The Record Newspaper 29 February 1996

What's Inside...

Karrinyup parish priest Fr Richard Rutkauskas begins six Lenten meditations - Page 7 Teachers in Catholic schools get five per cent pay rise - Page 3 PERTH, WA: February 29, 1996

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Nun prison chaplain film reviewed - Page 11 Chinese refugees given hope - Page 5 Vatican sex education installments - Page 11

W I COMe

By Peter Rosengren

As momentum world-wide builds in the Church's campaign of evangelisation in the lead-up to the year 2000, St Mary's Cathedral last Sunday afternoon saw 90 Western Australians present themselves to meet Jesus Christ in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter.

Forty catechumens and 50 candidates were presented to Archbishop Barry Hickey as the first step in their journey towards being fully received into the Catholic Church.

The special ceremony. known as the Rite of Election and part of the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults, leads to the Easter vigil when they will be fully received into the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.

Archbishop Hickey welcomed the 90 catechumens - those being baptised - and candidates - those baptised but being confirmed in the Catholic Church - and said the Rite of Election was an important occasion. it is important for me to meet you. to see the working of divine grace in your hearts, and how God works through the local community" he said.

It was also important for the intending converts who were to become members of the Catholic Church to meet him as head of the archdiocese and a symbol of the unity enjoyed by the Church. he said.

Archbishop Hickey said he wanted to welcome them to a sacramental community, one which received strength through access to the sacraments, in particular the Eucharist and Penance.

"Because through those two sacraments we are able to live close to one another as a community and close to Christ, who guides the community to Himself," he said.

He said that although the catechumens and candidates could not yet receive the

sacraments, they nevertheless looked forward to the day when they could be nourished spiritually by the Body of Christ in the Blessed Eucharist and make peace with Him in the Sacrament of penance.

The RCIA ceremony, held in the Cathedral on a sweltering summer afternoon, saw both groups presented to the archbishop and enrolled in the Book of the Elect. The Book contains the names of all those who have asked to join and have been received by the Church.

The catechumens and candidates present came from 22 parishes around the metropolitan area.

Archbishop Hickey also said he welcomed the converts to a community based on the Word of God. -The Word of God also calls us. We listen to the Word of God. We open ourselves to be touched and changed (by it)." he said.

The catechumens were the first to be called forward to the sanctuary where they gathered with their godparents.

Archbishop Hickey questioned the godparents who responded on behalf of their Individual catechumens.

In an act of formal examination of the catechumens, the Archbishop asked if the catechumens were sufficiently prepared to be enrolled among the elect for the coming celebration of Easter, and whether they had listened faithfully and responded to God's Word and joined in prayer with their Christian brothers and sisters.

Following his declaration that the catechumens were now members of the elect Archbishop Hickey met each and congratulated them.

"Now that you are elect, strive faithfully to he courageous to God." he urged them.

An almost identical procedure was followed with the candidates when they were called up on to the Cathedral sanctuary.

Since July last year the 90 catechumens and candidates have gathered in suburban homes and parish centres to begin their journey in faith towards the Church.

In the trenches with Sally

Godparents support candidates as the godparents respond to Archbishop Hickey

A catechumen presents her name on a scroll for entry in the Book of the Elect to Archbishop Hickey as Como parish priest Fr Frank O'Dea SSS looks on.

Sally Trench, England's Catholic Woman of the Year for 1995 and a tireless campaigner for the poor and underprivileged, visited Perth at the invitation of the Catholic Social Justice Commission this week to speak on her experiences delivering aid to the children of war-torn Bosnia.

A remarkable woman who risks her life on a daily basis, Sally told an audience at St Joseph's parish hall in Subiaco on Tuesday night she had witnessed women being placed in freezers to die, girls of 14 being raped and children shot by snipers.

She appealed for funds to continue her aid to children of Bosnia.

Full story in next week's Record

Salty Trench this week in Subiaco

The archbishop meets catechumens and candidates at the end of the Rite of Election

Prayer is praise, thanks, contrition, giving T

he attention of the nation is currently on Canberra, as voters decide the Government they will have for the next few years.

Pray for those who will govern us. Pray that their policies will be guided by God's laws, and that they will act for the benefit of all people in Australia, especially for those who are poor, excluded or unemployed.

Pray too that our elected representatives live honourable lives, because private morality will inevitably affect public life.

My call to pray for those who govern us reminds us that prayer Is one of the central themes of Lent. Together with

penance and generosity, it prepares us for the great celebrations of Easter.

All of us pray sometime. We join in with the Church's own prayer, especially the Mass, which is the liturgical expression of our worship of God through Jesus.

I'm sure each one of us quietly prays at various moments throughout the day, however brief those moments may be.

Lent is an opportunity to look carefully at the place of prayer in our lives.

Jesus called us to pray. He even teaches us to pray. It was in response to a request that Jesus gave us the "Lord's Prayer" which we affectionately call the "Our Father". He himself maintained a continu-

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ous prayerful communication with his Father, and urged us to learn from it.

Despite our best intentions, the pace of modern life tends to push prayer to one side.

Many of us are only able to snatch a moment or two to turn to God, and that is usually when things are going wrong.

Yet prayer is much broader than a plea for help. Praise is prayer. Thanksgiving is prayer.

So is contrition and self-offering and trust and self giving.

We all do that in the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass.

We are also called to pray as individuals, building up habits of "turning the mind and heart to God", to quote St John Damascene.

Perhaps we need to plan our

lives better in order to deepen our prayer life. Some families have a regular time for prayer at home.

Some make sure they turn off the radio and the TV to read the Sacred Scriptures and be open to the power of God's word.

The daily Rosary is loved by many people. Some have committed themselves to a weekly hour before the Blessed Sacrament, some even more often. Others come together as a group to pray.

I am always moved by the fidelity of so many people to prayer and by the variety of ways of praying. We are all different and we pray in different ways. But we are all called to pray.

What we have in common is a deep spiritual awareness of the presence of God. We sense that we live our lives surrounded by the presence of God, and that there is no real separation between our daily lives and the life we have in God. Prayer need not be difficult. We sense the presence of God, of Jesus or of Mary and the saints and turn our minds and our hearts to them.

Archbishop's

Perspective We open ourselves to their voice, their love, their inspiration. Strength and comfort, joy and peace flow from our simple prayers.

St John Chrysostom tells us: "You should not think of prayer as being a matter of words.

"It is a desire for God, an indescribable devotion, not of human origin, but the Gift of God's gram.

(Homily 6 on Prayer).

Heads get together on prayer, migrants

A WORLD WITHOUT LITERACY Did you know that one person in every five in the world is living in poverty?

Think about that. Try to imagine how you would react if one in five of your family and friends was homeless, starving, sick or illiterate. What would you do?

Many people in Third World countries lack the simple ability to read and write that we take for granted.

With no opportunities for education, children are sent out to work to help support their families.

Project Compassion is bringing hope to people in countries around the world, with programmes that provide the needs of basic education. By aiming its programmes at the causes of poverty, Project Compassion gives people the start they need to break the poverty cycle and provide a better future for following generations.

Project Compassion has made enormous progress in poor communities around the world.

With your help this Lent, we can make a difference in the fight against poverty.

Imagine what you and Project Compassion can do.

Project Compassion Giving hope

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The Heads of Churches in WA held their regular meeting this week after joining In prayer with Brother Ghislain of the Taize Community in from France. The leaders were briefed on the work of Refugee and Migrant Services Consultant, the Reverend Eira Clapton, who advised the leaders of refugee and migrant problems and sought their support to create awareness of the plight of these groups, and to help where possible. Pictured at the meeting last Tuesday: Patricia Wood, Clerk of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in WA, left, with Archbishop Barry Hickey, Lillian Hadley, Moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of WA, the Reverend David Christian, President of the Lutheran Church of WA, Pastor Peter Abetz of the Reformed Church of WA, and Bishop David Murray, Administrator of the Anglican Diocese of Perth.

Ad 'not official Church'

By Peter Rosengren The statement by a number of clergy and religious from different denominations, including 28 Catholic nuns, that the Federal Coalition's industrial relations policy was flawed caused confusion in media dirties last week and forced a number of Catholic Church leaders to quickly clarify the Church's role in the affair.

The statement was reported in some sections of the media as a statement from the Christian Churches even though this was not directly claimed by the signatories.

But Archbishop Barry Hickey, speaking on ABC radio in Perth. said the only status the statement had was that it represented the personal views of its signatories.

"So they represent their own views. I didn't think anyone would consider this the view of the Catholic Church in particular, but I just want to clarify that it is not that it [only] represents the views of those who have signed it," he said.

Archbishop Hickey said the Catholic Church had no view on the Coalition's industrial relations policy.

"It does not, and it would feel free t hrough its various agencies to make comments on public policies throughout the year.

"But we remember the furore three years ago when Church agen-

cies did make comments leading up to an election and the reaction was very negative because people felt that the time was too sensitive for the Church to be butting in on policy matters." he said.

"So I made it my firm resolution that I would make no personal comments about policy matters where people legitimately differ."

Archbishop Hickey said that in going on radio he simply wanted to clarify that the statement was not from the Church.

"I just want to make it clear that the views expressed in that particular statement are the convictions of those who made it and not necessarily those of myself or the Church officially.

However, he said the Church would continue to make statements about issues with moral implications such as family matters and abortion.

"But the problem about making a statement now in the lead-up to an election is that any statement can be seen or be understood as party political, favouring one party against another, almost urging adherents to a religion to vote in a particular way.

"That's why it's not the right time for the Church to make any political statements now," he said.

He said he wanted Catholics to feel absolutely free to vote any way they wanted in the election.

Teachers in Catholic schools get salary rise

By Peter Rosengren Teachers in k% estern Australian Catholic schools gained a five per cent rise in salaries this week to begin on 1 April with the possibility of further increases in January and October next year.

Catholic Education Office director Therese Temby told teachers of the raise in a letter to all teachers in Catholic schools sent last week.

There will he an increase of 3.35 per cent across the board in CEO director Therese Teaby January next year and another increase to be determined in work for four years at 80 per October, subject to the signing of cent of their normal salary and an enterprise bargaining agree- take their fifth year of service as ment for teachers in the State leave while still being paid.

In the letter to teachers, Mrs school system. said the decision to Temby The CEO has also made an offer to the Independent Schools award the increases had been Salaried Officers' Association, taken by the Catholic Education the union representing teachers, Commission in consultation to recommence discussions on with Catholic school employers outstanding elements in the cur- and recognised the commitment rent round of negotiations and to of teachers in Catholic schools re-enter discussions in October to the education and welfare of students.

1996 on implementation of the The announcement of the final increase dependent on the availability of funding increases. increase came on the heels of a Other points in the CEO pack- number of proposals and age include implementation of a counter-proposals between the remote area package which sets CEO and the ISSOA in enterout allowances for costs prise bargaining negotiations incurred by teachers in remote over the last fortnight.

At the heart of the dispute have parts of the State: revised location allowances; and implemen- been discussions over both tation of a deferred salary salary levels and a number of scheme for teachers to come associated conditions of employment into effect next year.

Union secretary Ivan Sands The deferred salary scheme means teachers will be able to rejected the claim there was

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now exact comparison with salaries paid in the Education Western of Department Australia.

But Mrs Temby said that because of differences between the two systems the increases would mean that some Catholic schools teachers would be A 1 slightly above their State system — i l counterparts while others would , Aill be slightly below.

A IL VI Mr Sands said no decision needed to be taken by teachers or the union in relation to the wage rise as it was not an offer Cooke and and would automatically com- Lloyd gets a boost from his mates Jonathon Caspar, IA Greg Walton.

Travis April. mence in Alexander Graham Bell left the ers at St Luke's. But this year he Both in its decision to award a number of legacies. One will be one of the one hundred world previous the increases and in telephone. Another was and four financial assistance the was discussions. the CEO has said it the Graham Bell awards provided by Alexander the could not afford either the $1300 Deaf which Alexander Graham Bell Assocthe for Association lead in salary that Catholic iation. The award will help Lloyd he founded in 1890. teachers have had over State Lloyd Storey of St Luke's in and his parents meet the many school teachers or total parity Woodvale is profoundly hearing extra expenses they incur each between the two systems. impaired but is learning to take year. St Luke's employs a Support In a counter-letter to ISSOA part in the activities most other Teacher for the Hearing Impmembers, Mr Sands said no evi- children take part in thanks to aired. Joyce Plumb, who provides dence had been produced in the care and attention provided additional help to four hearing discussions to show this was the by the other students and teach- impaired students at the school. case. The wage increases awarded also ignored teachers on the two bottom rungs of the salary ladder, he said. to the old St Joseph's Boulder The Catholic Education ComSt Joseph's Boulder is relocating to new facilities in April. In order to give mission decision to award the people a chance to meet for one last time at the old school a 'Farewell wage increases is the latest to the Old St Joseph's will be held on Friday evening. 15 March. startdevelopment generated by negoing at 6pm. The cost of the evening will be S6 for adults and S3 for chiltiations between Catholic schodren and will include a barbecue. Drinks will be on sale. Any old photos ols employers and the ISSOA. old uniforms, etc. for display on the night would be much appreciated catehng purposes we ask you to indicate your intention to attend by For It came following a vote by contacting the school by Tuesday 12 March on: teachers two weeks ago to reject Phone: (090) 93 2351. Fax: (090) 93 2463 a CEO offer and a decision by Post: PO Box 2093, Boulder WA 6432. the ISSOA council to reject a The weekend includes the centenary celebrations of the Kalgoorlie Parish modified proposal shortly after.

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Farewell

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The Recwl, February 29 1996 Page 3

TOMORROW TODAY

Evangelisation: How to do it Mini-courses to help young adults give witness in family, community "How do we evangelise?" For a number of the noted speakers most of us standing on street and teachers in the archdiocorners or at church pulpits is cese, and will host courses on a out. Our mission is to evange- variety of topics - from Church lise our friends, family and our- related issues to general living skills. vangelisation. The word selves, by the way we live.

For instance, the next couple This is the theme behind alone brings fear and con'Crash Hot News', a three part of months will feature Notre fusion to many.

The images that spring to mini-course running on March Dame lecturer, Fr Russel mind are those of TV evange- 8, 15 and 22 at the Cathedral Hardiman, giving a presentation on "The Mystery of lists, fundamentalist preachers, Parish Centre in Perth.

The course will be presented Church" and John Sargeant of Christians in Hay Street asking:

by Bruce Downes, the director Envision Business Builders, a "Have you been saved?".

These images can cloud our of the Catholic Youth and Young business training consultant, appreciation of the true nature Adult Ministry, and will address running a course on public of evangelisation, and its impor- the question of how we put speaking.

In other news from the Youth tance in the day-to-day life of Jesus' command into every day life.

Office: each and every Christian.

0 Preparations are well under Crash Hot News is the first in Evangelisation is about drawing people into a deeper rela- a series of mini-courses to be way for the next Eagle's Nest tionship with God, and leading sponsored by the Catholic Escape Weekend.

There are still places availthem to follow more closely the Youth and Young Adult Ministry. These have been inspired able, but registrations need to example of Jesus Christ.

It was the last commandment by the number of young be in by next Wednesday. The of Jesus before his ascension Catholics who have complained weekend commences on Friday, into heaven: "Go then, and that they can't find relevant, 8 March.

And the big one . . . . Eye of make disciples of all nations, practical teaching on how to teaching them to obey every- live as a young Catholic in the Tiger Youth Rally on 30 thing I have commanded you." today's world.

March. The Performing Arts In response to this, the Youth Ministry is putting together (Matthew 28:19).

This begs the question of Ministry has been in touch with their best show yet!

By Barri Newman Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry

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"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because he has anointed me, to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."

- Isaiah 61 We might not be called to proclaim the Good News as the Old Testament prophet Isaiah did, but there is much to do in bringing the Gospel to our family, community, sport and work lives.

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CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY

Tres°'is*** Eirigh an Id - The Bush Band that appeared at the 1996 "Seize the Day" Youth ConventionPerforming at... .

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Also featuring the amazing magician

7:30pm Saturday, March 16th 1996 Queen of Apostles Primary School A• Tribute Street Riverton • •

Tickets available from the Catholic Youth Office

Students/Unemployed $7.00 Workers $10.00 Families $25.00 The Record, February 29199€ Page 4

CRASH HOT NEWS

APPLICATION FORM

Complete this form and return it to the Youth ministry along with your registration fee Name'

Phone.

Send to Catholic Youth Ministry, PO Box 194, North Perth WA 6006 For more information call us on 328 9622

Basketball and chastity ERIE, Philadelphia, (CNS) Greg Schlueter believes chastity has gotten a bad reputation.

"Chastity is not about abstinence, it's about living out loving relationships," Schlueter said.

"Chastity is on the basketball court, it's listening to music. It's not just a decision you make in the back seat of a car or on your girlfriend's couch late at night."

Schlueter, 28, is the Diocese of Erie's coordinator of Heart and Soul programs, a newly created position within the diocese's natural family planning office.

His job includes teaching youths and young adults to accept and understand the sacredness of their sexuality as God's gift, and to embrace the virtue of chastity in their daily lives. "Chastity isn't just taught, it's given witness to as well." Schlueter said.

"We have authentic witnesses, not people who are holier than thou. ... 10 to 15 young people (in the program) who are real, living out the word of Christ in a challenging world."

Catholic Youth Information Centre

EAGLE'S NEST 1406 O'Brien Rd, Gidgegannup

Set in 17 hectares of natural bush adjoining Walyunga National park, and just 45 minutes from the city, Eagle's Nest can take groups of up to 55 in perfect surroundings for youth retreats, Christian living camps or other youth formation programs.

Priority is given to Catholic parish youth groups, schools and other church youth organisations.

The following dates are still available for 1995-1996 (Dates in: bold = weekend, Italics = unconfirmed, underlined school holidays Available Dates for Eagle's Nest.

March 4-6, 17-21, 24-29, 29-31 April 7-12, 14-19, 22-26, 27-28, 29-30 May 1-2, 5-8, 12-17, 19-22, 26-29 June 2-3, 15-16, 17-19, 23-27 July 1 , 6-7, 8-11, 15-19, 20-21, 22-24, 27-28, 29-31.

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

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

Franciscans in vestment plea

Senators said Egan Mr McKiernan and Bolkus had previously adopted hostile positions towards Chinese refugees seeking asylum in Australia.

He said ICRNs view was that Senator Bolkus' opposition to Mr Guo's claims for refugee status were rooted in the implications of admitting that Mr Guo was returned directly to the hands of persecuting Chinese officials by the of members senior in Department Immigration October 1992.

However, Mr Guo returned to Australia in December 1993 and sought refugee status again.

Mr Egan also criticised Senator McKiernan who, he said, had previously used Mr Guo and his family as examples in his opposition to Chinese refugees citing the onechild policy as a reason for seeking asylum in Australia.

China's one-child policy has come under repeated criticism from the international community for the persecution of couples who fall pregnant a second time and for Its harsh enforcement measures, such as forced sterilisation of couples and forced abortion up until the eighth month of pregnancy.

Mr Egan added that among the SinoVietnamese boat people now in detention in Australia there were families who faced persecution for having more than one child.

He said the court decision requires the Minister for Immigration to review these cases and allow any who meet the court's criteria to apply for asylum through the normal refugee application process.

Some of the Hills Franciscan Community stalwarts adding a touch of jollity to the chore: coordinator Dorothy French, left, with Merle Conti, Jean Mansfield and David French.

Remember that small but committed core of dedicated workers in the Hills Franciscan Community (HFC) who work to repair discarded educational books to send to the missions in Africa?

Well they've worked hard to gather another consignment of goods to Kenya which, within its almost five cubic metre body, has broadened its base to include items such as duplicators, sewing machines, cassette recorders, and pieces of material for sewing.

However, prior to shipment (due within the next few weeks), they've received a request from Father Blasco Fonseca, who was in Perth last year and who will be taking up a new mission post in April. seeking unused spare vestments in good condition from parishes, especially albs, cinctures and chasubles in seasonal colours, HFC coordinator Dorothy French said.

If you wish to pass on anything in the line of vestments to Fr Blasal would you please ring the HFC on (09) 291-6248.

Society urgently needs volunteers

CHIPPERS

Volunteers are urgently needed to boost the dwindling numbers of people assisting the Society of St Vincent de Paul in its 35 centres.

It's the same problem because with the age of our volunteers, averaging from the mid-sixties with some in their eighties, means they are getting older and dying - with few replacements in sight!" according to Osborne Park Operations Manager. Gavin Dempster.

Meanwhile, the society's work is increasing and on-going. and Mr Dempster regrets that the existing volunteers are being asked to do even more.

Stating how they are constantly on the look out for the Society's depot and shop at Osborne Park. as well as other centres such as the Society's welfare centre at Nollamara. he encourages people to consider volunteering even half a day. If you can, please contact Monica at the Regional Welfare Office on 325-3472. the North Perth Centre on 328-6775. or Gavin

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Chippers respected that — as well as our personal wishes and all the little things that mean so much to my family.

Their staff were caring and the service was flexible. Pat could not have been given a more perfect funeral. Thank you Chippers...for everything."

Dempster on 444-5622.

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A Federal Court decision in Sydney on Monday to uphold a refugee status claim by a Chinese couple has been hailed as a new avenue for couples fleeing persecution from China's one-child policy by the WA office of the Independent Council for Refugee Advocacy.

ICRA spokesman Richard Egan described the full bench Federal Court decision as a slap in the face for Immigration Minister Nick Bolkus and influential migration policy parliamentarian Senator Jim McKiernan (Labor, WA). Mr Egan said both had previously opposed refugee claims by Chinese couples.

The Federal Court found that the ample, Mr Guo Wei Rong and his wife Pan Run Juan, were at risk of persecution both for Mr Guo's repeated attempts to flee China and for the couple's flagrant disregard for the Chinese government's one-child policy.

Mr Egan said the court, in its decision on the one-child policy, had cited the 'imputed political opinion' grounds of the International Refugee Convention, to which Australia is a signatory.

He said the court had said that couples who flagrantly disregarded the policy would be at risk of political persecution for acting on political opinions that rejected the State's right to prevent them having children.

The decision now provides a new avenue for Chinese couples fleeing persecution under the policy after a previous Federal Court full bench decision rejected one-child refugee claims based on the 'social group' grounds of the refugee convention.

That decision is on appeal to the High Court with a hearing set down for 6 March.

HIPPER

Chinese pro-lifers given hope

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ClIPPE RS The Record, February 29 1996 Page 5

Brother Faulkner farewelled Tammin mourns loss I

deem it a great honour to have been asked to express the feelings of the Tammin community at the sudden passing of Brenda Crogan.

When we loose someone like Brenda, who has contributed so much to the district it leaves a deep gap in our lives. It is like losing a member of our own family.

A bit bossy in a gentle way - but she achieved the result she wanted. As a home maker Brenda was without peer, she was very hospitable and welcoming and her cooking prowess was well known and appreciated by her two sons and their friends.

She loved to talk on the phone and keep up with all the doings in the town. She always found the time to visit the lonely and sick and took along a small gift each time.

She enjoyed letter writing and kept in touch with all ex-Tammin residents as well as friends and relations.

None of us ever heard Brenda pass judgement on any one regardless of their habits or behaviour. If she did make a comment it was quickly followed by "now I mustn't say that". She never bore a grudge and once said she was so happy to see someone that she forgot she was cross with them.

Although Brenda was able to organise us so well she was not a

Br Faulkner speaks at the farewell function at Mulberry Fenn

Brother Gerald Faulkner, who has served two six year terms as provincial superior and one as a councillor of the Christian Brothers, was farewelled from the position by over 130 people Including Archbishop Hickey and bishops Robert Healy and Peter Bianchini in a special function held at Mulberry farm last week.

Also farewelled were retiring

councillors Br John Baldwin. off to Rome to take up a position in the Papal audience office in the Vatican: and Br Max McAppion who will continue as headmaster of the Christian Brothers Agriculture College in Tardun.

Br Faulkner will leave Australia soon for the General Chapter of the Christian Brothers to be held in South Africa and then head off to

Cornwall in the United Kingdom for a walking holiday.

He will return later in the year to take up theology studies in Melbourne.

Br Faulkner was also farewelled at a separate function by the University of Notre Dame Australia. where he had been instrumental in establishing the Edmund Rice Centre for Social Ministry.

Obituary disciplinarian at home. Pat and Tom often tried to dodge chores so she used a brass whistle to summon them from the shed.

Thanks to a cocky who learned to imitate the sound they often came unnecessarily but quick thinking Mum found them a job anyway.

Whatever Brenda did she always seemed to add an extra touch which set it apart and made it special as she liked to have the last word and add the final touch to things.

All present will have been deeply touched by Brenda in some way, perhaps a hug from a "Kissing Grogan", a welcoming smile or the touch of a hand.

There was always an instant feeling of warmth and acceptance.

Brenda gave 110 per cent to all she did without counting the cost.

She just went ahead and did the job. Her community spirit was an example for all to follow Her unflagging energy, tremendous faith and deep and loving compassion for all will be a lasting memorial to a lady who was one in a million.

Brenda, May God Bless You. 1( 1 keep you.

- Mrs Joan Button, Tammin Shire President

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The Record. February 29 1996 Page 6

Redemptorist Retreat House by: Fr Dan Magill CSsR From 4pm, 12 April to 10am 19 April Booking enquiries: Jan Broderick 328 6600

&oilers lo IZe Co WA's Parliament needs to spell out ethical norms A number of MPs have dabbled with the question of ethics in general terms in The Record in recent weeks.

I would like to see them deal with a specific case which has continuing significance for the WA Parliament and, therefore, all Western Australians.

It relates directly to parliamentary privilege and the responsibility it imposes on Members of Parliament to maintain high standards of truth in Parliament.

For readers who are not sure about it, parliamentary privilege is the principle under which MPs cannot be investigated by police or prosecuted in any court or royal commission in relation to anything they say in Parliament. This protects their freedom to raise in Parliament any matter they believe should be raised in Parliament.

Privilege does not absolve MPs of the responsibility to be truthful. Parliament is the highest court in the land and the obligation to be truthful is therefore at least as great as in any other court.

However, because of the need for parliamentary privilege. Parliament itself (not any other court) undertakes to preserve its own integrity.

That is why any Member found to hive lied to Parliament is expected to resign. It is impossible to contemplate the notion that free people could continue to be governed by representatives who actually lie In Parliament.

The problem of misleading Parliament that is, giving wrong information but not actually lying - is more complex and depends on how serious is the misinformation both in itself and in its consequences, how readily available to the Member was the accurate information, and what responsibility did he have to ensure that he had the right information.

Ministers, for instance, are expected always to provide accurate information about their portfolio because the information is available to them and they have a responsibility to either know it or obtain it.

The best and most basic guideline for all MP's from the Premier down is never to say anything unless they are satisfied that it is true.

Their responsibility is to get it right, not just hope for the best. As a former Premier once said to me. very emphatically: I'm the Premier. I can't be wrong. If I say something, people are entitled to expect that it is true?

He was not claiming infallibility. He was accepting the responsibility to get it right because he was the Premier - and at the time he was talking about a letter to the editor of The West Australian, not a for mal response in the highest court in the land. Parliament. It is a standard we should all accept, and particularly MP's in Parliament.

If a direct, conscious lie in Parliament is

acceptable. no other form of dishonesty can be questioned and all citizens can say what they like to the tax man or the social security department, and we can perjure ourselves at will in the lesser courts of our country.

It is absurd to the point of impossibility that MPs could legislate penalties for other forms of dishonesty when they themselves will not stand up to protect the highest court (Parliament) against perjury.

In The Record of 1 February, David Smith MLA invited us to consider St Peter's denial of Christ as a reminder of the human condition which weakens all of us.

Peter's denial of Jesus is a very important story for MP's and Party followers to meditate on because the denial sprang from the same psychological base that gives us nationalism, militarism, racism. and other forms of unhealthy over-identification with our family, nation, race, party, gang or peer group.

We learn it very young and it is buried deep in our subconscious even when he think we have built up rational choices to replace it.

In Peter's case, he found himself in the courtyard of the High Priest's home - a very Jewish identification - when suddenly he was confronted by an insignificant person who claimed to be able to say that he, Peter, was an outsider, an associate of Jesus Christ.

His entire personal identity as a Jew would have screamed at him for protection and, before he could think rationally about the consequences, he had denied Jesus - not for the sake of denying him, but in order to protect his ethnic identity.

The same impulse is at work to make it hard for people to stand out for truth and justice against their family, their nation, or their party.

Jesus offered us a solution to this in the beatitude: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after justice." Or to put it perhaps more dearly in modern terms: 'Oh, happy you will be when you learn to seek your happiness in truth and justice rather than in your group or race or national identity?

Anyone who has any uncertainty about the importance of truth and lies in private and public communication could strengthen their understanding by reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church from Section 2464 to Section 2513.

MPs need spell out the ethical standards they expect Members to follow.

The ethical standards of the WA Parliament have not been dearly stated in practical. behavioural terms. It is time they were.

Hugh Ryan Currambine Hugh Ryan is a press secretary for two Ministers in the WA Liberal-National Party Government

Letters, prayers scrutinised

tion was popular among Catholic religious value of the MassIfind the basic theme of groups - I presume that if someone wrote God's mercy and goodness showered to The Record declaring that this had kept upon us to restore the wholeness of lives them in the faith, it would not be pub- wracked by the disintegration of sin.

Surely this is the message of Vatican II. lished As children, we placed stones in our and of all the councils previously. shoes during Lent to make our feet ache: Similarly. Vatican IIdid not ban prayers of but my vision of Lent has changed greatly petition and thanks: it encouraged variety over the years, as have the practices of the In prayer styles.

On self-flagellation, Vatican ll did not ban Church.

I would not like to take away the joy that it and it remains a legitimate participation E McKenzie has found through the cards, in the suffering of Jesus Christ for those and I am positive her distribution of those few called to it by their spiritual directors, has probably done little harm, at the very as some are today, and will be in the least it is a demonstration of a deep faith. future.

However, please let this paper be reflective of current Church teaching. The Record is a paper sold predominantly to ustralia's laws relating to divorce practising Catholics from Catholic Church make divorce "easy": if one partner stands. leaves, the law renders the other It is implied that the purchaser wishes to powerless. grow in faith and knowledge through such The children involved are disadvantaged a purchase. for life. A British study has found that at In this particular case, the life giving.

21, young men whose parents had age relationship qualities of the Eucharist are were three times likely to be divorced the intentions that Jesus had. Each time than those from intact famiunemployed we "publicise" other that this, we take 36 they were still less likely to lies.

At age away from His mission. have qualifications and twice as likely to J. Jenkins be in the lowest income bracket.

Manning Children of divorce are also predisposed repeat patterns of marriage breakdown to Editor's note: Re-reading the card puband/or single parenthood. lished in the Letters to the Editor on the

Australia needs a new Family Law Act which makes divorce harder to get. We have needed it for 20 years.

Arnold Jago Mildura

W

hilst I do not doubt the sincerity of E McKenzie (Testimony to the Mass, The Record. 15 February).

I do ask that The Record would be judicious about the publication of sentiments such as these.

Nineteen-fifty-three is well before Vatican II and many of the sentiments in such a card are the antithesis of the Church's teaching today. For myself, the work of visiting priests delivering Missions, have been fantastic experiences too.

It is not my purpose to give a postVatican II view of Eucharist. but that is the inherent problem in this issue. The Record's "Thanks" column is, unfortunately. filled with pious "plea bargains" with God. Often these, and F McKenzie's letter, become vehicles of ridicule for Catholics.

Often, they do not reflect the Church's teaching and focus.

Personally. I would find it preferable if The Record did not engage in such material in the Letters to the Editor section. Even until relatively recent times, self flagella-

A new Family Law Act

A

Beware Verhoeven

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nce again we have been feasted on the dregs of society. The Festival of Perth saw fit to show us a Dutch (Belgian) film from the infamous stable of Paul Verhoeven and consorts.

Under the guise of black comedy they offer a revolting parade of anything nasty. degenerate and poisonous.

Their hate for the Catholic Church is celebrated in grand style with poking fun with Christ on the Cross and boorish ministers ranting nonsense from the pulpit.

Verhoeven pokes fun at death: in his other films all these themes are repeated: fun with corpses falling out of coffins or from staircases. showing Catholicism (and Christianity) in the worst possible way, poking fun and slandering to heart's content.

And then we wonder why our young people go off the rails!

Josie Leeden South Perth

Let God's majesty bring us to our knees in repentance Karrinyup parish priest Father their knees as He is transfigured Richard Rutkauskas today in a glorious prefigurement of begins a series of six meditations His resurrection. The apostles, to help us in our journey to quite astounded, also hear the voice of the Father. They were Easter 1996. filled with the majesty of God. But what must strike us is that 1 he new age and humanist philosophies of our time they did not, and could not, fully tell us that man is the mea- comprehend that majesty. God sure of all things. All that is is so far beyond their most vivid worthwhile, all that is spiritual. imaginations, that when faced all that gives life to the universe with what was only a glimpse of comes from inside the human who He really is, they could do person.

All human beings. nothing except show their inabiltogether, make up this `god-con- ity to fathom Him by falling to their knees.. sciousness'.

Unfortunately, we have in some In this 'New Age' there is no need to believe in a transcendent ways been tainted by the Being known as God. God is the humanist philosophies in the love that all human beings are way that we relate to God. And so we see in recent years a capable of and if you don't get it right during this life you'll have certain loss of the mystery and the sense of majesty surroundanother opportunity!

Very different to this is the ing God. Science and technology scene presented to us in the have given us more of an insight Gospel of the Second Sunday of into the wonders of His creation, Lent. Jesus, revealed as the Son so we think that we are someof God, causes the apostles to fall what in control of things.

T

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with Fr Richard Rutkauskas The concepts of grace and transubstantiation are those which have suffered most in our time.

Things which cannot be seen, which cannot be measured and which cannot be tested must not be real. And anyway, God is within each human person - so the argument goes - we therefore don't need to get anything from without, it's all there, inside, to begin with.

With these false ideas we have seen a falling away of people approaching the sacrament of Penance. At best, some people

feel they can simply ask God for forgiveness of mortal sins: many others, however, don't feel the need, claiming that God's forgiveness is there anyway: and many. also, have lost any sense of sin.

The truth of receiving God's grace of forgiveness through the ministry of a priest is often denied in these times.

We need to humbly bow down before the majesty of God and ask forgiveness, in the sacrament which Christ himself established.

The most wonderful gift of Jesus himself in the blessed Eucharist is also denied or at best ignored.

The Protestant idea that the "bread" is only "special" during the liturgy, and only if you believe it is, seems to hold more credence with many Catholics these days than the truth of Our Lord's glorious and real Presence in the form of bread

and wine. To have faith in that mystery seems, sad to say, unimportant to even many who attend Mass regularly.

We see, as a result, churches appearing as meeting halls with people not genuflecting to the real presence in the tabernacle, standing around talking about everyday things with their backs to the Lord and not caring that a Church should be a place of prayer where people have the opportunity to kneel down in the presence of, and contemplate. the Lord and Saviour in their midst.

During this Lenten Season, let us pray that as Church. the people of God, we can recapture the sense of mystery, of wonder and awe at His majesty.

Ills only when we bow down and humbly open our hearts to our all powerful God that He can begin to work wonders in our lives.

The Record, February 29 1996 Page 7

The youthful challenge of ageing

Young minds and younger hearts

By Father John Castelot Middle age is when narrow waists and broad minds change places, so they say.

Well, there may not be much one can do to prevent the midsection's expansion, but one can stave off the narrowing of the mind - and do so far beyond middle age.

I still teach, and lecture and write - and I'm 79. So I consider it important to remain openminded. I cannot be content only with what I've already learned.

I'm sure those I teach want me anchored in tradition, hilt not stuck in the past.

But why don't I just stop all my activities and stay at home to read and conduct quiet research? My answer is that I do these things to keep from dying. The way I figure it, if I'm not active I'm dying. I also figure that I have my experience to offer.

Part of that experience makes me sensitive to the difficulties many people have in grasping new ideas - particularly about Scripture.

I, too, had to confront some ideas that were altogether new to me in this area at one time.

Biblical science, like all the sciences, has grown amazingly this past half-century. The growth has been going on longer than that, but not in Catholic circles.

It was only in 1943 that Pope Pius X11 issued his encyclical "Divino Afflante Spiritu." in which he positively urged Catholic biblical scholarship utilising contemporary methods.

This was a bombshell! Some Catholics were scandalised and even suggested that the encyclical be put on the Index of forbidden books.

It precipitated a personal crisis for me. So much of the "new" went against everything I had been taught.

Was I to believe that Moses himself did not write the first five books of the Bible? That Isaiah did not write the whole book of Isaiah? That St. Paul himself wrote only seven biblical letters?

All of these originally "startling" statements are now commonplace. But my own experience has led me to be sensitive in teaching, especially on a parish level.

I know how unsettling - even shocking - such conclusions can sound to people. So I am above all very careful to explain the reasons for them and. whenI do, people usually are reassured and even grateful.

Centuries ago a Greek philosopher remarked that if we want to find the truth, we must expect the unexpected.

But this is not wisdom only for the young. If experience taught me anything, it taught me that the search goes on.

Yes, teachers my age have experience to offer. But we also have our continuing thirst to know more of the truth. That means we remain involved with the young in the journey of faith.

A priest truly forever

By Dan Luby The following story - I label it "historical fiction" - developed out of conversations I had in preparing to write an article on images of old age.

The men had been friends for three decades, and every couple of years they got together. This year they were meeting at the rectory where one of them Father Bill - lived. He was pastor of a country parish.

There were always some obligatory male-bonding activities like fishing, golf and poker, but mostly the three talked about their lives, their families and, in one case, a new job.

However. Father Bill, the host, was uncharacteristically quiet this time. "What's up with you, Billy?" one of the others asked.

That's when Father Bill told them of his adventures with Msgr.

Isidore O'Malley. Father Bill called him Izzy.

Izzy had retired from active parish work to become pastor emeritus of his old parish. But Izzy later wanted to make a move. He was 79 and willing to help out on weekends, and the personnel board asked Father Bill if Izzy could move in with him.

"I was furious," Father Bill said.

"Here I was, almost 50 myself, and they try to dump this old guy on me. All I could think of were boring stories and unreasonable demands, and him dissecting my homilies for heretical innovations. But I caved in."

As Father Bill continued, he said: "I learned more from Izzy than anybody I've met in 20 years as a priest. It was hard when he first came, but now that he's moved to Arizona with his sister I really miss him.

"Izzy taught me that it's OK to be old. He didn't like the term 'senior citizen."' said Father Bill. "'I haven't been a senior since I

graduated from high school. I'm old,' Izzy would say, 'and proud of it.'

"Izzy works hard at keeping fit and staying in touch with people, but he recognises that not everybody is as lucky as he is.

"To him being old isn't something to be ashamed of or avoided like disease or moral failure.

It's another life stage, like childhood or adolescence or middle age.

"The limitations that go with being old can be daunting; I saw that with Izzy. Your health becomes a concern in a way it never was before. Even if you've got good coverage, being sick all the time can make you pretty crabby.

"He really wasn't sick all that much, but other things kept fading out on him. He couldn't hear as well as he wanted to, his memory failed him sometimes, his sta"The day mina wasn't great. he decided he couldn't drive any

People aren't like chocolates, only good when they're fresh. Like wine they can get better as they mature.

more was really tough. He told me he felt like his life was being whittled away.

"Like a lot of old people, he felt he was becoming invisible. One night we were watching television and he said, 'Bill, I can't see myself anymore.'

"Izzy pointed out that apart from the occasional denture ad or supplemental insurance promotion, there were rarely any old people in magazines or on television. Everybody who is presented as having a life has a flat belly, and glossy hair, and a mouth full of snappy comebacks. It made him feel left out.

"Izzy had troubles, but he was good-natured about them. He was a great story-teller, and he knew more jokes than anybody I ever met. Once in a while he'd lose track or forget the punch line, but then he'd make a joke of that. "He loved the freedom of being old. He had early Mass on Sundays, and then he'd go to breakfast with a big crowd.

He had more time to work on his homilies. He read a lot. He loved being asked to talk to the kids, and they ate him up.

"He could be busy when he wanted to. not on somebody else's schedule.

"One evening I came in, and he was lying on the couch. I said.

'What've you been doing all day, 1/./.\ ?' and he smiled and said.

I've been doing what God Intended an old man to do. I've been lounging.'

"Izzy taught me that, in a lot of ways, the things old people need are no different from what people of any age need: respect: patience; the chance to express themselves and contribute their gifts; meaningful conversation; a listening ear, inclusion: affection.

"The last Sunday before he moved, we had a little party for him. People were chatting around a punch bowl, and there was one of those quirky silences that happens sometimes when, just by accident, everybody stops talking at once.

"One of the kids told Izzy she was sorry he had to be so old.

Everybody held their breath. Izzy said, 'People aren't like chocolates. Elizabeth, or bread or cabbage, only good when they're fresh. They're more like wine or trees or gold coins. If taken care of properly, they get better with age."'

Advancing age can provide new directions

By Jane Wolford Hughes 1Wenty of our family members climbed into a caravan of vans to see a professional production for children of "Rapunzel and the Witch" in mid-December. The show's witch was our grandson Brian.

Three sets of parents, a couple of college kids and at least 10 squirming little ones came along to be enchanted by the age-old story of good conquering evil and to cheer on our family's actor.

Afterward we visited a children's palace of games of skill and fast food - not a climate for rocking-chair seniors.

Hundreds of excited children raced around with enthusiastic abandon.

My young ones took me by the hand to join them.

We settled on throwing balls up an incline to bounce over a ledge and pop into a hole that gave us our scores. We were hay-

The Record, February 29 1996 Page 8

ing fun when a man in his 40s commented somewhat irritably, "Gramma. I thought these were games for children, or is there a child hiding in you?" joel spoke up, "Mister, our gramma always plays with us!"

It was my turn to speak "Sir, the best way to know your grandchildren is to play with them. And by the way, the child in me is not hiding, you are looking at her."

After a while janemarie asked, "He didn't think you were too old did he?"

Her tone suggested that he couldn't possibly have meant that.

I laughed and said: "He's mixed up about older people. We can still enjoy life!"

My 70s have given me a new perspective on what Ireally want and what I am about.

Now that I am free of work and even some social expectations. I can be more nurturing, more sharing of what I have learned,

more serving in the cause of jus- said recently, "I cannot live in this flawed world without attempting tice.

I have been blessed with a con- to give comfort and understandsciousness of the presence of ing.Iknow this may sound corny, but I feel I can make a difference God in my life since childhood.

As I have grown older God's simply being there."

I am sure she does make a difvoice is ever more distinct, especially in the wisdom of little chil- ference, for she is like a breath of dren, the awesomeness of nature the Spirit that frees and uplifts. and the messages of the What does 70 look like? We Scriptures. I welcome solitude as may not be as concerned about a companion, and creative work physical appearances as we once were; no Barbie Doll grandpas as my joy.

I feel no less a sense of mission and grammas, but we're not than I did when I was younger. fuddy-duddies either.

Florence, a dear friend for 40 Maggie Kuhn, founder of the years, talked about her call to Gray Panthers, said: "My old age is the flowering of my life. It's what she terms "evangelising."

In her early 80s she still works putting into perspective the pain in a hospital in Clearwater, and the tragedy and making Florida, four days each week as them great things, great events. I an aide in the surgical waiting celebrate life every day, and my lounge and in-patient visitation. hope and dream is that all others On Sundays you can find her in do so as well, for that ought to be the way." her parish bookstore.

This thought, in beautiful calligWherever she is, she is listening to the emotionally hurting and raphy, hangs on our bedroom the spiritually hungry. Florence wall.

Features

Love conquers evil of rape The experience of horror and tragedy is sometimes used to justify even greater horrors such as an abortion after a child is conceived on account of rape. Yet, nothing could be more destructive of the life a novice nun than to fall pregnant following a rape, as happened recently during the war in BosniaHercegovina. Her response was to accept the child as one sent from God, as can be seen from her account other suffering as told in writing to the leader of her congregation. An edited version of the letter was published In Wayne Weible's February 1996 Medlugorie Newsletter.

/

am one of the novices who was raped by the militant Serbs. I am writing to you in regard to what happened to me and my sisters.

Permit me not to give you any details. It was an atrocious experience, incommunicable except to God, under whose will I placed myself during my consecration to Him as I made my vows.

My tragedy is not only the humiliation I was subjected to as a woman, or the irreparable offence against my choice of existence and to my vocation, but the difficulty of inscribing deep in my faith, an event which is certainly part of the mysterious will of the One I still consider to be my Divine Spouse.

Only a few days before. I had read a dialogue of the Carmelites of Bernanos. and the thought had come to me to ask Our Lord to let me die a martyr. He took me at my word.

I find myself today in an obscure interior anguish. They have destroyed my life's plan which I had considered perma-

nent; now they have traced another whichIhave not yet succeeded in unravelling.

In my teens,I had written in my private diary: "Nothing is mine; I belong to no one and no one belongs to me." Yet, one night, which I do not want to remember, someone took me and wrested me from myself and made me his.

When I came to, it was daylight.

My first thought was of Our Lord's agony in the Garden of Olives. A terrible struggle took place within me. On one hand. I asked myself, why did God allow me to be broken to pieces and destroyed, precisely where I had placed my reason for living.

And to what new vocation was He leading me on this new path?

I got up, exhausted, while I helped one of my sisters, and then I got dressed. I heard the bell ring at the Monastery of Anguish which is next to ours.

I made the Sign of the Cross. and mentally recited the liturgical hymn: "At this hour, on Golgotha. the 11-ue Pascal Lamb.

Christ, pays the ransom for our sins to redeem us.

What then. Mother, is my suffering and the offence endured, In comparison to that of the One to whom I promised a thousand times to give my life? . I said slowly. "Your Will by done, especially now that I hay no other support but the certainty that You. Lord, are at my side. write to you. Mother, not to seek your consolation, but your help in giving thanks to God for letting me join millions of compatriots offended in their honour, and to accept this maternity not wished for.

My humiliation is added to that of the others. I can only offer it in expiation for the sins committed by the unknown rapists.

And for peace between two opposed ethnic groups by accepting the dishonour I endure and then offer to God's Mercy.

Do not hold it against me if I ask you to share with me a "grace" which may seem absurd.

These past months I shed all

my tears for my two brothers assassinated by the very ones who terrorise and attack our towns. I did not think my suffering could be worse or that the pain could reach any greater dimension.

Every day, hundreds of scrawny looking people trembling with cold and bearing a look of despair, knock on the door of our convents. A few weeks ago, a

young girl of 18 told me: "You do not know what dishonour is."

I thought hard about what she said and knew that it was a question of my people in pain. and I was almost ashamed of living close to all this suffering.

Now. I am one of them - one of my people's many anonymous women whose body is torn to bits and whose soul is ransacked.

The Lord has made me penetrate into the mystery of this

shame, and also to the Religious sor of literature had read to me that I am. He has accorded me these verses by Alesej Mislovia the privilege of understanding "You must not die, because you were chosen to be on the side of the diabolical force of evil.

I know that from now on the light.'

On the night I was raped by the words of courage and consolation I will try to speak from my Serbs, I repeated these verses poor heart will be believed which were like balm on my soul because my story is their story, when despair threatened to and my resignation, strengthened destroy me.

Now, it is all over and it seems by faith will be, if not an example, of some help to confront as if it were a bad dream.

All is past, Mother, and now all begins.

When you called me on the telephone with words of consolation, for which I will always be grateful, you asked me this question: "What will you do with the life placed by force in your womb?" . . . . I have made my decision now. If I become a mother, the child will be mine and no one else's.

I could entrust him to others, but he has the right to my motherly love even though he was neither desired or wanted.

We cannot separate a plant from its roots. The grain, fallen Into the soil, needs to grow where the mysterious Sowei scattered it.

I ask nothing of my Congregation, which has already given me everything.

I thank my sisters for their fraternal support. especially for not asking embarrassing questions.

I will leave with my child. I do not know where, but God, who suddenly shattered my greatest joy, will show me which path to take to accomplish His will.

I will be poor. I will don once more the old apron and sabots which women wear on working their moral and emotional reac- days, and I will go with my mother to collect the resin from the tions.

God has chosen me - may He pine lives in our forests.

I will do every thing in my forgive the presumption - to guide these humiliated people power to break the chain of toward a dawn of redemption hatred which destroys our countries. and freedom.

To the child I am expecting. I They will not doubt the sincerity of my intentions since like will teach only to love.

My child, born from violence, them. I too, come from the fronwill be a testimony that forgivetier of abjectness.

I remember that during my ness is the unique greatness that studies in Rome. a Slavic profes- glorifies a person.

Aura of grace and holiness a beacon on St Peter's barque

By Ann Widdecombe, a Minister in the government of British Prime Minister, John Major

W

hen. three years ago, I crossed the bridge between the Anglican and Catholic Communions people used to ask what it was I had found with Rome that I could not have found in the Church of England. and to this question I invariably replied "Peter".

It was one of the first real breakthroughs in my discussions with Michael Seed, the priest with the unenviable task of stripping away years of resistance to Rome and most things Roman, when he asked simply "Where is Peter?"

Last Saturday, I met the successor to St Peter in a 15-minute private audience at the Vatican. In the world of politics and state great men receive visitors from the outside world surrounded by private secretaries and officials; the Pope received me alone.

When my journey towards Roman Catholicism had come to a grinding halt, I went to see Cardinal Hume.

It was not in order to discuss my own case that I met him but

to promote the cause of those many thousands of Anglican laity and hundreds of Anglican priests who were turning anguished eyes in the direction of the one Church which seemed to offer any constancy and continuity of faith and doctrine.

I had not been five minutes in the cardinal's presence before I felt a tangible link with the early Church. Here was a man of great holiness, not great expediency.

In a conversation which will forever remain private he unblocked my remaining and hitherto seemingly insuperable difficulties.

I had exactly the same feeling on meeting the Pope. Here was a tangible link with the early Church, and aura of holiness, a man so close to God that anyone with him must feel God's presence.

I could have quite easily sat in silence for the entire allotted time and just absorbed that feeling of closeness to God, but the Pope was chatting away in very reasonable English.

As with the conversation I had with the cardinal three years ago this one too will remain largely private but I can reveal that it ranged over Veritatis Splendor

(he smiled when I said I was grateful for this encyclical but found it a bit hard in parts to the understand), abortion, unchanging nature of the Gospel message and the responsibilities of Christians in government.

He also mentioned the Queen with some admiration and asked me questions about the participation of women in British public life.

I spoke slowly and a fraction more loudly than usual in order to accommodate a slight deafness.

He spoke quietly and fluently and rarely paused to find the right English word, a matter of some relief to me as I had been entertaining the possibility of resorting to Latin in an emergency and had wondered if my skills were adequate 27 years after leaving university with a degree in that subject.

We sat together at the end of a desk and he blessed my grandfather's rosary and also the gifts I took him.

When my time was up he pressed a bell leaving me less disappointed that the interview was over as fulfilled and happy that it had ever taken place.

The rest of my party was then

Pope John Paul: an aura of grace

invited in and the formal photographic session took place with the Pope organising us smoothly Into place and then presenting us with rosaries as a parting gift.

The ambassador to the Holy See, Maureen McGlashan, told me as we walked back through endless antechambers and corridors that she "could never do anything with anyone who had seen the Pope. for the rest of the day".

I understood well enough what

she meant, but I was merely quietly convinced that I had indeed met the successor to St Peter and that 2,000 years of unbroken tradition from the time of Christ lay in his care.

I have never been other than grateful for my years as an Anglican. but I came out of that room wondering how it could have taken so long for me to find Peter.

The Pope looked well and his mind was quick, his conversation humorous as well as serious. His eyes were bright and his step firm.

Somehow I have a feeling that all the speculation about his health and his successor is premature; he has plans for the millennium if not beyond, andIpray that he will see them brought to fruition.

An energy emanated from this supposedly frail old man of uncertain health and I have no doubt that there are more encyclicals, more foreign visits and more initiatives in store for us before his predecessor opens the gates for him.

- Courtesy of the English Catholic weekly, The Tablet

The Record, February 29 1996 Page 9

Book reviews

Engrossing account

of a monastery with a fascinating past

C ,1••••••4••• •••••••46,1va.r.

1,••• ••••••• 11 watiuy JOIVOULY. pertraps uvriruct, by rill attention

A Town Like No Other: the living tradition of New Norcia. Edited by David Hutchison. Fremantle Arts Centre Press. 1995. Paperback, 156pp. $24.95

Reviewed by Paul Power.

I

doubt very much if Bishop Rosendo Salvado. the founder of the Benedictine monastic community and the Aboriginal mission at New Norcia, would have envisaged that anyone would ever be interested in his life and the lives of others who found themselves connected with this rather unique monastic settlement in Western Australia.

But the establishment in 1991 of a Community Archives. Research

and Publications Committee by the Benedictine Monks was done In order to make the archives of the monastery available for anyone interested in researching the rather unique history of New Norcia.

This very interesting book, therefore, is a product of the committee and doubtless there will be more of the same to come in the future.

Contributors to the book include members of the monastic community as well as a number of others - Aboriginal and nonAboriginal - whose own interests have brought them into contact with New Norcia.

For those who know very little about the history of Western Australia and are not inclined to read conventional history books,

this is a very easy book to pick up and a very difficult book to put down.

It follows a basic chronological order from the arrival of the monks in 1849 right through to more recent times.

The story, though, is told by having the different writers address various topics rather than attempting to write another definitive history, as has been done before.

The book commences with a chapter by the current successor to Bishop Salvado, the Very Reverend Dom Placid Spearitt who is the Prior Administrator of the monastery.

Here we find that New Norcia is very much a living community that is still centred around men who seek union with God and who live out the gospel according to the Rule of St Benedict, which means a life balanced between prayer and work in which all things are done for the greater glory of God. This is the essence of life at New Norcia.

The monastery remains flexible in relation to all the various external works of the community which change according to what the community is able to do and as long as they don't disrupt the life of the monastery.

After the monastery's foundation, changes in technology brought about a building boom that saw the erection in the town of fine school buildings and convents that still to this day force many travellers on Highway One. going north from Perth, to stop and wonder where they are.

Some of the book's chapters are the work of Aboriginal people whose families lived at New

Norcia. They provide an interesting counterpoint to the prevailing view that white missionaries only did harm to those they sought to serve.

New Norcia has not been immune to influences from the outside as the reader will discover. Changes in prevailing attitudes to Aborigines meant that the work of the monks clanged in relation to them.

This would no doubt have been related to the passing, early in the century, of draconian laws in Western Australia regarding Aboriginal people and their rights.

And to wipe away any romantic notions that anyone may have regarding monastic life, the book has little segments scattered throughout that are extracts from letters, telegrams and diaries.

Some of these snippets are quite amusing and include references to lost keys that were finally found in trousers sent to the laundry and to the very serious matter of the art robbery from the monastery museum and art gallery in 1986.

Also included is the story of the bush fire connected to the picture of Our Lady of Good Counsel and how, apparently by divine intervention, the early mission was saved from destruction.

The monastery's influence also extended beyond the immediate environs of New Norcia to people who had settled in the shire of Victoria Plains, which has New Norcia at its centre. One of the letters is from a grateful people thanking one of the monks for his services as a medical officer.

We see as we move through the

book that different Abbots also meant quite different changes in what external works the monastery was engaged in, as well as very different changes in policy regarding the direction of the purpose of the monks' involvement with the Aborigines.

Clearly, Bishop Salvado was ahead of his time in the way he treated the Aboriginal people, even to the point where he sent half a dozen boys to monasteries In Italy to study for the priesthood.

With Bishop Salvado's death at the turn of the century this vision for the Aboriginal people came to an end. It is only in more recent times that anyone would seriously consider doing the same.

The writers take us through the Bishop Torres era. As short as it was, a lot happened with the introduction of Josephite sisters and Marist bothers to run the very impressive boarding schools that boast one Cardinal among its graduates.

We move on to Abbot Catalan. the effects of the Great Depression, the arrival at the monastery of the first Australianborn candidates and the development of a connection between New Norcia and Church music under the direction of Dom Stephen Moreno.

The editor. David Hutchison, has presented the reader with a book that clearly conveys New Norcia as a place in the present with a very interesting past that the monks would like to share with anyone who is interested.

I eagerly look forward to the next publication from the research committee.

Help in setting up a parish bereavement committee Healing the Broken-Hearted: Consoling the Grief-Stricken. Terence P. Curley, D.Min, Society of St Paul, Alba House. 70pp, $8.95.

Reviewed by Fr Sean Bredin, OS Cam

R

B eading this little book was indeed a refreshing experience. Why? ecause Fr Curley has his hands right on the pulse of grief-ministry, especially now in the light of the revised ritual promulgated in the Order of Christian Funerals.

This book is a must for everyone involved in this ministry. It is a valuable book for parishes who are thinking about establishing a 'bereavement committee'.

Fr Curley has worked for twenty years in the ministry of consolation and this book is the fruit of those years of experience.

In 1989, after several years of study and review, the revised Order of Christian Funerals was promulgated.

Many of us are still unfamiliar with the very definite vision it has for pastoral care.

Fr Curley states that the new ritual is meant to be more than a rubrical change for parish liturgies. It invites us to move beyond going through "a rite of passage" so that we can connect ritual with pastoral care.

The broader vision envisaged by the new ritual acknowledges the reality of grief. In the past, the primary focus was on prayer for safe passage of the deceased to eternal life, while the new ritual is also concerned with the care of the bereaved

in the grieving process. The funeral and related rites are not something to be gotten through. but to be seen as important moments in the journey through grief.

The spirituality of bereavement recognises the importance of helping the bereaved to express their losses in the context of religious faith. Fr Curley shares some of his insights on how prayer can bring meaning and hope to the bereaved.

The word of God, prayer and in particular the psalms can help them "release their innermost feelings". The psalms of lament (130 and 22) are structured in such a way as to help restore balance at a very chaotic time.

One of the major points in the book is the emphasis he places on the spiritual dimension of caring. "Clinical aspects of separation and loss are helpful for ministry, but the priority has to be spiritual development and growth through loss".

Another major thrust of his book is the emphasis in the revised ritual on the ministry and participation of the faith community.

We are all responsible for each other and that is the basis of all ministry in caring for the bereaved. Fr Curley calls on parishes to establish 'bereavement committees' as the best means to coordinate "ministries relating to separation and loss as they affect people's lives". Its purpose as a "healing vehicle" is to act as a bridge between the bereaved and the community.

A committee's effectiveness depends not only on the skills of those involved, but

The Record, Febryaa 29.1994 Page 10

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more on its willingness to be open to the healing power of the spirit.

This book would be invaluable to all those involved in Catholic outreach in the archdiocese.

Fr Curley devotes a whole chapter to the need for funeral directors and parishes to work together in a collaborative way. This calls for greater dialogue for the sake of those they serve.

He suggests that the Order of Christian Funerals is a must not only for all those involved in this ministry of consolation, but also for funeral directors.

This would leave the way open for a more flexible approach in planning funeral liturgies where the community is involved.

The final chapters of the book offer some valuable insights to parishes who feel drawn to the idea of establishing a support group for the bereaved within the parish.

He looks at some of the inner workings of support groups and the help they can give the bereaved in reorganising their often shattered world.

The chapter on the cemetery as sacred place gives ample food for thought on the sacred character of the setting and the role it plays in further orienting the bereaved in coming to terms with the reality of loss.

The intensity of the moment is captured in the new ritual and the importance of putting separation and loss in the religious meaning of hope and the communion that exists between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven.

The book ends with four appendices which offer brief liturgies and suggested prayers for services of remembering, anniversaries and services for children and a 'parish grief guide'.

This book is written in a clear, lucid and readable style and will be of immense practical value to all clergy and laity who are involved in this "life-giving ministry".

Features

Counc tomes begotten T

hree United States' veter- wrote during the council a series ans of the Second of in-depth reports from Rome Vatican Council recalled on Vatican II for New Yorker the hurly-burly of pre-council magazine, giving Americans an conflicts as Volume I of a massive intimate view of the behind-thenew History of Vatican 11 was scenes struggles that went on at unveiled last week at The Cath- the council. olic University of America.

Fr Murphy, who did not pub"It's hard to capture the dynam- licly admit his pseudonyics of the council, but this volume mous identity until the 1980s, will help," said Monsignor recounted some of the efforts by Frederick McManus, one of the his enemies during the council to few Americans to have served on expose him and destroy his key pre-council commissions as career. well as council and postThe new History of Vatican II council commissions. was begun in 1988 by an internaMonsignor George Higgins, tional team of historians and who was on the pre-council other scholars, with the goal of preparatory commission on producing, in several languages. the lay apostolate and worked as definitive a history of during the council on its docu- the council as is possible just ments on the laity and the three decades after its compleChurch in the modern world, tion. said he doubted any pope would Volume I covers the period of have the courage in the near council preparations, from future to call another council.

Pope John XXIII's surprise This was in part becau- announcement of a council on se -issues that were suppressed January 25. 1959, to the eve of its at Vatican II" - such as the role of opening on October 11, 1962. women and issues of freedom Four subsequent volumes, each within the Church - could devoted to one year of the four scarcely be set aside today. year council, are projected to be "I am Xavier Rynne," said the completed at the rate of third Vatican II veteran on the one every 12 to 18 months over panel, Redemptorist Father the next several years.

Francis Xavier Murphy.

General editor of the project is A historian and theologian, he Italian Church historian Gius-

Fr Francis Xavier Murphy eppe Alberigo of the University of Bologna.

Editor of the English edition and author of the core chapter in Volume I is Father Joseph Komonchak, professor of religious studies at Catholic University who was a student at the North American College in Rome during the council In the 528-page first volume, the main stage for understanding the dynamics of the council itself is set out in Fr Komonchak's chapter on the 1980-62 preparatory commission struggles over the council's directions.

In nearly 200 pages, the US theologian traces the behind-thescenes battles over draft texts.

On the one hand, Vatican curialists and Roman theologians sought a defensive council that would reinforce recent Church condemnations of modern errors.

On the other hand, northern European theologians and others viewed the council as an opportunity to establish a more biblically grounded, ecumenically sensitive expression of faith and Church life.

Fr Komonchak said one of the problems the consortium of scholars faced when they decided in 1988 to embark on a major new history of the council was the simple fact that only two - or now three - decades have passed since the council dosed, and this places our project in the difficult realm of almost-contemporary history."

Mgr Higgins said that after reading Volume I of the new history, he went back and reread the New Yorker essays as they later appeared in book form as "Vatican Council II." -The volumes of the reputed Xavier Rynne still stand up very well." he said.

History of Vatican 11, Vol. I. is available from Orbis Books, Dept.

V21, Box 302. Maryknoll, New York 10545-0302.

Movie Review: Dead Man Walking

Powerful death row movie a viewing must for 1996 film buffs Reviewed by Brother Luke Saker FMS Showing at the Luna Cinema, Leederville.

T

his film is based on the true story of Sister Helen Prejean a nun working with the poor at the St Thomas Housing projects in New Orleans. It is from this work that Sister Helen agrees to pen-pal a death row inmate. Matthew Poncelet.

From here, co-producer and director of the film, Tim Robbins (Shawshank Redemption), develops the film on three levels- an accomplishment worthy of an academy-award nomination for best director.

The first level develops a relationship between Sister Helen (Susan Saradon - The Client) and Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn Bad Boys).

This relationship develops from pen pal to acquaintanceship and finally to intimacy. It seems that I have to die to find love", Matthew says to Helen in one

Susan Sarandon as Sister of St Joseph Helen Prejean, right, and Sean Penn playing convicted murderer Matthew Poncelet in Dead Man Walking.

CNS photo/Gramercy Pictures

very moving scene. But, while evoking some sympathy for Matthew, Robbins never lets the audience forget that Poncelet is a convicted murderer of a teenage boy and the brutal rape and murder of the boy's girlfriend.

Helen is drawn between concern for the families of the victims and her concern for Matthew.

In truth, Matthew has very few redeeming features but this makes the relationship all the more powerful as Helen attempts to help Matthew along the road to admitting to his wrongful acts.

She attempts to help Matthew grasp the anguish of the teenagers' parents and to come to forgive himself and to seek forgiveness from God. In this developing relationship Helen does not manipulate the relationship but supports Matthew as he makes his own self-discovery.

The second level of the film develops the emotions of the families involved. The murdered teenagers' families, as well as Matthew's family. Here, Robbins

gives the audience an insight into both sides of the tragic event that will change their lives forever rarely done in films of this type.

The most powerful aspect of these relationships is the fact that all involved are victims and one's sympathy goes out to them all.

There are no winners or losers!

A fine performance is given by Roberta Maxwell (Philadelphia), Matthew's mother, and Raymond 1. Barry (Cool Runnings). as Earl Delacrobc, the father of the young man murdered.

At this level we are able to see the difficult challenge of bringing fairness, honour and voices to the families of the victims.

The third level of the film raises the question of capital punishment. Here. Robbins is brilliant in his direction - he makes no statement for or against the death penalty - he lets the audience come to their own conclusion.

We see, in a series of flashbacks the murder of the teenagers and at the conclusion of the film the death of Matthew. Both actions demanding serious thought.

This is developed further in a

powerful scene when we have Delacroix realising that the execution is not going to bring his son back: and. Mary Beth Percy (Celia Weston) out for revenge for the murder of her daughter and, in the centre, the emotional performances of Sarandon and Penn.

There are other fine performances: Robert Prosky (Mrs Doubtfire) who plays the attorney who pleads Matthew's case to the State Supreme Court, Margo Martindale (Nobody's Fool) who as Sister Colleen, gives emotional support to Sister Helen and Lois Smith (Fried Green Tomatoes) who plays Helen's mother.

Dead Man Walking has been nominated for four academy awards including best director (Robbins), best actress (Sarandon), best actor (Penn) and best original song.

If there is one film you should see in 1996, then Dead Man Walking is this film. Its message is powerful and challenging and its characters will draw on your emotions.

Called to true love

by God The Record's second installment from the Pontifical Council for the Family's recently published guidelines for sex education within the family

A

fru s the image of God, man is created for love. This th was fully revealed to us in the New Testament together with the mystery of the inner life of the Tiinity: "God is love (1 In 4:8) and in himself he lives a mystery of personal loving communion.

Creating the human race in his own image. . . . God inscribed In the humanity of man and woman the vocation, and thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion. Love Is therefore the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being." (Familiar's Consortio, 11).

The whole meaning of true freedom, and self-control which follows from it, is thus directed toward self-giving in communion and friendship with God and with others. (On the Dignity of Women, 1988) he person is thus capable of a higher kind of love than concupiscence, which only sees objects as a means to satisfy one's appetites: the person is capable rather of friendship and self-giving, with the capacity to recognise and love persons for themselves.

Like the love of God, this is a love capable of generosity.

One desires the good of the other because he or she is recognised as worthy of being loved.

This is a love which generates communion between persons, because each considers the good of the other as his or her own good.

This is a self-giving made to one who loves us, a self-giving whose inherent goodness is discovered and activated in the communion of persons and where one learns the value of loving and of being loved.

Each person is called to love as friendship and self-giving.

Each person is freed from the tendency to selfishness by the love of others, in the first place by parents or those who take their place, and definitively by God, from whom all true love proceeds and in whose love alone does man discover to what extent he is loved.

Here we find the root of the educative power of Christianity: "Humanity is loved by God! This very simple yet profound proclamation is owed to humanity by the Church."

(Christtfideles Laid, 34.)

In this way Christ has revealed his true identity to man: "Christ the new Adam, in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of his love, fully reveals man to himself and brings to light his most high calling."(Gaudium et Spes, 22) The love revealed by Christ "which the apostle Paul celebrates in the First Letter to the Corinthians . . . . is certainly a demanding love.

"But this is precisely the source of its beauty: By the very fact that ills demanding, It builds up the true good of man and allows it to radiate to others." (Gratissimam Sane,

T

14)

The Record', February 24 1996 Page 11

To Jesus through Mary. . . .

• • • a column of Marian devotion

Sister Maria Clementia of the became a major, and after the Most Sacred Heart, an Adoration defeat of 1945, he again had to Sister in the Sacred Heart enter civilian life.

Convent in Holt, Tyrol, Austria, Nevertheless he still mainhas recorded as follows the good tained all the appearance of an death of her uncle: imperial and regal officer in all George Humer left his parental his gestures, his manner of home in Innsbruck at an early speaking, and last, but not least, age in order to attend Officers' in issuing orders.

School in Vienna. This was He was very unusual and when, before World War I. after his retirement he returned His mother was a believing, to his home, it was not long Pious woman, but his father was before he had quarrelled with his a free-thinker, who did not both- whole family. er much about religion.

And so he landed in the Good He thought that was something Shepherd Old Age Home directfor women. George made his ed by the Mercy Sisters in Holl, First Communion, but after that Tyrol. he imitated his father.

He was small and thin and As an enthusiastic young officer looked sickly: besides, he he had to leave the army after the smoked 30-40 cigarettes each defeat in 1918 and so he entered day. a banking firm.

The Sisters would like to have When in 1938, Austria was gotten him in touch with a priest attached to the German Reich, he since there were several elderly went back into the Army and so clergy in the home. participated in World War II, But the Major drove all priests

out of the room with a threatening voice.

He became weaker and weaker and, when he reached his 80th year, something simply had to happen.

The Sisters invited Deacon Bernhard Praxmayer to come. He was known to deal with unusual cases.

And so it happened. The Deacon spent more than an hour with the Major during which the latter had a brilliant conversation without so much as one word of religion passing their lips.

In the Home there was a Pilgrim Virgin statue which came to visit the rooms of all the old people who wanted it.

Mother Superior told the Major that almost everybody in the house had received the Queen of Heaven into their room and asked: "Major, may the Queen come to visit you, too?" "Yes, certainly," he said. "Let the Queen

Laity key to Asia's future: cardinal

Bomber's family condemn terrorism as Irish demonstrate for peace

BANGKOK. Thailand (CNS) The Asian Church faces issues that need responses suitable to the Asian context and beyond approaches worked out in Western history.

Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu of Bangkok told Southeast Asian lay leaders.

Also addressing the first Southeast Asian regional laity meeting. Paul Mary Suvij Suvaruchiporn spoke on laity responsibilities as their countries begin to share the benefits of development Their remarks were reported

by UCA News, an Asian Church news agency based in Thailand.

Cardinal Kitbunchu and Suvaruchiporn discussed roles and responsibilities of Catholic laity at the meeting, held in Samphran, west of Bangkok, on February 5-10.

The Thai cardinal recalled the turbulent decades after World War II and how the Church in Asia was confronted with "issues,

come in!" Full of joy, the Sisters hurried to make the statue as attractive as possible because the Major was interested in grandeur.

Everybody in the home knew about it, and so there was a crowd of observers when the Blessed Mother's statue was carried with singing in procession to the Major's room.

With glowing face and bright eyes the Major observed everything carefully.

Mother Superior greeted the Blessed Mother and Queen and asked Her to elect the aged officer as one of Her bodyguards.

That struck a chord. The Queen must stay here!" the Major called out enthusiastically: "I will not allow Her to leave my room again! Everybody must come here every day! The lights must be lit and beautiful songs must be sung!"

Sometime later the Major

began to die.

They hastened to inform the Deacon, who came at once and brought into good order the differences between the Major and the Lord God by convincing him to receive a priest.

Then he received the anointing and Holy of the sick Communion, by which he edified many people who were in attendance.

Everything was done in the presence of the "Queen" while the Major kept on looking at Her. He received Holy Communion twice more.

The third day was Pentecost. At dawn he was very ill. He asked that a hymn be sung to his Queen".

Eventually he lost his speech, then consciousness, and at the singing of the Angelus, the Queen came to take this, Her trophy, home to Heaven.

From Ave Maria .Vagazine

problems and often-burning questions" of newly liberated nations.

"Historical and cultural situations developing in Asian contexts were and are markedly dif- Thousands of people march along Dublin's O'Connell Street on February 25 in a rally urging the restoration of a ferent and pose diverse chal- cease-fire and further peace talks on Northern Ireland. cayseR.ws lenges which sometimes call for deserve the peace prize for their prompted a wave of revulsion

By Paulinus Barnes new responses," the cardinal nonviolent reaction to recent and condemnation from politisaid. told Catholic cians, church leaders and ordiMANCHESTER. England (CNS) events, he Suvaruchiporn urged lay peo- - The collapse of the News Service in a telephone nary people. ple to infuse a moral ethic into Irish Republican Army cease-fire interview after the IRA began a It also evoked sympathy for the "national, commercial, social and has drawn condemnation from bombing campaign in London. family of O'Brien. individual" life.

The IRA announced on His parents said they knew Catholic leaders and prompted "Only then can we ensure a peace marches in Britain and February 9 that it was calling an nothing of his apparently secret nation, a business entity, a soci- Ireland. end to the cease-fire, which had life in the IRA. ety and a person with compasO'Brien was from Gorey.

A peace activist-priest said that held since August 1994. sion, love, justice and peace."

The announcement was fol- Ireland. In a February 22 statethe people of Northern Ireland The meeting was jointly organ- should be nominated for the lowed by a bombing in East ment Myles and Margaret ised by the Federation of Asian Nobel Peace Prize for their reac- London which killed two men.

O'Brien, condemned paramiliBishops' Conferences Office of tion.

Another bomb was defused. tary organisations.

Laity, the Thai bishops' "The O'Brien family unreThe bombings have given and a third exploded on Commission for Laity, and 25 lay courage servedly condemns all paramilieven February 18. and an organisations from Thailand.

It killed 21-year-old Ed O'Brien, tary organisations and wishes to stronger determination for peace The meeting is part of an Asian in all the people of Northern believed to have been carrying have nothing to do with bishops' effort to help lay people Ireland, said Father Dennis Faul, the explosive device for the IRA. such organisations. They do not discover ways of living their a well-known peace advocate in Dozens of other people were want any paramilitary involvevocation in the world, the family Northern Ireland. injured in the two explosions. ment in the funeral of their son." and the workplace.

The return to violence has the statement said.

The people of Northern Ireland

Billion-dollar dam pushes Indian tribal villagers off their land NEW DELHI, India (CNS) - A Catholic missionaries are multibillion-dollar power and among those helping the vilwater project on India's lagers with legal and other matNarmada River has drawn fire ters. from some of the people planThe dispossessed villagers have ners said it was designed to help. protested in the Indian capital, The project is aimed at increas- New Delhi, saying that project ing now-scarce supplies of water planners ignored the environand electricity for industry and mental and social effects of the agriculture in western India, but hydroelectric program.

It also has forced hundreds of One villager said the governtribal people off their lands, UCA ment promised his community News, an Asia church news new houses and jobs in return agency based in Thailand, for abandoning their traditional reported. lands, but instead they were Villages were submerged in the forced into a life "worse than anireservoirs behind the project mals." dams. jlkku Bhal, 33, from Gujarat, , The Record, February 29 1996 Page 12 r $1 I •

said he, his family and his aging parents had to move into a slum after being evicted from their half-acre plot.

The Narmada project comprises 30 major, 135 medium and 300 minor dams.

The river is one of several the government plans to dam in the hydroelectric development.

The federal water resources ministry said the Narmada project will irrigate nearly 5 million acres, help feed and provide drinking water to 20 million people, and generate 1 million jobs.

But Medha Patkar, head of the Save Narmada movement, said

the government is developing of the project. Sister Philomena huge dams to supply energy to Carlose, who heads a health power-hungry cities and irrigate team that assists the evicted vilwater-intensive commercial lagers, said their dispensary was crops. destroyed several times by gangs "We want development, not she believes were hired by politdestruction," she said. ical interests which support the The government said the pro- project. ject will cost about $3.7 billion, "We are harassed a lot," she but some environmentalists say said. "The press, media and the the price could be more than government have totally ignored" triple that amount. human rights.

The western Indian bishops "Woman and children are the have not taken a stand on the worst hit," she said. dam projects.

Jesuit Father Joseph Jesuit missionaries in the region Idyiakunnell said his life has have been giving legal aid to trib- been threatened and he has been al people evicted from the path physically attacked.

International News

Diplomat school teaches tricks of the trade

By John Travis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - To outsiders, it's known as a factory for clerical "Machiavellis," where a handful of select students are patiently tutored in the tricks of Vatican diplomacy.

The building itself, located just behind the Pantheon in downtown Rome, seems wrapped in deliberate anonymity.

In fact, the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy is unlike any other school in the world.

You won't find application forms at the front desk its pupils, insiders say, do not request admission; they are chosen.

The oldest diplomatic academy in existence, it is home to some 31 priests from 20 nations, the training ground for the future diplomatic corps of the Holy See. Diplomacy has been described as the art of mediating or, alternatively, as doing "the nastiest things in the nicest way."

Many believe the Vatican's diplomats are the best in the business - in part because of their absolute discretion and loyalty, in part because they benefit from a worldwide information network based on local Churches.

But nasty? Cunning? Machiavellian?

Gabriel Archbishop Colombian

Montalvo, head of the academy, shook his head and smiled during a recent interview.

"No, we don't teach tricks here. We teach papal diplomacy, diplomatic style, diplomatic history, international law and languages," he said matter-of-factly.

"For the Holy See, true diplomacy assumes that you start with the truth. The secret is to always be credible," he added.

And while discretion and subtlety in dealing with people can be diplomatic gifts, they're not things the academy has to drill into its students, he said.

If anything, they might be chosen as topics in a Sunday sermon for the residents.

Archbishop Montalvo. who sidelines as papal nuncio to the Republic of Yugoslavia. said the classes often discuss real-life diplomacy problems.

Two of the academy's main professors are the Vatican's leading China experts.

But the subject matter ranges far beyond current events.

Students study canon law or theology at other pontifical universities in the morning.

In the afternoon, they settle in for the academy's specialised seminars on such topics as writing diplomatic correspondence. Church-State relations in 18th-can-

tury France or recent developments in human rights treaties.

By the time they graduate, most know four languages fluently and are ready for their first tour of duty at a distant nunciature.

The public perception of Vatican diplomats as artists of manipulation is sometimes fuelled by episodes like that which occurred in Panama in 1989, when dictator Manuel Noriega escaped a US military dragnet by taking refuge in the papal nunciature.

The nuncio, Spanish Archbishop Jose Sebastian Laboa, talked Noriega into surrendering for eventual prosecution.

Many saw trickery at work. but Vatican Panamanian the said sources strongman was convinced not by stratagems but by long hours of deep personal reflection with the archbishop.

In the end, Noriega walked out the nundo's door carrying a Bible and a crucifix, after attending Mass. (Archbishop Laboa, by the way, was recently named representative to Moammar Gadhafi's Libya.)

The pastoral and spiritual side of a prospective diplomat is important to the academy. Archbishop Montalvo said.

That's why students participate in daily Mass, evening prayers, weekly spiritual

Palestinian bomb attacks condemned VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II condemned two deadly terrorist attacks in Israel and urged people not to lose hope in the peace process.

The Pope's words came hours after explosions ripped through a crowded commuter bus in Jerusalem and a soldiers' station near the coastal city of Ashkelon on February 25.

At least 25 were killed and dozens injured in the attacks, reportedly carried out by extremist Palestinians.

In central Jerusalem. angry Israeli demonstrators gathered at the bombing site and jeered Prime Minister Shimon Peres, calling him a "traitor" for his conwith negotiations tinued Palestinians.

Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned the attacks and said the peace process must go forward.

The Pope. speaking at an Angelus blessing from his apartment window at the Vatican, said his thoughts and prayers were

Cincinnati sisters get media-wise on image

By Carol Zimmermann

WASHINGTON (CNS) - A group of sisters in the Cincinnati area wants its members to be recognised for who they are. instead of who they aren't, for a change.

They aren't, for example. the laughable singing nuns of the movie "Sister Act." nor are they the ruler-wielding figures of days gone by.

Instead. "we're a hidden treasure in society" said Sister Mary Bookser. a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, because the stories of today's sisters are "not getting out there."

But that's all going to change. the sisters hope.

Eleven congregations from the Greater Cincinnati region have banded together to form Sisters United News to promote a positive, up-to-date image of themselves.

In mid-January the group launched a media campaign to draw attention to their efforts, which in turn are modelled on the efforts of a group of sisters from Iowa, who began a similar campaign two years ago.

The Cincinnati campaign An Israeli policeman passes the covered bodies of four bomb victims. kicked off with a major ad that with the victims and their fami- were carried out by suicide ran in Sunday newspapers lies. "I strongly condemn this bombers," who perished in the throughout Greater the new, cruel return to violence. explosions.

Cincinnati and Dayton areas.

Once again, I turn to all those Jerusalem's Latin-rite patriarThe top portion of the ad read: who believe in dialogue and ask chate also condemned the two "They're Imposters!" alongside a them not to lose hope," he said. attacks which took place. photo of two nuns in habit from a Members of the Palestinian "We condemn this act, because local production of the musical resistance movement, Hamas, as always we say that comedy revue "Nunsense." claimed responsibility for the violence creates violence," said The rest of the page was devotblasts.

Father Adib Zmoot, chancellor of ed to photos of real sisters, underneath the heading "We're they the patriarchate.

Authorities believed 'r.fo GWS/Fieuters

By John Travis

conferences and weekend parish work.

"The first quality we look for is that they be priests in the true sense of the word.

The basis of Vatican diplomacy is to have people with the best spiritual and Christian formation." he said.

That's especially true in modern diplomacy, with its emphasis on human rights and justice.

But the nunciatures are not just foreign embassies. They are also the link between the Vatican and local Church structures an ecclesial liaison role which is growing, Archbishop Montalvo said.

Like the Vatican itself. the academy's student body was once heavily Italian but now includes priests from all over the globe - places like Togo, Burma, Croatia and Costa Rica.

Has the Vatican ever considered staffing nunciatures with lay people?

Archbishop Montalvo smiled as if he'd heard the question before.

Lay people can certainly contribute to Vatican diplomacy - just look at Mary Ann Glendon, the US academic who headed the Vatican's delegation to the UN Conference on Women last year. he said.

"But priests can dedicate themselves completely to the affairs of the Holy See. They can be full-time diplomats," he said.

the Real Thing!" The six sisters highlighted included converts. women about to profess their vows, and those involved in health care, education and a justice and peace centre.

The nearly full-page advertisement definitely sparked some attention.

Some readers complained that only one of the real sisters was wearing a habit, and a letter to the editor said the sisters should lighten up and not take offense at stereotypes.

A few days before the ad ran, a sponsored sisters the media breakfast in Cincinnati. to get acquainted with local media and pass along potential story ideas.

In turn, reporters gave them some tips. such as how to best get their story ideas through to a television station or newspaper.

They were advised not to bombard reporters with faxes each week, but to give story possibilities related to something happening on a national or local level.

And so far, the media savvy seems to have paid off.

In mid- February the Cincinnati Post ran a story about a local Ursuline Sister who runs a cleaning business for single women on welfare.

A sidebar described how other local sisters were doing similar work, such as operating a pizza parlour and a catering service to teach unemployed people skills while giving them jobs.

"These are ordinary women doing something to make a difference. That's who we are," Mercy Sister Wanda Smith told CNS.

Pope urges the world not to forget the plight of the Afghan people

By John Travis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II asked Christians and the international community not to forget the "tragic" civil war in Afghanistan. where civilians have been under increasing bombardment.

The Pope made the remarks the day after the pro-Islamic Taliban rebel movement launched another rocket attack on a residential district in the Afghan capital.

Kabul.

The pontiff, speaking at the Vatican on February 25, suggested that Catholics around the world turn their attention during Lent to "the martyred population" of Afghanistan. an Islamic state with very few Christians.

He cited reports of numerous civilian casualties in recent weeks and a lack of basic necessities in the capital, which was under increasing rebel attack.

"I deeply share in the suffering of so many innocent people. I want to encourage everyone to pursue a sincere and per-

sistent dialogue and ask the international community not to forget this tragic situation." he said.

The Pope also expressed his appreciation for the international aid organisations working to help those injured or left homeless by the fighting in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has been torn by civil war since 1992, when the rebel forces that toppled the Russian-backed communist government began fighting among themselves.

Currently, Taliban controls much of the

territory in the country, and its forces were putting pressure on the capital.

The fundamentalist faction is trying to oust the government of President Berhanuddin Rabbani, a guerrilla leader who took office after the victory over Russian troops.

The United Nations has estimated that at least 25.000 people have been killed in Kabul during the civil strife.

Since 1979. some 2 million Afghans have been killed and some 6 million have been forced to leave the country The Record, February 29 1996 Page 13

International News

Fiery might preacher Reinstate Kung call yet have the last word In Brief

American synod VATICAN CITY (CNS) planning council for the special Synod of Bishops for America met at the Vatican in mid-February to discuss the synod's preparatory document.

A February 21 Vatican announcement said the synod planners held their second meeting on February 13-15 to study an outline of the preparatory document and a suggested list of questions that would be distributed to North and South American bishops, religious and Church organisations.

Convert dies NEVE SHALOM/VVAHAT ALSALAM, Israel (CNS) Dominican Father Bruno Hussar, a convert from ludaism who sought to promote peace among Jews and Palestinians, died at age 84 following a short illness.

Father Hussar was the founder of Oasis of Peace. a community designed to foster peaceful coexistence among the people of Israel. The community was built by its Muslim, Jewish and Christian members.

'Gay' marriage OTTAWA (CNS) A Canadian bishop said the government's apparent decision to exclude sexual orientation from the Canadian Human Rights Act will protect the institution of marriage.

Bishop James Wingle of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, told CNS that amending Canada's human rights code to include gay rights could extend to recognising samesex marriages.

"The bishops have no problem with protecting people with a homosexual orientation from acts of violence, but we do have a problem when gay lobby groups push for samesex marriages," he said.

Governor dies BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (CNS) Former California Governor Edmund "Pat" Brown, the head of a West Coast Catholic political family whose prominence mirrored the Kennedys on the East Coast, died on February 16 of a heart attack at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 90.

Brown was governor of California for two terms from 1959 to 1966, a period of tremendous growth for the state.

By John Travis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - On a spring day in 1498, Dominican Father Girolamo Savonarola, whose fire-and-brimstone sermons against Church corruption had exasperated the Vatican, was hanged and burned at the stake In the main square of Florence.

Five centuries later, top Vatican officials are seriously considering declaring Savonarola a saint and martyr, as a sign of what the Church calls its "examination of conscience" for the year 2000.

In early February, a Vatican report said its TheologicalHistorical Commission for the jubilee year was investigating the possible beatification of Savonarola and others who sacrificed their lives or careers in the face of Church authority.

But some historical experts are less than excited about the prospect of elevating the tempestuous preacher to the ranks of

sainthood. "I don't think every- lowing his directions. But and a rainstorm ruined the show body is enthusiastic about the Savonarola's message that the and turned the crowd surly.

They stormed the Dominican idea," said Dominican Father Church hierarchy was due for a Emilio Panella, a historian in terrible chastisement did not go convent, and the popular tide Florence. turned against Savonarola. over well in Rome.

The next month he was execut"There's no doubt that Pope Alexander VI, the infaSavonarola was an important his- mous Borgia patriarch whose ed and burned with two of his torical figure, and could symbol- papacy was anything but confreres, their ashes thrown into ise a period about which the squeaky clean, ordered him to the Arno River to prevent supChurch now recognises its errors. stop preaching, then excommuni- porters from collecting them.

But the process of canonisation is cated the Dominican in 1497.

The Vatican commission is also a different kind of judgment," he Savonarola defied the order studying the possible beatificasaid. and later wrote to European sov- tion of Bartolome de Las Cases, a He said some believe the ereigns asking them to summon Spanish Dominican missionary Church might inadvertently end a council to reform the Church In the New World who later up glorifying a dangerous type of and depose the Pope. That move became an impassioned advofundamentalism that marked In particular has bothered cate of the Indians and a harsh Savonarola's heyday.

Church historians. critic of the cruelty of the conSavonarola considered his There followed the fiasco of the quistadors. preaching "prophetic." "trial by fire," in which one of The commission is considering In sermons beginning in 1482, Savonarola's disciples accepted a a historical review of John Hus. he denounced moral corruption challenge by a rival Franciscan to the Czech reformer who was in society and in the Church, seek a divine judgment on the considered a heretic by a Church eventually gaining widespread preacher. Dominicans were to council and condemned in 1415. popularity walk through a fire in Florence's He was burned at the stake.

Churches overflowed when he main square and a "miracle" The Church's historical involvespoke, and Florence was swept would prove Savonarola right. ment with slavery and antiby an anti-vice campaign carried It was supposed to be great Semitism are also being looked out in large part by children fol- spectacle, but delays, false starts at by the commission.

Ask yourself what kind of future you really want, Pope tells Cubans

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN Cm (CNS) - With the fall of Marxist political and economic systems. the Catholics of Cuba must ask themselves what kind of a religious and political future they want. Pope john Paul II said.

"The collective systems that suffocated valid individual and group initiatives are outdated." the Pope said in a letter to a February 21-25 national meeting of Cuban Catholics.

But does that mean the only alternative is for the world to "fall under blind mechanisms of a type of heartless economic organisation that does not take into account the weakest and frustrates the aspirations of the poor?" the Pope asked.

In the letter, read on February 25 at the meeting in Havana and released on February 26 at the Vatican, the Pope urged Cubans to look toward the future with hope and with new ideas for living their faith.

"What will the world of the 21st century be like?" he said they should ask themselves.

"Will we be able to learn from the experiences of the past and build peaceful coexistence in

The Church reminds c\ eryone

Indian rites possible for Europe, US TRIVANDRUM, India (CNS) Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for Eastern-rite Churches, has indicated the possibility of future Syro-Malabar dioceses in North America and Europe.

Cardinal Silvestrini announced In Trivandrum that Pope John Paul II has decided to study the problems of Syro-Malabar Catholics on the two continents.

Syro-Malabar Bishop Joseph Pallikaparampil of Palai will visit Europe and Syro-Malabar Bishop Gregory Karotemprel of Rajkot will visit the United States and Canada to collect data and submit a report to the Vatican,

The Record, February 29 1996,ipage14

Religious views clash in Indonesia

of "the greatness and pre-eminence of human work and just J AKARTA (UCAN) - A meeting wages. In the same way. the representatives of between .Church feels an obligation to I ndonesia's five officially recogalert the consciences of those who exercise public office of nised religions showed that their great responsibilities in the progress has been made in interfields of politics and economics," religious dialogue during the past 30 years, but tensions the Pope said.

"The Church and the State have remain.

Three Jesuit priests took part in own their independent the five-way interreligious disspheres which are parallel, but cussion organised in December. not opposed to each other," he For Muslims, the need to diasaid.

"The Church and State must logue with others is asserted by serve men and women - without God's instruction to the Prophet one interfering or submitting to Mohammad to search for converF the other - in a complementary gence with the followers of the A relative of a pilot shot down by way in order to serve the com- Scriptures (Jews and Christians), the Cuban military on February 24 is according to Nurcholish Madjid, mon good." consoled by another pilot head of Wakaf Paramadina founPope John Paul said he hoped the heart of each national com- that the Catholic Church in dation.

The Western-trained Islamolomunity and among nations? Can Cuba and the island's appropriate channels be found Government could begin "an gist added that interreligious tolfor the longings for freedom of so open dialogue" that would not erance, especially that between many individuals and peoples of only help leaders of Church and Muslims and Christians, developed well before the New Order the earth?" he asked.

State outline their rights and The mission of the Church, he responsibilities, but would lead era, as the rule of Indonesian said, is to preach the Good to greater understanding and President Soeharto since 1967 is called.

News that Jesus Christ is the sav- acceptance.

Jesuit Father Ignatius iour of the world.

The February meeting in Cuba Ismartono, executive secretary of But its message also has impli- marked the 10th anniversary of cations for the way people live, an earlier national Church gath- the interreligious affairs commistreat each other and organise ering to discuss pastoral plans sion of the Indonesian bishops' conference, observed that quotathemselves. and priorities. tions from the Koran concerning interreligious dialogue are rarely heard.

"This challenges me to read our Scripture more completely," he Cardinal Silvestrini said. The car- Latin rite was introduced to India said. dinal, who visited Kerala for a by European missioners in the Not all participants, though, meeting of Indian bishops from 15th century. focused on interreligious harmoFebruary 13-21, spoke to UCA To resolve inter-rite rivalry, ny.

News.

Pope John Paul approved sepaHusein Umar, secretary general He said Latin-rite bishops in rate bishops' conferences in 1987 of Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah America and Europe have no for the three rites in India.

Indonesia (Indonesian council objection to Syro-Malabar dioceCardinal Silvestrini told the for Islamic propagation) blamed ses there.

Indian bishops that the Christians for all setbacks in The Syro-Malabar Church, Pope wants to continue to help interreligious dialogue in the which traces its origin to St Eastern Churches maintain their country.

Thomas the Apostle, has some own identity He said Christian religious 3.2 million members in 21 Indian Saying that every Catholic has a leaders obstructed implementadioceses. right "to live his rite wherever he tion of government policy against The Catholic Church in India lives," the cardinal warned that if religious propagation by any of has Latin, Syro-Malabar this does not happen, minority the five recognised religions tarand Syro-Malankara rites. will Eastern-rite Catholics geting people who have already The Malankara is the youngest become Latins "against the spirit embraced one of the other four. of 21 Eastern-rite churches. The of Vatican II." Houttsrs

TUBINGEN, Germany (CNS) - Father Hans Kung's university colleagues have asked Church officials to reinstate him as a Catholic theologian as a retirement gift.

Catholic theology Department professors voted to make the request that Father Kung be reinstated.

Swiss-born Father Kung, who plans to retire on March 19 when he turns 68 was a professor in the Catholic theology department, but in 1979 the Vatican withdrew permission for him to teach as a Catholic theologian.

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St Martha I resort to thee and to thy petition and faith. I offer up to thee this life. I shall burn a candle every Tuesday for nine Tuesdays. Comfort me in all my difficulties through the great favour thou didst enjoy when our Saviour lodged in thy house. I beseech thee to have definite pity in regard to the favour I ask (mention favour). Intercede for my family that we may always be provided for, in all our necessities. One Our Father and three Hail Mary's and a lighted candle every Tuesday for nine Tuesdays. B.C.R.

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BEREAVEMENT PLATT, Malcolm Thomas Margaret and her family would like to thank most sincerely everyone who has given us so much love and support during this time of sadness after the death of our beloved husband, dad and grandad; for your attendance at the Rosary, Funeral Mass and cremation and for your many expressions of sympathy. with prayers, cards, letters, flowers. phone calls, visits and Mass offerings. Our special thanks to Fathers Frank Shiartis and for their Jerome Watt administering to Malcolm during the many months of his sickness. It was of great comfort to him. Also Father John Ryan.

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church The ordination of deacons - "in order to serve" 1589 "At a lower level of the

hierarchy are to be found deacons, who receive the imposition of hands 'not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry."' At an ordination to the diaconate only the bishop lays hands on the candidate, thus signifying the deacon's special

attachment to the bishop in the tasks of his "diakonia."

1570 Deacons share in Christ's

mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ("character") which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of al1.56 Among other tasks, it is the task of deacons

to assist the bishop and priests Council the Latin Church has men who carry out a truly diain the celebration of the divine restored the diaconate "as a conal ministry in the Church, mysteries, above all the proper and permanent rank of whether in its liturgical and Eucharist, in the distribution of the hierarchy while the pastoral life or whether in its Holy Communion, in assisting Churches of the East had social and charitable works, at and blessing marriages, in always maintained it. should "be strengthened by the the proclamation of the Gospel imposition of hands which has and preaching, in presiding This permanent diaconate, come down from the apostles. over funerals, and in dedicating which can be conferred on They would be more closely themselves to the various min- married men, constitutes an bound to the altar and their istries of charity. important enrichment for the ministry would be made more Church's mission. Indeed il ls fruitful through the sacra men1571 Since the Second Vatican appropriate and useful that tal grace of the diaconate."

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BETHEL PRAYER MEETINGS K evin Horgan, Bethel's Head Coordinator will give the 2nd talk of a two part series of stimulating talks on Brotherhood and its role in Christian Development, at the Bethel Friday Night Charismatic Prayer Meeting on March 8 at 8pm at the Bethel Centre, 236 Railway Parade Leederville (opp.

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BETHEL LADIES WEDNESDAY PRAYER MEETING Features charismatic praise and song and sharing ministry (followed by a cup of tea) is also held at the Bethel Centre (see address above). It starts each Wednesday morning at 10am.

A ll ladies welcome. Enquiries 388 1333.

CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS -Always be prepared to make a defence to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you (I Peter 3:15) Are you prepared to explain to anyone who asks - non-believer, Protestant or disillusioned Catholic - WHY you blieve WHAT you believe? This introductory series of seminars on Catholics apologetics will help equip you with some of the answers and show you how to defend Catholic beliefs in a reasonable, convincing way. Explaining why we believe also helps our own understanding of our faith to grow. Thomas More Centre Seminiars give plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion with others who are excited about their Catholic faith.

AUSTRALIAN-IRISH HERITAGE ASSOCIATION On 7 March the Australian-Irish Heritage Association has arranged a free public lecture on the Great Hunger of the 1840's Irish Famine by Luke Todd, Director of the Irish Famine Museum at the beginning of lecture tour of Australia. The talk will be held in the State Library Theatre, Alexander Library Building, Francis Street. It begins at 6 o'clock and all are welcome to attend. Further information from Joe Crozier, Tel. 274 9293. fax 274 9280.

March 3 How do we know God exists? Part 1 March 17 How do we know God exists? Part 2 March 31 11 God exists why do evil things happen?

April 14 If God is love can hell be real?

April 28 Can we trust the Gospels?

May 12 Who is Jesus Christ?

May 26 Did Jesus rise from the dead?

June 9 Was the Cahtolic Church founded by Christ?

June 23 Are Catholics right about Mary?

July 7 Are Catholics right about the Mass?

ALAIN RICHARD OFM, VISIT TO PERTH. MARCH 1996 Alain Richard OFM, a French born worker-priest will be visiting Perth as part of his Australian tour. Alain, from the Franciscan Centre for Nonviolence in Las Vegas, has been involved in many parts of the world in non-violent action for social and cultural change.

Wed. 6 March: Spirituality of Nonviolence, 530-8.30pm. Thurs.

7 March: Why teach Peace and Justice, 4.00-7.00pm. Friday 8 March: Personal Conversion and Social Conversion.., a critical issue facing our Churches, 7.009.30pm. Sat. 9 - Sunday 10 March: The Spirituality and Practice of Christian Nonviolence. 10.00am-4.30pm.

Tues. 12 - Friday 15 March: The Spiritual Journey of Nonviolent Action, a residential retreat, Gidgegannup. Bookings and further details from Christian Centre for Social Action, tel/fax 381 2474.

All seminars will be held at 7.30pm on Sunday evenings at St Mary's Parish Centre, 20 Franklin St. Leederville.

I f you are Spiritual or a Churchgoer and wouldlike improvedspiritual.life,I advise you to get in touch with St. Francis Secular Order, 'Victoria Park (especially if you five South of the river).

EMMANUEL CENTRE GARAGE SALE will be held Sunday 31 March 1996, 9am-2pm at Emmanuel Centre, 25 Windsor St, East Perth. Donation of goods for this sale can be dropped off at the Centre and will be appreciated.

So start cleaning out now all those things that you have not used for the last twelve months.

Further information contact Anne on 328 8113 before 4pm.

We meet every 3rdSunday of the month at 3pm at Marie Isaiah Pface, backof St. loachims Church, (Victoria Park, Phone 361 5060 Doug Williams

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DISCIPLES YOUTH MISSION TEAM Young Christian missionary workers, seeking employment for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Qualifications include (3 women): Admin/clerical, sales and marketing, child care, food and beverage staff, customer service. (1 man) Cabinet making/handyman. Available for any type of work. Please phone 341 8506 or 341 3392.

Venue: ORANA PRIMARY SCHOOL

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RECONCILIATION An evening of information and formation on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, presented by Fr Vincent.

7 March, 7.30-9.30pm, Woodvale Parish Centre, 29 Duffy Terrace, Woodvale or Thursday 21 March, 7.30-9.30pm Leederville Parish Centre, 40 Franklin Street, Leederville. Cost S5 donation.

For further information and registration please contact the Archdiocesan Liturgy Office, phone (09) 221 1548.

C ATECHISM STUDY GROUP Have the New Catechism explained in detail by Fr Walter Black and Fr Thomas Grant.

Amaze your friends, impress your children and astonish your neighbours.

The Catechism Study Group begins on Monday 4 March, at 7.30pm at the Bioethics Centre, 39 Jugan St. Glendalough.

Refreshments will be provided.

Free, friendly and open to people of all abilities. Enquiries: Jenny 447 4631.

ST JOSEPH'S PAST PUPILS' ASSOCIATION The Annual General Meeting of past Pupils and Friends of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred heart will be held on Sunday, 10 March 1996 at 8.00pm at St Joseph's Convent, York St, South Perth. All former students and friends will be most welcome.

SECULAR ORDER OF ST FRANCIS An open day is to be held at Mercedes Conference Centre (parking through Victoria Ave entrance) on Sunday 24 March 1996 from 12-2pm. Everyone interested in following the spiritual guidance of St Francis is invited to attend. For further details ring Pat on 349 1474.

JAPANESE STUDENTS The Australian Institute of International Understanding is currently seeking host families on a voluntary basis for Japanese students arriving on 23 March until 5 April 1966. The students will be based at the Christian Brothers College, Fremantle, where they will have a planned school programme and itinerary commencing at approx 8.30am until 3.30pm during the day.

If you would like the opportunity of learning more about Japanese customs and lifestyles by welcoming a student into your home for a short term please call me. Mrs Lesley Fleming, 332 8294, group coordinator.

GROWTH SEMINAR Philip Kok returns to conduct a Growth Seminar (12-14 April 1996) at Orana Primary School Hall, Willetton, as a follow-up to a very successful Life in the Spirit Seminar last year. For info contact registration and Michelle Ricketts (Tel. 414 1260).

Don't miss this great opportunity to experience a great speaker.

CATHOLIC SOLO PARENTS parents of Catholic solo Australia are holding March 8 as a National Day of Prayer. The Paulian Association will celebrate a Mass and ask all who cannot join us to pray for solo parents and their children on this day.

Call Lorraine Williams BA (History), on 364 2617 for a free pm-interview meeting. oP

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Group Departure 12 June 1996 Father Sam Rodomonti is proud to invite you to visit the Holy Land and to be a part of the Blessing by the Holy Father in the Nerve room at St Peter's.

Inclusions • 4 nights in Jerusalem • 3 nights in Rome • Visits at Bethlehem, Nazareth.

Jericho, Tel Aviv, Rome and many more.

• Breakfast and Dinner daily • Deluxe Coach Bus throughout • English/Italian speaking Guide • Extra Flights to Europe avail able Ticket valid for one year For further information please contact

Rispoli World Travel Service at 328 5200. Level 2, 109 James Street, Northbridge WA 6000 Licence No. 9TA00169 170

YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT PRINCIPALS MICHAEL QUIN & KAREENA BALLARD PROPERTY SALES - RENTALS - STRATA MANAGERS

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SERVING ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS — OFFICE 272 8411 — Mobile: 018 955 332 (Res): 375 3116 Pager: 483 6551

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The Record, February 29 1996 Page 16