Catholic Life December 2016

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Catholic Life Publication of the Diocese of Sale

December 2016

ISSUE 196

Salesian farewell BAIRNSDALE - The 26 year association between Nagle College and the Salesians of Don Bosco has ended with the religious order closing its monastery in Bairnsdale.

The Salesians arrived at the request of Bishop Jeremiah Coffey to take over running the college in 1990.

The college was established by the Presentation Sisters and was named after their founder Nano Nagle, and after the sisters left in 1986, the college was run by a lay principals.

Fr Frank Freeman SDB was the first Salesian principal of the college, serving 10 years at the helm before being replaced

by Fr Bernie Graham SDB. When Fr Graham left in 2006 the college reverted to lay principalship but until the end of this year the Salesian presence has continued through Fr Joe Pulis SDB who has taught languages and been heavily involved in Japanese program, leading excursions to sister schools in Japan every few years.

Br Noel Hannabery SDB was on the staff until the end of last THE last two Salesians at Bairnsdale Br Noel Hannabery and Fr Joe Pulis with Nagle College year and after retiring continued principal Neville Powles. to live with Fr Pulis in the Pyke St monastery.

Ill health prevented Fr Parker SDB. Peter Bickley, and the Salesian The college and parish held Freeman from returning but The whole school gathered fathers who included Sale separate farewells to recognise Fr Graham was able to attend for Mass celebrated by assistant Fr Dominic Mathews the commitment and dedication along with Australia-Pacific Bairnsdale parish priest Fr • Continued Page 4 the Salesians had given to the region provincial Fr Greg Michael Willemsen, assisted by college.

Chambers SDB and Br Barry Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral Fr

This issue highlights

Several priests leaving diocese - Page 3 Diocese promoting safe parishes - Page 3

Trinity Families gives to 9 charities - Page 5

Several principal positions to change THE Catholic Education Office has announced several principal changes within schools in the Sale Diocese.

Jason Slattery has been appointed principal of St Mary’s Primary School, Maffra, from the commencement of Term 1, 2017.

He has considerable experience as a Catholic school principal, currently serving as acting principal at St Michael’s Primary School, Heyfield and has served as principal at St Thomas’ Primary School, Sale for eight years and St Mary’s Primary School, Yarram for four years.

Trinity FAMILIES

Mr Slattery moved from St Thomas’s to Heyfield in an acting capacity earlier this year after the resignation of Heyfield principal Damien Forrester.

Anita Little will continue in her current capacity as acting principal at St Thomas’ until the end of Term 2, 2017.

Mrs Little was previously principal at both Heyfield and Maffra. The process to appoint a new principal to St Thomas’ will begin early in 2017.

The new principal at St Michael’s, Heyfield, is Jenny Miller who is currently teaching at St Patrick’s, Stratford.

She has experience in school

administration, previously serving six months as an acting principal and being deputy principal at Heyfield for five years.

In other changes principal of St Peter’s College, Cranbourne, Tim Hogan has resigned to take up the position of principal at St John’s College, Dandenong.

He has been principal at St Peter’s for the past seven years and has overseen the college develop a second campus at Cranbourne East.

Greg Synan has resigned as principal at St Joseph’s Primary, Korumburra.

Both of these positions have

been advertised.

David Cooper, who has been acting principal at Lumen Christi Primary, Churchill, for the second half of this year has had his appointment extended for another two years.

Patricia Mulqueen, who has been acting principal at St Joseph’s, Trafalgar, this year has been appointed principal from the start of next year.

She was previously deputy principal for three years and religious education leader for six years at St Mary’s, Newborough.

New initiation resource launched - Page 7 Let’s eliminate family violence - Page 10

Think of all the families you can help

This Christmas you can assist families in the Greater Gippsland region for years to come by supporting Trinity Families. We direct funds to programs where there is the greatest need. Please give generously.

To donate visit www.trinityfamilies.org.au or phone (03) 5622 6688 for a credit card deduction form.

Page 2 - Catholic Life, December 2016

A Merciful Year encourages us to be merciful OVER the last few years there have been different ‘tags’ given to different years in the Church.

These have helped us focus on different aspects of the gift of faith.

For example the Year of Grace ran from Pentecost 2012 to Pentecost 2013; the Year of Faith ran from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013; and the Year for Priests, ran from June 19, 2009 until June 11, 2010, to mention a few.

These have been treasured moments where our focus and gaze have been able to linger on important aspects of our faith.

Such is the frantic pace of our modern life however, that once we have finished one thing, this ‘thing’ can be easily forgotten as the ‘next thing’ takes all of our focus and the possible lingering effects of what it was we just celebrated is soon forgotten or dissipated as we simply ‘move on’.

We have just completed the Year of Mercy. I think that that it will have a deeper and more lasting impact on the life of the Church than most of the years we have celebrated in the recent past.

While all of these have

been worthy and have been well observed, there is something about the Year of Mercy, some quality that marks it out as somewhat different.

This ‘difference’ is not simply the many unexpected surprises that this year has thrown up. For example one of the unexpected surprises for me is when praying the Eucharist my being surprised just how many times the word ‘mercy’ occurs in our prayers.

I have been praying these prayers, in one form or another, for 33 years. Or even profound experiences such as the recent Mass celebrated for the Jubilee of Prisoners in Fulham Correctional Centre in Sale on Remembrance Day, as wholehearted as that was.

The difference I am thinking about is more of the scouring effect that the Year of Mercy has had on the heart of the Church.

It has been a little akin to hollowing out the blood vessels of the Church, clearing away the things that don’t allow a true flow of blood to course through properly.

I am thinking of the profound challenge that Pope Francis has

Catholic Life PO Box 1410, Warragul Vic. 3820 Phone: (03) 5622 6688

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given to us to make sure that our focus is on the peripheries; that our concerns are not simply inward looking; not simply about knowing the mercy of God, but being merciful like the Father.

The Year of Mercy has put a stent in the heart of the Church. We do not see stents from the outside, but anyone whom has one tells me the difference they make.

May this Year of Mercy, recently completed, continue to show us Jesus Christ, the face of the Father’s mercy, so that we can be merciful like the Father.

Christmas 2016 THIS year I am looking forward to celebrating and living the Advent

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and Christmas seasons with deeper vigour.

Not only because it is a wonderful opportunity to unite those great qualities of: faith; family; food and friendship, it is.

Not because we celebrate the great basis of Christianity, the Incarnation, in that ‘God became like us that we might become like God’, it is; or even that we can sing more lustily carols such as “And we shall live for evermore because of Christmas Day”, who does not love them.

All of these are wonderful attributes of our faith and need to be celebrated, and celebrated and lived well.

I am looking forward to Christmas 2016 because it fits well into the pattern of what we have lived out throughout 2016.

For some 2016 has been a disturbing year.

For some it has left conventional wisdom of how things ‘should be’ sitting in the corner as a basket-case.

For some it seems to have drained their deep reservoirs of hope, of what a civil society might look like when we hear of tragedies such as Aleppo.

Other world events such as the decision of “Brexit”; the unexpected election of Mr Trump as the President of the United States of America, and closer to home the ever-escalating price of houses, putting them out of reach of our young families; the catastrophic drop in milk prices effecting many of our families within the diocese and more recently the closure of Hazelwood Power Station.

Such actions can accumulate fear in our lives. And then… . And then we have Advent and Christmas.

Part of the difficulty of Advent and Christmas is that we have domesti-

cated them to a point that they have become too commonplace - we are to accustomed to them.

When we stop and think that the first Christmas fits powerfully into this ‘unexpected pattern of things’ as some one recently described 2016, then it becomes a source of deeper hope and great joy.

God fulfilled his promise of sending a Saviour in a most unexpected way: a mere child born in a feeding trough in an out-of-theway place.

Once again it turns upside down our ordinary expectations about how God ought act. But God did act and act in a way that the shepherds standing at periphery could only recognise.

They knew that God did not abandon them and at the darkest hour a light did shine, When things seemed most gloomiest a pilgrim way forward suddenly opened up.

That is the pattern that helps to make sense of not only 2016, but the whole of life that God has embraced and transformed and wishes to lead and show us all to the fullness of life eternal.

So, I’m more hopeful than I was this time last year. I hope you might be too.

An Advent and a Christmas season celebrated and lived well only deepens this.

To one and all in the Diocese of Sale and to your family and friends witting and beyond, a Blessed and holy Christmas. God is Good. +Bishop Pat O’Regan Bishop of Sale

Catholic Life, December 2016 - Page 3

Several priests to leave diocese at Christmas THERE will be several changes among clergy is Sale Diocese at the end of the year as several priests complete their contracts with the diocese.

Fr Dominic Mathews SDB will return to India where he will be involved preparing Salesian candidates for mission work.

He has been at the cathedral parish in Sale and was originally asked by his Provincial to return at the end of October, but this was extended following negotiation.

Fr Prassana Warnakulasuriya, who has been assistant priest at Traralgon, will be returning to Kandy, Sri Lanka, after fulfilling his two year contract.

Also expiring at the end of the year is the contract for Koo Wee Rup priest in residence Fr Stephen Onuoha who was the first Nigerian to serve in this diocese.

Fr Mathewraj Jeyaraj OMI who has been assistant at Moe and Newborough parishes for several years will be moving with the Oblates to Adelaide

and will be replaced by Fr Andrew Chen OMI, who has been assistant at Springvale North.

After a 26 year association with Bairnsdale parish the Salesians of Don Bosco were last week farewelled by the parish and Nagle College.

The Salesians established a community in Bairnsdale in 1990 when they took over running Nagle College and stayed on in the town even after lay principals were appointed 16 years later.

Fr Joe Pulis and Br Noel Hannabery were the final two in the Salesian community.

Two new diocesan priests will arrive from overseas in the New Year and are currently awaiting their visas.

In other news two of our seminarians Avinash George and Hiep Nguyen will be ordained deacons next September as their journey towards priesthood continues.

Another seminarian Stanley Devasia will spend the first half of next year on a pastoral

placement in the Sale parish.

Gaining mission experience over this Advent-Christmas period are seminarians Jithin

RE-INVIGORATED awareness of child safety exists in Australian mainstream society and the Catholic Church is moving with the populace understanding to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults against any repeat of past wrongdoings.

There exists a very strong view that the past must inform the future. The cultural awareness shift demands that we no longer subscribe to the construct that ‘children should be seen, but not heard’.

Today’s society maintains that children and young people offer a unique perspective on the world and that children perceive safety differently from adults.

Whilst adults tend to emphasise ‘being safe’, children emphasise ‘feeling safe’.

Research informs us that the key safety concerns of children are creepy adults, adult bullies, favouritism, adults doing stuff that they’re not supposed to, being pressured to do ‘sex stuff’, bullying, intimidation and child abduction.

Studies also report that the key factors in enhancing child safety are to respect, communicate, listen, respond and inform. Adults should not simply assume everyone is okay.

Children want to be consulted in making the Church a safe place and they want to work proactively, in partnership with adults, to prevent abuse.

Adults can be unhelpful in preventing abuse when they don’t build relationships.

The Diocese of Sale is approaching Child Safe Awareness cultural change earnestly and has been proactive in implementing the seven new

Paul Munday standards recommended in the Victorian Ministerial Inquiry’s ‘Betrayal of Trust’ report.

Many readers of Catholic Life will be familiar with a Commitment Statement and Code of Conduct having recently been devised in each parish of the Sale Diocese to dictate appropriate behavior for staff, volunteers, contractors and clergy in relation to child safety.

In complying with the standards, parishes must be especially conscious of the following principles: • promoting the cultural safety of Aboriginal children • promoting the safety of people from culturally and/ or linguistically diverse backgrounds • promoting the safety of people with a disability.

The documents are being widely displayed on parish websites, noticeboards and Mass bulletins in order to generate conversation and heightened cultural awareness.

Additional Child Safety documents will shortly be available on the diocese website including a Child Safe Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Process for the Care, Protection and Safety of Children and Vulnerable Adults.

seminarians training at Corpus Christ College, Melbourne, and they will be joined by two new seminarians next year.

BISHOP Pat O’Regan presents a book on St Mary’s Cathedral and boomerangs signed by fellow priests to Fr Mathewraj Jeyaraj OMI (left) and Fr Prassana Warnakulasuriya, who both leave at the end of this year.

Promoting safe parishes

By Paul Munday Professional Standards Officer

Anto who is in Sale and Confidence Masvosva who is in Bairnsdale.

The diocese currently has six

Parishioners are encouraged to view the material and to participate in conversation to contribute to a heightened culture of child safe awareness within the Catholic church.

The Diocese of Sale has also moved quickly to implement a Working With Children’s Check (WWCC) register in parishes.

From January 1, 2017 it will be a Victorian legislative requirement of all organisations, including churches, sporting clubs, youth services and schools to have protocols in place to screen their representatives, including members of the clergy, in relation to child safety.

Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan has nominated the WWCC card as the main screening device for parishes, along with reference and identity checking.

This is in line with the common procedures of all organisations and is expected to, over time, have a dramatic impact on the safety of parishes.

Areas for future parish attention include identifying and managing risks relating to child safety and the empowerment of parishioners to identify and respond appropriately to abuse.

The final hearings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will begin in Sydney in February 2017 with a summary of its findings concerning the Catholic Church. Among other things, the Commission’s intention will be to inquire into the current policies and procedures in relation to child protection and examine factors that may have contributed to the occurrence of child sexual abuse, including institutional responses to allegations of child sexual abuse.

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Page 4 - Catholic Life, December 2016

Not so predictive

PREDICTIVE text can be a bit of a challenge in relationships if you hit send before you read what your phone thinks you mean.

Fr Elio Capra SDB, in Warragul, last week for the launch of the diocesan resource Walk With Me, which is a program of Christian Initiation for Secondary Students, recounted that a friend had texted him asking him what he was doing that day and he responded “Launch Walk with Me.” The phone didn’t like the word “launch” and changed it to “lunch”.

The friend promptly accepted the invitation for a bite of lunch and a walk afterwards only to have Fr Capra make further contact to explain there was no lunch invite.

We had one the other day where it changed “Sounds good” to “Soo da good” which we guess means something in some other language.

It is like a modern day version of the Chinese Whispers game where a message is relayed person to person and comes out completely scrambled at the other end.

One of the best real life examples of that was the World War One British officer sending a message by a series of runners.

The message was “Send

Salesian farewell in Bairnsdale reinforcements, we are going to advance.”

Headquarters was baffled by the message “Send three and fourpence, we are going to a dance.”

Golden years

PAKENHAM parish priest Fr Bernie Mahoney will celebrate the golden jubilee of his ordination as a priest for Sale Diocese on December 19.

We will feature this Gippsland-born priest in the first issue of Catholic Life next year.

Keep your eye out

IF the number of reports we have heard about snakes is an indication it could be a summer where we have to watch our step.

The wet spring has meant frogs have had a good breeding season and the snakes are out gorging on the croakers which make up a large part of their diet here in Gippsland.

It pays to be wary and parents are urged to remind children to be particularly careful around waterways and not to enter long grass.

AT the farewell Mass for the Salesians at Nagle College are (from left) Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral Fr Peter Bickley, former Nagle principal Fr Bernie Graham SDB, Fr Dominic Mathews SDB, Fr Joe Pulis SDB, Salesian Provincial Fr Greg Chambers SDB and Bairsdale parish priest Fr Michael Willemsen.

• From Page 1 SDB who is also leaving the diocese after Christmas.

In the homily Fr Chambers recalled what the world was like in 1990 and some of the major international milestones which occurred that year.

He said Fr Freeman had arrived at the college with the support of Fr Peter Rankin SDB and the late Fr Jim Brawley SDB. Over the years other Salesians

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.

to serve were Fr Graham, Fr Pulis, Br Noel and the late Frs Dan O’Sullivan, Ted Cooper and Eddie Murphy.

These Salesians had brought the Salesian mission of hospitality and kindness to Bairnsdale and East Gippsland and had touched many lives, both at the school and the wider community.

“They gave hospitality to all but firstly they were messengers of God’s love to young people on Bairnsdale and beyond.”

Fr Chambers said these men lived out and passed out what their founder St John Bosco said many times – “The young must not only be loved, but know they are loved.”

The fellow educators at Nagle College, the students, parents,

Bairnsdale parishioners, the Diocese of Sale and the wider community had all been touched by that loving kindness.

He said the Salesians might be leaving Bairnsdale and the diocese but they would not forget their long association with Nagle College.

He announced an annual Salesian scholarship to be granted to needy students so they could continue their education at Nagle.

After the Mass principal Neville Powles presented Fr Pulis with a framed photograph as a memento of his 20 year association with the college.

Bishop Pat O’Regan attended the Bairnsdale parish farewell for the Salesians on November 27.

Church company to protect vulnerable A NEW independent company to be established by the Catholic Church to develop, audit and report on compliance with professional standards to protect children and vulnerable people has been announced by church leaders Catholic Professional Standards Limited represents a new national Church response to the importance of safeguarding vulnerable people. It will be responsible for setting the highest standards to ensure the safety of individuals involved with the Church at all levels and engaging with Catholic service providers.

CPS will develop new standards for the protection of children and vulnerable adults across Church entities particularly in areas where there are currently no current relevant standards It will audit and report on the compliance of each Church authority against the new professional standards and provide education and training regarding the new standards The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and

Catholic Religious Australia, which represent more than 200 independent Catholic entities across Australia, made the joint announcement of the new company during the bishops plenary meeting with religious leaders at Mary MacKillop Place, Sydney.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge, vice-president of the ACBC said CPS was the Church’s considered response to a crisis that has been heartbreaking for so many people.

“I believe that Catholic Professional Standards will continue the cultural change that has commenced through the work of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council.”

A board of directors is currently being established by the ACBC and CRA. The board will operate and function independently of the Church.

Three directors have been identified and another four appointments to the board are to be made.

A chief executive officer will be recruited and appointed during 2017.

Catholic Life, December 2016 - Page 5

Trinity Families supports nine Gippsland charities NINE charities have shared in $128,500 in funding from Trinity Families.

It is the highest amount distributed in a single year by Trinity Families which was established by the Diocese of Sale 15 years ago, initially called Bishop’s Family Foundation.

In that time it has given more than $1.3 million to charities running programs which benefit families in the Greater Gippsland area.

The patron, Bishop of Sale Patrick O’Regan presented the cheques at a morning tea in Warragul on November 9.

He spoke of the importance of the role of Trinity Families in supporting other charities and praised the work being done throughout the region by those many charities in meeting the needs of people.

The range and scope of projects funded was to be commended Executive officer Colin Coomber said Trinity Families was pleased to be effective in its role of supporting other charities to do their valuable work for the community.

When the charitable fund was established by the late Bishop Jeremiah Coffey he had acknowledged that there

would be no real benefit if the diocese duplicated services already provided by others and therefore it would be better to support those other charities financially.

He said Trinity Families distributed the earnings from invested funds but for several years had been battling low interest rates which restricted the number of charities which could be helped.

“Even with constrictions on our earning ability, we are extremely pleased to be able to distribute a record annual amount.”

A record 20 charities had sought funding totalling $400,000 this year which was an indication of the growing needs within the community.

To meet more of those needs Trinity Families had to continue to appeal for donations to boost its investments Mr Coomber said Trinity Families had received a bequest of almost $90,000 last month which was highly pleasing and he urged others to consider leaving something to the organisation through their wills.

This year’s recipients were: • CatholicCare Gippsland, Family Counselling in Sale and Pakenham, $60,000 • Olivia’s Place, Warragul,

mentoring program for families, $20,000 • Barrier Breakers, Traralgon, program to combat gambling problems among those with mental illness, $10,000.

• Youth Insearch Foundation, Gippsland-wide program to reduce crime, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide and self harm by youth, $7500.

• Gippsland Women’s Health, Sale, discretionary funding for breast cancer patients with financial difficulties to enable them to travel for treatment, $4000.

• Cardinia Combined Churches Caring, crisis support for families in need in Pakenham, Cardinia Shire, $8000.

• Baw Baw Combined Churches Foodbank, emergency food supply service in Warragul, $5000.

• A Better Life for Foster Kids, provide basic services to new foster children Gippslandwide, $4000.

FARESHARE chief executive officer Marcus Godinho receives a cheque from Trinity Families patron Bishop Pat O’Regan.

• FareShare, extension of free Trinity Families, how to apply kitchen meal service to more of for funding, and donations can Gippsland, $10,000. be found at www.trinityfamilies.

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BISHOP O’Regan with Gippsland Women’s Health Breastcare nurse Margaret Centra (centre) and Robin Wall.

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BISHOP O’Regan with CatholicCare chief executive officer Fr Joe Caddy (centre) and Gippsland manager Mark Tanti.

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Page 6 - Catholic Life, December 2016

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ABOUT this time of the year Christmas might be on our mind but it is hardly joyful!

Are we going to send cards this year? Where will we have Christmas dinner? What will we have? What presents will we buy? Do we have enough money? And the list goes on.

Too often we hear that all these things associated with the celebration of Christmas are ‘distractions’, taking us away from the essential message of Christmas. But that is not entirely true.

It is true that the events of the first Christmas are the central feature of this celebration – setting time aside annually to recall and rejoice in this extraordinary act of love and generosity is essential to our faith.

The Incarnation is one of the most profound mysteries that we encounter. Christmas means many things, but, at its heart lies the incarnation - God taking on human flesh, a human body.

But it does not stop there.

Christmas doesn’t happen automatically, it needs our participation.

In a very real sense, we have to help make Christmas continue to happen, to continue give birth to Christ in our world, to give God flesh in the world.

To make Christ effective, we need, ourselves, to become “the body of Christ”, to show others

Help us to help others Donate now to support charities aiding families Trinity Families needs your financial support to ensure that it can continue to meet the needs of families in our region.

We need to greatly enlarge our financial base so we can continue our support to charities providing vital welfare services.

Direct debits can be made to Trinity Families BSB 083-879 A/c 84343 9687 or you can use the form below to make a credit card donation.

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Reflections

by Jim Quillinan what Christ is like.

Showing the face of Christ is very practical – being the Body of Christ is also very tangible, as it were.

In making the Incarnation real in our corner of the world this Christmas, what do we want to do to enable others to see and experience of Christ?

In what ways will we bring the joy of Christ into our family, our workplaces, our neighborhood, our local church community?

Why not resolve this Christmas to be even more encouraging of others, to be supportive of their hopes and dreams, to refrain from criticising or being the pessimist.

Greet people with a smile.

Being positive, encouraging and looking on the bright side can be a wonderful gift.

Is there dissention or division or brokenness in your family?

Perhaps you may even be estranged from a member of your family or you may not have made contact with a friend with whom you may have had a disagreement.

Taking the first step to reconciliation, even simply with a note, can be a generous and lasting gift.

The gift of showing appreciation of others, not only for what they might do but for who they are to you is often the greatest gift we can give – to them and to ourselves.

It is so easy to take-forgranted what others in our lives do for us each day, to take for granted what they are for us simply because they are there so faithfully and constantly.

Acknowledging what a great gift they are to you is a way making Christ’s loving presence come alive. An expensive gift is not necessary

– just a few words or a note can make a profound difference.

Taking some time to reflect on our own blessings can make a difference to how we celebrate Christmas.

Sometimes we can be overwhelmed by the busyness and tensions of life.

Without some quiet times of reflection, we can miss so many of life’s messages, in particular the blessings we have been given in so many unexpected and surprising ways.

Yes, it is true that we can overdo all the preparations for Christmas – we can spend too much and sometimes the organisation of Christmas events can leave little time for anything else. But they are still important – getting together for the Christmas meal, gathering with work colleagues and with friends, giving gifts – these are all tangible signs of making Christmas come alive.

And why not make sure this Christmas that any cards or messages we send don’t abbreviate or even leave out the word “Christ”.

A FOOTNOTE: Reflections is eight years old. Over those years I have regularly received feedback as well as invitations from parish and other groups wishing to explore particular aspects the material in more depth. I am aware that some of the columns have found their way into other publications.

Each day our faith calls us to go deeper into what St. Paul calls the fullness of God, to step out into the deep in mind and heart and action. If these reflections have played a part in that for you, I am grateful. Thank you for your generous comments.

I regret that I have not been able to reply to everyone or to accept every invitation. May Christmas bring you many joys and blessings.

CWL branches all hold their AGMs ALL branches of the Catholic Women’s League in the Sale Diocese held their annual general meetings in October and November.

A diocesan member attended each branch meeting and were continually amazed at the work done by all members.

The Catholic Women’s League is a great support to their parishes as well as many overseas missions and charitable organisations.

Iona-Maryknoll branch held the Western Region/Latrobe Valley retreat in October. Members from Trafalgar, Morwell,

Warragul/Drouin and IonaMaryknoll attended the day.

The retreat started with Mass at St Joseph’s followed by morning tea. Guest speaker for the day was Sr Kathy Dean who gave a Powerpoint presentation on the founders of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Fr Julian Tennison Woods and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Sr Jose Noy gave us Reflection on Mary the Mother of God and our Mother too. She asked members to think about Mary and how they could relate to her as a women and a mother.

Catholic Life, December 2016 - Page 7

New resource aimed at secondary school students A MAJOR new resource for welcoming secondary students into a Catholic faith has been launched at Sion House.

Walk With Me: Christian Initiation for Secondary Students is innovative and modern, yet based on the initiation practices of the early Church.

A collaboration between the Diocese of Sale, its education office and Dr Elio Capra SDB, began in 2011 as a result of interest in the Catholic faith shown by young people in parish communities and Catholic secondary schools.

There was nothing formally written that suited our diocesan circumstances in assisting our Catholic communities to prepare young people for Christian initiation.

This dilemma led to the formation of this resource.

Walk With Me: Christian Initiation for Secondary Students, is embedded in the catechetical approaches and content of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), which in turn is based on the practice of initiation in the early Christian Church.

This resource draws on a methodology developed by St Ambrose of Milan, a 4th Century Bishop of Milan, and one of the most important Church figures of his time. The methodology incorporates five steps: • encountering and listening

DISPLAYING the new resource are the team behind its development (from left) Sarah Jeffery, Francis Fanchette, Bernadette Tolan, Robyn Rebbechi, Anne Taylor, Kevin Woodhouse, Dr Elio Capra SDB and Sophy Morley.

• pondering and meditating • appropriating and making a home for the Word • being challenged and transformed • becoming a living witness.

These elements are embedded in each catechetical session.

The sessions in Walk With Me: Christian Initiation for Secondary Students are presented thematically in accordance with the five foundational elements of Christian discipleship: • Kerygma– Jesus Christ • Evangelia – The Good News of the Scriptures • Koinonia – The Christian Community • Leitourgia – Prayer and Worship

• Diakonia – Mission and Service (ideally completed after Initiation) Each theme has between four to eight sessions assigned to it, with most sessions requiring approximately 60 minutes of group work (a few are double sessions).

All sessions do not need to be covered during this process as some areas will have been covered in previous religious education classes.

Sessions are not necessarily sequential.

Schools and parishes choose which sessions to complete, depending on the work previously covered by the school.

The resource is designed to be adapted to the needs

of the individual and the circumstances of the school and parish. With the exception of the Diakonia sessions which, ideally, should be completed after initiation, the topics can be covered in any order and the content of each session can be adapted.

The sessions are based on the teachings from the Catholic Catechism in light of contemporary learning and teaching practice. Prayer and Scripture are integral to each session, making use of contemporary learning tools.

There are two suggested levels within each session: • A beginning level for those who have little or no knowledge and experience of the Catholic

faith • A deepening level for those who have a basic understanding of the Catholic faith and need to explore a little deeper.

The major contributors to resources development are Dr Capra, Sophy Morley, Robyn Rebbechi, Anne Taylor, Bernadette Tolan and Kevin Woodhouse.

The art work was designed

by Michael Brennan, college chaplain at Mary MacKillop College Leongatha and the launch song Walk With Me was composed by Kevin Woodhouse, director of Catholic identity at St Francis Xavier College Beaconsfield.

At the launch Dr Capra said that there were a lot of resources for primary school age but there was really nothing which suited older students who were interested in the Catholic faith.

He said he had a vision of how the resource might look but its development as being part of a wonderful team of people had been a valuable learning process.

Young people no longer used traditional learning methods and so every step of the way in the resource there were links to the Internet where people withenquiring minds could obtain more information.

A copy of the resource booklet was then formally presented to Bishop Pat O’Regan.

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Page 8 - Catholic Life, December 2016

AROUND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DIOCESE

of

SALE

Inspiring Faith, Inspiring Learning

December 2016

High quality in student card competition And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7-8) THE above text was the theme used this year for the Christmas Card Design Competition.

The competition, which has been running for many years now, is open to all students from Foundation (Prep) to Year 12. One entry per student is permitted but there is no limit to the number of entries a school can submit.

This year there were 2400 entries from the schools in the diocese.

The Christmas Card Design Competition was something I inherited when I

became director back in 2012 and I admit to being a little bemused, at the time, at the amount of work it seemed to generate from staff in CEO Sale.

I was told that the winning entries were used as the official CEO Sale Christmas Cards sent by the director to a variety of people who receive Christmas cards from the director. The message I received was loud and clear.

Mess with this process at your peril madam!

Times have changed and much that I inherited has changed too. But not the Christmas Card Design Competition, and for good reason.

Each year at this time I am summoned to a meeting with Sr Rose Duffy, who chairs the committee that chooses the best entries.

I am given the opportunity to declare my favorites to take away the two “Best Entry” prizes for each division primary and secondary.

Thankfully a lot of work has been done by the committee before the top entries get to me and I am invariably in awe of the quality of the entries - all of them.

The students are given clear guidelines for the designs submitted. Most important of all is the notion that the winning entries are chosen on the basis of their aesthetic appeal, creativity and relevance to the Catholic faith.

The judges (whose decision is final) look especially for those entries which speak to the theme for the year and which depth that theme to signify something important in today’s world.

When looking at the entries this year, there was a poignancy in many of them, creatively expressing that sense of the child Jesus being closely wrapped and enfolded, protected from a world that said, “there is no room at the inn”.

Children and young people’s response to Christmas is, I find, invariably positive and hope filled and this is what was generated in the many entries we received this year.

My warmest congratulations are extended to all the students who took the time to share their talents with us; and to their teachers and I’m sure also their parents, who encourage the creativity we all of us need to enrich our lives.

In the words of one of my favourite authors, Joan

Chittister: “Each of us is here to participate in the creativity of God by adding something of ourselves to creation.”

At this final stage of the 2016 school year, I wish you all a safe, peace-filled and joyous Christmas.

- Maria Kirkwood Director of Catholic Education

St Pat’s focus on writing in Eastern Collective ST Patrick’s Stratford in 2016-2017 has joined an Eastern Collective from Catholic Primary Schools in (Lakes Entrance, Orbost and Bairnsdale) in the Sale Diocese to improve teacher practice to improve outcomes for every child.

St Patrick’s Stratford with St Mary’s Bairnsdale, St Joseph Orbost and St Brendan’s Lakes Entrance have combined together to establish a vision for their students in literacy.

The vision for our collective is “Our students are adventurous learners, empowered to confidently communicate their thinking.”

The Eastern Collective is made up of principals and middle leaders in each school who meet three times a term in Bairnsdale or Lakes Entrance to discuss improving student progress in writing.

The collective is supported by Learning Teaching Educational Consultant from Catholic Education Office Donna Synan.

The Eastern Collective writing focus is on

narratives. Each school has played a part in creating an assessment rubric from Foundation to Year 6. The rubrics are based on the new Victorian Curriculum. All four schools are currently creating assessment rubrics for other writing genres.

In 2017 the Eastern Collective have organised Deb Sukarna to visit each school throughout the year and also make a special presentation to all four schools in March and July.

Deb Sukarna is a leading educator. In 2011 she won Victoria’s most prestigious award for educational leadership, the Australian Council of Educational Leaders Hedley Beare Educator of the Year and has developed the “Writers Notebook” strategy which is used extensively across Victorian Schools.

The four schools are looking forward to working with her next year.

Sion Scholarship

Rose Lee, the vice principal of St Patrick’s has been awarded the Sion Scholarship for the Biblical

Catholic Educa on

Stratford decorations

Program at Ecce Homo Convent in Jerusalem. She will attend the one month Biblical program from June 6 until of July 3, 2017.

Rose is one of two recipients from the Sale Diocese to be awarded the scholarship.

Camp Reflections

In early November the Year 5/6 students attended a three day camp at Karoondah Park, Gelantipy. The outdoor camp provided a variety of experiences to improve student’s self-confidence, responsibility, team work and problem solving skills.

Rose Lee, Mary Wilson and Damian Hogan supervised the students whilst on camp.

This year the school was approached by the Stratford community to decorate old unused bicycles in Christmas decorations. The bicycles will be displayed at the Memorial Park in Stratford and in the main street of town.

Liz Magnuson the Art teacher at St Patrick’s assisted the Yr. 4/5 students in decorating the bicycles in a variety of Christmas color. If you are traveling this Christmas Holiday through Stratford on your way to Lakes Entrance please stop and have a look these Christmas decorated bicycles in Stratford.

Inspiring Faith, Inspiring Learning

Catholic Life, December 2016 - Page 9

Ex-director launches new book Community service A HALLMARK of the Catholic faith tradition is a concern for the common good borne out in service to others.

As part of the St Mary’s Newborough Sacraments program the Grade 6 students are provided with the opportunity to embrace this philosophy as a way of life.

In October, the Grade 6 students visited the residents at Latrobe Valley Village. The students had the opportunity to connect with members of our community and learnt how a connection to the local community can influence personal and community health and wellbeing. During the visits the students enjoyed getting to

know the residents through friendly conversations, playing games and enjoying morning tea together. St Mary’s takes great pleasure in offering this wonderful opportunity to our Grade 6 students each year.

Quotes from students: “I loved going to the retirement home and hearing their life stories.” Brendan Gatt “It was a good experience building a relationship with them and learning about their past.” Riley Holloway “It was a great experience and we got to build a relationship with them which now we can go back and talk with them in our own time.” Levi Dalziel

AFTER the book launch are (from left) Anita Carter, Dr Gerard Goldman, Professor Therese D’Orsa, Dr Jim D’Orsa and Maria Kirkwood.

FORMER director of Catholic education for the Diocese of Sale Professor Therese D’Orsa returned to Sion House, Warragul, for the launch of her latest book.

New Ways of Living the Gospel – Spiritual Traditions in Catholic Education was edited

by Professor D’Orsa and her husband Dr Jim D’Orsa and is the fourth in an ongoing mission and education series of books.

Prof. D’Orsa said the book touched Sale Diocese closely especially a chapter by Anita Carter on the foundation of St Peter’s College, Cranbourne, and the pioneering work of late principal Terry Feeley and then parish priest Fr Herman Hengel.

Other chapters touched on the varied charisms of the Josephites, Marists, Good Samaritans and Salesians, among others.

She said Broken Bay Institute’s association with John Garrett Publishing was proved to be a worthwhile partnership which was enabling the mission of the Church to be discussed.

Four more books were on the way from Broken Bay Institute, including two more from the D’Orsas – Catholic Pedagogy and Mission and Identity.

Anita Carter spoke passionately about her chapter of St Peter’s and the charism of the school developed by Mr Feeley, and continuing to this day.

Director of Catholic education Maria Kirkwood commented in launching the book that she regarded it as a book which should not be sitting on a shelf but should be continually in your hand so you could reflect on the words.

Broken Bay Institute chief

executive officer Dr Gerard Goldman praised the ongoing work of Therese and Jim D’Orsa who were contributing greatly to the academic literature.

He said the new book brought real stories about real people and would help the Catholic education community to better understand their mission.

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Page 10 - Catholic Life, December 2016

Let’s eliminate family violence THE Victorian Catholic Bishops have condemned family violence in the strongest possible terms, in a letter to the Catholic community issued last weekend.

The statement picks up on the words of Pope Francis that “we must always say ‘no’ to violence in the home”.

Their letter which is published below says that domestic violence is now a crisis in Australia.

Figures show that a woman dies at the hands of her partner or ex-partner

every week and that one in four children experience the distress of witnessing their mother being abused.

The bishops say that it is women and children who most suffer as victims of domestic violence. They urge for a society where all people are safe in their homes and families and where violence and abuse are simply not acceptable.

They have asked that the whole Church community including priests, parishioners, teachers and the victims themselves work to prevent violence.

The bishops call for responses to domestic violence which “provide victims with protection and help in rebuilding their lives, which make offenders accountable and assist their rehabilitation and importantly change those community attitudes from which violence emerges”.

The letter also opens the door to joining with other Churches and faith communities to support the necessary change while also congratulating the Royal Commission into Family

Violence for its outstanding work and vital recommendations which have been promptly and positively responded to by the Victorian Government.

It builds on the work of Catholic social service agencies in prevention and assistance to victims – these include CatholicCare, McAuley Community Services for Women, Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, The Samaritan Inn, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, VincentCare, etc.

Letter: Bishops condemn domestic violence WE, the Catholic Bishops of Victoria, condemn domestic violence in the strongest possible terms, and call on parishes, church organisations and people of faith to play a part in its elimination.

Domestic violence is a crisis in Australia – each week a woman dies at the hands of her partner or ex-partner. It is estimated that one in four children experience the fear and distress of witnessing their mother being abused.

In addition to this physical violence, domestic violence can also be emotional, financial or spiritual. The roots are abuse of power and the control of one person over another.

While men also suffer domestic violence, women and children form the great majority of the victims of domestic violence.

This statement is addressed to the whole Church community – we must all work to prevent violence against women and children. In particular, it is addressed to: • victims of violence who may need the Church’s help to break out of their situation, • priests, pastoral associates, and parishioners, and teachers, who may be the first point of contact for adults and children who are victims of domestic violence, and • men who abuse and may not know how to break out of the cycle of violence.

Domestic violence in all its forms offends against a vision of family as a place of safety and love, where children learn to respect and live with others.

We hope that this statement will lead people to learn about domestic violence, and seek to do what they can in their relationships, parishes,

communities and organisations to eliminate violence and assist survivors to heal from its impact.

Our goal must be a society where all people are safe in their home, families and close relationships; where violence and abuse are not acceptable; and where all relationships respect the equality and dignity of each person. This is part of the Gospel vision of love and respect.

Jesus always protected the oppressed and exposed evil.

He always respected the human dignity of women, consistently challenging cultural attitudes of oppression and exclusion.

We see him breaking social taboos that exclude people, and expanding the boundaries of human love, acceptance and friendship.

Jesus challenges us to act in favor of the victims and work against anything that would prevent individuals from ‘living life to the full’.

As pastoral leaders in Victoria, we reject a reading of scripture that condones domestic violence. A correct

reading of scripture leads to an understanding of the equal dignity of men and women and to relationships based on mutuality and love.

Responses to domestic violence are needed, which provide victims with protection and help in rebuilding their lives; which make offenders accountable and assist their rehabilitation; and which change those community attitudes from which violence emerges.

We need to look at prevention, intervention, supports for victims, accountability and healing for offenders. We need to confront the causes of this violence, including the unequal position of women and men in our community. We welcome the work undertaken

by Catholic agencies in these areas, while recognizing the continuing challenges.

We aim to make all Church communities places of support and healing.

To our priests, pastoral associates and others in leadership positions – we say that our churches should be

a safe place for victims of domestic and family violence, where understanding and assistance are readily available.

For this to happen we all need to reflect on our attitudes and equip ourselves with the knowledge to assist those who ask for help, through referrals to specialist services where needed.

We all need to foster in our families and communities alternatives to violence. In particular we need to lead boys and young men to treat girls and women with respect and teach them how to develop positive and violence-free relationships.

In Victoria we have benefitted from the insight of the Royal Commission into Family Violence that recently made recommendations on how we, the Victorian community can prevent and respond to domestic and family violence.

We welcome this report, and the Victorian Government’s prompt and positive response to its recommendations.

Our hope is that the implementation of these recommendations brings about very positive change within the Victorian community. We are pleased to join with other

Churches and faith communities in being part of that change.

Catholic Social Services Victoria has made information and resources available to parishes and organisations to promote understanding of domestic and family violence, and of how to respond to those affected.

This is also available through the website – www.css.org. au/dv. We recommend this material, and the training that will be available, to assist you and your community in playing your part in preventing domestic violence, and responding appropriately when it does occur.

For advice or support in relation to family violence call1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you or someone else are in immediate danger, contact 000 Archbishop Denis Hart Archbishop of Melbourne Bishop Pat O’Regan Bishop of Sale Bishop Paul Bird CSsR Bishop of Ballarat Bishop Les Tomlinson Bishop of Sandhurst

Social justice council attacks human trafficking “HUMAN trafficking and similar forms of exploitation affect every country on earth.

“They flourish because of society’s greed for cheap goods and services and because it is so easy to forget that those who meet these needs are human beings with their own innate God-given dignity.”

Those are the words Australian Catholic Social Justice Council chairman Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen, in his foreword to Human Trafficking and Slavery: A response from Australian Catholics.

The paper, the latest in the ACSJC’s Catholic Social Justice Series, is written by Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans executive officer Christine Carolan, and NSW projects officer Sr Noelene Simmons SM. The paper looks at slavery and related crimes in the modern world, at the Church’s teaching, and at the international and Australian laws.

The paper discusses ACRATH’s work advocating on behalf of victims of

human trafficking, educating Australians, and working alongside organisations here and overseas to shut down human trafficking.

Ms Carolan said “Many people don’t realise that human trafficking affects us in Australia. There is the ever-present reality of women who are trafficked for sexual exploitation, but people are also regularly trafficked into Australia in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, mining and fishing.

“Many Australians are now asking whether their clothing and food – chocolate, for example – have been produced by forced or trafficked labor.

ACRATH has campaigned successfully for ethical sourcing of food and clothing.

“Forced marriage is another area where young people, overwhelmingly young women, need help and support. People often don’t realise that forced marriage is illegal in Australia and that help is available for those who are facing that possibility.”

ACRATH has developed a set of study notes that can be used for senior schools or for any groups wanting to explore the issue of human trafficking.

In his foreword, Bishop Nguyen says that ACRATH’s tireless networking, education, research, advocacy and accompaniment have made a huge difference for people who have been trafficked and exploited in Australia’ Human Trafficking and Slavery, Catholic Social Justice Series No. 79, is available from the ACSJC for $7.50.

Catholic Life, December 2016 - Page 11

Clarifying Church position on burials, cremations THE Australian Catholic Bishops welcome a new document from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding burying the deceased and conserving ashes when cremation is chosen.

Titled, Ad resurgendum cum Christo meaning ‘To rise with Christ’, the document provides details about the doctrinal and pastoral reasons for choosing a burial.

It also explains what is appropriate when conserving ashes in the case of cremation.

The congregation highlighted that the contents of the document, ‘To rise with Christ’, are intended as a point of reference for the Church.

Archbishop Denis Hart, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said, “The new instruction, ‘To rise with Christ’, affirms what the Church has always held with regard to cremation, reverence for the human remains in the body or in the ashes and the following burial”.

Key points in the newly published document include: • States the Church’s preference for burial of the remains of the faithful

• Because of Christ, Christian death has a positive meaning.

The Christian vision of death receives privileged expression in the liturgy of the Church: ‘Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven’.

• Following Christian tradition, the Church recommends that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places • Burial is above all the most fitting way to express faith and hope in the resurrection of the body • By burying the bodies of the faithful, the Church confirms her faith in the resurrection of the body, and intends to show the great dignity of the human body as an integral part of the human person whose body forms part of their identity • Through the practice of burying the dead in cemeteries, in dedicated spaces within church buildings or their environs, Christian tradition has upheld the relationship between the living and the dead and has opposed any tendency to minimise, or relegate to the

private sphere, the event of death and the meaning it has for Christians • The Church raises no doctrinal objections to the practice of cremation • The ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred

place, that is, in a cemetery or in dedicated spaces within church buildings or their environs • This ensures they are not excluded from the prayers and remembrance of their family or the Christian community • Conservation of the ashes

in a private residence is not permitted • Out of respect for the integrity and sacredness of both body and ashes, scattering or dividing ashes among family members is not favored

Cooking up a healthy lunch

TASTING the chow mein are (from left) Bryson, Aaron, Ethan and Bayden.

MOE - Chow Mein was on students at St Kieran’s Catholic cooked up a healthy lunch the lunch menu for Year 4/3M Primary School in Moe who using produce from their school kitchen garden.

Mandy Bialy, a parent at St Kieran’s, has established the Kitchen Garden program at the school. wider choice of actions, and Mandy who is currently opportunities, and that’s great. studying her Master of But forgetting whose money it Teaching (Primary Education), is causes significant problems recently introduced the concept in many families and in many to the school as part of her trusts. studies where children can There once was a bank explore science, mathematics advertisement where the punch with David Wells and literacy concepts whilst line was “It’s your money, learning and enjoying time in Ralph!”. A truer mantra was look after their funds. I see this the garden and kitchen. never uttered.

• This report is intended to provide general a lot in my role on the board The students used cabbages I have seen many cases of of an aged care home, but that advice. In preparing this advice, David Wells Shaw and Partners did not take into account and celery grown in the school families arguing about money again is no reason to give away and the investment objective, the financial situation garden to make the chow mein.

– inheritances, potential unfettered control. and particular needs of any particular person.

The school has also inheritances and businesses, My advice to any investor is Before making an investment decision on the basis of this advice, you need to consider, with established a chicken coop farms and other property. In this: without the assistance of an adviser, whether and three chickens are now these cases, it seems many Do not give away unfettered or the advice is appropriate in light of your particu- residents of the school garden. of the family members have control of any investments at lar investment needs, objectives and financial forgotten just to whom the all. They are there to achieve circumstances. money belongs. what you want, not what others There is no obligation for a tell you that you need. parent to leave anything to their If you do give away control, family, or even an estate at all. do this in a legally binding There is no obligation for a agreement that requires your parent to look after their adult nominee to act in your interests children, but many do, to their only, whether control is given to own detriment. a family member or a financial Many older people allow adviser. their children to look after their Any such agreement should finances, again to their own also have a requirement that detriment. Many older people periodically the actions of will suffer to some degree to the nominee are reviewed by help their grown up families. an independent third party to What I’ve seen children do ensure that this is the case. to their parents when they have I recommend that people have the opportunity to look after an enduring power of attorney, Personal advice their parents’ investments is so it is not difficult to add these Unrivalled experience absolutely frightening. conditions to a financial power Buy and sell shares, portfolio managememt That doesn’t always happen, of attorney. but when an investor of any age Investment research and daily market information Yes, investing is “all about looks at what they want to do, me”. It’s that way so you can do Investment advice for self managed super funds they should take advice, but not what you want or think is best, necessarily be persuaded as to and to be generous if you want.

For all your investment needs please contact: the course of action if it is to It is hard to be generous if David Wells W , Senior Investment Adviser on 03 9268 1157 or their detriment. someone has made sure you toll free 1800 150 009 or dwells@shawandpartners.com.au Children and other advisers have nothing to be generous have no legal right to an with. investor’s money.

I wish you all a safe and Hopefully there will come a happy Christmas, and a more time when the investor gets to prosperous new year. an age where they don’t want to

Investing should be about what you want IT IS Christmas time again and with all the stresses, strains and tribulations that families bring, it is sometimes easy to forget what it’s really about.

First and foremost, it is probably the most important Christian festival of the year.

It’s about kindness, and family and love and selflessness.

Unfortunately, there’s usually an excessive amount of commercialism involved with it these days, as well.

I was thinking of writing the usual Christmas article (budgeting, avoiding financial stress, or something similar) but there’s an important message that you investors need to be reminded of – investing is a time when you should be all thinking "Me, me me!"

That’s right, it is all about you the investor. It is not about selflessness, it is not about goodwill. It is all about making money for you the investor. It is all about giving the investor choices. In that sense, investing is the antithesis of Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that investors should be greedy and selfish, just that any investor needs to focus on their investments as a means to an end and never compromise that end.

What the investor plans to achieve should remain the sole focus of the investing. Shares, property and other investments are simplistically just another representation of money.

The value may change but the management of any investment must always be focussed on what is necessary to achieve the aims of the investor.

Successful investments give the investor a much

DOLLAR$ & SENSE

Investments made simple.

Page 12 - Catholic Life, December 2016

St Thomas second stage blessed

Quick calendar

What’s on & when DECEMBER 19 - 50th anniversary of ordination of Fr Bernie Mahony, Pakenham 25 – Christmas Day 26 – Boxing Day 27 – Public holiday in lieu of Christmas Day 31 – New Year’s Eve

2017 JANUARY

TOURING the new facilities during the blessing of the second stage at St Thomas the Apostle School are (from left) principal Brendan Marrinon, director of Catholic education Maria Kirkwood, Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan and Clyde North parish priest Fr Denis O’Bryan.

CRANBOURNE EAST - The second stage of the rapidly developing St Thomas the Apostle Primary School has

been officially opened and blessed by Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan.

The school is in Clyde North

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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parish, virtually opposite the Melbourne Football Club training facilities at Casey Fields.

Numbers of students attending are expected to continue growing rapidly as the former market gardens and paddocks are being turned into housing lots.

Bishop O’Regan said the students were blessed to receive the wonderful facilities and he gave thanks to God who worked through so many people to bring about the development.

God-willing there would be several more stages in development of the school.

He encouraged the children to be a blessing for other people and to think of ways in which they could be a blessing for others, to make a difference in their lives.

Principal Brendan Marrinon said the school community was proud of the building which reflected the charism of the school and the stylised version of St Thomas’s Cross was proudly illuminated at night for all who passed by to see.

He said that just as St Thomas built a new community of Christians in India 2000 years ago, the school was part of building a new community in Clyde North parish.

Director of Catholic Education Maria Kirkwood said that $1.3 million of the total $1.9 million cost of the second stage had been provided by the Federal Government for which the diocese and school community was very thankful.

The remainder of the money was provided locally with Catholic Education Support through its supplementary capital fund.

After the blessing of the new facilities and unveiling of plaques, lunch was served for invited guests and parents.

To advertise in

Catholic Life 5622 6688 Note: Office will be closed until January 23

1 - New Year’s Day 1 - World Day of Peace 1 - Solemnity of Mary Mother of God 2 - Public Holiday (New Year’s Day supplementary) 8 - Epiphany 9 - Baptism of the Lord 10 - Beginning of Ordinary Time (A) 17 - St Anthony Memorial 21 - St Agnes Memorial 24 - St Francis de Sales Memorial 25 - Conversion of St Paul 26 - Australia Day (public holiday) 28 - St Thomas Aquinas Memorial 30 – Term 1 begins 31 - St John Bosco Memorial

FEBRUARY 2 - Presentation of the Lord 6 – Deadline for February Catholic Life 15 – Catholic Life published 22 - Chair of St Peter the Apostle Feast Day 28 - Shrove Tuesday

MARCH 1 - Ash Wednesday, beginning of Lent 1 – Launch of Project Compassion appeal 12 – Stony Creek Cup 13 - Labor Day public holiday 17 - St Patrick’s Day 20 - Solemnity of St Joseph 25 – Annunciation 31 – Term 1 ends

APRIL 9 - Palm Sunday 14 - Good Friday 14 – Special collection all parishes for upkeep of Holy Places 15 - Holy Saturday 15 – Public Holiday (shops may be closed) 16 - Easter Sunday 17 – Easter Monday Public Holiday 17 – Deadline for April Catholic Life 18 – Term 2 begins 23 - Divine Mercy Sunday 23 – Special collection all parishes for Military Ordinariate 25 - Anzac Day public holiday 26 - Feast of St Mark the Evangelist 26 – April Catholic Life published

29 - St Catherine of Siena Memorial

MAY Annual appeal month for Trinity Families, the Sale Diocese charitable fund 3 - Feast of St Philip and James, Apostles 7 – Good Shepherd Sunday 7 – Special collection all parishes for Education of Seminarians Bursary Fund 13 - Our Lady of Fatima Day 14 – Mother’s Day 24 - Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians, Patron of Australia 28 - The Ascension 31 - Feast of the Visitation

JUNE 4 - Pentecost Sunday 5 – Deadline for June Catholic Life 11 - Holy Trinity Sunday 12 - Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday 14 – Catholic Life published 18 - Body and Blood of Christ 23 - Sacred Heart of Jesus 24-25 – Annual collection all parishes for St Vincent de Paul Society support of the poor 29 - Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul, Apostles 30 – Term 2 ends

JULY 2 – Special collection all parishes for Peter’s Pence 2-8 – NAIDOC Week 3 - Feast of St Thomas, Apostle 17 – Term 3 begins 22 - St Mary Magdalene Solemnity 23-29 – Catholic Education Week (TBC) 25 - Feast of St James, Apostle

AUGUST A special collection will be taken up in all parishes during August for CatholicCare Gippsland 6 - The Transfiguration 7 – Deadline for August Catholic Life 8 - Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 10 - Feast of St Lawrence 11 - St Clare Memorial 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 16 – Catholic Life published 22 - Queenship of BVM 23 - St Rose of Lima Memorial 24 - Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle 28 - St Augustine Memorial

SEPTEMBER 3 – Father’s Day 3 - Special collection all parishes for Priests’ Welfare Foundation 8 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Catholic Life, December 2016 - Page 13

Cranbourne farewells dynamic Nigerian Sr Mercy

By Regina Abraham CRANBOURNE - The parishes of St Agatha’s and St Thomas Apostle, farewelled Sr Mercy Akoh of the Sisters of the Nativity on November 27, after nine years of working within the Diocese of Sale.

St Agatha’s school hall was filled with parishioners from both parishes and the youth group put together a presentation of heart-felt tribute, representing all groups within the parishes, to farewell the much loved Sr Mercy. The youth also celebrated Fr Joseph Abutu’s 40th birthday at the farewell.

Sr Mercy was one of the three pioneering religious sisters from this Nigerian congregation who arrived at St Agatha’s in November 2007, with Sr Anna Abba and Sr Grace Onaivi.

Over the last nine years, Sr Mercy worked as sacristan, catechist, liturgy coordinator, youth coordinator and sacraments coordinator. She has also been part of the pastoral council in both parishes.

She captured the heart of many of the parish youth and built them up into a team of youngsters who ‘bear fruit’ and enrich our parish life.

In the words of the youth at her farewell, Sr Mercy, "led them into the knowledge of the Scriptures and the Church, taught them to pray and reach out in the service of others".

Fr Denis O’Bryan spoke glowingly about Sr Mercy’s contribution to parish life. He said he would always remember her for some of the important Catholic teachings that she had imparted to the youth.

Essentially for many within the parish, Sr Mercy was a ‘go to’ person for any information that was required, even very late at night!

No one could quite follow her method or her system of working, but she had it all, in the words of a volunteer worker, ‘filed neatly in her head’.

Sr Mercy was always found in the service of others despite carrying the load of a busy parish and religious life schedule.

One of the things that touched

my heart was that Sr Mercy, in the time that she did not have, would reach out to the elderly around her, cleaning their homes, driving them around and doing many other works of mercy.

She made the time to maintain a great relationship with all around her!

I recall when she was new to driving in Australia, she drove into the back of a gentleman, who saw her religious habit and exclaimed, “Have I been hit by God?” Sr Mercy very promptly used that opportunity to develop a relationship.

In and around the Cranbourne shopping centres, our priests and sisters are a great witness to Catholicism.

As an example I quote below a dialogue that Sr Mercy had recently with a sales girl within the Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre. She not only witnessed her faith, her love for God and her service; but she also gave the sales girl an insight into a life of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Sales girl: What is that thing on your head?

Sr Mercy: My veil, you mean?

Sales girl: Yes Sr Mercy: I wear this veil because I am a nun Sales girl: What is a nun?

Sr Mercy: A nun is a person who has dedicated her life to God in order to serve people Sales Girl: Oh! So, you don’t have a boyfriend?

Sr Mercy: No, I cannot marry either.

Sales girl: That is terrible! Do you get paid for serving others?

Sr Mercy: Not really, we get a stipend Sales girl: Okay, so who is paying for this clothing then?

Sr Mercy: I am, I get $200 every month Sales girl: What??? Is that just for this clothing or….

Sr Mercy: For everything except food and medical needs Sales girl: That’s terrible!

How do you manage to get your clothing?

Sr Mercy: From the $200 and some very generous friends.

And it is not terrible, when you learn to depend on God for everything. As you can see

SR Mercy Akoh with some of the parish team (from left) Tina Dam, Gus Spierings and Sue Ryan.

I am not destitute. I eat well, I dress well, but not above my means and I cannot abuse the generosity of others.

Sales girl: This is great! So you live in the church?

Sr Mercy: No Sales girl: Do you have to go to church everyday?

Sr Mercy: Yes, I have to be connected to God to be able to serve His people, don’t you think?

Sales girl: I suppose so. Well I think what you are doing sounds crazy, but if you are happy doing it, then enjoy it….

Sr Mercy: See I am able to buy all this because of the sale and that is what we do, watch out for sales and buy the things we need. I leave Australia next week.

Sales girl: Oh, do have fun wherever you go.

Sr Mercy: I will When Sr Mercy narrated this episode to me, I could not help but wonder at the impact this conversation would have had on this young girl, who grew up and lived in world devoid of religious sisters, even in our Catholic schools.

With the given materialistic world all around us, the sales girl could not even begin to fathom, why someone would

SR Mercy at her farewell, surrounded by members of the parish and youth group.

love God, so as to live a crazy life of poverty and sacrifice?

From my experience of Sr. Mercy, I know she would have prayed for this sales girl, as she did for her youth and this conversation would be the seed sown for a blossoming love for God in that sales girl’s life!

Parish life at St Agatha’s and St Thomas Apostle Parishes have been privileged by the presence and contribution of the Sisters of Nativity, over the last nine years.

Their lives of prayer and sacrifice have been a channel of God’s grace for many souls, especially during tragic times of sickness and death.

Every time one of the sisters returns to Nigeria, we are saddened and will miss them terribly, but at the same time, our lives seem richer for having known some of these wonderful women of sacrifice.

Sr Lucy Viashima has already arrived to replace Sr Mercy at Cranbourne. Currently Sr Mary Olofu, Sr Faustina Ede and Sr Lucy Viashima make up the community of the Sisters of Nativity.

All three sisters hold a

Bachelor or Masters in various disciplines, yet all of them have left their mission in Nigeria and their families to come and serve in Australia.

Sr Faustina holds a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies and was the principal in one of the congregation’s primary schools.

Sr Lucy holds a Bachelor of Guidance and Counselling degree and a Masters in Clinical Psychology and was the principal in one of their high schools.

Sr Mary holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education in Chemistry and a Masters of Ministry in Theology. She also holds a Diploma in Religious Formation and was in charge of the formation of the novitiates.

The Parishioners at Cranbourne are appreciative and are truly privileged by the presence of the Sisters of Nativity and their work in the Parish.

Prayers for Fatima WITH the help of the Australia Needs Fatima group, the Warragul parish decided to hold a public Rosary on October 15 in remembrance of the 99th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearances and the miracle of the sun at Fatima in 1917.

The last public Rosary in 2014 was attended by 30 people but this year 70 joined in prayer.

The Rosary was on the front steps of St Joseph’s Church so that people passing on the highway, visiting Aldi opposite or the restaurant on the other corner could observe what was going on.

Fifteen posies of flowers were placed at the feet of Our Lady’s statue and the men led the Rosary.

In a similar public event, parishioners from St Kieran’s, Moe, and St Mary’s,

Newborough, met outside the Moe Library to proclaim Our Lady’s message of Fatima.

They prayed the Rosary for the conversion of sinners and aim to faithfully pray the Rosary in the lead up to the centenary of Fatima next year.

The Rosary began with a prayer for the Prime Minister, parliamentarians and leaders that they be virtuous and of right knowledge to wisely perform their duties.

The banner and statue of Our Lady of Fatima proclaimed Mary’s message to the local community as they passed by.

The warm sun shone through the clouds as the Joyful Mysteries were prayed., Earlier the delicate statue of Our Lady crashed to the concrete pavement without incurring a single scratch.

Page 14 - Catholic Life, December 2016

For the Young and Young at Heart Colour in for Christmas

Time for a laugh IT was Christmas Eve in at the supermarket and a woman was anxiously picking over the last few remaining turkeys in the hope of finding a large one.

In desperation she called over a shop assistant and said, “Excuse me.

Do these turkeys get any bigger?”

“No, madam,” he replied, “they’re all dead.”

At that, all the other players on the team began screaming, “Come on coach, give him another chance!”

IT was the season for colds and flu so the primary school teacher decided to teach her class the dangers of being exposed to the weather.

She finished her talk by saying “I once had a little cousin your age who ALEX was six; all his Christmas took his new bike in the rain one day. presents were always signed, “From He got very wet, caught a cold which Santa.” became pneumonia and he died.”

A little while after Alex had opened She paused dramatically while the all his presents on Christmas morning, class absorbed the story, then the he sat there looking sad. silence was broken by a little voice “What’s the matter?” asked his from the back of the class. father.

“What happened to his bike?”

“Ummm,” replied Alex slowly, “I really hoped that you and Mummy A DOCTOR and a lawyer are would give me something for talking at a party. Their conversation Christmas.” is constantly interrupted by people IT was just before Christmas and describing their ailments and asking the magistrate was in a happy mood. the doctor for free medical advice.

After an hour of this, the exasperated He asked the prisoner who was in the doctor asks the lawyer, “What do you dock, “What are you charged with?” do to stop people from asking you for The prisoner replied, “Doing my legal advice when you’re out of the Christmas shopping too early.” offi ce?”

“That’s no crime”, said the “I give it to them,” replies the magistrate. “Just how early were you lawyer, “and then I send them a bill.” doing this shopping?”

The doctor is shocked, but agrees to “Before the shop opened”, answered give it a try. the prisoner.

The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepares the bills.

AFTER an elderly couple starts When he goes to place them in his getting forgetful, they visit their mailbox, he finds a bill from the doctor. Their doctor tells them that lawyer. many people find it useful to write THE shepherds visit baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph on the first Christmas themselves little notes.

AS a group of soldiers stood in When they get home, the wife Day. formation at an Army Base, the drill says, “Dear, will you please go to Sergeant said, “All right! All you the kitchen and get me a dish of ice idiots fall out.” cream? And maybe write that down As the rest of the squad wandered so you won’t forget?”

MANY of the nursery rhymes have away, one soldier remained at “Nonsense,” says the husband. “I hidden meanings and are related to attention. can remember a dish of ice cream.” real events.

The drill instructor walked over “Well, I’d also like some For instance in the old Ring a Ring until he was eye to eye with him, and strawberries and whipped cream on a Rosy rhyme is about the Black then raised a single eyebrow. it,” the wife replies.

Death or bubonic plague which The soldier smiled and said, “Sure “My memory’s not all that bad,” killed thousands. was a lot of ‘em, huh, sir?” says the husband. “No problem -- a The rosy rings are the red lumps dish of ice cream with strawberries typical of the disease. The pocket A SCIENTIST and a philosopher full of posies refers to the flowers four gospels of Matthew, Mark, and whipped cream. I don’t need to are being chased by a hungry lion. write it down.” people carried in the belief it would Luke and John.

The scientist makes some quick The five golden rings recalled the He goes into the kitchen, and his ward off plague. calculations and says, “It’s no good The final line “Atishoo Atishoo we Torah or Law, the first five books of wife hears pots and pans banging. trying to outrun it. It’s catching up!”

The husband finally emerges from all fall down” tells of the coughing the Old Testament.

The philosopher keeps a little ahead The six geese a-laying stood for the kitchen and presents his wife with and sneezing fits as people died. and replies, “I’m not trying to outrun a plate of bacon and eggs.

From 1558 until 1829, when the six days of creation. the lion, I’m trying to outrun you!”

Seven swans a-swimming She looks at the plate and asks, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith represented the sevenfold gifts “Hey, where’s the toast I asked for?”

A BUS full of ugly people had a openly someone managed to secretly of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, head on collision with a truck. When A FOOTBALL coach walked into write The 12 Days of Christmas Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, they died, God granted all of them carol as a catechism song for young Contribution, Leadership, and the locker room before a game, looked one wish. The first person said, “I Mercy. over to his star player and said, “I’m Catholics.

The eight maids a-milking were not supposed to let you play since want to be gorgeous.” God snapped The words appear to be a nonsense you failed maths, but we need you in his fingers and it happened. The story about Christmas presents but the eight beatitudes. second person said the same thing Nine ladies dancing were the there. each element has a hidden meaning So what I have to do is ask you a and God did the same thing. This which has a code word for part of nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, want on and on throughout the group. the catechism which children could Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, maths question, and if you get it right, God noticed the last man in line was Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, you can play.” remember.

The player agreed, and the coach laughing hysterically. By the time The partridge in a pear tree was and Self Control.

The 10 lords a-leaping were the 10 looked into his eyes intently and asks, God got to the last 10 people, the last Jesus Christ.

“Okay, now concentrate... what is two man was laughing and rolling on the Two turtle doves were the Old and commandments. ground. When the man’s turn came, The 11 pipers piping stood for the plus two?”

New Testaments.

The player thought for a moment he laughed and said, “I wish they Three French hens stood for faith, 11 faithful disciples. were all ugly again.”

The 12 drummers drumming and then he answered, “Four?” hope and love.

“Did you say four?!?” the coach The four calling birds were the symbolized the 12 points of belief Happy Christmas everyone!! in the Apostles’ Creed. exclaimed, excited that he got it right.

A little history behind a carol

Catholic Life, December 2016 - Page 15

Bishops' assistants meet

Classifieds bingo

public notices

prayer

Sacred Heart School

CHRISTMAS

VOCATIONS Priests & Deacons Are you considering a vocation as a priest or deacon for the Diocese of Sale?

If so please contact

Fr Michael Willemsen 5152 3106 vocations@sale.catholic.org.au

Friday, December 16, 11am Morwell RSL Club, Elgin St., Morwell Join our annual giant customer Christmas giveaway.

Further details phone 0401962 404 or 5133 7221 (AH) To our valued patrons, thank you for supporting the children of Sacred Heart School during 2016. Through your generosity we have been able to complete many projects this year.

Have a joyous Christmas and festive New Year from all at Sacred Heart School Bingo.

We are the only newspaper other than metropolitan dailies to deliver from the outer eastern suburbs, through Gippsland to the border.

Phone

5622 6688

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.

MAY the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, loved, adored and glorified throughout the whole world, now and forevermore. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us. Saint Jude, helper of the desperate, pray for us. Repeat nine times for nine days. Publication promised in thanksgiving.

Amen. Never fails.

AT the gathering are (from left) Djurdja Klaris, Ballarat; Cathy Dougan, Sale; Margaret Watson, Sandhurst and Alina Tsakonas and Josie Hatton, Melbourne.

THE personal assistants of Victorian bishops met in Bendigo recently to share ideas and discuss matters of common concern across the four dioceses.

Cathy Dougan, personal assistant to Bishop of Sale Pat O’Regan, joined with her counterparts from Ballarat and Sandhurst Dioceses and the Archdioce of Melbourne.

The six monthly meeting at

Bishop opens new centre

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the Sandhurst Diocese chancery discussed matters such as forms and databases, visas for overseas priests and seminarians and administration of systems such as the Australian Catholic Ministry Register.

Procedures and suggestions were shared before the day ended with a tour of Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The group’s next meeting will be in Melbourne in April.

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BISHOP Pat O'Regan with foundation Professor Clare Johnson.

BISHOP Patrick O’Regan, Chairman of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy, officially launched and blessed the new Centre for Liturgy at the Australian Catholic University on November 21.

The launch took place during the Spring Plenary meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference in North Sydney.

Speaking at the launch, Bishop O’Regan said, “It is my privilege to officially launch the Australian Catholic University Centre for Liturgy. In doing so it brings alive the dream of Sacrosanctum Concilum #44 in its section on The Promotion of Pastoral-Liturgical Action which decreed that there be liturgical commissions in every territory and that, “So far as possible the commission should be aided by some kind of Institute for Pastoral Liturgy, consisting of persons who are eminent in these matters…”

Bishop O’Regan said, “The launch of the ACU Centre for Liturgy also answer the question posed and the concerns expressed by many meetings and conferences liturgical about where the Next Generation of those trained in liturgy might come from and how they might be trained.

Page 16 - Catholic Life, December 2016

Newborough students socking it to poverty NEWBOROUGH - October was Mission Month and St Mary’s Newborough took part in Catholic Mission’s “Sock it to Poverty” campaign through an action of Solidarity.

The Grade 2 and Grade 6 students sold rainbow socks to raise money for Catholic Mission’s project.

This year their project is to help fund the educational adapted tuk tuk for children living in the poorest of circumstances to access education, hygiene and feeding programs in Cambodia.

By selling rainbow socks St Mary’s wants to raise awareness that there are people less fortunate than us and a rainbow is a symbol of hope.

On October 27 St Mary’s held a fundraising day where everyone wore colorful socks to school and brought a gold coin

donation. We raised $383.70 from donations and from the sale of the rainbow socks.

Thank you to all the students and families for their generous contributions!

Quotes from students: “I enjoyed the fundraiser and I’m happy to know that the money will be going to better the education of Cambodian children.” Ayden Davey.

“I enjoyed Socktober because we got to wear colourful and crazy socks and all the money was going to a great cause to help Cambodia.” Lani Zimora.

“I loved wearing the colorful and crazy socks! It was a great experience and I loved raising the money for the kids in Cambodia. Learning about how they live is a bit upsetting but true.” Paris Troughton.

Royal Commission announces National redress schedule for final hearings scheme welcomed THE Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has announced its final schedule of public hearings including a three week examination of Catholic Church authorities which have been the subject of past case studies.

The hearings will inquire into the current policies and procedures in relation to child protection and child-safe standards, including responding to allegations of child sexual abuse.

The Catholic component of the hearings, Case study 50, will start on February 6and is expected to end on February 24 2017.

Other institutions which will be examined over five weeks during December, February and March include: YMCA NSW; Scouts NSW; The Salvation

Army; Commonwealth, State and Territory governments; Anglican Church authorities in Australia; Yeshivah Melbourne and Yeshiva Bondi; Jehovah’s Witnesses and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd; Australian Christian Churches and affiliated Pentecostal churches; and the Uniting Church in Australia.

Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council, said the final hearing for the Catholic Church would be gruelling.

“It will be a three-week examination that will see many church leaders give evidence about how their dioceses and orders have responded following their evidence in earlier public hearings.

“It will also go very deeply

into the ‘why’ question: why was child sex abuse so prominent in the Catholic Church? What is it about our culture and environments that saw such massive abuse take place?”

Catholic Authorities and their agencies have been involved in 17 of the 45 Royal Commission’s case studies so far. Of these, 14 focused specifically on the Catholic Church.

In a media statement the Royal Commission said the purpose of the public hearings is not to inquire into individual sets of facts or particular events as has occurred in previous Royal Commission case studies.

For more information on the Truth Justice and Healing Council go to: www.tjhcouncil. org.au

Traralgon’s budding scientists TRARALGON - This term Grades 3 and 4 at St Michael’s School have been focussing on Science as their Inquiry topic.

The children were able to observe and participate in an incursion run by Mad about Science called ‘Chemical Chaos’. It was designed around chemical reactions and physical changes.

When asked about the incursion Grade 4 student, Lola answered,” I enjoyed making the colors with acid and growing the water beads.”

Liam from grade 3 replied, “I liked when we put the little balls in the water and they grew really quickly.”

Recently children were asked to research and choose an experiment that they could do at school and then plan for it. On the chosen day students were required to demonstrate their experiment twice and then write a procedure including an annotated drawing and observations.

THE Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council has welcomed the announcement by the Commonwealth Government that it will establish and run a national redress scheme for the survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

TJHC chief executive officer Francis Sullivan said this was a great day for the survivors of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, other churches as well as state and federal government and other private institutions.

“The Commonwealth and Prime Minister Turnbull should be applauded for taking a principled decision on this very important and difficult issue,” Mr Sullivan said.

“For more than three years the Catholic Church, survivors and others have been calling for an independent, Commonwealth-run redress scheme that has the potential to respond to the claims of survivors consistently.

“Today’s announcement, which is consistent with the Royal Commission recommendations and submissions by the Catholic Church, is the first step

in delivery of such a scheme.

“Importantly, it is now up to all institutions in which abuse occurred, as well at the State and Territory governments, to get on board and become part of the scheme.

“This is by far the best chance we as a community, and particularly the institutions responsible for the abuse will have to do the right thing.

“This scheme will deliver a fair, simple, consistent and generous process for redress for survivors regardless of where abuse occurred, be it a church, a charity, a school, an orphanage or anywhere else.

“It will mean the scheme will determine redress payments and that payment will be met by the institution responsible for the abuse.

“It means that institutions such as the Catholic Church will now no longer be in the business of investigating and determining claims against themselves.

“This is a welcome and very important announcement,” Mr Sullivan said.

New film features Jesuits in Japan

SKYE and Lola conduct a science experiment.

A NEW Martin Scorsese film Silence, based on Jesuit missionaries in Japan in the 1600s, will open in Australian cinemas later this month.

The historical drama set in the 17th century follows the story of two Jesuit priests (Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield) searching for their missing mentor (Liam Neeson) in Japan. The action takes place at a time when Christianity was outlawed in the Asian nation.

The film is based on a novel of the same name. Although a work of fiction, the character of Fr Ferreira, portrayed by Liam Neeson, is based on historic Italian priest Giuseppe Chiara who served as a missionary in Japan in the same era.

Scorsese has been keen to adapt at the book for cinema since 1990.

The film is scheduled for release in Australia on December 22.