P. MOST Sacred Heart of Jesus, may Your name be praised and glorified now Amen. and forever. prayers for Thanks answered. J.D.L.

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BALGO HILLS Luurnpa Catholic School is an isolated Aboriginal school 260 kms south of Halls Creek. Education is situated within a bilingual setting, with a strong initial schooling emphasis on English. There are 102 students from Pre-primary to Year 10.

Applications are invited for the following positions, commencing Term 1, 1996:

Year 5/6/7 Teacher Secondary Teacher ESL Teacher Applications to Br Leo Scollen, PMB 2, Halls Creek WA 6770 Ph: (091) 68 8902 Fax: (091) 68 8961.

BEREAVEMENT ATTAR D, Rev Fr Lawrence.

We thank you for all your wonderful devotion to Jesus and Mary, and for all your courageous support to all who knew and loved you.

Thank God for good priests.

Our prayers are with you always. Sally Palmer and family, Irene Hall.

HARRIS, Walter Nolan.

Result of tragic accident on 27 November aged 48.

Only son of Walter and Grace deceased. Loved husband of Val, father of Sandra, Amanda, Andrew, George. Brother of Carrie Doug Baird, Helen - Ken Bell, Pauline - Douglas Bolton, Bernice - Doug Hamilton.

Uncle and cousin of many. Rest in Peace.

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Enquiries/ Appointments 335 7075

Peter Watt .PSYCHOLOG1ST Counselling/ Therapy 1 58 Canning Hwy

East Fremantle

All types of antique and newer furniture repaired and restored by certified tradesman, also repairs to most plaster and cementitious statuary

St Mary's College BROOME

Secondary Teacher (Mathematics/Science) Primary Teacher (Year 2 or Year 3) St Mary's College is a K-12 school with approximately 370 Primary and 115 Secondary students for 1996.

Applicants for the Primary position may also wish to apply for the Primary Religious Education Coordinator position which has 0.3 release time. Home telephone numbers of school referees should be given.

Both positions commence Term 1, 1996.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Br Kevin Ryan, Fax: (091) 921 797.

The successful applicants will support the Catholic ethos and the co-curriculum activities of the College.

Applications close on Wednesday December 20 and should be mailed to Br Kevin Ryan, Cl- PO Box 106, Como WA 6152.

St Mary's College BROOME

Aboriginal Studies Advisory Teacher This position is based at St Mary's College Secondary Campus and services all Catholic schools in the Kimberley region. Teaching qualifications are essential and experience in the teaching of Aboriginal Studies or in Aboriginal Education are highly desirable.

The position will support the development and delivery of Aboriginal Studies curriculum.

The successful applicant will be committed to the objectives and ethos of Catholic education.

Accommodation is available to applicants who need to relocate to Broome. Location allowance is available.

Role description and further information are available by contacting Br Kevin Ryan Fax: (091) 921 797.

Closing date for applications is January 8 and should be mailed to Br Kevin Ryan, C/- PO Box 106, Como WA 6152.

The Record, December 14, 1995

15

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pellcgrini's 13ookshop The new Jerome Biblical Handbook. The Bible, What is it? Where did it come from? What is it about? What does it mean? In this book biblical scholars answer these questions.

Retail price $49.95. Sale price $14.95* Children's Videos: Francis - knight of Assisi Nicholas - boy who became Santa Francis Xavier - Samurai's lost treasure Patrick - brave shepherd of the Emerald Isle My Secret Friend - a guardian angel story Bernadette - princess of Lourdes Ben Hur - a race to glory Retail Price $24.95. Sale Price $19.95 each 'Postage extra 858 Hay Street Perth Phone 321 6655, Fax 321 1937 (near His Majesty's Theatre) Mon-Thurs. 8.30am-5.30pm, Fri 8.30am-8.30pm Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm Sunday Noon-4pm

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SOUTHERN CROSS HOMES (WA) INCORPORATED

THE PARISH SCENE BULLSBROOK PILGRIMAGE and homily R osary, Benediction are on Sunday 31 December, 2pm, at the Bullsbrook Shrine "Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church," 36 Chittering Rd. For bus reservations please ring 444 7565 or 458 6302 for from and to buses Bullsbrook, via Marangaroo, Tuart Hill, Perth, Highgate and Midland. For the Fremantle bus ring 339 4015.

For further inquiries please ring 444 2285 or 447 3292.

Sacri Assoc. PO Box 311 Tuart Hill 6060.

PTS - "LIFE CHANGING" for school Summer A Catholics 18-35 year olds who want to experience the richness of our tradition.

Two weeks live-in from 2-13 January 1996 at Aquinas College. Special training for those interested in Christian leadership. For more details, contact Reg Firth on 245 2662. Numbers limited to 70.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN RURAL MISSION CONFERENCE Is planned for Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 April 1996 from 9am-3pm at the Leederville Host Parish Centre.

Geraldton Diocesan Catechist Service Tel: (099) 642 716.

Facilitator - Sister Verna Holyhead SGS. There will be a two-pronged focus: (a) Breaking Open, sharing and living the Word, (b) Renewed understanding of Sacrament the of Reconciliation.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ACCOUNTING CHARISMATIC HEALING MASS The next Apostles of Christ prayer group Charismatic Healing Mass at Sts John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton, will be held on the 2nd of February 1996 in stead of 5 January as previously advertised. It will also be a day of prayer. All are welcome.

VOLUNTEER COLLECTORS called for by the Perth City Mission which will be conducting its annual Christmas Street Appeal on Friday 22 December from 7 am to 7 pm.

If you can spare two hours of your time to help out in Perth or Joondalup, please phone Fiona or Julie on 481-1900.

25TH ANNIVERSARY RIVERTON The Queen of Apostles Church Riverton celebrates the 25th anniversary of its opening on Sunday 17 December.

The ceremony of the dedication of the memorial church will be conducted by Bishop Healy at 9 am Mass. Fr John Flynn, Parish Priest from 1967 - 1976 and the 'priest builder' of the church, will be the guest at the ceremony.

Fr Dean Bradbury SAC and Fr John Luemmen SAC on behalf of the Parish Council extend a cordial invitation to all parishioners, including past parishioners who have moved to other parishes, to the celebration. If attending please ring the presbytery on 457-2424.

Official Engagements DECEMBER Dedication of Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Riverton 17 (25th Anniversary) - Bishop Healy Celebration Mass for Feast of St Lucy, St Jerome's Archbishop Hickey Opening and Blessing at Units at Karrinyup 21 Archbishop Hickey St Vincent de Paul Centre Mass - Archbishop Hickey 23 Midnight Mass, St Mary's Cathedral 25 Archbishop Hickey Mass of the Holy Spirit, Dominican Sisters 28 Archbishop Hickey Holy Innocent's Mass, St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey

•

A little gift idea Next weeks' Christmas Issue of The Record

For appointment

Phone 384 6633 or 384 6720

Breast feed with peace of mind. Your fertility is in your control. Call now to

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING 221 3866 Country clients welcome. Phone or write.

Phone (008) 11 4010 (local charge)

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16

The Record, December 14, 1995

CAMBINATA YABBIES We sell, we buy, Call us on Ph: (09) 368 1706 Fax (098) 646 094

we produce for commercial, private and Export purposes Order now for Christmas

Southern Cross Homes is a not for profit charitable organisation providing three levels of age care at various metropolitan locations.

Applications are invited from suitably experienced persons for the position of director of finance with responsibility for all accounting functions and reporting, and some administrative duties.

The successful applicant will be required to have 1) appropriate accounting qualifications; 2) a sound knowledge of government funding arrangements and processes; 3) a commitment to the mission of organisation which operates under the ethos of the Catholic Church An attractive remuneration will be negotiated Written applications which will be treated in the strictest of confidence should be addressed to The Chief Executive Officer Southern Cross Homes (WA) Inc. PO Box 169 Hamilton Hill WA 6163 Southern Cross Homes A project of the Knights of the Southern Cross

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YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT

PRINCIPALS MICHAEL QUIN & KAREENA BALLARD PROPERTY SALES - RENTALS - STRATA MANAGERS

SOUTH OF THE RIVER

474 1533 WE CARE! SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL

BOOKSHOP VIDEOS Hill of Redemption $35.00 (400 years of church in Japan) $39.00 Divine mercy - No Escape $15.00 My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph (New) Arch. Fulton Sheen, Choice of 4 tapes each $20.00 each $27.00 Fr Ken Roberts. Choice of 4 tapes Children's Videos each $24.00 Ideal Christmas Present The Story of Fatima, St Francis Assisi St Francis Xavier St Bernadette Books $18.95 Soft Cover Sunday Missals $19.95 Hard Cover Divine Mercy - Various publications $22.00 Diary Pious Objects Rosary beads, crucifixes, wall plaques, baptismal gifts, Christmas Cards„ other greeting cards

15 Bronte Street, East Perth Mon - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm

Phone 325 3474, Fax 325 6917 Pope John Paul's Prayer Intention for December Pope John Paul's general prayer intention for the month of December is: "That all persons of good will reject the politics of hatred, discrimination and intolerance."

His mission intention: 'That the birth of the Child Jesus inspire affection and protection for children who are victims of violence."

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