Catholic Life - April 2013 by Catholic Diocese of Sale

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Catholic Life Publication of the Diocese of Sale

Holy Week celebration at Newborough - Page 5

ISSUE 171

Student wins Spirit of Anzac award - Page 6

CatholicCare A MAJOR restructuring has taken place within Centacare Gippsland, including a change of name. The provision of service to those who are struggling and in need has always been a cornerstone of the Church. In the Diocese of Sale a key institution in assisting the Church with that mission has been Centacare Gippsland. In the interests of increasing resources available for this important work Bishop Christopher Prowse has accepted a recommendation from the board of Centacare that its work in Gippsland be managed with the assistancees of CatholicCare in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. This recommendation came about as a result of a review of the services of Centacare which noted that in order to be financially and administratively sustainable into the future that Centacare would benefit from being part of a larger organisation. The new arrangements will ensure that administration costs are minimised and direct service to families is maximised. These new arrangements were put in place on the first April when Centacare Gippsland was renamed CatholicCare Gippsland. The new name will ensure that the excellent work undertaken by the agency is recognised as a contribution of the Church to the broader community and it more readily identifies the agency as part of the larger umbrella organisation CatholicCare Victoria Tasmania. The details of the agreement between CatholicCare Melbourne and the Diocese of Sale will ensure that CatholicCare Gippsland retains an identity and presence across the region

April 2013

Pope affirms roles of women - Page 7

Relaunching of Centacare Gippsland

and will ensure that the necessary funds raised for its work will be dedicated to assist the social needs that exist within the diocese. Director of Centacare Gippsland Jamie Edwards has agreed to stay up until the end of June to assist with the transition of the management arrangements.

Fr Joe Caddy the CEO of CatholicCare in the Archdiocese of Melbourne has welcomed this initiative from the Diocese of Sale. He said “It is becoming increasingly difficult for smaller agencies to attract funding from governments, so under these new arrangement we will be able to realise the benefits of being a larger agency while maintaining a strong identity and presence in the local community. “As a result of these administrative changes it is realistic to expect a more certain future for CatholicCare Gippsland and over time an expansion in the provision of services to those who are in need of them.” He announced the appointment of Anthea Dacey to manage the local programs in Gippsland.” In our next issue of Catholic Life we will highlight some of the services that CatholicCare provides within the Diocese of Sale.

SOLDIERS erect the cross of the crucified Christ during a Stations of the Cross dramatisation on Good Friday in Narre Warren which was attended by more than 700 people. - PHOTO: Catholic Life

Your generous gift will go on giving A donation to the Bishop’s Family Foundation will aid needy families in the Diocese of Sale by funding much needed counselling and other programs. Send tax deductible donations to: Bishop’s Family Foundation, PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820 Phone 5622 6600 for more information

Page 2 - Catholic Life, April 2013

Easter: Closeness to the vulnerable and families B

efore lighting the Easter/ Paschal Candle, the priest says at the Easter Vigil: Christ yesterday and today The beginning and the end The Alpha and the Omega. All time belongs to Him; and all ages. To Him be glory and power; Through every age and for ever. Amen. In the light of this profound declaration of WHO JESUS IS for Christians, we place our total trust and hope in the Risen Saviour. Between Easter and Pentecost, the Church rests in this Easter faith. We are graced with salvation and redemption. This is our Light in the dark places of our hearts and world. It gives us courage to go forward in loving service of all, especially the poor and forgotten. In this Easter faith, during our Years of Grace and Faith, I wish to announce two major structural changes in the Diocese of Sale.

CatholicCare Gippsland I have restructured what we have known up to this time as Centacare Gippsland. I desire to make this most significant

To God’s People in the Catholic Diocese of Sale Catholic outreach to the vulnerable in Gippsland even more ready to provide practical resources and assistance to those in need. I am delighted that much of the administration for this agency of the Diocese of Sale will now be conducted by the Archdiocese of Melbourne. This will free us to channel more of our resources directly to our programs in Gippsland. You will find in the years ahead many practical resources showcased in your parish bulletins and communities. The next two issues of Catholic Life will explain these changes more fully. Please read them carefully. To signify this structural change and the Catholic centrality to its outreach, I am renaming the agency: CatholicCare Gippsland. I thank all those who have cooperated so readily to make this restructure possible. Let us all support CatholicCare prayerfully and practically in the years ahead.

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DIOCESE OF SALE

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Diocesan Pastoral Plan – Family Evangelisation Over the last few years I have consulted widely in the diocese to discern our way forward after the Journeying Together pastoral focus. This task has been greatly assisted by the Diocesan Pastoral Council. The members of this council represent all regions of the diocese. Thank you so much for your continuing input and advice. At the end of the Year of Faith (Nov. 2013), I will launch a new Pastoral Plan for the years ahead. Two key words have constantly arisen over my diocesan consultations: Evangelisation and Family Life. I have therefore decided that our key diocesan focus for the immediate future will be: FAMILY EVANGELISATION. In next month’s issue of Catholic Life, I will publish a Pastoral Letter on this topic. I will also indicate a year by year

theme that I ask the entire diocese to adopt in our pastoral activities. Goals, visions and resources will become available in time to assist us all to animate this Diocesan Pastoral Plan. Our first year theme will be: FAMILY PRAYER. We will begin in Advent 2013. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will bless our humble efforts. May the Holy Family of Nazareth guide us in the years ahead. These are exciting yet profoundly troubling times to live out our Catholic Faith. Has it been otherwise since Pentecost? Our new Pope Francis is providing remarkable leadership in these early days of his Pontificate on our attitude and motivation. Without Christ Jesus at the very centre of all our pastoral efforts, he says, we are simply children building sand castles on the seashore. Therefore, in this Easter Season, let us all, once again, place Jesus - Crucified and Risen – at the very centre of our Catholic lives lived out in our Diocese of Sale. Bishop Christopher Prowse Catholic Bishop of Sale

Healing seminar in the west By Arianne D’Argent NARRE WARREN - A healing seminar organised by Narre Warren Prayer Group on March 9 attracted 23 attendees. We were blest to have Lenyce Willason and Christine Grech from Catholic Charismatic Renewal present the seminar to our community in the portable building in front of the church.

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It was a very interesting and inspiring topic. Lenyce and Christine shared with us their knowledge and experience they have encountered in their ministry. They referred to the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We were given guidelines to follow when praying over people within the prayer group and also other places such as homes and hospitals, as they mentioned we are accountable to the parish and CCR. We were encouraged to spend quality time in prayer and to form a deeper relationship with the Lord. As members of the healing

ministry we are to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lenyce and Christine, stressed the importance of confidentiality at all times and encouraged us to use the prayer of protection before commencing the healing sessions. At the end, Lenyce and Christine prayed on each one of us, it was truly a wonderful and Spirit-filled experience.

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Seminar series celebrates our Catholic faith By Sophy Morley A SERIES of seminars Celebrating our Faith was held in the diocese to mark the Year of Faith. Three seminars, for all parishioners and school staff, were hosted in the parishes of Berwick, Bairnsdale and Traralgon. Associate Professor in New Testament at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Dr Mary Coloe PBVM led participants through an exploration of the Lenten Gospel texts of Luke. Sr Mary’s engaging talk prompted fresh insights on well known and much loved texts such as the parable of the Prodigal Son (or as she referred to it: the Parable of the Righteous Son). Sr Mary also discussed the Passion of Christ and Judging by the buzz and energy at each presentation, those present found much food for further discussion and thought. It certainly will assist to us appreciate these texts in a new way for our prayer and our Christian living.

We are pleased to announce that Sr Mary will be presenting a further series on the Gospels of John in February 2014. She is currently in Israel teaching Scripture at Ecce Homo in Jerusalem Sr Mary is a much published author and a frequent international lecturer in Boston, Berkeley and Jerusalem. She has presented workshops in diocese throughout Australia, and this year is teaching programs at Ecce Homo in Jerusalem and in Pakistan. She was recently appointed by the Vatican to the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. A second series Living our Faith is planned for late May and early June where the Diocese will be hosting several forums on the legacy and teachings Second Vatican Council. The presenter will be Fr Max Vodola, a priest of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and lecturer at Catholic Theological College, who recently gained his doctorate in the topic. Further details will be sent to parishes and schools as details are confirmed, ATTENDING the Traralgon seminar are (from left) Helena Chan, Susan Grout and Angelina Benitez.

Pope’s comments on sex abuse welcome TRUTH Justice and Healing Council, chief executive officer Francis Sullivan has welcomed comments by Pope Francis calling on the Catholic Church to “act decisively” against church child sexual abuse. The new Pontiff said the Church must promote measures to protect young people, help victims and follow due process to ensure the guilty are punished. Mr Sullivan said the comments reinforced the way the Church in Australia was responding to the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse. “The Pope’s message is consistent with the way the Church in Australia intends to engage with the Commission,” Mr Sullivan said. “It is also in line with the

Facing the Truth Log in to follow the Catholic Church response and latest on the Victorian Government inquiry into child abuse. www.facingthetruth.org.au

Australian Church’s drive to develop new consistent policies and procedures to protect children in the future. “The Church in Australia now needs to be judged on its actions rather than its words. “The Church must face up to the way it has responded to the victims of child sexual abuse, identify the things it must do better and provide comfort, healing and compensation,” Mr Sullivan said. The Truth Justice and Healing Council has been established by the two overarching Catholic Church organisations, the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Catholic Religious Australia which represent dioceses and congregations across Australia. Its role is to oversee the Church’s engagement with the Royal Commission and to develop new policies and procedures to protect children in the future. The Council is chaired by Justice Barry O’Keefe QC, a former Commissioner of New South Wales’ Independent Commission Against Corruption and a former Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW.

Away for a weekend and need to check local Mass times? Use the QR scanning app on your smart phone and it will take you directly to the Diocese of Sale website

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The Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale is not subject to the provisions of the Corporation Act 2001 nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Deposits with the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale are guaranteed by CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for this purpose. We welcome your investment with the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale rather than with a profit orientated commercial organisation as a conscious commitment by you to support the Charitable, Religious and Educational works of the Catholic Church. Neither the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale nor the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Sale are prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; contributions to the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale do not obtain the benefit of the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act 1959; the Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Sale is designed for investors who wish to promote the charitable purposes of the Catholic Diocese of Sale.

Page 4 - Catholic Life, April 2013

Conference for graduates

Time is flying

WHAT has happened to the year? Time seems to be flashing past very quickly. A common comment from those with school children is that they had just got the children into some sort of routine and suddenly first term was gone. After a couple of weeks’ break the children are back at school and autumn is half gone. It is about now that you realise that some of those projects you promised you would get done in your new year’s resolutions are looking unlikely to eventuate. Before we know it the halfway mark of the year will be here and it will be time for tax returns.

Road irks

WE spend a lot of time on the road each week and as time goes by we are noticing more and more vehicles which would not pass the muster if pulled over for roadworthy tests. Not a week goes by that we fail to see a couple of cars being driven along the highway without number plates. Cars with blown globes in tail lights or headlights are very common and there seems to be a growing number of vehicles with dodgy wiring. You know, they put on the right indicator and the brake lights start flashing, or they

brake and the backing lights blind following vehicles. Once upon a time, police would pull cars over for such misdemeanours but sadly that seems to be a thing of the past. It seems road safety is now linked to revenue collecting speed cameras rather than unroadworthiness.

A busy Easter

REPORTS coming in from various parishes around the diocese indicate that numbers were up at most places during the Easter ceremonies this year. The election of Pope Francis certainly had a big impact in the world’s media and perhaps that has led people so embrace their faith with a new enthusiasm. Talk of the Pope’s desire to help the needy and the clear signals he has given by using public transport where possible and choosing to live in units with other residents of the Vatican rather than the Papal palace, seemed to have made people sit up and think that maybe we are going to see a Pope who may break the mould.

THE graduates who are teaching in schools in our diocese this year gathered for this snap at the conference. THE primary graduate teachers in our diocese last month gathered for two days of induction and professional learning focussing on building a culture of effective learning. They were given two days to share their own learning as they begin their teaching career as well as receive input from a number of Catholic Education Office staff.

On the Thursday they were addressed by the Director of Catholic Education, Maria Kirkwood who welcomed them to the diocese and encouraged them to reflect on their own practices as they engage in the craft of teaching and develop their skills and competencies. Over the next two days they had opportunities to work with

members of the Learning Pathways and religious education teams from the office. The two days concluded with assistant director school services, Lorraine Barlow, presenting the graduates with a Bible for their personal and professional use as primary teachers in our diocese.

Celebrating Irish

Of all the decisions we make in our lifetime, making a valid will is among the most important.

This final testament speaks loudly of the values, causes and possessions we hold most dear. We bequest personal treasures and mementos to special friends and loved ones and ask them to care for them after our passing. If you hold the Church dear, you may consider leaving a percentage of your estate or a specific amount to the Diocese of Sale. The Diocese is grateful for the support of its benefactors, who have enabled the Church to grow in its service of its people, and invite you to share in this rich heritage.

YOUNG and old share in the Joseph’s, Iona. IONA - Iona-Maryknoll and Koo Wee Rup, Catholic Parishes in Partnership, Celebrated St Patrick’s Day at St Joesph’s Church Iona, with a barbecue lunch followed by Irish Music, dancers and singers. There were also craft activi-

green themed gathering at St ties for the children led by Claire Ventura and other volunteers. Almost 100 people joined in the festivities all having a great time. There was even some impromptu Irish singing by Nar Nar Goon resident Joe Deane who was well received.

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Catholic Life, April 2013 - Page 5

Holy Week at Newborough

THE women greet Jesus as part of the Newborough re-enactment of Christ’s Passion. The performers are (from left) William, Jacob and Zac as soldiers, Caleb as Jesus, Wade as Simon who helped Jesus, and Alysha, Ambrosia and Jazmin as the women. NEWBOROUGH - St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Grade 6 students planned and led the school and parish community in prayer by presenting the events of Holy Week. The liturgy began with Palm Sunday where Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem. It also included Holy Thursday where Jesus shared his last super with the Apostles, Good Friday where Jesus was crucified on

the cross and Easter Sunday where Jesus resurrected. Grade 6 teacher, Greg Hansford said “The children were honored and privileged to lead the community in prayer at Easter. “We hoped that through our dramatisation people would be able to realise the significance of this important story and be able to relate it to our lives today.”

Marian conference is in Traralgon TRARALGON – Tony Murnane from the Apostolate of Mary will be guest speaker at the annual Diocese of Sale Marian Conference next month. The conference will be at St Michael’s Church, Traralgon, on May 11 and has the theme Mary Full of Grace and Faith. The day begins with adoration, Rosary and confessions at 9am, followed by a 90 minute session with Mr Murnane. The Mass at noon will be concelebrated by Bishop Christopher Prowse and any priests of the diocese who are attending. Mass will feature the procession of Our Lady and the crowning of the statue. After lunch another speaker will be parish priest of St Gerard’s, Dandenong North, Fr Brendan Arthur. Our Lady of Guadalupe icon will feature in this session as well as reunions for those who

have travelled to Medjugorje,

Fr Brendan Arthur Fatima and Garabandal, or who took part in the Sodality of Mary at the former St Patrick’s College, Sale. The Divine Mercy Chaplet, consecration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus, will take place at 3pm, in time for a 3.15 close. Anyone requiring more information should contact Pat Crozier on 0400 218 417.

Mr Hansford said the children presented a series of still human photographs and the impact was both dramatic and reverent. St Mary’s religious education leader, Trish Mulqueen said the mission of the Catholic school was to help the children know the person of Jesus Christ. She said the children were able to do this by appropriately presenting the story of Jesus’ last week of life.

RE coordinators commissioned

RELIGIOUS education coordinators from schools across Sale Diocese have been commissioned by Bishop Christopher Prowse. The bishop addressed them at an in-service meeting with the theme Year of Faith - Faith in Action. Chatting over lunch are (from left) Lisa Broeren, St Kieran’s, Moe, Taryn Maxwell-Garratt, St Joseph’s, Trafalgar, Janelle Szkwarek, St Joseph’s, Warragul, and Jess Van Diemen, St Ita’s, Drouin.

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Lavalla student living the Spirit of Anzac TRARALGON Bayley Charalambous, a Year 10 student at Lavalla Catholic College was recently awarded a Spirit of Anzac Prize. Along with nine other students from all over Victoria, Bayley and his family attended the prize giving at Parliament House. The students had been asked to create a piece of work that explained the Anzac Spirit and how it is relevant today. The prize, an escorted tour of significant theatres of war will see Bayley and the others visiting France, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands this month. To make for a more personal and meaningful experience part of the tour requires that each student ‘adopt’ a digger, whose history they will research and whose grave they will visit. Bayley

has ‘adopted’ his great uncle and plans to visit his grave at Lone Pine. When Bayley first visited Lavalla as a Grade 6 student he made contact with teacher Kim Widrich and told her he wanted to enter the Spirit of Anzac competition. This was quite an ambition and had been sparked by his primary teacher who told him

that Lavalla students often entered and won the competition. Three other Lavalla students had previously been award re-

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cipient with a fourth student being runner up twice. Bayley was determined to work with Mrs Widrich to be the fourth winner. He had to wait until Year 9 until he was eligible to enter. Entries are taken in many forms with previous winners writing essays, poems, creating paintings etc. Bayley chose a multimedia form and focused on producing a video. During the planning phase he turned his attention to Vietnam Veterans and sought information and materials from local RSLs. He originally planned to interview both combatants and nurses who served in Vietnam but had to restrict the project size and eventually settled on three local men as subjects for his presentation. The RSLs provided a treasure trove of information and material. Eventually Bayley used the libraries and collections as the back drop for the interviews. He has an eye for detail and presents his subjects with their medals and uniform spread before on the table as they speak about their personal reflections on the Anzac Spirit. His camera work, with slow zooms on the subjects and intimate conversations worked

Bayley Charalambous strongly on the emotions of the viewer. Rather than intrude on the interview, Bayley edited himself out and has the men speaking to him off screen. His rapport with these men and his ability to draw out sometimes painful memories is amazing in one so young. The three veterans Ted Dunstan, Ron Hall and Ron Randall spoke of being “there for your mates” and humbly getting on with their job. There were poignant comments when they talked of coming home, being reviled and under attack as “ba-

by-killers” and worse. Bayley’s presentation captured the pain, the pride and the humility of the three veterans as they reflected on their experiences and tried to define the Anzac spirit. He ended the piece with images switching between images of the Anzac spirit in war and images of SES workers, surf life savers and others who live out the Anzac spirit today. While Bayely never speaks in the presentation, his understanding of the Anzac Spirit is clear through the entire work. On the day of the award presentation, of the ten winners across the state six came from Catholic schools. When teacher Kim Widrich was queried about this, and the fact that Lavalla has now had four winners, she commented “I think they understand spirituality and ceremony” She believes that students in Catholic schools have an appreciation of symbols, rituals and commemoration that help them understand and express the spirit of Anzac. The Spirit of Anzac award was initiated to ensure that the Anzac story and spirit live on. In the hands , heads and hearts of people like Bayley Charalambous we know the story the will continue to be told and appreciated in the generations to come.

The great Easter message SOME years ago, a teacher told me about a Year 3 student who was listening to her relate the events of Easter. When they broke for lunch he was quite upset – he literally begged her: “Don’t stop, I want to know what happens to Him!” For those of us who do know “what happens to Him”, we still captivated by that tumultuous week which began with Jesus’ triumphant and joyful entry in to Jerusalem and ended with His death and resurrection. Even in advance, Isaiah summarised the extraordinary consequences of Easter: Do not be afraid For I have redeemed you: I have called you by your name, You are mine - Isaiah 43:1 Much of our struggle with faith is to come to terms with just how much God does love us. God’s love is unconditional. Yet we struggle with the notion that we are unlovable in some way or another or something we do will make God love us less. But if we really believe the events of this Easter celebration, how could we believe that? The Catechism tells us that “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because each person is created by God and for God, and God never ceases to draw each person to himself” #27. God never ceases to draw us to himself – not sometimes, or ‘only if….’, no, it’s never! “I have called you by your name, you are mine” – isn’t that extraordinary! In the Hebrew tradition, naming someone sets up a special relationship.

Reflections by Jim Quillinan Remember how God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, how God names each thing that is created? That means: “You are mine!” That’s no reason for complacency – it is not a case of God loves us so we can do anything we like! No, we must first engage in the struggle to really believe it. For some of us that means getting rid of the fear and anxiety we grew up with, the belief that we had, in some way, to earn our salvation. But Easter means that we have been redeemed – nothing we do can ‘earn’ our salvation. In St Paul’s words, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38 Our belief in God’s unconditional love has enormous consequences: • We cannot look on others without acknowledging God’s unconditional love for them too no matter who they are. It is not up to us to judge anyone’s worthiness or otherwise. God loves them too. • So there is no escape from social justice. Respect for hu-

man dignity and integrity is a must. • Even this world of ours, with all its defects, cannot be seen as a place of exile and evil, but as God’s beloved creation crying out to be improved and made just and whole again. • Our lives cannot be imagined as a time of testing for we are loved by God. Our lives can only be a time of growing and maturing. Easter reminds us of God’s dream – a vision of the world where fear and anxiety before God give way to love and trust. Jesus told His disciples at the last meal he shared with them all: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” John 14 27 Easter is an invitation to grow – to accept God’s love and faithfully respond to it. Have a wonderful Easter!

Catholic Life, April 2013 - Page 7

Catani woman’s caring ways recalled A CATANI woman who together with her husband adopted and fostered more than a dozen children has been remembered fondly. Dorothea Rosaleen Camilleri died, aged 62, after a long battle with motor neurone disease. After finished her secondary schooling in Shepparton she entered the Sisters of Mercy Convent as Sr Mary Rosaleen but was asked to leave before she made her finals vows because of her continued ill-health from a thyroid problem which was not finally diagnosed until

many years later. Although unable to be a religious sister, she wanted to work for the disadvantaged and see began teaching and helping at a school set up by a Marist Brother in Wewak, Papua New Guinea. In the early 1970s she returned home and began working, first for Campion Press and then St Paul’s School for the Blind. In her late 30s she met her husband John Camilleri who shared her faith and values and after their wedding she moved

to the farm at Catani is West Gippsland. Around this time her thyroid problems were finally diagnosed and treated. She involved herself deeply in the community, visiting the sick or elderly and offering counsel and support to the bereaved. The couple adopted a number of children and fostered many more. This provided Dorothea the opportunity to involve herself in the childrens’ schools. A second house on the Camilleri property was offered as a place of reflection for semi-

narians and clergy who wanted to spend a week or two of quiet time. Although, never intruding on the priests’ time, Dorothea could convince most to celebrate a Mass in their home whenever they stayed. About four years ago Dorothea was disagnosed with motor neurone disease which progressively robbed her of her mobility and strength and eventually her ability to talk. She finally succumbed to the illness, dying on February 13.

Dorothea Camilleri

Pope Francis affirms roles of women in the Gospels VATICAN - Pope Francis emphasised the role of women in the Church three times in less than a week by giving insight into the importance of women in the Gospel narrative. On Holy Saturday he had dedicated his Easter Vigil Homily to the women as the first witnesses to the Resurrection. On Tuesday morning he had spoken of the tears of the Magdalene and how we should follow her example of faith in our life’s journey. At Wednesday’s general audience he expanded his reflections to the women of the world, whom he said have a special and fundamental role in the Church and the transmission of the faith . Departing from his scripted

text, he appealed: “Mothers go forward with this witness to the Risen Christ!”. He spoke of how in the professions of faith of the New Testament, only men are remembered as witnesses of the Resurrection, the Apostles, but not the women. “This is because, according to the Jewish law of the time, women and children were not considered reliable, credible witnesses. In the Gospels, however, women have a primary, fundamental role. Here we can see an argument in favor of the historicity of the Resurrection: if it were a invented, in the context of that time it would not have been linked to the testimony of women. “Instead, the evangelists sim-

Pope Francis ply narrate what happened: the women were the first witnesses. “This tells us that God does not choose according to human criteria: the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus are the shepherds, simple and humble people, the first witnesses of the

Resurrection are women. “This is beautiful, and this is the mission of women, of mothers and women, to give witness to their children and grandchildren that Christ is Risen! Mothers go forward with this witness! “What matters to God is our heart, if we are open to Him, if we are like trusting children. But this also leads us to reflect on how in the Church and in the journey of faith, women have had and still have a special role in opening doors to the Lord, in following him and communicating his face, because the eyes of faith always need the simple and profound look of love. “The Apostles and disciples find it harder to believe in the Risen Christ, not the women

however! Peter runs to the tomb, but stops before the empty tomb; Thomas has to touch the wounds of the body of Jesus with his hands. “ In our journey of faith it is important to know and feel that God loves us, do not be afraid to love: faith is professed with the mouth and heart, with the word and love,” Pope Francis said.

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Page 8 - Catholic Life, April 2013

Catholic Education Week - Showing faith in action Talking Catholic Education with Maria Kirkwood own school community but the wider community of prospective students and families, local State and Federal politicians, the media and general public. The annual Leadership Eucharist and Dinner, to be held this year on April 24 at Traralgon, celebrates and acknowledges the leaders who are actively working in Catholic education in the diocese and awards teachers in our schools who are seen to embody the spirit of Catholic education. The theme of Faith in Action is a reminder to us all that it is not enough just to be familiar with the message of Christ. Our faith must be translated into deeds. Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ministry was an active one, grounded in Scripture and actively realised through his words and his relationships with all whom he encountered. Catholic schools encourage young people to put their faith into action through formal community service programs and their everyday interactions with others. Social justice activities are a core part of student learning in Catholic schools and students are encouraged to learn about and come to understand the

nature of injustice as it exists in our world today. While fundraising is one form of response to some of the financial injustice that is evident, fundraising alone is not sufficient. Supporting those whose needs are greater than our own frequently means becoming involved in community service rather than just fundraising efforts, which, while admirable,

can be one step removed form the reality of other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives and the disadvantages that are prevalent. Social justice activities can never be a replacement for formal religious education classes and liturgical celebrations, however. Rather, the activities show a movement from prayer, reflection and learning to active involvement in the world around us. Sam de Brito, writing in the M Magazine of the Sunday Age recently, featured an experience he had while stopped at a set of lights. An elderly person on a walking stick was trying to negotiate a pedestrian crossing,

with the driver of a turning car obviously keen to complete the turn and get moving again. In reading the article it was easy to feel the tension of the traffic and the anxiety of the elderly person, unable to move any faster and most probably knowing the lights were going to change before the other side of the road was reached. De Brito noticed a younger person on the crossing deliberately slow down and walk behind the elderly one, seemingly shepherding the person across whilst holding the turning cars at bay. All of this was done without letting the other pedestrian know it was happening. Faith in action?

Pope points to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy POPE Francis made the power of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy his central message as he celebrated Mass at St Anna church in Vatican City and delivered his first Angelus address to pilgrims in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square. During his homily at the local church, Pope Francis said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mercy is the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful message. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we are like the Pharisee before the altar, who said: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Thank you, Lord, for not making me like all the other men, and especially not like that fellow at the door, like that publicanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;Ś well, then we do not know the heart of the Lord, and we shall not ever have the joy of

feeling this mercy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not easy to trust oneself to the mercy of God, because His mercy is an unfathomable abyss â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but we must do it!â&#x20AC;? He said that God â&#x20AC;&#x153;has the ability to forgetâ&#x20AC;Ś He kisses you, He embraces you, and He says to you: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now, on, sin no more.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Only that counsel does He give you. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ask for the grace of never tiring of asking pardon, for He never tires of pardoning.â&#x20AC;? The Pope greeted excited crowds after the Mass outside the church, with some chanting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Francesco! Francesco!â&#x20AC;?. Later, he delivered his first

Angelus address to an estimated 300,000 pilgrims in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square. He returned to the theme of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy, saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dear brothers and sisters the face of God is that of a merciful father who is always patient with us.â&#x20AC;? He said he had been reading German Cardinal Walter Kasperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book on the subject of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy. After praising the volume he joked: â&#x20AC;&#x153;But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not trying to flog the book to you.â&#x20AC;? His parting words after leading the Angelus before the exuberant crowds were: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the Lord will never tire of forgiving us, but it is us who tire of asking forgiveness. â&#x20AC;?

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FROM April 26 to May 3 schools in the Diocese of Sale will be celebrating Catholic Education Week and this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme is Faith in Action. Catholic Education Week is celebrated in each diocese in Victoria at different times but usually in the first half of the year. Whilst the timing of the Catholic Education Week celebrations varies around the dioceses, the goals are the same. Catholic Education Week provides an opportunity to communicate and celebrate the distinctive mission of Catholic education. It is an opportunity to promote not only the great work being done in our schools to a wide audience but also to showcase our specific Catholic ethos. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme of Faith in Action ties in with the worldwide Year of Faith (October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013). During this year Catholics around the world are called upon to experience a conversion; to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;door of faithâ&#x20AC;? is opened at oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baptism and during this year Catholics are called to open it, again walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church. Catholic Education Week is a time when principals and staffs in schools are encouraged to open their doors to, and celebrate with, not just their

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Catholic Life, April 2013 - Page 9

Rejoicing as Mary Glowery on road to sainthood By Moira Kelly THE Catholic Women’s League has had wonderful news about the progress in the cause for sainthood of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ. On March 27 during the Chrism Mass, the Bishop of Guntor India, Bishop Gali Bali formally declared Sr Mary Glowery a “Servant of God” and issued the edict inviting all the faithful to bring to his attention any useful information regarding the cause. This is the first of four official approvals on the path to sainthood. Dr Glowery was a gifted doctor at St Vincent’s Hospital and the founding president of the CWL in Melbourne. She later went to India where

she joined the Congregation of the Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and was the founder of Catholic Health Association of India.

She died in Bangalore on May 15, 1957. During March the Sale Diocese regional conferences were held. Morwell hosted the West / Latrobe Valley, South was held at Inverloch and East at Maffra. All conferences were well attended. It is amazing the work that is done in all branches in the diocese. The Morwell branch heard about a school in a village where Fr Francis Obuto, the priest from Morwell parish, came from.

The school did not have enough money to put a roof on the school so the Catholic Women’s League decided to raise money for this cause. The parish became involved and through combined effort $12000 was raised. The guest speaker at Morwell was Sue Sleswick who spoke about the crisis in Sudan and Ethiopia and the Bor Orphanage in South Sudan. There is no health care in these places. Donations and help are need-

ed in all these places as there is much needed to be done. Our spiritual director Sr Lynette spoke about her offer to go to Scotland for three years. She had two weeks over there but found she could not take up the offer and so returned to the Sale Diocese and remains our Spiritual Director which we are all very happy about. Diocesan Conference this year is coming up and is to be held at Sale on the June 4.

Bishop Prowse’s Diary Sr Mary Glowery

In harmony with koori spirituality

April 17 - Meetings with Council of Priests and Consultors. April 18 - Confirmation reflection day at St John’s Primary School, Koo Wee Rup. April 19 - Attend CYSMA closing Mass at Lysterfield Salesian Centre. April 20 - Teaching day at Sion House with Charismatic Renewal group. April 21 - Confirmations at Koo Wee Rup and Nar Nar Goon. April 23 - Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting. April 24 - Catholic Education Office leadership Mass and dinner, Traralgon. April 27 - Jesus Youth national leaders gathering talk,

Melbourne. April 30 - Diocesan students’ Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale. May 1 - Travel to Sydney for start of Bishops’ Conference. May 1 - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Catholic Council meeting, North Sydney. May 2-9 - Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference plenary meeting, Sydney. May 10 - St Kieran’s Primary School blessing and opening, Moe. May 11 - Annual Marian Conference, St Michael’s Church, Traralgon. May 11-12 - Masses in St Mary’s Cathedral.

May 14 - Visit to Marist Sion College, Warragul for staff morning tea then discussion with Year 12 students on Religion and Society course and faith matters. May 18 - Confirmations at Heyfield. May 19 - Sale confirmations May 19 - Mystagogia Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. May 24, 25 & 26 - Berwick confirmations.

Reflect On Your Life Dean Stewart CRANBOURNE – St Peter’s College students and staff had a deeper sense of Aboriginal spirituality after hearing special guest Dean Stewart speak at the Harmony Day College Assembly. Stories are an important part of Harmony Day, for in sharing our stories we build pride and strength in who we are. With the theme ‘Many Stories - One Australia’ - it is important to recognise the story and the place that the Boonwurrong people, the traditional owners and custodians of the land have in our history. Mr Stewart is from the Northern Victorian Wamba Wamba and Wergaia people and conducted a welcome to the country on behalf of the traditional owners and custodians of this land, the Boonwurrung people. He is a proud and passionate Wamba Wamba-Wergaia Aboriginal man and as a former Koori education officer has almost 20 years experience developing, coordinating and conducting cultural tourism, education, conservation and interpretation programs. He works closely with the traditional owner groups within Victoria. Principal Tim Hogan said “For Dean it is important for people to understand that you don’t necessarily have to go to

Uluru to get a deep sense of Aboriginal heritage because it is right under your feet”. On a day where we share stories that affirm our identity and make us feel proud of who we are, it is fitting that we share a little of the story of the traditional owners of these lands. Mr Stewart said “It is important to recognise, respect and learn from those who have gone before us. Acknowledging the great value they have placed on community, the importance of nurturing ones spiritual life and the care for the land and the environment they live in - these are important things for us too”. Mr Hogan added, “And herein lies one of the great things about Harmony Day, in that the more we share about our differences, the more we also find in common”.

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Page 10 - Catholic Life, April 2013

Choose before investment IN last month’s column I talked about the choices people can make in their lives. The fact that there are no rules that say any choice is compulsory but every choice will have outcomes as a result, and those outcomes must be faced at some time in the future. The same goes for investment choices we will all make. Every different investment will have a different outcome and these will determine whether it’s a good investment of not. What is a good investment? I have often told clients that successful investing is all about creating the opportunity to be able to choose. How to spend, where to spend, the ability to do this for the rest of your life is obviously an outcome of successful investing. But what about the choices we make along the way. I’m a stockbroker and a financial planner, but this article isn’t about that. It’s about thinking through whatever investment choices you want to make. Investment doesn’t start with thousands of dollars. It starts as soon as you decide to save some of your income to use for a purpose. It starts as soon as you get some superannuation. The choices you make at the start will influence the choices you make for the rest of your life. What do I call investments? Shares, and property obviously are the two major areas, but there are others. You can start a business and try to grow that. There is art as an investment rather than decoration. There’s antiques and coins and stamps.

DOLLAR$ & SENSE with David Wells

In fact anything that is likely to increase in value over time. And all have a few things in common. Price is determined by supply and demand. The more people that want something that is rare and becoming rarer, the higher the price will rise. As soon as people have enough (such as when the fashion changes) then the price falls. Firstly, what is it that interests you? You’re far more likely to be successful if you understand the investment area in which you’re involved and it’s easier to understand something that interests you. So before you make your choices, do some research. There are pluses and minuses in investing in any asset class. Shares are volatile but easy to buy or sell in just about any quantity. They pay a good yield and over time should grow in value. Property is reliable, but still volatile and you get capital growth and rental income. But it is expensive, and it’s not liquid. You can’t sell just part of a house. But most Australians own their house so they have an interest in real estate. Antiques are a specialist area and you can get bargains, but it is an industry of fashion and style and prices can fall. It’s

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also a very wide canvas so to make the most of antiques you need to focus on a style that you can know thoroughly. Stamps are a little easier but to get a complete collection (again specialising in one country, or one theme) you will need to spend serious money. But as they don’t print any more of the rare ones, if you have one it should appreciate in value if it’s of popular class. The same goes with coins. A 1930 Australian penny is worth tens of thousands of dollars. And you must make choices. Do you buy a house, or buy shares that may be better? If you buy that antique Lalique glass bowl, you won’t be able to buy the two pence Blue Kangaroo, so which will it be? The secret is to get good advice as you are learning. An even greater secret is to keep getting advice as you learn more and more. Not just any advice, but expert advice. If you want to buy art as an investment, don’t ask the artist. Ask a gallery owner or dealer. If you want advice on property ask a property adviser, not the real estate agent trying to sell you a specific property. For shares ask a stock broker, not an accountant. Ask people who are experts in their fields, and don’t be afraid to pay for it. With the benefit of their experience you will make better choices. While you will still make some mistakes, you will make far fewer than otherwise. That advice could be your best investment. If you want to invest, first choose your adviser! • This report is intended to provide general advice. In preparing this advice, David Wells and Baillieu Holst Ltd did not take into account the investment objective, the financial situation and particular needs of any particular person. Before making an investment decision on the basis of this advice, you need to consider, with or without the assistance of an adviser, whether the advice is appropriate in light of your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.

Churchill's anniversary CHURCHILL – The Lumen Christi Revues have been fun community and parish-building events which began in the days when Bishop Emeritus Jeremiah Coffey was the inaugural parish priest. The 30th anniversary revue will be held on Saturday, May 25. Attendance is strictly limited to 16 tables, each with eight people. Cost is $10 per person. Doors open at 7pm and the show begins at 7.30pm. Patrons are asked to bring their own nibbles and drinks, although tea and coffee will be available. If you wish to snap up a ticket or book a table you need to contact Peter Pooley on 5122 2542.

Quick calendar

What’s on & when

April

18 – Valley region meeting, Morwell, noon 20 – Teaching day with Bishop Prowse for Sale Charismatic Renewal, Sion House, Warragul 21 – Good Shepherd Sunday 21 – Special collection for Education of Seminarians Bursary Fund 21 – Confirmations at Koo Wee Rup and Nar Nar Goon 23 – World Book Day (UN) 23 – Diocesan pastoral council meeting, Sion House, Warragul 24 – Catholic Education Office leadership dinner, Traralgon 25 – Anzac Day 26 – St Mark Feast Day 26 – Catholic Education Week begins

May Bishop’s Family Foundation appeal month 2-9 – Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference plenary meeting, Sydney 3 – Sts Philip and James Feast Day 4 – First Sunday Devotion, St Laurence O’Toole Church, Leongatha, 10am 6 – Deadline for May Catholic Life 10 – Official opening and blessing of new facilities at St Kieran’s Primary School, Moe 11 – Annual Marian Conference, St Michael’s, Traralgon 12 – Ascension 12 – Mother’s Day 13 – Our Lady of Fatima 13 - Charismatic prayer gathering, Marian Room, St Joseph's Church, Warragul, 7.30pm 14 – Central region meeting, Trafalgar, 7.30pm 15 – Catholic Life publication 15 – Release of Bishop Prowse’s pastoral letter on new five year pastoral program for diocese 18 – Heyfield confirmations 19 – Pentecost 19 – Sale confirmations 19- Mystagogia Mass, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale 22 – West region meeting, Nar Nar Goon, 10.30am 24 – Our Lady Help of Christians solemnity 24-26 – Berwick confirmations 26 – Trinity Sunday 31 – Visitation of the BVM Feast Day

June 2 – Corpus Christi Sunday 3 – Deadline for June Catholic Life 4 – Catholic Women’s League diocesan conference, Sale 6 – 10th anniversary or ordination as a permanent deacon of Dcn Peter Stringfellow 7 – Sacred Heart of Jesus solemnity 8 – Immaculate Heart of Mary memorial 8-9 – St Vincent de Paul Society annual collection for the poor 10 – Queen’s Birthday Holiday

12 – Catholic Life publication 20 – World Refugee Day (UN) 20 – Valley region meeting, St Kieran’s, Moe 21-22 – Sale Diocese Year 1112 youth retreat 24 – Birth of John the Baptist solemnity 26 - South region meeting, Leongatha, 11.15am 28 – Second term ends 29 – Sts Peter and Paul solemnity

July Peter’s Pence collection month 3 – St Thomas Feast Day 8 – Deadline for July Catholic Life 9 – Ramadan begins 15 – Third term begins 17 – Catholic Life publication 22 – St Mary Magdalene memorial 23-28 – World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro 25 – St James Feast Day 27 – Golden Jubilee of ordination of Fr John O’Kelly, Bairnsdale

August Social Welfare – CatholicCare Collection month 5 – Deadline for August Catholic Life 6 – Transfiguration of the Lord solemnity 8 – St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day 9 - International Day of Indigenous Peoples (UN) 12 – International Youth Day (UN) 13 - East region meeting, Bairnsdale, 10.30am 14 – Catholic Life publication 15 – Assumption solemnity (Holy Day) 15 – Valley region meeting, Traralgon, noon Mass, followed by meeting 17 - Diocesan pastoral council meeting, St Michael’s Parish Centre, Traralgon 20 – Central region meeting, Warragul, 7.30pm 21 – West region meeting, Nar Nar Goon, 10.30am 22 – Queenship of Mary memorial

September 1 – Father’s Day 1 – Priests’ Welfare Foundation annual Father’s Day Collection 2 – Jewish New Year 2 – Deadline for September Catholic Life 4-6 – Australasian Catholic Press Association conference, Melbourne 6-8 – Australasian Religious Press Association conference, Melbourne 10 – 20th anniversary of ordination of Fr Bernard Buckley, Lakes Entrance 11 – Catholic Life publication 14 – Federal election 14 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross Feast Day 16 – Silver jubilee of ordination of Fr Mark Godridge, Bunyip 20 – Third term ends

Catholic Life, April 2013 - Page 11

Proudly leading the way Morwell priest inspires NW group

MARY MacKillop Primary School principal Richard Wans with his student leaders.

FR Francis Otobo with some of the younger participants at NBarre Warren. By Therese Hummel NARRE WARREN – Our Lady Help of Christians parish had the pleasure of Fr Francis Otobo, Morwell, giving a spectacular and very interactive teaching for the day held at Mary Mackillop School Hall, Narre Warren North. Catholic Charismatic Renewal coordinator Michael Power attended in support of the Young People in our diocese. The day commenced with praise and worship, led by OLHC, Narre Warren Youth Prayer Group music ministry. Fr Otobo introduced the theme for the day being: “Go and make disciples of all nations”. The first interaction for the day was getting to know someone that you didn’t know and to find out just a little about them, who they were, where they were from, what they did. In explaining discipleship to our young people he referred to Mathew 28:19 and gave some very interesting and thought provoking discussions. We warmed up our vocal chords even more by singing “Amazing Grace” and “Oh When the Saints go marching

in”. We looked at discipleship from unfriendly areas focusing on Scripture and then leading us into discussions of discipleship in our present lives. Isaiah 58 refers to fasting, in the present day we find a sense of rebellion – why? When fasting we need to give life instead of rebelling, consider the welfare of the next person who are without food – feed them. People rebelled against Jesus teachings, but his messages were that of love and peace. God is love and this love comes through each of us. Commitment is required in marriage, work, religious life. If you don’t have commitment in your life you will not see through to the end result. Today Jesus is calling the youth of today to be committed. Here are some questions to ponder over, to pray about and to make a decision with: What input can I make to a personal commitment? What can I contribute to a Personal Commitment? Can I say yes to Jesus with all the negativity around me. Can I be a disciple in today’s world? Can I dare to be different?

Superior visits

NARRE WARREN NORTH - A great start to the 2013 School Year has been celebrated at Mary MacKillop Primary school with the election of the student leadership team. Together with new principal Richard Wans, the student leaders are eagerly supporting the needs of the Mary MacKillop school community.

leadership qualities.” “School, house, and arts captains play an active role in our school community acting as ambassadors and undertaking added responsibilities such as conducting school tours.” “We are very proud of our student leaders, and in turn, they represent our school with pride.”

God’s 10 gifts for women GOD’S 10 GIFTS FOR WOMEN by Teresa Tomeo and Cheryl Dickow, published by Servant Books, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 134 pages, rrp $21.95 THIS book combines the talents of two accomplished authors who are able to provide women with some uplifting insights into faith and femininity. Tomeo is a syndicated talk show host with more than 30 years experience in the United States where she hosts Catholic Connections for radio and cohosts The Catholic View for Women on EWTN. Dickow co-hosted All Thing Girls with Tomeo for EWTN, writes newspaper columns and has authored several books including the All Things Girl series. This book would be ideal for women struggling with the demands of juggling family and work life, and finding time for spiritual pursuits. It helps women to firstly recognise that they are gifts of God and then step by step come to a greater realisation of their womanly roles and what they can achieve. The book gives insights into letting go of past hurts and setting priorities for the future. The authors’ years of experience show but this book is not talking about how things worked in the past but how women can accept God’s gifts to cope in the modern, busy world. JESUS - WHAT CATHOLIC BELIEVE by Alan Schreck, published by Servant Books, distributed by Rainbow Books, paperback, 136 pages, rrp $23.95.

THE Sisters of the Nativity community at Cranbourne have had a visit from the Mother Superior of their congregation. Sr Theresa Nezan was in the diocese for about a month, staying with the three Nigerian sisters at Cranbourne and making an official visit to Bishop Christopher Prowse. With the bishop are Sr Grace Onaivi, Sr Theresa Nezan and Sr Anna Abba.

Student leaders are elected by their peers. Along with school captains and vice captains, house captains and arts captains are also elected. Mr Wans said “At Mary MacKillop we are active in supporting and developing each person’s potential in leadership, and provide students with opportunities to witness and build

SO much has been written about Jesus over the centuries, much of it based on fanciful thoughts and fad theologies, that it has created confusion and clouding of the basic issue of who Jesus

Talking about Books was. This book by a Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville attempts to wipe away the confusion. The author provides a reliable portrait of Jesus based on Catholic teaching rather than an image created to suit a purpose. He looks at the historic Jesus, including the one portrayed through the Gnostic Gospels which did not make it into the New Testament. He discusses the human and divine natures of Jesus and the belief in Jesus continuing to act in our daily lives. His explanation of the differing Christologies of the three synoptic Gospels compared with John’s Gospel is simple and would enable many people to quickly gain a basic theological understanding. The book explains in simple terms what the Catechism means and would certainly help people to get in touch of what it is that they are expected to believe.

FLORA MACKILLOP - A Truly Blessed Mother, by Bernadette O’Sullivan RSJ, published and distributed by St Paul’s Publications, paperback, 175 pages, rrp $24.95. THE mother of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop is the focus of this book. It tells of her trials and struggles from her early life in Scotland through to her tragic drowning in a shipwreck near Eden, NSW. The ups and downs of her family’s fortunes must have taxed her strength and courage. This book indicates she had a strong faith and trust in God which sustained her through the poverty, hardship and homelessness which was thrust on them when some of her husband’s life decisions forced them to live off the generosity of relatives. We recommend this book to anyone interested in the MacKillop story because it goes a long way to explaining what made her daughter so great.

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Phone (03) 9639 0844 custserv@catholicbookshop.com.au

Page 12 - Catholic Life, April 2013

The hill farmers of the eastern Strzelecki Ranges FARMS in the eastern Strzelecki ranges were set up after 1900. They covered an extensive area south of Morwell and Traralgon, and north of Foster and Yarram. The countryside here was rougher and higher than in the western Strzeleckis, with deep snow in winter, the forests denser and the terrain more precipitous. There were fewer markets, transport was difficult, and the farms were located further from Melbourne, which had scant need for their produce, so life was hard for the settlers. A new book has recently appeared on this experience: Hamlets in the Strzelecki Ranges. It consists of extracts from newspaper articles published in the Gippsland Standard, a Yarram based paper, by local correspondents from the Balook, Blackwarry and Bulga districts. Melva James of the Yarram and District Historical Society has compiled these articles, which range in time from the bushfires of 1898 to those of 1939. The material in this book adds to the information published a decade ago by Rhonda Shingles in Triumph Over the Heartbreak Hills, which recounts memoirs of residents of the Balook district. The three communities in the centre of the range were equidistant from Traralgon to the north, Yarram to the south, and Boolarra to the west. As a result they were very isolated - there was no large supply town near them. To overcome transport difficulties a railway was proposed from Boolarra to Balook, but, given the steep nature of the terrain in between, this was never a realistic possibility. Telephones were a great boon when they began to come in between the wars. In each community the local post office

GippsGlanGd G GisGtoryG H with Patrick Morgan and mailman provided a vital link to the world outside. These were basically subsistence farms whose produce was consumed by the family on the farm, as much as it was sent to market.

been cleared, about 14 percent of the land. There were 1000 dairy cows, and 1500 cows of other sorts. An acre cost £10 ($20) to clear and sow, but was then worth only 30 shillings, ($3) which made farming

many patriotic community meetings. People often met their marriage partners at dances or at church. The great gossip centre was the creamery, where farmers had to wait around for a few hours while their milk was being separated. Rhonda Shingles has a section in her book on the Sutton family of Balook, important because it produced Ernie ‘Dingo’ Sutton, a successful farmer and a legendary eccentric of the high bush country. A frugal bachelor, he brought up farms as people walked off them and ended up a wealthy, if reclusive, businessman-farmer. Roads were often muddy quagmires which remained in an appalling condition. The Grand Ridge Road provided a lifeline connecting the hamlets with each other, and with the outside world. By the time of the Second World War tourists were being encouraged to visit, with Pioneer and Aussie Tours operating. Guest houses were built to cater for visitors to attractions like the Bulga and Tarra Valley National Parks, which were set up in 1941. But by this stage people were moving out rather than coming in. A highlight of the newspaper articles is an evocative narrative account of a 1935 visit to the Blackwarry waterfalls by O.S. Green, a school teacher and noted Gippsland historian. In addition he describes the difficulties of life in these hill communities: “After all their work the cost of transport was so great, that most of the settlers were hard pressed. Then the rabbits came in droves. To fence on meagre capital was impossible, so scores of blocks were abandoned. The bracken and the bush have come back, and the time and work needed to reclear is tremendous.” These books are especially timely as they recount life in an area recently devastated by the terrible Black Saturday bushfires.

A PICNIC outside the Blackwarry Post Office with the stags of tall ringbarked trees in the background. lashed himself to the trunk of Any income went towards hardly viable. supplies of sugar, flour and The slump in the 1920s after the tree with a coil of rope. “A few more strokes of the other necessities unable to be the First World War, and the axe sent the immense tree top produced at home. The house Great Depression of the 1930s, to earth with a crashing sound. and farm sheds were built by made things even harder. By The tree swayed about 20 feet the occupiers, and furniture 1950 few farms remained in (6m) when the top severed, was home made. Produce such this area. showing the necessity for Wall as jam, ham, vegetables, fruits, The only other industry of to securely lash himself to the fish, meat and milk came from any size was timber. Small trunk. Then he calmly lit a the farm itself. Mothers taught moveable mills produced cigarette and dwelt on top for a family members to knit socks; palings, fence posts and house while.” outsiders were surprised to see timber. Families like the Dangers lurked everywhere: grown men sitting around the Pattinsons, Radfords, Calwells fi res, falling trees, axe and fire knitting. and Clarkes were renowned saw mill accidents, falling off By 1912 only 1700 acres as timber getters and wood horses and getting lost in the (680ha) of 14,000 acres choppers, and were often the bush. Sickness brought an extra (5600ha) settled in Balook had folk heroes of the region. danger as it took a long while to get to a doctor or hospital. Pests on the farms included wombats, snakes, rabbits and foxes. Families lived a short • M.F. James (compiler), A short video presentation stories of migrants, petitions and Bible readings that con- highlighted the need for a glob- distance from each other and Hamlets in the Strzelecki cluded with the Last Judgement al return to Christian values and met frequently, as the normal Ranges: From the Pen of Yarram – Matthew 25:31-40 – where the development of a closer re- radius of activity was limited, “Correspondent”, District Historical Jesus says, “just as you did it to lationship with Jesus through by muddy roads and dense and Society, 2012 one of the least of these who are the reading of God’s Word. To forests, to five to 10km. Good community spirit members of my family, you did assist this, a collection was held was noticeable – this was a • Rhonda Shingles Triumph it to me.” to help fund the Bible Society’s necessity, as all were dependent Over the Heartbreak Hills: Ani Tom, a Catholic parishReminiscences ioner, gave a moving reflection “ZeBible” project in France – a on each other. Schools, church Personal on the plight of the migrant in unique multimedia experience functions, dances, sports days, from the 1880s to the Australia. Herself a recent mi- that uses the printed word, vide- concerts and fetes provided the Present, Balook and District Residents’ Association, JJB grant, she is now a social work- os, website, Facebook, Youtube main recreations. During the First World War Publishing, Newry, 2001 er engaged in assisting other and other social media. There are approximately 8 these communities organised newcomers in the local community, including refugees. million young people aged beShe described some of their tween 15 and 25 in France. Of stories as “heartbreaking”, but these, 71 percent don’t have a went on to say how grateful Bible, and 98 percent don’t read they are when they are accepted the Bible. and helped to become part of Next year’s World Day of the community. Prayer is being prepared by She expressed her own gratiTalk to us about how you can reach an the women of Egypt under the tude in finding a welcoming estimated 45,000 potential customers in community at St Agatha’s theme “Streams in the Desert”. the wider Gippsland area. Remember to mark March school and parish. And she en1, 2014 on your calendar! This couraged others to do likewise Cost effective advertising to reach the because, as she puts it, “when- and other inter-church events ever we welcome a stranger or are supported and encouraged markets your business needs. refugee among us, we are wel- by the Sale Diocese EcumeniPhone 5622 6688 coming Jesus.” cal Commission.

Celebrating a day of prayer

MORE than three million people in more than 170 countries took part in a globe-circling Day of Prayer last month. This year the observance of World Day of Prayer took place in over 40 locations throughout Gippsland. Eleven Catholic parishes in the Sale Diocese played host to the event. Churches of various denominations arranged ecumenical services which focused on the theme “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” The liturgy was prepared by the women of France, who wanted the world to pray not only for their country but for all situations where migrants, refugees and strangers find themselves excluded, exploited or in dire need. One such service was attended by around 100 people in the Cranbourne parish of St Agatha’s. It was led by Fr Darek Jablonski, with members of other local Christian churches presenting the various parts of the liturgy. It consisted of hymns, praise,

One correspondent described the art of climbing and lopping a tree: “Charlie Wall, with a coil of rope, spurs set firmly on his boots, and a leather band which encircled himself and the tree trunk, gradually reached to the boughs on top by letting the strap above his head, and climbing by means of the spurs, which were jabbed firmly into the bark. “Then he set to work severing the branch top, and when he had nearly completed that task,

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Catholic Life, April 2013 - Page 13

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Caritas gives $70,000 to refugee camp after fire CARITAS Australia, the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church, has committed $70,000 in emergency response assistance following the destruction of Ban Mae Surin Refugee Camp on the Thai-Burma border, one of the most remote and vulnerable in the region. The money Caritas is providing will go to helping Caritas Australia’s long-term partners The Border Consortium and Jesuit Refugee Services in providing humanitarian assistance to those refugees in the camp. Karenni refugees from Burma/Myanmar make up 85 percent of the refugees in the camp, with the remaining being Karen and other ethnicities. At least 35 refugees died, more than 400 households were destroyed and 2300 were

left homeless, after a fire broke out recently in the camp, in the Khum Yuam District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Caritas CEO Jack de Groot said two sections of the camp have been completely devastated. The damage includes; two primary schools, one nursery, the Karenni women’s facility, the camp clinic and the two main food distribution centres. “This disaster has had a huge impact on the refugees in this camp, one of four refugee camps that together shelter more than 44,000 people in this region in the north-west of Thailand.” “This camp is the smallest and the most remote of the four and houses almost 4000 people, the overwhelming majority being Karenni, so the refugees there are among the most mar-

ginalised and vulnerable communities in the region.” The TBC has been providing relief care for almost 30 years to more than 130,000 mainly Mon, Karen, Karenni and Shan refugees in about nine camp settlements along the Thai Burmese border. Meanwhile, the JRS, which provides education services to the refugees, is now focusing its efforts on rebuilding the primary schools and education facilities. “It’s important that everyone in the community, especially children, get back to their normal lives as soon as possible,” Mr de Groot said. “The fire destroyed the primary schools which allow about 230 children to be taught in 9 classrooms, as well as some other buildings such as a library

and offices. “The fire also burned down the vocational training facilities, so it’s created a lot of damage for the people in the camps.”

Most of the assistance will go toward humanitarian assistance such as; food and non-food items, shelter and the rebuilding and re-establishing of education facilities at the camp.

Israel’s Christians a challenge Francis: Live as ‘Children of God’ By Reinhard Backes

HANA Bendcowsky is Jewish. Although her family originally comes from Poland, as she explained during a visit to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need Hana grew up in Israel, “in a typical, religious Israeli family, in a small town in the middle of the country, where one mainly encounters Israeli Jews.” She adds: “Like many Jews I knew little about other religions because it is simply not provided for in the curricula.” After finishing school, Hana studied history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and also attended a course on the New Testament. Looking back, Hana says: “I was fascinated and wanted to find out more about Christianity.” The young woman switched disciplines and took up the study of comparative religion. She quickly realised that Christians live not only in distant Europe, but also in her own city. “To see this, I only needed to go into Jerusalem’s old city.” That is what she did – and she made a surprising discovery: “The Arab Christians saw themselves as a minority among Muslims and Jews, while the Jews saw themselves as a minority among Christians and Muslims.” And she soon recognised another thing: not only are many thousands of Christians living in Palestine; their numbers have also increased by leaps and bounds in Israel itself in the last two decades. There are immigrants from the former Soviet Union, especially Russia, from India and the Philippines, as well as from Africa, especially Eritrea. Many come to the country in search of work, or to seek political asylum as refugees. Not a

few use the possibilities offered by the so-called Law of Return, which provides the opportunity also for non-Jews who can prove Jewish ancestry or have a Jewish spouse to become Israeli citizens. Hana Bendcowsky is now program director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations which – like many other initiatives in the Holy Land – is also supported by ACN. She brings together Jews and Christians, and also Muslims, on a regular basis, and organises courses on Christianity for teachers, military training personnel and other opinion formers. She informs the Israeli media and arranges meetings between journalists and representatives of the Christian Churches in Israel and Palestine. The objective of the JCJCR is to disseminate knowledge about the religions in the Holy Land in order to create a feeling of trust between the different religious communities. “It is only in this way that peace can succeed,” Hana Bendcowsky emphasises. According to her, the heavy influx of Christians presents Israel with a completely new challenge: “They mainly live in

Tel Aviv; they are well organised, sometimes have their own priests, lead an active religious life – and they speak Hebrew.” But among the refugees in particular, many have no work permit and their legal status is uncertain, she points out. She estimates that some 50,000 Christian immigrants from Eritrea alone have found a new home in Israel, plus a further 10,000 new Israelis from other African countries. Hana Bendcowsky says: “Israel must look after these new citizens, who wish to stay but also want to preserve their religion. This is a new and complicated situation, which we want to draw to the attention of Israel’s citizens, because these people need solutions.”

Patriarch calls for calm in Cairo CAIRO (Zenit.org) - The patriarch of the Orthodox Coptic Church is calling for calm after violence broke out following a funeral for four Coptic Christians who were killed the day before in more religious fighting. Theodore II said “calm must be maintained, also to preserve the country’s security and national unity.” The patriarch expressed his disapproval given last Sunday afternoon’s confrontations outside the St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo. He announced that he is in permanent contact with the officials of the Ministry of the Interior to promote a rapid end to this critical moment. The post-funeral violence on Sunday resulted in another death and dozens of wounded.

By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org) Greeting thousands of pilgrims at St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis continued his reflections on the Creed at today’s General Audience. As customary, prior to the start of the Wednesday audience, the Holy Father went around the square in an opentop vehicle waving to the faithful, while kissing and blessing the babies brought up to him. The Pope even placed a pacifier on a crying baby’s mouth who was brought to the Holy Father to bless. Pope Francis continued from last week’s audience on the resurrection, this time focusing on it’s “salvific significance.” The Holy Father told the pilgrims gathered that the foundation of faith rests on the death and resurrection of Christ, much like a house. “If these give way,” the Pope said, “the whole house collapses.” “On the cross, Jesus offered himself, taking upon himself our sins and descending into the abyss of death, and in the Resurrection he conquers, he takes [our sins] away and opens the path for us to be reborn to a new life.” Reflecting on the reading from the First Letter of Peter, Pope Francis said that with the resurrection of Christ, “we are freed from the slavery of sin” which is realised in all Christians through the sacrament of baptism. The Holy Father spoke of the ancient method of baptism, through immersion, where the person who is to be baptised descends into a large basin and has water poured on them three times by the bishop or priest. The white garment worn by the

newly baptised person coming out of the font, signified the neophyte’s birth into a new life, thus becoming “a son of God.” St Paul in his Letter to the Romans writes: you have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, “Abba! Father!”(Rom 8:15). It is the Spirit that we have received in baptism that teaches us, it urges us, to say to God: “Father”, or better, “Abba!”, which means “dad”,” Pope Francis said. “This is our God: He is a dad for us. The Holy Spirit produces in us this new condition of being sons of God. And this is the greatest gift that we receive from the Paschal mystery of Jesus. And God treats us as children, He understands us, forgives us, embraces us and loves us even when we make mistakes. Already in the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah said that even if a mother could forget her child, God never forgets us, ever. And this is beautiful!” The relationship with God as a father with a child, the Pope stressed must be nourished daily through prayer, listening to the Word of God and participation in the sacraments. Such nourishment allows us to live as children of God. “And this is our dignity – we have the dignity of children To behave as true children!” the Pope exclaimed. This means that every day we must let Christ transform us and make us like him; it means trying to live as Christians, trying to follow him, even if we see our limitations and weaknesses. The temptation is always there to leave God aside in order put to ourselves at the centre and the experience of sin wounds our Christian life, our being sons of God.”

Page 14 - Catholic Life, April 2013 -

For the Young and Young at Heart Colour a famous Mardi Gras

Time for a Laugh DURING army training exercises, a lieutenant who was driving down a muddy back road encountered another car stuck in the mud with a red-faced general at the wheel. “Your jeep stuck, sir?” enquired the lieutenant as he pulled alongside. “Nope,” replied the general, coming over and handing him the keys, “Yours is.” TWO Irish potatoes were sitting on a chopping board. “I’m about to change my nationality” one said to the other “How?” the other potato asked “By becoming French fries!” Q: Why did the hen cross the road? A: To prove she wasn’t chicken!

A LETTER home from a new army recruit Dear Mum and Dad, I am well. Hope you are too. Tell my big brothers Doug and Phil that the Army is better than working on the farm - tell them to get in quick smart before the jobs are all gone! I was a bit slow in settling Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Age . . . . . down at first, because you don’t have get out of bed until 6am. But I like sleeping Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in now, because all you have to do before brekky is School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . make your bed, and shine your boots and clean your Send entries to Catholic Life Colouring Contest. c/- PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820. uniform. No cows to milk, no calves to feed, no hay to stack nothing!! THIS painting at At brekky you get cereal, left is how the fafruit and eggs but there’s no mous 19th Century kangaroo steaks or possum French painter Paul stew like Mum makes. You Cezanne painted don’t get fed again until Fatnacht (Mardi noon and by that time all Gras). the city boys have had it We think some of because we’ve been on a our young readers ‘route march’ - it’s only just will be able to do a like walking to the windmill modern version but in the back paddock! we will leave it up Doug and Phil will get a to you. good laugh out of this one. I keep getting medals for shooting - Not sure why. The bullseye is as big as a possum and it doesn’t move and it’s not firing back at you like the Johnsons did WINNER of the colouring contest featuring when our big scrubber bull the Last Supper was Merelle Mikhiel, 7, got into their prize cows last from Trinity Catholic Primary School, Narre year! Warren South. All your have to do is Although she is only in Grade 2, her effort make yourself comfortable was a standout among the many received. and hit the target - it’s easy. We will try to get her prize delivered in the YOUNG Chloe Aherne from Colum- You don’t even load your next week or two. ba Catholic Primary School, Bunyip, own cartridges they comes Keep the entries coming. shows off prizes from her colouring in little boxes and you don’t contest win. have to steady yourself

Make your own Cezanne A prize winner

This month’s winner

against the rollbar of the roo shooting truck when you reload! Sometimes you have to wrestle with the city boys and I have learnt to be real careful because they break easy - it’s not like fighting with Doug and Phil and Jack and Boori and Steve and Muzza all at once like we do at home after the muster. Turns out I’m not a bad boxer either and it looks like I’m the best the platoon’s got, and I’ve only been beaten by this one bloke from the Engineers - he’s 6 foot 5 and 18 stone and like three pick handles across the shoulders and as you know I’m only 5 foot 7 and eight stone wringing wet, but I fought him till the other blokes carried me off. I can’t complain about the Army - tell the boys to get in quick before word gets around how good it is. Your loving daughter, Sheila Q: What gets bigger the more you take away? A: A hole! ONCE upon a time there was a famous sea captain of a sailing ship. This captain was very successful at what he did and for years he guided ships all over the world. Never did stormy seas or pirates get the best of him. He was admired by his crew and fellow captains. However, there was one thing different about this captain. Every morning he went through a strange ritual. He would lock himself in his captain’s quarters and open a small safe. In the safe was an envelope with a piece of paper inside. He would stare at the paper for a minute, then lock it back up. After, he would go about his daily duties. For years this went on, and his crew became very curious. Was it a treasure map? Was it a letter from a long lost love? Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope. One day the captain died at sea. After laying the captain’s body to rest, the first mate led the entire crew into the captains quarters. He opened the safe, got the envelope, opened it and... The first mate turned pale and showed the paper to the others. Four words were on the paper - “Port Left, Starboard Right.”

Catholic Life, April 2013 - Page 15

Catechists meet at Warragul

Classifieds wanted known Let’s leave something for those in need

The Bishop’s Family Foundation helps families by funding charitable projects throughout the Diocese of Sale. You can help by making a bequest in your will. If you need more information contact

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Priests & Deacons Are you considering a vocation as a priest or deacon for the Diocese of Sale? If so please contact Diocesan Vocations Director

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bingo Sacred Heart School

BINGO Every Friday

Morwell RSL Club, Elgin St., Morwell

5622 6600 for some guidelines. Do it today and sleep easy knowing you have done your part Eyes down 11am. Ticket sales 10.30am Now 55 games at 20 cents per game.

Further details phone 5134 8484 or 5133 7221 (AH)

HOLY SPIRIT You who makes me see everything and shows me the way to reach my ideals, you who gives me a divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me; in this short dialogue I want to thank you for everything and affirm once more that I never want to be separated from you, no matter how great the material desire may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in Your perpetual Glory. (Mention your request). Thank you Holy Spirit for your love towards me and my loved one. Amen This prayer should be said for 3 consecutive days. After the 3rd day the request will be granted, no matter how difficult it may be. While making the request one must either promise to publish on granting the favour or promise to circulate copies of it to as many people as possible. This is to spread the wonder of the Holy Spirit.

WITH Fr Michael Willemsen are Barb Durrand, Irene Robertson, Cranbourne East. WARRAGUL – Fr Michael Willemsen was guest speaker at a day for catechists held in a Marian Room at St Joseph’s Church. A priest of this diocese, he is currently serving a as first year formator at Corpus Christi seminary.

diocesan catechist coordinator Rosedale, and Barbara Alder, He spoke about Porta Fidei (The Door of Faith) letter in which Pope Benedict announced the Year of Faith. The document urged Catholics to renew their personal belief in Jesus and their commitment to the Church, as the Body of Christ.

Bairnsdale church centenary BAIRNSDALE – St Mary’s Catholic Church in Bairnsdale is celebrating the centenary of the landmark church. The main weekend of celebrations will be on October 19-20. A dinner dance will be held on the Saturday and will feature the launch of a restoration appeal. On the Sunday Bishop Chris-

topher Prowse will celebrate Mass, followed by a light luncheon.

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Page 16 - Catholic Life, April 2013

St Michael’s students take to their bikes HEYFIELD National Ride2School Day was held on Friday March 22. On this day, St Michael’s Primary School Year 5/6 class challenged themselves to ride along the rail-trail from Heyfield to Tinamba and return. (A distance of 30 km) The students were accompanied by their principal Damian Hogan, teacher Majella Moss and parent, Mel Walker. The students and adults are to be congratulated for their endeavor and courage to complete this challenging ride. Prior to their bike ride, Ian Johnson, a member of the Gippsland Mountain Bike Club, spoke to the students about the positive aspects and safety issues of bicycle riding. The students gained a wealth of information before heading off on their journey to Tinamba. A great day was had by all. PICTURED LEFT: The students stop for a break along the rail trail which runs from Heyfield to Tinamba. Note that even the pup at right got to go along on the outing.

School’s record $1300 for Caritas Seminarians studying in Nigeria

MORWELL - The students at St Vincent’s Primary School have been extremely busy this term raising funds for Caritas. As part of their studies about the Lenten season, they have been discovering how children in many other countries around the world are less fortunate than they are. Many were amazed to learn that many children are too poor to go to school, have running water, enough food or to have a bed.

Classes have been busy preparing a range of activities, including having a cake stall, a coin line, and class shop; selling hand-made crafts, cakes, popcorn and more. The students have raised more than $1300 a new record for the school who will pass it on to Caritas as part of their ‘Project Compassion,’ campaign. The funds will be used to assist in building communities of third world countries.

Annual family appeal

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The Year of the Faith rosary designed by the Vatican rosary makers will be sent out to all those who assist this cause and tick this box.

Aid to the Church in Need …. a Catholic charity dependent on the Holy See, providing pastoral relief to needy and oppressed Churches

THE annual collection for the works of the Bishop’s Family Foundation will take place in parishes throughout the diocese in May. The foundation has been running for just over 10 years and in that time has been able to support programs assisting families by more than $800,000. All disbursements from the trust fund have come from the fund’s earnings. Money donated over the years has remained in the trust fund which totals about than $2 million and it is earnings from investments which allows annual disbursements. Envelopes will be available on pews or in the back of churches throughout the diocese during the month. People are urged to give generously as this is the Bishop’s

Family Foundations only public appeal for funds each year to counter the effects of inflation. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible but to be eligible people need to write their name and address on the rear of the envelope containing their donation. Should you wish to avail yourself of a credit card donation, feel free to take the envelope home, fill it out and post it back to Bishop’s Family Foundation, c/- PO Box 1410, Warragul 3020. Donations by cheque and money order may also be sent to that address but again remember to include your name and address so a receipt can be sent out. Trustees will call for applications for projects to be funded in a few months time.