The Record Newspaper 11 January 1996

Record PERTH, WA: January 11, 1996

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What's Inside...

Media bishop criticises proposals for an Australian Catholic-inspired pay-TV service and dissents from his episcopal brothers - Page 3 Missionaries of God seek to take Pope John Paul at his word on evangelisation - Page 2 Two pages of video ratings and reviews for the school holidays - Pages 10 and 11 Francois Mitterand's final thoughts - Page 13

Religious retrace steps of the pioneers

Celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy and the Benedictines in Perth began last Tuesday at Victoria Square. Right: Dom Christopher Power and Sister Sheila Sawle re-lived for several hundred participants and onlookers the first impressions of the orders' founding members, (top): remembering those who have gone before now buried in the convent grounds beside Mercedes College and, below, Premier Richard Court looks on as Archbishop Hickey and Fr David OSB intone a Psalm. More pictures - Page 6

Catholics join religion suntey

By Peter Rosengren Later this year you might be asked a lot of questions about your religious belief and practice - and all in perfect anonymity Your answers are what the Christian churches of Australia will be particularly interested to discover from the 1997 National Church Life Survey.

The survey, to be conducted in August, was announced by its project director, Dr Peter Kaldor, last week.

Dr Kaldor said the survey would be conducted as close to the next official census as possible and that up to 800,000 churchgoers in a given week will be asked about their involvement in their church and the wider community, and about their values, attitudes and beliefs.

The Australia Catholic Bishops' Conference decided at its November meeting to participate in the survey - a joint project of the Uniting Church Board of Mission and

the Anglican Home Mission Society. The participation of the Catholic Church means that Australia's largest religious denomination will now be participating alongside approximately 20 other Christian denominations, increasing the size and, hopefully, the accuracy of the data base that will be generated.

And just as statistics about populations and emerging trends for planning purposes are the most sought-after information by every organisation from small businesses to national governments, so the churches in Australia are seeking the raw data that will enable them to discern what the attitudes, beliefs and factors are that affect the lives of ordinary Christians throughout Australia.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference secretary, Father Michael McKenna, said the decision of the Catholic Church to participate was a vital step in thinking about how to relate effectively to a changing and diverse Australia.

"We expect that the survey will yield reliable information about the actual beliefs

and practice of church-goers. This will be understand changes among Catholics. The a welcome replacement for existing anec- bishops said the survey would help the Catholic Church "recognise those signs of dotal evidence and guesswork," he said.

Several major benefits are expected to growth which are obscured by falling emerge from the survey. Each church will attendances."

Dr Kaldor said that the survey would be able to gain a clearer picture of what their own adherents feel and think - all enable Churches "to take an honest look important in the field of responding to reli- at where they are heading as they move into the next century." gious and evangelical issues.

The survey would build and expand the It is also hoped that a clearer overall picture of Christianity in Australia will data base established by the 1991 survey emerge and that churches will be better which, he said, is considered to be the able to respond to the challenges facing largest and most comprehensive in the them singly and collectively into the world.

"Over the last few years the 1991 data future.

This year's survey will be only the sec- has received considerable attention," he ond to have been conducted in Australia. said. "It has become a standard reference The first was held in 1991 and involved point for planning both by church leaders over 300,000 responses from more than interested in overall trends and local 6,000 congregations in nineteen non- churches who get key data on their own Catholic denominations throughout the particular situations."

He said that over the last four years country.

According to their conference bulletin, National Church Life Survey staff had preAustralia's Catholic bishops believe the sented over 130 workshops to thousands 1996 survey will help bishops and other of church leaders based on information Church leaders to recognise, quantify and from the 1991 survey.

Give thanks to God for Mercies, Benedictines his year especially we give the great pioneers of the Church The Sisters of Mercy expanded works and special apostolates.

T thanks to God for the Sisters in Western Australia. Their rapidly. We have lasting evi- The Benedictines established a Archbishop's of Mercy and the Benedictine mighty deeds are recalled

Monks.

On 8th January 1846, one hundred and fifty years ago, the new Bishop John Brady returned to the Swan River Colony with twenty-seven priests, Religious and lay catechists to begin the development of the newly created Diocese of Perth.

Among the hopeful newcomers were six young Sisters of Mercy from Dublin, under the leadership of Mother Ursula Frayne.

Dom Joseph Benedict Serra and Dom Rosendo Salvado led a band of Benedictine Priests and Brothers to undertake missionary work a long way from their native Spain and their adopted country Italy where they had taken refuge from persecution The Sisters of Mercy and the Benedictine Monks have been

in this year 1996.

One does not have to try hard to imagine what difficulties they had to face. There was little money available. The Diocese had none and the Catholic community that would support them numbered about 300 people.

Nevertheless, within a month of their arrival, the Sisters of Mercy opened their own school, and the Benedictines began their missionary work among the Aboriginal people in the area that eventually became New Norcia.

The early pattern of the Church's apostolate was laid down by these two Religious bodies. The priorities were the education of children, care of abandoned children and families in distress, nursing and hos-

Perspective pital care, the evangelisation of Aboriginal people and the building up of the Faith and personal spirituality.

dence of their work all through the State in all four Dioceses. In the field of education they established excellent schools with next to no money., relying on Providence and whatever fees the parents could pay for the Catholic education of their children.

As Sisters dedicated to showing mercy they took over the orphanage at Subiaco, which is now a major agency for the support of children and their families, known as Catherine McAuley Centre, after their foundress.

Their Mercy charism led them to open St Anne's Hospital and extend their care to the elderly in a network of excellent facilities.

They have, in more recent times, extended their outreach to parishes and to many diocesan

foundation at Subiaco (now Catherine McAuley Centre, Wembley), a Monastery at New Norcia, and a Mission at Kulumburu. Countless Aboriginal people testify proudly to the love and Christian formation given them by the Benedictines.

Thousands of former students of the colleges in New Norcia also record their gratitude for what they received.

Today, New Norcia remains a vibrant community, inviting people of all ages to absorb the Benedictine spirit as they spend time in the artistic, cultural, historical and prayerful environment of their famous Abbey.

We congratulate the Sisters of Mercy and the Benedictines on 150 years of devoted service and we give thanks to God for them.

Evangelisation that is already up and running

Aquinas College for a fortnight, he was giving a series of lectures and seminars to The Missionaries of God's Love are part sixty young people on various Catholic of the Holy Spirit's renewal within the subjects.

The Missionaries are currently what is Catholic Church according to founding called a "public association of Christ's member, Fr Ken Barker from Canberra.

And, together with the rest of the faithful" - a Canon law provision - and are Charismatic movement they hope to bring based in Canberra in the Archdiocese of that renewal wherever they are and to Canberra and Goulburn under Archbishop Francis Carroll. They are made up of spread its fruits to whoever they meet.

But who, or what, are the Missionaries of five priests, in excess of twenty seminarians, and a community of ten sisters who God's Love?

The Missionaries are a new religious are based in Adelaide and Darwin.

And this young and growing part of the grouping, not yet formally recognised as a l iving vine that is Jesus Christ in his congregation or an order by the Church, Church is just part of what Fr Barker sees but hoping that this will come soon.

They are Charismatic, which means as ongoing renewal in the Church.

"We, of course, are in a stage now of there is a strong emphasis on doing the sorts of things that ordinary Catholics renewal within the Church in many differoften find vaguely uncomfortable and ent areas and we are simply part of that,I challenging - speaking in tongues, singing think, part of what the Spirit is doing .. . . with great gusto, holding hands in Church. especially since the Vatican Council, and 'Whooping it up for the Lord' is about we see ourselves as having something what many Catholics would make of the specific to contribute to that, especially in Charismatic movement for this is its most the field of evangelisation."

While the Missionaries do not yet have a visible manifestation, but at its root is the deep and abiding desire to open one's self seminary they do have a house of formaradically to the presence of the Holy Spirit, tion in Canberra and send their seminariand Il ls this which is the Missionaries' ans to the Catholic Theological College in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton for thewellspring of inspiration.

When The Record spoke with Fr Barker ological studies before ordination.

They are also integrated with the at the Disciples of Jesus Pastoral 11-aining School, currently being conducted at Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community communities made up of families, single people and priests who have come together under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to live a common life of prayer, sharing and service.

To say something about the Missionaries of God's Love without taking the Disciples of Jesus Do you want to improve your skills in doing pastoral covenant cominunities into account work, teaching, nursing, staff management, handling would be a major mistake. The relaproblems with people or just getting to know yourself? tionship between the two is close.

If so. our course will help you.

The Disciples were formed in In a two-year course of one night a week, we cover Sydney in 1979 and amalgamated Human Development Psychology and the current with a similar group, the Hepzibah approaches to counselling.

Covenant Community in 1994.

The ability to communicate is encouraged. knowlToday there are Disciples of Jesus edge of social problems is expanded, while a specommunities throughout Australia cialty of the course is Psychology and Counselling in all states except Queensland. for everyday living, embracing principles of Mental One community has just formed health, Memory Analysis. Stress and Relaxation. in Papua New Guinea, and most of This is highly useful as a background to facing problem areas of life. the Missionaries' vocations come from young members of the The course aims to satisfy the demands of secular knowledge and Christian living while being open to covenant communities. people of differing backgrounds and faiths.

Fr Barker became involved with the Australian covenant communiA Correspondence Course is offered to those who ties in 1983 following a visit to cannot attend in person. Enrolment is a little later. covenant communities in the Contact by post during the course is encouraged.

United States.

"There I could see the fruit of the Course begins February 6, 1996 charismatic renewal in a visible way and I couldn't see (it in) any For further details apply to: other place," he said.

The Director "We were receiving many gifts of St John of God Institute of Counselling the Spirit, but I was looking for the Holy Cross College, Ryde NSW 2112 fruits, and there were obvious fruits Phones: (02) 809 2958. (02) 9977 3662 in people's lives (there)."

By Peter Rosengren

ST JOHN OF GOD INSTITUTE OF COUNSELLING

2

The Record, January 11, 1996

He said these fruits were things such as family life developing in a good and ordered fashion, with children being cared for, having the Faith imparted to them, and with husband and wife growing In relationship - in other words a good family life.

Another was the way of life embraced by singles in the communities.

"Singles developing, strong in their faith and with the whole capacity to live a single life in a chaste way as brothers and sisters in the Lord - that sort of thing seemed to me to be a good way of life that was evidence of life in the Holy Spirit," he said.

"And it seemed to me to be lasting fruit too, because the people were making a commitment that would end up making a lifetime commitment to one another."

When Fr Barker came back to Australia he felt called to join a covenant communities - what was then Hepzibah.

But his desire to join was unusual, in that the communities had been founded for lay people. "So I presented myself to elders of the community and said I wanted to join, and they didn't quite know what to do with me because I was a priest; how did I fit into the scheme of things? - we weren't quite sure - but it has worked out," he said with a smile.

A strongly evangelical aspect is one of the distinctive features of the Missionaries and of the covenant communities.

Fr Barker said the goal of the communities was to build a way of life similar to that recounted in the Acts of the Apostles where, after Pentecost, the first Christians were faithful to the breaking of the bread, the prayers, to the teaching of the apostles and the fellowship.

"These four elements are instilled into the communities' way of life both as a wit-

Fr Ken Barker poverty base for evangelising

ness for others and as a base from which they can evangelise," he said.

The innovation of the communities, he said, was that they are also an empowerment of the laity in today's Church under the grace of the charismatic renewal "to be able to live their baptismal calling fully and to be able to reach out to others in evangelisation.

"But it could also be called an ecclesial movement. By that I mean it includes all ways of life and all states of life and all stages of life. Its a from-the-cradle-to-thegrave sort of experience."

"Its purpose is for the renewal of the Church and its aim is to aid in the overall vision that the Pope puts forward at the moment to truly be the people of God committed to the Gospel," he said.

Members often tend to live close to each other, although there is nothing obligatory about doing so. It's done more for the mutual support.

And how do the Missionaries and the Disciples engage in evangelisation? .

"Well there are different things that we do," Fr Barker said.

Continued on Page 15

No, it's not baptism by total immersion but having fun at the Disciples of Jesus Pastoral Training School last week: Michael Casanova, left, Therese Ouwendyk, and Andre Sharp.

Rosary chain connects Perth to Russia with love that prays together stays together". Fr Peyton's organisation collects and rosaries received from Sending rosary beads to Russia has dispatches world to send on to the around been on Fred Preshaw's agenda for Europe.

Eastern and Central several years and through his untirat the age of 1992 in died Peyton Fr ing efforts, with assistance here and and to date continues work his but 83 he has been primarily there, responsible for collecting, fixing and The Family Rosary has shipped in dispatching a total of 15,565 rosaries excess of two million rosaries to Russia. to Russia.

It was also in February 1992 that The rosaries, as well as some Fred's first parcel of rosaries was medals, scapulars and crucifixes, sent. have been sent first to the spearBut he is quick to point out that head operation of the Rosaries for there are a number of people who Russia campaign - The Family make rosaries to send, such as the Rosary, founded in New York by Mahady family of Carlisle and others Father Patrick Peyton CSC. who, like them, make and fix rosaries to give others less fortunate the in Australia to out came Peyton Fr Fred Preshaw (left) has his arms full as he gladly receives rosary beads that Tom, Seamus and chance to pray this special prayer. family "The slogan his with 1955 Angela Mahady have repaired and re-strung for Russia.

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard

Media bishop doubts pay-TV proposal

By Peter Rosengren Bishop Geoffrey Mayne, chairman of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Committee on the Media, has criticised the plan to establish an Catholic-inspired pay-TV service for Australia, saying that it is poorly planned, economically not viable, unlikely to succeed and that one of the organisers of the plan had verbally attacked a bishop in public.

But the proposal's project officer, Father Michael Kelly SJ, who is also the Melbourne-based director of Jesuit Publications. rejected Bishop Mayne's criticisms as unfounded and based on a lack of understanding of the proposal.

Bishop Mayne told The Record last week that he had dissented officially from an Australian Catholic Bishops Conference motion welcoming news of the pay-TV proposal.

He said he was not opposed to the concept of the Church's involvement in pay-TV but that his opposition to the current suggestion was because of its poor planning.

The cautious approach of the Australian bishops to the proposal came on the last day

Bishop Geoffrey Mayne

of the conference, which was held in the final week of November. The bishops called for a comprehensive business plan to demonstrate the viability of a Catholic pay-TV service.

"While it is not possible to be certain at this stage that a Catholic cable-TV channel will prove viable, we would welcome the production of a comprehensive business plan," the bishops' motion said.

"If, in the light of that plan, we consider the prospects of the new channel to be good, we would invite those responsible for various Church ministries to consider ways of advancing their work

through co-operation with the new venture."

However, Bishop Mayne told The Record he had substantial concerns about the proposal's details as well as the individuals backing it, and it was primarily for these reasons that he had requested his dissension from the conference motion be recorded.

Bishop Mayne said that on becoming aware unofficially of some of the details of the proposal before it came to conference, he had made investigations of his own "with expert economic advice and media advice from many sources which I had" and that he had concluded it was unlikely to work. . . . . I couldn't see that it had any viability, either economically or media-wise.

And similar efforts in America have failed," he said.

"It cost the bishops' conference there millions of dollars (and) they've withdrawn from it. I feel that with limited finance available it wasn't a viable option," he said.

But Fr Kelly strongly rejected Bishop Mayne's criticisms.

"The bishops' conference made its position very clear In the terms in which the request was made," he said.

Continued on Page 5

Kalgoorlie-Boulder parish to celebrate 100 years Water, fire and precious metals have been chosen as the theme for the centenary celebration of one of Western Australia's most historic and colourful parishes, KalgoorlieBoulder, on Sunday 17 March.

Colourful, because the Kalgoorlie-Boulder parish is part of an Australian mining town that has become legendary and is known from one side of the country to the other for its vast reserves of precious metals and its raw mining culture.

It was in March 1896 that Bishop Matthew Gibney travelled to the Goldfields to consecrate the newly erected Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.

So on 17 March at 10am Mass, in the Goldfields Art Centre, Archbishop Hickey

will help commemorate the centenary of the parish in a Mass of Thanksgiving.

Water has been chosen as a symbol of the celebrations because it was a source of life in the early days of the gold rush and as a symbol of baptism.

Fire signifies both the tongues of flame of the Holy Spirit and the refining of metals like gold and silver. The metals symbolise the resources upon which the KalgoorlieBoulder community is based.

All are invited to return for the celebrations which will include a barbecue on the preceding evening of Saturday 16 March, to be held in the Kalgoorlie College Amphitheatre.

For more information contact Fr Steve Durkin on (090) 212 100

Top 1EE marks surprise student

Sean Mcciardo from John XXIII College put in a dazzling performance in his TEE exams , surprising even himself when he received his results last week. Sean won a General Exhibition in six subjects, ranking him eighth overall in WA as well as a Subject Exhibition for Italian. He said that his teachers had been a big help, especially following the mock exams earlier in the year. He plans to study Law, probably with Arts or Science.

ACR renamed as Caritas Australia Australian Catholic Relief, one of Australia's largest overseas aid and development agencies, will take on a new identity this year by renaming itself Caritas Australia.

ACR national director, Michael Whitely, said the change was designed to emphasise the organisation's links with the global Catholic network of aid

agencies known as the Caritas network and to identify itself more clearly as an organisation which supports both development and relief projects.

Mr Whitely said the decision to adopt the new name came only after years of discussion within ACR and with the support of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

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The Record, January 11, 1996 3

•-

[TOMORROW TODAY

Salesian campers

What a way to get to know one another! A Salesian leader, right, instructs five likely lads on the Body Game, where one acts as the eyes for four blind-folded mates

By Father Bert Fulbrook SUB

The locality was Nanga Bush Camp, the day was Wednesday, 3rd January, 1996, and the time was dusk: 7.30pm Western Standard Time, and 8.30pm Nanga Summer Time. Dinner for one hundred and thirteen terrestrials was slowly being digested, and the dishes had been washed, dried and stacked up for breakfast.

Fr Julian Fox, Salesian of Don Bosco, Tasmanian, former Salesian Provincial, and current Principal of St Joseph's Catholic Boys' College, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, was addressing the assembly of campers, youth leaders, and anyone else who cared to listen.

As camp director he had every right to be given a hearing. . . . but his flow of words was rudely interrupted by Stewart Bazzica's mobile phone. It was the "Department of Defence" on the other end of the line, or so the camp thought so.

Thro or three 'aliens' had been spotted from the air in the vicinity of Camp Kelly some three kilometres to the north of Nanga Bridge.

They were reported to be intermittently flashing red torches, and moving in a haphazard pattern. The campers were warned not to touch the aliens, in case they were radio active. It was also "highly probable" the aliens might not understand the normal terrestrial forms of communication.

The "Department of Defence" was keen not to alarm the aliens by sending troops into the area. Such a manoeuvre would send a hostile and belligerent message to the aliens, so it was decided - at the highest level - to use the less threat-

ening assistance of the youthful campers to round them up. Maybe some eleven or twelve-year-old would succeed in communicating on the same wavelength as the aliens.

Of course, some of the campers were sceptical. After all, who, in their right mind, would believe a fanciful Tasmanian priest, who had been contaminated by Victorian influence, and who told incredible ghost stories and spoonerised Cinderella? Anyhow, peer pressure and curiosity led the campers to follow some leaders into the night to round the aliens up.

The story ended well. None of the 85 campers and their twenty WA Young Salesian leaders were fatally wounded or even injured in their encounter with the elusive aliens.

So the five `supercooks' had as many mouths to feed that evening for supper. The aliens did not have a stomach for our terrestrial cuisine but they showed a liking to the men-brown water of the Murray, where they involuntarily enjoyed the home-grown algae.

This was only one incident in the adventure-filled five days on the Sixth Salesian Summer Youth Camp at Nanga Bush. Activities included (apart from rounding up aliens!) abseiling, Hawaiian Casino night, canoeing, war games, swimming, a confidence building program and bush hikes.

At the finish, 113 weary bodies crossed the Serpentine River, leaving behind them the magic of Nanga Bush, and entering once more into the real world of home, mid-to-late afternoon on Friday, 5th January, to have a good clean up, a revisit to Mum's kitchen and a long sleep.

eet 'aliens'

Kylie, left, plays the elephant as Chris watches during ice-breaking games as the camp began.

Some of the gang at Nanga Bush Camp last week

Catholic Youth Information Centre

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for youth retreats, Christian living camps or other youth formation programs. Priority is given to Catholic parish youth groups. schools and other church youth organisations.

The following dates are still available for 1995-1996 (Dates in: bold = weekend, Italics = uncon-

firmed. underlined = school holidays

January 13-14, 15-1Z 22-28, 28-31 Febr 1-2, 3-4, 5-9, 10-11, 12-13, 13-15.

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A physical challenge at the camp

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Registration at Aquinas College, 58 Mount Henry Rd, Manning : 5.30 pm

Don't miss out!

4

The Record, January 11. 1996

March 1, 3-8, 10-13. 17-20, 20-22, 25-29 April 1-4, 4-5, 6-7. 8-12, 13-14, 15-19.

20-21, 22-23, 23-25, 25-26, 27-28.

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

••11.1.1

Embryo plan only 'postpones' problem The Perth-based Coalition for the Defence of Human Life has called for a moratorium on the freezing of human embryos, despite Health Minister Kevin Prince's move to extend the time for storage of frozen embryos from three to five years and allow exemptions to time limits for up to two years.

Coalition secretary Richard Egan warned that the Coalition would mark the occasion with a suitable public memorial for this tragic loss of human life if the April 8 destruction of embryos went ahead.

But he said Mr Prince's amendments would only push the problem back two years.

The call comes amidst growing concern at the approaching April 8 deadline when several hundred human embryos that have been in storage since before April 1993 are legally required to be thawed and allowed to "succumb" under the current three-year maximum storage period permitted by the Human Reproductive Technology Act. Mr Egan said one mother had described her four frozen offspring as "our living flesh and blood." She

was naturally distressed at having to "say goodbye" when the deadline arrived, he added.

Mr Egan said the Coalition was happy to join worried parents in pleading for the life of their children but it made sense to do so only if "the bizarre and absurd practice of fertilising and freezing new human lives 'on spec'," was stopped immediately.

He said the number of embryos in frozen storage in Perth had continued to escalate, with over 1600 in storage.

Mr Egan said that at the time of debate on the Human Reproductive Technology Act the Coalition predicted that even with the three-year limit, stockpiling would continue.

"Freezing human beings was intrinsically absurd because it sought to hold a human life in suspended animation while the couple for whom the new embryo was created moved on with their lives," he said. "Perhaps they will decide to let the new life develop, perhaps not.

Human beings should not be treated like TV dinners - put in the freezer in case they are needed but requiring discarding when the use by date is reached."

Bishop doubts plans for Catholic-inspired pay-TV Continued from Page 3 'm afraid that on all encounters I that I've had with Bishop Mayne he hasn't understood what's being proposed or the terms in which the bishops' conference itself responded," he said.

However, Bishop Mayne said that reasons for his opposition also included the fact the bishops' media committee had not been consulted on the proposal until the last moment and that it had been almost impossible to gain precise information on its details from those proposing it prior to the conference.

"In other words it was done directly by the central commission and secretariat of the conference without any reference to this committee," he said. "So what on earth do we have a committee for is basically what I'm saying," Bishop Mayne asked. "I just want nothing to do with this mode of approach to these things," he said.

But Fr Kelly suggested that Bishop Mayne direct his questions to Cardinal Clancy as the president of the Bishops' conference.

While Bishop Mayne said his primary concerns about the proposal centred on its overall feasibility from financial and media-related points of view, he also had doubts about certain individuals associated with the pay-TV proposal.

"1 haven't any great confidence in the people who are producing it," he said. "Now that's a subjective reaction I suppose (about) someone who has publicly attacked on national television a member of (the bishops') conference. This was

national and public, everybody knows about it. I have very great reservations approving anything being put forward by such people."

Bishop Mayne said.

"I just question the way its been done, the way its been gone about and the total lack of calling into involvement of the bishops' committee for these matters. Without going into any detail that's the sort of general position that I had, so on a matter of principle I wished it noted that I was dissenting from such a statement," he said.

But Fr Kelly rejected Bishop Mayne's criticism on this point as totally unfounded. "The bishop is doing himself no service by making such comments," he said.

Bishop Mayne said that prior to the Conference he had faxed all the bishops outlining his objections on the practical and financial aspects of the plan. He understood that plans for a pay-TV channel have since altered drastically.

"Its gone from a Catholic TV channel, which they had no right to call it anyway, to this narrow-cast channel which would be available, sure, but maybe for educational purposes in hospitals and all this sort of thing," he said.

However Fr Kelly also said that he was not in a position to be making public comments about the current status of the pay-TV proposal.

Bishop Mayne said that one of his difficulties with the current proposal was that he felt it contained the implication that the Church was not doing enough in this policy area and "which is quite contrary to the truth."

Still smiling after two-years hard work

The out-going national executive of the Catholic Women's League, which was based in Bussetton for 1994 anc 1995, are pictured here at the end of their two-years of hard work for the largest Catholic women's organisa tion in Australia. Leff, vice-president Barbara Bourhill, publicity officer Joan Smith, national treasurer Noelit Guidera, national president Georgie Bruce-Smith, national secretary Barbara Paterniti, and vice-president Alict Gee. Executive members travelled thousands of kilometres to do their work linking CWLA groups across the country. The Tasmanian CWLA will supply the national executive for the next two years.

THE 6th ANNUAL FLAME CONGRESS 1996

LOW THE TRUMPETS IN ZI N" Monday Jan 22nd to Sunday Jan 28th 19% John 23rd Lecture Theatre, John 23rd Avenue, Claremont.

This Congress is presented with the approval of His Grace, Archbishop Hickey to equip delegates with the know-how and inspiration for effectively sharing your Faith.

There will be workshops on Healings, Miracles, Signs dr Wonders as well as practical skills.

Areas to be covered will include the Family, Youth, Parish Renewal, Schools and One to One sharing of the Faith.

There will be healing ministry throughout the week.

If you wish to grow in your faith, and want to know how to share it effectively, this Congress is for you.

These international speakers are in demand around the world and have many healings and conversions attributed to their ministry.

Fr. Pat Lynch is the author of the popular book; "Awakening The Giant" and the founder of the Sion Community in Birmingham, England. He is a preacher of note in Catholic and Protestant Churches and a regular speaker on Radio & Television in England & Ireland.

Fr. Gino Henriques is based in Singapore and the head of Evangelisation 2000 Asia-Oceania. He is an author and dynamic international preacher. lie has been instrumental in beginning a large Youth Movement in India which involves training for Colleges Sr University Campuses through music, drama SE ministry in Schools.

Rev. Dr. Russell Sage is a Preacher and Missionary associated with the Vineyard Churches. He is in demand around the world in Catholic St Protestant Churches. He has a powerful healing gift which has witnessed many miracles.

Eddie Russell FMI is a recognised Catholic Evangelist and Preacher who has preached in Australia, Singapore and England. He is the author of several programmes and seminars on the Christian faith and has spoken in both Catholic and Protestant Churches. He is the editor of an International Christian Magazine called Blaze.

Guy Sutton-Mattocks R41 is a recognised Catholic Evangelist and Preacher who has preached in USA, England, Australia and Pakistan. He is the author of several articles and seminars and has spoken in both Catholic and Protestant Churches.

Frank Tassone rmi is a recognised Catholic Evangelist and Preacher with many years experience in Youth Ministry. He is the author of several articles and a Seminar/Retreat for Youth. He has preached in England, Australia and Singapore.

THE PROGRAMME Evening Celebration Rallies: Mon Jan 22nd 7.30pm - Fr. Pat Lynch "Blow The Trumpets In Zion" (Awakening The Giant) Tues Jan 23rd 7.30pm Fr. Gino Henriques "Catch The Vision" Wed Jan 24th 7.30pm - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Signs & Wonders" Thur Jan 25th 7.30pm - Fr. Pat Lynch "Building On The Rock" Fri Jan 26th 7.30pm - Fr. Gino Henriques "Arise Australian Youth"

Sat Jan 27th 7.30pm - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Christ Crucified" Sun Jan 28th 7.30pm - Fr. Pat Lynch - "Go!" Daytime Workshop Sessions: ( Registered Delegates Out!,)

Tues Jan 23rd 10am - 12noon Guy Sutton-Mattocks rut "Beyond The Cross" 1pm - 3pm - Fr. Pat Lynch "Empowered for Proclamation" Wed Jan 24th 10arn - 12noon - Frank Tassone ut "New Hope, New Nation" 1pm - 3pm - Fr. Gino Henriques "Vision, Planning & Strategy" Thur Jan 25th 10am- 12noon -Eddie Russell rut "Malachi 3" 1pm - 3pm - Rey. Dr. Russell Sage "Called To Mission" Fri Jan 26th 10am - 12noon - Frank Tassone rut "Warrior or Wimp" 1pm - 3pm - Fr. Pat Lynch.

"To The Victor Goes The Crown" Sat Jan 27th 9am - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Understanding The Anointing" nam - Rev. Dr. Russell Sage "Walking In The Anointing" 2pm - Fr. Pat Lynch. "Forming Strong Leaders" 4pm - Fr. Pat Lynch. "Models Of Leadership" Sun Jan 28th 2pm - Fr. Gino Henriques "20th Century Disciples" 4pm - Fr. Gino Henriques "Transformed In Christ

REGISTRATION FEES *** All daily sessions for the entire week = $100 *** Earlybird Discount for payment on or before Jan 1st 1996 = $90 *** Pensioners/Unemployed/Students = $65 *** Single Sessions = $8 per session. "". You can register on the day, but due to limited

sealing it is advisable 111171 you do so early to guarantee your seat at the evening sessions.

Please send our Che • ue/Mone Order to:

Flame Ministries Internationa PO BOX 8133 Sublaco 6008

For Brochure or Enquires Phone (09) 382 3668 Today The Record, January 11, 1996 5

Shier, at Mercy 150 years

1 :

The Sisters of Mercy - 150 years downunder, starting in Western Australia

Look back in tribute, forward in hope

lfter reading from letters by an early Benedictine brother and Mother Ursula Frayne, all moved off to. . . .

Sister Leonie O'Brien, congregational leader of the Perth Sisters of Mercy congregation, welcomes all to the remembrance.

. . St John's pro-Cathedral, first church of the diocese. Dom Placid, prioriministrator of New Norcia monastery in the foreground.

Some of the many who came, moving towards Mass in the Mercy chapel.

4 of Thanksgiving for the Sisters of Mercy in the beautiful Mercy chapel.

The Record, January 11, 1996

Silence, prayer and thanks for the lives and dedication to God of past Mercies and Benedictines.

&Viers to lAet Share struggle Mother Ursula Frayne would of the world he suggestion (The Record, January 4) T that how the Church "engages" the world is a "hot topic" should not surprise

us. The response of the Church to a rapidly changing world continually needs reflection and refinement.

However, even the way the question is posed admits of some ambiguity. When the Editor speaks of the Church "engaging" the world, is this the engagement of two lovers or of two opposing soldiers?

The Church is obviously part of the world that "God loved so much" as to send His only Son into it. The Church is clearly influenced by the world, and exists to serve the world.

The critical issue is how the Church is to do this. How is the Church to evangelise the world? How is the Church to become good news for the world? How is the Church to present and reveal the healing love of God? Perhaps, firstly, I could say how the Church does not evangelise. It seems to me the Church does not evangelise when people gather to swap notes on the "latest errors" in Sunday sermons, RE classes and theological writings.

Likewise, when people gather in churches for protection - praying to be delivered from an evil world and spending time between prayer and "horror" at the world - there does not seem to be much evangelising happening.

Both these approaches are excusable. perhaps understandable. However, they appear more motivated by the gloom of bad news rather than the joy of good news.

In either of these positions one remains somewhat removed from the world, rather than entering into the issues of the day in a transformative way - which is the heart of evangelisation.

What is also unhelpful is the confusing comments of Peg Matthiesson (The Record, January 4) and others who continue to miss the point of my previous correspondence.

For the record.I never decried the prominence given to Mr Said's letter - I found it "puzzling". The virtue of simplicity has nothing to do with narrow "simplistic condemnations". In addition, it is naive to insinuate that intellectual and academic reflection is at odds with "simplicity".

There is no question that evil must be denounced. However, once this pronouncement has been made, we cannot stop there. Pronouncements do not

be proud of Mercy schools T

Mother Ursula Frayne change things very much. The evangelising work of the Church is a call for people to be more involved in the world - not less involved.

It is a call to understand the complex web that most people live in, and to listen to what God is asking of us. It is a call to share the pain and struggle of the modern world so as to help people discover light and healing.

To denounce our world as having lost respect for human life, or confused the role of human sexuality, may be accurate.

The Church needs to go further than that.

A deeper analysis is required. What are the causes of these developments? How are they related to our economic structures? How can the "victims" find healing?

What are the signs of Gods action in all of this? A deeper involvement is needed.

Compassion and understanding are required. Christians need to act.

To evangelise ultimately means being a community that embodies a new way of living made possible by the power of Christ. Pope John Paul II has made it very clear. "people today put more trust in witnesses than teachers".

Who we are as a Church is what evangelises the world. This challenges us more than we would care to be sometimes.

We need to do more than talk, "score points" or send anonymous, obscure and

phis week marks the start of celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of the arrival in Perth of the missionary band of 1846. Prominent among them were the Mercy Sisters and their leader the valiant woman, Mother Ursula Frayne.

There are many factors to be considered in evaluating schools. For Catholic schools, surely, religious education, formation and practice being among the most important.

Nonetheless, it was very pleasing to see two Mercy schools featuring in the "Top Six" TEE listings, Mercy College (incidentally, despite The West Australian report. not an all-girls school) and Santa Maria College.

Congratulations to Dick Finucane, Frank Owen and the staff and students. How especially proud Mother Ursula Frayne would be of her successors who, in very recent decades, created out of the bush of Koondoola a school of such excellence.

Monsignor Michael Keating Vicar General, Archdiocese of Perth cryptic mail to those we differ with. I support The Record's encouragement for open constructive dialogue in the Church.

May such dialogue help each of us to discover more clearly the truth of Christ.

Fr Tony Chiera Donnybrook

Woman-to-woman cannot believe that Karen Shervington I ( The Record, January 4) feels that women are not being "heard" by the

Church hierarchy.

The Church has for 2.000 years been the only institution that has revered women and motherhood, a welcome change from the paternalism of Roman times.

It has held true to its principles and grows in stature and credibility for those genuinely searching for the truth about human nature.

Ms Shervington may not be a feminist, but I am sick to death of so-called feminists fighting to give me a better life.

All they have succeeded in doing is giving me two jobs instead of one (not excelling in either) as I'm forever running around like a chook with its head off.

In other words they have destroyed my life as a wife and mother. Children. teenagers. young men and middle age

men no longer treat us with respect or give us a hand, as they are too frightened of the abuse they may receive if they happen to open a door, offer a chair, or let us through a doorway first.

Now the feminists are trying to "reform' the Church. Well this time I'm not going down without a fight! As you can see,I am furious with those women and I'm completely fed up with them speaking on my behalf.

Mary M Daly Parkwood

Learn to evangelise o evangelise is to spread the good T news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was raised from the dead accord-

ing to the Scriptures and that as the reigning Lord.

He now offers the forgiveness of sins and the liberating gift of the Spirit to all who repent and believe.

Catholics complain of the lack of courageous leadership in their Church in Australia today. Father Pat Lynch is the author of the popular book, A wakening the Giant. Fr Gino Henriques is based in Singapore and he is the head of Evangelisation 2000 AsiaOceania.

Both will be speaking with other speakers between Monday, January 22 Sunday 28th at John XXIII Lecture Theatre. John XXIII Avenue, Claremont.

I'm sure that if you attend or buy Awakening of the Giant you will hear, read and know the truth that Jesus is alive and believe that it's everyone's duty as a Christian to evangelise the truth of the Catholic Church.

Margaret Thomas Mullewa

Help God's children this coming year let us serve God by Inhelping His - and our - children.

How? You have no children? Help

some harassed mother in Church or shop with her.

Give a helping hand at a child-minding centre or at a group for handicapped children. Be a baby sitter.

Knit baby clothes for charity and ask God to count every stitch a prayer for the baby that will wear it.

Spiritually adopt some unknown single mother and her baby. Include them in your daily prayers.

Anyone with any other ideas?

Vonny Hellberg OAM Bunbury

Ancient rivalries continue to plague Central Europe

By John C Veszely he Australian community of ethnic T Hungarian extraction was not surprised to read the article (The Record,

December 14) dealing with the oppressive Slovak measures to which Hungarians in Slovakia will be subjected to.

We do. however, welcome the fact that, not from a Hungarian but a Polish source, the tragedy facing the Hungarians in Slovakia has been aired.

Jonathan Luxmoore reported from Warsaw that the Hungarian Archbishop of Eger. Istvan Seregely, had indicated his fears that the new Slovak language law may restrict the use of minority languages in church services.

The draconian law stipulates, that in localities where there are no Slovaks, and which are totally inhabited by Hungarian speakers, and have been for 1.000 years, only the Slovak language may be used.

If unauthorised languages are used fines may be imposed. Such a fine was put into the Act after the original fine was halved.

The article mentioned some 580.000 Hungarians in Slovakia. This official Slovak statistical figure grossly understates the actual number of Hungarians living there.

Many have been, blackmailed, cajoled and virtually forced to denounce their Hungarian heritage and asked to declare themselves to be Slovaks.

The historical fact is that after the signing of the Trianon Treaty in 1920, three million Hungarians were delivered into the hands and oppressive whims of the newly created states of Czechoslovakia.

Yugoslavia and Greater Rumania.

The region which today appears as Slovakia on the maps of the world, some 800,000 Hungarians inhabited for generations upon generations before that dictate -called a peace was signed. The number is considerably higher than the near 600,000 quoted earlier.

The constitution of the Slovak state guarantees minorities the right to use their own language. Now, the radio stations, cultural events and general commentaries have to be printed, spoken and shown in the Slovak language and, only after that text, is it permissible to use other languages.

The systematic persecution of Hungarians is not new. In April 1945 the so-called Benes decree was promulgated. That took away from the Hungarians and Germans their citizenships - declared them, under the tenet of collective guilt, punishable.

Their properties were expropriated, their priests were banished, their jobs were taken, pensions stopped, they were forbidden to speak in their mother tongue.

Later, tens of thousands were deported, partly to Hungary, partly as slave labourers into the Sudetenland to work in fac-

tories and farms as the Germans had been driven off into Germany. Slovakia strives to be a "one language , one nation, state".

The Helsinki Agreements are ignored: the State-treaty signed with Hungary only recently is being ignored; the demand of the European Parliament to rescind the un-European law is being ignored. Yet the Slovaks keep saying they treat the Hungarians and all minority subjects by adhering to the "European norm".

Yet they are far from such human right practices. The Finns, for instance, recognise the Swedish as the second official language of Finland when Swedes only account for 6.6 per cent of the population.

Hungarians in Slovakia are nearly twice that proportion, yet they are under threat of fines, forbidden to use their language, even in local authority offices where the population is nearly all of the very same ethnicity.

In Belgium, there are three official languages: French, Dutch and German. In Switzerland, as we know, there are four languages accepted as official and spoken at will in the various cantons: German, French, Italian and Romansh. The Basques of Spain form only 2.5 per cent of the population yet they are permitted to use their own language in their autonomous region.

What would the Scots, the Welshmen or the Irish say, or for that matter the Manx

on the Isle of Man who want to use their own language, if they were told that is not on? One may only wonder. .

As the Hungarian Bishop's Conference has asked its brethren in Slovakia to appeal to the Slovak government to allow the unrestricted use of the Hungarian's mother tongue in Slovakia, ethnic Hungarians in Australia seek as well the help of the Australian Bishops to intercede with the Slovak bishops on behalf of their Hungarian speaking flock scattered all over Australia.

The Slovaks tend to justify the unjustifiable with the repeated claim that the Hungarians kept them under their yoke for centuries.

To refute this is simple and logical. Had the Hungarians oppressed the Slovaks for over 1,000 years, surely it would follow that after long and total oppression there would be no Slovaks at all today.

The truth is that the Hungarians made it possible for all of its many nationalities who lived among them for over ten centuries to maintain their culture and language.

It was the University of Buda were language specialists honed their trade. The cream of the Slav and Rumanian philologists were invited and taught at the university there. It was that University that first published and printed high standard literary and scientific works in Slovak and other Slav languages.

The Record, January 11, 1996 7

New Year Reflections

Take flight from the dust towards our heavenly home. .

I

jooking back at the past year, the memories flood over me like waves, leaving some pleasurable memories and others not so pleasant.

Like most, there are many, many riches to thank God profusely for, and others whereIbelieve He's allowed difficulties to remain with me, perhaps in order to strengthen me.

The problem is in life, that we walk our path basically alone - but not quite.

Because our own path is crossed by others, for better or worse, who may have lost their way, or else are heading in the wrong direction - you meet all types in the process and wonder if God made all souls beautiful - how so many have lost their shine, and got it wrong!

By "got it wrong" I mean - they think they've got it right.

But when you see and feel man assassinating another, not necessarily physically, but attempting to destroy through meanness, nastiness, putting down, crushing, jumping on, and generally out to get you, it's then you have difficulty in equating them as the same human being as you are - or, even worse, the same religion.

That's when it really hurts because ,while espousing this and that lofty ideal, they are often out on a destruct mission on someone else.

Quite justifiably of course in their view.

And incomprehensibly in yours.

The problem is, how to cope with difficulties and difficult people.

Well, there are two ways to go about it.

One is to try and assassinate them too, and become as nasty as they are. However, that is definitely a self-destruct path and most unwise to take.

What you have to do is adopt a different strategy for your own soul's preservation and peace of mind.

Face the fact that there will always be undesirables in the world who, while maintaining that they are God's gift to man, and sometimes with a "holier than thou" attitude, are actually harming others.

Face the fact also, that you are going to be stuck with these unpleasant people all throughout your life in one place or anoth-

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard

er - even in the geriatric home when you're helplessly stuck in your wheelchair alongside theirs.

The first thing is to acknowledge they have a problem and pray for them.

Consecrate them to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus to soften their hard hearts.

Because soft, loving hearts only give out love and simply don't leave a wake of unhappiness in their path.

Secondly, don't take their problems on board, which they surely have or they wouldn't act the way they do.

Now while it's extremely difficult to love someone when you don't even like them, isolate their personality from their soul, and then it's possible to live the gospel message in their regard.

Thirdly, offer up the pain they cause you and others for the intentions of Jesus and Mary so it won't be suffered in vain.

Fourthly, take consolation from the fact if you pray for them instead of plotting to "get them" - your soul will be enriched by the growth through suffering and prayer.

So, don't emulate them but retain your dignity, self-respect, and don't descend to their level.

In the end, your prayers for them will have an effect, and a change will take place for the better - somewhere down the line.

In the meantime your soul will be at peace and the epitaph, which each one writes on earth before he dies, will be a statement reflected by the loving thoughts of others you've left behind.

The true measure of a man's greatness is how he treats his fellow man - across the board.

Not merely those he wishes to curry favour with, but every single person, no

matter who they are, what they have, or mankind, then they surely must realise where they come from.

God is in charge.

Each man has to be shown respect Wonderful God! Creator not only of the whether he lives in the gutter or a palace. universe and everything in it, but of daily And whether it pays you for political, miracles - the birth of His babies all over financial, or social gain to cultivate him or the world in all their tiny perfection. not.

The most fragile of delicate flowers with My special love goes out to people who their matchless beauty. make others feel like a million dollars by The extras which He adorns the earth a kind word or a gesture, towards the lit- with, like the misty scarf He trails through tlest to the "man at the top of the cherry the valleys on a freshly given morning, like tree." robing a beautiful lady.

And it's when we are at the bottom, on The magnificent height of his tallest trees our knees, that we will receive in full mea- - always striving heavenward. sure what we have meted out to others. As And yes, that's really it, isn't it? Our strivyou sow, so will you reap, and this truism ing heavenward too - always searching for is oft forgotten by those who ride rough God, in whom all hearts truly rest; thankshod over others. Life has a way of bal- ing Him, and asking for the Holy Spirit to ancing up the score Inspire us to do God's work; emulating the If the gospel message about turning the gentleness, compassion, empathy, other cheek gets to you when you've been dynamism and direction of Jesus: seeking brutalised by life already - turn over that the warmth of His mother's arms when page and find another. the world gets too hard; and thanking our When you get tired of scrabbling in the angels for the work they do in protecting dirt with turkeys when you know you us. were born to fly like an eagle - scrub up We're taught that each human being has your feathers and take off! been given their own special angel, and Should you get to the stage when you nothing makes an angel happier than to feel maybe you should see a psychiatrist take their protege to the throne of God because a large percentage of the world and a heavenly reward; nor sadder if they seems mad - visit a friend who's kept their don't. mental equilibrium and, after a coffee and So, inject a healthy dose of humour into a chat, you're then equipped to counsel your life. Stir in all the faith in God and the the psychiatrist himself. heavenly team you can, to fortify the mix Don't be dragged down by the whingers and your life, and wrap it in the golden In life. . . when they complain about the cloth of hope and trust. rain, express joy at God washing the earth.

In the final analysis. there are some peoGet them to lift their eyes from the dirt ple on earth you can trust, and others you patch in life and raise their eyes to the sky. can't. But, without any doubt, you can That's when they'll see God's grandeur. always trust God and his Mother, without When they look to the stars twinkling reservation because they will love you and hanging majestically in God's firma- unreservedly, unquestionably, and unconment and see the glorious background of ditionally until you draw your last breath. the velvety dark backdrop, and see the And they, above anyone else, will never, enormous moon looking down benevo- ever, let you down. lently and yet mysteriously on sleepy

The reassuring voice of Jesus on the edge of knowledge The Record begins today six installments of an imaginative meditation entitled The Edge of Knowledge composed by Perth writer Stephen O'Brien-McCaffery

8 The Record, January 11, 1996

I

halted in the sunlight at the spring of being some order in my questions, but it that, as surely asIallow the sun to shine crystal water, by the path to the forest, does not rest solidly in my mind. But I and permit existence its claim to be, I afraid to walk on. I knew my Jesus have some memory, and, as much as I can allow only what I allow, and only my was there, waiting for me in the shade, recall, my conversation was as such.

Father andIallow life. but fear overwhelmed me, andIfell to my I asked Jesus of my future. He replied: "Child, seek not of where you shall be. knees and was unable to turn my face any "My child, I am life itself, and time is Seek me instead, and there is no question longer to the forest. nothing more than the servant of my of the future, for then you have already There was inside me a feeling of unwor- wishes. What you know as the future is framed it, and it means nothing at all, for thiness, of self-doubt, and I did not want but the strength of opportunity I have t will know that you are coming to me to face the Lord thus. Instead,I raised my given to you so that you may come to andI shall open my arms to you, and voice to Him, and began to draw strength know me. there will be a happiness that you have from the gentle responses that came in not the imagination to contemplate, but I " have yielded this opportunity, and I turn from the voice in the half-shadows have given my life to you so that you may with me, you shall possess it. amongst the trees. ' I tell you child, that they who aim to My fear left me, though I remained believe of this the more strongly. You kneeling on the ground with my head have spoken to me of your future. ButI Insure against time by gathering things of bowed forward. Never did I gaze into the tell you this so that you will know. You the earth or by accumulating human sacred face of Jesus, for I felt I was unde- have no life to come but that whichIpro- knowledge shall be distracted from me.

Can a table or a chair give life as I? Where serving. No,I closed my eyes and asked of vide.

Him my fears, and my worries.

"Every pain that your heart will know, Is the living, breathing, spark of life in I spoke of my life and the pain that has every step that your feet will take, every your ways of thought? attended it, the loneliness that has accom- breath that will pass your mouth, every "No, let you come to this awareness. panied it, and the happiness that has object your eyes light upon, is whatIhave Your world is everything to you, but to me eluded it. laid before you, and you pass through it is simply one of my loving creations, Yes,I stayed there at the edge of the for- these things only with the consent of me and, because of me and my Father, it is est, where the pasture became the trees, and my Father. allowed to spin and preserve life. sometimes speaking, mostly listening, and "Your free will holds not one thing more "Know that there will come a time when the comfort that I received upon hearing than a choice between knowing me and turn my gaze upon this earth and I shall the gentle voice of Jesus was more beau- refusing me. wish its motion stopped, and it shall stop tiful than I could have imagined, more When you choose one, you choose a that instant. complete than I could describe, more "Only then my child, will the future Inspiring than the universe of blazing direction in your life also. When you choose another, you commit to a different emerge for you, because you made it - as stars. will emerge. Child, choose more carefully I have little memory of my own words, path.

"Understand these things as best you than anything your choice in this. so intent was I upon the loving wisdom Next week eternal life imparted me by Jesus. I remember there can, my child, because you must know

•••••11111M

The Scriptures and how they speak to us . . .

Clean modem pigsty with Scripture

By Father Paul Schmidt

/

'm always finding fresh lights there, hidden and enthralling meanings: The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes those words of St Therese of Lisieux about reading the Gospels (No. 2705). What the Little Flower found in the Gospels, we can find too.

The Catechism speaks of the senses of Scripture (Nos. 115-119): • The literal sense is what the original author intended directly to say (for example, Jesus spoke to the crowds).

• The spiritual sense includes indirect and figurative meanings and lessons hidden in the literal sense (for example, the cure of the blind man as a symbol of baptism).

Sometimes the literal sense contains history in the modern sense of the word (for example, the death of Jesus on the cross).

But always there is salvation history, the account of God's saving work among us (that is, the meaning of Jesus' death).

The Catechism quotes St Thomas Aquinas to remind us that "all other senses of Scripture are based on the literal."

In addition to the officially recognised senses of Scripture, there are others. There is what one may call a broader historical sense of Scripture: the meanings and directives emphasised in each phase of Church history.

There is also a personal sense, a special meaning for me here and now (my personal history) flowing from the always-changing circumstances of my life as it intersects with God's word.

What might be called a contemporary sense is based on the situation in the world and the Church today. For example, one might well read the non-violent statement of Jesus: "All who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52), in the light of contemporary gang violence, crime and warfare.

We can also consider an imaginative sense, resulting from the use of imagination in meditating on God's word. We can imagine the events described or imagine ourselves in a Gospel story as one of the characters or bystanders.

An artistic sense is an important part of this imaginative sense. It includes paintings, sculpture and music inspired by Scripture.

Michelangelo's "Last Judgment," Bach's "St Matthew Passion" or a Christmas crib are outstanding examples of the artistic approach to Scripture. It is interesting to see how many senses we can get from a Gospel. The story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11 32) is rich in meanings.

The literal sense of the passage is that Jesus told a story, which taught a lesson, a parable.

The piece of history in this passage is that Jesus was a teacher who told good stories.

The story itself is not intended to be historical; most probably, Jesus made it up.

The parable comes in a chapter which begins with Jesus' critics complaining that he "welcomes sinners and eats with them." In response, Jesus speaks of the lost sheep and the lost coin, and then of the prodigal son.

The parable means that Jesus comes to reconcile sinners, as the father in the story received his repentant son back with joy. We should not complain about this as being unfair

but rejoice in the mystery of forgiveness.

This story, of course, works well as an allegory (one form of spiritual sense) for the sacrament of reconciliation. The prodigal son examines his conscience, confesses his sins and receives absolution.

The feast is, of course, an allegory of the Eucharist, to which the repentant sinner is able to return, the banquet where Jesus eats with sinners. We may also read in this story a moral sense. It illustrates that a life of sin is a dead end. Living among pigs is a repulsive enough image for us; for Jewish people it was even more abhorrent.

We may have had times when we felt like the prodigal son, far from God's house or even alienated from our parents. Many mothers and fathers today feel like the father in the parable as they watch their children abandon the Catholic faith and ruin their lives through self-destructive behaviour.

Other people have felt like the elder brother, baffled by God's generosity and needing to be

reminded that God does not have to follow our rules. At times in our lives we may take turns playing all the roles in this parable.

The world needs to hear the story of the prodigal son. Whole societies have abandoned faith and justice. What passes as public morals and popular entertainment today might well be compared to a pigsty.

Our world needs the insight to recognise a pigsty for a pigsty rust. Then it may see its way back to forgiveness and reconciliation.

The artistic genius Rembrandt captured the meeting of the lost son and the father in a beautiful etching. The figures melt into each other in a swirl of lines; the father envelops the son in his arms. Perhaps "Amazing Grace" would capture the scene musically for most of us.

Even a brief look at this parable shows the many meanings present in Holy Scripture. St Therese was right.

Fr Schmidt is director of Priests Personnel for the Diocese of Oakland, California.

Z. -

%-•

°VI

'Bible does not change, but the reader does'

By Father Lawrence Mick

T

he famous English poet, T.S. Eliot says in his poem Gerontion that "the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

How can that happen? The poet suggests that after all our exploring has taken us to other places and given us other experiences, we can come back to our starting point and see it differently, with broader perspectives.

It is a similar goal we seek every time we come again to a familiar passage of Scripture.

We hear the same passages from the Bible many times in our lives. If we make the assumption that once we've heard a text we have no more to gain from it, we can easily become bored during the early part of the Mass - the Liturgy of the Word - on Sunday.

The same problem can occur with Christians who read the Bible regularly at home. After reading once through the whole Bible, what is to be gained by reading it again?

But remember, some people see the same

movie numerous times or listen to a cher- of my own sinfulness, andIhear a clear call ished album of music over and over or reread to turn back to God and be welcomed home. a favourite novel. People who revisit such The next timeIhear it,Imay feelI am doing works often say that they notice something pretty well and find myself identifying more new every time they return to them. easily with the elder son, who was resentful I suspect they are able to draw more and of the treatment given to this brother. Is the more from the work precisely because they word of the Lord then calling me to be more are open to the possibility of finding a new tolerant of others' faults? treasure each time.

Still another time I might be holding a Clifton Fadiman suggests another important grudge against someone who has done me insight, however. He says, "When you reread wrong. Identifying myself with the father in a classic you do not see more in the book the story might lead me to become more forthan you did before; you see more in you giving. In each case the story is the same, but than there was before."

I am different, and so the encounter with the His comment reminds us that there are two story is fresh.

Sometimes changes in my life will spontasides in every encounter with a text. Thus, with Scripture, the words may stay the same, neously prompt me to see something new in an old familiar story. Other times I may have but the reader or hearer does not.

We are each shaped by the sum total of our to deliberately place myself in a new position experiences in life, so we are continually and thus gain a new perspective on the text.

However it happens, it is a wonderful expegrowing and changing. Since the Bible always speaks to "our current condition," the rience when we come back to a text that is as message may be slightly different each time familiar as an old friend and experience it again as if for the first time. we hear or read a given selection.

Fr Mick is a priest of the Archdiocese of For example,Imight hear the parable of the Prodigal Son at a time when I am very aware Cincinnati, Ohio.

Psalms proclaim mystery of God

By Father John Castelot

T

he psalms are prayers expressing the deep religious sentiments of God's people in every age.

They transcend history and express the reactions of all people faced with the awesome mystery of God. The psalms do not solve this mystery; they do not so much express God as they address God. When we pray the psalms, we rise above the historical and geographical confines of Israel and Zion. We are now Israel.

God's people; Zion is the universal dwelling place of God in every age.

Many psalms are hymns of praise to God. They offer praise for God's marvellous deeds in nature and in human lives, as well as the universal divine reign in our breathtaking cosmos.

Who is not filled with wonder when contemplating the unimaginable vastness, order and beauty of seemingly infinite space, with its sparkling galaxies and universes?

We are now even more conscious of these than the psalmist who exclaimed: "0 Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! .. . . What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him?" (Psalm 8) Praying in this way we become more conscious of our obligations as stewards of creation, our duty to preserve this universe from pillage and pollution.

When we. with the psalmist. extol Zion. we acclaim not just the temple mount as God's dwelling place. but God's universal presence in our world.

Almost a third of the psalms are laments, cries for deliverance. We may not have armies ranged about us on every side exactly as Israel often did. But we, too, are aghast at the violence that threatens our society, at the insensitive greed that enslaves millions of innocent people.

We cry out in real compassion with victims of cancer.

AIDS and the frightful illnesses from which people ache to be delivered. We become more deeply conscious of our solidarity with suffering humanity, of which we are a part.

Who of us has not known illness, pain, grief?

The psalms of lament burst from the hearts of everyone who has known physical or emotional pain on a personal or social level.

Psalms of thanksgiving cross all national, social and ethnic lines. They are grateful responses to God for innumerable favours. And they voice our confidence that God, who has aided us in the past, will continue to hear and answer us.

As the psalms have been for countless people, they are today: the prayers of God's people - our prayers: "Praise the Lord, all you nations; 'glorify him, all you peoples!

"For steadfast is his kindness toward us, "and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever" (Psalm 117).

The Record, January 11, 1996

9

Holiday Video Reviews and Ratings

From Power Rangers, space flight, Italian Mum! Dad! Can we get out a video? is the predictable chorus line that interrupts the joys of Christmas holidays for young families. The Record's resources do not extend to being able to review the top-selling videos available.

But we can bring parents reviews and ratings compiled from a Catholic perspective by the United States bishops' Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting. Happy holidays!

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie Formula TV action fare for underdeveloped minds comes to the big screen as the series' six teenage Rangers blast off to a distant planet to find a new source of power with the aid of a bikini-clad warrior (Gabrielle Fitzpatrick), then return home to use it against a 6,000-year-old demon (Paul Freeman) bent on covering the world in purple ooze.

Director Bryan Spicer paces the thin comic-book story of earnest youths vs wisecracking monster with gobs of martial-arts violence, special-effects destruction, dark humour, New Age mumbojumbo and a few vulgarities. The United States Catholic Conference classification is All - adults and adolescents.

paranoid purges of potential enemies.

Subtitles. Brief but intense violence, a suicide and a discreet bedroom scene. AIII adults.

Martha & Ethel Warm-hearted documentary on two nannies now in their 90s, one a German-born nurse with a strict Catholic upbringing who raised producer-director ly11 Johnstone and her four siblings stressing conformity and discipline, the other a tolerant, affectionate black woman who lovingly looked after co-producer Barbara Ettinger and her five siblings for their divorced mother.

The highly personal recollections of each nanny, their grown charges and now aged parents provide insights about child rearing which also reflect how much the American family has changed since midcentury. Discussion of parental abandonment may upset young children. All -

Director Ron Howard keeps emotional tensions taut and suspense levels high throughout this salute to the courage and perseverance of all involved in the dicey rescue mission. Fleeting sexual innuendo and minor profanity. All - adults and adolescents

camps. French writer-producer-director Louis Malle re-creates a painful memory from his own youth in a restrained, humbling, well-acted dramatisation of a boy's firsthand experience of the Holocaust.

Subtitles. Some rough language. All adults and adolescents

The Net

Canadian Bacon

On the run from a hired killer (Jeremy Northam), a computer expert (Sandra Bullock) has to fend for herself in keeping criminals from getting a computer disk crucial to the security systems of the entire federal government.

Director Irwin Winkler's sleek technothriller combines standard chase fare with the woman-in-peril formula for a mildly suspenseful, but unexceptional melodrama.

Brief spurts of violence, an implied sexual encounter and an instance of rough language. All! - adults

Limp political satire in which a US president (Alan Alda) determines to boost his popularity by uniting the country against a foreign enemy, but all his aides (Rip Torn and Kevin Pollak) can come up with is a media campaign charging a Canadian plot to take over North America.

Writer-director Michael Moore's comic premise is too thin to support a feature, though his scattershot spoof of political, military and business leaders yield some smiles and a few laughs. Some profanity and crude language. All - adults and adolescents

The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain Quaint but long-winded tale set in 1917 Wales, where a sharp innkeeper (Colm Meaney) goads his fellow villagers into hauling mounds of dirt to add some 16 feet to their local mountain in order to keep English surveyors (Hugh Grant and Ian McNeice) from downgrading it officially to a hill.

Writer-director Christopher Monger gives epic treatment to a fact-based bit of whimsy, piling on scenes of picturesque Welsh landscapes, eccentric characters, hectic community action and a bit of romance, with uneven results. An implied sexual relationship, some sexual innuendo and a couple of rude expressions.

AIII - adults

Crimson Tide Slack thriller about a breakdown in the chain of command aboard a US submarine when its captain (Gene Hackman) and executive officer (Denzel Washington) battle over launching a pre-emptive nuclear strike on a Russian missile base seized by rebel forces.

Director Tony Scott sets up the political situation realistically enough, then fritters away the suspense in military and technological jargon, underdeveloped characters and portentous verbal sparring between the two principals. Stylised violence, a bit of profanity and intermittent rough language. The USCC classification is AM adults.

Jaws

Batman Forever

Ron Batzdorf,

Frenetic sequel with Batman (Val Kilmer) distracted by a sultry psychologist (Nicole Kidman) and a vengeance-crazed Robin (Chris O'Donnell) while battling two lunatics (Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey) out to destroy the Gaped Crusader.

Director Joel Schumacher's dark comic fantasy has little narrative interest, relying instead on violent special effects, sleek visuals and exaggerated performances by the two villains. Recurring stylised violence and brief sexual innuendo. AM adults.

Burnt by the Sun In 1936, a retired Red Army hero (Nikita Mikhalkov) enjoys a summer's day in the country with his young wife and their 6year-old daughter until the unexpected appearance of the wife's former lover (Oleg Menchikov) who eventually reveals the sinister political mission which has brought him there.

Also directed by Mikhalkov, the visually exquisite movie portrays a loving familial relationship ripped asunder by Stalin's

Director Ron Howard, of Happy Days fame, on the set of Apollo 13: keeping suspense levels high

adults and adolescents.

Mortal Kombat Martial-arts fantasy based on a video game in which the mythic god of thunder (Christopher Lambert) enlists three mortals in the fight to save Earth from monstrous creatures conjured up by a diabolical sorcerer (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa).

Directed by Paul Anderson, the adolescent good-vs-evil yarn blends elaborately staged fights with eye-popping special effects for visually exciting though generally mindless escapist fare. Much highly stylised violence. IU11 - adults

Apollo 13 Fact-based story of the April 1970 moon launch aborted on its third day in space after an incapacitating problem diminished the oxygen, power and computer systems, making the safe return of the three astronauts (Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon) an almost insurmountable problem for Houston Mission Control.

2001: A Space Odyssey Director Stanley Kubrick's epic work, cowritten with Arthur C Clarke, is both science fiction and metaphysical poetry using an unconventional mixture of visuals and music to bridge humanity's reconstructed past, identifiable present and projected future, all tied together by the recurring image of a monolith as symbol of a superhuman existence.

The narrative centres in the struggle of two astronauts (Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood) to wrest control of their spacecraft from HAL, a talking computer which malfunctions on a trip to Jupiter and the unknown. Overly long, involved and intense for children. All - adults and adolescents.

Au Revoir Les Enfants When the Gestapo discover that a priest has hidden three Jewish youths in a Catholic boys' school, he and the boys are arrested and deported to concentration

Solid thriller about a killer shark begins with the sea monster's attacks on the tourist trade of a seaside community, then becomes the all-out battle of three men (Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss) against a malignant force of nature.

Aided by good acting and superior special effects, Steven Spielberg directs the hunt and killing of the monster with sustained and riveting dramatic intensity.

Graphic scenes of the shark attacks may be too intense for young viewers. Al!! adults

La Pastorela, the Shepherd's Tale A Christmas pageant at Midnight Mass becomes real to a teenager (Karla Montana) as she imagines herself among a group of shepherds journeying to Bethlehem, but along the way their simple faith is tested by various demons until they're vanquished by the Archangel Michael (Linda Ronstadt).

Written and directed by Luis Valdez, the 80-minute production is a MexicanAmerican folk opera with spirited songs

by Los Lobos, devils in pitched battles with angels and the shepherds whose sense of humour is as natural as their reverence for the Baby Jesus. Fine family fare.

Video Classifications The following is a list of recent video cassette releases of theatrical movies the US Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting has rated on the basis of moral suitability.

USCC classifications: Al general patronage; All adults and adolescents; AIII adults; AIV adults, with reservations (this Indicates films that, while not morally offensive in themselves, are not for casual viewing because they require some analysis and explanation in order to avoid false impressions and interpretations); 0 morally offensive.

10 The Record, January 11, 1996

Before Sunrise, AIII Belle de Jour, 0 Born to Be Wild, Al! Boys on the Side, AIV Burnt by the Sun, Al!!

Cinderella, AI Circle of Friends, Al!!

Clueless, 0 Congo, All Crimson Tide, AIII The Cure, All Die Hard with a Vengeance, 0 Dolores Claiborne, AM Don Juan DeMarco, AIII Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde, 0 Drop Squad, All Drop Zone, 0 Eat Drink Man Woman, AM Exotica, 0

Fluke, All Forget Paris, AIII Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, Al French Kiss, AIII Gordy, Al Heavyweights, Al! Hideaway, AM Hoop Dreams, All The Hunted, 0 The Incredibly True Adventure of 2 Girls in Love, 0 Johnny Mnemonic, 0 Judge Dredd, 0 Jury Duty, All Just Cause, AIII Kiss of Death, AIV Legends of the Fall, AIII A Little Princess, Al

Losing Isaiah, AIII The Madness of King George, AIII Major Payne, AIII Martha & Ethel, Al! Miami Rhapsody, Al!!

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, All Miracle on 34th Street, Al Mortal Kombat, AIII My Family Ml Familia, AM The Net, All Only You, Al! Outbreak, AIII Panther, AIV The Perez Family, AIV Picture Bride, AIII Priest, AN The Professional, 0

Pulp Fiction, 0 Rob Roy, Al!!

Roommates, AIII Safe, Al!!

The Santa Clause, All The Secret of Roan Inish, Al! Showgirls, 0 The Specialist, 0 Species, 0 Stuart Saves His Family, Al!!

Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure, All Tommy Boy, AIII Top Dog, Al!!

The Underneath, AIII Vanya on 42nd Street, All Village of the Damned, All While You Were Sleeping, AIII