The Record Newspaper 04 April 1996

Alleluia! The Lord has risen as he promised PERTH, WA: April 4,1996

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From the crucifixion and death of our saviour Jesus Christ new life has sprung . . . . The staff of the Record wish all our readers and contributors and their families a holy and happy Easter.

Pope's letter on religious life - Pages 3, 9

Shout for joy for the whole world to hear

F

4 aster was not simply a

private Christian Feast celebrated within the Christian family, but a shout of joy for all the world to hear, Archbishop Barry Hickey has said in his pastoral message for

Easter 1996.

Easter was a burst of light that followed the darkness of Good Friday, a sound of a trumpet suffering to announcing humanity that defeat had been turned into victory, that despair had been turned into hope, that sorrow had been turned into joy. he said.

"Easter is the public proclamation of the Good News . . . . In the resurrection of Jesus we have an understanding of life and death that would otherwise be closed to us forever," he said.

"We understand that God is the author of life and death and that the fullness of life can only be attained in unison with God." Archbishop Hickey pointed out that Easter was a sign of hope for the world and it was for those who accept Jesus as Lord to speak with the voice of hope for the world.

"We see so much evil in wars, hunger, the death of innocent children, the desperate lives of people crushed by the cruelty of others . . . . Never lose faith in the goodness of God nor in the divine purpose that surrounds our lives.

"We are in God's hands at all times.

"As Jesus entrusted his spirit to his Father in utter self-abandonment, so we Christians must try to do likewise and never fear."

- Full text- Page 7 Bishop Bianchini and Bishop Healy's Easter messages Page 2

Above left Nary stands at the bet of the cross in this stained glass depiction of the cryclfbdon at Sacred Newt Church in Peetz, Colorado. The window was created by artist Brad Sara CNS James Baca

Bishops' Easter messages

Don't give up when the trials come W

Bishop Bianchini of Geraldton

hat we celebrate at Easter is not the Resurrection of Jesus in isolation, but the Passover of Jesus - Jesus passing from death to life.

At the same time we celebrate all those times when we, and so many, have passed, with Jesus, from death to life in a variety of ways.

Over Lent this year we all were nourished with the rich Word of God in our Sunday Gospels.

We have reflected on the Transfiguration of Jesus, the woman at the well, the cure of the man born blind and the raising of

Lazarus from the tomb. The Gospel of Lazarus and the Transfiguration may seem to be the only Resurrection Gospels.

The other two are very much Resurrection or Passover events also. The woman at the well, from the confusion of her life, through the life-giving love, acceptance and healing of Jesus, comes to peace.

The blind man passes from physical blindness to sight and then on to something much greater, the gift of Faith in Jesus.

This leads us to look at examples of Easter and Passover in our own lives: from sin to forgiveness and

peace; from arguments, misunderstandings and hurts, to reconciliation; from illness to health; from problems to solutions; from hate to forgiveness; from doubt and not understanding, to faith; from discouragement to hope, etc.

Jesus is in all these happenings and in every part of our lives.

When in the present or in the future a calamity or something unexpected happens, because of the Passover of Jesus and the many Passovers in our lives, we look again to see where this will lead.

We ask what life this will lead to and what good the Lord will bring from it.

We are very mindful of the fact that our Risen Lord has said to us "and know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.

(Matthew 28:20).

The Word of the Lord also encourages us in St Paul's letter to the Romans: We know that by turning everything to their good, God cooperates with all those who love Him." (Romans 8:28) So don't give up when trials come.

There is always a pattern. The difficulty may be new but the same pattern is there. In other words, the Passover of Jesus and the way he has worked already in our lives will happen again.

We are filled with hope. We will pass through this to Life. We go to Jesus in prayer, in the Liturgy (Eucharist, Sacraments, Easter ceremonies), in those around us who help us.

In these places, celebrations and people, we meet Christ bringing forth in us his Life and goodness.

The more the Passover of Jesus is evident in our lives, the more we will help others to appreciate it.

Also any way in which we help people come, through grief, suffering and difficulty, (whatever contribution we make - be it big or small), we work with Jesus in bringing people from death to Life.

May you keep experiencing more richly this Easter, the Passover of Jesus in your life. May you also he with Jesus, the instrument of others experiencing again and again that Passover.

Relive 'the greatest story'

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 M the fight against poverty.

Imagine what you and Project Compassion can do.

Project Compassion — Giving hope

MIMI NM 1111•111

Australian Catholic Relief, GPO Box 9830 in your state capital city I'd like to help and enclose my donation $ _ Please debit my

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„ peoples have stories to explain their identity and origin. To us in Australia this is especially evident in the case of the Aboriginal people.

Their stories of the dreamtime give not only some sense of their origin but also of their history over the centuries and the millenniums.

To the Aboriginal people, these stories are sacred and inspiring and therefore to be treated with great respect. They enable them to live their lives with dignity.

We are about to celebrate the Easter Triduum. Some thirty years ago or more, the celebration was changed, not so much changed as restored to its ancient form.

Catholics need to reflect on the celebration as we have it in order to appreciate what it should really mean to us. Each of the three days has its own significance but taken together they retell the story of our origin, as Christians.

The Mass plays a major part in the lives of us all and on Holy Thursday, we are able to relive the beginnings of the Mass.

All those who bear the name Christian are aware of the history of the death and resurrection of Jesus and of the benefits that we have received as a result.

On Good Friday we have the opportunity of renewing our acquaintance with these events and these truths of our Faith.

But it is the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday above all that takes us back over thousands of years to revisit the sacred places and persons involved in our story.

Clearly the focus is on the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead as the high point of the history of our salvation, but in order that we may appreciate the Resurrection, the history of the

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Robed Mealy

dealings of God with our people is presented.

There is the Creation of the world and especially the creation of Adam and Eve. There is the call of Abraham, the vocation of Moses. the sending of the Prophets Isaiah, Baruch. Ezechiel, to maintain contact between God and our forefathers in faith until the coming of Jesus Himself, His life, His death and His Resurrection.

The focus is clearly on the benefits for us of the work of Jesus for our salvation in the baptising of those to receive the Sacrament, children or adults, and of course in the celebration of the Sacrifice of the Eucharist.

In our times there has been a renewal of interest in family origins.

People go back to Ireland or Italy or wherever to discover their roots.

I don't think it is too much to hope that that enthusiasm for the past might spill over to include the story of our origins as the Christian people. Many people have travelled to the Holy Land with that purpose in mind but we can't all do that and we can't do it every year. Instead we can make the Easter Triduum an opportunity to renew contact with what an eminent writer termed am Stations followed the greatest story ever told". I am sure it will by confession. enable us to approach 2pm Services. the Easter Triduum Catholic Agricultural College with fervour and enthusiasm. May this Great Northern Highway Easter enable all of us Bindoon. to revive our faith in God and His Son Jesus Bring your own lunch.

Christ.

9oocigriolay 33incioon 11

Involve religious women more in decisions: Pope

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope John Paul II has called for greater involvement of religious women in decisionmaking in the Church, greater respect for religious brothers and a careful examination of new religious communities in a document responding to a 1994 synod on religious life.

In addition to responding to specific suggestions made by the synod bishops, the document included long meditations on the importance of consecrated life within the Church Pope John Paul II and the power of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience Ing room for ‘vomen to particito challenge modern forms of pate in different fields and at all levels, including decision-makselfishness and materialism. ing processes, above all in matThe Pope's 208-page apostolic ters which concern women exhortation in response to themselves." he said. the world Synod of Bishops on The Pope encouraged greater consecrated life was released on esteem for another group March 28 at the Vatican. often described by synod memOf the Catholic Church's esti- bers as having second-class stamated one million consecrat- tus: religious brothers. ed members, almost two-thirds But he said the synod's suggesare women, a fact underlying tion that they be allowed to many parts of the new document. hold leadership positions in "To consecrated women and orders that include priests their extraordinary capacity required further study. for dedication. I once again Responding to a suggestion express the gratitude and admi- made by some of the bishops at ration of the whole Church.- the the synod. the Pope "strongly" Pope wrote. recommended that men and He said the Church and society women religious "wear their could not deny that the equality proper habit. suitably adapted to and rights of women were still the conditions of time and place." not fully recognized and their Those orders that traditionally gifts had not been fully accepted. have had no habit or whose con"It is therefore urgently neces- stitutions now do not require sary to take certain con- habits "should ensure that crete steps. beginning by prmid- the dress of their members corre-

sponds in dignity and simplicity to the nature of their vocation," Pope John Paul wrote.

New forms of consecrated life especially communities with a mixed membership of men and women, single and married people - won some praise, but much caution at the synod and in the Pope's new document.

The Pope said the Holy Spirit had inspired different forms of consecrated life at different times in the Church's history to respond to new needs within the Church and in the world.

"It on the one hand, there is reason to rejoice at the Holy Spirit's action, there is, on the other, a need for discernment regarding these charisms." the Pope wrote.

As had always been the case with new religious communities, "bishops should examine the witness of life and the orthodoxy of the founders of such communities, their spirituality, the ecclesial awareness shown in carrying out their mission, the methods of formation and the manner of incorporation into the community." he said.

Pope John Paul said he would establish a Vatican commission to study questions related to new forms of consecrated life "to determine criteria of authenticity which will help discernment and decision-making."

Another concern of bishops at the synod was the tensions that sometimes existed between the pastoral activity and priorities of a diocese and the activities that religious intend to carry out in the same territory.

Continued on Page 8 Analysis, WA reaction - Page 8

Historic Catholic teacher rally draws crowd of 700

By Peter Rosengren One of the biggest union rallies of teachers in Catholic schools to be seen in years met at Langley Park on Sunday afternoon to consider resolutions regarding their salary claim and to accept a five per cent pay rise from their employers.

The teachers have been negotiating with Catholic schools employers in enterprise bargaining discussions for the last several months over an increase in wages and have been campaigning to maintain their S1300 lead over their counterparts in the public sector.

Independent Schools Salaried Officers' Association secretary Ivan Sands said nearly 700 teachers were present for the meeting, which considered a resolution put forward by the independent chairperson of the negotiating union-employer committee, Sally Vanetti.

Mr Sands said Ms Vanetti had consulted with both parties late last week before seeking a compromise solution..

He said the teachers unanimously agreed to a five per cent rise in salaries effective from April 1 with further negotiations to commence in October.

Mr Sands said the motion had been agreeable to both teachers and employers, and teachers had accepted it unanimously.

He said that October's negotiations would discuss any differences between Catholic and public sector school teachers' salaries that remained.

Following the rally, teachers marched to St Mary's Cathedral where they presented Catholic Education Commission chairman. Bishop Robert Healy, and Catholic Education Office director, Therese Temby, with a petition.

The teachers have also agreed to establishing a consultative group between the union and employers as part of the resolution formulated by Ms Vanetti, he said.

He said Mrs Temby had confirmed that the employers' had accepted the resolution and that he was expecting an exchange of documents between the CEO and the union to confirm the agreement.

Mr Sands said that in light of the agreement there would he no further negotiations on salaries until October this year.

"That's the time frame in which the CEO said they would have a better idea of the funding (available) for 1997,- he said.

New education magazine The Catholic Education Office has just published a new eightpage magazine called Our Schools to help parents know what is happening in Catholic education.

The director of Catholic Education. Mrs Therese Temby, said this week the magazine was designed to give parents "stories, news and practical information that you will find of help in assisting with the education and development of your children".

Mrs Temby said the teaching of the Church was that Catholic education was a partnership in

which parents had the prime responsibility and the magazine was a practical way in which Catholic education sought to implement this teaching.

The magazine will be published three times year. There are more than 39.500 families with children at Catholic schools and colleges in Western Australia and enough copies have been printed for distribution to all those families.

Brian Coyne. CEO media officer, said the new publication would also contain news of achievements by individual students and particular schools.

W OULD YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE T ALKING TO A FEMALE FUNERAL DIRECTOR?

Many people, male or female, may prefer the idea of a woman helping with the arrangements during what is surely the most emotional time any person will have to endure in their life.

It seems that a lot of us feel more at ease expressing our feelings with a woman, and being able to release these emotions is a vital part of progressing through the grieving process.

For this reason, Bowra & O'Dea opened Leanne O'Dea Funeral Directors, a division staffed entirely by women. e a nne

Leanne O'Dea Funeral Directors are quite different in their approach. You'll find we offer a much softer alternative to traditional funerals.

Like our parent company, we take great pride in our professionalism and reputation for genuine care.

We are also active members of the Australian Funeral Directors Association.

If you would like know more about this welcome alternative, please call in to our office at '231 Grand Promenade, Dianella or phone Leanne on 371 1155.

0' D LA

F uNFRAL DIRE( T

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The Record, April 4 1996 Page 3

Youth rallies set to take off 'big'

The huge crowd were captivated by the evening

Photo $ courtesy Chris PanSh

Alyson Chalon and Amanda Powell lead the Choir in song and action

After a break of over three years the Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry launched its new series of Youth Rallies.

The first, held at Sacred Heart College in Sorrento, was attended by people of all ages who had travelled by bus from as far away as Manjimup and Bunbury.

Entitled "Eye of the Tiger", the Rally was presented by the Performing Arts Ministry of Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

"One of the challenges the Church faces today, is reaching out and attracting young people and touching their lives in a meaningful and lasting manner which they can connect with", commented Bruce Downes.

Director of the Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry, after the Rally on Saturday night.

"Experience has shown us that this type of event is an excellent way to gain the attention of young Catholic people", he said.

We are all aware that many young people do not see how or where the Church fits into their lives, the Youth Rallies project a strong, positive. Christian message while advertising other types of activities on offer to young people in the Church.

The Rally, which has been in the planning process since October last year when the

In search of love, first seek God

Catholic Youth Information Centre

EAGLE'S NEST

The theme for the 1996 celebration of World Youth Day is VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In "Lord, to whom would we go? their continuing quest to love You have the words of eternal and be loved, young people life."

The Roman youths' evening must base their actions and attitudes first of all on a love of God, with their bishop, Pope John Paul. was an extravaganza of Pope John Paul II said.

"Everyone searches for love, a talks, songs and dance illustratbeautiful love," the Pope told ing the search for Christ in every life. thousands of Roman young peo- aspect of "Who can you go to, young ple gathered at the Vatican in people in search of happiness, preparation for the celebration of World Youth Day on Palm joy, beauty, honesty, purity or, in just a word, in search of love?"

Sunday, March 31. the Pope asked.

"Even when human loves gives Many young people, he said, into weakness, one continues to follow "false teachers" or those seek a beautiful and pure love," who say onl, what they think the Pope said. young peopl- want to hear.

"But in the end you know very Young people can get sidewell that no one but God can tracked by "money, success, give you such a love." careers, morally unrestrained In following Christ, he said on sex, drugs, believing that the March 28, young people will dis- 'here and now' is the only thing cover how much God loves them that counts and that life should and the ways in which he wants focus on what one wants today without taking into account the them to love others.

By Cindy Wooden

14th 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 iiilablp Dates for Eagle's Nest.

April 8-11, 15-19, 22-26 May 1-2, 6-8, 13-17, 20-23, 27-30 June 3-4, 15-16, 17-20, 24-27 July 1-2. 15-19, 20-21, 22-25. 29-31.

Aug. 5-9, 12-15, 19-22, 24-25, 26-29 Sept 2-6, 7-8, 9-12, 16-1Z 23-27, 28-29, 30 Oct. 1-4, 7-11, 12-13, 14-18. 2-2 ,2P-31 Nov. 1, 2-3, 4-7, 9-10, 11-15. 16-17, 18-22, 2: • 24.

25-29 Dec. 2-6, 9-13, 14-15, 16-20, 21-22, 28-29, 7..1-'11.

For bookings and enquiries, phone Eagle's N. t direct on 574 7030

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Performing Arts Ministry was formed, consisted of music from the Rally Band, Drama from the Dramatic Arts Team and a talk centred around the theme of the Rally.

The Rally Band performed current popular songs such a Bamba' and 'Shout' as well as those from the Annual Youth Convention held earlier this year.

Lead Singer Lorenzo Martinez had the audience jumping as he launched into the song Zeal written by fellow band member Dino Tandy.

Bruce Downes presented the Eye of Tiger main address titled, "Attitudes can affect our future".

The presentation consisted of many serious and humourous real life stories.

The next Youth Rally 'Turn the Beat Around", will be held on May 25 at a venue still to be announced.

Bruce said that for the first time future Youth Rallies will be advertised on television in the week preceding the rally.

Last Saturday night's rally was videoed so that both the commercial and a .ten minute promotional video could be made.

Sponsors Chicken Treat and Challenge Bank will be a new addition to future events being held.

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fact that an eternal future exists," the Pope said. Others want easy answers and security, looking for them in sects, magic or "in other religious paths which lead people to turn in on themselves rather than to open themselves to God," he said.

But in all of those cases, he said, young people will remain disappointed because "if one does not find God, they miss the answer to the truest and deepest desires of the human heart, and life becomes full of compromises and interior tensions."

The Pope told the teenagers and young adults that they must be the first to witness the truth of God's love to their peers.

"Do not remain closed within your own groups." he said. "Be missionaries to savour the beauty of the Gospel, which still today is able to convert hearts, change the world and give everyone a reason for living and hoping."

Date: Friday 12 April. Time: 8pm-11.30pm (please note the change to return time as no supervision will be provided on the jetty after this time) Venue: Barrack St Jetty Tickets available from the YCS office: 459 Hay St. Perth Cost: $10 Tickets will be $15 if purchased between 8-12 April Phone: 325 7208 after 6.30pm (And after 28 March): 249 6963 or 041 147 7840 Carla Lynx No alcohol or drugs allowed and we reserve the right to scrutinise people and bags. We also reserve the right to turn away patrons who (I() not abide 1w the above rules. "l'his cruise will he strictly supervised to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all.

c12>< Jesus, Light of the World

Seer speaks in Cathedral

By Colleen McGuinness-Howard Mary, the Mother of God, was calling humanity urgently to peace, conversion, prayer, penance, fasting, and a deep. strong faith, love and hope.

Medjugorje seer Ivan Dragicevic told a packed St Mary's Cathedral congregation last week.

Mr Dragicevic, one of four of the original six Medjugorje seers from Bosnia-Hercegovina who still has visions and conversations of Mary, urged all people to answer her pleas, and listen to her important messages to build a better world.

"And the best person to help us with that is our mother - Our Lady - who tells us that this life is but passing and transitory.

So many are preoccupied with passing material things. he told the capacity congregation.

"And where is God in them?" he asked: "where is God in our fives?"

Make a commitment to become much better, he invited. -beginning tonight and be determined to have peace. in our hearts and thus in the world.

-Let us make a decision to be good and to decide to stand for God! Mr Dragicevic is one of four Medjugorje seers who allegedly see Our Lady each evening at 6.40 pm. no matter where they are.

Thus, he prepared himself in a room behind the sanctuary of St Mary's Cathedral just before 6.40pm as usual for Our Lady's visit, by praying the rosary with several other people.

The alleged vision took place at

she talks to me and I speak to her."

And whenever she leaves, she goes with the light and the sign of the cross with the farewell: "Go in peace. my dear children."

Later in his homily at Mass.

Archbishop Barry Hickey said that "we rejoice in the great gift of Mary. the Mother of God." and noted the fruits from strong Marian devotion manifested during meetings -such as this", and at the great Marian shrines such and as Lourdes. Fatima.

Medjugorje.

He said he discovered the same phenomena occurring everywhere in such places. and the same spirituality normally associated with a conversion of hearts, "where the love for Mary is strong. and her call for us to follow her Son is strong.

"This radical conversion of heart was needed through God's grace to change the ruthless, the wealth and power oriented, and physical and sexual abusers of children of this world."

People needed to ask God through prayer to Mary. to touch their hearts so they will see a better way. Archbishop Hickey said. with the peace and love which flows through from this great act of conversion.

Lay Catholics also needed to their hearts anew to the open week. last Cathedral Mary's St Ivan Dragicevic speaking at richness of the sacraments, as did thoughts and needs to her, your religious whose initial fervour 6.40pm and lasted nine minutes.

"Her first greeting is 'Praise be families, and particularly those may have grown cold and who to Jesus, my dear children' and who especially prayed to her." he needed to have it ignited again. he went on to say. tonight (Thursday, March 28. revealed.

"And we priests, may need to He said he prayed the Our Mr happy." came 1996).

Dragicevic told the congregation. Father and Glory Be with Our ask ourselves if we have retained "She prayed over all of us and Lady for the conversion of sin- that zeal which was ours when the oil was fresh on our hands. prays for each and everyone of ners.

"The meeting with Our Lady is and whether we've become busiUS. "After that I put forth your always a wonderful conversation: nessmen. builders, managers.

and organisers instead of spreading the Good News.

If so. we too need to be open to this conversion."

Mr Dragicevic, who'd earlier spoken to Aranmore Catholic College students, recalled how for the first time on June 24. 1981. he'd seen the face of Our Lady on the hill just outside his village of Medjugorje.

Since then. 2(X) million pilgrims throughout the world have gone to Medjugorje, and he and three other seers apparently continue to see Our Lady every evening at 6.40 pm: the other two children to whom Our Lady also appeared, saw her nightly until they received the ten promised secrets which will be given to each seer.

These two now see her on an occasional basis.

Mr Dragicevic and the other three seers have received nine secrets each to date.

Conceding that no words could illustrate her beauty. or ear imagine her voice. Mr Dragicevic described Our Lady in general as having black hair, blue eyes, rosy cheeks. and wearing a crown of stars, a white veil and a grey dress.

He said she comes on a cloud and is as real as any person: that he can touch her, and adds that after the almost 15 years he has been seeing her nightly. -I am much more comfortable in speaking to her, than with you."

She comes to wake us up from the religious coma some of us are in. he stated. because "although many Christians say they believe - they have left prayer behind and also the spiritual life, and may already be spiritually dead."

When time stood still for nine minutes and something beautiful happened

T

he room behind St Mary's Cathedral sanctuary, was fairly small, and the few people kneeling or sitting intoned the ten decades of the rosary.

There was a hushed awe and sense of expectancy as the time ticked away until 6.40 pm approached.

At that. Ivan Dragicevic, the seer from Medjugorje, quietly arose and knelt at the prie dieu facing the statue of Our Lady adorned with flowers.

Exactly on time. Our Lady came to her disciple. as she allegedly has done every night since June 24. 1981. not to the sight

of those watching and praying but to the vision of Ivan. With his eyes fixed ahead.

Ivan engaged in a silent conversation with his lips and larynx moving and his head occasionally nodding as though in agreement with something said.

No sound emerged, until approximately half way through he prayed softly in Croatian for the conversion of the world "with Our Lady, who asked me to join with her," he later told the cathedral assembly.

(During apparitions associated with Medjugorje. the conversations of the four remaining seers who claim to see Our Lady on a nightly basis, are always silent,

Prison braille Catechism for the blind an Aussie first ADELAIDE. (CNS) - A long-term prisoner in South Australia has transcribed the Catechism of the Catholic Church into Braille.

"I did it mainly for my own selfrehabilitation, because in prison, you have to improve yourself as much as possible,- said the prisoner, who asked to be identified only as Les. The Catechism takes up 15 volumes of Braille. The Royal Society for the Blind in Adelaide, which helped with the transcription, holds the master copy on computer disk.

Les spent a year teaching himself Braille - for months working 14 hours a day. seven days a week before being asked to transcribe the catechism.

"You have to learn the Braille code through the Royal Society for the Blind in Sydney." he said. "There are tests and exams they give you

before you can do anything else. Its not easy."

He admitted there were some difficult theological words in the catechism. but added. "Nothing is impossible.'

"Everything that is written in (the catechism) is codable by Braille.

You have to do it letter for letter, as it is. You have to follow strict copyright law: everything's got to be done exactly,- he said.

While prison authorities gave support to the project. Les said he did not talk much about it.

I don't make it very well known in here: I just do my own thing.

Even some of the officers in here don't know exactly what it is."

In the United States, the Xavier Society for the Blind produced Braille, large-print and audiotape versions of the catechism for the visually impaired.

except for prayers with Our Lady which are audible). He also offered up those who'd come to the cathedral that night and all their intentions.

Again the inaudible conversation continued.

At the end of this incredible nine minutes. wherein time seemed to stand still with the hushed few continuing to pray in total silence. "Our Lady left as always with a blessing and the sign of the Cross," and vanished from Ivan until an expected rendezvous the next evening.

As the people filed out, the expressions on their faces signified something extra-

MEDJUGORJE Message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace, given to Marija, on March 25th, 1996 "Dear Children!

I invite you to decide again to love God above

all else. In this time when due to the spirit of consumerism one forgets what it means to love and to cherish true values.

I invite you again, little children, to put God in the first place in your life. Do not let Satan attract you through material things. but, little children, decide for God who is freedom and love.

Choose life and not death of the soul, little children, and in this time when you meditate upon the suffering and death of Jesus I invite you to decide for life which blossomed through the Resurrection, and that your life may be renewed today through conversion that shall lead you to eternal life.

Thank you for having responded to my call."

(It is acte•pted the final authority n•ganling apparitions of Our I.ad% at Mecliiiwrje rests with the Holy SPI, of Rome)

ordinary had taken place which although they hadn't seen it. was unavoidably felt.

For my part, words are superfluous and inadequate to describe the privilege, the honour, the magnitude of that incredible witnessing and taking part.

Regardless of whether people do or don't believe in the apparitions and the seers' (four of them now) nightly visits from Our Lady. nobody could deny the tremendous 'presence' of that night in the apparition room, or not be moved by the innate belief that something indeed of great spiritual magnitude and time stood still for nine amazing moments.

INT ERCE550R5

FLAME MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAI

SCHOOL This seminar is presented for anyone interested in the ministry of Intercessory Prayer and Spiritual Warfare.

7.30pm Tuesday April 2nd & weekly to Tuesday May 28th Aranmore College Hall Cnr. Oxford St, and Franklin St, Leederville.

Cost: Weekly Teaching Notes $3 per week plus a Love Offering to support the work of FMI. Speaker - Catholic Evangelist,

Guy Sutton-Mattocks FMI

Contact Guy on 382 3668 Flame Ministries international The Record, April 4 1996 Page 5

eritage listing for Palace The Archbishop's Palace in Victoria Square, which houses the Perth Archdiocesan offices and the cathedral presbytery has been placed on the State's interim Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said last month the Archbishop's Palace was highly valued by the Roman Catholic community as the historic seat of power of the Archbishop of Perth.

Mr Lewis said the grand, three-storey building formed an important part of the Victoria Square precinct of nineteenth century ecclesiastical buildings belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.

The others included St John's ProCathedral. St Mary's Cathedral, the Convent of Mercy and Mercedes College.

Mr Lewis said the idea for the construction of an Episcopal Palace came from Bishop Joseph Serra, who became the Bishop of Perth in 1850.

"The fact he could even entertain the idea of building such a place shows the high regard in which the Bishop was held in the community." he said.

"The Catholic community in Perth at the time was small, but had an increasing amount of wealth. Labour was provided by the Catholic brothers of Subiaco and New Norcia, and at one stage as many as 33 brothers were working on the building."

The finished building was impressive, particularly in contrast with the humble workers' cottages surrounding it.

An early photograph shows a Georgianstyle building of two-and-a-half storeys, with a long east-west axis and a gable roof covered in shingles.

Mr Lewis said that in 1910 Bishop Matthew Gibney was forced to resign as a result of financial mismanagement. His replacement, Bishop Patrick Clune, called for tenders to improve the palace, despite the introduction of a debt reduction program.

"Prominent architect Michael Cavanagh, who was responsible for many of the Catholic Church's ecclesiastical buildings, was commissioned to redesign Archbishop's Palace," Mr Lewis said.

Mr Cavanagh extended and refurbished the 1855 building in the Federation Academic Classic style, but left the original parts substantially intact.

"Further additions were made in the mid-1930's, following the style used by Cavanagh."

The Archbishop no longer lives in the imposing building but has his main office there.

The Minister said the building was an important reminder of the development of the Roman Catholic Church in Western

The Archbishop's Palace looking towards Hay Street

Sixty years of priestly service in WA Engaged Encounter pioneers SW. /At. Pl. UM

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Fr Hynes concelebrating Mass at Waterloo with his brother priests in February

TWO HEALING MASSES WITH

Fr. Peter Rookey osm

'MAN OF MIRACLES' Fr. Peter Rookey's ministry has taken him to countries around the world.

Wherever he goes, thousands flock to this man of miracles.

As he prays, miracles happen.

The blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb say the name of Jesus and those in wheelchairs stand and walk. Wherever he ministers there are reports of many remarkable healings and exorcisms.

St. Mary's Cathedral Victoria Square, Perth.

Mon. April 29th.

Tues. April 30th.

Each evening will consist of: 7pm - Praise & Worship.

7.30pm - Servite Rosary.

8pm - Mass & Healing.

Sponsored By: The State Service Commitee Of The Catholic Charismatic Renewal

The flecortf.-April 4 199#3 Page 6

Father Reg Hynes celebrated 60 years as a priest on February 18 with a concelebrated Mass at the Waterloo Community Centre with Fr Costello, Fr Rooney (his nephew), Fr Kelly, and Fr McGrath, followed by a dinner with family and friends.

Father Reginald Hynes was ordained in 1936 in Rome. He first spent three weeks at Goomalling then became parish priest at Moora, where he stayed for 16 years. and then to Wyalcatchem, 1952-1968 and Wongan Hills, 1968-1974. When the Archdiocese of Perth took over the New Norcia parish priests, he spent a little time at Trayning in 1974. He then served at Boulder 1974-1978, Beverly. 1978-1982, retiring in December 1982.

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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 • • •

• • • • •

The original Engaged Encounter presenters, John and Jo Ann O'Neil, left, with their retirement celebration cake, with Des and Hilda Klass, centre, and Baliajura parish priest Father John Jegorow.

John and Jo Ann O'Neil and Father Basil Noseda , long standing Engaged Encounter co-ordinators, retired from international leadership last month.

Sixteen years ago John and Jo Ann spearheaded the marriage preparation weekend in Australia and expanded it to the eastern states, New Zealand, Brazil and Singapore.

They enlisted the support of Des and Hilda Klass of Bateman and the then Youth Chaplain, Father John Jegorow, to run the first weekend on October 14, 1980 at

the Rockingham Sister's of Mercy Beach House of yesteryear.

Since then 2.400 Australian couples have taken part in the weekend long marriage preparation program.

The °Neils saw the need to establish international links and work towards setting up an international secretariat beginning with an inaugural meeting in Baltimore in 1989.

Australia, New Zealand and Singapore comprise the Oceania region which is one of 12 worldwide regions.

Narrogin's Indian connection

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

The St Vincent de Paul group, Narrogin, has received grateful letters from India, thanking them for their generosity and describing the improvements made with the money sent

4

12>< Archbishop Hickey's Easter Message .

Jesus M

y dear people. Easter is a burst of light that follows the darkness of Good Friday.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ proclaims to the world the power of God over death and over sin.

Christians celebrate Easter because they see in the rising of Christ from the dead a profound source of hope for the human race.

Easter. then, is not simply a Christian Feast celebrated within the Christian family, something private, like an anniversary or a birthday.

It is a shout of joy for all the world to hear, the sound of a trumpet announcing to suffering humanity that defeat has been turned into victory, that despair has been turned into hope, that sorrow has been turned into joy. Easter is the public proclamation of the Good News.

The death and resurrection of Jesus touches the depths of human experience because it deals with the most Important questions of all - the meaning of life, the problem of human suffering, the mystery of death and afterlife. These are the only questions that ultimately matter, the ones that keep people up late into the nigh: in interminable discussions.

For as long as the human race has

burst of light and hope existed, people have sought to make contact with the dead, to find out what really happens after this life is over.

Books have been written about neardeath experiences. Certain individuals claim to be able to receive messages from the dead and reincarnation theories abound again in an attempt to unlock the mysteries of life and death In the resurrection of Jesus we have an understanding of life and death that would otherwise be closed to us forever. We understand that God is the author of life and death and that the fullness of life can only be attained in unison with God. We understand that death is only a door to a greater life, like the door of the tomb that was rolled back when Jesus rose to glorious new life.

Archbishop Barry Hickey We understand still more. We see that sin can never triumph over the one who will come of it. Even when the meaning believes. is unclear to us. in God's eyes it has a The death of Jesus initially appeared purpose. to be like the victory of evil over goodJesus' suffering seemed to have no ness, the frustration of God's plan for purpose until it became brilliantly clear the Messiah. Instead, evil was defeated In a flash that it was the redemption of in its apparent moment of triumph as the whole human race.

God's power overcame even death Never lose faith in the goodness of itself.

God nor in the divine purpose that surWe also see in the resurrection of rounds our lives. We are in God's hands Jesus that suffering has meaning. It is to at all times. be borne with great faith because good As Jesus entrusted his spirit to his

Father in utter self-abandonment, so we Christians must try to do likewise and never fear.

Easter is also a sign of hope for the world.

Without Easter it would be difficult to cling to hope for the world. We see so much evil in wars, hunger, the death of innocent children, the desperate lives of people crushed by the cruelty of others.

If everyone is to speak with the voice of hope for the world it should be those who accept Jesus as Lord.

This Easter can be a turning point in our lives. It can deepen our faith and our understanding of the presence of God within us and among us.

It can help us trust in God in the darkest moments of our lives and can make us a source of comfort and hope for others.

Whenever I see believing people go out to others in need to be a rock of support and a fount of love for them. I know they have accepted in their hearts that Jesus has passed through death to new life.

He who suffered so much understands the sufferings of others and is able to turn their sorrows into joy.

I wish you all a Happy and Holy Easter.

Faith rises above quibbles Battle appears to be over location of holy sites lost but God wins war

By Judith Sudilovsky BETHA N'. West Bank (CNS) Rabah Elyan stands outside the Church of Lazarus offering cold drinks to the few tourists milling around the church.

He has already had a late start because of the time change: Israel started daylight saving time the previous night. while the Palestinian towns stayed on winter time. When Elyan arrived at his stand, the tour buses were already there.

In addition to hawking drinks at his small stand just outside the church where Jesus is said to have raised Lazarus from the A Palestinian man joins other Arab Christians on the Via Dolorosa to retrace dead. Elyan offers tourists the Christ's footsteps in His Passion, last year on Good Friday in Jerusalem.

Photo CN&Reuters chance to see what he calls "the oldest house in Bethany."

"But I can say that some‘‘ here of Beth Page. A black wroughtIt is the location of the well in this area is where they lived iron fence surrounds a rock where Jesus drew water and and where Lazarus was raised which Jesus is said to have stood which, coincidentally, is on land from the dead." Stark added. on before mounting the donkey belonging to Elyan's family.

The present day Church of he rode into Jerusalem on Palm "This is the only (underground) Lazarus was built on top of Sunday. well in Bethany. This is where Crusader ruins, he said.

Down in the valley, at the Jesus took his water from, these of Gethsemane where Church During the Byzantine period it are the steps leading down," Jesus is said to have sweated Christian for important was Elyan said. blood and where the Romans He said he welcomed groups churches to find places connect- arrested him, a group of tourists life Jesus' in event and tourists inside the house and ed to a specific file silently into the church. the covered courtyard with the so that pilgrims could feel as if "As a Catholic I have been well so they could hold prayer they were following in his footthat this is where the taught Stark said steps, meetings or have their picture place, and I taken with period costumes to In addition, pilgrims were a whole story took places," said those see to want really feel what it was like in the good source of income for the de Mose of Esther 70-year-old time of Jesus. shrines. upkeep of the Colombia.

He does not charge anything There was no admission "I know that some of the sites for the service, he said, but dona- charged to enter the churches, might not be in the exact places tions are appreciated. but the monks and priests sold The authenticity of the well is little trinkets and holy oil as sou- where the events really occurred. anybody's guess, archeologist venirs, much like they do today, but that is not important.

"What is important is the agony and tour guide Harley Stark said. Stark said. our Lord, his crucifixion and of But that is true about many of the Byzantine-era shrines were resurrection, especially now." churches and tombs pilgrims Pilgrims come regularly to the visit during their pilgrimages to more likely to have been built nearer to the site where an actu- Ecce Homo Sisters of Zion the Holy Land. al event took place, since they "Looking for historical accuracy were built only about 500 years Convent, which since medieval times has been regarded as the with religious sites is very hard. I after the death of Jesus. Stark can't say. and I don't think any- said, while those built by the starting point of the Via Dolorosa. one else can say, this is the place Crusaders were built more than or Street of Sorrows, where Jesus began his walk with the cross. where Mary and Martha lived." after his death On any given day during Lent, said Stark. sitting in the courtyard a thousand years have less of a chance of the streets of the Old City of of the church, supposedly built and being historically accurate.

Jerusalem are filled with on the site of the home of Mary Up the hill from Bethany and Christian tour groups stopping at away yards few A Martha. and and down a long flight of steps is across the Kidron Valley from the each of the 14 stations of the Via the cave where tradition holds walls of Jerusalem is the Dolorosa, the tradition of which Franciscan Church in the village began about 500 years ago. that Lazarus was buried.

Karrinyup parish priest Father Richard Rutkauskas concludes his meditations on the Sunday readings to help us in our Journey to Easter 1996.

C

hrist the Lord is risen.

Alleluia. alleluia. The ancient proclamation of our faith rings as loudly in 1996 as at any other stage in history.

Christ is our Saviour He has defeated sin. He has destroyed death - forever. But as we think about this we could begin to wonder "where is that victory for us here, today, as we live our lives? " As we hear about terrible tragedies such as the recent massacre of children in Scotland, continuing war in several parts of the world and disease and hunger affecting millions, we can quite validly ask the question: "Why hasn't Christ's victory brought peace and harmony to our world?"

Before we can begin to answer these questions we need to take a closer look at what the victory of our Saviour means.

Christ was up against the forces of evil, in reality, up against Satan. Satan is a real being; as we are taught by the Church, he is a powerful angel who was created by God but who went against God in a show of pride.

Christ was up against him from the beginning of His mission in the desert until His apparent defeat on the Cross.

Because some people refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah, he was led to His passion and death.

His resurrection shows us clearly that although Satan and his angels can win battles, even apparently decisive ones, God will win the war in the end.

The devil needs the cooperation of humans to have any

(7.esiffizei / with Fr Richard Rutkauskas

influence on the world. God's power is ultimately the force that will endure, despite human indifference.

So we can see that from the beginning of time there has been a real war in progress.

Jesus won a decisive battle in taking on nature and showing us the way to the Father. But the war goes on to this present day with seemingly more fury on the part of the one who will be defeated.

That is why we see much evil, misery, hopelessness and suffering around us. Satan and his cohorts are working furiously to beguile, to upset, to destroy faith, in an effort to deceive mankind. Yet many people don't recognise the great victory of Christ, opening up for us everlasting peace.

The time for fence sitting has come to an end: "Anyone who is not with me is against me. . . . " (Matthew 12:33a).

Now is the time to show our true colours. We can't just say: "Lord, I believe " without bearing the fruits of faith in our lives. If we truly believe then we must wholeheartedly reject all that is contrary to the Light of Christ.

If we are His disciples then we must follow Him in all things, listening to all He says in the Gospel, following all the teachings that come to us through His Church.

Alleluia! The Light has come into the world, a light that shines through all darkness; let us walk always in that light.

39,f)§,ppge 7 1 tA... 1kii.ftcpriiiciApii,1141 .

Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Exhortation on Religious Life

call Pope argues for religious life as Papal to involve religious bastion of absolute values women

he says, this is the natural outcome of a total commitment to Continued from Page 3 VATICAN CITY (CNS) - At the Christ, even among contemplaorder or institute, he said.

Each close of his new document on tive religious orders. "How could recognised -is as having a rightreligious life, Pope John Paul II it be otherwise, since the Christ weighs one of those pointed encountered in contemplation is ful autonomy, enabling it to folquestions that might be posed by the same who lives and suffers in low its own discipline and to keep intact its spiritual and someone far outside Vatican cirthe poor?" he says. patrimony." apostolic cles: What's the point of a reliHe takes pains to point out that But, because the local bishop gious vocation? even cloistered religious orders, was the Pope's representative Why bother to dedicate one's whose members have little or no and head of the local church, relilife to Christ, when urgent social direct contact with the world, gious could not invoke their needs are crying out for action? provide people with an extraordi- autonomy "in order to justify Isn't the consecrated life, in the nary gift - "an expression of pure choices which actually conflict end. "a kind of waste of human love which is worth more than with the demands of organic energies?" any work." he says. communion called for by a It's a question that many people The Pope's conviction that reli- healthy ecclesial life." he said. are asking, even in good faith. the The apostolic exhortation, like Pope writes. His answer, woven Two Carmelite sisters work with a parishioner of Holy Angels Cathedral in gious orders are essential to the through the document's 208 Gary, Indiana, on an evangelisation project. Pope John Paul has called for Church's mission explains his the 1994 synod. called for deep concern at the dwindling an unquestioning acceptance of pages, is an impassioned defence religious and laity to cooperate in the work of the Church. CNS/Karen CaHarm, numbers of religious, except in the vows. By embracing poverty. of the sometimes hidden value of in his native Poland, this Is a basic elements of religious life. Africa and Asia. chastity and obedience, consereligious life - for the Church deeply held conviction, one that like voluntary chastity and poverHe expresses crated men and women were no alarm at the and for society. deserves closer examination ty, seem mystifying to many peo- prospect of individual orders dis- examples of the Christian call of The text. titled Consecrated inside and outside the Church. ple today. Yet he remains con- appearing, as long as new orders total dedication to God and to Life, reviews major themes In one sense, the value of reli- vinced that ordinary men and and new forms of consecrated serving humanity, he said. probed by a world synod of bish- gious life is "prophetic," the Pope women need to grasp the "joyful life arise. "What must be avoided The Pope described the vocaops in 1994. It deals with a wide says. In a world that "risks being and liberating" side of these com- at all costs is the actual break- tion to consecrated life as range of technical and organisa- suffocated in the whirlpool of the mitments - when they do. they down of the consecrated life, a an experience of Cod's love "so tional issues that will continue to ephemeral," the radical spiritual are inspired, he says. collapse which is not measured deep and so powerful that the be studied by bishops and other commitment of consecrated The chastity practiced by men by a decrease in numbers but by person called senses the need to Church officials. priests, sisters and brothers can and women religious, for exam- a failure to cling steadfastly to the respond by unconditionally dediBut its wider message, aimed at open minds and hearts. ple, can become a "point of refer- Lord and to personal vocation cating his or her life to God." the Catholic faithful and beyond, That statement underscored his ence" for lay people seeking and mission," he writes.

Recognising the "difficult and is that the call to consecrate one's belief that while contemporary models of balance, self-control This is the underlying message trying period" many life completely to Christ still has society is more and more and emotional maturity.

I n the religious papal document: orders that the have gone relevance in the contemporary absorbed by superficial and He notes that through the ages. radical call of religious life must through in the last 30 years. the world. material concerns, deep down the consecrated life has brought never become extinct, and that it Pope called religious to a new For the 75-year-old pontiff, who many people are "thirsting for the Church closer to the poor, the always has value - even if much creativity, fidelity and spirit as a young man considered join- absolute values." sick and the neglected. of today's world may wonder of cooperation with lay people. ing the Carmelite religious order The Pope recognises that some Far from mere social activism. why.

The key to consecrated life was a radical following of Christ through vows, he said.

Living out the vows was a countercultural sign in a world that often put the individual and Western Australia's major association of WACRI proposed to reflect further on the his or her desires and possesreligious this week welcomed Pope John complete document at their annual joint sions above all other values. the Paul II's apostolic exhortation on the conference with the Western Australian Pope said.

Importance of religious life. bishops in October and to organise a pub"The evangelical counsels Sister Marie Therese Ryder, president of lic lecture on religious life, she added. should not be considered as a the Western Australian Conference of Sister Mary Augustine, head of the denial of the values inherent in Leaders of Religious Institutes, said it was Association for the Promotion of Religious sexuality in the legitimate desire heartening for religious to be affirmed by Life, a private association of religious from to possess material goods or Pope John Paul H "for all the dedication, different orders and congregations across make decisions for oneself." to he Catholic Evangelist prayer, struggle, discernment and energy Australia, said that, on the basis of news said. that has gone into the formation of religious reports, the exhortation reinforced tradiChastity, he said, challenged the FM1 life for our times." tional views of religious life. "hedonistic culture which sepaWill give a series of five weekly teachings on the The Pope had recognised the legitimacy APREL would be happy for more deci- rates sexuality from all objective nature of Blood Covenants from Adam to Jesus. and richness of a diversity of cultural sion-making for religious women as long as moral norms, often treating it as a expressions to Religious life. Sr Ryder said. it built up the Church and enhanced its mere diversion and Understand Your Bible, Salvation, a consumer She noted that the Pope had emphasised holiness. This would happen if religious good."

Healing and the Eucharist. the fact that, as yet, the equality and rights women believed in the Church's teachings The vow of poverty was a of women are still not fully recognised nor and followed the Pope. Religious life was in reproach to those who their gifts fully accepted." a state of total chaos and virtual breakdown craved possessions, ignored the In many continents. Many previous needs and sufferings of the poor papal documents had failed to stop and did not acknowledge a need religious dissenting from basic Church to respect the environment, the teaching, she noted.

Pope said.

The way obedience was lived in religious communities and in the Church, Pope John Paul said, challenged ideas about freedom and the individual that Ignored objective truths and moral norms.

A The Pope said that while there were legitimate reasons to re-examine the role of superiors, "those directed

by Anthony Maydwell 8pm Thurs May 2nd to Thurs May 30th who exercise authorThe presents unaccompanied ity cannot renounce Cathedral Parish Centre.

Choral Music for Easter their obligation as J Studied 0 Contemplated 450 Hay Street, Perth. those first responsiJ Celebrated 0 Proclaimed The Chapel of St Michael, the Archangel ble for the community.„ There is no registration fee for this seminar.

Through Community based Prayerful and Catholic Education Commission, A "Love Offering" will be taken up each week.

Scholarly Preaching and Teaching Ruslip St, Leederville The authority of the superior, who must For Information Contact: 3pm, Good Friday, have "the finFlame Ministries International Fr John Neill OP, St Dominic's Priory, al word," was essenAdmission free 816 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell 3124 tial for forming true For Brochure or Information Phone (03) 9830 5144 communities, he (09) 382 3668 said.

By John Thavis

UNDERSTANDING

WA welcomes papal exhortation

BLOOD COVENANTS Eddie Russell

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THE PASSION ACCORDING TO ST JOHN SUMMA MUa,' •

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The Record, April 4 1996 Page 8

Refugees suffer lack of travel funds Refugees who are legitimately in Australia are suffering an enormous burden because their families are being kept apart by the high cost of air travel, a meeting organised by the Refugee Council of WA was told last week.

The meeting of representatives from 14 different refugee welfare organisations was told that at least 500 families approach the Catholic Migrant Centre each year for a travel loan for a family reunion.

But all the funds that in previous years had been available to supply travel loans have closed due to the demand placed on them.

Those working with refugees now have few avenues for helping such families in this way.

Conference of Churches of WA worker. Reverend Eira Clapton. told of an Eritrean woman who was so desperate she threatened to kill herself unless she could be reunited with her family.

She had been sending all her

money from her school cleaning job to keep her brothers and siscollege ters alive in Eritrea and, as a Students at Seton College celebrate the blessing of their new result, could not even afford a The parent's of Holy Spirit and Seton College also celebratbus fare for herself and her small Primary School City Beach, with ed recently the opening of new SOIL only 240 students, have given facilities.

They were both extremely lone- witness to some spectacular City Beach may be one of ly yet her family could not join donating by giving $140,000 to Perth's most exclusive northern her in Australia because they did the school. suburbs but when it comes to government grants not have the $8,000 airfare. receiving support parental The amazing The Refugee Council has set up enabled the school to receive a schools like Holy Spirit Primary a committee to alert the public to state government loan worth have struggled. the plight of such families, to more than half-a-million dollars Seeing the problem as a major raise money and lobby politi- to build new classrooms and an obstacle to the future of the small cians and governments for more administration block catholic school. Principal Richard funds to assist refugees.

Archbishop Barry Hickey Kavanagh appealed to parents The new Federal government blessed the additions on March for help and was well rewarded.

South of the Swan River in policy of denying social security 24. Dunsborough Primary School payments for two years, up from the current six months, to famil members who arrive in Australia and are not classified as refugees had made the situation more desperate for desperate people.

Further information on the efforts to raise funds for refugees to be reunited with family members can be obtained from Gerald Searle at the Catholic Migrant Centre on 221 1727 or Reverend Clapton on 221 1732.

Divine Mercy feast soon Followers of the Divine Mercy devotion advocated by Polish nun, Blessed Faustina Kowalska, will begin their novena to the Divine Mercy on Good Friday, Divine Mercy Apostolate spokesman Adam Zydek said last week.

The novena, centred around recitation of the Chaplet of Mercy, culminates in the commemoration of the devotion's feast of Mercy on the Second Sunday of Easter. Archbishop Barry Hickey will celebrate Mass in St Mary's Cathedral on that day, April 14, at 2pm to mark the devotion's feast day.

Mr Zydek said the devotion was in accord with the teaching of Pope John Paul II in one of his first encyclicals, Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy) that "at no time and in no historical period - especially at a moment as critical as our own can the Church forget the prayer that is a cry for the mercy of God amid the many forms of evil which weigh upon humanity and threaten it."

Mr Zydek said that, Pope John Paul H. as the Archbishop of Cracow in Poland, authorised the first steps that led to the beatification of Sister Faustina. "a humble nun that Jesus had chosen to be the secretary of his

Mercy.- Blessed Faustina had recorded Jesus as telling her "Tell ailing mankind to draw close to My Merciful Heart and I will fill them with peace.

Mankind will not find solace until it turns with confidence to My Mercy and Love."

She also said that Jesus had warned that He was "prolonging the time of mercy for the sake for sinners. But woe to them if they do not recognise this time of my visitation."

Mr Zydek said that Jesus had told Blessed Faustina that on the feast of Mercy observed by followers of the devotion on the second Sunday of Easter He would "pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who will approach the fount of My mercy (Sacrament of Confession) . . . . let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet."

Total trust in God's Mercy was the "Heart" of the devotion, Mr Zydek added. He said Pope John Paul last year established a Divine Mercy shrine in Rome in the Church of the Holy Spirit and himself celebrated the feast there.

For further information telephone Adam Zydek: (09) 448 0002.

Church at AIDS service Bishop Robert Healy expressed solidarity with those suffering from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - AIDS - on Saturday night when he attended the annual Perth AIDS Candlelight Vigil in Forrest Place.

About seven hundred people

Holy Spirit school parents dig deep

were present to remember those Western Australians who him, died from AIDS. The crowd gathered at St Mary's Cathedral at 8pm and marched by candlelight to the centre of Perth for the memorial.

Samson more than six years of planning ended in the opening and blessing of a $5.3 million building project that included amalgamation of St Brendan's and De Vialar Colleges.

At Dunsbomugh in the Bunbury Diocese Our Lady of the Cape Primary School was blessed by Bishop Peter Quinn and officially opened on March 24.

The $1 million school opened its doors for the first time in February this year.

IN MEMORY OF OUR TINIEST BROTHERS AND SISCERS AND IN DEFENCE OF HUMAN LIFE AND DIGNITY please join us outside Concept Fertility Clinic, King Edward Hospital, Bagot Road, Subiaco at 9am on Tuesday, April 9th.

This date marks three years since the Human Reproductive Technology Act became law in Western Australia.

Nearly three thousand (3,000) human embryos are presently kept in frozen storage in Perth's IVF clinics. More human embryos are frozen than are used for implantation. These 'surplus' embryos are thawed and discarded. What a bizarre fate - to be destroyed after being deliberately manufactured in the laboratory and frozen for several years.

We do not support permanent freezing. That would be abhorrent to human dignity.

But we cannot allow this ongoing tragedy to pass without mourning the terrible death of our tiniest brothers and sisters who have never even been given the chance to develop in their mother's bodies, let alone walk and run on the earth.

This tragedy, which is perpetuated daily, obliges us to call for a moratorium on all future freezing of human embryos as intrinsically contrary to human dignity and recklessly disrespectful of the life of these tiniest of our fellow human beings.

Please wear a black armband to show your sorrow.

Appropriate placards will be available to express our call for a ban on the freezing of human embryos.

Sponsored by the Coalition for the Defence of Human Life, tel. 321 2822.

The Record, April 4 1Q96 Page_ 9

Jesus, Light of the World Go out and spread the Good News, Jesus told his disciples after his death and resurrection. Recently, Year 6 students from St Mary's School in Donnybrook have been considering what that big word 'evangelisation' means and supplied The Record with the results. School principal Brian Raven said the evangelisation posters were the result of the religious education class getting to know how Jesus affected people's lives and how they could do the same. We talked about evangelisation and how we can, through Jesus, affect others and their ideas," he said.

"One of the students said we should let other people know what we thinkImentioned The Record, and they said 'let's do k" Unfortunately space could allow only four of the posters submitted to be published

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Jesus, Light of the World

The Last Supper with Jesus and his apostles in this stained glass window at St Helena Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesotta.

CNSiThe Crosiers

Easter's Cross is our promise

By Father Lawrence Mick

T

he Eucharist is both the source and the summit of a Christian's life. But how so?

How is the Eucharist the source or summit of anyone's actual daily existence?

I devised the following conversation to cast light on this: "There's a line in that passage from Paul that I don't understand," Dave said to the others in his Bible study group.

"Paul says to 'offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship' (Romans 12:1). What's a 'living sacrifice' and what is 'spiritual worship'?"

"I'm not sure," said Jean, "but it reminds me of a line in the Mass last Sunday that talked about 'a living sacrifice of praise.' I guess I think that means our lives are supposed to be a living sacrifice."

"OK," John interjected, "but what does that actually mean? What does It mean for my life at the office and at home? I certainly don't think of my work as anything very religious. In today's business world, things are pretty vicious at times. Look at all the

people who have been getting fired easier for them to see the connection with this current mania for 'downsiz- between Sunday worship and their ing,' for example." daily lives."

"But, you know," said Lucy, "I heard "We don't bring those types of gifts once that the early Christians consid- to Mass now, though." said Irene. ered their daily lives the most impor"The only thing that we send to the tant worship they gave to God." altar is our money" "They gathered each week for the "Yes, but that's important, too." Fr Eucharist," Lucy responded, "because George remarked. that was a time to share their wor"Like it or not, in our culture money ship with others and to find strength is a powerful symbol of who we are. to live their lives in a way that Our money represents us when we praised God all week" put it in the collection.

"But how does my work at the office "And that money is the fruit of your or your work at the bakery give labor, just as the gifts the early praise to God?" asked John.

Christians brought were the work of "The only timeIhear God's name at their hands. Our efforts all week to work is when somebody gets angry." live and love as Jesus did give glory to God." Everyone nodded in agreement.

"So when we give our money in the "Well," Lucy replied, "maybe it's easier for me, since I work in a bak- collection," Jean suggested hesitantly, ery When I'm baking bread. I some- "that's a symbol that we're willing to times think of the bread at Mass. In give ourselves to God?" the early Church, if I remember cor"Exactly," replied Fr George. "Since rectly, people used to bring the bread we get most of our money from the and wine they made at home along work we do all week, the collection is with other foods and items needed one direct link between the Mass and for the support of the Church and for the rest of our lives. the poor.

• "On Sunday, we join our 'living sac"These things were brought up to rifice' of daily life to the sacrifice of the altar. during the preparation of Christ," Fr George said. "That incorthe gifts at Mass: Maybe that made it porates our efforts into 'the one

acceptable sacrifice' of the New Testament. And in every Mass we celebrate Christ's death and resurrection, so if we unite ourselves to him we share in his great act of worship."

"Maybe that's what it means to say that the Mass is the summit of our lives." Dorothy ventured.

"It's the highest praise we can give God because it's the worship of God's Son in which we share."

"And taking part in the Mass gives me encouragement and grace to live the Gospel all week" Dave added.

"It really is a 'source' - a source of strength."

"I'll second that," said Irene. "Life constantly calls for sacrifice. Between my job, keeping the household running, taking care of the kids and helping to care for my elderly in-laws, I often find myself running low. The Mass reminds me each week that I'm not alone and that I am called to imitate Jesus' sacrifice."

"I agree," added Tom. "And I sure hopeI get to share in the resurrection someday, after all these years of sharing in the Cross!"

"Well, that is the promise of Easter," said Fr George, "and it's a promise we can trust."

Resurrection is more than a perfect body yet the plant it will become. It is transformed by God from a seed into very Sunday when Catholics a grain of wheat or a flowering plant.

In the same way, our bodily exisprofess their faith at Mass, they affirm the resurrection of the tence is not now what it will become. body.

Among the people of Corinth in Less frequently, when confronting New Testament times, a concern someone's death or considering cre- arose about what kind of bodies they mation, they may wonder what kind would have after death. of body people will have after the St Paul insisted that the risen body resurrection. isn't really theirs, it is Christ's (1 St Paul thought it was foolish to Corinthians 6:13). push these questions too far.

Union with the risen Christ was the When the Christians at Corinth whole emphasis in Paul's underposed them (1 Corinthians 15:35), he standing of the resurrection. The redirected their imagination from the chief sign and experience of this details of the resurrection to its pri- transformation into the risen body of mary meaning.

Christ is the Eucharist.

When a seed, which is a kind of The Eucharist is a real participation body, is planted in the earth, it is not in the risen life of Jesus.

By Father Robert Kinast

E

That's why Paul insists that anyone who eats or drinks unworthily or without paying attention to the Eucharist's meaning profanes the Lord's body.

Likewise, those who think only of themselves and eat with no regard for others in the assembly show disregard for the meaning of Christ's real body, the church.

And becoming part of the risen body of Christ might not mean that each person acquires a perfect body according to society's image of perfection.

Perhaps those who understand this best are people with disabilities.

Many of them find that the attitudes of so called healthy people are a greater obstacle to their human ful-

fillment than their actual physical disability. And they don't necessarily find it consoling to be told that in the future life they will be whole and perfect, as if these qualities are identical with physical well-being.

Deborah Creamer, for example, writing in the Journal of Religion in Disability and Rehabilitation, says that she considers her disability a central part of who she is.

Her identity is wrapped around it, and she cannot imagine herself without it.

What she can imagine is the kind of acceptance, affirmation and respect she has not experienced in this life.

For her, the resurrection does not have to mean a perfect physical body but a wholesome, loving relationship.

The Record, April 4 1996 Page 11

Mims.

Jesus, Light of the World

On a Cajun Good Friday

By Barbara Gutierrez

•

CATAHOULA, Louisiana. (CNS) In the small community of Catahoula, located in the Diocese of Lafayette, preparations were already under way for an unusual Good Friday celebration known as Pie Day. It's a tradition related that began long ago among the Acadian immigrants who populated Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin, now known the world over as "Cajuns."

Pie Day's intriguing origin, according to longtime residents of Catahoula, illustrates the loyalty to faith and custom that is so predominant among the present-day descendants of those French Acadians.

Catahoula gets its name from the Native Americans who lived there long before the white man.

Surrounded by water and thick forest, it was later settled by those Nova Scotian exiles who were mainly fishermen and fur trappers.

A hardy people, they lived in virtual isolation.

While these early Cajun settlers were Catholics, they were able to attend Mass only sporadically when a priest was able to make the arduous journey through the swamp to reach the settlement.

The priest would baptise the chilCNS dren born since his last visit and Stations of the Cross are nailed to trees along a rural road near the town of Catahoula in south Louisiana. bless marriages which, in the throughout the area gather togeth- approximately 350 people partici- bours, too," she said. "I remember absence of clergy, had been con- er and they all bring pies: fruit pies, pated in last year's Way of the how she would MI a big dishpan tracted by couples in the presence custard pies, crawfish pies, pies Cross. full of just the sweet dough for the of "three good men." containing a wide variety of fillings, The procession stops along the pies. I always like the vanilla tarts He also would hear confessions anything and everything except way for prayers at stations of the best, but she would make all kinds and pray for the deceased. meat, of course, and all homemade. Cross that are nailed to the trunks of fruit pies. too."

Even without benefit of constant At 9 am Good Friday morning, of huge old oak trees growing "The ladies in Catahoula have guidance from clergy, the people community members gather to alongside the road. been baking these treats for years," clung fiercely to their Catholic faith begin the Way of the Cross, an outThe last station is located in the said Emma Bourque, longtime resias best they could. door devotional covering 10 miles. churchyard. dent.

Sometimes, though, they weren't She recalled from her childhood quite sure about the particulars of how family would recite the ". . . . community members begin the Way of the rosaryherafter religious observances. awaking on Good According to legend, one time Cross, an outdoor devotional covering 10 miles." Friday morning. long ago in Catahoula, as Good Then at 10, the children would be Friday approached, the people It's a family Lenten journey. Many Then they either gather in the given sweet dough pies, usually knew it was a day which the participants observe a strict fast, no church hall or return to their filled with blackberries, pineapple Church had set aside as special, food or beverages, not even water, homes to feast on the pies. and other fruit. but they couldn't remember if it since midnight the previous day.

At 3 pm on Good Friday afterNow, according to Bourque, only was a feast day or a fast day.

"Flat-bed trucks are provided for noon, the families return to St Rita's about 12 to 15 families still bake Not knowing whether to feast or older people and children who are Church for the Liturgy of the Word. the Good Friday pies, or tarts, as fast, those loyal sons and daughters not able to make the walk, so there Flo Laperouse, secretary at St they are also called. But she is of the Church decided to do both. is activity all along the road," Rita's, recalls how her grandmoth- doing her part to carry on the traThey fasted until noon and then Father Allen Breaux. pastor of St er would always bake on dition of Pie Day. they feasted - on pies.

Rita's Parish in Catahoula, told the Wednesday and Thursday for the "My mother did it, my grandThat was the beginning of a tradi- Acadiana Catholic, Lafayette's Good Friday observance. mother did it, and now I do it," she tion which endures to this day. diocesan newspaper.

"She always baked enough for the says. "I expect my daughter, Patsy, Each Good Friday, families from According to Father Breaux, whole family and for the neigh- will keep it going after I'm gone."

Teach children there is no Easter without a Cross

By Jane Milford Hughes Life is continually surprising, and if you do not step back into some form of silence from time to time, you could find you have lost your way.

When I was a child, my mother, brother and I followed a ritual of silence during the three hours of Good Friday observance.

Mama called it "sacred silence," for we were not simply quiet, we were prayerfully trying to relive and understand the passion and death of Jesus.

Each year, Mama retold the story with a little more insight - continually unfolding its meaning for our young minds.

She was a vivid storyteller, and though we could not comprehend why such a terrible torture was happening to Jesus, she made us part of the painful scene.

We stood at the foot of the cross with Mary, the mother, her sister: the

The Record, April 1.1996 Page 12

wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.

As Jesus' life ebbed away, we felt all creation sounding its elegy: A dark cloud rolled over the sun, the earth trembled, dogs howled in the alleys of Jerusalem, children clung to their mothers.

Then a great silence descended.

Jesus, the Son of God, had kept his appointment with death.

The women embraced one another in their anguish, drawing strength for the waiting.

Perhaps because I began so young to ponder them, the lessons of Good Friday have left an indelible mark on allI think and do.

Three lessons are most obvious to me: love, the cross and silence. The first two have been addressed frequently, but not silence.

Mama said: "You should practice silence every chance you get, for you will need it when you grow up. There will be times when there are no words to use."

I am gladI practiced silence, for it is essential. And I have discovered all silence is not the same. I find three types are essential to my life.

The first type is "sacred silence," which is prayer and conversation with God. The more I can still my voice, the greater God can lift me to the wisdom of letting go. Then God forms me.

The second is "personal silence," which opens an inward path to explore myself, to strip myself of the protective shell and the person I have created - to find the person I am.

The third silence I call "communal," which is the unspoken communion with another person or nature itself.

This demands a trusting intimacy not easily achieved but far more healing than any words can create.

It can come out of a deeply shared experience or a profoundly shared sorrow. The women at the foot of the cross were sustained by such a silent

communication. In September 1969 my father-in-law died of Parkinson's disease.

Six weeks later, my husband, Gene, an only child, was killed instantly in a car accident.

People wondered how we could deal with such a dual tragedy.

Somehow through the grace of God, the support of friends, Gene's mother, Neena, the grandchildren and I nurtured each other.

We found strengths of rare quality and leaned on each other.

Neena and I were one: mother and daughter. We were family. We stayed together. When I remarried, Neena took Jack as her son.

If we learn the lessons of Good Friday, we will know the joys of Easter. We must pass on to our children that there can be no Easter without the cross.

That is the pascal mystery - the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection!

c1,2-

Jesus, Light of the World

Strange legend of the Pelican leads to the Cross United States Catholic News Service writer Stan Konleczny was inspired to write this fictional story niter visiting St Michael Cathedral in Belgium last year and actually seeing its magnificent Pelican Altar.

W

ill hated pelicans. If he saw one on a fishing pier or at a fashionable beachfront cafe, he railed against the entire species, which he considered awkward, stupid and ugly.

If he were honest, Will would admit that he did not really dislike pelicans as much as he hated what they symbolised for him.

Pelicans reminded Will of his humble origins on the Gulf Coast. He had spent years trying to deny that past.

Today. financial success enabled Will to lavish all sorts of pricey clothes, cars and trips on his wife.

Millie. and their two children.

During one Easter break. Will even packed up the family for a whirlwind shopping spree in Europe. One day. after spending several hundred dollars in late shops at the heart of Brussels, Belgium, Millie and Will wandered into the gothic splendor of St Michael Cathedral.

Will fumbled with the aperture of his expensive German camera. focusing on the classic, larger-thanlife statues of the apostles, which glowered down from the pillars that line the cathedral's nave.

"Is this a church or is this a church!" Will exclaimed to Millie as he craned his neck to take in all the sights. But the gawking tourist stopped dead in his tracks as he peered ahead at the sanctuary.

Will could not believe his eyes.

Ignoring the signs in three languages Instructing visitors to remain outside the sanctuary. Will strode across the rich red carpet and knelt in front of . the altar.

He knelt right in front of two majestic., bronze pelicans which supported the clear glass table top.

While one bird demurely turned its head, the other stretched out a proud wing span which held aloft the sacrificial table.

Watching Will study the unusual

altar supports, one would never guess that here was a self-professed hater of pelicans. At least the cathedral sacristan, Sister Gertrude. never even considered that this man was a staunch pelican opponent.

She was just anxious to escort the intruder out of the sanctuary and off the recently swept carpet!

But as the stout woman exited the sacristy, wiping her hands in her apron, something told her that this errant tourist may have been in need of a bit of kindness.

"So you like our pelicans," Sister Gertrude asked in English. "Well, yes _ no _ not really." Will stammered, adding. "Why on earth would you put such ugly birds in your beautiful cathedralr A smile danced across the pursed lips of the sacristan-turned-security guard. "Our Pelican Altar was crafted in 1975 by Simon Levy. but of course you know that the pelican has a long history as a Christian symbol" she responded.

"Oh no, Sister, you must be mistaken. Pelicans couldn't be a Christian symbol. Pelicans are stupid." Will retorted.

Sign of the Pelican - a deeper meaning than we might think "So you know that pelicans have a Sister Gertrude and Will posed small pouch under their beaks from his reverie. "Yes, two t( land then parted with a firm handwhere they store small fish to feed agers: Will replied. their young," Sister Gertrude said.

"Well, then, you already under- shake. and Will promised to obey Will nodded. stand this pious legend of the peli- trilingual signs. especially those in "But perhaps you may not have can better than I, because you know cathedral sanctuaries. That Sunday. heard of the legend of the pelican. It there is no limit to what you would Will made certain that his family of casual Catholics attended Easter is said that in times of famine a peli- do for your children."

"That is a nice story. Sister, but for- Mass in one of Europe's magnificent can will rip open its own breast to feed its young on its own blood. The give me if I still think the pelican is cathedrals, where Will found his attention diminished by his search pelican sheds its blood to give life to ugly." Will mildly protested.

"Yes, my friend, but remember. for pelicans in the ornate carvings its brood. In that sense, the pelican is like our own saviour: Sister God is not limited to using just the and windows.

Gertrude recounted. graceful dove as a divine messenger.

Back home, Will's life was pretty "Christians adopted the pelican as Sometimes. God sends good news much the same as before the Easter a sign of Christ the redeemer and of by way of an awkward courier. excursion. Some close friends comhis gift of the Eucharist. St Thomas "Even the ugly bird can sing the mented that Will seemed to have Aquinas once referred to Christ him- beautiful song of God's praises." made peace with his past and his self as the 'Pelican of Piety' Sister Gertrude added gently. present.

"Since the Middle Ages. artisans For a moment the sanctuary was so And one day Will bought an inexhave used the pelican to decorate still that one might have heard the pensive pelican-shaped magnet church appointments, and you still bronze pelican wings flap. he enshrined on the dashThen Millie said in a stage whis- which of his sports car. When somecan see them on altars, tabernacles, board chalices and stained glass from that per "Come on you two. I want to get asked about the memento, Will period until today. a picture of you with those pelicans. one "Even an ugly old bird can replied, "Do you have children?" she asked, The folks back home will just love song." beautiful a sing the change of subject jarring Will them!"

Live Easter as a Christian, not a pagan consumer

By Thea Jarvis Iaster at our home was a famiF ly affair when I was a child. In Fstraw bonnets and patent leather shoes, little boy ties and suit jackets, my five brothers and sisters and I would pile into the station wagon for morning Mass.

Afterward, we'd scour the back yard for eggs my parents had hidden under budding forsythia bushes and behind rocks damp with spring rain.

After Lenten fasts and sacrifices, it was time to celebrate - even if we didn't grasp the theological nuances of the holiday!

While the intuitive nose of childhood ferrets out the joy of Easter like a puppy hunting a hidden bone, distracted grownups like me need help recapturing the importance of this most significant event in the Church year.

An Iowa-based resource centre called Alternatives for Simple Living that challenges our consumer,-driven society, asked, "On the third day, what do you celebrate?" If the Easter

El Searching out the wounded who victory over spiritual and physical meals at home daily until Ascension death is truly the heart of the matter Thursday to remind us of the risen need our healing presence.

Father Angelo Arrando is pastor of for Christians, why aren't we blow- Christ in our midst 0 Brief Scripture passages drawn St Gregory the Great Church, a ing horns, shouting from rooftops, dancing in the streets on Easter from daily Mass readings, offered 2.000-family parish in Danbury, morning? when the family is together - at Connecticut. He encourages at-home Alternatives for Simple Living mealtime, but also at bedtime, on activities throughout the Easter seareminds us Big-eyed bunnies and weekends, in the car - express and son.

"With people's schedules, it's hard fuzzy chicks are leftovers of ancient extend the Easter message. pagan festivals..

0 The eggs we love to dye and dec- for them to come to church," Fr But today's springtime rituals - orate can be adorned with a cross, a Arrando acknowledges. "We're trying to get church into people's famitrips to the beach, golf outings, shop- lily, a lamb or an angel. ping sprees - warrant some counterSecond, remember that personal lies as much as possible."

St Gregory's weekly bulletin acting actions too. But what actions? prayer in the Easter season can Let's get specific. deepen and broaden spiritual per- includes stories, psalms, hymns and First, Easter meals can reflect spiri- spective. The Catechumen's Lection- opportunities for spiritual growth tual truths while satisfying hungry ary, edited by Robert M. Hamma, that emphasise freedom and new appetites: suggests remembering those who life.

The bulletin recommends contact1The meal we enjoy with family have shared their faith with us and ing godchildren and godparents to and friends can include homemade praying for them by name. breads blessed at Mass to recall the Hamma's lectionary also points to let them know they're special.

And it urges parishioners to do bread of life and the unity of Easter the early Christian custom of owning goods in common and to something to make parishioners people.

0 Those we invite to our table may Thomas the doubter, who believed baptised at Easter welcome in their be individuals who might otherwise because he felt the wounds of Christ. church family.

Reclaiming Easter as the core and Both represent Easter values and observe the feast alone. strength of Christian belief is an 1 A white candle mirroring the suggest actions we might take: 1 Sharing worldly possessions, adventure - one that is worthy of the paschal flame of the Easter Vigil springtime child within us. might be lighted during evening and The Record, April 4 1996 Page 13

Jesus, Light of the World

Don't wait until too late!

L

A fallacy of course, because life is a very fragile strand and people die and drop dead often without warning.

By then, of course, it's all too late if you've got it wrong.

Worse still, our Saviour, which indeed he was in every sense of the word, died in vain as far as the lost individual is concerned.

Not only did he die for us, but by rising from the dead, he proved he was the Son of God. And that's where our Christianity was conceived and given birth, because it came from no ordinary person - but the Son of God who'd been, through political motives, nailed to a Cross, in passive acceptance.

Amazingly (in view of our unworthiness), he did it because he loved us and wanted to open Heaven's gates, and through this earthly death, proved he was truly both God and Man by dying as Man and rising as God.

and we find ourselves face-to-face with our Creator, it's highly likely there will be a chasm of difference between his rules and those of the world we've just left.

Looking at that scenario, the smart ones pull back from the edge and make a decision to follow him - and not "them."

That's when the road initially becomes a bit rocky - because you're going it alone to some extent. You have to stand up and be counted.

But once you take that stand with a concrete decision to travel a surer road to a heavenly Eternity, you'd be amazed how your world can be transformed.

Respect, admiration for hanging onto your principles follows, and you will also attract the unseen, faceless numbers who have hidden behind society's mask because they too felt alone in their stand, but will be strengthened by yours.

Be proud of who you are and what you stand for - namely a member of

iberation, liberty and freedom. are precious words to mankind and many millions have fought and died for their cause.

Man throughout the ages has laid down his life endeavouring to save his homeland so that others may keep their freedom, and many too have heroically and freely chosen to give their life to save another's.

This is the greatest sacrifice a man can make, Jesus tells us - and he ought to know, because that's exactly what he did.

His was one man's enormous sacrifice of his youth, life on earth with family and friends, and gospelspreading role of teaching, to draw people to His Father in Heaven.

Innocent, like many who suffer today, he could have destroyed at will his oppressors or shown them evermore incredible signs to make them believe, but that's never been his way.

While he walked the parched desert lands or by the shores of Galilee, he never sought to heal in order to impress, but rather because he had compassion for their suffering, and his only thought was to alleviate that.

Rather than flamboyantly proclaiming his power, he even urged the cured leper not to tell anyone.

A quiet, gentle Jesus but with another side of him that was enraged at those who desecrated His Father's temple and so he flailed them in fury to force out and scatter their goods.

That's the part I find appealing because he showed strength and commitment where mere words would have failed: he was a real man - not an apology for one as many of us are today who won't stand up and be counted when the real issues come to the fore.

Many of us sprout holy sounding words in order to impress others, while our actions belie that true following of Jesus.

In effect, we're hypocrites - a particular breed Jesus had contempt for.

Some can't swallow the suggestion that they're in that class, because many of us don't truly look at the state of our soul.

But yet, it's the state of our soul which will determine where we spend Eternity.

Recently, upon wakening, a sudden From Jesus' death comes eternal life, but eternal hell if we reject Him and frightening realisation flashed across my consciousness which said: Now that the way has been cleared God's team. Don't hide your religion Eternity.. . . . is forever. for us to get to Heaven, the next - it's like your Australian nationality And in that instant, I understood thing we have to seriously look at is - something to be eminently proud with clarity what that meant .... and this liberating, and yet binding, "free of. it's not a comfortable thought. choice."

Wear a crucifix in preference to a So, looking back now at those And that's where the hard part cross around your neck to let people opening words of liberation, liberty comes in. know you're not simply Christian, and freedom, how do they affect us Life is indeed a rocky road but but rather emphatically Catholic. spiritually? sometimes we get a flat stretch, Instead of giving people a materialQuite dramatically because Jesus, smoothly surfaced. istic present as a gift, have a Mass by dying on the Cross for us, liberatThat's often when we take flight said for them with a card which tells ed us from the shackles of Original with our free will in hand and, them where and when; it's the most Sin and ignorance, by telling us how because the sky is blue and the sun- powerful blessing you can give them to get to Heaven, through obeying shine streams down gold and benev- and for an hour, especially if they're the Ten Commandments of his olent, we commit all sorts of sins a lapsed Catholic and whether they Father. and make all types of mistakes, personally attend the Mass or not, By then freely permitting his because these days it's so easy! they will consciously be confronted humiliation, and agonising death on With mortal sin seemingly struck with God and their life. the Cross, he was sacrificed to liber- off the register of "Mustn't do" in The other part of the gift could he ate - giving us liberty from the past, some quarters and with an ever- perhaps a green scapular for healing and freedom of choice for the future. increasing reliance on self in form- and conversion with a miraculous The whole point is, however, to use ing one's conscience, we find we can medal threaded through the cord.

Although many won't overtly wear wisely that illuminated passport for get away with virtually anything.

But then that's when it's time to one around their neck, cut off the Heaven. But frequently, while realising what we should do, we often fail take a long, detached, and ruthlessly cord a few centimetres from the to choose wisely, beguiled by the honest look at yourself and ask . . . . scapular badge with the medal tied in, have it blessed, and then ask false sense of security that earthly How does God see my soul?

Because when the crunch comes. them to keep it in their wallet, bag, life offers. .

7 "iti ' Li*edief:

Aritif 4114998 'Page 14

or at their bedside, just as a special favour for you - to humour you.

This is a sure fire way to succeed with a lapsed Catholic who won't deny you that and, meanwhile, continue praying for them from afar with the prayer. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

It works!

Another way to help God's cause, is by making a vocation out of your career and, in fact, your life.

You don't have to be a religious to offer your life to God. Each man in the street can do that and, believe me, it makes a world of difference to your peace and direction.

For a large part of my life I didn't want to hand over the reigns to God in case he made decisions for me that didn't appeal!

So I resisted, until having made more mistakes than I cared to admit, and realising it was all 'just too difficult' to get this decision making always right - and too darned hard given that you can't see beyond the horizon, I decided to give my life and its direction to our beloved Mother and Jesus.

The result is a great peace and happiness.

Now I don't concern myself any more with "will I get killed or into strife if I do this or that" - I simply get on with my life, making the best decisions (in consultation with the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary). and go for it!

My life, whether it be shorter or longer from hereon in, is irrelevant these days. because the simple philosophy is that once you give them your life, ills Jesus. with Mary lobbying on your behalf, who determines when your time has come.

I know now that after taking the normal precautions for health, safety and good living. I will not die a second before God wills it, and if God wants me to continue as a good worker on the team of Jesus and Mary, then it's His decision how long He requires my services for.

The peace, once you give your life to Jesus and Mary. is all embracing because you know that they will choose the best career path (because you ask them and you are theirs), and make the best decisions in your life (based on an Eternal focus), and when your time has come they will surely welcome you with: Well done, dear and faithful servant.

If all of that isn't a perfect recipe for peace - then what is!

So my Easter message is - enjoy with relish your liberation from Original Sin by Jesus dying on the Cross Let us use to the ultimate our liberty, in our Australia, to worship our God freely without harassment.

Choose in freedom, using your free will, the path to Eternity, with whatever result that brings.

And let us praise Almighty God every day of our lives for giving us Jesus' mother to be ours with the honour of having her as our patroness: the incredible richness of our magnificent Australia: our freedom in this youthful, vast land; for his Son who gave his life for ours: and above all, our free will to choose our own destiny . . .. for better or for worse.

And finally, the graphic, indisputable testimony to all mankind that he was God - by rising from the dead; because it is on this linchpin that our Catholic faith was founded.

Long may we treasure Jesus, its founder, and hold sacred and firmly our Catholicism . . . . truly a most precious gift for mankind and a key to salvation.

International News

With true grit the real Superman steps forward

By Pat Morrison GREEN SPRINGS, Ohio (CNS) - It was a feat worthy of Superman.

When Christopher Reeve paid a visit in March to the new rehabilitation and therapy facility of St Francis Health Care Centre, not only did hundreds come to the event, but the small Ohio town of Green Springs attracted worldwide media attention.

For many people, Reeve, who played the character of Superman in the '70s and '80s, is Superman - the dashing hero in the red cape.

But today, Reeve. 43, gives perhaps his most stirring performance not by being the "man of steel" from the Planet Krypton, but by honestly and courageously coming to terms with the spinal cord injury that dramatically changed his life. and fighting for increased research funding for its cure.

The actor, long recognised also as an accomplished horseman, was paralysed from the shoulder down last May when he was thrown from his horse and broke his neck.

He is confined to a wheelchair and

But even more importantly, he said, he needs a ventilator almost around the intends to keep the cause of spinal injury clock The dedication ceremony at St Francis patients before the public eye.

He joked that "our real ambition is to put Health Care Centre, in the Diocese of Toledo, was Reeve's first public appear- (St. Francis Health Care Centre) out of ances outside New York since the acci- business."

"A few years ago, (a cure) wouldn't have dent.

In Green Springs, Reeve was accompa- been possible," he said.

"Now we stand on the threshold of full nied by his wife, Dana Morosini.

He spoke to about 200 people in the gym recovery. It can happen, and will."

But such progress, the actor said, can of the newly completed $17 million complex and another 300 watched him on only happen with the cooperation of govclosed circuit television in the centre's ernment, health care facilities, insurance companies and people working together. physical therapy room. "$90 million is spent each year on The new facility is an extension of the hospital run by the St Louis-based Sisters Alzheimer's disease, and only $8.7 million of St Francis of Our Lady of Perpetual is spent on spinal cord victims." he said.

But it was the patients with spinal Help since 1952.

Reeve told the crowd it was "a real plea- injuries and their friends and families sure" for him to be at the event, then who were the most visibly enthusiastic quipped. "Actually, it's a real pleasure for about Reeve's message and his determination to be an advocate for the nation's me to be anywhere."

His message was one of appreciation for 250,000 spinal injury patients.

On March 25, a couple of weeks later, he facilities like St Francis. which are dedicated to bringing the best *in technology made an appearance at the Academy and care to persons with spinal cord, Awards in Los Angeles and urged Hollywood to tackle social issues in brain and orthopedic injuries.

Reeve said he intends to walk again and movies.

'There is no challenge, artistic or otherwould do all he could, little by little, to wise, that we can't meet." he said. regain his strength through therapy.

Monks feared dead after Islamic kidnap

Early on March 27, a group of life, the cardinal said the seven armed men broke into the Tiappists were part of "the hymn VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Seven Tibehirine monastery near of fidelity unto death" which the French Trappist monks were Medea. Algeria. and forced the pope recounted in the document.

Cardinal Martinez said an taken from their monastery in seven monks to leave with them, superior came to see Augustinian reported.

Radio Vatican Algeria and were feared dead, "Because up until now, the him after trying to convince Vatican Radio reported.

A woman at the Archdiocese of armed groups in that area have members of her order in Algiers who refused to identify never kidnapped anyone, there is Algeriato to leave.

"They responded by citing St herself confirmed the Vatican fear that the monks have been accenting that preAugustine. the said. killed." report Radio report.

The Thippist community was cisely at those times which could The woman, who sounded nervous and hung up the telephone established at Tibehirine in 1934. mean the supreme risk of one's Members of the community life, the person consecrated to twice on a reporter, said the archbeen working in the area of God gives witness to complete have diocese was told by Algerian authorities that the Islamic Army dialogue with Algeria's Muslim self-giving." the cardinal said.

The head of the Trappist order majority. had kidnapped the monks.

Vatican Radio said the monks, In Rome, Father Armand Veilleux.

"But we do not know for sure.

They were kidnapped during the along with other foreigners in said it was the unanimous deciAlgeria. have received threats in sion of the monks in Algeria to night," she said.

"For the church, it is the first the past and warnings that their remain there.

"Yes, they had received several time something like this has hap- lives would be in danger if they threats, but they had an excellent did not leave the country pened."

Cardinal Eduardo Martinez relationship with the local popuSince 1992, 12 Catholic men and women religious have been Somalo, prefect of the Vatican lation. This is why they did not congregation that deals with reli- want to abandon the monastery, killed in Algeria.

However, the woman said, the gious orders, said the Vatican precisely to remain alongside the other religious killed were "pass- would never order religious to people with whom they have ing through" and were not resi- leave countries where civil, reli- lived in communion for many gious or ethnic strife places their years." Father Veilleux told dents of the country.

Vatican Radio. in danger. lives The names and cities of origin Father Veilleux asked for At a March 28 press conference of the monks had not been not only for the Trappists, aposnew prayers ll's Pope Paul on John released yet pending notification tolic exhortation on consecrated but for all the people of Algeria. of their families, she added.

By Cindy Wooden

Christopher Reeve at the Academy Awards

Priest accused of help in massacre is released NIMES, France (CNS) - Saying it didn't have jurisdiction. a French court has ended the judicial investigation into charges that a Rwandan Catholic priest was implicated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The appeal court in Nimes did not pronounce on the substance of the accusations against Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka.

It said, however, that the court hearing the case was not competent to investigate a Rwandan national for crimes that occurred in Rwanda.

Father Munyeshyaka. who works as an assistant pastor in the southern French town of Bourg-Saint-Andeol, said his accusers had lost "in form as well as substance."

Lawyers said they would seek to have the case reopened.

Father Munyeshyaka spent 15 days in a French jail last summer, undergoing questioning, but was then released.

He said he was ready to stand trial in France or at an international court.

The Catholic magazine Golias had cited witnesses who said the priest had taken a direct part in the massacre.

Father Munyeshyaka was the vicar of Holy Family Parish in Kigali, Rwanda, at the time of the massacres.

The witnesses quoted by Golias alleged that he handed over lists of names of Tutsis and moderate Hutus to killer gangs of Hutu militia, and that he saved only young women who would sleep with him.

Father Munyeshyaka, who called the allegations "pure calumny." said in an interview last year that several refugees had come forward without being asked to testify on his behalf.

Father Munyeshyaka is 421st of 446 persons on a Rwandan government list of alleged genocidal killers.

Several other priests and religious are in prison or under house arrest in Rwanda for allegedly assisting the Hutu militias during the killings.

Pope John Paul II recently wrote to Bishop Thaddee Ntihinytuwa. president of the Rwandan bishops' conference. urging that all members of the church who had sinned during the genocide "must have the courage to accept the consequences of the acts that they committed against God and against their neighbour."

He also said the church as such cannot be held responsible for the faults of those Catholics who acted immorally during the Rwandan fighting.

In a response to the Pope. said Bishop Ntihinyurwa Rwandan Christians were suffering from "unfounded accusations made against the church and its members."

Church sources in France said many Rwandan priests were falsely accused in a settling of accounts after the genocide.

The killing, in which between million 1 and 500.000 Rwandans are believed to have died, began two years ago, on Easter Sunday.

Call that a story? Well listen and I'll tell you a real story •

By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - To illustrate how women have been "real protagonists" of Christian salvation history, Pope John Paul II told Bible stories to several thousand people attending a general audience on March 27.

In his first general audience since March 6, the Pope cited actions by such figures as the prophetess Deborah. who rallied the Israelites in a successful holy war. and Judith. who in order to free the Jews from oppression cut off the head of an enemy general.

"The Old Testament makes us admire biblical books of Esther and Judith were some extraordinary women who, moved particularly rich in their accounts of by the spirit of God, participate in the women's influence in their people's histostruggles and triumphs of Israel and con- IY The Pope noted that the episodes, in tribute to its salvation," he said at the audiwhich the women gain victory and safety ence.

"Their presence in the events of the peo- for the Israelites, are presented in a culple is neither marginal nor passive. They tural context of violence.

The Bible recounts how Judith, a young appear as real protagonists in the history widow, makes her way to the camp of of salvation," he said.

The pope recalled the Bible account of Holofernes, a general sent to punish the Miriam, considered a prophetess, who Israelites. Captivated by her charms, the composed a famous canticle celebrating general becomes drunk "Left alone with him, Judith, before strikthe Israelites' triumph over Pharaoh.

Her action illustrates women's ability to ing him, addresses Yahweh saying: praise and thank God, he said, and the 'Strengthen me this day, 0 God of Israel!'

Then she takes Holofernes' sword and cuts off his head," the Pope said.

"Here, too, as in the case of David against Goliath, the Lord uses weakness to triumph over force. In this case, though, the one bringing back victory is a woman: Judith, who, not allowing herself to be checked by the faintheartedness and scepticism of the people's leaders, reaches Holofernes and kills him," he said.

The pope also cited the story of Esther, a woman who worked in the home of a Persian ruler who had decreed the extermination of the Jews.

At great personal risk, she sought and obtained a revocation of the decree.

16 1 .v.4;:k*FIPial,41,AP.S0-4414P9,§Rage 15

International News

eviction defends Church Profit call In Brief

on casino

HULL, Quebec (CNS) - The Archdiocese of Gatineau-Hull has called on the Quebec government to divert 10 percent of gambling profits from a newly opened casino to create jobs and stimulate the local economy.

In a March 20 letter to Quebec's minister responsible for the Outaouais region in southwestern Quebec, archdiocesan pastoral council president Gerard Lafortune also warned the new casino in Hull would have a negative social and economic impact on the area.

The Hull Casino is expected to attract 1.8 million visitors annually and pump $25 million into the local economy.

Big Pope party VATICAN CITY (CNS) Several thousand young Slovenians will help Pope John Paul II celebrate his 76th birthday May 18.

The day falls in the middle of a planned three-day visit to Slovenia, and local Church officials are organising an evening celebration with youth.

Muskie a first WASHINGTON (CNS) Edmund Muskie, who died of a heart attack on March 26 in Washington, was the first Catholic secretary of state and the first Catholic to be elected governor of Maine.

His funeral Mass was held on March 30 at Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda.

Maryland, where he was a longtime parishioner.

In April 1980 President Carter chose Muskie as his secretary of state, making him the first Catholic to serve in that office.

Visit to Poland WARSAW (CNS) - Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, a former communist, has invited Pope John Paul 11 10 visit his homeland in mid-1997.

Speaking in Wroclaw, Polish State Secretary Marek Ungier said the president's invitation would be handed to the Pope before the end of March.

He added that Kwasniewski. a former communist, would personally greet the pope at the Wroclaw airport. when the Pontiff arrived to attend the 46th International Eucharistic Congress May 25-June 1, 1997 The visit would be Pope John Paul's seventh homecoming since his election in 1978.

New secretary VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has appointed a 35-year-old Polish-Ukrainian priest as his assistant personal secretary, to support the work of his chief aide, Msgr.

Stanislaw Dziwisz.

Secretaries assist the pope in his daily meetings and ceremonies at the Vatican.

Father Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, a graduate of the Catholic University of Lublin, was ordained in 1987 He earned a theology doctorate at Rome's St. Thomas University.

By Robert Kelly

PARIS (CNS) - Church officials in Paris were defending a decision to evict more than 400 African immigrants who had taken refuge in a church to highlight their plight.

Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger of Paris said the refugees were expelled from the church after four days because of health and safety: too many people with too few sanitary facilities.

The cardinal, who visited the refugees to offer his support before they were expelled, also called the occupation blackmail.

"I'd like to know how 400 Africans - a tenth of whom don't speak French, and who live all over Paris - suddenly happen to come together at the same place at the same time." he said.

The cardinal denounced some of the so-called humanitarian associations that he said had shown "disrespect for the Africans" by the way they had manipulated them "to suit their

own political agenda. They simply used these poor refugees."

On March 18, some 300 African immigrants occupied St Ambrose Church.

Some began a hunger strike in an effort to draw attention to their plight: because they have no residency permits, they cannot seek work, nor are they entitled to housing.

Within the next several days. about 100 more Africans, in similar irregular circumstances, joined their compatriots in the church.

On March 22, French riot police entered St Ambrose Church and forcefully evicted the immigrants.

Abbe Pierre and Bishop Jacques Gaillot, two French clerical champions of the poor who came to give their moral support to the immigrants during the eviction, expressed their consternation at the breach of the tradition of sanctuary.

Bishop Gaillot, removed from the Diocese of Evrewc for his dissent from Church policies, called

the eviction "a profanation of the fer the consequences." By the church. To be a place of sanctu- day after the eviction, 59 of the ary has been its function for cen- single men removed from the church had been taken before a turies."

Cardinal Lustiger said he judge and had been sent to the thought the two churchmen had detention centre at Vincennes to await forced repatriation. been "duped."

A lead column in Le Monde, Father Yves de Mallmann, episcopal vicar for pastoral care of one of France's most respected immigrants, said that on the first newspapers. March 24 described evening of the occupation, the eviction as shameful and church officials had almost spoke about the "collapse of yet reached a peaceful settlement another symbol," of sanctuary.

The paper quoted from the with the immigrants.

"We had offered alternative annual report of the National premises belonging to the Consultative Commission on Human Rights, which was prechurch," he said.

"This invitation was first accept- sented to the prime minister by, ed, but then groundless rumours among others. Cardinal Lustiger started to circulate that the build- on March 20.

The report bemoans "a bamiliing was surrounded by police ... which meant the agreement col- sation in xenophobic attitudes" and notes "a considerable lapsed."

The priest blamed some mem- increase in the number of racist bers of the associations involved Incidents in the course of 1995."

Two days after the eviction, sevfor hardening the tone of the talks and "seeking to mediate the eral people interrupted the 11 am Mass at St. Ambrose to shout whole affair."

"It's utterly deplorable," he said. about complicity between the "It's the Africans who have to suf- church and the police.

Warning on manipulation County. also part of the New York of executions

Cardinal opposes the death penalty but says Catholics may support it •

By Tracy Early NEW YORK (CNS) - New York Cardinal John O'Connor told a group of police officers on March 24 that he opposes the death penalty but said Catholics could legitimately make a judgment in favour of it.

He said that he and most other US bishops of the United States are against capital punishment, and he said that Pope John Paul II is discouraging its use.

But the cardinal emphasised the right of individual Catholics to make their own decisions.

"A good Catholic can responsibly be for or against use of the death penalty under certain restricted conditions," he said.

"It is a matter of judgment."

Cardinal O'Connor spoke at an annual Mass for a Holy Name Society organisation for police in the three New York City boroughs that are in the Archdiocese of New York - Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx.

St Patrick's Cathedral was packed. with people standing in the aisles as hundreds of society members and their families swelled the usual Sunday morning attendance at the cardinal's Mass.

Having a congregation made up mostly of police officers and the current political situation in New York City and elsewhere in the state produced a charged atmosphere for a homily on the death penalty.

Cardinal John O'Connor

Three days earlier Governor George Pataki took the highly unusual and controversial action of removing Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson from a case involving the killing of police officer Kevin Gillespie because Johnson would not promise to consider asking for the death penalty.

After years of former Governor Mario Cuomo's vetoes on death penalty legislation, Pataki won on a platform of supporting it.

He signed a law allowing the death penalty that became effective in September.

Pataki put State Attorney General Dennis Vacco in charge of the Gillespie case.

The same day. March 21, another police officer, Michael Frey, was killed in Westchester

Archdiocese, by a man who later killed himself.

As the Mass began. Cardinal O'Connor said he was offering it for Gillespie and Frey.

He did not discuss their particular cases, or Pataki's action, but did address the general issue of capital punishment.

He devoted his entire homily to it.

Quoting the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," he emphasised that church teaching supported the right of society to defend itself and use measures, including the death penalty, if necessary.

The catechism also says, he noted, that public authorities should limit themselves to "bloodless means" if possible because these "are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person."

The Pope, in his encyclical "The Gospel of Life," said that the state "ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity ... when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society."

He said that "such cases are very rare if not practically nonexistent."

Cardinal O'Connor said that resorting to capital punishment would leave the United States vulnerable to the belief that it was solving its basic problems.

"What do we really solve?" he asked.

Don't kill my killer if I die: Prejean WASHINGTON (CNS) - Sister Helen Prejean, whose experiences with inmates on death row led to the film "Dead Man Walking" and a best actress Oscar for Susan Sarandon on March 25. knows she would not want her own killer to be on death row.

Sister Prejean. a Sister of St Joseph from New Orleans, is among some 2,400 people who have signed the Declaration of Life.

The document says that if the signer dies as the result of a homicide, he or she does not want the person responsible to

The Record, April 4 1996 Page 16

receive the death penalty.

"During my life, I want to feel confident that under no circumstances whatsoever will my death result in the capital punishment of another human being," the declaration says.

Other signers include actor and activist Martin Sheen, former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and Carolyn McCarthy, a nurse from New York, whose husband was killed and son severely injured during the same crime by Cohn Ferguson during a shooting spree on the Long Island Rail Road in December 1993.

Sister Helen Prejean

By Jonathan Luxmoore WARSAW. Poland (CNS) - The secretary-general of the Polish bishops' conference has criticised demands for the return of the death penalty in the wake of a growing crime wave.

"The church accepts the death penalty, but only in extreme cases when there is no other solution and when it will ensure protection against the threat of further crimes," said Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek.

"However, we are in a position in Poland to avoid having to impose the death penalty." he said.

In an interview with the Polish Press Agency, the bishop said he believed Catholics should follow the current "worldwide tendency" to acknowledge "the humanity existing in every person. even dangerous criminals."

He added that modern organised societies have enough resources to isolate criminals and even to allow their return to society.

The bishop said human life is sacred and warned that the death penalty could introduce another easily manipulated form of suppressing life.

"We know from official statements what is the attitude to the life of unborn children and euthanasia."

"The new field now opening up Is full of dangers," he said.

The secretary-general's remarks followed nationwide outrage at a fatal shooting on March 17 of a 20-year-old Warsaw university student during a robbery.

Over 30,000 people protested.

Preaching at a funeral Mass the same day. Cardinal Jozef Glemp of Warsaw said the student had been a "symbol of innocence submerged in the world of violence which is spreading throughout our homeland and laying deeper and deeper roots."

Armed robbery convictions doubled in Poland between 1993 and 1995, amid a dramatic increase in robbery-related murders and gang warfare since the end of communist rule.

International News

US bishops take on Clinton over abortion law WASHINGTON (CNS) - As a hill banning the so-called partialbirth abortion procedure overcame its final hurdle in Congress, the US Catholic bishops urged President Clinton to sign the legislation without the proposed exception he supports.

In a 286-129 bipartisan vote March 2Z the House of Representatives approved a version of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act that had been previously approved by the Senate.

It was the first time Congress had passed a law banning a specific abortion procedure since the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs Wade decision.

Presidential spokesman Mike McCurry said March 28 that Clinton would veto the bill.

The House margin was wide enough to overcome a presidential veto, hut the earlier 54-44 Senate vote was not.

Mvo days before the vote, the bishops took out a full-page advertisement in The Washington Post to criticise a proposal to add an exception to the bill that would allow doctors to use the procedure for "health" considerations.

The ad. sponsored by the Secretariat for Pm-Life Activities of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. listed more than two dozen reasons that might fall under -health-of-themother" exceptions to an abortion ban and might be permitted under broad Supreme Court interpretations.

Exceptions, the ad said, "can be defined as just about anything." including: fetal abnormality, doesn't want a Down syndrome baby or baby with a missing limb: social/psychological crisis. "won't fit into a prom dress." pregnancy "interfering with career goals": depression. "feels sad, feels anxious, feels alone"; or a woman feels certain she cannot

continue her pregnancy because she "hates being pregnant, hates being 'fat,' hates giving birth, or has a boyfriend who doesn't want a baby."

Clinton, in a February letter sent to key lawmakers, threatened to veto any ban on the partial-birth procedure if it does not include an exception to protect the mother's health.

His proposed amendment would add an exception for situations involving "serious adverse health consequences to the woman."

Pro-lifers, including many Catholic bishops who sent letters to Clinton. responded that such an exception would make the bill meaningless.

As written the bill allows such abortions to be performed to save the life of the mother.

The March 25 newspaper ad said that since Roe vs Wade and Doe vs Bolton. the -health of a mother" has been legally defined as "all factors - physical, emotional. psychological, familial and the woman's age - relevant to the well-being of the patient."

"As (the former) Senator Bob Packwood. well-known abortion advocate, so aptly noted. 'Is there any abortion that couldn't fit into this definition?" the ad said.

"So, President Clinton, if you're trying to ease your conscience by agreeing to sign H.R.1833 with a 'health-of-the-mother' exception, you should he aware. You'll be fooling nobody but yourself." it concluded.

Meanwhile, in other abortionrelated action, the National Right to Life Committee was lobbying members of Congress over amendments to the pending omnibus appropriations bill, and the Supreme Court rejected another state's appeal of rulings requiring them to provide abortions for impoverished women impregnated as a result of rape

or incest. The provisions proposed for the appropriations bill in a House-Senate conference committee include a Senate amendment. the Coats- Snowe Amendment.

Douglas Johnson. legislative director of National Right to Life, said the amendment deserved support because it "would protect medical training programs and health care professionals from government-based discrimination on grounds of failure to comply with the recent pro-abortion decrees of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education."

Johnson also said he supported an amendment that would ensure no state would be required to use state funds to pay for abortions except to save the life of a mother.

A third provision Johnson said he opposed would allow the president to allocate any part of the $1.5 billion in development assistance funds for population programs.

Johnson said Clinton has used the program to expand international access to abortion and he urged members of Congress to oppose such an expansion of his allocation authority In the state abortion funds case. the US Supreme Court March 25 rejected without comment an appeal from Louisiana of a federal judge's order on Medicaidfunded abortions.

The ruling said the state may not refuse Medicaid funding for rape- and incest-related abortions. In 1994 Congress approved a regulation requiring states to provide abortions for indigent women in such cases in addition to cases where the mother's life is in danger.

Louisiana is the fifth state whose appeal of the regulation has been rejected by the Supreme Court.

Oscars show Hollywood at its usual worst: critic WASHINGTON (CNS) Despite the promise shown by some of the nominations. the Oscar winners demonstrate that Hollywood has little regard for family values, according to the US bishops' movie expert.

Henry Herx, who has been reviewing movies for the bishops since 1964, made the comment in a statement on March 26, the day after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honoured 1995's best films and stars.

"Not one top award went to a movie you'd want to take the family to," said Herx, who heads the bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting.

"Nor would you want to bring any of them into the family room at home."

-Braveheart." which won five Oscars including best picture and best director, had technical merit but "its incredible violence only adds to the society's sense of mayhem today," Herx said.

His office classified "Bravehearl" A-IV - for adults, with reservations - because of its scenes of violence.

The one bright spot in the Oscars presentation was Susan Sarandon's win as best actress for her role as Sister Helen Man Prejean in -Dead Walking." a film which forces people to look at the morality of the death penalty. Herx said.

But even that was not a family film and was classified A-III adults, he said.

-Awarding any prize to 'Leaving Las Vegas' was a travesty." Herx said.

"That Nicolas Cage would win best actor for his portrayal of a suicidal drunk shows that any belief that stars should be role models is lost."

His office gave "Leaving Las Vegas" a classification of 0 morally offensive.

"Also off-putting." Herx said, were the choices of Mira Sorvino as best supporting actress for her role as a prostitute in "Mighty Aphrodite- and Kevin Spacey as best supporting actor for his role as "a devious crook" in "The Usual Suspects."

Both films were classified A-Ill adults.

When the Oscar nominations were announced in February,

Susan Sarandon with Oscar Herx had praise for the other four films nominated for best picture. "The Postman." "Sense and Sensibility" and "Apollo 13" each received a classification of A-II - suitable for adults and adolescents - from the USCC film office.

"Babe" was classified A-I suitable for all.

"The academy seems to be hearing the cry for movies to which you can take the family" Herx said in February.

Herx estimated that over the years he has reviewed some 5,000 movies -from losers like 'Howard the Duck' to standouts like 'Cry the Beloved Country.— He picked as his "favourite of all time" John Ford's -The Grapes of Wrath."

In 1996 the US Catholic Church expanded its film activity by launching a toll-free nationwide movie review line.

"When movies moved from the local theatre to the living room, we recognised a need to do more to help families," said Thomas Auxiliary Bishop Costello of New York. chairman of the bishops' Communications Committee.

"Concern for family life is paramount among Catholic people - that's what we hear from the people in the pew." he added.

"We've put resources into the '800' movie review line to show that church support for family life is as close as your phone."

Mother Teresa's condition stable Plans to disrupt Papal German trip after fracturing collarbone Berlin office of the (Humanist) Heike Thome, said the schedulme Weil By CALCUTTA, India (CNS) Mother Teresa of Calcutta fractured her left collarbone and was in stable condition, a hospital spokesman said last Monday, April 1.

"Mother Teresa had a fall late last night and fractured her left collarbone," a spokesman for Woodland Nursing Home said.

"The fracture has been dealt with, and her condition is stable.

She is under observation by a team of doctors."

The spokesman said the frail missionary had not fractured her left hand, as believed earlier.

Mother Teresa had been scheduled to visit Calcutta airport on the morning of April 1 to witness the arrival of 50 tons of medicines and supplies worth more than $12 million.

The gift, sponsored by the USbased humanitarian organisation Heart to Heart International, was for health care facilities run by

Mother Teresa's order, the Missionaries of Charity. Sister Priscilla Lewis, speaking from the Missionaries of Charity motherhouse, said the 85-year-old nun was expected to be released from hospital within a few days.

"After she returns, she needs at least two weeks' complete rest," Sr Lewis said.

Mother Teresa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950.

The order, based in India, runs orphanages and organises relief for the "poorest of the poor" in India and more than 100 other countries.

In 1989, Mother Teresa received a pacemaker, and in late December 1991 underwent angioplasty.

In 1993, she was hospitalised for several days after a fall in which she broke three ribs.

BERLIN (C1.-1 - Advocates for gay and lesbian rights, supporters of legal abortion, peace activists and other groups are planning activities to coincide with Pope John Paul II's visit to Germany in June.

Local church officials said the activities, many with a critical stand toward the church, were not expected to disrupt the papal events.

During his tour June 22-23, the pontiff is expected to visit Paderborn and Berlin, the German capital.

In Berlin, he will beatify two German priests who died because of their opposition to the Nazis.

An ecumenical encounter is planned in Paderborn.

"We just want to make sure that people are aware there are many traditional to alternatives Catholic ways of thinking," said Roland Otte, spokesman for the

Humanistische Union, a nonsecular civil rights group that is coordinating a number of activitim "'We don't want to promote any one point of view, but to make sure that all are given a chance for expression," he said in midMarch.

The Pope's trip to Berlin June 23 coincides with an annual "gay on festival street pride" Nollendorfplatz, a public square in the western half of the city.

Throughout the Cold War, West Berlin was known as a haven of tolerance for homosexual lifestyles; the street festival has been held there for 15 years.

A family planning organisation called ProFamilia is planning to set up an open-air counselling centre on the main street in eastern Berlin.

There the group will offer advice on birth control, AIDS prevention and AIDS treatment.

A spokeswoman for the German bishops' conference,

ing of the gay pride celebration appeared to be a coincidence.

She said trip planners were not paying much attention to the alternative activities planned by the groups.

"I don't think people who go to Berlin to see the Pope and celebrate Mass with him will be much affected by advice on how to leave the Church," she said March 26.

In Berlin, a spokesman for the archdiocese, Nndreas Harzeg, said police had guaranteed that no demonstrators would be allowed at papal event sites.

He said he thought TV news would probably report on the activities of the groups criticising the church, but they would not destroy the visit's atmosphere.

The activities critical of the church will include a 24-hour-aday telephone hotline on how to leave the Catholic Church sponsored by the Humanistische Verband, another secular civil rights group.

The Record, April 4 1996 Page 17

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THANKS Thank you Sacred Heart of of Jesus. Our Lady Lourdes. St Joseph. Our Lady of Good Health of Valenkanni.

Augusta C ARETAKER, Lumen Christi Church and Applications Homes. sought for position of caretakers. Two-bedroom flat available in return for light duties. Skills in pastoral advantage. an work Applications to be made in writing to Parish Priest PO Box 78 Margaret River.

For further details contact Fr Pat Rooney on (097) 572 264.

THANKS MAY the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified. loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us. St Jude the worker of miracles pray for us. St Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.

Say this prayer nine times a day.

Say for nine days. Thank you St Jude for favours granted. F.H. HOLY SPIRIT, thou who makes me see everything and shows me the way to reach the ideal, you who gave me the divine gift to f orgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me, I in this dialogue want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never wanted to be separated from you no matter how great the material desire may be. I want to be with you and your loved ones in your perpetual glory, Amen.

M.F. MAY the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified. loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us. St Jude the worker of miracles pray for us. St Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.

Say this prayer nine times a day.

Say for nine days. Thank you St Jude and Our Lady and the Sacred Heart. JR. THANKS to Our Lady. St Clare. St Jude and St Anthony for favours granted. C and LP.

memier-ININA7j THE PARISH S CENE BULLSBROOK ANNIVERSARY The 49th anniversary of the Apparition of The Virgin of The Revelation at Tre Fontane, Rome. to Bruno Cornacchiola will be celebrated at the church of Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook on Easter Monday. April 8. Holy Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Healy at 11 am, followed by a Marian Procession in the Church grounds. On Friday, April 12 the actual Anniversary date, SACRI will celebrate with Holy Rosary recited at 10.30 am, Holy Mass at 11 am. followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 1.30 pm. All welcome.

MICHAEL DAVIES IN PERTH Michael Davies of England is a convert to the Catholic faith. He is a prolific author. dynamic speaker and gifted debater. His writings address the loss of confidence among so many of the f aithful in the Catholic Church. The issues Mr Davies will be addressing may help many parents understand the problems they are facing with their children.

Mr Davies is not here to criticise just to help people understand the real issues.

He will be speaking in Perth on Tuesday 9 April at 7.30 pm at The Metro Inn. 61 Canning Hwy. South Perth. All welcome.

Further details ph 457-5860 or 382-1451.

WELCOME HOME A programme to assist Catholics to return to the Church. If you have been a member of the Catholic Church and for whatever reason have been out of touch for a number of years this invitation is for you. You might not be aware of it but there is a whole new experience of Church available today. It comes from an atttitude that individuals as individuals are important and that each must be listened to; that one person makes a difference and that individual consciences must be respected. You are invited to attend a social gathering including an information session and details of planned programme. This gathering will be held on Thursday 18 April at 1pm or 7.30pm, or 24 April at 7.30pm in the parish centre (12 Third Road. Armadale).

You're invited to attend either one of these sessions. If you intend to join one of these sessions please ring the Parish Office on 399 2143.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church Episcopal Consecration in the 1587 The spiritual gift conferred Lan rite): the grace to guide and by presbyteral ordination is defend his Church with strength expressed by this prayer of the 1584 Since it is ultimately Christ and prudence as a father and Byzantine Rite. The bishop, while who acts and effects salvation pastor, with gratuitous love for all laying on his hand, says among through the ordained minister, and a preferential love for the other things: 1581 This sacrament configures the unworthiness of the latter poor, the sick, and the needy. Lord, fill with the gift of the Holy the recipient to Christ by a spe- does not prevent Christ from act- This grace impels him to pro- Spirit him whom you have cial grace of the Holy Spirit, so ing. St. Augustine states this claim the Gospel to all, to be the deigned to raise to the rank of the that he may serve as Christ's forcefully: model for his flock, to go before it priesthood that he may be worinstrument for his Church. By As for the proud minister, he is to on the way of sanctification by thy to stand without reproach ordination one is enabled to act be ranked with the devil. Christ's identifying himself in the before your altar, to proclaim the as a representative of Christ, gift is not thereby profaned: what Eucharist with Christ the priest Gospel of your kingdom, to fulfil Head of the Church, in his triple flows through him keeps its puri- and victim, not fearing to give his the ministry of your word of office of priest, prophet, and king. ty, and what passes through him life for his sheep: truth, to offer you spiritual gifts remains clear and reaches the Father, you know all hearts. You and sacrifices, to renew your 1582 As in the case of Baptism fertile earth.... The spiritual have chosen your servant for the people by the bath of rebirth; so and Confirmation this share in power of the sacrament is indeed office of bishop. May he be a that he may go out to meet our Christ's office is granted once for comparable to light: those to be shepherd to your holy flock, and great God and Saviour Jesus all. The sacrament of Holy enlightened receive it in its puri- a high priest blameless in your Christ, your only Son, on the day Orders, like the other two, con- ty. and if it should pass through sight, ministering to you night of his second coming, and may fers an indelible spiritual charac- defiled beings, it is not itself and day; may he always gain the receive from your vast goodness ter and cannot be repeated or defiled. blessing of your favour and offer the recompense for a faithful conferred temporarily. the gifts of your holy Church. administration of his order.

Through the Spirit who gives the The grace of the With regard to deacons, 1583 It is true that someone grace of high priesthood grant 1588 Holy Spirit by sacramental "strengthened validly ordained can, for a just him the power to forgive sins as reason, be discharged from the 1585 The grace of the Holy Spirit you have commanded, to assign grace they are dedicated to the obligations and functions linked proper to this sacrament is con- ministries as you have decreed, People of God, in conjunction to ordination, or can be forbid- figuration to Christ as Priest, and to loose from every bond by with the bishop and his body of den to exercise them; but he can- Teacher, and Pastor, of whom the the authority which you gave to priests, in the service (diakonia) the liturgy, of the Gospel, and not become a layman again in ordained is made a minister. your apostles. May he be pleas- of works of charity." of the strict sense, because the charing to you by his gentleness and acter imprinted by ordination is 1586 For the bishop. this is first purity of heart, presenting a fra- 1589 Before the grandeur of the of all a grace of strength ("the grant offering to you, through for ever. priestly grace and office, the holy The vocation and mission governing spirit": Prayer of Jesus Christ, your Son....

VII. The effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders The indelible character

received on the day of his ordination mark him permanently.

The Record, April 4 1996 Page 18

doctors felt an urgent call to conversion in order to conform their whole lives to him whose sacrament had made them ministers.

Thus St. Gregory of Nazianzus, as a very young priest, exclaimed: We must begin by purifying ourselves before purifying others; we must be instructed to be able to instruct, become light to illuminate, draw close to God to bring him close to others, be sanctified to sanctify, lead by the hand and counsel prudently. I know whose ministers we are, where we find ourselves and to where we strive. I know God's greatness and man's weakness, but also his potential. [Who then is the priest? He isl the defender of truth, who stands with angels. gives glory with archangels, causes sacrifices to rise to the altar on high. shares Christ's priesthood, refashions creation, restores it in God's image, recreates it for the world on high and, even greater, is divinised and divinises.

And the holy Cure of Ars: "The priest continues the work of redemption on earth.... If we really understood the priest on earth, we would die not of fright but of love The Priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus."

THE PA SCEN STREET APPEAL LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR The Little Sisters of the Poor are seeking collectors for the Street Appeal on Friday 3 May 3. Volunteers can contact either of the following numbers: 443 3155 or 387 5376.

LITURGICAL MUSIC FOR EVERYONE Presented by the Parish Liturgical Musicians Network. Workshops include: Making Your Own Music (text writing); You Can Cantor; The Effective Parish Organist; Sing With Ease. Saturday 20 April 1996. 11 am - 4 pm at North Beach Parish Centre. 3 Kitchener Street, North Beach. Cost S10, please bring your own lunch: tea and coffee provided. For further information and contact the please registration Archdiocesan Liturgy Office ph (09) 2211548.

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Celebration of the Lord's Passion, St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey

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Easter Vigil, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey Easter Vigil, Kwinana Bishop Healy

7

Solemn Easter Mass, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey Easter Mass, Shenton ParkBishop Healy

8

Mass SACRI. BullsbrookBishop Healy

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Knights of St Lazarus of Jerusalem - Bishop Healy

11

Council of Priests Meeting

14

Divine Mercy Mass, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey

15-24

Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference - Plenary Meeting, Archbishop Hickey.

Bishop Healy

••• •

PERSONAL ADVOCACY SERVICE Street Appeal: Assistance is needed on Friday 3 May 1996 with a Street Appeal for the Archdiocese of Perth Personal Advocacy Service (a service which promotes the value and dignity of people with intellectual disability and enables them to participate in the life and work of the local parish community). If you can possibly volunteer an hour or two of Personal time, your Advocacy (PAS) would be very pleased to hear from you.

R ecorders, collectors and general helpers are urgently needed. Please phone Jill Parker or Therese Brucciani on 275-5388.

NEWMAN SOCIETY A cocktail party will be held on April 20 following the 5.45 pm Mass at St Thomas More College, Mounts Bay Road. Crawley. Admittance S10. Drinks available at the bar. All Catholic University graduates welcome. RSVP t o Newman Society, c/o College, by April 17. This will also be a suitable opportunity for the payment of Vatican II yearly subs.

Group, Tuesday, April 9 at 11 am. Pope John Paul II's Encyclical Ut Unum Sint (That All May Be One).

Venue: Our Lady of the Missions Convent, 40 Mary St Highgate (Harold St entrance). Open to all interested. Ph 446-7340.

WEST PERTH MERCY CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS The Sisters of Mercy, West Perth Congregation, wish to extend an invitation to all friends, colleagues and exstudents of their schools to attend the Centenary Mass at St Brigid's Church, cnr Aberdeen and Fitzgerald Sts. West Perth at 11 am.

Sunday 26 May, 1996.

A centenary Dinner will be held at Rossetti's Function Centre at 1 pm on the same day. Tickets to the Dinner are available from the Congregational Centre, 186 Vincent St, North Perth 6006.

Ph 328-6991.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR for women to experience the peace that only God can give. A 7 week Life in the Spirit seminar at the Bethel Wednesday Ladies' Prayer Meeting starts on Wednesday 24 April at 10 am at the Bethel Centre, 236 Railway West Pde, Leederville opp. Railway Station. Enquiries 381-2516, a/h 387-2808.

GOSPA PREVIEW The story of the apparition of Our Blessed Mother to the six children at Medjugorje.

A full length movie, featuring actor Martin Sheen as Fr Jozo, recounting the dramatic events of 1981.

Gospa will be shown at the Lumiere Cinema, Entertainment Centre Wellington St. Perth, April 14 at 10.45 am.

Adults S12. children under 14 59.

Tickets can be obtained by ringing 246-2769.

WEMBLEY PARISH Before leaving for Talks in the UK and Ireland. Alan Ames will speak at Our Lady of Victories Church, 364 Cambridge St, Wembley on Friday 12 April after the 7 pm the Holy recitation of R osary. The evening will conclude with Healing.

All welcome. Enq Sr Claude 387-3987, Russel 274-6018.

HEALING MASSES Fr Peter Rookey OSM will Healing two celebrate Mary's St at Masses Cathedral on Monday. April 29 and Tuesday. April 30 beginning with songs of praise at 7 pm, the Servite Rosary at 7.30 pm and Mass at 8 pm.

Fr Rookey is blessed with a healing ministry.

Wherever he goes around the world miracles happen.

You are invited to bring the sick and the infirm.

CHARISMATIC HEALING MASS InterMinistries Flame national will be celebrating God's desire to heal the sick at a Healing Mass at 6 pm on Sunday April 21 at St Denis St, Roberts Church, Joondanna.

Evening will include: Songs of Praise & Worship, Mass, Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick & Prayer for Healing.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN RURAL MISSION CONFERENCE (WARM) is planned for Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 April from 9 am to 3 pm at Parish Leederville the Centre (Host - Geraldton Diocesan Catechist Service) Verna Sr Facilitator Holyhead SGS. There will be a two pronged focus: a) Breaking open, sharing and living The Word; b) Renewed understanding of the of Sacrament Reconciliation. Ph Robyn 099-63-4179 or Ann 099-642716.

Continued page 18

THE BIBLE SOCIETY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Chief Executive Officer) Expressions of interest are invited for this senior executive position.

Applicants must have good knowledge of the Bible and Christian missions, proven management skills and public speaking ability.

Applications should be made in writing with CV and references to: The Executive Director The Bible Society in WA Inc. PO BOX 6420 EAST PERTH WA 6892 Closing date, 30th April 1996

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