The Record Newspaper 08 February 1996

Record PERTH, WA: February 8,1996

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What's Inside...

Quiet achievers of parish outreach show urban Christianity alive and well - Page 5 Youth delegates praise spirituality of youth convention - Page 4 The sick can find meaning in their suffering by offering it for world's conversion - Page 11 The Pope visits Central America - Page 7

1411)1k links with Japan

By David Kehoe The University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle has added to its American links with a formal link to Notre Dame College in Kyoto, Japan.

The link will mean 30 Japanese students will study at Notre Dame Australia next year along with the 60 US students from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana who study at the Fremantle university each year.

University of Notre Dame Australia vice chancellor Peter Tannock said in Kyoto this week affiliation with this high quality Japanese university would add to the breadth and culture of NDA and the opportunities offered to students.

Letters implementing the formal agreement for a collegial relationship and student exch-

ange program between the two institutions were exchanged this week.

Notre Dame, which was Australia's first Catholic University when it was established in 1989, already has a strong collegial relationship with the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, one of the US's oldest and most prestigious universities.

Each year, a growing number of Australian students study at Indiana under an arrangement whereby both the American and Australian students continue to receive credits for the degrees they are undertaking.

Dr Tannock said the Japanese students would study English and Australian culture and some students who qualified for admission to NDA degree programs were likely to undertake one or two semesters of study at the Fremantle university for credit towards their degree program in Japan.

Some Australian students

New Notre Dame students listen attentively during orientation last week would also study in Japan.

Founded in 1961 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. an international congregation of some 7.000 sisters from all over the world, Notre Dame College is the only Catholic four-year college in Kyoto.

Our Lady of the Cape leads the field with new school

Dr Tannock said the Japanese liberal arts college had 1,300 students and already had exchange programs with Pennsylvania State University in the United States and the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.

Like the University of Notre Dame Australia, the Japanese college was proud of its values-oriented education, Dr Tannock said, with emphasis on students' total development - spiritual, moral and intellectual.

Also, like the University of Notre Dame Australia, Notre Dame College was located in the heart of of a city - in the culture and fashion centre of the northern part of Kyoto.

• Last Thursday and Friday 300 new local more than undergraduates took part in Orientation Day activities at the Fremantle campus, learning all about university life from senior academics and Notre Dame's "OWLS" (Older Wiser Leaders), who are second or third year students who volunteer to help the new undergraduates.

Around 1,000 students have already enrolled this year at the university.

New bishop will be quick to get on bike

By Peter Rosengren

Multi-age might be the rage in classroom changes, but these Dunsharough boys show that play is unchanging Our Lady of the Cape Primary School, Dunsborough, in the Diocese of Bunbury opened last week is the first to be designed and built to take into account the grouping of students by stages of development rather than age.

It opened its doors to 78 pre-primary to year three students for the first time last Thesday week.

The opening of this school represents a significant development In primary education.

From the ground up, the school has been designed architecturally to facilitate the knowledge that has been gained over recent decades concerning the most

effective ways in which young people learn.

The children will learn in multiage groups. Multi-age grouping is known to improve children's learning capabilities as well as to help them acquire valuable life skills.

The premise on which multiage schooling is based is that children learn at their "stage" of maturity, which is not necessarily the same for all children at the same physical "age".

Also central to the notion of multi-age grouping is that older children help younger children and, in turn, that older children

benefit from the leadership role they provide for younger children.

One difficulty in implementing multi-age schooling has been that traditionally most schools have been designed for learning in discrete age groupings - separate classrooms for Year 1, Year 2, etc.

The new school has involved substantial input from the local community with parents and the local parish community largely choosing the type of school they would like the Catholic Education Office to provide.

Multi-age schooling - Page 7

Because of the weather, Bishopelect Chris Saunders said last week his first job as the new bishop of Broome would be to visit the people in the outlying regions of his diocese who had been prevented by tropical cyclones from travelling to his consecration.

Retiring Bishop of Broome, Bishop John Jobst, and neighbouring Bishop Justin Bianchini of Geraldton and Bishop Edmund Collins MSC of Darwin will consecrate Fr Saunders as bishop today (Thursday).

Tropical cyclone Jacob has dumped large amounts of rain throughout the north of the State in the last week, cutting roads and isolating a number of communities.

Father Saunders said that after a holiday in Sydney and taking a retreat he had become used to the idea of being a bishop and was looking forward to the job and the role he would be filling.

During January Fr Saunders travelled back to Sydney to visit

Father Chris Saunders his parents, Joseph and Joan Saunders, both of whom will be attending Thursday's consecration despite recent illness.

And this afternoon's consecration is not just a Catholic affair either. The ceremony is being conducted in the Broome civic centre, the only venue large enough to hold all those who will be attending.

- Record Journalist Peter Rosengren has flown to Broome to cover the installation of the new bishop. Full report and pictures in The Record next week

New Norcia poll inconclusive The Prior Administrator of the Benedictine Abbey at New Norcia, Dom Placid Spearritt, will continue as prior administrator for another year.

Dom Placid said on 'Ilresday an election for the position of Abbot on Monday did not produce a result and his mandate

was extended for a year. The Abbot President of the Subiaco branch of the Benedictines.

Dom Gilbert Jones, was present for the inconclusive vote.

- 150 years of New NorciaPage 3.

Next week: Interview with Dom Gilbert.

Young people need families with faith heroes

I

n the issue of The Record published last week, prominence was given to the publication of the Archdiocesan Religious Education program.

A lot of hard work has gone into this program and we are deeply in debt to Father Gerard Holohan and his team for their dedication to the project.

As Fr Holohan has explained, a separate manual is provided for the teacher and the student for each unit. I have no doubt that this will be of enormous help to all concerned.

The program will contribute to the teaching of the faith and also the methods to be used in imparting these truths.

Other resources will also be available especially The Catechism of the Catholic Church. A knowledge of Bible history and Church history are sources that

come to mind also. They have been used to advantage in the past and perhaps could be used at this time also, especially in the Secondary grades.

Young people need some appreciation of the history of the people of God if they are to appreciate their faith.

My objective here, however, is to highlight two other sources of support for students in the growth of their faith - there is need for a religious atmosphere in home and school.

Symbols of the Catholic Faith such as the Crucifix and an image of Mary, the Mother of God, practices such as family prayer, not the mention regular attendance at Mass and Sacraments, all contribute to the religious atmosphere of the home, and likewise of the school, and in turn have a dramatic

effect on the faith of boys and girls.

The other need, perhaps the most important of all, is role models.

Young people in our time are no different from young people of the past, in that they love to have heroes whom they invariably imitate.

I listened to an interesting programme on the car radio recently which advocated training in values (secular values in this case,I think) by placing a focus on the good qualities of these involved with children such as parents, teachers, other brothers and sisters, and so on.

If secular values can be taught in this way, so can Christian values and Christian faith.

However people, including young people, tend to take for granted the good things in the

lives of their elders so there has to be some subtle way of bringing these good things to their attention.

Gradually, it may occur to them that their parents, or their older brothers and sisters, or their teachers or their priest are worthy to be heroes to them and therefore to be role models in faith and values.

Recently, the National Catholic Education Commission brought out a handbook entitled Looking back Looking ahead - Family journey in Faith.

It may be a helpful resource in strengthening the faith of the family.

Meanwhile may I wish Mums and Dads, boys and girls a very pleasant and fruitful school year.

May you all grow in faith and love of God.

Bishop Healy's

Perspective

Join 1996 fight on world poverty

Project Compassion representative Margaret Collopy, centre, helps Bishop Healy, second from he right, hand out Project Compassion kits to parish delegates.

By Peter Rosengren

Over a hundred parish representatives descended on the Cathedral parish centre in Perth last week to eat a simple bowl of plain rice and drink some water as Bishop Robert Healy, auxiliary bishop of Perth, launched Project Compassion for 1996.

Project Compassion is the annual national Lenten appeal run throughout all parishes that raises money for the Australian Catholic Church's aid and relief projects conducted throughout Australia and abroad.

Now in its 32nd year of fundraising, this year's appeal also coincides with the United Nations' International Year for the Elimination of Poverty.

Bishop Healy told the representatives this year's collection would be a chance to join the continual struggle against poverty.

"I submit we have a special reason for giving (to Project Compassion) this year because this year has been designated the International Year for the Elimination of Poverty," he said.

"We have no hope of eliminating poverty in a year, but we can make a dint in it and that's what we're trying to do."

And as representatives partook of a meal that was standard fare In many poverty-stricken parts of the world, Bishop Healy urged them to return to their parishes to spread the message of the good work done by Australian Catholic Relief, or Caritas Australia as it is soon to be known.

"We should also be reminded

that God himself is appreciative of our generosity. Even a cup of cold water given in his name he appreciates - Jesus himself told us," he said.

"And there are three possible ways of celebrating Lent: prayer, penance and almsgiving. So I'm asking you to spread the message through parishes this year as you've done so often before: 'please consider giving to Project Compassion so that we can struggle against poverty.'"

1996's appeal comes following a bumper collection by Project Compassion in 1995, when over $4 million was raised by parishes around the country.

It was the second time since 1963, when Project Compassion came into being, that it has topped the $4 million mark.

Bishop Healy also urged Perth's Catholics to be generous, saying that recipients of ACR funds were always deeply grateful for what was given - something that those who donated were not necessarily aware of.

He said that last year Australian Catholic Relief spent $9.3 million, of which over $4 million came from Project Compassion, with another $2.3 million provided by the Australian government.

Of that figure only 7.7 per cent was used in administration and that meant that over 90 per cent of every dollar donated to the Lenten appeal reached its destination, he said.

Each representative was personally presented with a Project Compassion information kit by Bishop Healy to take back to their parishes.

National Family Rice Day

The purpose of the meal is to give thanks to God for the gifts of creation and to sharpen our Each year. the awareness of the many people A ustralian in the world who do not have Catholic com- enough to eat and who lack munity is invit- other basic necessities for life: ed to remember shelter, health care, clean people who are water, and the chance of an hungry by Joining with fami- education.

A rice meal is suggested lies, communities, neighbours and friends for a simple rice because rice is one of the most widely used staple foods in the meal.

The suggested day is Sunday. world. The meal should be a 17 March but, if this is unsuit- simple one, but people should able, it is suggested that people be encouraged to find creative find a more convenient time ways to prepare and present during that week to have the the rice. Water could be served with the meaL meal.

Overseas dioceses benefit from St Peter Apostle Fund

The 700 Australian Catholic Missionaries serving in 61 overseas countries and within Aboriginal communities can sometimes feel themselves forgotten even by Church, Mends and families, Pontifical Mission Societies national director Father Brian Brock said this week Fr Brock was launching the annual appeal for the St Peter Apostle Fund that helps pay for the support of priests and seminarians overseas.

"That's why we exist", he says, "to pray for them, support them financially and to give them the means to win hearts and souls."

Sydney-based Fr Brock said he The Record, February 8 1996

was very conscious of the words of Bishop Adrian Ddungu of Uganda, who told him last year that he could never have been ordained if a priest had not paid his school fees.

"And this from a man who was in the Roman Class of 1946, studying for the priesthood with other students who became priests and bishops of the Australian Church . . . . (including) Peter Quinn of Bunbury" Bishop Ddungu, whose diocese is Masaka, Uganda, recently visited Australia where he stayed with another fellow student of his Roman days, Monsignor Ian Burns in Sydney. Bishop Ddungu

said his diocese is now supplying priests to replace those who died In the Rwandan massacres.

Fr Brock asked for help with the St Peter Apostle Appeal: "Bishop Adrian Ddungu described his old classmates as 'My Australian Brothers' - we are all just one big Mission family and we have much to learn from the mission countries in terms of vibrancy and a joyful celebration of faith.

"But where would we be without priests and religious?"

Contributions to the St Peter, Apostle fund may be sent to Rev. Father Brock, National Director, Pontifical Mission Societies, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000.

The St Peter Apostle Fund might help this boy become a priest

Benedictines mark 150 years

The Prior Administrator of the Benedictine community of New Norcia, Dorn Placid Spearritt, speaks at the launch of "A Town Like No Other - the Living Traditions of New Norcia" last week as part of the Benedictines celebration of 150 years in Western Australia. Looking on are the book's author David Hutchinson, left, Clive Newman, general manager of Fremantle Arts Centre Press which published the book, and the Chief Justice of Western Australia, David Malcolm, who launched the book.

Restoration of the jarrah floor in the church and correction of the rising damp problem and partial restoration of artwork in St Gertrude's Chapel at New Norcia will be able to proceed after the Benedictine monks received grants from the WA Lotteries Commission.

New Norcia business manager Dom Christopher Power said it was wonderful to be able to go on with the restoration of these areas in the year celebrating 150 years of New Norcia. commission granted The $23,106 for the church floor project to remove linoleum tiles installed in the 1960's and to restore the jarrah flooring.

Dom Christopher said the fine acoustics in the church would remain because the hard surface would be retained.

The long standing problem of rising damp in the chapel walls of St Gertrude's and the deterioration of the artwork on the walls have attracted a grant of $21,190.

Dom Christopher said that the monks would like to build upon the work made possible by the lotteries grant by removing the bitumen at the back of the chapel and creating an 150th anniversary garden.

• W. '

Dom Christopher Power points to damage caused by rising damp in the chapel at St Gertrude's at New Norcia.

Dom James, one of the last Spanish monks at New Norcia, dies One of the last remaining Spanish monks of New Norcia passed to his eternal reward in Hospital, St John of God about 10am last Subiaco, Sunday.

Dom James Carrasco had been a resident in the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor at Glendalough for the past two years, and was 82 years of age when he died.

Santiago (James) was born to Santiago Carrasco and his wife Maria Fuente in the village of Canizar de Argano in the province of Burgos in Spain, on 25th July 1913, the feast of St James, patron of Spain.

He was recruited for the monastery of New Norcia by Abbot Catalan, spent four years as an aspirant in the monastery of El Pueyo, and at the age of 16

entered the novitiate in the monastery of Belloc in France, making his first profession there for New Norcia on 30 November, 1930.

A few months later he set out for Australia, arriving in New Norcia on 29 April, 1931, where he made his final profession on 26 July, 1934.

Dom James's own version of his curriculum vitae reads very simply. He described himself as helping hand (1931-32), gardener (1932-36), vine pruner (1932-37), driver (1936-42), and refectory caretaker (1942- ) Actually, like so many of his confreres, he was a man of many parts and endowed with great energy and industry. He was largely self-taught in English, which he never really mastered in its spoken form, but which he

studied perseveringly, and acquired a working knowledge of a number of subjects associated with his work.

His workshop in the monastery cellar was a place for collecting all sorts of odds and ends, and an interesting array of tools remains to be sorted through.

One piece of apparatus that caused a good deal of anxiety in the community was an oxyacetylene set. The anxiety was due to the fact that he was a severe epileptic and suffered numerous fits, especially from his thirties to his sixties, when he was most active.

He became fairly handy as an electrician when the monastery was much more isolated and generated its own DC power, he did not seem to have the respect others felt was warranted when

we changed over to AC in the early 60s. His special leisure activity was clock and watch repairing, the need for which lessened as quartz clocks and battery-powered watches became more common.

While basically conservative and not enamoured of the changes in monastic and liturgical life resulting from the Second Vatican Council, Dom James was very much a Church and community man, and made every effort to fall in with what Church and community had decided.

He was deeply devoted to the Prayer of the Church and to the Rosary, and was ever grateful for his monastic vacation.

He celebrated his silver, golden and diamond jubilees of profession with great happiness.

As he grew less and less

mobile, and no longer really able to look after his medication, it became necessary to seek a place for him in a nursing home.

At Glendalough he patiently endured the enforced separation from his monastic community, while trying hard to fit into the new kind of community life lived mainly among lay people.

His imperfect English was a source of trial, but he struggled manfully on, trying to understand others and make himself understood.

His final illness followed numerous operations over the last ten or fifteen years, and he died the death of the just fortified by the last rites of the Church and surrounded by much loving care from nursing home and hospital staff and from his own community

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The Record, February 8.1996 3.

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TOMORROW TODAY

Convention set to 'Seize the Day' was a live on at reunion spiritual experience Lellei s

A

By Penny Ashcroft from the Youth and Young Adult Office

G

od is great, God is good, and we thank him for our food! A prayer that has stayed with me from the days when my husband Noel and I were an Antioch 'parent couple'.

I find myself using part of that prayer on a lot of occasions, not the least of which was the closing of our Catholic youth convention In January.

God is great, God is good and I thank Him for giving us the warm and wonderful adults and young people who worked behind the scenes in so many ways to make our outreach to 250 young Catholics such a success.

The success of an event such as the Seize the Day Convention is a culmination of not just weeks or months of work, but of years of work.

Seeds planted by people such as Father John Jegorow and Sister Emilie Cattalini, Father Joe Parkinson and Karen Pye, who worked with young people over past years and gave them something that made the young people want to give back.

Their efforts and the efforts of people who worked with them, are still bearing fruit. A majority of the willing hands and hearts who gave so generously of their time and energy, are the young adults who want to serve, who want to "give something back" to an ideal, to a vision, that was nurtured and loved into existence by people such as those I have mentioned.

God is great! God is good!..

That vision goes beyond the convention . . . . and it is with a sense of anticipation and more than a

Joy at the convention last month at Aquinas College

little excitement that I offer readers a preview of some of the events that our office has planned for the coming months.

On Friday, 16 February, join us for the Convention Reunion - a great night - a chance to renew friendships, listen to fabulous music and basically, have fun!

The venue is at the Cathedral Parish Centre, the time is 730pm.

See you there!

On the weekend of 23, 24 and 25 February, we are launching our first Parish Based Comprehensive Youth Ministry Camp.

Seven parishes throughout the archdiocese sent a team of 10-15 people to two training days in 1995. This weekend will consolidate that training and lead the teams into the next phase of planning and implementing programs within their parish.

Following close on the heels of the reunion is the first in the series of 1996 'Escape Weekends'. Held at Eagles Nest in Gidgegannup, 8-10 March, it will

be a great opportunity to relax and "get it together" before the year really gets underway.

The weekend will be organised and facilitated by members of our dynamic young 'Seize The Day' team and will cost only $45.

- call the office now on 328 9622 and register, places are limited.

On March 16th we are holding a bush dance (venue to be advised) at 730pm. The incredible Convention Bush Band "Eirigh an la" will be playing.

Tickets are available from our office.

And join us for "Eye of the Tiger", a special event not to missed on March 30th - venue, Sacred Heart College, time: 8pm.

Tickets are available at the door at a cost of $5.

One last notice - many people have expressed an interest in joining the Performing Arts Ministry as part of the band, choir, drama or backstage technical crew. If you are interested, please phone our office.

Eagle's Nest Catholic Youth Formation Centre Gidgegannup WA requires a

RESIDENT MANAGER / CARETAKER Eagle's Nest is a popular Catholic youth retreat centre 45 minutes from Perth located on 17 hectares of natural bush adjoining Walyunga National Park at 116 O'Brien Road, Gidgegannup.

Administered by Catholic Youth Ministry, Eagle's Nest caters for school retreats, parish youth and young adult formation programs, and other Christian groups. Cottage accommodation is provided for the manager/caretaker, whose duties include: • general maintenance of grounds, buildings and equipment • management of capital works • fire safety and security of property • management of venue bookings, including hosting client groups The position requires a wide range of handyman skills, ability to plan work and work unsupervised, a friendly and cooperative attitude, and ability to preserve and develop the Catholic ethos of the centre. Suited to a wide range of skills and ages, including active retired or semi-retired couple. Expressions of interest by February 19, please.

Enquiries and Applications to: The Director, PO Box 194, North Perth 6006 Telephone 328 9622

4

The Record, February 8 1996

°/""

fter reading Brian Coy- opment of the strong Catholic ne's article (The Record, faith of the delegates.

It was emphasised during the 25 January) I felt that I should respond, giving a dele- course of the week that delegate's perspective of the 1996 gates take away memories of Youth Convention, titled "Seize the fun activities, but not to let that be all - the spiritual elethe Day". ment is just as important.

I attended the entire seven "Seize the Day" was to be If days, and therefore experienced it is not only the fun effective, both the spiritual and fun eleelements that will be treasured ments of the convention.

As Bruce Downes described, but the on-going spiritual develthe convention was a retreat - a opment.

For me, the spiritual element is chance to step back from our busy lives and to be open to very prudent and "Seize the Day" enhanced my faith develGod's will.

For some, it was a faith dis- opment.

The fun activities were icing covery, for others another step the cake - part of my personon in their faith journey. The fun and social development. al elements of the convention The appealed to convention were just another way of experiencing God in our lives - various aspects of my life - and appealing to a very diverse was therefore an extremely well-spent week. group of youth.

If, after reading Mr Coyne's During the week we also attended critical concern courses, article, you thought the week community group sessions and was 85 per cent fun, the highgeneral sessions which includ- light being the Archbishop's homily at the Mass, think again; ed talks.

The closing night was a typical - from a delegate's perspective. night session - including guest Glenva Austin speakers, band and choir per- Swanbollrne formances, videos, Bruce's talk and prayer time.

While Archbishop Hickey was present, the main focus of the am writing regarding the night was to give the parents an recent Catholic Youth Convention. "Seize the Day" held in January.

There was an article published in The Record, written by Brian Coyne, which I did not find entirely accurate.

In it, he wrote that the convention was 85 per cent fun and 15 per cent spiritual.

I disagree with this. In my opinion, this would make the convention merely a fun Summer Camp.

It was, in fact, a great opportunity to develop my relationship with God. I don't think fun and "God stuff' should be separated, because in my experience most of the "God stuff" is fun:.

Sure, there were times on the convention when we didn't focus on the spiritual, but these Delegates pray at the convention times were needed for those who might find some of the insight into some of the week's spiritual things overwhelming activities. at first.

The lbesday night Mass was We have to remember, we are another special occasion during all at different stages in our the week. faith. Also, during these times, For me, the Mass was one of we are still building friendships the most enjoyable I have ever with others who can help us attended along on our faith journey.

The sense of occasion was not I would not separate the spirimade by the Archbishop's com- tual and the fun, or include permunication techniques and centages in an evaluation of the body language, but the prayer- convention. fulness and deep spirituality But I would say that it was a shown by the delegates and the enthusiasm of the choir and great opportunity for me to find direction in my life, develop musicians.

The atmosphere was one you new friendships, secure and would rarely come across, and improve old friendships, develwill be treasured by all who op as a person, have fun, learn experienced it. To be part of to serve others and, more such a strong, faith-filled and Importantly, improve my reladynamic group of youth is real- tionship and communication with God, mature in my faith; ly a privilege.

This amazing Mass, appealing most rewarding was the oppornot only to delegates, but to the tunity to witness others experifamilies and other members of ence this. the congregation, represented a Kylie Hughes part of the discovery or devel- Gosnells

Report inaccurate

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Parish Outreach: The quiet achievers

Tapping into the fount of charity the odd job done around the house or even just someone to n cross the suburbs and talk to from time to time, Catholic parishes of Perth there are Outreach volunteers - the ordiearly 8,000 people wait- nary men and women of the parishes - are waiting to lend a ing to spring into action.

No, it's not a secret army of rev- hand.

It is coordinated centrally by olutionaries ready to seize power executive officer Tony MacAlinand storm the Post Office.

The people are the 8,000 or so den, who visits parishes throughvolunteers and coordinators of out the year, forming committees, Catholic Outreach, one of the speaking to congregations and biggest community help organi- getting the handy help service up and running. sations in Western Australia.

And he says that one of the reaAnd they are anything but ordisons Catholic Outreach, founded nary.

Catholic Outreach is the arch- in 1990, has flourished is that diocesan agency that provides, parishioners really want to be through its extensive suburban able to help others when the network of volunteers a compre- need arises.

"The people that are the hensive range of short-term emergency assistance and care Church really want to do somefor those who need help, whatev- thing," he said in his Hay Street office last week. er their situation.

"It's in their heart. They want to If you are old, live by yourself and can't get to the doctor, there reach out to other people and is almost certainly a volunteer they really want to help," he said.

In some ways Catholic somewhere nearby who will be Outreach is similar to St Vincent able to drive you there. the charitable organisaIf you suddenly find yourself in de need of a meal, chances are a tion which works with the poor, Catholic Outreach volunteer will and the two organisations often make one and bring it to your link up on specific cases or matters. door.

But there are substantial differIf you lose a family member ences as well. The emphasis of and have no-one to turn to. need Catholic Outreach is on the short-term emergency assistance it can provide and put into action for those who find themselves suddenly needing help and with no-one to turn to.

One case illustrates the point.

Recently, Catholic Outreach came to the aid of a family whose son was involved in an accident and hospitalised in a comatose state.

Because their son was in such a serious condition his parents had to remain constantly beside his bed. This meant they couldn't operate the family business which they depended on for their income.

Tess Thompson, supervisor of John But a Catholic Outreach volunPaul Care in Brentwood-Willeffon on teer who worked in the same the job organising volunteers with shopping centre heard of their her card index of volunteers close plight and immediately organat hand.

By Peter Rosengren

A

ised a team of volunteers to run the business while the parents remained in hospital with their son.

It is this sort of situation which Catholic Outreach is ideally placed to address.

As executive officer, Tony MacAlinden's main task is to help set up Outreach in parishes throughout the archdiocese and to provide on-going support, advice and training.

It already exists in over 40 parishes in Perth and the Diocese of Bunbury and is steadily growing.

Typically, he will be invited to visit a parish and there he outlines to parishioners how Outreach operates.

Sheets are distributed to those attending Mass asking them to indicate how they might be able to help if they become involved.

Meeting with parishioners, a list of needs to be met in the parish is drawn up and work towards an Outreach launch for that parish is begun.

Needs for which Outreach provides can be varied too - visiting the sick and the elderly, driving those who need transport, preparing emergency meals, helping around the home, providing child care and support for the bereaved.

Outreach has also provided care for the chronically ill and even helped to arrange funerals.

It all depends on the needs that arise.

It is a largely self-supporting program that does not receive any Government funds either.

For its parish coordination, its efficiency and capacity to meet the emergency needs of people, it relies on the parishioners who organise it, man it and make it work.

Special care is also taken to ensure that the work does not always fall back on the same person either, whether they are a coordinator or a volunteer.

With a file of names and the services that particular individu-

Tony MacAlinden in his office: giving charily a chance to blossom

als can provide handy, the coordinator always has someone ready to fill the vacant spot or to share the load.

When an Outreach launch is held, usually on a weekend, Outreach is then ready to spring into action from the following Monday, set to go wherever it is needed.

And to assist the people working at the coalface of the program, Tony runs a one-day training program twice a year for the parish coordinating committees.

The services provided by Outreach are non-professional they are the sorts of things that people can provide anywhere by banding together and organising themselves properly.

So when professional assistance is needed, coordinators know when to cut out and call for help, Tony said.

"The big thing in the program is the common sense of the people involved - the common sense dis-

• . . and using everyday talents to help

T

ogether with four others, Lesley McMinn helps coordinate the 265 volunteers of Morecare, the Catholic Outreach program in St Thomas More parish, Bateman.

Lesley joined Morecare when it was launched in the southern suburban parish in 1994 and has been involved with it ever since.

Today she finds herself called on as a coordinator to locate volunteers in her register to help with every conceivable kind of situation or challenge.

She said that, among other tasks, the parish-based assistance program gets regular requests to provide transport and also receives a steady stream of calls to help mothers just home from hospital with a new baby.

Twins are a special task because they demand so much attention that a mother just needs a break, either to get out of the house for an hour or even just to have a sleep, she said. Morecare had assisted two cases of twins recently, Lesley added.

And since Morecare began operation it has now expanded to the point where it is providing assistance to people, Catholic and non-Catholic, outside the parish.

Morecare volunteers are available to do almost anything they are called on for, she said, whether it is driving someone to a doctor's appointment and then bringing them back home or just doing the dishes for an overstretched mother just out of hospital.

She said that in addition Morecare was now able to provide special services by

played every day," he said. One of the advantages of Outreach, Tony said, was that it simply gave people an opportunity to do what they were already capable of doing.

"The ability to help others is already there. What's happened is that we've opened the door and let it loose," he said.

Outreach also has the capacity to become a large scale emergency relief organisation in time of disaster and, although Tony never wants to see the potential tested in this way, he admits it is there.

"With 230 coordinators and 8,000 volunteers spread over the 40 parishes, that's a lot of manpower we can call on," he said.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Catholic Outreach or how it might operate in their own parish should contact Tony MacAlinden on (09) 221 5172.

Flame Ministries International

"Set My People On Fire" CHARISMATIC TEACHING SEMINAR Conducted over 16 weekly Sessions beginning with an Introduction & Registrations Night

7.30pm Wednesday February 14th '96 St. Keiran's Parish Hall Cape Street, Osborne Park.

Morecare coordinator Lesley McMinn with a meal to help someone in the neighbourhood

drawing on the services of volunteers who have particular skills such as being an electrician or an interpreter.

Tess Thompson, supervisor of John Paul Care in nearby BrentwoodWilletton parish became involved in 1992 and said most calls for assistance were also for help with transport and, after that, mother support at both the pre and post-natal stages.

She said that in some situations mothers might come out of hospital and have no family nearby to support them.

In that case, John Paul Care volunteers could help simply by taking care of other children, giving Mum an hour off here and there, or just being around to talk to.

In addition, John Paul Care also worked with the parish's refugee committee that runs three homes for newly arrived refugees.

People can be needed to transport refugees to Mass on Sunday or accompany them to the Department of Social Services, she said.

This Seminar is FREE! A "Love Offering" will be taken up each week.

You may attend the weekly sessions without Registration.

Only those Registered for the entire Seminar will receive Weekly Study Notes at $2.50 p.w & be eligible for Graduation.

THE PROGRAMME Wk 1: "Knowing the Love of God" Wk 2: "He is Lord" Wk 3: "Healing Through Forgiveness" Wk 4: "The Holy Spirit & His Gifts" Wk 6: "The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Why Tongues) "Wk 6: "Righteousness" Wk 7: "The Authority of the Believer" Wk 8: "Spiritual Armour" Wk 9: "Effective Prayer" Wk 10: "The Motivational Gifts" Wk 11: "In the world not of the world" Wk 12: "They turned their world upside down with faith in the name of Jesus" Wk 13: "Intercessory Prayer" Wk 14: "Practical Soul Winning for Practical People" Wk 15: "The Great Commission" 3 Weekend RetreaVWorkshops are essential to the Seminar & occur at Wk. 5: Wk 10: & Wk 15.

Retreat weekend costs are determined numbers & venue

ENQUIRES (09) 382 3668

Flame Ministries International A Preaching/Teaching Organisation in the Catholic Church Serving the Body of Christ

The Record, February 8 1996

5

Catholic women should speak out more: leader From Mary Newport in Canberra

Catholic women need to speak out more on the worldwide movements on human rights, the environment, and the related population and social-economic questions, the first major international meeting of Catholic women in Australia was told last weekend.

Up to 700 delegates from

Catholic women's organisations around the world met in Canberra this last week under the auspice of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations.

WUCWO president-general Maria Therese van Heteren Hogenhuis said while opening the conference last Saturday Catholic women had to be involved as "the globalisation process in the world and the super-technical influence in all spheres of life" was not going to stop.

She said the present changes in the world were driven by a vision of more freedom, justice and greater wealth for everybody, but numerous conflicts, alienation and a tendency for existing grudges to harden cut across hope for rapid social progress.

As people had a great longing for healing and peace it was no surprise that the theme of the Canberra meeting was "I will make all things new: women, rec-

Mt Lawley celebrates Fr Patrick Kelly's 25 years

onciliation and hope," Mrs van signs of God's ongoing work in Heteren Hogenhuis said. today's world". He said reconcili"As women we are called to ation was the result of a long meet the challenges of our time, process whose starting point and to use our talents to create consisted, first of all, he says, in Mrs June Bailey makes a presentation to Fr Kelly on behalf of the residents new life, a better world, without putting an end to injustice and of the retirement homes. poverty, AIDS, violence and all inequality.

Friends of Benedictine Father Kelly was joined on January 23 kinds of pollution," she said later "The meeting at Beijing gathand added that the UN Fourth ered women from all spiritual Patrick Kelly gathered late last for the celebration by his World Conference on Women in horizons in a gesture of human month to celebrate the 25th nephew, Fr Gerard Kelly of the Beijing last year was a model of solidarity searching for justice anniversary of his ordination to Catholic Institute of Sydney. how women can organise to and equality," Fr Charland said. the priesthood.

Concelebrating the jubilee Fr Kelly was born in Ganmain, Mass, were Fr Kelly's long-time make their voices heard "The one in Canberra intends to "Having experienced the power be an answer to the call of our NSW and later qualified as a friend, Fr John Chauncy, now in of this solidarity in Beijing, we faith in the God of Abraham, in Master Butcher. During the sec- retirement at Archbishop Foley need to forge closer links not order to make a step further ond World War he served in the and Mt Lawley Parish Village, only between the churches but towards reconciliation.

RAAF and afterwards studied Priest, Fr Brian O'Loughlin. also between the international "In the faith of Abraham .... we real estate valuation and worked New Norcia's Prior AdministCatholic organisations so that we see a request : 'Go from your for the NSW Valuer-General and can work effectively together to country, your kindred and your privately. He then came to WA rator Fr Placid Sperrift and a bring abut much-needed father's house to the land that I and joined the Benedictine good gathering of the residents of the retirement homes and Mt changes", she said. will show you'. This is a call to Community at New Norcia.

In a message to the conference walk in faithfulness toward a Due to failing health, he is now Lawley parishioners who reguthrough Vatican Secretary of new world; to give birth to a new in retirement at the RSL War larly attend Mass at the FtSL State Cardinal Angelo Sodano, people which shall be blessed."

Veterans Home in Mt Lawley. Fr chapel were also present.

Pope John Paul II congratulated WUCWO vice-president for the Catholic women's organisations Asia Pacific Region, Sayoki Arai and said that in many case "they from Japan deplored the fact that are the most visible and dynamic in her country and in Asia generform of the Church's presence ally where countries are prosperand action in society." ing, the main social focus is on "It is his fervent hope that the measurement of the GNP to Catholic women will grasp ever the neglect of the spiritual things more profoundly the unique which, she said, offered the greatfeminine contribution which est hope for reconciliation of the they can make to the building up differences and misunderstandof the Kingdom where the Lord ing between peoples. makes 'all things new,' (Rev 20:5) Catholic women's organisations Cardinal Sodano wrote. in Asia had become private WUCWO chaplain Father diplomats, speaking about the Paul-Emile Charland. an Oblate tragedy of the World War II of Mary Immaculate, a lone man "comfort women" and have been among all the delegates, said the pressuring the government to Brian O'Connor, long-time caretaker at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Beijing and Canberra meetings apologise and pay compensation, Nollamara, moving last week the sign proclaiming the new building project at the school which will see the addition of new pre-primary and year one were "two cradles of hope. two she said.

Nollamara school extensions

PROSE rAl...1kci...S1,* 11111.F.S

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classrooms and the commencement of kindergarten.

Faith in God's power of healing seen in his disciples such as Fr Tardif, there are others who successfully lay on hands Jesus physically lived with us and, as well as spiritual healings, almost 2.000 years ago and we physical healings also take place.

Such a person is St John of God read and hear how he walked the dry earth of the Holy Land, Sister Romanus in the Bunbury healing the lepers, restoring sight diocese who has been involved to the blind, and raising up the in the healing ministry for the last 20 years. paralysed.

Her work involves nursing "Well that's just fine," some of us say, "But Iguess that's it in the within Bunbury hospital and a healing department - now we're lot of general pastoral work in on our own," - as though it was the area.

She also runs a few groups covthe sum total of the only healing that would ever take place on ering scripture, prayer and renewal of faith. earth.

Sr Romanus visits the regional Later, we broadened our knowledge and understanding and public hospital and the prison weekly for a prayer ministry with asked - what about the spirit? the prisoners.

The soul, and heart can be All healers know that they have wounded and need patching up from time to time too, and when no power but are merely instruone enters into the world of the ments of the Holy Spirit and that, Charismatic Renewal devotees, as Sr Romanus says, "In simple faith I believe Jesus want us all you can see the laying on of healed in whatever way and I hands does result in spiritual pray for people for healing wherhealings. But it's also a fact that some physical healings, most ever they are at.

"I believe every prayer is emphatically, do take place.. answered in some way and it Father Emilien Tardif came to may not always be physical healPerth in early February 1995 as a ing, although Ihave seen that too. recognised world healer and "But, more importantly, is that many said they were physically when people are prayed with healed in St Mary's Cathedral they get peace in their heart and and in the Supreme Court Gard- in their lives, to live with." ens through the power of Jesus Sr Romanus believes that God and the Holy Spirit working wants us to be healed "and certhrough the special gift of Fr tainly for a religious in the minTardif. istry today, Ibelieve that is what Apart from well known healers, God wants me to do. . . . To ask

By Colleen McGuiness-Howard

6 f Tete .flietdriP FebrbAry 8 1996

Him to heal the people I pray for."

To every Christian, Sr Romanus addresses her belief that they have the mission given by Jesus to minister to His people spiritually, because we have been gifted by the Spirit to "proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, set the downtrodden free and to proclaim the Lord's year of favour."

Conceding that this is every Christian's mission, Sr Romanus also believes there is a specific gift of healing entrusted to certain people, and one knows that they have that gift, by using it and seeing people healed.

Over the 20 years she's been involved with the healing ministry, Sr Romanus has seen spiritual healings, inner healings "which can be in a lot of cases more important to the person, but I have seen physical as well, and am adamant in saying only God can heal, but He uses human instruments." She has done a lot of follow-ups on sick people "which has allowed me to believe that some definite kinds of healings have taken place."

The Father healed through Jesus, she said, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead so the Father's glory might be seen.

Involved in a healing ministry through the Charismatic Renewal since 1974, Sr Romanus prayed over a man with advanced stages of cancer and

Sr Romanus: using God's gifts

that man is still alive today. She sees her healing ministry as part of her religious vocation and believes each Catholic hospital should be a place of healing.

On why some people are not healed, Sr Romanus replies there is no answer.

She has seen a lot of pain and suffering in individuals and families and saw a great need and opportunity to minister to people within the healing ministry.

However, she also believes every prayer is answered "but not necessarily the way we expect or want."

"But we appropriate God's love in all of that, and more important is the inner healing of peace for people to live their lives in whatever situation.

"As baptised Christians everyone has a mission to minister to God's people with the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are from our Baptism and Confirmation, and use these gifts which the Spirit infuses us with.

"So it is not merely because I am a religious sister (that I have been given these gifts)."

"That mission is the same for every baptised Christian and one should not put the gift into a cupboard and close the door."

In her work, Sr Romanus very much encourages use of the Sacraments "which are beneficial to our devotions."

Meanwhile, for all those out there despairing of a healing, whatever that may be, one needs to remember there are God's chosen ones through whom he works, and also the healing power of true faith itself, which can and certainly does heal.

All that is required is to have sublime faith in God, be prepared to follow His plan for us, give everything over to Him, and pray for His will to be done - ills then that many have found the strength and efficacy of His healing power for their health and in their lives.

&tiers lo Colt/oar Let us not forget evangelical compassion I

n response to your request for letters on how to evangelise, I wish to share how personal experience has expanded my thinking regarding the task of evangelisation (being "bearers of the Good News').

An active and committed Catholic,I took the step, 20 months ago of walking away from a marriage of almost 25 years duration.

Prior to this I had known and experienced the love of God and been involved in the Charismatic Renewal for 20 years (local and diocesan levels).

Given this background, my approach to evangelisation had always been in terms of the "Great Commission"; one "goes our and with God's help shares one's

Mission based on one truth

faith in God, thus helping others to accept Jesus as Lord and embrace Catholic Christianity.

However, since experiencing life in the Church as single and separated, I've come to understand that much more is needed if one is to be the "bearer of the Good News". This "more" is the firm belief that we, as Church, still need to continue in understanding and expression of how to be "Good News" for each other at the level of the personal.

During these months of transition following my marriage breakdown I have, with sadness and dismay, experienced and listened to others talk of the inability of many in parish life (professional religious included) to listen well and simply

"Until the loving begins, there is no transformation."

But the question must be asked if her views would improve our mental health.

At the start of her lecture she called an invocation of that which is holy, called on ith respect to the call for evan- the intuition of our own mysteriousness. gelisation, I wish to describe a She invoked light, rocks, oceans, creatures path by which all faithful of the forest, creatures of the coral, of the birds of the sky, the moon and stars.

Catholics should follow.

I believe that His Grace, Archbishop She practically invoked all of creation Hickey, is the chosen Apostle of our Lord without mentioning the creator. Well, at Jesus Christ to lead all Catholics in his dio- least she was modern in the sense that she cese back to the fold of Christ headed by embraced the periphery of Christian the Vicar of Christ. our Holy Father Pope teaching and ignored the centre on which John Paul II and as such I believe that any it is based. namely Christ and his suffering evangelisation will be fruitful only when for us.

We were asked to appreciate the magical all the Catholics are united in one Truth, the Truth as proclaimed by our Lord Jesus. connection between the solstice and the Before we evangelise we must believe in equinox, which sounded a bit witchy.

I was astounded when she told how she the sacred truths of the One, Holy, Roman to a dolphin at a marine park in 'opened' Catholic and Apostolic Church that our standing there with her eyes Hawaii; Lord Jesus Christ founded on Peter, for it into the continuum of love, getting closed was not flesh that told Peter that Jesus was own advice of experiential her following the Son of God but God Himself. education.

Eric Rebeiro The dolphin hit her on the nose with a Rockingham Park ball it was playing with. I was sorry for her, her glasses were knocked off and, with eyes watering, she retreated - only later realising that she had discovered the he UWA Summer School is running law of loving number 5 - try something theme lectures around mental new again and again. Yes, don't laugh, she health. One speaker, Anne Hillman, was serious! who has written about an evolving collecMs Hillman was asked at the end of the tive consciousness and wonders why our lecture as to how do you love and accept attempts at a greater capacity for love dis- evil? Ms Hillman's reply was that you can't appoint us, lectured on love under the title exist without the angelic and demonic

W

Bring on the groans

T

Yes, I agree with many of the writers in "be for" people in this type of crisis. To be sure, I've known the occasional precious this column: to evangelise effectively we individual who has shown these qualities, need to be more prayerful, grow in knowlthus giving me hope, strength and edge of the Scriptures, dogma, etc.

However, in practicing these, let us not encouragement.

However, by and lq,rge these experi- overlook the "power of the personal": after all, it takes energy, skill, time and ences were "precious few".

Loving the Church as I do is motivation commitment (often "painstaking and enough to look at the "why" of it all. I frustrating", (Hugh Clift, The Record, 25 believe part of our problem is the "busy- January 25) to listen well and "be with" ness" of life in general, which of course another.

We might note the words of Michael includes parish life.

So often we, as a parish, are caught up Murphy (Retreat director & librarian to in doing our jobs and maintaining the the disabled) who talks of "elements that structure of parish life, thus often missing make life worth while": these being, those special opportunities, given to us by "beauty, openness, healing, care, sensitivGod, to be "bearers of the Good News" ity and above all love." (evangelisers) to those in our very midst. Name and address supplied side by side. She could not love Hitler. It was beyond her and beyond us.

But doesn't this go, I asked myself, against the Christian principle of hating sin but not the sinner. Christ died for every human, not just the easy to love ones.

Ms Hillman describes love only as a feeling. She described scenes of looking out from her Californian home at the mist rising over the forest, deer gingerly searching for food below and circling hawks above.

Again a feeling of contentment, peace and security. Never is it mentioned the sacrifice that long term love calls for. Once sacrifice is out of the genies bottle the next step is to understand suffering. Christianity embraces suffering as a way of obtaining merit. God does nothing for no reason.

Of course, many saints suffered greatly not that the saints were masochists looking for the next nail to step on. Most times they avoided suffering as fast as their little legs could carry them. Then, when a choice was to be made, the choice was often for truth and God. Ms Hillman's philosophy avoids contact with God as a person. Christianity asks us to embrace the search for Jesus as a person. The human condition requires as necessity a loving, personal, God. This is a fact philosophy has known for at least 2000 years but ignored by Ms Hillman.

The lecture started with the audience being asked to sigh, then groan, then roar.

I think this bit should have been at the end.

Tony Hicks Wembley

Can I have peace?

I am very aware that Vatican II brought the laity in the Church more freedom and more participation within the Church.

But with this freedom does it allow for the continuation of irreverence and disrespect for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament?

In these days of noise and hassles within the home and in the world. the Church used to be the place one could find some peace and quite and reflection with the Lord especially after receiving Him in the Eucharist.

But the attitude now seems to be that when the priest leaves the altar so does Christ go too and the Church becomes like a market place for gossip and noise.

What had happened to the good old days where the Church was a place of respect for both Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, indicated by the red lamp, and also respect for people trying to pray and find their peace within Gods house.

If one cannot find it here, where do we then go?

I would like the leaders of the Church to being back the awesomeness and respect back for Christ in his house before it becomes worse and more out of hand than what it already is.

C Beaman Kiara

Pupils can learn at their stage, and not their age What is multi-age learning? Riley Horrockg is the Principal at Our Lady of the Cape Primary School, Dunsborough, in the Diocese of Bunbury. In an interview with Brian Coyne. media officer at the Catholic Education Office, he explained the objectives of multi-age learning.

M

ulti-age grouping is not a new idea. All multi-age grouping means is putting children of different grade levels into the one classroom.

In country schools, we have had a form of multi-age grouping for a long time simply because of the demographics in many country towns.

In the past, even though the children were in the same classroom they would still be separated and doing work designated for the year they were in. The teacher was programming a number of different grade levels in the one room.

Multi-age grouping recognises that in the early years children are not all ready to learn in the same way at the same time at the same age.

We have some children who come to school in pre-primary who already have developed numeracy and reading skills. At the other end, we are aware of children going into Year Two settings who have not yet developed an interest in reading.

Multi-age grouping recognises that children mature at different rates. So, by having children grouped in a multi-aged setting they are able to learn at their "stage", not their "age".

Learning activities are planned to meet the child's stage of development and at the

Students at Our Lady of the Cape, Dunsborough, last week in their new open-plan classroom Research is showing that the total bank same time offer a degree of challenge which will ensure effective learning takes of information available in the world is place - they are learning to become "suc- growing at an exceedingly fast rate.

Some say that our total volume of inforcessful learners".

The underpinning strategy is called "col- mation is doubling every few years. I read laborative learning". We are aiming to recently where it is believed the total voldevelop the children into life-long learners ume of information available in the world and not just as passive receivers of knowl- will treble between now and the Year 2000. As teachers we know that there is no edge. that children can learn all this inforway They don't see their teacher as the only in twelve years. mation source of knowledge - they can learn from Education today is increasingly about their peers, their parents, from books, computers and other resources. They are giving children the skills to be able to encouraged to see themselves as "problem access this vast and growing pool of inforsolvers" - they are able to solve problems mation.

They need to be able to know how to that they pose themselves or that they are access the relevant information needed for given.

solving their particular problems at any given time. Children need to be able to discern what is relevant to them from this vast volume of information that is available to them.

And we need people in the world who are going to be able to work in groups. You increasingly notice in job advertisements today that the call is for people who can work in a group - someone-who is a teambuilder.

We want people with leadership skills.

In the multi-age learning situation the older children are encouraged to develop these leadership skills. When they are helping the younger children they are able to reinforce their own learning.

You know how ills when we try and pass knowledge about something onto someone else, it helps us reinforce that knowledge ourself.

In its practical application in our new school, the classrooms have been designed in an open-plan arrangement so that the teachers are able to divide the space into different learning areas. The children can work in small groups in these different learning areas.

For example, during one part of the day they might be in the writing area and later they will be working with a slightly different group in the maths area.The children will learn in small groups, whole class and individual settings.

The skill areas of numeracy and literacy are of prime importance in education ant. the whole thrust of collaborative learning Is to make the acquisition of these skills more certain for all students.

The Record, February 8 1996 7

Scripture: new things from old

The books of the Bible were not written for scholars'

By Father John Castelot

W

hen Paul wrote to the Galatians, he was addressing a rough Celtic tribe that had only recently settled in what is now northern Turkey.

They had only a rudimentary religious education, only what Paul had been able to give them in the short time he had stayed with them.

Still, he obviously expected them to understand what he wrote them.

He felt sure they would grasp references to Abraham and Sarah and Hagar, for his Instruction had touched the high points of biblical history.

Most of them could not even read; few people could in those days. Paul's letters and the Gospels were read to them when they gathered for the liturgy.

But, in all likelihood, they sat around and discussed what they had heard and applied it to their lives.

They did, however, have certain advantages over us.

They were familiar with the circumstances that prompted the authors to write to them: what they heard hit home.

They were also accustomed to the literary styles of the writers. The styles were those in vogue in their culture.

People in our time and culture who are unschooled in biblical science can still read the Scriptures with understanding, appreciation and rich spiritual profit.

Luke's story of Jesus' birth is almost universally known and loved, as are the Passion accounts of all the evangelists.

Matthew's Sermon on the Mount strikes a responsive chord in every Christian heart - and in many non-Christian ones as well.

Who can fail to feel the spiritual vibration of Paul's stirring declaration, "I live by faith in the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20)?

This is the good news in a nutshell, the basis of a profound personal spirituality.

If the original hearers of the word had an advantage over us, it is far from an insuperable one.

Every good edition of the Bible gives introductions to the individual books, informing us of a book's author, its original audience, the type of writing (narrative, prophecy, prayer, letter, etc.), its purpose and all sorts of other helpful information.

With this orientation, a genuinely interested person can read with understanding, enjoyment and profit. In addition to this general information, the editors supply notes to clear up individual passages that might cause difficulty.

With helps such as these. there is no reason to shy away from reading the word of God. ' in fact, to do so would be a t ragic loss.

The Record, February 8 1996

Time travel in your mind

By Dolores Lackey

/

am forever indebted to the Benedictine monks for handing on a form of prayer called "lectio divina."

In it, you choose a passage of Scripture, read it through and then read again, slowly and attentively, stopping when a word seems to arrest attention.

When you do this, you get a sense that the Scripture passage - the living word of God - has initiated a conversation. You may dwell on the word, ponder it, follow it through paths of insight and inspiration, rest with it.

Countless generations have grown in the ways of biblical prayer by practicing "lectio divina."

I also am grateful to the Jesuits for preserving St. Ignatius' imaginative approach to Scriptural prayer. In this method you read a Scripture passage and then imagine or visualise its scene: the people, the buildings, the terrain.

After inwardly constructing the scene, you enter it as a participant: meeting Jesus along the road, or in the household of Bethany - wherever. The inner encounter with Jesus and the ensuing colloquy are the heart of Ignatian prayer.

Both these forms of Scriptural meditation and prayer are cherished by people all over the world.

Then along come the Scripture scholars! They count among their numbers linguistic and literary experts, archaeologists and geographers, cultural anthropologists and historians.

These people offer facts to complement our devotion. But do they help or hinder our prayer?

I think they help, enriching the imagination in Ignatian meditation and deepening the conversation in "lectio divina."

Some knowledge of history is helpful for understanding Scripture. Imagine journeying through Israel immersed in josephus' "History of the Jewish Wars," which describes in bloody detail the historical period when Jesus was born.

By reading about all the thousands of Jews slaughtered because they would not bend to Roman authority or because they would not permit defilement of the temple, I began to grasp

something of the determination teaching was. For example, there of the race from which Jesus is the story of the good shepherd, sprang, as well as the turmoil who couldn't rest until the one and turbulence of his times. lost sheep was found.

This knowledge makes his mesHere is a story, it has been said, sage of forgiveness, reconcilia- about a common problem for tion and peace stand out in bold- shepherds of the time: what to do er tones. about a lost sheep.

The work of archaeologists is But it helps to know that for its helpful too. As they unearth arte- first hearers the parable readily facts of culture, placing bits and conjured up Scriptural images of pieces of daily life in the Galilee shepherds and lambs - images before our eyes, they bring Peter related to the Messiah and the and John - and Jesus - more need to care for those of lowly vividly to our imaginations. rank And as Scripture scholars Do we tend to hear this as a unravel the meaning of the Greek folksy story, while its first hearers language in the original texts, were driven by its images to ponnew interpretations and new lev- der the role of God in history and els of meaning emerge. what is required for salvation?

These scholars tell us, for examWhen we know something ple, that in Matthew's Gospel about the ways of sheep-tending "seeking the kingdom of God" In the first century, we realise and seeking justice are not two that a "normal" shepherd woulddistinct quests. Clearly, this kind n't go in search of one lost sheep of knowledge should shape our and leave the rest of the flock to thinking as we pray, "Thy king- fend for themselves - not to mendom come." tion the risks the shepherd faced Knowing how to situate the on craggy precipices. parables in the context of firstBut the good shepherd has difcentury Jewish culture, as well as ferent standards; no boundary within Scripture as a whole, restricted the costly love required helps us see how radical Jesus' to find the lost one.

Biblical scholars have helped us to recognise how profoundly such parables redefine love's conventional meaning.

Thus, when we arrive at the Letters of John we are prepared to understand a little better his radical definition of God as love without limits.

A natural next step is to look for that love in our own surroundings. When we meditate on love there, we glimpse the God who is passing by (1 Kings 19:10-14).

Today, the Lord can be seen where parents lovingly care for a son dying of AIDS. The Lord can be seen where a couple in mid-life, who already have raised a family, adopt a small child no one wants.

The Lord can be seen where a Bosnian Serb shelters a Croat or a Muslim - or where a Croat or Muslim does likewise. with familiar Becoming Scripture and how it was understood in its original cultural context helps us to interpret biblical love in our own cultural context.

And thus the conversation with Scripture deepens still further.

Will getting the facts on the Bible aid devotion?

Christians today carry on the work of the Good Shepherd when they care for AIDS victims of all ages.

Scripture forms us now as it did in antiquity

By Father Eugene LaVerdiere, SSS

e can approach the Bible W in many ways.

The Bible is a set of books

bound together as one book The books it contains were written by many people over more than 1,000 years. Some of the books were written in Hebrew.

Some have parts in Aramaic Others were written in Greek What brought these books together? Actually, the books have many things in common.

The whole Bible, for example, is a record of a people's faith.

Some of the books tell Israel's story and how over many years God formed independent tribes, clans and families into a people.

Israel's story is set in the context of creation; through the story of Adam and Eve, the Bible shows that all peoples are part of the same human race.

What held Israel's people together was their common faith in God. When their faith became

weak, prophets like Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah called the people to fidelity The prophets' message is preserved in the prophetic books.

The people of Israel also gathered for worship. They prayed in song, using traditional melodies accompanied by musical instruments. Their hymns, written over many centuries, are found in the Book of Psalms.

And the people of Israel had traditional lore, passed from generation to generation, showing how people of faith lived in order to be happy and prosper.

That lore is preserved in the books of Wisdom.

Along with these works forming the Old Testament, we Christians have the stories of Jesus in the Gospels. And we have stories of the Church's early times in the Acts of the Apostles.

Then we have letters, notably Paul's. These letters are akin to the Old Testament's prophetic

works. And we have the Book of But for Christians and Jews, the Revelation, showing a vision of Bible is also Scripture. As the end time, balancing Genesis' Scripture, the Bible is read from vision of the first days. the standpoint of faith. That The Israelite, Jewish and means accepting it as God's Christian books the Bible con- word not only about something tains are classic works of faith. that happened long ago but To be such, they had to survive addressing us today. the passage of time. The generaIn that way, the Bible is both tion that produced them and normative and formative: noreach successive generation mative for our beliefs and how recognised the depth of the faith we live; formative for individuals experience they expressed. and the whole community.

Thus, we turn to the Bible for Some works of literature are classics for a particular nation or light and guidance. It does not people. Unlike these, the Bible is tell us just what to do in every particular circumstance. What it a world classic. provides are guidelines for The Bible is also a sacred book, behaviour. accepted in faith as the word of It also forms us into the kind of God. The Bible contains those people who know how to act classics of faith that were preserved as classics of the word of when new circumstances present themselves.

God. In doing that, Scripture continOf course, many people in our world read and study the Bible ues to form us into a people of simply as great literature. Isaiah, faith, love and hope. That's what for example, and the Book of job It did for the Israelites. That's stand tall among world litera- what it does for the Jews. And that's what it does for Christians. ture's greatest classics.

Features

A lion of the Catholic faith in Loneliness and the Dardanup's pioneering days Christian One of Western Australia's oldest Catholic parishes, Dardanup, has a venerable history, as George Russo here recounts.

H

istory is a funny thing; it keeps repeating itself. Take the parish of Dardanup in the Diocese of Bunbury.

One man was responsible for establishing the Church there, Thomas Little.

All he ever wanted was a priest to lead them. He finally got one, but it took time.

Thomas Little must have been something of a curiosity in the fledgling colony. Born in Galway at the very beginning of the 19th century, Little came from an ancient, but largely clispossessed family of Irish gentry.

He was educated, surprising in those troubled times when occupying forces were all over Ireland.

He worked in India for the East-India Company until a wealthy investor by the name of Princep despatched him to start an enterprise in Western Australia.

He settled on a ship of narrow land on the Leschenault Inlet in 1838 which he called Mamas Little: founder of Dardanup parish Belvidere.

Three years later an elite of new settlers acres, and added another 380 acres. He arrived and called the place Australind, with brought out Irish victims of the famine and the intention of trading with India. placed them, as tenants, on 20 acres of land.

His neighbours, steeped in the traditions of The place became a Catholic enclave. Little Anglican upper class privilege, found an Irish gave fifty acres of his land to Bishop Serra to Catholic gentleman in their midst a contrabuild a church, and supplied 100,000 bricks diction in terms. and 500 bushels of lime.

The Reverend Wollaston remarked about On the 25 March, 1854, the Feast of the the family in his journal: "The Lades are such excellent, benevolent people that I regret Annunciation, Bishop Salvado laid the founevery time I see them more and more that dation stone of the new church, called the Immaculate Conception, beating by a few they are papists."

And he found Thomas to be "one of the months the final definition of the dogma by most liberal minded of that ChurchI ever met Pope Pius IX. A small congregation attended "in the midst with." of the woods, under the canopy of heaven, Despite this prejudice, the two men became with great spiritual joy," reported Canon close friends, and Wollaston's journal in romantic language.

MarieIli abounds with testimonies of their friendship, The place retains its air of rural beauty even and his high regard for his "papist" neightoday. Its most pressing need, however, was bour.

The two men had many spirited arguments for a priest.

In January, 1844, when Dr Brady landed about religion and, in particular, the question of Catholic Emancipation, which was granted unobtrusively at Australind, Little hosted him in 1829, and the writings of the Oxford move- at Belvidere, where he celebrated Mass and ment, which brought many converts into the baptised the small children. He vowed there Catholic Church in England, including and then that he would do his utmost for a resident priest.

Cardinals Newman and Manning.

In June, 1852, he was host to Archbishop Little bought Wollaston's land - all 780

Polding who came to settle disputes in the Church at Perth. Later, Bishop Serra visited him, as well as the first priest to be ordained in the colony, Timothy Donovan. But there was still no resident priest Finally, in January, 1856, Fr Peter Aragon, from New Norcia Benedictine community came as the first parish priest of Dardanup.

Thomas Little had got his wish.

The priest lived at Dardanup parish and became an honoured guest But his stay was to be short, for he was recalled before the year was out.

Meanwhile, again through Little's persistence, Dardanup got its second priest.

Governor Kennedy declared that a Roman Catholic chaplain be appointed to the Bunbury district, with a stipend of 100 pounds per annum. It was a welcome announcement. Another Spanish priest moved into Dardanup Park.

Fr Garrido proved a conscientious and energetic priest, as his diary for 1857 reveals: 1Aug. 15th, feast of Assumption. Mass celebrated at Dardanup and an outdoors procession all round the village for almost three miles.

0 Aug. 18th - left for the Vasse with the intention of baptising the newly born children in the district. .

Aug.25th went to Australind and thence to Dardanup spending eight nights on this visit.

Needless to say, he stayed with Mr Little.

In fact, Little provided a separate cottage for Fr Garrido to start the first school. He also set out to complete the already consecrated Church.

Fr Gaul& remained at Dardanup until July 1858. Thomas Little sadly remarked how his "ministry to the little flock" had ceased "'by the will of the Bishop", which he supposed was also "'the will of God", and remarked dryly "and therefore to it we bow".

Two more Spanish priests come to Dardanup until the arrival of the Belgian, Fr Lecaille. All of them lived at Dardanup Park with Thomas Little.

For a while, with the growth of Bunbtuy, Dardanup ceased to be a parish with its own priest. In 1914 Fr Phelan resided there, and in 1916 Fr Finnegan was appointed parish priest. By this time Thomas Little had been dead 38 years, and his house and land passed on to non-Catholics.

The little parish has remained substantially Catholic until the present day, but is about to again lose its parish priest with the retirement of Fr McGrath.

Sri Lanka's religions can offer peace hope Another horrific bomb blast in Sri Lanka, and the subsequent refusal of Australian cricketers to play in Sri Lanka's capital.

Colombo, has focussed Australian minds on the troubles of the beautiful tropical island.

Oblate priest, Father Mae Balasuriya, founding director of the Centre for Society and religion in Colombo, discusses Sri Lanka's problems in an article published in Asia Focus before the bomb blast.

p

eace, a genuine peace with justice, is what Sri Lanka most needs right now.

Sri Lanka's sad and unfortunate civil war has killed 30,000-40,000 people, and made about a million people refugees in their own country . . . .

Both the political leadership prior to 1994 and the militant groups are responsible for the war, which must be brought to an end.

Political parties, groups and people have to work towards a political solution in which the minorities feel respected in their rights and the majority feel secure concerning the integrity

Father Balasuriya and unity of the country The package put forward by the government for a political solution of the ethnic crisis is the first time that a Sri Lankan government has courageously come forward with a set of concrete proposals for restructuring the government of our multi-ethnic population on the basis of a genuine devolution of power.

This can go a long way to rectify past injustices and discrimination against the Tamil-speaking people and could pave the way for a more just, united and peace-

ful living together of the various communities of this country While the proposals seek to unite the country by offering regional autonomy, they will not divide the country or devolve more power than necessary to the Tamil or Muslim areas.

The economic factors causing ethnic violence, too, should be dealt with in the longer term. It may not be without significance that the ethnic conflict escalated with the opening of the economy in 1977.

A further and deeper challenge for the whole nation is to heal our ethnic wounds and accept each person as a human being equal in rights and dignity. Our four religions teach us a path of peace.

We need to develop long-term programs of education for peace. . . . an enormous effort must be made to convince ourselves that all Sri Lankans are brothers and sisters. naining in the philosophy and methods of non-violent conflict resolution should be a high priority of citizen groups, the mass media, religions and the state.

Our books of history and even of

literature should be rethought in relation to fostering harmony and understanding among our peoples.

The agenda for peace has to include a reorientation of our mindsets and culture, which have become very military-conscious in recent times.

We all have to undertake a serious task of remaking our nation out of the sad situation in which the young, especially in the north and east, have not known a day of peace for over a decade.

They have learnt to consider the other ethnic group as an enemy and potential danger to their lives.

The task of re-education can involve programs of national integration such as work camps in rebuilding broken homes and buildings in the war zones.

Youth can be motivated, mobilised and financed for reconstruction and rehabilitation on a massive scale in a planned manner . . . . Religions can provide inspiration and set the pace in such actions for rebuilding our nation on the foundations of peace with justice.

Perth tvriter Stephen O'Brien-McCaffery continLIOS his iniaginative meditations, this week on human loneliness

T

hese words were cause for wonder for me, and for a time, I held my silence. Again, during this silence, I perceived there to be the most wondrous music ever to chance upon my ears, and I feel that the voices of God's angels were in such harmony as to be nearly beyond belief, that there could be such beauty in sound.

After a time,I began to think consciously again, and I turned my attention back to the forest. I asked Jesus of human loneliness.

He answered me: This is the will of my Father, that there shall always be a part of each person that seeks what cannot be found, except in my Father and me.

Truly, one human can never be enough for another, nor can the crowd ease the mind of one so that such a mind is fully at peace.

I tell you my child that in each person there exists a need that cannot be filled from things of the earth, for that emptiness is there to be filled only from the love of my Father and 1, and there is nothing on this earth or in any person that can compare with this or stand in for it.

Minds and bodies may draw close but only my Father and I can know what you feel when you feel it, and no human can know this or achieve this, for that is the wholeness of God. But child. do not be discouraged at this.

Know well that the love of my Father is here for you on earth, far stronger than you know, and when you come to know me, I tell you that loneliness will never break your soul or tear your heart with its true power, for I will turn its sharpest edges from you.

Pray to me and my Father when the hours press hard, or when the night never seems to end, or when it seems that life on earth is not worth your life, and I tell you that I will stand beside you and carry you for an eternity if that is your need, ana I will never. never abandon you to yourself.

Yes, my love means this. seek me and you shall not be alone again, for when you have sought me, and I am with you, you have everything.

The Record, February 8 1996 9

1.0.110.

Pope John Paul II's Message for the World Day of the Sick

Suffering of the sick crucial for evangelisation The Church's 1996 celebration of the World Day of the Sick February 11 - the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - will focus on the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Pope John Paul began his teaching on sickness for this year by recalling Our Lady's presence at Guadalupe in 1531.

D

o not worry about this illness or about any other misfortune. Aren't I, who am your Mother, here?

Aren't you protected by my shadow?"

The humble native Juan Diego de Cuautilan received these words from the lips of the Most Blessed Virgin in December 1531, at the foot of Tepeyac today called Guadalupe - Hill, after having pleaded for the healing of a relative.

While the Church in the beloved nation of Mexico commemorates the first centennial of the crowning of the venerated image of Our Lady of Guadalupe (18951995), the choice of the famous sanctuary in Mexico City as the site of the most solemn celebration of the World Day of the Sick on February 11, 1996 is particularly significant.

This day is situated at the core of the preliminary stage (1994-1996) of preparations for the Third Christian Millennium, which must "serve to renew awareness in the Christian people of the value and significance which the Jubilee of the Year 2000 possesses in human history" (Terfio Millennio Adveniente, 31).

The Church looks confidently at the events of our time, and among the "signs of hope present in this closing period of the century" she recognises the road travelled "by science and technology, and, above all, by medicine in serving human life" (ibid., 46).

Ills under the sign of this hope, illuminated by the presence of Mary, "Health of the Sick," that, in preparation for the Fourth Day of the Sick. I address those bearing in their body and their spirit the signs of human suffering and also those who, in fraternal service offered them, seek to follow the Redeemer perfectly.

Indeed. "as Christ . . . . was sent by the Father 'to give the good news to the poor,

An Australian example of heroic service to the sick. Eileen O'Connor, seen here in 1916, cofounded Our Lady's Nurses for the Poor in Sydney in 1913 with Missionary of the Sacred Heart Father Edward McGrath MSC. She was crippled for life when she was Hum and died of tuberculous osteomyelitis at 28.

10

The Record, February 8 1996

to heal those with a contrite heart' (cf. Lk 4:18), 'to seek and save what was lost' (cf.

Lk 19:10), so, too, the Church surrounds those afflicted by human weakness with affectionate care and, indeed, recognises the image of her poor and suffering founder in the poor and the suffering" (Lumen Gentium, 8) Dearest brothers and sisters who experience suffering in a special way, you are called to a distinctive mission in the sphere of the new evangelisation, drawing inspiration from Mary, Mother of human love and pain.

In this far-from-easy witness you are supported by health workers, relatives, and volunteers who accompany you along the daily road of trial.

Pope John Paul greets a disabled child on a trip to the Philippines As I recalled in the Apostolic Letter Christ and with Mar , his most tender Tertio Millennio Adveniente, "the Blessed Evangelisation of the New World, 31).

In carrying out her missionary task. the Mother. And you that work each day Virgin will be present in overarching fashion, so to speak, throughout the whole Church, supported and comforted by the alongside those suffering, make your serpreparatory phase" of the great Jubilee of Intercession of Our Lady, has written sig- vice a valuable contribution to evangelisathe Year 2000 "as a perfect example of love nificant pages of concern for the sick and tion.

All of you, feel yourselves to be a living for both God and neighbour," in such a suffering in Latin America.

Today as well, pastoral care in health part of the Church, for in you the Christian way that we hear her motherly voice repeating, "Do what Christ tells you" (cf. continues to occupy a prominent place in community is called to measure itself the Church's apostolic action: she is against the cross of Christ, to account for Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 43.54). responsible for numerous facilities provid- its Gospel hope before the world (cf. 1 P By taking up this invitation from the heart of the Salus Infirmorurn, it will be ing aid and care and works among the 3:15).

We ask all of you that suffer to support possible for you to impress upon the new poorest with a zeal which is highly appreevangelisation a singular character of ciated in the health field, thanks to the us. We ask precisely you that are weak to announcement of the Gospel of Life, mys- generous commitment of so many broth- become a source of strength for the teriously mediated by the witness of the ers in the episcopate and of priests, men Church and humanity.

In the terrible combat between the Gospel of Suffering (cf. Evangelium Vitae, and women religious, and many of the lay faithful, who have developed a marked forces of good and evil, of which our con1; Salvifici Doloris, 3). temporary world offers us a spectacle, "Indeed, truly organic pastoral care in sensitivity to those experiencing pain.

Moreover, if our gaze expands beyond may your suffering in union with the health directly forms part of evangelisation" (Address to the Fourth Plenary Latin America to sweep over the world, it Cross of Christ triumph" (Salvifid Doloris, Meeting of the Pontifical Commission for encounters innumerable instances con- 31). firming this maternal concern of the My appeal is also addressed to you, Latin America, 8, June 23, 1995).

Church for the sick Pastors of the ecclesial communities, and The Mother of Jesus is the example and Today as well, perhaps today in particu- to you that are responsible for pastoral guide for this effective announcement, since "she places herself between her Son lar, the tears of multitudes put to the test care in health, in order that you may fitand men in the reality of their privations, by suffering rise up from humanity. Whole tingly prepare to celebrate the next World populations are tortured by the cruelty of Day of the Sick by way of initiatives suitforms of indigence, and sufferings.

She places herself in the middle - that is, war. The victims of the conflicts still going able for increasing the sensitivity of the acts as a mediatrix - not as one unin- on are, above all, the weakest: mothers, people of God and of civil society itself to the vast and complex problems of health volved, but in her position as a mother, children, and the elderly.

How many human beings, extenuated by policy and care. aware that as such she can - indeed, has And you, health workers - physicians, the right to - remind her Son of the needs hunger and disease, cannot count on even the most elementary forms of care. And pharmacists, nurses, chaplains, men and of men.

Her mediation, then, has the character of where such care is, fortunately, ensured, women religious, administrators, and volintercession: Mary intercedes for men. how many sick people are gripped by fear unteers - and particularly you, women, And that is not all: as the Mother, she also and despair on account of their inability to pioneers in health-related and spiritual desires that the Messianic power of the give a constructive meaning to their suf- service to the sick: all of you, become promoters of communion among the sick, Son should be manifested - that is, his sav- ferings in the light of faith.

The praiseworthy and even heroic efforts among their relatives, and in the ecclesial ing power directed towards relieving human misfortune, freeing man from the of so many health workers and the grow- community. Be close to the sick and their evil which in different forms and degrees ing contribution by volunteer personnel families, acting in such a way that those weighs upon his life" (Redemptoris Mater, are not enough to meet concrete needs. I being put to the test will never feel marask the Lord to prompt generous persons ginalised. The experience of pain will thus 21).

This mission makes the Salus in even greater numbers who are able to become a school of generous dedication Infirmorum perennially present in the life give those suffering the comfort not only for each one of you.

I willingly extend this appeal to civil of the Church; as at the dawn of the of physical care, but also of spiritual supChurch (Ac 1:14), today as well, she con- port, opening before them the consoling leaders at all levels, that in the Church's attention and commitment to the world of tinues to be "the model of that maternal prospects of faith.

Dear people who are ill and you, rela- suffering they may grasp an opportunity love by which all those who cooperate in the regeneration of men in the apostolic tives and health workers who share their for dialogue, encounter, and cooperation mission of the Church must be animated" hard road, feel yourselves to be main so as to build a civilisation which, starting actors for Gospel renewal in the spiritual from concern for those suffering, will (Lumen Gentium, 65).

The celebration of the most solemn itinerary leading towards the Great Jubilee increasingly proceed along the way of justice, freedom, love, and peace. moment during the World Day of the Sick of the Year 2000.

I n the disturbing panorama of old and Without justice the world will not know at the sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe on an ideal plane restores the new forms of aggression against life mark- peace; without peace suffering can only link between the initial evangelisation of ing the history of our day, you are like the expand beyond measure.

I invoke the motherly support of Mary the New World and the new evangelisa- throng seeking to touch the Lord, "for a power came out of him which healed all" for all those suffering and for all who tion. devote themselves to serving them.

Indeed, among the populations of Latin (Lk 6:19).

And it was precisely in front of such a May the Mother of Jesus, venerated for America, "the Gospel was announced by presenting the Virgin as its highest realisa- multitude of people that Jesus pronounced centuries at the illustrious sanctuary of tion . . . . A most luminous symbol of this the "sermon on the mount," proclaiming Our Lady of Guadalupe, hear the cry of so identity is the mestizo countenance of those who weep to be blessed (cf. Lk 6:21). many sufferings, dry the tears of those To suffer and to be close to those suffer- undergoing pain, and be close to all the Mary of Guadalupe, rising up at the start ing: whoever lives through these two situ- world's sick. of evangelisation" (Puebla Document, ations in faith enters into particular conDear people who are ill, may the Blessed 1979, 282.446).

For this reason the Most Blessed Virgin tact with the sufferings of Christ and is Virgin present the offering of your afflichas been venerated for five centuries in admitted into sharing "a most special por- tions, wherein the face of Christ on the the New World as the "first evangeliser of tion of the infinite treasure of the world's cross is reflected, to her Son. I accompany this wish with the assurLatin America," as the "star of evangelisa- redemption" (Salvifici Doloris, 27).

Dearest brothers and sisters who are ance of my fervent prayer, as I warmly tion" (Letter to the Men and Women Religious of Latin America on the Five- being put to the test, generously offer your bestow the Apostolic Blessing upon all of Hundredth Anniversary of the pain in communion with the suffering you.

Book Reviclws

Dangers for Faith still lurk in Eastern Europe The Turned Card,

by Desmond O'Grady.

Reviewed by Fr Peter Knowles OP

D

esmond O'Grady has written an instructive book that should prove to be a good antidote for the euphoria of those who have too sanguine view of post-Communist conditions in Central and Eastern Europe.

He deals with the history of the Church (Orthodox and Catholic) over the seventy years leading up to August 1991.

It is by no means certain that in the apparent fall of the communists, all is suddenly healthy and well in those lands. "The obvious battle lines between good and evil may have gone, but the forces at work are just as sinister" (p. ix).

Indeed, it may not be too sweeping to say that they are still the same forces at work today.

He states his thesis with the question: "Will re-establishment of church structures stifle the initiative shown during the resistance to Communism? Above all, what can almost 200 million Christians do to ensure that the joy which exploded throughout Central Europe in 1989-90 was not a mere illusion?" (p 2).

O'Grady's method of exposition which many issues appear is to present the stories of fudges. And the intransigence Christian men and women strug- needed to resist persecution is gling to keep the faith alive. often unsuitable for the ambiguiEvery character is different, and ties of pluralist democracies," she every struggle special to the par- said. ticular local situation.

The last sentence is important.

Extensive information is provid- Single minded intransigence in ed on the suffering of the Church fighting evil, can become myopic under Communist domination. bigotry when the situation We have vignettes from Albania changes. Determination can turn on the Adriatic to Far Eastern into obstinacy.

Siberia: incidents in the struggle The opposite to this is the fear of Latin Rite Christians of Latvia of Cardinal Swiatek, former prisand Lithuania to those of the oner of the Gulag, that: Byzantine Catholics of Romania "Communism has destroyed and Bulgaria in the south; "dissi- social consciousness and left a dents" of Russia and Ukraine as spiritual void" (p. 134). well as the sturdy resistance of The filling of this void is an peasants and intellectuals in extremely delicate task, calling Slovakia and Poland. for great sensitivity.

Their astonishing audacity and This would be required both by determination when pitted against the omnipresent opposi- the formerly persecuted and by tion of Communism's police the unpersecuted West, especialforce is presented again in story ly the Vatican, for these latter may try and treat them as unruly after story. children who must now be critical point is: what hapThe into line with standards brought pens now, when that has ceased attitudes that may seem to and and the walls have tumbled? The and time-serving to be weak poet, Irina Ratushinskaya, who veterans of the doughty these visited Australia some few years against war seventy-year ago on her release from a Soviet atheism. prison, puts this problem in her Communist The Turned Card is a book to statement: "It is easier to suffer than to catechise" (p.131). buy, to read, and to ponder on, "Persecution imposes stark and the author is to be congratuchoices. Rebuilding after it is a lated for presenting such a vivid lengthy, complex process in picture to the world.

DESMOND O'GRADY The solidarity of the oppressed: Pope John Paul is greeted by his former superior and colleague in suffering under the Communists, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski.

Antidote for the temptation that suffering brings who have lost materially or who worry that they may lose, and especially for those who love the Church (which Christ said He would be with to the end of time) but worry about its leadership or the direction it seems to be taking.

Chapter One begins with the saddest of his is a book for all seasons. It is also a book for all people: for the stories of a mother of two very young chilrich and the poor, for the young and dren whose much loved husband is tragithe old, the deserted, the grieving, the cally killed. (I could relate to that because shattered for whatever reason, the discon- It happened to my mother at the height of the Great Depression.) Then follows a tented and even for the contented.

Father Benedict Groeschel is director of story of one of the many common the Office of Spiritual Development for the tragedies - a mother's grief when her only Archdiocese of New York. He is a child dies of 'cot death'. (I could also relate priest/psychologist, who draws on a long to that, having suffered the loss of an career counselling others. Author of many infant daughter) He then gives a guide - but not an books, his latest is a theological thesis, cleverly scattered with moving anecdotal answer as to "why?". But his guiding is material, some sad, others full of joy and beautiful.

Everyone would benefit by reading the hope.

It is so easily read that it makes an ideal chapter "When Friends Fail". Fr Groeschel gift for those who are suffering - from the teaches us the simple obvious truth that: loss of a loved one through death or the "We all change. Our interests change. Our collapse of a marriage, those who have desires change. Our energies change."

There are, of course, the deep hurts that been betrayed by a trusted friend, those are felt when trusted friends betray. His help here is profound. He recommends the using of "the prism of the mystery of the Cross" and to remember how the closest friends of Christ deserted and even betrayed Him. In a later chapter, "When we are our own Worst Enemies", under a sub-heading The Most Tragic Figure of All" he draws a one page imaginative sketch of what Judas might have been had he only asked to be forgiven . . . . Judas remained his own worst enemy even to the end, walking past the place of the crucifixion to hang himself he could have turned round and gone to Calvary and knelt at the foot of the cross and asked for forgiveness. Every artist in the world would have painted the scene.

There would be a picture of the scene in almost every church - St Judas Iscariot kneeling next to John at the foot of the Cross. In every large city there would be a church named St Judas the Penitent. His reputation would be the theme of much literature. His conversion is the page that is not written, because Judas destroyed himself - out of self-hatred, out of resentment, out of hopelessness.

Arise from Darkness - When Life Doesn't Make Sense, by Benedict J. Groeschel CFR. Ignatius Press, 184pp Reviewed by Brian A Peachey

T

ilelle[lici

Midi To la Who lie lloesift Millie Seim

The chapter "When Death robs Us" would be of great help and solace to the grieving. It puts into a proper perspective the inevitability of death, the death of those we love and our own deaths. The portrayal of Purgatory through the minds of St Catherine of Genoa and the foundress of the Sister of the Cenacle, St

Marie Therese Couderc and, indeed the whole chapter, would be of value to eschatology students.

Now, when there are powerful moves in the western world to legalise euthanasia, this is timely. Without even mentioning the word, it destroys all the arguments for euthanasia.

Many readers will relate to the chapter "When the Church Lets us Down." Fr Groeschel critically illustrates how some of the Church leaders and teachers have failed the people.

He says: "Almost every person reading this book can say 'The Church has failed me'. It could be the parish, the diocese, the Catholic school, an institution within the Church, a Catholic publication, or the bishops."

The possibilities of being hurt are enormous, and they are greater the more one is involved. Perhaps the worst of all experiences is to have one's loved ones led astray and taught error by those who rep-

resent the Church. "I have heard this bitter complaint from parents who have sacrificed to give their children a religious education only to discover that it was either grossly deficient or patently contradictory to the teaching of the Gospel and the Church," Fr Groeschel writes.

He urges that we keep in mind that it is not the Mystical Body of Christ or our Divine Savour who fails us.

"God didn't let you down," he says and points out that the Church is made up of people with original sin. "It was Monsignor Stoopnagle or Sister Mary Officious that let you down.. They let God down too."

In this chapter there are numerous stories of the great saints and holy people, who were hurt badly, including St Joan of Arc, who was burnt to death at the stake by sentence of the bishop of Beauvaise.

The Monsignor Stoopnagles of the modern Church do not burn people any more.

But they do use other cruel methods.

There is an interesting and incredible cameo sketch about a Bishop Brodrick which is worth reading.

To explain what Fr Groeschel advocates in the final chapter, "What do we do When Everything Falls Apart" would be like telling what happened in the final chapter in a mystery novel.

The same applies to the epilogue, "The Remedy That Always Works", which begins: "There are very few remedies in human experience that always work. In the case of great disappointment and Intense sorrow, there is one remedy that always works, so long as the remedy is carefully applied and consistently At the back of the book there are "Prayers and Thoughts for Dark Times".

These, like the prayer at the end of each chapter are carefully chosen and helpful.

I have never lost a loved one by suicide, but with the rising number of youth suicidesIhave often pondered how appalling It must be.

For those who have tasted the tragedy, there is a particularly beautiful prayer by the author on page 178.

My review copy came to me as a valued Christmas gift from a friend. It was both a beneficial and an enjoyable read.

-#4 heeeid,-Pebruai-id 1446

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To Jesus through Mary. . . .

• • • a column of Marian devotion

Pope John Paul continues his The primacy of Christ is shown understand better how this firmed in precise words and with spouse at the Annunciation, welmeditations on the Virgin Mary, forth in the Church, his Mystical Woman is the "mother of mercy" a description of the characteristic coming the Word of the true God given during recent regular gen- Body: in her the faithful are . . 6. . The Council's text also relationship which links the . . . ." (n. 26). eral audiences on Wednesdays. joined to Christ the Head and are reminds us of the unique bond Mother of the Lord to the The following are part of his in communion with all his saints. uniting Mary with the Holy Church: "She is endowed with Mary's dignity surpasses reflections. (cf. Lumen gentium, n. 52).

Spirit, using the words of the the high office and dignity of the that of every creature It is Christ who draws all men N icene-Constantinopolitan Mother of the Son of God, and Mary's privileged relationship ary "is endowed with to himself. Since in her maternal Creed which we recite in the therefore she is also the beloved the high office and dig- role she is closely united with Eucharistic liturgy: "For us men daughter of the Father and the with the Trinity therefore confers nity of the Mother of her Son, Mary helps direct the and for our salvation he came temple of the Holy Spirit" on her a dignity which far surpasses that of every other creathe Son of God, and therefore she gaze and heart of believers down from heaven: by the power (Lumen gentium, n. 53). ture. is also the beloved daughter of towards him. of the Holy Spirit he was born of Mary's fundamental dignity is The Council recalls this explicthe Father and the temple of the She is the way that leads to the Virgin Mary, and became that of being "Mother of the Son", because of this "gift of subitly: Holy Spirit" (Lumen gentium, n. Christ: indeed, she who "at the man". which is expressed in Christian lime grace" Mary "far surpasses 53). message of the angel received In expressing the unchanging doctrine and devotion with the all creatures" (Lumen gentium, n.

The eighth chapter of the the Word of God in her heart and faith of the Church, the Council title "Mother of God".

53).

Constitution Lumen gentium in her body" (Lumen gentium, n. reminds us that the marvellous This is a surprising term, which However, this most high dignity shows in the mystery of Christ 53) shows us how to receive into incarnation of the Son took place shows the humility of God's onlythe absolutely necessary refer- our lives the Son come down in the Virgin Mary's womb with- begotten Son in his Incarnation does not hinder Mary's solidarity ence to Marian doctrine. from heaven, teaching us to make out man's co-operation, by the and, in connection with it, the with each of us.

The Constitution Lumen genIn this regard, the first words of Jesus the centre and the supreme power of the Holy Spirit. most high privilege granted a num goes on to say: "But, being the Introduction are significant: "law" of our existence.

The Introduction to the eight creature who was called to give of the race of Adam, she is at the 'Wishing in his supreme goodchapter of Lumen gentium thus him birth in the flesh. same time also united to all those ness and wisdom to effect the A unique bond between shows in a Trinitarian perspecMother of the Son, Mary is the redemption of the world, 'when Mary and the Holy Spirit tive an essential dimension of "beloved daughter of the Father" who are to be saved" and she has been "redeemed, in a more exaltthe fullness of time came, God in a unique way. She has been ed fashion, by reason of the merMary also helps us discover at Marian doctrine. sent his Son born of a woman . . .

Everything in fact comes from granted an utterly special like. that we might receive the adop- the origin of the whole work of the will of the Father, who has ness between her motherhood its of her Son" (ibid.). salvation, the sovereign action of Here we see the authentic tion of sons' (Gal 4:4-5)" (Lumen the Father who calls men to sent his Son into the world, and the divine fatherhood. meaning of Mary's privileges and gentium, n. 52). revealing him to men and estabAnd again: every Christian is a of her extraordinary relationship This son is the Messiah awaited become sons in the one Son. Recalling the very beautiful lishing him as the Head of the "temple of the Holy Spirit", with the Minify: their purpose is by the people of the Old expressions of the Letter to the Church and the centre of history according to the Apostle Paul's to enable her to co-operate in the Covenant, sent by the Father at a This is a plan that was fulfilled expression (1 Cor 6:19).

Ephesians: "God, who is rich in salvation of the human race. The decisive moment of history, the But this assertion takes on an Immeasurable greatness of the mercy, out of the great love with by the Incarnation, the work of "fullness of time" (Gal 4:4), which the Holy Spirit, but with the extraordinary meaning in Mary: coincides with his birth in our which he loved us, even when we essential co-operation of a in her the relationship with the Lord's Mother therefore remains were dead through our trespassa gift of God's love for all men. world from a woman. es, made us alive together with woman, the Virgin Mary who Holy Spirit is enriched with a By proclaiming her "blessed" She who brought the eternal thus became an integral part in spousal dimension.I recalled this Christ" (Eph 2:4), the Council (Lk 1:48), generations praise the Son of God to humanity can the economy of communicating In the Encyclical Redemptoris "great things" (Lk 1:49) the never be separated from him gives God the title "most merci- the llinity to mankind.

Mater "The Holy Spirit had ful": the Son "born of a woman" who is found at the centre of the Mary's threefold relationship already come down upon her, Almighty has done in her for Is thus seen as the fruit of the humanity, "in remembrance of divine plan carried out in history.

Father's mercy and enables us to with the divine Persons is con- and she became his faithful his mercy" (Lk - 1:54).

M

Pope, preaching the Cross, begins Americas' tour

By Cindy Wooden GUATEMALA CITY (CNS) - In a land crucified by Guatemala's civil war, Pope John Paul II preached reconciliation through the power of Christ's cross.

After wind and fog delayed the Pope's arrival and kept most of the country's bishops sequestered at a small landing strip 48km away, the Pope celebrated Mass on Tuesday outside the Basilica of the Black Christ in Esquipulas.

With his red vestments whipping in the wind, the Pope said he came to Esquipulas as a pilgrim to venerate a crucifix that has been the object of Guatemalans' devotion for 400 years.

"You prostrate yourselves before the Black Christ of Esquipulas and in your personal encounter with the Redeemer, you ask the gifts of pardon, reconciliation and peace," the Pope said.

Although final peace accords in Guatemala's civil war have not yet been signed, the Pope told the people Christ had not ignored their pleas.

"Here is born a life of faith in Christ, the servant who suffered for our salvation and rose again, living and interceding in our favour," the Pope said.

By uniting themselves to Christ's suffering, death and res12

The Record, FebruarY1.3 1496.

unrection, he said, people die to sin and were born to a new life, "hearing the call to social coexistence, solidly based on justice, in brotherhood and peace."

Pope John Paul said he hoped Central American peace accords signed in the Esquipulas basilica in 1986 would finally lead to lasting peace in Guatemala.

Devotion to Christ's cross, he said, must lead to an obedience of faith and a corresponding change in believers' lives, seen in the love they have for others.

Without love and hope, people cannot bear the crosses of their own lives, he said.

The Pope left early because worsening weather conditions threatened to strand him in

Esquipulas, which would have caused him to miss an evening liturgy with catechists, priests and religious in Guatemala City.

Vatican officials emphatically denied the Pope left Esquipulas because of illness.

The journalists' plane, which had circled Esquipulas for more than an hour looking for a break between the mountain peaks and the clouds, did not have enough fuel for a direct trip back.

Leaving the reporters, several of whom were suffering airsickness from the turbulent turns over Esquipulas, the pilots flew to a nearby airport for fuel.

The group arrived back in Guatemala City six hours after it left.

A child sneaks past security to touch Pope John PaulII as the Pope approaches the altar for Mass in the town of Esquipulas.

Photo: CNS/Reuter

: PIiolapcek iC nhisutaticonaloaffers

By Christena Colclough GUATEMALA CITY (CNS) The Black Christ of Esquipulas

may be one of the few things that draws indigenous and Ladino Guatemalans together in a nation that for centuries has been divided by racism and mistrust.

Pope John Paul II was due to visit the Basilica of the Black Christ last Tuesday during his visit to Guatemala - and a Quiche Indian who won the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize is hoping the Pope will make indigenous rights part of his message.

LaSalle Brother Benjamin Rivas, director of Guatemala's CNS Carlos Lopez conference of religious, said the The icon of the Black Christ root of discrimination against ethnic groups distinct by cosGuatemala's indigenous popula- tume and language. tion - dark-skinned Indians But, although Mayan Indians dates to the 15th-century Spanish outnumber the Ladinos, few own Conquest and continues systemland or have much access to atically today. basic health and education ser"There was a cultural clash, vices. both religious and of a military Br Rivas said the Catholic nature," Br Rivas said. The politically and economically dominant Church recognised the damage culture is that of the Ladinos - caused to the Mayan population lighter-skinned people of mixed during centuries of military and religious conquest. It is working ancestry.

Benedictine Abbot Gregorio to understand and respect the Robeau Carmouche of the cultural needs of Guatemala's Basilica of the Black Christ, indigenous people, he said. where the wooden icon is But Br Rivas said racism was housed behind a glass casket, "far from being eradicated in said its colour gives the figure a Guatemala. Here it is common certain mystery but, more impor- practice to insult someone, calltantly, joins the country's faithful. ing them Indio; it means stupid "The Christ of Esquipulas or brutish." draws people of all nations Racism was not restricted to from southern Mexico, all over insults. Farmworkers' wages in Guatemala, Honduras and El the rural highlands, where most Salvador - and creates a special Indians live, remained paltry and unity." he said, barely kept up with escalating Legend says the statue was living costs. fashioned to look like The winner of the 1992 Nobel Guatemala's majority indige- Peace Prize, Rigoberta Menchu, a nous, but history shows that Quiche Indian and fierce oppoblack, sticky smoke from incense, nent of discrimination against which burned at the foot of the Indians who will briefly meet icon, turned the figure black with Pope John Paul during his Today, Guatemala's Mayan visit, said she would ask him to Indian descendants represent 60 incorporate the indigenous peoper cent of the country's 10.8 mil- ple's pleas for justice into his lion population; they belong 10 23 message.

International News

Church in danger as worshippers flee in fear

By Lynne Weil

A woman kneels to light a candle in St Sava's in Sarajevo.

Photo CNS Lynne Well

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (CNS) The little church with missing windows and shrapnel damage by the door seems to be huddled down, bracing itself against the Bosnian winter.

Snow drifts against its gray-white sides.

Ice has made the front walk a slippery risk. Nevertheless, about 25 people have found their way in for Sunday morning services.

Their frosted breath rises toward the ceiling as they sing and pray. There are no chairs. Some worshippers rock from side to side, from one foot to the other. They don't do this for ritual purposes, but because the stone floor is so cold.

The congregation of St Sava's Serbian Orthodox Church has faced and endured harder winters, and in the past a repressive regime hostile toward religion, and a war.

Now this instinct for survival has placed St Sava's in danger of a slow death. Serbs are fleeing the region out of fear.

Peacetime presents a threat that some feel they cannot ignore.

This is one of the four churches and four chapels serving Ilidza, a community of 40,000 Serbs on the western edge of Sarajevo. Almost all of the people here profess the Serbian Orthodox faith. This is one part of the city which, under international agreement, is to remain Serbian.

But NATO, the United Nations and a slew of non-governmental organisations eventually will withdraw the observers and soldiers they have stationed in Sarajevo. Then the non-Serbian majority will have free rein, and that's why many Serbs are afraid.

Ratko Simnovic, 60, was a soldier in the Bosnian Serb army. Two and a half years ago he, his wife and their three children moved into a modest apartment in a housing block in Ilidza.

They left most of what they owned in a sizeable house in an endangered village five miles away. Mr Simnovic built the place himself. Strangers live there now.

He asks a visitor to go there and retrieve family photographs and a few religious icons, because he's planning to move again - maybe to Belgrade, 320Icm to the north-east, in Serbia.

"I cannot stay someplace where some-

Vatican keeps UNICEF's eye on children's rights

By Tracy Early NEW YORK (CNS) - The latest meeting of UNICEF's executive board showed continuing evidence of pressures to move the agency beyond its specific task of assisting children and into areas the Church finds objectionable, according to a member who represents the Vatican on the board.

"Certain members of the board are still trying to push UNICEF beyond its mandate," said John Klink, a New York businessman who assists the Vatican's United Nations mission on a volunteer basis. "They try at every meeting to do it."

He said late last month one item of concern at the latest meeting was a paper on UNICEF's participation in followup to the Beijing women's conference last year.

He said the document had many positive elements, such as an emphasis on the role of parents in making sure that girls receive equal educational opportunities.

But Mr Klink said the document was troubling in downplaying concern for girls in the health

section, even though the plan of action from the Beijing conference included a paragraph specifically calling attention to the health needs of younger girls.

The health section of the UNICEF paper, he reported, dealt only with the health of women and adolescent girls and, with regard to adolescents, focused on "reproductive health services" to the neglect of other health problems.

Mr Klink said he had called for the paper to be rewritten, but the board instead adopted a suppletaking mentary resolution account of some of the criticisms.

He said he got the board to include in the resolution a reference to previous policy statements declaring that UNICEF would not be engaged in abortion or distribution of contraceptives.

With regard to family planning, Mr Klink said UNICEF policy since 1993, while ruling out provision of contraceptives, had allowed family planning education and, as a result, the Vatican has designated its gifts to UNICEF for specific areas it approves.

"We don't want Catholics to cut off funds to UNICEF" he said.

"But the Holy See does not believe that UNICEF should be in the family planning business,

and it is clear that ills. For that reason, we continue to encourage those individual Catholics, as well as Catholic organisations and institutions which might consider donating, to earmark their funds as the Holy See has done."

Mr Klink also objected that in planning for follow-up to Beijing, UNICEF was committing itself to urge ratification of the Conventions on the Rights of the Child and on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women as though UNICEF had equal responsibility for both.

He said the Vatican approved of UNICEF support for both, but did not want to see its special role as an advocate for children "compromised or marginalised."

That special role "must never be displaced or diluted with other issues which do not specifically bear on the fulfillment of this advocacy," he said.

During the meeting the UNICEF board also adopted a mission statement. Mr Klink said the Vatican expressed objections to one section that said UNICEF "strives to establish children's rights" because it believes UNICEF's role is to support rights that already exist.

He also objected to the mission statement's omission of any mention of parents in the whole statement.

thing might happen to my family or to me," Mr Simnovic said. "Who guarantees that I can stay here and keep all my basic rights?"

At the very least, the apartment's previous residents may try to get it back. It is said they abandoned it, but they may have been driven out.

It could be that the government will nullify Mr Simonovic's lease when the region reverts to federal control at the end of March. Or someone with a grudge against Serbs might attack a member of his family. Or someone who recognises Mr Simnovic' from his days as a soldier might try to take revenge - for something he did, or did not do.

St Sava, whose life straddled the 12th and 13th centuries, also symbolises the Serbian mixture of church and state.

He was the son of a major ruler who helped form the Serbian state and, as a monk, he founded the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The Orthodox patriarchate of Constantinople gave St Sava permission in 1219 to erect an Orthodox jurisdiction in Serbia and he became its first archbishop.

Sudanese accused of torturing local priest

By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) - The Vatican's ambassador to Sudan has accused government security forces of torturing a "confession" out of a Sudanese priest and using it for propaganda against the Catholic Church.

The Government said the priest, who had been apprehended before Christmas, confessed to planning the bombing of "strategic security installations" in Sudan's civil war zone.

Archbishop Erwin Ender, the nuncio to Sudan, said he discovered after the release of Father Mark Lotede and a Sudanese student, who accused the priest of subversion, that their statements were the result of "bodily and psychological tortures and heavy intimidations and threats against (their) life and safety."

"I am shocked by the occurrence of this false and violent spectacle," the archbishop wrote in a letter to a government minister. "Such experiences are familiar to me as a German only from the darkest years of the communist regime" in the former East Germany.

Archbishop Ender said he and the Archbishop of Khartoum were duped into attending a recital of the so-called confession at the Ministry of Social Planning where they had gone on January 16 to pick up Fr Lotede.

Surprising them with the priest's confession was an "abuse of our confidence in the offices and the people of the government," Archbishop Ender said.

The nuncio's sharply worded protests were contained in a letter to all foreign diplomats in Sudan and in one to Mohamed Osman Al-Khalifa, the Sudanese minister of social planning.

Archbishop Ender wrote the let-

ters after the Suna Daily Bulletin ran a story under the headline: "Bishop confesses leading subversive plot in Juba."

Juba, a city in southern Sudan, has been a key battleground in the on-going war between the Muslim-dominated government and rebel forces made up of Christians and followers of traditional African religions.

The archbishop told diplomats, first of all, that Fr Lotede was not a bishop.

He then went on to present "the facts as they really happened. which substitutes for the long catalogue of false allegations and invented stories, malevolently composed and imposed by torture and violence on innocent and helpless Christians by someone who wants to continue the persecution of the church in this country."

The archbishop said Fr Lotede's confession was "not only worthless, because extorted, but it is also completely false, a story of pure inventions imposed by violence."

Archbishop Ender said that after the priest's release, he learned that the security officer responsible for the initial interrogations was present at their meeting in the social planning ministry.

Archbishop Ender categorically denied that Fr Lotede or any priest in Sudan wanted or planned to participate in violent actions against the government or the army.

He told the government minister, "I firmly hope and request, with the Catholic Church in the Sudan, that no further harassments by security people will be carried out against these two innocent Christians who have already suffered too many injustices and humiliations."

Pope names canon lawyer to replace dissenting bishop VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has appointed the bishop of the French Diocese of Evreux, Bishop Jacques David, to replace controversial French Bishop Jacques Gaillot, who was ousted from his diocese in early 1995.

Bishop David is a 85-year-old canon law expert who has been active in a wide variety of pastoral ministries.

He has been bishop of La Rochelle et

Saintes since 1985 and is a member of the Vatican's Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," an umbrella charity organisation.

He serves on the French bishops' commission for education among young people. A one-time spokesman for the French bishops' conference, he has also served on national church panels concerned with social assistance, seafarers,

church law and worker priests. The Pope removed Bishop Gaillot from his diocese after the bishop publicly challenged church teachings on a wide variety of topics - among them contraception, priestly celibacy and use of condoms in AIDS prevention campaigns.

Bishop Gaillot remained a bishop, however, and was assigned the titular diocese of Partenia, which no longer

exists as a territorial see. Bishop Gaillot recently launched a World Wide Web site and named it after his titular diocese.

He met with the Pope in December in an effort to clarify his standing in the Church. He said afterward the Pope had asked him to talk with other Vatican officials and with French bishops to explore a possible future role.

The Record, February.a 1996 13

International News

'Radical' dissent stirs Vatican paper's anger

By John Travis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican newspaper denounced a German book of dissenting theological essays, saying its criticism of an encyclical by Pope John Paul II was an attack on the foundations of the faith.

By portraying the Pope's teaching as one position among many, the theologians were straying from their proper role and instigating public dissent, said an article in LOsservatore Romano on February 2.

The Pope's 1994 encyclical, "Veritatis Splendor" ("The Splendor of 'Truth"), warned that an attitude of moral relativism had invaded modern society and

even some areas of Catholic theology.

The Vatican newspaper said the criticism voiced by 16 theologians writing in the German volume only confirmed the Pope's warning.

"To challenge the role of the Church's magisterium in such a way is not just a disciplinary problem, but an attack on the profound unity and identity of the Word upon which the Church is founded." it said.

The unsigned article was marked by three asterisks, a sign that it had been approved at the highest levels of the Vatican.

It responded to a 1994 book titled, "Moral Theology Set Aside? A Response to the Encyclical Veritatis Splendor."

The Vatican article said the tone used by some of the theologianauthors was offensive toward the Pope and those who support the Church's teaching.

It said the dissent expressed in the book was "radical," viewing "Veritatis Splendor" as essentially mistaken; one theologian described the encyclical as a "grandiose anachronism."

Particularly objectionable, the article said, were the theologians' arguments that the encyclical's moral teachings reflect debatable positions, on issues that were never treated specifically by the Bible or in Church doctrine.

It said this argument adopts the erroneous view, widely held in society, that the Church has no authority to declare universally

valid norms on a wide variety of moral issues.

It said the only authority the authors would appear to accept in some areas of moral behaviour is the weight of argument.

That would mean moral norms are completely open to debate by anyone, and anyone - including the Church's Magisterium - can be right or wrong, it said.

It noted that the Pope, in a recent talk to top doctrinal officials, had emphasised that the Church does have the right to pronounce authoritatively on moral issues.

He said the moral truths he has outlined in recent documents were backed by Scripture, tradition and the unanimous teaching of bishops.

US dioceses Filipino nuns denounce law plan for less priests

In Brief Pledge to report abuse DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) - The Irish Catholic bishops have pledged to report to police all suspected or known cases of child sex abuse by clergy.

The 70-page report of the specially appointed Bishops Committee on Child Sexual Abuse was made public on January 30 at a Dublin news conference.

It took almost two years to complete and broadly follows the policies adopted by Catholic officials in other countries.

Soldier sentenced JERUSALEM (CNS)- The soldier who shot up a Catholic Church last year was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison by a Tel Aviv court on January 31.

Haniel Koren, 21, claimed in court that God created the Jewish people as his chosen ones and quoted passages from the Old Testament banning worship of other gods, Israel radio reported.

Koren was also found guilty of setting fire to another Church last spring.

By Jerry Fitteau

Appeal success

WASHINGTON (CNS) - US dioceses continue to take a variety of approaches to the nation's growing priest shortage.

A random sampling of diocesan newspapers around the country in January showed new evidence of fewer priests, and vocation recruitment projects - even a bishop travelling to Africa to seek priests there.

The Diocese of Kansas CitySt Joseph, Missouri, announced plans to cut weekend Masses by 29 percent over the next decade as more of its parishes pair up under a single priest.

In the East, the Diocese of Albany, New York, has just formed a 12-member Pastoral Planning Advisory Committee to evaluate local plans developed over the past 18 months, since the diocese's 188 parishes were organised into 57 planning clusters.

Many older Catholics can remember the years when their bishops travelled to Ireland every year or two to recruit new priests.

Bishop James Moynihan of Syracuse, New York, put a new twist on that old practice with a January 6-20 recruiting trip to Kenya and Uganda.

Bishop Raphael Ndingi Mwana'a Nzeki of Nakuru, Kenya, agreed to send two priests in summer 1997 to serve for two to three years, reported the Syracuse diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Sun. Bishop George Fitzsimons of Salina, Kansas, wrote on January 5 in his diocesan newspaper, The Northwestern Kansas Register, that between 1960 and 1995 "the number of active diocesan priests has changed from 76 to 52 and the active religious priests have gone from 44 to 25."

Parishes in the diocese "have decreased from 100 to 92" in that time, he said, but "parishes with a resident priest have decreased from 70 to 48."

DETROIT (CNS) - Following an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey television show, James Carron, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Detroit Archdiocesan Council, said the Society had received an enormous national response to its appeal for winter clothing.

"We've received well over 15,000 to 18,000 coats, and they're still coming in," Carron said on January 22.

The appeal came following the loss of the Society's Detroit central warehouse and depot to fire in December.

14

The Record, February 8 1996

Belarus priests Filipino Catholic nuns shout anti-government slogans during a rally near the presidential palace in Manila on January 30. They denounced the anti-terrorism law supported by President Fidel Ramos.

CNS Reuters

When a pope pawned his watch to keep a Catholic paper going WASHINGTON (CNS) - People can depend on the Catholic press for "a faith-lift," said the head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications of the Vatican.

In a message issued for the 1996 observance of Catholic Press Month during February, Archbishop John Foley urged Catholics to read and pass on their Catholic newspapers, magazines and books.

"Other people need inspiration too," he said, referring to this year's theme: "Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration."

Providing inspiration is "one of the purposes of the Catholic press," the archbishop said.

And it doesn't bring its readers problems, but instead proposes solutions, he added.

According to Archbishop Foley, the Catholic press offers "the Inspiring teaching of the Holy Father, the guidance of the bishops' conference and of the local bishop, stories about Catholics

who are making a difference in society, ideas for stimulating and wholesome entertainment, and finally - reflections on the Sunday liturgy, on sacred Scripture and on the teaching of Christ's Church."

He said "formation in the faith" does not end with formal schooling or the latest Sunday homily.

"Formation in the faith is or should be an ongoing experience," he said, "and the Catholic press makes such continuing formation possible and even easy" Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Costello of Syracuse said that Photo: CNS behind the inspiration found in Archbishop John Foley the Catholic press "is a ton of per- pawned his watch and other personal possessions to help the spiration."

In a message to members of the local Catholic paper weather a Catholic press, Bishop Costello, financial storm.

Later, as pope, he stated, "in who chairs the US bishops' Committee on Communications, vain will you build Churches, recalled former papal support for preach missions, found schools if Catholic papers.. you cannot at the same time He recalled that Pius X, when wield the weapon of a press that still the patriarch of Venice, Italy, is Catholic, loyal and sincere."

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) The head of the Catholic Church in Belarus has expressed high hopes that foreign priests will not - be expelled from the former Soviet republic.

Cardinal Kazimierz Swiatek of Minsk-Mohilev spoke after 100 Polish priests were threatened with deportation under a new Church-state law.

"I'm confident that no priest will be expelled from Belarus," the cardinal said in a January 31 telephone interview with Catholic News Service after talks with government officials.

Mine moratorium WASHINGTON (CNS) Bishop Daniel Reilly of Massachusets, Worcester, chairman of the US bishops' International Policy Committee, praised the signing into law of a one-year moratorium on US use of anti-personnel land mines.

More than 100 million antipersonnel mines currently lie scattered in more than 60 countries around the world.

Anti-personnel mines kill approximately 26.000 people a year, mostly civilians, and wound a similar number. The mines may cost as little as $3 each to buy and plant them.

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MEMORIAL FUND FATHER Lawrence Attard Memorial Fund The relatives of the late Fr Lawrence Attard wish to thank everyone for the sympathy and condolences they received after their sad loss. A Holy Mass will be celebrated in thanksgiving for everyone concerned. A memorial fund has been set up for anyone wishing to contribute towards a tombstone. Donations should be sent to: Rev. Father Attard Memorial Fund, PO Box No. 286.

Guildford.

Enquiries please contact John (09) 457 7771 or mobile 015 385 209.

THANKS NOVENA to St Clare. Ask for three favours. Say nine Hail Mary's for nine days with a lighted candle.

Publish on the ninth day.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved, adored and glorified, for ever and ever. Amen. K.D. THANK you Sacred Heart of Jesus, Holy Spirit, Our Lady, St Anthony. M.W.

PUBUC NOTICE

DEATH / THANKS

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

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

This service is definitely non-sexual.

MURPHY (James Patrick) Kitty and Madge wish to thank everyone for their love and support, flowers and cards and attendance at the Rosary. Mass and funeral of their dearly beloved brother. Special thanks to Fr Corcoran, Sisters of St Joseph.

Sisters of Mercy and all their many friends. God bless you all

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

LIFEGATE Clinic. Herbal medicine, healing hands. weight control, meditation. exercise, massage and physiotherapy Monday to Saturday 9am - 6.30pm.

Pensioners 20°,0 discount.

This service is definitely non-sexual. Ring Grant 378 2059.

THANKS NOVENA to St Clare. Ask for three favours. Say nine Hail Mary's each day for nine days with a lighted candle. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised. adored and glorified today and every day. Grateful thanks to Our Blessed Lady and St Clare. D. E. L.

DEATH PLASTO. Mary Philomena Loved daughter of Joseph and Bridget Plasto, loved sister of Joseph and Gerard (all deceased) and Bernard. Died Kalgoorlie Hospital on Regional 29.12.95 aged 72 years.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. have mercy on her soul C AR RASCO (Dom James.

0.S.B.): of the Benedictine Abbey. New Norcia, died peacefully at St John of God Hospital. Subiaco. on February 4th 1996. aged 82 years. Requiescat in Pace. His funeral will take place at New Norcia on Friday Cemetery February 9th, following Concelebrated Requiem Mass in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, New Norcia. Bowra & O'Dea. Funeral Directors, Perth (09) 328 7299.

THANKS to Our Lady. St Clare, St Jude and St Anthony for favours granted. C. and L.P. MAY the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified. loved and praised throughout the world now and forSacred Heart of ever.

Jesus hear our prayer. St Jude the worker of miracles pray for us. St Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.

Please remember the closing time for classified ads and items for Parish Scene

Official Engagements FEBRUARY 11 Mass, Procession, Benediction for Feast of St Girolamo Emiliani, Hamilton Hill Fr Adrian Pittarello CS 13 Acolyte Coordinators Gathering, Redemptorist Retreat House - Archbishop Hickey 15 Council of Priests Meeting Rite of Election, RCIA Archbishop Hickey "Total Ministry- Conference Goldfields/Country Region Rev Dean G Donovan 16 Holy Hour, St Charles' Seminary - Archbishop Hickey 17 National Convivenza of the Neo-Catechumenal Way in Australia. Mandurah Archbishop Hickey 25 Farewell Luncheon for Br G Faulkner CFC Archbishop Hickey Bishop Healy Rite of Election of Mass (RCIA) Archbishop Hickey Mass for Chinese New Year.

Belmont - Bishop Healy

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church The ordination of priests - co-workers of the bishops 1562 "Christ, whom the Father

hallowed and sent into the world, has, through his apostles, made their successors, the bish ops namely, sharers in his consecration and mission; and these, in their turn, duly entrusted in varying degrees various members of the Church with the of fice of their ministry."

"The function of the bishops' ministry was handed over in a subordinate degree to priests so that they might be appointed in the order of the priest hood and be co-workers of the episcopal order for the proper fulfillment of the apostolic mission that had been entrusted to it by Christ."

1563 "Because it is joined with

the episcopal order the office of priests shares in the authority by

which Christ himself builds up and sanctifies and rules his Body.

Hence the priesthood of priests, while presupposing the sacraments of initiation, is nevertheless conferred by its own particular sacrament. Through that sacrament priests by the anointing of the Holy Spirit are signed with a special character and so are configured to Christ the priest in such a way that they are able to act in the person of Christ the head."

"Whilst not having the supreme degree of the pontifical of fice, and notwithstanding the fact that they depend on the bish ops in the exercise of their own proper power, the priests are for all that associated with them by reason of their sacerdotal dignity; and in virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, after the image of Christ, the supreme and eternal priest, they are consecrated in order to preach the Gospel and 1564

shepherd the faithful as well as to celebrate divine worship as true priests of the New Testament."

1565 Through the sacrament of Holy Orders priests share in the universal dimensions of the mission that Christ entrusted to the apostles.

The spiritual gift they have received in ordination pre pares them, not for a limited and restricted mission, "but for the fullest, in fact the universal mission of salvation 'to the end of the earth," "prepared in spirit to preach the Gospel everywhere."

1566 "It is in the Eucharistic cult

or in the Eucharistic assembly of the faithful (synaxis) that they exercise in a supreme degree their sacred office; there, acting in the person of Christ and proclaiming his mystery, they unite the votive offerings of the faithful to the sacrifice of Christ their head, and in the sacrifice of the

Mass they make present again and apply, until the coming of the Lord, the unique sacrifice of the New Testament, that namely of Christ offering himself once for all a spotless victim to the Father." From this unique sacrifice their whole priestly ministry draws its strength.

1567 "The priests, prudent coop-

erators of the episcopal college and its support and instrument, called to the service of the People of God, constitute, together with their bishop, a unique sacerdotal college (presbyterium) dedicated, it is, true to a variety of distinct duties.

In each local assembly of the faithful they represent, in a certain sense, the bishop, with whom they are associated in all trust and generosity; in part they take upon themselves his duties and solicitude and in their daily toils discharge them."

Priests can exercise their min-

istry only in dependence on the bishop and in communion with him.

The promise of obedience they make to the bishop at the moment of ordination and the kiss of peace from him at the end of the ordination liturgy mean that the bishop considers them his co-workers, his sons, his brothers and his friends, and that they in return owe him love and obedience.

1568 "All priests, who are consti-

tuted in the order of priesthood by the sacrament of Order, are bound together by an intimate sacramental brotherhood, but in a special way they form one priestly body in the diocese to which they are attached under their own bishop..."

The unity of the presbyterium finds liturgical expression in the custom of the presbyters' imposing hands, after the bishop, during the rite of ordination.

The Record, February 8 1996 15

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Catholic Psychiatric Pastoral Care The 1996 Course in the Pastoral Care of those with mental illness will be held at Graylands Hospital from 1 May for 20 Wednesdays.

The Course is given by Graylands Hospital and the Catholic Mental Health Chaplaincy It is intended for priests, religious, pastoral and healthcare workers but others may apply.

It you are interested contact The Pastoral Centre, Graylands Hospital, Brockway Rd, Mt Claremont 6010.

Tel. 347 6683 or 384 2540 (A/H) Closing date for applications Monday 22 April

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The Record, February 8 1996

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RITE OF ELECTION The Rite of Election Mass, for those preparing to be received into the Catholic Church, will be held at St Mary's Cathedral on Sunday 25 February at 2.30pm, celebrated by Archbishop Hickey. All are welcome. If your parish is currently working with the RCIA process and has not yet received information about the rite of Election Mass, please contact Sr Kerry Willison at the Liturgy and RCIA office, 459 Hay St, Perth. Phone: (09) 221 1548.

Priests are welcome to concelebrate.

BECOMING WHOLE AGAIN Becoming Whole Again is a group for women sexually abused in childhood. It is comprised of fourteen 2 hour sessions led by two experienced facilitators. Naomi McClements RGS and Celia Joyce, starting 13 March. The group is a confidential and safe environment. For f urther information contact Fullness of Life Centre Ph: (09) 389 8550 ALAN AT MUNDARING PARISH On Friday 16 February after the 7.30pm Benediction Alan Ames will speak in the Sacred Heart Church 20 Coolgardie St, Mundaring, about his conversion experiences that led him back to the Catholic Church.

The evening will conclude with healing. Inquiries: Meg Phelan (09) 295 4066, Russel (09) 274 6018.

PRIVATISATION OF PRISONS AND THE DEATH PENALTY Workshop/Seminar Saturday 17 February, 8.30am-6pm, Christian Centre for Social Action, 44 Denis St, Subiaco.

Presentations by Paul Moyle, author and lecturer; Sr Bernadine Daly RSM and Rev Neville Watson. Cost $15, concession $10. Please bring your own lunch. Sponsored by the Social Catholic Justice Commission and Christian Centre for Social Action. To register your attendance phone the Commission on 325 1212 or the Centre on 381 2474 THE BEGINNING EXPERIENCE A weekend programme for separated, divorced and widowed people - learning to close the door gently on a relationship that has ended. The next weekend will be held at St Joseph's convent, Safety Bay, from Friday evening 8 March 1996 to Sunday afternoon 10 March. For further information and registration phone: Jenny - 221 1549 (Mon, Wed, Fri 10am-2pm), Liz - 275 4118 a/h or Norman - 332 6100 a/h.

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BETHEL PRAYER MEETING The Bethel Friday night prayer meeting continues for 1996 on February 16 at 8pm at the Bethel Centre, 236 Railway Pde, West Leederville, opposite the Leederville Railway station.

Join our charismatic song and praise and fellowship to deepen your faith. Inquiries Ph: 388 1333 LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR Rawlins St, Glendalough. Family Day Fair will be held on Sunday March 24th 11 am to 2pm.

Donations of jam, bric a brac, will be appreciated. Cakes can be delivered on the day.

Contact 341 1495 or 443 3155.

$13.00 Purgatory Explained by the Lives of the Saints What Catholic Really Believe 18.00 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions 18.95 Sunday Missals Hard Cover 19.95 Soft Cover 12.00 Daily Mass Book, Lent 96 to Lent 97 49.95 Weekday Missal 40.00 We belong to the Lord RE Syllabus from Wagga 7.25 The Angels, Catholic Teaching on Angels 1.50 Confession. A Little -Book for the Reluctant 7.65 The Great Heresies, Hilaire Belloc 4.15 &1 28..5605 Cure of Ars Eucharistic Miracles, 36 Major Eucharistic Miracles VIDEOS each 37.50 Your Marriage. Set of 4. Great for Engaged, each 20.00 Bishop Fulton Sheen. 4 tapes 39.00 Divine Mercy - No Escape each 39.00 Various Children's Videos

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SACERDOTAL SILVER JUBILEE of Rev. Fr Bernard Taylor (a) Mya Thein La Salette Missions (Burma), Sunday 25 February 1996, Sacred Heart Church, Mary St, Highgate.

Holy Mass 11.30am, followed by a gettogether at the Prish hall. Please bring a plate and drinks.

Enquiries: 275 2781, 276 1478 or 272 1379.

NEWMAN SOCIETY Vatican II group Tuesday Feb. 13 at 11am. Decree of Church's Missionary Activity p. 92 outlines. Venue: Our Lady of Missions Convent, 40 Mary St, Highgate (use Harold St Entrance). Open to all interested.

Contact No: 446 7340 HEALING MASS A Healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, patron of cancer sufferers and helper of all in need will be held at the Church of SS John and Paul, Pinetree Gully Road, (off South St) Willetton, on Friday, February 16 at 7pm. The Church is air conditioned. There will be Veneration of the Relic and Anointing of the Sick. For further information please contact Noreen Monaghan. Ph: (09) 332 8292.

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Personal, History, Recording and Transcription Service

HEALING MASS AND SERVICE Tuesday 13 February, 9am, at Queen of Martyrs Church, Seventh Avenue, Maylands.

Michael Donovan will be in attendance for the Healing Service.

20th COUNTRY DAY OF REFLECTION will be hosted by St Mary's parish. Bruce Rock on 25th March 1996 (Feast of the Annunciation).

Commencing with Rosary cenacle 9.30am.

Concluding with Holy Mass 2pm.

BYOL. Tea/coffee supplied.

Contact No's Margaret (090) 65 1034, Ces (090) 61 1269.

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